Sorry about the delay in the update, but I'm afraid it's going to be like that for this story.

Sage: We start school tomorrow which means little time for writing.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to put this story on hiatus for a few weeks. I'll work on the story, get ahead with my chapters, but there aren't going to be any updates for a few weeks. I'm sorry.

Sage: On that note, we'd like to thank, Kairi, Iozfan1000, Mystery Agent, hoom, OliviaGraham, deadpoolhulk, and Phantom Brat for reviewing last chapter. We really appreciate your comments!

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

Yugi was woken up by the sound of a roaring engine. He wasn't quite aware of what was happening and he got to his feet and let out a small yelp. He opened his eyes and saw the bus idling before him. Yugi was breathing in fast, shallow breaths. He turned around and saw the bench he had spent the night on. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, making Yugi estimate the time to be somewhere around six-thirty in the morning. The memories from the night before began to emerge. Yugi remembered getting onto the bus and sitting down in one of the green seats. The bus driver would occasionally look back at him through the rear view mirror, raising a suspicious eyebrow, but he never said a word. Once he got to the Tokyo city line, and Yugi got up to exit the bus, he stared at the steering wheel and opened the door. Yugi was down the first step when the bus driver stopped him.

"Are you okay, kid?" He asked. Yugi froze. His voice was sincere. It sounded so foreign to Yugi's ears. He was used to only hearing that tone of voice from his grandfather. Everyone else, even the teachers at school, addressed with him with either sarcasm or annoyance. For a moment, Yugi began to second-guess his decision. He turned around to face the driver. He could feel the sting of tears that were about to come. He thought of what would happen to when his grandfather noticed his absence. He wondered how his grandfather would react, and how much it would harm him. Yugi felt guilt pull at his heart strings. Had he made a mistake? Yugi felt so. He wanted to break down and beg the man to take him home when a voice entered his head.

Leave and never come back.

Yugi sniffed. Joey Wheeler had said that. The boy who had tormented Yugi every school day for five years. Sometimes Joey even found him over summer break and would bully, berate, abuse, and humiliate him them. Joey had a way of making things public; he enjoyed having a crowd around to watch. Sometimes Joey had his friend, Tristan Taylor, help out. The brunette teen had more of a bite than a bark. Yugi couldn't recall a time when Tristan had spoken directly to him; he mostly just spoke to Joey. Today they had crossed the line. Joey had not only beat and embarrassed Yugi, but he had also stolen a piece of the Millennium Puzzle, a gift his grandfather had given him, and he threw it away like it was nothing more than common garbage. Even if it meant having to leave his grandfather, Yugi couldn't go back to Domino. He couldn't go back to that school, back to his tormentors. But, he couldn't tell his grandfather about the daily problems he faced either because this was his problem, not his grandfather's.

Yugi looked up to the bus driver and held back his tears. "I'm perfectly fine." He lied, nodding his head for effect. "I just need to see a friend here."

The driver didn't seem convinced but he didn't push the subject further. "If you say so. Have a nice night.'"

"You too." Yugi stepped off the bus and watched it leave. He was so tired, he didn't even think. He just lay down on the bench at the bus stop he was at and allowed sleep to overcome him.

The bus that was in front of him now was driving out of sight, leaving Yugi alone. Sighing, Yugi tightened up on the straps of his backpack and began to walk forward, right into the city of Tokyo. He winched with each step he took as his torso ached. The area was still tender and he didn't want to prod it, delaying the healing process.

He looked around the city. It was much bigger than Domino. People in suits were walking down the streets. The tall buildings were ominous in their size, looming over Yugi, blocking out the light of the rising sun. Even though it was still early, the streets were full of traffic, and the sidewalks held more people on them than Yugi thought they could fit. The air was full of a variety of noises; horns honking, people swearing, business men talking with possible clients on their cell phones, the minute beeping noise of the automatic doors on a building opening. It was full of different sorts of stimulation. Yugi was beginning to become uneasy. He had never been in an environment like this. Scared and stressed, he stopped in his tracks and began to take it all in.

