[Yuugiou] If the World Doesn't Want Me: Crash (2/dead)

Apr 21, 2005 05:16

Chapter Status: Complete
Story Status: Discontinued for rewrite.
Fandom: Yuugiou
Rating: PG-13/T
Archive: Here, Fanfiction.net, yami_no_hikari, ygo_fanstyle, ygo_yaoi, and ygowritersguild. I'm not allowing further archiving of this version of the story.
Disclaimer: Yuugiou is the intellectual property of Kazuki Takahashi. I do not claim any right to the series or its characters, and I should probably apologize for the hell I'm likely to be putting them through in this story.
Chapter Links: Chapter 1

If the World Doesn't Want Me
Crash
by Josie
"Wake up, little one." Crimson eyes looked onto the sleeping figure gently as a hand ran through golden bangs almost lovingly. He frowned softly when there was no response. "Please, my beautiful one?" A small grin tugged at the lips of the other, and he knew exactly what was being planned; his beautiful little life-giver wanted to play at a test of wills.

He could play this game very easily.

Slowly, he trailed his fingers down the other's face; it was light, the touch barely that of a butterfly's wings. He grinned mischievously as he felt his life-giver twitch almost imperceptibly. Got you. He held in a chuckle as he saw the other's nose scrunch slightly. His fingers trailed lower, skimming past Yuugi's chest before he trailed them off to the side some. He smirked, tickling the life-giver's side slowly, lightly.

Yuugi twitched again, starting to writhe a bit in his façade of sleep. The spirit continued to tickle him, and he felt a small laugh bubble up from his throat unbidden. Damnit ... He knew his attempt to win this game was not going to get him anywhere. Violet eyes opened slowly, staring into pools of concerned, caring crimson. "Yes?"

Another smirk. "Do you plan on sleeping forever?" Yuugi shrugged in response. "You'd leave me to boredom?" He grinned as Yuugi blushed, leaning in and placing a gentle kiss on the teenager's cheek. He looks lovely like that.

Yuugi sat up in the bed, looking around himself slowly, heart almost stopping in surprise for a moment before he remembered just where he was. "I still get confused looking at this room." He glared at his companion when he heard a chuckle in response. "You still haven't explained why it looks so much like my bedroom."

"Isn't that the place you're most comfortable?" A nod. "That's why, life-giver. Because you are most comfortable within your bedroom, the room of your soul takes on its shape. Within your soul, you should always be at your most comfortable state." He smiled at the understanding look that crossed Yuugi's face. He sat beside his beautiful little one, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. "What are you thinking, little one?"

"I'm thinking it'd be nice if you'd stop calling me that." A laugh.

"What would you like me to call you, then?"

Yuugi closed his eyes again, thinking. "I don't know ... just ... not that." Another laugh. "I'm not kidding. I don't need my other self calling me little."

Crimson eyes looked at him lovingly again. "In comparison to me, you are little, though. At least in terms of age." Yuugi stuck his tongue out, and the spirit laughed. "So very young compared to me."

"Says the guy who looks all of a year older than me."

"Looks can be deceiving, life-giver. I've got a good three thousand years on you."

"During which you've been dead."

"Merely a technicality." He smirked as Yuugi chuckled, before suddenly bringing his beautiful one into a tight embrace, earning a small squeak. "Why do you look so lonely, my life-giver?" He pressed a kiss into Yuugi's neck. "You are not alone now. I will never let you be alone ever again." His hair moved as a soft sigh of contentment escaped Yuugi.

"Thank you."

"You've given me my life and your love." He placed a gentle kiss on Yuugi's lips. "In return, I have promised to give you that which you wish most. I will give you the life which you seek. I won't make you go back out there if that's what you wish." The teenager snuggled into his arms, and he ran his fingers through golden, ebony, and violet hair; a gentle caress to a loved one.

"I don't want this to ever end." Yuugi buried his face into his other self's shoulder. "I don't want this moment to ever end. I like being here ... right here, in your arms."

The spirit smiled, holding Yuugi closer. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Suddenly, constant ringing snapped him out of Yuugi's soul room and to attention in the real world, making him sit bolt upright, fiery eyes searching precariously for the source of the disturbance. A deep growl emerged from his throat, and anger permeated his entire being. What the fuck ... who the hell did that?! Who's making this damned sound? His eyes narrowed. Where is it?

He couldn't stand the noise. He pulled himself off of the bed, untangling himself from sheets that had managed to wrap around his entire body. He growled again. Where the hell is it?!

His head tilted to the side some, and he closed his eyes, listening carefully as he cleared his head of frustration. Where? A frown marred his features as his head turned towards the sound. Crimson eyes opened slowly, staring ahead blankly for a moment before focusing on what lay before him. A strange table - desk, his mind told him as he seemed to flip through that odd memory book in his head - with a few books standing upright on him, and some odd light-producing object - lamp, his mind interjected again. He frowned, looking at the twitching object sitting on it, making its racket of ringing. He growled at it and stalked over, grabbing it up. "You," he ground out. "What right do you have to disturb my slumber?"

