Yami to Hikari (Darkness and Light)

Yami to Hikari 7: Rei Wa Yurute (Releasing of the Soul)

Yami to Hikari 7: Rei Wa Yurute (Releasing of the Soul)
By Sunsinger and Heather MacCloud
 
Translation:
Khuka- Protected Soul
Pharos- Ancient Egyptian Lighthouse, same root as Pharaoh.
 
In Japan if you are friends then to use the last name in a gathering where the person is being called by their first, it to place the person outside the group.
 
 
 
(Joey mispronunciations are deliberate because dat is how de boi speeks.)
 
THURSDAY
 
 
 
Yami walked into Yugi's room, smiling softly at the sight that greeted him. Yugi and Ryou were curled up on the bed together, holding each other close. Yami walked over, turning Yugi's head to the side and kissing him deeply. "Wake up, Hikari. You'll be late for school."
 
"hmmm" Yugi opened his eyes and blinked. "Y'mi?" He muttered and turned over on his back.
 
Yami kissed him again, softly. "Yes, Aibou." He pulled the boy into a sitting position. "You need to get up now, and get ready for school."
 
Yugi wrapped his arms around Yami's neck. "No school today."
 
"Nice try, Aibou, but your school has class on Thursday. Now get up, you don't want to be late." He unwound Yugi's arms from around his neck.
 
Yugi fell back to the bed with a chuckle. "Hai, Yami-chan." Laughing, he poked Ryou in the side. He shook his head when Ryou turned and curled around his pillow tightly, a frightened look flew across his face.
 
Yami shook his head also. "Go shower, Aibou, I'll wake up Ryou."
 
"Hai." Yugi slid off the bed and padded off to the bathroom.
 
Yami kneeled down and shook Ryou gently. "Ryou, wake up. It's time for school."
 
He clenched his pillow tighter and whimpered in his sleep.
 
Yami rubbed his back, sighing softly. "Ryou, it's okay, wake up, now. You're safe."
 
Pale lids opened. "Nani. Oh, Yami-sam... kun. Ohayo. Is Yugi-kun up?"
 
"Yes, he's in the shower."
 
Ryou nodded, platinum hair falling in his face. "Good. What do you want me to make for breakfast? What would Yugi-kun eat?"
 
"You two overslept a bit, go take a shower, breakfast is almost done."
 
Yami brushed the hair away from his face.
 
Ryou bowed his head briefly. "Arigatou, Yami-kun."
 
Yami lifted Ryou's head, "Don't bow, Ryou."
 
"I'm sorry. You're just so nice. And..." Ryou blushed before he turned to slide off the bed
 
Yami took Ryou's arm gently. "And?"
 
Ryou mumbled a reply and headed for the door.
 
Yami shook his head and went downstairs to check on the rice he'd started.
 
After about a quarter of an hour, Ryou and Yugi came down, laughing and smiling. Seeing bowls of rice and glasses of juice set out, they sat down.
 
"Arigatou, Yami-kun."
 
"You're welcome, Ryou."
 
Ryou blushed and finished his rice. After he rinsed out his glass and bowl he waited for Yugi.
 
Yugi finished and ran for the door.
 
Yami shook his head and followed the boys out of the house, locking the door on his way out.
 
Ryou looked at Yugi and smirked. Pulling out one of the two decks his Yami had given back to him. "Yugi-kun, Yami-kun? Why do you think he left these two?" Ryou showed them a 'change of heart' and a ‘soul release' cards. "They aren't bad cards."
 
"Maybe there's a meaning behind them..."
 
Yami said, looking over the two cards.
 
* * *
 
Joey looked up from where he and Tristan were sitting in an alley, talking and waiting for their friends to come by on the way to school. Seeing Yami, Yugi and Ryou walk by tap tapped Tristan on the shoulder. "Yo, Tristan buddy, I think it's time we asked those three what's up. We haven't really talked to them for almost a month." "Yeah, Let's go get him." Tristan said, jumping up.
 
Joey ran up to the three and pounced on Yugi, lifting him up and spinning him around. Yugi laughed and covered Joey's hands with his own. "Put me down, Joey."
 
Tristan ran up, wrapping his arm around Ryou's neck and ruffling his hair. Ryou laughed and tried to push him off.
 
Yami just shook his head, smiling at the boys.
 
"Where ya been, Yug, every time we try to hook you one of you is sick or you all are busy?"
 
Yugi looked into Joey's eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry. We’ve been having a lot of trouble lately. Yami's wife has been reincarnated, Ryou's Yami is being a bastard, I almost drowned, and Ryou's living with us."
 
Joey's eyes widened in his trademark "Overwhelmed with what I've just heard" stare. "Damn, Yug..."
 
Ryou snickered softly, covering his mouth with his hand.
 
Yugi laughed and hugged Joey. "It's ok. That's how we feel. We'll tell you about it over lunch but you can't tell Téa. Whatever you do, *don't* tell her."
 
"Why can't we tell Téa?" Tristan asked, letting go of Ryou.
 
"Because Téa is the reincarnation of my wife." Yami answered.
 
Joey stood stunned. "Whoa. OK. Ummmm..." Joey looked around for a new topic of conversation. Noticing the cards in Ryou's hand, he looked at them. "Hey, is the Soul release new? I recognize your change of heart. It's your fav card, right?"
 
"Yes, it is." Ryou turned the cards so Joey could see them better.
 
"Yeah, where'd ya get them? They got new cards out?"
 
"I bought them, for my Yami. He gave them back to me." Ryou answered quietly.
 
Joey widened his eyes and stood up, yelling, "That asshole. How dare he!"
 
"Well, Joey he kept the other pack of cards and we still don't know why he gave back those cards. They're powerful. I wonder what it means..." Yugi asked as they approached the school.
 
Yami blinked with sudden realization. "His name..."
 
"Whose name Yami-kun?" Ryou asked quietly, putting the cards away.
 
"Your Yami, my brother, his name is Shebi-ib. It means Change of Heart."
 
Ryou stopped and turned to Yami, pressing his hand on Yami's chest. "Change of heart... is his name?!"
 
Yami nodded, taking Ryou's hand off his chest and holding it, "Yes, he was named ‘Change of Heart’ because I first held him, I laughed."
 
"So he was named for you? Cool." Tristan replied. He stopped and turned to Yami, "What's the big deal with you laughing? Were you upset or something?"
 
"He is */MY*/ brother." Yami asserted. He shook his head. "No but when one is being raised as a pharaoh there is not much opportunity for laughing or playing. So I was a serious child."
 
Yugi wrapped one arm around Yami's waist and hugged him tightly. "We will get back. Somehow beside, you promised Ryou that you would save his Yami. And you never break a promise."
 
Yami put one arm around Yugi, "Yes, in two more days."
 
* * *
 
The nurse twitched her linen skirt out of the way. Entering the room, she saw the young pharaoh apparent waiting with his father. Smiling at little Kekewy, she looked to the father before gesturing to the boy.
 
The Pharaoh nodded and she kneeled down before Kekewy, "Your highness, your brother has been born. Do you wish to see him?"
 
Kekewy nodded, curious as to what had been making his mother so big the last few months. Turning to his father for permission. "Yes, Father."
 
She held out her hand and led him inside.
 
The queen lay in the bed, her red and gold hair plastered to her head. She turned and smiled at her first son sweetly. She held out her hand to help pull him up the bed. "Kekewy. Come meet your brother. He came early, just for you. We haven't named him yet. We hoped coulcould help us think of one."
 
The overly serious little boy climbed up onto the bed. He sat back on his calves and looked over the baby. "He's little."
 
