Disclaimer: All characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi. Any made up characters belong to me. This fic has Yaoi.
Love
is the Best Medicine
by Yami-Yugi3, Hikarigirl18
and PharaohAtemu'sAngel
Chapter 5
Was I seeing things? Anzu thought. She shook her head to clear it and went to the outside courtyard of the hospital to sit down and enjoy some fresh air. Anzu watched some nearby birds and other patients that were enjoying the outside. She looked at her watch. "I'd better get back and check on the guys." She walked inside, a cool, calming wind blew and a pure white feather fell on her shoulder. She picked it up and smiled as she gently played with it in her hands. "It's a sign. Thank you," she said looking up into the sky with a smile.
- - -
When she got to the room, she found Yugi curled up all cute on the cot. Joey was impatiently pacing again. "Anzu?" he asked looking up as she came in.
"Sorry, I needed a little air. I found this," she said showing him the feather.
"What's a feather s'posed to do?"
"Joey, it's a sign, can't you see that? I didn't think you were that dense."
"Hey!" She smiled and set the feather on Yami's bedside table. Weak crimson eyes slowly opened and a familiar smile flashed across Yami's face for a brief moment, before pain and sleep overcame him.
"Anzu, did you see that?"
"Yeah, I did. He opened his eyes earlier too."
"Maybe that feather IS a sign. That stuff must be working'."
"Yeah. But...we still need to wait. He hasn't fully woken up yet. He must still be pretty weak."
"Yeah."
"Let's keep what we saw a secret."
"But Yuge'll want to know."
"No, let's let Yugi have the glory of knowing Yami's awake. We'll act like he's the first to see it. Give him the joy since he's been more worried than you and I together." Joey nodded. Both smiled as they looked at Yugi sleeping so innocently.
"So what do we do now?" Joey asked Anzu.
"Well, I'd say it's my turn to take watch. Then, if Yugi wakes up, he can watch the Pharaoh."
"Okay Anzu." said Joey "I'm going to see what they have in the cafe."
She rolled her eyes. It's not even lunchtime and already he's hungry again. "Hey Pharaoh, I know you can hear me. Get better soon okay? We want you back to your normal self." She held his hand in hers with a solemn smile on her face.
- - -
Meanwhile as Joey headed to the cafe he bumped into Kaiba. "Hey Puppy, is it working?"
Joey nodded. "Yeah, Yams been awake from time to time, but can't stay awake to long and goes back asleep..."
"That's good. Does Yugi know?"
"No, Anzu and I agreed to let Yugi find out on his own. Let him have his moment." Seto nodded and continued to walk off. "Hey Kaiba, care to join me at the cafe?"
"Nahh, got things to do."
Joey sighed sadly. "Oh I see... I guess I'll see ya around then..."
"I'm sorry Puppy. You just worry about the King of Games and your little friend. Besides, I can't keep Mokuba out of this. I'm sure he wants to know that the Pharaoh will be alright." Joey just nodded slowly.
- - -
Yugi yawned and stretched from the cot and sat up. "How is he Anzu? Where's Joey?"
"He went to get some food, and the Pharaoh's better than before. He still hasn't woken up yet. Who knows if that stuff is working?" she answered, putting on a facade.
"Oh..." Yugi said sadly as he slowly came over to his pharaoh.
Anzu started to say something, but she didn't want to ruin the surprise so...she kept quiet. "Well, I think I'll take a nap. All this worry is making me tired." She ruffled Yugi's hair before lying down on the cot.
"Anzu? What's with the white feather?"
"Oh, I found it outside. I thought it'd bring some good luck." Yugi smiled a small smile as he sat down started caressing Yami's hand again. Anzu lie down and fell asleep on the cot.
Joey came in with a donut and some milk. "Hey Yuge, what's up?" he asked between bites.
"Oh hey Joey." said Yugi.
"Don't sound so depressed bud. Everything will work out. You'll see."
"I hope so. I don't want to lose Yami."
