Pharaess Cleopatra: Yeah... I'm probably going to make some of you cry and some of you hate me because this chapter is gonna get pretty dark... Try to enjoy anyway! *Whispers* Don't worry, it'll get better, I promise. Ciao! *Winks then dashes off*
Chapter 8: Change of Fate
Yugi's eyes slipped open as the first thing he noticed was the warmth around him, the second begin the oversized pajamas on his small body, and the final thing he noticed was the fact that he was wrapped up in Yami's strong arms. The boy let out a contented sigh through his nose when the events of last night flooded his mind, making him smile slightly, until a deep voice rang in his ears, catching his attention. "I see you are awake now."
Yugi nodded with a light grin.
"Did you enjoy yourself last night?"
He gave another nod. "Yes, I did. I've never been to a dance like that before, since I was kinda locked up in Dartz's home, so it was wonderful being able to attend, though I think it was much more enjoyable since I was able to share a dance with you, Yami."
"I am glad because I too enjoyed our dance together last night, Yugi." He said. "However, I do believe we should get up before it gets much too later, otherwise my father comes in searching for me."
Yugi gave a nod as the two climbed out of bed. The both went to go take quick showers before dressing themselves, the boy entering Yami's room once he was finished to find the prince just finishing with dressing himself. He turned as he did the last button on his shirt, leaving the top part open as not to confine himself, unlike Seto, and gave Yugi a gentle smile, which he gladly returned. When Yami did the final button he wanted, he walked up to the boy, who was a bit shorter than him as Yugi spoke. "So, what is it we have to do today, besides maybe clean up the ballroom?"
"Actually, I was—"
Knock knock knock!
"Hmm?" Both hummed as they directed their attention to the double doors of Yami's bedroom.
"I wonder who could that be?" Yugi pondered aloud, mainly to himself though.
"I am not sure..." Yami said. "Though judging by that knock, it sounded rather urgent." He walked up to the door and pulled it open to see Hikari's steward, Mana behind it, though she was out of breath as she panted heavily and looked very flustered and upset about something. "What is the matter, Mana? You look very unsettled. Has something happened for you to come seek me out?"
Mana swallowed hard as she stood back up, breathing somewhat normally again. "Master Yami, it is the princess!" She exclaimed, and Yami could feel his heart drop and stomach tighten at hearing something about his sister. "She suddenly collapsed in the garden this morning, but I believe she has been poisoned!"
"What!? By who!?"
"I'm not sure... I had the guards aid me to help her up and she is in bed now. However, she is very weak and in much pain, so please, you must come quickly! I beg of you!"
"Yugi, come with me at once!" Yami ordered as he gave a nod. "Please take me to my sister at once, Mana!"
"Yes! Follow me, hurry!" She said as she led the way.
Yami snatched Yugi's hand, practically dragging him along as the three ran down the halls of the castle to the princess' bedroom. However, once they reached Hikari, it was all but a pleasant sight, one that made Yami stop dead in his tracks and his heart drop once more. Hikari lay in her bed, her face pale with a thin layer of sweat covering her forehead. Her breathing was ragged and uneven, coughing every so often before cringing in pain, low whimpers escaping her lips as she would grip her chest. Yami was instantly by her side as he grasped one of her weak hands in his own, kneeling down on one knee beside her. Never in his life had he felt so much fear and dread ever since his mother had passed away, and the last thing he wanted now was for his sister to leave him too. However, he knew she wouldn't, for she was much stronger than people give her credit for, so she wasn't going down without at least a fight first.
"Hikari, my dear sister, can you hear me?" Yami called softly.
The princess twitched before her eyes slipped open, giving her brother a very weak smile to try and put up a strong front. "B-brother..." She croaked, glancing over to see Yugi standing next to the prince. "Y-Yugi... Nnn...!" She flinched as pain shot through her body, as it often would, quickly gripping her chest.
"Hikari!" Yami gasped as he sister began to cough violently. "Mana, I need you to pursue a close friend of mine at once!"
"Yes, sir, but which one?"
"The doctor's son. If I am not mistaken, he is held in the neighboring kingdom just a ways away."
Mana quickly nodded. "Right away, sir! I will return as soon as I can!" She said before taking off.
"Sister, please tell me, who has done this to you?"
"A b-boy, I believe... H-he had hair a-as white as sn-snow and d-dark brown eyes, how-e-ever, I saw something d-dark within those e-eyes of his..." Hikari managed to choke out. "H-he was one of the n-new servants, I b-believe..."
