Chapter Seventeen: A New Beginning

Yugi: A fresh new story about to begin and this one about to end.

Yami: I bet I'm not going to like.

Mijikai: Why are you so mean? Is it because you hate my stories? Or is it because you think I'm a bad writer.

Yami: Both.

Yugi: YAMI!!! How rude! I'm terribly sorry for his behavior. I should talk to him about his attitude problem.

Yami: What!!!

Mijikai: Yugi's so sweet. Any way, enjoy the last chapter. And I apologize for the long wait of the conclusion of Hikari and Yami

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During their days together, Hikari and Yami had thought it best to join their house and castle together and turn it into one and with a little help with magic, they were able to accomplish their task. Once the two places were melded together, the house half transformed into a glistening white castle, which Hikari had named, Castle of Mushin.

Dark and Light were in peace now, but that didn't mean that the people were. Only rarely did the Dark and Light mingle with each other, but otherwise they stayed on their sides of the land, having nothing to do with each other, and this saddened Hikari greatly.

Seto and Ryou continued to live in the joined castle where they continued their duties as Captain and General.

The twins were now inseperatable. When ever one went off on some duty the other would go along to but if they were separated, they would be found clutching their pendants and looking outwards with a sad glazed look in their eyes. They would continue their duties but sometimes a little distantly and sometimes Ryou and Seto grew concerned over them. But once the other twin returned, a smile would light that sad face that had been showing for how ever long.

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One cool night the two twins sat in a tree, stargazing.

"Nichan," Hikari said suddenly. "A black dragon is descending on the stars."

"Hm?"

"Look," Hikari said as he pointed up.

Yami, who was seated on the branch on the other side of the trunk, looked up and he frowned deeply as he saw a shape of a huge dragon blocking the light of the stars.

"I'm afraid it's a bad omen," came a voice from below, and both twins jumped in startlement.

"What kind of bad omen, Seto?" Yami questioned.

"A new enemy will be upon us," Seto answered as his blue eyes glistened as he looked up at the sky.

Hikari looked up again, but gasped as the shadow had gone. He shivered violently as a chill ran down his back and Yami glared up where the dragon was.

"I don't like it," Yami growled.

"But it's nothing to worry about," came another voice and both twins almost fell out of the tree as their hearts jumped.

"What is this!" Yami shouted. "Scare the twins to death night!?"

"What do you mean Ryou?" asked Seto as a chuckle escaped his lips.

"If it's danger, we'll all tackle it together. Because, if we can beat what we did in the past, then we can beat what is to come," explained Ryou with a smile.

Hikari smiled back as it dawned on him.

"Right, the guide is our hearts. Our heart and soul will guide us to where we will be needed. Where we will mostly be needed," Hikari whispered, as he set a hand to his heart.

"Hikari?" Yami asked.

"Hai, Yugioh."

"Would if this time it's different. I mean would if someone actually dies and will rest in peace above?" he asked sadly.

"I'm afraid that is a chance we'll have to take. But if we all look after each other, I think it most likely won't happen," reassured his brother.

Hikari felt the presence of another behind him, and smiled up at Yami.

"So we'll tackle it together?" asked Yami.

"Friends and all," Hikari answered happily.

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Down on earth, a month had passed and Yugi's three earth friends had learned to live and continue on living without their friend Yugi, but it felt empty.

They all barely laughed any more and if they did the laughter would stop aburtly because it didn't sound right anymore. Their families became worried, and were concerned that they, as parents, couldn't figure out why their child was so unhappy.

Sugoroku filled them in on news here and there, but it was barely anything and it didn't comfort them much, but it was better then nothing.

"Any news on Yami? Seto? Ryou? ...Hikari?" asked Jounouchi.

Sugoroku put down his box of booster packs and leaned on the desk and eyed each of them closely.

"I actually do have some news and more then usual."

All three listened eagerly.

