Invisible Me

Author’s Note – Well, another chapter on its way! It’s been nice to have a period where the muses are cooperating, my creative spirit is willing, and the computer hasn’t screwed up on me. This is a rarity that I’m going to enjoy as much as I can. Right now, I have time on my hands. We’ve had a series of storms come through and for some reason, two rooms of my apartment flooded. So I’m waiting on maintenance to get over here and do something about it. At the moment, this place reeks thanks to the carpet. UGH!!!!

To my heart sisters, all my love and appreciation.

Disclaimer – I do not own YuGiOh nor do I make money off of these stories I create. This is just for fun.

Chapter Nine – Riding the Whirlwind

Yugi barely had time to protest as he was dragged out to the car and whisked off to the mall that was located uptown. This was the mall he usually avoided due to the prices and wondered why the group had dragged him here.

Duke met them there, and his green eyes were sparkling in anticipation. That should have worried the hikari right there, but he was still a bit bemused by everything that had been going on.

“Were you able to get it, Duke?”

The dice master laughed and nodded, sliding an arm around Yugi in a gentle hug.

“I certainly did, Joey. We have two hours to kill. He was able to squeeze us in this evening. Now, where to first?”

Malik frowned for a moment, considering what would be needed.

“We need to update his uniform for starters and then see about after school wear. To be honest, he’s overdue for this.”

Duke, familiar with the Mutou’s financial situation, nodded. While the game shop paid the bills, it didn’t leave a lot for other things. Yugi and Yami’s dueling money usually went towards the upkeep around the house and to help keep the shop filled with the newer merchandise. Seto and Duke, knowing the situation, had helped where they could. This usually meant sending the newer games to fill the Mutou’s shelves first before they hit the regular stores.

During the time the group had known the tri-color haired hikari, they had never heard him complain about the financial restrictions at all. They’d seen him cheerfully suggest that any extra funds be used for something his grandfather or Yami wanted. The only money he kept from his tournament winnings was just enough to keep his dueling equipment and deck updated.

All of them were determined that today would be the day that Yugi would be pampered and spoiled a bit. Joey and Duke had already discussed a few things and warned the others that Yugi might balk a bit about what they had planned.

“Okay, let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first.”

Duke led them to a small shop and was greeted by the manager.

“Good afternoon, sir. How may I help you?”

“Yes. My friend here is in need of some new school uniforms.”

Yugi swallowed hard as the manager’s eyes turned towards him, distaste for the somewhat oversized uniform evident in his eyes. Due to his small size, it was difficult to find uniforms that fit and it was too expensive to get them made for him. So he’d gone with the larger one without complaint.

“Certainly sir. Let’s get him measured, and we’ll get started.”

Within moments, the small duelist was stripped down to his boxers and blushing violently as his measurements were taken. This was something he wasn’t used to, and the blush drew gentle teasing from his friends.

Once that was done, Yugi was drawn into a whirlwind of stores and clothing, being loaded down with things and ordered to try them on. He balked when he saw the price tag on one item, and his reaction was noticed by Ryou.

“What’s wrong, Yugi?”

Blond bangs fell into his face as he shook his head, staring down at the clothing in his arms. He’d have to save up his allowance for several months to afford one of these shirts. There was just no way.

Joey recognized the expression on his friend’s face. Before Seto had broken down his barriers on accepting gifts, he’d had the same problem when shopping. Gently, he wrapped an arm around the slender shoulders.

“It’s okay, Yugi. This is a gift from me, Seto, and Duke.”

Amethyst eyes stared at two of the ones mentioned.

“It’s too much. I can’t accept that.”

Duke simply smiled and guided Yugi to the dressing room.

“You can, and you will. You’ve done so much for us. This is our way of saying thank you. You’ll hurt my feelings if you don’t accept it.”

When it was put that way, Yugi couldn’t refuse and the whirlwind began again. He didn’t say much, watching as his friends critiqued the clothing, making adjustments to some outfits and putting others back. Everything that was chosen was put on either Seto’s or Duke’s tab and then set to be delivered to the Kaiba home.

Time blurred by and before long, he was sitting in a salon, eyes wide as the hair stylist ran fingers through his tri-color locks.

“I have never seen hair such as this. The colors are natural. The spikes, do you usually wear it like this?”

Yugi’s voice was quiet as he shyly answered him.

“Only way I can wear it. Family curse, my grandfather calls it.”

The aqua colored eyes widened as he realized what his new client had said.

“You mean it does this naturally as well?”

“Unfortunately. It only lays down when it’s wet. I haven’t been able to find anything to make it lay flat.”

The stylist frowned, judging the length and examining the hair closer.

“You do not like the style, I take it?”

“Honestly, if I could get it to act normally, I’d be happy. I get a little tired of the attention my hair draws.”

The man nodded and met Yugi’s eyes by staring up at the mirror.

“The hair coloring is unique and must stay. A different style would certainly showcase the colors in a better manner. Have you considered growing it out?”

“I hadn’t thought of it. Would it help?”

“Yes, it will. The longer it gets, the heavier it will become. With the right weight, the hair will behave as most people’s do.”

Ryou smiled, picturing what the stylist was saying.

“I think you’d look great with longer hair, Yugi. It doesn’t have to be as long as Duke’s, but it’d be something different.”

The others agreed and Yugi stared at the mirror, trying to picture himself without the spikes that had plagued him for so long. The stylist, realizing what he was doing, eased the locks of hair down and held them gently with his fingers.

“I believe the bangs should stay as they are. They offset your face beautifully and provide and excellent frame for your eyes. What I can do is trim your hair to ensure it stays healthy and then use a relaxing agent on your hair.”

