Hello again. I'm back with the next chapter! It has been a hard task for me... (sighs exhaustedly) I have rewritten it almost completely (Sorry there, Amber Eyes, you beta-ed it and I changed almost everything. So sorry (gives chocolate-cookies to her)) Anyway, here's the chapter! Hyaa, that's for you (throws the chapter into the group of readers) Review Replies are at the end of the chapter (and way too long again).
Warning: It will be much more serious than the last one, but I told you that before, heh.
Disclaimer: Yami wants to have Yugi but he can't. I want to have Yu-Gi-Oh! but I can't. We feel similar pain. (whines) I don't own it. Kazuki Takahashi does.
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"Yugi?"
"Hm... no, not yet," Yugi murmured, snuggling deeper into the warmth around him. "Five more minutes won't make a difference..."
"Yugi, but it's already getting late and you promised to do the cooking today," his grandfather's voice cut into the fog of sleepiness surrounding him again. "It's your turn anyway, so get up already."
Yugi grumbled and opened his eyes to look at his grandfather, just to have the sleeping face of himself directly in front of him. He almost yelped in shock, then remembered the previous events and slumped back down. Of course it wasn't his own face. It was Yami's.
"You two sleep in one bed together," Sugoroku asked from beside the bed and only then Yugi noticed their close proximity. Yami had one arm around his waist, the other one somewhere around his neck and their legs were intertwined. They were touching each other almost everywhere! Then he noticed that his own arms were lying securely around Yami as well and he pulled them back immediately. Blushing madly he glanced up at his grandfather, searching for repulsion or at least some kind of suspicion. The old man's eyes looked down on him with a serious glint in them, nothing more, nothing less. Yugi wished he were able to read -his- thoughts for once.
"Well..." He detached himself from his look-alike, careful not to wake him up, for a short moment admiring the beautiful unmarred face, and walked passed his grandfather to leave the room. He didn't dare to look at him now, but he felt the intent stare nevertheless. "We slept in one bed because there is no other bed in this room and we both were too tired to arrange something else."
That was true – in a way. But to tell the truth meant to tell the whole thing. He had told just one little aspect and the truth couldn't be cut into aspects. So he had lied – in a way. He felt sick. How many times did he lie to his grandpa now? Much too often. He hated that.
"Okay, Yugi." He heard his grandfather following him into the kitchen, his voice laced with false cheerfulness. "So the both of you get along well, I assume? If I'm being honest, I think he's a bit grumpy. And you two look very much alike. What is that about?"
"Oh, coincidence." Yugi winced internally. He had done it again. Then again... It probably really was coincidence. After all Yami had had nothing to do with him before. "And you're right about him. He's not very social, I don't know why he likes me." Truth. It was all the truth! Relieved Yugi concentrated on searching for the ingredients he needed. The meat, onions, spice...
"Are the two of you..." His grandfather paused and Yugi spun around, his eyes widening. "...already 'friends'?"
Yugi gulped. He knew the words had a deeper meaning and he hadn't expected such a blunt question. His grandfather wanted to know if they were... Flabbergasted he shook his head.
"No-no, not exactly." He put on a nervous grin, which slowly faded throughout his next words. "It's just... I don't know. I really, really don't know. I don't understand him. He's too difficult to understand."
Silence sank heavily on both of them. Yugi bit his lips uneasily, wanting to melt with the kitchen tiles beneath him. Then his grandfather spoke up again, first hesitantly, then growing more sure.
"It's not easy when you both speak different languages." Sugoroku nodded absentmindedly. "There are bound to be problems and misunderstandings."
The innuendo was clear, Yugi knew he didn't mean what he had said literally. What he meant was Yami's mind. Their different ways of thinking. The question was, why did he bring this up? And did he approve or accept that he interfered with a person like Yami? He knew their position hadn't looked quite decent. "But how can I learn his language?"
"It may be hard, but there's always a small beginning." Now the old man's smile was genuine and Yugi wondered how much he really knew. "But it's easier if Yami learns to speak your language as well. Maybe like this you'll find a language you both can speak. A language you both agree with."
"Grandpa..."
"Hey, don't forget the cooking," Sugoroku interrupted, leaving the kitchen, a mixture of a smile and a frown on his face. Yugi was left behind thoroughly confused. How much did his grandfather know about the matter? How could he know? With racing thoughts he continued the cooking where he had left off. Onion, spice, oil...
