Disclaimer: See chapters 1-18. It's there in every single one.

Chapter 38

Kaiba blinked in annoyance as the sunlight streamed in through his window. After several futile attempts to go back to sleep, he decided to get up and start the day. He rolled onto his side, preparing to throw the covers off when he noticed a lump in the bed beside him. He pulled the blanket back to reveal Mokuba, still sleeping curled up beside him. Sometime during the night the boy had left the lonely confines of his own room to seek comfort in his brother's.

Kaiba gaze softened as he looked at his brother. He must have been having nightmares, Kaiba thought. He pulled the blankets back up over Mokuba and got off the other side of the bed. He walked over to his closet and picked out the clothes he would be wearing for the day. He then proceeded to shower and get dressed. Mokuba was just waking up as Kaiba walked back into his room.

"Hey, squirt," Kaiba said, smiling at his brother. Mokuba looked up and returned the smile. Noticing where he was, Mokuba looked a little embarrassed.

"Sorry, Seto. I was scared—" Mokuba began, trying to explain what had brought him there. Kaiba just brushed it off.

"Don't worry about it, Mokuba. That was quite an unsettling experience you had yesterday," Kaiba said. Mokuba looked away as he remembered the source of his nightmares. Kaiba walked over to the bed and sat down by the smaller boy. "Do you want to talk about it?" he asked, softly.

Mokuba's eyes started filling with tears as he remembered everything he had seen. Kaiba put his arm around Mokuba's shoulders, offering his silent comfort. Mokuba broke down and started crying again, clinging to Kaiba as he recounted everything he had seen and heard in the virtual reality system. Kaiba listened, holding his little brother and gently rocking him back and forth as the younger boy described what he had seen.

It took Mokuba about a half hour to tell Kaiba about everything. Kaiba listened silently, never interrupting his little brother once. After Mokuba was finished, he seemed to feel better although he still didn't want to be too far away from Kaiba.

They went down and had breakfast and Kaiba instructed one of the servants to call both of their schools and inform them that neither would be in attendance toady. Kaiba and Mokuba ate in silence.

Blast! I had wanted to talk to Kenshin today. Oh well, it can wait until tomorrow, I suppose, Kaiba thought, brooding. Mokuba didn't seem to notice. He was still a little upset by what he had witnessed, but re-telling his experience to Kaiba had really helped. Kaiba had known that it would and that was why he had asked Mokuba about it. Mokuba was feeling much better. He was not yet secure enough to go to school again, but he would be tomorrow. Today he just felt safe in his brother's presence.

~*~

Kaiba sat at his desk, working on his computer. He needed to stay home with Mokuba today, but that wasn't going to stop him from getting some work done. He needed to figure out what had gone wrong with his virtual reality system. He was going over all the systems, but couldn't find the glitch. There had been an entire other world programmed into the system somehow, but he couldn't find any record of it what so ever. He was starting to lose patience when he came across the results of the system check he had run pervious to Mokuba's entry into the system. Having nothing better to do, he read through it. It indicated that all of the systems had been checked and were free of any glitches. There was one little note at the bottom that caught Kaiba's eye.

Number of Occupants in Virtual Reality System at Time of Check: 1

Kaiba re-read it to make sure he hadn't read it wrong. There was one person in the system when it had been checked. But that impossible, Kaiba thought, Kenshin and I were the only ones to enter the system before the check and I ordered the systems checked immediately after we were through. Mokuba was the next person to enter, but that was after the check had already been completed….

Kaiba brought up the log in sheet of the virtual reality system. It recorded who entered and left the system, and at what times they did so. There were only three names.

