Ch 16 Having Met You

The air was thick with sadness that one could cut with a knife. It swirled and swayed, seeping into the ground and every crack available, infecting the very fabric of this world with melancholy. The smell was stale and dry, without the freshness of life, and a cold chill clung to the air desperately, refusing to loosen its icy grip and rendering everything in a frost coat.

An ornate, stone door stood tall in the cold castle walls. Torches sat on either side, but they offered little light or heat. The flames shivered and flickered as though they feared the very air they tried to heat. Stained glass windows were placed evenly within the walls which seemed to go on into eternity in every direction. The light that shone through the windows was dim and cool, uninviting and sorrowful as it illuminated the frost clad glass.

The ground below was a plain of grass that was now frozen in the cold grasp of frost. A stone path which he stood in the center of cut through the frozen ground and led a direct way towards the castle door. He felt like an outsider in this world. In a land of frozen life, he was out of place, but he couldn't turn back.

Yami closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had never gone into the Sorrow's castle before, no one ever has or at least lived to tell the tale. No demon, no human, nor creature has ever dared wander into the Sorrow's castle for fear of what would happen to them. The only living outsider to ever go into the castle would be the Sorrow's Mother.

Crimson eyes snapped open and he took his first step towards the castle. The ground crunched beneath his boots and the chill seeped into his feet, but he stayed determined. As the door drew closer, he reached out his hand and brushed his fingers against the stone. The stone bit his fingers with its brittle temperature, making him pull back his hand with a hiss of pain. Looking at his hand he noticed the tips of his fingers start to turn blue. He growled at the frostbite and rose his heated gaze to the door that remained closed.

Taking a step back, the ex-demon drew back his leg and swung it forward, kicking the door with as much force as he could muster. He cursed as he felt the same cold that attacked his hand before, sting his foot and he hopped back. Yami didn't need to see his skin to know that it also was turning blue, too.

The door shuttered from the kick, displeased at the unwanted visitor, but it yielded to the command that was forced upon it. As the massive doors opened slowly they creaked and groaned as though they had never been opened for years. Some dust kicked up at the doors movement and clouded the view for only a moment.

When the doors stood wide open, Yami waited for the dust to settle before moving. Only once his path was clear did he step into the frigid castle.

It was silent.

It was silent and yet the air seemed full and stillness that met him was uncanny and disturbing, almost as though something was waiting in the shadows of the dark room. His steps were cautious as he wandered further into the room, wary of anything that could jump out at him. Then he felt something rush behind him.

SLAM!

Yami jumped forward and turned around to see the stone doors closed behind him. Although, this time they would not move again: that was sure. Facing forward once more, he took the chance to take in the vacant room around him. It looked to be a ballroom, and a massive one at that. The ceiling was arched and shrouded in shadows. Unlit chandeliers hung eerily from the ceiling and the tall stained glass windows were dark and foreboding. The marble floor was a mosaic of stones that would have been beautiful if alight in a ball, but now they lay sorrowfully. In a room that was meant to bring life and happy memories, Yami felt alone and depressed.

As he began to walk, his foot steps echoed loudly back to him. They seemed painfully out of place in this world of silence, only adding to the ever growing discomfort. IT was as if his invading steps would shatter the fragile air that clouded this realm at any moment. In the back of the ballroom was another door, this time smaller and made out of wood, but still ornate. As the second door drew near, a somber tone lifted the gloomy atmosphere, if only just.

Yami stopped in front of the door, closed his eyes and tried to listen to the tune. A piano? No, it didn't sound like a normal instrument. It wasn't smooth enough to be a Sorrow singing so then… a music box. Yugi's music box.

Yami growled and opened his eyes. No wonder he hated that song: the Sorrows loved it.

Carefully, the ex-demon reached out his hand to open the door. When his hand touched the cold material, he flinched, waiting for the pang of pain that he had received from before only to be relieved when it never came. With a sigh of relief, Yami pushed to door open and was surprised when a gentle light creeped out.

The light was dim and blue. It wasn't the yellow of a candles flames, but a melancholy hue of a blue light. It chilled the atmosphere even more and deepened the despairing tone. When the door was fully open, and the room revealed, the music increased as this dead castle finally came to life.

It was another ballroom, just like before, only smaller. It was similar in design with the marble floor and glass windows, but the chandeliers above were a light with small blue flames that provided nothing, but aesthetic. They flickered weakly and the light they emitted was nothing close to real candle light; however, what was in the room was shocking.

