Hello everyone! I know it's late but it's here. Hopefully it was worth the wait.

Hmm...hope you're still interested.

Much love!

Keep happy and reviewing!

...

Tears don't fall.

Atemu.

Angels and Demons

The harsh sunlight streaming through the curtain woke me next morning. Its glow had set my room a light.

A new dawn, a new day. Isn't that what they say?

Did I make a mistake yesterday? I fell so easily back into old routines and old faces. I almost forgot the hurt of the last four years. Did I give in to quick?

...Am I really ready to go back?...

Will I ever be?

Confusion swelled within me. I didn't know what I was supposed to do. I knew what I was expected to do but wasn't sure if I could do it. I was expected to forgive, to pick up the pieces and act like it never happened. To just forget how much they hurt me. I wasn't sure if I could ever do that. That meant letting myself love Yugi again. Letting myself even believe that was possible.

It's not possible...not after all this time...not after all this hurt and betrayal.

...still...never say never...

What do I do?

...Someone tell me...

"Yami. Up!" Bakura ordered.

'Yami'...I hadn't been Yami for years. I'm not sure I even remember what it felt like to be him. Was it suffocating or was I free? Happy with myself and those around me. I remember when I first became Atemu. The day a thing called love got in the way and turned everything upside down.

...The day a small boy shredded my heart and didn't let me piece it back together...

The day I realised I'd been living an illusion.

I rolled out of bed, throwing my shirt and jeans over the boxers I had slept in. Wearily I opened the door; Bakura stalked back down the hall and disappeared into a doorway at the end. When his voice erupted from the room, I followed silently. I hovered in the doorway, something I couldn't identify grasped my insides, clenching and twisting. Standing here, on the outside looking in, didn't feel right. My place was in the middle, surrounded by friends, real friends. I thought it was there, with Yugi but he let me fall. When I found Kyle and Scott I thought they could be my saviours. But I was wrong. Where do I belong?

I can't believe there's no place for me...there has to be...

...What do I do if there isn't?...

I just don't know.

"Good morning, Yami." Yugi chirped

I nodded in greeting. "Yugi."

"Sit down. Breakfast?" He asked, watching as I sat in the offered chair.

"Uh...What do you have?"

"Cereal and toast."

"I'll pass."

Yugi frowned and leant across the table, automatically I shuffled backward. I saw Kaiba raise an eyebrow before leaning closer to us.

"What?" I asked, cringing under Yugi's glare

"Are you eating?"

"E-eating? W-What?" I stammered in surprise

"Are. You. Eating? Are you actually putting food in your body?"

"Yes!"

"You sure?"

"Yugi!"

He smiled angelically "Just checking."

I rolled my eyes, tipping back on my chair, watching as Jou stumbled into the kitchen.

I know why you asked that, Yugi...I know...

But don't worry.

...For...some reason...I don't think I fall that way...

If only these tears would go.

...If only I knew HOW to cry...

"Are you heading back to Kyle today, Yami?" Ryou asked suddenly.

A tighter, deeper knot formed in my stomach. I knew the anger that would wait for me once I got back. Refusing to trust my voice I nodded.

"When are you going?" Yugi asked sadly, sorrowful eyes flashing up to mine.

"Soon."

Yugi sighed before sending a smile in my direction. There was something hidden in that smile, I didn't understand it. Jou huffed and folded his arms across his chest.

"I don't like Jamie." He declared

"Jou!" Yugi hissed

"No, I have every right to say this. I don't like Jamie."

"All right." I allowed "Why?"

"I don't trust him. And he's rude."

"He sounds like you." Kaiba smirked

Jou growled, swinging a fist lazily in Kaiba's direction. Kaiba dodged it with a laugh. Jou sat back, bringing his gaze back to me. I stared back, waiting for the words I knew he wanted to say.

"Yams...I don't trust that man. Please, be careful around him."

"But I've known him for four years. Up until now he's been fine."

"Up until now?" Kaiba repeated, I cringed. "What's he done?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all!"

"Tell me."

"He hasn't done anything..."

"Yet." Jou added

I stiffened, shoving away from the table and standing, glaring at Jou. He flinched back, I heard someone behind me groan in exasperation but I ignored them.

"He isn't going to do anything! I've known him for years and he's never even tried to hurt me!" I snapped in irritation.

Keep saying that...you might believe it...

"Sit down, Yami. He didn't mean anything by it."

