*pants* ......finally!!! I am soooo sorry this took so very long to do...sorry to leave everyone waiting...*smacks self for being so lazy*.......I hope it was worth the wait, please enjoy...
disclaimer: I do not own yugioh or its characters.
CHAPTER 3:
The angel limped slowly through the dark realm, wings shredded, and body layered in scars and blood.
Walking was a struggle, breathing painful, and sight difficult.
But the angel couldn't stop, he had to keep going, for he could still hear it...
The cruel laughter that echoed from the dark void behind him.
His feet met something cold and sharp, grasping a sharp cry from the small being, whose voice was strained from the pain he already felt. His vision dropped to see the source of new pain. The ground everywhere under him was suddenly carpeted in small spikes of ice. Even when he looked back up, he was met with a feild of ice, where there had been nothing but shadows before. Scattered around were larger spikes about the size of a tall person. They got bigger and bigger towards the centre, where there stood the largest crystal of all, the size of a large house.
The very air around the crystal itself was like arctic mist... threatening, forboding.
And yet, the angel only felt the compulsion to move foward. The sharp ground could slow him down, but it could not stop him. Any physical pain was better than going back. The ice indeed did slow him down, it tried to drag him down, and did very well, but yet just could not win.
After a period of time that both lasted forever, and yet didn't seem to exist, the angel stood infront of the almost glacier sized crystal, his feet now bleeding fresh blood, new tears his acknowlodgement of the pain.
He reached out a wounded arm that felt too heavy to be made of meer flesh and bone, and lightly pressed his palm against the icy wall.
Like water down a drain, he instantly felt his little remaining energy sucked away through his hand, as if the crystal was some great thirsty beast.
He fell to his knees with an exhuasted, painful cry, the small daggers cutting into his legs.
And there it was...
The dark laughter...loud and clear behind him.
He turned faster than what he thought he had the strength for, and met the terrifying gaze of the shadow he had been fleeing from the entire time, eyes cruel and satisfied, like a hunter who had just cornered it's prey.
The angel backed away against the crystal, no where to run, and no strength to fight. He was going to be caught. All the effort and pain, for nothing...the shadow was going to get what it desired.
Small whimpers excaped the broken angel, his eyes shutting in defeat as the shadow reached out a hand towards him.
'Help...please...help..."
Warmth struck a small spot in the centre of the angel's back, as his own desperate plea for salvation rang through his mind.
The warmth grew, spreading over his back like a blanket was being slid between himself and the ice, and he finally opened his eyes to look back at the crystal.
It was glowing.
He turned and flinched away from it, right now forgetting all about the shadow behind him, his eyes locked to the crystal as it grew brighter and brighter, until with a burst of pure light, it shattered into thousands of peices, creating a shower of rainbow crystals, as the ice shards reflected the light that shone from the true source of the warmth.
Another angel....one of undescrible beauty...rose in the air where the crystal had once stood, large, glorious white wings opening out from it's back.
It was hard to make out the angel's features exactly, because their entire body shone as if it was made of light. But every inch seemed to sing perfection, and the wounded angel could make out two sparkling blue orbs, and a smile that seemed to be the very centre of all the warmth.
A low growl behind his back managed to break the angel's gaze on the being infront of him, and returned it to the one behind him.
The shadow was still there, but now it was angry. It let out a low, deep growl that echoed all around, as both arms stretched towards their target.
The angel cried out, and fell to the ground, the ice opening new wounds on any skin that wasn't already cut, and cowered as the darkness seemed to press on his back.
But then it was gone. As quickly as it had come, a strong gust of warmth from the other direction pushed it away with sheer force. A loud hiss could be heard from back where the shadow was.
As the force dispelled, the angel chanced a look up.
The new angel was no longer infront of him. It now stood strong and glorious between him and the shadow, no longer just two beautiful wings, but six magnificent ones stretched from it's back, like a white sheild infront of the fallen angel.
Somehow, even without being infront of the seraph, the weak angel could somehow see the face that now greeted the shadow, as if there was a mirror somewhere that could reflect the beautiful being's image into his mind somehow.
Anger. Pure threat, no hint of mercy anywhere.
The look was terrifying, nothing like the warmth the angel had seen before. He watched as the shadow continued to hiss, sounding like the warmth was actually causing it pain, and tried to find a way to its desired prize. But everywhere it moved, the living sheild moved with it, allowing no entry.
