Disclaimer: I do not own YGO. I do, however, own at least a couple of the manga… can that count for something?

Okay, peeps! Again, I’m updating early because I doubt I could get it into you on the due date tomorrow. I want to thank all of you for your reviews, and if I didn’t reply back to you, I’m sorry. Things have been a bit… hectic.

I’ll give it to you all straight. I went to the Sloan-Kettering hospital up in Manhattan, and it turns out that, yes, I have cancer (or at least I DID have cancer—the mass they removed from me was known as Rhabdomyosarcoma). Still, for the next nine months, I’ll be undergoing chemotherapy and radiation to make sure it doesn’t grow back.

Lucky me, I actually have the more aggressive version of the cancer (stupid fucking cancer) and that means strong chemo (damnit), so there will be the possibility of losing hair, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, and all that wonderful stuff.

Joy.

Well, that’s it on me. The only good news out of this is that I won’t be going to school (YAY!) and that might mean more fan fiction writing time (MIGHT is the key word here—who knows? I might be too sick to even get near a computer). Hopefully it will be to my benefit, and that will be your benefit, because then you will receive more of this great fan fiction. I refuse to stop writing it just because of some cancer—I’ve worked too hard to have my work gone to waste.

So… that’s it. There may be occasion delays with this fic, so those are to be expected. But, I love you guys, so I’ll force myself to be on time. Enjoy the chappie!

It was ten at night in Duelist Kingdom. The woods and mountains were dark, the sea quietly whispering as it broke its waves against cliffs and shores. Above every duelist’s head the moon shone bright, casting shadows among the darkness.

Shadows that could be the end of a duelist’s fate… one such shadow lurked in the night, waiting to strike its next prey. It set its sights on a small tent, sitting right in the middle of the dark forest….

“Ra ha ha… sleep while you can, duelists, because I’m coming for you!”

While Anzu and Mai hung out in their tent, Yugi and the other guys started to set up camp on their own. Jou and Honda were already starting to doze off, lying down under a tree as they rested their eyes and started to snore.

Ryou and Hanasaki were getting some things from their backpacks, but were close to doing the same. Yugi was staring off into the darkness, his thoughts on other things and many things. It wasn’t until he heard the soft crackling of the dying camp fire that he cleared his head and stood up.

“Hey, I’m gonna go get some more wood for the fire,” Yugi said to the others as he dusted off this pants. Ryou and Hanasaki glanced up and nodded to him.

“Alright, Yugi,” Ryou said. He smiled over at the boy. “Be sure to come back soon.”

“But, Yugi…?” Hanasaki sounded concerned. “Didn’t you hear what Miss Kujaku said? There’s some guy out there in the woods. She said it could be dangerous…!”

Yugi smiled at Hanasaki. “I’m not worried. I have Yami to help me if there’s any trouble, remember?” Yugi was pretty fond of his new way of looking at things. Before, he always used to be afraid, knowing some bully or thug could be right around the corner. Now he didn’t know what fear was—Yami was always there to take care of things.

Hanasaki stared at Yugi for a second, before recalling that and nodding dimly. “Oh yeah. Well, um, have fun, I guess.”

Yugi waved to them and headed off into the woods. He wandered through the darkness for a little bit before putting his hand out and calling on his magic. In a mere second a tiny ball of white light formed on his palm, guiding him through the shadowy brush.

Yami stirred in Yugi’s soul room, sensing Yugi’s travel. Yugi, where are you going…?

Yugi smiled inwardly. We wanted to see some of the scenery, right? I bet we can get a nice view of the ocean with the moon out like this.

Shouldn’t you be sleeping? You will need your rest for tomorrow’s duels.

Don’t worry—it’ll be quick, I promise.

He knew where he was going. When he was searching for firewood earlier, Yugi had stumbled along a small piece of shoreline. It looked like a very nice spot… and it was very private. Just what Yugi was looking for.

It took him a while to get there—the camp for very far inland, so the trip to the ocean was a small bit of a trek. Eventually he came out of the bushes and stood before the shore, which was covered with grass all the way to where the waves lapped onto lands.

He looked out over the sea. It was beautiful—the moon reflected over the rippling water, which looked black in the light of the evening. The moonlight dappled the water, as the sound of the ocean lulled him. He took in a deep breath, smelling the scent of the sea.

Yami appeared beside him, gazing out at the ocean as well.

