Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Soulmates ❯ Chapter4 ( Chapter 4 )

Soulmates

by Dragondreamer & Yami Dragon

Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! If we did, Dragon would have Seto wrapped in plastic and no one would be allowed to touch him but her.

Warning: This story contains shouenen-ai (guy/guy relationships) and yaoi (guys having sex with guys). It also contains coarse language and violence. If you don't like it, or become offended by such things, take off already!

Note: /…/ Tristan's thoughts

[…] Joey's thoughts

{…} Seto's thoughts

[[…]]Yami's thought and mind link to Yugi

//…// Yugi's thoughts and mind link to Yami

*…* Ryou's thoughts and mind link to Bakura

**…** Bakura's thoughts and mind link to Ryou

~*~*~*~*~

DD: *grin* Lots a Bakura angst in this chapter.

Bakura: Frigging great.

YD: Hey, NO one is immune.

DD: Yeah, and we get to see Master Kiotou in this chapter too. *squishes diminutive herbalist*

~*~*~*~*~

Kenjiro Kiotou looked up as the bell above the door jingled, announcing an arrival into his apothecary shop.

"Tristan!" The old man smiled. "I didn't expect to see you so soon!"

Tristan shrugged as he sat down on the stool in front of the counter. "I was in this end of town."

"I see." The herbalist regarded the brunet closely. He frowned when he noticed a small cut on Tristan's jaw. "You hurt yourself?"

"Cut myself shaving." Tristan looked at the elder, concern in his hazel eyes. "I wanted to ask you about it, actually. It was a small cut, but it took a while to stop bleeding. It was like the blood wouldn't clot."

"Hmmm." Master Kiotou grasped Tristan's chin in his hand and turned his head to better see the wound. "Has this happened before?"

"No."

"Do you have hemophilia in your family?"

"Not that I'm aware of."

"You must speak to your parents. They should not leave you alone as much as they do and not have you aware of your family's medical history." An angry look entered the ancient eyes. "I find it deplorable what they have done. You are a young man that ANYONE would be proud to call their son! That they could treat you in such a manner..!"

Tristan stared at the older man, blinking. He had never seen Master Kiotou angry before. Quite frankly, he hadn't known until now that it was even possible.

"I am sorry." Master Kiotou took a deep breath, calming himself. "This is not why I asked to see you."

"Umm…okay….why did you want to see me?"

"You did not return to the temple to pick up the register. I have it here." The elder reached under the counter and brought out a small, black book. "The receptionist asked if I would give it to you."

"Oh, thanks." Tristan reached for it almost reluctantly. "Umm…Master Kiotou, you saw Nana before she…died, didn't you?"

"I did."

"Did she know you?" Sad hazel eyes filled with tears.

"The last time I saw her, no, she did not. However," Master Kiotou reached out and grasped Tristan's arm. "Before she became too ill to recognize me, she asked a favor of me."

"What was that?"

"She asked that I give something to you. Something she wished to make sure you received."

Tristan shook his head, not understanding.

"Wait here, I will get it for you."

As the man left the room, Tristan opened the register, looking at the names there. There were so few. His friends, Yugi's grandfather, Master Kiotou and the Kaiba brothers.

/I wonder why he came? I don't believe for one second he was just passing by. He's too deliberate to do something like that./

There was an envelope stuck in the back of the book and Tristan pulled it out. He recognized it as soon as he saw the thin, black and white ribbon wound around it. He turned it over, his brow furrowing. It had Seto and Mokuba's names on it in the distinctive handwriting Seto was known for.

Master Kiotou came back, raising an eyebrow at the envelope. "I thought your friends respected your wishes in regards to that particular custom."

"They did." Tristan shook his head. None of his friends could afford to follow the Buddhist tradition of giving condolence money, and Tristan hadn't wanted them to. It wasn't a practice he was comfortable with. "This is from Seto Kaiba."

"Interesting."

Tristan opened the envelope and looked inside. He pulled out a check and opened it. /Son of a bitch./

"Is there a problem, Tristan?" Master Kiotou's eyes widened as Tristan showed him the check. "That was very generous of him."

