Title: Surprise, Surprise – Chapter 3
Author: Erudit
Warnings: YAOI, Tea bashing, suicide attempt
Intro: Yami has just been pushed out of Yugi's new friend's apartment, and plans on waiting for Yugi in front of the door when Joey calls him over to the mall.
I'm sorry it took me so long to put up the next chapter but I've been on vacation for the last period of time and had no access to the net. I hope you still continue reading this story, though.
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Blablabla- Thoughts
/blablabla/- Yami and Yugi talking through mind link
"blablabla"- normal talking
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Atemu grinned stupidly, thinking to have gone crazy. His hikari surely would never deny knowing him. What reasons would Yugi have to do so? Surely it was all a joke. /This is a joke, right/ he asked through their connection but got no answer, as the link was shut tightly from Yugi's side. It has to be a joke. Surely Yugi wouldn't do something like this. He's too pure-hearted to ever think an evil thought, Atemu repeated again and again in his mind, not realizing how he was pulled out of the girl's apartment.
"Don't try to enter again or I'm calling the police!" The girl yelled at him, before shutting the door right in front of his nose.
/Yugi? Yugi/ He yelled through the mind-link, hoping his little light would open the door again and laugh at his expression, hug him, and tell him it was all a joke. Then, Yugi would surely ask for his forgiveness, which was something he didn't even need to ask for, as Atemu would always forgive his little one. But the door didn't open again. No Yugi came out, laughing about his fears, and hugging him. In fact, nobody came. He was all alone in the hallway. The lights went out and left him in the darkness.
Atemu stared at the closed door wide-eyed. His smile vanished, being replaced by a pained expression. He hates me. The ex-pharaoh hadn't even realized he was crying until the wet drops touched his bare arms. I- I can't believe, he just did that. Why? /Why, Yugi/ The dark half yelled through their mind-link but it was still closed. Yugi obviously ignored him. Atemu slowly slid down the wall next to the door, his cheeks covered with tears, and his eyes closed in the desperate effort to stop crying. He wouldn't leave Yugi alone with a stranger. He would just wait for Yugi to leave the next morning. Then, he would ask him why he was acting so strange. He'll tell you that he hates you, stated his sub-consciousness. He ignored it, though deep inside of him something broke.
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The day had started good enough. He had once again met with Yugi's friends to talk about the party Atemu had wanted to throw for his precious hikari. Joey had insisted on meeting in the new ice-cream-parlor, as he had been sure that Yugi wouldn't find them there. They all knew that Yugi avoided ice-cream, as the little one always got a stomach-ache. Actually, Atemu wouldn't mind taking care of his hikari, but he didn't like his little one to be in pain.
Atemu had been sad about having to lie to Yugi once again. Even more so as it was the same old story he had told his little light for the past few weeks. But his hikari seemed to like the fact that he was doing something as useful as helping other people, so he had continued saying it. He wanted his little one to be proud of him. He just hoped Yugi never got around to asking Kaiba about it. Surely Joey had forgotten to mention it to the CEO once again. The puppy's excuse was that the two of them never talked much when they were alone, but Atemu knew that he was just a forgetful person. Everyone knew that. Nevertheless, Joey was a good friend for Yugi, and that was why the ex-pharaoh accepted him. He wanted his little one to be happy. And any of his Yugi's friends would be his own friends as well. Not that he needed any friends. Yugi was all he needed.
Atemu had been on his way home, when he had opened his side of the mind-link again, hoping to indulge in his aibou's pureness and happy feelings. Though he had realized that Yugi was kind of down lately, always sulking around, he had hoped that it would have changed with the beautiful weather. Surely Yugi had gone for a walk, had seen some magnificent butterflies, and was in a good mood. Maybe the two of them could even play a game. He had been rather distant to his little light in fear of spilling the surprise for the party. He knew that as soon as Yugi would mention his birthday, he would tell him about his project. He simply enjoyed seeing his aibou happy too much.
