Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Someday ❯ Someday ( Chapter 1 )

Author's Note: Yu-Gi-Oh! belongs to Takahashi-sensei. The song "Someday" belongs to Nickleback and the writers. Yami/Seto and unrequited Yami/Yugi.

Someday

How'd the hell did we wind up like this?

Why weren't we able

To see the signs that we missed?

Try to turn the tables

Seto Kaiba climbed into the back of his sleek, black limo, sighing in agitation. He had just finished a meeting with the Board of Directors of KaibaCorp, and his head felt like it was about to explode. He poured himself a glass of water and popped two acetaminophen pills into his mouth as the driver pulled out of the KaibaCorp parking lot. Seto downed the water. When he was finished, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hello?" a deep voice at the other end answered.

"Hey, Yami."

"Seto! How did your meeting go?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Seto said shortly.

"Oh," Yami said dishearteningly. "I'm sorry."

"Anyway, I'm just calling to let you know I'm on my way home."

"All right. I'll let Mokuba know."

There was an uneasy pause on both ends. Seto cleared his throat.

"Well, see you in a few minutes then."

"All right."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Seto hung up the phone and leaned back in the leather seat. It had been two years since he and Yami had started living together and four years since they had started dating. For the first two years of their relationship, they were always seen together. It was as if they were joined at the hip. When Yami moved in, they found it unnecessary to always be together at all times. They became more comfortable with the solidity of their relationship. Seto returned to his normal habits while Yami adjusted to being waited on hand and foot by the Kaiba mansion's many servants.

However, Seto was unaware of how unhappy Yami had become. While Mokuba was used to Seto being absent for several days or coming home very late, Yami was not. When Seto was home while Yami was still up, he was often in a bad mood and took it out on Yami. They would fight, one would storm out on the other, they would spend the night separated, and by the morning, Seto assumed everything was forgiven. They would have breakfast together. Seto assumed the fights were a healthy part of their relationship and nothing to worry about.

The limo pulled into the drive of the mansion and came to a stop in front of the porch. The driver got out and opened the door for Seto. Seto stepped out and proceeded to his home. When he opened the door, he was greeted by a loud yip and a small furball jumping at him. Seto pushed the puppy to the floor, growling at it.

"Down, Seth!"

Seto had not wanted to get a dog, but Mokuba pleaded and even got Yami on his side. This had caused another fight between him and Yami. Seto finally gave in just to please Yami.

The puppy whimpered before taking off down the hall to find Mokuba. Seto followed the puppy until he came to the dining room. A maid was setting the last dish on the table as Seto walked in. Yami stood by a chair, waiting.

"Hey," Yami said with a smile.

Seto just grunted in response and sat down. He began serving himself from the many dishes set out. Yami slowly sat in his chair and began to do the same as Seto.

"Where's Mokuba?" Seto asked after filling his plate and taking a bite.

A look of pain quickly flitted across Yami's eyes before he answered. "He's at a friend's house. He'll be coming home late."

Seto nodded and continued to absently eat his food. Yami noticed and let the pained look return to his face. He picked at the food on his plate, having lost his appetite. Yami hoped that Seto would notice this subtle change of behavior. But, the taller one did not pay any attention to the other. To seemingly reinforce Yami's suspicions that he no longer cared, the CEO's cell phone went off. Seto picked it up and rose from the table.

"What is it?" he barked as he left the room.

Yami set his chopsticks down and stared at his plate for a few minutes. A crystalline tear fell from his ruby eyes and slid down his tanned cheek. He quickly brushed it away. Seto might come back after the phone call and finish dinner. But, Yami knew it would not happen when he heard Seto stomp up the stairs. Yami looked up and caught the maid's eye.

"Sakura, I…I think we're finished in here."

Sakura the maid stepped out of the corner and took Seto's plate. She then walked over to Yami's side and took his plate.

"Don't be discouraged, Master Yami. I know he cares for you. He is just…sidetracked too easily when it comes to work," Sakura said, trying to comfort Yami.

Yami stood. "Too easily, Sakura. And this…this is the last straw."

