Ok here is the second half of the Duke duel, and i just want everyone to know that the reason it too me this long was because figuring out how to write this duel was painful. watching the episodes was worse, so if somethings don't match up well it's because i gave up and just skipped to the end. anyway, besides that i like this chapter and hope you do too.

I also want to that everyone who reviewed the last chapter, THANK YOU! i think those were the most i've had a story so thank you for making my week wonderful. Special thanks to EB, superotakufan, and battousaisgirl16 for giving suggestions, they helped me get out of writers block this week. I hope this isn't asking to much, but i'm going into finals week so if i can hear from more of you that would help me feel better, Latin tests are scarry. :(

well here it is, if this is confusing, read the end of the last chapter and maybe that will help.

Chapter 15

"I accept." Yami announced for the others to hear.

"Excellent." Duke turned to one of his adoring fans. "Tell the television crew to start broadcasting."

"TV Crew?" Tea said, looking around the arena. For the first time they all noticing all the cameras set up around the room.

"The duel to decide the Kings of Games is a major event. I wouldn't want the world to miss it." Duke walked over to his platform, or maybe swaggering is a better term for it. Once at the platform pushed a button and the stadium began to change. Rectangular pillars appeared in front of the two players platforms, three harts glowing on their surfaces. The field changed from having two rows of rectangles for Duel Monster cards to having a checker board grid made up of hundreds of squares.

"You can do this Yugi." Tea said.

"Show that jerk what happens when someone challenges the King of Games." Tristan said.

Joey would have said something, but he had been dragged over to where the crazy fan girls were still cheering Duke.

Yami could tell Airi was worried. She didn't doubt that her brother or her friend could win, it was just thinking of what would happen if they didn't which made her insides churn. Yugi, still in detached form, went over to his sister. He took her hand, squeezing it to tell her it was ok.

"Everything will be alright." Yami told Airi, speaking for him and Yugi.

"Just make sure you win, please." she said.

"Hurry up Yugi. The crowds are waiting." Duke called from his dueling platform.

"This guy's really starting to bug." Tristan muttered.

"Started to?" Tea said incredulously.

Airi smiled confidently at both spiky haired boys.

"Good luck, both of you."

Both nodded, before turning and walking over to their platform.

"Calm down guys, its going to be fine." Airi said, hiding the uncertainty in her own voice.

"Your right." Tea said. "Yugi's faced worse opponent then this. I just he gets through this for Joey's sake."

'and mine.' Airi thought

"This will be a new challenge for you Yugi, I hope you can handle it." Duke called from across the field.

"Don't worry, I'm a fast learner." Yami said.

"You better be." Duke said. "'Cause I know this game inside and out."

'That's because you created it, you jerk.' Airi though.

Yami and Yugi looked over the dueling panel. It was different yet seemed rather straight forward.

"Lost already? Don't worry I'll walk you through it." Duke seemed pleased that 'Yugi' was taking a long time studying the board, taking it as a sign the King of Games was uncomfortable. Duke explained the rules, the dice, heart points, and how to take a turn.

"He's only telling him the minimal rules." Airi muttered. "I'm sure this game isn't that simple."

"How can he expect Yugi to play if he doesn't know all the rules?" Tea was indignant.

"Probably slime ball's plan." Tristan growled, glaring at Duke.

From their corner Duke's fan club was making up new cheers like crazy, each more annoying than the one before it. Every time Joey tried to cheer for Yugi he would get pummeled by the crazed cheerleaders. Airi felt sorry for him. Joey had been an idiot to get in himself into that mess, but no one deserved that kind of treatment.

Duke flicked his bangs out of his eyes and winked at his fan club, which all squealed even louder.

"I'm going to get a head ache." Tea moaned.

"If he doesn't like his hair in his face I'll help him out and rip his bangs out by the roots." Airi muttered.

"I'll help you." Tristan said.

The game started. Duke summoned a monster with no trouble, but when Yami rolled the dice he came up empty.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that the harder the level of dice you role the harder it is to summon a monster."

"No, really?" Airi said, voice sarcastic.

"Easy there, my cheerleader in waiting." Duke's voice was so sweet Airi felt like choking.

"Call me that again and I'll show you what an angry Muto can do." Airi muttered.

"Yugi is really tensing up." Tea said, sounding worried.

Airi looked at where Yami was standing, Yugi's translucent self next to him. Yami's expression was complete frustration. Yugi was saying something to him, probably trying to calm his friends down. Airi knew frustration was one of the worsted weakness to have in a competition.

