Disclaimer: I don't own Yugi-Oh.


---Rating: PG13---
"" is talking
~ ~ is for thinking and reminiscing
** is for coughs or sighs
--- --- is for mental conversations or mental voices
--"( )"- Sacred Ancient language used by Shadi
--( )-Same as language except in mental conversation.
"+++++++++++" - Usually a language that is spoken by someone but the person listening doesn't understand.

---MAJOR WARNINGS---
Yaoi - As in homosexuality - gay
Cursing

CHAPTER TWENTY TWO - Of Monsters and Love

"I know you're there."

Yami paused in mid reach, annoyed and amazed all at once.

Beautiful violet eyes turned to face him, laughing she reached for his hand and held it.

"How did you know my love?"

"I always will know, after all we are fated to be together Yami."

Yami frowned. "You play with death every time you call me that, my love. My name should be spoken but none but the High Priest and myself."

"You would put me to death for something so trivial, my love?" she whispered coming closer, almost close enough to kiss

"Yugi" Yami murmured, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Don't leave me"

"I'll never leave you" she whispered back "not even if the world was ending."

~~~~~~~~

Yami opened his eyes, sweating furiously. That dream! What?

Sitting up he stared into the darkness. Who had that woman been? And why had he called her 'his love?'

~A better question, why did you call her Yugi?!~

Shaking, Yami battled the longing in stomach. To be back there in that dream

~Why did I call her Yugi?~

Had Malik's punching destroyed what was left of his mind?

~Who was she?~

Standing, shakily he made his way to the pool and washed his face, staring at his reflection. The moon flickered in it too.

~I didn't notice that before~

~That there was a skylight right over us~

"Yami?" a small voice said on the other side of the pool. Glancing up he saw Yugi standing there. It had been two days and there were now no signs of Malik's abuse on Yugi's chest.

"Yes?" Yami asked, rubbing the water from his eyes. "Why aren't you asleep?"

Yugi shrugged nonchalantly. Yami's personality had become quiet, easier to talk to since their last run in with Malik. "I heard you get up. Want company?"

Yami smirked sending a shiver down Yugi's spine. Yami was actually smiling as well (if smirking could be called smiling). These past two days had been quiet and subsequently they both had simply, rested. Malik was not calling on Yami anymore, Ai told them that he was preoccupied with excavating the passageway Yugi had opened. Apparently he wanted more Shadow Monsters and they were all shut down there, waiting to be released. How, they weren't too sure but Yugi didn't care. He and Yami had just existed together. Actually talking. Not about much - but it sure beat being scowled at by the older teen.

Yami continued to smirk and stood up. "Are you sure you won't use that puzzle and go home?

Yugi smiled back softly and shook his head. "I want to go home Yami but I want to get you out as well."

Yami gave him an odd look. "You're annoying when you start that bullshit, kid."

Yugi began circling the pool, smiling at Yami's mock insult. "It's who I am I don't want you to get hurt anymore."

Yami watched him come closer, the dream suddenly springing to mind. Despite himself he flushed furiously and headed back to his bed. "Forget about me and go home."

"I can't by myselfyou were out of it weren't you? - I need at least two more millennium items. It doesn't matter anyway" Yugi whispered, taking Yami's hand. "I'm not going to leave you."

Yami pulled his hand away gently and looked away. "I'm not worth your care." He made to get in the bed but Yugi threw his arms around Yami's waist

"Don't say that!" Yugi pleaded. "You are worth it, you are!"

Yami's stomach clenched. This feeling

Exactly like the dream.

Suddenly afraid of the emotions cursing through his veins he detangled himself from Yugi's hug and hurried through the door leading to the outside corridor, leaving Yugi staring after him sadly.

***************

"Yugi!"

Yugi mumbled and tried to turn over.

"Yugi! Wake up!"

"Let me sleep Shadi" Yugi mumbled in annoyance.

"Yugi, you are summoned by Malik. It's time for your Black Magician to be put to use."

Yugi jumped up in fear. The two days being left alone had dulled caution and now at the mention of Malik, adrenaline began to pump through his veins. "I don't want to go Shadi." He whimpered in trepidation.

"Yami is already there with the card, the Black Magician cannot be summoned without you or the puzzle. Malik has threatened to hurt Yami if you do not come now."

Yugi jumped up, needing no more goading.

