Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Fly Away Home ❯ Puzzling Exodus ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: Plain and simple. I do not own Yugioh.

A/N: Aaack. I hope I didn't make you guys wait too long. I have had an awesome and distracting week. My parents and I bought this fabulous house last week! I've been so giddy with excitement that I forgot to work on my chapter. Sorry about that. Looks like Sunday will be my new posting date. When I'm not working on the story I will be packing. Oh joy. I think I will be working on my story a lot then.

Hope you are all doing well. There will be a lot of Yami/Yuugi from this point out. I think it will be fun if I do it right. Let me know either way. Until then, enjoy!

Fly Away Home

By Ocean

Chapter Four: Puzzling Exodus

"Are you okay, Yuugi?"

Umeko helped Yuugi to a sitting position and braced him against the wall. She placed a cool cloth on the back of his neck, offering him a small cup of water once she had his attention. Yuugi's shoulders drooped as he rested his head in his hand. He was having a difficult time keeping his eyes open. His breathing was a little slow too. He was going to fall asleep at any moment.

Yuugi took the cup of water with his free hand, nodding softly in response to Umeko's question. "Nothing a nap won't cure," he muttered. He threw his head back and emptied the cup, crushing it in his hand afterwards. The coldness of the water as it hit the back of his throat caused a sharp pain in the side of Yuugi's head. At least now he was awake.

The harsh, rhythmic beat of boots on linoleum echoed throughout the hall. Yuugi and Umeko lifted their heads towards the sound, watching as the two security guards made their way to Yami's room. Yuugi turned to Umeko after the guards disappeared through the doorway. Apprehension filled his eyes as he saw the worried look on Umeko's face.

"What are they going to do?" Yuugi asked quietly.

Umeko didn't turn her head... didn't want to look into the soulful eyes she knew were starring at her. Yuugi's deflated voice had chilled her. She knew her answer was not going to bring back the cheerfulness that so rightfully belonged to the young man.

"I'm not entirely sure... I mean, nothing like this has happened before. I..." Umeko tried to stall, to give herself more time to choose words that would not shatter Yuugi further. "He attacked three people, Yuugi, including yourself. Almost killed a security guard-"

"But he didn't," Yuugi interrupted. "Nor did he kill me or that other man."

"What exactly did he do to you?" Umeko asked, finding her courage and facing Yuugi's stern gaze. She held her ground, surprised that the quiet and seemingly gentle man could hold such strong conviction in his eyes and strength in his voice. She tilted her head slightly, trying to prompt Yuugi with her open body language.

Yuugi sighed as he looked past Umeko at Yami's door. What had happened when Yami grabbed his wrist? A multitude of sensations had followed. Hot and cold, rough and soft, black and white. He wasn't making any sense to himself and was certain he would be unable to convey the sensation to Umeko. He wasn't quite sure he wanted to, either.

The only thing Yuugi knew for sure was that whatever Yami had done had not been voluntary. At least, he didn't think it had been. Before slumping to the floor he had glanced at his stranger's eyes and had seen the confusion hidden within.

Yuugi didn't want to wait any longer. Initially he had been disappointed with Yami's lack of response to their meeting. He was still harboring some pain, but Yuugi decided that he was not going to be deterred. The confusion he had seen in Yami's eyes convinced him that Yami's reaction had not been his true feelings. Something else was distracting him. Something more than waking from a coma.

Yuugi braced his hands against the wall, using the support to help himself stand. Umeko rose quickly to his side, a little confused by Yuugi's action. She scolded him for standing so soon after his ordeal, earning a sheepish smile from Yuugi. Shaking his head to clear the fuzziness, Yuugi straightened his shoulders and made his way towards Yami's room. Umeko took the cloth from Yuugi's neck and followed closely behind, taking a detour to the downed security guard that had had the misfortune of running into Yami earlier.

The two guards that had entered the room only minutes before now stood on either side of the door in defensive positions. Yuugi was a bit intimidated by the aggressive posture the two men portrayed, but the man that lay beyond them was a large enough incentive to push him past his fear. His progress was halted as two arms shot out to block his path.

"No one is allowed to enter," one of the guards stated. "This room is off limits."

"Doshiite?" Yuugi asked.

Both guards looked at Yuugi with surprised expressions. "Didn't you see what that kid did? He's dangerous!"

