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 9

A bit later, Yuri, Solomon, and Anzu soon came in. Yuri smiled at the two sleeping boys. "They are asleep again." she said quietly.

"We can wait a while." Anzu smiled and went over to Chirp, who was perched on Yami's head. He woke up and looked at her with his little brown eyes. He chirped but she shushed him. He perched on her shoulder and let her play with him. They found some places to sit. Yuri got the food out and started setting it up. Grandpa watched Anzu play with Chirp, amused by the antics.

Soon Yugi woke up, Anzu smiled. "Hey Yugi." she said.

"H-huh?" he said groggily. Anzu just giggled as she smiled. "Anzu?" he asked more awake now.

Anzu smiled more. "Yep." she said.

Yugi carefully sat up and looked up. "Hi mom, Grandpa."

"I hope you two boys are hungry." Yuri said with a smile.

"I'm starved, I don't know about Yami though," he said looking at the Pharaoh's sleeping form.

"The Pharaoh still must be tired." Anzu said with another smile.

"Yeah..." Yugi said with a smile as he ran his hands through his other's hair. "He must be worn out from what happened."

"What you mean Yugi?" Anzu asked.

"He...we were laughing at Chirp and he almost stopped breathing. He had a panic attack...but he's okay now."

"I did warn him not to do that." Anzu said with a sigh.

"Yeah...but laughter's the best medicine," Yugi said giggling.

"You know what I think is the best medicine?" Yuri said with a smile "Love." Anzu and Yugi looked at her confused. "Well love can be the best medicine of them all." Yuri explain with a smile "And I'm guessing it's your love of Yami is why he going so well, my son."

"Awww," Anzu said a big smile on her face. Yugi just blinked, taking it all in.

Yuri just smiled at him. "I agree with your mother." Solomon said with a smile "If you wasn't here he won't be making such good progress."

"Yeah. You being by his side all the time, it's a constant comfort and a reminder to get better." Chirp agreed with Anzu by nodding and chirping.

At that time a weak moan came from Yami as he slowly awakens. "Y-Yugi...?" Yugi stared solemnly at him, still taking his mother's words into consideration. "W-What's...wrong...?" He smiled a small smile, laid his head down on Yami's chest, and let happy, thankful tears fall from his eyes. "Y-Yugi...?" He didn't answer. He just cried there, a mix of emotions and thoughts coursing through him. Chirp tried to cheer him up by flying over and nuzzling his neck, but that made him cry harder. Yami started to get worried, with wasn't good when him being like this.

"Awww, Yugi...don't cry," Anzu said sitting on the edge of the bed and rubbing his back. Anzu saw the worried look in Yami's dull crimson eyes.

"I had no idea my words would have such an effect," Yuri said.

"Come Yugi, it's alright." Yugi gave a weak nod as he continued crying. He had a little of Yami's PJ's crumpled in his fists.

"A...A-Aibou...?" one can tell by Yami's voice he was greatly worried now.

"Mou hitori no boku!" he squeaked out, nuzzling his tear stained face against Yami's chest.

"It's okay Yugi...everything's gonna be fine," Anzu said a bit worried herself as she continued to rub the small teen's back.

Dull crimson eyes blinked at bit in surprised, but still worried. "A-Aibou..." Yami started slowly "P-Please tell...me what's...wrong..." Yugi didn't answer. Yami tried to sit up, still greatly worried of what's could be wrong with his hikari. "H-Hikari...?" Yugi used the link to send happiness to his other. It was a bright, multi-color happiness of deepest emotion. That seems to be enough when Yami sighed weakly in relief. Yugi continued to sob and eventually cried himself to sleep. Yami smiled weakly as he slowly wrap his arms around his aibou.

"I guess he's just a bit overwhelmed. This is a lot for him. And to finally see a ray of sun...he's overjoyed," Anzu said smiling.

"I agree dear. He realizes how important he is and the truth of his feelings."

Yami looked weakly up at them a bit confused. "W-What are you...talking about...?"

