Author's Note: Okay, firstly I'd like to thank those who have taken their time and effort to leaving me a review. It's greatly appreciated. Secondy, I have gotten the results of my uni degree :D. I only found out on Sat when I went to a friends wedding and she told me ... apparently ALL the results were publically announced. Oh well ... I'm happy about that ... I can relax and write. Enjoy...
Chapter Three
There Are No Flowers This Time
Bakura almost felt an emotion that made him sorry for having to be the one to disappoint Malik but the truth had to come out. There was no real purpose in looking on the bright side because half of the time there was none. At first, maybe, but after that there really was no telling what could occur, meaning that there was no point it looking towards a blinding light only to find a dark disappointment waiting there patiently. It was a common emotion that everyone felt - disappointment. Similar to that of a snake, always finding a way to catch its prey yet slithering out unknown most times and when it succeeded, if the prey was not already dead, what was the possibility of even finding an antidote if the creature cannot be found to retrieve it?
When thought in a logical way, it was natural to look to the downside first. That was what human's do ... think of the dark times and wallow in their own pits of shame and self-loathing when all they need to do is find the small ray of light that can vanquish the evil. But is there any real purpose in forgetting the calm before the storm? In remaining vulnerable for the hurt to kill two times as hard? Being built up only to be knocked back down?
But then again, there was that small thing called pride to contend with. Those proud ones who refuse to let anything knock them down, refusing to let anyone see a flicker of emotion that could be retraced in the future and used as a possible downfall. That old saying to take to good with the bad ... there is not one person alive that has never felt this and if so, they are clearly lying. Though to some people, this can be worse if they are prone to upset and have seen too many dark times, but a dark time is a dark time, no matter how some may perceive it. If that horrible emotion of hurt, betrayal, upset, disappointment and sadness creeps into the back of a human mind then that is an evident time of emotion for them, even if brought on by an insignificant time or event.
When people are in this phases they feel no one can fully understand them, and clearly, Bakura could not understand what Malik was going through, and never would. All he could fully content with was that it had not happened to him, so that was all right then. It never occurred to him how Malik must feel to wake up and realise that 'she' was no longer a 'he'. Also, Bakura mused, there could be a high possibility that this really was his fault for reading the wrong spell, but he would not admit that nor let it bother him, because it had happened to Malik and not him, so what was the sense in letting it concern him? What's done is done. Besides, there was no indication this would happened in the spell he read.
"What do you mean? This isn't permanent because I'm assuming that a word in the spell was changed and unless you were planning on leaving me in an unconscious state for all eternity, though I would not put that past a despicable Tomb-Robber such as yourself, but I'll just continue to assume that this is mishap should only be temporarily - until the spell wears off. Right?" she concluded in a tremulous voice.
Was she trying to convince Bakura or herself of that?
"You should never take Egyptian magic too lightly, Malik, though I'm certain you are already fully aware of that. Now before you go off on another girly tangent, listen to me! I'm not saying this will be permanent but I believe it would be best for you to look on the down side, instead of the bright side, at least if this is permanent then you'll be expecting it."
Malik sighed downhearted as she rested her chin on her hands. "And just how do I go about doing that? How am I supposed to live like this ... I'm Malik Ishtar - a male! What about my family - and I suppose school too..."
The platinum-haired spirit watched Malik closely, observing every small movement that he had never imagined Malik doing. To him, it was oddly fascinating to see the blond express so much weakness. Now, at the worse possible time, Malik had let down all her defences, but for how long, Bakura was unsure. Despite most things Malik was strong-willing when it came to emotions, constantly hiding what she both felt and thought, unless it was a common emotion that everyone in the past had already seen ... meaning Battle City.
If Bakura actually thought about it, he was one of the only few who had the 'honour' of witnessing Malik expressing deep and meaningful emotion. Emotions that everyone assumed Malik Ishtar was unable to express. But the albino was confident that Malik would return to how she used to be soon enough, possibly in a matter of days, that was if Bakura knew the blond as well as he thought he did.
Bakura had always preferred to know about his enemies, which was a certified way of finding their weaknesses, and an enemy is what Malik had been at first - though not on the same lines as the pharaoh and his hikari. With Malik, it instantly struck Bakura odd that the Egyptian would be so willing to hand the Sennen Rod over once it had all been done with, which Bakura still hadn't seen hide nor hair of.
After the whole Battle City Tournament had passed everything seemed to fall perfectly into place. It was shortly after this time that Bakura acquired a body of his own and an arrangement was sought between himself and his hikari. It was entirely true that Ryou was too nice for his own good and, as Bakura had kindly stated many times over, also a complete pushover. But saying that, even Ryou had his limits and his temper could almost rival that of Bakura's (without the threats that Bakura would possible adhere to) but still, that only happened once in a lifetime.