The response was continued, joyful ringing. He could not stand such a perky thing in the morning. Clock, he thought morosely. It's called a clock, right? But what is that infernal noise? He paused, blinking as he sifted through that book again. Ah ... alarm. A noise set to alert or awaken. He frowned. Why the hell would I need to be alerted? Is something wrong? He looked around himself. No, nothing seems wrong. Then, what? I need to awaken? At this time of the morning? Why? He frowned, again sifting through the book, finding memories of a room with many desks, people sitting behind them. School ... he thought.

He glared at the little clock as it flailed its little hands upon the bell on top of itself, trying to will it to stop.

It didn't listen.

Another growl. "Shut up, would you?" Still, the little clock didn't listen. His glare intensified. "Listen here, you ..." But it just kept on ringing.

A small chuckle sounded within his head, and he frowned, closing his eyes again, allowing himself to connect his thoughts to Yuugi's. An elegant eyebrow rose at the teenager's continued laughter. What?

Yuugi's mental voice had the tell-tale sound that he was probably wearing as mile that lit up his entire soul room. You're getting worked up over something so stupid, he replied simply. It can't hear you, my other self. It's an inanimate object. Not much different from a rock, in that sense. He laughed at the growl he got in response. Problem?

How do you stop it? Yuugi's laughter intensified. Well?

Oh, ruin my fun, why don't you. The spirit was given the mental image of Yuugi sticking his tongue out at him again. There's a switch on the back. Flip it down, and the alarm turns off.

Thank you, he thought back at Yuugi, mental voice almost a hiss. He was obviously annoyed. And don't stick that out at me unless you're going to use it, little one. Yuugi laughed again as the spirit returned his attention to the alarm clock, flipping the switch. "Who would have thought ..." he muttered, pointedly ignoring the laughter in his head, as intoxicating as the sound was. Well, at least someone's having a good time, he thought resentfully.

Don't sulk, my other self. It's unbecoming. The laughter intensified, and he winced.

How he loved the sound of that voice. His life-giver's happiness was invigorating, and, to him, made it all worth it. Quiet now. I won't be able to concentrate if you keep on like that. The laughter immediately stifled, and he felt a wave of apologetic emotion hit him, along with affection. He allowed himself a small smile and pushed a wave of affection back towards the little one. I forgive you, my little one. I forgive you. Truly, he'd forgive his life-giver anything.

He looked around, stretching luxuriously as he did, glancing at the offensive clock in his hand with a raised eyebrow. So, explain this one to me, then ...

Mm ...? Telling time, you mean? It's not that hard, you know.

Enough with the comments, little one. Just let me know how. He smiled some as he felt the touch of his beautiful life-giver, gently prodding and showing him exactly how to read the clock, and pressing information into him on when he needed to be in important places. He smiled. Mm, that feels nice, little one. He sent another wave of affection to his life-giver again, laughing softly as it was returned. At least I know that you enjoy having me here.

You're everything I've dreamed of.

He chuckled softly to himself, placing the alarm clock onto the desk again before turning to the closet. "So, school, huh?"

Yes, school. Yuugi sounded upset with the prospect, and the spirit controlling their shared body frowned as he started to pick up Yuugi's school uniform, looking at it in distaste.

Not very fashion-conscious, these schools, are they? Yuugi laughed in response, and the spirit smiled. He looked through the closet some more, finding a sleeveless leather shirt that caught his eye. Hmm, that could work. He took it off of the hanger, placing it on the bed while he took off the shirt of Yuugi's pajamas.

As he dressed, he reflected on the three days since he had woken up in that strange room, which he had come to know as a hospital room. His mind had worked to come up with a correlation to what this 'hospital' was, and, eventually, he had settled upon it being a station in which healers work. That, however, didn't explain why there had been all of those tubes that seemed like miniature torture devices attached to him, pumping strange fluids into him. He had at first thought they were draining him, as his energy had felt so low while he was there, but he had come to realize that they were actually attempting to give him more strength.

It had been a very odd concept to him.

He had been allowed to leave the day after he had awoken, and had gone 'home' with the odd old man that he had vaguely remembered as his grandfather - Yuugi's grandfather, in actuality. The title did not sit well with him, despite him having been in the old man's home for the past couple of days, but it would cause too much suspicion if he were to call him anything else.

You realize that you're likely to get yelled at by the teachers, I hope. He frowned at Yuugi's warning, raising an eyebrow as he looked at himself in the mirror. Modification of school uniforms isn't exactly tolerated. He felt Yuugi wince as he placed a black strap on the end of each sleeve of the jacket, and a mental prodding told him that Yuugi was also referring to the leather shirt and collar he had decided to put on. He simply shrugged.

Do you think it matters to me what they think, my partner? A soft wave of approval at the new title hit him, and he smiled. Ah, you like me calling that? Perhaps that is what I will refer to you as, then. He looked back at his reflection, eyes burning in frozen anger. To those that hurt you, I will show no weakness. They will not get away with what they have done.

Yuugi's shudder within his mind was not missed as he walked from the room.

~*~
It could have been just something in the air. Or perhaps it was just the way that the sun shone that day. It could even have been just the fact that it was time for Chono-sensei's class.

Whatever it was, Jounouchi Katsuya could not deny that there was something that was just very off as he walked into the classroom. It sent a shiver along his spine, making him wonder at first if perhaps the school had managed to get some insanely powerful air conditioning unit overnight.

