Hi everyone! Sorry for not having a note on the last chapter, still new to this fan fiction thing. (: I want to thank everyone who reviewed the last chapter and everyone who added my story to their Favorites and Alerts list! It means a lot to me to hear your opinions and I hope you'll continue to read my story. Anyway, let's continue!

Chapter 2: Reluctance in Dreams and Reality

"Okay, my turn again!" Anzu exclaimed and spun the bottle.

As we watched the bottle spin, I stood. "Hey, Anzu, is it okay if I got a drink?"

"Sure, Yuugi! Help yourself!" Anzu replied, eyeing the bottle.

I broke away from the circle and made my way to the kitchen. Searching the cabinets, I found a glass and filled it up with water from the sink. I picked up the glass and was heading back to the living room when I heard Yami's name.

"Alright, Yami, truth or dare?" I heard Anzu said as I peeked around the corner.

The group was still in a circle with an empty space where I had been sitting. The bottle had finally stopped and was pointing to Yami. I figured as much and took a sip of my water.

"True, I guess," Yami replied.

"Okay," Anzu said and blushed slightly. "Is it true…" I was expecting a boring question but Anzu surprised me. "Is it true that if I asked you out you'd say 'yes'?"

Everyone gasped at once and I ended up choking on my water. I tried to stifle my coughs by covering my hand over my mouth and I hid my face in the wall. In the living room, everyone was quiet. When I had control over myself I stared at Anzu, disbelief written on my face, as did everyone else.

Yami was the only one who remained unruffled. He gazed at Anzu calmly and answered, "Yes, I would."

Anzu's face turned to scarlet. "Then, Yami, would you… would you go out with me?"

Then, in the same calm attitude, Yami replied, "Yes."

Somewhere, deep inside of me, something snapped. I suspected that it was my mind link with Yami.

Everyone left shortly after that. Ryou and Malik were the first to go, clearly in shock and not trying to hide it. Jonouchi and Honda left next, throwing confused glances at me as they left. Yeah, like I had the answers. Then, after prying Anzu off of him, I practically dragged Yami down the street.

Our walk back home was spent in an uncomfortable silence. That was okay, I guess. I didn't feel like talking anyway. I was too busy coping with the hole in my chest to carry on idle chatter. The line, the invisible link I have with Yami was gone, severed. I had never felt so empty in my entire life and an ache dominated my chest. I felt as if I had lost something vital to my very being, which I had.

I had lost Yami, my other half, to my childhood friend.

Periodically throughout our trip home, Yami snuck glances at me. I wouldn't return his stares, how could I? So I ended watching the ground beneath my feet the whole time. Eventually Yami gave up and we continued our trek home.

When we had reached the Game Shop, we approached the front door and reached for it at the same time. Our hands touched briefly before I jerked my hand away sharply.

"Sorry," I muttered, staring at my shoes as if there was something interesting on them.

I stepped up to the door and reached for the doorknob a second time. With my hand on it, I was about to open the door when Yami stopped me.

He grasped my arm and pulled me back towards him. Surprised at his sudden actions, I twisted in his grip and fell against his chest. If someone were to see us, they would think Yami and I were giving each other an awkward hug.

I leaned against him, my head resting on his chest and my arm twisted behind my back. My face began to flush and my heart pounded in my chest. We stood like that for a while; our bodies held together so close I could feel Yami heart beating.

"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice muffled by his school shirt.

Yami remained silent as he released my arm. One of his hands found its way around my waist and his other lifted my face up to his. Crimson met athemyst and I gazed at him with pondering eyes. His eyes gave nothing away and different scenarios rose in my head.

What is he doing? I thought frantically. Wait, is he going to try to kiss me again?

Yami stared deep in to my eyes and, by watching the resolve form in his eyes, I was able to confirm my suspicions. He began to lean down slowly, his face coming closer to mine. I closed my eyes, my body betraying my mind, which was screaming that what was happening was wrong. Which it was but who cares?

Our lips were barely inches apart when I heard the bells on the Game Shop door jingle, signaling that the door was opening. I pushed Yami away abruptly, causing him to lose his balance. My hand shot out and caught his wrist just as he began to fall. I pulled him up and dropped my hand just as a young couple emerged from the shop.

The pair smiled politely at us as they passed, and I began to wonder if my face was still flushed. I dismissed the thought instantly and stared blankly at the entrance to the Game Shop.

