fAuthor Notes:
TM: *shuffles slowly onto the stage, looks on at audience and clears throat nervously* Erm…before we begin I would like to apologise for the mistake I made uploading the previous chapter *looks uncertainly back to LB who waves TM to continue*…erm…I particularly want to apologise to anyone who read the chapter before I noticed and removed the offending extra notes *throws self to the floor* Gomen na sai!! I am but an insignificant mortal! *cries dramatically*
LB: Very good Muffin *pats TM on the head*
Celtic Guardian: I have no idea what you are talking about…
LB: And I have no idea why you are here, you aren't even in this fic!
CG: I might be!
The Dark Magician saunters in all broody-like, grabs the disgruntled elf and drags him off
TM: Where'd they go?
LB: They've been all clingy ever since you wrote that fic about them…
TM: *cackles insanely*
LB: Sometimes I really worry about your mental stability
TM: Well you should, it's my turn to take over writing the fic. About time for some more Anzu bashing me thinks *rubs hands together gleefully*
LB: Try to remember this is PG-13
TM: Gah?? *Pouts* Fiiiiiine!
LB: And remember to R&R peeps
TM: *shakes fist* Remember!!
LB: *cowers behind life-size K effigy constructed from toothpicks and old bits of chewing gum* O..on with the fic!
Disclaimer: I wish I was good enough to own Yu-Gi-Oh *sniffles*
Chapter 4 by The Muffin
As far as hospitals go, Domino Hospital and Mental clinic was regarded by doctors and patients alike as one of the best in Japan. One doctor in particular prided himself on this reputation. Dr Rufus Orson, the youngest doctor ever to graduate with full honours from Tokyo University and go on to grace the sanitised white halls of this well renowned establishment. He had only been here for a month and already he was the most talked about and respected person in the compound; hard working, smart, young and surprisingly single. Dr Rufus Orson winked and inclined his head slightly as he passed a group of ogling nurses sending them into fits of childish giggles before carry on with his rounds. Yes, he had it all. Looks, a respectable job and a perfect record to go with it. Nothing had fazed him in the whole span of his profession and nothing could. It was only a matter of time before he would be promoted and could get out of this rotten children's ward. Children were such a waste of time. He swore that as soon as he became in complete control of this place – which he had calculated to be within the next four months – then he would shut the cursed ward down.
Dr Rufus Orson continued down the corridor…and crashed into Joey.
"What the h…!" Dr Rufus Orson suddenly remembered the group of nurses who were looking on at the scene in shock then quickly silenced his outburst. He picked himself off of the floor then looked down with distaste at the boy who had crashed into him.
"Young man, are you alright?" Dr Rufus Orson held out his hand to help up the blonde youth when suddenly a brown haired girl jumped at him and latched herself onto his waist.
"Oh doctor! Doctor! It's terrible!" the dishevelled girl sobbed into his now muddied coat. "Our friend…he…he…the light! And they disappeared and he strangled me! Please!"
Dr Rufus Orson strained his mind to try and figure out what the hysterical girl was saying when he saw the last of the teenagers come to a sudden halt behind her, all were muddy and tired looking…though the darker haired boy looked more pissed off than tired. One of the youths in particular caught the well renowned doctors attention. Despite being drenched, his hair continued to stand up in a perfect crest of purple spikes, tears streamed down his pale cheeks and he was cradling a younger boy in his arms. The unconscious boy was also caught his attention. Other than the size, the similarity between him and the one who carried him was uncanny.
"Who are you?" Dr Rufus Orson asked Yami with practiced professionalism "Are you his brother?"
"His yami." Yami replied simply
Dr Rufus Orson blinked "His…yami?"
"Yes. Now please, I order you to save him!"
The astonished doctor hesitated for a moment then motioned to the nurses to go and prepare a bed for the unconscious boy. He needed this perfect record and he had a feeling that this was going to take all of his charm…
"When did this happen?" The doctor asked leading the way to the hospital bed.
"Yesterday afternoon in the park.."
The doctor stopped dead in his tacks and spun around to face the misfit posse.
