Greetings! Okay, guys, this is the second to last chapter of this story.
The next one will be the epilogue. . . yay!
Reviews:
Amiasha Ruri: Yup, Joey just needed a little kick in the behind, and who better to do that than Yami? I'm not sure about a sequel right now, since I'm not really sure how I'm going to end it yet. I won't find out until I actually sit and write the epilogue. But you never know.
Ginger Ninja: Uh, oh. . . I've made my readers paranoid. *shakes head at muse. See what you've done??* You'll just have to read and find out!
TZ: Short and sweet is definitely good! Linkin Park's music is definitely unique. . . I'm not sure if it goes with anything, but they're an awesome band.
Chugi Moto: Thanks for the compliment! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Dumfounded is good, right?
Jadesaber: Marik coming back? Hmm. . . we'll have to see!
Linchi: I can just picture the happy dance. Don't worry about the muse, they know we're all insane anyway.
SerafinaMoon: I'm sure that your story is good. Besides, you should write it for yourself first and for everyone else later. I'll take a look at the fic when I get a little time!
Starheart: Thank you very much!
QueenOfHearts: ff.net has done that to me a couple of times took, which is really annoying. Take deep breaths, 'kay? We're too close to the end of the fic for you to miss the end, right? :o) Yeah, Joey is okay. I couldn't do anything to the poor guy. Well, nothing permanent, at least!
Maniac: *Yugi hugs for everyone* He's such a sweetie. . . that's probably why we all torture him so. I'm glad you're enjoying the fic, though!
Adrienne-Lillian: Uh, oh. . . sad endings have way of turning the readers against you. I'm just kidding. Sad endings are sometimes more realistic than this one. I think after you read this chapter, you'll know what kind of ending I'm going to give it.
Angel-Belle: *fans Angel-Belle as she lies on the floor, hoping that she's not permanently injured* Those darned ceilings, huh? :o)
Mutou Yasu: How's this for soon? I was actually halfway through writing when I got your review. Thanks! Now on to the story! Enjoy!
Part 20: Aftermath
"No! Get away from me! Why are you doing this, big brother, why?"
Mokuba's eyes shone with unshed tears as he backed up. The little boy was panicked, and Kaiba could tell that he was confused. His back hit a wall all of a sudden, bringing him to a stop with a wince. Kaiba saw his hands reaching out for his little brother's throat and could do nothing to call them back.
"Stop! Let go of me!"
Mokuba kicked, but his legs didn't reach Kaiba. Instead, Kaiba's hands wrapped around Mokuba's slim throat, causing the younger man to choke. He tried to pull away, but was not strong enough. As his breath was drawn out of his body, all Mokuba could do was stare and plead with his eyes to be let go.
"Marik, you bastard!" Kaiba called out in his mind. "Don't make me do this, damn it! Let go of me!"
Nothing. Marik had decided to stay silent and stop tormenting Kaiba.
"Answer me, Marik!"
Again, nothing.
"Seto, please," Mokuba whispered with his last breath. "Please, stop."
Kaiba could do nothing as his hands continued to tighten around his brother's slim throat. He felt Mokuba's heart beat speeding up under his fingertips, and felt his small body trembling. Mokuba's eyes rolled back in his head and then closed, his body going limp in Kaiba's hands.
"You can have control of your body now, Seto Kaiba."
Suddenly, Kaiba found himself able to move. He immediately let go of Mokuba, but it was too late. His little brother slumped to the ground. Kaiba kneeled beside him and felt for a pulse, but found none.
"Mokuba? Mokuba, please wake up!" when there was no response, Kaiba cradled his little brother's dead body in his arms. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
****
"Mokuba, no!"
Seto Kaiba sat upright in bed, immediately wincing as his head protested the sudden movement. He looked around wildly, trying to find his little brother. Instead, he found himself in a bland hospital room. His heart was racing from the vivid images of the dream. What if it happened again? What if Marik controlled him again and he actually killed someone? What if he hurt his brother?
"That must have been quite a nightmare."
The voice startled Kaiba, and he turned to his right to see Yugi's grandfather standing by the door, watching him.
"It was nothing," Kaiba replied. His voice sounded phony even to himself.