Tristan shook his head. "He tried to give this me before, at school. I made him take it back. He seems to think he needs to pay me for helping his brother."

The elderly man grinned. "Seto Kaiba is a very smart young man. It is obvious he is used to getting his own way."

"Not likely." Tristan scowled.

"Oh, but he has. He wished for you to take this money and now he has found a way in which you cannot refuse it." Master Kiotou chuckled. "Yes, a very smart young man indeed."

Tristan rolled his eyes and put the check back in the envelope. "What was it Nana wanted you to give me?"

"This." Master Kiotou handed Tristan a small, pine box. "It has been willed to you, from what she told me, but she wished to make sure it was put directly into your hands by someone she trusted."

Tristan fought back a wave of tears as he accepted the unadorned box. It was Miriam's jewelry box. He opened it, revealing a small collection. Her wedding band, a few pins and a simple gold chain that Tristan always remembered her wearing.

"Th-thank you." Tristan said quietly.

"There was one other thing Miriam asked of me." Master Kiotou regarded Tristan seriously. "That I always care for your health. It is a promise I intend to keep. The next time you are speaking with your parents, please ask them about this problem. I need to know if there is hemophilia in your family or not."

"I will."

"Go on with you, young man. And tell Joseph to come see me. It has been far too long since I have seen him."

Tristan frowned. He remembered the last time the blond had seen the herbalist. It was just before they left for Duelist Kingdom. Tristan had brought him here to see whether or not Joey would require stitches to close the gash his father had left in his forehead.

"I'll tell him, Master Kiotou." Tristan rose from the stool. "And thanks for giving me this." He hefted the jewelry box in his hand. "It means a lot to me."

"I know it does." The elder replied with a smile. "And do not worry, Tristan. Though your parents seek to separate you from what means the most to you, they will not succeed in the end."

"Ummm," Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Okay."

"Off with you."

Tristan bowed respectfully and exited the apothecary shop, wondering what it was the old man was talking about.

~*~*~*~*~

Bakura paced his soulroom, seething.

"Damn him! Who is he to interfere?!" Bakura threw himself down on the cot and glared at the ceiling. "Cocksucker."

He was separated from his other…still. Ahmet had the ring again. Meddlesome bastard. He had to figure out a way to get rid of him. But he was afraid to even try. As much as he hated to admit it, the thoughts of facing Ahmet terrified him. And if his brother was standing by his side, as he had been that last time, there would be no chance. The High Priest's magic was too powerful.

There was nothing he could do about it either way until the Ring found its way back to his weaker self. And it would. There was no separating the light from the dark…not permanently.

Bakura closed his eyes, feeling the lethargy of sleep stealing up on him. He tried to fight it off, because with sleep came dreams. Dreams of memories he didn't want to relive. Memories that made him who he was.

He failed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

DREAM SEQUENCE

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Six days out the rains started.

Looking up at the thick, grey clouds, he smiled. It was good to see the seasonal rains finally arrive. They were late this year. Just as well though. It had allowed him one last hunt.

He broke camp amidst the heavy downpour, loading his tent and his kills onto the raw-boned horse his father had given him.

He traveled toward his village, the wet sand clinging to his bare feet and plastering his hair to his face.

Just as he was beginning to think about stopping and setting up his tent again, he heard a strange sound filtering through the noise of the pounding rain.

It was a high, thin sound, and he stopped, cocking his head to one side, wondering if the wind was picking up. He stood, holding his breath, listening. When he heard it again, he was sure it wasn't the wind. It almost sounded like a wounded animal.

He tugged the horse's lead, heading toward the sound. Maybe he could add to his kills. Maybe it was a wildcat. He smiled. His mother would love to have a fur for the cold nights.

Cresting a dune, he stopped, looking around. He couldn't see anything, but the noise was louder. Movement caught his eye and he turned.

There, on the side of the neighboring dune, he could just make out something small through the thick deluge.

