I'm going through this story again, and I must say that I enjoy this chapter and how dark things get. Good job on developing the tension.

This story was amazing, and I enjoyed every second of it.

This was super good! I started reading the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga the other day, and I'm thinking about getting into the anime, but this story was really interesting! _

Mm. Sublime. Really sublime. I should probably be bothered by the fact that Tea and Tristen hardly even feature in this story, buuuut I really don't care. I would say that this and the first episode of season "zero" are a toss-up for which I prefer in terms of how Yugi's story started.
This story is obviously more in-depth and a great way to start Yugi and Joey's friendship, and I'm not gonna lie I loved how Joey used the Puzzle to find Yugi. A major difference is that here, the puzzle doesn't activate in time for the Pharaoh (henceforth referred to as "Phil") to fuck up those homeless kids. It's a difference that matters a lot in terms of what the story means, and it's something I find fasicnating!
In the episode, the focus is on, of course, establishing all the characters and the laws of the fictional world we're going to be watching. This includes; introducing Yugi, the puzzle, Joey, Tristen, Tea, Miho, Yugi's grandpa, the true antagonist, and the idea of Shadow Games. Which they do as well as they can, but there's just not enough time to get a real sense of anything having changed between Yugi and his new friends. It just feels like we were pretending that they weren't friends and now in the next episode everything is as it should be. However, it's focus is on Yugi's new-found strength.
TL; DR- YOUR STORY IS GREAT AND YOU ARE ALSO GREAT

*cough* I take it back! Sorry.

Just reading author's note: But if you wanted to do what, why have Yugi run away for two whole months!? And why has he only gotten into danger after all this time? And what is with those kids? Geze, the only homeless people I know who are that scary are the ones who stand on corners yelling at people, and they don't travel in packs. Maybe it's because I'm from San Francisco with a very specific homeless culture that seeing Complete Monster Homeless Gang is a different c- WAIT Oh shit. This... this is more about the danger of gangs. That... makes more sense. That actually makes a lot of sense, in that it would tie nicely into how Joey and Tristen got easily swept up in the mob mentality of tormenting Yugi.
Still, doesn't explain two months. Goddamn, I gotta admit that Yugi's kind of baddass for staying out that long.
*After reading chapter*
Jesus. You really /are/ good! This is a perfect contrast to last chapter- great job regulating the interest curve!
...Also, I should say that I'm picturing this mostly as the stuff from season Zero, so... Honda being an asshole in any way is kind of weird.

mm...
I have a few questions.
Like: What the fuck. Wait. Actually, Why the fuck is probably more appropriate.
The problem with this scene is that it... doesn't have a lot to do with the story. Examining Yugi's pre-puzzle life and relationship with Joey is already an interesting enough conflict. You also added the physical difficulites of running away to Yugi's life. Fair enough. But what I find difficult to justify about this chapter is that it does not contain anything from Joey's perspective. This is his story, too. The torture is not nessessary- it's just graphic. But there's no reason for it that I can see.
I still think this story is brilliant, and I've only read half of it. But seriously.
What.
the.
Fuck.
...
Just sayin'.

FUCK
FUCK I'M CRYING
You are brilliant, sir.
FUCK THAT SPEECH I'M SUPPOSED TO PRACTICE

I have to say, you write a poignant story, I was in tears several times, and I would have to take a break from reading so I could dry my eyes so I could see my screen again. Keep up the good work!

This was certainly a Very interesting read. It was sad, a bit suspenseful, yet happy at the end. Really stirred up some emotions! (Like hatred for that gang, for example...)
But anyways, I really liked it! I don't believe I've read a "before Yuugi solves the puzzle" fic quite like this before. X3

Oh this story was heartwrenching.

Type your review for this chapter here...

There were a few grammar mistakes, but the plot makes them completely inconsequential. This was just amazing!

Eh... you really like torturing Yugi, don't you? And you manage to put some moral into most of your stories.. This one: Don't run away from home kids! And are you SURE you're the hikari? Absolutely sure? Because sometimes... As I said before, you really like torturing him. Of course, that didn't stop me from reading this... and really liking it... If you're like this all the time, I feel bad for Sage... But it's still great!

Just want to say that this is among the best and most original, well written pieces of FF in the Yugioh archive and I loved it. Reading it again this time in fact. Keep this up! I'd love to see more work from you.