A/N: Sorry about the more obvious typos. They've hopefully been corrected. Please let me know if I've made any other oopsies. I'm sure there's probably more and suggestions are welcome.
A/A/N: I'm trying my best to keep the characters as they should through most of the fic. I'd appreciate it if anyone could let me know if Yugi and co. gets out of character.
Big Surprise
It seemed like just another typical Friday evening at the Game Shop. Yugi's grandfather sat at the head of the dining room table; Yugi and his friends were also there, paired up over Duel Monster boards. The current round was Joey vs. Yugi and Téa vs. Tristan. The elder Muto watched their Duel Monster tournament with detached amusement. However, his attention was drawn away from the games by the harsh clamoring of the telephone.
"I wonder who that could be?" the amethyst-eyed, gray-haired man said. The elder Muto rose to his feet and left. Joey sighed, almost laying down the cards in his hand. He placed his other hand over his stomach.
"Maybe it's the pizza guy," Joey offered. "Maybe he got lost. I know I'm starved!"
"Oh Joey," Téa admonished, "You're always hungry!"
"Well you're not the only one that's starving, Joey," Tristan agreed, nodding his head solemnly. Téa shot the brown-haired teen an annoyed look.
Yugi chewed on his lower lip thoughtfully, his brow furrowed. "Or maybe it has something to do with Grandpa's latest project," the boy suggested quietly, his big eyes shone brightly.
"Project? What project, Yuug?" Joey asked, leaning over the board with interest. "Come on bud, spill!"
Yugi's eyes darted about in thought before he replied. "You see, Joey, Grandpa has been cleaning out one of the store rooms these past two weeks. He wouldn't tell me anything other than it was a 'big surprise.' All I can tell you for sure is that it looks like he's converted it into a bedroom."
"Maybe your grandfather volunteered to host a foreign exchange student," Téa suggested thoughtfully.
"Maybe," Yugi said, unconvinced. His gentle gaze caught Téa's eyes; she was seated next to the crimson-haired youth. "But it's not like him to keep secrets from me."
Yugi's grandfather interrupted the conversation as he reentered, a happy smile dancing on his aged face. "Yugi, how would you and your friends like to go downstairs with me? That surprise I promised will arrive in a few minutes."
Yugi's face beamed and he scurried eagerly down the stairs. His friends were hard-pressed to keep up, while the elder Muto brought up the rear, a contented smile on his lips, arms crossed behind his back. Almost a minute after Grandpa turned on the lights, a taxi pulled up in front of the Game Shop.
A tall man, dressed in a black suit, exited one side and leaned over to give the cab driver instructions. Yugi could hear the other passenger door open and shut, but he couldn't see the person getting out. All his eyes caught was a hint of gold and crimson as whomever it was went around the car. With his curiosity piqued, Yugi was torn between his rising excitement and staying put.
"Aw nuts!" Joey groused. "It's definitely not the pizza guy!"
The small boy rolled his violet eyes, and returned his attention to the "big surprise." Now the tall man had moved to the rear of the taxi. A jumble of heated conversation assailed the teen's ears, but it was too muffled for Yugi to make any sense of it.
The elder Muto approached the front door, a mischievous smile concealed by rubbing the tip of his nose. The anxious teens tried masking their disappointment as Yugi's grandfather positioned himself to block their view. A moment later, Yugi could see and hear the front door open and swing closed.
"Zeri!" Grandpa exclaimed as he approached the visitor. Still none of the kids could see whom the old man was greeting. Yugi was practically bouncing up and down on his toes, craning his neck, straining to see around his grandfather's bulk. "My goodness, Zeri, how you've grown! They must have kept you fed well in America. You'll have to tell me all about it, but right now, I have someone very special for you to meet. I bet you don't even remember him!"
Yugi saw his grandfather put a hand on this Zeri person. Once the elder Muto stepped aside, Yugi's jaw dropped, and from the sound of it, he wasn't the only one. His grandfather waved in his direction. "Zeri, I would like you to meet your twin brother, Yugi."
