all disclaimers apply as usual
It didn't take long for the entire group, including the two grandfathers to reach the medical lodge. While in there, the medics were tending to their two newest patients. Yami and Bakura were both feeling the full extent of their injuries once they began to thaw out.
In dire pain, Bakura still didn't miss a beat when an opportunity presented itself. A young, pretty ski medic was tending to him.
"Does it hurt here?" she asked kindly as she checked all portions of his legs.
"I know how you could make all the hurt go away." Bakura purred. Yami, who was on a stretcher within reach of the thief smacked him in the face with a glove he still had in his possession.
"Now that wasn't nice." Bakura said as he spat pine needles that came off of Yami's glove. He then turned his attention back to the lovely ski medic. "Could you move him or turn him the other way or something. He's bothering me."
"Pathetic excuse for an egyptian." Yami muttered as he heard Bakura's request.
Bakura stuck his tongue out at the king. Yami rolled his eyes. But neither got their way. Yami was not moved and the pretty ski medic found other tasks to deal with.
After a moment, Yami was pondering the ordeal and remembered the challenge he had made with the thief. "Hey Bakura...do you remember whose sled exited the trail first?"
Bakura suddenly remembered the deal too. "Mine naturally. I won."
"Wait, no...we didn't get down on our own."
"We didn't make any restrictions as to how we got down...only that whomever was the first. You will bow down to me."
"Your sled didn't exit first. It had to stop because you threw a ski pole off the thing. They had to stop and pick it up. My sled then passed yours."
Bakura growled. He wasn't really sure whose sled exited first. "Look neither of us can remember."
"Then let's forget it then."
"And miss a chance to see a king like you bow to me...never."
"Then we'll come up with another challenge another day?"
"So be it. We'll--YYYYYEEEEEEOOOOWWWW! Damn wench, that hurt!" Bakura yelped as the female medic returned and was trying to remove Bakura's jacket so they could get to his broken arm.
The ski medic looked at him funny. Wench? She hadn't ever heard that term before.
Before more antics could continue, the others were allowed into the room where Yami and Bakura were being tended to.
Grandpa Motou looked extremely upset and disappointed. He walked over to the pharaoh. "I thought you, of all people, would know better. " Yami looked away. Gramps was right and he couldn't say a single thing to defend himself.
Rebecca was crying and her grandfather was trying to calm her down. "He hurt my darling!" she kept saying.
Yami suddenly realized that he needed to consult Yugi. //Aibou? AIBOU! You hear me?//
With a deep, long yawn, Yugi awoke. /Huh? Yami? You wanna switch already?/
//No. We mustn't. You were asleep the whole time?//
/Whole time of what?/
//Uh, well, long story.//
Yugi, more awake, was suddenly wondering why the pharaoh was nervous. /What'd you do?/
//Uh...tried skiing?//
/What do you mean by tried?/
//Didn't quite succeed aibou. I'm sorry.//
/Sorry!? Okay Yami, spill it, what'd you do!?/
//Crashed. Not well on your body either. Maybe a broken leg and from what I can tell, many other sore spots.//
/You crashed!? You didn't take lessons first? How'd you crash?/
//In a tree.//
/How'd you get in a--wait, nevermind, I don't even want to know. Well, since you're in charge of my body, you'll have to deal with its healing...at least til we get home. We can't very well change appearances with everyone tending to us now can we?/
//I suppose not. I'm terribly sorry aibou.//
/We'll discuss this another time. Deal with whomever's tending to us for now./ Yugi replied as he faded out. Like his grandfather, he was a bit disappointed in the pharaoh's recklessness.
Two medics were feeling areas of Yami's body and constantly asking if it hurt. Once at his ribs, Yami lashed out with a flailing arm as a medic gently pressed on a portion of his rib cage. Possible broken ribs were also noted. More feeling. Yami tried to protest when they reached his groin area, but suddenly realized that region hurt just like his ribs! Possible groin injury was also noted. The last grasp of pain was indeed his leg. The pharaoh winced. He was more injured than he thought himself to be.
In the neighboring bed, the thief had to be restrained with straps upon his unbroken leg and arm. They seriously considered taping his mouth as well, but thought against it as they wouldn't know what hurt with his arm and leg strapped and mouth taped. Broken leg and arm as well as bruised spine were Bakura's diagnosis. Both would be spending at least a week in the hospital as a result. Their broken bones had to be set and no weight could be placed upon them or the other bruised areas for several days. They would be completely bedridden for at least two days.
Everyone was silent as they were transported from the ski resort to the nearby hospital in the city. Tea tried several times to console the aching pharaoh, but Yami was unresponsive as guilt and pain dominated his thoughts. Once in the hospital, the two were admitted. While the doctors performed many tests, etc. with the two patients, the others went to the cafeteria for a brief meal. None had eaten all day as a result of the little ordeal with the two ancient egyptians.
"So, we'll be here another few days." Joey asked solemnly. He HAD to break the silence! It was driving him nuts!
