Well, the site's still here... I hope the last bill was a false alarm. The petition got nowhere near enough votes... Ifit's not a fake, we probably don't have much time left. Still, I'd rather be optimistic and believe we have all the time in the world, so here's the new chapter. I hope it's actually shown up in your messages, guys! Enjoy!

#41 - In Your Arms

Words - 1000

Setting - Sequel to Fear and Pride. Set during Battle City. Yami's POV

Shipping/s - Puzzleshipping

Warning/s - None

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

Again, we won!

Your transparent form is smiling as you tell me you knew we could do it, before I gather our deck, graciously accepting the duel monsters card and the map card we received for beating another Battle City Duelist. That's just it, though. You see us as a team, again.

I relinquish control of the body and you ask me if I'd like to take a break; we have plenty of time, after all, we should have no trouble getting into the finals as long as we continue our teamwork. Besides, Marik will do anything to get his hands on all three God Cards, and we can't let that happen!

I nod, my eyes narrowing slightly as I catch sight of your 'friends'. Of course, they only hate me, but I still can't really see them as your friends. After all, even after the fire incident, Jounouchi has kept his distance, as have the others.

But I can see the longing in their eyes. No matter how much they hate me, they really want to be able to talk and laugh with you again. You're just that type of person, Aibou. Jounouchi needs that support to duel, I saw ones of his duels today and he looked... Lost. I'm surprised he won a duel today at all. Anzu seems devastated... I can tell how much she cares for you, and I can't begrudge her that, even if you are mine. Everything about you is so easy to love, I'd be more surprised if she wasn't a complete wreck without you.

Even Honda doesn't seem the same. He was the last of them to befriend you, and I can see his pride conflicting with his emotions, but that's just it. He acts colder... Merely your presence is enough to turn anyone's life around. But without it... I can see why he's beginning to revert.

I'm glad they can't see my glare right now. All they see is you, that's why their faces show exactly what they're feeling. Longing. I shouldn't be angry. They have all rights to be mad at me. But they shouldn't take it out on you. Or maybe you should just throw away the Puzzle. Your friends would finally have you back. After all... I'm merely a spirit. What you have with them is far more real, far more permanent.

"Never."

I blink, only to realize that you'd spoken, albeit quietly. I guess you don't want to be overheard and thought of as crazy. "I'd never throw away the Puzzle. They just need time, is all. They'll come to realize you're not the same person you were during Duelist Kingdom. You've changed, become kinder, less heartless. They'll see that at some point. And then they'll let us back in."

I shake my head with a soft smile. 'Aibou, you're too kind for your own good. I wish that would happen, but I highly doubt it. Still, if you want to believe, I guess I'll try to have faith too.'

You beam, inconspicuously reaching your hand out to hold mine. "Thank you..." You whisper.

All I can do is smile back as I reply. 'I love you.' I squeeze your hand for reassurance, and you respond in kind.

"I love you, too. Forever."

We barely notice as we walk past the other three, that is, until a hand is placed on your shoulder.

You turn.

Jounouchi.

"Yuugi..." He says quietly. I can see the regret all their eyes. Maybe you're right. Then, as quickly as it had arrived, it was gone. He snapped his eyes shut, not letting either of us know what turmoil he was going through as he tried to process, for what probably felt like the thousandth time, what had occurred back then, when you had picked me. Sensing my guilt, your grasp on my hand tightens, as if trying to tell me that no matter what, you'll always pick me. This thought warms my heart considerably.

The blonde sighs, before he and the others begin to walk away. Hanging his head in shame, he murmurs a 'Sorry...' when he thinks we're too far away to hear.

'I think you're right...' I murmur softly as we head to a more secluded spot in the city. 'Given time... Maybe you'll get your friends back.'

"Our friends," You correct sternly. "I know you don't hate them, and I know they don't hate you, either. You've changed all our lives for the best, I know they miss you." I smile warmly.

'Thank you, Aibou...'

"You're welcome, Mou Hitori No Boku!"

We sit down in the shade of a tree in a rather unknown part of Domino, where we don't have to worry about the strange looks you would receive. I sigh.

'I can't believe how strong Mokuba-Kun has grown as Duelist since Duelist Kingdom... But I guess he wants to do this for his brother. Setting up this whole tournament, improving so much in so little time... He's being forced to grow up at such a young age.'

You nod, readjusting your position to wrap your arms around me gently. "I guess he is... But Kaiba-Kun meant a lot to him, after all. They were brothers, and I'm sure Mokuba-Kun feels that carrying on his brother's legacy is what he would want. Sibling love is very powerful, after all, and he knows that Kaiba-kun cared for him. He died just to prove that."

A pang of guilt rips at my heart, and you tighten your hug. I lean into it, resting my head on your chest for comfort as you silently soothe me, understanding what I'm going through.

That duel back at Pegasus' tower left me broken, my trust in my own judgement shattered. I'm a wreck. But you never truly give up, and you hate to see others in pain, no matter what they've done. Even after I caused Kaiba to die, you've still known me kindness, comfort... Love. That's why, to me, you'll always be the stronger one. You have the strongest heart of anyone I've ever known.

And I'd be content to stay in your arms forever.

Because I love seeing Yami rely on Yuugi and be the one to be comforted. And we can see that unfortunately, he incident with the fire in Fear wasn't enough to sway Jounouchi after he realized Yuugi wasn't planning on laving Yami. But slowly, his friends seem to be showing signs of regret; after all, they're supposed to be friends who would never betray him, right? The bond Yuugi has with the others is beautiful, so don't worry, his friends SHOULD come round... Hopefully. They were supposed to in this one, but this sorta just... Happened. XD

Thanks to all my reviewers! I know I said I wouldn't mention the number of reviews from now on, but I'm quite pleasantly surprised. 14! Yes, one was a SOPA warning and one was a second review from somebody (By the way, you sounded like you thought I was offended the last time you sent two reviews. I don't mind that you reviewed twice at all! I only thought to mention it because I was saying how many reviews I got, and the numbers didn't add up when I said who. x3), but regardless, thank you all! ^^

I was pleasantly surprised with how well you guys seemed to take that chapter, I wasn't sure if many people wuld like it.

Thanks to those who reviewed chapter 34! samaurai, xfallenangel13x, TexasDreamer01, ChangeOfHe4rt, Fragments of Imagination, TigerDragon4, 4Pharaoh9Snivy7, ASAP Rocky, TheCrystalEevee, CynthiaTheButton, the-original-catalyst, MercilessDoubt, snow-kim and Lunagale!

Oh, and about Arc V... I can't wait for today's episode! *Squeals* ...It's a shame that I doubt it'll be subbed by the end of today. I wish I didn't have to wait until Monday or Tuesday! *Pouts* Still... XD

Next Drabble - #42 - Not Over Yet