That night Tristan, Tea, Joey and Mai slept over at Yugi's place to keep Atem company and help transition him without Yugi. He found it more lonely than he thought it would be but then no one anticipated Yugi would be hospitalised either. He missed him so much, more than he could say. He wanted to express their relationship to them but without Yugi there he found himself without the strength to do so.
He was normally so collected, so strong… but without Yugi he felt like a husk. Even as his body now breathed and moved on its own for the first time 3000 years he felt hollow without his other half. He just wanted him back. He wished there was something he could do to speed his recovery.

He sat with Tea for most of the night, or rather she chose to sit with him. She hovered like a mother hen but at this moment Atem actually appreciated it. Before when he lost Yugi he felt overwhelming guilt; now he just felt lonely with a tad of guilt on the side. He appreciated that she was watching him like a hawk, it made him feel a bit less cold. Everyone else was playing games, lightening the mood and generally just trying to distract him with a good time. It worked for the most part but his mind often wondered.

It was getting late now and there had been no word from the hospital… which meant Yugi still hadn't woken and his condition was unchanged. He supposed no change was better than a worse one so he should be thankful for that.

They were getting ready to go to bed, laying out their sleeping rolls in the living room but Atem couldn't sleep. He was tired but his mind raced. He kept trying to figure out what the spirit could have done to him but he knew nothing of what happened. It was impossible to figure out with the knowledge they had and this was beyond frustrating.

He was about to roll over and try to sleep for the 3rd time when he heard the bell of the shop door ring… someone had opened the door… but it was locked. Was someone breaking in? Or had it been the wind?

He carefully stood up and listened until he heard the door quietly click closed. It was definitely not the wind.

He crept over to Joey and Tristan, gently nudging them awake and putting a finger to their lips to make them quiet.

"Someone came through the front door." Atem whispered to them. They woke up properly then, quietly getting up and careful not to wake the girls as they crept downstairs.

The lights were off and they could barely see anything but as they reached the corner they waited for the intruder to reach the last rise when Joey jumped him, pushing him hard against the wall and easily lifting him off the ground.

"Alright who are ya? What are you doin here!" Joey asked angrily as Tristan turned on the torch to reveal Yugi trying to breath under Joey's arm at his throat.

"Yugi!" They exclaimed in sheer shock and immediately Joey let him go. He landed on his feet, leaning on the wall behind him as he nursed his throat.

"Dude what are you doing here?"

"Why didn't the hospital call?"

"Why didn't you call?"

"Are you okay?" Joey and Tristan swamped him with questions until he finally met their gazes.

"I'm fine… I didn't expect you all here waiting to ambush me." Yugi said in annoyance. His eyes locked onto Atem and all sense of anything else he might have felt was replaced with an obvious void of shock but to their surprise was quickly replaced with a strange sense of understanding.

"I see… so his memories are true then." Yugi said to himself. He ignored them and continued further into the house, turning the light on to the living room and stirring the girls from their slumber.

"Huh?"

"Yugi?"

"Everyone's here… no matter." Yugi said quietly.

Something was very wrong… Atem knew immediately whoever this was was not Yugi but it seemed to take longer for everyone else to realise this.

"Yugi what's going on? Are you okay man?"

"I won't be long. I just came to pick up a few items. Where are they?" Yugi asked them.

"The Millenium items?"

Yugi nodded.

"They're.-" Atem cut Joey off, touching his chest to make him quiet.

"Who are you?" Atem asked him.

Yugi focused on him, looking him up and down with a smug smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Astute as always Pharoah. I wasn't trying very hard to conceal it though. Lets see if you still have your memories. I've seen things only those 3000 years old would have seen."

Atem hesitated. He had a feeling he knew who this was, his dark energy was familiar to him now but he didn't understand how it could be him.

"Bakura?"

Yugi clapped slowly in sarcasm, giggling to himself in amusement. "Well done Pharoah. I see it's not just your body that's returned this time."

"Bakura!"

"How?"

"Get out of him Bakura!" Everyone else ordered quickly.

