Insert a standard disclaimer here, cause I'm tired of writing that I don't own Yugioh.
…
I just wrote it, didn't I?
Chapter 50
Yugi was resting to the side, starting to feel the wear of healing so many people. Yami was silently brooding, and Mokuba was also sitting up against the side with Yugi, offering the tired boy some water.
Just then, a scout returned, panting, "Sir Washi!"
Washi glanced up. It had to be urgent with that tone, and since the person was speaking in Gaian. "What?"
"There was a cave-in at a section of the tunnels! We found two kids there! Both of them are knocked out (There was a cave-in at a section of the tunnels! We found two kids there! Both of them are knocked out)!"
Washi turned to Yugi, whose eyes were wide.
"What do they look like?" Yugi asked.
"Hard to tell, Tenko-sama, but it appears to be a young girl and a young boy (Hard to tell, Tenko-sama, but it appears to be a young girl and a young boy)!"
"Hurry and fetch them!" Yami took charge, "Bring them here. As long as they aren't wearing the clothing of this 'Kurayami' group, they're either our friends, or civilians."
"Yes, sir!" the scout got a couple of healed up guards to come with him.
When they came back, Yugi, Yami, and Mokuba were on their feet.
"Anzu!! Ryou!!" Yugi exclaimed, bending over where his friends were laid out. Both had plenty of injuries, Ryou looking worse for the wear and was barely breathing. Yugi knelt down and instantly started to heal them up, starting with Ryou.
"Yugi! You'll exhaust yourself!" Yami warned him, but came over with a cloth and a bowl of cold water and started to dip it in.
Tears ran down Yugi's face. The bruises and wounds on Ryou slowly closed up, and in time, vanished. Yugi continued to heal, however.
Mokuba watched in amazement and a bit of fear. "W…will they be okay?"
"Yes," Yami nodded, finally swallowing as he placed a cold cloth on both Anzu and Ryou's forehead.
It was quite some time before Yugi pulled up, breathing a bit harder from healing Ryou.
"Well?" Mokuba asked, wiping his eyes.
"He'll be okay," Yugi smiled through fatigue as he went to work on Anzu, "He had a lot of internal injuries…one of his lungs was punctured. I managed to fix it. I think he may have a slight fever. I can't heal that. Can you check, Yami? I'm going to work on Anzu."
Yami nodded, and felt Ryou's cheeks, then forehead. He placed one hand on Ryou's forehead, and the other on the back of the boy's head. He let go and gently lowered Ryou back onto the blanket he was resting on.
"I'd estimate about two degrees above normal," Yami finally stated, placing the cloth back on Ryou's forehead.
Yugi finished healing Anzu, and nearly fell over, panting.
Just then, Anzu stirred and slowly opened her eyes.
"Anzu!" Mokuba noticed first.
"Mokuba…?" Anzu blinked, slowly sitting up and noticing that nothing hurt, nor did she have any scratches anymore. "Where…?"
"I'm glad you're alright!" Yugi hugged her, tears falling down his face.
"Yugi!" Anzu exclaimed happily, and embraced him.
Yugi pulled back just a bit to wipe his eyes, and smiled tiredly, "Yup. What happened?"
Anzu started to cry, gripping onto Yugi's shoulders and burying her head in his chest.
"Eh…?" Yugi blinked, then wrapped his arms around her, "D-don't cry, Anzu…"
"It was so scary!" Anzu sobbed, "I didn't think we'd make it out! I'm so sorry, Yugi!"
"Why are you apologizing?" Yugi asked, trying to comfort her, "You're alive…"
"I ended up with Isis and your grandpa," Anzu sobbed, "We…we were captured by the Kurayami group and imprisoned! He insisted on me breaking out, and causing the distraction! I tried to convince him, but he wouldn't listen! He stayed…he showed me how to summon, along with Ryou's mother! She's there, too! Oh, God…I left her there, too!" Her crying increased.
Yugi, in shock, just held her, his eyes wide.
"I used the cards to summon…but had to fight Honda! He's on their side! It's horrible! We were chased by them…their dark beasts! I used as much energy as I could…I was useless! I barely managed to get Ryou out! I barely managed to get myself out!"
