Unnoticed by all, Yuugi had slipped into Bakura's room. His friend lay comatose on the hospital bed with only a dim light from overhead. It was quiet except for the steady beeping of the heart monitor. That was one good thing: the beats had evened out to a normal rhythm. "Bakura," he whispered, even though he knew his friend couldn't hear him, "something's happening, I can feel it. There's power somewhere, and it's extremely strong. It's coming, Bakura, so you gotta pull through to stand by us. We'll need all the help we can get."
"Hey! Yuugi!"
Yuugi turned to see Jounouchi standing in the doorway.
"That's where you went. We were wondering. Whatcha doin'?"
Yuugi blinked. "Jou-Jounouchi? Wha-? How'd I get here?"
"It's okay," said his friend with an understanding smile. "It's been a chaotic evening. Hey, let's go back to your house. Dinner's still waiting."
"You would remember something like that."
"Of course. Come on."
As they left, Yuugi stopped at the doorway and looked back one last time. He had the feeling he had been there for an important reason, but he remembered nothing after comforting Anzu. And his Yami had retreated to his soul room and locked the door.
*
"Are you sure you don't want to stay for some lunch or something?" asked Seto the next day as Yuugi prepared to leave. They had been meeting at least once a week to duel just for fun and to keep their strategies sharp. With nothing at stake, they were able to have fun and take their losses and victories without hard feelings. They were equally matched by now, sometimes with one winning and sometimes the other. Always, they walked away still friends.
Yuugi smiled. "Thanks. I can't though. I have to go to the hospital."
Seto looked surprised. "Why the hospital? Are you okay?"
"Oh, I'm fine, but something happened to Bakura last night. We're gonna go visit him today. You're welcome to come along if you want."
"Can we go, Niisama?" asked Mokuba.
"May as well."
"Okay."