Juni: We're back.
KT: A big hug from me to pyromaniacgrl, pharaohs-slave, Yami's Lil Angel, ladywolfTerri, Pharaoh Atemu's Angel, Atemu Yugi Lover34, Yami Neferbre, Dark Angel Of Fire Ice, xamosy, Yana5, Triana5, Koseta, Rexs Gurl, LilAznSp0nge, Kichi Hisaki, Mizu, AngelPrincess17, sakura-dream, Cathrath, Angel's Charm, YamiKITG, and Girltoy for reviewing, and a dangerously large sugar cookie to pyromaniacgrl and Girltoy for adding me to your favorites list. It's my motivation.
Taku: Let's just get to the chapter.
KT: Don't rush me. Now let's get to the chapter.
Taku: (exasperated sigh)


(last time)

Yami wordlessly lifted Yugi's left hand. Clasped around the wrist was the silver bracelet Yami had given to Yugi. The former undid the clasp, and removed the bracelet.

Yugi looked up into Yami's eyes. "Yami?"

"I said I wouldn't hurt you anymore," Yami told him. "That didn't just mean physically. It meant in every sense possible. I do want you to be happy, Yugi, and I believe you are happier where you truly belong."

"What?" Yugi's eyes widened. "You mean..."

Yami nodded, and then looked down. "You don't belong to me any longer, Yugi. I'm setting you free. You can go home."


7: Real Love

Yugi stared at his now bare wrist, then back up at Yami. The vampire was looking away, and his very aura seemed sad yet resigned.

"Yami, I-I can't leave," Yugi said.

"Yes you can," Yami said. "You no longer have to do what I say. I'm releasing you from our deal. Now go."

Yugi was finding it hard to believe. "But-"

"Go!" Yami snapped. He whirled towards the boy, his eyes flashing angrily. Yugi flinched and took a step back, intimidated underneath the harsh glare. Yami stared at him, then sighed and let his eyes drop.

Yugi stepped back up to Yami. He was reaching out with one hand. "Y-Yami..."

Yami suddenly grabbed him and pulled him close in a tight hug. Yugi found his face buried in Yami's chest. He thought he could feel Yami's body shaking, but he wasn't sure. He was surprised when Yami abruptly released him and turned and walked away. Yugi watched his back until he faded into the darkness.

With Yami gone, silence settled down and became Yugi's companion. Yugi looked into the darkness of the forest, as if expecting Yami to come back. His gaze shifted to the light that penetrated the trees. The unpaved road leading back home called to him.

Yugi slowly stepped through the trees. Being hit by full, unhindered sunlight was enough to nearly knock him down. He squinted and shielded his eyes with a hand. He could see the edge of the town up ahead. I get to see my friends again, Yugi thought, his spirits rising. He walked forward a few steps, then paused and glanced over his shoulder. The Forbidden Forest loomed behind him, no longer as eerie as it had been when Yami's existence was nothing but a legend to him. With a sigh he couldn't quite explain, Yugi turned back around and kept walking.


Tea stared at the pages spread out over the coffee table. Her mind was currently sorting through the math problem in front of her. Okay, so there's six steps to solving this problem, and so far, I have two. Great. Tea sighed and blew a breath upwards, lifting her bangs momentarily.

"Havin' problems?" Joey asked from his seat beside her on the living room couch.

"Yeah," Tea said. "I used to be able to fly right through math. But now it's just so hard."

Joey grunted. "I can't even focus on math," he admitted, lifting up a piece of paper half-filled with illegible handwriting. "Dis is history."

Tea glanced over at the paper raised in Joey's hand. In front of them, the muted television was tuned to a news program. They were talking about some hurricane in Geneva. Tea wasn't even sure where Geneva was.

"You kids ready for a break?"

Tea and Joey both looked over the back of the sofa to see elderly Solomon Moto, coming into the living room with a tray of snacks and drinks for the two. They both lived with him, since they were both orphans. "I am," Joey piped up. "What's mine?"

Solomon came around the sofa and placed the tray on the coffee table, making sure not to put it on any of the schoolwork spread over it. "I'm sure you two can find a way to share nicely," he said, straightening up and dusting off his hands. "I'll be in the game shop if you need me." He left the living room.

Joey reached for the tray. "It's good eatin'-" He stopped when he noticed Tea had leaned forward slightly and now had her face in her hands. "Tea?"

Tea didn't respond for a minute. Joey watched her, concerned.