Filling the room from floor to ceiling were Sorrows after Sorrows all swaying and turning to the music. They danced in pairs, in groups, or alone, each enraptured in the haunting tune that hummed throughout the room. They looked… peaceful, but Yami knew better.

None of them stopped their ball to acknowledge his presence. They acted as though he wasn't there in the first place, but that was perfect. He would already cause a ruckus by trying to take away their new Mother, so the less attention he attracted now, the better he will be.

Taking in a steadying breath, Yami let it out, trying to calm himself before going in. He was nervous. He didn't know what would happen if he was found or if he disturbed the Sorrows. Would they keep dancing? Would they attack? What would he do if they did attack? It wasn't as if they were the most forward when threatened.

His hand went up to grab his ruby. When it's gentle heat warmed his palm, he felt a little reassured. While this ruby might not be able to fight off Sorrows, it could still buy him some time.

Content to know that he wouldn't be alone in this trek, Yami took his first step in. As he walked and entered the dance, he was careful not to touch any of the Sorrows. They danced around him, happy and content that their new Mother was there in the castle and oblivious to the threat that the ex-demon posed them.

In their oblivion, Yami could make out a faint whisper. It was soft, so soft that he wasn't sure that he could have imagined it; however, the heavy feeling in his heart told him it was real. He more felt the words than heard them, but he could make out what they said; although, a fog seemed to cloud his vision the longer the whispers continued.

Maden so rare,

Who wandered with care,

She was a belle,

With midnight black hair,

What a great witch, see

But she never could be,

Part of the town,

Who was blind to she

The whispers grew intense and seemed to drip with emotion. The grief and remorse behind each word saturated Yami's brain, and contaminated his core. He wanted to block out the feeling, but he was drawn to it in a way. More than anything, though, he was drawn to the promise of comfort that lay hidden between the lines. It was hidden, but it drew him in.

A handsome man,

Who was great and kind,

He did not know,

That he caught her eye,

But she stayed a far,

Just to keep him safe,

But then came,

a brand new belle face

The new maiden,

won o'er his heart,

The new love two,

Were never apart

The couple would brag,

and would show all that,

They were never to be a part,

As he kept walking through the ball, the feeling dragged him down and quickly became to much, causing the room began to spin. In the mirage of spinning Sorrows, colors and sounds began to meld together in a kaleidoscope of discord. As he reached what the thought was the halfway point, Yami couldn't stand staight and needed to stop. As he swayed in place, the twister only worsened, forcing him to kneel on the ground. His breath was heavy as he tried to find some steady ground, but the song continued.

But unknown there,

Behind the scenes,

the witch

would cry at night

In her rage,

She swore to break every heart,

And destroy,

All of the sage

She cast all her magic,

To near and far,

To make everything dark,

All the love broke apart

Year and centuries,

Could not break the curse,

And took,

Many a life

To the next time

Yami bent over, using his arms to steady himself. When he tried to close his eyes to find solace in darkness, he found that there was no escape. Even the shadows swirled in the tempest, leaving no room for comfort. It was a mental battle that he had no clue how to fight.

Now we are here,

We live on our own

Her only kids,

Who guard her thorne

We cary her curse,

Filling her with mirth,

While all souls are trapped,

and confined

His head began to pulse at the loud music and his eyes throbbing from the moving entities around him. Yami's head began to ache as he began to have trouble finding his place in reality. It was cold. The chill of the air nipped at his skin and chilled him; however, he felt a heat increase from his chest.

Cracking open his eyes slowly, he lifted his ruby into sight. His hands were shaking from the cold, but the ruby's light held firm. Its red glow filled his vision and eased his pain. The world around him began to slow, as colors solidified into shapes and noise settled into song. Of course, it couldn't fight the Sorrows, but it could give him a mental shield to combat the Sorrow's influence.

Taking a deep breath, Yami held the ruby to his forehead and allowed its heat to travel throughout his body. Sorrows where passive creatures, so their castle would be the same. In here he won't have to fight off monsters, but that doesn't mean he can move carelessly. If caught off guard, he could be just another victim to the Sorrows. A Sorrows power can weaken even the strongest mind, but with his ruby Yami would be able to make it to the chamber. Its warmth can combat the encroaching cold.

He removed the ruby from his forehead, and instead held it out in front of him as though it were a lantern. He would need to keep it within sight if he wanted to make it out of here alive.

As suspected, the Sorrows seemed indifferent to the ruby and continued with their dance. Still, he was able to make it to the end of the ballroom where a hidden hallway lay in the far right corner. As he neared the hallway, he could hear the music still, only louder.

