Ch 4 Today Is a Gift: That's Why It's Called The Present

Yuugi blinked against the sleep that was slowly creeping in his brain. It wrapped around him like a warm blanket lulling him into slumber despite the focus it took to stand. His eyelids felt heavy and began to droop, forcing him to shake his head violently. Secretly, Yuugi pinched his hand and bit his tongue, hoping that the pain would keep him awake.

"After we announce all of the kingdoms there will be a simple meet and greet, enabling the visitors time to not only mingle but to meet the new king. The night will then finish with a blessing of Mira and peace offerings from the other kingdoms," Lazulin was reading off of a roll of paper, much to Yuugi's appreciation. It was easier to hide his exhaustion.

Yuugi stifled a yawn and nodded, "That sounds simple enough."

Lazulin let out a bark of laughter, "Most of the hard stuff is solved, now it's just the finer details and preparing everything for tomorrow."

Amethyst eyes widened, "Is the ball seriously tomorrow?"

The other nodded his head as he rolled up the paper, "Indeed. It seems as though the waters are flowing fast for Lelania lately," he let out a soft sigh as his pale eyes cast a forlorn look into the distance.

Yuugi tilted his head and almost lost balance. When he was stable and sure that the counselor had not seen him slip, Yuugi spoke, "Do you wish we had more time to prepare for this?"

Lazulin turned his head towards him and looked the teen over. Yuugi offered a kind smile and questioning eyes as he waited patiently for the other's answer. Eventually, the man looked away, "Well, let's just say that I agreed with our King's statement about needing some time to slow down," his voice was hushed, secretive, and for Yuugi's ears only. The teen nodded his head in understanding while the counselor rose his head and took a deep breath, "But that is not the present," he held out the scroll to Yuugi, "For now, you need to take this down to the priests and update them on the final decisions. They may have some last minute details to change, but you should be able to handle it. Also, if they need to change anything, nothing can be rearranged at the start of the ball. Anything on such a short noticed will cause too much to change."

Yuugi nodded as he took the scroll and held it close to his chest, afraid to drop it, "Don't worry. I can handle this."

Lazulin nodded before slipping out of the room presumably to find the rest of the council and help prepare things for the ball. As soon as he as gone, Yuugi leaned against the wall with a heavy thud. A wave a dizziness spelled over him and made his brain fuzzy as he tried to refocus. His ears felt numb and his skin spiked in temperature. Hoping to cool don without anyone noticing, Yuugi tilted his head so that his skin seeped into the wood walls. He could do this task. He could do it.

As the dizziness faded, Yuugi let out a relieved sigh and pushed off of the wall. While he tried to walk lightly, his footsteps fell heavy and thudded against the marble. His feet almost seemed to drag as he struggled to look more awake than he actually was. Similar to the night before, his dreams were filled with nightmares that had him waking nearly every hour.

They were haunting dreams that left him in a cold sweat, and they were not ones that he could easily fall back asleep to. Most of the time, he had to walk around the room in order to calm his nerves before heading off to bed. Somehow Yami had managed to stay asleep through all of his movement, but Yuugi didn't blame him. By the time they both retired for the evening, they were both worn out from the day's activities. Yami had been hounded by maid and councilmen alike all demanding his attention and opinion while Yuugi had been fighting against his illness and keeping up a strong front near Yusei. The Neko had refused to let him out of his sight.

Despite Yami not being awake during his nightmares, his presence was a hunormous comfort to his nerves. Every time Yuugi woke up with a pounding heart and sweaty palms, all he had to do was look at Yami and his fear would nullify because he knew that if Yami was there, then nothing was wrong. Together they could handle anything. Yami gave him the comfort and courage that his nightmares were just dreams and would only exist in the land of sleep; however, his dreams made that almost hard to believe.

Unlike the night before where he dreamed of drowning, last night he dreamt of being chased, His pursuer was unknown to him, but the circumstances were always the same when it appeared. In one dream, Yuugi was sitting at home with his mother and Anzu, they were all reading books. The room shook violently when thunder rumbled and caused the lights to flicker until they went out. Yuugi had gotten up to turn them on again, but they didn't. They only gave off a faint light that was weaker than a candle and did nothing to ward off the shadows that pulsed and crawled along the floor until it ate his mother and Anzu. His own scream had been what woke him out of the nightmare.

Another dream and the one that frightened him the most was of him, Yami, and Mana just walking around the castle, talking. They had found a new location and decided to wander it, but Mana rushed ahead. Yami ran after her, but the second Yuugi went to follow, the lights blacked out. His was left alone in the dark and when he was found a switch, the lights didn't even flicker. Desperate, Yuugi kept flicking the switch, praying for the light, but nothing happened and the shadows began to move. He could sense something leer at him in the darkness, it was grinning as it found its new prey. He could feel it crawling closer, slinking on the ground, the walls, the ceiling, all closing in on him and ready to kill. The second they jumped to slash him, Yami blocked the way. Just before Yuugi shot out of the dream, he saw the boney hand that was stabbed through Yami's chest, glistening with the fresh blood.

