Sorry for not updating in a while.  It was exam week.  That's all I need to say in my defense.

A note!  This story is based primarily on my incomplete YGO-the English Version! watching on YTV.  Apologies in advance for anything I've screwed up.  Point them out (…nicely)! 

Also!  I'll be using 'military' times for most of this.  Soo… when I say, example:

   3:00 à that means 3:00 AM

   23:00 à means 11:00 PM

Ok?  Super!

Writing Code Continued!  *Le yawn du boredom*

\ Hello. I am a hikari speaking \

// Hello.  I am a yami speaking. //

~Hello.  I am a flashback. ~

{{ Hello.  The change of font and surrounding parentheses marks shows I am a hypothesized future.  It will make sense later. }}

Disclaimer:  Still no luck on tracking the funky-haired Martians.  They elude my pencil and paper radars! *strokes chin in deep thought*  They must have advanced technology indeed… *blinks and comes back to reality* So!  The cast of Yu-gi-oh is still not mine. Surprise, surprise.

Chappie Three: The Babbling, Blithering Explanation Chapter.

Yuugi staggered down the hallway to his room, pausing occasionally as nausea overcame him.  The facade that he had shown the overnight nurse in order to be released had collapsed into shambles as soon as he had entered the elevator.  Yuugi shook his head carefully - it was almost as if he could feel his brain sloshing around and cutting into nerves on every wave.  He wanted painkillers.  And Yami.

Tottering several more inches forward, he blearily peered up at the door numbers.  518…516… He was in room 502.  Why did he ever want the corner room-with-a-view?!  It was too far away…

No.  Yes.  He could do this!  Renewing his optimism by grasping his Puzzle firmly, he floundered as best he could past the seven locked doors.  It really wasn't so bad, he mused, if you just ignored the emptiness and the full-body ache.  The glowing daggers in his skull could be ignored too, really.  If you didn't think about it, which he was now.  Still, his agony-filled musings had carried him the necessary distance.

Yuugi stared at his door.  Finally.  Through red-rimmed eyes that were dazed with pain and loss, he gazed at his goal.  If only he could lift his arm and knock, but the adrenaline had worn off: the after-effects of what could only have been the gun were kicking in, pinning his arm to his side with a hot, dripping glue of torment.  Yuugi squeezed his eyes shut, against the darkness roiling on the edges of his vision and the pain slithering through his body.  He had already come this far, he couldn't disappoint Yami-

Yami - who wasn't even there anymore.

Yuugi hiccupped then started crying softly.  Still crying, he softly collapsed in a heap right outside his door.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Anzu lifted her head from where it had been wearily resting on her knees.  These past hours had been horrible.  Most important, though, had been the previous 45 minutes.  Anzu didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the absurdity that dramatic night had turned to.  First, poor Yuugi was in the hospital.  Secondly, his darker side - she blushed at the thought of him - had been taken away for some indiscernible reason.  Then, the gentle Ryou they all knew and loved had suddenly switched attitudes again.  First, there had been the 'accidentally' spilled hot cocoa.  Then, the maniacal cackling.  After that, there had been a chase around their living area where the now-psychopath had smashed lamps, destroyed furniture, gouged walls, and absolutely destroyed the carpet.  From the sounds emanating from the kitchen area, the new Ryou was currently trying to get into the drawer of knives as Joey and Honda tried to stop him.  Again.  And still, the insane boy hadn't answered any of their questions about Ryou and why he knew so much about yamis and hikaris.  His behaviour may have been a front for avoiding questions, but it was certainly effective.  Who on earth could ask questions when they were dodging pointy objects that hurtled through space?

Anzu tilted her head as she listened closer to the rumpus.  It was a fairly safe bet that Ryou had a yami, too.  That would certainly explain the complete change in his personality.  It would also explain why he knew so much about Yuugi and - this was still hard to think about - Yami.  If one were almost a different personality…then that would be the reason for her intermittent bouts of her crush.  To only like the more confident side of Yuugi, his Yami, coming out to duel or to take control of an otherwise hopeless situation.  She rested her head back against the door.  But if Yami had truly been solidified somehow and taken…where was he now?  Was he all right?