Instead of any cheerful thoughts however, all Atemu could feel were anguish and sadness so profound that the ex-pharaoh had had to bend down, gasping for breath. He had never felt his aibou that depressed. What has happened to you, Yugi? What is wrong? Tell me, so I can make it better. The ex-pharaoh had been so upset about his hikari's distress that he failed to notice he hadn't used his mind-link.
Nevertheless, an answer came//You promised to protect me./ Yugi whimpered through the link, before it was once again closed up from his hikari's side.
What the- The ex-pharaoh's eyes widened with fear and shock at what his aibou had said. What had happened? When had Yugi needed his protection//Yugi? Where are you Yugi/ No answer came through the link.
It had taken Atemu almost three hours to finally find out where Yugi was at. He could always feel Yugi's aura a little bit. It was like a slight pull at his heart. Their souls were linked after all. He had followed Yugi's trace to the park, then back through some alleyways. Yugi had been on his way home; that was for sure. And then, suddenly he could feel that something had been wrong. Yugi's aura was much stronger around a certain place. Something must have happened here, the ex-pharaoh noticed, as he felt anger flood him. Who had dared hurting his aibou? But he wouldn't know as long as he hadn't been able to talk to Yugi.
He continued to follow his hikari's soul's trace, which surprisingly ended up in an apartment not far from that place.
The rest that had occurred was a blur to Atemu, as he still couldn't comprehend what had happened. He just knew that Yugi seemed to be alright and safe. At least that was a relief.
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When Atemu woke up again, the sun was shining on his face, making him sneeze. He hadn't even realized that he had fallen asleep. Groaning, he got up, and stretched his sore muscles. He had been lying in that uncomfortable position far too long. Then, he looked at the closed door in front of him worriedly, and checked if his hikari was still in the apartment. When he sensed his aibou's aura, he positioned himself right next to the door again, determined not to leave without his little light.
He had just started counting the dots on the wall in front of him, when a penetrating sound shook him out of his trancelike stupor. What the- Something in Atemu's right pocket was moving! The ex-pharaoh jumped up and reached into his pocket to pull out a cell-phone. He stared at it as if it was dangerous. It was still vibrating and giving off the shrill tone.
"And what am I supposed to do now?" He tried to remember what Kaiba had told him about those devices, and pushed a random button. The phone fell silent. "That can't be right." The ex-pharaoh declared as he once again investigated the phone. "Somebody should be talking to me now." He sighed dejectedly. He would never understand those modern day devices. What do people have against messengers? They were much easier to handle. You could simply tell them what you wanted them to do. This was one of the situations in which Atemu missed Yugi the most. His little light always knew what to do.
Atemu almost let the cell-phone fall, when it started ringing again. "Oh for Ra's sake!" he exclaimed exasperated.
Somehow, he didn't even understand how he did it himself, he managed to push the right button for once, and could hear Joey's frantic voice booming through the hallways.
"Joey!" He yelled in fear of not being heard. Suddenly it was quiet on the other side, and then he could hear Seto Kaiba's calm voice. "Put the cell-phone to your ear, Yami. And you don't have to yell, former cousin."
Atemu usually wasn't very fond of the CEO but right at that moment he was glad that his aibou had such great friends. "Thank you, Kaiba." He sighed when he finally held the phone in the right position. He could hear the sound of a car in the background and the sound of Mokuba's video game, and supposed he finally understood the advantages cell-phones had over messengers.
"Hey, Yami! Can you hear me now?" Joey's voice once again talked to him.
"Yes, I can. What are you calling for, if I may ask?"
"We've got somethin' dat we want you to look at for you know what. Can you come to Central Mall ASAP?"
"Well, actually-"
"Great! We'll see you in a few." And with a click Joey was gone once again.
Atemu glared at the device for a few seconds. He wasn't used to people not letting him finish. Usually people listened to his every word. Then, he decided he might as well continue with his plan for Yugi's birthday. His light surely would come home later on. He could talk to him then. And Yugi's birthday was, after all, the day after tomorrow. Everything had to be ready by then.
