Hours seem to crawl by as the group shifted into different spots and positions in the small hospital room. At times someone would leave and come back with food or coffee. Kaiba did not leave his spot. It was almost as if he was scared that if he did, Atem would disappear. Mokuba had approached a couple different times. Trying to get his brother to eat or at least sit down. The younger would just be shrugged off while he mind tried to process the situation. This had to be a dream right? Maybe even a nightmare in some ways.

Dr. Gregory came back briefly to see that nothing had changed with Atem's condition. The tests had brought nothing to light either. Only that he had a few cuts and bruises and was a little malnourished. Once he woke up he would technically be cleared to go. This didn't sit right with anyone in the room. Rishid was right though, they wouldn't ask any questions. There was no way for the doctor to understand that this was not just some guy who they found passed out in the desert. Atem had done multiple unexplainable things in the past. This one may actually take the gold.

Ishizu yawned, leaning in the corner of the room her body was finally starting to give out. Glancing around the room she saw that everyone was about at that point. Reaching over, Ishizu nudged Rishid's shoulder. He glanced up with half lidded eyes and nodded. Stretching, the woman stood straighter. Her voice sounded foreign in the room that had been silent for hours.

"I think it would do all of us some good to get some sleep. We have plenty of room at home. Dr. Gregory will update us as soon as there are any changes in his condition…he wouldn't want us to be pushing ourselves like this…"

Yugi wanted to protest but couldn't after hearing the last part. His eyes grazed over the slightly larger form and nodded. Ya…Atem wouldn't want this she was right. Marik and Bakura got up first. They had been there since the beginning as well and had no fight left in them. They followed Rishid out of the room as Yugi squeezed Atem's hand one more time. Mokuba smiled sympathetically as his friend struggled to turn away.

"Scared he won't be there when you turn back around?"

"You have no idea."

Yugi sighed letting go of his old friend. He forced his legs to move as they followed behind Ishizu. Kaiba hadn't moved to follow them. Instead the man actually moved to take Bakura's seat next to the hospital bed. Mokuba whispered that he would be right there before turning to approach his brother. The elder Kaiba looked weary and stressed all at the same time. The teenager chose his words carefully.

"Nii-san…you should come as well. He isn't going anywhere."

"You don't know that."

That tone of voice was non-negotiable. Mokuba nodded smiling at his brother. Walking around the bed he turned the man and wrapped his arms around his back. Moving away the younger brother shrugged off Kaiba's coat to lay it on the back of his chair.

"I'll bring you food when we come back. Call us if anything changes."

Kaiba just nodded while staring at the Pharaoh. The sound of the door closing barely registered to him. It's not like the room was noisy before anyways. Not much had changed by anyone leaving. Since they had gotten here Kaiba had only seen Atem in here. His eyes narrowed. How could he just lay there and freak everyone out like this. An explanation was definitely owed at this point. Hadn't they; no hadn't he waited enough at this point? Leaving without barely saying goodbye…Kaiba yawned leaning back into his chair. That wasn't exactly fair was it? No it wasn't. He didn't like rambling but that seemed to be the only real solution at this point. Atem wasn't giving any suggestions of course.

Sleep overtook him without any apologies. The chair wasn't comfortable and the room was slightly too cold. Exhaustion is something everyone deals with at some point. Pushing yourself to the limit only works for so long. Dreams didn't come to him; it was just darkness. The kind of darkness that made you feel like you weren't sleeping at all. Like you were aware that you are sleeping and nothing exists around you. Floating through a void; waiting to wake up.

"Seto?"

The voice was familiar and warm. Kaiba moved towards it. It had been so long since he heard that voice. Light entered into the darkness. Melting away the walls of his sleepless sleep to reveal a tan arm in front of his eyes. Kaiba's eyes opened slowly. He blinked a few times trying to remember exactly where he was. The man froze, someone had said his name. Last he checked he was alone in this room with the unconscious Pharaoh. Eyes flashed open to see that he had crossed his arms onto the edge of the hospital bed and laid his head to rest. Everything felt stiff and uncomfortable. A kink in his neck made his head slightly hurt. Kaiba glanced out of the corner of his eye to see dark crimson eyes staring back.

