Oooh, people like this fic!
Yami: Why am I surprised?
Maybe 'cause you don't like my fics?? *beady eyes*
Yami: Not that again…!
Fwee. ^-^
Yami: Kami-sama…
Disclaimer: Nope. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Nope, just don't.
Dedicated to: Maiden of the Moon
Note: This story contains Yaoi/shonen-ai. Couples include Y/Y, B/R, and S/J. Slight Anzu bashing
_______________________________________________
Everyone within vicinity of the house heard the thuds and screams. How could they not with the sounds echoing? People could probably hear it on the other side of town. It was the same every single night. 'Someone should stop that man,' was the thought on everyone's mind, but no one ever did anything about it. Everyone heard a loud smack, quickly followed by loud insults and curses. Only those with very good ears could hear the soft pleading and whimpering which followed.
The house grew quiet, and the neighbors let out a collective sigh of relief. The silence was shattered by the sound of broken glass, probably a beer bottle, but it immediately closed in again, becoming almost oppressive. It broke again with the sounds of stomping and a door slamming, followed by a soft muffled whimpering which faded away.
Another average night in the life of Yugi Mutou.
Blood poured from new wounds as he sat up, the old ones making token protest, threatening to tear. Tear stains were evident even on his badly bruised cheeks. A new one was squeezed out, sliding down towards his swollen bottom lip. His already tired eyes leaked more tears, blurring his vision. The world in front of him blurred in his tears, making him feel so lost and helpless. He blinked in a hopeless attempt to see through salt water, leaving more to run down his cheeks.
Yugi whimpered, his tears slipping softly down his cheeks, soaking into the carpeted floor. Getting up shakily, he wiped his eyes unceremoniously with his sleeve and wobbled into the kitchen. He grabbed a none-too-clean cloth and a bottle of stain remover, then headed back to the living room. He fell to his knees, spraying the carpet area stained with his blood. This was routine. After every beating, Yugi was required to clean up the blood and tears that stained the walls, floor and carpet. He scrubbed against the material, washing away the crimson stain. Once the stains were gone, Yugi got up and dumped the rag into the trashcan. He picked up the broom to sweep up the broken glass. Picking up the pieces, he selected a large, relatively clean piece, still covered in foam from the alcohol, wiped it off and looked into it. A haunted face looked back at him, slightly distorted by the curve of the glass, mottled bruises covering its face, a black eye blossoming. He threw it away and headed for the bathroom.
Once there, he leaned against the sink for support, bowing his head, shakily reaching for the faucet and turning on the water at full blast. He reached in and splashed his aching face with cold water, feeling his tears and blood slide off, swirling together in the sink. Yugi looked up at his poor reflection, hardly daring to believe that was his pain-filled face. He opened the medicine cabinet and took out the familiar First-Aid kit, taking out the disinfectants, bandages and helpful creams. Yugi gently cleaned, treated and dressed his wounds, then put away the kit and walked slowly to his lonely room.
Yugi didn't even bother to turn on the light, automatically finding his pajamas, slipping out of his school uniform and dressing in the soft cotton pants and shirt, feeling slightly better. He walked towards his closet, opening it and rummaging through the clothes and toys. Ever aware of his surroundings, he was quiet as he pulled out a familiar golden box, cradling it in his arms. He tiptoed cautiously to his desk, collapsed on the chair, setting the precious box down gingerly. Yugi silently opened the lid, taking out a small, golden piece. Admiring a beautifully shaped puzzle piece, he spun it around in his fingers, making it twinkle slightly in the moonlight that poured through the window from the skylight above his desk.
He slowly took out the rest of the pieces, taking the time to marvel at each and every one of them. With a small dream in his heart, Yugi slowly began to put together the puzzle, each little click, giving him a new hope, a new dream. Click after click, Yugi worked on the puzzle, finally stopping when sleep began to claim him. After gently putting the partially completed puzzle in the box, as well as the remaining pieces, he stole back to the closet, hiding the box once again. He pulled the door shut, quietly so as to not wake his father.
