Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-gi-oh! or its characters.
Title: An Unexpected Revival
Pairings: Yami/Yugi, Bakura/Ryou, Seto/Jou, Marik/Malik
Chapter: 1 "The Reappearance"
Summary: PostFinalDuel One by one, the darker halves begin reappearing back into the lives of Yugi, Ryou and Malik which cause newfound feelings and relationships to develop. All main pairings YYY BR SJ MM
Rated: M
Author's Notes: I'm not going to lie and say that I'm really good at updating because I'm honestly not. There are times when I'll update the story consecutively and then fall into a slump and not post chapters for months. We shall see how I do with this story. I will be referring to Atemu as Yami because I am more comfortable that way. I know that the Millennium Items disappeared along with the Pharaoh when he returned to the afterlife but for the sake of this fic, they're still around as physical objects and they still belong to their respective owners (Yugi and his puzzle, Ryou and his ring, and Marik with his rod). And what I mean by main pairings is that each chapter will feature moments between each pairing – there is no main couple as they are all consider the main couples.
Ages
Yugi Mutou: 21 years old
Ryou Bakura: 21 years old
Katsuya "Jou" Jounouchi: 21 years old
Seto Kaiba: 20 years old
Malik Ishtar: 20 years old
/blahblah/ Yugi to Yami
/blahblah/ Yami to Yugi
/blahblah/Ryou to Bakura
/blahblah/ Bakura to Ryou
/blahblah/ Malik to Marik
/blahblah/ Marik to Malik
If you didn't understand by the examples above, the mind link dialogue between Yugi and Yami will be distinguished by normal text, Ryou and Bakura will be in italics and Marik and Malik will be in bold. And I don't have a Beta so please forgive my grammar mistakes and just other mistakes that I have done. I already know I'm a fail writer. I do wonder under which character slots I'll put this into. Sigh. Which should I?
It was a cool, breezy night in September and the sky was filled with darkened clouds. The moon was partially hidden by the clouds but its light still shone brightly into Yugi's room through the window. Five years have passed since Yugi's final duel with the spirit of his Millennium Puzzle and a lot has changed since then. Yugi grew taller within the years however he was still considered short compared to his friends. His physical features had still remained the same; tri-colored hair with yellow bangs that fell into his childlike, amethyst eyes. He hadn't gained much muscle, just enough to erase the baby fat he had, though his body was slender. Yugi attended Domino University and was pursuing a degree in Computer Software Engineering as he felt that he wanted a career that centered around his love for games. Yugi was also an avid fan of technology so a career in computer software engineering suited him.
Yugi rarely dueled in tournaments nowadays. Although he kept his deck, he stopped entering in tournaments and instead just appeared at the events to show his support. It wasn't that he lost interest in Duel Monsters; it was just that it gave him a feeling of loneliness as it reminded him of Yami who had passed on into the afterlife. Yugi kept his deck inside the Egyptian case that had once housed the pieces of his Millennium puzzle and he usually had it set on his desk beside his Millennium Puzzle. Yugi dared not to wear his puzzle anymore because it only reminded him of his old friend.
The King of Games was sound asleep in his bed, his chest rising and falling with each and every breath he took. He was curled up slightly, resting on his right side, with his left hand placed beside his face. In his sleep, he let out a small sigh as he rolled over onto his left side so now he faced his desk.
A bright light then appeared, coating his room white and causing Yugi to inwardly flinch before slowly opening his eyes. He raised his arms to shield his eyes while he blinked several times, trying to get use to the blinding light. As quickly as it had appeared, the white light dimmed until Yugi's room was darkened again with the only light source being the moonlight that shone though Yugi's window.
A lone, tall figure stood in the moonlight, head bent downwards and all that could be seen was a mere silhouette. The figure looked oddly familiar.
Yugi, having now adjusted his eyes to the darkness, lowered his arms and looked at the figure in his room with curious eyes. "Who's there?" He asked the shadowy, silhouette. Although the figure was surrounded by the white light of the moon, Yugi still couldn't make out a face. The figure raised its head and turned towards the voice.
"Yugi?" The figure asked, uncertainly.
The teen stilled, frozen as his eyes widen with shock. He recognized that voice; he hadn't heard it over five years! Though disbelief clouded into his brain, he couldn't help but ask, "Yami? Yami, is that you?"
The shadowy figure then started becoming more visible to Yugi in the darkness. He saw the familiar outline of Yami's hair and then the colors of black, red, and yellow. Yugi saw the yellow spikes in his hair as his eyes traced along the figure's face, eyes sweeping along the contour of the nose, lips, and then chin. Amethyst eyes met crimson ones. "Yami?" he asked again, a little more confidently this time.
"It is me, Yugi. I'm here." Yami answered.
Yugi reached over to his desk and flicked on his lamp and looked at his old friend. With the aid of his light, Yami was now fully visible to Yugi and the teen took a chance to admire his old friend.
Yami had barely changed since Yugi last saw him but there were still some noticeable differences. Yugi saw that Yami now had crimson red eyes and his features seemed sharper than before. The Pharaoh's skin was no longer creamy white like it had been when he dueled alongside Yugi; Yami now had tan, bronze skin. Yami was dressed in a sleeveless black shirt with golden braces adorning his arms and wrists and he wore his usual pair of leather pants. Yami also wore a golden headdress on his forehead that had the eye of Horus on it. A very noticeable difference was that Yami looked solid; not at all like his once transparent spirit form from years ago.
