Darkness Within

chapter 8: Breaking point

Sunlight washed through the window, telling me it was time to get up. Or was it? I sat up blinking my eyes for the blurriness to pass.

I got up and looked out the window. The sun was almost half way through the sky! Meaning I way over slept! Sure I hated school but to sleep was no reason to skip it or be really late!

I fixed my hair a bit and ran down the stairs to find Yugi doing the dishes.

"How come you didn't wake me up," I yelled at him.

He turned to me startled, much so, he dropped the plate he was holding. "Sorry but there was call from the airport, gramps will be home later so I wanted to straighten up the place up."

I walked over to the broom and started sweeping the glass. "Oh. Well we better hurry. " I smiled trying to hide my panic. "Just finish the dishes." I really wish I had just stayed in bed...

"You," he snapped.

My eyes widened with shock, he had never snapped at me before nor anyone else for that matter.

"Sorry." He shook his head, avoiding my gaze. " I'm just going to go clean up the shop." He walked out.

I hadn't moved from where I stood. Sure I had yelled at him, when I had first come down but we had passed that... there was no reason to get mad now... recovering from my shock, I sighed. This was going to a long day.

After I had finished picking up the glass and cleaning the dishes, I went into the living room to clean what little there was. But I just sat there on the couch, at my wits end. What was I suppose to do? I could talk to Yugi's friends but that could easily make the situation worse, for everyone.

I held the pyramid of light in my hands, willing it to give me answers. Nothing. I sighed, got up and cleaned. While I was I picked up the movies we had watched a few nights ago, two of which we hadn't watched. I could renew them but there was no point, I would return them.

I got my sweatshirt and rugged old sneakers. I'm gonna need a new pair of sneakers soon... With what money? I walked into the shop. Yugi was placing cards on shelves, lost in thought.

"Hey, Yug, I'm going to return these movies. I'll be back soon." And with that I walked out, not waiting for a reply because I knew one wouldn't be given.

It had gotten much colder outside, winter would be here soon. The wind sent chills down my spine as I walked down the nearly empty streets.

"Hey, Amaya!"

I heard someone call my name, and I turned to see Jonouchi running towards me.

I smiled, glad to see a happy face. "Hey, Jonouchi! Whats up?"

"Why weren't you at school today?" He asked. "We were worried."

"Well Yugi's grandpa is going to be back later today so he decided to stay and get everything ready. I may have gone to school but I wasn't woken up...not that I like school." The smile left my face. "Why aren't you in school?"

He looked confused. "School ended about and hour ago."

Seriously?! How late did I sleep?! "Oh well I need to return these movies. It was nice seeing ya," I told him as I began walking away.

"I'll come with ya! I don't got anything better to do!"

I shrugged. "Alright."

For a while neither of us talked. It was kind of an awkward silence. And then it broke.

"Hey I haven't known you or even Yugi for very long but is something up with him?" Jonouchi looked at me with a bit of worry in his eyes. He saw my surprise at the question. "You know what never mind...I'm sure its nothing..."

I sighed. Should I tell him or should I wait a bit longer before I get everyone involved? "No...nothing... but if there is then im sure he'll tell us." I gave him a reassuring smile and he smiled a bit back.

Finally we had made it to the movie store. Jonouchi said his good byes, planning to stay and look around the store for... well he wouldn't tell me but I had a guess. I rolled my eyes, said good bye, and headed home.

So Jonouchi has noticed...

"Yugi, I'm back!"

"Huh? Where did you go?" He asked, sitting at the cash register.

I had gotten used to this but this time it was a bit... depressing? I gave a light smile. "Uh, no where important."

I went to my room and fell onto my bed. This was getting ridiculous, I was about ready to smack the kid! Sure I was worried but seriously?! I sighed. I seemed to be doing that a lot these days.

After several minutes I decided to do something I haven't done in a while. Draw. I was pretty good at it and with all the excitement I haven't been able too.

I got some paper and a pencil and began drawing sonic. Sonic was one of my favorite games growing up and was actually quite fun to draw. Even though im not very good at it, but I was all too happy to try and improve, which I've slowly been doing. Besides drawing let me have my space and forget all about well everything else.

After about an hour I finished. Sonic was doing his signature thumbs up. I smiled. The drawing had actually turned out pretty good.

I decided to draw something else now, but what? A minute later I had the perfect idea. I would draw that blue eyes shining dragon card I had gotten from... well I don't know, some stranger just left it. The card was a mystery but would be so cool to draw. So I did just that.

"Well its not my best but its done." I held up the complete drawing. There were eraser marks and the head looked like crap.

"Impressive."

