#Chao- Yep, Chao was half-asleep when this idea crept into Chao's mind.

YChao- And after all these years of writing on this site, you still write in third person.

Chao- Yes, yes Chao does.

Disclaimer: DarkChao1663 does not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Full Summary: Alternative Universe. A powerful wizard is in search of gathering and training powerful magicians in order to form the perfect squad of apprentices. Meanwhile, after Yugi was in an accident, Yami can't help but feel responsible for it. While watching over his friend, Yami notices some strange events occurring within him as well as around him. Will this new powerful force interfere with the lives of Yugi and Yami? What will Yami be able to do about it?

Warnings: Minor swearing, Some people may be out of character

Pairings: None

"Talking."

"Thinking."

Chapter 1: The Beginning

"Hey, Yami," greeted a tall girl with short, brown hair at a convenient store. "What's up?"

"Oh, hello, Tea," a teen with tri-color hair and narrow purple eyes greeted back. "I'm only picking up some ice."

"For Yugi's fever?" she asked with concern.

"Yeah," Yami answered, feeling distraught about the situation.

"Don't worry," Tea assured with a smile after a moment of silence. "I'm sure he'll feel better soon."

"It's not that I'm worried about…" Yami sighed.

"Who's looking after him right now?" Tea asked, changing the subject for the better. "Isn't Mr. Muto still on vacation?"

Yami nodded, "That's right. Joey and Tristan offered to look after Yugi. They said I should get some exercise and out of the house by picking up the ice."

"I see," Tea remarked. "It was Yugi's idea for his grandpa to go on vacation by himself, wasn't it?"

Yami nodded once more, "Yugi said we'd be all right. For the most part we were fine until Yugi went out into the rain and contracted a fever."

Tea smiled once more and winked, "Maybe right now Yugi needs a feminine touch around the place."

The two grabbed a sack of ice together and headed back to the Turtle Game Shop. They entered the den expecting to find their two friends arguing over some little details that really meant nothing whatsoever. However, they became surprise finding their vertically-challenged friend was up, too, playing a game of checkers.

"Yugi! What are you doing out of bed!" Yami shrieked, startling everyone.

The young boy dropped his checker piece and gripped his shirt on the same side as his heart as he felt a sharp pain forming.

The older boy dropped the ice and ran towards the younger boy's side to ensure he was fine.

"Oh, hi, Yami." Yugi tried to say with a nervous smile as the discomfort slowly diminished.

"Don't hi me! You need to rest!" Yami scolded.

"Err… Sorry, Yami," Joey apologized. "We thought a little easy game would help Yugi out."

"I told them they shouldn't play while Yugi was sick." Tristan explained innocently.

"You did not!" Joey yelled back.

"Guys! Cool it!" Tea ordered, breaking up the argument.

The two boys walked in opposite directions furiously.

"Just one last thing," Yugi said as he stood up feeling better.

"King me," he claimed blissfully as he moved one of his pieces to the other side of the board but also managed to jump Joey's last piece.

The blonde ran back to the board and cried out in disbelief.

"Wow, even while he's sick, he can still win." Tristan commented.

"Ok, you won," Yami remarked. "Now back upstairs to bed."

Yugi nodded and did as he was told.

"Don't you think you're being just a little too overly protective?" Tristan asked Yami after the door to Yugi's room closed.

Yami sighed, "I just want to be sure he's ok."

"Everything's going to be fine," Tea insisted. "But you also need to make sure to take care of yourself."

"Yeah," Joey agreed. "Have you been sleeping ok?"

Yami shook his head.

"Everyone is here to help out so why don't you take a nap?" Tea advised.

Yami chuckled and agreed. Lying himself on the couch, he was fine with the idea.

Joey took up the bag of ice and Tristan followed him as he carried a clean cloth.

Tea walked into the kitchen to prepare some tea for everyone.

Yami smiled, grateful for his friends' help.

xxx

Standing in his room alone, Yugi popped two pills into his mouth and swallowed them with water from a small glass.

"I wish Yami wouldn't worry so much," he mumbled to himself as he placed down his cup on his cluttered desk of action figures and models. His train of thought was interrupted with a cough.