Her increasing worrying suddenly came to an abrupt halt when she heard something outside.  It sounded like…crying?  What on earth-?

She rose quickly, turned, and unbolted their door.  Any residual fears were banished as she spotted little Yuugi on the ground.  The tears dribbled down his face and landed on the carpet, adding to an increasing damp spot.

"Yuugi!  How long have you been there… Never mind!  Let's get you inside! Oh, you poor thing!"

Crouching, she grasped his arm and pulled gently.  Unresisting but still crying, he slowly followed her as she tugged him into their sleeping chamber and onto his bed.  She muttered soothing sounds as he continued to gulp out half-hearted sobs.  As she sat down beside him, she also started rubbing his back in an effort to calm him down further.  She was at a loss, though.

What do you say to someone who's lost half of their soul?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the kitchen, Bakura gazed upon his two playthings with contempt.  His two opponents looked up at him with worry and the slightest apprehension.   With Ryou locked safely away in his soul room, Bakura didn't have to worry about any thoughts he might have.  A sneer briefly crossed his face as he reflected on how weak he had become.  Curse the Shadow Realm!  The only time he felt at his true strength was during the physical possession of his vessel.  In order to do that, though, he had to usually convince his other half to give him control… How the mighty had fallen.

On the positive side, he was gradually getting his strength back the longer he stayed in the physical world and in Ryou's mind.  Soon, not even his other half's best efforts would stop him from using his vessel as he saw fit.  The returning smirk widened at the mere thought of that day.

A commotion was suddenly heard in the other room.  Hm.  Presumably, the friendship-spewing girl had found their precious midget outside their door.  Bakura, of course, had been able to sense the brat's presence from the start.  Originally reminiscent of a golden, sun-filled prairie - Bakura shuddered at the thought - little Yuugi's mental presence was now more like a dark, skeletal minefield.  His sinister grin broadened even more.  

A feminine voice came from the communal bedroom.  "Joey!  Honda!  Could you guys come here, please?  Yuugi needs you!"

Joey and Honda retreated some more from Bakura's blatant stance on the kitchen table to go help Anzu.  He could sense their reluctance to leave - a smart feeling, all things considered.  Still, the restrictions laid on him by Ryou were making this whole game rather boring.  Time to end this.

Bakura continued leering down at the two teens and said in his most condescending voice, "Don't you two worry - I'll be ever so good.  Besides," he feigned shock.  "I think Yuugi might be hurt!"  There.  That ought to get them going.

Joey and Honda were startled enough at the very thought that they bolted to the bedroom with no more than a shared glance of concern.  Finally alone, Bakura dropped down to sit on the table so that he could order his thoughts.

First, there was the matter of his presence and bond to his other half.  Yuugi and that Ra-cursed Pharaoh already knew about it.  Add that to his multiple appearances and recent conveniently timed possession, and he was sure his vessel's idiot posse would soon figure it out.  Especially so, since now they had the basic information.  Bakura grimaced.  There was no helping it, he supposed.  His presence would have to be fully revealed.  At least this way he could control what the others knew - and maybe add some information his landlord had missed.  Such as, 'You cannot separate a yami and his other half from the Millennium item' - not entirely true, but a necessary addition.  Also, if he controlled when he revealed himself, he would be able to hide the knowledge of his quest for the Millennium Items from the bumbling fools, too.

Thinking of the Millennium Items, he ought to probably go and return that blasted Pharaoh to his resting-place in the Puzzle.  His presence was a mild obstruction, of course, but the Puzzle gained more power with him.  After a proper duel where he defeated the so-called 'King of Games,' he would be able to sacrifice that oh-so-regal spirit and get the result he craved with all of his blackened heart.

Nodding in satisfaction, Bakura turned his mind to the less imminent, but no less dangerous, concern.  Though he had had no part in his landlord's temporary shift to insanity, he'd have to be a fool to say it hadn't been perfectly timed.  They hadn't even been near the area when the bond between the shrimp and Pharaoh had been sliced in half.  Currently, he was unsure if they were targets, too.  Ditz-girl had said they'd introduced themselves as experimenters, which would mean scientists.  A rummage through his other half's memory turned up the fact that researchers were very thorough.