There had been whispers in the halls; mentions of 'that kid' returning after an unexplained three-week absence. Maybe that's what it is, he thought. Maybe it's anticipation at this random phenomenon. He slumped into his seat, looking around quickly. Somehow, that kid disappearing made him the most talked about person in the school. No one knows what happened, and everyone wants a piece of the information. His eyes fell on Mazaki, noting that she seemed a bit more relaxed than she had been at any point in the past three weeks. Well, that makes sense. Wasn't she his best friend or something? Only person who would be caught dead near him, anyway. Never did understand that one. His eyes raked over her. Why would someone who looks like that want to be caught hanging around with a guy who doesn't look any older than ten?

He looked away quickly when Mazaki seemed to notice his attention on her.

That was a close one.

A low murmur seemed to overcome the class as the door opened. All eyes turned that way, and Jounouchi had the feeling that more than just a few of his classmates were holding their breath in anticipation. He couldn't say that he honestly blamed them. Is it ...?

He felt as though the wind knocked out of him when, indeed, it was Mutou Yuugi who walked through the door. It wasn't so much his walking in that caused the reaction, however; it was the entire way that he carried himself. He seemed so confident, so entirely sure of himself; it was almost as though there was arrogance in his step, as though no one was good enough to be in his presence. It was like nothing Jounouchi had ever seen before, in anyone. Even his most cocky walk didn't match this.

His gaze flickered over to Mazaki again, not quite sure why he was so interested in what her reaction was to seeing this changed Mutou. If there was a reaction, however, he couldn't tell ... she watched him, her features practically cut in the stone of a statue.

This could be interesting, he thought to himself as he turned his attentions back to Mutou.

His eyes narrowed. There was more to this guy than just his walk that was changed; his entire manner was, as well.

It didn't make sense to him; Mutou was always so reserved, never quite so flagrant as he seemed now. Yet, here he was, practically strutting his way into the room, eyes burning with determination and self-assurance. Wait, burning ...? His eyes ... what on earth is up with his eyes?! He looked carefully, suppressing a shudder, but just barely. Those eyes worried him, freaked him out to no end; crimson fire burned where there should have been violet. Demon, his mind cried out. He has the eyes of a demon.

It made no sense. It was just completely unheard of.

Jounouchi did not like it at all.

"Look at that choker," someone whispered into his ear, and his eyes immediately snapped to Mutou's neck.

"Are you sure that's a choker, Honda?" he frowned as he whispered back. "It looks more like a collar."

"What's with all the leather?" Jounouchi shook his head. He had no idea.

Kid disappears for a few weeks and comes back with a leather fetish?

It made no sense.

Mutou seemed like he wasn't paying attention to anyone; his attention seemed so wholly focused on something that wasn't quite in the room. Freaky. He shivered as the other teenager paused in front of his desk, forcing himself to not make it too obvious that he was staring - although he was sure that, if Mutou was even paying attention to anything that was going on, he already knew that the entire class was staring at him, anyway - as he took in the other's appearance. It seemed so forbidding, so dangerous.

Jounouchi frowned. He seems ... taller, somehow. Maybe he started a growth spurt while he was away? He shrugged mentally; really, it shouldn't have mattered to him. He never actually spoke to Mutou at all, anyway. Why am I so interested in this? Why do I feel like I have to know everything about him now?

He didn't need to answer the question, though. It was plainly obvious why he felt such a desire to find out whatever he could. This new Mutou Yuugi was something of an enigma, more so than he had been before his sudden disappearance. His entire personality seemed to have changed so drastically in just three weeks, and it was just confusing. Mind-boggling, even.

It urged him, and most likely many of his classmates, to press on, find out whatever he could, as fast as he could.

Crimson eyes flicked to him, and he felt his breath catch as they narrowed in a glare that froze his very being. Dangerous ... who are you? What's with that glare? He never would have thought that Mutou could ever have such deadly eyes, or that he would look at someone with such obvious hatred. Did I do something to him? He honestly could not remember if he had.

He didn't know how long he sat there, staring at Mutou, mouth hanging open slightly while the other glared at him with an intensity that spoke volumes of hatred that he had never known before. He wasn't sure if he wanted to know how long he stared, quite honestly.

"Take your seats." Chono-sensei's voice, filled with fake, bubbling sweetness, cut through to snag his attention, and he shook his head quickly, turning his attention towards her as some of the students who were standing started to mill around to do as they were told.

He noted, however, that Mutou had not. Instead, the other boy still stood, glaring at him. He once again suppressed the urge to shudder.

"Mutou." The glare left Jounouchi as the other boy turned his attention to Chono-sensei. "Are you deaf?" Her voice was almost sickeningly sweet, a complete contrast to her words. He didn't reply, just looked at her coolly. "I said, take your seat." Her porcelain-like features seemed almost frozen, and her voice held a chilling bite. Still, Mutou did not move. She looked at him, raising a critical eyebrow. "Alright, then, Mutou. We'll play this the hard way." She stood, walking over to him. "On top of disrespecting your teacher, you are in violation of the school's uniform rules." Mutou still did not move a muscle, as far as Jounouchi could tell. He wished that he could see the other's face.

Many of his classmates seemed to be holding their breath again, waiting for the response; they were disappointed to hear none.

