Disclaimer: YuGiOh! Is still not mine. ...damn.
Authors Notes: Anou... *doesn't know what to say* This is an rpg-ish kinda style thingie that I'm attempting to do with mine Koishii. *hugglz chibi Sa-chan plushie* And I have no idea what I'm doing. ^____^.; This is set after the whole VR thingie but before Battle City and follows more on the Jap. eps. rather than the evil English dub.
I'm using ' : .... : ' to represent Yugi's thoughts as he's talking to Yami and ' :: .... :: ' for Yami's thoughts as he's talking to Yugi and anything in plain italics are just inner thoughts or simultaneous thoughts. Sorry for any confusion this may cause in advance.
So with that...err...enjoy.
More AN can be found after the chapter.
Life Scenario I
Smiling happily, if a little shyly, Yugi handed his money over to the cashier, carefully picking up his hot cup full of coffee before edging his way through the throng of people that filled the shop behind him and stepping out into the cool evening air took a deep breath sighing quietly. Ever since he had set Yami and Anzu up on their 'date' his other self had developed a taste for the drink whenever he got into one of his 'moods', those being of the quiet, depressed, doesn't want to talk variety. Frowning Yugi absentmindedly brought the cup up to his lips taking a small sip and immediately regretting it as hot, semi-bitter liquid scorched the back of his throat causing him to hack uncontrollably as tears welled at the corners of his eyes.
::Are you ok, Yugi?::
A muffled cough and wheeze was Yami's only answer as Yugi pushed off the front of Domino Coffee making the perilous journey across the street and into one of the many entrances to Domino Park grateful for the peaceful environment he would find there. The Park was virtually empty this time of the day and should prove to be soothing to his other self, hopefully enough to draw him out of the more sullen than usual attitude he had taken on after Duelist Kingdom and which had only grown more severe after the whole virtual reality fiasco with the Big Five.
He had hoped that spending the day with Anzu would have broughton Yami out of his sulk and gotten him to open up more, but apparently all that resulted from the day was Yami's like for coffee. Making a face at the reminder of the vile taste that minutes before had filled his mouth Yugi smiled his usual smile and picked up his pace along the shaded path he chose to walk upon.
The path continued to wind its way lazily beneath the shaded cover of tall trees and it wasn't long until Yugi found himself pausing and staring out at a small lake, the brilliant colors of the descending sun reflecting vividly off the still and calm waters, a perfect reflection of natures beauty.
:Ne, Yami-chan?:
::Yugi.::
:What's wrong? What's bothering you?:
::Saa.::
If anyone had been looking closely at that moment they might have noticed the small changes that seemed to come upon the boy naturally. His shorter than average frame growing by about a foot and lithe muscle forming under his pale, smooth skin. Eyes that once where a soft violet now turned a deep crimson their depths reflecting the color of the dying sun and the once carefree smile turned into something that was not quite a smirk and not quite a frown either.
Yami felt Yugi sigh as he himself did so and bringing the cup of still hot coffee up to his lips took a sip, walking off the path towards a small bench that sat by the waters edge and sitting down, his elbows resting on his knees as he leaned forward the cup of coffee held precariously in one hand, he gazed out across the waters surface thinking about the day that Yugi had put the Sennen Puzzle together and the day that he himself had chosen to come out.
That had been the day that Kaiba had taken Yugi's grandfather and forced him into a duel in order to take his Blue Eyes White Dragon card, a card which once acquired Seto had ripped in half without thought or care. That day Yami had known fear. In the face of three Blue Eyes White Dragons he had all but lost hope. That day he had found the only opponent that he could ever consider to be his true rival.
The next time he and Kaiba had faced each other he had gained a new respect for him. Kaiba had been willing to take his own life in order to save his little brother, just as Yami himself was willing to allow this in order to save Yugi's grandfather. In retrospect Yami confessed to himself that his actions were those of a coward, there were other ways, other choices he could have made. Yugi and his friends had proved this afterwards. Even if Seto's methods were unfair, his heart had been pure in his actions whereas Yami could only see victory, Yugi's grandfather, while a concern, was not forefront in his mind.
This had scared Yugi more than anything. More than the knowledge that there was another being inside of him. The knowledge that this being would kill or allow one to die in order to gain victory had nearly destroyed the boy, their relationship and all hopes of saving Yugi's grandfather. For that day Yami would never forgive himself. Since then he would like to think that he has grown, he and the boy with whom he shares this body had gained a trust that would never again break, a love for each other that could never die.
Laughing softly to himself Yami took another sip of his coffee and pushed such thoughts of his other out of his mind. After Yugi had learned to trust him again and they had defeated Pegasus everyone had returned to Domino and seeming normalcy until that night when Mokuba had burst into the Turtle Game Shop soaked from the rain asking Yugi for help.
