3.20.20

Notes at the end of the chapter. Lyrics from "Apology" by Leslie Nuchow, "The Ghosts That We Knew" by Mumford and Sons, and "Lucky" by AURORA. This chapter is dedicated to my cousin.

The moon's just a sliver in the sunset sky,

and I know that I've hurt you though I don't always know why.

But I couldn't love anymore

than I do.

And it's amazing, God it's so amazing, I swear

it's amazing

what I've put you through.

Chapter 57: At the Crossroads, Part I

(Jounouchi's POV)

I wince as the doorknob clicks, freezing where I am and holding my breath. The nurses have super-hearing, I swear. They escorted me back to my bed after I left Yugi. There were threats to either strap me down or hit me with some sedatives. Probably not the meds since I'm not out of control. Not anymore.

When no one comes to drag me away again, I approach the bed. Ry's a mess. His broken nose has been set. He's sporting two black eyes. His upper arms are wrapped in thick gauze and tape. Several lines connected to IV bags run down to the port in his inner elbow. The heart monitor beeps evenly. No one is sitting in with him, so he must be doing better.

Free of my IV stand and fluids now, I can move much easier across the small room. There's a solitary chair shoved in the corner. It makes me wonder who has been called as his emergency contact. Somehow I doubt it's Baku. Ryou's dad is in Egypt. His mom…? I don't think his parents are divorced. I never asked. It's none of my business. And if I had asked it would have led to questions about my family.

Ryou's fierce words as we left dad behind echo in my head as I curl up on the chair, legs pulled under my hospital gown. I tuck my chin atop my knees.

"Did you mean that?" I whisper, shivering. Hospitals are always cold. "What you said about dad? You were pretty out of it. An' I won't blame you a bit if…"

"Of course. I'm…I'm pissed."

"Ry?" I squeak, jumping to his bedside in three wobbly steps. "Are you…how do you feel?"

"Like I was…was mauled by g-giant dogs," he muses groggily, eyelids fluttering. "Mmmm gonna kick your ass later."

"Okay," I agree meekly.

"O-kay."

He nods off and I think he's fallen asleep again. I back up and take a seat.

"Bakura's not anssswering."

"He's restin'. You should be too." I inhale a deep breath to keep the sob from escaping. "I'm so sorry for all this, Ry."

"Hmm," he hums, settling back onto his crinkly pillow with a long sigh. Exhaustion and good pain meds lull him back to sleep.

Once again, I'm left alone with the guilt gnawing away at me. It was the same with Anzu. She passed out from the amount of strain the magic she was somehow using put on her. With nothing left to do but continue my wandering sentinel from one of my friends' rooms to the next, I look the hikari over as if I could spot if there was anything else wrong. Anything I could do to make things better.

There isn't.

I'm worried about Yugi going off with Shaddi. I'm worried about Marik waking up without Malik. Or not waking at all. I'm terrified of any one of my friends just flat lining at any given time because of the trauma I caused.

There's nothing for me to do but bounce between remorse and fear, wishing there was something else for me to do aside from waiting for Mr. Mutou to get here. I don't know what Yugi has told him. What the hell am I supposed to say when I see him? Will Mr. Mutou even want to see me?

What about Yami? My stomach twists as I consider what I know now about him and Baku. How neither of them told me. An' Yami saving me despite that. I saw it in his face though, when he said he didn't want Bakura anymore. Have I messed that up too? Will Baku go back to him after this? After what I did? I don't think Yami would say no.

The phone I've been carrying and hiding from the nurses buzzes indignantly like a trapped bee. Holding it up, my stomach clenches when I see the number it displays. Oh god. My anxiety sky-rockets again. It feels like my heart's gonna jump outta my chest. I tighten my fingers around the device and curl back into a ball on the chair, a whimper escaping my lips as I shiver and wait for the caller to give up.


(Yugi's POV)

I groan, opening my eyes wearily to find the world white.

'We didn't make it,' is my first thought, taking a moment to decide whether to surrender or be pissed. I side with righteous anger.

"Damn it!" I yell, sitting upright and promptly falling off the edge of something. Landing hard on my back, I find myself staring up at a tiled ceiling. I stay where I am for a moment, dazed. Pain lances along my shoulder where the burning symbols were carved into my skin. At least it means I'm alive. The Millennium puzzle rests heavily on my chest. The first thing that hits me are the too-clean chemical smells; then the beeping and droning of machines. Air hisses in a tube as I climb wearily to my feet, gripping the side of the bed for support.

Malik is as he was. Rishid is spread out over the lower half of the bed where he fell next to me when Shaddi took us into Malik's soul. Or the Millenium rod? I'm not quite sure where we actually went. I open my mouth to ask Shaddi and then I remember.

Shaking my head, I note the Millennium scales on the floor that I must have dropped when I fell. The eye glints in between his fingers. Shaddi had the rod and key when we 'went in'. The rod is lying innocently on Malik's stomach. The key is, strangely, in one of Malik's hands. It was the same hand he held it when Shaddi gave it to him. But that was our souls, not our bodies.

'Too much thinking,' my poor brain complains, exhausted.

I tentatively poke at the yami through our connection, exhaling in relief when I feel his presence at the other end. Instinctively, I start talking to him before recalling the lack of a mind link.

Someone jiggles the doorknob to the room, calling out something in Arabic to us. Uh oh. Rishid must've locked it went he came in. I didn't know hospital doors had locks.

Focus, Yugi!

"Rishid!" I whisper urgently, grabbing him by the shoulder and shaking him.

The big man's eyes shoot open and he scrambles up, in the same mindset as I was when I woke. Grey eyes dart about, settling on me after a moment of assurance that we truly are back.

"Malik?"

"He's in there," I assure him. "I can feel him. But Rishid, there's people trying to get in. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but…"

He mutters something under his breath. I grab the Millennium rod and scales, tucking them out of sight under the chair. As he walks around the bed I gasp, the other side of my link intense as if someone turned the lights on all at once after having been trapped in a cave. It's a blinding, overwhelming effect. The beats on the heart monitor pick up the pace.

Both of us turn in time to see Malik's eyes shoot open. He immediately tries to sit up, fighting the ventilation tube in his trachea with ghastly choking. His eyes widen in blind panic. Rishid rushes over and holds down the yami's arms as Malik's limbs flail.

"Yugi, the door!"

I move so fast I ram my face into it. Quickly, I unlatch the door and throw it open to a group of several orderlies who stare down at me in mystification.

"He's awake!" I say in English, pointing eagerly at Malik and drawing their attention away from questions of who I am and why the door was locked. "He needs help!"

They hurry over and Rishid backs off. I shadow them, sending reassurance to Malik through our link as they talk to him soothingly in Arabic. Even so, two of them have to restrain him while another slowly pulls the tube from his throat. A hacking coughing fit follows. A doctor comes into the room, flanked by two others. Questions and voices rise in astonishment that the braindead patient is not only awake but responsive. The man shines a light in the poor yami's bloodshot eyes. I can feel the defensiveness rising in Malik, a flight or fight mode. Then I remember:

"The key-!"

Rishid pushes through the excited health professionals while speaking to them in Arabic. I squirm after him, grabbing ahold of Malik's wrist as the Millennium Item begins to glow.

"It's all right, Malik. We're in a hospital," I say in Japanese; figuring it's best to speak this language in case anything odd is mentioned. Then I immediately try to alleviate the mounting dread in him: "Marik got hurt but he's all right. He's in a hospital in Japan."

"Can't…feel him," the yami gasps while managing an accusing glare that is more fear than threat, daring me to tell him more lies.

"Rishid did something when you were still possessed in order to keep Marik safe. You and Marik are no longer connected. That's why you can't feel him. I promise Marik's alive, Malik," I answer, ignoring the doctors as Rishid tries to keep them back, give Malik some space as I explain what's happened. They don't seem to mind too much, all the more intrigued that he's speaking and responding to what I say.

Lavender eyes lock with mine. Something akin to fingers reach out tentatively through our link, touching me. The yami's eyes narrow but he leans back onto the bed as the adrenaline wears off.

"That's…that's not all…Rishid did."

I nod in answer.

"Malik, the doctor has some questions for you," Rishid says in Japanese.

"Let them examine you," I implore the yami as he tenses again, ready to fight them tooth and nail. "If he doesn't find anything serious, we'll get you out of here. Right?"

Rishid tries not to glower at my pointed look. It's not like I know my way around. Heck, I don't even know what city we're in. While having the Millennium rod can get me so far, it'd be much easier to let Rishid lead the way. Even without a mind link with the man, his reluctance is palpable. He squares his shoulders, preparing some scathing response: 'Since when do I owe him anything', 'Haven't I done enough for the yami already', and the general 'he can go fuck himself for all I care'.

All too quickly the fire goes out of Rishid's eyes and he just sighs, too tired to fight; also not interested in letting the yami wander off after all we went through to save him.

"Right," Rishid reluctantly agrees.

Malik is watching the large group of excited hospital staff with trepidation. In the shock of seeing him so vulnerable it hits me: I'm not sure if he's ever been examined by a modern doctor before. If he or Marik ever needed anything, he could put them under mind control first, limiting how much they had to interact. I realize in this moment that, of the three yamis, Malik most likely has had the least amount of contact with (aware) modern people.

"Hold on a minute," I say cheerfully, earning an odd look from Rishid.

I just hope I have enough energy for this.

He remains where he is between the doctors and Malik. I squeeze through the wall of people, none of whom are paying me any attention, too fascinated by what's happened. That works in my favor, but also is the reason I'm doing this. I lean down, all of my muscles screaming for rest, reaching under the chair. One of the doctors is speaking to Malik in Arabic, trying and failing miserably to hide his enthusiasm. I bet they're wondering why Rishid and I don't seem more surprised.

