Chapter 11: Not Again

Yami's POV

"I think I'm in-love with you, Mahado."

How many months have passed since I said those words? Four? Five? People say being in-love is one of the greatest things on Earth, is it really true? I guess I missed a lot when I was pharaoh then. I still can't remember if I was also in-love with Mahado in Egypt but I do know he's my most loyal High Priest. And even if I was, I don't think we had a chance since, if memory serves me correct, my reign was during a time of darkness.

And then, I sealed myself to stop the Shadow Realm from destroying my homeland. That's what I'm here for, right? I was pharaoh, it was my duty. So I sealed my soul in my puzzle, not to be awaken for 3000 years.

When the time came, I awoke into this world, eventually realizing much have changed. I met new challenges, new friends... in short, I was destined to have a new life. But still, some things never changed. For one, Seth's reincarnation, Seto, was my rival. Deep inside I know he's a good guy, not that "cold-hearted bastard" as some individuals would say.

As for Mahado and I... well, everything was pure bliss for us. The concert felt as if it was just like yesterday, I know, I know, cliché too much. I never knew Mahado managed to get us backstage passes because... well getting passes like those were I don't know, impossible. Unless of course you have the power to ask for it, that is. Later that night, after Mahado took me home, Mokuba called, saying something about Seto not feeling well.

It seems he locked himself in his room again, obviously working his whole heart out. I have to hand it to Mokuba. He's a good brother; no wonder Seto kept on protecting him.

Flashback

"Yami, please come over, it's nii-sama..."

"Mokuba, calm down. What happened? Tell me slowly," Yami answered over the phone.

"Nii-sama won't leave his room but Yami, he's been in his room all afternoon. I'm worried," Mokuba said.

"Alright, Mokuba. I'll be there, are you okay?"

"Yes, thanks Yami."

"Don't mention it."

"Bye"

"Goodbye, Mokuba."

Thirty minutes later, Yami stood outside of the Kaiba mansion, ready to knock on the front door. But before he could do so, Mokuba opened it and ushered him in. "I think it's time for you to rest. Don't worry, I'll make sure Seto's alright," Yami told him. Mokuba hugged him, "Thanks a lot, Yami! Goodnight!" he said before he ran to his own room.

Now, being a friend of Seto, Yami knew exactly where Seto's room was, which was, specifically speaking the last room in the second floor. And knowing the CEO well, the room was obviously locked. The former pharaoh went to the kitchen and took the spare key to Seto's room from the cupboard (Mokuba told him in one of his stays in the mansion before).

Armed and ready, the Yugioh went upstairs and headed to the CEO's room.

"Seto?" he started, knocking on the door.

"Leave me alone, I'm busy," the CEO answered.

"Mokuba's dead worried about you Seto. Would you please open the door?" Yami said.

"No, I won't open the door," Seto argued.

"You have to, or else," Yami argued back. Since when did this conversation resulted into a childish argument? Yami would never know.

"You can do whatever you want, Yami," the stubborn executive answered back.

Yami sighed before inserting the key into the keyhole. It took him one twist to the right and the door was already open.

"What the hell?"

"I told you so," Yami said.

Seto growled before rising from his seat. "Would you get out of my room? I have no time talking with you, Yami!" he said as he walked over to the pharaoh. "For your information, Seto Kaiba, your brother's dead worried since you refused to leave your room! I know something's troubling you, why don't you just tell me so I can help?" Yami answered back.

"I don't care. Get out of my room," Seto argued.

"I won't leave until you tell me what's going on. Mokuba's worried, I'm worried... what the hell is going on?"

"None of your business."

"It is absolutely my business, I assure you. If you want to scare your brother out of his wits, fine by me, you can just call security and have me out," the pharaoh answered.

Seto scowled, the pharaoh's words hitting him. "Fine. I'm sorry," he muttered.

"For what?" Yami confusingly asked.

"I'm sorry for what happened this afternoon," Seto said.

"You don't need to apologize, Seto. I know it was just an accident, was that the reason why you're-- oh-- I'm so sorry, Seto. If I knew I could have called you--"

"It's alright, Yami. I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier. I apologize for scaring Mokuba, I just wanted to finish some things out before I go to sleep."

"I told you already, you don't need to apologize about anything, Seto."

The CEO never replied to that. Instead, he focused on his work and quickly finished it off and snapped his laptop shut. "It's already late, Yami. You should stay here, too dangerous outside," he said, knowing it was past midnight already.

"I suppose I should stay. I won't find a cab home anyway," Yami agreed. The two friends, having settled their little argument, went down to the kitchen to get themselves drinks, knowing sleep has already evaded them.

"So, how was your concert?" Seto asked, knowing Mahado would do what he asked.

"You should have been there, Seto..."

End of Flashback

Things were settled that night, thankfully. But he was rather not himself that night. It was as if he was hiding something but I didn't press him to tell me. I'm his friend but that doesn't mean I'm entitled to know all his secrets. It's invasion of privacy.

My alarm clock rang, announcing it was already 5:30 PM. I'm meeting Mahado in the park later, at about 7:30. He said it was a surprise. And I guess I'm once again excited. Hey, I'm the King of Games, don't blame me for my adrenaline.

I leave the game shop at quarter to 7 since the park's just 20 minutes away. Joey and Yugi were out on a date so I had to lock the game shop, they were actually offering me a ride but I didn't want to ruin their night together (not to mention I'll be one hour early if I join them). Seto was busy as hell (old typical Seto) and Mokuba was at the mansion, probably playing video games.

Promptly 7:05, I arrive at the park and went to look for the spot where he told us to meet. I guess the day tired me out since I could feel myself fall asleep.