Yuugi had laid awake for an hour after that dream. He kept looking towards Yami who laid oblivious next to him and watched as his chest rose and fell, indicating that he was alive. He had been tempted more than once to wake the King, just to make sure that the other was actually alive, but Yuugi restrained himself. While the dream was frightening and had him double-taking every shadow, Yuugi knew it was just a dream. Nothing was real, Yami was alive, and they were both safe. It had just been a dream.

After he woke up for the tenth time that evening, Yuugi gave up on sleep and decided to get ready for the day. When Yami had finally woken, he had been more than surprised to see Yuugi already waiting and ready to go. Yuugi knew he looked exhausted, but he hid it under some make-up he found in the vanity and by keeping a safe distance from Yami. He couldn't spend any more time in that room, he wanted to be near Yami all day: he needed to know that he would be safe. After a short argument, Yuugi had won and was allowed to come to breakfast. Now he was doing all he could to help prepare for the ball, but it was becoming harder to hide the exhaustion that weighted on his bones and the fear that hid behind his eyes.

Yuugi stopped as he stood at the main entrance. The door was right there, staring at him like a bad omen. The thought of going out into town was a daunting one. Tensions were still high from the King's death and Yami's coronation; moreover, he wasn't sure what he would do if one of the Lelanian's lashed out at him. During the times before, it had been Yami who stood in front of the danger, but he couldn't bother him now. He wanted to help Yami, but now he wasn't so sure.

Yuugi shuffled his feet as he fiddled with the roll of paper in his hands. The thought of going and asking a councilmember to come with him left as soon as it came. They were too busy to hold his hand as he went into town. The same went for Kalo and his family. No doubt Kalypto had them all marching around with the servants, decorating and organizing to their heart's content. If he wanted to help, then he would have to go alone.

Releasing an uneasy breath, Yuugi began to walk towards the entrance to the castle.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Yuugi shrieked as he whipped around in order to face the accusing voice. As soon as he saw who had spoken, his heart beat faster, "Yusei! I, uh," his amethyst eyes flickered to anyone except the Neko in front of him, "I-I was just going to take this to the priests. Councilman Lazulin wanted me to do it."

"No, you're staying here."

Yuugi snapped his head to Yusei with a hurt expression, "But, Yusei! Please, I just want to help and everyone is so busy, there isn't any reason that I can't."

Deep blue eyes stared at him pointedly, "You're sick."

"But that doesn't mean that I can't help," Yuugi whined, "Please, Yusei, let me just go to the priests and then I promise to come back and stay inside."

There was a pause, "Does Yami know where you're going?"

Yuugi shuffled his feet, "He knows that I'm helping," he waited under that cold stare as the Neko calculated the information. The intensity of Yusei's stare made Yuugi uncomfortable and he had to look away,

"Not alone. I'm coming with you."

Yuugi bit back a sigh of relief, "But I thought that the Royal Champion never left the castle?"

Yusei stepped closer to Yuugi and pulled the teen's hood over his head, "Yami would never forgive either of us if you went alone. Come," he began to walk towards the door, leaving a stunned Yuugi behind.

On the one hand, Yuui was grateful that Yusei would go into town with him, that way he would feel safe, but in the other, he was afraid to be around the Neko. After what happened yesterday, the Royal Champion had been keeping a closer eye on him, always watching, waiting for him to explain just what had been going on. While the thought of Yusei caring for him made Yuugi smile, he also didn't want the other to worry. They both knew that he wasn't feeling too well and that was all that it was. He was just tired.

When Yusei looked back at him, Yuugi shook he head and began to walk forward. Amethyst eyes stayed trained in front of him, not looking at any of the other Lelanian in the room, nor his friend that held the door open for him. Yuugi pulled his hood further over his head when he stepped out of the castle and a fresh breeze brushed against his skin. Lelania had always been a cold world, but it was comfortingly so. It normally made him want to cuddle with a loved one while the wind blew around them, but now it caused a harsh shiver to race up his spine.

The door clicked shut, and Yuugi forced a smile to mask the shivers that threatened to show, "You ready to go?" Yusei nodded, so Yuugi looked ahead, "Then let's go," Yuugi said as he nearly stumbled down the steps. He tried to cover the shaking in his legs but it was hard between the bone-chilling wind that brushed against him and the grogginess of his joints.

He managed to get to the bottom without falling but Yuugi knew that it didn't hold any of the grace of a healthy person. His descent had felt like a newborn deer walking on its own for the first time, and Yuugi could only hope that he didn't walk like that through town.

