Here I am! (readers: O.o...) Fine.
So I'm listening to music from India and "studying" for my AP english exams. (smirk) I'm so clever. (voice in head: you're gonna regret this tomorrow for the exam) Shut up! (smiles pleasantly) Okay, so I'm going to clear up some confusion. Kripp--what kura calls Yugi--doesn't mean anything. He just...calls him it. Why? Well as you'll see nothing Kura does makes sense anymore so like he needs a reason! (Yugi: That's not a reason!) Why are you complaining? (Yugi: I'm evil now) I hate you. -.-;
Chi-Chan Lurks: (laughs) It's fine honey! I don't look at stuff the moment I get it most of the time either. (not that any authors have been updating from my favs list, save Silver Mirror) Tsk. And here I am trying to set an example. Yeesh.
DayDreamer23182: (grin) Yup. Yugi's almost gone over the edge. Not yet though. Almost. (shivers in delight) So exciting! Yes, Ryou and Yami are gonna be causing problems. (shakes head) You silly gooses. (Yami: Shouldn't it be "you silly geese"?) BAM. There. That's better. (Yami: xx)
dragonlady222: (laughs) Of course they all have problems! This is actually much more like reality. You should see what a mess every single one of my friends is in. Astounding. Sucks, eh? Life, not the story. (right?)
DreamingChild: (wipes away tears) Calm down, honey. I did warn you this isn't a happy story. Kura's my favorite character and look what I've frikin' done to him! Oh but it's gonna get worse in THIS chappie! Whoot! (Kura: I hate you)
Spryte: Thanks for asking about the kripp thing. I was meaning to mention that but forgot, so whoot to you! (kowtows) In this Ryou doesn't use an Occult deck. Just kura. But as you'll see the occult is more than just a dueling style. (ominous music)
tenshiamanda1987: (snort) Kura would NEVER lend Diabound to Yugi. Trust me on this. He's completely wacked but still...Nah. He won't do that. (Kura: -.o..."completely wacked"? Thanks) Ferris: You're welcome! (kura: -.-;)
Under Finger and Thumb: (smirk) I likes this Yugi too. I'm thinking you'll appreciate him in my newest ficcie too. (Beneath the Surface) It's gonna be SOooooOOOOooooo awesome! (shivers in anticipation) Where's Malik? Welllllll...you'll find out...eventually.
Freedom of Darkness: (sigh) I was hoping I wouldn't have to do this...BANG. (Freedom locked in anti-take-over-the-world-cage. Patented by moi) There. That's better. I can't have you interfering with my oh so clever and devious plans. First stop: Madagascar! I will take it over and live in the wild with the lemurs! LEMURS! (cuddles)...ahem, yes Yugi's silently evil...not hot like Kura and Malik though. (sigh) If only...
Silver Mirror: (grins) Yes, Yugi's becoming quite a tough cookie, eh? (marik: Stupid kid...) hehehe.
BluegrassElf: Hmmm...What's our devil-Yugi up to? (smirk) Wouldn't we all like to know. (Kura: Not really) -.-;
blackalbino: I like shiny things. (eyes glaze over) Shinyyyyy...(blinks) Eh?...oh, right. Kura's home extra slimy? (smirk) Wait til you see what happens this chappie! Yucky! (shudders)
Yami Val: No probs with the dedications. I try to give everyone some lovin' at some point. (Kura: Unfortunately...) Ahem, anyway, Yugi's a bit freaky? Well of course! It's fun! (Kura: Not for me!) I didn't say it was for you. Fun for ME. (Kura: > )
Tabby: Yeah so Jou screwed things up a bit. But more people are responsible for what's happening than you'd think. Truly. Why's Kura a drunk? It's all tied into this. You'll find out in a few chappies! (Tabby: But I want answers NOW!) Ferris: (hands orange tic tacs) There.
Joey-lover: I actually don't show too much of the duel. I mean I showa little...but it takes away from the story and would get boring if I went on forever about it. (smiles) Yes evil Yugi's a lot of fun...
xxxJennxxx: Don't underestimate small people. My friend is under 5 ft and can tackle me to the floor. (Ow.) It was very painful. Admitting your addiction to my fics is the first step toward recovery. But why the HELL would you want to do that? (smirks)
Remains
Appearing in the lane below
Under the stars and streetlamps
A lone stranger plods along
In ragged clothes of train tramps.
His jacket's brown and tattered
His rough hands scuffed and scarred
Fingernails short and black
Covered in muck and tar.
