MP: Hey everybody! Sorry this chapter took so long to get up. I had some minor difficulties. Anyway, here's my next chapter. It focuses a little more on the plot. There is also a bit of humor, not much, but a little. It has to do with Joey and ghosts. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Here you go, Chapter 3.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Seal Of Fears

Chapter 3

Joey's eyes opened slowly. The bright sunlight was shining through the clear window. The snow white sheets felt soft against his face. His hand was gripping something. It was gentle and warm. The blonde moved his eyes to where his hand was. It was holding someone else's. He pulled his head up tiredly to see who the hands belonged to.

His heart jumped in his chest when he saw his sister's face, which was still frozen with the look of fear. He suddenly remembered everything that had happened. Though he really wanted to return to the bliss of not knowing. He had stayed here the entire night. Though, that was only because he refused to leave. He even had to fight off security when the hospital said that visiting hours were over. Eventually, they just gave up and let him stay.

Joey looked at his sister with deep eyes. He felt his stomach growl. It was breakfast time. He looked from his stomach, to his sister, to the door. He decided that Serenity wasn't going to wake up anytime soon. He might aswell go get some food from the cafeteria. He didn't care what other people said about hospital food. If it was food, he'd eat it. Unless it was broccoli.

The blonde duelist stepped out of the room and shut the door behind him. He paused in the middle of the hallway and sighed. "Serenity..." he whispered.

"Stop it!" Joey yelled. He poked him again. "Stop it!" the blonde ordered. Joey was being poked continuously by the ghost of a ten-year old boy. Ever since he had died and come back to life, he could see spirits. At first, it sounded cool. But now he was regreting it.

The boy poked him again. "Would you quit already?" he snapped. The boy stuck out his tounge and laughed. "Get outta here!" Joey shouted. The boy, feeling satisfied with his tormenting of the teen, ran off giggling. "Stupid ghost kids." Joey muttered. He looked around to see people staring at him like he was insane. He felt uncomfortable. "Uh...what are you lookin' at?" he yelled, shaking his fist at them. They just turned away and got on with their lives, thinkng he was just suffering from head trama or something.

Joey was walking in the main entrance, trying to find the cafeteria. He remembered passing it before, when he had followed Yugi to see his body. 'It's gotta be around here somewhere.' he thought.

While searching, he saw the glass door. He ended up wandering outside for some fresh air before he ate. The morning air was clean and crisp. He took in a deep breath and let it out. He was about to go back in, when he noticed a lump by the door.

He inspected it closer. It was a small figure, buried in a bundle of blankets. All that was visible was the tips of what was probably spiky hair. Joey's eyes widened as he realized who it was. "Yugi?"

The figure sprang up from under the covers. "Grandpa? Is that you?" he asked hopefully. He looked up at the person in front of him, only to meet the face of his best friend. "Oh...hi Joey." he said half hearted. Joey looked around for no particular reason. "Hey pal. Why are ya out here? I thought you'd be at home." he asked. "I-it's Grandpa..." the shorter teen said softly. He looked like he might cry.

The blonde looked concerned. He wondered what Yugi meant. Was Gramps in the hospital? He'd have to find out later. "Hey Yug, you wanna come get breakfast with me?" he asked. "No thanks...I'm not hungry." the spiky haired boy said. Right on cue, his stomach growled, causing Yugi to blush in embarassment. "Heh. Yugi, you're a terrible liar." Joey laughed to himself. "Come on, some food will help you feel better."

The two sat down at a table with their plates. Yugi sat across from Joey, silently nibbling at his food. He didn't seem to take much interest in the steaming bacon, eggs, toast, and hot tea he had chosen. Joey sat in his seat, devouring his selection. It consisted of six pieces of bacon, four eggs, five slices of toast, grapes, an orange, an apple, a bannana, twelve strawberries, and for some odd reason a large fried fish. All with a cup of orange juice, a cup of milk, and a mug of hot chocolate to drink.

Joey noticed something was wrong when Yugi didn't ask where he had gotten he fish. Usually, the boy would ask where he got such an odd food for breakfast, but now he didn't even seem to notice. Joey was about to ask Yugi what was wrong, when Yami got there first.

Aibou? Are you okay?

Not really Yami. I'm still worried about Grandpa.

"What happened to him?" Joey asked.

Yugi and Yami were a little surprised that Joey was now in on the conversation. But remembered why.

Oh yeah, you can see ghosts huh?

Yes, I'm still not used to talking with you in spirit form.

"Yeah. Still adjusting to it myself."

