EDIT: Thank you consumedbylove for pointing out that I slipped up. Rishid was adopted, not a half brother. I knew that. *cries*

AN: I lied. I didn't post a second chapter of A Week At Sea I was too distracted by the announced expansion of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. It's like...and...oh man. I was so close to quitting that game too...but I don't intend to become a slave to WoW anymore. Moderation.

Heh, Azeroth is going to look like Zorc tried to destroy it! *rim shot*

But I digress. This chapter feels a little boring to me because it's stuff that has to happen before we get to the action. I can't just go teleporting characters to Egypt without at least explaining a little. And I can't just have characters materializing without some sort of an introduction. That creates plot holes. Plot holes = Sad Mysia.

The next chapter should prove more exciting though. (Not saying that I don't like this chapter though so please read it :3)

Yami sat on the bed beside the sleeping Yugi, as he had many a night. He looked down at his transparent hands, wishing they were solid. Wishing, as he had come to recently do, that he had his own body. Not only did he feel that he was a burden to the teen, but he felt a deep longing that grew by the day to be able to touch him. To hold him in his arms and express his love to him.

He could, of course, do so in their soul rooms, but it wasn't the same. The former Pharaoh didn't feel that he could be satisfied with just confessing his feelings to his aibou only in their soul rooms. But his time was running short. Soon they would go to Egypt and he would recover his memories and-

Yami closed his eyes, balling his hands into fists and clenching his teeth. 'That is not an excuse. I should just tell him. Why am I being such a coward?' he berated himself mentally. With a shuddering sigh, he looked down at Yugi again, eyes softening. 'Why is it so hard to tell you that I love you, aibou?'

An odd shadow fell on the sleeping teen and violet eyes shot up toward the slanted windows over Yugi's desk, narrowing at the source. Trying not to wake Yugi, Yami took control of his body, the Millennium Puzzle flashing brilliantly before he rose and crossed the room to the desk, climbing atop it to access a window.

"Bakura."

The thief remained where he was, russet eyes never leaving Yami's.

"Wake your host, we need to talk."

Yami blinked, startled at the thief's tone. There was anger and hatred in it, but it wasn't directed at him (for once). There was something else there as well. Something genuine. The Pharaoh weighed his options silently.

"Look," Bakura growled, holding up his hands. Yami's eyes fell immediately on the thief's chest, realizing for the first time that he could neither see nor sense the Millennium Ring. Brow furrowed, he nodded, pushing the window open further and hopping off the desk to allow Bakura room to enter. The thief landed on the floor silently, straightening and remaining where he had landed.

"Why are you here?" Yami asked, gently nudging Yugi's mind awake. The teen's spirit hovered beside him sleepily, rubbing his eyes cutely.

"Because, despite how I wish otherwise, I actually need your...help." Bakura folded his arms over his chest, a serious look crossing his features.

:He needs our help with what?: Yugi mumbled, still a bit sleepy. Yami voiced the question for the thief.

"It seems there's something more to our fight than I realized. And apparently I was being used." Bakura's eyes narrowed dangerously. "And the being behind it all decided to take Ryou away."

The Millennium Puzzle flashed and Yugi took over, amethyst eyes wide. "Ryou's gone! What happened to him!"

"Che, I just told you he was taken, idiot. And I'm pretty sure where he will turn up." The thief's eyes shifted to where he felt the Pharaoh must be standing. "When you were to hold up the god cards to the stone tablet to regain your memory, the ultimate shadow game was to begin. It was planned out perfectly, even my ticket into following you in."

Again the puzzle flashed, Bakura's eyes returning to the solid form. "Shadow game? And how were you getting in?"

The thief chuckled darkly. "Your host is too naive. You remember when the Millennium Puzzle was shattered during the duel Malik was controlling Bandit Keith? How suddenly Ryou appeared and help gather the pieces?" A wicked grin flashed into place. "My Millennium Ring allows me to transfer a portion of my soul into objects. I'll let you figure out the rest."

Yami gripped the puzzle in one hand, eyes widening slightly in shock.

"That's in the past, however. Much like your memories. Mine as well. It seems I don't remember everything as clearly as I thought." The grin fell off Bakura's face. "Ryou will be where I should be, or so I was told. That can only mean he will be in realm of your memories. In the Shadow RPG that was planned for us to play."

The puzzle flashed, Bakura's eyes shifting to where the spirit of the pharaoh should be once again. "It's a trap," Yugi breathed.