Bakura kicked over a chair in agitation.  He had spent 5000 years wailing in the frigid darkness.  He would not lose what little light his soul had only recently found.  Those two would not tear him from where he was established!  When he found them, if they tried anything or even just were physically present, Bakura would wipe their minds with his Ring.  After that, he'd be at liberty to do something…permanent.   Running his tongue over his lips in anticipation, his left hand idly reached over to the previously discarded knife.  Picking it up, he slowly brought it up…

\ Bakura!  You aren't making me lick knives again, are you?! \  Ryou sounded scandalized.  \ Last time you did that, you cut my tongue!  I couldn't taste anything for a month!/

Bakura smirked - around a tongueful of wet steel. // I'm not licking knives, yadunoshi. //

A mental sigh of relief.  \ Ok.  Sorry…I- \

// I'm licking a knife.  There's a difference. //

\ YAMI! \

// …Yes…? // Ra, but this was fun.  When in doubt, causing angst is a fun way out!

\ Please don't? \

// It puts iron in your blood, weakling.  Didn't the doctor say you needed more? //

\ She didn't mean this, I'm sure! She was talking about meat! \

// Ah… // Discarding the knife by throwing it out the window (maybe it would hit some kid!), he sauntered over to the fridge, ignoring his landlord's mild mental tugging.  So, he wanted control back, did he?  Silly vessel.

Opening the fridge, his eyes searched until he found…oh yes.  Licking bleeding lips in anticipation, he reached in and pulled out the steak.  That fool Kaiba was certainly making sure his guests were comfortable…

He tried to rip open the plastic packaging, but to no avail.  Rolling his slanted eyes, he wandered over to the kitchen drawer for another knife.

\ Bakura, please? \

// Hush, landlord.  I'm taking care of you. //

Pleased surprise and a glimmer of dew-filled hope.  \ …Really? \

Bakura hid his snort of disgust as he searched the drawer.  Ryou was too trusting, really.  On the other hand, it was most useful in times like this.  After all, Bakura wanted a good, raw, bloody steak.  Mmmm. There seemed to be a problem, though.  He had apparently run out of knives in his …excursion… earlier. He supposed he could cut the wrapping with the spikes on his Ring - but wait.  Wouldn't it be better if he used the Puzzle?  Think of the disgrace the shrimp and the abandoned former ruler would suffer if they couldn't even protect the housing area of the spirit!  Chuckling wickedly, he strolled over to outside the bedroom door.  Once there, he stopped and took a deep breath.  Relinquishing partial control to his vessel, he subtly implanted the suggestion to want to see the Puzzle.

Once his other half touched it he could take over again with the foothold he already had, grab the Puzzle, and use it to cut open his steak!  He didn't even need to worry about the Pharaoh interfering this time! 

As Bakura receded slightly, he snickered to himself.  This was really too fun.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A tear-streaked Yami slumped against the unyielding wall of his cage in sheer exhaustion.  He hurt - a relatively new sensation to his previously spiritual essence.  This wasn't the hurt that one got from a direct blast to one's life points, either.  No.  Instead, it was an internal throbbing that pulsed through his entire being.  His hand dragged itself up to his throat, rubbed raw from all his screaming.  When he had woken up and couldn't find his aibou -

No!  He could not think that, for to do so was to descend into the Madness again.  Madness with its all-consuming frozen darkness, where the monsters gnawed at his skin and formless tormentors flayed his soul.

He had to concentrate.  He had to pull himself together.  Why was it so hard?  He automatically reached for his Millennium Puzzle, where he could contact his reserves of his power and tame the Shadows that always lurked in his mind.  Yes.  Once he used the power of the Puzzle, he could easily escape from here, deliver to his captors the punishment they deserved, and return to his hikari.  His precious, precious -

Wait.

There was no Puzzle?  But it was always there!

Looking down only confirmed his horror.  And what had happened to his clothes?  Gone were the stylish leather and buckles.  In their place was a simple white t-shirt that came down to his knees.

