Small Note

Sakura: Ended 2011 with an update to Vampire City so I'm going to start 2012 with an update to Childhood Returns…

Chapter 9: 4 Real

The silence was starting to get to Yuugi as all her friends sat or stood staring at her parents. No sound had been made after Joey's little outburst of confusion. It worried Yuugi that she scared her friends into silence. Hiroshi put a hand on his daughter's shoulder and gave it a comfortable squeeze.

A father knew when his daughter felt troubled, but he was not going to let his little girl get hurt.

Finally the quiet was broken when the front door opened and closed. Everyone could hear the young soon to be CEO Seto on his cell phone in the foyer. Mokuba cursed under his breath and went to go deal with his brother who was not supposed to be home.

However luck was not on Yuugi's side as Seto walked into the living room with Mokuba behind him only to stare at Mr. and Mrs. Mutou confused.

"Yukari, Hiroshi, what are you two doing here? I thought you were in Tokyo for holiday."

Mokuba gave Yuugi an apologetic look, showing he had no idea his brother was coming home early. It seemed Mokuba did not tell Seto that part of the party was to get Yuugi's friends to meet Yuugi's parents.

Yukari went over and hugged Seto. "Oh Seto you have gotten so big and tall. I remember when you were shorter than Hiroshi."

Seto rolled his eyes and patted Yukari on the back. "It's to see you too Yukari." He really did not want to show emotion in front of Yuugi's weird group of friends.

"Mokuba you knew?" The question came from Anzu who had finally decided to speak up, causing all eyes to turn to her.

The younger Kaiba nodded. "Of course, I'm a member of the Kaiba family and we have known the Mutou family for some time." He explained, even though he felt he did not need to. He was surprised it came to a shock to them that he knew Yuugi's real family. The Kaiba family knew everyone from celebrities to CEOs of all kinds of companies. Even if Mokuba had not met Yuugi through the Sennen family he would have longed figured out who she was.

"So let me get this straight…" Joey spoke up again and turned to Yuugi. "For eight years you have been lying to your friends with who you really are."

Yuugi looked away from Joey hating to see the hurt look in the blond girl's eyes.

Seto turned to Mokuba and in a low voice to keep their conversation private asked, "I'm guessing you lied about what this party was really about."

Mokuba rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "Well I wouldn't say lied I just did not tell you the whole truth." His eyes then turned into a glare before he hit his brother on the arm. "But then you had to come home and mess it all up."

Seto glared back at his brother. "Fine, I have business to attend to anyway and I know when I'm not welcomed." He turned to leave but not before looking over his shoulder at everyone in the room. "There better not be a huge mess left behind when this little party is over." He stated loud enough for everyone to hear.

They all watched as he left the room and Mokuba stepped out for the minute to make sure he was going to his office they had in their home or just somewhere else in general. The younger just hoped their father did not come home until the party was over. Their father was a private man and he did not like a lot of people in his house unless they were family.

Yuugi was trying to find the right words to say to her friends, but somehow she could not find her voice to speak. There was so much she wanted to say and be able to apologize, however it was not working out like she thought it would.

It seemed Ryou could sense her stressing out because out of the blue she asked the question. "Why did you not tell us?"

Silently Yuugi thanked Ryou for playing dumb about the whole and trying to help her out.

"Yeah Yug, I thought we were friends. How come you never told us about your parents?" Joey questioned. All this time, Joey had thought she knew all her friends but now she was second guessing her friendship with Yuugi. Yuugi lied about who her parents were and there was no telling if she was lying about something else.

Yuugi looked at each of them glad to see they did not look angry, but they did all look hurt. "It was honestly the fear guys. I was new to Domino and I did not want any friends to be my friends because of who my parents were."

"You know we aren't like that." Malik spat back, she was a little angry, because in general the whole group knew Malik hated liars. The girl had been hurt in the past because of lies. "We aren't those stupid idiots who parade around thinking they are better than everyone else."

"I know that now," Yuugi pointed out, "But I did not know that when I felt met you guys. I wanted to be able to have friends who cared about me." Tears started to gather in her eyes making her wipe at her eyes to keep them away. She did not want to cry in front of everyone. "I worried if I told people who my parents were they would only be my friends to get close to my parents."

Ryou had no idea that Yuugi would start tearing up and ready to cry. It tore at her heart to see her friend look so lost and upset. No matter what the others thought Ryou went over to Yuugi and hugged her. She rubbed her back and told her it would be okay.

Yuugi was still sniffing and trying to keep the tears back.

The others all seemed to look at each other and guilty looks could be seen on all their faces. They were upset that Yuugi did not tell them the truth, but it did not mean they could make their friend cry.

"Hey Yuugi…"

At her name being called Yuugi looked up to see Serenity had walked over to her and smiled at her. "No matter, who your parents are you are still the same Yuugi we know and love, right?"

The tears finally did fall as Yuugi let go of Ryou and hugged Serenity. "Of course I am. I'm so sorry I never told you guys the truth." She cried out.

