Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Black and White ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

~Chapter 2~

It should have been so easy. Getting home, getting ready and then following his best friend out for an evening of fun games and just relaxing. The was just one major problem... His closet. He was glaring at his for now most hated object as an angered hint began to make its way in his amethyst eyes. For once in his life he was nervous, and for the one and only time in his life he didn't know what to wear. And the reason he was nervous...

Okay, make it two major problems.

He didn't understand himself. Why did he have problems with clothes? He never had! He had it all, from jumpers to shirts, loose baggy pants to form-fitting leather, all colours between white and black, but still... his mind skimmed as his eyes searched the closet again, hoping that in some magical way the perfect clothes would show up. Of course, it didn't happen. He cursed lowly as a low chuckle was heard from his door. He snapped his gaze towards his best friend.

“Having problems?” Ryou asked while arching an eyebrow in a gesture of strengthening the question. Yugi cast him an annoyed glance, and his eyes darted back to the clothes, as he raised his voice to speak.

“Weren't you just making out with Bakura?” Another chuckle, this one more like a snicker, very amused.

“He just left” The amethyst-eyed boy only snorted in response. “So, do you need help?” Yugi nodded, a deep sigh.

“I just can't figure out what to wear” He muttered lowly. He hear the soft footsteps on the wooden floor and then seeing his friend from the corner of his eye as the other teen stopped beside him, gazing over the many objects of clothing.

“Okay...” Ryou nodded. “To make it easier, what kind of person do you want to be for the evening?”

“What kind of person?” Yugi echoed with a very confused by tone in his voice. Ryou rolled his eyes.

“You know, the first impression is the clothing. Now don't come here pretending this problem is not because of that guy, because it's obvious that it is the problem” Ryou said all this while looking him dead in the eye. “And then, what I mean is, how do you want the first impression to be? It's all in the clothes. Waged, or shy? Black or white? Baggy, or form-fitting, it's all there” Ryou made a few gesturing motions with his hands as he spoke. Yugi made a small nod.

“Okay... But... I don't know...” He nibbled at his bottom lip as he spoke, a clear act, which showed he was nervous. Ryou hummed lightly.

“What would you like him to see you as? A shy boy, almost too innocent for words, or a bit more waged, showing you are there for one purpose, and aren't going home with empty hands” Yugi got a red tingle over his cheeks as Ryou pictured it up inside his mind. Okay... this wasn't leading to anything good...

“Ehm...” He mumbled, looking at his closet again. “Well... I don't think it would make an impression for him if I was looking to shy...” Ryou nodded, and reached out, pulling some articles of clothing from the closet.

“Okay, best thing would be then to use those black leather pants you've never tried” The silver-haired boy told. “And then I would suggest you to use either this shirt, even if this one should almost fit better...” Yugi just nodded a bit sheepishly, he had absolutely no idea what his friend was blabbering about. Even so, after a good five minutes Ryou finally was finished with his rummaging.

“I think these will do” He said, and handed the articles over. “I still stick to the pants, definitively. And now don't shy out of this” Yugi sighed deeply and shook his head as he accepted the clothing. Ryou turned to go on a search for own clothes, but turned in the doorway.

“Besides, I suggest you take on those arm bracers and choker, it makes you partly look like you're asking to be dominated” Yugi arched an eyebrow and the other laughed softly as he went out the room. The tri-colour-haired boy shrugged, but did as his friend had said, putting the clothing on before clasping the bracers around his wrists, and the choker around his neck. He gazed himself in the mirror, and shuddered slightly. If this wasn't anything alike waged... he never wanted to look `waged'. He blinked and then went to the bathroom, first brushing his teeth a little absently, and watching himself in the mirror of the medicine cabinet. He put the toothbrush back, but still watched himself in the mirror. Ryou went in and brushed his hair while letting an eye wander, inspecting the clothing.

“That looks good on you” He commented, making the other boy shrug again, never leaving the mirror with his amethyst gaze. Then he turned to Ryou.

“Ehm... Ryou” He said it a little reluctantly, before sighing. “May I lend your mascara?” The other lit up and laid the hairbrush back.

