Unguarded: Chapter Two

The morning started out like any other. Yugi, who was never fond of mornings, was late for school. I was trying to wake him, failing miserably, and then eventually found a solution.

"Good morning!" I announced, also making my presence known with an icy cup of water. As I expected, he reacted. Jumping out of bed with a yelp, he turned to me with a look of… well, what would you be feeling if someone did that to you? He was pissed.

"Yami! Why did you do that!" I look at him, amused.

"Because, aibou, you wouldn't get up any other way. I had no choice."

His only reply was a grunt, and he went off to the bathroom to take a shower. I smirked. Yugi was the kindest person you'd ever meet, but if you try to bother him in the morning…

As I look back on that day… that day... nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Wake up, went to school, and came home. Everything was the same. He did seem a little out of sorts, a little more tired perhaps, but it didn't seem like anything to worry about. This is why his evening collapse took us all by surprise. We were all just lounging around that night. We, being the usual gang- Joey, Tea, Tristan, Bakura- everyone was there. We hadn't been there for any important reason. Why does everything tragic seem to happen on the most unimportant of days?

Everyone was lounging around; Joey and Tristan dueling, Tea and Bakura watching. Yugi had been watching too, until a strange look came over his face and he excused himself to go to the bathroom. No one seemed to have noticed, only acknowledging with a nod. I, however, was worried, so I followed him. Something just didn't feel right. He went up to the stairs and did indeed go to the bathroom, but only made it right inside the door before collapsing. I was by his side in an instant.

"Yugi!"

(hehe… I was going to end it here….but I won't be that evil… )

The rest of the night went by in a blur. The long, seemingly eternal drive to the hospital, wires, white, silence, and the waiting… by Ra the waiting… time seemed to stand still. Finally the doctor came out and we were allowed to go see him. But only one at a time. Since Yugi's grandfather was still talking to the doctor, I was allowed to go first.

Nothing can prepare you for a sight like this, and nothing can break you faster. Seeing the person closest to you laying in a hospital bed, hooked up to more wires than I had ever seen, almost made me want to walk back out, But I forced myself to his side. He looked so peaceful, like nothing was wrong and he was merely asleep. Unfortunately, though, that wasn't true. I sat down on one of the hard metal chairs closest to the bed, and took his hand. I didn't say anything for a while. I didn't know what to say really. Finally, the doctor came back in and said my time was up. Mutely, I stood and walked to the door. As I got to the door, I turned around for another glance.

"I'm sorry Yugi…" I walked back to the waiting room; tired, depleted, and confused. Why couldn't I sense this? Why can't I feel this? Even though we now have separate bodies, we still share our mind link, as well as the link that shared any pain or illness. So why aren't I in pain? Why didn't I suffer?

I know the answers now, but I didn't learn them until much later. The next few days were much of the same; tests, tests and more tests. And visits. And doctors, who obviously don't know what the hell their doing, because everyday, they said they couldn't figure out what was wrong with him. Frustrating. Day Four finally brought a breakthrough. Yugi woke up.

HAHA! Chapter Two done. Sorry it took so long. There are so many excuses, but you've heard them before, so I won't bore you with them. Good news though! I am about ½ through with Ch 3, so it should be up within the week. I promise! And if not, send the rabid squirrels after me…. (Don't really… hehe…. I bruise easily) Anyway, please review! Does anyone still care? I'm still heeerrrree!