"Don't worry 'bout it." Joey finished and threw away the cup of milk. "Anzu's got the right idea," he said as he laid down on one of the other cots. All this worryin', ain't fun. He laid there in thought, occasionally looking at Yugi to make sure he was okay. Soon, he fell asleep again.
Yugi watched worriedly over his darkness. "Please Yami. I need you." He laid his head down and cried himself to sleep.
- - -
Then Yugi woke up when he felt his hair being gently and slowly being stoked, he could still hear his pharaoh's weak breathing. He looked up and a familiar face with a familiar smile was looking at him. "Yami...?" Yugi started at disbelief.
The weak smile widens a bit more. "Y-Yug..."
Yugi latched onto Yami tightly and started to cry. "I...thought I'd lost you." Yami weakly rubbed Yugi's back.
"Ai-ai-aibou," he said with a weak, solemn smile. Yugi continued to cry. "D-Don't... c-cry... A-Aibou..." Yugi smiled a big smile as he sobbed. "I'm...alright...now...N-no...need...to...be...upset." Yugi nodded weakly and began to calm down.
"-yawns- What's going on?" Joey asked as he sits up on cot.
Yami weakly looked at the others with a small smile. "H-hey...guys..."
"Eh? Hey ya wake Yams."
He gave a weak nod and continued to calm Yugi. "It's...going to...be alright...now." Yugi nodded as his sobbing turned into hiccups and sniffles. A weak smile came across Yami's pale tan lips. Yugi carefully climbed up into the bed and snuggled up next to Yami, nuzzling his head against the Pharaoh's chest. He fell back asleep holding onto Yami tightly.
"Poor guy's had it very rough worrying about you."
"Yeah, he's been constantly watchin ya."
"I...see... Y-Yugi..." he said with a weak solemn look.
"Me and Joey will head out and break the news to everyone. You know, give you guys some time alone okay?"
"But Anzu..."
"Come along Joey."
"Oh...right." Anzu led Joey out of the room with a smile.
Yami smiled weakly after them and returned his attention to his sleeping Hikari. "I-I'm...sorry...I...worried you," he said weakly as he stroked Yugi's hair with his other hand, the hand he was using before had gotten tired. A nurse came in to check on him. Yami weakly looked over at the nurse.
"Y-you're awake," she said wide eyed. She stood there and blinked in disbelief. Then she noticed Yugi and smiled. "Isn't that sweet. I suppose he was really worried huh?"
Yami nodded. "Y-Yes..." The nurse genki smiled and started to check everything.
She scribbled some stuff on a clipboard and the studied his IV pouches. "That weird stuff is almost all gone. That's good. Means it's in your system working. You can thank Seto Kaiba for that."
"K-Kaiba...?"
"Mmmhmmm, anyway, you check out fine. Take care of your buddy there okay?" Yami nodded weakly with a small smile. Yugi stirred in his sleep and held tighter to Yami. He winced and Yugi loosened his grip. He took in a deep, yet weak breath and let his arms hold Yugi loosely.
He watched Yugi sleep and then started thinking. He smiled solemnly. He's probably been up every night worried about me. It must have been hard for him. "You...don't have...to worry...anymore Aibou." Yugi just snuggled closer to Yami in his sleep. Yami smiled a big smile at this. Yami looked around the room, thinking and getting bored. A sparrow chirped outside the window and it caught Yami's attention. He turned his head and watched the bird sing with a small smile on his face. I'd had worried my aibou to much during all this pain... The bird chirped with a cute little head tilt, staring right at him. It was as if that little sparrow was saying 'Don't worry. Everything's gonna be okay.' Yami's small smile turns into a small smile of sadness. If I didn't get sick then nothing of this would had happen and Yugi won't get so worried... The sparrow looked solemnly at him and chirped a sad chirp. One of its friends landed next to it and it told the friend about 'the sad guy on the other side of the window'. Then, both birds started chirping and singing happy songs. "A-Are...you...trying...to...cheer...me...up...?" Yami asked the birds softly and weakly, his crimson eyes still wet as he was about to cry. The sparrows genki smiled and chirped a big happy chirp. Yami cough weakly for a bit.
