A/N: I won't go through the whole Yu-Gi-Oh manga series, just like I won't go through the whole first Harry Potter book. Oh and for the people who have been wondering how Haruto will react to Yami, you'll just have to wait and see. MWHAHAHA :P

Chapter 4
Domino High School days

Yuugi waited patiently for the bell to signal lunch before he plucked up the courage to go outside. A week had passed without word from his little brother and he started to get even more worried. The professor hadn't even left a way to contact Haruto.

Being at Domino High had been exactly like he had expected as well, meaning that he was being teased about his height and inability to play sports. Anzu and Miho had been happy to talk with him, but even they couldn't keep the bullies away. They tried though and it wasn't that bad. Sure he would get shoved into lockers every now and then, picked last at sports (but he couldn't blame them for that) and called a geek in class.

High School kids were quick to judge, seeing as they had only been in school for such a short time and only a few knew him from the previous school. Sure he was good in maths and he enjoyed science above any of his other classes, but that didn't mean that he loved school. Yuugi hadn't made any effort in getting to know his other classmates. Even when a few had asked him to play basketball he had refused, but that was because he knew that they would just loose if he was on their team and he couldn't do that to them after all.

Anzu had told him that he shouldn't bring himself down so much. She seemed determent to get him out of his depressed state as well and enjoy his time here at Domino High. But Yuugi had already let his worry for his brother and his insecurities rule his mind and actions.

"What are you doing down here shorty?" a taunting voice of a fellow classmate called from the other side of the playing field. "Don't tell me you're going to play? You can't even-"

"Get lost Jonouchi," Anzu called appearing next to Yuugi just as the shorter boy lost his courage. The brunette crossed her arms and the look in her eyes would have made Yuugi want to run and hide if it had been directed towards him. The tall blond who had teased him was already running away together with his friend towards the school building. Anzu turned towards Yuugi. "You got to stand up to him Yuugi-kun," she said softly and with an almost pitying voice. How he hated that tone.

"I know," Yuugi said with a shrug of his shoulders. He suddenly wished he had never gone outside. Thank heavens it was Sunday tomorrow. "But he was right. I can't play basketball anyway. I'm too short." Anzu glared at him, but he just sighed. "There's no fun in watching them try to peek underneath the girl's skirts… I think I'll just go inside."

"Oh come on Yuugi-kun," Anzu said. "Don't let those goons dampen your spirit." She shot one glance in the direction of the playing field where a girl jumped high to play the ball. Her skirt fluttered up and the boys who were behind her were almost drooling. Anzu grimaced and followed Yuugi back inside the school building.

Back in the classroom Anzu seemed more than happy to keep ranting to him about those pigs on the playfield. "How is your brother anyway? I haven't seen him this past week."

The question took Yuugi by surprise. He hadn't expected her to start asking about Haruto at all since she didn't know him that well. And what was he supposed to tell her? A professor from a magical school in Britain had taken his little brother away to teach him how to control his magic? He could just imagine her reaction. The disbelieving look and the follow up question if he was feeling alright. He resisted the urge to sigh. She wouldn't understand. Besides the professor had told them it would have to stay a secret. Apparently they don't like to be in the spot light.

Yuugi closed his hand around the makeshift necklace Haruto had made and given to him before he left. It was a simple piece of string with a handmade metal star dangling from it. Haruto had confessed that it was supposed to be a birthday present. It wasn't ready yet but he promised he'd finish it when they would be reunited. "What's that?" Anzu asked when she noticed it. "I haven't seen that before."

Yuugi blinked before pulling it in full view to show it to her. "Haruto made it for me," he said with a fond smile. "You should see the things he makes." The star was shining in the sunlight making it sparkle almost like a real star.

"Wow," Anzu whispered looking at it curiously. "It looks so pretty. How did he…?" They were interrupted by Miho who wanted to talk to Anzu about something girly probably. "I'll be right back Yuugi-kun."

And he was alone again. Yuugi didn't mind, he had been alone most of his life after all so he was used to it. Yuugi stared at the star and moved his fingers over the markings at the sides. He hadn't even noticed them before but there seemed to be a strange eye in the middle of the star. Not the creepy eyeball kind, but the more symbolic type which seemed familiar somehow.

A shadow announced the arrival of another and his necklace was suddenly taken from him. It was Jonouchi and his friend, Honda. "What's this then?" he asked in a sketchy tone. "You into jewellery too as well as geeky stuff? What kind of a man are you eh?"

"Let's see it Jonouchi," Honda said and the necklace flew through the air straight into the tall brunette's hands.

"Careful with that," Yuugi said standing as if he wanted to try and catch it. "I got it from my brother."

Honda snorted. "What kind of an excuse is that? Looks like a hunk of junk to me. Maybe you can see it Jonouchi."

The blond quickly turned his frown into a smirk. "Pass it here then!" And the necklace sailed through the air once again.

"Give it back!"

