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 5 - Gathering

Yami and Ishizu both sat back from Yugi's bedside in shock.

"Seto, but how is that possible? He's sealed in the shadow realm. He can't be free?" Yami said in disbelief.

"I would know if he was free wouldn't I?" Yami directed his question at Ishizu.

Ishizu nodded. Seeing that they didn't believe him Yugi started to sit up.

"It was Seto. He's after me again," he said desperately.

He had to get them to believe him.

"Yugi, it's not possible," Yami said slowly.

"It was Seto," Yugi said more forcefully.

Seeing Yugi was getting upset again Yami decided to change tact.

"Ok Yugi, I believe you. You just took me by surprise that's all. Lay down again. You need to sleep."

Yugi nodded and lay back down on the pillows. Yami gave his hand a tight squeeze and stepped back pulling the curtains around the bed as he did. He walked to the door and opened it. Sure enough Honda and Tea stood outside.

"Is his Highness Ok?" Honda asked Yami as the Pharaoh opened the door.

"Yes, he's resting now. Please make sure no one disturbs him whilst I talk to Ishizu."

Honda nodded and walked into the room followed by Tea. Yami checked once more on Yugi who seemed now to have drifted off into a more natural sleep and moved through the adjoining door into his own chambers. Ishizu was waiting for him.

"Is it possible?" he asked immediately desperate to know if his worse fears had come true.

"Could Seto be free from the shadow realm?"

Ishizu shook her head.

"No, I don't think so. You were right before. If he was free you would know."

"So, what was it? Who was it that attacked Yugi? Why did it take him to Hamet?"

"I don't know, but I can feel a new threat approaching."

She closed her eyes and placed a hand on the millennium necklace around her neck.

"As you know, through the power the millennium necklace I can see into both the past and the future. I can see darkness approaching and echoes of the past coming to pass again."

Yami sat down with a deep look of concern on his face.

"Why would whoever, whatever it is, attack Yugi? I know he's the chosen one and we keep telling him he still has a part to play but is that really true. The prophecy was fulfilled. Yugi gave his life to save mine and gave me control of the shadow realm. There is no more to the prophecy."

Ishizu sat down deep in thought. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"I don't know Yami. Something attacked Yugi that's for certain but I can't see how it could have been Seto. It could be that whatever it was took the form of Seto in order to terrify Yugi or maybe Yugi put his attacker into Seto's form and that's why he can't tell us much. He could have been more traumatised by his treatment at Seto's hands than we first thought."

Yami leaned forward onto the table.

"I suppose you must be right but that doesn't explain how the presence felt so familiar to me. If it was Seto I could understand it."

"Maybe you were just feeling the familiar presence because the attacker had taken Seto's form?" Ishizu suggested.

Yami nodded.

"Makes sense I suppose but still, why did it attack Yugi?"

"It's possible the attacker was trying out your theory. That by using Yugi the powers of the shadow realm could be transferred."

A worried look crossed Yami's face.

"I know I've asked you this before Ishizu but is it possible? Can Yugi still be used like that?"

She shook her head.

"No, Yugi's role ended when he died. The prophecy never took into account that you could revive him but I can see no way that the prophecy could continue. His role was fulfilled whereas yours continues along with the other guardians."

"Then this is still a mystery," Yami said exasperated.

"It would seem so. However, being thwarted once the attacker may try again".

A dangerous look crossed Yami's face.

"If he does I'll be ready for him."

"Be careful Yami. We don't know as yet know who or what the attacker is or what they are really after. You must be on your guard for both your sakes. In the meantime I will look into the ancient records concerning the millennium items. Maybe there was something I missed in my earlier studies, a section of prophecy or legend?"

Ishizu stood and started towards the door. She turned back to Yami.

"I will be gone for a few days. The records are kept in my home village a day's ride from here. Whilst I'm gone do not mention any of these events to the other four guardians. Aside from Jou I think it best that we keep this between us for now. When I looked into the future I sensed great danger for both you and for Yugi," she paused.

"I also felt an overwhelming feeling of betrayal."

"Surely you don't suspect one of the guardians?" Yami said shocked.

"I don't know. I hope not but for now keep this a secret. At least until we know more, and that includes telling Yugi. He's scared enough as it is. There's no point frightening him further with the knowledge that someone could be after him again".

Yugi recovered after a few days rest but despite excessive questioning from his friends was not yet comfortable with talking about what had happened to him. He just smiled and said that he was fine.

.+.+ Are you sure your fine Yugi +.+ Yami asked through their link.

.+ Yes, I just don't want to talk about it, leave me alone. +

Yugi's response was harsh and Yami felt a little hurt at the tone. He couldn't figure out what was going on with Yugi. He had been like it for a few days. One minute he would be his usual cheerful self and then the next he would get angry and snap at people.

The instant Yugi snapped at Yami he regretted it. Yami had only wanted to check he was Ok. He shouldn't have snapped at him. He was about to apologise but Yami turned his back to him and started to address the assembled group. Yugi felt annoyed at Yami for this.

