Chapter 2: Jingle
A few weeks passed with Atem living with Grandpa and Yugi. They noticed an annoying, to Yugi at least, that Atem would be having a conversation with someone and look off into space for a second. "I have to go." He interrupted before leaving the room.
"What is so important that he has to leave?" Yugi grumbled to his friends Joey, Tristan, and Tea.
"Maybe he works for the police." Joey said, always up to date on crime dramas.
Yugi rolled his eyes. "And what, the police think we're selling counterfeit cards?"
"No wait, hear me out!" Joey held out hands, palms out. "He's a spy and hiding in plain sight undercover."
Yugi groaned. "You need to stop watching spy movies and crime dramas, Joey. He's just an average guy."
"Or he likes you and he's trying to avoid because he thinks you won't like him back." Tea replied, looking up from a magazine.
Yugi was taken aback, blushing. "You think that could be the case?"
"It's possible. He is a guy after all. Just ask him." Tea shrugged. "Where is he?"
"I'm complaining because he just had to leave an hour ago." Yugi sighed.
"Yugi? Are you in here?" came a concerned voice from the hallway that lead to the front door.
"Atem?" Yugi called back. He looked at the others in surprise. "Did you hear the door open?"
The others shook their heads as Atem entered. 'There you are, can I talk to you?"
"Sure. Can you guys go to the Burger World? I'll meet you there."
"Actually, I gotta get my homework done." Tea headed for the door.
"Yeah, see ya, Yuge." Tristan followed suit.
"What's going on, Atem?" Yugi asked, seeing the anxiety in the teen's face.
"I'm going to be a little protective of you for the next few days. Just as a precaution." Atem bit his lip.
"Am I in danger?" Yugi asked, fear spiking his heart rate.
"Nothing I can't handle." Atem assured him.
"Please give me answers, Atem. I don't like you giving me hints and not telling me what's going on."
"I can't. I would love to tell you what's going on. They won't let me." Atem looked away. He suddenly went stock still. "They're coming."
"Who's coming?" Yugi asked startled, but Atem grabbed Yugi's arm and disappeared in particles of light.
They reappeared miles away in a warehouse. Yugi stumbled against Atem as they landed and he realized they were somewhere different. "Where are we?" he demanded, pushing himself away from Atem.
"I had to get you out of there." Atem searched the room, making sure there wasn't anyone hiding.
"My Grandpa was home, we have to go back!" Yugi, ran over and pushed him with all his might.
"I will go back and get him, now hide!" Atem hissed, and disappeared in the same particles of light.
Yugi growled in frustration but quickly hid behind some boxes, trying to slow his breathing. Please get my grandpa out of there… he prayed. I don't know what's going on, but don't let him get hurt.
Yugi was so focused on prayer that he didn't hear Atem return with Grandpa and jumped when Grandpa settled with a groan beside him. "Grandpa!" he whispered, hugging him.
"What on earth is going on?" Grandpa asked, looking over at him.
"I don't know, Atem just…and I was here." Yugi looked up as Atem knelt in front of them.
"I might as well tell you since the sphinx is out of the bag now." Atem replied wryly. "I'm your guardian angel, Yugi."
"My-what?" Yugi gasped.
"You're a future guardian angel, a helper to those that go on to become a guardian angel. It's the cycle of life. We help those that go on to help the next generation."
"B-but who's after me?" Yugi sputtered.
"A dark angel. Someone who's mission is to make sure that every guardian angel fails in their mission. He's trying to make sure I don't get my wings and therefore you don't become a guardian angel."
"How do I become a guardian angel?" Yugi wasn't sure he believed what he was hearing.
"That, my young friend, depends on what your power is." The corner of Atem's mouth quirked up.
"M-my power?" Yugi's eyes widened.
"Every future and present guardian angel has a power. Mine," Atem said, before Yugi could ask, "is telepathy." He tapped his temple. "I can read your mind if I so choose."
"Is that mine?"
"Can your read mine?" Atem asked, tilting his head to the side.
"No." Yugi felt foolish.
"Then probably it isn't. We will have to work on that. For now we need to keep you safe. I can do that." He held out his hand, which a ball of white light appeared.
"H-how?" Yugi stared at Atem's hand horrified.
"Don't worry, this won't hurt." Atem gave him a reassuring smile.
"From what I've seen of magic, it does hurt." Yugi said warily.
"That was because the user intended for it to hurt. I'm using this to help." Atem explained. He split the magical orb into two and pressed it to Grandpa's and Yugi's chests. Both men closed their eyes as their bodies absorbed the magic. Their expressions didn't change as their chests briefly glowed, then faded. "How do you feel?"
"No different than I did. What does it do?" Yugi asked, opening his eyes.
"It makes you invisible to dark magic." Atem explained. "Now let's return to your house and go about your lives." Atem suggested.
"Good idea. Can we do that orb thing?" Yugi asked, a small smile on his face.
"I suppose I have a enough magic for that." Atem gave a small chuckle. "Each take an arm."
Grandpa and Yugi each took an arm and they disappeared in a group of particles of light.