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Rending the Veil	By : SangoHuntress1977 Category: Yu-Gi-Oh > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 3154 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: YuGiOh and all characters thereof are the sole property of Kazuki Takahashi and all media rightsholders. I am merely a fan borrowing for fun and entertainment and derive no profit therefrom.

Chapter List
- 11
- 12
Kayobi, Tuesday, September 24, 2002
Autumnal Equinox Day
Each carrying a wooden bucket laden with flowers and incense sticks, Yugi and Atem made their way toward the small graveyard that was the last home of their beloved grandfather, Mutou Sugoroku.
The graveyard was a peaceful place, full of trees with long branches of dark green leaves that would soon begin changing for autumn. The trees helped to cut them off from the noise and clangor of the city just beyond the wall that surrounded the cemetery.
Yugi knelt down and poured water on the grave, after which Atem scrubbed the accumulated dirt and cobwebs from its smooth stone surface. Yugi then laid his flowers on the grave, followed by Atem, who did the same with his. After two sets of incense sticks were ensconced in the ground and lit, Atem watched as Yugi folded his hands, closed his eyes and lowered his head in prayer.

After a bit, Yugi stood up and looked back at Atem through watery eyes.

“Would you like to talk to him too?” Yugi offered.
“Are you sure?” Atem asked, wanting to speak to Grandpa, but not wanting to intrude.

“Of course. He was your grandpa too, after all,” explained Yugi. “Just kneel, fold your hands and say what you want in your head. Grandpa can hear what we think because he’s a spirit now.”

With a nod, Atem knelt and folded his hands to speak to Grandpa.

‘Well, Shimon, I’m not sure exactly what happened, but now that I live again, I will dedicate the rest of my life to Yugi. Travel on, old friend. I’ll see you again someday.’
Atem stood up and he and Yugi held hands, thinking of the kind and loving grandfather, whose death had left a void in both their hearts that they would have to work together to fill.
Still holding hands, Yugi and Atem left the graveyard together.
Kayobi, Tuesday, October 1, 2002
On a clear, crisp autumn day, Yugi and Atem stepped out of the game shop, both clad in their leathers due to the change in the weather. After Yugi had locked the door behind them, the two young men started down the sidewalk, their paces matching perfectly. They continued thus until the sight of bright red leaves falling from a large maple tree staid Atem’s progress. Realizing that the Egyptian had stopped walking, Yugi turned around and looked back.
As Atem stared up at the tree, ruby eyes wide in rapt fascination, a gust of wind blew, which loosed some of the leaves from their branches. He plucked one of the red floaters from the air and looked it over curiously, feeling its brittle, crunchy texture in his fingers. The adorable look of childlike curiosity on the normally regal countenance forced Yugi to suppress a smile as he approached his curious Other.
“Yugi, is this tree dying?” Atem asked, holding up the leaf.
“No,” Yugi answered. “It’s because it’s autumn. When the weather starts to get a bit cooler…”
“A bit?” complained Atem, drawing up his leather jacket as another gust of wind hit his lean form.
“Hee hee. When the weather turns cold, the trees shed their leaves and fall asleep through the winter. When the warm weather returns in spring, they’ll grow new, green leaves,” Yugi continued.
Atem looked at the tree, wishing that he might also sleep through the cold weather, which seemed to sap him of his energy. He allowed the leaf to flutter to the sidewalk, turned up the collar of his leather jacket and fell into pace with Yugi once again as they continued their way to Starbucks.
Atem was grateful for the blast of warm air that hit him as soon as the door closed behind him and Yugi.
“One double tall mocha latte, please,” Yugi ordered.
“Espresso,” Atem ordered.
While they were waiting for their orders, Atem’s sharp eyes roved about the shop, taking in the sight of many people, typing happily away on their laptops, seemingly unaware of anyone or anything around them.
‘They look like zombies,’ the ancient one thought, wrinkling his nose at the sight.
As his eyes continued to take everything in, they fell upon a shock of silver hair, which stood out readily among the blacks and browns of the other patrons. Ruby irises lit in glad recognition.
“Bakura,” he said.
