Small Note

Sakura: So Yuugi has one of her friends back so life seems to have gotten better. However I'm not done with this story yet, so please enjoying reading another chapter of Childhood Returns!

Chapter 20: My World

Although some people suffer hardships they still move forward in their lives. This is what Yuugi was doing moving forward from the fight with her friends and getting her life back on track. However she was not upset anymore that Atemu went behind her back and got Joey to come to Tokyo. If anything it helped her move forward even more and returned to her one of her best friends. The pieces all fell into place as Duke and Tristan called not long after Joey had to return to Domino for school, to apologize for how they acted. They were also foolish for not saying anything and agreed if Yuugi would let them to at least talk to her if she needed someone to talk to. Yuugi wasn't as close to Duke and Tristan as the rest of the group but they were still her friends and she was willing to try and keep them as friends. Serenity apologized in person a few weeks later when Joey returned to spend another weekend with Yuugi. The three girls had another cry fest over what happened but it was helping them heal.

Two months later Yuugi got another surprise around the time of fall break when she found out that Joey was moving to Tokyo. It was another surprise Atemu had been working on for Yuugi and that was getting Joey transferred to Tokyo University. Joey had school and work back in Domino, but she knew it would be nice to go to college with her best friend so they would not have to go through the college experience alone. Joey was thankfully taking two online courses with three courses on campus, which meant she was only on campus three days a week. The process took up to two months to complete, but all her classes had been transferred successfully, so after fall break she was going to school with Yuugi at least three days a week for her classes. They did not have the same classes, but most of them were near or in the same buildings so they walked together keeping each other company and all the celebrity obsessed fans away.

The only reason Joey had not started out at Tokyo University was because she could not afford the tuition and loans weren't even going to cover it. When Atemu had gone to talk to Joey in Domino, he had also talked to her about coming to Tokyo University if everything worked out with Yuugi. He had worked with her and agreed to pay for her tuition and find her a job so she could pay for her expenses of books or personal items. The idea had been for Joey to come in the spring semester, but since everything worked out great Joey wanted to come earlier. She did not want Yuugi waiting a whole semester for her best friend to join her on campus. Atemu paid for the tuition and got Joey a job on campus that she worked after classes and on the days she was off. She thankfully got weekends off to do school work.

It was all going nicely for the two best friends as they reformed their bond and enjoyed living together at the Sennen Manor. It was a whole new experience for Joey living in Tokyo, but Yuugi helped her out just as Joey helped her out by staying her best friend.

Yuugi laughed at something Ryou said as she used Skype to chat with Ryou and Malik at the same time. The time zones were different, but the three friends worked their hardest to find the best times to talk to one another. At that moment they all had time given it was the weekend finally, but it was a late Friday night for Yuugi.

The young adult was lounging on Atemu's bed after supper with her laptop in front of her, while Joey sat next to her doing some reading for a class so she would not have to do it later over the weekend. Atemu along with the rest of the Sennen family had disappeared for the night going to a company party because a few new record deals had been signed and a few artists had gained platinum selling albums.

The weather outside had turned rather chilly due to the coming November weather of freezing temperate and future snow for December. This caused both girls to curl up with blankets and hot coco.

As Yuugi had her attention to Malik telling her about one of her classes, she caught a figure in the background walking passed the screen. Her eyes widen in size when she realized who was in Malik's dorm room. "Please tell me I did not just see Marik walk across that screen in a towel?"

Joey stopped what she was reading in favor of getting in on the conversation. "Malik has a boy in her dorm room?"

"Malik, what is Marik doing there? I thought you were studying with your dorm mate." Ryou questioned after she too saw who she thought was Marik walk back across the screen on her own computer.

Malik could not help but blush a rather bright red, before turning around long enough to yell at who they now knew was Marik then turning back around continuing her talk with her friends. "Sorry about that, I may have lied a little, but I did not want you all to freak out. Marik was here for the weekend for a tournament and he called and wanted to hang out."

Yuugi studied where Malik was before another shocking truth hit her. "That's not your dorm room!" She shouted in surprise.

Both Ryou and Joey looked closer at the window Malik was in and realized Yuugi was right. The room behind Malik was way different. It almost looked like a hotel room.

A smirk slowly formed onto Joey's face. "Malik, are you and Marik in a hotel room alone together?"

The young adult hung her head in shame and also so no one would see how dark her blush had really gotten. "It's not what you think!" Malik defended herself before calming herself and looking up at her friends. "Marik is here for a tournament and he called wanting to hang out. Its Friday afternoon I had no classes, so I thought why not since he had training this morning and will be in the tournament all weekend this is the only time we have together. I met him here after his training was over and he let me use his laptop while he got ready for us to go out. That is all!"