In rage, the shadow shrieked at the angel, now threatening to fight for the small being. In return, the guardian gave a swift, sharp strike of its wings, sending a blazing wave of light at the shadow, forcing out a peircing cry of agony.
With hisses and growls of frustration and anger mixed into the pain, the demonic present finally turned and fled, as the growing light stayed on its tail, never going fast enough to reach it, but fast enough to make sure it didn't dare slow down, let alone stop.
When it had disappeared back to the black void far off in the distance, the seraph's extra four wings seemed to fold back into the original two, as if they'd never been there, before the being turned around.
The fallen angel flinched back at first, terrified of seeing that look of pure hate the taller angel had given the shadow.
However, only the warm smile greeted him, eyes like pure sapphires shining down at him, gently easing away the fear within the rubys that returned the gaze.
Strong arms opened in offering as the taller angel knelt infront of the smaller one, comfort radiating along with the warmth.
And the smaller angel would not even try to resist this time. With a desperate cry, he managed to scrape up just enough strength to throw himself into the waiting embrace, letting a new wave of tears spill out. They could come, he wouldn't stop them this time.
The guardian angel just smiled warmly at the small being huddling in it's chest, and wrapped it's arms protectively around him, soft but powerful fingers trailing through his hair in a soothing way.
The smaller angel didn't know how, but finally...finally....he was able to smile...just softly, but definately.
The cold and the pain were gone, banished by the warmth that enveloped him.
He clung to the taller angel as he felt himself being lifted up, and prepared to stand....except his feet never found the ground.
He glanced up in suprise, and found the other angel had risen up into the air slightly. He once more met the sapphire eyes, that just glowed with comfort and care. It was enough that the small angel no longer cared what happened. He knew he was safe, the taller angel could take him wherever it pleased. He just rested his head back against the strong chest, closing his crimson orbs and allowing sleep to begin its work, as the guardian slowly rose higher and higher, carrying him to a place of warmth and without fear.
A place, the angel knew would be his sanctuary.
****
"YAMI!!!"
'oh no...don't you dare...'
It was difficult to tell what was worse...a bucket of freezing cold water dumped over you....or having a bouncy miniture version of yourself using you as a trampoline.
After the tenth bounce, Yami was actually wishing it had been the bucket of water. With a furious growl that stopped the startled hikari, yami threw his blanket off himself, sending Yugi crashing onto the bedroom floor with a loud yelp. He glared up at Yami, only to cower back as Yami's own glare made his go running like a scared puppy.
"You had better have a good excuse for waking me on a weekend." Yami growled threateningly. He seriously would hurt yugi if the reason wasn't acceptable. He'd been having a good dream. Well...sort of...it had started out bad, but then had changed.
Why was it that dreams were always disturbed at the good parts??
Yugi frowned indignantly, and held up a small bit of paper that looked like some sort of add.
"Did you forget?"
Yami gave his own frown, as if annoyed that yugi expected him to be able to read anything when his eyes were still full of sleep dust!
Yugi clearly got the message, and dared to climb back on the bed, and held the peice of paper aggitatingly close to yami's face. The ruby eyed teen blinked at it, but had to rub his eyes hard before he could make it out. This time he frowned in confusion, and raised an eyebrow at yugi, who sighed, obviously having expected that Yami would forget.
"We all arranged to go the carnival this weekend....remember?? Its the only chance we'll get to go."
"whats wrong with next weekend?" Yami muttered as he laid back down.
"One...its too late to go cancelling...and two, the carnival won't be there next weekend! it leaves town on Wednesday! So I suggest you get your lazy ass out of bed, or you know what...." Yugi threatened.
"Yugi...there is no need to resort to unessessary actions. I'll come to the carnival and have a great time, blah blah...but if you don't get your 'ANNOYING ass' out of my room this instant, YOU may not actually be capable of going!" Yami threatened right back.
Yugi giggled, but quickly leaped from the bed and ran out the door as yami gripped his pillow in warning.
The disgruntled teen groaned, and turned on his stomach, burying his face in his pillow, cursing himself for making the darn promise.
"Oh, by the way yami..." Yugi's voice chirped from the door again.
Yami gave another growl, and leaned on his elbows, raising his pillow, ready to throw it at his hikari.
"Grandpa made pancakes for breakfast!" Yugi continued in his happy voice, though it was alittle rushed.
