Y-n-Y: ::le sigh:: I was hoping to avoid this... I *know* it took me
'forever' but I figured you guys would want longer chappies. Longer
chappies = MORE TIME ::ahem:: I can't write close to 10 pages in the same
amount of time it takes me to write three. It just doesn't happen. If
you're impatient and keep reviewing things like: "Argh! That last chappie
took you forever!" then I'll simply go back to my three-page-a-chapter
thing. This isn't the only story I'm currently writing either. I have
"Choices," the re-vamping of the "Breaking Barriers-Reincatnation-Second
Chance" trilogy (Ra knows how many mistakes are littered through there) and
a couple ideas that I write down so I don't forget them. I know it's
partially my fault for creating this mess, but I try to keep a good
schedule. If it's once a week for a short chapter and a month for one
that's more than three times as long, what's the difference? But if I get
one more complaint about how long it takes I will either A) write shorter
chapters or B) finish writing the whole thing and post it as one big
chapter. And there's always C) stop writing it completely. So, please just
be a *little* considerate and dun complain. I dun complain to other people
if they're taking long cuz I understand. I know people have busy lives and
would rather do other things besides sitting in front of the computer
writing. As for the ones who didn't complain and just enjoyed the chapter,
thanks ^_^ ... o.o;; Was I ranting?
Yami: ::nods:: Yes, you were ranting, that you were.
Y-n-Y: ::smacks::
Yami: What did I do?
Y-n-Y: You've been getting into my Kenshin episodes, haven't you?
Yami: Oro?
Y-n-Y: u_u;; I give... Anywho, onto the reviewers:
Thanks to: anime AndrAIa, Princess of Anubis, Celestial Magician, Youko Demon, Spined Dragon, speed2, Molly-chan the Anime/game fan, ChoasDragon2, moonnymph, SoulDreamer, Smarty1, flowacat, Towairaito Zoon, Gin Ryu-chan, ^_^, Lee, Musoka14, Yugi Moto2, Jac89, tyrell, YumeTakato, ShinakaStar, Sophia2, Silent Angel8, Princess Strawberry, Digimagic, tyrell and shadowheart378.
Six Weeks
Chapter 3 - Wake Up
~*~*~*~DAY 12~*~*~*~
Yami sighed contently as he wrapped his arms around his aibou, pulling the smaller boy closer. "I love you, my aibou." He tilted his head and let his tongue trail on Yuugi's neck, tasting the sweet taste that was created do to their previous activities. His tongue made its way to Yuugi's ear and began to place soft kisses on the silky skin. He felt the boy shiver beneath him from the contact.
"I love you, too, my yami."
Abruptly, a loud bang on the door disrupted their loving moment. "Yuugi!"
Yami felt his aibou's sudden fear. "What is it, aibou?"
"It's Aki! That's him! He's here!"
"But how can that be? I locked everything!" The spirit jumped out of the bed and began to dress quickly. Yuugi followed suit.
Then the door flew open. Three shadows stood at the entrance. Yami immediately went into a defensive position in front of Yuugi, clearly showing himself as an obstacle to get to Yuugi.
The middle shadow-figure stepped closer. "You think you can protect that ugly runt from me? From us?"
Yami's eyes narrowed, making a point directly at the figure speaking. He stood his position between Yuugi and the three people. He heard the one who spoke laugh and pull a gleaming object from his jacket. 'A knife!' Yami thought, but the person was already running at him.
~*~*~*~END OF DREAM~*~*~*~
Yami's face broke out with sweat as the ending of the dream brought him to reality. When his eyes finally opened, he looked sideways expecting to see Yuugi there. When he realized his aibou was not there, he sat up and threw on his boxers and pants. He went into the hall and turned on the light. "Yuugi?" No response. //Yuugi?// Still silence.
Against better judgment, Yami opened Yuugi's door and walked in, flipping the lights on as he passed the switch. He noticed a small mound laying on the bed. "Yuugi?" he tried again.
Nothing at all.
Yami sat on the bed near Yuugi. He heard Yuugi gasp and moved from him. "Yuugi, what's wrong?"
"I-I... just go away!"
"What happened, Yuugi? What did I do?" Yami asked, puzzlement showing on his face.
"Last n-night... I-I... let you..." the boy started crying loudly and Yami's heart broke. "L-leave me alone, Yami..."
'Ra! He thinks... he thinks I took advantage of him!' He took a deep breath. "Yuugi, last night-"
"Leave me alone!" Yuugi threw off the blanket, finally facing Yami.
"Aibou? I thought that- I didn't mean to hurt you. I wasn't even aware that I was doing something against you're wishes." Yami bowed his head, praying for Yuugi to forgive him.
"Just leave me alone."
Yami stood, felling his shoulders weigh down with guilt. The guilt of Yuugi's words made him feel like the same scum who had hurt and tortured Yuugi's mind and body. He was no better. His confidence for helping Yuugi become well again left him. And he knew, deep down, that their relationship as friends, partners, and lovers was next to go. Saying a silent 'I love you,' Yami left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yuugi threw himself onto the pillows, letting the tears be absorbed by the material. He could not believe what he had done... what YAMI had done. 'Everyone was right, I am weak and little. That's why people take advantage of me. So pathetic... that even my own yami took advantage of me.' He began shaking with tears.
