Joy: I have decided to spoil my readers and reviewers by putting this chapter up before I get any reviews. I just like the way this is going. I expect good reviews for this. ;o) Don't disappoint me, guys and gals!
Last time, Sorcerer Seto appeared in Yugi's soul room, swearing that he has changed in ways and turned over a new leaf. Care to see what happens next? BTW: I'll be calling Sorcerer Seto both Sorcerer or Priest Seto too, so be ready for that. Ready, set, go!
Can You Keep A Secret?
Yugi and Sorcerer spent the night talking about ancient Egypt and what it was like living there. Yugi was really interested and Sorcerer was only too happy to give a great deal of details about the subject. They spent so long talking that neither of them noticed the night was fading back into day.
Outside the boy's mind, Yami and the others were already awake. Joy was all better and wide awake. She was, of course, thrilled by all her Duel Monsters being real and chatting freely with them, talking of recent battles and such. Seto was not too far away from the girl. Yami smirked at the sight of the CEO taking on the job of protector for the girl. That's supposed to be Katilli's job. Still, it is refreshing to know that Kaiba may have a heart somewhere in that chest of his.
"Yami, where's Yugi?" Joy asked suddenly. Then she paused, staring off into space for a second. Yami knew that it meant Katilli was telling her. "What?" she gasped. "Katilli, that was not very smart of you! Or you, either, Yami!" She turned to him, a little angry. Yami blinked in confusion. "What if Yugi needed you during the night? What if he were in trouble? What if that sorcerer went into Yugi's soul room? There would be no way for him to contact you for help!"
Yami felt his heart catch in his throat. Dear Ra! She's right! What if…
Katilli appeared, looking worried. She seemed to be thinking along the same lines. "Let's go back right now, and Yami and Yugi can switch places. I'm sure he's all right, aibou."
Joy glared at her for a moment, and then nodded. In a flash, the four of them vanished, reappearing in Yugi's room over the Game Shop. "Now, contact Yugi, Yami. You can switch with him now," Joy said. Yami nodded.
He closed his eyes, opening the link with his aibou.
Yugi and Sorcerer were playing a game where they were pretending to be super heroes. Yugi had named himself Captain Cool and Sorcerer was Egyptian Man. They even conjured up costumes. And they each had a squirt gun in their hands, spraying water on each other. (AN: I'm sorry, I just have to add some humor here. ROFLMAO Can you imagine this setup? LMAO)
"You will never stop me, Captain Cool!" Sorcerer called out as he aim a stream of water at Yugi, which he narrowly ducked.
"You want to bet? I am more powerful than you, Egypt-" Yugi stopped in mid-sentence, causing Sorcerer Seto to look at him in concern.
"What is it, Yugi?" Sorcerer asked.
"It's Yami! He's opening the link! What if he finds out you're here?" Yugi was so nervous.
"Relax, Yugi. If you don't want him to know, just block your feelings and when you talk to him, just act natural," the priest suggested helpfully.
"Yeah, you're right."
Yugi? Are you all right, aibou? Yami sounded very worried. Yugi shook his head with a small smile as he pictured Yami standing there worrying about him for nothing…again.
Yes, Yami. I am right here. I'm fine. Yugi felt of rush of relief through their link.
Did you sleep well? the spirit asked. Yugi then realized that he had not gotten even a moment of sleep last night, and that even with that fact in his head, he found himself to not be tired at all. He had been having too much fun to notice.
Actually, I didn't really sleep at all.
Oh? The spirit sounded worried again, and it showed with the emotions the boy was getting from him.
But it's okay. I'm not really tired.
If you say so. Now, do you want to take over, aibou? I did promise you full control for as long as you like, remember?
Now Yugi had a dilemma. What should he say? He didn't want to assume control when the priest was still there, but he definitely couldn't tell Yami what was up, and even more – he didn't really want to leave his soul room when he was having so much fun in it. It was the first time since being with the Puzzle that he didn't want to assume control after leaving a dangerous place.
I remember Yami, but I don't really feel like taking over. I, um…I want to…I want to stay in my soul room and think for awhile. Besides, I don't really want to talk to anyone right now. In response, confusion was immediately sent his way. Then it was joined by concern.
But, Yugi. I thought you would be eager to get out after a whole night in your soul room. Are you sure you are all right?
I'm fine, Yami. Stop worrying so much. I just think it would be best if I stayed in here. Now Yugi was sensing a pang of guilt added to the already large amount of emotions sent his way. Yugi wondered why Yami felt guilty, but shrugged it off. Maybe he tripped or bumped into someone.
…if you really want not to come out…
Trust me. It's for the best. Besides, you hardly ever get control outside of dueling and me being in danger, so relax and spend some time with the others.
All right, aibou. Let me know when you want to switch.
Okay, but you may get control for awhile, since there are a lot of things for me to figure out. Enjoy it, Yami.
With that, Yugi ended his conversation and put back his mental block. He felt shock from Yami's side of the link, but he had no option. He didn't want it to slip that he was housing another spirit inside his mind. Yami would be angry and try to send the spirit to the shadow realm or something. He's too protective sometimes, Yugi thought with a small smile.
He turned back to Sorcerer. "Everything okay, now, Yugi?" the priest asked. Yugi nodded and the two of them resumed their game.
Yami sighed as he opened his eyes. Joy noticed he had not switched. She raised her eyebrow. "Is Yugi coming out? Is he all right? What happened?"
"He is all right, but he refuses to switch back just now. He claims to have things to think about." He looked worried and downcast.
Joy raised an eyebrow. Then she looked down in thought. Yugi has never asked to stay in his soul room as long as I have known him. Something must be up. "Yugi must be upset about last night. He must feel depressed and left out."
