A/N: Sorry these responses are short, I'm eager to get the chapter up. XD
Ryuujin Dragon King: Well, I finally updated. XD
Silverlight: *Squeals happily* Thanks so much for the compliments! I'm so proud! *Hands over cookies* Sankyuu so much!
Borath: Aw, you came online at 11:40pm just to see if I'd updated? Hope you didn't lately, since I took so long to put up a chapter this time. O.o
Heh, yes, you're right about the score board. XD
As fun as killing off Yami would be, unfortunately... Well... Maybe. XD Anyway, he's not off the hook yet. *Evil smirk* And I really should write a Yami B*Yami story. XD
Wingleader Sora Jade: Glad you liked the chapter. ^_^ And I need Seto to be nice. *Snorts* Okay, so not really, but he just decided to get nice for some reason even though he was going to be cold, originally. *Rolls eyes* Silly bish... And who knows. Ryou may get a chance to beat Seto at chess. There's still the rest of this story and the third piece, plus who knows how many more eventually. ^_^
And did my Email get to you?
Other notes: Sorry it took so long! Huge writer's block. *Sweatdrop* Next chapter should go smoother, since I get to reveal stuff. XD
Summary of last time: The group hung out and got to have a little down time at the Ishtars.
Preview of this time: The group starts get the suspicion that their enemy is off his tea break, and they get some visitors.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, or 'Here with me' by Dido.
Warnings: You should know by now.
Japanese:
Touzoku - Thief, Bandit
Ou - King (Touzoku Ou was what Yami Bakura was titled in ancient Egypt)
Jiichan - Grandfather (Informal)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eien; part 20
by: Amiasha
Yami B winced as the person Malik was pickpocketing turned around and slugged him across the face.
"And don't try anything like that ever again, young man!" The old woman said angrily, turning on her heel and storming away.
The white haired spirit melted out of the shadows and walked over to where Malik was swirly eyed on the ground. He looked down at his friend, and held out his hand. "Malik?" He asked.
Malik blinked a few times, before sitting up, shaking his head, and taking Yami B's hand so the spirit could help him up. "I'm okay." He answered, giving Yami B a grin. "Happens all the time."
Yami B sweatdropped as Malik looked around for another person to try to steal from. "Didn't your sister tell you not to pickpocket? And could this be why?" The professional thief ventured cautiously, watching the blond's attempts.
"Yes, and possibly." Malik replied calmly.
Yami B sighed and rubbed his forehead. "What was such an old woman doing out at this time out night, anyway?" He asked suddenly, looking back up.
Malik stopped, looking back over his shoulder at Yami B. "No idea. Maybe she needed stuff for cookies." He said, shrugging.
Yami B yawned. "Since you're so horribly bad as thieving, let me show you how it's done." The dark said lazily. He glanced around, his eyes settling on a tourist-looking couple, and he smirked. Yami B silently fell into step behind them. A few seconds later, he had successfully stolen the man's wallet and returned to Malik, looking smug. He held the wallet up in front of Malik tauntingly.
"Alright, you've made your point." Malik said, rolling his eyes as Yami Bakura pocketed his newly earned, or stolen, wallet.
"Say it. You're an inferior thief compared to me, Touzoku Ou." Yami B said, smirking.
Malik sighed and then laughed at the shorter teen's expectant look. "Fine. I'm an inferior thief compared to you, O grand Thief King." He recited, mock bowing. As he looked back up, he noticed that Yami Bakura's eyes had glassed over. Malik started from shock, straightening quickly and taking the few steps between the two so he could put a hand on Yami Bakura's shoulder. "Yami Bakura?" He asked tensely, unnerved when he got no response.
Yami Bakura didn't seem to be hurt in any way, but his eyes were hazy and had dulled from their rich brown to a lighter and more grey color. Malik shook his shoulder, waving his other hand in front of the white haired spirit's face.
Malik was about to carry the dark to the motorcycle and take him back to Isis to see if she could do something, when Yami B shook his head rapidly, his white hair flying around his face. He took a few deep breaths, lowering himself to the street and sitting on his knees. Malik knelt down quickly next to him. "Yami Bakura, what happened? Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
Yami B blinked hard, before looking up at Malik. "Yes, I'm fine." He answered, shaking his head rapidly again. "Just... Something or someone used a great deal of magic." He said, standing back up shakily. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Pharaoh felt it all the way back at your house."
Malik frowned. "You're sure you're not getting whatever the Pharaoh has?" He asked.
Yami Bakura nodded. "Positive." He glanced around the darkened streets of the area they were in. "I would use the Ring to find where this magic came from, but I'm not sure if I could take on whatever it was should it choose to attack me." He looked back at Malik. "It'd be best to return to your house to inform the others."
Malik nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. Come on, let's go back to the motorcycle." He suggested, turning around and leading Yami B back toward the vehicle.
A few minutes later and they had replaced their helmets on their heads, and were on their way back to the Ishtars. And Yami B was again convinced that they were going to die.
"Dammit Malik, TURN!"
"I am turning, you idiotic spirit!"
"Not fast enough, mortal!"
Malik rolled his eyes. They were walking next time. He couldn't stand Yami B's backseat driving.
The two arrived at the Ishtar house relatively unscathed, and climbed off the bike. Malik opened the door and cautiously leaned his head inside, wondering if anyone was still up. He and Yami B had been out a few hours, and it was nearly 12:00 midnight.
"Greetings." Rishid said softly, coming up to the door and opening it all the way as the two entered. The lights in the living room were off, seeing as how teens, a young adult, and a preteen were stretched out on the floor and couch. "I was about to come get you." He said, and Malik and Yami B noticed he was wearing his cloak.
"What for?" Malik whispered, as the three made their way around the guests and headed upstairs.
"Isis said that there had been a surge of magic, as if someone had cast a large spell." Rishid explained. "She and Yami Yuugi are trying to discern what it could have been."
Yami B nodded, figuring as much. "Any ideas?" He asked, following behind Malik.
"None so far." Rishid answered, opening the door to Isis's room and entering, followed by the two teens.
Isis was sitting on the end of the bed, talking to a very miserable and not too well looking Yami, now in green pajamas, who had Mafdet on his lap. Yuugi was at his side, also in matching pajamas, letting the spirit lean against him, and Joey and Sugoroku were standing close by, both with their arms folded. Isis looked over her shoulder at the three new arrivals. "Ah, good, you're here." She said.
Malik nodded, taking up a spot on the opposite wall from Joey and Sugoroku. Rishid stood calmly behind Isis, and Yami B sat down on Yami's right. The blond Egyptian spoke up first. "Well?" He asked, looking at his sister.
Isis frowned at him. "Don't be so impatient." She scolded. "I assume Rishid has already told you what happened?"
Malik nodded. "Yes, but we knew before then too. Yami Bakura sensed it and zoned out." He added, grinning when the white haired spirit glared at him.
"I didn't 'zone out'." Yami B said as if it were obvious, but didn't offer any other name for what he'd done in favor of turning to Yami who was scowling at the wall like it had offended him. "Good to see you not on death's door, at least for the moment." He commented wryly, smirking when he got an exasperated look from the younger spirit. Yami did seem pleased that the white haired dark cared, though.
"So, any idea what 'dis thing was?" Joey asked from his place on the wall, looking at the most magic knowledgeable people in the room: Isis, Yami B, and Yami.
Yami B looked down at the blankets in thought, and Yami shook his head slightly before growling as he got dizzy. Mafdet meowed, and Isis sighed. "No." She answered. "I don't, and it appears that our Pharaoh doesn't either."
