Chapter 4: Gift of Life
As Yami came to, pain in his abdomen almost made him black out again. Noise and movement were all around him as he felt what he was lying on move. "Seventeen-year-old male, stab wound to the abdomen. Pulse weak and thread. BP tanking. He's awake." A male voice announced above him. The movement stopped.
A light shined in his eyes, blinding him. "Mr. Mutou, can you hear me?" a male voice asked, full of authority.
"Yes." Yami's voice came out weak and paper thin. "Where's Yugi?" his eyes widened as he turned his head.
"Easy, we need to worry about you. Call the OR, he needs to go up immediately. He's bleeding internally." Another voice spoke up, pressing a cold hand to his stomach. Fire erupted in his belly, causing him to groan in pain.
"We're going to need blood and we're low. What's his blood type?" the first voice asked.
"A." Yami gasped, tears springing to his eyes.
"We'll type cross it to be sure and have blood ready." The second voice answered.
""I think there's a couple family members are in the waiting room. I'll talk to them." A new voice, a female, faded out as she left the room.
Yami drifted as he was moved.
Yugi and Grandpa were waiting in the waiting room for word on Yami. "It's my fault he's dying." He moaned.
"He's not dying. He's a fighter. He'll make it." Grandpa assured him, putting an arm around his shoulder, pulling him close.
A nurse entered the waiting room. "Are you here for Yami Mutou?" she asked, spotting Yugi and Grandpa.
"How is she?" Yugi asked, swiping at the tears in his eyes.
"He is still with us, but we are low on blood. It would really help if you, as his brother, were type A." the nurse explained.
"I'm not his brother, but I am type A." Yugi nodded, hope lifting his heart. "If you need blood, take as much as you can. I love him, and I would give my life for him." Yugi's voice was choked with emotion.
"I'm sorry I didn't realize..." the nurse hesitated, then spoke again, "Come with me and we'll draw the blood."
Yugi followed the nurse and she drew as much blood as she dared. She handed him a cup of orange juice and a cookie. "Take it easy for about twenty minutes. He just went into surgery. So he won't be out for hours."
"Let me know when he is out of surgery." Yugi nodded. He sat until he felt strong enough, and headed to the waiting room. Grandpa was waiting for him, looking pale. "I gave blood."
"Good. Let's hope he makes it." Grandpa nodded, swallowing.
"He better. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he didn't." Yugi put his face in his hands and cried.
Hours later, Yami woke up to a beeping noise on his left and sobbing on his right. "Yugi…?" he rasped, opening his eyes.
"Yami!" Yugi's voice gasped, appearing above him. He looked relieved. Yami's head raised. "You're awake." His face was red and tear-streaked.
"Where am I?" Yami asked, gazing at the unfamiliar surroundings. It was a hospital room.
"You're in the hospital." Yugi explained. He couldn't finish the story.
"You were stabbed." Grandpa added, sparing Yugi's feelings. Yugi lowered his eyes.
"Am I going to be okay?" Yami asked, after a beat of silence.
"You just need some rest. You'll be home in a week." Grandpa promised.
"I need a cup of coffee." Yugi suddenly said, getting up. He practically ran for the door, not looking back.
"What's going on?" Yami asked, confused.
Grandpa gave the door a worried glance. "Don't tell Yugi I said this. He did it."
Yami gasped. "I don't believe you." He shook his head vehemently.
"I don't think he knew what he was doing, he didn't explain. He blames himself. But I found the two of you in the Game Shop. You were on the floor unconscious and Yugi was kneeling over you with a knife in his hand."
"Did he look possessed?" Yami asked horrified.
"No, he was horrified. He was sobbing." Grandpa answered, tears in his eyes. "He feels guilty."
Yami could feel it too. He had always had a connection with the teen. He sighed. "I know he didn't mean to. He would not have done this if he had been in his right mind."
"No, he would not have." Grandpa agreed, shaking his head.
Yami recovered enough to be released from the hospital without being visited by Yugi again. Yugi was ashamed and couldn't bring himself to face him. Yami missed him terribly and had trouble falling asleep at night. Every night, Yugi would have nightmares.
Grandpa drove Yami home and Yugi met them at the door, grabbed him gently by the armpit. "Can I get you anything? A pain pill? A pillow?" he asked, guiding him to the couch.
"I'm fine." Yami assured him, easing himself carefully onto the cushion with a sigh. "Although I am thirsty."
"Water or pop?" Yugi asked, sounding like a hyperactive puppy.
"Water is fine." Yami nodded.
"Ice?" Yugi asked, already heading for the door to the kitchen.
"Yes, please." Yami nodded.
Yugi went into the kitchen and returned with a glass of ice water. "Here." Yugi handed it to him.
"Thanks." Yami smiled gratefully at him. He drank slowly. "I'm going to lay down."
"Let me help you." Yugi offered as Yami got slowly to his feet.
"No, I'll be fine." Yami waved him off and headed for the stairs.
Yugi followed, hovering as Yami made his way slowly upstairs. Yugi fluffed the pillows and Yami settled in his bed.
"Yugi, stop taking care of me. It's not your fault this happened to me." Yami looked up at Yugi, but the teen wouldn't meet his eyes.
"If I had been stronger, I could have fought Marik." Yugi bit his lip.
"You did not kill me and that's all that matters." Yami answered softly. "Your loyalty to me saved both of us."
Yugi shuddered. "I did more than resist the mind control." He whispered.
"Oh?" Yami asked, his eyebrows raised.
"I gave you blood. My blood is what saved your life." Yugi looked him in the eye, pain evident in the amethyst depths.
Yami was touched. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you." He smiled. "Come here."
Yugi went over and sat on the bed beside him. Yami pulled his mouth to his, kissing him softly. He pressed his forehead to Yugi's. "I love you."
A shaky smile appeared on Yugi's face. "I love you, too."
Yami smiled. "That's all that matters. Not what you or I did. How we feel about each other. Got it?"
A more genuine smile wormed its way on Yugi's face. "Yes, sir."
"Good." Yami was soon asleep. Yugi sat by the bed in a chair and watched him sleep.
