Okay! Everyone, thanks a bunch for the reviews! We passed the 100 mark! YAY! CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF US! :D Hope you like this chapter. And, it's the chapter to hopefully answer some of your questions, since this chapter had to be split into two. :P So yeah, it gets really depressing next chapter because Yami's death is in the next one.
PS - This chapter is mostly going to be in Yami's POV. Also, I have inserted a pairing that I'm not really 'happy' about, but it was needed in order for this story to make any sense. Oh! And there's Kaiba OOCness.
WARNINGS - Dark themes, death, etc. You've been warned.
The Ghost of Yami Atem
Chapter 15
Shattered glass frames, dishes, vases, strewn furniture and toppled chairs remained where they were after the storm Yami had caused, plunging the room into a tense state with just two words. Fear had faded into curiosity, but it was still there. Proof of the fear was Grandpa's tight hold around Yugi's shoulders while their two pairs of violet eyes stared into Yami's half-lidded crimson ones which were filled with despair that they weren't sure of. Yami sighed, his eyes slipped shut, and then he opened them to gaze at the ground, his hands lax at his sides in defeat.
"My full name is Yami Atem. I was born in Egypt and lived there until I was five years old. I looked exactly like my mom, and my dad would constantly say that I looked a lot like her because of our multi-coloured hair, our deep purple eyes, and our matching tanned skin. My dad was Japanese, and for my mother we spent a longer time in Egypt instead of immediately moving away to Japan. Eventually though we had to pack up and move permanently to Japan due to dad's work." Yami smiled as he spoke, the faint memories of that time returning to his mind before he continued, his smile turning into a frown that he tried to hide.
"We were quite happy living together, just the three of us, but we were soon separated by fate. When I was ten my dad got into an accident which was caused by a drunk driver late one night. He was coming home from work after promising to take us out to dinner. An hour later though after one phone call, we were forcing dinner down our throats in the hospital, only to vomit it all out when he died just a short while later."
Yami paused, and he pinched the bridge of his nose as he forced a smile to his face, shaking his head slowly. He bit his lip, the smile still on his face, and Yugi watched heartbrokenly at Yami's watery eyes. Yugi felt his heart pounding awfully in his chest, and he wanted nothing more than to run up to Yami and hug him tightly. But, his friend needed the space to speak right now, so he stayed put.
"My mom was heartbroken," Yami continued, his voice cracking. "She would cry and stare into the distance with a blank look in her eyes. She tried to stay strong for me though, constantly forcing a smile on her face and showing me that she's fine. But she wasn't. I could tell. I thought she would never get over it, that is, until she found someone else."
Yami stepped back until he touched the stairs, and slowly he sat down on the steps, staring at his shoes as the person's name ran through his head.
"She met a man named Gozoburo Kaiba." Yami shifted, and looked up with a thoughtful expression. It seemed as if he had gone back to that moment when he met his stepfather, and was just curious. "He wasn't bad at first. I liked him. He was strict at times, but was friendly. I didn't see him often because he worked crazy hours, but I was never born because he also had a son, Seto, who just two years older than me. We got along just fine. We loved to play games and we would constantly be challenging each other, arguing and pushing ourselves to outdo the other at everything. But, I was always better and Seto would always come back again. We were forever rivals." Yami shook his head, chuckling slightly only to stop a short moment later to stare at the ground seriously again.
"After my mom and Gozoburo met, two years later they got married. I had just turned twelve. Things went back to normal, well as normal is it could get with all the new changes. My mom started to smile and laugh again though, and it made me happy. And, our joy only got bigger. Mom was having another baby. It was the best day of my life. With the baby coming, mom decided that the city would be too noisy and she didn't like raising a child in such a hectic surrounding. She wanted to move to somewhere more quiet and peaceful. Gozoburo agreed as well. He was a rich man, so moving wasn't a problem. We then moved here, in this house. He fixed it up, and gave it all to her. It's her house. Aria Atem. It says so at the front of the house, just next to the gate." And with that sentence, Yami motioned to the front door with his head.
"Well, before we knew it the baby was born. It was a boy who we named Heba, and he looked just like my mom and I. A rich tan skin, large purple eyes, and that tri-coloured, pointy hairstyle. A few weeks after he was born though, Gozoburo announced that he had to leave. He was going to America for work. He took Seto along with him, and this was when things spiraled out of control. My mom and I both thought it was some business trip that would last just a few days, but Gozoburo called one day and said that Seto has been noticed for his intelligence at the school he was going to over there. He was planning on letting Seto finish his studies. Mom hesitantly agreed, thinking about Seto's wellbeing since we all knew he was smart. But, after that, I saw both of them two years later."
"Heba had grown during those two years. He was now only two years old, I was fourteen. But we weren't the only ones who changed. Seto had grown cold when we met again. The way he spoke and talked to me felt as if he thought I was a joke to be with. As if I was beneath him. We were step-brothers, I agree, but I never considered him one. I thought of him as my brother. My own blood. That day though proved to me that he didn't think the same."