End of Yami's POV

Yami closed his eyes, submitting to a short rest. Just then, footsteps roused him awake. Thinking it was Mahado, he slumped back to the tree, knowing his koi would wake him up.

"What do we have here? A nice treat, isn't he boys?"

Yami sat up, knowing he made a mistake. The footsteps didn't belong to Mahado. It belonged to one rather stumpy man who was being trotted by two men.

"I suggest you leave me alone," Yami answered calmly.

"I like these kind of treats, they're fun to break," the man said again. Yami finally realized what the man was implying and he rose, only to be pushed to the ground by the two men.

"Let me go!" Yami shouted as he struggled against his captors.

Before he knew it, his legs were already straddled and the man was lying on top of him, planting wet kisses on his neck. "Damn it, get your filthy body away from me!" the pharaoh shouted again as he struggled once more. How ironic that whenever he needed his powers, they were always gone. But the man never stopped his assault. He took out a knife and started opening Yami's jacket, which the pharaoh wrapped before leaving the shop.

Yami's struggle didn't end in vain as he managed to break free his arm and punch the man on top of him away. The Yugioh rose and made a run for it but was stopped by his two captors. A fist landed on his stomach as he fell to the ground, clutching his stomach in pain. The two men took advantage of this and held him down firm to the ground again. And despite his struggles, he couldn't escape. Lips were on his neck, his collarbone... gods, don't let this man any lower.

Mahado, where is that man? He should be here. Yami fought the tears from falling as he tried not to think on what was going to happen.

"Yami, where are you?" that voice! Yami gave a relieved sigh.

"Mahado!" he cried before a palm shut him up.

"Yami!" said former High Priest ran towards them before realizing what was happening. "Get off of him!" he said.

The man on top of Yami suddenly stabbed the pharaoh with an unknown drug to paralyze him as he and his men turn to Mahado. Yami was in pain as he watched them. One against three wasn't fair and Mahado could do a helping hand. Standing up ever so slowly in his state (of drowsiness and pain), the pharaoh picked a stone he saw and slammed it hard on one of the men's head. And then a fist fight was on: two against two.

"Yami, are you alright? I'm sorry I was late," Mahado said before he pulled Yami into an embrace, knowing the drug was already taking effect on the pharaoh's body. Proof? The pharaoh was slowly drifting to unconsciousness.

Carrying the weakened pharaoh, Mahado made his way to the park's exit and realized it was too late. He should have knocked the man unconscious like his two goons. A gunshot was fired and Mahado fell to the ground, the bullet obviously hitting him on the chest.

Yami, realizing what happened, fought to be awake. "Mahado!" he cried as he frantically search for a cellphone to call an ambulance. "Mahado, please stay awake," he said, clutching his boyfriend's bloodied hand.

Finished with calling the ambulance, Yami, still swaying in dizziness as minor effect of the drug, craddled Mahado in his arms. "I'm so sorry, Mahado. Please, please stay alive, please," he said in between tears. Everything was getting blurry for the former pharaoh, his consciousness was slowly drifting. And before darkness consumed him, the ambulance arrived, just in time. Yami fell to the floor unconscious.

"My pharaoh, you should rest," Isis suggested, taking note of the pharaoh's appearance.

"I will when Mahado is here already," Atemu answered.

It was already nighttime in Egypt and stilll, there wasn't any news about Mahado. It would be an understatement to say that they were dead worried about the High Priest, especially their pharaoh.

"My pharaoh, my pharaoh, they have arrived!" a servant said.

Atemu sat straighter on his throne, waiting for his friend/High Priest's appearance. But Mahado never appeared. This confused him.

"Where is High Priest Mahado?" Akunadin asked.

One of the soldiers who was pulling the stone tablet answered, "He… he told us to close the entrance, sire. We were given orders by High Priest Mahado not to open it until today. We went it and found this, your majesties," he presented the stone tablet where oddly, the Illusion Magician stood majestically.

Atemu rose from his throne to go see the tablet himself, despite his High Priests' reactions and warnings. Where are you, my dear friend?

"My soul is your eternal servant, my pharaoh"

"Mahado! Where—" Atemu looked at the monster in the tablet, somehow recognizing the magician's face. "Mahado," he breathed, "Why?" The pharaoh dropped to his knees, feeling tears well in his eyes for the death of his best friend.

"Atemu, I am sorry," Seth said, offering condolences. But his pharaoh didn't hear him.

"Atemu…"

"Atemu…"

"Yami… please wake up."

"What?" Yami sat upright, meeting his hikari's concerned gaze.

"You're awake!" Yugi exclaimed, hugging his yami tight.

"How are you feeling, Yami?" Seto asked. Yami looked at the CEO, instantly noticing that both the CEO and his light was there.

"I'm fine, minor headache, that's all," he answered. "Mahado, where is he?" Where was his love? Did he survive? Of course he did, he was strong. Mahado was strong. But why did Yugi refused to meet his gaze?

"Yugi? Where is Mahado?" he asked again. Neither of his visitors answered.

"Please tell me, where is he?" he pleaded, tears forming in his eyes. This couldn't happen. No… no… no, not Mahado.

Yugi, with tears in his eyes, revealed a small box. "He… he wants me to give this to you… he said he was sorry, Yami," Yugi answered, tears falling from his eyes.

Yami stared at the box and took it. Opening it hesitantly, he found a ring. "He was going to propose to you, Yami. I'm sorry," Seto continued.

"No… Mahado… that's not true. He… he… he's not dead… HE'S NOT DEAD!" Yami cried, his tears falling from his eyes. Not again. Fuck this, not this again. His first love betrayed him, now when he trusted and loved Mahado, he died. No… not again.

Yami didn't knew if it was still the side effects of the drug but he did knew he fell into unconsciousness shortly after he received the news.