WOOOHOOO!

Bakura: What's PhantomBrat's deal?

Yugi: It's her birthday and she's happy.

Mokuba: Well, at least she's celebrating by posting a new chapter for two of her stories.

Yami: Please Accept Me and Broken...good combination.


Yugi continued to do his studies at home, where the staff and Mana could keep an eye on him. His brothers had once asked why Yugi was home schooled while they had to attend the Academy. Aknamkanon had replied that Yugi had a delicate immune system and needed to be where he could be monitored constantly. Yugi didn't mind being home as it was easier to find somewhere to sleep should he feel exhausted or took his medications to help him sleep.

Yami and Atem had experienced Yugi's 'pass-out-wherever-was-closest-to-where-he-took-his-medicine' nights firsthand. Many times they found Yugi sprawled on the faux bearskin rug, on the couch in the den, curled up in their father's oversized chair, and even in the hall propped up against the wall. They wound up carrying him to his spare room and putting him to bed themselves if he passed out in the hall. Any other time, they would leave him where they found him.

The two realized that Yugi was special and began to accept him as they should have since he was born. Nearing the two month anniversary of his 'blackout', Yugi suddenly felt weak, as if someone had cut off all feeling in his limbs. The seven-year-old collapsed in a heap in the doorway of the dining-room. Aknamkanon hear the muffled thump of his youngest hitting the floor. "YUGI!"

Atem and Yami jumped at their father's sudden cry and rushed out of the room across from the dining-room. Yami nearly tripped on Yugi's collapsed form blocking the entryway. Atem knelt down and tried to wake the boy, but earned a faint moan for his efforts. "Dad, he's burning up," Atem announced, concerned for his baby brother.


Aknamkanon knew what was happening and had Yugi confined to his rooms. "Your brother is ill," he told the teens. "You are to stay away from his rooms until further notice."

"Why can't we see him," Atem questioned.

"Because I'm going to have doctors in and out of there until he is well enough to have company. Yugi's doctors don't need distractions while they are trying to help him get better."

In truth, Roberto Martinez and Josh McGrath were bringing in a portable 'generator' to recharge the nanites in Yugi's body. They had been told about the EMP incident and were on standby in case Yugi needed a complete 'recharge'. The fact that it took two months meant that the nanites were nearly in sync with his system and were more advanced that the ones Josh had inside him.

LINE

Aknamkanon was heartbroken to hear that the nano-tech was integrated with Yugi to such a degree. "I can't tell his brothers," he told Isis over the vid-phone that night. "Not when they're beginning to treat Yugi as a brother."

She sighed, "They will have to be told the truth eventually, Sir."

"I know, but I have to wait for the right time for that."

The communication ended and Aknamkanon went to check on his sons.


Yugi slept through the harsh treatment and recharging of the nanites, letting out faint whimpers and slight twitches every now and then. When it was over, the seven-year-old was pale and soaked with sweat. Roberto let out a relieved sigh, "He should be better by morning."

"Thank you for coming on short notice," Aknamkanon said as he gently picked up Yugi's delicate hand. "Yugi means everything to me."

"He's so strong for someone so little," Josh pointed out.

Aknamkanon sighed, "He's had to be. He had a weak heart from being born prematurely and then this happened. My little boy has gone through more than anyone should at his age."

Roberto checked Yugi's vitals and looked at the worried father. "He may need to stay in bed for a few days to rest. These treatments cause muscle tension and severe fatigue in Josh from time to time, especially if he's been exposed to EM pulses."

Amethyst eyes cracked open as Roberto finished his statement. "Papa? Thirsty," Yugi croaked in a faint whisper.


Aknamkanon sent Mana to fetch a glass of Yugi's favorite juice from the kitchen. Atem and Yami had waited just outside the East Wing for news on Yugi's condition. They ambushed the petite android the second they saw her. "Is Yugi alright," Atem asked. "What happened?"

Mana knew better than to lie, "He is awake, but still weak. Master requested that I retrieve a drink for him. I should return to my task." Even she was unaware of Yugi's true situation. Aknamkanon had not told her of the nanites that were within her favorite human. Not even Yugi was aware of them despite being a carrier.

Atem sighed as he and his brother waited for more news on how the ailing boy was doing.


Josh watched as Yugi drifted off to sleep after sipping at the juice that Mana had returned with. The boy was so small and pale in the large bed that he looked like a delicate porcelain doll as his breathing slowed. The boy had fallen asleep while Roberto packed their supplies. Josh pulled out a few of his sporting cards and signed them before placing them on the bedside table. "For the little guy to give to his brothers when he's better," he stated when hew noticed Aknamkanon watching him. "I heard they are major fans."

The man gave a faint smile as he nodded, "They are."

The pair left with their equipment. Aknamkanon watched over Yugi as he slept the pain away. An hour later, Yugi stirred from his nap, "Papa? Cold."

Aknamkanon gathered Yugi into his arms and wrapped him in a warm comforter. He carried his small son into the library where they were greeted by two worried teens. Atem and Yami were about to bombard them with questions, but didn't when they noticed that Yugi was sleeping again. The brothers didn't miss the faint smile on their little brother's face as he slept unaware that the two were concerned about him.