A/N: That was a long hiatus since I last wrote! But surprisingly, this chapter did not take me long to type. How strange. Maybe I had a little writer's block. Well, this chapter is a little filler, though I don't want t call it that. Like I said, I'm improvising, but I like this chapter actually. I hope that this chapter leads to more ideas and implications for future chapters. We'll just see how it goes, of course!

Back in his mind again—his divided mind shared by his host Yuugi, and he the mysterious one himself. He thought deeply about the conversation he had with Kaiba yesterday. After Kaiba left, the whole gang quickly approached him and asked him if he was alright. Jounouchi, being the hot-headed one of the group, vowed to hold him down while the Pharaoh punches, but of course, it was not a mutual agreement. They were all pretty much upset of Kaiba's offensiveness; however, he assured them to pay no mind. Some of what Kaiba says are logical and can be of some use to him, even though he was really being rude. But again, was it really a surprise? They know Kaiba. Obviously the snobby duelist they all knew for so long is immutable in character: cold, aloof, and definitely the biggest arch rival he had. In most cases, Kaiba can't stand letting him win, in anything.

Yuugi was worried too but the Pharaoh noticed that the smaller male didn't attempt to bring up the subject. There was no use for it. Yuugi knew what the Pharaoh's exact words will be and the Pharaoh knew that Yuugi would be concerned. Being together for so long, they really know a lot about each other—well, more so for the Pharaoh than Yuugi because of the current condition.

Early morning welcomes Domino City, just like yesterday morning, with Yuugi sound asleep in bed, enjoying the weekend as much as possible. The Pharaoh is very much familiar with the routine in the Mutou residence, especially weekends. Unlike Yuugi, he is not capable of just lying down even when he's not tired. This was probably because he was too anxious for it: always thinking, always contemplating, and always worrying himself to death. The spirit knew no liberation most of the time, hence is why Yuugi tries to bring that freedom. However, the small youth would often be dismayed by the Pharaoh's non-cooperation. But simultaneously, the Pharaoh doesn't want to burden. Their own seemingly selfless deeds are in conflict with one another, the Pharaoh realizes this. Perhaps, they should really have a talk…or the Pharaoh should really consider straightening himself out and getting his act together. He had to admit, this was getting ridiculous!

In his apparition form with his arms cross, his almond-shaped orbs stared at the slumbering aibou intently with a soft smile. He was trying his best to not to think too much and enjoy the present moment. The tranquility, the quiet, he was finally breathing in the fresh air of peace. Never had he felt so relaxed; he could feel his muscle loosening the tensions, the knots on his shoulders unwinding as his broad shoulders hunched over slightly, his body following forward as he leaned over, his forearms resting on his knees. He sat on the wooden chair, watching Yuugi for a little. Every now and then, he would look towards the window and catch himself in awe of the beautiful rays of sunlight permeating through the glass window. It was enchanting—the world was. Oh, how he missed so much from confining himself in the shadows of his puzzle. He picked it up gingerly with his one hand, tilting it an angle towards him. He looked briefly at the eye engraved in the center of the upside-down pyramid. Just touching the golden puzzle, he can feel the grainy sands of the Egyptian deserts, old as time. He thought that this can probably bring him closer to his past, but it was just an acknowledgement, not a blast from the past.

He was only learning his past…not remembering.

He stood up, sighing to himself. "Look at me: what am I doing?" he said, raising his hands to his head and massaging his temples. He tried to alleviate his stringent stature, as Yuugi would try to do by taking his index fingers, taking the Pharaoh's lips and widening the ends upward to create a smile. But that was only stretching it. However, it partially worked because the Pharaoh chuckled by the younger one's adorable attempt. He walked over to the edge of Yuugi's bed and noticed Yuugi's peaceful expression. Even when the boy was awake, he can see peace in his eyes most of the time. He envied Yuugi for it, not in the negative fashion of course.