~I'm coming Yami!~

***************


"What's taking that brat so long!?" Malik growled, pacing in front of the archway in irritation.

"Hopefully he grew a brain and escaped." Yami said dryly, crossing his arms and looking bored.

Malik shot him a contemptuous glare but did not reply.

"Yami!" Yugi shouted, running up from behind them.

Yami sighed. Of course Yugi would show up, of course the little idiot wouldn't run away.

~Stupid, beautiful little idiot~

Yugi stopped beside Yami and looked reproachfully at Malik who smiled nastily. "How is the injury little Yugi? I trust two days was enough to heal?"

"What do you want with Black Magician, Malik?" Yami cut in, pushing Yugi behind him.

"We've reached the monsters, I'd much rather not have to take on all of them with my millennium rod so I think the Black Magician should be sufficiently powerful to keep you safe with the help of a magical item or two?" Malik explained. "Release the monsters by touching the tablets with the pictures on them. The stupider ones may try to attack you, this is where the Black Magician will step in of course."

A white robed figure came up and held out a box to Yami. Yami instantly recognized it to be the horn of unicorn and took it.

"Get to work, tell them all to come down the passageway, the Spellcasters will obey Black Magician, as will as the Fiends but perhaps the others will requireconvincing." Malik finished.

"Why can't you do your own fucking dirty work?" Yami growled. "And how do you know I won't use them against you?"

Malik fingered his millennium rod thoughtfully. "Would you prefer to do this operation as a zombie, Yami? If so, keep talking."

Yami bristled.

Yugi tugged at Yami's hand and Yami glanced down at him to see two pleading eyes. Sighing, he held up the Black Magician card and glared at it. "Would you mind coming out?"

The card was silent and Yami was about to loose him temper when the Black Magician was suddenly standing there, bristling at Malik like a cat being held over water. Hate was very obvious in his cold blue eyes. Yami and Yugi turned to enter the passageway and slightly surprised, the Black Magician turned to follow them, still shooting angry glances at Malik who merely smirked and sat down to wait.

"Humans" the Black Magician grumbled, glaring at the passageway and then paused. "...I know this place."

"That's nice to know, are you coming?" Yami snapped behind him and the Black Magician glowered at the boy. Yugi stepped between them and tried to smooth out his feelings.

"He doesn't like this anymore than you do Black Magician, please help us?"

Black Magician frowned at Yugi. "Why are you coming down here, are you planning to awaken the monsters?"

Yugi nodded. "Please? Malik will hurt Yami if you don't."

The Black Magician's frown deepened. "I still don't believe that runt is my Pharaoh."

Yugi sighed. "Please?" he asked desperately and the Black Magician's expression softened.

"Very well, but you will all regret this, the Pharaoh had a good reason for sealing these monsters."

Yugi nodded and hurried after Yami who by this time was far ahead in the passageway.

***************

"It's getting colder." Yugi whispered.

Yami nodded, glancing irritably at the carvings on the wall. "What did that idiot say we were supposed to do?"

"Touch the carvings." Yugi offered, chuckling slightly at Yami's terminology.

Yami frowned up at a giant carving of what he suspected was the Stern Mystic. "Fine" He touched the carving with his palm, not really expecting anything. He was needless to say, very startled when the carving burned a bright gold and then

"Black Magician" the old Spellcaster said grouchily. "What's this about?" He stood there, leaning heavily on a stick and glaring up at the Black Magician who looked slightly nervous.

"I'm not sure" Black Magician replied, shooting an annoyed glance at Yami as if this whole matter was his fault.

"I thought the Pharaoh sealed uswho are these children? Come to collect monsters?" the Stern Mystic asked, narrowing grouchy eyes at Yami and Yugi. Yugi shrank back but Yami just glared stubbornly back at the old man. He'd seen teacher's scarier than this old cooke.

"I haven't come to collect anything, you are to go down the corridor and out the exit." Yami ordered.

The Stern Mystic looked affronted. "Excuse me!? I'll have you know"

"Do as he says, old man" the Magician said grouchily. "Please." He added as if an afterthought.

The Stern Mystic looked even more insulted but headed down the corridor, muttering incoherent, indignant sounds.

"Who's next" Yami said bored, looking about him.

