Nightime Conversations By JediRose

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Sugoroku Mouto sighed as he finished the Kame Game shop's ledgers.

'Today's been a long day. First, Yugi returned from Duelist Kingdom. Then, I'm released from the hospital after appearently being in a coma for several days. Finally, Yugi dueled Rebecca Hawkings.'

A smile crossed his wrinkled face. 'It's been a very busy day indeed.'

He stood and streched. Absentmindly, Sugoroku patted his pocket, "Time to go to .... Odd. My deck is... Oh, Yugi must still have it. I'll ask him for it tomorrow."

The older man padded out of his study and headed towards his room. He paused besides Yugi's door and peeked in to check on his sleeping grandson.

What he saw in the boy's room left him speachless for several eternal seconds.

Sitting in the chair in front of Yugi's deck was the Dark Magician!

Sugoroku closed his eyes, attempting to get his erractic heart beat and breathing under control. A soft swishing noise caught his attention. Opening them again, the Game Shop owner found himself staring at a wall of purple robes. He blinked, then turned on his heel gesturing for the spellcaster to follow him.

Neither man said a word until they entered the small kitchen.

#Why did you wish to speak to me, Shimon?#

The older appearing man sighed, "English or Japanese, Mahaado. In the unlikely advent we're overheard, I don't want to explain how I know Ancient Egyptian."

"Very well," the Duel Monster aquiesed. "Though you did not answer my question."

Sugoroku hestitated, bustling around the kitchen to find the nessisary items for tea. As he set the kettle full of water to heat on the stove, the re-incarnated priest finally replied. "Why are you here, Mahaado?"

"Here meaning Japan, or here meaning your house?"

"Here meaning my grandson's room!"

The purple clad mage's eyes widened at Sugoroku's uncharacteristic outburst. "I... He's been having nightmares, Shimon. We - his Shadow Monster allies - wished to prevent anymore. And Kuriboh has a bad habit of blowinng up."

The grey haired man's anger deflated at the explination provided by Mahaado. "Because what affects him, affects the pharaoh?"

A slight nod. "And, because..." A sheepish smile crossed the magician's face. "He's nice to us. The cards, I mean. Do you know how rare it is for a person to talk to his cards the way he would to any of his other friends?"

"No, but I suspect that it's rare."

"Very," came the former priest's repely. "Though it could be because..."

"He's the re-incarnation of our pharaoh," whispered Sugoroku.

"You remember?"

The gameshop owner sighed. "Not everything. But, I've remembered since the day I found the Puzzle."

Blue eyes blinked. "I'd no idea you remembered for so long. If I had known..." A careful shrug. "It doesn't matter now, I suppose. Tomorrow you'll take back your deck."

Weary purple eyes closed. "Do you want to comeback?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Who would you prefer to duel for, Yugi or myself?" clarified the grey haired man. "I could leave my deck in Yugi hands. Retire from Duel Monsters, as it were."

Mahaado's eyes closed. "We'ld prefer to stay with Yugi and the pharaoh but, only if your certain."

The old game master smiled. "It appears my grandson is getting some new cards. Now, would you like to have some tea with me?"

"I'd love some," grinned the Dark Magician.

And, two old friends chatted away the rest of the night.

Owari.

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This fic came about when I started wondering why Yugi and Atemu held onto Grandpa Mouto's deck and the Dark Magician in it.