The room all at once goes dead quiet, save the machines. I'm getting better at this.

"Yugi!" Rishid exclaims.

The crowd parts for me this time—because I tell them to. The Millennium Symbol is glowing on their foreheads, mirroring the Millennium rod in my hand.

"I had to. Couldn't you see it?" I defend myself, feeling sweat bead on my forehead at the exertion. "They were practically rubbing their hands together while planning out all sorts of tests to run on him and try to discover why he recovered. You also know they won't find anything. And there's no reason to put Malik through all of that. I can have them examine him without all of the questions and unnecessary tests."

Rishid covers his face with his hand and groans. He knows I'm right. It's not ideal, but they aren't likely to let Malik go anytime soon.

All but the main doctor and a nurse walk single-file out of the room, having been informed it's so the patient does not become overwhelmed. Too late for that. Once they are gone I release them, except the two I kept here. I don't let them go yet. I look to Malik to see how he's handling all of this.

The yami isn't paying any attention. His free hand is gripping the front of his hospital gown. His eyes are unfocused. I don't want to intrude, know he's got a lot to come to terms with all at once. But I don't want to let the doctor touch him yet. I want to make sure he understands what is going on.

"Malik?"

He starts, blinking. His expression says he's still is far away.

"Malik, can you let this doctor examine you?" I ask. "They're going to run a few tests and make sure you're all right after your fight. Okay?"

"It's there," he murmurs, oblivious to me, clutching at the fabric. "I—it's back."

"Just take control of him, too."

"Not helping, Rishid!"

"I'm serious."

"Well I know you are, but that doesn't mean I'm going to—!"

"He's in shock! After being overtaken by shadows and then have the shadows completely disappear after three thousand years, having his link with Marik vanish, having a link with Pharaoh's hikari appear, waking up in a hospital attached to all manner of machines, and discovering he has his ka back…"

"All right! All right!"

The yami's bewildered and awestruck expression disappears. His eyes go blank as I take control. I don't like the way the link gives off a paralyzing numbness. I release the doctor and nurse after suggesting they ignore the glowing eyes on the yami's forehead; I can't figure out how to make it go away. They move forward to do whatever it is they need to. I tell Malik to answer their questions regarding how he's feeling physically. Then I retreat to the window, shuddering. A large hand rests on my uninjured shoulder.

"It's for the best."

"He's gonna be pissed I did that," I mumble.

"From what I know of him, he always finds something to be pissed about."

"And how well do you know him?" I ask, looking up at the man who is a giant beside me. He stares out the window and sighs.


(Honda's POV)

"What's taking so long?" Mr. Mutou asks, wringing his hands, looking around the crowded waiting room. "We should have heard something by now."

There aren't enough seats, so many people having come. The reporters and others who are 'simply curious' were roped off, not given access to the building. Family and friends of patients are met at the door, giving the names of the people they're looking for. There was an extremely long list. We lucked out: everyone we were searching for remained here. Many people were transferred due to limited space and the sheer number of patients. We were lead to this room where many shaken, nervous people are waiting for news.

I stare down at the Styrofoam cup of stale coffee that a nurse was handing out. Every so often I take a sip, just for something to do. Then I grimace at the bitter taste. Somehow I keep forgetting and doing it again.

"Did Yugi say anything else when he called?" his grandfather asks.

"No. He said he'd be able to get us in."

When he called, I first was beyond shocked. None of them have bothered trying to talk to me since…I was half-tempted to hang up when the first words out of his mouth was that he needed help. Then I listened. As soon as he mentioned being in Jounouchi's neighborhood, in the middle of a ball of Shadows, I knew. I wasn't sure who started it, whether it was Bakura or someone else. But I knew why.

And then Mr. Mutou needed a ride. And what was I supposed to say to that?

"Have you tried calling?"

"Service has been erratic because everyone's on their phones," I say, gesturing at the room of people all on their devices or trying to get them to work.

One woman is practically in the face of the policeman who is standing at the door, demanding to see her daughter; something about her having been missing. The officer is patient with her but firm. He won't let her pass. He is here to make sure no one bothers us. He's also here to make sure we don't go wandering off to find the patients for ourselves.

"We" and "us" and "our friends and family" sound so off. It's not that I don't care. I do. I want to be here. I've wanted to be back with them long before this. I just don't know how and they don't want me.

"I demand to speak to whoever is in charge here!" the tirade continues. "I want to see my daughter. And I want her moved to our local hospital back at home."

No one gets mad at her. A lot of us would probably be doing the same if we thought it'd do any good. I'm tempted to try to sneak out except I don't want to leave Mr. Mutou alone here. And I am afraid to be turned away the moment I see them; that Yugi called me just to get his grandfather a ride. That could be why he isn't answering the phone now.

"I'll try again," I mumble, speed-dialing Anzu's number.

"What I don't understand is what they were doing on that side of town this time of the night…day…"

The old man who is like a grandfather to all of us rubs his face and sighs. I don't say 'Jounouchi lives there' because he doesn't want everyone to know. Though, it's safe to say they all know now.

I go over it in my head as the phone rings hollowly in the background. Who did Yugi say was with him? Jounouchi, Anzu, Yami, Ryou, Bakura…Otogi. I distinctly remember Otogi because of the way the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. That bastard really has wormed his way into the group. Yugi was in such a rush, definitely sounded like he was in shock, that he cut off to ask about me bringing Mr. Mutou before he'd finished telling me who else was there and what exactly happened. Something about Jounouchi and an Item.

"Well?"

"He's not picking up," I say, snapping the phone shut. Damn it.

"Shall I distract them?" Mr. Mutou asks, nudging me in the ribs while pointing not-so-subtly at the harassed policeman.

"What?" I smile, knowing he's completely serious. "You'll have to fight for his attention. He'll probably have backup arriving soon if she keeps it up."

"You can't blame the woman. I think I'm only so calm because Yugi called and not some first responder. We know he's all right."

We don't know that. Yes, it could be something as simple as that a nurse confiscated the phone, the battery died, or Yugi fell asleep. But there are so many other things that could have gone wrong. What if whoever set this whole mess in action is still about? What if Yugi slipped into a coma or whatever? He didn't ever say that he was all right. It was more like he had little time to say and ask a lot. He said he'd make certain we got through and he hasn't.

A wrinkled hand pats my knee, breaking the circle of worry going round and round in my head. Eyes identical to Yugi's have a little sparkle in them.

"I'm glad you're here, Honda."

I can't even manage a weak smile.

"I should have…"

"What?"

"I should have…I should have been with them!"

Mr. Mutou regards me with sad eyes.

"Then I'd have yet another of you in danger."

"But if…"

"But nothing. No more of that talk. You're here where you're needed. You're here."

I keep going through the whatifs. What if I had been with them the whole time? Or they hadn't all turned their backs on me? It's hard to blame yourself when you're not even sure what happened to begin with.

Two more police arrive, one of them a woman. Perhaps someone thought that would placate the distraught mother to have another female present. I roll my eyes on Anzu's behalf. She'd be so unimpressed with this move. The mother doesn't care about the newcomers. None of us do. They don't have any answers and they aren't here to let us through.

I take another gulp of the cold petrol coffee and scowl.

A doctor squeezes through the doorway between the officers and suddenly the entire room is on its feet. Several people shout. The doctor waves a hand for silence.

"Everyone, we will begin calling patient names and taking you to your loved ones as soon as possible. Due to the number of you, we ask for your cooperation."

"What the hell happened?" someone yells.

"No one's told me anything!"

"Was it a chemical attack?"

"Where's my daughter?"

"Please be patient with us as we work with you and the authorities. I am not at liberty to discuss any more at this time. Nurse Ana will be calling names and members of our staff will escort you. Please wait for your patient's name to be called. Thank you."

The man ducks out before the commotion can begin again. A young nurse who looks like she'd rather be anywhere than here shuffles beside the policewoman, practically sticking to her side. She tucks a pen behind her ear while staring at her clipboard.

"Tadashi Kahoto…Korin and Valentin Vadenin…" She rattles off, nurses step up to receive the lucky family members who have been selected to go first. That is, if it's a good thing to go first.

"It shouldn't be too long now," Mr. Mutou muses.

I glance around the room of approximately seventy people. Just how widespread was this 'gas leak'? A while back the Realm covered several blocks of Ryou's neighborhood. Nineteen people didn't come back from that. This was bigger, by the sounds of what they're guesstimating on the news. The difference this time is no one saw it from the outside.

"What shall we do since we have multiple people to see?" Mr. Mutou ponders. "They may be in different areas."

"I'm not sure anyone will want to see me."

"Yugi called you, didn't he? He doesn't use people. You know that."

"I thought I knew the f—Jounouchi, too," I stumble and that earns me a stern look from him for the fourth time since I picked him up.

"I told you I don't like that talk, Honda."

I nod in assent. No reason to turn him against me as well.

"Anzu's family should be here soon. I called them. I'm not sure about Ryou or…"

Nurse Ana pauses and the two male police officers leave the room. Several staff members raise their voices at whoever has arrived. Someone else speaks, calmly, authorative. The police both get involved in the argument. The same man repeats whatever he said without changing inflection or volume. There's muttering and then the doctor and police give. A moment later the doctor is leading several bodyguard type men in suits past the open door. I catch the Kaiba Corp logo emblazoned on the left side of their chests.

"There goes Otogi's crew," I grumble.

"Not to sound uncaring, but I am glad to not have to be in charge of that boy's welfare," Mr. Mutou says and I snort.

"Cheers to that," I say, holding my cup aloft.

"…Shizuka Kawai…"

My eyes dart to the doorway, watching as the loud woman practically pushes her guide out the door. More names follow, but I don't hear them.

"Honda? What is it? Are you all right?"

