A/N: Thank you all, my lovely people, for reviewing! People seemed a little confused about the cut scene I put at the end. Like I said before it was never supposed to be part of the original story line. I didn't want to make Yami as vicious as Yami Bakura or Malik, but someone asked so I delivered. Had a lot of fun writing it as well :P So, for the last time, it wasn't really part of the story!
About pairings… *sigh* I seriously don't know. HARUTO IS ONLY ELEVEN PEOPLE! He's still so cute and innocent! I'm already started with developing Yuugi and Yami's relationship and I haven't even thought about the others yet! Let alone Haruto WHO IS ONLY ELEVEN! If people are going to continue asking about his pairing I'm going to pair him off with Rebecca just to be annoying. :P But I value your input. (I'm thinking I'm becoming an overprotective mother. Haruto's my baby!)
Vikuppy, you asked about Hedwig. I'm not really sure how to put her into the story. I could make her into a card or something, but I'm not sure if Haruto would keep an owl. I'll think about it a little more.
Without further ado, on with the story ;)
Chapter 10
Prince of the Shadowy Realm
When Haruto woke up the next morning the first thing he saw was his brother sleeping soundly next to him. The raven head smiled softly and pushed himself a little bit closer to the older boy. The teenager stirred a little before freeing his arm and draping it over his little brother, pulling the smaller boy a little closer. They stayed like that, Haruto safely tucked into Yuugi's warm embrace, until they both grew a little restless. "Did you sleep well?" Yuugi asked softly, startling the little raven head out of his sleepy state.
Haruto nodded into his brother's chest. "No more nightmares," he said softly, relishing in the comfort Yuugi was giving him. "I hope you slept well too Onii-chan."
Yuugi squeezed his shoulders softly. "Better then I have done these past three months. It's good to have you back Ru-chan."
"It's good to be back," Haruto whispered. "And I'm never leaving again. I hate being so far away from home, from you and Jii-chan."
Yuugi kissed the top of his brother's head. "Don't worry," the older boy whispered. "You're not going anywhere again."
A comfortable silence fell between them before Haruto giggled a little. "I'm going to school soon and you'll be at school as well. Unless you want to lock us in this room forever?"
Green eyes looked up into blue ones and Yuugi couldn't help but chuckle. "Let's!" Haruto looked a little confused. "Let's stay in this room forever! Then we don't have to worry about anything ever again. We can stay together forever."
While Haruto could tell that his brother was joking, the raven head couldn't help but feel that Yuugi wanted it to be true. So the little Wizard shook his head. "We can't," he said softly, but kindly. "Jii-chan would miss us. Your friends would miss you. And once I go to school too I'm sure that Chiyoko-sensei would drag me out of bed again, should I decide to stay in this room." Yuugi chuckled again. "That and you have someone you want to introduce me to apart from your friends. Someone important."
Yuugi tensed a little and pulled away out of the comfortable embrace to study his little brother's face. He had thought that Haruto would take at least another day to make up his mind about meeting Yami, but those green eyes only showed a willingness he had seen but a few times. "If you're sure," Yuugi said looking for any sign of uncertainty.
When Haruto nodded the older boy gave a slight nod in return, untangled himself completely and stood. "If you're absolutely sure."
"I am," Haruto said, smiling confidently. "I want to meet this Other You."
With one last look, Yuugi turned and exited his little brother's room only to tiptoe across the landing to his own room. "Mou Hitori no Boku," he whispered reaching for his Puzzle. "I have someone who wants to meet you."
Placing the Puzzle around his neck, it glowed a little and Yuugi felt the familiar presence of Yami settling into his mind. It felt like coming home. "Yuugi, thank you for trusting me in meeting your little brother," Yami said, locking eyes with him. The Spirit reached out and touched the arm of his counterpart, crimson eyes flashing darkly before it was driven out.
Yuugi shook his head. "It's Haruto you need to thank," he whispered with a shy smile. "He's really grown while being away."
The Spirit smiled and touched the shorter boy's cheek in a caring gesture making Yuugi blush. "You've grown too," Yami said caringly. "More then you realise." They stood in silence for a while, neither making a move before Yuugi finally snapped out of his daze. "Let's go," the smaller boy said and with a smile he moved back towards his Otouto's room. He knocked before entering quietly.