-Flashback-
"Seto! Where have you been? You didn't even call or email or reply to me! I even sent you a letter!" Yami exclaimed, running up to Kaiba who sat on the couch, typing away on his laptop.
"I was busy," was the curt reply, but Yami wasn't disheartened. He put a hand to his brother's shoulder and shook him.
"What do you mean you were busy? You couldn't have possibly spent all that time in America and not send me a single word that you were alive," Yami said, and he was startled when Kaiba stood up and pushed his hand away from him.
"Yami, go away! What's wrong with you?" he hissed. "Can't you see that there are more important things that I have to be dealing with? You always want to play, huh?" Kaiba growled, clutching his laptop tightly. "You're so stupid. How can I expect you to know anything? You can barely get anything done right."
Yami eyes widened. "Hey, why are you saying that?! I am not stupid." His hands made fists. "Just because you went overseas, doesn't mean you're some bigshot. Tone the ego down, will you? No need to take whatever it is out on me." And with a glare, the blue eyed teen walked away into the kitchen, leaving Yami alone to fume silently.
-Flashback End-
Yami grinned, putting an elbow on his knees as he held his jaw up. "After the whole Kaiba fiasco, my stepfather dropped another bombshell. He decided that we should all move to America with him. My mom refused. She didn't want to go and said she was fine right where she was. I didn't want to move either, so I took her side. However, my stepfather wasn't one who gave in to defeat. He got pretty angry after that. Seto didn't say anything. He just agreed with his father and even tried to change our minds, but my mother wasn't one who gave up easily."
-Flashback-
"Aria, come with me. It will be better for us all. You have to listen to me," Gozoburo said, trying to reason with Aria whilst attempting to keep his calm. The frustration on his features though wasn't very convincing.
"I don't want to go. Why can't you understand that?!" Aria exclaimed, turning to look at him. I saw him clench his fists at her angry tone, and I felt a surge of fear run through my system as he glared angrily at her.
"Aria, why don't you understand?!"
"I like it here. I don't want to go to America! So why can't you understand?!"
"Aria!"
-Flashback End-
"It got bad, fast. Mom sent me to my room, Seto went outside. Heba was taking a nap in his room, which is now your room, Yugi," Yami said, and he met Yugi's worried eyes for a quick second before continuing, "So I went there and stared at Heba, my mind and stomach doing flops. It was at that moment when I realised that they fought a lot ever since he returned, but none was ever as bad as this."
"After a while of staring at Heba who was sleeping peacefully, unaware of everything, it wasn't long after did mom came back. She said it was okay to come out now, but I didn't move. Seeing that I was afraid and clearly worried, she stepped into the room."
-Flashback-
"Yami? You okay?" she asked softly, stepping inside the pale room that was painted a soft white with pale blue curtains with stars all over them. Her footsteps were soundless as she walked across the fluffy white carpet towards Yami who sat on Heba's bed, staring out the window.
"Yeah, I'm okay. But what about you?" Yami asked hesitantly, looking up at her. She looked down and smiled before chuckling.
"He walked out," she stated simply, but she was still smiling.
Yami's eyes widened and he stood up out of surprise. "What?!" he exclaimed, and he watched as his mom sighed as she sat down, her elbows on her knees as she covered her face.
"I told him to leave. I told him if he wants to live there so much, he can just go."
Yami listened carefully as she continued to explain what had transpired. His mother and he had always been close, and Yami was always one who was quite attentive, so his mom told him all of her problems. This time was no different. They never kept secrets from each other. Besides, she had declared the teen old enough to know things a long time ago.
"I tried to explain to him that I needed time to think about it, but he said that he already got flight tickets ready for us." She sighed. "I got mad at him. He went and did it without me knowing. All he went on about was wasting money and how much of an idiot I was being."
She sat up and glanced at Yami with a sad look on her face. "I'm sorry, I acted without thinking. Now he's gone and, and I regret it. I really do," she said softly, and she held Yami's hand tightly as she continued to speak. "He also took Seto with him. Seto was awfully quiet during it all." She sniffed, eyes brimming with tears as the aftermath of it all caught up to her. Yami sat down and shifted closer to wrap his arms around her.
"It's okay, mom. Don't be so sad," Yami said softly, trying to calm her down. "I just wished he understood. But, he'll come back. Just wait until he calms down and then you both can work it out. He always gets mad like this and comes back eventually, right? It'll all be fine."
"Ah, you're too caring for your own good, Yami. Thanks," she said, smiling as she ruffled his hair before standing up. "Well, I'm going to rest for a while. Watch Heba for me, okay?" she said, and Yami nodded and watched as the door closed with a click behind her.
-Flashback End-
Rubbing his arms, Yami continued to tell his story to the extremely silent listeners.