"Yuugi," Yami began but I ignored him.

Instead, I reached forward and grabbed the door just before it closed. I entered the shop and dragged my feet until I reached my room. Once inside, I shut the door quietly, locked it, and crawled into my bed. Images of what had just occurred flashed in my head, making my face redden. My heart did flip-flops in my chest and refused to slow despite my various efforts.

After lying in my bed for an hour or so, I began to calm down and flipped over unto my back. I gazed longingly at the ceiling, actually regretting that I had pushed Yami away. It felt as if my heart was being torn between my friendship with Anzu and my love for Yami. I weighed my options, which weren't many at this point, unable to find a solution I was particularly fond of. In the end, one of us was going to get hurt and I vowed to make sure that it wouldn't be Yami.

As I tried to gather my fleeting thoughts, I quietly fell asleep.

Moonlight streamed in from my overhead window, illuminating my room in a white light. My eyes were half-closed and I stared absently at the ceiling above me. The edges of my vision were tinged in white, making the room around me seem dream-like.

Wait a second, this is a dream, I thought distractedly.

Unseen hands began to run their fingers through my hair and I released a gasp as they caressed my face and body. I gently closed my eyes and opened them again to find Yami on top of me, shirtless and grinning seductively.

"Yami, what are you doing? How did you get into my room?" I asked, confused and slightly groggy.

His smile broadened and he leaned down to kiss my forehead. I let out another gasp as his hand travelled down to a very intimate area. "Does it even matter?" He asked.

I began to say "Yes, it does," but what came out was "No, I guess not."

He smiled even more at my response and he began to lean forward again. This time I didn't fight back. Instead, I lay back against my pillows, waiting to feel his lips on mine…

I awoke with a start and sat up quickly. Sunlight glittered into my room, bathing my surroundings with light. I gazed around my room, feeling a little disoriented, and I noticed that I was still wearing my school uniform. I glanced at my alarm clock and saw that it was eight in the morning.

I guess my little nap turned into actual sleep, I thought.

My dream drifted on the edges of my memory and I was surprised by its vividness. It had felt so real, I was sure I had felt hands on me…

Dammit, you're an idiot, Yuugi! I thought fiercely. So close, so damn close and you just had to wake up!

Distractedly scratching my head, I decided to just get over it. I jumped out of my bed and began to scavenge for a pair of decent clothes to change into. After that I contemplated what to do and settled on just hopping into the shower. I unlocked my door and stepped into the hallway.

All was quiet in the dim space which told me that Grandpa and Yami were probably still asleep. I crept silently down the hall to the bathroom, using the wall as a guide as my eyes adjusted to the semi-darkness.

I had just passed Yami's room when I heard his door open, its creaky hinges startling me. Yami stepped out then, wearing a black tank top and black leather pants. He yawned and stretched his arms over his head, but smiled when he saw me.

"Oh, good morning, Yuugi," he greeted me. "Off to take a shower?"

"Good morning, Yami," I returned the greeting. "And yeah I'm going to take a shower."

My darkness nodded. "Okay… we missed you at dinner last night."

"Yeah, sorry about that. I was working on some homework and I guess I fell asleep." I lied. It's not like I was going to tell him the truth and admit that I had fallen asleep thinking about him.

"You had homework on a Friday?" Yami asked.

"Uh, actually it's a project for, uh, Theatre." I fibbed, adding on to my lie.

Yami nodded again. "Oh, okay… by the way, I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Well, I was wondering if you, Jou, and Honda, wanted to see a movie with Anzu and me." Yami suggested, hope flashing in his eyes. "Ryou and Malik already told me that they couldn't make it."

I stared blankly at him, images of what had happened the day before swirling in my head. I'm not sure if I should go or not; I mean, it is their first date. I thought solemnly. Wait, what am I saying? If I don't go, it'll just be awkward for Jonouchi and Honda.

"Sure, I'll go," I answered, deciding to just go along. "So what movie are we going to see?"

Yami closed his eyes and thought my question over. "Well, I was going to let Anzu decide. After all, this is our first date."

I actually felt myself die a little inside when he said the words "first date." It's strange how such simple words could have such an impact when spoken aloud.

"Oh… wonderful." I replied carefully, fighting to keep the pain in my heart out of my voice.

Man, I feel kind of bad for Yuugi. Let's see what happens when they go to the movies! Rate and Review!