"Yes, he will be, he was just born. For the next half year I will feed him mother's milk. When he's seven moons old we will start giving him soft food. When he's nine or ten and starts getting teeth, he will eat more healthy food until he's as big as you."
 
Kekewy nodded again, reaching out to touch the new baby's arm.
 
The queen smiled. "Do you want to hold him? You have to be gentle and hold up his head."
 
"May I?" He looked up at his mother with big crimson eyes.
 
The queen brushed Kekewy's hair. She took his arms and shaped them into a cradle. She took the baby from a nurse, "Be careful, keep your arms like this. Let your elbow support his head. If you let his head fall, his neck might snap. If it does, he'll die. And you will lose him. So be careful."
 
She set the baby in his arms, and moved him until he lay against her. Humming she stroked his hair as he rocked the baby.
 
Kekewy looked down at the baby in his arms, holding him carefully and watching him closely. "Does he do anything, Mother?"
 
"He loves. Right this minute, he loves you completely and totally and you are the most important person in his life."
 
The 5-year-old smiled as his mother said that, starting to relax as she petted his hair.
 
The baby turned in his arms and nuzzled his her’her’s warm skin. Finding a nipple, he tried to suckle. When he didn't get anything he started to cry.
 
Keke giggled softly when the baby nuzzled him, and then jumped a bit when the baby cried. "Mother, what's the matter with him?" His voice was full of distress.
 
"He wanted something Keke, he's hungry and he tried to get it from you. You can't give mother's milk." She reached out for the baby.
 
He looked at her, his crimson eyes full of sadness and betrayal at the thought of having to give his back the precious gift.
 
"He is... you when you grow up will be able to give him everything but this... this is something only one who is a mother can give him. I remember how upset your father was because he couldn't nurse you... it will take an hour or so, do you want to stay?"
 
Kekewy nodded. "I want to stay with him."
 
"Ok," She took the baby and put him to her nipple.
 
Kekewy reached out and gently poked one of his brother's feet, running his finger along the sole. He hadn't seen his other brothers or his sister so young. His eyes were wide with curiosity as he watched his brother.
 
The baby wiggled and settled in to nurse again. The queen watched this happen and stroked her son's hair.
 
"He's soft." The boy smiled, playing with his brother's feet..
 
"Yes, he is. He's going to be soft for a while. You'll be careful won't you?" She whispered
 
Kekewy looked up at her, going serious again. "Yes, Mother, I'll take good care of him. I won't let anything bad happen to him, ever."
 
She looked down at her serious son, leaning over to kiss him on the forehead. "I know Kekewy, I know."
 
He smiled at his mother briefly. "When can I have him back?"
 
She laughed. "When he has finished eating, I’ll teach you to burp him. Then you can hold him for another hour or so.
 
His lower lip stuck out in a small pout. He didn't want to wait, his brother was HIS and he wanted him back then and there.
 
The queen switch the babe to her other breast and she signaled a nurse. "Bring Kekewy a cloth, he's to learn to burp his brother."
 
The queen switch the babe to her other breast and she signaled a nurse. She smiled at her son's pout. It was the first time she ever saw him do that. "Bring Kekewy a cloth's t's to learn to burp his brother."
 
"Mother, does it hurt when he does that?"
 
"No, it helps. I have milk in me, and when I don't nurse him, my milk goes bad and then it hurts." The baby turned away from the nipple and wiped the last bits of milk from her nipple.
 
Kekewy nodded, waiting impatiently for the nurse to return.
 
The nurse laid a small narrow cotton cloth over his left shoulder. The queen pulled her son closer and placed the baby in his arms. She placed his small hands on the baby's back. "Rub then thump lightly, keep doing it until he burps."
 
Kekewy rubbed the baby's back, barely tapping him on the back.
 
"You can do it a little harder."
 
Kekewy nodded, tapping a little harder. "How do I know when he burp, Mother?"
 
"Burps, Kekewy. Easy, there will be spit all over the towel." She laid back and watched her sons.
 
"Yuck." The boy made a face as the patted his brother's back.
 
"Well, you did it too..." She closed her eyes and drifted off.
 
Kekewy looked at his mother, cocking his head to one side. "Mother? Do you want me to leave while you take a nap?"
 
"No... I’ll rest for now, if you want to lay down, you can."
 
"Okay, Mother." Kekewy continued to burp the baby, partially wondering what to do after he was done.
 
After the baby burped, the nurse took the cloth and wiped his mouth. Kneeling, before the young heir, "He'll sleep now, in an hour or so he'll eat again.
 
"That's all he does?" The boy asked.
 
"Well yes, he's just born, he need to grow. After a couple months he'll do more. Promise."
 
Kekewy nodded, then carefully put his brother on the bed, lying next to him
 
* * *
 
Ryou stared at Yami, his eyes shining. "That's amazing. I never thought of my Yami as a baby. You loved him a lot, didn't you?"
 
"Yes. I do. He's mine, the Pharaoh himself gave him to me," Yami answered.
 
Ryou's smile fell a bit before he awkwardly hugged Yami. "Thank you tel telling me. Maybe one day..."
 
Yugi tapped the puzzle. "Sorry, Nushi, but we’re at school. Time to go in."
 
Yami sighed, patting Ryou on the back. "We'll talk more later." The Puzzle started to glow and Yami faded from sight. Goodnight, Aibou, wake me at lunch.
 
Joey wrapped his arm around Ryou's shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll get your Yami back and fix him. I promise or I'm not Joey Wheeler! HEHEHEHE!" Joey dragged Ryou towards class.
 
Yugi sighed and looked at Tristan before he followed them.
 
* * *
 
Yami came out of the Puzzle as soon as the group was off by themselves, appearing beside Yugi in soft flash of gold light.
 
Ryou sat down and crossed his legs. Giving Yami a slight bow, he smiled, "Hello, Yami-kun,"
 
"YAM-MAN! Ok now that were alone, what's the whole story? I mean, a wife?! And TEA???"
 
Yami hugged Yugi slightly at the mention of Téa and his wife. "I was a Pharaoh, Joey. I was expected to continue my family line. I had a wife, and children. However, thanks to the Dark Games and the Shadow Realm, I hurt them very badly. Téa is the reincarnation of my wife, and mine and Yugi's relationship has brought her out again."
 
Yugi nodded and pressed closer to Yami. "If that was all but she wants Yami back."
 
"Man, that's harsh, guys," Tristan said.
 
"She's only a minor annoyance at the moment," Yami pointed out, hugging Yugi tighter.
 
"Unfortunately, it seems my Yami is trying to help her. He thinks that Yami has betrayed him. They rescued me from him last Friday, and I haven't been home since. I... care about my Yami but I’m afraid that he'll hurt Yami or Yugi."
 
Ryou said quietly.
 
Joey scratched his head. "No offense Ryou, but your Yami doesn't seem to be the most stable of people. I don't think he can make such a big complex plan. I think someone else has to be helping them."
 
Yami started to say something, as Téa walked up to the group. "Hey guys, I've been looking everywhere for you."
 
"Hey Tea! We missed ya today! What's up?" Joey said loudly.
 
Tea sat down next to Joey across from Yami and Yugi. "What were you all talking about?" she asked.
 
Ryou bit his lip and looked down. "Nothing much. My father called home last week and I was ill. He didn't want me to stay by myself so he called Muto-sama and asked if I could stay over. "
 
"I hope you're feeling better, Bakura-kun," Tea said.
 
Ryou flushed and picked up his lunch. "Yes, much. Yami is a wonderful nurse. And Yugi made sure I was kept warm."
 