"Where should I start? Okay, Seto says to look out for anything strange or out or place. Ryou says everything is still peaceful and that two certain duel monsters cards got together and to be on the look out for a new duel monster card. Now let's get to the big news. A couple of nights ago, they discovered an evil omen in the sky. Yami and Seto had gone scouting and Ryou was researching and found a little bit of information. The omen was a dragon shadow blocking some lights of the stars. It means that something evil comes near. More deadly then a shadow or a dragon. A new enemy approaches and it won't be as easy as before."

All were silent but still listened eagerly.

"Any thing else?" asked Anzu.

"This is probably the worst of all. Bakura's soul is gone."

They looked confused.

"Isn't that a good thing?" asked Honda.

"Iie. I mean from the seal. It's loose and he's more deadly then he'll ever be," Sugoroku said while frowning.

"Could Bakura be the enemy?" asked Anzu.

"It's logical, but I'm afraid you'll have to talk to Hikari about it. Any way, Yami and Seto sent some news that they discovered a scroll. They will bring it in for translation."

"Is there anything else?" asked Jounouchi.

"Weevil was found and put in a cell. Unfortunately, he disappeared last week and can't be found anywhere. Ryou, the poor boy, is a bit shaken up. His father, Pegasus, appeared to him, and demanded he work with him. He got a fair beating for refusing. There seems to be a lot of thunder lately out there. Duel monsters are restless and..."

"Wait," said Honda. "You've mentioned duel monsters like they were alive."

"Honda, my boy, they are. You see, here there just cards, but there they're real living beings, like us. Just like us."

"What else?" asked Jounouchi.

"I have three teenagers bugging me for news," he huffed.

Then smiled and laughed.

"Joking. Only joking. What sort of news are you expecting? I told you the main part."

"Anything about Yu...err...Hikari?" asked Honda.

"None."

"Damn!" Jounouchi shouted and pounded his fist on the shelf.

"Jou?" asked the three, concerned.

"He's gone you guys. Gone. Ever since he became Hikari again," Jounouchi said angrily. "He's forgotten about us. Now we'll never see him again!"

"Jou," said Anzu, while putting a hand on his shoulder.

"He's gone. And we'll never hear or see him again."

"Now why would you say that?"

All three whipped their heads around and gasped. There, leaning on the door, was Hikari; or was it Yugi?

"Hikari?" everyone asked.

"Hikari?" he said, giving them all an odd look. "Of course not. It's me Yugi."

Everyone smiled and Anzu ran to him, hugging him tightly, while Honda and Jounouchi slapped him on the back.

Well, sure he was taller and his posture and all was slightly more mature, but as long as it was Yugi, they didn't care.

"Oh, Yugi. We missed you so much," said Anzu as tears trailed down her cheeks.

"So did I," Yugi whispered.

"We thought you forgot about us," said Jounouchi as he sniffed.

"I never would."

"You never wrote to us or ever visited till now," pointed out Honda.

"I'm sorry. It's been real busy. Worrying about that knucklehead Yugioh and Seto. Thunders been keeping me up and I'm still trying to calm Ryou down. It's been hectic. Just like finishing a report when the due date is tomorrow."

"And helping Jou on his," said Honda.

"Hey!"

Everyone laughed.

"So Yug, you want to go some where?" asked Jounouchi.

"Any one up for the arcade?" Yugi asked with a huge grin.

"Yeah!" everyone shouted and rushed out of the Game Shop.

But before Jounouchi could run out of the door, Yugi grabbed his arm and pulled him back inside the shop.

"Jou," Yugi said slowly.

"Doushito no, Yug? (What's wrong Yug?)" Jounouchi asked in concern.

"I kind of, no, I did hear what you said," Yugi said after taking a deep breath.

"About what?"

"About Hikari and me."

"Oh."

"Jou. Just because I became Hikari again doesn't mean I'm gone. I'm still here, just maybe a little older and stuff. Besides your friend you met in fourth grade was Hikari. Only with a different name. You get me?" Yugi asked.

Jounouchi nodded and swung his arm over his shoulders.

"Course I do."

"Great!" Yugi said happily, and they were quiet for some time before Yugi broke it. "So are we going to the arcade or not?"

