Chapter 4

Instinctively as I saw his finger twitch on the trigger I struck his wrist downward. The gun fired off with a deafening bang and I bit back a cry of pain as the bullet tore through my thigh. Warmth instantly bloomed as a dark stain began spreading through my pant material. The man's eyes widened and he jerked back, striking me in the head, across my eye. The sharp metal of the gun split the skin and blood dripped in my eyes. His eyes widened again and he stumbled back a step.

This was all I needed. Despite my mind and body screaming at me to get away, to protect myself a stronger surge of emotion filled me. I had to protect everyone, I had to protect Yugi! As Jirou stumbled back I struck his wrist with precision, damaging the nerves and making him release the gun. I snagged it as it fell and held it by the barrel as I brought it up and across his temple.

He grunted in pain and shouted, "You bitch!"

I didn't let him recover. I entered his space and moved upward, wrapping my hands deep into the material of his shirt. I tugged him downward, biceps straining for a second, but the familiar surge of adrenaline filled me and he could feel him move off balance. I turned and pulled him to the ground face first, releasing him at the last second. I moved my right knee onto his back and placed the barrel of the gun against the back of his head.

"You move one muscle and I'll blow your brains out," I whispered in a dark voice. I felt blood drip off my chin, and my leg warmed as the blood ran down my left leg. None of that mattered. This bastard tried to hurt my friends, and I was sure as hell never going to let him do that again.

"Jas!" I finally tuned my senses outward. I had been so focused on the pain and disabling the man I hadn't heard my friends screaming my name.

"Jas are you okay?" I looked over to Yugi, one of my eyes shut as blood dripped over it. I grinned widely at him.

"Things are okay now, I'm good."

"Jas you're bleeding!" Miho stated.

I gave them a flat 'no really?' look.

The officer still had Tetsu pinned under one arm and was speaking into his phone urgently. "Civilian shot! I repeat civilian shot! Send medical assistance immediately!"

Everyone was panicking, yet I felt eerily calm. Yugi was trembling, and Joey and Tristan looked frozen in place. Tea was on the verge of tears, hands clasped over her mouth.

I saw a glint of Gold and suddenly the entire area filled with a looming presence. I looked at Yugi cautiously and saw it wasn't Yugi standing there anymore. Another person, another Yugi stood there, taller, crimson eyes sharp and cold.

Everyone else seemed to freeze in place and lose color. I frantically looked from them to this 'other Yugi'. "W-who are you?"

He looked at me and seemed to finally register that I was speaking to him. He walked closer and I tensed anticipating him to strike out. The look in his eyes could kill. I watched as his eyes darted over me, and his eyes softened for a moment. He knelt by me and brushed the already drying blood away from my eye, smiling softly. My skin tingled where he had touched.

"This man has already lost the game, now only punishment awaits."

He moved and lifted Jirou's head up by his red hair. The sharp, killing look was back in his eye and it sent a dangerous shudder up my spine. Jirou looked up at him, eyes wide with fright. "W-w-who the h-hell are you! What are you doing?"

A third golden eye lit up and opened on this 'other Yugi's' forehead and he grinned wickedly at the man. "Those with a black heart willing to kill must face the punishment!"

The man screamed as the eye glowed blindingly bright. I shielded my eyes, the man's screams fading for a moment. Suddenly I felt an arm around my shoulders, and heard his voice in my ear, "Rest now, I will protect you."

The strange vision from before faded and time returned to normal, except Jirou was now withering on the floor, grasping his head screaming and begging for it to stop. I was kneeling next to him, but I saw blackness fill my vision. I shook my head and fought it but I toppled. "Jas!" I heard Yugi's normal voice again and I smiled.

This Yugi was better, though I had to wonder where that 'other Yugi' came from.

I felt Yugi's arm around my shoulder, and the ringing of an ambulance in the distance. My vision swirled, more black consuming me. I caught the color violet and grinned at it. I somehow felt safe, I gave into the pulling darkness.

A/N: Well shit… (Pardon the language)

Yugi

As Jas fell unconscious he called her name again and again. His voice rising and going horse as he shook her, trying to get a response. More blood flowed down from her forehead and he tried wiping it away, only staining his hands in the process. "Jas! Jas open your eyes!"

He saw the pool of blood under her leg spread out more and his heart clenched in fear. No, no! She couldn't die! She had just come back! She couldn't die!

"You bastard!" Yugi heard Joey scream and rush past him.

