Zypher: Next chapter is on the way! Glad you like the last chapter and hope you'll enjoy this one!
Note to Happy Helper: Yes, I loved your idea and once I can get a plot, a summary and a good title going, I'll have it posted up. If you wish, you can help me out more with that story. Help from other with my stories is always appreciated.
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Yami no Game: Death's Awakening
Chapter 30
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There's something I think of every morning as I wait for the bus.
Yugi yawned softly as he waited on the bus stop. He didn't get much sleep last night since the visit with his grandfather lasted into the wee hours of the morning until Yami brought him home when he got too tired to stay awake. 'I hope something fun happens today! After everything I've went through, I need something that isn't threatening my health.' he thought as the bus finally came and he climbed on along with the other students heading to school.
"Next stop. Domino High School."
Yugi was stuck in between many people, thinking that maybe he should've asked for Tu Long or Jin Long to take him to school. 'No need to burden them, though.' he thought. He looked to another section of the bus and saw Hanasaki. "Ohayou gozaimasu, Hanasaki-kun!" he called in greeting and the boy looked to him before turning away. "Huh...he ignored me...I wonder if something's wrong?" Yugi murmured to himself.
"Emergency stop!"
The bus came to a screeching halt, causing Yugi, who wasn't holding onto anything, to tumble back. He reached out grab something but realized there was nothing in the back of the bus. He held his hands up to his ears though when he heard loud, pounding music. 'Ugh! What is that noise?!' he thought and turned to look behind him only to gulp in fear. 'Uh oh! It's Sozoji from Class C!' he thought and then started sneaking his way back into the crowd. 'No wonder why no one is close to him...that noise is so loud it will make someone deaf...hope he doesn't notice me...' he thought as he continued to inch back towards the crowd.
But luck wasn't on his side as one of Sozoji's eyes snapped open. "Stop right there, Yugi!" he called and Yugi felt a quick, three second freeze happen when Sozoji caught him. He pats the seat next to him. "Hey! Place next to me is open! Have a seat!" he said and not wanting to cause any trouble, moved to sit next to him. "There's something I wanted to talk to you about!" he spoke. "Bad feeling..." Yugi whispered. "It's about time for another one of my famous "All-Night Solo Live Shows!" I bet you've missed my beautiful voice, haven't you?" he questioned.
'I knew it...'
This is Sozoji's feared monthly recital! I've experienced it twice in the past before I met Yami and Aqua. Sozoji calls several audience members to a karaoke room, you pay, and displays his beloved singing voice until morning. An event that gets seven stars for annoyance! Testimonials from others that heard him sings proves it!
Mr. A - I'll never go again!
Mr. B - I was sick for three days after...
Mr. C - Gaahhh! Please stop!
"So anyways, Yugi! I want you to sell 10 tickets for the show!" Sozoji stated. "What?!" Yugi squeaked in shock. "Heh heh...its 2,000 yen (about $17 US) each, but to hear my singing voice, that's cheap!" Sozoji gloated with a laugh, holding out the tickets to him. "Try and get a 6:4 ratio of girls to boys!" Yugi took them, gulping lightly. 'Now I know I should've asked Tu Long to give me a ride...then again, Sozoji would've found me anyway at school...' he thought. "The date is three days from now." Sozoji spoke up, causing Yugi to look back at him. "Alright? You know what'll happen to you if you don't sell those tickets! Right, Yugi?" he hissed, cracking his knuckles threateningly.
As I reach school, I think something different...
'I hope something fun happens someday...' Yugi bemoaned in thought as he walked into the school building and was greeted by Jounouchi. "Ohayou gozaimasu, Yugi!" he called, waving to him. "Oh...ohayou gozaimasu, Jou!" he said happily but the blonde caught on quick to his downed state. "Hey, is somethin' wrong, Yugi? It isn't 'bout what happened yesterday still, is it?" he asked. "No, it's not about that. It's nothing, really." Yugi spoke. "Are ya absolutely sure?" he questioned and he nodded. "Ya better be sure, Yugi. I told ya yesterday, we are here fer one another! My pain is yer pain! We'll go through anythin', thick or thin!" Jounouchi continued on and on and Yugi lowered his head once more, catching his attention again. "Yugi...seriously...is somethin' bothering ya? Tell me! I'm here fer ya!" Jounouchi claimed, grabbing his shoulders. "Don't make me have ta go and call Yami or Aqua ta come here."
"No no no! It's alright! Perfectly fine! No need to call them! They need to rest after yesterday and I don't want to burden them! Ok, Jou? Thanks anyways..." Yugi said quickly. Jounouchi smiled and nodded, letting him go.