Yuugi, Ryou, and Joey all had knowing grins on their faces causing Malik to sigh.

"Sounds to me like Malik has a date…" Ryou teased.

Malik pouted. "Well Ryou I recall Marik telling me Bakura has been calling you up every chance he gets. I bet Bakura has already visited you…"

It was Ryou's turn to blush causing Yuugi and Joey to laugh at their poor friend. Ryou was always so shy about who she dated and was never really open to her dates. It was rare for Ryou to be close to guys in a romantic way.

"Alright, it's getting late here and Atemu will be home soon." Yuugi finally told her friends. "I want details next time I talk to you Malik."

"Have fun on your date!" Joey said to Malik with the stupid grin still on her face.

"It's not a…" Malik was cut off as Joey cut the call, while Ryou just shook her head and said bye to Yuugi before disconnecting.

Joey fell back on the bed and couldn't help but giggle. "I can't believe Malik is going on a date with one of Atemu's friends."

Yuugi closed her laptop and set it aside on the night stand. "I know Malik doesn't want to believe it's a date, but I could see the way Marik looks at her. This is so a date!"

"Do you think I'll be that lucky?"

Surprised by her friend's question, Yuugi turned and faced Joey. "What are you talking about?"

"I mean Ryou and Malik got to meet Atemu's friends and before you know it they both have the guys all over them. Do you think I'll be that lucky in finding a guy who will do anything just for one date with me?"

Yuugi lay down on the bed and looked up at the ceiling. "Atemu doesn't have any other friends. However I'm sure the right guy will come along before you know it."

Joey sighed and sat back up grabbing her book. "I hope your right Yuugi. I'm sick of all the losers who only break people's hearts in the end."

By the look on Joey's face, Yuugi knew the conversation was finished there. She hated seeing her friend so down. Ever since Yuugi had been making things right with Joey, she did notice something different about her friend. Joey seemed lonelier and who could blame her… Yuugi had Atemu, Ryou may or may not have a thing with Bakura, and Malik sure did have a thing going with Marik. This left Joey all by herself in their group of females, besides Anzu who Yuugi still had yet to hear from.

Somehow Yuugi knew the right guy was right around the corner for Joey and nothing was going to stop her from making sure Joey got the same happiness she had with Atemu.

By the middle of November college life was starting to slow down for Yuugi and Joey as the cooler weather got colder and professors were already talking about final exams at the beginning of December. So far both girls had good grades, which was great on Joey's part because she always had average grades in high school. Yuugi was just grateful she was able to handle going to campus more now that she had her best friend by her side.

On one Friday afternoon, the two arrived home after classes to relax and make plans for the weekend since Joey was able to get some time off from work. When the two arrived home and entered the living room they were surprised to find Amun and his mother enjoying some afternoon tea.

Amara smiled at the two girls and invited them to join them. Yuugi took up a spot on the floor by the coffee table, while Joey took a seat beside Amun. It was only after the girls were settled and had their tea that Amara spoke to them.

"As I'm sure you two may know the Video Music Awards are this weekend…"

Yuugi nodded as she grabbed a cookie off the plate on the table. "Joey and I were going to watch it on the TV." She turned her attention to Amun. "All week Amun has been driving us crazy about the fact he has been nominated for four awards."

Amun blushed and rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "This is huge for my band. We've never be up for that many awards before and having a good chance at winning them."

"Well I've told Amun about this, but I want you and Joey to know about it also." Amara continued to tell Yuugi, while not taking her serious glaze off of Amun. "My husband has decided this weekend he would like to take a little trip with me to Hawaii. So much has been going on and we haven't had much time to spend together. He told me yesterday about the idea so we will be leaving tonight." She then looked at all three with serious looks. "I do not care what you do this weekend, but no parties at the mansion, if you feel the need to want to have a party book a hotel or something."

Amun then grinned at the two girls. "So if you girls want you can come with me to the Music awards and the after party, then you are more than welcome to come."

Joey looked at Yuugi to see her reaction.

"I'll only go if Atemu is going…" Yuugi announced.

"Fine I will talk to Atemu about it, but I'm sure he would like to go." Amun sounded like he was already forming a plan to get Atemu to go.

Yuugi then smiled at her friend. "What do you think Joey? You want to spend Saturday night at the award show?"

Joey's face lit up as she quickly nodded her head. "This is a once in a lifetime chance for me. I'll be happy to go."

"Then it looks like we have plans for this weekend…" Yuugi said with a smile.

