Well, this chapter is the longest I've written for any of my stories here on ! Thanks to any who've read and to those who've reviewed even though there was only one chapter out! It means a lot to me! Now, about a part of the story: Yami thinks back on when he found his memories in the stone tablet. I decided to go with the manga instead of the anime and thus he already got his memories right after Battle City while the stone tablet was still in the museum rather than be thwarted by Dartz, go all the way to Egypt, yadda yadda yadda... That should explain it. BTW, anyone watch part 40 of YGO: TAS? BAHAHAHA, it was HILARIOUS! Ahem...

In this chapter, interesting developments take place and in the next chapter, more interesting developments take place. Wow, that's frustratingly vague, isn't it?

Chapter 2: Materialization

Yugi was beginning to believe that the most complicated things at school did not come from the classes, but from studying the enigma of human beings. Joey was even more dazed than usual, and his cheeks were slightly flushed as if he were running a fever. Ryou had voiced his concerns aloud to Yugi, although neither of them had any idea of the cause for their friend's strangeness.

Homeroom was the perfect opportunity to find out what was wrong with Joey. One sunny morning, Yugi sat next to his desk where he was staring out the window, his eyes unfocused.

"Joey?" he said tentatively.

His friend turned around to look at Yugi without really seeing him. "I can't believe what I did, Yug…" he murmured.

"Did what?" Yugi asked gently.

Joey cautiously turned around to stare at the empty seat two rows down where Kaiba usually sat. He was probably absent due to business again. "I kissed him!" Joey mourned.

Yugi blinked, thinking he hadn't heard properly. "You kissed… him? Who?"

"Kaiba!" Joey all but yelled to the entire classroom. "I was so mad at him, but he just jumped on me and I don't know why I couldn't stop it – "

"Joey, slow down!" Yugi exclaimed, placing comforting hands on his friend's shoulder. "Now, tell me exactly what happened."

Joey gave a great shudder and buried his face in his hands. He shyly recounted the story, his voice muffled through his fingers. Yugi had to take a few seconds to decipher every other word, but did not chide Joey to lift his head. It was clear that he was embarrassed and that he wouldn't speak of it if he had to face anyone. And so he strained his ears so he could listen well.

"And then I just high-tailed it out of his office!" Joey finished in a low voice, finally daring to look up at Yugi. "I think he might have left me a hickey too. Damn Kaiba… If it weren't for Serenity's cover-up…"

"Whoa, did I hear the words Kaiba and hickey in the same sentence coming from Joey's mouth?" Tristan loomed over the blond's shoulder, making him jump in surprise.

"Get off me, you jerk!" Joey slapped Tristan over the head before diving back into the sanctuary of his folded arms. "I'm flustered enough as it is without you telling me you tried to give Serenity your e-mail!"

"What did I do!?" Tristan yelled, rubbing the back of his head, "And besides, she gave me her e-mail first!"

Joey sighed heavily. He wasn't sure how many people should know about his little 'incident'. Yugi he could rely on, but Tristan had a big mouth… albeit that big mouth was very loyal and had always rooted for him during his duels.

"I'll tell you after school, OK?" he muttered.

Tristan gulped and slowly nodded. He hadn't seen Joey look so serious since his last duel. He glanced at Yugi, who merely shook his head, believing that it was Joey's secret to tell.

Seto Kaiba was, for perhaps the first time in his life, unable to focus. He had avoided homeroom for three days straight and had ducked down hallways and ran up stairs every time he came close to colliding with Joey Wheeler.

He was very relieved that he had gotten an emergency meeting today. He would be able to avoid the mutt for the entire day and perhaps force his racing mind to slow. But during the meeting, he found that his thoughts drifted back to the crazy make out session they had shared.

Although the mutt kisses better than I would have expected…

Dammit Kaiba! Get a hold of yourself!

"Mr. Kaiba! Are you alright?"

Kaiba snapped his eyes on the executive who had spoken. He gave a curt nod and waved his hand for him to continue with his speech. However, he paid no more attention after that and was grateful when the meeting was declared officially over, with him agreeing to pass whatever motion they had placed in front of him involving another Duel Monsters gadget.

Kaiba fled to his private office and wearily flopped into his comfortable chair. He pinched the bridge of his nose and growled low. This was ridiculous… how could he lose his composure over a stupid mistake like this?

But had it been a mistake? If he were honest with himself, he had been having more intense feelings towards Joey than before. Unknowing of what those feelings were, he reacted more aggressively towards him than usual. When Joey had confronted him in his office, he had acted on impulse and had found that the kiss had made him feel more liberated than anything on earth. If anything, he had felt something akin to… happiness.

