Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ House of Cards ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Ack! I'm busy right now. We had a party at my house last night. It wore out the kids at least, so I was able to work on this and my site this morning when I normally would have only been able to do one.

Happy Holidays everyone! This chapter is short, sorry, but it's better than nothing, and it isn't a cliffy. That's my present to you.

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Yugi hobbled behind the counter at the Kame Game Shop. He pulled up a stool and sat down just as his grandfather came in from the store room.

"I'm sorry young man, but only employees are allowed behind the counter. I can get you whatever it is you are looking for."

"Grandpa! It's me!"

"Yugi? Your hair..."

"You like it?"

"Eh...er...it's gone."

Yugi rolled his eyes. "I know. I just needed a change. You know?"

"What did Jounouchi say?"

"He tried to chase me out of the house, he thought I was a burglar." Yugi blushed.

"Well. I'm gonna have to get used to it, but it doesn't look horrible."

"Thanks, I think." Yugi looked down at the counter as a customer came in.

"Yugi, how about I take you out to dinner tonight. To celebrate your new hair style."

Yugi half-smiled. "Ok," he said.

*******

After they had ordered dinner, Sugoroku spoke to Yugi. "Yugi, my boy, I'm worried about you." He paused, waiting for a response, and getting none, he continued, "Ever since you got home from the hospital, you haven't been yourself.

You used to be upbeat, happy, carefree, and outgoing. Now you are withdrawn and I never see a smile on your face. Please, talk to me. Tell me what is wrong. I love you, and I'm here for you. But I need you to open up to me."

Inside his mind, Yugi's other half spoke to him. *Aibou, listen to your grandfather. He's worried about you. As am I. As is Jounouchi. Ever since you were attacked, you've been...*

Yugi cut him off. "I WASN'T ATTACKED!" he yelled not caring who was looking at them, "I was RAPED! Six men in an alley killed the person I was with, and tried to kill me! Six men took something from me that I can never get back! I WAS RAPED! I WAS RAPED! Every time I close my eyes, all I can picture is what happened! IT KEEPS HAPPENING! I JUST WANT TO BE LEFT ALONE! LEAVE ME ALONE!"

He gathered his crutches, and left the restaurant as fast as he could. Tears streaming down his face he sat down on the curb outside. He put his face in his hands and sobbed. "I was raped. I was raped..." he repeated to himself, as he rocked back and forth on the sidewalk.

"Hey, Yug. Can I join ya?"

Yugi turned a tear-stained face up at Jounouchi.

"Your grandpa called the arcade. Said you needed me."

"Oh."

He gathered the smaller teen into his arms in a hug. "Yug, ya know we're here for you. Just let us in."

"I can't, I-I'm scared."

"What're you scared of? You've faced Pegasus and Malik. You've fought in the Shadow Realm...the only thing to be scared of right now is memories, and they can't hurt you."

"Jou?"

"What?"

"Can we go home? It's cold out here."

Jounouchi laughed at his small friend. "Sure. Lemme tell Gramps what's goin' on."

Yugi got to his feet with some help from the blond boy. Jounouchi handed him his crutches and Yugi went to the car.

The two friends rode back to their apartment in silence.

*******

*Aibou. I am sorry.*

*Not your fault.*

*I know. But I am sorry that you are going through this. I am sorry that I could not help you. I am sorry that I cannot help you now.*

*I'm not letting you.*

*Doesn't mean I'm not sorry about it. Please let me help you. Let me be your other half.*

*You...you don't hate me?*

*Of course not.*

*I'm dirty.*

*No. Aibou, you are perfect.*

Yugi sniffed. *Why do you even care?*

*Because, we are partners. You are my best friend, my other half, my soul mate.*

*I'm not your lighter half anymore. How can I be?*

*Remember back at Pegasus's castle? I was dueling Kaiba, and I would have destroyed him to get into the castle. You stopped me. That is why you are still my lighter half. Whatever makes you you was not destroyed that night. You would still stop me. You are still my hikari. And I still love you.*

*You love me?*

*Yes. I love you.*

Yugi started to cry. *I...love you too.*

*Then why are you crying, Aibou?*

*Because I don't deserve your love. Not after the way I've been acting. Not after...*

*Aibou, you deserve all the love in the world. Your grandfather knows it, Jounouchi knows it, I know it. I think even Kaiba knows it. We are all here for you to lean on. We all will help you through this dark time. If you'll let us.*

Yugi looked at his other self. *I'll let you.* Suddenly, the last few weeks came rushing back to him. He started crying. Yami held him as he collapsed, letting the tears overcome him. He cried because he was scared. He cried because he was loved. He cried because of what had happened to him. He cried because he had not allowed himself to cry.

Yami cried too. His young hikari had been through so much, and still had a long way to go. The two of them cried themselves to sleep in each other's arms. Their tears intermingling on the pillow.

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Sorry so short. 'Tis the season...I'm a bit busy trying to get my site up and running. I may or may not update tomorrow. For sure on Friday.

For all authors: I am starting a Yu-Gi-Oh fanfic archive. If you are interested in posting your work there, please visit my profile and/or email me for more information.