"Mutou," Chono-sensei hissed, "modification of your uniform in such a way is against the school's rules. You will take off that choker and remove those things from your sleeves." He didn't make a move to do as he was told. "Mutou, you will adjust your uniform to fit school regulations immediately." The class watched in fascination ... it was rare to see Chono-sensei lose her composure quite like this.

Mutou's posture changed, hip jutting out slightly to the right as his right hand, pulled into a fist, rested against it. His voice, deeper than Jounouchi remembered ever hearing it being, sounded highly annoyed. "Woman, what are you bitching about?" Shocked gasps were heard echoing through a room that had suddenly turned deathly silent the moment that the words left his mouth, and all eyes were glued to Chono-sensei, waiting for her response. Jounouchi was almost positive that she was going to blow up at that statement.

However, she just stood there, staring at Mutou, mouth opening and closing slowly, as though she were a fish out of water, grasping to a small shred of a lifeline. He had a feeling that she was attempting to formulate a response, but was merely unable to. The shock of Mutou responding to her in such a way was probably more than she could take ... she, the most egotistical teacher, the witch who expelled students on whim, being asked with such blatant irritation what she was 'bitching' about ...

Jounouchi felt that it was the best form of poetic justice that he had ever seen in his life.

She was still attempting to formulate an answer when Mutou turned on his heel, walking towards his desk, eyes locking onto Ushio, giving an even more deadly glare that he had given to Jounouchi as he paused, standing there. Jounouchi shivered slightly. He's pissed. Ushio ... he probably did something to Mutou. That's what he does, bothers everyone. But for Mutou to get that pissed ... he looks positively livid. Or, well, his eyes do, anyway. He frowned, just watching. The look in his eyes ... it's like he's saying that Ushio is dead today.

He looked down at his desk, trying to break the spell that this new Mutou Yuugi seemed to have placed over him.

That's not possible. He wouldn't kill anyone.

He found his gaze sliding back over to Mutou. The glare was still there.

Would he?

He forced himself to look away again.

Those thoughts were getting the better of him.

He couldn't let them.

After all ... Mutou was just an ordinary student, an ordinary teenager, just like Jounouchi himself. Wasn't he?

~*~
I can't believe you did that ... Yuugi's voice rang through his head, and he grinned a little. He seemed really upset at what had happened in all of their classes; he had refused to adjust his uniform back to school standards each time he was asked, choosing, instead, to respond with impertinence as the teachers stood staring at him in shock. Each time, his classmates had been stunned into silence, utterly confused with his shifted, jarring attitude.

It hadn't gotten him into too much trouble, until he had nearly run head-on into Kurita-sensei - on accident, of course - in the hallway. The encounter had ended very poorly for the spirit in control of Yuugi's body. His insolence had angered the teacher, who had always been a stickler for enforcing the rules of the school, especially if it would cause problems for the students in any way. As the spirit had refused to adjust his uniform, Kurita-sensei had gotten more and more angered; he had ended up sending 'Yuugi' to the principal's office for his disrespect and refusal to cooperate with school rules.

Why are you so upset about it, my partner?

Are you crazy?! The principal's office? That's going to go on our record. My grandfather will be told about it. I didn't want him to know about my problems here.

The spirit tried his best to soothe the other's nerves. It will be fine, pretty one. I'm making the stand for you. I'm putting a stop to what they've done to you. I will not allow their rudeness towards you any longer.

You realize that being sent to the principal's office makes things a little worse.

So I have problems with authority. He smiled when he saw heard the laughter in his head. His life-giver seemed to be loosening up to the idea, at least. It will be fine, my partner. They'll realize soon enough, you're not just someone to be walked over; I'm not someone to be walked over. I will not sit by like a docile dog. I will bite back. Yuugi's worry hit him hard at hearing that. It will be fine. Your life will be fine now.

He continued to walk through the hall, shifting where his backpack lay on his shoulder to alleviate some of the weight from falling in the same spot too badly. His expression seemed to keep most people away, or, perhaps, it was the way that he had seemed so unapproachable with each response he had given that day.

He wasn't a fool. He knew that the look in his eyes promised death; even the color of his eyes seemed to promise certain doom.

"Yuugi!" Someone came up behind him hurriedly; her voice seemed excited, happy, that she had found him, and he felt his spine stiffen as she managed to catch up and walk alongside him. "Yuugi, I'm so glad you're back." She smiled at him, blue eyes glimmering with happiness. "I was so worried; I couldn't find anything out about where you were, or what had happened to you. Your grandfather wasn't telling me anything at all." Her hand found its way onto his arm, and he paused as she did, looking into her eyes; tears seemed to shimmer within them.

He raised an eyebrow. "So?" His voice was cold, uninviting. The girl flinched slightly.

"I was just afraid that something terrible might have happened to you. I couldn't stand if something had." She made a face. "I heard Ushio talking about what he did to you," she said, voice full of venom as she said the thug's name. He felt his eyes narrow slightly. "I'm so sorry, Yuugi ... I wish I had been there with you. He wouldn't have been able to hurt you like that if I had been."

"Why the hell would it matter to you?" he hissed out, and she flinched again.

Anzu ... Yuugi's voice sounded sad to the spirit.

"Yuugi ...!" She looked hurt. "Yuugi, I know that I failed you by not being there, but -"

"Just shut up. Who the hell do you think you are, talking to me now?" he sneered at her. "I come back after being absent for a few weeks, and suddenly you want to be my best friend? Why? Because of the mystery? Because I seem like some sort of enigma? I don't need that kind of pity from someone like you."

