Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Not a Kid ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2

 

The following few weeks after the fight between yami and hikari passed by relatively peaceful. Whatever reaction Atemu had been expecting it was definitely not the aloof nonchalance emitted by his aibou. The morning that followed the quarrel had been almost like any other in the small game shop, but Sugoroku hadn't missed the tension between his grandson and his darkness, even if it was barely discernable. Yugi had seemed to refuse to acknowledge Atemu, he hadn't even so much as looked his way. He had calmly grabbed his toast, put his shoes on, and left for school. What had bothered Sugoroku even more, though, was the fact that his grandson hadn't even waited for his friends to stop by and pick him and his yami up. And if that hadn't confused the poor old man, Atemu's reaction sure as hell had.

 

The other teen had kept stealing glances at his light all throughout Yugi quick preparations for school. He had acted as though he'd expected a bomb to blow up any second now and had hardly said anything other than the usual “Good morning”. After Yugi had left, he'd stared for a few moments longer at the front door with a thoughtful and a bit worried expression, but had soon followed his hikari.

 

Now if Sugoroku hadn't known better, he'd have thought Yugi and Atemu had had a fight. Although he`d wondered when that had happened. He' been gone on excavations for the last few months and had just returned from Egypt late last night, and both teens had already been in bed. And his grandson and his Yami had been just fine before he'd left (or at least as far as he'd been able to tell). The fight they seemed to have gotten into was apparantly still fresh so Sugoroku had decided that it must have happened in the last few days at the most. And he was worried. He knew his grandson. Yugi hardly ever fought with anyone, let alone hold a grudge like this! Heck, he'd even seen him hang out with Yami Bakura and that other psycho buddy of his, Yami Marik! Nevertheless, the following weeks of peace and normality (which after Pegasus and the other megalomaniacs was a welcome relief) had served to calm him down and he soon blamed his worries on his old age.

 

Atemu on the other had needed a bit more time with placating his wary nerves. The morning after his fight with Yugi he'd been nervous and uncomfortable. He'd intended on confronting his aibou and fixing whatever had gone wrong but the blatant ignoring on Yugi's part had scared him off. Funny, huh? Him- scared? But he had been. He'd been confused and disoriented, he still hadn't understood what exactly had happened and it had seemed that Yugi had completely forgotten Atemu's harsh words from the previous night. But the tension had still been there, thick enough to cut through with a dull knife. The fact that his little light had closed off their mental link completely hadn't helped matters much. All Atemu had wanted to do was go up there, take his hikari in his arms, kiss him breathless, and tell him how much he meant to him and how strong he thought his Yugi really was. But he knew he couldn't have done that (he'd have scared his poor, `innocent' little light off), so he'd simply kept quite. He'd watched as the hikari had left and had followed for school soon after, meeting Joey, Tea and the rest of the gang halfway there.

 

And the moment to talk things out with Yugi had kept slipping away the next few weeks. Every time he would have finally managed to get his hikari alone, either his friends would show up and ruin it, or Yugi himself would change the subject before they really breached it. So Atemu had kept postponing and delaying, until he'd completely forgotten about the whole incident, the foreboding feeling in the pit in his stomach suppressed by more important duties (like spending his time enjoying the life he'd been denied for so long and pining after his `impossible' love for his light) and ignoring the blocked mental link. Life went on as of normal for the once pharaoh.

 

However, Yugi had not forgotten a not moment of their fight, not a word of Atemu's rant. In fact, the words had kept repeating over and over in his head `…You're just weak like that!' And that had made him wonder. If Atemu thought of him like that, did that mean all his friends thought so too? Yugi didn't exactly care what they thought of him, their opinion didn't matter to him all that much, not anymore at least. They had showed him that they weren't his real friends by refusing to accept him as anything more than a child. But Atemu still cared for their opinion and the only opinion Yugi cared about was that of his yami. So, the young light had thought long and hard and by the morning following the fight, he'd prepared a plan. He had acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened and greated his grandpa with his safe return home. He'd tried to ignore his yami's glances and had hurried out of the house prepared to launch stage one of his plan.

