Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Hades ❯ Child Again ( Chapter 21 )

YoukoMia: I love Yami Aten. So much like Marik.

Valea: Yami Aten kicked ass. Yes, Yami was Dominic the entire time. He never worked with Seto. Aten assumed that Dominic was working for Seto since he was all focused on Hayden.

Shadow of Light: Yes, Yami was Dominic. OOO!! NEW ROD!

Broken Time: Robbie will always be a fighter. He never gives up easily.

I Is Me: They were saved, yes. I couldn't keep them there forever. The series must go on!

Beysie: All the kids will be given the love they need. Yami Aten is definitely like his father. The fruit never falls far from the tree.

Tari Helyanwe: *smile* Glad you liked that chappie. They had to be rescued sooner or later.

Anubiset: Yeah, Robbie tried to say it, but they never really say it to each other until the next story.

Lady Elfskye: Well, it was a good chappie title. *eats chocolate cookies* Mmm…need these now. I don't know who Hendrick is, but whatever happened sounded so not good.

Kat: Gotta love Yami Aten insanity! Hahahaha…vinnie origami!

Pharaoh Yamis princess: *chibis hug plushies* Hehehe…Yami running into a PMSing Aria! Not a bad idea! *evil grin*

[………]=Flashback

Child Again

Seto opened his eyes sleepily. He had been up with Joey, trying to calm the blond for most of the night. The CEO was speechless for the first time in his life as he held his crying lover at night.

He had no words to say. He couldn't even find the words to help make himself feel better.

[It's your job to submit to me, Seto.] Gozuburo's voice resonated in his head. [If you do not get in my bed right now, I will put Mokuba in your place! I know you don't want your little brother in my bed because you know what would happen!]

Seto shuddered as Gozuburo's deep voice sounded in his ear as if he were standing beside the bed. 'Pathetic old man,' Seto thought as his mind fought to keep his stepfather's voice from being heard.

The CEO looked down at his lover slowly opening his eyes. He gave the blond a reassuring smile. "Hello, beautiful. You slept well."

Joey sighed as his lover's fingers brushed lightly across his cheek. "I tried to sleep."

Seto leaned down and kissed Joey on the forehead. "It's okay, baby."

The blond looked up. "We'll have to postpone the wedding until Hayden can get back on his feet."

"Oh, yeah! I'm not getting married until Hayden, Aten, and Robbie can be there. It wouldn't be the same without any of them."

A knock sounded on the door and a desperate call of Seto's name.

Seto pulled the covers over he and Joey. "Enter!"

The heavy door opened and Hayden's loud sounds of wordless protests filled the room.

"Mr. Kaiba, we are having a difficult time with Hayden! We need you to help him calm down."

Seto narrowed his eyes. "What were you doing to him?"

The woman looked afraid. "Mr. Kaiba, all we were doing was trying to change his IV's and catheter bag."

"We'll be right out," Joey said, jumping out of the bed.

Seto and Joey quickly put their clothes on and ran down the hall where they heard Hayden's groans and grunts.

Seto and Joey pushed through the doctors.

"Hayden! Hayden, it's us! See? Daddy?" Joey said, putting his hand on Hayden's arm.

Seto stood on Hayden's other side. "See, Hayden? It's us. It's okay. These doctors are here to help you."

Hayden reached out and pulled Joey against him. He placed his head by Joey's chest and put his thumb in his mouth.

Seto raised his eyebrow as his son sucked on his thumb. "Has he been given his breakfast?"

Katie, one of the nurses, nodded. "I just brought it up. But he isn't eating."

Joey ran his fingers through Hayden's red hair. "Hayden, are you hungry?"

Hayden blinked and continued to suck on his thumb.

"Thanks, Katie, we'll take care of it. How's Aten and Robbie doing?"

"Robbie's giving us a run for our money this morning. He's been complaining of cramps and we had to give him an injection of Narcan to help him lessen the severe depressant effects of withdrawal."

Joey raised an eyebrow. "Robbie? Depressed? I've always seen that kid upbeat. I don't know how it is possible for him to be so energetic and happy all the time. Now you say he's depressed?"

Zira walked into the room. "He's been through a lot, Mr. Wheeler. It's normal for heroin addicts to go through this during withdrawal. Besides, Aten isn't awake yet, so he has no one to talk to. I've never seen a pair like those two."

Zira stood by Joey. "Good morning, Hayden. I hear you are giving the nurses here a little problem."

The boy in the bed said nothing.

