Kame

by citrus luver

As a Christmas gift, Sugoroku gave Yuugi a beautiful doll that resembled an ancient Pharaoh. Being small and unwillening to fight, Yuugi has always been picked on, his only companion is the pharaoh doll. Till his 16th birthday when his world he turned u

6. Chapter 6: Yume

A/N: I'm sooo sorry that took so freaking long! Man it's been months since I posted the last chapter huh? Yeah I'm so sorry! Gomen! Gomen! I so didn't mean to, but this chapter soo hard to write. At the end, well… I had a cut a lot out… cause well… as you will soon find out. This chapter spans over many months in length.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh!

Chapter 6

Yume

"Aishiteru, Aibou, aishiteru," Mou hitori no boku mumbled. Yuugi whimpered. His face radiated… his amethyst eyes sparkled. He felt his breath hitch leaving him breathless once more… as they dipped into another intense kiss. The shadows cradled them… surrounding the two young lovers' bodies as one… spooning them together… marking the two as their own. Yuugi's moans intensified… breathless and erratic.

Mou hitori no boku too felt his mind dissolve… bending… molding into Yuugi's. Time and essence was no more; Atemu hungrily spooned his other into his arms… touching and kissing each and every inch of his body. The other groaned… basting in his lover's essence. His memories began to wane as his bliss intensified. His sanity vanished along with his virginity. No longer was Yuugi pure and innocent… finally the darkness had marked its light.

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

BEEP! BEEP!

A young boy moaned… tricolor hair slowly appeared beneath his covers. He blinked as the sunlight blinded him… groaning he reached over to turn off his alarm. Only then… did he realize he was not wearing any clothes… or the fact that he wasn't alone. The shallow breathing of another pricked the hairs upon his neck… a pair of strong arms was clasped around his waist… not letting go. Yuugi's cheeks immediately flushed a shade of red… slowly realization of the last night events came back at him… his proclamation of love to his other. Yuugi sighed… breathing in the scent of the spices that his other gave off. He looked so beautiful and sexy asleep… calm, peaceful, and relaxed. His features were refined when he slept. Yuugi felt his breath hitch… as he stared at his other… it was so tempting to touch his other's face… wondering if it felt soft. The other slept on… unaware of his light gazing into his eyes. His beautiful pale lips… slowly opened and closed upon command. Yuugi fidgeted… slowly he leaned over… his amethyst eyes closed.

A chuckle escaped from the other's lips. Yuugi's eyes immediately snapped over… his cheeks fumed a thousand shades of red. The other grinned… absolutely amused by his young love's antics. "Tsk… tsk Aibou. I didn't know you were so demanding."

Yuugi pursed his lips… half embarrassed… half sore. "You're evil mou hitori no boku! Simply evil."

The other once again chuckled… before a light yawn escaped his lips. He lightly stretched… shaking out his sore and twisted muscles. It was after all… many many years since he had slept in a bed much less with someone else to share with. "So Aibou what do you want to do today?"

Yuugi's eyes widened. His mouth formed a small 'o' before letting out a cry of alarm. The other looked over at his light… half confused and worried. "School… and…" Yuugi gulped… the moment slipped away… as reality sunk in. Everything from the night before came crashing down. In the corner of his eyes, he caught the glimpse of a bouquet of flowers… laying on the floor… its petals wilted and broken on the floor. A pile of clothes… drenched was beside his bed… his wrist band glimmered in the sunlight. "Anzu." Yuugi whispered. For once… he realized just what he had done… and the repercussion that he would have to face. He had committed a untimely taboo. He had fallen… for a party of his same gender… and denounced another.

"Aibou," mou hitori no boku muttered. His cockiness left him, for he too understood Yuugi's feelings, and he blamed himself severely. After all it was his doing. He was the one who had pushed his aibou to ask Anzu out and than for him to break his promise when Yuugi finally did. "Aibou," the other stated once more… watching his love in remorse. The other understood… he knew that Anzu had meant a lot to Yuugi when he was little. She was his dream. She was the object of his affection… the one he wanted to be with. Now… now his whole life was turned upside down and inside out. He had just broken each and every one of his principles and goals… and the other knew… he knew how Yuugi felt, and he was determined for his other to not fall into that untimely trap. "Aibou, don't go to school today. Let's go out. One day won't matter too much." The other agreed almost too quickly… and should his other, his protectorate have been more concerned when twenty minutes later Yuugi locked up his grandfather's shop?

"Let's go…"

"Somewhere different." The other suggested… stopping his aibou from going down his usual path. Today would be different… a start of a new journey, one that would hopefully end with them as one.

"Hmm… I know. Let's go to Yokohama."

"Yokohama?"

"Yep, it's right next to the ocean and Mt. Fuji. We could spend the night at a hotel or something."

The other nod… immediately agreeing. Yes, a night away from Domino… a night away from all of Yuugi's troubles and realities of life so when Monday came, he would have that strength to confront Anzu.

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

The rhythmatic lure of the moving train immediately put Yuugi to sleep. Mou hitori no boku watched as his aibou slept… his blond bangs fluttered in his face… covering his amethyst eyes. His arms were clutched tightly around his backpack. After deciding to go to Yokohama, Yuugi had hurriedly returned to his room and threw a bunch of items into a bag. Mou hitori no boku's heart went out to his other. His aibou was different… different from everyone in the whole world. There was something special about the young boy… the fact that he had accepted him so easily… though he had tore the souls of so many people out of their bodies… and the fact he had… nothing. The younger had accepted who he was… and given him refuge in his own body.

The other watched on… lightly he repositioned his other so that Yuugi's head was upon his body. Absently he stoked his love. A tender smile glazed his lips… his eyes far away. Though he knew that Yuugi would probably never ask him… about where he came from… Mou hitori no boku could not help but wonder. Who was he? Where did he come from? Was he… even real? And worst of all would he and his aibou be able to stay together forever? That question lagged at the bottom of his heart since the day his aibou arrived in his 'world'. How long could he stay? What was he? A lingering soul without a body? If so… wouldn't that mean Yuugi… was showing affections for the dead… an unhealthy obsession in this time, and if that was the case… should he… should he have never proclaimed to his other, his love? Should… should... dare he even think… let his aibou be with… Anzu?

"Mou hitori no boku." Slowly the other closed his eyes… drifting back to that dark realm when he opened his crimson eyes… his dear aibou was standing before him. "Mou hitori no boku." Yuugi muttered… tears stained his eyes as he ran to his other. "Please… please don't doubt our love. Aishiteru… aishiteru. I don't want Anzu! Please… please stay with me… forever. I… I'll give you all my memories!" The other continued… slowly without meaning to dug his finger nails into his other's waist, yet mou hitori no boku didn't care. As he watched his aibou sobb his heart out in front of him… he felt his own heart tear.

"Aibou… aibou. Please don't cry. I promise… I promise we will be together forever."

"I… I'll give you all my memories. I… I'll give you all my blood… my body… my soul… everything, so you will never disappear. I… I'll give you everything I own," Yuugi continued to rant and rave… giving his body to his other, and all his other could do was attempt to hold back his tears as his aibou sobbed. Finally, mou hitori no boku understood as he drew his aibou into his arms… pulling him down on a step in his unsolvable maze. He lightly… lovingly cradled his aibou… covering him with tender kisses. Like a little child… Yuugi's tears began to wane… soon only a couple of light hiccups left his lips. Still… he continued to bury his head into his other's chest. Soon… only a light… calm breathing left Yuugi's lips signaling that he had finally fallen into a deep sleep. As mou hitori no boku glazed down at his other's body… he knew… that he and his aibou… together they could never part from one another… even the angriest god and the mightiest will would never tear them apart. There were and always would be one.

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

"Ahh…" Yuugi sighed… popping himself down upon the bed. A glass of cream tea was clasped in his hands, dangling absently before him. He let out another sigh… overly content with his living adjustments. His other had position himself in a couch within the room… he seemed deep in thought. His other hadn't spoken much since their train ride. Once Yuugi had awoken from his slumber, he found his other deep in thought… miles away from reality.

"Mou hitori no boku," Yuugi asked… ruffling his bangs before sitting his glass on the night stand. "You okay? You seem overly quiet."

"Hmm… oh…" The other looked up… dazed. He squinted his eyes… before sitting his chin back down on his hand. "Nothing, Aibou."

"You shouldn't squint mou hitori no boku. It's bad for your eyes." Yuugi reprimanded… before pulling on his covers. "Come to bed mou hitori no boku. It's our vacation. Don't think so much."

"Aibou?" The other questioned… looking up.

"Hai." Yuugi responded… lightly turning his head to face his other.

Mou hitori no boku's heart melted… a smile replaced his stern expression. "Nothing Aibou. Oyasumi."

"Oyasumi mou hitori no boku." Yuugi grinned… reaching over to turn off the lights. As the lights dimmed he watched his other slowly disappear to that dark realm… and Yuugi knew that as his body rest… his soul would be transported to his lover's realm. It was a deep price to pay, and Yuugi understood it. It was like a deep, dreamless sleep. If he were being analyzed during his slumber, there would be no doubt he would be diagnosed as being dead. His body basically shut down… for without a soul the body is dead.

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

"Mou hitori no boku! You're evil!" Yuugi whined. He squinted his eyes and covered his face as his other attempted to throw sand upon him.

"I love it when you whine, Aibou," the other whispered. Lightly he kisses his lover's neck… showering him with affection… causing Yuugi to burst into random fits of laughter.

"Mou hitori no boku, stop it! Stop it!" Yuugi cried.

"Say mercy Aibou."

"Must I?" Yuugi pouted… only to earn himself another kiss upon the lips.

"I really hate your puppy eyes." Yuugi grinned… finally throwing his other off his body only to be pulled into a tight embrace.

"I love you so much, aibou."

"And I you, mou hitori no boku." Yuugi let out a light sigh before rubbing off some of the sand on his cheeks. "I don't want to go back home tomorrow. I want to stay here, and never return to reality."