He gingerly lay back down, desperately trying to control his breathing. He felt sweat dripping down his forehead and had no idea about how disheveled he looked.
"Where is my brother? He's not here, is he?"
Mr. Moto nodded. "He's with Yugi, actually. I left my grandson to come talk to you and asked your brother if he would sit with him for a bit."
"Why is Mokuba here?" Kaiba asked. He hadn't called his brother because he hadn't wanted him involved.
"He saw you on the news and had one of the drivers bring him here. He's been sitting with you for the last 24 hours. Tristan and Bakura took him down to the cafeteria to get something to eat, and then he went to sit with Yugi."
Kaiba thought about what he'd been told. He should have known that Mokuba would find out about what had happened to him eventually. He sighed, and then turned back to the older man.
"What are you doing here?"
Mr. Moto walked closer to the bed, but still stood a good distance away.
"I want to know what happened, Kaiba. I want to know how you and Yugi came to be so injured. Yugi's injuries were superficial, thank goodness, but yours weren't. You have a severe concussion and a broken rib. How did that happen? Yugi wouldn't tell me, so I expect you to."
The look on Mr. Moto's face said it all and Kaiba had no doubt that the older man would do just as he said.
Kaiba closed his eyes. He was tired and he was in pain. He wanted to see his brother and get the hell out of the hospital. He didn't want to give Mr. Moto any explanations, but he had no other choice.
"Okay, fine. I see no point in lying to you anyway, so this is what happened."
Kaiba laid it all on the line, telling Mr. Moto exactly what happened. He didn't leave anything out, not even the part about being controlled. He figured Mr. Moto would either believe him or think he was crazy. And since the old man had told him he had a concussion, maybe he could use that as an excuse for his insanity.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Kaiba asked after he was done, when Mr. Moto kept his silence.
"What is there to say, except maybe to say thank you for telling me the truth."
Kaiba's eyes widened. "You believe me?"
"I'm an archaeologist, Kaiba. Or I was back in my younger years. I know the myths surrounding the Millennium Items and the Egyptian God cards. Hell, I knew about them when I gave Yugi the Millennium Puzzle. I figure now that I made a mistake in giving it to him, but what's done is done. In either case, yes, I do believe you. I was willing to believe that you'd beaten up my grandson and kidnapped him, until I couldn't find a reason for you to do so. I'm well aware of your reputation and that you are calculating, cruel, and heartless when you want to be. I've actually experienced it myself. This time, however, there was nothing in it for you. I couldn't see you going through that much trouble for nothing."
Kaiba was speechless. That was the longest speech Mr. Moto had ever said to him. He didn't know why, but he was slightly hurt at Mr. Moto's words. He was saying the truth however. There was nothing in this situation for him. Was that all he was to people, though, someone who only got involved when they had something he wanted?
"How is Yugi?"
Mr. Moto sighed, and Kaiba could see the fatigue evident on his face.
"He's in a coma. The doctor says he'll be kept in a coma for ten days."
"Why that long?"
"They say that the damage done to his head was severe. The surgery he had after the original attack fixed some of it, but the trauma afterwards didn't help. They want Yugi to be completely immobile for that time in order to ensure complete healing."
Kaiba nodded. "I hope he's okay."
"Me too. Well, I guess I should leave you to rest. I'll go and get your brother for you. Yugi's room is just down the hall."
"I'll go with you," Kaiba said, surprising himself.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Kaiba. You're pretty beaten up yourself."
"It's okay, Mr. Moto. You said the room wasn't that far away."
Mr. Moto sighed. "Very well."
He came over to help Kaiba out of bed, and then handed him a robe and a pair of slippers.
"Your brother brought you these," he said at Kaiba's questioning glance.
Kaiba put on the robe and slippers and gingerly stood up. With Mr. Moto's help, he was able to walk a few doors down to where Yugi was. As soon as he entered the room, he realized that Yugi wasn't the only one he was going to visit.
"Big brother!" Mokuba said as soon as the boy got a look at him. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I'm fine Mokuba, don't worry," Kaiba replied as he walked into the room.
They had moved Yugi into a double room, and had moved Joey in with him. Kaiba hadn't expected to visit Wheeler as well.
"Wheeler, I see that you're still around," Kaiba said before he could stop himself.