With Yusei by his side, the two began to head into town. Every person they passed bowed their heads respectfully and uttered their 'good days', but Yuugi could see the resentment that lingered in some of their eyes. There were still those who were displeased at his presence and he saw them out of the corner of his eye. They would watch him as he passed by, their mouths would open before clicking shut and turning away. Yuugi ignored them and passed a smile to the next person he passed.

When they reached the Goddess Circle, Yuugi stopped. He took in the busy Lelanians who bustled around the blue water, the dark buildings that extended out like veins from a heart, and the floating lights that swayed in the sky. It was a place that truly held the feeling of the eye of the storm or the dagger under the cloak: there was a power that pulsed in the air. It was tranquil and all-encompassing, and Yuugi remembered it well from the first time he came here.

When he and Yami were put on trial, Mira's power coursed through the pool of water and extended through the small rivers. It reached to every inch of the kingdom and collected in the center of it all. Her peace, her power, her love, shrouded all who stepped foot in this area reminding everyone just who this town belonged to and the values it held. The only other feeling Yuugi could equate it to was walking into the Vatican in Italy or Mecca in Saudi Arabia. It was a presence that took your breath away…

… but it was gone.

As Yuugi stood there, he couldn't feel the soft caress of Mira or hear the gentle buzz of power. He couldn't even see the magic int he water. The water glowed but it wasn't vibrant. The air was alive but still. The heart pulsed but no emotions ran through it.

The people of Lelania moved around as if nothing had ever changed, so Yuugi thought he might be imagining the feeling. He pinched his arm and shook his head, but the feeling gripped him and coiled under his skin. Something was gone, something was missing, and he didn't know what.

The feeling of something under his skin began to grow. There was something slithering -something grimy, something dirty- beneath his skin, just below the surface. He could feel it as it brushed against his veins and minged through his muscles. It moved as though his body was hollow, yet he could feel it pass over every tendon, every vein, every tissue as it traveled.

Yuugi tried to scratch at his skin, but his jacket prevented him from succeeding. No matter how much he rubbed and scratched, the fabric added a soft layer that dulled the effects of his effort and did nothing to rid himself of the feeling. Tired of being thwarted, Yuugi shoved his hand under his sleeve and attacked his skin.

His skin began to tingle as the grim pulsed. It was tainting heart, corrupting his blood and pumping through his veins. It felt gross and invading like mud in water. Each vein was being bogged down by the thick liquid and he could feel the blood pulse with effort in order to properly circulate. His blood felt thick and grated like sandpaper on his soft organs.

His fingers, his arms, his chest, his legs, his feet, his toes, his neck, his head, his eyes, they all pulsed as his heart thumped painfully. His blood was dirty. It needed to be cleaned. Yuugi continued to scratch at his skin until it felt raw. Each scratch felt like razors over sensitive skin and it threatened to break and bleed if he didn't stop. But Yuugi didn't stop. He needed to clean his blood, he needed this feeling gone.

"Yuugi."

Gone.

"Yuugi?"

Gone.

"Yuugi!"

Gone!

"Yuugi, that's enough."

Said teen yelped as his hand was grabbed and ripped away from his arm. When he blinked he noticed that a small crowd had formed around him and everyone wore a face mask of concern. They were curious. They were uncertain. They were happy?

Taking a deep breath, Yuugi looked at Yusei who still had a tight grip on his wrist. The arm that he was scratching stung as the raw skin grated against his jacket. Sometimes it would stick and smudge the red beads of blood that pricked out of areas where his nails dug too deep. Even though the pain was begging for his attention, Yuugi bit back a whimper and kept his face calm.

He gave Yusei a shaky smile, "I'm sorry. L-let's just keep going."

The Neko narrowed his eyes briefly before he released Yuugi's wrist and stood tall. He gave the younger a once over before turning and beginning to walk away. Yuugi let out a sigh of relief, but his muscles were still tense. There had been disbelief lingering below Yusei's blue eyes and concern was laced in his face. It was hard to see, but Yuugi noticed it for the split second it decided to show.

Shaking his head, Yuugi began to follow after Yusei, and he made sure to stay close so as to not worry the other. His arm still burned and he cradled it close to his chest. It was just a scratch, he had had plenty on Earth before: some had even bled just like this one. It was nothing to worry about: it was just a scratch.

Doubt simmered in Yuugi's mind as he tried to brush off the injury. Sure it was a simple scratch, but the feeling that caused it didn't feel quite right. It felt unnatural; although, he did suppose it was just him being sick. After all, illness had never been something that he was too fond of.

Where Jonouchi and Anzu would revel in the free time from school or the ability to sleep all the time, Yuugi had never wanted to be incapable. With his mother being too busy to open the shop and him needing to be at school, Yuugi couldn't afford to be sick. He needed every second in order to go to school and keep the family business going or else they would fall behind.

