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 7 - The Puzzle

Several strained hours passed by as Katara worked on trying to identify the poison slowly killing Yami. Yugi sat beside Yami's bed and held his hand tightly, rubbing his thumb across the back of his hand trying to coax a response from the weakening Pharaoh. Yami was fighting but he couldn't keep it up forever. Yugi laid his head on the bed and let out a quiet sob.

"...Yugi..."

Yugi's head shot up at the sound of Yami's feeble voice. Yami's eyes were slowly opening and he gave Yugi's hand a weak squeeze.

"Hey Yami," Yugi said happily.

"How are you feeling?"

Yami squeezed his eyes shut as he struggled for breath.

"Like I'm dying."

"Yami please don't say that...you're not going to die," Yugi sobbed as he hugged Yami's hand to his chest. Yami gave him a soft smile.

"Yes I am."

He paused as he tried to find the breath for his next words.

"Yugi...I want you to promise me something."

Yugi's eyes widened as tears flowing freely down his cheeks.

"Anything Yami, just ask."

Yami took a deep and painful breath.

"Look after my people."

Yugi's eyes widened further at Yami's words, understanding their meaning.

"No, you're not giving up Yami."

Yugi leapt from his chair dropping Yami's hand and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him.

"Yami, your not leaving me...do you hear me Yami...your not leaving me alone...I need you."

Yugi let go of Yami's shoulders and collapsed weeping onto his chest. He felt an arm on his back and looked up into Yami's pain filled eyes.

"I'm sorry Yugi...I'm so tired...so very tired...please promise me you will look after my people."

"I don't want to loose you Yami...I don't want to be Pharaoh."

"I know Yugi...I don't want to go...but you have responsibilities now."

Yami brushed away Yugi's tears with his thumb.

"You will make a good Pharaoh Yugi. Promise me."

Noting the urgency in Yami's voice Yugi choked back a sob.

"I promise."

Yami sighed.

"Thank you Yugi."

Yami's hand slipped back down onto the bed and his eyes slowly began to close.

"Yami...Yami...no please, please don't leave me." Yugi sobbed.

"I love you Yugi," Yami's said quietly as his eyes slid completely closed and he slipped back into unconsciousness, his breathing becoming more laboured than before.

Yugi knew the final moments were near and he sat there helpless and shaking, watching his dying friend.

"I love you to Yami," he whispered as he watched Yami's breathing begin to slow.

Suddenly the door was thrown open and Katara rushed in closely followed by Jou, Honda and then Ishizu.

"Ishizu," Yugi cried in relief as she rushed to the side of the bed looking in shock at the dying Pharaoh.

"Please help him...there isn't much time left," Yugi begged.

She hurriedly picked up the arrow sniffing it like Katara had done.

"Vesanium," She exclaimed.

"No wonder you couldn't find a cure Katara there isn't one."

Yugi turned his face to the floor in defeat. He had been sure Ishizu could save Yami.

"Then there's nothing we can do?" he whispered.

Ishizu shook her head.

"No, not through the use of medicine but we may be able through the use of magic."

She hurriedly reached for the millennium puzzle, which had been placed on the table beside Yami. She picked it up and turned to Yugi.

"Do you remember the puzzle's special power, the one to heal?"

Yugi nodded.

"Yes, Yami used it to revive me."

"We may be able to use that power to save Yami."

"But how? Only Yami can use the puzzle."

"Not so. As the chosen one there is a chance that the puzzle may allow you to use its power, but I must warn you there may be a risk to you."

Yugi leapt from his chair his face filled with new hope.

"I don't care. I'll risk anything to save Yami."

Ishizu nodded and handed Yugi the puzzle.

Yugi lifted the item in his hands awkwardly. He had never touched the real puzzle before only the replica Yami had given him.

"What do I do?" he asked.

"You need to apply your strength though the puzzle to Yami."

Yugi nodded trying to understand Ishizu's meaning. He closed his eyes and focused his strength towards the puzzle. At the same time he reached out to Yami with his mind hoping that although not actually wearing the puzzle Yami would be able to hear him. At first he got no response and he began to panic. Time was running out. Desperately he pushed a little harder and was relieved when he felt the puzzle grow warm in his hands. He also felt Yami's mind and shuddered at the pain he was feeling.

"It's working Yugi. Now slowly touch Yami with the puzzle."

