Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ The Oblivion Club ❯ Chapter Three ( Chapter 3 )

There's a bit of shonen-ai developing between Yugi and Jounouchi in this chapter. Well, I *did* say that this fic was going to turn out to be a foursome, hehehe, a Quad. Eventually I'll get to the Kaiba/Yugi/Yami/Jounouchi stage (inc variations), but It's going to take a while longer.

A long while longer. Meanwhile....on with the fic!

P.s. More notes at the end.

~*~*~

Chapter Three

Yugi glanced at the clock above the blackboard. Great. Still another twenty minutes until lunch. He gave a small huff under his breath. I'm bored. I'm bored. I'm bored. Yugi glanced down to the Millennium Puzzle lying on his chest. He'd finished all his classwork and didn't want to call the teachers attention to him. All he'd get was more to do. Even he wasn't bored enough for that. He stuck his hand up.

"Yes Mutou?" The teacher peered at him.

"May I be excused? I need to use the bathroom." He gave her his most innocent blink.

It worked. She nodded. "Don't be too long."

As he got up he saw Jounouchi shoot him a worried look. Yugi gave him a shrug, as if to say 'Sorry, can't be helped'. He watched as Jounouchi blew a strand of honey blond hair out of his eyes impatiently and roll his eyes at the smaller boy before Yugi stepped out.

Yugi took his time walking down the halls. He wasn't in a rush to get back. As he walked past one of the stairwells he heard a small cry of pain. He paused. Dammit. What do I do? Yugi thought about getting help. What if it's nothing? It could be that someone stubbed their toe on a stair or something. It might not be anything worth bothering the teacher about.

He gave a resigned sigh. Yugi knew there wasn't really much of a choice. He pushed open the glass and wood door peeking his head around cautiously. Yugi gasped. There were a few of the upper years there from one of the school more notorious gangs. One of them had a small boy dangling half over the banisters. His fist in the smaller boy's white school top.

Yugi stepped backwards trying not to draw attention to himself. I need to call the teacher. She'll know what to do. He hit something. Very slowly, dreading what he was going to find, Yugi turned. There was another of the boy's gang behind him.

"Going somewhere?" The youth sneered. "Hey, look what I found!" He pushed Yugi back into the stairwell, making him land against the wall with a pained groan, his arms cushioning the impact.

Shit. Yugi knew that if he got another beating he'd probably end up back in hospital. He shut his eyes and concentrated. Hands cradling the Sennen Puzzle. Please, if you are there and not a figment of my imagination, please help me. To his shock he felt the puzzle respond. He felt that welcome, familiar warmth, but instead of blacking out he suddenly found himself unable to move.

Then he heard himself speak. But it wasn't his voice. He seemed to have taken a back seat in his own body.

"Lets play a game." Yugi felt his mouth move, but instead of his voice a deep honeyed drawl emerged. He saw the other youth drop the kid on the floor by his feet and turn to Yugi, fist smacking his palm threateningly. The boy quickly ran. Not that Yugi blamed him.

"Game? I'll play a game with you. It's called 'Lets see who walks away intact'." The bully jeered. "And I predict you'll lose." He stepped towards Yugi.

"Wrong." He saw himself lift a palm to face the four youths. His arm seemed to extend further than his own reach.

The gang advanced on him.

"MIND CRUSH!" Came the authoritive command from his unresponding mouth, and a white flash enveloped the youths. When it faded the bullies were lying unconscious on the ground.

Oh god! What if they're dead? Was his first thought when he saw them lying motionless. He heard that same smooth voice. This time inside his head. //Don't worry. They'll be alright. They'll have the worlds worst headache, but they will live.//

/What?? Who's that? How...?/ Yugi didn't know what to do. /Am I crazy?/

There was a white flash, this time in front of his eyes. Then he was standing in a cosily lit stone room. There in front of him was another him-but-not-him. Yugi stared. It appeared as if he was standing in front of himself, only the other him was taller, older, he had more gold in his hair and his eyes.....Yugi had never seen such a beautiful shade of alamantine before. He stared, enraptured, his own amythest orbs wide.

"Who...who are you?" He finally whispered. "Are you the presence I can feel from my puzzle?"

The other him smiled. "Yes. I live in the puzzle."

"When I lose time, is it you. Protecting me?" Yugi had to know.

"Yes." This time the other's eyes shadowed, darkening to blood-red garnets. "I'm so sorry little one."

Yugi frowned. "Sorry for what?" Not quite understanding where the other was going.

"For not being able to spare you from the attack you suffered two weeks ago." The other Yugi explained.