I studied Jou before sliding back down into the chair.

"Thank you."

I growled in response.

Did I really ever have a place here?

I need to know...am I truly wanted?...Tell me...AM I?

Yugi I...need you...

I shut the door behind me, closing off the world, my mobile clasped in my hand. There was one last thing I wanted to do before I left. I slipped down into an armchair, hearing to creak and groan under my weight. I hooked the crumpled piece of paper out from my pocket and punched the numbers into the phone.

I'm out of my mind...

The phone rang and my confidence wavered.

I should just hang up...he doesn't want to talk to me.

I felt my confidence snap, I started to pull the phone away from my ear. A small amount of disappointment was swirling inside me.

"Hello? Game shop, how can I help you?"

Oh, Ra!

"Hello? Anyone there?"

Now what?

"H-Hello, Mr Mouto."

"Who is this?"

"It's Atemu, sir."

"Atemu...is it really you?"

"Yes sir. I-I hope you don't mind me calling you."

"Of course not! How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you? They told me you're ok but I'd like to hear it from you." My voice was hesitant, holding an element of shyness it hadn't had before.

"I'm all right, Yami. I'm just an old man. You don't need to worry." I could tell he was smiling.

"Ok, sir."

"What's brought this on, Yami? I mean, it's been four years since you left, why are you calling now? Not that I mind, of course!"

"I-I-well...Yugi turned up and it made me think off you..." I babbled out a useless excuse, still not ready to admit that I'd missed him as well.

"How are you two?"

"We're... better, I guess."

"You haven't forgiven him, yet." It wasn't a question but a statement. Something cried inside.

"I can't. Not yet. I'm sorry."

"No, Yami, never sorry. We have no right to push you into a situation you're not comfortable with. If you can't love him again then that's fine. He'll settle for friendship."

"...I-I didn't say I didn't love him..."

"What are you saying?"

"That I don't think I should. I'm...afraid..."

"Don't be Yami. Yugi would rather die than hurt you again."

"Really?"

"Yes. Oh, Yami, these last few years have been impossibly hard for Yugi. He screams in his dreams and begs for you to come home to him. He would walk through fire for you any day. All he wants is for you to forgive him and come home."

"...Home..."

"Yes, Yami. This is your home and it'll always be your home. Your room, your books, your mess. It's still all here waiting for you."

"Oh."

Is it possible?...Have I been running from the place I belong all these years?

"There are a lot of things you don't know. And he's trying to understand but he doesn't know how to. Just...trust him again. Please."

"I'll try."

"That's all we're asking."

" Uhm...Mr Mouto...can I ask you something?"

"Of course, what is it?"

"D-Did you...miss me?"

There was silence at him end and I felt my heart drop. I started to blurt out an apology but his gentle, sincere voice quietened me.

"Yes, Yami. I missed you so very much. If I'd had known where you were...wild horses couldn't have kept me away."

"Thank you, sir."

"Yugi missed you too but I'm sure he's told you that."

"He has...I just don't believe. I need time."

"Take all the time you need."

"...I'm sorry..."

"Whatever for?"

"Everything."

I didn't hear him reply, I snapped the phone closed and shoved it into my pocket. I headed down the hall, pausing at the lounge, twiddling my keys around my fingers.

"I'm heading back, guys." I informed them "Thank you for letting me stay here."

Yugi jumped up and had wound his arms around me before I could react. He fitted perfectly against my body, his head found a place against my shoulder, pushed into my neck. He felt so strong and yet so small, my arms lifted around him. His grip tightened on me, a gentle hand running along my spine. He smelt the same, a scent that was uniquely his. The grasp on my body was possessive, protective like he wanted to shelter me. I almost let him, my fingertips moving to gently press against his sides. I felt him sigh against me.

For a moment everything was perfect.

Then reality barged back in.

I pulled away from him, he let his arms fall lose. His features showed only endless compassion and sorrow, his eyes held concealed misery. Some part of me wanted to wipe it away, to promise him forever, tell him that somehow we'd be all right. But I knew I couldn't. But standing there, watching him, for the first time I really considered the future. The future always promised Yugi, as the past had done. I'll always try to push it away, telling myself not to believe.

But my heart...it believed...

My head didn't...its logic can't fail me.

Yet a timid, fleeting smile crossed my lips. Yugi's answering smile was dazzling, his eyes sparkled in a way I'd never seen. He practically took my breath away.