He placed one hand into a fist to cough into, and the other he used to hold on to his shirt. He felt a strong hold of agony emit from his chest. When the fit was over, Yugi stood with his back hunched over slightly. He breathed heavily while he placed both fists over his heart.

"I… I hope I can get… better… soon," the young boy stuttered as he opened his shirt a little. He rubbed his chest to comfort his ache. His fingers ran over his smooth skin, but he stopped as he felt the bumps from his stitches right over his heart. Depression entered his being as he thought back to an accident he was in not too long ago.

There was a knock at the door.

Yugi quickly buttoned up his shirt and hopped into bed.

Joey and Tristan entered the room with smiles on their faces.

"Sorry Yami yelled at you both." Yugi said as he sat up straight.

"Forget about it," Joey tried to comfort as he placed fresh ice into a large bowl of water.

"You just needed some time out of bed," Tristan commented as he placed in a clean cloth to soak up water. He rung the cloth and placed it on his friend after Yugi's back was against the mattress.

"I think that game helped lower my fever." Yugi commented.

"Good," Joey agreed. "It looked like you would have died of boredom with you just lying in bed and having no fun."

"Yeah, it was a nice distraction," Yugi smiled.

"But you know Yami just wants what's best for you." Tristan reminded gently.

The boy nodded and whispered, "I know."

His smile faded as he thought back to a previous day. He and Yami were making lunch, but they were out of bread. Yugi offered to go buy some even though it was raining out. The older boy did not want his friend to go out and become sick, but the young teen insisted he'd be all right. However, the same teen did not take a jacket or an umbrella.

As Yugi shut his eyes, he apologized in his mind tiredly, "Sorry… for not listening to you… Yami."

xxx

Yami fell asleep on the couch, but his face soon turned to worry.

Yami's Dream

Two boys were coming back from the library after spending their time studying. The sun shone dimly while being blocked by many clouds that slowly moved across the sky, giving the impression a storm could come. A breeze passed by, causing the two boys to feel the cold sensation within their body.

"You think you're ready now for your biology report?" Yami asked, examining the spines of the books they had checked out.

"Yep," Yugi answered cheerfully. "But I can't wait to get home. I'm hungry!"

Yami laughed, "Let's hurry up then!"

They waited patiently for the light to change for the crosswalk. When the symbol for walking came on, the two strolled from the sidewalk and onto the road. Suddenly, a car appeared out of nowhere. The vehicle was moving very fast and out of control. Yugi saw this but there was no time to warn his friend to move. Quickly, he ran and pushed the older boy out of the way.

Yugi was the one the moving vehicle struck.

Glass shattered everywhere.

Yami slid against one of the shards and yelled out in pain. Immediately, he looked around desperately as he searched for Yugi. He turned confused about the situation, but he knew he had to find his friend right away.

"Yugi!" Yami called out several times, trying to hear if his friend was all right or would even call back.

After gaining strength to stand up, Yami ran over when he finally saw a body against the ground not too far from where he was. He held his arm by his other hand as blood cascaded out of the veins and onto the asphalt. Despite the pain, he was not concerned with his own injuries as he sprinted on.

Yami looked down at Yugi and started to cry. Blood shot from the small boy's head and chest.

"Yugi! Are you all right!" Yami cried out as he knelt down and carefully picked up the small boy's body.

Bit by bit, Yugi opened his eyes half way. They were filled with peace. He looked into Yami's, who was filled with terror and sorrow. Yugi smiled his usual smile; relieved the older boy was not harmed by the vehicle. He slowly shut his relaxing orbs, and his body went limp.

"Yugi! Hold on!" Yami yelled out as off in the distance an ambulance rang its sirens.

End Yami's dream

Yami flashed his eyes opened with sweat pouring down his face. He sat up and rubbed his arm that once had been dressed by a bandage.

"That dream," Yami mumbled to himself. "No... That reality."

He placed his face into his palms as memories poured into his mind of the dreadful day he wanted to forget.

Flashback

After reviewing the scene, the police had confirmed the driver was intoxicated. He was arrested and sent to prison, but Yugi was the one who paid the heavy price.

