RN: The chances of me owning Yu-Gi-Oh are about as good as Téa beating Joey in a card game *checks Season 1* I MEAN as good as Mokuba getting kidnapped *Checks the entire series of Yu-Gi-Oh* I MEAN as good as Kaiba getting comfortable with another human being other than his brother. That's 0, right?
Chapter 24: A Flaw in the Code
"Isashi! The truck's here, come help them unload it!"
"I'm on my way!"
The Pharaoh finished putting on the last touches to his outfit, then followed Grandpa's call out of the bathroom down the stairs. He checked the clock on the wall before heading outside. It read 8:17. Good. He still had plenty of time.
He hurried downstairs and out the back door, where a blue truck was being opened by a worker and Grandpa. Inside, an abundance of wrapped games and crates were piled high from front to back. Directed by Grandpa, the Pharaoh grabbed the nearest stack of games and re-entered the house.
"Just set those on top of the counter, we've got lots more that need to go into the back room." Grandpa toddled after him, half-hidden under a similar stack.
The next crate they unloaded was taken to a larger room on the ground floor, which had only a single light despite its spaciousness. Shelves covered the walls, filled with all sorts of games imaginable. Some were stacks of the same game, as the Pharaoh and Grandpa had, still unopened from their wrapping. A few looked decades old, dusty but carrying a certain air of nostalgia to them.
"The stepladder is just over there, bring it up, there's a good lad."
Grandpa set down the crate he was carrying and nodded gratefully to the worker who had entered with a third. "Give Aiko my thanks," he said, fishing a set of bills and a note from his pocket and pressing it into the hands of the worker.
"Of course, Mr. Muto."
Grandpa wiped his brow with a sigh. "All right. Those ones you're holding can go on the second shelf there, yes, that's right. I think we'll keep these ones on the bottom, they can go next to those chess sets in the back. The last ones can go on the top."
"I understand." Once the first set of games was safely secured on the second shelf, he reached down for the next batch, which Grandpa handed to him.
Just as he was lifting them to the top shelf, something in his chest suddenly twinged sharply. He gasped and bent over, and the games slipped from his hands. The pile of boxes tumbled down, and he tumbled with them, so that he ended up sprawled on the ground amid a mess of board games.
"Good lord, Isashi! Are you all right?!" Grandpa picked his way to the center of the mess as fast as he could, bending down to help the Pharaoh sit up. His frown deepened when he saw the Pharaoh still massaging his chest, his face twisted in discomfort.
"What's the matter, Isashi? Did one of those hit you in the chest? Are you having another reaction? Just hold on, I'll get your inhaler!" Grandpa made to dash away as quickly as his old, stunted legs would allow, but the Pharaoh caught him by the sleeve, holding him back.
"No, that's not necessary, I'm fine…" The Pharaoh hissed and let out a steady breath. "It was just a spasm, that's all."
Grandpa helped him to his feet. "Even so, I think you ought to take a rest and see how you are, young man! You never know, you might need to call someone! Even if your asthma's getting better, you still might have problems we don't know about!"
"I'm fine, Grandpa, really—"
At that moment, the clock in the living room chimed 8:30, and the Pharaoh looked up, startled.
"Ra, I'm going to be late!" He quickly gathered together the games, re-setting the stepladder and placing them on the top shelf more smoothly this time. "Sorry, Grandpa, I promise we'll talk later!"
"I expect you to keep that promise, you hear?" Grandpa said loudly as the Pharaoh rushed out the door. The Pharaoh only gave a wave to show he had heard before the shop door slammed behind him.
The lines around Grandpa's mouth deepened worriedly, and he put a finger to his chin, thinking. "Maybe I'd better call him after all…" he muttered as he shuffled to the kitchen phone. But just as he was about to reach for it, it rang.
Surprised, Grandpa picked up immediately. "Hello? Oh, it's you, Taisuke-kun! I was actually just about to call you, it's remarkable you—What? Slow down, I-I can't quite understand you."
"Is the Pha—Is Isashi there?" Professor Keichi's voice was breathy and frantic.
"I'm afraid he just left. What's the matter, Taisuke? You sound worried about something."
In his home, Keichi paced anxiously in his living room clutching a long trail of paper. "I-I'm sorry, Solomon, but it is very important I speak to Isashi," he stammered. "His life—no, his very soul could depend on it." As he spoke, his eyes flickered again and again to the cage on his counter.
Inside lay a single, brown, dead mouse.
Téa pushed back a few strands of hair when the wind blew them across her eyes. A content smile was drawn from its warmth. Spring had always been her favorite season of the year, especially the advent of warmer weathers. Though there was still the slightest nip in the air, it was warm enough that she'd decided to go with her yellow crop-top and shoes instead of boots, though she wore jeans instead of her usual skirt.
She stood in front of a café which looked as if it had been recently opened. Several chairs and tables sat neatly around the outside, and most were already occupied by couples. Overhead, a garden rack supported lush greenery and an array of beautiful flowers in various stages of blooming.
She checked her watch, then scanned the streets, frowning. Both Yugi and the Pharaoh were usually very good with keeping time, but it was only a few minutes until 9 and there was no sign of the man who was supposed to meet her.
"Have you been seated, miss?"
Startled, Téa smiled at the tall blond waiter who had spoken. "Oh, no, not yet. But it's all right, I'm just waiting for someone."
"I see. In that case, I could reserve a table for you, if you wish."
"Oh, no need, he should be here soon."
"Understood, miss. Please don't hesitate to call me once he arrives."
"I will, thank you."
The waiter smiled pleasantly and moved away. He's very handsome, Téa thought with a blush. He looked foreign, though his accent was perfect.
She shook her head. Focus, Téa. You're here for Isashi, after all!
Téa felt her cheeks grow hotter when she remembered the circumstances that had led to this occasion. It had been the middle of winter, and Téa had been invited to spend an afternoon with the rest of her friends at Yugi's house. They all sat around a kotatsu table, warm mugs in their hands and sweet snacks in the middle. Outside the window, the snow fell thickly, painting the entire world white.