"Yuugi, what the hell has gotten into you?!"

"Don't pretend like you're some saint. Don't pretend like you ever actually cared, like you ever actually paid attention to me." He turned away, almost relishing in the way the girl seemed to break under his words. "Meaningless. People like you are meaningless, and always have been. You're transparent, and care only about what's the 'in' thing to do at any given time. You make me sick."

He was not prepared for the sting that he suddenly felt in his cheek as his head snapped to the side. Her hand had connected with him in an angered slap. "What has gotten into you, Yuugi? Why are you acting like this?" She seemed pissed now. "How could you say that to me? How could you say that I was never genuinely concerned for you? You've been my best friend for years! Of course I was worried about you!" She grabbed the front of his shirt. "Who do you think you are, treating me like some sort of air-headed bitch who only sees you as an interesting topic of discussion now that you've apparently changed so much?!"

Anzu, please don't ...

Partner? He frowned, looking into her eyes. "What the fuck are you talking about, Anzu? I know what you're like. I know you never paid any attention to me in the past, so why should you now?" She shook him, angered, and he became more confused.

"Never noticed you?" She blanched. "Who gave you the five Duel Monsters booster packs on your birthday, because they knew it's one of your favorite games? The moment I saw you that day. Who always walked home with you and spent time with you on homework? Who always came to you for advice, and gave you advice? Who always sat with you at lunch, shared lunch with you?" A few tears fell from her eyes. "Why are you doing this, Yuugi? What did I do? Why do you hate me now?"

He stared at her, shocked. Partner ... what is this? Why is she ...

She's my friend! The one person who has always been with me.

He frowned, sending his confusion to his life-giver. But ... why can't I find anything about any friends, pretty one? He reached up and touched one of her hands. "Anzu ..."

"Why, Yuugi? What did I do wrong?" She pulled away, not looking at him. "Is it just because I wasn't there on your birthday, to walk home with you? Is it because Ushio got to you because I wasn't there?" She shook her head. "I wanted to kill him when I heard about it. I wanted to hurt him so badly, because he had hurt you ... you, the one person who had ever bothered to even try to understand me."

"Forgive me ..." he whispered. "I don't know what came over me." It was a lie, of course; he knew exactly what had come over him. He didn't remember who she was; it was as simple as that. Of course he would lash out at her ... the book of his beloved life-giver's memories didn't seem to have anything about her that was readily available. Why wasn't she in there, partner?

Yuugi seemed to be thinking of how to respond. I ... I think because I've been trying to get over things. I ... He paused, sending a gentle wave of love to the spirit. I used to really like her ... you know, in the sense of wanting to be with her. I always knew it wouldn't work. We were friends, the best of friends. I didn't want to hurt her like that, by letting her know I'd had a crush on her. Anzu has enough problems with guys going at her only for her looks ... I didn't want her to think that I, her best friend, was something like them.

So you tried to forget about it completely, in order to save her. He smiled gently, both out of pride and love for Yuugi, and to try to comfort Anzu. You truly are amazing, my partner. You put those you care for above yourself. There was no response, and he turned his attention to Anzu again. "Anzu ..."

"What happened, Yuugi? Where were you?" She seemed so concerned, almost as though her whole life depended upon his response.

"I ... don't know," he whispered. "I don't know what happened. I only woke up a few days ago. My grandfather was there with me, in the hospital, but he hasn't told me much." He was lying again, but he couldn't tell her the truth. The only one who should know the truth was his life-giver, no matter how close he might be to someone else.

She looked at him, eyebrow raised; it was obvious that she was skeptical of what he was saying. It probably didn't help matters any that, if anyone knew Yuugi, she did. So many of his little secrets, exactly how he looked ...

"Not buying it, Yuugi. What's with your eyes? Your whole attitude?" She looked at him closely. "You're a completely different person."

"Am I?" He frowned, looking down at himself. "I ... don't really know, Anzu." He sounded as confused as he possibly could. "I have no idea what happened."

She sighed, dropping the subject. "Alright, whatever ... we'll figure that out later, then, I guess." He looked at Anzu again, raising an eyebrow. "Together, we can manage it, I'm sure." She smiled reassuringly.

"Thanks ..."

"So, um ... what should we do about Ushio, anyway? For what he did to you."

He raised an eyebrow, holding back his smile as he heard Yuugi chuckle. "Oh, don't worry about that, Anzu ... I'm sure I can come up with something to deal with him."

Anzu looked at him skeptically as he smirked ... however, she didn't voice her thoughts on the matter. After all ... it would be pointless to anger him again.

~*~
He seemed really smug that day. No one was really able to place just why, but there was something to Mutou Yuugi's expression that just screamed out to them, 'I did something to be proud of.' It didn't make sense.

He knew that they were talking about him; whispers sounded in his wake whenever he passed by any group in the hallway. He loved it, reveled in it, even. He was someone that they just could not help but notice.

You're enjoying yourself way too much, you know. He held back a chuckle as the voice sounded through his head. His partner had been rather subdued since the previous night ... he knew why, but he didn't think that the concern was founded in any way.

You know I had to do it, life-giver. He turned into the classroom. He deserved it.