Then he felt it again. His stomach was threatening to rise against him.
So, he let it.
He made it to the bathroom and gave into his body.
~*~*~*~DAY 14~*~*~*~
Yami wandered downstairs that morning and sat on the couch. The whites of his eyes almost matched the color of his irises. His hair was frayed due to lack of care and his face was tear-stained due to lack of happiness.
'I can't... do anything any more... I must've hurt him so...' He listened as Yuugi ran to the bathroom and he cringed at the noises Yuugi made. It ate him up the past couple days to hear that. It was his worst dream coming true. He would watch silently as Yuugi ate his fill and soon after the noises from the bathroom turned his own stomach.
He knew the respect ai-no, Yuugi, had for him was gone. And it was his fault. He should have known better. He gave into his body, just as Yuugi was doing right now. He was no better.
'I've been fooling myself, thinking I could help Yuugi. I've only caused him more pain...' Yami stood and unlocked the door. With shaky legs, He walked towards the phone inside the small shop. 'Maybe Yuugi's friends can succeed.' Picking up the receiver, he dialed Jounouchi's number. After the fourth ring, Jounouchi picked up.
"'ello, Jounouchi here."
"Jounouchi-kun..."
"Yami? What's up?" the cheery voice asked.
"I-I... hurt Yuugi."
"You what?!" Jounouchi shouted, being so abruptly alarmed. "How?! What did you do?!"
Yami cringed. "I-I can't tell you. I might betray what little I still have of Yuugi's trust if I truly explained it to you."
"Huh? Yami, what's doing on?"
"Just come over. Bring everyone. Please, help Yuugi. I failed." Yami hung up the phone and dropped to his knees.
He had failed. Not in just trying to help Yuugi, but he failed protecting him. The tears fell one after another in a never ending cycle. He found the strength to take off the puzzle, but not before sending off one final message: //Good-bye, aibou, I-I love you.//
He threw the puzzle against the floor and watched as the pieces danced and hopped across the floor. He knew that if he entered the puzzle now with the pieces broken, he would be trapped there until Yuugi solved the puzzle again. And Yami knew there was little chance that would happen. 'Jounouchi will see these... after knowing that I had hurt Yuugi, he'll keep them from him. Keep me away from Yuugi.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//Good-bye, aibou, I-I love you.//
Yuugi jolted up. After hearing that, their connection severed. "Yami!"
He ran out of the bathroom to the living room. Nothing. He opened the door connecting the shop with the house and was surprised that it was unlocked. He walked into the shop and saw the puzzle shattered and Yami no where. "No... No! Yami!" He gathered up the pieces, noticing tears drop on random pieces. 'He locked himself in there.'
"Yuugi?!"
The boy looked up and saw Jounouchi coming through the shop. "Jounouchi- kun? Why are you here?"
Jounouchi's brown eyes gave off a glint. "Where's Yami? I owe him a beating for what he did-" he paused. "What DID he do to hurt you?"
Yuugi's eyes fell to the pieces in his hands. "H-he sealed himself up again."
"What?! Not before I get to bruise him up!" He grabbed a couple pieces and tried to work them together. "Y'hear me?!"
Yuugi stood and watched as his blonde friend futility try to put the puzzle together. His eyes still held unshed tears. "He didn't hurt me, Jounouchi- kun."
The boy paused. "But he told me-"
"Jounouchi-kun!"
Yuugi and Jounouchi looked back to see Ryou and Bakura entering the shop. "There you guys are." He looked back at Yuugi. "Now what do you mean he didn't hurt you?"
The shorter boy started to back into his house. He did not want anyone to know. Letting some tears out, he ran into the kitchen. Food. He needed food.
His three friends, stunned by Yuugi's sudden actions, were close behind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'Ra, that was embarrassing,' Yuugi thought as he laid in bed under Ryou's eyes. 'Now they know.' He remembered Ryou holding his shoulders, comforting him while Bakura cursed at Yami and Jounouchi kept trying to piece the puzzle together again.
"Yuugi-kun? Are you feeling better?" the fair skinned boy asked.
He did not answer. He could not figure out if he was happy Yami had left or want to cry every last tear he had for Yami's desertion. No, it was not desertion. Yuugi had pushed Yami to it. It was that simple. If Yuugi was upset or sad because Yami left him, it was his own fault. He let it happen and he knew Yami's feelings. He knew what his rejection would have done to Yami.
But he did not care.
He was so focused on getting out of the house arrest-like situation he had gotten himself into to care about other people.
Did he enjoy the night? Yes. Did he want to continue a relationship? Yes. Did he love Yami? Yes. But he threw that all out. The shock of being touched that way again brought him to tears, but he hid it from Yami. The spirit had no idea that during, what was supposed to be the best time in their lives, Yuugi's heart was hurting and tearing with each loving touch or burning, passionate kiss.
Yuugi rolled over, avoiding looking at Ryou.
"Ha! I got it! No wait... that's not right..."
