Oh look, a late update.

I'll be off from school until fall so... hopefully, there'll be more updates! Also, we meet someone new in this chapter.

Please don't mind any mistakes I might have missed!

Chapter Four: A Stable Boy and His Cat

"Sire, it seems that Master Yuuta has developed a high fever."

Yugi's hand froze over the door knob as muffled voices from inside the room reached his ears. He knows he shouldn't eavesdrop (his mom said a prince should never do anything that's far from respectable), but yet, he just can't help himself from gently pressing his ear against the door.

His father sighed, "This is the second time this week. Has he come down with something?"

"It seems like the common flu."

Yugi's heart sank. The flu. The common flu shouldn't be that big of a problem, but Yuuta's immune system had been shot when he first fell ill.

"I would suggest that no one come in today to visit." The doctor spoke again, "We don't want him getting worse."

That was Yugi's cue to leave before the doctor and his father catch him listening in. He moved away from the door before sighing and making his way to the foyer; Yami should be waiting for him. He figured he should let him know that his usual morning errands where cancelled today.

"Yugi?" Atem quietly asked. The spirit had been quiet this morning and never came out. Still, he could feel Yugi's growing frustration and sadness and just had to speak up, "What's wrong?" Sure, he could just filter through Yugi's thoughts to find out, but the two had boundaries and didn't pry unless they absolutely had to.

"Yuuta's got the flu and no one is allowed to visit." Yugi sighed, his hand coming up to the Puzzle, giving it a squeeze, "He's getting worse, Atem."

"Is that what the healer said?"

Yugi shook his head, coming to a stop and leaning against a wall, "No, but- "

"-Then how do you know he's getting worse?" Atem cut him off, "I know you're worried, but expecting the worse isn't going to help."

Yugi sighed, his shoulders slumping, "I guess you do have a point."

"Of course, I do." Atem nodded, floating in front of the young prince. He placed a translucent hand on Yugi's cheek, smiling when he leaned into the touch, "It's okay to be worried, but as of right now, you have nothing to fear."

Yugi looked up to the spirit, tears welling in his eyes, "But what if he does get worse?"

"Then I'll be with you each step of the way."

Yugi walked the trails of the garden, nodding a greeting to each gardener he came across. He didn't have an exact destination in mind, however, walking the gardens helped with clearing his mind and after what he found out this morning, he'd need it. Still, despite the troubling news, he smiled. Walking the gardens was a favorite pastime of his and he's often found himself having spent all day in the gardens. He eventually came to his favorite spot; a little patch of paradise behind a large wall of trees. Against the trees was a rainbow of different flowers. Off to the side was a glass birdbath with a small birdfeeder hanging off the side and on the other side was a tall stone and brick fountain, bright green vines with delicate flowers running around the base of the fountain. In front of the wall of trees sat a pale pink wooden swinging bench. Yugi smiled, walking up to the bench and taking a seat; the sound of the fountain and the birds splashing around and their singing providing a calming song in the background.

However, a soft meowing soon joined the mix and Yugi looked down to his feet to be greeted with a small black cat. He smiled, bending down, and pulling the cat into his lap, "Good afternoon, Yubel. Did you run off from Judai again?" Yubel only purred in response, curling into a ball on Yugi's lap. Yugi smiled, scratching the cat behind her ear, "He'll probably come looking for you soon. It's about his lunch hour and he usually spends it in the garden." Yubel only meowed in response.

Sure enough, Judai's voice rang near, "Yubel? Where'd you go now? Yubel!?" He called out.

Yugi smiled, "She's over here, Judai!" He shouted back.

Judai entered Yugi's paradise and smiled, "Good afternoon, Prince."

Yugi rolled his eyes, "You don't have to be so formal, Judai." He gestured towards the empty spot on the bench, "There's plenty of room, you're welcome to join me," he looked down to the sleeping cat on his lap, "well, us." He chuckled.

Judai laughed, "Of course." He took the empty spot next to Yugi and began to stroke Yubel on the top of the head, "I swear, she likes you more than she likes me."

Yugi chuckled, "Oh, I wouldn't say that."

Judai rolled his eyes and gestured dramatically towards Yubel, "She never sleeps in my lap!" Still, despite the dramatics, Judai wore a bright smile and his voice was full of laughs. As if to fire back, Yubel stretched, turned around and curled back into a ball, purring, and facing away from Judai. Judai clicked his touch, and feigned offense, "Yubel how could you!?"

Yugi laughed. Judai was always great company and a wonderful friend to have. Often times, Yugi would make his way to the stables to talk to Judai and the two would go on for hours, Judai often forgetting about his duties, "Well look at it this way, I think Kuri likes you better."

Judai chuckled, "Kuri is a great horse, but I wouldn't say that." He shrugged, "He just needs someone to keep him company when you're not there."

Yugi shot him a look, "Kuri loves you, Judai."

Judai smiled, "Maybe." Then, he sighed, avoiding Yugi's eyes, "I heard about Prince Yuuta." He added, his voice quieter than usual.

Yugi nodded, looking down to Yubel, rubbing her head with his thumb, trying to find a distraction, "Gossip sure travels fast around the castle."

"Sorry. I heard Timaeus talking with the King earlier when they were by the stables." Judai's shoulders slumped, "I'm sorry, I know you probably don't want to talk about it." When Yugi just simply shook his head, Judai nudged his shoulder, "Yami was practicing his archery by the stables earlier." He changed the subject, his voice coming out with a sing-song tone. He grinned at Yugi, "He's quite the looker, you know?"

Yugi groaned, and his face in his hands, "You too!?"

"Well, he is quite handsome." Atem's voice sounded in Yugi's mind, "I knew there was reason why I liked Judai so much. He's got great taste, if you ask."

"Oh, shut up."

Judai chuckled, "What? He's pretty handsome. Right, Yubel?" Yubel meowed in response, causing Judai to laugh, "See! Even Yubel thinks so!"

Yugi rolled his eyes, "That's what everyone says."

Judai shrugged, "Well, you gotta admit the guy is pretty good looking." He nudged Yugi again, "Got the hook-up with the cute bodyguard, man."

Yugi blushed and looked away, "Whatever."

Judai laughed, "Aw come on, Yugi! You can't deny that the guy is good looking. At least admit that."

Yugi rolled his eyes, "I guess."

"You should come by the stables later. Yami usually likes to spend his free time there." Judai said, reclining back into the bench.

Yugi looked at Judai, "Really?"

Judai grined, "Caught you interest, didn't I?" He asked, cocking his head to the side.

Yugi looked away, "No."

"Sure." He picked up Yubel from Yugi's lap, "Well, I better get back to work."

Yugi nodded, "I suppose I should head back inside. Check to see how Yuuta is doing." The two rose in unison. Yugi chuckled, scratching Yubel's head, "I'll see you later, Yubel." The cat happily meowed in response.

Judai chuckled, gently bouncing the cat in his arms, "Yubel says the same." He raised the cat's paw, waving it towards Yugi, "But really," he started, letting go of Yubel's paw, "you should come by the stables later."

Yugi nodded, a small smile on his face, "I'll think about it."

I felt like the story needed a Judai.

Also, yes, it's a short chapter, but things will start to pick up in the next!