"Y…Yesterday afternoon??!" Dr Rufus Orson was finding it hard to hear anything above the constant wailing of the girl who continually tried to latch onto his white coat but was pulled back by the taller, dark-haired boy with each attempt. "Why…How did it take you so long to get him here?" Keep calm…keep calm…perfect record…
Yami went to open his mouth when Dr Rufus Orson raised a hand to silence him.
"On second thoughts don't tell me. I don't even want to know." The doctor could feel his nerves slipping away from him with each passing second and he had the ominous feeling that the answer to his question would just send him right over the edge.
Permanent record…keep calm…this children's ward is history.
…,,,***~***,,,…
About 5000 years prior, two foreign travellers approached the entrance of the royal chamber; abode of the ruling pharaoh. A rich explorer in pursuit of knowledge dragging behind him his timid cloud white slave, a native from a far away land called "Japan". They had agreed that the best way to protect the pharaoh from their yamis was to be close to him at all times and to do this they needed to gain access into the palace. If the Yami of this time was similar to the Yami of their time, then gaining his trust wouldn't be too difficult. However, even someone as trusting as Yami would be suspicious if the two strangers didn't have some story to back up their claims of honesty. Since Malik was the only one who could speak the language everything was up to him. Ryou cowered close to Malik as he had been instructed to and looked up at the guards who his 'master' had managed, after much conversing, to convince into allowing them to have an audience with the great pharaoh. They were armed and didn't look like they had much in the way of a sense of humour. Ryou hoped to god that Malik knew what he was doing.
At last they stood within the great throne room. Before them, sitting a top a large ornate throne, a gold and blue headdress adorning his purple crested head, the black charcoal eyeliner framing his purple eyes, the royal sceptres crossed ceremoniously over his bare, dark-skinned chest, sat the regal figure of Yami. Ryou wasn't too surprised by this, after all Shadi had informed them that Yami was the Pharaoh at this time, but he was not prepared for what he saw seated beside his future friend's past self.
"Kaiba!" Ryou breathed so only Malik could hear him.
"The high priest" Malik muttered gravely before he continued with pleading his case.
"As I explained to your men earlier," he spoke up to the pharaoh bowing his head in a mark of respect, "I am but a humble seeker of knowledge travelling the known world in my quest for understanding. Word of this great and powerful kingdom had attracted my attention but while passing through your lands I ran into an unfortunate meeting with some thieves…as you can see one of my slaves and the clothes that we wear were the only possessions I managed to save along with myself."
"You lie!" The purple clad Kaiba rose from his seat and glared hatefully. "How do we know that you are not spies from an enemy country? Or worse still, common thieves who wish to gain access to the royal chambers so you can make off with whatever you desire?!"
Ryou didn't understand what was going on but it didn't seem at all good as Malik's calm reply was met with a further interjection from the ill-tempered high priest.
"Your excellence" Kaiba turned to Yami who had been watching the scene with solemn interest. "I suggest that we rid ourselves of these intruders here and now! For all we know they could be assassins sent here to win the trust of a young and inexperienced pharaoh!"
Without a word, Yami raised an auburn hand signalling for Kaiba to stand down.
"But Yam…Your excellence! They could kill you!"
"That's enough, Seto!" the young pharaoh's sudden outburst shocked the whole court into silence. The high priest locked his gaze with the pharaoh for a few moments then, with a frustrated growl, averted his eyes to the floor. "I apologise, your…excellence" Bowing he took his leave of the court. The glare he gave the two foreigners as he past them on his way out of the great hall sent a cold shiver down Ryou's spine. You didn't need to understand the language to realise that Kaiba's past self had an immediate dislike for the two odd-looking strangers.
"He hasn't changed much." Malik muttered under his breath as he watched the purple clad high priest disappear around the corner. "Still as arrogant as ever…"
Pharaoh Yami shook his tanned head sadly then turned his attention back to the two visitors.