“Of course Yugi, I never thought you would ask!” Yugi mumbled something incoherent under his breath. “But maybe you would like me to help you apply it?” Yugi glared at him as an amused smile played on the silver-haired boy's lips, but he nodded.

Well... A lot could change in one day... right?

~*~

As they walked down the street towards the following stop, Yugi cast yet another glance into the windows, watching his eyes; and he had to admit that Ryou had been right. In the dim light it would be at the Casino's and bars, his eyes would be lit up a bit as well, and that little touch of mascara his friend had applied, would frame in those eyes. He already saw it as neon lights flashed into the amethyst orbs. Ryou smiled at him, and as if reading his thoughts, he said:

“I told you it would look good” He smiled “Okay... next stop?”

“I was thinking...” Yugi glanced at the time. “Maybe, since we already have been to three casino's this week, maybe we should spend the whole evening at Paradise of Osiris, I mean, we have just been at the restaurant, and besides, you never know what games they are playing” The other nodded and had a small smile.

“So, Yugi, just to ask, how did that guy look like?” Yugi was really reluctant. Would he tell his friend about him? About the grace he had, the soft murmur of improper thoughts fleeting into your mind as you saw him? The deep crimson eyes, the shudder that shook his body as that gaze touched him? Or would he lie? That last one didn't seem fair, but would he tell about the thoughts he held, no, hoped for, to be true?

“Ehm...” Yugi blushed slightly. No turning back now. “No laughing, okay?” Ryou nodded, a gesture of understanding.

“Of course I won't” He said, ensuring the other teen. “I wouldn't laugh... if it wasn't for happiness for your sake, Yugi” Yugi nodded, slowly, a thousand doubting thoughts in his mind as he opened his mouth, speaking out slowly, eyes always held forward.

“I can't really say what he looked like... after all, the distance was so far you almost couldn't take out details, it was more like a feeling... The things I could figure out, from the looks... He had hair like me... spiked black, dipped in crimson... he had golden bangs like mine, but most of it pushed back against his black hair” He made a pause to moisture his lips before continuing. “He wore leather, form-fitting as hell. Slim built, and the way he moved... I just shuddered at the look, not a cold shudder form an icy wind... more like...”

More like the thought of those steps towards him.

Ryou nodded, and motioned for him to continue, his almond eyes burning with curiosity.

“The thing that I noted more... was the eyes. You couldn't see them all too clearly from my distance, but they were deeply crimson, burning and flaming and icing at the same time, sharp scarlet with a touch of ice, but a strong flame behind them... And this was not from looks, I felt it the second his gaze touched me...” He shook his head with an apology. “I'm sorry, I'm sure this sounds all weird...”

“No” Ryou shook his head forcefully, silver locks twisting around his head. “It doesn't. I can understand it perfectly, I really can” Yugi smiled relieved, but his stomach had began to knot itself as he spoke, the thoughts running through his mind without an end, without any way to go, but to pass through his brain, infecting every thought, every single one of them. He tried to clear his thoughts as he looked around, trying to navigate slowly.

“Okay... It should be around the next corner... shouldn't it?” Ryou nodded, and glanced around, suddenly brightening.

“Yugi, there!” He glanced towards the way his friend was showing, seeing what he meant. He sauntered up towards the door of the bar, waiting for his friend, who wasn't far after. He opened the door as a dusty scent of alcohol whiffed against his nose thrills. He eyed the bar slightly. Dim yellow light shining through the room, smoke from several cigarettes played through the air, following along with the sour scent of alcohol. As they looked round, their eyes followed the same line. The music playing was everything and nothing, and absurd mix of different styles, but he doubted anyone cared about the music. Drunken men and women babbled around, flirting and blowing kisses, their voices clear and not caring whoever heard them. Yugi arched one eyebrow. He wouldn't be surprised if along with these drinks, a few shots were spiked with something far more dangerous, addicting. He better held himself with Ryou and Bakura, and never left the drinks he bought. This place could be dangerous, but alluring as well. His eyes darted past a few groups of drunks and addicts, and with a disgusted snort past a woman who seemingly found him interesting. She looked red-eyed, drunk and couldn't stand up straight, he wondered if she even knew how he was looking like, or would ever remember. He ignored her and made his way towards the counter together with Ryou. The other looked around with a mix of suspicion and curiosity, and he couldn't blame him. The places they often went to were nice, expensive places where money of great amount went from hand to hand. Here, a mix of games, played by drunks and people from the street, hoping to get some money for the night, watching as the small bills left from hand to hand faster than the cards landed on the table. Here and there money left owners without their knowing and will, men and women suddenly gaining larger wallets without playing any game, except for any of the games of the night.

