Chap 7. Old Fear

Ryou sprinted down the hall, his vision a smear of color, only seeing what was immediately in front of him, his heart pounding so hard he was afraid that it would either tear out of him or burst within; his ears ringing so loud that he couldn't hear anything, as if the world had gone silent just so he could hear his own terrified thoughts… He was back.

Turning the corner, he lost his balance and fell to the floor in a heap, momentarily stunned before he scrambled forward on his hands and knees until he blindly connected with a wall, where he simply leaned, curled in on himself breathing heavy and unevenly, a scream caught in his throat and unable to release, instead coming out as a weak whimpering instead, a cold sweat drenching his entire body making the cool air around him feel colder, his body shuddering violently in response.

Ishizu turned the corner and spotted Ryou on the floor and immediately was at his side, grabbing his shoulders and gently shaking him when he refused to respond, "Ryou! Ryou please snap out of it. Speak to me!" Ryou's green eyes seemed glazed over, as if he couldn't see her despite looking directly at her, "Ryou! Please Ryou… It's ok! You're ok! Please… calm down…. You're ok…." She said softly, holding his head up to look at her; a technique she had perfected with Malik when the darkness still gripped him.

Ishizu smiled as Ryou slowly began to focus on her, tears streaking his face, "I-…Ishi- zu?" he gasped through his choked sobs.

Ishizu nodded, "That's right. It's me… Calm down… Take a deep breath… It's ok…" she said slowly, her voice steady. Ryou did as he was told with great difficulty, his breathing refusing to level out as he continued to sob,

"I-It's him…" he managed, hot tears burning his cheeks as his mind replayed what he had just seen, Ishizu looking at the crying boy with a pained heart as he sobbed almost incoherently, "It's h-im…. it's him-m….Wh-y? W-hy is…grk… he here? Why!?"

Ishizu set Ryou with his back against the wall, her hand gently rubbing his back to comfort him, "I know, Ryou… I know… Calm down.… listen to me. It's going to be alright. Calm down…" she said soothingly, to which Ryou attempted to even his breathing, hiccupping between sobs.

"I'm scared… I'm so scared…" he choked, memories he had been able to keep away the past few months now crushing him from all sides like a vice.

"I understand Ryou. But I promise you are not in any danger… It's ok. Come on… Can you stand?" Ishizu asked as she saw a few concerned nurses beginning to group around the corner.

Ryou nodded slowly, and with Ishizu's help, was on his feet, his legs like Jell-O under him prompting Ishizu to help him to a chair in an empty waiting room near the elevator. Ishizu waited until Ryou was solidly seated before talking to him once more, "Ryou… what are you doing here?" Ishizu asked as he hugged himself, shivering visibly.

"I had… to be sure…" Ryou choked, "I had to be sure… to know it wasn't him…"

Ishizu rubbed his back carefully as he spoke, "That he wasn't who, Ryou?"

"That he…. That he-….." Ryou squeezed his eyes shut, fresh tears falling quite literally like rain, "Atem beat him! Why!? Why is he back? Why won't the Spirit of the Ring just die? Why?" At that, Ryou pressed his palms to his eyes and sobbed loudly, his shoulders jerking forcefully with each sob.

Ishizu felt herself wince at his words… The Spirit of the Ring. That had been Akefia? 'Of course it was…' she thought to herself… one it was no doubt considering the Thief King had in fact been the last wielder of the Ring before Ryou as it had been stated by the Tombkeepers for generations; Akefia himself had just confirmed that fully… that and Ryou would know simply because he himself had seen Akefia within the Dark RPG board, Ryou's soul being forcibly bonded with the ring at the time, a portion of him had been dragged along for the ride and had observed what the Thief King and Zork had been doing first hand… no doubt those still healing wounds were tearing back open now….

Ishizu lowered her eyes as Ryou broke down, unable to answer his question, "I'm afraid I don't know, Ryou… I'm sorry…" she gripped his shoulder firmly to draw his attention, "But listen to me Ryou… I know you're afraid and upset more than anyone else will be…. But believe me when I say he is no threat to you. He's very weak... and I doubt he will be out to possess you anymore."

Ryou looked up slowly at her, his eyes already swollen and red from his ongoing crying, "Wh-what?"

Ishizu smiled as she spotted a glint of hope in his eyes as he observed her, "I don't know much right now yet Ryou…. But Akefia has no reason to bother you in any way now… he has a body of his own and his memory…" She paused not wanting to waver him right then and continued, "Is incomplete… He has no reason or the means to harm you or anyone else now."