He dropped the horse's lead, knowing the animal wouldn't move a step in this weather unless forced to.

He approached cautiously, drawing his dagger from the belt around his waist. One could never be too careful out here among the eternal sands.

When he got within two or three feet of the object, he could see exactly what it was. His mouth dropped open and he stood, numb, staring.

The weak wailing reached his ears again and he stooped, reaching down and picking it up.

It was a tiny, naked, girl child. No more than a few hours old, judging from the raw look of the end of the umbilical cord.

"Poor child." He whispered, his voice carrying to the infant over the rising wind. "That you should die because someone did not feel like raising a female this season."

He tucked the baby into his cloak, seeking to protect her from the driving rainfall. The child immediately quieted, nuzzling instinctively at his chest, looking for nourishment.

"I will take you to my village. There are several women there to care for you."

He walked back to his horse, feeling the warm, damp weight of the infant. Suddenly, a feeling came over him. One that he had felt once before. It was when his little sister had been born, she who had not lived to walk.

Opening up his cloak, he reached in and gently stroked the baby's cheek with a single finger. "I will raise you myself. Perhaps then my mother will not look on me with such sad eyes."

He sighed, tucking the cloak more securely around the child. His mother had been so sad since he had told her why he never taken a girl from the village to be his wife, why he chose instead only male lovers.

Maybe now that he could bring her a grandchild he could finally ease that sorrow.

Bending his head to the wind he plodded onward, determined now to reach his home before the sun went down.

~*~*~*~*~

His father met him at the edge of the village.

"I knew you would return today, my son." The older man's eyes traveled appreciatively over the carcasses draped over the horse's back. "I see you had a successful hunt."

"In more ways than one." The younger smiled. "I bring a special gift to my mother."

An eyebrow was raised at that, but the older man said nothing. Instead he took the horse's lead and led his son toward their hut.

"Go to your mother." He said. "She has been waiting for you. I will care for your horse."

"Thank you, father."

Ducking into the hut, he shook out his dripping hair, a smile creasing his face as his gaze fell upon his mother. She was sitting at her loom, weaving.

"Mother, I am home."

The woman turned around, a smile brightening her weathered features. "Welcome home, my son! Your hunt was successful?"

"Yes." He nodded. "And I have brought something to you even better than meat and skins. Something that you feared you would never have."

He reached into his cloak and withdrew the infant, who immediately began to cry at the loss of her surrogate father's warmth.

"A baby." She breathed.

"She is cold and hungry." He said. "You know all the nursing mothers in the village. Is there one who would be willing to feed my daughter?"

"Your daughter?!"

He nodded, meeting his mother's eyes steadily. "I intend to raise her myself."

The woman took the infant, reaching for a finely woven piece of linen next to her loom. She wrapped the baby in it, cuddling her against her chest. "There are several women who would be glad to. Are you sure you wish to do this, my son?"

"Yes. She was mine from the moment I laid eyes on her." He reached out and stroked the baby's cheek, smiling when she turned her head, her little mouth opening, bird-like. "I will name her Masika. She came to me during the rains."

"A suitable name." The mother smiled at her son. "I believe you will make her an excellent father. Go to the hut of Oma. She will surely agree to come back with you to feed my granddaughter."

Bending, he kissed the child's head and then turned, leaving the hut to seek out the woman who would nourish his daughter.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

END DREAM SEQUENCE

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Bakura woke with a start, sitting up on the cot.

The rain pelted against his window, running down the glass as he buried his face in his hands with a sob.

"Masika…"

~*~*~*~*~

"I wish they'd believe me, Yugi." Ryou stared down at his hands, his chocolate brown eyes filled with tears.

Yugi reached out to his friend, gently grasping his arm. "Ryou…I can see why they'd think that. I'm not sure myself. Yami and I haven't even tried."

"Well, could you?" Ryou looked up hopefully.

//Yami? What do you think?//

[[It's worth a try, Aibou. Go into your soulroom and then try to come into mine.]]

"We're going to try it." Yugi sat back on the couch, tucking his legs up under him. "If Grandpa comes in, give me a shake, would you?"