“Yugi, this place is very different” Ryou commented lowly, eyes narrowed slightly.

“I told you it would be” Bakura answered before Yugi had the time to, as the older teen leaned against the counter from the other side. He flashed a smile at his boyfriend before continuing. “But it's pretty nice once you get to know it, as long as you keep your eyes on both wallet and glasses” Yugi made a low cough as another woman send him a for her alluring look, but for him only annoying. He knew that the only reason she would get money tonight was through one of the most dangerous midnight games, and he wasn't going to play it...

At least not with her

“So, do you have anything good to offer?” Ryou asked his look-alike with a small intimate purr at the back of his throat. The other laughed softly and pinched the bridge of his Hikari's nose.

“For you I always have” He answered, but Yugi did ignore them, looking around, his right hand burying inside the pocket of his jacket, black. His fingers grazed his wallet, as he thoughtfully bit his lip. He knew he would win in the games played here, and you would always need a bit of backup if it ever would be necessary.

“I go play a bit” He muttered to his friends, who just nodded.

“I get up to you later on” Ryou answered as he left. The tri-colour haired boy nodded as he made his way up small stairs, passing through a mass of living, at least half-living, humans and towards the card tables. Cards were always fun. There the luck was most needed, and if he hadn't luck, no one had. Sometimes that thought might sound egoistical, but anyone who met him could confirm he was right; he never lost. Never and ever. Critical eyes scanned his figure as he sat down at one of the tables, and spoke out the dared words.

“Anyone dare to play?” Grins emitted the crowd, and the first sat down in front of him, laying out small wad of bills on the table, and he slipped his own bill out. “One hundred dollars” The greedy eyes lit up, but his amethyst ones scanned the wad of the others. He guessed that it was about the same amount there. For the man it must be his whole life, for him it was nothing more then a mere amount of extra cash.

Sometimes he was too evil.

Five cards drawn, three rounds of changing coordination, and not a single sign of concentration on his face, not yet. This was too damnably easy. The other laid his hand down with a grin. Pair of Jacks, and Pair of queens. Pretty good, but.

“Full house” He murmured entrancingly as he laid his own hand down, watching the as grin faded on the other's face. Well, good start, bad luck for the other. He snatched the wad from the other with a brilliant smile. “Better luck next time” The man rose with an angered grunt and then waddled through the crowd, muttering for himself about the great problems he now had. The next up was slightly more rich, and much more arrogant.

“You might be good kid, but I dare you on five-hundred dollars you can't win” Yugi smiled, entrancingly and smug, before snatching another three bills from his wallet, before settling his hand against it again. He couldn't afford to loose it, but he doubted he would.

“A dare I'll take anytime” Yugi purred velvety before playing the game again. Luck was his guardian and he was the one who guided the game.

And had always done so.

~*~

His eyes darted towards the door after the at least twentieth victim left him, with a new winning in the form of a few crumbled bills. He felt a bit sorry for the guy, as this were his last few dollars, but this was also a game of the night. Win or loose, he chose to play, and play they did. Yugi won, and no option of returning. Yugi frowned to himself. He had been watching the door now and then, why? He didn't know. It was not like he waited for someone...

Flash of crimson eyes in his mind, and he shuddered.

Okay, maybe he was.

He didn't see his friend before he slumped down next to him, two drinks in his hand.

“Thought you were thirsty” Ryou smiled and handed him the first one as his eyes gazed at the pile of bills. “You surely are getting ahead of yourself. How much is it?”

