Author's Note,

Writing a story like this had forced me to consider different aspect of their futures, including Seto Kaiba's relationship with Yugi and the others. I've come to the conclusion that he's generally more friendly to Yugi and Tea because Yugi was the first person besides his own brother that he had ever thought of as an equal, and since Tea's his wife they're packaged deal. He gradually came to like the others later. I like thinking about their backgrounds, so maybe I'll expand on it through one-shots or something. On another note, I just realized that we're almost seventeen chapters in. This has to be one of my favorite projects. Over the years I've done a lot of writing (I think that maybe half of it is still posted online), but this is the first one in awhile that I've gotten lost in. Thanks to all of my readers and reviewers. You guys mean a lot to me!

This chapter is dedicated to someone that I recently lost. Rest in peace. We will miss you.

Sincerely,

TheEagerScribbler

Chapter 18: Making sense out of chaos

Around noon the next day Yugi was discharged from the hospital. The doctor could hardly believe that he was awake with no injuries in sight, but he quickly composed himself after a threatening glare from Kaiba and that was that. He almost missed the peace of the hospital because now that he was out they had begun pestering him for answers.

Before Yugi did anything else he needed to see that his daughter was safe at home. He knew that she was with Tea, but he personally needed to see it. Naturally he was a little disappointed when Pegasus showed up at the hospital about two minutes after he signed the discharge papers and insisted that he ride home with him.

"Yugi boy, it's nice to see you out and about at last. I wanted to be there when you woke but I had business to attend to in the city. Well, I'm here now to make up for my poor manners and I absolutely insist that you allow me the honor of driving you home."

"Thank you for the offer, but it's not that far, Really, I can walk. I wouldn't want to inconvenience you-"

"Nonsense! I've been wanting to speak to my favorite duelist for far too long! There's so much to talk about and so little time!" Yugi knew from experience that there was no use in fighting Pegasus so he resigned himself to going along with him.

His driver had parked his car right in front of the building. "An injured man shouldn't have to walk far." He said by way of explanation.

When the door shut Pegasus' demeanor shifted. "We need to talk about what happened yesterday." The mischievous sparkle and careless speech was gone. He had gone from being casually goofy to completely serious.

Yugi had hoped that he'd be spared the interrogation until they got home. When he saw the way that Pegasus was leaning slightly towards him he knew that he would have no such luck."No, I don't require an explanation-I know what you did. When I did my original research all those years ago I learned quite a bit about the ancient games. That was a bold move, summoning the servants of the Eye of Ra. By summoning them you've escalated the conflict. The real reason that I wanted to meet you was to issue a warning-that kind of power always comes with a cost. Tell me, what did they demand in exchange?"

Honestly, Yugi wasn't sure what they wanted from him. What they said was a little fuzzy-he had been struggling with exhaustion and had passed out shortly afterwards. "They said something about being there when the time comes. I don't know what that means, but it no matter the cost, if it saves the world it will be worth it."

Pegasus' eyebrows shot up. "Yugi my boy, I had no idea that you could be so ruthless."

"It shouldn't harm anyone but me, so whatever the cost is I am willing to pay it."

"Be careful about how much shadow magic you use. Shadow magic is a corrupting influence, especially for those that already harbor darkness in our heart. It was true that you were the innocent half, but even the best of us can be haunted by our own weakness. You're playing with fire now- be careful that you don't get burned."

"I know. Did you know about the penalty game that I had declared?"

"Why Yugi boy, I didn't think you had it in you, but then…" His eyes were calculating. "If you weren't capable of it you would not be able to wield the puzzle at all."

Yugi found himself falling into his old nervous habit of running his fingers through his hair. He didn't want to think about what happened that day. Just thinking about it brought a stab of fear through his chest. "One minute my focus was on saving our lives and the next moment…" Tears born of horror sprung to his eyes, "I wanted to hurt him. At first it was difficult, but I realized that wasn't normal for me, so I stopped it. I've never felt like that while handling the puzzle-No once, during my entire time with the Pharoah did I feel the draw of the magic! I know to be cautious now. I cannot afford to give in," Yugi said with determination

Yugi would have given anything for Pegasus' eye, to know what was going through his head. His expression appeared neutral, but Yugi felt as though he was staring straight through him. It was unsettling.

