Disclaimer: I own Yugioh. And the moon is made of cheese.

This is the sequel to 'Two Broken Minds'. It's just a random thought I had- I won't be writing what happens after this. It's just what goes through Ryou's head when he realises Bakura has gone.

Warnings: Fluff, OOCness... yeah, basically the same as all my fics.

Enjoy!

One Broken Promise

He promised.

'Always' he said. And like a dimwitted fool I believed him.

He promised. And he broke it.

I guess it wasn't his fault. Yami was the one who killed him. That high and mighty pharaoh is the one to blame. Or Zorc. Anyone.

I have to believe that Bakura wasn't lying to me. I have to, or I can't go on.

I asked Malik about it. How can you go on I begged. I hoped so badly that he would comfort me, assure me that the terrible pain would get better over time.

But he just looked at me, his eyes filled with sympathy and a sadness that I understand now only too well. He hasn't moved on.

He gave me some advice. Never let them know that you miss him, he sighed, in a hollow tone, because they'll turn on you. Act. Wear a mask. If I can fool my siblings, then you can fool Yugi and his friends.

Useful. But it doesn't change a thing.

What can I do? Suicide, maybe.

No.

I can imagine Bakura now- Suicide is for weaklings. Only fools like you would even consider it. Now pull yourself together and do something with your life, instead of moping around like this. Why not give world domination a try? Worked for me. And Yugi wouldn't suspect a thing if you resurrect the Millennium Items. Think about it.

I almost smile- so like him. Always planning and scheming, one step ahead of everyone else.

Wait.

One step ahead of everyone else.

He knew.

He knew Yami would defeat him. He knew he would die. That's why he said goodbye to me. That's why he looked so pensive and grimly unhappy.

Know that I care about you Ryou. You're the only one I do care for. Look after yourself. I may not always be around to save your hide.

So that's what he meant.

'I'm going to die, Ryou. Sorry about this, but you'll just have to live in indescribable pain for the rest of your life. Yeah, having half your soul torn out is going to hurt. Bye.'

Damnit. I can't believe this. He's such an idiot. He could at least have given me a chance to say goodbye.

Hang on. Maybe he didn't die without some sort of plan. Maybe there's something I can do.

Maybe I can bring Bakura back.

I know Malik's been looking through ancient scrolls when Ishizu's not looking, just in case there's a spell or incantation that could help us. But maybe I can do something. I just have to figure out what.

I can't move on.

I won't move on.

I will spend however long it takes trying to get him back.

My life's ambition- to raise the dead.

Piece of cake.

He made a promise, and he broke it.

But I promise, here and now, that I will do whatever it takes to fetch Bakura back. And I won't break my promise.

One broken promise.

And one promise that can't be broken.