It takes me a moment to realize my arm is still raised. Lowering my cup, I berate myself for not having recognized their mother. It was bad enough all my friends were in his neighborhood where his deadbeat abusive dad resides. Turns out his sister was there too.

Something else occurs to me as I come back to my senses: Their mother has to know where Jou and his dad live. Their place was the epicenter of this whole catastrophe. Yet she's only frantically asking after one of her kids.

I scowl at the coffee in my hand.

"Jounouchi Katsuya," the nurse calls, but their mother is already gone.

(Anzu's POV)

"Anzu?" someone whispers. "You awake?"

I turn my head, looking into Jounouchi's wan face. He holds out something to me and I tense. Jou cringes at my response and I feel sheepish when I see it's my phone he's offering me.

"Your parents just called. They were tryin' to reach you. I told them your room number an' that you weren't hurt much. They're on their way. Traffic's kind of bad, so they could be a while."

He says all of this in monotone, like a recitation, keeping his eyes fixed on the floor. I sigh, leaning back onto the very uncomfortable pillow that feels and sounds like it's filled with wadded up paper. Bruises I don't remember have blossomed on my skin. I must have passed out for a while after using all of that…magic?

"Thanks. What did…what are they calling this? The Shadow Realm?"

"I dunno. A gas leak? That's what Yug was going for, anyway."

"Going for?"

"With the Millennium rod," Jounouchi explains numbly, waiting for me to explode at him for that, too. "He's…trying to protect me."

"It's not like anyone would believe the truth," I point out to which he shrugs in assent.

It makes me recall what he was trying to do. This was all about attacking his father.

"I still don't understand…You could let Bakura and Otogi in on your secret, but not us?"

"I didn't!" He looks up sharply, indignation blazing. "Before we were…before we were, Baku figured it out and saved me one night. And Otogi saw a security video at the high-rise. I didn't tell either of them."

"Video?" I flex my elbows so I'm sitting up a bit. "Wait. Your dad was at the high-rise?"

It was really that bad? How didn't any of the rest of us notice? And Bakura saved him? What was horrible enough that the thief would get involved before he and Jounouchi were even dating?

"Jounouchi, what did he…?"

He looks away from me, one of his hands reaching up instinctively and covering a large, jagged scar. Though his hands are bandaged, his arms aren't. They're covered in white scars that haven't had time to age. My blood is chilled as I stare at him. Did he ever say where he got those? He didn't have them before this summer, I'm sure of that.

"I just wanted him to leave me alone," he whispers ashamedly. "I moved up and he didn't like that. He wasn't going to let me go." Tears are welling in his eyes, filling his voice. "I'm sorry. What happened with the Millennium key…I didn't mean any of that, Anzu. I wouldn't...I just wanted him to s-stop!"

I stare at him in shocked silence as he fights against his emotions, trembling as he clutches at the scars. My mouth has gone dry, my heartbeat drowning out all other sounds, save the wretched gasps coming from my friend's mouth. I am beginning to understand at last what drove him, what shame and terror he is carrying, torn between views of a parent and a tormentor.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry," he keep repeating, trapped in a moment I cannot see.

I want to go back in time, even if only a little ways. I want to go back to the moment Jounouchi and Shizuka were standing over their father's unconscious form.

I want to kick the bastard's face into the back of his skull.

"Jou-."

He shakes his head and turns to flee. I struggle to sit up more and call his name again. Jou has to stagger back as the door opens.

Honda stands in the doorway. His features clench when he and Jounouchi come face to face. Jounouchi's back is to me, but I can imagine the dismay at seeing Honda in this moment.

"Honda," I say to distract or draw attention, even though it's useless. I wish I could get up! "You…how did you…?"

"I brought Mr. Mutou," he says, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Yugi called."

Yugi called Honda?

I don't get a chance to ask. Honda has already turned his attention to Jounouchi who takes a step back towards me.

"Was it…?"

The heated demand dies off, but only because I think Jounouchi knows what Honda's asking. I make myself look up at him because Jou can't seem to. Not that I can blame him after what Honda, outing Jounouchi to the press and sending them to Ryou's door.

"We're all right," I reply for both of us, noticing something else odd about all of this. "Where are Mr. Mutou and Yugi?" Yugi wouldn't have let Honda come here on his own; then again he didn't know Jounouchi would be here with me.

"Mr. Mutou is checking in on Yami," Honda answers, still eyeing Jou strangely. "The hospital seems to have misplaced Yugi."

"What does that mean?" I ask, aggression lining my words, warning him not to mess with me. If this is another personal attack of his…

"Exactly what I said," he replies, turning to me without any animosity or taunting. "They can't find him."

Can't find…?!

"Oh my god. Yugi said they were coming back!"

"Who?" Honda asks.

"Honda, what about Yami?" I ask, pulling at the flimsy sheets. "Is he awake yet? Did they take him, too?"

"Take him?" Honda echoes. "What are you talking about?"

"The Dark Magician and Shaddi! They were going to go into hiding until things settled down a bit."

"Shaddi?" Honda's face screws up. "Wait. The Dark Magician? You're saying a duel monster took Yugi?"

"It's not a duel monster! It's a…I forget what Shaddi called it. It's a super strong spirit that can blast people to dust! It practically killed Marik."

"Ishtar's here?"

"Yes! Don't ask me how," I say, gathering up the coil of IV attached to my arm as I make to get out of bed.

"Anzu, I don't think you should be-."

"You don't get to tell me what to do and what not to do!" I snarl at Honda. "I wouldn't have accepted it before and I'm sure as hell not going to now!"

"Yug's in Egypt," Jounouchi states loudly, staring at his feet. He waits a breath to make sure we both heard him before continuing quieter: "Or, that's where he said he was goin'."

"What? Now? Why would he go to Egypt now, when we're all here? That doesn't make any sense!"

"How?" is all Honda asks.

"With Shaddi," Jou swallows. "The Dark Magician is watching over Yami and Marik."

"What!" I exclaim. "Then why are you standing around here? We need to keep an eye on him or he'll…"

"He's not gonna hurt anybody. He can't. Yug told him not to and apparently he's gotta do what Yugi says. Besides, Yugi took all the Items with him except the one he left on Marik. Plus, the Dark Magician's like a super-human. It's not like any of us could do anything to him."

"Why did Yugi go in the first place?" Honda interrupts when I try to protest. "What's in Egypt that is so important?"

Jounouchi fidgets, seeming to be willing himself to turn into liquid and sink to the floor in a puddle. My desire to stand up to him is overpowered by what knowledge he has of Yugi's whereabouts.

"What do you care?" Jounouchi is all at once glaring at Honda. "You got Mr. Mutou here. That's why you came, isn't it? Or did you find out my sister was here?"

Honda's face colors.

"I came because…"

He cuts off abruptly. Brown eyes dart between me and Jounouchi, reassessing. Honda shakes his head, turning and storming out of the room without another word. We're left behind trembling. Jou moves as if to follow him.

"Jounouchi-"

He quickly opens the door, turning the opposite direction Honda went, leaving me behind. I lean back, letting the stubborn tears flow now that no one is here to see them. I cry for what I didn't know about Jounouchi, what he suffered in silence. These tears are also for what trust I've lost in both Honda and Jounouchi, how we can never go back to how things used to be.


You saw my pain washed out in the rain
The broken glass, saw the blood run from my veins
But you saw no fault, no cracks in my heart
And you knelt beside my hope torn apart

(Yugi's POV)

"Careful of your step," Rishid warns his sister as she fingers her keys.

"Careful of what exactly?" she asks, piqued.

"Just careful," he replies resignedly.

"Rishid, with your actions of late having been incredibly rash and idiotic, I do not feel you're in the position to lecture me. Especially with such a mundane thing as entering our apartment."

"I don't think anyone present can claim to have made smart choices lately," I pipe up on her brother's behalf. She sends me an icy look over her shoulder as the lock clicks and I shut my mouth.

I look up at the yami standing beside me dressed in blue hospital scrubs because his own clothes- that are tucked in a plastic bag under his arm-were blackened with ash. While waiting on the doctor to clear him, Rishid sent someone to get a change of clothes for himself and Isis; the two of them also carrying bags of clothes. The ash more visible in Malik's hair, having turned it a shade of dirty dishwater. He is staring at nothing. Through our link, there's a sort of hyperactive vibration. I think it might be his ka. They've been separated so long. I can't imagine. I don't even know what having a ka you can interact with is like.

"Come in," Isis says, leading our odd procession into the spacious apartment.

We're immediately in a living room with an open concept to the dining area. The kitchen has a large, arched doorway. I'm happy to be anywhere that isn't a hospital. Rishid and Isis both release audible sighs of relief as the door closes behind us. Malik moves as if I was still in control of him, shuffling out of everyone's way and standing completely still by the entry table. I keep beside him, able to feel how overwhelmed he is but also not wanting to smother him either.

Rishid warned me against doing that. Malik has to adjust to everything. That won't happen if I'm blocking things from him or trying to compress his emotions. That doesn't mean I like having to be a bystander that can feel him going through it but not try to shield him.

"Right," Isis says after a very long silence. "All of you are in need of rest. I'll make us something to eat—."

"We'll order in later," Rishid cuts her off with a pointed look. "And you are going straight to bed."

Their sibling staredown is not one I'm going to get in the middle of; though I would side with Rishid. The Millennium necklace has been helping Isis tremendously in restoring her, so much so that she had woken and refused to remain at the hospital while the rest of us left. After a lot of loud arguing between them they were able to settle that she could come with on the condition she wear the necklace at all times to make sure her injuries continue to heal. She wasn't the only one. We are all banged up pretty badly. I decided it best to divvy up the Items. Rishid has the eye and scales. I have the puzzle and, for the siblings' peace of mind, the rod. Malik is wearing the key.