Wha-?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Subject is showing signs of agitation and confusion, doctor."

Dr. Ceebague looked up from his view screen and strode over to his assistant.  He glanced down at the data on the clipboard and then peered into the container interestedly.

Subject Mutou appeared terrified, as his hand desperately grasped the chest are of his standard-issue experiment shirt.  His other hand clenched spasmodically against the plastic in an unconscious demonstration of panic.

Fascinating.

The horror on the boy's face was also most interesting to observe.  Red-tinged eyes rendered so by intermittent crying were widening drastically, reducing the pupil size.  It began dilating soon, though, as hysteria kicked in, noted by the rapid increase in respiration.  Dr. Ceebague gestured to his assistant.

"Sir?"

"Reduce the air in the container and decrease air pressure.  Subject Mutou is hyperventilating."

"Yes, doctor.  It's much more effective than a paper bag, is it not?"

"Indeed it is, Dr. Garu.  We have truly made many steps forward."

The clicking of Dr. Garu's fingers as he swiftly entered the order into the computer became a comforting background noise as Dr. Ceebague continued to observe his specimen.  Regular physical data, such as height and weight, had already been recorded, of course.  They had done so when they had changed his clothes and the boy was still unconscious.  Dr. Ceebague felt a touch of pride at their humanistic gesture.  Since he had been unconscious, Subject Mutou had experienced no embarrassment from the necessary perusal.

Returning to the present, Dr. Ceebague noted again the scratches his experiment had made in the container.  They had been wise to order the reinforced plastic.  When the subject had awoken…well, there was really no scientific explanation for what had happened.  Nonetheless, observations had been closely and duly noted.  They were nothing if not thorough, after all.

Flipping back to their initial analysis, the doctor adjusted his glasses as he skimmed the material.

"…22:25.35       Subject wakens

22:25.42             Subject begins screaming

22:26.05             Begins crying

22:30.15             Clutches head, falls to knees

22:33.46             Claws at container

22:40.22             Stops clawing

22:45.11             Pounds head on floor

22:50.42             Pounding stops

23:15.14             Crying stops

23:15.36             Screaming stops

23:20.59             Curls into foetal position.  Occasional twitches

23:21.10             Crying resumes

23:51.02             Crying stops

23:52.35             Stands up, stares in non-focused manner

23:55.18             Begins screaming again…"

It had been like that for over three hours.  Subject Mutou had finally taken their advice and rested.  It was a relief that they hadn't needed to inject too much chloroform gas into the container.  While rest was necessary, of course, chloroform was a rather annoying substance to be using.  They had already had to do many experiments to determine the appropriate amounts to be used for Subject Mutou's different heights.  Then they had had to determine what compound was necessary to add in order to affect the specimen's different brain wavelengths.  Dr. Ceebague shook his head in exasperation.  As Dr. Garu took up the recording of observations, Dr. Ceebague stared into the corner as he remembered the previous night.

They had departed on schedule and landed their stealth helicopter in an adequate clearing.  Walking briskly, yet quietly, they had soon found the subject in his natural surrounding.  One had suddenly run off, followed by two others.  While the initial runner was of a note of interest, the other two were quickly dismissed.  Dr. Garu, in all his professionalism, had assembled their dart-gun filled with chloroform and had made a perfect strike against the original form of the specimen.  It had all gone as calculated.  Not only did the sleeping drug affect the original form, but his other personality was affected as well.  Then, as proper scientists, they had stepped out and formally asked for permission to engage in an experiment with the boy.  As Dr. Garu restrained the useless female, it had fallen upon Dr. Ceebague to fire their machinery or "Separation-Ray-Gun" as Dr. Garu had initially dubbed it.  The other form had immediately separated and had been, unfortunately, thrown into a tree.

Dr. Ceebague frowned.  Although it had ensured their primary subject's complete acquiescence, it had raised a slight concern of the possibility of physical damage.  Still, no harm had ultimately resulted.  They had then led the subject away to their helicopter, ensuring that the original form of the subject had remained behind with the catalyst around his neck.