“Around one thousand five hundred” Yugi mumbled as he put the glass to his lips, taking a small sip, tasting the bitter sweet-sour taste burn down his throat. There was at least nothing wrong with the drinks. Another drunk staggered over, hoping to have luck on his side, and Yugi eyed him with a cool grace in his features, studying his newfound prey. That sounded almost too evil to be him. People that met him would never think he was a player, both with girls and with games. But the girls were probably because it never worked. Never. He flashed a smile at the newcomer, gulped his drink down, clicking his tongue slightly and shuddering at the burning down his throat before giving the glass to Ryou, who watched the newcomer curiously.

“And here comes more” He muttered lowly, but a very amused tone played behind his voice, and a glint was in his eyes. This money they earned always came to use, in one way or another. After all, he shared with Ryou, since Ryou was his friend, and since they both needed the money equally much, and Yugi was the only one who could win it like this.

“Just watch me” Yugi murmured and watched as the other muttered out his bet. Another one betting fifty dollar. Okay, just write down one thousand five hundred and fifty dollar. He gave an alluring smile, as something flickered in his eyes as he looked with a small look towards the door. He almost could suppress the shudder. The four from before sauntered into the bar, and silence occurred now and then in the four's wake. Hungry gazes from women and men wandered over the small gang. Ryou caught his eyes and turned his head, just to see for himself, before smiling with a small whistle.

“You've got it bad” he stated. Yugi didn't listen, and forced his eyes back to the other as the game started. He watched the slim man in the corner of his eye, and the drunken man saw his gaze as well, snorting slightly.

“Ya know” He grumbled. “That gang... it's famous for games” He drew two new cards after throwing away equal amount, and Yugi did the same, throwing away three.

“Oh really?” Yugi asked, suddenly wondering if the man might know the gorgeous male's name. “Do you know any name?” The man seemed to think while doing his second change.

“I just know the Game King” He mumbled. “His name's Atemu, but no last name is said...” He seemed to think deeper. “Ah, almost forgot, Atemu is the crimson-eyed, for your notice” Yugi's eyes blinked as he turned his gaze again. Atemu, hm? Real name, or just for the gang? The four had gotten a drink each, and the black-haired sauntered over to a group of addicted women, probably prostituting for money as well. The two blondes sat at the counter, speaking with Bakura in the most eased way seemed, the more muscular, spiky haired one wrapping his arms around the slim one's waist, dragging him into his lap. A couple then... his eyes darted back to the drunk and he made his last move while Ryou still watched the group at their different places, before smirking smugly.

“I refill your drink” He mumbled before escaping from his side, taking his glass with him. Yugi just shrugged and watched the man lay his hand down. He hadn't gotten all to well. Pair of Kings.

“Too bad buddy” He said and laid his own hand down. Full house. Why didn't it surprise him? It never did.

“Uhum...” The drunk said, smirking smugly as he laid his bills at the amethyst-eyed teen's winnings. “You have a resemblance with the Game King, both in looks and games...” He muttered before rising up. Yugi put the new bills into his growing pile before letting his eyes wander around the room. Now where had the oh so gorgeous Atemu gone off to? His eyes gazed over gangs of drunks, addicts and those woman who to him looked more like prostitutes than anything else. He saw Ryou down at the bar, sitting on the counter and watching his boyfriend, as he spoke to the slim blonde, who was just shoving the other blondes hand away from his thigh. Yugi shrugged and let his eyes wander on, before stopping.

He saw him there, in a corner, just throwing the dices in a game before collecting the winnings, and leaving the table, rising up and sauntering over the room, completely ignoring the looks and flirting from women around him. Yugi watched his steps, tried to drink the sight in. Before, he hadn't seen the other so close, but now he could see him perfectly, even if the low light made it harder. He was as slim as he thought, but with the form-fitting leather, you could see the muscles playing under the black clothing. He had no jacket this evening, and his tanned arms looked like dusty gold in the light. Yugi couldn't take his eyes away. Choker and bracers were gone for the evening, he noted, before fingering at his own. Crimson eyes were gazing coolly over the place as he sauntered towards a table, casually sitting down. He closed his eyes for a brief second before blinking, looking up, and again Yugi felt that shudder as the crimson eyes met him, only this time, they pierced his, straight into his soul. Slight wonder behind crimson scarlet, and a hint of catlike curiosity in his face as he let his gaze wander down, and he couldn't help the next shudder either, the look starting a burning in his very skin. He had to rip his own eyes away from the other as a new player came up, but he felt those curios eyes on him as he played, and he licked his lips nervously. That gaze inflicted a spark. A spark that soon grew to a flame inside of him, threatening to burn him from the inside, and so, he played, nervous, and for once concentrated on the game. If he wasn't, he might loose because of the burning eyes on him.