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

Yuugi rubbed his hands… half-heartedly he walked into his classroom. He felt his other's comforting arms wrap around his waist. Yuugi sighed… sitting his backpack on the ground before him before sitting down in his seat. The classroom was almost empty. Only another being was present… hidden in the blackness of the corner. Yuugi brushed back his bangs… and lightly pulled his love from him. A smile covered his face he walked over to the other human. He seemed deep in sleep… a light, shallow breathing escaped his lips. Yuugi grinned sitting himself down beside the other. He wrapped his arms around his legs and cast a quick glance at his love.

The other simply shrugged… his form slowly disappearing with the light breeze that escaped through the half opened classroom window. Yuugi nodded… understanding as he continued to sit before this other… watching him sleep. It wasn't till much later… when the Domino town clock chimed seven times that the other awoke… startled and a little embarrassed to find himself being watched.

"Hi, Bakura-kun." Yuugi said sheepishly… a little groggy for he too had started to fall asleep.

"Oh… Yuugi-kun. I didn't see you there. You been here… err… long?"

"No. Just a while, you seem tired."

"Yeah." Bakura chuckled… rubbing his fingers. Yuugi's brow deepened noticing a strange array of scars covered the boy's hands. He wondered how he never noticed them before. They seemed old… and deep and painful. Noticing the other was staring at him, Bakura immediately drew his hands into his pocket. "I… I didn't get much sleep last night. Had a work a late shift."

"You work? Wow!"

Bakura nodded… a little hesitant. "Yeah. I usually work after school, but they really needed me last night." Yuugi nodded. He noticed Bakura's uneasiness. He seemed really uncomfortable which really troubled Yuugi. He really wanted to make friends with Bakura, for the young albino seemed so nice, yet sad. Like his love once mentioned, Bakura really was a lot like Yuugi when he was younger… small, frail, and uneasy around people.

Deciding to stay away from Bakura's social life, Yuugi smiled… letting out a begrudging sigh. "Man. I hope the teachers don't give us a lot of homework. I'm so sick of it… you know?"

"Yeah. I know, but just think… only a year and a half left." Bakura smiled sheepishly… causing Yuugi to grin.

"You know Bakura-kun. You should smile more often."

"Yuugi!" Yuugi groaned immediately recognizing that voice to belong to his best friend Jounouchi. He blonde seemed to have just arrived… seeing Yuugi in the corner, he bounded up to the boy and attempted to headlock him… immediately succeeding.

"Jounouchi-kun… get off." He muttered… a little annoyed as the blonde took him back to his seat. Within Jounouchi's arms, Yuugi managed to give Bakura a "gomen" look. The other made no acknowledgement… and when Yuugi managed to slip a glaze away from his friends Jounouchi, Honda, and Kaiba, Bakura had already disappeared.

"Man Yuugi. I can't believe you actually asked Anzu out and didn't show up."

"You… how you?"

"Ohayo Jounouchi, Honda…" Yuugi gulped appearing from behind Jounouchi. The young brunette's smile slowly faded as she saw Yuugi. Both gulped… and stared into the other's eyes. Anzu was the first to break away… her eyes mist over as she ran out the room. Without needing to be told, Yuugi quickly followed and caught up with the girl who he once… would have loved to spend the rest of his life with.

"Anzu, matte!" Yuugi shouted… out of breath as he finally caught up with the brunette. He lightly pulled on her hand… and the girl stopped running. Tears now flowed freely from her eyes, yet her pride kept her from looking at her friend. Instead she looked outside… and slowly tried perfusively to wipe away the tears.

"Anzu… I… gomen ne." The boy mumbled… he looked down and began playing with the fingers.

"Iie… iie… onegai, onegai. Don't… I… I've heard apologies all my life. My parents always apologized to me… everyday. When they broke a promise, they said 'I'm sorry, I can't control the telephone… you understand right?', and I always… always painfully had to nod and smile. I had to say… 'yes', or 'of course, maybe next time'. And Otousan and Okaasan would smile and sometimes if I'm lucky would pat my head. I remember when you called me that night. You said 'you wanted to go out for coffee'. That Friday, I spent two hours getting dressed. I picked my best skirt… it was pink with a flower on the side. And a blouse… yellow. Okaasan always said it made my eyes stand out. I went to the coffee shop… and I picked a table by the window. It was a small table… and there a vase of daisies in the middle… I love daisies. I ordered a cup of coffee… and I waited… and waited. It started to rain… the pit pat of droplets cascading down the window pane. I thought it was rain that had detained you…"

"Anzu… I…"

"Please Yuugi. Please don't speak."

The boy nodded, but he knew Anzu wouldn't notice, for she was too far gone now.

"I… I waited in the coffee shop… drinking that cup of coffee. And finally… the owner said it was closing time. I couldn't believe it… I didn't want to believe it. You… you… Mutou Yuugi… you were the one person who isn't suppose to break your promises. You're the one person I'm supposed to be able to count on… the person…" Anzu giggled… it was an insane giggle but never the less a giggle. "I remember when we were younger. I remember that day… so long ago when I first kissed you on the lips then I refused to talk to you for the longest time. I remember chasing men after men… men beyond my reach. I knew… I knew since I was younger… every boy loved me. I was Anzu… Masaki Anzu… the one in fairy books that everyone loved. But I only wanted one boy… a strange boy that I'd only heard his voice… a deep regal voice… my 'phantom'. But without knowing it… or maybe I did, maybe that's why I knew I could chase after boys who I really didn't love because… because I knew… when I looked back… you… you would always be there. I've always known you loved me, and I guessed that I took that for granted… that you would always be there…waiting for me to grow up.

"But I… I guess I was foolish… I didn't realize… that I had kept you waiting for too long… and someday… someday you would fall in love with someone else. And I knew… when you didn't show up that night at the coffee shop… I… I had lost my chance… I didn't grow up in time." A small bitter smile transgressed Anzu's lips. "We could have been something… huh Yuugi?"

"Yeah." The boy nodded… bewildered that Anzu had known… all this time.

"Yuugi."

"Hmm."

"Can you grant me one wish before we put it all behind us? Be… before we go back to just… being … friends?"

Yuugi nodded… and as he looked up he saw his lover's smile, and mou hitori no boku looked down and simply nodded. For he too knew… that he would always have Yuugi… and this… this one request would finally bring a foreclosure for Yuugi.

"Kiss me… please… just once."

Clumsily… and banging noses Anzu bent down... and the two… two people who could have… maybe had fate played a different note someday been married and grown old together… kissed… once and only once. And as they pulled away… Anzu smiled. "Arigotou Yuugi." The boy nodded pulling away and slowly he felt the warm embrace of his intended. He watched as Anzu walked back into their classroom… her head held up high.

"May you find the love of your life, Anzu."

"They say there is a day when a young girl's heart will awaken, and she will become a woman. I say… today is Anzu's day."

"Hai, Mou hitori no boku."

Never again did any of them talk about Yuugi and Anzu's 'date' that Friday night though it was evident that a small strain had indeed developed between the two. Subtle changes could be seen between Yuugi and Anzu. No longer did Anzu walk by his side… instead she left a wide gap between them. No longer did Anzu speak to Yuugi eye to eye instead she always looked past him, and Yuugi understood for he did the same. It was a mutual understanding that both cared for the other deeply, but it could never be. Though they felt intoxicated by the other, their love could never last.

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

And slowly summer died and autumn came around. The fall festival at Domino High was on everyone's minds. It was the one time of the year when everyone in the school had to work together to put together a grand festival. For Yuugi's class, they were in charge of the gaming booth. They had to plan and create a wide assortment of popular old games originating from all over the globe.

Normally Yuugi would have been excited about the news, but today worry had clouded his excitement. Jounouchi hadn't been at school for over a week now. According to the teacher, Jounouchi had came down with a virus in his stomach. But nobody believed it, Jounouchi and stomach virus just seemed so funny together. It was clearly evident that Yuugi wasn't the only one worried. The normally talkative Seto seemed to be on edge. It was quite clear that he too was worried about his boyfriend.

A small chuckled vibrated through Yuugi's ear drums. "Man aibou. I don't know whether you or Kaiba seem more fidgety. You got to give Jounouchi some credit. He'll be fine. You worry too much."

"And you don't mou hitori no boku?" Yuugi hissed causing the other to chuckle a little. Defensively he held up his hands in mock defeat.

"Let's just go over to his house today and see him. What you think about that aibou? Maybe it'll quell you and antsy pants Kaiba over there of your anxiety."

"You're brilliant!" Yuugi grinned.

"Of course I am silly."

Once the final bell rang, and the doors of Domino High burst open. Immediately Yuugi told Honda, Anzu and Seto about his other's idea of seeing Jounouchi. They all agreed, yet it wasn't till Anzu made the comment that none knew where Jounouchi lived that Yuugi paled. How could they have been so silly? Never once had Jounouchi told them where he lived. Only that he had to work because his father was an alcoholic.

"Well," Honda spoke shifting his weight nervously. "When I was little, I tried following Jounouchi home once. I kind of have an idea where it is. We could always go there… and ask around."

"Fair enough," Seto stated. He grunted. Yuugi couldn't help but hear the small chuckle leaving his other's lips as it infiltrated his heart.

"Do I sense jealousy in Kaiba's voice?" The husky other muttered as he manifested beside his love. He encircled his arms around Yuugi's waist… breathing in his love's delightful strawberry scent.

"You're so evil, mou hitori no boku." Yuugi hissed.

"Now, how am I evil?"

"You really don't like Kaiba-kun, ne?"

"Surely you know the answer by now, aibou."

Yuugi lightly shook his head. He gave his love a death glare before running to catch up with his friends. He gave them a soft "gomen" as they boarded a bus… to take them hopefully to Jounouchi's house.

