Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ I Guess It was in the Cards ❯ Ch 4 Trap Card ( Chapter 4 )

PLEASE READ AND REVIEW. I would love to know if you like it, how you think it's going, and if everyone is staying in character.

CHAPTER 4: TRAP CARD

YAMI'S NARRATIVE

Luckily Dr. Inoa came quickly, since I was getting tired of staring at the back of Kaiba's head. But I decided to let him salvage at least the small, childish, victory of refusing to talk to me. Dr. Inoa was the only person I had ever seen look on Kaiba with an almost parental affection. He was certainly old enough to have known him as a child. "Come on, Seto," he said quietly. "Let's get you to the couch so I can look at you.

I had never heard anyone use Kaiba's given name before. To Mokuba he was Nisama. To the rest of the world, Kaiba. I expected an explosion, or at least a sneer, but the boy went dociley to the couch, grunting a little with the effort.

Kaiba glared at me until I went to the other side of the room, before lifting his shirt. Dr. Inoa was asking him what had happened, but Kaiba was too occupied with not groaning to answer. So I explained, "It was a fight. Jounouchi punched him in the ribs. But it didn't look hard enough to do this much damage."

I was surprised to see Kaiba smile grimly, as if he had solved a puzzle only to claim a particularly unpleasant prize. "So that's why you stayed with me all this time. You didn't really have to worry about the mutt. I wasn't going to throw him in the pound. And Dr. Inoa won't say a word, he never does." He added smiling up maliciously.

I didn't bother correcting his misjudgment of my motives. The doctor helped him up as if nothing had been said, lending weight to Kaiba's words. "You've probably reinjured that rib. I'll need an X-Ray to be sure. Is the machine still in the basement?" At Kaiba's nod, he added, "Do you want your friend to come with you, Seto?"

"You of all people should know - I have no friends," Kaiba sneered, as they left.

I was glad when Yugi joined me in the now deserted office. I know everyone looked to me as the strong one, but in truth, I took comfort in my aibou's presence, was drawn to his light. We didn't talk, just leaned against each other, as if we still shared his body. I smiled at the memory. I had first emerged as Yugi's defender. But he had moved past that need, and if I had stayed a part of him, I would have weakened, not strengthened him; would have offered not a refuge, but a cage. Yugi hadn't realized how far beyond me he had grown. But I was his true protector in all things, and I knew it was time to let him go. Even so, I treasured these quiet moments, when I could feel the bond that connected us, as strong as ever.

All too soon, we could hear Kaiba arguing with the doctor in the hallway. "No pain killers," Kaiba was insisting. "Some of Mokuba's school friends are coming over. Their parents think I'm too young to be responsible for him as it is. It's bad enough you can tell that I've been in a fight. How do you think they'll react if I'm on drugs too?"

Kaiba broke off as they entered the room. If the doctor was surprised to see my almost identical twin, he didn't show it. The news was as we had expected. Kaiba had broken a rib. (Or re-broken it as the doctor had said, although no one explained how or when the original injury had occurred.) We followed them through the office to the bedroom beyond.

"I'm sorry," said Yugi. "Maybe we should leave so that you can get some rest."

It was indeed a day of surprises…

"Don't go…..Please," said Kaiba. "I promised Mokuba you guys would stay for the weekend."

I should have worried when I saw Yugi's face light up in a mischievous grin. "Sure. We'll stay. We'll even help with the party. If you agree that Yami stays and helps out until you feel better.

On cue, Anzu entered with Mokuba. I noted that Mokuba looked at Dr. Inoa for instructions before running to his brother. He settled himself carefully on the bed, avoiding his brother's left side. I filed away the knowledge that he had clearly done this before.

Unfortunately, Mokuba had heard Yugi's less than brilliant suggestion.

"Great idea!" he shouted. Kaiba and I probably had identical looks of horror and resignation on our faces, but neither of us could bring ourselves to dampen Mokuba's mood.

"Don't worry Mokuba," Kaiba said softly. "I won't ruin your weekend."

"It wasn't your fault. It was Jou! He should have known you wouldn't hurt me!"

But Kaiba surprised me once again. He looked at Mokuba sternly and said, "How should he know that? He once saw me almost kill you. He was only trying to protect you. I can't blame him for that." He looked at me and sneered, "Even if he is just a stupid mutt."

"Don't worry," Yugi said as we left, still able to read my mind. "You know even if you're here, we'll never be really apart."

"All right," I said. "Just tell me why this is a good idea."

"Well," Anzu said with a grin, "You make quite a pair. You've lived in a puzzle for 5,000 years, and we've always wondered if Kaiba was raised by wolves."

"Besides," said Yugi, "You like protecting people, and Kaiba ..."

"Needs protecting less than anyone I know." I finished.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: As is probably obvious, this is pretty Kaiba-centric. Originally I had seperated Yami and Yugi simply as a plot device. Then I started wondering how being in an independent body would change Yami. I am trying to stay in character, while showing how this would affect him. In the manga, during his rare moments of self-doubt, it's Yugi who pulls him through. And every time an important decision has to be made, Yami defers to Yugi. You get the feeling it's not just because Yami's in Yugi's body - it's also because Yami trusts his judgement. Hopefully, this makes the story less obsessively Kaiba-centric, although he's still the main character. I would love feedback.