OK, so I had a feeling you'd be mad about the last chapter :dodges rotten fruit thrown at her: So I thought I would write this and post it at the same time so you wouldn't be too mad at me!

/Yami to Yugi through the mind link/

/Yugi to Yami in the mind link/

'Thoughts'

"Speaking"

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of the characters. If I did, Yami and Yugi would be together forever!

-I-

Rekindled Love

Chapter 7: Just Friends?

-I-

Yami met up with Yugi the next day and was treated to lunch. They both momentarily forgot their worries that troubled them so deeply, and enjoyed themselves in each other's company. They enjoyed themselves so much and were beginning to feel that their friendship was beginning to rebuild, so they decided to meet up again the next day. And the day after that. And the day after that. In fact, they met up everyday that week. Yugi had made sure Jonouchi covered for him whilst he was out, for he didn't want another incident like the one that had occurred between him and Anzu.

At first, Jonouchi was not pleased with the idea. As far as he was concerned, Yami was his number one enemy because of the way he had hurt Yugi. But after Yugi had mentioned briefly what he had heard from outside Kaiba's office the other day, where he had thought he had heard "barking" from inside, Jonouchi had turned a bright shade of red before quickly agreeing to help Yugi.

Every weekday, after Yugi had finished work, he and Yami would meet in the park at lunch and hang out for the rest of the afternoon, making sure Yugi would return just as Anzu was locking up the Kame Game shop so as not to look suspicious. He didn't want to ruin his engagement to Anzu again. Since he didn't have to work at the Academy on a Friday, he decided to help his fiancée in the shop.

Although both were happy that their friendship seemed to be coming back, Yugi was still doubtful. He would never forget how Yami had hurt him all those years ago. Painful memories like that would always remain in his mind, meaning that he could not trust Yami like he used to.

But although his heart was still painful from that certain night, it was also urging to be fixed. Something in Yugi's heart wanted him to spend time with Yami like this. It felt good to be with him again. Everyday he would have to battle what his mind said against what his heart wanted. Usually, he would follow his heart. But something was holding him back. He hadn't truly forgiven Yami. He felt he would never truly forgive him for what he did. But he wanted to give him a chance. Couldn't he at least do that and try and start a friendship with him again?

Yami was as confused as Yugi was. Even though he enjoyed spending time with Yugi like this, there was always a hint of doubt in the air between them. One minute Yugi would be chatting away, and the next he would act distant towards the former Pharaoh. Yami had thought his old partner had forgiven him for his past mistakes, but it looked like Yugi was still battling with the painful memories caused by that night. So Yami let him be, just following what Yugi would do so as not to upset him again. He wanted this friendship to work, and would do nothing to harm it in any way.

But he knew that his time was quickly running out.

Saturday quickly came, and Yugi was forced to work in the Kame Game Shop all day. Knowing that Yami was due to leave in a few days (although when he did not know since Yami had never told him), Yugi asked Yami if he wanted to watch the game with him on Sunday. Anzu would be out all day for she had arranged to take her dance class students on a trip. Yami had agreed, wanting to spend as much time with Yugi as possible before his time ran out. But this, he did not tell Yugi.

So late Sunday morning, Yami arrived at the Kame Game Shop and, unlike his last visit, was welcomed in by Yugi. After getting a few drinks, they had sat down (on different sofas) and watched the game, Yami choosing to support the opposing team to Yugi's thinking that they would easily win. So he was surprised to find that Yugi's team thrashed his incredibly easily.

"Yes!" Yugi cheered when the final whistle was blown. "We won!"

Yami stared at the TV as the final score flashed up on screen, his mouth hanging open in surprise. "There's no way your team could have won."

"And why not?" Yugi asked. He stood up and picked up the empty beer cans before heading into the kitchen.

"I don't know!" Yami said, following Yugi. "It's just that I always beat you. I'm the King of Games!"

"Hey," Yugi said sharply, dropping the empty cans into the kitchen bin. He looked over his shoulder, "I share that title too you know."

"I know," Yami said quietly. He paused. "But my team shouldn't have lost!"

"Just face it Yami," Yugi laughed, opening the fridge. He pulled out two more cans of beer. "You're just a sore loser."

"I am not!" Yami said, pouting and crossing him arms across his chest.

"Whatever." Yugi closed the fridge. "Here." He threw one of the cans to Yami, before opening his own and taking a long gulp, the cold liquid flowing down his throat.

"Thanks." Yami caught his can with one hand. "But I am not a sore loser, Yugi," he said, placing his finger on the ring pull. He pulled it open. "Ahh!" He jumped back.

Yugi looked up at Yami's yelp. He chocked on a mouthful of drink as he tried to hold back his laughter. Yami's beer had sprayed all over his t-shirt, soaking it through.

"Great…" Yami sighed, trying to clean himself up as best he could.

Yugi let out a loud laugh. Yami's t-shirt was completely soaked with brown liquid. How could he not laugh? The former pharaoh looked up at the laughing Yugi, angry at first. But he soon found himself letting out a few laughs as well. After all, whenever Yugi laughed, it somehow made him laugh too.

Yugi quickly recovered from his small laughing fit. Placing his beer can on the kitchen table, he started to walk out the kitchen.

"I'll go get you another t-shirt or something," he said, exciting into the hall.

Yami looked up. "Yugi!" He called. "You don't have to-"

But Yugi was already half way up the stairs. Yami sighed as he heard Yugi's footsteps reach the top of the flight of stairs and started walking around upstairs.