He pushed some random buttons to turn off the cell-phone but unfortunately pressed a combination for a loud siren to go off, which in turn seemed to piss of Yugi's host's neighbors, as the door right next to him flew open, and an old woman started yelling at him. When she began looking for something to throw at him, he hurriedly left the house.
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"Man! What took you so long, Yams?" Atemu scowled at Joey's exuberant greeting. He hated it when Joey called him Yams; especially when Bakura was standing close by, as he was in that specific case. The tomb-robber was snickering right next to his hikari, who he had his arm around. He shot Bakura a warning look, signifying that his day had been bad enough. The tomb-robber sobered immediately.
"What's wrong, Yami?" Ryou asked concerned. He tilted his head in the same way that Yugi always did, his big brown eyes becoming even larger, equaling more and more a puppy. Obviously all lights had found out the effect of their sheer loveliness and cuteness, and knew how to use their powers appropriately.
Yami turned to look away, not wanting to talk. Unfortunately Ryou's question had sparked the other's interest, and now all of them were circling around him, and pestering him with questions.
"All right, all right, I'll tell you, if you just shut up!" He finally yelled. He could already feel the headache that he was going to get. Oh, how he wished Yugi was here with them now. I really am a hopeless case, am I not?
Atemu was just about to tell them what happened the other day when a high-pitched, girly voice announced Tea's presence.
Oh no. No, no, no. Please tell me it's not her. If possible, Atemu's mood sank even more, a grim look settling on his face as a brunette girl latched herself onto his left arm.
"Hello guys!" Tea smiled at the group, not noticing how Bakura made gagging noises, and how Kaiba motioned one of his employees to get rid of her.
When Atemu suddenly felt Tea's breath on his face, the ex-pharaoh almost would have sent Tea to the shadow realm out of reflex.
"Hello, Yami-chan!" Tea breathed.
Joey started sniggering right next to him. Atemu rolled his eyes annoyed. Why does she always have to do that? He tried to shake her off, as she began to cut off the circulation in his arm.
"Tea! What are you doing here?" Atemu asked, trying his best to keep his voice calm and face expressionless. Hadn't he made it clear that he didn't want her around the last time they had talked? Obviously he hadn't made it clear enough.
"Why, Yami-chan? Aren't you happy to see me?"
Yami winced at the pet name. If she calls me that one more time, I swear I can guarantee for nothing. "Of course we are happy to see you, Tea." He said through clenched teeth, as the girl next to him happily bobbed up and down. He would have yelled at her and told her to leave them alone, had Yugi not already been mad at him. Sadly, his hikari seemed to pity the girl, and Yami didn't want him to find out that he had yelled at Tea once again. Tea would make sure to let Yugi know. She had tried to get to him through Yugi several times already.
"But aren't you usually at your dance class on Wednesdays?" Please tell me that you are on your way to your dance class, Atemu begged. Unfortunately he seemed to have done something that needed punishment as Tea's next sentence destroyed his hopes.
"It got cancelled." Tea declared. "Luckily. That way we can go shopping together. What are you looking for, anyways, clothes?" She added hopefully. She rearranged her body in a position she thought would appeal to him, and flashed her eye-lashes.
Atemu shot his so-called friends a glance, begging them to help him get rid of her. He didn't understand how someone could be as dense as she sometimes was. He had told her and shown her on several occasions that he didn't like her that way. She had even been the first person whom he had told about his feelings for his aibou. Obviously she had not listened to a word he had said but had instead just followed the movements of his lips with her eyes, and that had taken up all of her concentration. Or, she simply didn't believe him.
He groaned while thinking about things that Tea might not like. Maybe he should tell her he wanted to buy a tarantula or a pet snake?
"I've heard Pete's shoe store sells its goods for half the price today." Ryou mentioned.
Atemu looked at Tea hopefully. She really liked buying shoes. Maybe she would forget about him? All his hopes were shattered again at Tea's next sentence.