Haruto was nervous but trying very hard not to let it show. He knew that this was important and his brother was probably just as nervous as he was. So when Yuugi returned, clutching the Golden Puzzle hanging around his neck, Haruto tensed slightly before letting out a deep breath to relax. Shadows creeped up around his big brother's ankles, circling the short fifteen-year-old who seemed not to notice them. Yuugi remained standing by the door, seemingly having a quiet conversation with himself as his lips moved but no sound was made.
"Haruto," Yuugi whispered, finally focussing on his brother. Haruto looked at his big brother expectedly though he was still wary of the Shadows which were following him. It was still dark outside so the only light came from the moon, which was filtered because of the curtains. "Are you ready for this?"
The raven head nodded, trying not to let his weariness show. "I want to meet him." He fidgeted a little, unsure of how to ask about the Shadows. Maybe he should ask if Kuriboh was allowed to join him for this. Haruto bowed his head, a blush of shame spreading over his paling cheeks. "Is it okay if… well, could you keep standing there?"
Tense, Haruto waited for his brother's reaction, feeling the Shadows swell around them. They were climbing his walls and festering in every corner of his room. They stayed away from the bed though, something Haruto was thankful for. His brother shifted and the scraping of a chair told the raven head that Yuugi would not be sitting beside him. Haruto felt slightly disappointed but this was what he had asked for and he was happy that his big brother respected his wish.
"Is this alright?" an older voice asked and Haruto's head snapped up as he zeroed in on his big brother. The changes were small, but for someone who knew Yuugi they were clear as day. The short fifteen-year-old was taller, his hair messier and a few blonde bangs had blasted upwards, mixing with his dark hair. His expression had changed as well. The worried but innocent expression was replaced by a more serious and dangerous expression. The colour of his eyes had changed as well. They were more purple then blue now, with a crimson shine which glittered in the light of the moon. There was something comforting about this older persona too. It was almost like Haruto had gained another older brother.
Haruto nodded. "That's fine," he whispered softly. He fidgeted with his nightshirt, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "It's not that I don't want you close. It's just that the Shadows, the scary ones, are drawn to you. Without Kuriboh or Akio I don't think I could stand being close to them."
"It's alright little one," the Spirit said in a comforting tone and Haruto looked up to watch a frown adorning his brother's face. "I am not too sure how to get rid of them and I am sorry that they seem to be troubling you this much. I have heard Yuugi talk about your sensitivity towards those you call Shadows but I never would have imagined that you would be troubled by them because of me."
The discomfort and honest disappointment on his face was enough for Haruto to want to run and hug this older man, but the raven head remained where he was. "It's not your fault," the eleven-year-old said with a comforting smile. "The Shadows have been bothering me since before I came to Japan. I've been seeing them for as long as I can remember. I am sorry for letting them scare me enough to not want to sit beside you."
"You have nothing to apologize for little one," the Spirit said with an understanding smile of his own. "Let's ignore them for now in favour of getting to know each other better. It's nice to finally meet you Haruto. You may call me Yami or something else if you wish."
Haruto grinned widely. "It's good to meet you too, Prince of the Shadowy Realm."
Yami blinked, clearly surprised, before chuckling softly.
…
Talking to Yami had felt strange, but nice. Sometimes it felt like he was talking to his brother, while at other times it was like talking to a different person entirely. Yami was a different person of course, no one could deny it and if they did then they didn't really know his big brother. Haruto had to admit that Yami scared him a little, but that was with everyone who was new. The raven head was reminded of Draco, who sometimes used insults and aggression to get his way because he didn't know how else to get another's attention. If the Spirit was anything like the blonde Slytherin then he would need to learn how to interact with people without making them feel threatened or angry.
Haruto trudged down the stairs, dilly-dallying a little as he tried to make up his mind before he reached the kitchen. Did he like Yami enough to accept the Spirit as he shared Yuugi's body? The older Spirit seemed to take great care in not offending Yuugi or using his body for anything but playing games. His behaviour towards Yuugi was honourable even if the Spirit had a slightly sadistic streak. Not that Haruto could confirm this; it was just something he noticed when he had talked to Yami.
"Ah good morning Haruto," Sugoroku said cheerfully when his adopted grandson walked into the kitchen. "Did you sleep well?"