'No, why should I apologise to him after all he's the one who thinks I've been lying.'

Yugi sat down angrily in the chair behind Yami.

"My friends, I apologise for not being able to greet you in person on your arrival. I hope you had a safe journey," Yami started.

A murmur of thanks and nods went round the table. Yami continued.

"Good. This is the first gathering of the millennium guardians since the evil priest Seto was sealed in the shadow realm. I hope the time has been spent well. I'm afraid Ishizu will be unable to join us as she is researching something for me and is away from the city. However, I am looking forward to hearing your reports".

Again nods of agreement went around the table.

"Very well. Pegasus will you start?"

A tall thin man with white, shoulder length hair stood up.

"Incidentally Pegasus, I understand congratulations are in order. I hear you are married now," Yami said.

Pegasus smiled.

"Yes, Your Highness to a woman named Cecelia. We met several months ago in Upper Egypt where I was helping a town track down a notorious thief and murderer. The thief got the better of me on one occasion and Cecelia nursed me back to health."

"I take it the thief was caught."

"Oh, yes he didn't get away from me a second time."

With that Pegasus reached into his robes and held up a small glass orb. Inside, a small but bright light glowed.

"His soul," he said with a note of pride in his voice.

Yami leaned a little closer.

"Interesting, you accomplished this with your millennium eye?" he said in wonder.

"Yes, I tracked him down using the item's mind reading abilities and then when he was cornered I used the power of the shadow realm to lock his soul away. I have his body safe. When he's learnt his lesson I will reunite them."

Pegasus finished his report and then one by one each of the guardians gave their own reports in turn. Shadi's report was brief as most of his time was spent on research and Marik and Bakura gave a joint report as they had been working together. Jou's report was also fairly basic having spent most of his time in the palace. Once all were done, Yami stood. Yugi looked up in anticipation.

'Yami's bound to tell them about the dream I had. I hope they don't ask me to tell the story again,' Yugi thought.

"My friends, thank you for your reports. I'm afraid I have very little to tell you."

Jou was about to speak but Yami gave him a firm look so he remained silent.

"Having to spend most of my time in the palace I get very little time to see the rest of my country and its people. I thank you for being my eyes and ears over the last two years. I am hoping that Ishizu will be back shortly so in the meantime please accept my hospitality and remain at the palace for as long as you wish".

He turned to the door and proceeded to leave signalling that the meeting was over. The other guardians began to rise. Yugi just stood there in disbelief. Why hadn't Yami told them about his dream? Why hadn't he told them about Seto? The group filed out of the room and Yugi followed. He was angry, angrier than he had ever been. Common sense told him that Yami probably had his reasons for not telling the others but he wasn't thinking rationally. Anger clouded his judgment and blind irrational fury flowed through him, all directed at Yami.

Yugi could see Yami up ahead entering the east garden and he followed. He spotted Yami sitting on a bench, eyes closed with his back to a tree. Yugi clenched his fists and approached.

.+.+ You're angry with me, aren't you +.+ came Yami's calm voice in his head.

.+ You've got that right. Why didn't you tell them. +

.+.+ We need more information before we tell people what happened +.+

Why? I've told you what happened. +

Yami opened his eyes and looked at the shaking Yugi.

You don't believe me do you + Yugi said suddenly.

"No, it's not that," Yami said out loud.

"YES IT IS," Yugi shouted.

"You don't believe me. You think I made the Seto part up. You think I'm just some traumatised child who can't face his demons."

Yugi was in full flow now finally getting off his chest the issue that had been bothering him over that last few days. Yami gasped as he realised Yugi had heard every word he and Ishizu had said a few days before.

"You were listening."

"Yes, you didn't shut the door properly."

Yami reached out for Yugi but Yugi pulled away.

"Please, Yugi you misunderstood. I didn't mean it that way."

"Didn't you," Yugi spat.

Tears were now steaming down his face.

"I'm just a burden to you, you never really wanted me here."

Yami felt like he had been stabbed by Yugi's words and an intense look of anguish crossed his face.

"No, Yugi please. How could you ever think that? I care about you."

"Then why didn't you tell them, if you care about me?"

"Yugi...it's not that. Its just...there may be more to this than first appears."

He wanted so badly to tell Yugi what he feared. The betrayal Ishizu had foreseen was very real as was the danger to both Yugi and himself. Yugi had been through enough. The less he knew about it the better.

"Tell me, then," Yugi asked.

"I...can't...I'm sorry Yugi."

Yugi turned and started to walk out the garden.

"Fine then. See if I care. If you want me I'll be down in the servants quarters where I belong."

Yugi's words were shredding Yami's heart. He leapt up from his seat and started to follow. He had to tell him. Ishizu was wrong, Yugi needed to know.

"Yugi please," he said as he walked out from under the shelter of the tree.

Yugi heard rather than saw the arrow strike as he turned back towards Yami. Yami staggered and then sank to his knees, the shaft of an arrow buried deep between his shoulder blades.

"Yugi..," he managed to say in a faint voice before slumping forwards into Yugi's arms.