Yuugi closed his eyes. Jounouchi was still at it. He knew that the only person who could put the puzzle together is the only person who could ever put it together. "Jounouchi-kun-"
Suddenly a thumping noise was heard and Yuugi's door was flung open. "S- sorry about that... had to run here..." He took a couple seconds to let his emerald eyes take in the situation. Yuugi was lying on his bed, Ryou sitting next to him on a chair. Bakura was leaning against the desk where Jounouchi sat with the broken pieces of the puzzle. "What happened-?"
Jounouchi stood and hurried their purple-blue haired friend out of the room. Once a safe distance away, Jounouchi explained what he knew of the story. "Jounouchi, do you mind if I talk to him? Maybe I can find out what's wrong with him."
Jounouchi smiled. "Good luck. He's been pretty quiet..." the blonde trailed off. He poked his head back into the room and signaled Bakura to come over to them. "Get Ryou outta there, he thinks he might be able to get Yuug' to enlighten us."
Bakura nodded. "Stubborn kid," he growled. The white-haired spirited laid a hand on his hikari's shoulders and pointed his head towards the door. Ryou stood and left with Bakura passing their green-eyed friend, hoping the other would have more luck than he had. He closed the door.
The boy sat in Yuugi's desk chair and picked up some pieces of the golden puzzle. "Yuugi, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. But... I do want to tell you something. And don't worry, I'm not gonna say things like the other's may have said." He placed the pieces down on the desk and sighed. "You all think I'm some kind of rebel. I hardly ever go to school, Most of my vocabulary consists of foul language. But... there is a reason for this. And even though I recognize what caused this, I can't change. I've tried, believe me, Yuugi, but it's become who I am." He leaned back in the chair and shut his eyes. "Two years back I was in the same position as you are in now. I... I was raped." The word was forced out from his mouth and he felt dirty just thinking about that, but he pushed the thoughts aside.
Yuugi stayed still on his bed. How had he known? Was it written on him? Did he reek of it? Was the name Motou Yuugi a synonym for rape-victim?
"It felt like my insides had been ripped out and my blood was about to burst my veins. Saying it hurt is an understatement. When it was... over, I thought my veins had burst, I was lying in my own blood. I couldn't even get up. I was broken mentally and physically."
"W-what did you do?" Yuugi's shaky voice was heard.
The other boy smiled a bit. "I didn't have friends or parents who would have cared. So, I tried to kill myself. I became obsessive with cutting myself and no one noticed. Once, I had cut too deep and I had remembered some of what happened. As I was reliving it, I saw what the person was trying to do. He wanted me to kill myself. He wanted to look at the obituaries and see my name there. I refused to let that happen. So I protected myself, built a wall around my emotions and heart. I am still suffering. It feels like it hurts to breathe." He stood and traveled to Yuugi's bedside and knelt beside it. "Yuugi, you're different. I can see you being where I am in two years. And you can stop that. You have friends you can tell and you have your grandpa who would do anything to see you happy again. And whatever happened with Yami, he gave up his existence for you. It's obvious he must have done something drastic if he resorted to this."
Standing up he traveled to the desk to grab a handful of the pieces. "Yuugi, have you ever wondered how many pieces the Sennen Puzzle has? Yami told me he was curious, did he ever tell you that?"
"N-no..."
"Do you want to tell him? He guessed that there were a thousand; one for each year he was imprisoned.* It'd be nice if you could tell him he was wrong, don't you think?"
Yuugi turned around to look at his friend. "I-I guess so..."
The green-eyed boy smiled. "Then let's not waste any time."
After about ten minutes, the other three guests peaked their heads in and were surprised to see Yuugi putting together the puzzle. Seeing that their friend had everything under control, they left.
~*~*~*~DAY 15~*~*~*~
He smiled as he watched Yuugi put the last bit of the puzzle. Since the previous day, he made meals and kept track of the number as Yuugi put the pieces together. He had managed to get Yuugi talking about what had happened. He tried to comfort Yuugi as best as he could, hoping it would be enough until Yami was back. He grinned as the last piece went together and looked at the number they had gotten to. He left the piece of paper on the end of Yuugi's bed and silently made his way out of the room. He was done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yuugi's trembling hand brought the last piece of the puzzle together. Both of the puzzles shone brightly and Yuugi found himself in his soul room. He looked around and saw it was in a little better condition. There was a small globe light that was shining multiple colors in the corner. He smiled slightly, knowing that his friend had helped him regain that light. Exiting his room he stood in front of Yami's door.
It hurt so much to be there. He stood there for a moment more and finally opened the door. It was pitch black. He began to wonder if this was really Yami's soul room. It was dark before, but not to a point where Yuugi could not see his hand in front of him.
"Yami?" he called into the darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yami's eyes fluttered, revealing his red eyes. Someone was calling him. No one should have been able to communicate with him; he was not even supposed to be hearing anything. He should still be in the deep sleep the magic of the puzzle puts him in when in pieces.
In fact, if he was awake than he was in his soul room and only one person is allowed in there. He tried to get up, but found the task almost impossible, so he settled for rolling on his stomach watching Yuugi.
Yuugi...
