Zypher: Hi all and I thank you all for reviewing the last chapter. I also thank you for voting so here's the next chapter for you all. Enjoy.

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Yami no Game: Death's Awakening

Chapter 9

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Yugi immensely enjoyed the time he was able to spend with Yami and Aqua, letting them meet with his friends and just going out to explore the city and telling them about some interesting places around Domino. As weeks and eventually months went by, their bond became stronger and Yami knew that not even the forces of the puzzle could tear them apart. It was only one more day before summer vacation arrived and all the students were eager to finish the day up so they could start on their well-earned break. Yugi, Jounouchi and Honda were in their last class, Jounouchi and Honda watching the clock heatedly and Yugi drawing small doodles on the empty page that sat in front of him.

The bell finally rang and both Jounouchi and Honda cheered. They all filed out of the room and Jounouchi and Honda almost leapt up with joy with being out of school. "Finally! We're out of that prison they call a learnin' facility!" Jounouchi cried, pumping his fist into the air. "Yeah, I'm happy as well but that's just the start of everything. Did you guys hear about the new water park that opened up at Domino Park?" Honda questioned and they nodded. "I say we plan out a day and head there. I bet Yami and Aqua can use the fun." he suggested and Yugi nodded. "Yeah. I bet some fun will lighten them up." Yugi agreed. "How about we go out this Saturday? Now that summer's here, there will be hot days to come and I'm sure it will be pretty hot this weekend." he added and they agreed before all headed home.

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Yugi entered the game shop and headed straight up to him room, seeing Aqua asleep on his bed and Yami sitting on the ledge of his window. "Yami, I want to ask you something." Yugi called. He turned to him before leaving the ledge and walked over to him. "What is it, aibou?" he asked. "Well, it's finally summer vacation for us and my friends planned to head to Domino Park this Saturday. We wanted to invite you and Aqua as well so would you like to come with us?" Yugi asked.

"Sure if it won't be any trouble on your part."

"I told you before, Yami, you're not any trouble at all. Stop putting yourself down on so many things." Yugi admonished as he hugged the reformed spirit. Yami returned the hug and smiled. "Ok then. I'll stop putting myself down." he murmured and Yugi nodded. "That's all I want. You two don't need to separate yourselves from me and my friends thinking that you would be out of place. You are my friends too and I don't want you to think of yourselves any lower than that." he reassured and Yami smiled, warmed by the reassurance. Yami released Yugi and he moved away from him. "Well, I might need to leave out again to buy some swimming trunks for you and Aqua so if you would like to come, you can." Yugi said and he nodded. "Of course, Aqua will probably be awake by the time you leave so we can all go." Yami replied and he nodded once more before asking if he would like something to eat since he was about to head back downstairs to make him something for himself and Yami told him what he wanted. Yugi nodded and headed downstairs while Yami resumed his spot on the windowsill.

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After Aqua woke up, they left to head to the mall to buy something for the two to wear while they were at the water park. Nothing the teen owned would fit them, especially around Aqua's tail. "Go ahead and choose what you want." They nodded and looked through the store, looking for a pair of swim trunks that they liked. They soon came back with a pair they aesthetically liked and Yugi paid for them before they left out. Yugi told them about the park and the many rides and games they had there. "Oh you two will love it. It will be better than anything you did in the past." Yami nodded in agreement.

"I'm sure it will, aibou."

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The next day, Yugi woke up before the two slumbering spirits and left out his bed without waking them to get ready. He came back in the room, dressed and shook Yami and Aqua awake. "Come on you two, we need to get ready before Honda and Jou get here." he said as they nodded before getting out of bed. They went to get dressed while Yugi headed downstairs to fix breakfast for them and himself. His grandfather was reading the morning paper, the front page harboring another story of the mysterious card bomber that has plague the city with his deadly games using bombs. 'That's the third time. Whoever this card bomber is, he's hurting so many people with his games.' Yugi thought before he heard two sets of footsteps walk downstairs. They greeted Yugi's grandfather before sitting down at the table and eating the bowl of cereal Yugi had left for them. Once they were done, Yugi ran back upstairs to grab some towels and placed them into a beach bag just as the doorbell rang.

He ran back downstairs and called the demons from the kitchen. They came out and they all walked over to the front door. Yugi opened the door and greeted his friends before they all left out and started making their way to the park.

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"Hey, there's the park!" Jounouchi exclaimed and they all looked to where he was pointing, the colorful sign of Domino Park hanging over the entrance that was filled with people of all ages heading inside, most wearing their own swimsuits for the new water park. Yugi smiled widely and grabbed onto Aqua's hand. "Come on! Let's go!" he said happily as he ran off with him in tow. The others followed behind him, paying for their ticket before entering inside. "Man, look at all these rides and games!" Honda exclaimed. "I know! What should we do first?" Yugi asked. "Since it's already hot, how 'bout we head over to the water park and try that new Wonder Slider ride." Jounouchi suggested and they agreed. The thought of seeing Yami and Aqua in nothing but their swimming trunks made Yugi blush lightly but he shook his head. 'I shouldn't be thinking that. They both are my other halves granted from the puzzle and nothing more than that...right?' he thought and was baffled at his own train of thought. They made it over to the new water park and went to change. They came out later and Yugi looked over to the spirits only to gasp lightly in awe. No words could describe how they looked. 'Why am I thinking this way? Could I really like them in that way after so long?' he thought, a small flush crossing his cheeks. He felt Aqua tap his shoulder and he looked up to him.

