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 7

"Mine..." a familiar, deep voice said weakly as the still sleeping pharaoh pulled Yugi closer to him and tightened his grip. Yugi woke up, startled by it and smiled a big smile at Yami's antics. He lovely stoke Yami's matted hair through his fingers. His stomach growled. Yugi carefully sat up and looked around the room for the clock. "Whaaa? 4 o'clock already? How long were we sleeping?" All the commotion woke up Chirp and he looked groggily at Yugi, titled his head and let out a confused chirp. "It's okay, we just missed lunch is all." Yugi said reassuring the poor bird.

"Yugi...what's all...the noise...about?"

"Nothing Yami-chan. I'm just hungry. How about you and Chirp?"

"Maybe...a little," Yami said weakly. Yugi smiled.

"Well, the dinner trays won't come until 5 o'clock or so. Wanna try and duel me in Duel Monsters? You haven't played that in a long time."

Yami looks weakly towards the ground. "I-I don't..."

"Don't what?" Yugi asked a little concerned.

"N-Never mind..." Yami said as he slowly looked back up at Yugi.

"Come on, I'm sure a game would cheer you up," Yugi said with a smile.

"V-Very well..."

"We don't have to if you don't want to. I just thought..."

"N-No...A-Aibou... I-I'll try..." Yugi genki smiled and Yami smiled a small smile back. Yugi then went into his back pack and pulled out two decks. Chirp, who had woken up, watched curiously from Yami's shoulder. After Yugi had shuffled both decks he handed Yami's deck to him. He took it weakly into his hands. He looked at the deck in his hands with his blurred vision.

"I'll give you the honors Yami-chan, since you've been away from it for so long."

Yami slowly, with a shacking hand, took the five cards in his hand. Yugi gave a small smile at this. Yami slowly made his move, or tried to anyway. Chirp, being curious as he was, titled his head at Yami's hand and started to nibble on one and pull at it. "Chirp...don't..." Yami said weakly as he gently pushed the bird aside and pet him.

"Aww, looks like he was trying to help you play," Yugi said laughing out loud.

Yami just tried to think, but this made his head hurt, plus he tried to keep the cards in his hand instead of falling all over the place. Chirp noticed this and rested up against his hand to try and hold it steady. It helped a little, but Yami was still finding it hard to think straight. "I-I can't..."

"Do you want to stop?" Yami just nodded weakly. "Okay. I thought we could at least try. It's okay. We can try later when you feel a bit stronger." Yugi took the cards away and put them back in his backpack. He petted Chirp and smiled at him. He then gave Yami a gentle kiss on the cheek. Yami smiled weakly. Yugi gave a big smile back. Then his stomach growled. Yami just stared at him curiously. "Guess I'm more hungry than I thought," Yugi said with a sheepish look on his face. Yami's gave a weak growl too. "Looks like we're both hungry," Yugi said now giggling a little. Yami gave a weak smile. "Well…….I COULD go down to the cafeteria and get something. But I know the answer to that." Yami, who looked very scared just then, gave a small, weak sigh of relief. Yugi looked in deep thought, caught between two tough decisions. He knew dinner wouldn't come for awhile, but he didn't want to leave Yami alone. Yugi would sigh every now and then. Yami watched his antics curiously. "This may sound a bit risky but, want to try coming with me?" Yami just stared in reply, not fully taking in the idea. "Do you think you can handle walking a little bit? I'll be with you every step of the way, I promise. It's all I can think of." Yami looked deep in thought for a moment.

"I-I can…..try….." he said with a weak sigh. Yugi smiled and started to help Yami to first sit up, and then stand, being careful of the IVs that where connected to his Pharaoh's arms. He carefully pulled the pole they were on away from the bed while letting Yami lean on him.

"Okay, here we go," Yugi said putting his arm around Yami and pushing the pole with the other. They were going about the speed of a slow snail, Yami taking baby steps the whole time. Yugi smiled as he wasn't in too much of a hurry to get down couple hallways where the cafe was. Chirp noticed they had left him lying on the bed so he flew after them, quickly catching up and landing softly on Yami's shoulder, Yugi notices. "Sorry Chirp. I didn't mean to forget about you." Chirp just smiled and gave a happy chirp. The other hospital people gawked at the little sparrow on Yami's shoulder but then realized he was the famous Chirp. A lot of them were happy to see Yami trying to walk around.