Himura, Kenshin: In: 4:37 pm, Sat. Out: 6:42 pm, Yesterday

Kaiba, Seto: In: 4:38 pm, Sat Out: 5:03 pm, Sat

Kaiba, Mokuba: In: 1:59 pm, Yesterday Out: 6:43 pm, Yesterday

It took Kaiba a few minutes to realize that the time Kenshin left the system was incorrect. He left right after I did, Kaiba though, confused. But, then again, it would make sense. Both Mokuba and I saw Kenshin in there. Also, that name—Mokuba said that Kenshin had screamed the name 'Tomoe' after he had killed the woman. From what I saw, her death was an accident. Kenshin seemed pretty upset about killing her, too. When we were in the hospital, he told me that Tomoe was his wife. He also said that a murderer killed her. Could he have been referring to himself? But what about that other name he said—Battousai? Could that really have been one of Kenshin's memories? But he wasn't in the system! Kaiba thought, frustrated that his thoughts were leading him no where. Then, a thought struck him.

Wait—what if Kenshin has another person inside him, like Yugi? Yugi's alter ego is somehow connected to that puzzle he always wears around his neck. Kenshin also wears a pendant that looks like it came from the same set. If Kenshin also has an alter ego, then is it possible that while Kenshin was in the system, his alter ego left with his body? His mind would have been trapped in the system. Could he have been reliving his memories in there? Is that what we saw? Kaiba shook his head. Pretty soon he would start believing that he really was the reincarnation of some priest that lived in Ancient Egypt. He laughed at his own foolishness.

He was about to go back to looking for other explanations when he remembered something from last night.

*Flashback*

/What's going on?/ Kaiba heard a familiar voice say. He listened, trying to tell whether it was his imagination or not. He the looked to the side and saw a transparent Kenshin standing in front of the door. The red head looked a little confused and was staring at his hand.

/I'm transparent, and I just move right through anything I try to touch. It sounds to me like I've become a ghost./ Kenshin snapped his head around, looking for something.

/WHERE'S MY BODY?!/ he yelled in alarm. /If Battousai has gotten me killed…/ he trailed off into a growl. Kaiba watched as Kenshin took off running, disappearing through the door.

*End Flashback*

Kaiba knew he hadn't imagined it. He had seen the security tapes of Kenshin running off his property. Kaiba put a hand to his forehead, taking his earlier guesses into serious consideration. Oh yes, he was going to have a long talk with Kenshin tomorrow.

~*~

Yugi walked home from school alone. Yami was silent, still guilt-ridden for his actions earlier that day towards Ryou. Yugi also noticed that the spirit was starting to become depressed.

\Yami?\ Yugi asked, tentatively. If the spirit didn't want to talk about it, then Yugi would respect his wishes.

\\He was right,\\ Yami replied. Yugi took this as a sign he wanted to talk and complied.

\What do you mean?\

\\Ryou. He was right. I had no right to interfere,\\ Yami said.

\But, you were only trying to help,\ Yugi said, defending him.

\\It was not my place. Shadow games are not to be taken lightly. I should have known better. Ryou was right—I have the power but lack the wisdom to use it correctly. I think that may have been why I hit him. Deep down I knew he was speaking the truth, but I couldn't accept it—couldn't accept that I was wrong. Oh, I am such a fool!\\

\Yami, that's not true and you know it. You've saved me and my friends lots of times with shadow games! I think you used your power correctly in each of those situations. If you hadn't done anything, I wouldn't be here. Maybe it was a mistake to challenge Battousai to a shadow game, but he did accept your challenge. Part of the blame is his. You were just trying to help Kenshin in the only way you knew how. As for having the wisdom to use your power—well, part of wisdom is being able to recognize and learn from your mistakes,\ Yugi said. He could tell his words had made Yami feel a better. He didn't doubt himself quite as much anymore.

\\Thank you, aibou.\\

\No problem.\

\\I just hope Ryou is as forgiving as you.\\

They walked the rest of the way home in silence.

~*~

Later that evening, another problem arose in the Mutou household. Grandpa realized it while he was making dinner. He called Yugi into the kitchen.

"What is it, Grandpa?" Yugi asked, coming through the doorway.

