Calls from Egypt to Japan or vise versa was not cheap, nether was sending a letter that included word for word details. Since Yuugi and Yami couldn't have direct contact with each other Isis and Jou, had made a promise to each other to manage at least one or the other at least once a month.
A year into the stretch of 10 Yuugi had taken up the nasty habits of being unsociable, hardly eating, and only sleeping for a couple hours. He'd also of taking up whoring his body out to help forget Yami's touch, but couldn't bring himself to do it because of the picture he carried in his wallet. The picture was tattered, and held in its frame his lover, soul mate, and doppelganger with that come get you some shit eating grin. It was a classic around the dueling circuit, but Yami also flashed it in private between them moments before sending them both into a passionate moment that neither would breath for 8 minutes. That smile saved him from destroying his body, but it couldn't save him from the day-to-day life he had learned to hate. He hated it most of all because he was alone, alone to drown in misery. A misery his friends couldn't understand because they'd never been in love, and lost. Not loss but told to wait, and in 10 years anything could happen.
Having promised his grandpa he'd mind the shop after his class let out he sat down with homework spread out behind the counter. The shop was customer less today, and for that he was thankful. His pencil tapping idly as his thoughts disappeared with his alertness. Sugoroku put a hand on his grandsons shoulder.
Yuugi took a deep breath, and whirled around. "Back already." His voice was monotone. "Can I go then?"
Sugoroku gave his grandson the once over. Yuugi was skinny, just enough skin for bone, which made him lanky from the height, he'd put on. He sighed deeply as he reached his now deep, empty eyes. They were glassed over, and hard. No telling whether he was angry or depressed, because he never smiled anymore so happy was out of the question. "Did you finish your homework?" He had to keep the boy in line; his grades were already below average, and just above passing.
Yuugi blinked a couple times, and turned back around to looked at the spread out mess. All that was done was the large gray dot of the pencil from his tapping. "Nope." He sighed. "I think I am going to drop out. Pointless really." He shuffled the papers together, and then started to return the things to his bag.
"Yami would have told you differently." Yuugi glared at the name. It was a name that had become taboo. Sugoroku crossed his arms, puffing up slightly which for his height and weight put an edge on him. "You disgrace his existence by letting yourself get this low."
Yuugi could have slapped his grandfather in retaliation for such words, but instead just growled and threw the bag over his shoulder. "Go fuck yourself grandpa!" The words were just as stung worthy as if it was an actually hit to the face. He flung open the door, and stormed out before any other words could be said between them. On his way out he ran into Jou. Brushing it off as if he'd hit a stranger he kept on going.
Jou was use to this side of Yuugi now, but it still hurt, he didn't have time to say anything as he stepped into the shop. "Let me guess he's being his typical hate the world self again."
Sugorokou nodded his head softly. "Better though he didn't talk to you today. His words were icier than normal, and could cut through diamonds I'd guess if given the change." He sighed. "I sometimes wonder if those two made the right decision."
Jou leaned on the front side of the counter musing for a moment. "We'll you know this way they only have 10 years. The other way they had never." He paused. "It is like they are in jail. Just on a larger scale. One has Egypt as a prison, and the other has Japan."
Sugorokou leaned on his side of the counter, and let out a long sigh. "You've got a point a 10 year sentence is better than never. However, I think darkness is over taking the light. With what Yuugi is becoming will Yami still want him?" He lingered on Yami's name.
"Once this is over Yami will have a positive effect on the boy. Just you wait, we'll see a turn around." Jou smiled trying to lighten the air. "I don't think there will ever be a too late for those two." He pulled a letter from his pocket.
"This is your reason for dropping by." Sugorokou grinned. He knew exactly what was in the envelope was a Yami update. Yuugi never read the letters anymore, but that didn't stop him from doing so. "I'll read it this evening. Return it to you tomorrow for filling."
Jou nodded. "Well, I certainly don't drop by to see Yug anymore. He doesn't have an interest for friends, life, or anything in general anymore." His smile faded as he let out a long sigh.
Sugorokou and Jou spent the rest of the evening conversation on dueling, school, and the like.
Yuugi with a bag slung haphazard over his shoulder traced the steps him and Yami shared so many times previous to the separation. He walked past their favorite Coffee Shop, through the park, past the arcade, and into a little patch of apartments.
Yuugi didn't know why he kept the apartment that he and Yami had bought a year before they went to Egypt. Even though every apartment that was around them was rented, they'd managed to throw a large enough wad of cash at the lady to make it theirs. They had a deed, she'd just told them not to tell the neighbors of the deal. It was the apartment they shared to get away, so they could have themselves to each other. Not even their friends knew of this place.