Ryou was still shaking and paler than norm, but he seemed to be calming down greatly, "Really?" he asked rubbing his eye.

"Really… Akefia is actually very lost… he doesn't remember almost anything prior to being found in the chamber. He's cranky and loud, but otherwise harmless." Ishizu said confidently, trying to make Ryou feel more at ease. It seemed to work, for Ryou's breathing had settled some, allowing him to breathe easier.

"Now… Ryou…? Does your father know you're here?" Ishizu asked concerned. Her thoughts were confirmed as a solemn look came over him and he shook his head,

"I… I don't even remember packing or even boarding the plane… I just…. Acted." He said slowly, sniffling.

Ishizu nodded and decided the details of his sudden knowledge and trip was not relevant at the current time, "I see. Well, now that you are, maybe you should call him."

Ryou sniffed and looked at her weakly, "I'm so tired Ishizu…" he said softly…

Ishizu looked at him and realized he looked far beyond physically tired and nodded, knowing that talking to his father just yet might add to his already delicate position, "Okay, Ryou… I'll take you to my hotel so you can rest… I'll talk with your father for you… and don't worry," she said, knowing Ryou's secret of what had happened from his father, "I'll leave out why you came here…"

Ryou, still shaking, but much less violent, nodded gratefully and was led out of the hospital and to the hotel, where no sooner had he touched the bed, passed out solidly… Ishizu then left a note for Ryou and headed back to the hospital…


When Ishizu stepped back into Akefia's room, she found him staring at the wall almost sightlessly, as if the shock of some realization had yet to wear off. The sight was not exactly what she had expected… in fact, it unnerved her.

"Akefia…?" she said carefully… Akefia blinked and looked to her, a hazy look in his eyes, making his lavender eyes appear grey; that alone made Ishizu flinch inwardly, but she kept her face soft, "Are you ok Akefia?"

For a moment Akefia didn't respond, simply stared at her…. But slowly he looked down and shook his head, "I…. I don't…... Who was that boy?" he managed looking up at her.

Ishizu drew a breath and walked back around to her chair and looked at him, "I should be asking you how you knew his name." she said watching his usually defensive or expressionless face shift with clear confusion, "You said his name Akefia; It has never been mentioned around you."

Akefia felt his teeth clench at that truth; the boy looked familiar; but so familiar that he knew the name when he himself hadn't even had the time to think for it when he spoke it? Thinking back to that moment he realized that wasn't fully true; in the split second he saw that boy, he thought for the most fleeting moment that he had looked into a mirror… and in that moment, like instinct… the name just slipped, "Ryou…" he repeated both aloud and mentally, "Ryou…." Akefia tensed, "Ryou Bakura!" Ishizu felt herself tense as Akefia's eyes widened, "That boy… I…. I know him… I…"

Akefia found himself groping furiously for answers within the darkness of his missing memory chasing a glimmer of something…it took him only a moment to latch onto it; focusing in on it he could just vaguely see a mirror…. Akefia was shocked that he was looking at himself, but the reflection was Ryou. Akefia held onto the memory like a vice, but it was as if he was looking through a thick black drape; but to Akefia, it was well enough… Akefia could feel himself moving along with the memory, and the reflection, Ryou, mimicked accordingly. Akefia stared at the reflection and realized the look about Ryou was… unfitting. As if a darkness was about him… a sharp glint caught his eye and he looked down towards it; Akefia winced, he could see the Millennium Ring hanging loosely around Ryou's neck. Startlingly, the Ring wasn't as obscure as the memory itself. It was very clear, as if it was glaring at him.

Akefia flinched as the memory disappeared and the perspective changed drastically, a little too fast as it made Akefia momentarily dizzy… Looking around, Akefia realized he was no longer looking straight at Ryou even though he was still looking into the reflection…. No. He was staring back, eye level, at the ring. Suddenly Akefia understood full well what was happening…

"I…. I was… In the Millennium Ring?" Akefia managed, his mind reeling.

Ishizu watched the clear look of confusion on his face, and carefully touched his shoulder, which she felt the predicted tensing of his weak muscles, "Akefia…" she paused, not sure how to word her next sentence… did she want to help her Pharaoh's mortal enemy? After all the man had done? All the suffering he had caused? Was it worth it to help someone like that….?

"Akefia…" Ishizu asked softly, her eyes trying to meet with his even though he was looking away, "What do you remember? I told you I want to help… and I might be able to help you on this subject.." Ishizu offered, making Akefia look to her, eyes still glazed.

