Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh! Belongs to someone who isn't me. Beri is mine however, so no stealing.

AN: Ya just as a future warning, chapters are long. I don't know why but I find I'm very wordy. Also chapters will be coming out at funny times because of two reasons. ONE: i dont write things in order. its called INSANITY. and Two: I go through INSANE editing processes. I write a bit at a time, then leave it alone for long periods, reread, edit repeat about two times then submit. Its a long process but it works. Mostly.

Interlunar

Chapter 2: Wreckage

Warning: Coarse Language

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Come on you fucking door! OPEN!" Another thump! resounded around the small chamber, followed by a growl from Beri. She cocked back her fist and brought it back to the metal door, as if flesh could overcome steel. "UGH! Why. Won't. You. Fucking. OPEN?" Each word was emphasized with another strike and with a loud thump! being the only answer to her question. After a bit she threw her hands up into the air, which had started to turn red and were starting to bruise. "Deus damno is Patefacio!" She slammed both her fists against the door with all her might, the force of it shaking the chamber. Atemu lifted himself up onto his elbows, giving the spirit a patronizing glare. He gasped as the pain became more intense, filling the edge of his vision with darkness. Blinking away the blackness, he took a deep breath ignoring the knife that sliced its way through his lungs. He let the air out, glad to see that some of the darkness had receded for the time being. Slowly working his jaw, he was about to ask what her deal was when another shake rattled the chamber.

"Oh snap." Beri breathed, almost making it impossible to hear. The rumble stayed for a while, detaching some parts of the ceiling. One was released right above her head and she rolled to the side, landing upright with her feet sprawled out. Atemu's head swiveled around to where Yuugi was, ignoring the pain that was crawling up his neck. He was still frozen. Turning his eyes towards the ceiling, he was relieved to see that no rocks were falling. Yet.

Almost as if to prove him wrong, a sonic boom emitted from the door to Duat, the shock wave blasting its way through the chamber. It smacked head on into Beri, sending her flying back, hitting Jounouchi who was standing frozen on the stairs. The two were sent tumbling down the stairs, the spirit guide landing square on Jounouchi's chest. She tried to get up but just fell down against the unconscious boy with a grunt of pain. Atemu himself got knocked back a few feet, almost colliding with the still form of Anzu, but the force wasn't as powerful when it hit him.

A wave of intense pain flashed through the Pharaoh's body, making the world go temporarily black around him. He gritted his teeth, fitting down the enticing tug of unconsciousness but the pain would not stop. It was constant; almost beating out a rhythm in time with Atemu's pulse. It's ambiance grew, becoming more and more frequent, all of it seeming to originate from the jewel in his hand. He fought hard to stay conscious but it was too much and before long he surrendered to sweet nothingness.

The last thing he remembered seeing was Yuugi's dim eyes blink.

Yuugi couldn't explain what had just happened. One moment, his other half was close enough for him to smell the exotic aroma that emitted off his body, then he was walking away and now, as the young boy blinked away his tears, he saw Atemu crumpled on the floor, right in front of Anzu.

His face was scrunched into a mask of pain, one emotion that was rarely seen on the proud Pharaoh's face. Yuugi moved towards his other half, hand out stretched as if he was trying to comfort him. He was expecting for his hand to go right through his body, but when he made contact with Atemu, he was surprised that his hand didn't pass through him.

In fact it encountered flesh.

Countless times, Yuugi had tried to reach out to him and every time his hand had fallen through. His other half had no problem resting a hand on his shoulder or giving him a hug or even picking him up when he fell, but Yuugi had never once been able to reciprocate the jester. He had always wondered what it would be like, how Atemu would feel under his touch, where his sensitive spots where and if he felt as warm as the sun he grew up Pharaoh's skin was smooth, almost velvet like and it felt hot to Yuugi. Pulling himself closer to his other half, the young boy moved Atemu's still form onto his lap. Resting one of his hands on his cheek, Yuugi looked closely at him. Sweat was trickling down his skin, as whatever that was causing him pain moved through his system. Yuugi bit his lip, wishing he could find a way to help. Thinking that maybe if he could wake Atemu, the pain would go away, he gently shook his unconscious partner.