"Anyone can be dangerous," Yuugi replied. He held back a groan at the confused expressions he recieved. "He's unconscious," Yuugi tried to reason. "What's he going to do? Attack me with his snore?"

"That's ridiculous," one of the guards snorted. It took a moment for Yuugi to realize the guard was serious. At that point he wanted to scream. Very loudly. Pulling at his hair, Yuugi regained his composure and decided to try a different line of reasoning.

"I was one of the ones that he attacked." Yuugi paused to let the information sink into the thick skulls of the guards. "Do I not have the right to confront my attacker?"

Well, at least the guards were taking him seriously now. They looked at each other, agreeing with Yuugi's words but uncertain on how to proceed. Crawford-san had made it perfectly clear that no one was allowed to enter the room save himself and his assistant. Yuugi made things even more difficult as he gave the guards the most imploring look he could manage. It was low, he knew, but he wanted to see Yami and was willing to stoop to such levels as guilt to do so.

Yuugi took a step forward as he noticed the resolve of the guards wavering, ready to bolt into the room at his first opportunity until a tall man with sunglasses starred him down.

"Mr. Crawford wishes to be alone with his son," Croquet said bluntly.

Yuugi was not going to be deterred by yet another obstacle, though he was going to allow himself to be slightly miffed by all the stones placed in his path. Straightening himself to his full height, Yuugi gave Croquet his strongest gaze. "I just want to make sure he's alright."

"He's fine," Croquet replied stiffly. "Now leave before I-"

"You really must work on your manners, Croquet. The boy does not have an unreasonable request. Let him come in if that is his desire."

Failing to hide his contempt, Croquet begrudgingly ordered the guards to allow Yuugi entrance before turning back to the shadows of the room. Yuugi glanced at each of the guards before walking past them, a slightly stressed look on his face. He had not had the best of days and had no intention of being polite unless it was absolutely necessary.

He was going to feel guilty about it all later anyway. Might as well add one more incident to the list.

Yuugi entered the scarcely lit room, unaffected by the darkness as he had been the day before. He walked straight to Yami's bedside, ignoring the watchful gazes of the two other men in the room. His features softened as he noticed that both of Yami's wrists were in tight restraints, preventing any movement of his arms.

"Is that really necessary?" Yuugi asked the room softly.

Pegasus stood from the chair he had been sitting in and made his way to the other side of Yami's bed. "Hospital rules, my boy." He watched as Yuugi pursed his lips at his reply.

Even in his sedated state Yami was restless. His head continued to jerk from side to side as his brows furrowed and his lips parted. He strained against his bindings, the effort flexing the muscles in his arms. Yuugi was anxious as he watched his stranger struggling so. He looked up at Pegasus, pleading with his eyes for him to do something to help calm him. Pegasus simply returned the gaze as he made no effort to help either man, curious to see what Yuugi would do.

Yuugi looked back down at Yami, arguing with himself over what he could do to help ease his discomfort. He was upset that no effort was being made on anyone's part to soothe him. Even a simple touch on the arm would have been something. Unable to watch the erratic movements any longer, Yuugi reached forward and unclasped the restraint around the wrist closest to him before leaning over the bed to repeat the action. Hospital rules be damned.

The removal of the restraints appeared to calm Yami to some degree, but he was still restless and unable to settle. Random words spilled from his lips as he continued to struggle in his bed. Dismissing the fact that he could not understand him, Yuugi leaned forward and placed his hand on Yami's forehead. Yami jumped a bit at the contact, but soon settled and ceased his incessant movement.

Pegasus watched in fascination as Yuugi calmed his son with the simple gesture. A small smile had pasted itself on Yuugi's face as he proceeded to stroke Yami's forehead lightly with his thumb. Hushed whispers were spoken in a soothing manner, and Yami responded by resting calmly in his bed. He spoke only an occasional word at this point.

It almost appeared as though Yami and Yuugi were speaking to each other, even though one was unconscious and each was speaking a different language.

Pegasus turned and made his way back to his chair. He chanced a glance at Croquet, a smirk forming on his face as he watched his assistant's unease. His amusement faded quickly however as his thoughts brought him to more dire matters. The ritual had proceeded exactly as he had expected. The results, unfortunately, were less than favorable. Pegasus highly doubted that a mentally unstable pharaoh was the intended result of the ceremony.

And Pegasus was certain all his misfortune could be blamed solely on that blasted puzzle. That blasted puzzle that absolutely refused to be solved.