Grandpa decided to get straight to the point. "Do you know how long before Kenshin's soul will be back in his body?" Grandpa asked, seriously.

Yugi averted his gaze. "No, Grandpa. I really have no idea. We don't even know what happened to Kenshin," Yugi explained.

Grandpa turned back to his cooking. "Oh dear, that may present a problem," he said, more to himself than to Yugi. Yugi tilted his head to the side.

"Why? I mean, I know the sooner we get Kenshin back the better, but…."

"Well, in case you two haven't noticed," Grandpa said, including Yami in the conversation, "Kenshin is skinny enough to be considered under-nourished as it is. His body has not eaten anything in the past twenty-four hours, at least. How long do you think he can go without eating?"

Yugi blinked. He hadn't even considered that aspect of it. "Oh," he said, "I see what you mean."

Grandpa continued. "We can't try to feed him ourselves, he'll probably choke. We could take him to the hospital—they can feed him intravenously. However, they'll want to know what happened to put him in a comatose state with no apparent injuries—not to mention the hospital bill."

"Or Kenshin's temper when he wakes up again in the hospital," Yugi added. Kenshin was going to be upset enough with them as it was.

Everyone was silent as they contemplated the best way to go about solving this problem. Suddenly, Yugi had an idea.

"I know! We can have Yami possess Kenshin!" he cried, happily. Grandpa looked at him skeptically.

"Are you sure that would work?"

"Sure! I'll just put the Millennium Puzzle around Kenshin's neck, and Yami should be able to take over his body!" Yugi said, excitedly. Yami wasn't too thrilled with the idea.

\\Aibou, it's a good idea, but I don't think Kenshin would be too happy with me taking over his body, in light of recent events,\\ Yami argued.

Yugi would have none of it, however. \Yami, it's either this or he goes back to the hospital. This time, he has no injury so he'll probably have to stay longer because they'll want to run tests to find out why he was in a coma. I'm sure he would prefer you feeding him to another vacation in the hospital,\ Yugi said. Yami couldn't argue with that logic.

Having received Yami's permission, Yugi looked at his Grandpa. "Well?" he asked. Grandpa paused while he considered the idea, before finally nodding his head. "Might as well give it a try. Dinner is ready, anyway," he said, taking the food out to the table.

"I'll be right back with Kenshin!" Yugi called, already running up the stairs. Yugi reached the top of the stairs, and entered Kenshin's room. Not surprisingly, the red head had not moved from the bed. Yugi walked over to his prone form.

\Alright, Yami. I'm putting the Puzzle on Kenshin. Wait a few seconds and then try to take over the body,\ Yugi said. He didn't hear Yami's reply, if there was one, because he already had the Puzzle around Kenshin's neck. He waited a few seconds, wondering if his idea would work. There was a flash of light from the Puzzle, and Kenshin opened his eyes. Instead of the warm lavender Yugi was accustomed to, Kenshin's eyes had more of a crimson hue. Kenshin blinked.

"Well, Yugi, it appears that it worked," Yami said through Kenshin's mouth. He sat up and stretched. Yugi looked at him curiously.

"Laying in one position for a long period of time makes a body very stiff," Yami explained. He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Kenshin was a little taller than Yugi, so Yami took a few experimental steps to help him adjust to the height difference. When he felt he was ready, he turned and nodded to Yugi. They both went downstairs.

~*~

Grandpa had just finished setting the table when the two boys came down. "Oh, I see you were able to get Kenshin up," he said.

"Yup! It worked, alright!" Yugi said, sitting down in his place.

Yami was silent, used to listening to Yugi and Grandpa talk without being part of the conversation. He was also busy admiring Kenshin's body. He had never noticed it before, but when he walked his limbs seemed to move with a grace that was alien to even one such as him, who had been brought up as Pharaoh. He had also never realized how strong Kenshin was. His lithe body hid his muscles very well, but Yami could feel their strength under his control. And the amount of energy Kenshin had was something else all together.