"Seems that way Joey." Grandpa Motou replied.
"What do you supposed really happened?" Joey continued.
"My guess is the two got a bit overconfident, cocky, and challenged each other, not paying attention or caring about where this challenge occurred." Grandpa continued.
"That doesn't sound like Yami at all. The thief, perhaps, but Yami?" Tea added.
"The pharaoh can be persuaded if the right elements are present. Bakura knows exactly which buttons to push to get the pharaoh into a situation he will not back down from. Yami is an intelligent, wise young man, but he's still just that...a YOUNG man. He will on occasion, make a careless or reckless choice if the conditions are suitable. Games are all about chance and risk. Yami will push his limits to seek what's beyond. It's in his nature."
"I wonder what Yugi and Ryou think about the situation right now." Tristan threw in.
"I don't think I'd even want to know. I bet those two will make sure they their ancient egyptian counterparts get an earful. They can't escape afterall." Tea replied.
"And they have to deal with this food too." Joey threw in. He was famished, but somehow the hospital food just was NOT helping at all.
"Heheh, that's worthy punishment right there." Tristan laughed.
After a couple of hours, Marik soon joined them in the cafeteria.
"Just heard from the doctors. The tests and castings are complete. Yami and Bakura have been moved into a room." Marik replied.
"A room? As in the same room?" Joey asked.
Marik nodded. "Not much choice I'm afraid. They want to keep those two together seeing how they are 'friends' and all."
Joey and Tristan's jaws dropped. "Friends?"
"I think it will be all right. Those two will have other things to contend with and limited mobility. Perhaps they'll even learn to work out their differences in a more mature manner." Grandpa Motou answered.
Both Tea and Rebecca exchanged worried looks.
"But Bakura's a nut." Tristan slid in.
"Both Bakura and Yami will be heavily drugged for a couple of days plus under survelliance. If either tries anything, I'm sure nurses have ways of keeping unruly boys in line." Grandpa reassured.
"Shall we see them now?" Tea asked as that was the whole point Marik had returned.
All got up as Joey wolfed down a couple more rolls. The food wasn't the greatest, but if he could chow down in quantity, at least his stomach might stop growling.
In the room, both Yami and Bakura were sedated and resting as the others entered.
"They look like modern mummies. It somehow seems...fitting." Joey remarked as he noticed all the casts, wrappings, and wires hooked up to the two egyptians.
Yami pried an eye open upon hearing his friend's voice. Tea walked over to his bedside. "How're you feeling?"
Yami breathed roughly and spoke slowly. "Tired. They gave me something didn't they?"
Tea nodded. "Do you hurt?"
"Amazingly...no."
"Probably sedatives and pain killers then. Rest now Yami." Tea said as she brushed his spikey bangs with a hand then returned to the others.
Meanwhile, Bakura was also awakening somewhat. But he was more heavily sedated than the pharaoh was. "What...poked..."
"Rest Bakura. No need to try to fight it." Grandpa replied calmly as he tried to prevent the thief from harming himself or anyone else by fighting the effects of the drugs in his system. It was obvious the tomb robber was extremely upset and angry still.
"There's little we can do for them right now. We'll return to the resort and let them rest for the night." Grandpa replied.
The others nodded.
"We'll see you two tomorrow. Behave yourselves and do as you're asked to." Grandpa Motou told both groggy young men.
"Yeah, and be sure to tell me all about the pretty nurses too, got that." Joey said before he was dragged out of the room by his ear being pulled by Tea.
After many hours, the sedatives wore off and the two awoke, feeling hungry.
"You dead yet king?"
"They have more tubes in me than I have entrances. How is that possible?" Yami moaned.
"Guess not. Too bad. You're not alone. I have tubes in places I don't even allow women to go."
"Don't you even dare elaborate thief." Yami winced. He didn't want the mental image of the thief in some kinky sex romp.
"How do we get food in this damn everything's white place?"
Yami strained to turn and look around himself as best he could. "Gotta be a button or something."
Bakura looked for buttons. He found some on the bed rail. He started randomly pushing them. He also started screaming in pain as the bed contorted up and down at his feet and head.
Yami grinned. "Thank you thief. You saved me some pain. I was about to try those myself. Those apparently aren't it, but your yelling should draw some attention."
Bakura continue to rant in modern obscenities as well as ancient egyptian.
Soon, a nurse came rushing in.
"What is the meaning of---" she started as she saw the thief with the bed cocked up on both foot and head thus squishing himself in a 'u'-like fashion. She immediately adjusted the bed back down to its flattened position. Yami smirked in amusement as the nurse struggled with the upset thief.
Once all was settled and the thief stopped his bitch n moan fest, the nurse asked if there was anything they needed.
"Pull the tube out of my dick so I can pee in dignity." was the first request from the very grumpy thief.
Yami winced. Suddenly he realized that the thief wasn't the only one with that problem.