Yugi got up and took Ryou's lunch out of his hands. Sitting in Ryou's lap, he started to feed him. "I wasn't the only one who kept you... warm. Yami helped."
 
Yami scooted closer to Ryou and pulled both the boys onto his lap, looking over at Tea.
 
Joey looked at them then at Tea. "Hey Yami, any more room for me on there?"
 
Tristan smacked Joey upside the head. "Not unless you sit in Yugi's lap, baka."
 
Yami shook his head, glaring a bit at Tristan.
 
Tea stood up and glared down at the two Hikari and Yami. Angry, she threw her juice at the two Hikaris. "I can not believe it! You sink further into this /perversion/. First you sully Yugi, now Ryou. All that time I maintained your honor among the rumors about your /closeness/ with /Him/. Now I see it was true. You disgust me!"
 
Tea turned and strode off towards the school not even looking back at the group.
 
Ryou shrank back against Yugi, tears in his eyes. With a muffled sob, he buried his face in Yami's shirt. A cascade of shudders shook his frame. Yami!
 
Yugi's face paled as he tilted his head to look at his Yami. Juice dripped down from soaked golden strands of hair. Yugi raised his hand and wiped his cheek. Gasping, his eyes burned and his fists clenched.
 
Yami's eyes flashed dangerously as he moved Ryou and Yugi off his lap shifting Ryou into Yugi's arms, Silently telling his Hikari to take care of Ryou. He stood up and followed Tea, grabbing her and slamming her into a wall.
 
Joey watched Yami walk away and turn to Tristan. "And he married that crazy bitch?!
 
"He probably didn't have a choice about it," Tristan pointed out.
 
* * *
 
Nefert winced as her head connected to the wall. Glaring out of Tea's eyes, imperiously, "Let me go Keke, or I'll scream. There is a whole school full of people who will defend me."
 
Yami glared the Sennen eye on his forehead glowing as the sky turned purple and pink. "Scream all you want Nefert. No one can hear you here."
 
Nefert laughed cruelly. "Do you think you are the only one who can come here? My allies will save me, though now I see there is nothing to do for you, except the most extreme form of purification. Unfortunately, it may shatter your soul."
 
Yami slapped her across the face. "Who are you working with?!"
 
Nefert head rolled with the slap, "How dare you hit me, /Husband/."
 
"I'm not your HUSBAND anymore Nefert! I don't love you anymore and the way you act I'm not sure I never did!"
 
Nefert teared up. "You can not mean that, we have children. I love you! Even after all you did, I still love you."
 
"Nefert, you're dead! Go back to sleep! Let me live my life in peace! I've endured more than enough hell over the last 5,000 years to make up for what I did to you and the children! I can barely remember that life, MY brother, Shebi is so corrupt he hates me, Henw is gone, and I can't account for any of my other brothers! Let me have a few months of peace before I have to seal myself in that gods forsaken Puzzle for the rest of eternity!"
 
"If he hates you, it's for good reason. I can't believe you did as you did to him. He was such a good boy, loving before you... yet you see nothing wrong in it, or you wouldn't be doing the same to those two boys, yes /boys/. Like our boys. You should go back in the puzzle and leave them in peace before you do to them, what you did to Shebi. " Nefert argued.
 
"What I did to Shebi is NOTHING like the things Yugi and I do. Ryou is only living with us to stay away from Shebi! He's in another of his rages and I can't calm him down. He's hurting the boy."
 
"He's in more danger from you." She said quietly.
 
Yami shook her hard. "What was that?"
 
"You are lost aren't you? Kekewy?" Nefert felt tears run down her face.
 
"No, Nefert, Mes and I are the only ones that have been found."
 
"Poor Ryou, Yugi may be lost but you have damned Ryou as well." Nefert turned from him.
 
"Damned him?! DAMNED him?! Nefert, you didn't see him when he got to Yugi's. He was shaking, and sobbing. His body was covered in bruises. All the boy wanted was Shebi to show him some affection and he beat the boy within an inch of his life. When I got to the house he was hiding in the bathtub shaking."
 
Nefert shook her head and tried to break free. "No you attacked Shebi because he wouldn't give up his Hikari to your... /tastes/."
 
"Attack him?! I restrained him so the boy could get away. He was throwing himself against the door, trying to break down, the child was afraid Shebi would kill him! I could hear every word, every plea! He was begging Yugi to come and save him, begging Shebi not to kill him!"
 
"No...but that's not what he said...he said.. ahm... said." Nefert muttered and collapsed.
 
Yami shook her harder. "Who said?! Who is Shebi's ally? Who is keeping my brother from me?!"
 
"He's doing it again, him and that stick." Nefert crumbled and started crying.
 
Yami let her go, the sights of the school returning as he turned his back on her. "Again... his stick... Ahmose!"
 
Nefert charged him, her nails clawing at his face.
 
Yami grabbed her hands and pushed her hard into the wall, her head bouncing against it. Then he walked back over to Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Ryou. His fists were clenched; body shaking with rage, and the Sennen eye glowed faintly on his forehead.
 
Nefert fell to the ground, unconscious.
 
* * *
 
Ryou turned at the sound. Once he saw the eye glowing and the expression on Yami's face, he broke from Yugi and crawled backwards. "I'm sorry, Yami-sama."
 
Yami took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but it wasn't helping much. "Shhh, Ryou. I'm not angry at you."
 
Ryou couldn't stop crying. Rocking he kept muttering.
 
Yami sat down, pulling Ryou into his lap and petting his hair. "Shhh, Ryou, I'm not mad at you."
 
"But... it's... ally my fault. I'm weak."
 
"No, it's not your fault. She was the one that started this for no reason other than she can't let go of the past."
 
Ryou snuggled into Yami. "Arigatou... Yami-sama. Suki da."
 
Yami looked at everyone and stood up. "I'm going to take Ryou home."
 
Yugi stood up and kissed Ryou on the neck. "Hai. I'll tell the office that Ryou-chan had to go home."
 
Joey stepped up to Ryou, "Hey, Yugi's got my number, but if you need anything, call me. And Yami, don't let that ass near him. He doesn't need to be hurt again. Want your word on that!"
 
"Yeah, she can't do that to you guys," Tristan piped in.
 
"Come over to the Game Shop after school, we'll talk about this more then," Yami said, turning to leave.
 
* * *
 
Yami waited until they were out of the schoolyard and set Ryou down. He was so angry he couldn't stop himself from shaking and he didn't want to upset Ryou further.
 
Ryou clasped his arms around Yami's neck as Yami set him on his feet. Wide vulnerable brown eyes looked up at Yami. "What's wrong? Am I too heavy? No, I'm sorry, I’m being selfish."
 
"No, Ryou, you're not too heavy at all." He rubbed the boy's back, speaking softly. "And you're not being selfish."
 
Ryou leaned into Yami. Reaching up, he gently stroked Yami's cheek. "Yes I am. Are you okay? She said some awful things to you."
 
"I'll be okay, Ryou. The walk will calm me down, but I'm shaking and I don't want to drop you." He took Ryou's hand, trying to lighten the mood. "You're sticky from the juice, if we don't hurry and get you home bees are going to start chasing us. We're lucky to escape them now as sweet as you are."
 
Ryou blushed and laughed. "Yami." Bowing his head to hide his smile. Ryou started off towards the game shop.
 
Yami smiled walking next to Ryou, occasionally he'd look behind them, wanting to make sure they weren't being followed.
 
Ryou opened the shop door and waited for Yami to in. "Thank you for... earlier Yami.... with Tea."
 
