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 8

A few hours later, the night nurse came in. She smiled to see the cute sight and carefully checked everything, trying not to disturb anyone. Yami started to cough weakly his sleep for a bit until he finally settles back down. The nurse smiled before exciting the room just as quietly as she had entered. When she got into the hall, she met up with another night nurse. This one had a cup of coffee in her hand and you could tell she didn't like nights. "You won't believe the cute thing is going on in there." she said with a smile.

"Really now?"

"Oh yes. An adorable, sweet, young high school kid and a close friend of his. The one got really sick and is recovering ever so slowly. That sweet young boy hasn't left his side for what...going on 4 and half months now?"

"Really? It's good to know that there are still people that care about each other that much."

"Yeah, I just found them sleeping so sweetly."

"I see. One of my nightly patients keeps wanting to see his daughter and granddaughter, but the mother hasn't been to terms with him lately. Besides that, she's not being very helpful on the medical bills. I've tried my best to keep my patience."

"I know. But you should see these two. It's the perfect example of caring."

"I'll bet." The other nurse smiled a small smile.

"Why Mary, I ain't seen you smile like that in weeks."

"Well, being on nights ain't my cup of tea. I'd rather be at home with my children."

"I know. But you're making a living for them."

"Yep. Well...got to get back to work now. Thanks for that little pick me up."

"You're welcome." The nurses parted ways.

- - -

In the middle of the night, Yugi's tummy rumbled for a midnight snack. He decided to quietly and carefully get up to find the nearest vending machine or something. He quietly left the room and walked down the hall. He wasn't particularly looking where he was going and ran into Mary. "Hey now. Try and watch where you're going kid."

"I'm so sorry miss."

"Hey, what are you doing out of bed hon? You wouldn't happen to be staying with a friend of yours would you?"

"Um yeah, his name's Yami. He's been sick for a long time."

"I know you. This other nurse was just talking about you. Whatcha need hon?"

"Well I was a bit hungry..." Yugi started.

"Oh, Midnight Munchies huh? Come on, I'll take you to the Nurse's Lounge. We might have a little something there for you," Mary said with another rare smile. Yugi smiled and followed her. He immediately forgot about Yami for the time being.

- - -

Back at the room Yami woke up weakly, he didn't feel Yugi near him as he slowly look an see Yugi was gone. Yami got instantly worried and scared. "Y-Yugi...?" He weakly tried to sit up and look around, disturbing Chirp. He titled his little head in concern and started flying madly around the room. Yami's worry and fear increased making Chirp go into a panic trying to figure out what to do. He sat down on the floor near the door and started to chirp loudly. Yami started coughing weakly again, still greatly worried that Yugi left without him again. Chirp's chirping grew more fierce as he stood there at the door. One of the other nurses heard Chirp and when to open the door to the room to see what was all the noise about.

"Oh my! Calm down little birdie. What seems to be the matter?" Chirp flew over and landed on Yami's lap. "Oh," the nurse said as she gave Yami a glass of water and helped him drink it. "Feel better?" she asked as he finished it.

Yami weakly shock his head. "W-Where's...Y-Yugi...?"

"Oh, you mean the young school kid who was with you? I'm sorry to say I don't know hon. I'll go look for him." When she got up to leave, she felt a weak tug on her dress. "I see, you don't want to be left alone do you? I'll carry you okay? That way we can look together."

Yami just nodded weakly. "T-Thank you..."

She smiled and gently picked him up into her arms. She walked rather slowly so as not to pull too much on the IV pole. When she walked out of the room, one of the nurses at the desk noticed. "Here, let me help." She got up from her desk and helped by pulling the IV pole along. "I know just where your little friend went. I saw Mary taking him back into the lounge. It's this way." Yami just nodded weakly. All he wanted was that Yugi would never leave him alone.

- - -

When they opened the door, Mary looked up surprised. "What's wrong?"

"It seems he misses his little friend."

Yugi swallowed his sip of milk before looking wide eyed at Yami. "Oh my god! I'm sooo sorry Yami!" he said as he went over to the nurse that was carrying him.