The raven head nodded, letting himself drop on one of the chairs, a content smile on his face. "I did," he replied softly thanking his grandfather for breakfast. "Onii-chan stayed with me so I wouldn't have any nightmares and it helped. I went straight to sleep."
"That's good to hear," his grandfather replied with a smile, sitting down opposite his grandson. "I received a call late last night from Lady Longbottom. She said she would come round with her grandson around ten this morning. It will give us some time to plan the day and fill out that paperwork you brought with you."
Haruto perked up a little. "Can I take Neville-kun to the Temple, and the Arcade, and the shopping district, oh and the new school. And maybe even Onii-chan's school, and the park, and the museum."
Sugoroku chuckled at the raven head's excited stream of words. "Remember that they are going to be here for two full weeks. You can go to all those places and teach Neville-kun about the latest games before he has to leave for Britain again." He leaned across the table and ruffled through those raven locks, earning an even wider smile then the previous one.
Green eyes turned to look at the entrance of the room when rushing steps came to a quick halt. Yuugi was standing in the doorway looking quite exhausted even if he had just woken up. His school uniform had been badly fastened and his hair was even messier then usual. The Puzzle was dangling on its rope from his hand and his schoolbag was slung over one shoulder. It made for quite a comical sight and Haruto chuckled softly. "Good morning Onii-chan."
"Aa, good morning Jii-chan, Ru-chan." Yuugi dropped his bag by the door and placed his Puzzle on top, before rushing to grab his lunch. "I'm late, so no time for breakfast. I'll be back around four and I promised the other's I would introduce you to them Haruto, so if you don't mind?"
"Ii, that's fine," Haruto said, shaking his head with a soft smile. "Is it okay if Neville-kun is here to meet them as well?"
Yuugi stopped to look at his little brother, his hand hanging over a piece of toast. "Aa, of course. I want to meet this Neville-kun as well. Anyone who helps my brother is good in my books." And with a final wave, he ruffled through Haruto's hair before rushing out the door, piece of toast between his teeth. Haruto giggled. "Onii-chan is busy."
"Aa, he sure is," Sugoroku said with a chuckled. "Let's finish breakfast and then we can restock the shop. There's a new game you'll like. I can explain it to you while we wait for the Longbottom's to arrive."
…
Neville chuckled as Haruto explained the game, talking about as fast as Hermione did when she got excited. "We can set up a Dungeons and Dragons game at some point, but it would be more fun if we had more players. We could play this new game for now. It's called Capsule Monsters Chess. I think this could actually be fun to take back with you. It might give Weasley-san a new challenge so he won't want to fight Draco-san all the time."
The blonde Gryffindor snorted. "Ron's attention span might be just about big enough for that. He likes chess anyway, but if it would challenge him enough to stop fighting Draco…" He looked at the pieces Haruto was placing on the board. Taking one, he studied it up close. "That's Toppo," Haruto explained. "He has two abilities. He can fly and use the nose balloon." The raven head proceeded to tell his friend about the rules and the abilities of every piece. After that they set up the board but were unsure about starting up a game. It would only be about twenty minutes until Yuugi would be back.
Sugoroku and Augusta were sitting in the kitchen going over the paperwork Madam Bones had send along with the raven head. They had a direct view from the kitchen into the living room so they could keep an eye on the two eleven-year-olds. So when Haruto fell silent in the middle of his excited explanation, both adults looked up in confusion. Neville was staring sadly at his best friend when those expressive green eyes turned blank.
Haruto knew exactly when his absence hit and even while he tried to fight it at first, realizing it was useless was a hard thing to accept. He watched his friend get blurred out of his vision, darkness circle around him and closing in on him, swallowing him whole. He returned to a familiar place inside the darkness. That dark wide space inside the Shadow Realm where he had first met Akio. Haruto stepped forward, empty of all emotion again as he walked around the Shadow Realm.
Kuriboh joined him at some point, bouncing along side of him as Haruto continued to walk in a calm pace. "Kuri," the hairy creature purred just as the Chaos Command Magician appeared before them. Haruto stopped walking and greeted the creature with a slight nod. The Monster nicknamed Akio bowed before straightening again. "It seems like you have met the soul which resides inside the Millennium Puzzle," Chaos Command Magician spoke calmly, joining them as the other two continued their walk around the Realm. "What do you think of him Haruto-sama?"