He heard the doors of his office open and sighed irritably. He was in no mood for any more business today and turned around to tell whoever had entered to haul their ass out of there.

"Hey, big brother!" Mokuba poked his head through the large double doors and walked inside, his backpack slung over one shoulder.

"Put both straps on, Mokuba! It's bad for your back!" Kaiba said. He was in the habit of being a mother hen to his little brother. "And why aren't you in school anymore?"

Mokuba raised an eyebrow. "It's 4:00 pm already, Seto."

Kaiba glanced at the large clock on the wall. So it was.

"Are you coming home with me?" Mokuba asked hopefully. He had learned from the secretary that the meeting had ended early; he always looked forward to spending time with his big brother.

Seto genuinely smiled for the first time in what felt like forever. "Sure, little brother." He stood up, snapped his suitcase shut, turned off his computer and followed Mokuba out of the office.

"Alright Joey, spill! What's going on?" Tristan harped on as they walked out of the main building of Domino High. Tea and Ryou, who hadn't been listening during homeroom, both looked at Joey curiously.

"Geez, I feel like I'm in the spotlight now!" Joey grit his teeth.

"You promised!" Tristan insisted.

Joey sighed. He glanced left and right at the milling crowds of students and shuffled to an isolated corner, hugging the wall like a spy on a mission. The others blinked at his antics, but followed him nonetheless.

"OK, you guys gotta understand that I didn't mean for this to happen!" he whispered frantically, "And you gotta promise not to tell anyone!"

"Joey, what's going on?" Tea asked, concerned.

Joey took a deep breath before recounting the entire story to his friends, with Yugi cringing as he neared the end, knowing the explosion that was to come.

"WHAT!???"

He had been right. Tristan and Tea twittered around him, gesticulating wildly and demanding more explanations. Ryou was silent, perhaps still taking it all in. Yugi tried to get his other two friends to stop harassing Joey, but the blond managed to do it on his own.

"SHUT UP!" he finally yelled, obviously fed up. "I don't know why it happened, alright? It just did! Don't you think I already feel lousy?"

With that, he stomped off with Tristan and Tea staring with jaws open, and Yugi and Ryou deciding to leave him be for the time being.

"I can't believe this!" Tristan said, rubbing his head, "Joey and Kaiba? That's impossible! Joey's not gay! And even then, he certainly wouldn't suck face with Kaiba!"

"Tristan," Yugi said seriously, "You know that Joey told all of us because he trusts us not to chew him out. Whether he's gay or not isn't the issue! He's very confused right now!"

"Yugi," Tea said slowly, "Why do you think he kissed Kaiba back? Was it on reflex or did he really want to?"

"One never does anything on reflex alone," said a smooth voice behind them, "Joey has some unresolved feelings he needs to sort through."

The group turned their heads and saw a familiar man with a backpack slung over his shoulder, earning more than a few appreciative glances from the female students passing by.

"Malik!" Yugi exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be back in Egypt?" Tristan said.

Malik smiled. Though they were all clearly shocked, they also seemed to welcome his presence. He knew that everyone, especially Yugi had forgiven him for his inhuman actions. What he was about to bestow upon them would be, he hoped, the key for him to forgive himself.

"As you remember, my family no longer has the duties of tomb keepers. We are now free to live on the surface world."

"Er, how much of our earlier conversation did you hear?" Tea asked uncertainly.

Malik chuckled. "I heard enough. But even under my evil influence, I noticed the so-called 'tension' between Joey and Kaiba."

"So you're coming to live in Japan?" Tristan asked, eager to change the subject from something that was still so freshly uncomfortable.

"For a while, perhaps."

"But what about Ishizu and Odion?" Tea said, "Aren't they here with you?"

Malik shook his head. "I have a mission to complete on my own. They have to tend to business in Egypt while I am here."

"What mission?" Yugi questioned.

"It actually concerns the pharaoh. Would you mind if I spoke with him?"

"Oh… not at all!" Yugi stepped back and let the bright lights from the Millennium Puzzle engulf him. There were barely any people around now, and it wasn't the first time he had switched souls in public. They seemed to be oblivious to it.

Yugi's body grew taller, blond streaks erupted from his bangs where there were none before and his eyes became slanted and crimson. Yami had taken over.

"What do you need to speak to me about, Malik?" he asked in his deep voice.