That stopped Yami, who frowned suspiciously, seeming to contemplate that thought.
"With what?" he asked curiously.
Yugi grinned smugly.
"His favourite....maple syrup and butter....my favourite...berries and yogurt....and...your favourite...." He teased.
Yami's eyes suddenly lit up, and one would swear he was trying not to smile, making Yugi giggle again.
" I suppose I should let you get dressed so you can come and eat." He teased again, stepping out of the bedroom.
No sooner had he stepped out that the door slammed shut in his face. He laughed at how quickly Yami could move with the right push or pull method.
****
If there was one thing Yami liked better than sleep, it was pancakes with honey and almonds.
Naturally, he tried to make that fact less obvious by controlling his eating, slow and steady, like he normally would with breakfast.
Not that his efforts were worth anything, since both yugi and his grandfather could see right through his little act, and just grinned in amusement at him.
"Alright, and thats how we chew children, now try it yourselves." Yami spoke sarcastically, his tone clearly stating that he meant to say 'stop watching me already!!'
Both viewers grinned and chuckled at each other....if only to annoy him more...before going back to their own food. Yami sighed quietly, and stuck another peice of his honey coated pancake in his mouth, just as a knock at the door descided to ruin the blissful breakfast.
"Wow, they're actually on time for once..." Yugi said, as he got up to answer it.
"Who are?" Yami asked after swallowing, only really half paying attention, as the pancakes practically commanded him to hurry and take another peice.
"Dahh, the others ovcoarse." Yugi answered, "We all agreed to meet here, then we'd go to the train station together. You were there when we arranged it...I know your slow in the morning, but atleast try to remember."
Yami frowned and stuck another peice of food in his mouth to keep down the grumpy retort that he wanted to spit out, when realisation struck him, and he froze.
His only movement was his eyes darting backward and foward between his plate of honey drowned pancakes, and Yugi's small hand curling around the door handle...
once...twice...three times.
Knocking the table hard enough to cause a loud bang, Yami leaped up, grabbed his pancakes, and raced for the stairs. He'd hurt his leg against the table leg as he'd jumped up, and stopped as he reached the top of the first flight of stairs to let it rest, when a familar voice sent a jolt of panic through him.
"YAMI!!!"
Yami swore as he rushed up the next set of stairs, already able to hear footsteps on the stairs below.
'Damn hes fast!!'
He finally reached the top, and cursed himself for closing his bedroom door, and almost broke the handle as he forced it to turn desperately. The moment the door opened slightly, he threw himself through the small gap, slammed the door shut, and locked it, just as there was a loud bang on it from the outside, strong enough to make Yami stumble back from it.
"Yami!! Get out here now!!!"
"Shove off Malik! Get your own pancakes!!"
"Come on Yami! Don't be a jerk!" Malik whined, scratching at the door like a dog.
"Get your own!!" Yami repeated loud and clear.
"Your cruel!"
"And you sound like a girl!"
"I'll break your door down!"
"Sure, go ahead, You'll only have to buy a new one! Yugi's grandpa will make sure of that! And after that over priced present you got your sister yesterday, I know your broke!"
Malik didn't have a comeback for that one, and fell silent for a moment, before yami heard him grumble and slide down the back off the door, noticing his shadow through the gap under the door as he sat down. No doubt he was pounting.
Yami smirked in victory, and sat on his bed to finish his pancakes, forgetting his manners now that he didn't have spectators.
Malik did indeed sit against yami's door sulking, his arms crossed, and his eyebrows bent as far as they would go. However, only five minutes later, he let out a suprised yelp as he felt his support vanish, and fell over backwards. He laid there in a star sort of shape, and looked up just in time for something warm and sticky to go splat in his face.
It took a moment of suprise, but he then grinned wide enough that it showed under the make-shift mask, and chewed a hole through the pancake.
"Thanks Yami!!" He practically sang through the hole, as his friend just leant against the door frame, grinning down at him.
****
'Well, things probably could have been worse...' Yami thought to himself as they finally got off the train.
Jou and Honda had only gotten told off for swinging on the handles....what? four times? Anzu had insisted on sitting next to him, which would have been perfectly fine by Yami...if she hadn't seemed intent on keeping their arms touching the entire time!
He knew she had used to like him. How could he forget having the difficult job of telling her he only saw her as a friend?