"But-!" Isis begins, glancing towards Malik and me.

"I'll get these two settled in," her brother says, taking her by the arm and slowly rotating her towards the nearest hallway. "Go to bed."

"Rishid," she says in a warning growl.

"Go," he repeats, giving her an ever-so-light nudge.

She says something quietly that I cannot catch. A possible threat for later. To her sibling's credit, Rishid stands his ground and doesn't turn back to Malik and me until Isis is out of sight.

"Malik: couch," he points without looking at the yami. "Yugi, you can use Marik's room. It's this way."

"Marik has a room? He lives here?" I ask, having been under the impression the hikari and yami didn't have a home. And then: "Isn't it Malik's room, too?"

Rishid pauses, the grimace on his face deepening with each question. Either this isn't a conversation he wants to have or at least not right now. He gets my message though: the yami isn't going to be left on a couch while everyone else gets beds. He caves.

"This way."

"Malik. Malik," I say again and he looks up from his haze with exhausted eyes begging me to let him alone. "Come on."

He exhales and pads after me without complaint, too tired to put up a fight. I know the feeling. I'm about there too.

The room is large, at least three times the size of my room at home. A king bed sits in the center of it all. If I wasn't so beat I would gawk at this place. The bed is all that matters right now. I raise an aching arm and point. The yami crosses to the far side of the bed without a word. Rishid follows me, taking hold of my arm and giving me a boost so I can get atop the raised mattress. Malik has already collapsed onto his side with a moan, back to us. Plastic crackles as he lets the back with his dirty clothes drop to the floor.

"Could you…?" I ask, holding out the rod to Rishid. "I don't feel like rolling onto it and gutting myself in my sleep."

Rishid takes the Item and places it on the bedside table while glancing to see if Malik is paying attention.

"He's already asleep," I confirm, ready to follow suit.

Still the man lingers, eyeing the form next to me unsurely.

"You're sure you're all right alone with him?"

I smile.

"You still don't trust him?"

"Definitely not."

"The shadows are gone. It's just him now."

"Is that supposed to reassure me?"

"I have a feeling there's going to be a lot of reacquainting," I say, though for me it's almost an introduction, as Malik and I have never really interacted.

"Wonderful."

"But really, I'm fine here," I wave off his apprehension. "Besides, he's going to be sleeping deep. I know I will."

"All right. I don't like it, but all right. Isis and I are both down the hallway if you need anything."

As he makes it was to the door, I notice for the first time that he is limping. Or perhaps he's only really feeling it now that we all can finally let our guards down. The man is beaten down, yet I have to admire him for doing everything he did to help me save the yami he loathes.

"Marik will be proud of you, Rishid," I say, but he is already gone. Even so, he knows. Without further ado, I flop onto my back and let sleep claim me at last.


(Jounouchi's POV)

The room is dim, last rays of sunlight disappearing behind buildings outside the window. An entire day I spent dodging everyone. I'm clutching my arms around my legs, forehead on my knees. Tears drop big wet splotches on my hospital gown. I bite down on my lip, trying to stifle a sob.

Why is Honda here? Why did he have to come? Everything else is already bad enough. Everyone is already mad at me—might even hate me like he does. Is that why he's here? Is that why Yug called him? Because he's agreeing with Honda at last?

"Get up," a voice rasps.

I scramble to my feet, wiping my cheek against the back of my hand. Red-brown eyes slice into me, scrutinizing me in the weak light. I fight the urge to hug him.

"You're…Are you okay?" I croak.

"Clearly not." The harshness leaves his voice when he watches my face crumple. "Get over here."

I step meekly toward the bed, expecting a slap. Baku looks me up and down, taking in my bandages and bruises. And the lack of a Millennium Item. I sniff as my nose runs and another tear glides down my face. The yami shifts uncomfortably on the hospital bed, tugging at the IV in his arm as he does so. He glares at it and I move forward to help somehow. Cold fingers close around my wrist.

"Get in already."

I choke down a sob of relief, tentatively crawling up onto the bed where he's made room for me. A pale arm wraps around me, pulling me down against his chest. I bury my face in the nape of his neck. I can almost sense him frown as I tremble.

"I'm s-sorry."

"I know."

"Everyone's hurt because of m-me," I stumble, terrified to tell him the rest; that he'll push me away, too. "It's all 'cause of me."

"They're all alive?"

"Yes," I reply quietly. "Because of you."

If Baku hadn't been there, how many people would I have killed?

His heartbeat is steady beneath my ear. I try to slow mine to match his. Try to will myself to be calm.

I can't.

"Hikari pulled it off then, hmm?" he asks, sounding pleased in his own gruff way.

"You saved them. You wouldn't let me kill them. Not even…"

Not even dad.

"So?"

"Why?"

"Because I know how it works," he huffs, twirling a strand of my hair absentmindedly around his finger. "You and Malik aren't the only ones who have been influenced by the shadows. I killed a few thousand people and razed several cities."

I shudder but notice that, even now, he doesn't sound remorseful. He's not bragging either. The reason he's telling me is so I can talk about it, know he's not going to judge me for it because he's done worse. I swallow, trying to put words together and explain the turmoil roiling within me. The fact that he's making the effort makes me want to try.

"My friends…they think I did it because it's what I really wanted."

"Maybe it was," the yami suggests.

I try to pull away but he tightens his grip on me.

"I never would do that to them!"

"No, you wouldn't," he agrees, resting his chin atop my head to placate me. It works and I automatically melt into his touch. "Which is why I bothered with that stupid shield and keeping your asshole father alive. Like I offered then: if you'd been in your right mind and wanted him dead, I'd do it. But the shadows twist things. They can take it further than you would have ever dared go on your own."

"Like razing cities?"

He chuckles, a dry, rough sound.

"Not so much. I didn't have the capabilities until I was possessed or I would have done it on my own a lot sooner."

I decide not to dwell on that one, but it makes what happened yesterday more puzzling. An ancient mass murderer is willing to risk his own life to protect strangers he would have no issue killing. He put himself in danger in order to keep them alive.

"What was it…you saved them for…?"

"For you, dumbass."

I snuggle tighter against him and he doesn't complain. He might like my being here just because of how cold he is. His words say it's more. Terror grips me tightly. I have not forgotten and the longer I put it off the worse it is going to be when he does find out. It's better he hear it from me.

'I don't want you to hate me. Please don't hate me.'

"Why are you crying now?" he asks in exasperation. "Everyone's alive. Don't you dare tell me that's not what you wanted."

I shake my head, and this time when I tug on his arm he loosens his hold. I sit up so we can see each other's faces. His peeved expression turns into unease when he observes how upset I am. Baku can see I'm working up to telling him something. He keeps a hold of me so I won't try to run away. I don't think I could even as badly as I am afraid.

I'm just so tired. I shrink beneath his stare. After everything he went through for me, he deserves to know.

"Baku, something happened to Malik."

His jaw tightens. Other than that, he remains still and silent. Waiting.

"Yugi and Shaddi went to see if they could help him. I-I don't even know if he's still…" My voice trails off as I watch him struggle to keep his face expressionless. I bow my head. "He succumbed to the shadows trying to help. Marik's here. The docs are saying he'll be okay, but I don't…what if it won't be okay?"

Quick fingers catch my chin, forcing me to look back up at him. He's full-out glaring at me.

"This is not on your head, Katsuya."

"But if I hadn't…he wouldn't have…!"

"No, he wouldn't have. But even so, it's not all on you. Malik knows his limitations with the shadows." His eyes wander to the door and he mutters, "He knows his limits. That stupid bastard. He said he was done with me."

"He loves you," I whisper before I can stop myself, the knife-like eyes darting back to me.

He's worried. Very worried. But not angry, at least not at me, and I don't understand.

"Not in the way you're thinking. I don't know what the hells you saw with the necklace or what the shadows told you, but you got that point wrong. Also, I don't appreciate being called the slut of ancient Egypt," he adds and my face burns in recollection of that confrontation while I was possessed.

"Sorry," I mumble, ashamed.

Baku studies me, seeing the questions spinning in my head. The doubts.

"Malik is family. He's my only family, Katsuya. I did a lot of stupid things back then and he'd place himself between me and whoever I was up against. It costed him dearly. And now the idiot's gone and done it again."

I don't have anything to say to that. What I do is instruct myself to banish all of the 'truths' I received, curtesy of the shadows while I was possessed. It doesn't work.

"You guys were naked."

He stares at me in complete bafflement.

"In the vision, from the necklace," I babble, getting worried as his hand falls away; afraid that catching him in a lie will make him change his mind. Why can't I just let it be? "You two were under a blanket together."

"Doing what, pray tell?"

I blush horribly even though the answer isn't anything much.

"Talking. Arguing a bit."

Baku considers this, trying to figure out what possibly singular moment I am describing from over three thousand years ago. A sliver of hope begins to expand as I wonder if I really did misconstrue it all. If it was never Malik and Baku.

"Could have been the time I nearly caught hypothermia," the thief mutters. As I'm still confused, he adds, "He was trying to get me warm by sharing body heat. And how the hells did this become an interrogation about my sex life?"

"Sorry."

"Quit saying that already."

I open my mouth to apologize and he gives me a warning look. Instead, I settle for a feeble smile. He smirks in response before wincing, resting back.

"Who'd you say went to help him?"

"Yugi and Shaddi."

"Not Pharaoh?"

I'm actually surprised he isn't more interested in where Shaddi came from. Or how Marik got here. Then again, I suppose in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter. Of course he would want Yami to go. Yugi isn't exactly well-versed in Shadow Magic.

"Yami's unconscious."

"Of course he is. He has a knack for sleeping through all the worst things," the thief mutters irritably.