Yugi looked at him, smiling. “I guess you were right—we do have some time to sight-see after all.”

Yami smiled warmly, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the moonlight. “Yes, we do. And it is a very stunning sight to see.” He was still looking at Yugi when he said this.

Yugi blushed lightly. In the luminescent moonlight Yami looked even more striking than before—his pale skin almost seemed as white as the moon itself and his eyes sparkled like rubies. Yugi could feel his heart beat slightly faster—Yami always looked hot, but he was simply breath-taking this night.

Yugi took in a deep breath to calm himself. “Hey, Yami?”

The spirit nodded. “Yes Yugi?”

“Could you see if there’s anyone nearby us? Is anyone close?”

Yami narrowed his gaze as he glanced behind them, into the forest. He stared at it for a moment or so, before turning back and shaking his head.

“No, light one. The surrounding area is empty—we are alone.”

Alone. The word made Yugi’s heart pound. It was a word he had wanted to hear for so long.

“Could you make a barrier around us?” Yugi asked quietly. “One that would keep us from being seen or heard?”

Yami nodded and obeyed. Yugi could feel his power expand out around them like a bubble, containing the space between the shore and the edge of the forest. It settled, forming a dome—Yugi couldn’t see it too well, but he could sense it around them. Protecting them.

They both sat down on the grass, looking out over the sea in mute understanding. Yugi glanced over at Yami—even though Yami didn’t state it or ask about it, Yugi knew that he understood what Yugi was thinking about. They had been connected for so long that they were in tune with each other’s feelings and urges. If Yami had any inclination of what Yugi secretly desired, then he obviously did not question it.

Maybe he wanted it just as bad as Yugi did right now too.

Yugi sighed a little, content. His feelings for Yami were strong—stronger than any feeling he ever had for anyone or anything else. They were connected, not just in their souls but with their bodies as well.

He had explored Yami in the physical as he had the spiritual. He knew him, inch by inch, like a map; Yugi knew his lover, while also knowing that he sort of owned him in turn.

Owned every inch of Yami. Owned that power, that prowess—that sharp-minded, articulate spirit who worshipped and protected his very being. He loved every moment of it….

He hungered for it when he was without the feeling of Yami’s hands or lips to comfort him. To please him.

He touched Yami’s hand, and held it. “Yami?”

“Yes, light one?”

“We’re doing pretty well, don’t you think? We already have five star chips—if we keep winning the way we have been then we should get into Pegasus’s castle in no time.”

Yami nodded. “Yes—we have done well for ourselves this day. Even with the odds against us at one star chip, we still managed to climb our way up….”

“Yup!” Yugi agreed. He smiled, but then the expression slipped off his face, replaced by a sadder smirk.

Yami sensed Master’s sudden change. He glanced over, concerned. “Is there something troubling you, Yugi?”

The boy sighed. “It’s nothing. I was just thinking… the Items keep coming at us, challenging us to make you stronger. They’ve already separated Grandpa’s soul from his body, just for our compliance… what will they do if we keep winning? Who are they gonna take from us to keep us under their command?”

Yami’s eyes softened. A sad smile graced his lips as he placed his arms over his light’s shoulders.

“For that, I still don’t know,” Yami said calmly. He stared off into the distance. “It seems they will do anything to get what they want. They would go to any length… I doubt any of our friends our safe as long as I am still here.”

“They’re still with us, though,” Yugi said quietly. “Our friends. They’re still with us, and they know what could happen. They know they could get hurt….”

“That’s what friends are for, Yugi. If they didn’t care about you, then they would not be here with us, helping to get Mutou-sama’s soul back.” He smiled. “The reason they stay is because they know that if they were in trouble, you would stand by them just like this.”

Yugi snuggled into Yami’s hold. He glanced up to beam at the spirit; he felt so warm, so wonderful. “You know I’ll stay by you, so that you can beat Zorc and be free of the Puzzle.”

“Of course.” He kissed Yugi’s forehead. “Just as I will protect you from whatever perils try to befall you. I am forever yours.”

Yugi smiled lightly. Forever his… only until he’s free of the Puzzle’s magic. Yugi hated remembering what the Items said: that once Yami did for them what they asked, they would free his soul so that he may finally rest in peace.

To Yugi that meant once Yami had performed his task, he would be allowed to go on, letting his spirit finally be where should have gone thousands of years before: to the place where spirits rest, whether that be Heaven or some sort of Afterlife.