 

Yugi had figured out that to have people take him seriously, he'd need to get stronger. Like Atemu had said, he was weak now. So he'd decided that the only way to get people to acknowledge him as more than just a naïve little kid, as more than the `innocent hikari', was to grow up. Grow up and break out of the mold everyone liked to put him in. But he'd also realized that he'd never be able to do so under the constant `protection' (more like sheltering in Yugi's opinion) of his yami and `friends'. And that's why he'd decided to leave. That's right, leave. Leave Domino city, his darkness and crush, and even Japan itself. Now, he wasn't an idiot. He wasn't going to just up and run with nothing but a duffle bag and the clothes on his back, catching the first plain he saw. No, he needed to prepare properly. He wasn't going to act like an eager little kid. He knew that it'd be hard, a challenge. But he was willing to take everything life had to throw his way and show everyone that he wasn't as incapable of surviving on his own as they thought.

 

So, after he'd gotten to Domino high, the first thing he'd done had been finding Seto Kaiba. Now, it may have sounded weird to some people- why would the stoic CEO of Kaiba Corp associate with him, right? And to Yugi's friends and yami it would have sounded positively impossible. The young businessman was more likely to chop someone's head off with his metallic briefcase than be seen anywhere near people other than his brother. But Yugi knew better. Probably the only person to see him as more than a dependant, naïve kid was Seto himself. Yes, as astounding and miraculous as it seemed, it was still the truth. Maybe because of the countless dangers they'd faced together in the past, or maybe because of the fact, that had it not been for Yugi's ability to somehow trust Kaiba and see past his icy exterior, Mokuba would have still been in Pegasus' clutches. Whatever the reason, the young hikari had managed what so few others had not- he'd gained Seto Kaiba's respect and even slight admiration. And now he was glad he'd done so, because if anyone could help him get out of the country, it was the almighty CEO.

 

In any case, Yugi had wasted no time in locating Kaiba in their classroom, approaching and tapping him lightly on the shoulder, in order to gain his attention from the book he'd been reading. Lifting his head from the piece of fiction, Seto had cast him an inquisitive gaze. Yugi had simply stared back and asked “Could I talk to you for a minute, Seto?” Seeing his slight hesitation, he'd added “Please, it's important.”

 

Putting his book on the desk, Seto had stood up and followed Yugi out to the sakura trees in the far end of the schoolyard. The bell hadn't been about to ring for another fifteen minutes or so, giving them plenty of time to talk. While they both did respect each other as worthy rivals and even companions, they weren't exactly the best of buddies either. But Yugi had said it was important, so Seto's curiosity had been piqued. Finally, Yugi had decided to speak, preferring to get straight to the point since Kaiba was never one to beat around the bush.

 

“Seto, I want to leave Japan for an unknown amount of time and I need your help to do so.” He'd been rewarded with a slight widening of his rival's eyes and a sharp intake of air.

 

After a moment of shoched silence, Kaiba had uttered one word “Explain.” It hadn't been much, but had passed on numerous other inquiries along `Why? When? What is the reason?...Who is the reason?' And at least he hadn't outright denied Yugi his help.

 

Plopping on the ground with a tired, shaky sigh, the hikari had bent his head down and spoken “ I know it's sudden and I know no one was expecting this, but…” He'd lifted his head up, his eyes locking with the young CEO's, and the utter despair and need in the violet pools had captivated Seto, startling him with their intensity. Meanwhile, Yugi had continued “I'm suffocating, Seto, choking on myself. Or rather on what people want me to be. All my friends see me as nothing more than a child, an innocent, a naïve, little fool that needs to constantly be sheltered and protected, they think I'm weak. And I can't do this anymore. I cant' keep playing a role that has never fit me. I need to gat stronger, to grow up. And in order to do that I need to leave the place and the people that will always get in my way. I need to find myself, Seto, my independence,” Looking away again, he'd added in a tone so soft Seto had hardly heard him “I need to leave Domino and Japan. And I need your help to do so.”

