A Little Winter Miracle
Pan: As I promised, I'll answer some reviews this chapter.
Koishii no Tenshi: Simple; Yugi was the only witness, therefore, they only have his word as evidence.
Angel Reaper: I'll answer your question anyway, I get asked it quite regularly. I learn Japanese from a number of websites, and an audio course (it's a workbook with a set of audio cassettes). And a Japanese dictionary. Heh. I have to learn French for school at the moment, but it's quite funny, because I keep getting the languages mixed up!
To everyone who has ever reviewed this story: Thank you so much! Your reviews are really encouraging. *throws out cookies for everyone* Please keep reviewing!
~
"Yugi, calm down..." Yami whispered. "You only have to be here for a little while - then we can go home." Yugi nodded, though still visibly shaking as he sat in the courtroom. Anzu was mere metres away from him, next to her lawyer (Pan: Anzu got a lawyer?).
The lawyer, Megumi Ogata, for the prosecution stood up. "Your Honour," he addressed the judge. "I have but one witness to call, Muto Yugi, but he is still much distressed by seeing his attackers - if that's what they are." he said, not wishing for an objection. "May I request that his close friend stays with him for support?" The judge nodded. "That is fine, as long as his friend does not speak unless directly addressed." he said.
"Then, I call Muto Yugi to the stand." Megumi turned and smiled. Yugi took a deep breath, and stood up. Yami followed a few metres behind. Yugi sat down in the witness box, and took the oath. Yami had too as well, in case he was asked anything. Megumi walked towards them. "Your name and age please?" he asked calmly. "My name is Muto Yugi, and I am sixteen years old." The lawyer nodded. "And you too, please." He gestured towards Yami. "Kiseki Yami, also sixteen years old." Yami said quietly. "Thank you. Now, please, could you tell me where you live?" Megumi continued. "Kaiba Mansion." Yugi answered. "Describe for the court exactly what Kaiba Mansion is." Megumi directed. "Kaiba Mansion is a boarding house for unfortunate youths - homeless, orphaned, etcetera." Yugi answered, feeling braver. 'These questions are easy...' he thought.
"And your friend also lives there?" Megumi asked. Yugi nodded. "Yes, of course." "I believe there are several other residents of Kaiba Mansion in this courtroom - could you name them for us?" Megumi gestured towards the large number of people in the room. Yugi's eyes scanned across them. "Kaiba Seto, of course, Bakura Ryou (Ryou), and Ryou Bakura (Bakura)." he said.
'I never noticed that before - how strange...' Yami thought. "Are there any people you have known to have lived at Kaiba Mansion previously?" Megumi continued his questioning. Yugi pointed at Anzu, unable to say her name properly. "Let the records show that Muto Yugi pointed at the defendant, Mazaki Anzu."
Yugi's mind went numb. He blandly answered every question thrown at him, desperate to leave, desperate to be away from those evil, sapphire eyes. The room was cold around him, the only source of warmth that he could feel was Yami, right next to him. What he wouldn't give to fall into those arms and cry his worries away...
Call out my name!
Silence those lies!
Stop my pain!
Heal my heart!
Promise me, yes!
I'll never be alone!
"Describe for us exactly how you were attacked." Megumi said. Yugi's eyes widened.
~~Flashback~~
"Get away from me!" Yugi shouted, as the two boys, Haga and Ryuuzaki, advanced on him. Yugi backed into a brick wall, his eyes whipping about, searching for an escape.
There was none.
"Yugi, little Yugi..." Haga murmured. "Mazaki Anzu has called in this favour from us, and we intend to please her..." "You don't have to do what she says!" Yugi cried. "SILENCE!" Ryuuzaki lunged forward with a short knife, catching Yugi across the arm, as the smaller boy tried to evade in the limited space available...
~~
"Ah... ah... I..." Sounds came from Yugi's mouth, none making an understandable phrase, just sounds, as Yugi froze up. "Yugi! YUGI!" He heard Yami say, voice filled with concern. Everything seemed so distant, nothing reached Yugi's unresponsive mind.
"Yugi!" He felt Yami's touch, and turned towards it, his eyes meeting deep crimson ones. "Yami... I can't do it..." he whispered.
Loneliness,
A feeling I've felt so much before...
But now, a new light,
You!
Your heart lights my way!
Never put out that light...
Or I'll get lost in my dark heart once more...
"Yugi, you can, you know you can!" Yami urged. "I know you can!"
Megumi reacted to the situation. "I think we can assume from Yugi's inability to respond to this particular question, that the memory of the attack is very distressing to him. I have no further questions at this time, Your Honour."
Megumi turned and sat down.
"Come on, Yugi, you can come away now..." Yami said.
Call my name!
Silence those lies!
Stop my pain!
Heal my heart!
Promise me, yes!
I'll never be alone!
NEVER BE ALONE!
"No!" Yugi said loudly. "I can answer, I will answer!" He fixed Anzu with a brave glare, and proceeded to explain everything that had happened to him on the day of the attack. Yami grasped his hand tightly, urging him on silently.
The truth was told. Everyone in the courtroom listened intently, though surprised. Yugi breathed deeply a few times. "And that's what happened." he finished.
Quietly, from the back of the room, applause began. It spread like wildfire, to all except Anzu. Applauding his bravery, as Yugi and Yami stepped down from the witness box. It continued for a good five minutes, until the judge called for silence.
~
"Yugi, I'm so proud of you!" Yami smiled as they arrived home. "You overcame everything, and told them the truth!" Yugi blushed slightly. "Thank you..."
"You know, you've inspired me." Yami said. "I think I'll be able to play 'Miracle' now!" Yugi looked up with bright eyes. "Really?!" he said. "Come on then!" Yugi seized Yami's wrist, and pulled him to the music room.
And they played the duet flawlessly.