Disclaimer:

RN: It's Opposite Day! That said, I do own Yugioh!

Chapter 2: An Omen of Friendship

Yugi gasped. The most horrible feeling had just crept down his spine, without warning. He didn't know where it came from, or what could have provoked it, but he had the strangest feeling someone, somewhere, had plans that were not towards his well-being.

A shudder ran through his body, and Yugi's hands crept around his sides as he held himself, struggling to keep his sudden fear in check.

The Pharaoh sensed it, almost immediately, and surfaced. Yugi? What's wrong? His concerned voice did nothing to sooth his partner.

I just had a horrible feeling… Yugi whispered back. All of a sudden, I can't shake the feeling that someone has something awful planned for me, and I can't escape it…

The Pharaoh stiffened. Who is it?

I can't tell, not from here. And…I'm afraid to look.

…Is it Joey?

Nervously, Yugi peered out of the corner of his eye to the former delinquent, sitting two rows over and one desk behind him. Sure enough, the blond was eyeing him in a way that sent a fresh shiver through Yugi's body, and his crooked grin widened when their eyes momentarily met.

Yugi whipped around, and tried to shrink down in his chair. Yep, it's Joey.

The Pharaoh shook his head, exasperated. Honestly, Yugi, how long is this 'game' going to last? I fail to see how this is helpful to your self-esteem in any way. I understand his intentions to…what was his phrase? 'Make you more of a man', but this is getting ridiculous.

As expected, his friends had discovered the truth about his injuries almost right away, though Yugi struggled to hide it. But after only a few minutes of thinking, and after having berated him for trying to keep such knowledge a secret, Joey came to a solution: defense lessons, courtesy of a certain blonde delinquent.

It had certainly seemed like a good idea. After a few 'lessons', however, Joey's teaching methods had come into question on more than one occasion, and it was the Pharaoh's growing suspicion that Joey was having a little "too much fun" in the process.

Please, Pharaoh, you don't have to worry. Joey's not going to do anything to harm me, at least I don't think, Yugi added, after another hasty glimpse at his friend. Joey still had the same daunting look. And besides, I think this will end up being good for all of us.

How so?

Well, just think of it as you won't have to bail me out of trouble all the time, Yugi teased. I'm sure half of your worries come from me.

Yugi's light manner was not shared entirely by the Pharaoh, he could feel, but to his relief his dark side didn't press the matter. He could still feel the Pharaoh's disapproval, but Yugi hoped that he could understand his attempts to learn how to defend himself. However punishing they may be…

The bell rang at last, signaling the end of school. Yugi packed quickly, relieved to not have been chosen for clean-up duty that evening.

I only hope Joey won't do anything rash this time. Remember how he ambushed you last week? The Pharaoh's voice came again as they were leaving the school, echoing Yugi's earlier thoughts.

Yugi winced. He still had bruises from falling against the concrete in his surprise at Joey's sudden attempt to jump him around the corner. Yeah, but I did manage to get out of that one. The only bruises I got were my own doing.

Still, I think this time I should—

"Hey, Yug!"

The greeting was Yugi's only warning before a heavy arm was clamped around his shoulder, and Joey's grinning face appeared right next to his. The blond looked, if at all possible, more ominous up close, his mischievous grin having only grown wider.

"Ya ready for your next trainin' lesson, Yugi?" Joey asked cheerfully.

"Um…" Yugi swallowed. Truth be told, he was beginning to regret his earlier decision, but a promise was a promise. How he now loathed that saying... "Yeah, absolutely. I'm ready," he said, trying to sound confident.

"Great." Joey gave him a one-armed squeeze, then stood upright, having had to stoop slightly for Yugi's smaller stature. "Now, I'm gonna letcha get home first, okay? But then I want ya to meet me in that old abandoned parking lot by the park, y'know, the one that's next to the arcade? I ain't gonna tell ya what to expect, but, uh," His voice dropped to a whisper, "Yer gonna be learnin' a few defensive moves, ya know what I mean?"

"Not so fast, Wheeler!"

A hand suddenly shot out and grabbed Joey by the collar. Joey suddenly choked as he was jerked backwards by an unbelievably strong grip. He struggled for a few seconds, then finally scrambled away, gasping.

"What'd ya do that for, ya little…" he trailed off as he came eye-to-eye with none other than…Tea.

The sole female member of their group stood in front of them, arms crossed and normally cheerful expression hard-set into a stern scowl. Even though he knew the anger wasn't directed towards him, Yugi still felt slightly intimidated by her presence.

