I hope you enjoy this chapter. I look forward to your thoughts! More to come.
~Jehel
.
.
Confused, Yami stopped. The footpath was crowded, pedestrians jostling him and muttering as they tripped over themselves to avoid colliding with the suddenly stock-still teen. The clouds were closing in, the breeze strengthening, the sweet smell of rain in the air promising an upcoming drenching. The boy looked about him, his brows lowering in confusion. He looked up at the incoming cloud bank; he looked down at the ground. Then, suddenly, with an expression of dreadful realisation, Yami lifted a hand to his face, staring intently at his glove-clad fingers. He closed an eye. Then, he closed the other, opening the first as he did so, his gaze still fixed and full of concentration.
It rapidly melted into an expression of horror.
Turning, the tri-haired teen pushed his way through the crowds, ignoring the mutters and waspish comments, his head swivelling as he cast about for the object he was looking for. Finally, a familiar sign caught his eye- directions to the nearest public toilet. Yami turned down the indicated alley, almost breaking into a run in his haste; finally, he reached a door marked for men and pushed his way inside. A couple of loitering teens, barely a two or three years younger than himself, sniggered and catcalled as he rushed inside; he did not care about how he looked and barely gave them a whisper of a thought.
Panting, the duellist stood in front of the cracked and smudged mirror, hands resting either side of the faded porcelain sink, his head low. His large purple eyes scanned his own reflection, the pupils tight and narrowed with fear. Leaning slightly forward, Yami covered an eye with his hand, watching his own reflection. Then, with trembling fingers, he moved his hand slowly across to cover the other eye.
"Ahhh…" he released a small groan, his legs feeling like hot liquid, almost collapsing beneath him.
He couldn't see from one eye. Staring with his one good orb, Yami leaned closer to the mirror, inspecting his own face. His unseeing eye, besides appearing slightly unfocused, did not look so different to the eye with sight; he breathed a faint sigh of relief. He had almost expected to find half of his face had disappeared, and silently thanked the Gods that it was not the case. His usually vivid iris was now slightly faded, the purple more a lavender colour, however his face still appeared whole, if slightly greyed; that could still be mistaken for shadow if he was careful.
I must leave, soon. If I begin to show signs of fading where I cannot hide them, there may be issues with travelling.
Yami sighed. He tugged at one of his black leather gloves, revealing his hand underneath; his fingertips were beginning to look corroded, losing their definition; his hand was now grey almost up to the wrist. He struggled to pick up items sometimes, and found himself exhausted at the slightest physical activity.
I am losing my strength faster than I realised.His heart throbbed. Is Egypt pulling at me? Am I being called home?
Yami stood straight, pulling the glove determinedly back on. He tugged his sleeves to ensure they covered his wrist where the glove ended; he pulled his collar straight, only glancing momentarily at the patch of grey on his shoulder. He knew his ribs along one side were now visible through his fading skin, and grimaced to himself at the sight he would present if seen unclothed; a real-life living nightmare.
Yami turned rigidly and began to walk slowly toward the exit, pulling from within his jacket a small envelope, Yugi's name printed in his distinctive handwriting along the front.
I must leave as soon as possible. I am sorry, Yugi. I can only hope that one day Corrie will get this letter to you.
.
.
Yugi listened to the footsteps, counting them in his head as they fell. One, two, three… his body quivered all over, his scalp cold and prickly, knowing in his heart that he had to confront James. Quickly, quickly. How to do it?He did not want to trick James, but he wanted to be sure that his boyfriend had lied to him, allowed such a lie to fester and swell.
As the footsteps neared his bedroom door, Yugi quickly stuffed the green invitation into his pocket, his knuckles grazing the small box from Bakura. Momentarily, his attention was distracted by the package; what was in there? I should open it when I have a need to… when exactly will that be?
The door swung open as James sauntered inside, a duffel bag thrown over his shoulder. Grinning at Yugi, standing sedately by the bed, James dropped his bag on the floor, stretching his long arms above his head. "Phew! Well, I had to suffer some yelling from Andy, but it turned out alright in the end; but you owe me one, Yugi!"
