Endless dream

An AU story about why Yugi lives with his grandfather.
Yugi is a quiet kid that doesn't talk to anyone. And doesn't really have friends. After having a run in with a school bully Marik and Bakura practically force Yami to become Yugi's protector. But as Yami gets to know Yugi better he starts to peace together the secret that Yugi is hiding.


Endless Dream
By Yami Kitsune
Chapter one


Yugi swallowed as he found himself wishing for the second time that year that his Grandfather had the money to get him a private tutor. Yugi always hated being the new kid in school, once was enough for him. But no, now he was forced to be the new kid a second time. The only reason Yugi hated being the new kid was because he was rather short for his age. And due to that a lot of really not nice people seemed to target him. But that was a problem that Yugi had figured would follow him for a long time to come.

Yugi shifted the bag on his shoulder as he waited outside the class room he was going to be in. He had his eyes fixed on the door half wishing that it would never open. That the teacher would forget he was here and he could delay this for one more day. That fantasy was destroyed when the door opened and the teacher smiled at him.

"Yugi Mouto." The teacher said.

Yugi swallowed as he looked up at him. Taking a deep breath he forced himself to step into the class. Yugi kept his eyes fixed on the floor. He didn't have to look at the class to know that everyone was staring at him. Because as soon as he had entered the room there had been gasps of shock followed by whispers. Yugi's knuckles were white as he gripped the straps of his bag tightly, trying to ignore the whispers.

"Settle down." The teacher said but didn't wait for people to stop whispering before he continued talking again. "This is Yugi Mouto. He's a little nervous about being here, so please make him feel welcome."

Yugi bit his lip to stop himself from snorting. //Why not just hang a target on my back that says 'victim here!'// He thought to himself. No one was going to make him feel welcome here. He was the new kid, and a perfect target. Why would anyone make him feel 'welcome' anywhere?

However here was an eerie silence that fell over the class. Yugi made himself look up, first at the teacher, and then to where the teacher was looking.

Two people sitting in the back of the class were grinning from ear to ear. A few class mates were also looking at these two. The first one had silver hair that looked like it hadn't seen a brush that morning. He was leaning back in his chair his hands resting behind his head. Ignoring the teacher's glare and looking right at Yugi. Yugi locked eyes with him for a second before quickly turning his attention to the second boy. This boy had a nice dark tan. His hair platinum blond, this boy's hair looked as if he used ten bottles of hair gel a day. Or just stuck his finger in a light socket before coming to school. Yugi swallowed and looked down quickly when he saw that this boy was grinning at him too.

"You can take the empty seat over there Yugi. The one in front of Ryou." He pointed.

Ryou stood up as Yugi looked over to where he would be sitting happy that he was going to be sitting on the oposate side of the room from the first two he saw. But as he made to take his first step he looked at the boy who was standing. He looked almost identical to the first silver haired boy he had seen. As if making sure he hadn't moved across the room Yugi looked back over by the window, then back at Ryou.

A couple people in the class giggled and Yugi flushed hurrying to his seat. He took off his bag and hung it on the back of his chair before sitting down quickly.

"Hi." Ryou said as he sat back down. "I'm Ryou." He said.

Yugi turned around slightly to look at him better. As he did, however, he noticed that there was another platinum blond haired boy sitting next to him. Before Yugi could open his mouth to ask these two boys if they were twins of the other two, the door to the class room slammed open. Yugi jumped in surprise and looked to the front of the class quickly.

He thought he heard the boy, Ryou sigh and say. "Here we go again." Which was followed by soft laughter from the blond to Yugi's right.

"Must you always be late Yami?" The teacher asked, only bothering to glance at the teen that had just stepped into the room.

Yami shrugged. "I can't help it if my dad drops me off late. Besides, you always expect me to be late, I'd hate to disappoint you." Yami said smirking.

Yugi stared at the him, eyes wide. It was obvious now why people had been whispering about him. Yugi watched as Yami walked over to his seat ignoring anything else the teacher might have to say. He sat down in between the two boys the teacher had been glaring at earlier.