Hey, how can you read my thoughts in this conversation? I'm not a ghost.

"I dunno" Joey shrugged.

Anyway, Grandpa was attacked last night.

"What? By who?"

I don't know. I just found him in the back room, lying on the floor.

We do have a theory though.

"What?"

That it was the same person who attacked Serenity.

"How can you tell that?"

Because Grandpa has the same symbol on his hand that Serenity had.

Joey was silent for a moment.

Joey? Are you okay?

"Yeah...but it's weird."

I know what you mean. First Serenity, now Grandpa.

"It seems like the targets are circling around our loved ones."

Yes.

But, if that's true, then...who's next?

Joey yawned loudly. He had just finished his breakfast. "Ah. That was good, but now I'm tired." he stated. "Big meals will do that to you." Yugi said, smiling at his friend. The shorter teen looked like his old self again. Always smiling and happy. Just like the sunshine.

The blonde rubbed his eyes. "Man, I really didn't get enough sleep last night. I think I'll take a nap in my sister's room kay Yug?" Yugi nodded. "Alright. Let's go." "Huh? Don't you wanna see Gramps?" Joey asked. Yugi nodded again. "Yeah, but his room is right across from Serenity's." "Gotta love irony eh?" Joey laughed lightly.

"Hey Joey, who were you talking to in the elevator?" Yugi asked as the two walked down the hallway to their rooms. "Oh it was just the ghost of some old guy. He complained alot. And I mean ALOT." Joey answered. Yugi giggled. "So this power is getting kind of annoying huh?" "Oh yeah." Joey said. Yugi smiled and shook his head, rolling his eyes. "See ya Joey. I hope Serenity is okay." he said, going inside his Grandfather's room. "Bye Yug!" Joey said, going inside his sister's room.

Once inside, Joey had to return to the gruesome sight. The cheerful moment that he had with Yugi was ruined by the cold, harsh reality of why he was in the hospital in the first place. He took a seat beside his sister's bed. He leaned down on the bed, trying not to look at the red headed girls face.

He took a hold of her hand again, like that was the last peice of his sister he had left. He yawned and shut his eyes, welcoming the calm darkness. Though images of his sister and what she might have gone through flashed through his mind. Eventually, he shook them out of his mind. He gladly allowed himself to fall helplessly into sleep.

"JOEY!" called a voice. Joey opened his eyes. He was in a dark void. There was nothing but blackness. "What? Where am I?" he asked. "Joey! Hey Joey!" called the voice again. It was farmiliar. Like someone he'd heard before, but he couldn't place it. "Joey! You fell asleep on the kitchen table you idiot!" scoulded the voice.

"Kitchen table?" Joey asked. He suddenly realized who it was. "Of course! Sumi and Kiko!" he said. "Ding ding ding! We have a winner!"

Joey turned around to see a blonde angel and a brunette angel floating in mid air. "It's about time you figured it out!" Kiko said smiling. "See, told ya he had a brain." Sumi said winking at Kiko.

"Hi girls. Haven't seen you two in a while. Not since I..." the words died on Joey's lips. He suddenly looked scared. "Oh no! I died again? What, did I smuther myself in da blankets?" he asked, starting to freak out. "Woah woah woah! Calm down Joey!" Sumi said, grabbing him by the shoulders. "No, you didn't die again." she said, trying to keep him from flipping out again. "Huh? Then, how come you two are here?" Joey asked.

"Don't you remember what we told you about entering dreams?" Kiko asked from behind Sumi. The boy blinked, suddenly remembering what he had done when he was a ghost. "Oh, so I'm still dreaming." he concluded. "Yes." the brown haired angel said, taking her hands off Joey's shoulders. "So...why are you two here?" Joey asked.

"Well," Kiko said approaching, "there seems to be a little problem." Joey sat down. Knowing Kiko and Sumi, this would take a while. "Okay, what?" he asked. Kiko brushed some of her golden bangs out of her eyes and cleared her throat. She began what would probably be a long explanation.

"Well, it seems that there have been alot of mysterious happenings lately. We have been speeking with some other gaurdian angels, and some say the person their watching over is falling into a coma. But not a regular coma. One where their faces are still twisted in fear. Like they were stone."

"Just like Serenity and Gramps." Joey whispered. "Exactly." Sumi replied. She decided to take over from there. "What's odd is what happens just before they go into this state. First there is a strange voice that calls the victim into a dark area where they are alone. Everything seems fine until some weird smog comes up out of nowhere. Then there's a blood red ring that circles around the person."