"Yugi realizes that his being here for you this whole time has helped you get better, Yami dear. His mere presence made you concentrate on getting better. Also, his love and affection for you has given you strength and hope. You have the will to live and get better because you're doing it for him. Yugi realizes that... That Love is the best medicine." Yami blinked a couple times, but an understanding crossed over him. Yuri nodded with a smile. Yami smiled at his sleeping tenshi.

"I guess we'll have to wait a little longer," Grandpa said with a small chuckle.

"Yeah, but that's okay. Unless you're hungry Yami," Anzu said.

"A-A bit...b-but I want...t-to wait for Yugi..."

"Okay." Anzu smiled as she looked at Yugi sleeping there. Yami smiled weakly at Yugi. Yugi shifted in his sleep so that his head rested on Yami's shoulder. Yami ran his fingers weakly through Yugi's hair. Yugi nuzzled against him in his sleep, a small smile on his face. "Awww," Anzu said.

"Yami-chan?" Yugi said groggily as he looked up at him, still half asleep.

Yami smiled weakly at him. "Y-Yes...Y-Yugi...?" Yugi just smiled and fell back asleep.

"You know what? I'm going to go to the Gift Shop and get some flowers to brighten up the room. Anzu did you want to come?"

"Sure, I know the perfect ones too." Yami weakly cock his head to the side in confusion.

"We'll be back. Give Yugi a little time to rest," Yuri said with a smile as she and Anzu left the room. Chirp turned his attention to Grandpa as his new playmate. Grandpa laughs. Chirp titled his head and chirped. He then hopped on Grandpa's head.

"G-Grandpa..." Yami started weakly "I-I'm sorry...I-I worried... a-all of you..."

"Nonsense. It isn't your fault you got deathly ill. Besides, if you don't worry about the one's you care about, then how else do you show your affection?" Yami nodded weakly. Grandpa smiled, then went into a fit of giggles as Chirp started playing with his hair.

"Yami-chan?" Yugi said groggily as he woke up and looked at him. Yami looked weakly down at Yugi. "Where'd Anzu and Mom go?" he asked noticing they weren't there.

"T-They will..b-be back..."

"Where'd they go?" Then Yugi noticed Chirp's antics and burst out laughing. Yami smiled weakly for a bit then started laughing as well, but that wasn't a good idea as he started coughing once more. Yugi watched him closely and was relieved when he caught his breath. "Chirp...here buddy." Chirp listened and perched on Yugi's shoulder. Soon, Anzu and Yuri came in with an arrangement of flowers and a few other things.

"Hey, you're awake again, Yugi." Anzu said with a smile.

"Yeah. What's all that?"

"Oh, we got some flowers to cheer up the room."

"Yeah and I bought some after dinner snacks," Anzu added. Yugi smiled at that. Yugi's stomach rumbled, as did Yami's. "Looks like you guys are hungry," Anzu said with a smile.

"Good, cause I've got dinner," Yuri said. She took out two bentos and some utensils and set up the pull over table. Yugi sat up and then helped Yami sit up.

He opened both bentos and smiled a big smile. "This is one of your best mom," he said happily.

"Nothing but the best for my son. I made sure to make something special for you Yami dear," she said with a smile. He smiled back. Yugi smiled a big smile as he noticed that his mother made her special homemade mashed potatoes and warm apple crisp for Yami. "Something that'll be easy on 'im and a little treat," she replied with a big smile.

"Mom, you're the best."

"I know Yugi," she said with a mischievous smile. Yugi started feeding Yami, letting him try a few bites himself. Anzu, Grandpa, and Yuri sat down in some chairs and ate. When Yami was finished Yugi ate at his. Chirp flew around and then landed in his cage. He looked hungrily at his empty food tray and perched on Yugi's shoulder.

"You hungry buddy?"

"Don't worry. I didn't forget about you." Yuri smiled as she got up and got out what looked like a rice crispy square made with trail mix. "I made this especially for you," she said with a smile as she placed it in her hand. Chirp flew right over and ate at happily. He was in heaven.