Joey and Tristan sat next to each other at one side, with Yugi and Grandpa across from them, and the Pharaoh next to Yugi at the corner. To her surprise, Téa found herself on the Pharaoh's other side, next to Tristan. Though she'd never had any problems before, that day she could feel herself getting a little warm at the thought. It was probably the table heat, she reasoned.
"Ah, man, nothin' beats sittin' around a kotatsu on a snowy day with yer best pals!" Joey sighed. He looked close to tears with happiness. The others smiled. It was known to all of them that Joey was the only one in the group whose family couldn't afford a kotatsu table. As soon as they'd learned that, the others decided amongst each other that they would try to have gatherings such as this one as often as possible, to let Joey experience what he'd been missing out on for years.
They spent the hours talking, laughing, and towards the end turning on the TV for a few programs. The Mutos offered to provide them dinner, of which Grandpa had already prepared enough for all of them, even to match Joey and Tristan's appetites. Unable to refuse at that point, they accepted with gusto.
Afterwards, Téa offered to help with dishes, with Isashi next to her.
"You really don't have to," he said for the third time that evening.
"It's really okay," Téa replied. "You all made us such a delicious dinner, this is the least I can do."
In the room, they could hear the others clearing up the table. Already Joey and Tristan's voices were raising as they started to argue about whether or not Thousand Dragon could really match against Kaiba's Blue Eyes if used with a Time Wizard and Dice combination.
The snow had continued to fall throughout the day, and though it had slowed considerably, piles of it could be seen on all the window ledges and branches, bringing to attention every line and curve of every bough and object still visible in the fading light.
"It'll be nice when it's spring again. The snow's pretty, but I'm not a fan of the cold," Téa said.
"I agree."
Téa rinsed and set a plate on the drying rack. "Do you have any plans for the spring?"
"Well, I suppose I'll keep working in the shop, since I'm still not going to enter school, but—"
"No, I mean fun plans," Téa interrupted, giggling.
"Ah." Isashi handed the last of the dishes to her and rinsed his hands under the faucet. His gaze wandered upwards in thought as he dried his hands on the dish towel. "Well…I suppose it would be a good time as any to try out that new café that opened not too long ago…"
"Oh, the one in Domino Square?" Isashi nodded.
Téa dried her own hands, then folded them behind her back. "Actually…I've been meaning to go there for a while too. Would…you like to go with me some time?"
Isashi turned to her, surprised, and it was only at that moment that she realized the full gravity of her words. She immediately turned red and dropped her gaze, stammering, "Uh, I mean, not as like a date or anything, of course, we'd just go as friends, I mean, we are friends after all, and um…"
"I'd love to go." Téa shot her head up, and met Isashi's sincere gaze. His voice was warm and sent tingles down to her toes. "I think that sounds like a great idea."
Téa was sure that if she blushed any harder, she'd set her own hair on fire. "That's great! So…how about after school ends, in March?"
"That sounds perfect."
Téa let out a breathy laugh. "Ok, then! I'll put it in the calendar."
Isashi nodded with a smile. "I will let Yugi know the date. He'd like to come too, I think."
"Oh!" Téa's heart jolted and sank at the same time. That's right, Yugi...
It wasn't that she'd forgotten. It was simply that in the past she had become so used to interacting with them both at the same time in the same body that though her conscious mind was well aware of their present separate natures, she still apparently considered one to be the same as the other.
No…That was a lie. If she were completely honest, she'd only been thinking of Isashi when she asked. But now she realized it would be rude to leave Yugi completely out of the picture.
"Well, I'd been meaning to invite him as well…" she said, fully aware of how false it sounded. A nasty feeling was developing in her stomach; she felt like a jerk and a liar at the same time.
After all, she cared just as deeply about Yugi. But it had been easier to balance how she felt when both he and the Pharaoh were one and the same. No…Inwardly, she shook her head again. When they inhabited the same body. Deep down, ever since they found out the Pharaoh was a separate entity, she'd held different feelings for the Pharaoh than Yugi. Similar, but distinct. They were her friends, but when it came to the Pharaoh…And so, it was only natural she'd want to invite him instead of Yugi…Get it together, Téa, what are you thinking? There's no way you feel that way about him, is there?
Her thoughts were rushing and her feelings were getting more and more mixed up. She could feel the resulting burning in her cheeks, different from before. It was all so complicated, she considered calling it all off to save everyone the trouble. But right then and there, Yugi rescued the situation with a single answer.
"That's all right, Téa." Both looked around to see the twin in question peeking around the doorframe. "I can go another time. You two have fun by yourselves."
"Are you sure? But, Yugi…" Now Téa felt hopelessly caught. Though Yugi's expression and tone showed no signs of disappointment, only cheerfulness, she couldn't help but feel bad regardless.
"Yugi, we can easily reschedule another time to let you—"
"Isashi, can I talk to you for a second?" Yugi took his brother by the wrist and, still smiling, but with a hint of exasperation, led him out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
Téa turned back to the dishes. Of course, they were all finished, so there was nothing she could do to distract herself. She settled for leaning against the counter, biting her lips and willing herself to calm down.
God, how she felt guilty...Once again, Yugi had managed to ease the situation with the best possible solution. She'd known all along his genius in strategy applied to understanding people as well as games. But he'd also racked up some "I-owe-you" chips in the process. Yugi had chosen to sacrifice his own well-being for the sake of the best possible outcome. That, too, was simply his nature. Even if it was a rather mild sacrifice, all things considered, it could not be ignored.
She sighed, now feeling even worse. All this time, she'd wanted to go to the café with the Pharaoh, and only the Pharaoh. It shocked her that she wouldn't have realized how entirely exclusive she had been up until now. But even so, the idea of bringing somebody else along as well didn't appeal to her.