When she saw Yugi for the first time, her stiff, angry posture ebbed away. Her violet, almond-shaped eyes opened so wide that her eyebrows almost burrowed under her hair. Without thinking, she closed the gap between them. She stood there, her nose just an inch away from his, her amethyst orbs probing the depths of her twin's.
Yugi returned her gaze, completely oblivious to the mixed reactions and comments of those around him. His twin raised a hand, palm toward him, and he mirrored the action without seeing. The simple gesture of pressing their palms together seemed to make the entire world motionless; it faded into non-existence. It seemed their heartbeats, their breathing, had almost ceased. Against his tender palm, hers felt muscular and calloused, even gritty, like sandpaper.
"Uncanny," the crimson-haired girl breathed.
Yugi tried nodding in agreement, but he was just as mesmerized as she. His cheeks tinted faintly; he felt a moth-like caress against his forehead, pushing gently against his golden bangs. It was not unlike the sweet touch of summer's first cherry-blossomed breeze.
Joey bent down next to the captivated boy to finally get his young friend's attention. "You know, Yuug," the older boy grinned roguishly, poking the boy in the ribs, "it's not that I don't mind watching, but… ehhh… if you two want some private time, maybe you should get a room."
Finally realizing what this must seem like to his friends, Yugi almost fell over from shock and mortification. Laughter welled up in Joey's throat, only to die; Zeri's defiant stare tore deep within the blonde's eyes. He backed away in surprise.
"Man, Joey," Tristan said, crossing his arms, "you're really asking for it. She's got Yami's 'Glare of Doom' ready."
The twins' grandfather broke the tension brewing. He placed his larger hand on her denim-covered shoulder.
"Come, granddaughter. Let me show you to your room." He gently led her to the stairs. The elder Muto was about to carry the duffel bag when Zeri swiftly grabbed it by the neck.
Wise violet eyes blinking in astonishment, Grandpa asked, "Are you sure you can carry that?"
"Yes, grandfather," the small girl replied solemnly, her bi-colored hair bobbing as she nodded.
Joey leaned over to Tristan and muttered, "I'll bet a ten-spot she can't even pick it up. That bag looks heavier than she is."
"You're on," his brown-haired friend agreed conspiratorially.
With Herculean effort, Zeri lifted the overstuffed bag to her shoulder. Narrowing her almond-shaped eyes and gritting her teeth, she willed her body steady. Joey let out a disappointed groan as he forked over the money to Tristan, who snatched it away.
"Are… you sure you don't need any help… Zeri?" Yugi asked, his eyes trembling with sympathy. He held out a tentative hand, wishing to aid his new-found sister.
"No… I've… got… it…" his female counterpart ground out, praying mentally that her legs wouldn't buckle under the strain. As the teen girl followed their grandfather, Yugi's proffered hand dropped to his side and he released a crestfallen sigh. Téa caringly put her hands on the small boy's shoulders, which elicited a thankful glance from him.
The bright iridescence of a gift caught Joey's attention. He dashed over and picked it up, then walked over to his young friend.
"Don't look so glum, bro," the blonde teen said, handing Yugi the package. "It looks like they missed one. Why don't you take it up to her?"
Yugi's face brightened as he nodded and took the gift from his best friend's hands. When he had made his way to Zeri's room, their grandfather was closing the door behind him. But he opened the door and stepped aside after noticing what Yugi intended.
The small boy peered around the sill cautiously. "Zeri? Can I come in?" He didn't get an answer, and Grandpa had already left. Finding a spark of courage, Yugi set his jaw and entered.
Zeri was splayed on the bed, as if she had fallen on it. Her eyes were pinched shut in a grimace and it seemed that she was panting for air. A sheen of perspiration covered her forehead. To him, it looked as if waves of exhaustion were battering at her consciousness. Concern flooded his innocent, amethyst eyes; the small boy placed the gift near her duffel bag and sat on the edge of the bed. When she acted like she was trying to sit up, Yugi placed his hand on top of hers.
