It was very hot for an April day, especilly for Domino City, and Yugi was thankful for his tank-top, even if it was black. He watched whistfuly the small childrend down the street playing in the sprinkler, and silently he envied them. They were stil young and innocent, and din't understan what he did. They didn't know how close Marik had come to winning...
Despite the heat, Yugi shuddered. He was like them once, but since he'd gotten the puzzle...
"Dreaming again, Yugi?" Yugi jumped and fell backward onto his bed, so that his head was hanging over the edge and he could see the speraker, even if they were upside down. The blond boy turned his head sideways, and looked at his shorter (and upside down) friend curiously. Yugi grinned up at him.
"Yeah, Joey. I'm dreaming." Joey smiled at him, as he continued. "I was dreaming about what our lives would be like if I'd never gotten the puzzle, and would never have gotten mixed up in any of this."
"Very boring." Joey said, flopping down cross-legged on the floor. Yugi flipped over, so that Joey was right side up, and gave him a small smile before looking over his shoulder.
"Their lives are so simple, and innocent. They don't know of the danger that's coming..."
"You sense something."
"Yeah."
"That wasn't a question."
"I know," Yugi sighed, before continueing, "a dark pressence has been growning in the back of my mind. I think if I do not find out what is the reason soon, it'll be to late. And I don't think that I am ready to face it." Joey scooted closer, so that he was almost nose to nose with his smaller friend.
"Sure you are! Yugi, you've faced Pegasus, Marik, Kaiba, and unsurmmountable odds before and always passed with flying colors! Whatever is coming, you'll beat it." Yugi gave his friend an appreciative smile, before his disposition turned gravly serious.
"I want you to stay out of this one, Joey."
"What?"
"Whatever trouble I get into this time, Joey, I donj't want you to be part of it. I couldn't stand it if anything were to happen to you." Joey lay his head on the mattress, next to Yugi, and looked up.
"We're friends, Yug'. That means that, no matter what happens, we'll stand by each other. Even if it means risking everything."
"But I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you!"
"You think I could?" The blond shot back, and Yugi fell silent. Regretting his sharp tone, Joeys face and voice softened. "No matter what, Yugi, we'll be there for each toher. Nothing will tear us apart. Not even death." Yugi smiled at him, and Joey's face suddenly broke into a wide grin.
"Now for the reason I came up here."
"You had a reason for something?"
"I'll ignore that. Anyway, Tea said she's waiting for you to come down to dinner, and if you make her and Yami late for the movie you'll be in big trouble."
"Ah! Why didn't you tell me to begin with?!"
"Because it's more fun to see you panic." Yugi stared before racing to the door, but he paused half way out the door.
"Hey Joey?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks." Joey grinned again as Yugi took off. Joey stepped out into the hallway, and came face to face with his best friend. Tristan grinned back at the blond.
"You really care about him, don't you?" Joey blushed, and nodded.
"He's like a little brother to me. I can't help but want to look out for him. Besides, I promised his Grandpa that I would." Tristan nodded, before looking him intently in the eyes.
"Would you die for him, if you had too?" Joey averted his eyes, and said nothing. Wanting him to just say it and get it over with, Tristan persisted. "Joey, would you?"
"How could I not?" Came the quiet reply. Tristan sighed, and lay a hand on his shoulder.
"I can't stop you from doing what you're going to do. Just don't forget about Serenity, your mom, and me. Don't get so caught up in this that you forget about yourself, and Joey just be careful!"
"I'll do my best, Tristan."
"Be careful." Was all Tristan replied.
As Yugi ate dinner as quickly as possible, he decided to get Yami's thoughts on what was going on.
'You've been really quiet through all this, Yami. Is something bothering you?'
'A little,' the spirit replied, a bit hesitently, 'but it's probably nothing.'
'Anything that fazes you is never nothing.' Yami chuckled at his aiubuo's half joke.
'It's just what Joey said, about being friens. It's almost like I've heard it somewhere before..."
'Tea?'
'No. Someone else, somewhere else.' Yami sighed, and mentally shook his head, 'Like I said, it's probably nothing.'
'If you say so...'