Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Do You Dream of Me? ❯ Chapter 37

Disclimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh. I do, however, own a complete set of the translated Shonen Jump magazines.

 

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The boy picked through the shards until he found one that cut his fingers. The droplets shined, gilding the grey piece. He smiled: this was the one he had been looking for. He handed it to his companion. This one next.

 

It cut him as well, shadow-tinged droplets mingling with gold. Are you sure? He held it without flinching.

 

The boy nodded firmly. My castle needs barbed wire to keep invaders away.

 

But this will hurt everyone who comes. No matter how delicately he held it, it still cut deeper with every slight movement of his hand.

 

But everyone is an invader. Everyone comes to take and hurt. The boy's face was innocent as he spoke words that were perfect truth.

 

Do I? And does Mokuba? He held up to the light that emanated from the boy. It's not very pretty, is it? It was dull, barely shining unlike the other white-silver shards.

 

…no. The boy looked at the shard and then at the man, fear creeping into his eyes. I can't hurt Mokuba. He belongs in the castle. He noticed the man's hand. You're hurting.

 

It hurt you as well. He was used to pain: so was the boy.

 

…yes. But I need it. It's not safe. He looked around timidly. Everything here was dark and quiet, but Here is safe, you make it safe. But Out There everyone is bad. Everyone goes away or hurts us. You can stay, Mokuba can stay in the castle and be safe. I don't want other people to come.

 

You used this, he held up the shard, letting it cut deeper, to keep Mokuba out. It cut him. And I couldn't come to protect you until this wall was removed.

 

…I know. But how do I keep the bad people away and not hurt Mokuba? Put it down, you're bleeding! The man obeyed, and the boy took his hand. It hurts. I don't want to hurt anymore.

 

We don't know how to stop ourselves from hurting. But you stopped me hurting. The man threw the shard away into the darkness, where it dissolved, darkness itself. I'll stop you.

 

But you'll go away. Another horrifying, innocent statement. Everyone who says they will help goes away.

 

Does Mokuba go away?

 

No, I went away from him. Don't try to help me! The boy clutched the man fiercely. I don't want you to go away too! Here. A dagger appeared in his hand. Hurt me, and then you won't go away. At least for a while.

 

The man crushed the dagger. No, he was a boy. Older than the boy, but still a child himself. They both shared old eyes. There's another way I can stay. One that doesn't have to hurt.

 

What?! Surprise. What a strange concept.

 

Wall me up in your castle. The youth handed him a dark, glimmering crystal. Make me a piece, make me a wall, just like Mokuba is. I'll protect you and you can keep me. We can't make ourselves stop hurting. But we can make each other.

 

The boy took it. It's pretty. It will make a good wall.

 

Much better than the barbed wire, the youth agreed.

 

If I do this, I won't hurt and hate people who try to touch me. You'll have to hurt them for me if they need to be hurt, the boy instructed him. Like I hurt people who try to hurt Mokuba.

 

The youth nodded. That's what I want to do.

 

The boy picked up the ball that the shards fit into (or didn't) and looked at it. It'll be pretty when it's done, won't it?

 

Yes. Bright and strong. The youth reached out to caress it.

 

The boy smiled, fitting in the piece. If I can't have barbed wire, can I have cannon? Or lasers. Lasers are cool. I can teach Mokuba to use them and then we can shoot mean people.

 

The youth's hand felt the glow that came from the half-assembled heart. Lasers are of light. Yes, you will have them. I need to protect you, after all. It's better for me if you're not helpless. He had to explain him wanting to help the boy in those terms, still. It made more sense then people simply wanting to help him. He would learn as the heart was pieced together.

 

I don't want to be helpless. But now, I'll have very good walls to hide behind and shoot people from. And I won't hurt all the time. The boy smiled. Thank you. This would take a lot longer if you weren't here. And I'd be helpless while I'm here and my body is out there. He looked around. I'll have to leave when I'm done, won't I?

 

You'll have to leave before you're done. Mokuba is the final piece, remember? You'll have to go find him.

 

I'm not sure I want to leave. It's soft here.

 

The youth laughed. You'd get bored if there wasn't this puzzle to work on.

 

I like puzzles. They're fun and they don't hurt. Puzzles are much better than people. The boy hugged his heart. When it's solved, I'll have won. I like winning.

 

Winning is good. The youth agreed. When we get out of her, in exchange you'll have to help me win.

 

I'd duel him anyways. I want to beat him. He has a shiny puzzle and I want it. Also, I lost. I don't lose. The boy pouted. Losing isn't safe. I lost to Him. I thought I won, but I lost. I won't lose again.

 

Mokuba and I won't let you, the youth reassured him. When we're deep in your heart instead of being pushed to the sides we can stop you.

 

Like only I can stop you from being alone in the dark. The boy smiled. I think I would like being alone in the dark.

 

The youth shuddered. Mokuba wouldn't be there.

