In The Final Hour
Disclaimer: It is a waste of time to state the obvious do you not agree?
Warning: This story will contain Yaoi and Shounen-ai. Pairings will include: Ryou/Bakura, Yami/Yugi, and Joey/Seto. If you disagree with any of these I suggest you refrain from reading. This story will be rated PG-13 for suggestive dialogue, course language, sexual situations, violence, etc.
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Chapter 3: Soul Recovery
(((((((Yami Yugi's P.O.V.)))))))
Yugi calmly spreads out his cards on the carpeted floor of his room. He was no doubt likely going to try to perfect his deck again.
This was the third time tonight.
I know my abiou however, and I know all too well that he only does this when something is troubling him. When his grandfather's soul was captured, he used to do this in the castle room nearly fifteen times before he was satisfied. He did the same thing at battle city, claiming he was just looking for flaws but I know better than that.
For Yugi those cards always release some tension for him, perhaps they provide him with reassurance he cannot get from anywhere else, even from me.
I watch his face light up for an instant as he comes across the Dark Magician, but it is fleeting and quickly replaced with a more serious expression. I cannot help but wonder what he could be thinking, but I refrain from probing his mind. With a sigh, he sets down the beloved card, and I decide to make my presence known.
I shift from my spot against the wall, I never could get used to this 'body.' In the Shadow Realm at least I am somewhat solid but here I am just… nothing, not even air touches me; much less can I feel it. However, I have moved beyond the longing to feel human flesh. When Yugi 'touches' me is the closest I have ever been, but such things do not bother me.
I kneel down beside him and he gives me a quick grin in greeting before going back to deciphering new techniques he could use. I know deep inside he wishes to be alone for a while to think, but he is always too polite to ask. Usually I would respect his wishes but… something is decidedly odd about this night.
"Yugi," I start out quietly, I do hate to disturb him when he is like this, "there comes a point where you just have to trust in the deck you have."
He looks up at me and sighs, he sounds miserable.
"I know Yami, and so do you. We know that better than anyone do we not?"
"What do you mean by that Hikari?"
Suddenly his expression changes to one of frustration and he looks away, unwilling to meet my eyes. Then just as suddenly it softens until his old self is made present, or at least his old exterior.
He still refuses to look at me.
"I do not know what I mean anymore… I am just tired I guess," he chuckles wryly at some amusement he found in that. I blink this is not like the Yugi I know at all at all, what could possibly have him this worried?
"Hikari…"
"I am going to bed now, good night Yami." He announces loudly before hastening off to the bathroom to get ready.
I shake my head helplessly. Whatever it is, it can wait until morning…
*~*~*
Yugi ran as fast as his legs would carry him, not even daring to look behind him or bother to glance in front of him; he knew what he would see.
Thankfully, the one miracle of the night took place, the way stayed clear. Faster and faster he went, his heart beating a mile a minute, breathing rate matching that, and the pounding in his eardrums reflected the pounding of his shoes on the pavement.
Nearly out of air, he stopped suddenly when he came to a fork in the road. After a brief moment of indecision he turned left and sped off once again. He was not sure why he had choose to come this way, or even if he was able to form coherent thoughts at the second, but he did not have the time to think it through in any case.
Only one thing registered in his mind and it was tinged with desperation. Where is everybody? More importantly where is Yami? Where is Yami?
The last seemed to echo throughout his entire being, yet once that finished nothing else came and once again, he was greeted with silence.
His musings were cut short however as his numb mind finally registered two concepts: 1) he was exhausted and 2) those after him were closing the gap fast.
In a last defiance, he turned into an abandoned alleyway and fell to his knees, gasping for breath and praying to any deity who would listen that "they" would not find him here; that "they" would just pass by.
Still refusing to open his eyes lest he encounter his fears, he leaned back against the stone of the wall, panting heavily and trying to regain a semblance of control over his now quaking body. His pulse was still faster than ever, he thought his heart was going to burst, but at least his breathing was returning to somewhat normal; he was no longer in danger of passing out anyhow.
