Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ A Darkened Light ❯ Shadows ( Chapter 3 )

Darkened Light

Chapter 3: Shadows

Sorry about the wait! Hehheh… anyway, to all those who reviewed, THANKIES YOU!!!! You all get a piece of cake! ^-^

Disclaimer: Refer to chapters 1-2 ^.~

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"Yugi…I've been worried about you since your mother died…" An elderly old man with graying hair, yet kind features and a caring voice spoke. The elderly man along with his grandson were seated in a small, white-washed living room. Yugi, seated on a squishy, comfortable black leather recliner, shuffled a bit under his grandpa's inquisitive eye and interrogating, yet concerned voice.

"I've been f-fine Gramps… it's been tough at home…but it's only to be expected, considering the c-circumstances…" Well…that wasn't a total lie, it has been hard…but Grandpa doesn't need to know the details. Feeling a little guilty about not telling his grandpa the specifics, young Yugi sighed. Maybe this really was a bad Idea, he though to himself once again.

"…Well then… I guess you're right…it is natural for things to get a little tougher for you, but you're a strong boy, you can handle it!: The boy's grandfather, Sugoroku, spoke to him reassuringly as he shifted in his cushioned rocker. "So Yugi, how has your father been lately? It's been a while since I've heard from him…is he alright?"

Unconsciously, the amethyst-eyed boy tensed at the mention of his father. "H-he's fine…H-he's still a little upset about the accident…but he's g-getting though it…" The pre-teen clenched his small, pain fists in an attempt to hold in the rivers of salt water that were now begging to flow down his soft, pail cheeks.

Sensing he had hit a soft spot in his young relative's heart; the old man plucked himself up, off his rocker and began to walk out of the room. He turned towards his grandson, who was just about to follow his lead. "Hold on Yugi, just wait here for a moment. I'll be back in a minute."

Blinking momentarily in confusion, Yugi replied to his elder with a slight nod, which was soon accompanied by a sigh as Yugi let himself sink back into the cool leather chair.

After a few minutes of leisure, relaxation, and rest, Yugi had succeeded in falling asleep in the leather cushion, knees brought to his chest. Of course, being asleep, Yugi wouldn't have noticed the return of his grandpa. Who, on a small wooden coffee table in the center on the living room, set a small, golden rectangular box. The box in speaking appeared to be etched with ancient, hieroglyphic writing. Each separately engraved mark seemed to emit a mysterious aura…a presence of sorts. But something dark was emanating from the object, unknowingly…

"…Yugi…what has really been going on at home…in your life? I know you aren't telling your old man the whole truth…what is it you're fretting so much?…" The gray-haired, violet-eyed elderly man brushed away a golden bang from Yugi's face with a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry I haven't been able to be around as much as needed…I just hope that things will only get better for you." Glancing over his grandson's form, Sugoroku finally noticed how pail and petite Yugi appeared since the last time he saw the young boy. At that moment he knew that something was wrong in Yugi's already tragic life. Sugoroku only wished he could figure out what was wrong…

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Alone, a young boy sat, darkness enveloping most of his angelic figure, once bright, was now consumed by darkness. Stunning golden bangs drooped over the figure's pail, rounded face. Crystalline tears, which held so much emotion, carelessly streaked down his face. The immense, all too familiar sensation known as pain threatened to engulf the petite figure at any moment.

Somewhere, in the surrounding darkness, the soft yet sharp sound of footsteps entered the young boy's ears. Seemingly emotionless eyes turned towards the ever approaching footsteps. If only he had the strength to speak he would demand who it was approaching. But he felt far too drained of both physical and mental strength. All the youth could afford to do now was to wait, wait and see who would emerge from the surrounding oblivion.

As he sat watching and waiting for the owner of the footsteps to appear, the sound of someone chuckling or huffing, one of the two, if not both, had accompanied the footsteps. Before the boy could think of anything to do, a regal and confident voice rang out among the darkness, thus causing the boy to unconsciously shiver.

"Tell me, who are you? And why do you trespass here?" The shadowy silhouette of a young man had come into the boy's line of vision. For a split second, a tinge of fear crossed into the youth's mind. …D-daddy? …No…that doesn't sound like him…

"W-wha-" Stopping himself mid-sentence,- the boy contemplated whether he should actually reply to the shrouded figure or just simply stay seated on the ground and wait for the person to do something. But…what it the just upsets the unknown figure?

Slowly, the figure drew into the small eclipse of light surrounding the child. The circle of light was the only penetration into the darkness, and where the small boy sat with his eyes set on the ground. "Why do you not answer my question? Surely you're not her to cause me trouble… Please, if this is in fact true, tell me your name and purpose for being here."