//Note to self...avoid those three at all costs.// Yugi said to himself, but was unable to look away from Yami. It was amazing how similar they looked. The only real major differences were Yami's height, and his crimson eyes. Yugi wondered if that was his real eye color. The teacher cleared his throat and Yugi forced himself to look back to the front of the class as the teacher started the first lesson
.
Yami yawned as he leaned back in his chair. "So what did I miss?" he asked under his breath thankful yet again that he and his two best friends had managed to snag the desks in the back of the class. Made it easier to talk and not have the teacher hear you. The silver haired boy chuckled.

"Not very observant, is he Marik?" He asked looking over at the blond who was grinning.

"Not at all, should we tell him Bakura? Or let him figure it out for himself?" Marik asked.

Yami rolled his eyes and let his two friends talk, knowing that they would eventually tell him what they were blabbering on about. Most of the time it was never anything that interesting, they just liked to try and irritate Yami.

"If you're not going to tell me then just shut up already okay?" Yami asked. "I'm not in the mood to get detention during the first class of the day because you two idiots don't know how to keep it down."

"Fine." Bakura said. "Over there by Ryou and Malik." Bakura said waving his hand in the direction. "We got a new student today"

Yami rolled his eyes not even bothering to look.

"That's all?" Yami sighed. "If you guys are going to try and get on my nerves you should at least have something interesting to tell me."

"There's more. If you'd look over there." Marik said and watched as his annoyed friend sighed once again before looking across the room.

He saw Malik leaning back in his chair passing a note to Ryou who blushed as he accepted it quickly. He couldn't help but envy Bakura and Marik. They were lucky to have boyfriends like Ryou and Malik. Malik was a bit of a trouble maker, but he could keep Marik in line more then anyone else could. And Bakura would do almost anything for Ryou. The two innocent boys were definitely a good influence. Yami let his eyes drift away from Ryou to where there used to be an empty seat.

Yami sat up straight in his chair, eyes slightly wide as he stared at the small boy sitting there. Surely his eyes were playing tricks on him. But that thought didn't last long when the boy glanced in his direction before quickly looking away when he saw Yami staring at him.

"Now this is most definitely interesting." Yami said slowly leaning back in his chair again not taking his eyes from Yugi.

He looked over at Marik who was grinning. Looking at Bakura, the silver haired boy had the same look on his face. "I know what you two are thinking, and you can forget it." Yami snapped turning his attention to the front of the class to at least pretend he was paying attention.
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Yugi sat in a far corner of the cafeteria by himself. The only reason for that was because everyone seemed to be avoiding him. He had a feeling it had something to do with the boy that looked like him. Yugi actually preferred it like this. At least that's what he told himself. But he kept catching himself staring across the room at a certain group of people. His look alike was sitting there. As were his other classmates.

Bakura had a blushing Ryou sitting on his lap. While Marik was leaning across the table kissing Malik. Watching this Yugi had come to the conclusion that they were not twins. But most likely just look a-likes, like him and Yami. Yugi looked around at the others sitting at the table. A blond boy with brown eyes was sitting next to Yami talking to him. But Yami didn't seem that interested in whatever the boy was saying. Sitting on the other side of the blond boy, there was a brown haired boy who sat so stiffly Yugi would have thought he was a statue if he hadn't seen him move with his own eyes. But even as Yugi examined everyone at the table, his eyes always found Yami again.

This time however, he found that Yami was staring right back at him. Letting out a small yelp Yugi looked down at his food. He started poking at it glancing back up to see if Yami was still watching him. He was.

Marik smirked, sitting back down in his chair after finally getting a kiss from Malik. He looked at Yami and then across the room to where Yami was staring. Or rather, glaring. "Got a crush on the new kid already?" Marik asked.

"Feh, not likely." Yami said as he looked away from Yugi and started eating his own food.

"I think you do." Bakura said as he shifted Ryou on his lap.

Yami rolled his eyes as he stood up. He knew where this conversation would be going, and he didn't feel like sticking around to be a part of it.

"I swear if you two..." He pointed to Marik and Bakura. "...Try to play match maker with me I'll make sure neither of you will be able to walk for a month."

With that Yami left. Ryou blinked watching him go, and then looked at Bakura.