The maroon socks are soaked right through,
Shoes full of holes and torn
A sight that many "normal" folk
Would look down on in scorn.
His face is weather-worn and tired
Wrinkles lining his mud-caked brow,
As if to say the years have been
Long and hard, in and out.
His chin's peppered with stubbles
Of graying greasy hair
And when he walks there's a slight limp—
Not that anyone cares.
What became of this man's future,
The life he'd planned to live?
Is seems so cruel and undeserved—
Must be something he could give.
A lone figure wanders off
Down the block in drizzling rain
Where was once a man with dignity
Tattered shadows now remain.
Chapter 4: No Way in Hell
The bus pulled into the neighborhood at 6 AM. Murky shadows passed over the streets, first gray light crawling on the horizon. Stray felines and large scraggily rats were slinking about the trash-covered lanes—wild beasts in their jungle fortress.
"Why'd you stop here?" Yugi pressed as the door opened, noting they were two blocks from the usual stop.
The unshaven driver smirked, eyes gleaming like beady marbles. "Yer jokin' right? This is as far as I go into this area this early."
The youth scowled, muttering "coward" under his breath and stalking out of the vehicle. Besides the growl of the bus' engine as it sped off the place was eerily silent; a sporadic scratching or patter of feet broke it only on occasion. Yugi walked quietly, alert and ready. Not detecting any movement he went the four blocks without making a sound. The moon was half covered by some murky haze like jets of ink shot into the water as to shield a deep sea creature's retreat. But where was the predator?
Climbing the steps he immediately detected something was wrong. The door was wide open. Hurrying to the entrance he was met with the sight of the yami face down on the floor. Kneeling beside the form Yugi instantly was attacked by the overwhelming stench of stomach acid and beer.
"Bakura?" The hikari shook the form, eyes widening in realization. The thief wasn't breathing.
Cursing, the boy grasped the bony shoulders and flipped the yami over. Bakura's face and black collared shirt was coated in the stinking substance. Hissing in disgust, Yugi pinched the other's nose shut and pressed his mouth to the other's, blowing. After several seconds of this he braced his hands against Bakura's chest and began pressing down hard again and again.
"You…can't…die!" he growled pushing down repeatedly on the limp form.
'He's my only chance! He can't die now! I won't let him die!'
"DAMN IT!" Yugi screeched slamming his fists down on the other's stomach in anger.
The body lurched, excess fluids spewing from the mouth as the thief coughed harshly. The youth sat back, arms supporting the yami. Yugi turned and spat, the acidy taste lingering on his lips, seeping into his mouth and engulfing his tongue. The form in his arms moaned, eyes rolling.
Yugi stood shakily to his feet, heart still pounding. That'd been too close. Far too close. Putting a hand under each of Bakura's arms, he began dragging the yami further into the dismal apartment. The other was shockingly lightweight, the darkness of the place being the only thing giving Yugi trouble. Leaning against a wall to find his way he soon encountered a doorway. Yugi let go of the thief with his right hand and let it glide along the wall in the entrance of this new room. Fingers meeting the light switch the youth screamed in frustration when it clicked and nothing happened.
Growling, he turned and started off again along the wall in search of some other room—preferably with light. Bakura didn't make a sound as he was dragged to and fro about his apartment, only occasionally shifting against the firm grasp under his arms.
Reaching another doorway Yugi breathed a sigh of relief when one of the three light bulbs above the mirror flickered on hesitantly. It was a small bathroom; dried puke from previous excursions lined the sink, hard as concrete. Wrinkling his nose in disgust Yugi pulled the yami over near the tub and laid him down next to it. Searching the thief's pockets he came upon a small knife. He deftly sliced through the stained shirt, pulling it off the limp frame only to gasp in shock. All the yami's bones were protruding until it seemed they'd simply burst through the skin. The once muscular being that had struck such terror into the boy's heart was now reduced to a measly bit of flesh and bone. The yami's rib cage rose and fell in labored breaths, face twisted in agony.
"What have you done to yourself?" Yugi muttered.
It wasn't pity. He'd never cared for the yami in any way and sure as hell wasn't starting now. The thief was no good to him dead though.