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Yugi sat down on the couch in the living room heavily. The meat was in the pot and had to stay like that for a while in order to get the right taste to the sauce. So he had to do nothing but sit and wait. He sighed, thinking his grandfather's words over again. So he thought, if they worked hard enough to understand each other, there would be some progress? They both had to do some steps toward the other, but what if they finally met in the centre of it? Was this the base of understanding he wanted? Wouldn't walking towards Yami mean to change into part of him?
"Do I have to be more like Yami to understand him?" No. Yugi frowned. That certainly wasn't what his grandfather had meant. Why didn't he get it then? If he put in 'way of thinking' instead of 'language'... it said he had to learn Yami's way of thinking and Yami had to learn his way of thinking. Did 'learn' mean 'change' or did it mean something else?
He didn't know. He needed his diary – dearly. He stood up and snatched his schoolbag from the doorway where he had left it after coming back from school and took the little book out of it. Usually it helped him to see things more clearly. That way he could concentrate on what he really felt and analyse the situation. He sat down again, a pencil in his right hand, the book lying in his lap. Where to begin?
'Today I have been through more than ever before in my life. It is probably the longest and the hardest day – but also the oddest day ever. Not a good day, though I have to admit it is quite interesting and... intriguing. Today the boy from the mirror came back to me. I know I wished to meet him again before, but I'm not so sure anymore, if it wasn't the worst thing that could have happened to me. He's dangerous and remorseless. And it looks like he would do anything to get what he wants. Anything. Even kill. I think he always got what he wanted before. Now... seemingly he wants me. I tried to run away from him but he didn't allow that. If I had known from the beginning just what kind of person he is... I could have prevented a lot. Even the murder. Yes, it was him who did this. He killed Izumi-sensei.
At first when he had come back out of the mirror I was very happy. He had been so kind and gentle. Well, I think I shouldn't have trusted him because of that. The murder came so suddenly, I wasn't able to do anything. I didn't expect it. He changed from one moment to the next into a completely different person. He is so scary, yet the gentle side he showed to me hadn't been a farce. And that's what confuses me so much.
Yami, you are so... complicated. I want to understand you so badly...'
Hasty approaching footsteps interrupted Yugi's thoughts and he quickly shut the book. His grandfather knew he had the diary, but that didn't mean he wanted him to read it. He put it back into the schoolbag and turned around to greet his grandpa, when he suddenly was crushed in a fierce embrace.
---Aibou,--- Yami's sorrowful voice flooded his mind. ---My aibou, my aibou. Thought you ran away. Woke up alone, very alone. Never do that again, never, you hear me, never, Aibou...---
Yugi, who was now firmly pressed against Yami's rigid body, blinked in shock and confusion.
::I just stood up to do the cooking,:: he told Yami through his thoughts. ::I didn't want to wake you up because of that.::
---Was so scared. Never do that again.--- Obviously Yami didn't listen. ---You can't leave my side, can't, don't allow this. Mine, you're mine.---
Yugi carefully patted Yami's back, trying to calm him down. Though he didn't agree with him. He didn't belong to him and if he wanted to get up, he...
---No, MINE.--- The arms around him tightened their grip. Yugi figured it wasn't the right moment to start the conversation they had had all over again.
---There is no conversation required,--- Yami told him stubbornly. ---You belong to me. I saw you, I watched you and I chose you and now you are mine. You have no right to fight that. How can there be a law in your world that allows every single person to have the same rights as their next? I don't want that!---
::Stop that.:: Yugi didn't want to discuss that again. Hadn't he made clear enough that he didn't accept Yami's laws?
---So you don't accept them because they have no value here?--- Yugi could hear the dangerous edge in Yami's voice. He knew that tone of voice. He had sounded like that the moment before his teacher had... ---Then you will accept them at a place where they have value? Where they are operative?---
Yugi slowly started to panic.
---You will accept them when I take you home with me?---
Yugi wanted to look Yami in the eye, but the boy didn't let go of him, even after he tried to pull away. Why was he acting so strange all of the sudden? Fearfully he tugged at his clothes, trying to signal his need for distance.