 

Hearing all this, Seto had snorted to himself, thoroughly annoyed and disgusted. The utter idiocy of those fools astounded him! Were they blind as well as incompetent? Could they not see that Yugi was no child, no complete innocent? The things he'd seen and done… No naïve child had been through what Yugi had survived, even going so far as saving those pathetic `friends' of his numerous times. And what about that spirit of his that now had a body of its own, that Atemu or Yami or whatever his name was? He'd noticed the fleeting glances the two threw each other when they thought no one was looking and realized that the two loved one another. But he also realized that Atemu thought his light too `innocent' to understand, let alone retutn his feelings. What an idiot. But as far as he knew, there was some sort of mental connection between him and Yugi, enabling them to share thoughts and emotions. If nothing else, couldn't Atemu have at least realized what a strong person his light was? What an iron will and mind he possessed? Staring at the depressed form crumbled at the base of the sakura tree, Seto had made his decision. Yugi didn't need to get stronger because he was already strong. He didn't need to grow up, because fighting alongside a once pharoah for the fate of the world had forced him to grow up prematurely (him being here, asking for his help instead of blindly running off was proof enough of that). But he did need to get his confidence back. And Seto wasn't going to let those imbeciles that called themselves Yugi's friends snuff out the bright, burning fire in the young light's eyes with their ignorance. Yugi had earned his respect for a reason.

 

So Seto had steeled his gaze and spoken “Alright, I'll help you.” Seeing Yugi's hopeful eyes shift towards him once again, he'd seated himself on the ground next to the hikari and continued “I'll help you leave the country. I'm thinking America. The US, to be more precise. We'll get you a new identity, but you'll have to speak with your grandfather for permission. It'll be needed for some documents. Even I can't get around that- he is your legal guardian after all.”

 

A moment of silence followed, Yugi sitting there, digesting the consequences of the recent events, his body and mind numb. He hadn't expected Seto to agree helping him so easily. Not that he hadn't been thankful, it had just come as a surprise. Finally, he had turned his head to the young CEO sitting next to him, looking him in the eyes. And he'd smiled a true smile, better than a thousand `Thank you', full of happiness and renewed hope for the future. A smile that hadn't graced his face for months now. Seto had noted the difference and his own lips had twitched for a moment in the beginnings of his own smile. Seeing the spark in those luminescent purple eyes return, he'd reinforced his decision to do everything in his power to not only keep it there, but to help it grow back into the burning inferno of passion and determination it had once been. They had broken their gaze and lapsed into a comfortable silence until the bell had rung, announcing the start of classes.

 

The next few weeks had passed by in a flurry of activity and preparations. Seto had kept his word and gotten him a new identity and a home, job and place in school, all in the US and all with the agreement of his grandfather. The elder Mutouh had taken the news quite well, actually. He'd been devastated at first- his only grandson would be leaving for a different country for an unknown amount of time- but eventually, he'd understood his reasons and given him all of his support. Plus, Yugi had promised to write often. It had all been kept a secret from Atemu and his friends, of course. It had been difficult for Yugi, he'd had to keep avoiding his yami, but he'd reminded himself that he was doing this to finally be mature enough for his darkness to see him as more than a child in constant need of protection. And it had worked. Yugi hadn't known whether to be happy because Atemu hadn't suspected him, or be depressed that he hadn't paid him enough attention to notice anything. The mental link between the two had been cut off throughout it all.