"Hey there hon. Good to see you out of that room. Oh My! Hello there stranger. You couldn't be the famous little song bird I've heard so much about could ya?" Chirp fluffed himself up and perched proudly. He loved all the attention.

- - -

It took a while but they finally made it to the cafe. Yugi helped Yami sit down. As Yami sat down, Chirp flew off his shoulder and then resettled himself back down. Yami sat there and tried to catch his breath, all that walking took a lot of effort. Yugi smiled. "You did great." Yami just smiled a small weak smile at him. Yugi smiled back.

- - -

Meanwhile, one of the nurses and the food tray nurse were ecstatic. "...What do you mean they aren't in the room? Where is he? He was way too weak to just run off."

"Calm down. That small, teenage, boy that's been staying with him took him down to the cafeteria awhile ago. By the speed they were going, the two of them and their sparrow friend should be there by now."

"Ooohhhh, what a relief. Thanks."

"If you want, I can go down there with them."

"Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Yeah, I'd go but I've got these trays to deliver." So, after all the commotion, the nurse that was coming to check on Yami left for the cafe.

- - -

Yami looked worried. "W-Won't...w-we...g-get...i-in...t-trouble...?"

"No, we shouldn't. If we do, it's worth it cause I'm not leaving you alone in the room like that." Yami weakly rested his head on Yugi's shoulder. Yugi smiled at this. "Alright, we can rest for a bit." Just then the nurse walked into the cafeteria.

"There you two are." she said "You two worried me."

Yugi gulped and looked guiltily at her. "I'm sorry..." he said solemnly.

"It's alright. The other nurses told me what happened," she replied kindly as she ruffled Yugi's hair. She looked over at Yami. She smiled. "Guess he got his exercise for the day." She pulled up a chair for Yugi so he could sit down, making it easier for Yami to rest his head against him. Yugi smiled and nodded his thanks. Chirp flew off Yami's shoulder and landed on the other before he got squished. "So, does Chirp follow you everywhere?"

Yugi nodded. "Yep." he said.

"Wow, so he took a ride the whole way here?" Yugi nodded again. "That's one faithful bird. So, you guys were so hungry you couldn't wait huh? That's okay. I'll buy dinner for ya."

"But you don't have t- "

"I want to hon, besides Yami can't eat the cafeteria food yet. I'll have to make a special order for him anyway." With a smile the nurse head to the cafeteria's kitchen to do just that. Yugi just shrugged it off. He smiled to see Yami taking a catnap on his shoulder. He ran his fingers though Yami's matted hair. Chirp nuzzled against Yami's neck in an affectionate gesture. At that moment the nurse returned. "The food will be up in a little while. I hope you don't mind, I took a wild guess on a hamburger and fries for you hon. Awww, isn't that sweet," she said noticing Yami sleeping peacefully on Yugi's shoulder. Yugi just smiled. Soon, the food was done and the nurse got up to get it.

At that time Yami slowly woke up weakly. "A-Aibou..."

"I'm here."

"What did he just call you?" the nurse asked curiously when she return.

"Partner." Yugi said "It's short of like a pet name of shorts."

"Oh, I see." Crimson eyes looked weakly into Yugi's. Yugi smiled.

"Hungry now?" Yami nodded weakly. Yugi smiled and took Yami's plate and started to feed him like before. The nurse smiled at this. Chirp cocked his head and chirped.

"Don't worry, I didn't forget you." the nurse said as she places a piece of bread on the table. Chirp smiled and chirped a happy chirp as he started to peck away at the bread.

"...okay, there's only applesauce left now. And it's strawberry this time." Yami smiled weakly. He soon finished that off and the nurse took the empty plates away. Yami once again rested his head on Yugi's shoulder.

"Let's go back to the room." Yugi nodded. The nurse smiled at Yami. "How about I carry you? I think you got your exercise for today." she said.

