Well….here's the last chapter of Exodus. Thanks to everyone who enjoyed it, reviewed, and favorite-ted it. It means so much to me.

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Joey helped Yugi to his feet, taking the younger boy by the arm and pulling him upwards. Both boys stumbled backwards as they tried to regain their balance, but managed to stay steady. Yugi let a small smile come to his face and he looked over at Joey.

"Thank you." He said quietly. No words could express his gratitude for what the older boy had done. He hadn't knocked out three men; he had saved him.

Joey blushed slightly, avoiding Yugi's gaze. It was an awkward situation for them both. "It's the least I could do….after everything…." The blonde boy trailed off, not having an idea how he could express his sorrow for all the misdeeds he had done to Yugi over the past five years. Not words seemed worthy enough; none of them had enough emphasis to express it truthfully.

"None of that matters now." Yugi said, looking at his feet. It was an awkward conversation for him too. "What does matter is the fact that you came for me. You felt enough about me to come and look for me."

Joey was surprised by this answer. He excepted Yugi to blow up on him, bringing up past memories. Instead, he was just waving them off like they meant nothing. As though none of the past five years of teasing, bullying, and harassing mattered. How could anyone be that forgiving? Joey licked his lips; he never knew Yugi was this compassionate and forgiving. He exhaled through his mouth and raised his head, so that he and Yugi were now making eye contact.

"Come on, Yugi." He said cocking his head in the direction of the road. "Let's go home."

Yugi nodded, but then his eyes widened. "Wait," he said turning around and walking to one of the old cars. "my backpack!" He ran to the old Junker that he had stored his backpack in that first day. The door was still missing, but he pushed aside the driver's seat and let out a sigh of relief. He could see the black fabric peaking out. Yugi grabbed the straps and pulled out the bag, propping it up on the side of the seat. It looked untouched by the young teen just had to double-check. He unzipped it and his heart flew into his chest when he saw the golden box.

He pulled it out and opened the lid, an ecstasy of relief flooding through his veins when he saw the Puzzle. It was just as he last saw it; completed save for the missing piece. But, it didn't matter anymore, Yugi thought. He was safe and would e going home. He still had most of the treasure his grandfather had given him, and he could safely say that he did finish the Puzzle. He finished it with all the pieces he had.

Joey watched Yugi from his spot. He saw the look of pure pleasure come across the younger boy's face when he opened the golden box. Joey unconsciously dug into his pocket and grabbed the puzzle piece. He knew it was something the younger boy would be wanting, but he was unsure of how he would go about returning it. Should he just return it now? Or, should he wait until they return home? Joey bit his lip; He had no idea how he should approach this situation. But, his thoughts came to a halt as he watched Yugi place the box back inside his book bag and put it on, walking back towards the blonde.

There was a bright stream of lighting, followed by a loud clap of thunder. Before Joey knew it, rain was falling from the sky, sticking his blonde bangs to his forehead. He groaned and pulled his school blazer up over his head as a form of protection, but he could still feel the ice cold water stinging his skin.

Yugi came running up to him, trying to use his backpack as an umbrella. His hair was sticking to his forehead and to itself. The red and magenta streaks seemed to merge together into a maroon color. Drops of water ran down Yugi's dirty face, leaving behind a clean streak. He looked like a zebra with the black and white strips on his face. The water hit the ground beneath them and some of splashed back up. Mud was formed under their feet and Yugi kicked it up as he ran closer to Joey. He stopped just a few feet in front of the blonde, breathing heavily. The rain always seemed to pump up people's adrenaline, and with it still running after their fight, Yugi was sure he had never felt his heart had never beat as fast as it was now.

"Well," Yugi said trying to catch his breath as he readjusted his backpack over his head, "that was unexpected."

Joey smiled and let out a small laugh. "Yeah, but maybe it's for the best." There was a roar of thunder and a bright flash of lighting illuminated the sky. Joey's smile died and he crinkled his nose. His mouth contorted into a half-frown, half-smile. "You smell like shit."

Yugi actually laughed at the statement. It was a light laugh, but it was the first time he had laughed in a long time and it felt good. Joey was teasing him, but it was in the way that friends tease one-another. It didn't mean any harm, and no feelings were hurt.

"I'm serious!" Joey added, his eyebrows furrowed. "When was the last time you took a bath?"

Yugi rolled his eyes playfully. "Sorry." He said sarcastically. "I meant to jump in the puddle this morning, but I didn't have enough time."

Joey smirked, impressed with Yugi's wit. He let out a playful sigh; how could he ever think to pick on this kid just because he was short? Yugi was smart, and he proved that he had survival skills to have lasted this long outside of his home. Joey realized the errors of his ways, and while Yugi may have forgiven him, the older boy knew it would take longer to forgive himself. But here, at this moment, with both of them laughing and joking in the rain, a step had been taken. It was a baby-step, but Joey knew it would was just the beginning to their friendship.