He was unable to do that, however. One large man in a suit shoved Yugi off to the side with a grunt. Yugi tumbled a little, but quickly regained his balance. It wasn't anything he wasn't used too. But he still remained frozen as people pushed their way past him, glaring at him, shouting profanities at him.

"Beat it, kid!"

"Out of the way!"

"Shouldn't you be in school?" One woman asked, then turned her head and muttered. "Idiot dropout."

Yugi felt a large lump form in his throat. He wanted to run, but he didn't have anywhere to run too. Unlike back in Domino, he couldn't lock himself in his room to escape his problems. Yugi sniffed and clenched his eyes shut. He didn't have anything. He didn't have a warm place to sleep at night, he didn't have his Grandfather's loving voice, encouraging him, he didn't have a belly full of food. Tears began to cascade down his face and before he knew it his legs were running. He didn't know why. He was in a strange city, a place he had never even researched, let alone been to before.

He opened his eyes wide enough to see that he was coming to a crosswalk. He skidded to a stop, and turned right on his heels, turning the corner. He opened his eyes and saw that he was in an alley way. It was away from the people of Tokyo and it was quiet. Not even the sound of rats scurrying around could be heard. Yugi back up against the brick wall and skidded down onto his bottom. He brought his knees up to his chest and wrapped his arms around and placed his head onto his legs. He cried. He cried softly until he had nothing left. It had to have been at least an hour, but Yugi didn't have any sense of time.

When he pulled his head up, he thrust his hands into his pocket and pulled a folded piece of paper. He quickly undid the folds and looked down at the picture in his hands, and even though his eyes were red and he thought he didn't have anything left in him to cry, he managed to force a few more tears to escape through his eyes.

The picture had a man and a woman; the woman was cradling a baby. She was short, like the man. Both couldn't have been much taller than five foot four. She had dark black hair and sparking green eyes. She was smiling, and her teeth were so white, Yugi swore he saw a glare on them from the camera. The man was standing proud, with his arm wrapped around her shoulder. He had blondish-red hair that stood up at odd angels. He was looking down at the baby in his wife's arms.

Yugi sniffed and wiped his nose with his sleeve. He turned the picture over and in his Grandfather's handwriting, in blue ink, was written: Ishomi and Mikuku and Yugi; four months old.

Yugi remembered his parents vaguely. He was young when they left; only about six years old. It may have been over a decade ago, but he still remembered that day, the day when they left, perfectly. You don't forget things like that.

-10 Years Ago-

Yugi was at his Grandfather's house again. His parents were out ; he didn't know what they were doing, but they always left him with Grandpa when they 'went out', which seemed to be often. Yugi didn't like it when they went out. His parents acted strange whenever they came back, like they didn't know what was going on, and then they would go to sleep and once they woke up they always complained about having a headache. But, Yugi had ways of occupying himself when he was at his Grandfather's, because the older man needed to keep an eye on the Game Shop he ran. He was on his knees, playing with a toy truck in the living room

"Vroom, vroom." He said as he pushed the yellow dump truck back and forth on the green shag carpet. Inside the back part of the truck were a dozen green army men, the plastic toys were rubbing against one another, causing the paint to chip. The truck hit the edge of the coffee table, knocking a few of the army men to fall out.

"Oh, no!" The six-year old Yugi cried. "Man down!" He went down to collect the fallen soldiers when he heard his Grandfather's angry voice from the other room.

"What do you mean you're not coming back?" He shouted.

Yugi cringed. He had never heard his Grandfather shout before. It was a new experience for him and it frightened Yugi. Shakily he stood to his feet and walked over to the door. He stood in the door way and peered around the corner. He could see his Grandpa standing at the counter, talking on the phone. He was scowling, and his face was flushed a deep scarlet.

