It has been five days ever since Kaiba left Kaiba Mansion, but he still wasn't home yet. Ever since that day he talked with Marik, the Ishtar heir insisted to know every detail considering his sister's welfare. And under everybody's shocking look, the two young men built a relationship of certain understanding and acceptation. They are still not friends, by all means, but for two nemesis to sit together during the afternoons and talk about Nadina was the furthest these two would ever go.
Besides that, Kaiba found that his private beach house with the England country view was relaxing and soothing. So he stayed there for some business with British clients and focusing on perfecting the new technology he's working on. Once in a while, he'd receive a message from the Ishtar estate, inviting him to come over. That usually means Marik was again worried about his sister and Kaiba would have to go through the whole nine yards of persuading him that Nadina was fine.
But on the sixth day…
Kaiba was concentrating on the protocol verifications when his cell phone rang. He frowned as he set the equipment down, wondering who would be calling him. It wouldn't be Marik. Marik was too proud to call him on his cell phone. But nobody knows his number besides…
"Kaiba." He answered the phone with his usual monotone.
"Seto!" It was Mokuba. "You've got to come home quick! Nadina's just been hospitalized!" His little brother sounded as if he was on the verge of tears. Kaiba jumped up, scattering devices everywhere, but he didn't care.
"Mokuba!?" he demanded. "Where are you?! What happened?"
"I'm at the hospital and they wouldn't tell me anything, Seto!" Mokuba was sobbing on the other line. "Big brother, I'm scared…"
"Calm down, kid," Kaiba soothes the best he could with his heart thudding against his chest. "Just tell me what happened."
"I don't know what happened." Mokuba's frightened voice sounded over the phone. "She's just been quiet these few days, I asked her if she was filling sick, but she said no. Téa and her friends were worried too, but there was nothing physically wrong with Nadina."
"Go on." Kaiba urged.
"Well, today, after school, Nadina came with the limo to pick me up, as usual," Mokuba gathered himself and took a deep breath. "And we were just doing our homework, then Téa came over with Joey, something about the project they were doing together."
"Keep going." Kaiba was getting exasperated. Mokuba was telling the story and its full nine-yards!
"They were in the middle when I heard Téa shriek and Joey yelling. I hurried downstairs and Joey was holding Nadina and yelling at me to call 911."
"Have they found out what's wrong with her yet?"
"They wouldn't tell me anything!" Came the bawl. "Come home, Seto, please, I'm really scared." Then, in a trembling voice, "Is she going to die, Seto?"
"Nonsense, Mokuba, don't be silly." Kaiba interrupted. "Is anyone there at the hospital with you right now?"
A sniffle, "Yes, Tristan and Joey and Téa and Yugi are all here."
"Listen, kid, put Tristan on the phone, will you?" He let out a shaky breath as Mokuba handed the phone off to Tristan. He figured that talking to Tristan will be a lot better than talking to a girl, his very worst nemesis, or the puppy.
"Kaiba?"
"Taylor, what the hell is going on over there?"
"We don't know," Tristan sounded grim. "The doctor just came out here a minute ago and told her that they have her stabilized in the ICU and only family members are allowed to visit her or to get information."
"They stabilized her in the ICU?!"
"It's not good, Kaiba."
"Listen, tell Téa that I want Mokuba to stay with her tonight. I don't want him home alone and I'll be there as soon as I can."
"Kaiba—"
"Do it!" Kaiba said fiercely as he hung up. His knees were so weak that he was about to slump down on the ground, but he can't do that yet. He cleared his throat and dialed the phone.
"Hello? This is Ishtar Estate, how may I help you?"
"Let me talk to Marik!"
"Who is th—"
"GET ME MARIK NOW!!!!" Kaiba's thin patience broke.
"Master, the phone for you. The caller didn't give his name, sir." He heard in the background. Then, Marik's irritated voice came on,
"Hello?!"
"This is Kaiba."
"Listen, jackass—"
"Nadina's fallen ill." Kaiba rushed out.
"What?"
"She has been stabilized in the ICU and I need to go back now, I just thought you should know." He heard Marik mutter a string of dark curses under this breath before snapping,
"Find out what's going on and call me when you have information."
They both hung up at the same time, angry and worried at the same time.
