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.
- Dream Sequence

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

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR – It Okay to Cry

Dream Sequence


"Oh Yami, you hurt your hand!?"

A four -year-old Yami, looked up at his mother, his face screwed up in pain. It was taking every mental effort he had to be strong and not cry in front of her. Big boys did not cry. Daddy had said so.

His mother, a strawberry blond with deep crimson eyes knelt down and held her arms wide. Without hesitation, the little boy threw himself against her and she wrapped his arms around him while making gentle cooing sounds.

"If it hurts, it's okay to cry, Yami…" his mother told him gently, rubbing his back. "It's okay to cry if you have a reason…"

"But daddy said…" Yami whimpered, he could already feel the tears welling in his eyes; there was a lump in his throat trying to choke him. He swallowed painfully.

"It's okay to cry if you have a reason." His mother said firmly, leaning back so she could look into the eyes that were a carbon copy of her own. With the gentle tenderness of a mother, she lifted his hand up and examined, it taking a deep breathe at the same time. It was really, a very nasty cut.

Unable to take it anymore and reassured by his mother's words that it was okay to cry, Yami sank once more into her secure embrace and cried away the pain while his mother rocked him gently.

End dream sequence


Yugi gasped and opened his eyes. Had he just dreamed about Yami and his mother? He wasn't sure HOW he knew that the blond woman was Yami's mother, he just knew. Trying to ignore the dull ache at the base of his spine, Yugi sat up gingerly, wondering what time it was. He yawned and instinctively reached for the puzzle around his neck, and had an immediate panic attack when he realized that it was missing. It took him ten seconds of feverish searching, before he finally remembered that he had given the puzzle to Yami. At the same time, all the memories of the previous night rushed back to him, turning his face deep crimson.

They had…

If someone had told him three weeks ago that he would be making love to the same teenager who had slammed him in a locker, then broken one of his ribs, he would have called them mentally insane. Who could possibly believe that? He still couldn't believe it himself…- He was pretty sure he had liked girls before Yami….

Yugi sat there helplessly, his mind whizzing back and forth on the subject. He was, in love with Yami, he knew that at the very least. And Yami had called him Aibou… he blushed deep red again, fighting back the urge to giggle.

He forced himself to get serious again. Yami had talked of going home… and Yugi wanted nothing more than that at this point. He missed his grandfather and he had exams to take. He was pretty sure they needed at least two other Millennium items to go, but how would they get them?

This question burning at the back of his mind, Yugi looked around for Yami, his eyes squinting in the darkness.

Yami was not there.

Wondering where he was, Yugi painfully put on his shirt, buttoning it with the three buttons that had survived the night's activities and then, pulled on his pants. He desperately wanted a hot bath, the only thing he was sure that would take away the last of the ache. Taking a deep breath, he pushed the curtain aside and stepped out into the larger room, looking around for Yami as he did so.

"Good morning, Yugi."

Yugi's felt his stomach clench in sheer terror. Malik was standing in the middle of the room, his eyes locked on him as if he were a particularly tasty treat he was contemplating eating. An eerie smile that Yugi did not like in the least bit, was tickling the sides of his mouth. Several of his robed followers were standing around him silently, simply watching. Yugi could feel their eyes boring into him, it only served to add fuel the growing panic that surging through him.

"Malik." Yugi managed to choke out, his eyes fell on the millennium rod handing loosely in the sandy haired teen's hand.

"Very good, Yugi…you actually remembered my name." Malik laughed mockingly, his expression said very clearly that he was enjoying Yugi's fear.

Yugi swallowed, acutely aware of how much danger he was in. He no longer had the puzzle…his mind was an open for Malik to take at any second…though the question was…why hadn't he already? Or had he?

"What do you want, Malik?" Yugi said as forcefully as he could manage, considering his stomach had decided to move in with his heart.

Malik seemed to consider him for a while, his leering smile never fading, finally he spoke, his voice a cold purr. "Gee, little Yugi…let's think for a second, shall we? What have I been trying to get for the past, oh I don't know…all my life?"

Furious at Malik's mocking words, Yugi clenched his fists. "You'll never get it now!" Yugi blurted out, more boldly than he felt. "It belongs to Yami! You can't control him anymore, Malik!"

Yugi expected Malik's smile to slip, for cold rage to replace it but Malik's smile simply widened, flaring Yugi's suspicions immediately. Had Malik done something to Yami?

"Wh…what did you do?" was the first thing Yugi blurted out. "You did something to Yami!"

Malik gave Yugi a look of mock surprise that did little to hide the obvious gloating in his eyes. "I thought you just said I couldn't control him anymore, little Yugi?"

