Shatter

By Snare-chan

Pairings: None intended, but you know me…
Ratings: K+
Category(ies): General
Warning(s): Spoilers for Yami's true name
Status: Two-shot, 2/2
Summary: (Shadah Centric) An earthquake strikes Egypt, leaving many battered, broken, and left to tend to the aftermath. Shadah, blaming himself for some of it, goes to heal one of the wounded…and finds himself being the one who is in need of healing.

Notes: Here is the second and final chapter, at your service! All in all I think it's high time this fic, which has been worked on over a period of two months, to finally be dubbed 'completed'.

I'm still not sure if I'm pleased with how the characters came out, though I'm always paranoid about if they are in character or not so I suppose it doesn't matter. The anime of the Ancient Egypt Arc completely screwed up my views on how Seto and Shadah (should) act, so when I was writing them my brain sort of went -brain fart-. Eheh…

Disclaimer: I dun own YuGiOh!; wish I did like everyone else. They should put YGO in stock, then I'd buy it all!

Today was turning out to be a beautiful day, in Shadah's opinion. Reconstruction of the city as well as the palace had been underway for several nights and days, and things were looking up. Everyone was pitching-in to help rebuild what had been lost in the disaster, and the positive outlook and hard work going around was becoming quite contagious.

The positive feelings had Shadah feeling somewhat relieved and wanting to help even more than he possibly could. He wanted to be out there, lifting rubble and working on recreating the things that had been destroyed alongside the people of the Pharaoh's fair capital.

Just as these thoughts started to take a new turn, Shadah did so as well, taking the memorized path that would twist and turn to Seto's resting room. Just as he was making his way around the last bend before Seto's door, there came a crash as something went reeling out the door and into the wall, shattering into several clay pieces.

And while I could be out there doing some good, instead I'm here taking care of a man with the tantrums of a young child, Shadah thought glumly, second-guessing himself about his decision to take care of the High Priest until his recovery was complete.

Right about then, just as he was about to walk into the room one of the healers, a man Shadah could only recall by face, came stumbling out in a hurry. It would seem just in time too, since another clay something-or-other came flying out at top speed and nearly took off the man's right ear.

Shadah easily avoided the old healer as he tumbled past him and sidestepped the final air-born object of the day. This one was a cup still full of fine wine.

"You know, Seto," Shadah started slowly as he entered the room, ignoring the other's tedious glare (since Seto currently only had one eye to glare with), "If you keep scaring the healers away, there will be none left to tend to you."

"That will be fine by me," Seto practically seethed as he collapsed heavily back against his mattress, trying not to appear spent.

The other man simply shook his head, setting the small tray of water and food aside, not wanting it to be knocked out of his hands like the last time. He may be fooled once and awhile, but he wasn't stupid – he learned quickly from his mistakes.

"Come, Seto, the quicker you grow stronger, the less you'll have to be tended to," Shadah quickly pointed out, And the less you'll be so temperamental, he added mentally to himself.

It wasn't that he was greatly upset by Seto's coldness or really surprised at his grouchy behavior. He was well used to it by now, having spent a couple years in the other's presence, and from experience he knew that a sick or injured Seto meant a very easily angered High Priest.

The other simply grunted at his words, his eye closing as if in hopes of making the other disappear and made it look like he was putting all his will into ignoring Shadah's presence. It didn't work, however, just as it hadn't worked the previous times he had attempted this.

Instead, Shadah did the exact opposite of what Seto might have hoped. He didn't vanish, but instead went about getting the other's meal ready. It was almost becoming a pattern for Shadah, who had been asked to tend to other sick and wounded people. Shadah would sit down on the side of the bed and hold out the other's drink until he (begrudgingly) took it from his grasp. That is to say, Shadah would not cease prodding Seto's sore shoulder until he surrendered.

Seto grumbled and sat up (with Shadah's help of course, though he'd never say that), roughly taking the glass from his hand, downing the cool drink fairly quickly. He had refused anything but water lately, not trusting the doctors to give him a small enough portion of wine to not get him out of it enough to be tended to, and since no one but Shadah knew to bring him anything but, he pretty much only accepted anything from the other man.

When he was finished with that, Shadah would then hand him his bowl of gruel or fruit, which Seto would attempt to hold by himself. Though Shadah knew the other was only putting on a strong face in his presence, as he would in front of anyone, it was apparent by the shaking of his limbs under the simple weight that it was difficult for him. All the same, Shadah did not say anything about it, instead allowing Seto to be slave to his pride.

"You appear to be getting better," Shadah noted aloud, observing the other from the chair he had long since placed beside the other's bed. It was like a permanent fixation in the room now, never moving to a different spot, as if planted in place.