Yugi agreed and then set himself to enjoy the pampering as the stylist washed his hair and trimmed it, applying the relaxing agent to it as well. During this, the stylist taught Yugi how to use it so that he could enjoy the hair being down until it had grown enough to do this without chemical aid. After blowing the hair dry, the group of friends stared in astonishment.

“Incredible!”

Seeing the questioning expression on his client’s face, the stylist turned the chair so Yugi could see in the mirror. The duelist drew in a deep breath, shocked by what he was seeing.

The blond bangs seemed silkier as they framed his face. That hadn’t changed at all. What was surprising was the black and violet locks that spilled freely over his shoulders in a waterfall of silk.

“Is that me?”

Pleased with his reaction, the man nodded and smiled widely.

“That it is, my young friend. What do you think?”

“I love it! No more hedgehog!”

That comment brought laughter to everyone, and the stylist guided his pleased customer to the front. A bag with the relaxing agent, shampoo, and conditioner was handed to Ryou as Duke signed off on the bill.

“Kami, Yugi, I can’t get over how different you look. It’s great!”

The smile that was given to Joey was about a million watts in intensity. It was a smile that hadn’t been seen in some time, and it made the group feel very good.

“I love it, Joey. Grandpa is going to flip out when he sees it.”

Malik laughed, knowing the older man would be pleased with the progress made in Yugi’s spirits today.

“You should keep your hair normal until everything arrives over at Seto’s. Then Monday, show up at school like this and surprise the hell out of everyone.”

Joey nodded, bringing up something he and Seto had discussed on the phone before leaving to head out.

“Seto said to tell you guys that you’re welcome to stay the weekend this weekend. We’ll get Yugi all dolled up and used to the clothes, as well as talk about what he needs to do to win Yami’s heart. We’ll all go to school Monday morning together and see what Yami’s reaction is to Yugi’s new appearance.”

Duke had to laugh, loving Joey’s idea.

“Not bad at all. I say we spring this on him a little at a time. Let him go home Monday with the new school uniforms and some of the casual wear for after school. Then maybe time an outing where we know Yami’s going to be and drop the more interesting look on him.”

Once they all agreed, Yugi was dragged back into the shopping spree, this time feeling a bit more relaxed about it. He managed to contribute some to the ideas, which pleased his friends a great deal.

It was late when the shopping finished and a laughter filled meal was shared. The group dropped Yugi off at home and Solomon, who had been reading in the living room, looked up when his grandson entered the house. Plum colored eyes took in the sparkling eyes and color filled cheeks and silently thanked the group for making his grandson’s afternoon such a wonderful experience.

“I’m home, Grandpa.”

“Welcome home, Yugi-chan. Did you have fun?”

A wide smile was shown, easing some of the fears that had been resting on the elderly man’s heart.

“We had a wonderful time. I’m afraid I was spoiled quite a bit today though, Grandpa. They wouldn’t let me say no.”

Since Seto had called after he’d hung up with his lover and explained what the group was trying to do, Solomon wasn’t confused by Yugi’s comment. A part of him wished he had the ability to provide such nice things for his grandson but was thankful that Yugi had friends who cared about him enough to do something like this for him. This was not a time for pride, he knew.

“Honestly, Yugi-chan, I think you needed a bit of spoiling. You very rarely allow your friends to do anything for you at all. It’s nice to see that you let them this time. Don’t worry about the price tags, just appreciate the generosity and love that came with the gifts you were given.”

Yugi’s eyes widened and he quickly shook his head.

“I do, Grandpa. It’s just too much. I don’t deserve it.”

Solomon hugged his grandson close to his heart, smiling down at the small teenager.

“Yugi-chan, you do deserve it and your friends know that. Think no more on it, my boy, and enjoy it as you can. I heard you’re staying over at Kaiba’s this weekend?”

Yugi nodded as he cuddled close, breathing in his grandfather’s scent and enjoying the closeness.

“Seto invited us to stay over and all of us go to school together on Monday. Is that okay? I can stay if you need help in the shop.”

Hands made rough by a long life of archaeological digs and manual labor smoothed over the soft locks of the teenager’s hair.

“It’s Yami’s weekend to help around the shop, Yugi-chan. You go and have a great time, all right? You need some time with your friends.”

Yugi looked up, seeking reassurance on that. Solomon smiled and nodded, silently giving him the answer he needed.

“All right, Grandpa, if you’re sure.”

The older man chuckled and hugged Yugi tighter for a moment.

“I’m positive. Now, it’s getting late. Do you have any homework? Have you eaten tonight?”

Ryou had discussed what had been given out as assignments and fortunately, he had a few days to get it done. The white haired hikari was going to copy his notes from today and give them to him tomorrow.

“I’m okay for tonight, Grandpa, and we stopped to eat before coming home.”

“Good. Off to sleep with you then, Yugi-chan. And by the way, I love what you’ve done to your hair. It really looks great.”

Solomon was treated to another bright smile and a warm hug before his grandson bounded up the stairs to get ready for bed. With a soft sigh, he started locking up the house and shutting things down for the night.

With a pensive expression, the game shop owner stared out the window for a moment. The outing had done his grandson a world of good and if Seto Kaiba was to be believed, the group of friends were banding together to help Yugi through his problems. He hoped they could because it had done his heart a world of good to see his grandson back to his usual smiling self.


Author’s End Note – Two chapters in one day! Cool! And it seems the plans are coming together. I’m starting to get excited about how this is going to fall in place. More things to come soon! Please review and tell me what your thoughts are on this. Thanks for sticking with me and hope to see you all soon!