Do I really need to keep on saying that I don't own Yugioh at the beginning of each chapter?  ;p  Well, it's something to do…

Chapter 36

When Yugi woke up again, he was aware of blurry forms by his bed.

"Don't crowd him…give him some air, people!"

Yugi blinked, hearing Jou's voice as everyone slowly came into focus.  The first person he saw was Yami, who smiled at him.  Then, everyone else slowly came into focus.

"Back with us, Yugi?" Seto smiled.

Yugi cleared his throat and looked at them, "Where…?"

"A hospital in Morocco," Seto filled him in.

"You've been out for a week," Anzu stated, "We were getting worried."

Yugi closed his eyes and then opened them again, feeling oddly refreshed, "I'm okay now, Anzu."  He slowly sat up, then winced.

"Easy there, Yug," Jou steadied him, "Ya need to rest.  Ya had pneumonia, and injuries on toppa that."

Yugi's eyes widened at the mention of the illness that almost claimed his life along with a shard of glass.  He gripped the sheets, shaking a bit.

Yami came over and took his hand, gently unclenching it and holding it in his.  //Aibou…//

Yugi turned tearful eyes to Yami.

Yami smiled.  //It's alright.//

Yugi sniffled, then allowed Yami to gently push him back down and pull the covers back around him.

"I'm glad you're alright, Yugi," Sugoroku spoke up, gently brushing bangs away from his grandson's face.

Yugi smiled a bit, opening his eyes again.  Then, realization hit him, and he sat up with a start, "What about…the other people!?  What did…?!"

Sugoroku gently took him by the shoulders and pushed him back down on the bed, "It's alright, Yugi."

"We explained a bit about it," Ryou admitted.

"They seem to have accepted it," Yami agreed, "And, you're a hero to them."

"But I didn't do anything…," Yugi whispered, "It was the monsters…"

"Without you, Yugi, they wouldn't have been able to help in the first place," Honda informed him, "Though, I don't know why you had to jump from the airplane to do it."

Yugi turned red, "I…wanted to make sure I got there in time.  My Winged Dragon wouldn't have been able to find the three people who fell if I couldn't see them and give him a direction to go in."

Yami ruffled the younger boy's hair, "You're crazy, kid."

Yugi giggled, then coughed.

"You alright?" Honda asked.

Yugi took a couple of deep breaths and nodded.  "Y-yea…"

"Well, take it easy," Sugoroku nodded, "You still need to recover…"

Yugi smiled and slowly sat up, "I'll be fine…besides, I can rest on the way to Egypt."

"No, Yugi," Sugoroku shook his head, "This is important, but so is your health."

"Jiichan," Yugi looked at his grandfather with determination that nobody expected, "I was really scared when I first started this.  But I learned so much since then.  I can do things that I never thought were possible.  And because of it, I've held us up for long periods of time."

For a while, the only noise in the room was the beeping of the equipment.

"If you can stand up and walk to the other side of the room without help," Sugoroku finally spoke up, "Then I will consider your proposition."

Yugi smiled, "Arigatou, jiichan."

"But you have to do so," Sugoroku warned.

Yugi nodded and pulled the covers off.

Seto detached the IV in Yugi's arm, glad that he knew medical skills.

Yugi stood up, and the room spun.  He gasped as everything reeled and his vision swam.  He almost groped for something to catch onto, and almost stumbled back to sit down again, but he just closed his eyes for a moment and let it pass, knowing that if he wasn't able to perform his grandfather's task, the man would hold true to his word and he'd be forced to rest until Sugoroku said otherwise.  With the time limit they were on, Yugi was already feeling that they were a week too far behind those of the Shadow Realm.

When Yugi swayed, Anzu looked about ready to jump over and steady him.  But Yami put a hand on her shoulder and shook his head.

Yugi opened his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to clear his swimming vision.  He carefully took a step forward, and was rewarded by more dizziness as the room started to turn on an angle.  He stumbled, and nearly fell, but caught himself and held his head in his hands for a little while.

