Chapter 3

Yugi rolled onto his back, staring up at the night sky where the stars twinkled above him. He sighed in happiness, and then felt a wave of joy wash over his mind. He turned his head, looking into large crimson eyes. He grinned. "Better now, Yami?"

There was a curl of happiness, fullness, and contentment in his mind, and the dragon's cerise eyes closed in happiness. Yami nudged his Rider, blowing soft breaths through the boy's tri-colored hair.

Yugi petted his dragon, allowing Yami to run his muzzle over his chest. Only a week had passed since Yami had hatched, and already the night-black dragon was too big to fit into the house. Yami had to stay outside now, but Yugi was starting to get worried that someone would see the black dragon.

Yami purred deep in his throat, laying his large head on the ground beside Yugi, closing his eyes and heaving a sigh. Yugi ran his hand over the ridge above Yami's right eye, thinking. 'Perhaps I should ask Grandpa if we can go out to the summerhouse and live there, just Yami and I…'

The Moto family had one summerhouse, though it was rather small, a cabin up in the mountains. Yugi had inherited it not long ago, when one of his uncles had died from a heart attack. No one had been expecting it, so Yugi had gotten the cabin because no one else had wanted it, and Yugi had.

Yugi leaned over, pressing a gentle kiss to the center of Yami's large forehead. "Goodnight, Yami. I'm going to go in and talk to Grandpa; we need to get you somewhere safer."

Yami snorted slightly, but nuzzled his Rider all the same, laying his head back down on the grass. Yugi smiled, pushing himself to his feet and going into the game shop through the back door. "Hey, Grandpa!"

Sugoroku stuck his head around the door frame from the front of the shop, a smile on his face. "Yes, Yugi?"

The teen sighed. "Grandpa, I was wondering if you would mind if Yami and I went to live in the cabin. Yami's too big for this house, and people are going to see him sooner or later."

Sugoroku sighed and then nodded. "Of course, my boy. I was expecting this to happen sooner or later, in fact, I was getting ready to suggest it myself. It would be better for Yami to be up there anyway, that way he can stretch his wings and have plenty of room to grow."

"Are you sure?"

The elder Moto nodded once more. "Of course. I'll come up there every now and then, and I expect you to come visit me. Now, it's probably best that we get up there tonight, while under the cover of darkness. Go get packed Yugi, and then I'll bring you all the supplies you need tomorrow, alright?"

"Grandpa, are you really sure about this? I don't want to leave you alone." Yugi said softly.

Sugoroku smiled. "I might be an old man, but I can stay by myself, Yugi. I know that you need to be in a better place for Yami, so I understand. I'll tell you what; I'll see if I can sell this place, and then I'll come up and live with you, okay?"

"But Grandpa, you've always had this place! Gaming is your passion! I couldn't ask you to do that!" Yugi protested, his violet eyes worried.

The old man chuckled. "I'm getting a little too old to be taking care of this shop, anyway. It's about time I sold it."

Yugi!

Yugi blinked, his head turning towards the back door. 'What the…'

Sugoroku frowned. "Yugi? What's wrong?"

"I… I thought I just heard someone call my name. I guess I'm hearing things…" Yugi murmured, blinking in confusion.

Yugi!

Yugi's head snapped around. "Okay, I know I heard it that time." He moved towards the door, pushing it open to see Yami's big black head just outside it. "Yami? What's wrong?"

Coming. Evil. Go!

"Go? What do you mean? Go to the cabin?"

Yami's big head nodded frantically. Yes, yes!

Yugi frowned. "But Yami…"

Yami snorted in anger, his crimson eyes narrowing. No! We go now!

An instant later Yugi let out a cry of shock as Yami's teeth hooked in his jacket, and the ground fell away beneath his feet. Yugi screamed, closing his eyes and struggling.

Foolish boy! Stop it!

Yugi cried out again, and then the feel of Yami's teeth was gone as he was thrown into the air. He hit something hard, and scrabbled with his hands, finding hold on smooth black scales.

Hold on!

Yugi found one of the spikes that extended along the line of Yami's spine, wrapping his arms around it as tightly as he could. He could feel the roughness of Yami's scales rubbing holes in his jeans, tearing into his skin. He whimpered in pain, but did not let go. He could hear Yami's wings beating the air beside him, the wind blowing past his ears at speeds he could not fathom.

After a while the wind seemed to slow down, and Yugi finally managed to open his eyes a slit. He could see Yami's head in front of him, and he looked to the side to see the dragon's wings steadily beating the air. /Y-Yami?/

What is it, little one?

/What's going on?.! Why did you take me away from Grandpa!.? Where are you taking us?.!/

Yami flapped his wings once more, and then leveled them out so he could soar with little effort. My presence was noticed. I had to get you out of there, so they didn't come and take you from me.

Yugi blinked. /They?/

I do not know the name for them. All I know is that they are evil, and they want to hurt you. I cannot let that happen. I am sorry if I made you angry, but we could no longer stay there. It was not safe.

Yugi sighed. /It's okay, Yami… Just… warn me next time, okay?/

There was a rumble of a chuckle in his mind. Of course.

Yugi looked around him, gazing into the dark night. The stars twinkled above and below him, Yami's black body blocking out some of them periodically as he flapped his wings. The teen suddenly realized something.

/Yami! I can hear your thoughts!/

He saw a crimson eye come into sight as Yami turned his head slightly. Well of course you can. You are my Rider. I've been waiting centuries to hear your thoughts. And now you can hear mine.

/This is so cool./

Yami snorted with laughter. I'm glad you think so, aibou.

Yugi closed his eyes, reveling in the sound of Yami's voice. The dragon had a deep voice, one that flowed like silk through his mind, soothing and warming whatever part of Yugi's mind it touched. It felt absolutely amazing.

Hold on, Yugi, I'm starting down.

Yugi wrapped his legs around Yami's neck, trying to ignore the pain coming from the places where the dragon's scales had rubbed away his skin. Yami's wings folded, and then they hit the ground with a thud. Yugi looked up to see the tiny cabin in front of them, and he blinked in shock. /How did you…/

I searched your memories. Our minds are linked, what you know, I now know.

/Oh… I suppose I should go in and call Grandpa… He'll be wanting to know what happened…/

Yami lowered his head. I am sorry.

Yugi patted his dragon's head. /It's alright Yami; you were only doing what you thought was best to protect me. I forgive you./

Yugi went to the door, pulling out his keys and searching through them for the correct one. He went inside, going to the phone on the wall and lifting it off the cradle, thankful that he got a dial tone. As he called his grandfather he frowned slightly. He had so much more to think about, and he wanted to know about the… evil that Yami was mentioning. What could it be?

Okay, I do think I'm moving a little fast, but I want to get to the better part. I made up the part about the cabin and Yugi's uncle, I just needed a place to put Yami, as he's getting way too big for the city! Grandpa selling the shop would totally never happen, but for the sake of my story... the shop is going goodbye. Forgive me for the crappy post!!!