He was prepared to spend his next few moments glaring at the offensive object until a small movement interrupted his gaze. Someone else was eyeing the puzzle, though not in such a harsh manner as Pegasus had intended. An eyebrow was raised in question as Pegasus watched Yuugi finger the pieces lightly, his hand having moved from Yami's head to rest on his arm.

Always touching. That was interesting.

The soft `clink' of metal on metal penetrated the silent room. Pegasus jumped from his chair and turned toward Yuugi. "What are you doing!?" he all but shouted.

"G-gomen," Yuugi stuttered as he sheepishly laid the puzzle piece in his hand back on the bedside table. "I sort of have a weakness when it comes to puzzles."

Once Yami had calmed, Yuugi had caught the glint of fire from the candles reflected off the golden surface of the puzzle pieces. After studying the oddly shaped pieces for a moment his hand had reached out of its own accord and inserted a piece properly into place. Excited by his success, Yuugi had continued to slowly piece the puzzle together until he accidentally bumped the table and rattled the pieces.

Walking over to his side, Pegasus stood in awe as he looked at the puzzle. Yuugi had managed to complete an entire level of the pyramid in a matter of minutes. Pegasus composed himself and hid his astonishment as he looked at the slightly blushing Yuugi beside him.

"Do you always try to solve other people's puzzles without invitation?" he drawled, attempting to taunt Yuugi into a verbal spar.

"You looked like you needed the help, unless of course you were in no hurry to solve the puzzle. If that was the case, I apologize," Yuugi replied, barely hiding the smug grin that tried to jeopardize the innocence of his statement.

Pegasus exercised a great deal of control to suppress the growl that formed in his throat. The runt was beginning to try his patience. Though he respected the boy for his strength and the obvious fact that he was unimpressed with Pegasus' notoriety, he did not appreciate his insulting and complacent attitude towards him. He was about to retort when Croquet caught his attention.

Yuugi watched out of the corner of his eye as Pegasus made his way over to his assistant, engaging him in a private conversation. He sighed lightly, continuing to rub his fingers over Yami's arm. The skin had warmed significantly in the heat of the room, loosing its cold and clammy feel. Yami appeared to gain as much comfort as Yuugi from the intimate gesture.

Yuugi grew nervous as Pegasus and Croquet continued their conversation. He really shouldn't have mouthed off to Pegasus as he had. As much as he disliked the man, he could not forget the power he held. It was foolish of him to act so cocky, not so much for the affect Pegasus could have on his own career as for the influence he could have over his grandfather's store.

And yet, for some reason unknown to him, Yuugi felt obligated to protect his stranger. His aggressive side had reared its head the past two days he had been in Pegasus' presence. It wasn't a part of himself that Yuugi was used to seeing. The most frightening thing about it was the fact that Yuugi found himself welcoming its emergence. He hadn't tried to suppress it as he had in the past.

Yuugi was interrupted from his thoughts as Pegasus cleared his throat to get his attention. Pegasus walked back over to the bed, opposite from Yuugi, a small grin on his face.

"It was awfully nice of you to see to my son's welfare, and I apologize for any inconvenience he may have caused. I must ask you to leave now, however. There are a few personal matters I must attend to." Pegasus's grin broadened as he saw the hesitation in Yuugi's eyes. "Do not worry, my boy. I am certain you two will be seeing each other again."

The hair on the back of Yuugi's neck stood on end at the thought of leaving Yami alone with Pegasus in his vulnerable condition. His eyes shot nervously between the two men as his mind tried to invent a plausible excuse for him to stay. Yuugi closed his eyes, knowing there was nothing he could say that would change the situation to his liking.

"There there now, Yuugi-boy. Don't look so disappointed," Pegasus chortled. He was thoroughly enjoying the glare Yuugi was giving him from under his bangs. He looked absolutely pissed. "I wouldn't send you home empty handed. As you mentioned before, I do need help solving that puzzle. And since you are such a kind boy and have `a weakness for puzzles,' I thought that perhaps you could take it home and solve it for me? I would compensate you for your time, of course."

Of all the words Yuugi was prepared to hear, those were not on his list. He blinked in surprise, responding to Pegasus' request with the very intelligent and well thought out, "Huh?"

Pegasus grinned as he walked around the bed and gathered the completed portion of the puzzle and its remaining pieces in his hands. "Thank you so much," he said as he pushed the pieces into Yuugi's surprised hands.

