A/N: Hello folks I started on this one early. I need some more chapters of strict bonding time before I begin with my actual plot line. I am trying to make these long and interesting, it is…effective I guess. Only a few more chapters until my plot thickens though :D well, for now, enjoy the next chapter. Feel lucky, I started this one up quick. I'm trying to make this one of my best and longest chapters so it won't be done for a few days. We'll see if my hard work pays off X3

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I walked into the school, sighing softly. I never loved school. It wasn't that I hated it, on the contrary; I actually enjoyed school a fair amount. I had friends now, which definitely made the school day look up for me. Now, of course, there was always my Yami to keep me company. I was relieved for that.

My amethyst eyes were plastered to the dull grey tiled floor of the school hallways. It was a miracle that, despite my eyes veering my attention into nothing, I didn't smack right into another student. It was only when I heard my name, that I snapped out of my day dreaming.

"Heeeey Yugi!" I heard a voice shout from somewhere behind the crowd. I smirked lowly, how could anyone see short little Yugi among a crowd of many…taller people.

I snapped my head around, chocolate colored eyes staring contently back to mind. "Oh...hey Joey!" I tried to sound as enthusiastic as one could at such an early hour.

He smirked slowly. "How ya feeling bud?" he asked slowly.

I tensed up for a moment. Oh yeah…that. Yami must have felt my concern and my dread for he was stirred from seemingly his own day dream. Something wrong Yugi? He asked softly. I could just hear the concern etched in his voice as it echoed through my mind.

I smiled gently. Joey is questioning about the day I was first able to see y- wait…how did I get out of the hospital? I blacked out again…you? I asked. The days had gotten ahead of me. They were so full of action that I didn't even think to ask that question.

A feeling of sadness fell over my entire body as Yami replied to me. Yes…I'm sorry…

I smiled once again. I realized that I smiled more since Yami came into my soul…into my life. It's fine dear friend…I don't like hospitals anyway. We wouldn't mention that I nearly cried then…it was painful, but it was worth it. I froze immediately. How long was I zoned out in my thought speech…Joey must be waiting an answer. I slowly shifted my gaze to him again and he was sure enough, still looking at me expectantly.

"Woah…sorry!" I said with fake enthusiasm. "It's too early, y'know?" lie. "I just zoned out for a moment." Lie. What was his question again? Shit…if I ask him to repeat the question, he'll surely be worried again.

Are you feeling better Yugi Yami's voice whispered soothingly in my mind again and I let out a sigh of relief inwardly. Right. Thanks. "I'm feeling much better, thanks Joey" more fake enthusiasm. I hated lying to him, but not as much as I hated him worrying about me. We'll let him think everything is okay. We won't spring Yami on anyone too quickly.

I walked into my first class, sighing again as I placed my books on my desk. It was one thing to be in school, but another that I always had to sit in the front row. My height was an issue to see above the others. Yami had stirred again in the puzzle. Why the long face little one? He asked softly.

Ah nothing Yami…school isn't all that fun for me, don't see how it could be. I felt more comfortable around him. I felt that he could understand me. History was never my strong point either. I finished my statement with a soft smile upon my face.

Maybe they should just teach what you would enjoy about history? He asked softly and I chuckled softly at the statement. Contrary to your belief, the world doesn't revolve around me Yami. I joked with him. He seemed to enjoy the joke as he chuckled softly at it himself. He sounded a bit fatigued however.

The lesson began and I was instantly in my own world as the teacher's monotonous voice droned on about some boring topic as usual. One word sparked my interest today though: Egypt. We were learning about Ancient Egypt. I couldn't help but smile. I suppose Yami was right about them teaching me something I like. The world still didn't revolve around me though. I listened contently, happy to learn more about the place Yami came from.

That is a false statement…that's not how it happened…where are they getting this?

I couldn't suppress a faint chuckle that escaped my lips. Shhh…Yami! I chided him playfully. Whether it is entirely right or not, I need to learn it. I need to learn about SOME of your heritage…you can correct the wrong parts for me later, okay?

He seemed satisfied after some last words being uttered lowly out of his lips. He insisted on having his last word, much like a child. He made me smile though, that was all that mattered to me. He had listened patiently for the remainder of class without another objection.