"Yami." his eyes snapped to her. She looked him right in the eye."Don't lose your concentration. Duke is annoying and this is a new game, it's not going to be easy, but you and Yugi can do this. I know you can."

Yami nodded, face relaxing slightly. He and Yugi could do this. Airi and Joey were counting on them.

The game continued. Right when Yami thought he and Yugi had figured out the rules, Duke would tell them of a detail neither had known before he would pull a head. With every victory the fan girls would get even more obnoxious and Duke would alternate between making smart remarks about Yugi being the kings of games or try a flirty remark on Airi.

"This isn't working." Yami said, hating not knowing all the rules. This game was like Duel Monsters except with path ways and having to trust in rolling dice instead of the heart of the cards. He may have liked it if these had been different circumstances and if he knew what he was doing.

"I just want to know why he dislikes me so much." Yugi had noticed how much Duke loved to bring up the phrase 'King of Games' like it was a bad taste in his mouth. It was rather disconcerting that his opponent was some he didn't know yet seem hate him.

"It's your turn Yugi." Duke said, still cocky.

"I need to know one this before we continue, Devlin." Yami said, looking the other boy right in the eye. "Why are you so determined to defeat me?"
"That's easy Yugi." Duke said. "Because you cheated when you dueled Pegasus. Your not the true King of Games and I'm not going to let you hold that stolen title any longer."

Everyone stared at him.

"Care to elaborate." Yami said.

"No one could out do Pegasus without trickery. Pegasus was a master of games. I know because I played this game with him when I went to get his funding for Dungeon Dice Monsters. He seemed to know every move I was about to make and had no trouble mastering my game. He promised a contract with Industrial Illusions after his new tournament was over. It has been months since then and I haven't heard anything. Then I found out the 'great Yugi Muto' had defeated Pegasus. I knew this couldn't be; no one could defeat the creator of Duel Monsters at his own game unless it was through cheating."

"I'm afraid you wrong Devlin." Yami said, not appreciating his friend, or himself, being called a cheat. "Pegasus wasn't the man you seem to think he was. He was the one who challenged me and I defeated him. It wasn't easy but I defeated him by my own abilities and not through trickery."

"Enough!" Duke didn't seem to like Yami's explanation. "Why then hasn't he contacted me in months. You did something to him Yugi. No one can beat someone at their own game." Duke pointed a accusing finger at Yami. Yugi flinched, even if it wasn't technically him getting pointed at. "You did something to Pegasus and won you title through faults means. I am going to show the world the cheat you are."

There was a moment of silence.

"Are you stupid or what?" Everyone turned to look at Airi. She was glaring at Duke, all her held in emotions flooding out in indignant rage. "Pegasus was a manipulative creep who forced Yugi to duel for his own selfish reasons. You're willing to seek revenge for the defeat of a man who could play your game easily! And on top of that you have the nerve to attack my brothers reputation because Pegasus hasn't contacted you about your game! In case you don't know, running a large company takes lots of time. If you had half a brain you would know that. If that's all you have then you're the one who is cheating for not allowing them to learn the rules better before starting." Luckily everyone was to busy being shocked by her rant to hear her use 'them' instead of 'him'. That would have made things even more complicated.

"This can be easily resolved. Yugi has only to prove to me that he can beat someone at their own game and I will be convinced he is the King of Games." Duke said, surprising calm even after the outburst. He was probably thinking that Airi would change her mind after he had relieved her brother to be a cheat.

"Yugi, you better beat him, or so help me I'll . . .I'll . . . do something!" Airi fumed, stomping over to a wall and punching it to release some frustration before returning to her previous position. She rubbed her hand; maybe Duke's face would be softer.

The room was ringing with the sound of Yugi's friends shouting their rage at Duke's accusations. Joey was saying a lot of nasty things about Duke while running in circle to avoided getting beaten up by the perusing mob of fan girls. Tristan and Tea's words were so meshed together along with the combined yelling of Joey and the fan girls that it was impossible to understand what they were saying.

Yugi was staring at Duke.

"He really thinks I cheated?"

"Yugi, don't let him get to you." Yami sounded surprising calm. "We now know why he is dueling. We have to remember why we are dueling and prove his accusations wrong."

"Right, we need to show him we can rise to any challenge. But that wont help if we don't know how this game works." It was at that moment Yugi noticed the computer screen next to him. "Wait, that might help." he looked at Yami.

"Well, turn it on. I don't know how."