"I regret saying that he'll come back soon, because my mom actually waited for him. Sitting on the couch all day, she would space out and get lost in her thoughts. Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, and as the time went on she became even more frantic. She tried calling him, but he changed his number. Same response from Seto too." Yami shook his head and looked up. "We didn't hear a single word from him."
"Heba was getting upset seeing mom like that. And I got even more worried as she seemed to have lost her mind waiting for him. Her attempts died, so she sat, and just waited. She waited silently like a dead doll."
-Flashback-
"Yami... What wrong wid mommy?" Heba asked slowly, carefully saying his words as he held on to Yami's shoulders as he carried him back and forth across the terrace. Yami looked into Heba's innocent and questioning eyes that gazed intently into his, and easily smiled.
"She's waiting for dad," Yami said simply, and he watched as Heba blinked.
"Then, where is daddy?" he asked softly, leaning his head on to my shoulder. "I no like seeing mommy sad..." he said, pushing his thumb into his mouth, and at that Yami frowned, and patted his back.
"Me neither..."
- Flashback End -
"We haven't seen him for almost a year, and it was during this time when Mom grew ill. Very ill. She stopped eating, and smiling. She didn't bother calling him anymore, but constantly she would look out the window and at the door to see if he'll magically show up."
Yami's head dropped to stare at his lap, his heart cracking as he retold this part of the story. Yugi watched with teary eyes himself as Yami sat on the steps, practically curled up in a little, pitiful ball. It was all heartbreaking, and it was making Yami terribly sad, but he had to know the truth so that he could get help. He had vowed to make Yami happy, and he can only do that after knowing what made him sad.
"My mom had begun to go to the Doctor a lot. One day she had passed out, and I was so scared that I called an ambulance. They reassured me that she'll be fine as I held a crying Heba in my arms, panic and a sense of dread building up inside of me as I looked at her paling body, darkened eyes, and unhealthy state. She hadn't been eating properly too, and neither have we."
Yami coughed, and leaned his head on the banister, closing his eyes. Yugi saw a tear roll down his face.
"My mom returned home the next day, but she went straight up to her room. I knew she wanted to rest, so I played a few games with Heba until he was ready to sleep. I bathed him, changed him, and gave him his bottle until he fell sound asleep. By this time my step-father and Seto had left us for over a year. I had only turned fifteen, just days before my mom left us as well."
- Flashback -
Stepping off the stairs, Yami made his way into the kitchen to help his mom with the morning duties. School was out for March break so they had a week to themselves. It was a good opportunity to try to mend their torn relationship, and try to be happy once again.
"Good morning, mom," Yami began, only to stop and stare at the empty kitchen. With confusion he looked up at the clock. "Huh, it's almost eight. She's usually up by now…" Yami said to himself, and he stepped out of the kitchen to take a look around, only to freeze when he suddenly heard a shrill cry come from upstairs.
"Heba?!" Yami shouted, pinpointing that the sound was coming from his mother's room. He took the stairs two at a time and ran into the room, the door wide open. As soon as he entered, he stopped and stared, horrified by what he saw.
Heba was on the ground, crying tearfully next to his mom's body. His small hands patted his face, grabbed her hands, and shook his waist, but she didn't open her eyes or even move. Shocked, Yami went and flopped down next to him. Hesitantly he touched her head only to pull back. It was cold, and her face was even paler. All colour had been drained from them. And taking a closer look, Yami stared lifelessly as he saw that her chest wasn't moving at all. He took her hand, searching for a pulse, and as each second passed and he couldn't find one, he drew frantic. After several minutes of desperate searching, his mind absolutely empty on what else he should do, he gave up. He allowed her hand to drop to the floor, and stayed still and just stared as tears rolled down his face. Heba was screaming now, crying hysterically, and Yami picked him up and hugged him tightly.
She was already gone.
- Flashback End -
Yami wiped tears away and buried his face into his hands. Yugi and Grandpa both watched as he tried to calm himself. He brushed the tears away and looked up at the ceiling, pain evident in his reddened eyes. He took a few deep breaths, and continued with a shaky tone.
"I buried my mom that afternoon, with the help of my neighbor who cared for us during those times. We didn't want anyone else getting involved, nor did we want to go to an orphanage where we would risk getting separated from each other. So, I took care of Heba with a little help from this neighbor of ours. Heba became my responsibility, and I had even more to sacrifices to make because that neighbor passed away naturally after a few weeks. I dropped out of school to take care of Heba since we had no money, and no food. We were running low on everything, so I had to step up to save the last of my family."
"As I walked around the street, taking up odd jobs here and there, trying to find work wherever I can to feed my brother, it was during then when I knew that Gozoburo would never come back. Seto would never return. It was then when I started to hate them."
Okay! So I hope you liked this chapter. We shall continue Yami's tale in the next chapter which is just as long as this one, so please review and I will try my best to update as soon as possible. xD.
Thank you for reading and reviewing. It is appreciated.