Footsteps pacing were repeated over and over again. Someone's voice murmured soothingly over the whimpers. Occasionally, a growl and the sound of fist contacting the wall were heard.
But a pair of solid, calculating step stood out among all the rest of the soft footsteps. Before long, Seto Kaiba's thundering voice boomed through the whole ICU floor.
"Seto Kaiba. I want some information and I want it now." Was his opening line to the lady behind the information counter on the ICU floor. The lady was about to protest, but seeing that Kaiba was shotgun angry, she merely nodded.
"Who would you like information on, sir?" She said, almost meekly at the young man towering over her.
"Nadina Ishtar."
"Oh!" She looked up sharply, but before Kaiba could say anything, she continued. "Yes, there's a message stating that the doctor would like to speak to any family member or guardian of Nadina."
"I'm her guardian, she's under my responsibility at the moment." Kaiba glowered.
"Then hold on just a minute." The nurse picked up the phone and dialed an extension. "Dr. Grey, the guardian of Nadina Ishtar is here." She listened for a moment and hung up. "He'll be down in a minute, Mr. Kaiba. Meanwhile, I'll take you to Nadina."
"Obliged."
The nurse took Kaiba down the long, lonely hallway and took a turn before stopping.
"Seto!" Mokuba's shout caught his attention as his brother flew into him.
"Mokuba," he murmured, hugging his brother back. "Are you alright?"
"The kid's fine, Kaiba." Joey came up behind Mokuba and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's Nadina we're worried about."
"Just one second, kid." Kaiba pulled away and walked over to the window, where Nadina was kept, surrounded by the tools of technology.
Her face was paler than the moon, but her hair still as golden as sunlight. Her eyes were shut as her long thick lashes brushed her cheeks and an oxygen mask covered her nose and mouth. Her skin was as light as ivory and she looked as fragile as crystal.
"Mr. Kaiba?"
He whirled upon the voice behind him. "Why the hell is she like this? What is wrong with her? What do you guys think you're doing!?"
"Remain calm, Mr. Kaiba." The doctor spoke with a heavy Italian accent.
"How can I remain calm," Kaiba demanded, pointing to the girl inside. "When Nadina is like this!"
"A word in private." Dr. Grey looked so serious that Kaiba found himself following the man obediently to his office, where he closed the door and sat down.
"We have done a throughout checkup on Miss. Nadina." The doctor laid out various films and layout. Kaiba held his breath and expected the worst. "She appears to be in excellent health and was physically perfectly fine."
"Then, she's okay!" Kaiba's eyes pierced into the doctor. Dr. Grey took off his glasses slowly and looked steadily into Kaiba's eyes.
"Considering her situation, Mr. Kaiba, being physically fine may be her biggest threat of all."
Kaiba stood up. "What do you mean?" His voice lowered to a growl.
"Mr. Kaiba," the doctor looked up at the teen kindly. "Is there anything in Nadina's life that's causing her stress and or pain?"
"Why?" Those ice-blue eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Because, apparently, Miss Nadina's sickness is not one medical care could take care of. We've given her an IV drip and an IABP, but her blood pressure isn't returning to normal."
Kaiba wanted to strangle the man. "Will you just tell me what the problem is?!"
"Miss Nadina does not want to live, Mr. Kaiba. Her body is beginning to fail her and she has no control over it. Her heart has lost all hope and the will to live. We've done all that we can do. if she can just regain conscious, then she'll be okay."
"What?!" Kaiba's roar echoed through the room. "Are you joking me?!"
"I never joke when the patient's live is in danger."
"Make her better!"
"I have as much control over her as she does her own heart." The doctor shook his head. "The way the brain and the heart works is a mystery, but even Nadina's own brain has no control over her heart—" he stopped as Kaiba slumped down in his chair, his hand over his temples. His eyes blazing with a sort of madness
"No, this can't be. There has to be something medication could do."
"We could keep her alive on IV, but her heart…we can't save her heart. The nourishment that the IV brings into her bloodstream will have no affect on her heart. Don't you understand? Nadina's heart is giving up and no amount of nourishment will help that."
"Make her take nourishment!" On a sudden wave of emotions, Kaiba jerked the doctor up by his collar.