A feeling of immense joy erupted within Yugi's heart. "It is you!" He said, a smile gracing his lips. Yugi jumped to his feet and threw his arms around Yami's waist. "Yami, it really is you!" he cried happily.
Yami let out a low chuckle before circling an arm around Yugi's shoulder. "Yes, little one, it is me." Yami looked down at his old partner, noticing how close Yugi's head was to his chin. "You look different. You've certainly gotten taller." He mused.
Yugi let out a laugh, pulling away from Yami although he was still arms length away. "I've grown quite a bit!" He excited told his darker half. "It's been nearly five years since we've seen each other!" Yugi added.
The ancient pharaoh looked taken back. "Five years?" he repeated. "Has it only been that long?" Yami asked, moving to sit on the edge of Yugi's bed with the smaller of the two sitting back on his bed with his legs crossed.
"It seems longer, doesn't it?" Yugi asked back honestly, leaning back against the headboard of his bed. He watched as Yami thoughtfully crossed his arms.
"How old are you now?" The Pharaoh asked, looking at Yugi with a serene expression.
"I turned twenty-one three months ago." Yugi replied back with a smile.
"Twenty-one? Ra, you really have been growing up." Yami smiled back, reached out to touch his partner's face. Tan fingers lightly ran across Yugi's face and the smaller teen sighed contently, leaning towards the Pharaoh's touch. Feeling Yami's fingers against his cheek comforted Yugi greatly as he began realizing how much he truly missed his other self.
Yugi then pulled away abruptly. "Wait; can you explain to me how you're here? Is something wrong with the world again?" Yugi asked, somewhat fearfully. He scooted closer to Yami and regarded him with a worried gaze. "Yami, what's happened?"
Yami hummed in a low tone. "I cannot answer that Yugi because I do not even know. All I can recall is that I was in the afterlife with the spirits of my friends but then I felt a pulling sensation, like I was being pulled back into the world of the living. I saw the sands of Egypt and then with a blink of an eye, I saw your room." Yami placed a hand on his heart. "It was a weird sensation albeit warm and comforting. I can't explain it but I am sorry my old partner, I am sorry that I cannot answer your question."
The Pharaoh's answer troubled Yugi a bit. "Maybe we should go see Isis soon. There might be a prophecy we have overlooked. I kept the Millennium Necklace; perhaps she can use it to see the future." He offered.
"That sounds like a good idea. Let us go tomorrow." Yami nodded in a determined fashion. "For now we can only wait till the sun rises. I suppose we have a bit of catching up to do." He said with a smile.
Yugi grinned good-naturally and crossed his arms behind his head as a makeshift pillow. "Yes we do. What is it you would like to know?" Yugi asked.
Yami hummed again in thought, seemingly a natural habit of his, eyes looking upwards before he lowered them again to Yugi. "What have you been up to these last five years? Tell me everything; I've seemed to have missed a lot."
"Well, I graduate high school." Yugi laughed. "I go to Domino University and I'm studying to become a Computer Software Engineer." At his dark's confused look, Yugi only laughed harder. "I'll get to handle computers and design certain programs and software."
Yami still looked confused but he nodded. "Interesting, how has Grandpa been?"
"As lively as ever though I've been manning the game shop more. I don't want to strain him and cause him any discomfort or stress. But business has been flourishing. We actually signed a joint partnership with Otogi's company!" He told his darkness in an excited voice.
"That's great, Yugi!" Yami congratulated. "I shall offer my congratulations to Grandpa tomorrow when he awakes and Otogi if I see him." Yami felt happy, happier than he had felt in a long time. It's not that he wasn't happy in the afterlife with his friends; it was just that he missed the times he spent with Yugi. "Do you still play?" Yami suddenly asked, nodding his head in the direction of the Egyptian case. Yugi followed his gaze and upon seeing what the Pharaoh was referring to, shook his head softly. "Why not?" Yami asked.
"It hurts too much." Yugi said quietly. "I love Duel Monsters but it just made me think of you and how lonely I have been without you. When I touch that deck, my mind is flooded with the memories of our duels and the times we spent together. I have missed you, Yami." He said truthfully, looking up into crimson red eyes.
Yami studied his old partner, his eyes focused on Yugi's amethyst ones. Yami then closed his eyes briefly and stood, turning towards Yugi's desk. He let out a small smile and picked up the Millennium Puzzle. He leaned down and draped the Millennium Item around Yugi's neck and placed both his and Yugi's hands on its triangular angle. "I have missed you too, my partner." Yami replied honestly.
Yugi smiled.
Yami reached over and picked up the box. "Let play one game, my partner. You do owe me a rematch from our last duel." He joked. "Now that I'm here, you won't be lonely anymore."
Yugi's smile only grew bigger and his dark's words. He took out the deck and drew a card. It was the Dark Magician, his and Yami's most trusted card. A transparent but still slightly visible purple adorned figure then appeared, floating in the middle of Yugi's room. It was the duel spirit of the Dark Magician.
Yami regarded the magician with a respectful look as he saw the Dark Magician bow his head slightly. He then drew a card from the deck and it was the Dark Magician Girl. She then also appeared in her duel spirit form, floating alongside the Dark Magician. "Mahado. Mana." Yami greeted causing the Dark Magician to let out a chuckle and the Dark Magician Girl to giggle.
