Gelly: Oh, lovely reviews! Thank you all so much… I'm happy your all still enjoying this. -smiles- I apologise for leaving you at a cliffy last chapter. -giggles- Well, heres the next chappie! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: -cries- I no own! I just have to make do with my Black Magician Girl plushie… -sudden evil grin- Hmm… Black Magician Girl…

Shoutouts at the bottom!

Puzzle Piece 3

"...Atemu?"

Said teen literally yelped in surprise and jumped out of the bed, hitting the floor harshly. He groaned and rubbed his bruised backside in annoyance. It just wasn't fair! He wasn't used to this many surprises!

The other was blinking down at him. Then, his head tilted. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah... I'm okay." Atemu said, feeling very awkward. Okay, best thing he could do was to try and act normal, ask a few questions and get to the bottom of who this person was, now that he was awake. He stood up, and cleared his throat. "Um... you hungry? 'Cause... well... you've been asleep for a few days, and haven't eaten, so..."

The smaller was blinking at him again, looking like it was odd for him to see the teen act this way. "Uh... sure."

Atemu was very glad to have put his old, small pyjamas on the boy when he first appeared. Otherwise, he would still be naked. Gah, he was too tired for this...

He grabbed the others hand, and took him out of his room and down the stairs towards the kitchen. It didn't matter if it was late, Atemu's brain was just suddenly feeling very frazzled, and he didn't want to deal with this on his own. So, he was hoping that his grandfather had come back downstairs and not to bed.

He was very glad to see the old man at the table, ready a newspaper with a cup of coffee. "Grandpa! I need your help here!"

At the sudden yell, Sugoroku lifted up his head, blinking in surprise at the now awake guest. "Ah! Hello there." He greeted with a smile, waving to the other empty chairs. "Please, have a seat. Atemu, would you go and get him something to eat, please?"

Atemu was half happy, half gapping that his grandfather was once again acting oddly calm, but did as he was told. He guided the boy over to a chair and forcefully sat him down (the other strangely not taking offence to this, but more looking like he was used to it) and quickly went off to make something. The boy was very quiet, and just waited to be addressed. He didn't have to wait long, though.

"So, your the boy from the puzzle, hm? Very nice to meet you."

"Um... very nice to meet you too."

Sugoroku smiled. "Your Japanese is rather good, but I can still hear a hint of another accent there. I'm Motou Sugoroku, and that," He pointed to the teen currently making a cup of soup. "Is my grandson, Atemu Kokuô."

"Sunset king?"

"Yes, something like that." The old man smiled. "Seems you know Anchent Egyptian. Well, seeing as you came from the puzzle, you must do. Now tell me, can you tell us your name?"

The other opened his mouth to reply, but stopped, and closed it. He thought for a moment, but then lowered his head in shame. "I... I can't remember."

"That's okay, no need to worry." The old man soothed, reaching out to pat the boy's hand on the table. "Can you tell us anything? Anything at all?"

Again, he was silent as he thought the request over. Then, he nodded a little. "I... I think I lived in a land covered in sand. The place I lived in was really big... and I served under someone very important." He took a breth. "I think I did something too, something to help a greater cause, but I don't know what." He then frowned. "I can't remember how old I am... or who it was I lived with... but..." He turned his head and gazed at the older looking teen, who had stopped the making of the soup and was watching the two at the table. "I... I think I know you. Every time I look at you... the name 'Atemu' pops up. And I always feel happy, safe, and at peace when I'm with you..." He then lowered his head, his golden bangs shadowing his eyes. "And..."

When he stopped talking, Sugoroku prompted him. "And...?"

"I... feel like this langue isn't my own, even though I understand and speak it really well..."

Atemu looked down at the item hanging around his neck. It glinted, and caused a thought to cross his mind. "Maybe it's the puzzle."

The boy's head shot up and panic covered his face. Only Sugoroku noticed it, but saw the panic vanish when Atemu continued. "Maybe it gave you the ability to speak and understand us? Maybe you picked it up from my mind while I was working on it?"

"It would make sense." Started the old man, spotting the small one to lower his head again. "The puzzle's power is unknown, unlike the other six. But then again, no one knows where those ones are. They vanished many years ago."

Atemu came over and placed the cup in front of the boy, who stared at it. "It's soup. Try it, you might like it."

And he did, only to find out that it needed to cool down first.

 x – X – x – X – x -

"Awright Gramps! Where is he?!"

Sugoroku blinked at the four teens, who in turn glared at him. "Oh, you mean Atemu? He is up in his room. May I ask what's wrong?"

"He lied to us, that's what's wrong!" Anzu shrieked, glaring more. "He was pretending to be sick, when he was just skipping school!"

