Yay, my first decent sized fic! I busted a gut writing and trying to perfect this one, so reviews would be very much appreciated! ...makes puppy eyes at any and all rabid yamixyugi fangirls (or fanboys) A little shounen-ai but no yaoi – no likey no readey!
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Weak sunlight filtered in through blinds into a small room, where a form tossed and turned restlessly on the bed, sheets tangled wildly around him. Then it was still for a time, with early morning silence punctuated only by the faint sound of birds in th large tree outside.

Beep beep beep...

The sleeping boy made no response, and the beeping continued.

Beep beep beep...

For five minutes more the beeping persisted, until another person formed suddenly beside the bed in which the boy still rested.

Beep beep bee –

The shrill noise stopped abruptly as the elder male regarded the box intently for a moment, before pushing random buttons until the beeping died away, leaving the room in silence once more. The young boy slept on, wrapped in a soft cocoon of tangled sheets.

"Yugi?"

The boy continued to lie, eyes still closed.

"Aibou?"

When still the boy made no reply, the imposing male approached the bed and shook the boy gently in an attempt to rouse him.

"Come, aibou, wake up."

"Hn?"

"Yugi, do you not have to attend school today?"

"Wha... oh no, school!"

The boy named Yugi sprung up, untangled himself roughly from the sheets, took one or two small steps while the room seemed to spin around him, and promptly fell back on the bed with a soft groan.

"What is it, aibou?" asked the other, concern evident in his voice.

"Yami... my head hurts..."

Yami sat down next to the boy, taking in his small, now shaking form and his unnaturally flushed cheeks. Then with steady hand he lightly felt Yugi's forehead.

"You have a fever, Yugi. You should stay home and rest."

"I'm sure it'll be fine, Yami. I really only have a slight headache – I feel better already, I just got up too fast. Besides, I promised Joey I would show him a new duelling move..."

So saying, Yugi struggled to get back up and off the bed. Two minutes later he was dressed and heading somewhat unsteadily down the stairs, Yami close behind him.

"Aibou, shouldn't you at least – "

"No time, I'm late already, bye Yami!" called Yugi as he raced out the door.

"– have something to eat?" said Yami to the closed door. With a frown of concern he watched out the window as Yugi disappeared down the road.
I hope he will be alright...

"Yuug, you ok?"

"Yeah, Yugi, you don't look so good."

"Cut it out you guys, I'm fine, really", replied Yugi, smiling around at his friends. He put on a big smile, although he really did have a bad headache now, and was feeling a little too warm.

"Well if you're sure..."

"'Course I am, now lets go." Yugi smiled again. It was nice to have friends who cared about him, but he hated to see anyone worry over him. The beel rang signalling the start of school, and everyone milling about outside began to file in.

Yugi couldn't concentrate, and as school slowly progressed he felt more and more unfocused. And for some reason he couldn't fathom, Yugi was starting to feel really hot now, though everyone insisted it was a cold day. He was relieved when the bell rang, and he could make his way home and evade his friends' concerned looks. He quickly left the school grounds, waving goodbye to Joey and Tristan at the gate. Yugi started off quickly, eager to get home, but soon felt tired and slowed down, his bag heavy on his shoulders. It began softly to rain, then harder and harder still, rapidly soaking the small teen as he trudged, head down and eyes curiously heavy.

So tired... but cant stop now, Yami will worry...

Yugi kept walking, breath creating mist in the air as he panted.

Why is it so hot... I cant see too well... need to rest...

Yugi's steps faltered as he stuggled to keep his eyes open. He spotted a tree near the park through the sheets of rain and headed for it, hoping to gain shelter from the rain and biting wind.

Just a quick rest, then I can go home... only for a minute...

Yugi's eyes closed.

Yami paced up and down, worried about his aibou. He should have been home by now, and it was getting steadily darker out there, with rain pouring in torrents. He had called Joey who had already arrived home, but said that Yugi wasn't with him or anyone else – he had left for home at the same time as usual. Four-thirty came and went, and still no Yugi. Starting to panic, Yugi called through their mindlink, but received no response. Enough was enough. Not bothering to grab an umbrella, Yami raced ouside and down the street, hoping to spot Yugi somewhere still making his way back. Giving up on the mindlink he began to call aloud, listening desperately for a reply.

"Yugi! Yugi, where are you?"