"Interesting…" he trailed off. "Everyone has a certain amount of light and darkness, some of us have more darkness than others of course, but for even you to feel the pull…"

Yugi was getting irritated. Why had everyone been talking about him like he was a saint lately? As he examined Pegasus' expression he could tell that he was genuinely shocked that Yugi could be tempted.

"Oh dear, it seems that I've gone and done it again! Relax Yugi, that's not what I'm saying at all. At least, it's not what I meant to say. I meant that your soul has always been remarkably strong. All I had to do was touch the millennium eye for my grief to become madness, but you invoked the shadow magic with no one there to guide you and you managed to resist. I believe that you were chosen for the pharaoh because of that strength-forgiveness and compassion are choices Yugi, and often difficult ones. Only a truly strong person is capable of them despite enduring hardship. He needed someone to be able to stand against him, to balance him."

"For a moment I couldn't even recognize myself." It probably the most terrifying thing that had ever happened to me, he thought.

Pegasus gave a knowing smile and looked out the window. "If there's one person who can resist it's you, I have no doubts. You've always pushed it away-your daughter seems much the same way. Any normal child would exhibit far greater fear. Instead she's proven to resemble her parents in more than appearance. You'll see for yourself in a moment." Yugi hadn't realized the car had stopped moving and was parked in front of their house.

"Go on Yugi. I have one last stop to make today. Alas, sometimes business cannot wait."

"Thank you for the ride."

"Don't mention it m'boy." Pegasus gave the signal for the driver to leave and was off before Yugi could even ask where he was going.

The first thing he saw when he walked in the door was his wife sitting at the kitchen table, flipping through the pages of a book about dance routines. "Why are you-"

She raised a finger to her lips and glanced towards the living room. "She hasn't been sleeping well, so I'm letting her nap on the couch." They exchanged a meaningful glance and he walked over to his daughter and knelt beside her. Deep creases ran across her forehead her mouth twitched as she mumbled in her sleep unintelligibly. Yugi leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Shh...I'm not going to let him hurt you again, I promise." He whispered in her ear. As he spoke the tension left her body and her face smoothed over. It was what he always he did when he discovered that she had a nightmare, and by some miracle usually worked. After smoothing the hair back from her forehead he left to join his wife in the kitchen.

He felt the tension leave his own body now that he knew that his daughter was safe and sound. Of course he was worried, but at least she was where he and Tea could look after her.

"So how did your talk with Pegasus go?" Tea asked as she put down her book.

His eyebrows shot up. "How'd you know?"

"I was going to pick you up myself, but he insisted that it was very important that he speak to you immediately."

Honestly, he wasn't entirely sure how to describe it. He hadn't intended to talk about the shadow game that he had declared but it had spilled out. And then there was that cryptic warning that he had given him. Sometimes he couldn't help but wonder if Pegasus knew more than he was letting on. "He told me to not use too much shadow magic. It was odd, I got the feeling that he wanted to say something else but couldn't."

"Hmm...I wonder what he's got hiding up those gaudy sleeves of his," she muttered.

Yugi shrugged. "I don't know. At least he's on our side now."

"I'd say." She scoffed. "I know he's changed, but I don't like you spending time alone with him."

"We talked about what happened when we fought Bakura."

"So what did happen? One minute I'm fighting a duel monster and we're barely keeping our collective heads above the water and the next minute I look up and Bakura looked scared..."

"We were losing. While the rest of you were distracted by monsters I was facing Bakura. No matter what we did he was always a step ahead of us, and while we were becoming more and more exhausted he didn't even break a sweat. We were running out of options, so the Pharoah gave me instructions on how to summon the servants of the Eye of Ra."

"I don't think I've heard of that monster…" Tea frowned in concentration as she tried to remember.

Yugi shook his head. "They aren't duel Monsters, Tea. They are the servants of the Goddess Bastet."

Tea froze and stared at him in shock for a moment. "You actually summoned the servants of a goddess? How did that even...things were really that bad?" She gasped. "I knew things were getting bad, but we've always pulled through before so I thought…."

