Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Fly Away Home ❯ Pyramid Scheme ( Chapter 6 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Disclaimer: Plain and simple. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh.

A/N: Howdy all. I have come to the decision that once I post a chapter I will never look at it again. With all the wonderful reviews I recieved for chapter five I went back and reread it to see just what poeple liked so much. I caught so many mistakes that my face turned red. Gah. I'll do better next time, especially with Jou's accent. Anyway, here is the next installment. It's about two pages shorter than the last chapter, I'm sorry! I had ideas but the chapter had ideas of its own and you can guess who won. Also, I am working on a one-shot that just won't leave me alone, so I've been a little distracted. It'll be posted within the next couple of days. After that my focus will be back on Fly Away Home.

Fly Away Home

By Ocean

Chapter Six: Pyramid Scheme

There it sat in all its mocking glory. Shimmering, glistening, laughing, smirking. It was completed now, and seemed to be quite pleased with itself for that fact.

Sugoroku already hated that puzzle.

Yuugi had completed it two nights before after Jou's visit. He had enthusiastically called his grandfather into the room, triumph shining from his eyes as he presented the newly completed puzzle. Sugoroku had forced a smile, unwilling to erase the happiness from his grandson' s face. The emotion had long been absent and it was refreshing to see it sparkle in those remarkably luminescent violet eyes.

Sugoroku leaned against the table and sighed. He was worried now that the puzzle was complete. Yami had calmed immensely since then, the look of insanity once present in his eyes no longer visible. Instead a cool, disinterested and regal air wrapped around the young man a cloak of nobility.

He groaned. Yami appeared to be disinterested in everything except beer and Yuugi.

Once Yuugi had teased his grandfather for his interest in archaeology, specifically his almost fanatical intrigue in Ancient Egypt. Sugoroku took the taunt in stride, content that he was pursuing a life long dream of researching ancient cultures. His study had revealed many well-known facts and many secretes that fascinated him. It was one such secrete that worried him now.

They had been called the Shadow Games, though Sugoroku saw them as nothing more than black magics used to fight wars and amuse the aristocracy. Dark and powerful, the ancient magics were said to have unlimited potential, including the ability to bring forth hideous monstrosities previously unknown to the world. Powerful magicians supposedly controlled these monsters. They were wielders of the sinful art of shadow magics, capable of bending them to their wills for their own selfish purposes.

Darkness such as this never submitted amiably to the will of others. In rebellion against the foolish mortals that dared to wield its power the shadows intensified their presence in the real world, calling forth their monsters to wage war against their enemies. All enemies save one. A certain young pharaoh that had ascended the throne long before his time became the Shadow Magics' ally.

The magicians found themselves unable to control their magics, the added power of the incredibly skillful Pharaoh overwhelming them. The Shadows had always held major influence over the crown and found it easy to seduce the young child whose head it now adorned. Infusing within him their power, the Pharaoh handed himself over to the magic and allowed it to fuse with his soul.

Seven magical items. Forged in secrete by the strongest remaining mages in the last remaining temple that had resisted the effects of war. Their purpose, to create a barrier between the Shadow Realm and the real world. To banish the shadow magics influence and free those whom it had imprisoned.

A consultation.

An agreement.

The Shadows were willing to retreat into their realm for a price. They wanted their conduit, their son to return with them. They wanted the Pharaoh. And so the soul of the Pharaoh of Egypt had been torn from its body and sealed within the most potent of the items the mages had created. The Sennen Puzzle. The Shadows in turn were sealed within the remaining six items, releasing their hold on a terrified world.

That was the legend anyway. Sugoroku had never really believed the stories, seeing them as nothing more than a romanticized interpretation of an enchanted culture that had long since passed into the flow of time. He had seen hieroglyphs of the items: a puzzle, an eye, a rod, scales, a taulk, a ring, an ankh. But he had thought them to be representations only, symbols that corresponded to actions or phrases. Not actual tangible pieces.

Curse the puzzle that sat on his kitchen table.

It wasn't glowing proof that the legends were true. Any skilled jeweler or metal smith could have crafted the pieces that embodied the puzzle. The shape was well known and could hardly be considered exceptional. But then there was Pegasus, with the mysterious eyepiece he had in place of his left eye. And his uncanny ability to anticipate the thoughts of his business partners. And then there was Ishizu Ishtar, curator of the Museum of Antiquity and her Egyptian-style necklace, with her incredible knowledge of the past and insights to the future.