"Hmm...sounds weird. But, not that big a deal." Joey stated. Sumi slapped him over the head. "You didn't let me finish!" she snapped. The blonde boy rubbed his head as his brunette gaurdian continued. "The strangest part is that once the circle sets on the ground, it secludes the victim from everything outside. The smoke, the air, evern from their gaurdian's view."

Joey stood up. "Woah. So, why are ya telling me all dis?" he asked. "Well, you happen to know Yugi Mutou, and have experienced these supernatural things before. Basically, you're the only one on earth who can follow our orders and warn Yugi before it's too late." Kiko answered.

"Alright. If it'll help my sister and Gramps, then I'll do it." Joey sighed. "So, dis guy that's doing dis. Who is he targeting anyway?" the teen asked. Out of nowhere, a clipboard appeared, floating in the air. Joey noticed that it was labled, Vitcims-Crisis#34564590. Sumi looked at it, and stated,"It seems to be anyone who was envolved in your little death fiasco." Joey thought to himself. "That's all my friends and my closest family!" he realized. "Please!" he said, grabbing Sumi's shoulders. "Who's da next victim?" Sumi flipped over the list, to a page labeled, Vitcims to Be-34564590.

"It looks like the next person to be attacked is--"

"Joey! Hey Joey!" called a voice.

"What da?" Joey said looking around.

"Oh no, someone's waking you up!" Kiko alerted.

"What? Hurry! Who's da next guy?" Joey rushed.

Sumi looked closely at the page. "It's gonna be--"

"Joey! Joey!" Yugi shook his friend's shoulder. "Hey Joey, wake up!"

Joey's eyes fluttered open. He sat up, blinking away his tiredness. "What? What happened?" he asked, looking around. "Oh, good you're awake." Yugi said smiling. Joey turned to meet the face of his shorter friend. "Yugi? You woke me up!" he complained.

Yugi pulled back a little when the blonde shouted, but quickly recovered. "You've been sleeping for hours. I just thought you might want to wake up to see your friends." Joey looked next to Yugi, noticing Tea and Tristan standing there. They had the same sad looks on their faces, but attempted smiles. "Hey Joey." Tristan greeted.

"Yugi," Tea said turning to her friend. "I'm sorry again about your grandpa. If he the same as Serenity?" she asked. Yugi nodded with a depressed look. "Yeah." He looked at her with a desparate smile. "But, I have faith in Grandpa. I know he'll get better soon."

"And I know Serenity will pull through too." he added. He glanced at Joey, as if trying to reassure him that his sister would awaken.

Joey sighed to himself. He just sat, starring at his sister. He was actually getting used to her looking like this. He hated that feeling. But today, he couldn't seem to keep his mind on his sister or on Yugi's Grandpa. It kept drifting back to Sumi and Kiko.

What was going on? Who was behind this? Why were they targeting people involved in his death? Did they know he had died? Why wouldn't their memory have been erased? When were these questions going to be answered? But one question popped up continuously.

Who was this mad man's next victim?

Tea was walking down the sidewalk towards her home. She looked sad and ashamed. She knew it was her fault that Serenity was in the hospital. She should have been keeping an eye on her. She shouldn't have gotten distracted like that. She cursed herself for her stupidity.

"This is all because I had to get into that stupid arguement! I just had to get the free ice cream! I couldn't just go and buy another one! Argh! I hate myself!" she lamented. The brunette started bashing her fist into her head. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!" As she scolded herself, she didn't notice the eyes that followed her.

MP: Welp. There you go. My next chapter will have some pretty creepy stuff. Well, if you aren't a big fan of insects that is. If you are afraid of bugs, you might not want to read it. Then again, it's not that bad. Either way, please read on! Oh, and don't forget to Review!

Preview for Chapter 4

"Huh? What's that?" Yugi asked turning his head toward the noise. "Sounds like an ambulance." Joey said. "Should we check it out? Maybe someone else got attacked." Yugi suggested. Joey nodded in agreement. "Let's go." The two threw away their soda cans and rushed over just in time to see the ambulance pull into the driveway.

It backed up and stopped. The back door opened and several ambulance operaters jumped out. "Come on! Let's get her out!" one man called. For some strange reason, Yugi felt a sudden jolt. "Who is it?" Joey asked in a whisper. "I don't know. I can't see." Yugi said. He jumped up continuously, trying to catch a glimps. When he saw the body, he immediately recognized it. His heart felt like it lept in his throat. "Oh no..." he said in a strangled whisper. "What? Who is it?" Joey asked anxiously. "It's...Tea..."