"Yugi will call Anzu's phone when he knows something about Malik," I inform him, knowing it isn't good enough. It's the best we can do. I want to offer Baku more than that, but there isn't anything. It's a waiting game now. The thief accepts this. It isn't as if either of us is fit to go marching to the airport in our hospital gowns and demand seats on the first flight to Egypt. Even then, it would be many hours before we'd arrive. Whatever is going to happen between Malik and Yugi will be settled by then. Hells, it should already be settled, which makes me all the more worried why there's been no news from Yugi.

Don't go there. There's nothing you can do right now. I do what I need to: switch topics, the first stupid question that comes to mind leaking out of my mouth.

"So…you and Yami…?"

"I thought we were done talking about my sex life."

"…so it's true?"

He makes an annoyed sound in his throat, his expression folded as if there is a bitter taste in his mouth. Something in me sinks. It is true. Bakura and Yami. It makes me second-guess everything. I'm not special or powerful. I've never been a king of an ancient civilization. I'm just the underdog who can't seem to keep out of trouble or do anything right.

"Does it matter?"

"Yes it matters! He's one of my best friends! Possibly the person I admire the most." I gaze at Baku helplessly. "Why would you pick me when you could have him again?"

"Because I don't want him."

It's different than when Yami said it. When Baku says it, it's true.

"Okay, then why me?"

"I could ask you the same thing," he replies fiercely.

"What?" It's my turn to be taken aback.

"Why me?" he presses with the same intensity. "I've hurt you. So many times. Just like the father you claim to love. So is there really a difference? You let people hurt you. It'd be better if we were both out of your life."

His words quaver, and I realize I'm witnessing remorse and disgust I didn't know he was harboring; things he's been keeping pent up inside because he's not good at communicating in any way other than aggression. So this is why he wanted me to find him somewhere to live apart from me. It's not 'cause he hates me. He hates what he did; what he's capable of doing.

I take his freezing hand in mine.

"You hurt me," I whisper, acknowledging the ugly truths of us. "I hurt you. I antagonized you to no end. Did I ever tell you I nearly smothered you after you got hit by the truck? I was gonna kill you and give the ring to Yami." I smile at the absurdness of how all of this has come about but he doesn't, guilt eating away at him. "Just 'cause I won't kill dad doesn't mean I'll put up with him beating me anymore. You helped me through that."

"I'll hurt you again," he states darkly and he believes it. The unwavering certainty in his face is heartbreaking

"You won't. Baku, there's a huge difference between you and my dad. You and I were enemies, and while we were enemies, we did horrible shit to each other. But, unlike dad, when you realized you cared, you stopped." I squeeze his hand tightly, enfolding it between mine. "You didn't attack me when you had the chance in the Shadow Realm. You avoided it. Even right now: you're saying you want to get away from me 'cause you're afraid of harming me again. Baku, I trust you."

"I don't."

"Then trust me. Trust me to not put up with that crap from you or anyone else." I lean forward, pressing our foreheads together. He doesn't shy away but remains tense, afraid to say or do the wrong thing. "Just please don't run away. I need you. And you need me, too, even though we seem to make all sorts of trouble."

Baku fidgets at that, and I wonder what he went through before—with Yami. Only Yami. Why he doubts himself so badly. Just yesterday everyone got to witness the level of self-control the thief has: defending over a hundred strangers who he's indifferent to, saving my father from me, saving me from becoming a murderer that wouldn't be able to live with himself.

"Do you trust me?" I ask.

"Yes."

It comes without hesitation or need to think it through. Just something he knows.

"Then give us both more credit." I lean back with a lopsided smile. "And, if worse comes to worse, and either of us takes it too far, you know Ry will be on the sidelines ready with that iron fire poker."

The yami snorts. His muscles loosen as I push his bangs back, running my hand along the side of his face. He's touching me in return, thumb tracing my collarbone. I feel my head dip a bit, blinking heavy as my body relaxes at last. He's not faring much better, this conversation sapping what little strength he'd regained. I don't know if I've convinced him, but he's subdued for the time being.

"How long have we been here?" Baku switches subjects, glancing toward the window where it is now dark, only the yellow artificial light from the city coming through.

"A day."

"Thought it'd be longer." He looks me up and down. "You look like shit."

"Thanks. I feel like it."

He continues to scrutinize me painstakingly.

"Have you slept yet?"

"I was trying to make sure everyone was all right. The nurses kept chasing me around and making me go back to my room. Then Yugi left to help Malik, and Honda showed up…"

"So that's a 'no'."

"Were you listening? There hasn't been time. I'm responsible for them! I have to wait until-"

I gasp as he pulls me back down against his chest again. Sharp teeth nip the shell of my ear, making certain I don't try to get away. His breath is warm against my skin.

"There's time now. You said it yourself: they're alive. They're safe. It's a waiting game and there's no reason for you to stay awake."

"But Honda…and dad…"

"They won't dare come in my room. At least not if they know what's good for them."

"You don't have an Item," I point out and I hear the evil grin when he replies.

"I spent a good portion of my previous life without any magic and did just fine terrorizing people. Go to sleep, Katsuya."

And with that threatening prospect, just for a little while, I am not so afraid.

(Anzu's POV)

I sit in a wheelchair in a waiting room while my parents are at the nurse's station going through all the forms. I'm fuming, trying to figure out a way to stay here and look after my friends. My parents won't have it. Neither will the hospital staff. They've no more tests to run and nothing is wrong with me. They are releasing everyone who didn't sustain serious injuries. There was talk of quarantine. But from what? Nothing dangerous has been found in Jounouchi's neighborhood. Nothing in the air or water. That's what it all is: a lot of speculation to things they couldn't even imagine.

An orderly parks another patient beside me.

"Your mother is almost done with your discharge papers. Good luck to you, sweetie."

"Thanks."

I come out of my thoughts at that answer. The girl hasn't noticed me, in her own world with her own worries. She picks at her patient wristband absentmindedly.

"Shizuka?"

She half-jumps in her wheelchair.

"Anzu! I—Are you going home?"

"Everyone is insisting," I growl. "How about you?"

"Okay, I guess. Mom's just settling things, and then we're going home."

It's a relief to see someone from our group doing so well. Mr. Mutou visited my room to let me know that Yami and Marik haven't woken yet. He wasn't sure about Otogi or Bakura. Or Jounouchi. He said Jou wasn't in his room when he went to check on him. I'd meant to ask about Honda and if he was still about, but Mr. Mutou was shaken at seeing Yami in such a condition and worried about Yugi who still hasn't reached out to any of us. It didn't seem right to bother him just then. The battery is running low on my phone and I'm worried to use it for fear of missing Yugi's call. At least that's one useful thing to do when I get home: charge my phone.

I then notice something odd. "Where's Jounouchi?"

"I don't know. With Bakura, maybe." Am I imagining the almost spiteful way she said the yami's name? "Why?"

"Why?" I repeat, incredulous. "Why isn't he going with you?"

Her features crease into a forlorn expression. Fawn eyes flick down the hallway to the woman at the counter beside my parents.

"Mom doesn't have custody…"

"After what your dad has done, that shouldn't matter!"

She looks down at her hands folded in her lap. My anger rises as I remember the way Bakura and Otogi had shushed her back at the high-rise. She knew.

"Why didn't you say something? Why didn't she do something when she found out what your dad was doing?"

"He was always like that. Our father," she clarifies, picking at her bracelet again. "I don't remember. Jounouchi never said anything to me about that. But that's why we left—why mom took me away."

"What about your brother?" I ask in disbelief.

"All set, dear." The woman somehow finished her forms before my parents, having approached during my tirade and overheard enough. "Let's get you home where you can rest."

"You can't…" I begin weakly. Then my temper takes over. "Their dad is abusing Jounouchi! I've seen the scars. You can't leave him here!"

"Mom…"

"We are not having this discussion again, Shizuka," her mother cuts in sternly, fixing me with a cold stare. "Say goodbye to your friend."

"What is wrong with you?" I spring up from my wheelchair, fists shaking at my sides. "He's your son!"

"And you've no right to push into our family affairs."

"Some family!"

"He has made many poor choices I cannot abide. Taking up with another boy being among the most recent." Her face becomes a somber mask as she silently recounts his sins. "Besides, he wouldn't want to come with us. He chose to live with his father."

My head spins at that, wondering what the hell kind of monster this woman is if Jou chose an abusive dad over her.

"He was seven."

We all turn at the angry voice. Honda is standing before her, Mr. Mutou fretting at his side. Honda looks ready to lunge at the woman. She takes a step back instinctively, no doubt having seen that stance before.

"He was seven!" Honda spits the number out, disgust radiating off him. "It shouldn't have been his choice. You knew what that bastard was capable of and you left Jou with him!"

"I—." she falters, wide-eyed before Honda's onslaught.

"You knew! He did it to you. You just thought, what, that he wouldn't touch Jou? That having an abusive, drunkard father was all right for him because he chose him over you?"

"Honda," Mr. Mutou catches him by the arm to keep him at bay. "That's enough."

"I've been listening. They're going to release him either today or tomorrow. Then what? You're just going to let him drag Jou back with him?"

"He's here?!"

That question was not referring to Jounouchi.

Honda stays where he is, glaring death at the woman who is struggling between holding up that haughty air and the woman who grabbed her daughter, ran for her life, and left her son as a sacrificial lamb. I'm ready to join Honda and see if Mr. Mutou can hold us both back. Shizuka has watched all of this with fear, eyes welling. The woman has her hand over her mouth, making a horrible gasping sound.

"M'am," Mr. Mutou says, addressing Shizuka and Jou's mother. "Would you walk with me, please? Just we two?"

Perhaps it is the lack of aggression in him. It could be that he an elder. It could even just be because of his short stature that she doesn't feel threatened by him. Whatever the reason, she gives a curt nod.

"My daughter will accompany me," she states with a wary, angry look at Honda and me. We send it right back tenfold.

