"Are you all right, Yugi-kun?"
Yugi rolled with a slight hiss, a new scrape on his elbow bleeding lightly. Luckily it was the extent of his injuries. "I'm okay. You?"
"I am untouched." And indeed he was. Ryuga was still sitting in his chair in his strange, curled position, his large toes rubbing against each other. He looked nonplussed by the fact the most difficult chess game of his life had been ruined by a maniac on wheels.
Said maniac moaned again.
//I am going to kill him.//
/It was an accident. And I think he's hurt./
//He RUINED my game!//
Yugi winced as he found his feet, moving over to the source of the calamity. /I am sure you can get a rematch./ Yugi peaked over the upset table.
And gasped.
"Ryou?" The question was met with a moan and a snarl. So it was still Bakura. Yugi dropped down beside his lover, his small hands easily pinning the man before he could try and force himself into a sitting position. "Sit," commanded Yugi. Bakura glared with his scarlet eyes. Yugi rolled his bright ones. "Sit," he ordered again, this time in Ancient Egyptian, "Or I will let Yami at you. You ruined his chess game, you know."
"I am far more important than some stupid game," snarled the thief. Still he listened, leaning back onto the cement. "I feel like I need to puke."
"Let me know if you're going to so I can help you up. Until then hold still." Yugi frowned as he examined his lover, his eyes cataloging sites of injury. Bakura's left wrist was at an odd angle. The hand had curled in on itself and Bakura was hugging lib close to his body, a sure sign of pain. The upper part of the arm was bloody, the torn sleeve revealing a long scrape. There was another one on the thief's leg, and from where his shirt had hitched Yugi could see a bruise darkening, a souvenir of crashing into the table.
Yugi's fingers immediately darted to the most serious of all the wounds. He began to probe Bakura's scalp, running his fingers along a gash in the hairline. Blood was pouring at an alarming rate.
Yugi pulled out the small knife Yami always kept tucked in their boot. He gently grabbed Bakura's good arm and began working at the sleeve. The material came away with ease. He quickly began to make long strips. "Ryuga-kun, do you have a phone?" He didn't look up from his task but Yami informed him of the nod. "Could you please phone a hospital? This idiot here likely has a concussion and maybe a broken wrist."
"Hate ambulances," murmured Bakura.
Instead of responding Ryuzaki flipped open his phone, dialing the number for the ambulance. Even as he gave the information he kept a careful eye on Yugi, who was now winding the makeshift bandages along the stranger's head.
Well, a stranger to him, maybe, but Yugi seemed familiar with the young man, and intimately so. The violet-eyed youth was probing and prodding the wounds, but even though the pale boy covered in blood snarled and growled and cussed he never attempted to jerk out of Yugi's grip. Yugi was also murmuring in a language that L, despite all his brilliance, didn't quite recognize.
"Is there anything else I can do to assist?" L squatted down beside Yugi, who shook his head.
"Thank you but no. Unless you are a doctor we should just wait for the ambulance."
"Hate ambulances," murmured the accident victim.
Yugi scowled, but it was a soft expression tinged with worry. "Then you should wear a helmet, stupid." He ran his fingers down the other's jawbone. Then he looked up at L with a tired expression. "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to finish our game." Yugi sounded down right miserable.
"Well, I suppose it is possible to reschedule."
"Really?" Yugi looked up brightly.
Ryuga nodded. "Of course. I too am interested in seeing which one of us is the superior player. Though I do not believe I will be able to set time aside for a while."
Yugi giggled. "I can wait." Yugi began fishing in his pocket, heedless of the blood he was getting on his clothes. He pulled out his wallet, then reached inside, handing L a white, and now slightly crimson, card. On it was a phone number. Just a phone number. There was no name or address. "It's my cell phone," Yugi explained. "Only my friends can reach me there."
"Friends?" Ryuzaki looked at Yugi in surprise. He noted with amusement that he young man was blushing again.
"Well, I hope you would consider us friends… but if I'm being presumptuous, I'm sorry." Worried filled Yugi's eyes. "I didn't mean to offend."
"No." Ryuzaki cut in quickly. "I am not offended. I am honored." He mused over the card. "I've never had a friend before."
"Then I am glad to be your first," Yugi offered a shy smile. "If you ever need anything please feel free to call me. I will help in anyway I can."
"No fucking friendship speeches while I'm dying," grumbled the wayward roller skater.
Yugi gave a little laugh. "You'll be fine. There is the ambulance now."
"Hate ambulances."
YGD
In the end Bakura was given six stitches, a brace, a bottle of Tylenol and a bed to stay in overnight at the hospital, just for observation.