"You're not useless, Anzu," Yugi hugged her, "Although I wish jiichan could have been freed, I'm glad you're safe. And he's still alive…I can just feel it. I'm sure of it. Don't cry, Anzu." He rubbed her back, holding her closer to him, and whispering, "I thought I'd never see you again. I didn't know what happened. Things are happening so fast. I'm a bit scared, too. But we have to be strong. Okay, Anzu?"
Anzu sniffled, sitting up a bit and pulling away just slightly. She chuckled and wiped her eyes though more tears came down, "You've grown so strong, Yugi. It wasn't too long ago when you were in my condition, and it was me and the others helping you."
Yugi smiled, then gently wiped one of her tears away.
Anzu gasped at the soft touch of his fingers.
"Cheer up," Yugi whispered, "We're planning to fight the Kurayami. We're going to win for sure."
Anzu smiled, "We know where they are."
"That, girl, just turned the war in our favor."
Anzu looked up, "Who…?"
"Anzu, this is Washi," Yugi introduced the man, "He's the leader of the Hikari Senshi, the army of Gaia. We're going to help him. I've already healed up just about all the soldiers."
"What about looking for your father, Yugi?" Anzu asked.
"Well…," Yugi looked away, his eyes sad but a smile on his face, "I realized…that it might be impossible. Especially with the Kurayami group up there. They have monsters that can kill us or steal our souls. And if I did start searching now, I may not even find him if I survived that. I don't know for sure he's alive. And right now, there's more of a certainty of fighting and beating the Kurayami in the war then finding my dad."
"Aibou…," Yami whispered, placing a hand on Yugi's shoulder.
"I know how much that meant to you," Anzu whispered, "Finding your father…"
Yugi smiled sadly, "It's okay. I'll wait. Maybe it'll be easier to find him after the war, anyway."
Anzu just gave him another hug, then they pulled apart.
Yugi yawned, "Sorry…I'm kinda tired…"
Yami steadied him as he started to sway a bit, "That's because you spent a lot of your powers healing. Why don't you sleep a bit, Yugi? I'll watch over things. Okay?"
Yugi yawned, and mumbled, "M'not sleepy…" before falling asleep in Yami's grip.
Yami and Anzu laughed a bit, and Mokuba giggled.
Yami gently lay Yugi down next to Ryou and sat back, sighing in relief that they caught a small break from working. He glanced at Anzu, "We've got some stories to swap."
Anzu nodded, then glanced at Ryou, "Will he be…?"
"Yugi healed him completely," Yami nodded, "He just has a fever now. He should be alright soon, and hopefully, his fever will go down. Mokuba has some medicine with him, so when he wakes up, we can get him some. Right now it's not that critical, so we don't need to force him awake. Anyway…yea, he's healed, inside and out. So are you. So, what happened?"
Anzu took a deep breath, and proceeded to tell him everything, from the beginning.
As stories were exchanged between Yami and Anzu, and Ryou and Yugi slept, Mokuba sat on the edge of the land near the water next to Jade.
"So, Washi's your father?" Mokuba started the conversation.
"Yea," Jade nodded.
"How old are you?" Mokuba asked.
"Seven."
"So am I," Mokuba nodded, "But these things make people grow up fast."
Jade nodded in agreement, "Yea. It's horrible living down here. I just want to go up and play again."
"I know what it's like," Mokuba nodded, "Bad people used to try to hurt me and kidnap me. My big brother always was there to stop them."
"I wish I had a big brother," Jade sighed. "What about your parents, Mokuba?"
"Dead," Mokuba whispered. "Seto-niisama takes care of me now. But it's lonely."
Jade pouted, "I'm sorry. My mom isn't alive anymore, either. She was killed fighting."
"Your mom was a fighter?"
"Yup. A sorceress," Jade beamed proudly, "Not just men fight the war. Anyone who is able will."
"Is that why Washi is such a sourpuss?" Mokuba asked, then slapped his hands over his mouth, "Oops…"
Jade blinked, then giggled.
Mokuba started to giggle after a while, too.
