Okay, I forgot to mention that this story does contain yaoi, SetoJoey and BakuraRyou. If you don't like that, please don't read any farther!
Chapter 2
Yugi blinked in shock at those words, his hands clenching into fists of anger. "Why have you done this?.!"
There was another tremor of laughter. "Oh, let's just say the Pharaoh and I didn't part on… good terms." The figure came forward, allowing Yugi to see ancient garb and the recognizable tan of the Egyptians. "Now I've been given a chance to make him suffer. I was hoping this sickness would do the trick, but your infernal medicines are beating it off."
Yugi frowned. "But it's just the flu…"
"Ah, but in ancient Egypt it was deadly. This isn't the first time the Pharaoh has had this sickness. He had it when he was a small child as well. It greatly weakened him, but he survived. Pity."
Yugi's child-like eyes were narrowed into a look that closely resembled Yami, his small fists clenched in anger. "You won't hurt him! He'll get well again and then he will take care of you!"
"You make a good argument. However, you've also given me an idea."
Something flashed brightly, causing Yugi to let out a cry and shield his eyes. With a cackle the villain was gone, leaving Yugi grimacing in pain. It felt as though something was clawing at his mind and insides, tearing him apart.
Sometime during this Yami awoke, looking up to see his small aibou with his arms wrapped around himself, his eyes closed in pain.
Yami struggled to his feet, reaching for Yugi, trying to comfort him. "Yugi! Yugi, what's wrong?.!"
Their hands touched, and a flash of light filled the room, nearly blinding Yami. Pain shot through him, causing the spirit to let out a piercing scream.
Reality fled screaming.
Hey Yug', you there little buddy?" Joey called as he moved into the Kame Game shop. "Gramps asked us to come help ya out wit' Yami!"
Téa followed her blond friend cautiously. Something about the little shop just didn't feel right. "Yugi?"
Joey frowned, scratching at his head. "That's weird, usually Yug' answers!"
Téa moved forward, walking through the shop warily. "I don't like this, Joey…" The brunette went into the living room, and then her hands flew to her mouth, a scream escaping her lips.
Joey was at her side in an instant, his own cry of horror escaping him. "What in the hell?!"
Yami's sightless white eyes were staring up at the two of them, saliva dripping from both corners of his mouth. Gurgled noises echoed from his throat, his back arching and limbs twitching crazily.
"Oh god…" Téa murmured.
"What's going on in here?"
Joey turned to see his boyfriend of a year, Seto Kaiba himself, standing in the doorway. He wordlessly stepped aside so Seto could see the convulsing form of Yami.
Seto swore softly under his breath, moving forward to kneel beside the Pharaoh. He looked up to Joey. "Call an ambulance, pup. That's all we can do."
Sugoroku dropped the bag containing the cough syrup as soon as he came around the corner from the garage. There was an ambulance sitting in front, lights flashing. They were wheeling a gurney out, a small form lying on it… 'Yami!'
Sugoroku took off at a run, meeting Joey, Seto, and Téa as the three came out of the shop. "What's happened here?!"
Téa had tears in her eyes as she quietly explained. "We came in to find Yami in the middle of a seizure. And we can't find Yugi at all."
"A seizure?" Sugoroku murmured. "But he just had the flu!" He frowned. "And Yugi's missing?"
Joey nodded. His hand was wrapped in Seto's powerful grasp, but it was easy to see that he was shaking. It was clear that all three teens were seriously shaken by the experience; even the unshakable Kaiba was rather pale-faced.
"Get in my car, kids, we'll follow them to the hospital." Sugoroku said quietly. Seto waved to his limo driver, choosing to follow Joey as the blond moved towards Sugoroku. The normally uptight CEO had mellowed greatly in his year with Joey, showing off a kind and sensitive teen that cared for his new friends.
Sugoroku's knuckles were white on the wheel as he drove behind the speeding ambulance, his lips pursed. 'What in the world is happening here?'
The soft beeps accented each whoosh and hiss of the breathing machines, continuously reminding all present of the danger. Yami was weak, the doctors said, his heart pumping sluggishly. They still hadn't found a reason for the seizure, but were looking at all possibilities.
Sugoroku sighed, turning another page of his book. He had been here for two days, sitting diligently beside his other grandson. The police had been informed of Yugi's disappearance, and were on the lookout for him.
"Hey Grandpa."
The elder Moto looked up to see Téa quietly closing the door, a single rose in her hand. The flower joined the one that she had brought the day before, and the girl sat beside Sugoroku. "Joey said he'd be here soon, and Seto's bringing Mokuba. Ryou said that he'd stop by as well."
The old man smiled. "A lot of visitors, eh? I think Yami would like that."
Téa looked down. "I just wish we knew where Yugi was…"
Sugoroku nodded. "I know, Téa. We'll find him, don't worry."
The door slid open a moment later, showing Joey, Ryou, and Bakura. The three came into the room, Bakura almost glued to Ryou's side. It was easy to see that the spirit felt out of place, but Ryou's firm grip on his hand kept him in place.
"Sorry we're late Gramps." Joey said softly, sitting on the chair on Yami's other side.
"It's perfectly fine Joey." Sugoroku said with a smile, marking his book and placing it on the side table. "It means more that you came."
"So, no sign of Yugi?" Ryou asked softly, his doe-brown eyes on Yami's still face.
"None." Sugoroku murmured.
Bakura shifted his weight uncomfortably, squeezing his light's hand. "Ryou…"
"Quiet Bakura," the boy said sharply. He might have been quiet and shy, but Ryou kept his boyfriend in line.
A moan interrupted them. All eyes flew to the bed, where Yami's crimson eyes were fluttering open slowly. Sugoroku leaned forward, putting his hand on Yami's. "Yami, can you hear me?"
The spirit blinked fuzzily. "Grandpa?" Vermillion eyes scanned the room. "Where…" He took in his visitors, and all watched as panic sparked. "Yugi?"
Téa chewed on her lip. "We… we don't know."
Yami stared at her. It was silent, and then Sugoroku cried out in alarm as Yami attempted to get up. He pressed the ex-Pharaoh down, ignoring the sounds of protest.
"I want to go home…" Yami moaned. "Home…"
"Yami, I don't think…" Sugoroku said quietly.
All were shocked as Bakura let out an angry sound, striding forward. The thief lifted the shaking form of the Pharaoh, ripping him from the bed.
Ryou let out a cry. "Bakura, what are you doing?!"
"Taking him home."
Sugoroku barely had time to grab his things before Bakura nearly sprinted from the hospital.
Joey wiped at his forehead. The hospital staff had flipped when Bakura had carted Yami away. The white-haired thief had ended up leaping into Seto's limo as the CEO pulled up, yelling for him to drive.
Back at the game shop, Bakura had laid Yami in the room he shared with Yugi, stepping out and shutting the door.
Ryou seemed angry. "Why did you do that Bakura?!"
"Because," the spirit said softly. "I know what it would be like to lose you. Without Yugi, that Pharaoh is but half a soul. I would want to be around things that carried your scent, like he does for Yugi."
A soft sound echoed through the room, and everyone froze.
Not knowing he had an audience, Yami had begun to weep.