"It is best if you follow me first," Malik said before turning and walking towards the gates that marked the entrance to the school.

The gang did as requested and began to walk down the streets of downtown Domino. The traffic was starting to become increasingly bad as people began to get off work. The rustling and bustling of the city's life did not distract Yami as it usually did; he was staring straight at the back of the former Tomb Keeper in front of him as if hoping that he could read the secret message carved on his back underneath his shirt. Was that the reason why Malik had come back?

It took a while for Yami to realize that they were walking in a very familiar direction.

"Hey, isn't this the way to Yugi's house?" Tristan said, voicing aloud his own thoughts.

"Yes, but that's not where we're headed," Malik replied swiftly, speeding up his pace. Wherever they were going, he seemed to be in a hurry to get there.

Much to each of their surprise, Malik led them in front of the towering building that Yugi could always spot from his bedroom window; the mega game store belonging to Duke Devlin.

"What are we doing here?" Tea wondered.

Malik spared her a glance before walking inside. The others hurried in and found that all the stands, posters and games had been immaculately placed back where they once were. Goodness knew how much cleaning up had been required after Duke's wild party.

Said expert gamer appeared from the wide arched entrance on the other side of the great room and strolled leisurely up to his friends.

"What's up?" he said, cool as always, "I tried to get back here from school before you guys showed up."

"Duke, you knew Malik was here?" Yami asked.

"Yeah, he called me last week and told me… well, I'll let him explain." Duke sidled next to Malik while the Egyptian looked at each of his friends in turn.

"What I am about to tell you is a new revelation about the Millennium Items, the Millennium Rod in particular," Malik began.

Yami perked up with great interest while Tea, Tristan and Ryou looked apprehensive.

"How many freaky powers can those things have?" Tristan said incredulously.

Malik placed the backpack on the ground and ruffled through it before pulling out the golden Millennium Rod, its large eye glinting underneath the store's neon lights. This weapon, which had destroyed many lives and caused much pain, was now about to be redeemed, Malik thought.

He lifted the Rod in front of him showing it on full display to the others.

"When we went back to our home in Egypt, my sister was intent on searching through the ancient archives of the Tomb Keepers to learn as much as she could about the Millennium Items in order to better aid you, my Pharaoh," he explained, "The powers they wield have been known by the Ishtar clan for generations. However, we found an ancient scroll tucked away at the back of the archives. It told of an additional power held in the Millennium Rod."

"An additional power?" Yami repeated in awe.

"Yes. The Millennium Rod allows any souls trapped in other Millennium Items to be given corporeal form."

"What?" Yami gasped.

Could it be possible? Yugi asked through their mind link.

"Why didn't anyone else know of this?" Yami pressed on.

"The historic texts explained that this power was placed in the Rod by Akhenaden, the royal advisor and brother of the pharaoh Aknamkanon, your father."

Yami's eyed widened. He remembered his father from his memory trip back to Ancient Egypt when he had been sucked into the stone tablet at the museum.

"However, since many evil people have had their souls sent to the Shadow Realm, if knowledge spread of the Rod's power to give the spirits bodies, the high priests feared that their enemies may try to revive their fallen comrades. Thus, this secret power was removed from all the ancient texts pertaining to the Millennium Items; all but one, in the hopes that it could never be used for evil."

"But the known powers of the Millennium Rod have been used for evil as well," Tristan said, unthinkingly making Malik wince.

"Yes, but this particular power could bring back the evil forces that the high priests and the pharaohs have worked so hard to bring down. The secret of the Rod's power was given to my family three thousand years ago, where it was kept safe from hidden eyes. It was never spoken of, for they preferred not to take any risks in case any of the Ishtar clan tried to use the Rod's power for the same purpose."

"My Pharaoh, if you allowed me, I could give you your own body. It will last as long as you are in need of it. I believe that this gift could be of use to you and Yugi."

Yami blinked. This was such an astounding opportunity! He was unsure of what to say and slowly steadied himself against the game store's cash counter. To have his own body… How would it feel to be physically autonomous, to have his own hands, his own feet, his own presence? Would he still have his mind link with Yugi?

Yugi! He thought frantically, Yugi, what do you –

Do it, Yami.

Yami hesitated. Are you sure?

He felt Yugi smile through their bond. If you had your own body, you would be able to see and feel the world for yourself. I want you to enjoy that freedom again.

Yugi's encouragement was the defining factor in his decision. Yami turned to Malik with determination in his eyes. "I accept your offer. However, I want to know whether Yugi and I will still have our psychic bond."