Jirou was still screaming, practically tearing the hair from his head. Yugi paused and glared at the man, surprised that he seemed glad the man seemed to be suffering. He was shocked at himself, but with Jas paling in his arm he felt that if Joey wasn't already throwing punch after punch at the man surely he would.

Tristan and Tea then raced up and tore Joey off the man, though their screams fell deaf on his ears. All he could do was look at Jas, and see the life slowly drain out of her. He could feel his entire being, being torn apart. His heart felt as if it was being crushed to dust and hot tears fell down his face as he took off his jacket, Jas's head resting on his lap. He wrapped it around her leg and watched as it too turned a dark red.

"Dammit," he whispered, his voice breaking. He pushed down hard on the wound and she let out a small groan.

"Jas!" Yugi called out keeping one hand on her leg, the other brushing her dark brown hair from her face, smearing some of her blood.

She let out another groan, but didn't wake up.

Suddenly there were adults dressed in white surrounding him. A stretcher was laid next to him and white gloved hands began to take Jas away.

"No! No! Don't take her! Jas! Jas! Airi!" Yugi called desperately as the stretcher was lifted away and out of the store. He stumbled after it, his vision slightly blurry from his tears.

One of the men dressed in white stopped him at the van, as he desperately reached out towards Jas.
"It's okay, he's a friend." The cop from before shouted from nearby while loading Tetsu and a blubbering Jirou into the back of a squad car. The medical man nodded and allowed Yugi into the back of the ambulance. Joey and the others ran up and shouted at Yugi.

"We'll get your Grandpa and meet you there."

Yugi nodded, still feeling numb inside. He was pushed to the side as they closed the doors and began treating Jas. Eventually they faded out and all Yugi could was stare at Jas's face, wishing for her to open her eyes and smile at him.

He remembered the smile she had given to him back at the restaurant, with blood dripping down her face. It was the exact same as all the others she had given him, but the fear he felt when he thought it would be the last one he would ever see, then he had blacked out.

He balled his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white. Jas had been shot protecting him and he had to black out like that. He remembered when he had come to Jas collapsed in his arms a blissful smile on her face. It scared him, he knew his heart stopped when he had seen that smile, a smile as if she was dying. Dammit!

More tears fell from his eyes and before he knew it they were rushing her out of the ambulance towards the operating rooms. He ran alongside them until the doors, mentally pleading Jas to open her eyes.

A nurse led him to a waiting room and the entire time until his Grandpa and friends showed up along with Takashi and Airi's Grandfather, Yugi paced the floor.

Time seemed to escape him as he saw the pain and distraught on Airi's Grandfather's face. He too looked as if he had lost her, and guilt tore Yugi's insides apart. His nails dug into his palm as his fists tightened again, for the first time in his life Yugi felt like hitting something, someone…that bastard Jirou.

If Joey hadn't already beat the hell out of him Yugi felt like he would have.

Two long hours later a doctor finally walked into the waiting room. Only Takashi, Airi's Grandfather, Yugi's Grandpa, Joey, and Yugi remained. Tristan took a distraught Miho home and Tea's parents picked her up despite her protests of wanting to stay.

The doctor looked at everyone standing in fearful anticipation, as they all had risen upon his arrival. He grinned at them and for the first time that evening Yugi felt his heart relax. "She's doing fine. We were able to stitch her leg closed and give her a blood transfusion. The bullet passed cleanly through, but did sever an artery, and fracture her thigh bone, so we put a cast on her leg until we are certain both the bone and artery are healed."

Her Grandfather thanked the man and asked if they could see her. He nodded, "She's still under, but she should wake up soon, just don't overwhelm her." He cautioned them then left.

He led them to her room, and as soon as the door was open Yugi and Joey rushed to her bedside, the other three men following in their wake. Yugi was relieved to see the color back in her cheeks, and she looked so peaceful, as if she was just asleep. He caught her chest slowly rising and falling and reassured himself that she was indeed alive.

He took her hand, and sighed aloud finally completely relieved. The events of the day finally crashed on him and he felt exhausted, and ashamed. He should have saved her, he shouldn't have been such a coward and should have protected her. "I'm sorry…" he whispered squeezing Jas's hand, hoping to get a response.

He could feel the others' gaze on him, and his shoulders tensed. "I-I'm sorry…I-I should have…" he tried to continue but he felt two hands fall on his shoulders. He looked up and saw his Grandpa and Jas's Grandfather giving him soft, understanding looks. It only made the guilt swell in his stomach.