"Who would think about buying shoes when a friend needs help?"
"You really don't need to help me." Atemu hastily interrupted in fear of yet another friendship speech. They had been quite useful at the beginning but by now everyone knew them by heart.
"Nonsense, of course I'll help you." Tea began to drag him along in the direction of the entrance. He should have known he couldn't get rid of her that easily. His hands twitched as he could feel shadows surround them. Sadly, he had given his aibou his word not to send anyone in the shadow realm, and he planned on keeping his promise. At least as long as they were surrounded by people; that way Yugi was bound to find out of his yami's actions.
Please help me, Atemu silently begged as he once again glanced back at his friends.
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When they had finally gotten rid of Tea, it was already eight pm, and the Mall was closing up. Therefore, the entire group was in a relatively bad mood. Or, to be more precise, Atemu was in a bad mood while the others tried to cheer him up.
"Seto and I will buy it for you, Yami." Joey reassured him. "We'll set it up for the party as well. Don't worry, buddy. Everything will work out just fine." Joey padded Atemu's back, trying to encourage the disheartened ex-pharaoh.
Atemu nodded. He looked defeated. This really had not been his day. First Yugi had started ignoring him to the point of denying knowing him, and then Tea had dragged him from one shop to the next, showing him all the things he didn't need, and all the things he had never wanted to see. To make it even worse, it had started raining, and he had no umbrella.
"Bye, Yami!" Ryou yelled, as he dragged his own yami in the direction of their home. They had volunteered to decorate the apartment Seto Kaiba had provided for the party, and Ryou was eager to brain storm on how to decorate it. Bakura just shot him a heartening gaze. He had become much more understanding ever since he and Ryou had become a couple. Especially when talking about lovesick yamis. Then, the two of them had a lot in common.
Atemu nodded, once again grateful that Yugi had found such great friends. Then he turned around and hurriedly went in the direction of Yugi's and his home. Maybe he's home already? He tried the mind link but it was still closed.
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By the time Atemu had finally arrived home, he was soaking wet. He immediately went upstairs to the bathroom to put on some dry clothes, leaving a water trail behind. Yugi was not home yet. Does he plan on staying at the woman's apartment? Atemu worriedly glanced out of the window in Yugi's room. How long had Yugi known that woman? What if she planned to hurt him? He began walking up and down in front of Yugi's bed. His aibou had left their house without umbrella as well. Surely, he was just waiting for the rain to stop, and would come home as soon as a dry passageway was possible.
Another glance at the window. No, it had not stopped raining yet. Atemu sighed annoyed; he really was no patient person. Then, he decided he might as well do something useful. Yugi's grandpa had been gone for almost a month, and they hadn't cleaned the store ever since. Surely it was already quite dusty. Yugi would be happy to see him working in the store.
Atemu went downstairs, got some rags they had saved for cleaning purposes, and filled hot water in a bucket. He added cleanser to it, and dragged everything in the store, just to discover that the store was as clean as it could be. The cards were sparkling, the games were neatly stacked, and the floor was polished so neatly that he had almost slipped and spilt the contents of his bucket onto it. Yugi cleaned it already. He suddenly felt disappointed. Not only because his plan to surprise Yugi had failed but also because Yugi hadn't even thought of asking him to join the cleaning-process. Usually, the two of them did all the cleaning together. It was much more fun that way.
Atemu went back in the living room, still carrying the bucket and the rags. He looked around, determined to find something else that could use cleaning. Maybe the bathroom? Or the kitchen? Every room was entered and observed carefully as Atemu began his work.
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When Atemu looked at the clock the next time, it was already approaching eleven p.m., and Yugi still was nowhere to be seen. The ex-pharaoh wasn't able to hide his nervousness now. The rooms were already sparkling, matching the neatness of grandpa's shop. As he had nothing to do, he stood by the window right next to the door, looking outside expectantly. Why hasn't he come home yet?