(She didn't yet admit that she was also reluctant of the thought of going with another person besides the Pharaoh.)
At the very least, it wasn't fair to exclude one brother from another. Not when they had grown so close during the time they'd known each other. But even as she came to the decision that it was likely the right thing to do to bring Yugi along as well, she felt a heaviness in her body that only heightened her guilt.
She was so deep in her self-reflection that she barely noticed the Pharaoh return to the kitchen, and when she did she quickly composed herself, taking a deep breath and smiling at him.
Only then did she notice that, oddly enough, he seemed to be just as unsettled. For some reason, he wouldn't meet her gaze. He put a hand to the back of his head. "Um…" he started, then didn't continue. Téa frowned, concerned. It took a moment, but then she realized he was indeed blushing. "So…in March…"
It was a remarkable sight, seeing the Pharaoh speechless. For once, his great intellect appeared to have failed him, and he didn't know how to make his next move.
What on earth had Yugi said?
Biting back a grin, Téa made it easier by making the move for him. "How about a Tuesday?" she offered. "The café might not be crowded then."
"Yes," the Pharaoh said finally, after looking at her at last and making several motions with his mouth. "I agree, a Tuesday sounds perfect."
Téa finally allowed herself to smile. "Great! We can work out the details when it gets closer to March."
She peered around him, and saw nobody behind him. "Um, so, did Yugi decide not to come?"
"Oh, well, he..." The Pharaoh looked behind him and halted his speech in surprise when he saw nobody was there. When he turned back, he was frowning like he was trying to comprehend a difficult problem. "He said...He's not really into cafés. He thanks us for inviting him, though."
Was it her imagination, or had that last part sounded as if Yugi had specifically told the Pharaoh to say those words? Téa had a funny feeling about what was going on, but something else told her it was wiser not to think too much into it.
"I see," she answered. "Well, I guess it'll be just you and me, then."
The Pharaoh paused with his mouth open, as if about to say something, then shut it and nodded. "Mm-hmm," he replied. He still looked slightly dazed.
It was soon time for them to head home. Téa, Joey, and Tristan all waved good-bye at the front door and braced themselves for the cold. Téa caught the Pharaoh's eye on the way out. He'd smoothed himself back to his usual composed, serious self, but she could have sworn he'd twitched when she looked at him.
It had her smiling all the way back home.
"Téa!"
She was shaken from her thoughts at the sound of her name being called. She grinned widely at the sight of Isashi running up the walk, and waved to him.
"I was beginning to get worried," she said as he slowed to a stop next to her, panting.
"I'm sorry, Téa. I had to help Grandpa unload some new games first."
Téa shook her head. "Don't be, I understand."
They passed through the little gate to under the canopy, where the waiter from before sat them next to a lovely patch of pink and blue flowers patterning the wall, with morning glories above them. Patches of sunlight shone through, not so strong that they felt overheated, but just warm enough that the chill in the air seemed to disappear altogether.
As the waiter disappeared to the indoors, another waiter, this time a brown-haired youth, approached their table. "Welcome to the Cat's Eye café. Would you two like some drinks to start?"
"Hmm…Oh, this looks good." Téa pointed to her menu. "Can I try a Little Kitty strawberry tea?"
"Absolutely. And for you sir?"
"The Moko milkshake, please."
"Understood. I'll be back in a few minutes with your orders."
Téa set her menu down for the moment and settled her cheek into her palm, taking a moment to relax in the surroundings. The café was small and as simple as any of the others in the square, yet there was a certain elegance that made it feel as fancy as a four-star restaurant. There were only three workers as far as she could see, including the baker in the kitchen, yet they performed with astonishing efficiency. As far as she'd been aware, the café had been set up for only a few months, but already it had become quite popular among the students at her school.
Not to mention, she added, her cheeks already turning pink again, the outside patio has the perfect romantic setting for couples—What are you saying, Téa, get a grip! She just held herself back from hitting herself in embarrassment. It's not like we're on a date or anything, we're just two friends, enjoying a morning snack…
But her heart was already picking up pace.
To take her mind off the subject before it went too far out of control, she picked up her menu again and asked casually, "So, um, Isashi, is your asthma getting any better?"
Immediately she cringed. Way to pick a topic, Téa.
Isashi, who had looked up from his own menu when she asked, gave a small sigh. "Yes, it is, fortunately. I must admit it was a little…difficult, having to once again spend most of my days inside. Apparently the cold can worsen asthma symptoms, according to Grandpa."
"Yeah, I'd heard," Téa murmured, genuine concern cutting through her earlier haze of feelings. Isashi had suffered two more attacks over the past few months, but thankfully nowhere near the severity of the first time.
"The warmer temperatures have helped tremendously, however. It's a relief to be able to go outside again, and I'm able to help out more without worrying about overexerting myself. Also, I'm able to make Yugi and Grandpa feel more at ease as well, which is a relief of its own."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Those two can be real worrywarts," Téa laughed. Their waiter arrived again with their drinks, and they paused in their conversation to order.
"Are you still finding time to Duel?" Téa asked afterwards.
"When I can. Yugi's been my only opponent most of the time, but I'm hoping to have another chance with the Duel Disk now that school is over for the year." A little bit of excitement entered the Pharaoh's voice, making him sound just like a teenager. It was a strange, yet adorable quality.
Being alone with him in this way allowed Téa to analyze the feeling. When she thought of it, it shouldn't have been that strange. True enough, the Pharaoh acted far more mature than his appearance. It was as if his age as a spirit - and the fact that he had once been a great and legendary king - gave him a venerable presence that couldn't be ignored. But that didn't deny the fact that he still looked the same age as everyone else at her school.
She sipped her tea thoughtfully. The Pharaoh had set down his menu, and was drinking his own milkshake as he stared off into space, pondering something as he often did. It probably looked weird from the outside, two people sitting across from each other at a café not saying a word to each other. But Téa had seen that there was usually something resting on the Pharaoh's mind. Likely this behavior came from existing all those thousands of years in the Puzzle. In there, he probably had nothing to do but think.