Malik inclined his head. "Yes. The corporeal body you will be given is not definite. You will still retain the ability to return to your soul room within the Millennium Puzzle and be connected to Yugi."

Yami nodded. "Then I am now fully certain of my choice. Please Malik, do what you have come to do."

Malik smiled brightly, already feeling the knot of guilt in his stomach loosen like a thin piece of string. He nodded to Duke, who gladly took the reins.

"Alright guys, if you will just follow me!" the gaming master led them through a pair of mechanical doors, which Yami remembered as the room where they had played Dungeon Dice Monsters. The gaming platform was still there, although it was not turned on. The glaring white lights on the ceiling however, were shining as brightly as several small suns.

Once everyone was inside, Duke pressed on the controls by the door and a loud beeping was heard, followed by several clicks.

"I locked us in for privacy," he quickly explained.

"You see, the process of giving you a body may be a bit too… flashy for the public to handle," Malik said, "I need someplace where there is ample room and where we'll have some privacy."

"That's where my gaming room comes in handy," Duke said with a wink.

"Please stand in the center of the room, Pharaoh," Malik instructed, "And the Rod will do the rest."

Yami did as he was told and waited in the middle of the gaming platform. The rest of the group instinctively stepped back against the walls. They knew better than to get close to magic by now.

Malik stood in front of Yami, a few ways away. He waved the Millennium Rod in front of the pharaoh. It began to glow golden, brighter and brighter until the others had to shield their eyes from the blinding light. Yami had his eyes closed as he waited for the unknown.

Ryou felt a shudder against his chest and a cold rush of dread spread from his chest down to his toes. He squinted down to see his own Millennium Item glowing eerily.

Bakura, what are you doing?

He felt the familiar pull of being separated from his body and began to panic.

BAKURA!

But it was too late. The spirit of the thief had taken hold. The normally fluffy white hair had grown spiky and coarse. The soft brown eyes had turned to a hard, sharp russet and the sweet round face cracked into angular shapes.

"If the Millennium Rod can truly give me my own body, I'll be damned to let this chance slip by!" he said loudly.

The light distracted everyone else; this was his chance. Breaking into a run, Bakura headed straight for Yami. Just as Malik finished bringing the power of the Rod to full force, he grabbed his archenemy's arm and felt a sudden rush invade him, as if flames were licking every inch of his body. He screamed and could hear the screams of the pharaoh next to him echoing his own.

Yami had felt something suddenly grip onto his arm but was unable to react as he was invaded by what felt like burning. He let out a painful yell as invisible tendrils of fire coiled around his limbs and face. He willed himself to move, to be free of the pain but found that he was unable to.

And then, without warning, it was over. Yami was slumped on the cold marble tile, panting harshly. He vaguely heard the distressed calls of his friends and loud footsteps thudding on the floor, making his head pound with every step they took. Slowly, he sat up, propping himself upon his shaking arms. He felt no different than he did whenever he possessed Yugi's body.

Yugi! He thought frantically, Where is he? Is he alright?

He searched around wildly only to have his eyes rest upon the immobile form of his light. Yugi was slowly stirring, but the slight frown gave away that he was in some lingering pain. Slowly dragging himself forward, Yami reached over with trembling fingers to gently caress Yugi's cheek. His lighter half opened his eyes at the contact and blinked a few times before widening them at full force.

"Ya- Yami," he said shakily, "I… can feel your touch…"

Yami was also feeling overwhelmed, and did not trust his own voice. He ran his fingers over Yugi's soft cheeks and his breath hitched as his light's hands gently rested atop his own. They were touching, feeling each other for the first time. It was an indescribable sensation, to be able to be so close, to feel each other's heat.

Yami felt so overcome with tenderness and a brusque emotion that made him want to reach out and crush his aibou to him, hug him tightly and never let him go…

"Oh my God, Bakura!"

Momentarily distracted, Yugi and Yami looked around to see two snowy-haired figures slowly sitting up. One they definitely recognized as their fair friend Ryou. The other looked sharper and more evil. It was the spirit of the thief king, now fully solid.

"What the - ?" Yugi uttered, his mouth agape like a fish.

"He must have run into the spell while it was being performed!" Yami uttered in rage.

"You bastard!" Malik grabbed the collar of Bakura's shirt, having lost all of his calm. "How dare you! You don't deserve to have your own body! You've wreaked enough havoc on the world!"

Bakura grinned his trademark sadistic grin. "What's the matter, ex-partner?" he said in his raspy voice, "If I didn't know better, I'd say you still have some of that evil inside of you!"