"Hayden, you need to have your bags changed and you need to eat. The nurses have to do their job, son."

Hayden looked up at Zira and let out a low noise.

"Hayden? Can you speak?"

"……………"

Zira put his hand on Joey's shoulder. "Hayden, it's time for breakfast. You don't want your oatmeal to get cold, do you?"

Joey stepped back a little and Hayden sat back in his bed. Zira wheeled the table in front of him and opened his juice for him.

"Time to eat, Hayden."

Hayden looked at the food in front of him blankly. His face wore a mask of confusion.

"Hayden, have you eaten lately?"

Hayden lifted his eyes and started making noises, but were not spoken words. "Uh…da…ga….duh."

Zira watched as Hayden used his hands and fingers. "Okay. Hayden? Repeat after me: "Dog."

"Dah."

"Dad."

"Na…na..na.."

"Mom."

"………."

Joey and Seto leaned against the bed, not believing what they were listening to.

Was this Hayden?

Zira sighed. "Okay, Hayden. Can you feed yourself?"

Hayden reached out slowly and picked up the spoon. He looked at it questioningly.

Hayden took the spoon and banged it on the table angrily, breaking the plastic spoon in half.

Zira picked it up. "I'll get another one. Be right back."

Joey looked down at Hayden. "Don't you know how to feed yourself, Hayden?"

The boy wrapped his arms around himself and rocked back and forth on the bed.

Seto bit his lip and watched Joey's heartbroken face stare at Hayden in disbelief.

Zira returned and Joey took the spoon.

"Here you go, Hayden. Watch me." Joey took a spoonful of oatmeal and put it in his mouth. "See? That's how you feed yourself. Now you try it."

Joey put the spoon on the table and Hayden looked up at him. The blond sighed and picked up the spoon. He fed Hayden as Seto pulled Zira outside.

"What is wrong with him? He's got the speech of an infant!"

Zira crossed his arms. "Hayden has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It happens when--."

"I know when it happens, Dr. Zira! You tell me what you are going to do for him because THAT is what I PAY you for!" the CEO growled as he poked his doctor threateningly.

"For right now, I suggest deciding where you want to put Hayden. He can stay here for a week or two and see if he improves. He may be speaking by next week."

"How long will he be like this?"

Zira shrugged. "I cannot say. He may be like this a few days, a few weeks, a few months, a few years. He may even be like this for the rest of his life, Seto."

Seto's eyes darkened. "Not my Hayden! I won't let that happen! How dare you suggest that my son is going to be like---like---like this for the rest of his life! It's your job to make Hayden better! SO DO IT!" Seto brushed past Zira.

"I'm a doctor, not a magician, Seto. If I could wave a wand to make him better, you know I would. If I could wave a wand and make all three kids better. I mean, if I could wave a wand to correct Aten's heart condition, don't you think I would have done that by now?"

Seto turned. "Find a way to make it happen, Zira."

Zira sighed. 'Why me?' He followed Seto inside. Joey was wiping the corners of Hayden's mouth. "How was your oatmeal, Hayden?"

"Uhhhhhhh……na."

"Well….I guess that's good. Aten likes the oatmeal here. He's not awake yet, but when you get on your feet, we can take you to see him. Would you like that?"

"Uhhhh….ba…..na…urgh."

Zira put the stethoscope to Hayden's chest. "I want to listen to your heart, Hayden. Can you take a deep breath?"

Hayden took a deep breath.

"Good. You understood me. That's positive. Your heart sounds good. Your lungs sound clear. You're doing well, Hayden. I'm going to change your bags. Katie?"

Katie came in and helped change the medicine bags. "Here you go, Hayden. You gave us all a scare this morning!"

Hayden didn't react.

Joey pulled over a chair and sat by the bed. "We're all glad you are back with us, Hayden. We all really, really missed you."

Hayden stared ahead as if he wasn't listening. A line of drool slid down Hayden's chin. Seto wiped it clean.

"Hayden, you need to rest so you can get better. If you want to go home, you have to work with the nurses and let them do what they need to do, okay? You're not used to hospitals, we know. But the staff here only want to help you. They cannot help you if you fight them."

Seto ran his fingers through Hayden's hair and Hayden let out a screech. Seto removed his hand and Hayden stopped screeching.

Joey's bottom lip trembled. "I'll be back in a moment, Hayden."

Seto watched Joey leave. "Joey, I'll be back in a moment."

The CEO stepped outside and saw Joey facing the wall, sobbing. Seto walked over to Joey and brought him into a hug. Seto held a weeping Joey against his chest.

