You'll all have to forgive any mispellings/etc/whatever. I just fininshed typing this chapter.
Lily: I shall try to not keep you guys in suspense too long between chapters! Glad you're enjoying the story!
kylee: NEW REVIEWER! (tackles) Hi honey! Glad you're lovin' the story so much! Please reviewsies again! (nods encouragingly)
Myou-Bakura: (cackles) Yes a vision of Bakura getting scolded by someone who's half his height is amusing. Although, my friend is under five foot yet she can kick my ass. She's a little powerhouse. NEVER make short jokes around her. (nods solemnly) It hurts! (kura: You're pathetic.) Nuh uh! (Great comeback, no?)
Kanashimi no Tenshi: You've read them ALL? (tackleglomps) Awww! You luffles my stories, therefore I luffles you! (esp cause you're reviewing now) Cry of the Wicked's your fav, hmm? (smirks) Well it's about to get kicked off the most disturbing list. Son of Apophis shall be taking its place. (shudders) Afika scares me...ahem, oh? You got koinu27 here? (tackles again) Here! (gives bag of orange tic tacs) This is my thanks!
Soki-Chan the Great: Ah yes the curse of the busy schedule. I don't have one at the moment. I've just been writing my stories a lot, followed by playtime with my little boys (my ratties! GOOSH!)
Silver Mirror: You keep saying you're going to update! (Kura: Well Ferris, you DO update a bit too often...) Humph. Perhaps I'll start giving you the silent treatment! (Kura: O.o...But...you kind of already are: seeing as how you're writing, not talking.) -.-; Shut up.
darkmistressofyaoi: Yesss! Thou hast been initiated! (Kura: Stop trying to talk like you're smart. You're not fooling anyone.) -.-;...ahem, anyway, no Kura and Mai are NOT going at it. That's just...(shudders) No. None of that happening with Mai. (Kura: But I get some?) O.o...anyway, so I thought you'd like to hear this. I have this reviewer for another story. Must be going into chapter 20 now...anyway, they just wrote and told me how nasty it is that I'm making Ryou gay in it. The thing is: all of the relationships in it are yaoi! Why the hell are they still reading it if they're homophobs? -.-; I need orange tic tacs...
Joey-lover: (laughs) I know. What are the odds it would be Mai that found him? I mean, really? It's NEVER Mai!..which is why it's so amusing! (Mai: I hate you)
TheGodFish: Ack! Nooo! Here's the chapter! Here's the chapter! Just give my preciousessss back! (writhes on floor in agony)
Spryte: "Mai's okay but it's somehow hard to picture Bakura with a girl." (Bakura: What! Do my looks just scream "I'm gay" or something?) Hehe. Not really, but you're just too hot to pass up! (Kura: -.-; That's not an answer)
koinu27: (snickers) Not a Mai fan, eh? She's actually the only girl in Yugioh that I can tolerate. Anzu can burn in all the hells of Egypt. Shizuka. What's up with the boys going ga-ga over her? She's just so...so...(Kura: "annoying"?) Yeah! That's the word!
dragonlady222: The thing is they CAN'T get their own bodies. Otherwise my brilliant plans won't work! (Kura: The "brilliant" could be argued.) >.
Muse of Sarcasm: (sighs) It's all about Ryou, isn't it? (Ryou: Hehe.) He'll be along...eventually. Not yet though. Give it time, honey.
Tabby: I'm loving how you actually tell me elements that are helpful. (Ex: "You did a good job with switching POVs at just the right moment to give enough of each person and make you feel satisfied") I just reallyreallyreally appreciate that, honey. Like Chan? Well he's Baaack!
Kura&Yugi--a love like no other: (smirk) No she's no-ot! No she's no-ot! (Kura&Yugi-alove: >. Meh!) Hehe.
tediz-leader: (grins) Sorry it took so long! I just finished the bloody chapter! (actually, I just started writing it this morning! O.O) Amazing what the Spanish music my brother brought back from Spain can do.
Freedom of Darkness: Let's start a stalker web site! (Kura: You already stalk me!) Hehe. Indeedy-do! Chan should be Minkah's helper? (laughs) That would be something to see! (Minkah: Hurry up! We haffta kill off Kaiba) (Chan: Ya! Chan kill rich ass!) (Kaiba: WTF? Who's the little chinese dude?) (Minkah: Your maker. Dieeee!)