"He's your son for God's sake!" Solomon yelled, his hand tightening its grip onto the phone. "You can't just leave him!"

Yugi gasped and quickly brought a hand to cover his mouth. He didn't want his Grandfather to know he was listening in on him. He could tell from the words his Grandfather was saying that he was talking to his parents. Yugi crouched down onto the floor. He didn't like the way Grandpa was talking to his parents, but, he wanted to know what they were saying that was making Grandpa so angry. Yugi's eyes wandered and landed on the phone in the living room. He knew that it was wrong to eavesdrop, but his curiosity was getting the best of him.

He walked over to the coffee table and picked up the phone of the coffee table, quickly covering the mouth piece, so no one could hear him breathing, so no one would know he was eavesdropping.

"Listen, Dad," Yugi recognized the voice of his father, speaking to his Grandfather. "Mikuku and I, we just handle the stress of raising of a kid. Especially one like Yugi."

"What do you mean, 'one like Yugi'?" His Grandfather snapped.

"You know, when I learned I was going to have a son, I imagined having one to play catch with, and one that would eventually join his high school football team. I imagined he would be tall and muscular. We both know that Yugi isn't going to accomplish any of those things. All he wants to do is play board games! Or with his stupid army men!"

Yugi's eyes guilty fell to the toy dump truck lying on the carpet, full of the army men his father was speaking of.

"What's wrong with that?" His Grandfather said. "Yugi may not the most athletic boy, but he's kind and smart! Isn't that good enough?"

"That may be good for you, but not for me. When he gets older, I won't be able to brag about him to my boss and co-workers! Besides, Mikuku and I can't go out and party with a kid."

"It's called being a parent! You can't abandon him! He needs his parents!"

Yugi's father scoffed. "What a clichéd thing to say. Mikuku and I are not coming back. Ever."

Solomon growled. "I'll call Child Protective Services on you! I'll report you to the police!"

Ishomi chuckled darkly and it sent a shiver down Yugi's spine. He had never heard any kind of sound like that from his father. "We both know you wouldn't do that." He dared. "You call CPS, they take Yugi away. They'll place him in a foster home; you'll never see him again."

"I'll file for custody! After all, I've been more of a parent to him than you and Mikuku these last two years! How many times have you dropped him off with me so you too can get drunk? How many times have I baby sat him because you and Mikuku are to hung over to do it? How many times have I had to lie to him when he asks why he's spending the night with me? Again? How am I supposed to tell him his parents aren't coming back?"

"Not my problem, old man."

"He's your son! It is your problem!"

Ishomi went quiet for a moment. Yugi was struggling very hard not to cry, not to give away that he was listening in. He couldn't comprehend what he was hearing. His daddy didn't want him anymore? His daddy didn't love him? His mommy didn't love him? Yugi fell himself fall to the floor by the coffee table. He heard an angry sigh coming from his father.

"He's not my son anymore." And the line went dead.

"What?" He could hear his Grandfather scream. He had yet to realize that Yugi's father had hung up. "Ishomi! Ishomi!" Realizing his son had hung up; Solomon slammed the phone back onto the receiver.

Yugi was beyond hysteria. He couldn't believe his father had said that, and then have him just hang up like that. He was so upset, so in disbelief, he didn't even bother hanging up the phone, and the dial tone echoed throughout the living room.

Grandpa must have heard him crying because he called out, "Yugi?" His voice was calmer, but Yugi could still hear some of the anger in it. He knew that Grandpa was only angry at his daddy though. "Yugi?" Grandpa came into the living room. His eyes were glazed over, as though he was crying too.

"Yugi, what's wrong?" He asked, walking over to his grandson. "Did you hurt yourself?"

Yugi couldn't speak; he just shook his head and sobbed as a six year old will.

Grandpa got to his knees, down to Yugi's level. "Did you break your toy?"

Yugi shook his head again.