One hour later and five buses, the small band of friends entered the poverty stricken district of Domino. Yuugi could easily see there was a deep discomfort in Kaiba. He seemed to be trying to hold his breath to not breathe in the stench of the streets while attempting to breathe as normally as possible. It didn't help that his other was chuckling uncontrollably in his ear.

"Eew!" Anzu screamed... backing into Yuugi. The boy too caught up in his love's chuckling to notice the added on weight… collapsed into Kaiba… knocking the young CEO onto the ground.

Kaiba, at first disoriented took five seconds to realize that he was not only sitting on the cement ground uncomfortably but his trench coat was covered in something foul. "Watch it!" Kaiba growled knocking Yuugi and Anzu off his stomach. That didn't go well with mou hitori no boku, and it was only due to Yuugi's pleading that Kaiba wasn't 'mind crushed'.

"There… there was a rat!" Anzu gasped.

"Yeah, well there's a lot of other worse… things here than rats Anzu. We better hurry," Honda motioned. He seemed deeply disturbed for reasons unknown as he led them around another corner. "I swear… Jounouchi's house is around…"

"WHERE IS THE MONEY! … YOU GOT FIRED AGAIN! DAMN BOY!" A beefy… very drunk man's voice filtered from an apartment high above them.

Soon the sound of a voice… quite familiar to them followed. "I'm sorry Otousan. It wasn't my fault."

"Inu."

"Jounouchi-kun."

Hearing their friend's voice both Kaiba and Yuugi immediately took to a flight of stairs near them… and Anzu was quick to follow. Only Honda hesistated for a moment… it was as if… he knew something. And suddenly he didn't feel all that glad that he had brought his friends here.

"Aibou." The other asked his love as they had climbed the five flights of stairs.

"Ne, mou hitori no boku."

"Does Honda look off to you?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"He… seems… disturbed."

"I think we all are mou hitori no boku."

"Inu!"

"S… Seto…" A frenzied Jounouchi appeared. In his hands was a large garbage bag… filed with beer bottles. "Yuugi… Honda… Anzu. What you guys doing here?"

Seto gave no reply as he submerged his love in a huge hug. Immediately Anzu looked away… a little disturbed though she had long gotten used to the fact that Jounouchi was gay and going out with Kaiba.

After letting his boyfriend go, Honda gave him a faint punch. "We were worried about you. That's what... the teacher said you had a stomach virus. Damn! Jounouchi… and stomach viruses don't mix. I've known you long enough to know that much."

"Yeah…" Jounouchi muttered sheepishly… rubbing his nose. "Yeah… it's true. So… erm… wha…" Unexpectedly the young blond collapsed… luckily Kaiba was quick and caught his young lover easily. It wasn't till after Kaiba repositioned Jounouchi in his arms comfortably that he noticed a wet mass on the boy's side… something he hadn't noticed earlier.

"Waa!" Yuugi gasped, bending down. He too noticed the red liquid as it slowly stained Jounouchi's shirt. "What…"

Kaiba's eyes hardened as he balanced Jounouchi on his hip… letting the boy lean on his side. He pouched the door open… not caring what harm he might impose on the door. "Back already brat!" The same… drunk voice sounded in the room. Yuugi immediately deduced it was Jounouchi's father. Of course… who else could it be? So this was the infamous father of Jounouchi… the drunk… the one that broke Jounouchi's family in two… the lazy bum who made his son work. Yuugi's eyes too hardened… just like Kaiba he was angry.

"You want me to mind crush him, aibou?"

"Iie. That… that would be too soft for him. I don't think losing his mind would be enough of a punishment for all the wrong deeds he has done. No, not enough. After all… when he denounced his son… he had already lost his mind."

"Good point, aibou."

"How dare you!" Kaiba bellowed… only then did a massive man appear from behind a beaten down couch. "How dare you treat your son like this!" Yuugi immediately noticed the identical features between Jounouchi and the other man. As much as he hated to admit it… they were so similar. The same rough body structure, the same freely moving blond bangs… only Jounouchi's was much more tame... the same honey brown eyes… hell even the same grin, that same grin that Jounouchi use to give him before they became friends. Yes, they were definitely father and son. The genetics were all there. Obviously the sight of the older man had given Kaiba a heart attack too… for… it took moments for Kaiba to regain himself to approach the man. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

"And… who might you be… sonny boy?"

"Someone who loves your son."

"Haha! I knew that damn bastard of a son of mine was queer. Now… this proves it."

Kaiba's blue eyes… normally calm and collected… even after Yuugi had beaten him… was no longer normal. Instead… a deep burning flame was evident in Kaiba's eyes. With one arm still supporting Jounouchi's frail body, with the other he smack the elder man. With a loud thud the man collapsed into a heap… shattering the couch into a thousand pieces.

The room was silent then after. Only a small sob from Anzu broke the silence. Only then did Kaiba reach for his phone to dial the nearby hospital and police station. When it was all done, Kaiba sat down in the broken and dusty apartment room and lightly stoked Jounouchi's face. "For once I'm thankful for the martial arts lessons you gave me."

"Hmph." Mou hitori no boku muttered.

"What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing… just Kaiba."

"You feel a new respect for him maybe?" Yuugi asked timidly. Though his love didn't answer… Yuugi couldn't help but smile. Yes, mou hitori no boku… he was finally beginning to forgive Kaiba… maybe… even start to respect the young CEO.

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

Beep! Beep! Beep!

"Emmm."

"Jounouchi-kun!" Yuugi cried… startled as he awoke from his long slumber. The boy had unexpectedly dozed off in his seat, but upon hearing his friend's grunt awoke with a start.

"Y… Yuugi. What… what… where am I?" The blond asked. "Man do I feel like crap."

"The hospital," Yuugi explained sheepishly, for he knew Jounouchi hated the antiseptic smell almost as much as he did.

"Hospital?"

"Yeah… you fainted. And… and we were bleeding," the boy added.

"Oh… crap…" Jounouchi muttered. He looked away embarrassed. Knowing that his friend was a proud man, Yuugi immediately tried changing the subject.

"I… I'll call Kaiba-kun. He…he told me to call the moment …"

"Yuugi, don't."

"Huh?" The boy looked up confused.

"Don't call Seto, yeah don't. I… I don't think he ever wants anything to do with me."

"Why's that?"

Jounouchi couldn't help be chuckle. "Y… you have such a naïve idea of this world, Yuugi. Everything's so black and white for you. There's no grey. You think of the simple things. Believe this world is perfect. That's what attracted me to you. But… but… you saw the condition I was living in. You… you saw my … home, my drunk father." Jounouchi sighed… as he began playing with his fingers. "Seto's real proud, and he probably doesn't want anything to do with me. He… he's the CEO of Kaiba Corp. He could have any girl or guy in the world…"

"Yet… he chose you Jounouchi-kun. He chose you. You should have seen him with your father Jounouchi-kun. He… he punched your otousan in the face. He stood up for you. He really loves you Jounouchi-kun. Don't be proud. Don't be proud and give it up."

"Yuugi…"

"Aibou…"

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

"Well… Jounouchi. I have to say. I've never seen a patient recover so fast before." One of Domino's most senior doctors commented. He flipped through Jounouchi's papers one last time to check the numbers.

"Haha! Yeah that sure does sound like Jounouchi," Honda chuckled… nudging Jounouchi's side.

"Though… I have to wonder Jounouchi. Where you going to stay at? Social services doesn't want you back with your father anytime soon." The doctor continued. He could clearly remember the conversation he had with them two days earlier. It was due to them that he couldn't release the young blond till now. Unknown to the doctor, the subject was a touchy one among the group. Kaiba hadn't said anything… even when most his friends believed that he would sooner or later ask his boyfriend to live with him. Thus neither Yuugi nor Honda had volunteered, fearing it would violate Kaiba's rights as Jounouchi's boyfriend.

Yet even now, Kaiba said nothing. His arms were crossed, and his lips were pursed. Honda sighed… giving Kaiba a death glare. "Yeah, he's staying with me sensei. My parents are happy to take him. They see him as a second son and all. Come on 'nisan'." Chuckles filtered the room, though only Kaiba and mou hitori no boku said nothing. He had materialized beside Yuugi and had been eyeing Kaiba strangely since.

When the friends had left the room, only Kaiba stayed behind, Yuugi's other stopped him. "Matte aibou."

"Ne mou hitori no boku."

"Would you mind if I took over for a moment? I… I want to talk to Kaiba."

Yuugi bit his lips. He looked at his love… and seeing there was no hatred in them… nodded. "Hai mou hitori no boku." Slowly… Yuugi felt himself leave his body… his soul falling deeper as he felt his love's soul fill the vacancy he had left behind. It had been a long time since the two traded places… they hadn't since the day they proclaimed their love.

"Kaiba, wait."

"What is it… Yuugi?" The CEO snapped. He was obviously a little grumpy… and not fully functioning. Something was deeply bothering him.

"We got to talk. No… better yet… let's play a game."

"A game?" Kaiba asked.

"Yeah a game. It's been a while since you challenged 'me'. I want to see if you've improved."

"Fine." Kaiba nodded. He never turned down a game.

"But… let's make this a little… how should I put it interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Yes… interesting. A stake… we'll play duel monsters, but each time one of us loses a monster. We must reveal something about ourselves. Anything you want to know… and … we must tell the truth."

"The truth huh? And how do you know… I want to know anything about you?"

"Because I know," the other muttered. "Take my challenge Kaiba Seto?"

"Yeah… 'Yuugi' I do."

The two boys smirked… as they each drew out their dueling deck. A small purple fog encircled the two boys, yet Kaiba didn't notice.

And slowly… both boys' points dropped… slowly. And as each person's points dropped… they asked more questions… learning about the other. They were simple questions… silly… pointless questions. And Yuugi… as he watched in that 'land' that he had first met his love… watched in fascination. His heart beating faster and faster, for as the game progressed. Yuugi knew… he knew the true purpose in his lover's motivates. He knew… though he couldn't stop it… if Kaiba lost. His love would… 'mind crush' the boy, but not in the dangerous sense. No… his love would crush Kaiba's heart to make a better man out of Kaiba. And when… Kaiba slowly pieced his heart back together… he… he would become a man he could finally be proud of.