Yami walked in, locking it behind them. "Nothing to thank me for, Ryou. I promised to protect you, and I did."
 
"Hai." Ryou nodded and looked at Yami. Kissing him on the cheek, Ryou ran upstairs while blushing.
 
Yami smiled, at how easily Ryou blushed. He followed him up the stairs, grabbing a towel from the closet on his way to Yugi's room, then he handed it to Ryou. "Take a bath, and I'll wash your uniform."
 
Ryou nodded and went into the bathroom. Once he was undressed, he wrapped himself in the towel and handed his clothes to Yami.
 
Yami took the clothes and headed downstairs. Tossing them in the washing machine, he set it and went back upstairs. Knocking on the bathroom door, he raised his voice, "Ryou, I'm going outside for a while, if you need me call for me with the ring."
 
"Uh huh." Ryou let the hot water soak into him, the heat turning him pink.
 
Lying back, he let the heat sink into every tense part of him. Splashing, he let the water run down his chest. He let it buoy him and cradle him. Warmth like last night with Yami and Yugi. Their arms were gentler than this bath. Tears came to his eyes as he thought of yesterday, of today. Anzu...
 
* * *
 
Yami walked out of the building and into the back yard. As he entered the tiny fenced in area, the day faded into total darkness. The sky took on the colors of the shadow realm. He flipped through his cards and pulled out the Celtic Guardian. He set the card on the ground and whispered a few words over it. A smile crossed his face as he looked up at the elf standing before him and he stood up. "Hello, old friend."
 
The Guardian smiled back at his master, then blinked in confusion. "Master, why have you called me here? There is no battle to fight," The elf asked, seeing no one there but the two of them.
 
"I want you to fight me," Yami stated.
 
The elf's amber eyes widened in horrt tht the Pharaoh's statement. "But, but master!"
 
Yami raised his hand and silenced the Guardian. "Swordsman, please. You've always served me faithfully. Do this for me now," Yami said, looking the elf in the eyes.
 
The Guardian nodded. "Yes, master.’" He sat down his sword and started to remove his armor.
 
"Swordsman, What are you doing?" Yami asked, looking at the elf in confusion.
 
"You wear no armor, master. If I must fight you, I will wear none as well," the Guardian said, setting aside his last piece of armor. He now wore only a dark green tunic and tight leather breaches.
 
The elf picked up his sword as Yami ed hed his hand, a curved Egyptian blade appearing in it. The elf saluted, then stepped back into a defensive position. He would fight as Yami commanded him, but he wouldn’t attack first. The Pharaoh understood and attacked, lunging for the elf’s middle. The guardian countered with an attack of his own, the two swords clashed for several minutes until the elfin blade struck the Pharaoh’s cheek.
 
The Celtic Guardian stopped, nearly dropping his sword as a thin line of blood appeared on Yami’s cheek.
 
"M-m-master!" he stuttered, unsure of what would happen to him next. To spar with his master was one thing, but to injure him was something completely different. The elf fought the urge to drop to his knees and beg Yami for forgiveness as the Pharaoh wiped the blood away from his cheek.
 
"Don’t worry, Swordsman, no harm will come to you," Yami assured the warrior; the elf nodded and hesitantly raised his sword again.
 
"Master, if I may be so bold as to ask. Why did you call me to fight you? I fear nothing from you, but the young master will be quite unhappy with your injuries, and to him we are nothing more than cards," the swordsman said blocking a low strike that left him with a nick on his thigh.
 
"You have nothing more to fear from Yugi than you do me, Swordsman. I won’t allow him to harm you, or your resting place," Yaold old him, turning the crescent blade so the elf’s sword slid off it.
 
The elf didn’t say anything further, despite Yami’s reassurances he was still very nervous about what would happen when Yugi found out about this fight. When his sword found Yami’s flesh again, giving him a deep gash in arm, the elf dropped the offending blade.
 
"Please, master, if I must do this then tell me why? You have never asked me to draw my sword in this way before. Why now and why against you?" The elf was near pleading.
 
"You remember the Dark Games, all those years ago?" the elf nodded and took his sword back as Yami handed it to him. "Do you remember the players? There was one that always stood next to me when he wasn’t playing himself. A boy, shorter than I was with light hair."
 
"Yes, I remember that boy, he looked very close to you." The elf blocked a high swipe from the crescent blade.
 
"Yes, we were brothers. Today, the reincarnation of my wife and I spoke, she accused me of molesting that boy, she said that another of my brothers told her I’d done it to him!" the pharaoh attacked harder with each word. By the end of his short explanation his eyes were again hard with anger and the Sennen eye was shining on his forehead.
 
The elf’s eyes widened and his swing faltered, giving him a slash on the chest as he cried, "Master, why do you attack me then? Bring them here! I’ll gladly take revenge on them for you."
 
Yami couldn’t help but smile at the elf’s devotion, faking out a swing to let the elf know the battle was still going on. "It’s not as simple as that, Swordsman. I don’t know where my brother is, or if he’s even awakened yet."
 
"When you find him, bring him here and I will avenge you, Master." The elf’s amber eyes blazed and his enthusiasm showed in his swing, biting deeply into Yami’s chest and side.
 
Theraohraoh watched the elf’s hardened eyes soften and widen again in horror and sighed, dropping his sword. "That’s enough, Swordsman, I think you, talking to you and fighting with you has helped me calm down a lot."
 
The elf couldn’t hide his relief as he dropped his own sword. "Master, if I may, please, look over your wounds." Yami nodded and the elf was at his side, lifting up the tattered shirt and examining the wounds he’d given his master. The spirit pulled off the ruined shirt and the elf looked up at him. "These are not bad, you’ll recover quickly from them."
 
Yami pushed the elf back and grabbed the hem of his tunic. "Now let me look at your wound."
 
"But, Master, I will go back in the card and my wounds will heal," the elf said, but pulled off his tunic anyway.
 
"And will go inside the Puzzle and the same thing will happen." Yami blinked in mild shock, he’d never seen the elf out of his armor, much less without a shirt. The smooth skin of the elf’s chest was marred only by the single cut Yami’s sword had given him. Sweat ran down the well-defined muscles and the muscles in his arms tensed and relaxe he he clenched and unclenched his fists. Yami ran his finger under the cut, and the elf closed his sighed. "I’d barely call that a scratch." Yami took a step back from the Guardian and held up the card. "It’s time to go back in. Thank you, and good bye, my friend."
 
"Good-bye, Master, call on me when you need me again," the elf ed, ed, fading away and reappearing on the card.
 
Yami put the card back in the deck with the others and sighed, the Shadow Realm disappearing and the sun once again shining on the backyard of the Game Shop. He picked up the tatters of his shirt and walked into the shop, dropping the shirt in the trash on his way.
 
* * *
 
Yami walked upstairs into Yugi's room, wiping sweat from his forehead. He felt infinitely calmer after his fight with the Guardian. His cheek bore a short slash that he barely noticed, though a rather deep gash along his arm and from his side to his stomach were starting to burn as sweat ran into them.
 
Ryou heard Yami coming up the steps. Pleasantly relaxed from the bath, he rolled over to greet Yami. When he saw Yami and blood, he jumped up. Running over to Yami, he looked at the gash on Yami's arm. "Yami-sama. What happened? I didn't hear anything? Was it my Yami?"
 
"I was working out some frustrations, your Yami was no where near," Yami assured him, setting him back on the bed.
 
"Oh. Good." Ryou slid off the bed and went to the bathroom. Kneeling, he checked under the sink for the first aid kit. Not finding it he, went back to the room and asked Yami. "Where's the first aid kit, that looks bad.
 