The others watched, ready to help if need be, but wanting Yugi to be able to do it on his own.

Sugoroku looked uncertain of his decision when he saw his grandson in pain, but if Yugi was still trying to put himself through it, then he wasn't about to take back his word.  Besides, he never went back on his word.

Yugi put his hands at his sides and took another step forward, then another.  The room continued to swim, but he was getting used to it.  Suddenly, he felt a wet feeling in his chest, and the entire room lurched, making him trip and fall onto the ground.  Pain seared through his healing left arm, and he gave a small cry, tears welling up in his eyes from the sting.

Jou and Anzu went to help him, but Yugi waved them off.

"N…no," Yugi rasped, slowly getting to his feet, "I will…get there…without help."  He staggered as he pushed himself up, then put his hands on his knees, breathing hard.

Ryou couldn't watch anymore, and turned his gaze on the ground.

"It's too much," Seto turned to Sugoroku, "Make him stop.  He's hurting himself.  The IV was there for a reason…he needs the medicine and rest."

Sugoroku didn't respond.  He knew Yugi was pushing himself too hard.  But he couldn't go back on it…not now that Yugi was halfway across the room.

"I can…do it, Seto," Yugi coughed, then straitened up, stepping forward again.  He had to suck in a breath to keep the nausea down from the spinning room.  His head felt light, and his back ached.  He guessed that was where his ribs were healing.  His left arm was throbbing now from his fall, and the room tilted again.  He felt like he was on a ship as he stumbled and groped around, then tripped again and fell to his knees, sweating and breathing hard from the exertion.

"Yug…just stop," Jou spoke, not able to bear seeing his friend in pain, "Stop now.  You're just hurting yourself, man."

Yugi coughed and looked up at his friends.  Suddenly, there were two of everybody, and he wavered and blinked.  He started to black out, when a voice in his head brought him back to reality.

//You can do it, Yugi.//

Yugi blinked, and slowly turned to look at Yami.

The other boy gave him a thumb-up and smiled, his eyes showing admiration for Yugi, as well as concern.  But Yami just nodded in encouragement.

Yugi brightened and smiled, pushing himself back up.  Yami still believes in me.  He knows that I can do it.  Everything hurts…and I still don't feel well…but all I have to do is make it to the opposite side of the room.  I'm halfway there.  I can do it.

Ryou looked up again and was shocked to see Yugi stand up once more and make his way slowly to the other end of the room. 

Yugi stumbled again, his hand hitting the wall as he groped for balance.  He quickly pushed away, though, not wanting any help at all.  He didn't know the extent of his grandfather's promise, but he figured that if he braced himself against the wall, that counted as 'help'.

"Yugi, please stop!" Anzu cried, "You're just hurting yourself!"

Yugi heard her, but set his jaw and moved forward again, stumbling as the room suddenly turned at a sharp angle.  He paused this time and closed his eyes, waiting for the dizziness to stop and his stomach to settle.  He gulped down more nausea and opened his eyes again, then continued towards the wall.

It was almost there.  He could hear his friends calling him to stop, but he could feel Yami's encouraging presence.  Once or twice, he had a feeling that his grandfather regretted making the promise.

The wall was almost within reach, and Yugi quickened his pace in excitement.  The room spun rapidly, and Yugi gasped, grabbing onto the wall and sliding down to the floor as the room performed a loop-de-loop.

His friends were relieved, but he didn't hear them.

All Yugi heard was the buzzing, and the room continued to spin.  He doubled over, feeling nausea rise again from the dizziness and illness.  His pale face turned slightly green as he struggled to keep down whatever food was in him.

Yugi felt strong hands help him up and lead him towards the garbage can, where he gave up on the struggle and emptied the contents of his stomach.  He moaned a bit, feeling light headed and dizzy, and leaned into whoever was supporting him.

"Easy there," Yami whispered, holding Yugi upright, then leading him back to the bed and gently laying him down, "Rest a bit for tonight, okay?"

Yugi coughed, still feeling a bit nauseous.  He closed his eyes against the ringing and spinning room and forced himself to breathe right. 