"Bakura!" Yugi suddenly gasped. "I'm sure I know him!"
"Guards!" Yami shouted, the door swinging open as he got to his feet to confront them, though there was a dark glint in his eyes, one of rage and anger.
"Yes, your highness?"
"Search for the servant by the name of Bakura and bring him to me immediately."
"Yes, sir!"
Mana ran through the halls of the castle and out the front gate, quickly going to find her horse. She removed it from the stables and hopped on the saddle, cracking the reins loudly as the horse howled before dashing off at quick speeds. She would crack the reins every so often, trying to go faster so she could hurry and make it to the other kingdom. However, when it finally came into view, she smiled joyously before cracking the reins again. Upon approaching the castle, Mana quickly leaped off the saddle and tied the reins to something before dashing up to the gates, until the guards stopped her, causing her to gasp before growling. She had to get through to find Yusei as soon as she could, and those guards were standing in her way as she gave a low growl and a raging glare.
"I do not have the time for this! Please move aside! Prince Yami has sent me to fetch someone for the princess is in dire need! She is sick in bed and will die soon if I cannot get Yusei Fudo at once! Please move aside immediately! This cannot wait!" She shouted urgently.
The guards nodded, having recognized her before as they moved aside, Mana giving a smile. She quickly thanked them before dashing inside, heading for the throne room to find either Jack or Yusei. When she saw King Atlas, a tall blonde man with amethyst eyes, talking with someone, she ran up to him, knowing he might be able to tell her where Yusei was. "King Atlas!" She called.
"Hmm?" He turned his gaze to see Mana running up to him. "Yes, how may I assist you, Mana?" He asked in a thick Australian accent.
She leaned over and gripped her knees, panting hard to catch her breath before she looked up, Jack instantly seeing the worry and concern dawning her small face. "This is very urgent! I need Yusei Fudo at once!"
"Has something terrible happened?"
"Yes! I believe Princess Hikari has been poisoned, for she collapsed in the garden this morning, and she will die soon if I cannot get her help right away. Where is Yusei? I need him to come with me at once."
He nodded. "Follow me, quickly." He said, leading Mana along though the halls until they stopped at a door, the blonde knocking rather harshly. "Yusei, this is urgent. I need you at once."
Within seconds, the door opened as Yusei came into view. "Is something wrong, Jack?"
"Mana needs you to go with her at once."
"Why, what has happened?"
"The princess has collapsed and is very ill." Mana spoke up. "She is as pale as a ghost and is in great pain. I believe she was given a high dose of poison in her tea this morning, but I had not made it, though it is the only explanation I could come up with for this to make sense. She will die soon if we cannot get her help right away. Please, you have to help her! She cannot die, Yusei, please! I beg of you!" Mana clasped her hands together over her chest, gazing up at the raven with pleading eyes.
He was in total shock, to say the least, of course, but quickly nodded as he grabbed a bag he always kept with him and exited the room. "Let us make our leave right away. I have something that should help her with this kind of situation. Do you know what type of poison it is?"
"If I am correct, this one has been causing severe muscle pain, violent coughing, pale skin, and her body temperature has skyrocketed. However, and I am not a hundred percent on this, but if she doesn't get help as soon as possible, it will result in paralysis and her respiratory system will shut down, ending her life."
Yusei growled. "Hemlock..." He said bitterly. "It's untraceable and can come in liquid form if enough is made, but only in small quantities. However, if even a little is ingested, it can cause death in a short amount of time."
"How long does she have then?"
"If I can't get her the antidote she needs within the next hour, it will already be too late and she will die. When did she collapse exactly?"
"Not even two hours ago. It happened just this morning while she was in the garden after having her morning tea. Someone must've put it in there while I was tending to something else."
"We must hurry then. The paralysis will take effect soon, and if that happens, I won't be able to spare her life."
"Let's hurry then!" Mana said as the two hopped on their horses and took off for the castle.
Hikari... Please hold on for a bit longer... I will be there soon, I promise. I won't let you die, not yet...
"Master Yami!" Mana called, running into Hikari's room with Yusei close behind. "I have returned with Yusei Fudo as you have asked for."
"Thank you, Mana." Yami said as he turned to Yusei, who got on one knee and bowed his hand, a hand over his chest.
"Your highness..." He said in a formal manner.