"Oh." It came out flat and dull. Yugi didn't like to think about it. Thinking about the beating made him remember what Asama made him feel afterwards. And that....no, he refused to go there.

Yugi glanced down at his sneakers. Then something occurred to him. "I can't call you Yugi can I, since you're not really me. But I don't know what else to call you. Do you have a name?"

The other Yugi frowned in thought. "I.....can't remember. It's been so long since I've had a name."

Well that ruled that out. "Well I need to call you something." He thought for a moment. "What are you anyway?" Yugi asked curiously.

The other Yugi shrugged. "Don't know. My memory is all fractured."

Yugi looked at him in concern. "Are you all right?"

The other smiled gently at him. "Yes. Thank you for asking aibou."

"Aibou?"

The other laughed. "Well you are my other half, in a way."

Yugi flushed. "Have you been with me since I solved the Sennen Puzzle then?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

A knowing look entered the other's now sharp crimson eyes. He seemed....amused. "Yes."

Yugi cleared his throat uncomfortably, glancing around as he did so. Taking in the warm golden glow which lit up the room. It seemed....cosy, comforting. Yugi liked it. "Where are we?" Yugi couldn't believe he hadn't asked that sooner.

"We're inside your soul room." The taller boy told him.

"What's that?"

"It's normally where I put you when I take over control of your body." A bed covered with soft blankets appeared to one side. The other pointed to it. "I put you to sleep and place you there."

"So that's why I always feel like I've just woken up when I lose time." Yugi's eyes brightened in understanding. "But when you take over it's only for a few minutes at a time. Yet I feel like I've had a long nap."

"Time runs differently here. A few hours here can equal days outside if I wish it." The other answered. "Or vice versa."

"Cool. So how long has it been since we came in here?"

"Only a few seconds." The other Yugi watched the possibilities ran through Yugi's mind. He snickered.

"What?" Yugi glared at him.

The taller boy laughed again. "You. I know exactly what you're thinking."

"Oh. Please," Yugi invited sarcastically, "do tell."

The other Yugi rolled his eyes. "You're thinking that you don't have to be bored in class any more, after all, you can just nip in here and I can make time pass by faster for you. Right?"

Yugi reddened. A small "Yes." squeaked out.

The crimson-eyed boy shook his head. "Sorry, not in class aibou. What if the teacher calls your name and you don't answer?" He pointed out.

"Oh yeah." Yugi hadn't thought of that. Oh well.

"Speaking of classes, you'd better get back. That kid's probably bringing back help." He grinned. "I don't think you want to have to explain how you managed to knock out the school's worst bullies without breaking a sweat."

"No-one would believe me anyway." Yugi mused. "Will I still be able to talk to you when I get back outside?" Yugi wanted to know more about this other self of his. Maybe they'd figure out who and what he was. Plus I won't be bored.

"Yes."

The white flash of light enveloped him and Yugi was back in control of his own body. He stepped gingerly over the unconscious youths in the stairwell, careful not to disturb them. Just in case. He peeked into the hallway. Seeing it was empty Yugi made his way swiftly to the toilets and back to the classroom. The teacher nodded at him and Yugi sat back down in his place. He glanced at the clock. Only five minutes had passed since he first left.

Jounouchi gave him a grin. Obviously happy to see him return in one piece. Yugi gave him a small smile.

/Are you there?/ Yugi asked when he got settled.

//Yes aibou. I'm still here.// He felt amusement filter through their mind-link.

Yugi went silent. Thinking things through. /You must be some sort of spirit./ Yugi mused.

//Why is that aibou?// Came the curious thought.

/Well how can you be in my mind and live in the puzzle if you're anything else?/ Yugi explained. /How is it you can take over control of my body? Is it just me or does my body change when you take over?/

Yugi felt the spirit's mind working. //I've never really noticed. I'm not normally in control long enough to look in a mirror. When I meld with you it feels natural. Right almost. I think when you solved the puzzle and let me out we bonded. That's how I can be in your mind and the puzzle. We're connected.//

/So you really are a part of me now./ Strangely, that didn't make Yugi feel scared. He felt like a part of him he'd never known was missing had been reunited.

//Yes. But we haven't actually merged properly yet.//

/Why?/ Yugi sent curiously.

