This chapter is short, but I wrote it up quickly as my apology.

Chapter 11: Ange Tutélaire

Exhausted.

...Or at least, that's how Yami felt. It had been nothing but disarray and turmoil during the preparation of the last Bridge meeting, and now that it was over, Yami was very relieved.

You see, Yami made his job his life, or rather, he made his death his job. Lawmaker of Heaven? To call that an easy task was to be putting it lightly. He was like the school's Rules Committee, only, breaking those rules would result in something much worse than a detention... More like expulsion from Heaven. Forever.

Yami was constantly making rules; he made them whenever he thought of them so he wouldn't second-guess himself later. He made them to prevent mistakes that had happened in the past. He made them to make heaven perfect. Whether his job made him the way he was, or he was given the job because he was that way, Yami strove for perfection. But... he hadn't always been like that.

It's amazing how sometimes, one little mistake can change your life forever. Yami hadn't considered it as a mistake then, but when it's all anyone ever tells you it is, it's hard to accept it as otherwise.

"Yami, you're here."

Yami looked up to face Ryou's surprised expression. "It's good to see you, Ryou. Can I help you with anything?"

Ryou smiled. "I was going to ask you the same thing. You look very stressed. Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine," Yami reassured him. "You look different."

Ryou touched his own face lightly. "Different?"

"I can't really explain it," he shook his head as though he were seeing things. "You just look happier."

"Really?" Ryou seemed to light up. "You know, I feel really great... I don't even know why." A frown soon found itself on his face. "I wish I could share some with you."

Yami tried to smile. "I'll be fine."

"Hey, if worse comes to worse, you can make a new law or something. You always seem to feel better afterwards."

"That doesn't always placate me. No one is even breaking any laws that I'm aware of, so I can't even penalize people." Ryou seemed to flinch here. "But you know, if anyone was..." his gaze suddenly hardened, "I would find out, and they would be punished."

Ryou had never really understood why Yami was so strict. He could remember days not so long ago when Yami was more carefree than even he. Then... something happened. Yami did something that he shouldn't have. He wasn't punished, no, others had said that the perfect punishment would be no punishment... And so it was.

"Well, I'm going to get going," he said suddenly. "I've neglected the Choir for two long now and I'm thrilled to sing again. It was good to talk to you."

"Yes," Yami agreed.

"Yami," Ryou said suddenly, turning to face him for a moment. "If someone does something bad, but no one else finds out about it... Is it still considered wrong?"

"...If a tree falls in the forest, but there's no one there to hear it... does it make a sound?"

Ryou hid his frustration. "Thank you, Yami. Goodbye."

Deciding to stroll a bit, Yami walked until he found himself in the large coliseum that housed a familiar sight...

The Keeper Pond.

How odd. Once again he was hesitant to approach it, but at the same time eager. Staring into the crystal water, he half-expected to see that boy... Yes, that strange boy who had provoked his interest. It was like staring into a mirror, only to have it shattered.

Thinking about him must have triggered the pool's effects, because before Yami's very eyes, the vista of the stranger was revealed to him again.

"Oh my goodness," Yami murmured. How alike they were indeed! But yet, so different. This alluring boy was definitely a tad smaller than Yami, and his eyes... While Yami's were narrow and garnet, his were big and amethyst. His smile was very sweet as well, like a child's, only his facial features showed wisdom beyond his years. Looking into the Pond was like watching a TV of someone's life in real time, but without sound, and Yami was compelled to stare. Still, something unnerved him...

People only appeared in the pond if their life was in danger.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it the other night," Yugi apologized. "So how did things go?"

"Actually," Jounouchi seemed to smile fondly, "They went pretty well."

"Did you find out about that Kaiba guy?"

"Oh yeah. He even stayed for dinner..." he couldn't help but laugh, "And then a prompt shower."

Yugi looked around the apartment. "Is he here now?"

"Nah, he has this habit of disappearing. He never stays for very long."

"Well doesn't he live in this apartment complex?" he asked quickly.

"Actually, he doesn't."

"Then where does he live?"

