Chapter Twelve
Yugi was having a strange dream.
He curled in his bed, a four poster monstrosity that was big enough to hold four, dwarfing him in a mound of blankets and pillows. In his dream, someone was holding him, his body warm and hands gentle. He tried to make out the boy's face but, it was cast in shadows. Yugi had his head tucked against the boy's chest, his body boneless in his hold and the Millennium Puzzle pressed between them. It felt natural, right. The boy's fingers left a trail of sparks as they skimmed down Yugi's spine, making his stomach clench with butterflies.
"Yugi," the boy said. There was something about his voice that made Yugi feel safe, protected. The older boy's hands tilted his head back, and his lips pressed against Yugi's.
Electricity burned down Yugi's body. Their mouths fused together, and suddenly Yugi felt hungry, starving for the older boy. Emotions rushed into him so fast that it felt like his mind might break in half from the sensation. He knew this man, needed him, craved him. If only he could see his face, maybe he could remember… The boy pulled back, and Yugi tried to hold onto the thought. It was right there, right on the tip of his tongue.
"I'm coming for you," the boy said. He pushed Yugi's bangs back from his face, and Yugi could have sworn he saw a flash of crimson eyes.
Yugi gasped awake. The gauzy canopy of his bed ruffled in the early summer breeze, carrying with it the smell of the freesias blooming in his window box. His chest ached as he sat up, and his head pounded with the beginnings of a migraine. It was early morning, the sky colored with the beginnings of sunrise. Yugi called for his tea.
He'd been in the castle for a while now, enough time for the air to turn sticky with heat and vents to rattle with cool relief. Tea girl delivered his tea as he waited in bed, and Yugi smiled at her, her gold eyes watching him. She had told him her name more than once, but Yugi just couldn't remember what it was.
He sipped the bitter liquid, his headache easing almost instantly. Like always, tea girl left as soon as he took the first sip. The sun crested and, Yugi slipped out of bed, wondering to the window to watch. He hadn't been awake for sunrise in a long time. He watched for a few minutes, the colors building to crescendo as the sun bid the island a good morning.
Yugi finished his tea, setting the empty cup on his nightstand. His headache had eased, but the ache continued to drum under his breastbone. Yugi cupped the puzzle hanging around his neck. The cold metal always seemed to comfort him.
Pegasus had left in the morning for the dueling competition he was attending, and when he returned, he expected Yugi to come to him without question. Pegasus had told him he was in pain the longer Yugi denied their bond, and Yugi felt horrible for causing the older man grief. No matter how reluctant he felt, he would do what he had to do.
Yugi dressed for the day. Pegasus had told him that he would be back by nightfall and to stay within Croquet's sight until he returned. As Yugi stepped out into the hallway, he nearly ran into his escort.
"Good morning, Mr. Mutou," Croquet said. Yugi's reflection met him as he looked up at Croquet. He stared at his distorted image. Pegasus didn't keep any mirrors in the castle, and the only time Yugi caught a glimpse of himself was in the shiny plastic of Croquet's glasses.
"Hi," Yugi said. Croquet didn't say much, but Pegasus had told him that he had been the one to bring Yugi to the island. Yugi was nothing but grateful. He'd asked Croquet more than once where he'd found Yugi but, he had always been tightlipped about any parts of Yugi's past.
"Breakfast is prepared downstairs," Croquet said.
Yugi shook his head. His clothes were falling off of him anymore, but whenever the food was set in front of him, his body gagged. Sleep seemed so much easier than eating.
"I want to go outside," Yugi said.
Croquet shook his head. "Not today."
Yugi was confused. He'd never not been allowed to go outside before. "Why?"
"Mr. Crawford requests that you stay inside while he is away," Croquet said.
"Okay," Yugi agreed. If Pegasus had requested it, then he would follow his orders. "Can we walk a little bit inside then?" He seemed to have much more energy than normal.
Croquet gestured him forward and, Yugi marched ahead. It had been so long since he'd wanted to explore, usually all he wanted was hover in the blissful state of dreamland, cocooned in his bed. He wound through the maze of halls of the castle, tiring after an hour or so, and making his way to the library.
He curled up on the sofa, dozing as Croquet stood watch near the door. Yugi didn't know why Pegasus had insisted on leaving him with a guard. It wasn't as if someone could just walk up to the castle, and Pegasus didn't permit unannounced visitors to even approach the island.
His stomach was nervous about Pegasus return. The older man had reminded him over and over that he expected Yugi to join him to complete their bond when he got home, freeing the power of the puzzle at last. Yugi took a deep breath, trying to calm down, his mind quieting as sleep claimed him.
It was a few hours later when Yugi blinked back to consciousness, the late morning sun shining through the windows. His head was pounding but, his thoughts didn't feel as fuzzy as they normally did. Yugi got to his feet, intent on trying to wake up. He felt strange, part of him urging him to get up and move.
He wondered the halls some more, his feet clumsy as Croquet followed behind him. The path seemed random to Yugi but, for some reason he couldn't bring himself to stop. He was looking for something, something important. He picked up speed, desperate to get closer to whatever it was, his mind urging him to hurry. He was so close…He neared the last corner, a loud thud and a murmur of voices coming from just beyond the bend.
Croquet grabbed Yugi's shoulder, holding him back.