Ryou nodded and watched as Yugi's eyes closed.

Yugi sat up on the bed in his soulroom and pushed a large, red teddy bear out of his way. He ran for the door, deftly stepping over the toys that littered the floor. Yanking open the wooden portal, he stepped into the hallway.

Directly in front of him was an iron-bound door of darkened wood and he reached out, turning the tarnished knob.

He opened the door and his face lit up. "Yami!"

"Hello, little one." The darker of the pair opened his arms, smiling as the small teen threw himself into them.

"Wow!" Yugi said excitedly, squeezing his other for all he was worth.. "I can feel you! It's like it's real!"

Yami buried his face in the other's spiky hair, sighing. [[Yes, too real.]]

"Huh?"

"Nothing, my light." Yami pulled away, putting some distance between them and missing the hurt look that flickered across Yugi's features. "I take it this answers Ryou's question."

"Mmhmm." Yugi nodded. "Yami, what are we going to do? If…if we're…solid here…that means Bakura really CAN hurt him. At least, well…sorta."

Yami nodded, looking down at Yugi. "I wish there was something we could do, Aibou. But the Ring will find its way back to him…no matter what Tristan does."

"But…it's not REALLY real." Yugi's face took on a thoughtful look.

"I don't know." Yami sighed.

Silence settled over the two, each lost in his own thoughts.

"Yami?" Yugi finally broke the quiet. "Could I…umm…do this again? You know, maybe later when I can get some time alone?"

An elegant eyebrow rose. "To what purpose?"

"Just to…spend some time with you." Yugi looked at his feet, a hard blush staining his cheeks. "Unless…you don't WANT me to."

"No. No, my light." Yami reached out and grasped Yugi by the chin, tilting his face up and smiling at him. "I would like that very much."

"Thanks, Yami!" Yugi threw himself at his other again, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist. "Maybe tonight after I go to bed."

"If you wish." Yami replied, thinking to himself that the day couldn't go quickly enough.

"Okay." Yugi gave Yami another squeeze and a bright smile before turning and leaving the soulroom.

Yami watched him go, part of him elated that he had found a way to be with Yugi. The other half was scared beyond measure.

What if Yugi didn't want to be with him that way? He thought he had felt those kinds of feelings coming from his hikari, but what if he was mistaken?

Yami went and sat on the bed, his head dropping into his hands.

Once, he knew, he had been a powerful man, ruler of a vast country. Now he was nothing more than a man in love with someone he wasn't sure returned his feelings.

Why did things have to become so complicated?

~*~*~*~*~

Joey grit his teeth, refusing to cry out as he was punched in the stomach for what seemed like the hundredth time.

"You useless little ass!"

He was backhanded across the face, the force of the blow spinning him around and making him lose his balance. A boot came into contact with his ribs as he hit the floor with a moan.

"Get the fuck out of here!"

Joey screamed as his father grabbed him by the hair, dragging him across the floor to the kitchen door, opening it and hauling him into the weed-choked yard. Leaving his bleeding son where he lay, the elder Wheeler turned around and slammed back into the house.

The blond lay still, barely breathing, waiting to see if his father would come back outside to finish what he had started. It had happened before.

He didn't know how long he lay there, but as the sun began to set, he pushed to his feet, a soft sob of pain falling from his lips. He staggered, grabbing the rusted chain link fence.

[Sensei…gotta get to Master Kiotou.]

He took a step forward, groaning as he felt something grind together in his side. He made his agonizing way into the alleyway across the street, his pain fogged mind running on autopilot, the path to his safe haven burned into his subconscious.

It was fully dark by the time he made it to the back door of the apothecary shop. He didn't even have to knock.

"Come, Joseph." Master Kiotou said as he opened the door. "I have been expecting you."

As Joey leaned on the slight man, entering the building, a shadow detached itself from the gloominess of the alley.

Arms folded over his chest, the man regarded the closed door with an unreadable expression. He stood for a few minutes in silence until he was joined by another.