Upon seeing his Dark Magician and Dark Magician Girl, Yugi felt his heart warm considerably. He then turned to Yami with a competitive smirk, a fire burning in his eyes. Yami raised an amused brow and returned the smirk. "Let's duel!" Yugi said, shuffling his deck before dividing it in half and giving the other half to Yami.
The two close friends began their duel with Yugi opening on the first move. Time passed but the two did not seem to notice, too absorbed in their duel and the happiness of their reunion.
Seto Kaiba sat in the office of his mansion with a focused expression on his face. His eyes swept across the laptop screen quickly, sapphire blue eyes scanning the numbers of Kaiba Corporation's accounting information. An untouched mug of coffee was set beside his laptop.
In the five years since he witness the final duel between Yami and Yugi, Kaiba had accomplished much in terms of his life. After his high school graduation, Kaiba immediately turned to America to continue his college education, knowing that America had some of the finest schools in education. He attended Stanford University and with his intelligent mind and overall experience with business, managed to graduate in only two years. He left the care of Kaiba Corps. to Mokuba while he was away and upon his return, retook his position as the President and CEO of Kaiba Corporation. His first act of business after requiring his position was to set up a expansion of his company in the United States.
Due to his younger brother's constant nagging to be more social, Kaiba started spending more time with Yugi and the rest of his group. Mokuba saw it as a way to finally unite both his friends and his older brother together. Initially, Kaiba resented the idea as he viewed all of them as inferior to him of course with the exception of Yugi. Kaiba always had high respect for Yugi, not only for being his rival, but also because Kaiba considered Yugi to be his first real friend. Yugi welcome Kaiba with open arms and in time, Kaiba became friends with the other members of Yugi's group.
Kaiba became looser, easy-going and not as uptight as before ever since he made more friends. Mokuba was right in the way that being more social would put him in a positive mindset. Of all the interactions he had to endured, one stuck out the most for him.
It was in the form of Katsuya Jounouchi.
For years, Kaiba despised the loud-mouth blonde. The brunette couldn't stand anything about Jounouchi. He always considered him a failure of a duelist and lowly like a dog. It was only during his forced interactions did Kaiba's opinion of Jou start to change. Having had to spend time around Yugi a lot due to those forced interactions, Kaiba would unfortunately have to see Jou frequently too since Yugi and Jou were together often. And during those times, Kaiba would watch and observe him. Two years ago was when Kaiba began noticing the little things about Jou he would grow to love.
Kaiba noticed during class how intently Jou would pay attention and how furiously he would take notes during lectures. He would see Honda and Otogi whispering and throwing paper balls at him in order to get him to talk to them however Jou would only focus on the teacher. He never responded to them during class when they tried to distract him. The blue eyed man saw Jou then as a person with focus and determination. It was a known fact that Jou wasn't the brightest of the bunch however with sheer determination, Jou began to get better and better grades. Jou studied hard and Kaiba respected his determination.
When Kaiba visited the Kame Game Shop once to help tutor Yugi in Calculus, he was surprised to see Yugi lying on the floor with study books and notes all spread out and Jou sitting beside him, teaching him what he needed to know. Although Yugi struggled and felt that he couldn't learn the material, Jou never gave up on him. He reassured him like any best friend would and offered to go over the problem again. When Jou saw Kaiba enter into Yugi's room, he motioned for him to help. "It might be easier for Yugi to understand if we both teach him Kaiba," Jou said with a toothy grin. It was that day that Kaiba saw his kind heart.
The two were paired up for an assignment one time during their Economics class and before Kaiba could open his mouth to make a snide comment, Jounouchi began speaking to him in a very professional tone. Jou mentioned how they shouldn't let their rivalry and dislike for each other come in the way of producing an excellent project. Kaiba was surprised but he knew not to show it, he merely nodded. During the two weeks that they worked on their project, Kaiba and Jou began learning more and more about each other.
It got to a point where Kaiba even felt comfortable around the blonde and even referred to him by his own name. The CEO learned of Jou's dream to be big in the business world and how he would one day own his own company just like Kaiba. The two spent so much time together even outside their project that they grew extremely close. It didn't take long for Kaiba to fall for him.
After seeing their perfect grade on their project, Kaiba extended a hand to Jou in a professional handshake, "You did well Jou. I was proud to be your partner." He said. Jou stared at him before a smile graced his lips. Jou then launched himself at Kaiba and hugged him.
Kaiba couldn't help himself, Jou was just too close. Impulsively, Kaiba grabbed Jou and just kissed him. When he pulled away and peered at Jou with nervous eyes, Jou smiled reassuring. And that was their first kiss. Of course they got together and of course they fell in love. With all that had happened with Jou, Kaiba then asked him to move in with him and Jou agreed wholeheartedly. They had been together for two years and both were happy.
Jou attended Domino University with Yugi and he was pursuing a degree in business. Kaiba promised him that when he graduated with a professional degree, he would make Jou his top advisor and so because of his lover's encouragement, Jounouchi studied hard to make top grades. He wanted to be there for Kaiba when he needed him.
"It's late, Seto." Jou said as he leaned against the doorframe of Kaiba's office. His hair was slightly disheveled, his blonde bangs falling into his honey eyes. Jou smiled as he looked as his lover sitting in front of the laptop. "Don't you want to come to bed?"
Kaiba regarded Jou with soft sapphire eyes, "I will in a bit, Puppy." He said, affectionately calling Jou by his pet name. "I just need to check over the numbers again to make sure they're all right. His eyes then returned to his laptop screen.