Yuugi barely registered when they had reached the temple; in fact, had Yusei not physically stopped him, Yuugi would have walked right past it. It stood just as he remembered, on the corner of the road with a proud staircase and elegant walls. Every window was stained glass inlaid the black stone while blue lights floated around, illuminating every detail. Yuugi felt like he was standing in front of a gothic cathedral, yet it felt hollow. The temple didn't feel as alive as he once remembered it; in fact, he feared that when he stepped inside, an empty building would be all that would great him.

Yuugi swayed as he stared up at the towering temple. It loomed over him and seemed to stretch up into the sky, blocking out the blue lights from above. Shaking his head, Yuugi forced his eyes to the ground and steadied his body. Only when he was sure that he wouldn't stumble did he trust his feet to carry him up the stairs.

The door leading inside was large and rounded with silver designs like vines sprouting from the bottom. The knobs where large aquamarine jewels that shimmered in the ever-moving lights around the town. Potted in black pots on either side of the door was glorean that was tall proud and healthy. Its sweet scent created a wall around the door and caused Yuugi to stop.

It was an intoxicating scent that filled his lungs and threatened to coat them until he couldn't breathe. The plants were tall, healthy, and capable of swallowing him whole in their essence until he couldn't hold on. His scratches began to sting so he gripped them harder until his skin turn white. Beside him, Yusei, too, seemed to have a hesitance towards the glorean and the thought eased Yugi's mind a little. If Yusei was okay with the plant, then he should be fine too.

Tossing a glance over his shoulder to Yuugi, Yusei stepped up to the door and clanked the silver doorknock against the wood. It wasn't long until a familiar face peered from around the door, "Good morning my Royal Champion and Young Lover," the young boy greeted with a bow of his head.

Yuugi knew he had seen the boy somewhere before, but his mind eluded him as to where from. He had pale skin, light green eyes, and there was a small tuft of black bangs that peeked out from under the boy's scarf. The scarf, the same that Yami wore that was the signature clothing for a priest of Mira, was folded over his head and around his shoulders, but it was loose with inexperience. As for the rest of the clothing, it was similar to all the other priests and priestesses he had seen before: a long robe of black that dragged on the ground, a simple blue sash tied loosely at the waist with only a handful of amulets hanging around his neck and waist. There was nothing in particular that made him stand out, and yet Yuugi couldn't shake the feeling.

The boy smiled warmly, "Please, come in. Clairece is waiting for you."

The boy bowed as Yuugi and Yusei passed him as they entered. They waited in the lobby as the boy closed the door. With another smile, the young priest began to lead the two of them further into the temple. Out of his peripheral, Yuugi could tell that the interior was grand with many intricate designs and etchings that were illuminated by blue lights. He could even smell the sweet perfume of glorean and see its soft glow mingle with the shadows as he passed through; however, his attention was plastered to the back of the priest's head.

Yuugi figured that his stare was becoming bothersome as the boy looked over his shoulder, "Is there something the matter, Young Lover?"

Yuugi frowned, "You look familiar, but I can't remember where."

The young priest let out a warm laugh, "My, my Young Lover. It's only been two weeks since my initiation. Was it that unappealing?"

Yuugi's eyes flashed as his mouth opened, "You're the priest that I initiated at the festival!"

"Correct, Young Lover. My name is Teryn. It's a pleasure to serve you."

They heard the footsteps echo towards the three of them before they saw a priestess with light blue eyes around the corner. The second she laid eyes on the group, a sigh escaped her lips and a smile graced her face. Yuugi recognized her as the priestess who judged him and Yami when they first came to Lelania.

"Young Lover, there you are. I was beginning to worry."

Teryn bowed as they stopped in front of the priestess, "They just arrived, Clairece."

She rose a hand to Teryn with a soft smile, "Thank you, Teryn. I shall handle it from here," the youth nodded before walking away. Once he was gone she extended a hand towards a room, "Please, join me in my study and we can talk about the ball plans."

"Thank you, Cairece," Yuugi gave a small bow as he passed the priestess and entered the room. It was modest with three tall stained glass windows surrounding the ebony desk. There were runes, amulets, and scriptures cluttering the desktop as well as the bookshelves that lined the rest of the walls. Between the desk and the door was a velvet couch and a glass table. In the center of the table was a young glorean sapling that emitted a dim glow.

Yuugi swallowed as his lung began to reject the sweet undertone that lingered in the temple walls. It coated his throat like a cough drop and left a bitter taste on his tongue. His head pulsed softly as a haze threatened to overtake his thoughts.

"Is everything alright?" the priestess asked as she laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.

Yuugi swallowed and loosed his grip that threatened to rip the scroll and his arm in half, "I'm fine. It's just the glorean."

Her hand flinched away as if he burned her, "My apologies. Then we shall keep this short and next time, I will make sure to come to the castle."

"If I may, head priestess, I can get some tea to help dull the glorean for him."