Three hours later and much cursing, insults, jibes from various Fiends and howls from the various Beast Monsters (a Skull Red Bird tried to take a part of Yami's arm with her) they finally came to a large carving of -

"Black Magician girl!?" Yugi said surprised.

Black Magician choked.

Yami gave the Magician half a glance of curiosity and touched the carving with his palm. The carving glowed and Black Magician girl stood there, looking very startled. Yugi beamed up at her. She had always been very cute and pretty on the card and in real life she was just as cute.

"YOU BASTARD!"

Yugi sweat dropped and stared at the Black Magician who was holding a stinging cheek and gaping at the fuming Black Magician girl who was rubbing an equally stinging hand.

Yami actually looked amused.

"HOW COULD YOU!? YOU JUSTYOU JUST!" she continued to rage, hitting the Black Magician again and again with tiny-balled fists. Her pretty little face was contorted with anger but then suddenly her voice cracked and she leaned into his armour. "you just left me. Sealed me away with everyone else"

The Black Magician gingerly wrapped an arm around her and let her cry.

Yugi watched the touching (if extremely bizarre) scene, with wide eyes. Yami pulled him away and they continued down the corridor alone.

"That was strange" Yami murmured. "Who knew Duel Monsters fell in love?"

"I always thought they were meant to be together, actually." Yugi said cheerfully.

At that moment the both realized that Yami still had Yugi's hand in his own. Blushing furiously, they pulled away, Yami coughing an apology and Yugi looking softly at his hand.

Yami released Dancing Fairy (who all giggled and tried to play with his hair); it only took a shout on his part to get them going. Yugi was kissed on the cheek by the last one and he blushed furiously.

"Uh-oh." Yami said suddenly.

"What?" Yugi asked, coming up behind him (he'd just released Bubonic Vermin who didn't look in the least bit Bubonic and who scuttled away down the corridor - suddenly splitting into two and then three).

"Recognize this one?" Yami whispered.

Yugi gazed up in shock at the massive carving, realising what Yami was talking about. "Summoned Skull."

"I think this would classify as one of the dangerous monsters." Yami murmured.

"Summoned Skull is unpredictable." The Black Magician said behind them. Yugi and Yami turned to face him; Yugi was pleased to see that the Black Magician girl had not left his side. "But perhaps we can resolve this without a fight. Release him."

Yami complied and stepped back, placing himself in front of Yugi. The Black Magician did the same to the Magician girl who smiled kindly at Yugi. Yugi again found himself blushing.

Then -

Summoned Skull was leering down at them, uttering a long, low growl. It's fierce eyes fixed upon the Black Magician with great dislike.

"But we served the Pharaoh together" Black Magician answered back. "Comrades."

Summoned Skull gave an odd wheezing sound which Yugi realized to be laughing and with liquid grace struck out at the Black Magician, who pushed the Black Magician girl out of the way just in time. Summoned Skull's claws raked the Black Magician across the chest and side and threw him back; he hit a wall with a dull thud and slid to the ground, struggling to stand.

"I thought they were equal!?" Yugi cried out in confusion, gripping Yami's arm tightly.

Yami frowned. They were equal in attack butwhat if the Black Magician had been in defense?

The Black Magician girl had thrown herself in between the two male monsters. "STOP IT! SKULL WHY ARE YOU BEING THIS WAY!??" she cried unhappily.

Summoned Skull glared down at her, his expression softening. He uttered a low growl.

The Black Magician girl gaped at him in shock. "How could youhate him?"

Summoned Skull's eyes went wild again and he snarled something else.

She clenched her eyes shut. "No! I won'tI won't move!"

"Girl! No!" The Black Magician shouted, desperation apparent in his voice. "Move!"

Black Magician girl turned tender eyes to gaze at the Black Magician. "Never."

Yami froze.

~She sounds just like Yugi~

"Yami!" Yugi cried. "Help her! The unicorn horn!"

Summoned Skull snorted and the air crackled with electricity. Yami snapped out of his trance and pulled the long box out of his robe.

"Black Magician girl!" he shouted and threw the box at her. She caught it in surprise, realization dawning on her.

Summoned Skull attacked, throwing his lightening bolt at both the Black Magicians. The blast sent Yugi and Yami back against the wall, where Yami stood shielding the younger teen.

Yugi clung to Yami's arm, heart hammering in his chest. "Yami?" he whimpered. "Isare they?"