"Are you ready to go? Your friends already went to get the tubes." Aqua inquired and he nodded. "Let's get going then." he spoke as he walked off with Yugi tailing behind him. Jounouchi gave him a two man tube before he took his own and ran up the stairs with Honda, whooping out loud. Yugi smiled at his two energetic friends before looking over to Yami who went to lie down on a beach chair. "Don't you want to come, Yami?" Yugi asked. "I'll wait for you to come back down and we can ride together." Yami replied and he nodded. "Come on then, Yugi. I'm curious of how this ride is." Aqua took his hand, the other holding the tube and they walked up the stairs to the top of the slide. As they were heading up, they heard Jounouchi and Honda cheering as they went down and they quickly made their way up there as well. It was a short wait but their turn came. Aqua placed the tube into the water and Yugi climbed in first before Aqua did the same following Yugi's example. The smaller teen had a blush dusting his cheeks as he leaned back to Aqua's chest. They soon went down the tube when prompted by the ride's lifeguard, Yugi laughing all the way down and Aqua smiled, warmed at seeing his young host happy. They hit the pool and were splashed upon entry. Yugi giggled a bit, shaking water free from his hair and looked back to Aqua. "That was fun, wasn't it?!" Yugi asked and he nodded. Aqua climbed out and lifted Yugi off the tube and into the water. He looked over to Yami. "Come on and try it! It is fun like they said!" he called and Yami opened his eyes before nodding and got up. Yugi dragged the tube through the water and Yami picked it up along with him. Jounouchi waved from the stairs. "Come on! You two are slow!" The blonde teased as Yami walked over and up the stairs behind the other two excited teens.

Aqua went to lie down in the beach chair, closing his eyes. Yami let Yugi down when they got to the top and Yugi climbed into the front of the tube once more once Yami placed it into the water. They slid down and Yami laughed good-naturedly, never having this much fun before that wasn't related to a dark game. He fell back into the water and Yugi looked around for him in worry before he felt his legs being grabbed, dragged underwater by the playful demon. He squealed as he was pulled down and Yami smiled as he appeared above the water. Yugi came up as well but when Yami turned around to look over at Jounouchi and Honda and Yugi saw the strange markings that was etched onto Yami's back. The tattoo was a pair of black wings near his shoulder blades, runic markings leading down his spine to what looked like a curled tail but was hidden by the swim trunks. 'I wonder where those came from.' Yugi thought before Yami turned back to him. "How about we go and play with Jounouchi and Honda?" he suggested and Yugi nodded. "I'll meet you there." Yami said as he got out of the water and went to take the tube back. Yugi swam over to his friends and tackled Honda into the water who yelped from being attacked so suddenly. "Dogpile!" Jounouchi called as he jumped on both of them, sending them underwater. Yami joined them as they played around in the water for a bit. After a while, Yugi, Jounouchi and Honda went to relax while both Yami and Aqua did some swimming in the large pool next to the slide.

Yugi watched them, thoughts still on why he reacted so lovingly after seeing them. 'There's has to be some sort of explanation but it can't be because I love them. They're my friends that have helped me a long way since I helped them out of the puzzle. I love them like a friend and no more than that. But...when I think of them that way, it feels like a knife to my heart...' he thought before sighing lightly, lying back in the beach chair. 'Maybe I do like them but I can't tell them. It could ruin the bond we have with each other.' As it got later in the day in the water park, they left out, riding on some of the rides before going to the food court and got something to eat. "Man this is great! What should we do next?" Jounouchi questioned, looking to them. "I want to ride on the Ferris wheel. What about you two?" Yugi asked, looking to them. "We might go on some more roller coasters. If you want, we can meet you three back at the entrance when it's time to go." Honda suggested. "Alright, we'll leave out of here around seven." Yugi spoke and they agreed with that before finishing their food and headed off in different directions. As they walked, Yugi spotted police officers standing around. "I wonder what they could be here for?" he wondered and Yami glanced to them as well. "It's seems that they're here for something. What it could be is what I don't know." Yami murmured. Yugi then thought of something. "You don't think that card bomber would be here? I mean, this would be a perfect place to harm a lot of people." Yugi whispered worriedly.

"Don't worry. If he is here, we'll take care of him." Aqua reassured leaving Yugi to nod before they continued on their way to the Ferris wheel. When they got there, Yugi looked over to the two demons, asking if they wanted to ride with him. They politely declined, having something else in mind and Yugi nodded before he went to get on. When he was on, the Ferris wheel went around for a short while before it stopped. Yugi pondered over why it stopped then heard the announcements about a bomb being somewhere in the park. 'Oh no, the card bomber did come here.' he thought in worry and looked down.

