"I do not understand how this could have happened through some cuts and bruises."
The voices were muffled and then amplified then muffled once more to the groggy dancer. Her eyes begged to be open and she could feel the dry cracks of her tears breaking around her eyes.
"Will she get better?" Another voice called.
"Of course. She needs time, rest, and the medication I prescribed."
Anzu was tired. So tired. Her mind could not seem to remember the past events. All she could see now was light forming behind her eyelids. It was too bright and immensely irritating.
"Take your time sweetie." She heard someone whisper in her ear.
It was then Anzu stopped struggling with whatever was stopping her movements. The voice sounded that of reason and she relaxed once more. Her mind craved sleep and she let it peacefully win.
There was a constant beep she could hear in the background. It would cease, then begin, then cease once more. It stayed going in an endless stream of beep and silence.
Anzu could feel herself tired, could sense the dull ache that pounded her head and only wished to be put back to sleep. But she had already slept so much, she could tell from the tenderness of her eyes. She began to stir a bit, taking a rather painful gulp to ease herself into awaking fully. Slowly, her eyes opened and she gradually adjusted to the light present in the room. All memory of what had happened slowly began to trickle back to her in slow increments.
The dream was hazy but she remembered darkness and she knew she was taken to the hospital. After that her memories ceased and her unconscious self was left to her own imagination.
She groaned seeing the IV currently hooked into her left arm. Her body was covered in cotton pajamas that held flower patterns and her feet adorned in pink fluffy socks. She was warm and she felt content for the most part.
It was then she observed her surroundings. The divan she lay in was not that of a tradition hospital cot, but a plush queen sized bed surrounded by an endless array of pillows. The room itself was bare, holding little furniture except for her side table and another table that held various other things. Her eyes adjusted and she realized there were flowers surrounding her. She was not sure how the smell could have gone past her but she could see the beautiful array of lilies, lavenders, roses and carnations. They looked odd next to the hospital equipment on either side of her but the view of them greatly improved her mood. She beamed down at every single one trying to intake their sweet smell but only managing to feel a tingle.
The sudden loss of smell was getting rather concerning for her and she hoped it was something temporary.
"It is a side effect of one of your antibiotics." A voice suddenly spoke out of the shadows.
Anzu outwardly gasped at the intruder that lay hidden until now. She looked around until she spotted the ruthless hair.
"It will wear off as soon as you stop." He continued stepping closer into the light.
Anzu looked at him stunned as to why he was here.
"How- why?" she started but her voice croaked as she was severely deprived of any liquids for some time now.
"Do not speak. I cannot help you there." He stated looking over at the water jug that lay next to her on the bed side. Anzu understood and remained unspoken.
"You scared them Anzu… all of them. They had come to visit you and they stayed and comforted your sleeping body for many hours."
Anzu looked at him confused as to who they were.
"Your friends of course." He affirmed with a tired smile. She was shocked at herself as the thought of them hadn't entered her mind.
"And him of course." His voice had become evidently low. Anzu was only able to hear him through the sheer fact that it was only the two of them in the room. She did not need to think about this one, she knew who he spoke of.
She began to worry about the burden she must have put Seto through. She knew she was in his house and she knew it was him that brought her to the hospital. She couldn't help but bring her knees to her chest as Atem continued to watch her with an impassable gaze. Her heart yearned for the man before her, that much was true, but her heart also ached for the cold blue eyed man that was constantly saving her. She covered her face with her bandaged legs trying very hard not to cry out from the pain her actions were causing her. She didn't care, pain was a demand and it would be felt. This would always remain true.
Atem stepped closer to Anzu watching her struggle with whatever her mind was thinking. He could see the hurt, confusion and anxiety rolling off her in waves. He never felt himself more useless. She needed comfort from someone existent and he was not in that category.
He could feel that same buildup of anger when he had found Anzu that night screaming in her sleep. The heat began to rise to his chest and he knew it was time. He walked closer to Anzu until he stood directly beside her. Gently, he pushed her to the side a bit to allow himself more room causing her to look up from her disgruntled position. Her mouth formed a stunned o as she watched his movements. He climbed into her comfortable oasis and leaned his back on the oak headboard. He then took Anzu's arm as gently as he could and maneuvered her so her head was laying on his chest, directly on top of his heart. Her hand unconsciously found its way to his stomach, the other clutching her own in apprehension. She wasn't sure how he was able to touch her, to feel warm. It was then she remembered feeling these same arms wrapped around her after her horrid dream. She had allowed herself to sink into their sturdy hold and listen to the reassurances whispered in her ears.
"You will be okay Anzu." He stated quietly while stroking her hair.
Anzu could not help but feel a strong sense of déjà vu overcome her.
"You said that last time." She croaked, her throat feeling like sand paper.
