Disclaimer. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! It belongs to Kazuki Takahashi and crew.

The sound of someone shouting his name broke through the haze of unclear consciousness. The voice continued, clearly distressed. Yugi twitched in the crushing weight of a seemingly endless void. "Yugi!" There it was again. He could feel his body being shaken, but he couldn't respond.

Suddenly, a brilliant light blinded him. He cried out, trying to shield his eyes. The faint voice became louder and clearer.

"GAH!"

Yugi screamed and shot upright, blinded by confusion. His eyesight became normal again, and that was when he saw the transparent figure of his double, kneeling beside him, panic flitting across his face.

When he saw Yugi was awake, he smiled.

"Hey! What happened?"

Yugi put a hand to his head, frowning. "I don't know. What happened?"

Yami's eyes went wide. "You started chanting that I was going to die. By Bakura's hands."

Yugi froze, then looked to where the painting of Bakura was. It was still the same, but those cold brown eyes held the light of madness in them. Yugi shivered. "It's looking at me!"

Yami stood up, and went to the painting. A chill ran down his nonexistent spine. The eyes seem to shred his very soul.

"Stop that." He demanded.

The painting seemed to lose it's shine, becoming normal once again. Yugi got up, and took the painting off the stand, leaning it against the wall, the image facing the wall so they wouldn't have to see it. He stood there, wondering if everything that had just happened was real or just a dream.

Something tickled his elbow. He, without looking, grabbed the arm that was apparently there. /Yugi?/ The spirit questioned.

Yugi rubbed his eyes. "Stay with me."

/I'm not going anywhere./

Looking at Yami, he elaborated. "No. I mean, stay out. I'm afraid Nissan."

Yami wrapped his arms around Yugi, drawing him close. "I'll protect you. Don't worry." Yugi relaxed at that, burying his face into Yami's chest.

The door opened, and Yugi let go of Yami quickly, looking expectantly at the door. His mom walked in. "What's going on? I heard some strange noises."

Unsure of what to say, Yugi blankly stared at his mom. She blinked, and closed the door. "Something's not right." She said, going down the stairs.

"Sugouroku!" She called. The elderly man looked up from sorting shelves.

"What is it?" Yugi's mom came to stand and beside him, helping him sort out games.

"Have you noticed that Yugi's been a bit distant today? After his improved mood this is a sudden development."

Sugouroku shrank in his skin, remembering the encounter Yami had with Bakura. He let out some sort of strangled laugh. "Haaahh...I'm sure it's just teenager stuff. Y'know...hormones and all that."

Yugi's mom hummed in disbelief. "I somehow doubt that. But, I suppose he'll tell us if he wants." She pulled out some dust covered jars. "Do you want me to wipe these down?"

Sugouroku stacked some jigsaw puzzles on top of each other as he replied. "Of course. Got to make them look presentable. Even though there's been so few customers."

Yugi's mom carried the jars into the kitchen. She winked back at him. "There's always tomorrow right?"

He smiled, rubbing his sore back. "I suppose."

He turned his attention back to the shelves. 'Bakura is getting ahead of himself. Yami has barely even been here for a few weeks. What on earth is he planning?'

Yugi went to shut the door, noticing the way his hand shook on the doorknob. 'This man, Bakura. Why does he want to kill Nissan?'

With sudden realization, he whirled to face Yami. Yami stepped back, startled. "Oh? Did you think of something?" He stammered in his defense.

Yugi raised a hand, and pointed to the image of the puzzle around Yami's neck. "That came from Egypt right?"

Yami blinked. "Uh, yeah why?"

Yugi had his serious game face on. "Bakura might have something to do with who you were."

Yami tilted his head. "Why would you think that?" Yugi shuffled his feet.

"Well, Bakura called you Majesty, albeit sarcastically."

Yami nodded, putting a finger and thumb to his chin. "Hmmm. Makes sense I suppose."

Yugi smiled excitedly. "We're finally getting somewhere with this!"

Yami frowned, dampening Yugi's joyful moment. "Unless, that's not the case..."

Yami looked up quickly. "No. No. It's just, I'm concerned about how you knew Bakura wanted to kill me."

Yugi shrugged. "Don't ask me I really don't know."

Yami sighed in defeat. "Well, alright. Perhaps you should get some sleep. Maybe we can ask your grandfather about this tomorrow. After all, he gave me to you. He might know where my origins lie."

Yugi went to his bed, stopping to peer at Yami with interest. "You know, you might be on to something. Well, good night Nissan."

Yami inclined his head. "Night Yugi." He turned and looked out the window, as the sound of snoring filled the room.

'Bakura. He's out there. I want some answers, and with Sugouroku's help, I might get some.'