Chapter 4

Yugi awoke the next morning to the sound of muttering following by small thumbs on the floor outside his bedroom door. Rubbing his eyes with one hand he sat up and stared at the door as if he'd suddenly gained x-ray vision to allow him to see through wood. But alas he was no superhero. Swinging his legs out of bed he stretched before moving over to the door where he opened it to find his grandfather standing in the hallway. He was holding a fair number of things in his arms, some of which had fallen to the floor.

"Are you ok Gramps?" Yugi asked, rubbing his eyes once again.

"Yes I'm fine Yugi." Grandpa replied, quietly, "I was just trying to gather the last minute things but I should have made two trips."

Yugi cast his eyes down to the fallen items on the floor before scooping up the various items which included Grandpa's passport.

"You won't get far without this Gramps." Yugi remarked, showing him the small book.

Grandpa made a noise of agreement before moving towards the stairs with Yugi right behind him. Together they moved into the living room where Yugi saw Grandpa's suitcase and rucksack by the next set of stairs, ready and waiting to go. He placed his grandfather's passport on top of the suitcase before yawning and moving into the kitchen. Grabbing a glass from the nearby cupboard he moved over to the sink with the intention of filling it with water. But his eyes found a half full glass in the sink, he frowned in concern at it. When he'd gone upstairs last night the sink had been clear which must mean this was the glass he'd brought Atem.

"Hey Gramps?" Yugi called, "Have you seen Atem this morning?"

He was concerned that if that was indeed Atem's glass he'd not had the best night's sleep. But then again maybe it was Grandpa's but it wasn't like him to leave a glass in the sink without washing it.

"I poked my head in a little while ago and he was asleep, maybe a bit restless but asleep. Why?"

He paused for a moment before responding, "I was just wondering."

He eyed the glass for a moment longer before moving back into the living room. Maybe he was overreacting, his concern for his friend overtaking reason. Well, either way if Atem was asleep that could only be a good thing.

As he walked back into the living room he watched his grandfather scanning a sheet of paper in his hands. Clearly he was going through his packing list a final time to make sure he'd not forgotten anything.

"What time do you leave?" Yugi asked.

"My taxi will come at around ten I think." Grandpa replied, "Are you sure you'll be alright here?"

Grandpa took his eyes off his list as he asked that, looking up and meeting Yugi's eyes. In return Yugi held his gaze a simply nodded.

"We'll be fine Gramps. Please don't worry about us."

Grandpa sighed, "I'm sorry of course you'll be fine. What's the plan today for you two? I suspect Atem won't want to do anything but sleep, so just a quiet day?"

"I'm thinking to head to the shops with the others this morning, make sure we've got everything for the trip and then this afternoon I'll pack. Atem will be alright here on his own for a while."

"Might be a good idea to start now." Grandpa suggested, "Then you'll definitely know if there's anything you need."

Yugi nodded his agreement, that was actually a sensible idea. He was determined not to leave the packing until the very last minute again. If he did that there was a good chance he'd discover then he'd needed to get something but would have no time to do it. The last thing he wanted to do was give his grandfather the satisfaction of saying 'I told you so'.

As his grandfather continued to do his last-minute checks Yugi returned upstairs and located a suitcase from the upstairs cupboard. Walking back into his room he placed it on the floor by his desk. Unzipping the suitcase he opened it and took a step back, staring at it. It was as though he hoped by simply staring at it then it would pack itself but alas it would not. Moving over to the wardrobe he began riffling through the piles of clothes there, throwing various things deemed suitable for the trip on the floor. He dug around for a couple of minutes before a muffled coughing sound reached him. Pausing his gaze turned to the open door of his bedroom, listening. It really did not sound like a healthy cough but after a few moments it stopped, and Yugi didn't hear anything else. Turning his attention back to his wardrobe, he continued to throw various clothing items on the floor. Minutes past before Yugi turned to the pile of the floor and nodded approvingly at it. Scooping it up in his arms he made to walk over to the waiting suitcase when his eyes found a hooded figure lingering in the doorway. He jumped, the clothes seemed to fly high into the air before landing in an even more dishevelled heap on the floor. He looked up at the figure, one hand over his thumping heart.

"Blimey you made me jump." Yugi said, letting out a breath.