"But I'm a spirit."

Yami couldn't help smiling at his friend comment.

"That doesn't mean you can't touch things. Just keep your eyes on what your doing because your fingers can't feel texture."

Yugi stared at him for a moment, surprise by how matter a fact Yami was about it. Snapping his mind back to the present, he turned to the computer. Fortunately the key board and controls were out of Dukes or the others lines of vision. It might have looked really odd having them work on their own.

"It's still you turn Yugi." Duke called over the ruckus Yugi's friends were making.

Yami picked up the dice. He paused, an idea coming to him. If this game was like Duel Monsters, maybe he could use his powers on the dice to get a better outcome for his role.

'Please, guide me' he thought before casting his dice. Seeing the result he smiled; Better then the last few times.

"You can do this!" Airi called. "Show him what kind of Duelist you are!"

Yami gave her a thumbs up. Seeing the familiar confidence back in his eyes was enough to ease her fears.

The Game continued. Yugi managed to find the rules and strategy suggestions on the computer. Both he and Yami would look them over before their turn, finally starting to get a strategy. Now that they were able to understand the game, the Kings of Games started to catch up. That seemed to make a dent in Dukes cockiness. His comments got less and less frequent when he realized that 'Yugi' was starting to catch on.

It was the last few turns. The playing field was almost completely covered by the different covered paths the monsters used to move on. Duke had cut Yami's monsters off with his paths, but still Yami had managed to get his monsters to the other side to get at Duke's heart points. Duke was down two heart points, but Duke was quick to counter attack. Duke's Orgoth the Relentless was on Yami's side of the field, and was making his monsters fall like flies. Orgoth had to trouble in going after Yugi's heart points.

Now they were tied with one heart point each.

"It's ok Yugi!" Tea said, hoping he couldn't hear the panic in her voice. "You still have a heart point left!"

"Just on more turn Yugi." Duke gloated. "Not only will I show that world what you are but I will have control over your best friend and you sister."

Yami visibly bristled at Duke's comment.

"If he lives that long." Tristan said, cracking his knuckles.

"Don't give up on them yet guys." Airi said. "The game isn't over yet."

"I wouldn't gloat just yet if I were you." Yami said. "All I have to do is summon a monster and turn this whole game around."

"Dream on. In case you haven't noticed, I control the field Yugi. There isn't any place for you to dimension the dice to summon a monster. Now is the moment of truth. Now I will expose you for the fake you really are."

"Don't give up you two." Airi didn't mean to sound panicked, but Yami and Yugi both picked up on her desperation.

"This our last chance. If we don't get past this, we're done for." Yugi said, scanning the field for some way out.

"Yugi, I need you to trust in yourself." the tone in Yami's voice caught Yugi's attention immediately. "I know what we need to finish this madness and free Joey and Airi. There is only one monster that can help us, but I'm going to need your help in summoning him."

Yugi at first looked confused, then his expression cleared. There was one monster which had never failed them. To make their bond stronger, Yugi dissolved into their shared mind. He reached out though his arm with Yami so they were both grasping the dice.

'Come on' Yugi thought. This had to work, it just had to.

"Go dice role!" Yami and Yugi said together.

No one on the side lines dared to breath.

"Come on Yuge." Joey muttered. Airi didn't take her eyes off her brother.

The dice stopped rolling. Yami grinned. They had rolled a level four summoning. Yugi was jumping around inside their mind.

"Yes, Yes, YES!" he was saying over and over.

"Don't celebrate just yet." Yami said, though not hiding the satisfaction in his voice. "We still have to win."

"Nice role, to bad you don't have any place for the dice to dimension" Duke scoffed.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Yami said, chuckling slightly as he placed one of the dice in a slot, making it appear in the center of the field. "There is more than one way to dimension the dice, you just have to believe."

"Don't tell me how to play my game!" Duke snapped. "There is no way you can make the path fit in that small space." Duke stared. The dices sides had unfolded, fitting perfectly in the open spaces on the field. "What! That's not possible!"

"Oh, but it is Devlin." Yami said, smiling. "And now I summon the Dark Magician!"

"The Dark Magician!" Duke repeated.

"What's the matter, didn't hear the first time?" Airi said, almost laughing in relief.

"My Dark Magician has never failed me." Yami told Duke as the purple clad figure appeared. "All I had to do was trust in my dice and now he has appeared."

Duke seemed to be having a struggle with himself. Airi watched amused as he seemed to be wrestling between his old accusations and the skills that Yami and Yugi were showing.