Jonouchi rubbed his ears and sneered down at him. "Make us. Go on; fight us for your precious piece of junk." Both of them laughed as Yuugi blinked back the tears in his eyes.

"I don't like fighting."

It sounded pathetic even in his own ears but Yuugi had never been one for violence. Sure he was willing to fight for those he loved. But Jonouchi and Honda were taller than him not to mention stronger, so what could he do?

"Well if you won't fight for it, you won't mind me taking it then." And before Yuugi could protest any further the two of them took off with his necklace.

Yuugi was now panicking in full force. He wanted it back. It was Haruto's and it was the only thing he had of his little brother. "Wait, give it back!" And Yuugi ran after them. Damn his short legs and hesitation. The two friends had already disappeared somewhere. A few tears escaped him which Yuugi quickly brushed away. He promised to be brave but Yuugi felt like he had already failed.

When Yuugi turned he bumped into someone, falling backwards with a painful groan. "Sorry," Yuugi muttered when he got his breath back. He looked up to see the feared Ushio stand before him. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

Yuugi swallowed at the look on the Senpai's face. "Don't worry about it," he said. The Senpai had a strange air around him. Yuugi flinched as the first bell rang. The Senpai walked on leaving Yuugi slightly stunned and frozen in place.

"Yuugi-kun, you alright?" It was Anzu who had returned together with Miho. Yuugi nodded, standing and straightening his clothes. "Yes, I'm fine. Let's go shall we?"

Sunday passed quickly and quietly and Yuugi went back to school reluctantly on Monday. The last confrontation with the Senpai on Saturday was still swirling through his mind. Ushio had told him that he would be his bodyguard? Yuugi had laughed it off as some foolish trickery, something he was used to and didn't really care for anymore. It had unnerved him slightly though, which is why he was so reluctant to go to school. The look in the Senpai's eyes had worried him.

Yuugi suppressed a shudder as he reached his classroom, not trying to let it worry him too much. "Morning Yuugi-kun," Anzu said when she approached him from the other side. "How was your Sunday? Got any new games?"

Yuugi forced a smile. It was a good one he had perfected over the years. Fake cheerfulness was his specialty after all. "Good morning Anzu-chan," he said. "Quiet and yours?"

She immediately started to babble on about her weekend. Anzu probably wasn't even aware of his discomfort as they made their way towards the seats. "By the way, I went past the shop but you weren't there. I asked your Ojii-san but he was a little too busy so he probably didn't hear my question. How is your little brother doing? I haven't seen him around lately."

Yuugi froze. Sadness mixed itself with worry and loneliness making it almost impossible for him to concentrate fully. He felt himself stand, bouncing his fists of the desk in frustration. "Damn it Anzu, they took him away!" It was out before Yuugi had even realized it and angry tears escaped him. "They took my Otouto away and who knows what state he is in? How can I help him now?"

Anzu looked at him in shock and silence followed Yuugi as he ran out of the classroom. They would have to forgive him for running in the corridors and not attending the first lessons. He just wanted to get out of there. Running towards the roof, Yuugi felt slightly numb for the first time in years. Panting as he finally reached the roof the short boy leaned against the door when he opened it. The roof was empty which wasn't strange for first period.

It was slightly damp from all the rain which had fallen over the weekend but today the sun was shining making the puddles shimmer almost mystically. Yuugi wondered what Haruto could be doing right now. He suddenly felt stupid for not knowing how to react in a situation like this. He had only had a brother for four years and had been protective of him from the beginning. Now that Haruto was gone, taking from them by those wizards to study magic, Yuugi just felt lost and alone. He hated it, this feeling of not being able to do anything for his brother. Being unable to help.

Yuugi crouched down at his favourite spot on the roof, a place only Anzu and he knew off, and looked through his backpack. He might as well work on his Math while he was here. Shame was coursing through him about his actions towards his best friend. Anzu might understand though even if she doesn't know exactly how strong the bond between Haruto and him was. She didn't have any siblings, not even a half one even if she always insisted that Yuugi was like a brother to her. Yuugi wondered if she really knew what it meant.

When the last bell of the day rang, Yuugi would have gone straight home like always if it hadn't been for the dreaded Senpai. He was grinning almost manically as he guided Yuugi back to the playground and further towards a hidden corner close to the pool. Yuugi stood frozen, horrified at what he saw. Jonouchi and Honda lay against the wall, badly beaten for reasons unknown to the short boy. "What…?"

"I told you I'd be your bodyguard Mutou," Ushio said grinning even wider as he prodded the two boys with his foot. "They were bullying you so I took care of it for you."

Jonouchi cracked open one eye to look at Yuugi. The pain in his eye was almost overwhelming to the smaller boy. It was a pain he had known as well many times after all. "Teme," the blond spat in a hoarse whisper. Yuugi wasn't sure if Jonouchi could see him, but the tone said it all. "Are you happy now?"