"Please rise, there is no need for such formality." Yami said as Yusei slowly got back on his feet, being slightly taller than the prince. "You need not bow before me, dear friend, for we are too close for such needless greetings."
"My apologies, I did not wish to disrespect you, that's all."
"Nonsense." He replied. "You will never show me disrespect. However, as of now, I am in dire need of your assistance."
"That is why I have come, Yami. I heard of what has happened and came as quickly as I could."
"It is about my sister... We are to believe she has been poisoned and is growing weaker with each passing second. Is there anything you can do to aid her?"
"Of course. I will do anything to save Hikari at all costs."
"Thank you, Yusei."
"Anything for your sister, and my first love." He said before going over to Hikari's bedside as he gently felt her forehead, finding it burning hot while examining the rest of her current state. "She is very weak... I have seen conditions like this before, so I am sure she was poisoned by something known as hemlock."
Yugi suddenly gasped. "No way... That's one of the deadliest poisons ever."
"You know if it, Yugi?" Yami then asked.
"Yes, I do... I have seen it used on people before, whether it be in its original plant form or liquid, but it is all but pleasant either way. It is a slow and painful experience, or at least slow enough to cause the person to writhe in agonizing pain..."
"He's right. It doesn't look like she was given a very large dose, but it was enough to put her in this kind of state. The paralysis hasn't taken effect yet, but it will soon, so I need something for her to easily ingest so that I may add the antidote to cure her."
"I will go make Mistress Hikari's favorite soup then." Mana said.
"I'll help you prepare it, Mana." Yugi offered with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Yugi. Now, let us hurry. You both will stay here with the princess and we shall return shortly." The brunette girl said before dragging Yugi along.
After around fifteen minutes or so, both Mana and Yugi had returned with a hot bowl of French onion soup. Yusei grabbed the antidote for the poison, which was contained in a small bottle, and poured it into the soup before helping Hikari sit up as gently as he could, despite the agonizing pain she was in as he started to feed her. When Hikari had finished with her soup though, Yusei handed the bowl to Mana before carefully laying her back down, covering her with the blankets again. "She should be better by morning." Yusei said. "I gave her a high dosage of the antidote, and because it's so fast acting, it should take affect overnight."
Yami gave a sigh of relief. "Thank you for everything, Yusei." He thanked. "If you wish, you may stay here to look after my sister for the night."
Yusei bowed his head. "It would be my pleasure, Yami."
Yugi and Mana headed back for the kitchen as they cleaned up the mess from making the soup, however, as they finished, Yugi noticed something on the counter. He dried his hands and walked over to the object to find a rather small bottle, a white label on it with something written on the white paper he couldn't see, a small cork in the top, acting as the cap, and a dark purple, almost black liquid inside, filled just above the halfway point. He grasped the bottle and turned it to see what was written on the label, when his eyes widened. There written on that white paper wrapped around the clear bottle was the word "Hemlock" in large red lettering. Yugi almost dropped the bottle when he read that, until he remembered it was made of glass, and had to show this to Yami at once. Mana noticed his loud gasp when he reacted as she went up to him, a concerned look on her face. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke in a calm tone, though concern faintly heard within it.
"Yugi? Is something wrong? You look like you've just seen a ghost..."
He shakily turned, holding the bottle in his grasp up with a trembling hand as Mana's eyes too widened upon seeing the large, red lettering. "Hemlock!? What is that doing in here!?"
"I-I don't know? I just found it there after I finished cleaning." Yugi quickly explained.
Mana then growled. "Bakura must've left it! Come on! We have to show this to Master Yami at once!"
"Right! Let's go!" He said as the two dashed off, heading back for Hikari's room.
However, as the two were running, someone suddenly tripped both of them, causing the pair to fall face first into the carpet with a low 'thud.' They grunted upon impact of the floor, though before they could get up, someone had grabbed the backs of their clothing from behind and yanked them to their feet. The two went to see who it was when an arm was wrapped around their throats, holding them in place. "Go for the princess' room, now." A strange English voice sounded behind them.
"Who...who are you!?" Mana exclaimed as she struggled to free herself, but the arm around her neck suddenly constricted, causing her to gasp. "Nugh!?"
"Keep squirming like that and it will only get worse for the both of you, now go. I will not ask again."
The two servants slowly gazed back, but only slightly to get a glimpse of who was holding them captive, their eyes widening. "Bakura!" They both gasped until the arms around their necks constricted again, causing them to gasp out. "Ahh!" They choked.
