Ray of Sunshine

Author’s Note - Oh my gods! I am so sorry it’s taken this long to get things rolling again. I’m still battling health issues, though they have determined what’s going on. Now it’s trying to get money to get the medications, which are horribly expensive. Another piece of news, the ex is now legally out of my life.

Love goes out to my heart sisters, you guys know who you are!

Disclaimer - I do not own Yugioh in any shape, form, or fashion. These guys belong to the genius that is known as Kazuki Takahashi. Sadly, I’m not him so I‘m not making any sort of money from this at all.

Chapter Nine - Taking First Steps

Things were confusing to Yami and given his medicated state each time he woke, the confusion didn’t end for some time. He’d been in the hospital for a few days before his godfather had a long talk with him about the state of affairs. The teenager had been somewhat impressed by the older man’s actions in regards to the situation.

The only thing Yami wasn’t pleased about was the fact that his godfather had hired a therapist to start working with him. The logical part of him could understand why, but the emotional part of him didn’t see the need. He’d been dealing with all of this on his own for a long time so he really didn’t need someone to talk to and tell him what to do to get over his bad past.

The therapist, Saiyuri, wasn’t a bad person but for an independent soul like Yami was, it was next to impossible to open up. Especially since secrecy had been essential to his life for so long. It had been the only way to protect himself from making his father even more furious at him. If someone had known of the abuse and confronted him on it, Kenichi would have taken it out on him even worse. That would have been disastrous.

However, Saiyuri didn’t even have to be told that. She simply told him that she did understand why Yami was so reticent and explained to him that she’d been in a situation similar when she was younger. That had made the teenager sit up and listen then, especially when she showed him the scars that her own mother had left on her when she was fifteen. It was then that someone had called in for help for her and had removed her from the situation.

To be honest, though he didn’t really want to talk to her, it did help that she understood his situation. So when Solomon asked him about whether or not he wanted a different therapist, thinking that Yami would be more comfortable with a male, the teenager was quick to request that she remain as his counselor.

“Are you certain, Yami?”

“Yes, Grandpa Mutou, I am. She understands me where the others might not.”

Solomon nodded, very satisfied. He’d investigated the potential therapists thoroughly before choosing Saiyuri. She’d come clean about her past, which had been a huge factor in his decision. He wanted the best for his godson, and she certainly fit the bill.

Yami interrupted his thoughts by asking a question.

“When am I going to be able to leave?”

The archaeologist smiled at that. Typical boys, not wanting to be in one place for too long. Yugi was an exception but that was mostly due to the fact that he could spend hours in front of a piano and never complain.

“The doctor said you could be released on Friday and go back to school by Wednesday,” he told the boy. “Though you’ll be excused from gym class for a while until he’s satisfied your injuries won’t flare up.”

“That long?”

He nodded, plum eyes dancing with merriment. It was good to see Yami talking more, even if it was for complaining.

“I’m afraid so. However, Yugi-chan told me that you have a group of friends that are anxious to see you. I told him that they could come by provided they don’t get you too excited.”

It was a treat seeing Yami’s face light up like that. Solomon hadn’t found much yet to try to make the other one a bit more comfortable around him but was determined to keep trying.

“Really? When will they come?”

“According to Yugi-chan, this afternoon after school. He’s coming with them, and they’ll be bringing your assignments so you can keep up.”

He only chuckled at the look on his godson’s face but was quick to bring up one major house rule.

“I’m not as strict as most families could be. I only ask a few things. Keep your room neat, chores done, keep me informed of where you’re going if you are going out, stay out of trouble, remember curfew, help around the shop if you have time, but the most important thing is to do your best in school. I know you’re intelligent, Yami, and I want to see you go far in whatever it is you dream of doing.”

In truth, Yami mused, his guardian could have been stricter given his age. Those were rules he could live with as long as the curfew wasn’t something ridiculous. However, the idea of the man caring about his future was baffling. He’d never had anyone care enough to say that they wanted him to achieve his dreams.

Solomon caught the expression on his face and gently questioned him on it.

“What is it, Yami?”

“You honestly think I have a future? You really care about that?”

Ahh, there was the problem. Yami had gone this long without someone giving any sort of acknowledgment to the fact that the boy was growing up and would have dreams to pursue.

“I do,” he told him. “When Yugi showed interest in music, I got him all the instruction I could afford to nurture his gifts. After he lost his sight, I made sure he wouldn’t lose the one thing he loved so much.”

That made the teenager think there. It was hard to trust adults, though he was honestly trying to give his godfather a chance.

“I haven’t given much thought as to what I’d like to do in the future,” he said softly to the elderly man.

“It’s understandable,” Solomon reassured him. “Right now, just focus on healing and gaining strength before you think on what you’d like to have for a career. You’ve got plenty of time, and I’ll make sure you have what you need to succeed.”

