MP: Okay. Here is my next chapter. This one has Joey's murder from a different POV. It dosen't have a lot of importance. But it's a good chapter. At least I think it is. Anyway, you be the judge.
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Friendship Beyond the Grave
Chapter 5
Yugi walked out of the hospital. He sighed. "I wonder what exactly happened to him." he said looking at the ground.
Whatever happened, you can rest assured that we will avenge Joey's death.
Still...that won't bring him back
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As Yugi was walking, Joey was following. He listened to Yugi and Yami's conversation. They missed him so much. And he missed them. He wondered if this would ever end. If only he had just stayed put, instead of acting on his rage, he would still be alive. He sighed. Once this ordeal was over, he would never go on blind rage again. Ok, so that was a complete lie, but it's the thought that counts.
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Yami was speaking with Yugi still. Suddenly, he felt something. There it was again. The same feeling he got last night. Like the sensing of another presence. But, this presence wasn't like the people around them. It was...ghostly. It's form, identity, or even it's nature couldn't be determined. Yami looked around nervously. Joey hadn't noticed. But luckily, Yugi had called out to Yami before he saw Joey trailing them.
Yami, what's up? What are you looking for?
Yami didn't want to worry Yugi. He had it hard enough as it was. ...nothing he lied.
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Later that night, Yugi stood in his room. He was in his night cloths, ready for bed. Yami was sitting on the bed, scanning the room with his eyes uneasily. That presence, he could still sense it. Yugi buttoned up his shirt and took the puzzle from around his neck. He looked at it intently. 'This is the reason Joey and I became friends.' Yugi thought. He set it down on the table next to his bed. It shined brightly in the moonlight. Yugi looked out the window at the night sky. He felt a shiver up his spine. He turned to see Yami watching him. Yami gave him a glare that could kill. Even without their mental bond, Yugi still could have felt his eyes on him. Yami had been extremely cautious of windows, especially when Yugi was near them. At least, ever since the whole suicide thing.
Yugi gave Yami a nervous smile. Almost as if to say: I get it! I get it! He yawned and sat on the bed, next to the spirit.
Yami, this all seems hopeless. I'm not so sure about our plan.
Have faith Aibou. We can do this. We must simply work together, and never lose hope.
Yugi nodded. He yawned again and said goodnight to Yami. Yami scooted down to the end of the bed, to allow Yugi to crawl under the covers. Yugi flicked the light switch, on the wall next to him, and snuggled into his bed. Even with everything that was going on, this was still a peaceful place. In his bed, everything felt calm and gentle. And with Yami watching over him, he knew he was safe. He closed his eyes tiredly, and sank deep into sleep.
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Joey sat on the floor outside Yugi's room. He had to stay out here, just incase Yami sensed him. The way Yami was acting, it was quite obvious that was the case. He yawned, quietly, bored out of his mind. It was actually pretty ironic. He was dead, yet he felt he could die of boredom. Which was also odd at the time, especially since he had so much to worry about. He heard Yugi and Yami talking in the room.
Joey couldn't help but smile at Yami's incouraging words. The same kind of words he told Joey about dueling, confidence, friendship, and just about everything else. Though, at the time, he usually thought of him as just 'Yugi'. He saw the light coming from the crack under the door disappear. Yugi must have turned off the lights. He heard a 'goodnight,' and a ruffle of cloth. After a few minutes, he heard Yugi's soft sounds of sleeping.
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Yami looked at Yugi. Finally, he was asleep. Yami smiled at the peaceful expression on his face as he slept. Yami's eyes suddenly turned serious. He stood up and quietly walked to the middle of the room. "Spirit!" he called. "I know you're here! I have sensed you for a long time. Now, show yourself! Are you friend, or foe? Answer now!" he demanded. He was keeping his voice as quiet as possible. He didn't want to wake Yugi. "I said come out!" Yami waited, tensing, for a few minutes. After a while, the sound of something moving was heard. The door slowly began to creek open.
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Joey heard Yami's voice. He was yelling at someone. He had discovered Joey. Joey had to think quickly. Should he reveal himself? Should he stay hidden? What was the worse thing that could happen if Yami knew he was there? Yami wasn't going to give in. Unsure of what to do, Joey decided he should keep his identity a secret. He'd figure it out tomorrow. Quickly, he floated down the stairs. He grabbed a piece of paper off a counter.
