Author's Note: Hola~ How's it going today? Ah, now I'm-a try to revise and update all at the same time. O_O This should be interesting... XD In this chapter, everyone's at the hospital, waiting to hear what would happen of Joey and his family. Oh no...this might be...again...interesting. XDDD Thanks for reading everyone! I hope you like it. ^^

...4 DAY WEEKEND! ~o~ This is gonna be fun~ xD

Disclaimer!: Fanfiction, and I do NOT get any money out of it either. Thanks. ^^

Battle City-New Evil Emerges, Old Friends Reunite Chapter 18

When I finally reached the hospital, and burst through the front doors of the huge off-white building, my calve muscles were burning and my breathing was heavy. I ran full out from the boardwalk all the way here, just so I could make it on time. The Air spell I did on the way made me speed up but it also drained me of my energy, hence my breathing more than normal. And it was then my stitched side decided to cramp, making me a little frustrated.

I immediately headed towards the waiting rooms, thinking that maybe the gang was meeting up there. To my relief, I found them standing next to one of the lounges, deep in conversation, and not noticing me there until I dropped into one of the seats from exhaustion. I ran so much that night, I was grateful I didn't collapse completely. It was all thanks to the training I received back in Ancient Egypt.

"Hey guys," I greeted. Téa, Tristan, and Yugi turned away from each other to find me sprawled on the lounge next to them. "How's Joey?"

Tristan released a sigh. "He's asking the clerk at the desk where Serenity's room is right now." he said.

"Her operation is this morning," said Téa. "Joey left to stay with her during the night but he never came. Did you guys figure out why when you found him?"

Tristan and I glanced at each other. "Yeah," he said. "He said he was in a duel with someone, right after we left him to go through that alley. Apparently he lost and had to give up his Red-Eyes Black Dragon. He was devastated and decided to lope around on the beach instead of going to the hospital."

Yugi furrowed his brows in confusion. "But he should have known not to accept in the first place," he said. "I mean, he was on his way to see Serenity, not to duel."

I turned to Yugi, there was a hint of something dark roaming around in my scarlet eyes. "He said they were "Rare Hunters"." I said. "They wore cloaks to cover their identity and they duel for rare cards. Joey just happened to be walking down their path...or they could have stalked him."

Yugi heard my tone change when I said the word "cloaks", and the look in my eyes told him something. He instantly knew I was talking about the people who had run into us that other night. They had to be connected to the people who attacked Joey.

...but what happened to Bakura being the evil that's come back? Are these so called "Rare Hunters" something completely different? Or are they working for him?

Why am I getting the feeling that this tournament...suddenly might not only answer our questions...but bring a whole new evil into play?

It's very odd how Bakura hasn't been seen lately, but all of a sudden there are these Rare Hunters everywhere...

Téa glanced from me to Yugi. "You said that the woman at the museum, Ishizu, had told you about an evil that's coming back, and that the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle will find answers to his past in the tournament. Do you think the Rare Hunters could be the evil?"

There was no one called "Rare Hunters" back in Ancient Egypt. Bakura was his only leader with maybe a few henchmen following him about...

...and my brother...but definitely no one called Rare Hunters.

This could be a whole new threat.

But what do they want?

Yugi shrugged. "It could be," he said, remembering not to give the gang a hint about me being connected to the Pharaoh. "It's another reason to join the tournament."

"So you'll have to get questions answered for the spirit and defeat an evil, just great..." murmured Tristan.

Téa suddenly turned to me, question visible in her eyes. "How did you think they could have stalked Joey, Sarah?" she asked. "They didn't know him...did they?"

I pondered the thought. "Well...the only reason I said that was because of how odd it was. Joey just happened to run into those guys right after we left him. They could have saw him from a distance and pounced on him when they found the chance."

"But why would they have any reason to?" asked Yugi. He was as troubled as me at the moment. Both of us couldn't figure out why there was a whole different set of people put into the picture.