* * * * *

I wish you'd unclench your fists

And unpack your suitcase

Lately there's been too much of this

But don't think it's too late

Seto walked down the hallway towards his bedroom, massaging his temples. He could not understand why his Board of Directors insisted on making the running of KaibaCorp so difficult. Seto wanted to fire every single one of them despite their impressive résumés. They acted like incompetent fools and that irked Seto beyond belief. With a sigh, he opened his bedroom door and stopped in his tracks. Sitting in the window seat, bathes in the light of the full moon, was Yami. Yami was staring out the window. Seto walked over, wondering what Yami was still doing up. It was very late.

"Yami?"

Yami turned his head to face Seto. His ruby eyes shone with unshed tears. Seto sat beside Yami, wrapping an arm around Yami's waist. Yami pushed the arm away and turned his back to Seto.

"It's nice of you to finally come to bed; however, you're going to be sleeping alone tonight."

Seto, who was already irritated, became angrier. "All right, Yami, what's your problem?"

Yami's sharp eyes narrowed. "My problem is you!"

"What did I do?" Seto snapped.

"It's what you didn't do, Kaiba. You have no clue what today was, do you," Yami said, looking back out the window.

Seto sighed in agitation. "Tuesday, Yami."

"It just so happens that today was our anniversary. I had dinner made of your favorite foods. You never noticed that, and you didn't even finish it! You walked off to take a damn phone call!"

"I can't help the fact that my Board of Directors is full of idiots! I have to lead them like a bunch of children! And, you suddenly becoming clingy isn't helping!"

I'm not becoming clingy all of a sudden! I haven't seen you in almost a week! Was it too much for me to ask you to remember just one special day?!"

Seto stood. "You've never had a problem with my work before! You're being too sensitive!"

Yami stood. "And, you're not being sensitive enough!"

Seto sighed again and collapsed to the window seat. He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to think. This fight was so pointless, trivial, and ridiculous. He looked up at Yami and noticed he was turning on the lamp beside their bed. The light went on, and Seto saw a suitcase on the bed.

"What's going on?" Seto demanded.

Yami shut the suitcase and locked it. "I'm leaving. You obviously love your job more than me. I'm going…I'm going home!"

Seto stood and went to Yami's side. "Yami, please…let's talk this over. Come on, unpack the suitcase. You know I love you."

Yami picked up the suitcase in one hand and used his free arm to push Seto away from him. "No, Kaiba. I gave you plenty of chances to fix this and you've never followed through. Tonight was the last straw. I've had enough of all the empty promises and all the fights we've had. I love you, Seto, I really do. But, I don't love you enough to put up with this anymore."

Yami walked out of the room, leaving Seto alone. Seto stood there, dumbfounded. He could not believe Yami had left him. Why am I worrying? This is strictly routine. Yami is just being way too sensitive about my work. He'll be back tomorrow after he's had his little tantrum. Satisfied, Seto got ready for bed. He dressed into his pajamas and got underneath the silken sheets.

Nothing's wrong

Just as long

As you know that someday I will

Someday

Somehow

Gonna make it all right, but not right now

I know you're wondering when

You're the only one that knows that

Someday

Somehow

Gonna make it all right but not right now

I know you're wondering when

* * * * *

Yugi had just settled himself down to watch a movie when the doorbell rang. Yugi yawned, stretched, and padded down the stairs, through the game shop, and over to the front door. He opened it and dropped his jaw in shock. Yugi saw his other half standing on the front step, a suitcase in his left hand. Yugi stepped aside and let Yami in. Yami smiled warmly at Yugi and walked in.

"Is everything okay, Yami?" Yugi asked as he shut the door.

"I…I left Kaiba. Things just weren't working out."

Yugi nodded, his amethyst eyes full of concern. "You know I'm here for you. Do you want to spend the night?"

"Do you mind?"

"Of course not!" Yugi said with a giggle. "It'll be like old times! Come on upstairs!"

Yami picked up his suitcase. Yugi bounded up the stairs, a broad smile on his face. It had been awhile since he had seen his darker half and almost a year since anyone came to the game shop to visit him. Anzu had gone to New York to study ballet, Honda left the country for college, Ryou had returned to England with Bakura, and Jounouchi had moved to Tokyo with Shizuka, Mai, and Otogi. Yugi had been recovering from the loss of his grandfather and all the new responsibilities of running the game shop and going to college. Yugi made it to the apartment and sat on the couch. Yami came up, dumped his suitcase in the corner and copied Yugi.