The white haired thief leaned back against the headboard, looking at the ceiling and concentrating on the feeling he'd gotten. Frustratingly though, he couldn't seem to recall it and every time he got close, it slipped away. Angrily, he shook his head. "I don't know." He said. "Though I'm willing to bet it has to do with that damn magician who's causing so much trouble lately."
Yami, looking pale again, glanced at Yami B. "He could have been looking for us. But that wouldn't take so much magic." He offered quietly.
Yami B wrinkled his nose, but nodded. "It could have been multiple spells." He added. "Or a botched one."
Isis smiled at him. "Good point." She said. "A failed spell sends off a lot of magic. The question is should we act on this, or simply wait for more developments."
Yami shrugged slightly, his eyes drifting nearly shut before remembering that he was supposed to be awake and opening them again. It was getting a little harder for the spirit to resist sleep, though, and Sugoroku knew it.
"Why don't we continue this conversation in another room and let Yami sleep. He's not in any condition to be up and trying to make any decisions on this sort of thing." The oldest Motou stated, frowning in concern and crossing his arms.
Isis nodded her agreement. "Yes, good idea." She stood from the spot on the bed, and Yami B did the same. "We can continue this conversation in Malik's room." She turned to Yuugi, Joey, and Sugoroku. "You may either come or stay, whichever you wish." She said, before turning her attention to Yami. "Sleep well, my Pharaoh." She smiled gently at him, before leaving the room with her brothers following.
Yami B nodded to Yami, before walking out after the Ishtars.
Joey yawned and stretched dramatically as the Ishtar trio and white haired spirit left and shut the door. He ran his hand through his hair casually and looked over at the Motous. "Well, I'm tired. I'm going ta' bed." He announced, before plopping down on the carpet and sprawling out, falling asleep almost instantly.
Even Yami sweatdropped.
"I'm going downstairs to claim the couch-bed." Sugoroku told his grandchildren. "Come and get me if either of you need anything."
"We will, jii-chan." They chorused, making Sugoroku smile at them before leaving the room.
Yuugi and Yami huddled down under the blankets together, this time with Yami's head against Yuugi's chest instead of the other way around. Yuugi gently pet his dark's hair as Mafdet walked over them to jump off the bed, going over to sleep in Joey's hair. She yawned cutely and kneaded the golden blond hair for a few seconds before curling up and falling asleep.
/Goodnight Yami. I hope you feel better soon./ Yuugi said mentally, getting drowsy and closing his eyes. It had been a very long day.
//...'Night Aibou...// Yami responded, closing his own eyes and idly playing with the fabric of Yuugi's pajama top, hoping that they would get to go home soon.
****************
Isis frowned. This continuation of the meeting was going well. Though that could be because it wasn't as much of a meeting as a sleepover.
Malik and Yami B were chugging Mountain Dew, and doing their best to get Rishid to join them. They had all but abandoned talking about what had happened earlier.
Isis rolled her eyes as Malik finished off his 4th can and opened a bag of chips. "That's enough." She finally said. "This meeting is over. You teenagers are doing nothing but eating snacks and drinking liquid caffeine. It's nearly 2:00 am, and we have to get up early tomorrow. And since I have a feeling you're not going to be getting to sleep for awhile, you should go to bed now." The Egyptian woman proclaimed firmly, glaring lightly at Malik and Yami B.
"She's probably right." Yami B admitted, glancing over at Malik from his casual position of sitting on the carpet and leaning back on his hands. "We should get to bed. After all, since I'm leader of this expedition for the time being-"
"We're doomed?" Malik interrupted, smirking.
Yami B glared at him. "No. We're not 'doomed'. We're condemned." He said stoically.
Malik stared at him for a moment before snorting in amusement and grinning at the white haired thief.
Isis smiled and shook her head. "To bed. Now." She said to the teens, watching as they scurried out of the room and pausing only long enough to collect their snacks.
Rishid, shaking his head, looked at his younger sister. After a few moments pause, he asked, "What do you think?"
Isis, still gazing out the door, sighed and shook her head as well. "I think they've all gotten in over their heads. Again." She replied smiling sadly. "But whatever happens, I intend to be there to help."
Rishid nodded, standing up. "Goodnight, Isis." He said.
Isis smiled at him, more happily. "Goodnight, Rishid."
As Rishid walked to the door, Isis added one thing.
"And remember to make those silly boys go to bed!"
****************
Yet again, Yami was a very unhappy spirit. In fact, he didn't really remember being happy on the entire trip besides when he was drunk. Which he didn't figure counted.
'Oh, the candy was fun.' Yami remembered, shifting the blankets off of him now that he'd become very hot again. He frowned as the moment he had gotten rid of the covers, he got cold.
Frustrated, Yami pushed himself off the bed and stood up, feeling slightly odd once he realized that he hadn't even stood since the day before. Or, actually, the day before the day before, since day was actually tomorrow.
Dizziness made worse by the almost incoherent thought he'd had caused him to sit back down on the bed and press his right fingers against the side of his head, shutting his eyes as he did so.
"You okay, Yami?" Joey asked quietly, nearly scaring Yami to a second death right there. The spirit's eyes snapped wide open as he looked at Joey who was leaning against the door frame.
"Joey?" Yami asked in confusion, glancing at the floor where Joey had been sleeping earlier and only seeing Mafdet who seemed happy even without the hair she'd been on earlier. "What are...?"
Joey held up a glass of soda he had in his left hand before walking over to sit down next to Yami carefully, so as not to disturb Yuugi. "Well, actually, Serenity had a nightmare and Otogi came to get me. But after sortin' 'dat out, I got thirsty." He explained, grinning and putting his free hand behind his head. Then he looked serious again. "What're you doin' up? You should be sleepin'."
Yami sighed. "I couldn't fall asleep. Though I must've at some point, to have missed Otogi and then you leaving." He added, shrugging slightly and returning his hand to his head.
Joey nodded, switching his glass to his other hand and putting his now free hand on Yami's back. "I know this all must really bite for you." Joey said sympathetically. "Is 'dere anythin' I can do?" He offered.
Yami smiled sadly at him. "I don't think so." He sighed, leaning sideways against his friend. "But thank you..."
Joey nodded again, placing his glass on the nightstand and moving his arms so he could put them around the spirit and pull him close. He was worried again when he realized that Yami was running a high fever again. "You're welcome." He said gently. After a few seconds he opened his mouth again. "Should probably lay back down and try to sleep so more. You won't get better if ya' don't get any rest."
Yami sighed softly, casting his eyes downward. "...Joey... I don't know..."
Joey frowned immediately at the hopeless tone of the spirit's words. "Yami, you better not be think' what I think 'dat you're thinkin'. You've got no reason to believe anythin' otha' than 'dat you'll be fine. You're doin' better, and it's only really been one day anyway. It'll all be alright." The blond said, doing his best to reassure his friend. "Why do ya' even think 'dat?" He asked as an afterthought.
Yami sighed again, leaning closer to Joey. "I just... Feel... That..." He stumbled, trying to figure out what words to use to convey what he meant.
Joey patted Yami on the head, something the spirit proclaimed he didn't like but didn't seem to mind that much. "Don't worry, Yami. Try an' sleep some more." He suggested, carefully sitting back and pointing at the middle of the bed.
Yami smiled faintly and nodded, laying down against Yuugi again and letting Joey adjust the covers around him.
"'Night Yami." Joey said, smiling.
"Goodnight, Joey." Yami replied hazily, apparently being able to finally sleep again.
Joey got up off the bed and sat down on the floor, leading back against the mattress. Mafdet opened an eye and then got up, stretching, and walked over to settle down in Joey's lap. The blond pet her fur, sighing. "Well, at least yer happy." He remarked dryly.
Mafdet just meowed.