Yugi forced a little laugh, watching as James lowered his arms, looking around the small room with mild curiosity. Yugi could feel the blood thundering in his ears; his heart was a jumble of confusing emotions. He was furious, he was hurt; but he also keenly felt guilt: guilt at being so ready to believe that James had deliberately lied to him. Why am I so prepared to believe this? Do I WANT James to be a liar? Why? What good can come from being hurt this way? On a base level, Yugi wanted it to be a huge misunderstanding; perhaps this was a different piece of green paper to the slip he had watched James stuff in his pocket. Perhaps Joey had slipped this paper into James' pocket. Perhaps Bakura had slipped it in when he gave Yugi the box!
Why then, on a deeper, more secret level, was Yugi prepared, and almost wanting, to believe the worst of his boyfriend? He was suddenly overwhelmed by indecision and self-doubt.
Moving back to sit on the edge of his bed, Yugi put his face in his hands, letting out a sigh. Looking up, he watched as James wandered over to the small window, moving to sit in the same spot Yami had preferred. The comparison made Yugi's breath hitch. Get away from there. You're not Yami! Before he could stop himself, Yugi felt the words tumble from his mouth.
"I ran into Joey earlier, James. We had another fight." Yugi watched James' face carefully for his reaction.
The brunette turned toward Yugi, sympathy written across his features. "Ah, I'm sorry Yugi. What did he do this time?"
Yugi toyed absentmindedly with the Pyramid. "Nothing, really. He told me that he had in fact invited me to the party. He… he said that he gave the invite to you to pass along. On Wednesday." He cocked his head slightly, making the statement a question, giving James a chance to respond.
"Huh. Guess he realised what a great guy you are and is trying to win you back. Of course I'm the bad guy; I told you, didn't I, all those months ago? Your friends don't like me." James scratched at the side of his nose, turning to stare out the window again. He seemed very relaxed. "Well, whatever. I don't care what lies other people talk. All that matters to me is you." He favoured Yugi with a sunny grin before turning away, his long hair falling over one shoulder. With practiced ease, James began to divide and plait the hair with deft fingers, his gaze still far out the window.
Yugi watched, his eyes large and solemn, giving away none of the heartbreak he was feeling.
In that moment, with a casual ease that left Yugi breathless, James had lied to his face. Yugi felt his guilt melt away, to be replaced by an icy calm. Standing, he slowly reached into his jacket pocket for the invitation, finger tips caressing the small box slightly as he did so. Oddly, the feel of it gave him comfort and strength.
"James-" the brunette turned, an eyebrow raised sardonically- "I accidentally put your jacket on this morning, instead of my own." James looked Yugi up and down, then cocked his head in apparent confusion, unsure of where Yugi was headed with this. Yugi took a deep breath. Grasping the green invitation between his fingers, the small teen thrust it out toward James. He did not bother to hide his hurt, and anger; his fear, sadness and confusion. All of it; he let it show in his large eyes. "I found this in your pocket, James."
There was a moment of utter stillness. Yugi stood as a statue, his large eyes focussed on James' face, which had frozen into a mask the moment he had recognised the piece of paper. His reaction quashed any remaining doubt in Yugi's heart. Then, rigidly, James leaned forward to slowly take the piece of paper from Yugi's grasp, turning it in his hands to read the letters.
James looked up at Yugi. "This is not mine," he stated flatly.
Yugi recoiled a little in surprise. "Of course it's yours- I saw you put it in your pocket on Wednesday, James." The brunette did not reply but instead turned to stare out the window, his expression thunderous.
Yugi was not sure what was happening; James was not responding as he expected he would. Taking a step toward his boyfriend, steeling himself, Yugi continued, "James- why did you do this? Why did you lie to me about this? Because of you- because of this, I almost ended my friendship with Joey." He let the anger creep into his voice. "Because of all of this, I yelled at Joey and Ryou! I thought they hated me, James! Do you know how that feels? Why? Tell me why you did this!"