Yugi stirred and awoke from the noise. "Yami-chan? Are you okay?"
Yami cough weakly for a bit once more before he finally spoke. "D-Define...okay..." he spoken weakly.
Yugi giggled a little. He then heard and noticed the birds singing. "Aww, looks like we got us some friends."
"T-They...have been...there...for...awhile..." Yugi genki smiled at Yami and then at the birds. An afternoon nurse came in. She smiled at the two.
Then she noticed the two sparrows singing outside the window. "Aww, how sweet. You have your own private song birds," she said with a smile. "It's a little hot in here, why don't I open the window a bit?" She walked over to the window and opened it few inches. The birds hoped in until they were on the inside sill. The first sparrow flew in and land on Yami's shoulder. "Oh my!" the nurse said.
"Looks like you made a new friend Yami." Yami gave a weak small smile.
The nurse smiled at the sparrow. "You can stay if you're good," she said letting the sparrow nibble a bit at her finger. She did her rounds, making sure not to disturb Yami's little friend. It hoped curiously on his shoulder, wondering what was going on. Yami cough weakly again for a bit. The sparrow chirped and titled its head worriedly. Yugi looked a bit concerned too. "Here hon, try some water," the nurse said handing Yami a small cup of water. Yami weakly took it with his shacking hand. Yugi helped him steady it so he could take a drink. The other sparrow, knowing it wasn't needed anymore chirped a goodbye at the one on Yami's shoulder and left.
Yami weakly looked over at Yugi. "T-Thank...y-you...A-Aibou..."
Yugi just smiled in reply and the sparrow made a happy chirp. It started to nibble on the end of one of Yami's bangs. "Uh oh, I think he's hungry," Yugi said gently taking the empty cup from Yami.
"Well, I'm done with my rounds. Lunch will be coming around soon. I'll make sure to get an extra piece of bread for your new friend." She left with a smile. Yami's crimson eyes looked tiredly at Yugi.
"Tired?" The sparrow stopped nibbling and looked at Yami curiously. Yami nodded weakly. Yugi smiled. "C'mon...you don't have a name do you?" he said extending his finger for the sparrow to perch on. "How about...Chirp? You love to sing a lot." Chirp, chirped happily and perched on Yugi's finger. Yugi gently moved Chirp over to a chair where he could sit. "We gotta let Yami-chan rest now okay?" Yugi made sure Yami was comfortable before sitting in the same chair he had before. Chirp flew over and perched on Yugi's shoulder. "You wanna watch him too?" Yugi asked with a laugh. Chirp nodded and made a small chirp. Yugi smiled at him and then looked at Yami. "You can go ahead and sleep if you're tired. Me and Chirp will be right here if you need anything." Yami gave a weak nod and let sleep claim him. Chirp nestled himself on Yugi's shoulder and closed his eyes. "You're tired too huh?" Yugi tried not to yawn. "Guess I am too." Yugi yawned another tired yawn. "Oh well..." He got comfortable in the chair, careful not to disturb Chirp and closed his eyes. Sleep soon claimed him.
- - -
Lunch came and the lady knocked softly on the door before coming in. "Awwww," she said smiling sweetly at Yugi and Yami who were both asleep. "I guess I'll just leave this here." Chirp woke up from the noise. He jumped on Yugi's head and started to chirp loudly at the nurse. "Oh My! How'd you get in here? You must be the little sparrow the other nurse was talking about." He flew in her face and started to threaten her. "Easy, little birdie, easy. I'm not gonna hurt your friends. I just brought food, see?" She took an extra piece of bread from the tray that was put there just for Chirp. He perched in her hand and nibbled at it. "You see? I mean no harm. I'll just leave this food here okay?" she said covering the tray and laying the bread on top so Chirp could get to it. She lightly pet Chirp on his little head and left. He nibbled at the bread a bit more before settling down on Yugi's shoulder again. All three slept like that for awhile.