"Come. There is nothing we can do here."

The man looked at his companion, his single eye sad. "He is close. I can feel it."

"He will care for his love…as he always did."

"I wish to stay."

The second man nodded, the light from house glinting off his glasses. "Very well. I shall stay with you."

They settled back into the shadows to await the one they had been trying to find.

~*~*~*~*~

Tristan closed the door with a slam, running into the living room and grabbing the ringing phone.

"Hello?"

"Tristan, you must come. Joseph is hurt."

"Master Kiotou? What happened?"

"His father."

Tristan slammed the phone down and spun around, running for the door. He wrenched it open and bolted through, colliding with Ryou.

"Tristan!"

"Shit, Ryou! I'm sorry!" Tristan grabbed the shorter teen to steady him. "I've gotta go. Joey's at Master Kiotou's. His father beat him up again."

"I'm coming with you." Ryou stated, running for Tristan's motorcycle.

Tristan didn't argue, just ran into the garage and grabbed his extra helmet.

He peeled out of the driveway, Ryou clinging to him, his heart in his throat. /Joey…be okay./

~*~*~*~*~

"Is it him?"

"I do not know."

The two men watched as the two teens got off the motorcycle, heading for the open door where the elderly man awaited them.

"It does not look like him."

A sigh was heard as the bigger of the two men pushed his hair back, revealing an eye patch. "It feels like him. I do not know."

"Come." An arm was thrown about the other's shoulders. "Let us see if the others have found anything."

With one last look at the closed door, he followed his companion, disappearing into the darkness.

~*~*~*~*~

Seto parked his car and slumped back in the seat with a sigh. {He didn't take my advice.}

Coming home late from the office, Seto had taken a shortcut that took him into a part of the city he wouldn't normally pass through. One that brought him past an apartment building he knew. And he had seen a familiar brunet exiting that building.

Marc LaCroix lived there and he was familiar with it because he had been there once, summoned by the teacher on the pretext of discussing an advanced class with him.

Extra credits, the man had told him, freeing up more time for him to spend at his company while still fulfilling the obligations the court had set when he got custody of his brother.

It had all been a lie.

A lie that was obviously being fed to Tristan now, like it had to so many others.

Seto shook the memories from his head, getting out of the car and heading into the mansion. He quickly plastered a smile on his face as his was greeted enthusiastically by his little brother.

"You're late!" Mokuba said, looking up at Seto, his grey eyes indignant.

"Sorry, little brother." Seto ruffled the raven locks. "I had an unexpected meeting."

"It's okay. Odette put some supper aside for you."

"That's okay, I'm not really hungry."

"Oh, you will eat, MASTER Kaiba."

Seto turned to see the small French woman who was his cook standing in the doorway of the kitchen, her hands on her hips and a "don't mess with me" look on her face.

"Odette…"

"Go." The woman pointed into the kitchen. "Now."

Seto sighed and untangled himself from Mokuba, heading to the kitchen. It was useless to argue with Odette. She had the personality of a drill sergeant when she thought Seto wasn't taking care of himself.

"Mokuba…to bed with you." Odette said, following Seto into the room.

Mokuba pouted for about a half a second before caving under the stern look of their employee. "'kay, Odette. Night, big brother."

Seto called goodnight to his sibling, telling him he'd see him in the morning, and quickly going and sitting down at the kitchen table, aware of the glare he was receiving.

"Eat it all." Odette said in a no-nonsense tone as she set his plate down in front of him.

Ten minutes later, plate cleaned, Seto said goodnight to Odette and headed for his room. He just made it to the bathroom in time before his stomach rebelled.

"Oh, Seto…" A soft voice came from the open bathroom door.

Seto looked up through sweat-soaked bangs to see Odette standing in the doorway.

She came to him and helped him get to his feet, leading him back into the bedroom. Taking in the tense set of his shoulders in a swift glance, she placed her hand against his forehead before ordering him to get undressed and into bed and leaving the room.

Seto had just crawled under the covers when she returned, bearing a mug of broth and a bottle of prescription pain killers.