"When was the last time he's ever said his name aloud?" asked Tristan. "Or seen someone new? Maybe they followed him."

I thought about yesterday. The time we went to register for the tournament. That man behind the counter who asked for our names...he's the only one I could think of.

Then I remembered the chilled feeling I got from the shopkeeper. When he was typing at his computer.

"That guy from the registration office." I said suddenly. "Joey left for the alley right after we registered. He was the last one to newly know about Joey."

A stunned silence broke out. Tristan slapped his forehead in remorse.

"...I should have known..."

I shook my head. "No, Tristan." I said. "I didn't really take it seriously then either. Who knew the person handing out duel disks for the tournament would be a Rare Hunter himself?"

Yugi glanced my way, a troubling gleam in his violet eyes. We've gotten so far to reading each other's emotions just through the eyes...

We have to be careful of who we trust. Now, we know that even people who seem like they are working for the good guys could actually be working for the bad guys.

"You three will have to be a little more careful in this tournament," said Téa with worry. "These Rare Hunters sound dangerous."

"Why would they even want rare cards in the first place?" asked Tristan. Then he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Gosh, this is all so confusing..."

I'll have to agree. I don't even understand. These Rare Hunters and what they were up to made no sense at all. What was their purpose in nabbing rare cards from people? Was it only as a joke like some gangs do? Or are they actually planning something?

Taking rare cards...that sounds so familiar...

"Hey, I just realized something," said Yugi, with his chin in hand and a thoughtful gaze. "When you said these Rare Hunters take people's rare cards, to me, it sounded a lot like that ante rule Kaiba made for his tournament."

Tristan's eyes widened in sudden realization. He clearly understood what his friend was getting at. "You don't think they're getting ready to enter the tournament, do you? They could be boosting up their decks with other people's rare cards so they will have a less chance of losing in the tournament!"

I face-palmed, and almost winced as the cramp in my side tightened the stitches into pain. "Oh no...they ARE going into the tournament!"

"It sure seems like it," said Téa. She cast her ocean blue eyes onto me and Yugi. "So you two...you know you'll have to be careful, right? And take care of Joey."

We nodded in unison. "Alright, Téa," I said. "We'll keep an eye on each other. And the blonde. Ra...this Rare Hunter stuff is so strange..."

No one seemed to notice my mistake. I accidentally said "Ra" but they didn't catch it. I mentally kicked myself. I need to be more careful...

Suddenly, we heard the squeaking of sneakers on the linoleum floor and rapid footsteps. We turned our heads to find Joey racing past the waiting room and disappearing down a hall. He was a blur, moving almost humanly impossible. We blinked in his direction. He left without a word.

"He's probably found where Serenity's room is," said Tristan. With a wave of his hand, he beckoned us to follow. "We should go after him, come on."

Though I didn't feel like it, I jogged after the gang, my relaxed heartbeat quickening again. Ah well, at least I got a workout to last me a few days.

We followed after the blonde and called for him to wait, but he kept going. He led us through bright hallways and metal steps until he finally stopped at a door—where a woman and doctor with his team of nurses were already standing.

The woman was trying to open the door to the right of the hall. By her tugging and turning, the door was locked. Someone else was inside, refusing to let the lady in.

She had curly grey-brown hair and her eyes looked tired and anxious. They were slightly familiar too. I've seen the colour somewhere...She looked especially worried.

"Please, Serenity, you must open the door," she said, trying the handle on the door again. We almost gasped. Serenity, Joey's little sister, was on the other side of that door. Does this mean this woman is...

No matter how hard she tried, the door was simply locked and her knocking wasn't helping either.

The doctor massaged the bridge of his nose impatiently and sighed. "I have other patients," he said. " If we can't do the operation now, the I'm afraid—,"

The woman looked to the doctor desperately. "Doctor, please," she pleaded. "Just wait a moment. I-I'm sure I can get Serenity to open the door and complete the operation." The doctor sadly shook his head and was abut to turn away when Joey reached out a hand, deciding to act upon this. We certainly came at the nick of time.