The Pharaoh suddenly froze, then winced. At first, Téa was concerned...then she realized what had happened, and had to fight down a laugh. He'd gotten brain freeze!
The Pharaoh seemed to notice her futile attempts to hide her smile as he rubbed his temple, and a rare blush formed on his cheeks. "Sorry. I'm still not used to things like this..."
"It's normal," Téa assured quickly. Then, giving her smile in full, she added, "Try pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth. I've heard that helps."
The Pharaoh quirked an eyebrow, but from the way his mouth moved she could tell he was following her advice. Both eyebrows raised in surprise. "It went away!"
Téa chuckled at last, sitting back in her chair. It was times like this that made it easy to forget that despite how much he awed others, and despite his magnanimous destiny, the Pharaoh had just been an adolescent when he died.
When he died...With everything that had happened, even that concept now was odd, to say that the Pharaoh was an ancient soul housed within an artificially-created body. To recall that once upon a time, long before anything around them now had existed, he had had a first life, in which he'd been born, lived, and passed away. She'd thought hardly anything of it when the Pharaoh had resided in the Puzzle, when Ancient Egyptian curses, destinies of saving the world, and Duel Monsters coming to life made the idea of an ancient spirit seem almost normal.
In the past six months, Téa had watched the Pharaoh experience the joys and consequences of having a body that was wholly, continuously his. There weren't times when he wasn't around because he was resting in the Puzzle. Instead, he wouldn't be around because he was asleep, or sick, or busy, or simply elsewhere. Right now, he didn't look like a three thousand year old spirit.
He looked alive.
The thought was so simple, and yet so profound. The Pharaoh was alive. All this time, she'd thought of him as simply inhabiting another body. But it was his body now, wasn't it? One he didn't have to ask permission for. Téa found herself gazing unblinkingly at the man across from her as if seeing him for the very first time, drinking in every movement he made, every expression on his face, every sign that told her he was just like every other living person in the city. In the world.
Professor Keichi. I didn't realize before, but you've given him a gift beyond anything in this world. You brought him back to life.
The Pharaoh noticed her odd expression, and furrowed his brow. "Téa, are you all right?" he asked gently.
"Huh? Oh...yes." Téa blinked rapidly. "Yes. I was just...thinking."
He tilted his head. His eyes, so wise with age, yet so vibrant, regarded her with friendly curiosity, but he asked nothing. And to be honest, Téa was glad for it. She wasn't sure she wanted to say everything on her mind in that moment.
Their food arrived not long after. The Pharaoh had gotten an interesting chocolate pancake dish, topped with matcha ice cream. Téa had chosen an omelette rice, the sauce made into a cute image of a puppy face. What had attracted her to it was the fact that somehow, the rice was pink.
One thing was undisputed: it was all very delicious.
"Isashi," Téa said, after a time, "how...how have you been doing? I mean, with your body and all. It's been half a year, so..."
The Pharaoh frowned around his mouthful of pancake, and started to set down his fork.
"I-I'm sorry if it sounds invasive," Téa added quickly, "I'm just a little curious."
The Pharaoh smiled and waved his hand 'no'. "It's not invasive," he replied after he'd swallowed. "I'm just not sure how to answer."
He passed a tongue over his lips. "I've certainly been enjoying myself...I never took the time to indulge in anything besides what was needed, with the occasional break with Yugi to simply...have an off day, as he puts it. Some things are an inconvenience at times...I never thought how much I would have to sleep, for instance, and it isn't pleasant how often I get hungry. But..." He took a spoonful of the ice cream and raised it up to her, almost like a toast. "...the rewards more than make up for it."
Téa laughed with him.
"If I'm to be honest, I never thought it would be that different from before. My mind - my spirit, I suppose - has always known what it was like to have a body. Therefore whenever I was in control instead of Yugi, the sensations and actions that came with it were of no surprise to me."
"Oh, kind of like muscle memory?"
"Yes, though I suppose in this case it would be spiritual memory. So when I got this body," he gestured down himself, "I thought I would merely go about things as I usually have. But for some reason, the experience has been somewhat different. I was feeling things as if for the first time, and this body felt...heavier, in a way. More grounded."
Almost like he's been born again.
The Pharaoh shook his head with a smile. "I was wary of this whole idea at first, I admit. But...it seems to have gone well. Perhaps Professor Keichi was on to something this entire time."
"Maybe so." She suddenly remembered something that had been discussed in the past, from before the Pharaoh got his body, and asked, "What about your research into your past? Has there been any progress on that?"
As soon as she asked she realized she actually didn't want him to answer. Too late, she remembered the entire end result of what it would mean for the Pharaoh to regain his memories.
There would be a battle, she was sure of it, from the way everybody talked. If the Pharaoh lost, that meant the world was lost, too.
But if he won...then that would mean his journey would end. He would rest.
He would leave.
The thought saddened her so much, she almost regretted bringing up the topic. But then the Pharaoh shook his head.
"Yugi and I went to the museum in the fall," he answered. "We thought to look again at the Ancient Tablet. But when we got there, it was gone."
"Gone? Did something happen?"
"Apparently it was moved. Yugi and I believe Ishizu must have taken it, perhaps to a safer place than Domino City."
"But then, what are you going to do?"
The Pharaoh sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, there does not seem to be a whole lot we can do. We can only be grateful the tablet ended up in the hands of someone trustworthy. But it is a little difficult to contact Ishizu at the moment. Likely the only thing we can do is wait for her to come to us."
It was clear from the tone of his voice that he was somewhat frustrated with the idea.
"I see." Outwardly, Téa's face showed sympathy, but inside she felt relief settling her nerves like a blanket. It was selfish of her, she knew...but she wasn't ready to let go of her friend just yet.
