Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Strengthening Connection ❯ Friends ( Chapter 3 )

I'm really sorry for not updating this in like two weeks. But I've been focusing on my other story "School of Magick". Anyway, here's another chapter. It's a little longer than the first two. I hope it make up for me not updating for so long. This chapter is still a little slow, but things will pick up next chapter. Enjoy!

Review Responses:

holo: I'm glad you like the story. I hope you like this chapter too.

SniperYingFa: I'm glad you like this so far. This chapter is a little longer than the last two. There's more Yugi angst too.

SniperYingFa: (again) Thanks for defending me. I didn't like yaoi fics at first either, but I kept an open mind and read a few. Now I like them more than straight fics.

Chibi: Well, this is more angst than fluffiness, but I'm glad you like it so far.

Mononoke: Glad you like this so far. I hope you continue to enjoy the story.

Amy: I'm glad you like the story. I love Yami/Yugi pairings too. They're so cute together!

DeathReborn: Well, I'm not sure if I can work in any more pairings, but I'll see what I can do. This is mainly going to be Yami/Yugi though.

Angel Reaper: Yeah, he does. I think Yugi looked really cute in that outfit and Yami looked really sexy.

woodelf193: I'm glad you like the story. Here's another chapter!

Notes: //Yami to Yugi// /Yugi to Yami/ 'Thinking' "Speaking"

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh! I would love to, but I don't.

All right. Now, on with the chapter. This is from Yugi's POV again.

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Chapter 3: Friends

As Yami disappeared back into the puzzle I smiled to myself. It wasn't often that he came out of the puzzle unless we were dueling. He must really be worried about me and wanted to cheer me up. I continued walking. It was only a few more blocks until I reached the center of town. I was supposed to meet up with Joey and Mai there. Joey would probably be late and Mai would probably complain, but that was okay.

I still wasn't sure what I would do about Marik. He was bound to keep sending people after me. I had no way of knowing who was working for him and who was a normal duelist. And if Marik could control anyone with the magic of his Millennium Rod then anyone I dueled might be one of his mind-controlled slaves. I can't keep watching over my shoulder all the time. What can I do?

Yami says that I need to deal with Marik when he showed up, but I don't think I can do that. Yami also said that I needed to trust myself more. I guess that's true, but I can't help worrying. I was always picked on until Yami and my friends showed up. And I really haven't been able to do much without their help. How am I supposed to deal with Marik if I can't even deal with some simple bullies?

//You can do this, Yugi.// Says again from inside his soul room.

He must have sensed my confusing and worry. I must be broadcasting to him through our link. I can't help it though. I've learned how to block him out, but I can't block myself from him. That just adds another worry to my list. What if he can sense what I feel for him? He hasn't said anything, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know. I still don't know how he feels. He's very good at blocking me out. I very rarely feel anything from him. The only time I've been able to really feel his emotions when we were working so closely together against Pegasus.

Thinking about that brings another smile to my face. He was so strong; so brave. He was everything I wasn't and that's one of the reasons I fell in love with him. I don't think I can ever tell him though. He has too much to worry about as it is. I shouldn't put something else on him. Besides, I don't think he could ever feel the same way about me.

I can see the center of town now. The small park there is full of people. I'm supposed to meet Mai and Joey at the fountain in the center. As I weave my way through the crowd a feeling of apprehension crawls down my spine. Anyone around me could be after the puzzle. I unconsciously grab the chain it hangs on in a death grip.

Finally, I spot Mai waiting by the fountain. She's facing the opposite direction so she doesn't see me. I break into a run and call out to her. She turns and smiles at me. Joey's still nowhere to be seen, but the tournament doesn't start again for another ten minutes.

"Hey, Yugi." Mai greets me, then she takes a closer look at me and frowns. "Did you sleep okay? Your eyes look bloodshot."

"Yeah, I'm fine." I lie, not wanting to talk about it. "How about you? Ready for the second day of the tournament?"

"I was born ready." She replies, flinging some of her hair over her shoulder and smirking. "But seriously, you don't look good. Your going to have to be at your best for this tournament, you know."

I nod my head. A little surprised that she actually seems to care about me. Maybe there's more to Mai than I thought.

"I mean, I want to fight you at your best." She adds.

I should have seen that coming. Although I think, deep down, Mai does care. She reminds me of Joey sometimes. He's really hot headed, jokes around a lot, and can be really self-centered. But he really does care.

//They'd make an interesting couple.// Yami says, and I smile again.

/If they didn't kill each other first./ I reply. /I mean, they argue so much./

//Hmmm.// He replies with a tone of voice that says he knows something that I don't.

/All right. I know that tone of voice. What do you know?/

//Nothing.//

/Yami./

//It's nothing, Yugi.//

/Alright./ I know that tone of voice too.

Yami can be so stubborn sometimes. Another thing I love about him. I shake my head. I really have to focus on the tournament. It's going to be hard enough with me not getting much sleep. I don't need be distracted as well. Besides I've waited this long to deal with my feelings, I can wait until the tournament is over.

"Hey Yug!"

I turn and smile as I see Joey running up. His hair is mused from running and his shirt is wrinkled. He probably grabbed whatever came to hand first. He's not a morning person, and even though the tournament starts at nine, and he as to get up earlier on school days, he still has trouble getting up on time.

"Hey Joey!" I call back, waving.

"Well, look what the cat dragged in." Mai adds as Joey reaches us, and stops to catch his breath. "I thought you'd never get here."

"Nice to see you too, Mai." Joey says between gasps for air.

"Well, it looks like its time for the tournament to start again. I'll see you guys later." With that, Mai starts walking away.

"See you later Mai! Good luck!" I call after her.

"Save it for Joey. He's the one who needs the luck." She replies before disappearing into the crowd.

"Why that . . ." Joey starts, throwing a dirty look in the direction she left. "I don't see why you insist on hanging out with her, Yug."

"Oh come on. She's not that bad."

"Yeah, right." Joey looks around.

"Well, I better be going. I only have two locator cards so far and I need four more if I want to make it to the finals. So, I'll see you later, Yug."

"Bye Joey!"

I guess I should get going too. I've got only three locator cards. I bet Mai has at least four by now. I close my eyes and the puzzle glows as Yami take over our body. He opens our eyes and looks around.

//Ready, Yugi?//

'Not really.' I think, but I put false cheerfulness into my "voice" and reply. /Ready. Lets get going./

I can feel his assent and we start walking in the opposite direction that Mai and Joey took. The crowd is dispersing, the duelists gathered here going out to look for people to duel. Again, I have a feeling of impending doom. This is going to be a long day, I can tell. And I'm not sure if the ending will be happy or not.

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Well, there's another chapter. Sorry again for not updating sooner. The action will pick up next chapter. Please review?