James' head snapped around like a snake's, his eyes snapping with sudden rage. "Don't you dare yell at me, you ungrateful little bastard. After all I did for you; helping you, supporting you, fixing you. You think I enjoyed listening to you weep and moan about Joey, and Kaiba, and Yami, and all the rest? No! It sickened me! But I put up with that, for you, Yugi, because you needed fixing. I was trying to help you. Those guys don't give a shit about you! How can you not see that? All I did by not telling you about this invite, was speed up the inevitable." James had risen to his feet, moving closer to Yugi, his fists clenched. Yugi moved back a step, his face flushed.
Those hateful words. They drove into Yugi like knives, each one finding his weak places and tearing them open again. Was James right?
James bulled ahead. "And what have I gotten in return, Yugi? I've had to put up with your friends who hate me, and live in a new town, at a new school. I had to pick up your pieces every time one of those assholes broke you again. I had to listen to you murmur your past lover's name every damned night while you refused to let me touch you. How is this my fault, Yugi? You've been nothing but selfish, taking taking taking from me. I'm so tired." James rubbed his forehead, his head down. Yugi felt sick to his stomach.
James stared at Yugi, eyes bright, his expression suddenly coldly calm again. "I am sorry I lied to you about the party, Yugi. But I did it for you. Why can't you see how hard I try for you? Why am I the only one you push away? What did I do to deserve this, when all I did in exchange was love you?" With sudden rage, James kicked over a packing box by his feet, causing several Duel Monsters items to tumble out across the floor; spare deck cards slithered over each other and came to a confused rest on the carpet.
Yugi backed up, his mouth opening and closing uselessly, as James' words sank in, the anger in his actions having alarmed him. The guilt began to creep back into Yugi's chest. What have I done? Oh Gods, what have I done? I've ruined everything! His hand drifted into his jacket pocket, wrapping around the small cardboard box, gripping it for dear life, as though it were a talisman.
He felt the tears building; he was a monster. He had pushed James too far, through his selfishness and weakness. He could feel the cardboard tearing as his small hand squeezed the small parcel ever tighter; his fists were pale and bloodless, his face similarly coloured. "James-"
"I've had enough." James rubbed his temples wearily. "I'm going to go home. When you get home from Domino West, let's talk properly. I'm too hurt to think straight right now." He began to pick up the spilled items, his mouth a grim line.
Yugi sank to the bed. It had all gone wrong; James was right, about everything he'd said. His hands shook, the tears close, preparing tumbling down his cheeks. Yugi watched as James squatted down to collect the scattered Duel Monsters cards, his face a mask of disgust as he took in the brightly coloured images and figures printed onto each card.
Yugi's fist clenched reflexively, and he felt the cardboard box finally give out, the item inside digging into his palm as the protective walls of the box caved in around it. With a small start, Yugi relaxed his tense grip and he gently pulled the item out of his pocket.
Holding the mangled cardboard box in his palm, Yugi pinched a wall with numb fingers, peeling it back to reveal the item inside.
It was the missing Millennium Puzzle piece.
Yugi gasped, the tears disappearing in a second, the world tilting sickeningly around him. His mind could barely comprehend. With fingers shaking so badly now that he could barely keep the item from falling to the floor, Yugi pulled the golden eye from the ruined box, letting the frayed pieces of cardboard tumble through his fingers to fall to the ground. It is. It is. It is. It's the piece. It's the real piece. Oh, Gods, it is, isn't it? His thoughts spun and flickered, his breath coming in small gasps as he gazed disbelievingly at the item in his hand. Am I dreaming?
Slowly, oh, so slowly, Yugi brought the piece to his chest, to align with yawning hole in his Puzzle.
It's not going to fit. It's not the real piece.
His hands moved as if through water; languid and ethereal.
I'm dreaming. This is a dream. It won't fit.
But, with a small but satisfying click, the golden piece slipped home, as though it had never left at all.
.
With a wrenching gasp, Yami collapsed.
Voices cried out, exclamations of surprise and shock. A nearby café door opened.
"Yami!" Connie cried, running toward him, her apron discarded where she had dropped it.
.
.
Yugi stared with wonderment at the completed Puzzle. It fit. Has it always been this dazzling?
A sudden noise of disgust brought the small teen back to his surroundings. Oblivious to the momentous actions of the last few seconds, James was watching Yugi gaze at the pyramid around his neck, his hands on his hips and his face a mask of disdain.