"So…wanna tell me what happened?"

Yami crossed his arms in anger. "Seto's been paying too much attention to his work. So much so that he forgot today was our five-year anniversary."

"You feel unloved?" Yugi asked delicately.

Yami laid his head in Yugi's lap. "Yes."

Yugi ran his fingers through Yami's soft spikes. "You shouldn't feel that way. There are plenty of people here that love you. Don't ever think for one moment that no one loves you."

"But…none of you are Seto," Yami whispered.

"Why does Kaiba have to matter so much? If he's not returning the affections, then forget about him. Focus on those people in your life that return the love and affections."

Yami looked into Yugi's eyes with a smile. He ran a finger along Yugi's cheekbone. "I don't know where I'd be without you, hikari."

"Still stuck in a puzzle, I wager," Yugi replied.

Yami sat up. "Do you still have it?"

"Yes…why?"

"Nothing."

Yugi sighed. "Please don't hide things from me. What happened to our relationship? We used to be so close…"

Yami knew where this was going. He knew his dearheart hikari was still in love with him. Yami loved him in return, but it was more of a brotherly love than anything else. Yami sighed and looked at Yugi sadly.

"Kaiba happened, Yugi. But, he wasn't the only factor. When I didn't need the puzzle to take physical form, I guess our bond weakened."

A tear fell from Yugi's cheek before he leaned over and captured Yami's lips with his own. Yami reeled in shock and pulled away.

"Yugi…"

"I miss you, Yami. I've been so lonely here with everybody away following their dreams. I feel so left out and-"

"Yugi, I was summoned to be your protector. You don't need me anymore."

"Yes I do!" Yugi gasped. "You don't understand! I miss all our talks, I miss all the times you would comfort and care for me. I…I miss dueling and…having you around my neck."

Yami's eyes grew wide. "Oh, hikari…"

It was what he had been dreading all those years. He suspected that once he bonded with Yugi, after awhile, Yugi would become addicted to having a protector around him all the time as well as having the power to control someone else's spirit. To control where he went, what he wore, and what he did to a point. When Yami gained human form, Yugi lost that and was possibly going through withdrawal.

Yami looked over at his hikari, who was imploringly searching for a hint of love in the other's eyes. Yami shook his head and sighed.

"What happened to just being friends?"

"Ever since grandpa died…"

Yami gasped quietly. "Oh, Yugi…I'm sorry! I didn't know…"

Yugi shook his head making the tears that had brimmed there fall from his eyes. "No, you wouldn't…would you? You haven't talked to me for almost three years, aibou."

"I didn't mean to become distant from you."

Yugi sniffled. "Well, that's okay," he said bitterly. "You never really cared before."

"Don't say that. Of course I did. I've just…oh, gods, Yugi. I've been so wrapped up in myself that I never spared a second to think about the people that had truly mattered in my life before Kaiba made his grand entrance," he paused. "I won't apologize for it. I know sorry isn't enough."

"You should. It doesn't matter. In some cases, sorry may be enough."

"Not in this case, aibou."

Yugi smiled through his tears. "I haven't heard you call me that in a long time."

There was a pause between the two. Yami felt powerless to help his hikari, who seemed to not be able to stop crying. He knew that he should comfort him, but he was unsure how Yugi would take it. It seemed Yugi's emotions were so unstable at the moment, and the slightest gesture could be taken the wrong way. Yami sighed and stood.

"Yugi, I need to ask you a favor. Before you think I'm taking advantage of you, I'm not. I'm doing this to help you and Kaiba."

"What?"

"I need you to rebuild the puzzle."

"Why?! You'll just be imprisoned in it again!"

"Exactly."

* * * * *

Well I'd hope that since we're here anyway

We could end up saying

Thing we've always needed to say

So we could end up staying

The day was a rainy one…completely dismal and dreary. It was these sort of chilly days that Seto loved to spend in his office working. He would have a cup of hot chocolate on his desk and he would wrap himself up in a warm down comforter. It may have seemed uncharacteristic for the cold-hearted CEO, but beneath all the ice was a warm and fuzzy heart.