"Let's go"

"Oh and Jou."

"Eh?"

"Race ya," Yugi challenged and sped out.

"Huh? Hey! No fair! You got a head start!" Jounouchi complained as he ran out after his friend.

Sugoroku laughed to himself.

"Boys will be boys," he said to himself.

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"Hey! That's not fair! You're on the track team!" Jounouchi complained, as he was still a good distance away from Yugi.

"Come on Jou! Last one there has to pay!" Yugi shouted behind him.

"Oh, now that's on fair! That is so unfair!"

"Sucks for you!" Yugi teased and went into the arcade.

"Damn!" Jounouchi cursed and went inside as well.

Honda had already bought tokens and handed each of them a bunch of coins and challenged Jounouchi to the video game.

"You're on!" Jounouchi shouted.

They both grabbed a joystick and started playing.

"Yugi, what took you guys so long?" Anzu asked.

"Oh I just had to talk to Jounouchi about something," Yugi explained, and Anzu nodded.

"So Yugi how's your new life?" Anzu started for conversation.

"Tiring and sometimes a bit lonely. Everyone has duties and Yugioh is always the one scouting with Seto, so I'm pretty much left to myself."

"Oh, Yugi."

"Seto and Yugioh are still gone and Ryou is still settling his nerves. And you three and Jiichan are here on earth. Going back to my home long ago is okay, but I felt more free here."

"Remember Yugi, you can always come to us if you feel lonely," Anzu said as she placed her hand over Yugi's.

"Thanks Anzu. You, Jou, and Honda have been really great friends and I'd like to thank you for changing my miserable life around."

"We're really glad we met you Yugi, and your brother. Ryou seems like nice friend and so does Seto. I'm surprised you're lonely. I thought you had tons of friends at your home."

Yugi became grim and shook his head.

"Ryou, Yugioh, and Seto were my only friends. Oh, pluse The Dark Magician Girl, Jiichan, and Mother and Father. But none of the children liked me," Yugi explained sadly.

"Why?"

"They thought I was a traitor. Because my father was the leader of the Dark and Yugioh's fate belonged there. Same thing with Ryou. So we got together and, well, became friends."

"So you really are a lone."

"Hai, but I have this," Yugi said and pulled out the pendant that Yami had given to him long ago.

Anzu's eyes sparkled.

"Yugi it's beautiful. Where did you get it?"

"Yugioh made it for me."

"He made it?"

"Uh huh."

"Is it real?"

"Hai."

"Oh, my. Yugi, your brother has very fine talent," she complimented.

"I agree," he said with a smile and tucked it back under his shirt.

"Hey, Yug," said Jounouchi, as he grabbed his friend and pulled him up. "Play ya."

"You're on!" Yugi said excitedly at the challenge.

They grabbed the joystick and started battling against each other.

"Honda," Anzu whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Let's do something for Yugi. He's been lonely for the past month."

"He has? Wow. Sure, I'd like to do something for Yugi, but what?" Honda asked.

"A surprise party!" Anzu whispered excitedly.

"Yeah, that's a great idea!"

"Here's what we'll do," Anzu explained. "First, you play against Yugi and I'll explain everything to Jou. Then we get Jou to distract him till it is time and get him over to the Game Shop. Oh, here they come."

"I can't believe you beat me," Jounouchi whined.

"Well, Jou, I'm sure my talent for games won't fade," Yugi said with a smile as he cracked his fingers. "Besides, I don't know why you're surprised. I've been whipping your butt in every game since we first met."

Jounouchi scowled down at Yugi, before breaking into a smile ruffled his hair.

"It's also your name sake," Jounouchi pointed out.

"That is true," he said while straitening his hair.

"Hey, Yug. You think you can beat me?" asked Honda.

"Are you challenging me?"

"Yep"

"You're on. Let's go," and both hurried off.

"Jou," Anzu whispered and Jounouchi leaned in.

"What?"

"Keep your voice low. Honda and me decided to do a surprise party for Yugi. We need you to distract him while we get things ready."

"Okay, but why?" Jounouchi asked curiously.

