Hi everybody! I'm so sorry for not updating sooner. ;_; I was SO busy, I didn't have time

to write. But I had extra time in math, so I got to finish my chapter! ^_^

Dictionary:
Arigato: Thank you
Domo arigato: Very polite thank you.
Gomen: Sorry
Gomen nasai: Very polite apology
Ohayo: Morning

Response to Reviews:
Yami-no-Yugi: Patience is a virtue. You'll have to wait like everyone else! ^_^
Firedraygon97: Domo arigato!
Yami/Yugi: Thanks for the compliment. ^_^;
Sethmarieka: I wasn't really making it to be angsty...
Anime AndrAIa: Ya, I guess the dream was kinda spooky...
Diamond: Thanks!
Ly the werewolf: You're intrigued? Cool. ^_^
PanDora: Yet another thank-you. ^^
Kelly: I'M SORRY! I don't mean to be mean. (heh) Arigato.

Inner World, Chapter Two: Reflections

"EEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!" The alarm clock blared, jarring the petite fourteen-year-old

awake. Yugi smacked the snooze button, silencing the annoying sound. The dream had

already faded away into a distant memory. "Mmph." He groaned, sitting up. He tried to

stand, but the blankets were twisted around his ankle, making him slide off the bed and

crash onto the floor, rather painfully. "Ow! Dammit!" He cursed, rubbing his lower back.

Yugi rushed to get ready, since he had overslept by hitting the snooze button too many

times. Finally, he snatched up his backpack, called a good-bye to his grandfather, and

began the walk to school. "Hey, Yug!" Joey called, running up behind him. "Good

morning, Yugi." Ryou said politely. "Ohayo!" Yugi smiled at them, false cheerfulness

masking the events of yesterday. "So? What'd she say?" Joey asked. Yugi sighed and let

his mask crumble. The other two knew what had happened. "I'm sorry, buddy. She don't

deserve your affection." "He's right, Yugi." Ryou comforted. "Domo arigato." Yugi

smiled at his best friends. "We're gonna be late!" He shouted, panicking. The trio made a

mad dash for the school.

~*~

"And so, what is the function of the noun?" The teacher's voice droned on and on. It was

the last class before lunch, and everyone was bored out of their minds. Finally, the shrill

shriek of the bell sounded, making many jump. They stampeded towards the door and

headed for the cafeteria. Joey and Seto sat next to each other, as Yugi and Ryou did.

"Please, Seto? Just one pepperoni?" Joey pleaded. "Now you're reduced to begging,

mutt?" Seto remarked snidely. "Yes." Joey said stubbornly, no trace of hostility in his

voice. The hints of a smile tugged at Seto's mouth, but he fought to keep a straight face.

"Fine." He sighed, handing Joey the spicy meat. "Who got a pepperoni? Joey got a

pepperoni!" The said pepperoni holder crowed, before scarfing it down. Everyone else at

the table sweatdropped.

~*~

The sun was shining relatively warm that day, in contrast to the snow they had the day

before. The four headed to the park to just bask in the sunlight. They were just talking

about random things, chucking a hacky-sack at each other. (Gee, sounds familiar) Yugi

edged closer to the end of the pond. He skipped a rock across the end of the water. The

others soon followed. Yugi peered into the water's depth, trying to see through the

barrier. The worlds broke down. Under the ripple of the water and the light of the dying

sun, his reflection became distorted and twisted. The new figure had his eyes closed,

while Yugi's were open. Slowly, the lids lifted up, revealing molten scarlet irises. Yugi

gasped and shot up. He turned to run when a hand clamped around his wrist. "Let me

go!" Yugi shouted, struggling against the person's grip. "Yug! What's the matter?" Joey

said, alarmed. "My reflection isn't me!" Yugi shot at the blonde, his voice quivering

slightly. Seto led the little one back to the water, forcing him to look. His frightened

amethyst eyes gazed back from the surface. "It must have been an illusion. You know, a

trick of the light." Ryou stated, trying to calm the boy down. "Maybe..." Yugi replied

skeptically. "Man, we should be getting home." The foursome was already trudging out

of the park. "It's almost dark." Yugi, in the very front, froze. 'Dark' He thought. He

should know someone by that name. "Dark." He mumbled. Joey spun him around to face

the rest, showing Yugi's pale, blank face and cloudy eyes. "Yugi? YUGI!"

~*~

Mwhahahaha! I am so evil! I am evvvvvvvvvvviiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllll! You guys are

gonna hate me for that cliffhanger! ^_^ I couldn't resist. Well, please read and review.

~Moonnymph