"Sorry…" Was the weak response, "I did not mean too."

Yugi shook his head at the former Pharaoh, "It's alright. How are you feeling?"

He didn't really need to ask that question, he could easily guess from Atem's appearance. He was still pale, perhaps paler then yesterday. His eyes looked heavy, and he was not holding himself with that usual confidence he had. Being on his feet also seemed to be causing him issues as Yugi saw how he leant into the doorframe, as subtly as he could manage, for support. Atem met his gaze, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.

"I don't think I need to answer that."

Yugi shook his head, "No you don't. Now sit down before you fall down."

He heard the shaky breath Atem took as he moved over to Yugi's bed, sitting upon the bed with his back resting against the wall. Yugi regarded him again, despite him only being unwell a couple of days now it looked as though he'd lost weight or perhaps it was his imagination. Concern swelled inside him as he watched his friend but when the once King looked at him again he managed to put on a reassuring smile. Had Atem been at full health he would have definitely noticed his concern behind that smile, however in his current state he missed it and merely attempted to smile back.

"Did you at least sleep ok?"

His concerned deepened for his friend when Atem shook his head slightly.

"I kept waking up, that dream came back and I couldn't get –"

He stopped suddenly as another round of coughs engulfed him. Yugi cringed at the sound, he could clearly hear how painful those coughs were. It was as though his own windpipe was being torn to shreds. When the episode calmed down Atem managed to finish his sentence, although he was quite hoarse.

"- I couldn't get comfortable."

Yugi frowned, moving over to his friend and putting his hand on the latter's forehead. Atem flinched slightly at the coolness of Yugi's hand, but the hand was gone as quickly as it came.

"You still feel very hot." Yugi said, "You should take something."

"I will… later." Atem said, he couldn't bring himself to move.

Yugi looked at the once King for a moment it seemed just the simple act of moving from his room to Yugi's had cost him. He watched as the latter closed his eyes briefly, obviously trying to control whatever he was feeling. When he opened his eyes once again he again attempted to smile but nothing happened. Yugi held his gaze for a moment but then moved over to the fallen pile of clothing, picking them up. Placing it this time by the side of the suitcase he began sorting the clothes. He spoke aimlessly about the task to the former Pharaoh, more as an attempt to give him a focus so he could try to forget how unwell he felt. On his part Atem listened without saying much, watching as Yugi packed, he was grateful for the distraction. He felt exhausted but his body would not allow him to rest. His head was heavy, but even leaning further into the wall didn't help. In front of him Yugi was still talking, about what though he was not sure. He closed his eyes for a moment as an uncomfortable wave of nausea flowed through him. But when he opened his eyes they were drawn to something on the other side of the room. A figure was standing there, staring at him with sightless eyes. For the longest time they just stared at each other. There was something familiar yet dangerous about this figure, he'd couldn't place his finger on what it was. He wanted to warn Yugi, he was vaguely aware that he was still sitting on the floor in front of him. But he found he could not, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't draw his eyes away from the figure. Despite the sightless eyes the figure's gaze seemed to become more intense, rooting him to the spot and preventing him from doing anything. After some time, the figure's expression twisted and became one of fear. They looked around them at the floor just as it cracked and began to crumble away. As more of the floor crumbled and fell the figure's sightless gazed locked once again on his. The plea was apparent, but it was too late. The sightless figure late out an ear-splitting shriek as it fell through the crumbling floor. Atem's gazed was locked on the floor which was still crumbling, getting ever closer to him. He had to move, he had to do something before that hole swallowed them up.

He felt a sudden grasp on his forearm and jumped turning to face his aggressor. But as he looked he found that Yugi was the one who'd grabbed his arm, his face a picture of concern.

"Hey, are you back? Atem..." Yugi was saying, how long had he been talking?

Atem blinked a couple of times, holding Yugi's gaze.

"Are you ok?" Yugi pressed, he was still gripping his forearm tightly.

Atem blinked again, not entirely sure what was going on. He suddenly became aware he was breathing rather rapidly and shaking, even more then he had previously been. His gaze moved back to the hole in the floor before traveling back to Yugi.

"Can you see it?" He asked.

Yugi frowned, "See what?"

"That… that hole in the floor. It's right behind you."