This particular rainy day had the CEO being chauffeured around the city. He snorted to himself as he looked out the window in the back of his limo. He wanted to be home and snuggled under his favorite blanket with his laptop and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. But, for whatever reason, the world had decided that he needed to be out to take care of some business relating to KaibaCorp…business that did not involve his laptop.

While he was thinking his desolate thoughts, he felt the car stop with a jerk. He flew forward in his seat, the seat belt catching him in time before he flopped to the floor. His head snapped up, his icy eyes blazing in bridled anger. Even scarier than an angry Seto yelling at someone, was a calm, angry Seto. Seto hit a button and the partition between the passenger and chauffeur rolled down.

"What the hell was that?!" Seto demanded.

"I almost ran someone over," the man replied.

Seto looked out the window and his heart began to race. He saw a short figure about five feet tall with sopping hair the color of gold, magenta, and ebony. The figure wore black clothing. No wonder Rowland almost ran him over. He gasped in recognition. It was the one person he began to fall in love with, his sworn enemy…Yami.

Seto rolled down the window and stuck his head out as the rain began to fall harder from the sky. He was about to say something when those lovely ruby eyes locked with his. The figure's eyes widened, staring at the person in the car.

"Kaiba," Yami said.

Seto shivered as the warm, deep tones washed over him. He watched as Yami came closer to the car. Seto began to panic. What was he going to do?! This was supposed to be his sworn enemy and here the proud CEO was, thinking about how wonderfully delectable Yami looked with his soaked spikes clinging to his skin and the beads of water running off of Yami's leather clothing.

Before Seto could prepare himself, Yami had reached the door. Seto pulled his head in, perfectly aware that his hair was now wet and clinging to his own face. He gulped and fidgeted with one of the buttons on his shirt.

"What are you doing out here in this weather?"

Seto immediately watched Yami's eyebrow rise to a dignified arch. He knew it was unlike him to ask how another was faring with the mask he had put on around Yami and his friends. But, he knew it was no longer possible to hide behind the mask of cruelty and superiority. Not when he had these feelings for Yami.

"My car…or rather, Yugi's grandfather's car broke down. I don't have one of those…um, cell phones, so I can't call for help. I was planning on walking back to the shop. Sorry…I wasn't looking when I crossed the street."

Seto shook his head. "I see you're having difficulty with technology, Yami."

"You could say that," Yami said sharply.

Seto huffed in indignation. "If you're going to use that attitude, forget my generous offer."

"What generous offer?" Yami bit back.

"I was going to offer you a ride, but obviously-"

"Are you trying to win me over?" Yami asked.

Seto gaped at Yami like he had said something totally obscene. Why was Yami suddenly being so forward about this? Yes, there had been several times when Seto had been kind to Yami, but so far, he really had not revealed his true feelings for the spirit. Was he that readable? Seto sputtered, looking for something to say, which made Yami smirk.

"I'll take you up on your offer. Thanks."

Yami walked around the limo, opened the door, and slid in the car next to Seto. Seto could feel the blood and heat rising in his face. He tried to hide his embarrassment from Yami. Why was this suddenly so difficult? He had been around the spirit several times and had never had this reaction before. Was it his feelings for Yami?

The chauffeur drove off, raising the partition again to give the master and his guest some privacy. Seto felt even more uncomfortable. He felt like he was being forced to face Yami. He took a deep breath and looked over at Yami. The spirit had his arms and legs crossed. He was looking out the tinted window, watching the world pass by. Seto cleared his throat nervously.

"You…um, drive?"

"Somewhat. I'm not very good at it. Through the luck of the gods or something, I got my license."

Seto nodded. "Th-that's good. Can't have another psycho on the road, you know."

Seto mentally kicked himself for saying that. He knew Yami was going to take it the wrong way. Why did he just call Yami a psycho? While Seto fretted, Yami snorted.

"Yeah, I suppose so."

Seto stopped and stared at the spirit. He heedlessly just made his comment, not even getting angry with Seto for his lack of finesse. Seto mentally sighed with relief and settled into his seat.

"Would you like to come to my house and dry off a bit? It's closer."

