Chapter Four
Escaping This Fusion

"Marik was here last night?!"

Yes. He wanted me to tell you that he likes your taste in literature.

"Something tells me he didn't come here to read my books."

I would certainly hope so. No, he came because he figured out how to get me a body.

Ryou tilted his head. "But it had only been a few hours. How is that possible?"

I told you, he isn't as dumb as can seem. The answer has been right in front of me the whole time.

"What did he suggest, that you use a Duel Monsters card?"

He lifted his eyebrows. Actually, that's exactly what he suggested. You were paying very close attention to that conversation, weren't you?

"I was sleeping."

It's said that you retain more information that you hear while you're sleeping than you do when you're awake. You remembered something that I didn't, and I was the one who said it.

"I was sleeping."

Don't you know that you talk in your sleep?

"I what?!"

You talk in your sleep, Bakura replied with a laugh. It seems that I gave you nightmares. You were babbling on about ancient Egypt.

"I…" Not quite, he thought to himself.

Then what were you dreaming about?

His eyes widened. "Did I say something?"

You don't have to talk, remember? You can communicate through your thoughts.

"Oh. I didn't remember."

Tell me, what were you dreaming about?

"I…I…oooh…I don't remember. Just that it wasn't just ancient Egypt."

Perhaps I can refresh your memory. You kept muttering rubies. You told me it was about my eyes.

Ryou flinched. "Did I?"

Yes. You must remember something. Tell me about it.

"I…I…" His eyes darted around. "I really don't remember."

Then why the reaction?

"You have to admit that's not something I would expect to come out of my mouth when I'm asleep."

I suppose not. But I think you know what I'm talking about. Bakura crossed his arms. I'm very patient, Ryou, and I have plenty to talk about. I can talk until it comes back to you. I'll tell you what happened last night. After you went to sleep, Marik came in and told me his plan to get me a body. He insisted that I get him the Millennium Rod immediately. I know that I promised you I wouldn't go out last night, but if I didn't, Marik would have suspected something.

"You went out last night?"

I told you it was a shorter shot. I'm sorry. I'll create my own body as soon as I can figure out which card would allow me to do that. Then you won't have to deal with me anymore. I snuck into the game shop—

"How? How did you get in?"

You told me.

"I what?!"

You gave me directions and told me about the house. I didn't cause any trouble, I promise. I was in and out. Yugi never stirred. By the way, why do you know there's a spare key under the mat?

Ryou's eyebrows rose. "I know that?"

Apparently.

"News to me. As for the card, what about Multiply?"

The card? Oh, yes. I'm not sure. After all, it only works on Kuriboh.

"Surely you've used cards out of their Duel Monsters purpose?"

Well, I suppose Chain Energy worked a bit differently...

"When did you use Chain Energy?"

Never mind. But where would I get a copy of Multiply?

"I'm sure that between Yugi's grandpa and Duke Devlin, there's got to be at least one. Let me get it for you."

You would do that?

"Why not?"

I thought you said you didn't trust me. This could be a very dangerous move on your part. Getting Multiply for me would, hopefully, allow me to get my own body. Surely you understand the risk in giving me free reign.

"I do. But I want to have free reign again. It's a risk I can take."

You've only known me for a day, yet you're willing to allow me my own body. You really are naïve and innocent.

"I'm what?"

Bakura hesitated. He hadn't meant for Ryou to hear that. I…I was thinking last night. As much as you've been put through, you're still very childlike, very innocent.

"For most of it, I wasn't conscious of what was going on."

True. But I'm still surprised that you don't hate me. Just yesterday you were explaining all the abuse I've put you through. Why the change of heart?

"I didn't know you at this time yesterday." Ryou stood. "Where should we go first? Duke or Grandpa?"

Duke. I don't want to risk running into Yugi.

"All right."

:::

"Sorry, Bakura. I don't have any individual cards. You should check Yugi's grandpa. He usually does. Sorry."

"That's quite all right, Duke. Thank you for your help."

"No problem. Tell Grandpa I said hi!"

Ryou waved. "Will do!"

Great. I really didn't want to go there.

"Don't worry." He put the Ring inside his shirt. "He doesn't know that I still have this."

He can sense me.

"He's probably out with his friends. It's not likely that he'd spend a beautiful weekend like this in the shop." He pushed open the door.

I hope you're…you're wrong.

What? Ryou looked up to see Yugi behind the counter. Uh-oh.

You said it.

"Hey, Bakura!"

"He-hello, Yugi. What are you doing inside on a day like this?"

"Grandpa's sick. I said I'd work the shop for him until he's better."

"Oh. That's nice of you."

"What are you doing here?" Yugi asked.

"Well…" What am I doing here?

It's a card. You're changing your deck.

All right. "I've been working on my deck. Since the tournament, I've really come to enjoy Duel Monsters. I've been borrowing ideas from all of your decks, and I like the Kuriboh with Multiply strategy. I'm looking for Multiply."