Akefia just stared at her as she continued to rest her hand gently on his shoulder, replaying the lone memory… with it, he found similar memories, all very dark and obscure in both vision and hearing… all of it… felt far away. As if he had only been able to watch what was happening… and even then…, "I can remember Ryou... but I'm not sure how exactly… I'm not sure what I remember… I can't make it all out… only warped images… I can't even hear anything properly…" Akefia muttered finally pulling away.

Ishizu blinked; either he was lying or… no… no he couldn't be, not with the expression he was wearing, his face twisted in a vain attempt to cover his emotions, now rendered nearly impossible. She nodded, "I see…. It's still locked…"

Akefia looked at her sharply, "Locked?"

Ishizu nodded slowly, "Yes... you have…" she paused trying to find a way to describe it, "A shadow amnesia… something brought on by the Shadow Realm.… the Shadows may have tried to steal away your memory… and it might have succeeded in some way... though… it's odd."

"What?" Akefia demanded looking to her, now hoping that she might be able to help cure this insanity.

"What do you remember Akefia? In general? How is your memory as a whole aside from the haze?" Ishizu asked, Akefia frowned in confusion, "You know… Do you remember your childhood? Growing up?"

Akefia winced and looked into his memory….. His earliest memories were happy… hazy only due to the passage of time itself from a young mind. But that one night… that one nightmarish night was vivid…. Too vivid… Akefia pulled away and thought passed it… a young child learning to steal food to simply survive… crying at night from hunger, pain, or simple loneliness mingled with rage and an inhuman drive…. Learning to defend himself and swiftly how to kill, his hunger for getting even greater... years of planning and getting smarter, stronger, faster, angrier… and at last his assault on the palace then….. nothing. Just blackness.

"My memory of my life is intact…" he announced, "But when I near the memory of my siege of the Palace… it just…cuts off…. And then there's these hazy memories… they make no sense to me really… it's like I wasn't aware when they were actually made…"

Ishizu hummed, "This is strange…" she muttered as the two resumed silence, each trying to unravel a vexing subject, 'How is it that the battle of Zork is missing from his memory… and even the second battle… How bazaar…'

"About that boy….. He owned the Ring after me… didn't he?" Akefia said suddenly, drawing Ishizu's attention,

"Y-Yes… he did.." she said slowly, unsure of where he was going.

"I want to speak with him." Akefia stated bluntly.

"No." Ishizu said almost immediately, to which Akefia glared at her,

"Why not? If anything he can give me some answers. He can-"

"He's terrified of you Akefia." Ishizu said looking away, Ryou's terror stricken face flashing into her mind,

Akefia's brows furrowed in confusion, "For what reason?"

Ishizu looked back and sighed, "Akefia… it's wrong of me to tell you this now, considering you don't remember…. But you'll demand it anyway…" Akefia's mouth twitched, it was true… "You were very cruel to him while you dwelled in the Ring. Stripping control of his own body without his knowing was bad enough, but oftentimes you manipulated or physically forced him to harm those he loved, or even himself…"

Akefia stared at Ishizu almost disbelievingly as she spoke. Akefia did not deny he was manipulative, he'd done that many times to many people but... thinking about Ryou… he found that accusation to strangely be insulting, "I want to speak with him!" he repeated insistently.

Ishizu shook her head, angering Akefia, "No Akefia… I can't do that… I can't force Ryou back here."

"He came here on his own accord! Bring him back!" Akefia shot back.

"He came here in the hopes of putting his fear to rest, Akefia…." Ishizu retorted, Akefia wincing slightly, "He knew you at a glance because of recent events…Didn't you see how scared he was? He was so disturbed I feared he might have lost his mind! Besides, he's sleeping now… he had a very long day…" Akefia looked away frustratedly and huffed, Ishizu sighed and continued, "Akefia… I know you think Ryou might be able to help… but I doubt it, he doesn't recall much of his ordeals…also realize that he does not speak Egyptian. You yourself could not communicate with him…"

Akefia leaned back in defeat, unable to physically enforce his wishes, "*sigh*….. You win then…. So what do I do now..? Sit here and HOPE I remember what happened?"

Ishizu sighed, "Unfortunately… that may be the only option for now… I'm sorry. But you're not the only one looking for answers…." Akefia looked to her once again tiredly,

"Oh?"