He got up and opened a cupboard in search of a washcloth or towel only to find used syringes and empty beer cans. Sighing in aggravation, he took off his jacket and set it aside. Removing his sleeveless black shirt he turned on the faucet of the shower, immersing his own shirt under the water flow. Bakura groaned, stirring on the tile floor. Grabbing the yami's chin Yugi began scrubbing the drying puke off Bakura's wan face with his shirt. Cringing, the form shifted and mumbled incoherently as if it'd make the offending hands stop. Yugi sighed heavily, noting the substance matted through the thief's stringy hair as well. This was going to take a while.
"Yami? Yami!" Ryou called running up to the other as they searched a network of allies. "Yami, we should be heading back. It's starting to get light out. Everyone will be waiting."
The pharaoh sighed heavily, head down. "I…it's just…"
"Yami," Ryou said softly touching the other's arm lightly. "We're going to find him. All right? But we have to get back. It's not doing any good wandering around here any longer."
Yami nodded desolately, turning off his flashlight. Wrapping a comforting arm around his koi, Ryou led the pharaoh away down the dark block, eyes dismal.
'It wasn't supposed to happen like this. Yugi, why are you doing this?'
Marik sat quietly on the couch in the dim lit living room. His eyes stared motionlessly on the cards that were still spread out on the floor. He knew Yugi was back at Bakura's. There was no question about it. The real question was what he himself should do about it. He couldn't let it end up like last time. Despite his hatred for the pharaoh he had nothing personally against the small boy—besides the other smacking him in the stomach. Yugi certainly had changed and not for the better. It remained to be seen whether he would go through with his plan of asking Bakura for help in defeating the god cards. The yami would say no, though. There was no way in hell the white-haired demon would assist the boy—god cards or no god cards. Right?
"Marik?" Isis yawned sleepily coming down the stairs slowly. "What are you doing up so early?"
"Thinking."
The older sibling frowned. "You're not plotting another scheme involving the Millennium rod, are you? It took me long enough to clean up the mess at the…"
"It's not that!" the blonde snapped, miffed.
His sister narrowed her blue eyes, coming closer. "What is it then?"
"Nothing," he stated firmly staring back down at the cards. 'Hopefully nothing.'
Bakura coughed harshly, moaning at the pounding feeling in his head that he'd become quite accustomed to. Wearily opening his eyes he found himself lying on the floor of his bathroom covered in a jacket that wasn't his. Pushing it off his shoulders with a shaking hand he found his shirt was missing.
"What in the hell…?"
He froze at the sound of movement coming from the living room. Someone was in the apartment. Growling, he reached into his jean pocket only to find the knife was gone. Wincing, he stood to his feet, all the while trembling with fatigue. Jacket gripped in his hand, he slowly made his way down the dark hallway. Entering the living room his vision began to swim forcing him to his knees.
"Ah. You're up."
Crimson eyes widened in astonishment. He knew that voice. Yugi stood before him in one of the thief's own shirts that was far too large for the boy. There was a substantial amount of light in the room, the two lamps on, though the curtains were still closed.
"You…what the hell are you doing?" Bakura growled, still on his knees; the nausea forcing him to stay down.
"Cleaning this dump a bit, for starters," was the smart reply.
The thief snorted. "And I gave you permission to do this when…?"
Yugi smirked. "Oh there's really no need to thank me."
"Now wait just a…!"
"Sit down before you barf all over again," the youth spat sternly pointing to the lumpy brown couch.
Bakura scowled. "I…"
"Shut up."
The thief blinked in utter astonishment. The kid was so…different. No, that wasn't the right word. It didn't really matter. He watched as Yugi took a large black garbage bag from the room. Sighing heavily the tomb robber stood shakily to his feet, trudging over unsteadily and falling down on his stomach on the couch. Yugi re-entered the room, seeming satisfied at the thief having done what he'd said.
"You don't have any food in the house so I took the liberty of going out and buying a few things just for the day. We'll have to get a lot more stuff later but it will suffice for now," Yugi stated simply as he walked closer.
Bakura stared at the boy in sheer bewilderment. "What…?"
"Also, I've been collecting all the empty beer bottles and such around the house," Yugi continued as if the thief hadn't spoken. "I took them down to a store and got over twenty dollars in returns for recycling them there. Twenty fucking dollars! Does that tell you anything?" the youth questioned eyeing the other like he was a child.
Bakura shrugged. "No. Not really."
Yugi glowered. "It means you're a frikin' drunk."
The thief snorted. "You needed to recycle beer bottles to figure that out?"
"I've decided you need to shape up. You're no use to me like this."
Bakura opened and closed his mouth like a fish. What the hell was this kid talking about? Perhaps he'd already made it clear and the thief was still too hung over to get it. Narrowing blood red eyes, he studied the boy before him.