"No. Just rest…" his mouth fumbled quietly over the next word, "…sister."
Obeying, she gave herself over to the mattress, the springs popped and squeaked faintly. Zeri opened her eyes and smiled faintly; her male counterpart returned the expression with more warmth. The twins remained like that until Zeri's heavy breathing relaxed and her muscles quit twitching spasmodically under the pale skin.
"You don't have to prove anything to anyone, Zeri," Yugi admonished gently, understanding etched into his cherubic features.
The crimson-haired girl's mouth twitched into a tired grin, "Not even to myself?"
Yugi was about to reply until his eyes noticed a small trail of blood oozing down her neck, around the base of her spike-studded leather collar. "Zeri, you're hurt!"
He was about to touch the injury when his sister dabbed her fingers into the red fluid. She examined the blood-tinted fingertips thoughtfully. Gazing into her twin's eyes, she said earnestly, "It's nothing, Yugi. I've had worse." She gestured to the old scar on her left arm for emphasis.
Before he could speak again, the pair caught the faint aroma of hot tomato sauce and cheese. Being careful not to pull already beat-up muscles, Zeri cautiously altered her position so that she was seated next to her twin. Joey, carrying a tall stack of cardboard boxes, poked his excited face in the room.
"Hey, bro! Come on! The pizza guy finally made it!" The crimson-and-gold-haired duo smiled and nodded in unison. Yugi led the way with Zeri walking stiffly behind him; this time, her balled hands were not for show, but to help minimize the aches racing up and down her body.
~~~
Outside, a platinum-haired teen sneered coldly at the bright rectangle of light on the Game Shop's second floor. The faint magical glow from the ring around his neck gave his twisted features a maniacal appearance. Heavy shadowy movements from a nearby alley drew the youth's attention. A grotesquery of a figure chuckled ominously; its head sat on its shoulders like a fat toad.
"Mr. X sends greetings," the dark mass slurred, its voice an ominous reverberation. A pleased gasp issued from the newcomer. "It seems that our plan is finally being set in motion."
"Yes," the teen's silvery mane bobbed in the weak light, "The girl arrived not more than an hour ago."
With a final heavy step, the darkness-enshrouded monstrosity stepped into the light. Receding pink hair sat on its overly-obese head. "I still don't see why we can't just kill Yugi! He's the one I want!"
The grotesque caricature ceased its demands when the platinum-haired boy pierced him with an ancient, powerful glare. "I told you before, Yami Kaiba," the teen glowered ominously, "There's more than one way to shatter little Yugi Muto's world. And you should focus on Seto. Without his interference, Yugi would never have beaten you in the last duel."
The two figures turned and focused on the looming shape of KaibaCorp in the distance; the red warning lights on top flashed like a string of angel's blood.
~~~
Inside the dining room, the kids were eagerly devouring pizza. Yugi and his friends were watching Zeri, each one with an expression of bewilderment. She'd take an impossibly large bite and rip it away; long strands of gooey whiteness would form a stretchy bridge. Some would fall to the plate, and other strands would snap around her lips and chin. With her free hand, she'd pile the toppings back onto the crust; her cheeks were puffed out like a chipmunk's as she chewed hungrily. Her pink tongue would dart over her lips, licking away any trace of cheese and tomato.
"Man! And I thought I was starving!" Joey exclaimed.
Zeri's amethyst eyes almost rolled back in absolute bliss; pleased rumblings emanated from her slender throat. After swallowing, the younger girl took another huge bite.
Téa's eyebrow twitched in disgust. "Haven't they… been feeding you anything Zeri?"
Zeri met the taller girl's eyes. She tried replying, but a thin wafer of pepperoni was clenched between the diminutive girl's teeth. This made it impossible to answer coherently as she chewed. Once Zeri swallowed, she opened her mouth and snapped up the pepperoni in one rapid motion, increasing the unease around the table.