Yuugi's eyes widened further and silent tears spilled from them. "I didn't ask for any of this," the short boy said desperately. He couldn't bear to see people in pain, not even those who had made fun of him in the past. "I never wanted this. I just want…"

"Get out of the way," Ushio said, roughly pushing the boy aside who fell hard onto the concrete. "Clearly you haven't learned your lesson yet. Come on Mutou let's show them not to bully anyone." And he started kicking Jonouchi again.

This isn't right, Yuugi thought as he watched in horror how the two juniors were assaulted by the Senpai. This isn't right. He shouldn't be doing this. They were just trying to help me be a man and they forgot to give the necklace back at the end of the day. Stop, he shouldn't be doing this. Violence isn't the answer. "Stop!"

His body had moved before Yuugi had even realized what he was doing. "Stop it. You have no right to hurt others like this. I never asked you to hurt my friends."

Ushio laughed at him. "Friends? Don't make me laugh. You call these people your friends? Huh, I've heard that victims of abuse often don't see it that way but I'll fix that for you."

"No," Yuugi said with as much courage as he could muster. "You are done hurting my friends. If you wish to hurt them, you'll have to hurt me instead." Yes, that was the best solution to this problem and to put a stop to the Senpai's reign of terror.

Ushio's manic smile became broader. "If you want to play it like that, fine. But remember Mutou, the fee for having me as your bodyguard is still 2000 yen whether you get beaten up afterwards or not. And if you don't pay I'll make sure that you remember next time." Yuugi's eyes widened with fright as the much larger Senpai moved closer, his threatening eyes sparkling.

Yuugi coughed softly, clutching his aching ribs. He was surprised his grandfather hadn't asked any questions concerning his bruises or the fact that he had been eating with a painful grimace. Not that Yuugi would have told him anything. He never had told his grandfather about the bullies at school. Yuugi sat up on his brother's bed when he felt a sharp object press against his back.

The short boy turned and stared at the object, surprised at what was lying on Haruto's bed. The puzzle, nearly completed with just one piece missing, was shining in the moonlight. Yuugi took the nearly completed treasure in his hand, tracing the design with his fingers. Every piece which was now neatly linked into another. The last piece was somewhere in his room, all he had to do was walk back and finish it.

Excitement washed away the fear and pain he had felt before. Not even the dreaded 2000 yen he had to pay to the Senpai tomorrow could keep him from feeling excitement. It was nearly finished! As always, as Yuugi made his way out of Haruto's room, the short boy let his hand rest on the picture his younger brother had drawn of their little family before he made his way to his own room. "Soon."

"Oh Yuugi," Sugoroku said as he approached his grandson in the hallway. "I have something… you finished the puzzle?" The spark in his eyes was almost something to fear. "You really are remarkable."

"I was just on my way to find the last piece," Yuugi said with a smile. "It should be somewhere in my room. What do you think?" He held the puzzle up towards his grandfather, making it shine in the lamplight. "Isn't it amazing?"

"Magnificent," Sugoroku breathed as he took the puzzle so he could inspect it from all sides. "This definitely calls for a gift since I haven't been able to give you anything for eight years. Well done indeed Yuugi. Now, what would you like?"

Yuugi's smile faltered as he was reminded of the reward his grandfather had promised him the moment he would finish a difficult puzzle. "That's alright Jii-chan," Yuugi said with a fake smile. "I can wait till Haruto returns. We could do something together."

"Yuugi," Sugoroku said with a look of concern.

Yuugi cut him off, knowing exactly what his grandfather was going to say. "Don't worry Jii-chan, when Haruto gets home you can still get me something if you wish. Now if you don't mind I have a puzzle to finish." He took back the puzzle and turned to enter his room when his grandfather stopped Yuugi again.

"I still have something for you," he said taking a necklace from his pocket. Yuugi didn't recognize it right away, but when the star caught his eye as it twinkled in the lamplight, his face lit up. "You found it! You found Haruto's necklace."

Sugoroku smiled. "Actually a friend of yours came to deliver it. Said he was sorry for losing it before. I've never seen him before." It was clear that Yuugi was no longer listening. His hands were almost shaking as he hung the necklace around his neck, vowing to never take it off again. "Thanks Jii-chan," Yuugi whispered, hugging the older man close.

Yuugi searched his room for his treasure box. It should still be here. He finally found it at the bottom of his wardrobe. How it had ended up there was beyond him but Yuugi was more than happy that he found it again. He placed it on his desk next to the nearly completed puzzle. It was almost as if it was humming softly, that it knew it was about to be completed.

Taking the last piece out of the treasure box, Yuugi turned it over in his hand. The eye on the last piece was almost twinkling with excitement. "I know you are supposed to only make one wish," Yuugi said softly to the puzzle piece. "But if I could get a friend who would help me gain courage, someone I could rely on no matter what… I feel so selfish asking for someone like that when my Otouto is somewhere in England all on his own. Haruto needs help and I probably need him as much as he needs me." Yuugi sighed feeling very foolish for talking to the puzzle again.

"Who am I kidding?" And he slotted the last piece into place.

Updated 21-07-2013