DECLARAION- This story has been written and produced by Cathrath (FanFiction. net ID: 609465). Distribution of any kind is prohibited without the written consent of Cathrath. If you should see this story posted anywhere other than FanFiction .net or under any other name it has been stolen so please notify the author. I do not own Yu-gi-oh.

Chapter 4 – The Return

At hearing Yugi scream Yami spun around. He cried out in alarm when he saw the sight before him. Yugi was thrashing about in his chair, hands clenched white and grasped around something unseen holding his throat. He was also drenched in sweat and crying in fear. Yami dashed toward Yugi and shook him. Unable to rouse him Yami began to reach out through their mind link. The instant he connected with Yugi he felt the presence of something evil trying to coil itself around the young boy's mind. The millennium eye began to glow on his forehead and the puzzle glowed in response as he called forth his shadow powers to force back the attacker. He felt the unknown attacker's resistance and the force coiled tighter around Yugi's mind. Yugi's struggling began to cease, as he was gradually overwhelmed. In a desperate attempt to free him, Yami reached deeper. Deep into himself and the puzzle's power and using everything he had he pushed back. He was quickly becoming exhausted and it looked like the evil would win when suddenly it broke away and Yami felt the presence retreat. Yugi went limp in the chair breathing heavily from the mental attack he had suffered and Yami collapsed to his knees beside him in exhaustion. Seeing the danger was over Ishizu approached and bent down beside Yami. Yami lifted his head weakly to look at her and then back at Yugi.

"Is he Ok?" he asked her concerned.

Ishizu placed her hand on Yugi's forehead and watched his breathing for a moment. He was breathing more regularly now and although still shaking and unconscious seemed to be Ok.

"Yes, I think so. He's just exhausted".

She looked at Yami.

"And you?"

He shook his head and waved a hand, in a gesture to say don't worry about me, as he tried to stand.

"I'm fine."

He gave her a weak smile, trying to confirm his words but he leaned heavily on the arm of Yugi's chair for support. Knowing it was pointless to argue with the Pharaoh Ishizu returned to the main subject.

"What was it?" She asked as she held Yugi's hand.

Yami's brow furrowed as he thought back.

"I don't know. Something was attacking Yugi's mind but I don't know why or what it was."

Ishizu nodded thoughtfully. Seeing Yami lean even more on the chair for support she turned back to the others who were waiting behind them concerned, unsure if it was safe to approach.

"Jou, Honda please help Yami and Yugi back to their chambers."

Both approached and Jou slipped Yami's arm over his shoulders for support as Honda bent down to pick Yugi up in his arms. Yami, despite his earlier claim, did not protest at the assistance. The intense use of the puzzle's power had drained him.

"Is he alright?" Jou asked in concern at the sight of Yugi's pale unconscious form in Honda's arms.

Ishizu nodded.

"Yes, I think so. He just needs rest."

"What was it?"

"I don't know. Hopefully Yugi can tell us more when he wakes up."

She turned back to Yami.

"And you Your Highness will need to rest as well. You used a great deal of energy reaching so deep into the puzzle's power."

Yami didn't protest he just nodded his head.

"Jou will you pass on my apology to the other guardians when they arrive for not greeting them in person," Yami asked Jou.

"Sure thing Your Highness."

Ishizu started to move towards the door.

"Jou, Honda come with me. I want to give these two a thorough check up."

Slowly both followed her out of the door with their charges.

"I'm fine now Ishizu," came Yami's protesting voice from inside Yugi's chambers.

After being walked, half carried to his chambers, Ishizu had insisted that she give Yami a complete check over to make sure that exhaustion was his only problem. Yami sat up from the divan Ishizu had made him lay down on. Yami had regained some of his strength after a short rest and would not stay still, being overcome with his concern for Yugi who was now laying in his bed in what appeared to a peaceful sleep. He pushed Ishizu's hand away from where she was trying to check his pulse. Ishizu grumbled loudly.

"Yami, you are still not strong enough to be moving around," she exclaimed in frustration. Yami never was a good patient.

But Yami would have none of it. He stood up. As soon as he did he swayed dangerously. Ishizu caught him as he started to collapse. She sat him back down on the divan.

"Now will you listen to me?" She said in a gentle voice.

Yami placed a hand on his brow.

"I'm sorry Ishizu," he sighed.

"Its just I'm concerned about Yugi. I want to be beside him when he wakes."

Ishizu nodded in understanding.