"Here." She shook two out of the bottle and handed them to him along with the mug, sitting on the edge of the bed.

Seto downed the pills and the mug's contents, wincing as his stomach cramped. He sighed as Odette moved to sit against the headboard, patting her lap. Shifting in the bed, he laid his head in her lap, a small moan escaping him as the headache had been trying to ignore kicked in full force.

"You need to see a doctor." Odette said as she began the years-long ritual of stroking his hair in the hopes he would fall asleep. "You're not well…and don't tell me you are either. You haven't eaten a decent meal since you returned. Not that you've kept down anyway."

"Please, Odette," Seto whispered. "Not now. My head is killing me."

With a small shake of her head, Odette clamped her lips shut and just sat, stroking the damp, tangled hair and humming softly under her breath. She felt Seto relax, his breathing evening out until he went completely limp.

Odette waited another moment, then eased out from under the sleeping teen. As she stood, she bent and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

"Sleep, Seto. It will get better. It has to."

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi settled into bed, a small smile on his face.

//Yami…I'm on my way.// He closed his eyes and allowed his soul to drift into the Puzzle.

He was out the door of his soulroom and into the hall, knocking on Yami's door, within seconds.

The door opened and Yugi's heart skipped a beat. Yami was standing in front of him, looking like Yugi had never seen him before. He was dressed in a long, flowing robe of what looked like cream colored silk, his tanned skin looking darker against the pale material. Gold adorned is neck and arms and Yugi notice that his ears were pierced; sporting dangling ruby earrings the same color as his eyes.

"Hi." Yugi said softly, cursing his heating face.

Yami smiled, seeing the soft pink blush creeping across his light's nose. "Welcome, Aibou. Come in."

Yugi entered the room, looking around with wide eyes. He hadn't really paid much attention the last time he had been here.

The room was lit by the soft glow of dozens of small torches and several lamps that looked ancient and burned scented oil that perfumed the air. His gaze came to rest on an ornate metal stand with a large, brass bowl sitting on top of it.

"What's that?" Yugi asked, approaching the object.

"It is my window through your eyes." Yami replied. "You have one in your soulroom as well."

"I do?" Yugi tilted his head to one side, looking up at Yami, his large, amethyst eyes glittering in the muted light.

"You should. It will be something you identify with. A mirror, or a window perhaps."

"Oh." Yugi turned around, looking into the vessel and finding it full of water. "Well, umm…so, you…you look into the water and you can see what I'm seeing?"

Yami smiled at his light's nervous curiosity. "Yes."

"But how come it's all black?"

"Because your eyes are closed, Aibou." The darker half replied, soft laughter in his voice.

"Oh." Yugi bit his lip, feeling his face reddening again.

[[He is beautiful when he blushes.]]

"Huh?"

"Nothing, Aibou." Yami shook his head.

"No, you said something."

Yami shook his head again and walked over to a low couch, sitting down. "Come, my light. Sit with me."

Yugi settled next to his other, looking up at him and noticing for the first time just how beautiful the darker half of his soul was. His heartbeat accelerated and he leaned back, sure that Yami could hear it.

"Is there something wrong?" Yami asked, seeing his light's fidgeting.

Yugi bit his lip again, not quite knowing how to answer.

"Don't do that." Yami chided, reaching out and brushing his fingers over the captive flesh.

Yugi's face flushed crimson and he shuddered, feeling as if a jolt of electricity passed from the tips of Yami's fingers to his mouth. Yami frowned and jerked his hand away, turning his head so his other couldn't see his eyes.

"I am sorry." He whispered.

"No." Yugi laid a gentle hand on Yami's arm and let his emotions flood their link. "No, it's okay, Yami. Really."

Yami, feeling the warmth of his hikari's feelings, turn back with a smile. "Aibou…"

Yugi smiled back, finding himself becoming lost in ruby depths. //Gods. I love him.//

Yami felt his breath catch in his throat, hearing what Yugi had so innocently thought. [[He loves me. Ra in his heaven……he loves me.]]