He snatched a pen and scribbled something down. He slowly floated back up the stairs. He stubbed his foot, and made a 'thud' sound. He hoped Yami couldn't hear him. Slowly, he opened the creaky door. Joey allowed the paper to gently glide in the air. It flew across the room, and landed at Yami's feet. Joey, deciding he would have to sleep somewhere else tonight, slipped away into the shadows.
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Yami saw a small note slide into the room and land at his feet. "What's this?" he said picking up the note. On the small piece of paper, was a message.
It read: Yami,
Take care of Yugi for me. I'll be back soon. Until you both can see me, I'll always be with you in spirit, literally.
an old pal o' yours
Yami eyed the note suspiciously. Who could have written this? The handwriting looked familiar, but Yami couldn't place it. Why did they say to take care of Yugi? How did they know Yami's name? What did they mean by 'I'll be back soon'? Who was this 'old pal of theirs'? And what exactly was this spirit up to?
Questions rattled the spirit's brain. He heard Yugi groan in his sleep. Yami decided that this was something for another time. Right now, he had to keep watch while Yugi slept. And maybe get some sleep himself. Since he was a spirit, he didn't need to rest, but it always felt good. Yami sat at the end of Yugi's bed. He pocketed the note. He'd figure this out tomorrow. It was too much for tonight. Besides, by now he couldn't sense the presence anymore. Yami closed his eyes and slipped slowly into slumber.
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Yugi stood in the street. He was dressed in his blue school uniform. He had his backpack on. It was a sunny day. Everything looked cheery. "Huh? What am I doing here?" he asked himself. He looked around. This place looked familiar. He remembered coming down this way with Joey a few times after school. He saw a figure walking down the street. His eyes widened. That figure....it was...no, it couldn't be....it was....Joey Wheeler.
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Joey saw that Yami was finally asleep. He was watching Yami and Yugi from outside, through the window. Joey sighed in relief. He sank down to the ground. Carefully, he took out the monitor that he still had. He watched Yugi and Yami sleeping. They were so peaceful. Yugi even looked happier when he was dreaming.
Suddenly, the monitor began to static over. "What the!?" Joey hit the monitor with his fist. "Don't tell me dis thing loses reception!" An image finally appeared on the screen. It was Sumi. "Sumi? What are you doin' on the monitor screen?" Joey asked.
"Joey Wheeler! Did you forget what I told you!?" Sumi practically yelled. Joey covered his ears at the loud noise. "Forget what?" he asked. Sumi sighed. "You can talk to Yugi through his dreams! Remember!? Now get up there and enter his dreams already!" she scolded. Joey looked at her like she was crazy. "Are you insane!? Yami's up there!" he said. "He's asleep. Don't worry. Kiko is going to make sure Yugi and Yami stay asleep while you do this, ok? Now go!" Sumi demanded. Joey sighed and turned off the monitor. He set it down and floated up to the window. He knew what he had to do. He just hoped he could get Yugi to believe him.
Joey phased through the window. He walked to Yugi's side. He honestly had no idea how to enter a dream, but he decided to try by placing his hand on Yugi's forehead. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Joey was suddenly sucked into a void. It had worked. Joey opened his eyes and looked around. It was nothing but blank surrounding . Nothing but white space. Oh, how he hated the color white. Joey closed his eyes and concentrated again. Suddenly, a background appeared around him. He opened his eyes and saw where he was. This was where he was walking home the day he was killed. Joey saw Yugi appear in the middle of the street. Good, now he had to get Yugi to see everything that had happened to him that day. Then, he would give Yugi some clues as to what he needed to do, and Yugi could figure it out and be safe. This was easy. What could go wrong?
He started to remember the incident exactly how it happened. Every word, every movement, every detail. Joey watched as he saw a figure of himself walking down the sidewalk as he had done. Now, it had begun.
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Yugi stared at Joey. He...he was...alive? But, where was he going? Yugi ran up to Joey. Hope filled his eyes. "Joey!!" he yelled out. "Joey! Your alive!" He came to Joey and threw his arms around him. But something was wrong. His hands, they phased through Joey's body. Yugi's eyes widened. "J-Joey?" Joey ignored him and kept walking, his face bright and cheerful. Yugi stared at him as he walked down the sidewalk, stopping about every few yards. Yugi came to his senses and followed after. "Joey! Wait!"