Yugi took her hand. "We did. They helped to even the scales a little, but we won because we never gave up, not even for a moment." Should he tell about summoning his ka? No, it wasn't really a choice. Yugi refused to keep secrets from his wife. She'd probably be angry, but she had a right to know. Yugi braced himself before continuing."There is one thing that you should know, Tea."

"What is it?"

"Even with the servants he had worn us down too much. I knew that we couldn't afford to lose, so I summoned my ka."

At first Tea stared at him blankly, and then he could see the understanding slowly dawning on her face, along with anger. "Yugi Mutou! Of all of the stupid, irresponsible, dangerous things I've seen you do this has to be absolute worst! You were in enough danger as it was and then you went and decided to summon a manifestation of your soul? You could have died! We could have lost you…you're an amazing strategist. Why couldn't you come with something better than that?" Her anger seemed to have dried up and was instead replaced by desperation. She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him tightly. "I can't lose you Yugi. Don't me a widow before we grow old and gray together, okay?"

Yugi pulled away and softly kissed her. "I didn't mean to worry you. You know that, right?"

"I know. I just can't help but worry. Someone has to keep you guys in check. You're all so willing to jump in without even knowing the consequences! You've been through so much and I'm afraid that...well, anyway, someone has to be the killjoy," she hastily corrected herself.

"You are not a killjoy," He reassured her. "In fact, I think that Seto had a point when he called you my cheerleader. You were always on my side no matter what, cheering me on and fighting by my side. That hasn't changed." He hadn't realized how much Tea had been hurting, or how terrified he had been too. In a way Tea was lot like him-they both fought their hardest when they had someone to fight for. He had never been more terrified, not when facing Pegasus, or Marik, or Dartz, or even when they had faced Zork because he had been so sure that friendship would conquer all. Maybe he was getting pessimistic in his old age. He had to lighten things up a bit, so he said, "The only thing that's changed is that we have a daughter now and Joey's appetite has gotten even bigger!"

"Now that's true. I thought he was supposed to grow out of it when he was finished with puberty?"

Joey poked his head around the corner. "Someone talk'en about me?" Their friends knew where the spare key was, so they had gotten into the habit of letting themselves in. Tea's mother had commented on how strange it was that they let their friends just walk in whenever they wanted to and she had just shrugged, unable to explain why they were so close and just said, "They're family too," and that was the end of it.

Tea wiped her eyes and managed to fake annoyance."We were just talking about that bottomless pit you call a stomach."

"And here I thought Yugi would still be in bed recovering. He must be doin' better than the doctors thought, considering that he's already up for mocking my healthy appetite."

Yugi just laughed. He knew what Joey was trying to do, and he appreciated it more than he knew. "If you want to be loud Joey you're going to have to go outside."

"Why's that Gramps? Turnin' into a grouchy old man on me already?" Both Tea and Yugi wordlessly pointed at their still sleeping daughter. "Oh, sorry," he whispered rather loudly.

"A little softer please," she whispered.

Although he rolled his eyes he still complied with her request. "Still not sleepin' good huh?"

"I'm afraid not," Tea said with a worried sigh. At least she's been sleeping fine since Yugi got home."

"Aww, how cute. She knows her old man's here to protect her. I guess that means that she'll be sleeping especially well now that her favorite Uncle's here too!"

The previously sleeping girl slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes."Actually Uncle Joey, It's kinda hard to sleep with all of the noise you're making, but I waking up anyway." She stopped and turned to her father. She got up and ran to him, wrapping her arms around him. Yugi grinned back. "I missed you too Kari!" Having his little girl in his arms and his wife by his side felt right. Although it was true that just seeing her again was a relief it was nothing compared to actually having her with him. Their family was complete again and much of the pent up anxiety that he'd had to cope with since her kidnapping left him. Going head to head with Bakura was still terrifying and there was no denying it, but somehow it was easier to deal with now that his daughter was no longer at the whims of a psychopath.

"Dad!" She whined when he used her childhood nickname. Yugi just ignored her because she wasn't really expecting a response. He sometimes thought that she secretly liked it but thought that it was uncool.

"This is why I wanted to leave later. I told you that we'd wake her up!" Mai said as she walked in. "How are you doing Yugi? You don't look half bad for a guy who got out of the hospital less than an hour ago!"