The chair flashed back as Kaiba jumped from his seat. Metal clashed onto the ground making him wince from the sudden noise in the small room. Atem was watching him, he was awake, was real. The man's phone had fallen to the ground. A slight crack could be seen across the screen. It had a yellow light blinking on and off to signal that a message had been received. Kaiba's mouth hung open in shock. It really wasn't a dream then? Or maybe this was the dream. Maybe he finally lost it…

"Seto I am actually here."

The confident voice read his mind like a book, like it always did. Kaiba tried to compose himself. Picking the chair back up off of the ground he opted to not sit back down. There was no way that he could be contained right now. Cursing he looked over his now cracked phone. The message was from Mokuba. They were on the way about five minutes ago. It was already mid-day. He slept that long?

"Are we still in Egypt?"

Another question. Kaiba's eyes flashed up as he pocketed his phone. Atem was looking at him. Asking questions…If anyone should be asking questions it was him. Then why didn't he? Why was this dialogue in his mind instead of out in the open? He struggled to find words as he spoke in almost a whisper.

"Yes…yes we are. You were found…you won…?"

It almost seemed as more of a question to himself instead of the Pharaoh. Atem nodded and looked down at the needle in his arm. There was so much to explain. Not enough time in the world to even explain it. Kaiba took a step so that he was right next to the bed. A cautious hand reached out to touch Atem's jaw. He really was here.

"Seto?"

The door flashed open and Kaiba removed his hand immediately. Yugi ran into the room to throw his arms over his old friend. Everyone else piled into the room with smiles immediately on their faces. Ishizu excused herself to go find the doctor. Atem had winced from the sudden attack. The needle pulling at its entrance point. Yugi heard the slight gasp and released the man.

"I am so sorry. Kaiba how long has he been awake?!"

"I…not sure…"

Mokuba could see the zombie appearance of his brother. He passed him a coffee that had extra expresso shots put into it. Just like when he pulled all-nighters for work. Yugi stepped backwards, he couldn't get rid of the smile across his face. Dr. Gregory reentered the room with his clipboard. Ishizu went to stand off to the side.

"How are you feeling?"

Atem thought for a moment. It was hard to answer that question. So much had happened in the last week that his mind was going at full speed.

"Dazed mostly. But otherwise fine."

The doctor nodded turning to Rishid and Ishizu.

"I'll get his papers sorted. We didn't find any abnormalities so he should be good to go."

Kaiba finally lost it. He grabbed the front of Atem's hospital gown and yanked him to the side of the bed. Yugi and Marik called out. Everyone else froze with shocked faces. Atem was calm. This was to be expected at some point. He wasn't sure if it would come from Marik or Kaiba; Kaiba had won.

"What the fuck is going on?! You owe me an answer!"

"Um…Nii-san…."

Kaiba broke his glare to see his little brother looking partially scared of him. Mokuba hadn't looked that young in a long time. Sighing he released the Pharaoh who kept his eyes locked on the brunette.

"He's right though. I owe all of you an explanation."

Atem released his hold on Kaiba's eyes then to address the entire room. This was an incredibly long story and he needed to find a way to shorten it at least a little. His hand combed through tri-coloured hair as he tried to find a starting point. All eyes were on him. No pressure was felt in his mind. It was more so wanting to be sure that they all understood what was going on.

"It's all very complicated; as I am sure is obvious. It actually began the moment that I returned to the afterlife. I was restless, my spirit struggling to find peace with my friends and family. It was paradise, a realm among Gods. It never settled with me though.

I realized that I was watching your realm more than my own. My close friends were becoming concerned and went to speak with the Gods without discussing with me first. Gods do not like thinking that anything is more important than themselves. I was brought to questioning. They were angry that anything could be seen as more wanted than paradise."

He paused for a moment; grabbing at his thoughts and memories. The room was hanging on my threads here. There was more, and they were ready for it.