"Is this about…that fucking monster again?" he asked slowly sitting up.
Yugi smirked. "More than that now, I'm afraid."
"And you think cleaning my house and buying groceries is going to make me help you?" was the humorless response. "It's not like I owe you for it."
The boy didn't seem unsettled at all. "Indeed."
"Then what makes you think I'm going to assist you at all?"
Yugi walked slowly across the room, eyes wandering the blank walls. His hands were together behind his back. He seemed like some professional critiquing a work of art; violet eyes scowering the walls as if there were something quite breathtaking before him.
"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this," he sighed melodramatically. "But I suppose you don't remember."
The thief's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "What?"
Yugi turned, face serious. "You owe me more than you think. I saved your fucking life."
A vicious smirk slowly spread across Bakura's face. "Sure. Keep telling yourself that, kripp."
The thief was taken aback when the boy began to chuckle. This wasn't the laugh of some childish individual who was futilely pursuing some far-off fantasy. This was an entity who knew what he was doing, what he wanted…and how to get it.
"It's true. I got here this morning and found you face down, suffocating in a pool of your own puke. Already weren't breathing when I discovered you."
Bakura stared at the other in shock. Yugi smiled, confident more than ever now.
"I…didn't ask you to…"
"But you couldn't really, if we think about this logically. I mean, you weren't breathing and all," Yugi replied smoothly, eyes glowing darkly. "And even if you aren't really keen on living can you imagine that being the way you'd go? Quite pathetic really."
Bakura grit his teeth eyeing the boy with pure hatred. He was beaten and he knew it. After a moment of staring at the other murderously he bowed his head tiredly.
"All right, kripp. What do you want?" he muttered wearily.
Yugi smirked. "Teach me the ways of Occult Dueling."
The searches had begun. Yami had gone to the media, issuing a plea to the public to help in the search. The King of Games was a wreck, eyes slit like every light, every movement was painful. In a way it was.
Mr. Mutou kept the Store closed. He adamantly refused to have the Grand Opening until Yugi was with them again. Ryou had offered to move in with the two for support. They only hoped someone had seen Yugi and would give them some leads. It was the talk of the city, buzzing around like a plight of locusts, making it seem it would engulf everything. The rest of the gang stayed close by as well offering to organize large search parties to which the Mutous were extremely grateful.
"The entire city's in an uproar. It's amazing," Honda stated walking into the living room at the Mutous'.
Ryou nodded. "Kaiba called. He's using all the resources at Kaiba Corp. and is sending out his people to search too."
Yami blinked in surprise. "He…has?"
Ryou smiled. "He's not completely heartless, Yami."
Honda rolled his brown eyes. "Well, probably doesn't wanna be made out as the bad guy in all this."
Yami managed a weak smile. "There's that too."
Jou strolled in, face flushed, eyes drained. "Well…the duelists all over the city are searchin'. The dueling arenas are completely deserted. It's scary if you ask me…like the Apocalypse is comin' or something."
"Amazing," murmured Mr. Mutou who sat in a chair, large circles under his normally cheerful eyes.
"It shouldn't be long now," Ryou said softly.
Jou snorted. "If you say so. But if you ask me…"
"Jou, why don't we head out and check with Otogi….see if he's gotten any leads," Honda cut in quickly sending a meaningful glare at the other.
The blonde scowled. "Sure."
The brunette tugged Jou off and they left the room, the latter with a morose expression. Ryou sighed heavily.
"Don't listen to him, Yami…"
"But he might be right," the pharaoh whispered hoarsely. "Maybe Yugi doesn't want to come back."
"That's crazy talk. Of course he does! He wouldn't just run off like this! He's a responsible boy. Caring, compassionate…he'll be home soon," Mr. Mutou stated firmly standing to his feet and pacing the room. Yami and Ryou watched him with somber expressions.
'He's right. We have to believe that Yugi will be home with us soon,' Yami reasoned to himself even as his heart told him this was a lie.
So try and make sure you never sneeze while throwing up. (readers: O.o...) It hurts like HELL to have puke spew out of your nose. Very uncomfortable. (readers: -.o)
Kura: Just stop talking now.
Ferris: It's important!
Yugi: Don't drown in it either!
Kura: -.-; I hate you.
Yugi: Mwahahaha!
Ferris:...oh and don't snort it back in!
Kura: I said SHUT UP!