The rest of my day went on rather boring, Yami had attempted to listen but every time I spoke to him through the mind link, he always sounded more and more fatigued. So when the end of the day hit, I was more than ready to go home.

Joey stopped me on the way out. "Hey Yug, wanna go grab a bite to eat?" he asked me loudly. Joey had a way to never have a volume control.

"Sorry Joey, I can't" I said to him, in a much softer tone than he. "I need to get home to help out around the house. I am going to organize the shelves in the game shop, clean up a bit to surprise my grandfather" I said more lies. I got better at lying…that's not good.

Yami must have known that too, for he had stirred once again from his day dreaming. "Yugi…little one…I don't want to hold you back from seeing your friends, let alone lie to them further." He said softly. I knew it was supposed to reassure me, he didn't want me to lie for his benefit. I couldn't help thinking he was ashamed of me for lying and my heart immediately sank because of it.

However, before I could be honest, Joey had already accepted my answer. "Alright then man, tomorrow then!" he shouted as he walked off down the school hallway.

It's fine Yami. I want you to get some rest. I said to him softly. This time I could listen to him sleep.

Back at home I walked over to one of the game shop counters. I picked up a randomly placed game and put it in its correct spot. "There…I rearranged." I laughed softly at my bad little joke and warmth filled my body as Yami smiled faintly at it. Well now Yugi…don't be smart now he said playfully. I walked along the cold wood floor of the house and up the stair, nearly tipping on the final steps I was moving so quickly. I walked into my room and immediately, Yami came out of my body and as a simple spirit.

"You look beat Yami" I said softly. "You really need some rest…you deserve this" I said to him softly.

"Right…I don't like taking out of your life, but I do admit that even a good five minutes of sleep would do me a great service" he said softly. I loved listening to him; his voice was so confident and so sure of itself. The words he used and in the order he used them, they were poetic and could be heard more than just the one time it left his kind lips…

A soft rosy hue ran across my cheeks again and I snapped my gaze away from him, knocking my alarm clock off the table, crashing to its final destination on the floor. I jumped up and fell to the ground to pick up the clock, and the few shard of jet black plastic that chipped off the poor alarm clock. This was a relief, it gave me a moment to regain my composure. He may be nice…Yami…but he must remain a friend. That's all he ever could be. I was silly for thinking anything more…

Yami jumped and bent down to help me in an instant. He kneeled down on the ground, picking up a few pieces for himself. I looked up and his beautiful crimson eyes locked with mine for a moment. I felt my finger tips go numb as a shiver ran up my spine. Luckily, I was able to conceal it for the most part. I broke the silence with an awkward chuckle. He smiled too and within seconds the entire room was full of soft chuckles and giggles.

"Alright Yami" I smirked as I placed the broken alarm clock (broken in the sense that it was damaged, it still worked) on the bedside table. "Shall we combine so that you can get some rest?" I suggested softly and he confirmed my accusation with a soft nod.

His spirit walked right into my body, sending a forceful rush of cold air throughout my entire body. I shivered harshly and nodded. "Alright, ready" I spoke softly. The idea of blacking out before scared me. Now I could be able to see what was going on now that Yami and I could be spirits to each other.

Before I knew it, I was inside my soul room. Sitting on the floor with mild interest, I didn't plan on being here long. Yami clambered into my bed, I felt him shiver as he pulled the bed sheets tightly around his body. I waited for a short while before I listened carefully. Yami's breaths seemed longer…deeper. He seemed in more of a relaxed state of mind. He was asleep for sure.

I pulled myself free of my soul room, walking out and looking curiously at his soul room door, shut tight. I touched the door frame for a moment. It was cold and sent shivers down my sides the cold metal seemingly glaring at me. The golden eye insignia on it frightened me a bit as it stared me down. I flinched as I looked back at it, turning away and going back into my own soul room. It was definitely friendlier in there.

I thought amongst myself for a bit, before trying to gather up the strength to leave my brightly colored room. There were small toys and puzzles astray on the equally bright carpet. I shrugged slowly; the toys were of no interest to me now. I had Yami on my mind again. My Yami…no…just Yami, he will never be mine.