"Black Magician Girl's gone… 'Yuugi'. It's my turn. Hmm… my question to you." Kaiba looked around… eyeing his opponent. "You aren't Yuugi are you? You… you're someone else. That… that person who beat me at that duel monsters game… beat my brother at capsule monsters chess. Y… you are the true game king… aren't you?"

The other Yuugi licked his lips. He closed his eyes. "Should I tell him aibou?"

"Don't you have?"

Mou hitori no boku chuckled. "I guess you are right. I must… mustn't I?"

"Yeah… just… just go easy on him, 'k."

The other nodded. Slowly he opened his eyes and nodded. A smirk appeared on his lips. "Perspective aren't you Kaiba. How ever did you figure it out?"

"I'll answer… even though you didn't destroy my monster. It's because…" Kaiba smirked. "Yuugi never calls me simply Kaiba, and you… you have a different vibe to you. Almost… sinister like."

"I guess you're right Kaiba. Yes, no wonder you are a CEO. Fine, I will answer. No, I'm not 'Yuugi', the Yuugi you know anyways. I… I'm," he chuckled smiling. "I… I'm someone very precious to him, and he's the most precious person in the world… in my life."

"Figures," Kaiba smirked. "No wonder he and Anzu are off now. So… you are the reason… mou hitori no Yuugi."

He nodded. "Yeah… I guess I am. And you are wrong Kaiba. Aibou is the true game king. He might not seem like it… but… but I know someday. He will surpass me… And when that day comes…" the other muttered. The world will crack… and the skies and the Gods will bow down to their new king.

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

"I win Kaiba." 'Yuugi' smirked.

"Like always. I guess now I will know… the purpose to your game."

"You are smart. Yes, you will. Why didn't you offer Jounouchi a home in your house, for I know you live in a mansion… big enough for him."

Kaiba stopped… drawing back his hand… for he had already proceeded to pick up his deck. "Waa…"

"Iie wait. Never mind. I don't need to know that answer. It… it's something between you and him. Think about it Kaiba…"

Within the dark realm… Yuugi closed his eyes. He felt tears threaten to escape from his eyes, but he knew his love with right. In the end… it would be for the better. Though, he still couldn't bear to watch thus Yuugi closed his eyes… and looked away. What seemed like another dimension… another time… he heard his love cry out… "mind crush." And a loud thud hit the hospital floor… and when Yuugi came through moments later… an unconscious Kaiba was sprawled before him… and a pile of cards.

Soon his friends returned… he remembered hearing Anzu's screams… the doctors gasp as he too blacked out.

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

Weeks later, one day after school when the leaves already beginning to change colors. Fall was coming. Summer was already in the backs of everyone's mind. School had started up again after a short four week vacation.

"Jounouchi-kun!" Yuugi called… attempting to catch up with his friend.

Hearing Yuugi's calls the boy turned around. "Yuugi! What's up?"

"Oh just wondering if you wanted to spend the night over at my house."

"I don't know if I can. Seto's been a … little needy lately."

"Oo." Yuugi immediately blushed causing a faint chuckle from mou hitori no boku. "Man I can't believe you and Kaiba-kun… finally moved in together."

"Yeah me too. I was soo surprised when he asked me after summer ended. He was soo… suave about it too. 'Inu… pack your bags. I'm picking you up at nine'," Jounouchi stated… mimicking his boyfriend perfectly.

Yuugi couldn't help but giggle.

"But… still… it wasn't till later… I figured out why Kaiba hadn't asked me in the first place." Jounouchi sighed. Hearing the remorse tone from his usually cheerful friend, Yuugi immediately stopped laughing.

"It took another week for the truth to come out…

"Seto, we don't have to eat out you know. I'm perfectly happy about eating here."

A gruff Seto stepped out of Jounouchi's closest. He had a tie in hand and jacket over his arm. "I know that. But I want to treat you to the best."

"You already have, Seto."

"Nisama! Nisama!" A high, frantic voice sounded in the hallway.

"In here Mokuba," Seto called. Moments later a little boy, no taller than Kaiba's hip appeared in the bedroom. He had a mass of black bangs that hung freely. He looked remarkably like Seto…only with more baby fat. "What's wrong?"

"It's 'auntie'. She's here."

Seto's eyes widened. It took minutes for the young man to compose himself telling Mokuba to tell their 'aunt' they'll be down in a bit.

"Your auntie?"

"She's not my real aunt. She's my… Gozuburo's sister."

"Gozuburo?"

"My adopted father, the original owner of Kaiba Corp."

"You were adopted?"

"Yeah, Inu. Otousan died in a car crash. Okaasan died in childbirth." Kaiba sighed… tossing the tie to Jounouchi. "My 'aunt's' a little talkative. She might say… offensive things. Don't try to persuade her about anything. She's very… never mind." Kaiba tossed a piece of his bangs back. "Ready for dinner Inu?"

Jounouchi nodded. Now a little unsure… he wasn't sure about this aunt of Seto's, and the way Seto was talking. It sounded even less inviting. Upon making it downstairs… there at the main foyer… currently cuddling Mokuba was a little old lady. She was only about five feet… probably shorter cause the way she stood it was almost positive she was wearing heels. She had on an old western style dress with a small purse that just didn't match. A pair of specks was in her hands. She seemed to have an acute sense of hearing for the moment they made it down stairs she looked up. Jounouchi was almost horrified… this lady was… incredibly ugly. There was this large wart on her left cheek… her eyes didn't match and her nose looked broken. If it wasn't for Kaiba nudging his side, Jounouchi knew he would have burst out laughing.

"Seto… Seto-kun!" The lady cried engulfing the boy into a large hug. "Why do not you not visit us anymore? Sakura's ever so lonely… and so am I."

"Err."

"Ah!" The little old woman stated eyeing Jounouchi suspiciously. She scoffed looking at Jounouchi. "And you are?"

"I'…"

"He's a friend… Jounouchi Katsuya," Seto cut in immediately. "Come, let's dine. The food will be cold."

For the rest of the night, Jounouchi felt out of place. Something strange was going on between Seto's aunt and him. Like some crazy understanding that everyone in the mansion knew but him. Finally, around midnight, she left them, and Jounouchi couldn't feel happier. Immediately afterwards Mokuba gave him a pleading look… as Seto dragged him away.

"Seto! Spill it!"

"Patience Katsuya. I'll tell you in a few seconds." And Jounouchi knew not to beg anymore… for Kaiba never called him Katsuya anymore. He was called him 'inu' unless he was being serious. Minutes later they entered into a large drawing room in the west wing. It was one of those forbidden rooms that Kaiba had insisted he never enter.

The room looked old. It looked as if it hadn't been in use for years. A lone desk was located under a huge window… a lake view. Two bookshelves that spanned the length of the window covered the walls… and finally above the door they were standing under… there was a huge picture of a young girl… blond bangs… in a morning dress… Jounouchi couldn't help but take in a deep breathe. Whoever the girl was… she was beautiful.

"You must wonder… what happened tonight huh?"

"Yeah."

" I guess I should explain. Explain everything… why I wasn't willing to take you in the day you were released from the hospital." Kaiba sighed. "Haha. 'Yuugi'… you should talk to him more often by the way… he told me to look into my heart… and tell you the truth. Now I think I'm ready. And when I'm done… and if you want to walk away from everything… I won't blame you."

Jounouchi nodded. He took a seat on the desk… as Seto followed in suit. "That lady you met today. She… she's the reason I'm what I am today. She… she was the reason Gozuburo adopted Mokuba and me. She was the reason he challenged me that that fateful chess match. She has a daughter… only one child… Sakura. Sakura was bred and gloomed to be Noah's future bride… the mistress of Kaiba Corp. But… Noah, Gozuburo's real son, died when he was six… in a car crash. She was devastated… thinking Sakura would lose her place in Kaiba Corp. She persuaded Gozuburo to adopt an heir…"

"Iie… iie," Jounouchi muttered.

"Yes… I'm afraid so Katsuya. I'm afraid so. That's why I didn't want you here. I… I was afraid. Afraid she would find a way to succeed in her master plan… either strip me of Kaiba Corp. or destroy you. I… I couldn't let either happen. After all, she was the one who taught me everything I know. She taught me business. She taught me to be sly, to be hard, to be crook and to get under Gozuburo's skin. She could have easily destroyed me. It wasn't till last week… when the deal with Industrial Illusions went through. It was my deal. I had secured my holdings… my foundations. I had proved to her… Kaiba Corp is mine."

"Is she ugly?"

"Who?"

"Sakura?"

"Oh."

"Do you love her? Did you love her?"

"He said no to all of it. He said… 'how could you think that? I love you Inu. That's why I'll give up everything for you'."

"Wow… Kaiba-kun's engaged to his cousin."

"Yeah."

"Has he broken the engagement yet?"

"Iie."

"Bastard."

"Mou hitori no boku," Yuugi hissed.

"It's the truth. He's hurting that girl."

"Why?"

"We agreed… that Seto wouldn't… till he turned eighteen. When he's legally an adult, he would break the engagement. Until then… I will be Seto's 'friend'."

"Jounouchi-kun."

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

And soon… autumn turned to winter. The ever lingering finals were in everyone's minds. Come April they would enter their last year in high school. They would have to take those grueling week long college entrance exam to determine their futures. Yet, now… they could still be high school students without a care in the world.

"Yuugi."

"Ne, Jounouchi?" Yuugi looked back seeing his friend run up to him… a stack of papers in one hand that he was waving happily.

"Guess what?"

"What?"

"Seto… got the lodge!"

"Lodge?"

"You remember the one in the mountains."

