For that Reason: Chapter Four
Written and corrected by: Hikari's Dark Side
Co-written by her muse/yami: Yami Muraii
Disclaimer: Here I disclaim both mangas/animes by the name of Yu-gi-oh and Rurouni Kenshin. They do NOT belong to me, but to their respected owners, Nobuhiro Watsuki and Kazuki Takahashi, and the companies that created the animes shown on television.
I only claim the plot and situations in which the characters are put in, but even that is debatable according to law and the large population of what is known as fanfiction.
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You caught my tears in the pouring rain, and eased my suffering, for that I am most grateful.
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Later on in the evening, after Yugi and Atemu had finished eating the Gyudan (1) prepared by Bakura, they headed to Yugi's bedroom. There, Atemu lay down on Yugi's bed while Yugi fetched a small bowl of cool water, some bandages, washcloths, and other medical supplies. The rain still drummed on the windows in the house, steadily readying everyone else inside for a long night's sleep.
Yugi sat beside Atemu on the comforter, and gently removed the bandages around the rurouni's abdominals, arm, and ankle. He moistened the areas with the first of many washcloths, being careful not to cause Atemu any unnecessary discomfort. Atemu's skin scorched beneath the surface at any touch of Yugi's fingers, and he felt a stirring that spread from his toes to the very tips of his scalp. 'How does he do this to me?' the rurouni wondered.
The blood and excess fluid were soon washed away from the cuts and slashes made by the guards. Sharp crimson eyes watched Yugi as he moved about his room clearing away any non-vital items to prepare for bed. Yugi changed quickly into lighter garments for the night, feeling those eyes watch his every move. Yugi's thoughts never did seem to leave the subject of his administrations.
'I wonder how he makes me feel this way, he never flirts too much. Then again, what would one call what happened earlier after our spar? Why did he hold me like that? Could he …? I'd better not be attracted to him, for one, he's another guy and two he's a rurouni, he'll probably leave as soon as he gets well enough. I'll never know him any better than this…'
Tears once more pricked at the corner of Yugi's eyes. He tried to hide them from Atemu, ducking his head and wiping them furiously away. But those sharp eyes caught the sight of them, reached out a rough hand and gently wiped them away himself. He looked up very slowly, and saw only concern in Atemu's soft gaze. His lips were turned up slightly, eyes begging for him to stop. Yugi complied with the unspoken request, and struggled to show his best smile.
"Now this is the second time I've caught you crying Yugi…what ever could be the matter?"
"Well…I'm just scared."
Atemu's face slid into a perplexed expression, eyes full of confusion and sympathy,
"Whatever could you be afraid of, enough to make you feel this way?"
"I-I'm afraid that you'll leave after…after you're fully healed."
Atemu relaxed somewhat, but flinched at his last words.
"Didn't I already tell you I wouldn't leave?"
Yugi blushed a very dark shade of red at the memory of that promise-filled night,
"I know…but how can I trust your word?"
Atemu sighed, exasperated. 'What do I have to do to get him to trust me?' His eyes narrowed mournfully, whimpered slightly, and hid his face in his right hand. Tears leaked out, grieving the teacher's disbelief in him. It had been so long since the traveler had a human companion, let alone a crush that didn't even trust him to begin with.
"I…I don't know, I-I guess I'll have to gain your trust, won't I?"
Yugi's amethyst widened in surprise at Atemu's sudden display of despair and he pulled the crying rurouni into his arms, being careful not to handle his slung arm too hard. Atemu sobbed softly in Yugi's soft shoulder, only seeking solace from his rampaging emotions. The teacher rubbed gentle circles onto his back, wondering why he didn't trust him in the first place. A feeling of tingling and sparking warmth spread from his fingers to dissipate through Atemu's skin and nerves.
"Please don't cry Atemu, I do enough mourning for the both of us, and for a completely different reason! I'll tell you the other reason I cry sometimes if you stop."
"W-what's that?"
Yugi swallowed a great deal, and began to tell the rurouni about his happy childhood in Kyoto (2), the sunny days of the festivals that his family performed at, his first heartbreak at the age of 13, witnessing war and death for the first time, and watching his family's lives being taken away from his grasp right before his eyes.
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Flashbacks
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A younger Yugi watches his mother and sister dance at the Cherry Blossom festival. He munched happily on some sweet dumplings from a nearby stand. The shouts and cheers of the crowd overwhelmed little Yugi's senses. His eyes were filled with simple joy and excitement as he danced on his own to the music a short distance away.
His father came behind him and lifted the smaller boy onto his shoulders, allowing Yugi to see his favorite part of the dance. His big sister twirled to and fro, weaving scarves of stunning colors in the air, as though she was moving through water. His mother soon followed this amazing display, moving with an older grace, all her own.
As soon as the group ended their dance, the crowd burst into applause, catcalling to the younger women, and whistling in approval. The older mothers and aunts moved protectively in front of the teenagers, and mock glared at the crowd. But they laughed lightly and bowed in thanks for the wondrous recognition. Yugi beamed at his mother and sisters, clapping the longest and loudest. The younger sister beamed right back at him, waving enthusiastically.
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A few years later…
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Yugi watched the still bones and skin of his family turn to grey smoke, as they were all cremated by the village's priest and his apprentice. They were the only two men who cared that his family was gone. They offered to care for the now homeless boy, pleading with the crying boy to get out of the gloom and cold.
But Yugi refused politely saying he had some friends in a neighboring village, close to Edo (3) that would take him in. He was sure that they would, to trust his life to these people. He left the villa the next morning, a small pack on his back and dry streaks of tears evident on his face to the keen of eye of course.