- - -
A few hours later, Anzu knocked on the door. She carefully opened it. "Awwww, how precious." Chirp opened groggy eyes. He perched on Yugi's head and cocked his head at Anzu. He chirped curiously as if asking what she was doing there. "Awww, aren't you a cute little fella. Are you Yugi and the Pharaoh's new friend?" Chirp nodded and chirped happily.
At that moment Yami woke up weakly, coughing a bit. "A-Anzu...?" he said between coughs.
Chirp looked concerned and perched on his shoulder. Anzu smiled at this. "Here, take a drink of water," Anzu suggested as she gave Yami a glass of water and helped him drink it.
"T-Thank...y-you..." Yami said weakly afterwards.
Anzu genki smiled. "You been holdin' out okay Pharaoh?"
Yami nodded weakly. "A-A little..."
"That's good," she said with a little smile. Chirp chirped a happy little tune. "Who's your new little friend?"
"Y-Yugi...c-calls...h-him...C-Chirp..."
"Awww, how cute. I bet its cause he likes to sing a lot. He's done nothing but talk since I've been here. He's cute. When and how'd he get in here?" she said petting him with her finger.
"O-One...o-of...t-the nurses...l-let him...i-in..."
"Must have happened when they opened the window. He seems to take a certain concern for you."
"I was...upset...and he was...singing outside...the window." Anzu genki smiled and stopped petting Chirp.
Yugi yawned and woke up. "Huh? Oh, hi Anzu. I see you met Chirp."
"Yeah. He's cute." Yugi smiled.
He then noticed Yami was awake. "You okay Yami-chan?"
Yami weakly looked over at Yugi. "N-Not...r-really..."
"Are you hungry? Do you need something?" Yugi asked very concerned.
"I-I...d-don't know..."
"Do you want another drink of water? You want to sit up a little?"
"I-I'll...t-try..."
"You don't have to if you don't want to. I can talk with you just fine laying down," said Anzu. Chirp was hopping a little impatiently on Yami's shoulder. He was getting a little bored, but wanted to still keep a close on eye on Yami.
"N-No...I-I...w-want...t-to...t-try..."
"Alright, just don't push yourself." Yugi rushed to Yami's side and helped him sit up. Yami's body shook weakly for a while. Yugi put more pillows up for support and put the covers warmly over him. "There, that should help. If you want to lie back down, just let me know. You don't have to stay up if you don't want." Yami looked slowly weakly over at Yugi. Yugi smiled. "You okay?" Chirp, who had perched on Yami's knee, flew back to his shoulder and looked up at him. He titled his head and chirped asking if he was alright.
"A-A little..."
"Wanna try eating something?"
"Yeah, I'm sure you're really hungry," Anzu said with a smile. Yami nodded weakly.
Yugi smiled and took one of the food trays that had been left by the nurse. "There's some half-eaten bread on top of this one. I guess it's for Chirp." Chirp nodded and chirped in reply. "You want some more?" He nodded and perched on Yugi's shoulder. Yugi smiled and set the bread down and then Chirp next to it. He then pulled a table across the bed and set the tray on it. He opened it up and looked at the contents. There were mashed potatoes, apple sauce, a banana, and some soup.
"Looks good to me. And it's all gonna be easy on you too."
"Yeah, that's good."
"Whatcha want to try first?" Chirp was happily nibbling away at his piece of bread.
"I-I...d-don't...k-know..."
"How about the soup? That takes little to no effort."
"Good idea Anzu." With that Yugi sat on the edge of the bed and filled the spoon with some of the soup. "Here it comes okay?" Yami nodded weakly and opened his mouth just enough. Yugi smiled as he swallowed. Yami shivered a little as the warm liquid trickled down his throat. Yami closed his crimson eyes for just a little.
Anzu smiled. "Bet that soup felt good." Yami stayed in bliss for awhile. Yugi laughed a bit at this as he readied another spoon full.
