Hello everyone! Thank you for the many reviews. You all really know how to make me happy. Sorry that I couldn't update earlier. Really had to get that other fanfic of mine updated. This story now only has two more chapters, and I hope you all continue to love this as much as I do.

Enjoy!

The Ghost of Yami Atem

Chapter 18

With a faraway look in his eyes, Grandpa stirred the broth in the small pot on the stove absentmindedly that night. It was quiet, the only sounds coming from the hisses the stove would make and the few times the spoon would hit against the edge of the pot. Grandpa though didn't seem to care since he just stood there, lost in his thoughts.

Many things have been revealed to him only hours ago, and he had to be honest. He was still having a tough time processing it all. He had a ghost living in his home, and it was a ghost that had a very troubling past. And, now that he thought about it and heard of it again, his memory was jogged. He did hear about Yami's story before.

A couple of years ago he had read in the newspapers about a teen who was found dead in his home, months after his demise as shown through autopsies. Of course, he had never seen Yami before. When he had watched it on the news channels, and read about through the newspapers, a picture was never shown of Yami. He was underage, for one, plus they didn't have any way to contact his folks to gain permission. And even if they were able to show him through the media, it would have been hard getting a single photo of him. Now he knew though. Now he knew the full story, and realised that he was living in that very same house where that horrible accident had happened.

Sighing, his brow furrowing from fatigue, Grandpa turned the stove off and using pot holders he moved the pot over to the counter top. His stomach wouldn't stop churning from worry, sadness, and utter fear for the boy. Yugi had been playing with this ghost, Yami, from day one. Ever since they had moved in. Clearly he wasn't dangerous at all, but he never believed it. Yami had done so much for his Grandson. He was very kind, and caring, and through his story he understood that very clearly. To have something that tragic happen to him, it was hard to accept.

Yugi had been silent ever since Yami had disappeared a few hours ago, seconds after completing his story. Yami had no doubt gone to his room, or somewhere else where he could be alone, but Yugi had went straight up to his own room in tears. Yugi cared about Yami a lot, and if Grandpa wasn't yet able to accept what happened to Yami, then Yugi definitely wouldn't be able to forget. But, it felt eerie knowing that when you thought you were alone, you actually weren't. He was constantly on edge as he now knew someone else lived with them, and the scariest part was not being able to tell where they were. For all he knew Yami was watching him right now.

Yet, even though this was Yami's home, he was a spirit. He was supposed to move on like his little brother had, but was unable to do so for some reason. Something was keeping Yami attached to earth, and no matter how hard Grandpa tried to think of what that something was, he couldn't figure it out. None of his hypothesis came close to a good enough reason, so now he was left stumped. Yugi considers Yami a brother, so he had to consider Yami his Grandson, therefore he wasn't going to let his grandson wander around earth, restless. He had to do something to set his spirit free, but what?

A thought then dawned on the old man, and he stopped placing the plates on the table to just stare in wonderment at the ground. It was a farfetched idea, and it might not even work, but it was worth the try. He understood that Yami was upset right now, but he had to speak with him. He had to ask Yami what could possibly be gnawing away at him in such a manner that his soul doesn't want to move on.

"Y-Yami?" Grandpa called out nervously, pausing his chores and looking around since he didn't know where Yami would pop up. "I want to talk, for a minute, if you don't mind," he said, gulping slightly. Just when he thought that the spirit won't show, Grandpa immediately felt the familiar gust of cold air around him. Yami was near. And to prove it, Yami appeared in front of him. Grandpa gave a sigh of relief before he took a look up at Yami who had spoken.

"Yes?" Yami questioned, his voice firm. Even though the spirit tried to keep a cold tone, Grandpa still saw how upset he was. His arms were wrapped around his chest, and his eyes were downcast. And just as Grandpa stepped forward a little, Yami took a nervous shuffle backwards. Seeing that, Grandpa stopped and Yami stood quietly as well.

An awkward silence fell upon the two males, and unable to stand it any longer, Yami looked up at Grandpa.

"Why did you call me?" Yami asked, and at the question Grandpa cleared his voice.