"Yeah, hold on doc'." he called, and the doctor stopped mid-step. Joey's mother even turned around to see who it was, when her eyes widened slightly from the surprise of seeing her son standing before her.

She gasped. "Joseph?"

Joey gave his mother a reassuring nod. "That's right," he said. "Let me take care of this one ma."

We watched, with hesitant eyes as Joey knocked quietly onto the door to get Serenity's attention. "Serenity," he called. "It's me Joey. Listen, sis, I know you're upset, but you have to open the door so we can talk."

A girl's melodic, yet troubled, voice travelled through the door in a muffled tone from the inside. "No!" she said. "I'm not opening the door!" Joey stared dejectedly at the door, the barrier between him and his sister.

"You said that you would be here last night, Joey, and I was so worried about you!" Serenity's voice fell silent and we started to heard muffled sobs. "I need you to help me through this..."

With a heavy heart, from the knowledge of what he did was wrong, he anxiously touched the door. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I...know I let you down, sis, but just let me explain, please. I was on my way to the hospital, just like I promised, but I ran into some creeps downtown. All I could think about was coming to see you, but that gang of punks wouldn't let me leave. They cornered me and forced me into a duel. Then they took the best card in my deck."

He leaned against the frame, his eyes heavy with sorrow. The skin above my collar bone burned. And I still couldn't understand how I could feel Joey's pain...

"I was...lost after that," he continued. "I didn't have fight left in me to keep going. I thought if I couldn't help myself out, how could I help you? I met something terrible yesterday on my way here. I got my mind messed up; I thought only of myself.

"I can't do anything right!" he berates himself, his forehead on the door now, with tears in his eyes. "Somehow, I managed to let down the most important person in my life on the day she needed me the most. I must be the worst big brother in the history of the world!"

He shuts his eyes, straining himself not to break down, and mentally slapping himself for letting down his sister. "But you gotta believe me, Serenity. I'd never mean to do anything to hurt you. I was lost for a moment, but my friends helped me find my way. They told me about your situation. They let me know whenever I'm in trouble, sad and lost, I should never forget about the people I love and care about. The love between us is the most important thing. I'm sorry, Serenity. I hope you can forgive me.

"You're more than just my little sister. You're my friend. And there's nothing in the world that could break the bond between us."

I almost wanted to cry. Joey's words were so beautiful, I had to blink away tears.

Suddenly, he stands up straight, breathing away all the tears in his eyes and forcing a smile, just for his sister. Determination, for Serenity. "Now open this door and give your big brother a hug, eh?

The door opens, and out steps a pretty girl with long, light brown hair and the same dark honey coloured eyes as Joey. They glittered with tears at the sight of her brother.

"Joey..." she said, before running onto him for a hug. He embraced her back tightly.

The group and I stifled an awe. It was great to see the Wheeler family reunited, and after seeing Serenity right now, we can really tell the similarities between her and her brother. The painful throbbing above my collar bone began to lift, and what was left was revealed flesh, displaying the ring of carved skin; the Oath's Seal.

Mrs. Wheeler brought Serenity into her own arms for comfort, and as she did, I could sense Joey trying to choose his next words carefully. After all, he hasn't seen or spoken to his mother in seven years. Things have changed.

"It's...uh...nice to see, Ma." he said hesitantly.

Mrs. Wheeler gave his son a small smile. "It's nice to see you too, Joseph."

"I'm glad everything turned out okay," said Tristan, plopping into one of the leather chairs in the waiting room we had met up in. Everyone decided to stick around for the Wheeler family, to give them support and our best wishes. The doctor, after witnessing the touching reunion, agreed to do the operation after Serenity had finally shown up. They were in the operating room right now, with Joey and Mrs. Wheeler hoping for everything to go fine.

