Chapter 3

Sugoroku sighed from where he stood outside Yami's bedroom, closing his eyes. It had been three months since Yugi disappeared, and every night it was the same; Yami's heart-wrenching sobs would echo through the shop. The spirit would cry until early morning, usually about 3 am, and then finally cry himself to sleep. However, he was always awake when Sugoroku got up at 8 am, so he couldn't be sleeping more than 5 hours or so each night.

Bakura had been correct; without Yugi, Yami became an empty shell, a mere shadow of his former self. Dark smudges permanently marked beneath his eyes, dull cerise eyes that were devoid of life. He had begun throwing up often in the mornings, and was lucky to keep anything down. As a result he grew unnaturally thin; you could count his ribs easily.

There was one thing that made Sugoroku wonder, though. No matter how much weight Yami seemed to drop, he hadn't lost anything around his middle. In fact, the elder Moto could swear that Yami had gained around the waist. And that was irrational, considering how much Yami had lost in his face and chest.

In that third month Sugoroku decided to take Yami to the doctor, hoping that something could be done. He bundled Yami up, as it was still cold out, even for February, and then sent him to the car. The ex-Pharaoh had docilely and obediently done as he had been told, saying not a word.

Still worried, Sugoroku had climbed into the driver's seat started the car, and headed for the clinic.


"The test results should be in within a week, we'll call you with the results."

Sugoroku nodded, turning away from the nurse. He began to walk away, Yami following after him like a lost puppy. An hour of testing had shown that while he had lost about 25 pounds, Yami had gained three inches at his waistline.

This had baffled most of the doctors, spawing a series of CAT scans, X-ray, and other various tests. Yami had never spoken, and had followed the instructions silently and promptly.

As Sugoroku climbed out of the car at the shop Yami looked up at the cloudy sky. //I miss you Yugi…//

/Yami?.../

Yami's eyes flew wide, his mouth dropping open. //Y-Yugi…?//

/Yami?.!/

Shock, relief, and a touch of fear flew through Yami's body. The stress was too much on his weakened body, his brain rebelled and his vision tunneled.

Sugoroku looked over, just in time to see Yami's knees buckle and his thin body crumple. "Yami!"

The man ran to the spirit, lifting his head from the concrete. "Yami! Yami, wake up!"

"Hey Gramps, what's the matter?"

Sugoroku looked up into Joey's honey-colored eyes, Seto standing just behind him. The tall brunette knelt, slipping his arms beneath the limp form on the concrete. "Come on, pup, go open the door for me."

Joey ran past his boyfriend to open the door, standing out of the way so Seto could maneuver Yami's unconscious form through the door. He laid the spirit on the couch, and

Sugoroku came to his grandson's side, trying to wake him by shaking his shoulders. "Yami?"

The ex-Pharaoh's crimson eyes fluttered, and then opened slowly. "Uhh… Grandpa?"

"Yami, thank God. Are you alright, my boy? You just fainted on me!" Sugoroku worriedly.

Yami blinked. "I… I heard him, Grandpa! I heard Yugi through the link! He answered me when I called him! He answered me!"

The elder Moto's mouth dropped open. "You heard him?.! Did he say where he was?.!"

Yami shook his head. "No. I…passed out." He frowned. "I'll try again."

/Yugi?/

//Yami, I've been calling you, what happened?.!//

/Where are you Yugi?/

//I… I don't know. I haven't been awake for long, at least, I think. It's… warm, and dark, and there's a lot of room. I think there's like… liquid around me. I can't really move, either.//

Yami blinked in confusion. /What?/

Yugi's voice sounded frustrated as he spoke again. //I don't know! But there's also this… sound. Like a heartbeat.//

"Well?"

Yami focused back on the outside world as Joey's voice came to him. "I… I'm not sure where he is."

"Not sure? Whadya mean?" Joey frowned.

"It makes no sense, what he is describing. We…"

//We need to think about this.//

/Yes, we do./

"We need to think." Yami finished. He stood, and then stumbled slightly. "And I think I need to go lay down."

Seto watched the Pharaoh leave, his blue eyes narrowed. 'Doesn't make sense? There's something missing here…'


Sugoroku woke that morning a little apprehensive. The day before the hospital had called, sounding almost… unbelieving in shock. It was a little frightening for the elder, for it made him fear for his grandson.

Sugoroku moved to the bedroom that Yami shared with Yugi, finding Yami curled up on the bed, his fact soft in sleep, fingers curled by his mouth. His breathing was light, the blanket sliding down his shoulder.

With a small smile the man went to the bed, reaching and shaking Yami's shoulder gently. "Yami, wake up, my boy."

The spirit's eyes fluttered open, meeting Sugoroku's deep violet eyes. "Grandpa? What is it?"

"The hospital called, they want us to come in today to tell us about the test results. It's almost time to go." Sugoroku replied. "I'll be waiting downstairs for you, alright?"

Yami nodded. "I'll get dressed."

As the spirit dressed he worriedly noticed that his shirt fit a little looser around his shoulders and chest. However he could see the slight bulge his stomach had gained.

He put on a large jacket in an attempt to shut out the cold, zipping it shut as he went down the stairs and into the game shop. Sugoroku was just finishing up closing the register so they could leave, and he smiled at Yami.

The drive to the hospital was quiet, Yami staring out the window with distant crimson eyes. Sugoroku had seen this look, and knew that the ex-Pharaoh was no doubt talking with Yugi. The elder's eyebrows twitched together as he noticed that Yami's slender hand was resting against his stomach.

'How odd… I wonder if he's still not feeling well…' Sugoroku thought. "We're here, Yami."

Yami snapped out of his daze. "Oh! Sorry, Grandpa."

He was answered with a smile. "It's quite alright, my boy."

The two made their way inside, where they actually ran right into the doctor. He didn't say a word, only gestured to them and led them to a secluded room.

"What's the problem, doctor?" Sugoroku asked worriedly, moving to stand by Yami.

"Well, the results for the tests came in. It appears that your grandson has abnormally high levels of estrogen progesterone, and hCG or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in him. The problem is that progesterone and hCG only appear in one place," the doctor said, his voice shaky and almost scared. "A pregnant woman."

Sugoroku almost had a heart attack. "Are you telling me that Yami is… pregnant?"

The doctor nodded. "We want to do an ultrasound to be sure, but that's the only explanation." He moved to the door. "I'll return in a moment with the machines, and some papers that I need you to sign."

Yami was currently talking with Yugi, something nagging at the back of his mind.

/Yugi, what did you say that sound was?/

//Um, like a heartbeat, why?//

/What is the rhythm?/

Yugi seemed a little flustered as he answered. //Well, um… Tha-thump, tha-thump, oh, it's getting faster now.//

/Oh god…/

Yami's knees gave out, sending him to the floor. Sugoroku let out a cry, catching him before he injured himself. "Yami, what's wrong?.!"

Yami stumbled to a chair, breathing hard and fast. "I… I know where Yugi is…"

The elder Moto gasped. "You do? Where?.!"

Yami was silent for a moment. His voice shook when he did speak. "He's inside me."


Yes, I just did that. I love mpreg... And I just threw another twist into it! BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! -coughs- Please review!