"I'm sorry but that's not happening. You see I've attached myself very firmly to his soul, I'm not going anywhere without his assistance or without causing him very serious harm. If you want to see me disattached to him then you need him to cooperate with me." Yugi shrugged.

Joey grabbed his collar roughly but Yugi's smug grin told him he feared nothing, not even the threat to punch him.

"Go ahead and beat me out of him… you'll only be hurting Yugi's body and let me tell you, he's seen better days. You know all about this Pharoah am I correct? He's got injuries since before I entered his body and the stress he's been under since hasn't been kind to him."

"Joey let him go. He's right." Atem said grudgingly. Joey let him go much to Yugi-Bakuras pleasure.

"What are you doing Bakura? How are you even back?" Tristan asked.

"Yeah didn't we defeat you last time when you tried to beat Atem in the … past?" Joey asked.

"Ive had 3000 years to plan my revenge on the Pharoah, dont think i didnt account for any possible outcome. What you defeated was all but a small part of me the Pharoah had sealed away within the Puzzle alongside his own soul. I rejoined with that part to take him down but during the thousands of years i had wondering around I left a small part of me hidden away, dormant until it could be recovered."

"Wait… that's what Leon found in Syria? Isn't it?" Tea asked.

"The archaeologist? Yes. He discovered me and through my investigation into his mind I found he had a friendship with Yugi. After my own research I concluded that the Pharoah had moved on, leaving Yugi the only one annoying enough to get in my way. So I planted a fake image inside Leons mind to get him to kill him. But you got in my way… again." Bakura said sternly to Atem.

"The pleasure was mine." Atem growled.

"I needed some time to watch and it seems while Leon was stalling, Yugi was scheming to bring you back completely. I had intended to kill him 3 days ago but when he arrived unprotected and a great deal weaker I saw fit to invade his mind instead and what a decision that was. It turns out he has the ability to bring people back from the dead as far as 3000 years ago and I intend to make use of that before I rid this world of him and you Pharoah."

"What Yugi needed to do bring me back like this was a huge strain on him and required very precise planning. We aren't going to just let you use him like this and nor will he agree to help you Bakura." Atem snapped.

"He doesn't have a choice. Unless he wants to spend the rest of his life with me I'm not going anywhere." Bakura shrugged.

"Get out of him Bakura! Go back into the ring or something!" Tristan barked at him.

"Would that I could boy but unlike the other parts of my soul you sent to the Shadow with Zorc, I require a living host now that I've been woken. Besides you've neglected to tell me where they are thus far, which might I add, i believe Yugi will need if we are to reclaim my old body." Bakura said smugly. He had the upper hand and he knew it. They couldn't hurt him, nor could they force him out and so long as he held Yugi hostage there was nothing they could do except deny him the items.

"Let us speak to Yugi. He is in there, right?" Tea asked.

Bakura frowned, seemingly not listening to them anymore as he scowled at the space beside him, becoming increasingly annoyed. Was he talking to Yugi? Was this what it was like for everyone else when Yugi would speak to him?

"Bakura tell us. Is Yugi okay?" Joey demanded.

"He's alive and just as annoying as you are Blondie. I honestly don't know how you handled his incessant nagging Pharoah." He sighed though and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Atem had to smirk just a little… He was glad Yugi was getting on his nerves. "I can let him out to convince you we need the items but he won't last long. Believe it or not but my involvement right now is keeping him alive. He still needs my soul to give his body enough time to heal without me. So ill be taking over again when hes done. I need him alive for a while longer yet." Bakura said shortly before Yugi gasped and collapsed. Joey caught him and safely lowered him to the ground as he blinked and squinted through his weakness.

"Yugi?" Tea asked cautiously. Everyone looked on in bated breath until finally Yugi nodded as he steadied his breathing. They cheered came over, crowding him to get closer when Joey held his hand to them.

"Don't crowd him too much. You don' look so good Yug."

"I…. I've been better." Yugi said breathlessly.

Atem's heartstrings pulled sharply. He hated how hurt he was and he hated even more that he needed to rely on Bakura right now instead of him. He appreciated what Yugi did for him but he still wished to be helping him.