Yugi walked down the narrow corridor, past his grandpa's old room until he reached his own. Walking in, he went straight to the wardrobe by his double bed and opened it, pulling out the first thing he could find.

"This should do it," he said, holding a thin black jumper in his hands. Satisfied, he closed the wardrobe doors.

He was about to leave his room, when he noticed one of the hidden drawers under his bed was partially open. Holding the jumper in one hand, he walked over and knelt down, opening the drawer. He looked inside, his eyes gazing across some of his most treasured possessions. He saw the photos of him with his grandfather throughout his childhood, a couple of little objects he had collected over the years that he couldn't bring himself to through out, the golden box the pieces of the Millennium Puzzle had once been contained in, and something that was wrapped up in his old school jacket.

Yugi stared at the last object, knowing exactly what it was. He slowly reached forward to take it out, but stopped, deciding against it. Shaking his head, he quickly closed the drawer and excited his room, the jumper still in his hand. He quickly walked back down the stairs and back into the kitchen where the still beer stained Yami was waiting.

"Here," Yugi said, throwing him the jumper. "Use this." He walked to the table and picked up his beer can, before walking back out into the living room.

Yami looked at Yugi as he excited the room, before looking back down at the jumper. In silence, he pulled off his wet t-shirt and slipped on the black jumper, zipping it up at the front to cover his chest. He placed his wet t-shirt in the sink, reminding himself to take it back to the hotel with him when he left.

He picked up his drink-or what was left of it- and followed Yugi into the living room.

"Thanks Yugi," he said, sitting down one of the sofas. "I'll make sure to give it back."

"No problem," Yugi said simply, taking a gulp from his can. He placed it down on the small table next to his sofa. "So, what was that you said about me never beating you?"

Yami looked up. "What?"

Yugi smiled. "You said that you always beat me."

"Well," Yami said, rubbing the back of his head. "You have to admit it is true."

"Really?" Yugi cocked an eyebrow. "What about the time we played tag in the park? I won then, didn't I?"

"Yes," Yami said, placing his empty can on the floor. "But we were younger then." He sat back up and crossed his arms challengingly. "I beat you couldn't do it now."

"You think so, do you?" Yugi said, accepting the challenge. He stood up.

"Yes, I do," Yami said smugly, he too standing up.

"We'll just see about that!" Yugi pounced towards Yami, ready to tackle him.

But Yami managed to step out the way in time, allowing Yugi to fall onto the sofa.

"Too slow," Yami chuckled. "You've gotten slow in your old age."

"I have not!" Yugi said, sitting up. "I'm just a little bit rusty. And I'm only twenty two!"

Yugi jumped up from the sofa and started creeping towards Yami. Yami smiled as he slowly walked backwards around the living room, trying to get out of Yugi's range.

Suddenly, Yugi pounced at him again, his arms outstretched in front of him. But just as he was about to grab Yami, he jumped to the side, narrowly missing him again. Yugi stumbled but quickly regained his footing. He looked back up at Yami.

Yami let out a small laugh. This was rather amusing to the former pharaoh. Playing around like this helped him forget all this problems. He stepped back as Yugi pounced again.

"Missed again," he laughed.

But Yugi wasn't ready to give up just yet. He wanted to prove to Yami that he can beat him. He slowly walked towards Yami again.

Yami took a few steps backwards, until he felt himself being backed up against the wall. He quickly looked to the right and saw only another wall. He then quickly glanced to the left and saw an escape route. He'd had to quickly dart around one of the sofas, but he should be able to make it.

Yugi continued to walk towards the trapped Yami. He could taste victory in his mouth.

"Got ya!" he yelled as he again pounced towards Yami.

Yami quickly glanced at the pouncing Yugi, before darting to the left. Unfortunately, he was too slow, for Yugi was able to grab him by the wrist and pull him back.

Not expecting the sudden movement, Yami felt his body being pulled backwards involuntarily. His foot slipped underneath him and he felt himself fall backwards into Yugi's chest, his body twisting slightly due to the force of Yugi pulling on his wrist.

Yugi felt Yami fall onto his chest. Not expecting the extra weight, his feet failed him as he fell backwards. The two young men fell onto the floor with a loud "thud", both letting out a few groans.

Yami was the first to open his eyes, with Yugi following quickly. They both blushed when they found they were lying in a very suggestive position, with Yami being on top. Their faces were only inches apart.

Yugi's heart raced in his chest as he looked up at Yami's close face, his warm breath blowing onto his skin. Thousands of thoughts and emotions were coursing through his mind as the two continued to stare at each other. But these thoughts all became a blur as he became lost as he stared into Yami's mesmerising crimson eyes…

Yami could feel Yugi's pounding heart beat, for his right hand had landed on his chest. His own heart was flying inside his own chest. He looked into Yugi's deep amethyst eyes. Everything around him became a blur. All that mattered to him was the beauty in front of him. Thoughts and emotions were dramatically running through his mind. But all that became a blur as his heart began to take over.

Without realising what he was doing, he closed his eyes and leaned forward, closing the gap.

Yugi's eye widened when he saw what Yami was doing. But his heart was beating so fast he couldn't hear his screaming thoughts. He felt his eyes close on their own as he sensed Yami's face coming closer and closer towards his own.

He held his breath as Yami finally closed the gap and kissed him passionately on the lips.

-I-

So, am I forgiven?

This chapter didn't start off a well as I wanted it to, but I'm very happy with the ending!

The next chapter is a hell of a lot better than this one. I'll update again just as soon as I can. Please R&R!