DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fanfiction produced for entertainment purposes only. Yu-Gi-Oh! and all related characters are the creations of Kazuki Takahashi.
Chapter 3: Some Things Never Change
By Shadow's Mirror
"I still can't believe that the Shadow Realm has its own library! I can't wait to see it! Are you sure it will still be open? It's getting a bit late." Yugi looked up at the taller boy standing beside him, his enthusiasm causing him to shift restlessly from foot to foot as his amethyst eyes sparkled.
"Time is not a consideration. The library is always open. After all, not all of the Shadow Monsters keep to the same daily schedule. Quite a few are nocturnal."
Yami glanced down at his light with a slight smile before returning his attention to the task of opening a portal to the Shadow Realm. He frowned uneasily as the dark magic began to stir at his command. "Strange. The Shadow Magic is responding more slowly than it usually does. Ah, here we are." His expression cleared as the familiar dark portal shimmered into existence in front of them.
Yugi immediately moved towards the gateway and Yami chuckled as he caught hold of the boy's shoulder. "Wait, Yugi!" He grinned as his light pouted up at him. "I want your first sight of it to be a surprise. So close your eyes…" Yugi giggled as he obeyed and immediately reopened one eye slightly, "… and don't peek!"
Yami lightly tapped Yugi's nose with his finger, then chuckled as both of the boy's eyes snapped open in surprise at the unexpected action. Yami wasn't sure why, but he was suddenly in a rather playful mood. "Yugi! I said to close your eyes! Oh very well then." He moved behind his light. "If you won't close them, then I suppose I shall simply have to do… this!"
Yugi gasped softly as a pair of hands suddenly covered his eyes. "Yami!" he protested with a giggle as he tried to pull away. "I can't go through the portal if I can't see where it is!"
"I will guide you." Yami's voice held the familiar, gentle note that he only ever used with his light. "Trust me."
"I do." Yugi smiled and relaxed, leaning back into the warmth of his darker half's physical form. "But if I trip over the portal, I'll… I'll…" He paused for a moment, apparently considering a suitable punishment. His grin shifted into a mischievous smirk. "I'll tell Grandpa that you love broccoli."
Yami shuddered. If Grandpa thought that someone liked something, he had a habit of serving it up regularly, and usually in double portions. "Yugi! I hate broccoli! How could you even think of doing something so cruel? Especially to me!" He tried to sound upset, but couldn't keep from smiling.
"I won't do it unless I trip, so you'll just have to make sure that I don't!"
"Oh, very well. But since the penalty is so great, I think it only fair that you permit me to take an additional precaution." Yami smirked as Yugi went still for a moment.
"Well… I guess that's okay. What are you going to…" Yugi broke off with a gasp as Yami suddenly shifted his hold. Instead of covering Yugi's eyes with both hands, he managed to use just one. His other arm wrapped securely around his light's waist. "Yami!" Yugi's cry was half protest and half laugh.
"Just making sure that you don't fall, Yugi." Yami chuckled as he nudged the smaller boy forward.
"Wouldn't it be easier to cover my eyes on the other side of the portal?" Yugi followed his yami's silent request and started walking. "It's not like I can see anything until I pass through."
Yami leaned down slightly so his low voice purred in Yugi's ear. "Easier, yes. But not nearly as enjoyable."
Yugi squeaked in surprise as Yami suddenly lifted him several inches off the ground and carried him easily through the portal. When he set Yugi down again on the other side, the light stumbled slightly. "Yami… warn me before doing stuff like that!" His voice sounded rather breathless, which made Yami smirk in smug satisfaction.
"Why Yugi, is something wrong?" The arm around the smaller boy's waist squeezed gently. "You seem a little unsteady on your feet."
"You just surprised me, that's all." Yugi suddenly grinned and shifted, pressing against the solid figure at his back. "So… can I look yet?"
Yami chuckled even as colour flooded into his cheeks. He'd been so focused on his light that he hadn't even glanced around to make sure they were in the right place. Fortunately, there were no witnesses to his minor indiscretion. Even more fortunately, the portal had opened exactly where Yami had intended it to. "Be patient for just a few moments longer." Yami nudged the boy to move.
As soon as his light was in position, Yami removed his hand. His other arm lingered for just a moment longer before he slowly withdrew it. "There is it, Yugi. The Shadow Realm Library!"
Yugi blinked at the sudden change of light. When his eyes finally adjusted, he blinked again. His eager expression became slightly uncertain. "Um… It's… very nice, Yami."
Yami chuckled. "I know it doesn't look like much from the outside, but I promise you, Yugi, inside this…" he waved his arm at the small cottage in front of them, "… simple little building lies all of the collected knowledge of the Shadow Realm."
"If you say so." Yugi eyed the cottage with obvious disbelief.
The building was made of grey-white stone and looked just like a quaint English cottage. It even had a thatched roof! The only difference was that the cottage had no windows. The front wall was entirely stone. The back of the building was nestled so snugly against the forest that the foremost line of trees had grown around it on both sides. At the front, the neatly tended flowerbeds overflowed with flowers in all the colours of the rainbow. The door was painted a cheerful cherry red with a small wooden plaque attached to the stone beside it. Even when they stood right in front of the door, Yugi still couldn't quite make out the old-fashioned lettering etched into the aged wood.
"I can't read it, Yami." Yugi looked up at the taller boy at his side, uneasiness making his normally wide eyes even wider. Yami gave him a reassuring smile.
"Do not worry about it, Yugi. It merely says 'Library'." Yami shrugged. "That is all it has ever said." His eyes lit up as he reached for the door handle. "I have not been here for so long, yet it is exactly as I recall from that time. Truly, some things never change."
He opened the door, bathing them in the soft green light that came from within. It took a moment for their eyes to adjust.
Yugi gasped.
Yami staggered, clutching the doorway for support as he took in what he was seeing. "No… it cannot be!"