"Shhh….puppy. He'll get better. We just need to have a little faith."

*************************

Aria opened her tired eyes and rolled out of bed. She winced as she stood on her feet, her stomach cramps throbbing in her lower abdomen.

"I hate being a girl," she groaned as she made her way to the bathroom to clean herself up just as Miranda had told her.

Umi opened the door. "Good morning, Little Mermaid!"

Aria turned her head to Umi. "Good morning? Do you think it's a good morning if you have blood coming from your vagina, Umi? How would you like it if you had blood coming out of your penis, Umi? Would you like it? Huh?!"

Umi blinked and stepped backwards into his room. He shut the door and Aria snorted.

"Ra-damned male."

The girl walked down the steps and into the kitchen. She stepped on the stool and opened the medicine cabinet. She pulled out a bottle of Advil and took two tablets.

"Hungry."

Aria opened the breadbox and removed two slices of bread. She put them in the toaster and muttered under her breath.

"Ra-damned men not having to go through this!What did I do to deserve this?"

She looked up and saw smoke coming from the toaster.

"OH NO! SHIT!" the girl cried out as she pushed the lever up.

Aria gasped as she saw the power turned up all the way. Then she forgot that Marik liked his toast burned and had forgotten to reduce the power when he was done.

The girl growled and seethed angrily. "RA-DAMNED TOASTER! TO THE SHADOW REALM WITH YOU!"

The toaster disappeared.

She grumbled over to the breadbox and grabbed another piece of bread. She spread peanut butter on it and growled as her canines ripped into it hungrily.

She chewed ravenously, her hair twitching with frustration.

Ryou entered the kitchen in his bathrobe. "Good morning, sweetheart. How are you feeling this morning?"

Aria narrowed her eyes. "Men suck."

Ryou shifted his eyes side to side. "Well….umm….sorry, baby girl."

Aria walked over to the table in pain and sat down. "Why did I have to be a girl? This sucks."

"I'm sorry, Aria. I had no part in determining if you were a girl or a boy. Talk to your father about that. He's the one to determine the gender of the baby," Ryou said calmly as he poured water into his tea kettle.

"Why couldn't you tell daddy to make me a boy?"

Ryou covered his tea kettle and put it on the stove. "It's the man's sperm that determine the gender of the baby, Aria. I had no say in the matter, sweetheart."

Aria crossed her arms. "That's no fair! If women have the babies, they should be able to choose if the baby is a boy or girl!"

Ryou chuckled. "That's not the way it works, Aria. You can choose the baby's sex if you go to a clinic, but I couldn't choose naturally if you were a boy or a girl."

Malik entered the kitchen in his sweatpants. "Morning, Aria. How are you feeling?"

"It's no fair men don't have periods!"

Malik blinked. "I don't know about that, Aria. Once a week every month, Marik tends to be cranky and craves chocolate."

"Yeah, but he doesn't bleed from his penis!"

"Well, no…he doesn't."

Aria narrowed her eyes. "It isn't fair!"

Marik staggered into the kitchen, his spiky blond hair in disarray. "Morning." Marik went to the breadbox and opened it.

Bakura walked into the kitchen. "The hospital says that visiting hours are from 10a.m. to 8 p.m. today."

Ryou nodded. "Okay. We'll go when everyone is ready to go."

Bakura walked over to Aria. "How is my girl this morning?"

Aria snarled. "Mommy said I should talk to you about you making me a girl."

Bakura chuckled. "Is there something you wanna say?"

The girl balled her fists and slammed them into the front of Bakura's boxers.

The yami's cry of pain and his collapse on the kitchen floor took the attention of everyone.

Aria jumped down off of her chair. "THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY!"

Ryou ran to Bakura, who was clutching his crotch in pain. "Aria, how many times do I have to tell you not to hit your father between the legs?!"

Marik snickered. "So glad I have a boy!" Marik went to the opposite countertop and his jaw dropped. "Where is the toaster?"

Aria crossed her arms and her hair twitched. "I don't know."

Marik turned to the girl. "You sent it to the Shadow Realm, didn't you?"

Malik put his hands on his hips. "Aria, that's not polite! What if we wanted toast for breakfast?"

Umi entered the kitchen. "Is everything okay?"

Ryou sighed. "Yes, Umi. Are you hungry, dear?"

"Yes. Can I have some cereal?"