Yuugi froze as something int he back of his mind snapped. His body was frigid, his mind was halted, and fear crept up his spine like a cold chill. Deathly hands gripped his lungs as his breath was short and shallow while his heart rate thundered in his ears. The scratches on his arm burned like a raging fire.

Ever so slowly, Yuugi turned to look at the door where a new female voice chimed in like a shadow on the floor. Petrified amethyst met with malicious pale blue.

"Ah, Abur, what a fantastic idea. Please get some quickly," Clairece sent the other off with a wave of her hand.

Abur nodded her head, but her eyes were glued to Yuugi's, glaring daggers beneath a mask of indifference. She was dressed the same as Teryn and Clairece, but her face was burned into his nightmares for all eternity. Even though she didn't wear her jaguar cloak he remembered her face. When she closed the door, Yuugi couldn't help but feel like she was closing the door to his freedom.

"While we wait for her to come back, why don't you have a seat," Clairece instructed as she sat down at her desk.

Yuugi didn't move. His feet felt like lead and yet his gut was telling him to run. His stomach churned as his flight instinct kicked in, yet his body was too gripped by fear to move. He yelped and jumped away as a hand was placed on his shoulder.

Yusei narrowed his eyes at him as concerned flashed in his ocean depths. Clairece stood from her chair.

"Young Lover, if this is too much then we can-"

"No!" Yuugi gasped as he shot her a frantic look. He gulped in breaths as he shook his head, "No, please. I'll be fine," the two of them gave him disbelieving looks which only irked him more. Determined to continue the meeting, Yuugi shook his head to clear his thoughts and began to walk around the ouch to sit down; however, just as he sat down, a harsh meow screeched beside him and he jumped up in terror. The black cat grinned at him with white fangs protruding over his bottom lip. Its black tail swished over the velvet, causing it to ripple. Yuugi let out another yelp as it jumped off of the couch towards him.

Two hands gripped Yuugi's shoulders, holding him in place, "My priestess, if you would allow us a minute."

"Of course. Please, let me know if there is anything that I can do."

Yuugi was led out of the study and into the hall where he was held up against the cool wall. Yuugi's boy shivered at the contact and ached to get as far away from it as possible. Amethyst eyes darted to the ceiling, the floor, and down the two other halls as he swore that he was the cat lingering in every shadow at once. A rough hand gripped his chin and forced his eyes to focus on Yusei.

"Yuugi," said teen shook his head but was stopped as Yusei tightened his grip, "Tell me what's wrong."

Yuugi wanted to shake his head and get rid of Yusei's voice that echoed in his ears, "Nothing, I'm fine."

"No, you're not."

"Yusei, I'm fine!"

"Yuugi-"

"I said I'm fine!"

Yuugi's breath came out in ragged gasps as he glared up at his friend. Yusei remained firm in his stance as he kept a steady stare on Yuugi. Then he felt something move around in his mind. It wasn't painful, but it shifted through his thoughts, searching, moving, and twisting until he couldn't focus anymore.

Pictures of Abur flashed in his mind and mingled with scenes from his and Yami's capture. Jaguar fur and a flaming pit of water mixed with Mira's name and promises of purification whispered and scream in his ears. They blended together until Yuugi almost couldn't tell them apart. Then memories of the cat mixed with Abur until he was all he could think about. Walking with the cat in the castle, seeing hundreds of it at the cliff, waking up to it on his lap, getting scratched by it, seeing it morph the table at breakfast, then when he was helping Kalo and his family, then to it sitting on the couch. He heard Anzu's scream in his ear, the dripping from his room, and he could feel the grime filter in his blood once again. His fingers twitched with the urge to scratch at his arms. He was hot, cold,exhausted, energized, calm, and terrified all at the same time.

By the time Yusei released him and retracted his magic, Yuugi couldn't stand anymore and slid to the floor.

"By Mira, Yuugi. Why haven't you told anyone?"

Yuugi tipped his head back to glare at Yusei, "Would you have believed me?"

"We need to get you back to the castle."

"And do what? Yusei, I know they look bad, but I'm fine. This is nothing."

"Hallucinating isn't nothing."

Yuugi let out a tired bark of laughter, "Hallucinating, huh? They sure don't feel like it. If that's true, then it's just from the illness."

Yusei crossed his arms, "All the more reason for you to go back to the castle and rest."

Yuugi used the wall to help him stand as he leveled Yusei with a frustrated glare, "I'm not going to sit around and let Yami do all the work. I want to help-"

"And what help will you be if you get so sick that you can't recover?"

Yuugi faltered at the question and ducked his head to look at the ground. Tears burned Yuugi's eyes as he stubbornly refused to look at Yusei, "I just want to help…"

He heard Yusei shuffle before the Neko sighed, "After this meeting with the priests, you will not leave the castle and you will rest, understood?"