Once at the lab, as Dr. Garu installed their specimen in the container, Dr. Ceebague had quickly reviewed their financial situation.  It was a good thing they had been funded.  With all the equipment that had been necessary to build in order for observation, acquisition, and maintenance of the subject… well.  It was certainly becoming a very costly experiment.

The result would be well worth it, though.  To prove to the scientific community that a schizophrenic individual could actually manifest as separate physical forms when in the presence of a catalyst…  Dr. Ceebague flipped back some more pages.  He was fairly certain that said catalyst was a large amount of gold, fashioned in a certain manner and imbued with an unknown substance.  Perhaps the substance was turquoise?  Turquoise was, after all, rumoured to have special mystical unknown qualities.  However, in order to determine the accuracy of his hypothesis, he had to confirm his data.  By observing the creation of the catalyst - or the schizophrenic part of the original individual- he could conclude the correctness of his idea.  Then, no matter the results, positive, negative, or even inconclusive, he would still be able to move on to his second step in his methodical procedure.  By next obtaining the original schizophrenic individual - the shorter one - he could examine him next, thus ascertaining a second viewpoint.  Thirdly, he would examine the object and presumed catalyst itself.

Matters were looking very good, though.  The schizophrenic form -or Mutou 2, as Dr. Ceebague decided he would now call him - had already reached for where the hypothesised catalyst was normally located.  This obviously indicated an attachment to it.

Still, as any proper scientist, he had a back-up contingency plan.  Though not nearly as prominent cases, there were other individuals who fit his hypothesis.  Foremost among them was a certain Ryou Bakura, though not as much data had been collected on that person. Still, he did have a large amount of gold that had been fashioned in a certain manner.  Additionally, he had occasionally demonstrated signs of obvious mental unbalance.  The doctor decided that he might repeat his procedure on the boy anyway.  It was important, after all, to have a wide range of subjects.  Any scientist learned that in their first year.

As a last resort, though, he did have a possibility in examining a Malik Ishtar.  Though he wielded a large amount of gold in a certain form, there was even less information collected on him.  He would be harder to find as well. After sporadic appearances during the Battle City duels, he had disappeared almost entirely.

That was why it was so important to fully analyse his current subject.  He rejoined Dr. Garu and flipped forward several pages until he reached a blank one.  Pen poised, he observed.

The subject had sunk down to a heap on the floor.  Lungs heaving for air, he shook his head repeatedly, as if to deny something.  The right hand held the cloth around his stomach in a desperate manner.  Gasping, the patient's parched lips moved.  Dr. Ceebague peered closer to lip-read what was being soundlessly mouthed.

"3:55      Silent utterances of "Yuugi" and "Puzzle" "

And the good doctor smiled.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Yuugi shook his eyes clear of tears with a sudden movement of his head.  This was no time to be weak!  He had to be strong - for Yami's sake, if no one else.  It was hard, though. Kami-sama, it was so hard.  The emptiness within still gnawed on his wounded, oozing soul.  Reality was becoming more and more distanced in his perception as the colours were washed out.  Right now, Anzu was moving her mouth.  That meant…talking?  Yes.  He had to…listen.

"…you ok, Yuugi?  You're just staring into space!"

A…question?  He had to answer…right?

"I'm…ok."  He tried to smile reassuringly, unaware that it appeared as a deepened grimace of pain.

Anzu shook her head worriedly.  This wasn't good.  Ever since…Bakura…had 'introduced' himself, things had taken a turn for the worse.  It didn't help that he had then ripped open the steak package with poor Yuugi's Puzzle and started eating.  Since then, Yuugi had become more and more out of it.  Not to mention that blood had been splattered everywhere.  She made a face as she glanced down.  She needed a shower.  And to begin vegetarianism first thing tomorrow morning.  Turning to glare at Bakura - the yami's self-introduced name - she also caught sight of the clock.

"It's five in the morning?!"

Joey wandered in again, yawning.  "No wondah I'm so tired.  Man!  We've bin up for 21 hours straight!"

Honda shook his head wisely.  "That's what caffeine is for.  Besides!  Who could sleep after what's happened today?"

