all general disclaimers apply

Aww, Craps! Part 3

The night before the big trip arrived quickly. Yugi was preparing his baggage and of course, had his entire wardwarbe strewn about the room as he tried to satisfy the fashion sense of both himself and the spirit within the puzzle. Yami was beside him, trying to select the best pieces that would best suit his own style and would help Yugi win a little more notice from a certain someone whom Yugi had a long time crush on.

"Yami, that's a bit extensive. I don't like wearing jewelry. A bracelet or arm band fine, but you're talking earrings!? And how many rings did you grab there?"

"This modern world is too stuck on its gender stereotypes Yugi. Break from it. Trust me, jewelry is as flattering on a man as it is on a woman."

"But everyone will think I'm gay or something!"

"Are you always concerned about what others think?"

"YES!"

Yami sighed, Yugi was very much like other teenagers...very concerned about image and what others thought of him. "At some point, you'll realize that you should only be concerned for what you think of yourself and not what others think." Yami said softly as he walked over to Yugi's desk. Yugi had a large research paper to work on and he just happened to choose Ancient Egypt and its pharaohs as his subject. Yami found a book containing many colorful images in it. He thumbed to some pages of replica pharaoh attire and the many items of gold jewelry. "Yugi, while I don't remember much about my past and what I wore per se, I do know some of the greatest leaders of the Ancient World wore accessories." Yami found another book about Great Historical Leaders and pointed out others from Emporers of the Orient to the Roman Empire to the mighty Lords of the Middle Ages. "It's a continuous theme among powerful males. I doubt any of them whined about wearing jewelry and other items. Attire often reflects one's power or status."

"I'm not a powerful, high-ranking male Yami."

"You sell yourself short then." Yami replied strongly as their eyes met in a strong emotional gaze.

"Look, I'll bring the stuff along. If you want to wear it, then fine. But, when I'm me, I'm not. I prefer not to be noticed by the masses and not to set off evey metal detector and thug in the place."

"You're too conservative Yugi."

"The less visible I am, the less chance of some bully finding me and placing my head in the pavement."

"I'd never allow that to happen to you."

"Maybe not, but right now, it's still an instinctive survival tactic for me."

"Suit yourself then. I'll not debate this further seeing how it's becoming circular." Yami replied as he looked over more of Yugi's clothing. "Promise me this Yugi, you will wear at least one outfit I choose?"

"As long as it is not my birthday suit."

"Birthday suit?"

"Total nudity."

Yami chuckled. "If I recall correctly, that is illegal in public in this day. I'd not subject that upon you."

Yugi nodded with a blush. "It wasn't in your time?"

"I don't remember, but I also don't recall everyone being so uncomfortable with nudity either. Egyptians, Greeks, Romans...we were all very comfortable with our natural selves." Yami replied as he thumbed through various photos of ancient artwork, much of which featured nude images. Yami even turned the book every now and then as if to get a better angle at whatever angles the art was doing. Yugi couldn't believe how Yami managed to back up his claims with mere flips through books, but they were proving his point.

"I will wear one outfit you choose, but only if it's not too wild and not too extreme."

"Yugi, I've never gone that far."

"Well, my mother is wondering why I suddenly started wearing dog collars, studded belts, solid black, and leather pants. It's not exactly attire of her little innocent boy. And she's worried that the next things I'll get are a tattoo on my ass and a pierced tongue."

Yami smirked. "Pierced tongue?" Yami shuddered at the thought, but he was curious about one thing. "And you want to stay innocent and a boy?"

"Definitely not."

"You look handsome in that attire. It accentuates the strong facial features such your eyes and hair. Both are strong and unique features for both of us."

"Maybe, but those tight leather pants are rough when needing to use the bathroom, especially if one has to go badly."

"Why do you wait to that point to go then?"

Yugi laughed and shook his head. There was no way he was going to get into a bathroom conversation with a once pharaoh. "Nevermind. Anyway, we need to finish packing and get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a long day and flying always wears me out. Oh and pack that book with all the nude stuff you just found."

Yami raised an inquisitive brow at the other him, but decided it was best he didn't continue on that particular subject matter just yet except for one aspect. He noticed the highly treasured porn tape resting upon Yugi's tv. Joey had let Yugi borrow it. "I will find you more tasteful material than that tape. That book is a good start, but this tape is not worthy of your eyes. There's more powerful, meaningful ways of learning about this particular subject. It may make the difference in your future should you fall in love and find a mate."

"And that is?"

"Like many females of this day say, there is a difference between sex and making love Yugi. This tape is just raw intercourse, no emotion, no connection other than the physical between the partners. It will not win a female's interest for long. Learning from that tape will make you a bad lover. I'll seek out what you need to learn about this particular subject. I know the books I seek still exist though I do not know how much they may have changed over time."

"Ah, but will the images be as uhh, stimulating as what is seen on the tape?"

"Heheh, perhaps moreso. An image doesn't have to move to be erotic Yugi."

"Then bring on this new uh, educational material. I dare you! Hey waitaminute...I was watching that tape myself at a time I thought I had privacy...how do you know about its contents?"