He could feel Mr. Moto's glare on the side of his head. Joey was sitting on his bed, his left arm in a sling, and looking rather worn and pale. His features didn't have their usual animation to them, and he just glared.
"Don't sound so disappointed, Kaiba. It was close," Joey said.
Tristan, who was sitting beside Joey, simply glared at him. He could see the bruises on his face, and a small, butterfly bandage on the side of his head. Kaiba felt uncharacteristic remorse at having done what he did to Tristan, but he hadn't really been in control at the time.
Bakura, who sat beside Yugi on a chair, turned and gave him a small smile, while Tea didn't look at him at all. Yugi lay on his own bed, sleeping peacefully. Or so it appeared, since Kaiba knew what was really going on. His injuries had been taken care of and bandaged, so he looked much better than the last time he'd seen the smaller teen.
"What are you doing here, Kaiba? You don't belong."
"Joseph," Mr. Moto said, his voice clearly giving a warning to the younger man. "You too, Kaiba. This isn't the time or the place."
Kaiba turned to glare at the older man, surprised that anyone would dare chastise him. Mr. Moto, however, stood his ground without flinching. In the end, it was Kaiba who looked away first.
"I'm here to see Yugi, Wheeler," he said, making his way to the bed.
He supposed that Mr. Moto had told Yugi's friends that Kaiba hadn't been responsible for what happened, because no one had gotten up to strangle him yet. As he reached the bedside, Bakura got up from his chair and offered it to him. Kaiba waived it off, but Bakura insisted.
"You look as if you're about to fall over, Kaiba. This isn't the time to play macho man," Bakura commented.
He did feel pretty lousy, he had to admit, so he took the offered chair and sat down. Ignoring everyone else, he turned to Mokuba, who was standing beside him.
"Are you okay, Mokuba? Why are you here? You should have stayed at home."
Mokuba shook his head. "I had to be here when I heard you'd been taken to the hospital. I was scared."
Kaiba's face softened, and he reached out to embrace his younger brother, not caring who saw him.
"Now that you've seen that I'm okay, will you go back home?"
Mokuba shook his head. "No way. I want to stay here with you."
"Mokuba, I don't want you staying in my room by yourself, it's not safe," Kaiba said, glancing over at Yugi. He didn't mention that Marik was still out there and would more than likely come back to get what he didn't get this time. He didn't want his brother in danger.
"I'll be around," Mr. Moto said. "Yugi wanted me to check up on you, so I'll be in your room periodically. I'll watch him."
Kaiba nodded, too tired to argue. Suddenly, he felt dizzy. He tried to get through it, but the more he tried to stay upright, the dizzier he got. He felt himself falling forward, and felt a couple of hands holding on to him, before darkness took him.
**~~**
"Whoa, is he okay?" Joey asked, looking at Kaiba's slumped body. Bakura was the only thing between Kaiba and the ground at the moment, but Mr. Moto was calling for a nurse.
"Seto? Seto are you okay?" Mokuba asked, his voice a bit high pitched.
The kid looked really worried to Joey, and Joey couldn't blame him. Kaiba did look pretty bad. He figured that they were all either very luck or very unlucky to be laid up in the hospital at the same time.
"It's okay, kid, he's probably just tired."
A couple of nurses came in and laid Kaiba on stretcher. He must have passed out, because he still seemed to be breathing. Gingerly, they took him out of the room, Mokuba and Yugi's grandfather following.
"Now that was freaky. I don't think I've ever seen Kaiba like that. What happened to him anyway?"
"I have no clue, Tristan. But I'd love to find out," Joey replied.
He laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. The hole in his chest was healing, but it was very slow going and hurt like hell. He could barely move, because any little movement caused him an agony of pain. At least he was glad that his parents were gone. They wouldn't be getting in the way anymore. Though Joey had to admit, it had hurt when they'd both just suddenly gotten up and left. He supposed he should be happy that they came at all.
"You okay, buddy?" Tristan asked.
"Yeah, I'm just tired."
Joey turned to watch Bakura, who was still sitting next to Yugi.
"Hey, Bakura, would you mind sitting over here for a little while?"
The white haired teen seemed surprised at the request, but complied and took a seat besides Joey.
