Rated for some Violence and Death.
Pairings: none
Toli: It's that time...again!
Mena: It's another fic from your favorite set of twins!
Toli: This is the sequel to Home And Not Alone, and if you haven't read that, we highly suggest you do, because his story CANNOT STAND ON ITS OWN. And with that settled, let's move on!
Mena: Before we begin, we have someone to import! Our friend from the prequel who was supposed to join us here! Say hello to Kitsune!
Kitsune: (suddenly appears) Hey, people! (waves) I'm glad I could make it!
Jesselda: So I guess I'll be doing the disclaimer then...
Toli: If you please!
Jesselda: (sighs) the twins don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, and I never wanted to, so you don't have to worry about me.
Mena: Now it's ficcy time!
Yugi to Yami
Yami to Yugi
ONE: The Strange Occurrence
"Oh, man!"
The other three sighed in unison. "Let me guess, the pop quiz today?" Tea guessed.
Tristan nodded. "It was killer. Half of that stuff I don't even remember us going over in class!"
"That's because you use class to catch up on your sleep," Tea said. "But truly, that quiz was so hard. They've never been that hard before, have they? Or are we just getting lazy?"
"No, it was the quiz," Yugi said. "I barely got a passing grade on it."
"Same here," Tea said.
Joey grunted. "I failed. So imonna hafta take anotha one with all da otha failures."
Yugi, Tea, and Tristan sympathized with Joey. "At least school's over for the weekend," Tea said. "We can all do something fun to make up for today's beating."
"I have to go home and help Grandpa," Yugi said. "He got some new items for the shop today and needs my help organizing things."
"We'll walk you," Tea offered.
Joey scratched his nose. "I would, but I gotta wait for Serenity to get outta class." Serenity, of course, was one grade below Joey and the others, and her teacher had this thing about running a few minutes over the bell.
"I have to wait for Serenity too," Tristan said, clearing his throat.
"Tristan, for da las' time, you ain't gettin' Serenity!" Joey told him.
Tea rolled her eyes. "Come on, Yugi," she said as they started to walk away from the now feuding juniors, "I'll walk you home."
"Thanks, Tea," Yugi said with a smile.
"So, what new things did Mr. Moto get for the shop?" Tea asked as they walked down the sidewalk.
Yugi shrugged, reaching up to adjust his backpack's straps to a more comfortable position on his shoulders. "Some new cards, I think, and maybe a couple other things. I didn't get to see much of it because I overslept this morning and was rushing around trying to not be late."
Tea nodded in response. Then she frowned. "Yugi, is something wrong? You seem kind of distracted."
"Oh-nothing really, I guess," Yugi said, looking up.
"Yugi, you can't fool me," Tea said. "You look worried. You don't have to tell me what it is, but at least don't lie."
Yugi sighed, glancing down at his feet before looking up at his childhood friend again. "Well...I hate to say anything about it, but lately, I've been thinking about...well, about Nona."
Tea couldn't help a shudder at the mention of the girl who had tried to murder Yugi. That had been a month ago, and it seemed like things had gotten back to normal-as normal as they were-since then. "What about her?" she asked.
"Well, I just can't seem to get her out of my mind lately," Yugi said. "I don't know why, but for the last week I keep wondering about her. I mean, I know she tried to kill me, but her story was sad. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for her."
"Really?" Tea was surprised. "But why are you thinking about that now?"
Yugi shrugged. "I don't even know," he said. "It was just like I was living life, and then a week ago, suddenly my mind was filled with thoughts of her. I couldn't tell you why." He sighed and looked down. "She's even in my dreams. I can't stop thinking about her."
"You've talked to Yami about it, right?" Tea asked.
Yugi nodded.
"And what does he think?"
"He says he doesn't understand why I would feel sorry for her," Yugi said with another sigh. "But I can't help it. I don't know what to do." In truth, he didn't understand himself why he felt sorry for Nona. He was naturally a forgiving person, but everyone's forgiveness has a limit. He wished there was someone who knew how he felt.
Just then, Yugi thought he heard a giggle. He looked up, but Tea didn't look like she had just been giggling. Her face was solemn as she looked ahead, considering what Yugi had just told her.
Yugi thought there was something familiar about the sound of that giggle, but he thought it was just him.
Then, he heard it again. It sounded closer but still strangely distant. Yugi took a glance behind himself to see if there was a little kid behind them or something. There was a figure very far away, walking in the opposite direction, but that was all.
Yugi? Is everything all right?
I think so. I just keep hearing some girl giggling, and she sounds familiar. It's kind of creeping me out.
Hmm. I don't sense anyone near, except for Tea. Perhaps you're imagining things.
I hope that's what it is. Well...then again, I don't want to think I'm crazy.
Yami chuckled mentally. I doubt you're insane, Yugi.
Then, Yugi heard the giggle another time. It sounded closer. Yugi tensed when he realized exactly who it sounded like.