Bakura struggled to get to the chair. "Young….ow….lady, ow…..you go into…gods…the Shadow Realm…and get…the…toaster……now...this…instant…ow. "

Aria growled and her hair twitched.

Marik gripped the Millennium Rod in his hand and a portal opened. "Chibi Bakura, you WILL go to the Shadow Realm and get that toaster back!"

"NO!"

Marik pointed to the portal. "Go to the Shadow Realm and get that toaster back or I will control your mind and MAKE you go get that toaster!"

Aria stamped angrily into the portal, sticking her tongue out at Marik.

"Watch it, missy, or I will cut that off!" Marik threatened.

Aria disappeared into the portal. "Ra-Damned Daddy Marik! Making me go into the Shadow Realm! It's not fair!"

Aria stepped through the portal as the bitter cold air stung her skin. She heard a roar above her and the Nightmare Dragon landed.

"My mistress?"

"Where's the toaster?"

The Nightmare Dragon looked around. "I do not know what that is."

"It's a metal box with things in it."

"………"

"It makes toast?"

"………."

Aria sighed. "I'll find it. Maybe the Helpless Child has seen it. How could I expect a dragon to know what a toaster is?"

Aria walked ahead. She saw Kuriboh and her Mystical Ferret romping. The ferret ran over to her and ran around her ankles. "Have you seen a toaster?"

The ferret looked around and sniffed. The creature ran back to Kuriboh.

"Thanks a lot," she said sarcastically.

Ahead, she saw St. Joan and the Celtic Guardian sparring, their swords clanging in mock battle.

The Earthbound Spirit appeared at her feet. "Lord Bakura's daughter? What are you doing here?"

"Have you seen a toaster?"

"No."

Aria growled. "I'm never going to find it!" The girl buried her face in her hands and cried. "I'm never going to find it and daddy's going to be more angry than he is now and then everyone's gonna hate me because they can't have toast for breakfast and I screwed everything up!"

The Earthbound Spirit shifted his eyes uncomfortably and disappeared.

The Nightmare Dragon lowered its head. "Do not cry, mistress. We will find your….whatever it is you are looking for."

"Toaster!"

"Right….a toaster."

A chibi squeal caught her attention. She ran towards the sound of the squeal. She stopped when she saw The Helpless Child poking at the metal object curiously. Beside him, Baby Dragon was sniffing at it.

"Oh my! What do you suppose it is, Baby Dragon?"

The Baby Dragon shrugged.

The child poked the metal cautiously and jumped back, afraid that it would combust or fragment.

Aria ran up to it. "YOU FOUND IT!"

The Helpless Child examined it with his eyes. "Hello. Umm…what is this thing?"

"It's a toaster. It makes toast."

The child cocked his head to the side. "It….makes……..toast?"

Aria hugged the toaster. "Yeah. If I lost this, daddy would be really, really angry at me."

The Baby Dragon looked up at the Nightmare Dragon and lowered its head in submission.

"Thank you so much!" Aria exclaimed as she turned to leave.

"Sister Aria?" the child called to her.

Aria turned. "Hmm? What is it?"

The Helpless Child stood up, his tattered clothing falling off of his thin body. He walked up to Aria, his bare feet patting against the ground. "Please give my master a hug for me. I cannot do it, unfortunately."

"I will."

Aria stepped out of the portal and into the kitchen. She held the toaster and approached her father.

"I'm sorry, father. I did not mean to….hit you in the penis."

Bakura sighed. "I know this isn't an easy time for you, Aria. Just….just try to keep the drama to a minimum."

Umi crept into the kitchen. "Aria?" Umi was shaking, almost afraid to approach her.

"I'm sorry, Umi."

"It's okay, Aria. I…umm…understand. Go get dressed. We're leaving soon."

Bakura opened his arms. "Come here, chibi yami."

Aria put the toaster on the countertop and approached her father with lowered head. He wrapped his arms around her.

"Did Miranda tell you about PMS?"

Aria nodded. "Yes."

Bakura sighed. "Okay. Well….just don't…hit me there anymore. Okay?"

"Yes, father."

"Go get dressed. We're leaving for the hospital as soon as you are ready. Daniel and Miranda are waiting to take us."

********************************

Aria walked beside her father as Umi rushed ahead to get to his father's room. Umi ran into Mako's hospital room, all smiled and happy squeals that he was finally going home with his father.

Daniel and Miranda moved ahead to Robbie and Aten's bedroom.

Umi threw himself at Mako, who winced.

"Little Minnow, watch it, that spot is still tender."