Yugi didn’t want to believe it. Yugi wanted to believe that once Yami was free, he would stay with Yugi, in his soul and at his side, forever and ever if they could. Yami had offered him eternal life—maybe he would take that up if his wish came true.

But what if it didn’t?

What if Yami had to move onto the realm of spirits, leaving Yugi on earth to suffer, waiting for his turn to come? Yugi knew he wouldn’t be able to bear the wait—he knew wouldn’t be able to stand being alone, without Yami to comfort him and make him smile.

Yes, he would if he had to. Yugi would be strong if Yami left; if he was taken away from him, if only for that much time.

He would reunite with the spirit if that happened. They would never be apart forever. Someday they would meet again, if not in this life then another.

It was destiny, a thing meant to be. They would always be together, no matter what happened. No matter what the dangers, or what the costs.

Yugi would give up everything, if only to share an eternity with this god. His god.

Yugi interlaced his fingers with Yami’s. “And I am yours too. Forever. No matter what the Items try to do.”

Yami sighed as he nuzzled into Yugi’s hair. “If the Items try to hurt you, Yugi I—I don’t know. I would never forgive myself if they hurt you. If they….”

“I don’t care about that. I’ll be there to help you. I won’t let you do it alone.”

“I can’t stop you if that’s what you decide. I’m just afraid… afraid of what they’ll do, if I fail them again.”

“We won’t fail again. We’ll win, Yami. We’ll beat Pegasus, we’ll beat Zorc and the Items, and we’ll beat time. We’ll win against everything—together.”

Yami tightened his hold on Yugi, hugging him affectionately. Yugi let out a contented sigh, nuzzling his face up to Yami’s.

“I love you…” Yami whispered into his ear.

Yugi couldn’t help but smile more. “I love you too. More than I should, or anybody should. It’s more like obsession.”

Yami brought his face to meet Yugi’s face. His sweet, perfect face. “But the obsession makes you happy. I’m glad it makes you happy, bright one.” He leaned down and tenderly claimed Yugi’s lips, brushing against them softly. It makes me happy too.

So much happiness. Yugi thought, smiling inside. He turned so that he could face Yami, making it easier to kiss. It’s so much… I don’t deserve to have so much of it. Other people should feel this kind of happiness.

You are blessed, bright one. You are a god of light… my god of light. Yami kissed harder, pressing against Yugi.

It feels selfish. Having all this happiness, all to myself. Like having Yami, fully and completely. Loving him to every extent he could.

Yami released his lips from the youth’s and peered into Yugi’s eyes. “For working so hard on the Puzzle and freeing me, light one, you deserve it. You deserve it, and so much more.”

“What more could I ask for?” Yugi questioned. Yami’s eyes were so beautiful, like actual rubies. He loved to stare into them. “What more could I want?”

“Whatever it is you want,” Yami said. “I want you to be happy, Yugi.”

“You make me happy.” Sureness.

“And I am happy, because of you.” Yami ran his fingers through Yugi’s hair. “Because of you, I can be happy. You freed me, and now I know what joy feels like.”

Yugi reached up and kissed Yami hard. He wrapped his arms around the spirit’s neck, leaning up to feel Yami better.

Even when they were in physical form, Yami tasted wonderful. It wasn’t like the taste of musk and ancient power that he savored in their soul room, but it was still something Yugi couldn’t deny. Still divine.

They laid back onto the plush grass bed, Yugi on top of Yami as he kissed the spirit with as much passion as he could manage.

They were finally alone. They had time to themselves—time to be spent in each other’s company. Yugi wished he could make every moment last like this.

He wished every moment could be like this. Just him and Yami. Nothing else.

Yami held Yugi close to him. The smaller one gave a soft sigh, making Yami smile. It sounded so adorable, when Yugi was happy.

Yugi was always adorable. Adorable and perfect.

Absolutely perfect, in every way. Yami knew Master had no flaws—nothing as benevolent as this could have faults.

When Yami was in a physical form the two of them were still connected in spirit. Yami could sense Yugi’s essence. His soul and its holy light, basking on him and warming his entire being. Yami sighed inside, contented. Yugi was an angel, the perfect angel, one he would protect with his very life.

He knew Master wanted to be stronger to protect Yami. Yami didn’t want him to do that just for his sake—Yugi had already done enough by rescuing him from the Puzzle. No matter what Yami did, he would never be able to pay Master back for that. It was too great a deed to repay in full.