"Why do you always insist on messing around in his life?" Ryou asked. "Maybe he likes being single?"

Marik snorted. "No he doesn't. Havn't you seen the look he gets when you and Bakura are together? Or when Malik and I are? Besides, what better person to hook him up with then someone who looks like him." Marik grinned.

"Maybe Yami isn't into dating someone who looks like him." Malik added as he moved to take Yami's vacant seat next to Marik.

"I agree with Ryou." The blond boy spoke up pushing his empty plate away. "Maybe he just doesn't want to date anyone right now."

"No one asked you Jounouchi." Bakura narrowed his eyes.

"Hey, Yami's my friend too. And you remember the last time you tried to hook him up with someone?" Jounouchi snapped. "I don't want my best friend to go though that again."

"Wow Jou, you really are stupid. Or just blind. Because last I checked that little shrimp look alike of his was the complete opposite of Keith. And besides! Me and Bakura fixed our mistake didn't we?"

"With the help from moneybags." Jou said jabbing a finger at the brown haired boy sitting next to him.

"I refused to be dragged into this pointless conversation. Marik and Bakura are going go do what they want no matter who is against it."

"Thanks Seto." Bakura said moving Ryou from his lap so he could stand up. "Come on Marik, let's go talk to the new kid."

Marik made to get up and follow his friend but Malik grabbed his arm. "Don't you think if you two just storm over there you'll scare him?"

"Hmm...you're right." Marik sat back down and glanced at Bakura who nodded, pulling Ryou to his feet.

"Then you and Ryou go talk to him." Bakura said grinning.

Ryou's eyes went wide. "No, I don't want any part of this."

"C'mon Ryou. We're not asking you to do our dirty work. Just talk to him. Besides you're better judge of character then I am." Marik burst out laughing as Bakura tried to pout at Ryou.

"Cute doesn't work on cute." Marik pointed out. "Believe me, I know, I've tried."

"Come on Ryou. We'll just talk to him. No one's talked to him at all today, that I've seen." Malik said taking Ryou's hand before the other boy could protest.

He turned, frowning when he saw Yugi was no longer sitting at the table. He caught a flash of him heading out the door. Malik smiled and pulled Ryou along out of the cafeteria.

"We're just going to say hi, and introduce ourselves." Malik said letting go of Ryou's wrist.

"And the fact that you always love watching the trouble Marik and Bakura can get into has nothing to do with this sudden desire to say hello to the new kid?" Malik grinned at him and Ryou sighed shaking his head.

"It's times like these that I wonder if Marik is rubbing off on you."

"You mean to tell me Bakura doesn't....rub off on you?" Malik asked laughing as he ducked a swing from Ryou.

Malik looked around the hallway, frowning when he didn't see Yugi. He and Ryou stopped just outside the bathroom and looked around again to make sure Yugi wasn't in the hall.

"He's probably in the bathroom."

"I am not stalking him to the bathroom Malik." Ryou said firmly.

"Neither am I. That would just be to weird. We'll wait until after school if we have too." Malik said and started heading back to tell Marik and Bakura. Ryou sighed shaking his head and went to follow him.

"Bakura roped you into his scheme again?"

Ryou yelped and turned quickly to see Yami standing there.

"No...not really." Ryou said, lowering his head. "I was just going to say hello to the new kid. And introduce myself properly."

"And then try to be his friend, making it easier for Bakura and Marik to do whatever it is they're planning." Yami crossed his arms over his chest, glaring as he said this.

"They're only worried about you Yami."

"They don't need to worry about me. I am quite capable of taking care of myself." Yami sighed and put a hand on Ryou's shoulder. "Just tell them that I really appreciate the thought. But I don't really want to try another relationship right now okay?" He leaned over and kissed Ryou's cheek. Ryou blushed.

"Alright, I'll let them know." He said turning and heading back. Yami watched him go before looking down at his watch.

"Hmm...a little after noon..." He said to himself, deciding that he didn't need, or want to sit in class for the rest of the day. He was about to make his way to the exit when he heard something in the bathroom. Frowning Yami walked over and opened the door a little to see what was going on. The last thing he wanted to do was barge into the bathroom if someone was doing something that was better left for a bedroom. Because it had happened before.