Bakura's words must have triggered something, for the Rod in Malik's belt began to glow ominously. Dark shadows seeped out of the tip, materializing into a human figure of smoke. As it dissipated, the tall form of a man resembling Malik with hair spiking in all directions glared murderously at Bakura.

"WHOA!" Tristan stumbled backwards in shock and fell over the platform's railing. He lifted his head quickly and kept exclaiming, "WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!"

"Marik!" Yami growled, moving protectively in front of Yugi. "How is this possible? You were banished to the Shadow Realm!"

Marik grinned lazily and wound his arms around Malik, who was trying to fight the blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Let's just say me and my Light have come to terms with each other." He grabbed Malik's chin and turned his face around so their lips could meet in a hard kiss.

The others gaped at the scene before them, Yami looking especially aghast. Duke scratched his head and muttered, "Well, he didn't tell me about that."

Malik cuffed his darker half over the head and was promptly released. "You idiot! Do you know how much explaining I have to do now?"

"You mean you were going to keep us a secret?" Marik growled indignantly.

"Wait, 'us'?" Tea repeated dumbly, "You mean that you two are…"

"Yes," Malik hissed through gritted teeth, "But I would have gone about telling you in a more subtle manner!"

"Subtlety takes too much time!" Marik said, emitting a bark-like laugh. Then, his smile melted into a deadly glare as he turned on Bakura, his arms crossed. "As for you, tomb robber, I suggest we banish your soul again. That body is too good for you."

"Like hell you will!" Bakura spit out, "I've been waiting three thousand years for this!"

"You won't get away with this, Marik!" Yami yelled and lunged for the tomb robber. A small figure jumped in front of him, cashmere arms spread out wide to shield Bakura.

"Ryou, what are you doing?" Yami growled, "Get out of the way!

Ryou shook his head vigorously. "Let Bakura have his body!"

A collective "What?" circulated among the group. Tea was the first to step forward, hoping to talk some sense into her friend. "Ryou, he's trying to destroy the world and steal all of the Millennium Items!" she said, "We can't let him get away with this!"

Ryou's mouth was set into a grim, determined line. He lowered his arms and glared at Tea. "I know my yami," he said, "And I believe that something in him has changed."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Bakura shouted, but Ryou continued speaking.

"He is a psycho, he is evil and he is unpredictable. However, he hasn't taken over my body in a while, he hasn't been trying to find any Millennium Items. Let him have his own body so that he may perhaps change his life around."

"You can't be serious!" Yami exclaimed, and by the look on Bakura's face, he was inclined to agree. "Bakura can't possibly change! His soul is too twisted and dark! It must be sent to the Shadow Realm immediately!"

"No, Yami!" Ryou said, "He is changing… I can sense it through our bond! Give him one chance! I will make sure that he stays in check!"

Bakura grabbed his light roughly and turned him around. "What the hell are you talking about? Why should I listen to you?"

Ryou glared at him. "You will listen or else I won't hesitate to let the Pharaoh banish your soul!"

Bakura stared right back, intent on intimidating him into submission, but Ryou didn't even flinch at the cold eyes that had caused fear into some of the bravest warriors of Ancient Egypt.

Bakura let out a frustrated yell and threw Ryou's arm away from him. He stomped away and tried to open the large double doors.

"Let me out!" he yelled at Duke.

Malik shook his head. "No, don't go yet, Bakura. I need to speak with you. Tea, Tristan, I need you guys to leave. I have to talk to these four privately."

Tea tried to protest, but Duke pushed them towards the doors, saying, "Alright! C'mon guys! Show's over!" He unlocked the door and ushered them all out before letting them close behind them.

"Ryou, I think I know why you want to give Bakura a chance," Malik said, "And Marik will be here to make sure that he doesn't step out of line."

Yami eyed the other two spirits warily, feeling like he should somehow object. A small hand on his arm made him falter. He looked down to see Yugi staring at him with wide eyes. The feeling of being able to touch him was still so new and wondrous. He relished in it and gently rubbed Yugi's hand.

"I don't get it," Bakura growled, "Why?" He was now looking at Ryou, the coldness in his eyes momentarily replaced by confusion.

Ryou gave him a small smile and placed his hands on his dark's arms. "I want to help you, Bakura. I know you're really in pain still, but I believe I can help you."

Bakura shook himself from Ryou's grip. "I don't know what you're talking about!" he snapped.