"Daddy really is a sourpuss," Jade agreed, "Like one time, I tried to sneak out to get to the surface, and he caught me, and he was mad! Course, it was for my own safety, but still…"
"I get in trouble for sneaking out of the house, too," Mokuba laughed, "Seto goes crazy when I do!"
The two blinked at each other, then started laughing.
"We have a lot in common," Jade pointed out after their giggling died down.
"Yup," Mokuba nodded, "Maybe we'll be able to see each other when this is all over! That'd be like…so cool!"
Jade giggled again and nodded, "Yea!"
"What else do you do except get into trouble?" Mokuba asked with a grin.
"Well…," Jade thought about it, "I like to draw. Papa says I'm really good at it, too! And I like sports. We have similar sports to yours on Earth, and some new ones."
"Woa," Mokuba blinked, "I like to play sports, too! Well…some of them. I like baseball the best."
"We have baseball here!" Jade exclaimed.
Mokuba smiled.
"Yea!" Jade nodded, "I like to play, too!"
"And I like card games," Mokuba added, "And games in general."
"Me, too!" Jade nodded.
"What about school?" Mokuba asked.
"Blech," Jade made a face.
Mokuba laughed, "I agree! I only like it there at recess!"
"Break time!" Jade agreed, "So do I!"
"I guess Earth and Gaia aren't that different, after all," Mokuba blinked.
"Huh?"
"Well," Mokuba admitted, "When we first were going to come here, I expected a whole 'nother world. Like…monsters roaming around and giant plants and trees and tiny villages or something like that. I didn't expect the same kind of civilization there is back on Earth. When I thought of magic and stuff, I expected to see castles and knights, and no electricity and houses made of logs. I expected to see dragons and people on horses in shining armor and other people wearing long robes and floppy hats like wizards."
Jade blinked.
"But I didn't really see any of that," Mokuba admitted, "The army here is like the army on Earth, except no guns."
"We have guns," Jade shook her head.
"I haven't seen any," Mokuba replied, "And…the technology here is the same. I mean, there are houses back in that section of this cavern. Normal houses. The ones on the surface looked like they used to have electricity."
"We can't use electricity anymore or else they'll find us," Jade told him.
"I see," Mokuba nodded, "But the similarities are really impressive."
"I wish I could see Earth," Jade sighed, "I want to see all the neat stuff there and know what exactly you're talking about."
They were quiet for a little while.
"So…," Jade spoke up, "…Earth doesn't have dinosaurs and dragons and no electricity and castles?"
Mokuba facefaulted.
Jade blinked.
"I guess when we think of other worlds," Mokuba laughed, rubbing the back of his head and sitting up, "We don't even consider the fact that they could be just like our own cause of all the books and stories we read."
Jade nodded.
Mokuba broke off and stood up, blinking.
"What…?" Jade started.
"Shh," Mokuba whispered. He listened, "I hear footsteps…they're coming from over there! And they're coming this way!"
Jade was on her feet in a flash. "Papa!"
"Yugi-niichan!" Mokuba shouted at the same time.
Yugi yawned and sat up, rubbing his eyes, "Eh…?"
Jade and Mokuba ran over to where the adults and their friends were gathered.
"Someone's coming from over there!" Mokuba pointed, "I hear four sets of footsteps! Scouts here don't travel in four-people groups!"
Yugi and Yami were on their feet in a flash. Washi, Yokan, Daisuke, and some of the other soldiers stood ready. Anzu sat where she was, frozen in fear. Mokuba and Jade scurried behind the others to where Anzu was.
"Anzu…," Mokuba whispered, clinging to her arm.
"It…it's okay…," Anzu shakily stated.
Ryou stirred and slowly sat up, looking around.
"Ryou!" Anzu whispered, then took his hand, "Stay quiet."
"What is going on…?" Ryou started.
"Shh!" Anzu shook her head.
The footsteps got louder, and they could see a light from a lantern. As well as voices that sounded familiar.
"Are you sure this is the way?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"We'd better not find another dead end."
"Kuu!"
"I see lights up ahead!"
"Really?"
Yugi blinked, then brightened and stepped forward.