Jounouchi seemed to sit in thought for a moment. "...Good question. You know, we never got around to that fact. Actually wait," his brow furrowed, "He did say that I wouldn't be able to handle the truth... I wonder what he meant by that."

"Now you're wondering!" Yugi was upset. "Jou, this guy could be a killer!"

"I honestly don't think he is, Yug'." He suddenly remembered something, "Oh hey! Have you been to the doctor lately?"

"I'm going in a couple of days. I can't really put it off anymore."

"Don't worry," the blonde flashed him a thumbs-up. "I'm gotta good feeling about this."

"Thanks, Jou. You made me feel better." He stood up and pushed his chair in. "Just be careful with this guy. You never know what a person is hiding..."

"Don't take it so personally, Jounouchi...I just don't want to talk about it. Ever."

"Yeah," Jounouchi mulled over his words. "I hope one day he'll tell me. That is, if he ever comes back."

Yugi smiled. "As long as you feel good about this... I'll see you."

"Bye," the blonde waved as his friend left.

Yugi closed the door and exited the apartment, heading for home. He really did worry about Jounouchi sometimes... Deep down, his optimistic friend was very vulnerable, and easily hurt. Whoever this Kaiba was... he sounded like he would only end up hurting Jou in the end. Just like all the rest.

Stopping at the crosswalk, he waited patiently for it to change and started across the street. He didn't see the speeding car, and the speeding car didn't see him... Until it was too late. Yugi was frozen in fear and probably wouldn't have been able to make it out of the way even if he had wanted to. The car braked, tires screaming as they tried to stop, but not in time, and Yugi braced himself for anything.

Well, he never braced himself for being pushed out of the way... That he hadn't expected. He landed on the ground hard, the wind nearly pushed out of his as someone else landed on top of him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he could hear the car finally stop, and then screech off again.

What a wonderful world.

Yugi slowly opened his eyes, the sun's glare telling them to shut, and tried to get ahold of his bearings. The tree's leaves above him were spinning so he closed his eyes and let out a small groan. All right. He should've at least been able to move, but he found he couldn't do that... It was only then that his brain clicked and he remembered someone was on him.

Whoever it was finally raised and Yugi could feel them above him. "Oh please be all right."

Yugi tried to focus his vision this time, and thankfully the person over him blocked out the sun's rays. "What happened?"

"That car almost hit you," they spoke, voice full of relief.

Yugi smiled. "I'm not so sure it didn't..."

"Good, you still have a sense of humor. You'll be fine." The person sat up and grabbed Yugi by his shoulders and helped him up. Finally, their face came into view.

Yugi gasped slightly. "I think I'm still a little woozy..." An unsure half-smile replaced his dropped jaw. "You look just like me. How crazy is that?"

"No," they shook their head. "You're fine. We...do look alike."

"We do?" The world stopped spinning and he was finally able to focus perfectly on the person across from him. "...We do... Who are you?"

"My name is Yami." He frowned suddenly.

"What's wrong?"

"I cannot believe I did this."

"Did what?"

"I really shouldn't have interfered..."

Yugi was becoming increasingly confused. "But you saved my life. For that I should thank you!"

"I know, but..." He faced Yugi again with doubt. "Now I'm stuck."

"Stuck?" he repeated. "You look fine to me. Are you okay? Actually, you look like you just arrived on a new planet," he joked.

Yami rubbed is temple. "You could say that."

"Where did you come from anyway? It seriously looked like you came out of nowhere."

"...I came from Heaven."

Yugi looked at him strangely. "...Heaven."

"Yes. I'm an angel."

Yugi waited for him to do something- laugh, smile, anything to show he was lying... But he did nothing.

"This isn't a lie?"

Yami nodded. "I'm incapable of lying."

And then, before Yugi's eyes, two gorgeous wings spread out from Yami's back. The ends of each feather seemed to be tipped with gold and stray feathers were blown about by the wind. Yugi noticed that people walking by didn't even notice them. Was he just seeing things? Or was it something only he could see?

Catching a feather from the air, he ran his thumb over the soft plume. "Oh my god... You're telling the truth."

"Well, this is where I live," Yugi said, walking in and turning on the lights. I know it's small, but it's only me and my grandpa, and with him frequently gone on business, it's usually only me."