"Dark Magic Attack!" Yami and Yugi commanded. Orgoth couldn't withstand the magician's attack and was blasted from the field.

"Hang that from ya earring Dukey-boy!" Joey cheered, the fan girls to much in shock to punish him. Tea and Airi hugged in celebration while Tristan punched the air in triumph.

Duke didn't look pleased, not at all.

"Your comeback ends now Yugi!" he said, rolling his dice. Airi felt her insides freeze when she saw the happy look on Duke's face."I summon the Dark Assailant!" the ugly skull face monster was moved right to a chest, which had been summoned earlier in the game. "Do remember what I mentioned about Item summonings?" Duke was leering at Yami. "Well now I'm going to summon a Monster Cannon to the field."

"What does that do?" Tea asked, watching with the others as the ginormous cannon appeared.

"What does it do? It takes out the Dark Magician, that's what it does." Duke was returning to his old annoying self. "Whats the matter Yugi? Never heard of the Monster Cannon? To bad, or you would have known that it shoots monsters at the opponent instead of cannon balls."

"The name fits." Yami said, not looking impressed.

"And now I'm going to pick the target of the day and that will be the Dark Magician." Duke was practically cheering.

The skull headed monster loaded itself into the cannon and was aimed at the Dark Magician.

"I activate the Dark Magicians special ability." Yami yelled. "Dark Magician, Conceal yourself in the Magical Hats!"

"No!" Duke lost his cool again. "Your carnival tricks wont save you Yugi. Monster Cannon, attack the second hat form the left!" The monster collided with the hat, causing both to be destroyed Duke looked on, hoping for the correct hat. But he didn't get it. The Dark Magician emerged unharmed.

"I should thank you Devlin for making the Dark Magician's abilities the same as they are in duel monsters." Yami said.

In a desperate attempt to save himself, Duke made his remaining monster retreat. Unfortunately for him, Yami and Yugi knew of the other special abilities of their favorite monster.

"You can run, but you can't hide." Yami rolled the dice. "I use these Magic Crests on the dice to activate Mystic Box!" The Dark Magician was again hidden from sight in the tall black box. The sword appeared, stabbing the box from all sides.

"How are you planning to win, by squiring your own monster!" Duke was incredulous.

"I thought you knew this game, Devlin." Airi said, grinning as the box opened.

"NO! You squired my monster!" Duke's monster vanished along with the box, while another box appeared on Duke's side of the field, revealing The Dark Magician. There was nothing to protect Duke's remaining heart point from the spell caster.

"Dark Magic Attack!" the spell caster pointed his staff at the remaining Heart Point Counter, eliminating it with one hit.

There was a spit second of stunned silence.

"ALRIGHT!" Joey cheered, picking Airi up and spinning her around in a victory hug. "My dog days are over!" Joey's cheers were only matched by Tristan and Tea's in volume.

"Okay put me down Joey." Airi said, laughing. "I know your not a dog, but that suit stinks like one."

Yami and Yugi stood in their shared mind, glad it was all over.

"We did it!" Yugi said.

"Well done Yugi." Yami paused, taking note of a sound outside. "You better take over now. I think the others are coming to congratulate you."

Yugi had barely taken control before all the wind knocked out of him by Joey, now out of the dog suit.

"That was brilliant!" he said, messing up Yugi's hair even more. "Ya saved me pal. I was starting to think like a dog in that thing."

"Yugi that was absolutely amazing!" Tea said, next one to give Yugi a hug. Yugi went slightly pink, but grinned none the less.

"Yeah, you did it man!" Tristan was the second person to threaten to cut of Yugi's air supply.

"Yo, my turn." Airi said.

The second he was released, Yugi almost knocked her over with the force of his hug.

"Thank you so much Yugi." she said.

"Anything for you sis." he said.

"Thank you Yami."

"My pleasure, Airi."

"Can we leave now?" Tristan said.

The friends headed for the exit unable to stop talking about the resent events.

Duke had disappeared, probably unable to admit defeat.


When they got home they were met by a very annoyed Grandpa. He cornered Yugi as soon as he walked in the living room, demanding why he hadn't told him about the duel. When asked how he knew, Gramps pointed at the TV set.

"It was on every net work." All the teens were shocked. They knew it was broadcast, but didn't expect to to be on every network.

"I thought I made it clear that I didn't want either of you to go near that game shop."

"Gramps it was important."

"So you go sneaking off even when I told you not to."