The memories rushed back to him. No, he could not let himself be found, he had to hide. He got to his knees, his eyes were so used to the darkness, he could see clearly in front of him. Crawling to a corner of one of the many staircases, he watched as Yuugi carefully walked around, arms outstretched and eyes looking everywhere for a sign. 'Why would Yuugi want to put the puzzle together?' he asked himself.
He saw Yuugi come to a stop. "I wanted to tell you how many pieces there are to the puzzle."
Yami's eyes widened. 'Of course! We're inside the puzzle. But... how had he known?' He tried to remember who he had told that to. The image of a boy with purple-blue hair came to mind. 'I know now.' Yami stood, using a nearby wall, to help him stay standing. "How many are there?" he asked quietly.
Yuugi walked towards him, arms dropping to his side, knowing Yami would reach out when he came close enough. "There's a thousand of them."
Yami smiled. He was right.
Yuugi was merely two feet in front of him. He let go of the wall and reached out for his aibou. He felt Yuugi's shock at the sudden touch, but eventually it faded and Yami pulled his light into his arms. "Yuugi..." he whispered. "I'm sorry for leaving you..."
"No, Yami... I never should have said anything like what I did. I... I knew I was willing that night... but I was so afraid you might hurt me... like..."
Yami quickly silenced his words with a soft kiss. "I love you, my aibou."
"I love you, too, my yami."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The boy walked through Domino City, smiling to himself. 'Finally, it's over. Yuugi succeeded where I failed.' He continued his walk, knowing that all the torments he had in life would soon be dealt with. No, *he* decided, not a shadow from his memories. He could turn and go home now, but he alone chose this path.
And that's what made the difference.
He traveled to Domino's port and stood at the edge of the pier. Looking down at the sky blue sea, he saw his reflection. His smile grew as joy hit him. The pain, and mental anguish will be gone. He mentally said good bye to everyone who tried for him. He wished that they would have figured out he needed to try for himself.
He placed his arms crossing over his chest and gripped his fingers to his shoulders. "Good-bye."
Drawing a last breath, he let himself fall face first into the sea, his green eyes closing forever and his soft hair billowing out behind him.
He continued to smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After emerging from their soul rooms, they slept for a while on the bed. An hour passed and Yuugi awoke first. Smiling at the wonderful feeling for loving arms around him, he hated to leave them, but a white piece of paper caught his eye. Picking it up, he recognized his friend's hand writing and read through the note:
Yami and Yuugi and everyone:
I feel like I have suffered enough. I could go on, but after seeing someone else where I was, it would be a burden on everyone around me. This is my choice. I choose to live this life in hopes of finding something better and less painful. My actions to this day have been almost unforgivable. I have denied everyone of their help and refused to be seen as weak.
But I was weak and I hated it. So, I forced myself to be strong, to not care. And everyone has seen that, yet you all still saw me as a friend. Thank you for that.
Yuugi, don't give up. You have the best thing someone can receive in their life. Because of my actions, I denied myself that. Don't feel sorry for me. I don't. All I ask is that you don't give up.
Everyone else, anything challenging that comes your way, you can go two ways. You can go my way and pretend to be strong or you can go Yuugi's way and *be* strong.
Good-bye. I am free as the sea.
Mato Kagi
Yuugi saw his tears fall to the letter. A hand rested on his shoulder and he turned to see Yami, his own eyes clouded over. "He's free, Yami."
Yami nodded slightly.
Yuugi knew deep down, that that could have been him. In two or so years, he would have been the one who would have died. "Thank you, Mato-kun."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things were finally looking up. Yami and Yuugi enjoyed their time together and Yuugi ate. Jounouchi, Ryou and Bakura often stopped by now that they knew of Yuugi's situation, and spent plenty of time with him. Yami still was a bit weary of Yuugi, in fear the slightest thing could tip Yuugi's newly developed balance point.
By their 20th day locked up in the house, Yami and Yuugi have become close. And as Yami had become less weary of Yuugi, they became more intimate and Yuugi more trusting. Yami could still feel the slight hesitation, but knew Yuugi was trying. Many times, Yami repeatedly reassured Yuugi that he would never dream of hurting him.
"Yuugi, you want to go somewhere tomorrow?" Yami asked as they laid in bed together.
"You mean it?"
The former spirit smiled. "Yes. Anywhere you want to go and we'll go, okay?"
The boy tackled Yami against the bed and pushed their lips together. "You're the best, Yami!"
Yami sat up, turning Yuugi around, holding him in his lap. He began slightly kissing Yuugi's neck. "Then let's get some sleep tonight, aibou."
Yuugi nodded, his eyelids drooping, "G'night, mou hitori no boku.
"Good night, mou hitori no ore."
~*~*~*~TSUDZUKU~*~*~*~
* Okay, I'm gonna break down the word 'sennen.' The first kanji pronounced 'sen' means '1,000' and the second kanji pronounced 'nen' means 'year.' When you put the two kanji together it means 'millennium' or 'one thousand years.' Do NOT review and tell me it's 3000 years or 5000 years, I'm sticking to what BOTH of my Japanese dictionaries say and what my Japanese Word Processor says. If you still dun believe me, I'd be happy to show you where you can download the Japanese Word Processor and you can check yourself.