"Demo-"

"Do not worry, Yuugi. I know how to reach you," Pegasus reassured as he guided Yuugi to the door. With a gentle shove Yuugi was pushed into the hall. He stood speechless as he heard the door close behind him and the latch turn into place.

For the second time in as many days Yuugi had exited Yami's room dazed and confused and utterly lost.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~- ~-~-~-~-

The soft ring of a bell filtered its way through the shop and into the living portion of the building, interrupting the stillness that had peacefully settled into the area. Sugoroku's ears perked at the sound, and he stood wearily from the couch he had inhabited for the past two hours. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he watched as Yuugi made a good impression of a zombie as he walked right past his grandfather and straight into the kitchen.

Tilting his head to the side in confusion, Sugoroku followed the zombie, who was now sitting and starring blankly at the kitchen table. He walked cautiously to the other side of the table, pulling out a chair and sitting himself down. Having still not captured his grandson's attention, Sugoroku shifted his gaze to the object in Yuugi's hands.

Correction. The many objects.

Without a sound Yuugi placed the puzzle and its complimentary pieces onto the table in front of him. He rested his elbows on the cool surface and laid his head on the pillow he formed with his hands.

"Uh... Yuugi?"

Yuugi jumped at the sound of his grandfather's voice, banging his knee against the underside of the table and scattering the pieces of the puzzle along its surface. Hastily rubbing his protesting knee, Yuugi raised apologetic eyes to his grandfather.

"Gomen, Ji-chan. I didn't realize you were sitting there," Yuugi atoned as he continued to tend his knee.

"I noticed," Sugoroku replied quietly. His eyes focused on the golden pieces that were now scattered along the tabletop. Sugoroku mentally completed the shape of the puzzle, realizing that upon completion a pyramid would be formed. "You were gone for quite a while."

Yuugi shifted in his seat. "I fell asleep," he mumbled, embarrassed by his admission.

Sugoroku raised a brow. "Not behind the wheel, I hope."

"No," Yuugi grunted, glaring at his grandfather from beneath his long lashes. "I fell asleep before I ever raised my key to the ignition. Didn't wake up until an hour and a half later. Only then did I drive home."

"Hn. Were you able to see him?" Sugoroku asked distractedly as he stared at the puzzle, content and slightly amused with Yuugi's answer.

"Oh yeah... yeah, I did," Yuugi responded. "I saw him. He... he woke up today," he continued, the disbelief still evident in his voice. Yuugi reached out an arm and began to gather the scattered pieces from across the table.

"Really? That must have been a surprise to everyone," Sugoroku said as he handed Yuugi a puzzle piece that was beyond his reach. Yuugi gave a small smile in thanks and nodded his head in agreement to his grandfather's statement. It was obvious to Sugoroku that Yuugi was trying to distract himself from something unpleasant by focusing on the puzzle he had brought home. He asked his grandson about its acquisition.

"Pegasus gave it to me," Yuugi said, his voice filled with confusion. "I'm... I'm not sure why. It was in Yami's... that's his name... it was in Yami's room. And you know me, I can't keep my fingers off of any puzzle, and I sort of started to kind of put it together. Well, Pegasus wasn't too happy with me at first, but once he saw that I was able to put part of it together, he gave it to me and asked me to leave."

Sugoroku absorbed the information as he quietly listened to his grandson. Yuugi had not mentioned the puzzle yesterday, so the item must have only been introduced to him today. Yuugi would have immediately told him if he had seen such a unique and exquisite puzzle. By the weight of the piece he had handed Yuugi, Sugoroku assumed that the puzzle was made of pure gold. Even though he was a wealthy man, it was difficult to fathom why Pegasus would willingly hand over such a valuable commodity.

Another thing that disturbed Sugoroku was this stranger that Yuugi had told him about. Apparently Yuugi had been thinking about this man for some time, only seeing fit to mention him to his grandfather the day before. The way in which Yuugi referred to him... always as `my' or `mine.' It was a possessiveness that was not indicative of Yuugi's nature. Of course he used the term to describe other aspects in his life, such as his grandfather or his girlfriend when he was dating Anzu. But when he spoke the words now, there was no mistaking the ownership implied by them.

Sugoroku shook his head. His grandson was exhibiting signs of being obsessed with a man he had been drawing for a year and had only meet yesterday.

Not to mention the un-encouraging fact that his name was `darkness.'