As he laid his cards down, the other's face fell, and then staggered up, leaving a pair of bills after him, which Yugi collected with slender fingers. He felt the gaze leave him, and almost let out a relieved sigh, when he heard the clicking of steel-clad boots against the wooden floor, and something went down his spine. He didn't dare look. It couldn't be...

As the crimson-eyed, to him, stranger sat down on the other end of the table, he felt a gulp threatening to make way. He looked down at his deck and licked his lips slowly. But he couldn't sit with lowered gaze, he was supposed to be social competent, not shy. He made a small clearing of his throat and straightening up, meeting the other's gaze again, feeling the spark ignite in him. Atemu's eyes were sharp, he felt them cut into his soul with a cool and icy flame, but behind ebony lashes, a small warm fire brimmed, the scarlet softening into deep wine, a still curios look against him. He moistured his lips again, before softly murmuring.

“You dare to play?” A small smirk, mischievous and smug, played on the other's lips.

“I dare to play, yes” The voice was deep and velvet, with a dark hint of maturity. Shadows emerged around the darkening orbs as he studied him. A dark soul, not to doubt. He hadn't thought of anything else. “One thousand dollars, do you keep up with that, little one?” Yugi smiled back, reluctantly and soft, as he made a small nod, sorting out the money from his pile. The darkling motioned for him to begin and he put his hand on the deck, slender fingers counting up the five cards. He watched as Atemu reached out for his own hand of cards, before looking at his own. This wasn't too hard... if you exclude the flames burning inside of him, and the curios eyes watching him as he played. As they were finished, Yugi laid his hand out first. Full house. The darkling snickered amusedly, and Yugi arched one eyebrow. Dusty golden digits dropped the cards to the table. Impossible.

“Full house” Came the thoughtful proclamation. “Seems we have a tie” Yugi made a soft snicker while wondering where his friend had gotten off.

“So, we play a rematch” He suggested in soft murmuring, eyes looking at the other behind dark lashes, seeing a glint of amusement in the crimson orbs. The other nodded and shuffled the deck. Another round went on, and yet another. After a couple of five rounds, people began to gather. They probably had the rumours about Atemu, as the Game king, and it surely should be amusing if he kept getting in a draw with a young boy.

“Okay...” Yugi said, slowly, wondering. This couldn't go on. They both knew they wouldn't loose this way.

“We take a match of Light and Darkness and finish this” Atemu suggested. Yugi glanced at him, nodding. It was an easy game. You each drew five cards, and laid them down without looking at them, in which order you wanted. Then you both flipped one card at a time, and the one with most victories in the end had won. Cards of same colour went to a tie, and if you were tied at the end, you kept on drawing cards until anyone won. So always someone had to win. “Heart is light and Spade is dark. Heart wins over all, Spade looses to all. Clover wins over Spade, Diamond over Clover” Yugi nodded again, and reached to draw his five cards, before laying them down on the table, licking his lips as the other did the same. He reached for his first card and flipped. Jack in heart. He smirked to himself, but then thought the darkling definitively had to get the same, they had the same luck... but maybe the luck wanted to play them all a prank. Atemu turned his first and raised a brow in silent question. Jack in spade. Yugi gave him an entrancing smile, and saw him give a casual smirk in return, before lowering his face as a blush spread on his cheeks. Atemu flipped his next card, and frowned again. Ten in spade. Yugi arched an eyebrow as well, and flipped his. Ten in heart. What was going on? Before they were exactly the same all the way... but... He remembered. Every full house Atemu gained, was in spade... and his was in hearts... always.