"It can not be done, Mr. Kaiba." Dr. Grey shook his head sadly, making no move. "There is nothing we could do about it. Miss. Nadina's heart is dying."
Dying? NO! Kaiba's brain screamed once again as he sat inside the ICU cubicle, entwining Nadina's fingers with his own. Nothing could stop him, not even the security, but understanding how he was feeling, Dr. Grey made no move to prevent him from entering the ICU unit. He was sitting in the glass-walled chamber where Nadina lay surrounded by the tools of technology. An IV was inserted at her wrist, while wires snaked from her chest and skin, hooked up to a monitor that kept a constant vigil over her beating heart.
The Ishtar heiress looked as if she were asleep. Her face was gaunt, but even so, Kaiba could see the beauty that once exceeded the ivory white skin. Dark circles smudged her eyes, and the red lips that once shamed the rose grew achromatic.
Oh, Nadina, he cried inside his heart. How I wish that it was me in your place instead of you. You have so much to live for. Your spirit could have help the world be a better place. So many people need you.
…I need you…
Kaiba swallowed a lump in his throat as he thought back to the Italian doctor's last words.
"There is no way to save Nadina's dying heart, but if you could find some hope for her, it might change everything."
Kaiba looked up and stared stonily at the bland wall in front of him, then said the first word in over hours,
"Marik…"
"Yeah? Marik speaking."
"You need to come down to Domino Hospital." Kaiba's voice said over the phone. Marik scowled at the apple he was nibbling on.
"Listen, you moron, I will do no such thing. I happen to have clients that are coming to dinner tonight—" But Kaiba's lifeless voice interrupted him.
"Nadine is dying."
Marik dropped the phone and the apple. Blood drained from his face as his lips turned ashen and quivered.
"—Marik? Marik, are you there…?"
Marik snatched up the phone and said as calmly as he could. "Nice joke, jackass, but don't try to—"
"You need to come down here, Marik, Nadina is going to die without you."
"Why? Does she have leukemia or something?" He demanded, finding loosing himself to what he thought was a "joke."
"Her heart is dying."
"What does that mean?"
"She's given up hope now that she thinks you don't want her anymore. She's been unconscious more than thirty-six hours now. The doctors are officially announcing it a coma."
Marik dropped the phone again, and as he fumbled to put it by his ear, Kaiba snapped,
"Quit dropping the phone, you goddamn coward. You're going to give me an answer now. Whether you care or not. If you don't, then fine. I will officially make her under my ward and you'll be out of the picture perfectly, just the way you want it."
"You're not kidding." Marik was beginning to panic. "But do I have to come over, Kaiba? I mean, Yugi and his friend are all going to—"
"GODDAMMIT, Marik!" Kaiba screamed across the phone. "You're sister is dying! DYING!!!!"
That was all the prodding Marik needs. "I'll be right over."
Kaiba was about to snide him with a cool remark, but kept quiet for Nadina's life is on the line. She's depending on Marik.
"Kaiba's been in there for hours now…" Yugi said dully as he watched from outside of the window.
"Yeah…I wonder if he's okay?" Joey looked concerned despite of his effort to look tough.
"He doesn't look that good to me," Duke put in, shaking his head with sympathy. "But who would, when they're going to loose somebody. I don't think I'm that well myself."
"Yeah, but you'll be fine, Duke." Tristan retorted. "You'll do fine." Duke shot him an ungrateful look.
"This is horrible." Mai said emotionlessly. "Haven't the doctor found out what's wrong with Nadina?"
"No," Serenity replied softly. "They didn't find anything. But he did say that the sense of hearing is the last awareness that an unconscious patient has." She sniffled. "Which means Nadina could still hear Kaiba." Hearing is the last sense to leave a patient's body…
Bakura sighed and refrained from saying anything. He doesn't feel like saying anything negative, but felt there was nothing positive to be said. Just as he was pondering over what to say, the sound of calculating, sharp footsteps were heard. Then, a voice asking for Nadina Ishtar.
"I want some information on Nadina Ishtar." The voice said snootily, though it couldn't hide the hint of concern.
"I'm sorry, sir," the nurse typed on her computer and looked up. "Besides family members, Miss Nadina Ishtar's information is not currently being released to the public at the moment."
"Wow, who is that guy?" Duke whispered lowly to Tristan as they all eyed the two figures dressed in dark cloaks with hoods.