Sighing, Sugoroku stood and made his way to the refrigerator, intent on getting himself a drink. After pouring himself a glass of water and Yuugi's decline of the offered refreshment, he sat back down at the table. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sugoroku attempted to steer his thoughts down a more pleasant path. He watched as his grandson began arranging pieces of the puzzle, brows furrowed in concentration as he tried to figure out the right configuration.

"Yuugi, may I see that piece?" Yuugi scrunched his nose at the question, having no idea which piece his grandfather wanted. "That one by your elbow." Blinking, Yuugi handed the piece to Sugoroku before returning his attention to his own project.

Sugoroku rotated the piece in his hand, the movement reflecting the kitchen light off the luminescent surface in golden waves. This piece was shaped differently than the others, having an actual identifiable form. A form Sugoroku recognized. The proverbial light bulb brightened in his mind.

"Do you recognize this shape?" Sugoroku asked. He lightly kicked Yuugi's foot when he failed to answer. Shaking his head, Yuugi continued piecing together the puzzle, although this time keeping a suspicious eye on his grandfather.

"It's the Eye of Horus, from Egyptian mythology. A rather important symbol. Representative of the pharaoh himself, the living god on earth," Sugoroku explained.

"I guess those classes you took at the community college were worth your time after all," Yuugi chuckled.

"Hush you. Now, what do you think the puzzle will be once you complete it?"

"I dunno," Yuugi said as he lifted the completed portion of the puzzle in his hands. "Right now it looks like an upside down triangle. A pyramid, perhaps?"

"Perhaps," Sugoroku agreed. "Tell me something, Yuugi. This `Yami' of yours, does he-"

Sugoroku was interrupted as the sound of someone banging on the shop's door penetrated the room. Looking at his grandfather with wide eyes, Yuugi asked him to hold that thought as he went to answer the door.

Yuugi hesitated as he placed his hand on the knob. A tingling sensation made its way up the back of his neck, intensifying as it reached his head. With a bit more apprehension, Yuugi turned the handle of the door to reveal the visitor on the other side.

Pegasus smirked at the stunned expression on Yuugi's face. He had anticipated such a reaction from the young man. "Hello there, Yuugi."

Yuugi's mouth fell open.

"I know you were not expecting to see me again so soon," Pegasus continued as Yuugi failed to form an appropriate greeting. "But I can assure you that you will not be disappointed by my visit. How are you coming with the puzzle?"

"... Fine," Yuugi managed to force from his dry throat. He was able to jump-start his manners after he realized that he had been starring at Pegasus for quite some time without uttering a word. "I haven't had much of a chance to work on it since this afternoon. Actually, I was working on it when you knocked-"

"I had a feeling you were anxious to get your little fingers on my puzzle. Again, I thank you for helping me." Pegasus had discovered the immense joy of interrupting Yuugi, the comical expression that would occur on his face reminiscent of Pegasus' favorite cartoons.

Yuugi's features harden as Pegasus once again tried to take control of the conversation. He did not appreciate this invasion. Yes, Yuugi considered Pegasus' arrival at his home a very personal invasion of both his and his grandfather's lives. Had he really thought it necessary to come to his home to inquire about the puzzle he had given him only hours before?

Yuugi didn't think so.

Yuugi narrowed his eyes as he glanced around Pegasus at his assistant standing behind him. Croquet's head was lowered as he was struggling to support a heavy burden in his arms. Whatever it was he was holding, its shape was hidden behind Pegasus' body. Returning his attention to the man in front of him, Yuugi fixed Pegasus with a glare.

"Why are you here?" he asked.

"Not even going to invite me in?" Pegasus asked in mock hurt. He dropped his façade when Yuugi refused to acknowledge the statement. "Oh very well. I thought we had progressed beyond a business relationship. But, if you insist." He looked over his shoulder and motioned for Croquet to bring his load forward. "Just in case you had decided that solving my puzzle was not the most important thing for you to be doing, I decided to bring you some motivation."

Before Yuugi had a chance to be insulted by Pegasus' remark Croquet appeared in front of him. Yuugi's shocked expression returned to his face as he starred at the unconscious form of Yami, whose body was barely being supported by Croquet. He didn't have time to think as Croquet pushed the body at him, glad to be rid of the burden.