He would never forget the world he saw through Yugi's eyes when they went into that virtual reality game, while not built by Seto himself it was his knowledge and his talent that had made the game possible. Seto's brilliance would forever amaze him, just as the boys pride and determination. The way Seto had stood and faced the Big Five when they had finally made it to the last level, his arrogance and self-assurance in the face of such power. And his unmasked sorrow and fury when he thought that he had lost Mokuba. When the Big Five was finally defeated and Mokuba, as well as everyone else who had died in the game, came back to life...that brief glimpse of relief and pure affection in Seto's countenance. All would be forever burned into Yami's mind.
When they had all returned from within the game once again everything had returned to normal. Yugi and his friends had gone back to school and Yugi started dueling them for fun again. Seto had gone back to running his company, barely giving Yugi a glance when in class as though he were not worthy of his attention.
The only challenge during these last few weeks had been when Yami had gotten the chance to learn a new game. Dungeon Dice Monsters, a fine game to be sure although it would never take the place of Duel Monsters in his heart. That day had been the first time since Duelist Kingdom when he had seriously dueled another, seriously enjoyed the game. Yugi, of course, constantly asked if he would like to take turns dueling his friends and nearly every time he would decline. Dueling with Jounouchi or Anzu, while relaxing, just wasn't challenging.
In truth, Yami admitted to himself, he was lonely. He missed those few Duels that he had with Seto. The challenge of going up against a brilliant strategist that only got better with each confrontation. Sighing, turning his gaze away from the dark waters of the lake, Yami stood and throwing the empty cup in a near by trash can started the journey home trusting his feet to take him there not really paying much attention to his surroundings.
The challenge... Stopping in the middle of the sidewalk, Yami sighed before looking up and finding himself standing in front of a building that, even though it belonged to him and Yugi, he had never been in before. Industrial Illusions stood tall before him, only a few of the upper floor lights and those of the lower lobby illuminating its form. A challenge...
::Yugi?::
:Hmm?::
::Industrial Illusions is now ours is it not? Why haven't we ever been here? We are the C.E.O.::
:Yami, running an International Corporation like Kaiba Corp. or Industrial Illusions isn't like the Turtle Game Shop. I wouldn't even know where to begin.:
Noting the almost teasing tone of Yugi's voice, Yami glanced up once again at Industrial Illusions, crossing his arms as he seriously studied the building looming before him. ::Let's do it Yugi.::
:Wha...?:
::Come on. It'll be fun.::
:...if you say so...:
Ignoring the somewhat reluctant, cautious aspect of his others reply, Yami took it for a 'yes' and started to make his way up to the buildings entrance entering when he found the doors unlocked. Hmm~ The simultaneous thoughts filling his mind Yami looked around the large lobby of the company sensing Yugi's curiosity grow as they moved further into the building towards a reception area that sat in the middle of the room.
"Excuse me."
Looking up from the reception desk a woman, who's name tag read: "Kaori", smiled up at Yami before closing the book which she had been reading. "I'm sorry young man but all of the tours are done for today. You can come back tomorrow afternoon if you like."
"Mutou-san."
Looking towards his right Yami saw a relatively young man coming towards him from one of the elevators which ran along the expanse of the wall in a semi-circle around the back of the reception area.
"Mutou...san...?" Turning back towards Kaori Yami saw a blush creep along her face before she bowed slightly, her eyes closing. "I'm very sorry Mutou-sama I didn't realize..."
:Yugi: "Yugi" Yami replied unconsciously at the same time as Yugi, knowing that his other wasn't comfortable or used to such formality before both were distracted by the young man who offered his hand out to them which Yami accepted.
"Thank you Kaori, I'll take it from here. Mu... Yugi-san it's a pleasure to finally meet with you in person, although more noticed would have been appreciated to prepare a proper welcome for our C.E.O.. I'm Shintaro, your Vice-President. I hope that you found the last report I sent you on our current operations to be satisfactory."
"Aa"
Smiling brightly, Shintaro retracted his hand and in a sweeping gesture motioned towards the side were a couple of leather chairs sat. "What can I do for you, Yugi-san?"
"I want to step forward and become the proper C.E.O. of Industrial Illusions."
Stopping mid-step, Shintaro turned, still smiling, to face Yami. Studying the expression for a moment as the two of them continued to stand facing each other in silence Yami and Yugi both came to the conclusion that their Vice-President's smile was not one of malicious intent or hidden agendas but was genuine and that perhaps in this new world in which they were stepping into they had just found their first ally.
~ * ~
End Chapter I
More AN: Would any of you believe that took me nearly three weeks to write? ~____~. *slow writer* In fact progress on this chapter went something like this:
Sa-chan: Are you done yet?
Ji-chan: I'm writing~
Sa-chan: *chewing on Ji-chan's head* Write faster darn you! Rah!!
Ji-chan: Kawaii~~ *pries Sa-chan off and glomps*
^^;; I hope that you've enjoyed it thus far. Next chappie will be done by Sa-chan. As always please R&R.
*glomps chibi Sa-chan plushie and slinks off into darkness*