Chapter 9
His alarm clock was screaming loudly in his ear but he didn't want to hear it. Rolling over he pulled his pillow over his head in an attempt to block out the sound. However, his alarm seemed to take offence to this and screamed even louder. Groaning Yugi sat bolt up right and scowled at the clock before smacking it off. Swinging his legs out of bed he rubbed his tired eyes. He hated the fact that he was awake this early on a Saturday morning but duty called. He was once again expected at KaibaCorp but this time it was to get ready for the official opening of the tournament which was due to kick off exactly seven days from now. Kaiba was getting ready to plan the grand opening which was due to happen on the coming Friday evening. Being the control freak he was, Kaiba wanted every detail perfected. Stretching Yugi stood, grabbing the clothes he'd set out the night before he left his room and headed towards the bathroom. He paused outside the former King's bedroom whose door was wide open. Looking into the room Yugi saw Atem lying in the bed, fast asleep. Grandpa had insisted that Atem's door be kept opened while he recovered so that they could make sure that he was alright. A few days had passed since he was attacked, and the former Pharaoh was beginning to slowly recover. Grandpa had kept Atem home since the attack, he wanted to make sure that he was fully recovered before letting him venture out in the world again. Especially with the boys who'd attacked him being still out there. Atem still could not remember full details about what happened, he still could not remember why he'd been attacked. This made Grandpa worry, in case anything else happened and that worry had reignited Atem's concern about something always being around the corner. Yugi was trying his best to curb his worry, after all they'd dealt with all that. There was nothing for them to worry or prepare for anymore. Despite his efforts to calm his friend's concerns Yugi couldn't say he was being that successful. His eyes fell on the marked chest of the former King, he could see the angry, deep purple bruising that littered his chest. Although the bruises looked and were painful luckily there wasn't any major damage, so it was a case of waiting for the bruises to heal. He had indeed been incredibly lucky.
Sighing slightly Yugi continued to the bathroom, he knew that Atem would be alright he just didn't like seeing his closest friend in the state that he was. Entering the bathroom, he dumped his clothes on the ground and turned the shower on. Whilst waiting for the water to warm up he stepped in front of the mirror and considered his reflection. He didn't dare rehearse for the upcoming day in fear of someone accidentally walking in. Steam slowly filled the bathroom as the water finally reached an acceptable level. Showering quickly, he dressed then headed downstairs not before throwing his pyjamas back into his room. Downstairs there was no sign of Grandpa in the kitchen so he headed down into the shop where, sure enough, he found his grandfather but also Joey.
"Well Joseph, at this stage in the game you've proved you can defeat me, the man that trained you. So, if you're looking for pointers I doubt I'm the right person." Grandpa was saying as he lifted a long cardboard box on to the counter.
"Maybe but wouldn't you agree that even a master duellist would be foolish to not take pointers."
"I believe that depends on how confident you feel in your skills and your cards." Grandpa replied, looking directly at him "What do we always say Joseph?"
"Believe in the heart of the cards." Yugi answered, joining the other two with a grin on his face.
"Oh finally," Joey said, exchanging a quick high five with Yugi, "I was beginning to think I'd have to come up there and drag you down."
"Knowing you that would have been incredibly noisy and I'm not sure Atem would appreciate that." Yugi replied, although he was grinning.
Joey shrugged in agreement, "Probably. How's he doing?"
"Better -"
"No not better." Grandpa interrupted.
The two teens looked around to the elder man, he was looking at them with an odd expression on his face.
"He may look better but it will take him some time to recover from this. Looks can be deceiving boys don't forget that, and also the people who did this are still out there. I don't want him out there until we know that he's fully recovered."
Yugi sighed internally, Grandpa had become quite protective over Atem since the attack which wasn't a bad thing. He'd been the same in the time before Yugi had first put the puzzle together. When he'd come home having received a beating from the school bullies Grandpa had been just as protective as he was being now.
"Strange though," Joey muttered after a brief pause, "Doesn't something like this tend to happen before some bad guy comes along to take over the world."
Yugi's reaction was instant.
"Whatever you do don't say that to Atem."
The speed in which Yugi had responded and the firm tone to his voice took his long-time friend by surprise. He gazed at him for a moment his eyes wide.
"What do you mean Yuge?" He asked eventually.
Yugi sighed once more, his shoulders fell slightly. "That's exactly what Atem said to me last night." He rubbed his eyes with one hand, "He's convincing himself that this is all part of some plot and I don't want him to fall back into that. After everything he's been through I just want him to believe that not everyone has it out for him or us."
"I don't think there's some plot out there," Grandpa replied, "But I do worry, those boys are still out there and may come back again."
Yugi rounded on his Grandpa, his eyes held an almost desperate look to him, "Even you saying that last night in front of him makes him worry. Just telling him you're worried will set him off, I've shared a mind with him for years I know how he thinks. Right now, all he is thinking is that this is just the beginning and he will need to prepare a plan to stop it when he really doesn't."