"Sure, Joey, what's up?"
"I just wanted to thank you for helping me out when I was shot. I was ready to go, but you helped me stay for a little while longer. I'm very grateful."
Bakura blushed, which made Joey smile.
"It was my pleasure, Joey. I didn't want you to die. Besides, that's what friends are for."
"Yeah, that's what friends are for."
**~~**
"Are you bored, aibou?"
Yugi turned to see Yami standing at the door to his soul room and smiled. He continued to bounce the ball he was holding against the wall, watching it idly as it hit and then returned to him. Finally, he gave up on the ball and tossed it to Yami, who caught it and held on to it.
"I'm not bored, but I am impatient. I hate not being able to wake up."
Yami chuckled a bit. "Am I bad company?"
"No! Not at all, Yami. I'm just. . ." Yugi trailed off, not sure what he wanted to say.
He didn't even know how he was supposed to feel about everything that had happened, so he couldn't explain it to someone else. He knew that Yami wouldn't push, though.
"You are frightened of what could happen when you wake up."
It was a statement, not a question, and as soon as Yugi heard it, he knew that Yami was right. He was impatient to know what his fate would be.
"What if this doesn't work and I end up blind for the rest of my life?"
Yami walked into the room and sat on the bed. He patted the spot beside him, gesturing for Yugi to sit as well. Yugi did as he was asked, and settled comfortably beside his partner.
"Is it a possibility?"
Yugi nodded. "If the swelling doesn't go down, or if it does and it has already done too much damage, I'll be blind for the rest of my life."
"I see. Losing your sight would not change who you are, Yugi."
Yugi turned to regard Yami, whose kind gaze was directed at him.
"No, but it would alter everything in my life. I'd have to learn differently, get around differently, everything would be different." Yugi's eyes began to tear up and he hated himself for being so weak. "It's not only me, Yami. You'd be condemned to the same fate as me. You'd have a host who could no longer play Duel Monsters or do much of anything. What good would I be to you then?"
Yami shook his head. "Is that what you're really afraid of Yugi, that I'd leave you if you were blind? Aibou, we're in this together, and that means until the end. I'm not going to leave you. I've lived the last millennia in darkness, so I'm sure a few more years aren't going to affect me much."
Yugi felt immense relief at the words, which was then replaced with disbelief. Why would Yami willingly stay with him if he became damaged?
"What about Duel Monsters? I wouldn't be able to play anymore."
Yami chuckled. "It's a game, Yugi. We could learn to play another. Or, we could adapt Duel Monsters to suit us. I value you as my partner and friend; I do not only value you because of the body we share. Please believe that."
"I do."
Yami reached out and wrapped his arms tightly around him, and Yugi did the same, relishing in the feeling of comfort and warmth that Yami always gave him. A few of his tears fell, sinking into the fabric of Yami's shirt, but no more than that. He was going to be okay. No matter what happened, he would be okay.
The two broke apart and continued to sit side by side in an amicable silence, until Yugi spoke.
"What about Marik? You need to tell me about him."
Yami sighed. "Yes, I do." He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, before continuing. "Marik insisted that I had killed his father, which I don't remember doing. I don't believe that I would have done such a thing, however."
Yugi shook his head. "I don't think you could do something like that either. Besides, how would Marik's father have become associated with you? He's fairly young and you've been dead for three millennia."
Yami pondered the question for a moment. "Marik said something about his family being in charge of caring for my tomb, so I would assume that the connection comes from there. I do not know much about the God cards he was looking for either. I would assume that Kaiba knows about them more than I do, since he already has one. We will have to ask him when you wake up." Yami paused for a moment. "I do not really know more than that, Yugi. I am sorry; I wish I had more information for you."
"It's okay, Yami. Do you think Marik will come back?" Yugi asked, his stomach already clenching in preparation of an upcoming confrontation with the unstable teen.
"I believe it's a strong possibility, Yugi. We must be ready for his second strike, because I am positive that there will be one."
Yugi nodded, his heart already beating faster than it was moments before.
"I just hope that I'll be okay. I don't want to have to face Marik if I end up blind."
****
Okay, so not much of a cliffhanger here. See, I'm not completely heartless. Next up: the end!