The grim mood returned full-force.  Everyone cast down turned eyes as they silently angsted.  That is, until Bakura started slurping loudly on his fingers. "Mmm," he taunted.  "Congealed, fresh, cow blood."

Anzu turned green and fled for the bathroom as Bakura started to cackle.  Joey was getting seriously pissed off.

"Listen, you freak!  You put Ryou back in charge, or I'll…I'll…"

"You'll do what, puppy?  You'll lick my shoes to death?  Forgive me for not quaking in these shoes."

Joey saw red and started for Bakura, but stopped when he saw Yuugi stand up.

"Yuug'?  You all right?  You're lookin' a bit pasty…"

"…no."  The voice was barely a whisper and Yuugi rubbed his blood-spattered Puzzle with dismay.  Suddenly, he lifted determined eyes to stare his friends in the face.  "But I need to get Yami back, so that's what I'm going to do!  I'll warn you, I'll do it with or without your help, but -"

Honda burst out, "How can you say that?  Of course we'll help you!  We're your friends, man!  We aren't going to stop when you're in this critical a state!"

"No kiddin'!  Sure, we'll help ya, Yuug'!"

Anzu came back, wiping her mouth quickly, "Whatever it is, I'm in!  You're not leaving me behind!"

All eyes turned to Bakura, who sneered.  The Ring flashed then and Ryou seemed to return.  He gazed with shock at everyone, at the blood-spattered room, and the destroyed furniture, then dropped his head in shame.

"I am so sorry.  I don't know what happened, but I am so sorry."

Yuugi gave a small smile.  "That's all right, Ryou.  I was just saying that I was going to go get my Yami back.  Do you want to come with us?"

Ryou's doe eyes widened.  "Of course I will!  I'd be glad to.  Thank you for asking." Despite the blood on his chin, when he smiled timidly, an angelic look came over his face.

Honda nudged Joey, who was staring in amazement at the silver and red haired boy.  "Guess which one's the hikari, eh?"

Joey shook himself.  "No kiddin', man."

Anzu stepped forward and laid a supporting hand on Yuugi's shoulder.  "So…what are we going to do?"

Yuugi thought hard.  Foggy images undulated his bleeding mind as he tried to think.  An image of a tall, stern, brown-haired boy with eyes like his namesake dragons appeared.

Blue eyes…

"Let's go find Kaiba."

Anzu cheered.  "That's a great idea, Yuugi!"

Joey nodded reluctantly.  "Well, the jerk IS running th' tournament, so he should know what's going on the island."

Ryou nodded, then frowned a little.  "Um…didn't he leave yesterday?  After his welcoming announcement, he said he'd only be available for concerns from nine to noon."

Yuugi fumed.  What a jerk!  "He shouldn't have left!  We need to talk to him now!"

Honda turned to Yuugi.  "I hate to say it, but maybe we should get some sleep first.  We're going to need all our wits to get your…Yami…back, and we can't really do that on no sleep."

Yuugi's eyes started to shimmer with unshed tears.  "But…"

Joey nodded sympathetically.  "Look, Yuug'.  Honda's right.  We NEED our sleep.  We'll go harass that jerk Kaiba at nine o'clock sharp, alright?"

Yuugi turned to Anzu.  "Anzu…?"

Anzu patted his head.  "Yuugi, you look beat.  Go get some sleep.  We'll set our alarms for 8:30, ok?"

Yuugi's shoulders slumped in defeat.  "…All right."

The three headed to the separate areas to change as Ryou approached Yuugi.  "Are you sure you're ok?"

Yuugi flopped on the bed, desolate.  "To be honest, no.  I don't want to sleep.  I just know there'll be nightmares and Yami -" his breath hitched.  "Ya-Yami's not there to…to…to do anything!"

Ryou felt compassion flood through him.  "Well, maybe if you think of good things when you go to sleep, you won't have any nightmares."

Embittered, Yuugi bit out, "Easy for you to say.  You haven't lost your centre of existence!"
            Ryou took a step back.  "…sorry.  I was just trying to help…" he muttered softly, quickly leaving.