Slowly one by one her friends started to come over to Yuugi and it soon formed into a group hug with Yuugi in the middle. Before long they were all laughing as Yuugi joked she couldn't breathe because of all the hugs and love in the small circle.

When they all did pull back most went back to their seats, but Ryou and Joey stood by Yuugi.

"However…" Joey piped up. "I wanted to know why you did not tell us even after we become such good friends."

Yuugi looked away with a blush on her face. "I guess I was so used to living this quiet life that I did not want to disturb it by bringing up my parents." She looked at her parents and grinned. "You can forgive me right?"

Yukari pretended to think about it before giving a matching grin back Yuugi's way. "I guess we can this time if you introduce us to all the wonderful friends you have made."

All Yuugi's friend's eyes seem to light up at that and it wasn't long before Yukari and Hiroshi were sitting comfortable on one of the many couches surrounded. Questions of all kinds were thrown their way from what it was like to be famous to what was their wedding like. Some things were just completely random to like what Yuugi was like as a baby, which caused the girl to blush as her parents started to talk about baby moments.

Yuugi started to regret introducing her parents as they started on an embarrassing story about being a toddler and running around naked. She was just happy they were careful and leaving out stories involving her and Atemu, plus any mention of the Sennen family.

Solomon took a place next to Yuugi on a loveseat away from the others and rubbed her shoulder. "I bet you did not see this coming."

Yuugi groaned and hid her face in her hands. "No I had no idea it would be this embarrassing."

"At least they took it better than I thought they would." The elder stated. He knew the others were on some level mad, but he was glad they were not mad enough to push Yuugi away.

The young adult had to smile at that and looked to her grandfather. "I'm glad they didn't hate me and started to yell at me. I mean it wasn't like I completely lied. I just did not tell them what my parents did for a living. It would be like someone else not telling her friends her parents are dead even after years later after becoming friends. There are just some things you do not wish to share with your friends so easily."

Solomon agreed with her. "I think they realized that too. However I'm really surprised they believed you."

"I think it helps that my dad carries around baby photos of me and them when I was younger." Yuugi guessed as she saw her father showing off his photos of Yuugi he kept in his wallet. "It would be kind of creepy for a total stranger to have my baby photos."

Spooking Solomon and Yuugi, Ryou popped up on the arm of the loveseat beside Yuugi with a smile. "Well part one of the plan is going smoothly and better than I thought. So when are we going to work on part two?"

Shrugging Yuugi replied, "I'm not really sure. I guess before long it will come up in conversation. I bet Anzu is itchy to ask them if they know the Sennen family."

"So since you are famous, you must somehow know the Sennen family?"

Yuugi bowed her head in embarrassment as Solomon and Ryou laughed quietly behind their hands. Somehow Yuugi believes the gods must either hate her or have really good timing for some things.

Yukari looked over at where her daughter was to see her embarrass state and had to keep from giggling at her. It was bad enough she and her husband were embarrassing her daughter with the stories they were telling, but that is what parents do. Then Yuugi has her friends embarrassing her with all their questions.

For a moment Yukari and Yuugi make eye contact with Yuugi giving her mother silent permission to let things play out and keep no secrets, except the fact Yuugi is engaged. The model returned her attention to the young adults around her waiting for an answer in the few seconds she had been quiet.

"Yes we do know the Sennen family," Yukari confirmed to them. "Amara and I once worked together before she ended her career. She really helped me get my start in the modeling business."

Anzu gleamed in happiness at the news. "Oh! So you must be really close… Do you know who the fiancée is?"

Hiroshi shook his head sadly causing faces to fall into frowns. "Sorry, but even they would not tell us. Yuugi already asked us if we could tell her when she heard the news." He sent a wink to his daughter causing her to pout at him and turned back to her secret conversation with his father and Ryou.

Anzu haven't not seen the wink, turned to Yuugi and grinned. "Yuugi you were holding out on us weren't you." She joked to show her friend she wasn't mad for earlier. Truly she cared for Yuugi and in a way she could see why Yuugi choose not to tell them about her parents.

Yuugi smirked at Anzu. "Maybe…"

They both giggled before Anzu's attention was back on Yukari. "So you two must be invited to the engagement party?"

Hiroshi nodded. "We already got our invites and we had come here hoping to invite Yuugi, but then she figured it would not be fair to all of you to miss out."

Malik's jaw dropped at those words. "Yuugi! You can't miss out an event like that!"

"But it would not be fair to all of you. I know all of you want to go too." Yuugi explained. She was surprising herself at how convincing she sounded. It was easier than she thought in keeping herself a secret until they met Atemu.

Yukari caught onto the hint and decided it was her time to drop the news. "I know!" She cried out causing everyone to look at her. "Why don't all of you come with us to Tokyo and come enjoy the party?"

All jaws dropped from Yuugi's friends at the news. That had clearly taken them all by surprise.

Yuugi giggled and shook her head. "Mom I'm sure they wouldn't want to go to a party with a bunch of celebrities."

Wide eyed looks turned Yuugi's way as if saying 'you're kidding right?'.

Joey cleared her throat and addressed Yukari. "So if we said yes, we would really get to go to Tokyo and attend the party?"