"Yes. A trap meant to destroy the Pharaoh and revive the dark lord, Zorc. Only now I don't feel much like playing." Bakura shrugged. "I don't like being used. The way I see it, if I go along with you, nameless Pharaoh, then I can get my revenge, you can regain your memories, and we can rescue my host and call it a day."

Yugi bit his lip thoughtfully, not even noticing when Yami switched with him again.

"How do I know this isn't a trick?" His answer was a small, gold orb tossed to him. Yami looked over the Millennium Eye and then returned his gaze to Bakura.

"I'll need to get the ring from home, but that is something I can't give you. I'll need it if I'm going to get my revenge. After I do that, you can have it."

Yami looked to where Yugi stood beside him, the two sharing a glance and nodding in agreement. The puzzle flashed again and the teen approached the thief.

"Alright. We were leaving in the morning, the others are meeting us at the airport. You can spend the night here if you want."

Bakura sat on the couch in Yugi's living room, unable to sleep. Every time he even though about sleep, his mind became filled with worry and guilt.

Not that he would ever admit to it.

'It's because of how close I had been with him,' he told himself. 'We have shared his body for years now. It is just his absence I am feeling. For three thousand years I was alone in the ring. It is only because I became used to my host's presence. Only because I sought to protect him, as I should have. He was my host, after all. I needed him to accomplish my goals.'

As he thought this, he remembered the duel with Yami in Battle City. How Malik had ordered him to release Ryou in order to win that duel. How scared and fragile his host had seemed when faced with Osiris no Tenkuu-Ryuu. He knew that he would likely have won the duel if he had listened to Malik. Knew that Yami wouldn't attack the injured Ryou.

But he had taken control of his host again because it wasn't his style. He, Bakura, the spirit of the Millennium Ring, was many things, but he would never stoop that low to win a game.

Yes, that was it. He had switched with his host and allowed Osiris to attack him directly because of honor. Not because of his host.

Right?

Raising his gaze to the window, he saw that the sun was already tinting the sky in pastels and got to his feet, taking a moment to compose himself. Yugi's grandfather would likely be up soon as well, after all. Smoothing out his hair to look more like his host, Bakura went to the kitchen in search of tea.

Yugi glared up from his pillow at the alarm clock, wishing he hadn't needed to wake so early. 'Can't we just put off the trip to Egypt? After all, it's not like I w-' he stopped his thoughts, not wanting Yami to hear them. Instead he stretched and yawned, pushing himself out of bed.

"I guess I can get more sleep on the plane," Yugi sighed, stumbling to the door. Opening it, he made a face, inhaling the scent that greeted him. He glanced to his grandfather's door and then to the stairs. "Jii-chan(1) isn't up yet..." Quietly the teen slipped downstairs to the kitchen and peered in, amethyst eyes blinking in disbelief.

Bakura's arms were folded on the counter, chin resting atop them, russet eyes focused on the small coffee maker that was percolating away. The thief made a small sound of discontent, seeming irritated with the device.

"Bakura?" Yugi called softly, stepping into the kitchen.

"You were out of tea," he thief answered bluntly, not leaving his post.

"O-oh," the teen replied lamely, moving to the cupboard and retrieving two coffee cups. When he turned to get the cream and sugar, Bakura raised a brow.

"Didn't see you as being a coffee person. Though I suppose that would explain your height."

Yugi flushed. "I don't drink coffee. And it's genetic," he snapped defensively. The Millennium Puzzle flashed and Yami came to stand beside Bakura, setting down the items Yugi had gathered.

"I didn't see you as a coffee person either," the thief added, straightening and filling his own cup. He began loading the coffee down with cream and sugar.

"I see you aren't much of one," Yami remarked, pouring himself a cup and blowing on it. "That's almost how Yugi would prefer it."

Bakura looked up from the light tan mixture and made a face. "Shut up."

Yami shrugged, drinking his coffee straight. "So, you're just going to rescue Ryou for revenge?"

"..." Bakura sipped at his coffee and added a bit more sugar. "Yes."

Yami sized up the thief. "If you say so." He turned and headed for the stairs. "The flight leaves at ten. If you need to get anything from home, I suggest you do."

"Shut up," the thief growled, clutching his cup in both hands. "I don't need you telling me what to do. Just be sure you're ready for the game when we reach Egypt."

"Aa,(2)" Yami responded, taking another drink of coffee.