"Yugi…" He said quietly, crouching down to be closer to him.

Yugi looked up to him, blinked in surprise and smiled brightly. Any sign that he had been dying slowly was replaced with happiness upon seeing him, his eyes sparkling and his rosy cheeks inviting him in. His happiness warmed him, even momentarily dulling his worry.

"You look great! I'm so happy it worked, how do you feel?" Yugi asked.

"Worried, annoyed, a strong sense of protection but I myself am perfectly fine thanks to you." Atem said sweetly, ending with a gentle smile.

Yugi nodded and sighed.

"Bakura's right. I've been spending god knows how long fighting with him for control but in the end my body is at it's limit. It pains me to admit but right now I need him to stay alive. He may be the reason why I'm currently on borrowed time but it is what it is. He intends to use me to get his body back no matter how much I think it's impossible but regardless on what he intends to do, I need him if I want to stay alive. If I didn't need him at all, I'd be looking into ways of expelling him but as long as he's in charge, going to Egypt with the items is what we're going to do.

Guys… this sucks but I want you there with him. Don't give him the items, but take them with you to Egypt. I have enough on my work account to pay for ticket for all of you. Atem's going to need an ID, talk to Bec, she's got connections she can arrange something for him.

Please… I need you to do as he says. Keep the items on your person, follow him and just try to help him while I can't. And Atem, Joey… try not to kill him. He's an asshole and he will try to provoke you just please remember that it's still me in here. I can hurt him from in here just as much as you can, I'll try to keep him reeled in."

"You don't have to warn us Yugi. I'm sorry this is happening. Bakura should have been taken care of years ago. My enemy is now using you for his selfish ends and it's putting you at more risk than ever. I am so sorry." Atem said.

"It's okay. I don't blame you at all Atem… besides in a way… if it weren't for him you wouldn't be here… and that thought alone drives him crazy." Yugi said sweetly.

"So you want us to do as he says?" Tristan asked.

"Please. I don't know how long this will take though so if you can't come to Egypt then please don't put yourselves out. But I would like someone to go with Atem. I know you'll be going regardless and I'd feel a lot better if you weren't left alone with him."

"Joey will go! I would in a heartbeat but I think someone should stay and make sure Leon doesn't act up on us." Mai said.

"Of course I'll go but Mai are you sure?" Joey asked her. She nodded, touching his cheek and smiling.

"Yes. Besides hot deserts aren't my thing. I know you'll take care of Yugi and defeat Bakura back to where he belongs. You've got this hun." She said.

"I'll come of course." Tea said.

"Yeah I can put the shop off for a few days." Tristan agreed.

"This might take longer than a few days. The toughest bit about this is finding Bakura's body… if it still exists…"

"Still exists?" They all asked at once to which Yugi sighed, more from fatigue than annoyance though.

"He was a criminal back when he was alive, a master thief. He desecrated a Pharoah's tomb, robbed royalty, attempted assassination of Atem: the new Pharoah and tried to destroy Egypt so he could claim the throne for himself. Atem defeated him but his body survived after that and he wasn't exactly given a burial… that's why he stuck around. He didn't get taken by Osiris to the underworld, he didn't move on… he was stuck here because he wasn't given a burial… consequently he's therefore had 3000 years worth of weather erosion and god knows what else… I highly doubt it's even recognizable as a body but when he's in control he insists he can sense it...like a beacon. That's what we'll be trusting." Yugi explained tiredly. His eyes were getting heavier and the way he hunched his shoulders suggested he was getting weaker and weaker the longer he stayed in control. They'd need to end this soon and talk with Bakura again. Atem wanted so badly to get inside his mind and put Bakura in his place, or at the very least be his font of strength instead.

"I see. We'll help Bakura find his remains then Yug but what then? I mean you're not actually going to give him his body back are you?" Joey asked.

"Not until I don't need him anymore. I can't do the ritual like this… I know how strong it is now, if I were to attempt it I would die before I even finished reviving his body. He knows I need him to stay alive and he knows he needs me breathing… for now we're working together. I do intend to bring him back...if anything so you guys can put him back down. For good." Yugi said.