The spirit thought for a moment, trying to find the words to explain without offending the younger boy. //I don't really like you to witness my actions we I take over. Most of my punishments aren't for the faint of heart.// Yugi felt a wave of controlled fear. //I didn't want you to think badly of me aibou. I'm a lot darker and more malevolent than you. You are still an innocent, aibou, and I don't want to scare you, or have you hate me.//

/But I won't hate you, I can't. And anyway, if we're connected, then you must be my darkness. And If I hate you I'll just be hating a part of myself which I can't ignore. And that's not right. You may be dark. But you're mine. My yami!/

//.....//

/Spirit...?/

//A-aibou. I, I don't know what to say.// Yugi felt the spirit's wonder and awe at the easy acceptance Yugi was offering.

Yugi giggled internally, sending a brief pulse of mischief down the link. /I know what to call you now!!/ The smaller boy fairly quivered in suppressed excitement. /Yami!!!/ He sent a wave of hysterical giggles.

//Uh...aibou, are you feeling okay?// Yami asked tentatively.

/...hehehehe...Yami.....hehehehe.../

//Yugi? Little one?// Yami was stunned by Yugi's response. //If you want to call me that you can.// Yami frowned. He tried another tactic. Yami pulled both of them into Yugi's soul room. The violet-eyed boy was rolling around on the floor in tears he was laughing so hard. Yami bent down, shaking Yugi's shoulder gently. Yugi looked up, lavender orbs filled with mirth. He looked adorable. Yami swallowed, feeling something he never thought he'd feel towards the younger boy. His trousers tightened, Yami's eyes darkened.

Yugi looked up and froze at the look in Yami's eyes. "Yami? If you don't like it I'll stop calling you it."

Yami stood, trying to hide his reaction to the smaller teen. "No. No it's fine. I don't mind." Yami got an idea. He smirked evilly. I don't mind at all 'Hikari'."

Yugi gaped at the dark spirit. "You...you..." Yugi snickered. "Good one."

Yami grinned at the smaller boy, glad his predicament had gone unnoticed.

The bell rang for lunch. Making Yugi jump in surprise. /Wow! Time really does fly when you're here./ Yugi felt the spirit snort. Yugi packed his things away in silence. He had a lot to think about now. Mind wandering, Yugi picked up his now full backpack and slung it in it's usual place over his shoulder.

Everything went white.

He opened his eyes to see Jounouchi's worried chocolate gaze above him. "Yugi! Are you okay?" He picked the younger boy up, taking his bag off him. "Man that was stupid. Weren't you thinking?" He steered Yugi back to his chair.

//Aibou??// He felt Yami panic.

"I'm fine." He gave Jounouchi a rueful, if tired smile. "Sorry, my mind wandered. I forgot." /Ouch. I'm okay now./

Jounouchi quickly glanced around the now empty classroom. Luckily the students had scattered at the lunch bell, the teacher not far behind. "Take off your coat. I want to check your back." Jounouchi told him sternly.

"I'm fine. Honest." Yugi tried.

"Nuh-uh. I'm not taking any chances. C'mon, hand it over." Jounouchi held out his hand for emphasis.

Yugi sighed. There was no way Jounouchi would let him off. He shrugged out of the navy blue uniform coat carefully, trying not to aggravate his back. His arms still had the protective cover of the bandages the hospital had given him, so Jounouchi couldn't see where he'd hit the wall earlier for which Yugi was grateful.

Jounouchi pushed up his white top, checking his back and shoulder closely. The blond let out a relieved breath. "Nothing looks worse. Does it hurt any more here?" Jounouchi delicately traced the spot the bag had landed, noticing Yugi's wince of pain as he did so.

"Guess that answers that." The older boy stated pointedly. He lowered Yugi's top and helped the smaller youth to stand. Jounouchi waited for Yugi to smooth down his white top before holding up the blue uniform coat for him to get into.

"Thanks." Yugi murmured to him, craning his head back slightly to the boy standing behind him. Jounouchi brushed down Yugi's coat gently, smoothing it out across his shoulders.

Jounouchi blushed. "No problem." He picked up Yugi's bag and walked over to the door. "C'mon, before the others decide to mount a search and rescue." He joked. Smiling when he was rewarded with a beaming smile from Yugi.

They walked silently down the halls. Jounouchi couldn't understand what had gotten into him. Just being near his best friend was sending little shivers through him. He thought back to when they'd first met. Jounouchi wasn't exactly proud of the way he and Honda had picked on the smaller boy. They'd never actually hurt him, just done lots of annoying things like holding his bag or books up where he couldn't reach them, or teasing him, like when he'd thrown that piece of Yugi's treasured puzzle into the water.