"Yeah, that's a good idea," Yugi replied agreeing. The nurse gently lifted the sick pharaoh up in her arms. Yugi helped by carefully pulling the I.V. pole along. On their way back, Yami had fallen asleep.

- - -

When they got to the room, the nurse gently laid him down on the bed. Chirp watched from Yugi's head during all this. "The poor guy must be tired." the nurse said as she gently tucks the bed sheet around the sleeping pharaoh.

"Well, he DID walk ALLLL the way to the Cafeteria." The nurse nodded.

"Well, I'll just leave you two alone, let him rest and everything."

"Thanks for your help."

"No problem hon. Just let someone on duty know when you decide to take on of those trips okay?" Chirp, who was tired from being a "watch bird" all day, decided to fly over and curl up on Yami's shoulder to sleep. The nurse smiled then left the room. Yugi got out the puzzle book he was working on and sat there to watch Yami sleep.

- - -

About two hours later, Yugi was in the middle of a particularly tough puzzle when there was a soft knock on the door. Yugi jumped a bit before getting up to answer it. "Hello Yugi-dear." his mother said with a big smile, his grandpa not too far behind.

Grandpa was carrying something awkward though. "Grandpa, whatcha got?" With a big smile Grandpa set a gold-wired bird cage shaped like an Asian palace down on the counter.

"What you think, Yugi?" Grandpa said with a smile.

"Wow!" Yugi said quietly. "That's pretty elaborate for just him."

"Well, since he's so special and all..."

"Not to mention he's been very loyal to the both of you. I'd say that deserves something special."

Yuri smiled. Then she went over and checked on Yami. She smiled at his sleeping form. "How's he doing Yugi?" she asked.

"Well...I think he's getting stronger, little by little. He walked all the way to the cafeteria today."

"That's wonderful news." she said with a smile.

"Yeah...but the sooner he can come home, the happier I'll be. Especially when he gets back to his normal self."

"I know son." Yuri said as she rubbed to top of Yugi's head gently. Yugi looked down at the floor solemnly and then rushed into his mother's arms. "I know this has been really hard on you sweetie," she soothed as she let him cry there. Grandpa smiled a solemn smile. Chirp sensed something was wrong and woke up. He gave a solemn chirp and perched on Yugi's shoulder. He nuzzled against him and chirps happily. "See? Chirp wants you to feel better," Yuri said.

A moan came from Yami as weak crimson eyes slowly open. "Y-Yugi...?"

Yugi looked up and rushed to Yami's side. "What's wrong?" he said. He tried to hide that he was crying.

"Nothing...Aibou, what's...wrong?" Yami asked concerned.

Yugi tired to dry his eyes. "It's nothing Yami." he said.

Yami looked at him long and hard with a 'you can't hide anything from me' look. "Please...tell me...what's wrong..."

"It's nothing...nothing's..." he let it all out and climbed on the bed and curled up next to Yami. Yami smiled a weak smile and weakly wrapped his arms around Yugi. Yugi's mom and Grandpa smiled at him.

"I'm...sorry...I've...worried you...so much."

"No...it's not...your fault," Yugi sobbed.

"N-No...i-it is..."

"It's no one's fault that you...got sick...really...I'm not crying just because...I'm sad...I'm happy that...you're getting better," Yugi said sniffling and nuzzling up against Yami's chest.

Chirp started singing his happy song for the both of them. This made Grandpa and Yuri smile. "Awww, isn't that sweet?" she said.

"A-Are you sure...?"

"Yes...I love you more than anything," Yugi said with a smile. Chirp jumped up and down happily. Yami sighed happily with a small, weak smile. He held Yugi weakly and rested his head back against the pillow and closed his eyes. Chirp chirped happily before settling down in the crook of Yami's neck. Yami was soon in a deep sleep once more.

Yugi curled up more warmly and soon joined him as did Chirp. "Awww, let's let them sleep Solomon." Grandpa nodded and they left the room quietly. Grandpa left the door of the cage open in case Chirp decided to check it out later. Yuri gave each one, including Chirp, a soft kiss on the forehead before both her and Grandpa left.