Y-n-Y: Okies, I am serious about what I said. I don't want to scare anyone off, but please if all you're gonna write is "took you long enough" don't review. I know it took me a long time, everyone else does, too. And it's going to take another "long time" for the next chappie.. That's just the only way I can manage things. School has been in session for a week and I found it very difficult to work on this or Choices. I'm taking 2 AP and 2 Honors classes (my other two being animation and teacher's aide) I'm going to be having a long year and writing time will be a small fraction of the time I'm awake. I'll write whenever I get a chance to and everyone who writes and takes these hard courses knows that writing is NOT going to be at the top of there "to do" list. With that said, I'm looking forward to reading reviews and I hope you liked this chappie. (No, the story isn't over yet.)
Yami: ::nods:: Yes, you were ranting, that you were.
Y-n-Y: ::smacks::
Yami: What did I do?
Y-n-Y: You've been getting into my Kenshin episodes, haven't you?
Yami: Oro?
Y-n-Y: u_u;; I give... Anywho, onto the reviewers:
Thanks to: anime AndrAIa, Princess of Anubis, Celestial Magician, Youko Demon, Spined Dragon, speed2, Molly-chan the Anime/game fan, ChoasDragon2, moonnymph, SoulDreamer, Smarty1, flowacat, Towairaito Zoon, Gin Ryu-chan, ^_^, Lee, Musoka14, Yugi Moto2, Jac89, tyrell, YumeTakato, ShinakaStar, Sophia2, Silent Angel8, Princess Strawberry, Digimagic, tyrell and shadowheart378.
Six Weeks
Chapter 3 - Wake Up
~*~*~*~DAY 12~*~*~*~
Yami sighed contently as he wrapped his arms around his aibou, pulling the smaller boy closer. "I love you, my aibou." He tilted his head and let his tongue trail on Yuugi's neck, tasting the sweet taste that was created do to their previous activities. His tongue made its way to Yuugi's ear and began to place soft kisses on the silky skin. He felt the boy shiver beneath him from the contact.
"I love you, too, my yami."
Abruptly, a loud bang on the door disrupted their loving moment. "Yuugi!"
Yami felt his aibou's sudden fear. "What is it, aibou?"
"It's Aki! That's him! He's here!"
"But how can that be? I locked everything!" The spirit jumped out of the bed and began to dress quickly. Yuugi followed suit.
Then the door flew open. Three shadows stood at the entrance. Yami immediately went into a defensive position in front of Yuugi, clearly showing himself as an obstacle to get to Yuugi.
The middle shadow-figure stepped closer. "You think you can protect that ugly runt from me? From us?"
Yami's eyes narrowed, making a point directly at the figure speaking. He stood his position between Yuugi and the three people. He heard the one who spoke laugh and pull a gleaming object from his jacket. 'A knife!' Yami thought, but the person was already running at him.
~*~*~*~END OF DREAM~*~*~*~
Yami's face broke out with sweat as the ending of the dream brought him to reality. When his eyes finally opened, he looked sideways expecting to see Yuugi there. When he realized his aibou was not there, he sat up and threw on his boxers and pants. He went into the hall and turned on the light. "Yuugi?" No response. //Yuugi?// Still silence.
Against better judgment, Yami opened Yuugi's door and walked in, flipping the lights on as he passed the switch. He noticed a small mound laying on the bed. "Yuugi?" he tried again.
Nothing at all.
Yami sat on the bed near Yuugi. He heard Yuugi gasp and moved from him. "Yuugi, what's wrong?"
"I-I... just go away!"
"What happened, Yuugi? What did I do?" Yami asked, puzzlement showing on his face.
"Last n-night... I-I... let you..." the boy started crying loudly and Yami's heart broke. "L-leave me alone, Yami..."
'Ra! He thinks... he thinks I took advantage of him!' He took a deep breath. "Yuugi, last night-"
"Leave me alone!" Yuugi threw off the blanket, finally facing Yami.
"Aibou? I thought that- I didn't mean to hurt you. I wasn't even aware that I was doing something against you're wishes." Yami bowed his head, praying for Yuugi to forgive him.
"Just leave me alone."
Yami stood, felling his shoulders weigh down with guilt. The guilt of Yuugi's words made him feel like the same scum who had hurt and tortured Yuugi's mind and body. He was no better. His confidence for helping Yuugi become well again left him. And he knew, deep down, that their relationship as friends, partners, and lovers was next to go. Saying a silent 'I love you,' Yami left the room.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yuugi threw himself onto the pillows, letting the tears be absorbed by the material. He could not believe what he had done... what YAMI had done. 'Everyone was right, I am weak and little. That's why people take advantage of me. So pathetic... that even my own yami took advantage of me.' He began shaking with tears.
Then he felt it again. His stomach was threatening to rise against him.
So, he let it.
He made it to the bathroom and gave into his body.
~*~*~*~DAY 14~*~*~*~
Yami wandered downstairs that morning and sat on the couch. The whites of his eyes almost matched the color of his irises. His hair was frayed due to lack of care and his face was tear-stained due to lack of happiness.
'I can't... do anything any more... I must've hurt him so...' He listened as Yuugi ran to the bathroom and he cringed at the noises Yuugi made. It ate him up the past couple days to hear that. It was his worst dream coming true. He would watch silently as Yuugi ate his fill and soon after the noises from the bathroom turned his own stomach.