However what Yami saw made the anger rise in him so quickly he was surprised he didn't break the door when he slammed it open. There, standing by the opposite wall was Yugi, but it was the person that was holding Yugi's arm that Yami was glaring at. The boy turned, glaring at Yami.

"I suggest you leave, this doesn't concern you."

"The hell it doesn't!" Yami snapped. "Let him go Keith, or do you want me to break your nose again?"

"Like you could? Without your two watch dogs you wouldn't even be able to get close enough to hit me." Keith said still holding onto Yugi's arm.

Yugi let out a small whimper, using his free hand to try and pry Keith's fingers off. Yugi looked extremely frightened, frantically trying to pull away.

"l..let go...please..." Yugi said.

Keith looked down at him and snorted, lifting Yugi up easily by his arm he looked over at Yami. "Is this what you came in here for?" He threw Yugi aside and stepped forward smirking at Yami. "He's all yours."

Yami tensed at the closeness of Keith, only relaxing when the other boy walked past him leaving the rest room. Yami clenched his fists taking deep breaths. Damn that Keith, Yami had no reason to be afraid of him. But just seeing the other boy made him so angry. Yami was more scared of himself, and what he'd actually do if he really fought with Keith

"Anou..."

"Shut up." Yami snapped, turning his glare on Yugi - who was rubbing his sore arm.

The smaller boy looked at Yami looking a little frightened again. "I am not the kind of person to just walk away when I know Keith is involved in something. I didn't help you because I care, or because I want to be your friend."

Yugi's eyes went wide and he fought back his tears as he listened.

"I don't know you, and I don't want to know you. Just stay away from me and we'll get along fine." Yami turned to leave. He stopped at the door and glanced back at Yugi again. "Pathetic..." He said and then left.

Although he was talking about himself. //You are truly pathetic Yami...taking your anger out on someone else.// He told himself. And, even though something told him that he should go back and check on Yug, Yami was still too angry to do much of anything. So he left the school deciding that he'd apologize to Yugi tomorrow.

Yugi slowly sank back down to the bathroom floor, shaking from head to toe. One hand grabbing his chest as he tried to hold off the panic attack along with some very unpleasant memories. He was starting to feel light headed and fell over on the floor just as the bathroom door opened again. Yugi's vision was blurry so he couldn't make out who it was. Not that it really mattered he didn't know anyone at this school. He heard voices but everything was blurring together, and he stopped fighting, and let the darkness take him.
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When Yugi woke up the first thing he noticed was that he was laying on a bed that was too uncomfortable to be his own. //...they sent me back to that place...// Was Yugi's first thought. Although it was slightly depressing Yugi found it easier to relax. //No one can hurt me here...// He slowly opened his eyes, expecting to see the familiar white walls of a hospital room he had spent so much time in over the past two years that he was extremely shocked to see his bed surrounded in curtains. Slowly sitting up Yugi moved to pull the curtain aside when he heard voices that weren't familiar to him at all.

"I swear! I walked into the bathroom and he was just laying on the floor." A male's voice said.

"And you didn't see anyone coming out of the bathroom?" This one was a female's voice, and it sounded as if she were accusing the first person of something.

"No. I went in there because Yami was supposed to be in there, damnit woman."

"We'll see what Yugi has to say when he wakes up."

Yugi didn't have time to think when the curtain was pulled back and he was staring up at someone who was obviously a nurse. Glancing over he saw Marik and Bakura standing there glaring at her.

"Ah, so you're finally up." The nurse said, smiling at Yugi, the angry tone in her voice gone. "I called your grandfather, he should be here shortly to pick you up." She explained as she went though the routine of checking Yugi to make sure he was alright. "Now, can you tell me what happened?" She asked still smiling.

"...I..." Yugi bit his lip looking down. "...someone corned me in the bathroom..."

"Do you know who it was?" She asked, glaring over her shoulder at Bakura and Marik who glared right back a her.

"No ma'am...I don't know anyone's name yet..." Yugi said. "I'm sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about dear. You just rest here then, and your grandfather should be here shortly." She looked at Marik and Bakura shaking her head before leaving the room.