"Of course," the other snorted around his spoon, "What did you think, I'd roll over and die? I wouldn't give anyone the satisfaction."

Shadah couldn't help it - he chuckled softly. It was just such a Seto-like thing for him to say, and Shadah had not expected any less.

"I'm glad," Shadah spoke softly at last, not noting the other's strange look that was sent in his direction.

After such words were spoken not much else was said. A silence fell between them, and aside from the sounds of Seto eating and Shadah's mediated breathing, there wasn't much else to hear. Another piece to this pattern they were acquiring.

This time had now become Shadah's usual to-himself time, despite the fact he was spending it in someone else's company. Seto was, at times, almost as solitary as Shadah was, and aside from being tended to, they mostly stayed out of one another's way and gave each other the right amount of space.

And so, it was during this time of space that Shadah thought and mused to himself. He didn't often like to brood in the past, but lately, even after he'd had time to calm himself and collect his thoughts, he was still living in the recent past. Neither had spoken about what had happened between them in the throne room on that earth-shattering day (pun not intended); neither about their argument nor why Seto had purposely saved him.

No matter how many times he thought about it all, Shadah couldn't get any closer to a conclusion. Any answer he could possibly come up with, and please believe that he had come up with several possible ones, only left more questions than answers. In the end, he knew he would just have to bring it up with the other one of these days if he wanted any sort of answer.

The sound of a spoon hitting the bottom of a half-empty bowl brought Shadah out of his thoughts, signaling that his alone time was now over. Time seemed to go by so quickly when he was exploring the recesses of his mind… He glanced up, noting that Seto was finished with his small breakfast and was shoving it aside.

He took it from its spot near the edge of the bed and set it back onto the tray. He understood that the other was hurt (and mostly on his midriff, mind you) and that eating would be a problem, but he could still hope that the other wouldn't continue to eat so little. Shadah could admit that he feared for the other's health with how Seto was constantly persistent in trying to just do something, be it to attack healers or get out of bed. Even with all the work done on him, it was a miracle the other was even awake at this point, much less not falling apart at the seams.

To be frank, this worried Shadah most of all. Though he was very glad that the other was recovering faster than anyone expected, such exertion as that Seto put on himself too quickly just couldn't be good for him. But what could he do when the other would not listen? It was like talking to a palace wall; whatever Seto wanted to do, he'd do despite what others may think or say.

As if hoping the answers would come to him, Shadah glanced over to the other, noting how his bandages were bloody once more and decided, hesitantly of course, that now would be as good a time as ever to tend to them. And so he grabbed a couple yards of gauze and moved back over to the bed, indicating what he was planning to do before moving to finish what the healer had started previously.

Either Seto had calmed considerably or he was tired from too much in one day, but he didn't really put up much of a fight this time around. Perhaps he's finally realized I'm not going anywhere, Shadah mused, smiling slightly at the thought as he finished with the other's arm.

He set it down gently beside the other before moving down to tend to his legs, being able to note for the first time just how damaged they truly were. Though nearly broken, the only sign of damage was the seeping blood that showed through the once-white sheets. It proceeded to get only worse from there, the rest of him more harmed than the previous parts, which Shadah examined and readied.

It was most difficult for him to lift those sheets and see just how bad it all truly was, and the pain that struck his heart before had returned ten times worse.

As he finally finished, he breathed deeply, noting just how quiet the other had been through the entire ordeal. He hadn't even really looked at Shadah through the whole process, and truth be told, it made Shadah feel terribly uncomfortable. He couldn't help but feel that perhaps Seto blamed him for this or was second-guessing himself about his decision, just as Shadah was doing for him that very minute.

"I'm sorry," he suddenly murmured, the words leaving his lips before he had much time to think over them. He wasn't even sure why or what he was exactly apologizing for, for all he knew was that he had to say something.

Seto sighed just as loudly as Shadah had moments ago before addressing him with, "For what?"

The harshness lining the other's tone did not surprise him much, and deep down Shadah felt he deserved the barbed words that were sure to come. In all actuality, he welcomed them.

"I never thanked you for saving my life."

The other simply waved his words off, appearing to dismiss them the minute they'd left Shadah's lips. He winced slightly at the gesture.

"Think nothing of it."

Now these words, this modest gesture, had Shadah all the more confused. He was sure Seto would have exploded by this point, demanding his service or for more than just that simple thanks, however…here he was simply brushing them aside as if his act had been nothing.

"How can you say such a thing?" Shadah asked, unable to conceal his awe, "What you did…was so noble. Had you not done anything, I would have surely died; you could have surely died…and it would have been all my fault."