"Thanks Mai." Yugi said.

"Now that you're out of the hospital and everything, will you explain what happened when everyone's here for dinner tonight?" Akari asked.

Yugi looked to his wife, "Will everyone be able to make it?"

She nodded. "Yes, every told me that they'll be here-Even Seto, Mokuba, Pegasus, and Aiko should be here. Although, to be completely honest, I'm not sure how I got Seto to come. Well, I guess we shouldn't question it and should just be grateful he's coming at all!"

Mai pulled out a chair for herself at the table and sat down directly across from where Yugi and Tea were standing. "How'd you manage that anyway, Tea? We can barely get him to meet with us once a week, and even then he only comes because Mokuba drags him."

"He might be hard headed, but he ain't stupid," Joey said with a shrug. "He's been given an item and knows that it'll come back to bite him in the butt in the long run. If that were to happen it could be real bad for Kaiba Corp."

Seto barged into the room and stood between Mai and Yugi. "Yugi-You're coming with me!" Joey looked like he was about to jump out of his seat

"What is it?" Yugi asked.

"Seto? What are you doing here?" Tea asked in genuine confusion. He said he couldn't be there until seven in the evening at the earliest.

"Ah, I just got back, can't this wait until-"

"No," he said bluntly.

At first Yugi considered putting his foot down but for once the order wasn't out of arrogance-it was out of urgency. Something was the smallest bit off about his demeanor, so Yugi couldn't bring himself to say no. This time it was Tea that came to his defense. "If you have problem you can talk about it here in front of us-we can help you-but you can't just take my husband and run off! That's a great way to get yourselves killed! Whether you want to admit it or not we're your friends, so sit down, have a cup of coffee and stop treating us like we're your employees!"

"No, this is between Yugi and Me, so stand down Gardner!" He growled.

"It's Mutou, and you don't come into my house and threaten me Kaiba! Yugi's business is my business, in case you've forgotten," She spat.

Their gazes remained locked. Although Tea was not physically imposing she was truly intimidating in that moment with her jaw squared, shoulders straightened, and a glare to match Seto's. This was her territory not his, and she would defend it. Mai and Joey stared at her, while Akari was cringing. She knew her mother well enough to know that if the situation did not get resolved it was going to explode. If he were being truly honest he didn't know who would be the first to back down but someone needed to do something fast.

A cup fell of the counter and his the floor, shattering into a thousand tiny fragments. Nobody was even remotely near the glass. The shattering glass broke the tension and Yugi hit the ground to clean it up. Yugi looked at the window by the kitchen sink in suspicion and saw the Pharaoh's face. He winked at him and disappeared.

"The Pharaoh's right. You need to calm down. Both of you." He pointed looked at the arguing pair. Tea did not look pleased with Yugi, but soon she seemed to have decided that she agreed with him and stepped down.

Yugi walked up and stood by Tea's side. "What's this all about? If you have anything to say to me you can say it to me in front of them-you should know by now that they're family.

Seto was not happy about having to explain himself-Yugi could see a subtle twitch in eye, which was the only outward show of his restraint. "It's about something that we discussed in private, and I do not want the whole damn world privy to my personal affairs. I should've known better." He began to skulk away.

"Why didn't you just say that!" Yugi ran to catch up to him.


About fifteen minutes later they were in Seto's home drinking whiskey. He rarely saw him drinking anything besides, and now this was the second time in a month that he had seen him drinking it. He must be feeling the pressure too. "Why'd you have to make a scene out of it? If you had just called me I would have met you here."

Seto opened his mouth, and then closed it. To Yugi this was as good as an admission that Yugi was right. "I was surprised you and Wheeler didn't say anything."

"Joey and I both learned that Tea can take care of herself. But seriously Seto, if you're rude to my wife the next time the answer will be no."

"Would you believe me if I told you that I wasn't thinking straight?" That he would even admit to having problems told Yugi the gravity of the situation. Seto Kaiba never admitted to being wrong, nor does he acknowledge fear, pain, or anything else that considered to be indicative of weakness. Yugi couldn't help feel a flattered in the fact that Seto was actually confiding him.

Yugi saw the dark circle under his eyes. "When's the last time you've slept?"