"I'm glad we could be together like this, Yami." Yugi said.

"As am I."

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything." Yami said. "I would never hide anything from you."

Yugi blinked as he felt something coming from Yami that he had never felt before. Something that seemed a lot like how he felt for his dark. "Umm….yeah, well…you said you had, umm….boyfriends?"

"I preferred men, yes." The darker of the pair smiled. "Though I did have a harem."

"Oh. So you like girls too."

Yami grinned at the downcast look on Yugi's face. "Not particularly, but I did have a responsibility to father an heir for the throne."

Yugi nodded and began picking at the cuff of his shirt, noticing for the first time that he was dressed in his pajamas. A small sigh escaped him as the thought that what he had felt come from Yami was probably nothing more than brotherly affection drifted through his mind.

"I should go." Yugi said, standing. "I've got school tomorrow."

"If you wish, Aibou." Yami stood as well. "Perhaps the next time you can stay longer."

Yugi shrugged noncommittally as he headed for the doorway, thinking to himself that he only wanted to return to his bedroom, block Yami out of his mind, and figure out how he was going to deal with the fact that he was in love with his other half.

Turning at the door, he looked up at Yami, trying to beat back the tears. "Night, Yami."

"Goodnight, my little light. Pleasant dreams." Yami replied, bending and pressing a tender kiss to Yugi's cheek.

"Yami…" Yugi breathed as the other pulled away.

"Go on to bed. You have to get up early."

"Umm…o-okay."

Yami smiled to himself as he watched Yugi flee into his soulroom. He had clearly felt the conflicting emotions coming from his light and he knew now with certainty that Yugi felt the same. He would not push him, however. Yugi needed to come to terms with his feelings, and Yami knew he would. And for that he needed time.

"Sleep well, my love." Yami whispered as the door to Yugi's soulroom closed.

~*~*~*~*~

Master Kiotou led Tristan into the darkened apothecary shop, leaving Ryou and his wife to care for Joey.

"Sit." The old man said, gesturing to the stool in front of the long, scarred counter.

Tristan collapsed onto the chair, a small quiver passing through him. The last hour hadn't been pleasant. Master Kiotou had had to set Joey's wrist. It had been dislocated, along with two fingers. Joey also had a broken rib, numerous cuts and bruises, and four stitches on the back of his neck.

"He will survive, Tristan, as he always has." Master Kiotou said, placing a steaming, handless cup in front of the brunet.

Tristan sighed. "I know. I just wish that I could do something about it."

"That is not your place, my friend. Only Joseph can remove himself from that situation. All we can do is be here for him when he needs us."

Tristan shook his head and picked up his cup, not looking the old man in the eye. The herbalist raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, going to the drawers lining the back wall and beginning to collect what he needed to brew a tea to help the injured blond sleep.

Having gathered what he needed, he returned to the counter. "I wish to keep Joseph here for a few days."

"I don't think he should go home for a while." Tristan replied. "He can stay with me."

"I believe that would be for the best."

"Yeah." Tristan said quietly, a catch in his voice.

"It will not be forever, Tristan. Soon enough, Joseph will be free. Free to live his life as he should."

Tristan looked into the wise, old eyes and felt a peace sweep over him. /He will be okay. I know it. Master Kiotou has always been able to see things no one else has. If he says Joey's going to be okay, he is./

"Tristan?"

"Yes?" Tristan was pulled from his thoughts by the almost urgent tone of the elder's voice.

"You should not be seeing him."

"Huh?"

"This man…he will only hurt you."

Tristan blinked, unable to find his voice under the shock that the herbalist knew of his relationship with his teacher.

"Nothing good will come of it."

"No." Tristan shook his head in denial. "Marc cares about me."

"Does he?"

"Yes." Tristan said firmly…and a bit defensively. "He does."

"Then there is obviously a lesson you need to learn. Go back to Joseph now. There is nothing more to say."

Tristan placed his now empty cup on the counter and stood. As he turned to head back into the living area of the house, the peace he had previously felt was washed away, replaced by a jittery nervousness.