"Come on, Yuge. Let's get you home."

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The rain was keeping him awake, but it didn't make much of a difference to Solomon. He hadn't gotten much sleep anyways these last few weeks. The guilt weighed heavily on his shoulders as he thought of everything that he had that Yugi was currently deprived of. A warm bed to sleep in, hot food to eat, shelter from the rain. He would have gladly stepped outside his home and would sit in the rain, just so he could experience what Yugi was experiencing, but he had already grown sick this winter month and he knew that if he stepped outside, he would begging for pneumonia.

He adjusted himself in his chair, sinking a little deeper into the cushion. He brought the cup of tea to his lips and took a small sip, allowing the steaming liquid to warm his entire body. The lightening made a light show outside, casting various shadows behind the moving clouds.

His mind strayed to the young man he met last evening: the classmate of Yugi's. Solomon was horrified of the tales the young man spun. He had no idea what kind of torment Yugi was suffering at school. Had he known, he would've pulled the boy out and home-schooled him at once.

But he didn't know. And that was what hurt him most. Yugi never once told him of the different bullies he had to face at school daily. Solomon couldn't comprehend why Yugi would keep such a secret from him. They had always been honest with one another. Solomon had made it clear the day Yugi's parents left him that the young boy could confide anything with him. The fact that Yugi had felt so compelled to keep such a thing secret cut into the old man's heart. He always believed that he and Yugi had a deep bond, a deep trust between one another.

He sighed and his eyes flickered to the digital clock on the television console. 1: 22.

It was past one in the morning and he had no idea where Yugi may be. The young man—Joey Wheeler, he had said his name was—said he had been searching the city for Yugi the entire time he had been missing. The fact that he had come up with nothing had lead the young man to come to the conclusion that Yugi was no longer in Domino. While he didn't want too, Solomon had to believe that it was likely. He told Joey not to come back until he found Yugi, and Joey said that was his intention. He hoped the young man was true to his word. He didn't think he could live much longer without Yugi. The house was empty and unusually quiet without his presence.

He had fired that investigator when he learned that the man was doing nothing to help find Yugi. Solomon hadn't seen his grandson's face on flyers or in the newspaper, and he knew that to increase the odds of Yugi being found was to get the word out. Solomon sighed and traced his finger around the rim of the cup, staring at his reflection through the copper colored liquid. He had doubted himself since the days after his last conversation with Officer Daisuke. Had he made the right decision in firing him? The Officer had made no effort whatsoever in finding his grandson. He had made excuses, saying how runaways usually return home on their own, or how they often committed suicide.

Solomon gulped as he thought of the latter statistic. What is Yugi had killed himself? Solomon didn't know how he could live with himself if he learned that his grandson, the boy he had raised practically from infancy, was dead. It had been Hell living these past few months with no knowledge of Yugi's well-being. Was ignorance bliss? Was he better off thinking that there was a still chance Yugi could be alive? Or was he better knowing the truth, even if it meant that Yugi was no longer alive.

Suddenly, the silence of his living room was broken by a loud ringing noise. It startled the old man so much; he jumped slightly out of his seat, dropping his cup of tea onto the rug. The brown liquid seeped out of the container and began to stain the beige colored carpet. Solomon stared at it for a moment, trying to place together what had just happened.

It was then that he realized that the noise had been his doorbell. Still trying to recover from the shock, he shakily stood to his feet and began to walk towards his front door. The door bell rang again and Solomon quickened his pace, annoyed at the noise. It was well past midnight. Who on Earth would be ringing his doorbell at this time of the night—morning?—was what he wanted to know.

He turned the handle and opened the door, the sound of the falling rain intensified. He didn't even look to see who was on the other side of his door before he opened his mouth and began to chastise whoever it was for being out so late.

"Shouldn't you be in bed, young man? Does your mother know you're out here? What is it you want?" The questions fell out of his mouth rapidly; he was speaking so fast even he had trouble understanding what he was saying, much less, he figured, the young man standing in front of him.

"It's good to see you too, Grandpa." The boy said, his voice was hard to hear over the rain and thunder.

"Listen young man, we're not open yet, but—" Solomon paused as the boy's words just registered in his brain. Now, he took the time to look at the person standing on his doorstep. His hair was filthy; it was caked in mud and it was terribly matted. His face was dirty in most parts, but clean in others. The rain had washed away some of the grim, leaving his face stripped like a zebra's. He was also terribly skinny; his clothes hung off his thin frame. Had Solomon run into this person out on the streets, he wouldn't have recognized him.