****************
Ryou sat up, and, yawning and with one half of his hair sticking straight up, glanced at the clock. It read 7:01am.
The white haired boy stretched from his sitting position, and then felt his gravity-defying and tangled hair. He sighed, frowning. 'This is what I get for decided not to braid it for just one night... Maybe I should cut it a little shorter. It didn't tangle quite so badly in Duelist Kingdom... Nah.' He decided after his short internal monologue. Instead, he got up from the floor which was oddly comfortable, and walked over to his bag to find his hairbrush.
As he brushed his hair, he glanced around the living room. 'Hm... Where's my yami?' He wondered idly, before shrugging and returning to his task. He was sure the dark was around somewhere.
"Hey there, Bakura." Tea greeted, apparently having already gotten up. She was dressed in a blue peasant blouse and a white mini skirt. "Isis and I have started breakfast. After you brush your hair, could you wake the others?" She asked.
Ryou felt somewhat stupid that he hadn't smelled the food or heard the two women in the kitchen. But he soon got over it, and nodded once to Tea.
"Thanks Ryou." She said, smiling. "When you wake up Grandpa Motou, send him upstairs to wake Yuugi, Yami, and Joey, please." She added.
Ryou nodded again, smiling, and Tea headed back to the kitchen. After he finally managed to get his hair untangled, he went to wake people so he could go take a shower.
He knelt down next to Tristan, who was snoring, and shook him gently. "Tristan? Tristan, it's morning. Isis and Tea are making breakfast. Food, Tristan." He said, smirking when his last line caused Tristan to wake instantly, sitting up.
He blinked a few times before looking at Ryou. "Yo." He said.
Ryou laughed and moved on to Sugoroku, letting Tristan bother Ryuuji. "Mr Motou?" Ryou asked.
Sugoroku swatted at him, obviously not very awake. "Yami, damnit, what have a told you about waking me up so early? Let me sleep, you silly spirit."
Ryou giggled, very amused. He got to hear such finny things when people were being woken up. His dark, specifically, was really bad about it. Ryou learned all sorts of blackmail material that way. "Mr Motou, it's Ryou." He said.
Sugoroku opened an eye. "Oh." He said, sitting up. "Sorry."
Ryou laughed. "No problem. Tea just wanted be to tell you to go upstairs and wake up your grandchildren Joey." He said.
Sugoroku muttered something under his breath and stood up. As he headed toward the stairs, he remarked, "Might as well just add Joey into my collection of grandchildren, considering he spends five out of seven night of the week at my house and eats all my food."
Ryou laughed again. "He started with one." The white haired boy said in a fake announcer voice. "Now, he has three. How many more grandchildren will Sugoroku Motou gain through odd circumstances? No one knows."
Sugoroku snorted in amusement and walked upstairs while Ryou went to break up the argument between Tristan and Ryuuji that was effectively waking the rest of the group.
The oldest Motou knocked once against the door of Isis's room where the three boys and Mafdet were sleeping, and got a quick, "Yeah?" from Joey.
Sugoroku took that as a 'come in' and opened the door, walking into the room.
Joey was sitting on the end of the bed, apparently having already dressed and showered since his hair was still damp and... He was dressed. He was talking to Yuugi who was also ready for the day, and wetting a cloth for Yami's forehead. Yami was awake but just barely, and murmured a soft, "Hello." as his grandfather entered.
Sugoroku sat down on the end of the bed, touching Yami's forehead. "You're burning up again." He stated unhappily, upset that his oldest grandson was badly ill again after the seeming improvement the night before.
Yami shrugged slightly, sighing. "The gods hate me." He said.
Sugoroku smiled sadly, brushing back one of Yami's gold bangs. "Isis and Tea are making breakfast downstairs. Once it's done, what would you like?" He asked.
"Mm, food..." Joey said from the side, dodging as Yuugi smacked at him.
Yami just frowned. "Oh, I have to eat, don't I?" He realized unhappily. He looked at Sugoroku. "I'm not hungry." He said stubbornly.
Sugoroku rolled his eyes. "I know you're not, Yami, but I'm not going to fight with you on this. You need to eat at least a little. Toast, maybe?" He suggested.
Yami looked annoyed, but quickly gave up protesting. "Fine..." He agreed sullenly.
"Good." Sugoroku said, smiling at Yami before looking at Yuugi and Joey. "You two can get your own food." He said.
"Aw, no breakfast in bed?" Joey whined, jumping onto the bed next to Yami and giving a big grin to the Motous.
Yuugi giggled, and Yami and Sugoroku both smiled at him. "No, Joey, no breakfast in bed." Sugoroku said. "I'll be right back."
"Alright." Yuugi said, still giggling.
Sugoroku rolled his eyes and left the room.
****************
"I won't go. I won't sleep. I caaaaaaan't breath, until you're resting here with me. I won't go. I can't hiii-iiiide. I cannot be... Until you're-"
"Shut the bloody hells up, Malik." Yami B snarled, putting a pillow over his head and glaring at the Egyptian from the space between the pillow and the floor. "Do you always sing in the morning?"
Malik smiled and glanced over at the spirit. "Yeah." He affirmed, his blond hair bobbing up and down as he nodded. "Wonder why Rishid left once he noticed I was waking up?"
Yami B snorted. "Not anymore." He said, sitting up and dropping the pillow. The thief stretched and yawned, much like his other had downstairs. "What time is it?" He asked his friend.
Malik lazily glanced over at his clock. "7:18." He said, looking back at Yami B. "I think Isis is making breakfast. Let's go downstairs." He said, rolling off his bed and standing up.
Yami B yawned and nodded, standing up and adjusting his jacket. He looked up in annoyance when he noticed Malik looking at him strangely. "What now?"
Malik snickered and pointed at him. "You have carpet marks on your face." He stated.
Yami B sweatdropped and rubbed his face vigorously. "Is it gone?" He asked after a few seconds.
Malik laughed again and nodded, amused by the white haired thief's hopeful look. "Yes, don't worry Touzoku Ou. It's gone." He assured, rolling his eyes and grinning.
Yami B, acting as if nothing had ever happened, turned to head for the door. "Let's go. I'm bored of being here and I wonder if your sister has any raw meat."
Malik, following allowing after Yami B, shook his head in exasperation. "I think she does, but whether or not she'll give any to you is something else entirely."
Yami B didn't offer any response to that, instead just walking calmly to the stairs and heading to the first floor.
****************
Yami very dejectedly ripped a small piece of bread off his toast, sticking it in his mouth and sullenly eating it. Yuugi just shook his head at his dark.
"You're such a drama queen." The teen teased, earning a piece of toast thrown in his face. "Hey!" He said, picking the piece of toast off it. "Stop trying to get out of eating!"
Yami sighed loudly. "I'm not a drama queen." He said, but didn't make any move to deny the implication of Yuugi's second statement. He frowned over at Joey who was downing his third serving. "And that is not helping my appetite." He added.
Yuugi giggled, before picking up a piece of bacon and holding it up to Yami like he had the day before. "I'll let you trade this piece of bacon for other slice of toast, if you want to eat something different.
Yami considered for a second, before deciding that if he couldn't get out of eating, he may as well have something he really liked. He took the bacon from Yuugi and handed his little brother his remaining toast. "Deal."
"Hey Yuug', can I get any of that-" Joey began, indicating the bacon with his fork.
"No. Go downstairs and get more if you're still hungry." Yuugi said, laughing.
The three ate their respective breakfast silently for a few moments, until Yuugi spoke up through their link. /How are you this morning?/ He asked Yami, concern coming back into his mental voice.