The smoke cleared and revealed Summoned Skull lying unconscious and defeated on the ground with the Black Magician girl standing over him, her staff glowing pure white.
Satisfied that the fiend was unconscious, she dropped her weapon and ran to the Black Magician, sobbing frantically.

"Blackare you alright?" she whispered, pulling him close to her and cradling his head. Tears ran freely down her face.

Yami and Yugi huddled in beside her, both anxious at the fate of the Magician.

He groaned and tried to sit up. "I'm finethose claws hurt"

The Black Magician girl gave a cry of relief and flung her arms around his shoulders, hugging him as gently as she could. Still crying, she glared at him. "Don't you DARE tell me to stop protecting you ever again!" she scolded.

Black Magician's wince of pain softened and he gently stroked her cheek. "Forgive me."

Yami stood shakily. "I've had enoughLet's go back. Malik should have enough now."

Yugi agreed and stood. "Magician needs help."

***************

"That HURTS girl!" Black Magician barked as the Black Magician girl gingerly applied some magic remedy to his wounds.

"Well, if you would just STOP moving!" Black Magician girl snapped back in annoyance.

Yugi watched with considerable glee as the Black Magician girl deftly kept down her male counterpart with her knee and treated his wounds as if she were very used to the whole event.

Malik, to say the least, had been pleased. All the monsters that they had gathered were now scattered in various parts of the underground building, all attended to by the white robed figures who, Yugi was now pretty sure, were the embodiments of Magic cards.
Malik was most pleased with Summoned Skull (who had been locked away); they could still hear his roaring from somewhere deep underground.

"You're hardly done however, the moment Black Magician is fit you are going back in there." Malik had growled and stalked off, followed by the Dancing Fairy troop who were adamant to get into his hair even if it meant death to do so.

So here they were, trying their very best to drag out Black Magician's recovery, if only to get rest. Yugi liked the Black Magician girl; she was easy to get along with and usually dealt with the Black Magician's grumpiness by kissing him soundly and thus ruining his aloof image. Yami merely watched the entire proceedings, rarely saying anything.

Yugi wondered about his silence but did not question him.

Yami on the other hand was thinking deeply on how the Black Magician girl had been so willing to throw her life away to save the Black Magician. She had sounded almost exactly like Yugi

When Yugi was talking about him or protecting him from Malik as best he could.

His gaze fell on the smaller tri-coloured haired teen who was laughing at the Magician couple's antics. Ever since his parents had died, he had not received affection or love from anyone - no one had really cared about him, only about who he was and what he was supposed to become.

No one had...

Until Yugi.

His mind wandered back to the night he had kissed Yugi's hand. He hardly knew what had possessed him but at that moment, just touching Yugi had become irresistible. When Malik had wounded Yugi again, he had felt fear. Fear that Yugi might die, that he might loose him.

Loose Yugi.

The thought was suddenly so unbearable that his chest hurt.

~And to think that at one point you couldn't bear him~

~NoI think~

~I don't think I ever hated the little runt~

~I envied him - him and his stupid, kind heart~

He glanced at Yugi again, who was now helping Ai to bandage the Magician's chest, under the worried fussing of the Magician girl.

~Yugiyou make me feel so strange~

Yugi caught his gaze and beamed at him. And despite himself, Yami smiled back.

~So strangeand yet I wouldn't give it up for the world~

***************

"What are they doing in there?" Tea asked Solomon and stared irritably at the heavy wooden doors blocking them from Isis.

"Isis has to convince them that the need for opening the gateway is great." Solomon replied heavily.

Tea noted his tone and gently patted him on the shoulder. "We'll find him Solomon-san."

Solomon heaved a heavy sigh. "I almost lost him in the hospitalto loose him again"

Joey and Triston came up at that moment, both guzzling figs at a rapid rate. Tea glared at them disdainfully.

"We'll find him, old man." Joey assured Solomon genuinely. "You'll see!"

Tea's glare turned into a soft smile. Joey's unbridled optimism was contagious. Solomon chirped up, wiping his eyes. "Yes, of course we'll find him! Just a matter of believing."

"That's the spirit!" Tea said happily just as the great doors opened and Isis stood there.