Atem took note and leaned over allowing Anzu to feel the smooth muscles of his arms and stomach to flex. She couldn't help the small blush overtaking her cheeks.
"Here." He took the glass he had filled with water and tipped it into her mouth. Anzu drank silently and in complete disbelief. She wasn't sure when her mind would finally catch up with her body, that Atem was here. He was with her, aiding her in whatever ways he could.
"Thank you." She stated quietly after she finished.
He nodded and placed the glass back where he had found it. They returned to their original positions in relative silence as Atem stroked Anzu's hair and Anzu listened to the constant rhythm of Atem's very real heartbeat.
"Can you tell me of your dreams now?" he asked after some time had passed between the two of them. It had been a comforting silence.
Anzu looked up at him as he matched her gaze from above.
"I suppose I should." She decided.
She thought it would be best to keep the ones of her and Atem to herself for now. Anzu could not help but feel a bit of embarrassment for dreaming about someone who was no longer in her life. Instead, she told him of the ones she had of Ancient Egypt, of his time and how she would see herself walking for days to a kingdom that would appear near than far in an unending fashion. She told him of the ones where the gowns she wore were that of a Queen and she was very sure the woman she was made to be was not her and she was made to only be looking through her eyes. Atem listened intently, never disrupting to ask questions although Anzu could tell he really wished to do so on some occasions.
"The final dream I had, the one I remember you waking me up from, was my worst." She began with a small shiver.
"What did you see?" he relayed softly.
"It was dark, everywhere just black. Shadows and demons were all I could see through the obscure scenery that had somehow overtaken my senses." She closed her eyes breathing in softly as her heartbeat had increased and both knew this through the rapid upsurge of beeps conveyed by her monitor.
"But then a figure formed itself from those shadows. I had no idea whether it was a man or woman or even human for that matter. It spoke to me telling me of foreboding occurrences that will happen in my future. Things neither I nor it had any control of." She paused continuing to breathe again.
"It said I had angered some dark spirit or demon and that I would have to use my past, future and present in order to save myself and those I love." Anzu ended there as that was the finale of her horror dream. She didn't want to go into any more detail and Atem could sense her unwillingness to go on. She noticed he was eerily quiet after her tale and looked up to see his face set in a very hard line.
"Is everything alright?" she asked worried.
"I am trying to figure out what this could mean and what sort of creature may have visited you in your slumber."
"You think my dream was real? That I was actually visited by this thing?" she asked with surprise absorbing her tired features.
"Yes Anzu I do. This is not just any methodical occurrence either. I believe." He paused thinking over his answer.
"I believe you were visited by the cosmic God's Shu, that of the air and sky." His voice was laced in concern.
"There was only one body Atem." She stated.
"They may form as two separate deities or as one." He replied.
"Why did they visit me?"
"I do not know and I am worried about the message left for you. Or rather it sounded much more like a prophecy to me."
"Prophecy?" Anzu asked agape.
"Anzu." Atem said looking down now at the woman that lay in his arms. His eyes never left hers as he spoke. "This is not to be taken lightly. Something beyond you and me has occurred. I do not know what yet and I certainly do not know why it involves you, but I will do my best to find out." His words were soft but his tone hard.
"Please do your best to stay safe." His voice became a whisper once more and Anzu nodded not knowing what else to say. It was then the golden outline of Atem glowed before her eyes and the bed was suddenly left cold beside her. She sighed placing her two hands over her face in a distraught fashion. She truly did not know what to do and how she was going to survive this.
Kaiba had gone to his office researching all the medication the doctor had prescribed Anzu. Although he did have the doctor explain to him beforehand what each drug was supposed to do and potential side effects, he couldn't completely trust the word of mouth.
He had left her alone for a couple of hours after her friends had left much to his relief and demand. The doctors and nurses had told him many times over that he had brought her over just in time, any later and things would have been much more difficult. Kaiba could not keep the thoughts of what if from not entering his mind as so many factors could have led to him not showing up that morning but coming in the late afternoon instead. The thoughts were soon close to driving him mad and he knew he needed to distract himself.
The geek squad had certainly proved themselves to be a good one but they began to become a nuisance to him and he worried they would somehow hinder her recovery through their unnecessary banter and conversation. Yugi had seemed the most distraught as Kaiba knew now about his nightmares. Something needed to be done now and fast and he knew once Anzu woke he would be needing answers from her.
He sighed stretching himself out against his leather seat. The waves of exhaustion began to set in and he couldn't help but place his head in his hands. A tear escaped a small opening between two of his finger and he furiously wiped it away. He wiped at his eyes as well and quickly got up and headed to the massive liquor collection he mostly kept for show. He opened the glass cabinet and poured himself a dry bourbon. He needed to protect her at all cost and something or someone was making it very difficult to do so.