His right hand was drawing patterns on the windowsill. He couldn't seem to hold still. A weird sense of foreboding came over him. Something is wrong. His breathing was going heavier, and he was beginning to sweat. To conclude, he didn't like the situation he was in now. He'd never panicked before in his entire life. Once Yugi has returned home, I'm going to make sure he can't leave the house on his own for the next few days. Who am I kidding? I'm not going to let him leave the house without me ever again.
Crimson eyes continued to observe the empty streets, as his mind began searching for a trace of Yugi's soul. The mind link was still closed from Yugi's side of the link but Atemu had his ways to get in nevertheless. Once he had found out where his aibou was at, he could begin working on his aibou's defenses until he could force open the mind link. It was not something he usually did but he was quite desperate by now.
He's back at the park again! What in the name of Ra is he doing in the park at this hour? There are all kinds of weird people in that part of town. At least he seems to have been left alone for now but who knows for how much longer? Now that he knew where Yugi was at, he almost wished he didn't know. Atemu was, if that was even possible, more nervous and worried now than he had been before. That was probably the reason to why it took him at least twice as long to work himself into Yugi's mind than it had taken him ever before. Not that he'd ever tell Yugi about his secret visits in his aibou's mind. Yugi would get the feeling the ex-pharaoh didn't trust him, and that was not the case. Atemu trusted Yugi more than he trusted anybody else. Actually, he trusted Yugi more than he trusted himself. He knew what a sneaky and untrustworthy person he could be, and especially after he had lost his aibou's soul to the Orichalchos because of his own ambition to win the game, he had begun to put more trust into his aibou's decisions and beliefs. He couldn't afford to lose his light just because of his ignorance to see the truth. But Atemu also knew that Yugi had a kind heart, and would not tell him everything in fear of him overreacting. The ex-pharaoh could get very angry. Especially when he found out that somebody had threatened or hurt Yugi in any way. That was something he simply could not tolerate, and many bullies had mysteriously disappeared in one of his tempers.
The first feeling Atemu could make out in Yugi's mind was uneasiness. Clearly, he didn't like the characters that were strolling around in the park at that time of night. Then, he could feel determination. There was something Yugi had planned to do. That was what he was in the park for, and he planned to continue it, no matter how many sinister characters were strolling around and leering at him. Atemu marveled at Yugi's resolve for a second. It was a habit he had clearly taken up from the ex-pharaoh himself. Curious as the ex-pharaoh was (not that he'd ever admit it himself), he began to look around in Yugi's mind for what Yugi was planning to do. Why had Yugi not asked him to accompany him? He could have gotten rid of those people for him in no time. Usually the little one tried to spend as much time with him as possible. Surely, he couldn't still be angry, could he? The foreboding feeling Atemu had felt before came over the ex-pharaoh once again. Something definitely was not right. Was Yugi forced to do something in the park? No. He'd have felt it by now had Yugi not been acting by his own free will.
/Yami./ Yugi softly said through the mind-link.
Atemu cringed. Had he been discovered already? Yugi had never before realized his presence. He was about to respond to his aibou, when he realized that Yugi had not really been talking to him. Yugi was simply thinking about him now.
/I hope you're happy, Yami./ Yugi continued softly, though Atemu could feel pain coming from the other side of the link. Was Yugi hurt? His hands balled into tight fists, so tight in fact that his nails already drew blood, though he didn't even realize it, as all his thoughts were fixed on his aibou. The uneasy foreboding he had felt the entire time was even stronger now. Something is definitely wrong. What is Yugi talking about? What am I supposed to be happy about?
/The time has come. I've waited longer than I should have. I simply couldn't do it before. I'm sorry that I'm so weak, Yami. I've always been a weak hikari, haven't I? But that's going to change now, Yami. I'm ready. I'll do it tonight. You'll see. In a few minutes you'll be free./
Atemu frowned in confusion. Yugi didn't make sense. But it didn't really matter to him. He had already moved to the door, his feet moving as if they had a mind of their own. Atemu didn't care that it was still raining; it didn't matter if he got soaked to the bones; all that mattered in that moment was his aibou, his hikari, his love. He began to run in the direction of the park, somehow knowing it could already be too late if he didn't go as fast as possible.