"They had questioned why I would miss a life of such confusion and turmoil. That I had finally been laid to rest as is the way for all who walk the realms. Everyone must die eventually. I didn't have an answer for them. It was difficult to explain that in the time I lived with all of you that I started a new life. One that was entirely separate from that of the past. It felt as if that life was cut short.

The Goddess Hathor sympathized with my plight. She petitioned a deal for me to be able to be at peace with my mind. I did not understand this at the time. Others did not agree with her. Sekhmet immediately denied any assistance with my restlessness. We had broken the too many rules back in our times with the Millennium Items. Sekhmet felt that we should actually be paying for this; instead of living in paradise.

That was when the fights began. Gods against the departed souls. Some felt that for too long humans walked all over principals and rules only to be in peace for all of eternity. Others felt that one cannot fault a human for we are impure and imperfect. I refused to allow them to take everything away from those I loved just because I was restless. One should fear the wrath of a jealous God…I challenged Sekhmet to a duel. If I were to win then they would leave the departed alone and things would return to normal. In the case that I lose I would take responsibility for the turmoil. I would be banished to nothingness for all of eternity. Sekhmet had taken this deal.

This duel did not sit well with Ra. I had the upper hand and believed that it would all be over soon…but it was interrupted. I am still not sure of exactly what happened at that point. The Gods went into a frenzy. Departed souls ran as far as they could as the Gods erupted into their own war over right and wrong. I was caught in the middle. Flashes of light exploded in every direction. The next thing I knew I was falling then rising through sand. None of it made sense…"

There were still so many questions to be answered. It seemed not even Atem fully understood the gravity of this situation just yet. Bakura broke the silence. Compassion showing in his words and expression.

"You aren't even sure why you are here then…Or why the Millennium Items were shattered…"

Atem shook his head.

"I am sorry…I do plan to find out though."

"Battle of the Gods…"

The words sounded strange in Yugi's mouth. This was his childhood all over again. None of them knew what was happening or what even to do. One thing was for certain though, they would do whatever they could to help him. Marik crossed his arms while inspecting a piece of dirt on the tile. Glancing up he sighed.

"Well, looks like we have a mission then? Where do we start?"

"He needs to rest first! We will start by bringing him home with us."

The men flinched at Ishizu's tone. Sure, they were about to start on something that could potentially kill all of them. The woman was by far more intimidating than the realization that they were going to join the war among Gods. Kaiba was tapping his side impatiently. That wasn't enough of an answer for him. The pharaoh didn't seem to have anything else right now though…that would have to do then. Irritation overtook his mind. The man grabbed his jacket and threw it onto the bed. The heavy fabric draped across Atem's form as the Egyptian looked up with a puzzled expression.

"I'm tired of this room. Get up and let's go."

No one argued. They did need to get out of here. As for the clothes no one had really thought of it. Atem shouldn't walk around in ancient garbs in todays' world. A nurse entered providing the release papers. Ishizu signed for Atem as the needle was taken out of his arm. She checked his vitals one more time before wishing them a nice evening. Atem got out of the bed slowly. His vision had blurred slightly from the movement. He had been out for quite some time. The back of the medical gown was open. The room cleared out so that he could partially dress in private. Once the door opened Ishizu promised to get something on him that fit as soon as they could. Kaiba's jacket was far too long on the Pharaoh. He followed everyone out of the building. A child in the waiting room pointing at him and Yugi saying something about 'twins'. If they only knew the truth.

The buggy was cramped with everyone together. Rishid drove again with Ishizu at his side. Marik and Bakura opted to get a taxi seeing that the four-seater would not fit everyone. Kaiba grabbed Atem's shoulder pulling him back just as Yugi got into the back.

"We will get a cab as well. Mokuba send me the address."

His brother obliged as he sat next to Yugi in the vehicle. Glances were exchanged, someone wanted to ask why Kaiba would ride with Atem. The man's behavior had been nothing less of erratic though. As long as he didn't throw down a duel in the middle of the street they didn't feel the need to intervene at this time. The buggy drove off as two taxies pulled up. Kaiba and Atem got into the last one. The brunette instructing the driver the address listed on his cracked screen. They could as well just follow the taxi holding Bakura and Marik. Atem's eyes were watching him again. Kaiba glanced at his phone to see emails stacked from Pegasus and the company. Multiple meetings and deadlines were missed today already. This was going to be a pain in his-

"Did I do something to you?"