"Seriously, Yugi? You think this is the time to be playing with toys? Do you not care for me at all? God, why do I even bother? If this is how you treated your last boyfriend, no wonder he left you. It's pathetic."
Yugi's heart thudded, the familiar doubts and hideous, sickening pain oozing through his body as he stared shamefaced at his lap. That word again… can I ever be free of it? Everybody thinks I am pathetic. James, Joey, Kaiba… Even Yami. That's why he left me. His eyes moved to the beautiful gold Puzzle around his neck.
…Wait.
Yugi looked up slowly, his eyebrows lowering. "No."
James glared back. "No what?"
Yugi stood abruptly from the bed, his eyes narrowed at he took in the brunette opposite him. "You're wrong. Yami didn't leave me. I made Yami leave." Yugi looked down, his eyes roving about as he considered this point, before finally nodding and looking back up at the hostile boy facing him. "I made him leave, do you hear me? I'm strong, James. I'm not pathetic. I made Yami leave me when all I wanted was for him to stay. I cared for him, and carried him, and fought alongside him for over five years. I gave him back to the spirit realm and broke my own heart doing so, and was rewarded by having him return to me in his own body." James' expression was now one of utter bafflement, Yugi's true background history with Yami having remained a secret until now.
Yugi didn't care. White-hot righteous anger was flowing through him, and he stood taller, prouder; his cold tight face was a mask of contemptuous fury. Without conscious effort, he threw his mind from his body, as far as he could reach. He could feel the thrumming power of the Millennium Puzzle soaking his mind, golden light meshing with the whiteness of his anger. This was beyond the power that Yami could harness; this was like the very Gods themselves could see him. Yugi laughed, long and high inside his head as the light drifted down to meet him. He could feel its curiosity, its ancient, furious need to dominate.
I was the chosen vessel for the spirit of Atem, the Great Pharaoh of Egypt. I was his companion and his friend. I am the King of Games. I am the King of your King. If that means anything at all, then Gods, grant me strength. Because I need to be rid of this evil; because I need to go find our Pharaoh.
Yugi took a deep breath, his eyes closed. Smiled. The white-gold light was beautiful.
.
.
Bakura's head snapped up, his face turned to the wind like a wolf picking up a scent, his eyes as focused as a hunting cat's.
"Bakura? What-" Ryou's question was cut short as his white-haired partner began to laugh. It was an earnest laugh, coming from deep within, the sound making hairs stand up on the back of Joey's neck. The thief spirit threw his head back and raised his arms high and wide, as though embracing the elements around him; the wind catching his jacket and hair and whipping it back behind him. His laugh rolled through the crowds of people, causing silence to descend where it reached. People turned, watched; they muttered and shifted away, as though there were a deadly snake in their midst.
Joey looked on, baffled.
Suddenly, Ryou spun to face Joey with a startled exclamation; his Millennium Ring was glowing, white-gold and blinding, the light escaping through the cotton of Ryou's t-shirt, which covered the Ring. The white-haired teen looked up into Joey's face, brown eyes meeting amber.
"Yugi."
Joey began to run.
.
.
Yami's eyes snapped open, causing Marco to exclaim and stumble backward from his position, peering over the teen, staring closely into his face. Raising his head, Yami looked about slowly, his eyes unseeing. "Yugi!" he gasped, his hands clenching and relaxing repeatedly.
"Yami, it's me. You're okay. You… you passed out. You're upstairs- above the shop. Just relax. Are you alright?" Connie's sweet anxious face swam into view, but Yami's eyes did not show any recognition; one of them was a dull grey with only traces of purple in it. I never noticed he had differently coloured eyes, Connie marvelled. Yami's sudden groan brought her attention back to the boy lying on the couch she was kneeling beside.
"Yugi- he connected the Puzzle! He's reaching! He's reaching for me. Too weak. I'm too weak now. I cannot connect…" Yami's hands flew to grip his hair in anguish, the motion causing the small crowd around him to jerk back in surprise. Connie looked at Marco, the nonsensical words worrying her. Was Yami having a fit? "I'm too weak! Yugi, I can feel you! I'm here!" His voice rose to almost a shriek, his back arching as though he were in great pain. Connie cried out, reaching forward to pin him back down against the couch leather.
