The River By: DJ Rodriguez   (Author’s Notes: Hi everyone, how are you? Sorry for the long delay, but I have been playing with “Kingdom Hearts 2” for while. It’s addictive. ^_^   Darien: In any case, this song is from the CD “Carman the Standard” which is a favorite for DJ. The song reminded DJ something about Yugi, and decided to use it.   DJ: I apologize to anyone who does not agree with the teachings of Christ, but I just like to integrate it with my stories and hope that the readers like it.   I do not own Yugioh or “The River” by Carman. Now, on with the fanfic!)   The date was August 12th, 2005. It was a clear afternoon day for Domino City, the people going to and fro about their business. However, it was not a good day for a certain spiky, tri-color haired teenager. His name was Yugi Motou, formerly known as the King of Games.   It’s been about three months since his return from Egypt along with his friends. He had narrowly lost the duel to Yami, who had only 10 LP left. When he lost, Yami gained a body of his own due to the Millennium Stone and the seven Items. He thanked Yugi for the duel, but proved that he was really the true King of Games. It went downhill for him, slowly but surely. The first was his childhood friend, Téa Gardner.   The brunette bombshell knew about Yugi’s crush on her, but her heart belonged to the ancient Pharaoh. She led him to a small empty area where she told him about her feelings. Yugi was crushed indeed, but more so when she explained everything about that little date they had at the carnival some time ago. Téa said that they would remain friends, but her heart was with Yami. Yugi accepted the rejection, but left with tears in his eyes and a wound in his heart.   Joey was the second to go. He admitted that he and Tristen would have never made it this far with his help, but he interjected that it was mostly Yami who got him and the gang through everything. The blonde duelist stated that they were still friends, but Yami was now his best friend. Yugi was really wounded emotionally by that statement, but he hid it. After all, he was not one to show disappointment to anyone. Especially his friends.   One by one, people he knew started to gather around Yami more often and leaving him out. Granted, Yami still cared for the young man but he was now busy with handling dueling, getting in touch with modern technology and society, and also picking out dates for Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The young man became a sixth wheel, getting little attention from anyone even when he tried his best just to be recognized.   Now here he was, sitting along the bank of a large pond in Domino City Park. He was in a secluded area, which was like a secret getaway for him. He used to come here when he tried to escape from the bullies. He was staring at the still waters, looking up occasionally to see people pass on by. He saw couples walking by, talking with one another and just enjoying each other’s company. His eyes were forming tears, the emotional dam just cracking, ready to burst.   ‘Why? Why has it come to this? Why has all I worked so hard for… just gone?’ he thought as he continued to stare at the water. He felt that everything he had, everything he had worked so hard and long for, was just snatched away and handed to another.   Little did he know, but two people were looking for him. One was Serenity Wheeler, the sister of Joey. Unlike her brother, she was a person who had a sharp mind. Somewhat like Mai Valentine, who was currently dating her brother. Before the surgery to her eyes, she developed her senses and emotions to ‘see’ people. Now that she had her sight back, she started to see things that people tended to overlook.   One in particular was Yugi, whom she noticed that was always in the background. Serenity was no fool, not by a long shot. Whenever she went with her friends, she noticed that they all gave attention to Yami and Yugi sort of blended in without even being noticed. It bugged her, wondering on why Yugi was being left out in conversations and also in dueling.   The turning point for her was when she saw his violet eyes. She saw unbelievable pain and sadness in them, a hint of betrayal mixed in as well. He smiled at her whenever she looked at him, but she knew immediately that it was a mask. A mask to protect both himself and others, not wanting to spoil their fun. The empathetic girl was wondering why he had those emotions in those eyes.   She was currently at Downtown Domino, trying to find him. She needed to know what was troubling him, to see what she can do to make him feel better and take off the mask. ‘Where is he? I’ve checked at the mall, the arcade, and all the dueling centers. He’s not here!’ she thought. ‘The only place left is… the park.’ It was with that thought that she took off fast, using the car that Mai lent her for the day.   Meanwhile, the other person that was looking for Yugi was one Vivian Wong. It seemed unbelievable, but the Chinese star beauty was actually more into the little teenager then into Yami. She had read up on Yugi’s history and also checked out the photos. Something in her was telling that Yugi was the real deal, not his twin. She had seen him a couple of times with his twin and the others, but like Serenity… she had seen his eyes.   Vivian was taught that the eyes were the windows to the soul, and peering into Yugi’s eyes just told her the immense emotional pain that he was holding in. Now, she was looking for him at the mall. She did have boys ogle over her, but her attention and focus were centered towards one young man.   ‘He’s not here. I’ll try the park next, I bet he’s there!’ she thought before leaving for her limo.   Back to the situation at hand, Yugi was trying hard to contain his emotions. He didn’t want anyone to see him cry, thinking that the bullies would come and think of him as an easy target again. He was about to leave back into the real world when a strange sound filled the air. Using his ears, he followed the sound, which turned out to be music.   “What is that music?” he wondered. “It sounds beautiful, soothing.” He cleared a brush out of his face to see a young man getting ready to perform something. He was a foreigner by the look of his dark skin and the facial features. He looked to be about 16, maybe 17 years of age. But, instincts told him that he was a little older then that. He was wearing a black t-shirt with the American version of Godzilla on it, black jean shorts, and no shoes. Some distance from the person, propped next to a tree, was a CD/Radio player.   The young man stayed where he was, hidden in the shadows of the trees and brush. The foreigner closed his eyes, having a serene look on his face. That was when he started to move to the music. His moves were not graceful like a professional dancer, but it did not matter. He was moving to the music, moving with his heart and soul.   It doesn’t matter who you are   It doesn’t matter where you’d been   It doesn’t matter what the scar   It doesn’t matter what the sin   It doesn’t matter how you fell   Somewhere along the way  