"Very well, you can go to him but you must let me help you and you must promise to remain seated when we get there."

Yami gave her a weak smile.

"It's a deal."

She helped him to stand and together they made their way slowly over to Yugi's bed. Yami sat down in a chair beside the bed and reached out to take Yugi's hand. He rubbed the hand gently whilst Ishizu set about her work and placed a cool damp cloth on Yugi's forehead.

'He's so cold,' Yami thought.

Satisfied she had done everything she could Ishizu sat down in a chair across from Yami. She looked at Yugi and then back to Yami.

"Do you have any idea what it was that attacked him?" She asked.

Yami shook his head.

"No, it was just felt like something was trying to coil around and suffocate him. I couldn't get through at first but then I reached deeper into the puzzles power and the presence retreated. I don't know what it was but it was evil and I could feel its hate towards Yugi."

He paused.

"Ishizu, it felt strangely familiar, as thought I've felt that presence before."

Yugi opened his eyes to bright and blinding sunshine. He started to panic.

'I'm back in desert,' he thought.

He started to sweat in fear. He was alive. How he didn't know but he had to get away. Had to run, if he didn't it was going to happened all over again. Trembling in fear he sat up and felt something heavy on top of him. He still couldn't see properly, blinded by the light, and he began to thrash at the force preventing him from escaping. Tears ran down his face. He didn't want to die again.

Yami, woken by Yugi's struggles, stood up and tried to restrain him frightened he would hurt himself.

"ISHIZU," he shouted.

Yami pushed Yugi back down on the bed but Yugi increased his struggles convinced that someone who wanted to hurt him was holding him down.

"Yugi please, you have to calm down. PLEASE," Yami cried trying to get through the fear, which was choking Yugi.

Yugi heard Yami's voice through his tumbling thoughts and fears and slowly ceased his struggling. He looked up at Yami breathing heavily with wide fearful eyes. Slowly recognition came back to him and he realised he was lying in his own bed, not in the desert and the restraints he had feared were only his bed sheets. Finally he realised Yami was leaning over him holding his shoulders to the bed. At recognising Yami he broke down and flung himself into Yami's arms. Yami fell to his knees beside the bed as Yugi buried his face in his chest sobbing uncontrollably. Yami rocked back and forth gently rubbing Yugi's back trying to sooth him. Whatever had attacked Yugi had filled him with mind numbing terror.

Yugi slowly calmed down and when he thought he was ready Yami laid him back onto the bed taking his hand firmly in his own.

"Yugi?" Yami asked tentatively.

Yugi turned his head to look at him.

"What happened? What was it?" Yami asked.

Yugi shuddered and turned his head back to look at the ceiling. After a little while he spoke in a quiet voice.

"I fell asleep. It was so warm in the throne room, I couldn't help it."

Yami smiled.

"That's alright Yugi. It wasn't the most exciting place to be."

Despite everything Yugi gave Yami a weak smile, then his eyes darkened.

"I was dreaming, at least I thought it was a dream at first. I was standing in the desert in the middle of a sandstorm when I saw some ruins. Not sure what else to do I decided I should shelter there out of the storm. When I arrived I recognised it, it was Hamet."

He paused.

"Go on," Yami encouraged.

Yugi took a deep breath.

"I was sheltering in the entrance to a tunnel when I heard a voice call out my name. I followed the voice down the corridor to a large chamber."

Yugi turned his tearful eyes to Yami.

"It was the same chamber where I...where...I."

"Shussh its Ok Yugi. I know the one. The one where you died," Yami said gently understanding Yugi's fear.

Yugi nodded.

"When I realised where I was I tried to get out but the entrance to the tunnel vanished. Then everything changed and I found myself standing beside the plinth, the one you made for me."

Yami nodded sadly. He knew the one.

"What happened next Yugi?"

"I..I was afraid and I called out for you to help me b...but you didn't come and the voice spoke to me again. Except this time it was different. It told me the time had come."

Yugi paused again and Yami waited knowing Yugi was ready to tell him about his attacker.

"I called out to the voice wanting to know who it was and what it meant. It asked me if I remembered and then the plinth turned into the altar again."

Yugi was trembling again and Yami tightened his grip on his hand reassuringly.

"Something came up behind me and grabbed me by the throat and forced be down onto t...the altar."

Yugi was crying again.

"Yami..." he said in a quiet barely audible voice.

"Yes, Yugi."

"It was Seto."