With the severity of his injury he should have been free to go in the evening . However Ryou had shown up in the middle of the doctor's examination. His confusion and lack of knowledge about the accident had sent the hospital staff into panic mode. He had immediately been sent for a CT scan, but when that had shown up mostly clean everyone had relaxed. But Ryou was to be held, just in case.
The albino was not happy. Yugi had slid out of the room when Bakura had been dragged from his soul room.
//But aibou! Ryou is going to yell at Bakura!// Yami reasoned, trying to convince Yugi to stay.
/And I don't want to see that,/ responded Yugi firmly.
//But he ruined our game! The stupid tomb robber wrecked it! After all my waiting, all my carefully planning, just ruined by a ghost on wheels,// mourned Yami. //And I was winning, too.//
Yugi just smiled. /I'm sure he'll call to reschedule when he has a chance./
Despite his lights attempt to balm his rage Yami continued his rant as they made their way to gift shop across the street. He finally ceased when Yugi managed to distract him with searching for a get-well gift. Ryou was simple to buy for. Yugi was able to find a small box of crème puffs relatively quickly, but he wasn't sure what to get Bakura. After an hour of looking Yugi settled on chocolates. Yami was still being sore and continued to suggest things that were pink, fuzzy and could have "I belong to idiot" written on them.
Even as they made their way back to the room Yami continued with his tirade.
//I was four moves away! Four moves! Four freaking moves! It took me forever to set up that strategy. Forever! And in four moves it was going to be perfect! But oh no! Then that idiot comes flying out of nowhere. And I was just five moves away! Five moves and I would have had Ryuga right where I wanted him.//
/Yami-/
//In just six moves I could have won. Against a worthy opponent too, not one of the slack jawed peons that people always seem to insist on setting against us.//
/Yami-/
//But oh no. That stupid, useless, good for nothing-//
/Shut up!/ shouted Yugi. /You are giving me a headache. And you're being selfish. It was an accident and both Ryou and Bakura are hurt. They mean more than your game. And Ryuga will reschedule. I know you are upset but you need to get over this./
Yami let out a gusty sigh. //You're right, hikari,// he responded, abashed. //I'm being selfish. I'm sorry. I was just-//
/Looking forward to this. I know, Yami, I know./ Yugi looked up in the white hall. /Uh, Yami?/
//Yes Yugi?//
/What room is Ryou in?/
//You don't know?//
Yugi sighed. "I guess we'll have to do this the old fashioned way. I'll look on the doors on the right, you look on the doors on the left. Okay?"
Yami emerged in spirit form. ((That is fine.))
Yugi slowly walked by the doors, mutter the last names as he read them aloud. "Kobayashi, Watanabe, Sato, Mori, Ikeda. Come on. Where is Bakura? Hmm. Bakura, Bakura. Nope. Ogawa, Miura, Ishii, Yagami, Inoue-wait." Yugi backed up. His eyes widened as he read the door. "Yami!"
The spirit appeared at his side. ((Did you find Bakura and Ryou?))
"No, but look!" Yugi babbled excitedly. "I found Mr. Yagami. See? Soichiro Yagami. It has to be him! There is no way this is a coincidence!" Yugi stared at the door. "I'm going to say hi."
Yami rolled his eyes playfully at Yugi's enthusiasm, knowing that there was no way they were getting out of the hospital without visiting the detective, especially now that his host knew where the man was and that he was sick. His hikari was practically giddy with the idea of being to thank the man in person. With the Kira incidents on the rise Mr. Yagami was impossible to get a hold of.
Yugi tapped on the door.
A tired woman with dark hair down to her chin opened the door. She blinked in surprise at the sight of the teenager dressed in punk Goth leather rubbing his hands together nervously. The fact that he looked vaguely familiar was the only thing that kept her from shutting the door in his face. "May I help you with something?"
Yugi chewed his lip. "I'm sorry to intrude but I was wondering if I could speak with Detective Yagami?" He winced as he watched her face cloud. He obviously had the right man, which was good, but had inadvertently offended the woman at the door, which was bad.
"He's sick. He doesn't have time to be badgered about the details of his case, nor will he be picking up any new cases."
Yugi's eyes widened. "Oh, I'm sorry! That is not why am here at all." He took a step back and bowed deeply. "My name is Yugi Mutou. My first time in Tokyo a friend and I ran into trouble and Mr. Yagami was very kind and helped us out, above and beyond the call of duty. I merely wished to thank him in person."
"Sachiko, who is it?" called a weary voice from inside the room.