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After Yugi finished his tale, Atemu's eyes were wide with shock and disbelief. This man had been through so much, forced to grow out of his childhood. Though he was fortunate enough to be able to achieve part of his dream as a teacher of martial skills, this did not seem to lessen the burden on Yugi's shoulders.
Yugi's face was contorted in visible torment, feeling his emotions on overdrive, he reached out for Atemu and this time came to the rurouni's embrace. Atemu gladly took the younger man into his arms, trying his best to comfort him. An old song came to mind, rocking Yugi back and forth in his arms, and he began to hum, softly at first, but soon his full mouth formed some words,
I watch the rain fall on your face
Your eyes tell me
That you've been hurt by your past
Here I am, come to me
I know just how to help
A soft word could heal your pain
My angel, please don't cry
Darkness will not be always
Its shadow will not fall on you
As long as I am here
Where will you go, when I am gone?
You say to me and cry
I smile and take your hand
And whisper don't you understand?
The darkness will never be forever
The rain has stopped falling on your face
Sleep now little angel
I will never leave you…
Atemu finished, voice hovering on the last note. He noted that Yugi was fast asleep in his arms, a peaceful and content look on his face. He brushed some of his bangs away; as Yugi's eyes fluttered open.
"That was beautiful Atemu, but why did you sing to me?"
"Simply to calm you down…why?"
"I liked it, that's all."
Atemu flushed suddenly, but smiled at the smaller man in his arms. His red eyes twinkled merrily once more, and it seemed to Yugi that a spark of lust flickered in them, but he dismissed it as an optical illusion. Atemu leaned down, just ever so, and kissed Yugi gently on the forehead, causing both to flush an interesting shade of crimson.
The rain lessened up for while, allowing the two men in Yugi's bedroom to fall asleep. Their quiet breathing filled the small room, while two pairs of chocolate and lavender eyes watched them dream. Malik and Ryou giggled like schoolgirls and snuck off to plan some matchmaking for the rurouni and his favorite teacher.
A faint whisper of wind wound through the air, repeating Atemu's song and its heartfelt lyrics for all to hear.
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(1)This is a beef stew if I did my research correctly, usually eaten around the time when the Cherry Blossom Festival was in full swing in this time period.
(2) (3) As far as I know these were cities/town/villages in Ancient Japan, I borrowed their names from Rurouni Kenshin, let me know if they are correct or not, I don't bite you for corrections, I'll just feel like a dog with its tail between its legs.
Pharaoh Atemu's Angel: Hope the fluff didn't overwhelm you, my pharaoh! Then I wouldn't have someone to glomp, well…except for the rest of my readers and fellow authors (sweatdrop). But that's not the point! I'm so grateful that you take the time to review this fic of mine, every time I read your reviews I've come really close to bursting into tears. I don't know how, but you've found a special place in my heart.
Rin-almight-yaoi-lover: Hey Rin and Aurora-sama! Your yami is British? Cool, I think that was unexpected, but why is your yami so cold? Tell her that she is welcome to my stash of Atemu, Pharaoh Atem, Rurouni Atemu, and Yami plushies and give her a HUGE hug from me and my yami.
Yami Muraii: Is she cute?
WTF? How should I know? Rin, please tell this weird yami of mine what Aurora looks like, besides the stuff on your bio, or he won't stop bothering me…x.X Thank you for the review once more, and please don't tell me it was too short or something put-down-ish, I'm in a kind of bad mood.
Hikari Skysong: You really think that's original, thank you! And thanks for the review too, hope you liked this chapter as well! (glomps you happily and offers more sweets)
Yaoishoujo: I'd never think you'd be glad to be loved by me, but too late for that. You have also found a special place in my heart. Yeah, Bush did steal that bag of candy…bastard, I'll have to ask Rin for a favor, maybe I can borrow her friends from the asylum and go on a mission to get my candy back. (laughs manically, then coughs and turns red) Gomen, and thanks for the tip-off about Dee, (swipes manga from stash and stars reading) and keep the long reviews, I like them!
Hikari Flame: You take medication too? Woot for that my friend, glad you like this one's fic, and thank you for the review!
Yana 5: Short sweet, and once more, straight to the point, glad you liked it! (glomp)
Sarah Costa: Here beith the chapter, ma'am, I hope you have enjoyed your read, and I hope to see your comments in the near future! (smiles really big)
Puffin: Nothing, I just read the reviews for PetPetAngel's fics and your name popped up from my usually failing memory, thank you for the compliments, most flattering, that they were.
Soul Dreamer: Pleased to see your compliments on this one's fic, that I am! I like the word too, original, as much as words go these passing days, thank you for the review!
Akira of the Twilight: What could this be? I'm overjoyed, thank you for reading this ones ficlet, didn't see you last chapter, number two, but you have this one's forgiveness, if I remember you asking it…me confuzzled…
OmegaScorpio: A new reviewer? Wowzas…I'm impressed by your pen name, much more original than mine, just don't sting me for making this kinda short, the next chapter will be longer I promise!
Hikari's DS: Thank you all for taking the time to review and/or read this one's fic, I promise the next chapter will be up as soon as possible.
Yami Muraii: In the mean time, feel free to offer comments, suggestions for the plotline, possible schemes of matchmaking in your review and/or e-mail.
Hikari's DS: Also, I'm wondering if someone out there would like to maybe draw these guys in a group or couple shots in Rurouni Kenshin style clothing, you don't have to, I was just wondering, please R/R!