"Mom? What IS that?"

"It's a homemade version of those bird food blocks. I took rice cereal, sunflower seeds, some bird seed, raisins, and some butter and made little squares of it. A special treat for such a special bird." Chirp finished what he could, flew onto her shoulder, and nuzzled her very happily. She giggled, "That tickles Chirp." He chirped happily and nuzzled her again before flying into Yami's lap. Yami smiled and gently pet Chirp. Chirp smiled and nuzzled against his hand. Yami chuckled a bit as it tickled. Chirp flew up to his shoulder and nestled himself there, closing his eyes to sleep. Yami smiled at him.

"He's something extraordinary, isn't he?" Yugi asked as he carefully got up to put his bento in the sink. He pushed the table out of the way. "I mean to think, he was just an ordinary, run of the mill, wild sparrow. And he came to you and became our friend."

"Yeah. I think he was sent here. He sensed someone needed him and came."

"You're right Anzu. He's God's little helper," Yuri added with a smile. Yami smiled at him as he slept there on his shoulder.

"He's cute too," Yugi said with a smile. Everyone smiled at that. Yami yawned and looked tiredly at Yugi.

"You want to sleep?" Yugi asked looking up at him. Yami nodded tiredly, trying to keep his eyes open.

"We can leave if you want."

"Nah, it's okay," Yugi said with a smile as he carefully laid Yami down and tucked him in. He lay down next to him and watched him as he fell asleep. "We can just wait until he wakes up. I'm sure he'd want you to stay."

"Okay."

"Anzu? Wanna help me clean things up?"

"Sure." Grandpa just sat down and read a book.

Yugi just laid there and watched Yami sleep with a smile on his face. "I'm glad you're getting better Mou Hitori no Boku," he whispered softly. He closed his eyes and nuzzled against Yami's chest. He soon found himself fast asleep as well. Everyone smiled at the two of them before quietly leaving the room and going to a social area to let them sleep.

- - -

Yami woke up two hours later and smiled to see Yugi asleep. He looked around the room and noticed that no one was there. "Wh-where did...everyone...go?" Yugi woke up and looked at Yami.

"Something wrong Yami-chan?"

"They...left..."

"Huh?" Yugi said as he sat up and looked around. "Where'd they go? They're still here because mom left her things. I'll go find them." As Yugi got up, Yami pulled weakly on his arm. "I mean, we'll go find them together. You feel like walking?"

"I'll try..." Yugi smiled and helped him sit up. Then he gently helped pull him up so he was standing. He let Yami lean on him, but he didn't lean as much as last time. Yugi smiled at this small show of strength. He carefully pulled the IV pole along. He was happy to find that Yami walked a bit faster this time.

"You're getting stronger Yami. You fed Chirp, you aren't leaning so much on me anymore, and you're walking with a faster, stronger stride. I'm proud of you." Yami smiled. Yugi smiled back at him.

- - -

They reached the end of the wing where they saw a lounge. Yugi led Yami inside and whom did they see? "There you guys are. We wondered where you were."

"Hi Yugi."

"Oh goodness! Yami dear, you walked all the way down here?" He nodded weakly in reply.

"Yeah, and he's a lot stronger from when we first walked to the cafeteria that one time."

"That's good to hear," Grandpa said with a smile.

"Yeah, the stronger the Pharaoh gets, the faster he can go home."

"Yeah," Yugi said with a smile as he helped Yami sit down in a comfortable armchair. He slowly leaned back in it and weakly caught his breath. "Looks like it still takes a bit out of him though," Yugi sighed.

"Yeah, but you have to work to get stronger." said Anzu.

"She's right my son."

"I know mom. I'm glad things are going to be okay."

"We are too." Yugi smiled at Yami and then got up to get a drink of water. He sat down next to Yami and gave it to him.

"Th-thanks." Yugi smiled.

"Should we go back now?"

"Not yet Anzu. Let's let the Pharaoh rest a bit."