"It's just...every time I look at Mr. Moto...I think...I think of Yugi," Tea said through her fingers. She sounded as though she were fighting off tears. "They always did look a lot alike."

Joey instantly saddened. It had been four days since Yugi had disappeared into the Forbidden Forest. The town had formed search parties and looked all around the forest. Some had even been brave enough to explore the outskirts, but no luck. Joey knew that Yugi was deeper in the forest, perhaps barely surviving, but he knew his little buddy wasn't dead. It was only a matter of time before he found his way out, or the search parties stopped being chicken and went deeper inside and found him.

With a heavy sigh, Joey reached over and placed a hand on Tea's shoulder. "Don' talk like he's gone foreva, Tea," he said. "Yugi's gonna be fine. We're gonna see 'im again real soon, I promise ya." Truth be told, Joey had been beating himself up about the whole mess since Yugi disappeared. He felt it was entirely his fault that Yugi was gone; after all, he was the one who had dared Yugi to go in there in the first place.

Tea sniffed and let her hands drop into her lap. "You're right. But I just miss him so much."

"Oh!" they both heard. It had sounded like Solomon. They both jumped up and ran to the back door of the game shop, thinking the old man might have been hurt. When they reached the open doorway, they saw Solomon hugging the life out of a familiar figure clad in black.

"Grandpa, I c-can't breathe," Yugi wheezed. Solomon released him, but didn't take his hands off the boy's shoulders.

Tea gasped. "Yugi!" she exclaimed. She sprinted from the doorway and nearly knocked him down as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You're alive! You're back! Oh, thank God!"

Joey followed her, and he too was soon hugging Yugi. Yugi hugged them both back, incredibly happy to see them. But for some reason, he wasn't as happy as he had thought he would be.

"Man, I'm so glad you're alive, Yug!" Joey was saying. "You dunno what it's been like hea without you." He pulled back, tears in his eyes. "Yugi...I jus' wanted to say I'm sorry fer makin' you do dat stupid dare. It was the dumbest thing I think I've eva done."

Yugi didn't say anything about it. "I'm just glad to be back," he said.

"Yugi, you have to tell us what happened!" Tea exclaimed as she and Joey ushered him into the living room. "What did you do? How did you survive? And...where'd you get those clothes?"

"It's a long story," Yugi said, sitting down on the couch. "But, to start if off..." He sighed. "The legend about the Forbidden Forest? It isn't a legend. There's really a vampire in there."

"A what?" Both Tea and Joey looked shocked. "You're kiddin' me!" Joey exclaimed.

Yugi nodded. "It's true. He was real, I know. I was with him all this time."

"Did he hurt you?" Tea asked worriedly.

Yugi thought about Yami biting him twice. Then he wondered suddenly if his friends had noticed the bite marks on his neck. "...No, he didn't," he said finally. "He let me stay with him and showed me the way out of the forest."

Tea and Joey exchanged surprised looks. "Soun's like a nice guy," Joey said.

"He is," Yugi agreed, nodding.

"I'm glad he took care of you," Tea said. "I just wished he had showed you the way out sooner."

"Well, at first he wasn't sure if he wanted to let me go, because he was really lonely," Yugi told them. "But he finally did."

At that point, Solomon came bustling in with lunch, right after the snack, and he looked years younger.


The day went on with everyone under the Moto roof in considerably high spirits. Tea continued to hug Yugi at random points in time, expressing over and over again how happy she was that he was back.

As the sun faded below the horizon, Yugi found himself in his and Joey's room, sitting on the bottom bunk bed and watching the natural light in the room fade. He sighed. He was back home with his family and friends. He should be overjoyed.

But he wasn't. And he didn't know why. He felt frustrated at not being able to sort out his own thoughts. Rubbing his temples, he closed his eyes momentarily. The darkness made him think of the Forbidden Forest.

"Knock knock?"

Yugi opened his eyes and looked up to see Tea at the doorway. He smiled. "Come on in," he invited.

Tea came in and sat down on the bed next to him. "Mr. Moto and Joey went out to get a few groceries before dinner. What are you doing up here all alone?"

"Oh, nothing really," Yugi lied. "Just...thinking."

"Anything interesting?" Tea asked.

Yugi shrugged slightly. "Not really."

They sat in amiable silence for a few moments.

"Want to come down and watch TV?" Tea asked.

"Um..." Yugi scratched his cheek. "Nah, I think I'll just sit up here."

Another brief silence. "Yugi, is something bothering you?" Tea asked. "You seem...preoccupied, I guess."