Yuugi nodded and bit his lip, "Let's just… keep this a secret, okay? Yami already has a lot on his plate, I don't want him to worry about me."

"Younger Lover, I expected you to be in the meeting with Clairece by now."

Yuugi tensed as Abur's deathly voice racked across his skin like nails. His bones chilled as bumps raced over his flesh. He was too terrified to even look at her.

"W-we," his voice was clogged in his throat and barely reached a whisper, "I, we-"

"We needed to speak. Please go in ahead of us," Yusei order with a curt nod of his head.

Abur gave him a cold look that was masked by a friendly smile. Like an assassin who poisoned her quarry, she smirked and slipped into the room leaving a bittersweet aura in her wake. Only when she was gone was Yuugi able to breathe once more.

"She's the one?"

Yuugi nodded and swallowed despite his dry mouth, "Y-yeah, that's her."

"We can't deal with her now."

"I know," taking a calming breath, Yuugi gave Yusei a half-smile, "Just stay close."

With a nod of reassurance, the two of them walked back into the room. Abur and Clairiece were in a whispered conversation while each held a glass cup of tea. On the coffee table were two other glasses on a silver tray with a small bowl of fruit fish in the center. Yuugi sat down on the couch with a heavy thud and Yusei joined him, but his eyes were trained on Abur who was leaning against the desk.

Clairece nodded to Abur before she faced Yuugi, "Is everything alright, Young Lover?"

Yuugi kept a watchful eye on Abur, "Yes, it's fine," his voice was quiet to the point that Clairece needed to lean forward in order to hear it, "Let's continue with the meeting."

With shaky hands, Yuugi passed the scroll over to the head priestess. When she took it, he flinched back to the couch, warry of Abur who was watching him with eyes like a hawk. Yuugi couldn't shake the cold feeling crawling up his spine the longer her icy stare was on him. Every now and then, he would brave a glance at her, but the memories that flashed in his head upon meeting her eyes forced his eyes back to the ground.

Clairece took a sip of the tea and hummed as she read over the scroll, "So Mira's blessing shall be held off until the end?" Yuugi nodded his head, "It seems like a rather odd place to have it," her light eyes questioned Yuugi over the paper, "Who decided this?"

Yuugi tried to squeak out an answer, but Yusei beat him to it, "The council."

Clairece sat back in the chair as she considered the Neko, "Strange. Typically Mira's blessing is the opening of the ball so that the night can be embraced by our goddess. After all, the crown of Lelania began with Mira, it is only befitting to keep this tradition. Why the sudden change?"

"The council believed that it would be more beneficial to hold off Mira's blessing until the gifts in order bring good fortune upon the offerings," Yusei explained.

Abur purred as she sipped her tea, "In other words, they thought that Mira was not important enough to open the night. Instead of reminding all who this ball is blessed by, they would wait to belittle out goddess's love to mere material possessions."

Clairece rose her hand to the other priestess, "Nothing anyone can do would ever numb Mira's love for this land," her eyes flitted over to Yusei and Yuugi, "however, it is quite unprecedented and I must ask that we change Mira's blessing. It has always opened the ball and this tradition will still be upheld."

Yuugi sat up and tried desperately to ignore the holes that were being burned into his soul, "I apologize, but we can't move the blessing to the beginning o the ball."

Abur stood tall as she looked down her nose to Yuugi, "You would dare disrespect our goddess by refusing her rightful place?" disgust flared in her blue eyes as she narrowed her gaze on Yuugi.

The teen shook his head, but he refused to face her, "N-no, if it could be changed to the start, there would be nothing more that I would love, but it can't. The Counselor Lazulin made it clear that the council already decided the start of the ball, and it can't be changed."

Clairece folder her hands as she leaned forward on the desk, "And why is that?"

Yuugi shook his head, more at ease focusing on the elder of the two, "He just said that it would cause too much to change, and with everything being on such short notice…"

"This is preposterous," Abur muttered as she strode in front of the desk towards the other side of the study. As she passed, the strong with of glorean perfume rushed up on Yuugi and caused him to choke on his breath. He tried to hide it by clearing his throat, but when the feeling continued to build, he reached for his glass cup and sipped the tea.

Abur began to pace beside Yuugi's side of the couch, "Mira should not be pushed aside at such an event as this. Her love is a gift that should be given to all and to have it belittled at an event where the other kingdoms will be: it is insulting. Mir'as love should be front and foremost at this even for without her there would be no king. Half-blooded or not, our king should know this an embrace Mira's love by having her blessing welcome the other kingdoms."

Yuugi clanked his cup back onto the table harshly as the flavor coated his tongue like a bitter coughdrop. It stung each taste bud and each dribble that passed down his throat felt like a burning drop of acid. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the table for balance. His head swam as his stomach churned and the perfume encompassed his senses.

