Dousing the Flame

Lullaby

A/N: Ello ello!

Jofisk - I'm so glad you are enjoying the revisions.

SyraTsukiano and Estrellalover - Yeah. He is in bad shape. *Pout* I'm such a horrible person for what I put the poor characters through in my stories.

Hope you enjoy the chapter! Please vote and comment!

/Thoughts/

It took several hours of creative persuasion for Aziza and Mana to convince Yugi that it was time to go home. They could both see the youth was physically, mentally, and emotionally drained and staying with his unconscious spouse was not helping. Yugi had not left Yami's side for nearly four days. They had to get him home.

Aziza rented a comfortable SUV for her and Mana to use while they stayed with Yugi. She was not in the mood to hail a cab every time she wanted or needed to go somewhere.

The ride home from the hospital was silent overall; each of them tending to their own thoughts. Prior to them leaving the hospital, the nurse handed Mana a bag containing Yami's belongings. Her mocha colored fingers clutched the bag tightly; it crinkled under her grasp. With a sigh, she loosened her grip and opened the bag. Instantly, the scent of sandalwood and spices drifted from the bag, permeating the car. It smelled like Yami. Yugi's eyes grew wide and he fought back the urge to cry.

"I wonder what this is," Mana asked as she took an envelope out of the bag. "Um...Yugi?" She commented after opening it. Mana looked towards the back seat where Yugi sat. Her slender hand reached towards him, holding a document for him to take.

"What is it?" Yugi asked weakly his voice barely audible over the road noise surrounding the car.

"It's for you," Mana extended her arm further until the document was right in front of the petite youth.

Yugi blinked, confused. He finally took the document from his sister-in-law. Amethyst scanned the paper, growing increasingly larger upon realizing what he held.

Mana smiled, "He had a star named after you."

"That was sweet," Aziza chimed in.

/That must have been where he ran off to after the graduation ceremony,/ Yugi hugged the document. He stared out the window, blindly watching the passing traffic. A tear slid silently down his cheek, /Thank you, Yami./

When they arrived at the apartment, Yugi unlocked the door for them and let the ladies in first before he reluctantly walked in. The petite doppelganger stood in the center of the living room lost in his own thoughts. The apartment was not the same without Yami. It was so quiet. It was nothing more than an empty lifeless void without his lover's presence.

"Yugi, sweetie," Aziza placed a hand on his shoulder to get his attention. "You look exhausted. Why don't you take a nice hot shower?"

Yugi nodded, "okay." He shuffled stiffly to the bathroom, not paying much attention to anything. He turned the shower on and closed the door, thrusting the room in an inky blackness. He didn't bother with the light. It was overrated. He wanted the room to be as dark and empty as he felt.

Mana watched Yugi's form disappear into the bathroom. She turned to her mother, "I'm worried about him."

"Me too, Mana," Aziza sighed.

"Do you really think Yami will pull out if this?" Mana asked, allowing the waves of emotion to wash over her while she embraced her mother.

"I know he will. Yami is strong and has as a strong will to survive. He is stubborn and is very much in love with Yugi. I have no doubt that he will wake up. His body is badly damaged and trying to repair itself. The biggest question is: how long will it take him to wake up? I am very worried about Yugi if he does not wake up soon though. You can tell when you see them together. They belong together. One is not complete without the other," Aziza comforted Mana, her hands trailing up and down the length of Mana's back.