He knew the respect ai-no, Yuugi, had for him was gone. And it was his fault. He should have known better. He gave into his body, just as Yuugi was doing right now. He was no better.
'I've been fooling myself, thinking I could help Yuugi. I've only caused him more pain...' Yami stood and unlocked the door. With shaky legs, He walked towards the phone inside the small shop. 'Maybe Yuugi's friends can succeed.' Picking up the receiver, he dialed Jounouchi's number. After the fourth ring, Jounouchi picked up.
"'ello, Jounouchi here."
"Jounouchi-kun..."
"Yami? What's up?" the cheery voice asked.
"I-I... hurt Yuugi."
"You what?!" Jounouchi shouted, being so abruptly alarmed. "How?! What did you do?!"
Yami cringed. "I-I can't tell you. I might betray what little I still have of Yuugi's trust if I truly explained it to you."
"Huh? Yami, what's doing on?"
"Just come over. Bring everyone. Please, help Yuugi. I failed." Yami hung up the phone and dropped to his knees.
He had failed. Not in just trying to help Yuugi, but he failed protecting him. The tears fell one after another in a never ending cycle. He found the strength to take off the puzzle, but not before sending off one final message: //Good-bye, aibou, I-I love you.//
He threw the puzzle against the floor and watched as the pieces danced and hopped across the floor. He knew that if he entered the puzzle now with the pieces broken, he would be trapped there until Yuugi solved the puzzle again. And Yami knew there was little chance that would happen. 'Jounouchi will see these... after knowing that I had hurt Yuugi, he'll keep them from him. Keep me away from Yuugi.'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
//Good-bye, aibou, I-I love you.//
Yuugi jolted up. After hearing that, their connection severed. "Yami!"
He ran out of the bathroom to the living room. Nothing. He opened the door connecting the shop with the house and was surprised that it was unlocked. He walked into the shop and saw the puzzle shattered and Yami no where. "No... No! Yami!" He gathered up the pieces, noticing tears drop on random pieces. 'He locked himself in there.'
"Yuugi?!"
The boy looked up and saw Jounouchi coming through the shop. "Jounouchi- kun? Why are you here?"
Jounouchi's brown eyes gave off a glint. "Where's Yami? I owe him a beating for what he did-" he paused. "What DID he do to hurt you?"
Yuugi's eyes fell to the pieces in his hands. "H-he sealed himself up again."
"What?! Not before I get to bruise him up!" He grabbed a couple pieces and tried to work them together. "Y'hear me?!"
Yuugi stood and watched as his blonde friend futility try to put the puzzle together. His eyes still held unshed tears. "He didn't hurt me, Jounouchi- kun."
The boy paused. "But he told me-"
"Jounouchi-kun!"
Yuugi and Jounouchi looked back to see Ryou and Bakura entering the shop. "There you guys are." He looked back at Yuugi. "Now what do you mean he didn't hurt you?"
The shorter boy started to back into his house. He did not want anyone to know. Letting some tears out, he ran into the kitchen. Food. He needed food.
His three friends, stunned by Yuugi's sudden actions, were close behind.
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'Ra, that was embarrassing,' Yuugi thought as he laid in bed under Ryou's eyes. 'Now they know.' He remembered Ryou holding his shoulders, comforting him while Bakura cursed at Yami and Jounouchi kept trying to piece the puzzle together again.
"Yuugi-kun? Are you feeling better?" the fair skinned boy asked.
He did not answer. He could not figure out if he was happy Yami had left or want to cry every last tear he had for Yami's desertion. No, it was not desertion. Yuugi had pushed Yami to it. It was that simple. If Yuugi was upset or sad because Yami left him, it was his own fault. He let it happen and he knew Yami's feelings. He knew what his rejection would have done to Yami.
But he did not care.
He was so focused on getting out of the house arrest-like situation he had gotten himself into to care about other people.
Did he enjoy the night? Yes. Did he want to continue a relationship? Yes. Did he love Yami? Yes. But he threw that all out. The shock of being touched that way again brought him to tears, but he hid it from Yami. The spirit had no idea that during, what was supposed to be the best time in their lives, Yuugi's heart was hurting and tearing with each loving touch or burning, passionate kiss.
Yuugi rolled over, avoiding looking at Ryou.
"Ha! I got it! No wait... that's not right..."
Yuugi closed his eyes. Jounouchi was still at it. He knew that the only person who could put the puzzle together is the only person who could ever put it together. "Jounouchi-kun-"
Suddenly a thumping noise was heard and Yuugi's door was flung open. "S- sorry about that... had to run here..." He took a couple seconds to let his emerald eyes take in the situation. Yuugi was lying on his bed, Ryou sitting next to him on a chair. Bakura was leaning against the desk where Jounouchi sat with the broken pieces of the puzzle. "What happened-?"
Jounouchi stood and hurried their purple-blue haired friend out of the room. Once a safe distance away, Jounouchi explained what he knew of the story. "Jounouchi, do you mind if I talk to him? Maybe I can find out what's wrong with him."
