Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Bonds that Bind Us ❯ Welcome Home, Atem ( Chapter 3 )

Toboe LoneWolf: *sighs* Yeah. … For those that know how YGO ends, you understand. *slouches* Totally depressed. I understand, but...yeah. Like this fic is about, it's about the bonds between yamis and hikaris. And how they're eternal. No matter what.

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO or the song, "Welcome Home" by Tammy Trent. Also not the quote I use. ^.~ Not saying b/c that'll ruin it. You'll know, 'cause lyrics and quote are in italics. Warning: spoilers for end.

Note: Rearranged the lyrics slightly to fit timeline of story. Also, I'm using Atem because that's how the Japanese pronounce it (among other things, I have this long spiel about the Pharaoh's name.) For those who don't know, that's Yami's real name. Originally this was supposed to be a continuation from last chapter, but after the manga, it's more like a continuation after that. What that means, to those that don't know, is that Yami aka Atem has finally gone back to heaven/afterlife, Yugi is now the sole "owner" of his body, and the Millenium Items are gone/destroyed.

Welcome Home…Atem

Yugi woke up to find tear streaks down his eyes.

Again.

After five years, you'd think you've gotten over it, Yugi scolded himself. That’s in the past. You can't change it. He's happy now, anyway.

Yugi lurched out of bed and got ready for another day. At least he was on break now. Ah, break. A blessed thing during the college years. Yugi was currently going to Tokyo University. He still had his wild hairstyle, but he'd actually grown (much to the shock of everyone) to about the same height as Ya-- as Atem had been. Yugi's voice had also lowered, and every time he signed some autograph for some little kid as "Yugi Moto, King of Games," the kid would squeal, "Wow! You totally look like a real king!" or something like that. And every time he heard that, Yugi thought about the first King of Games…

Gah, too much thinking today. It's break. Relax. Chill. Hang ten. Dip in the Nile.

Now where had that come from?

…

Okay, brooding on the past wasn't going to help. That part of his life is done.

Yugi brushed the corner of his dresser, the place where he used to put the Millenium Puzzle. He kept it clear of everything, as if he still had his Puzzle.

That was years ago
So far away
At an alter on
My knees

Atem had done so much for him. Yugi had definitely changed, and changed for the better. Because of Atem's constant encouragement and support, Yugi finally found legs to stand on instead of knees to fall on. He'd gotten friends, life-long ones -- friends who were now family. He'd played in the toughest duels ever and found a tough core within him. All because of his other self. Atem.

Kind of ironic to know that it all started with puzzle pieces.

Yugi still remembered it all. Maybe the rest of his friends had already set it aside for the most part, but everything was still jarringly fresh in Yugi's memory. Perhaps it was because his soul was in the game as well.

Everyone said that he was so innocent, so full of light. Ryou said that Yugi was like the perfect hikari, with some envy. That he was just so…pure, in the soul-sense.

They didn't know how much of that had come because of his other self. His other, darker self.

That was how it all came to be. They had shaped each other. Like brothers, helping and learning and all that other mushy-but-true stuff. If Yugi had to put a word to it, he'd either say friendship (to the reporters) or brotherly love (to his close friends).

Yeah, love was all that it was hyped up to be. Forever, all-powerful, transforming, and all that.

Too bad that the one he loved as a brother was gone in paradise now.

I can still recall
Like yesterday
How your love
Forever changed me

"Can you hear me, mou hitori no boku? Atem?" Yugi whispered. "Or are you really gone as they all say?"

Yugi slumped on his bed, holding his hands as if the Puzzle were between them. "Or maybe you're still…here, somehow. Like a guardian angel. Like you used to be, in the beginning."

Yugi thought about that. "In a very skewed way." Yugi winced. "The Ushio-deal was kind of strong, don't you think? And the teacher, and the cameraman, and well… I suppose that's all you could think of. We didn't…quite…know each other yet."