Jou crossed his arms smugly and walked to stand beside Kaiba. He leaned down and looked at the screen, shifting his eyes it to Kaiba and then back again. With quick eyes, he scanned the screen before grinning and shutting down the accounting chart. "Come to bed Seto, you know everything is right." He playfully nipped on Kaiba's ear.
Kaiba growled softly before rolling his eyes and shutting his laptop closed. "Fine, fine. Let's go to bed." He agreed, taking Jou's hand in his and leading the blonde up the main staircase to their bedroom. Kaiba opened the door to their bedroom and he saw four large bodies by his and Jou's bed.
Three of the four bodies were small, white and glowed brightly. Sharp talons and long tails curled close to one another and beautiful, white wings were tucked gently against their backs. They were Kaiba's duel spirits, his three precious Blue Eyes White Dragons. "You finally came to bed, Seto." One of them mused and Kaiba let out a small chuckle. "Yes, so now it is time for bed. Go to sleep, girls." His dragons all hummed in content.
"Make sure to keep them warm." Jou called to the fourth body. The fourth body was large and black, its own black wings tucked against his back. It was Jou's duel spirit, the Red Eyes Black Dragon and upon hearing his master's voice, curled protectively around his three Blue Eyes White Dragons. "Of course." He growled out humorously.
Kaiba and Jounouchi climbed into bed and settled into a comfortable position with Jou's back to Kaiba's chest. Jou laid on his with his hand coming up to settle beside his face and the brunette wrapped his arms around Jou and placed his hand on top of Jou's.
"Goodnight Jou." Kaiba said, kissing the back of said blonde's neck and closing his eyes.
"Goodnight Seto." Jou responded, pressing his lips to Kaiba's hand before drifting to sleep.
Ryou Bakura sat on a wooden stool in front of an easel in the living room of the apartment that he shared with Malik. He held the paintbrush loosely in his hand as he painted, the thin, brown bristles gliding across the canvas. He hummed to himself softly, reaching out to dip his paintbrush in water to rid it of its previous color.
It's been five years since the spirit of his Millennium Ring disappeared and it left Ryou with mixed feelings. He felt the freedom of finally being his own person; he no longer had to deal with being suppressed. His darker half always controlled Ryou, whenever he wanted to surface, he would suppress Ryou's conscience and simply take over. Ryou was never nothing more to Bakura than just a simple vessel and now that he was gone, Ryou could live freely. It brought him joy when he realized he didn't have to fight to be heard anymore.
On the negative side, Ryou felt strangely empty without Bakura. He felt in his heart a sort of loneliness when Bakura had disappeared years ago. It was understandable; he was the darkness to Ryou's light. The two forces needed each other to coexist. It pained Ryou to admit that he missed Bakura's presence. Even though Bakura always referred to him as a simple vessel or host, Ryou felt like Bakura considered more of him. Bakura had a sadistic way of showing it but Ryou knew that his darker half cared. Bakura and Ryou were never friends; they didn't have the mutual sort of understanding relationship that Yugi had with his darkness. But in a way, Bakura was the older brother that Ryou never had, his protector even.
Ryou recalled a memory he had seen through Bakura during the duel against the Pharaoh in the Battle City Tournament. Although the thief had stopped suppressing Ryou long enough to let him temporarily take over during that duel in his own twisted effort to win because he knew the Yugi wouldn't want to endanger his already weakened friend. Bakura ultimately regained his control over Ryou when the Pharaoh launched his attack with his Egyptian God Card because he knew Ryou was already too vulnerable and Bakura did not want to risk losing Ryou. Bakura then took the powerful attack on his own, thereby saving his own weaker light. Ryou treasured that memory with all his heart because it showed him how much Bakura cared.
Unlike Yugi, Ryou still wore his Millennium Ring, often hiding it underneath his shirt. It reminded him of Bakura and gave him a sense of security and comfort.
He graduated high school with high grades and enrolled at Domino University with Yugi and Jou before dropping after the first semester. At that time, he was pursuing a degree in medicine to become a Pediatrician however he realized that he did not want to follow that path. It was then that Ryou picked up a paintbrush and canvas out of shere boredom did he discover newfound passion and love for artistry.
Ryou loved to paint and his paintings were absolutely beautiful and breathtaking, his attention to detail made his work great. Ryou would paint anything from landscapes to portraits of his friends and it was by Malik's encouragement to apply to Domino's School of Art and Design, a prestigious art school for talented artists. Ryou then comprised a portfolio of his best masterpieces which included many paintings that Ryou treasured deeply.
He selected a painting he did from Kaiba's office at the top floor of Kaiba Corporation's executive building. The sky was filled with swirls of red, orange and pink as Ryou painted the beautiful sunset over Domino. From the top floor, Ryou had a great view of the city and so he painted every structure he could see, ranging from his high school, the Kame Game Shop, and even Kaiba Land. He received high remarks from his friends concerning this painting which made Ryou blush with pride.
Ryou picked out another painting he treasured. It was a portrait of Malik as he slept peacefully on the couch with a textbook left opened as it rested on his chest. His blonde hair was spewed around him and his long bangs fell over closed lilac eyes. Ryou was especially fond of this painting because Malik was his best friend and it was he who inspired Ryou to further pursue a career in artistry. Ryou felt that he should dedicate one of his entry paintings to him.