"He's says his name is Yugi Mutou," the woman turned, speaking with the room's occupant.
"It's Yugi?"
The teenager stuck his head through the door. Sitting on the bed was one very worn out Soichiro Yagami. However the man's worn face was wearing a slight smile. Yugi offered a shy one in return. "Hello Mr. Yagami! I hope I'm not intruding…."
"Nonsense," huffed the detective. "Sachiko, invite the boy in." Yugi took a hesitant step into the room. "Yugi, this is my wife, Sachiko Yagami. Sachiko, this is Yugi. He's the young man the media was making such a fuss about."
Yugi bowed deeply. "It is an honor to meet you, Mrs. Yagami."
Sachiko returned the gesture. "And the same to you, Mr. Mutou."
"Please!" Yugi laughed, holding up his hands, "Call me Yugi. Mr. Mutou is my Grandpa."
She offered a soft smile. "I will do so if you call me Sachiko and if you can forgive me for my earlier rudeness. It is just that we have been having problems with visitors and-"
"I look like a bit of a hooligan," Yugi's eyes sparkled with humor as he indicated his state of dress. Somewhere Yami snorted. "Don't worry," Yugi winked, "I don't think I would have let me in either."
Soichiro laughed. "Glad to see you haven't changed much, Yugi. Tell me, did you ever make it into Tokyo University?"
"Thanks to you," Yugi offered another bow. "Both Ryou and I are currently taking classes there."
"Then you will have to tell me about them. Come, sit." Yugi did as he was told. "My son goes there, you know. You have probably heard of him."
Yugi gave a small gasp. "Your son is Raito Yagami?"
"Do you know him?"
Yugi shook his head. "Not personally, no. I have heard of him but I never made the connection. Tokyo is a large city and last names prove nothing. We have a class together but it is a large school and we hang in different crowds."
//And his son is a freak.//
/Hush, Yami. I have already put my foot in my mouth once on the subject./
"So how's Ryou taking to the big city?" Soichiro liked the pale boy but had been worried what Tokyo, especially in these times, would do to his soft streak. The boy didn't seem made for city living.
Yugi gave a tittering laugh. "He's actually why I am at the hospital in the first place." Yugi glanced down at his watch. "Actually I should be getting back to him. Sorry to make this so short. I actually only found your room because I was lost," Yugi admitted shamefaced.
Soichiro just chuckled. "Well no matter what the reason I am glad you stopped by. Bit if you give me a moment," the detective frowned as he leaned over and began rummaging through a drawer. He smiled when he pulled out a pen and paper. "Here," he jotted something down then passed it to Yugi. "In case you are ever in trouble again."
Yugi took the sheet and looked at the number, committing it to heart. "Thank you very much, Soichiro. I will not hesitate to call. Oh," Yugi reached into a shopping bag. "These are for you." He handed the detective the box of chocolates.
//I though those were for Bakura,// grumbled Yami as the effort of an hour was handed away.
/I thought you were still mad at him,/ teased Yugi. /Besides, he'll understand. He likes Mr. Yagami too. /
Soichiro took the box of chocolates with a smile. "Why thank you very much, Yugi."
Yugi just giggled. "It's the least I can do." He walked towards the door then turned, giving one last smile. "It was nice seeing you Mr. Yagami." Yugi disappeared out into the hallway.
Sachiko laughed. "What a strange young man."
Soichiro smiled. "Yes," he agreed, "but not in a bad way."
YGD
//You do know that Bakura will be angry about his chocolate.//
Yugi shrugged as he walked down the hall. /We can get him some more tomorrow on our way home. And I think he will be far more angry over how long we've been gone./ Yugi chewed his lip. He and Yami had been gone for almost two hours. If Ryou and Bakura hadn't fallen asleep in that time he and Yami were going to be in trouble. Yugi bit down harder, lost in his train of thought.
Which was promptly derailed as he crashed into someone.
YGD
Raito hadn't been paying attention. He had had more important things to do. Like finding a way to kill L, and, failing that, at least punish him.
And what a punishment it would be.
Well, it would have been if Raito could find some leverage to use on L. But since L didn't have a name there was no way to see if he had a family. L didn't seem to have any friends and Raito doubted that L spoke to anyone outside of the investigation. There seemed to be no way to inflict a personal injury upon the man.
L was good at the game.
Worse yet as that after all the effort he had put into playing with Raito, all the time L had spent on Kira, the bastard had had the nerve to turn him down when Raito had called to make plans. How was he supposed to L's 'friend' if the detective wouldn't even bother to hang out with him? How were they supposed to play the game if L started avoiding him?