Téa nodded from her spot on the couch she was sharing with Yugi opposite Tristan. "I hope Serenity's operation goes well," she said hopefully. "and I never thought I'd ever be able to see Joey's mother. She seemed really nice."

"I can tell she missed Joey," agreed Yugi. "Seven years is a huge gap, but I'm glad the bond Joey shares with his sister hasn't gone."

Tristan and Téa agreed.

I turned the corner just then, holding a tray of four coffee cups in one hand and my own cup in the other. It was now morning and fatigue was catching up to us. Since we were up a couple of hours before usual, and not to mention running around the city trying to search for Joey, we felt tired. My breathing was finally normal from all the sprinting and my mind was clear with the warm smell of coffee wafting through my senses. The gang introduced me to it a while back. I didn't like the bitter taste of it before I dumped in a whole bunch of sugar and cream. It worked perfectly for me after that. Right now, with all the weariness pressing onto us, I thought coffee would help rejuvenate our senses back into normal working condition.

Remembering that I didn't grab my wallet before leaving the apartment, I asked the gang for some money and an offer to go get the coffee for everyone. Tristan had given me the money and when I told him that I would pay him back, he whacked me across the head and pushed me into the direction of the hospital cafeteria. I sweat dropped the whole way. These guys wanted to really make the fact that we're friends stick in my head. They're so nice and caring, and they look out for each other so much, I could almost sense the bond between each of them.

I was just walking into the waiting room when I heard what Téa, Tristan, and Yugi were talking about. Hearing about Joey's mum happy to see Joey made me long for my own mother. Damn...I missed them so much. The whole reunion was heartwarming, yet unsettling for me. I'm happy for them—I really am—but it brought back terrible memories for me.

"Alrighty guys!" I said forcefully forcing a smile onto my face as I set the tray of cups onto the coffee table in the middle. "Here it is. Dig in. Thanks for the money, Tristan."

"Hey, no problem," he said as everyone eagerly reached for a cup. He took a sip and sighed in bliss. "Ah, that did the trick."

Yugi and Téa took their first sips as well and imitated Tristan's reaction. A satisfied sigh emitted from everyone's lips as they felt the warm liquid already begin to help awaken them. The morning sun slowly crawled into the sky, but it was still somewhat near the horizon. It's rays shone through the curtained windows.

"I'll have to agree," I said, standing next to the armchair, but not having the mood to sit down. I took a sip myself and couldn't help but sigh in relief too. "I think I should have added more milk..."

"You're still not satisfied?" asked Téa teasingly. "You probably already used more than half the jug in the cafeteria!"

I couldn't help but pout helplessly at the three as they decided to laugh. "Ah, but I didn't used over half the jug this time, Téa."

Yugi blinked, momentarily interested in this. "Then how much did you pour?" he asked.

I sweat dropped again. "This time...I used the whole thing. For your guys' cups, the staff had to refill it."

They gaped. But we started laughing at the irony.

Suddenly, Joey appeared from the hallway. He wasn't with his mother; she was probably still in the other room. He had this troubled yet thoughtful look on his face as he entered the waiting room. I tried to see past the strange look to find out what he was thinking about, but it was strange. He was much too deep in his thoughts. The nurses probably noticed the scratches he had on his face, because now there were some bandages over a cut on his chin and forehead. They were little white slips covering up parts of his flawless skin. Clean, but skin that's also been roughened by too many battles. Roughened, but used to, now.

His eyebrows were knit together as he cast his eyes downward. When he finally looked up to find our questioning faces, he gave us a silent greeting.

"Joey, is something wrong?" asked Yugi. Then his eyes suddenly widened and he was about to shoot out of his seat. "Is it Serenity?"

Before anyone else could do anything similar from anxiety of Serenity's operation going wrong, Joey shook his head. We were momentarily relieved, but the troubling look on his face still made us uneasy.

"Her operation is going," he said reassuringly. "and it's going well. There's nothing wrong."

Téa raised a brow questioningly up at Joey. "Then why do you look so occupied?" she asked.