Odd…this person's voice held no malice, no hate nor anger… All the boy could hear were curious and inquisitive words; something foreign to him from anyone other than his grandpa.

Mustering the will power to speak, for it seemed best to answer this person, the boy spoke, still hoping not to offend this person. "I…I… my name's Yugi…" Taking a pause, he continued, "I-I don't know why I'm here…" Hanging his head further than it already was, expecting some sort of negative reaction from this mysterious person, Yugi also closed his eyes tightly. This action however, seemed to confuse the person before him.

The figure stood in silence for he contemplated a way in which to ask this obviously skittish child why was so…skittish. Then, he noticed that since he had first stepped into the surrounding light, the young one hand not once made eye contact with him. "…Yugi is it?" Pausing momentarily, making sure he was correct in his usage of the boy's name; continuing only after receiving a nod of confirmation from the said person. "If I have scared you…please, excuse my behavior. I was merely curious of your presence here"

"Oh…I'm sorry…"

"Sorry? Why do you apologize to me when you have done nothing wrong?"

"…I…don't know…b-but…wha-what's your name?"

"…My name? …You can call me…Yami"

"Yami? …You mean dark…?"

A small smile crept onto Yami's features, something that hadn't happened for a long time. "Yes...darkness...the only thing I've known for a long time..."

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"Yam-i…" muttered Yugi as he slowly began to return to consciousness. The small, golden box which had been lying on the coffee had begun emanating some sort of golden aura, as if responding to the word muttered by the waking Yugi. But, as quickly as the box had begun glowing, it ceased.

Groggily, amethyst colored eyes opened, followed shortly by a yawn. "…uh…" Rubbing his eyes, Yugi straightened himself in the leather recliner as he surveyed his surroundings. After a minute or two, he remembered that he was in his grandpa's card shop.

"Ah, Yugi, so you're awake. I came back earlier, but you were sleeping. I didn't have it in my heart to wake you." Slowly, Sugoroku walked over to his grandson's side and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Yugi, there's something I've been meaning to give you for a while." Walking towards the coffee table on which the golden box was perched upon, he picked up the golden box. Turning back to his grandson, he placed the golden trinket in Yugi's hands.

Confused at receiving such an expensive looking object, Yugi looked at his grandpa with a questioning stare. "…What's this for?" Asked the young boy as he turned the box around several times, inspecting the hieroglyphic carvings, which, for some reason, automatically drew his attention.

The old man let out a rich chuckle at his grandson's obvious confusion. "I had meant to give it to you on your birthday last year, but I was in Egypt, so unfortunately, I missed my chance to give it to you." A small smirk crossed the old mans features as he began describing the contents of the box to his grandson.

"I know how much you enjoy puzzles and challenges of the sort. So I decided that this would be a good challenge for you to try, Yugi. In this box lie the pieces of what the Egyptians call the Millennium Puzzle."

"The millennium Puzzle?"

"Yep, the millennium puzzle! The Egyptians who I had questioned about it say that it holds great power, that the one who solves it will gain the power of the shadows."

"…You…you don't…believe that do you Grandpa?"

"No, no, of course not Yugi, it's just some ancient Egyptian legend. I do, however believe that if you succeed in solving the millennium puzzle, that you'll be granted one wish."

"A…wish?"

"That's right, a wish. But then again that's just the dream of an old fart like me! I've tried my hand at the puzzle and I've failed miserably. I think that maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to solve it… and who knows Yugi, maybe it does grant you something once completed…but the only way to know is to try. What do you say Yug'? Do you want to give it a try?"

Hesitantly, Yugi nodded. Who knows…maybe he could solve it…and maybe what his grandpa said was true… One thing he was sure of, he had to at least try. Smiling widely, knowing that he was going to at least give it a try, Sugoroku placed the golden box into Yugi's backpack, which had been propped against the recliner Yugi was seated on. "Thank you grandpa"

As the elderly man handed Yugi his bag, the sound of the bell hung above the game shop door sounded. "A customer? …At this hour?" Confused, Yugi's grandfather walked towards the portion of the house built as a game shop to investigate. "I'm sorry, but the shop's closed for the night."

"I'm not here to buy some cards old man. I'm here to bring Yugi home!" A cruel and sadistic voice entered the said boy's ears, and upon hearing the voice, Yugi's entire body began to tremble in fear.

"…D-daddy…" Whispered Yugi, afraid to let his presence known.

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Alright, that wraps up chapter three!! Oh, and about the dream sequence Yugi meet Yami in…if the italics are messed up and all over the place, I'm sorry! Media miner seems to mess around with it ^^; I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and REALLY REALLY sorry for the long wait! If you're not mad at me, please review! Till next time! Ja'ne! ^-^;