A/N: Yes, I'm finally back after an extremely long absence. Sorry about the long wait, on this as well as any other of my stuff you might be reading. I promise I'll be updating the others soon, too. I got killed by writer's block for a huge portion of the summer, and I've really only been able to write a few paragraphs at a time, if that, whenever I sat down to write. In addition to that little rant, I have a couple more things to mention. 1.) My beta-editor has gone on vacation. Normally I would just wait 'til she returned to post this, but she is not going to really be back for the rest of summer, and I've kept people waiting long enough. So if I made a load of mistakes, I apologize, sometimes I'm not even sure how I manage to screw up the stuff I do. I'll have her read it when she gets back, and update it accordingly. 2.) I have moved my review replies to the end of the chapters from here on out, just because I really think it is easier for everyone that way. Ok, I'm done ranting now, so you can finally move on to the story. Thank you for your time, congratulations to anyone who actually managed to read this whole spiel.
Disclaimer: Nope, I still don't own it.
Yuugi groaned, rolling over in bed. He was positive that it was far earlier than he would ever wake up on his own. There was something wrong in his room, something that had cause him to stir from his slumber so early. Begrudgingly he opened one sleepy eye, then the other, and then-
"WAHH!"
-He hit the ground with a resounding thud. The cause of his rather rude awakening looked at him with worried crimson eyes.
"Yuugi! Are you all right? I didn't mean to scare you like that, I'm so sorry!"
Yuugi rubbed his back in the spot where he had hit the ground the hardest, "I'm alright, Yami. But what exactly were you doing in my room?"
Said robot smiled proudly. "Watching you."
Yuugi felt the color abruptly rise to his cheeks. "W-watching me sleep?" A nod from Yami. "Why?"
"Because I was helping your grandfather make breakfast this morning and he said 'Will you go tell Yuugi that his food is almost ready?' So I came up to tell you just like he asked, but you were still asleep. I didn't want to wake you up, so I decided to watch to you see when you woke up so I could tell you that your food was ready."
Yuugi chuckled, "Yami, when grandpa asked you to come and get me, he meant that he wanted you to wake me up."
Yami's smile immediately dropped to a frown, "Did I do something wrong, then?" He asked worriedly.
"No, no, no. It's alright," Yuugi reassured him, "I'll just make sure grandpa is more specific next time he gives you directions."
"Alright, let's go then!" Yami grabbed Yuugi's hand and started to run towards the kitchen.
Yuugi frowned. He just couldn't figure out how this robot was able to affect him the way it did. He knew that it was just a computer, that it's emotions were just part of a program. So why did he get so upset when it was scared or confused? Was Yami really that much more realistic than the other models?
He had no more time to think about this, however, because they had reached the kitchen.
"Well, Yuugi, your breakfast is ready, but you'll probably have to heat it up. What took you so long?"
"Sorry, grandpa, Yami misunderstood your directions."
"Yami?" His grandfather arched a graying eyebrow.
"Oh, that's model 04. Jounouchi and I named him Yami yesterday when we decided that we would be keeping him for a while."
"Well, while we are on the subject of 'Yami,' did he come with a change of clothes?"
"Nope, I've checked his box several times, but it's totally empty."
"That's strange, they usually come with at least one additional outfit." He looked over at Yami, who was listening to the conversation with a rather confused expression on his face. He looked the robot up and down, then, turning to Yuugi, he did the same to his grandson. "But it doesn't matter, you two appear to be about the same size, anyway."
Yuugi flushed. "Are you trying to say that you want me to give him some of my clothes?"
"That's exactly what I'm trying to say."
"But, that's not really necessary. I mean, he is a robot after all, he doesn't really need to change."
"Well, he certainly can't wear that one outfit forever. Besides, why does it bother you some much to lend him some of your clothes? You have too much as it is."