"But still…somehow…on a deeper level, we did. Maybe it's because we are two souls of one. I don't know. I do know that you could have done worse. And I stopped you."

Yugi winced again. "And that hurt us both. But what else can I do? I'm just like that, and you're…the opposite. And yet, we were…are…still bonded."

"And you know what? I still believe you'll come back."

Yugi shook his head. "Gah, talking to myself…him…again." He whacked himself. "Gotta remain sane."

He pushed himself off the bed and glumly headed downstairs. He paused on the first step though, and looked back.

"I miss your voice, mou hitori no boku…"

Oh I see how you've been faithful
Though I've often caused you pain
And I've learned you won't forsake me
Well, I need to hear you say...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Up in heaven, the angels were singing. They were welcoming back their newest wanderer to the fields of grace. For once all used to live here before the Separation, and after that, only some find their way back. When one returns home, it is a welcoming to be seen.

"Welcome home
"My mercy's waiting
"Welcome home
"To open arms

"There's no shame
"In your returning
"Though you may have wandered far
"Welcome home…"

It was a homecoming like no other; a welcoming that is eternal. A welcoming back into heaven, where paradise resides, a place that is pure and boundless. But not that perpetual sugar-high happiness that some dream of. To those that return, it is pure joy.

But not for one.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Atem slowly walked through the streets. Ra, it'd been too long. He closed his eyes and breathed in the air. Ah, Domino street smells. Smoke, dust, sunshine, sweat, green grass, money…

It smelled like home.

He didn't really look where he was going. Atem simply wandered, taking in mortal life once again, ignoring the stares and whispers of passerby. Perhaps it was because of his dress; he was dressed in a simple white tunic, along with soft, flowing, white pants that covered his golden sandals and a thin gold cord around his waist. The garments seemed to glow, as if it were moonlight, and they were as soft as the clouds he once walked on. Nothing like his former Pharaoh attire or the leather he used to wear.

He found himself in front of the Kame Game Shop.

Atem stared at the doorbell. He really didn't know how much time had passed, only that it'd been years. Atem didn't even know if he lived here anymore. Sure, he'd promised…but well, like all things, time changes.

"I'll still be here, if you come back."

Tears began streaking the once-Pharaoh's face. He'd left, and now, because he had pleaded with the gods, he'd come back. Pleaded because of a promise he'd made. Pleaded because heaven wasn't the same without his Light. Pleaded because his heart -- the one granted to him in heaven, the one meant to feel no pain -- was being torn apart from separation.

Taking a quick, deep breath, Atem rang the doorbell.

Eternity passed in moments.

Muffled through the glass door, Atem could hear slow, thudding footsteps and then the door swung open.

Shock. Blink. Double blink.

"You're…you're…back." Yugi stuttered.

Atem smiled through his tears. "It's been a long time…aibou."

And then Atem was enveloped in a huge, open hug. All encompassing, all giving. Yugi gave his all. Just like the ones Yugi had given to him years ago. After years, Yugi was still the innocent one. Yugi rested his head on Atem's velvety shoulder, reveling in being able to touch Atem in the physical world. Yugi didn't question how it had happened or why; it was enough that it did. They stood there for a long moment, feeling two hearts beat together as one again.

Yugi lifted his hands and wiped Atem's face. "Tears, mou hitori no boku?"

I was taken back
When you took me in
Just to wipe
My tears away

"Hai. Tears, for you." Atem closed his eyes. "But…mou hitori no boku? Am I still that to you?"

A grin crept on Yugi's face. "Of course! Why should it change? You are always mou hitori no boku to me, and always will be. How can your soul change after death?"

Atem lowered his head. It was the same old Yugi, and yet so different. Atem sighed. "Do I even have the right to be called by that anymore?" Atem stared into wide, innocent violet eyes. "How can I, to be called the other soul of an innocent one? I am not worthy of your light, I cannot." Atem hissed and pulled away. "Yugi, I've been away for so long. I do not have the right to even be here."