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"It's only five minutes before the time on the calling card. What should we do?" The policeman questioned the chief of the police force. "We'll just have to wait. We can't do anything that would endanger the people." The chief responded. Soon, the detective's phone rang and he answered it. "Yes, this is the detective in charge of the bomb investigation at the park. Who is this?" he asked and heard laughter over the phone. "I thought I would call to give you a hint on where the bomb is. The bomb is located on the Ferris wheel." The bomber confirmed and he gasped. "The Ferris wheel?!" he exclaimed, catching Yami and Aqua's attention. The chief turned to one of the officers. "How many people are on that ride?" he asked. "Three people sir. One in cars 1, 3 and 13." The officer replied. "We have to get them out of there." he murmured then heard the voice of the bomber. "I'm sorry but you can't do that. I'll blow up the entire ride if you try to save them. Instead, I'll play a game with you." The bomber continued with sick glee. They heard this and growled. 'This man will pay for endangering Yugi's life.' Yami thought, shadows growing around him. "What do you want us to do?" The chief asked once more.

"Get a deck of cards without the jokers. When you have it, tell me and I'll give you the rules." he said and the chief told one of the officers to do as he said. When he came back with the cards, the chief told the bomber that. "Good. Now, the Ferris wheel takes 10 minutes to make a full turn. In that time, the bomb will explode unless you can solve my card game." The bomber explained as the chief looked up. "We won't be able to do this! Who here is good at card games?!" he questioned and Yami stepped forward. "We are. Let me see your phone." Yami replied and the chief handed him the phone. "Alright you, I'm here. What game are we playing?" he hissed and the bomber laughed once again. "We're playing Clock Solitaire! Now, shuffle the deck and deal the cards into 13 piles like a clock with one in the center." he said and Yami did so. "Now, take the first card from the center which is the 13:00 pile," he continued and Yami drew the first card which was three. "Now, place the drawn card under its specific pile and draw from the top of the pile you placed the card under. Once you complete one of the sets, you're in for a surprise..." The bomber teased and Aqua hissed as Yami continue drawing cards, placing them under each pile until he completed the 4:00 pile.

When he was done, the number four car on the Ferris wheel exploded. His eyes widened and growled. "That's a low trick. Now I see what you're up to!" he snarled. "Yes but you're in the game now and you can't quit. Do so and everyone on the ride will be dead!" The bomber jeered with a condescending laugh. "You will pay for this." Aqua growled. Yugi from his car whimpered, seeing the demolished pieces of the car above him falling. 'Please. Save me, Yami.' Yami looked up to him and nodded as he heard his thoughts. 'Don't worry. I will. I'm not going to let you die.' he thought before he continued on with the game. Five minutes into the game and Yami already completed the 8:00 position and 5:00 position. There were already three cards under the 3:00 position and he worried about drawing the last one. 'I can't. I just can't. I'm not going to lose aibou.' he thought as he placed another ace under the 1:00 pile. He knew there was only one way how to win this game and that was to finish the 13:00 pile in the center and he was only one card away from it. Yami glanced to the clock, seeing he only had five seconds before the time on the calling card and if this wasn't it, he will lose Yugi even without completing the 3:00 pile. 'This last draw counts of the lives of the people on that ride. Please be it.' he thought as he drew the card and smiled, seeing it was the last king. The chief and officers sighed in relief and so did Aqua.

"The four kings are out! Just in time." Aqua called. "Alright, let's evacuate the riders!" The chief shouted as the Ferris wheel continued its rotation, the police let out Yugi and the person in car 1. He ran over to Yami and hugged him. "Oh, thank you! Thank you so much for saving us!" Yugi cried but looked back over to the Ferris wheel. "But if the kings pile was completed, why didn't car 13 blow up?" he questioned, looking up to Yami. "Because, the person in car 13 was the bomber posing as a hostage. He needed a place to see the game so he knew what cars to blow up. But don't worry, he's taken care of." Yami murmured as the police pulled him out but one felt for a pulse and found nothing. Without them noticing, Aqua held his soul and some of it seeped into Yami while he devoured the rest to have their power grow more. Jounouchi and Honda finally ran over to where they were. "What happened?! We heard the announcement but we couldn't make it over here because of the people runnin' out of the park." Jounouchi claimed. "It's ok. Everything's alright now. The card bomber was here but Yami played the game. He won to save me and another hostage that was on the Ferris wheel." Yugi answered. "That was lucky. You should be glad they were there for you." Honda murmured and he nodded.

"I am and I never want them to leave me. I would feel horrible losing them..." Yugi whispered and Yami pat his head lightly. "We will never leave you, Yugi. Only your choice will decide whether we're incapable of being in your presence." Yami murmured and he nodded. "We better go now. It's getting late and the park may be closed for a while after this incident." Aqua spoke and they nodded as they left out.

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Zypher: And that's all for this chapter. I do hope you liked and enjoyed it. I'll see you all soon