Chapter 12

There was something dragging him out of the warmth of sleep. Something which was poking at his eyelids, almost pleading with him to awaken. Turning his head slightly he tried to ignore it, he closed his eyes tighter. But this, if anything, seemed to only encourage whatever it was to redouble its efforts. A groan escaped his lips and finally his eyes opened, preparing to confront whatever was disturbing his sleep. However, upon opening his eyes Yugi discovered that it was the sun which was attempting to awaken him. Its rays were peaking underneath the closed curtains and shining down onto where he lay. Sighing he sat up and swung his legs out of the bed. His eyes fell immediately on the other person lying in the opposite bed. The former Pharaoh was lying with his back to Yugi but from the sounds of things he was still asleep. Yugi wasn't completely surprised, given he'd be awoken the previous night by some sort of dream. He did not know how long it would have taken the once King to get back to sleep but judging that he was still asleep now it suggested it had been awhile. Standing he moved into the bathroom to change, he had no intention of waking the sleeping King. He would leave him to sleep and probably by the time he'd had breakfast Atem would have woken and come to find him.

After taking probably the quickest shower he'd ever had he quickly pulled on his clothes. Picking up his discarded pyjamas he moved into the other room and placed them under his pillow. But as he straightened up he noted that something didn't sound right. Turning to look at the still slumbering King he realised that his breathing was off. It sounded heavier than normal. Carefully he moved closer until he could catch a glimpse of Atem's face. He was pale, not quite as pale as the last time but still… pale. Biting his lip Yugi reached out and gingerly set a hand on the latter's forehead, he was warm not worryingly warm but warm none the less. Letting out a breath Yugi stepped back, shaking his head without realising it. Why was this happening again? Surely there would be no reason that Atem would fall unwell again so soon after the last time. No one here had shown any sign of any illness so where would this have come from. A hard knock on the door brought Yugi out of his thoughts. He threw himself towards the floor and opened it just before the person on the outside had a chance to knock again.

"Oh, good morning sleepy head." The person said, grinning, "You know I never thought it would be me dragging you guys up to get food."

Yugi looked at Joey and smiled before moving out the trailer, shutting the door behind him.

"Hey Joey," he greeted, "Sorry I think I overslept this morning."

"Oh you certainly did, if you don't hurry then I doubt Tristan will have left you any food."

"Tristan or you?"

"Oh Tristan, you know me Yuge I'm not all about food."

Yugi made a face at him before taking a few steps away from the trailer but Joey didn't move, looking back at the closed door.

"Isn't Atem coming?" He asked, gesturing to the door behind him.

Yugi bit his lip, "No… no leave him for a while. He's… not awake yet."

Joey opened his mouth to speak but reading the look on Yugi's face he stopped himself. There was a brief pause as the pair looked at each other before Joey spoke.

"He's not…? Not again?"

Yugi made a helpless gesture, "I don't know where this would have come from but he doesn't look right."

Joey looked back again at the trailer before looking back to Yugi, concern written on his face.

"It might be nothing, at least I hope it is." Yugi sighed, "But let's just get some food and I'll tell Gramps. Maybe with a bit more sleep he'll be ok."

Once again Joey said nothing but nodded slightly. With one last look at the trailer he moved to Yugi's side and together they walked towards the canteen tent. Yugi threw a few concerned glances over his shoulder before doubling his pace. He was rather keen to do what he needed to and return to the trailer.

Upon entering the canteen tent they found they were one of the last few people there. Taking in his surroundings briefly he saw Tristan waving at them from a nearby table, sitting with him were Tea and Elijah who were clearing having a rather animated discussion about something. Yugi didn't miss the way Tea flicked her hair ever so slightly and smiled at whatever Elijah was saying. Although it seemed his concern for the former Pharaoh was keeping his feeling towards that under wraps. Following Joey he walked over to the table and half smiled in greeting to the others.

"Ah there you are!" Tristan greeted, "Joey almost didn't leave anything for you guys."

"No no! Tristan that was you, I was all for making sure there was lots of food for these guys."

Tristan rolled his eyes before craning his neck to try and spot the other member of their group.

"Where's Atem?"

Yugi and Joey exchanged a look before Yugi sighed.

"I'm not sure he's feeling quite right today, he's still asleep. I'll go back and check on him in a bit. I just have to talk to Gramps first."

"Poor guy, not again." Tristan said.

"It might be nothing," Yugi replied, quickly, "I guess we won't know until he wakes up."

"I hope he's ok." Tea said, clearly listening into the conversation, "It would be a shame for him to miss what we have planned."

Yugi frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Well, I thought we could all go up to that dune again and show Elijah how to sand surf."

Elijah looked up at each of them, "Tea here makes it sound like I've never done it before, but I certainly have. I was thinking we could have a competition to see who's the best."

"I think we already know who that is." Joey said, a smirk on his face.

"Yeah, the one guy who's most likely out of action today." Tristan replied.

Just as Joey moved to tackle Tristan, Yugi caught sight of his grandfather on the opposite site of the tent. It seemed Solomon had been looking for him as when he caught sight of his grandson he gestured to him to come. Excusing himself Yugi hurried over to follow his grandfather, who was walking out of the tent on the opposite side.