Yami eyed Seto, then shrugged. "Sure. Whatever is easier."

Good…good. He felt like he was making progress. Perhaps by the time Yami left his mansion, Seto would have gathered the courage to ask him to be his boyfriend. But, who was he kidding? How was he going to get his enemy to even consider the proposition? He wondered if he was treating this too much like a business deal. After all, Seto was very good at making killer business deals.

They arrived at the Kaiba Mansion as the rain slowed down to a light sprinkle. Seto got out of the limo, closely followed by Yami. He walked up to the French doors and let Yami in first. He followed and shut the door. Yami stood in the entrance hall, apparently taken by the grandeur of the building. From the marble floor, gold detail work, to the lush velvet carpets and sweeping staircase, the house was truly stunning.

"How many people live here?" Yami asked in awe.

"Just Mokuba and I," Seto responded, sweeping past the stunned spirit and up the stairs. "Well, are you coming, or are you going to stand there like a lost child all day?"

Seto heard Yami grumble as he followed him. Seto grinned and took Yami to his office…his personal space. The office just contained a flat-screened television, a simple desk that boasted a laptop, and a couch with a side table next to it. The walls were all built-in shelves filled with books and manuscripts. Behind the desk was a ceiling-high window.

"Sit down. I'll ask the maid to bring up something warm to drink. What do you want?"

Yami sat slowly down on the couch, apparently surprised for the hospitality he was receiving. "Um…hot chocolate would be nice."

Seto nodded, a ghost of a smile on his face. He hit an intercom button on his desk. "Sakura, two hot chocolates, please."

He sat down at his desk and looked down when his feet hit something soft. He immediately recognized his favorite down comforter, a lovely shade of sapphire blue. He looked up at Yami, noticing that the spirit was shivering, crossing his arms across his chest to feebly ward off the cold air. Seto was about to do something about it when there came a knock on the door.

"Who is it?" Seto barked.

"Sakura, sir."

Seto eased up and said almost apologetically, "Come in."

Sakura opened the door, a small tray with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate in her hand. She laid the tray on the desk, bowed to Seto, and left the office, quietly closing the door behind her. Seto walked out from behind his desk with the blanket in his arm. Yami noticed and stared at Seto with a puzzled gaze.

"I always have this in the room with me…especially on rainy days."

He grabbed the mugs of chocolate and handed one to Yami. Yami took it gratefully, blowing at the drink to cool it enough to sip. Seto sat beside him, throwing the blanket over both of them. Yami accepted it with a polite thanks before taking a sip of his chocolate. Seto blew on his and sipped it as well.

"Thank you, Kaiba. This is…really kind of you. I never would've thought you'd be this hospitable to someone you don't like."

"What makes you say that?" Seto asked.

"You…you don't like me. You've always been rude to my aibou, his friends, and especially me."

"That's only in the dueling arena, Yami. Outside it…I…"

Now that it had come to it, Seto found it difficult to tell Yami how he felt. He took another nervous sip of his chocolate, then reeled in shock as the liquid scalded his mouth.

"Ah, damn!" Seto cried, pulling the cup away from him and managing to spill some of the chocolate on his shirt.

Yami giggled.

Seto growled.

Yami laughed out loud. "Too wrapped up in your feelings to watch out for that hazard?"

Seto rolled his eyes. Yami finished laughing before he tried to speak again.

"I really like you."

"What?" Yami asked in surprise.

"I…I really…I-I…love you, Yami."

Yami put his mug down on the side table beside the couch. "Really?"

"Of course! Do you think I'm joking?" Seto flared.

"I mean it, Kaiba. You're not playing? I know you're not the type to randomly say things, but…"

"I mean it with all my heart, Yami. I want you to be my boyfriend. Will you?"

Yami smiled and cuddled closer to Seto underneath the down blanket. "Of course I will."

* * * * *

Now the story's played out like this

Just like a paperback novel

Let's rewrite an ending that fits

Instead of a Hollywood horror

Seto awoke from his dream and found himself on the couch in his office. He could not remember leaving his bedroom and walking to his office. He sat up and looked around. The sun was shining brightly through the window, causing Seto to wince. He looked down and noticed he had curled underneath his favorite down comforter…the one he and Yami had shared that first day. Seto brought some of it to his face, taking in the smell. Yami's spicy scent still lingered on the blanket, making Seto wish his significant other was with him.