Yugi found himself unable to say anything. Malik was up to something, knew something he didn't know. But what was it? Where was Yami? Malik couldn't have taken the puzzle from him could he? The puzzle protected the owner!

Not necessarily, it protected you but you don't know what it'll do for Yami…

But he's the Pharaoh! It HAS to protect him!

Are you that sure Yami's the Pharaoh?

Shadi said…

Love and lust are two very different things, Yugi… A cold voice said, silencing all other the other clamouring voices in his head.

Lust…?

The doubt that was about to consume Yugi, vanished instantly when the huge door behind Malik and his robed followers opened, and none other than Yami himself, stepped inside. He looked extremely impressive in robes jet black silk. Upon entry into the room, Yami's crimson eyes betrayed the slightest glimpse of surprise at the congregation he saw there, but he regained his composure almost immediately.

"Yami!" Yugi cried in relief, longing to run forward to greet him, but there were about twenty robed figures standing between him and this desire. But, he could live with that for now. Yami was okay! He must have stepped outside and Malik had taken the opportunity to try and ambush him while Yami was gone. But how were they going to get out of this situation? And where were the Black Magician girl and Black Magician, and Ai? He looked desperately at Yami, begging for him to find a way to get closer.

Yami, in the meantime, was giving all of Malik's followers an obvious look, that meant I-loathe-every-ONE-of-you. The millennium puzzle around his neck was glinting in the light, Yugi breathed deeply again. So, Yami had not taken it off; that was good, but the real question remained, could Yami use the puzzle? Maybe he should have told Yami how to control the puzzle last night, instead of… he blushed, now was not the time for thinking that!

He continued to gaze over the robed figures head, seeking eye contact with Yami. Finally Yami locked eyes on him and then without any warning, shoved the first robed figure out of the way, clearing a path for himself to reach Yugi. Several of the other robed figures bristled and made as if to step forward to block his path but Malik was already moving, he positioned himself between Yugi and the advancing Yami, who scowled.

Terrified at the situation, but not knowing what to do, Yugi just stood there, placing all his trust in Yami.

Yami and Malik continued to stand there, glaring at each other. Yami's expression was mounting anger but Yugi could not see what Malik's face was doing. The tension in the air was stifling and Yugi flinched at a bead of sweat that was tickling his cheek. What was going to happen?

"You said, you would come alone, Malik." Yami snapped, suddenly, his voice was cold with anger.

Yugi froze, puzzled at the question. Come alone? Malik never came alone…and why did… He turned confused eyes on Yami, who did not look at him. Malik, on the other hand, turned around to glance at Yugi who's stomach lurched at the triumphant sneer that was slowly crawling across his face.

"You needn't worry about them…" Malik cooed, indicating to his followers. "A deal is a deal after all…but…" He placed a hand on Yugi's shoulder. Yugi shuddered in repulsion at Malik's touch, he pulled back. "Where were you? No one could find you all this morning."

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Does it matter? I'm here, after all… shall we get this over with?"

Get what over with…? Yugi's mind mumbled to itself. What's Yami talking about?

His mind's question was answered when, to Yugi's disbelieving horror, Yami slowly reached for the puzzle around his neck and pulled it off.

Then handed it to Malik.

Yugi was numbly aware of a roaring sound in his ears, a sound that was getting louder and louder as he stood there. There was a growing burning throb building up in his chest, it felt worse like when he had punctured his lung, it felt like a thousands knives were sticking him in his heart and wouldn't stop. Yugi wanted to die… scream, anything to wake himself from this nightmare, it HAD to be a nightmare, none of this was real. Yugi felt his sanity give a sudden, violent lurch.

Wake up now… a voice was saying in a forced, cheerful tone. Wake up now!!

No… a voice was saying, a calm but disbelieving voice. No, this…this isn't a …

OH GOD, DON'T SAY IT! DON'T …SAY …IT!!

…Dream

A painful lump jammed in his throat, an involuntary sob was mere millimeters away from escaping.

All of his suffering to protect the puzzle, to ensure Yami got it and Yami was now giving it to Malik?

Th…there has to be a reason…Yami…he ….wouldn't…. another, more hysterical voice, obviously crying was arguing back.

He WOULD, WE WARNED YOU…. An old, familiar sardonic cry filled his temples.

"Yami…" Yugi mumbled, taking an agonized step towards the older teen, there was an odd smile on his face, the type of smile you got when you were trying to laugh at a joke that wasn't there, the type of smile that didn't reach the eyes, the type of smile that was trying everything in its power, not to accept what was in front of it. "W…what…?"