Jas's Grandfather shook his head before speaking, "We all know how irrational and driven Airi is to protect people. She would jump in front a bullet for anyone, don't beat yourself up over it. We should all just be thankful she's alive." He smiled down at her prone form and Yugi could see the pain on his face.

He moved forward and ran his hand over her head, "She's such a troublesome child, but I couldn't be prouder."

Yugi watched the man for a moment more before looking at Jas. She was alive, and that's all that mattered. He promised himself there and then that she would never get hurt for his sake again.

Yugi missed it as his millennium puzzle glowed brighter for a moment, as if agreeing with him.

Takashi reluctantly went back home to take care of the dojo and tell the people there the news about Jas. Joey refused to leave, looking guilt trodden himself. He and Yugi sat at Jas's bedside, just watching her. Yugi thought it was unusual for Joey to be this quiet, but he realized he felt just as guilty as he did. He was right next to her, yet he couldn't help her either.

At one point in the next hour he tentatively touched his shoulder, "It's okay Joey, her grandfather is right. She's alive, and that's all that matters."

Joey looked at Yugi, but didn't look convinced, "But Yugi, I was right there. I could have stopped her, or at least taken the guy down myself…"

"Would you listen to the runt for once…" The crackling voice of Jas made both jump in their seats. They stood and Yugi heard her grandfather rush over.

She blinked her hazel eyes open, the same spark of playfulness filled them. She smiled up at them from where she lay. Yugi was so happy he once again burst into tears, though he wasn't aware of it.

Jas grunted and tried lifting her arms, "God it hurts all over. Was I hit by a bus or something?"

They all chuckled at that and her grandfather reached forward and brushed her cheek with his thumb. She leaned into his hand with a happy smile. "Sorry Gramps, I'm going to have to postpone my demonstration."

Her Grandfather merely smiled, "Just focus on getting better. That's an order."

She grinned at him, "Yessir." It came out slurred. He smiled at her once more before looking at Yugi and Joey and nodding.

Joey approached next, and she smiled at him. "I see the idiot survived. That's a shock," she laughed quietly.

Yugi watched Joey blush, and felt something twist inside him uncomfortably. "S-shut up! You're the idiot."

She laughed again, "I thought we already established that, but don't you worry. I'll be up and about before you know it. You'll have to have the others kick your ass for me."

Joey laughed and gave a lopsided smile, tentatively reaching out and patting her shoulder, "You'll have to get off that lazy ass of yours and beat me yourself."

She grabbed his hand for a moment, "Deal."

Joey flushed red again before turning away awkwardly nodding.

Yugi felt the feeling in his gut grow. Joey turned away and walked to the cluster of sofas and chairs across the room. He plopped down in one and settled himself, face still red.

Yugi walked up next, and Jas offered the brightest smile of the night. He felt his face flush. He averted his gaze, only to have his heart jump when he felt Jas's hand on his cheek. She gently brushed away the trail of tears on his cheeks and when he looked back at her she looked sad.

His chest clenched at the notion. "I like it better when you smile," she told him seriously despite her slurring. Suddenly his face burned and he couldn't look her in the eye.

He twiddled his thumbs and stared at the floor. Suddenly her hand was back, but this time she pinched his cheek, and it hurt. He protested until she let go with a soft laugh. "C'mon, how am I supposed to get better if I can't see your smile?"

He still felt his cheeks burning, but he looked up at her and smiled. Shyly at first until he saw her smile, then his grew into a genuine one.

She then yawned and apologized with a sleepy voice, "I'm sorry, I think I'm going to rest now…" by the time she finished speaking she was out. Yugi smiled at her sleeping form, glad to know she was okay.

He sat back down and gently took her hand, and was surprised that she squeezed back. His face warmed again, but he held on.

A/N: SO Freakin Cute! Am I right?

The next morning Yugi awoke and found himself still hoping Jas's hand, head resting on the side of her bed. His face burned when he realized he had held her hand all night long. His palm was sweaty and he drew it back, but Jas's hand twitched and tightened around his. Yugi's face warmed again and he squeezed back for a moment before slipping out of her grasp.

He flexed his hand and marveled that despite how small it was her had was coarse from where the skin thickened from practice. Yugi looked over Jas's sleeping form and was in awe in how normal she looked. She was the strongest girl he knew, and he felt guilt once again swirl in his gut knowing that she had protected him last night. He was a man after all, her best friend no less and he had let her get hurt.