And then, of course, there was Yami.

The strange and mysterious youth with the Egyptian eyes and desert tan and cryptic aura. Who spoke an unidentifiable language and did not understand Japanese even though it was assumed he had lived his entire life in Japan. Who seemed unfamiliar with modern day technology and unimpressed with the world in general. Yes. Then there was him.

Sugoroku raised his hand, letting it hover over the puzzle. If this were the puzzle of lore, should he expect to be able to feel some of its ancient magic? A hint of the awesome power that claimed the soul of a pharaoh and brought the world to its knees? He sighed as he brought his hand back to his side. Of course not. He was no magician. Only one in tune with the shadow magics would be able to sense their presence.

Someone like Yami. He had recoiled when his skin came in contact with the puzzle. Perhaps it was nothing; the man had been mentally unstable until the puzzle's recent completion. But since then all hints of mental illness had vanished.

Maybe the legends weren't merely legends after all.

Turning towards the hallway, Sugoroku listened as he heard the sound of water splashing. He had suggested to Yuugi that perhaps he should introduce their houseguest to their bathtub. Yami was beginning to show... signs of not having bathed for three days. And from his reaction to the television set, Sugoroku had thought it prudent that Yuugi guide Yami through the process of turning the knobs that controlled the water's temperature.

Sugoroku was beginning to think this wasn't one of his wisest parental decisions.

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Yuugi knelt beside the white porcelain tub as he dipped his hand under the spigot. Adjusting the temperature to his liking he then reached for a small bottle, pouring the contents into the stream of warm water that fell from the spigot's nozzle. The aroma of vanilla slowly filled the room and softened the water it was poured into.

Placing a washcloth on the side of the tub, Yuugi stood and turned to face Yami, who had yet to proceed further than the doorframe. Yami watched him coolly, tilting his head minutely to the side as Yuugi came towards him. Placing his hand gently on Yami's arm, Yuugi pulled gently.

"Yami-"

A large sigh interrupted Yuugi, Yami rolling his eyes and shaking his head. He had tried to be patient, but he simply couldn't stand it anymore. Why did everyone keep calling him `Yami'? What did it even mean? And where the hell was he so that he didn't understand what anyone was saying? It was all so utterly frustrating. If it was insisted that he be called `Yami,' he at least wanted to know what the title stood for.

Yuugi cocked his head to the side as he watched Yami's agitation cross over his face. He didn't like to see Yami like this. Not that he ever smiled, but the scowl that now adorned his features just didn't belong there. Yuugi longed to see his smile. He wanted to see happiness brighten the already handsome face. But right now his Yami wasn't happy, and he didn't understand why until he spoke.

"Yami?" Yami asked as he looked distinctly at Yuugi.

Slight confusion clouded Yuugi's eyes for a moment before he understood. Ah, so that was it. Yami wanted to know what his name meant. Biting his lower lip in thought, Yuugi let his eyes wander around the room as he tried to figure out how to explain to Yami the meaning of his name without words.

Yuugi smiled as he eyed the light switch by the door. Making sure that Yami was paying attention to him, Yuugi reached over to the switch and pushed it down. "Yami," he explained as the room was plunged into darkness. And then, turning the light on, "Hikari." Yuugi repeated the action a few more times, associating the words with the absence and presence of light.

Yami nodded in understanding, though he wasn't exactly pleased with the explanation. It figured. What better title would befit the soul that had been trapped within an endless void of obscurity for only the gods knew how long. What he was called in this time was trivial, he knew, but he really resented the fact that fate was making a joke at his expense.

His mood changed, however, as a thought occurred to him. If he was to be called `darkness,' then it was only fitting that there should be a light to balance him. He wasn't going to be the only subject of jocular interest. A smirk formed on his lips as he looked straight into Yuugi's eyes.

"Hikari," Yami purred, raising an eyebrow slightly to emphasize the meaning behind the word.

Yuugi's eyes widened at the word, though he wasn't sure if it was the smooth sound of Yami's voice or the fact that he was being designated the light that affected him. He swallowed, trying to wet his suddenly dry throat before nodding in acceptance of the name. Gathering himself Yuugi pointed towards the bathtub. Yami followed the path of the finger, looking at the tub and then back at Yuugi. His smirked faded, replaced by the customary lack of expression he usually wore.