Heart is for light and Spade is for dark. He shuddered and flipped his next card, Ace in heart, and looked at the other, who gazed his card thoughtfully, and then flipped, but now not seeming surprised as it turned out to be Ace in spade. The crowd murmured wondering. What was really going on? They both had the same value of cards, and always in heart and spade. Atemu flipped his, and just shrugged, as it was a four in spade. Yugi flipped his, four in heart. Now he was getting nervous. He flipped his last card, even if he had already won, and almost whimpered in confusion. King in heart. Atemu snickered softly and flipped his. King in spade. The darkling gazed his cards before leaning against the chairs back, crossing his arms over his chest. The murmuring went louder. The Game King just lost! And against an almost look-alike! Yugi licked his lips nervously.

“Well...” Atemu said, thoughtful acknowledgment in his deep voice. “Seems someone just beat me...” He smiled and leaned against the table, chin in his right hand. “So, do I get a name of the one and only ever beating me?” Yugi looked down at the amused look in the others eyes.

“Ehm... Yugi... Yugi Mutou” He said, softly, whispering in a nervous manner. The darkling nodded and reached the bills out.

“Well Yugi, you have truly deserved these” He chuckled “I've played for almost all my life, and never lost. Seems someone finally made me loose” Yugi made a soft chuckle and reached out for the bills, and almost jerked his hand back as a sharp spark raced down his spine when his slender fingers lightly touched the others, and as he looked up, those crimson eyes had narrowed suspiciously, piercing his soul with a hungry gaze, and he licked his lips nervously. It was barely a second, before he laid the money down with his other, collecting his winnings nervously and then putting as much as he could into his wallet, before taking the rest in the same pocket as the wallet, holding his hand into it as well, for safety. The now defeated Game King eyed him with that burning gaze for a while more, until Yugi heard the clear voice of his friend.

“Yugi!?” He turned to the other, and almost saw the eyes of Atemu change, a silent question, almost wondering who Ryou was, and without thinking, Yugi said.

“So, had enough time with your boyfriend yet?” The sharp look softened, and he heard the scrape of the chair as the darkling stood up, slowly sauntering past him, casting a smirk at him over his shoulder, another shudder making his way. Another midnight Game, no doubt. And for once it had infected him.

“No, but I just cared to tell you that I'll be going home with Kura tonight, and that you don't have to bother waiting for me at home” Yugi rolled his eyes agonizing.

“Sure” he said, slowly rising up. “I was just about to leave anyway” Ryou shrugged apologizing before turning and walking back to the counter, once again climbing up onto it, leaning against the stone wall and talking casually to his boyfriend while sipping on his drink. Yugi walked down the stairs too, trying to ignore the looks sent after him. He went over to the counter, got a drink, said goodbye to his two friends, and went out the door. Both the blondes and the black haired man had left as well.

He stepped out in the relative cool evening and began to make his way back to the apartment. He stopped up though, as he cast a glance towards the right. He didn't believe it, yet again. Atemu was leaning against the wall, taking small sips from a drink while gazing over the street. His motorcycle was nowhere to be seen so perhaps he walked? Yugi didn't know. He turned around to watch the darkling, and he felt that flame again. Did everybody mean this when they spoke about that mystical feeling? Or was it just another midnight game, made to confuse and kill? Whatever it was, he didn't care. He strode over to the other, with an indisposed look on his face. He surely hoped the other wasn't mad at him for winning… He saw the other gulp down his drink before turning to him.

“Well, If it isn't the new King of Games” He smiled, carelessly throwing the glass onto the street were it shattered into a thousand small crystals. Yugi looked down from the others eyes, and a chuckle was heard. “Seems very shy for being the first one to beat me. Anyone else would have already been bragging about it near and far” Yugi blushed slightly.

“I am not very much for the bragging part” He whispered softly, fidgeting with an arm bracer, his eyes still not leaving the ground. He couldn't look into those eyes again. He drowned in them. The darkling let another deep velvet chuckle leave him and then spoke.

“Why so shy?” Atemu asked, shifting to lean against the brick wall more comfortably, the burning gaze passing over his body again. Yugi licked his lips.