The blonde stopped suddenly. Yugi stopped right behind him. "Joey? Why did you-" He stopped talking when he heard something. He could hear voices in the distance. Joey had heard them too. He walked up to a near by alley. He looked into it and seemed paralyzed. Yugi walked up and peeked in the alley as well. "Joey, what are you looking at?" he asked. His eyes widened. There was a group of men talking. They were all wearing black cloaks. They looked like Rare Hunters.
Yugi suddenly saw a flash of gold. He strained his eyes to see the shining figure in the darkness. It looked like a golden cage with an eye on it that looked like the one on his Millenium Puzzle. 'What is that thing!?' Yugi thought. He caught a few words that the group was saying. Words like, 'Millenium Puzzle' 'power' and 'Yugi Mutou.'
Yugi stepped back in surprise. How did these guys know about him and his puzzle? Were these more evil hunters trying to get the power of the Pharoh? Suddenly, Yugi heard a loud whack, a scream of pain, and a thud. He turned to see Joey, lying on the cement, knocked out. There was a large man standing over him, holding a pipe. Joey had a small patch of blood on his head, and a small amount of blood was on the pipe. "JOEY!!" Yugi yelled. He kneeled down at Joey's side. "Joey! Joey, can you hear me!? Joey?" The man that hit Joey laughed coldly. He shouted to the people in the alley. They came running. But all Yugi could hear was his tears hitting the pavement. "Joey..."
Yugi looked into Joey's eyes and saw a bit of life. "Joey!" he shouted. His heart was lifted with hope once more. Joey's eyes hardened and he got an angry look. Something had made him mad. Yugi could see fiery rage in his friend's eyes. It must have been what the group was saying. But Yugi hadn't been listening to them. He saw Joey move. He tried to move at least. "Joey! Are you oka-" Yugi's voice was interrupted by a loud bang. There was a bright flash. Then, Joey let out an agonized scream. Yugi saw a hole appear in Joey's back, as blood began to flow out. It also pooled around him. Yugi stared in shock. Tears flooded down his face. "J-J-" he could barely manage to speak. "JOOOEEEYY!!!!"
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Joey watched Yugi. He was kneeling on the ground next to his body. Yugi was crying so hard now. He couldn't stand to watch Yugi so sad. He hated seeing his best friend cry. But he had to show Yugi what happened. Finally, the background faded into darkness. This was where Joey had died. He saw that Yugi hadn't noticed that everything had gone black. Yugi was just sitting there, crying and mumbling to himself. Joey needed to tell Yugi what to do. He walked over to where his best friend, and his old body, were. Yugi still didn't seem to notice. Until, Joey finally spoke up. "Yugi...."
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Yugi just looked at Joey's dead body. "Joey....don't go! Please don't die!" He knew it was too late. His best friend was lying there, dead, on the cold pavement. "Was...was this how he died? But who could do such a thing? And...why?" He felt a sudden rage fill him. There was no reason to kill Joey. He was injured, he couldn't even defend himself. "He wasn't a threat...so why!? Why did they have to murder him!?!" Yugi's hands were in fists, his eyes angry. The tears still fell, but they were tears of sadness and frustration. He had a look in his eye. A look of wanting revenge.
Yugi wanted to kill whoever had done this to his friend. "He couldn't do anything to them...." he said through clentched teeth. "Yugi...." said a strange voice. Yugi looked up from Joey's body. He turned around to see Joey, standing behind him. "J-Joey..." He stared at Joey, his eyes full of confusion. "Joey, is that really you?" he asked. "Yep. It's me alright." Joey said smiling. Yugi's angry expression forced itself into a smile. It was Joey. He was still alive. "Joey!!" Yugi jumped up and hugged his friend tight. His arms didn't phase through this time. He was real. This was Joey.
"Hey Yugi." Joey said hugging his friend back. "Joey! I thought you were dead!" Yugi said smiling. Joey's warm smile turned into a frown. "Yuge...I..I am dead." he said softly. Yugi's eyes went wide. He released his friend and stepped back. "You...you..you are dead?" he asked, not wanting to believe him. "But...you're here, you're talking with me...how can you be dead?" Joey sighed. " Yuge, dis is a dream...all of it. I came in here to show you what happened to me. Once you wake up, I'll still be gone." Yugi's eyes started brimming with tears again. "No..no Joey. You can't be gone! Please, don't leave me!" he begged. "Sorry pal, that's just how it has ta' be." Joey replied.