Yami meekly walked in, almost afraid to touch anything. It was like he had been placed in his worst nightmare; only, he wouldn't be waking up any time soon. Oh, why had he done that? He acted before he thought about it...

Just like the last time.

Except now, he was one earth, with no way back, and with a kid he didn't even know. Running a hand over his face, he sighed.

"Please cheer up, Yami," Yugi said softly. "I'm trying to help you feel better."

Was that even possible at this point? "At least...tell me your name," Yami finally asked.

Yugi smiled. "My name is Yugi." After Yami had sat down, he sat down beside him. "So... why are you here again?"

"Because I saved you."

"But, don't angels do that all the time?"

"No, they most definitely do not. I directly interfered with a human... Things like that aren't exactly smiled upon."

"I see... Well, for what it's worth, I'm really glad you saved me."

Yami tried at a smile. "You're welcome."

"Can't you just go back to heaven? You have wings, and I'm sure the other angels would allow it."

"Wings have little to do with it." Holding up a hand, he said, "And as for the other angels, they would be against it."

"But how do you know?"

"I know because...I'm the one who created that Law."

Yugi tilted his head slightly. "Law?"

"Yes. It's one of the only two ways an angel can leave Heaven: The Law of Ange Tutélaire, or "Guardian Angel". It states that 'if an angel leaves heaven to impede with a set fate, then they are given the title of a Guardian Angel and must stay on earth to continue their protection of that person until the human dies'... I made that law thinking no one would be stupid enough to break it." He looked downhearted. "And in the end, it was I who went against my own."

"Wait," Yugi said suddenly. "You have to stay on earth... until I die?"

"Exactly."

"I see. You should have just let me die then," he said despondently. "But you didn't... even though you risked so much. Why?"

Yami closed his eyes and exhaled. "I honestly don't know."

Yugi stood up and came to stop in front of Yami. "Well you can't mope for the rest of your life," he winced, "Or death, so come on." Smiling, he took ahold of Yami's hands and led him to stand. "I'll show you to your room."

"Hm?" Yami looked at his hands. "But Yugi, aren't you mad at me? I have to stay by your side... for the rest of your life."

Yugi looked at him silently for a moment, before breaking out into a kind smile. "I'm not so sure that's a bad thing."

"So you can sleep in here," Yugi said, showing Yami the empty room. "We've got an extra bed in the back and I'll move a couch or whatever up here."

"...I don't sleep."

Yugi paused. "Okay, well, I'll put one there anyways if you want to lay down. Do you eat?"

"No."

"...Okay then. At least you're low maintenance," he grinned.

Even though Yami wasn't in one of the best moods, seeing Yugi smile like that- like everything would be all right- made him feel better. "Are you sure you want to be nice to me?" he asked. "It's almost like I'm intruding in your life."

"Here's the part where I ask, 'What life?' Don't worry, Yami. Who knows, maybe things will turn out better for both of us. You might not even be here very long."

Yugi probably felt even worse than Yami. He now had an angel to take care of. Didn't they practically live in Perfection itself? How was Yugi supposed to make Yami feel comfortable in such a simple place, compared to Heaven? Maybe this was going to turn out a little less unproblematic than he thought.

And Yami, well, his obsessive-compulsive nature was just starting to kick in. Who would make sure order was maintained in heaven? Who would make sure the Laws were followed? ...Who would make laws? This was a fine mess he had gotten himself into, and all for a pretty face? Was it really worth it? "We'll see," he whispered quietly.

"If there's anything you need Yami," Yugi said amicably, "please don't hesitate to ask."

"I should say the same to you." And then, leaning in very close he said, "As your Guardian Angel, I am yours... and you are mine."

oooTBCooo

Gursh, this was a short chapter. . So there ya have it. Yami and Yugi's plot has just begun. Now that everyone's plot is running smoothly, I feel much better. Next chapter will resume BakuxMalik, and... how about which ever other couples you guys pick within this week. I'll make it long if I have to! (Actually, I will) I have a new story I'm working on this week, so I'll type ch.12 up next weekend.

AmethystRoze