Tidings of Comfort and Joy
Part VI: What You Are Is What You Are
Disclaimer: Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear, but Tenshi still doesn't own Yugioh! my dear. (Drat.)
XxXx
December 6th
Yami had never been in a human city before and though all in and all it wasn't terribly unpleasant, he had a feeling that it would've been better for him to have come before Christmas. Everything was cutesy and lovey-dovey that it made Yami want to gag. Everywhere there lights and music and pictures and the hustle and bustle of crowds. On one window would be a drawing of pine trees and snow and people laughing in sleighs. With one turn of the head, there was another one. It was a swirl of loving epitomes. To worsen the matters a twinge, there was one certain kid that kept walking right behind them that kept playing with this stuffed bear that laughed and sang "Jingle Bells".
"What are we doing here again?" Yami asked Yugi. He winced as the kid started up the bear again and out came that high squeaky laugh. There was no way that kid would ever get lost from his parents.
Yugi smiled, trotting along after his grandfather who was tightly holding the child's hand. He was dressed up in the outfit that he had first met Yami in and looked comfortably warm. Yami couldn't help but feel a sense of approval. It was cold out here and though Yami was unaffected by it, it just wouldn't do for Yugi to be exposed to such weather.
'Because,' he thought quickly. 'It wouldn't be much fun if the kid caught a cold. He would probably become even more of a pain.'
"We're going to get a Christmas Angel," Yugi replied. Then, upon seeing Yami's confused expression, he explained, "Not one like you though. One that goes up on top of the tree. Grandpa says that the other one is too old and he doesn't want to break it."
Yami nodded, satisfied. He had seen such "Angels" in the store windows on top of fake, miniature trees. To be honest though, he hadn't been that impressed. The human view on angels was almost annoying on its constancy. What was it that everyone seemed to think that angels were women with long flowing hair? Oh, brother.
What was the big deal anyway? Whose idea was it anyway to place a plastic figuring on top of a pine tree? It sounded rather silly to him, but then most human traits sounded silly to him.
Come to think of it...
Why was it that he hung around these two humans anyway?
Yami glanced down at Yugi. It wasn't as though he was glued to the kid's side. The kid had taken him in, sure, but that wasn't enough to hinder Yami from continuing his pursuit of the twelve miracles (which he still had no idea on how to do such a thing). Yami's crimson eyes swam through the ever-shifting crowd. How easy it would be to just melt among them and drift off until he lost sight of the old man and the kid. How incredibly easy! Ignoring a strange pang, Yami's thoughts continued along that line.
'What would you do?' he thought as he glanced down at the tiny child before him. 'If I were to just disappear from your side and melt away... what would you do? Would you even notice? What would happen to me?'
He felt himself starting to drift backwards, still pondering on if he could just fade away...
and then a tiny little hand grabbed onto his and pulled him forward.
"Stay close, Yami," Yugi glanced back, a smile ever present on his face. The noise of the crowd almost drowned out his voice (indeed his grandfather didn't seem to hear him) but the angel could hear every word. "I don't want you to get lost."
Yami felt his heart melt...
and instantly became annoyed.
"Fuh," he scoffed, his inner-self quickly scrambling to build himself back together. "Trust me kid, if I wanted to be gone, there is no way you could stop me." 'Not again, at any rate,' he mentally amended, thinking of how one small tug on the wrist had pulled him back.
There was a small silence as Yugi had to maneuver around a few people (and their bulging shopping bags), but there was a thoughtful look on his face.
"No..." the child admitted slowly, "I guess not." At this pause, Yami peered down, wondering what the kid was getting to. Grandpa managed to walk onto a part of the sidewalk where there was a rare clearing of people. It was probably only for a second or two before they melded back into the crowd. But in those few heartbeats, Yugi just looked back at Yami, his hand still gripping the angel's, and smiled. "Then I guess I'll just have to enjoy it while you're here."
It was at that moment that Yami definitely thought that cuteness should be illegal. Never the less, the angel's marshmallow heart had been touched. His hand, enveloping the child's, gave a slight, reassuring squeeze.
Then he gave himself a mental slap. 'Snap out of it!' he ordered himself. Had Yami been any other, less dignified, angel, he would have shaken his head furiously. As it were, he just mentally scowled. Recovering himself for the second time in less than five minutes, Yami gave Yugi a calculating look.
'Oh... you're a tricky one,' he thought. 'But, child, do not think that this duel is at an end. You seek to melt my heart and lower my walls. Well, I will not allow it!' At this a glowering look made its way onto Yami's face and as he peered down at his little mirror image, he looked more childish than he could ever imagine. 'You will not succeed, young one. I swear that no matter what I shall remain indifferent of you. May pigs fly when I break this oath!'
XxXx
Yami almost liked Natural Hands Gardening Store- almost because almost everything that was in the store he had seen outside in the street windows. Christmas trees were everywhere, big and small, fill the room with a bright and warming scent. Some were for display and went with dozens of different patterns. Yami even saw one such Christmas tree that was decorated with dozens of small Christmas trees about a foot long! Different sorts of decorations were scattered through out the store, some making noises and some simply there to be beautiful. By now, though, Yami had seen so much in the city, that this small store didn't seem all that impressive. But he liked the woodland smell. It felt more natural and cozy, somehow.
First, the two Motohs (and one angel) went to pick out their tree. Yami, not being as knowledgeable about how to pick a Christmas tree, quickly learned how humans judged such things. It was an unspoken agreement that the tree had to be tall, but not so tall as to not fit in the house. The branches had to be a beautiful green and spread out, but not have too many gaps. There also had to be a good amount of space between the lowest branches and the end of tree trunk, for the presents of course.