The deep voice echoed in his mind. Kaiba glanced at Atem for a moment before returning his attention to his phone. There wasn't enough time in this car to even break the surface of that conversation. No, he technically didn't do anything to Kaiba personally. Even though his entire departure had felt like a personal attack. He sure as hell wasn't going to tell Atem that though.

"Seto?"

"No."

Conversation was difficult. Atem sat back and glanced out of the window as Kaiba half-assed his replies to his subordinates and Pegasus. 'Family Emergency –had to leave town short notice'. No way in hell the man would buy that. Kaiba wouldn't give him a choice right now though. There wasn't enough words in his vocabulary to explain what in the fuck was happening now.

The vehicles stopped outside of a small ordinary building. Kaiba paid the taxi through his phone before exiting the car. Yugi immediately ran up to Atem and smiled. Standing next to him he noticed that they were the same height now. His eyes beamed joyfully. Everyone piled into the small home as Rishid and Ishizu went to go find clothes for Atem. Bakura and Marik piled on a giant chair while Mokuba sat on the floor next to a coffee table. Kaiba remained standing near the exit. Yugi couldn't hide his excitement. Sitting on a couch next to the very man he used to share a body and mind with.

"This is unbelievable. You look exactly the same!"

"And you have grown considerably. It is good to see all of you as well."

Atem finished his sentence, eyes resting on Kaiba's. Rishid broke the staring contest as he shuffled through clothes in his hands.

"I'm not sure what will fit. I found some of my older clothes, you're smaller than me…here."

Atem accepted the bundle in his arms and nodded his appreciation. Rishid then led him to a spare room that had more than obviously been cleaned before their arrival.

"Ishizu said you can stay here if you want. It's safe. Marik and Bakura stay just above this building. This room was just cluttered anyways."

"Thank you, your friendship is greatly appreciated."

Rishid nodded before closing the door behind him. This was still unbelievable. He joined Ishizu in the kitchen to help with preparing food for everyone. Atem unbuckled Kaiba's jacket and laid it onto the bed. The clothes were all a little large but they would do for now. He tied on a pair of black sweat pants and pulled a faded blue shirt over his head. Just as his shirt went down the door to the room reopened. Atem turned to see Kaiba closing the door behind him. A clicking noise signaling that it was now locked.

"Seto?"

It seemed he was saying his name in question constantly in these last few hours. Kaiba moved across the room in one quick stride. He grabbed Atem's shoulder and shoved him against the wooden frame of the bed. They froze in place, staring at each other. Atem was confused but didn't want to say anything to trigger the man. Kaiba could feel his heart pounding against his chest. Eyes wide; he hadn't been ready for Atem to leave his line of site just yet. Panic had overtaken him in the living room when the Pharaoh left.

"I am still here Seto."

He always seemed to know exactly what he was thinking. It bothered the absolute shit out of him. Kaiba released Atem for the second time today. Grabbing his jacket from the bed he made for the door. His hand paused above the lock. Turning his expression was numb.

"For how long?"

It was a question but was delivered as an accusation. Atem didn't have an answer for him though. He didn't even know how he got here in the first place. The lack of answer disturbed Kaiba as he unlocked the door. Leaving the room in a hurry Atem remained against the wooden frame. His heart had skipped a few beats. Yugi peeked his head around the door frame smiling. A look of concern grew as he saw Atem seeming to be lost in thought.

"Yami?"

The Pharaoh looked up and smiled. Moving from the post he felt the smooth flooring under his bare feet.

"Come, tell me how you and everyone else have been."

Yugi beamed.

"I don't even know where to start!"

Note: As proof of how sorry I am I went ahead and typed up another chapter. I hope it's good!

-I just now realized the irony of me updating on April Fool's Day. I never liked this holiday. So no, it's not a joke that I am back. I am really trying to stick around this time. Writing is a passion and I truly hope that I am doing justice to continuing this fan-fiction.

[Edited for typos]