"Waiting's always the hard part, at least for me," she said. "But sometimes it's the best move. Besides, at least you'll get to enjoy yourself a little more, right? I think this is actually a great opportunity. I mean, we deserve a little peace after all the bad guys that keep coming after us."
She took the last bite of her omelette (it had been absolutely wonderful) and drank down the last dregs of her tea.
"Téa...I wanted to thank you."
It had been so unexpected, Téa almost didn't realize what he had said. She quickly set down her cup and wiped her mouth. "What for?" she asked.
The Pharaoh wore a sincere gaze that sent her heart fluttering. He pushed his empty plate aside and folded his hands before him. "You've always been good at giving advice, especially when we need it the most. Even when we didn't ask for it, and even when we didn't realize we needed it. It's always been something I admired about you."
Téa fumbled for an answer. "I didn't really say anything," she said at last.
"You said plenty. Your thoughtfulness is what counted, as is your regard for others as well as yourself. I've never fully expressed my appreciation for it before, so this time I wanted to thank you."
She wanted to tell him that he really didn't have to, that she would continue to do it in a heartbeat, and she was just happy to provide whatever little help she could. But she was so breathless she couldn't get the words out.
"I am your friend, after all," she merely replied.
The Pharaoh acknowledged her with a dip of his head. "It has been an honor and a privilege for me."
She was nearly overwhelmed. But something about the way he said that, with that strange note of finality, caused her to sober up. It sounded almost as if he'd been saying...good-bye.
She didn't want that. The fear from before resurface, the thought that after everything, he would have to go.
But then...a thought occurred to her. A thought so wild, so out-of-the-blue, it almost seemed a fool's errand to suggest it. But she had to say it.
"Pha-Isashi," she corrected quickly, lowering her voice. She hadn't slipped up like that in months, but she was too excited to be cautious. The Pharaoh leaned in close, eyes wide with attention. "Listen; I just had an idea. What if—?"
She broke off when the Pharaoh started coughing, and he drew back. One hand went over his mouth while the other patted himself for his inhaler. But it appeared he didn't need it; within a few seconds he calmed down, and though Téa had started to rise from her seat, he put up a hand to show he was all right.
"I thought the attacks had stopped," Téa said, sitting back down.
"They have," the Pharaoh said, sounding slightly hoarse. "Only every now and then I'll cough, or my chest will feel a little tight. But it's nothing to worry about."
"That's good," Téa laughed, not bothering to hide her relief this time.
The Pharaoh stood from the table, the wooden chair scraping along the concrete. "I think I'll go ask for a cup of water. That might help."
"All right."
Téa started to go about arranging the dishes on the table, making it easier for the waiter to pick up when he came by with the check. But there suddenly came a crash, and she looked up, as several people's voices shouted in shock.
"Oh my god, is he okay?"
"He just fell over!"
"Should we call an ambulance?"
"Someone get the waiter!"
Téa was rushing forward before she even knew she'd left the table. She was at the Pharaoh's side in the next instant, calling his name from where he lay prone on the ground, a chair knocked over besides him. Her heart seized in fear when he didn't open his eyes, didn't even twitch despite how hard she was shaking him.
She'd asked the others gathered around three times before she realized what she was saying.
"What happened?" she demanded.
"He just stumbled and collapsed," one man said at last. The woman next to him had her phone out, and seemed to be talking to the police. "I don't know, he seemed fine, but then he just looked dizzy."
"He's bleeding," another woman said suddenly. "I think he scraped himself when he fell. Someone get a napkin or something..."
But it wasn't a scrape. Téa stared in horror at the Pharaoh's hand, where flecks of blood stood out clearly against the pale skin of his palm, then to his mouth, where his lips were tinged in red.
Don't let him die, Téa remembered pleading afterwards, again and again. Please, please, don't let him be dying.
Yugi really hated hospitals.
He'd ended up in one far too many times for his lifetime, for one reason or another. He was sick of seeing his loved ones on hospital beds, with their eyes closed and a mask over their face, sick of running down hallways with the same dreading question on his mind; What will I find at the end of the corridor?
And now he was running for the Pharaoh. His other self, his friend, his brother-of-the-soul, the one person who had been with him through every second of times like these...
Yugi had been at the wholesale store when he'd gotten the call, having been instructed by Grandpa earlier to take a list of what games were available and what would be coming in the next few months. The moment he heard the Pharaoh was in the hospital, he'd run out of the store without another word.
Grandpa, Joey, and Tristan followed close behind, surprisingly finding it difficult to keep up. Yugi could barely spare them a thought as they pushed through the final set of doors to the patient's ward.
The hallway was empty but for one person. Téa was standing at one of the windows, her mouth anxiously chewing at one of her fingers. When she looked up at them, Yugi could see her eyes were red and watery, and his stomach clenched.
"You're here," she said quietly, her voice warbling. She extended a hand for Yugi and drew him close into a hug. "Yugi, I'm so sorry, I..."
Yugi shook his head, his throat too tight for words. He was smiling to reassure her even as the ache in his stomach worsened, and he turned to look through the window, to glimpse his brother, but couldn't; the curtains were drawn.
"Doctors are with him now," Téa explained. Her hand went back to her mouth. "Th-They said...that he ruptured a lung? That they might have to do surgery, but for now they're just trying to stop the bleeding, and get his breathing stable."
Her report had been full of stammers and breaks, or maybe it was just Yugi's mind blanking with worry with each word she said. He wanted more than anything to burst through those doors, to see the Pharaoh for himself, but he forced himself to remain in place. It was by far the hardest thing he had ever done.
It had only been twenty minutes later, according to one of the nurses, but to Yugi it felt like eternity had passed before the door finally opened and the medical staff filed out. It was a larger group than Yugi would have liked. More doctors meant more hands were needed. The problem was more complex. The wounds were bigger.
Yugi started forward, but as if sensing what he was about to do, one of the nurses placed herself in the doorway, blocking him. Yugi felt a flash of anger before composing himself; this woman was here to help them, not keep anything from them. Still, it felt like too many people were placing themselves between him and his loved ones as of late.
