Yay, reviewers to reply to! Here we go. : )
lanlan- Hey, thanks! Yeah, I guess.
Misura- After reading this chapter, you might think things will get worse for our beleagured bishies.
Ryou Bakura22- Hey, thanks again!
Disclaimer- * sigh *. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!; if I did, countless shounen- ai pairings would be canon. : )
Author's Note- I do warn you, this fanfic can get very depressing at times. So I would suggest you eat a lot of sugar to offset the oncoming depression.
---
Swirling rain pounded the pavement outside the Turtle Game Store [1] as Yuugi Mutou stumbled up to the door, tears and angst evident on his eyes and face. His large and cute purple eyes were tear-stained, looking saddened and drooping with angst. The Millennium Puzzle hung from his neck, housing his friend and guardian Yami, who had helped him through many a tough time.
As Yuugi removed the store key from his uniform pocket and opened the door, he thought that he would need the kindness and courage that Yami provided him to get through this. Yami had been spending his time in the depths of the Millenium Puzzle, since Yuugi had respectfully asked to be.. alone with his grandfather, and so Yami knew little of the whole affair.
Sugoruku Mutou, the only remaining blood relative of Yuugi, had suffered a heart attack this afternoon. Suddenly grasping his chest and keeling over in the store, a customer had managed to call 911. Yuugi was over at Jounouchi's for the day, so the hospital had to inform him that his grandfather was currently in critical condition, and not expected to live.
After a talk with his grandfather, filled with many tears and the thought that Yuugi might well have to be in a foster home after this, along with some sympathy from his friends, Yuugi had headed for home. Despite his short height and childlike manner, Yuugi well knew how to handle himself.
With a broken sigh, Yuugi entered the game store. The shelves were filled to the brim with games and toys of all manners. To Yuugi, the store once looked like a happy and joyous place. Now, it was a store that Yuugi only viewed with sad eyes, for it reminded him of his dying grandfather and the fact that he would not have a real family after this.
He would have Yami, really. While that was not anything bad, he knew that Yami would only be with him for a short while. Once they recovered the other Millennium Items [2] and the ancient spirit's memories returned to him, he would have to leave Yuugi forever, thusly leaving Yuugi alone and with no one who could love him, understand him and listen to him.
His friends somewhat fell into that category, but they lacked a certain. something that family seemed to provide for him, a kind of unconditional love and caring that he only found in two people; Sugoruku and Yami, the spirit in the puzzle. Now, with Sugoruku dying, Yami was the only one who could provide this for him. And once they gained all the Items, Yami would have to leave him. Yuugi would be left with no one who could love him because of him. His friends, he thought, only came to like him because of what he had done for them. Yuugi wanted someone who could like him not for what he did, but just for him.
But the thought that he would never have someone like that in his life for good depressed him, enough so that he stumbled to the store counter and leaned upon it, tears falling fresh from his eyes. An exclamation flew from his lips, one that represented his inner turmoil and thoughts.
" Will I always be alone? Can I never find someone who will stay in my life forever, someone who will love me for who I am and not what I do for them? " This sudden burst of raw and pure emotion awakened the Yami spirit within Yuugi, and it emerged from the depths to converse with him.
" What is the matter, Yuugi? " asked the spirit, whose physicial form resembled a taller and more mature version of Yuugi. He had entered the soul room of Yuugi, which housed Yuugi's more childike self, his hikari. Here, he was given to express his thoughts in longer sentences.
" Yami. Will I ever have someone who will not drift in and out of my life, someone who will stand with me until the end of time? "
Yami was taken aback by the question, shocked. " What do you mean, Yuugi? You have friends, people who stand by you- Jounouchi, Anzu, Honda. " Yami continued to list his aibou's friends, but Yuugi held up a hand for him to stop.
" No, Yami. I need someone who will love me, support me, and care for me. Someone like you, Yami, but someone who can stay in my life forever. I know that the Millennium Items, once found, will force you to leave me. "
Yami listened silently, reminded of his fears of having to leave his hikari behind. Yuugi had assembled the Milennium Puzzle a year or two ago, allowing him to leave the darkness of the puzzle and enter a world of sight and sound, of color. For this, he had been eternally grateful to Yuugi. And so, to thank him, he had served as the boy's guardian, condemning those who would slight him or injure his hikari to deadly punishments using the ancient relic's power.