The hallway was narrow, with only one opening on the far end. Once at the doorway, Yami could see a new room, smaller from the ballrooms and more like an empty parlor, still full of dancing Sorrows. The only furniture in the entire castle was in the center of this room, and it was a small table that was elegantly designed. Sitting a top the small table was Yugi's music box, open and emitting it's haunting tune.

Yami growled upon seeing the box. As much as he hated that song, he disliked the idea of the Sorrows having anything of Yugi's more. Still, it wasn't like there was anything he could do. If he even touched that box, the Sorrows would attack.

He began to walk into the new room, once again careful not to disturb the creatures and their dance. Just because they ignored him, doesn't mean that they were fully unaware of his preseance. For such calm looking creatures, one wouldn't think them deadly. They almost looked like a spirit that you would find protecting a sirene lake, but they weren't. They were dreadful creatures that slowly drove you insane to the point where suicide is the only option. They do protect on thing, at least: they protect their Mother.

It's not a job that Sorrows take lightly, either. Their Mother is their balance: the only thing that keeps them alive. Sorrows themselves are nothing but sadness born from a persons despair, so they need something to give them life and to give them love. Being so out of balance, they are incapable to provide happiness themselves, so they need an outside energy to keep them from filtering away into nothing while giving them some remensce of happiness. That was what their Mother was for. The Mother was nothing but a piece of happiness that the Sorrows could leech off of.

Knowing that, it was no wonder that they took a liking to Yugi. He was passionate and kind, giving any person a second chance. He had the uncanny ability to see good in someone. Although he wasn't the most outgoing person, he always seemed to be surrounded by friends, but was always ready and eager to make more. Yugi surrounded himself with love and happiness; moreover, he was quick to give any and everyone that same amount of love and happiness. Sadly, the Sorrows only take.

When he finally reached the end of the parlor, he was met with a spiral staircase leading downwards. Even so, Yami could tell that he was getting close to the Mother's chamber, meaning he was closer to Yugi. At the bottom of the stairs was a smaller room than before, once more filled with dancing Sorrows who remained oblivious to his presence.

Yami could tell he was close, and seeing a stone door at the end of the room made his heart beat fast. He was happy to be able to see Yugi, but scared to know that he might not even be able to help him; still, he was excited to be so close. To be just one room away.

Wasting no time, Yami rushed to the last door. As he came closer to the stone door, he could see a pattern engraved in it that was different from the doors that came before. The engraving was of a cloaked woman with her arms spread out at her sides. In one of her eyes, a tear was about to fall, but she had a heartbroken look in her closed eyed. Over all, the picture was depressing and forlorn.

Yami took a deep breath and with his free hand, pushed open the door, once again relieved when his hand was spared a painful bite.. Behind it was a large chamber, though not quite as big as the ballroom. It was void of all furnatings and windows leaving the stone bare and unwelcoming. Frost coated everything and a small cloud left his lips when he breathed out. His skin was coated with goosebumps, and he couldn't suppress the shiver that ran down his spine; the feeling in the room was indescribable. It was sad and heavy, but warm and familiar, but cold and clammy, but safe and secure. It was confusing to be in this room, and it would have caused his head to spin around and race had it not been for his rubies glow.

All the emotion in this long room centered around the back, where a crystal statue of a cloaked women sat. She held the same expression as the woman on the door, and she was raised off the ground as though on a high pedestal; however, surrounding her lay hundreds of similar human, crystal statues flowing almost like a waterfall. Each statue was different with clothes from every era and all kinds of gender and ethnicity. They all sit and lay around the First Mother to the point where they layered on top of one another, and creating the illusion that they are one statue. It almost looked as though all the other statues were dazed or asleep in the safety of their Mother's presence. Filling the rest of the room, a handful of Sorrows danced to the faint music that filtered from upstairs.

Yami allowed himself the chance to take in the sight before him. Never had anyone been able to witness the Mother's Chamber and come back to tell the tale; to say the least, he was in awe, despite the mournful feeling. It was simple, but beautiful in a sad way to see this intertwined statue of people. The calm, sad faces that looked at him as if they had only been dealt a bad hand in life, it was tempting to just sit down and try to piece together all these stories. All these lives lost…

Shaking his head, the ex-demon walked into the room and searched the crystal statue. Because Yugi was new, he would not been fully crystallized, so there was still time to help him; Yami just had to find him.

