Hi guys. To all my followers, many apologies for leaving this story hanging for so long. Totally not cool on my part. I will try not to do that again. New readers, welcome. Anyway, finally got my lazy ass around to writing another chapter! Yay! Hope you like it!

Atira, FanFiction author and unfortunately, NOT actual author of Yu Gi Oh.

*****A few weeks have passed since Yugi started hanging out more with Kaiba and Mokuba.*****

It was just a dream, but it's not going to happen now.

Tea's eyes started to itch as a tear made its way down her cheek. It stopped at her lips. She let it stay there for a while before wiping it away. With a heavy heart, she turned her attention to her dresser. One of her favorite pictures of her and Yugi rested on top. The photo had been taken outside their school. Tea and Yugi had posed with their arms around one another and a happy smile on their face. It was supposed to be just the two of them, but Joey and Tristan were in the background making funny faces. Despite her rather somber mood, Tea smiled slightly. Those two goof ball friends of hers had clearly photo bombed the picture.

"Awe Yugi." Tea was no stranger to her thoughts finding their way out loud. The most common place for this was definitely her bedroom.

Tea took a deep breath and tried to cheer herself up. So much was supposed to be happening for her now. Several months ago, she had planned to leave for a trip to New York and pursue her dream in dance, but the timing could not be worse. Her best friend, Yugi was still wrestling with emotions and even though he spent most of his time away from her and the rest of the gang these days, she just couldn't leave.

Joey was suffering the most from Yugi not being around anymore.

I need to call him. Tea grabbed her phone from her purse that was hanging on the coat rack and called her other "best friend." After five rings, Tea hung up. She should have known Joey wasn't going to pick up. He rarely did anymore. These days, he was either really irritated or down in the dumps. Regardless, he didn't pick up when he was feeling one of those. Tea's best bet was for her to go out and see if she could find him, or ask Tristan if he knew. Chances were slim of either one working out in her favor.

Joey was by himself. Dressed in gray shorts and a blue tank top, he was out running through the city. He had his phone in his hand and stopped when he felt it vibrating. Thinking it could be Yugi, he glanced at it with hope. Instead of Yugi, he saw Tea's name pop up. Joey instantly went back to his depressive state. He bowed his head as he one again wondered what was going on with Yugi. A couple seconds passed, and it now showed he had a missed call. Joey felt bad. He knew he should have answered her. She probably was just checking on him, and Joey really couldn't blame her for that. Tea was one of the most caring girls he had ever known.

I'll call her back. I'm just not in the mood to talk to anyone right now.

Joey resumed his run. He was going nowhere in particular, but as he approached Yugi's street, he took it. It wasn't really a hot day seeing as it was barely sixty degrees, but Joey had been running hard. His mission was to release all his pent up emotions. Exercising helped him do that. Like Tea, he was upset he couldn't talk to Yugi and didn't really know why. Yugi had never said anything. This was really weird because that was totally out of character for Yugi to not be in communication with his best pals. Though Joey knew it had something to do with Kaiba. Still, Yugi could have said something.

As Joey approached Yugi's house, he saw Yugi's grandpa outside talking to some kids who all seemed excited. It looked like he was showing them some cards. Joey stopped running. He wiped sweat off his forehead. He watched Mr. Mutou, wondering whether he should ask him if he knew anything or had heard from Yugi himself.

Nah, he doesn't know anything. Reluctantly, Joey started to run away.

"Hey youngster!" Mr. Mutou was waving enthusiastically at Joey. "Yoo hoo! You alright kiddo?"

Joey waved back. "Hey can you talk?"

Mr. Mutou nodded. "Sure thing Joseph. Come on over."

Joey jogged over.

"What's up Joey? You look tired. Been running hard have you?"

Joey shrugged. He put a brave face on for Yugi's grandpa and forced a smile. He hesitated.

"Well, go on." Mr. Mutou looked impatient.

"Uhh..." Joey began.

Mr. Mutou frowned. He sensed something was up. "What's the matter Joseph?"

Joey had to ask him now. "Have you heard from Yugi?"

Mr. Mutou's mouth opened. "Yes, why? Have you not?"

Joey shook his head.

Mr. Mutou put his hand on Joey. "I guess he decided not to reach out to you."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Mr. Mutou smiled warmly at Joey. "Don't worry kid. Yugi is fine. He's just taking some time to get to know himself better and make some new friends."

Joey's face fell. "What's that supposed to mean? Are you saying we aren't good enough for Yuge anymore!" Joey was upset now.

Mr. Mutou put up his hands. "Calm down. Look Joey,Yugi called and told me very little except for this. He's trying to rescue someone who's been strong for too long. Don't worry though. He's not in any danger. He just needs some time with Kaiba. He told me to pass it along to you guys should you ask. I told him, you guys should probably hear it from him, but he didn't like that idea. Maybe he's embarrassed." Mr. Mutou let out a sigh after he was done explaining the situation to Joey.