“Huh? Where?” asked Yugi, looking around.
Atem pointed in the silver-haired teen’s direction so Yugi could make him out.
“Hn. I didn’t know he was into the coffee scene,” mused Yugi.
“Should we join him?” Atem asked.
“Let me go to him first. Me and Jou haven’t actually told the others about you yet and I don’t want him passing out,” explained Yugi with a good natured smile.
“Never told the others?” echoed Atem with a frown. “Am I some great secret to be kept locked away in the shop?”
“No, of course not,” soothed Yugi, subtly giving Atem’s hand a squeeze. “I just… kinda wanted you to myself for a while…”
Yugi trailed off as a blush tinged his cheeks a lovely shade of pink and suddenly found the floor very interesting.
Atem snorted in amusement as a wry smile lit his features.
“I understand,” he reassured. “But I would like to see the others eventually.”
“We will,” promised Yugi. “Starting now.”
“One double tall mocha latte and one espresso!” called the barista.
Yugi and Atem grabbed their drinks from the counter.
“Careful. It’s hot,” warned Yugi.
With a nod, Atem took a small, careful sip of his coffee.
“This is good!” he said happily. “Shall we join Bakura now?”
With a nod, Yugi started to make his way over to Bakura, while Atem hung back.
“Bakura!” he called out with a wave.
Upon hearing his name, Bakura looked up from his laptop, brown eyes warming at the sight of Yugi approaching him.
“Yugi, it’s been far too long. Are you doing well?” the silver hair asked, having not seen Yugi since last summer.
“Yeah. I actually have been. Thanks for asking,” smiled Yugi.
“I’m sorry that it’s been so long since we’ve met up,” apologized Bakura. “The university and museum have taken all my time. This is my first free day in over a month.”
“You don’t have to apologize. You’re an adult living a busy life,” sympathized Yugi. “The game shop takes up a lot of my time these days.”
“Speaking of the game shop, is it still… crowded?” Bakura asked in a dropped voice.
“Yeah, but it’s OK,” answered Yugi with a smile.
“Really? You seemed anxious to be rid of the entity when last I saw you,” observed Bakura, pausing to sip his coffee.
“Well, let’s just say that the entity isn’t so scary now that I’ve gotten to know it,” said Yugi, eyes twinkling.
“‘Gotten to know?’” echoed Bakura incredulously. “Whatever do you mean, Yugi?”
“You’ll see,” said Yugi with a mysterious smile as he gestured for his “entity” to approach.
Bakura’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped in utter shock as a swarthy, crimson-eyed man with tricolor hair eerily similar to Yugi’s stepped gracefully among the tables and stood before him in all his glory. Poor Bakura was only saved from complete collapse by the fact that he was already seated.
‘No! This is not real!’ his mind cried.
“Hello, Bakura. It’s been a long time,” the man spoke in a smooth, deep voice.
“Yes… quite a long time…” the silver-haired teen agreed, eyes turning to Yugi, fairly demanding an explanation.
“Why don’t we all sit down?” suggested Yugi.
After the three were seated, Bakura gazed in absolute astonishment at the two tricolors, looking so alike, yet so different as they sat beside each other.
“How is this even possible?” he fairly breathed in amazement.
“On the last night of Obon, Atem showed up at my door, soaking wet and almost dying of a fever,” Yugi explained, shifting his gaze between Bakura and Atem.
“He rent the veil,” breathed Bakura, staring in unmitigated awe at the Egyptian, who stared serenely back.
“Not just rent, he ripped a hole and walked through,” grinned Yugi as he cast a loving gaze at his Pharaoh.
“Incredible. You could make a movie about this whole thing,” said Bakura, tearing his gaze reluctantly from Atem.
“Like anyone would believe it,” laughed Yugi.
Atem, still ignorant of proper social mores, reached out and clasped Yugi’s hand in an unabashed gesture of affection. Equally oblivious, Yugi returned the caress while Bakura forced himself to look away.
“Well, I’m happy for both of you. It’s a reward well earned,” he said resolutely.
“Thank you for your kind words,” said Atem happily.
In an attempt to break up the awkward atmosphere, Bakura noted the drink in Atem’s hand.