Yuugi was silent after that comment. He didn't particularly want to admit that the reason he didn't want to lend Yami any of his clothes was that his wardrobe consisted mainly of tight leather. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll give him some of my clothes. Come on, Yami." He headed back towards his bedroom, Yami bouncing along happily at his heels.
"Here you go." He said, handing an outfit to Yami once he was positive that it consisted of the least revealing clothes he owned.
Yami just looked at him, then down at the pile of clothes, a puzzled look consuming his face.
"I want you to change into these clothes," Yuugi explained, "You do know how to get yourself changed, right?"
Yami nodded his reply, and then began to unzip his pants.
"WOAH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Yuugi screeched, blushing the color of a tomato.
Yami immediately stopped, slightly frightened by Yuugi's tone. "I-I thought that you wanted me to get changed. I'm sorry."
Yuugi mentally kicked himself, realizing from the robot's tone how badly he had scared him. "No, I'm sorry, Yami. I didn't mean to scare you. It's just that, well, changing is a private thing, and you're not really supposed to do it while other people are watching, ok?" Oh god, I sound like a mother talking to her toddler or something, this is pathetic.
"Alright, I understand now." Yami replied. Yuugi left the room then, and he was still blushing madly. He had almost just seen Yami's "private parts." And while he was rather angry with himself for getting so flustered at the thought of seeing a robot naked, it wasn't really his fault. After all, why was it that Yami was so willing to just strip right in front of him? It made him wonder what sort of strange things the inventor of these robots was doing with them before they were shipped out (1). But he shook his head, deciding it would be better not to think about such things.
"Yuugi, I am finished changing." Yami said, coming out of the bedroom. He was now donning one of Yuugi's old school uniforms; a pair of blue slacks with a matching jacket and a black tank top underneath. Sure, it wasn't the most appealing outfit, but it would at least keep Yuugi from having any forbidden thoughts.
"Oh, yeah, I have one more question." Yami stated rather sheepishly.
"Yes?"
"What are these for?" Yami asked, holding up the pair of boxer shorts that Yuugi had given him to put on.
All the thoughts about the creepy inventors at industrial Illusions came flooding back.
The next few days passed quietly. Yuugi's grandfather had sent a letter to industrial illusions, informing the company that they believed they had been sent the wrong robot. Three days had passed since then, however, and the company still hadn't responded. Not that it really bothered Yuugi. Yami had been with them for a week and a half now, and Yuugi and Jou were beginning to really enjoy his company.
"Whaddaya guys wanna do today?" Jou asked, addressing not only Yuugi, but Yami as well. It was a habit both he and Yuugi had taken to recently, the fact that Yami was a robot practically forgotten by both of them.
"We've done practically everything there is to do around here in the last couple of days." Yuugi said, trying to think of something different to do, but failing. "What about you, Yami? Is there something you would like to do that we haven't done yet?"
Yami thought about the question for a moment. "Well, I've never been to the park before." He suggested. They had walked by the park a few days before, and it was a subject Yami had been curious about ever since Yuugi had explained it to him.
"Sounds good to me." Yuugi agreed. Jou nodded his approval. "Well, the park it is then." Yami smiled happily.
When they reached the park Yami curiously eyed a child on the swings. Yuugi laughed, "Would you like to use the other one?" He asked Yami, pointing toward the vacant seat next to the happily swinging child. Yami nodded ecstatically and bounded to the swing set.
"He sure is easily pleased, Eh Yuge?" Jou noted.
"Yeah, but that's ok, I think it's kind of cute."
Jou smirked. "Cute, huh? Well judgin' by da looks you've been givin' 'im lately, I'd say dats not the only thing about 'im you think is cute."
"W-what? No way!" Yuugi lied. A blush tinted his face.
"Awe, c'mon Yuge. Dere's no use in denyin' it, I can see it all over your face…literally. You've got a crush on Yami."