Not that ...

He didn't respond as he practically glided towards his desk, sliding into the seat almost as though he were the wind. Eyes turned to him, and he heard more faint whispers around him.

"Did you hear about Ushio?" someone whispered somewhere to his left.

"He's in the hospital, right?"

He smirked a bit, ducking his head down. It wouldn't do to let everyone see such a vindictive look on his face, after all - he had to maintain his innocence in such a situation. He didn't want anyone to associate him with what had happened to Ushio; not yet, anyway.

He felt eyes on him, and his spine stiffened as he heard someone whisper, "You don't think ..."

"Honda, I'm sure it's only a coincidence that Ushio ended up in the hospital last night. Just because Mutou just got back to school yesterday doesn't mean that he had anything to do with it."

"So defensive about him, aren't you?" There was a pause, and a small chuckle in response. "You have to admit, the coincidence is kind of creepy, though."

He forced himself to not listen in on them; it was rude to eavesdrop, after all. He smiled a bit to himself, looking down at the desk. At least no one can ever do that to us, my partner.

Do what?

Eavesdrop. There was a pause, and he heard Yuugi chuckle softly in his head as a response. Are you still mad at me, my partner? I didn't mean to upset you, you know that.

I could never stay mad at you for long, I think, came the simple response. You mean too much to me. You're my other self ... the other part to my soul. Maybe you're the one person who I was meant to be with.

A soul mate, you mean? He enjoyed the sensation of Yuugi snuggling against him that suddenly swept through him. He knew how much he meant to the boy, and he would be a fool not to admit that he was sure that Yuugi meant just as much to him. It was an interesting situation, owing his existence to another person the way that he owed his to Yuugi currently. I understand what you mean, I think. You mean the world to me. Gratitude washed over him, almost as though Yuugi had been afraid that he wouldn't respond in that way.

Why did you do that to him, my other self?

He hurt you, he replied simply, ignoring those around him in favor of the boy he shared a body with. I promised you that I would take care of things for you. I will not let those who hurt you get away with it. I will make them pay for everything that they have done to you.

I know ... Yuugi sounded almost upset with his response. It's just ... you're so protective. Almost too protective.

I owe everything to you. He heard a soft sigh as a response to his words. He wasn't lying, and he was sure that Yuugi knew that; however, it wasn't the whole truth, either. There was more to it, much more. He couldn't quite grasp why he felt such a need to protect Yuugi the way that he was, but something about the way that he felt for the boy almost seemed to require it. Yuugi had wormed his way into his heart so fully, and he wanted to give him everything. A perfect life, where no one could ever harm him again.

"Is it true that he was babbling about monsters and money?" The whispered question cut through his concentration like a hot knife through butter. He remained silent, however, as more glances were tossed in his direction; people were apparently wondering just how much Mutou Yuugi's strange, new attitude had to do with the sudden insanity of the school's most notorious bully, if anything at all.

Still, he said nothing. It would be stupid to incriminate himself, after all.

He looked towards the door as Anzu walked in, noting her shocked expression as she looked over towards him. She seemed as though she was trying to figure something out, perhaps put the situation together properly; she didn't want to believe that her best friend had something to do with Ushio's hospitalization, he figured. Even if his words to her the day before did lead all roads to point to him.

He looked away again.

Yes, he had been the one responsible for Ushio's hospitalization, though, he was sure no one would believe him if he were to state it as so. Gossip worked that way; it was just a way for people to get things off of their chest, but, often, they didn't truly believe everything that was being said. Yes, eyes would turn to him curiously, but it wasn't so much for the fact that they were accusing him as it was them trying to figure out just what the correlation between his return and Ushio's disappearance was.

He knew that, even if his partner did not. Yuugi seemed very uncomfortable with the entire situation. He frowned slightly to himself. Some of Yuugi's classmates looked at him curiously, before shrugging and attributing it to him not liking what he was hearing from them. Most figured that he was iffy about hearing anything about the hospital when he had just been released from one not too long ago.

Yuugi had asked him to stop the night before. He had found Ushio and challenged him to a deadly game. Money had been strewn about for the bully's pleasure; looking through Yuugi's memory book again had provided him with that information. Ushio had demanded money out of Yuugi fairly often before beating him up. No matter how much money Yuugi would give him, the thug wouldn't let him off the hook unless Anzu had been there, however.

Seeing that had made the spirit see red. He couldn't stand those who tricked others into thinking that they had a chance to escape from punishment, only to show them that mercy was not going to be shown to them, regardless of what they did.

His life-giver had been so brave to stand his ground. He could not deny that.

Still, he could not forgive Ushio for what he had done to Yuugi. The rules had been simple.

The thug would have to get as much of the money he could, without the monsters closing in on him. The other had scoffed when he'd heard that term. Monsters, of all things. Something that only existed in fairy tales, he had said. Something that only someone as childish and girlish as Yuugi would still believe in.

He had smirked at the thug and told him that, if he did not fear what would happen, then, perhaps he should just try his luck. The other had not even glanced around himself as he walked into the course, followed by the spirit within Yuugi's body. He would be participating, as well, of course.

He didn't mention that the monsters were unlikely to ever touch him, however. They knew their own master very well.

The game hadn't been fair, in that sense; however, it was no worse than what Ushio had done in the past. He had told himself that the thug deserved every second of it.