When Yugi found him he was standing behind a nearby tent, still gesturing to Yugi. Clearly, he did not want to be heard.

"I think I can get the ring to Atem today, Marcus will not let it out of the tent but I don't think he'll have an issue with Atem coming to see it. After that we'll just have to find a way to give him time alone with it, given what he said yesterday it clearly will stir up some memories for him."

"We might have a problem though," Yugi replied, "Atem's not well again. He's asleep now but he didn't look right when I got up this morning."

Grandpa frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Just that, he was pale and a little warm this morning it might be nothing but I'm not sure."

His grandfather turned away, looking quite concerned.

"Ok, well let's leave it until this afternoon. We'll just see how he goes first."

Nodding at him Yugi led the way back into the canteen and back over to where his friends were. They were getting to their feet, clearly ready to head off. Grandpa patted Yugi on the shoulder as he passed. He moved to the other entrance of the canteen and disappeared through it. Yugi didn't need to ask where he was going, he had a pretty good idea. His gazed locked on the spot where Grandpa had disappeared as many thoughts when through his head, however he was brought out of them when Joey clapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey man, we're going to head out to the dunes. You coming?"

Yugi jumped slightly, "Uh yeah, I think I'll just check on Atem and then join you."

Joey squeezed his shoulder rather too hard.

"Yeah man do what you need to. No pressure though, if you want to join us then do but we understand if you don't. Just make sure he's ok."

Yugi nodded and followed them out of the canteen. He watched the four of them walk away before heading towards the trailers.

As he arrived back at the trailer it was no surprise to find his grandfather inside the trailer. He was fussing slightly over the former Pharoah, who was awake and sitting in one of the chairs. He looked pale and tired, but not as unwell as he'd previously done. His eyes whilst a little dull, did hold that normal sharpness they did. When he caught sight of Yugi entering he smiled the smallest of smiles.

"I'm alright Yugi." He said quietly, before Yugi could say anything.

Yugi gave him a look as if to say he didn't believe that but Atem smiled once again, shifting slightly on his chair.

"You might be feeling like that now but I don't want you getting as bad as before." Grandpa said, he was standing nearby watching Atem carefully.

Atem looked away, his eyes focusing on the fabric of the chair. Yugi, interpreting the look, turned to his grandfather.

"Gramps we'll be ok here, why don't you go sort that thing out and we'll come find you later."

Grandpa turned to look at his grandson, reading the look on his face. There was a brief moment as grandfather and grandson looked at one another before he sighed and nodded.

"Well, if you boys need me then you know where to find me."

Yugi smiled in gratitude to his grandfather as he watched him walk towards the door, not before putting a hand on the former Pharaoh's shoulder as he past. Yugi waited for the door behind him to click shut before turning to the former Pharaoh.

"Are you sure you're ok?"

Atem nodded slightly and made to speak but Yugi cut him off.

"It's just us here now, you don't have to hide anything."

Atem considered him before sighing.

"I've been better." He admitted, "But I don't think this is like last time."

Yugi nodded, "Do… do you think this and what happened last night are connected? I mean the last time you had that dream you were sick?"

The former Pharaoh didn't reply for a minute, clearly thinking over what Yugi had said. Pushing himself out of the chair, he waved Yugi's silently offered help off and moved to the sink filling an empty glass from the tap.

"Perhaps," He said finally, swirling the liquid round in the glass, "But surely the two are connected regardless. You get dreams when you were unwell too."

"Well yeah but after last time and what you've told me I just think they could be connected. Don't forget that figure, you saw it last time you were unwell."

Atem let out a breath, "I'm not sure I could forget that figure. But I haven't seen it since we were at the river. I…"

He trailed off, his thoughts turning back to the previous night and the mysterious whisper he'd heard. If Yugi's theory was correct then it was possible that the whisper was also connected somehow but he couldn't be sure how or even why. After all it was true that he'd not seen the sightless figure since that day at the river. Turning to look at Yugi he found him waiting patiently, clearing expecting him to finish his sentence.

"I did hear this whisper last night, after you'd gone back to sleep."

Yugi moved forwards, "A whisper? What did it say?"

Atem shook his head, "I don't know, I couldn't work out what it was saying."

"What do you think it means? Is it connected to all this?"

Atem simply shrugged and let out a frustrated breath. Yugi watched him for a moment, seeing all to clearly the frustration in his eyes. A frustration born simply from not understanding what was happening but also why it was happening. When the once king looked at him, he smiled.

"Don't worry we will figure this out together."

At this Atem smiled, thanking him without having to say it. There was a brief pause as Atem rubbed his head clearly trying to shift some of the discomfort he was feeling. Yugi moved away from the former Pharoah's side and straightened the bedsheets on his bed, something which perhaps he didn't really need to do but at the moment he just wanted to do something while his mind worked through the problems that currently lay before them. With his bed tidier then it had ever been before in his life Yugi turned to look at the former Pharaoh once again. His eyes were lost in thought. He still looked rather pale and tired, but perhaps he was right about it being better than last time. Realising Yugi was looking at him he looked up, meeting Yugi's gaze.