He closed his eyes, pausing a bit as he gathered his energy to return to the puzzle for another excavation of his mind. He was hesitant at first. He wondered if he would run by suspicious or stranger activity within the artifact like the other night. Furrowing his eyebrows awkwardly, he recognized that it had been a dream, but something tells him that it was more than that. Reopening his eyes, he finds himself in the split path between the doors to Yuugi's soul room and his own. He looked to Yuugi's side of the room—a much brighter side—and smiled. He often was curious and wanted to venture into Yuugi's mind, but he felt that he would snoop around in Yuugi's privacy, as if he did not know that one secret of Yuugi crushing on Anzu. It was obvious to him, surprisingly. And he was not so sure if it was good that he can see these kinds of connections. He tried to ignore it as best as possible. Psh—like it's working! He sometimes made implying comments about Yuugi "impressing" Anzu.

Then there was his side of the field: dark, inexplicable, concealed in shadows. He can barely remember the first time he awoken in the labyrinth. It felt like…he had always been there, like he's inhabited the place for as long as he can remember. It made sense, being spirit for 3,000 years this far; it would seem he was in that labyrinth place for as long as he slept when the puzzle was in pieces. He unintentionally sighed to himself as he approached the strange door to his mind. He touched the cold texture. It felt like stone. He supposed that stone was a perfect texture representing emptiness and vacancy. He searched for the doorknob, not bothering to look down to save him time. When his hand finally found it, he twisted it open and allowed himself entrance to the intricate maze of his mind yet again—if it really was again, of course. He entered expecting to see something different about this place, but there was nothing: just never-ending, odd positions of staircases and doors, all in stone, all dull and empty. He wondered if it was really worth looking through countless doors, meeting disappointment each time.

…However!

He recalled being here with Yuugi last time and finding themselves opening a door to blank whiteness. Then…they heard the voice of the Dark Magician Girl, finding themselves falling into a vortex which led them to the world of the monster spirits, or known as Ka. So…his puzzle led them to another world, in that respect…or a memory of this other world. Could this mean that he can find more like it? He wanted to try…but he was discouraged by the enormous size of this labyrinth. It would take forever until he encounters something particular.

"Maybe just a little…"—

"Ahh…it's morning already…" came a voice that interrupted his train of thoughts, echoing in his mind. Without delay, he recognized the voice to be Yuugi's—well, Yuugi thinking to himself actually, but recall that they share minds, so the Pharaoh heard Yuugi thinking to himself and apparently, the small doppelganger just woke up. He restrained himself from chuckling at Yuugi's adorable demeanor.

"I might as well greet him hello. Then again, he can probably sense me as I speak," he said to himself, which is something he does often. Gazing up at the endless wide labyrinth around him, he gathered his energy once again to exit out of his mind and return back to reality, in Yuugi's bedroom. He appeared in his apparition form, sitting on the edge of Yuugi's bed (his usual spot in the morning whenever he greets Yuugi).

"Ah! Pharaoh, there you are!" Yuugi greeted in a chipper manner, smiling brightly. He stretched his arms up high and a yawn escaped his lips. "Aiee hahhd…uh gewd sleep," he struggled to say through his yawn. Covering his mouth to finish his yawning, he rubbed his eyes shortly after, ridding of the morning tears in his eyes. "How about you? Did you sleep well…?"

The Pharaoh smiled a small smile. He can tell that Yuugi was about to add in, "I hope," to his question but decided against it. It was very much like him to make abrupt decisions like that. He reached over, irresistibly, ruffling the young teen's spiky hair and grinned. "Yes, I slept fine," he answered truthfully. He actually really did, for once. It was his attempt to un-worrywart himself. The afternoon yesterday spent with Yuugi's friends was a good break for him, with exception of Kaiba. But then again, Kaiba wasn't much of a stressor anyway.

Yuugi pouted when he received such a gesture from the Pharaoh and crossed his arms. "I'm not a little kid, you know," he whined.

"Continue with that tone of voice and I won't believe you," the Pharaoh continued the irresistible temptation. He couldn't help but to prolong the fun. Yuugi gaped; staring at him with a look of disbelief as he lightly nudged the Pharaoh.

"Geez! What's up with you? Why are you picking on me todayyy?" he drawled, furrowing his eyebrows even more with a "supposed-to-be" mad expression, but it didn't work. The Pharaoh let out a hearty laugh that even surprised him. He didn't know where this sudden energy was coming from. Was he inspired? Did his body start to unwind itself and pleaded for the freedom and leisure it longed for.