"It's not bad, Ryou. I'm a spirit remember? I'm going to take a shower. You relax." Yami pushed the boy back to the bed again.
 
"Hai, Yami-sama. As you wish, Yami-sama. I do your will, Yami-sama." Ryou bowed after each sentence. Looking at Yami, he tried not to laugh.
 
Yami shook his head, then dropping on the bed beside Ryou and tickled his ribs.
 
Ryou laughed, gasping. He tried to push Yami away but when that didn't work. He curled up and tried to protect his ribs.
 
Yami tickled him more, a smile spreading across his face.
 
Ryou grabbed a pillow and whacked Yami over the head. Stunned he dropped the pillow and crawled backwards, his jaw dropping.
 
Yami's smile faded as looked over at the stunned boy. "Ryou? What's the matter?"
 
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you like that, Yami-sama. I... got carried away." Ryou lowered his eyes and hoped Yami would forgive him.
 
Yami lifted Ryou's chin to look at him. "Don't be sorry, Ryou and don't call me ‘Yami-sama’."
 
"Hai. I almost reopened your wound. If you tell me where the first aid kit is, I’ll fix your arm when you finish showering." Ryou offered quietly.
 
"It's already open, you couldn't reopen it." The Pharaoh stroked Ryou's cheek. "You were playing, don't apologize for playing."
 
Ryou blushed. "Yes, Yami-kun. The first aid kit?"
 
"Under the sink in the other bathroom."
 
"Hai." Ryou climbed off the bed and picked up the pillow. Smiling sneakily, he placed it on the bed and came up behind Yami, tickling him. While Yami was distracted, Ryou ducked out of the room
 
Yami chuckled, standing up. Ryou was gettinaveraver he was getting better. Yami walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
 
Ryou waited for Yami to finish. He lay down and covered his eyes with his arm. What would it be like if his Yami was like this... if his Yami could love.
 
Yami came out of shower, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. He sighed when he saw the boy on the bed. The Pharaoh went to the dresser and pulled out some clothes. He went back into the bathroom and changed into the fresh pair of pants, waiting until after his cuts were bandaged to put on a shirt. He left the bathroom again and walked over to the bed. He picked up the first aid kit and put a bandage on his side and arm, then looked over the boy again. "Ryou?" he asked, checking if the boy was awake. When no reply came the spirit sat down near him and lifted him so his head was in Yami's lap. He gently moved the boy's arm from over his eyes, sighing sadly when he saw tears clinging to his lashes.
 
"Don't worry, Ryou. Your Yami will love you soon. When all the corruption is gone, he'll give you the love you deserve from him." He put his hand on Ryou's cheek and brushed the tears away.
 
Ryou pushed himself up, seeking warm arms around him.
 
Moaning a bit. He turned until his head was almost off Yami's thigh and his face pressed into Yami's hip.
 
Yami put his arms around him, pulling him up more. His head resting, cradled ne one of Yami's arms, the other was over his chest.
 
Ryou sighed and drifted off to sleep
 
Yami smiled then looked over at Yugi's nightstand. The card Isis had given him was there, sitting next to the phone. The thought for a moment, how many times had he seen Yugi or Ji-chan use the phone to make a call? He reached over, careful not to disturb Ryou and grabbed both the phone and the card. He looked over the numbers written on the card, then hit the same numbers on the phone as on the card and held the receiver to his ear as it rang.
 
"Hello Yami." Isis' voice came over the line.
 
"Isis? Mes?" The Pharaoh sighed softly with relief when she answered.
 
"Hai, Kekewy. Did you have time to read the scroll?"
 
"Yes, I it. it. We're going to use the ritual on him as soon as the moon is full."
 
"Ah, so that's what it was. I see... you are going to save our brother." Isis sighed, "If you need any help..."
 
"Who is Ahmose?"
 
"Ah... our brother?"
 
"I know he's our brother, and he was your twin, but who is he now? Where is he?"
 
"My brother." Isis stated.
 
"You have a brother in this time?" The Pharaoh thought for a moment. "It's fitting. Who is he? Do you know where he is?"
 
"His name is... Malik and no, we... don't get along as well, this time." Isis said regretfully
 
"You don't? I'm sorry, Mes."
 
"He's strange... stranger than before. Malik is insane, our father made him so, but Ahmose is... sadistic."
 
"Sadistic?" Yami questioned, he'd use many words to describe his brother, but sadistic wasn't one he thought of.
 
"Yes. When we were younger, he was loving and happy. Then one-day father sent me to visit an uncle at a temple. When I came home, he was in pain and in bed. Father," she sneered, "a right bastard, /carved/ hieroglyphics into his back. No anesthesia, nothing, just cut. After that he started having a fascination with knives. He became crund And Ahmose doesn’t help that, he uses Malik. He drives him more crazy."
 
"Don't worry, Mes. I'll find him. I try to help them both, but I'll return one brother to you. I promise."
 
"I know... I have little hope that you can heal Malik or Ahmose. Some of the things I hear about what Ahmose does with my brother..." Isis' choked up, trying not to cry.
 
"Mes? What is it? I talked to Nefert today; she accused me of doing... things to Shebi, of hurting him. Is that what you're talking about?" Yami held the phone in a white knuckled grip. He wanted to be with his sister, holding her, as she cried not talking to her over some plastic box.
 
Isis broke down and cried.
 
"Mes?? Don't cry now, please..." Yami's voice full of concern, but he was a loss to how to make his sister feel better.
 
Ryou opened his eyes and wrapped one arm around Yami's waist and hugged.
 
"I... I..., oh Kekewy I don't know. Could he? I desperate hope he can't!"
 
Yami smiled down at Ryou, rubbing his back in thanks for the hug, then sighed. "No, Mes. He's sick, we all were sick, but he couldn't do something like that. He couldn't hurt our brother like that. I know he couldn't."
 
"Yes." Sniffling, Isis tried to control her voice. "Is there anything else I can help you with?"
 
"No, that was all I wanted to know. I promise, Mes, one way or another I'll give you back a brother. Be it Malik, Ahmose, or both of them. I'll get them back for you."
 
"I know you'll try, Kekewy. Good bye." Isis hung up before Yami could reply.
 
Yami started to say something when he heard a click. He sighed and hung up the phone, setting the card beside it again.
 
Ryou hugged Yami again and looked up at him. "Is anything wrong?"
 
Yami shook his head. "No, nothing's wrong."
 
Ryou nodded and sat up. "I didn't see Ji-chan when we came in.
 
"Neither did I, he must be getting the supplies for the purification now."
 
"Oh... I hope I gave him enough." Ryou stretched and got up. "I'm going to get dressed. Yugi should be home in a couple hours."
 
* * *
 
Yugi laughed at Tristan and Joey as they played around, shoving each other. Opening the game shop door, "Guys, behave. If you break anything, you have to pay for it."
 
Yami heard the group enter the game shop and walked downstairs to meet them.
 
He was wearing a shirt now, but the cut on his cheek was still visible.
 
Yugi ran over to his lover. "What happened to you?"
 
"It's nothing, just a scratch, Aibou."
 
"Scratches don't seep blood. And that is more than a scratch!" Yugi pulled his lover down by the ear. "Into the puzzle, you can heal yourself in there."
 
Yami twisted, trying to break free of Yugi's grip without hurting himself too much. "I can heal myself later, Yugi. It's not seeping, it was a very light nick."
 
Yugi glared at Yami before letting his expression crumble. Sniffling and biting his lip, tears brimmed in his eyes. Sighing, he turned from Yami. "Very well. I just worry about you, it doesn't matter."
 
