Disclaimer: I'm fed up of writing these…I still don't own it!

Chapter 7

Yugi wondered for hours round the lonely streets not really caring where he was going. He walked with his head down staring at the grey slabs of pavement but not really paying them much attention. His thoughts were centred on the events that had transpired so far.

He didn't blame Yami for the order but rather he blamed himself for being too eager to see him as much as he could knowing that Joey didn't like it but he never guessed Joey would spy on him and then lie to the police about it.

He stopped and took a look around him; he was surprised to note that his wondering had led him to Yami's apartment block and slowly he climbed the steps.

Surprisingly the door was ajar and Yugi pushed it and walked through before leaving the door exactly as he had found it. He climbed the stairs and walked along the corridor to his koi's front door.

He looked in surprise at the yellow tape that was across the door it read 'keisatsu sen no-sankyu kurosu' (Police line – do not cross) Yugi frowned and tried the door. Finding it unlocked and thinking that the police were tardy by not locking the door, he climbed through the yellow tape and went into the room.

Finding the room empty he made his way over to the bed exhaustion claiming him. He lay down and snuggled into the sheets taking in Yami's scent and allowing it to soothe him to sleep. Tomorrow he would speak with the landlord and see if he could take over the apartment from Yami. He didn't really expect him to agree but he could at least try. Here in this dingy place was the essence of his koi and if he couldn't have the real thing this would have to do.

Breathing deeply and closing his eyes, he could almost imagine Yami lying there with him, his arms protectively round him and with that slightly comforting feeling, Yugi fell asleep.

The following morning he woke early and left the apartment making a beeline for the police station. He walked into reception and rang the bell. A tired looking policeman came to the desk and leaned on it, he had obviously been up all night and was just about to knock off for the day.

"Can I help you?" He asked and Yugi nodded.

"Yes I want to see Yami Aomori please." He said but the officer shook his head.

"I'm sorry no visitors allowed especially not at seven in the morning, you'll have to come back later."

Yugi's face fell. "What time?" he wanted to know.

The officer shrugged. The lad could come back a midnight for all he cared all he wanted to do was go home to his bed. It had been a long night and he'd had enough.

Shoulders drooping, Yugi left the station and made his way back to Yami's apartment. He knew he needed to talk to the landlord about staying but he didn't know which flat he or she lived in so he'd have to wait until he saw someone who lived there and ask them. Or he could ask Yami about it when he saw him, if he ever saw him, he thought.

He wondered if he could do Yami's job for him while this whole thing was sorted out, that would give him a little money to pay his way and keep the landlord happy.

He figured he might have a few days before he was discovered so maybe he could sort everything out before then. He mused that he looked so much like Yami that he might even pass off as him to someone who didn't really know but he would have to be careful. Maybe if he asked Yami what his rent day was he could pretend to be him and just carry on as normal as far as he was concerned.

Feeling a bit better Yugi made himself some noodles to eat in the tiny kitchenette and when he was done he lay back down and fell asleep again hoping that if he went back later, the officers would let him see Yami for a few minutes.

Yami lay on his bed absentmindedly counting the cracks in the grey concrete ceiling. His thoughts drifted to Yugi and wondered what he was doing at the moment. He hoped his aibou wasn't too worried about him and blamed himself for not being more firm with him about seeing him. How could he do that though? Yugi had looked so desperate he couldn't turn him away and it hadn't been either of their faults that they had been discovered. He wondered what Yugi had said to Joey last night and whether he was still there. Above all he hoped that they would allow Yugi to see him here.

He doubted it though, if the order forbid him from seeing Yugi at all then how was here any different? And he wanted to see him so badly. Still Yugi had promised to try and do something to help and he had faith in his aibou's resourcefulness.

A key rattled in the lock of the solid steel door of his cell, solid apart from the tiny square in the top, which allowed the guards to see him. The door opened and an officer entered carrying a tray of food.

"Breakfast." Was all he said before leaving and locking the door behind him.

Yami looked at the tray and made a face. He had hated prison food and this promised to be no better but he was hungry and knew he had to stay strong for Yugi so he picked the tray up and inspected its contents.

There was a cup of lukewarm green tea, and a bowl of equally lukewarm rice. He shrugged and ate it quickly wishing it were Miso soup, which he loved. (AN: Miso soup is a traditional Japanese breakfast food)

He ate and drank everything and made up his mind that whatever happened, he would comply fully with the police and take whatever happened in his stride. He knew in spite of everything, that one day he and Yugi would be free to live their lives out happily and that it would be in a different place far away from here just like they had planned.

Yugi arrived back at the police station having waited for as long as he could before trying again. He pushed the door and walked into the reception area ringing the bell again.

A kind faced policewoman came from behind her desk and looked at the short spiky haired man on the other side of the counter.

"How can I help you?" She asked giving him a friendly smile.

"Please, I would like to see Yami Aomori." Yugi said his voice almost pleading.

"I'll go and see if he is allowed visitors." She said kindly and disappeared through a door at the back of the reception area. Yugi sat down on one of the plastic chairs.

His gave roamed round the room before coming to rest on a poster that read, 'Domestic violence – don't be a victim we are here to help.'

