AUTHOR'S NOTE

Lots of talking in this chapter.


Atem blearily open his eyes to the scent of something edible. As he slowly gathered his senses and carefully sat up – ouch, stomach! -, he began to notice that he wasn't home. In fact, this place didn't seem like anywhere he'd ever been. There also was this gap in his memory.. how'd he even get here in the first place?

"Ah, ya're awake", came a familiar voice whose owner just slightly flinched when red eyes trained on him. "Was a'most worried. Ya've been out for like half a day", the blonde continued and joined Atem at the couch, shoving a tablet with a bowl of steaming soup into Atems hands.

"Should help with the pain. Sorry about that, man", Joey nodded to the untouched soup. Atem looked from Joey to the bowl, then put the tablet onto the nearby table.

"Not hungry..", he declared, turning his back on the other in a clear show of unwillingness to talk. Joey scratched the back of his head, unknowing what he should say. When nothing came to mind he scoffed and went to hunt down the tv remote. Once found the device came to live, a few channels were flipped, then Joey rejoined his companion who did his best to ignore the world around him.

That is, until the news reporter said a name he couldn't have ignored if he was deaf.

"Tomorrow is the day many young duelists have been waiting and training for. In honor of the late King of Games, Yuugi Mutou..."

Atems head snapped around so quickly Joey almost got a whiplash from looking, but the pharaoh seemed not to care about his poor neck bones.

"... the tournament is finally here, presented by none other than Seto Kaiba himself, the head behind Kaiba Corp. We tried to get an interview, but sadly he's a very busy man"

Joey sighed in frustration. He'd all forgotten about the tournament.. some kind of professional he was turning out to be.. Dimly he wondered whether he still could register, when there was a sudden excitement in the news studio, then the reporter announced:

"Dear ladies and gentle man, we just received word that mister Kaiba is willing to talk to us. Switching to our outside reporter!"

And the image flipped again, now showing a young lady holding a microphone into a very annoyed looking Seto Kaiba's face. Clearly he wasn't happy to do this.

"Make it quick, I've got a tournament and an organization to run", he growled and the lady gulped.

"A-alright.. thanks for your time, mister Kaiba.. I-is there anything you would like the people of Domino City to know?"

"In fact, yes. Yuugi, you bastard. I know you're out there. If you don't show your mug tomorrow I'll hunt you down and take the title back by force. You hear me!?"

"Mister Kaiba.. what exactly do you mean by that...? Isn't this tournament in honor of Yuugi Mutou who died two months ago?"

"Yes. No.. .. listen, the Yuugi I mean knows I mean him. And he knows that if he doesn't appear tomorrow, he'll regret it!"

"Aaaaalright.. thanks for the interview. Back to the studio..", she said and with that the image returned to the first reporter who seemed kind of out of it until he recovered with a start.

"Well.. I'm sure we're all looking forward to this event. Now for world news-"

The tv went black. Joey leaned back into the couch.

"He's one persistent guy, isn't he? So what will it be, Yams, you goin' to duel some respect into him?"

"... no."

"Say wha'? You never missed an opportunity to show him who's boss."

"He said 'Yuugi'. I'm not 'Yuugi'."

"Aw come on, you know Kaiba. When he says Yuugi he means the person who wiped the floor with him more often than he says 'dragon' in one day. He wants you. Probably misses getting whipped."

"He.. said. Yuugi", Atem insisted, once again on his side, back facing Joey.

"You just gonna let him think he won?"

"Where's the harm in that.."

"Really man, you gotta cheer up. I'm sad too but life must go on, ya know.. Oh, got an idea! A couple rounds duel monsters will make you right as rain. "

"It's not that easy...", Atem returned, but his voice had adopted an edge that ought to trigger alarm bells in anyone's head. Joey's were defect.

"Yeh, I hear ya. Been cryin' my eyes out for days after we came home from egypt. Ya know, maybe that's what you need. Never seen ya cry at all. Can't be healthy."

"Just leave me alone.."

"No can do. I promised Yuugi's gramps that I'd take care of ya until ya were back in your right mind."

Atem growled to himself and finally sat up, but only to glare at Joey who stubbornly held it. Only when Atem tried accessing his magic he noticed something wasn't as it should be. He almost hesitated to touch where the familiar weight was missing. When his hand only found air Joey smirked.

"Yeah. Just a little precaution. Don't worry, the puzzle is safe. Just thought it'd be easier to talk without you tryin' to mindcrush me."

"I'd...", Atem began, then fell silent as he remembered what happened earlier – a very blurry, foggy memory with no prequel or epilogue to speak of. He only knew he had, in fact, grown angry and then.. nothing at all. A blank space where images and sounds should be.