"Whining won't compensate your maturity," he continued, standing up on his feet with his hands on his hips, staring down at Yuugi with a smile. Yuugi blinked a bit, puzzled by the Pharaoh's brighter mood but did not question. Instead, he grinned happily by this and decided to prolong it further. He wanted the Pharaoh to be carefree for as long as possible.

"Hm…so you weren't lying when you said you had a good sleep! That's good news," Yuugi remarked, standing as well, stretching more as he outstretched his two arms so as to stretch out his torso. "Glad to see this sunny side of you for once, pal."

The Pharaoh tried his best to not show any indication of bittersweet expressions. It would only make Yuugi take back what he said. Those words made him sad to know that Yuugi noticed; then again, it wasn't a surprise.

"I'm sorry if I failed to showcase this side of me,"

"No worries, don't sweat it. I understand," Yuugi lifted one of his arms, making a silly attempt to flex his muscles. "You always have my back. So I should always have yours."

"I suppose, but…"

"But it's okay! Honestly. Don't let your energy fade away, now!" he said, another pout forming on his lips. "We need to take advantage of your newfound energy while we still can, am I right? You have been thinking about this Un-worrywart Myself Plan for how long now?" he can only grin widely when he noticed the Pharaoh's embarrassed expression of being figured out by his little pal. "There are so many things about you I don't understand, but when you let yourself go, you learn more things that don't require memories. It's just who you are. Right now, I'm learning more about your character as we speak."

He guessed this was why he has grown close to Yuugi. Even though he appears childish and innocent, he does have a hidden wiser side to himself. Yuugi was the perfect light to the shadowy darkness of his troubled times. He was proud to call him his close friend. Giving a warm smile, inspired by the mini speech Yuugi had just given, he approached the smaller male and pulled him into a gentle hug. Yuugi didn't expect this action from the Pharaoh at all. At first, he didn't know what to do or say when he suddenly gotten close to the Pharaoh's frame. It was strange: he had recalled that the Pharaoh was in his apparition form and would usually pass through him. But as time goes by and the closer they become, the more he can actually feel him despite his spirit form. He felt the Pharaoh's strong arms pulling him in that embrace. Pushing that aside, sticking to reality, he only smiled when he returned the hug to the Pharaoh. Maybe it was really just something the spirit needed.

"Thank you, Yuugi," the spirit spoke softly. He moved away from the embrace, returning his gaze to Yuugi, staring him straight in his large eyes. "Never again will I shy away from you, since there is no use to hiding my feelings, my burdens, and my worries from you. I should've known that our sentiments are mutual and shared and I'm practically stuck with you for as long as destiny allows it. But at least we're going through this together."

"Right!" Yuugi cheered in determination. "That's the Pharaoh I know!" he folded his arms across his chest and gave another playful grin, something not seen from Yuugi so much in actuality. Now there was something new he learned about Yuugi as well: Yuugi had a tiny hint of sass. "Now show me more of what I don't know about you."

The Pharaoh blinked in bewilderment. "Just how am I going to do that, Yuugi?" he inquired curiously.

"Let's find out. Just follow me. I'm going to go get breakfast," suddenly, the boy started to laugh. "Ahaha! I forgot. You have no choice! You have to follow me!"

The Pharaoh somewhat gave an uneasy smile. He thought to himself how breakfast can show one's character. Well, he supposed that however the person performs a normal routine can convey some identification of personality. That was his supposition. It wasn't for certain. Ah, forget the rationalities!

"Who knows?" Yuugi continued. "Maybe this day can be the day to learn something new. Whether it's something you want to learn or not, might as well give it a shot, right?"

He loved Yuugi's determination, more than anyone knows, even himself. He usually held that determination. But in cases like this, he can't help but to be held back by fear. He was afraid to learn of something that was not in his favor. But Yuugi, he's ready to embrace it. He can infer that Yuugi's been through enough to handle it on his own. He's a stronger character than anyone would give him credit for. The Pharaoh had seen this potential since the beginning. But each day, the Pharaoh finds himself more and more witnessing firsthand Yuugi's hidden strength. Little by little he learns of Yuugi's other sides…and he begins to realize that even acquiring his past memories won't stop him from learning about himself.