Reviews:
Amiasha Ruri: Yup, Joey just needed a little kick in the behind, and who better to do that than Yami? I'm not sure about a sequel right now, since I'm not really sure how I'm going to end it yet. I won't find out until I actually sit and write the epilogue. But you never know.
Ginger Ninja: Uh, oh. . . I've made my readers paranoid. *shakes head at muse. See what you've done??* You'll just have to read and find out!
TZ: Short and sweet is definitely good! Linkin Park's music is definitely unique. . . I'm not sure if it goes with anything, but they're an awesome band.
Chugi Moto: Thanks for the compliment! I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Dumfounded is good, right?
Jadesaber: Marik coming back? Hmm. . . we'll have to see!
Linchi: I can just picture the happy dance. Don't worry about the muse, they know we're all insane anyway.
SerafinaMoon: I'm sure that your story is good. Besides, you should write it for yourself first and for everyone else later. I'll take a look at the fic when I get a little time!
Starheart: Thank you very much!
QueenOfHearts: ff.net has done that to me a couple of times took, which is really annoying. Take deep breaths, 'kay? We're too close to the end of the fic for you to miss the end, right? :o) Yeah, Joey is okay. I couldn't do anything to the poor guy. Well, nothing permanent, at least!
Maniac: *Yugi hugs for everyone* He's such a sweetie. . . that's probably why we all torture him so. I'm glad you're enjoying the fic, though!
Adrienne-Lillian: Uh, oh. . . sad endings have way of turning the readers against you. I'm just kidding. Sad endings are sometimes more realistic than this one. I think after you read this chapter, you'll know what kind of ending I'm going to give it.
Angel-Belle: *fans Angel-Belle as she lies on the floor, hoping that she's not permanently injured* Those darned ceilings, huh? :o)
Mutou Yasu: How's this for soon? I was actually halfway through writing when I got your review. Thanks! Now on to the story! Enjoy!
Part 20: Aftermath
"No! Get away from me! Why are you doing this, big brother, why?"
Mokuba's eyes shone with unshed tears as he backed up. The little boy was panicked, and Kaiba could tell that he was confused. His back hit a wall all of a sudden, bringing him to a stop with a wince. Kaiba saw his hands reaching out for his little brother's throat and could do nothing to call them back.
"Stop! Let go of me!"
Mokuba kicked, but his legs didn't reach Kaiba. Instead, Kaiba's hands wrapped around Mokuba's slim throat, causing the younger man to choke. He tried to pull away, but was not strong enough. As his breath was drawn out of his body, all Mokuba could do was stare and plead with his eyes to be let go.
"Marik, you bastard!" Kaiba called out in his mind. "Don't make me do this, damn it! Let go of me!"
Nothing. Marik had decided to stay silent and stop tormenting Kaiba.
"Answer me, Marik!"
Again, nothing.
"Seto, please," Mokuba whispered with his last breath. "Please, stop."
Kaiba could do nothing as his hands continued to tighten around his brother's slim throat. He felt Mokuba's heart beat speeding up under his fingertips, and felt his small body trembling. Mokuba's eyes rolled back in his head and then closed, his body going limp in Kaiba's hands.
"You can have control of your body now, Seto Kaiba."
Suddenly, Kaiba found himself able to move. He immediately let go of Mokuba, but it was too late. His little brother slumped to the ground. Kaiba kneeled beside him and felt for a pulse, but found none.
"Mokuba? Mokuba, please wake up!" when there was no response, Kaiba cradled his little brother's dead body in his arms. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
****
"Mokuba, no!"
Seto Kaiba sat upright in bed, immediately wincing as his head protested the sudden movement. He looked around wildly, trying to find his little brother. Instead, he found himself in a bland hospital room. His heart was racing from the vivid images of the dream. What if it happened again? What if Marik controlled him again and he actually killed someone? What if he hurt his brother?
"That must have been quite a nightmare."
The voice startled Kaiba, and he turned to his right to see Yugi's grandfather standing by the door, watching him.
"It was nothing," Kaiba replied. His voice sounded phony even to himself.
He gingerly lay back down, desperately trying to control his breathing. He felt sweat dripping down his forehead and had no idea about how disheveled he looked.