Still running, he neared the park, then abruptly began sprinting towards a tree as his keen sight spotted a smudge of blue against brown trunk.

"Yugi!"

He reached the boy and frantically checked him over for any injury. He found none, to his immense relief, but his eyes narrowed as he felt his aibou's forehead, mentally berating himself for letting Yugi ever leave the house. Yugi made no response to Yami's tpuch, but began to shiver. The elder boy picked him up and simply ran, as fast as he could, knowing that Yugi had to get warmed up and quickly. Reaching the game shop, he sped up the stairs, Yugi still lying limp in his arms. He then lay Yugi on the bed and pulled off his wet jacket and footwear.

"Yugi? Come on aibou, please wake up!"

Yugi began to stir, and opened his eyes.

"Yami...?"

"Yugi! Oh thank Ra! You have a serious fever, aibou. Get changed while I find some medicine to get your fever dow. Understand?"

Yugi nodded, too tired to argue. Wearily scrambling into the warmer clothing, he placed the golden necklace carefully on the table beside him, still shaking and feeling dizzy even from that small movement.

"Here, aibou, drink this."

Yami helped Yugi to a sitting position and made sure he drank all of the glasses' contents, though he made a face at the bitter tasting liquid. Easing the boy back down, Yami heaped blankets on the bed then knelt beside it, unblinkingly watching as Yugi fell into a restless sleep.
Oh my aibou, you look so sick. Please get better, you just have to...Yami woke suddenly from his doze at Yugi's bedside, hearing his light cry out as though in pain. Eyes adjusting to the darkness, he peered over at the huddle of blankets, paling at what he saw. Yugi lay on his back, head thrashing wildly from side to side. His cheeks were deeply flushed, his skin ashen, and he was shivering violently. As Yami took these details in the boy gave another weak cry, eyes still tightly shut. Yami found his aibou's hand and clasped it in his own.
"I'm here for you, aibou, no matter where your dreams have taken you."Yugi stumbled through the mists, calling for his Yami. It was so cold now, and he couldn't see very well. None-the-less he walked on, searching desperately. He didn't like this place, it was too dark and really much too cold... Yugi began to call out loud, crying out for help as it grew more misty and Yugi got more frightened.
"Yami! Where did you go? Please don't leave me here alone... Yami!"

"Yami!"

The taller male looked on in growing alarm as Yugi continued to shiver and shake and call for Yami in desperate tones.

"Don't leave me!"

Yami tightened his hold on Yugi's hand, trying to let his know he was right there beside him even if that wasn't so in the dream. His aibou kelt stuggling however, and Yami searched his mind trying to come up with a way to calm him down. He began to sing softly under his breath.

"If I could right the wrongs that make you cry...
I make a promise not to say goodnight...
'Cause I'm holding on
With a love so strong
And I can't imagine a day without you by my side..."

Slowly Yugi began to calm, eventually lying still although shivering still wracked his body. Yami was at a loss for what to do next. He knew he had to warm Yugi up somehow, but he had tried everything... hadn't he? No, not quite everything, he realised. Yami stood looking down on the young teen in indecision. Then, once again hearing Yugi's small cry of fear, he pulled off the blankets and slid down beside his light before pulling them back to cover both of them. Yugi still shook, the dops of rain seeming to keep time with his panting, and Yugi moved closer, wrapping his arms around Yugi's in an effort to stop the trembling and let him know he was near.

"Please, Ra, let my aibou be alright..." Yami prayed aloud, tears running unashamedly down his face at the state Yugi was in. The rain seemed to lessen at his words, as did Yugi's shivering. Yami dared to hope that Yugi's fever would soon drop, as he hugged him to his body. Soon Yami too fell asleep, still embracing his aibou protectively.

Early that morning Yugi came back to his senses, listening quietly to the soft breathing coming from his left. He turned his head slightly to look, and felt strong arms tighten unconsciously about him at the movement. Eyes still half shut. He listened a few more moments before closing them again, content. He wasn't cold anymore, though the warmth radiating from Yami's sleeping form was pure bliss. Yugi snuggled closer, head lying comfortably on bare chest.
"Yami... arigatou...", whispered Yugi softly, and Yami stirred but did not wake. Soon the room once again grew quiet, and rays of sun peeped through the blinds, warming two boys who dozed peacefully, asleep in each others arms.