“So I see you’re trying Starbucks. How do you like it?” he asked.
“I love it. It’s sweet without being cloying,” said Atem, eying the drink before taking another ginger sip.
“Have you tried the triple cheese supreme at Burger World yet?” asked Bakura.
“Careful of those. They’re fattening,” warned Yugi, dreading the idea of his beautiful, sleek Pharaoh bulging out on cheeseburgers.
“Ha ha!” laughed Atem at the look on Yugi’s face as he held up his coffee cup. “And these aren’t?”
Watching the easy interaction between the former spirit and his vessel, Bakura’s eyes darkened a bit as he quickly took a sip of his own coffee.
‘If only my Other and I could have had a relationship like these two have…’
That night…
Kame Game Shop
Yugi and Atem lay cuddled under the blankets on Atem’s bed, Atem actually wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt to bed since it was cool out.
“Atem?” Yugi asked.
“Hmm?” returned Atem.
“I’m sorry,” Yugi began.
“For what?” Atem asked absently.
“For keeping you to myself and not telling the others. I didn’t even think about your feelings. I… I’ve been treating you like I own you and that’s wrong,” Yugi explained. “You’re not just the Other Me anymore. You’re a separate person and you deserve to be able to hang out with anyone you want, any time you want, to have your own life. I could help you set up an email address so you could talk to anyone you want. Maybe we could even get you a phone and a computer!”
“Woah! Slow down there, Partner,” smiled Atem, giving Yugi’s hand a squeeze. “First of all, I don’t think wanting me to yourself for a while is selfish. Second, if I were all that desperate to get in contact with the others, I would have simply emailed Jou from your phone when you put it down. Third, I do intend to have my own life, but only with you in it, at my side, as you are now…”
Yugi’s cheeks were that lovely shade of pink again as he ducked his face down, burying it in Atem’s chest.
“As for the computer and phone, let’s save that for another day,” Atem concluded as he kissed the crown of Yugi’s head.
“OK…” said Yugi in his cute, muffled voice.
A blanket of darkness covering them, they closed their eyes and let sleep take them.
Suiyobi, Wednesday, December 11, 2002
Shutting the door behind him, Yugi crossed Sugoroku’s old room to the small butsudan reposing against the wall at the foot of the bed. With a deep sigh, he opened the doors, tapped the singing bowl and folded his hands to pray to his grandfather.
‘I can’t believe it’s been a year already since you left. I miss you so much. Things aren’t quite as bad with Atem here, but I wish you were still here too. Guess I’m as selfish as ever. It just would’ve been cool if you and him could’ve gotten to know each other. I really hope you’ve reunited with Grandma and my parents too and someday we can all be together again.’
Standing in the doorway, unnoticed by the younger man, Atem watched Yugi through sad eyes. He knew why this day held such sorrow for Yugi. With a sigh, he headed downstairs to make breakfast for them.
“Good morning, meriu,” Atem said softly as Yugi slumped into his place at the table.
“Hi, Até,” Yugi said quietly, without looking up.
Not bothering to caress Yugi’s face until their gazes met, as was his practice when Yugi didn’t look up at him, Atem merely sighed and sat down to his own breakfast.
“Thanks for the food.”
The tricolors ate in silence, Atem glancing over at Yugi’s downcast face and feeling his heart clench at this sight. Seeing Yugi in this state felt as unnatural to Atem as seeing a blue sun overhead would.
“The food was great.”
After Yugi and Atem put their eating ware into the sink, Yugi’s gaze turned toward the staircase, as he felt sorely tempted to simply retreat to his room and stay holed up there for the rest of the day. Seeing the play of emotions across his Partner’s face, Atem gripped Yugi by the shoulders, making the younger man face him.
“I’m going for a walk. Come with me?” he offered hopefully.
Yugi thought a moment. Did he really want to spend the day crying in his room? Or would it be better to go walking outside with Atem? Looking up into those beautiful rose petal eyes sealed the deal for him.
“OK,” he said in a small voice, managing a watery smile.
“C’mon,” said Atem, giving Yugi’s shoulders a squeeze before letting go.