"Because he's been lonely for the last days. Yami and Seto are gone, and Ryou is having problems. And those three are the only people who he's friends with," Anzu explained sadly.

"Oh, well, tell me what to do," Jounouchi said seriously.

"At 5:00, bring him to the game shop."

"Got it."

"Man, he beat me under a minute," said Honda.

"Hey, Yug, let's go to that new card shop," Jounouchi immediately offered and Yugi blinked.

"But I thought we were going to stay here. And would about Anzu and Honda?" Yugi protested.

"Go on Yugi, we have stuff to attend to," Honda explained and both he and Anzu left quickly, leaving Yugi to stand there, sweat dropping.

"A...okay," he said to nobody in particular. "Hey, Jou, where are they...?"

"Never mind that Yug. Let's check out that new game shop."

"Ah...okay?"

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"Wow, a guide and look at all those booster packs," Jounouchi exclaimed in enthusiasm.

Yugi sort of looked around aimlessly. This was nothing he hadn't seen in his grandpa's own Game Shop.

"Hey, Yug, You alright?"

"Hm? Yeah, of course," Yugi said with a smile.

Then looked at the display.

"Let's me see...Whoa!" Jounouchi suddenly shouted.

"Yeah. Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, and even a Red eyes Black dragon," Yugi said with a nod.

"Wow."

"By the way Jou, how are your dueling skills going?" Yugi asked as he looked up at his gaping friend.

"I still need help," he admitted sheepishly.

"Hey, I got an idea. Why don't we go to your place and brush up your dueling skills?" Yugi suggested.

"That's a good idea," he agreed and both left for Jounouchi's house.

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"I put to attack mode and attack your Flaming Swords Man," Yugi said.

"Damn it, that's the end of me," Jounouchi sighed.

"You're getting better. You almost had me if I didn't pull this one," Yugi reassured as he showed the card, Reborn the Monster.

"Right. Hey, what time is it?" Jounouchi suddenly asked.

Yugi looked at his watch.

"5:30, why?"

"What!?"

"Jou, something wrong?" Yugi asked with a frown.

"Naw. I just remembered I had something to do at 5:37. Oh, geeze, I forgot my coat at your place. Let's go get it."

"Okay."

They left Jounouchi's apartment room and walked down the street towards the Game Shop.

"Hello!" Yugi yelled as he went through the door. "Grandpa!"

He frowned at the lack of response and wandered into the living room when the lights went on.

"Surprise!" everyone shouted.

Yugi gaped and spun to Jounouchi who was grinning.

"Well, we knew you were lonely so we wanted to cheer you up," he explained.

Yugi smiled.

"We wanted to cheer you up," came a voice that Yugi hadn't heard in weeks.

Yugi's smile grew and threw himself on Seto, hugging him tightly.

"You're back! You're back!" Yugi shouted happily.

"So you did miss me," Seto teased.

"Of course I would. Seto, you are like a second father to me. I will always have a place in my heart for you."

Seto smiled and hugged Yugi closer.

"And you've been like a son to me and I also will have a place in my heart for you. And your brother, though he is a bit of a pain I'll admit."

Yugi laughed. After Seto let Yugi go, Anzu stepped in.

"Yugi, we have a couple of surprises for you. Are first surprise..."

A group of freshmen walked out and immediately surrounded Yugi.

"Where have you been?"

"We've missed you."

"Are team isn't as good anymore."

"The coach has been fretting when he found out you moved."

Yugi was staring at them with surprise.

"Tori? Akitasha? Ritashi? Sarishta?"

"Why so surprised?" asked Tori.

"Well, you've never really acquainted with me before."

"We know and regret it. You see, we know you're a good friend and hope to be yours. Except you moved before we could tell you," explained Sharishta.

Yugi smiled.

"Thank you guys."

"Iie. Arigatou," said Akitasha and winked.

"You will visit us, right?" asked Ritashi.

"Of course."

"Sorry to break up this little reunion, but we have to present out second surprise," said Anzu.