Startled I turned around to see Yami. I quickly hid the blue eyes card in my pocket, I didn't want him asking questions. "Don't sneak up on me like that," I yelled at him. I sighed. What do you want?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, nothing." He came and sat down next to me, looking at the drawing in my hands.

"Its not very good. " I showed him the one I did of sonic. "You probably don't know this character but I like this one better. He didn't say anything and I was starting to get a bit nervous.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

I guess I hadn't noticed the sad expression on my face. I quickly tried to hide it but to no avail. "No everything has just been a crazy the last few days and well Yugi's grandpa is coming home, so today is no different..."I decided now wasn't the best time to ask about Yugi...

His expression became cold. "Do not tell him about me!"

I nodded. "Never planned on it."

He got up and left without another word.

Day just keeps getting better and better doesn't it?

I walked downstairs a while later to find Yugi sleeping. It was starting to get dark so I turned on the lights and not a moment later Yugi was awake, rubbing his eyes.

"Hi, Amaya."

I nodded. We sat there, neither of us saying a word. I looked around the shop, everything was where it should be, the cards were on the shelves and the boxes were gone.

I watched the clock as an hour went by when we finally heard the shop door open. A short man with spiky gray hair and overalls walked in.

"Yugi!" he called.

Yugi smiled. "Hey grandpa!" But he didn't get up, not for a hug or anything. He just continued with a dull stare. And before his grandpa could say anything his gaze turned to me.

"Who's this?"

I was almost hoping he wouldn't notice me. "Hi, I'm Amaya. I greeted him.

"So you have a friend now Yugi? She's quite pretty." He winked at me. "although her chest isn't quite as big as Anzu's.." He whispered under his breath obviously thinking I couldn't here him.

I looked over at Yugi who was blushing now but still had that dull look. I gave a nervous smile and turned back to Yugis grandpa. "Actually its 'friends' and im nothing special." I mentally sighed, saddened by my own comment. I was indeed nothing special nor was I pretty.

"Well that's great! But shouldn't you be getting home Amaya?" He asked me.

I shook my head sadly. "Well, you see-" I paused, hoping Yugi would say something. He didn't. "I'm sort of homeless so Yugi let me stay here but if that's a problem I can leave now.

"Hmm."

I turned to go get what little things I had.

"You can stay here, it would great to have some help around the shop after all!" He told me cheerfully.

Relief washed over me. "Thanks."

"We can go shopping tomorrow." He told me, a smile on his face.

I frowned. "I cant let you do tha-" I began but he stopped me.

"You can work it off. Besides you cant just wear the same clothes and what about school supplies? We'll go tomorrow."

I couldn't even express how grateful I was. "Thanks so much!"

He nodded turned his attention back to Yugi."You haven't talked much Yugi, something wrong?"

He looked at us, seeming unaware of what just happened so I quickly cut in. "Nah he's just tired." I walked over to Yugi and pulled him up the stairs, leaving Yugis grandpa confused.

"Okay,that's it." I yelled as I soon as I had shut the door of his room. "Your grandfather comes home finally and all you have to say is hi!? And earlier when I left, you hadn't even noticed! This has gone on for days now and needs to stop! So what the hell is wrong!

Yugi looked surprised at first but then his expression turned to anger and hatred. "I don't need to explain myself to you or anyone else! So piss off!

I couldn't believe it. Maybe I had come on a bit strong but he has never ever said anything like 'piss' nor gotten this mad and the hate in his eyes... My anger started to subside but I kept at it. "Fine! I'll leave!And you know what? I hope everyone else does too! You want to be alone? Have it your way! I left. Slamming the door behind me.

I ran downstairs ignoring grandpa. I opened up the door to the outside world. Where would I go? It didn't matter. My eyes began to blur but I wiped it away. Maybe I was just blowing this out of proportion and maybe I wasn't but either way I couldn't go. I shut the door and turned to Yugi's grandpa, who looked at me with worry.

"Sorry, I'm fine." I told him.

"Well if you want to talk let me know. And dinner is ready."

I nodded and we walked into the kitchen.

We sat silently. Yugi didn't join us. I guess I should have been happy about that, I couldn't take anymore drama but I wasn't. And anyway tension was high enough without him here.

I ate very little but after I had, I got up, emptied my plate and placed it by the sink. "I'm going to bed, night. Thanks again."

He nodded. "Welcome. Good night."

There's nothing good about it. I thought miserably as I walked up the stairs and opened my door. Light from the hallway flooded into the dark room. I saw a dark figure standing just a few feet away.

"Yami..."

He walked up to me.

"What are y-"

His arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. "I'm so sorry."

Suddenly all the stress, worry and sadness I had been harboring the past week or so came flooding out. I broke. I lightly hugged him back and warm tears began to flow. I would hate myself later for showing such weakness but at this moment it didn't matter, nothing did.