Sirithiliel: (smirk) No. This is going to be pretty much a gore-free story. More angst/romance/humor than anything else. This chapter's basically all humor. Yay!
I shall dedicate this lovely chapter to Tabby just because as well as our newest reviewer: kylee! This chapter is mostly just humor...and Chan! We mustn't forget Chan! I wrote this poem a while back. It just...fits the tone of the chapter. Onward!
Child Play
Paper cup phones
And tinsel crowns
Daisy carpets
Cov'ring the ground
Tinfoil armour
And wooden swords
Red-wagon chariots
And tootsie-roll hordes
Chapter 7: Dangling Damsel
(Yugi's POV)
"Bakura! What the hell do you think you're doing?" I yell at the sight before me.
Mai's being held to the ceiling by a faint glow of shadow magic. She's screaming at the top of her lungs, purple high-heeled shoes kicking back and forth desperately. Bakura's standing in the middle of the meditation room, arms crossed over his chest, face murderous. My throat tightens when I spot the ring resting on his torso. He jumps when I speak, turning to me with a bemused expression.
"God Yugi! Help! He's going to kill me!" Mai screeches hysterically from the ceiling.
I move forward slowly, shutting the door behind me. I'm not sure how to go about this. I clear my throat when Bakura turns and continues to glare at the frantic girl hanging from the ceiling. He doesn't seem to be too intent on doing much else...
"Um...Bakura?" I ask trying to remain calm despite the fact that my friend is being dangled by shadow magic seven feet off the ground.
"Hmm?" he snorts, not looking away from Mai who's continuing to scream.
"What's going on? You can't just go attacking my friends like this! Put her down!" I demand pointing at the floor that's covered in squishy pillows.
He gives me a defiant look. "She ate my pastries."
I blink in shock. What did he just say?
"She...she what?" I ask, certain I didn't hear him right. I mean, the King of Thieves wouldn't say something like...
He turns to me with an enraged expression. "She ate my fucking pastries!"
"Chan get more pastries, ya? Paaaaastries!" a little Chinese man exclaims happily jumping out of no where.
I gawk at the scene before me, unable to comprehend if what I'm witnessing is truly reality. I must be asleep. It's got to be a dream.
"Yugi for god's sake!" Mai shrieks at an ear-piercing pitch. "Get me down from here!"
"Serves you right, bitch!" Bakura shouts at her angrily.
"Pastries, ya?" the Chinese man nods gleefully.
I do the only natural thing to do in such a situation: I fall on the ground laughing uncontrollably. They all freeze, staring at me in confusion.
"And just what is so humorous?" Bakura growls, thoroughly miffed.
"You...she...!" I try desperately, but can't breathe let alone speak right now.
I turn, burying my face in one of the pillows. My stomach's aching horribly as I continue, unable to do anything else. After what feels like an eternity I'm able to somewhat compose myself, still snickering as I sit up. Bakura's standing akimbo, quirking an eyebrow at me inquiringly. Mai's silent now, eyes wide. The little Chinese man is positively beaming, looking from person to person with a huge smile plastered on his rounded face.
"Do you...have any idea...just how ridiculous you three look?" I smile, fighting the tears of mirth threatening to fall.
"How is this entertaining?" Mai cries in hysteria.
I chuckle, turning to Bakura who's still glaring at her. "Okay, time to let her down."
"But she...!"
"This man says he'll bring more pastries, all right?" I smile when Bakura casts an unconvinced look at the little Chinese man.
"Chan bring more pastries, ya?"
"Aaaah!" Mai screams as she suddenly drops straight to the floor, landing on her back in a nest of silken pillows.
I hurry over to her, reaching out to help her. She wobbles unsteadily to her feet, casting a frightened glance at Bakura.
"Why aren't you calling Yami up here? He'll get rid of this creep once and for...mff!"
Her manicured nails come up to her mouth that's now covered by some sort of miniature blue force field. I look over inquiringly at Bakura to find him smirking with satisfaction, slumping down in relaxation into the sea of pillows.
"Bakura," I put in a warning tone though without much conviction as I'm unable to hide the amusement from my eyes.
He scowls. "Fine fine."
He waves a hand and the force field disappears. Mai falls down on her well-sculpted behind. I sigh heavily, sitting down half-way between the two of them. The girl sits propped up against the wall like some trapped creature. Bakura's in the middle of the room, pouting at the fun having ended.