The teammates nodded and backed off so Yugi could see someone walked in and his eyes widened in shock before melting into happiness.

"Ryou!" he shouted and embraced him. "You're better."

"Hai, Yugi and I'm sorry. I never realized how lonely you were, until Sugoroku brought me here and Anzu and Honda explained everything to me," he explained with sadness and guilt in his chocolate eyes.

"It's alright Ryou. I'm just glad you're out of your shock and your normal self again," Yugi said.

"Me to Yugi. Me to."

"Yugi we still have one last surprise," said Honda.

"Having made new friends and having my other ones with me, what more could I ask for?" Yugi asked.

"Depends. If you've forgotten me."

Yugi's eyes gleamed and threw himself on the person in the doorway, who almost lost his balance on the impact.

"Yugioh! Yugioh! I missed you so much!"

"And I you," he whispered in his ear and hugged him back.

"Well now that all the surprises are revealed, let's party!" cried out Jounouchi.

Everyone cheered. Music was played and some ate, drank, and did what ever. Most talked and some danced. And some dueled. As the party was going on, Seto pulled Yugi, Yami, and Ryou aside into the next room and spread out an ancient looking scroll.

"Hikari, Yami. Ryou, I've found translations on the scroll that me and Yami found on our scouting expedition."

"What did you find?" Yami asked.

"It seems to be a prophecy. But not in a way people usually write it."

"Can you read it?" asked Yami.

"Dark. Light. They're now in peace, but soon another evil will come and consume the powerful one of the Dark and kill the ones of their people's enemy's blood. First their family of Light, then their kin's people. Death, Destruction and Hate, will consume this land and be dead from fate."

The two lights went white. Yami seemed deep in thought, then said.

"That would be Bakura or me, wouldn't it?" he asked sadly, and looked over at Yugi and embraced him.

"It will be alright," he whispered.

"I don't want to go through death again. I've gone through it twice and I don't want Ryou to go through it at all."

"Hush, it is going to be alright. We'll tackle it. Because we're all close friends and won't let anything bad happen to each other. Just like you said, remember?" Yami reassured.

Yugi smiled, then went to Ryou and put an arm around his shoulders.

"Yugioh's right. If it is Bakura, we'll protect you. We'll all tackle it till it's done."

Ryou smiled at Yugi and hugged him.

"Thank you."

"Any time Ryou. Any time."

"Well, now we have that settled, let's get back to the party. Come on," Seto suggested and shoved them back in.

"First he grabs us, then shoves us," Yami grumbled.

"Lighten up," said Yugi.

He was suddenly grabbed by Anzu and dragged onto the dance floor.

"Come on Yugi, dance with me."

Yugi and Anzu laughed as they did. Ryou got caught up with a game of chess with Ritashi and Yami in a duel game with Tori. Yami's eyes wandered to Anzu and smiled.

'I'm forever grateful Anzu. Thank you for helping Hikari,' he thought.

Then his gaze wandered to Yugi and would have forever stayed if Tori hadn't said, "Your move."

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Soon it was time to leave and the team said goodbye and departed. Everyone else helped clean up and once that was done Yugi went to his three friends and gave them a bright smile.

"Arigatou. This really made me happy and cheered me up," he said happily.

"Any time Yugi, any time," said Jounouchi.

"I have to go now," he said sadly. "But I promise to visit soon."

He gave each of them a hug and waved goodbye as he, Yami, Ryou, and Seto disappeared. The trio sighed sadly.

"Until next time," Anzu whispered.

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Late that night, Hikari and Yami lied in the hammock as it gently rocked back and forth.

"Gomen ne that you were lonely when we were gone," Yami suddenly said.

"It's okay. That party really cheered me up."

"Nice to have friends like them."

"Very."

They were silent.

"Hikari, at the party, I noticed you looked tired. Have you been getting any sleep?" Yami asked as he rolled onto his stomach and looked down at him.

Hikari didn't answer, and avoided looking up.

"Hikari?"

"Not much," he finally answered. "The storm has been keeping me up. Especially the thunder."