"The other me?" He said softly. When that didn't seem to do anything, he tried again, shaking him a bit more forcefully, but still no response came. Pulling his eyebrows together in worry, he looked around the chamber seeing if someone else would help (and also wondering why it was that no one else was) when he saw down the stairs that pretty much everyone had gathered together in a clump, staring down at something. Yuugi was a bit curious as to what had attracted everyone, but his concern over his other half was more important. Turning his attention back to Atemu, he was shocked to see his lips moving, like he was sleep talking. Dipping his head down, Yuugi tried to hear what he was saying. Even though Atemu was moving his lips, no sound was coming out.

A strange creaking sound echoed around the chamber, attracting everyone's attention, even Yuugi's. For the first time, he noticed the state the the door to the afterlife was in; its symbol roughly torn out of its perching place, and thousands of tiny cracks lining the door that continued into the walls and ceiling of the chamber. The creaking grew louder and some pieces of rock fell out, hitting the floor. A rumble shook the chamber slightly causing a schism to form in the centre of the floor. Everyone scuttled out of the way as it snaked its way through the floor and up the stairs to the door, not stopping until it encountered the ceiling. The rumbling stopped. There was a brief moment of silence and then what sounded like a nuclear bomb exploding came from inside the schism. Water spurted out from the opening, the force of it flipping the ground up, like mini mountains were forming. It knocked the group back, sending them flying towards the entrance and they all landed together into a giant dog pile.

Yuugi gripped onto Atemu as tightly as he could as the two of them were sent flying off the elevated stage and onto the damp ground. Yuugi landed on his back with Atemu landing on his stomach. Though he was not a very heavy man nor was he very big, the force of him landing on the petite boy forced the wind out of Yuugi's lungs. He coughed a few times trying to get some air back in. He barely had time to recover before an aftershock wracked the chamber. It sounded like a gun firing, its origin from the door. It was short and sweet, not causing much damage, except to everyone's eardrums. When all seemed well, a small rock detached itself from the roof and dropped to the floor. As if that was some signal, another rock joined it, then another and another.

Soon rocks were falling off the walls too.

And bigger rocks soon fell as well, looking like what was a modified rock slide.

The chamber was collapsing.

Using the strength he had, the boy rolled Atemu off him, and maneuvered himself so he was shielding Atemu somewhat from the falling debris. So far they had been lucky; no deadly rocks had fallen on the pair, only smaller ones which did hurt but were definitely not deadly. Yuugi subconsciously held Atemu's body closer as more and more rocks fell on top of him.

Rocks were falling everywhere, a shower of earth and dust clouding his eyesight. He squinted, trying to see through it but could only make out vague shapes; any hope he had of seeing detail was lost. Keeping a steady eye on the patch of ceiling above him, he was well aware of a piece of earth hurtling towards him. Yuugi's eyes widened and acting as fast as he could, he grabbed Atemu by snaking his arms under his other half's and clasping them together so it looked like he was giving him a backward bear hug. With all the strength he could harness, the young boy pulled but the Pharaoh's body would not move. Trying to move himself and Atemu was proving to be useless; he seemed to be a lot heavier then before. Watching helplessly, Yuugi braced himself for the impact that was to come.

A figure darted inside Yuugi's peripheral vision and grabbed the two men in time to pull them out. The two men were flung to the side, both of them ending up face down in the dirt. Coughing, Yuugi looked up to look at his rescuer. The figure grunted in pain as a large rock clipped their shoulder, knocking them slightly to the ground. Yuugi would have gotten up to help but knew that if he left his other half alone for even a second that something bad would happen to Atemu. He watched with worried eyes as the figure clasped their shoulder and rolled it, hissing in pain. The person ran off to the side, leaving the two alone but not before Yuugi heard them yell over their shoulder.