"Please excuse that rather…unpleasant scene" he sighed "My high priest is just a little weary when it comes to the safety of this palace and its inhabitants." The young pharaoh inclined his head towards two of the guards then looked back at Malik "I have thought over your case and have come to the decision that I will grant you the aid that you need…unfortunately thieves are a common problem in this otherwise peaceful kingdom. Although some of my court may not agree, I will allow you and your slave to stay here within the palace until you are fit to continue with your quest. I'm afraid that our guest rooms will be quite humble compared to what you must be used to but please, try to make yourselves comfortable."
In keeping with the time honoured traditions, Malik bowed lowly before the pharaoh as he returned his sincerest gratitudes.
Ryou watched the scene through the gaps in his hair intently. From the sound of it, Malik had succeeded but he began to have his doubts as two armed guards began to approach them. Ryou tugged urgently on Malik's robe and began to protest but the stern faced Egyptian tugged on the rope silencing him. Ryou gave up and allowed himself to be dragged away to the exit of the throne room as they followed the two armed guards to only he didn't know where.
…,,,***~***,,,…
Ryou couldn't believe their luck. The room that Pharaoh Yami had provided them with was anything but humble. The furnishings in the room consisted mainly of golds, reds and blues…but mainly of gold. Gold pillars surrounded the room holding up an elegantly painted ceiling with gold lined blue drapes hanging from them like feather light waterfalls. Plants also seemed to be a common theme of the room. Some of them Ryou recognised from the clippings his father had bought back from his trips but others were totally alien to him. In the centre of the room, a golden framed (chaise longee) large enough for two sat framed by the luxurious red silk padding and green feather-downed cushions. There was another room that lead off from the main chamber, which Malik was still discovering to be the bathroom. Ryou turned his attention to the colourful Hieroglyphics that adorned the smoothed limestone walls mostly consisting of luck charms and praises to the cat goddess Bast. Ryou found himself wishing he had a pen and paper at hand; his father would love to see these.
Ryou walked over to the reddy gold long couch in the centre of the room and slumped down on it. Being dragged around all day by a rope tied to your neck was hard work and he was glad to finally be able to take the pressure off of his feet. Ryou kicked off the small leather sandals and lifted his legs up onto the soft padding of the couch. The feeling was more than pleasant. The snowy haired 'slave' snuggled down into the silken lining savouring the smooth texture as it glided across his slightly pinkish skin and closed his eyes allowing his thoughts to be swallowed by the sensual cloud he was now encased within. He had only been lying there a few moments when the torch flickered violently as if hit by a sudden breeze then extinguished itself completely sending the room into almost complete darkness. Ryou groaned and fluttered his eyelids open as his vision tried to adjust to the sudden change in lighting…only to find himself staring straight into a set of luminous disc-like orbs. The brown-eyed boy screamed and in a panicked flurry fell off the elegant (chaise longee) and hit the floor with a solid thud.
"Ryou!" Malik came skidding into the room, his hair plastered damply to his anxious face. He had just emerged from a well-needed and highly soothing bath when he heard Ryou's alarmed scream filter in from the main chamber. The startled Egyptian had only just remembered to wrap a towel around his bare waist before he went charging to the aid of his unprotected companion. Was it their yamis? Malik hastily lit a nearby torch and raised it high above his head. The flickering orange glow of the torch illuminated the shadows revealing an unnerved Ryou staring up into the dazzling purple eyes of…a cat!? Malik let out a sigh of relief as he slumped to the floor.
"Damn you, Ryou! You scared the crap out of me!"
"I'm sorry, Malik." Ryou could feel the distinct warmth of the blood rushing to his cheeks but this time it was from humiliation "But it really did scare me."
Malik shook his head. Ryou was safe at least but Malik could not shake the feeling that had weld up inside of him upon hearing Ryou's terrified scream. He had only ever felt that way once before…back when he saw Rashid…Malik shook his head banishing the unwanted memories back into the depths of his unconscious mind.
"He's the pharaoh's, isn't he? I wonder what he's doing here." Ryou mused as he gingerly scratched the curious cat under the chin.