"Priestess Abur, please calm yourself," Clairece gave the younger a pointed look, "While it is true that Mira should embrace and be embraced by all, we cannot change the council's decision on this. We must work together to find a solution. Perhaps if we can't welcome the guests, we can send them off in Mira's blessing."

Abur stopped as she faced the head priestess, "Are you suggesting that the night be ended with Mira?"

Clairece made a sound of approval, "This way Mira's blessing is not limited tot he physical possession and she is still taking a forefront at the ball. It may not be ideal, but it is better than having her showcased as a side event. Do you think that can be done, Royal Champion?"

"It should be a simple change."

Yuugi began to shake as his body burned from the inside out. The taste was no longer bitter, it was sweet and the perfume was sweet, and the glorean on the table was sweet. It all swam around him, suffocating him and his brain couldn't settle in any thoughts. Everyone's voices became numb.

He felt like he was kneeling over the murky water just like before. The room was dark with only the glorean to light them up. He was thirsty and the bittersweet aftertaste was poison to his system. He needed water, but the water that glared back at him was tainted. He coughed and blood dribbled past his lips and into the water. It bloomed into a red cloud that overtook the tank.

"Young Lover, you don't look so good," Abur kneeled beside Yuugi, her face hidden from everyone else.

Yuugi shot his head up to stare petrified at the priestess as she laid a hand on his back. Her face was void of emotion, but malice was clearing lurking in her gaze that was as cold as ice.

"If it is the glorean, please drink. It should help," her words seemed sincere, but the sinister undertone made Yuugi freeze up. His chin was grabbed lightly, yet Yuugi felt her nails dig into his soft flesh, then a cup was pressed to his lips and the liquid that slipped into his mouth was acid.

Yuugi choked as he hands lashed out, knocking the cup back and pushing the priestess away from him. Clairece called out and stood from the desk, but Yuugi couldn't hear what she was saying. He was focused on the path of fire that burned into his stomach and the sticky texture that coated his mouth. The tea was bitter and sweet and thick and poisonous. He keeled over as coughs gripped his body.

Yusei picked up his own teacup and took a sip of the liquid before he placed it immediately back on the table, "This tea is made with glorean leaves."

Clairece tested another sip of her own tea, "You're right," her head snapped to Abur who was standing off in the corner with a blank face, "Abur, this isn't the healing tea you promised."

Abur kept her eyes on Yuugi, "I must have grabbed the wrong leaves."

Yuugi gripped his throat that was becoming hoarse with the abuse it was going through. No matter how much he coughed, the sweet coating remained and the flavor soaked into his insides. It burned and tasted foul. Yuugi reached for the fruit fish and shoved a handful in his mouth. He didn't care that he didn't do the ritual first nor that they left an ashen texture, it gave him a different flavor. It was something to distract him from the poison that crept into his veins.

Abur was pushed away from Yuugi before he was picked up in Yusei's arms. The teen covered his mouth as he took in a ragged breath only to start up a new wave of coughs.

"The king will know of this," Yuugi heard Yusei warn Abur.

The priestess walked forward with the ease of someone who wasn't being threatened. Her face was blank until she was only a step away from them. Then a smirk cracked her face, "Just try."

Yusei only narrowed his eyes at her before he turned towards Clairece and gave her a curt nod. The elder priestess was watching the scene with calculating eyes that remained calm despite the growing unease int he room. Her gaze lingered on Abur longer than they should have until she stood up from her desk and walked over. Abur didn't stop her when Clairece laid a hand on her shoulder and urged her to step away from the Royal Champion and Young Lover. Once there was more space between them, Clairece returned Yusei's nod and the Neko left.

The minute he stepped into the hallway, Yusei began to walk faster until it was borderline a sprint. Yuugi opened his eyes when he felt Abur's presence lift off of him.

"A-are we going back to Yami?" Yuugi croaked out.

Yusei shook his head, "The castle is too far. Too many people will notice."

Yuugi wanted to ask where they were going then, but his throat protested any more noise. As soon as they exited the temple, the fresh air filled his lungs and helped to expel the toxins that filled inside of him. The wind was refreshing as it brushed against his face, almost cleansing him from the glorean that clung to him like smoke. His head began to clean, but his stomach was still in turmoil as the glorean tea settled into his system.

There were concerned gasps from the Lelaninas who noticed them, but Yusei didn't bother to stop. Their concern was a simple noise in the wind as Yusei navigated the narrow streets and past the people. Yuugi wondered what would come of the situation. Would they begin to question what happened? Maybe they couldn't care? What if they started rumors? How would it reflect on him? On Yami? Would he find out before he and Yusei had a chance to explain?

They entered a small building and a wave of recognition washed over Yuugi. The wall of mirrors, the racks of clothes, the old register…

… And there was Mana, looking dumbstruck as she paused in her organization of the clothing to stare at the two intruders. Her eyes flickered to Yuugi before settling on Yusei. Without a word, she dropped the hanger and hurried over to the purple curtain behind the counter. She held it open as Yusei walked by before following the pair up the stairs.

