Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the characters used in the story.
Summary: When Ryou commits suicide Yami gives Bakura the chance to go to the moment in time when Ryou takes his life. Will Bakura succeed or will he be condemned to watch Ryou die again?
Warnings: Shounen-ai, slight yaoi, character death, and a slightly alternate universe.
"And you're the toughest dude I know. I mean you have to deal with that guy all day," Joey declared as he pointed at Bakura.
"Thank the gods I'm not too late," thought Bakura.
"Hn, what is it Kaiba calls you? A stupid mutt," Bakura asked Joey, "Ryou is lucky to have me in his life."
"Bakura, please don't insult my guests," Ryou said.
"Do not worry," Bakura said as moved to stand behind Ryou, "tonight is a night to celebrate you and your friendships, is it not? These are your friends and the reasons you fight and live."
"Well yes, that's why I brought them here tonight. To celebrate what we mean to each other. But please Bakura you're acting oddly. Why don't you sit back down so I can finish my toast and we can eat before everything gets cold?"
"Because dearest Ryou, I know what you're planning and I forbid it," Bakura whispered sharply in to Ryou's ear as he wrapped his hand around Ryou's glass holding hand, "I know you're all quite hungry but I would like a moment to praise my host as well."
"You say something nice," Joey scoffed.
"Please, Bakura go ahead," Tea said as she smacked Joey upside the back of his head, "and forgive Joey's rudeness."
"Ryou is all the things you've said tonight and more," Bakura began as he slowly began to apply pressure to Ryou's hand, "he is cunning," he declared as he increased the pressure on Ryou's hand, "methodical . . ."
"Please Bakura stop, you're hurting me," Ryou begged interrupting Bakura's toast.
"But most of all he is strong willed," the sound of breaking glass and Ryou's cry of pain served to end Bakura's toast.
"Ryou, you're bleeding," Tea cried.
"No worries my friends," Ryou said as he wrapped his hand in a napkin and began gathering the broken pieces, "I'll get this cleaned up and rejoin you in a few moments. Please begin to eat. I don't want the food to get any colder while you wait for me."
"Do you need any help," Yugi asked.
"No Yugi, I'm quite adept at first aid and I don't want to spend any more time dwelling on this untimely accident. Please relax and enjoy yourselves. I'll feel like a dreadful host if you don't."
"We wouldn't want that," Joey exclaimed as he began filling his plate.
Ryou gave one last warm smile to his friends before heading into the kitchen.
"Thank Ra, I've done it," Bakura thought, "Perhaps I shouldn't have been so harsh with him but now he knows not to try that again. I don't want to lose him. Perhaps tonight after everyone leaves I'll talk to him and make sure he knows he doesn't have to kill himself."
"Hey, Bakura, you in there," Joey shouted.
"What do you want mutt," Bakura snapped.
"Relax man, you've just been lost in thought for awhile. Do you want any food or anything?"
"I'll wait for Ryou to return. Even with his permission I feel it rude to eat without the host present," Bakura stated knowing that Joey was likely on his second or third plate.
"Actually, he has been gone a while," Tea said, "Do you think someone should go check on him?"
"I'll go," Yugi shouted as he sprang out of his chair.
"No Yugi," Yam said, "Bakura and I will go."
"Who said I'd want you to come along? I'm capable of checking on Ryou alone," Bakura protested earning a look from Yami which he was sure would have signaled his immediate death if they had been in ancient Egypt, "Very well, Pharaoh. You may accompany me."
Bakura and Yami walked in to the kitchen surprised that they didn't see Ryou.
"The first aid kit's in that cabinet. Where could he be," Bakura asked.
"Bakura," Yami said with an overwhelming sadness in his voice.
"What Pharaoh," Bakura demanded.
"Ryou's there," Yami said.
Bakura's heart soared at Yami finding Ryou until he was able to see him as well. Ryou laid crumpled in a corner, his shirt soaked with blood, and his throat cut by a broken shard from his drinking glass.
"He killed himself again," Bakura said his voice trembling, "I thought I'd stopped him. I forbade him from doing this."
"You stopped him from poisoning himself," Yami acknowledge, "but you did not stop him from killing himself. You gave him no reason to change his mind. Instead you hurt him, punishing him for something he had yet to do. He still had time to choose to not end his life but instead you pushed him."
"Are you saying this is my fault?"
Yami sighed, "Suicide was his choice Bakura, but this bloody manner, the increase in pain, that was your doing. When I gave you the Time Wizard I did so that you could save his life."
"Time Wizard," Bakura shouted happily, "I still have it. Do you think it might work again?"
"I doubt it. The spirits are not merciful creatures and you have already failed once. The chance of the wheels of fate turning in your favor is very small. Are you prepared to handle the consequences?"
"I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get Ryou back."
"Do not say that so easily Bakura. You have already failed once. If the gods grant you another chance use it wisely. If they don't, know that the punishment that they will mete out will be just."
"I understand," Bakura said as he summoned the Time Wizard.