Yugi sighed. "Well, I don't know. Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course, Yugi."

"Well...okay." Yugi shifted so that he was sitting crosslegged on the bed, his fingers wrapped around his toes. "You know the vampire I told you about? From the Forbidden Forest? Well, I was thinking about him. I-I guess I kind of miss him. He was a nice guy, and...well, I have all these strange feelings running around inside of me, and I can't sort them out, and I know they have something to do with him. I just-" Yugi broke off suddenly and looked down, biting his lip.

Tea watched him, confused. "Yugi, what is it?"

Yugi sighed, but didn't respond just then. He seemed to be having an internal battle. Finally he raised his head, and the look Tea saw in his eyes almost scared her.

"Tea, I...I...I think that...I can't stay here," Yugi said.

The color drained from Tea's face. "What?"

"I want to go back to the forest. Before you say anything," Yugi added quickly, seeing that Tea was opening her mouth to protest, "I have to tell you. The vampire-Yami-I think I...have feelings for him. I've been trying to deny it for a little while, but it's become more obvious lately. I almost didn't want to come back, but I knew I had to see you guys. Tea..." Tears filled his eyes. "...I need him."

Tea's mouth was still slightly open, as if any moment she would jump in and protest.

"The look on his face when he sent me back...I could tell he didn't want me to go. I think he feels something for me too, Tea. And I don't think I would be as happy if I didn't go back to him."

Silence fell over the room. Tea was staring at Yugi, but her blue eyes held a kind of understanding. Yugi's tears were brimming and threatened to break, but he didn't look away from her.

Suddenly, Tea reached out and took Yugi's hand. "Then go back," she said.

Yugi looked shocked. "You agree?"

"I would rather you stay here with us," Tea said, "only because I've missed you so much. But I can tell just from your face that this is serious. It's love, Yugi. You love this guy. And he loves you. And two people in love should never be apart." Tea smiled a slightly sad smile. "There was something my mother used to say, one of the few things I remember her saying before she died. 'If you love someone, set them free. If they come back, then they're yours forever' she always said. He loved you, so he set you free. Now it's up to you to come back."

Yugi's tears were trembling on the edges of his eyelashes now, but he broke into a shaky smile. He hugged Tea, and she hugged him back. "Thank you, Tea," Yugi whispered. "I'm so glad you understand." He pulled back and wiped his tears away.

"Pack something," Tea urged. "Then go ahead and leave. I'll explain to Joey and Mr. Moto when they get back."

Yugi nodded. He jumped off the bed with a purpose. He opened the closet door and pulled out one of his old backpacks.Yugi pulled several of his items of clothing off of hangers and stuffed them in. He then went out to the bathroom in the hall and packed his toothbrush and the unopened tube of toothpaste.

While he was running around packing things, Tea was sitting on his bed, watching him go. When he had closed and shouldered the backpack, poised to walk out the door, she came up and gave him another big hug. "Tell him he'd better take care of you, because, vampire or no, I'll kill him if he doesn't," she said, making them both smile.

"Thanks again, Tea," Yugi said at the front door. Night had fallen by this time. "I'd stay longer, but-"

"No need to explain," Tea interrupted him. "Just go." She smiled.

Yugi smiled back and headed off down the road. Tea watched him go until he was out of sight. She went into the living room and sat on the couch silently.

Moments later, sooner than she thought, Joey and Solomon came back from the grocery store. They staggered in the door, arms full of grocery bags. "We'a back, an' we need help!" Joey yelled.

Tea stood up and went to the front hall. "Where's Yugi?" Joey asked as she took a couple of bags.

A sigh escaped from the girl, but she put on a determined look. "Joey, Mr. Moto," she said, "There's something I need to tell you."


Yugi found himself at the edge of the Forbidden Forest sooner than he had expected. Either he had been walking faster than he thought, or it wasn't so far away. Either way, he was here now, and that was what counted. Sighing, Yugi shifted the weight on his shoulders and plunged into the forest.

The darkness didn't seem nearly as thick and dark, as it had the first time he had ventured into the forest. He kept walking forward resolutely, weaving around trees and keeping himself from being tripped, looking for anything familiar. He took another step forward, and suddenly found himself rolling downhill.

Yugi didn't voluntarily move until he was at the bottom. "I can't believe I rolled downhill again," he mumbled into the dirt. He rose to his feet and brushed himself off. "That was probably the same hill, too."