Suddenly, Joey's body began fading. "Ah! What the? What's goin' on!?" he shouted. "Joey!" Sumi's voice could be heard. "Joey, I'm afraid Kiko can't hold them asleep any longer! You're being pulled out!" she said. "Just great.." Joey said watching his hands disappear. "Listen, Yugi. Keep up your search. Dat guy that Yami told you about, his name is Kutana...remember dat, ok?"
Yugi nodded. "But Joey, why do you have to leave? Please, stay with me!" he pleaded. Joey's eyes turned soft, and he gave Yugi an encouraging smile. "Yug...I can't tell you how or when...but I promise...you will see me again. Until then...I'll always be with you..right here." He placed his hand over Yugi's heart. Joey began to disappear into nothingness. "No, wait! Joey! Don't leave! Don't go!" Yugi called out. "Good-bye Yugi..." were Joey's final words.
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Yugi tossed and turned in his bed. "Joey..don't leave..Joey." His eyes shot open. He sat up and breathed heavily. "Was..was that all just a dream?" he asked himself.
Yugi, are you ok? Yami asked, sitting in front of him.
Uh, yeah. I just had a...scary dream. Yugi replied, starting to settle down a bit. He took easy breaths now.
You kept saying Joey's name
Yeah...I had a dream about him. I think It's how he was killed!
What? Are you sure!?
Yeah. He even appeared to me and told me so.
He appeared to you? Did you find anything out?
Yeah! He said that guy you saw, his name was Kutana!
Yami nodded. Kutana...I'll remember that
Outside, it was morning. Joey was sitting on the ground again, next to the monitor. He had done his job. Maybe now this horrifying ordeal would get over with. Joey remembered how happy Yugi had been to see him. He just smiled. Soon, he could see that happiness again. Soon, he hoped.
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Days passed as Yugi and Yami searched for traces of Kutana. Unfortunately, to no avail. There wasn't a single clue found. Joey wasn't able to help them out much. This entire time though, Yami had been keeping an eye out for any evil spirits.
It was finally Thursday night. Yugi sat on his bed. He sighed. The grim thought of tomorrow was filling his head. Tomorrow was Joey's funeral. This wasn't going to be easy.
What's wrong? Yami asked, sitting next to him.
Yugi sighed. Nothing. It's just that.... Tomorrow's Joey's funeral. And, well, it's going to be really hard. And since I'm one of his close friends, I'm suppose to make a speech.
Well, you were Joey's best friend. I know you'll do fine with that speech. Just say what's in your heart.
Yugi was silent. It's not the speech, is it? Yami asked.
No...If I go to this funeral, it'll mean saying goodbye to him, for the last time. It means, that I'll never see him again.
Yami began to rub Yugi's back. Yugi...I know you and Joey were best friends, and it's hard to say goodbye sometimes..but it's something we all must do. You can't change these things. All you can do, is try your best to keep going on.
Yugi nodded. He whipped some tears away. Thanks Yami. He crawled under his blankets and turned off the light. Yami moved to the end of the bed. Although he was acting strong, Yami was also having a hard time with this. As soon as he was sure that Yugi was asleep, he allowed silent tears to flow down his face. Joey was outside, watching through the window. He too, dreaded the day ahead. But they all knew, it had to come.
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MP: Well, there it is. Hope you enjoyed it. Now then, next up is the funeral chapter. So you know it'll be interesting. Stick around, because there'll be some slightly over dramatic stuff in chapter five. Read and Review!
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Preview for Chapter 6
The car stopped and Joey's focus on the outside was broken. He looked at Yugi, who was getting out of the car. Mr. Mutou was exiting aswell. Joey got out of the car to see why they stopped. He was surprised to find they were outside a cemetary. Yugi was walking in. Joey followed. Why was Yugi going into the cemetary? Joey obviously wasn't that quick to catch on. He saw that they were coming up on a crowd of people. Yugi wandered in. Joey almost lost him in the crowd of black. If it weren't for that hair of his, he never would have noticed him. Joey went through the crowd. He saw many farmiliar faces. Tristan, Tea, Serenity, his mom, wait, why were his friends and family here? He looked at the coffin in the middle. He glanced at the name on the side to see just who this guy was. His eyes widened. The name read Joseph Wheeler.