His eyes came to rest on everyone, but it was settled onto each of us longer than what we thought normal. "It was something that's been confusing to me ever since I can remember meeting Tristan on the beach," he said. "I haven't thought hard on it up until now after I left Serenity at the operation."

"Our Faith is with your sister," I said kindly. "What's bothering you, Joey?"

I was once again met with his honey-coloured eyes, and I saw them flicker into everyone else's direction as well. They held such question, I nearly took a step back in the haste. They weren't their normal caring or hyper shade or emotion anymore. Instead, they were confused. And it was directed towards the both of us.

Why was he looking at us for? Had we done something wrong?

If he was confused about something, that made me want to express my confusion just as much. Ever since the Oath's Seal reappeared, I've been haunted about why it was triggered by Joey, and not the Pharaoh. The connection was only meant for the Pharaoh, yet when I woke up and ran outside, trying to follow the sense of dread, I was hit with Joey's essence, not Yami's. I had questions of my own, and it was so confusing my head hurts, but I kept my lips sealed because everyone would wonder what I was talking about. Even Yugi. Though he knows almost everything about me, he doesn't know about the Seal. What would happen if I told them? And Joey staring at us...almost accusingly?...It was enough to make me question harshly, yet I held back, so as not to make it anymore awkward.

And whatever Joey was staring for must have a good reason, because now it's another confusing thing to worry about.

"Guys," he said, and though his gaze was hard, his voice was gentle, like he just wanted to be set straight. "I've kept thinking about it over and over again, and it still hasn't stopped bothering me. No matter how much time I put into this dilemma, I couldn't find a solution that made sense.

"Now, I want to ask you straight out.

"How did you guys know I was gone?"

There was silence.

Téa blinked. "I got a phone call from Sarah saying that you were in trouble," she said. "Then I called Yugi and we searched the place together."

"Yeah, and Sarah called me, too," said Tristan next. "We decided over the phone that we would split up and try looking for you. Yugi and Téa took the residential streets while Sarah and I looked around downtown."

Joey shook his head, like he was a professor saying to a student his answer was wrong. "No," he said. "I meant, how did you find out I was in trouble. There wasn't a sign in the air saying, "Find Joey!" was there?"

It was then all eyes turned to me.

Nervously, I swallowed. Oh, great. How was I going to explain about this? I can't just tell them a lie...that would be disrespectful. They trust me as a friend, a good friend, not a lying one.

But then...how will I explain?

"Sarah was the one to call us," said Téa suddenly. "She said she had a feeling that you were in trouble and asked for help to find you." She shook her head, clearly mystified by the same thing troubling Joey. "At the time, all I thought about was coming together to search the city for you. I never really thought about how Sarah came to know about your disappearance."

It was Yugi's eyes I met. Those usually caring amethyst orbs held a different sense than everyone else's. Silently, they referred to the Pharaoh, wondering if how I knew about Joey was somehow connected to him.

Tristan leaned forward, his elbows on his knees, just as confused and wondering about the situation. "It is a bit strange how you came to know before daybreak even came. We were asleep with no sense of dread at all." he said.

I didn't know what to feel. It was like I was glued to the floor, unable to move anything. Even my thoughts. There was a small voice in the back of my head, telling me to go on and tell everyone what had truly happened.

But there was another part of me wondering if the time was right.

Should I lie and risk the trust between us, and wait until Fate thinks the time is right to tell everyone? Or is this Fate's way of saying that it was time?

...wait a minute...maybe this IS the time to tell the gang everything. It's in a predicament that can't be explained any other way, even with a lie.

All eyes were on me now. The battle and doubt within me was on max. I wasn't shaking from being nervous or anything, or breaking down with a confession. I just stood there with an emotionless face on. Shadows from my bangs covered half my eyes. I was wondering internally about what to do.

Was I myself ready to tell everyone such a big secret? I know I can trust them with it...but will it—I don't know—cause harm?