"Jou, I already told you-"
But he was cut off by the cries of a little girl. "But I wanted to ride the swing, grandma!" Yuugi and Jou looked over. The girl was no older than six or seven, her brown locks done cutely in bouncing banana curls. Her bright blues eyes were brimming with tears. Yuugi noticed that Yami was also watching the girl, a concerned look on his face.
"I'm sorry, Ritsuko, I guess you'll just have to wait until another time." Her grandmother replied, taking Ritsuko's hand and turning to leave.
"Would you like to use this one?" Yami asked. He had gotten off the swing, and was holding it out for Ritsuko to get on.
Her eyes widened, a smile instantly returning to her features. "Really?" Yami smiled and nodded. She dashed over to the swing and hopped on. Once she was securely in place, Yami began to push the swing for her.
Her grandmother walked up next to Yuugi. "What a nice young man," she said, "Is he your brother?"
"Umm…not exactly. Actually, we aren't related at all." Yuugi replied.
"Really? I never would have guessed; you two look so much alike."
"New feature!" Yami called from the swing set, "Advancements in physical design allow me to appear even more human!"
"Man, he must get tired of sayin' dat." Jou mused.
"Oh my, he's a robot!" Ritsuko's grandmother exclaimed. "I never would have known; he looks so real."
"Well, he is real," Yuugi replied, not entirely sure why he was defending Yami's realness, or why the woman's comment had upset him so much. He'd known what she meant, but it still bothered him. "But he certainly is the most realistic model so far."
Jou checked his watch. "Hey, Yuge, your break is almost over, we should pro'lly start headin' back now."
"Yeah, you're right." Yuugi said, "Come on, Yami."
"Buh-bye, Yami-chan!" Ritsuko yelled; Yami waved to her.
"That was really nice of you Yami, and we didn't even have to ask you." Yuugi said as they were heading home.
"New feature! Improved standard human interaction software gives me better manners without additional downloads!"
Yuugi sighed. "I really wish you'd stop that."
"Stop what?"
"Trying to sell yourself to us. No one is going to be buying you, so there is no need. I wish I had those passwords to switch you out of selling mode."
Yami's eyes began to glow a steely red. "Ending selling mode…switiching modes…switch complete!" Yami cried happily, his eyes returning to normal, "I am now in basic command mode!"
"What? Just like that? What about the password!" Yuugi asked, frustrated that he hadn't been able to do it before.
"I'm afraid I don't currently have a password set, but now that I am in basic command mode settings like that are changeable. Would you like to set a password?"
"But before you told me…Oh, nevermind. No thank you, I would not like to set a password."
"Alright!" Yami replied, continuing on happily toward the shop.
"Dat sure was weird." Jou said.
"It sure was." Yuugi replied.
"Mr. Crawford sir, you know the robot's exact location and the store has even informed you of his presence. They are practically handing him back to you, so if you don't mind my asking, why aren't you taking him?"
"Because, Croquet, I enjoy watching my little 00- oops, I mean Yami-boy, play with his new friends. It's like watching the son I never had grow up before my very eyes."
"If you say so, sir. But don't you think it is a little risky to leave him in public for too long. If the program activates-"
"It will not activate, of that much I am sure. It is protected by a password that only I know. And its security is so strong that even Yami-boy himself could not override it. You needn't worry; leaving him with little Yuugi is simply a part of my plan. I'll get him back eventually, and everything will work to my advantage in the end."
"I've accessed the Industrial Illusions main page, Kaiba-san."
"Good, now run a full-site search for AI model 04."
"Accessed denied." The robot replied.
"What?" Kaiba asked, the anger rising within his voice. Information on that robot of Yuugi's had been alluding him all day.
"The page is restricted," she explained, "No public access is allowed."
"Hmm…Yuugi certainly has stumbled upon a rare robot. And soon, it will be mine."
TBC
(1)- No, Pegasus is not a creepy robot molester or anything; it was just funny to have Yuugi thinking that he was.