Yuugi's jaw dropped as Yami walked over to the tub and removed his shirt, throwing it carelessly on the floor. He had to brace himself against the wall as Yami removed his pants and boxers, unconcerned that someone else was in the room with him. Yami had demonstrated several times that modesty was not one of his strongest character traits. But right now it seemed he didn't even acknowledge the word's existence.

Yuugi squeezed his eyes shut, but not before he had seen Yami's unadorned profile. He tried not to remember the smoothness of his bronzed skin, or the tightness of it as it encircled Yami's body. He tried not to focus on the smooth chest or the taught stomach. The slim, athletic waist that curved into long toned legs... There were so many things he tried not to think about.

Yuugi was surprised by his reactions to Yami. He had never been attracted to another guy before, though he was not beyond looking when a fine specimen crossed his path. By all accounts his best friend Jou could be a model, but Yuugi had never been attracted to him in any way beyond friendship. But Yami was different. So very different...

A washcloth hit Yuugi in the face, startling him out of his wandering thoughts. He grabbed at it before it could fall on the floor and starred wide-eyed at Yami. Yami was sitting in the tub, his body hidden from the chest down. His back was straight and his eyes were closed as he sat regally, giving no indication to having thrown the cloth. Yuugi starred at him for a moment, then down to the washcloth in his hands.

This didn't mean... Yami didn't want him... to... Yuugi gulped. Well, this should prove an interesting test for him. Steeling himself against the task ahead Yuugi walked over to the tub and sat on its edge. He set the washcloth down and cupping his hands dipped them in the warm water. Bringing his hands above Yami's head, Yuugi opened his hands and let the water wet Yami's hair.

Suppressing a small sigh of relief, Yuugi proceeded to wash Yami's hair. His fingers trailed through the soft raven strands and massaged the scalp as he worked the shampoo into a rich lather. Yami's body relaxed with the gentle ministrations, a shiver crawling down his spine as Yuugi's fingers worked their magic. He allowed Yuugi to guide his head forward so that it was under the spigot, where Yuugi then coaxed the shampoo out of his hair.

With that task done, much to Yuugi's disappointment, he grabbed the washcloth and started trailing it across Yami's shoulders. He tried not to let his fingers touch Yami's skin, not trusting his own reaction if he did so. Inevitably the cloth slipped, and the warmth of Yami's skin heated by the bath water shot straight through Yuugi's fingers and to his brain. There was a hitch in his breath as the sensation sent pleasant tingles throughout his body, his eyelids growing heavy as the combination of warmth, vanilla, and Yami seduced his senses.

Yami, too, was enjoying the moment. He was unaccustomed to the soft and gentle touches Yuugi was giving him. He had spent so long avoiding all possibility of contact; his memory telling him that touch was nothing more than a cold, harsh, painful experience that was best to be eluded. And yet he found himself liking Yuugi's caress.

One can tell much about another from the way they use their hands. Those who are aggressive grab at objects, giving little care to how their actions are recieved so long as they acquired their goal. Personalities plagued with lying tease with their hands as they tremble and sweat with nervous anticipation. There are those like Yami himself, bold confidence interlaced with a mysterious air. Their movements are truthful and to the point, sometimes harsh or abrasive when the situation requires such action.

Then there are those like Yuugi. Gentle, shy, pleading. Unbelievable strength hidden under soft caresses that never deceive. It is said that some people wear their hearts on their sleeves. People like Yuugi wore their hearts on their hands. It was one of the reasons Yuugi's paintings held so much emotion. He truly was painting with his heart.

Yami opened his eyes, watching Yuugi discreetly as he continued to wash down his back. He noted the content look on his face... the sleepy eyes that followed the motion of the cloth. Curious how easily he could be affected by the simplest of tasks. It was quite amusing, really. Yami closed his eyes again, an inaudible sigh escaping his lips. The young one certainly was endearing.

Yuugi yelped as he suddenly found himself sprawled in the bathtub, the warm water lapping at his clothes in agitated waves. He blinked several times, trying to clear the confusion and discern exactly what had happened. He heard a snicker and raised his eyes to the tall form standing above him. Crimson eyes ablaze with fire looked mockingly at him, amusement dancing across their surface. Yuugi gaped like a fish out of water, disbelief racing through him as Yami casually took the towel Yuugi had placed on the sink and wrapped it around his hips.

