Ne, no update in a while! GOMEN! *bows down*

Yami: yup

Oh shaddap. Ack, I haven't updated since I was busy w/LoF, but here is chapter 3!

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

"…" is speaking, '…' is thinking

/…/ Ryou to Bakura

//…// Bakura to Ryou

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"Why won't you help me…?"

"Shh…little one…do not fear. I will not leave you," the gentle voice said softly. Yugi struggled to open his eyes, but found that he couldn't. Panic worked its way through his insides, making him squirm and yelp. Yugi struggled to sit up, too frightened out of his mind to do anything else.

"Help me…I can't open my eyes! I'm scared! Why won't you help me!?" Yugi panicked. His heart pounded hard against his chest, tears forming in his eyes again. Just as he was about to cry out in agony, he was pulled towards something warm. Yugi's eyes flew open as he felt someone wrap their arms around him tightly, pressing his face against the person's chest. Yugi's breath caught in his throat, the panic slowly melting away. The strong-heart beat from the person embracing him calmed him into relaxation. Yugi sniffed, his eyelids growing heavy.

"Go to sleep…," the person whispered. "I will be here to protect you." A smile grew on the dark figure's lips as he felt the young boy cling to him desperately, sending a wave of completion through the dark spirit.

The small boy snuggled closer to the dark figure, at once the strange melody ringing in his mind again. His eyes shot open as the shock began to spread throughout his body. Without a second thought, he began to pull away from the figure's grasp, only to realize that he couldn't. The figure had a strong grip on him and refused to let go.

"Wh-What's that song I keep hearing?" Yugi asked. "Do you know?"

There was silence.

"I…" the figure started. "I do not know."

Yugi blinked and snuggled closer to the figure. A new sense of security washed over the tired boy, enclosing him in it's warmth.

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"Ne, Yugi! You've completed the puzzle!" Ryou exclaimed the next day at school, chocolate eyes bright. He could've sworn he heard Bakura say, "I told you so" from the Sennen Ring. The amethyst-eyed boy nodded his head vigorously. Yugi smiled brightly, clutching the golden treasure in his small hands, a very pale pink blush touching his left cheek.

"I never thought I would finish it, but yesterday I decided to give it another shot, and it worked!" the small boy chirped. Yet his thoughts were focused on the mysterious figure that had appeared from the puzzle; the dark spirit that had held him throughout the night and protected him from the nightmares that tried to surface in the depths of Yugi's mind. Yugi felt the blush darken at remembering the feeling of having those warm, strong arms wrapped around him tightly.

The small boy blinked as he noticed that Ryou and the others were just staring at him with curious eyes.

"Somethin' wrong, Yug'?" Jou asked, cocking his head to the side. Yugi shook his head and walked on with his friends.

Ryou kept his eye on his best friend, a small smile on his lips, his mind sighing in relief.

'He's finally finished the puzzle,' he thought. 'Now all that's left is to have him remember'

The chocolate-eyed boy made a mental note to talk to his darker half later, but now realized that had stumbled onto Anzu. The brunette smiled brightly at the group, her eyes shining in fascination at the golden pyramid that hung from Yugi's neck. She bent down and lifted it into her hands to examine it closer.

"It's so pretty!" she exclaimed. "Wow Yugi! This must've been so hard to complete!"

The said boy blushed slightly.

"Yes, but, I'm glad I got to finish it," he replied. Jou grinned widely, slapping Yugi in the back, nearly knocking the wind out of the small boy. Despite the rough gesture, Yugi looked up and smiled at his best friend.

"Anyway, we've got to go. Why don't we all meet up at Burger World after school? Your treat, Anzu?" Jou smirked. Anzu's eyes flashed as her face turned beet red.

"That is not funny Jou!" she exclaimed. "At least I have a-" she stopped herself before anyone could hear her complain about her job. She straightened up. "Fine," she grumbled. Jou laughed along with Honda with Ryou just stood there and snickered. Yugi's smile fell as he realized he needed to go home straight after school, or else he'd really be in trouble with his father.

"Sorry guys," he apologized. "But I've got to go straight home after school. I've got-"he paused. "I've got to help my dad with some work around the house." Yugi lied. Jou raised an eyebrow.

"That's another thing I've noticed; why don't we ever go to your house, Yug'?" Jou asked. Yugi's suddenly flashed with grave worry.

"No!" Yugi suddenly blurted out, causing Jou and Anzu to flinch back as if they had been stung. "I mean," the small boy started, eyes filling with tears. "M-My dad doesn't like it when we have company. I-I have to go!" With that, Yugi ran off down the hall, leaving his friends shocked and dumbstruck.

"Yugi! Yugi, wait! What's wrong?" Anzu called out.

"Yug'! What's the matter, bud?" Jou called out. Ryou was about to run after Yugi, when he felt Bakura stop him.

/Bakura?/ Ryou asked his darker half through their mind link. /Why aren't you letting me go?/

//Leave him be// Bakura said. //Let the Pharaoh care for him.//

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Yugi trembled violently as he shrunk back against the wall, eyes wide with fright. His father approached him with deadly eyes that were flaring with unbidden anger. Before the small boy could react, his father punched him hard across the face, causing Yugi to fall directly to the ground, mind spinning. Yugi coughed hard, spitting out blood onto the floor. Tears began to slip down his cheeks, mixing together with the deep crimson staining the carpet.

"Get up!" his father bellowed. The small boy struggled to sit up, already exhausted by one single blow. His father kicked him in the gut, knocking the wind out of him completely. Yugi whimpered quietly as his father grabbed him by the neck and flung him across the room. He cried out in pain, blocking his head to prevent him from getting hit as his father threw objects at his son.

The loud crashing sounds caused the puzzle to glow faintly. Yugi continued to have his eyes shut tightly, ignoring everything around him. His heart froze as he heard his father open a near by drawer. It wasn't a mystery as to what his father was taking out. Was he really going to get rid of him once and for all.

Yugi prepared himself for the immense pain that he was sure to receive as he heard his father set his gun.

"This'll be the last time I have to put up with you," he growled. Yugi whimpered as he braced himself.

"Touch him, and I swear you will not live another day."

Yugi's eyes flew open.

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Hope you enjoyed! Please r/r~! ^_~