"Don't worry about me. Focus on keeping... the Pharaoh safe." A female voice said. It definitely wasn't Anzu's or Ishizu's and they were the only women in the chamber. But this was something that Yuugi would have to dwell on later. Right now he had to focus on keeping himself and the Pharaoh alive.

A line cracked along the floor right underneath the two men, and started opening almost instantly. The two fell through, Yuugi grabbing onto his other half with one hand and grabbing the edge with the other. He had managed to grab the collar of Atemu's cape and the fabric was holding relatively well. Yuugi sighed. I hope it will hold long enough...

The floor started crumbling where his hand was, causing it to slip, inch by inch until he was hanging on with nothing but his will. Beads of sweat formed on Yuugi's brow and on the palm of his hands making it even harder for him to maintain his grip. Atemu slid down a bit as the sweat accumulated on Yuugi's hand. He grunted, tightening his fingers around the fabric, but there was lots of cape available so it didn't worry him as much as his other grip. "HELP!" He yelled up, hoping that the figure who had saved them before would hear but the sound of the chamber collapsing was loud and boisterous and drowned out his voice. Yuugi yelled again, and he got an answer, but not one he expected.

A strange gurgling sound, like someone blowing bubbles into their water sounded off down the hole. Yuugi darted his eyes down, vaguely registering the sound. Suddenly a geyser of water spurted out, throwing Yuugi and Atemu up out of the hole and slightly to the side. They flew through the air, almost as if they could fly. Yuugi was smacked against the roof of the chamber adding another bruise to his collection and was sent plummeting back down to the ground. The ground came to greet him at a fast pace, and he hit his front side head on against the ground.

An eerie silence engulfed the chamber as the water receded and the rocks stopped falling. Yuugi lifted his head, wincing as hot pain danced down his spine. The chamber looked completely different now; the door was destroyed, all the beautiful symbols that were painted on were scrubbed away and its once smooth surface was riddled with scars. The stairs were missing a few steps from being crushed and debris littered the ground. Dirt and water commingled transforming into a slooshy mud, making the floor was no sign of anyone else around.

A shifting of rocks revealed someone to be alive. The stones were thrown viciously to the side as a women got up and dusted herself off, nonchalantly. She winced as her hand brushed against her right shoulder. From what Yuugi could see from where he was that there was an angry red mark on it

"Damn. Downside of being solid: Pain. I've forgotten how annoying that is." She said or at least what Yuugi thought she said. What was said though made no sense. The girl looked around the chamber with a keen eye like she was looking for something or someone. They swept the room slowly until they rested on Yuugi. She scrunched her brow and walked over.

"Pharaoh?" She raised one eyebrow, skeptical. Yuugi knew that he and Atemu looked amazingly similar but they still had their differences and those small differences should have been enough for people to tell them apart. But this girl looked doubtful. Yuugi shook his head, clenching his teeth against the pain it caused. She sighed. "Great. Any idea where he is?"

"Who are you?" Yuugi blurted. The girl blinked, but didn't seem too surprised. She brushed back a long strand of hair that had snaked its way in front of her face.

"Beri. Where is the Pharaoh?" Her voice was clipped, her brows slowly scrunching together.

"I don't remember seeing you here before."

"Yeesh no wonder people thought you two were the same. You both apparently have selective hearing. I swear no matter how long I-" She stopped talking abruptly like she was stopping a rant before it could get going. Taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly, Beri crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "Here's the deal, you answer my question and I'll answer yours. Capiche?"

Yuugi blinked at her, confused but nodded anyways. Seeming satisfied, Beri relaxed her posture a bit. "My turn. Where is the Pharaoh?"

"I'm not sure. I was with Ate-"

"Don't say his name!" Her sudden sharp voice made Yuugi jump. Seeing him grimace at his sudden movement, Beri rolled her eyes, kneeling down beside Yuugi and rubbing her hands together in a clockwise motion.