The two starred at each other for a long moment; Yuugi soaking in a tub of water as Yami dripped onto the tile beneath him. Yami turned towards the door, leaving his eyes on Yuugi until the last possible moment before bolting out the door and down the hallway. Yuugi gaped for another moment.

Yami was playing with him? Yami was playing with him!

Yuugi quickly pulled himself out of the tub, disregarding the fact that his clothes carried half the water with them and gave chase. Sloshing footfalls could be heard as his soaked sneakers pounded against the carpet of the hallway, leaving a trail of wet footprints behind him. He caught up to Yami quickly as the two dashed into the living room, Yami leaving his own trail of water behind him. After knocking over the coffee table and bounding over the back of the couch, the two made their way into the kitchen.

Sugoroku nearly choked on his dinner as a scantly clad Yami ran into the kitchen, a large grin plastered on his face. A moment later his drenched grandson followed, an equally silly smile on his face. The chase came to a stand still as Yami and Yuugi faced each other from opposite ends of the kitchen table. Both of them were breathing hard, slightly gasping for air after their boisterous play.

Yuugi held Yami's firm gaze, peering at him from under bangs that were plastered to his face. Yami's hair was in similar disarray, falling long and straight around his face and shoulders, shadowing his eyes in fetching ornamentation. Yuugi had to suppress a shudder at the image. Yami was sensual enough without the added affect of his seductively tousled hair. His smile fell softly into a smirk that mirrored Yami's own as the standoff continued.

Sugoroku was baffled to say the least. Two grown men acting like children, ruining his carpet as they spread water throughout the house. He looked at Yami, not at all surprised to see the man was dressed only in a towel. His eyes were smoldering as he starred at Yuugi, his breathing having calmed during the hiatus of the chase. He was clearly quite amused with the situation.

Looking over at Yuugi, Sugoroku found himself equally disturbed by his grandson's appearance. His clothes were soaked, his hair a mess, he was dripping water from every inch of him. Sugoroku's eyes narrowed as he noticed that Yuugi held an equally smoldering look in his eyes and suggestive smirk on his lips. He glared back at Yami, not pleased with the influence the man was having on his grandson.

Yuugi still hadn't noticed that his grandfather was in the room, his attention completely captivated by the man across the table. His shyness had left him when Yami initiated the chase, his adventurous and mischievous nature emerging in its place. He liked this new feeling of confidence. And he had Yami to thank for bringing it forth.

"Yami," he stated.

"Hikari," Yami replied.

Yuugi's smirk intensified, a decision being made. He definitely liked Yami's nickname for him.

A grunt interrupted the starring contest as Yuugi was made suddenly aware of his grandfather's presence. He blinked in surprise, a look of innocence crossing his features as he tried to remember when his grandfather had entered the room. He visibly cringed at the disapproving glare he was recipient to.

Both Yuugi and Sugoroku missed the low snarl directed at the older man that escaped Yami's throat.

Yuugi understood from his grandfather's look that he was to end the game immediately. Reluctantly, he thought of a way to communicate to Yami that they needed to end their play and settle down. Looking behind himself Yuugi noticed that he was in front of the refrigerator. Smiling a little, he opened the freezer and reached in to retrieve what had become a favorite treat of Yami's.

Yami cocked an eyebrow as Yuugi pulled the popsicle from its box, peeling the paper away to reveal the orange confection that was Yami's favored flavoring. Yuugi held his hand out, encouraging Yami to come and take the popsicle from him.

Yami hesitated a moment before complying with Yuugi's wishes. Gracefully he approached the peace offering, wrapping his fingers around Yuugi's hand. He leaned forward and closed his eyes, pushing his head against Yuugi's in a gentle nuzzle. Sliding his fingers from Yuugi's hand, Yami took the popsicle and left the kitchen.

Yuugi remained still for several moments, lost in the feeling of the intimate gesture. The sound of someone clearing their throat broke him from his thoughts. He was only able to meet his grandfather's aggravated gaze for a moment before he turned his eyes to the floor.

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"Yuugi! Telephone!"

"Hai Ji-chan! I'm coming!"

Yuugi carefully placed his pallet on the stool he was sitting on, careful not to let the paint from his brush drip onto the carpet. That morning had been on of the few since Yami's arrival that he had not commandeered the entire space of Yuugi's skylight and the young painter had taken full advantage. Hastily setting his easel and stool in the vacated area, Yuugi had ensured himself a day full of painting.