Yami shook his head slightly, frowning at the now familiar dizziness. //I... Feel much the same. I still get dizzy when I do anything.// He admitted, sighing in annoyance and leaning back as he nibbled on the end of the bacon. //And I get so tired when I'm even just awake.//
Yuugi nodded sympathetically. /I'm really sorry... I wish I knew what to do for you.../
Yami smiled at Yuugi gently. //It's not your fault Yuugi. And you are helping.// He added, putting the last of the bacon strip in his mouth.
Yuugi giggled as Yami made a face at the excessive amount of grease that had collected on that part, and swallowed.
//...Ick.//
Yuugi burst into giggles, the mood having been lightened by Yami's comment. Joey, of course, had no idea what Yuugi was giggling about, but joined in anyway. Yami just rolled his eyes before suddenly feeling very nauseous.
The spirit sat up straight. //... Aibou, I don't feel well.// He said, sitting very stiffly and trying not to be sick.
Yuugi, very worried, put one hand on the dark's back comfortingly and the other hand on his shoulder. /It's okay, you'll be alright./ He reassured, thinking that breakfast may not have been such a good idea after all. And also knowing that once Yami was better again, he wouldn't let them live it down.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked, setting his plate to the side and standing up.
Yami shut his eyes. "I think I'm going to be sick." He said flatly.
Joey's eyes widened and he twitched slightly, sitting down next to Yami and putting a hand on his back. "Just relax." Joey said soothingly.
Yami, being the stubborn person he was, opened his eyes and glared at him. "Damnit." He snarled, barely noticing Joey take his hand away and lean slightly backwards. "I'm tired of being sick. I want to go back home." The frustration and other emotions from the past few days had reached the point where Yami didn't really care about controlling them. He shook his head rapidly, before fisting his hands in his long hair and burying his face in his knees.
Yuugi was close to tears again, and Joey was just confused. The blond was more than smart enough, however, to realize that anything he did was likely to elevate the situation, and so he slowly got off the bed and went to sit down next to the wall. Yuugi carefully touched his dark on the shoulder.
/...Yami?/ He ventured, more worried when he noticed that the spirit's shoulders were shaking slightly.
Yami refused to answer him, and just moved his arm in a gesture that obviously meant he wanted Yuugi to stop touching him. When Yuugi didn't, Yami lifted his head quickly and, surprisingly, threw back the blankets and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Yami?" Yuugi asked in alarm, shooting to his feet and making his way around the bed just as the spirit stood.
Yami glared at him, balancing shakily, before turning his back on both him and Joey and picking up his bag. The dark lifted it up, and stalked without another word into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door.
Yuugi blinked after him, then exchanged a look with Joey. "Joey... Could you go get Grandpa?" He asked softly, still somewhat shocked by all that had just happened.
The blond nodded, walking quickly out the door and heading downstairs. Once he stepped off the last stair, he looked around to see Sugoroku sipping some coffee and... Reading an Egyptian newspaper?
Joey shook his head, not caring, and walked over. "Gramps, you need to get upstairs." He said, causing Sugoroku to immediately draw his attention from the newspaper.
"Why?" He asked worriedly. "Are Yuugi and Yami alright? What happened?"
Joey held up his hands, waving them back and forth frantically. "'Dey're both okay, don't worry. Howeva'... I think I did something to upset Yami, 'cause he got up and locked himself in the bathroom."
Sugoroku just stared, before standing up and rushing for the stairs, Joey right behind him. The rest of the group was somewhat confused.
"What was that all about?" Mai asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"I've no idea." Ryou answered, just as confused as she was. He glanced toward his dark, who was lounging on the couch. "You?" He asked.
"I'm not a damn fountain of information." Yami B muttered darkly. "Go harass Yuugi if you want to know. I'm sure he does."
Ryou just rolled his eyes. "You're such a jerk."
****************
Sugoroku sighed after hearing the whole explanation from Yuugi and Joey. "Well..." He started. "Yami's probably getting a little tired of being babied and taken care of, and he probably really wants to get this whole mess over with. The past few days haven't been very nice. However, he's going to make himself worse if he continues to be so stubborn. He still won't respond to you, Yuugi?" He asked, turning his attention solely toward his youngest grandson.
"No." Yuugi replied, exasperated. "I love Yami very much, but he's being a stubborn brat right now." The boy said, turning away in frustration. "I'm really worried about him. He's not doing anything to take care of himself."
Just then, the bathroom door opened and Yami stalked out, dressed in his usual leather and boots and his apparently newly towel dried hair somewhere between standing up and falling around his shoulders. He stopped just in front of the doorway, looking at the three people in front of him hazily. "We're getting on with what we can here to do, whether or not I'm sick." He declared. "I'm not going to spend another week sitting here in the Ishtar house waiting to recover. I want to get this mess done with so we can all return to Japan."
Yuugi's lip quivered, noticing the flush across Yami's cheeks, indicating that his fever had come back yet again. "Yami, I don't think that..." He trailed off, knowing his dark could tell what he was going to say.
Yami turned his gaze toward Yuugi. "I know you don't. But you can't honestly expect that we're going to be completely unbothered for the time it takes me to recover, or for us to simply wait around either."
"No..." Yuugi admitted, looking down sadly.
Sugoroku frowned at Yami. "You're in no condition to go traipsing around Egypt." He stated, not about to give up as quickly as Yuugi and very worried about the consequences should they decide to go out and try to continue their journey at that time.
"I'm not going to be for another week, at least." Yami said, folding his arms. "That's the whole point, jiichan. We don't have the time to waste."
"Yami." Sugoroku said sternly, knowing he was loosing the argument. "You can't make decisions like this right now."
Yami tossed his head. "Yes I can, damnit." He replied, glaring darkly.
Joey sweatdropped, not really wanting to see Yami and Sugoroku, of all people, in a shouting match. "Er, guys..." He said hesitantly. "Fightin' ain't gonna help..."
"If people would listen to me, there would be no fight." The two older Motou's said at the same time, making Joey sweatdrop more.
Yami glared at them all a final time, before simply sweeping out of the room and down the stairs before anyone could protest. Once they had realized that the spirit had left, they all turned and chased after him.
The others, downstairs, looked up in surprise to see Yami, who had been seemingly on death's door the day before, storm down the steps. Yami B got up from the couch, both amused and concerned. "Pharaoh? What the hell are you doing down here?" He asked.
"Coming to form a plan of what to do next." The other spirit answered, wavering slightly as he stepped off the last stair.
Yami B raised an eyebrow, as did most of the group, but was interrupted before he could comment by Yuugi, Sugoroku, and Joey rushing down the stairs behind Yami.
"Racing?" Malik asked, just sarcastic enough to be noticed.
Again, before any comment could be made, there was another interruption. This time, it was because of a polite knock on the door.
Everyone looked to the door in surprise, Rishid and Malik standing up as the two spirits watched the door suspiciously.
"Who would that be?" Isis wondered, hesitant about answering it due to the new enemy that had shown up. There was another knock. "Whoever it is really wants to come in..." The Egyptian woman added.
Rishid and Malik exchanged looks, before heading toward the door at the same time. Rishid grabbed the handle and, glancing to make sure Malik was a little behind him, opened it, and was met with a pair of startling blue eyes.
A pair of honey brown eyes and their owner peeked around the first person's head, and up at Rishid, who was quite surprised.
Another pair of blue eyes looked up from much lower down, the little girl smiling at the tall Ishtar.
"Can we come in?" Shaadii asked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Tada. XD Please review!
Oh, also, go check out a link in my bio, right under the preview. My friend made them. They're shipping gifs. There's Jou*Yami, Honda*Otogi, Yami*Yuugi, and yes, Borath, Yami B*Yami. XD
Ryuujin Dragon King: Well, I finally updated. XD
Silverlight: *Squeals happily* Thanks so much for the compliments! I'm so proud! *Hands over cookies* Sankyuu so much!