The night of the Video Music Awards had the city of Tokyo booming with life. The downtown area was full of traffic since the awards were being held in the Tokyo Stadium which was in the heart of the city. Traffic had been blocked around the stadium for tour buses and limos arriving with different types of celebrity who could be there.

The Sennen family arrived an hour before the awards were to start, so that they could have their red carpet moment. When they exited the limo they were riding, Joey was blinded for a moment by all the flashing lights.

Yuugi remain beside her friend and pushed her slightly along to follow everyone else. They were both dressed in simple dresses that were backless. Joey wore a dark blue dress, while Yuugi were a crimson dress and her hair let down.

The three men of the siblings were dressed in laid back suits, while Amun was partly in a suit for the top half, but the bottom half he wore black jeans. Atemu and Kek wore their suit jackets open with no ties. All of them had on plain white button down shirts.

Yumi smiled and posed for the cameras in a black skirt that reached just above her knees with black lace tights and a bright pink tank top with a black vest over that. She was in the lead of the whole group taking most of the spot light from Atemu, which she knew he loved.

Atemu wasn't trying to be anti-social now that the truth was out, but he still felt uncomfortable being out in public. It took Amun hours of begging to get Atemu to agree to come so everyone could get out of the house and enjoy the nice weekend.

As they made their way down the red carpet, they stopped a few times to have their pictures taken. They were sometimes asked questions, but the group left Amun to deal with that since he was up for four awards that night.

However once inside Amun was kidnapped by his band mates to get ready to perform for the opening of the awards, Yumi found some friends of hers to run off with, and Kek disappeared somewhere but to where no one knew. This is how they were quickly corner by a few reporters.

"Mr. Sennen, how are you fairing in this new engagement?"

Atemu slightly cursed his luck before putting on a smile for the five reporters standing in front of him. "Yuugi and I are doing well in our relationship." He purposely kissed Yuugi's hand that he was holding to prove his point.

"Are you looking to set a wedding date anytime soon?"

Yuugi felt like rolling her eyes as they had heard that question one too many times. "No, we are taking things slow for the moment, but we are looking forward to getting married." She flashed a smile for good measures.

One of the reporters seemed to notice Joey standing just behind Yuugi and Atemu. Before Joey knew what was happening a microphone was being shoved in her face. "Who might you be? Are you a friend to Mr. Sennen and Ms. Mutou?"

"Uh…" Joey was at a loss for words. She wasn't sure what she could say that might not sound bad. There were times when reporters could twist a person's words to make the people think they said something else.

Yuugi thankfully came to the rescue as she left Atemu for a moment to stand beside her friend. "This is one of my friends from Domino. She was in town visiting so I invited her to come along to the awards."

"May I have a name?"

"Joey…" Joey told the reporter, she did not want them knowing her full name. They could decide to run background check on her just to see who she really is.

"So you are rather close with Ms. Mutou?"

"We are best friends…"

"Then maybe you could give us some insight on what Ms. Mutou was like behind the scenes while she lived in Domino."

If there was one thing Yuugi hated it was being talked about like she wasn't there. Calmly taking a deep breath, she put a hand on Joey's arm letting her know to keep her mouth shut. "If you have questions about me, please ask me and not my friends. Now if you will excuse us, we must find our seats."

Yuugi turned back to her boyfriend and gently pushed his wheelchair passed the reporters with Joey following not far behind. The reporters quickly moved onto the next victim that walked through the doors.

Joey relaxed once they were in the safety of a hallway headed toward where their seats would be in the stadium. "They are like vultures."

"Welcome to my world…" Yuugi said with a smile. "It's their jobs to hound celebrities down and find out about their lives and if they are keeping any dark secrets. I suggest you do not go anywhere without me or one of Atemu's siblings with you. I'm sure you can handle yourself, but I would hate for you to say the wrong thing."

"Oh I hear you loud and clear." Joey replied back. She in no way wanted to be the cause of Yuugi and Atemu looking bad after just getting her friendship with Yuugi on a healthy level again. "How long is this thing supposed to last?"

Yuugi lead them into the area for the celebrity seats which was on the ground level. They had special seats near the front so Atemu's wheelchair would fit somewhere. "It will take about two to three hours to finish, then there are a few hotels holding after parties and Amun promised to take us to one."

Once they found their seats they relaxed and made small talk as the seats around them started to fill. Yumi and Kek soon joined them again just before Amun's band was about to go on for the opening act.

Sakura: So another chapter has finished and some interesting things have happened. Yuugi is slowly gaining control of her life while her friends are entering the dating world. Next chapter will skip the award show and get to the after party. That is when things will get even more interesting.

Yumi: Review!