He shook it off and left the shop, feeling the elder's eyes boring into his back.

~*~*~*~*~

Yugi opened his eyes to the dimness of his room.

He quickly and carefully closed off his end of the link and turned over on his back, staring at the ceiling. //He kissed me! Gods! He KISSED me!//

A little smile broke out on the elfin face. There had been something in Yami's eyes, something that made Yugi think that maybe his feelings were returned after all.

//But…what does that mean, really? He's stuck in the Puzzle. I'm here. And I know my friends would think I'm nuts if I told them I was in love with a five thousand year old spirit.//

Yugi's train of thought screeched to a halt as something that hadn't previously occurred to him lit his brain on fire. //Holy shit! I'm GAY!//

Shocked settled over Yugi's body, making him feel numb. He continued to stare at the ceiling, wondering why he hadn't thought of it before. Thinking back, he couldn't remember a time when he had looked at a girl and found her physically appealing. He knew he had looked at other boys that way though.

He thought about the three closest to him.

Ryou, without a doubt, was attractive, in a quiet, unassuming sort of way, and when he smiled, his whole demeanor changed. Yeah, Ryou was defiantly cute.

An image of Joey flashed in his mind and he grinned. How could anyone, guy or girl, not find Joey attractive? Sure he was loud and goofy sometimes, but he was way beyond loveable.

Tristan, on the other hand, was different. Trying to figure out if he had looked at him differently before finding out he was gay, Yugi began to worry. Something had happened at Duelist Kingdom that had changed Tristan in some way, and he didn't think it was the late night discussion where Tristan had confessed his sexuality to his friends. He couldn't lay his finger on it, but Tristan had become almost quiet, given to dark moods that Yugi was sure had nothing to do with his grandmother's death. Maybe it had something to do with Tea's reaction.

He remembered it clearly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

FLASHBACK

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You have GOT to be kidding me!" Tea drew back from Tristan, disgust written all over her face.

They had been sitting around the campfire, and a game of truth or dare had turned into a discussion of their deepest secrets.

Tristan frowned. "No, Tea, I'm not."

"What's your deal?" Joey asked, looking surprised. "Don't matter. It's still Tris and he's still our bud."

"Tea, why would you have a problem with this?" Yugi asked, almost timidly.

"Because it's disgusting and unnatural." Tea replied bitingly, looking at Tristan as if he had announced he was into necrophilia.

Joey blinked at the venom in the girl's voice. "What's wrong with you? Gods, you'd think YOU were a frigging angel or something!"

"Don't bother, Joey." Tristan said quietly, looking at his hands. "It doesn't matter."

"Yeah, it does."

Tea stood, backing away from the fire flashing from amber eyes. "I'm going to bed."

"Tristan, I'm sorry." Yugi reached for his taller friend as Tea ducked into the tent.

Tristan shook his head, standing and leaving the campfire.

Joey and Yugi exchanged a look, plainly meaning that they knew how deeply the brunet had been hurt by Tea's words.

"Well, there's a week's worth of no sleep for him." Joey said, shaking his head. "Why is Tea being such a bitch about this?"

"Give her time, Joey." Yugi counseled. "Maybe she just needs to get used to the idea."

"Somehow I seriously doubt that." Joey muttered, staring into the flames of the dying fire.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

END FLASHBACK

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

//But she hasn't. She's been treating Tristan like he has some sort of contagious disease or something. Poor Tristan. Tea doesn't realize that his still the same guy he always was. Maybe I should talk to her.//

His thoughts began to slow as sleep stole up on him. Yawning, he turned over on his side, letting his eyes close and his barriers down.

He felt Yami gently touch his mind and he smiled, tumbling into sleep.

~*~*~*~*~

DD: Okay, readers. The two mystery men will be making another appearance in the next chapter of Family.

YD: Yep. And we're going to have a contest to see who can guess who they are. Lexi plushies to anyone who can guess.

DD: The next chapter of Family is about half done, so we're hoping to have it out by next weekend.