"Yami, I'm sorry to hear what happened to you," he said, and he watched worriedly as Yami just smiled and shook his head to himself, smiling sadly.

"Don't be sorry. You wouldn't have been able to do anything for me."

Grandpa looked to the floor as Yami's words stung him a little, but he pushed it to the back of his mind. Yami had given up on being free, but he had to change that. He had to push through that barrier Yami had built up thinking that he had no one. Even if his family wasn't there, he had him and Yugi now as his family.

"I know, but that's where I think I can be able to help you. I want to help you finally find peace. I wanted to know if you know why you're still here," Grandpa explained, and he looked at Yami who bit his lip and shook his head slightly, his eyes falling back to stare at the wooden floor.

"No. I just can't move on."

"Why not?" Grandpa asked.

"I'm not sure," Yami said. "I do know that something is holding me here. I mean, that's how all ghosts work, right?"

"Do you know what it is?" Grandpa asked him again, and he watched Yami curiously.

"If I did, I wouldn't still be here, now would I?" Yami said, sarcasm in his voice.

Grandpa nodded, noticing where Yugi may have picked up some of his snide remarks. But as for Yami, he wasn't lying in any way. He really didn't know why he was here. The reason had to do with his past. The thing that still bothered Yami was his family, so maybe he could start from there and see if a memory, or thought, stuck out from the rest.

"Do you miss them?" he asked, and he glanced at Yami as he leaned against the dining table.

Yami looked up at the question. "Miss who?"

"Your parents," Grandpa clarified quietly, and he saw Yami take a sharp breath before eventually nodding slowly, his eyes slipping closed for a few seconds.

"Yeah. I miss my mom and my real father. And I miss Heba. That's all who I miss," Yami said, and his voice went dark. "I don't care about my step-father. He can go to hell for all I care."

Grandpa looked at Yami, understanding on his face. "What about Seto?" he then asked.

Yami looked at him with a scowl, the dark tone being replaced with a bitter one. "I don't care about him. I hate him as well. He knew what was going on. He disagreed with his father's decision as well, but he did nothing to stop it. He went along with his father no matter what he thought because all he ever did want was the company. He did nothing to help us," Yami cried out. "He was selfish. I thought he cared, but he turned out to be just like his father!" and at that, Yami slammed his fist down on the table as he broke down, struggling with his tears due to frustration. He clenched his teeth together, taking slow and deep breaths as he tried to keep calm. However, tears still fell down and he used his sleeve to wipe them away.

Grandpa struggled hard not to go and comfort the teen, but held back since he didn't know how to approach him, or what to even say. This was his first conversation with Yami. They had never met face-to-face like this, so it would take some time for them to become comfortable with each other. He didn't want to do something which would make Yami react badly, so all he could do about the situation right now was wait until Yami calmed down by himself.

"He called me once. A few weeks after my mom died." Yami suddenly said, and Grandpa looked up and gave Yami a questioning glance.

-Flashback-

"Hello?" a small voice said into the phone, hands holding the receiver cautiously.

"Yami?"

Yami's eyes widened, a relieved and happy smile breaking out on his face as he finally heard the other teens voice. "Seto?"

A nervous chuckle. "Yeah, it's me," Seto said. "How are you?"

Yami played with the cord, wrapping the red wires around his fingers distractedly. "I'm, okay. What about you?"

"I'm good too. How's mom?" Seto asked, and it was then when Yami stilled and fell quiet for a while before answering, his voice cracking as he spoke.

"She's okay too."

Seto was silent for a while before speaking once again. "Yami, I'm sorry, I really am, for what dad did. But you know him, he just refuses to listen," he explained, but Yami said nothing for a while. He did know about his father's temper, but he had hoped that Seto would have been able to convince him.

"Why didn't you stop him?" he asked softly, and he could hear Seto's sigh through the phone.

"Yami, try to understand. I did try. I tried a lot before we got to the house, but he was persistent on wanting you guys to go with him. Yami, you should have just came with us. We could have lived happier and the company could have grown!" Seto exclaimed.

"But we were happy. Right where we were," Yami said. "That's why we didn't want to go. That's why mom didn't want to go. So since she didn't want to go, I refused as well," Yami said.

