Shadow on the Sun

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Chapter Seven

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Making Amends

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Yuugi couldn’t help it. No matter how many times he had seen this card, he simply couldn’t fathom an emotion other than complete surprise. There in the hands of his father sat the one thing he had always cherished. A worn Duel Monster’s card shined in the sunlight. Letters of golden script embossed across this card held Yuugi’s complete attention.

‘Dark Magician’ stood vibrantly in his wake, dancing into the depths of his fearful mind. This card held more meaning than its super special awesome rarity ranking. It held great importance to Yuugi. Sugoroku had given Yuugi this exact card for his birthday years ago.

All the while, Yami held this card in full display, observing the nineteen year old’s every action. He didn’t move once, simply taking in the boy’s reaction. This card from what little information the internet held was a huge influence on Yuugi’s dueling career. A duelist since the young age of fourteen years, the boy relied on the mighty mage and his female counter part. However, seeing this card didn’t have the desired affect that Yuugi’s father desired.

In the elder man’s mind, he had envisioned his son falling to his knees, staring at the card, tears falling from his cheeks begging for comfort. Yet, the lather hadn’t come. Yuugi wasn’t on his knees begging for his father to calm him. Nor was the teen showing any sense of emotion.

His son stood there, eyes locked onto the card. A confound expression crossed Yuugi’s face, showing anything other than irritation. This card held great meaning to him and he wasn’t about to allow this so-called father to take advantage of this.

“I win, Yuugi.” He paused, pressing the card into his grasp. “I proved that I could find something that held great meaning to you. My father was everything to you. This card belonged to him. He gave it to me when I was a child.” He pocketed the card, gazing down at his small son. “He wasn’t around that often when I was fifteen. He spent his days in Egypt on archaeological digs. He rarely visited. Therefore, anytime he returned home, I spent every minute with him. During the last time I saw him, he had given me this card, Yuugi.”

Yuugi gazed at the man silently, for once contemplating his thoughts. Rarely had he ever found a reason to acknowledge this man. Yet, he found one thing they had in common. They both missed Sugoroku. However, this wasn’t enough.

“What does this prove, Yami?”

The man stared at his son, eyes narrowed. “I have proven my worth in this game. I’ve shown you something that we both hold in common. Face it Yuugi, you and I aren’t that different! We both miss Sugoroku!”

“That doesn’t change anything. You have no idea what I went through as a kid. You were never around, either was mom. You both had better things to do. My mom couldn’t handle the pain anymore and left me. My mom left me with grandpa when I was an infant. She killed herself only days later!”

Yuugi’s face became red, tears threatening to fall with each passing second. His father, no, Yami had drawn out every thread of his healed past, opening the wound. Misery floated through the teen’s mind as his heart ached painfully in sadness. Adrenaline pulsed through his veins, body humming in protest. His anxiety had risen, leaving him but a broken man.

Scrubbing his face with his palm, Yuugi pushed past Yami, opening the door to his apartment in haste. Every other second spent with this man brought out weakness. The mask he held was beginning to fall. His face happiness and smile plastered across his face began to crack, revealing the broken little boy that had yet to heal from losing his grandfather and mother.

With success, the teen pulled open the door, storming in to his apartment with fury. He didn’t care if his father stayed outside, staring at his front door. The man had broken every rule of their game. The past isn’t curable in five minutes. It often takes years. Yet the man went against his own beliefs and fought with using his cousin’s tracking devices to bring back his son’s past.

Yuugi collapsed onto his couch, happy for his next two days off. His mask of fake happiness fell, tears flowing down his cheeks. He had no one to comfort his distraught mind. His only family had died. The man he considered his father since diaper days. Sugoroku wasn’t around to solve his grandson’s problem.

‘With grandpa gone, life seems complicated. My shoulders are weighed down by conflicting parties. Decisions need to be made. There is nothing here for me anymore. Ocean Avenue no longer holds any courses I can take. My job has decreased my hours by fifty percent.’

Yuugi continued to think of his rising problems, pulling each one into a group of pros and cons. He had originally left home in hopes of following his dreams to become an aspiring writer.

A grim smile crossed his features. ‘How sad this world is. Outside of college and work there is nothing but depression and reality. Life isn’t easy. It’s a game thrown into the world championship of surviving. It’s a wonder that I haven’t fallen into the beliefs of a Social Darwinist.’

Falling onto his back, Yuugi stared at the vaulted ceiling, studying every groove and crevice of the imperfect popcorn covering every inch.