"May we see him?" Yugi asked her.
The nurse removed her mask. She was youngish, in her twenties perhaps, but she had a hard look about her. "You're his family?" she asked.
"I'm his brother," Yugi said, "and this is our Grandpa. The others are our friends."
"He's asleep right now. I advise that you don't wake him. But you can go in. Family only," she added sternly, when Joey, Tristan, and Téa moved forward, too. "I'm afraid that's policy."
"We're practically family," Joey argued.
"If we give consent, it should be all right, shouldn't it?" Grandpa said, when the nurse looked like she was going to argue back.
The nurse looked uncomfortable. "I can allow them in for only five minutes. That's the best I can give you, I'm sorry."
"That's enough." Joey pushed past her and strode into the room. Yugi was too worried about the Pharaoh to think about chiding him, but he flashed the nurse a guilty look, and he heard Tristan apologizing to her as he entered the room.
He saw the Pharaoh, and the nauseating feeling from before resurfaced. His twin had been propped up on the bed, a mask over his face and countless wires patched all over his chest. Perhaps the only comfort was the small fog left on the inside of his mask with each exhale. The Pharaoh looked deathly pale, and his chest rose and fell shallowly. A spot of red had been left on the pillow; Yugi felt his insides twist at the sight of it.
Grandpa's sturdy grip found his shoulder. "He'll be okay, son."
Yugi nodded. It occurred to him that the elder man was speaking to comfort himself, perhaps more than his grandson. But Yugi needed it all the same.
His gaze traveled to his friends. Joey looked ready to hit something, while Tristan had one arm around Téa. He now found himself wishing he had convinced his friends to remain outside. Téa, at the very least, looked like she needed to sit down. She'd been with the Pharaoh from the very start and seeing him now was likely only digging the knife deeper.
But he remembered they'd made their choice. It wasn't his to keep them from seeing their friend. Joey had been right; they were practically family. And right now they needed to see.
Joey gripped the end of the bed, his fingers mashing the plastic as if he were about to rip chunks from it and throw them. "You can fight this," he said aloud, his furious gaze for the Pharaoh. "You always pull through."
His grip was so strong they heard the plastic creak. "Joey..." Tristan said warningly.
That seemed to force Joey to pull himself together. "I'm fine, Tristan." Joey released a shuddering sigh, and opened his fingers one at a time. One hand scrubbed at his eye. "I'm fine."
The door opened again, revealing another woman, this time in a white coat. A doctor. She seemed surprised that Yugi's friends were there, but if she was angry she said nothing of it.
The doctor's eyes found Grandpa first. "Are you Mr. Muto?" she asked. Her voice was gentler than he expected, in contrast to her serious expression, like she was trying to make the situation seem less frightening than it really was.
"I am," Grandpa said. There was low tone in his voice. Yugi could tell he was trying to be strong, for them, for him. But the toll from the stress was evident. "How is he?"
The doctor's eyes flickered to the others. "If I could speak to you in private..."
"Please," Grandpa interrupted. He sounded tired. "They deserve to hear as well. They may be young, but they're strong. They can handle whatever you tell us. Besides, I...I may need their presence."
Yugi didn't like it, this confession of frailty from his grandfather. What did he mean, he needed them? Then he realized it was a tactic, to convince the doctor to let them stay. But even if it was simple strategy, it didn't sound like a ruse, and Yugi didn't feel any better.
The doctor seemed less than happy, but relented. "All right."
Grandpa sighed. "How is he? Téa tells us...he ruptured his lung."
The doctor nodded. "That's right. It happened when he was in the ambulance. We managed to get him as stable as we can make him. But I'm afraid that if proper action isn't taken soon...he's going to get much worse."
Yugi felt cold. Suddenly he didn't want to be there.
"You see, it's not just his lungs. From what we can tell from his symptoms so far, other organs have begun to shut down. Normally cases like these progress over time, but for your grandson it seems to be happening all at once. I've never seen a patient that has progressed this fast. If he doesn't get proper surgery...I'm sorry to tell you this...he might not make it past the week."
She was blunt, fast-paced, in her speech. Perhaps it was standard for all medical staff to give bad news this way, and in part Yugi appreciated it, because he didn't want to be kept waiting with pauses and unfinished sentences. But it also hit hard, so much so that for a moment he couldn't draw air.
He was going to be sick. Someone must have noticed, for hands took his shoulders and guided him to a chair. He didn't hear the rest of the doctor's explanation, but he did listen, for as much as he could hear, to Joey as he murmured over and over again for Yugi to breathe.
There was a new enemy. One that had once again hurt somebody dear to him. But the difference was this time it didn't have a name. This was not the work of a person, someone he could take action against. Maybe that was the only thing that allowed him to stand and battle his terrors in the past. They had a face he could be angry at, a mind he could change, or else overcome. But this...While it was true he had no idea what caused this, the fact remained that he could do nothing. There was nothing to confront.
He hadn't felt this helpless since...
"Yugi." Soft hands took his own. Téa knelt in front of him, her eyes dry and focused. He was startled; he didn't notice the others gathering around him. "You have to be strong. For him."
Yugi swallowed. "We..." he stopped when his throat failed him. At Joey's encouragement, he took another deep breath, and tried again. "We should call Professor Keichi."
The idea hadn't even occurred to him until that moment. But it was what they had to do, he remembered.
"I've been trying," Grandpa said, sounding troubled. "He called me just after Isashi left the shop. He sounded very urgent, saying we had to meet him about something. He wouldn't tell me much after that, but I told him we'd meet him when we could. Then Téa called, saying...well, when I told Taisuke about it, he didn't say a word, just hung up. And my calls haven't gotten through to him since."
"Forget him," Joey said roughly. "If he's too scared to help, we don't need it from 'im."