"Where is my brother? He's not here, is he?"
Mr. Moto nodded. "He's with Yugi, actually. I left my grandson to come talk to you and asked your brother if he would sit with him for a bit."
"Why is Mokuba here?" Kaiba asked. He hadn't called his brother because he hadn't wanted him involved.
"He saw you on the news and had one of the drivers bring him here. He's been sitting with you for the last 24 hours. Tristan and Bakura took him down to the cafeteria to get something to eat, and then he went to sit with Yugi."
Kaiba thought about what he'd been told. He should have known that Mokuba would find out about what had happened to him eventually. He sighed, and then turned back to the older man.
"What are you doing here?"
Mr. Moto walked closer to the bed, but still stood a good distance away.
"I want to know what happened, Kaiba. I want to know how you and Yugi came to be so injured. Yugi's injuries were superficial, thank goodness, but yours weren't. You have a severe concussion and a broken rib. How did that happen? Yugi wouldn't tell me, so I expect you to."
The look on Mr. Moto's face said it all and Kaiba had no doubt that the older man would do just as he said.
Kaiba closed his eyes. He was tired and he was in pain. He wanted to see his brother and get the hell out of the hospital. He didn't want to give Mr. Moto any explanations, but he had no other choice.
"Okay, fine. I see no point in lying to you anyway, so this is what happened."
Kaiba laid it all on the line, telling Mr. Moto exactly what happened. He didn't leave anything out, not even the part about being controlled. He figured Mr. Moto would either believe him or think he was crazy. And since the old man had told him he had a concussion, maybe he could use that as an excuse for his insanity.
"Aren't you going to say anything?" Kaiba asked after he was done, when Mr. Moto kept his silence.
"What is there to say, except maybe to say thank you for telling me the truth."
Kaiba's eyes widened. "You believe me?"
"I'm an archaeologist, Kaiba. Or I was back in my younger years. I know the myths surrounding the Millennium Items and the Egyptian God cards. Hell, I knew about them when I gave Yugi the Millennium Puzzle. I figure now that I made a mistake in giving it to him, but what's done is done. In either case, yes, I do believe you. I was willing to believe that you'd beaten up my grandson and kidnapped him, until I couldn't find a reason for you to do so. I'm well aware of your reputation and that you are calculating, cruel, and heartless when you want to be. I've actually experienced it myself. This time, however, there was nothing in it for you. I couldn't see you going through that much trouble for nothing."
Kaiba was speechless. That was the longest speech Mr. Moto had ever said to him. He didn't know why, but he was slightly hurt at Mr. Moto's words. He was saying the truth however. There was nothing in this situation for him. Was that all he was to people, though, someone who only got involved when they had something he wanted?
"How is Yugi?"
Mr. Moto sighed, and Kaiba could see the fatigue evident on his face.
"He's in a coma. The doctor says he'll be kept in a coma for ten days."
"Why that long?"
"They say that the damage done to his head was severe. The surgery he had after the original attack fixed some of it, but the trauma afterwards didn't help. They want Yugi to be completely immobile for that time in order to ensure complete healing."
Kaiba nodded. "I hope he's okay."
"Me too. Well, I guess I should leave you to rest. I'll go and get your brother for you. Yugi's room is just down the hall."
"I'll go with you," Kaiba said, surprising himself.
"I don't think that's a good idea, Kaiba. You're pretty beaten up yourself."
"It's okay, Mr. Moto. You said the room wasn't that far away."
Mr. Moto sighed. "Very well."
He came over to help Kaiba out of bed, and then handed him a robe and a pair of slippers.
"Your brother brought you these," he said at Kaiba's questioning glance.
Kaiba put on the robe and slippers and gingerly stood up. With Mr. Moto's help, he was able to walk a few doors down to where Yugi was. As soon as he entered the room, he realized that Yugi wasn't the only one he was going to visit.
"Big brother!" Mokuba said as soon as the boy got a look at him. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"
"I'm fine Mokuba, don't worry," Kaiba replied as he walked into the room.
They had moved Yugi into a double room, and had moved Joey in with him. Kaiba hadn't expected to visit Wheeler as well.
"Wheeler, I see that you're still around," Kaiba said before he could stop himself.
