Here With You
By: Hitokiri Musei
Rated: M
Summary: A disease takes hold of Atem unexpectedly, and, with no way to save his still-host Yugi, he separates the two of them. But will it cause more harm than good? And can Yugi find a way to save the spirit he's come to love?
Warnings and Disclaimer: It is post-Ceremonial Duel, as in they know his name, but Atem is still a part of Yugi, for the sake of the plot. This will be an eventual yaoi, so keep that in mind!
Most information about disease obtained from wikipedia, but some of it's made up, so don't punch me too much on that.
I don't own Yu-gi-oh!
Chapter 1
"Atem? Are you alright?"
Atem raised his head from his bed, opening his eyes. He was in his room in the Millennium Puzzle, trying to get his roaring headache to go away.
"Yes Yugi. I'm only… tired." Atem responded groggily, laying his head back down and trying to sleep.
A moment later a gentle hand stroked down his back, and Atem opened his eyes to meet concerned violet eyes. "Are you sure? You don't look so well."
Atem sighed, rolling over so he could keep eye contact with his hikari. "I just have a headache. I'll be alright."
Yugi smiled. "Okay. You get some rest, alright?"
Atem smiled back. "Thanks for worrying, aibou."
Yugi nodded with a smile, and then faded from sight as he left the room. Atem closed his eyes, and then drifted into a restless sleep.
(Dream/Memory)
"My lord Pharaoh, are you sure you are well?"
Atem's eyes opened to meet the concerned blue eyes of Seth. He shook himself, and then nodded with a smile. "Yes, I am fine."
"Very well, my lord."
Atem focused back on the happenings in front of him, a ritual ceremony to pray for a good harvest. The Pharaoh placed a few fingers against his temple, rubbing slightly to try and ease his headache.
The ceremonies rose to a clamor, and Atem moaned softly, the room blurring around him. The Pharaoh swayed, but a hand settled against his chest, stopping him from falling.
"Please, Pharaoh Atem, go and rest. You are not well." Seth said firmly.
Atem nodded reluctantly. "Well enough, I will go. Just have the ceremony continue."
"I will accompany you."
Atem shook his head. "No. You are in charge, Seth. I will be fine."
Seth didn't seem happy, but he followed his lord's will. Atem pushed himself to his feet, disappearing with a whirl of his cloak. He moved through the halls silently, his head still pounding.
As the floor tipped Atem stumbled, falling against the barrier, panting slightly. Body-shaking coughs took him, and he covered his mouth with one hand. His hand came away bloody, and Atem's crimson eyes widened. The world tipped and swayed, colors swirling together. The last thing Atem saw was the sky fading, and then the world blackened.
There was a sensation of falling, and then consciousness fled with a halting thud.
Seth felt worried about his Pharaoh. Lord Atem had not looked well, his dark skin had been pale, and he had been sweating and panting.
Seth finally stood, leaving the room to find the Pharaoh. He walked briskly through the palace, but as he passed one of the barriers of the second level he felt compelled to stop.
Confused, the Rod's guardian moved to the barrier, and then called for the guards, his voice panicked and loud.
Seth ran towards the stairway, running down them two at a time. All he could see in his mind's eye was the Pharaoh, lying prone on the floor, limbs askew and blood pooled around his head, soaking his hair. Was this an act of violence? Or merely an accident?
Seth arrived on the scene a moment before the guards, and lifted the Pharaoh carefully bridal style, carrying him towards the medical wing of the palace. The young leader was out cold, blood dripping rhythmically from his hair to hit the ground.
'Please be alright, my lord…'
"I'm afraid there's nothing I can do." the healer remarked sadly. "The Lord Atem has been taken by a sickness that has no cure, the same one that caused the passing of his mother, the good Queen. His lungs are being destroyed within him."
Seth's heart stopped. The lung disease? Their good and kind Pharaoh was… dying? But why would the Gods do this? Was this really their will, or the work of something else?
The guardian turned his eyes to the young Pharaoh, saddening. Atem lay beneath a single white sheet, his pale skin nearly matching it, panting heavily, and sweat soaking his hair.
'How could we have missed this?' Seth thought with dread. 'Please, Ra, do not steal him from us. Atem is a good Pharaoh, he has led us well.'
Atem started coughing, and blood trickled slowly down his chin. The healer wiped it away with sadness. "Forgive me. I can do nothing for him. All we can do is wait."
(End of Dream/Memory)
Atem awoke with a start, sitting up straight in bed. He was damp with sweat, and his heart was pounding.
"Atem? I need you."
Yugi's soft voice pierced the quiet, and Atem stood, answering his hikari. "I am here, aibou. What do you wish of me?"
"A duel. You haven't in a while, I was wondering if you wanted this one?"
Atem rolled his shoulders. "I do. I could use a good duel."
The two switched seamlessly, as they always did now, and Atem glanced down. One of the dueling arenas similar to Pegasus's, an old one. No matter.
Atem didn't bother examining his opponent; he looked down at his hand. It was very good, Dark Magician, Dark Magician Girl, 2 trap cards, and 2 magic. All his opponent had was one card face down and a monster in defense mode.
Atem didn't get very far into his turn. He had barely gotten ready to place down a card when his chest seized, something rising in his mouth. His eyes wide in fear, he raised a hand as he coughed, his hand coming away wet with dark blood.
The cards slipped from his nerveless fingers, hitting the ground as blood sprayed the console, Atem slumping forward and sliding to the floor. The last thing he heard was his aibou's friend's calling out, and, above it all, Yugi screaming his name.
His mind fled.
Well, here's my attempt at a new story. I'm not too sure about it, let me know what you think!