"Alright!"
Yugi smiled to him, talking with him until class started and he headed back to his seat. 'Thanks, Jou.' he thought.
After that, I felt a little better...
Of course, if I told Jounouchi about the tickets I was forced to sell, I'm sure that he, and possibly Honda, will pick a fight with Sozoji. And I definitely don't want to subject Zella to that jerk's terrible voice!
'I can't make my friends suffer like that. I couldn't even dare ask Yami or Aqua to come with me that night. Sozoji will make them go deaf easily because of their heightened senses.' he thought then remembered what Sozoji said.
"You know what'll happen to you if you don't sell those tickets!"
The small teen sighed and laid his forehead on his desk, tuning out the lesson.
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In the end it seemed like I would go home with the tickets still in my pocket...
Yugi headed towards the door then spotted Hanasaki by the lockers near the door. Yugi started to pull a ticket from his pocket but the stuffed it back inside. 'What am I thinking? I can't do that to Hanasaki. He's my friend even though we knew each other only for a short while.' Yugi thought and walked by. "Ja ne, Hanasaki-kun." Hanasaki looked up when he heard him walk by.
"Yugi..." He pulled a ticket from his pocket and held it out to him. "S-Sorry to bother you but...C-Could you buy this ticket from me...?" Yugi gasped softly. 'Great, Sozoji got him too.' he thought. "You know Sozoji from Class C right...these are the tickets for his show and he wants me to sell five of them." Hanasaki murmured. 'Five? He has less than me.' Yugi thought before he started digging through his pocket. 'And I didn't even bring extra money but of course, who would be walking around with a ton of yen in their pocket converted from gold and gems from their spiritual demon partners? I'll be mauled once someone finds out and steals it all.'
"Sorry, I don't have any extra money with me to buy that ticket." he said, looking to him and saw him lowering his gaze. "But let's do this! Give me your tickets and I'll sell them for you!"
"Huh...? I...Is that ok with you, Yugi? I don't want to burden you with my problems..." Hanasaki spoke as he took the five tickets from his pocket. "Yeah...then if you don't want to go, you don't have to." Hanasaki smiled and bowed to him. "Thank you so much, Yugi. I couldn't ask for a better friend." he whispered and Yugi smiled before he left out.
'I should be the only one to suffer through this. No need for other people to listen to what's supposed to be Sozoji's beautiful voice.' he thought as he walked home. 'Maybe I can ask Aqua to make another one of these crystal hearts for Hanasaki.'
So, I now have 15 tickets in my pocket...
"10, 15, same difference..." Hanasaki watched as he left and sighed softly. "I thought Yugi looked a little gloomy today but I'm glad he decided to help me out." he whispered. The door opened behind him and Sozoji poked his head out from the opening. "Hanasakiiiii...I saw that. You think you can take the easy way out...?" he questioned darkly as he came out fully and Hanasaki turned to see him standing there. He gasped but his cries weren't heard by anyone else.
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And with 15 tickets still in my pocket and trying to keep my feeling of dread hidden from Yami and Aqua (I learned rather quick that they're practical masters at reading the simplest of emotions and discomfort from my eyes alone), the day of the solo live show came!
Yugi sat on the chair that was on the room, looking up to Sozoji, which he had to say looked like a horrible cosplay of Elvis, holding two hand bells in both his hands. His lips were sealed as Sozoji glared down at him. "Yugi...what did you just say...?" he growled, making him flinch.
"Are you saying you didn't sell one ticket?!"
"I-I'm sorry, but everyone was busy today...but...I'll listen to your songs, Sozoji..."
"Damn right! You'll stay with me all night! And this show's going to be a live show of blood!" he sneered as he took out a pair of snare headphones. "First of all, you'll listen with these!" Yugi gulped as he took the headphones shakily and placed them over his ears. Sozoji put the jack into the stereo and put the volume to max, causing Yugi to swallow thick. Taking his place on the stage and took hold of the microphone. "Let's start with my favorite! Let's go!" He screeched and started singing, causing Yugi to jump up in his seat.
He wished to any god to stop the horrible noise but knew if he tried to take the headphones off, he would get beaten. 'He...he can't be human...' Because of all the noise, he couldn't block the link properly and back at the game shop, Yami and Aqua were holding their own ears, snarling. "What the hell is that noise?! It's sound like a harpy is screeching into my ear at a very close distance!" Aqua hissed, tail slamming on the floor in anger. "I don't know but it's coming through the link so Yugi is being forced to listen to the racket!" Yami snarled. "Yugi will go deaf by this if we don't get him out of there!" Aqua responded and they soon shifted into their demon forms. With a quick explanation to Keara, they were gone, still holding their ears.