Yugi slipped into bed tiredly, almost stiffly, taking care not to disturb his new bruises and cuts. Snuggling under the quilt spread across the mattress, he sighed. He looked up at the ceiling, wondering when he was able to be free from this nightmare, this Hell that he was trapped in. His eyes felt heavy from the tears, both shed and unshed, in his haunted amethyst eyes. The customary silence of night hung thick in the air, almost as thick as his blanket, causing his eyes to droop. He blinked hard, struggling to stay awake, if only for just a bit longer. Through the haze of sleep and pain, Yugi sighed as pictures began to swirl in his mind's eye.
A dark, Egyptian night.
An ancient palace.
The tall green grass.
The full moon.
The hot sun.
Ruby colored eyes.
At that, Yugi stopped and blinked.
Ruby colored eyes?
The image came unbidden. A face appeared of which only those eyes were visible, the rest of the face being shrouded in darkness. The figure stretched out a hand to him, as if he wanted Yugi to take it. That motion pulled at Yugi's heart, as if he were destined to take it. The ancient whispers of the long dead grass, dead except when he was in his dreams, surrounded him. A familiar fragrance began to fill the air. Yugi dreamed of warm, strong arms wrapping around him, holding him close, a frighteningly familiar feeling began to fill him, completing him, making his heart happy. It was because of this Someone. Someone Yugi longed to have by his side. A tear escaped Yugi's nearly closed eyes. It trailed down and soaked into Yugi's pillow, staining it slightly.
Yugi turned in his bed, facing his desk, looking up through the window at the star-filled sky, gazing at the full moon. The moon struck a nerve in his mind, jolting him as if trying to recall a very old memory. It seemed so…familiar. So…normal. As if Yugi had always been gazing up at its silvery face. The light from it shone brightly into the small room. A musical note struck at Yugi's mind. It rang in his ears, yet was silent. It was quietly intense, inciting him to learn the rest of the melody. It seemed he should know it from somewhere. It was a soft note…soothing, mysterious and…beautiful. So very beautiful…
He drifted off to sleep under the watchful gaze of the moon.
From deep inside the closet, the half-completed puzzle shimmered.
_______________________________________________
*~Flashback~*
"Come here, Yugi, I want to show you something," the Pharaoh beckoned to his small lover. The timid amethyst eyed boy walked slowly behind the Pharaoh, glancing nervously around the area, half expecting guards to jump out with spears aimed at him. Yami smiled lovingly at the boy, taking his hand in his gently, leading him slowly to an unknown destination. The grass rustled quietly, brushing against Yugi's small legs, tickling them slightly. A giggle escaped his lips, and Yami gazed at him, his ruby eyes, shinning bright.
The two lovers approached a secluded building, covered in shadows. Yugi's heart beat accelerated in anticipation as the approached the silent building. Yami, on the other hand, was grinning broadly, squeezing Yugi's hand gently as he led the boy into the building, wanting to gather him in his arms and never let go. They walked up the steps, traveling deeper into the mysterious temple. The amethyst eyed boy glanced around nervously, creeping up closer to his strong lover, feeling a cold hand grip at his insides.
Yami suddenly stopped as he reached a pathway being shielded by a curtain. Yugi glanced down and saw faint light peek through the tiny space between the tip of the material and the ground. Yami turned around and placed his hands on both sides of Yugi's face. He stroked Yugi's left cheek with his thumb, running the digit across the soft skin. He leaned in and brushed his lips across Yugi's softly, almost like a whisper from the Egyptian wind. A soft blush spread across the Pharaoh's face, mimicking the one of his small love.
"I want to show you something that I had made," he whispered, his lips hovering above Yugi's slightly. "Just for us," he added, kissing the boy again. Yami pulled away, reaching out and pushing the curtain aside. Yugi's eyes widened slightly.
The curtain revealed a small area, overlooking the entire town below them, making it seem as if they were floating in the sky. There was a large chair, and in front of it, was a lovely, golden harp. The moon shone brightly, making the frame of the lovely instrument gleam radiantly. The delicate strings shimmered in the holy light, resembling harps that were only seen in Heaven. Yami suddenly turned around and scooped Yugi into his arms, hugging him tightly. Yugi was taken back, but soon returned the hug, not being close enough to the taller boy.