Yami chuckled."Okay, you have me there. I was curious. "

Yugi blushed furiously. He didn't dare inquire about how much Yami knew. It was best not to know. It was almost as if his mother had walked in on him. "Nev-nevermind, let's just drop the subject and finish this packing."

After another hour, the two finally completed the packing and prepared for bed. Yami sat on Yugi's bedside as Yugi tucked himself in.

"Yugi?"

"Yes?"

"Tea is coming along, correct?"

"Yes. But she'll have a separate room from the rest of us."

Yami smiled gently. "And you have a special dance coming up at your school a few months from now, correct?"

Yugi saw where Yami was headed and grew a bit uncomfortable. "Y-yeah, but I'm probably not going."

"You would with Tea wouldn't you?"

Yugi blushed and remained speechless. Yami pressed the issue. "What if I assisted in the matter?"

"If you want to go with her to a dance, I'm not going to stop you."

"Did I just pick up a hint of bile in your words? Yugi, while I notice her interest in me, it is also interest in you. We are of the same body remember."

"But two totally different personalities Yami. She notices that. It is your personality she's attracted to--not mine."

Yami sighed, this was what he was getting at to begin with. "Yugi, you DO have the same qualities I do, you just keep them buried deep inside. I'm trying to encourage you to bring them forward. When you are in danger or barely scrape by, she's concerned. Ask Joey...he says he could see it in her eyes in those instances. She's worried she'd lose you. She's not thinking about me. She's thinking about you."

Yugi yawned. "Let me sleep on it Yami. I'll make a decision later. I've got a couple of weeks."

"Wait too long and another may ask her in your place."

Yugi stared deeply into Yami's eyes. It was true. While she hung out with him and his motely crew of friends, Tea was popluar in her own right. But it just reinforced Yugi's view...what would a cute, popular girl like Tea want with a scrawny, invisible, unpopular boy like himself? Her interest in Yami was his only trump card over other guys, but it was not so obvious once in the school environment.

"Good night Yami."

"May you have pleasant dreams Yugi."

The next morning, the group met at the Game Shop as they prepared to depart.

"So Yuge, are we all set to win big bucks?!"

"Joey! Keep it down. My mom doesn't know about my other self yet!"

"Oh...uhh, hello Mrs. Motou. Nice day eh?"

Yugi's mother simply nodded. Her son's friends were sure colorful and strange.

Yugi's grandfather locked down the store just as the taxi rolled up. They all stuffed their luggage into the trunk and piled into the cab. Next step...the airport.

Once they arrived at the airport, they checked in and found their departure gate. Joey and Tristan ran for nearest burger stand and Yugi's grandfather had to make a quick telephone call. Yugi and Tea were left standing by the gate...alone.

Yugi felt awkward in the silence. Ever since Tea mentioned her interest in Yami, things had changed between them. It was like some invisible line had been crossed and they could never go back to the way they once were. "Uh, big plane isn't it?" Yugi said, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, biggest in the fleet...a 747. Guess we'll have a little stretching room. It's going to be a very long flight."

"Yeah. I just hope Yami likes the music I brought. I didn't bother to ask him. But we'll be listening to it all the way there...unless they play a good movie on board."

Tea's eyes brightened for a moment at the mention of the spirit's name. Well, actually it wasn't his real name, but since nobody including himself knew his given name, the name Isis used sufficed. "I doubt the spirit will mind. He seems to trust your judgement. He likely sleep anyway, or are you going to allow him to come forward a bit to experience the flight?"

"It's up to him. While he didn't admit it to Kaiba, he hated that helicopter ride. It made him feel uneasy. I mean think about it...an ancient pharaoh flying in a contraption that wasn't even thought of back in his time. It's not a natural thing for him. I didn't ask him why he didn't just switch back with me though...if only through that ride.But, I probably wouldn't have liked it either. Amusement park rides affect me...a helicopter would be the same if not worse."

"I guess you're right. He didn't seem phased by the blimp ride during Battle City, but then again, he was focused on the duels and events." Tea mentioned.

"Blimps don't travel as fast either. Yami told me the speed and movement of the helicopter through turbulent air bothered him. Not-to-mention the pilot's weaving and arcing. Blimps aren't affected by such due to their slow speeds and large size."

"Maybe it's best he remained in the puzzle then. There's no telling if this will be a smooth or bumpy ride."

Before they could continue their conversation, Joey and Tristan returned. "Hey guys, we were so nice that we even picked up some food for you two lovebirds too." Joey snickered with a wink in their direction.

"Should've got them roses Joey. I told you we passed a flower shop on the way to that burger stand."

Both Tea and Yugi blushed. "Uh, thanks guys." Yugi replied as he dove for the burger bag and a chance to change the subject by stuffing his mouth and ignore it all.

An hour later their flight was called and they all boarded and settled into their seats. As the plane sped down the runway and rose into the air, they all prepared for the long flight halfway across the world to a place of lights, glimmer, and an environment that the Game King coudln't even imagine.

to be continued...