Everyone else received the message and waited at the hospital to see if their friend would make it out alive. Yami comforted Tea as she leaned against him sobbing. He did not have anything to say. He looked at the gauze wrapped around his injured arm.

"Yugi sacrificed himself to save me," Yami reflected sadly.

Time moved slowly as anxiety struck everyone. They were surrounded by people, but they all felt alone. There were, however, others within the same situation. Some were waiting to hear the news about a love one that had needed medical attention. Looking around, Yami saw the adults wore seldom emotions upon their faces. He was fascinated with the children who climbed over the seats or had fun looking at the pretty colors found in the magazines.

"Why are they all so carefree?" he observed since he was very worried knowing someone he cared about was in the ER. "Don't they know that they may never see their love ones again?"

He immediately shook his head, "No! Yugi will pull through! He's too strong to be taken away from this!"

Eventually the group was granted permission to see their small buddy. Yami was the first person to walk into a white room. His heart almost stopped beating at the sight he saw. Lying still on a mattress was a small teen whose face was bandaged up, had wires placed in his arms, and a mask of oxygen on his face.

Everyone felt torn inside at what they saw. Someone so innocent and pure was placed in the Emergency Room because a fool took a car out while drunk. Slowly, Yami walked towards the bed. He still could not believe what was within his view.

All were relieved they were told Yugi would be fine. However, the doctor informed them the boy had to have surgery on his heart because some damage was done to it caused by the great impact by the car as well as the glass shards that flew everywhere. It may be a few days before he would even wake up.

Yami clearly heard what the doctor stated, but all he could do was just wait and see if his friend would ever wake up. After the professional left, Yami sat down on a chair placed by the bed. He did not have any more tears to shed but remained filled with anxiety, concern, guilt, and sorrow. He grabbed the young boy's hand not covered in wires.

Yami squeezed his friend's hand as he shut his eyes and prayed, "Yugi… Please be all right… We all need you… I need you… I want to see your smiling face once more…"

Just then, he picked up a strong sensation within his body. He felt a warm glow from within, but it slowly diminished. He felt Yugi's hand turn from cold to warm. The young boy on the bed slowly opened his eyes.

Everyone smiled as their friend managed to survive such a vicious accident.

The first thing Yugi spotted was Yami. His vision around him was blurry, but he clearly saw the face of his friend.

Yami grew shocked to see what had just happened.

The boy smiled affectionately, glad to know his friend was all right. It was the same smile Yami had seen right before Yugi passed out, but it was the same heartfelt one he had yearned to see again. Yami smiled back, but inside he felt crestfallen knowing Yugi was the one who took the hit.

"Hey… everyone…" Yugi managed to gasp through his mask with his usual cheerful smile.

End flashback

"Everything ok?" a voice asked breaking through Yami's thoughts. He looked up and saw that Tea was offering him a warm cup of tea.

"I was just… thinking…" Yami explained as he accepted the drink.

"About the accident," Tea guessed as she sat next to Yami, who stayed mute. She sighed and reminded gently, "We keep telling you this, it's not yours or Yugi's fault."

"Then why do I feel guilty about it?" Yami thought as he stood up, placing his drink on the coffee table.

The girl assumed it would be best to change the subject, "What have you two been eating for the past few days for dinner? Maybe I can help make something?"

Yami did not answer as the two heard the boys returned from Yugi's room.

"It's all good," Joey informed. "He's asleep right now."

"Which means he'll be hungry when he wakes up." Tristan brought up.

"Then what is it you want for dinner?" Tea directed her question at Yami. "I don't trust you around the stove or oven just yet."

Yami placed his hands in his pockets as he walked upstairs. His bangs covered his features as he answered quietly, "I'll be fine with whatever everyone else wants."

Tea watched with concern as the older boy left. She was aware about his feelings of guilt, and she had tried everything to cheer him up, but nothing worked.

"What can I do to help?"

She wanted to assist her two friends dealing with this accident and drama.

"…Did you hear what we said, Tea?" Tristan asked, breaking through the girl's thoughts.

"What," she mumbled as turned her attention towards her other friends.

"Joey is whining that he wants pizza." Tristan repeated in an annoyed tone.