---So when I take you with me, you will belong to me without any limitations.---
"You would own my body, but surely not my soul," Yugi whispered, determined to get away. "And how can there be a law in your world that allows you to have more rights than all the other people? How can there be a right to own another human being?!" He didn't want to talk about that now, but Yami made it impossible to avoid. He had wanted to think it over first, before discussing it with him, but he didn't leave him any time.
Suddenly he was thrown onto his back, Yami instantly over him, pushing him down forcefully into the cushions, looking at him with raging despair in his ruby eyes. They had a dark shade in their depths now, like red wine and the panic he felt rose.
---Some people are not worth having rights.--- A sneer made its way to Yami's face, but it was clear that he had difficulties to hold it there. His body shook uncontrollable. ---They are the lowest scum of the earth and would just destroy the system. When I own them I can make them do more useful things. They have to be shown the right direction.---
"So you want to tell me that I am not worth having rights, huh?" Yugi saw the ruby eyes slitting dangerously, the desperation, which reached him through their created mind-link, though he couldn't quite grasp more of Yami's thoughts, growing. "I am worth nothing and belong to the lowest scum of the earth. That's why you can own me. Did I get it right, or is there anything I..."
---Shut up!!--- Yugi could feel how the thoughts shot through Yami's head rapidly, his expression showing anger resulting from his deep helplessness. But he himself was angry now and didn't care whether the other was in advance or not. Yami's vanity was just so... disgusting.
"Maybe Jounouchi, too, is not worth anything else than being a filthy little slave in your eyes. Or Anzu. Or my grandfather. Maybe my teacher wasn't even worth -that-. She wasn't even worth living, was she?"
---Shut up, I said!!--- Yami's hands fisted and pressed down onto his chest hard. He winced in pain, but kept his eyes on the ruby one's. Suddenly though the pressure was taken away and Yami slumped down onto him, the anger fading from his features, leaving only pain. ---Stop saying such things... It's not true. You are worth everything for me. Everything! That's something I have never experienced before and I am scared. So scared. All the time I fear that you might turn away and leave me. I have never been so... so... dependent. I don't want to be dependent on your decision. That's why you have to be mine, because then I have the control of all this. I don't know any other way to make sure you stay. I can't take to see you leave. There would be nothing I could do about it. I feel utterly... helpless.---
"Y-Yami," Yugi breathed.
---After I woke up in your bed all alone I realised that I had to make sure I have the control. No matter what. I need it. And I will have it. That's why I'll take you home to Egypt with me. Even if I can only have your body then... I'll have the time to fight for your soul as well.---
"You can't do that." Yugi's face paled. Yami really was serious. It wasn't just an act resulting from panic, no, he was determined to realise all of it. "You want to make me your -slave-?!"
---Being a slave of the pharaoh is not that bad a fate,--- Yami sat up on his stomach, one hand coming up to stroke his look-alike's cheek lovingly.
"Pharaoh," Yugi choked. "YOU are the pharaoh?!"
---Of course I am.--- The boy on his lap smiled. ---The highest person existing.---
"That can't be happening," Yugi whispered in disbelief, then narrowed his eyes. "I won't go with you. Pharaoh or whatever. I won't."
---You will.--- Yami climbed off of him and hoisted him up to his feet. ---And we'll go right now!---
"No. Let me go!" Yugi cried, but not loud enough for his grandfather to hear. Yami was too dangerous. "I won't go with you!"
---You will.--- His look-alike grasped his elbow and pulled him through the living room.
"No!!" Yugi tried to struggle or kick but it didn't seem to affect Yami. Panic made his vision blur. The other wanted to take him away from his home and family forever? He couldn't let that happen... He and being a slave? Yami's slave? No, no!
The taller boy directed him toward the bedroom and Yugi remembered the mirrors. Yami had come through the mirrors and now he was going to... no, he couldn't let that happen!
"Let go of my arm," he cried, trashing wildly in the other's grip, eyes wide and unfocused. "You can't just force me to leave everything behind! I don't -want- this!"
---Everything is going to be alright.--- Uncertainty flickered in Yami's eyes, but the hold he had on Yugi's wrist and his pace never wavered. ---You will see, it's going to be...---
"No, Yami, please!" Yugi dug his heels into the thick carpet and grabbed the hand that held his arm with his free one, looking him directly in the eyes, gaze pleading and full of fear. "Please, listen. I won't turn away from you without any reason. Why would I? But how am I supposed to learn to understand and trust you when you do such a horrible thing to me. I'll lose everything!"