"Oh goodness. He bumped into me a few minutes ago and was hungry. He's been having milk and cookies here with me this whole time."

"W-Why...d-did you...l-leave me...?" Yami asked Yugi weakly, tears almost forming from those crimson eyes.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think I'd be gone so long, let alone you'd wake up and find me not there. It's okay. I'm here now," he said soothingly, stroking his matted hair. Yami smiled weakly at him. "I really, sincerely promise that I won't leave you again."

Mary smiled. "Poor thing. I understand what you were telling me earlier Rachel." The said nurse smiled.

"Let's go back to the room now," Yugi said gently as he kissed him gently on the forehead. Yami nodded weakly. Yugi smiled and followed the nurse carrying him back to the room. Chirp was overjoyed to find out that everything was okay.

"And here's the faithful little watch bird alerting us that something was wrong. You're such a good little companion," she said taking him into her hand and petting him.

Rachel gently laid Yami back down on the bed and tucked him in warmly. Yugi climbed back up in bed with him. Chirp flew out of Mary's hand and decided to check out his new home before settling himself back in the crook of Yami's neck. "Now, promise me we won't have an episode like that again, alright?" Rachel said sternly.

Yugi nodded. "I'm sorry Yami." Both nurses smiled.

"Goodnight you two."

"Night." With that they closed the door and left them alone. "I'm really, really sorry Yami. It's the second time I've left you. I won't leave you alone like that, okay?" he said snuggling up close. Yami nodded weakly. "You aren't mad at me are you?" Yugi said looking up at him.

Yami weakly shock his head. "N-No..."

Yugi gave a small relieved sigh. "Well, let's get some sleep," he said closing his eyes. Chirp was way ahead of them, having been asleep this whole time. Yugi fell right back asleep as Yami laid awake. He weakly held Yugi in his arms. He watched him sleep, a small weak smile on his face. "I won't leave you...I promise...won't leave you..." Yugi muttered in his sleep. Yami smiled a bit bigger and closed his eyes sleepily. Sleep soon claimed him and he felt safe knowing Yugi was there with him.

- - -

The next morning, there was a soft knock on the door before the morning nurse came in. She carefully did her rounds, trying not to wake the two boys and Chirp. Yami opened his eyes groggily as she checked and refilled some of his IVs. She notices him. He titled his head in sleepy confusion. "Morning sunshine, how do you feel today?" she said happily, yet quietly. Yami looked weakly up at her. She smiled. "Well...since you're awake..." she said half to herself before getting out a special thermometer. "Mind if check a few things?" she asked kindly. Yami weakly shock his head. She genki smiled and clicked the special thermometer into the dispenser part so it was now covered with a sterile paper cover. She went over to the bed. "Can I take your temperature?" She smiled as he opened his mouth a little and she gently put it under his tongue. It seemed like a long time before it beeped. "That's good, you're at normal body temperature with no fever," she said with a smile. Then she eyed the monitors and checked for blood pressure and the like. Yami watched her curiously, weakly tilting his head. She smiled at this. "Okay, all done hon," the nurse said with a smile. She genki smiled at Yugi, whom Yami was still holding. "He's been here with you for a while huh? You just keep getting better kay?" Yami gave a weak nod as she left the room. Yami smiled a small smile at his Hikari and weakly pulled the covers more warmly around him. He looked around the room, bored, before deciding it was a good idea to go back to sleep. But, just as he closed his eyes and was falling asleep, Chirp decided he was hungry. He chirped up at him as he pulled and nibbled on Yami's bangs.
"W-what? Chirp...what's wrong?" He just chirped in reply and pulled and tugged a bit harder. "S-stop it...Chirp...What's...the matter?" Chirp chirped again and opened his mouth like a baby bird. Yami chuckled a bit, followed by coughing. "So...you're...hungry?" Chirp nodded and opened his mouth again. "You're...cute...when you...do that," he said with a smile. Chirp chirped a happy chirp. Just then a nurse with the breakfast trays knocked on the door and came in.
"Oh, good morning. Are you hungry?" Yami weakly shook his head.
"N-no...but my...friend is..."
"Awww, he's so cute. I've heard so much about him, but I've never seen him in person." She set two trays down on the table and took a piece of toast intended for Chirp. She tore off a piece and put it in her hand. Chirp flew to her and perched in her hand and nibbled at the bit of toast. "Awww." Yami smiled at this. Chirp finished the bit in her hand and then flew back to Yami. He nuzzled against his hand and opened his mouth.
"Looks like he wants YOU to feed him." Yami looked a bit confused. Chirp nuzzled his hand and opened his mouth again. He couldn't help but laugh a bit.
"You sure?" he asked looking at the little sparrow. Chirp chirped and nodded in reply. "I'll...try..." The nurse smiled and set the piece of toast on a napkin and then set it on Yami's lap. He tried to tear off a piece but ended up making a bit of a mess.
"Here, let me help," the nurse said she broke it up into pieces. Yami then weakly took a piece into his hand, trying to maintain a good grip. He slowly opened his hand, shaking a bit. Chirp chirped happily and gently perched in his lap right next to his hand. He happily nibbled at the piece of toast. When he finished that, he opened his mouth again asking for more. Yami slowly and weakly put another piece in his hand. "Isn't that sweet? I think he trusts you more than me." Yami shrugged weakly. All this commotion woke Yugi up.