Naturally, she'd been hurt, and things had been really awequard between them for quite some time.
Slowly though, wounds and friendship had healed, and they'd begun speaking normally to each other again.
However, it seemed Anzu still harboured feelings for him, and though most of the time she respected the fact that Yami only wanted to be friends, there were times...such as now...that she tried pushing her luck alittle, as if doing so would slowly make Yami think differently.
To top off all the trouble, Malik had avoided getting caught having gum by sticking it to the back of Yami's head! The trouble maker had then tried to excape by running down the aisle, only to trip over Bakura's leg, which had been hanging lazily out from the seat where the boy was sitting, staring out the window, his mind anywhere but here....atleast until he felt the heavy knock on his leg.
Malik had just laughed, despite the growing bruise on his cheek, and Bakura had even given an apology...just a small, sort of awequard one...but from Bakura, that was good.
However, Ryou had accused Bakura of doing it purposely, and another short, but feirce argument had broken out. The tension had remained in the air, even by the time Ryou was happily chatting with Yugi and Jou, and Bakura was silently staring out the window again.
Once again, Yami felt alittle bad for Bakura. He wasn't the type for hanging out with friends, he clearly got uneasy in large groups, or lively conversations.
And yet, here he was...trying, and Ryou had gone and broken out a fight with him.
Just what was going on between those two??
Ok ok....so yami wasn't exactly sure just how the trip could have been worse...but he was possitive it could have been.
Once they'd gotten there however, Yami was wishing they were back on the train. Atleast he'd had a seat, and it was airconditioned!
Sure, so the line at the carnival entry was moving suprisingly fast...it was still long, and there was no protection from the blazing sun overhead.
Even worse, SOMEONE had found it funny to steal his water bottle, and use it to suprise someone else.
Bakura was still glaring daggers at the sky, his now drenched hair sticking to his face, neck and back, as Jou and Ryou stood alittle way off laughing quietly, the now empty bottle held in Jou's hand.
It was then Yami noticed a clue to what was going on.
The way Ryou was smiling....and where he was smiling. Like a puppy dog, right at Jou!
Well...that gave a clue to the recent frostiness between bakura and ryou...but as he looked to Bakura, Yami still couldn't work out why exactly he'd be upset by it? Was it...something to do with...that?? ...Only Malik would know for sure...
'Malik!'
Yami's gaze swung around to Malik, who was also watching Bakura silently, but it was clear he was trying....and failing....to keep his eyes away from Ryou and Jou. As Jou suddenly winked at Ryou, his gaze turned away completely.
"Hey come on now guys, thats enough." Yugi spoke as Honda and Otogi joined in the joke.
"Come on Yugi...we were just helping Bakura to chill out." Jou replied with a shrug.
The others laughed with him again, whilst Bakura glared over his shoulder at him, his teeth clenched in restrained anger.
Then, as if trying to avoid turning this problem physical, he turned and stormed off back towards the town.
"Oh come on! Take a joke already Bakura!" Ryou called after him.
"That was hardly a joke Ryou..." Yami scolded, before moving out of the line.
"Yami? where are you going?" Anzu asked.
If she was trying to hide her disappointment, she was doing a pretty lousy job.
"After him." Yami answered shortly.
"Just let him go. Theres no need to defend him." Ryou retorted, crossing his arms.
"Well someone has to!" Yami suddenly growled, making Ryou flinch at his tone.
Unable to help feeling glad that Ryou got the message, he turned and continued after Bakura.
****
Bakura!! Wait already!!" Yami called across the street, as he watched said boy cross at the lights, almost vanishing within the crowd of other crossers.
He hadn't realised how fast Bakura could walk, as he raced over the crossing, ignoring the flashing light that warned not to start crossing. If he heard car horns protesting at his actions, it didn't register, he was too focused on how Bakura seemed determine not to stop...
'Why am I suprised by that?' Yami thought alittle bitterly.
Bakura rarely joined into normal conversations even if someone tried to include him...why would he suddenly go spilling his heart out to someone now??
Yami let out a small grunt of frustration at the crowd that slowed him down, aswell as blocked his view of his friend. He managed to glance around them, just intime to see Bakura turn and disappear into an alleyway.
Yami practically groaned in annoyance, but followed into the alleyway as soon as he reached it, and finally slowed to catch his breath.
"Bakura!!" He called once he was finally able to breathe properly.