Over time, however, this gratitude had developed into something more. He had watched the kindness of Yuugi, watched how the boy was kind to every one, even the social outcasts of his school. He had watched how Yuugi stuck up for his friends when someone threatened them, how he was almost blindingly loyal to them. As far as Yami was concerned, Yuugi seemed to resemble perfect light and innocence- even in the most trying of situations, he was kind, unlike so many other people in this world. As far as Yami was concerned, Yuugi was a perfect angel, almost a gift if you will. He had killed so many when he was a pharoah in ancient Egypt, and now to meet someone who could accept him and not try to dominate him- he seemed like a gift from the gods themselves.
Yami was determined not to waste this gift. A friend of his hikari's, Ryou, seemed to be almost a perfect duplicate of Yuugi in every way; he too had an Item and Yami, who relentlessly beat him each and every day, as part of some twisted " lessons ". He was determined not to be like Ryou's Yami, and so he served as Yuugi's guardian spirit, for lack of a better word. This Yuugi was perfect in every way; a perfection he longed to love, someone who simply seemed perfect for him. And of course, he loved the boy, even more than that familial love Yuugi saw from him..
But he dared not say it. He feared what his aibou would think of his love. Would he be disgusted, would he be scared, or would he accept it? Would he never want to see him again, and thusly sever their link? He chuckled to himself. A person such as him, courageous and stalwart, cowering in fear of someone else's thoughts like a little boy. But then, this " someone else " was extremely important to him. He did not want to lose what link they had, and did not want to place it in jeopardy. Now, however, he feared that he had to confess. But first, he would have to comfort Yuugi before he confessed the truth.
" Yuugi. I will never leave you.. I promise you that, I will never leave you. Even if it means never gaining my memories back. " said Yami, a bit more emotional than normal.
" Yami. No, you do not have to do that. I will still help you gain the items. " said Yuugi.
" No, listen. It is not out of pity that I do this.. I.. I.. " sputtered Yami. Love makes fools of us all, even ancient spirits.
" Yami? " asked a concerned Yuugi.
Yami did not respond for moments, again brought to silence by love. Finally, he had to speak, something to get off this subject. " Why are you so sad, Yuugi? "
Yuugi spilled the whole thing to him, about how his grandfather was in the hospital and how he would lose the only link to his family if he died. A sudden wave of realization washed over Yami.
/ It is no wonder he asked me that. His only link to his family is about to pass away, and he will never have anyone like family to help him through life. To confess my love now would be. Improper. I must help him through this, I must find a way. /
To take Yuugi's mind off of his grandfather, Yami thought to ask him a question about his life, something Yuugi had mayhaps forgotten to tell him. " Apart from your grandfather, do you have any other family? "
Yuugi thought for a brief moment, wondering why Yami had asked this question, but decided to oblige him. " Well, my father died years ago and left me with my grandfather. My grandmother died before I came to live with my grandfather. And my mother vanished and left me behind, but she turned up dead a few months later. " Sadness filled Yuugi's voice.
Yami thought. / Poor boy. His only family is about to die, but he must have more. Someone out there must care for him. And I will find them! For him, it is the only thing he could want right now. I cannot confess my love for him, but maybe I can help him to find someone who will support him. /
Yami laid a hand on the depressed Yuugi's shoulder. " Yuugi. I will help you through this. You would like to find a family, correct? "
Yuugi uttered a yes, and Yami proceeded to explain how he would help Yuugi find his family. When all was said and done, Yuugi was shocked at first. But then, he threw his arms around Yami, hugging him and thanking him, now cheered up again. Truly, he wanted to see his family..
Yami smiled, a rare one; his hikari was cheered up. He knew that he could help him now, in return for all he had done. He still harbored that love for Yuugi, but now he hoped that he could help Yuugi find a family. And maybe, become part of that family, someone whom Yuugi cared for..