As Shadah spoke, he bowed his head, narrowly missing Seto turning his own head to look at him. Had he not done so, Shadah would have seen the strange look the other gave him, but because he had not, he instead continued to speak, relaying his thoughts like he never thought he would.

"You risked yourself so readily for me, Seto, that I'm nearly speechless," he admitted softly, his head bowing further as the words continued to flow, "You shouldn't belittle yourself now of all times; I've never known a person but our Pharaoh who would risk life and limb for a person who…I have no special trait to call my own, no real purpose to this business than be at the Pharaoh's side and make but one task simpler. Why would you possibly wish to save me?"

The final question hung within the air as Shadah's face began to flush, surprised at himself for asking that deep question. Now that he had finally spoken it aloud he wished to take it back, not sure he was ready for the answer. Nervously, he tilted his head back up, looking at Seto for his reaction, and was only met with the other looking at him neutrally.

I'm so foolish; it's a wonder the Gods have not seen fit to kill me, a part of Shadah mused in the farthest reaches of his mind as he simply stared at Seto, both expecting and not expecting an answer for his troubles.

Surprisingly, Seto was first to break eye contact, looking about the room in such a calm, callous way that he appeared to be inspecting everything in the room but Shadah with great intensity.

"I was…wrong."

Shadah blinked once. And then blinked again.

"I…come…I'm not sure I understand," Shadah stuttered slowly, not expecting such an answer. If anything, it only brought more questions that left Shadah at a loss for words and thoughts.

"I was wrong, alright?" Seto snapped slightly, looking none-too-pleased at having to repeat such words.

"Wrong about…what?" he asked meekly.

And right on cue, Seto sighed temperately, his voice taking on the edge it usually did when he was growing short-tempered and agitated, "Must I explain everything to you? During our conversation concerning…well, the one a few days ago…I was wrong. You were right all along; your plan was better suited for the needs of both the palace and the people than my own."

This admittance had Shadah shocked to the point he nearly fell off the chair he'd seated himself upon. Seto had, dare he even think such a thing, willingly admitted that he was wrong.

"And another thing," Seto started calmly, rather to calmly for Shadah's taste. The nerve-wracking feeling in his gut was answered as the other's tone rapidly changed into that of a harsh snap, "Are you implying that you're useless?"

From the sounds of it the other actually sounded insulted even though Shadah had implied nothing about or towards him, and this left him momentarily bewildered. His moment of silence only gave way to Seto continuing forward, not waiting for his reply.

"Would our Pharaoh bother to keep you around if you were not valuable to us?" Seto countered Shadah's earlier statement, "Each of us have a purpose to serve him, and you should be proud to have the honor of being able to do so beside him."

Though these words were said in a harsh tone and seemed to relay somewhat of what Shadah had been feeling down about…he couldn't help but seem to puff up with a little pride. The other was right, it wasn't about whether he was better or worse than someone else, it has always been about serving and protecting their Pharaoh. Shadah nearly blushed with shame at having almost forgotten about that fact.

"Besides," the other coughed slightly, not bothering to look at Shadah as he spoke once more, "You are the most loyal person I know. Far…loyal than I am, in fact."

Once more the other left him speechless, once more he was left in awe. Shadah wasn't sure if it was healthy to have so many surprises in one day, but for the moment he forgot about his health and glanced up at the other. It must have taken a lot out of him to say those things to Shadah's face, as it were, and it left Shadah feeling more honored than he had felt in a long time.

"Were you…apologizing to me just before?"

Seto grunted softly, shifting under the sheets into a more comfortable position. He didn't answer him, instead closing his eyes and deciding to ignore the fact that Shadah was even there anymore, indicating that he'd had enough talking for one day. But it was all right; Shadah didn't need him to confirm anything, for inside he knew, for once, that particular answer. He shook his head slightly, standing up and correcting the sheets before he moved towards the door to leave Seto to rest.

Just as he was blowing out the candle and heading towards the door, he heard a mumbled sentence and started abruptly at the chosen words, glancing back at him. The other was still laid back in his bed, his eyes closed in sleep and appearing to not have moved at all that day. Shadah knew better though; he knew what he'd heard, and smiled because of it as he left.

"You're welcome."

-Fin-

A/N: Wow, I just can't express my joy with how happy I'm glad this sucker is all done! I'm rather proud of it, though this chapter left a bit to be desired. The scene concerning Seto explaining that Shadah does have a purpose, a reason, wasn't how I wanted it to come about as. All the same, I think it worked out and the ending wasn't too confusing.