Jounouchi smiled. "Good luck. He's been pretty quiet..." the blonde trailed off. He poked his head back into the room and signaled Bakura to come over to them. "Get Ryou outta there, he thinks he might be able to get Yuug' to enlighten us."
Bakura nodded. "Stubborn kid," he growled. The white-haired spirited laid a hand on his hikari's shoulders and pointed his head towards the door. Ryou stood and left with Bakura passing their green-eyed friend, hoping the other would have more luck than he had. He closed the door.
The boy sat in Yuugi's desk chair and picked up some pieces of the golden puzzle. "Yuugi, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to. But... I do want to tell you something. And don't worry, I'm not gonna say things like the other's may have said." He placed the pieces down on the desk and sighed. "You all think I'm some kind of rebel. I hardly ever go to school, Most of my vocabulary consists of foul language. But... there is a reason for this. And even though I recognize what caused this, I can't change. I've tried, believe me, Yuugi, but it's become who I am." He leaned back in the chair and shut his eyes. "Two years back I was in the same position as you are in now. I... I was raped." The word was forced out from his mouth and he felt dirty just thinking about that, but he pushed the thoughts aside.
Yuugi stayed still on his bed. How had he known? Was it written on him? Did he reek of it? Was the name Motou Yuugi a synonym for rape-victim?
"It felt like my insides had been ripped out and my blood was about to burst my veins. Saying it hurt is an understatement. When it was... over, I thought my veins had burst, I was lying in my own blood. I couldn't even get up. I was broken mentally and physically."
"W-what did you do?" Yuugi's shaky voice was heard.
The other boy smiled a bit. "I didn't have friends or parents who would have cared. So, I tried to kill myself. I became obsessive with cutting myself and no one noticed. Once, I had cut too deep and I had remembered some of what happened. As I was reliving it, I saw what the person was trying to do. He wanted me to kill myself. He wanted to look at the obituaries and see my name there. I refused to let that happen. So I protected myself, built a wall around my emotions and heart. I am still suffering. It feels like it hurts to breathe." He stood and traveled to Yuugi's bedside and knelt beside it. "Yuugi, you're different. I can see you being where I am in two years. And you can stop that. You have friends you can tell and you have your grandpa who would do anything to see you happy again. And whatever happened with Yami, he gave up his existence for you. It's obvious he must have done something drastic if he resorted to this."
Standing up he traveled to the desk to grab a handful of the pieces. "Yuugi, have you ever wondered how many pieces the Sennen Puzzle has? Yami told me he was curious, did he ever tell you that?"
"N-no..."
"Do you want to tell him? He guessed that there were a thousand; one for each year he was imprisoned.* It'd be nice if you could tell him he was wrong, don't you think?"
Yuugi turned around to look at his friend. "I-I guess so..."
The green-eyed boy smiled. "Then let's not waste any time."
After about ten minutes, the other three guests peaked their heads in and were surprised to see Yuugi putting together the puzzle. Seeing that their friend had everything under control, they left.
~*~*~*~DAY 15~*~*~*~
He smiled as he watched Yuugi put the last bit of the puzzle. Since the previous day, he made meals and kept track of the number as Yuugi put the pieces together. He had managed to get Yuugi talking about what had happened. He tried to comfort Yuugi as best as he could, hoping it would be enough until Yami was back. He grinned as the last piece went together and looked at the number they had gotten to. He left the piece of paper on the end of Yuugi's bed and silently made his way out of the room. He was done.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yuugi's trembling hand brought the last piece of the puzzle together. Both of the puzzles shone brightly and Yuugi found himself in his soul room. He looked around and saw it was in a little better condition. There was a small globe light that was shining multiple colors in the corner. He smiled slightly, knowing that his friend had helped him regain that light. Exiting his room he stood in front of Yami's door.
It hurt so much to be there. He stood there for a moment more and finally opened the door. It was pitch black. He began to wonder if this was really Yami's soul room. It was dark before, but not to a point where Yuugi could not see his hand in front of him.
"Yami?" he called into the darkness.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yami's eyes fluttered, revealing his red eyes. Someone was calling him. No one should have been able to communicate with him; he was not even supposed to be hearing anything. He should still be in the deep sleep the magic of the puzzle puts him in when in pieces.
In fact, if he was awake than he was in his soul room and only one person is allowed in there. He tried to get up, but found the task almost impossible, so he settled for rolling on his stomach watching Yuugi.
Yuugi...
The memories rushed back to him. No, he could not let himself be found, he had to hide. He got to his knees, his eyes were so used to the darkness, he could see clearly in front of him. Crawling to a corner of one of the many staircases, he watched as Yuugi carefully walked around, arms outstretched and eyes looking everywhere for a sign. 'Why would Yuugi want to put the puzzle together?' he asked himself.
He saw Yuugi come to a stop. "I wanted to tell you how many pieces there are to the puzzle."
Yami's eyes widened. 'Of course! We're inside the puzzle. But... how had he known?' He tried to remember who he had told that to. The image of a boy with purple-blue hair came to mind. 'I know now.' Yami stood, using a nearby wall, to help him stay standing. "How many are there?" he asked quietly.
Yuugi walked towards him, arms dropping to his side, knowing Yami would reach out when he came close enough. "There's a thousand of them."