"Gramps, please." Airi said, not in the mood for arguing. "Yugi beat that guy so the Muto name and the King of Games title are intact. Besides, it's Yugi's Birthday tomorrow. Can we have some fun this weekend?"

Gramps looked form one of his grandchildren to the other.

"Alright. I am proud of you Yugi for beating that guy. But remember I still don't approve." he went back down stairs to the shop to help a customer, muttering something under his breath.

After that everything went smoothly, if that was possible when Yugi's friends were over. The living room was almost torn to pieces by Tristan and Joey, who had gotten into a fight over who was going to sleep on the couch. It had started when Tristan had made the comment that since Joey was the dog he should have the floor, to which Joey tackled him to the floor. Yugi was smart enough to stay out of it. Airi chose that moment to show Tea her room, where Tea would be spending the night.

The evening was loud, but enjoyable. Even Gramps cheered up a bit, unable to keep from laughing with all the ridiculous stunts Joey and Tristan would come up with.


It took a while to get everyone up the next morning, especially Joey and Tristan who slept like the dead. But eventually they got them up by mentioning breakfast; no one can sleep when breakfast consists of Grandpa's special birthday pancakes.

After everyone was dressed and fed it was time for the presents. Yugi loved them all. From Tea he got a new card pouch for his deck which could be clipped onto a belt so that it was easier to carry around. From Joey and Tristan there were some booster packs with cards for his deck. From Gramps a new Rubix Cube for him to solve. Airi's gift didn't look very impressive, just an envelope. Inside was a homemade card with 'To the King of Games' printed on the front. Inside were two written messages. The first read:

Yugi,

Happy 16th Birthday!

It doesn't matter what title you have or what others think

of you,you will always be the best brother I could ever have.

Always remember I love you, even if you are an idiot sometimes.

Have a wonderful day!

Love from your sister,

Airi

The second message was short, but no less special.

To Yugi,

Happy Birthday. I wish you all the best for the coming year.

Yami

In the card was a folded origami packet, large enough for a Duel Monsters card. Yugi pulled at the open end, revealing a monster card. His eyes widened.

"Dark Magician Girl!" This card had only been released a few weeks earlier. "How did you get this?"

"I have my ways." Airi shrugged, not about to tell him what a pain it was to find.

"Wow." Joey sounded impressed as he and the others leaned in for a closer look. "Looks like ya other magician, only not."

"Great observation, genius." Tristan said.

Yugi put the card back in the small packet and placed it back in the Birthday Card. He stood and threw his arms around his sister, almost unseating her.

"Thank you so much."

"Don't just thank me." Airi said, smiling as she hugged him back. "Yami was the one who told me what you wanted."

Yugi look up, seeing the spirit standing behind his sister.

"It's never a good idea to only have one magician in your deck." Yami said, looking rather pleased with himself.

"Thanks Yami."

The door bell rang

"I'll get it." Airi said, "You guys start straightening this place up." she ordered as she left, pointing out the rapping paper all over the floor.

Duke Devlin stood on the door step, looking very humbled. Seeing that it was Airi, he went bright red and looked at the ground.

"Hey." he said, not looking up."I'm here to apologize, to you and to Yugi. I was a real jerk and shouldn't have acted the way I did."

"The stuff you did was rather immature and ridiculous." Airi said.

"And now the whole world knows it. I shouldn't have used you as a bargaining item. I just think your a really cute girl and you probably wouldn't have gone out with me any other way."

"You didn't really make yourself more endearing by doing that." Airi stated.

"I really am sorry." because he wasn't using any of his charm Airi could tell that he really did mean it.

Yugi had shown up by this point.

"Hey Duke." he said. Yami was standing next to him, ready to step in if Duke tried anything.

"Your not mad at me?" Duke was shocked that Yugi smiling at him.

"The duels over and it was a great one. Though if we ever play again I hope it is in better circumstances."

"I am really sorry for all the stuff I said about your being a cheater, Yugi. The better duelist won yesterday and it was you."

"At least your admitting it." Joey and the others had come down to see what was going on.

"Here." Duke had had his hands behind his back the entire time. He brought them forward to show that he was holding a Dungeon Dice Monsters game box. "I don't deserve any of you guys forgiveness, but please accept this Yugi. I am sorry."

Yugi took the box. He looked at it for a moment, then looked at his friends who nodded. Both Yami and Yugi looked at Airi. She glanced at Duke, then nodded.