The guitarist and model nodded with smiles at them. Hiroshi grinned at all of them with his wonderful smile. "It would only be right for Yuugi to bring her friends along since friends and families are invited to this party. I'm sure the Sennen family would not mind if a few more attended the party."

"So when is the party?" Ryou asked from her seat by Yuugi still.

"It will probably be by the middle of August maybe the beginning." Yukari explained. "We will be sure to let you all know all the details through Yuugi once we get back to Tokyo."

The small group of friends liked that idea. It would give them time to get packed for college and the party would be right before they had to take off for their selected colleges.

After that all questions of the party pretty much stopped as the young adults were too excited that they were getting to go. Conversation soon shifted to Hiroshi and Yukari asking Yuugi's friends some questions about themselves and the careers they wish to pursue. Anzu and Yukari really hit it off when they got into a discussion about dancing, which Yuugi was grateful for because Yukari knew a lot of people who could help Anzu get her name out there after college.

Before long through the party died down and after hours of talking and eating most of the party guest had to leave for another plans that afternoon. The only ones left in the living room were Yuugi and her family, Mokuba, Joey and Serenity, and lastly Anzu. However Mokuba kept leaving to go deal with stuff with his big brother so he wasn't in the room much.

Everyone kind of drifted off into their own private conversations with Serenity and Anzu off near the doorway chatting about girl things, Hiroshi, Yukari and Solomon had moved to their own side of the room to talk, so it left Yuugi and Joey in the middle of the room on one of the couches.

They sat facing each other and were having a conversation like best friends would. It was like Yuugi had a huge weight lifted from her shoulders as she talked to Joey. They would laugh and joke around, plus gossip like the girls they were. However Yuugi could tell on some level things were different between her and her friends. The group during the party seemed to change the way they acted around Yuugi. It was almost like they were trying everything to look good so they did not make her look bad.

"You know…" Yuugi spoke up when Joey continued to look at her hands instead of Yuugi as they talked. "No matter how hard you look at them they won't change…"

Joey blushed. "What do you mean?"

Yuugi giggled. "Joey you have been staring at your hands this whole conversation. No matter who my parents are, I told you all that I am still the same Yuugi. I was never famous to begin with."

The blond sighed and looked to her friend with an apologetic smile. "Sorry, I guess it's just you grew up around famous people all the time and I just don't want to upset you so you leave us."

Yuugi couldn't help but roll her eyes. "No my parents are around famous people all the time…" She said before looking over at her parents. "Honestly I was kept inside most of my life until I came to live with grandpa. My parents did not want to make a big deal about having a baby to the public. They wanted me to have as much of a childhood as I could."

"They must really love you to do something like that." Joey said which earn her a smile from Yuugi. "I know many celebrities are just ready to show off their babies to the world because they can."

The smaller adult nodded. "I always feared being their daughter I would screw up and make them look bad if I did not become famous, but I can tell now being famous is not always worth it."

"You are pretty talented yourself…" Joey teased. "I know someone who has won a few talent shows in high school."

Yuugi blushed and covered her face. "Shut up! You guys pushed me to do those."

Joey laughed and patted her friend's shoulder. "Hey you were great and don't let anyone tell you different." She then wrapped her arm around Yuugi's shoulder and gave her a one-sided hug. "I bet before long you will become famous in your own way."

Peeking out from behind her hands Yuugi looked up at Joey. "You think so?"

Joey nodded. "I know of it, but just promise when you do become famous that you don't forget us little people."

"I promise!" Yuugi promised with a giggle.

After that Serenity came over to fetch Joey saying they had to leave so with a quick goodbye and some hugs they were gone along with Anzu. Once all of Yuugi's friends were gone Seto and Mokuba came back into the room to spend some time with the Mutou family, before even they needed to get home. However before leaving Yuugi had to promise Mokuba they would all get together again just them and the Kaiba brothers before Yukari and Hiroshi leave for Tokyo.

Once the promise was made, the Mutous all climbed into the limo that had bought them there and headed home. Yuugi lean back in her seat during the ride and stared out the window reflecting on all that had happened that afternoon.

She was happy her friends were not too mad about the secret she kept about her parents. What really bugged her now was how they were going to act when they realize Yuugi had been lying to them about knowing who Atemu was engaged to. It was something that could really tear her friendship up with them.

Sighing Yuugi closed her eyes and thought to herself. 'During the party I'll need to come clean about all my secrets and be for real with all of them or risk losing them forever…'

Sakura: (sigh) I wasn't really happy with this chapter, but I had to get this one over with. I'm ready to get Yuugi and Atemu back together.

I'm sorry if you thought more drama would come between Yuugi and her friends while meeting her parents, but I think I want to save that for when they meet Atemu. When I thought about it, Yuugi really did not lie to her friends about her parents she just never told them what they did. Plus it was her choice whether she wanted to share with her friends what her parents did or not. There are just some things in friendships you do not wish to share, I have been there before. Although I never tried to hide what my parents did as careers. Anyway I'm rambling… so Yumi take it away!

Yumi: Please leave a review! It will help keep Sakura motivated to write!