"You don't know how much you mean to me," Yami whispered, tightening his grip. "I can't even find the words to tell you."
"I don't want to live without you," Yugi whispered, burying his face in the crook of Yami's neck.
Yami pressed his lips against Yugi's soft, pliant, syrupy sweet lips. Yugi's eyes fluttered closed, melting into the kiss, leaning in further, heat rushing up to his cheeks. The Pharaoh wrapped his arms around the boy, bringing him in closer, deepening the kiss, tasting the sugar sweet lips of his small lover. The shorter of the two wrapped his small arms around the Pharaoh's neck, pressing his lips further and further, making his body feel as if it was on fire from the intensity and passion of the gesture.
Yami pulled away slowly, red-faced, panting for breath. Yugi was gasping for air, his eyes shut, face bright red from the intense heat. The Pharaoh leaned in, kissing Yugi's closed eyes softly, then trailing feather-light kisses down Yugi's nose, spreading across his cheeks, then fully kissing the boy's mouth again. Yami led Yugi to the chair, motioning to sit with him. The Pharaoh sat first, and Yugi then snuggled between his legs, feeling Yami's strong arms wrap around him.
The two sat in silence, Yami resting his chin on Yugi's shoulder, whispering romantic phrases in the boy's ear. Yugi leaned backwards and shut his eyes, lost in the haze of love that had wrapped around him. He felt the warm arms around him slip away, and he nearly fell backwards. His eyes flung open, only to see Yami sitting on a stool that was positioned beside the harp. Yami's fingers touched the delicate strings, producing a Heavenly melody. Each note hit something inside of Yugi, burning the sweet sound in his memory, leaving an everlasting imprint. Yami continued to play, his eyes shut as he did so. The lovely melody rang throughout the small temple, nearly reaching the towns below.
Yugi's eyes filled with tears, moved by Yami's incredible talent as well by the soothing notes. The melody ceased, and only the sounds of the Nile River were audible. Yami looked up, his eyes bright.
"I wrote that for you, love," he said. "I want you to remember that song forever."
~* End Flashback*~
Yugi's eyes fluttered open, hearing the strange note ring in his ears, hitting something deep inside. A strange sadness overwhelmed him, feeling as if something important was missing. A tear escaped from Yugi's tired eyes, sliding softly down his tender cheek. The sound of a door opening startled him, making him jump slightly and quickly hide under the thick quilt. Seconds seemed to last a lifetime as Yugi's heart pounded hard against his chest, feeling as if it would burst and second. The noises ceased, and Yugi relaxed, his heart beat slowly returning to normal. Yugi lay against the soft pillow, listening to the rain that was now pounding against the window.
_______________________________________________
"When do you think that he'll solve the puzzle?"
"Be patient. When the proper time comes, Yugi will solve the puzzle and he'll be saved."
"But he needs rescuing now. He can't go on another day like this. The only time he finds comfort is a night when everyone is sleeping. Does he remember him?"
"I wouldn't count on it. While the Pharaoh's memory may still be somewhat intact, Yugi's was completely erased. After all, he wasn't the one who was sealed in a puzzle for 5,000 years, aibou."
"Aibou…I can remember when all you referred me as was 'you worthless piece of trash'."
A strong pair of arms wrapped around him, pulling him close to a warm, muscular body. Warm breath tickled his cheek.
"I didn't fully understand you at the time. You forgive, me, right?"
A nod.
"Of course."
A pause.
"You're still worried about him, aren't you?"
"Obviously. He's my friend. I don't want him to get hurt anymore. I can't stand to see him colored in bruises and crying in the corner of the lunch area, hoping someone wouldn't see him. Yugi needs him now."
"I know. I know."
The taller boy stretched and sleepily kissed the shorter boy's cheek, before walking off to bed.
Ryou Bakura touched the window, watching the rain pour down.
"Yugi…"
_______________________________________________
^__^ Ehehe, for those of you wondering, "Land of Forever" will be updated tomorrow, come hell or high water!
Yami: Betcha 5 bucks she won't do it
Bakura: You're on
Gee, I feel so loved. -_-;
Yami and Bakura: ^^;;
Hope you enjoyed! Please r/r! ^_^