"Can we come and see you again?" He begged

"Um...I don't see why not."

He let out a joyous laugh, so carefree that it made me chuckle. Jou stepped forward, we stared at each other. I saw regret and shame in his face.

Maybe...our friendship can be salvaged...

"Jou." I spoke carefully, not sure where my sentence was heading. "Will you come too?"

"Of course, I will."

He held his hand out to me. A piece offering and the first step back to him. There wasn't any hesitation as I clasped his hand in mine. I'd never known Jou to be emotional but his face was suddenly rippled with emotions.

"We'll see you soon, Yami." Yugi smiled.

"Yes."

I pulled my hand away and nodded in Jou's direction. The blonde beamed at me and disappeared out the door, a different spring in his step.

"Thank you." Yugi breathed

I turned to him. "What for?"

"For starting to forgive. He's so guilty about what he did. He misses you."

Momentarily, my head bowed. "I never wanted anyone to be guilty. I'm not sure what I wanted."

"I'm not sure I understand. But one day I will."

"I should head back now. Kyle will be getting worried."

"All right."

With a wave over my shoulder, I left the hotel behind me.

What had Mr Mouto mean?

What doesn't Yugi understand?

.

.

.

When are you going to admit you need him?

...Why does the air feel so...foreboding?...Why is the atmosphere screaming a warning at me? I don't understand.

.

.

.

I slide my key into the lock, before stepping through and allowing it to softly close behind me. I could taste the tension in the air. Slipping my key back into my pocket, I crept forward. Someone was here, something had changed around me. The darkness was murmuring a warning, ordering me to turn back but still I moved.

"Hello? Kyle, Scott? Anyone here?"

The figure at the kitchen table halted my footsteps. Jamie looked up at me, his eyes full of murder and for some reason, betrayal. I couldn't work out what was wrong. His lips twisted into a scowl, I pretended I didn't see his fists curl around the can he was holding or his teeth clench together.

"What's wrong, Jamie?"

"Where have you been?" He barked

"Yugi's."

"Planning on letting us know."

"I don't have to tell you anything, beside, Kyle knew. I called him."

This proved to be the wrong thing to say. He let out a snarl and launched the can at me. I ducked and the can hit the wall above me. I stood back up and jumped away, capturing his gaze with mine.

"What the hell was that for?" I growled

"You're supposed to let me know where you go!"

"Why?"

"It doesn't matter why! I demand you tell me in future."

"DEMAND? You can't demand me to do anything. I didn't want to tell you because I knew you'd act like this!"

"TELL ME IN FUTURE, ATEMU!"

"NOT IF I DON'T WANT TOO!"

Somewhere inside I knew how illogical this argument was. Jamie's reasons made no sense to me. I couldn't see why he was acting like this.

"I don't want you seeing Yugi ever again!"

I spluttered in disbelief before anger surged in me. Suddenly there was molten lava in my veins, burning, searing my mind. The shadows quivered, coiled in corners waiting to pounce. I couldn't think past the rage and fury in my mind. My body was trembling with white hot wrath.

/Calm down, Yami. I can feel the shadows. You're scaring them/

Yugi's voice was the antidote to my fire, the balm to the gaping wound. Slowly the anger froze, snarling inside me. I stared back at Jamie. His eyes were cold, calculating my response.

"You can't tell me what to do!" I spat.

He rolled his eyes and started to walk toward me. I thought he was going to leave the room, my guard slipped. But suddenly he had grasped my wrist and span me round to face him. One hand was suddenly in my hair, pulling on the roots and holding my face in place. The malice in his eyes frightened me, I struggled in his grasp and his hands tightened. A cry of pain left my throat.

"You're beautiful." He murmured the hand that clasped my wrist loosened to stroke my face possessively. He smelt of alcohol and smoke. "I know you heard the conversation I had with Scott. Have you worked out who we were talking about?"

Wordlessly I shook my head.

"Pity. I thought you'd catch on quicker than that. I think I'll let you work it out."

His hand moved down my body, running over my back and down to my waist. The front door creaked open and Jamie leaped back. His eyes pinned me with a glare to rival the fury of the Gods.

"This 'conversation' DOESN'T leave this room. Understand?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good."

He stalked out the door, seconds later I heard him talking to Scott. You'd never know the monster lurking beneath. I collapsed backward into a chair, my hands hiding my face.

W-What the hell just happened...?

...

Ta-duh! Sorry about the late post.