The old man sighed, but was smiling none the less. Guess Atemu had called his friends. "Ah, I see. Well, if you must go yell at him, please go easy. You may scare our guest."

But the teens ignored the request, and matched on up the stairs. They reached the door to their friend's room and barged in. Jounouchi was the first to yell. "Yam's ya bastard!"

A scream of terror met them, before a small form dashed and hid itself under the bed covers. Another voice itself yelled back.

"Guys! I told you to wait for me to give the heads up to yell at me!"

His friends were staring at the lump under the bed cover.

Otogi pocked his head from behind Honda. "Uh... Yami? What was that?"

"A very scared person!" Atemu said, sounding annoyed, and walked over to the lump. He calmed down his voice to sound soothing. "Little one? Come on, it's okay – they may seem scary, but their actually quite harmless."

Anzu, Jounouchi, Honda and Otogi watched with mild surprise. Atemu had got the other to poke his head out worriedly, and they had all noticed how much he liked like the teen. "Yami? Who is that?" Anzu asked, after Atemu pulled the boy to sit in his lap, head hiding in the teen chest. Atemu sighed, petting the boy's hair.

"I don't know."

 x – X – x – X – x -

"So... dis kid was from the puzzle? And dat was why ya been off dis whole time?"

Their all taking this rather well...

Atemu nodded at Jounouchi. He had explained about what had happened, and after. But apparently, the boy, still nameless, was not really a boy. Atemu and Sugoroku had managed to take the boy to see a doctor to be check over, in hopes of finding something out about him. He seemed fine, and after some tests, the doctors had managed to find out his age. He may appear to look like a 12 year old, when in fact, he was no younger than Atemu. The small teen was just like Atemu; he had the genes that caused him to appear very short and young like, even though the bigger teen looked more older and had sharper features.

"That's right, Jou." Atemu said, still petting the smaller's hair, all five friends sitting in a circle on the floor. The smaller was sitting still in Atemu's lap, and was quietly listening to the conversation. It appeared he had yet to say anything to them. "He was unconscious for the first 3 days, and we didn't know anything about him. He doesn't know anything either. He's completely forgotten."

"Poor thing." Anzu said herself, reaching out to give a small, quick pat on the small teen's head. He didn't protest, but tensed at it a little.

Honda frowned. "He looks terrified of us."

Atemu gave a small laugh. "You should of seen him when we took him to the doctors! When he first woke up, he seemed fine. He spoke to Grandpa fine at first, telling him only a few things he knows. But it seems he's only skitty with new people who just walk through a door without warning. I asked why, but he doesn't tell me, only looks at the puzzle." He frowned, feeling the boy tense up at the mention of the named item. "Once he knows you… he's okay. He just gets very cautious of new things, that's all." Atemu looked down at the one they were talking about. "He said he felt safe with me yesterday, so I think that's why he was fine with me from the beginning."

"So, he got a name?" Otogi asked, peeking closer to the small teen. That just cause him to hide further into Atemu.

He shook his head. "He doesn't know."

"We should name him then!" Anzu said, looking excited.

Honda frowned at the girl. "He's not a pet, Anzu."

At that, Jounouchi grinned. "Yeah, but he might be the lover boy Yams was wishing for!"

Atemu growled, reaching for a random pillow and throwing at his head. The sound the blonde made at contact caused the smaller in Atemu's lap to have a peek at what was going on. "That's not it, Jou!"

Although, if yesterday hadn't happened, he may have been right.

He sighed, and looked down at the other, who in turn looked up back at him. "Do you want to play with my games again?"

It took a moment, but he nodded timidly and got off of his lap, heading over to the scattered toys, game boards and cards. He went and picked up some of the cards and sat down, just looking through them.

"He seems to like your Duel Monster cards." Otogi told Atemu, who smiled.

"Yeah... he said they felt familiar." He smiled. "he's got the game rules real quickly, and is really good at it!"

Jounouchi had decided to ever so slowly creep up to the small teen, in hopes of not frightening him in any way. He had spotted this, however, and tensed up, staring wide-eyed in fear at the blonde haired teen. He stopped, and held up his hands in defence. "'ey, I ain't gonna hurt ya, just wanna talk to ya." The other's look in his eyes calmed, but he still seemed tensed. Jounouchi took this as a sign to move closer. "Ya like Duel Monsters den?"

At the question, he nodded, looking back to the cards. In a whisper, he answered. "...Yes."

"Cool! I play too, but have yet to beat Yams and moneybags..."

The smaller blinked at the grumble at the end of the sentence.

Now seeing that he wasn't going to dash for the bed again, Atemu turned to the other three sitting with him. He placed his chin in his hand. "So... any name ideas?"