---
Worse than the first chapter, no? Well, review if you dare! : ) Ja ne!
lanlan- Hey, thanks! Yeah, I guess.
Misura- After reading this chapter, you might think things will get worse for our beleagured bishies.
Ryou Bakura22- Hey, thanks again!
Disclaimer- * sigh *. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!; if I did, countless shounen- ai pairings would be canon. : )
Author's Note- I do warn you, this fanfic can get very depressing at times. So I would suggest you eat a lot of sugar to offset the oncoming depression.
---
Swirling rain pounded the pavement outside the Turtle Game Store [1] as Yuugi Mutou stumbled up to the door, tears and angst evident on his eyes and face. His large and cute purple eyes were tear-stained, looking saddened and drooping with angst. The Millennium Puzzle hung from his neck, housing his friend and guardian Yami, who had helped him through many a tough time.
As Yuugi removed the store key from his uniform pocket and opened the door, he thought that he would need the kindness and courage that Yami provided him to get through this. Yami had been spending his time in the depths of the Millenium Puzzle, since Yuugi had respectfully asked to be.. alone with his grandfather, and so Yami knew little of the whole affair.
Sugoruku Mutou, the only remaining blood relative of Yuugi, had suffered a heart attack this afternoon. Suddenly grasping his chest and keeling over in the store, a customer had managed to call 911. Yuugi was over at Jounouchi's for the day, so the hospital had to inform him that his grandfather was currently in critical condition, and not expected to live.
After a talk with his grandfather, filled with many tears and the thought that Yuugi might well have to be in a foster home after this, along with some sympathy from his friends, Yuugi had headed for home. Despite his short height and childlike manner, Yuugi well knew how to handle himself.
With a broken sigh, Yuugi entered the game store. The shelves were filled to the brim with games and toys of all manners. To Yuugi, the store once looked like a happy and joyous place. Now, it was a store that Yuugi only viewed with sad eyes, for it reminded him of his dying grandfather and the fact that he would not have a real family after this.
He would have Yami, really. While that was not anything bad, he knew that Yami would only be with him for a short while. Once they recovered the other Millennium Items [2] and the ancient spirit's memories returned to him, he would have to leave Yuugi forever, thusly leaving Yuugi alone and with no one who could love him, understand him and listen to him.
His friends somewhat fell into that category, but they lacked a certain. something that family seemed to provide for him, a kind of unconditional love and caring that he only found in two people; Sugoruku and Yami, the spirit in the puzzle. Now, with Sugoruku dying, Yami was the only one who could provide this for him. And once they gained all the Items, Yami would have to leave him. Yuugi would be left with no one who could love him because of him. His friends, he thought, only came to like him because of what he had done for them. Yuugi wanted someone who could like him not for what he did, but just for him.
But the thought that he would never have someone like that in his life for good depressed him, enough so that he stumbled to the store counter and leaned upon it, tears falling fresh from his eyes. An exclamation flew from his lips, one that represented his inner turmoil and thoughts.
" Will I always be alone? Can I never find someone who will stay in my life forever, someone who will love me for who I am and not what I do for them? " This sudden burst of raw and pure emotion awakened the Yami spirit within Yuugi, and it emerged from the depths to converse with him.
" What is the matter, Yuugi? " asked the spirit, whose physicial form resembled a taller and more mature version of Yuugi. He had entered the soul room of Yuugi, which housed Yuugi's more childike self, his hikari. Here, he was given to express his thoughts in longer sentences.
" Yami. Will I ever have someone who will not drift in and out of my life, someone who will stand with me until the end of time? "
Yami was taken aback by the question, shocked. " What do you mean, Yuugi? You have friends, people who stand by you- Jounouchi, Anzu, Honda. " Yami continued to list his aibou's friends, but Yuugi held up a hand for him to stop.
" No, Yami. I need someone who will love me, support me, and care for me. Someone like you, Yami, but someone who can stay in my life forever. I know that the Millennium Items, once found, will force you to leave me. "
Yami listened silently, reminded of his fears of having to leave his hikari behind. Yuugi had assembled the Milennium Puzzle a year or two ago, allowing him to leave the darkness of the puzzle and enter a world of sight and sound, of color. For this, he had been eternally grateful to Yuugi. And so, to thank him, he had served as the boy's guardian, condemning those who would slight him or injure his hikari to deadly punishments using the ancient relic's power.