There was a slight pause as the three of them looked at each other. Yugi was desperate to try and get them to understand. All of what he had said was true, the previous night the two look-a-likes had been in Yugi's room and the former Pharaoh had indeed expressed his concern this was all part of some sort of plot and maybe even after all that had happened he did not deserve to just enjoy what life had to offer. Yugi had been quick to contradict him and try to persuade him that this had all been an unfortunate accident and how it wouldn't happen again. Although he'd not responded to his point Yugi had known from the expression on his face that he didn't believe him. The silence stretched for a moment longer before Grandpa broke it.
"I would imagine after all these years and everything he's been through it is hard for him to believe that somethings just happen and are not part of some greater plot. All he's ever known is there's always something around the corner and it's always been something which wants him for one reason or another." Grandpa sighed, "You're right Yugi, we should not be voicing such worries around him and I apologise for making him worry last night. Perhaps if we all try to not voice such things he may well accept that this was just a one off thing but we all know how he is and I think even you, Yugi, would agree with me when I say this won't be an easy thing for him to let go of."
Yugi shook his head, "No, but we can try to help him to."
Joey clapped a hand, slightly harder then he meant to, on Yugi's back. "Don't worry we're all here for him. We'll convince him and you don't have to worry about it happening again because I won't let that happen, never again."
Yugi smiled gratefully at his best friend. He knew that Joey had taken what had happened quite hard, just like Yugi he'd hated that Atem had been in trouble and no one had been around to help. All their friends had but Joey felt that he owed the former Pharaoh and Yugi a lot. They'd both put themselves in harm's way for Joey numerous times and that, for him, was a debt he needed to repay. In his mind, the least he could do was make sure that no one ever messed with either of them. Breaking the atmosphere of the room Grandpa looked up at the clock.
"Gosh Yugi, you'd better get going otherwise you'll be late for Kaiba."
The two teens looked at the clock as well.
"He's right Yuge," Joey said, "Let's get going! I can't wait to see what moneybags has planned for this tournament. Might even give me a head start on all the other duellists."
Yugi laughed and waving goodbye at his grandfather he set off with Joey close behind. He would have taken Atem along with him but Grandpa wouldn't let him and he knew that Atem wasn't quite there yet even if the former Pharaoh insisted he was.
Solomon watched from the door as his grandson walked away and smiled, it was a pleasure to him to see just how far his grandson had come. He'd seen Yugi through those years of torment and then, after a certain golden pyramid had appeared, watched with great pride as his grandson slowly became more confident. Smiling once more fondly at the retreating back of his grandson he turned away and approached the counter. The cardboard box was sitting on the top where he'd left it. Opening a drawer he rummaged around inside for a moment before pulling out a pair of scissors and carefully opened the box. Inside was a new glass shelf to replace the one which had been broken the night Atem had been attacked. He eyed it sadly for a moment as memories of how the once King had been that night floated through his mind but shaking it off he gently picked up the shelf and its fixings and headed over to the unit. Lining up the new shelf he began to slowly and methodically attach the new shelf. However, he wasn't quite careful enough, after inserting the last fixing he slowly let go of the shelf. But it fell. With his slightly slower reflexes he didn't quite react in time, luckily another pair of hands appeared from nowhere catching the shelf, stopping it from breaking just in time. Solomon looked over and smiled gratefully at the former Pharaoh.
"Would you like some help?" Atem offered, straightening the shelf.
"Well as you're here." Grandpa said, grinning at him.
As Atem held the shelf straight Grandpa looked under to try and identify the problem. Spotting his mistake he groaned.
"I forgot the other wooden piece." He said, looking down at the floor for it.
Atem cast his eyes down as well and spotted what he believed Solomon was looking for. Picking it up with his hand which wasn't holding the shelf he offered it to Solomon who took it.
"Would you prefer that I fixed it?" He asked slowly, "It is my fault it broke in the first place."
Solomon, his head underneath the shelf, replied, "I've told you before, don't worry about the shelf. It's really not an issue."
"I know… but I think –"
"Young man this new shelf cost less then that jumper you're wearing so please don't worry about it." Grandpa interrupted.
Atem smiled slightly, though he was still not convinced. It was his fault the shelf had been broken in the first place, had he not lent on it then it wouldn't have needed repairing. Releasing the shelf when Solomon motioned for him to do so he slowly got to his feet. A hand went to his ribs as the bruises there ached in protest but he tried to ignore them. Solomon, who'd seen this, patted his arm as he walked past and back to the counter and began restocking the shelf. They didn't speak for a while as Solomon continued to stock the shelf and Atem had moved over to the window. He was gazing out of it looking truly lost in thought. This wasn't unusual for him but since the attack he'd spent more time in thought then he had before. Standing back from the newly restocked shelf Solomon looked over to the former Pharaoh, who hadn't moved from his spot by the window.