Unless this was another scheme. Which it could be. Anger Raito to see if it angered Kira? It was a clever idea and it was something L would do. However the world's best detective had made a major miscalculation. In a month was the anniversary of Kira. Raito had thought of it as no big deal but now it would be the perfect excuse to exact his revenge. He could mask his punishment as the celebration of a new world order. It would further bind him to the people while weaken the great and noble L. Kira had the patience to wait that long. He could wait a month before showing L how foolish he was to incite Kira.
But first he needed a punishment to exact.
It was that single thought that kept him distracted, that kept him from noticing the equally distracted figure turning the corner.
As Yugi was sent flying back he quickly realized that he was a) about to hit the ground for the second time that day and b) he was once again going to land on his elbow. Part of his mind sighed as his body braced itself for punishment.
It never came.
//I've got this, aibou.// Yami winced as he hit the ground. The pain didn't stop him from twisting his body, kicking his legs and tucking his neck. The force of his fall transformed into movement, allowing him to roll to his feet without incurring further injury. With a sigh he looked at his arm, noting that blood had began to seep through the bandages again.
/Thanks, Yami,/ Yugi's voice lanced through Yami's mind like light.
//Do you want control back or-//
"Are you all right?" Yami glanced up, already recognizing the voice of the person they had bumped into. //Never mind. You stay put.//
"I'm fine, Yagami," Yami smiled frostily. "Sorry for bumping into you."
Raito could hear the voice dripping with insincerity. He fought back the urge to tear the brat's face off. "No, it's my fault," he offered a smile of his own, "I was distracted, Mr…?"
"Mutou," replied Yami stiffly.
He noticed as Raito's eyes narrowed slightly. He had seen Kaiba do that in deep thought. "Yugi Mutou, correct?"
Yami nodded and flipped his hair. "Correct. Now if you'll excuse me I have places to be." He stepped forward, trying to maneuver around his classmate.
Their shoulders brushed.
Yami gasped, staggering to the side as cold filled his body, his fingers instantly going. He could hear the screams of a thousand voices crying out in more agony than the spirits of Kul Elna. And for a second, their pain was his pain. Their screams were his screams.
There death was hi death.
"Are you all right?" Raito was crouched in front of him, his golden eyes filled with something close to concern.
Yami forced a chuckle. "I'm fine. I'm just a little more injured than I thought." He pushed himself to his feet and held out his arms as if to say "see?" Then he took his leave, mindful not to touch.
Raito watched him go with a suspicious eye. He read the papers. He knew who Yugi was and what the world thought he was capable of. He rubbed his shoulder, trying to bring back a feeling of warmth. Maybe the rumors were truer than anybody suspected.
Kira would just have to find out.
YGD
/Yami, what just happened?/
//We tripped. I took over.//
Yugi appeared in spirit form, rolling his eyes as he floated in front of Yami. (I got that part. I was talking about the whole bit of screaming darkness.)
Yami's eyebrows disappeared into his hairline. //You heard that?//
(Heard, felt, and am now freaking out about. What do think could be going on? Do you think it was shadow magic? But it can't be shadow magic. All the items are gone, except for the Puzzle and the Ring, and since Yagami wasn't bleeding I doubt he has it. Then again, we might have missed something. What if there was another item? What is Zorc is still around? What if Marik came back! What if-)
"Yugi, calm down!" Yami spoke aloud, placing a hand on spirit Yugi to steady the boy as he fought waves of panic. Had Yugi been controlling the body it probably would have collapsed, oxygen starved as the gamer hyperventilated. "It's okay. It wasn't Marik. It wasn't Zorc and there are no together Millennium items. We have the word of the very Gods on that. This is something else. It might not even have anything to do with us. And if it does I'll protect you. You, Ryou and even Bakura; I will keep you all safe."
(But what if-)
//But nothing, aibou. For as long as you live, I live. For as long as I live I am the Pharaoh. And I will protect my kingdom.//
Yugi moved, leaning up against his chest before vanishing back into his soul room.
He vanished with a whisper. /Thank you, Yami./
AN- *Noms on cyber review cookie.* Thank you for the review guys! I really appreciate them. I'm sorry I haven't been responding. I've just been a bit focused on writing. I have so many stories, even more plot bunnies but can only type so fast.
But I read each and every one of them. Twice.
And 10 pts to Teah for figuring out who the roller skater was
5 points Ninj Jun. It was almost Malik. I changed it for plot reasons.
FYI-My spell check recognizes Japanese surnames. I think that just blew my mind.