"What's wrong with that?" Joey asked stubbornly. "Pizza is awesome!"

"Ick!" Tea complained. "Don't you know how many calories and grease is in that stuff?"

"Not of we make it ourselves." Tristan noted. "If we get the supplies from a grocery store, we can make it taste better."

"Yeah!" Joey agreed excitedly. "If we all make it together, I'm sure Yami can take his mind off of Yug bein' sick and all!"

"That really does sound like a good idea," Tea agreed.

"Great! Joey and I will go get the stuff!" Tristan volunteered.

The group walked into the kitchen to see what supplies they needed. Once the list was made, the two boys walked off outside and on their way to their destination.

xxx

The door to Yugi's room slowly opened. Yami peaked in a bit, so he would not disturb his friend. He quietly walked into the room and swiftly closed the door behind him. He strolled over to a folding chair placed beside Yugi's bed and sat on it.

No light shone in the room as the sun played hide and seek behind many clouds outside. The older boy peered over and watched his friend sleeping peacefully. There was nothing he could say, and his mind, for the most part, was blank. He only watched as Yugi's chest would gently rise and fall like gently waves in the ocean with each breath he took.

He sighed quietly, "Perhaps that game of checkers worked well for him. He is sleeping ok…. I suppose everyone is right; I should allow Yugi to relax a bit and not be so stern."

He leaned over and gently touched his friend's cheek.

"His fevers gone down," he observed happily.

After continuing to watch his friend in peace, Yami heard someone enter the room. He turned around and saw Tea.

"How is he," she asked as she entered the room.

"I believe he's better." Yami answered.

Tea smiled, "I'll bet that childish game really helped him."

Yami turned his focus back on Yugi and agreed.

"And I also bet you haven't been eating a whole lot yourself," she remarked. "Am I right?"

Yami's smile slowly faded. He had not been taking care of himself like he knew he should have. He was much too focused on Yugi to do so.

"That's all right," she comforted. "Joey and Tristan are going to pick something up for all of us. I'm sure you and Yugi should be fine with it."

"And what exactly is it?" Yami asked with a small chuckle.

Before Tea could answer, the two friends saw their small companion waking up.

"Yugi," Yami said with surprise and joy. "How are you feeling now?"

Yugi gathered his stamina, smiled, and replied, "Fine."

Addressing the two, Tea asked, "Well, are you two up for pizza?"

Yami grew bewildered as to what was just asked, but Yugi continued to smile as he nodded.

"Of course we'll be making it as I'm sure that it'll be a lot more fun for all of us," she explained cheerfully.

The small teen pulled off his covers. Yami stood up and assisted his pal to stand.

As the group walked down the steps, they heard their other two friends arrive with the supplies.

"Let's get cooking!" Joey laughed at his own cleverness.

Yugi laughed a little while Tea and Tristan were not at all impressed with the play on words.

Yami only smiled as he was glad everything seemed to be going well.

xxx

Somewhere outside of Domino City, a man wearing a brown robe with a hood covering his face stood in the center of the road. He was lost in his own world when someone yelled at him, "Get out of the road!"

The man turned and spotted a young man driving a slick new sports car with red and white custom paint. The driver was very impatient to drive freely once more. He grew annoyed. He only snapped his fingers, and the car with charcoal tires lifted into the air.

"What's going on!" the young driver exclaimed with confusion. He was then tossed aside, and the vehicle landed in an open area. Before the machine hit the ground, the driver flew out as he was not wearing his seat belt. He yelled as he fell and landed on grass. Quickly, he fled for his life.

"I sense some powerful wizards in this area," the mysterious man said as he removed his hood. His hair was brown with green bangs. His eyes carried a misty red glow to them. He mumbled to himself, "I require them for my task."

To be continued…

Chao- Dun dun dun! What does this man want?

YChao- How come it's always a guy? Why can't it ever be a deranged robot?

Chao- Ha ha! That'd be awesome!

Yugi- Why did I have to start out the story with being sick?

Chao- Because it's more fun that way!

Yugi- Will I get better?

YChao- Who knows? Not!

Yugi- Eep! Yami save me!

Chao- Please review