Healing Touch

Author’s Note - I can’t believe so much time has gone by like this. I can only apologize to everyone and thank each of you for your kind persistence and patience. The doctors finally figured out what’s been going on with my health, which didn’t go over with my husband very well. Long story short, he’s moved out and I’m trying to move on with my life. I’m trying to write when the muses and my own condition allow.

Please check out my user page after reading this and join my yahoo group for update information if you’re interested. I’m also working with several other anime fans in regards to stories, and the link is also on my page.

Disclaimer - I do not own Yugioh nor do I make any money off of this. This story is simply for the sake of amusement and not for any other purpose.

Chapter Five - Picking Up Normality Again

Joey had stayed again at the Mutou’s home that night, waking up when Solomon had gently tapped at the door to rouse the boys for school.

The blond and the older Mutou had discussed school, and the decision had been made to send Yugi with him today. However, if it was too much, Yugi could come home if need be and Solomon would call the school to tell them that his grandson had been ill recently and would be allowed to come home if he felt that he didn‘t feel well enough to finish the day. Joey would skip the rest of school to get his friend home, even if Grandpa wasn’t too pleased with that idea. In their minds, the small teenager needed to get back into the normal swing of things to help him begin healing but they were also aware that small steps would be needed to allow the healing to begin.

“Yugi, you awake over there?”

“Not willingly.”

The soft answer sounded groggy and just a tiny bit grumpy, which made Joey grin to himself. His little buddy could never be called a morning person, and it was good to see that it hadn’t changed despite the heartbreak he’d gone through. He laughed quietly, rolling to sit up and grin at the grumpy looking Yugi.

“Why don’t you get your shower while I see if Gramps needs help with breakfast? I can get mine after you’re done.”

“Do I really have to?”

Joey grinned at the other, wanting to try to keep things as normal as possible. To do that, it meant dragging Yugi in with him during classes they both hated and the two of them shared an avid dislike for quite a few of the subjects they had to take this year.

“Sorry buddy but if I have to sit through algebra with Ms. Takeda, then you’re going to suffer through it with me.”

His response was a pillow thrown at him, which he ducked with a warm laugh. It looked as if Yugi was in there, hurting and needing healing, but the sweet personality Joey cared for was still there. The two former spirits had been right, the little one simply needed time and affection from his friends.

He laughed again, helping Yugi untangle himself from his blankets before rising to head downstairs to see if the older Mutou needed help with preparing the food for the morning meal.

Once alone, Yugi slipped into the bathroom and stared into the mirror over the sink with wide eyes. His hands clenched onto the cool countertop as he took in the paleness of his own features and the mix of emotions in his own eyes.

“Why,” he whispered to his own reflection. “Why wasn’t I enough? Why did he have to leave me?”

Truth be told, a part of Yugi knew why Yami had gone. He and his soul partner had spoken of things as the other’s memories were uncovered little by little. The small duelist knew how many sacrifices had been made through Yami’s life and how badly the ancient spirit wanted it to end.

However, that knowledge did nothing to ease the soul searing pain he was going through.

Tears slipped down his cheeks as he hurried through undressing and went into the shower, letting the warm water hide the droplets as they fell from his eyes.

Yugi went through the motions of cleaning himself, trying to ignore the tears and the aching that seemed to go on forever. He felt so conflicted, which was ripping even more at him as he tried to settled that chaos.

He wanted nothing more than Yami’s happiness and now that the pharaoh had received it, the duelist was miserable in spite of the relief that his friend and soul partner was finally getting the rest he had needed for so long.

It was a mess of emotions that he simply couldn’t sort through, despite everything he tried, and he wanted it to stop. The problem was that he just wasn’t sure how to do it and didn’t know if it even could be done.

The teenager was quiet as he dressed for school, picking up his backpack and heading towards the kitchen where he could hear Joey and Grandpa chattering about various things.

“Good morning, Yugi-chan. I fixed your favorite this morning.”

Yugi looked at his grandpa, who was setting a plate of pancakes on the table for him. This was indeed his favorite breakfast, and it really was nice of the older man to go out of his way to do something like this.

“Thank you, Grandpa, it smells really good.”

Solomon beamed at his grandson and patted the chair in silent invitation as he looked to the other teen that he viewed as a grandson as well.

“Hurry with your shower, Joey, and I’ll have a plate ready for you when you get out.”

“Sure thing, Grandpa. Be right back.”

The blond dashed to get ready, anxious to sink his teeth into such a delicious smelling and looking meal. He loved Grandpa’s cooking and was so very happy each time he was included. He came back down a short while later to find a fresh plate of pancakes waiting for him. Yugi had managed to eat about half of the meal as well as downing a glass of milk, which had satisfied Grandpa.

Joey took his seat, demolishing his way through the meal. He gave a grin at the older man as Solomon sipped his coffee.

“Judging from the way you’re tearing through it, I think you approve of breakfast?”

The grin grew wider as he took a deep drink of the milk before answering the question.

“Oh yeah. You make the best pancakes in the world.”

Solomon chuckled at that. Joey was definitely good for the ego when it came to his cooking.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying it,” he said as he rose, handing bento boxes for both of them. “Now you should get going or you’ll be late. I’ll take care of clean up. Joey, are you staying here again tonight?”

“I should check and see if the old man’s still alive or not but yeah, I’ll be by after I check on him.”

Solomon nodded. He didn’t approve of the man’s habits and hated that Joey took the brunt of his father’s bad temper.

“I’ll have dinner ready about six thirty. Does that work for you?”

The blond head nodded, mouth full of his last bite of breakfast.

“That sounds good to me. Gives me time to check on him and then head back here to work on homework with Yugi.”

Solomon chuckled at that. He’d been encouraging both boys to do their best in school and had often helped Joey with his assignments to help him keep his grades up.

“All right then. You two get going. I don’t want you to be late.”

He ruffled his grandson’s hair as Yugi slipped from his chair to put the plate in the sink. The small teenager batted at his hand, making the older Mutou chuckle at that.

“Grandpa,” he protested as his guardian did it again. He batted at his hand one more time, trying to keep his grandfather from messing up the spiky hairdo.

“Come on, Yugi, we gotta scram or we’re gonna be late.”

Amethyst eyes went to the clock, then winced. Yup, they were going to barely make it before the bell if they left now.

“Oh man,” he muttered, grabbing his backpack before following his best friend out the front door.

Solomon chuckled as both teenagers called out a good bye to him before the door slammed closed behind them. He picked up the dishes and began cleaning, thinking on his two boys as he did so.

Today would be a difficult day for Yugi, he knew, but the old gamer also knew that his grandson’s friends would be there to help him start the normal pace of everyday life back up again.

“Good luck today, Yugi. I know you’ll fight hard and do well,” the old man muttered to himself as he finished the clean up and then headed to the shop to begin opening for his own day.

Yes, normality had started to return to the Mutou household. For how long, only destiny and the gods would know. But for now, Solomon would take whatever was granted to him and his family.

Author’s End Note - It’s a bit short, but there’s another chapter done and lots more to do for my other tales. Keep an eye out for other sections on my page as they come up. I’ve been getting interested in other anime and the wombat kennel has been trying to perk up with new ideas for stories in those genres. Again, if you’re interested in being alerted to updates, hit my author page for information! Thanks for reading and please leave a review. Feed the muses!