The last painting Ryou selected was by far his most prized masterpiece. It depicted him and Bakura sharing one body with separating halves. Ryou based this painting off his favorite card, Change of Heart and he spent a great deal of time on this particular painting than he had over the others. The white haired main carefully painted the thin tendrils of Bakura's demonic wing with a precise hand, wanting it to be absolutely perfect. Once Ryou had gotten accepted to Domino's School of Art and Design, he was shocked and ecstatic with joy. He was so happy! Painting truly was his passion.
"I seem to have run out of blue." Ryou said to himself, his brow furrowing slightly in disappointment. He sighed and got up, stretching slightly before walking towards his supply closet where he kept various paintbrushes, canvases, paints and other useful materials. He rummaged through his supplies, searching for the blue paint.
"My vessel."
Ryou flinched inwardly as the blue paint tube dropped from his hand and clattered as it hit the ground. His breathing then slightly got labored as he froze in his spot. His chocolate brown eyes shook nervously, panic erupted inside him. Ryou turned his head slightly, his eyes looking from the corner of his eyes and he saw a figure behind him. Quickly, Ryou turned his head again and looked forward, staring at his supply closet. "That voice! But it couldn't be!" He mentally screamed in his head.
"Vessel." That voice called again somewhat irritably. "What the hell? Turn around!" The voice shouted.
Ryou still hadn't moved a muscle. He was confused, shocked and scared for he knew that the owner of that voice had disappeared five years ago; it made no sense to Ryou that he was hearing it now. Ryou heard a low growl and yelped when he felt a hand grab his shoulder from behind and spun him around. Chocolate eyes widened. "Bakura!"
The spirit of the Millennium Ring smirked, a fang slipping past his lips. "And here I thought you've forgotten me." He deadpanned. The past thief king crossed his arms smugly. "You look different." He commented.
Ryou blinked. He then proceeded to spin and twist his torso around as he looked at himself. It was true, Ryou had changed. His snow, white hair was longer and flowed down to waist although at the moment, it was pulled back in a high ponytail. He had grown a few inches over the years and his body became long and slender. His eyes however had remained the same; they still held the innocent and childlike glint to them. "Maybe a little," he admitted. "But you've changed too."
Bakura grunted at that and merely shrugged. His skin was no longer pale but was now bronze and the chocolate brown eyes he had once shared with Ryou were now a shade of light blue. His hair still had its spiky, winged out style from the before however his hair was now a dull gray. He seemed taller as well, towering over Ryou. The most noticeable difference was the crossed shaped scar below his right eye. Bakura was also adorned with a long, red coat and black, leather pants. His well toned abs flexed with every moment he made. On his right hand were two golden rings, one on his middle finger and then another on his pointer finger. Bakura also had on a gold bracelet.
"I've seemed to have taken the combined appearance of my past self and what I looked like when I inhabited the Millennium Ring." Bakura said, lowering his arms to his side as he regarded his light with passive eyes. "How long?"
Ryou looked confused. "How long what?"
Light blue eyes rolled at that. "How long as it been since the Pharaoh returned to the afterlife?"
"Oh, about five years now." Ryou answered as he led Bakura to take a seat in the armchair beside his stool. The darker half looked uneasy and slightly hesitant before taking a seat. He watched Ryou pull his stool closer and sat down, crossing his arms.
"You're twenty-one now?" Bakura asked, raising a brow.
Ryou nodded with a small smile on his face. "Yes, I am. I've grown up, I suppose." Ryou didn't know how to explain his darkness' reappearance back into his life but he didn't care at the moment, Bakura was back and that overjoyed him. "I graduated, you know. I'm in college now, I paint." He said, indicating with his hand at the easel.
Bakura followed the direction of his hand and tilted his head. "Never pegged you for the creative type, Vessel." He said amusingly. His eyes swept over the various paintings draped around the room and nodding approvingly. "I guess you do have some talent."
Ryou closed his eyes and smiled happily, knowing that although Bakura's words seemed mocking, they were sincere. "Thank you, Bakura." Ryou then suddenly frowned. "Why are you here?" he asked bluntly. "Trying to take over the world again? Where's Zorc?"
Bakura laughed darkly at his light's questions. "You've gotten pretty forward." He commented before his laughter dissolved to a chuckle. "I can't really explain why I've returned. All I saw was black emptiness and then within a quick second, I saw your ass bending over in the closet."
Ryou rolled his eyes.
The taller of the two crossed his tan arms again. "No, I don't plan on extracting revenge on the Pharaoh." Bakura answered, referring back to Ryou's second question. "I don't know what to do exactly." He muttered softly, unsure as how to respond. His eyes shifted before casting themselves downwards to the floor. "I see no point killing the Pharaoh anymore; I got the closure I needed when I died with Zorc."
Ryou got up and knelt down in front of Bakura. He looked up with childlike brown eyes into the light blue eyes belonging to the past thief. "You've changed." He smiled kindly.
"You said that already." Bakura replied in an annoyed tone.
Ryou fearless reached out and ran his fingers through Bakura's long, gray bangs. His darkness twitched in further annoyance but did not make a move to stop Ryou. "Go away, Vessel."
"My name is Ryou." He said, as if he was introducing himself to someone new. "Ryou." He repeated. His touch was gentle as he glided his fingers across Bakura's bangs. Ryou's fingers trailed lower to run the back of his fingers against the scar on Bakura's face before bringing them back to rest in his lap.