Solomon sighed, frustrated. Then, he heard it. The dial tone. He looked down and saw the phone in Yugi's hands. His heart dropped further into his stomach. Yugi had heard the conversation?

"Oh, Yugi." Solomon sighed. "You heard me and your dad on the phone didn't you?"

Yugi nodded, more tears falling down his face.

"Oh, Yugi." Solomon pulled Yugi into a hug and rubbed his back.

"D-daddy and m-mommy aren't-aren't c-coming back, a-are they?" Yugi said through his tears.

"I'm afraid so." Solomon whispered. He still couldn't believe that Yugi had listened on the conversation. He thought it was bad enough that he was going to have to tell Yugi his parents weren't ever coming back, but finding out that Yugi had heard nearly every word of the conversation made it even worse. How do explain something like that to a child, after every word that was exchanged between Solomon and his son? How do you explain to a child that his parents didn't love him, that they thought of him as only an inconvenience? Solomon couldn't understand how they could think this way. Yugi was the sweetest, most lovable boy he knew. How could you not love him?

"Was…was it s-something I did?" He asked, burrowing his face into his Grandfather's overalls.

"No, Yugi! No. Never think that!" Solomon was angry that Yugi felt this way, that his father made him feel this way. It wasn't right for a child, especially one Yugi's age, to think such thoughts.

"But, daddy said—"

"Forget what your father said. He's a moron for not wanting to be a part of your life."

"Does he hate me?"

Solomon swallowed the lump forming in his throat. He pulled his grandson closer to him, began to rub his back harder, more vigorously. How on Earth was he supposed to explain this?

"Grandpa…" Yugi whined, clutching to the elder man's overalls. "Does daddy hate me?" He repeated.

Solomon breathed in deep. "I don't know Yugi. I really don't know."

Yugi began to cry harder.

-0-0-0-0-

The memories bombarded Yugi. He remembered every detail about that day. He remembered his parents dropping him off at his Grandfather's, netheir of them would look him in the eyes, or speak to him. His mother wouldn't give him a good-bye kiss. He remembered after hearing the phone call, his Grandfather tried to get him to eat something, but Yugi couldn't.

His Grandfather wouldn't eat either, but he wouldn't say anything. He tucked Yugi in at his normal bedtime, but the young boy couldn't sleep. He stayed up all night crying silent tears.

The memories were to hard for Yugi to handle. He slung the backpack off his shoulders and dug through it. He laid the picture of his parents-the only one he had- down. He shoved his hand past the piles of clothes, the extra pair of shoes, all the way to the bottom where he grabbed the small box. He pulled it out and opened it. The pieces of the Millennium Puzzle shined in his eyes. He began to pick up pieces and tried putting them together. For some reason, he always worked better on it when he was upset. It gave him something to preoccupy his mind with.

Yugi brought the Millennium Puzzle with him to have something to remember home by. The picture of his parents only brought back bad memories, but he brought it with him anyways. He still loved his parents, even though they abandoned him, and he wanted to remember them. His Grandfather got rid of every picture he had of them, and Yugi only barely managed to save the one he had before it got thrown into the furnace. He doubt his Grandfather even knew he had it.

Click.

He got two pieces to fit in together. His heart rose a little bit as he held the Millennium Puzzle in his hands, closer to being complete than ever before. Yugi wanted to work on it, even though he knew it would never be completed. He had worked so hard on it that it felt wrong to give up just because one piece was missing. It would never be complete, but at least Yugi could say he did his very best and almost got it done.

His stomach growled and Yugi clutched it. He hadn't eaten since the night before, and even though he had some money to buy food, he didn't want to use it all at once. He sighed and placed the puzzle back in the box and into his backpack.

This was going to be harder than he thought.

-0-0-0-0-0-0-

"Joey!" Tristan called, running after his friend in the hallway. School had let out for the day, and his friend had not said a single word since the bathroom. Joey had angrily listened to all the hateful words everyone was speaking about Yugi. Tristan had watched Joey from a distance, noting how aggravated he got. His fists were clinched and he would clamped his eyes shut. Tristan still didn't understand why Joey felt guilty; the two of them had never thought anything about Yugi.