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Soon, Sozoji stopped and smirked. "Yow! That made me shiver! Now, before the next number, let's introduce our special guest!" he said and pulled the curtain from behind him away, revealing Hanasaki's bruised form. "Hanasaki!" Yugi called, his ears still ringing. Sozoji chuckled. "Look at the poor thing...that must hurt...It's your fault for stealing his tickets, Yugi!" he whispered. Yugi jumped out of his seat and ran to him, headphones still over his ears, and tried to wake him up. "Hanasaki! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I was only trying to help you..." he whispered.
Hanasaki coughed lightly and looked up to him. "I'm the one who should apologize...you tried to take on my burden...this would've happened no matter what you did to help me out. I'm being punished because he found out I was trying to sell a ticket to you...I'm really sorry..." he murmured before falling unconscious again. "Hanasaki!" Shadows began to pool beside him and he looked down, expression falling in relief to see it. Sozoji also saw this and was about to question it when they shot up, hitting the roof of the room, like a giant deluge made by a depth charge, falling like water and left in its place were Yami and Aqua. Aqua growled as he looked to Sozoji then down to Yugi.
"Little one, are you alright?" he asked. Yugi nodded and stood. "I'm fine, just a little ringing in my ears but Hanasaki isn't. He was hurt badly. Can you heal him?" Yugi asked. "I can see. We're not really made to heal wounds like we used to." Aqua replied before running a hand over the bruises, eyes glowing as the bruises healed slowly but completely. As Aqua was doing this, Yami glared at Sozoji. "You have trespassed on grounds you should never cross, Sozoji. You will pay for harming them with your merciless punishment and dreaded music." Yami hissed, taking the headphones off from Yugi and yanked the jack out from the stereo, a crease in the jack landing on a nearby glass rim. "Let me ask you this question...are you a coward?"
"What?!" he exclaimed, still in shock and surprise not that they showed up for Yugi, but that they were demons and Yugi was their lover. "If you're not then don't try and escape from the game I'm going to start!" Yami snarled. 'A game? He must be crazy!' Sozoji thought. "I call this game...The Silence Game!" he whispered as he sauntered to the seat Yugi took previously and sat down, placing the headphones around his neck.
Yugi whispered something to Aqua and he nodded before Yugi went over to Yami's side and sat next to him, placing his head upon Yami's shoulder and he smiled down to him before turning back to Sozoji. "Before I explain the rules to your little game, let me get some tools." he said and snapped his fingers. A wisp of shadows appeared on the table before disappearing and left two items on the table.
"The toy is called the Sound Pierrot - French for "clown" to give you a meager language lesson. As you can see, I'll be using them for our game. If you make any sound, the sensor will pick up the sound and start to dance. By the rules of the game, after we're given the signal to start, neither one of us can't make a single sound. We must stay perfectly silent. The first to make a sound and make the Pierrot dance loses. Sound good to you?" he explained and Sozoji nodded. "What will happen if you lose?"
"If I lose..." The demon chuckled softly. "I'll give you my life. Think of the money you could make bringing in a demon, dead or alive." he purred and Sozoji grinned, the greed palpable in his gaze. He'll be able to drop from that lousy high school and take his gig on the road for real! "But, of course, if you lose, you will pay with yours." Yami sneered, eyes glinting with a hungry gleam and Sozoji flinched a little at seeing the glint. "Game Start!" The demon announced and both were rendered silent. "I hope you win, Yami." Yugi spoke and Sozoji would've laughed. 'The twerp! He's going to lose it for his lover already!' he thought but looked down and saw the Sound Pierrot wasn't dancing.
'Hey?! It isn't dancing! He said that when we make a sound, it would dance!' he thought and Aqua looked to him. "I can see what you're thinking. Yes, the Sound Pierrot would be dancing because he spoke but this is a game between you and Yami. Yugi isn't bound to the rules so he as well as Hanasaki and I can speak freely without disrupting the game." he explained and Sozoji's face twisted into a snarl but didn't let the sound pass his lips. 'No matter. I'll win this game and have his head on a plaque on my wall!'
They were silent for another few minutes and Sozoji started to shift in his seat. 'Tch...this room should be ringing with my beautiful voice! It shouldn't be silent in here! But it's worth it if I'll get to take a demon's life and make good money out of it!' his eye looked towards the glass and saw the jack just tipping off the edge of the rim and he grinned. 'That idiot! He hadn't realized that when he pulled the jack out, he had it get stuck on the rim of the glass! It's only a matter of seconds before it falls and makes a sound, giving the game to me!' Yugi also saw this and looked to Yami. /Yami, what if that jack falls? It will make a sound and you will lose./ Yugi said through the link. /Don't worry. I won't lose. Just keep watching and you'll see what will make Sozoji lose./ he replied and he nodded.