"Chan going to get more pastries, ya?" the little Chinese man cheers opening the door and waddling out.
I turn to Bakura who's lying on his stomach, head resting on his arms that are folded in front of him. "Who's that?"
He shrugs. "Chan."
I roll my eyes. "Well I got that much from his talking in third person. How'd you meet him though?"
"I was on my way out."
I frown. "Bakura..."
"I'm not your damn slave and am sick of sitting in that bloody room day after day!" he growls angrily, sitting up and sending me a rebellious look.
Mai blinks in shock. "He's been staying in your room? Yugi, just how long has this been going on? Hell, what's going on?"
I sigh heavily. They're both glaring at me. "I found the ring in the ocean when we went on the boat ride a few days ago...and Bakura, you can't just go wandering about! What if Yami had caught you?"
"He wasn't even here," the thief mutters darkly.
"You're just lucky Mai found you and not Yami," I continue seriously. Gods, it feels like I'm scolding a child.
"No he's the lucky one," Bakura sneers lying down on his back. "He deserves a good ass-whooping."
"So this fiend's forcing you to hide him so he can get revenge on Yami?" Mai asks, voice rising.
"Must you be so loud when you talk, woman?" the former tomb robber groans. "You're giving me a headache."
"I'll give you a real headache!" she yowls standing shakily to her feet, the high heels on the uneven terrain causing her a bit of grief.
"Enough. Both of you," I say firmly. "You're both dramatizing everything."
Bakura stiffens as the pointers of the ring suddenly move up, directing straight at the door. Mai slinks back, no doubt thinking the he's about to put another spell on her.
"Yami!" I whisper. "Yami's coming!"
"Good. Then he'll..." Mai begins airily.
I lunge at Bakura, grabbing his arm and tugging him over to the corner of the room Mai's in. He's too busy casting uneasy glances at the door to protest.
"Yugi, what are you...?" Mai asks nervously.
I gently push her aside, digging down into the pillows. Bakura and her stare at me in confusion.
"Umm...what are you doing?" Bakura asks curiously.
"If you go back to the ring right now Yami will sense it. He's already suspicious enough. Here," I point at the floor that's now visible. "Lay down there and we'll cover you with pillows."
He frowns. "Who said I wanted to hide from...?"
Mai and I exchange a look out of the corner of our eyes before pouncing. She smothers his head with a pillow as I sit on his torso, burying his struggling frame under layer upon layer of silken pillows. I'm not sure if Mai's really all that keen on hiding him or if she just wants to get back at him for hanging her from the ceiling. The three of us tense as the door opens, my darker half peeking in.
"I was wondering where you two went," he smiles stepping into the room.
"Yami! I...what are you doing here?" I ask quickly...too quickly.
(Yami's POV)
Something's amiss here. The two of them share a nervous glance when they think I'm not looking. My eyes sweep over the room, searching for some type of hint as to what's going on. I don't get one, finally turning back to the two of them sitting close in the corner of the room...
Oh.
I blink in understanding. Oh. I didn't realize they were that fond of one another. It appears I've interrupted them. I feel my neck flush ever so slightly as images—bad images—come into my mind. Bad! Get out of my head!
"Is something wrong?" Yugi asks innocently.
I shake my head. "No. No nothing."
An awkward silence follows. A very awkward silence. The two of them keep casting nervous glances at one another. I clear my throat.
"I just wanted to check on you. While I was downstairs I sensed Shadow Magic," I explain my reason for barging in on them.
Yugi stares in shock. "Again?"
I nod, waving my hand dismissively and hurrying for the door. "Well it was probably nothing. Perhaps there's something going awry with the puzzle. I'll leave you two alone now."
(Yugi's POV)
I watch on nervously as Yami's eyes sweep over the room searchingly. Does he sense the ring? Did he hear us talking from the hallway?
(Let...me...up...) Bakura growls angrily through our mind link.
((Do you want a chance to try those pastries or not?)) I retort as Yami continues to look around.
(...I hate you.)
I struggle not to smile at this, knowing I won that argument. Yami turns back to Mai and me after a moment, face suddenly a bit red.
"Is something wrong?" I ask unsurely.
He shakes his head. "No. No nothing."
I look over at Mai. She gives me a worried look, hesitant of what to do. I wish I had a mind link with her just for this moment...