The raven head shifted his green gaze towards Akio before moving back to the road ahead. "At the present I feel nothing," he answered in a monotone voice. Kuriboh bounced around them in amusement. "Learning about Yami, my first reaction was worry. I had felt a disturbing presence inside the pieces of that Puzzle ever since I learned of its existence. It is why my initial reaction was worry. Now that I have spoken with the Spirit I see that I was worrying too much. My brother is strong and will change the Prince just like he has changed me and everyone around him. Onii-san has a good heart, he will survive."
Akio nodded. "The Vassal is indeed very strong and kind hearted. He will be good for our Prince." They continued to walk in silence for a while and Haruto watched impassively as Shadows turned into shapes turned into Monsters. Monsters he recognised from the card game his grandfather had only just shown him. "Master," Chaos Command Magician said, interrupting Haruto's silent gazing. "Will you summon us to fight alongside the Vassal?"
Haruto remained silent, unable to answer in his current state, so he continued to stare at the gathering Monsters. It was as if they were waiting for something or someone (him) to say or do something, anything. Maybe that was why they were all here, trapped in this dark realm all to wait for someone to show them kindness, a reason to exist again. So they could get their own personalities, their own masters and keepers. Someone they could protect until they would disappear with that person.
"I am worrying everyone," the little raven head said. "I need to wake again. I will summon you once more." And with that the world around him cleared. The Shadows were driven away by the sudden invasion of light and the Monsters around him blurred and disappeared when the Darkness was pushed away from his mind.
The first thing Haruto noticed was that he was leaning against someone. The body was warm and comforting. Someone very familiar was acting as his cushion, or chair which ever point of view you took. "I heard you went to the new school today Haruto-chan," his big brother whispered comfortingly in his ear and Haruto's breathing instantly relaxed again. The raven head wanted to snuggle into the comforting warmth but refrained from doing so when he realised they were still in the living room. And they were not alone.
"Aa," Haruto whispered, showing awareness. A few people sighed in relief but he paid them no mind. "And we went to the park as well. Tomorrow we are going to the Temple and the Museum. Wanna come?"
Yuugi chuckled softly and combed with his hand through his brother's hair. "I still have to go to school," he replied softly, shifting his weight ever so slightly. "But we can go for Winter Solstice and this weekend we'll go to the Arcade. Neville-kun told me about your promise playing Dungeons and Dragons."
The raven head blushed, fidgeting slightly in his brother's embrace. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I understand if you and your friend don't want to."
"It's alright little guy," a new voice interrupted them and Haruto looked up. An unfamiliar blonde was standing next to an equally unfamiliar brunette, who was standing next to Anzu. The girl was rolling her eyes before smiling kindly at Haruto. "It's good to see you again Haruto-chan."
Haruto smiled shyly at the only girl in the room. You could hardly call Lady Longbottom a 'girl' when you saw her sitting elegantly in one of the chairs, sipping tea. "It's good to see you again as well Anzu-san. Thank you for looking out for my brother."
Anzu chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mirth. She seemed to relax under his green gaze, like she had been expecting to get scolded for her behaviour. "You're most welcome Haruto-chan."
"When did I need looking out for?" Yuugi asked with a pout, tickling his little brother's sides. Haruto quickly beat his brother's hands away, laughing as the tickling sensation travelled through his body. The two brothers grinned at each other when they broke apart, eyes sparkling with mirth. They were finally back together and they couldn't be happier. Haruto took Yuugi's hand, settling back into a comfortable position on the floor. "So who are the others?" the raven head said, turning green eyes to the tall blonde and brunette.
"The blonde is Jonouchi-kun and the one standing next to him is Honda-kun," Yuugi said, pointing to the individuals in question. Both boys waved cheerfully at Haruto. "Jonouchi-kun, Honda-kun this is my Otouto Haruto." The short fifteen-year-old gave them a sharp glare which clearly said that if they ever hurt Haruto he would make them suffer. "Ryou-kun will be by later. He had some things to take care of at school before coming over."
"I'd like to meet him as well," Haruto said, oblivious to the glare send towards the two friends. The sixteen-year-old scratched his nose uncomfortably, feeling slightly nostalgic. Honda was chuckling softly, ruffling through the blonde's hairs. "Oh and you have to meet Neville-kun." The raven head turned to face his Gryffindor friend. "Neville-kun this is my Onii-san. Onii-chan this is Neville-kun. Neville-kun is in the house of the brave and he has a really cool toad! Trevor is training Neville-kun so he doesn't forget things nearly as often and makes sure he knows his way around Hogwarts."