Now that he thought about it, most of the stuff he'd done was aimed at getting Yugi's attention. He knew he liked Yugi as a friend, but since they become closer he noticed he'd started to feel slightly different towards him. More protective, like he was guarding what was his. Guarding what was his?? Where did that come from? The blond glanced at Yugi. The younger boy was frowning in thought. His shoulders seemed a bit tense. He sighed inwardly. He looks like he's still in pain.

"Yugi?" He asked softly.

Yugi looked up at his friend. "Yes?"

Jounouchi nodded towards where their friends were waiting under a tree. "If you want, before our next class starts I'll walk you to the nurses office to get something for the pain."

Yugi's violet eyes widened. He didn't think Jounouchi had noticed, and he didn't want to say anything to worry him. Jounouchi saw his look and his eyes softened. "Thanks." Yugi whispered.

Jounouchi shrugged. "S'okay. Don't like seeing you hurting. That's all."

Yugi smiled. They reached the tree and Yugi sat down in the shade gratefully. There were a chorus of greetings before they all cracked out their lunches. Yugi noticed in amusement at how most of Jou's and Honda's lunches always seemed to swap hands.

//He cares about you aibou.// Came the gentle thought.

/Who?/ Yugi was puzzled.

//Your friend, Jounouchi.//

/Oh. Well, why wouldn't he, he's my best friend?/

Yugi felt the trill of humor flow through their link. //Oh to be young again!// Came the laughing reply.

Yugi sent a glare down the bond. /I don't know what you're talking about./

Yami sent an apologetic nudge back. //Sorry. I keep forgetting quite how innocent you are.//

"Hey Yug! Earth to Yugi!" Yugi looked up, startled. Anzu was trying to get his attention. "Where were you? You seemed a million miles away. Are you feeling okay? Tired?" Came the barrage of concerned questions, calling Jou's attention to them. The honey blond looked at him in concern.

"You okay?" He murmured, leaning down to the younger boy.

Yugi gave him a tired glance. "Yeah. Just not feeling quite back to normal yet." He rubbed his forehead slowly. It had been a long first day back at school, and the day was only half over.

Jounouchi stood, brushing down his navy trousers. He held his hand down to Yugi. "Uh...guys, We're just going to go inside for a bit, away from the noise." He indicated the other students taking advantage of the bright sunshine.

"Uh, okay. Are you going to be alright Yugi?" Ryou asked quietly. Not liking how the smaller teen looked.

Yugi nodded his head at his friends. "Yeah, you guys stay here. We'll be fine." He stood, shooting Jounouchi a grateful smile for his help. He couldn't understand why the taller boy reddened.

He was glad that his friends took that at face value, letting them go with a few cheery waves.

"Where are we going?" Yugi asked once they got inside. His friend seemed to be aiming at somewhere in particular.

"Figured we'd take this chance and go to the nurses office first. Then we could always go to the classroom and have a quick duel, to take your mind off things." Jounouchi suggested.

Yugi brightened. "I'd love a quick game."

Jounouchi snorted. "Thought you would." He stretched, tucking his hands back into his trouser pockets. "Not to mention the high you get when you win. Which is kinda assumed, since you'll be playing me."

"You're not that bad a player Jounouchi. I've just been playing longer, that's all." Yugi protested.

"Yeah, and you're a pretty good teacher too." Jounouchi told him.

They got to the nurses office. Jounouchi rapped on the door to get her attention. They waited. A few moments later the door opened, a tall blue-eyed blond stepped out. She had a mothering air about her, one of the reasons the students liked her so much.

"Hiya Sanumi-san." Jounouchi gave her a wide grin.

She sighed resignedly. "What have you done now Jounouchi Katsuya?"

His grin got even wider. "Actually, it's not me." He stepped out of the way, indicating towards Yugi who was standing behind him. "Yugi needs to see you for a moment."

Sanumi took in Yugi's pale features and ushered them inside. "Please, sit." She motioned to some soft chairs. "What's the matter?" She asked kindly.

Jounouchi piped up. "He needs some painkillers. Something which won't knock him out. But they need to be stronger than that puny stuff you normally hand out."

Sanumi shook her head at the cheeky glint in Jounouchi's caramel eyes. "I asked Yugi. Not you." She scolded playfully. She had a bit of a soft spot for the blond. He reminded her of her own son. Now grown up and away at college.

She looked back at Yugi. "So, what do you need painkillers for?"

Yugi bit his lip. He really didn't want to get into it. "I...uh, hurt my back a few weeks ago. I forgot about it and threw my bag across my shoulders so it's started to hurt again."

Sanumi nodded. "May I see?"