"You are not allowed to leave the bed for 36 hours. Therefore, that will allow you to relieve yourself without a need to get up or move." the nurse answered calmly. It was standard procedure for bedridden patients afterall. But...it was totally foreign to the two ancient egyptians.
Bakura changed his demeanor to a more soft, mature manner. "Why not pull the tube out and I'll call you when I feel the need. Then I'll allow you the priviledge of assisting me in the matter."
Yami rolled his eyes. Even in their present situation, the thief couldn't resist some come-on line and his ego was off the scale.
"How about the tube remains and here's a bed pan for solid waste." the nurse replied in response to the thief's advances. She'd dealt with worse issues than one grumpy, sex driven young man.
Yami snickered. Perhaps some of these nurses could lock horns with the thief and put him in his place!
Bakura heard the pharaoh's snicker. He would get him for that...once the nurse left.
"Excuse me, ma'am? What my 'friend' has failed to inform you about is the fact that we are both hungry. Is there any chance we may be able to have some nourishment?" Yami politely inquired.
"Sure. We are past dinner, but I can get something for you."
"Gimme a steak...bloody with lots of gravy." Bakura shot in.
The nurse almost looked horrified! "Uh, no...how about a nice bowl of Wheaties?"
"Fiber...oh, you want me to try out that bed pan you gave me don't you?" Bakura replied back sarcastically.
"Whatever you can get us will be fine." Yami answered as the nurse nodded and departed. As soon as the door to their room shut there was a loud ding as the sound of metal hit something.
"YEEEEOOOOWW! DAMMIT THIEF! THAT HURT!" Yami yelled as he rubbed his forehead. Bakura had flinged the aluminum bed pan right at Yami's head.
"Hey, I'm not a bad aim with my lesser used hand. Teach you to laugh at my expense."
"I hope you shit your pants thief."
"Probably will now that my bed pan's on your side of the room. No matter, you'll have to smell it. That in itself will make it worthwhile."
Yami muttered several choice words under his breath as he sought to calm himself. He was stuck in the same room as the thief with no chance of escape for at least 36 hours.
The nurse came back with a bowl of cereal and jello for each. She gave both a funny look as the two boys were smiling sweetly with imiginary halos over their heads. What she didn't know were the imaginary devils tails swinging in anticipation under the covers. "Uh, here's some food for you two. If you need anything more, just press that red button on closest to you on the bed rail. Or, you may tug on the cord behind you." she replied as she set up the trays and set the food upon them then tilted their headrests up so they could sit up slightly. She gave them one more quick glance before stepping out. Something didn't quite seem right, but she gave the two boys the benefit of the doubt.
Once the door shut, Bakura began playing with the stethescope he'd pick-pocketed from the nurse. He was a professional thief...even with one arm, he managed to slip an item from an unsuspecting individual.
"I can't believe you just did that thief."
"Force of habit."
"Pathetic."
"So, what's this thing do?" Bakura asked as he fiddled with the medical instrument.
"It listens to your heart." Yami replied. He remembered them doing that to Yugi during a routine physical many months ago.
Bakura put the instrument to his chest. "I don't hear anything."
"You have to put the other ends in your ears dummy."
Bakura did such and heard his heart. "What--yeeooOOOWWWW!!!MAKE IT STOP!!!OOOWWW!" Bakura screamed until he managed to remove the things from his ears.
"Dummy. It amplifies sounds. Speaking would naturally be amplified as well."
Bakura rubbed his ears as he flung the stethescope to the floor. "Bah." was his only remark as he turned his attentions to the food. "Damn woman. I didn't want Wheaties. And what is the meaning of this green wavy stuff?"
"It's jello...a desert."
Bakura tried to scoop the jello. He was having difficulty holding the spoon in his left hand as he was actually right-handed. As he brought it to his mouth, it fell off the spoon and back into the bowl. "BAH! Damnable stuff!"
Yami had to laugh.The thief was just making an already bad ordeal worse for himself.
"Ah, just shut up king. I don't need to hear your cackling." Bakura rattled as he turned to his food. He was hungry...he'd simply have to eat what he was given.
The pharaoh had already began his little meal. He didn't mind the fiber cereal...it was something he liked anyway. The jello, was a bit difficult to eat, but he managed. The thief, wolfed down the cereal and milk by holding the bowl to his mouth each time. And, did battle with the jello in the same manner.
"I always knew you were a dog thief. You even eat like one." Yami taunted. He couldn't resist.
Bakura eyed daggers at the ancient ruler but said nothing. He pushed the table tray away from his bed and tried to get comfortable. His only peace would be sleep.
Yami, upon seeing the thief finally calming down, sighed in relief. He too could relax...or so he hoped.
Later that evening, both were awakened. The nurse flipped the lights on and shook them both awake. The doctor wanted to check up on them and administer medication. What neither medical employee knew was that you do not awaken an ancient king nor a crazed ancient thief from their peaceful slumber without first asking their permission to do so.
to be continued...