"Oh yeah." He remembered Kaiba coming to him a few weeks earlier asking his opinion on whether to get a lodge on the lee side of the mountain or the other.

"Well… it finally went through! We're going to mountains for winter break! You, me, Seto, Mokuba, Anzu, Honda, and Shizuka! I got to tell the others. Pack your bags… Seto's private jet leaves tonight!" With that Jounouchi was gone leaving a stunned Yuugi with a stack of papers.

"That was strange aibou."

"Yeah."

"I wonder how Jounouchi managed to coax Kaiba into letting us come."

Yuugi pouted. "You never change do you mou hitori no boku? Kaiba's changed… since you mind crushed him."

"You think? I still see him as the pompous idiot."

"I don't know, mou hitori no boku. He reminds me a lot of you."

"Me?"

Yuugi giggled. His love's expression was just too much for him to bear. The indignation mixed with an attempt at keeping a straight face. It was all too priceless.

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

"Waa! Nisan! It's beautiful."

Jounouchi beamed at his sister. He hadn't seen Shizuka for a long time. If he hadn't been for Honda, though he wasn't happy to admit it, she wouldn't be here right not. Maybe just maybe it paid off to have Honda be her boyfriend.

"I'm happy you like it Shizuka." Kaiba added gruffly. He hadn't exactly expected Jounouchi to bring 'their' friends with them. After all, he was hoping to spend some 'quality' time with his little puppy. Now, he was half glad that he hadn't taken the originally one bedroom lodge but gone with the three bedroom one though even now as he looked around at the group he wasn't exactly sure how they would split the rooms.

The only ones here single was Anzu, Mokuba… and… no… not Yuugi. Kaiba eyed the shorter youth nervously. He hadn't forgotten the words of the other Yuugi. 'He's the most precious person in the world… in my life.' And the way the others looked… it was quite obvious only he and both Yuugi knew. Yuugi hadn't even told Jounouchi that… he had a lover.

Though Kaiba wondered… How does such a romance work? If the two share a body… Though no matter how strange it was to Kaiba… Yuugi did seem happy and content. Though sometimes he did fall into a dark spell… would zone off. Now that Kaiba thought back on it… it actually wasn't that uncommon. Yuugi would normally 'wonder' off quite a few times every day. The whites of his eyes seemed to disappear… if it wasn't for the faint breathing, Kaiba wasn't all that sure Yuugi was alive.

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

"It was really nice of Kaiba-kun to treat us mou hitori no boku." Yuugi sighed… brushing back a piece of his bangs. He hugged his left knee tightly as he dangled the other over the window sill.

"Hmph." The other snorted. He watched his love briefly as he stared into the night sky. The stars and the moon were long out already. It was getting close to the new moon. The holy glow of the moon seemed to heighten Yuugi's angelic features. It took his breath away watching his love… he looked soo… godlike.

"Why don't you like Kaiba-kun?" Yuugi asked… looking at his love.

The other sighed… wrapping his arms around Yuugi. Lightly he ran his ghostly hands over Yuugi's chest. The youth sighed… content. He loved the feel of his love. "He's too arrogant for his own good. Besides… I feel like I've known him before."

"Ne?"

"Never mind aibou." Yuugi pouted a little disappointed. He was used to his love making such comments. He would periodically say there was something wrong with Bakura. Yuugi sighed thinking about the albino. He seemed so nice, but something seemed to always weigh down the boy as if he carried a deep burden.

"I wonder how long we can do this for."

"Ne?" Yuugi asked… looking up questionably at his lover.

"Never mind aibou. I guess it's the foolish words of an old man." Yuugi pouted… lightly he raised his hand and rubbed his love's cheeks.

"You aren't old."

"I feel old though. I feel as if I've lived a million years."

Yuugi nodded. He understood. "I… I… wish I could feel you." He muttered.

"Huh?"

"It's not fair. Why am I the only one who can't feel you? Yet I'm the only one that can see you… as you?" Yuugi bit his lips, and immediately the other sighed… he ran his hands through Yuugi's face.

"Aibou… come… come with me to our realm. There… there you can feel me."

Yuugi nodded tears still threatening to escape his amethyst eyes, but he compiled with his love. For he knew… he knew that it was time. They both had been feeling it for months… he was ready… ready to give the last piece of himself to his love. His greatest gift the gods had given him.

And slowly… his eyes drooped… as he felt the slight tear of his soul as he left his body. As his immortal self left his mortal self, his physical being drooped… collapsing on the window sill.

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

"Yuugi! Kami! Yuugi!" A frantic blond shouted… shaking his friend, yet Yuugi did not awake. His body was still soulless and cold.

"Jounouchi!"

"Nisan!"

"Inu! What the hell are you doing?"

Jounouchi looked up… his left hand still clasped on the cliff of Yuugi's nightgown. "There's something wrong with Yuugi! That's what Seto. I came in here to get something and found Yuugi… like this!"

The young CEO scoffed walking over to his puppy's best friend. A smirk formed on the boy's face before sitting his hand on Jounouchi's shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with him. In… fact…" Kaiba smirked. "I say Yuugi's just fine."

"How can you say that? I know you're not fond of Yuugi and all but can't you see he's dying."

"Yeah." Kaiba smirked. "Dying of pleasure maybe."

"Pleasure!" Jounouchi's honey brown eyes widened.

"Yeah pleasure inu."

"From what!" Anzu asked. She was a little shaken by Jounouchi's outburst, but not as much as Shizuka who the young brunette was attempting to consol.

"Why don't you go wake Honda, and I'll explain." Kaiba sighed. Damn this is going to be a long night.

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

"You're telling us Yuugi's a schizo!"

Two hours and twenty cups of coffee later… that was the best Kaiba could get into Jounouchi. He didn't seem like accepting that Yuugi had an alternate ego… who according to Kaiba… was seducing his friend.

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

"He's masturbating himself?"

One hour after the last remark.

God is he… yet I still love him.

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

A soft moan escaped Yuugi's lips. He was curled up against his love's body. His face was damp. Both boys were covered in sweat.

"Aibou," the other spoke… his voice husky and deep.

"Ne, mou hitori no boku," Yuugi asked shyly. His bangs covered his eyes. Slowly the other reached up… and wiped them away.

The other chuckled again… nuzzling Yuugi's nose. "Maybe you should get back."

"Why?" Yuugi asked. He cocked his head a little confused, yet his love continued to chuckle.

"Because… I fear if you don't Kaiba going to murder his puppy."

"Waa!"

"Yes, aibou. You should hear their conversation it's quite amusing. It seems that Jounouchi found your 'unconscious' body, and Kaiba's trying to explain to your friends about me."

Yuugi eyes widened. Damn it Jounouchi-kun.

"Temper temper, aibou. You know we can always continue," the other's voice lowered, "tomorrow." Yuugi's cheeks deepened into a lovely shade of red. He let out a small 'eep' as his other lightly kissed his cheeks.

"You want me to come too?"

Yuugi nodded. He slowly closed his eyes… and felt that light tug on his chest. Moments later when he opened his eyes… the winter sun was blazing into his eyes.

"He has another being in his body!"

"Yes!"

The sound of Jounouchi's voice was quickly followed by Kaiba. "I see what you mean, mou hitori no boku," Yuugi muttered looking to his side where his love sat patiently on the window sill. A smile played on his lips.

"I guess we should save Kaiba ne?" The other pouted causing Yuugi to smile.

"Afraid so. After all he is the only method we have of getting off this mountain."

"Damn."

"Temper temper mou hitori no boku." The other pouted, and Yuugi couldn't help but giggle. His love smiled all the more sexy when he attempted to copy his actions.

Yuugi hurriedly grabbed his jacket that had fallen on the floor… and walked ever so calmly into the living room. "Ohayo," he chirped as if nothing was the matter. Though he knew before Jounouchi ran to him, Kaiba was giving his death stares.

"Yuugi, Yuugi!" Jounouchi shouted. "Seto said… that… you have another being in your body."

"Yeah, your point is. I'm starved. What's there to eat?" Yuugi asked calmly, yet deep down he was attempting to keep from bursting into a fit of laughter.

"Point is?"

"Maybe we could go to that restaurant on the edge of the mountain. Mmm… that was nice rest. I really needed it. How you sleep Jounouchi-kun? Kaiba-kun?" Yuugi grinned turning over to Kaiba… who still had a disturbed/annoyed look on his face.

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

One hour later, in the small restaurant that Yuugi was so eager to go to, it seemed that everyone but Jounouchi had taken Kaiba's explanation well except Jounouchi who was still giving his friend weird glances. He seems the same… but… is this Yuugi or the other Yuugi?

"Oh yeah, Jounouchi-kun. About mou hitori no boku… you want to meet him?"

"Ne?"

"What aibou?"

"Yeah mou hitori no boku. Maybe it's time you met them… talk to them. I'll trade with you. Go easy on Jounouchi-kun 'k?" Yuugi grinned. He closed his eyes… and moments later when Yuugi's eyes opened they were no longer amethyst but crimson red.

"Aibou," the other grumbled.

"You're mou hitori no Yuugi?" Jounouchi gasped followed by that of his other friends. Only Kaiba didn't seem frenzied… he had already experienced his first time meeting with this Yuugi.

"Hello." He said sheepishly. He heard the small giggle from Yuugi in the back of his head. Moments later Yuugi appeared beside him… in his ghostly projected form, and he knew. Just like when he retained that form, nobody could see his aibou. "Yeah I'm. You're Jounouchi, Anzu, Honda, Shizuka, and …" The other's brow hardened momentarily on Mokuba before softening. "Mokuba…"

The young Kaiba left out a muffled sound… very similar to a mouse. He like 'Yuugi' hadn't forgotten their Capsule Monster Match. Though Mokuba was already on good terms with Yuugi, this Yuugi was a completely different story. "Yeah we got off on bad terms hmm."

"Yeah."

Both nodded for a mutual respect had formed between the two gamers. Though the two may never become friends, they respected each other.