Yugi grabbed his arm. "What do years matter to souls?"

Atem looked mournfully at Yugi. "They matter, because I have broken my promise-- no, my vow."

"What promise?" Yugi cocked his head, confused.

Atem turned away. "The promise to always be there for you."

Pause. "You never broke it." Yugi stated simply.

"How?" Atmeu took a shuddering breath.

"Because you're mou hitori no boku, and that cannot be broken." Yugi walked around so that he could see Atem's face. "And even if you think you did, I forgave you of that already."

Atem stared. That was Yugi, the forgiving, open, innocent one. He hadn't changed that over the years. After all these years, Yugi made no demands, put no blame on anyone. Even to the darkest, even the ones Atem himself had trouble trusting, Yugi would trust his life. Yugi had the right to turn them all away. And yet Yugi returned to those who hurt him. Atem smiled. Even to him.

You made no demands
Chose not to blame
Though I knew
You had the right to

Yugi turned Atem around. "It's been so long."

"Hai. Too long."

"Years left apart."

Atem nodded. "Years I wasted without you. Years where I lived in paradise when you still lived down here. Years wasted, because we were apart."

Yugi stared into Atem's eyes. "But now we have years together."

Atem laughed. "I searched paradise high and low for the one thing that was missing, and to think it was here all along." Atem poked Yugi's chest. "Right here in you."

Yugi clasped Atem's hand. "You mean, right here in between us."

And I saw the years I wasted
Searching everywhere it may
Finding nothing to believe in
Until I finally heard you say

"Welcome home, mou hitori no boku." Yugi stated simply. He spread his arms out wide. "Welcome home, to the home you always had."

Yami smiled. " 'Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in.' "

Yugi finished the rest. " 'Home -- something you somehow haven't to deserve.' So welcome home, Atem."

Welcome home
My mercy's waiting
Welcome home
To open arms

"It doesn't matter how long you've been gone." Yugi whispered, his own tears running down his face. "It doesn't matter what you think, 'cause I'll always welcome you back. It doesn't matter how far you wandered or what you've done, 'cause it doesn't matter to me."

"Even if I've been in another world? Even if I've strayed for years?"

"Through eternity, I'll welcome you home." Yugi smiled. "So mou hitori no boku, can your soul change after death?"

Atem smiled wryly. "Of course not."

"So there!" Yugi was beaming now. "And if that cannot change, you are always mou hitori no boku to me!" He grabbed Atem's arm and began to drag him inside the Game Shop. "Come on in! Look around! We have to catch up on everything!"

There's no shame
In your returning
Though you may have wandered far
Welcome home

"Hey Yuge! Check wanna head off to Burger World?" Joey bounded towards them, yelling from half a block away. He slid to the doorstep, grinning like fool. "I'm starving! So how about it?"

Then Joey saw just who was in the doorway.

"Whaa?!? No way! That's-- that's--" Jaw drop.

Atem smiled at Joey's bewilderment. Same old Joey, with that same old grin, same old messy hair, same friendliness and lack of control. "Hello, Joey Wheeler."

Joey simply stood there in disbelief. "What the--"

Yugi tackled Joey and actually made Joey stumble a few steps. "See? I told you! I told you he'd come back!"

Joey stuttered for a few extra moments with Yugi bouncing around him. Man, he was alive?!? … But still the same guy, with that same old "Game-King" smirk on his face.

Joey cracked a grin. "Hey, long time no see." Joey raised an eyebrow, looking at Atem dressed in pure white. "Though you're wearing pretty weird stuff. I thought you had a black leather-fetish or something."

"This is what they wear in heaven." Atem said simply.

Ah.