Yami's face lit up when he spotted Yugi slumped over form in the center of the front row. His head was tipped back, resting on another person's shoulder while his glazed over eyes were glued to the ceiling. A pang of guilt struck Yami when he saw the sorrowful look on his lover's face; it shouldn't be there.

When he got close, he kneeled down in front of Yugi and cupped the other's face, "Yugi, Yugi can you hear me?" No response.

"Please," Yami begged, but he knew it was pointless, "I-I don't know what to do." He cursed and looked around helplessly, willing some kind of a solution to appear. As His eyes slid to the floor, he noticed that Yugi's hands were staring to crystal over.

"Shit!" Anger flared through Yami as he glared down at the crystallized hands. What could he do?! Sure he was here, but what good does that do him now? He was there, and he was useless. Still, he couldn't have just left Yugi alone to the Sorrows. Not like he left him alone with those demons all those years ago…

Yami shook his head and stood up. No, he didn't leave Yugi alone, it wasn't his fault, he can't let the Sorrows get to him now. He could figure this out, he could find a way to help, right? He wasn't able to help those villagers… No! Wrong, he did help them. He defeated the demon with Yusei's help and he trapped its soul in the ruby.

Crimson eyes looked down at said object which shone bright, hanging from his hand. Not that the ruby could really help now. The ruby defeated demons, not Sorrows. Even if it could combat the Sorrows, Yami wouldn't be able to do it. For as long as he did have this, there were still aspects about it that he didn't know about. A hidden power lay hidden within it, Yami knew that, it's just a matter of who could do it.

When Yami was first given the ruby, it was from a mysterious women. She said nothing about it, except that he would be able to do great things with it. It wasn't until he met Yugi that he learned of its blessed lineage. To be blessed by all the gods and goddesses f that time, there was rarely anything more powerful than this; moreover, lots of its potential is hidden and only could be unlocked by a priest or priestess of those gods. Sadly, no one believes in those gods any ore. Maybe if one of those priests were here now, they would be able to use this gem to save Yugi, but no one in this time believed in those gods anymore.

Crimson eyes widened as realization came to him. Those gods may not be present in this age, but the souls who worshiped them were forever blessed with that power for many lifetimes. Not only was Yugi's parents back then two head priest's, but Yugi himself had been training to be a priest. Maybe if he gave the ruby back, then it would resonate with his blessed soul, see his need, and break the curse? Yami was unsure, but it was worth a shot.

Falling back to his knees, Yami stared at Yugi's limp form, praying to all the old gods and goddesses, that their gift wouldn't fade after 700 years. He tied the ruby around Yugi's neck tightly; the last thing he wanted was for the possible only help to fall off. Yami leaned back with bated breath, desperate to see some kind of a change.

Slowly, a red hue replaced the cold, clmy skin, and Yugi's chest rose and fell with deep breaths. Yami sighed in relief as he saw Yugi come back to life, he was so hapy that it worked. His joy was cut short, though, as a high pitched cry torn through his mind, forcing him to grab his head. He closed his eyes, hoping that would block out the ear splitting screech, but it was in vain.

A large wind picked up and pushed Yami away from the crystal statues, before circling around him like a hurricane. The cry was angry and full of rage. Its displeasure struck Yami hard, filling his head with only those emotions. He couldn't think, he couldn't feel, and the longer he went without protection, the worse it got. Without his ruby, there was no protection from the Sorrows cries, meaning he would get the full force of their attack.

Crimson eyes cracked open just enough to see the whirl around him, and he was unsurprised when he noticed the angered Sorrows surrounding him. They glared at him with their mouths open, so their once lament tune was an irate cry. As each second passed, more Sorrows filled the room from the upper levels and added tot he chaotic discord.

One of the Sorrows swept down at him, letting the tips of its ghostly body brush against his head. His eyes bulged as he was assaulted by indescribable pain. The pain wasn't physical, but the mental energy nearly broke him; It was as if he had been whipped with all the sadness and anger of the oppressed and forgotten, but his body wasn't strong enough to hold it all. He was but a paper bag quickly filling with muddied water; with all this conflicting energy inside of him, he felt like he was about to explode.

More Sorrows flew down and touched him, but through the pain and the swirling tempest, Yami could barely make out Yugi. Yugi was still sat where he was before, and -although it was hard to see- there seemed to be a red glow around him. Some Sorrows tried to touch Yugi, but they were pushed back by the ruby and they cried louder when hey couldn't pass the red glow. Yami cried out as the noise increased in volume, but he couldn't help but feel slightly better, knowing that Yugi was safe.