Over time, however, this gratitude had developed into something more. He had watched the kindness of Yuugi, watched how the boy was kind to every one, even the social outcasts of his school. He had watched how Yuugi stuck up for his friends when someone threatened them, how he was almost blindingly loyal to them. As far as Yami was concerned, Yuugi seemed to resemble perfect light and innocence- even in the most trying of situations, he was kind, unlike so many other people in this world. As far as Yami was concerned, Yuugi was a perfect angel, almost a gift if you will. He had killed so many when he was a pharoah in ancient Egypt, and now to meet someone who could accept him and not try to dominate him- he seemed like a gift from the gods themselves.
Yami was determined not to waste this gift. A friend of his hikari's, Ryou, seemed to be almost a perfect duplicate of Yuugi in every way; he too had an Item and Yami, who relentlessly beat him each and every day, as part of some twisted " lessons ". He was determined not to be like Ryou's Yami, and so he served as Yuugi's guardian spirit, for lack of a better word. This Yuugi was perfect in every way; a perfection he longed to love, someone who simply seemed perfect for him. And of course, he loved the boy, even more than that familial love Yuugi saw from him..
But he dared not say it. He feared what his aibou would think of his love. Would he be disgusted, would he be scared, or would he accept it? Would he never want to see him again, and thusly sever their link? He chuckled to himself. A person such as him, courageous and stalwart, cowering in fear of someone else's thoughts like a little boy. But then, this " someone else " was extremely important to him. He did not want to lose what link they had, and did not want to place it in jeopardy. Now, however, he feared that he had to confess. But first, he would have to comfort Yuugi before he confessed the truth.
" Yuugi. I will never leave you.. I promise you that, I will never leave you. Even if it means never gaining my memories back. " said Yami, a bit more emotional than normal.
" Yami. No, you do not have to do that. I will still help you gain the items. " said Yuugi.
" No, listen. It is not out of pity that I do this.. I.. I.. " sputtered Yami. Love makes fools of us all, even ancient spirits.
" Yami? " asked a concerned Yuugi.
Yami did not respond for moments, again brought to silence by love. Finally, he had to speak, something to get off this subject. " Why are you so sad, Yuugi? "
Yuugi spilled the whole thing to him, about how his grandfather was in the hospital and how he would lose the only link to his family if he died. A sudden wave of realization washed over Yami.
/ It is no wonder he asked me that. His only link to his family is about to pass away, and he will never have anyone like family to help him through life. To confess my love now would be. Improper. I must help him through this, I must find a way. /
To take Yuugi's mind off of his grandfather, Yami thought to ask him a question about his life, something Yuugi had mayhaps forgotten to tell him. " Apart from your grandfather, do you have any other family? "
Yuugi thought for a brief moment, wondering why Yami had asked this question, but decided to oblige him. " Well, my father died years ago and left me with my grandfather. My grandmother died before I came to live with my grandfather. And my mother vanished and left me behind, but she turned up dead a few months later. " Sadness filled Yuugi's voice.
Yami thought. / Poor boy. His only family is about to die, but he must have more. Someone out there must care for him. And I will find them! For him, it is the only thing he could want right now. I cannot confess my love for him, but maybe I can help him to find someone who will support him. /
Yami laid a hand on the depressed Yuugi's shoulder. " Yuugi. I will help you through this. You would like to find a family, correct? "
Yuugi uttered a yes, and Yami proceeded to explain how he would help Yuugi find his family. When all was said and done, Yuugi was shocked at first. But then, he threw his arms around Yami, hugging him and thanking him, now cheered up again. Truly, he wanted to see his family..
Yami smiled, a rare one; his hikari was cheered up. He knew that he could help him now, in return for all he had done. He still harbored that love for Yuugi, but now he hoped that he could help Yuugi find a family. And maybe, become part of that family, someone whom Yuugi cared for..
---
Worse than the first chapter, no? Well, review if you dare! : ) Ja ne!