His eyes drooped down and he fought his body's untimely reaction, still shaking in fear. It must have been, gasp, nearly five minutes by now, cough, they have to be gone! Even his mind voice was out of breath, he would not last two seconds if they came back!
Satisfied for moment at least that he was temporarily safe, Yugi looked down to his arm where one had slashed him with a knife. No matter how tightly he held it the blood still flowed freely.
*~*~*
Yami watched from Yugi's room entryway as his Hikari seemed to be struggling with something or someone in his sleep. Then he frowned deeper when he heard his Hikari calling out his name so frantically, he had to put a stop to this.
He straightened himself and walked over to the bedside, hesitating slightly, before placing his hands on Yugi's shoulders and shaking him vigorously. Yugi still did not seem to be waking though and then suddenly started thrashing about, throwing blind punches in every direction.
It was then he spotted the line of red that was running down his aibou's arm. Panic gripped him and he instead tried to use the connection between them to arouse his other half.
/Yugi!/
//No… please…//
/YUGI!/
The last cry he put all the power and force he had into and Yugi started awake with a jolt, breathing terribly hard. Perspiration ran down his pale face and he keeled over his bloody arm.
"Let me see," Yami demanded and Yugi complied, still not looking up and meeting his other's eyes.
With the utmost care, he examined what appeared to be a knife wound, growling softly to himself and promising pain to whomever hurt his Hikari. As soon as he touched the injury however, it disappeared.
Yugi looked up, startled at the alleviation of pain, but quickly looked away again.
"Arigatou," was his soft reply as he continued to look elsewhere.
Yami on the other hand continued to stare directly at him, trying to decipher the thoughts behind the emotionless façade. Yugi grimaced in the silence but said nothing and to Yami it was torture, worse than being killed all over again, that his other half did not tell him the truth of what was going on.
Finally, he could not take it anymore. He firmly placed his hand under Yugi's chin and forced him to meet his eyes. What he saw though was something he had never expected to see, there was a look of betrayal.
"Why were you not there?" He questioned softly, accusingly, tears beginning to cascade down his face. "Why do they keep attacking me like this?" He fell forward into his Yami's arms and continued to sob dejectedly. "Why were you not there?"
That thought kept repeating in his own mind as well, Yami did everything he could to comfort the boy, holding him, caressing his face and hair, just being there and providing his body warmth.
What the in the world?
His eyes grew impossibly wide as realization slowly hit him.
He was breathing.
His heart was beating.
He could feel his own blood flowing.
He was alive!
Yugi's sharp intake of breath indicated he had just discovered this fact for himself.
For a while all either of them could do was stare at each other. At first Yugi whimpered and tried to back away, but at the look on Yami's face he then slowly, ever so slowly, drew nearer and placed a small palm against his Yami's cheek. Yami himself closed his eyes, just enjoying the sensation of his smooth skin, something he had been denied for over five thousand years.
"You are alive," Yugi whispered wondrously, all traces of the nightmare forgotten in the moment. Then he lurched forward and hugged his other self fiercely. "You are here."
"Yes, yes I am here," Yami, replied just as contentedly and holding on to the boy just as tight.
They stayed like that for hours, with Yugi falling asleep in the arms of his other and having a peaceful sleep while Yami could not help but continuously ponder in fear…
How could he protect Yugi in his dreams?
Not being able to do so was his worst nightmare.
*~*~*
Author's Note:
Another chapter done, I absolutely cannot believe it, I never used to come out with chapters this quickly before. Thank you again for the reviews I have received so far! As you can tell, they are very encouraging. Next chapter I hope to explain a few more things so as not to confuse anyone too much, however most of my information was carelessly left at my father's house so it might take me a little longer to do research. I know the general idea though so it will not be too long in coming. I hope to see you there and please keep up the good work on your part and I will do mine!