‘The ceiling holds its own problems concealed by its mask of ‘popcorn.’ Why can’t I have a way of hiding what I am feeling deep down?’

Yami had changed everything he believed in. The man stepped into his life and changed his outlook upon life without his grandfather.

‘I lost a grandfather and gained a father who shouldn’t have existed.’

Sighing softly, Yuugi pulled himself into a sitting position, once more scrubbing at his face. Free of tear stains, the man spoke softly, taking a look around his messy apartment.

“It’s time for change. There is nothing left here for me.”

- - - - - - - -

‘How could I have been such a fucking jerk?’

Yami briskly walked away from the boy’s apartment, mind heavy with guilt. He hadn’t meant to upset the boy. He simply wanted to gain the trust of his only child. Yet, all it brought on was hatred and anger. How could a game of emotion turn into a game of depression?

The man sighed to himself, walking across the boardwalk. His pace quickened, finding the familiar candy apple red Corvette he loved more than life itself. Silently he got into his treasure, pulling out of the parking lot with ease. Headlights flashing in the darkness, he revved forward, heading towards his desired destination.

Catalina Karaoke Bar glowed in artificial neon light, bathing its light upon the street walk.

Yami pulled out of his Corvette, walking into the bar deathly silent.

He suffered many problems in the past. Depression, anxiety, drinking… He promised himself he wouldn’t return here. Tonight he didn’t care. Yuugi had driven him over the edge with guilt. Old habits reared into his mind, drawing out his only need of comfort.

Yami retrieved the tattered card from his pocket, taking in the golden lettering of ‘Dark Magician.’ A frown marred his features as he whispered softly.

“I let you down, father. I can’t keep this up.”

Sunlight danced across the window sill, reflecting its rays onto a black bedspread. A ray of tricolor hair spanned from beneath the sheets, a tan colored face following suit. The light fell into the man’s eyes, causing a groan to surface.

“God why is there so much freaking light?”

The man twitched under the sheets, legs fidgeting as the light continued to fall in his face. His head hurt so badly. He couldn’t handle opening his eyes. Events from the night before fell into place, each piece falling into its slot. He remembered shots… and a woman hitting on him… He also remembered getting on stage singing to a song by he hadn’t heard in years… “I am the Walrus” by the Beatles. He couldn’t believe how much pain his head felt.

“This is why I stopped drinking in the first place…”

He pulled himself into a sitting position, moaning as dizziness crawled across his vision. He felt as if he had contracted influenza. Everything ached; every sound threw his mind into chaos. His stomach lurched forward, causing the man to run to his bathroom, spilling his stomach’s contents into the toilet.

Falling back against the cool white tile, the aging man groaning as his body fought the release of alcohol in his system. It bothered him greatly. He hadn’t gone out in years. Drinking simply became his emotional outlet. The yeasty beverage soothed his mind. It made the pain of his son’s denial disappear.

He rested his hands onto the floor, bangs falling into his angular face. Sweat dripped down the sides of his face, smelling faintly of alcohol. Every effect of his night out had taken its toll once again. His mind hazed from the events prior to this day floated through his memory. Sadly, Yami’s plan of drowning out his son’s hate failed in the matter of minutes.

Everything reoccurred, clock work perfect. He wasn’t sure why it returned suddenly. He replayed the beginnings of his conversation and thoughts as he withdrew the Duel Monster Card. Yuugi loved the card as much as he did, if not more. A natural born duelist raised by a game shop owner. It wasn’t surprising that Yuugi was a reigning champion of his hometown in Domino.

Once withdrawn, Dark Magician began the sequence of events. Seeing the card triggered the argument, memories followed suit, soon bringing forth the effects of Yuugi’s dramatic exit.

‘And he calls me a drama queen?’ Yami thought, pulling himself to his feet, hands seeking support from the pedestal sink. A mirror reflected the father’s state of a common hangover. Dark circles clung to dark sooty lashes. Ruby eyes appeared darker, a hue of red wine. His usually tan skin, a hereditary trait from his mother’s ethnical descent became pale. Yami held the opposite side of his personality. He, the one of complete solitude and power had fallen. Unknown to him, his body heaved once more, causing him to cough roughly.

‘Just how many drinks did I have last night?’

Biting his lip in apprehension, he pulled away from the sink, limping his way back into the confines of his bedroom.

Work wouldn’t do today… He could always call in. After all, what could one not do with being the CEO’s cousin and best friend?

