Millennium: So, I wanted a review before I posted another chapter, and I got three!

Love: Yeah, no proof-reading or anything. We just go with it. And I have yet to notice any glaring errors. And on with the lovely tender-shipping story!

Ryou: FYI, Millennium does not own YGO.

Millennium: I wish. *dramatic sigh* Oh the things I would do with it. And: SORRY! I know this took forever. AGAIN!

After going to the movie, the boys headed home. Yugi was in probably the best mood Ryou had seen in the last six months. Wonder if I can make him cheer up a little. Probably not a good idea to get him attached to me though. Not if I plan on doing THAT. It would totally screw Yugi over. The less the better. Hope he doesn't figure me out first. (Read Last Thoughts for that one) Oh well. It wouldn't work anyway. He only loves the Pharaoh. Like he'd be interested in me. Ryou left Yugi's, hearing the phone ringing as he walked away. Little did he know that the phone call Yugi had just received would change both of their lives forever. Why did I just get a chill? It feels like something big is coming. Who am I kidding? I sound like Ishizu or something. Bah! Whatever.

After getting home and showering, Ryou noticed that Yugi had left him a text on his cell. I just got a call from Ishizu. I guess I'm heading to Egypt this week for a few days. Something big is going on. Tell you more later. That's strange. Normally he'd spill all the details at once. Ryou answered, saying he was looking forward to the details, not knowing what else to say. He had no clue what Yugi was talking about.

A couple days later, he was at home when he got a call from Kaiba telling him that Yugi had called sounding extremely happy. Ryou thanked him out of courtesy, and got off the phone. Suddenly, a strange feeling came over him, a wave of confusion and panic. Not sure what was going on, he had to stop and force himself to breathe. I haven't had panic attacks since right after Amane and Mom died. What was that all about? It wasn't even like it was my attack. It was like feeling it through someone else. Bloody strange. Ryou brushed it off, and got ready to head out. He was going to go grocery shopping, as he hadn't been in some time. It was past time he went. Then tomorrow he was joining the others at the hospital to visit Joey and talk about how everyone was meeting to pick up Yugi in a couple days' time.

In Egypt, Bakura suddenly found himself back in the present day era. Definitely panicked, he had no idea why he was suddenly in an apartment (recognizing it because of Ryou) or how he had even gotten there. Taking a couple of breaths, he looked around, realizing he wasn't alone at all. Marik was standing next to him, equally confused as to how they had arrived. "What in the bloody hell is going on?!" Bakura shouted. "If I knew, thief, I would gladly tell you." Marik said calmly. Moments later, Malik came in the room, stopping dead in his tracks when he noticed the two yamis standing in front of him. Shock paled his face as his mouth dropped open. Finding his voice, Malik muttered, "What the ever living hell? You two can't possibly be back." Malik looked over at Marik, seeming to have a conversation without ever speaking. Bakura cleared his throat, bringing the two Egyptians out of their unconventional conversation. "Uh, sorry, Bakura. Wow, um, follow me… I'm gonna have to tell Yugi and Yami, I guess." Bakura's jaw dropped. The bloody Pharaoh was here too?! "Great, so you're telling me that the bloody Pharaoh is back too? This is just fucking wonderful." Following Malik and Marik, they all entered the living room area of the Ishtars' apartment. Malik waved at them to stay where they were, and left the room. In another room, they heard him say, "Um, you two need to come out here. I can't do this alone…. They're back too."

Malik walked back in, followed by Yugi and Yami. The Pharaoh and his Hikari stopped dead in their tracks, jaws dropping at the sight of Bakura and Marik. "What the hell do we do now, Yami? This is not exactly what I had in mind." Yugi was definitely worried. "Not sure, Aibou. This might not end up the surprise we wanted to give the gang." Bakura glared at the two spiky-haired teens. "How about you tell us what the hell is going on, Pharaoh." He spat venomously. "I wish I knew, Tomb Robber. If I knew why we were back, I wouldn't be so surprised to see you." Suddenly Marik spoke up, "Do either of you remember anything about the 'other side'? I just remember being told something about a second chance." Bakura and Yami stared at the Dark Egyptian. "No, I don't." They said together. "Perhaps we are meant to have a chance to have some type of happiness, Tomb Robber and Pharaoh. It might be why we came back." The other dark halves had to laugh at the idea. "Myself, having happiness. Perhaps the Pharaoh could, but I doubt the one I shared bodies with will be so thrilled to see me." Bakura hated to admit it, but the idea of Ryou hating him actually hurt. He had come to somewhat like his weaker light. "Oh well, he always was a bit too weak for me." Yugi finally found his voice. "Bakura, I don't think that's true at all. Ryou did miss you. He might even be somewhat happy to see you. But it might help if you don't call him weak. He's just nonviolent, like me. We rather hate hurting people, and people like to see that as weakness. I don't think it is. I think it takes more strength to be mad at someone and forgive them than it does to fight them."