Every room was small; it had a kitchen, bathroom, one bedroom, and a living room. They never thought it had a dinning room, because it if it did it must have connected to the living room, which barely fit the sofa and TV. The bedroom had enough room for a twin sized bed and a dresser. The dresser contained a few pieces of Yami's clothing, which Yuugi often felt or smelled, and refused to wash. Pictures filled the wall, leaving barely any white space. They were pictures of places, people, and of them. Shelving held souvenirs from tournaments. The fridge had a loaf of bread, some lunchmeat, and a half-gallon of milk. A can of coffee and a coffee maker sat on the counter, the insides of the cabinet's contained one small pot, and one large pot. The apartment had no phone, or computer. In the hall was a laundry closet with a washer, drier, and some cleaning supplies on the shelf; in the corner of the closet was a vacuum, mop, and broom.
Yuugi walked into the bedroom, and laid down on the bed, where he silently cried himself into a light sleep. He awoke with a start when his cell phone rang, his vision was blurred and he couldn't make out the caller ID, or the time. Angry for being woke up, he answered in his ruddiest voice. "Motou. Speaking." He growled for a final effect of being pissed off.
Sugoroku was on the other end. "It is 11 pm are you coming home this evening?" He sighed. "I'm worried about you. We are all worried about it." He knew better than to ask where his grandson was, because that usually led to a nasty mess of words. Nastier than the ones he would be receiving for saying he cares.
"Fuck no I am not coming home. Stop giving a fuck about me. Now leave me the fuck alone." Yuugi growled again, and then hung up the phone without even saying good-bye.
Sugoroku blinked a few times, he'd never in a million years of thought that his grandson could have become such a person. He never thought he'd hear words out of his mouth such as that one. It was so unlike him. But, what could he do. All he could do was never stop loving or caring for him, and wait for the turn around to happen. He hung up the phone tired of listening to dead air dial tone.
Yuugi turned off the phone so that he wouldn't receive further disturbance. Not that it mattered he was up, so he went to take a shower. He stayed in the shower for at least an hour, and only got out because the water ran cold. He dried himself best he could, and they wrapped and fastened the towel around his waist. He went and sat on the sofa and turned on the TV just so he could have noise in the apartment. He reached over and grabbed the book that sat on the sofa.
It was then that Yuugi knew what he had to do with himself. He stared at the book, as English words stared back. He could understand this language, and was fluent enough to survive in America. He was also fluent in Arabic; he had needed to be for Yami's sake when they went to Egypt. But this was his answer. Yami had Egypt, and he could have America. Then when they could be together again they could have Japan together. That was the whole problem with Japan is that it was theirs, not just his. The thought of America lifted his spirits.
Yuugi sat the book back down, and turned the TV off. He went into the kitchen and grabbed a plastic bag putting the three food items in it. He made sure everything was turned off, and the curtains drawn. He turned his cell phone back on, and dialed for the landlady. He told her that he was going over seas, and didn't know how long he'd be gone. He also told her he was putting an envelope in her office with a good amount of cash, and a spare key. He asked her to look after the place for him. She agreed they were after all they had become good friends since the two had moved in; she never had trouble with them unlike the other tenants.
After leaving the envelope in her office, he made his way back to the game shop. He was again on his cell phone, this time booking a flight. He hung up just as he walked inside. Looking at the clock it was 2 am. He quietly made his way to the kitchen and put the food in the fridge, then he climbed the stairs, and went into his room. He took out a suitcase, and packed only clothes, and toiletries. His deck was always in his back pocket, along with his wallet. 30 minute later he exited his room. Before leaving the game shop he left an envelope with cash enough to pay for any bills to form within the month, and a note.
Grandpa,
I'm leaving Japan in a couple hours. Heading to America. Send Yami my love. Tell everyone goodbye for me. Money is for the bills. I'll write to you soon.
Love, Yuugi
P.S: Sorry for being an ass.
Sugoroku had woke from his light sleep when he heard the door click for the final time. He didn't know why he was in a hurry because he knew Yuugi wouldn't talk to him. To his dismay he didn't even see Yuugi he had already left. Cursing himself for not hearing him come in, and just hearing his exit. He went and sat behind the counter, wishing Yuugi would come back through the door. When he had propped himself he noticed the note and envelope. Opening the letter and reading it about caused the old man a heart attack. For the first time since he could remember he said the words, sorry and love. Then the rest of the letter hit him like a ton of bricks leaving, good-bye. Despite the time he picked up the phone and called Jou. Jou after hanging up with Sugoroku called Isis.
Yuugi stopped by the college and withdrew himself, and sold his books. He then called a taxi, and headed to the airport. He made one last call, and that was to his cell phone company to disconnect his number. He then put his phone in his bag, and he stepped onto the plane. He lingered to hear a song that played. The last time he heard that song was when he left Egypt to return to Japan. Now he was sure this was the right decision. It brought a smile to his face, a smile that hadn't been there since forever. In 13 hours he'd have a new adventure to begin, one of his own while he waited for Yami.
"Leaving On A Jet Plane"
I'm ... I'm ...
All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin', it's early morn
The taxi's waitin', he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
I'm ...
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times that I won't have to say ...
Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
But I'm leaving on a jet plane
Leaving on a jet plane