"Aibou... It'll take an hour or more to heal all this. We need to explain everything to Joey and Tristan."
 
"Me and Ryou can tell them most of it, and just because you're in the puzzle doesn't mean you can't talk to me." Yugi pointed out.
 
"You know I don’t like to talk through you, Yugi. It's annoying and I have to sleep to heal so I couldn't talk anyway."
 
Yugi sniffed and blinked a couple tears down his cheeks. "That's ok. You don't have to take care of yourself. Me and Ryou can defend ourselves fine next time Shebi-ib shows up."
 
Joey watched them. "Hey, Yami would it kill ya to just do it to make Yugi happy? And where's Ryou? You didn't leave him unprotected did ya?!"
 
"No, Joey, Ryou is upstairs watching TV. He's save from Shebi anyway as long as he wears the ring I gave him."
 
"Gonna check on him anyways. Come on Tristan." Joey grabbed Tristan and headed upstairs.
 
Yami gave Yugi a 'You're not seriously going to make me go in there' look as Tristan followed Joey up the stairs.
 
Yugi wiped his eyes and headed for the stairs. "I guess I can watch you in pain... though it hurts.
 
Aibou, it doesn't hurt at all. Yami assured him, following him up the stairs.
 
Yugi gave a heartfelt sigh and went to his room. Seeing Ryou on sitting on the bed, he went over and took the boy in his arms. Kissing him on the cheek, he hugged him. "I called Ji-chan before I left school. He has everything and since his friends were able to help. It didn't cost that much. So we're set for Friday."
 
"Thank you, Yugi-chan. This is wonderful. Hopefully Yami's side and arm will be fixed by then."
 
Ryou replied as he melted in Yugi's arm
 
Yugi gave Yami a stricken look then laid his head on Ryou's shoulder, not looking at Yami.
 
Yami sighed. Aibou?
 
"Well, there's not much to tell right now except that Friday we are going to purify Shebi-ib. It's gonna hurt, he's gonna fight us, and we're gonna have to capture him."
 
Yugi stated.
 
Aibou? Talk to me?
 
Tristan thought for a moment. "So, how are we gonna catch him?"
 
Ryou muttered, "I'm not sure... but maybe if he thinks I’m not being watched over..."
 
"We have to make him attack," Yami stated.
 
Joey frowned, "Not sure I like that. I mean, it's dangerous to Ryou to leave him unprotected.
 
"He won't be unprotected."
 
Yugi nodded, "True, what we need you and Tristan to do is attack Ryou. Just pretend to, really. Ryou won't have the ring on, he'll call out to his Yami saying he's being attacked and they took the ring. Bakura can't pass that up. He'll come after Ryou. That's when Yami will spring the trap."
 
"That won't work, Yugi. Bakura will never come unless Ryou's life is in real danger," Yami pointed out.
 
"Yeah, besides I can't hurt him." Joey brushed his hand over Ryou's hair. "Bakura isn't that dumb... what if we go simple. Yugi, get detention, Ryou will walk home with us. Bakura's already following him. Yami sneaks up behind him and snaps the trap! One captivated thief."
 
Yami smiled. "That's perfect, Joey."
 
Joey beamed. "Ya!"
 
Ryou smiled back at Joey and took his hand. "You'll protect me tomorrow, on the way home?"
 
"Of course, I’d never let anyone hurt ya. If I had just known about that idiot, I would have killed him someway." Joey said, puffing out his chest and beaming at the young man.
 
Yami shook his head at Joey. "Now all that's left is to set up for the ritual."
 
Yugi watched his blonde friend and Ryou. Smiling, he leaned back and let Joey comfort Ryou.
 
"Wait, Yugi can't get detention. There's no school tomorrow.
 
Joey dropped Ryou's hand. "Damn, forgot about that. Well... how about we take Ryou out shopping for new clothes. I mean, the uniform is nice is all but come on! I'll call dad and see if I can't stay over here. Gives us a reason to be up early. Give the tomb stealer a chance to catch up with us, we can drag him all over Domino!" Joey beamed at Ryou.
 
"And Yugi can stay behind to ‘help’ with the shop." Yami said.
 
Ryou laughed at the thought of Bakura being dragged all over Domino. He rolled off Yugi's lap and towards Joey. Joey tickled the snow-haired boy lying on the covers.
 
Ryou laughed at the thought of Bakura being dragged all over Domino. He rolled off Yugi's lap and towards Joey. Joey tickled the snow boy lying on the covers.
 
Yami smiled, then turned serious. "Aibou, we need to talk."
 
Yugi lifted one eyebrow. "Oh?" Turning to the guys on his bed. "You three stay here, I’m gonna talk to Yami.
 
Yami got up and left the room, heading downstairs.
 
Yugi followed, dropping his jacket in the hamper. Sitting on top of display case, he face Yami. Coolly, he asked, "Yes?":
 
"Aibou, atop being so cold. You're acting like I'm dying over a few scratches.
 
"A few scratches? Take off the shirt. Let me see them."
 
Yami pulled off his shirt, revealing a bandage on his chest and arm.
 
Yugi jumped down and went over there. Gently he took off the bandage and inspected each wound before rewrapping them. "Scratches. I guess if your heart had been plucked out, it would be a tiny puncture?"
 
"Aibou, I'm a spirit still, I can't die."
 
"No, of course you can't, you can only be hurt. You can bleed. You can have your guts hanging out. It's nothing right?"
 
"He wouldn't've gone for anything so vital."
 
Yugi shook his head, "He who?"
 
"The Celtic Guardian."
 
"You just decided to fight the Celtic Guardian cause you were pissy about what Tea said?" Yugi shook his head and went behind the counter,
 
"I didn't just decide to fight the Celtic Guardian."
 
Yugi sighed and pulled out his deck. Slamming it down on the glass counter, he flipped through the cards. Finding what he’s looking for he turned the card to show Yami. A blond elf that looked like a longhaired Joey glared off a card. In his hand, he held a sword. Yugi waved it in Yami’s face. "This is who you just decided to fight? Sorry, you didn’t decide, ‘decide’ implies reason. Maybe you can’t die, Yami but I can’t exactly be happy that you wanted to get your brained bashed out. Sorry, I’m not wired that way. Why don’t I just rip him up?"
 
"I was not planning on getting my brains ‘bashed out’, Yugi. Yugi don't, don't hurt him. I fought him because I trusted him, because I knew he'd never hurt me. He was petrified every time he cut me. He's a very loyal servant he would never kill me. You don't know what that bitch said, I was so angry I had to do something about it. I couldn't wait until you got home, and you wouldn't've stayed in school had I tried to talk to you. It was either work out my frustrations with a capable warrior that would never dream of doing any real harm to me, or sit there shaking with rage and taking a chance on lashing out on a defenseless boy."
 
"Then maybe he should have backed down, Yami." Yugi took a step back.
 
"He wanted to, but I wouldn't let him. He always followed my orders, no matter what they were."
 
"So you wanted to be hurt, come as close as you could to dying... I see. Wait no I don't."
 
"No, I didn't want to be hurt, I was hurt enough by Nefert. I was just so angry, I didn't want to take a chance on taking it out on Ryou."
 
Yugi deflated and laid the card on the counter. "Of course, Ryou. We must definitely watch out for poor Ryou. Keep the card. I don't want him in my deck anymore" Yugi pushed past Yami to head upstairs.
 
"Yugi, stop, please. If you want to be upset at anyone, be upset at me; don't take it out on the Swordsman, or on Ryou. Neither one of them deserve it."
 