Yugi jumped when he heard someone stir, groaning loudly. He turned and saw Joey, arms above his head, stretching deeply. Yugi took a step back from the bedside, feeling embarrassed, but not sure why.

Joey rubbed his eyes then blinked tiredly at Yugi, "Mornin' Yugi," he stood and approached the bed, "Jas still okay?" Yugi could hear he was truly concerned. Somehow it bothered him.

He nodded, looking over at Jas sleeping peacefully. The sun had just risen and the room was just beginning to lighten. It calmed Yugi.

Joey did the same, hands in his pockets as he looked over Jas. He then sighed loudly and offered a half-smirk to Yugi. "We did a crappy job protecting her yesterday didn't we?" He the scoffed, "Some men we are."

Yugi watched a Joey's face twisted in the same way his chest did. Yugi smiled up at Joey, shaking his head. "It's okay Joey. She's okay." He laughed, but it sounded more forced than real. "She always did that. She always protect everyone even if she got hurt."

"You've known her for a long time huh?" Yugi couldn't place the emotion in Joey's voice.

He nodded, "Ever since we were little kids, our mothers were friends in college so they would visit often. Then she moved in with her grandfather at the beginning of junior high."

"Something happen to her folks'?" Joey looked concerned and confused.

Yugi shook his head, "No they're okay. Things…just happened. It's not really my place to say…"

Joey hummed, nodding. It seemed he understood.

Both boys jumped when a hand was placed on their shoulders. It was Yugi's Grandpa. "I know the both of you want to stay until she wakes up, but you both need to get cleaned up, and rest in your actual beds."

Yugi blinked in realization that his uniform and puzzle were indeed stained with Jas's blood from yesterday. His chest clenched at the thought, but he opened his mouth to protest. The firm look his grandpa gave him made him stop. He nodded in submission. Jas would probably freak out if she saw him now.

"But Yugi…" Joey wanted to protest. Yugi just smiled at him.

"We can come back later when she wakes up, right?" Yugi directed his question to his grandpa. He smiled and nodded to his grandson.

"Yes, but first let's get you guys home and cleaned up."

Joey looked like he wanted to protest further but his stomach growled loudly. He blushed and folded his arms. "I never liked hospital food anyway," he grumbled. Yugi laughed and after glaring at him Joey smirked happily as well.

They left, Yugi's grandpa giving a brief farewell to Jas's Grandfather before they left. The man returned the farewell with a nod before gazing back across the room at Jas. He looked so tired, Yugi mused sadly.

Just as they left the room Yugi threw a look back at Jas, seeing the sun finally creeping into the room, highlighting Jas's hair. She looked so small…

Jas

The second time I awoke my mind was much clearer, but everything felt so heavy. It felt like my body was trapped in a pool filled with jelly. I clenched my teeth as raised my head with a stifled groan. I tensed when I felt a hand slip under my head and help me up into a sitting position. In the few seconds it took me to recognize gramps hand I relaxed and sought out his face. My vision cleared as I blinked a few times.

I found myself grinning at him, and he returned it with his familiar soft smile. To most it didn't exist, but I could see it clear as day. My heart swelled and I found all the pain in my body disappeared. "How long was I out Gramps?" I asked, voice a little hoarse.

"Thirteen hours." He stated simply, a glass of water appearing in his hand from supposedly nowhere. I didn't question it and took it, taking a slow sip. Many experiences led me to not gulp the whole thing.

After a few slow sips Gramps spoke up again. "Your friends stayed the whole night."

I could hear the irritation in his voice and I smirked playfully. He was so protective. "Oh? Is that a problem?"

He gave me a side glance that confirmed it was. I took another sip and looked up at him, "It wouldn't have been a problem if they were girls. Am I right?"

He grunted and folded his arms. Face moving into its usual frown. I grinned at him and he snorted once more before patting me on the head. He knew I could take of myself, but he never liked when Yugi came over when I was younger, but the runt soon gained favor with him.

My mind drifted back to the fact that he said 'friends'. Joey must have stayed as well, which was strange. I didn't expect him to stick around. I hadn't seen Tristan or the girls last night, which made sense. I hadn't really talked to them very much, plus Tristan was way more concerned for Miho. Tea on the other hand…yeah.

"So where are they?" I asked gazing around the empty room. The sun indicated that it was well past noon.

Gramps grunted and looked at the door. Ah, they were still gone. I nodded. "Good, I really hate that they're seeing me in this state."

Gramps placed a hand on my head and glared at me. "Oh you know it's justified. Two years Gramps, I trained for two years and yet I failed."