Yami pulled the covers around him, "He passed out, it looks like."  He dipped a cloth in cold water and put it over Yugi's forehead as Seto reattached the IV.

"I'm surprised he held up for that long," Honda shook his head, "I didn't expect him to have that much…strength in him."

Anzu wiped her eyes and turned to Sugoroku angrily, "Why did you make him do that?!"

"I didn't make him do anything," Sugoroku shook his head.

Anzu quieted down when she saw the shimmer of the old man's own tears. 

Jou looked on as well.  Sugoroku-jiji didn't like see'n Yug go through all that any more then the rest of us.  I bet him and Yami were the ones that hated it the most.  Yet, they continued to believe in him. 

"…and Yugi made the decision," Sugoroku was saying, "Though, seeing him struggle to reach the other side of the room, I wish I never made that promise.  I wish I never challenged him to do so.  It hurt me to see him in pain.  Trust me."

"Please, Sugoroku-san," Anzu looked at the old man, "Please, have Yugi stay here and rest.  He barely made it to the other side…"

"But he did, Anz," Jou interrupted, "Sugoroku-jiji made Yug a promise.  And Yug's grampa isn't the kind of guy who'd go back on a promise."

"But…," Anzu started, "It's not good for his health…"

"Nobody said he had to walk it all," Seto looked up, "There are wheelchairs for a reason, you know.  This walking was just a test."

Anzu nodded slowly, "Still…"

"You gotta accept his determination," Honda told her, "The kid's got more courage then anybody I know.  I first saw it when Yami, Yugi, and I went back to the base.  Hell, that was apparent when he jumped out of the plane after those three people."

"That was just suicide…," Seto muttered, but there was a hint of pride in his voice.

Anzu glanced over to where Yami was brushing Yugi's bangs out of his eyes, occasionally replacing the cold cloth on Yugi's forehead.  She just nodded, and nobody said anything after that.

*          *          *

They had checked Yugi out of the hospital the next day, and he was in a wheelchair, with Yami pushing it as they left.  He was still out of sorts, and didn't say much as they went towards a park to decide what their next move was.

"Dammit, we can't!" Seto growled.

"We don't have a choice!" Honda shouted back.

Their 'planning' had gotten them no where except more arguing.

"We can't go back on a public form of transportation!" Seto growled, "If they're always a step ahead of us, they'll know and try to take us out then, too!  Yugi don't have enough strength for a repeat of what happened!"

"And I'm not about to ask him to," Yami crossed his arms, agreeing with Seto.

"But what other option is there?" Anzu shifted a bit, "How are we going to get to Egypt, then?"

"The more people that are near us and get involved with this," Jou suddenly spoke, "The more danger we're creating."

"I'm creating it," Yugi whispered, "It's my fault…"

"Stop that, Yugi," Yami warned, "For the last time, it's not your fault."

"But…"

"I don't want to hear another word about it being your fault," Honda glared at him, "It isn't, so stop saying that!"

Yugi gulped back tears and looked at the ground.  Sugoroku put a hand on his shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze.  Yugi sniffled, trying to hold back the tears.

Suddenly, a call interrupted their conversation.  Someone had shouted Yugi's name.

They looked up and saw the little girl, Wanda, running over to them, with Maria and Daren not far behind.

Seto blinked, his anger melting for the time, "What are you doing here…?"

Maria smiled, "Besides a walk in the park, visiting a hero."

Yugi blinked, not understanding.

"It's on the news," Daren smiled, "All of it.  The rescue and everything."

Yugi paled, and so did some of the others.

"Everyone thinks of you as a hero, Yugi," Maria smiled.

"B-but the m-monsters…," Yugi stammered.

"It perplexed people for sure," Daren smiled, "But most of them accepted it.  You saved the lives of over 100 people on that plane.  While risking your own life to do so.  People are honoring your efforts."

Yugi looked down, "But I didn't…"

"Yes you did," Maria smiled.