"I've no objections," Mr. Mutou agrees, letting go of Honda and beckoning her away.

She takes hold of Shizuka's wheelchair, spinning it around and following Mr. Mutou as he leads them both away down the hall. It's obvious Honda wants to go after them, only Mr. Mutou's calm stopping him. Honda rubs his face with his hands, visibly shaking. It's beyond anger. This is pure rage.

Not having anything else to do, I thump back onto my stupid wheelchair. Luckily the brakes are on or it would have flown out from under me.

"Honda…"

"He said it had stopped," Honda rants, pacing the small area between the rows of chairs. "There weren't any bruises. He said the bastard didn't lay a finger on him anymore. If I'd known…!"

Despite the horror of it, something inside me sparks at this protective streak for Jounouchi.

"You said you were disgusted with Jou," I point out because it needs to be said. "That you didn't want anything more to do with him."

"I know!" he snaps at me, clearly unable to find footing in this tumble of emotions. "But I never would want…you have no idea what the bastard's done to him."

"Because you both kept it secret."

"It had stopped!" he exclaims again before his shoulders slump. He sinks down on a chair across from me. "At least that's what he made me believe."

"He was probably worried what you might do," I speculate solemnly; a confrontation between Jou's father and Honda a frightening prospect. "That's what this was all about, you know. What happened yesterday—Jou went after his dad with a Millennium Item. Summoned the Shadow Realm. Only it all backfired." The color drains from his face. I lean forward in my chair. "Jou felt backed into a corner. His family was obviously useless. Only Bakura and Otogi knew, of all people. And you. But he didn't have you to turn to. You weren't there."

"You're saying this is my fault?" he asks without any bite.

"Of course not," I snap at him, peeved. "I'm saying you weren't there for him when he needed you."

"Well none of you have been there for me, either," he points out, attempting a jab that just comes out weary. "You all just sided with him."

"He needed support. As hard as it is for me to wrap my head around it, I could care less if he's gay or not. The biggest challenge for me is that it's Bakura." I fix Honda with a pointed look. "But I stayed because he needed me to, not because I was okay with what was happening. This hasn't been easy for any of us. You didn't make it better by leaking his whereabouts to the press."

Neither of us says it, but people died. Their souls were devoured when Bakura panicked and tried to protect himself, Jou, and Ryou. That can't sit well with Honda, knowing he was the one who lit that particular blaze that quickly burned out of control.

"I just wanted…hell, I don't even know anymore."

We both sit uneasily with these revelations. I don't know what to say to him, how much I can trust him. He obvious feels the same about me. And we're both right in that regard.

I rub my thumb over my phone, trying to will it to ring. Honda notices.

"Nothing from Yugi?"

I shake my head, biting down on my lip.

"There should have been something by now, shouldn't there?" I ask, begging him for some sliver of hope.

His brow creases in contemplation, trying to comply. "How long would it take him and Shaddi to travel…the way they did?"

"I have no idea."

"Would Shaddi have lied about all of it?"

It had occurred to me. The spirit and the Dark Magician were intent on killing everyone present before Yugi stayed them. He ruined their plans, whatever those might have been. While Malik, if he was still alive, would be possessed by shadows, he no longer would have had an Item. That would have tipped things in Shaddi and Yugi's favor. Which points theoretical blame at Shaddi for our friend's extended absence.

"If that's what happened, Shaddi should have shown up here again."

"Would we have known if he had?"

"Probably not. Remember Jou said the Dark Magician is posted in Yami and Marik's room? Well, Shaddi and the Dark Magician were very focused on Yami before."

"So that's where Shaddi will appear if he's coming back." Honda heaves himself to his feet, seeming recharged at the very idea of having something to do.

"What are you planning?" I ask, picturing him storming into the room and trying to draw out the Dark Magician.

"Hang out in Yami's room," Honda shrugs, looping his thumbs through empty belt loops. "See if anything happens."

"And if something does? What would you do? Honda, they're ancient spirits with a lot of power! They could vaporize you and no one would know!"

"Why would you care?"

The question stabs deep because he would even think that. That he believes I—that any of us- don't care about him.

I close my mouth as someone starts coming down the corridor, not needing anyone to hear us babbling about magic. That would only get me a ticket to the psych ward.

"…no explanation of what happened? These incidents?" a man with graying hair pulled back in a loose ponytail is asking a nurse as they walk past us. He has an accent, Japanese obviously not his first language. "I don't understand what my son was even doing there."

"I'm sorry I can't give much insight," the other man replies, checking his clipboard as they pass by. "No one from the location has been able to remember much of anything. Your younger son is still groggy from the medications we are giving him to help with pain and stave off infection. His brother has been in and out of consciousness. We can go see them now, if you'd like."

"His…?" the foreigner stops just a few steps away from me, confused. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

The nurse immediately becomes apologetic.

"I'm sorry to inform you of this. I thought you knew. Both of your sons were at the site."

"Both?"

"I know it's a lot to take in, but I assure you they are responding well to our treatments. We are expecting full recoveries from them both. If you'll follow me, Mr. Bakura."

Honda's head shoots up from where he was mulling. I release an audible gasp, but the two men are already heading off down the corridor. Our eyes meet in a shared look of horror.

"Well fuck," Honda speaks for us both.

"Honda, go find Mr. Mutou."

"What? Why?"

"You think Mr. Bakura's going to listen to a bunch of teenagers? We don't have anyone who can show him magic. You think he's going to believe us if we say his newfound son is a reincarnated ancient Egyptian? We need an adult!"

"Anzu, it's going to sound crazy no matter who says it."

"Just hurry!"

I quickly abandon my chair, stepping over its footrests carefully.

"Wait, what are you doing?"

"Honda!"

"Fine fine!" he holds up his hands, casting an unsure glance over his shoulder before racing off in the direction Mr. Mutou, Shizuka and her mom went.

I go the opposite way after Mr. Bakura, far enough back that I can't catch anything they're saying. I can only move so fast, dizzy from this sudden momentum. Even if I lose them, it shouldn't be hard to locate them once the screaming starts.

My father raises his voice from behind me. I pick up my pace. They are not taking me away. Not now.

Mr. Bakura and the nurse go into a room on the right. It's amongst many patient rooms in a wing of the hospital meant solely for people who were affected by this 'incident'. I sneak on quiet feet and peer through the open door. Mr. Bakura's slowly approaching a bed where someone who looks a lot like his son is lying, Jounouchi curled up against him. They're both sound asleep. Thank god for that. I had all these scenarios running through my head of what the yami might do.

"I am so sorry, sir!" the nurse starts forward, reaching towards Jou. "That boy isn't supposed to be here!"

Mr. Bakura grabs his wrist and the nurse goes still. I come into the room as quietly as possible, moving along the wall. The nurse and I watch the way the man moves in, incredulous. He takes off his glasses, leaning closer and peering at Bakura curiously.

"This isn't…"

"Mr. Bakura?" I ask abruptly, not knowing what my plan is or what the hell I am going to say next.

The two men turn to me in surprise.

"Miss Mazaki! You are supposed to be going home!" the nurse exclaims in exasperation.

Mr. Bakura returns his glasses to his face, pushing them onto the bridge of his nose. Blue eyes study me through the lenses. He's distracted though, mind still on the unexplained 'twin' of his son in the bed behind him.

"I'm Anzu," I offer, stalling for time. "A friend of Ryou's."

His face lightens up a bit at that.

"Then I am pleased to meet your acquaintance," he says cordially, and I can see the next question he is about to pose. I motion with my eyes at the nurse in an exaggerated way, hoping to make a point. "And, ah, are you friends with…?"

"With Jounouchi more than Bakura. They're together," I add lamely.

"I surmised that much."

The darn nurse perks up at something I said, taking hold of the chart attached to the end of the bed.

"Your younger son had his wallet and identification card. It had you as emergency contact. That's how we were able to locate you. This boy didn't have any id. We haven't been able to ask him his name."

A pen is hovering over the empty space at the top of the patient information. Mr. Bakura looks from me to Bakura and back again, not sure what is going on. Then his resolution crumbles. He doesn't have time for what he assumes is some type of game to me. I can't really blame him. He came all this way to see Ryou, not his clone.

"I don't know who…"

"Ah good, you made it!" Mr. Mutou says, mopping at sweat on his forehead with a handkerchief. "We were hoping to see you soon. I am Solomon Mutou, Yugi and Yami's grandfather."

Mr. Bakura is a deer caught in the headlights of a car. He stares at the outstretched hand, accepting it after a moment's hesitation. Honda is standing out of breath in the doorway. I shrug my shoulders helplessly at his pointed look. What exactly was I supposed to do? Launch into an explanation about the yamis?

The nurse has become vexed by this point.

"These are not visiting hours. If everyone but the boy's father would kindly…" His pager goes off. He grimaces and holds it up to see the message, eyebrows rising. "Ah, if you will excuse me for just a moment, I will be back and we can sort this all out."

Honda steps to the side to let him pass and then promptly enters the room and closes the door. Mr. Bakura looks at us as if we've all gone nuts. And we haven't even begun yet. He takes the nurse's absence as his chance, pointing a finger at the slumbering yami:

"Who the hell is this?!"


I don't know where I am, or where I'll go
Where to even begin when I know
What lies behind makes no sense in my mind
But I know that it's time to let go

(Yugi's POV)

This time when I wake, I only panic for a moment. As soon as I see the yami—who has not moved—I relax, remembering. His breathing is still rhythmic and even; someone in a deep sleep. I perch up on my elbows, taking in the space which I had ignored before in favor of the bed. A floor to ceiling mirror covers what I assume is a three paneled closet door. A peek inside reveals tight pants and belly shirts. There's another door that opens to an en suite bathroom. To the right of that the curtains are drawn over what must be a picture window, the light of either sunrise or sunset creeping in from underneath the fabric.