"Yami! Please, snap out of it!" Connie could feel the tears begin to trickle down her face. She was terrified for the boy in front of her, his eyes wandering aimlessly about, looking for, or at, things she could not see.
Yami groaned, his face filling with agony, his voice dropping to a low mutter. "Yugi. Oh, Yugi. You've never been weak. You were chosen, Yugi." His lips pulled back into a grimace. "Yes, Yugi! That's it! Take the power! Take my power! Take the power!"
Connie could hear the others gasping and murmuring to each other, and knew she was not seeing things; Yami's purple eye was glowing faintly, becoming white-gold, as blinding as the sun. He was groaning gently, his thrashing and kicking slowly lessening until he was lying as though dead; only his hands remained, grasping his hair. His eyes slowly closed, the white light dimming to nothing as he did so. Connie had the sudden irrational feeling that Yami was more terrifying in this state than his previous fitful one.
Yami gave a final shudder before allowing his hands to slump by his sides. His face ravaged, although somehow serene, Yami sighed. "I wish I could see you now." Then, he moved no more.
"Yami?! Yami!" Connie shook the now silent boy, the tears streaming from her eyes. "Yami! Wake up! Please wake up!" Marco stood behind the distraught girl, placing an enormous hand on her shoulder. "He ain't gone yet, Con'; look, he's breathing. He just ain't with us right now. Jean-" a wiry girl with a shock of curly red hair looked up, startled- "I think yer'd better go get a doctor for this guy, or somethin'." The girl nodded once, sharply, before turning and scampering from the room. Connie barely acknowledged those speaking around her, her large hazel eyes fixed only on the dear sweet face in front of her.
"Dear God," somebody murmured, "is he turning grey?"
.
.
Yugi opened his eyes to a world of brilliance.
All around him colours swirled, like the shimmer of oil on water. The light in the room was jagged and harsh, making him narrow his eyes slightly. He held a hand up in front of him; it was smoking. Deep purple tendrils sluggishly wrapped themselves around his hand and arm, lifting away and trailing behind him as though drawn to something he could not see. They were beautiful. It is all beautiful. Glancing out the window, he could see the power of the storm rolling in; deep green and blue, livid like a bruise, the elements contained unlimited power. It is still not as strong as We/I am, though. He began to laugh, the sound falling from his mouth like dripping icy water, high and mindless.
"What the fuck? Have you gone insane?"
Yugi's head snapped around, and he realised he had been moving toward the window, as though to walk through it. Something drew him; he could feel it. Why was he still here, in this tiny, mundane room? As his eyes fell on James, however, his thoughts shifted as he took in the aura surrounding his boyfriend.
James was black; as pitch black as the darkest night, the deepest pit. Lurid streaks of sickly orange wove through the darkness, and Yugi could see, could feel the malevolent sickness of his soul. What had scared and oppressed him only moments before now seemed weak and childish. Yugi let another demented giggle escape. His mind shifted as the multitudes took control.
"James?" He whispered, delighted. The dark shadow took a step back, and the aura flashed momentarily red. He was alarmed; frightened.
James' eyes widened. Yugi had… changed. The small teen stood tall, too tall for his height, yet he was slumped, his arms hanging limp, his body leaning to the side as though he may topple at any moment. His eyes were no longer wide and amethyst; they were narrowed, focused like a laser, glowing hot and white. His hair moved about him as though in a breeze; his voice, barely a whisper, sounded like one and many, all at once. On his forehead glowed a yellow shape vaguely reminiscent of an eye.
It can't be. I'm just imagining things. He's just Yugi. Small, quiet Yugi. He's just angry, and you're not used to it. "Yugi, what the hell is going on? What's so damned funny? Is this all a joke to you, or something?"
Yugi nodded along distractedly. He could hear something. It was not a sound; more a mental call. Glancing over his shoulder, as though somebody was behind him, Yugi cradled the Puzzle messily in his hands, before turning back to James, swaying like a drunk. Sickening, all-powerful rage built in him at the sight of the boy in front of him; somewhere in his mind he cried No!