Malik looked up from his thoughts "Not really that much of a mystery" he stated matter-of-factly "Probably just wondered in. Cats have right of way to everything in this time"
Malik stood and walked over to the cat, hitching his towel up slightly as he went. Carefully, he crouched down next to Ryou and stared into the feline's inquisitive eyes.
"Kind of dopey looking" Malik grinned as he roughly rubbed the cat's head "Kind of like that little runt, Yugi."
Ryou flashed Malik his most menacing look which instantly made the mostly bare Egyptian back away slightly and raise his hands in mock terror.
"Ok, ok, I'm sorry I made fun of your little boyfriend."
Malik burst into laughter at the mortified look on Ryou's face. It was almost too easy to wind him up. Malik stood up and patted his chagrined 'slave' on the head. "Anyway, you may as well get your bath now. It will do your skin good."
Ryou nodded, rose from his seat and made his way towards the next room. Suddenly, the slightly pinkish boy stopped and turned his head back to face Malik "And no peeking!" he warned.
"Meany" Malik teased.
Malik watched as Ryou disappeared into the next room then slumped down onto the (chaise longee) and glanced at the motionless cat. Was it just him or was that cat staring at him with the same menacing look as Ryou had done?
"Ridiculous" Malik scoffed as he reclined back into the soft linen. The fabric slid delicately across his tanned skin, a feeling that he would enjoy getting used to. Malik closed his eyes as he listened to the faint sounds of splashing water coming from the next room. Did Ryou really think that he would try to walk in on him? Granted any other time Malik wouldn't have hesitated at the chance to pull such a neat prank upon the hapless English boy but now that he thought about it…after all this they had been through so far…the very idea made him feel…uneasy. He didn't quite understand it but it was similar to that feeling you got when you walked into a sacred place but couldn't speak no matter how much the words try to force themselves out. Malik opened one eye and peered at the cat, its purple gaze still transfixed upon him. Malik shifted uneasily under the static gaze of the feline. He really didn't like the way it just kept staring at him. A sudden splash indicated that Ryou had finally emerged from the golden basin and this was momentarily confirmed as the pale boy stepped into the chamber with a towel identical to Malik's wrapped around his slender young body. His long, white hair hung damply down his back leaving a trail of speckling water on the floor behind him as he walked over to the (chaise longee) and seated himself between Malik and the intruding animal.
"What now?" Ryou asked simply as he once again began to pet the royal feline. The cat's chest rumbled with satisfaction and licked Ryou's hand affectionately causing the sweet tasting English boy to giggle. Malik glared at the cat distastefully.
"I don't think we can be much use to "his excellence" lazing about here." Malik stated reluctantly. As much as he was enjoying the finery of Egyptian royalty, if what that turbaned mystic had said was true, then every moment was crucial. It would also give him a chance to get away from the static gaze of that animal.
"What do you suggest then? That we go out into the streets and look for our yamis?"
Malik looked at Ryou unblinking for a moment then his face split into a broad grin. "Actually I was going to suggest that we find out if this pretty chair was really built for two but your idea will probably be more efficient…though not as fun."
Ryou fell off the chair.
…,,,***~***,,,…
The air was as cold as it had been the previous night. Fortunately however, this time Ryou had a robe that was left in their chamber, probably at convenience to the foreign traveller, that guarded his bare skin from the worst of the elements. They had been wondering around the lower walls of the palace perimeter for some time now scouring the dark streets below. Weariness crept across Ryou's mind and he wondered how Malik was able to remain so energetic even during these early hours of the morning. But then again that was one of the many things about Malik that appealed to the groggy headed English boy. His ability to always surprise. Just when Ryou had thought that he had finally figured out his Egyptian friend, something new was thrown into the equation that completely knocked his calculations out of balance.
"Almost like Bakura" you thought to himself miserably as he continued to plod slowly behind Malik's ever watchful form.
Suddenly Malik ducked down pulling his surprised companion down with him.