There is healing for your life today

  As Yugi was hearing the lyrics, he didn’t notice that Serenity and Vivian were watching and listening as well. The two had heard the music and came to check it out. They were in different places, so they didn’t see one another nor Yugi. However, the young man felt something stir in his heart. He felt that there was something in this song that called out to him.   There’s a river that flows from the fountain of God   And it heals everything along the way   I have tasted and known that for every broken heart  

There is healing in Jesus name

  Yugi had heard of the name Jesus, primarily in Christian churches that were scattered far and wide in Domino. They were few and in between, and also he was a listener to traditional Japanese religions and practices. Yet he felt that these Christians had an answer when things looked down and grim.   He had snuck into his room once a book called a Bible and read some chapters of it. What really surprised him was a being named Jesus and what he had done in life. Granted, he was amazed on the miracles he had performed and the teachings he had taught. He wanted to learn more, but his Grandfather found it and threw it away.   He looks beyond how far you’ve gone   He looks beyond when you were hurt   He looks beyond who stole your song   He looks beyond what made it worse   He looks beyond where others failed  

To reach out to you and say, “There’s healing for your life today”

  As the music continued on, and the foreigner continued to dance and flow with the song as best he could, Yugi started to hang on to these words. ‘Jesus… he looks beyond what others have done. He doesn’t care about what happened to us, or how it started.’ Yugi started to think. ‘He only cares about reaching to us, every single one.’   Yugi had done a lot of things in life, mostly helping others. He gained little in return, but it still did him good to do the right thing. Now with things as they are, he felt that all of his accomplishments and work were in vain. But this music stirred something inside of him, making him feel something indescribable.   ‘Cause there’s a river that flows from the fountain of God   And it heals everything along the way   I have tasted and known that for every broken heart  