And this is just Marik's room. It's grander than the living space out front, which I can only guess its design was meant to woo my fellow hikari. He is one with lavish albeit tacky tastes. After a stop in the bathroom, I stand in its doorway.

Malik is just as when we first got here. What surprises me most is the lack of tension in his face. He looks like a completely different person. Maybe the person he was before Yami sealed him in the rod?

'No,' I tell myself sadly. 'Not after three-thousand years of solitary confinement and torment.'

I gently touch the link, sensing nothing but calm from the other side. What am I going to tell Yami? Hell, what are we going to tell Marik? I'm not sure which of them is going to be more pissed about this.

"Yugi?" Rishid is standing on the threshold with the hall. He's edgy, keeping the yami in his line of sight. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah. I just woke," I say, stretching my arms over my head and wincing as the hieroglyphs on my shoulder smart.

"The spell site is hurting?" It isn't really a question. He went through this himself, after all.

"I think I rolled on my shoulder in my sleep."

"I have some salve. We can take care of that. Isis is cooking. Come and get something to eat and we'll sort out the wound."

"How long have we been sleeping?" I ask, staying where I am.

"A day and a night."

"Oh." I blink. Then: "My friends! They're gonna be frantic I haven't called!"

Rishid nods, either he or Isis having already thought of this.

"We deemed it best to let you sleep. The number that Marik gave us for the thief's hikari is not going through. Isis called the hospital in Domino."

"They're not just going to let you talk to…"

"Our brother is there," Rishid reminds me. "We asked that family friends be allowed to visit him until we could travel to Japan. You had told me Marik and Pharaoh are sharing a room, so I knew your family would be there. They put us through with your grandfather right away. We have a satellite phone. You can call him and any of your friends as soon as you'd like."

"Thanks," I mumble, dazed by all of this information. It feels like I've been out of it for years. "Is Yami awake yet?"

"No. Neither is Marik."

That hangs over the room like a looming cloud. I decide it best not to mention that I ordered the Dark Magician to keep Marik asleep. I'd prefer to tell his yami that and see how he wants to handle it. I turn to Malik.

"Just leave him for now," Rishid says hastily, preferring the yami when he's asleep.

"He needs to eat, too," I say pointedly, getting irritated by how I've seen Marik's siblings treat his yami so far. "Where's the bag with his clothes?"

"All of our clothes from the fight were a loss due to the blood. I sent someone out to find something in your size." He holds out a paper shopping bag I hadn't noticed before, Arabic scrawled across the front for some department store or brand. "We could try to get yours cleaned, but they seem worse than ours."

I look down at myself. My pants are stiff with dried blood. The sight and feel of it makes my skin crawl. I am suddenly very eager to change into something else.

"I might jump in the shower and change before eating," I announce decisively. "I'll be there in a few minutes."

Rishid nods, leaving the door slightly ajar.

Holding the large bag to my chest, I hurry into the bathroom. I peel off my clothes as fast as possible and climb into the shower. The spell on my shoulder is stinging from the water. I don't care. I need to be clean. Standing under the rain showerhead, I scrub hard with soap. I think I've gotten it all when I look closer at my hands: Otogi's blood is under my nails. I nearly scream in frustration as I frantically try to scrap all of it out, ripping two nails in the process. All the while I see those wide green eyes begging and accepting, terrified and surrendering to what was about to happen.

'Otogi's alive. He's fine. We're all fine.'

I don't quite believe myself.

The new clothes are a little big. I pick out the items that look the most comfortable: linen pants and a white cotton shirt. The hems of the pant legs brush over the tops of my feet as I leave the bathroom. I pull the chain of the Millennium puzzle back over my head.

Then I reach out and mentally nudge the yami.

"Malik." It isn't fear that keeps me from touching him. It's more out of respect. I press through our link again. "Malik."

He groans into his pillow, fingers curling like claws into the sheets. Lavender eyes open resignedly, glazed with sleep.

"Hn?" he grunts.

"Breakfast time. Or dinner. I'm not quite sure," I babble, uncomfortable with the way he just stares. "I just washed off. Why don't you clean up and then come and get something to eat?"

"Would rather sleep," he mumbles, half of his face in the pillow.

I'm not sure what angle to take. Should I act like an annoyed hikari like when I have to boss Yami into something? Guilt tripping? Whining like Marik would? Any type of emotional play seems unfair.

Turns out I don't have to resort to any of it. The yami grimaces and pushes himself up so he's slouched on the edge of the bed looking none too happy.

"Will you tone down the anxiety if I do? Or at least put up a bit of a barrier?"

"I-I…what?" I didn't realize it was that bad.

The yami glances back at his pillow that is sporting a halo of black ash.

"Think I'm a bit oversentitized at the moment."

"Do you want me to help…?"

"Don't bother." He gets to his feet, looking around the floor in confusion.

"I'll go see about some change of clothes for you," I say a bit too cheerfully and can feel him internally wince.

I quickly make my exit, following the aroma of food down the hallway.

Rishid and Isis are in the kitchen, arguing under their breaths. There are boxes of take-out food, yet everything seems to have been split into pans. Rishid is trying to get a wooden spoon away from his sister who is holding it as far from him as possible. They pause a moment when I come in and then Isis gets back to whatever it is she's doing at the stove that's making my mouth water.

"Feel better?" Rishid asks, placing a mug of tea down in front of me as I climb onto a barstool at the kitchen island.

"Very," I grin, accepting the drink eagerly. All at once I realize how famished I am.

"Isis, I'm sure it's plenty seasoned," he adds irritably over his shoulder, though he seems to have given up wrestling her from her task.

"I will be the judge of that."

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. Rishid huffs. Isis pointedly ignores him. From down the hall is the sound of the showerhead spouting to life. Relieved he's out of bed, I congratulate myself with a figurative pat on the back. Lost in this lighthearted moment of peace as I sip my drink, I miss Rishid's inspection of me.

"Where's the rod?"

"On the nightstand." They both visibly pause for half a second. "It's fine."

"It's bad enough he has the key. He shouldn't be left to his own devices. We have no idea his state of mind," Isis states, stirring whatever is in the front pan.

"He's too exhausted and confused to do anything," I reason, noting the way this does not seem to make either of them feel better. "Plus, I doubt he'd try to harm you guys. You're Marik's family."

"Barely stopped him before," Rishid rumbles.

"Well before he was easily triggered by the shadows."

"He was a murderer and plunderer long before he was ever infested," Isis says monotonously, taking something from a jar and throwing in a pinch of spices to the food. "Why do you think he was sealed away in the first place?"

"Marik wasn't much better." I go on the offensive even though I don't want to after the blonde hikari saved Yami. "And you helped him, Rishid."

"I was the only thing keeping his yami at bay."

"Marik still did plenty of harm on his own. He nearly killed me and my friends, however stupid his plans could be." Neither of them dispute that. "What I'm saying is: If you think the severing of their connection is going to drive them apart, you're kidding yourselves. I've seen them together. They love each other. They're the closest bonded of the yamis and hikaris and not just because Marik was helping Malik."

"Yugi…"

"You think I didn't notice how it's Marik's room?" I'm ranting now and unable to shut up until it's said. "That there's space prepared to Marik's likes? No wonder they don't live here! Even with Malik staying here you're practically denying his existence!"

"What a wonderful thing that would be," Isis mutters sarcastically.

"Yugi," Rishid says again, holding out a hand as if to somehow placate me. "We know. We know all of this. It was easy to kid ourselves and believe otherwise. But we know now. We have for a while."

I look back and forth between them sourly.

"But you don't like it. You don't like him."

"Correct." Isis places the spoon down and turns to join the conversation. "I dare say Malik shares our sentiments."

"It doesn't mean you have to be so dismissive of him. He hasn't done anything to provoke you since we saved him. I mean, you got me clothes—thank you, by the way—." I add sincerely because I'm not an ingrate. "But what's he supposed to wear since you threw his out? He won't want to wear nor will he fit any of the clothes you have in there for Marik."

All the while staring at me, Rishid reaches down to something by his feet and holds up a second shopping bag identical to the one he gave me. My face flushes with embarrassment.

"Our people had just gotten back and hadn't brought everything up yet," Rishid tells me, gracious enough to not rub it in. "His should fit better than yours, since we had the sizes in his discarded clothing."

"Oh," is all I can manage.

"As you said: our brother adores him," Isis muses, fingers tracing the necklace. "Before, we rarely saw them due to Malik's wanderlust and our general dislike for one another."

"What about now?" I ask, still feeling guilty for biting though also detecting how reluctant they are to do what they have done for Malik.

"That depends on our brother."

I stare her down. She still thinks there's a chance that Marik and Malik will go their separate ways. Whether they admit it aloud or not, there is still that hope, no matter how infinitesimal it has become.

"Then you'd better get used to Malik."

She regards me mildly. It's as if she is deciding how seriously to take me. While I can speak from experience as a hikari, of someone sharing a spiritual link with someone else, they are Marik's family. And I definitely can't discredit the connection Rishid and Marik shared for many years. Their doubts are enough to give me pause. It makes me wonder what they know or have seen that I haven't. She is wearing the necklace. Did it show her something?

Isis motions to Rishid who opens the nearest cupboard, retrieving plates and glasses. She eases herself down onto a stool opposite me with a sigh, resting her forehead on her hand. Her head must be aching awfully after the injury she sustained. The necklace is glowing faintly.

"You overdid it," Rishid admonishes. She holds up her index finger, warning him of the dangers of continuing with the I-told-you-so's. He decides targeting me is safer. "Yugi, I want to take a look at the spell after we eat and make sure it's not infected. To sever ties with him, it'd be easier to do it now before the wound starts healing."

