Hmm, February's almost over. Wait, I just remembered that there's only 28 days in February anyway... Gosh, I'm an idiot. So... Last February update this year I guess? This one turned out a little differently than I expected... Puzzleshipping, set in an undefined point in the canon plotline. Which of course means that the Puzzleshipping is non-established and can be seen as platonic, but it's there if you look for it. So, pretty much like the canon interpretation. / /shot

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy it, here's #30!

#30 - Childhood

Words - 600

Yu-Gi-Oh doesn't belong to me, but to Kazuki Takahashi.

Yuugi had a fairly simple childhood.

Sure, he wasn't the most popular of children, but the friends he did have were enough for him.

His friends would often meet him after class and play games with him; chess, snakes and ladders, whatever they could get their hands on. It was fun, and they made Yuugi feel that he actually belonged.

However, his fondest days were those he spent with his grandpa, being taught the many wonders of the gaming world; the best strategies, simple techniques, and reasons never to cheat. Gaming was something he based his life around, it came naturally to him.

Even when he was alone, he would play games to entertain himself; whether it was with the latest video game, or a simple pack of playing cards, he could always find something new and challenging to occupy his time with.

But sometimes, it was a good thing that there was someone else around the house he could play games with.

Admittedly, their situation was rather...Complicated. What, with The Other Yuugi sharing a body with him and whatnot, and he'd never had a game of chess resulting in such a pounding headache before.

"Aibou..." The Other Yuugi frowned. "Aibou, it's your turn."

He blinked in confusion for a moment, and eyes formerly fogged over by his reminiscence of the past became clearer, realizing he was back in control.

"...Oh." After a few thoughtful seconds, he slowly took hold of the black bishop still remaining on his opponent's side of the board, placing it a square away from the pawn in a diagonal direction. The puzzle glowed as The Other Yuugi took control of the body, and his hand instantly moved to capture the bishop, faltering at the last second as he realized his partner's strategy.

"What were you thinking about?" He asked curiously, instead moving his castle forward three spaces and capturing Yuugi's knight. The boy cursed quietly before pondering his own turn.

"Just how things were when I was a kid." He shrugged and the puzzle glowed again, letting him make his next move. "And this game's giving me a headache..." He groaned, and The Other Yuugi chucked in amusement.

"We can stop playing if you want."

"No, it's fine. It's good to get a chance to play games for fun again."

He rested his chin in his palms lazily. "What exactly was this childhood of yours like?" Yuugi smiled dreamily, making the spirit smile back.

"Well... I played a lot of games, just like I do now, I guess." He shrugged, before continuing. "Anzu and me used to play all the time..."

The Other Yuugi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Seems like you really have known Anzu for a long time." His tone became teasing. "So why is it that you still haven't asked her out to a date yet?"

"...Mou Hitori No Boku!" Yuugi glared at his other half while the other could do nothing but smirk smugly as his Aibou blushed. Trying to ignore the laughter now escaping the devious spirit, he handed over control, reminding him further of the pounding headache he was getting from continuously being out of his own body with not much time to adjust. "Anyway..." He muttered sheepishly as the puzzle spirit moved another piece. "I got the puzzle when I was eight. After that... Well, it was my favorite way to spend my time."

"What about before the puzzle?"

Yuugi stared at the other for a while before sighing. "There were a lot of good moments in my childhood, but... Somehow, you were always there for me."

"And I always will be. Right until the end."

Hesitation.

"...You know, maybe we should just call it a night."

Please don't talk about leaving...

Sometimes I hate that damn word cap, but I can only blame myself. the ending turned out sorta angsty... And the beginning I'm not happy with. But I needed quite a lot of this in place, meaning I couldn't elaborate, but if I could, I would've had their conversation last a little longer. Still, I love how angsty they get when one of them brings up Yami leaving and how they quickly change the subject and get all upset... Sounds mean, but I'm guessing that a lot of you guys are like that, too. I mean, it's Puzzleshipping... XD

Thanks for the ten reviews last chapter... Well, there were nine reviewers, since onigiri chibi reviewed twice, but still! XD And thanks to Dark-Wiccan-Goddess simply for saying that I wasn't at my best last chapter. I wasn't very happy with it, so I'm relieved that I got a review mentioning that... Not only do I agree, but I feel more compelled to try harder.

Anyway, thanks to Dark-Wiccan-Goddess, Shadow Lover 123, TheCrystalEevee, Scaehime, samaurai, xfallenangel13x, ChangeOfHe4rt, YamiNoIcexIcuo, and onigiri chibi for the reviews last time! x3

Next Drabble - #31 - Wounds