* * * * * * *

Practically everyone was stuffed inside the living room behind the Kame Game Shop, marveling about Atem's return. Joey, Tristan, Tea, Duke, Ryou, Grandpa, Serenity…even Kaiba and Mokuba! By some pure stroke of luck -- or perhaps it was Fate -- Malik, Isis, and Rashiid were here. Even Mai had returned, just happening to be on vacation from America. It was a huge gathering of friends, all chatting and reconnecting. Atem was sitting on the sofa, with Yugi standing behind him, leaning on the back. Everyone else was sprawled all over the place -- chairs, the opposite sofa, the table, etc, all celebrating Atem's return.

"Wow! You're like, back!" Tristan exclaimed for the third time.

Kaiba huffed in the corner. Competition, again. And he still hadn't reclaimed his title after Atem's leaving!

Mokuba looked up, though not that much. He was finally beginning to grow some. "Aww, big brother, smile! The guy's been dead and gone for five years, you could at least say hi!"

Kaiba growled but put on a more presentable face as he walked over towards Atem, who was now reclining on the sofa. "Huh. Needed some more challenge? Too easy up in heaven?"

Atem smirked. Seto is Seto, no matter what timeline you're in. "If you say so."

"Welcome back, Atem." Tea said as she entered from the kitchen, holding a plate of some impromptu brownies. (All guys cheered in happiness and started eating.)

Atem smiled from the sofa. "I'm glad I'm back."

Yugi peered over him and grinned. "Yeah, me too."

Atem looked around at the spontaneous party around him. Ra, they were so…open and carefree. Serenity was hanging up streamers and Ryou was throwing confetti around, just happening to dump a great deal of it on top of Duke. Yugi had turned on the music, and Tristan was playing along on his guitar (fairly well too, that was a change from former years), making everyone grin and start singing along. Joey just finishing a dance with Mai (eye raising in itself), and Rashiid was also dancing with Isis, with some glares from Malik, of course. Even Seto was joining in on the fun, taking out some handheld hologram projectors and figuring them to do some pretty cool light shows. Mokuba was bouncing around, playing with Yugi's cat, which for some unknown reason was actually enjoying this loud, rambunctious party.

Welcome home
My mercy's waiting
Welcome home
To open arms

The music had turned down now, in a softer, quieter music. Joey came over with his hands smeared with chocolate. "Hey, Atem! Try some brownies!"

Atem looked at one dubiously. Yugi laughed at his uncertainly. In a mock whisper, Yugi said, "Don't worry, they're not toxic. Tea's a lot better at cooking now…"

"I heard that!"

Joey and Yugi fell in mock horror. Yugi grinned as he saw Tea walk towards them, hands on her hips and with a fake pout on her face. Yugi grabbed Tea's hands and knelt, putting on the puppy-eyes. "Aww Tea, it was just a joke…"

Tea threw her hands up. "I give up! I might as well not cook anything for you guys anymore!" She then laughed as she saw Joey's total dismay from the floor, thinking about all the food he'd miss. "I'm just kidding!"

Atem closed his eyes and laughed. Laughed like he had never before. Wide and long, rolling with the pent up happiness of three thousand years.

Everyone was caught up in this euphoria of joy, and they laughed.

Yugi stood up and held his hands wide open. "Well Atem, mou hitori no boku, welcome home. Home, to the place you do not need to deserve."

Atem nodded. "Home, to where I belong."

"Home, where there is no shame in returning." Joey added seriously.

Ryou walked over and smiled. A smile that held no hidden secret. "Home, the place where your heart remains though your body wanders."

"Home, where love resides." Isis said simply.

"Home, where there is no exile." Kaiba said into the silence. And for once, no one stared at him for saying something like that.

Atem looked around to see everyone looking back at him. Though not all had spoken, their unspoken word was enough. Atem could feel it, its pulsating warmth and comfort. It came from friends from another time, friends now in his time. Atem stood up and opened out his hands. "I thank you." He raised an eyebrow. "I suppose now would be the time to give a speech…"

Everyone chuckled; it seemed so formal in such a party. Atem chuckled as well as he shrugged his shoulders. "How shall I begin? I have lived, in some sense, for three thousand years. I have been to heaven and hell, here and back again. To which should I call home?