 

And so, here he was. Packing the last of his belongings in his suitcase, ready to catch the plain that would lead him to a new life in less than four hours. He'd waited until he was sure Atemu had left and called Seto, who would take him to the airport. As he finished packing, he stopped for a moment, taking in his old room for one last time. The desk, where he'd assembled the Millenium Puzzle that now hung around his yami's neck, the bed where they'd spent countless hours just laying in the dark, talking…Finally, his eyes settled on a picture sitting by his bed. It was of him and Atemu right after the yami had gotten his new body. Yugi's eyes were shining happily and his smile was radiant. He remembered that it was taken

shortly after he'd realized that the joy he'd been feeling at the time was due to the love he'd developed for his darkness. Atemu meanwhile was waving his hands madly in the background, his features contorted in a scowl at the strange device he'd thought had been trying to suck out his hikari's soul (Yugi had later explained that it was a machine called a camera, used to take pictures). The young light chuckled at the memory. Atemu had been awfully embarrassed. Sighing, Yugi prepared to grab his bags and head downstairs, when he heard the front door open. Paling slightly, he prayed it wasn't who he thought it was.

 

The loud yell of “Yugi! I'm home early! Where are you?” however proved his suspicions right. He stood frozen to the spot, hearing the creak of the stairs, signifying that someone was coming up, all the while praying silently `Please don't come in here! Please don't come in here! I'm not ready to face you!” He stared, mesmerized, as the door handle turned, and with a soft “Yugi? Are you in there?” the door opened to reveal Atemu on the other side.

 

Time seemed to freeze. Atemu stared wide eyed at his light, standing in the middle of the room, two over stuffed suitcases sitting on the bed.Yugi just stared back, waiting for all hell to break loose. He didn't have to wait long.

 

Blinking once, twice, Atemu sucked in as much air as his lungs could take, before opening his mouth to speak “What is all this? Why are those suitcases on your bed?” He spoke in a whisper, Yugi could barely hear him, but it was worse than screams and yells. It was a deathly, dangerous tone Atemu never used on him “Yugi?”

 

Deciding that it would be best to say it straight out, Yugi replied “I'm leaving.” There. Simple as that. He was leaving and there wasn't anything anyone could do to stop him. Then why was he so nervous?

 

Atemu paled even more and his eyes darkened. Those indescribable, gorgeous red pools of blood were focused on him with such intensity, it made him shiver. “What?” Atemu whispered, still as quitly.

 

Yugi met those burning infernos of eyes and replied coolly “You said it yourself, Yami. I'm weak. I need to get stronger, to grow up.” Then, softly, pleading with him to understand, he added “And I can't do that here. Whether intentionally or not, but you're not letting me. I'm leaving.” The last part was added sternly, leaving no room for arguments.

 

In three long strides Atemu was in front of him, his face contorted in anger “What?! No!” Now he was shouting “You can't! I won't let you! You can't do this to m…to us!” He was shaking him now, desperate in his frustration and anger “How can you?! Why? I thought everything was alright!”

 

Yugi finally wrenched his arm free and moved away from the enraged ex-pharoah. “No! That's exactly what I'm talking about” Now he was mad. “I need to do this! For me! Don't you see? I can't be cuddled and sheltered all my life! I need to be free to grow up! Please, Yami, you have to understand! I can't be a kid forever. I'm not a kid! Let me go, Yami…Please.” He was begging now. Begging for Atemu to understand and not make this any harder than it alredy was. He was leaving the person he loved after all…Distantly, he heard a car pull in front of the game shop. `Too late, Seto…' He thought sadly.

 

But all Atemu could see was that he was loosing his hikari, his aibou, his love and every possessive fire in his body was screaming at him not to let go. So in a last ditch effort to stop his light, he desperately shouted out “So you'll run?! Run from your problems? I didn't know you were a coward, Yugi!”