"W-why shouldn't I say it?"

At first she ignored him, continually rubbing her hands and Yuugi thought she wouldn't answer but she opened her mouth then closed it. Tilting her head to the side she inspected Yuugi, eyeing him from head to toe. Yuugi blushed not liking this stranger sizing him up. Nodding seeming satisified with what she saw she opened her mouth. When she spoke as if choosing her words carefully. "There is power in names. True names mind you and if someone says another's true name, well lets just say that the consequences could be disastrous. Depending on who that person is and what knowledge the speaker holds about the power of names of coarse." After a bit she moved her hands apart and placed them on Yuugi, her right on his forehead and her left on the centre of his chest. He squirmed away from her but she grasped his jacket. "Stay still midget. I'm not going to hurt you and when you move it ruins my concentration." Beri closed her eyes, furrowing her brow. Yuugi didn't know what to do. Here was this mysterious bitchy stranger who seemed more interested in finding her own answers than answering others. Yuugi was about to try to move again when a strange warmth spread from her hands and entered the boy's own body. Slowly it crawled through his system, encasing him in a warm cocoon and erasing any form of pain he was experiencing. Sweat formed on the women's brow, and her eyebrows twitched as if she was straining herself.

A minute or so passed until Beri opened her emerald eyes and the warmth receded back into her hands, taking with it any and all pain Yuugi felt, leaving a strange peacefulness swimming through his veins. She shook her head slightly and slid away, leaning against a rock. Brushing some pesky hairs out of her face, she bowed her head forward. "Man I can't do that twice in one day." Beri mumbled to herself. Sighing, she eyed Yuugi, peering up through her lashes, not bothering to move her head from its position like it took too much effort. Yuugi just stared back not sure what to do. He blushed again wondering why she kept looking at him like that.

Clearing his throat, the boy thanked Beri for what she did. "What ever it was." He added with a nervous chuckle.

"It was a simple healing. No thanks is required, but I guess you're welcome." Lifting her arms, she arched her back, making it crack. The sound was loud enough to be heard by Yuugi. She gave a pleasurable sigh, the ghost of a smile threatening to break out on her lips. "So back to our little Q and A. It is important that I find the Pharaoh."

"Why are you so keen to find him?"

"HEY. Remember the rules small person?" She snapped at him. Yuugi held up his hands in a 'okay calm down crazy person' way, shaking his head slightly.

"I already told you I don't know. I lost sight of him when we were launched out of that hole."

"Figures." She grumbled. Immediately, she jumped up, the sudden movement making Yuugi yelp in surprise. Just moments before it looked like she was collapsing in on herself from exhaustion and now she was buzzing with energy? It didn't make sense to the young boy. His eyes trailed her movements noticing how Beri moved in a way that would have made Anzu or any other dancer jealous; she moved like she was floating, her feet barely touching the ground. Yuugi scrambled up to follow her as she made her way around the chamber, searching ever nook and cranny for Atemu.

"So I guess it's my turn right?" He said, jumping over a large crack.

"I answered you're question about the power of names. I think it's my turn." She answered curtly, jumping onto a rather large boulder. Yuugi jumped after her, keeping an eye out for any sign of his other half.

"Alright fine, you go then."

"What is you're connection to the Pharaoh?" Crouching down, she jumped off the boulder she was standing on, her long hair fanning out briefly into what looked like black wings before she rolled onto the ground. He jumped down after her, falling onto his knees, not nearly as graceful as she was. Getting up, he dusted himself off, noticing a new tear in his pants.

"He's my other half, the yami to my hikari." Yuugi had to reel back when suddenly he found himself nose to nose with Beri. Her green eyes were sparkling, lit with some internal flame.

"You're the Chosen One?" She asked, not believing it.

"Y-Ya..." A bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face, splashing onto the ground. He gulped as she narrowed her eyes, a sudden headache throbbing in the back of his head. She whirled around and jumped to the next stone, leaving Yuugi behind, blinking away his surprise. He shook his head and bounded after her.