Yugi's frown deepened but he turned to look where the former Pharaoh was indicating. But his room looked completely normal, no hole in the floor just a pile of laundry he'd been neglecting. He turned back to Atem his concern for him increasing even further.

"There's nothing there Atem."

The former Pharaoh blinked a few times again before looking back at the hole. But it was gone. The carpeted floor looked completely intact.

"Oh…."

Atem did not meet Yugi's eyes again for a few minutes just continued to stare at the place the figure and hole had once been. His breathing finally calmed down as he finally looked at Yugi once again.

"What happened?" He asked, weakly.

"I don't know…" Yugi said, slowly, "I was talking to you but when I looked up you were looking transfixed at something and almost hyperventilating."

Atem looked away for a moment, pondering what Yugi had said. As he did the heavy feeling of exhaustion returned accompanied by another wave of nausea.

"I'm sorry." He said, finally.

Yugi smiled, "It's alright. As long as you're alright?"

Atem nodded slowly as a shiver made its way through him. Yugi, who was still in front of him, frowned. He'd felt that shiver, but he could also feel just how hot he was.

"You should try and sleep more." He said, not taking his eyes off his friend.

Atem let out a breath, rubbing his head with a shaking hand.

"I'm not sure I can, not just yet."

There was a pause as another round of coughs engulfed the former Pharaoh. Once it had subsided Yugi stood, still watching his friend.

"I'm going to go get something for you. If you can't sleep, then you should at least take something to help."

Atem looked at Yugi but he made no attempt to dissuade Yugi or tell him he was alright. He just didn't have the energy. Instructing the once King to not move Yugi hurried down the stairs and collected a couple of items from the kitchen before dashing back upstairs. He was so focused on his task he didn't think about giving his rather confused grandfather, who was still in the living room, an explanation. Hurrying back into his room he found Atem exactly where he'd left him. He was still sitting on the bed leaning into the wall, he was gazing off into the distance. But when Yugi approached his eyes did move heavily to him. Yugi held out the first item, a glass of water, which was readily accepted and then the other item which, after a brief hesitation, was also accepted. He waited until the glass was returned to him before settling himself back on the floor. He watched Atem's gaze travel back to the spot he'd been so focused on mere minutes ago and knew he was thinking about whatever it was he'd seen. Yugi couldn't stop himself from looking behind him but the room still looked completely normal. When he turned back Atem seemed to realise that his actions had been noticed. He gave Yugi the weakest of smiles although it looked more of a grimace.

Turning his attention back to the piles of clothes surrounding him, Yugi began to sort through them once again. As he did he couldn't help but wonder whether all of that could be considered normal given the fact the former Pharaoh was so unwell or… did it mean something else? Biting his lip he tried to push the thoughts away, perhaps this was all just a one off. A few minutes past in silence before there was a noise from the doorway. Looking up Yugi saw his grandfather standing there. Grandpa immediately looked to the once King, who held his gaze once again trying to smile reassuringly at him.

"Are you alright?" Grandpa asked.

Atem nodded ever so slightly before breaking the eye contact to cough. It was Grandpa's turn to grimace, but he did turn to look at Yugi although his eyes lingered on the former Pharoah for a moment longer.

"Joey is downstairs." He said, "He's waiting for you in the living room, but shall I send him up?"

Yugi exchanged a glance with the former Pharaoh, but found the latter wasn't looking at either of them. He'd closed his eyes and was rubbing his head again. After a long moment Atem seemed to realise someone was looking at him. He looked up and at each of them in turn before smiling ever so slightly. Yugi, interpreting the silent message, nodded at his grandfather before turning back to his friend. Once Grandpa had left the room Yugi spoke.

"Are you sure it's ok?"

Atem nodded, exhaustion clear in his eyes.

"It's fine. I think I will go back to bed anyway."

Yugi nodded slowly, "Alright, well I was thinking to head out with the guys to get some things for the trip. Will you be alright here?"

"I'll be fine Yugi, you go and do whatever you need to."