"What is it?" Ryou whispered
Malik clasped his hand firmly over Ryou's mouth to silence him and pointed down to the street below. A lone figure stood motionlessly in the isolated street below. It was Marik. There were a few differences but it definitely was the yami of the Millennium Rod. One noticeable difference however, was the absence of the flaming yellow eye in the middle of his dark forehead. Without it, the yami standing in the vacant alley and the hikari crouching on top of the wall would have been indistinguishable if it wasn't for the hair. Marik's spike fetish obviously had the ability to transcend time. There were a few other minor differences. The Marik of this time seemed a lot thinner and undernourished but given that he probably did not have complete access to a hikari's kitchen that was to be expected and all he wore was a plain white cloth similar to Ryou's yet he didn't seem to be bothered by the cold night air at all. The past yami seemed to be waiting for something and the two boys could hazard a guess as to what or, more accurately, who it was that he was waiting for. Ryou held his breath in anticipation and strained his ears to pick up the faints sounds. Time passed. Hours? Minutes? They couldn't be sure but to both the boys' disbelief, they saw the figure approaching before they heard him. The robed figure moved stealthily towards the waiting yami carrying a small bundle under his arm. Unfortunately, the strangers hood was pulled high up over his head obscuring his face. The two boys peered into the darkness from atop the wall but despite their efforts, they could not make out the features of Marik's companion. The new arrival took the bundle from under his arm and held it out to Marik conversing with him in a hushed whisper. The voice was high, but definitely male. Despite the different language, it was undoubtedly Bakura.
Malik strained his ears harder to pick up what the two thieves were saying but was only able to make out a few vague details. The yami below unfolded the bundle that Bakura had just given him revealing a red robe, similar to that which his fellow tomb robber was wearing. Bakura took the robe from his smaller cohort and helped him into it, the fabric sliding elegantly over the bare dark skin of his arms. Suddenly, the twosome began to walk off.
Malik gasped then stood up "Now's our chance to follow them"
Stealthily, the determined hikari jumped down from the wall and into the shadowed obscurity of the abandoned cart below. He looked up to see his fellow light still crouched down on the wall, his eyes transfixed at the rapidly disappearing duo.
"Ryou!" Malik hissed "Come on!"
"It's…it's my yami…" Ryou's voice was vacant…almost as if he was talking from the midst of a trance.
Malik looked at the boy bewilderedly "Well of course it's your yami, who else would be stupid enough to try and assassinate the Pharaoh while he's surrounded by guards? Now get your butt down here before we loose them!"
Ryou wasn't listening. Too many emotions were forcing their way through his mind at once. Relief, confusion, longing, fear…physical pain? The empty coconut shell that had just bounced off of Ryou's head landed with a clop on the floor beside him. Ryou held his hand over the throbbing lump as he looked down angrily at the one responsible. Malik threw up his hands in exasperation.
"Will you just get down here!" he hissed "We are going to loose them!"
Shaken from his deeper thoughts, Ryou was now able to comprehend what Malik was saying to him and began to make his rather clumsy way off of the wall to join the frustrated Egyptian in the dark street below. Satisfied that he finally had Ryou's full attention, Malik disappeared into the shadows of the vacant streets in pursuit if the yamis, his slave close behind.
…,,,***~***,,,…
Dr Rufus Orson was not having a good day. With the aid of a few nurses he had finally managed to get the unconscious boy onto a hospital bed but checking up on him was a whole new game. He needed to know details about the child before he could even begin any medical treatment but all he got from the group of youths was the spiky haired boy who had carried him here insisting on ordering everyone about and the blonde kid threatening anyone who dared to even go near the small patient. He tried asking the girl but now her incoherent blubberings were really starting to get on his nerves. As for the other boy…he refused to even speak to the doctor for some unknown reason. The patient had arrived that morning…and it was now edging into the early hours of the next…Dr Rufus Orson sighed helplessly. Just keep calm…keep calm…
"YAMI!!" a high yet powerful voice bellowed down the corridors of the hospital, causing an immense chorus of crying to emanate from the younger patients which then reverberated around the narrow corridors of the children's ward.
Dr Rufus Orson collapsed into a chair in utter disbelief and cradled his weary head in his hands "What now?" he muttered cynically. Maybe that vacation wasn't such a bad idea after all.