Neville nodded to Yuugi, extending his hand before realizing that it was probably the wrong thing to do. The short fifteen-year-old didn't mind though and shook the Gryffindor's hand with a warm smile. "Thank you for looking after my Otouto Neville-san. I really appreciate what you did."
"T-that's quite alright," Neville said shyly, a blush spreading across his cheeks. "I was really happy looking out for Haruto-kun. He's a good friend to have. Even if he seems to be edging Trevor on in disappearing more often." Blue eyes zeroed in on green ones who were looking back innocently.
"I wouldn't know what you mean Neville-kun," Haruto said with a smile, quickly dodging any other attempt at the subject. "Yuugi this is Longbottom Obaa-san. She helped me with everything and got me back home. Longbottom Obaa-san also got me to talk with Bones-san, who will help keep the sensei's away."
Yuugi bowed low before the Head of Longbottom House. "We are in your debt Lady Longbottom. I thank you for looking out for Haruto and getting him back home, where he belongs."
"That's more then fine my lad," she said, gesturing for him to get up. "It about high time that our society did some waking up, whether it was today, tomorrow or weeks from now. Haruto here gave us a chance to make those changes sooner rather than later, however undeliberately," she added with a small wink in the raven head's direction. "But no need to entertain an old woman who is entertained enough by your grandfather. I believe my grandson was learning how to play something called Dragon's Dungeon?"
Neville and Haruto chuckled before turning hopeful eyes at Yuugi. "What?" the fifteen-year-old asked, looking unsure at the two Gryffindor's. Lady Longbottom took it as her queue to leave the children alone and strode into the kitchen where Sugoroku was making drinks and snacks.
"We can't play Dungeons and Dragons with just the two of us," Haruto said, switching back into Japanese so the others wouldn't feel left out. "Anzu-san will play too, right?" And big green eyes focussed themselves on the only girl in the room. Anzu blinked, before blushing slightly when she realised she couldn't say no to the owner of those puppy dog eyes. "Of course. I think I will need to read the rules again, but if it is anything like Duel Monsters…"
Yuugi shook his head in amusement, while Jonouchi and Honda sat down next to Anzu. "Believe me, it is nothing like Duel Monsters." But before anyone else could say anything the shop bell rang. "Hello!" someone called. "Is anyone here?"
"That's Bakura," Jonouchi said, running into the shop to get their last friend. "Does this mean we're making teams?" Honda asked while Haruto and Neville started to set up the board for the game. Haruto should his head. "Not really," the raven head said, picking his favourite character which was oddly enough a wizard. "It's more like…" he fell silent when a new person entered the room. Green eyes stared up at soft blue eyes and a long white hair. The boy's complexion revealed that he was a mix between Asian and European. This one wasn't nearly as tall as Jonouchi or Honda, but he was taller then Yuugi. Then again nearly everyone was taller then his big brother.
A slight blush crept up Haruto's cheeks when the white haired boy smiled kindly at him. "Ryou-kun, you made it!" Yuugi gestured for the exchange student to sit down. "This is my Otouto and his friend, Haruto and Neville-kun." Before he could say anything else he was interrupted by Haruto.
"He's the same," the raven head said, turning to his big brother. "He's got one too." And sure enough as soon as Bakura sat down the Shadows started to curl around him. They were small, like there had been a connection not long ago, but they were still there. Yuugi frowned as he stared at his friend. "Did you know?" Haruto asked uncertainly.
Yuugi nodded. "There is another Prince of the Shadow Realm?" the little raven head asked, clearly confused now as he remembered Akio's words.
Bakura chuckled, blue eyes twinkling in mirth. "Prince? More like a Thief."
A/N: Just to clear a few things up about the Japanese language. There are a few sounds they make to agree or disagree with something.
Aa means yes just like Hai
Ii means okay, not no. That's iie
Before everyone get's confused and starts asking questions. *sigh* not happy with this chapter. Next one will be a time jump. In chapter 12 I want to start with Duelist Kingdom. Till next time!
Updated 22-07-2013