"To that I reply: here, in a land whose language has become mine in my dreams, among friends who are closer than blood-kin, and where the other half of my soul resides." Atem looked towards Yugi, and then nodded towards Isis and Malik. "There is something in the writ, something that says that friends can be the family one chooses, and that a man's home is where his family is."

Yugi clasped Atem's shoulders, and Atem faced Yugi again, feeling his aibou reach out with that light that hikaris are made of, a golden, pure light, accepting and embracing.

Atem smiled. "It is good to be home."

There's no shame
In your returning
Though you may have wandered far…
Welcome home

There was just one more thing.

They are, after all, hikari and yami, light and darkness, yin and yang. Made to balance and complete one another. Forever encircling, forever holding each other together in this shaky world.

Light, all embracing, filled the two like water being poured into an empty vessel. Light, that only they could see, swirling around them. Like a dance, the balance of light entered and countered the brightness, the dark ebony mixing with the white light, healing the two souls. They were cradled in the invisible powers that made them hikari and yami, counterbalancing each other, and things were restored to how they used to be.

An old stirring murmured in Yugi's mind, creaky from disuse.

//Dear Ra, I have never felt such happiness…//

/Mou hitori no boku?!?/

//Aibou?!?// Atem blinked.

Yugi giggled. /Hai, who else?/

//??? How can this be? We no longer have the puzzle, we no longer share a body, how can our bond still exist?// Atem responded incredulously.

Yugi laughed, little bells chiming in Atem's mind. /How else, Yami? We are hikari and yami, and like I said, the soul cannot change after death!/

//And so it is, Hikari.// Pure wonder. Atem slowly reached through their bond once more, feeling it strengthen and grow.

Yugi could once again feel Atem's calming presence radiating from their bond. /Bet you didn't take this into consideration when you asked the gods! Tee hee, I've got a yami again!/

Atem smiled through their bond, warm pleasure flowing within the new bond. //And I, a hikari.//

Their bond was restored to all that it once was, and more. It was deeper than the bonding of two minds; it became a bonding of two souls, two lives -- a lifebond. A partnership that completes them both in the way of the hikari and yami. Yami was overwhelmed; he knew what this was, knew that it happened only rarely and usually in generations, who was he, to be part of the Balance?

Yugi didn't know what this bond really meant, what it signified. But that didn't matter. Yugi took it all in stride, accepting this gift he had been bestowed. Later, he would truly know, but not now.

Something came to Yugi's mind. /Uh oh./

//Hm?//

/If our bond is still here, then…/

//Then…//

/Does that mean that Bakura's back too?/

Pause.

//Uh oh is correct.//

"Yugi? You alright?" Ryou looked puzzledly at Yugi, white bangs covering his right eye. "You spaced out there for a moment."

"Hai! Hai! Just fine!" Yugi waved his hands.

//We'll have to watch Ryou.//

/Definitely./

Welcome home…
Welcome home…
Welcome home.

* * * * * * *

It was midnight now, with the full moon brightly shining out the window. Atem was lying in his new bed, simply enjoying being alive. Atem turned to see Yugi snuggled under his own covers. Atem tentatively touched the bond between them and then smiled, because he knew that Yugi wasn't really sleeping.

//Aibou?//

Yugi laughed quietly and turned over, propping his head up with his hand on the pillow. /Can't fool you, mou hitori no boku./ Yugi blinked in the dim room, looking into Atem's eyes on the other side.

Warm amusement flowed through their bond. //Aibou, remember that promise I made years ago?//

Yugi nodded, and spoke without words, words that cannot be misunderstood. /Hai. That'd you'd always be there for me?/

Atem smiled through their bond and whispered ever so slightly, //Promise made…//

Yugi answered the rest. /…And promise kept./

True bonds never end.