Naturally, the boy had already vanished from sight, and it wasn't like Yami had really expected him to answer his call. With a heavy sigh, he wondered slowly through the alleyway, his eyes darting backwards and fowards. He wasn't superstiscious or anything, but he did believe that alleyways could be dangerous places...even in the middle of the day.
The noise of the streets had disappeared, leaving a slightly ominous silence, though it was welcomed by yami's slightly sore ears. He continued along through the alleyway, the pathway long but straight foward. Or atleast it started of that way...
Yami cursed loudly as the path quite suddenly split into multiple directions, some leading back out to the town, whilst others continued to weave through the backs of buildings.
There was no sign of which way Bakura had gone, and Yami knew better than to chance taking a path he wasn't sure about.
Yami gave a sigh of defeat. Perhaps it was best to just leave Bakura alone for the time anyway, atleast until he'd calmed down alittle. With his temper, it would be hard to get a word in.
He turned to leave, reminding himself to speak to Bakura later if the chance came, when he jumped higher than he imagined he could, letting out a cry of horror.
He was certain he had felt it, an icy grip around his ankle. It had felt so real, there was no way he could have simply imagined the feel of a hand grab his leg, but when he looked down, there was nothing and no one there.
'...Oh no...'
At his reaction, the air around Yami seemed to turn icy cold, and sunk right through his clothes into his skin.
The he ran.
Direction was not even a consideration. The first path that came into his view was where his feet chose to go. Blinded by the instinctive need of excape, he allowed his feet to take the lead, his ears filled with the sycronised, rapid beating of his heart and his steps, like someone was beating a drum right next to him.
Badum badum badum
The coldness followed him, as if there was some invisible thread keeping it bound to him, pressing against his back, forcing him to keep running, until he quite suddenly ran into a hard brick wall he hadn't even seen coming. A nasty cracking sound, followed by a surge of pain brought his mind back into control, though right now he couldn't figure out if the crack had come from his hand, or his face....both had taken a nasty blow as they met the wall, and were burning with pain.
He slid down the wall, and cried out loudly as the coldness suddenly washed over him, like a wave of icy water. It pulled down all his defenses, leaving him open and completely volnerable to the sound Yami dreaded more than anything.
The quiet, cruel laughter.
It echoed through the alleyway, allowing him no excape from its predatory dominance.
But Yami could not run...there was no where to go, and his body had been rendured useless by the icy binds of the air.
Like the prey, he curled up, for the first time in his life, wishing everything would just suddenly end, and give him an excape from this fate.
"Yami!!"
Like a ripple through still water, he felt a disturbance within the darkness, before quite suddenly, the coldness retreated in haste, and warmth slowly crept back to take its place.
Shocked, and not even sure what he felt was real, Yami opened his eyes, and glanced up.
Scared, crimson eyes, met ice cold blue ones, before black was suddenly all yami could see again. At first, he gasped, paniced again, before the dark once more vanished, and a concerned face took it place.
"yami? What wrong?"
Yami wasn't sure how many times he blinked in the time it took him to recognise the young face.
"Mokuba?"
The younger of the Kaiba brothers was kneeling infront of him, his small hands on his shoulders, his face confused, and slightly afraid.
"What happened Yami? We were just walking past along the street, and we heard you screaming...." Mokuba started.
"We?" Yami whispered, some small part of his mind registering that it was strange he'd picked that part out of the sentence.
His body and mind had calmed down just enough that he was able to glance around Mokuba.
A few feet away...to his suprise...stood Seto Kaiba, his cold eyes still locked onto Yami in an almost accusing way.
And yet, something was missing...or more correctly, something had been replaced. Within the cold glare, an emotionless void of ice, something shone....
Confusion? Wariness...did he dare think perhaps concern?
Yami suddenly took in the rest of what Mokuba had said, and looked around the area.
He was still sitting against the brick wall. But where he had thought was a dead end, he now saw a pathway right next to him leading back out to the streets just a few metres down...close enough to make out the faces of people walking by.
Had fear really blinded him so badly that he'd missed a very clear excape ruite?
As he began to calm down and normal things...like the sounds from town...started coming back to him, he attempted to stand, going slowly, not fully trusting his legs to support him just yet. His eyes darted all over the alleyway, his heart not convinced of safety. He had to stop however, as Kaiba's eyes narrowed in suspicion...