The tri-color haired teenager nodded, lost in thought. This was so new to him, and it would take time before he would be able to grasp the fact that so much had changed for him.

A knock on the door broke him from his thoughts, and Yami looked up in time to see his friends pile into the room with his godfather’s grandson in tow. It was funny how Yugi didn’t seem to fear his friends as most of their fellow students tended to avoid them as if they had a plague of some kind.

“Hey guys, it’s good to see you.”

Bakura snickered, commandeering a chair before the others could do so.

“Imagine so. You must be bored out of your skull here.”

Yami just smirked at that, nodding eagerly which made all of them chuckle.

“You wouldn’t be able to imagine how bored,” he said. “I’m even willing to do homework to pass the time.”

“Yup, that’s pretty bored,” Joey quipped as he put a stack of text books on the table beside the bed.

“The paper stuck inside the top book has all of your assignments,” Marik told him. “The stuff you’ve missed up until Wednesday of next week.”

Yami gave them a grateful nod. The group, being as close as they were, correctly interpreted it as a thank you and all of them just gave a shrug to him.

Tristan leaned against the wall, opening the conversation again. “So you’re going to be moving in with your godfather?”

“Yeah. Guys, this is my godfather.”

Solomon rose, greeting each of them politely and in a friendly manner. As they introduced themselves, he insisted they call him Grandpa Mutou as Yami did in the hopes that the boys would feel more comfortable around him.

That open manner and warm greeting did a lot to endear the old man to the teenagers, especially when he told them that Yami’s friends were always welcome to visit their home. The group had never been able to do that with Yami, and this would be a new experience for all of them.

Yugi just leaned against the wall, listening to the chatter. It was good that Yami’s friends opening up so freely with Grandpa. Of course, his grandfather never met a stranger and could charm anyone given enough time. It was just one of the many gifts the elder Mutou had, and it was one that the musician admired him for.

This was just one step in many that needed to be taken, the small male knew. Granted, he didn’t know much of what had happened but knew that any sort of abuse and betrayal from the one meant to love and protect you would shatter the ability to trust adults of any sort. It would be a difficult road for Yami, but Yugi had a feeling the other would be able to overcome his handicaps and move forward.

As Yugi understood it, his soon to be housemate had the bond of friends to help him. Granted, they were a bit rough around the edges but they seemed to understand Yami a great deal. Added to the list was Yugi himself and his grandfather, both of whom would work to help the newcomer to their little family.

The small Mutou sighed, shifting his grip on his cane as he listened to the conversation and contemplated the situation. It would be difficult adjusting to a new person in the house, especially since things would be changing. Actually, they already were and Yugi wasn’t exactly prepared for it yet.

According to what his grandfather had shared with him, rooms had been rearranged at the house and that would be a difficult thing for Yugi to acclimate to.

Given the limitations on space in the small house, his grandfather had taken over Yugi’s room and a bunk bed had been set up in what was the master bedroom. In a way, it made sense as the two were close in age and sharing a room might be beneficial to Yami.

As it was, it was the only way to make things work without Yugi having to give up his little music room or the small study that his grandfather lived in when doing translation work for the museum. Since that brought more income to the small family, it was decided that the study would remain and Grandpa had adamantly protested against dismantling the music room as he knew how much it meant to his grandson.

The older Mutou knew how hard it was for Yugi to adapt to change and having the rooms swapped as they were would be difficult enough on him. Plus a new member joining the household would make it even harder as he would have to be on alert for the third member of their home so he wouldn’t trip or run into him.

To be honest, it hadn’t been too hard to give up his privacy in the bedroom as long as he had his music room to retreat too if he needed it. Yugi just hoped that Yami wouldn’t be too quick to change things around and not warn him on it. Otherwise, he’d have a collection of bruises until he either learned the new arrangement or his soon to be new roommate remembered that the musician required things to remain the same for safety’s sake.

Grandpa has assured him that he would let Yami know of this, and the amethyst eyed teenager could only wait to see how the three of them would merge together in this new situation.

He sighed again, thinking on something Seto had said earlier. His friend had told him t hat it would take time to heal from this situation that Yami had been in and that Yugi should expect animosity towards him for a while as he was a more convenient target. The others had agreed, and all of them told him to call to come over if it got too bad. He appreciated the offer and hoped that he wouldn’t have to take them up on it for that particular reason alone.

Yes, there was definitely change coming and Yugi was a bit worried about it. He knew things wouldn’t be easy in regards to this, and he hoped the family would have the strength necessary to help their new member without causing problems for everyone.

Only time would tell, and time was running out as Yami would be coming home soon.


Author’s End Note - I think that turned out better than expected. I can’t believe it’s been this long since I’ve touched these stories. Glad my health cooperated today to let me be able to work on a few. Please let me know what you though by hitting the review button! Thanks for reading and if you’re interested in update notices, check the link on my author page for my yahoo group!