"Care to finish that little statement, Joey?" Tea asked coldly.

Joey grinned sheepishly. "Oh, hey, Tea. Didn't know it was you."

"Uh-huh. What's this about the abandoned parking lot? You'd better not be giving him any more of those 'lessons'!" Tea's voice grew suspicious.

"Aw, c'mon, Tea, ya can't be doin' this now!" Joey tried to stand his ground, but Yugi secretly noticed a slight tremor under her glare. "Ya agreed, remember, to let our little Yug try an' learn how ta defend himself!"

"Only because you told me it'd be beneficial in the long run," Tea responded, her demeanor unwavering. "But I don't see that happening any time soon, truth be told. At least not by you. Can't you just let him take a defense class or something?"

"What, like from an instructor? Nah, those idiots don't know nothing. Just show you how ta yell real loud, and do a couple o' fancy flips. Ain't nothing like dat's gonna help you in a real fight."

"You mean street gang scuffle."

"Tea, please," Yugi finally stepped in, preventing Joey from blurting out what he was sure to be an offensive retort. Tea's gaze softened when it passed down to the tri-haired duelist, but didn't break. Once again, Yugi marveled at the girl's uncharacteristic strength. "This is my decision," he stated. "And in truth, I think it's best for all of us. I don't want to burden you guys with worrying so much about me anymore."

Tea sighed, unfolding her arms. Her anger had faded, to be replaced with genuine concern. "Oh, Yugi, you're never a burden. And I get why you're doing this; in fact, I encourage it. I just don't think that Joey should be the one building you up…"

"Don't worry, Tea," Yugi said cheerfully, cutting Joey off once again. "I trust Joey, and I'm sure he won't get me into any kind of trouble."

A faint, proud hum came from the Puzzle.

Joey stopped in his actions, and gazed down at Yugi in surprise. A light smile formed on his lips. "Thanks, man," he said softly. He glanced back up at Tea, his cocky vigor refreshed. "There, ya see, Tea? Ain't nothin' to worry about! I'll take care of our Yugi here, you'll see!"

Tea slumped. "That's exactly what I am worried about…" she muttered.

"Hey, guys!"

They all turned towards the new voice, and saw Tristan running up from the path. He stopped when he reached them, and doubled over, panting hard. They all greeted him and waited for him to speak, but he said nothing for several minutes, just wheezing and puffing.

"Man, how come you're so outta breath, Tristan?" Joey teased, and clapped a hand on his friend's back, none too softly. "Walkin' outta school's really gotta be a workout…"

"Shut up, Joey," Tristan grumbled, while Yugi and Tea chuckled. He finally stood, his breath caught, and slapped Joey's hand away. "Sorry I'm kinda late, I got held back with clean-up duty…"

"Figures the King of the Washcloths would volunteer for clean-up duty…"

"I'll washcloth your face if you don't shut up, Wheeler!"

"Ooh, nice comeback…"

The four of them walked in good spirits, talking and laughing (mostly at Joey and Tristan's antics) until they arrived at a crossroads. Tea split off towards her house, while Joey and Tristan continued in the same direction. "Later, guys!" Yugi waved as he headed towards his own house, the Kame Game Shop of Domino City.

*Yuuuuugioh-oh-oh!*

Yugi slowed as he approached the Game Shop, frowning. He was surprised his grandfather was not outside as he usually was at this time, sweeping the porch at the end of the day. Though the door sign was marked closed, the shop lights were clearly on, and movement could be seen within.

Other me? Yugi murmured.

I know, the Pharaoh said. He was almost surprised to see his dark side already out and searching. He had surfaced almost as soon as Yugi had noticed the shop, and he shared the same unease Yugi felt. I'm not sure what's going on, but I don't think it's anything bad.

Mmm. Yugi gently opened the door, finding it was unlocked, and stepped inside. "Hello? Grandpa? I'm home," he called.

"I'm in the kitchen, Yugi!" His grandfather answered from the back of the house. "Come inside! There's someone I want you to meet!"

So there is someone else here, Yugi surmised. Kicking off his shoes at the entrance, he set down his pack by the entrance to the living room and made his way to the kitchen.

When he saw who was there, he stopped cold in his tracks. His face slackened into shock.

And all that remained in his mind were memories of a time he had tried so hard to forget, when everything he loved had been lost and all that was left was the despair that he would never regain them again.

Please R&R