Until he was called to the phone, of course. He had had a whole forty-five minutes of peace and quiet. Joy.

Steeling a glance at Yami, who was sitting by his closet and deeply immersed in a game of jacks - the rubber ball absolutely fascinated him - Yuugi scampered out of his room and down the hall into the kitchen. Taking the phone from his grandfather with an appreciative nod, he raised it to his ear.

"Moshi moshi, this is Yuugi," he greeted.

"Well hello, Yuugi. And how are you this fine day?"

Yuugi's good mood instantly faded as Pegasus' voice filtered through the phone. He had not forgotten about the creator of Duel Monsters, but he had secretly hoped that he had forgotten about him. His pulse increased in apprehension as he turned to look at his grandfather. Pegasus was most certainly calling about his puzzle and son.

"I'm good. And you?" Yuugi replied in a voice that feigned calmness.

"I couldn't be better," Pegasus said cheerily. "It is so kind of you to ask. Tell me Yuugi, how is my son doing? You are taking good care of him I hope?"

"Hai, of course. Yami's doing great," Yuugi answered. His apprehension intensified, gaining Sugoroku's concern as he came and stood by Yuugi.

"Great, hmm?" Pegasus remarked. "I had a feeling he would prosper under your care. May I speak with him?"

"Uh, well," Yuugi hesitated. He mentally cursed himself. Pegasus appeared to find it very amusing that Yuugi was attracted to Yami, and Yuugi was insecure with Pegasus' knowledge of that fact. "I don't think that's really possible," he continued, mouthing to his grandfather that Pegasus wanted to speak with Yami.

"I see," Pegasus crooned knowingly. There was a slight pause in which silence prevailed, the tenseness of the situation causing Yuugi to shift his weight between his feet. Sugoroku watched him, concern mixed with confusion written on his features.

Yami sauntered into the kitchen, intent on showing Yuugi the prize in his hand. He had managed to master the game of jacks in half an hour and was eager for Yuugi to introduce him to another of his games. His intentions were short lived as he noticed the stiff posture of Yuugi and Sugoroku.

Both were gathered around that strange device that occasionally made the most bothersome of shrill noises, apparently used for calling forth to Yuugi or the old man to come and speak to it. He didn't understand the seeming importance of the device and frankly didn't care. So long as Yuugi came to him every time he was summoned, Yami did not feel threatened by this other thing's presence.

"That was to be expected, I suppose," Pegasus grumbled, continuing his previous thought. Presumably he was unhappy with the news. "May I ask how much progress you have made on my puzzle then?" His tone was light and airy again, with no hint of his prior disappointment.

"The puzzle?" Yuugi asked distractedly as he spotted Yami. "Oh, the puzzle! Of course!" he said as Yami came and stood directly behind him, leaning forward so his chest brushed against Yuugi's back. Warm breath tickled Yuugi's ear as Yami pushed his head against the side of his face, closing his eyes and focusing his attention on the phone in Yuugi's hand. "I - I completed it two nights ago." Yuugi tried desperately to suppress the shivers that pleaded to run down his spine at Yami's closeness.

Sugoroku narrowed his eyes as Yami pushed himself against Yuugi, and was aggravated by the fact that his grandson had closed his eyes at the contact and was not moving away. He and Yuugi had yet to discuss the previous evening when Yuugi and Yami had decided to chase each other around the house. Sugoroku was certain that Yuugi knew full well his disapproval for his and Yami's actions. The troubling thing was that for the first time Yuugi had not ceased his conduct on account of his grandfather's discomfort, but instead embraced the very actions that caused the current rift between the two of them.

But there was nothing he could do about it at the moment, and he and Yuugi had more pressing matters at hand.

"Excellent! Why, you have even exceeded my expectations Yuugi-boy. Allow me to congratulate you on your astounding achievement!" Pegasus' mocking tone caused Yuugi to furrow his brow and bite back the retort that threatened to spill from his lips.

Pegasus' snub had another unforeseeable effect as well.

Yami's crimson eyes had snapped open at the sound of Pegasus' voice, his heated gaze threatening to melt the phone in Yuugi's hand. That voice... it had been the same as that from the hospital. The same smoothly silken vibration that had penetrated the void of emptiness, clawed its way through the darkness and franticly attached itself to the lone soul which it sought, forcefully pulling it into a world of light and sound and feeling and thought.