When the Sorrows drew closer, their song grew louder. The sounds and energy that battered against him felt like sledgehammers against a brick wall. The noise. The noise! SOMEBODY JUST STOP THE NOISE!

There were a million voices screaming at him, but they were too loud, too fast, too high, too angry for him to understand anything. They battered him, they assaulted him, they came without break, they were tearing him from the inside out. He couldn't move: it hurt to move. It had to stop. It had to stop!

In a desperate attempt to shut out the noise, Yami began to scratch at his ears violently. If he didn't have ears, then he couldn't hear them! His fingernails dug into skin and hair, trying to reach their target, but always missing. It was infuriating! He could feel blood begin to drip down the sides of his face, and could feel the stinging, burning pain from scratching at sensitive skin, but he couldn't stop. If he could stop the voices, then he would scratch through his whole head!

"Yami, stop!"

Yami ignored the voice, unsure if it was even real. The vocals were distorted by the others, so he couldn't tell who it was. Not that he cared, he just wanted the voices to stop! He kept scratching, even when tears began to roll and mix with his blood, he kept scratching.

"Please, no, Yami! Listen to me, you have to stop!"

Shut up.

Shut up.

Shut Up.

SHUT UP.

"SHUT UP!" Yami yelled out loud. His hands were slippery with blood, but he kept scratching, and scratching, and scratching.

"STOP!"

Yami felt new hands grip his wrists, and he began to panic. No, no, no, he can't stop now. He needed to stop the voices. "Let me go!" Yami tried to yank back his wrists, but the other held fast.

Yami barely noticed that the tempest around him was now painted in a crimson hue, while arms wrapped around his torso, trapping his arms at his side. "Yami, come on, you have to hear me. It's me, Yugi, you need to stop. You have to stop."

Warmth encompassed the ex-demon and the pounding voices began to quiet, but only just. They were no longer cutting into his brain, but more banging on his skull, trying to get in. His fingers twitched with the urge to scratch, but he was able to control himself and focus, somewhat on what was around him. After a few deep breaths to calm himself, Yami spoke up, "Yugi?"

"Oh thank God." Yugi pulled back so he could stare Yami straight in the eye. The right side of his face was smeared with Yami's blood, a sight which did not settle well with the other, "You stopped." Yami's arms twitched at the chance to start scratching once more, but Yugi caught it and tightened his grip on Yami's arms.

Trying to think up what to say was getting harder. Words were fleeting as the voices pounded, trying to barge in and steal his sanity once more. Crimson eyes had to squeeze shut in order to focus, "No. Time... Get. Out."

"Not without you. I just don't know what to do"

Fuck. How could they get out? With the Sorrows around them, there was no way to walk out of the castle. They were both going to die. They were both going to die. They were both going to die. They were both going to die. They were both going to die. They were both going to die. They were both going to die. They were both going to die.

"No, no no, Yami stay with me!" Yami felt Yugi pull him into a hug once more with one arm wrapped around his back and the other holding his head, "I can't lose you now, "We can get out of this, we just need to stay focused." There was silence as he tried to think, "Gah! I wish we could just teleport out of here!"

Yami gasped as he remembered the keys that he had taken off of Earl, "Pockets… keys… green…"

He felt Yugi search his pockets, "Okay, keys, keys, ha! Green, green…"

Yami heard Yugi fumbling with the keys before he found the green one, "Hold... out…"

"Okay." When he felt that Yugi was holding out the key, he shakily moved his hand to cover Yugi's. The other helped settle his hand so that they were both holding onto the key.

"Turn…" With that, both turned their hands as though unlocking a door. A rift opened before them, though Yami heard it more than saw it. Black shifted its way into his vision, and the mental wear of the Sorrows was finally starting to break though. Luckily, Yugi acted quickly.

Without word or warning, Yugi shoved both of them into the portal. Yami fell limp on his side to the floor, but he heard the other close the portal. Silence had never been so sweet.

"Yami? Yami, are you still with me?"

Even though he felt really weak, he was able to nod. Yugi sighed out a laugh, "Good. Stay right here, I'll go get some bandages."

As Yugi's footsteps faded into the distance, Yami took a second to see just where they had arrived. Plush carpet, sloped ceiling, desk, bed, it was Yugi's bedroom. It was the same a s it was before they left, but all the people were gone; even the house seemed vacant. Good.