"I have an idea. Solomon, could you go back to the room and get the board game I brought? You might want to grab Chirp too." Grandpa nodded and headed back to the room. He came back with Chirp on his shoulder and a trivia game. "Thanks Solomon. Okay, there can be four players. Yugi, why don't you and Yami be a team and each of us will be a team. Then there'll be four teams."

"Okay. What do you say Yami?" He just nodded weakly in reply. Yugi smiled and slowly pushed his chair up to the table. Yuri laid the game out on the table and set it up. "Okay. Here we go. We all have our pieces to move across the board? Good. Anzu, why don't you start."

"Okay," she said.

- - -

They played for a few hours, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Yugi smiled as he noticed that Yami had fallen asleep, his head resting comfortably on Yugi's shoulder. "Should we quit?"

"No, we can still play. We'll let him have a nap while we continue. We'll just be quiet." Everyone nodded and continued playing. When the game was over, they started to clean it up.

"Guess you're smarter than we though Yugi," Anzu said. He rubbed the back of his head and blushed. Yami opened his eyes and looked at Yugi groggily.

"Hey Yami. Ready to go back to the room?" He nodded and slowly sat up right. Yugi smiled and helped him get to his feet. "Ready when you guys are." Yuri smiled and led them back to the room. She walked at a slower pace than normal and was surprised to see Yami keeping up.

"You sure you don't want to slow down?" Yami shook his head and kept going, leaning more so on the IV pole and not so much Yugi anymore.

- - -

When they got back to the room, Anzu looked at her watch. "I think I'm gonna head home. It was nice seeing you guys. And I'm glad you're getting better Pharaoh." Yami smiled his thanks.

"See ya Anzu." She smiled and left. Yugi helped Yami sit down on the bed. Yuri got a few clothes and things out of the stuff she brought.

"I brought you some more things to do and more clothes. I brought Yami a new change of pajamas too."

"Thanks mom." Yugi carefully took Yami's top off. He set the sticky top to the side. He was about to put the new pajama top on, but hesitated. "How about we get you washed off a little. Get some of that icky sickness cleaned off."

"Good idea, I'll go to the bathroom and start a bath."

"Thanks."

"No problem dear."

Yugi smiled at Yami, "How 'bout it? A warm bath sound good?" He nodded slowly. Yugi genki smiled and led him to the bathroom. He finished getting him the rest of the way undressed and helped him sit down in the water. Yami entered bliss as the warm water played with his senses. Yugi carefully put the IV pole out of the way, but close enough to where it wouldn't pull on Yami. He started washing Yami off, being slow and gentle. "This feels so much better doesn't it?" Yugi asked with a smile. Yami didn't say anything but just sat there with his eyes closed. Yugi giggled and then gently started washing Yami's hair. "I bet this feels better and it won't be icky and matted anymore either." Yugi laughed as Yami nodded slowly. He slowly rinsed him off and drained the water. He carefully helped him stand up and gently dried him off before wrapping the towel around him and slowly combing through his hair. He smiled and helped him get dressed into the new PJ's. "Now that's much better isn't it?" Yugi said with a smile as he led Yami into the room. He carefully laid Yami back down and covered him warmly.

"Well, it's getting a bit late. Goodnight Yugi, Pharaoh."

"Bye honey, bye Yami dear. You just keep getting better sweetie."

Yami smiled at her, "I will..."

"Thanks for coming guys...and dinner."

"Anytime my son."

"Bye Grandpa." They both smiled and left. "I'm going to go into the bathroom to change. I swear I'll be right back." Yami hesitated before he nodded. Yugi smiled and disappeared into the bathroom.

- - -

Fifteen minutes seemed like an hour to Yami as Yugi finally came out in his PJ's. "I told you I'd be back." Yugi climbed into bed and gently snuggled against Yami. "I love you Yami-chan," he said lightly kissing him on the cheek. Yami smiled and slowly wrapped his arms around his Hikari.

"G-goodnight...Aibou."

"Night." Both fell asleep as soon as they closed their eyes.