"Yami-chan?" he asked groggily, "What's going on? Cool! You're feeding him. That means you're getting stronger, Yami." Yami smiled at Yugi and went back to feeding Chirp. He finished half the toast off quickly. The nurse smiled and took it, making sure to get all the crumbs in the napkin. She noticed the palace-like cage.

"Oh my! Is this Chirp's?"
"Yeah. Mom and Grandpa brought it for him."
"That's pretty big for a small sparrow."
"Yeah, but he likes it." The nurse smiled and put the leftover toast in the cage's feeder.

"I'll leave you guys bye now." She left with a smile. A now full Chirp flew over to his cage and made himself comfortable inside it. Both Yugi and Yami smiled at this. Then Yugi looked at his other.
"Want to go back to sleep?" Yami nodded weakly. Yugi smiled in reply and both lie back down and fell asleep.

- - -

Anzu decided to visit with Grandpa and Yuri. Both knocked gently on the door before opening it. "Awww, how sweet." Anzu just smiled.

"I hope he's at least getting better."

"I see their sparrow is comfortable," Grandpa laughed as he noticed Chirp sleeping in his cage. Anzu gazed at it wide-eyed.

"What! That's all for Chirp?" Grandpa nodded with a smirk.

"He seems to really like it though. Besides, he a very special bird," Yuri said.

"I guess," Anzu said, "But goodness that's big for just him." The noise made Yugi stir and woke Yami up.

"Ssssshhhh!" Yuri said hastily. Everyone nodded.

"G-guys...?"

"Sorry we woke you up," Anzu said.

"Five more minutes..." Yugi said as he moved a bit in his sleep. Everyone laughed a bit at this. Yami coughed a couple times.

"It's...alright..." he replied as he smiled at Yugi's sleeping form.

"So, how have things been?" Yuri asked.

"Fine..."

"That's good. You feeling back to normal yet?"

"A-a little..."

"That's wonderful dear."

"I see that Chirp likes the accommodations."

Yami nodded weakly, "He...flew in...there...after I...fed him."

"You did?"

"That's good, you not only formed a deeper trust, but that means you're getting a bit stronger," Yuri said happily. Yami smiled a bit at this.

"Well, I'm happy you're doing better Pharaoh," Anzu said with a genki smile. Yugi stirred in his sleep.

"Well...sorry we woke you up. We can come back later and let you rest."

"Great idea Solomon. How about I bring some supper and we can all eat together. You're welcome to join us Anzu."

"Thanks Mrs. Mutou."

"That...sounds...great..." Yuri smiled at this.

"Good. We'll see you later then hon." With that they all waved goodbye and left. Yami smiled after them and closed his eyes, falling back asleep.