Damn it! Did he have to be watching so carefully? Or at all for that matter?
"Here, let me help..." Mokuba offered, as Yami stumbled foward alittle.
However, as he tried to help, he caught Yami's hand, and the crimson eyed teen cried out in pain, pulling his hand back. For a second, Mokuba looked understandably taken back, but that changed quickly enough as soon as he saw Yami holding his hand, his teeth gritted in pain.
"Yami! I'm sorry....did I...?" He asked anxiously.
"No, its ok Mokuba, I hurt it a moment ago, thats all..." Yami reassured him, trying...and failing...to smile.
'Well, guess I should be grateful the crack wasn't from my head...'
"Niisan, can we get him some help??" Mokuba asked, turning to Seto.
"I don't run an ambulance service Mokuba." Seto answered with his usual coldness, and began to walk off.
"Wait! Niisan!!" Mokuba called after him.
"Its ok Mokuba, I think I can walk again now...just point me to the hospital. I'll go once I let everyone know where I am...they're probably starting to wonder by now..." Yami put in, not wanting any fights to start out between the brothers.
He looked back up to Seto's retreating back.
"Kaiba."
Seto stopped and glanced over his shoulder impatienctly.
"...Thankyou..." Yami finished after a moment, not saying anything else, just meeting the brunette's eyes.
As expected, Seto just gave a "hmph" sound, as if not caring for whatever Yami was thanking him for, before all three turned at the sound of footsteps entering the alley.
"Yami!?"
Yami's eyes widdened as Bakura came running into the alleyway, and stopped a few metres from them.
The white haired teen looked between Yami and the Kaiba brothers, clearly having no clue what the situation was.
"Yami, what are you doing down here?"
Yami frowned in disbelief.
"I was following you." He replied alittle indignantly.
However, Bakura just looked confused by the reply.
"Then why did you get yourself lost in the alleyways?"
Yami's frown grew.
"As I said, I was following you....not my fault you got luckier at finding your way out than I did...its worse than the sennen puzzle in here..."
"Yami? what are you talking about? I never left the main street." Bakura interupted.
Silence fell between them, as both just pondered, trying to figure out what the other was talking about, attempting to put two and two together. It clicked for Yami first, and his blood ran cold from his head, trickling right down to his toes almost painfully slow.
"Bakura!" Mokuba suddenly interupted, "Yami hurt his hand. We found him against the wall here, screaming, and..." He tried to explain.
But neither Bakura nor Yami heard him more than a few seconds, as they met each other's gaze, and the fear in Yami's eyes seemed to whisper to Bakura, whose own eyes suddenly lit up in shock, and Yami knew he understood.
Luckily, Bakura got ahold of himself fast, and turned to Seto again.
"Thanks Kaiba. I'll take him off your hands." He muttered.
"Good." Was Seto's short answer, before he turned and walked away, Mokuba following close behind, glancing back to Yami as much as he could before he disappeared from the alleyway.
Bakura watched them go silently, waiting for awhile incase they came back, before he turned back to face Yami.
He walked up to him, and then...completely unlike himself...wrapped an arm around Yami, and held him close. Yami himself was alittle caught off guard...but yet, it didn't suprise him as much as one might expect it to. Infact, he was grateful...grateful that it was Bakura there rather than yugi or malik. He cared for both, but they would both start to panic and make a huge fuss over it.
Bakura understood his fear, but he would be silent and just hold Yami, as he slowly began to calm down.
It took sometime, but Bakura never lost patience, as Yami huddled close to him, shaking heavily. He didn't loosen his grip until he felt Yami touch his arm lightly, a signal that he was finally ready. Bakura carefully pulled away from him, and led him back out to the noisy, carefree streets.
****
"Yami!" Yugi cheered, as Yami and Bakura finally made it back to the line outside the carnival.
"You've gotta be kidding me? We were gone that whole time, and you haven't moved an inch in the line??" Yami almost yelled in disbelief.
"Now that not true! We've moved a whole four metres whilst you were gone!" Jou annouced, feigning indignace.
"Oh yeah? is that an exact measurement? or a rough estimate?" Anzu teased.
"Eeh, a rough estimate." Jou chuckled with a shrug, " It sounded like there was some fuss up at the front of the line for some reason, and the whole line got held up. It just started moving again a moment ago."
Yami sighed alittle, before glancing around to Bakura as he felt him shift alitle beside himself.