Yami sat up, as did Hikari, and put a hand on Hikari's cheek.

"What else are you hiding from me?" he asked, frowning.

"Nothing else, err, I mean no."

"Hikari," Yami said in a warning tone.

"Really Yugioh. That's it. There's nothing I'm hiding from you. If I was, you would have ended up prying it out of me by now," Hikari protested.

Yami looked into Hikari's eyes and looked for any guilt. None. He sighed and removed his gaze.

"Why?" he asked.

"Why what?"

"Why do you always hide how you really feel?"

"Yugioh, boku..." Hikari tried to explain, but failed and looked away.

Yami took Hikari's chin and pulled his face towards his.

"Hikari. Look at me."

Hikari slowly focused his eyes on Yami.

"Why?" he asked again.

Hikari suddenly hugged Yami.

"Because I don't want anyone to worry about me," he heard Hikari mumble.

"But Hikari. Hiding it only makes it worse. You of all people should know that."

"I know, but..."

"Hush. I understand."

Hikari went quiet. As the moon rose and the breeze swayed the hammock the twins sat there, already parted, and gazed up at the sky with drawn up knees.

"Tsuyayaka (Beautiful) moon tonight," Hikari complimented.

"Is it?"

"You never really bad an eye for nature."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Yami asked with a small humph.

"Nothing. Just that it doesn't seem you think anything is Tsuyayaka."

"I thought mother was. And...you."

"Are you calling me a girl?" Hikari asked with a pout.

"No," Yami said while laughing. "I don't mean in a feminine way, but it's just you're a little bit more then handsome."

"So are you," Hikari said with a smile.

Yami shook his head, but couldn't help smiling.

"I can't believe we went through a war and you defeated Bakura. I can't believe we survived it all," Hikari whispered with the shake of his head.

"But we did Hikari, and that's all that matters."

"What about our next adventure?" he questioned.

"I bet we'll survive it, just like this one."

"I hope so. I was lucky not to lose anybody precise to me."

"Unfortunately, I almost did," Yami said quietly and hugged Hikari tightly as if to make sure he was still there.

"But you didn't. And that's what counts now. Right?" Hikari asked with a small smile.

"Right."

"Now can you loosen up? I think I'm slim enough," Hikari teased.

Yami laughed and let go of his brother.

"You know Hikari the moon does look pretty. It reminds me of you."

"And the sun reminds me of you."

"What do you think it will be this time?" Yami suddenly asked.

"What do you mean?" his twin brother asked curiously with a raised eyebrow.

"We had a war and all these dangerous adventures. What do you think will be next?"

Hikari shrugged.

"I don't know. Events come in unsuspected ways. It could be in another realm for all I know."

"I hope you won't experience death again."

"And I hope you never experience it at all."

"I almost experienced a fate worse then death," Yami said quietly.

Hikari looked at Yami with a raising his other eyebrow.

"Losing you of course."

Hikari giggled.

"Should have known."

They were silent again.

"Yugioh, I sort of wish all the dangerous adventures would end."

"So do I, but fate has a few things install for us before it's all over."

"I know," Hikari sighed sadly.

"But, let's be thankful that the first part is over. Or we can imagine one down, who knows how many more to go."

"I'll do that Yugioh. I'll do that," Hikari said, than went back in looking at the moon.

'One adventure down, who knows how many to go.'

The End

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Mijikai: I can't believe I finished it.

Yami: Thank god. No more chapters.

Yugi: Awwwwww.

Mijikai: Just because I finished doesn't mean I won't write more. ^- ^

Yami: Oh, no.

Mijikai: Better believe it bud.

Yugi: I want to right one. How Yugi Mutou died.

Yami: WHAT!!!

Yugi: I'm just kidding. But I want to write one. Can I?

Mijikai: Be my guest.

Yugi: Yea! I'm thinking of writing Angel or The Gothic Angel (Ice Love of the White Sorceress)

Yami: :0

Mijikai: I hope this was a good fan fic and hope you enjoyed it. And I look forward in meeting all of you again if you ever read any of my other fanfics. Bye!

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