"Hey Duke are you busy today?" Yugi said.

Duke paused as he was turning to leave.

"I don't think so."

"Would you like to come in a teach the others how to play your game? It would be great if you could, you being the creator and all."

Duke was dumbfounded. He looked at each of them, thinking they were fooling with him. When he saw that all of them were sincere, he grinned.

"Sure."

The majority of the day was spent learning the new game and playing it. It was fun to play, especially when no ones freedom was on the line. All proved to be somewhat good after a few rounds, especially with Duke and Yugi there to help everyone else out. Gramps was still upset by the whole rival game shop, but since Duke was a friend of Yugi's he hadn't done anything rash. Luckily for Duke no one had told Gramps about his hitting on Airi. Still it was probably a good thing Grandpa was in the shop most of the day so there wasn't any real danger of confrontation between the two game shop owners.

Duke proved to be quite agree able when he wasn't being a jerk. He was still full of himself, but it was easier to deal with when he wasn't being a arrogant snot. Now that he proved to be a nice guy Airi was willing to fully forgive him, as long as he didn't start hitting on her again. There were a couple moments when it looked like he was about to, but luckily stopped himself in time. Even though they seemed to be on better terms Duke and Joey still couldn't help getting into a squabble about the whole 'dice under the cup' incident at school two days earlier.

"I'm just saying that that trick has been done on the best of them and none had been able to get the dice before me." Duke said, clearly trying to sound impressive again.

"Yeah especially if that person is Joey." Tristan said.

"Shut it Tristan." Joey snapped.

"I'd like to try." Airi said.

Duke produced the die and Yugi brought a cup. Airi sat across for Duke at the coffee table with the others gathered around to watch.

"This is how it works. The trick is to get the die under the cup into your right hand without touching the cup."

Airi raised an eyebrow.

"You may think this is impossible." Duke said, arms folded. "but with some magic I am able to do this amazing feet." he touched his temple and started to hum.

"Oh please." Joey said. "this is even worse the second time through."

"But the die has moved. It is no longer under the cup." Duke said, still looking mystical.

"Yeah, right." Joey said. "Not falling for that again."

"Oh, look your right." Airi leaned over and picked something off the floor.

Joey and Duke's eyes the size of dinner plates. In her hand was a die.

"How?" not believing it, Duke snatched the cup away. The die he had placed there, was still there. Airi calmly picked it up with her right hand.

"That's cheating." Joey and Duke said together.

"Hey." Airi said calmly, grinning while the others were laughing. "You said the only rule was you couldn't touch the cup."

"How did ya do it?" Joey demanded.

"Those with magic never reveal their secrets." Airi said.


Everyone agreed the party had been a great success and lots of fun. Duke had gotten a call earlier in the afternoon from his manager saying that Industrial Illusions had finally contacted them and they were still willing to go through with the contract. That was made the day even more of a cause for celebration. But now it was over and everyone had gone home. Yugi and Airi were doing the dishes, Gramps had gotten a large head ache and gone to bed early.

"Best birthday ever!" Yugi was saying as he passed rinsed dishes to Airi to put in the dish washer.

"I'm glad you had a good time."

"I just wish Yami could have enjoyed it more." Yami was in his puzzle and according to Yugi he had been there for most of the day. Airi guessed he was trying to find something about his past life again. Being a spirit must be hard, and on top of that not knowing anything about yourself would be horrid. Neither sibling couldn't imagine what it must be to feel like only half a person.

"Well then we'll have to do something for him." Airi closed the dishwasher with a snap. "I think I have an idea."


Yami was walking around the endless passages; There had to be something he missed.

"Yami!" he heard Yugi call from the doorway of his soul room.

"Yugi, is there something wrong?" Yami asked, appearing form one of the many dark passages.

"No, I just was feeling tiered so I was wondering if you wanted to take over for the rest of the evening."

"Don't you want to finish out your day?"

"Na, it's been a long one and I'm tired. Besides, Airi has somethings she wanted to show you."

"Well, alright, if your sure. Get some rest."

Yami found Airi sitting at the kitchen table. She had what looked like a mountain of books in front of her.

"Yugi said you wanted to show me something."

"I thought we could try and find out something about your past." Airi said. "Gramps said he found his puzzle on an adventurer in Egypt so I'm guessing that is where your roots are. These are all the books that I collected about Egypt over the years. Since you puzzle isn't helping, maybe we find something in one of these."

Yami just stood there, for once unable to think of something to say.

