Union through Separation

Chapter 11

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!… and maybe that's for the best.

Tea opened her eyes, and as the world around her gradually came into focus, the first thing she saw was Yami staring right back at her.

"You're awake! Oh thank Ra! I was starting to worry."

"Yami?" Tea found that she was lying in a bed with Yami sitting in a chair by the side. Quickly sitting up, the sheets rolled off her and she also found that her shirt was missing (though she was still wearing her bra)! Blushing intensely, Tea pulled the sheets back up over her. Yami also blushed.

"I, uh… I imagine you must have a lot of questions right now," Yami stammered.

"Yeah… you could say that," Tea replied.

"Well then, where do I begin… You're in a guestroom at Ishizu's place. I brought you here because you were deathly ill when I found you and I needed Ishizu's help in curing you before it was too late."

"Sick? What was I sick with?"

"The Breath of Shadow." Ishizu stepped out from the doorway where she was standing. "It's a rare disease that sometimes affects people who've been exposed to Shadow Realm powers. I was able to show the Pharaoh how to cure you. The hands of the Pharaoh are the hands of a healer."

"…And the reason I'm not wearing my shirt?" Tea asked.

Yami appeared embarrassed, and uncertain as to how to respond. "The sickness had already made its way to your heart. In order for me to cure you…" he faltered for a moment, "my hands needed to be placed on top of the area where your heart is located."

Tea went completely red. "I see…"

"It was the only way to save you," Ishizu explained. "Yami needed to act fast or you would have been lost to us."

"Well, um, now that I'm okay, do you think I could have my shirt back?"

"Oh, yes, of course," Yami said, and he passed to Tea her shirt. She quickly put it on.

"Perhaps I should leave you two alone," Ishizu said, sensing the tension. And with that, she left.

Yami felt truly embarrassed. "Tea I swear, nothing else happened. I would never—"

"I believe you, Yami, I believe you. I know you wouldn't try anything like that. And by the way, thank you for saving me. I know it probably wasn't a comfortable thing for you to do, putting your hands on… that location."

"Indeed. Well, now that I've answered your questions, perhaps you could answer some of mine. Before you passed out, you mentioned that Bakura attacked you."

It suddenly all came back to Tea like the memory of a bad dream. "…Yes. I was on my way home when Bakura confronted me. He knows that you have your own body now, and he said he wanted to have it for himself."

Yami appeared disturbed by this information. "Go on."

"He said he was going to use me as a bargaining chip—my soul in exchange for your body. I tried to run, but the next thing I knew he was challenging me to a Shadow Game in my mind. I lost." Tea paused for a moment before continuing. "He then tried to send my mind into the Shadow Realm, but…"

"But what?"

"But something stopped him. I'm not sure what happened—hell, there's still a lot about the Shadow Realm I don't understand—but for some reason, Bakura was having trouble sending me there. He seemed just as confused about it as me. However, he didn't just give up. He kept on trying. He desperately fought against whatever it was that was stopping him. It…"

"Yes?"

So terrible were the memories that Tea found it difficult to describe. "…It really hurt. I mean, it felt like my brain was being ripped to shreds. I thought I was going to die. I screamed at Bakura to stop, but he wouldn't listen. It… it was the most horrible experience of my life!"

Realising that Tea was clearly upset, Yami placed his hand over hers, hoping that alleviate things. "It's alright Tea. You're safe now. Then what happened?"

"Well, after about a minute or so of this, there was some sort of blinding flash. The next thing I know, Bakura's gone and I'm feeling like my body's turning to ice. Then… I don't know, I think I fainted. What happened, Yami? Why couldn't Bakura send me to the Shadow Realm?"

"I don't know," Yami replied. "There are very few things that can prevent a person from being banished to the Shadow Realm. This is most peculiar. I'll have to discuss it with Ishizu. And we'll definitely need to keep an eye out for Bakura."

"This isn't going to affect our plans for Friday, is it?"

Yami thought about that. "With Bakura on the loose, I'm not sure if going out would be safe."

"Oh." Tea looked disappointed.

"…On the other hand, I suppose it might be worth the risk."

Tea smiled. "Good. By the way, what time is it?"

Yami looked at his watch. "About quarter after three."

"A.M.? Whoa, it's late! I should get home." Tea tried to stand up but felt dizzy. "Woo, on second thought…"

"Easy Tea," Yami said, helping her lie back down. "You're still a little weak from your recovery. You might as well stay here for the rest of the night."

"I guess I could do that, as long as you promise me one thing."

"What's that?"

"That you'll stay here with me, of course."

Yami smiled. "I was going to do that anyway."

And so, with the knowledge that Yami was watching over her, it didn't take long for Tea drift off into sleep. Lightly brushing a few strands of hair out of her face, Yami couldn't help but notice how peaceful and beautiful Tea looked while sleeping. In his mind, she was like an angel.

Sleep well… my Angel of the Nile.

TO BE CONTINUED

Please R&R! Oh, and a special thanks to The Insane Sisters for informing me that it was the Eye of Horus. Much appreciated!