"Penny for your thoughts?" He asked, moving over to join him.
A frown appeared on Atem's face as he glanced over at Solomon before back out the window. He found that he couldn't quite voice what he was thinking, he was not sure he'd be able to word it properly. Solomon, on the other hand, thought back to what Yugi had said earlier.
"You're worried about what happened." He said, slowly, "At a guess would I be right in saying you're thinking that something else is going to happen?"
Atem nodded slowly, "I.. I had a sudden thought this morning. I think whatever happened wasn't random. I think it could happen again."
"Atem, sometimes these horrible things do happen but its only once. I know you're struggling to remember exactly what happened but I would imagine whoever those boys were, they were just out to cause trouble and you just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."
He shook his head, "No I don't think it was. I think Yugi is involved in it somehow."
Solomon stared at Atem for a moment, his face was a picture of emotion. What was Atem trying to say? It would appear from the mix of emotions on his face that perhaps his memory was finally starting to come back.
"Do you remember something else from that night?" He asked eventually.
"I'm not sure," Atem answered slowly, "I just have a strong feeling that Yugi is mixed up in this. I think…"
But he trailed off, rubbing his temples. Solomon watched him carefully, he was not sure what was going to happen next. Whether Atem was rubbing his temples from pain or just frustration he did not know. After a couple of minutes Atem looked up again and at Solomon.
"I need to go back to where it happened." He said, "It will help me to remember."
Solomon shook his head, "Atem as much as you will disagree with me here, you're not strong enough yet. This is still fresh and you're still recovering."
The former Pharaoh shook his head again, "No I need to. If I am right then Yugi could be in danger and I have to stop it."
"Yugi will be absolutely fine," Solomon tried, looking sympathetically at him, "I understand how frustrating it is to you to not remember why this happened but I'm confident that no one is after Yugi so you don't need to worry."
"Solomon I have to go." Atem said, it was clear from his tone that he just wasn't going to accept anything that was said to him.
Solomon let out a breath and for a moment the two just looked at each other. The once King wasn't going to listen to reason and would go even if he was told not to. It appeared there was no stopping him from this but there was no way he would be going alone. Solomon was not about to just let him walk out of here alone, he did not seem to care or accept he was still in the early stages of recovering. So, knowing him, he would push himself and that would be detrimental to his recovery.
"Alright," He agreed, slowly, "But I'm coming with you."
Atem seemed to accept this and in a matter of minutes the pair had left the game shop, not before Solomon had ensured Atem had wrapped himself up against the cold. The last thing he wanted was him to pick up an illness. Their progress was slow as Atem stopped periodically, looking around as he tried to retrace his movement from that night. They walked down the road, turned off and then took a few more turns before Solomon spotted something on the ground which made him stop dead. Ahead of him on the brick wall was a patch of dried blood. Following the patch with his eyes he traced it down the wall and then onto the floor where it pooled. A chill went through him as he watched Atem walk over to it, place his hand on the wall and then glance at Solomon. This was where it had happened. But it was so close to the house. Atem had been attacked right here and the safety of the game shop had been a matter of minutes away. Looking back at the dried blood he felt his stomach drop, for there to be that much blood on the wall meant it must have taken quite some force. He'd never been completely sure how Atem had had that blow to the head, he'd assumed he'd been struck but now, seeing that on the wall it was clear Atem had had his head forced into it. Closing his eyes for a moment Solomon sent a quick prayer, silently thanking whoever was listening for allowing Atem to survive that and get himself home. Looking at Atem once more he saw the former Pharaoh knelt on the floor gazing down at the blood then off up the street. He was deep in thought.
"Do you remember anything?" Solomon asked, drawing closer to him.
Atem struggled to his feet slightly, as his injuries protested. Looking away up the street again he frowned.
"It happened here." He said, finally, "They came at me from behind and it all happened here. They said something to me but…."
Once again, he trailed off as his memory faltered. There was something, it was right there. But why couldn't he remember. He could almost picture what happened and the boy in front of him saying something about… about games? His frowned deepened as he strained himself, trying to remember. The boy had definitely said something about games and maybe… the tournament. There was something there, something about the upcoming tournament he was sure about it.
"He mentioned something about games," Atem said, his voice was weakening, "And… the tournament. That's why I think Yugi is in trouble. Why else would he…."
Once more he trailled off as his head throbbed painfully. Solomon looked at him and moved to his side. The colour was draining from Atem's face, he was pushing himself too far just as he'd feared.
"Come Atem, we need to head back."
Atem shook his head but he wasn't having it.
"I'm not debating this," He said, firmly, "I understand why you wanted to come but you're pushing yourself too hard. Come on, we need to get you home and resting."
Atem thought about protesting but found he couldn't, the gentle but firm hand on his back guided him away from the scene and back towards the shop. He may not have remembered fully but he could remember enough to still believe that this wasn't just an accident. Something else was coming, he couldn't explain why or how but something was coming.
