Title: Yuugi no Ko

Rating: T

Category: Romance, a little Angst.

Pairings: Yugi and Mokuba (Chibishipping)

Summary: When you're young and curious, the word 'Game' can have many different meanings.

Spoilers: Spoils a bit of episode 97.

Notes: All rights and characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi. Five parts and finally finished! Originally written for Loki-chan over at the Kyokou Geemu forums.

The darkness inside of room #3 was briefly illuminated as Mouto Yugi and the Spirit of his Sennen Puzzle switched places. The weight on the young boy's mind and shoulders had increased in the past several minutes and he sank onto the bed with a heavy heart.

First Bakura was hurt during the Duel and now, Malik's dark character has sent him into the Darkness. Mai's mind is trapped in the Shadows and the man who claimed to be Malik is unconscious. How many more people, Mou hitori no boku? How many others will have to be hurt before this whole thing is over?

The Pharaoh had no ready answer that would sooth his little friend. He too was troubled by all these events and the future looked to be as hazy as his memories. I do not know, Aibou. But there will not be any answers tonight so it is best if you try to go back to sleep. The battles are going to begin again tomorrow and you will need all the rest you can get in order to fight them.

Yugi wasn't anywhere near tired but removed his shoes and jacket. Mou hitori no Yugi was right, there wasn't anything more to be done tonight. But how could he go back to sleep now after already being awakened with new worries that only settled on top of the old ones?

"I can't," he mumbled to himself, bringing his knees up to his chest.

The Pharaoh's voice was gently firm. Aibou. Sleep.

Not wanting to argue, Yugi complied with his friends' wish by sliding beneath the covers. Then with a small sigh, he reached up to remove the Puzzle.

Another knock sounded.

He stopped and dropped the chain.

Aibou?

Yugi was too concerned about more possible problems to reply. He hopped off the bed and hurried over to the door, sliding it open and fully expecting to have to look up at the person on the other side.

But he didn't. Instead, Yugi was surprised to be staring eye level with one of the last people he had expected to see.

"Mokuba?"

The little black haired boy nodded and shuffled his feet a bit. He was still dressed in the clothes he had worn that day. "Hi Yugi. Were um, were you sleeping?"

He had been for a little while, before Anzu had come banging on his door with news of Bakura's disappearance. But sleep now was still pretty much in question. "No, I was awake. Did something happen? Is your brother okay?"

Mokuba blinked. "Nothing's wrong. Nisama is fine. I just-I wanted to ask you something."

That was it? Yugi turned on the lights and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. Whatever it was, it had to be pretty important if Mokuba felt he had to ask at 1 a.m. "What is it?"

Feet continued to shuffle as Mokuba flushed and lowered his gaze. Yugi just watched, confused. Then suddenly the boy's head came back up and he blurted, "Will you play Duel Monsters with me?"

It was Yugi's turn to blink and he couldn't keep the surprise out of his voice. "Huh? Duel Monsters? Now?"

Mokuba nodded again, filling his gray blue eyes with hope.

Yugi scratched his head. The boy wanted to play a game at this hour? Didn't Kaiba have some sort of bedtime schedule for his little brother? Not that it was Yugi's place to tell anyone how to raise family but it was late. And with Mou hitori no Yugi disagreeing in the back of his mind…

"I-isn't it kind of late for Duel Monsters, Mokuba?" He asked as nicely as he could. "We should try to sleep. It's been a hard day and tomorrow the-"

"Hey, I had a rough day too!" Mokuba cut in. "I helped Nisama and his team at Kaiba Corporation watch over all the Duels in the city for God cards! I hit the streets looking for cheaters and bullies! I helped you find your friends! And I was kidnapped by a bunch of goons who wanted to brainwash me!"

The child looked ready to hit something. Yugi was startled by the sudden change of attitude and brought up his hands. "I'm sorry, Mokuba. I just thought that-"

"You just thought that it was way past my bedtime. Admit it."

"Well-"

Mokuba moved closer. "I'm not some stupid little kid Yugi. I'm responsible enough to know what's best for me. Nisama knows it too, so that's why I'm not cuddling with blankies and pillows right now. I came here to challenge you but if you're too tired or afraid, I can find someone else with the guts to accept."

What? Yugi dropped his hands. "I'm not afraid of you, Mokuba."

"Uh-huh. Prove it."

The dare hung between them for several seconds before Yugi started to smile. Inside him, the Pharaoh had ceased his calm protesting and was now muttering something about "tenacious children" and "impolite ways". His distaste at being called a coward by an eleven year old was obviously strong.

Yugi tried to explain. He doesn't mean it. He's just trying to get us to play with him. Kaiba's the same way.

Humph.

I know how he feels. People underestimate him because he's young. They underestimate me because I'm small. It's almost the same thing. No one knows what we're really like except for our friends and family. That's tough sometimes.

Aibou-

He just wants to prove himself. A moment. I know how that feels, too.

Yugi heard the echo of a soft sigh and knew that his friend couldn't argue. He knew his Aibou well enough to realize when the boy had a point…

Mou hitori no boku, I'm going to take up his challenge.

…And when his mind was made up.

Yugi took the Pharaoh's silence as acceptance and then stepped away from the door. "Okay, Mokuba. Come in."