Joey was quiet for a moment. How could Yugi not have told his friends this. Did he not feel he could? He told his grandpa though so at least he did that but still. We should have been told by him too about what's going on.

"I'm sorry Joseph. I really thought he would have said something to you too."

Joey didn't know what to say. At least he's ok.

"He will be back around soon enough. You'll see. Give him time to be a good influence on that Kaiba boy. That could end up being a really good thing for us all."

Joey's mouth fell open. "Kaiba...That guy is stubborn and a jerk. Yugi might have better luck trying to turn the sun off."

"Don't be so negative Joseph! Kaiba has potential. Much more than you give him credit for."

Joey made a face. What are you, his grandpa too? Sheesh.

"Anyway, I gotta go. I have more people coming over to talk cards with me. Bye Joseph." Mr. Mutou shooed Joey off.

Well, I guess I better go tell Tea and Tristan.

*****Back to Yugi and Kaiba and how they started their friendship.*****

Kaiba didn't like to show any kind of vulnerability, It didn't look good on him, but...

I'm breaking.

Worried he had revealed too much to Yugi, Kaiba straightened himself and dusted his blue coat off. It was best to keep being himself. With a look showing very little to no concern, asked Yugi, "Don't you need to get back to your other friends?"

!

Yugi couldn't believe it. Rather than be taken back that Kaiba seemed to be dissing the whole thing about being friends, Yugi focused on Kaiba saying "other friends."

Did Kaiba just acknowledge we are officially friends now? I think he did! Yugi's face lit up with hope.

Not so fast.

Kaiba caught on to his slip up and possible confession. His cheeks instantly got some color. "I mean, I have work to do. Come Mokuba."

Mokuba didn't move. He had been hiding from Seto his desire for hanging out with Yugi for a while now, but knew he couldn't do it any longer. "Uh, Seto. Let's not go to work. I want to hang out with Yugi and see what him and his friends do."

"What?!" Kaiba's mouth dropped. It was rare for him to be shocked by his little brother, but he wasn't expecting Mokuba to argue with him. He gave his brother a pleading look.

"Mokuba..."

"Yugi is here for you Seto, Mokuba said gently. He's here for both of us."

Kaiba turned away from his brother and stared at the wall on the opposite side.

"Give him a chance, please. Don't fight it anymore, Seto."

Kaiba gasped. His eyes grew big as he looked back to Mokuba. Kaiba could see the determination in Mokuba's eyes and it made him realize something. His brother was right. As much as he didn't like it, he couldn't go against what Mokuba wanted. His brother meant everything to him. This would never change. They respected one another more than anyone else.

Mokuba ran over to his big brother and hugged him tighter than he had ever done before. Memories of the brothers struggles with their family life flashed through their minds. With tears forming in his eyes, Mokuba looked up at Kaiba and whispered, "We are going to be ok, Seto."

Kaiba had tears in his eyes too. He managed to smile down at his brother before they let go of each other.

Yugi watched them. He had tears in his eyes too as his heart melted with the love being shown in front of him. He was witnessing a unbreakable bond between two brothers who cared so much for each other. He enjoyed seeing stuff like this. It was beautiful. It reminded him of how much he cared for his own friends. Yugi had no siblings, but he imagined it was pretty close to what Kaiba felt for Mokuba.

"But, Pegasus." Kaiba went back to being upset. For awhile, he had forgotten about him and the present threat he could do something to him or Mokuba.

Yugi spoke up. "I'll help you look out for Mokuba, Kaiba. You don't need to worry or do this alone. Together, we won't let Pegasus or anyone else hurt him or you."

Kaiba's face softened for a moment. Kaiba turned his attention from Mokuba to Yugi. His face softened but only for a moment. "I want him dead Yugi."

Yugi put up his hands. "Uh, I understand this is a serious situation Kaiba, but I don't think the best solution is to..."

"I mean it!" Kaiba shouted. He clenched his fists hard.

Clearly, Kaiba was upset and rightfully so. However, from where he was standing, Yugi could see Kaiba's hands were shaking.

Kaiba was also scared.

Yugi felt sorry for Kaiba. He felt sorry for both of them. Yugi didn't know the whole story, but he could tell these two had gone through so much already. He could see it plastered on their faces.

The trials...pain...suffering...anger.

Yugi wondered if Kaiba would ever tell him more about their past. He would want to hear it from him and not Mokuba. This would let him know that Kaiba truly trusted him as a friend. After all, friends open up and talk to one other another. He hoped so, for seeing them together in front of him, made Yugi feel nothing but sympathy for them. He had started to feel this way long ago, but it mattered to him more now. He really wanted Joey, Tristan, and Tea to understand and want the same thing as well.

"I won't let him hurt you guys, Kaiba." Yugi looked to Kaiba who wasn't looking at him. Instead, Kaiba seemed to be contemplating something serious.

"Say Yugi, Kaiba spoke up, want to come hang out with me in my office?"

There it was.

Yugi was glad to hear this. He nodded. "Sure."