Everyone turned as one to hear what she had to say.

"They will grant us passage. But it will take at least a day to find where they are in the Shadow Realm." Isis said quickly. "Solomon - "

Solomon perked up at his named.

"They will need you, as you are the closest blood relative and therefore linked to the Chosen One. Will you come with me?" she gestured back to the door she had come from and they both entered. The doors closed behind them.

"And just what are we supposed to do!?" Tea huffed angrily.

"Fig?" Triston offered, holding one under her nose.

***************

"Ro Sham BoHAI!"

"Ha!" Yugi cried triumphantly, covering Yami's fist with his outstretched palm. "Paper covers rock, you loose!"

Yami raised an eyebrow at Yugi's hand. "Wonderful, one out of ten. A real winning streak you got going there." He said sarcastically.

Black Magician snorted with laughter and Black Magician girl jabbed him in his side, he grunted in pain, stopping his laugh. Ai smirked, truly glad to see them so comfortable with each other.

"So!?" Yugi was pouting. "When we get out of here, I'm challenging you to a duel! We'll see who is the best then."

"If I remember correctly I was kicking your butt the last time" Yami began but trailed off at Yugi's haunted expression.

Hurriedly, he stood up. "I'm sorry" he muttered. "I'm " he headed for the curtained room and disappeared within.

The Black Magician and Black Magician girl watched his departure in confusion. Yugi jumped up and followed Yami, disappearing behind the curtain as well.

"What was that about?" Black Magician girl whispered, leaning her head against the Magician's shoulder. He pulled her in a tight embrace, careful of his sides. "A long story"

Ai allowed them their privacy and left, shooting a worried glance at the tapestry curtain.

***************


"Why did you follow me?" Yami growled dangerously from his sitting position on the floor.

"You're upset." Yugi replied simply.

"No, I'm not." Yami snapped back. "Get out."

"It's alright, Yami, about that day I've forgiven you"

"Forgiven me!" Yami yelled, whirling his head to stare at Yugi. "FORGIVEN ME!?"

Yugi winced, as Yami's voice grew louder from rage.

"HOW ARE YOU SO DAMN SURE I WON'T PUNCH YOU AGAIN!??" Yami snarled, jumping up and glaring down at Yugi who flinched but refused to move.

"I PUNCTURED YOUR GODDAM LUNGS! AND NOW YOU JUST SIT HERE BESIDE ME PLAYING ROCK PAPER SISSORS!? WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU!??" Yami continued to yell, his voice becoming louder with every word. He shoved Yugi back; Yugi stumbled, almost falling and gazed up at him in fear.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN FORGIVE ME!?" Yami raged on. He gripped Yugi's shoulder and shook him. "YOU AFRAID OF ME NOW!? HUH!?"

Yugi took the abuse silently, tears welding up his eyes.

"AND NOW YOU'RE FUCKING CRYING! YOU'RE ALWAYS CRYING! YOU GODDAM" Yami's voice cracked suddenly. "Why the hell won't you stop trying to be my friend? Why the hell do you keeptrying?"

His voice broke completely and he collapsed to his knees, heaving a jagged sob.

Yami was crying.

Yugi couldn't believe it. Speechless, he wrapped his arms around Yami's head and pulled him close to him, allowing Yami to cry out all his pain, anger and despair that had been building in his heart since his parents had died. He cried and cried and Yugi did the only thing he could do.

He held him until Yami wore himself out.

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Yami whispered into the fabric of Yugi's clothing, his voice exhausted from crying. "I'm not worth it."

Yugi shook his head, his own tears flowing freely. "You areyou arebelieve me"

Yami pulled him down to the cushions, arms tightly around his waist. "You don't know me"

Yugi ran a hand gently through Yami's hair. "I doI do without even knowing how"

"Don't leave me" Yami whispered, his voice weary. "Juststay with me"

"I'll never leave you" Yugi whispered into Yami's hair. "not even if the world was ending."


----------------
to be continued

Well good news ^^ I managed to resolve all the problems In this chappie which means - yup^^! Romance next chapterI hope..o.oOh, the dream at the top will be explained later.

I hope Yami's transition isn't going too fast for some people. God knows I've been rereading this damn thing 10 - 20 times and it seems all right(sweats)

Well just in case i dont update before Christmas...

Merry Christmas everyone!! May your holiday be joyful and peaceful! (if anyone wants to see a YugiOh christmas pic you can visit my site at geocities.com/dark_game_addiction !