Grandpa dished out the food and everyone began eating. Yami was surprised to note that while Kenshin's body hadn't eaten in over a day, he was not all that hungry. He forced himself to finish everything Grandpa had put on his plate, and declined when asked if he wanted more. It was proper etiquette to wait until everyone was finished before leaving the table, so Yami waited. He strummed his fingers on the tabletop as he waited. That soon got on Grandpa's nerves, and he asked Yami to stop. Yami started bouncing his leg instead. However, the table was small, and he kept hitting the leg causing smaller items to be knocked over. Grandpa asked him to stop that as well. Yami became determined to sit still for the duration of the meal, but he couldn't find a position that was comfortable for more than a minute. Thus, he was constantly shifting. Grandpa was starting to get annoyed.

"Yami, what's wrong? Why are you fidgeting so much?" Yugi asked, noticing his Grandpa's darkening face.

"It's this body! I honestly cannot fathom how that child can sit still! His body has an excessive amount of energy that no one person ought to be allowed to have in one body!" Yami said, trying to restrain his movement for Grandpa's sake. And failing miserably.

Yugi, who had just finished eating, decided that it might be a good idea to give Kenshin's body some exercise. "Hey Grandpa, would you mind if me and Yami went down to the track? You know, let Yami burn off some of Kenshin's energy before leaving his body," Yugi asked. Grandpa seemed a little relieved.

"Yes, Yugi, that sounds like a wonderful idea. Just don't be too long in getting back," he said.

After putting their dishes in the sink, Yugi and Yami started walking to the track. Yami had never really enjoyed physical excursion, so he found it curious that he was looking forward to running at the track. It wasn't long before they reached the school and walked down to the football field. Yugi sat on the grass while Yami headed straight for the track.

Yami started running slowly at first to become accustomed to the differences between Yugi's body and Kenshin's. However, he couldn't run slowly for very long. Kenshin's body, having just a small taste of freedom, was begging for more. Yami couldn't resist the urge to speed up and soon found himself running at speeds that he had previously thought to be humanly impossible. He had never realized how addicting running could be. It was as if he was suddenly free from bonds he hadn't even realized were restraining him.

On an impulse, Yami decided to test Kenshin agility. As he ran, he darted in and out around imaginary objects. He was a little startled to see how well Kenshin's body could change direction without losing any momentum in the process. Curious, he wondered how fast he could stop running. He tried to stop, Kenshin's reflexes taking over as he did. His leg went out in front of him, bracing himself against his momentum, while his body leaned back to help himself stop. Yami stood there for a moment, surprised. He had stopped almost immediately. Yami shook his head, wondering what other things Kenshin's body was capable of.

His sharp hearing picked up the sound of someone standing up and starting to walk towards him on the grass. Curious, Yami turned to see who it was. It was Yugi. Yami was astonished, however, to see that Yugi was across the football field. It was too far away for a normal person to hear those sounds, yet Yami heard them clearly. Truly, Kenshin's body was amazing.

"It's getting late. Are you ready to go back?" Yugi asked as he approached Yami. The latter nodded, and they both turned and walked home.

Grandpa nodded to them as they came back, and they went back up to Kenshin's room. Yami laid down on the bed and went back into his soul room. Yugi waited a minute or two to make sure Yami was back in the Puzzle before he started to remove it. He stopped when Kenshin opened his eyes.

"Yugi, I can't enter the Puzzle," Yami said, his voice confused. "Every time I try, I just end up in what I assume to be Kenshin's soul room."

Yugi's eyes widened at Yami's statement. He considered the problem before he made a suggestion. "Maybe taking the Puzzle off will take you out of his body?"

Yami nodded his consent and allowed Yugi to remove the Puzzle. Nothing happened. They waited another minute in case it was a delayed reaction. Still nothing. Yami groaned, letting his head fall into his hands.

"Kenshin is going to kill me."

"Well, at least now we know how Battousai got in control of the body."

~*~