"Oh they've tried, Téa," the smaller girl replied solemnly around the pepperoni. Then a hint of irritation overtook Zeri's visage. "They've been feeding me nothing but squid for the past three days. I had chewy squid for Tuesday. Then they fed me extra-rubbery squid for Wednesday. And last night, the squid leftovers could have patched a steel belted!" The look of disgust on the tough girl's face was obvious to all. She rubbed furiously at her mouth with a napkin.
"So… I take it… that… sushi is out of the question?" her male counterpart asked hesitantly, his eyes nothing but gentle kindness. Zeri gave her twin the briefest of smiles before replying.
"I can handle sushi," she replied. Then her graceful features became haunted; she tried hiding her eyes because they kept losing focus. "Dad… Dad used to… fix it for me…" The petite teen gritted her teeth, holding back pain from the memory. She whispered falteringly, her voice thick and husky, "He… He made it… …the last… …the last night…" Her denim-covered shoulders quaked with bottled up sobs. Instead of tears, she released the pent-up maelstrom with a wounded cry and slammed her fist hard on the table's flat surface. Her breath hissed through clenched teeth, the tension receding.
Yugi leaned over and placed a loving hand on his twin's fist. Zeri began moving her fist away, but glancing up through her eyelashes, she placed her hand palm down.
"Hey, if you need to talk, we're all ears," Tristan stated matter-of-factly.
Having regained her composure, Zeri sat up straight and responded flatly, "That won't be necessary." The small girl withdrew her hand from Yugi's, lightly running her thumb against the outside of his index finger. The younger boy nodded his understanding, although his soulful eyes contained a shard of hurt.
"Look Zeri," Téa chastised, "it's not healthy keeping that kind of pain bottled up. You need to talk!"
Pizza forgotten, Zeri brushed slender fingers over the full length of her scar. Steely-eyed, she replied coldly, "I'm not ready yet."
The fiery-headed girl pushed away from the table and stalked out. The foursome watched her leave, mixed emotions on every face.
"Hey, Yuug," Joey began, gaining the violet-eyed boy's attention. "Do you think Yami might have some useful advice? You know, seeing as how your Grandpa turned in for the night and all?"
His undersized best friend nodded. "I'll ask him later tonight, when all of you go home." Yugi touched the Millennium Puzzle reassuringly.
~~~
Dressed in flowing black flannel top and pants, Yugi sat on the edge of his bed. In his tender hands, he cradled the Millennium Puzzle. His amethyst orbs traced the intricacies of the Eye of Horus until it glowed. The radiance embraced him, embraced his mind and soul, enveloping him in a blanket gold.
The brilliance receded; the small boy looked at his environment. He was surrounded by impenetrable darkness, except for where he stood.
"Yami?" the boy called. His voice drifted into the nothingness.
Yami stepped into the light, his very being stiff and formal, but his features compassionate.
"Something troubles you, young one?"
Yugi affirmed it. "It-it's my sister… twin sister… Zeri…" the boy started, but the thought drifted off.
The spirit tried not showing the surprise, but it appeared in his crimson eyes, unbidden.
"I had no idea that you—we had a twin," Yami said quietly.
"Neither did I," his hikari stated. "A—a social worker brought her tonight." Tears gathered on Yugi's lower eyelids and threatened to leap to their doom. "Yami… Yami… She—she's in such pain. Something terrible happened. Something terrible happened and she won't tell anyone! Zeri holds it inside and I think it's tearing her apart! What should I do Yami?"
Touched by his light's compassion, Yami bent down on one knee and cupped Yugi's chin with a firm but loving hand. Crimson eyes intertwined with violet, the boy's dark half gently wiped the tears away from Yugi's cheeks with his thumb.
Solemnly, compassionately, Yami replied, "A pain such as this will find a way out, hikari. Support her… Love her… Be there for Zeri and be a good brother to her. That's all she needs."
"O-okay," Yugi sniffled. "Thanks, Yami."
The pharaoh's spirit ruffled the teen's hair affectionately. "It's time for you to rest, young one. Tomorrow is another day."