"My turn again I guess. Who exactly are you and where did you come from?"

"That's two questions."

"But they are interlinked, so why not answer them both?" He asked, curious. "Plus, I technically answered two of your questions so it's only fair right?"

"Mortals." She grumbled, her voice betraying her irritation. "I already told you my name is Beri. As for who I am... Well, let's just say I'm not meant to be here."

"And why's that?"

"You're turn is over." She said, dodging the question with ease.

"But you didn't really answer my query!"

"You didn't specify how I could answer so I answered it as I saw fit." Coming across the dog pile of Yuugi's friends, she gave them a once over then moved on her way. Yuugi stopped to make sure everyone was okay, and moved them all into a more comfortable position before following the woman.

"Well then ask me a question."

"I don't need to ask anymore questions."

"So then it's my turn again. Why do you -" Before he could finish, Beri cut him off.

"Since I don't have one, the game is over and you can no longer ask questions." Stopping before a rock pile, she grabbed a few rocks and flung them to the side, just missing Yuugi. He jumped to the side a bit, in case she 'accidental' hit him.

"That's not fair!" He exclaimed. Beri stopped momentarily, turning slightly towards the boy.

"Life isn't fair. Hasn't anyone taught you that child?" She replied simply, going back to moving rocks.

"My name is Yuugi." He replied, slightly annoyed that the woman kept giving him demeaning titles. She didn't acknowledge that he spoke, instead focusing only on her task of finding Atemu. Yuugi silently watched her move around the chamber, not bothering to stalk her anymore. Sure, he wanted to find Atemu as well, more than she probably did, but whatever she had done to him, made him feel peaceful, like he had all the time in the world; there was no need to rush. He felt like his other half would be fine no matter what. So he sat back and chilled out, trying to unravel the mystery that was this woman.

Yuugi made a mental list of what he knew of her. One: He knew her name was Beri, though if that was her real name or not was beyond him. For the time being, he would accept it as the truth. Two: She could heal with her hands. He felt along his arms as if to verify that this was true noticing the various tears in his favorite jacket. Not feeling any tenderness, he sat down and thought hard.

She was a walking puzzle. Yuugi loved puzzles; there was something about the way they mentally challenged people that gave him such a thrill. Throughout the years, he had become real good at solving any puzzle - he had solved the Sennen Puzzle after all - and he felt like he could unravel people too. They were just living, breathing flesh puzzles and once he got the pieces in the right order, he could unravel who the person was.

A triumphant cry broke him out of his thoughts. Beri was crouching down on the far right side of the chamber, pushing a rock that was too heavy for her. Without giving it a second thought, Yuugi ran over to her, careful not to trip and fall on his face. When he got to her side, he had to stop and stare for a bit. He saw his other half lying unconscious but what he didn't see was a single scratch, bruise or tear in his perfect sun kissed skin. Beri saw his dumbfounded expression and Yuugi could swear he heard a little chuckle come from her.

"But-! How-? That's.. No. He-!" Yuugi stammered. He shook he head, as if he could change the scene before him that simply. Looking back at Atemu, he couldn't help but stare. "How is that possible?" He finally managed to ask.

"That my dear midget, is something that I can't tell you." With a grunt she moved the boulder off of Atemu's legs. Dusting off her hands, she crouched down and threaded her arms underneath his armpits to heave him up.

"Can't or won't?" He asked and was surprised to hear a burst of laughter escape Beri's lips.

She smirked up at him, a weird twinkle in her eyes and said, "Both."

A/N: I realize that before in the first chapter Yuugi had trapped Atemu's hand BUT he was catatonic in a sense and wouldnt notice such a thing. (at least in my head!cannon). More confusion about who this mysterious character is |D if anyone thinks they know who she is raise your internet hands and shout it out haha. Reviews are love 3

Translation:

Deus damno is Patefacio! - God damn it open!