Borath: Aw, you came online at 11:40pm just to see if I'd updated? Hope you didn't lately, since I took so long to put up a chapter this time. O.o
Heh, yes, you're right about the score board. XD
As fun as killing off Yami would be, unfortunately... Well... Maybe. XD Anyway, he's not off the hook yet. *Evil smirk* And I really should write a Yami B*Yami story. XD
Wingleader Sora Jade: Glad you liked the chapter. ^_^ And I need Seto to be nice. *Snorts* Okay, so not really, but he just decided to get nice for some reason even though he was going to be cold, originally. *Rolls eyes* Silly bish... And who knows. Ryou may get a chance to beat Seto at chess. There's still the rest of this story and the third piece, plus who knows how many more eventually. ^_^
And did my Email get to you?
Other notes: Sorry it took so long! Huge writer's block. *Sweatdrop* Next chapter should go smoother, since I get to reveal stuff. XD
Summary of last time: The group hung out and got to have a little down time at the Ishtars.
Preview of this time: The group starts get the suspicion that their enemy is off his tea break, and they get some visitors.
Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh, or 'Here with me' by Dido.
Warnings: You should know by now.
Japanese:
Touzoku - Thief, Bandit
Ou - King (Touzoku Ou was what Yami Bakura was titled in ancient Egypt)
Jiichan - Grandfather (Informal)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Eien; part 20
by: Amiasha
Yami B winced as the person Malik was pickpocketing turned around and slugged him across the face.
"And don't try anything like that ever again, young man!" The old woman said angrily, turning on her heel and storming away.
The white haired spirit melted out of the shadows and walked over to where Malik was swirly eyed on the ground. He looked down at his friend, and held out his hand. "Malik?" He asked.
Malik blinked a few times, before sitting up, shaking his head, and taking Yami B's hand so the spirit could help him up. "I'm okay." He answered, giving Yami B a grin. "Happens all the time."
Yami B sweatdropped as Malik looked around for another person to try to steal from. "Didn't your sister tell you not to pickpocket? And could this be why?" The professional thief ventured cautiously, watching the blond's attempts.
"Yes, and possibly." Malik replied calmly.
Yami B sighed and rubbed his forehead. "What was such an old woman doing out at this time out night, anyway?" He asked suddenly, looking back up.
Malik stopped, looking back over his shoulder at Yami B. "No idea. Maybe she needed stuff for cookies." He said, shrugging.
Yami B yawned. "Since you're so horribly bad as thieving, let me show you how it's done." The dark said lazily. He glanced around, his eyes settling on a tourist-looking couple, and he smirked. Yami B silently fell into step behind them. A few seconds later, he had successfully stolen the man's wallet and returned to Malik, looking smug. He held the wallet up in front of Malik tauntingly.
"Alright, you've made your point." Malik said, rolling his eyes as Yami Bakura pocketed his newly earned, or stolen, wallet.
"Say it. You're an inferior thief compared to me, Touzoku Ou." Yami B said, smirking.
Malik sighed and then laughed at the shorter teen's expectant look. "Fine. I'm an inferior thief compared to you, O grand Thief King." He recited, mock bowing. As he looked back up, he noticed that Yami Bakura's eyes had glassed over. Malik started from shock, straightening quickly and taking the few steps between the two so he could put a hand on Yami Bakura's shoulder. "Yami Bakura?" He asked tensely, unnerved when he got no response.
Yami Bakura didn't seem to be hurt in any way, but his eyes were hazy and had dulled from their rich brown to a lighter and more grey color. Malik shook his shoulder, waving his other hand in front of the white haired spirit's face.
Malik was about to carry the dark to the motorcycle and take him back to Isis to see if she could do something, when Yami B shook his head rapidly, his white hair flying around his face. He took a few deep breaths, lowering himself to the street and sitting on his knees. Malik knelt down quickly next to him. "Yami Bakura, what happened? Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
Yami B blinked hard, before looking up at Malik. "Yes, I'm fine." He answered, shaking his head rapidly again. "Just... Something or someone used a great deal of magic." He said, standing back up shakily. "I wouldn't be surprised if the Pharaoh felt it all the way back at your house."
Malik frowned. "You're sure you're not getting whatever the Pharaoh has?" He asked.
Yami Bakura nodded. "Positive." He glanced around the darkened streets of the area they were in. "I would use the Ring to find where this magic came from, but I'm not sure if I could take on whatever it was should it choose to attack me." He looked back at Malik. "It'd be best to return to your house to inform the others."
Malik nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good. Come on, let's go back to the motorcycle." He suggested, turning around and leading Yami B back toward the vehicle.
A few minutes later and they had replaced their helmets on their heads, and were on their way back to the Ishtars. And Yami B was again convinced that they were going to die.
"Dammit Malik, TURN!"
"I am turning, you idiotic spirit!"
"Not fast enough, mortal!"
Malik rolled his eyes. They were walking next time. He couldn't stand Yami B's backseat driving.
The two arrived at the Ishtar house relatively unscathed, and climbed off the bike. Malik opened the door and cautiously leaned his head inside, wondering if anyone was still up. He and Yami B had been out a few hours, and it was nearly 12:00 midnight.
"Greetings." Rishid said softly, coming up to the door and opening it all the way as the two entered. The lights in the living room were off, seeing as how teens, a young adult, and a preteen were stretched out on the floor and couch. "I was about to come get you." He said, and Malik and Yami B noticed he was wearing his cloak.
"What for?" Malik whispered, as the three made their way around the guests and headed upstairs.
"Isis said that there had been a surge of magic, as if someone had cast a large spell." Rishid explained. "She and Yami Yuugi are trying to discern what it could have been."
Yami B nodded, figuring as much. "Any ideas?" He asked, following behind Malik.
"None so far." Rishid answered, opening the door to Isis's room and entering, followed by the two teens.
Isis was sitting on the end of the bed, talking to a very miserable and not too well looking Yami, now in green pajamas, who had Mafdet on his lap. Yuugi was at his side, also in matching pajamas, letting the spirit lean against him, and Joey and Sugoroku were standing close by, both with their arms folded. Isis looked over her shoulder at the three new arrivals. "Ah, good, you're here." She said.
Malik nodded, taking up a spot on the opposite wall from Joey and Sugoroku. Rishid stood calmly behind Isis, and Yami B sat down on Yami's right. The blond Egyptian spoke up first. "Well?" He asked, looking at his sister.
Isis frowned at him. "Don't be so impatient." She scolded. "I assume Rishid has already told you what happened?"
Malik nodded. "Yes, but we knew before then too. Yami Bakura sensed it and zoned out." He added, grinning when the white haired spirit glared at him.
"I didn't 'zone out'." Yami B said as if it were obvious, but didn't offer any other name for what he'd done in favor of turning to Yami who was scowling at the wall like it had offended him. "Good to see you not on death's door, at least for the moment." He commented wryly, smirking when he got an exasperated look from the younger spirit. Yami did seem pleased that the white haired dark cared, though.
"So, any idea what 'dis thing was?" Joey asked from his place on the wall, looking at the most magic knowledgeable people in the room: Isis, Yami B, and Yami.
Yami B looked down at the blankets in thought, and Yami shook his head slightly before growling as he got dizzy. Mafdet meowed, and Isis sighed. "No." She answered. "I don't, and it appears that our Pharaoh doesn't either."
The white haired thief leaned back against the headboard, looking at the ceiling and concentrating on the feeling he'd gotten. Frustratingly though, he couldn't seem to recall it and every time he got close, it slipped away. Angrily, he shook his head. "I don't know." He said. "Though I'm willing to bet it has to do with that damn magician who's causing so much trouble lately."