But if what Joey said was true...

"... I'm sorry", he began anew, looking away as shame made itself known. "You are right, Joey.. I was not 'in my right mind', as you say.."

"No harm done, pal. But ya really scared me shitless there"

"For that too I am deeply sorry and beg for your forgiveness."

"Nah, it's a'right. Now.. about that duelling idea.."

"I still have to decline. I.. don't have a deck to play, anyhow."

"What about the one in your pocket?", Joey said, one eyebow raised and pointing to the little pouch the dark was always wearing. Atem seemed struck at this, protectively put one hand on the pouch.

"I can't. They're Yuugi's. It's not my place to use them in battle. They will not obey the man who killed their master."

Joey blinked at that, at a loss how to reply to so many weird sounding things. He knew both Atem and Yuugi were harshly into the whole 'heart of the cards' thing, but at the end of the day, they were talking about cards, right? Duel monsters was more about luck than the loyalty of your lifeless things. While he himself had usually played along with this whole weird idea – and almost started believing with all the things they'd gone through together – he was still convinced you could play cards, no matter if they 'liked' you or not.

Also..

".. man, ya didn't kill Yuugi. Ya should get rid of that idea before it does more harm."

".. yes I did.. he is dead because I persued my lost past. He would still be alive if it hadn't been for my utter foolish selfishness."

"If that's how ya roll, then I killed him too. So did Tea, Tristan, even freakin' Ryou and that egyptian woman with ta neckless, what's her name again? Ishizu?"

"That's.. different", Atem insecurely argued but Joey was having none of it.

"Yeah, totally, pal. Either we all did or not. We could'a stopped ya but didn't. An' Yuugs of all people wanted ya having ya memories and..."

"Still. I should have talked him out of it. If I just had known..", Atem cut him off, angry with himself. Joey just didn't understand..

"But ya didn't. So ya ain't to blame", Joey insisted, crossing his arms before his chest.

"I .. of all people, as you say.. should have known. Sharing one mind, I should've realised his.. intentions", Atem sighed. His stupid pride got in the way. He didn't want to accidently see Yuugi's cards for the upcoming, utmost important duel and spoil the good game. And see, where it got him...?! What it got him?! He'd lost, no, murdered his partner. It was his fault.

Joey could only watch in silences as his friend went even deeper into depression mode, began staring blankly at the floor, a slight tremble going through his thin form. It wasn't the first time Joey had seen the former spirit like this; Back when Yuugi's soul had been stolen by DOOMA, they'd almost lost both of them. Luckily something had brought the dark youth back around even before they'd rescued Yuugi, though Joey had absolutely no idea what that was.

"Listen, pal..", Joey finally said, finding thinking wouldn't get him closer to the answer. Atem didn't look up, but from the way he stiffened it was clear he was indeed listening, so Joey continued.

".. I know it's hard on you. But ya gotta move on, man. We all have to. Also, wasn't there som'thin about an afterlife? Ya'll see him again one day."

Rarely had a wince given Joey a worse premonition.

"That's it..", Atem said, sounding sickeningly hopeful all of a sudden. ".. you're absolutely right, Joey. I will see Aibou again.."

For a moment Joey was relieved. Then Atem said another word:

"Soon."

"No, man. Please don't-...", Joey began, but realised he'd likely already lost the upcoming battle before it even began. He just helplessly looked at Atem who smiled – which, on any other day, would be reason to be worried enough on its own -, nodded in appreciation and had the nerve to actually thank Joey, on top of everything.

Joey on the other hand felt his heart drop all the way to his knees. The very same knees wouldn't budge when Atem suddenly all but hopped off the couch, took a few quick steps and had already reached the front door when Joey snapped out of his stupor. Before the door could be opened he'd made his way over and shut it again, much to Atems frustration.

"Let me leave", he demanded and Joey unwillingly had to think of a cat and was afraid Atem would lash out like one at any given moment. Still he had to stop him – who knew, what was going through Atems head!

"Where to? I'll come with ya. The more, the merrier."

"Nothing of your concern, Joey.. Open this door."

"Not without ya tellin' me what'cha up to."

"Nothing. I shall go home."

"Can't let ya do that either. Promised the old man."

"I am sound of mind and body. Your promise will be kept."

"Body I agree, but mind? Not so much. Listen pal, why don't ya sit back down and we order a pizza or somethin'"

To his surprise Atem seemed to actually consider this idea and even nodded. "As you wish"

With that he returned to the couch, looking up at Joey expectantly. Joey couldn't help but sigh again, scratch the back of his head, then go fetch the order list, but not without carefully locking the front door first, pulling the key and taking it with him.

Couldn't be too sure, right?