"Well get over here and help me look through these." Airi said, motioning to the chairs all around the table.

"You don't have to go to all this trouble Airi." Yami said, walking over and sitting next to her.

"I want to." she smiled at him. "Besides, this is one of my favorite topics. Because your my friend, sharing it with you will make it even more special."

The they started in on the pile of books. They were mostly history books, which didn't really help because they weren't sure what time period Yami was from. Each of them would point out things, making comments, trying to figure out what they were looking for. After a while they both settled into reading in silence. Who knew coming from a country with over a three thousand year history would be so frustrating?

Over an hour later, Airi put down her book. She had been though the whole stack and wasn't coming up with anything. Yami had been reading the same book for half an hour now.

"Find something?" Airi asked.

"This is interesting, though rather ridiculous. Who ever put these in as an example of hieroglyphic texts isn't good in constructing sentences."

"May I see?"

Yami handed her the book. Airi flipped through the pages. It was a book Pro. Hawkins had suggested to her when he learned she was into ancient languages.

"Like I said, the grammar is horrible." Yami said.

"You can read this?" Airi said, pointing to one of the practice pages, covered with ancient symbols.

"Yes." Yami said, giving her a 'why shouldn't I' expression.

"Hmm." Airi looked over the page. "funny."

"What is?"

"You don't know anything about yourself, but you can read this easily."

"Maybe I had mean teachers in my past and I could never get their lessons of my head, even with amnesia." Both of them got a good laugh out of that.

"Well at least we know you can read the language, that's a start." Airi said, "Probably means your someone high up. Hey we made some progress."

Yami nodded, frowned slightly. It was better then nothing.

"Then we should celebrate our find, besides I'm hungry." Airi said, standing. "Do you want something?"

Yami was about to say no thank you when his stomach gave a loud grumble.

"I'll take that as a yes." Airi laughed. She pulled out the left over cake from the party, amazingly there was still some left. She had used both of the cake mixes she had bought to make a a sort of marble cake with a mix of white and brown under the chocolate frosting. "You didn't get to try any during the party so its about time you tried some."

Yami couldn't argue, especially when she was already placing a slice in front of him. He thanked her and took a bite. It was too incredible for words. He chewed slowly, letting the combined flavors enter every corner of his mouth.

"How is it?" Airi asked, trying not to laugh at the expression on his face.

Yami finally swallowed.

"The others don't even get close to describing your abilities. You are an amazing cook, Airi."

"The mixes are pre-made, but thanks." Airi said, going slightly pink.

They sat there enjoying there cake and chatting about this and that. Yami finally couldn't stand not knowing.

"How did you pull of that dice trick earlier?"

"What, don't you believe in magic?"

"When I'm in a duel I believe in the power of my monsters and the heart of the cards, if that is what you call magic. You on the other hand Airi, no matter how incredible of a girl you are, don't have the power to summon dice out of your pocket."

"Fine I'll tell. Do you remember the die Duke threw at Joey that you caught? You kicked it away and during the game I happened to step on it. I picked it up so that no one would get hurt. After that I honestly forgot I had it. I didn't intend to use it to trick anyone, I just forgot it was in my pocket until Joey and Duke brought up the trick."

She paused because Yami was laughing, hard. It was a good thing Gramps could sleep through anything.

"You're one tricky character, Airi." Yami said, when he could talk again.

"Hey, I helped train the King of Game. You expect anything less?"

From the back of his mind, Yami could here someone giggle, then quickly stop. He smiled slightly; He'd have to talk to Yugi about tricking him later. His attention snapped back to Airi when she tried to suppress a yawn.

"I saw that." Yami said.

"What?"

"You're tired."

"Am not. Ok, a little bit, but it's not even dark yet."

"If you body needs rest then it is best to give it some. Besides I think we've exhausted what information these books have to offer."

Yami stood, collecting their empty plates. He placed them in the sink, while Airi gathered up the books. She was about to pick up the large stack, when Yami pick up the upper half of it.

"Hey." she said, seeing that he had the bigger pile. "At least make them even."

"I'll carry this." Yami said firmly. "Your too small to carry them all." he teased.

"Watch it." Airi said, giving him a playful glare as they started down the hall. "You call me small I get to call you old."

They continued to banter back a forth until they got to her room. Yami placed his pile on the small book case while Airi put the rest onto her desk. Looking out the window over the desk she suddenly froze.

"Wow." she said softly.

Yami didn't get a chance to ask because the next he knew she was pulling him down the hall.