Tristan ran faster, following Joey out of the school and down the pathway to his house. "Joey!" He yelled, grabbing onto the blonde's shoulder. Joey stopped. "Joey," Tristan said, panting. "Why do you care?" He asked.

Joey breathed deeply. He turned around to face his friend. Tristan gasped quietly. Joey's eyes were red; he had been crying. "Exactly." Joey whispered, his voice was broken. "Why do I care?" He said in a mocking way. "I've never cared about Yugi Motou before. Nobody has. Nobody has ever thought that maybe, just maybe, Yugi Motou has feelings. Because nobody cared. Why? Why has nobody ever cared before, Tristan?"

"I-I don't know, Joey." Tristan stuttered, unsure of how to answer. He had never heard Joey speak like this before.

"I told him to leave. And he listened." Joey was laughing in his hysteria. "He freaking listened. Or, maybe he finally just couldn't take it anymore and he left, and what I said was purely coincidental, but he still left because of me!"

"You weren't the only one to push him around some, Joe." Tristan tried to explain.

"Yeah, I know. You were there with me all throughout middle school, tormenting him, Ushio and his gang weren't as bad as us, and they still managed to make his life even more of a living Hell with us added into it!"

"Joey, you can't blame yourself!"

"Why not? It's my fault! I have to find him! I have to make things better!"

"How do you plan on finding him, Joey? We don't even know where he lives!"

Joey paused, taking in what Tristan had said. He was right; Joey didn't have any idea where Yugi lived, or how he was going to find out. He knew nothing about Yugi. Joey realized he couldn't even name one thing about Yugi's life. He knew the boy liked games, but then again you didn't have to speak to him to know that. He was always bringing in a new game he had to play with while everyone else was at recess.

But, he was also angry. Tristan, who participated in many of Joey's beatings against Yugi, was acting like a little angel, like he was innocent. Joey was angry because Tristan didn't understand how guilty he felt. Tristan didn't understand why Joey felt so compelled to find Yugi. And Joey didn't understand that either. But, after having to listen all day to the horrible things people were saying about Yugi, people who didn't even know the kid, something inside him snapped. And here was Tristan, acting like he was all high and mighty, and that it wasn't their problem.

"No, we don't." Joey said. "But, he's not home, is he? We can search the city. There can't be many places he could've gotten to this quickly. And, he had to have slept somewhere which means he couldn't have gotten far."

"If that were the case, don't you think the police would've found him already?"

Joey shrugged. "The kid likes games, and he's short and quiet. That should make him a master at hide-and-seek."

Tristan shook his head. "I don't think this is just a game to him. He wanted to leave. He's not going to wait for someone to find him, he's going to try his hardest not to be found."

"Well, we have to start somewhere." Joey turned around and began to walk forward, his head was scanning the area around him.

"Joey!" Tristan yelled, going to catch up with his friend. "Joey, please. Just let the police do their work. This isn't our problem to meddle with."

"Tristan, why don't you understand? I have been a giant bastard to him for no reason. It took him running away for me to realize this. And it wasn't just us! It wasn't just Ushio. It was every kid who complained about being partnered up with him. It was every girl who refused to talk to him. It was all the teachers who treated him like a little kid, who no respect. I know at this point, sorry won't mean a damn thing, but," Joey stopped for a moment and sighed, "at least if I find him I can feel that I did something."

"You don't want to find him because you feel bad about the bullying." Tristan accused bitterly. "You just want to ease your guilt." He huffed and turned around. "Do what you want, but I'm not helping you. This is a job for the police." He walked away leaving Joey by himself to his thoughts, still digesting what Tristan had said.

Was he just trying to get rid of his guilt? Joey sighed. He didn't know. He really, didn't know.