Yugi opened his eyes at Ishizu's voice and stepped forward to lace the glowing puzzle on Yami's chest. Almost at soon as it touched him Yugi felt the puzzle transfer the strength he had passed it onto Yami. Yami gasped and arched his back off the bed as the power flowed through him. Yugi stood there holding the puzzle firmly to Yami's chest as a greenish vapour began to rise from Yami's mouth. The puzzle was expelling the poison from Yami's body. The vapour hung in the air for a short time and then faded away. Yami collapsed back onto the bed breathing heavily but more regularly.

"It worked," Ishizu cried in elation.

"You did it Yugi..."

She stopped as she saw Yugi. He was standing stock still holding the puzzle close to him.

"Yugi?" She said again concerned.

Yugi looked down at the puzzle not hearing Ishizu. The puzzle was still glowing in his hands and to Yugi's horror he could still feel the puzzle reaching out to him.

'What's happening? What does it want?' he thought in confusion.

He felt the coils of the puzzles power slowly wrap around him trying to draw him into it, trying to absorb him.

'Oh Ra,' he cried out in his mind.

'Its wants me.'

Seeing Yugi transfixed by the puzzle and sensing the boy's fear Ishizu leapt forward and pulled the puzzle out of the entranced Yugi's hands. Yugi staggered as the puzzle was removed and shook his head.

"Wh...What happened?" he asked.

Ishizu placed the puzzle back down on the table away from Yugi and approached the dazed youth.

"I'm sorry Yugi, I should have warned you that might happen. You see you were not the one destined to use the puzzle and it was curious about you."

She said these words calmly so as not to frighten the boy but her eyes told a different story. Yugi saw the look.

"It...it was trying to draw me into itself. Absorb me."

Ishizu placed her hands on Yugi's shoulders.

"It was just over curious. It wouldn't have hurt you."

"I guess so," Yugi answered.

Ishizu's explanation made sense but the look in her eyes still concerned him. However, before he had a chance to raise the question his attention was drawn back to the bed where Yami had broken into a coughing fit. Yugi dashed to his side.

"Yami," he asked urgently.

Yami slowly opened his eyes and after a brief moment he smiled at Yugi.

"Hey," he said in a horse voice.

"How are you feeling?" Yugi asked.

"Like I'm alive, which, going on the fact I was dying a few minutes ago shouldn't be possible?"

Yugi smiled in relief at the jovial note in Yami's voice.

"You were. Don't you ever scare me like that again."

Yami smiled again and reached up his hand to Yugi's face.

"I'll try not to."

Yami tried to sit up but Yugi gently pushed him back down.

"Oh, no you don't. You're going to rest," Yugi said with a 'don't argue with me' look on his face.

"Yes, mother," Yami sighed. He turned to Ishizu.

"How comes I'm still here Ishizu? I thought I was dead for sure."

She smiled at Yami.

"You nearly were. Yugi managed to drive the poison out of your body using the power of the millennium puzzle."

Yami glanced over at Yugi.

"You used the puzzle, how?"

"I don't know Ishizu said that as the chosen one I might be able to use the power of the puzzle even though I wasn't the one destined to use it. You're alive so it must have worked."

Yami noticed the slight change in Yugi's voice and the fearful look in his eyes as he talked about the puzzle.

"Is something wrong Yugi? Did the puzzle hurt you?"

Yugi shook his head.

"No, it just got a little curious about me that's all."

The look in Ishizu's eyes still concerned him but he had decided to accept her explanation for now.

"Good."

"Right that's enough you two," came Ishizu's crisp voice.

"You," she said pointing at Yami.

"Need a thorough check up and then rest."

She then pointed to Yugi.

"And you need sleep. You haven't slept properly for nearly two days."

Not having the strength to argue Yugi nodded. Before leaving for his adjoining chambers he gave Yami a hug.

"I'm glad your Ok Yami, I was so worried."

Yami tightened the embrace.

"Everything's going to be fine now, thanks to you."

Yugi pulled away from the embrace smiling warmly.

"Call me if you need anything."

"I will, thank you."

Yugi gave Yami one last smile and left. He took the few short steps to own his door and entered his apartments unaware that a tall man with white hair watched him from the shadows.

'So little Yugi, you found a way to save your precious Pharaoh, but at what cost I wonder. It matters little. I will not fail next time. Next time Yami won't be so lucky and you my little friend will be his undoing.'

The figure detached itself from the shadows and began to move towards Yugi's door.