It was Yugi that found the perfect tree. He had judged height by comparing the tree to Yami, who was taller than either human. The needles were green and crisp and the branches evenly balanced with good stems for hanging decorations. There was plenty of room for presents. And there was also a good-sized stick at the top at which to put the angel. Grandpa nodded his head, pleased with such a tree after passing his inspection, and called over one of the works to show the one they chose. The three then walked over to the Christmas angels, a yellow ticket in Grandpas hand.
Again, Yami was annoyed that all the Christmas angels persisted to be women, but had to admit that most were pleasing to the eye. Some were showed a women wearing simple with the wings small and cute. Others were so fancy that one could almost lose sight of the angel among all the lace. Then there were those right in between and those were the ones that Yami and Yugi liked best. It was so hard the choose just the most perfect Christmas angel.. Even the "fallen" angel got caught up with it all and started to offer his opinions on the angels that were selected, forgetting for a time that the only ear that heard such estimations were Yugi, but the child spoke them aloud for Grandpa. But all three agreed when they finally caught sight of the perfect one.
It was a woman (of course) with warm sparkling green eyes and cascading ebony hair. Her dress was a crimson red and was loose and flowing with a pine green trim and sash. In her hair were small pins of mistletoe. Soft, porcelain hands were cupped in prayer and a small smile played on her pale rose lips. Here wings were white and feathery, spread in an almost butterfly pose. In the light, they seemed to glow like newly fallen snow.
"She's beautiful," Yugi sighed in appreciation.
"Yes, she is," Grandpa agreed, as he took down from the shelf.
They walked over to the cash register feeling strangely content at having found such a perfect angel.
XxXx
"Do you like being an angel?"
Yami came to attention. "Hmm?" he blinked at Yugi, for once not really caring about his dignity. He and the kid were just sitting around watching a small toy train go around in circles on its track while Grandpa was in the next room settling out paper work. Every once in awhile they would rearrange the tracks into different patterns but for the most part they just sat back and watched in companionable silence.
Yugi persisted with his question, "Do you like being an angel?"
Yami turned back and looked down at the train, vaguely following it with his eyes. For a moment, he sat in thought. "I guess so," he shrugged. He turned back to Yugi. "Do you like being a human?"
Yugi, being adorably serious, thought for a moment then nodded. "It's alright," he mimicked Yami and shrugged.
"Hmm," Yami blinked lazily as the train went through a plastic tunnel.
There was silence for a long moment.
"Are you supposed to like what you are?" Yugi asked, turning back to Yami.
Again, Yami shrugged. "I suppose so," he said. He paused. "I mean, it's not like you can change it or anything. What you are is what you are. That never changes."
"Oh."
Pause.
"Grandpa says that people change."
"They do. Humans change in everything. But they don't change what they are. But that's probably not from lack of trying. It seems like humans are never happy to be what they are."
"What about angels?"
"Hmm?"
"Are they always happy that they're angels?"
"Angels are always content."
Pause.
"What about you?"
"Didn't you ask me that already?"
A shake of the head.
"Are you content? I mean, if you could, would change what you were?"
Silence.
"In a way."
"Huh?"
"Angels are always supposed to be things. It's annoying when I'm not. They always make such a big deal out of it. I'd like to be something that others did not feel was a disappointment. It'd be kinda nice to have someone actually like me."
Pause.
"I like you."
Yami turned and looked at Yugi.
"I know," was all he said.
XxXx
That night, a lone figure made its way out of the Turtle Game Shop. It was as silent and stealthy as a shadow. With one last pause, the figure took a long look back. Then, quick as a whip, it jetted off into the night, a hushed "I'm sorry" dropping from its lips. But no one saw this departing shadow.
For he was a "fallen" angel- invisible to the world.
XxXx
Whew! Only... nineteen more to go! Ugh. Currently I'm trying to write four chapters every night so I can update on time. Please be patient. I'm trying so hard to get this up for you guys! Thank you all for the wonderful reviews! You all are what keeps me going! Love you all! Until next time, C'ya!
Reader Replies:
The Duelist of the Rose: lol I love that little scenario. Do you mind if I use it? It's so funny! grin Please keep reading and enjoying!
Yami Adritha: I'll continue to work hard to keep up the jokes. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!
HanyouToni: Hee hee. I shall do my best. Please continue to enjoy!
Amanda Yuy Winner: I'm so glad that you like! I wish that I could update sooner! mutters stupid computer Good luck with your stories!
dontmesswithYami: I think Yugi seems to have the upper hand. Grandpa doesn't have a clue what's going on and he keeps taking Yami by surprise. Hee hee. He's probably having the best Christmas. lol Please continue to read and enjoy!
secretgofan: Thanks! Please continue to enjoy!
Sami: I'm glad someone liked it. I wasn't too sure about it myself. And if you ask me, Yami was kind of asking for it. Hee. Please continue to enjoy!
Yana5: Poor Yami. We're all having fun at his expense. ... Cool!
Zekintha: Yami definitely deserved/deserves whatever comes to him. And- ugh!- sorry about the typos. I was just trying to update really fast. Sorry! (But thanks for pointing them out to me)
crsg: Why, thank you! So glad that you liked the chapter! Tee hee! I shall try my best to continue the good work!
Pharaoh Atemu's Angel: Wow. I'm surprised by how many people like chapter 5! Hee hee. Yugi is always so cute. sigh I hope you like this chapter!