He ignored the cry, stepping closer to the brunette. James did not retreat, but Yugi could sense his increased heartbeat. It was divine, the fear beginning to build. I/we will show him what real fear is. The wildness, the surging power; it was intoxicating. Let go now, me/You. I/We will protect.
"James." The brunette jumped as the multitude of voices dripped from Yugi's mouth, a great and horrible hoard. The small teen staggered, slouched forward, peering up at James through his long hair with glowing sightless eyes. "I/We can smell your fear, James. Do you not like the fear when it comes from your own heart? How you loved it when it stemmed from mine/Ours." Yugi took another step forward, mirrored by James' own retreating one. The black aura flashed red again, the edges smoking a deep, crusted-blood maroon. Yugi's laughter was boulders on pebbles, grinding, colossal. "How you loved the pain. The misery. The isolation. When you saw friendships turning on me/Us, you felt the power, didn't you? Your words like venom. Your actions, so insidious and secret. Did you want to fuck me/US, James? Push your power onto me/We? Do you want to FUCK me/Us now, James?" He laughed again, and finally, James felt the icy spear of terror slide down his backbone. He could not understand what he was seeing and hearing, but the Yugi he knew was not standing before him now.
The teen took another shambling step, sluggishly raising a hand toward James, held open and outward as though indicating 'stop'. Yugi sniffed, giggled. "Jaaames, won't you FUCK ME, now? You who loves power so much; won't you have a taste of MINE?" James shook his head wordlessly, hands rising defensively in front of him. He began to back away, his eyes never leaving the alien face in front of him.
Yugi slowly closed his hand, the tendons and joints creaking, his eyes wide with wonder at the purple tendrils coating his flesh. Beautiful, beautiful. James' retreat slowed, halted. With eyes wide and rimmed with terror, James began to struggle against the invisible bonds that held him. Yugi's lips pulled back as his fist closed completely.
James began to choke.
Yugi advanced on the teen, who had slumped to the floor, scrabbling at his neck and chest as he desperately tried to draw breath. His eyes were wild, tears streaming down his cheeks, mouth stretched into a horrible silent scream. The great white orbs focused on James' throat. So weak. So human. Fragile. With a hiccup that barely passed for a laugh, Yugi murmured, "Delicious. The shadows will enjoy you." He raised his hand again, the tendrils thickening, sharpening.
No.
The voice halted Yugi's progress. The shamble-man that was his body swayed. "Let we/Us be."
No. Not like this. He does not deserve to die. The body shivered. His hand unclenched slightly.
James gave a great staggering gasp, gulping like a fish. Yugi's body snarled.
"It is better he go to the shadows; there is nothing but hatred and jealousy in his heart. You/We can see it, can you/We not?"
I see it. But I will not let you stain my soul with this rash decision. For all his words and actions, I cared deeply for him. I DO care for him still. Please, help me with what I asked, no more than that.
The body shuddered, arms swaying by his side, hand no longer clenched, head low. James could breathe again, the gasps becoming deep, thankful gulps of air. His eyes, bloodshot and bulging, watched as Yugi stood immobile, waging his internal war.
"We/Us are stronger than you, human. Do not think you can control us/We so easily now that you have called upon us/this."
I was chosen. I called you- you obeyed. Don't fight me. Help me find Yami. You can feel it too, can't you? He's fading.
The body slowly staggered to turn, his back now facing James. Looking up, Yugi could see the tendrils flowing off his body, disappearing in front of him as though being sucked through a keyhole. "Fading… he fades. We/Us feel him. You/we would be best letting him go to the sweet oblivion of the Shadows. He hurts."
No. He's mine. I won't lose him a third time. Help me. Please.
The body swayed once, twice, three times. The entity was complying, giving Yugi back his body and mind.
James staggered to his feet, terror and rage transforming his features. "You bastard. You fucking… freak! What the hell was that? I'll kill you!" Rushing forward, all common sense abandoned, James swung a fist wildly at the back of Yugi's head.
"James, NO!" Joey cried, bursting through the bedroom door, Ryou following closely behind.