He could feel Mr. Moto's glare on the side of his head. Joey was sitting on his bed, his left arm in a sling, and looking rather worn and pale. His features didn't have their usual animation to them, and he just glared.
"Don't sound so disappointed, Kaiba. It was close," Joey said.
Tristan, who was sitting beside Joey, simply glared at him. He could see the bruises on his face, and a small, butterfly bandage on the side of his head. Kaiba felt uncharacteristic remorse at having done what he did to Tristan, but he hadn't really been in control at the time.
Bakura, who sat beside Yugi on a chair, turned and gave him a small smile, while Tea didn't look at him at all. Yugi lay on his own bed, sleeping peacefully. Or so it appeared, since Kaiba knew what was really going on. His injuries had been taken care of and bandaged, so he looked much better than the last time he'd seen the smaller teen.
"What are you doing here, Kaiba? You don't belong."
"Joseph," Mr. Moto said, his voice clearly giving a warning to the younger man. "You too, Kaiba. This isn't the time or the place."
Kaiba turned to glare at the older man, surprised that anyone would dare chastise him. Mr. Moto, however, stood his ground without flinching. In the end, it was Kaiba who looked away first.
"I'm here to see Yugi, Wheeler," he said, making his way to the bed.
He supposed that Mr. Moto had told Yugi's friends that Kaiba hadn't been responsible for what happened, because no one had gotten up to strangle him yet. As he reached the bedside, Bakura got up from his chair and offered it to him. Kaiba waived it off, but Bakura insisted.
"You look as if you're about to fall over, Kaiba. This isn't the time to play macho man," Bakura commented.
He did feel pretty lousy, he had to admit, so he took the offered chair and sat down. Ignoring everyone else, he turned to Mokuba, who was standing beside him.
"Are you okay, Mokuba? Why are you here? You should have stayed at home."
Mokuba shook his head. "I had to be here when I heard you'd been taken to the hospital. I was scared."
Kaiba's face softened, and he reached out to embrace his younger brother, not caring who saw him.
"Now that you've seen that I'm okay, will you go back home?"
Mokuba shook his head. "No way. I want to stay here with you."
"Mokuba, I don't want you staying in my room by yourself, it's not safe," Kaiba said, glancing over at Yugi. He didn't mention that Marik was still out there and would more than likely come back to get what he didn't get this time. He didn't want his brother in danger.
"I'll be around," Mr. Moto said. "Yugi wanted me to check up on you, so I'll be in your room periodically. I'll watch him."
Kaiba nodded, too tired to argue. Suddenly, he felt dizzy. He tried to get through it, but the more he tried to stay upright, the dizzier he got. He felt himself falling forward, and felt a couple of hands holding on to him, before darkness took him.
**~~**
"Whoa, is he okay?" Joey asked, looking at Kaiba's slumped body. Bakura was the only thing between Kaiba and the ground at the moment, but Mr. Moto was calling for a nurse.
"Seto? Seto are you okay?" Mokuba asked, his voice a bit high pitched.
The kid looked really worried to Joey, and Joey couldn't blame him. Kaiba did look pretty bad. He figured that they were all either very luck or very unlucky to be laid up in the hospital at the same time.
"It's okay, kid, he's probably just tired."
A couple of nurses came in and laid Kaiba on stretcher. He must have passed out, because he still seemed to be breathing. Gingerly, they took him out of the room, Mokuba and Yugi's grandfather following.
"Now that was freaky. I don't think I've ever seen Kaiba like that. What happened to him anyway?"
"I have no clue, Tristan. But I'd love to find out," Joey replied.
He laid his head back on the pillow and closed his eyes. The hole in his chest was healing, but it was very slow going and hurt like hell. He could barely move, because any little movement caused him an agony of pain. At least he was glad that his parents were gone. They wouldn't be getting in the way anymore. Though Joey had to admit, it had hurt when they'd both just suddenly gotten up and left. He supposed he should be happy that they came at all.
"You okay, buddy?" Tristan asked.
"Yeah, I'm just tired."
Joey turned to watch Bakura, who was still sitting next to Yugi.
"Hey, Bakura, would you mind sitting over here for a little while?"
The white haired teen seemed surprised at the request, but complied and took a seat besides Joey.