"Three days ago. All of this magic business has interfered with my work schedule. And on top of all of that he won't shut the hell up. He thinks that because he was some sort of big-shot in the ancient past he can order me around. He's always going on about Egypt and the Ancient past and this is how things were done before. He seems unable to grasp that this is the twenty first century-there are better ways to achieve the same goals." Oh, this again.

"This wouldn't be problem if you'd just listen to him. He's trying to help you," Yugi was trying hard to sound like he wasn't scolding him, but he was well aware that Seto would see right through him.

He snorted. "Just because you let a spirit run all over you doesn't mean that I have to."

"Not this again. He didn't run all over me-he was my friend. Friends help each other. Besides, more often than not trouble found us. I seem to recall you getting caught up in quite a few things as well."

"I forged my own path." He insisted.

Yugi still wasn't quite sure what Seto wanted from him. Asking for help was uncharacteristic for Seto, so waiting was making Yugi nervous.. "So why am I here?"

Seto took another swig of drink and with a stony expression said, "He wants to speak with you."

How was he supposed to have a conversation with someone that he couldn't see? There was no way that Seto was open for letting him possess him."Um, there's just one problem with that…"

If possible his glare looked even colder than before. "Do I look like a moron to you? I'm well aware that you can't see him. He's been trying to convince me to allow him to take over my body, but no dice. I am the master of my body and no one else." He cast a glare to the empty space next to him.

Yugi addressed the empty spot next to Seto. "How about we strike up a compromise? Would you be able to talk to me when I'm asleep? I've spoken to the Pharaoh that way several times in the past."

"Can you flicker the lights once for yes and twice for no?"

"He agrees." Seto said matter of factly.

He braced himself for the sudden shift in consciousness. Yugi was never one to complain, but the first few moments were always uncomfortable. Yugi laid down on the surprising comfortable couch across from the armchair where Seto had been sitting and waited. It seemed as though no time at all had past when he suddenly found himself standing in court yard. There in the Center was the priest. "Yugi Mutou."

Yugi wasn't entirely sure how to greet him. After a moment of deliberation he finally settled with, "Hello."

"I wish to speak to you with regards to Seto Kaiba." Ok… "He is arrogant, stubborn, and refuses to listen to reason. If he does not take caution he will fall."

That was not what Yugi had been expecting. He had been expecting a request or something, not, well, whatever that was. "Yes um...Priest Seto." Something about the man made him very uncomfortable. He had felt this intimidated by anyone, not even Seto Kaiba himself. "What can I do for you?"

The Priest stood high and gave Yugi a condescending smile that would not have looked the least bit out of place on Seto Kaiba's face. It was the sort of smile he imagined one might address a servant. "Please help him to see reason. He is still fighting this. He does not even hold the millennium rod as goes about his day! He ignores my presence and all of my advice. Since he will not listen it seems that the time has come to give you advice, since my successor is being most unreasonable. You must not go to Egypt until all of you been challenged."

Did he mean in the collective sense or the literal one? What challenges must he face before he could challenge Bakura? "Sorry? I don't understand-" Yugi began, but he was cut off by the Priest who raised a hand to silence him.

"Until you face the darkness in your hearts you will not be ready to face the Dark One and his servant because it makes you vulnerable. If you allow such vulnerability to remain you may be assured that he will find it and crush you like an insect beneath his feet."

"How do we do that?" Yugi wondered at loud.

"I think that you will find that the answer will come to you."

Yugi offered his hand in gratitude. For a few seconds the priest, unsure of what to do left it hanging. It did not take him long to grasp the meaning and Yugi shook it awkwardly. "Thank you for the warning. I'll try to speak to Seto on your behalf, but you should know that he rarely listens to me."

The priest smiled genuinely for the first time and said, "Oh, he will heed your words with caution, that I have no doubt."

Author's Note:

Hi again! It's nice to see Yugi and Akari back home at last! Seto's acting a little odd, but I swear that I haven't completely lost it! His weird behavior is intentional. On another note: I'm sorry that it took me so long to get this one out. I got a little stuck, but I think that I've figured it out! Thanks for reading Higher Stakes!

Please read, review, and enjoy!

Sincerely,

TheEagerScribbler