Kaiba looked pleased. "Very well. Let's go to my office."

"Yay! This is going to be so much fun! Come on, Yugi, let's go!" Mokuba was perhaps the happiest. He led the way to the office upstairs. He took the stairs two at a time. He almost tripped on the last one.

I'm going to help them. Even if that only means being a friend to Kaiba.

For the next several hours, Yugi spent a lot of time with the Kaiba brothers. Through their conversations about the company, Yugi learned Mokuba was even smarter than he thought. He definitely had a lot of potential and could even outsmart Kaiba one day. His older brother had certainly been an inspiring influence on him. However, Kaiba still remained the true genius of them. He ran Kaiba Corp after all.

"This is so much fun!" Don't you agree Seto" Mokuba elbowed his brother. The three of them were sitting on a couch in Kaiba's office room. However, keep in mind, this also looked like a bedroom. Kaiba, with his demanding work hours, had spent many nights and days sleeping in here.

Kaiba grinned but didn't say anything.

Yugi smiled warmly at him. "You really have a nice place here Kaiba. I'm really impressed with what you have done."

Kaiba grinned bigger. "It's fine for now. I want to do better."

"You will Seto." Mokuba encouraged.

Yugi nodded in agreement.

"Say Yugi, why don't you spend a few nights here and really see what I do. You can even help me with my day to day tasks."

"Oh?" Yugi thought about this. He was feeling really guilty for not letting his friends know what he was up to. He better do something soon.

"That would be so cool!" Mokuba started jumping up and down. "Sleepovers with Yugi!"

Kaiba gave him a sarcastic look. "What are you eight?"

Yugi was happy inside. He was really liking this. Though, he felt bad about his friends, but felt awkward if he tried explaining the situation to them here with Kaiba close by. He realized he could just tell his grandpa instead. That would be easier. "Yeah, sure. Let me go call my grandpa really fast to tell him."

Kaiba nodded.

Yugi excused himself and went to the hallway to make the call. He didn't give his grandpa all the details but just enough. He really hoped the others wouldn't be mad but rather use this time to bond with each other more. After Yugi was done, he came back. "Ok, he knows not to worry now."

As they continued talking, Yugi's eyes began to wander around Kaiba's office. There were several books and papers on the floor from Kaiba's earlier anger episode. A stack of important papers were piled on the desk, awaiting his attention. One of the drawers was open and a silver chain with a heart on it was hanging out. It sparkled in the sun that was peaking through Kaiba's enormous window behind them. It caught Yugi's attention.

"Oh." Yugi exclaimed and pointed. "That's a pretty necklace Kaiba. Is it yours?"

Kaiba looked to where Yugi pointed. "Yes, I got that from Mokuba after my company reached billionaire status. It's one of my favorite possessions."

Mokuba gasped. "I thought you kept that locked away Seto?"

It took Seto a second to think and gasped too. "Ah, you're right Mokuba! What is it doing out here?"

Kaiba walked over to the drawer and picked it up. As he did, he noticed something else. It was a video tape. He grabbed it. There was something written on it. It read "Kaiba-boy.

"Oh no." Kaiba's heart started beating faster. This wasn't good.

"What is it, Seto? What's that tape?"

Kaiba didn't answer. He paused and debated whether to watch it or chuck it out the window.

I have to watch it. I need to know what that psychopath wants.

He jammed it in and anxiously awaited what he and the others were about to see.

"Hi Kaiba-boy. I hope all is well with you today. Sorry I couldn't stay and chat in person. I had to go. Well, you know how it is. Anyway, just wanted to let you know a little something about that little heart necklace I found. It's very pretty by the way. Why, it must have cost you guys a fortune! I really hope it didn't set you guys back too much! Well, sorry let me get on with it. The thing is Kaiba-boy, that necklace is now a special object. I used some of my infamous magic and made it into a millennium item. It is now known as a millennium heart. Sounds exciting right? Well, let me finish before you get all giddy on me. You see, there's a slight catch. Ready for it?! Here goes! That millennium heart now contains your soul Kaiba-boy! What does that mean you ask? Well, to be quite frank, it contains power and people will soon find out about it and try to take it. If someone else tries to use it for any other purpose or if it's destroyed, so too will you! Hear that Kaiba-boy? You will die! I won't tell you exactly how I did it, but I will say if I were you, I would guard it with your life! Don't let anyone touch or use it for anything else. Should be fine for you, though right? Ok, I must go now. Got things to do. Talk soon! Ok bye Kaiba-boy."

Kaiba didn't move. Neither did Mokuba or Yugi.

"Seto, how is that possible? Can he even do that?" Mokuba was confused along with the others, but they should know Pegasus was capable of anything. He was sneaky that way.

Suddenly, Yugi gasped. His thoughts went back to a conversation he had with the pharaoh. He told Yugi there was a way to bring him back and...

He said I must find a Millennium heart and use it to bring him back...but according to what Pegasus just said, if I try to use it, Kaiba will die...

To be continued...