"No, you do and you don't know why. Tonight, I'm going to suggest Ryou sleep with Joey and Tristan. You and I have to have a /talk/ about keeping your Hikari satisfied and communication. Did it ever occur to you to talk out why you are so upset or did you just say, 'no, I'll go fight and get wounded so I can feel better.' Whatever she said to you, you could have shared. We'll talk about it tonight." Yugi sighed and started up the stairs again.
 
"Yugi! No, I wouldn't've have yelled at you, not this time. Not if someone had accused you of..."
 
"Of what?" Yugi asked quietly, stopping on the stairs.
 
Of hurting my brother in the worst way possible.
 
Nani? No... you wouldn't, you love him. He... he was like your own child.
 
I know that, but it doesn't stop it from hurting, my own brother accused me.
 
Yugi walked down and took Yami's hands in his. Bringing them together, he kissed both of them. This you should have told me, I could have killed her at school, a simple push down the stairs. He wrapped his arms around Yami and laid his head on Yami's chest.
 
Killing her would've done nothing but hurt Téa, Aibou. We have other things to worry about than her. Yami wrapped his arms around Yugi and sighed.
 
Hai. Ok, now let’s get Joey and Tristan to go home and get a change of clothes. Sooner they go home, sooner they come back and the sooner, Ryou beds down with them. Yugi pointed out, smiling as he ran his hand down Yami’s chest.
 
Yami smiled, kissing Yugi on the lips lightly. Yes, I'm going into the Puzzle to heal, you can talk to me there.
 
Good. I'm sorry I... overreacted. I just...remember how father got sicker and sicker and he told us nothing was wrong. Yugi ran upstairs and jumped onto the bed.
 
Yami went back into the Puzzle, settling down to s. Yo. Your father was sick?
 
Hai. Cancer. He was a roofer and they used asbestos. It got into his lungs. He thought it was the flu and he wouldn't go to the doctor. He got sicker and sicker.
 
Aibou, I'm sorry.
 
It wasn't your fault, Yami.
 
I know, Aibou. When did he die?
 
On my fifth birthday. He never woke up. Yugi turned over and looked at his friends getting ready to go.
 
I know it's hard to loose a father, but I'll never leave you, Aibou. I love you and I'll always be with you.
 
Thank you. Yugi smiled at Ryou. "Is something wrong?"
 
Ryou bit his lip. "I'm going to go sleep in the guest room with Joey and Tristan tonight, alright?"
 
Yugi smiled slowly. "Sure. I don't mind, I'll tell Yami."
 
Ryou smiled and sat down next to Yugi and Joey and Tristan left. "Is everything all right, Yugi?"
 
Hai. Yami is asleep in the puzzle and healing." Yugi wrapped his arms around Ryou.
 
"Are you sure, Yugi? You seem upset? Did you and Yami fight?" Ryou asked, looking at Yugi with concerned chocolate eyes.
 
"Not really, we just see him getting hurt in different ways." Yugi smiled and nuzzled Ryou's neck.
 
Ryou smiled and kissed Yugi's cheek. "As long as you two aren't fighting."
 
Yugi turned Ryou's face and placed a chaste kiss on Ryou's lips. "We love you too much to hurt you, you do know that. I can't wait until Shebi is healed so that you and he can find the same love as Yami and I have."
 
Ryou smiled, his voice filled with happiness.morrmorrow's the full moon. Yami can heal him tomorrow."
 
Yami... he's... "Hai, tomorrow."
 
He's what, Aibou? The spirit asked sleepily.
 
He's being... cute... sexy. He's being Ryou!
 
What's wrong with that?
 
You. Me. No sex for a week. I'm a 16-year-old male. My hormones are screaming. Ryou’s climbing all over me. I'm doing my best not to just accept what he's offering.
 
You need sex too much... Yami answered, trying to fall back to sleep.
 
Perhaps I do. Very well. Don't worry. I won't bother you with it again. Yugi shut the link mostly down and rolled onto his back. "Ryou why don't we catch a nap until they get back.
 
"Alright, Yugi." Ryou said, stretching out on the bed.
 
* * *
 
Yugi flopped down on his bed, glad for once that there wasn't three people in it
 
Yami came out of the puzzle, now fully healed, and wrapped his arms around Yugi. "It's just us for tonight, Aibou."
 
"Finally. I love Ryou but I'm glad he's spending the night with Joey. I've missed you." Yugi laid headhead on Yami's shoulder and sniffed his lover
 
Yami nodded, kissing Yugi's forehead. "I missed holding you too."
 
Yugi nuzzled Yami's neck and bit him gently over the artery.
 
Yami nuzzled Yugi back, hugging him tight.
 
Pulling back, Yugi undressed and slipped under the covers.
 
Yami blinked, confused at why Yugi would suddenly decide to sleep nude.
 
Yugi looked at Yami, "If you won't keep me warm, I'll get dressed again."
 
Yami climbed in bed next to Yugi and pulled him close. "Is this better, Aibou?"
 
Yugi nodded and turned over, with sizzling eyes, he looked his over his koi. "It will be."
 
Yami kissed him deeply, running one hand down his back.
 
Yugi arched into the touch and ran his hand down Yami's arm, whispering, "I've missed you."
 
Yami kissed along Yugi's jawbone. "I missed you too."
 
Yugi shivered under his beloved soft lips.
 
Yami ran his hands down his lover's body, nipping down his neck gently. "I love you, Koibito."
 
Tears lined Yugi's eyes. "Ai shiteru, Nushi." sp; sp;
Yami wiped away Yugi's tears, kissing his cheeks. "I love you, Aibou. Don't ever forget it."
 
"I know." He whispered, "but every so often I want to hear it, Yami, my yami." Closing his eyes, he fell asleep."
 
Yami kissed his lips, holding him close.
 
Yugi leaned down and licked Yami's neck. "Delicious."
 
Yami reached down, grabbing Yugi and stroking him.
 
Yugi moaned, and continued to lick down Yami's chest, he pushed into Yami's hand. Running light fingertips down Yami's side, he brushed over Yami's cock.
 
Yami gasped at the light touch, stroking Yugi harder.
 
Yugi brushed his thumb over the swollen head. "more, please?"
 
Yami moved down, giving Yugi a long slow lick. "Like this?"
 
"h-h-hai" Yugi trembled.
 
Yami took the head in his mouth, sucking gently, his tongue teasing the slit.
 
He took more into his mouth, stroking him hard with one hand.
 
Yugi whimpered and ran his fingers through Yami's hair. "Yami, l-l-love, please..."
 
Yami purred deeply as he swallowed Yugi's whole length.
 
Yugi tried not to buck his lover off, but it was hard. The warmth of Yami's mouth, the skillful fingers tracing over his body. "Koi, I need to to-to-touch you so much."
 
In a moment, Aibou, just enjoy it Yami sucked harder, cupping his balls in one hand. He massaged them gently, running his thumb over them.
 
Yami. Yugi whined and trembled, whispering Yami.
 
Yami raised his head, licking and sucking as he did.
 
Yami, more please... let me touch you soon.
 
Yami lowered his head slowly. His lips curled around Yugi's length as he swallowed it and his teeth scraped along it lightly. One hand still held his balls, his thumb rolled over them teasingly, fingers massaging gently. His other hand trailed along Yugi's inner thighs, he brushed idle patterns over the soft smooth flesh, purring deep in his throat.
 