Marik sighed. "You're lucky, Mako."

The Ocean Duelist stood up and ruffled his son's blue hair. "Tell me about it, my friend! I didn't know what would happened to Umi if things had turned for the worst. Thank you so much for taking care of him!"

Ryou smiled. "It was no problem, Mako. He was a joy to have around."

Umi stepped up to Marik and looked at him with large, sparkling blue eyes. "Thank you for letting me stay at your house, Mr. Ishtar. It was nice of you."

The blond yami clenched his fists, trying not to squeeze the life out of the kid for being so damn cute. It was so hard not to hug this kid into oblivion!

"Anytime, kiddo."

Umi grinned. "I guess I get to do the fishing for our dinners for a while, right, daddy? I haven't fished in a really long, long, long, long, long, time! I miss it!"

Mako smiled. "The sea flows through our veins, Umi! It is not something easily forgotten!"

Ryou sighed. "Well, Mako, we have to go visit Aten."

"How is he? I heard he was in bad shape."

Malik pat Marik's shoulder. "Us Ishtars are stubborn and strong. Aten won't let a little infection get him down! Before we know it, he and Robbie will be wreaking havoc again in no time!"

The yami tried to smile, but it was a wasted effort.

"Umi and I will stop by tomorrow when he's a little more stable."

Marik nodded. "Thank you, Mako. I know Umi and Aten are friends."

"I'll see Robbie, too. I hope he's doing okay."

"They would love that, Umi. You have a nice day with your daddy," Ryou said, leaving the room.

Aria hugged and kissed Umi and followed her family down the hall to Aten and Robbie's room.

Ryou opened up the door and found Robbie crying into his mother's chest. "Robbie?"

Aten's heart monitors continued to beep and the machines kept pumping air into and out of Aten's lungs. The Egyptian boy still laid unconscious on the bed.

Miranda was caressing Robbie's black, curly hair.

"Robbie?" Ryou asked. "Why are you crying?"

Robbie sobbed. "Be-Bec---Because I c---c-c-couldn't op-pppp-en my ppppp-p-udding c-ccup!"

Daniel sat at the foot of the bed silently. His eyes looked up at Marik sadly. Like Marik, he didn't know what to do for his son. There was nothing he could do. Just sit. And wait.

Malik bit his lip and ran his fingers through Robbie's hair. "Awww…Robbie."

"I ttt---tried---s---sssoooo----h-ha-hard!"

"We know, Robbie. You're not shaking as bad as last night."

Marik sat at the foot of Aten's bed, careful not to disturb the multitude of catheter and medicine bags surrounding the bed. He put his hand on Aten's leg and rubbed it gently.

"How did you sleep last night, Robbie?" Daniel asked.

"Ni----nnnnnight---m-mares."

"Nightmares?" his mother asked. "What did you dream about?"

Robbie cried hard into his mother's chest. Miranda caressed his hair and rocked him.

"A-Attten---r---ripped---Ch---Ch-Charlie's h-heart-out-and-a-ate it."

Marik and Ryou's jaw dropped. Miranda's eyes widened. Daniel raised an eyebrow. Suddenly all attention in the room was focused on the unconscious boy in the bed.

Marik rubbed Aten's leg and narrowed his eyes. "Are you saying that my son ripped out that son of a bitch's heart and ate it? This boy, right here?"

Aria turned to Aten. "Wow. That tops me!"

Marik smiled proudly. "That's my boy! Making his daddy proud!"

Bakura crossed his arms. "The fruit never falls far from the tree, Ishtar."

Marik snickered. "Yeah, look at you. At least my fruit didn't punch me in the nuts this morning."

Bakura growled. "Kiss my Ass, Ishtar!"

Marik snickered. "I did more than that yesterday, Itemri, and you enjoyed it."

Daniel shook his head.

Robbie sobbed. "He…he k-kk-killed V-V-Vinnie, t-t-t-oo."

Miranda held him in his arms. "Okay, Robbie. I know. It's all over."

Robbie sobbed. "Att-Aten'sss-not-a---awakkke---yet!"

A loud wail came out of Robbie. Daniel pat Robbie's leg in consolation. Ryou walked to Aten's other side of the bed. He pulled up a chair and rubbed Aten's arm that was not covered in IV's and tubes.

"Good morning, baby."

Aten's eyes remained closed. His chest rose and fell steadily. Ryou could feel Aten's small puffs of breath hit his face.

"Glad to see you still with us, angel. Have you woke up at all?"