Everyone in the room stared at the little 19-year-old. "Forgiving someone isn't easy to do sometimes. I would know firsthand. See, I wasn't always this nice. My dad took off and left me and my mom with nothing when I was 8 years old. If not for Grandpa, I'd be dead. Mom couldn't take care of us without Dad around. It was probably 5 years later when I finally was able to forgive him… Although, I still don't think I would ever let him back in my life…. I just couldn't set myself up like that." Yami seemed the most upset by this. "Aibou, how did I not know this sooner? I thought we had no secrets." The pain was obvious in his voice. "I never consciously hid it from you. You just never asked. I would have told you if I knew you wanted to know." Yugi looked about to cry from knowing that his other half was so hurt by this omission. "I suppose it explains your reluctance to trust me at first. Oh well, I could have asked sooner, I guess. So how are we going to explain the reappearance of these two to everyone else?" Yami and Yugi simply stared at each other, unsure what to do. The honest truth was, no one was sure how this news would play out with the others back in Domino City. "Do you two have your mind link back?" Bakura suddenly asked. "I was wondering, because I can sort of sense Ryou, but not like before." Yugi seemed surprised. "Not that I've noticed, but Mou Hitori No Boku and I don't really need it anymore. We just know each other that well." Yami seemed surprised at Yugi's answer. "I've noticed that I can still feel if you are upset or happy, but I cannot hear your thoughts as I am used to Aibou. But as you said, we no longer really need it between ourselves."

"Oh. I was hoping to get an idea how your link was… I actually find myself wanting to see Ryou again… Though, I don't expect him to be thrilled at the idea of me being back." Ugh, why do I feel like this? I don't owe him anything! He was just a body for me. It's not like I need him anymore. But… If I'm honest, I do miss him. He was my opposite, always kind… Like Yugi is. He makes me wonder if maybe I should be nicer… I'm a damn thief! What am I thinking!? Thieves don't make friends! You can't trust anyone, I know that now. Even Ryou wanted me gone really. He hated me. I used him and hurt him… And I actually want to apologize for it… Bakura's thoughts were wild and manic. What was this feeling? He had no idea why he missed the gentle boy he had shared a body with for so long, but he felt compelled to go back to Domino and at least apologize to the boy. No matter what, he owed Ryou that much.

Marik was simply watching, having no wish to speak to any of them. He just wanted to disappear with his light. "So, what the hell are we supposed to do now? I don't think your friends are going to be so thrilled that the Tomb Robber and the Psycho are back, Aibou." Yami was rubbing his temples wearily, wondering what exactly was going on. This wonderful dream was quickly turning into a nightmare. "This is just wonderful, Malik. Your yami was the worst of us…"

"Yami! That's not nice! Maybe Marik isn't so bad now. And really, how do we know any of you are the same as before? It's not like our mind links are up right now." Yugi seemed upset that his other half could be so… mean. It wasn't really that uncommon for Yami to unwittingly set someone off by speaking his mind, but he needed to be careful where the other yamis were concerned.

"Actually, Yami, Marik and I have a link… I'm not sure what to think of this, but he's not the same person he was before. I can tell you that myself."

"WHAT?! YOU HAVE A MIND LINK WITH MARIK?!" Everyone else in the room seemed to scream this at the exact same moment. Ishizu, Odion, Bakura, Yami, and Yugi all looked completely floored by this piece of news. Yugi sputtered out what everyone else was thinking, "Y-you have a MIND LINK with Marik! When did you notice this exactly? It just seems like you would be the last one to have it!"

Malik looked worried. "I just noticed it myself a few minutes ago. I really don't know why we have one and you don't. Maybe it's because you don't need it anymore, Yugi. If I knew, I would tell you. I just thought I should let you know that we had one now. I don't like keeping secrets really." He was terrified of what the others would think or say now. He just couldn't bring himself to hide the link from his friends and siblings. It was true that he didn't like secrets, and rarely had any now that he wasn't a bad guy.

Ishizu thankfully stepped in, "Malik, I am glad that you told us. I believe you may be right as to why Yugi and the Pharaoh do not have a link of their own. But it may also be that theirs will return in time. As might yours, Bakura. It may just require some time around your Hikari."

"Well, Yami and I should finish getting ready to go. Much as I like it here, I miss Grandpa, Mom, and my friends." Yugi looked obviously relieved to find that he might get their link back. Bakura was wondering the same. So, I could have that easy conversation again? I'll have to remember to be nicer to him though. He can actually get rid of me now. Ha! I hope he doesn't just throw me out the second he sees me. Oh, Ryou, I'm sorry. Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by Yugi squealing loudly. "It's back! Yami, it's freaking back!" Ra, he sounds like a bloody school girl. Wait? Did he say their link was back? Shit! He did not want to admit that it bothered him."Not like it matters for the two midgets. They can just read each other's faces like an open book. Just like anyone with a brain can tell what they want to do to each other. HA!"