"Jou?"
Jou wasn't the only one who looked around in suprise as Bakura addressed him...in a calm tone none the less.
"Look...about yesterday..." Bakura stumbled,looking to the ground.
The lack of strength in his voice caught everyone's attention, especially Ryou's, Yami noted silently.
"I perhaps....maybe I...." Bakura spoke awequardly, before sighing, "...Sorry..."
The apology caught everyone off guard the most, and strangely, it was Jou that recovered first, and smiled lightly.
" Yeah, same here...I wasn't acting like such a great guy either, and sorry about today aswell...it was just a joke...but we should have stopped laughing when you didn't find it funny..." he replied.
Bakura met Jou's gaze awequardly.
"Yeah, well...anyone else would have found it funny..." He mumbled, clearly uncomfortable, but perhaps with a hint of the strength he usually had.
He looked up in suprise as Ryou suddenly walked up to him, smiling sweety, what seemed gratitude in his eyes.
" I'm sorry for laughing at you to." He spoke softly, his big brown eyes shining the same way Yugi's did when he was happy, and Yami inwardly cringed as he saw Bakura's eyes twitch in a way that could only mean he was holding back a wince.
And two and two finally came together.
Bakura cared for Ryou as more than just his hikari. He liked him the same way Malik liked Jou, and just Like Malik, he had to stand back and watch as the one he wanted turned to someone else.
Bakura didn't handle more volatile emotions like anger or jealousy nearly as well as Malik did. All the threats to Jou lately, had been because he hadn't taken rejection well.
But yet, he clearly knew he wasn't handling it the way he should...he'd proven that yesterday and today, both times his dark soul had tempted him to get violent with the one who stood in the way of the one he desired...and instead of listening to it, he had turned and walked away.
Yami suddenly wished he could comfort Bakura the same way he had done for him in the alley, but he knew it wouldn't be accepted.
"Yami!"
'Kami, am I popular today...' Yami thought to himself, rolling his eyes, before looking around, and blinked in suprise as Mokuba came running up again.
"Yami! I didn't know you were coming to the carnival today...but why aren't you at the hospital??" The raven haired boy asked anxiously.
Both Yami and Bakura cringed, cursing in their minds.
"Hospital?" Yugi and Ryou echoed together, amd when Their dark halfs looked around, the two were glaring at them suspiciously.
Yami had intentionly walked back with his injured hand held behind his back in what seemed a casual way. But now with Mokuba's words, his hikari's bright amethyst eyes suddenly shifted to his arm, and Yami failed to keep a perfectly innocent face.
What followed was amusing to everyone but Yami.
Yugi demanded to see his arm...Yami refused...Yugi stepped foward...Yami stepped back...Yugi reached for his arm...Yami ran.
Malik and Jou both broke into laughter as Yami ducked behind Bakura, and Yugi tried to get around the tall boy. Bakura tried to protest, but ended up falling over as Yami raced off, Yugi hot on his tail, yelling abuse and something about what he'd do if Yami didn't stop...not that it made Yami stop.
He wasn't exactly sure why he didn't want Yugi to see his hand. He could easily say he'd tripped and fallen on it badly.
Was he worried that Yugi would see through to the truth?
He gasped and winced as a powerful grip suddenly yanked at his arm, forcing him to stop.
Yami looked around, and glared in angry shock as he saw it was Seto Kaiba, who merely returned the cold glare.
"Some king of games. They call you the greatest duelist, and yet you seem to enjoy making a fool of yourself just as much as the mutt does." Seto stated harshly.
"What did you say Kaiba!?" Jou yelled, raising a fist.
"Oh look, the mutt knows his name...I rest my case." Seto taunted, smirking as his gaze shifted to jou for a moment, before he released Yami's arm.
Jou growled, and glared around at Honda and Otogi as they laughed quietly.
Yami just glared silently around at Seto, annoyed that he thought he could just cut in like that, when he felt a much smaller hand take his elbow, and sighed in defeat as he knew it was yugi. He preoccupied himself with looking for clouds in the 'convieniently' clear sky.
"Yami...what did you do...?" Yugi whispered, the anger completely washed away as he saw the injury.
Yami glanced to his own hand, and had to admit it was alot more swollen than the last time he had looked. But damn that soft voice of Yugi's. It made it so hard to lie to him...but if he told the truth right now, the whole group would start acting like they'd excaped from a madhouse, even though most of them only understood half the story...
