I have come to the conclusion that there are only two things that can put me at ease right now, one being a very cold shower and the other being a couple of aspirin. Unfortunately for me though, Yugi is currently using the bathroom so am denied both methods of possible relief. (The aspirin being in the bathroom medicine cabinet.) And right now I really don’t have the energy or stability to convince my young reincarnation that he does look publicly acceptable, (As he finally worked up the courage to ask Anzu on a date. Thank god! At least she’s not hitting on me anymore now.) in order to get him out of the bathroom. Thus I’m lying here, on the bottom bunk of a cheap metal bunk bed, sprawled across, what are, in my opinion, very cheap cotton sheets that make my skin itch, and scribbling in this detestable book.

I do have to hand it to Yugi though, because right now this frantic writing I’m engaged in is the only thing that’s keeping me sane in any way, shape or form. I still contend however, that this will be my first and final entry here. I never have been the kind of overly sentimental, lonely person who keeps a dairy.

Actually, that would be a lie. Lying dormant yet conscious in a puzzle for 3000 years can make anyone lonely. And I’m only non-sentimental because I can’t remember a single, solitary detail of my past life.

Yet, my lack of a personal history is not what’s bothering me at the moment. Actually, until now, I haven’t even thought of it recently. Not since when I consider ‘it’ to have started. And by ‘it’ I mean what is currently causing my desperate need for a very cold shower.

I guess I should probably recount everything that’s transpired thus far on these pages while I’m here because it looks like Yugi is going to be in there for a while. And who knows, it may help me get it straight in my head.

Starting simply it was two Monday’s ago, (A day that ushered in a new moon which is a good or bad omen depending on where you’re from; I’m still deciding which is which myself so don’t feel left out.) The day itself started out like any other, Yugi waking up and rushing around to gather this and that which was essential to his education before rushing downstairs for breakfast. I, meanwhile, had been up for at least a good hour already, simply enjoying the peace and quiet while I aimlessly wandered around the labyrinth that I called my soul room.

I passively watched as Yugi attended his classes for the day as usual. And indeed, nothing seemed to be out of order until the end of the day when he noticed a note jammed into the door of his locker, a note that obviously wanted to be found. I knew Yugi assumed it was from Anzu, but for some reason, probably having to do with my conveniently missing memories, I had the feeling that it was regarding something infinitely more serious.

I won out of course, not that that was cause to celebrate or anything. I don’t think that Yugi was even aware of me as he read the contents of the note. (I try not to intrude on his life as much as possible. It is his body after all.)

Anyway, I digress. What the note said was, in simple terms: ‘show-up-at- such-and-such-a-place-at-such-and-such-a-time-or-else’ note from the one and only Seto Kaiba, resident billionaire jackass. (I am especially fond of the ass part, but that’s part of my current problem, thus I’m not going to elaborate at the moment for fear that I do something entirely irrational as a result.) Now, I know Kaiba is a human being just like the rest of us that inhabit this planet, but that doesn’t mean that I trust him. Yes, I’ve forgiven him for some of the things he’s done in the past, but I wasn’t going to turn a blind eye and let him repeat his mistakes. In my opinion I’ve already given him one too many second chances.

So, for the first time that day, Yugi sought my counsel on a matter, being that of our mysterious letter. The note wasn’t specific as to what matter this was regarding and this bothered me, yet Yugi still wanted to go. I tried to persuade him to ask Kaiba what this was about BEFORE he jumped into it, but he was thoroughly convinced that the brunette wasn’t out to kill or maim anyone. So, albeit reluctantly, I gave Yugi my consent on the matter, both of us knowing that I would be watching Kaiba like a hawk the entire time.

Looking back I’m actually wishing that Kaiba’s intent had been as malicious as I’d first feared, for if he had been I wouldn’t be suffering as I am now on his account. I could’ve just banished him to the Shadow Realm and been done with it, but now, now I’m not sure about him at all.

Continuing my former train of thought, I watched from our shared mind as Yugi ascended the steps of a nondescript warehouse not too far from the school, (which I found suspiciously convenient.) and pushed open an unlocked door only to reveal a room full of, what else, machines. (This is Kaiba we’re talking about,) Yugi seemed at ease, but I, on the other hand, was quite apprehensive, as I can’t even identify what half the stuff Yugi owns is for. Of course giant hunks of whirring, flashing and beeping metal is going to make a 3000 year-old, reincarnated dead guy nervous.

As we got closer we could see our ‘gracious’ host tapping away furiously at a keyboard of sorts. I had thought that he hadn’t noticed us over the whirr of his contraptions but he wordlessly waved us over to a waiting chair without so much as lifting his eyes. Yugi seemed as optimistic as ever as he sat down, mentally asking me if I thought all this secrecy was as intriguing as he did. I said that it reminded me of a bad science fiction film he’d made me sit through and that all Kaiba was missing was a white lab-coat in order to play the perfect mad scientist. Needless to say, Yugi didn’t find that very funny.

However, there was no time for him to mentally lecture me for it was then that Kaiba finally saw fit to grace us mere mortals, (Yeah, I know I’m dead, but I was mortal once.) with his presence. I vaguely noted that it seemed like he hadn’t slept in days with how pale he looked as well as the dark circles under his eyes. Yet I also noticed a vague sparkle in his eye, not unlike when he was just about to set one of his beloved dragons on the field. This caught my attention as it meant he was excited about something, and when that happened it usually wasn’t to my benefit, or anyone else’s for that matter.