Yami, looking pale again, glanced at Yami B. "He could have been looking for us. But that wouldn't take so much magic." He offered quietly.
Yami B wrinkled his nose, but nodded. "It could have been multiple spells." He added. "Or a botched one."
Isis smiled at him. "Good point." She said. "A failed spell sends off a lot of magic. The question is should we act on this, or simply wait for more developments."
Yami shrugged slightly, his eyes drifting nearly shut before remembering that he was supposed to be awake and opening them again. It was getting a little harder for the spirit to resist sleep, though, and Sugoroku knew it.
"Why don't we continue this conversation in another room and let Yami sleep. He's not in any condition to be up and trying to make any decisions on this sort of thing." The oldest Motou stated, frowning in concern and crossing his arms.
Isis nodded her agreement. "Yes, good idea." She stood from the spot on the bed, and Yami B did the same. "We can continue this conversation in Malik's room." She turned to Yuugi, Joey, and Sugoroku. "You may either come or stay, whichever you wish." She said, before turning her attention to Yami. "Sleep well, my Pharaoh." She smiled gently at him, before leaving the room with her brothers following.
Yami B nodded to Yami, before walking out after the Ishtars.
Joey yawned and stretched dramatically as the Ishtar trio and white haired spirit left and shut the door. He ran his hand through his hair casually and looked over at the Motous. "Well, I'm tired. I'm going ta' bed." He announced, before plopping down on the carpet and sprawling out, falling asleep almost instantly.
Even Yami sweatdropped.
"I'm going downstairs to claim the couch-bed." Sugoroku told his grandchildren. "Come and get me if either of you need anything."
"We will, jii-chan." They chorused, making Sugoroku smile at them before leaving the room.
Yuugi and Yami huddled down under the blankets together, this time with Yami's head against Yuugi's chest instead of the other way around. Yuugi gently pet his dark's hair as Mafdet walked over them to jump off the bed, going over to sleep in Joey's hair. She yawned cutely and kneaded the golden blond hair for a few seconds before curling up and falling asleep.
/Goodnight Yami. I hope you feel better soon./ Yuugi said mentally, getting drowsy and closing his eyes. It had been a very long day.
//...'Night Aibou...// Yami responded, closing his own eyes and idly playing with the fabric of Yuugi's pajama top, hoping that they would get to go home soon.
****************
Isis frowned. This continuation of the meeting was going well. Though that could be because it wasn't as much of a meeting as a sleepover.
Malik and Yami B were chugging Mountain Dew, and doing their best to get Rishid to join them. They had all but abandoned talking about what had happened earlier.
Isis rolled her eyes as Malik finished off his 4th can and opened a bag of chips. "That's enough." She finally said. "This meeting is over. You teenagers are doing nothing but eating snacks and drinking liquid caffeine. It's nearly 2:00 am, and we have to get up early tomorrow. And since I have a feeling you're not going to be getting to sleep for awhile, you should go to bed now." The Egyptian woman proclaimed firmly, glaring lightly at Malik and Yami B.
"She's probably right." Yami B admitted, glancing over at Malik from his casual position of sitting on the carpet and leaning back on his hands. "We should get to bed. After all, since I'm leader of this expedition for the time being-"
"We're doomed?" Malik interrupted, smirking.
Yami B glared at him. "No. We're not 'doomed'. We're condemned." He said stoically.
Malik stared at him for a moment before snorting in amusement and grinning at the white haired thief.
Isis smiled and shook her head. "To bed. Now." She said to the teens, watching as they scurried out of the room and pausing only long enough to collect their snacks.
Rishid, shaking his head, looked at his younger sister. After a few moments pause, he asked, "What do you think?"
Isis, still gazing out the door, sighed and shook her head as well. "I think they've all gotten in over their heads. Again." She replied smiling sadly. "But whatever happens, I intend to be there to help."
Rishid nodded, standing up. "Goodnight, Isis." He said.
Isis smiled at him, more happily. "Goodnight, Rishid."
As Rishid walked to the door, Isis added one thing.
"And remember to make those silly boys go to bed!"
****************
Yet again, Yami was a very unhappy spirit. In fact, he didn't really remember being happy on the entire trip besides when he was drunk. Which he didn't figure counted.
'Oh, the candy was fun.' Yami remembered, shifting the blankets off of him now that he'd become very hot again. He frowned as the moment he had gotten rid of the covers, he got cold.
Frustrated, Yami pushed himself off the bed and stood up, feeling slightly odd once he realized that he hadn't even stood since the day before. Or, actually, the day before the day before, since day was actually tomorrow.
Dizziness made worse by the almost incoherent thought he'd had caused him to sit back down on the bed and press his right fingers against the side of his head, shutting his eyes as he did so.
"You okay, Yami?" Joey asked quietly, nearly scaring Yami to a second death right there. The spirit's eyes snapped wide open as he looked at Joey who was leaning against the door frame.
"Joey?" Yami asked in confusion, glancing at the floor where Joey had been sleeping earlier and only seeing Mafdet who seemed happy even without the hair she'd been on earlier. "What are...?"
Joey held up a glass of soda he had in his left hand before walking over to sit down next to Yami carefully, so as not to disturb Yuugi. "Well, actually, Serenity had a nightmare and Otogi came to get me. But after sortin' 'dat out, I got thirsty." He explained, grinning and putting his free hand behind his head. Then he looked serious again. "What're you doin' up? You should be sleepin'."
Yami sighed. "I couldn't fall asleep. Though I must've at some point, to have missed Otogi and then you leaving." He added, shrugging slightly and returning his hand to his head.
Joey nodded, switching his glass to his other hand and putting his now free hand on Yami's back. "I know this all must really bite for you." Joey said sympathetically. "Is 'dere anythin' I can do?" He offered.
Yami smiled sadly at him. "I don't think so." He sighed, leaning sideways against his friend. "But thank you..."
Joey nodded again, placing his glass on the nightstand and moving his arms so he could put them around the spirit and pull him close. He was worried again when he realized that Yami was running a high fever again. "You're welcome." He said gently. After a few seconds he opened his mouth again. "Should probably lay back down and try to sleep so more. You won't get better if ya' don't get any rest."
Yami sighed softly, casting his eyes downward. "...Joey... I don't know..."
Joey frowned immediately at the hopeless tone of the spirit's words. "Yami, you better not be think' what I think 'dat you're thinkin'. You've got no reason to believe anythin' otha' than 'dat you'll be fine. You're doin' better, and it's only really been one day anyway. It'll all be alright." The blond said, doing his best to reassure his friend. "Why do ya' even think 'dat?" He asked as an afterthought.
Yami sighed again, leaning closer to Joey. "I just... Feel... That..." He stumbled, trying to figure out what words to use to convey what he meant.
Joey patted Yami on the head, something the spirit proclaimed he didn't like but didn't seem to mind that much. "Don't worry, Yami. Try an' sleep some more." He suggested, carefully sitting back and pointing at the middle of the bed.
Yami smiled faintly and nodded, laying down against Yuugi again and letting Joey adjust the covers around him.
"'Night Yami." Joey said, smiling.
"Goodnight, Joey." Yami replied hazily, apparently being able to finally sleep again.
Joey got up off the bed and sat down on the floor, leading back against the mattress. Mafdet opened an eye and then got up, stretching, and walked over to settle down in Joey's lap. The blond pet her fur, sighing. "Well, at least yer happy." He remarked dryly.
Mafdet just meowed.
****************
Ryou sat up, and, yawning and with one half of his hair sticking straight up, glanced at the clock. It read 7:01am.