Footstep entered the room once more and Yami felt himself be moved so he was n his back while his head lay in Yugi's lap. He hissed in pain was his scratches were agitated, "Sorry. I'll try not to move too much, but this is going to hurt."

"That's fine." Yami's voice was soft and quiet, but relieved.

The two stayed in silence as Yugi washed his scratches, trying to clean up the blood. Once clean, he delicately as he could wrapped the injuries up, "It's not perfect, but it should do."

Yami, who had closed his eyes during the process, opened them to stare up at Yugi. He weakly narrowed his eyes as he lifted up his hand to cup the side of Yugi's face that was smeared with blood, "You need to clean this off."

Yugi slipped his own hand over Yami's, pressing is closer to his cheek. He smiled, "I'll do that in a second."

Yami shook his head, "No, don't wait."

Yugi gave him a stern look, "You still need to be cleaned up."

"You're more important."

Yugi huffed and removed his hand, allowing Yami to lie his hand by his side, "Hold on." Yugi moved Yami's head from his lap and onto a pillow before getting up and leaving the room. Yami cringed when he saw the blood stain that lay on the floor where his head once was. That wasn't going to be easy to get out, especially on Yugi's jeans where his head used to rest. Those were just going to have to be thrown out. When Yugi returned he had two towels in hand an a large bowl of water. As he sat down next to Yami, he rose the other up, and began to remove his shirt.

"Yugi, what-?"

"I can't imagine that you would want to stay in a blood soaked shirt." With little protest, Yami allowed his shirt to be removed and him to be settled back onto the pillow. Yugi then took one of the towels and began to wipe of the blood that got onto Yami's chest and neck, "Thank you."

"Your welcome."

Yugi chuckled, "Typically people say 'what for?' when someone says thanks."

Yami smirked, "I already know what I did." His smile softened, "Although, you deserve more thanks than I. If you hadn't done something, I would have died."

Yugi began to dry off the other's chest, "Truthfully, I didn't even know what I was doing. I just woke up and saw you in so much pain. I saw that I had the ruby and that it seemed to be creating some shield. I didn't know what else to do beside get you within the shield. I don't even know how the ruby did that."

Yami smiled and closed his eyes, "You were smart and quick to act," He opened his eyes, glad to see Yugi finally cleaning off his own face with the wet towel, "Even if you didn't fully understand, you were able to figure out enough to save us both."

"Those were Sorrows, right?" Yami nodded, "Won't they come after us again?"

Yami shook his head, "No. Without you as their Mother, they won't have enough energy to open portals. It already took so much out of them just to do that attack, I doubt they will come after you again. Especially if you keep that ruby with you."

"So, we're safe?"

Yami nodded, "We are safe."

Yugi picked up the dry towel and wiped off his face before he spoke again, "You know, I don't really like being called 'Mother'."

Yami chuckled, "That's just what the Sorrows call their new obsession. I wasn't calling you a girl." Yugi placed the towel and bowl aside with a solemn look, that Yami didn't miss, "What's wrong?"

Yugi shook his head, "I don't know. I was just thinking about the Sorrows and what happened. They really seemed happy to see me their, but I was scared. I didn't know what they would do."

Yami frowned and looked away, "I'm sorry that you had to go through that."

A gentle hand brought Yami to look back at amethyst eyes, "I don't blame you for anything that happened. If anything, I blame that guy who came in. Earl is what I think you called him."

Yami growled, "He was a fool to think he could harm you and get away with it." Yami sighed, "Even so, I wish that you didn't have to get involved."

Yugi smiled, "We're both safe now, so don't beat yourself up over it, okay?"

Yami smirked, "No promises."

Yugi shivered and stood up from the floor. Walking quickly, he went into his closet and pulled out a fuzzy blanket that he brought back with him as he lay beside Yami. He placed the blanket over both of them and snuggled into the other's side with a content sigh. Yami turned his head to look at Yugi who was smiling back at him. Slowly, Yugi moved closer and planted a kiss on the Yami's lips. Yami smiled into the kiss and put a hand on the back of Yugi's head to keep him in place. It felt so good to be able to actually kiss him. To kiss Yugi fully. It felt amazing to be able to kiss him properly and show him all the love he truly deserve.

When he felt Yugi brush his tongue against his bottom lip, Yami felt more than happy to meet him halfway. The kiss was loving, not heated, but it was passionate. They both allowed the love for one another and their relief to flow freely as their parted lips and tongues slid smoothly against each other slowly. It wasn't until Yami tasted tears in their kiss that he broke apart.