Everyone stared at him. "Obviously, you are jealous, Tomb Robber. That is the only reason you would imply such a vulgar thing in front of everyone. You must miss your light some to be so obviously upset over our link returning. Perhaps you would like to join us in returning to Domino, Japan?" The teasing tone in Yami's voice was evident, and seemed to make the Thief King angrier. "Perhaps I would, perhaps I wouldn't. What's it to you, wanker?" Bakura turned and stared out the window. Now was not the time to get into a fight with the former Pharaoh. If he wanted to see Ryou again, he would have to be nice for now. The thought sent a shudder through him. "You're welcome to come back with us, Bakura. As long as you and Yami can call a truce for now. I really don't want to referee you two all the way home. And Ryou wouldn't like it if I was in a bad mood from that. He's gotten a little protective lately. We became pretty close after you two left. He was the only one who even halfway understood what I was feeling. So, yeah. If you want a chance with him, play nice." Yugi was actually threatening him? That was impressive for the formerly extremely shy young man. Sighing, Bakura acquiesced. He understood what Yugi was implying in his statements. Yugi was a perceptive one, alright. It was as if he could read the thief's very thoughts. Definitely an unnerving thought for Bakura.

Great. I have to call some kind of truce with him for now, I guess. Maybe they aren't so bad after all. It's possible that they aren't as annoying and awful as I originally thought. Sighing, Bakura agreed to try to play nice until they were back in Domino. With that, all three went to packing and getting ready to leave. Bakura had nothing to pack of his own, so he assisted the other two boys just to speed things up. He knew that he was waiting on them, so making things faster meant getting to his light half faster. Yugi and Yami were happy to oblige, amused that the thief was so eager to get back. Suddenly, Bakura stopped, looking off in the distance as he felt Ryou calling out to him. \Can you hear me, Kura? I hope so. . Come back. I don't hate you.\ /I hear you Ryou. How can you not hate me? I was terrible to you back then. I only ever hurt you/ \doesn't matter. I just miss you always being there. But I'm not telling the others. They wouldn't understand. I don't know if even Yugi could understand why I want you back.\ "What's wrong, Tomb Robber? You look surprised at something." Yami seemed genuinely concerned. "It's just that, well, I think my link is back. It's just harder to talk to him. Probably because he's so bloody far away. Let's just go already." Bakura shook himself internally, putting back on the mask he wore so well. It seemed to work, as Yami and Yugi stopped inquiring entirely, focusing solely on finishing packing.

Back in Domino, Ryou was thinking to himself, while talking to Bakura. Interesting. He's back. Well, can't say I'm entirely surprised. Wait! That explains the panic attack earlier. When he returned, he would have been disoriented and freaked out. \Hey, Bakura, is Yami back too? It seems like that would be his big surprise.\ /Yeah, the Pharaoh's back, and so's the bloody psycho that the tomb keeper created. Bloody brilliant really. Don't think anyone was really expecting me and the psycho to show. The bloody Tomb Keeper is freaked. Not that the midgets were thrilled. Oh well, don't care… This is exhausting. More when I'm back in Domino./ At that, Bakura shut down the link. I know he understands… I hope he does anyway… I just can't keep that up for long. I was exhausting to do. Can I do this? Am I really letting him in? I've never let anyone get this close to me. Whatever. If he wants to be that bloody close, well, I'll figure it out.

Ryou was curious. Bakura had sounded apologetic almost. Like he didn't want to shut down the link. Better not think on it too much. Can't keep everything off my face and Kaiba isn't completely oblivious to me being here, even if the others have forgotten me. Again. Oh well, why am I complaining? I hate them anyway. I only deal with them because of Yugi… He gets that weird feeling of having a second person in your head. I just hope Yami isn't the truly jealous type… Who am I kidding? It'll be good for Yugi to smile again, even if I get somewhat forgotten by him too. Not that Yugi will completely leave me out. He considers me part of 'the gang' even if the others don't really.

Having been in his own world, Ryou came back into the conversation at the end. Everyone was finishing their plans to pick up Yugi the next day. Ryou suddenly noticed just how tense the Kaibas were, as well as Serenity. Well, I guess I was right. Tristan really is a bloody ass. He was trying to control her all along, and the Kaibas know it. I guess that's why they're making a point to stand between her and the fool. Kaiba looks ready to just punch him now. Mokuba just looks worried. Although, we all know that Kaiba won't do anything until Joey knows what's been going on. He doesn't want to be the one to explain why he just hauled off and punched Joey's oldest friend. HA! I'd love to see that interaction. Joey would probably nearly dump Kaiba for it. And then, everyone was beginning to leave. "So we're meeting here at 9am to pick up Joey, and then taking one of my limos to the airport, okay?" Kaiba seemed to realize that Ryou hadn't been paying the best of attention, and was covering it up by sounding like the annoying mother hen that Tea was known to be. Everyone agreed to this.