After a brief greeting he began to explain to Yugi (and I whether he was aware of it or not I’ll never know.) how he’d discovered a certain reaction the millennium items had around certain pieces of technology. He said that rather than explain it he’d just demonstrate. Kaiba led Yugi to a large machine that was primarily a large glass cylinder surrounded by various other machines. He instructed Yugi to stand in front of the largest machine while he sat down at a console to the left of us. Next he gave Yugi the weirdest set of instructions I’ve ever heard in my life. (And I’ve given some pretty weird ones myself.) Anyway, he told Yugi to close his eyes and visualise all aspects of an apple. It’s color, texture, shape, size, and taste etcetera.

Yugi did as suggested and, a few moments later, when he opened his eyes a perfect apple floated in the chamber. Of course I thought it was simply a hologram until Kaiba went up to the chamber grabbed it, and tossed it at us. Yugi caught it and was simply amazed. Both of had seen the chamber was empty before, and Kaiba assured us that it wasn’t a trick. Somehow the thoughts of one who wields a millennium item could be made material through the machine. Getting right to the point he stated that he thought the device was too dangerous and was going to dismantle it personally, but before he did he would make us an offer.

As soon as he used ‘us’ I was suspicious. He continued to say that if it was something the two of us desired the machine could be used to give me a mortal body all my own that was completely independent from Yugi. To me it sounded too good to be true but Yugi was mentally jumping up and down with joy. He said it would be great if I had my own body. Yugi then handed me control so that I could talk to Kaiba directly.

I told him that I had been listening the whole time, to which he nodded, probably relieved that he wouldn’t have to explain everything twice. I then asked what the catch was; not believing that he was doing this out of the goodness of his heart, if it was even possible in the first place.

To me he first swore that this was no joke, and he did so on his honour as a duellist, something that I don’t question. As for his reason however he didn’t give me a straight answer, saying only that it was for personal reasons. To me this meant that Mokuba had his hand in this most likely and had convinced his brother to do this for him. At the time this made just enough sense to agree to it as long as it brought no harm to Yugi.

After assuring me that it would do nothing to Yugi at all he instructed the both of us on how this job would be accomplished. First Yugi would once again become the dominant personality and both of us would have to concentrate on every aspect of myself unwaveringly until he told Yugi to stop. For if our concentration were broken my body would stop forming and we would both be in trouble, as our minds would not be entirely severed.

Before I gave up control to Yugi I asked how my mind would get into the new body. He explained that a mind would naturally gravitate to where it belongs and that I had nothing to fear. Somehow, I wasn’t really re-assured by this but I was willing to give it a try. It was the least I could do for Yugi after being a burden on him for so long. (Of course I’d never say this aloud, the kid has too big of a heart for his own good.)

And thus it began. Both Yugi and I concentrated as hard we could though I still believed it was simply a ruse cooked up by Kaiba’s unstable mind.

Then I felt it, a tingling all around me like mist on bare skin or when you’re so clean you itch. This feeling was overwhelming I felt like it was trying to consume me, and then it stopped entirely almost in synchronisation with Kaiba’s voice announcing that it was done.

I tried to open my eyes, to prove that this was all a trick. Then I found them to be so heavy that I could barely raise them more than a crack, and the light that came through was so bright it was as if I was staring straight into the sun. I tried to get up, to get away, but I couldn’t move I was so weak. And then I heard Yugi gasp and it was like he was miles away from me, I tried calling to him through our link but it was like he'd never been there.

By this time I was panicking, as I never had before. Was I dying? I had no idea. Desperately I tried to open my eyes once more. The light wasn’t as bright this time and I could make out Yugi’s form a couple feet away from me as well as another that supported my head yet I couldn’t see far enough around to tell who they were.

“Yugi he’s fine, just weak. I’ll take care of him. You’d better get home before your grandfather calls the police.” I knew then it was Kaiba, but his voice was different, as if I had never truly listened to it before; it was deep and soothing and I felt myself willing to trust the other duellist without a hassle for the first time in my life.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, he’s just not used to the new body. You don’t have to worry about him.” Kaiba was right, I felt just fine except for the weakness all over. I could only assume this was from the many muscles in this body never having been used before. I heard Yugi utter a response followed by his retreating footsteps on the concrete floor of the building.

Then it was silent except for our breathing. I was so tired all that I wanted to do was sleep but I couldn’t bring myself to do so until I saw that I was indeed in a body that was both material and mine own. I felt such a sense of excitement at the thought of once again living I almost felt stupid for denying myself the hope of it moments before.

Kaiba was uncharacteristically quiet as I used all the strength I could muster to turn myself slightly so I would be facing the back of the glass chamber, which had been walled in mirrors. And, for a third time I opened my eyes, which seemed to only want to fall shut, and gazed at my reflection letting out a gasp of my own.

In the mirror was a face with deep ruby eyes and dark lashes crowned with gold and crimson hair, which was attached to a neck that sported an ancient gold puzzle, hanging from a chain. Yet I felt a blush creep up my face as I realised that the strong yet slender limbs that were now mine to command lacked any semblance of clothing. To this Kaiba chuckled before scooping me up as if he’d done it all his life.

“Lets get you covered up before you catch something, then you can rest and get accustomed to your new home.” Kaiba stated, most likely for my benefit. And I would’ve replied but I was just so tired I fear that I fell asleep before I could will my new body to do so.

Well? I’m basically experimenting with first person perspective here as I’ve never worked with it before. Tell me what you think.