"I am her brother, woman!" The first voice hissed. "I am Marik Ishtar."
"Marik?" Yugi jumped up from his spot.
"Oh, Mr. Marik." The nurse suddenly looked nervous. "Miss Nadina's cubicle is right down that way. But there is already a visitor."
"I thought only family members were allowed," Marik's voice was low and dangerous. The nurse fidgeted with her nametag and stammered,
"Mr. Kaiba insisted and there was nothing we could do—"
"It's fine—" The young man interrupted as he walked off, muttering to himself. "Kaiba, huh?"
As he was walking, Marik Ishtar hastily, but smoothly, pulled his hood off and slipped out of the heavy cloak. Under the dark garment, he had on a respectable clean white shirt as well as black slacks.
"Marik!" Jumping in front of Marik's path, Yugi held out his arms with a look of true astonishment in his violet orbs. "What are you doing here?"
Marik looked down at Yugi from where he was just talking to Odion. His expression betraying nothing. He looked at Yugi, then behind him, where all of his friends are.
"Heh, Yugi," He forced a smirk on his face. "I see you and all your little friends are here."
"Of course we are!" Téa cried, coming up behind Yugi, her blue eyes began shimmering with tears. She began crying softly, causing all the males in range to feel uncomfortable. Duke came over and awkwardly rubbed her back in a circular motion.
"Nadina was our friend…" The slender brunette sobbed, burying her face into the palm of her hands.
"She's not dead yet, stop using the past tense!" Marik snapped, before composing himself. "And I'm here with the same reason as you guys. She's my sister." Then, handing his coat to Odion, he ordered,
"Wait for me here, Odion."
And before anyone else could say anything, Marik walked into the ICU without any act of disinfecting himself. He had just caught sight of his sister through the glass window and couldn't believe what he was seeing. The cloak that he was handing to Odion slipped from his fingertips as he hurried inside. Within a few moments, Kaiba stumbled out, as if he had been kicked out.
"How is she, Kaiba?" Mai rushed over. Kaiba waved a hand tiredly and dropped onto the bench.
"Geez, how are you, Kaiba?" Joey dropped a hand casually on Kaiba's shoulder.
"As fine as a person can get." He mumbled. He looked up, "Where is Mokuba?"
"He's over at Yugi's grandfather's game shop, taking a nap." Tristan explained. "The kid is exhausted."
"I know, I should be taking better care of him." Kaiba looked down on himself and realized that he hadn't taken a shower or eaten anything since he left England, which was about two days ago.
"Nadina?" Marik was inside the cubicle, sitting at the side of Nadina's bed. "Nadina, it's me, Marik, open your eyes." He gently slapped the back of Nadina's hand.
But no movement came from Nadina besides the unsteady breathing. Her hand was cold and her skin was ashen.
"Nadina!" His voice was becoming urgent. "Come on! It's your brother!"
"It's no use, Mr. Ishtar." Dr. Grey appeared behind Marik, causing Marik to jump to his feet in surprise. The doctor nodded, "Mr. Kaiba told me you were going to be visiting with your sister."
"Why didn't you fix her, doctor!?" Marik snarled as he turned around, his fist gripped tightly by his side. "Why didn't you save her?!"
"I can save people because deep in their hearts, there was a desire for life, to be able to live with your loved ones once again. But now, since Nadina had lost her loved one, she no longer has the will to live. That's why she refused all nutrition. I cannot save someone who has no desire to live."
"There has to be someway, doctor, I don't believe what is happening." Marik's threatening voice was only a whisper. "She has given up, but you can't! And can't allow her to either!"
"I have already told Mr. Kaiba. If he happens to find something that will bring hope into her heart once again, then maybe she would have some hope."
"But-but…" Marik stuttered. "I am her hope." He shook his head sadly. "If…if Nadina doesn't wake up, then…there is no hope…"
The doctor reached out and touched the boy's shoulders. "Then, perhaps if only this hope is…tweaked a little bit, then it would work. Don't worry, Mr. Ishtar, we won't give up on Nadina."
"We're not the ones giving up on Nadina, doctor." Kaiba said quietly, rubbing his temples and coming through the doorway. "It's Nadina that's giving up on herself."