Wanda came up to him and held up something, "Papa and mama said that people wanted Yugi to have this."

Yugi looked up, and was shocked to see a medal.  The word 'hero' was inscribed on it.

Jou and Seto exchanged smiles, and Sugoroku beamed at his grandson proudly.

"I…I can't…possibly…," Yugi whispered.

"Take it, Yugi," Anzu smiled, "You deserve it."

Yugi looked at her.

"Go ahead, Yug," Jou grinned, "Ya know how many times you've saved our butts with your powers?  And then this…you definitely deserve it."

With shaking fingers, Yugi accepted the medal Wanda gave him.

"Now you'we evewyone's hewo and mine!" Wanda giggled.

"I hope you feel better," Maria said to Yugi, "And thank you again.  I'll never forget you."

"You folks live in America?" Sugoroku guessed.

Daren nodded, "Yes."

"Maybe we can stay in touch," Sugoroku suggested, walking over to Daren and Maria and talking to them about locations.

Meanwhile, Wanda reached into her pocket and pulled out a small shell.  It was a sparkling, sapphire blue color outside, and inside it was a brilliant opal.  It held not hint of sand or dirt, and was about the size of Wanda's pinky.  She held it out to Yugi.

"What's this?" Yugi frowned.

"For you!" Wanda smiled, "Cause you'we my hewo, Yugi!"

Yugi blushed, but then smiled and accepted the gift, "I'd rather be just your friend…"

"Wanda.  My name's Wanda."

"Wanda," Yugi smiled, then shook his head sadly, "I don't have anything to give to you…"

"That's okay!" Wanda smiled.

"Except…," Yugi brightened, "I had an extra Duel Monsters card somewhere…"  He searched his pockets and found it, "I didn't put it into grandpa's deck.  I didn't really know what to do with it, so you can have it.  It's the Petit Angel."  He handed it to Wanda, "Just like you."

Wanda accepted the card, looking at it with stars in her eyes and a big smile on her face as she squealed in joy, "Thank you, Yugi!  I won't evew, evew, lose this cawd!"

Yugi smiled.

Maria came over, "Wanda…it's time to go.  We're taking the train to Egypt.  We'll have to make a few stops on the way and switch over.  It'll take at least two days.  Thank you so much for everything, Yugi."

Yugi shook his head slowly so as not to cause any dizziness, and smiled, "Thank you, Wanda.  For being my friend."

Wanda smiled and nodded, then waved, "Buh-bye, Yugi!  Buh-bye, Yugi's friends!  Maybe we'll see each other again soon!"  With that, she ran up to her mother, who picked her up.

"So long, Yugi," Maria smiled, "We'll stay in touch.  Take care, and good luck."

Yugi smiled, "Thank you.  Take care."

Maria nodded, and she, Wanda, and Daren left after some final good-byes.

"They're nice people," Yami commented as he watched them until they were out of sight.

"I wish the world had more nice people like them," Ryou stated, "People who look at a situation from every angle, and not make a biased opinion.  They accepted Yugi and his powers quickly."

"Do you think they would if they weren't the ones who were thrown out of the plane, Ryou?" Honda looked at him.

"I don't know," Ryou shrugged, "Who can say, honestly?  But I do know that they are very open-minded.  And that's what is important."

The others silently agreed.

"And," Sugoroku smiled, "Now we have a way to get to Egypt."

"Train?  But that's public transportation…," Seto started.

"No.  We'll go by car…a limo," Sugoroku explained, "Given Yugi's condition and our mission, we've been given the limo to use.  I think it's the perfect way to get there without involving innocent people again."

"I guess we'll just have to wait on the 'monster' issue, and see how people react," Yami stated, "But…who's driving?"

"I can drive, remember," Seto stated, "And in some countries here, there isn't an age limitation like there is in Japan."

"Then we can alternate," Sugoroku nodded.

Yugi turned over the seashell in his hand and nodded, "Right.  We have a mission to go to."

"Yea!" they all thrust their fists into the air.  For once, something was going right.

TO BE CONTINUED…