"So… you're Yuugi's lover." Jounouchi asked.

"I see somebody's not subtle." 'Yuugi' smirked. "Yeah. You can say that."

"So… why you in Yuugi's body," Anzu asked. She hadn't spoken all morning, and they had nearly forgotten. No, they all wanted to forget… Anzu was still in love with Yuugi that much was clear and here in flesh and bones was the reason they weren't together.

"I… really don't know. One day I opened my eyes… and was protecting aibou. He promised me a place in his heart, and I've been able to use his body since."

"So… if you're in Yuugi's body. Where's Yuugi?"

"He's still here… in a way. I guess you can say… he's in reserve."

Jounouchi noticed the uncomfortable situation between Anzu and the other Yuugi, and he knew it would always be there. Anzu probably was never going to accept the other Yuugi, but as for Jounouchi he liked this alter ego of his best friend. After all, anyone cool in Yuugi's book was cool with him. "It's glorious outside. How about we try out the ski slopes?"

"Yeah, Nisan!"

After Kaiba paid the bill, the group left the restaurant only Yuugi stopped at the door. "Iie mou hitori no boku. You have fun. I'll let you be in control all day today."

"Aibou?"

"Get to know them. I see that Jounouchi-kun likes you. I'm sure Honda-kun, Mokuba-kun and Shizuka will too. As for Anzu…" Yuugi's voice trailed off.

"Gomen aibou. I really messed up huh?"

"What? No!" Yuugi looked up. "No… I don't mean that all. If I had been stronger… I would have told Anzu long ago instead of putting it off for so long."

"What do you mean?"

"I… I've loved you… since the day I met you… all those years ago… mou hitori no boku."

"Aibou…"

"Yuugi, hurry up," Jounouchi called from the door.

"Hai Jounouchi."

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

"Man Yuugi, I don't know if you or mou hitori no Yuugi is… harsher." Jounouchi hissed… rubbing his fingers.

"Aww Jounouchi-kun," Yuugi muttered. "Gomen ne. You want me to go easier on you next time?"

"Hell no! It'll... demolish my pride!"

"Jounouchi has pride?"

"Shut up Anzu."

"Aww our Jounouchi's growing up, Anzu."

"Your friends are… amusing aibou."

"Arigotou, mou hitori no boku."

"My pleasure. They are really nice though. I had a fun week."

"Happy we came?"

"Definitely. I especially loved our… night time … adventures."

Yuugi blushed. Though he knew his other knew he loved their little snowboarding lessons too at night.

At night for the past week, Yuugi had been taking his other to the mountains to teach him how to snowboard. It was one of those skills that Yuugi had thought he had forgotten but the moment his feet touched the board… it all came back. Though both boys knew… they had spent way more time… 'cuddling' then skating, but the other was a fast learner… and by the end of the week. He had surprisingly picked up the skill and was almost as good as Yuugi was.

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

School soon started… and just as they were getting back into studious mode. Their junior year came and gone. Soon they were all entering their senior year, and just like the years past. All of Yuugi and his friends were in the same class… even Bakura. And just like before, Bakura was still the quiet boy who sat in the back of the classroom… the last to be picked for any school project.

"Why you go and invite Bakura in our group for, Yuugi?" Jounouchi hissed… eyeing the albino strangely. "I told you. There's something strange about him."

"He's always picked last."

"Yeah I know, and I'm sure there's a reason why too."

"I used to be picked last too," Yuugi muttered hurt.

"Yuugi… I… Yeah you're right. We should have invited Bakura to be in our group sooner."

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

"Whoa Bakura! You have a huge house!" Jounouchi gasped. And Jounouchi's words were true. Bakura's house was enormous. It was a three bedroom house.

"Yeah I guess," Bakura muttered sheepishly. He rubbed his knuckles as he led Yuugi and his friend inside.

"Be careful aibou. I sense something foul in this room."

"You and Jounouchi-kun." Yuugi shook his head. "Give Bakura-kun a chance. He's nice."

"Aibou," the other muttered.

"Onegai." Yuugi muttered.

"Aibou…" the other nodded. He knew why his aibou believed so much in Bakura. In a way, Bakura was just like Yuugi was years ago… before he came into his life. Though, no matter how much his aibou believed in Bakura, there was something about this boy… that just wasn't right.

"Whoa! RPG game!" Yuugi gasped. He slipped off his shoes… and there sitting in living room was a real RPG game board.

"Yeah," Bakura muttered. His eyes looked downcast.

"What's RPG?" Jounouchi questioned. His brow furrowed, but Yuugi didn't respond. He immediately ran up to the game board… intrigued.

"Wow! You're so lucky Bakura-kun. I can't believe you have a real RPG game board. I've always wanted one, but Jii-chan always said no. He says it's too much trouble since it's so big and everything."

"What's RPG?"

"If you must know, inu. RPG is short for role playing game. It's one of those American games that kids play with. It never picked up in Japan."

"It's Monster World! Wow! Those are soo rare!" Yuugi gasped. He ran his hand though the board… sighing deeply. "Which worlds do you have?"

"All of them," Bakura muttered. He stepped up to Yuugi.

"All of them!" Yuugi's eyes widened. "So lucky! Can we play sometime!"

"Err…"

"Yuugi! We have a project to do that has nothing to do with Monster World."

"Aww."

"Aibou."

"Huh?"

"There's… never mind. Anzu's right. Don't you have a project to do?"

"You and Anzu. I don't know which one of you guys are worse."

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

Knock! Knock!

"Coming," Yuugi called. He paused the movie that he and his love had been watching. He heard the sigh of his love as he ran to get the door.

"I'm going to sleep for a while… if you don't mind, aibou. I suddenly feel really tired."

"Oh no." Yuugi nodded. He had been worried about his love for a while… since he didn't seem to sleep very much and eating was simply out of the question.

Upon opening the door, a small gasp left Yuugi's lips. There standing out his door was a drenched Bakura. He was covered in water. His face looked badly cut up. His arms looked bruised… and a deep cut ran along his chest. He was also bleeding perfusively. "Bakura-kun! Kami! Are you okay!"

"Yuu-gi." Bakura's eyes clouded over as he fell on to Yuugi's body.

"Bakura-kun!" It wasn't till he felt Bakura's light breaths that tickled the side of his neck that he knew. Bakura wasn't dead. He had simply passed out.

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

Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!

A pair of dulled over eyes opened. The young boy groaned… softly he rose. Only to feel as if a thousand swords had slashed through his body. He promptly fell backwards.

"Ohayo Bakura-kun!" He looked up… surprised. There was … Yuugi… by the door. In the boy's hand was a tray of steaming hot food.

"Yuugi-kun? What! Where am I?"

"You're at my house. Remember… you collapsed on my doorway last night. You looked really messed up."

"Ooo." Bakura's eyes widened. Suddenly the night before events came crashing back. He remembered… he remembered panicking then fleeing. He remembered going to Yuugi's house… the one person… he… he could trust. Bakura looked down at his hands… and noticed they were bandaged.

"I made some breakfast." Yuugi added. A smile adored his face as he sat it down in front of the other boy. Bakura cocked his head looking down at the tray before looking up.

"I…"

"Eat." Yuugi commanded stuffing the pair of chopsticks into Bakura's hands. "If I have to, I'll feed you." The boy threatened causing Bakura to immediately move towards the bowl of rice. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was till his lips first touched the rice.

Ten minutes later, Bakura sat the empty bowl down. "That was really good. Your parents…"

"My parents are died," Yuugi stated plainly… catching himself in surprised. He hadn't realized how easily he said that… till he did. "They died on my sixteenth birthday. I… I live with my jii-chan now, but he's not here right now. He's on some research thing with his best friend Hopkins-san."

"I'm sorry Yuugi-kun."

Yuugi nodded. He sat down beside Bakura, and this time finally in three years since he talked about his parents. This time he finally didn't shred a tear, yet deep inside he felt his heart cracking. Even now, he missed his parents… he missed them dearly.

"It's okay. I've gotten used to it."

"Yeah… me too." Bakura commented. He sat the tray of food on Yuugi's desk.

"Uh?"

"My parents… I don't live with them either."

"B… but your house! It's so big."

"Yeah… I know. My otousan's really rich. He's a museum director. He owns Domino Museum, but he's away all the time. It drove Okaasan insane. She…she's in a 'home' now. I have a little sister… she lives with my grandparents though."

"O…" Yuugi muttered. "I…I didn't know."

"I… I never told anybody that before. I… I feel like I can really trust you Yuugi-kun."

"Really!"

"Yeah. I… I guess it's cause. We have a lot in common."

"Yeah. Bakura-kun."

"Hmm."

"You want to be friends?"

"Really! I've never had a friend before."

"Uh huh."

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

Yawn! Mou hitori no boku opened his eyes. He was still dazed… and still unbelievably tired. He gently rubbed his eyes… only then did he realize. His aibou was sitting in some restaurant with… Bakura!

Bakura stiffened. "Yuugi-kun. I… I got to go."

"Let's hang out some other time."

"Err… I got to go." Bakura quickly pulled out a few bills… threw them on the table before running off. Yuugi furrowed his brow confused.

"Aibou."

"Oh… mou hitori no boku." Yuugi sighed… as he felt his love wrap his hands around his chest. "I wonder what happened with Bakura-kun. He's really nice."

"Really?"

"Yeah. We spent the day together. He's… really funny."

"You did aibou?"

"Uh huh." Yuugi's eyes were still distant. The other looked at his love… a little worried.

"Aibou, you okay?"

"Huh? Oo… yeah." Yuugi added startled. "Oh yeah. Did you have a nice rest?"

"Yeah. It was really refreshing. I really needed that one."