"Stupid Vessel." Bakura said softly, his tone almost affectionately. "You've really changed. Do you fully realize that I'm here? Do you not fear me anymore?" he asked hauntingly. He raised a hand to place it on Ryou arm where he had physically stabbed himself to help Malik initially gain the trust of Jou and his friends.
"Not at all, actually I'm quite happy that you're here. It's been lonely without you. I have missed you, Bakura." Ryou said confidently, smiling. "I've missed the comfort you use to provide me."
The gray haired man chuckled darkly at that. "If you could call it comfort, I suppose." Honestly, Bakura thought he really had changed though he was not surprised. He finally got the closure he needed when he battled the Pharaoh. He got the closure he needed for his people that had all been slaughtered to create the Millennium Items. Being here and alive was a good thing in Bakura's eyes for he now had a second chance to really live a life on a cleaned slate.
"You protected me." Ryou whispered softly recalling his precious memory. "During Battle City, you took Slifer's attack so I wouldn't get hurt. I want to thank you for that. Really, thank you so much for protecting me."
"I didn't protect you." Bakura said, averting his eyes from Ryou's gaze. "I manipulated you. I tried to bait the Pharaoh into forfeiting the duel by using you. I did it for myself."
The younger boy reached out to poke Bakura on the forehead causing the past thief king to growl, a fang appearing again. "But you protected me and took the attack so I wouldn't get hurt." Again, Ryou smiled. "You didn't want to risk the possibility of my body dying."
"Though at the time, I'm sure it was because I needed your body, Vessel." Bakura smirked which cause Ryou to let out a small laugh.
"Either way, I'm here. And it was because you saved me."
Bakura frowned slightly, looking back at Ryou and seeing the earnestness in his eyes. Perhaps Ryou really had forgiven Bakura for the sins he committed and was now accepting him. Bakura placed a hand on top of Ryou's head and ruffled his hair slightly. "Go to bed, Ryou. You've got class tomorrow don't you?" He said with a small smile of his own.
Hearing his name from his dark half's lips caused Ryou to let out a big smile. "I will soon, I promise. I just need to finish this painting, and then I'll go to bed. Of course I still need to set you up with a bed…" He trailed off to himself as he looked around for a makeshift bed.
Bakura's elbow was on the arm of his armchair and he rested his chin upon his closed fist. Light blue eyes followed Ryou's movements as he watched his light walk about the room trying to find what he needed to give Bakura a suitable bed.
/I could get use to this/ Bakura mentally said to himself.
/Good/ Ryou answered back, looking over his shoulder to smile at Bakura before going back to finding blankets and pillows.
Something then jingled which caught Bakura's attention. His eyes focused on Ryou's chest and it was then that his eyes made out the outline of the Millennium Ring. "You still wear that thing?"
"I never take it off." Ryou replied back honestly.
A small tinge of color flooded Bakura's cheeks before he rolled his eyes again. "Stupid Vessel." He muttered, causing Ryou to laugh. He then let out a sigh and got up to assist Ryou in searching for more pillows. "So tell me what you've been up to."
"Well, you want to know about one of the paintings I did that got me into art school? Funny story, that. You'll laugh, really." Ryou said humorously as he began his story.
Malik sat at his desk in the library of Domino University with a focused look on his face. It was late and most of the students had already gone home but Malik stayed behind, feeling the need to study. He had an upcoming midterm that wanted to ace. The library was dark saved for some stray lights on the ceiling and other students studying at their desks, a desk lamp by their sides.
The blonde sat by himself with his lamp on, an assortment of opened textbooks and study books scattered around him. His pen scribbled down notes furiously as lavender eyes read from left to right. A low hum erupted from his throat as Malik frowned and tapped his pen impatiently.
Like Yugi and Jou, Malik attended Domino University. After the ceremonial duel between Yugi and the Pharaoh, Malik had returned back to Egypt along with Isis and Rishid to rightfully take back his duties as a tomb keeper. However within the following year, Malik returned to Domino with his family so he could pursue an education. He was currently studying psychology at the university for he wanted to understand the complexity of the mind as well as behaviorism. Malik wanted to dig deeper into how and why his darkness had formed as he only knew that Marik was born as a manifestation of Malik's negative emotions.
The subject of Marik's disappearance was somewhat of a sore subject for Malik. His darkness was born out of Malik's hatred and pain from being initiated as a tomb keeper and although Malik had moved on from his hatred and accepted his destiny as a tomb keeper, he still didn't like to talk about. He still hadn't forgiven himself for the sins he committed to Ryou and the rest of their friends; he hated how a part of him hurt them. Even if that part him was destroyed many years ago, Malik knew a part of Marik could never be erased from within him. Marik was the embodiment of all of the negative emotions that Malik couldn't face on his own – a part of Marik would always be in Malik. It disgusted him.
A sigh escaped his lips as Malik leaned back tiredly, folding his arms behind his head. A blond strand of hair fell into his eyes and he blew it away as he stretched out his stiff limbs. Malik pulled out his cell phone and glanced downwards at the digital numbers on the screen. "It's getting late, I'd better go home." He said to himself, standing up to gather his school supplies.
A tan hand reached out to switch the lamp off and his study space was coated in darkness. Giving his desk a look, Malik swung his school bag over his shoulder and walked towards the exit. He walked outside and paused, looking up at the darkened sky. "I hope it doesn't rain." Malik commented, taking note of large clouds.