Yuugi had continued to object to the entire idea, but had quieted when the spirit had sent his affection for the boy to him. He knew that the spirit had only been doing it in his name ... to protect him. To bring Ushio to justice for what had been done to him.

The screams from Ushio as he noticed that there really were monsters in the shadows had been delicious to him. The teenager had run, eventually backing himself into a corner.

Yuugi's shudders within his soul room had reached the spirit very powerfully as he realized what was going to happen. That was perhaps the only thing that had kept him from letting the monsters do whatever they wanted to the brute.

The soft whimpers had grown, and Yuugi had pleaded with him to not let Ushio die. It wasn't how things were done now, the boy had said.

He had listened, although he hadn't wanted to. At the last possible second, when Ushio's mind had already broken from what he had been seeing, he had called the monsters off, commanding them to return to their resting place in the shadows.

Yuugi hadn't spoken to him for the rest of the night. In fact, it had taken him the entire trip to school just to coax Yuugi into speaking to him again. It had hurt him to see his beautiful life-giver so afraid of him. It was not what he had wanted to do; he had expected Yuugi to be happy with what he had done.

Perhaps, he mused, I don't know you as much as I would like to think.

There's an understatement ... He felt the sensation of Yuugi clamping his hands over his mouth, and realized that he hadn't meant to actually 'speak' the words to him. I'm sorry ... His apology sent a new wave of emotion over the spirit ... guilt.

You have no reason to apologize, he sent back, looking up as the teacher walked into the room. A quick glare was sent at him as the teacher noticed that he had refused to remove his uniform modifications, and, instead, had been audacious enough to add to them; a leather belt, tilted just so on his hip over the pants, and Yuugi's puzzle strung around his neck. He smirked.

As the teacher turned away to begin teaching the class, the whispers slowly died down. Eyes continued to flicker towards the empty seat where Ushio normally sat, but, otherwise, the class was normal.

As normal as it could be under the circumstances, anyway.

~*~
"My other self ...?"

"Yes, partner?" He shifted his hold on the boy in his arms, looking at him worriedly. They had been standing there silently for a while, Yuugi's face buried into his shoulder as though he never wanted to move from that position, even if the world were to end. It had been a method of comfort, something that he was more than willing to provide for his life-giver. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern showing in crimson eyes.

"I ... it's just ..." He sighed, violet eyes downcast. "It feels like I'm being rude, in a way. You know so much about me, and you keep wanting to know more, but I ..." He bit his lip, pressing himself closer again, body craving the embrace of the other. "I haven't bothered to even ask anything about you."

He laughed softly. "Is that all it is?" He smiled reassuringly as Yuugi looked up at him in confusion. "Alright, then ..." He pulled away some, taking Yuugi's hand as he started for the bed, happy with the fact that Yuugi's soul room had taken on the form of his bedroom. It had provided them with enough areas to just hold each other comfortably. "What would you like to know?" he inquired, sitting down and pulling Yuugi into his lap. The teenager blushed some.

"I ... I'm not really sure." He looked into crimson eyes, as though searching for the answers to all of his questions and problems. "I guess, mainly, I want to know who you are." He blushed again. "I mean, I know that you said that I should think of you as another extension of myself, and I do. It's nice to think of you that way, really. But ... I feel like I'm doing a disservice to you by thinking of you only as my other self. I should know who you are. You do have your own identity, really."

There was a pause, and they looked into each other's eyes silently. Violet held questions that required answers, and a refusal to give up in this quest for knowledge; crimson held a reluctance to answer those questions. Eventually, the spirit's eyes softened, and he sighed; a tension-breaker, more than anything. "Alright." Yuugi snuggled against him again, smiling as the spirit got more comfortable. He shivered as Yuugi's lips pressed against his neck. "You might not like everything that you hear, my partner," he warned.

Yuugi kissed his other self's neck again, whispering against the smooth skin, "As long as I know about you, even just a little bit, I'll be happy." His voice sounded almost distant, and the spirit realized what was happening; Yuugi was allowing himself to fall into a state of bliss at being so close to him. He smiled at the shorter teenager.

"I lived a long time ago ... nearly three thousand years ago, from what I've been able to figure, in Kemet." He paused, as though thinking. Yuugi pulled back and looked at him, realizing that the other was looking through the 'book' of his memories again. "Ah," he said at last. "Ancient Egypt, you would call it now." He smiled as Yuugi nestled against him again. "I lived what would be called a very good life, really. Well, better than most in that time, anyway"

"Mm, why's that?" The voice was muffled as Yuugi's face became buried against his shoulder again.

He laughed softly. "I was considered a god then, my little one." He looked at Yuugi levelly as the boy pulled back and stared at him in shock, a question in his eyes; he nodded. "Yes, I was the Pharaoh of Kemet." His expression became amused. "The puzzle that you were so intent on finishing had actually been mine once. It was a container of power ... perhaps a medium to my power."

"Power?" Yuugi looked very interested now. He smiled at seeing that.

"Yes." He chuckled as Yuugi seemed to grow impatient with anticipation. "I'm sure you must have figured some of it out by now. Last night should have been a hint at it, in any event." He drew small, comforting circles along Yuugi's back as the boy seemed to tense some at the mention of the previous night. "Shh ..." he whispered. "I'm sorry, my life-giver. I should have asked first, I suppose, but he did deserve punishment. I promise that I will not do something like that without running it by you first." Yuugi seemed to calm.