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

Slowly much to everyone's delight, spring became summer. The weather finally became hot enough… and with the seasons. The seniors of Domino knew that college entrance exams were slowly upon them. The daunting, strenuous exams were not only on the students' but the teachers' minds too. Suddenly it seemed to Yuugi that he was slowly running out of time. Homework and housework seemed to have consumed his daily life. Not only did have a pile of homework that seemed to be never ending, but his jii-chan seemed to be away more and more. Thus he was put in charge of not only managing the shop but transferring phone calls to his jii-chan. Then there was matter making sure their house was still livable as in cleaning every Sunday, paying the bills, cooking, and buying food.

Then he had his love who lately seemed to be more and more restless. Mou hitori no boku didn't like being forgotten and not being one of Yuugi's top priorities. Thus it was really starting to get to the young man. More than once, he had volunteered "you sure you don't want be to mind crush your teachers?" And like always Yuugi's answer would be "iie!"

Then there was his friends, they like Yuugi had homework to do, and for Kaiba. Well, Kaiba was Kaiba, but even he seemed to be tired when Saturday finally came. It seemed that like Yuugi balancing work and school work wasn't all that easy even for the young genius.

Then there was a tricky subject… Bakura. Since that day that he ended up in Yuugi's house, unconscious. The two had arranged to meet at a restaurant for one or two hours to discuss… random subjects. Despite his love's pleas to stop the meetings, it was one thing that Yuugi just couldn't agree to.

So finally, after months of hard work, Yuugi decided a group get together was in order.

And everything was going fine. Kaiba and mou hitori no boku was engaged in a duel while Yuugi watched on amused. Jounouchi was yelling at Honda for some random reason while Anzu was flipping through the channels when… the door bell rang…

And that was when… all hell broke loose.

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

The door bell rang two hours later. A perplexed Yuugi who had gone downstairs to get some refreshments walked to the door.

"Coming." He opened the door… and there much to his surprise was someone who he never expected to see again. There three young people… one young woman and two boys one older and the other younger than the woman. The young woman was dressed in a white grown with a white head dress covering her long black strains of hair. The two boys were adored in black leather. The younger looked like a biker while the older had strange tattoo marks covering the left side of his face.

"Isis-san?" Yuugi asked feebly.

The young woman nodded. "I'm happy you remember me. It's been a while."

"Yeah."

"Yuugi!" The young boy turned around. There coming down the stairs were his friends.

"You have company," Jounouchi pointed out.

"Yeah… it's Isis-san… and…"

"My brothers Malik and Rishad."

"Yeah. Come on in."

Malik nodded as Yuugi motioned them into his living room.

"You must wonder why we are here Yuugi."

Yuugi simply nodded.

"I fear that my brothers and I bring foul news to your ears." Isis sighed… rubbing her knuckled before continuing. "You… you remember our meeting nearly two years past ne?" The young boy merely nodded. He cocked his brow confused before falling into a single person sofa. He watched his friends and newly arrived guests do the same.

"You… remember my necklace… the gold one?" Once more… Yuugi nodded. He reached for a glass of fruit pouch and slowly began the process of distributing them among his guests. "I… fear my necklace… or its true name the Sennen Tauk ties more closely with your destiny than I once imagined. I… I'm sure by now you have become associated with that boy in your mind." Yuugi felt the glass in his hands slip… had it hadn't been for Kaiba's quick reflexes… it would have shattered.

"H… how do you know about Mou hitori no boku? H… he told me that nobody in this world save me can see him."

Isis chuckled. "Fair enough. I can not see him. He is right about that."

"Then?"

"Like I said, this sennen tauk has powers beyond reprieve. It… was born in Egypt. Thousands of years ago… in the reign on the New Kingdom, these items… possess magical abilities… abilities that judge the purity and innocence of a person's soul. It is rumored there are seven of these items in all. In my lifetime, I have only seen four of these items, Malik owns one too, the sennen rod. Another, Shadi, protects the other two, a scale and an ankh."

"The symbol of rebirth," Yuugi stated simply.

"Correct, I see you are very fluent in Egyptian ideology, Yuugi-san."

"My parents were two very renowned Egyptologist before their passing. I learned much from them when I was little."

Isis nodded… seeing the solemn look in the boy's eyes; she overlooked it, deciding not to press the matter more. "From the sennen tauk and our family's other business… my family's blood lives with the ancient tomb keepers. My great grandfather escaped our family's destiny when he met my great grandmother, but unfortunately Malik, Rishad and I were not as fortunate. Even Italy could not save us, the sennen items paved our futures, our past, and our present. We spent our lives laboring over the items, learning about the age old destiny… waiting for the day when the Pharaoh would awaken."

"The pharaoh?"

"Yes, the other you is a pharaoh. A great pharaoh from what I have learned from my studies. He is supposed to have ruled during the New Kingdom… the age of the great pyramids… the age of great peace. The sennen items were known to bring peace to Egypt, but we all know things in this world do not happen as they should. Something happened doing the pharaoh's reign. He became an accused king… destined to die at an early age."

"B… but he didn't die… obviously." Jounouchi smattered… and Yuugi silently muttered a vow of gratitude to Jounouchi. They were words that Yuugi could not bring himself to ask.

"That is true. The pharaoh did not die, yet his fate is much worse."

"Worse? What is worse than death?" Anzu rebuked.

"Much… death… in this age is the worse form of punishment, but thousands of years ago, death was not as feared upon as it is now. Death was seen as a long rest… a chance of rebirth. The dead would be judged by Orisis and Anubis… those worthy reached the other realm… paradise. The pharaoh, accursed, has been wandering not in this world or in the other for three millennia now."

"That's bull! The pharaoh knows about this world's things though!"

"Yes, I'm glad you brought that up. The pharaoh does indeed understand this modern age… from what I have induced from Yuugi… even understands Japanese. But, there is a logical … maybe even sickeningly explanation for such a phenomenon." Isis sighed… glancing at the boy… chosen by destiny. The deeper she bore her eyes into the boy's heart, the more lost she became. The more she tried to read the boy's destiny… the bleaker it became. She recoiled like a lost child… her mind returned to her… trembling at the force within the boy. "The… pharaoh draws from you Yuugi. He… draws on your memories, your experiences, and your lessons in life to live. You are like his host… he, a parasite."

"He draws from you from the dark realm… surrounded by shadows… by purple fog. That realm is his play area… anything he wishes for… will appear. You feel comfortable there… you feel safe there. Slowly… you begin to forget. You'll give your body over to him. It's a dangerous place Yuugi-kun. I know… for years ago… I too had have ventured into that place. Years ago, I was angry with my life. Years ago, I created a darkness in my heart... a void… that only "he" could fill. You begin to forget about reality; you begin to forget about fantasy. All you know… is there… and slowly you grow sleepy. I know Yuugi-kun. I know, and I have to warn you… never… never go there again."

"Stop it!" Yuugi cried… slamming his fist down upon the table. Malik immediately jerked up… startled… as the trance slowly lifted its binds from him. Even now, he ravished on his dark side… now banned by the help of Isis and Rishad. "I… I don't know who you are! You think you know everything Isis-san, Malik-kun! You think those stupid Sennen Items, and this little destiny thing of yours is true! Well! I know it's all BS! Everything you have told me! A long time ago… someone told me there is a kingdom in the sky! A long time ago… someone told me there would be a forever; someone told me the importance of promises! But you know what? They are just childish stories… meant to comfort children! I have learned… eighteen years of experience has taught me… the only thing real in this world is friendship and love! Everything else… is BS! You say that Mou hitori no boku is a parasite feeding off of me! But you might not know this… not know this… but… I gave it to him! I promised him… I promised… " Tears pulled from Yuugi's amethyst eyes… his throat burned. Slowly he began to cough… hacking. And Isis sighed… why must destiny play so hard? Why must fate be so cruel?

"Yuugi, gomen ne. You are right. I don't know much. I only have my sennen tauk… my knowledge. But, today, my knowledge has served me. I will prove to you my case…you know that doll?"

"Doll?" Yuugi's brow furrowed. He slowly collapsed back into his couch… confused.

"Oh! I know what Isis-san means! That doll you showed me a long time ago… the pharaoh doll!" Anzu chirped… regaining her composition. Since winter… that fateful ski trip to Kaiba's lodge when she first met him, slowly she had come to terms with the pains of rejection. A small smile slowly crept upon her lips. Though now, she knew that Yuugi could never be hers… it no longer hurt as much. There are other fish in the sea: just as there are other men in this world. Maybe someday, she would find her own soul mate.

Yuugi's amethyst eyes widened. He was so foolish. Of course! He was the Game King. He felt his body weaken as he reached over for his bag. Slowly he removed each and every book from his bag… drawing out the slow inevitable that he knew… someday would have to come to pass. Slowly… he pulled out an aged old doll… his best friend in his childhood… the one being in this world that knew all his secrets. The one being that he had nearly given his life away to save. The doll that… would never leave him. Yuugi cradled it fondly in his arms… wiping away the small bits of dust that the passage of time had left behind. Its blond bangs were still as glorious as always: its silk skin… as smooth and soft as human skin. Even the doll's eyes still held that hint of that lively spark within, the smile as prominent as the day Yuugi opened that mystical golden box. Even its cap still fluttered in the breeze, its white dress still retained the colorless tone.

"You mean Mou Hitori no Boku!"

A small chuckle left Jounouchi's lips before he immediately turned bright red. "Gomen Yuugi. Seeing that doll! Wow! I still remember throwing it around the room so many years ago."

Yuugi nodded. Not replying as he clasped his arms around the doll more tightly… hugging it. Fearing that it too, like most other things in his life would leave him.

"Aibou."

"Mou hitori no boku!" Yuugi slowly closed his eyes… falling once more into that dark realm… the same dark realm that Isis and Malik had just warned him to never venture into again. As he felt his soul slowly leave his body, he faintly heard the panicked cries of Isis and Anzu. "Mou hitori no boku, I…"

The rest of the sentence never left his lips as the other roughly pressed his lips on Yuugi's. "Aibou… Aibou… hold me. Hold me… please." The other pleaded…and Yuugi immediately compelled… roughly. It wasn't everyday that his other cried for his affections, cried to be held. It was usually the reverse… and this time… it scared Yuugi terribly. "I… I don't want to leave you."