I made the decision to leave the soul room to watch Yami sleep peacefully. It felt a bit awkward as I left my body, in a sense. I watched him for a bit, it was as I expected. Coming out of my own body made my tired too…already…I was weak. I sighed inwardly at my own weakness but stared down at Yami's sleeping form in awe. He looked so peaceful; he was finally able to be at ease.

I was dead wrong.

Just as I thought he would be okay, he shook his head slowly. I cocked my head curiously, bad dream? I wasn't sure. He clenched his eyes tightly shut and rolled over on to his back. His large hands wrapped around my pillow case, crushing the weak feathers with a strong, tightly woven fist, his knuckles turning stark white from how much pressure he put into them. My eyes widened gradually. "Yami?" I called out to him softly, afraid that by waking him up; he would be worried that he scared me. To be honest, he was scaring me.

He mumbled inaudible words into my pillow. I wish I could have heard him. He was cringing and shivering. I could see part of his face now. I wish I hadn't. He looked like he was in pain, anguish more likely. So much misery…he couldn't even avoid it in his peaceful dreaming. Pity struck me hard and made my chest heavy. I needed to wake him, I had to.

I reached forward to touch him, glancing down to a pale shaky hand, wait…that was my own. The world around me disappeared, my vision was fading. Before I knew it, I was on the ground. I needed back in my body, but I needed to wake Yami, I couldn't let him suffer anymore.

You're too weak. A voice, all to familiar, hissed into my head. It was my own thoughts, tearing me apart and weighing me down. My conscience was a frightening being. "You shut up" I whispered under my breath. "I can handle this" I snapped back again. I shuddered softly, my inner thoughts were laughing at me. I didn't like it. You cannot do anything…you are useless, to yourself and to the one who is suffering. He is your friend and he suffers behind you, just inches away from you grasp. You…you are nothing. Worthless. Yami would have been better off without you.

I didn't want to admit it, but I was afraid. I was afraid my inner thoughts were right. Maybe I was useless. Yami would have been better off without me. The more I repeated it in my head, the more I found it to be true. It was true. I told myself that. I beat myself up mentally almost everyday, my inner thoughts had won. They had succeeded in talking me into thinking I was nothing to anyone. That was my last thought before I passed out. My spirit dispersing into beads of lights, sucked back into my body and into my soul room.

Darkness.

I really was nothing…I couldn't save him. I couldn't help him.

Yami woke, sometime later. Beads of cold sweat slid down his temples. He placed his hand to his head and cursed softly to himself. His eyes burst open when he felt my presence was weak. "…Yugi?" his voice came into my head. It was etched with worry and concern, but I couldn't hear him. I was out cold in my soul room. He allowed my body to sleep soundly as he retreated into the soul rooms. He glanced into mine, and there I was. He let out a soft sigh of relief and walked over to my bed, carefully avoiding the obstacle course of toys.

He kneeled down to the level of the bed, placing his hand on my forehead. My breathing was slow, but Yami was very much aware that I was not just asleep, but actually fainted. He shook his head slowly, closing his eyes for a moment. He must have come out to watch me. He assumed. He was immediately frightened that Yugi saw him dreaming. He bit his lower lip gently. He had to have seen him react to his dream; why else would he struggle to remain a spirit out of his body? He tried to wake him, but Yami couldn't wake at the time. He sighed again, not out of shame of Yugi, but of himself. Yugi had fainted because he couldn't fall out of the dream, couldn't hear Yugi's voice. He would return the favor to Yugi. He would be sure Yugi would be okay too, as Yugi had tried so hard to do for him.

It was at that moment, he could consider Yugi a true friend to him. Yugi was wrong about Yami. While Yami cared about Yugi very much, Yugi had made himself believe that he was worthless to him. That Yami would be better off without him.

They had a strong feeling of friendship for one another, but they didn't even know.

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W00t! longest chapter yet oh yes…plot thickens within the next couple chapters. Hooray! Hope everyone had a good thanksgiving.

I also hope your holiday season is happy :D happy Chrismahauniquanica (dunno how to spell it XD) and if you celebrate another holiday around this time, enjoy that too. I'll be posting at least ONE more chapter before Christmas rolls around for me, probably 2 more at least.

Please R&R thanks X3