Disclaimer: There is most likely no real legal way I can take YGO from its rightful owners, and me having some sort of irrational fear of prison…herby proclaim that I do not, nor will I ever, own YGO. (Drat)
Author Note: Thank you again, and again to all the people who reviewed. I noticed with a bit of chagrin that my chapters are quite short. I hope to remedy that with this one. With a healthy breakfast of pop tarts and ginger ale I am ready to go. Enjoy! Oh, and because one of you asked, no, this is not like Harry Potter, the pictures don't move. As for why Yami is there, that is the mystery, ne?
Yugi turned around the street corner, and then paused to lean on a lamp post once the Game Shop was out of sight. His head ached where he leaned it on the cold metal, but it was a firm reminder.
The young hikari looked down at the textbook held tight in his hands. He had left so suddenly, with no real plan in his mind other than escape from Yami's questioning gaze.
With a shock, Yugi realized he had left the millennium puzzle back in his room, where it lay abandoned. His neck felt naked without the familiar weight, and his mind was void of the pharaoh's even distant presence. The boy couldn't remember willingly leaving Yami behind; willingly submitting to the static loneliness of his singular mind.
He was briefly tempted to go back to get the puzzle, but the weight of the text in his arms reminded him and made him pause. "If I go back," he whispered to the concrete below his feet, "Then he will know I lied about Jou." The boy stiffened his shoulders and forced his chin up. He had survived years without the spirit's presence in his thoughts. Surely he could make it to Jou's house on his own.
Mind made up, and course plotted, the amethyst eyed boy clutched the book a little too protectively against his chest as he walked swiftly in the direction of Jou's. The pale dusk seemed to nip at his heels, causing him to quicken his pace.
He arrived at the admittedly shanty apartment complex with ease. Yugi hoped Jou was home, and willing to talk about the picture, and what the image of a 3000 year old pharaoh was doing in its midst's.
The buzzer for entrance to the building was broken, so the boy just slipped inside the front desk area in silence. He avoided touching the crusty door handle as much as possible while keeping his book close. The man who sat at the front desk did not even look at Yugi, so the boy shuffled past, awkwardly heading to the elevator.
Poking the floor three button with the corner of his jacket, the hikari waited as the machine jarred into life and groaned in its ascent. Walking into the hall and reaching room 303, Yugi paused outside the door and listened. No sounds issued from within, which meant that Jou's father was out for the night.
What am I going to say? Yugi bit his lip lightly as he thought. I guess…I guess I could tell him I found the picture at my house, and…I wanted to know if it was his. Yugi nodded to himself. It was a half truth at best, but it was all he could do. Then Jou will look at the photo and I can tell if he sees Yami there too. I can tell that it's not just me who sees him.
Before he could stop himself, Yugi reached and banged on the door, much harder than he had wished. A slight blush stained his cheeks as he waited anxiously for the door to open.
"Whaddya want?" a voice growled, muffled by the closed door. It was definitely Jounouchi, and he sounded like he had just woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
"It's me Jounouchi." Yugi called back, wishing his friend wasn't so paranoid and would just let him in. "I came to ask you something."
"Yug'? I can't see ya out there."
Rolling his eyes, Yugi went up on tip toe so that Jou could see him through the peep. The small teen waved at the small glass hole until he heard the chains, locks and deadbolts being undone. Finally, Jou opened the door, and smiled down at his friend. "Sorry. Dint see ya down there. Heh."
Yugi's smile was brief before concern took over his soft features. "Hey, can I come in? I'd rather talk inside if that's ok?" he looked so small, standing there with a giant book held desperately close.
Jou blinked, and tried to flatten his ruffled hair and wrinkled clothes. His liquid brown eyes looked uncomfortable. "Ah, well Yug' this aint the best time, ya kno'? You shoulda called and I would…"
The blush moved to stain Yugi's ears, tipping them red. "Oh." He said, his stomach turning into a cold uncomfortable lump. "Right. Yeah, I will just catch you at school, ok? Thanks Jou!" he turned sharply, irritated that tears made his eyes burn. He almost ran to the elevator, maliciously punching the down arrow as Jou looked at his retreating back.
"Hey, Yugi, wait—" the blonde tried to call him back, but Yugi had already jumped into the elevator, the doors closing behind him with a rusty creak. Jou shook his head, and turned back in to his room, closing himself in with a soft click. He would talk to his little buddy tomorrow about what was bothering him.
Yugi leaned against the elevator wall, and tried to breathe without shaking. "Why is this making me so upset?" he muttered to the florescent interior. "It's just a picture. And it belongs to Yami; Anzu gave it to him. I should just put it back and forget about it." Practically running down the street to the Game Shop, Yugi was home in a matter of minutes.
He hurriedly removed his shoes, and noted the absence of his grandpa's runners. That would mean it was just him and Yami in the house. For a reason he could not place, that brought Yugi a feeling of dread. His mind was calculating out a way to return the picture without his other self finding out about it.
I was stupid, the hikari said to himself, shamed. I shouldn't have blown off the pharaoh. Now he'll think something's wrong. I overreacted when I saw Yami in the picture. Why did it bother me so much? Trudging up the stairs wearily, Yugi pushed open the door to his room, but found it eerily empty.
He placed the textbook back on his desk, and looked around for his partner. Yugi moved to loom over the glinting millennium puzzle. He did not need to touch it to know that Yami was inside. It felt like the pharaoh was…sulking? The teen shrugged, and then whirled around.
This was his chance to return the picture! Quietly, though he knew that the spirit could never hear him anyways, he moved to the text and pulled out the photo. He was careful to touch only the corners; he would never wreck something that belonged to Yami.
Yugi pulled open the drawer, and feeling like a criminal, looked inside. The photo fell from his numb hands to flutter gracefully to the floor. Hismind would barely comprehend the startling fact...The drawer was completely empty.
To all who review, you rock. I am loving the fan action, it makes me feel cool. Get it? Fan, cool? (sulks. Ok, I won't quit my day job. lol)