(And I wish I had one with the Pharaoh for a moment...give him a good ear-full.)
I fight the urge to roll my eyes. ((You wouldn't and you know it. He'd kill you.))
(Oh contraire. He doesn't know where I am.)
((I could tell him.)) I grin.
(No you wouldn't) he shoots back, though there's doubt laced in his voice.
My chest aches upon hearing this. ((I'm not going to tell him, Bakura.))
(Uh huh.)
"I just wanted to check on you. While I was downstairs I sensed Shadow Magic," Yami suddenly states, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
Mai and I both put on expressions of shock.
(More like "mock shock")
((That was really lame.)) "Again?" I ask in 'bewilderment'.
He waves his hand and stumbles what seems quite hurriedly for the door. . "Well it was probably nothing. Perhaps there's something going awry with the puzzle. I'll leave you two alone now."
He jolts as the door opens just as he reaches for it. None other than Chan enters the room with a plate-full of pastries. Yami's face brightens. Oh no.
"Well what have we here?" my darker half says reaching for one.
"They're terrible tasting! Don't try one!" Mai exclaims as Bakura tenses under us.
Yami blinks. "Really? They look quite good."
(Let me at that son of a...!)
((Bakura stop!)) I plead desperately as I watch my darker half pop one of the delicacies into his mouth, eyes widening.
"Ra, how could you two not like these? They're delicious!" Yami announces.
"Erm...great!" I say loudly as Bakura starts screaming in rage under the pillows, thrashing in our grasps. Mai's face has gone pallid as she struggles to keep him under.
"Well since neither of you are fond of them I'll take them to the party animals down there," Yami chuckles taking the tray from the Chinese man and leaving.
"Chan shut the door now!" I bark as a fist shoots up through the pillows, engulfed in glowing Shadow magic.
The little man nods happily, complying. Mai and I jump away as Bakura scrambles out. Wild white hair is disheveled, eyes glowing with wrath.
"I'm going to kill him!" he screeches clambering for the door.
I tackle said thief, my life flashing before my eyes as I realize just who I'm tackling. I let out a shout as I'm catapulted to the ceiling, hanging upside down in a shock-induced-haze. I blink a few times, gawking when I spot Mai blocking the door; though she looks like she'd rather be anywhere else than between the former King of Thieves and his will.
"Get out...of my way," Bakura snarls eyes glowing red.
Mai suddenly stiffens, face hardening. "No! I'm not sure what's going on here, but Yugi seems determined to keep you safe. And if he's willing to risk so much the least you can do is try to cooperate even a tiny bit!" Bakura blinks in shock at the mortal who's daring to challenge him. "Now sit your ass down and Chan will bring more pastries," she turns to the small Chinese man who's still grinning, oblivious to the vehemence floating about in the air. "Won't you?"
"Ya! Chan get more pastries, ya?" his head bobs up and down as he edges around her and exits the room.
Bakura's standing still in front of Mai, face having lost some of its harshness, now filled with exhaustion. Mai seems to have calmed as well, deep purple eyes curiously studying the ancient spirit before her. I hate to ruin the moment, but...
"Um...Bakura? Could you let me down now?"
They both blink, glancing upwards at me in surprise. The thief nods, snapping his fingers. I let out an "oomph" as I meet the pillows, landing face-first in their silky depths. I cough, sitting up quickly to find them both still staring uncertainly at one another.
"All right, we might as well all sit back and relax. I've got some explaining to do," I sigh, both of them slowly settling down on the pillows.
"Fine," Bakura mutters, knees pulled up against his chest. "But if either of you so much as touch the pastries I shall force the stuffing from all these pillows down your throats so you'll have to have your stomachs pumped." Mai and I both gape at him. He gets a thoughtful look on his face and adds, "I hear it's quite a painful process."
"Getting stuffing pushed down my throat or having my stomach pumped?" I question with a smile.
He gives me a dark look. "Would you like to find out which?"
We both shake our heads decisively.
Ah that was fun, no?
Kura: GIMME MY PASTRIES, DAMMIT!
Yugi: I think we should put some calming music on right about now.
Mai: How about some sedatives?
Kura: (hopeful look) And pastries?
Mai and Yugi: -.o
Ferris: (cackles) Review! I'll update as soon as I write another chapter, k? Lovelles!