"Yugi…?" Yami hissed.
"Jounochi!" Yugi shouted.
There was a pause from the conversation of voices, then the familiar voice seemed to whisper in an audible tone.
"Yug…?"
Yugi wiped the tears from his eyes.
"Jou!" Anzu exclaimed gratefully, standing up.
The group of four came into the light.
"Jou!" Yugi and Anzu exclaimed happily, and ran over, hugging the boy.
"Woa!" Jou exclaimed, "Yug! And Anzu!"
"Jou…," Ryou sat up and smiled.
"And Ryou, too!" Jou smiled.
"NIISAMA!!"
Seto was nearly thrown to the ground when a streak slammed into him, hugging him tightly. "Mokuba!" He hugged his brother, tears coming down his face, "Thank God you're safe! I don't know what I'd do if I lost you!"
Mokuba cried into his brother, "Niisama! Niisama!"
After hugging Jou, Yugi knelt down to Malik and hugged the boy.
"Malik! You're safe, too!" Yugi exclaimed in joy, "I'm so happy!"
Malik smiled and hugged him back.
"Interesting get-up you've got there," Yami grinned at Jou's clothing.
"Hey, it's the latest fashion trend!" Jou showed it off, then winced slightly as Anzu hugged him. "Easy there, Anz…don't wanna kill me!" He rubbed his healing chest as Anzu broke off.
"Sorry, Jou," Anzu laughed, wiping tears away, "I'm just glad you guys are okay." She turned to Malik and hugged him when Yugi was finished.
Yugi hugged Seto as well, smiling and laughing that they were safe. Ryou somehow made it over and was greeting everyone as well.
"Malik? Ishtar, Malik?"
They all stopped at the voice.
Malik looked up at Yokan.
Yokan's eyes were wide, and he stared down at the little boy. "It…it can't be…is it?"
Malik looked confused, and a little scared.
"Don't be afraid," Yokan knelt down in front of him as the little boy hid behind Anzu.
"How do you know who I am?" Malik whimpered.
"Because…Ishtar is my last name…and I have a son named Malik. He and his sister, Isis, have been living on Earth for the past six years," Yokan whispered, tears in his eyes.
Malik slowly came out from behind Anzu, and walked over to the man. Shakily, he reached out and touched him.
Yokan smiled and nodded.
"Daddy…?" Malik's eyes were wide. Tears ran down his face, and he hugged the man, crying, "It's you!"
Yokan softened and embraced the sobbing boy, "Yes, son. It's me. I'm glad you're alright. And you've grown up into a fine young man."
Malik wiped his eyes, staying in the embrace of his father, "I'm glad you're alive, daddy. I missed you."
"I missed you, too," Yokan whispered.
Seto blinked, "That reminds me…"
They looked at him, and he indicated the man standing behind them, looking a little uncomfortable with a Kuribo on his shoulder.
Washi squinted, then his eyes widened, "Shinbu…? Izzat you…?"
Shinbu limped forward a step and held up a hand in a sheepish greeting, "It…it's been a long time…"
"By the Gods, it is you!" Washi exclaimed.
"It's Shinbu!" another soldier cheered.
"Sorry…," Shinbu started.
Washi shook the man's hand, "Don't apologize! If I were in your position, I would have fled, too!"
"I was a coward…," Shinbu whispered.
"But you're back," Washi grinned, "And that's what counts."
Shinbu smiled, "I'm glad to see you again, old friend. And who is this?"
Jade hid back behind her father.
"This is my daughter, Jade," Washi beamed proudly. "Jade, say hello! This is my old buddy, Shinbu!"
Jade stepped out, "H-hello…"
Shinbu smiled.
Chip cooed on his shoulder, and was jumping up and down.
"What is it, Chip?" Shinbu blinked at the energetic Kuribo.
"Kuu! Kuu!" Chip exclaimed. It jumped onto Jou's shoulder and jumped up and down again. "Kuu! Kuu!"
Jou smiled, understanding, "Yug, come here."
Yugi walked over, looking at his friend, "What…?"
Jou spun the boy around to face Shinbu. "Yugi…this is your father."