Falling against the comforting sheets of the four poster bed, the man closed his eyes.

‘All I need is rest…’

Re and the other gods apparently didn’t hold any sympathy for the male.

An upbeat polyphonic ring tone echoed through the air, waking Yami from his moment of complete peace. His eyes opened slightly, nerves shot to hell.

“Whoever this is will suffer the fate of a beating.”

Falling to the side of his bed, the man pulled his cell phone out; taking in the caller id He recognized it as his one and only friend.

“Hello?”

“About time you answered the damn phone, pharaoh. What’s holding you down now?”

At the mention of his nickname, the man’s eye twitched in dissatisfaction. Seto entitled Yami with the endearment of ‘pharaoh’ when they were merely children. Having always been considered ‘perfect’ and regal in stance and personality, he held the aura of an ancient pharaoh. Although he allowed his cousin to call him this name, it didn’t mean he liked it. He loathed it with a passion.

Sighing in annoyance he replied, “My insanity, Seto. That’s what. I had a relapse in the drinking department last night. I woke up with a hang over…”

“I thought you never went out anymore.” The voice of his cousin replied, icily. “You promised me that you wouldn’t do that ever again, not after being in the hospital.”

Guilt ached deeply in his heart. He vowed to Seto years ago that he would never drink again. Not after losing his mother.

“Yuugi caused this. He… He doesn’t want anything to do with me. He claims I cheated by showing him the card. My own son hates me, Seto.”

The line was silent. No one said anything the entire time. All Yami could do was bite his lip in agitation. His headache bit heavily into his skull.

“I’m sorry, Yami. I don’t know what else to say but fix your own problem. You did this to yourself.”

With that, the line went dead, leaving the hung over father to cope with his shattered dreams of setting things straight with his son.

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His decision had been made. The weight on his shoulders fell. He had taken a leave of absence from work and packed his things. He even ended the lease of his apartment. A ticket for the “Catalina Flyer” peered over the edge of his back pocket. Life was going to change. Days before, Yuugi had sent all of his furniture back to his hometown, leaving himself little to carry aboard the catamaran.

Today was the day. Yuugi would return home to the place his grandfather had owned. Recently he had learned of his share in Sugoroku’s will. The man left Yuugi a large sum of money and joint custody of his beloved game shop in Domino. Yami held the other half of ownership. Yet, he had decided that enough was enough. During the day before, Yuugi had lost all hope in repairing his amends with Yami. Introducing his grandfather’s card into their game was the last straw. Everything amongst the subject involving Duel Monsters drove Yuugi insane. Once the proud bearer of a magician themed deck, a duelist so strong that even the creator feared him. The King of games became a fearful child. Duel Monsters held the heart of passion for Sugoroku Mutou. He sold the cards, played the game regularly. His favorite card, “Blue Eyes White Dragon” had fallen into the hands of Yuugi. This along with the “Dark Magician” became his most cherished cards. However, the young duelist gave everything up, mourning the loss of the expert gamer, Sugoroku.

The subject concerning his move was avoided. Sora, his best friend knew of this. But being sixteen, the boy insisted upon accompanying his friend’s departure. That is how he had fallen into this early morning wait. The teen begged him to wait at his old apartment.

Sighing softly, Yuugi locked the door of his old residence, gazing longingly at it. He walked down the steps, footfalls heavy. He leaned to the side, messenger bag shifting in response. Sora promised to arrive no later than seven thirty. Violet eyes glanced quickly at the pier’s clock tower, taking in the early hour of seven fifty-five. He rolled his eyes. It wasn’t surprising that the boy was over fifteen minutes late. Sora had to deal with strict parents. It was surprising that he was able to keep his job with KFC/Pizza Hut.

As if the gods were looking up upon his situation, Sora skipped towards Yuugi’s small form, a frown marring his soft features.

“Sorry I’m late, Yuugi. You know how my mom is; she won’t let me leave without inhaling a load of breakfast.” The boy fidgeted, blue eyes dancing in nervousness.

“It’s fine, Sora, I understand.”

“Thanks, Yuugi, you always seem to understand.” The boy jumped forward, tackling the older teen into a bear hug.

Yuugi couldn’t help but return the hug with a slight eagerness. After all, he wouldn’t see his best friend again.