Yami looked guilty. "I never should have blocked him out."
"There was no other option at the time, brother. I am sure everything will work out."
"But he has blocked me out, Katilli! I can't even sense his feelings anymore!" Yami felt so helpless unable to do anything for his hikari.
Katilli was feeling the same way. She felt guilty about having forced Yugi into his soul room, and now he felt upset and she couldn't help but blame herself. "I am sorry to have hurt Yugi, Yami, I just…I didn't know what else to do."
"Maybe I should go inside your head and talk to him, Yami. Maybe I can get him to lower the block," Joy offered.
Seto had been standing against the wall, completely silent. He finally decided to say something. "You know, if the kid wanted to talk to Yami or anyone else, he wouldn't have put that block up. It might be that he wants some time alone. If you push to hard, you'll only succeed in making things worse."
"Then what do you suggest, Kaiba?" Joy asked with a frown.
"I suggest leaving him be for a while. It may be the best thing for him at the moment. When he's ready to talk or come out, he will. Don't strangle him." With that, Kaiba straightened. "I'm going downstairs to call my limo. Are you staying here or going back to the Manor with me, Joy?"
Joy looked thoughtful for a second. Kaiba has a point. But I can't help but feel that there is something we can do for Yugi. She sighed softly, and then nodded. "I'll be down in a few moments." Seto nodded, then left the room. Joy turned her attention to Yami. He looked so lost and sad. She didn't want to leave him, but she also knew there wasn't much she could do to comfort him. "Yami, I am going to the Manor with Kaiba, but I'm coming back over later this afternoon, okay?"
Yami nodded. "Thank you for trying to help, Joy. I will see you later." Joy left to go downstairs with Seto. Katilli and Yami were left alone.
"Brother, I am terribly sorry. I hope Yugi isn't too angry with me."
"No, sister. I am sure it is I who holds most of his anger at the moment."
…Meanwhile…
"Got any twos?" Sorcerer asked. Yugi looked at his hand.
"Nope. Go fish."
"Blast. You are winning…again."
Yugi laughed lightly. "Well, I AM the King of Games…well, me and Yami are, at least." Sorcerer smiled.
"Indeed." He paused. "Do you think he is worried about the block you put up?"
"Oh, I KNOW he is, Sorcerer. But I'm not sure what to do. I can't have him finding out about you till then."
"Perhaps if I left for a while…" Sorcerer suggested. He really didn't want to go, but he also didn't want the pharaoh to worry about his hikari.
Yugi could sense all his dark's emotions…distress, guilt, sadness, confusion, and concern. "I don't really want you to go. After all, we are having fun, aren't we? And besides, where will you go? What if Yami or Katilli sense or see you?"
"Oh, I think I can avoid the two spirits for awhile. I can find some hiding places in the city, and I can always come back later… Like during the evening or when Yami is busy or distracted," he explained, then added, "That is, if you really want me to return to your soul room."
"I think that might be fun. Besides, remember? I want to keep an eye on you to make sure you really have changed."
"Absolutely, Yugi. I am eager to prove myself." He stood up from his seat at the small table. "Now, I will go, but I will return later. I promise to be on my best behavior, young man, if you will do the same."
Yugi smiled. "You bet. Don't worry about me!"
"I think Yami does enough of that for both of us!" They both chuckled, then Sorcerer vanished, saying goodbye as he did so.
"Goodbye, Sorcerer."
…Later…
Yami was sitting in Yugi's bed with a book in his hand but not really reading it. He was still worried about Yugi. Then he felt something in the back of his head. He dropped the book.
You worry too much, Yami, Yugi said with a small laugh.
Yugi! Thank goodness you took down the block! Why did you block me like that? Are you all right?
I'm okay, Yami. I blocked the link that you didn't have to listen to all my random thoughts.
I would not have minded that in the least, aibou.
Well, I just needed some time by myself. But I'm ready to come out of my soul room if it all right, Yami.
It most certainly is, hikari. Yami smiled. Maybe everything was going to be all right, after all.
The puzzle glowed and Yugi took over. He blinked, then looked around. When did we get home, Yami?
We teleported right to the Game Shop, aibou.
Oh, well, that's good I guess. Yugi picked up the book Yami had dropped and put it on the bookshelf. He felt relief coming from the link he and Yami shared, as well as a bit more confusion and guilt. Anything up, Yami?
I…I am sorry, Yugi. Sorry about last night.
Oh, well, that's okay, Yami. It's not your fault. Mostly mine for going into that room and- A knock at the front door broke him off. Hold on, Yami. Someone's at the door. We'll talk later. Yugi went down to see who it was. He opened the door to see a familiar face. "Joy!"
Joy looked happily surprised. She grinned at her friend. "Great to see you, Yugi! Thank goodness you're okay. We were worried. Why the secrecy, buddy?"
"No secrecy, Joy. I just needed some time to think, that's all," Yugi explained, secretly hoping his lie was enough to fool her. Joy nodded in agreement, much to Yugi's relief.
"So, then. We all decided we needed some R and R after all that excitement, so do you want to go to the arcade? We can play that new racing game they have."
"Okay, let's go!"
Joy: Whew! Two thousand words on that one! Nice! I just didn't think I could stop until I got Yugi out of his soul room.
A few notes. I am gonna try to crank out another chapter soon, but I am not gonna post anything until I can get some thoughts down on paper and I get a few reviews. It might take a few days to post the new chapter, so be patient. ;o)
The next chapter is gonna be entitled… 'Swallowing Royal Pride'. Yami tries to figure out what Yugi is hiding, and the gang may just get the shock of their lives – in more ways than one. So till then, review, everybody! :o)