He checked himself for injuries and, finding none too serious, continued walking, backpack still strapped to his shoulders. His eyes wandered upward, though he didn't know what he was looking for. He found it when passing underneath a tall tree.

There he was, sitting leisurely up in the higher branches, seemingly staring off into space. Yami's eyes were glowing as usual, but Yugi could see the vampire's face as well as his eyes. He looked up at him, unsure how to shatter the silence.

As if sensing eyes on him, Yami looked down. His eyes flashed when he saw Yugi. He slowly stood to his feet on the branch, looking down at the boy. Then, without a word, he leapt from the branch and landed in front of Yugi.

Silence passed between them as they stared at one another. Finally Yami spoke. "Why did you come back?"

Yugi didn't blink. "Because...I love you," he admitted.

Yami took in a sharp breath. He stared at Yugi, as if disbelieving, but then he stepped closer to the boy. Yugi took the opportunity to throw his arms around Yami's neck and hug him. Yami's arms wasted no time in circling around him as well.

"You came back," Yami breathed, resting his cheek on the top of Yugi's head. "Oh, Yugi, I thought...I thought you'd be happier where you belong."

"This is where I belong," Yugi said. "Wherever you are."

Yami pulled away so he could gaze down at Yugi. "You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that," he said. He pulled Yugi forward again, and this time their lips met in a passionate kiss. When they broke it, Yami remained close to face and whispered, "I love you too, Yugi."


KT: Wow, that was sappy.
Juni: And happy.
Taku: And crappy.
KT: (punches Taku)
Taku: (is bleeding) No! My handsome face!
KT: Heads up, people. I finally got a job (can you say paid?) so that means I will not be updating as frequently. I will be able to get the next chapter to Dark World up this week, but then I'm going to have to start putting more space between my updates, because I'll actually be busy. Just so you know.
Juni: See you all next time.
pyromaniacgrl: (blushes) Aw...stop flattering me, you old silly.

pharaohs-slave: I'm glad my story means so much to you that you'll hurt me for an update. (sweatdrop) I think. Your enthusiasm is amazing...and frightening.

Yami's Lil Angel: Ah, it's hard to find a good kind of sad. Poor Yami. He loves Yugi so much he's willing to let him go, just to see him happy.

ladywolfTerri: Haha...whoops, two cliffhangers in a row. Oh well. You lived. I'm sure Tony will be happy to hear from you (grin)

Pharaoh Atemu's Angel: (grin) You got it, dude. Hell yeah they kissed, and they better do a whole lot more of it.

Atemu Yugi Lover34: Tell your dad not to scare you awake anymore. It ain't healthy.

Yeah, you're right. But did I need to tell you that? No, you just read the chapter, now didn't you?

Yami Neferbre: Sure.

Dark Angel Of Fire Ice: Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll have to settle for hailing (grin)

Against the rules? What rules? The rules of living in the Forbidden Forest with a sexy lovesick vampire?

xamosy: NO! (trips over chair) I'm too young to die!

Yeah, I'm glad I joined the group. (pumps fist) It's an awesome place.

Woowee! (fans face) You better cut it out, because I'm getting turned on again. Hmmm...I wonder if I could get someone to draw a picture of that? Oh, that would be hot. And just think...Yami just got Yugi the bed...oh dear, I've got to stop.

Yana5: You're right about that.

Triana2: Haha, that's a good point; Seto's still at large. Run, Yugi, run!

Koseta: (stares) It's like you read the next few chapters. Damn you're good!

Rexs Gurl: I'm glad this one got your attention. Too bad Duke was such a dummy and didn't listen to Yugi's warnings...

I'll read one of your stories, I promise. I just have to free up some time.

LilAznSp0nge: Ed! You're making Ru speak in third person! Ru is gonna kill Ed!

Kichi Hisaki: Poor Yami. Poor Yugi. Love is sooo confusing sometimes.

Mizu: Aw, you love me? Why, thank you. You're so nice.

AngelPrincess17: Don't cry now. Here's a tissue (hands over tissue)

sakura-dream: All right, if you insist (grin)

Cathrath: Aw, you're making me blush. But, yeah, you're right, Yami and Yugi are perfect for each other. I've read some of your stories too, and I like them (grin)

Angel's Charm: Ah, yes, cliffhangers can suck. But they add to the suspense, do they not? It was very sweet of Yami to release Yugi, especially since he's a vampire and all.

YamiKITG: Thank you for adding this to your favorites. I appreciate it.

Girltoy: Thanks for all three reviews. You don't have to hurt me; I update on my own.