"I said move, unless you want to just make this easy and be strangled right now!" He shouted. "Go to the princess' room, and do not make me ask once more or you will suffer." The two stared at the silver haired male for a moment before simply obeying, heading to Hikari's bedroom as not to make the situation worse than it already was.
Knock knock knock!
"Huh?" Both Yami and Yusei turned to the door at the sudden knocking before it swung open, their eyes widening. "Mana! Yugi!" They shouted.
"Yami!" Yugi gasped. "Nugh!" The arm around his neck tightened again, choking him as Yami gasped.
However, the prince's shock was soon turned to that of rage as he glared once he saw who was holding them prisoner, a sinister look on the captor's face. "Bakura... Release them both at once!" He ordered.
Bakura snickered before throwing Mana forward. She stumbled as Yusei quickly ran and caught her, the girl panting while holding her sore throat. Turning his attention back to Bakura, Yami glared again, baring his teeth a bit as he let out an angry growl. "Release Yugi immediately!" He ordered again, louder this time.
"I don't believe I can do that, your highness, for little Yugi here will be coming with me."
"No! You cannot take him! Yugi lives here now and no one is to take him from his home!"
Bakura chuckled sinisterly. "Yes, I am aware of this, however, Master Dartz has something very special planned for him."
Yugi gasped. It felt as if time had stopped as that name echoed in his mind over and over again. "N-no..." He breathed. "No! Don't take me back! Please don't take me back to him! I beg of you! Please don't! Please!" Tears began to stream down Yugi's face as he struggled violently in Bakura's arms. "Don't take me back! Yami!" As the boy struggled violently, the glass bottle with poison still in it dropped out of his hand, hitting the carpet.
"Unhand him at once, Bakura!" Yami roared. "If you refuse, I shall personally set out and pursue you myself, then you shall endure pain and suffering far worse than that of what Yugi ever has! Release him!"
Everyone looked shocked, even Yusei, for this was one side of Yami he never showed anyone, until today. However, this threat didn't seem to faze Bakura one bit, though little does he know Yami does not make idle threats. No, he carries out any and every threat he so dare to make, so when Yami says he's going to make him suffer far worse than what Yugi ever has, he very well intends to keep that promise. When it comes to the prince, you don't try to take what is close to his heart, otherwise you're just playing with fire, and Bakura will soon find that out the hard way that when he plays with fire, he's just gonna get burned. This is just one battle you don't want to start, but it seems Bakura has engaged a war instead. By the Egyptian Gods, this cannot end well, for anyone...
"Yes, well, as much as I would enjoy to stay and chat with you, my master gets very angry if he is kept waiting too long, so I must be on my way now."
"NO!" Yugi screamed. "Don't take me back, please!" He begged and pleaded, but it seemed they weren't heard, for Bakura just simply didn't care.
"If you ever wish to see your precious little Yugi again, meet Master Dartz in five days from today at his manor at sunset, and come alone."
"And how can I be sure you will not end Yugi's life before then?" Yami hissed.
"Master Dartz has told me specifically to inform you of this offer, for he has made it himself, therefore, your precious steward shall stay alive for the time being, but you'd best hurry and come up with a plan before it is too late. Until then, however, I shall bid you all a farewell. Say goodbye, Yugi."
"No! Please don't!" Yugi screeched, tears soaking his face.
"Yugi!" The boy froze at hearing the deep voice of the prince. His head was down, and Yugi could tell he was trembling in pure anger and pain, though he still lifted his gaze. Tears brimmed Yami's crimson eyes as he stared back into those tear-filled violet ones, which only made him hurt more. "I will come for you, I promise. Please, I need for you to be strong one final time and hold on for a little while longer. As much as it pains me to say this, I need for you to keep your spirit and trust in me. I will return you home, Yugi, I swear this on the Egyptian Gods and on my very life... Please...keep strong, for me..."
Yugi stared at the prince for a long moment before slowly nodding, seeing the truth shine in Yami's crimson eyes with tears that threatened to fall. "O-okay..."
Yami smiled weakly for a brief moment. "Please hold on... I will not let you perish, not by that man's hands... I promise to return you home as soon as I can... Just, please...do not lose your spirit, or your trust in me..."
"I-I won't... I t-trust you, Yami, l-like always..." Yugi gave a weak smile, causing Yami to gasp and his heart wretch and Bakura dragged him off, leaving the prince to his rage and misery...