Yami returned his look silently for a moment, then closed his eyes. ---I'm sorry. But I can't just... let every guard down like that. I need to feel save. I need you to be securely at my side. As long as you have the right to leave me, there is the possibility that you do. After I eliminated that possibility I can be sure when I look away from you for a moment, that you will still be there when I look back at you.---
"It's not that easy." Yugi frowned at their intertwined hands, thinking about how to tell Yami what he meant. Then he looked back up, not showing his usual gentleness this time. Yami's eyes had never left his face all the while, a serious glint of determination and sorrow darkening them. "You know, first I thought of you as something as a guardian. I always wondered why your attention is so fixed on me... but the reason wasn't that of a guardian who had vowed to protect someone. It's something else... something darker. It's fear. Anxiety. Distrust. That's why you won't let me out of your sight. You really see me as some kind of poverty, don't you? You want to take away my own will, make me completely obedient, your little puppet. You want to control me." Yugi almost snarled, the feeling of unfamiliar anger dwelling up in his stomach. "But I don't want to be controlled. I let you have some control over me all the time, because I wanted to make it easier for you to feel comfortable. I did some stupid things I never would have done under normal circumstances. You were rough with a lot of people I care a lot about, you were rough with me, but I didn't do anything about it... just because I was so determined to understand your motives and just because I knew you lived in another dimension and had other ways of thinking. But I never wanted to be the one involved. I was okay with everything, as long as it didn't go out of hand. What a horrible mistake, it seems. I'm not your puppet and I won't ever be!"
Yami growled, but stayed silent, watching him with fierce eyes, full of confusion and hurt, his fingernails digging into Yugi's flesh. The smaller one of the two didn't even flinch, nor did he struggle anymore. He just kept on looking at Yami.
"Go on," he dared. "Take me home with you and make me your filthy little slave. You'll see the outcome. I won't ever be controlled like that! You can hold me down, lock me up, put the highest walls around me. But if you do, you won't ever reach me through them, because with me you'll lock up my heart and soul forever. You will never be able to break the walls you build."
Silence again. Yami's whole body began to shake, the internal fight visible on his face. Yugi's gaze softened a bit, but he wasn't willing to take back his words, because they were true in his opinion. Yami's way to handle this wasn't right. Maybe he had sounded harsh, but he was angry. How could a person be so... weird? Trying to make him his slave was definitely something that crossed the line of the acceptance he could muster. He was going to abduct him!
---I'll risk it,--- Yami suddenly said, turning around and yanking Yugi after himself. The boy yelped in shock and pain. How could he...?! Yugi had been sure that he had managed to convince Yami of how wrong this was.
"Stop," he whined, feeling tears well up in his eyes. "Don't..."
Yami stopped in his tracks, whirling around to him and growling at him with furrowed brows. ---You don't know anything at all!--- He proceeded into Yugi's room, only halting as they stood directly in front of the mirror. ---You don't understand. I told you before, I don't want you to be a puppet! I seek assurance, not the kind of control you mean. Safety! I need -you- and not a soulless body... you are everything I think about. I AM your guardian and I would give my life to protect you. What you said was wrong. It's not only the fear to lose you that causes me to watch you all the time. I'm drawn to you like a moth is drawn to a flame, but... but I'm drawn home as well. I have to go home, with or without you. I need Egypt and Egypt needs me. But who am I to let go of you now?---
Yugi blinked, contemplating the new aspect. He had never thought about that before. Of course Yami wanted to be at home, where his family and everything familiar waited. Where his responsibility lay. He was the pharaoh after all. How could he have forgotten that? But even though it all made more sense now, that didn't change anything.
---I can't leave you here.--- Yami sighed deeply, the enraged expression vanishing, making place for his true feelings. Yugi understood now how torn Yami was between him and his home and that this was the real reason for his unfair behaviour. Or at least partly. ---I'll risk your hate, if that is the condition of being able to still have you near me. Even if I have to take you with me by force.---
"But..." Yugi squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm sure there is another way. You can as well visit me here all the time... You know I can't come with you. You should know better than anyone, because like you I have responsibilities here. I have people here who need me."