The tricolors walked under the overcast gray sky, stopping at crosswalks and crossing with the hordes of other pedestrians. Presently, the gravid clouds reached their fullest state and began to gradually disgorge their contents onto the earth below. At first, there were just a few wispy white flakes floating in the air, but gradually, their number increased.
At the sight of the thin white floaters before him, Atem stopped and stared, eyes round and childlike. Cautiously, he removed his right glove and caught some of the flakes to inspect them more closely. Atem winced at the cold wetness as it made direct contact with his skin and stared in rapt fascination as the small white things simply dissolved into watery nothing.
“You saw snow when we shared a body,” stated Yugi.
“Through your eyes; never my own,” Atem answered in a soft, reverent voice.
Yugi went over to Atem and watched as more of the small flakes fell into the Pharaoh’s open palm and dissolved upon contact with his skin.
“How quickly they fade away,” Atem observed quietly.
“Yeah,” agreed Yugi wistfully.
Atem smiled gently at Yugi and patted him on the shoulder, receiving a grateful smile from the younger man.
Yugi and Atem continued on their way as torrents of white flakes rained down from iron gray clouds, the whole landscape quickly becoming covered in a wintry bleakness not to be described in words.
Kayobi, Tuesday, December 24, 2002
Christmas Eve
The smell of roasted chicken and mashed potatoes keeping warm in the small oven filled the air. Atem had just tuned the TV to the station showing the old American Christmas flicks. Yugi sat at the table, staring at the side door, anxious for the arrival of their friends.
“They’ll get here soon, Partner,” Atem called patiently to Yugi. “Staring a hole into the door won’t change that.”
“I know. I’m just excited. This’ll be the first time we’ve all been together for Christmas Eve. I can’t wait,” Yugi explained.
“Ha ha ha! I understand. I feel the same,” Atem admitted, abandoning the couch and approaching Yugi.
“Yeah. You just hide it better than me,” pouted Yugi, leaning back into Atem as he felt the Pharaoh’s arms snaking about his shoulders.
“Years of practice from being Pharaoh. You can’t let people see your hand,” Atem explained as he held the younger man to him.
Yugi nodded his understanding.
SCREECH!
“Jou’s here,” the tricolors said in unison.
Yugi stepped down into the genkan to unlock the door. Into the genkan stepped Jou, grinning ear to ear.
“Merry Christmas, dudes! Fresh from da Colonel!” the blond said, holding up his red and white striped bucket.
“Put it on the counter, if you would,” instructed Atem after Jou had stepped out of his shoes.
Having deposited his bucket, Jou followed Yugi into the living room and slumped down on the couch. The two fell into watching old American Christmas movies and exchanging witty and even salacious comments about the characters.
While putting Jou’s chicken in the oven, Atem overheard their banter and couldn’t help but chuckle to himself. Christmas was a novelty that he didn’t really understand, but if Yugi and Jou’s comments were any indication, he was in for a fun night. Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
Atem stepped down into the genkan and unlocked the door to admit Bakura, who was also carrying a bucket.
“Merry Christmas, Bakura,” Atem said, glad that Yugi had coached him in greetings beforehand.
“Merry Christmas, Atem. Thanks to you and Yugi for inviting me,” said Bakura as he stepped out of his boots and deposited his bucket on the counter.
After putting Bakura’s chicken in the oven to keep warm with the others, Atem joined the other three in the living room to watch TV. The old American movies made absolutely no sense to him, so he spent his time watching Yugi and the others interact, joke and make references that went over his ancient head.
Knock knock knock
The four friends looked at each other. Atem jumped up from the couch and ran upstairs while Yugi went to answer the side door, which was opened to reveal Honda and Shizuka, who was carrying yet another red and white striped bucket.
“Merry Christmas!” the cold air rang with warm welcome.
After stepping out of their boots and leaving their chicken in the oven, Honda and Shizuka came into the living room.
“Honda, ya ol’ shithead! How ya doin’?!” said Jou as he and Honda clasped hands.
“Not bad, ya dumb mutt! How’s Kaiba been treating you?” Honda asked.
“He totally respects me,” Jou said.
A moment of silence.
“HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!” everyone crowed while Jou glowered at the lot of them.
“Katsuya!” cried Shizuka, giving Jou a quick hug.
“How ya been, Shizu-chan?!” asked Jou.
“I’ve been fine. Hiroto’s been keeping me very warm,” said Shizuka.
“Izzat so?” asked Jou, shooting a warning glare at Honda, who grinned and shrugged his shoulders.
“Bloodshed appears imminent,” Bakura warned.
“Ha ha ha! OK, let’s not kill each other before we’ve seen A Christmas Carol,” Yugi laughed, holding his hands up in a placatory gesture. “How about I serve up the chicken?”
“Yeah!” everyone cheered happily, pumping their fists in the air.
Yugi served up all the chicken, mashed potatoes, salad and pop onto six plates and brought one to everyone, who received it with thanks.
“Hey, Yugi. There are five of us. Why the sixth plate?” Honda asked observantly.
“Merry Christmas, Honda,” came a deep voice from behind.
“Hey, that’s a cool trick. I didn’t know you could throw your voice,” laughed Honda.
“I can’t,” said Yugi, fighting to keep back the giggles along with the others.
Finally, Honda took a hint and looked behind him into a pair of mirthful crimson eyes. Honda’s eyes widened, his jaw opening and closing as his mind tried to process the muscular, tanned Yugi who stood before him.
“Other Yug… Pharaoh?! Is that really you?” the young engineer asked in a quavering voice.
“In the flesh,” Atem said with a smile.
The next thing he knew, he had an armful of sobbing Honda pressed up against him.
“Oh, my gods! Pharaoh! How did this happen? This is so awesome! I thought we’d never see you again, but here you aaaarrre…” Honda bawled shamelessly.
Atem awkwardly patted Honda on the back, looking over his friend’s wracking form with pleading eyes toward the others.
Rolling his eyes, Jou stood up, walked over and yanked Honda back from Atem.
“Git it togetha, man. Yer embarrassin’ yerself!” the blond glowered at the pointy banged man.
“S-sorry. This is just so awesome. It’s like, it’s like a Christmas miracle,” sighed Honda as he wiped away his tears.
‘More like an Obon miracle, but that’s neither here nor there,’ thought Yugi with a smile.
Atem settled on the couch next to Yugi and started in on his own dinner while they all watched the movie.
“I know who Scrooge reminds me of,” commented Jou as he bit into a drumstick.
“That would make you Bob Cratchit,” teased Yugi.
“I’d ratha be da Ghost a Christmas future ‘n scare da shit outta’m,” Jou retorted.
“I personally think I’d make the best Ghost of Christmas Future,” Atem input.
“Ya know, ya prolly would. Ya kin sure be scary ‘nuff,” teased Jou.
“Well, thank you so much,” Atem glowered at the blond while the others laughed at his expense.
With a sigh and shake of his head, Atem smiled at the goodnatured ribbing and turned his attention back to the movie.
That night…
The snow fell in a thick blizzard over the small town of Domino. The streets and sidewalks were just about impassable, resulting in an eerie quiet, as folk had retreated indoors and there were few, if any, cars on the roads.
White snowflakes fell in the blackness just beyond the window of the living room. This blackness was stopped and held out by the light and warmth inside the room. The others had departed long ago, leaving Yugi and Atem to themselves. Yugi leaned back into the strong arms wrapped so protectively about his shoulders. His eyes traveled from the window, up into the handsome face of his Pharaoh.
Atem Ishtar stared straight out into the snowy darkness, seemingly fascinated by the dim white floaters against the blackness of the night behind them.
Deciding that he felt neglected, Yugi reached up and gently tugged at a long blond bang. Crimson irises shifted downward to meet with twinkling violets and lips turned up impishly. A smile slowly spread across the Pharaoh’s features before he leaned down and caught Yugi’s upturned face in a gentle, but heated kiss. Atem’s arms squeezed more tightly around Yugi’s shoulders as he rested his chin on the spiky crown of Yugi’s head.
Content, the couple closed their eyes and allowed sleep to claim them.
~Owari~
- 11
- 12
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Rending the Veil