Aten remained unconscious.

Aria stood by Aten's bed. "Aten, The Helpless Child says hello. He wanted me to give you a hug, but if I do, I'll end up pulling out all of your medicine tubes. I'll give it to you later when you are able to get up. Okay?"

"……………"

Malik stood by the bed. "Umi went home, Aten. So, you can have your room back when you come home. I'll make sure it's cleaned for you. I won't bother your paintings because I know that you need them in a certain order."

"…………"

Ryou sighed and brushed a lock of Aten's hair away from his eye. "There you go, baby."

Dr. Zira walked in with Katie. "Hello, everyone. Robbie, how are you doing?"

Robbie sobbed and his body began trembling again. Miranda held him against her not knowing what to do for him.

"A---Attt-Aten's not a---awa---awakkke!"

Zira sighed. "I know, Robbie. I said yesterday he would be asleep for a few days. He's sick."

Robbie sobbed. "A-Att-Aten's g-g-gonna d-d-d-die….issssn't he?"

The room fell silent, everyone's eyes focused on Robbie with tears in his eyes.

"No, Robbie. With these medications, Aten should live. I have been taking care of Aten for years, Robbie."

"W-Why didddn't an-anyone-ttt-tell me At-Aten was---dddying?"

Daniel shrugged. "I didn't know, Robbie."

Miranda heaved a sad sigh. "Robbie, I didn't know how to tell you."

"Mmmm-my fri-friend isss dddying. N-n-nobody ttt-told mmm-me!"

Ryou stood up. "Robbie, you heard that from the news?"

"Yesss."

"It is true, Robbie. We shouldn't have kept it from you. Aten never said anything because he….he didn't want you to worry."

Robbie's body trembled, the entire hospital bed shook.

Zira put his hand on the foot of the bed. "Robbie, I am doing all I can for Aten. I've never done anything less than that."

Robbie looked up at Zira. "I don't---w-want-Aten---to---d-ddie." His blue eyes sparkled with more tears. "Ppplease…..d-don't---lllet---him-ddie."

"I promise to do all that I can, Robert. In the meantime, how are you feeling after that injection?"

Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Injection?"

"We gave him an injection of Narcan to help with the depressive effects from heroin withdrawal. Robbie, I promise not to let Aten die."

Daniel rubbed Robbie's leg. "Come on, little soldier. No more crying, okay?"

Robbie sniffled. "O-Okay."

Zira walked over to the Egyptian boy in the bed. "Hello, Aten."

"………."

Zira removed his stethoscope and listened to his heart. "Hmm…no change. I want to run another scan this morning on his heart. These antibiotics have been pumping into him all night. We fed him through his feeding tube this morning and that seemed to settle well with him." The doctor checked one of the bags. "Still blood in there." Zira removed a rubber tourniquet from his pocket and two vials. He removed the needle from this pocket.

"N---NN-NEEDLE!" Robbie cried out screaming and shaking his mother.

Daniel pulled over the curtain to hide Robbie's view of Zira taking Robbie's blood.

"D---D-Donnn't hu-hurt---A-Aten!"

"I'm not hurting Aten, Robbie," Zira said calmly.

Marik watched as the needle slipped into Aten's vein. The boy didn't move or respond.

Zira smiled. "You're a good boy, Aten."

Ryou ran his fingers through Aten's hair, humming a song quietly.

Zira changed the vial in the needle.

Aria winced. "How can he not react to that? I hate needles."

"He's had so many, Aria, that it doesn't bother him," Ryou said, running his fingers through Aten's hair.

A knock sounded on the door and Yugi walked in.

"Yugi! This is a surprise!" Ryou said with a smile.

Yugi walked up to the foot of Aten's bed. "Joey called me last night and told me that they found the kids. I wanted to come over and give the kids presents."

Marik took a small box from Yugi's hands. "Thank you, Hikari Yugi."

Zira removed the needle from Aten's arm. "Aten won't be awake for a few days, Yugi."

Yugi walked beside Ryou and hugged him around his waist. "I'm sorry, Ryou. Is he going to be okay?"

Ryou sighed. "We'll see, Yugi. He has a long road ahead of him."

"I got Aten a little white teddy bear holding a heart. I thought it would be a nice thing for him to hold onto while he was here."

Malik hugged Yugi. "Thank you, Yugi! This is so nice of you!

"Is Robbie here?"

"I---I---I'm he-here," Robbie stuttered as he trembled.