Nicely done.

Thank you.

"I'm not sure if we have one. Have you checked with Duke?"

Ryou nodded. "Yes. It seems he doesn't sell individual cards. I don't have the money to be going through several packs to find one card."

"Oh. Well, I'm not sure…let me go ask Grandpa. I'll be right back. Feel free to look around while you wait."

"Thank you!"

"No problem."

He took Yugi's advice and did look around some. The game really could be interesting. You've never let me play, though, so I can't know for sure.

Sorry. I needed to win.

I understand. Just as he was picking up a spellcaster pack, Yugi returned with a card in hand.

"Grandpa let me open one of our packs. We'll sell the cards individually, anyway. Here it is." He handed it to Ryou, who pulled out his wallet. "No. Keep it. Grandpa won't mind."

"But Yugi…"

"Really."

Take it, Ryou.

But it's wrong.

Not if he's offering.

I

"Thank you, Yugi. I really appreciate this. I owe you!"

Bakura!

Sorry. I need this card, and if he's willing to give it to us for free, we may as well take advantage of it. "Thank you!"

"It's no problem. Everyone's going to the arcade later today. Would you like to come?"

"I…no. I've been a little busy lately. Maybe some other time!"

"All right. Bye, Bakura!"

Bakura waved as he walked off. You can take back over.

As soon as he gained control, Ryou ripped his cell phone from his pocket. "Why?!"

I said sorry.

"That was entirely unnecessary! It wouldn't have been more than a couple of yen!"

I know. I left a little on the counter.

Ryou paused in surprise. "You did?"

Yes. Yugi will just think he missed it earlier. Are you happy?

The boy put the phone away. Yes. And a little shocked. What happened to the Thief King you were telling me about?

As I said, I'm tired of being everyone's enemy. And perhaps the good deed will offset some of the negative karma I've accumulated over the years.

Perhaps. What do you want to do now?

I want to test Marik's theory.

All right. Home then.

The short walk seemed endless. Ryou and Bakura were feeding off each other's anxiety over the whole experiment. Things could go horribly wrong if it didn't work right. Things could go horribly wrong if it did work right. By the time Ryou reached the front door, they were both jittery from their unrest. "This is it."

"Do you trust this? If there's any apprehension in your mind, say it now. You have a powerful intuition."

I don't have any doubts.

"All right. Multiply!"

A splitting sensation ran from their head to their feet, like they were being torn in two. But they weren't.

"No!"

It didn't work, did it? Ryou asked quietly.

Bakura shook his head sullenly. "No. But it felt like it would. I shouldn't have gotten my hopes of escaping this fusion up."

Escaping this fusion…I'm remembering a card. I just can't quite place it. Two monsters coming apart…

"Of course!" shouted Bakura excitedly. "Diffusion breaks a fusion monster back into its pieces! Ryou, you're a genius!"

I…I am?

"You figured it out! That has to be the card! And we already have it!" Bakura pounded up the stairs and pulled his deck out of its case. "Where, where…" He tossed the cards to the floor. "No…no…no…if this isn't it…" He growled furiously. "Where is it?"

What is that?

"What?"

That card, on my desk. It fell off the deck when you pulled it out.

Bakura flipped it over. "Thank you!" He paused. "Apprehension?"

None.

"If this doesn't work," said Bakura, "I don't know what will. Diffusion!"

Both cried out in agony as their intertwined souls were violently ripped apart. Both fell to their knees, unable to stand. Both moaned.

"Did it work?" came Ryou's weak whisper.

"I…I'm not sure. I know how to test it."

"How?"

By thinking. What color are my eyes? Why don't you have a mirror?

Ryou tilted his head. "How do we test it, Bakura?"

He jumped to his feet. "It worked! Now seriously, why don't you have a mirror in this room?"

"Why do you want one?"

"What color are my eyes?" Bakura looked directly at Ryou, who gasped. "Well?"

"Red."

Bakura laughed. "Yes! But just to be sure…" He walked to the door and placed his hand on it; it was completely solid. Elated, he threw it open and ran to the nearest hall mirror. "I'm back! I'm back! Haha! Hahahaha!"

"Um…" Ryou stood behind him, a little uneasy. It probably had been a bad idea to give Bakura his own body. "This is great. I'm glad it worked."

"Thank you! I know that earlier I thought this would be returning your favor, but I am more indebted to you now. Thank you!"

"I ask one thing: don't let my friends see you."

Bakura nodded. "All right. They won't. You're the only Bakura. Just one more thing, and I'll leave you to your life."

"What is it?"

"My Ring."

"Your…oh. Of course." Ryou slipped it over his head and watched as Bakura threw it around his own neck.

"There." Just as he reached the front door and was turning the knob, an all too familiar voice struck him cold.

"I didn't realize the two of you were so close."