Yugi turned away from the poster thinking that of they really wanted to help him, they would let him see his koi. Surely they could see he wasn't dangerous anymore? He wished they could see what he did. Yami had paid for what he had done physically and mentally. Yami had confessed to him that he had been reliving the awful memories of the past and it had been his way of punishing himself. Yugi had held him close and begged him not to torture himself anymore and Yami had promised he wouldn't.

"Excuse me?" A voice said and Yugi jumped having been lost in his thoughts. He got up and approached the desk where the kindly officer from before was waiting.

"Can I see him?" he asked his voice full of eagerness.

"What is your name?" She asked and Yugi told her.

"Won't be a minute." She said and disappeared through the door again.

Yugi didn't bother to sit down again and merely waited where he was. His anticipation of being able to talk to Yami again was growing by the minute. His hopes were dashed however when, the officer came back through the door with a sad look on her face.

"I'm truly sorry Yugi but we can't allow a visitation from you." She watched Yugi's face fall as the excitement faded and was engulfed in a wave of despair.

"Please, I need to see him." he all but begged. "Can I not see him even if someone is present? I need to see him so badly you have no idea…" he trailed off and looked that the officer imploringly. Her heart melted and she leaned forwards slightly.

"Let me see what I can do." She said kindly and left through the door again.

Yugi shuffled his feet and fidgeted while he waited for her to come back hoping she would bring good news.

The officer faced her sergeant as they discussed the situation.

"He really needs to see him sir, is there any chance he could with guards present? He seemed so lost when I told him he couldn't"

The sergeant sighed.

"It would have to be very brief then, he could appeal to a judge to allow him special visits in the future until he goes back to court. I think I would like to hear the recent events in his own words after all, the only evidence we have is the word of one man and the fact we found them together. I don't know whether Aomori contacted him or not but I want to get to the bottom of this before it goes to court."

"I'll sort everything then sir." She said pleased that she would be able to cheer up the young man at the desk whom she had taken an instant liking to. She had also liked Aomori when she first met him but his file said he was dangerous and first impressions were not always right. Still she had a feeling all was not right about the statement given by Mr Wheeler when he came in. He had said Aomori had attacked him and then grabbed Mr Motou and ran off with him. Something didn't click and She had noted that there were no injuries on Mr Wheeler at all. Still they had to act on his report and the two had indeed been found together but was Mr Motou there by force or was he there willingly? She had read through the paperwork on the case earlier and his reaction certainly hadn't indicated that he was forced to stay there but maybe he was just protecting Aomori. She had no answers really and walked off down the hall to get two of her colleges to take Aomori from his cell and to an interview room.

She arrived back at the desk and smiled at Yugi who seemed to have frozen in time not having moved at all since she had left him.

"Follow me Yugi you can see Yami Aomori for a short while only and then you must leave but there is someone who would like a word with you first.

"Thank you." Yugi breathed almost unable to contain his excitement and followed the policewoman down the hall.

"By the way Mr Motou please call me Shanti." She said and he smiled at her.

"And please call me Yugi." He said. They stopped outside a door and Shanti turned to Yugi.

"Before we go in I must ask that you don't make any sort of physical contact with him, if you do it could jeopardise you chances of being granted visitation rights if you choose to appeal to a judge."

Yugi nodded sad that he couldn't touch even Yami's hand but glad to be seeing him again.

Shanti opened the door and they went in. She indicated a chair across the table from Yami who had looked up happiness flashing across his face at the sight of his aibou.

Yugi sat and put his hands in his lap so he wouldn't be tempted to reach out and grab his koi's hand.

"Thank you for coming Aibou." Yami said smiling at Yugi who smiled back.

"I couldn't not come and see you even if it is only for five minutes." He said a little sadly.

"What happened when you went home last night?"

"I told Joey I never wanted to see him again and a true friend would have stuck by me no matter what my choice is." Yugi said still angry at his former friend.

Yami nodded understanding but at the same time not blaming Joey for his actions.

"He did what he thought was right at the time Aibou, you can't blame him for that."

"Oh I don't really it's just that now I can't be with you at all." He said and hung his head. Yami read the underlying meaning in Yugi's words perfectly and nodded.

"I know Aibou but we must be strong. Where are you staying now?"

"Never mind that." Yugi said quickly, not wanting to tell Yami that he was at the bedsit the time for that would be later. "I'm going to launch an appeal to get the restriction order lifted."

Yami nodded gratefully wondering why on earth he deserved such a wonderful person as Yugi who loved him so much. He made up his mind that when he got out of here and they could be together, that he would make it up to him in a million ways.

Shanti came over and touched Yugi gently on the shoulder.

"Time to leave Yugi." She said a little sad that five minutes was all they could have. The more she saw this prisoner, the less she though he was likely to attack anyone especially when she saw the love expressed in his eyes.

"Bye Yami my koi." Yugi said turning to face Yami and seeing tears beginning to form in the other's eyes. "Be strong, I'll get you out."

"I will Aibou." Yami said and watched as he was led out the room.

"Come on let's go." Said one of the guards and led Yami back to his cell clanging the door shut behind him and locking it.

Only when Yami reached his bed and lay down on it did he allow the tears to escape as he wished for the millionth time that he had never taken that first drink all those years ago.

TBC…