29, My favorite number of all.
Bakura: How is it that you like such a random number?
At least I'm not like some people who want to be #1...that's just too 'normal' and clique for me. Naw, I'm happy being last in most cases.
Bakura: That's for losers and wimps.
I figure that if it annoys people, then it's their loss and my entertainment.
Bakura: You're insane.
Nope. That honor goes to...You and Marik for your senseless performance during Battle City. How could you hurt poor Ryou and not feel bad about it?
Marik: Easy, I stabbed Bakura and then he switched with Ryou.
Honestly, you two are more insane than that crazy squirrel guy from Patch Adams.
Ryou: I love that movie.
Yugi: Really? I thought Benny & Joon was good. So what's your favorite movie PhantomBrat?
There's a lot on that particular list, but if I had to pick one, I'd say Pirates of the Caribbean. Jack Sparrow acts like such a pansy in the first one. I pointed it out to someone and they called me a pansy.
Bakura: Did you get revenge?
No, I merely said 'why thank you for calling me a beautiful flower'. Their reaction was funny.
Bakura: Whatever..Just get on with the story.
Yami: Watch what you say to PhantomBrat. I'm pretty sure she's got more monsters waiting to attack you if you offend her again.
Naw, I've got a blackmail video of Baka-ra somewhere in my favorites that I can use against him.
Yugi: While PhantomBrat's busy trying to out-threaten Bakura and keep him and Yami from hurting each other, please enjoy the story.
Ryou and Malik were finally released from their rooms and decided to see how Yugi was feeling. They headed to his room and found it empty. "He must have been taken to Atem's lab to treat his injuries," Malik stated taking note of his friend's sadness.
The two friends made their way to the lab. They found their fellow hikari struggling to sit up. "Yugi," they both called at once, startling the boy.
Ryou pushed on his shoulder, "You need to lie still."
"I'm thirsty and he's not here to help," the smaller teen cried. "He wasn't here when I woke up. I need something to get rid of this awful feeling."
Ryou looked up at Malik, both of them remembering the last time that Yugi felt this 'thirsty'.
*****Flashback*****
Yugi had been sick for a few days and was unable to go with the other two for their hunts. When they got back after the third or fourth night of his illness, he was crying out that he was thirsty and wanted to be rid of the feeling. He had almost attacked Ryou, but was held back by Malik. Malik had to tie their small friend down until they raided a blood-bank and returned. The two watched in fearful silence as they watched him down several bags of blood before calming down.
Yugi fell asleep after this and woke up the next day, feeling better. He apologized to his friends and they told their friend that it was ok and that no one was hurt.
*****End of Flashback*****
Malik nodded at Ryou and headed to the storage room to retrieve a few packets for Yugi. He noted this in the logbook that Seto insisted on Atem and the team keep. Ryou took the items from him and handed them to Yugi. He bit into the first one and drained it greedily before snatching the second. He drank this a bit slower than the first, apparently feeling better. Ryou handed him the third bag and watched as Yugi shook his head and handed it back. "I don't need it anymore," Yugi stated. "I feel better now, thank you."
After saying this, Yugi lay back down and fell asleep.
Atem and Atemu entered the lab to check on Yugi and found him fast asleep. He looked peaceful lying there. Ryou peeked in, "Yugi was up earlier and was really thirsty. He drained two bags and fell asleep. He should be alright when he wakes."
"Thank you Ryou," Atem said as the Hikari on the bed stirred. He turned his attention to his brother, "How do you feel, Yugi?"
The drowsy Hikari looked at him, "Tired, Yami. Why am I in the lab?"
"I had to bring you in here for treatment after you refused to 'drink'," he replied.
Yugi looked confused, "I don't remember."
"Ra said that the trauma to your soul would cause some problems with your memories," Atemu pointed out. "This will heal in time."
"I'm sorry Yami," Yugi said, feeling bad for anything he may have done.
Atem knelt down at his twin's side, "Don't be, I was not hurt."
"Yami," Yugi started. "What am I?"
He and Atemu were taken aback at this question. "You are my twin brother and a very rare type of vampire. You are what we call a Hikari Vampire. You and your two best friends are the only three in existence. You three are also angel-hybrids according to the medical records that were recovered."
"Are you a vampire too," Yugi questioned.
Atem shook his head, "No. My job is to hunt them and turn them over to the Council."
"Are you going to turn me in to them," Yugi asked fearfully.
Atem shook his head, "Never. You are under the protection of this sector and are not to be touched by another. You and the other two, as are our ancestors, are the exception to that decree."
"Thank you," he replied, feeling at ease hearing this. Yugi looked aver at Atemu, "Who are you?"
"I am Atemu, Little One. You and your brother are descended from me," was the reply. "I helped your family and friends rescue you."
Yugi thought for a second, "Thank you, Atemu."
Solomon came in, "Why don't we let Yugi rest a bit and let this new information sink in before you two overwhelm him."
"Hi Grandpa," Yugi waved.
Atem had a feeling that Yugi would really only remember their grandfather and his two friends as he knew them the longest. He realized that Yugi could recall things easily when he first wakes, but then things become harder to access as he becomes more aware. Atem knew that the road to recovering from such trauma would be hard and possibly long for Yugi. Until then, everyone was going to have to learn to be patient with him. He was also concerned for a whole other reason...
FORK IN THE ROAD DECISION:
I cannot decide what to do after the next few posts for Hunted and need YOUR help.
I am leaving this option open to all readers until next I post or the 28th of May. The option is this: Continue this as one multi-chapter fic OR write a sequel.
If I do a sequel it will likely be titled: Haunted or Haunted by the Past.
PhantomBrat out...