:He's right, mou hitori no boku(3),: Yugi said thought their mind link, frowning. :You'll be walking right into a trap! What are we going to do?:

Yami pondered on those words for a moment, drinking his coffee. "We won't do anything, aibou," he said quietly. "This is my battle. They are my memories." Violet eyes looked to Yugi. "It will be dangerous and I know I will have your support, but it is a game I must play alone."

Yugi met Yami's gaze for a moment before fading from view, sitting in his soul room and mulling over the other's words.

Bakura and Yugi entered the airport, the former maintaining his guise of being the mild mannered Ryou for the time being. Judging from the reactions of Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda, they believed it well enough, especially when told that Yugi held the Millennium Ring with the other items.

Which was, of course, a lie. Bakura kept that piece tucked under his shirt.

The flight to Egypt went on without incident until they disembarked and were greeted by Isis, Rishid, Malik, and-

"Marik." Bakura grit his teeth and swore under his breath.

"Tomb robber! So nice to see you again!" Marik grinned, shrugging off Malik's attempts to restrain him.

"How the hell did you return from the shadows?" the thief hissed dangerously, Yugi grabbing his arm in a feeble attempt to calm him down.

"Ryou...?" Anzu asked nervously. The Millennium Puzzle gleamed and Yami suddenly grabbed Bakura from behind, holding him in place while Marik laughed.

"Oh, are you being the Pharaoh's little b-" the yami stopped when Rishid grabbed his wrist in an iron grip, eyes narrowed dangerously until the fiery blond huffed, planting his free hand on his hip. "Bastard. You never let me have any fun."

Yami slowly released Bakura, making certain to give the thief a warning glare before turning his attention to Malik.

"I'm sorry, guys. Ever since he returned, we have had to keep a close eye on him. Especially since he somehow has his own body now." Lilac eyes glared at the yami before landing on the still fuming Bakura. "Bakura...we...we weren't expecting you..." he said, swallowing hard.

"Well, I wasn't on the original guest list, but something came up," the thief grumbled, arms crossing over his chest. He heard Anzu, Jounouchi, and Honda whispering behind him. "To answer all questions, I'm here because Ryou is not here." He shot a glare back at the three friends. "If you have a problem with that, I suggest you go back home with your tails between your legs because I am not leaving."

"Ryou's not here?" Malik asked.

"Let us not discuss this matter here in the open. Rishid." Isis glanced at her adopted brother, who nodded and began escorting a grumbling Marik toward the exit.

Outside, they all piled into the cars the Ishtar's had waiting for them, Malik and Yami sitting on either side of Bakura in the back of the lead car with Rishid and Marik in the front.

"So, did you finally kill off your hikari, tomb robber?" Marik asked, turning in his seat to grin at Bakura. "Oooh or did you just banish him to the shadows. Tell me! Tell me!"

Bakura glanced at Malik who sighed, a hand resting on his forehead. "I have a better question," the thief said, eyes returning to the wild-haired blond. "Why do you have your own body now?"

Yami listened quietly, one hand resting on the Millennium Puzzle.

"Oh, that's a boring story," the blond tsked, waving his hand dismissively. "A good story is what happened when I came back. I thought hikari was going to die and hikari's sister threw things at me until this bastard-" he jerked a thumb at Rishid "-grabbed me. He's such a pain in the ass." Marik glared at the man in question, lilac eyes narrowed and hands gripping the back of his seat. "One of these days-"

"Behave yourself," Rishid snapped sternly, hands tightening on the steering wheel. Marik huffed, returning his attention to Bakura and Yami.

"So, tell me! What did you do to the little pest? I love stories about torture and death! Did you torture him to death?" the psychotic blond grinned, eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Shut up, bastard," Bakura growled. "I'll tell everyone when we get there. I hate repeating myself."

This, of course, only made Marik more persistent.

AN: Next time on Hikari no Yami no Game:

Stuff happens! And then! More stuff happens!

Oh, and you'll find out what happened to Ryou.

And something else will happen. :D

*Is hit with a brick and falls over*

I need to stop promising stuff...but I do intend on updating both this and A Week At Sea soon! Tonight though I'll probably work on the next chapter of HnYnG and pop up a one shot. And the one shot might be wishshipping.

*flees*

(1)"Jii-chan" means grandpa. It's what Yugi calls his grandfather :3

(2) "Aa" is a way of saying "yes", more or less.

(3) "Mou hitori no boku" means "other me" (if I recall correctly :p) and is what Yugi calls Yami.