"What happened?" Mana asked as Yusei set Yuugi down on the couch in the main living space.

"Poisoning," Yusei answered as he dug in his cloak, searching for something.

Mana looked taken aback as she stared at the Neko in disbelief, "Who would do that?"

"Priestess Abur. Apparently, she's the same one who captured Yuugi and Yami," Yusei straightened empty handed and looked towards Mana.

She seemed to understand and pointed Yusei off towards another door across the room. He walked off wordlessly, leaving Mana and Yuugi alone. She sighed as she kneeled beside Yuugi, "I never trusted that woman," her sparkling brown eyes looked Yuugi in the eye as she passed him an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry that you got mixed up in all of this."

Yuugi shook his head and swallowed a thick gulp of saliva that left his mouth dry, "It's alright. I-I know it's u-unexpected."

Tears seemed to shimmer in her eyes as she used a hand to pet Yuugi's hair, "It's just that it shouldn't happen and I… I can't lose you too."

Yugi was about to question what she meant when movement caught his attention. At first, he thought it was just Yusei coming back from wherever he went, but he noticed that it was too small, too dark, too fast to have been Yusei. It darted around from shadow to shadow, almost invisible to the eye. It would linger in one pool before jumping to the next as though it were hiding from someone, or sneaking up on its unsuspecting prey.

Pinpricks of red stared back at him from one of the shadows, sending a bone-chilling shiver down his spine. His heart beat faster at the predatory glint in those eyes. They were small, beady, and hungry as it sulked in the shadows. His heart beat faster the longer he watched them. tHen he noticed just what the were looking at Mana.

Her back was turned tot he entity as it watched her with a violent glint that sparked boldly against the shadowed background. It slithered, paced, lingered for a moment as it contemplated the unwitting prey. Then it lunged.

Yuugi shrieked as he pushed Mana out of the way, falling off the couch in the process. His head banged harshly on the plush carpet and he felt something slither across his skin for a second before it was gone. When Yuugi blinked open his eyes, he froze when the shadow rested on the ceiling above him, glaring at him with infuriated re eyes. The shadow body blended in with the dark ceiling, making it look more imposing than it actually was, yet it shook Yuugi to the core as he watched it.

The shadows began to swirl above him, centering in of the eyes as if they were the center of a wicked whirlpool. They collected and undulated around the eyes before the entity scampered across the ceiling like a spider. Yuugi rushed to sit up, his head protesting against the movement as his stomach flipped, but he needed to watch where it went.

It was heading towards the window and Yuugi stumbled to his feet and rushed after it. He didn't know why he was compelled to watch the entity, but deep in his core, he felt like it was going to lash out at someone and it would be his fault. If he wasn't there, then he couldn't warn them about it. He couldn't watch as it lunged for their throats of stare hungrily at their hearts. He needed to be there in order to push them out of the way. If he wasn't, then their blood was n his hands.

The glass shattered at the shadows lept through the window and Yuugi stumbled over the broken pieces as he watched it fall tot he ground. No one else reacted to the being as it crawled along the stone, its red eyes searching for its next prey. It was wandering too far down the street, and Yuugi was having a hard time watching it. He tried to lean his head out the window, even risk falling over the edge, in order to see the creature stalk the crowd for a weak prey, but his head bounced back as it hit something hard.

"Yuugi!" Mana shouted as she rushed over to Yuugi who stared dumbstruck at the in-tact window, "What is it? Did you see something?"

"I-I-I…" Yuugi continued to stare at the window. It was in one piece. There weren't any sharp edges on the floor. The being was gone from the street and the Lelanians walked on as if nothing had happened at all. His stomach flipped as he gripped his hands in his hair and lowered himself to the ground. It was just a hallucination. It wasn't real. He was just sick. It was just his imagination.

Yuugi flinched when someone grabbed his shoulder. Yusei only stared at him as he held out a small ball of the green paste that countered the glorean. Yuugi took it with shaky hands and gratefully reviled in the creamy texture that soaked the glorean out of his system like a sponge. Still, it did nothing to numb the turmoil in his mind.

Tears pricked his eyes as exhaustion settled over him and he leaned against the wall to support him. A cold feeling settled in his stomach as longing widdled its way into his core. He anted Yami because he knew that Yami was real. He knew that Yami was right. He knew that if he was with Yami, then everything would be okay. Everything made sense around Yami and he longed to have that stability right then and there.

(Koobre: So, I'm not too happy with how this one turned out, but I don't know what to do. I can't tell how this story is going, so I need you all to tell me if it's moving too fast, does it seem off? You know, stuff like that, because that last thing that I want is for this story to fall apart. Thank you!)