"Not little one, obviously." Honda said, crossing his arms. "That sounds more like a pet name between lovers." Otogi nodded in agreement to this, but Atemu just gabbed.

"W-what?!" He spluttered. "No it doesn't!"

"I think it's cute." Anzu spoke, smiling at the scene with said "little one" and Jounouchi, who was now giggling at something Jounouchi said. "But Honda's right – we can't all keep calling him that. It has to be something that suits him..."

They all thought, and in moments, Jounouchi was the one to speak up. "Yuugi!"

"Yuugi?" Honda tried, blinking at him.

"Yeah!" Jounouchi said, nodded vigorously. "He seems ta like games, so I dink it fits 'im perfectly!" He turned his gaze to the newly named boy, who was blinking up at him. "So, whatcha dink? Like it?"

He was silent for a moment... before having a try. "...Yuugi..." He whispered, trying it out on his tong. "Yuugi..." Then, he smiled. "...I like the sound of that. It sounds... familiar."

"...Yeah, I like that to." Anzu agreed, Honda and Otogi nodding also. "It seems to suit him."

"Den, it's settled!" The blonde declared, punching the air. "From now on, ya name is Yuugi!"

Atemu watched as Yogi's face lit up in happiness. He now no longer appeared nameless. He smiled at the sight.

 x – X – x – X – x -

"He seems to be settling in okay." Sugoroku stated, watching Yuugi trying to use the chopsticks to pick up some noodles, failing badly. "Although, I'm not to sure for when you go back to school next week."

Atemu smiled, taking a mouthful of noodles. He swallowed. "He'll be fine, Grandpa. He's stronger than he looks." He gaze over to the young teen, seeing Yuugi was looking back at him. His head was tilted slightly to the side in question.

"What's "school"?" He asked, putting his chopsticks down. It seemed Yuugi was more interested in other things than trying to eat, since he just couldn't pick up the food. Guess the folks with have to come out.

"Well," Atemu started, copying the smaller and putting his own chopsticks down. "It's a really big building, where kids go to learn stuff. Like reading, writing, history, maths..." He gave a small smile. "Lot's of things. But it's not really the most fun place to be."

"Why not?" Yuugi asked, leaning closer over the table.

"Well, it's boring." Was the reply. Atemu had, of cause, left the "bullying" and "failing" parts out, so not to worry the boy. "The more exciting and fun places to go to are the arcade, or the beach. You can do all sorts of things, like play games!"

"Games?" Amethyst eyes lit up in excitement. "What kind of games, Até?

A grin came to the teen's face. Atemu for some reason, simply loved hearing the newly formed nickname come from the smaller's lips. It was odd, how it started, but it mostly began after his friend's had left yesterday late that evening.

"So Yami, you back to school tomorrow?" Anzu asked, stepping out of the shop door to stand with the others.

Atemu shook his head. "I've been off nearly all week. I'm going to take this chance to finish all my homework off."

"And skip out on school for as long as possible." Otogi said, grinning knowingly.

He grinned back. "Yes, that too."

Jounouchi scratched his head. "Ya know, Yams, you seem different."

The tri-haired teen blinked. "Different, how?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. But... ya dun't seem so depressed anymore. Well, not since we last saw ya at school, anyway."

Again, a blink. "Uh... thanks, I guess." He then went and shooed them away, closing the door and turning round, only to jump in surprise. "Geez, don't do that!"

Yuugi tilted his head. "Do what?"

"Just... appear like that!" At the blank look, he sighed. "Nevermind." He said, slumping in exhaustion and heading towards the door at the back of the shop. Yuugi obediently followed him, without another word. It was once they were back in the upper part of the shop, where the flat was, did Yuugi speak up again.

"Atemu, why do they call you "Yami"?"

"It's my nickname."

"Nickname?" He repeated, looking confused. "What's a nickname?"

"It's when someone calls you by something else that you yourself likes, and is very happy for them to continue doing so. And, it can mean anything. "Yami" is my middle name, and I felt a little happier for everyone to call me that instead of Atemu."

"Oh..." Yuugi looked down. "So... you don't want me to call you Atemu?"

Atemu shook his head. "No no, I don't mind. You don't have to call me Yami, but I just like being called that. If I'm honest, Grandpa is the only one who calls me by my first name."

"...Oh." Yuugi said again, looking thoughtful. Then, suddenly, he stopped in mid-step, which in turn, made Atemu stop when he noticed the smaller was no longer following.

"Yuugi?"

"...I remember." He whispered, making the taller's eyes widen.

"W-what?" Atemu asked, surprised. "Remember what?"