“I… don't know” He snickered softly as the words left him. That was really pathetic. It was really, really pathetic. He raised his hand to brush his golden bangs away from his eyes as he looked up, but never towards the darkling, why couldn't he manage to? He cursed himself in his mind, until he gained lithe control over himself, looking at the other, and sighing in his mind. Now that is what you call for a slow start.

“A not so novel answer” The darkling replied, shrugging his shoulders before looking at him, it was something dangerous about that look, but you couldn't point it out. “So, what are you doing out here?”

“Oh, I was on my way home” Yugi said, smiling a little. “My friend is going home with his boyfriend, so I'm getting stuck alone with my cat” The other snickered along with him before asking.

“So no company? Hmph, I sometimes wish I could get a lonely night, but no” Atemu rolled his eyes. “It's not easy sharing living with two maniacs and a damn whore-collector. Never a silent time. So I like it outside” He tilted his head upwards, gazing towards the sky that was not to see because of the lights, but all knew where there.

“At least something is okay with being alone” Yugi snickered smugly, suddenly finding it easier to speak around the crimson-eyed male. “I don't have to hear my friend getting screwed up by his boyfriend, so maybe I'll just be able to have a silent time... just doing nothing for once” Atemu nodded.

“I'm used to doing nothing” He said, crossing his arms over his chest. “I've done nothing all my life”

“All of it?”

“All of it. I went to school my parents did force me to that point, but neither did I listen or care, so officially I got thrown out in sixth grade. From then on, I hung out with Marik... Of course you wouldn't know him, but either way. We were running about town until he, at the age of sixteen, found his true love in Malik, a boy only a few blocks away. When he turned eighteen, he and Malik planned on getting out of town, so I followed. We met Otogi our first day here, and since then... you get the point?” Yugi nodded and listened. “Say Kid, can you tell me how it comes I am telling you about my life?” The darkling suddenly asked. Yugi blinked, before shaking his head.

“No... But I'm no kid! I am nineteen!” He then growled, casting a small glare at the other.

“Nineteen?” Atemu snickered. “You don't look a day older than sixteen”

“Oh? And what might your age be? And name for that sake, I haven't got one yet” Yugi lied slightly, but he just wanted to know if the rumours were true before embarrassing himself.

“I never told you?” The other smiled and reached his hand out. “Atemu Oukage, twenty-one years old” Yugi licked his lips and reached his own hand out, feeling the other's slender fingers grip it firmly, and he suppressed another shudder. Damn, by looking at the guy he shuddered, feeling his gaze made him shudder, and shake hands made him shudder! What was wrong with him? He looked up as the other didn't let go, and this time he didn't suppress the shudder that shook him. The other had narrowed his eyes, and the before scarlet eyes, now softened, gazed him, a wondering question hanging in the air. What was this? Why was it like this? Could anyone explain? No, no one could. No one could understand or explain what was going on. Those eyes burned with a hungry fire, and suddenly he wasn't all too sure this man was worth trusting. But even so, it was alluring, painfully so. He tore his gaze away from the other as his knees threatened to shake from the weakening state that gaze made him into. The other's hand let his go, and then just stood there, wondering. Silence, utter silence, with the only sound the music coming out from the bar. Atemu looked up, and shifted his footing, looking around.

“You know, this part of town is no game at night” He said, a soft tone in his voice. Concern? Worry? Dramatical theatre imitation? He didn't know. “You shouldn't walk around alone this late at night”

“I'll... be fine” Yugi said, slowly but firmly. “It was nice talking to you, Atemu” He raised his hand and turned, walking away from the other, and a tug at his heart made him grimace. O-Kay... this was weird. Really weird. He felt the other's gaze onto him as he walked on, until the deep velvet voice called after him.

“It was nice talking to you... Hikari Yugi” He blinked and stopped up. He turned around. But darklings of the night had a habit of disappearing into shadows, and the said one had done so as well. He nibbled at his bottom lip before turning around, walking on. Hikari Yugi... So he knew? A coincidence? No...

“It wasn't strange that you knew... Yami Atemu” He whispered into the still night, the realization hitting him, as the tugging in his heart grew stronger. He had been away from the guy for ten seconds, and already he longed to see him again. Damn his luck, why had he backed away instead of asking for the help his darkling had silently offered. He blinked. His darkling.