"Is something wrong?" Yugi said, annoyed at being so close to whatever it was that he was so desperate to get to.
Croquet reached into his jacket, pulling out his gun. "Stay here."
Yugi froze in place, watching as Croquet peered around into the hallway. Croquet moved to raise his gun and then jerked suddenly, crumpling to the floor. Yugi rushed to his side, kneeling beside him. He was unhurt but unconscious.
The hallway had fallen silent. Yugi looked up and found two men standing there, a member of Pegasus staff unconscious at their feet. The first of the pair was broad shouldered, with a head of spiked silver hair and sharp features, but as Yugi turned to the other boy, his headache returned full force. The boy was tan, tri-colored hair spurting up at wild angles and his crimson eyes watching Yugi with intense focus.
Yugi felt like someone was cracking a brick on the back of his head. There was something about these men, something familiar. Blinding pain burned through his mind. Yugi slumped forward, resting his forehead on the floor.
"Yugi!" one of the men said. Footsteps rushed to his side.
Yugi forced himself to move despite the agony blooming behind his eyelids and scrambled backwards. He couldn't let this man touch him. He had to run, scream, anything.
"Stay back!" Yugi said. His heart was racing, sweat breaking out on his forehead. He needed to get away from this man. His heart felt like it was about to burst from his chest just looking at him.
The man stopped a few feet away. "It's alright," he said, holding out his hands. "We're not going to hurt you."
"You hurt Croquet!" Yugi said. The ache in his chest felt like it might crack him in half with the force of the pressure. Emptiness poured into him revealing a hole, gaping deep inside of him. It was an old wound, a cavernous one. How had he not noticed how deep it was before?
"He's only unconscious," the man said. His eyes found Yugi's, and Yugi's stomach fluttered, butterflies hitting him hard. The realization hit him like a load of bricks – it was the man from his dream.
"I want you to leave," Yugi said. He struggled to his feet. All of his extra energy seemed to have dried up, his legs trembling beneath him as he stood.
"My name is Yami – Yami Atemu," the man said. "I want to help you, Yugi."
Yugi froze. Pegasus had said he that he was going to duel Yami Atemu at the competition today. It was a trap. The whole thing had been a trick to draw Pegasus away and break into the castle. Yami Atemu was here for him.
"I know who you are, and I don't need your help," Yugi said. "I'm exactly where I want to be. I love Pegasus, and there's nothing you can do to change that!"
"You need to come with us. We won't hurt you," Yami said. His crimson eyes were holding him captive, muddling his already broken thoughts. "I would never hurt you. I love you and, you are not safe here. Please, come with me."
Yugi couldn't think.
Yami took a step closer, and Yugi moved back.
"He said you would lie to me!" Yugi said.
"We don't have time for this," Yami's partner said.
Yami studied Yugi. He seemed sad as he nodded. His partner moved forward, and Yugi turned and sprinted down the hall. He pumped his arms and legs as fast as he could but, it had been so long since he'd moved faster than a walk. Fatigue weighed him down the floor. It was a matter of seconds before the Yami's partner caught him, hands clamping around his arms.
"No!" Yugi screamed. Tears were choking in his throat. "You can't – I don't want to go!" Hands clamped around his wrists, and the man secured them with a zip-tie. Yugi thrashed as the man attempted to tug him forward. "PEGASUS!"
Yugi's feet were clumsy underneath of him, and he quickly lost his balance. The man used his momentum to throw Yugi over his shoulder. Yugi sagged as the man started to walk. He was exhausted, his chest heaving to regain breath. He couldn't give up. He couldn't let them take him.
His tears fell on the floor as the man walked.
"I don't want to go!" Yugi said. He tried to kick his feet but, they were dead weight. His body wasn't listening to him anymore.
Both men were silent.
"This isn't fair!" Yugi said. "Please – stop!" Sobs wracked through his frame, lungs straining to get enough air. He continued to cry as they maneuvered through the castle. They were venturing further than Yugi usually explored, and he caught a glimpse of three of Pegasus' staff lying on the floor, unconscious, as they entered the kitchens.
They exited the castle a few seconds later, through a side entrance Yugi didn't know existed. The fresh air was a slap against his skin. He couldn't breathe. The air was choked up in his lungs. Maybe, he would die like this, hyperventilating over a stranger's shoulder.
"Yugi!" Yami said. "Stop, Mariku."
The man, Mariku, stopped. Yugi felt hands touch his back, and he tried to flinch away. He sucked down a breath. "Don't touch me!" Yugi said. "PEGASUS!"
Suddenly, a warm fog filled him. Yugi blinked. The fog was a dark smoke, consuming him, filling every part of him until all he felt was calm. He sagged forward, his entire body tired as his breathing steadied. The edges of his vision dimmed, unconsciousness luring him into its depths. Yugi felt someone stroking his hair. A warm aura brushed against his mind, and Yugi couldn't help but sigh. It felt nice, safe, familiar – like coming home after a long day.
Mariku started walking again but, the hands stayed pressed against his back. The fog continued to fill him, and Yugi closed his eyes. The ache eased in his chest and, the longer the hands were on him, the more his muscles loosened. Yugi tried to say something but, his voice seemed to have disappeared.
It was a matter of seconds before his vision went dark.