Yugi walked around the curtain and Robbie's eyes widened in fear. He gripped onto Miranda desperately.

"Hello, Robbie," the short duelist smiled. "How are you feeling?"

Robbie blinked and he trembled. "F-Fine."

Yugi watched the boy shiver. "What's wrong?"

Robbie shook his head. "N-Nothing."

Miranda held Robbie against him. "The boys were given heroin injections. Robbie's going through withdrawal."

Yugi frowned. "I'm sorry, Robbie. I brought you a present."

Yugi handed Robbie a small present. The boy reached out with shaky hands and held it. He brought it close and struggled to keep his hands on the bow and paper. Robbie's twitching fingers made it difficult to grab onto anything, but he eventually opened it. He let out a squeal and a big smile crossed his face.

"It's a Cyber Commander figure! It comes with Oni Tank T-34. I know you have those monsters in your deck and you love machine cards."

"Th-Than-k--- You."

Yugi smiled, knowing he had brought a smile to the child's face. Maybe he could do the same for Hayden. If what Joey told him that morning, was true, Hayden would need cheering up.

"You're very welcome, Robbie. I knew that would help make you feel better for a little bit."

Robbie looked up at his mother. "Whennn-Atten-w-wa-wakes uppp, I want---to-d-dduel him."

Daniel crossed his arms. "We'll see, Robbie."

Zira pulled back the curtain separating the two boys. "All done, Robert.

Ryou sat on the chair by Aten's bedside. "We'll see how Aten feels when he wakes up, Robbie. If he has enough energy, I'm sure he'll be up for it."

"I didn't get Aten's deck when we left," Aria explained. "Aten doesn't like anyone touching his dueling deck."

Marik nodded. "He's protective of it. If someone moves it, he gets upset."

Yugi carried Hayden's present under his arms. "I have to give this to Hayden. I'll see you around, guys. Bye, Ryou! Get Well, Robbie!"

******************************

Yugi left and walked down the hallway to Hayden's room.

Yugi knocked on the door. "Joey? Kaiba?"

Joey opened the door. The blond grabbed Yugi and hugged him tightly. "Come in, Yugi. It's nice to see ya again."

Yugi walked in. "Hello, Kaiba."

Seto nodded from beside Hayden's bed.

Hayden was staring up at the ceiling, his eyes vacant and without their usual sparkle. Yugi stood by Hayden's bedside.

"Hello, Hayden, I've brought you a present."

Hayden's eyes looked over and widened in fear. Hayden's entire body trembled. A garbled incoherent string of sounds came from Hayden as he screamed.

//I took the High Priest's daughter back in Ancient Egypt.// Dominic's voice bragged. He saw "Dominic" remove his mask to reveal Yami's face and his tri-colored spiky hair. //Now I get to take his son!//

His arms thrashed. He kicked his legs.

Seto and Joey put their hands gently on Hayden's arms. "Hayden, it's Yugi!" Seto said.

"Do---Do-----M-Ma!" Hayden screeched loudly.

Hayden narrowed his eyes and growled. His fists swung violently, the hospital bed rolling around.

"Hayden, you're going to hurt yourself!" Joey said, trying to stop Hayden from hitting him and Yugi.

Hayden narrowed his eyes and his fist connected with Joey's jaw, sending him back.

Yugi ran to the blond's side. "Joey!"

Joey wiped the corner of his bloody lip. "Yugi, go get help."

Hayden grabbed Seto's wrist and punched the CEO in the jaw. The IV lines tore out of Hayden's arm, but the boy never flinched.

Hayden jumped out of the bed and continued to yell incoherently.

Seto blocked and dodged punches from his son.

Several nurses and Zira ran into the room. Hayden kicked one nurse in the hip and elbowed another in the jaw. Zira prepared a sedative for the boy, who had abandoned the group to lunge at Yugi.

Yugi screamed as Hayden grabbed the needle out of Zira's hand quickly. Hayden lunged at Yugi, ready to inject the small duelist in the head when Joey jumped in the way.

Hayden fell into Joey, injecting Joey's arm with the sedative.

A loud angry call came from Hayden as he reached around to grab Yugi. Seto grabbed Hayden and hooked his arms around Hayden's shoulders so Hayden would not be able to move.

Joey's eyes glazed over. "Seto….I'm……tired." The blond wavered and fell to his knees.

Zira ran out of the room and returned with another sedative. He slipped the needle into Hayden's arm and the boy gave out a whimper of protest.