Sozoji only continued to watch the jack, holding the microphone tightly. 'Fall! Fall! Man, my heart is pounding! This is getting exciting!' Sozoji thought, sweat beading down his face as he continued to watch as the jack quivered on its place on the glass. 'Fall already!' The upperclassman thought once again but it didn't fall. 'When is that thing going to fall?! I want to win this game so I can get back to my show for these two pathetic punks!' Sozoji was unaware of the beating sound coming from the speakers until the Sound Pierrots started dancing.
'What the...?! The Pierrot is dancing!' Sozoji thought in shock. 'But the jack didn't fall! Then what sound...!' He finally heard it and looked up to the speakers, hearing the steady beats of a heart. Yugi heard it as well and looked to Sozoji. "That's what it was! You held your microphone too close to your chest that it caught the beats of your heart! If you remembered earlier, you turned the volume to max so your heartbeats were loud enough through the speakers to make the Pierrots dance!" Yugi gasped. "He's right. The mic you hold has done you in. Now, your life is mine!" he hissed as he stood, removing the headphones and handing them to Yugi before walking towards Sozoji who started to back away.
"Can you just imagine how good a human meal is if you were a demon? I can. Sweet blood dripping from a torn throat...splattering onto the ground and walls as I sink my teeth into the rich flesh of my defeated opponent. Organs and muscles all tender and saturated with flavor...it's a good sensation and I enjoy it all the more~" Yami whispered as he walked closer to him. Sozoji continued to back away until he was cornered and Yami dug his claws into his shoulders, causing him to wince and blood blossoming onto the white fabric of his outfit.
"And with every win of a game now that I got a body back, my meals get sweeter. Now, let's just see how good you taste with your heart beating fast, blood pumping through every little vein in your body and your sweat sweetening your flesh even more." Yami hissed, licking his lips. Sozoji screamed in terror but it was his final scream for with a slash of claws, Sozoji was silenced for good, blood creating a river along the floor as Yami devoured the flesh.
Yugi looked over to Aqua who held Hanasaki in his arms and smiled softly when he saw another crystal heart, this one glowing with a forest green light, hanging around his neck. "Once Yami's done, we'll take him home then we'll head back. You need some rest...and I need some aspirin." he mumbled, holding his head to the forming headache from hearing Sozoji's voice so loud earlier. Yugi giggled softly and got up, walking over to him and placed his hands on his face, making Aqua face him. "You'll feel better soon, Aqua. I should've kept the link closed but with Sozoji's dreaded voice, I couldn't keep a barrier up on my side." Yugi cooed, bringing him down a little, kissing his forehead and he smiled, purring. "If you did that, you would've worried us, little one."
"That probably would've been better that having you two hearing his loud voice through the link." Yugi said before he started to rub Aqua's snout soothingly, singing a soft song which put him at ease. Once Yami was done, he rid of Sozoji's remains and came over, smiling softly. "Yugi, you have such a beautiful voice. You are a lot better than Sozoji." Yami murmured, sitting down upon the floor. Aqua did the same, holding the now sleeping Hanasaki in his lap, and brought the microphone over to him with his tail. When Aqua had it in hand, he held it up to Yugi. "Sing for a little bit. We'll leave later. We shouldn't let this room go to waste." Yugi blushed before taking the microphone.
Yami urged him to sing and he smiled before doing so, his angelic voice floating through the room, putting everyone, even the workers who were fated to hear Sozoji's voice through the door, at ease and bringing a smile to Hanasaki's face.
Something fun finally happened today and both Yami and Aqua enjoyed it immensely. I knew now that singing to them is a great feeling...
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Zypher: And that's all for this chapter! Bet you all enjoyed Yugi's little singing debut! To me, this chapter felt like a chapter done in Yugi's POV but I liked how it came out either way. Just for a hint, I've been playing so much of Shin Megami Tensei Digital Devil Saga, I'll probably be having Yami and Aqua speaking almost in the same tones as the characters in the game but I can't help it! This game is my god now! Demons and devouring people! All my favorite concepts rolled into one and it makes for helping me with good ideas. If you ever see this game, buy it! It's a great game!
Anyways, off that topic for now. Hoped you all enjoyed this chapter and will be waiting for the next. And Red Dragon, don't worry! The lemon chapter (yes, lemon chapter! -pumps fists into the air- Finally getting to one for this story!) will be coming soon! Keep waiting and it'll be here when you least expected!