Yami hissed, his hatred for that voice pulsing within him. It was dangerous. More so than the encroaching shadows, than the monsters birthed writhing into the darkness. It was a threat. To him. To his Hikari. And this enraged him most of all.

"K myy nn mdw n sw, Xrw ny Grh!" Yami shouted as he grabbed the phone from Yuugi, slamming it back onto its base. A violent storm of black and purple smoke enveloped his hand and with a feral snarl Yami pulled the phone off the wall and threw it across the room, shattering it against the hard tile of the kitchen's counter tops.

Yuugi and Sugoroku both jumped at Yami's sudden outburst, Sugoroku out of fear and Yuugi out of surprise. They looked at each other with uncertain gazes, neither comprehending what had so drastically enraged Yami. He rarely spoke a word, so this outburst was a clear signal that the man was fiercely incensed.

Yuugi turned his violet eyes to Yami, his body relaxing a bit as he watched Yami trembling in anger. Harsh murmurs of "ntf iw biaw" spilled continuously from his lips as Yami continued to stare at the remains of the phone, unable to pull himself from the hatred and darkness swarming in his mind.

Yuugi slowly took a step forward, reaching out his hand and gently placing it on Yami's arm. He was unprepared when Yami immediately turned and wrapped his arms tightly around him, pulling them close enough together that not even light dared to pass between them. Yuugi stiffened at first out of reflex, but quickly melted into the embrace, allowing Yami to nuzzle his face in his hair, one hand on the side of his head, holding them close.

"Biaw," Yami repeated, over and over as his trembling slowly subsided, the warm and soft body pressed against him penetrating the fog that was his mind. Allowing him to see, to think again. He drew in a shaky breath, releasing it slowly as he lowered his head and buried his face in the soft place known as Yuugi's neck. "Biaw," he said more forcefully, tightening his embrace.

"Shh," Yuugi soothed as he raised a hand to the back of Yami's neck, tickling his fingers along his sensitive hairline and tracing small patterns through his long obsidian hair. Yami's body relaxed with the gentle touches, and he settled himself more securely around Yuugi's smaller frame. Yuugi felt the whisper of a touch against the pulse in his neck, the sensation radiating heat over his skin and over his senses. He didn't know if the gesture was intentional or not, but he welcomed it just the same.

Sugoroku nearly growled as he watched his grandson as he was smothered by the other man and welcoming the attention. Part of his reaction was out of fear. Yuugi was slipping away from him, paying less attention to his grandfather and more to this stranger of his. Perhaps it was a selfish reaction, born of the fear of losing the love of a child one has raised and come to depend upon.

Only he didn't think so.

If that were the case he would deal with the separation anxiety and move on. This was so much deeper. This was so much more dangerous than any simple emergence into the world of adulthood.

Yuugi felt his grandfather's glare and turned his eyes to look at him, careful not to disturb the now peaceful Yami. He recognized the look; it was the same one Sugoroku had given him the other night. Disapproving, judging, aggravated, demanding, pleading, questioning, wondering. He knew what his grandfather wanted. For him to pull back and distance himself from Yami. To stay as far away from him as possible.

Yuugi understood that he was at a crossroads. Obey his grandfather's wishes and remove Yami's importance in his life, or turn his back on the only family who had truly cared for him and embrace the man who held him so tightly now. Either decision would result in pain for Yuugi... either decision would result in him losing a part of himself as a result of his decision. He had to make a choice. But as Yami snuggled against him again, silently protesting that Yuugi's fingers had stopped moving through his hair, he knew where his heart lay.

With a final apologetic look, Yuugi closed his eyes and buried his face in Yami's hair. Yami welcomed the action with a quiet "biaw" as he sighed in contentment.

Sugoroku looked at his grandson for a long moment before lowering his eyes to the floor. It had finally happened. The day had come when someone else took Sugoroku's place in Yuugi's heart. Yuugi would always love his grandfather, of course. But he would never again be the most important person in Yuugi's life.

Someone else held that title now.

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Okie dokie, some of you may wish to know what Yami was saying. Here are the translations. I have no idea if `may' is correct. There are no `a' sounds in the Ancient Egyptian language that I can find, so I guessed.

"K myy nn mdw n sw, Xrw ny Grh!" - You may(?) not speak to him, Voice of Night!"

"Ntf iw biaw" - He is mine

"Biaw" - Mine