---That's the point.--- Yami's hold on his wrist grew more gentle, as he lifted his hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it softly. ---Nobody other than me should be able to hold claim on you. I need you too much to share you with someone else. Just visiting you is not enough to still the craving flame inside of me. I would always think about what you are doing or if you are safe... It doesn't work. I can't leave you here to all the other people who need you.---
Through their mind-link Yugi could feel how serious Yami was about the matter. He was going to take him to Egypt regardless of the consequences. And Yugi knew he could never forgive him. He was not willing to grant him a third chance.
"Why?"
---What?---
The smaller teen looked to the floor, wetting his lips with the tip of his tongue nervously. "Why is there this passion within you? Why do you act like this? Why do you need me so much? Why all this?"
A pained chuckle made him look up at Yami, who let go of his hand, reaching his own hands up to his chest, clutching at his heart. "The passion..." A deep sigh. "...it grew on its own somehow to a searing fire, which slowly tears me apart now from the inside. Our first encounter made me curious, so I decided to stay and watch you for a while. I don't know why, but suddenly watching wasn't enough anymore. I needed to talk to you, I wanted you to look at me directly, wanted you to recognise me. I needed to touch you. So I did.---
"Yeah, you appeared in the mirror..."
---No.--- Yami smiled sadly. ---I came to visit you before, in the evening, but I waited outside at the door for too long and when I entered your room you were asleep. I stayed at your side throughout the night and left early in the morning, because my courage had left me. I was sure I would scare you away. So I waited at home until I found I was brave enough to really meet you. That's when I appeared in the mirror before you...---
"Yami, you...?"
"Ah, there the two of you are," said Sugoroku from the doorway, interrupting the two boys. "Yugi, the food is starting to burn, you should put more water to it."
Yami looked like a deer caught in headlights, his eyes widening, the sad calmness changing into shock and fury.
"What are you two doing anyway," Yugi's grandfather asked, after seeing his grandson's relief and his guests indignation. "Yugi, I hope... he doesn't try to harm you, does he?"
Yugi fought with himself if it was wise to risk telling his grandfather what was going on, but eventually he came to the conclusion, that this was the only chance to flee.
---No! Don't! You can't! Tell him to go away!--- Fear reached his thoughts along with the words. ---Tell him already!---
::No.:: Yugi immediately sensed more fear and anger and quickly changed his plans. It was too dangerous to tell his grandpa everything about Yami. He wasn't going to risk getting him killed. But he knew that as long as he stayed at his grandfather's side, he was safe. Yami couldn't do anything then. "Everything is alright, grandpa. May I help you in the game shop? I go put water to the meal, then I have more than enough time until I have to attend to the cooking again."
"If you want to." Sugoroku laughed cheerfully as ever, but simultaneously cast Yami worried looks. "You could sort the booster packs. The children always make a big disarray and the Simpson-Boosters are mixed with the Pokémon-Boosters and with the Duel Monster-Boosters et cetera... It's really annoying at times."
They left Yugi's bedroom, walking downstairs to the shop, Sugoroku babbling all the while what more could be done in the game shop. Yugi listened half-heartedly, watching Yami out of the corner of his eyes, who followed them grimly, keeping a safe distance to the old man though.
---I will wait, Yugi.--- Yami kept his burning gaze on his look-alike. ---I will wait until the opportunity shows itself to me. You can't hide behind him forever. Egypt is waiting for the both of us.---
Yugi felt shivers go up and down his spine and he clutched the sleeves of his school-uniform desperately. He knew what the other teen said was right. He couldn't hide forever. Yami was going to corner him eventually. But there had to be something he could do! He again turned and looked at Yami, whose eyes and thoughts told him exactly the same – liquid fire burning in them.
---I will wait...---
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To Be Continued...
Go or stay? What do you say? Hey, that was a rhyme... Whatever. I have already made my decision, but what do you want? (grins) Do you want Yugi to be taken to Egypt? It would certainly be interesting, but what about their trust? Well, I would very much love to hear your opinions!
And please don't judge Yami now because he has been mean to Yugi. He is just frightened and homesick. It's not easy for him to change. The path he has to go is hard and stony!