He had reached Yami now, had gently grasped the older teen's much larger hand, the same hand that soothed his aching back. Then, he was looking up at Yami. "Is …this…" he faltered, unable to gather the courage to piece the words together. He tried again. "Please…tell…me…Yami…please, tell me this …isn't…that you…haven't…"

Yami's expression was like stone.

"Y…yami…?" Yugi choked. The tears were beginning to roll down his face and he was dimly aware of the mocking laughter of the robed figures and Malik. "Yami…" he choked out again, fainter this time. He continued to gaze up pleadingly into the eyes of the only person he was sure, he had ever loved, the person he would have been willing to sacrifice everything for, HAD sacrificed everything for. This wasn't lust, Yami was the Pharaoh. The Chosen one could only love the Pharaoh…why then…

"Why…?" came his third anguished whisper, staring up at Yami, barely able to see him through his tears. Yami would say something to make it all right that he was doing this. This was some plan of his…HAD to be … he couldn't …he wouldn't…

He was suddenly aware that Yami had leaned forward, his mouth was right beside his ear. This was it…Yami was going to say everything was all right…that this was a plan, that…

"Naïve little Yugi…" Yami's cold voice cut through Yugi's self assuring thoughts. Yugi froze.

"Naïve little Yugi…" Yami repeated, his hand was slowly brushing Yugi's bang out of his face. "You just don't understand do you? I was using you the entire time…"

Yugi vision flickered for a second.

" 'I'll get you out, I swear!' " Yami said in a mocking voice. "You actually believed all of that, didn't you!?" He pulled his hand out of Yugi's now lax grip.

"I always wanted that puzzle… do you really think I gave up my parents… for you?" He whispered, his voice was bored, cold. "Though I will give you credit for one thing…"

He leaned forward again, his breath close enough to tickle Yugi's ear. "…You were a good fuck…" He leaned back, smiling maliciously, in the background Malik gave a snort of laughter.

Something shattered inside Yugi, and he clutched his chest, agony searing through him and spreading to the very tips of his fingers. The roaring sound was building again, becoming unbearably loud. He was vaguely aware of falling to his knees, his head tilting back to the sky, as his hands clutched to his throat. A savage pain was threatening to choke him completely and he wasn't even aware when everything went black.

-----------

"We'll do it here…" a cold voice was snarling imperiously.

A sharp jerk told Yugi he had been thrown carelessly to the ground. Through a fog of faint insanity, Yugi felt something burning the entire right side of his body, but he ignored it, nothing mattered now.

"Do it quick then, the sun's burning hot today…" another voice answered. Yugi opened a pained eye and stared up at the blurry shape of robed figure, a curved blade held high in the air. Survival instinct screamed at him to move but a drowning depression clung to his heart and he closed his eyes again, acceptance flooding him. Let it end…

"NOW!" yelled a voice and someone screamed. Yugi heard none of it, unconsciousness had claimed him again.

-------------

Dark Magician gazed painfully at the crumpled form of Yugi wrapped up in his cloak. Beside him, the Dark Magician girl was also throwing worried glances at the small boy.

"He's given up…" Dark Magician whispered.

"Don't say that…" Dark Magician girl whispered back, her tone frightened. "We've got to keep moving. Ai said his friends were just over that ridge…They'll help him…"

"I'm going to kill that blasted Yami…!" the Black Magician snarled angrily. "I'll never forgive him for this…"

The Black Magician girl did not reply but gave a relieved cry. "There they are!"

Up ahead, Tea, Joey, Triston were running towards them. Their cries of relief apparent. Ai had made contact with them and they were waiting for them.

The first one to reach them was Joey, he gave a horrified gasp when he saw the pale, still form of Yugi.

"What did that bastard do to him!!??" Joey roared.

"Oh…Yugi…" Tea cried, covering her mouth when she saw him. "Come on, his grandpa is right behind us!"

There was no need to say anything for at that moment, Solomon appeared. "Yugi!" he cried in horror, touching the cheek of his young grandson. At the sound of his grandfather's voice, Yugi stirred slightly and opened an eye.

"Grandpa…" he whispered. "Oh…grandpa…" he slipped out of Dark Magician's arms and into his grandfathers own. And then it came, the low jagged sobs that rocked the small boy's body. The sobs grew in level until Yugi was screaming in misery. Everyone close to him, felt as if their hearts would break at the sound.

To be continued


(Waits for the flames)

Like I said before this story started, bumpy ride, bumpy ride. Come on guys, lay on all the screams and threats that I think I may be getting for this chapter, it's understandable. But don't give up on me please;;