But then Solomon looked into the boy's eyes. They were amethyst colored and had a small sparkle in them. Only one person had those eyes.

"Y—Yugi?" He stuttered, not believing his eyes.

The young boy nodded hastily, tears of happiness dripping out his eyes.

Before they knew it both had embraced and were on their knees, out in the rain. Solomon held his grandson close, not wanting to ever let go, his arms wrapped awkwardly around Yugi's backpack. They each spoke to each other, each telling one another how much they were missed. Yugi promised he would never run away again, he told of how sorry he was for leaving while Solomon told of how worried he had been.

After several tear-filled moments, they stood and then Solomon noticed the second figure standing outside his door.

"Joseph," he said, "please, come in!"

Joey looked reluctant but he did as Solomon asked. Solomon embraced the blonde in a hug, even though the older boy stiffened at the contact. "You did it!" Solomon cried, releasing Joey. "You found my boy!"

Joey couldn't help but smile. "I told you I would."

"Please, please, sit down. We have much to talk about!" He turned to face his grandson. "Yugi, you looked absolutely starved. Go upstairs and wash as best you can; I'll start up some stew."

Yugi nodded and complied with his grandfather's orders, running up the stairs and to his bathroom.

The old man watched happily; no words could express how glad he was to have Yugi safe and back home. He turned back to Joey.

"I do hope you'll stay. It's late enough already and I wouldn't feel comfortable sending you home in this rain."

Joey was about to object,; his mouth was halfway open and his tongue was already forming the words, saying how he didn't want to impose, and how his father was probably worried about him. The latter was completely false; Joey was sure his father was either out in a bar, or lying home at bed in a drunken slumber. But, nobody needed to know of his family's problems. The words were almost out, but then there was a huge clap of thunder, followed, almost instantaneously, by a blinding light.

Joey sighed. He didn't want to walk home in the rain…and his father more than likely wouldn't notice his absence. He realized he had been silent for a few moments, Solomon Motou still patiently awaiting his answer.

Joey gave the old man a small smile. "I'd love too."

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They talked until the sun rose, the trio enjoying the ramen that Mister Motou had brewed up. Yugi and Joey did not mention the gang. They saw no need for it. Yugi did not wish to tell of his time on the streets, and Joey did not bring up the subject. Even Mister Motou seemed to not want to know of his grandson's life for the past couple of months.

At about eight in the morning, Yugi and Solomon decided that they should go to bed. Joey bid them good-bye and he waited in the foyer of the Game Shop while Yugi ran upstairs.

Solomon was there to walk Joey outside. The blonde stuck his hand inside his pocket and gripped the Puzzle piece. He handed it to the old man.

"Can you give it to him? For me?"

"Of course." He took the puzzle piece away from Joey and held it in his hand. "Thank you again, Joseph. If there is ever anything I can do to repay you—"

"Don't worry about it." Joey interrupted. "I did this out of the goodness of my heart, and as a way to apologize to Yugi. That's all I need."

Then, Joey turned and began to walk down the road. He waved good-bye to Solomon Motou and began to walk home. He was tired, not having slept in nearly two days, and didn't feel like going to school.

Once he got to his apartment, he caught sight of his father passed out on the couch. Joey ignored him and went to his room where he fell onto his bed and fell asleep within seconds.

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When Yugi opened his eyes, he felt fully rested. There was no feeling like being able to sleep in your own bed. His eyes flickered to his digital clock which told him it was mid-afternoon. Yugi stood and wandered his room for a moment, not believing that he was really home. A flash of yellow from his desk caught his attention.

Yugi noticed it was the missing piece once he got there. At first he was surprised; he was sure that the puzzle piece was long gone. But, here it was sitting on his desk, like nothing had ever changed. Yugi smiled. He knew that Joey must have found it.

There was another object on his table. Yugi recognized it as a booster pack for Duel Monsters. He realized that it was a gift from his Grandfather. Yugi became excited and he picked up the packet and pulled off the aluminum wrapping.

Staring in front of him was the Dark Magician.

Yugi let out a small laugh of delight. He finally had the card he had lusted after. And now he had the final piece to his Millennium Puzzle. His life, it looked, was finally starting to fall into place.

Yugi took the puzzle piece and went searching for the rest of the Puzzle. He grabbed it out of his backpack which rested right by his bed. He took out the Puzzle and traced the empty space in the center with his thumb. Then, he took the final piece and slid it into place.

There was a small click.

And then…

A bright illuminated from the eye in the center.

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Well, it's that time of the year where I disappear from fanfiction for a few weeks to work on bigger and grander projects.

Sage: Please, take all the time you need.

My next project is one I'm very excited about! I've spent close to a year planning it and now I'm finally going to start! All info is on my blog for those who are interested. Thank you for reading Exodus!