The white haired boy stretched from his sitting position, and then felt his gravity-defying and tangled hair. He sighed, frowning. 'This is what I get for decided not to braid it for just one night... Maybe I should cut it a little shorter. It didn't tangle quite so badly in Duelist Kingdom... Nah.' He decided after his short internal monologue. Instead, he got up from the floor which was oddly comfortable, and walked over to his bag to find his hairbrush.
As he brushed his hair, he glanced around the living room. 'Hm... Where's my yami?' He wondered idly, before shrugging and returning to his task. He was sure the dark was around somewhere.
"Hey there, Bakura." Tea greeted, apparently having already gotten up. She was dressed in a blue peasant blouse and a white mini skirt. "Isis and I have started breakfast. After you brush your hair, could you wake the others?" She asked.
Ryou felt somewhat stupid that he hadn't smelled the food or heard the two women in the kitchen. But he soon got over it, and nodded once to Tea.
"Thanks Ryou." She said, smiling. "When you wake up Grandpa Motou, send him upstairs to wake Yuugi, Yami, and Joey, please." She added.
Ryou nodded again, smiling, and Tea headed back to the kitchen. After he finally managed to get his hair untangled, he went to wake people so he could go take a shower.
He knelt down next to Tristan, who was snoring, and shook him gently. "Tristan? Tristan, it's morning. Isis and Tea are making breakfast. Food, Tristan." He said, smirking when his last line caused Tristan to wake instantly, sitting up.
He blinked a few times before looking at Ryou. "Yo." He said.
Ryou laughed and moved on to Sugoroku, letting Tristan bother Ryuuji. "Mr Motou?" Ryou asked.
Sugoroku swatted at him, obviously not very awake. "Yami, damnit, what have a told you about waking me up so early? Let me sleep, you silly spirit."
Ryou giggled, very amused. He got to hear such finny things when people were being woken up. His dark, specifically, was really bad about it. Ryou learned all sorts of blackmail material that way. "Mr Motou, it's Ryou." He said.
Sugoroku opened an eye. "Oh." He said, sitting up. "Sorry."
Ryou laughed. "No problem. Tea just wanted be to tell you to go upstairs and wake up your grandchildren Joey." He said.
Sugoroku muttered something under his breath and stood up. As he headed toward the stairs, he remarked, "Might as well just add Joey into my collection of grandchildren, considering he spends five out of seven night of the week at my house and eats all my food."
Ryou laughed again. "He started with one." The white haired boy said in a fake announcer voice. "Now, he has three. How many more grandchildren will Sugoroku Motou gain through odd circumstances? No one knows."
Sugoroku snorted in amusement and walked upstairs while Ryou went to break up the argument between Tristan and Ryuuji that was effectively waking the rest of the group.
The oldest Motou knocked once against the door of Isis's room where the three boys and Mafdet were sleeping, and got a quick, "Yeah?" from Joey.
Sugoroku took that as a 'come in' and opened the door, walking into the room.
Joey was sitting on the end of the bed, apparently having already dressed and showered since his hair was still damp and... He was dressed. He was talking to Yuugi who was also ready for the day, and wetting a cloth for Yami's forehead. Yami was awake but just barely, and murmured a soft, "Hello." as his grandfather entered.
Sugoroku sat down on the end of the bed, touching Yami's forehead. "You're burning up again." He stated unhappily, upset that his oldest grandson was badly ill again after the seeming improvement the night before.
Yami shrugged slightly, sighing. "The gods hate me." He said.
Sugoroku smiled sadly, brushing back one of Yami's gold bangs. "Isis and Tea are making breakfast downstairs. Once it's done, what would you like?" He asked.
"Mm, food..." Joey said from the side, dodging as Yuugi smacked at him.
Yami just frowned. "Oh, I have to eat, don't I?" He realized unhappily. He looked at Sugoroku. "I'm not hungry." He said stubbornly.
Sugoroku rolled his eyes. "I know you're not, Yami, but I'm not going to fight with you on this. You need to eat at least a little. Toast, maybe?" He suggested.
Yami looked annoyed, but quickly gave up protesting. "Fine..." He agreed sullenly.
"Good." Sugoroku said, smiling at Yami before looking at Yuugi and Joey. "You two can get your own food." He said.
"Aw, no breakfast in bed?" Joey whined, jumping onto the bed next to Yami and giving a big grin to the Motous.
Yuugi giggled, and Yami and Sugoroku both smiled at him. "No, Joey, no breakfast in bed." Sugoroku said. "I'll be right back."
"Alright." Yuugi said, still giggling.
Sugoroku rolled his eyes and left the room.
****************
"I won't go. I won't sleep. I caaaaaaan't breath, until you're resting here with me. I won't go. I can't hiii-iiiide. I cannot be... Until you're-"
"Shut the bloody hells up, Malik." Yami B snarled, putting a pillow over his head and glaring at the Egyptian from the space between the pillow and the floor. "Do you always sing in the morning?"
Malik smiled and glanced over at the spirit. "Yeah." He affirmed, his blond hair bobbing up and down as he nodded. "Wonder why Rishid left once he noticed I was waking up?"
Yami B snorted. "Not anymore." He said, sitting up and dropping the pillow. The thief stretched and yawned, much like his other had downstairs. "What time is it?" He asked his friend.
Malik lazily glanced over at his clock. "7:18." He said, looking back at Yami B. "I think Isis is making breakfast. Let's go downstairs." He said, rolling off his bed and standing up.
Yami B yawned and nodded, standing up and adjusting his jacket. He looked up in annoyance when he noticed Malik looking at him strangely. "What now?"
Malik snickered and pointed at him. "You have carpet marks on your face." He stated.
Yami B sweatdropped and rubbed his face vigorously. "Is it gone?" He asked after a few seconds.
Malik laughed again and nodded, amused by the white haired thief's hopeful look. "Yes, don't worry Touzoku Ou. It's gone." He assured, rolling his eyes and grinning.
Yami B, acting as if nothing had ever happened, turned to head for the door. "Let's go. I'm bored of being here and I wonder if your sister has any raw meat."
Malik, following allowing after Yami B, shook his head in exasperation. "I think she does, but whether or not she'll give any to you is something else entirely."
Yami B didn't offer any response to that, instead just walking calmly to the stairs and heading to the first floor.
****************
Yami very dejectedly ripped a small piece of bread off his toast, sticking it in his mouth and sullenly eating it. Yuugi just shook his head at his dark.
"You're such a drama queen." The teen teased, earning a piece of toast thrown in his face. "Hey!" He said, picking the piece of toast off it. "Stop trying to get out of eating!"
Yami sighed loudly. "I'm not a drama queen." He said, but didn't make any move to deny the implication of Yuugi's second statement. He frowned over at Joey who was downing his third serving. "And that is not helping my appetite." He added.
Yuugi giggled, before picking up a piece of bacon and holding it up to Yami like he had the day before. "I'll let you trade this piece of bacon for other slice of toast, if you want to eat something different.
Yami considered for a second, before deciding that if he couldn't get out of eating, he may as well have something he really liked. He took the bacon from Yuugi and handed his little brother his remaining toast. "Deal."
"Hey Yuug', can I get any of that-" Joey began, indicating the bacon with his fork.
"No. Go downstairs and get more if you're still hungry." Yuugi said, laughing.
The three ate their respective breakfast silently for a few moments, until Yuugi spoke up through their link. /How are you this morning?/ He asked Yami, concern coming back into his mental voice.