Nodding again, he watched as Atem slowly moved to push himself up and off the bed. He refused any help from Yugi, which wasn't surprising, before shakily moving out of the room and up the corridor to his own room. Yugi, who was watching from the doorway, let out a breath. He hoped that the former Pharaoh managed to rest, he was clearly desperate for it. As his mind considered the events of the last few minutes his eyes found their way back to the corner of the room again. It took a lot to unsettle Atem, in fact Yugi couldn't really think of anything that had truly unnerved him. He'd always been the most unbreakable person no matter what was thrown at him but whatever he'd seen had truly unsettled him. But maybe all that had been part of the illness, it was possible for a fever to show delusions.

His thoughts became so wrapped up in concern for his friend that he failed to notice a dark shape slowly moving towards him. It was only when something grabbed him rather suddenly on the arm that he reacted, he jumped nearly a foot into the air before stumbling backwards into his room. Turning to face whatever had grabbed him he saw Joey standing in the doorway, looking rather impressed with himself.

"Why would you do that?" Yugi asked, an exasperated expression.

Joey laughed, "It was too tempting!"

Yugi scowled at him before turning his back to him and faced his desk. He heard Joey enter the room fully as he picked up various things, shoving them into his pockets. He smiled to himself when he had an audible thump which told him Joey had tripped over his suitcase. Turning around he just smirked at his friend as he watched him straighten himself.

"So.." Joey said, clearly wanting to pretend that had not happened, "How's Atem?"

Yugi's expression changed to one of concern and he fumbled with his words. He knew Joey, being the once King's friend, deserved to know but also knew how much Atem hated people knowing about his vulnerable state. But it turned out he did not need to think of how to word anything as they heard muffled coughing which told them everything.

"That good, eh?" Joey said, motioning over his shoulder.

Yugi sighed, "Yeah he's not good."

"Well if that cough is anything to go by then I feel for him. Whatever he's got sounds nasty."

Yugi nodded, absentmindedly rubbing his chest as if he was feeling the pain that Atem was no doubt experiencing at this moment. There was a brief pause between them as both friends' thoughts turned to the same person. But Joey soon broke that silence, looking at Yugi with a broad grin on his face.

"I say let's have lots of fun today to cheer him up. He might not be able to come with us but that doesn't mean he won't know about what we did."

Yugi smiled, "I'm sure he'd appreciate us trying to take his mind off it."

Joey nodded, "Well what are we waiting for! Let's go!"

With that he'd turned and was heading out the room. Yugi followed but paused by the top of the stairs. His eyes found the closed door of the former Pharoah's room, lingering there for a moment. Sighing once again he descended the stairs finding a rather animated Joey talking to his grandfather. Grandpa was pulling his rucksack on, clearly getting ready to leave.

"Ah Yugi," He said, noticing him at the bottom of the stairs, "My taxi is early. Now are you sure you're going to be ok?"

"Yeah Gramps, we'll be fine." Yugi nodded, smiling reassuringly at his grandfather.

"I don't mind coming with you all next week. I mean –"

"Gramps, I've got him don't worry."

"Don't worry we'll make sure he's looked after." Joey said, crossing his arms confidently, "When we join you next week he'll be as good as new."

Grandpa let out a sigh, "Ok, if you're sure but call if you or he needs anything. I might pop up and say goodbye to him."

Yugi shook his head, "He's trying to go back to sleep Gramps, I'll pass on a message to him later."

Grandpa nodded again as they heard a car horn beeping, "Ok well I don't want to disturb him. But I mean it, if you need anything then call."

"I will Gramps, we will be ok." Yugi pressed.

They heard another beep from the waiting taxi, it's driver clearly getting impatient. Grandpa pulled his grandson into a hug.

"I'll see you next week. Stay out of trouble."

"I will Gramps but you better go before that driver leaves without you."

Breaking the hug Yugi picked up his grandfather's suitcase and he followed him down the stairs into the game shop with Joey following behind them. As they made their way to the door Grandpa continued to reel of a list of things to Yugi who in turn kept insisting his Grandpa stop worrying, this wasn't exactly the first time Yugi had been left on his own. The driver looked rather annoyed when he exited the vehicle to take the suitcase from Yugi and place it into the boot of the car. Grandpa finally entered, waving out the window as the car drove off leaving Yugi and Joey on the pavement their hands waving in farewell. When the car finally disappeared the two teenagers looked at each other, grinning before preparing to start their own day of fun.