"Sorry." Yugi said as he wiped at his tears on his slightly pink cheeks.

"You're fine, it's okay to cry." Yami soothed. When he removed his hand from Yugi's head, he chuckled, "I think I need to apologize to you. I just got blood in your hair."

"What?" As Yugi looked at Yami's hand, they both saw how it was still coated with blood from before. "Whoops. Here." Yami watched with a smile as Yugi sat up and began to clean and dry both of Yami's hands.

When he was finished, they both stared at each other silently. Once more, Yug leaned down and captured Yami's lips in a loving kiss. When Yugi crawled on top of Yami, the ex-demon moved his hand to Yugi's hip and neck, keeping the body above him close. Yugi pressed his body fully against Yami's, the other moaning at the full contact. Yami wrapped both arms around Yugi's waist, while both hand massaged his lower back, pressing their bodies even closer.

A shiver went down Yugi's spine when Yami took the liberty of exploring his mouth. Feeling the body above him shiver in pleasure only encouraged Yami, and he smirked into the kiss. Yugi didn't hesitate and pressed his lips harder to Yami's, letting his own tongue enter Yami's mouth.

Yami chuckled, "What about your friends and your grandfather?" He mumbled as Yugi refused to stop the make-out.

"They can wait."

( A few months later…)

Yami leaned his back against the brick fence of Domino high school. The cold had gone and was replaced with spring warmth with summer on the horizon. Yugi and his friends had gone back to school, while Yami stayed at home, helping Yugi's grandfather tend to the shop.

After the adventure with the Sorrows, Yugi's friends and grandfather came home, and they all made a big fuss over him. Bakura had been furious though, and still blamed Yami for all that happened; however, a few words from Yugi and his grandfather, and the albino was put at bay. Granted Yami and Bakura were still wary of one another, but they at least were finally at some agreement to ignore eachother.

It wasn't as if it was just Bakura either. Even though Ryou, Jonouchi, Mai and the others were more forgiving than Bakura, they were still unsure about him, and weren't as quick to trust as Yugi. Not that Yami blamed them, it was just that he still felt lonely within the crowd when they all hung out together. At least Yugi was there for him; although, he still wished for a friend.

Yami glared up at the clear blue sky. He was staying with Yugi and his grandfather, who took this situation surprisingly well. Maybe it was because he saw how happy his grandson was. Either way, he welcomed Yami into their family, and allowed him to help in the shop. He had offered to send Yami into school, but he turned the offer down. It just didn't feel right to go back to school after 700 years, nor did he feel like he would fit in. Not that that stopped all the girls that saw him every time Yami came to walk Yugi home from school from flirting with him.

When the bell rang, Yami lifted up the hood on his black jacket and looked towards the door. In just a few minutes, students began to file into the courtyard, eager to head home. Most of the students avoided him by walking on the far side of the gate, but a few girls tried to hang around him. Most girls just settled for giving him a shy smile before continuing their walk home, lest they provoke another accident. Yami didn't take too kindly tot he filrty girls in the first few days. One time a girl pushed a little to hard and it resulted in her with a cast and him forbidden from coming any closer than the gate. It at least seemed like none of the girls were going to approach him this time.

As his eyes scanned over the other students, he smiled as he spotted Yugi walking out of the school doors. He was chatting with Jonouchi, laughing at something the other said. As they drew closer, Yami held his breath as he searched Yugi. Blue school uniform, black belts, backpack, ruby... Yami released his breath in a sigh of relief.

Ever since the Sorrows, Yami had been adamant that Yugi always wear the ruby, lest they try to come back. He had pushed the other to wear it all the time, but Yugi put his foot down at wearing it in the shower. Even though he had Yugi's word that he would wear it all the time, Yami still kept an eye out for it every time he saw the other. While he was sure that the Sorrows were moving onto a different Mother, Yami didn't want to risk it.

"Hey, Yami!" Said person smiled as Yugi jogged the rest of the way to him. When they were close enough, Yugi gave him a quick peck on the cheek.

"How was school?"

"It was fine, we just had a test in algebra."

Jonouchi walked up to the two and groaned, "I bombed that test, I just know it"

Yugi turned to his best friend, "But, you've been doing really well on the quizes, right? So this test shouldn't hurt you too bad."

"That's only because he allows quiz corrections." Jonouchi smiled and wrapped an arm around Yugi, "But, I know that my best friend wouldn't mind some tutoring lessons, right?"