He wondered what time it was, so he got up, opened his laptop and looked at the screen. It read 10:30. He smiled. Yami should be back by now. He pressed the intercom button on his desk.

"Sakura?"

"Yes, Master Kaiba?"

"Is Yami home?"

"No, sir. I haven't seen him since dinner last night."

Seto sighed. "Very well."

He sighed yet again and collapsed to his black leather office chair. Where was Yami? And why was he not coming home? Surely he meant just to spend one night away from the mansion to make Seto feel bad for messing up their special day. Seto got up and decided he needed to get dressed and try to find his lover. And, he had an idea on where he was.

Nothing's wrong

Just as long

As you know that someday I will

Someday

Somehow

Gonna make it all right, but not right now

I know you're wondering when

You're the only one that knows that

Someday

Somehow

Gonna make it all right, but not right now

I know you're wondering when

You're the only one that knows that…

* * * * *

Yami awoke in Yugi's bed. He knew that he had left Seto the night before, but he halfway expected to be back in the Kaiba Mansion in their shared bed. When he sat up, he felt a sharp stab in his abdomen. Yami doubled over and clutched his abdomen, hissing in pain. He looked around Yugi's room and noticed a golden object on the desk in the corner. The puzzle was half done. Yami's eyes widened.

He stayed up all night to help me…He's almost finished it.

Yugi walked into the room and saw Yami up. He walked over and sat beside his darker half. He noticed the spirit's position, and concern filled his amethyst eyes.

"Yami? Are you all right?"

Yami nodded. "I think so. I'm beginning to go, aibou. I can feel it," he paused as another wave of pain consumed him. "Did you stay up all last night?"

Tears filled the little one's eyes. "Of course. I want to make you happy as you did for me when we were together. But, why are you doing this?"

"If I'm gone, I won't hurt anyone else. I've already hurt you by being with Seto. And, I've probably hurt Seto by leaving. I don't think…"

"Yami!" Yugi gasped.

Yami looked down at his hands and noticed they were transparent. He began to breathe heavily as he lifted one up to examine it more closely. He put it back down and the green color of the comforter went through his hand.

"I'm a spirit again, Yugi. I can no longer maintain my physical body. Look, you have to finish this quickly. My spirit has nothing to hold on to since our bond was broken. It's going to be much harder for me to do anything since I can't return to your body to rest, and I can't return to the puzzle because it's not completed."

Yugi nodded. "I closed the shop. No one should bother us. But, Yami?"

"Yes, aibou?"

"I'm stuck in the same place I was when I first put the puzzle together. I can't remember what I did."

I can't physically help you put it together, but I can tell you where the pieces go."

Yugi smiled up at Yami. "If I could, I'd give you a hug as a thanks for all you've done for me. I guess helping you out will be my thanks instead."

"Yugi, I just want you to know that I've always admired your courage. Don't forget that when I'm gone, okay? Even though I may be trapped in the puzzle, I will still remember our time together and how much we accomplished."

Yugi nodded again. "I love you, Yami."

"And, I love you too, aibou."

"Let's get this done and over with."

Yami nodded, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill. He was going to miss the world so much and all the people he had gotten to know over the years he had lived with Yugi, including Anzu, Honda, and Jounouchi. He sighed and watched Yugi grab the puzzle and the golden box the pieces were stored in. Yugi sat beside the spirit on the bed and dumped the pieces onto the blanket. Yami pointed at one piece the shape of a pyramid.

"That's the one that goes in that spot you're stuck at. Then, give the puzzle a half turn," Yami pointed at another piece. "Put that one in next."

Yugi nodded, grabbed the pieces, and did what he was instructed to do. He let an `oh!' of recognition fly from his lips as he put the pieces in.

"Now I remember! I think I can do it from here."

"I'm here to help if you get stuck again."

Yugi nodded and continued working on the puzzle. All the while, he kept thinking that he was aiding in his best friend's suicide.

* * * * *

How'd the hell did we wind up like this?

Why weren't we able?

To see the signs that we missed?