It was very scary... but that just sounded so right... He shuddered of cold, he at least thought, and walked on into the night.

~*~

He glanced around, and sighed, yet again.

“Okay... Now I'm getting lost as well...” He didn't understand himself. He, Yugi Mutou, was getting lost in the city he lived in all his life. That was just not happening. Was it a wrong turn back at that park? Or maybe when he turned left at that unfamiliar street? Or maybe...

He was completely lost, and the fact that it was almost one o'clock at night didn't make it better. He knew about these kind of areas, with dark alleyways, unclean streets and closed, withering houses. Perfect for addicts, maniacs and murderers. He wrapped his arms around himself as he shivered down his spine. Okay Yugi, he told himself. Just calm down... it would just be bad luck if anything like that would happen... He walked on. Sooner or later he had to find a street he knew. His eyes darted from alleyway to alleyway, fright mirroring in them and deep, clawing fear settled in his very soul. He didn't like that feeling, not at all...

Not at all... Wait? He twisted around. He thought he heard something... but... There was nothing to see in the dark alleyway behind him, and he backed as he looked around. That was until he hit something... He twisted around and widened his eyes. Make that someone. The greasy black hair fell into the man's eyes as he smirked down at him. He didn't like that look at all. The sour scent of alcohol was like smoke around him.

“Well... Well” The man murmured, lowly and with an amused tone. “Look what we got here guys...” Yugi backed from him and looked around, another pair of men, one with equally greasy blond hair, and one with red hair standing behind the first.

“Isn't that a pretty little thing?” The first asked again. “So what is a pretty one like you doing out here?” He didn't answer, he couldn't. He did the only thing that he thought would help. He twisted on his heels and ran. He heard a snort and then three pair of footsteps following his, echoing between the walls. He looked for a way out as they came closer. And then skidded around a corner, running on. And stopping. He didn't believe his bad luck. A dead end... He cursed in his mind as he turned around, fright overwhelming him as they went into the small Alley.

“Well, too bad, isn't it, pretty one?” The first, once again, spoke. The other two just snickered evilly. “Now let's see” Yugi didn't have the time to react, until he got a steel-clad boot into his stomach, making him hit the hard ground awkwardly, feeling like he was crushed, couldn't breathe... Next found one pair of hands holding his arms behind his back and raising him onto his feet, holding him there. He tried to struggle, but for no avail.

“Seems like we have a small troublemaker” The greasy-haired man said. “But that is easily taken care of” The only one left, the man with red hair, stepped in, taking something from a small box, and Yugi felt himself freeze in fear. What was going on? No wait... he didn't want to know what was going on! He was taken completely by surprise as the red-haired man forced something down his throat, and he found only two things to do, swallow or choke. He hadn't much of a choice in the matter, as he was forced to swallow. He glanced, frightened, over at the man, and checked the box quickly. Pills, no doubt... He felt himself go dizzy. He knew no pills made good combination with alcohol, and also that this couldn't be leading to any good. The first man stepped forwards, making him turn his wide amethyst eyes towards him. He tried to struggle, but he already felt his limbs weakening. The man grabbed his chin and forced his face up.

“You're really a pretty one” He murmured. “Never thought I would find a prize like this...” Yugi widened his eyes even further. He didn't... no... He couldn't mean... His eyes clenched shut as he felt the man kiss him roughly, forcing his mouth open. No gods... help! He didn't... Why? Whywhywhy? Tears leaked from his eyes as he knew he had no defences at all, no way to struggle... he almost couldn't feel his limbs anymore... He whimpered as he felt them rip his jacket, all hopeful thoughts thrown away. There was no one who knew he was there, no one who could help him... Would he even survive? The man let his mouth go, and he sobbed loudly, even if he couldn't get words out, his throat frozen by fear. The man holding him let go, and he slumped to the ground, his legs not strong enough to hold him up. He was going to die... He was definitively going to die... His eyes still clenched shut, but he felt his hearing die off, his mind getting all fuzzy... he was going to die... He fell into darkness; the same second he thought he heard a frantic yell.

“Hikari!”