Yami smiled. He was right.
Yuugi was merely two feet in front of him. He let go of the wall and reached out for his aibou. He felt Yuugi's shock at the sudden touch, but eventually it faded and Yami pulled his light into his arms. "Yuugi..." he whispered. "I'm sorry for leaving you..."
"No, Yami... I never should have said anything like what I did. I... I knew I was willing that night... but I was so afraid you might hurt me... like..."
Yami quickly silenced his words with a soft kiss. "I love you, my aibou."
"I love you, too, my yami."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The boy walked through Domino City, smiling to himself. 'Finally, it's over. Yuugi succeeded where I failed.' He continued his walk, knowing that all the torments he had in life would soon be dealt with. No, *he* decided, not a shadow from his memories. He could turn and go home now, but he alone chose this path.
And that's what made the difference.
He traveled to Domino's port and stood at the edge of the pier. Looking down at the sky blue sea, he saw his reflection. His smile grew as joy hit him. The pain, and mental anguish will be gone. He mentally said good bye to everyone who tried for him. He wished that they would have figured out he needed to try for himself.
He placed his arms crossing over his chest and gripped his fingers to his shoulders. "Good-bye."
Drawing a last breath, he let himself fall face first into the sea, his green eyes closing forever and his soft hair billowing out behind him.
He continued to smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
After emerging from their soul rooms, they slept for a while on the bed. An hour passed and Yuugi awoke first. Smiling at the wonderful feeling for loving arms around him, he hated to leave them, but a white piece of paper caught his eye. Picking it up, he recognized his friend's hand writing and read through the note:
Yami and Yuugi and everyone:
I feel like I have suffered enough. I could go on, but after seeing someone else where I was, it would be a burden on everyone around me. This is my choice. I choose to live this life in hopes of finding something better and less painful. My actions to this day have been almost unforgivable. I have denied everyone of their help and refused to be seen as weak.
But I was weak and I hated it. So, I forced myself to be strong, to not care. And everyone has seen that, yet you all still saw me as a friend. Thank you for that.
Yuugi, don't give up. You have the best thing someone can receive in their life. Because of my actions, I denied myself that. Don't feel sorry for me. I don't. All I ask is that you don't give up.
Everyone else, anything challenging that comes your way, you can go two ways. You can go my way and pretend to be strong or you can go Yuugi's way and *be* strong.
Good-bye. I am free as the sea.
Mato Kagi
Yuugi saw his tears fall to the letter. A hand rested on his shoulder and he turned to see Yami, his own eyes clouded over. "He's free, Yami."
Yami nodded slightly.
Yuugi knew deep down, that that could have been him. In two or so years, he would have been the one who would have died. "Thank you, Mato-kun."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things were finally looking up. Yami and Yuugi enjoyed their time together and Yuugi ate. Jounouchi, Ryou and Bakura often stopped by now that they knew of Yuugi's situation, and spent plenty of time with him. Yami still was a bit weary of Yuugi, in fear the slightest thing could tip Yuugi's newly developed balance point.
By their 20th day locked up in the house, Yami and Yuugi have become close. And as Yami had become less weary of Yuugi, they became more intimate and Yuugi more trusting. Yami could still feel the slight hesitation, but knew Yuugi was trying. Many times, Yami repeatedly reassured Yuugi that he would never dream of hurting him.
"Yuugi, you want to go somewhere tomorrow?" Yami asked as they laid in bed together.
"You mean it?"
The former spirit smiled. "Yes. Anywhere you want to go and we'll go, okay?"
The boy tackled Yami against the bed and pushed their lips together. "You're the best, Yami!"
Yami sat up, turning Yuugi around, holding him in his lap. He began slightly kissing Yuugi's neck. "Then let's get some sleep tonight, aibou."
Yuugi nodded, his eyelids drooping, "G'night, mou hitori no boku.
"Good night, mou hitori no ore."
~*~*~*~TSUDZUKU~*~*~*~
* Okay, I'm gonna break down the word 'sennen.' The first kanji pronounced 'sen' means '1,000' and the second kanji pronounced 'nen' means 'year.' When you put the two kanji together it means 'millennium' or 'one thousand years.' Do NOT review and tell me it's 3000 years or 5000 years, I'm sticking to what BOTH of my Japanese dictionaries say and what my Japanese Word Processor says. If you still dun believe me, I'd be happy to show you where you can download the Japanese Word Processor and you can check yourself.
Y-n-Y: Okies, I am serious about what I said. I don't want to scare anyone off, but please if all you're gonna write is "took you long enough" don't review. I know it took me a long time, everyone else does, too. And it's going to take another "long time" for the next chappie.. That's just the only way I can manage things. School has been in session for a week and I found it very difficult to work on this or Choices. I'm taking 2 AP and 2 Honors classes (my other two being animation and teacher's aide) I'm going to be having a long year and writing time will be a small fraction of the time I'm awake. I'll write whenever I get a chance to and everyone who writes and takes these hard courses knows that writing is NOT going to be at the top of there "to do" list. With that said, I'm looking forward to reading reviews and I hope you liked this chappie. (No, the story isn't over yet.)