Yugi froze like a deer in headlights, eyes going unbelievably wide. It was bad enough with his friends knowing. He couldn't let this nurse see as well.

"I...I...uh." Yugi stood. "I've...uh...changed my mind. I don't need them anymore." He tried to rush to the door in a panic, only to be stopped by a soft but firm grip on his arm. He shot a terrified look at his best friend.

"Yugi." It was said softly, but with a world of meaning behind it. Jounouchi stood and pulled the smaller boy towards him, the nurse watched everything carefully. Yugi folded into Jounouchi's chest. Hiding his eyes.

"I c-can't. Please Jounouchi. I can't." Yugi whispered.

Jounouchi stroked Yugi's tri-coloured locks reassuringly. "She's not going to do anything Yugi. She needs to know what she's prescribing is for the right reason. You know Sanumi-san won't say or do anything you don't want her to, right?" Jounouchi shot the nurse a quick look.

"Jounouchi-kun is right Yugi. If you are in pain I need to make sure I give you what you need. If I don't check what I'm giving you is for the right reason it could make you sick or worse." Sanumi explained gently.

The blond turned Yugi around and sat beside him, blocking the nurses view, and therefore Yugi's view of Sanumi. He helped Yugi remove his outer blue coat. When they got to Yugi's white top he stopped. "Ready?" He asked, giving the slim youth the chance to prepare himself.

Yugi nodded. Not quite trusting his voice. Jounouchi pulled his top up and off, placing it on the seat with his discarded coat.

Jounouchi stood, pulling Yugi up with him. He turned and nodded to Sanumi who came over to the waiting boys. Her eyes widened in horrified shock when she saw his back, luckily Yugi was facing the other way. She swallowed, feeling suddenly sick. Sanumi took in a deep calming breath. "You, uh, you say this happened a few weeks ago?" She asked in a relatively calm voice.

"Yes." Came the soft reply.

Sanumi shut her eyes for a moment. Dear gods. If it's this bad now then....what was it like two weeks ago?? Oh the poor boy. She cleared her thoughts and pushed her unease away. Stepping towards Yugi she asked, "Where did you hurt yourself?" You mean where does it hurt even more. She thought, how could this have happened?

Jounouchi stepped forward. His finger traced along where Yugi's bag had collided with the already darkening bruises, making Yugi shiver lightly at the cool touch. "Here." Jounouchi whispered.

Sanumi nodded and felt the area gently. "It's starting to swell a bit." She went to the dispenser cabinet an returned with some light padding. She smeared some cold balm over the area and taped the pad over it. Then she passed Yugi three tablets. Declining to comment when she noticed the bandages criss-crossing his arms. I really don't think I'd like the answer if I asked. She thought before turning her attention back to the small teen.

"Here. That stuff I put on will relieve the swelling and should help stop any aches which may have started to form. These are for the pain. They may make you feel slightly drowsy, but not overly so. I'll write you out a note." She looked over at Jounouchi. "Are you in the same classes?" She asked.

Jounouchi and Yugi gave identical nods.

"Good. You can keep an eye on him. If he passes out or has an adverse reaction to the medication I'll need to see him immediately." Sanumi stressed.

"Yeah, we've got it."

Sanumi handed Yugi a glass of water, watching as he washed down the painkillers. She quickly wrote out the note and passed it to the blond. "Take care of him." Sanumi whispered. Jounouchi nodded.

"C'mon buddy. Lets go Duel!" Yugi's face lit up again, forgetting why he was here in the first place. "Sure. Domo arigato Sanumi-san." Yugi said as he headed to the door. She smiled at him.

Sanumi shook her head as they left. She knew there was more to Jounouchi then most people thought. This just proved it.

Getting to the empty classroom the two teens took out their dueling decks, playing until the bell rang. When their friends filed in they sent the two boys an inquisitive look. Receiving a large smile from Yugi, who'd beaten Jou, and a long-suffering sigh from Jounouchi, before both boys burst out giggling.

The rest of the day passed with them in high spirits.

~*~*~

Tbc...

~*~*~

Sorry, I just had to add in that 'Mind Crush' section. Fans of the English Yu-Gi-Oh! series may see the similarities with the epoisode when Yugi and Joey show Tea that warehouse for her dancing. Vague I know, but Yami was so adorably angry when he shook his head and cursed that moron of a mugger that I *had* to find some way of Yami using that sentence in one of my fics.

Things are pretty hectic here, so most of my fics are going to take some time to update. I'll probably add to some of the shorter chaptered ones, but my longer fics may take a while to do. RL pressures, yanno?

~Shi-koi~