- - -

A few hours later Yami woke up again. He looked at Chirp who was happily bouncing and flying around in his cage. He smiled. "Hello...Chirp..." Chirp sang his happy song and smiled at Yami. He laughed a little at this. All the sudden something grabbed hold of him tight, hurting him. He noticed it was Yugi, who was having his dream again.

"Please...don't leave me...don't die...Yami-chan no!" He smiled solemnly and stroked the frightened Hikari's hair.

"I'm here...I won't...ever...leave you," he said trying to reassure him. Yugi settled down and let go. Yami coughed and gave a weak sigh of relief as he stopped running his fingers through Yugi's hair. Chirp opened his cage and flew out, landing on Yami's shoulder. He nuzzled against him and chirped. Yami smiled at him. Chirp then hopped off and walked on the bed until he was next to Yugi. He waddled his way into the crook of Yugi's neck and nuzzled him gently. It surprised him and he opened his eyes.

"Ohhh, hi Chirp." Chirp chirped happily and smiled. Yugi smiled back and yawned. He saw Yami looking at him. "What's up? Something wrong?"

"N-no...you sleep...alright?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You...had you're...dream again."

"Oh...I didn't hurt you in my sleep did I?"

"A little..."

"I'm so sorry," he said gently hugging the pharaoh.

"It's...alright."

"No, it's not. I'm being foolish. I know you're fine now. Besides, you're getting stronger by the day. I shouldn't think like that anymore."

"But...the dream...still...bothers you...and that's...alright...because...I'm always...here."

"I know," Yugi said gently nuzzling against him. Yami smiled and put his arms around him. Yugi smiled at him before lying down and closing his eyes. Yami smiled at him. Yugi's stomach growled. "I'm getting hungry, how about you?"

"A little..."

"Okay." With that, Yugi got up to get the trays. He set up the little table and set both trays on it. He carefully helped Yami sit up. He lifted the lids of both trays. Chirp flew over and perched on the end of the table. He titled his head and chirped.

"Guess you're hungry too," Yugi said with a smile. He looked around but couldn't find anything.

"It's...in the...cage."

"Ohhh, now I see. Here Chirp." Chirp hopped off the table and hopped into his hand. Yugi then set him on the ledge of the cage so he could get to the food dish. He chirped his thanks and nuzzled Yugi's hand before eating. Yugi sat back down and started to feed Yami. He let Yami try feeding himself a little.

- - -

After he was done, Yugi ate at his tray. "Y-Yugi?"

"What's wrong?" he replied swallowing a bite of food.

"Nothing's...wrong...I wanted to...tell you...G-grandpa and...Anzu...came to visit..."

"Was mom with them?" Yami nodded.

"They're...bringing...dinner..."

"Oh, that's nice of them." Yami nodded. Chirp finished eating and perched on Yami's head. Yugi couldn't help but laugh. Yami started laughing too. Both got into a laughing fit. Yami started to cough really hard. His breathing started getting caught in his lungs. Yugi stopped laughing and looked at him wide eyed. "Oh my gosh!" Yugi exclaimed as he shoved the table out of the way. He started to gently rub Yami's back. "Relax and breathe slowly," Yugi coaxed. All the monitors started going crazy. "Breathe, easy..." Yami nodded as he tried to relax and stop coughing. A few nurses rushed in.

"Oh goodness!" one said as she helped Yami lay down. Another one readied a sedative if he went into shock or anything.

"Come on Yami...ease up..." Yami started to cough up a bit of blood. "Come on...settle down and just breathe okay?" Yugi said now a little freaked out.

"Alright, I'm gonna go ahead and give it to him," the nurse with the sedative said. Yugi nodded, now fearful and not knowing what to do except to run his hand through his other's hair. The nurse slowly and carefully administered the sedative, immediately calming Yami down and allowing him to take a big, deep breath. Yugi smiled and gave a sigh of relief. He smiled at Yami and Yami smiled sleepily back. "Okay, everything's fine now." Yugi nodded as the nurses left. Yugi lay down next to Yami and stroked his cheek. Yami closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Don't scare me like that okay?" Yami nodded sleepily. Yugi smiled and fell asleep next to his other.