"So ... last night should have ... been a hint?" Yuugi's eyebrows furrowed as he seemed to think on what the former pharaoh could possibly mean by that. "Power. Well, last night, there were those strange monsters," he said, frowning. "I'm not quite sure what to make of any of that, though. I mean, how did you make those monsters appear, and ... and how did they obey you so easily?"

"They remember their master at all times," he said simply, fingers running through Yuugi's hair. "But that's perhaps a story for another day." He laughed softly as Yuugi whined at hearing that. "As for how I made them appear, that's part of my power."

"Magic ..." Yuugi breathed out.

"Yes." His smile grew as Yuugi's eyes seemed to grow.

"Thank you." He raised an eyebrow at the boy, who simply smiled at him brilliantly; it was a smile that could light even the darkest of rooms. "For telling me this. I ... I'm glad that you've let me in on this bit of insight."

"I haven't told you very much at all," he interjected.

"But it's enough for now." Yuugi wrapped his arms around the former pharaoh's neck, shifting closer almost imperceptibly. "I don't want you to tell me everything all at once. What will you tell me later on if you let me know all of it right now, after all?" They laughed together, faces leaning closer each passing moment. "Pharaoh ... my ... my other self ..." His voice was barely a whisper as they stopped moving closer, lips barely a hair's width away from touching. "Kiss me ... please ..."

The soft wave of excitement and contentment that washed over him as he obliged his partner's request was intoxicating in ways that he had never dreamed of. This is what it's like, then ... he mused, pulling back some from the gentle kiss and reaching a hand up to cup Yuugi's cheek. This is what it means to have someone that you love. His thumb brushed over the other's lips gently, and Yuugi shivered. The other half to my soul; the one person who can never be torn from me. The person who was made for me.

Yuugi smiled at him, shifting closer still. "I've never felt like this before," he admitted. "There's something about you ... it just ..."

"Takes away all other thoughts."

"Yes."

"I feel the same, my partner." He pressed their lips together again. The kiss was deeper this time, and Yuugi whimpered softly into it, lips parting in a silent invitation. He couldn't help but accept the temptation, his tongue pressing into the small opening, teasingly flicking against Yuugi's own. Another whimper, and he chuckled, pulling back. "Perhaps we're moving too fast for you," he said, amused. Yuugi pouted at him. "I want this to be perfect for you, my partner. No regrets."

"What are you thinking of, love?" The words slipped from Yuugi's lips before he even realized what he was saying. As the former pharaoh looked at him with an eyebrow raised, he clamped his hand over his mouth, blushing.

"Love, hm?" He smiled at the boy in his arms. "I'm thinking that this is the most comfortable that I have ever been. That this is the one place that I never want to leave." He ran his fingers through Yuugi's hair again. "I'm thinking that I don't want to ever be without you."

Yuugi's hand dropped, that brilliant, bright smile shining at him again. "I was thinking the same thing," he admitted shyly. He threw himself at his other self again, holding on as though his life depended on it. "I never want to be without you. I never want to lose you. I never want you taken from me."

"I won't leave you. Not ever." He kissed Yuugi's cheek. "I promise." Yuugi's soft sigh of gratification tickled his neck. "I'll tell you one other thing about myself, little one."

Yuugi pulled back, scrunching his nose at the title that the former pharaoh had used again before cocking his head slightly to the side. "What's that?"

"My name." Yuugi blushed at that, a bit surprised that the former pharaoh offered the information without him needing to ask for it. He leaned in, lips brushing against Yuugi's ear, and he grinned to himself before nibbling lightly on the soft skin. The most adorable squeak reached his ears, and he chuckled very softly. "Atemu," he whispered.

"Huh?"

"That's my name, Yuugi." He pulled back again, looking into Yuugi's eyes. A soft blush was again setting itself onto Yuugi's cheeks, and he smiled. His fingers again found themselves in Yuugi's soft hair, and the boy pulled himself closer again, head resting on Atemu's chest as he was forced backwards onto the bed. He laughed again. "You're quite the cuddler, aren't you?" A soft swat to his arm, and he laughed once more.

"I'm just happy," came the soft reply. "I never imagined that I would learn all of this tonight." Yuugi shifted, placing a kiss on his other self's neck again. "It means so much to me," he whispered. "Thank you."

"I would tell you anything you wish to know, my partner," Atemu responded, fingers still playing in Yuugi's hair. "I could never keep anything from you." His hand left the other's hair, instead wandering down to his back, rubbing gentle, indescribable patterns there. Yuugi sighed again, relaxing into the touch.

"I'm glad you went to bed early, then," he said, voice betraying his smile.

"As am I."

They held each other closer, both silent, just enjoying each other's presence as the night continued outside of the body that they shared. They were both oblivious to it; the outside world no longer mattered to them for the night. Just being with each other, right there, right then, was all that they needed.

They fell asleep, still holding each other, some hours later. Yuugi was content, as he hadn't been in a long while, knowing that, no matter what happened in the outside world, his other self would deal with it perfectly for him.

Chapter Links: Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7

yuugiou, if the world doesn't want me, rated pg-13

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