Slowly, Hayden's body went limp. Zira helped Seto get Hayden into the bed. The doctor replaced the IV's in Hayden's arms. The nurses strapped Hayden to the bed, restraining him.

"Joey!" Seto gasped.

Seto ran over to Joey and the blond leaned against him tiredly. "Are you okay?"

"Tired…."

Joey fell forward and started to snore on Seto's chest. The CEO sighed. "Zira? Little help."

The nurses and doctor moved Joey to the room where they spent the night.

Yugi looked up at Seto. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."

Seto kneeled to look Yugi in the eyes. "Yugi, this is not your fault."

"But….Hayden saw me. I wonder what I did."

The CEO put his hand on his former rival's shoulder. "You did nothing to cause this, Yugi. I'm glad you came by."

Yugi looked up with large purple eyes. "Maybe you should give this to Hayden when he wakes up. I probably shouldn't be here when he wakes up."

Seto accepted the present with a smile. "Thank you, Yugi. This is much appreciated."

The shorter duelist sighed. "I had better go. Tell Joey to call me when he wakes up."

"I will, Yugi."

Seto watched Yugi leave with a sad pout on his face. "Thank you for stopping by, Yugi."

"Anytime," the duelist said sadly as he walked out of the room.

*****************************

Yugi walked back to the Game Shop. His hands were buried deep in his pockets as he walked to his home. He looked at the Puzzle swaying around his neck.

Its pendulum-like swing mimicked his journey home.

Why would Hayden react like this to him?

Hayden liked him before.

Yugi opened up the door to the Game Shop. He shut the door to the shop and sighed.

Yugi removed his jacket and sauntered into the kitchen. His jaw dropped when he saw a small box on the table.

Yugi crept up to the box and slowly opened it. He gasped quietly and removed a gold chain with a dove outlined in diamonds.

"Do you like it, Aibou?"

Yugi turned around and screamed. "YAMI!"

"Do you like it?"

"Where did you get it?"

Yami examined his nails. "I have my sources. I haven't seen you in a long time, Yugi. What have you been up to?"

Yugi replaced the necklace in the box and offered it to Yami. "Yami, we are through!"

"I'm a changed man, Yugi."

"No you are not. Did you hear Aten, Robbie, and Hayden are in the hospital? Did you even go see them?"

Yami put his hand on his chest. "The kids are in the hospital? For what? Why?"

Yugi put the box on the countertop. "Someone kidnapped them and they're in really bad shape."

"You don't say!"

"Aten's hanging onto life by a thread."

"What a shame!"

Yugi narrowed his eyes. "Yami, I want you to leave."

Yami turned around to leave, but stopped. "Are you lonely, Yugi?"

The short duelist looked up at his yami. "I cannot bring you back into my life, Yami. It is that plain and simple."

"I protected you from evil before, Yugi. There is a great evil that is growing stronger every day. I cannot protect you if I do not have you by my side."

Yugi narrowed his eyes. "You have not protected me since Battle City, Yami. All you've cared about is keeping me away from my friends and hurting the people whom I care for!"

"Yugi, I---."

"No, Yami! No! No! No! I am not taking you----." Yugi looked up at Yami.

["Do---Do-----M-Ma!" Hayden screeched loudly.]

Yugi stepped back. "You……You!"

Yami shifted his eyes uncomfortably. "What?"

"When I went to visit, Hayden, he freaked! He's never reacted like that towards me before! Why did he react that way, Yami?" Yugi asked, his fists clenched. "Why did he freak out?"

Yami backed away as Yugi advanced on him. "How the hell should I know? Maybe he was afraid of your hair!"

"BULLSHIT! Where have you been the past three weeks?"

The color drained from Yami's face. "I don't know what you are talking about!"

"Nonsense! I think you know perfectly well! You were there, weren't you?"

"Yugi, I would never---."

Yugi slapped Yami's arm angrily. "What did you do to Hayden? What did to do to him?" The short duelist kicked Yami's leg. "You better have not put your hands on Aten or I will shatter this Puzzle! Did you touch Hayden?"

"No!"

"Did you touch Aten? Don't lie to me! If you did touch him, you know perfectly well that Aten will tell Ryou and Marik!"

Yami went pale. //Shit! He's right! I had better get my ass over to that hospital before that kid says anything!//

Yugi opened the door to the Game Shop. "YAMI, GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOME!"

Yami walked out. Yugi slammed the door in his face.

'This isn't over yet, Yugi. I will win you back! But first, I owe a little Egyptian boy a nice friendly visit.'

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