Yuugi instinctively opened his arms to catch the falling body, cushioning him as best he could as the two fell to the floor. He winced as his shoulder hit the ground hard. He remained on the floor a few minutes after the fall, trying to catch his breath and straighten the thoughts in his mind. His arms were wrapped tightly around the form that lay on top of him, the surprise of the moment still influencing his actions. The warmth of the body surprised Yuugi, the sensation lulling his already tired mind to fall asleep right were he was.

Bracing Yami's body against himself, Yuugi pushed himself into a sitting position. Settling Yami in his lap, his head resting against Yuugi's throbbing shoulder, Yuugi looked back at Pegasus. The smirk on the man's face disgusted him.

"Why did you bring him here? Shouldn't he still be in the hospital?" Yuugi asked.

"I think he has spent far too much time in that place already, don't you?" Pegasus countered. "And I personally do not wish to spend any more of my time there. I think this to be the best solution."

Yuugi shifted Yami again, his larger body weighing down on Yuugi's smaller frame. "So why bring him here?" Yuugi repeated, his eyes and tone suspicious.

"As I said before, Yuugi. He is to be your motivation." A sly smirk made its way onto Pegasus' face. "I thought you might be pleased with this turn of events."

Yuugi was puzzled by Pegasus' last remark until he realized that his arm had snaked its way around Yami's waist, holding him close. Yuugi was unable to hide the blush as he realized his incriminating position. Trying to direct attention away from his embarrassment, Yuugi asked, "Why would he motivate me to complete your puzzle?"

"Because the two of them are connected, Yuugi-boy," Pegasus crooned. "The matter is far too complicated for you to understand. All you need to know is, the faster you complete my puzzle, the better off Yami will be."

With that said, Pegasus turned his back on Yuugi and walked to his waiting limousine.

"Good day," Croquet said as he followed his boss.

There were no words to describe the confusion that engulfed Yuugi's mind. Questions spun themselves in his head, weaving delicate and intricate webs that yielded more questions than answers. Unconsciously Yuugi pulled Yami closer, raising a hand to his face to help hold his head against his shoulder.

Yami was connected to the puzzle? But how? He didn't understand. He didn't understand any of it. And yet...

Yuugi lowered his eyes to the mass of black hair under his chin. He inhaled lightly; breathing in the clean scent of newly washed hair. He curled his fingers as he brushed a golden bang behind Yami's ear, exposing a softly closed eye. Warmth was filling Yuugi as he held his mysterious stranger. Not just a physical warmth, though that was extremely noticeable through the thin garments Yami wore. The heat penetrated deeper than just his skin. So much deeper.

Yuugi was loosing himself to the allure of the man who rested peacefully in his arms. He would have slipped even further had he not heard the shuffle of feet behind him.

"Who was that at the door?" Sugoroku asked as he exited the hallway. "Yuugi, what are you-" He stopped abruptly as his breath caught in his throat. "What is going on here?"

"It was Pegasus," Yuugi said quietly, his voice gaining strength as he pulled himself from his pleasant haze. "He..." Yuugi's eyes widened as he looked at Yami. "Ji-chan! It's Yami! We've got to help him!"

"Yami?" Sugoroku asked as he made his way over to his grandson. "How did he get here?"

"Pegasus brought him over," Yuugi said as his grandfather helped him balance Yami's weight on his back so he could stand. "Said he would motivate me to finish the puzzle."

"Put him on your bed, Yuugi." Yuugi nodded as he stumbled towards his room. Even though Yami wasn't that much taller than him, the added weight was making it difficult for Yuugi to move with any semblance of grace. Sugoroku followed immediately, pausing only to grab an extra blanket from the hall closest.

Sugoroku tried to focus on the task at hand. Yuugi was nearly frantic with worry, retelling his encounter with Pegasus with scattered detail. He didn't understand everything that had occurred, but he got the main points.

Yuugi turned his back to his bed and eased Yami down, guiding him to ensure he would not injure himself. Once Yami was down Yuugi pulled the sheets back, tucking them around Yami once his head rested on the pillow. Sugoroku then came forward and offered the blanket to Yuugi. Yuugi took the blanket, never averting his gaze from the man in his bed.

Sugoroku gave Yuugi a few moments to settle down before he pulled lightly on his shoulder, meaning to guide him out of the room. He jumped as Yuugi gasped in pain. With an apologetic look, he motioned for Yuugi to follow him. Yuugi complied after a final look over his shoulder.

There were many things for he and his grandfather to talk about.

And the main one was lying in his bed.