"Where are the others?" He asked.

Yugi, slightly taken aback by the question, blinked before answering, "They've gone to the dunes again. They're having a surfing competition with Elijah."

"You should have gone with them."

"I wanted to make sure you're ok." Yugi replied.

A sigh, "I'm alright Yugi, I do appreciate the concern but don't miss out on having some fun with the others just because of me."

"We could go and see what they're doing?" Yugi asked, slowly, "I mean if you're feeling up for a walk?"

Atem seemed to consider this for a moment before he met Yugi's gaze and nodded.

"I think a walk would do me some good." He said.

Yugi smiled at him before leaving the trailer to allow Atem the privacy to get himself ready. Part of him wasn't completely convinced he should have suggested this to the former Pharaoh, who did have a habit of pushing himself even if his body needed rest. But at the same time his pride would never let him be seen by others unless he was sure he could give off a good enough impression that he was fine. Clearly, by agreeing to come, he was confident in his ability to hide how he was really feeling.

He was only lingering outside for a few minutes before the former Pharaoh appeared in the doorway. It was clear he wasn't quite right, but he was covering it well. Together they set off in the direction of the dunes to catch up with their friends. Their pace was perhaps slightly slower than usual but as they walked it seemed Atem was coping well enough. But soon enough they found the others, well they actually heard them. There were shouts and laugher coming from nearby, the pair exchanged a look before following the sound. They rounded the base of a nearby dune and spotted two people standing at the bottom of the dune a short distance away, another two people at the top preparing to slide down. As they approached Yugi realised that the people at the top were Tea and Elijah. His eyes were so drawn to them he failed to notice that the other two members of their group had noticed them. Joey walked over to them clapping the former Pharaoh on the shoulder.

"Good to see you up buddy" He said, "How are you feeling?"

Atem smiled, rolling his shoulder slightly, "I'm alright Joey."

Joey made a face at him before a shout from behind them made him turn round. Tea and Elijah were sliding down. Elijah was rather good just as he'd said he was. Tea wasn't that bad at it either, but she wobbled slightly before grabbing Elijah's arm to steady herself as they slid down. Joey glanced at Yugi, who was watching the pair closely, before looking to Atem who'd also noticed Yugi's reaction. The two of them shared a look before looking away, watching the pair slide to a halt nearby. Laughing the pair moved over to the rest of them, Tea immediately spotting the two new arrivals.

"Hey guys!" She called, hurrying over, "Atem are you ok?"

Atem nodded, "I'm alright don't worry."

Tea smiled at him before looking at the others, Elijah moved behind her and smiled at the two look-a-likes.

"I hear you're pretty good at this." He said, addressing the former Pharaoh, "You up for a little race?"

"I won't if you'll forgive me," Atem replied, "Maybe in a couple of days but I do not think it would be wise of me today."

Elijah nodded, "Fair enough then that leaves you, Yugi. How about it?"

He held out a board to him. Yugi gaze became a bit of a glare before he nodded.

"I'll show you how it's done."

Taking the offered board he made his way up the dune, Elijah took the one Tea offered him before following Yugi up the dune. Joey and Atem exchanged a looked but said nothing, turning their attention back towards the competitors at the top. They watched as they prepared themselves before beginning their descent. Elijah was certainly very good when it came to sand surfing, he practically glided down. Unfortunately though for Yugi only a matter of metres away from the base of the dune he wobbled and fell. Atem watched as a rather irritated Yugi dusted himself off and stomped towards them, handing his board to Joey who quickly challenged Elijah. Reaching him side, Atem heard him muttering under his breath before looking at him.

"When you're better can you do me a favour and win against him?"

Atem smiled, "I can certainly try Yugi."

Yugi mumbled again but Atem couldn't work out just what he was saying.

They spent a rather amusing couple of hours at the dune, each of them taking turns to race one another. All save for one of them. Atem watched them rather contently, he wasn't particularly bothered that he couldn't take part. He knew that would be a disaster for him in his present state. He did note though that Yugi made a point of not racing Elijah again even though the latter offered him a rematch. All too soon though the fun came to an end as they decided it was probably a good idea that they headed back. Tea and Elijah led the way back, talking animatedly as they went, while the others were not far behind them. The former Pharaoh didn't say much as he walked, after all the excitement he couldn't help but look forward to laying down. A rest was rather appealing right now. But as they walked a gentle breeze past them making the former Pharaoh pause as a whisper caught his attention. Once again it was gone as quickly as it came but something else was there, he just knew it. He turned to look. A few paces in front of him Yugi realised that he was no longer walking with them. Pausing he turned to look at the former Pharaoh, who was staring at something Yugi couldn't see.

"Atem? Atem, what is it?"

There was a pause as the former Pharaoh made no response. Joey and Tristan seemed to notice as they too stopped walking, turning to watch the two look-a-likes. Yugi was staring at Atem, apprehension creeping across his face. The former Pharaoh was staring at something which was so visible to him but not the others. The sightless figure was standing only a matter of metres away from him.

"I see it, Yugi. I can see it again."