After he had run a few blocks, he remembered he'd not locked the door, but it was already too late to turn around and go back now. It wasn't what mattered in that moment. The air was cold around him and burned in his hot lungs. His feet began to ache but he couldn't stop, and he couldn't afford to run any slower. He had to reach the park in time.
/Ah, here it is. The river. It is a beautiful sight, you know. The rain is falling on the water, the trees bowing in the wind, a mass of yellow and red leaves. Autumn really is beautiful. I am kind of glad I chose this spot. Imagine I'd have tried to do it at home. None of our rooms would have been beautiful enough to remember. This will be right. The last things I'll ever see. Beautiful./ Yugi's soft voice resounded in his mind once again. The hikari had still not realized that Atemu could hear his every word.
The river? Where is a river? Panic coursed through the ex-pharaoh's veins, as he began to understand what Yugi was about to do. Wait for me Yugi, please wait!
He finally reached the park, and crossed it swiftly, paying no attention to the people around him. He had remembered that there was a river right behind the park. Atemu was quite sure that was where Yugi was at.
His lungs burned, and his feet almost gave way, but he couldn't stop now. He had to continue and find Yugi before the little light could finish what he came to the park for. His life would end if anything happened to Yugi.
There it is! He could make out the river in the distance. Only a few more yards, he encouraged himself. But where is Yugi? I can't see him anywhere.
Atemu came to a halt right in front of the river, breathing heavily, and hastily looking up and down the river-bank. Where was his light at?
/I've once heard not to take too long once you've decided to end your life. Nobody will believe you if you keep talking about it all the time. So, I'll stop now. I've said everything I need to say anyways. Good-bye, Yami! Enjoy your life. May it be happier than mine./ Yugi's final note was free of sadness. The little one had long ago come to terms with his decision. He even seemed to be glad to be able to end his life himself.
Atemu, on the other hand, wasn't glad. He was more scared than he'd ever been in his entire life. His feet were shaking, and his face was for once snow-white. He had finally found Yugi. He could see him standing on a small bridge, directly over the river. Had he not known what Yugi was about to do, he might have found the sight enchanting.
He swiftly moved in the direction the bridge was at, though he already knew that he'd come too late. He was too far away. He'd never reach Yugi in time. Tears were running down his face, and mingled with the many raindrops; despair was evident in his eyes. If Yugi died, Atemu's life had ended as well. He couldn't live without Yugi. Not that he still needed the young one to physically survive, but his heart and soul depended on him. Without Yugi, he'd just waste away. He'd follow his light into death if he couldn't save Yugi now.
Atemu could see Yugi climb over the railing. "Yugi!" he yelled, though Yugi couldn't hear him over the noise, the rain and the river produced. But Atemu was quite sure Yugi would have continued even if he had heard his dark half anyways. "No." He whispered softly, his voice sounding hoarse and strange even to himself. Please don't, Yugi. Please don't do that to me.
He was about twenty yards away, still running in Yugi's direction, when he could see Yugi jumping down from the bridge. His heart stopped as he saw Yugi flying through the air, and entering the cold water.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!" A loud yell resounded through the darkness. "YUUUUGI!" It took Atemu some time to realize it was his own voice. He had never before sounded like that.
He jumped into the ice-cold water right after his light, and began diving for his aibou, as Yugi had not resurfaced yet. A few seconds later, though it seemed more like hours to him, he finally found his hikari's lifeless body, and dragged him back to the bank.
-To be continued-
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I hope it is not too long-winded. I somehow had the impression it was. But it was kind of difficult to find a clean transition, linking the beginning of this chapter and the end.
Please review!
Feebeefi, Dragon Master03 (): No, Yugi is not going to end up with Lisa. I plan on keeping it a Y/Y fiction. But she'll be a good friend of both of them, later on.