"Sure, Joey, what's up?"
"I just wanted to thank you for helping me out when I was shot. I was ready to go, but you helped me stay for a little while longer. I'm very grateful."
Bakura blushed, which made Joey smile.
"It was my pleasure, Joey. I didn't want you to die. Besides, that's what friends are for."
"Yeah, that's what friends are for."
**~~**
"Are you bored, aibou?"
Yugi turned to see Yami standing at the door to his soul room and smiled. He continued to bounce the ball he was holding against the wall, watching it idly as it hit and then returned to him. Finally, he gave up on the ball and tossed it to Yami, who caught it and held on to it.
"I'm not bored, but I am impatient. I hate not being able to wake up."
Yami chuckled a bit. "Am I bad company?"
"No! Not at all, Yami. I'm just. . ." Yugi trailed off, not sure what he wanted to say.
He didn't even know how he was supposed to feel about everything that had happened, so he couldn't explain it to someone else. He knew that Yami wouldn't push, though.
"You are frightened of what could happen when you wake up."
It was a statement, not a question, and as soon as Yugi heard it, he knew that Yami was right. He was impatient to know what his fate would be.
"What if this doesn't work and I end up blind for the rest of my life?"
Yami walked into the room and sat on the bed. He patted the spot beside him, gesturing for Yugi to sit as well. Yugi did as he was asked, and settled comfortably beside his partner.
"Is it a possibility?"
Yugi nodded. "If the swelling doesn't go down, or if it does and it has already done too much damage, I'll be blind for the rest of my life."
"I see. Losing your sight would not change who you are, Yugi."
Yugi turned to regard Yami, whose kind gaze was directed at him.
"No, but it would alter everything in my life. I'd have to learn differently, get around differently, everything would be different." Yugi's eyes began to tear up and he hated himself for being so weak. "It's not only me, Yami. You'd be condemned to the same fate as me. You'd have a host who could no longer play Duel Monsters or do much of anything. What good would I be to you then?"
Yami shook his head. "Is that what you're really afraid of Yugi, that I'd leave you if you were blind? Aibou, we're in this together, and that means until the end. I'm not going to leave you. I've lived the last millennia in darkness, so I'm sure a few more years aren't going to affect me much."
Yugi felt immense relief at the words, which was then replaced with disbelief. Why would Yami willingly stay with him if he became damaged?
"What about Duel Monsters? I wouldn't be able to play anymore."
Yami chuckled. "It's a game, Yugi. We could learn to play another. Or, we could adapt Duel Monsters to suit us. I value you as my partner and friend; I do not only value you because of the body we share. Please believe that."
"I do."
Yami reached out and wrapped his arms tightly around him, and Yugi did the same, relishing in the feeling of comfort and warmth that Yami always gave him. A few of his tears fell, sinking into the fabric of Yami's shirt, but no more than that. He was going to be okay. No matter what happened, he would be okay.
The two broke apart and continued to sit side by side in an amicable silence, until Yugi spoke.
"What about Marik? You need to tell me about him."
Yami sighed. "Yes, I do." He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts, before continuing. "Marik insisted that I had killed his father, which I don't remember doing. I don't believe that I would have done such a thing, however."
Yugi shook his head. "I don't think you could do something like that either. Besides, how would Marik's father have become associated with you? He's fairly young and you've been dead for three millennia."
Yami pondered the question for a moment. "Marik said something about his family being in charge of caring for my tomb, so I would assume that the connection comes from there. I do not know much about the God cards he was looking for either. I would assume that Kaiba knows about them more than I do, since he already has one. We will have to ask him when you wake up." Yami paused for a moment. "I do not really know more than that, Yugi. I am sorry; I wish I had more information for you."
"It's okay, Yami. Do you think Marik will come back?" Yugi asked, his stomach already clenching in preparation of an upcoming confrontation with the unstable teen.
"I believe it's a strong possibility, Yugi. We must be ready for his second strike, because I am positive that there will be one."
Yugi nodded, his heart already beating faster than it was moments before.
"I just hope that I'll be okay. I don't want to have to face Marik if I end up blind."
****
Okay, so not much of a cliffhanger here. See, I'm not completely heartless. Next up: the end!