Even though Yami knew the two were friends, he couldn't help the possessive feeling in his chest and the glare that crossed his eyes. While he was able to hold back the growl, he needed to grip his arms tight. Luckily, Jonouchi caught a glimpse of him, and released Yugi.

"Hey, I'll try and come over this weekend so that you can help me with algebra, okay?"

Yugi nodded, "Sure. See you tomorrow."

"Bye." With one last cautious look at Yami, who had calmed down a bit, Jonouchi walked away from the school towards home.

Yami was prepared when Yugi turned around with a disappointed look on his face, "I thought I did a better job than last time."

Yugi sighed, "You did, I just don't understand why you keep feeling that way."

Yami shrugged, "I guess there are somethings that stuck from having those curses."

"Well, if you want to make friends, you're going to have to get used to people being around me. Speaking of which, you remember how I have a project in history, right?"

Yami quirked an eyebrow, not quite liking where this was going, "Yeah?"

Yugi clasped his hands behind his back, "Well me and my partner are falling behind a bit, so I invited him over to work on it."

Yami closed his eyes and breathed through his nose. He hadn't met this partner before, and the thought of a stranger coming back to the house was not too pleasing; however, he needed to shake this feeling of reluctance at every stranger, "Where are they?" The words came out more bitter than intended.

"He said it would be just a minute, so I told him to meet us out here."

Crimson eyes opened to look at Yugi who was watching the school door, "You told him about me?"

Yugi glanced at him before returning to the door, "I didn't want two people to be on edge about meeting a stranger, so I told him that you were my boyfriend and that you are a bit cold to strangers."

Yami rolled his eyes, "I must sound like a charmer."

Yami could hear the smiled in Yugi's voice, "You're getting better. There he is!"

When Yami looked at the stranger, his breath caught in his chest. He stood tall as his eyes, unblinking tried to make sense of who he saw walking towards them. Pale skin, black and yellow spiky hair, blue eyes, and yellow tattoo on his cheek… it couldn't be…

"Yusei! Hey, glad your could come."

Yusei nodded as he stopped in front of the pair, "I'm guessing this is Yami?"

Yugi nodded happily, "Yami this is Yusei… Yami?" Yugi was looking at Yami with concern in his eyes.

Yami was frozen. Yusei was here. He was alive, but he can't be. Of course he could, but he was here? How? Why? What should he do?

"Yugi told me that you were wary of strangers."

Yami blinked, "Yeah…" He shook his head, but the shock still remained, "Yeah, I'm just a bit protective, if you would."

"I can promise you that you won't have to worry about me." Yusei held out his hand, "Truce?"

Yami smiled and took the offered hand, "Truce."

The two stayed there, holding the other's hand and looking at one another. It didn't feel awkward, but more as if they were having a silent conversation. Yami wasn't prepared, however, when Yusei pulled him off the wall and into a hug.

"Yusei!" Yami exclaimed as his face turned red. After a few seconds they parted, "Why-?!"

Yusei shrugged his shoulders, "I figured it was what you wanted. I could tell."

Yami could only smile in response to his words. He didn't know what to say to that, luckily, Yugi did, "Yami I think you found your first friend!"

Yusei chuckled and turned to Yugi, "Should we head off to your house then?"

"Yup!" Yugi turned face and began walking away with Yusei by his side. The two started talking about what they had to do with their project, leaving Yami to stare after them smiling.

He just couldn't believe it. Not only was Yugi with him once again, but his best friend from 700 years ago has found him once more. Never in a million years did he think that this would ever happen to him; much less that he would even be happy with it. During his curse, he would have seen this as torture and would have killed anyone who even suggested this as a happy ending, but now, he wouldn't want it any other way.

It was a journey to get to this, to right the wrongs made in the past, but the destination was here. Of course there were still bumps in the road, such as Yugi's friends, but with time he knew that everything would smooth out.

Yami laughed as he thought back to those friends. A few months ago, he wouldn't have cared about those friends, and he would have prefered them out of his life. Now, he would do anything to make them like him, and it was all thanks to Yugi. Before he met Yugi, he thought his life was a spiral of murder, torture, and demons. Having met Yugi, his life is about friends, forgiveness, and love; just as it was always supposed to be.

The End

(That's a wrap! Btw, the song that the music box plays is called Carousel of Life by Lucas King, if you want to give it a listen. Thanks for sticking with me through this: I haven't had this much fun writing a story before. Please, tell me what you liked, what I can improve on, or whatever, and keep and eye out for my next story Blackwater is Red)