"Airi . . . what?" was all he could get out as she lead him up the attic steps, passed Yugi's room and to a door Yami had never noticed before.

"You'll see." Airi said opening the door and reviling a balcony over the front of the game shop. Once out side she pointed to the sky line. "That."

Yami looked up.

The sky was painted with the most amazing assortment of colors he had ever seen. Orange intertwined with pink and yellow playing on the corners like a golden fringe. Even if the sun was hidden by the building of the sky line, they couldn't mask how utterly beautiful the sunset was.

"Amazing isn't it?" she said.

"Incredible." was all he could say.

A light breeze blow past, ruffling both teen's hair. Yami closed his eyes, smiling as he enjoyed the feeling of the wind on his face. Airi felt a pang in her heart. She never really thought of how it must be being unable to feel anything. She closed her eyes, for once truly enjoying the way the wind blew her hair around. She opened her eyes to find Yami watching her.

"What?"

"I think I know why Duke was so persistent to get you attention."

"Oh no, don't you start." Airi said, turning red.

"Okay, I won't." Yami said, laughing.

They continued to watch the sunset until the colors seeped away slowly and were replaced by the mantle of night.

"Sunset Frame." Airi said softly

"Sorry?"

"Oh, it's something my mom used to say." Airi smiled sadly at the darkening sky. "She said the perfect way to end a great day right is with a sunset. Paintings have frames, why can't memories?"

Yami didn't say anything. He suddenly realizing what Airi and Yugi had just given him; a memory. He still didn't know his past, but he had today. Until he knew more about who he was, he had days like this to hold on to.

"We better go in now." Airi said. The sky was completely dark.

They paused in front of Yugi's door, and Airi turned to face him.

"Well goodnight." Airi said.

Yami nodded, his expression unreadable. Next thing Airi knew Yami had pulled her into a tight hug.

"Thank you, Airi." he said, softly. Though she couldn't see his face she could hear the emotion in his voice. She hugged him back, smiling.

"Happy Birthday Yami." she whispered.

He couldn't speak. He only held on tighter.

After a few moments of neither of them moving, Yami finally let go, pretending to brush his bangs our of his eyes as he wiped the few tears which threatened to fall. Airi smiled, and with a final good night she disappeared down the attic steps.


Yugi lay in his soul room, feeling bored. Pretending to be asleep wasn't very exciting. He had played the same game five times and was about to start the sixth when he felt Yami giving control back to him. He found himself laying in bed, Yami had already changed into pajamas so there was no need for him to get up. Yugi was about to congratulate himself for pulling off a convincing performance when he heard Yami calling him. He stayed still, faking sleep.

"Come on Yugi, I know your awake."

nothing

"Yugi."

silence

"Oh great, There goes a Blue-eyes."

"What?"

"I knew you weren't asleep."

"No fair. Did you know the whole time I was awake?"

"Yugi, we share a mind. Besides you fidget when your bored."

"Oh. Well did you have fun?"

"You could have told me you wanted me to take over."

"Would you have done it?"

nothing

"I thought not." Yugi sighed, looking up at the ceiling above his bed. "Yami, today was your day too. You deserved to enjoy it as much as I did."

Yami just shook his head in wonder. How could he so lucky to have friends like Airi and Yugi?

Yugi suddenly started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"I just though of something. Maybe if you came out more often people might be able to tell us apart."

Yami couldn't help chuckling at that.

"That would be an improvement."

Yugi was going to make another comment, but yawned instead.

"I heard that."

"Okay I am tired, and I'm not faking this time."

"Sleep well then."

"Good night, Yami."

"Yugi."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."


A/N: So, how was it? I hope you liked it.

Ok this is what is happening. like i said above i have finals next week plus worrying about graduation. because of this i will be staying as far away from fanfiction as i can for a few weeks, so don't freek out if i don't update for a while. If anyone has requests for battle city, I would love to hear them. Just to warn you, Airi will not be dueling in Battle City, she flattly refuses unless you can tell me how she can enter with out trowing off any more of the story, and trust me with what i have planned she already is turning this story upside down and backwards. Don't worry, she will duel later in this story, i'm just not going to tell you when.

anyway, when i come back to this sight i hope to find a lot of reviews. please tell me if you like this chapter, it was really hard to write so i hope you enjoyed it. plus I'm going to need something positive to read after next week, so please push the button below and leave me a little jewel of comments. Thank you. :D

Have a great week. if you have tests like me good luck. thank you for liking my story.