Try to turn the tables

Now the story's played out like this

Just like a paperback novel

Let's rewrite an ending that fits

Instead of a Hollywood horror

They spent an hour working silently on the puzzle. Meanwhile, Yami was finding himself even more and more weakened as the puzzle pieces fell into place. He hoped that when it was finally finished, he would be able to be sealed in the puzzle and not have to worry about hurting anyone anymore or having others hurt him. When the hour was almost finished, there was a smashing sound and a loud bag that came from down in the shop. Yugi looked up, the final piece in is hand: the Eye of Horus.

"What was that?" he asked.

"I don't know, hikari. Please…just finish the puzzle," Yami urged.

"YAMI!" a husky voice yelled.

Yami's eyes widened and tears filled them. Yugi gave Yami a fleeting glance before jumping off the bed and racing to the shop. Yami heard some scuffling and shouting. He hoped that Seto would just leave so that he could be sealed into the puzzle in peace.

"He WHAT?! Let me see him!"

"Kaiba! He doesn't…"

Angry steps sounded on the stairs and in a minute, the form of Seto Kaiba was standing in the doorway. Yami opened his eyes wearily, seeing the shocked look in Seto's steely eyes. Seto strode over and knelt beside the bed. He tried to grasp one of the spirit's hands, which were dangling over the edge of the bed. His hand went right through.

"Yami, what the hell is going on?!" Seto demanded.

"I've hurt too many people, Seto. Especially Yugi. And, I feel like you've used me. You never really loved me, did you?"

"If I didn't, I wouldn't be here!" Seto said angrily.

"Are you sure it's not because you miss me for other reasons?"

The fiery ruby eyes bore into Seto's eyes, like he was trying to see the CEO's soul. Seto fidgeted under the gaze, but never let his eyes leave Yami's. Yami noticed the tears that had begun to form in Seto's eyes.

"Yami…please, I…I love you. I thought about everything while I was looking for you this afternoon. I know I was a jerk, and you had every right to walk out on me. But, I promise with all of my heart that I'll try my best to not let work get in the way of our relationship."

"It may be too late, Seto. I don't know if this process can be reversed…even if Yugi does take the puzzle apart again."

"Let me try. Please, Yami."

Yami let the tears fall from his eyes. "I don't know if I can bring myself to trust you. You've always made empty promises, Seto. I don't know if I can trust you not to hurt me again."

"Give me another chance."

Yami shook his head. "No, Seto. I've made my decision," Yami faced Yugi. "Please put the final piece in, hikari."

Yugi nodded and grabbed the puzzle and the Eye of Horus. Yami eyed Seto one last time, noticing a single tear that fell from his eyes. Yami closed his eyes, unable to bear the sight of a grief-stricken Seto as his last memory of this world before he was to be sealed into darkness.

"Yami! You're making a mistake!" Seto shouted.

Yugi positioned the piece into its right slot. He closed his eyes, trying to prevent the tears that threatened to spill from his eyes.

"Yugi…do it."

"I'm sorry, Yami," Yugi whispered as he put the final piece in.

There was a flash of light, so bright that Seto and Yugi covered their eyes with their arms. When it ended, they pulled their arms away and noticed the spirit was no longer there. Seto fell to the floor, staring blankly at the bed.

"He…he's gone," Seto said blandly.

"He's not totally gone, Kaiba."

Seto looked up at Yugi. "What do you mean?"

"His memory lives on with you and I. Not only that, but he still resides in this puzzle. This is one tangible memory of him."

Kaiba took the puzzle gingerly into his hands. It felt heavy, but nonetheless, he held it close to his chest, like he was hugging it. Yugi sat beside Kaiba and tried his best to comfort him with his presence.

"Yami never told me the spell to release him. I know he was running through some sort of spell in his head to lock himself in once more. Who knows? Maybe you'll find it…someday."

Nothing's wrong

Just as long

As you know that someday I will

Someday

Somehow

Gonna make it all right, but not right now

I know you're wondering when

You're the only one that knows that

Someday

Somehow

Gonna make it all right, but not right now

I know you're wondering when

You're the only one that knows that

I know you're wondering when

You're the only one that knows that

I know you're wondering when

Written by Hope Maria Conaway. May 28, 2004