 

You're right. The boy smiled. Let's hurry up! I want to go find him! Where's the next piece? He looked around.

 

The youth shrugged. It's your puzzle. You have to decide where the pieces go. They can go anywhere you want them to.

 

This is a hard game. It's not like a normal puzzle where you know if the pieces don't go. If I had put that one in, I wouldn't have known to take it out. I would have had to work really hard later, when everything else was in place, to take it out. The boy frowned. I'll have to be extra careful. It's a good thing I'm a genius.

 

Yes, it is. You're good at finding things, the youth said as he watched the boy rummage around. You found me.

 

Yes. I did. Casual arrogance. I won you. I always win.

 

You will. The youth smiled. Then frowned. Someone is coming.

 

Where?! The boy jumped, hiding the heart puzzle in his arms. It's him! He made me this puzzle. But I lost. Reasons to like him and dislike him. I don't want him here. This is my place. The outlines of a room were slowly forming, separating the space from the surrounding darkness as the puzzle was completed.

 

Yes, this is your place, the youth agreed.

 

You can stay here. And I want Mokuba to come. But not other people. The shard had dissolved, the youth realized, but caution was part of the boy's memories as well as his heart. Even if he makes nice games and I want him. He's not you. The boy's eyes met the youth's earnestly. I don't want him as much as I want you. I won't replace you. That would be like replacing Mokuba. I want him because he is fun.

 

I know, I think he is fun too. The youth tousled the boy's hair. But you're more fun.

 

Of course.

 

He's not coming in without asking, but he wants to talk to someone. May I go see him? Why would he come so soon after they had spoken? Did he not want to comfort his light? Or was his light strong enough that the day's events had been recovered from quickly?

 

That was good, the other, Yami, deserved a strong light. A stronger light than his, even stronger than his would be when he was purified and complete. His light was still better, however. Stronger in that he had survived so much.

 

The boy pouted, thinking. Why would you want to go see him? He looked a little hurt, that the youth didn't only want to talk to him.

 

Because he wouldn't bother us unless it was something we needed to know. He'd better not. So I should go see what it is.

 

I don't want you to go! The boy hugged him fiercely. You're mine, and I want you here!

 

The youth hugged the boy back. Seto, little chaos, I will still be here. You hold my heart, remember? You can talk to me, if you want. I can speak with you both at once.

 

I can have too conversations at once too. You're almost as smart as me. Seto looked reassured, however.

 

Yes. The sooner I go, the sooner I can be all here and listening to you again, the youth pointed out.

 

The boy pushed him. Go!

 

I go. The youth faded. Seto looked at where he had been for a moment, and then returned his attention to the puzzle. If he was busy, he wouldn't be focused on him being gone.

 

Yami. The youth stood in darkness spangled with lights that were not stars.

 

Seth. The other bowed. Are you free tomorrow night?

 

I am not free. I am bound to the Rod and to my light. That was obvious.

 

Can Seto's body go to a location? Yami patiently explained.

 

He currently rests in his bed with Mokuba near. Yes, I could control it to walk somewhere. I would have to bring Mokuba. He is not safe alone. He would be less safe if Seto's `weakness' was known. Seth frowned. I will have to attend meetings and other things. I wish I had defeated you, `Kaiba Seto's' defeat will do damage.

 

I am sorry.

 

Seth's eyes narrowed. Do not apologize for a victory. You won because you were stronger. That time. I will defeat you one day.

 

Yami smiled. I know. I remember… I feel some guilt, that you have not defeated me.

 

You should be guilty, but I don't know why. Seth grimaced.

 

That is why you must come. Friends of Motou-sama, Yugi-dono's grandfather, study the past. Tomorrow evening they will come to tell us of what they have found of the history of the Items and, perhaps, our history.

 

What was taken from us? It seems too good to be true. Would the Items allow it? They hate us, you know. They hate us for what we did not do. What others did.

 

That feels true. Yami sighed. So many spells I do not recall… enemies, I remember, but do not know their faces. It seemed I was trapped for an eternity. What if my past and all the arts I could use for my light's sake are lost beyond recall?

 

They will not be. If these fail in uncovering it, my light will set others to the task. He has uncovered much himself. I have access to his memories, but have not used it yet, except for such things as his business and Mokuba. Perhaps I will have knowledge to add to this meeting.

 

Yami smiled. I expect you will. Seto. Master will be pleased.

 

You call him lord and Master. Why? Has he defeated you and won your crown? Jealousy.

 

He defeated the Puzzle that defeated me and held me bound. So he proved himself a greater master of games than I.

 

You and my light rescued me. Another defeat you have handed me, oh King of Games, freeing me where I could not free myself. I will come to this meeting. I will earn my place at it.

 

I thank you.

 

Thank you for telling me of this, and give your thanks to my light. Seth looked away. Are we done, then? He calls.

 

The place is Master's house, the time is six in the evening.

 

The three of us will be there.