"Come on, before the old bat comes back." Bakura said, jerking his head to the door. Marik nodded and turned to follow him but stopped looking back at Yugi once more.

"Hey kid, did you see Yami in the bathroom? You know, the kid that looks like you?" He asked. Yugi tensed and started shaking again.

"...no..." Yugi said softly. Marik frowned, looking at Yugi then over at Bakura who had the same expression on his face.

"Alright, thanks anyway. Feel better." Marik said waving his hand as he and Bakura left the room. Outside they looked at each other. "...do you think..."

"No way in hell." Bakura snapped. "Yami wouldn't have done anything to a kid like him. Well, not on purpose anyway."

"Unless Keith was involved." Marik pointed out. "He came back to school yesterday, remember?"

"Shit you're right...I forgot his suspension was over. And if that's the case, then Yami's probably left school for the day." Marik said.

"Then I vote we follow his example before the next class starts." The two left the school deciding to go look for Yami. If he had had a run in with Keith there was no telling what trouble he would get into. When Yami got angry he lost all rational thought. And out of all three of them, Yami had come closer more times to being arrested then Marik and Bakura put together. But that was probably also because when he was angry he got careless.

"Ryou and Malik are going to be pissed that we left." Marik said.

"Yeah. Ryou will be pissed because we didn't stay. And Malik will be pissed we didn't take him with us." Bakura said and they both laughed as they left the school.
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Yugi slowly walked into the house dragging his bag behind him. He heard the bell ring as the door was closed and locked. He looked behind him at his grandfather.

"I'm sorry grandpa." He said softly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for Yugi. Now why don't you go upstairs and take a shower. I'll get dinner ready and then call the doctor. I'll see about making you an appointment tomorrow." Yugi nodded slowly and headed upstairs his bag still dragging behind him.

Solomon sighed watching his grandson walk away. He was doing the best he could to help the boy, but he didn't know what more he could do. Doctors had been trying to help Yugi for nearly two years, and there was still a lot more progress to make.
Shaking his head Solomon headed upstairs as well into the apartment that he had above the game shop. He hard the shower on and figured Yugi was washing up. Picking up the mail that he had left on the coffee table he headed to the kitchen flipping through the letters. Bills, bills, bills, and more bills. And a letter from the court. Frowning Solomon put the bills down and opened the letter. He read it over his eyes narrowing with each word he read.

"Damnit!" Solomon ripped the letter up, throwing it onto the table. He turned intending to call his lawyer when he saw Yugi standing in the doorway, hair still damp dressed in sweat pants and shirt.

"...is...is something wrong grandpa?" Yugi asked, his eyes drifting to the ripped up letter and the bills sitting on the table.

"It's nothing for you to worry about Yugi." Solomon said smiling, trying to reassure him. Though he knew it probably didn't do much. Yugi could already tell that something was wrong, mainly because his grandfather never swore. But Yugi wasn't one to keep pressing until he got the answer he wanted. So he let it drop.

"Alright...Do you need help with dinner?"

"I was thinking we'd just order takeout tonight, how's that sound?" Yugi smiled and nodded.

"Can we get pizza?"

"Anything you want. Why don't you go call and order what you want? But nothing with black olives!" Solomon called after Yugi as the teen raced off to the other room where the phone was.

Solomon looked back at the ripped up letter. That was the last bit of news he needed, was to hear that that bastard had gotten out of jail. Shaking his head he made a note to himself to call the lawyer in the morning. And until then, he wouldn't tell Yugi.

After all, the last thing Yugi needed to know was that his father was out of jail. And the only person who would be able to possibly put him back there, was Yugi. The only eye witness to his mother's murder.

TBC>>>

Okay, I know I should be working on my other Yugioh fanfic. But I've been writing this one during my lunch time at work for the past couple weeks when I don't have time to write much of anything else. SO! Here is an extra long chapter one to a fic that I actually have an idea what I'm doing with! And don't worry. I actually do have part of my Yami's and Hikari's fic written. I just have to get past this small bit of writer's block on that fic and get the ball rolling again! But anyway, tell me what you thought of chapter one of endless dream!