Yugi twitched at the warmth surrounding his sex, when his lover started purring. He couldn’t control himself any more. He laid one hand on Yami’s head and tilted Yami’s head back. Staring into those sinfully sweet crimson eyes, he let go. His body tensed and shuddered, a stream of fire ran down to his belly and poured itself into the warm soft mouth of his lover. Pushing himself up, he pulled his cock from Yami’s lips and wiggled his body around. Gently peppering kisses on Yami's face, he licked the stray drops from Yami’s lips. He whispered, "Koi... thank you."
 
Yami hugged him tightly and kissed him deeply. "We've been so busy with Ryou, we haven't had any time for just us. Joey and Tristan are being more helpful than they realize."
 
"Hai. I missed you, even though you are in our bed every night. I missed our alone time."
 
The Pharaoh kissed his neck. "We're alone tonight."
 
"Yes, just you and me. As it should be." Yugi kissed the hollow in Yami collar bone. Stroking his hand down Yami's chest.
 
Yami purred, reaching over and opening the drawer to Yugi's nightstand.
 
Yugi leaned back and stroked Yami's side softly. "My koi, my yami, mine."
 
Yami pulled out a tube of lube, kissing Yugi gently he rolled him onto his back, parting his legs. "Yes, Aibou, yours."
 
Yugi smiled and reached up to stroke Yami's hair. Moving in-between Yami's legs, he stroked and petted Yami's cock. Leaning down, he kissed the tip. "Ai shiteru, koi."
 
Yami moaned, then pushed Yugi back. 'I love you too, Meryt." He coated one finger and slowly pushed it inside his small lover.
 
Yugi whimpered as the long gentle finger pushed into him. Spreading his knees on either side of Yami's waist, he laid his hands over Yami's nipples. "Meryt?" he breathed.
 
"It means 'beloved'." Yami explained, adding another finger.
 
Yugi hissed as those fingers spread inside him. "Beloved. Koibito." Yugi ran his fingers over his yami's sensitive nipples. Running his nails over them until they were hard, he pulled and twisted them.
 
Yami moaned, adding a third finger.
 
Yugi leaned forward and moaned at the fingers stretching him. Licking and nipping that luscious dip in Yami's collar bone, he nipped and suckled the sweet flesh, "Now. No more play. In me, please."
 
Yami nodded, pulling his fingers away and entering him with one quick thrust.
 
Yugi whined.
 
Yami started to move inside him, pulling out almost all the way before burying himself in deep again. He leaned down and kissed Yugi's lips, sucking the lower one gently.
 
Yugi moaned and caressed Yami's neck. Pressing back to meet each thrust, Yugi pushed himself up to Yami's shoulder. The feelings burn through him. Gasping, he muffled his scream by biting Yami on the shoulder.
 
Yami hissed softly as Yugi's teeth bit into his shoulder. His fingers dug into Yugi's back as he tightened his grip at the sharp pain. His pace quickened and he shift his hips, looking for one special spot.
 
Yugi pulled his teeth from the stiff shoulder. "Koibito, I love you. Never will we part again."
 
Yami smiled at him. "We'll never be apart, ever." He kissed him gently.
 
Yugi smiled and relaxed in the feel of Yami in him. He tried to squeeze Yami in himself. Pushing himself up, he moaned. "I'm yours, Yami. Yours. Yours to bite and taste and use and fuck and love. Everything of me is yours."
 
Yami kissed him deeply, running his fingers down Yugi's chest. "We belong to each other"
 
Yugi stared down at Yami's eyes. "Yes. Yes. yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!"
 
Yami held Yugi's chin and covered his mouth firmly to silence him as he thrusts harder.
 
Yugi tried to pour all his love into his eyes as he clenched the large warmth inside him. Suddenly, he felt his body tighten and his cock spurted warmth over Yami's stomach.
 
Yami moaned as Yugi tensed around him, warm liquid filling him.
 
Yugi slumped down and rested his head on Yami's shoulder. Softly, he whispered, "Koi."
 
Yami hugged him close and shut his eyes.
 
* * *
 
FRIDAY
 
 
 
Yami got up the next morning. He sighed happily, realizing it was finally Friday and got out of bed, fixing the covers around Yugi. He walked into the kitchen, seeing Ji-chan there making breakfast. "Good morning, Ji-chan."
 
"Hello, Yami. Everything is set up in the basement. I know it will be hard. I hope it goes well.
 
"It will. Thank you for your help, Ji-chan."
 
"Hai, will you go wake up the boys?" Ji-chan set places on the table.
 
Yami nodded, then went to Yugi's room and shook the boy gently. "Wake up, Aibou, breakfast is ready."
 
Yugi turned over and went back under the covers.
 
Yami turned his head and kissed him. "Aibou, wake up."
 
Yugi pulled the pillow over his head.
 
Yami sighed, deciding to let Yugi sleep awhile longer and went into the guest room to wake up the others.
 
The three boys slept in the huge sofa bed. Joey slept between Ryou and Tristan.
 
Yami walked around the bed, and shook Ryou gently. "Get up, Ryou."
 
Ryou snuggled closer to Joey and muttered
 
Yami shook the boy harder. "Ryou, it's time to wake up."
 
Ryou blinked his eyes and opened them, "Hai, Yami-sama."
 
"Don't call me "sama", Ryou, there's no need to. Ji-chan has breakfast ready in the kitchen."
 
Ryou nodded and got up. Smiling at Joey, he headed for the bathroom.
 
Joey felt for Ryou, not feeling him, he opened his eyes. "Ryou went to wash up, huh?" Joey stretched and pushed Tristan off the bed.
 
"Yes, and the both of you should too. Breakfast is ready and we have a long day today."
 
"Yeah yeah." Joey fell back on the bed. "When Ryou's done I'll go"
 
"We have more than one bathroom, you know."
 
Joey got up and got his stuff. "Yeah Yeah, later Yami." Joey left
 
Tristan sat up, rubbing his head. "Morning already?" The boy yawned and stretched.
 
"Yes, it's morning. Ryou and Joey are showering. I'm going to go wake up Yugi now." Yami said, leaving the room.
 
The Spirit went back into Yugi's room to wake him again. He shook him lightly a third time.
 
Yugi muttered and wiggled down into the bed
 
"Yugi." Aibou, wake up. It's morning
 
Ahhh... but you don't need me today, I can sleep in.
 
Yami kissed Yugi's cheek. All right Aibou. I'll wake you when we get back
 
Hai. Goodbye Yami. Yugi went back to sleep.
 
Yami left the room, going back into the kitchen to wait for everyone.
 
Joey came downstairs talking to Ryou, trying to make him laugh.
 
Ryou smiled at Joey's impressions of various teachers, laughing when he did an exceptionally good one and sat down at the table.
 
Joey smiled at the light in the pale boy's eyes.
 
Tristan came downstairs a few minutes later and grabbed a seat while Ji-chan sat omelets in front of everyone.
 
Joey devoured his omelets and held out his plate for more.
 
Ji-chan had another waiting and put it on Joey's plate.
 
Joey split it and gave half to Ryou.
 
Ryou had yet to finish his first omelets and blinked at Joey as half of another was put on his plate.
 
"You need to eat more. You're skinny. Don't worry, I'll take care of ya."
 
"Thank you, Joey, but one is plenty, really."
 
"Nope, eat it or I won't let you buy a tan sweater." Joey told him
 
Ryou sighed and slowly ate both the omelets.
 
"See toldya ya could do it!"
 
"Yes, but I don't think I'll be able to eat lunch now."
 
"Yes you will if I gotta feed ya." Joey laughed and took their plates to the sink.
 
Tristan finished his third omelets and put the plate in the sink. Yami stood up, noting everyone was finished eating.
 
"We should leave now."
 
Joey got u