Nona.
I must be imagining things, Yugi thought.
Then, he heard Nona again. She was speaking in a singsong voice, and it totally creeped him out. "Silver and gold can kill you. Silver and gold can kill you."
Yugi stopped, nervous. What was this about? Why was he even hearing Nona? And why was she talking about silver and gold?
Yugi, what's wrong?
"Yugi?" Tea had noticed Yugi stop and turned, concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Silver and gold can kill you. Silver and gold can kill you."
Yugi?
"Yugi?"
"Silver and gold can kill you. Silver and gold can kill you."
Yugi!
"Yugi, tell me what's wrong!"
Suddenly, darkness seemed to come from nowhere and converge on Yugi. Yami's and Tea's voices faded, and the last thing he heard was Nona.
"Silver and gold can kill youuuu..."
"Yugi. Wake up. Wake up, my boy."
Yugi's eyebrows furrowed. What had happened?
"I think he's waking up."
"It looks like it. Yugi? Can you hear us?"
Yugi opened his eyes and saw both Grandpa and Tea leaning over him, both looking very worried. His head hurt, and so did his right elbow. His head was in his grandfather's lap.
"Oh, thank goodness." Grandpa looked relieved. "You had me worried there for a moment! Are you all right, Yugi?"
Yugi nodded slowly. "I-I think so. What happened?"
"You passed out right in front of the shop," Tea said. She looked scared. "Just before that, you had been acting strange. You stopped walking, and you looked afraid. And then...you just fell over."
Grandpa helped Yugi sit up. Yugi rubbed his head where it hurt the most. They were all on the floor in the living room inside the home.
"Do you have any idea what happened, Yugi?" Grandpa asked.
Yugi shook his head. "No," he said. "Maybe it was just some freak accident."
"I'm just glad you're okay," Tea said. She still sounded a little shaken up. "You really freaked me out, Yugi."
Yugi gave her one of his don't-worry-about-me-I'll-be-fine smiles. "If you guys don't mind," he said, "I'm gonna go upstairs and take a nap, maybe."
"All right," Grandpa said. He and Tea helped Yugi stand up. "I'll be up to check on you," Grandpa added.
"And I can come back," Tea said. "Or I can just stay here."
Grandpa told her that she could stay if she wanted. Meanwhile Yugi went upstairs and into his room. He sat on his bed and looked around. He couldn't hear Nona anymore.
Why did you lie to them?
I didn't really want to say anything to them about it. I thought I was past this.
Yugi, you have to tell me what you heard. I know you heard something.
Yugi sighed mentally.I think I...I think I heard Nona. She was singing this really weird sounding song, about how silver and gold can kill me, or something like that. Then...I don't know. I was just gone. It kind of scared me.
I can see why. Yami sounded angrily upset, but it wasn't directed at Yugi. There's something I think you should know. After what happened the last time I kept secrets from you, I'm not about to do it again.
What is it?
I believe that something happened to cause you to pass out.
Do you mean, it wasn't an accident?
No. I sensed a flare of magic just before you fell unconscious; that was why I was trying so frantically to reach you. Something or someone might have used magic against you.
But who? Who would try to knock me out?
I don't know.
And why? Nona is dead, I know that much, so it couldn't be her. Great. Just when I thought things were starting to get back to normal. Do you realize how little sense this makes? Who's after me now?
Yami appeared in transparent form beside Yugi, who had his knees pulled up to his chest, his arms resting on top of them, and his face in his arms. Yami put an arm around Yugi's shoulders.
"Maybe it was just an accident," Yugi said through his arms. "Maybe there's no reason to worry. Because I really don't want to have to fear for my life again."
Yami stayed silent.
"Please say something," Yugi said in a strained tone.
"Don't worry, Yugi," Yami said. "It's going to be all right. I promise you."
Yugi nodded into his arms as a sign of agreement. "You're right," he finally said, sighing and letting himself fall backwards. "Maybe this was just a freak accident and we don't have anything to worry about. Let's go with that line of thought until we have reason to believe otherwise, okay?"
Yami smiled slightly. "If you want to."
Yugi nodded, his eyes already closing from exhaustion. "Okay...goodnight..."
Yami's smile disappeared. He looked out the window at the sunlight shining in. Whenever danger presented itself, he became alert and stayed alert until he had reason to do otherwise. This would be no exception, and this time, there would be no secrets. Yami was not about to make the same mistakes he had last time. He would keep Yugi safe, even if it meant sacrificing himself. He looked down at Yugi, who was now peacefully asleep.
I promise I'll watch over you.
END CHAPTER
Mena: Hum...Yeah, this should work.
Toli: Yeah. Our old readers know we never start off with all the excitement in the world.
Kitsune: But it will get exciting, right?
Mena: Of course! You guys just have to come back next time!
Jesselda: Review and tell them what you think.