So the yami separated from the hikari. Bakura was pleased because this meant that he no longer had to share his body with a weed who had to attend school. The platinum-haired spirit had taken control of his body a few times at school and decided from that day forth it would be easier to remain in his soul room and torment Ryou from there. Ryou was delighted because he no longer had to worry about waking up in stage places and having to share his body with an ancient spirit who had an unhealthy addition to meat and all things sharp and bloody. That in itself was a treasure.
When news travelled around that the museum had re-opened, Bakura was not interested in least, but after spending so much time with Ryou, Bakura began to realise that it was better to terrorise innocent people when there was someone else there to appreciate it. Ryou had tried explaining that it was just a normal human desire and need to have friends. Bakura retorted, sneering that Ryou had no right to compare him with the likes of pathetic mortal beings, which then resulting in the platinum-haired hikari sniggering at the yami's bitterness. In the end, Bakura decided that it would be unwise to stay in such close proximity to Ryou because he was uncertain about whether he would be unable to refrain from wringing the other's neck. That later entailed Bakura to storm out of the house and follow his feet, which ironically lead him to Malik's door.
Bakura continued to observe Malik and wondered briefly whether the blonde would break down into tears, like any normal female would. 'No,' Bakura decided, 'Malik isn't a normal female ... can I even classify him as a her?' It did strike the Tomb-Robber as amusing but he knew that Malik, even in a female form, would never lower herself to act like a petty woman.
"What am I going to do, Bakura?" she asked, her voice sinking to that of a whisper. "What am I going to do?"
Before Bakura had a change to consider what he was saying, the words left his mouth. "You could stay here, you know."
Malik looked up, surprised. "Are you serious?"
"There is a spare room and I know that Ryou won't mind ... you are his friend, after all."
"Really?" she said, shocked still. It seemed such an unusual thing for Bakura to do. Ryou, yes. Bakura ... no...
"I'll take that offer back then, shall I?" he grumbled, looking at Malik.
Still after hearing the spirit say that for another time, Malik was uncertain whether to believe it or not. 'This blasted spell must be making me think like a woman,' Malik mused. "You really wouldn't mind me staying here?" she asked, again.
Bakura rolled his eyes, feeling the urge to either bang his head against a wall or Malik's. How many times did he have to repeat himself over? "You can stay, I said that already! You'll be in charge of your sister and brother because I'm not going to deal with them. How you're going to explain that you're staying here and not going to school is not my concern."
"Thanks, Bakura," Malik smiled.
The platinum-haired boy grunted and looked away quickly. Why the hell had he just invited Malik to stay? He knew that Ryou would let the ash-blond boy ... 'Girl ... Malik's a girl now,' he reminded himself. So that was it, a girl was going to be living with Bakura and Ryou. An amusing thought flitted through his mind as he imagined Malik being Malik and wearing little clothes and walking casually around the house. 'Ryou would probably have a nosebleed if he sees Malik walking around in only a towel. He gets embarrassed when sex scenes are on the TV ... or is it because I'm there and tease him about it?'
"What's so funny?" Malik inquired, finding it peculiar that the boy would just suddenly began sniggering for no reason.
"Nothing," he replied, looking at the clock.
12:20. Where had all the time gone?
A pregnant pause followed but the Egyptian soon put an end to that with a strange request. "Bakura?" she asked in a shy tone.
"What?"
"I know this may sound strange but could I borrow a shirt? Mine's too tight and you wear baggier clothes than I do..."
The Tomb-Robber raised a fine brow but said nothing as he pulled off his light-blue shirt and threw it to Malik.
"Thanks," she muttered and began to unbutton her white school shirt. A sudden realisation filled her mind that she wasn't able of changing completely in front of Bakura and that the spirit was not intending of telling Malik to change elsewhere. Malik turned around and quickly changed, attempting to avoid showing the scars on her back as best she could. It would have been easier to change in the kitchen, but now it was too late. Malik smiled a "thank you" as she turned and finished buttoning the shirt, leaving the top two open.
Bakura found himself returning a half smile at Malik. She certainly wasn't as shy as most girls, he laughed. But that was Malik all over. He sat further into the chair and felt himself relaxing, also having the feeling that Malik was finally able to relax somewhat. Though that was short lived as he could clearly hear voices at the door and saw Malik shooting into the kitchen.
"Bakura, is Malik here?" Ryou asked in his soft voice, the English accent clear, as he closed the door behind him.
To be continued...