It was too late. With a grinding hiss, Yugi swing about and caught James' fist in one easy, smooth motion. With a great shudder, Yugi's body slumped again, his mouth splitting into a great wide grin. "Foolish. He almost saved you."
No!
"Yes."
Yugi punched James in the stomach.
The brunette seemed to almost float, his feet lifting from the floor, his body curled inwards from the force of Yugi's strike. Then, as slowly as it had started, James was flung across the room as easily as a doll, his long hair whipping comically over his shoulder. With a frantic curse, Joey managed to get himself between James and the wall, catching the body with a grunt of pain. The force propelled the two further, until they came to a jarring stop against the wall. Deep cracks and fissures spider webbed out from the point where Joey's head had struck the plasterboard.
The room was silent but for the wheezing gasps as James again struggled to draw air and the great hahh of Yugi's breathing. Ryou, after a terrified glance at Yugi, rushed to Joey's side. "Joey! Are you alright?"
Joey cracked an eye open, looking up at Ryou with faint humour. "Ah, I'm alright Ryou; I gotta pretty hard head. He sure knocked the wind outta James here, though." A rumble from deep within Yugi's chest drew Joey's attention. "Er- that is Yugi, right?" His short friend had never looked less like Yugi. Ryou could only shake his head helplessly.
Yugi hissed again. "Kill… him. No! Yesss." He appeared to be arguing with himself, his arms swinging uselessly as he shook his head back and forth like an irritated bull.
"Aibou. Take the asshole there and leave." Ryou and Joey looked over to Bakura, who was standing in the doorway, his eyes narrowed and trained on Yugi. Glancing down at Ryou, who had not moved, Bakura lifted a lip and snapped, "NOW, Ryou."
Shakily, Ryou leaned across and scooped the dazed James up into his arms, hefting the taller brunette into a half-hug. With some effort the white-haired teen dragged James from the room, his brow creased with concern and strain, his eyes never leaving his Partner's back. "Be safe, Love."
Bakura stood, facing Yugi, his hands on his hips. "Well, little King, you've certainly done it now." He laughed, high and delighted at the sight of Yugi's hunched figure.
"Bak-ur-ahh. The thieffff. How unusual of you to stop me/Us." Yugi gave a sniff. "You have been tamed, Thief."
Bakura crossed his arms, his sardonic sneer not shifting. "Who is talking here? Because, my oh my, you look like a little teenage human male to me. The great spirits of Egypt have certainly been brought low."
Yugi rumbled, taking a shuffling step toward the white-haired teen. "I'll crush you before you ever draw breath to scream, no matter my form." The small body raised a hand toward Bakura, his fingers bent and rigid. Bakura scowled, snapping his fingers at Yugi's face.
"Enough, Yugi. Don't forget yourself. Don't forget Yami." The small figure paused, his hand hovering.
Yam…i. Yami? Yugi's body shook its head.
"This body is Ours/this now. He was too weak."
I am not weak!
Bakura cocked his head. "Little Yugi, do come out and play. Don't you want to rescue your princess?"
Yugi trembled, his hand lowering slightly. Bakura's eyes narrowed. "You don't have much time, Yugi. Even I can feel the strength of the Pharaoh fading." Yugi's head swung around to stare over his shoulder again, at the point where the tendrils were being sucked.
"Yami." The body of the small teen stood a little taller, the great glowing eyes turning to Bakura. "Bakura?"
The thief nodded, looking bored. "Come, now Yugi. Do what you called them to help you do. Do not let them destroy you both."
Yugi cocked his head to the side.
Please. Help me. Help HIM. The internal voice pleaded.
There was a moment, a second, a minute, a year. The silence was profound. Then, finally; "We/Us/This agree, human."
Wordlessly, the body of Yugi shuffled, turning slowly until he faced the small rift, steadily consuming the tendrils radiating from his skin. Bakura raised his face slightly, eyes narrowed, watching closely.
Yugi raised his hands, his eyes narrowed and glowing. The eye on his forehead flared. "Come, Pharaoh, it is time to return." The voices rumbled.
Come back, Love.
Yugi closed his eyes and stepped forward.
.
.
Connie gently stroked Yami's forehead; she no longer tried to keep the tears in, letting them slide unrelenting down her cheeks.