Yami shook his head slightly, frowning at the now familiar dizziness. //I... Feel much the same. I still get dizzy when I do anything.// He admitted, sighing in annoyance and leaning back as he nibbled on the end of the bacon. //And I get so tired when I'm even just awake.//
Yuugi nodded sympathetically. /I'm really sorry... I wish I knew what to do for you.../
Yami smiled at Yuugi gently. //It's not your fault Yuugi. And you are helping.// He added, putting the last of the bacon strip in his mouth.
Yuugi giggled as Yami made a face at the excessive amount of grease that had collected on that part, and swallowed.
//...Ick.//
Yuugi burst into giggles, the mood having been lightened by Yami's comment. Joey, of course, had no idea what Yuugi was giggling about, but joined in anyway. Yami just rolled his eyes before suddenly feeling very nauseous.
The spirit sat up straight. //... Aibou, I don't feel well.// He said, sitting very stiffly and trying not to be sick.
Yuugi, very worried, put one hand on the dark's back comfortingly and the other hand on his shoulder. /It's okay, you'll be alright./ He reassured, thinking that breakfast may not have been such a good idea after all. And also knowing that once Yami was better again, he wouldn't let them live it down.
"What's wrong?" Joey asked, setting his plate to the side and standing up.
Yami shut his eyes. "I think I'm going to be sick." He said flatly.
Joey's eyes widened and he twitched slightly, sitting down next to Yami and putting a hand on his back. "Just relax." Joey said soothingly.
Yami, being the stubborn person he was, opened his eyes and glared at him. "Damnit." He snarled, barely noticing Joey take his hand away and lean slightly backwards. "I'm tired of being sick. I want to go back home." The frustration and other emotions from the past few days had reached the point where Yami didn't really care about controlling them. He shook his head rapidly, before fisting his hands in his long hair and burying his face in his knees.
Yuugi was close to tears again, and Joey was just confused. The blond was more than smart enough, however, to realize that anything he did was likely to elevate the situation, and so he slowly got off the bed and went to sit down next to the wall. Yuugi carefully touched his dark on the shoulder.
/...Yami?/ He ventured, more worried when he noticed that the spirit's shoulders were shaking slightly.
Yami refused to answer him, and just moved his arm in a gesture that obviously meant he wanted Yuugi to stop touching him. When Yuugi didn't, Yami lifted his head quickly and, surprisingly, threw back the blankets and swung his legs over the edge of the bed.
"Yami?" Yuugi asked in alarm, shooting to his feet and making his way around the bed just as the spirit stood.
Yami glared at him, balancing shakily, before turning his back on both him and Joey and picking up his bag. The dark lifted it up, and stalked without another word into the bathroom, shutting and locking the door.
Yuugi blinked after him, then exchanged a look with Joey. "Joey... Could you go get Grandpa?" He asked softly, still somewhat shocked by all that had just happened.
The blond nodded, walking quickly out the door and heading downstairs. Once he stepped off the last stair, he looked around to see Sugoroku sipping some coffee and... Reading an Egyptian newspaper?
Joey shook his head, not caring, and walked over. "Gramps, you need to get upstairs." He said, causing Sugoroku to immediately draw his attention from the newspaper.
"Why?" He asked worriedly. "Are Yuugi and Yami alright? What happened?"
Joey held up his hands, waving them back and forth frantically. "'Dey're both okay, don't worry. Howeva'... I think I did something to upset Yami, 'cause he got up and locked himself in the bathroom."
Sugoroku just stared, before standing up and rushing for the stairs, Joey right behind him. The rest of the group was somewhat confused.
"What was that all about?" Mai asked, putting her hands on her hips.
"I've no idea." Ryou answered, just as confused as she was. He glanced toward his dark, who was lounging on the couch. "You?" He asked.
"I'm not a damn fountain of information." Yami B muttered darkly. "Go harass Yuugi if you want to know. I'm sure he does."
Ryou just rolled his eyes. "You're such a jerk."
****************
Sugoroku sighed after hearing the whole explanation from Yuugi and Joey. "Well..." He started. "Yami's probably getting a little tired of being babied and taken care of, and he probably really wants to get this whole mess over with. The past few days haven't been very nice. However, he's going to make himself worse if he continues to be so stubborn. He still won't respond to you, Yuugi?" He asked, turning his attention solely toward his youngest grandson.
"No." Yuugi replied, exasperated. "I love Yami very much, but he's being a stubborn brat right now." The boy said, turning away in frustration. "I'm really worried about him. He's not doing anything to take care of himself."
Just then, the bathroom door opened and Yami stalked out, dressed in his usual leather and boots and his apparently newly towel dried hair somewhere between standing up and falling around his shoulders. He stopped just in front of the doorway, looking at the three people in front of him hazily. "We're getting on with what we can here to do, whether or not I'm sick." He declared. "I'm not going to spend another week sitting here in the Ishtar house waiting to recover. I want to get this mess done with so we can all return to Japan."
Yuugi's lip quivered, noticing the flush across Yami's cheeks, indicating that his fever had come back yet again. "Yami, I don't think that..." He trailed off, knowing his dark could tell what he was going to say.
Yami turned his gaze toward Yuugi. "I know you don't. But you can't honestly expect that we're going to be completely unbothered for the time it takes me to recover, or for us to simply wait around either."
"No..." Yuugi admitted, looking down sadly.
Sugoroku frowned at Yami. "You're in no condition to go traipsing around Egypt." He stated, not about to give up as quickly as Yuugi and very worried about the consequences should they decide to go out and try to continue their journey at that time.
"I'm not going to be for another week, at least." Yami said, folding his arms. "That's the whole point, jiichan. We don't have the time to waste."
"Yami." Sugoroku said sternly, knowing he was loosing the argument. "You can't make decisions like this right now."
Yami tossed his head. "Yes I can, damnit." He replied, glaring darkly.
Joey sweatdropped, not really wanting to see Yami and Sugoroku, of all people, in a shouting match. "Er, guys..." He said hesitantly. "Fightin' ain't gonna help..."
"If people would listen to me, there would be no fight." The two older Motou's said at the same time, making Joey sweatdrop more.
Yami glared at them all a final time, before simply sweeping out of the room and down the stairs before anyone could protest. Once they had realized that the spirit had left, they all turned and chased after him.
The others, downstairs, looked up in surprise to see Yami, who had been seemingly on death's door the day before, storm down the steps. Yami B got up from the couch, both amused and concerned. "Pharaoh? What the hell are you doing down here?" He asked.
"Coming to form a plan of what to do next." The other spirit answered, wavering slightly as he stepped off the last stair.
Yami B raised an eyebrow, as did most of the group, but was interrupted before he could comment by Yuugi, Sugoroku, and Joey rushing down the stairs behind Yami.
"Racing?" Malik asked, just sarcastic enough to be noticed.
Again, before any comment could be made, there was another interruption. This time, it was because of a polite knock on the door.
Everyone looked to the door in surprise, Rishid and Malik standing up as the two spirits watched the door suspiciously.
"Who would that be?" Isis wondered, hesitant about answering it due to the new enemy that had shown up. There was another knock. "Whoever it is really wants to come in..." The Egyptian woman added.
Rishid and Malik exchanged looks, before heading toward the door at the same time. Rishid grabbed the handle and, glancing to make sure Malik was a little behind him, opened it, and was met with a pair of startling blue eyes.
A pair of honey brown eyes and their owner peeked around the first person's head, and up at Rishid, who was quite surprised.
Another pair of blue eyes looked up from much lower down, the little girl smiling at the tall Ishtar.
"Can we come in?" Shaadii asked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Tada. XD Please review!
Oh, also, go check out a link in my bio, right under the preview. My friend made them. They're shipping gifs. There's Jou*Yami, Honda*Otogi, Yami*Yuugi, and yes, Borath, Yami B*Yami. XD