Yuugi watched him go, regret already encrusting his heart.  He hadn't meant to snap.  And maybe Ryou did have a point.  Good things, huh?  Yuugi closed his eyes and tried to think past the red streams of circling, dizzying agony.

~Grandpa handed the mysterious box from Egypt to him.

"Here!  I saw it and I thought of you.  It's supposed to grant you a wish if you solve the puzzle inside."

"Wow!  Thanks, Grandpa!"~   

~Yami smiled confidently as he gazed upon his opponent.  His complete self-assurance in terms of Pegasus gave Yuugi the strength he needed to help him.  Switching places every turn, he and Yami defeated the misled creator.

"Great job, aibou…"~

~He lay sprawled out in the sun-soaked field, completely at ease for a change.

// Aibou? //

\ Hmmm…yeah…? \

// Why are you lying there? //

A giggle. \ It's called "relaxing," Yami.  You ought to try it sometime. \

//…//

He giggled some more.  The sun continued to warm his skin and the sparse clouds continued to drift by.

\ Hey, Yami.  Don't you think that cloud looks like a dog? \

He could feel his other side study it in silent contemplation.

// It's really more like a camel, aibou. //

\ No way.  It's definitely a dog.  Well, it's more like a horse, now. \

// If you say so.  But it really is a camel. //

\ Is not. \  How he could transmit an impish grin through their bond successfully may forever remain a mystery to others.  \ And how would you know? \

// Remember, my other half, that I used to ride them back in Egypt.  I was well acquainted with the beasts. //

\ Yeah? \

// Yes.  I can also vaguely remember a time when… //

Yami continued to describe what little he could remember as Yuugi listened avidly.  Up above, a sparrow flew by, its trill the only thing disrupting the peaceful afternoon. ~

Yami battling.  Yami giving him that slight smile that meant he was amused.  Yami.  Yami, Yami, Yami.  Yuugi gave his head a small shake to veer his thoughts off that painful subject.  Instead, maybe he could think of when he got Yami back.  Yeah…

{{He burst into the room, where he could hear his Yami speaking.  It didn't matter now, what he had feared would happen.  He was finally back with his yami; his soul could be completed.  Yuugi gazed around at what he saw.  He dimly registered his friends running into the room behind him, but he could only see Yami.  The bronze hand was outstretched as he shouted.  "For your crimes, for making my aibou suffer, your punishment will now be delivered!  Your minds are banished to the Shadow Realm!  OBLIVION!"

The bad guys slumped down, utterly defeated.  As Yuugi started forward, his eyes shimmering with joy, Yami turned to face him.  The confident smile adorned his face, much like the ancient gold jewellery must have adorned his body 5000 years ago, and he stepped towards his other half.

"Yuugi, are you all right?"

"I should be asking you that!  What happened?"

"They challenged me, aibou, to a game where they did not win.  You just caught the ending."

"They should have known better than to challenge you, Yami!  You're the King of Games!"
            A nod as the former Pharaoh continued to move forward, "Indeed.  And now that we have found each other, we can continue to triumph over those who threaten us - and the world!"

"Right!"}}

Ryou came back in and glanced over to the small boy on his way to his softsoftfinally bed.  Whatever had happened had obviously been a good thing: Yuugi was sound asleep, bloody clothes and all, with a true smile on his face.  Ryou got into bed and lay there, gazing at the ceiling.  His eyes softened as he sympathized with Yuugi's situation.  To lose half of your soul…Still.  He was sure Bakura wouldn't let that happen.  But what if there wasn't a choice?  What if they were caught off guard too?  He didn't want -

// Quiet, landlord.  My reflexes are much better honed than that regal jerk's.  Besides, they have lost their element of surprise. //

\ Well, that's true, but… \

// I will not be lost to you.  You are a suitable vessel - a rare quality these days. //

Ryou smiled as he let sleep claim him.  That was the closest thing to a compliment he'd ever get from his temperamental--