"You protected everyone, and stopped a criminal. I wouldn't call that a failure."

I pouted at him, knowing he was right. "Yeah, but still. I'm out of commission and you know I can't sit still for long."

He rolled his eyes before smiling. "You said it yourself didn't you?"

I smiled at him, "I did. This won't keep me down for long. I still have to beat you."

"Good luck with that champ," he ruffled my hair and I laughed.

A nurse came in with food a while later and Gramps left to check up on the Dojo, and bring me some things. The doctors confined me here for a week of observations since they needed to closely monitor my ruptured artery that they assured me had been closed, but was at a high risk of reopening.

Of all the luck…

I resigned myself to bed the first day, and Yugi and Joey visited later in the afternoon. Yugi bringing a game. I kept catching the guilty looks they gave me. I reprimanded them on not worrying about it, but they looked unconvinced. It irritated me, them pitying me and feeling guilty for what I did. If anything they should blame me for not acting sooner.

Eventually I forgot all of my concerns when the three of us were caught up in the middle of a card game. My side ached from laughing for so long, but seeing Joey and Yugi happy as well made everything all the better.

By the third day the doctors let me wheel myself around in a wheelchair, and I did. Excessively. I would just consider this my arms week. Yugi and Joey slowly got over whatever guilt they felt as they saw I was recovering quickly. I would be in a cast for about a month, but I would be released next week. The two of them showed up every day after school, bringing a new game each day. I kept up on homework, though it pained me, but with Gramps staring me down I didn't have much of a choice.

On Sunday I got a very unexpected visitor. Tea.

Yugi and Joey had left a bit earlier than usual with promises to bring snacks when she attentively entered the room. She cleared her throat and I looked up from my social studies work. My eyes widened in surprise. "Tea? What are you doing here?"

She looked nervous and she walked into the room, stopping halfway. I motioned for her to come closer. The air was tense and awkward, but I waited. She obviously had something to say, and I still had mixed feelings about her. She had helped in the diner incident but I still had a grudge from before.

"I…I just wanted to thank you…" she quietly.

I was shocked to say the least and didn't say anything for several moments. "F-for what?"

"At the restaurant…you protected me. So thanks. I didn't think you'd do that."

I snorted a laugh, "Neither did I, I acted instinctively, but…" I smiled at her and she looked taken aback. "I would do it again in an instant."

She smiled, and I could feel her confidence come back. Couldn't have that. "You're still a frenemy though."

Once again she was taken aback, but she laughed and shook her head, "You never change."

"Don't plan on it, though I will get stronger."

She nodded and turned around. "Just don't let Yugi get hurt," she waved before leaving.

Maybe she has changed…but that doesn't mean I'll forget what she did.

Yugi and Joey returned a half hour later, bringing several snacks that made my mouth water. Hospital food got old fast.

"…so the creep was exposed as a fraud yesterday." Joey avidly explained between mouthfuls of food.

I laughed. "I could have told you he was a fraud from the beginning."

Yugi nodded along with me. "I did warn you Joey."

"Eh, shove off." Joey grumped making Yugi and I laugh.

"So Jas, you get released tomorrow?" Yugi asked cheerfully.

I nodded, "Yep. Though I have to keep the cast on for another month."

Joey shrugged, but looked considerably better as well, "Could be worse."

"It already is, I'm mission out on training."

"I think you should rest like the doctors said," Yugi nervously commented.

"Yeah, but you know me, I can't sit still for very long."

Yugi laughed, "Don't I know it. You got us into a lot of trouble when we were younger because of it."

We both laughed for a while, "Like that time with the granny down the street?"

Yugi nodded, "You tried taking fruit from her tree and she hit you in the head with her cane."

I rubbed my head, "For a ol' girl she had quite a swing."

I noticed that Joey looked a bit out of place, so I smiled at him. "I heard you were quite a trouble-maker yourself."

"Eh?" His face flushed as I poked his forehead. "N-no not really…"

"He-he has changed," Yugi quickly defended him and I felt a bit of jealousy flare in me.

"Fine, fine." I rolled my eyes and grabbed the desk of playing cards, "Let's play one more round before you guys head off."

They agreed with whole-heartedness.

A/N: Sorry, busy week again. And inspiration has been lacking.

So she missed out on the whole 'fake psychic' episode, but hey one just doesn't recover from being shot that quickly.

The fluff was cute, but they're all clueless. Sigh…

Anyway, thanks to all my new followers, I'd love to hear what you all think.

Peace.