"...Your nickname."

He blinked. "My nickname?"

"Well... the someone who is like you." Yuugi looked up, and for a moment, kept a blank look. Atemu was going to make a comment after the silence, but was stopped when a smile was sent his way. "I called you Até.

Atemu didn't have the heart to explain to Yuugi that him and this "other person" weren't the same. And for some reason, it felt right for Yuugi to call him that. And to Atemu, "Yuugi" didn't fell right to him, either. The others, when they said it, seemed fine, but when the teen said it... it just didn't seem to fit in the right sense.

Maybe I should nickname him too...

"Até?"

Atemu blinked, coming out of the memory. "Sorry Yuugi, got lost in thought there."

Yuugi smiled at him. "It's okay." He went back to trying to use his chopsticks. He failed again, but wasn't disheartened. "Umm... Até?"

"Yes?"

"Can... can I come too?"

"Come?"

"To your school."

At this, Atemu looked over to his grandfather unsure. "I don't think you can... right Grandpa?"

A knowing smile, the one the teen had come to hate lately, lit up on Sugoroku's face. "I don't see why not, but I'll have to have a look into it."

Yuugi looked excited at this, but Atemu just turned worried. "Would that really be a good idea, Grandpa?"

"Oh, stop worrying, my dear boy." Sugoroku laughed, reaching over to the teen who sat not too far from him, patting him on the head. Then, he turned to Yuugi. "you may not be able to go for a while, but I'll see what I can do."

"Oh, thank you Mutou-Sama!" Yuugi praised, clapping his hands together. He really did look like a child.

"I can't wait to see what Até's schools like!"

Even though he felt worried, Atemu couldn't help but smiled at him, even though he did feel uneasy. Very uneasy.

 x – X – x – X – x -

It was later evening, and the two had retired to bed. Yuugi was already in Atemu's old, smaller pyjamas, sitting under the covers. Atemu himself was just finishing changing, only wearing his boxes and a white t-shirt. Yuugi was shivering a little from where he sat. "Até..."

"Hey, it's okay." He soothed, crawling into the bed next to him, and wrapping his arms around the rather scared boy. "I'm right here. The darkness won't get you."

Yuugi nodded, getting as close as he possibly could, hiding his face in Atemu's shirt.

This had happened the other night, after returning from the doctors. He was fine, until it started to turn nightfall causing everything to get a little dark. It wasn't so noticeable at first... until Yuugi started to shake in fear, crying out that the darkness was slowly coming to get him again. It took a while, but Atemu had managed to calm him down, and get him into bed for a peaceful sleep.

Atemu sighed, stroking Yuugi's hair. Whenever he asked Yuugi why he was so scared, all he got a shake of the head and a glance at the puzzle. Maybe the puzzle did something horrible to him while he was in it? Yuugi did first appear with all those cuts and blood...

"I won't go to sleep until you do, Yuugi." Atemu whispered, lying them down, Yuugi still in his arms and his head resting on his chest. Yuugi gave a small sigh of contentment, slowly closing his eyes, feeling safe in the arms wrapped round him.

Yuugi smiled softly into the shirt. "Thank you."

The teen was promptly blushing. He just wasn't used to this sort of thing. Although, with Yuugi, it felt natural… weird, but natural. Of cause, it didn't mean he wasn't going to feel uneasy with Yuugi's "touchy feely" moments. Though, once Atemu heard the sounds of Yuugi's breathing to indicate sleep, he calmed and closed his own eyes, letting the darkness take him into sleep full of strange dreams.

Gelly: Sorry if the chappie seems a little confusing… I tried not to make it that way, and will try to not make a so confusing chappie next time.

But if it seemed fine to you than… it's just me. -sweat drop-

Although, it was midnight when I finally finished this… -falls asleep- x-x;;;

Please review? They make me happy.

Protector Of The Nameless: Hmm… yami/hikari switch, eh? Sounds fun, but I'm sure I've read that somewhere… I'll keep that idea, though.

Tensai-Chan: As you've just read, there's a big chance Yuugi will go to school with Atemu. I have a very big idea for that! -smiles-

YamiYugi4ever: Well, I wasn't trying to make it seem like Anzu was dieing for Atemu's love… I agree, Yuugi and Atemu belong together, but everyone knows that Anzu has a deep love for Atemu, and some for Yuugi, in a "I don't know which I love" sort of thing. I like Anzu, and don't find her horrible. I can't understand why lots of people do. She's a right kick-ass tomboy, who loves to dance. -giggles- I thought it's be fun to have her still have feelings for Atemu… but also love the fact that she now has a gay friend to annoy. I have a few little puzzleshipping ideas with this for the story.