Can it cause harm?

No...they'll simply know the truth.

And that's just what I'm going to supply them with. They deserve the truth.

With a defeated sigh, I fell into the armchair I was standing next to. The cup in my hands was fingered idly, and everyone's eyes stayed locked onto me.

"Sarah," said Joey slowly, carefully. "How did you know I was in trouble?"

Alright...I suppose it really is time.

Despite the situation, I quietly laughed. "You guys are not going to believe this..." I said.

And I told them. I told them who I really was, what I do, and what I've been reborn to do. I told them of the Millennium Locket and the Oath's Seal on my collar bone. Everything that would make sense...I told them.

Yugi now knows that my knowledge of Joey being in trouble was connected to the Pharaoh. It was all because of the Oath's Seal. I wonder if Yami managed to hear everything I said. My past life is a different story. I wasn't ready to tell everyone of my childhood, my training, or guarding the Prince when he became Pharaoh. I only told them that the Pharaoh and I were friends.

...now, about Bakura...

I only told the gang that it was an evil from the past. I didn't want them to worry about their friend being possessed by a crazed thief. I told them to watch out for anything suspicious. In anyone. Yugi assessed my version and read it easily, as if it was written on paper. He understood my concern and never intercepted with details.

When I had gotten to the fight, I showed them my sword, and even demonstrated some of my magic by controlling the water flowing from a tabletop fountain on the other side of the waiting room. They found it extremely crazy and unbelievable. Even when I told them of the Millennium Locket.

The whole time, they were taking it as though it was normal.

"I thought when Yugi dueled, he was like a whole different person," commented Téa when I told them about me being the Guardian of the spirit that dwelled within Yugi's Millennium Puzzle. "but I never thought that our own Sarah would be his Guardian! Way cool!"

Hunh...I wish it was that cool.

I also told them of my deceased family—and my brother. They had no idea the little boy in my family picture was my older brother, because back at Duelist Kingdom, I told them it was a family friend.

So many secrets...just waiting to be unravelled.

They had taken everything pretty well; other than the confused questions here and there, but...I think it went okay. Not once had they given me a glare for keeping such secrets from them. And for such a long while...

Instead, throughout the whole explanation, Téa, Joey, Tristan, and Yugi wore friendly faces. They weren't smiling encouragingly or frowning in disappointment, but they were kind. I didn't think they were the type to ditch someone who hasn't been telling them the truth, but I didn't think they were going to be this nice either.

I guess it has been a while since I've had friends...

I forgot what trusting others meant.

It was almost like the Oath's Seal still marked on my skin.

Only this time, the bond is the friendship.

Author's Note: Ah...another two weeks...*shifty eyes* I'm really sorry it takes me forever to write these chapters up. I'm beginning to become a bit more busy than usual.

And I know...*buries head in hands* I'm a terrible writer...please don't hurt me!

On the bright side...I TURNED16 ON THE 28th! *throws confetti all over the place and hands out birthday cake to every reader* Oh yeah! The magical number! lol. ^^' And it was a pretty good birthday too. I had a lot of fun! And it is officially, the one year anniversary for my braces.

*panned*

I know...I know...who does that? (An anniversary for your braces? Really xyugiohluvrx? Gosh...) But I'm excited. ^^' I only have one more year left. La dee da...

AHHH! What am I doing babbling on and on? I hope you enjoyed that chapter! Reviews are appreciated! Thanks everyone! ^-^

Hunh...what a turnabout. I'm glad the Wheeler family is back to normal. And now Sarah is no longer a mystery to anyone. ...well...she wasn't a mystery...just a little...secretive. *shifty eyes* Gosh...I'm such a baka. *anime falls.* x'D

Eenyway...I love Yami Yugi. *quickly covers mouth and blushes* Whoops! Haha! That wasn't supposed to slip... x3

...sugar rushes everyone...results in hyperness. xD As is basically displayed above in the Author Notes. x'D