Seto looked up at the startled man, "Shinbu…this is your son."
Everyone looked on, and it was suddenly quiet in the cave. Jou and Washi stepped out of the way.
Yugi looked up hesitantly, his wide eyes meeting Shinbu's.
Yami and Ryou smiled at one another
Yugi stepped forward. "Tou…san…?"
Shinbu's eyes misted with tears. He looked down at the young boy. Even in the dim light of the caverns, he could make out the features. He was short, and had a baby face and beautiful amethyst eyes. His hair was dirty and messy, but still resembled his own hairstyle. He wore a dirty and torn sweatshirt of orange with a blue stripe in the middle. Dirty cargo jeans and sneakers covered his lower body. Shinbu turned his attention back to the boy's eyes. Despite his baby face and innocence, there was a huge amount of understanding in his eyes. Like he was wise beyond his years. His son had seen things that a normal 10-year-old would never have seen. There was experience in his eyes, confusion, determination, and hope.
"You've grown up," Shinbu whispered, "But you'll always be my little Tenko."
At that, all the dams burst. Yugi flung himself into his father, tears running down his cheeks but a smile lighting up his entire face. Shinbu had to take a step back to keep his balance, and started to wrap his arms around the little boy.
"Tousan! Tousan!" Yugi sobbed, hugging his father around the waist.
Shinbu softened and bent down, holding Yugi to him. Tears of his own ran down his scarred face, and he smiled. He could feel Yugi shaking in his arms, and held him tightly.
Anzu wiped tears away from her face, and Ryou was sniffling. Mokuba and Jade were wiping away their own tears. Malik and Yokan smiled at each other, knowing what it was like to be separated and then finding each other again. Washi and Seto smiled. Yami let a couple of tears run down his own face as he could feel Yugi's joy. Chip and Jou were hugging each other, bawling their eyes out.
After what seemed like forever, Yugi and Shinbu drew apart.
"You are so mature," Shinbu whispered to Yugi, "I can see it in your eyes."
Yugi stared at his father's face.
Shinbu nearly flinched, and averted his eyes from his son's. "Do I…look so horrible in your eyes? Do I have the right to be your father?"
Tears trickled down Yugi's face, and with a shaking hand, he
reached up and touched one of the scars on Shinbu's face.
Shinbu brought regretful eyes back to his son.
Yugi smiled, "It doesn't matter what you look like. I don't care if you have a bunch of scars on your face. It's what's on the inside that counts. And…no matter what…you'll always be my dad."
Shinbu felt tears run down his face, and Yugi reached up, gently wiping one of them away as he smiled through his own tears.
"Don't cry, daddy," Yugi whispered, feeling joy at finally being able to say 'daddy' and 'dad'. We found each other… Tears of his own ran down his face, and he buried his head in his father's chest. "I missed you so much! I always wondered what happened! Since I found I was adopted! I wondered who I was and who you were, and what happened to my parents! I wanted to see you so bad…!" his voice cracked, and he broke down into sobbing.
Shinbu embraced the boy, "Well, here I am. Shh. Don't cry, now." He rubbed Yugi's back, slightly rocking the boy in comfort. He then leaned down a bit and kissed Yugi on the forehead.
Yugi turned tear-filled eyes to him, and smiled. He leaned up and kissed his father back on the cheek, the one with the scars as if showing that he accepted him no matter what, and didn't find him ugly at all.
"Should I call you 'Tenko' or 'Yugi'?" Shinbu asked.
Yugi smiled, "Yugi…I like 'Yugi' just fine, tousan."
"Then, 'Yugi' it is," Shinbu smiled, hugging the boy again. "I love you, Yugi."
Yugi smiled, hugging his father tightly, "I love you too, daddy."
Everyone exchanged smiles as they watched the reunion. The only sounds were Chip and Jou's bawling.
"WAAAAAH!! It's…so…touching…!!!"
"KUUUUUU!!" Chip agreed.
Some of them laughed a bit at that, and even Shinbu chuckled and Yugi giggled. And, for the first time in a very long time, they all shared a true laugh.
TO BE CONTINUED…