Yami was willing to try. He would do everything to make Master happy. To help him get stronger and be on his own. To live his life as he was destined to.

Yami felt Yugi’s hands go from his shoulders to his chest, as he started to undo the buckles on his leather armor. Yami started to do the same to Yugi’s in mirror fashion.

The warm sea breeze flowed over them. It made Yugi’s skin tingle.

He looked down at Yami, as he lay in the grass. His bare chest was muscular, and his skin was warm under the armor. Yugi bent down and kissed Yami on the lips, slowly traveling down his neck and kissing along his collar bone. Yami moaned in pleasure, smiling at Yugi as he ran his hands up Yugi’s still-clothed back.

Yugi stopped and looked at Yami. He smiled—Yami looked satisfied, content with the massacre of kisses. Yugi continued his way back up, slowly kissing as much of Yami’s skin as he could. Back up his neck and around his jaw, then to his lips again.

Yami’s warm, soft lips. Yugi kissed him gently, savoring the feel of them.

He didn’t know when they would get another chance to be alone. He didn’t know how long he had to wait for another chance to kiss Yami again.

He wanted to wake up tomorrow remembering these kisses, with the taste of Yami’s mouth still in his thoughts. He wanted to have these memories every waking moment, and every night he dreamed.

Dreamed of light and shadow. Dreamed of wonders and pleasure and bliss. Dreamed of Yami.

“I wish things were different,” Yugi said as he pulled back and stared into Yami’s crimson eyes. “I wish I could still have you, without the Puzzle. Without the Items.”

“I do as well,” Yami breathed. He reached up and tangled his fingers in Yugi’s soft hair, twirling it absently. “I wish for that too.”

“But if Pegasus didn’t invite us to his tournament, we wouldn’t be kissing on the grassy beach of a beautiful island.” Yugi giggled—it was true.

Yami smirked. “Perhaps not. But it’s not the beach or the island that makes this special.” He brushed his lips light against Yugi’s. “You are the only thing I see. You are everything I live for, Yugi.”

Yugi couldn’t help it anymore. He had been careful about his feelings, unsure if this was the time, but now he knew what he wanted.

He needed to feel Yami against him. Feel Yami with him, in every sense of the word.

All the heartache and pain from the last week had been haunting Yugi’s mind, though he tried to push them back and concentrate only on the present. Only on Yami, and victory. It had been so much that he almost forgot what Yami felt like.

No, he could never forget that. How could he, when Yami was always there to remind him?

Yami would always be here. Yugi would fight with him, no matter what happened. He would stand by his side, never leaving him to fight alone. Never letting the Items take Yami back.

He would give him as much love as he had to give, to make up for the pain. To help Yami forgive their loss to Pegasus.

“Yami…” Yugi’s heart beat faster. He was ready. He wanted to remember what it felt like again. How good it all felt. “Could we… I just …I was thinking—?”

Yami sat up, suddenly alert; his crimson eyes darted towards the woods, back to camp and Pegasus’s castle. Yugi looked at him, concerned.

“Yami, what’s wrong…?” Yugi concentrated on the forest as well, trying to probe with his own magic for intruders. Was someone coming towards them?

“I apologize, Ma-Yugi. I know that you were speaking, but… Anzu is in trouble.” Yami stood up. “Kujaku-san too. I can sense another’s presence with them… someone we don’t know.”

“We have to get back to camp then!” Yugi secretly felt regret—he was really hoping to stay with Yami for the night, and now something had come up. He shook away his thoughts. His friends were in danger. They had to go and help them.

Another person… could it be that guy Miss Kujaku warned them about? Yugi felt slightly ill; hopefully nothing had happened to them.

Yami nodded. “Of course.” Yami clasped Yugi’s hand. Instantly pools of shadows swam around them as Yami teleported them back to the campsite.

Yugi closed his eyes, feeling the magic’s power. Just before they left the beach, he heard a scream ring out through the forest.

It sounded like Mai Kujaku.

Well, that was our sweet little yaoi-packed Chapter 27. Hope you all enjoyed it!

What’s coming up next for Yugi and Yami? Mai Kujaku’s screams are heard through the forest—who or what has attacked her? Is she the only victim? And can Yugi and Yami get back to camp in time to save them, or will someone beat them to the punch?

(head is spinning… TOO MANY QUESTIONS!!)

See ya next week for our next installment of DYDOM: D—Chapter 28: Panic!