Review Responses:
Pharaoh Atemu's Angel: You liked the bath-thing? I'm thinking about letting it come up later – under the condition that the opportunity shows up :D His personality slip is a result of him starting to trust Yugi, though he doesn't trust him enough to let him out of sight. (grins)
Yana5: In this chapter they aren't that cute anymore (sighs) Yami's fault.
Misseystar: Yeah, it really helps to write a story from one point of view all the time. It's very much easier. I can focus on telling the reader how Yugi feels and how he experiences Yami's actions (big smile) I like to imagine Yami's feelings and sometimes it's sad to not be able to explain them other than his own words and facial expressions/gestures. But it wouldn't fit into the story.
Right, short chapters really rush. While reading a story I like, I hate to look down on the pages left and see there are only two or three of them. I will search for your stories. When I like the summaries and pairings I will surely take a peek in. Thanks for your long reviews. I really like them. (huggles Missey)
Sansi: Well, THAT is your longest review (laughs) Über die Fortsetzung von YGO haben wir ja schon gesprochen, es hat ja niemand darauf reagiert. Ich persönlich fürchte mich davor, dass in der Fortsetzung alles anders ist als vorher. Ich meine, wie wollen die das auch machen? Yami ist zurück in die Unterwelt gegangen, weil es sein Wunsch war, wieso sollte er nun zurückkommen? Außerdem kann sicherlich niemand die Atmosphäre von vorher einfach nachmachen! Hast du eigentlich schon einmal die Original Folgen gesehen? Yami und Yugi stehen sich da so nah (cries) Das ist soo traurig und einfach nur... romantisch (für Leute wie mich, die wieder etwas sehen, wo nichts ist...) Es ist zu offensichtlich, als dass das alles nur unabsichtlich gewesen sein kann. Jupp, gut... Danke für das Lob (grins) und ich bin immer noch erstaunt, dass du dir die ganzen Review Replies durchgelesen hast. Nya, bis denne, wir sehen uns sicherlich soon.
Hakiri-Nefertiri: Thank you, thank you (hugs the both of you) You liked the linking-scene? Yami is not always easy to write like that. There's a small line between his friendly side and his slightly insane and paranoid side (he thinks Yugi might run away the moment he closes his eyes) Thanks for the review.
SoulDreamer: No, no, no... I AM doomed. (looks around for her sanity) You think the softer side of Yami is cliched? Huh... Well... oookay. Maybe it is (weeps) But that isn't exactly bad, is it? Well, at least you can't say the side of Yami I showed in THIS chapter is cliched!
SilverWing147: Aaaah! (understands now) Deep and Meaningful? D and M? Didn't know that one yet. Thank you for the explanation, I love to learn new short terms! And I love things like an innuendo as well. I like to use them. Besides, how do I pronounce 'innuendo'? Thank you for reviewing!
YumeTakato: Here you are, I updated (grins) You liked Yami's character? Thanks, I really tried hard to make him more friendly without making him too OOC. Did it work? Well, I hope you like this side of Yami as well, because he isn't anything near friendly anymore. I had to do it (sobs) Anyway, thank you for the review!!
Amber Eyes: I'm so sorry!! I had to change the chapter! I really didn't like it the way it was. It headed completely the wrong way and I realised I would have to drop some real important scenes! I hope you aren't angry with me now! I'll send you the chapter before updating!