He walked forward, a hand in his pocket and the other holding the schoolbag that was thrown over his shoulder. Malik walked quickly, keeping up a fast pace as he casted his eyes downwards. It wasn't a far walk from his apartment to school however at night it seemed quite farther than usual. "Behaviorism tendencies: conditioned responses to outside stimuli, usually from immense pleasure or pain." He recited his notes to himself.
It was almost inaudible but Malik heard a faint rustle of clothing behind him and he slowed his pace a little, eyes now looking ahead. Someone was following him, shadowing his every step and Malik made a subtle move for his side pocket where he kept his Millennium Rod. The only reason he felt the need to carry it around with him was for the handy use of the hidden danger that he could whip out if danger presented himself.
Malik wasn't far from his apartment building now but he didn't want to lead the stranger following him to his home as to not endanger Ryou. Within the years of the ceremonial duel, Ryou and Malik had become close friends, often spending their time together. What had initially brought them together was the subject of their dark halves and how their disappearance made life a bit brighter.
The Egyptian boy heard the steps the stranger would take and he decided that if he should strike, he should soon. Upon seeing the top of his apartment building over the hill, Malik dashed backwards and grabbed his Millennium Rod. Within seconds, he had unsheathed the hidden danger and held it close to the stranger's neck. The quickness of Malik's movement caused the figure's cloak to billow widely around them.
"Who the hell do you think you are, following me and shit?" Malik swore, pressing the sharp dagger to the figure's neck. His grip on the hilt was so strong that his knuckles starting turning white.
The strange figure then let out a deep, dark chuckle causing Malik to freeze. His body tightened and his eyes shook in fear. He knew that voice and he absolutely hated it. The cloak ceased its billowing till it rested against the figure's back smoothly upon seeing who the cloak had belonged to, Malik shook with angry and fury. Malik let out a growl, pressing the dagger harder till it drew blood, "You." He said, angrily.
"Are you going to kill me, my weaker self?" Marik asked, a sadistic smirk on his face as he leaned his neck against the dagger's sharpened point causing more blood to trickle down. "Do it, kill me." He challenged,
Malik let out an enraged roar and moved to plunge his Millennium Rod into Marik's neck but he was too slow; Marik grabbed Malik's wrist and squeezed painfully. "You surprise me. I guess you're not so useless anymore." Malik's dark half threw Malik to the side, the evil smirk never leaving his face. He then raised a hand to press it against his bleeding neck before bringing his hand to his lips and licking away the blood. "Aren't you happy to see me, my weaker self?" He taunted.
"Get away from me! I hate you!" Malik shouted, shaking. His Millennium Rod was held tightly in his right hand and he used it to point accusingly at Marik. "Why the hell are you here, Marik? Go away! My life was better without you!"
Marik crossed his arms smugly and let out a snort before glaring at Marik with hate-filled eyes. "You hate me? Then I suppose you must hate yourself too because face it, you weakling, I am you. Did you forget? I know everything. I know your weaknesses. I know your strengths. I know your fears and I know of the things you love. You and that fool, Rishid tried to push me away but don't you remember? You created me out of your own hatred and pain. I exist because of you. You're weak and you're useless and you do not deserve to be called the 'real' son of Ishtar because you can't even accept that you and I are two halves of one whole. I am you and you are I. When you finally accept that, maybe then I will truly disappear." And with that, Marik turned around, his cloak swishing behind him.
"Marik!" Malik shouted, looking positively murderous.
The evil spirit that had once inhabited Malik's Millennium Rod halted and looked over his shoulder. His lilac eyes watched Malik as he stomped his way over to him. "What is it?" He said in a passive tone.
Malik fearlessly reached out and grabbed Marik's shoulder, turning him so they both faced each other. "I don't understand why I can see you looking back at me! I don't understand why I can touch you like this! I don't understand any of it! Please, tell me what is going on!" Malik cried, looking sad yet furious at the same time.
Marik remained silent as he looked down into lavender eyes almost identical to his own. He inclined his head and leaned down till his bangs brushed Malik's forehead. "My foolish, weaker self," he began, "Perhaps I have returned because you wished for it."
The light scoffed at that, backing away slightly. "Don't be absurd. I was happy when you were gone, why would I want you to come back?" Malik asked, crossing his arms.
"You are the only who can answer that. Perhaps I have been revived so you could finally get your closure. I suppose that my being here will help you truly accept this part of you that you tried so desperately to ignore." Marik made another move to turn away but he was stopped again by Malik.
"Where are you going? Stay here till we figure this mess out!"
"Do you really want me to stay?" Marik laughed, his voice cackling.
"Just until we get this shit straightened out as for now, I guess you'll have to stay with me and Ryou. Rishid and Sister are also here in Domino, we can go see them tomorrow." Malik returned to walking back to his apartment building, noticing how his darkness no longer shadowed his step but this time walked beside him. As the two halves walked by each other in silence, Malik took a moment to observe his hatred form.
Physically, Marik looked the same. His blonde hair was still spiked in all directions and his eyes were still that lilac purple color. He was dressed the clothes he had worn from the Battle City tournament: long, khaki colored pants, a sleeveless black shirt with his purple cape wrapped about his shoulders. On his tan, bronze arms were the golden bands and the golden bracelets he wore on his wrists. All in all, Marik didn't look like he had changed.