"I shoved him, and he fell on it wrong."
Everyone looked around to Bakura as he suddenly spoke, Yami staring at him in disbelief.
"What do you mean you shoved him?" Ryou spoke, the sweet look completely gone.
"I was still angry...he tried to talk to me, and I shoved him off...but...alittle harder than intended..." Bakura answered, looking away.
Yami couldn't believe it. Why was Bakura saying this? He was grateful he'd come to his rescue, but why didn't he just say that he'd been careless and tripped when chasing him?
Then again...that did sound just alittle cliche...with Bakura's temper, and recent coldness, anyone would be willing to believe he'd shoved Yami.
"I can't believe you!" Ryou shouted suddenly.
Yami noticed how Bakura's hands were clenched...he'd been expecting this back lash.
"Why can't you ever control your temper!? Why do you always have to threaten or hurt people!?" Ryou shouted angrily.
Bakura just stood there and took it, not looking to Ryou.
"Stop ignoring me! Its bad enough you did this, but you didn't even have the descency to take Yami to the hospital afterwards!?" Ryou kept going.
"Hey, Ryou, come on, it was an accident." Jou suddenly spoke, stepping up to stand beside the white haired boy.
"Stop defending him!" Ryou retorted, turning to Jou now, " I'll bet he didn't even apologise to Yami!"
"Yes he did!" Yami suddenly spoke up, feeling his own anger rise, "He already apologised to me Ryou, and he offered to take me to the hospital, I'm the one who refused to go!"
Ryou looked to him in suprise, as did Bakura, whom looked just as suprised as yami had at being saved. Yami no longer felt the fear of lieing this time though. In the silence that followed, Ryou seemed to calm down, realising he'd over reacted, and stared to the ground in shame.
"I'm sorry..." He spoke, soft once more.
"So am I..." Bakura spoke just as soft, making Ryou look up in suprise at the amount of emotion he allowed in his voice.
There was yet another silence, before...
"Well, we should probably do something about Yami's hand...right? I get the feeling he won't be allowed on many rides with a broken hand." Otogi spoke up.
"There goes the carnival..." Malik pounted alittle.
"Niisan? What about the medics inside the carnival?" Mokuba suddenly asked, looking to his brother again.
Yami glanced up, having temporarily forgotten Kaiba was close by.
"Sure, they can go as soon as they get in." Seto answered uncaring, and turned to walk off again.
"Come on Niisan..." Mokuba pleaded, " Just because its my birthday??"
"Oh, its your birthday? happy birthday Mokuba." Anzu said in suprise.
"Otanjoubi omedetou gouzaimasu!" the group echoed, making mokuba blush and chuckle slightly embarrassed.
Yami glanced to Seto, who had seemed to take notice of Mokuba's smile, before turning away.
"If they don't come now, I'm not helping them out later." He suddenly spoke, and began walking away.
"Oh! really!? arigato Niisan!!" Mokuba cheered in joy, " Come on everyone! this way!"
"But....we'll loose out spot in the line!" Honda replied.
" V. don't need any spot in line." Mokuba said smirking around at him, " Kaiba corp is handling alot of the attractions here at the carnival. If they don't agree to Niisan's requests, then there goes atleast half the rides and games here."
"Wow...as heartless as ever..." Malik muttered with a shrug, but followed Mokuba out of the line.
They all quickly followed after him, Jou and Honda unable to resist taunting the people in line as they walked through a seperate door, Anzu and Yugi apologising afterwards.
Yami looked around at the huge carnival as they finally got in. Rides and games everywhere. He suddenly felt very drained and unwilling to move, but allowed himself to be guided by Yugi and Malik to the medical bay. He glanced up to look at Mokuba's back as he led the way, and cursed himself weakly as he actually felt disappointment that the older Kaiba brother was no longer with them.
'A heart encased in ice...' Yami thought bitterly, and let his eyes slip close.
Within the darkness somewhere between conciousness and sleep, he saw two jewels before him.
One crimson red...
One Ice blue.
****
wow....this turned out longer than expected...again, hope its worth it.......*cries*.....I made Ryou seem so horrible in this chapter!! and I love Ryouchan!! I apologise to any and all Ryou fans out there... can someone please tell me if the characters are getting too OC?
Hopefully, I will not take so long with the next chapter....please review.