"Come on, Joey." Tristan glared at him. "That's not how it sounds and you know it. He might be doing something to help right now."
Joey only tightened his grip around Yugi's shoulder sullenly.
Téa squeezed Yugi's fingers. "I think we all need a break," she said. She looked at Yugi as she spoke. "Some of us could use rest."
They all murmured their agreement, rising to leave. Yugi didn't move, instead looking down at his Puzzle.
"Can I have some time alone, with him?" he asked quietly. "Just a few minutes."
"Yugi, I don't think—" Tristan shut up when Grandpa gently ushered him towards the hallway, nodding. "That's fine," his grandfather said. "We'll leave you alone."
They left in a series of footsteps against cold tile floors. There was a soft click of the door closing, and then it was quiet, but for the sounds of the machinery.
At first, Yugi sat there still staring at the Puzzle. Then, as gently as he could, he pulled his chair over to the bedside and gazed up at the Pharaoh's face. The monitor continued in a steady beep, each breath came and went. There had been no change since they arrived. So far, he wasn't getting worse, at least so it seemed. But he also wasn't getting better.
Yugi slid his hand into his brother's. It was cold, but it warmed a little under his touch, which gave him a modicum of comfort. The doctors had told them not to wake him, but surely this was all right...
Other me, he said silently in his mind. Please be okay.
After a minute of thought, Yugi removed his hand, and replaced it with the Puzzle. Then he closed his eyes.
They'd tried to attempt their mind link only once before, when the Pharaoh had first gotten his body. It was a great surprise to them both when they'd reached out to one another, and found only silence. At first, it had been disconcerting. Yugi had grown so used to having the constant presence of another in his mind, the solitude of being the only voice in the room was stark and heavy. He imagined it must have been worse for the Pharaoh, whose only form of existence was in connection to another. But over time, they grew used to speaking to each other through the air, and the unsettling quiet in his head became normal.
Now, he tried to search for the feeling that came with the Pharaoh's mental presence. At first, there was only quiet, like before. Just him calling for the Pharaoh over and over again in his own mind. Other me, other me, other me...
He called, pleaded, prayed even, for several minutes. But when there had been no response, he gave up with a sigh. Somehow, the weight of his disappointment was even more suffocating than his worry. He looked up at his brother again.
The Pharaoh's eyes were open.
Yugi gasped and flew up from his chair. "Other me? Other me, can you hear me?"
His brother's gaze was glassy and unfocused, but it had moved with Yugi's face when he'd stood. He gave no attempt to speak. But when Yugi felt one of his fingers move, he looked down, and saw the Pharaoh's hand curling around the Puzzle.
He'd heard. Yugi was certain. He'd heard.
The Pharaoh's eyes didn't stay open for long. As Yugi watched, they drooped closed again, and the Pharaoh's breathing fell even again, as even as it could be.
It wasn't much. But it was something. Yugi could barely contain his excitement. At that moment, the door opened, and he immediately said aloud, "Guys, he was awake, did you see...?"
He fell quiet when he saw who was standing at the door. It wasn't his friends, or his Grandpa.
It was Professor Keichi.
Keichi strode in pushing a wheelchair. He looked very nervous for some reason. His gaze continued to flicker from Yugi to the Pharaoh to behind him, where the others were crowding the doorway.
"We have to move quickly," he said, his voice hushed. Yugi realized he was wearing a doctor's coat, and when he looked closely, the nametag that went with the coat showed a different person entirely.
"Professor...what..."
"No time to explain! Help me get him into the chair, hurry." To Yugi's alarm, Keichi began to unplug the wires covering the Pharaoh's body, even as the machines began to beep wildly in alarm.
"What are you doing? You can't move him, he's—!"
"It's all right, Yugi," Grandpa said, coming around the bed to stand by him. "Taisuke's come to help."
They lifted the Pharaoh as one onto the wheelchair, with Téa grabbing a pillow to prop his head up. When they wheeled him into the hallway, Yugi saw Keichi's assistant, Yamamoto, standing at the doorway at the end, holding it open.
"Grandpa, what is going on?" Yugi whispered.
His grandfather gave a short sigh. "I wish I knew, Yugi. He just showed up out of nowhere saying we had to take the Pharaoh to the lab immediately. Something about his soul being unstable."
Yugi felt his insides turn to ice. "What?"
Grandpa couldn't answer, for as they passed down another hall, they saw a number of people standing at the end. Yugi felt a jolt of panic when he recognized the doctor from before among them.
They were going to get caught. But there was no time to warn Keichi, who was striding down the hallway without a change in pace. Yugi furiously tried to think of a plausible excuse, but his mind kept drawing up blanks. He felt dread settling in, one which intensified when the doctor looked up and locked eyes with the group.
But to his astonishment, the doctor merely gave a smile. "Have a nice day, you all," she said, and turned back to her conversation.
Something wasn't right. Yugi looked at Professor Keichi, and saw immediately that he knew exactly what was going on. The guilt was blisteringly obvious on his expression. Meanwhile, Yamamoto stared ahead as calm as a soldier, but he didn't miss the way her eyes glanced at the doctor before focusing back to the space in front of her.
"Professor," Yugi began, "what is going on here?"
Keichi flinched, but kept walking. "I-I promise, I'll explain everything once we've gotten to the lab. Right now, the only thing we should be thinking about is saving the...saving your brother."
Yugi didn't like this. Not one bit. But Keichi was right; the Pharaoh came first.
They made it out the building, to where Keichi's car was waiting on the curb. Nobody stopped them as they drew the Pharaoh's chair next to the door and lifted him in; nobody questioned the fact that Keichi shed the doctor's coat right before he got into the driver's seat and left it and the wheelchair standing on the concrete as they drove away. If it weren't for the Pharaoh, and if not for his grandfather sitting right next to him, Yugi might have called out to one of the security guards himself for how suspicious this entire process was.