There is healing in Jesus’ name

  It’s a river that loves, it’s a river that lives  

It’s the River of Life, living water it gives

  Yugi felt something tug at his very heart and soul. He closed his eyes and gave out a small gasp, which no one heard. He opened his eyes and saw that he was somewhere else. He was at a large meadow of some sorts, some trees sprouting here and there. But that was not caught his attention. The real attention was that in the middle of this meadow… was a throne made out of pure fire.   Sitting on this red-golden throne was a man who looked to be in his early 40’s. He wore a robe that seemed to be whiter then pure snow and on his head was a crown of thorns. The man’s brown eyes smiled warmly at Yugi, and at his feet was a small river made of the purest water. It flowed from the man’s feet and seemed never ending.   “Can I…?” Yugi asked and before he could finish it, the man simply nodded. Yugi slowly bent down and scooped some water in his hands. It was very cool and crisp to the touch. He slowly put it the water to his lips and drank it. Next thing he knew, he felt an intense sensation through his whole being! It was like his soul was on fire. But this fire, it did not hurt. It was actually pleasant for the young man.   “You are worthy Yugi Motou. You are indeed worthy.” the man  said. His voice sounded ancient, similar to Yami’s. But unlike his counterpart, it was full of love and compassion. Yugi was starting to fade out when one word came from his lips. “Jesus?”   There’s a river that flows from the fountain of God   And it heals everything along the way   I have tasted and known that for every broken heart   There is healing in Jesus’, healing in Jesus’, healing in Jesus’ name  

There is healing in Jesus’ name

  Yugi was brought back into reality, seeing that he was back in the park. The song was dying down, the lyrics gone. The foreigner was now looking over him, smiling down at him. “Are you okay?” he asked. The sound was a mix of both childish innocence and a maturity of a teenager.   Yugi answered “I am now, thank you. By the way, my name is Yugi Motou.” The dark-skinned person replied that his name was Daniel Rodriguez, but everyone called him DJ. “By the way, what was that song that you were playing a little while ago?”   DJ blushed in embarrassment and answered “That was The River by Carman, a Christian CD. I love his song and music, and it moves my heart in a good way.” he answered. “But it’ll still be awhile until I’m a true Christian.”   Yugi sat up, tears coming to his eyes. However, these were not tears of sorrow but tears of happiness. The empty feeling that was in his heart, the wound in his soul… it was healed. “Are you okay?” DJ asked. Yugi nodded and said that he was fine, just happy that he had heard the song.   DJ smiled and inquired “Let me guess, it moved you in a unique way?” Yugi nodded, then with little thought, told him all about his current problems. He was saying that he felt that he now had no one, that all he had done for others was in vain. Yugi poured out his heart and soul to the young man, not knowing that Serenity and Vivian were hearing his tale.   DJ patted Yugi on the shoulder after he was finished with his story. “Well my friend, let me say this. In Christianity, Jesus does not care about who you are, what you did, or how things turned out. All he cares about is being there for you, to help and comfort you in times of need. He’s like the best friend you never thought possible.”   Checking his watch, DJ saw it was time to go. “I got to run, but I hope to see you later Yugi Motou. Take care and good luck!” he said before leaving. Yugi waved goodbye to him, seeing him take off with his stuff. As he sat there just feeling refreshed and renewed, he felt a pair of hands on his shoulders. Looking up, he found himself gazing into the eyes of Serenity and Vivian.   “Oh, hello. I didn’t hear you girls come in.” he said as he slowly got up. Serenity said smiled and asked “Yugi, do you want to come with us to see a movie?”   Vivian added “Yeah, it would be fun. We could get to know you more that way.” This was a surprise for Yugi, for all he remembered that Vivian tried to get him in bed for a number of times, back when he and Yami were one. But now, this Vivian seemed different. Someone that wanted to get to know the person more, not just get laid.   The teen smiled and replied “Sure, I would be honored.” The three then left the area, going back out to face the world. Yugi was entering it was a new perspective, a whole new feeling in his being. Looking at the three go on their way was DJ, a mysterious smile on his face.   “Glad I was able to help you, Yugi.” he whispered before moving on.   (Author’s Notes: So, how did you all like this one? Not much, but all I had to offer at the moment.   Darien: Have any of you ever felt like Yugi a little while ago, feeling that all you have done amounted up to nothing and that people were leaving you by? Sometimes the answer to that problem is far away, yet close as your heart.   DJ: How do you think Yugi will end up in the future, and with whom?   R&R, no flames, enjoy, and leave long reviews!)