Yami sunk onto a bench, eyes glazed from lack of sleep. His hair fell into his ruby eyes, proving how little he recovered from his son’s hate. A week had passed since their argument, silencing any form of contact in their lives for all eternity. He felt himself falling into his old habits. The life of living on this island at age twenty had become remarkably close to Yuugi’s. All except the underage drinking he faced when he lost everything dear to him.

Deep down the man knew that he remembered Yuugi’s mother quite well. She had always been important to him. She was his high school sweetheart. Until the time to part ways had fallen in place. Both desired colleges in different directions. She, a major in Japanese culture and language, and Yami was a major in Egyptology and art history. He and Yuugi’s mother held different interests and accusations on how things should run in life. It wasn’t surprising that they hadn’t separated sooner.

They had spent one last night together before parting ways. A frown marred his angular features as everything clicked together. It must have been then that night he had conceived Yuugi. Almost twenty years of age, falling into the steps of adulthood when his life had changed. This was why he had woken up early this morning, sitting on a bench outside the harbor. His last remaining relative of immediate family was leaving. He had found out the day before, meeting the proprietor of Yuugi’s apartment complex. On his way to set amends straight, he accepted the truth of his son’s ambitious and instantaneous decision.

Yuugi planned a leave of permanent absence. Returning to the land of which he came in means of finding his true self and happiness. Yami believed every person held the right in finding his or her place in the world. However, this situation differed greatly. Yuugi wasn’t just someone; he was Yami’s only child. The teen wasn’t spontaneous. He simply proved to hold independence. No matter the reasoning, Yami wouldn’t allow his son to leave. He didn’t care if the boy hated him for all eternity. He wanted to prove his point and at least set his priorities straight with Yuugi Mutou.

Groaning irritably, Yami scanned across the walkway. He searched for familiarity. Any sign of tricolor hair floating in the crowd would hold a dead giveaway. So far, he held no such luck.

The ship was scheduled to leave at eight thirty this morning. Already the clock struck eight fifteen. Something wasn’t right.

Sighing under his breath, he leaned back, awaiting Yuugi’s arrival. Time would pass, but he wouldn’t leave until the boy arrived in Avalon harbor.

“Sora, let go of me. I have to show the crewmen my ticket for boarding.” Yuugi stated, agitated at the smaller teens vice grip.

Sora wrapped his arms around Yuugi’s torso, holding him back. He didn’t want Yuugi to leave. Work wasn’t any fun without him.

“No, Mike will make me take pizza duty. He makes us do prep in the morning and the night shifts now!”

“Oh so that’s the only reason you won’t let me go? You want me to do pizza?”

Sora rolled his eyes, unlatching himself from Yuugi’s small body. “No, you’re my best friend. I don’t want to lose ya. You’re cool and you have your own pad. Well you did.”

“I know, Sora. I’m sorry but I can’t stay here anymore. I can’t handle being around Yami. I explained this to you in the past.”

The brunet nodded his head, eyes wide with child-like amazement. It still amazed him that Yuugi was related to Seto Kaiba and the head gamer of Avalon, Yami Mutou.

“I know I’m just going to miss you. You have to come back someday though.”

“Maybe, Sora, maybe I will.”

With a final wave, Yuugi turned towards the crew members, holding his ticket voucher in hand. Only to freeze in place as a baritone voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Running away from your problems?”

Yuugi froze body rigid at the familiar voice.

‘How the hell did he find me here?’

He couldn’t believe that Yami had found him. Nonetheless, he wasn’t in the mood to deal with this drama queen.

“No, I’m simply returning to what I used to love more than anything. I really have no idea why I abandoned Domino and moved here in the first place.”

Yami stood his ground, gazing at his son with mournful eyes. “It was fate, Yuugi. You were to meet me one day. My father knew this, that’s why he wanted you to come here one day.”

“Back off! You have nothing to say considering you haven’t been in my life until now!”

“I didn’t even know you existed. Do you think I would have abandoned you? Your mother never told me anything. Had she told me about your existence, I would have taken care of you myself!”

Tears fell from Yuugi’s violet eyes, flowing down his cheeks in waterfalls.

“DO NOT TALK ABOUT MY MOTHER LIKE THAT EVER AGAIN!”

This was getting him no where.

“Yuugi, this is ridiculous. I’m not going to argue with you over the past anymore. Simply explain to me why we cannot be civil?”

The teen glanced at the morning sun, violet eyes wide. He spoke softly, back turning towards the man acknowledged as his father.