I hadn't considered disconnecting from Malik with everything else that has been happening. It's possible. My shoulder is going to hurt for a while no matter what. I catch myself gawking at the bandage covering one side of his face, wondering how bad it was to break the spell.

"It's a far less painful process than the initiation."

"Well that's good, at least." I try to smile but can't quite manage it. "I just want to make sure he's okay on his own first."

"Your yami will able to feel the connection between the two of you," Rishid cautions. "I could always feel it. I could tell when Marik and Malik were talking through their link."

"I wasn't planning on keeping it a secret." My brow draws tightly as I consider. "Marik's going to want a link to his yami, isn't he? He won't like this."

"Let's leave Pharaoh and Marik out of this for now," Isis says, lifting her head. "They aren't present. How long do you think you will need to decide?"

"Until we decide," I correct her, tracing my finger along intricate patterns on my tea cup. "I won't keep this over Malik if he doesn't want it. Before we have that discussion I think he needs some time to adjust and find out how he really feels."

"Do not think me unkind, Yugi, but the choice is yours. We do not wish to see you get shackled to him as our brother was. You must make certain you do not become a permanent crutch."

I bristle at the undertones in her words, hearing things she won't quite say outright. I open my mouth but nothing comes out. Half of me wants to yell at her that this is different. And it is to some degree. A link between a hikari and yami is complicated. But still, Marik had a choice. He could have let Rishid help keep up a barrier between himself and his yami. He could have let Malik self-destruct.

"It reminds me a bit of Ryou and the way he took in Bakura and did what he could to help him," I tell them quietly, wanting them to understand where I'm coming from. "Bakura got into drugs and tried to commit suicide. He couldn't handle existence anymore. And now we've thrown Malik back into things totally unprepared and completely cut off from the people he knows and trusts. I'm not severing the link until I'm sure, damn everyone else's feelings."

The siblings gaze at me. They are digesting this . Perhaps it's new information. Maybe, like other people who don't know me well, they're simply surprised by my swearing.

Isis clears her throat.

"And have you sensed anything that would make you concerned for Malik's safety?"

"I don't know. He's been pretty dazed."

"And how will you ever know?" she asks. "The thief did these things and someone with a greater connection than you have to Malik couldn't stop it."

"Yugi, why not take these to him?" Rishid asks, pushing the bag closer to me across the countertop. "He's going to need something to wear when he's done using up all the hot water. I'll take a look at the wound when you come back."

It's not a suggestion. The way he's looking intently at his sister means there are words that need to be said between them. I decide not to argue; Rishid seeming to be listening to me more when it comes to Malik.

I hop down from the stool. The bag weighs down my arm as I carry it. It makes me glad they bought more than one set of clothing for him. Peeking inside, there are black jeans and several colors of tee shirts. Nothing that I've seen him wear before but at least it's not Marik's choice of garb.

I stagger, breathless as the wave of panic hits me full force.

((Malik?))

'Damn it. No mind link, Yugi!' I berate myself as I hurry.

Even as I approach the bathroom, I can hear him.

Full, gut-wrenching sobs stabbed with gasps.

I stop at the door. It seems wrong to impose on this. He needs this release of all of the things he couldn't permit himself to feel. To have to be on guard every moment would be exhausting. But-I sag against the doorframe, wanting to scream at him to stop. To shove it all back inside and lock it up again.

It's too much.

Rishid used to block him. He used to smother Malik. I need to not do that. I have to find a way to help him without blocking it. Somehow help him while he faces and feels all of it. I just can't bear experiencing it all along with him.

I reach out but don't know what to do. It's like trying to run into a room that's on fire. I'll go up in flames too. That's no help to him. I hover at the edge of the separation between him and me. Something not Malik brushes against me through our link. His ka. It's agitated, weak and not able to do all it normally would. I'm not even sure of the function of an awakened ka.

"Help me," I croak, wondering if it remembers me and can understand. "Help me help him."

The shapeless green energy weaves itself through the wisps of fingers I've stretched out to the yami through our link. It pulls my energy, guiding me. I follow. The spirit wraps my aura around Malik's again and again like a blanket. We keep it thin. I don't want to smother or entrap him. If he doesn't want it, he can easily shred it.

He doesn't.

The anguished sounds on the other side of the door quiet. While the link is still flooded with pain, it's not a tsunami threatening to drown Malik and me. It's bearable.

I gather my resolve. Still not knowing whether I'm making the wrong choice, I knock on the door and open it.

I can see him through the glass door fogged by the heat. Malik's sitting on the floor of the shower. The yami is hugging his legs to his chest, face buried against his knees. His muscles tense. Malik's rib cage is expanding and contracting rapidly, unable to catch his breath after the anxiety attack. He doesn't lift his head.

"Malik?"

The yami doesn't say anything. He doesn't even acknowledge I'm here. I've walked in when he's physically and emotionally at his most vulnerable. All I want is to back away and apologize profusely. This is hard and it isn't fair, but I'm responsible for his being here.

I add one more layer around him for good measure.

The yami shudders.

"Could you please say something?" I ask. "Malik, I need to know you're all right."

As soon as the words leave my mouth I know how stupid they are. Of course he's not all right.

His breath is a ragged gasp when he opens his mouth. Malik lifts his head enough that I can see his face. He glares at me from under dripping wet bangs.

"I didn't…didn't want th-this."

Which 'this' he is referring to is impossible to pinpoint. When Yami sealed him away? Being poisoned by shadows? Having Marik attached to him so the yami wouldn't implode? Being kept from entering the Afterlife and ending all of this misery? Or being free? I didn't think when I made it my mission to save him; didn't imagine how he would feel about it, what he would experience. I certainly didn't foresee this. I just didn't want him damned, which Shaddi seemed certain would be the outcome.

"Neither did I."

"Then cut me loose."

"I can't do that. Not yet"

Something dangerous flickers in those lavender eyes. A promise I will regret challenging him. The ancient murderer is before me. I'm not so naïve to think he's by any means sane in this moment. And I haven't overlooked the cord of the Millennium key visible around his neck. I tap into the Millennium puzzle just enough that the symbol on the front shines. Malik looks on, unintimidated.

The yami's eyes are glowing, power radiating off his body like steam rising. I stare at him. I don't understand what I'm feeling. This isn't Shadow Magic. He's not tapping into the key at all. Then where is this coming from? Is this what Shaddi was talking about? The other magic, like what Rishid used to bind me to Malik? Shaddi said Shadow Magic is stronger than the other magic, but I'm not sure I could match this particular yami regardless.

"Marik would want me to help you," I say sincerely, watching the waves waft off him. The puzzle stops glowing. "He made it in time. He saved my yami."

"So you're returning the favor?" Malik asks callously, though the fires of resistance are dying down at the mention of his hikari's name.

"I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. You have to deal with all of the shit that other people have put you through. The decisions we all made without your consent. I'm sorry for that, Malik. But there's no reason for you to handle it alone or all at once. You need to take this slower or you're going to crash."

Malik doesn't know what to do with that. Based off of the little I know of him, I don't think he's used to someone other than Marik and Bakura trying to be nice to him. And certainly not without something to gain. He stops tapping into his powers.

"I'm not lying. Malik, I promise there's no hidden agenda. I just want to help you."

"Fine." The word is pained, laced with weariness. "I'm still in one piece. Can you leave now?"

I would have been able to tell he was succumbing to sorrow even without his emotions pouring through the link. Remembering why I was coming here, I place the bag on the floor. He watches with disinterest, cheek resting on his knee.

"Rishid and Isis got you some new clothes," I say, feeling awkward now that the situation is dealt with. "I just wanted to make sure you had these."

"What's going on? Is there a problem here?"

Rishid's tall frame takes up the doorway. They must have wondered what's been taking me so long to come back. He's clearly ready for trouble from Malik. The yami, for his part, merely buries his face against his knees again. It worries me how little he's tried to fight us, particularly Marik's siblings.

"Nothing now," I say, motioning Rishid to leave. The man sends a perplexed glance back at the form huddled on the floor of the shower. Thank the Egyptian gods or whoever is watching over all of us: Rishid listens to me and doesn't try to push it. At least not in front of Malik. He moves out of sight of the door but clearly does not leave the bedroom, waiting to make sure I'm safe.

I exit the bathroom and close the door behind me. I don't want Malik to think I'm prying any more than someone weaving a portion of their spirit into someone else's can. The way this connection works is too new, though. I don't want to risk moving away too far and losing my holding. I have to protect him from drowning in himself. I stumble to the nearest wall and sink down with my back against it.

"Yugi?" Rishid asks, hovering over me. His hands begin to reach out but he is unsure of what to do.

Tears escape. I make sure to build a barrier so Malik doesn't experience an onslaught of my feelings. I keep my energy flowing through to him, his ka aiding me. I hate that it's all I can do for him.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper as softer sounds of crying begin again on the other side of the door. I don't block it, don't share it. I enfold the yami as best I can while allowing him to mourn what he's lost and experience everything he's been deprived of.

Rishid is gaping at the closed door with wide eyes. There's been some type of epiphany. He's had a glimpse behind the mask, behind the rage and hate. What he'll do with that knowledge remains to be seen.

"What I was just talking to you and Isis about," I say quietly, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand: "We aren't removing the spell. Not today."


Well everyone, it's been a while. I hope all of you are doing all right.

I hadn't been able to work on this as often as I would like because business at my work had been going so well. Now that we are in a global pandemic and I am off work for at least 3 weeks, let's just say I've had some free time for writing.

Am curious to see the response to some of this. As I think I stated elsewhere, there are a few things I've taken in a very different direction from the original idea for this story. After 13+ yrs, one's viewpoints change. The way I wanted to tell the story changed. So I am trying my best to do so without disrupting what I have already published.

All of you stay safe, please.