"Ryou, I leave it up to you," Malik said, then turned to Yami and Yugi, ushering them a little ways away so he could speak to them privately. Marik stood next to Bakura, making him feeling particularly murderous while Ryou kept hovering over him.

"Malik, what are you doing?" Yami hissed, "Bakura is dangerous, you know that! It's madness to let him have his own body!"

Malik shook his head. "Don't you see, my Pharaoh?" he whispered, "He may still be dark, but he has changed, even if only a little. He hasn't tried to banish any of our souls or kill any of us. He has mellowed since he's been with Ryou. I believe he truly loves him deep down."

Yami glanced at the raging Bakura a few feet away, trying to hit Marik who evaded all of his blows with a mad cackle. "I doubt he can love," he said.

Yugi voiced his thoughts next. "Yami, Ryou told me that Bakura's been acting differently lately too. Maybe we don't notice it because we don't live with him, but I think we should trust Ryou. After all, maybe he can teach Bakura to love again."

Yami snorted. "If he doesn't get killed first."

"My Pharaoh, if I may have a word with you alone now," Malik said. Yami nodded and Yugi left them alone, joining the other group, which was ready to break into a fight.

"This gift I have bestowed upon you has a purpose," Malik said, "So that you may be together with your Light."

Yami bristled. "What are you talking about?"

Malik smiled knowingly. "You think I didn't notice how much you care for him? There's obviously more than companionship between you. Now that you have your own body, you can hold him, kiss him, and – "

"Wait," Yami interrupted, "Is this the reason you gave me a body?"

"Being corporeal has its advantages. I won't lie and say that this wasn't the main reason I did this. My Pharaoh, I am still ridden with guilt for my past actions and I hope that by bringing you this chance at happiness, I will be able to redeem myself in my own eyes."

Yami's normally stoic face now showed his uncertainty. "What if Yugi doesn't feel the same way? What point would there be for me to have a body then?"

"Yugi does love you. Don't doubt that. And even then, to have your own body would make it more convenient for dueling, no?" Malik smirked.

Yami looked at the ground, unable to look his friend in the eyes. His innermost secret was that obvious? And he had always prided himself from being able to conceal his growing passion for his aibou…

"There will come a time when you will have to choose whether to pass into the Afterlife and leave this body, or to stay with your love. Perhaps if you had a taste of this life, it will give you a better sense of which choice is right."

Yami was not in the mood for such heavy predictions. He turned to the group of friends bickering next to them, trying to think of a way to change the subject. "What about Marik?" he finally asked.

Malik rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Yeah, about that… It's a long story. But I promise, he'll no longer try to take over the world!"

Yami raised an eyebrow. "What kind of guarantee is that?"

"STAND STILL AND LET ME KILL YOU!"

The two whipped around to see Bakura's Millennium Ring firing up, getting ready to aim.

"YUGI!" Yami dashed over and pushed his Light to the ground while Marik dodged the magic blast from the Ring.

"Bakura! Stop it!" Ryou yelled. The Ring's glow faded and died, and the tomb robber stormed out of the room, with Ryou running frantically after him.

Yugi was curled in Yami's arms on the floor and the pharaoh could still hear Malik's words spinning in his mind. Did Yugi really feel the same for him? This powerful emotion of love that engulfed his entire chest… could it really be reciprocated?

"Yami…" Yugi looked up at his dark, a light blush covering his cheeks. Yami's arms were encircled around him tight. He still wasn't used to feel the other's touch or warmth. It was something he could get accustomed to very easily.

"Yugi… Are you alright?"

"Yeah… Just a little shaken up is all."

"Marik!" Malik rushed over to his dark as the other two slowly got up. "Are you alright?" He encircled his arms around Marik and was replied to with a long kiss. After they broke apart, he let out a shaky sigh and his head fell against the taller one's chest.

"Don't scare me like that again," he scolded.

Marik's face softened slightly, which shocked Yami and Yugi. It was not a completely tender smile, but the fact that the spirit let even a smidgeon of his affection show through was already proof that the world had turned upside-down. "I'm fine, now stop worrying."

Yami watched their interaction without saying a word. Yugi did as well, holding onto his dark for support. Marik had changed from the one they had defeated. The question arose as to why Malik gave him his own body, but perhaps that was to be answered another day.

What Yami and Yugi were unaware of was that both of them were wistfully wondering whether they would ever have that intimate a relationship with each other.

Yes, there will be an explanation for the Bronzeshipping in future chapters. The gang isn't even in Europe yet, but we'll get there! It takes a while to plan a vacation, you know! Anyway, thanks for reading!