The next day was uneventful to start. They all met at the hospital to pick up Joey, and then quickly made it to the airport to get Yugi when he got back. And then the private jet (Kaiba again?) landed. They all stilled, waiting impatiently for Yugi to depart. No one but Ryou had any idea that there were THREE people about to walk off that plane. As they departed the plane, everyone except for the white-haired boy called out a resounding, "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" Ryou calmly stated, "Perhaps we should give Yugi a chance to explain, without shouting. Although, it appears that both his dark and my own have returned. I do have to wonder how that happened." Everyone calmed dramatically, though they were still nearly demanding answers out of poor Yugi.

"Well, Ryou is right. They're back… And so is Marik. We don't have any clue as to why or how, but I really don't care. I have Yami back!" Yugi was so damn sure of himself, for once. Ryou could see it, he was just daring them to defy him, tell him this wasn't a good thing. Ryou couldn't help but smirk a little to himself. Leave it to Yami to bring out his more defiant side. About bloody time he grew a backbone. "Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that he is back. It was about the only thing I could think of that would make you sound so happy when you called the other day. But I think we are all a bit confused as to why the crazy side of Ryou is back." Kaiba said calmly. That's it! I'm done with these idiots! Even Kaiba! Ryou grabbed Bakura's hand. "Come on. I'm done dealing with these people for now. Let's go 'Kura." Ryou was pissed at how his 'friends' were reacting, though he was keeping it under control. "They're not worth our time anyway."

Bakura simply followed, unsure of what was going through his Light's head. /What's wrong, Ry? You never get mad like this. / Ryou huffed. \I never used to have to deal with those idiots this long. Ra they are annoying after a while. Especially that bitch with her friendship speech. How in the hell do the others deal with her? Even Wheeler isn't that annoying when he's growling about something like a street dog.\ Bakura was surprised that Ryou felt that way about Yugi's friends, but didn't push. If Ryou wanted to tell him, well, he'd know. Suddenly, memories from his Light flooded his mind. Years of abandonment from all sides following the deaths of mother and sister, studying to get into a decent high school, then getting stuck with Yugi and friends every time he turned around. Then there was the Ring. The blackouts. The fear in everyone's eyes afterwards. The distrust lingering in the gang's eyes (minus Yugi) even after learning the truth about Bakura. Shame engulfed Bakura. He had caused his Hikari so much pain and suffering, all in the name of a little revenge.

I never realized at the time how much I hurt you, Ryou. I wish I could take it all back, but I can't. I caused you so much trouble in those years you were my host… I didn't even respect you at all. You were just a vessel to me then, not even a human worthy of a name in my mind. Is that what I had become? How much more could I have done and not destroyed you? All for some Ra-damned revenge! Baka! Ryou smirked, though Bakura couldn't see it. He was listening in on his yami's thoughts. Interesting that he feels that way. I never thought that he could feel remorse. Although, that could have really been Zorc Necrophades. Under the control of true darkness, it's possible he might not have realized what he was doing.

"Stop worrying so damn much, 'Kura. I don't hate you. I never did. I realized soon after you were gone that you were under another's control the whole time. Yugi and I pieced it all together while we were dealing with you being gone, you and Yami anyway. It was something that kept us sane, figuring out your pasts, and putting the pieces together. We couldn't get one thing though. Why did you team up with Zorc in the first place?" Ryou was genuinely curious. He wasn't judging, since he honestly had no idea what had really happened to Bakura back then. Bakura took a deep breath. "It's a fairly long story, pet. I'll need a chance to get it straight in my head first. It's been a while since I've thought of that terrible night clearly, really. I was only a boy of seven or eight at the time." Ryou nodded. "You can tell me when we get back to my place." And so they continued on, Ryou's nice apartment their destination.

Millennium: Okay. I'm sorry that took so darned long! I just had a total case of writer's block on this one. And then I found a magical song! I found A Vampire's Lullaby on YouTube, and have been playing it on repeat to finish this chapter. Next chapter is going to be Bakura's back story, and what name I have decided on calling him for the 'real world' outside of the main gang.

Love: Yep. And if I have my way, the tale of Bakura's childhood might lead to a beautiful lemon! I like writing lemons out of sad moments. It takes you away from the pain and into the love! Like my name implies! Yeah… So, hopefully the next chapter won't take so damned long!

Millennium: Jeez, Love. I'm already starting it. Just as soon as this one is up!