Malik squinted slightly as he looked at Marik's face, trying to find any differences if there were any. His lilac eyes traced along his face and to Malik, he looked less maniacal than before. Upon looking closely, he noticed that his darkness' face looked tired and a bit weary. His face looked strained and less sharp than before. He didn't look at all like Malik remembered. "You seem kind of different." Malik commented innocently, quickly looking away when Marik's eyes shifted to look at him.
"I suppose so but I could say the same thing about you. You're not as crazy as you use to be." Marik smirked.
"I'm pretty sure I got my crazy from you." Malik deadpanned as he and his darker half arrived at his apartment building. The two climbed up the stairs, both trading a series of arguments and Malik paused at the door to his and Ryou's apartment. He entered the digital code to open the door noticing how Marik seethed at the lock.
"I absolutely hate that thing." He muttered.
Malik looked at him strangely before shrugging, "Don't forget, Ryou and I live together so you better behave yourself." He whispered as he pushed open the door. Malik walked through the door with his other half following behind. "Ryou? Ryou, I'm home!" The blonde took off his shoes and instructed Marik to do the same.
"I wonder where he is." Malik mused to himself. He then turned towards Marik, "Be nice." He reminded again causing Marik to growl in annoyance.
"Hop off my ass, Malik." He swore with a glare.
A small smile became apparent on Malik's face upon hearing his dark half use his real name. "You don't seem so hateful anymore." He remarked as he leaned against back against the wall.
"That is because you aren't so hateful anymore. Don't forget, we are one in the same. What you feel, I feel too. You accepted your destiny as a tomb keeper but you have yet to accept me, the hatred in your heart." Marik replied back, wisely. He then paused, his expression thoughtful before he let out a sigh. "I'm learning."
Malik looked at him confusingly again as the two made their way into the living room and opened his mouth to make a reply when all of a sudden a crash was heard from the living room causing him to snap his attention towards the room. What he then saw was Bakura looking thunderous, standing in front of a shocked Ryou.
"You!" Bakura cried furiously as he jumped up, his fists clenched. His light blue eyes glaring at the evil spirit that had once belonged in Malik's Millennium Rod.
Marik chuckled darkly and bowed his head in a mock greeting. "Ah, the tomb robber. What a pleasant surprise, I see your vessel is looking fine." He smirked, shifting his eyes to look at Ryou who backed away slightly. "Hello Ryou," he greeted with a somewhat evil glint to his eyes. "Is that any way to treat an old friend?" He glared back.
The smaller blonde rolled his eyes and yanked hard on Marik's hair causing his other self to let out a growl. "I told you to behave. Stop being stupid and go make peace with Bakura." He then walked over to Ryou. "Sorry I'm home late, I got too into studying." He said apologized with a smile, rubbing the back of his head embarrassingly.
Ryou looked at Marik quickly before smiling at Ryou reassuringly. "It's no problem, I'm just glad you're home. Welcome home, Malik!" Ryou then took Malik's hand, leading him into the kitchen, leaving their dark halves glaring at each other in the living room. "It's strange, isn't it? Bakura and Marik are back."
Malik sighed tiredly, leaning against their island countertop as he rubbed his temples. "I can't even explain it. Do you we should talk to my sister about this? Perhaps a new prophecy has arisen. I wonder if this means the Pharaoh is also back." He smiled in thanks as Ryou poured him a glass of water.
"We should check on Yugi tomorrow then." Ryou concluded.
"Bakura, you should learn to not hold grudges over people. Battle City was years ago!" Marik evilly sneered.
"You sent me to the fucking Shadow Realm!" The past tomb robber retorted loudly.
The two voices of Bakura and Marik erupted from the living room causing both Malik and Ryou to shake their heads. "Let's hope they don't kill each other." Ryou said half-jokingly. Malik winced, not looking convinced.
"Alright bitch, I challenge you to a rematch!" Bakura's voice exploded again. "Ryou, where's my deck!"
"You'll regret this, you petty tomb robber! Remember you were the loser last time!" Marik responded. "Malik, give me your deck!" He called.
"I think they're bonding." Malik commented lightly.
"It does seem that way doesn't it?" Ryou agreed. A soft smile then appeared on Ryou's lips. "Bakura's changed though; he's not so hateful anymore."
Malik took a sip from his glass of water and nodded. "Marik's the same way. Perhaps now these two can start anew."
"Tabula Rasa." Ryou said softly. He then grabbed Malik's hand again. "Let's go watch them duel, I haven't seen a good one in ages! It's been years since either of us has dueled. Tomorrow we'll go see Isis and check on Yugi." He then proceeded to drag Malik back into the living room to watch Marik and Bakura duel.
Author's End Note: That was a horrible chapter, I do apologize. Flames are welcomed because I know that this story deserves a torching. I structured my characters in a realistic setting and if they do seem out of character, I promise that it will be explained as the story progresses. Honestly, out of all the segments I wrote, I actually only liked certain parts. I liked the Puzzleshipping part a lot though I hated writing the Puppyshipping one. It's ironic because puzzleshipping is probably my least favorite out of the four and puppyshipping is one of my favorites. I was satisfied with the end parts of the tendershipping and bronzeshipping but I hated the beginnings. And just to clarify: BR MM YY are not yet together but SJ are
I promise that of course the story will develop more, as always, the first chapter is more of a introduction. Please take the time to read and review, it'll make me smile. Thank you again for reading and until next chapter. I'm actually really sorry as to how short this chapter is, I couldn't seem to write more and I was a rush to finish it.
Final Word Count: 9k
Final Character Count: 40k+
Pages: 20