"Here comes some more Yami-chan." He nodded and opened his mouth again. Yami leaned back as another spoonful went down his throat. Yugi giggled again.
- - -
Soon Yami had finished the soup. "You still hungry?"
"A-a little..." Yugi smiled.
"Wanna try the potatoes? They're still warm and they should be easy to go down." Yami shrugged weakly but, his tummy answered for him. Anzu and Yugi giggled a little. Yugi stirred the potatoes a little before getting a small spoonful. "Here they come okay?"
He nodded and opened his mouth again. It didn't take him long to finish off what little was there. "All that's left is dessert," Anzu said with a smile, indicating the applesauce and the banana. "Let's try the banana since it's the hardest of the food," Yugi said as he cut a small piece with the plastic knife that was provided. He placed it in Yami's mouth. It didn't go down that well. It took too much effort to chew it and he choked trying to swallow the piece whole. "It's okay," Yugi said gently as he gave Yami a glass of water.
"I guess THAT didn't go too well," Anzu said with a small sigh.
"We can at least do the applesauce. I know you can finish that." It only took a few spoonfuls and Yami had finished that off too. Yugi smiled, gently wiped Yami off, and cleaned up the tray before setting it down next to the other. He looked at the other tray curiously.
"I think that's for you," Anzu said noticing this. Yugi tilted his head as he lifted the lid. On it was a hamburger and fries from the Cafeteria. "Guess someone told them that was your favorite," Anzu said with a knowing smirk. Yugi's eyes widened with glee. "Go ahead and eat. I'll watch the Pharaoh for you."
"Thanks Anzu," Yugi said as he sat down and started eating. Yami moaned a coughed a bit.
"You want to lie back down?" He nodded weakly. "Okay," Anzu said as she put the pull-out table away. Then she carefully took the pillows out from under him and helped him lay back down, gently putting some pillows under his head. "Better?"
"M-much..." Anzu smiled. Yugi had finished eating and put his empty tray next to the others. He noticed Yami trying to fight sleep.
"Yami-chan, are you tired?" He gave a weak nod. Yugi smiled and sat down in the same chair. He gently stroked Yami's hair.
"I'm gonna go grab a bite in the Cafe. I'll be back in a little while to see how things are going."
"Okay." With that Anzu left Yugi and Chirp alone to watch Yami. "Go ahead and sleep if you want." Yami nodded weakly and fell asleep instantly. Chirp perched on Yugi's shoulder and watched Yami sleep. Yugi sat there, stroking Yami's hand like he had before, petting Chirp from time to time. They watched him diligently.
- - -
There was a soft knock on the door before it opened. "Yugi?"
"Ssshhh!"
"Oohhh. Okay," Anzu whispered. "Do you mind if I stay for a bit?"
"Sure," Yugi whispered in reply. Anzu smiled, sat down on a chair, and started to read a book she had brought. Chirp chirped at Yugi and motioned to the window.
"Do you need to go outside?" Chirp nodded and Yugi got up and let him out. He watched sadly as Chirp flew away.
"What's wrong Yugi? Where's Chirp?"
"He just left."
"Oh. I'm sure he'll come back. Probably had some bird business to take care of or something."
"Yeah, I guess." Yugi walked over to a corner of the room and rooted through a backpack his mother had brought him. He took out a jigsaw puzzle and a crossword puzzle book. He slowly finished the jigsaw puzzle and then started on a few pages in the crossword book. At that time, there was a loud chirp as a familiar sparrow flew in and perched in Yugi's hair. Chirp started singing a happy song as he nestled himself warmly in Yugi's spiky hair. Yami stirred and moaned in his sleep. "Ssshhhh," Yugi said looking up. Chirp looked down at him and titled his head. "Yami's still sleeping." Chirp nodded and settled down more warmly. Yugi giggled at this and went back to his crossword. Soon Chirp fell asleep.
"Awww, that's cute," Anzu said with a genki smile. Yugi just giggled. The three of them kept watch silently as Yami slept on.