But if the Pharaoh's soul was in danger, then perhaps Keichi was the only one who could help them after all. He seemed to know what he was doing, panicked as he seemed...And maybe the hospital might not have been able to save them anyways. For now, Yugi found it hard to think about anything other than his brother as he took in the Pharaoh's breathing, which had grown more labored as they left the hospital.
They reached his lab in record time. The lake at the dock was fitful when they arrived, as if to highlight how serious the situation was. Gray waves splashed loudly over the wood as they entered the warehouse, with Joey carrying the Pharaoh on his back.
The lab was surprisingly bare when they reached it. The only things left were some large computers against one wall of the room, and the transference capsules in the center.
"Okay, doc, I think you owe us an explanation," Joey said at once. From the anger in his voice, Yugi realized that he'd been holding himself back from demanding questions as much as Yugi had. It was an impressive feat, considering how Joey had been suspicious of Keichi from the very beginning. Likely this situation was not helping matters.
Keichi opened one of the capsules. "Put him in here, hurry."
"I'm not letting you do anything else to 'im until I get some answers," Joey responded harshly. From the way Téa and Tristan stood close to him, it was clear they felt the same, and after a second Yugi went to join them. His gaze was determined when he faced Keichi, and the Professor seemed to wilt under their collective will.
Yamamoto stepped forward, and for a moment it seemed she might forcefully take the Pharaoh from him. Yugi started to say something, concerned the Pharaoh might get hurt in the process, but thankfully Keichi held up a hand.
"There was something different with the data I'd been seeing," he said finally. "The Pharaoh has allowed me to take small blood samples periodically, every month, to check on his status. For the past six months, everything looked normal. But there was something off. I'd done the same experiment before, on mice. It seems animals have souls as well, or at least a form similar to ours. My latest subject, Yuni, had survived for more than a year, so I was confident the experiment was a success. But today, when I came to check on her, I found Yuni dead in her cage."
"So what? Mice ain't the same as humans!" Joey said back, but there was a tremor in his tone, one shared by them all.
"It's not the mice, it's the process. The cloning process, it...it's not as perfect as I thought." Keichi ran a hand through his hair. "The body simply couldn't hold a soul it hadn't been born with, not forever. And with a soul as powerful as the Pharaoh's...The body began to experience cellular deterioration, and then organ failure. When I saw that had happened to Yuni, I rushed here and ran the checks myself. When I saw the results..."
He didn't need to finish. Their eyes traveled to the Pharaoh, who was still being held by Joey. A sheen of sweat had appeared on his face and neck, and his breathing had begun to rasp.
"We...We thought it was his asthma, or the time he got kicked in the chest..." Tristan said slowly. "You're telling us all this time, his body was breaking down?"
"If his body dies, his soul may not be harmed, but it will be lost," Keichi finished hurriedly. "Without a proper method to transfer it to another vessel, it could end up anywhere. So please..." He gestured to the capsule.
Joey was still with shock, and he looked as if he hadn't heard that last sentence. But then he walked forward, ghost-like. He and Tristan carefully laid the Pharaoh into the left capsule, then backed up as Keichi closed it.
"Yugi, I need you to get into the second one."
"What?" Téa grabbed Yugi's arm, and looked between Yugi and Keichi.
"It's the only way to ensure the Pharaoh has a proper vessel to return to once he's released," Keichi said. "There is a limited window of time when the soul leaves the body where it will seek a new vessel to be contained in. If the right vessel isn't nearby, he'll drift away. I promise, if this works, both your friends will be unharmed."
"And if it doesn't work?" Joey demanded.
"It's all right." Yugi took a breath, then patted Téa's arm. "If it gives Other Me the best chance, then I have to do it."
He stepped into the other capsule as bidden, and tried not to shiver as the glass lid came down. There were no straps, but he still felt as if he couldn't move.
He couldn't hear anything except his own breathing. Outside, the others were looking at him with trepidation, and he nodded to try to show that he was okay.
Then the machines started powering up. A light began to shine around him. He turned to his right, seeking comfort in the fact that he was able to see the Pharaoh next to him, separated as they were. A loud humming picked up, so that he wasn't even able to hear himself if he was shouting.
And someone was shouting...
No, they weren't. They were screaming.
Turn it off! He thought he heard someone yell. Fear gripped him; something was wrong. He could see movement through the brightness, as if people were running about. His stomach dropped when he realized the screaming was coming from the Pharaoh.
He raised his fists, to try and pound on the glass, but at that moment a great force descended upon his body. He couldn't prevent a scream of his own as he seized in pain, feeling as if a thousand electric volts were being run through him at once.
But scariest of all...He could feel something, a presence, pressing against his mind. A frightful, malicious presence, wriggling as if trying to get in. He cried out, trying desperately to keep it away. But just as he thought it might get through, it vanished, as quickly as it came.
He could feel himself on the verge of passing out...but just before darkness took him, an image flashed through his mind.
That of a gigantic eye, against black clouds...The eye of a monster.
RN: I have been waiting to write this chapter FOREVER. You can't imagine how excited I was to finally get to it, even though things are pretty bad for the group...
~I tried very hard to post this chapter on the same day I put up the last one. I didn't realize a full year had gone by (my bad...), time flies so fast, doesn't it? But I thought it fitting, and oh joyous day I did it on time!
~We have gotten to the main plotline, and now that fillers have been put out of the way, I hope these chapters will be much easier in coming out. Notice I didn't say quicker, because, well, I'm not making promises I know I can't keep. This chapter was wrenching, but it was honestly one of the most satisfying to write, in part because I've been waiting to write it for so long. I actually wanted to make it longer, but I also wanted to leave enough for the next chapter, so, sorry, but you get another cliffhanger.
~Yes, the Cat's Eye cafe is a direct reference to Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles, kudos to those who got it. It started out as just a fun little reference, but I am now actually planning a crossover story between Tsubasa and Yugioh, which I will try to start when I can. I won't start posting it until after this story is finished, though, just because I really want to finish this first.
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