Seto sighed again, and Yami could hear his frustrated breathing. "I was trying to prevent this from happening, but, dad is planning on going there to get you guys again."

Yami's eyes widened. "What?" he gasped.

"Yami, we both know how he gets when he's mad. You know he has a bad temper, so just listen to him and you can prevent anything else from happening!" Seto said, trying to reason with him, but Yami refused to listen. His step-father had done enough damage already. He wasn't going allow his to ruin his family any further.

"Sorry Seto, but I will do no such thing."

"Yami! You're being difficult!" Seto yelled. "You're going to regret it if you don't come. He isn't going to take that answer lightly. He'll get angry."

Yami's eyes hardened. "No! You just aren't trying hard enough! All you want is the company in your hands, that's why you're being a dog for him!" Yami cried into the phone as his voice quaked, choked sobs erupting.

Seto was silenced at Yami's tone, and he tried his best to calm himself down. "Yami, you don't understand... I'm calling to give you a heads up. When he goes there and starts yelling, don't say I didn't warn you. You have your options."

"Just save it, Seto Kaiba!" Yami yelled, and he slammed the phone down before the other could say another word.

-Flashback End-

"That's why I hate him. Now, is there anything else you want to know?" Yami asked harshly all of a sudden. Grandpa was taken aback once again by the tone, but shook his head. The memory was what put Yami in the sour mood, so it was understandable.

"I just want to let you know that I'm going to try everything in my power that I can to help you," Grandpa said, and he watched as Yami nodded.

"Thank you," the boy said, and he vanished once again.

Standing there for a while longer, Grandpa eventually turned around and continued to set the table, lost in his thoughts once again. He wished that he could do something for the boy. The conversation opened some doorways. He was still very upset by his step-brother's supposed betrayal. So far, the last of Yami's family was Seto Kaiba, and he wasn't any joke. He was known across the country, probably even the world. He was very rich indeed, so maybe he could do something about this. Maybe he'll atleast know something.

Making up his mind, Grandpa decided that he'll find a way to help Yami. Seto Kaiba was his only lead into helping Yami, and contacting such a big man was anything but an easy task. But first, he needed to finish dinner, then he would try to contact a certain someone...

Time seemed to have started to tick slowly as Yugi laid on his bed with the pillow in his face, holding it close like a teddy bear. He had stopped crying a while ago, but after that all he had been thinking about was Yami. He was just plagued with worry and sorrow that he didn't know what to do. Not even in his wildest dreams would he have thought that Yami gone through something so horrific. He was hurt so badly, and was no doubt hiding out in his room, extremely upset by the memories he had to retell.

Sitting up, Yugi leaned against the board of his bed and pulled his knees close, still clutching the pillow tightly. He wanted to know what made Yami sad so that he was able to help him feel better, but now he didn't know how to even heal something to terrible. What could he possibly do to make Yami happy? Jokes and teases weren't going to make him smile. Maybe for a while, but not forever. Yami was alone. He had no family. He had no one to talk to. All he had was himself- no.

Throwing his pillow to the side and jumping off of his bed, Yugi walked towards the door. Yami wasn't alone. He had him and Grandpa. They were his family now, weren't they? Yami wasn't alone, so maybe he could make Yami happy by telling him that. Yami did say that they were now brothers, so there was no way Yami could say that he was absolutely alone. They had each other.

Stopping at Yami's door, Yugi took a deep breath before knocking. Silence. He knocked a little louder and waited patiently, but he still had no response from Yami. Staring at the door silently, Yugi just decided to turn the knob and enter. Yami was in there, and he wasn't going to let the spirit drown in his sadness alone any longer.

Peeking in, Yugi saw that Yami was indeed in the room. He was lying on the bed, his eyes closed. He wasn't sleeping though. He could tell because the spirit's body was way too stiff to be sleeping soundly. Closing the door as he stepped in, Yugi made his way over to the bed and looked at Yami's turned posture. Shaking his head, knowing that he was being ignored, Yugi grinned and got up on to the bed where he plopped himself on top of Yami.