A/N: Just wanted to give Clamp a little extra credit for this chapter, because while for the most part this story is only loosely based on Chobits, the first part of this episode was a bit more heavily based on it. I'm not sure whether it was real noticeable or not, but I got the inspiration for the whole beginning of this chapter from the episode of Chobits when Chii needs to buy herself a new pair of underwear. Obviously there are a lot of differences, but I just sort of came up with the idea because of that episode. That is my favorite episode, actually. I can remember one time when I was watching it, my older cousin walked into the room while Chii was singing her little "Underpants" mantra. He heard the girl on the TV saying "Underpants" over and over again, then sort of looked at me like I had sprouted a few extra heads or something. It was funny, not that you really needed to know that or anything. :sweatdrop:
Review Replies:
Jen: :sweatdrop: Well, I sort of failed in the update soon department, but to make for this chapter has more Kaiba, more plot and more troubles. Not sure whether you actually wanted the troubles, but a story would be pretty dull without a problem. So here it is.
Shir: Once again, the soon-ness of my update was terrible. But better late than never, right?
Silvershadowfire: Good detective work! You predicted correctly, and once again Yami has proven to be more than just your average human-shaped personal computer.
Yana5: Yeah, there is definitely some feelings blooming between the two of them, regardless of how unwilling Yuugi is to admit it. They're far from together though. Glad you like the story so much.
Hathors-favorite: Well, I'm not sure I'd call Kaiba psycho just a little…obsessed. Ok, maybe he is kind of psycho too. And definitely a genius, but that is to be assumed, I suppose.
Strega: I'm glad you think it's original. After I had started this, I suddenly thought I had remembered reading something like it before, but I looked for it and couldn't find it. Maybe I made it up, I'm not really sure. And also,you're right that Yuugi wouldn't turn Jou away. And they are together basically everyday in the show as well, so I suppose it really doesn't matter. Thanks for the clarification ! And as far as your predictions, you're pretty close, but not quite there. I won't say anything more, lest I give the story away, but Yami's secrets will be revealed soon enough.
Ryuichi's Lover: Glad you enjoy my story so much. Thanks for the review.
Kitsunemajin: Yes, I have to agree that Yami rules, both figuratively and literally. :glomps him: Well, hopefully the story will continue to be interesting for you, maybe even more interesting now that the plot is really starting to move along.
Koneko Hoshi: Glad you like the way I portrayed Yami, especially since that is one of the main reason I chose to make him the robot in the story. My original plan was to have it be Yuugi, but I thought it would be a lot more fun to be able to experiment with Yami's character a little. I'll agree that I dislike it when people make him the "cold hearted pharaoh" since he has never really struck me as a cold hearted character, and some people just take it to a point where he is practically evil. As far as not calling the robots persocoms, well yes, it was basically because I didn't want it to be too chobitsy. Yes, I did get the base inspiration from Chobits and, like the first scene of this chapter, some of my ideas come directly from it, but at the same time I wanted to be able to do my own thing with the story. I suppose I was just wasn't calling them persocoms to allow a little differentiation.
tears of a mermaid: Glad you are enjoying the story so far. Look for more huggy or fluffy moments in the near future, as their relationship continues to develop.
SoulDreamer: Well, this update wasn't as soon as I, or I'm sure anyone else, would have liked. I promise to be more diligent in the update department in the future.
Anime Crazed: Again, happy to hear someone say that they haven't read anything like this before, I was really nervous about being unoriginal for some reason. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as the others.
Storm101: Well, the similarity to chobits is not in the summary, but I did mention in the Author's Note in the first chapter, and I believe possibly the disclaimer. Also, I plan to mention it again in any chapters that are more similar to chobits than normal, such as this one. Perhaps you just didn't read my Author's Note? Regardless, I thank you for mentioning it to me, because I would definitely have wanted to know if I hadn't already realized it. I hope that you can still enjoy my story regardless of the similarity to Chobits.