Yami breathed shallowly beside her, his eyes closed and peaceful, mouth slightly open. If she had not watched his steady decline herself, Connie may have thought he was sleeping. However, Yami's grey skin told another story; his arms, how ending almost at the elbow, continued to fade into insubstantial smoke; she tried not to stare at the disturbing way his jacket slumped where he no longer had most of his torso.
The café staff looked on, silent. Several girls wept silently into tissues or handkerchiefs. Nobody could fathom this mystery, but the result was the same; Yami was dying. Connie closed her eyes, pushing more hot tears down her face. I'm sorry, Yami. I wanted to help you, but in the end, I couldn't do a thing. Her forehead lowered to rest against the couch cushion beside Yami's body. I couldn't do a damned thing.
"What the hell…?" The sudden gasp brought Connie's head up again, her eyes immediately moving to Yami; however the ever-silent teen was the same as before. Connie glanced over at the young man who had spoken; he was staring out the window, over her shoulder. Turning, Connie gasped and scrambled to her feet.
The window was glowing a vivid white-gold, coalescing into a single glowing vertical stripe, shining much like the gap between a door and wall when a light was turned on from the other side. The stripe widened and elongated, casting the room into stark and vivid relief; with an exclamation, Connie threw her hand up to shade her face from the blinding light. Several girls gave small shrieks; Marco moved to stand in front of his staff proactively.
All at once, the light dimmed; so rapidly did it diminish, that for a moment Connie thought she had been blinded; but as her eyes adjusted, she saw that now, inside the room, stood a figure, glowing gold, and much muted compared to the initial surge of light. She could make out no features but for white orbs for eyes, and another on its forehead. The figure had distinctive spiked hair, however, and Connie gasped, looking down at Yami.
At her movement, the figure's head snapped to look at her, his outline wavering slightly as though he were made of golden flame. "Atem?" It asked, the voice coming gurgling and rumbling as though from many mouths. Connie shook her head in silent helplessness. "I- I'm sorry, I don't understand you."
The figure flashed white for a second, an arm emerging from the formless flames to point unerringly at the fading boy behind her. Connie had a sudden bizarre feeling that the figure was impatient.
"I/We/He have come… for the Beloved… One. YugiYamiAtemPharaoh…" The voice trailed off.
Connie nodded, her eyes wide. Moving to the side, she gestured at Yami. "Please. If you can help him, do it."
The figure moved, gliding across the room and coming to a halt next to Yami, lying so silent and still on the lounge. Connie could feel the heat radiating off the figure, but did not fear being burned; she could sense it meant her no harm, despite the boiling rolling madness that it contained within. She was terrified, yet awestruck; she was witnessing something she would never see again in all her years. The tears flowed unbidden down her cheeks at the terrible greatness this being represented.
The golden figure leaned down, over Yami. "Yami… it's time to come home." This voice was different; it was alone, and small, and overwhelming in its sadness and desire. The figure extended a hand, slowly, gently, almost nervously, bringing it to rest over Yami's heart.
The teen opened his eyes with a gasp.
Connie and the café staff recoiled at the sound, several people giving small cries of alarm.
Yami's eyes cast about blindly, finally coming to rest on the golden figure hovering above him. His eyes were purple; both of them.
With a voice as thin and brittle as glass, Yami whispered, "Y-Yugi?"
"Come my Other, I cannot control them for long." The figure extended its hand in gentle question.
Yami eyed the offered hand for a moment before nodding weakly, a smile spreading across his face.
"Wait a moment- where are you taking-" Connie's question was cut short as the figure clasped Yami firmly on the shoulder, before straightening and turning to face her. "Thank you… Connie." Already the voice was fading, as its golden flames expanded to encompass Yami's body. With an abrupt suddenness that almost seemed to mock the grandness of his entry, the figure, with Yami, faded from the room, leaving behind a thick silence.
Finally, somebody spoke. "What the fuck was that, man, what the fuck. What the hell. You all saw that, right? What in the hell…"
Connie stood, staring down at the now empty lounge where only moments ago Yami had lay dying. She smiled; it was small, but genuine. Look after him, wherever he has gone.