"Yugi..." Yami groaned, and he turned slightly to look up at Yugi. As soon as Yugi saw Yami's face, the smile dropped as he took in the red, tearstained face and puffy eyes. Shaking it off, knowing that he was here for to make Yami smile, Yugi grinned brightly.

"Wake up sleepy head!" he laughed, and he stayed firm on top of the spirit who tried to push him off. Since he wasn't moving, Yami turned back to the side and used his arms to cover his face once again. Yugi shook his head.

"Yami," Yugi said, and he poked Yami's cheek. "Yami. Yami. Yami. Yami," he kept on repeating, poking Yami as he said it. Yami got frustrated and flinched, but giggling Yugi continued to do it until Yami snapped.

"Heba, stop that!" he cried, sitting up abruptly and opening his eyes. Thrown to the bed, Yugi stared up at Yami with wide eyes, watching the spirit who froze after realising what he had just said. Yami glanced at him, and Yugi saw the pain that was etched into his eyes.

Sorry Yugi," Yami said softly. "It's just that, Heba would do the same thing to me as well."

Yugi looked at him and sat up. "You miss him, don't you?" he asked, and Yami nodded.

"Yeah, every day. I miss him a lot."

Yugi looked at Yami with curious eyes. "What was he like?"

Yami smiled at the question. "He was just like you. And, to be honest, every time I see you, I see Heba as well." Yami sighed, continuing to smile to himself. "I love him a lot," Yami confessed, and he jumped when he was suddenly grabbed into a hug by Yugi.

"Well, I am your little brother Yami. And you're my big brother. Don't think that you're alone. You have me and Grandpa now. We're you're family."

Yami brushed Yugi's hair back gently, and planted a kiss on his forehead.

"I know Yugi," Yami said, and then he frowned. "It's just, hard, remembering that I have people around me now that cares for me. All I can think about is Heba, and what happened to me. It was starting to seem as if I was cursed and would never be happy again. This house was my only memory. I just love them so much."

"What about Seto?" At that question however, Yami immediately stopped and looked at Yugi with wide eyes. "Will you ever forgive Seto?" Yugi asked, and he watched as Yami leaned against the head of the bed.

"No..." Yami said quietly, and he frowned.

Yugi looked at Yami with a sad look. "Why not?"

"Because he doesn't deserve it," Yami stated. "All he cares about is himself, so I won't care about him either."

"But you do care," Yugi said. "You love him too, don't you?"

"No I don't," Yami said. "At one point I did. I put all my trust and faith into him that he'll come back. But no, he didn't. He just wanted the company. Nothing else."

"I'm sure he had a good reason," Yugi said, trying to make Yami understand. Surely Seto loves him too, right?

Yami scoffed though. "Yeah, he had a reason all right. Be a hero and then dump his brothers to die. Better yet, rot."

Yugi watched as Yami got under the blanket, pulling it up to his neck. Seeing Yami under the sheets, Yugi sat there and turned the lamp off for the spirit, plunging the room into darkness. Grandpa would be calling him for dinner soon.

"He wasn't always like that," Yami then spoke up just as Yugi turned to get off of the bed. "He cared about us. To us, he was our big brother. He would never let us down or let anything hurt us. Yes, he can be proud, arrogant and stubborn most of the time, but he cared."

Yugi looked towards the floor as he listened to Yami.

"I wonder what happened to him. Why the sudden change?" Yami sighed. "I just want to know why he stopped caring about us."

Yugi looked at Yami's turned back before moving closer and wrapping his small arms around him. "Well I care, Yami," Yugi said reassuringly, and he looked at Yami's face.

Yami smiled before drifting off to sleep. "I know."

I hoped you all liked this chapter. Please review and I will try my best to update as soon as possible again. Thanks!

So weird… My author note wasn't long for this chapter… o.O

PS: Oh, you know what I should have done... Switched this with the previous chapter. Ah, screw ups... Chapter 16 was Yami's memory, chapter 17 was Grandpa's call to Kaiba, and this chapter happened in between. Yeah... So out of order. Re-editing sucks. I'll switch it by next chappie. Stupid me. Ugh. Realised that while writing, but I didn't want to confuse you all. xD

Bye~