"Oh I see!" Joey said, punching his fist cleverly.

"So we play along only to end his little game on our terms." Tristan clarified.

"He does know our intentions but once he has his own body we're on our own. He will likely try to steal the items away from you guys… essentially he realises the only thing he needs is my knowledge and the items… in his eyes he doesn't need any of you. I need you to be careful with them and be mindful of where he is. I'm working with him but I don't trust him at all. Keep them on your person, each of you.. Their power should be able to protect you against his magic… the same magic he made Leon use on me." Yugi explained further.

"Right. Don't worry Yug, we got this." Joey said confidently.

"Yeah we'll play along and when it comes down to it, we'll kick his butt together." Tea said confidently.

"Mai… if you're staying here, could I trouble you to check on Grandpa from time to time please?" Yugi asked.

"Of course. No problem." Mai said with a wink.

"You're going soon… aren't you?" Atem asked him quietly.

Yugi touched his hand and squeezed it affectionately. "I'll be hanging around. You won't see me but I'll be here. Don't worry… I trust you guys completely. Trust me too keep him in check."

"I trust you Yugi, that's why we'll do as he says… but I know the toll on your body is great and Bakura isn't known for taking care of his hosts." Atem said gently.

"The sooner we find what remains of his body, the sooner he'll be interested in making sure I'm taken care of. If he wants this to succeed, I need to be at my peak and he knows this."

"Okay."

"So when do we leave for Egypt?" Joey asked.

"I won't be allowing him to go anywhere until Atem has a secure way to travel. He knows I'm willing to put myself at risk until this happens so I need you guys to contact Bec. Check the timezones, check my phone. I have several contacts for her, one of them is bound to get her. I need her to make this a priority. You have my permission to explain to her exactly what's going on. Only after Atem has right to travel are you guys to use my card and accounts to get a flight to Cairo." Yugi said.

"Got it." Joey said confidently.

"What do you mean putting yourself at risk?" Mai asked.

"He's been clawing away to get my attention for a while now. Truth be told I shouldn't be in control but I'm keeping him at bay. This is my body after all. He can force himself inside, he can even shut me out but as long as this belongs to me I can take control when I want to. I did it with Atem once, I'll be doing it again with Bakura if I need to."

"You did it with Atem?" Tea asked.

"With the Orichalcos. He forced himself back into control so that I wouldn't be taken. As long as his body is his, Yugi has overall authority over it." Atem explained. "In saying that Yugi, as much as we want you to stay I don't want you putting yourself at any more risk."

"I know. I've explained all I need to. Please keep the items and yourselves safe. I'll do what I can, just do as he says and be careful. We'll talk again soon." Yugi said. "Oh… Atem… this might.. Take some time. If there's anything that needs explaining you have my permission to do so." Yugi said to him with a wink. He nodded, smiling warmly. With that Yugi sighed, closed his eyes and quickly took in a sharp breath, stretching out his neck and shoulders before looking around at everyone around him. This was Bakura again… Yugi would be nearby, hovering like he used to but before him was Bakura. He stood and walked away to lean on the wall, arms folded as he watched Bakura stand.

"So he's explained to you what you need to know?" Bakura asked.

"Bakura...right?" Tea asked.

"What gave it away?"

"Listen Bakura we know what you want the items for. Yugi explained everything to us. We're going to help you for as long as we need to but you're not going anywhere without us. We'll be handling the items, you just lead the way and stay quiet, got it?" Joey threatened.

"Leading the way I can do fine but you can be damned if I'll keep quiet. Now since he won't leave without his boyfriend why don't you get started and getting our dear Pharoah what he needs to travel?" Bakura said smugly.

No one seemed to notice that Bakura had called him his boyfriend which was good but he knew that meant Bakura knew more than he liked. It was possible he had the opportunity to explore Yugis memories… He hated how invasive this was to his privacy.

Still, the comment went unnoticed and Tea took Yugis phone from him and began searching through his contacts. He hoped it wouldn't take long to get anything he needed to travel.