Strega: Yay, there you are again! Did you know that I like your reviews the most? I'm always happy to receive them! Well, to your review (I have to take it apart this time (grins))
1) You are completely right, concerning Yami's pharaoh-mentality. It would be inappropriate to help someone up, who is that much lower than himself (namely Jou) and show him concern through that. You mentioned that there could be a base of understanding between Jou and Yami, because Yami himself felt that kind of loneliness Jou experiences. I never thought about that side of it, but I think you made a point. It makes sense. I have to think that through, maybe I can use that again for another scene. I'm not completely sure what to make of Jou anyway. He's a complicated topic in the story. I don't want him to just say 'Thanks, pal, you helped me up and now we're friends.'. That would be too boring. Jou is nearly as distrusting as Yami (laughs)
2) Grandpa. (sighs) Another great difficulty. It's because of him that I had to change the whole chapter. Again you got it right. Yami has to mind his manners around him. But not only that. It's even going deeper than that. He's not only careful to mind his manners around him, he's also very afraid of him. Sugoroku embodies Yugi's family, so if Yami does the wrong thing around Yugi, his grandpa tries to protect Yugi from him. Consequence: He would have to hurt grandpa (or blast him to ashes as you said (grins)) to get Yugi back and with that hurt him deeply. Yugi would hate him for that (like you also said), Besides that, 'family' has deep meaning to Yami. He wouldn't want to hurt a grandfather who protects his grandson. It goes against his principles. And yes, even he has principles. (smiles)
3) The mind-link is something that will take a lot of time again. Even though Yami build that link, he holds it close most of the time in this chapter, not allowing Yugi to read his thoughts directly. His distrust has grown because Yugi has left his side while he slept. Yugi doesn't intrude, he just feels what Yami feels sometimes, when the emotions are very strong. Even if he knew how to do it, he wouldn't. He for once respects the need for privacy (other than Yami, who needs to read Yugi's thoughts in order to understand what he says. It's a bit of irony, that Yugi demands of him to stop doing that then, isn't it?)
Well, you worry about taking up a whole side? (looks at the reply) Well, I like to write the replies, because then I'm able to see the chapter from your view and can think it all over. Hope you liked this chapter. (hugs Strega) Thank you for the great, long review! I love how much thought you put in them!
Angel's Charm: Thank you, yeah, it has been a great step for Yami to give part of his control away. He seems to be a real control-freak! Oh, ne, I made him a control-freak!! You said it's strange to see Yami weak like that. Hm, it is. But weakness comes with trust – though I don't think that there's much trust left after Yami woke up alone. It's a really sensitive trust. Glad you liked last chapter and I hope you liked this one as well! Thank you for reviewing!
Flowacat: (gives kleenex to flowacat) Oi, the story isn't that fluffy, is it? Thank you for the praise, I am really touched. (sniffles herself) Well, I'm happy to hear you liked it so much! Of course I will write more! Here for example. That was the next chapter! Happy? (grins) Thank you very much for the review! I will keep it in mind.
JSR: I don't really know many stories where Yami distrusts Yugi, but the one's I read were on the most part very good and inspiring (which is why I chose to make Yami more distrusting in this one. It fits him here) 'Child of Darkness'? What is that? No, just a joke! I didn't work on that one for a long time, but you can expect an update soon, because I read it two days ago and I think I could do it. Though the Yami in that one is kinda... crazy! Okay, in this one he's crazy as well... never mind. Thank you for the review! And I won't forget 'Child of Darkness'
Elvlen-princess9744: (looks at Gimli's axe with wide eyes) Er... I'm typing!! I really am!! Take the thing away from me!! (leans on Yami's shoulder) or ELSE! Hehe... Anyway, here is the update! Glad you liked the last chapter! Thank you for the review... don't put the axe near Yami, he might get wrong ideas... Yami? Too late. My last advice: RUN (grins and dashes off)
Reki: Why, thank you! So many people tell me that and I can't quite believe it (smiles widely) I'll save you from too much fluff this chapter though! So you don't have to choke on it (pats Reki's back): Thank you for reviewing!
Rikainiel: Yeah, it's really hard to write lemon! But for now there'll be just a few Y/YY bits (though not that much in his chapter sadly. Blame Yami), so I don't have to worry about lemon. And you were shocked about the non-trusting? Well, think about it. You go into another dimension and meet someone who completely intrigues you, though that never happened before. Imagine simultaneously you were Yami. You get it? Distrust! And right, trust is very important! Yay, thank you for the review!!
Geminidragon: Now I ask YOU if you WANT Yugi to go to Yami's dimension (grins widely) I pass the question back to you! Well, about Bakura and Malik... they will have their roles in my story. And I think they will come up soon. I won't tell in which dimension they live though. Wait and see! Thank you for the review. You asked questions nobody asked before!
Chibi-ichii: 20 Chapters instead of 9? I hope I'll manage 20 chapters one day! This story is going to be long it seems (though it wasn't planned like that). And you really like it THAT much? I'm amazed. I feel like a beginner every time I sit in front of my computer and want to write something English. Heh, I'm glad you like it. Thank you for the review and for putting me to your favs! I'm happy!!