"Nor I… koi… nor I."

"Koi?" The other mumbled… a foreign word that he could not comprehend. It wasn't a word… that as Isis put it… was stored in Yuugi's memory.

"Love." Yuugi mumbled… tracing his fingers around his other's lips. "Aishiteru mou hitori no boku. Aishiteru. I… I don't care what they say! I don't care if you are an accursed king! I… I don't care about my soul! I've pledged my body to you many times! Many times! I may not have a body of a king… a god incognito… but I can give you more! I can give you my heart! My love… the essence of me."

"Aibou." The other turned away. His eyes darkened as he let Yuugi go. "I feel them calling you. You better go back. I'm sorry I drew you here. I will never…"

"Mou…" Yuugi started… only to quickly stop… for he knew… after being with his other for so long. A kiss would suffice. He roughly, savagely covered his love with kisses… and slowly he closed his eyes before returning to reality. When he opened them… his friends were hovering over him as he sat back. The doll… still clasped tight in his arms.

"Yuugi." Isis spoke as they returned to their respectful couches. "I… I know you love the namonaki pharaoh. I… I understand that, but I do not think you are thinking… rationally."

"Rational! I… I love him Isis-san! And I don't care! I don't care if he is accursed!" Yuugi rebutted. Tears cascaded down the young boy's cheeks, yet his amethyst eyes still retained its sternness… its beauty.

"Yuugi-kun!" Malik sighed… slipping a slide glance at his sister… now solemn and quiet. He bit his lips… sighed before looking back at Yuugi. "Yuugi-kun. I know… you love the namonaki pharaoh. But… don't you think you aren't being fair?"

"Fair?" Yuugi choked. The other too glazed spitefully back at the brother-sister duo. Slowly he dug his fingers into Yuugi's shoulders… pressing his force upon the young.

Malik sighed. "Yes, fair Yuugi-kun. Maybe now… now you think this is the best. Maybe now… he thinks that you two are meant for each other. That destiny has nothing else in store, and maybe… maybe… you are right, Yuugi-kun." Yuugi opened his mouth… but before he could make his rebuttal… the other continued… solemn as always. "But… what if… destiny chose not this path? My sister asked you to take out that doll… because… well…" Malik sighed… unable to continue. He bit his lips… though he wished he didn't have to tell Yuugi. He knew the boy had to know even though this part of the prophecy still mystified him. He felt a faint pat upon his arms. Looking up, he saw his sister… solemn and expressionless as always. Would she ever get over it?

"Yuugi, basically… everything I have told you and your friends comes down to this." She sighed… wetting her lips before continuing. "Basically… the namonaki pharaoh – mou hitori no boku- and the doll… within your arms… are one."

"NANI!" Jounouchi, Honda, and Anzu shouted. Their mouths flew up even the normally solemn and emotionless Seto could not help but let out a distinctive cough. Yuugi cringed… feeling his other bear down on him… could his other not know either? Yuugi nodded slowly… shyly he looked up.

"I know, Isis-san. I know. I've known for a long time that they are one. When I was little, I used to tell mou hitori no boku everything about myself. I poured my secrets into him. I felt safe with him. He kept me company when my parents were away in Egypt. I use to dream that mou hitori no boku was… real, so I could have someone to play with. Someone to share my games with… I love playing games… since I was really little. In my mind, they were the only things that would never leave me… for they couldn't. Then, when I finally met mou hitori no boku… I started to wane away from the doll form. It was as if… a part of him… was no longer in the doll. I had the real thing."

As Isis watched Yuugi speak… the young woman couldn't help but sigh. Just as when she had met the boy so long ago at her shop… even now she could sense there was something different about this boy. Maybe… he really could save the pharaoh from his accursed soul. "Hai, Yuugi. You are correct. Mou hitori no boku… does indeed reside within the doll. From my inclusive studies… my connection with the Sennen tauk, I have discovered that in a way… the doll –within your hands- is his prison. Something, drastic now lost in the sands of time had happened to the pharaoh. His accursed blood imprisoned him within the doll. The dark realm as you put it… it is his way of connecting with you. In that world, you two can be one. In that world, you can feed off of each other's energies."

"So," Yuugi spat back. "So… as you put it. Mou hitori no boku's memories are lost in time… forever forgotten. What can we do now? Why are you telling me this?"

"Because… because Yuugi-kun… we have discovered a way… for the namonaki pharaoh to relive his past as you could put it."

"Relive… my past." The other whispered… his brow furrowed as he looked down at Yuugi. The young boy had returned to his coil up form upon the couch… limp and unresponsive. Never once, in so many years had the other wondered about who he was. He had simply stopped caring what he was. Whether he was a bodiless spirit or simply a forgotten part of Yuugi covered up. But now, now here were people telling him… he had a past. But more… that he could uncover his lost memories.

"And… and… what will happen when mou hitori no boku finds his memories?" Yuugi finally squeaked out.

"That is up to the Gods… who control our destines. You must journey to Egypt… there is a slate of judgment."

"Egypt!" Yuugi's eyes widened. Oh the irony! For much of his life, he longed to travel to the land of the pharaohs. To walk upon the same soil as the gods walked. To feel the sands of time blow through his cheeks… ruffle his hair. Now… in a cruel twist of fate… if he chose to accept this destiny… he could see Egypt… but quite possibly lose his other to the hands of the Gods.

"Yes, Egypt… the land of the pharaohs… our homeland. There… deep in the sands of Egypt… the namonaki pharaoh may find his memories. But… Yuugi, chose your destiny carefully, for nine times out of ten, you and the namonaki pharaoh will not end up together. The gods are rarely sincere or caring about human emotions."

The faint sound of Anzu's sobbing in the background. Jounouchi and Honda gasped. Only Kaiba… his arms now wrapped around Jounouchi's body… simply grunted.

"So I have a choice?" Yuugi muttered out… though he knew… he already knew the answer to his question.

"Gomen Yuugi-kun. I… I really didn't know how to tell you this."

"Then why?" Yuugi cried… tears trailing down his cheeks. He rubbed his old doll's cheeks while his other wrapped his arms around Yuugi's body... pressing himself roughly into his love's shoulder blades. Had the other had a body… Yuugi's back would have shattered… though it mattered not. For now, in Yuugi's mind and heart… he had already died, or… he would rather be dead.

After all, Yuugi and his other knew… they both knew… that fate was never on their side.

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

The late summer wind glazed through Domino City. Mutou Yuugi sighed… a light jacket covered his bare arms. His bangs fluttered in the wind. A glazed over look covered his amethyst eyes as he looked far into the horizon. A deafening silence eloped the room. Yuugi rubbed his arms lightly… shifting his legs under his body. The boy sighed… taking a deep breath and slowly exhaled before turning his head. He bit his lips… uncertain on how to approach the subject. There… sitting regal as ever was his other, mou hitori no boku. Yuugi drew his breath… his other looked so hot even when he was deep in thought. "Mou hitori no boku, I…" Yuugi stopped drawing his breath. What could he say? What could he do? The two hadn't talked since Isis-san and Malik-kun's visit. His other had retreated to the dark realm the moment Isis left. It was only morning that he had reemerged… only to take possession of Yuugi's desk. "I… I…aishiteru mou hitori no boku! I… I told you once… I… I don't want to lose you. I… I'll give you all my memories... I'll give my body… my blood… everything I own!" Yuugi shouted… tears steamed down his cheeks. His other immediately looked away as Yuugi stood up… he bit his lips... before running out of the room.

The other sighed… looking down at his hands… so transparent now. "Aibou… gomen ne… gomen ne."

Tears steamed down Yuugi's cheeks as he ran out of his grandfather's store. The light flutter of rain hit the hard cement surface… evaporating upon touch. He looked up… alone and scared… his amethyst eyes blinked. Yuugi grabbed his arms… light hiccups left his lips as he collapsed onto the porch. The overhanging protected him from nature's sorrow as he gazed into the horizon. "Doushite? Doushite?"

While the two young boys… broken by despair and bonded by love … looked into the horizon… for each knew what they had to do… though neither dared to whisper those vile words. They knew that their love transgressed centuries, millenniums, and even the essence of time… they were one… forever and always. Yet, they still feared it… feared the separation… the loneliness… feared that it would take another three millenniums to find one another again. It was that pain that gnarled at their hearts… burning into them the black ashes of despair. But they knew, just as Yuugi wearily stood up… hugging his arms tightly as he walked back into his grandfather's shop and picked up the phone. His fingers shook as he dialed those heinous numbers… a long mono dial tone followed by the voice of a preppy counter lady. How could anybody be so happy now? It was a crime… a disgusting crime.

"One ticket to Cairo Egypt please."

A/N: Wow was that hard to write! Not only did I have to incorporate over a year's happenings in one chapter, but as I wrote the happy part I kept seeing the sad part in the horizon. :sigh: So… wow! I don't think I have ever whitened a chapter like this one before. Normally… people write the beginning then the end. For this… wow! I wrote the beginning… then I jumped to the end. I don't know. I guess I did that… changing back and forth… cause somehow … I knew they would join in the middle… which would be the turning point for this chapter: the merging line between happy and sad.

Now that I reflect back on this chapter. Man… it's really choppy huh? Yeah. I think I got lazy and decided to cut out half the dialogue and stuff. Maybe someday I'll write mini fics or something… (side stories) that tell what happened in those scenes. I haven't decided yet… so who knows.

And finally I have almost reached the climax. The pieces of the puzzle are falling together… and this fic will end soon… probably in two more chapters. :sigh: Actually I'm 100 sure this fic will only be 2 more chapters long even if the chapters have to do fifty pages in length. It will in end chapters!

Soo… how did you guys like it? Good? Bad? No opinion? Leave a review please! It tells me what you guys think, so I can improve it to make it better.