 

Yugi froze.He knew what his yami was trying to do, but it still hurt. `All the more reason to go through with my plan.' He told himself. But the pain didn't lessen. Because he knew that in some ways he was a coward. He loved Atemu, yet had never found the courage to tell him so. `Well' He decided `No time like the present.' And with that thought in mind, he marched towards his stock still yami, grabbed him by the shoulders, reached up and planted a firm, hard kiss right on his Atemu's soft pink lips. It wasn't particularly spectacular or amazingly executed, there wasn't even any tongue present, in fact it was rather clumsy and awkward. But in, it Yugi put all of his pent up emotions, all of his love and frustration, all of his passion and strength. And that alone was enough to make it mind blowing.

 

Atemu was still staring into space, shocked and unbelieving, eyes as eide as windmills, when Yugi pulled away and leaned in to whisper in his ear, his voice husky and raw, and his breath hot against his yami's skin “I'm not afraid of anything, Yami.” And with that, he finally opened the mind link, just a crack, sending over a single thought to Atemu's foggy, mushy mind `Sleep'. And sleep he did. Atemu crumbled in a boneless heap on the floor, blissfully unaware of the conscious world in a matter of seconds.

 

Sighing softly, Yugi gazed a second longer at his slumbering love. Then he steeled himself and with a muttered `Goodbye' he got his bags from the bed and dragged them downstairs and outside the game shop, where Kaiba's limo was waiting for him. The ride to the airport was silent. The driver kept casting him curious looks, but didn't ask anything and Yugi was thankful. He wasn't in the mood.

 

When they finally got there, he was greeted by his grandfather, Seto and Mokuba, all there to say their goodbyes. Unfortunately, they had to make it quick, due to Yugi arriving later than expected. Hugging his grandson tightly, Sugoroku muttered, his voice cracking “Be careful, Yugi. Take care of yourself, you hear me? And…and don't forget to write. You promised!”

 

Smiling softly, Yugi assured his grandfather “Yeah, grandpa. I promised. And don't worry,

I'll take care of myself.” Letting go of his relative, Yugi hardly had the time to turn around, when he was glomped and tackled to the ground by a black blur. Regaining his bearings, he finally freed himself of the sobbing Mokuba amidst a wail of protests ( `Don't go!', `You can live with us!' and `You can even have Seto's room!' among them) turned to face Kaiba (who was twitching wildly by now) himself.

 

There wasn't need for words between those two. All that needed to be said had already been said. They were rivals, they were companions, and now they were…friends. With a sad smile, Yugi mumbled a “Thank you” and turned around without another word. They'd always be there for one another, as true friends should be. Without the sentimental crap and friendship speeches. Theirs was a bond of actions.

 

An hour later, Yugi was sitting comfortably in his seat, watching the ground disappear at a rapid speed. Turning his gaze at the back of the seat in front of him, leaving his past behind him, ready for the future ahead of him, he whispered to himself `Miami/Florida, here comes Kouga Uchiha.'

 

 

Author's notes:

 

Well. How's that for a second chapter? Things seem to be moving a bit slow for now, but bear with me. I'm thinking of going about 5 years into the future with my next chapter. Or would you prefer things to go slower? I personally think that a 5 year time lapse is the better option (that's when things get interesting wink wink), but I'd still like to hear otheropinions.

 

And now I'd like to express my thanks to theREVIEWERS squeeeeeeel!!! You guys can't believe how grateful I am! Imagine, getting so manypositive reviews for my first fanfic! And not a single negative opinion! I'm truly touched you guys. It's great encouragement and it keeps me going, proving that my writing is worth something to someone. So, once again, my special thanks to:

 

Sansi

 

Yami's other Hikari

 

Jade Chu

 

Ookami Htake

 

One more time, THANK YOU!

 

Almost forgotten Disclaimer (rubs head with a sheapish smile):

 

I do not own Yu Gi Oh!...Though if I did…WATCH OUT EVERYONE! Hot boy to boy sex all around! MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! cacklesmaniacally with an evil grin while rubbing hands Err…I mean gives puppy eyes with innocent little smile I'm a good girl! Really I am! Audience turns away thinking `Must…not…look…at…puppy eyes!'