// And don't you forget it! //

Joey yawned as he lay on his side.  Sleep wasn't coming easily tonight, that was for sure.  His thoughts were circling like vultures over a carcass.  How could he help Yuug'?  I mean, obviously he'd do everything he could, but what if they were some kind of super-being?  It certainly wouldn't be the first time they'd had to go up against some super power who didn't fit into this world.  I mean, there'd been Pegasus, with that Millennium Eye, then Marik with that creepy mind-controlling rod (Joey took a moment out to growl in remembrance), then there'd been that insane trip into the virtual world with those Big Five…  What if these newcomers wanted to duel?  He knew that he'd gotten way better at duelling than when he'd started, but still.  He'd never really duelled in order to save such a close friend!  And if they wanted a team duel, then Joey was sunk.  He'd only ever duelled with Yuugi's darker side.  Without him, their chances of successes were really low.  Sure, Yuugi was a good duellist, but somehow Joey got the feeling he was slightly below par with his other half.  Not that Joey would ever stop believing in his friend, though.  It's just, if things truly came to such a difficult situation, how could he help Yuug'?  Similar thoughts revolving constantly, Joey drifted off into slumber.

Anzu stared at the ceiling, then at the clock, then at Yuugi.  It was amazing, really, how different the two of them looked.  Sure, their physical qualities were similar, but the more Anzu thought about it, the more she could see differences even there.  Yuugi, laying on his bed, was shorter and had larger eyes.  His hair changed too, when he transformed.  More importantly, the other Yuugi - Yami – had so much confidence.  He practically exuded self-assurance and pride to the point where his demeanour was almost…regal.  As if he'd been a Prince at sometime in his life.  She could definitely see him as Prince Charming.  He'd swoop her up in his arms and carry her off into the sunset on his white steed…leaving Yuugi alone.  Again.  She frowned as she shook her head.  She certainly didn't want to see that happen - once was bad enough!  Maybe she could learn to like the light version of Yuugi over time. 

In the meantime, though, she'd concentrate on helping get the two of them back together.  If it hadn't been obvious from Yuugi's initial reaction to Yami's loss, then it certainly was made clear with prolonged exposure.  She'd do everything she could to make them both happy - it was the least they deserved after all they'd been through.  With that thought firmly in place, she succumbed to Morpheus' open arms.

Honda was asleep almost as soon as he hit the pillow.  He didn't know how much good he'd be tomorrow, especially if there was another duel to decide the fate of something, but he'd do his best.  He'd always be there for his friends.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Divey:  Hello.  *clears throat*  I have no reviews.  Please fix this situation, gentle reader.

Seto:  Ri~ight.  As if you're in a position to actually threaten people.

Divey: Awww. *pouts*

Yuugi: Don't worry!  I'll review! …Despite the fact you're flaying my VERY SOUL!

Yami:  *blinks pathetically*  Why are you torturing me?  I never did anything except look very good in black leather!

Ryou:  Skintight black leather.

Yami: …Your point?

Yuugi:  *whiny*  When can I kill the bad scientists?  Now?  NOW?

Yami:  …My aibou is talking about killing people?  When did this happen?

Yuugi:  When she started making you cry!

Bakura: *glare*  You're all pathetic weaklings.

Seto:  Has anyone noticed we're not actually saying anything of importance?

At any rate!  That was my babbling chapter of explanations.  'Twas boring to write-hope it didn't show.  It's so funny, though, because in Psych, we're doing disorders and today we were talking about Dissociative Identity Disorder – which sounds EXACTLY like Yugioh chars!  I kid you not!

Example from my notes:
D.I.D = two or more co-existing personalites

host personality (=main person)

alternate personality
-Personalities are usually very distinct, opposite from each other.

Reason:  D.I.D may be a way for the person to escape responsibility for their unacceptable behaviours

Divey: *pictures this*

Police: What happened to Pegasus?  He's been turned into a drooling, brain-dead zombie!

All: *point to Yuugi*

Yuugi:  Not me!  *cackles*

Yami:  And I can't possibly exist!  *maniacal grin*

It was very hard not to laugh when I was taking notes….^__^

And Chappie 4's done, I'm just waiting for my beta-reader! (yay!  Thankyou muchly!) to reply.  Should be up within the week, ok?

Right!  So!  Review!