“Because, you and are different. You are a shadow. I am a sun. You hold back everything I need to experience with your sudden fatherly instincts. I have never had a father in my life other than grandpa. He never sheltered me from problems. He allowed me to live my life and explore lands beyond Domino. He let me come here and experience the life away from home.” He choked back a cry, eyes misty. “I am through with my journey here. I have found what I needed and have learned from my mistakes. You are nothing more than an obstacle in this time of my life. I do not believe that time will change anything between us or will my staying here. I need time to take in everything that has occurred this summer, Yami.”

Silently, the boy handed the crew member his ticket, walking onto the floating dock as he stepped onto the catamaran. He never turned his head to see the sad eyes of his father experiencing his final moment on the island.

Time simply wasn’t holding everything together. Yuugi needed space from losing his grandfather to discovering his biological father during his summer. Yami knew one day that Yuugi would understand this. He prayed that it would occur soon enough.

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“And that is what I have experienced this summer.” Yuugi stated, leaning on his elbow, eyes darting from the window to Joey’s apprehensive gaze.

“You went through all of that during the summer? You left your father with that speech?”

A mournful look graced Yuugi’s lips as he nodded silently. “Yes, I did. I do not understand why it was so hard for me to accept his existence during that time. For now, things have changed since then. After returning to Domino, I lived in the game shop, taking in the afterthoughts of his grandpa’s life and my own outlook upon knowing Yami was indeed alive.”

The blond cocked his head to the side, staring at his friend with a confused stare. “You really know how to confuse a guy, Yuge’. I just don’t getcha sometimes.” It was then that Joey realized where they were headed. “Wait, then you is on this boat for the reason, I’m thinking, aren’t you?”

A distant look coated Yuugi’s facial expression as he took in the harbor that approached every minute. After two months of isolation in Domino, Yuugi had come to a civil belief of his future.

“I’m returning to set amends straight. There are still issues to settle but I’m willing to give it time for the sake of my sanity.”

Joey laughed half heartedly, ruffling his friend’s spiky hair. “That’s the Yuge’ I know.”

Yuugi could only smile as he and Joey high-fived.

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It was silent... He had only received a call from his cousin concerning an in depth issue with Duel Monsters. He stood against the railing of the pier, taking in the scenery silently. This had become his favorite spot for isolation often used for thinking. No one usually hung around this area after sunset.

Today, there was a small figure leaning on the railing on the other side of the clock tower. A small form shrouded in shadow.

‘No one hangs around here after this hour. Who the hell is out here?’

Curiosity hooked him into investigating. Carefully and gracefully as a feline, Yami walked towards the other end of the pier, finding himself in front of the one person he hadn’t planned on seeing ever again.

“Yuugi?”

His mouth, cotton dry, had fallen open. Surprise took over his every action. Why had Yuugi returned all of the sudden?

“Hi.”

The greeting startled Yami. It was casual, not cocky.

“Hello.” He paused, staring at the boy with uneasiness.

“What are you doing here, Yuugi? I thought….”

Guilt showed clearly in the boy’s violet eyes. His head downcast, Yuugi sighed softly, hair falling into rhythm with the winds movement. The teen didn’t know how to state his acceptance of the past.

“Just don’t, Yami. I’ve been through a lot of things in the past two months that lead me to a mature and orderly decision.”

“Wow, you used big words. This must definitely hold importance.”

Rolling his eyes, Yuugi spoke, words sending surprise through Yami’s body.

“I’m sorry for how I acted. But things haven’t changed fully. I want to set amends straight with you and continue living my life as I have for the past two months.”

“You came here to tell me that you are staying there?”

“There is only so much one can do with a complicated relationship as this, Dad. I merely wanted to show that I no longer hate you. I will keep in touch with you but I’m going to live my life shining like a diamond with the roll of the dice.”

The sun began to set as Yuugi stepped away from Yami, smirking to himself.

“Great quote, Yuugi. My father was always one for gaming as you and I have been.”

“I’m just that cool.” He paused, holding out his hand.

Yami took his hand into a friendly shake, showing acceptance of their terms.

Slowly, Yuugi pulled away, winking at his father.

“Don’t forget me, Yami. I’m going to steal your title one of these days.”

The boy turned and walked away leaving his father with a grim smile.

Things hadn’t changed completely for the better. At least there was forgiveness and understanding. Yuugi no longer hated him. No matter how complicated it appeared, both father and son held an unbroken bond to one another.

Amends had been made.

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Fin.

After a year and a month, this story is finally finished. I’m sorry it has taken me so long to update it. I hope this was enjoyed.