"Yes…. Despite everything I know you are…. I really do want to help you Akefia…" Akefia stared at her as she spoke, once more emotionless, "You're lost in a new world, and even though you won't simply ask for help, I'll give it to you. But please try and understand that we are all lost on this matter…. I'll see what I can do… but again… Right now all you need to worry about is getting back on your feet. And then we'll try and locate answers… Starting with where you were found." Akefia perked, "That might help bring something to mind, if you haven't yourself by that time….But let's just put the more important things first."

Akefia sighed and looked down at himself….She was right. Without proper health… nothing would be worth it… in any case, he was frustrated… Never in his life had he felt such frustration… even when things went sour during his plans, days of setback in a cell, none of it compared to this. Regardless, he sighed, "I have no choice it seems…. Fine…" he looked to the window and sighed, "….can you remove the drape? I might as well start to get used to the sight…. Besides. I'm bored as fuck with the sight of these machines…."

Ishizu smiled and shook her head at his comment as she headed to the window and withdrew the shutter, "Oh my, such language… You are no gentleman…"

Akefia smirked and leaned back, momentarily ignoring the window now that it was open to him, "Never said I was."


-Japan-

"RYOU IS WHERE?!"

Malik reeled…. Malik had called Ishizu to tell her of his missing friend…. He and Anzu both had been up late worried for their friend. And early that morning they both had gone everywhere asking the apartment caretaker if he knew anything, or even his usual visiting spots and came up empty handed.

But as soon as he called and was about to tell her, she had cut him off and told him of her newest visitor…

"Ryou is here in Giza, Malik. He arrived this morning, and he's currently asleep…" she explained.

Malik ran his hand through his hair in relief, "Thank Ra he's ok… But… what's he doing there? He didn't tell anyone… he had us all worried sick."

"I know Malik… and he's… fine. Ryou just…. He got upset was all…" she said slowly… She knew the proverbial beans were about to spill….

"Upset?" Malik echoed, "About what? He seemed just fine when I last saw him… and why would he fly to EGYPT if he was upset?"

"Malik. I think you want to sit down if you're not…" Ishizu said, Malik blinking confused on the other end of the line,

"Erm…. O..k?" he said sitting down, "What?"

"Malik… The reason Ryou is here is because… he feared that Akefia was the Spirit of the Millennium Ring." Ishizu said, glancing at Akefia who was staring out the window currently, she could see his eye flick to her out the corner of his eye before looking back outside, undoubtedly listening.

"What…?" Malik managed a small confused smile on his face, "Why would he think something like that?"

Ishizu sighed, "I don't know how he came to that conclusion…. But I do know…" she paused… here is came, "His fear was justified…. Akefia is the Spirit of the Ring. Or at least he used to be…"

Malik felt the phone slip out his hand and hit the floor, stunned, "Son of a Jackal!" swiftly he took up the phone, "Ishizu! Are you sure?!"

"Akefia himself admits to being the Thief King… But before you say anything else…. I'm pretty certain he does not recall his time inside the Ring… He's still missing a large portion of his memory…"

Malik was standing now, his posture aggressive, "But he does remember who he is?"

"Yes. He does." She said surely.

"Then he's dangerous Ishizu! I don't want you near him!" he froze, "And Ryou's there! Is he ok?" he asked quickly, realizing Ryou's greatest nightmare was within reach of him.

Ishizu sighed, "Ryou is unharmed…. But he's… he's had a bad panic attack… he's at my hotel now getting some sleep… I doubt he had any at all after he left… I won't lie, Malik. He worried me."

Malik growled in anger, "That fool…. Damn it Ryou… Damn it!"

Ishizu winced, "Malik!"

Malik stopped pacing and felt his face soften, "I'm sorry Ishizu…. It's just…. I know how I'd react if… if my Yami came back… I'd almost certainly lose my mind…." He stopped and forced back that dark fear as it tried to take hold, "He shouldn't have left like that…"

"I know he shouldn't have… But think that even if he had not come over here, he'd be alone in his home driving himself mad worrying that it was him….he may have thought he had no other choice but to be sure…. he's here now and there's not much we can do about it now…. All I can say is I'll keep an eye on him…" she said.

Malik shook his head…. He could understand that… if he was being honest with himself, he'd have done the same actually. Taking a breath he sighed, "True….. that's true…. Does his father know he's there?"

Ishizu shook her head, "No he doesn't. not yet. I was going to have Ryou call…. But considering the circumstances as they are… it would have made it worse."

"Yes… he doesn't know about the whole thing… Ryou made sure of that…" Malik muttered sadly.

"Yes… Rikai said he was heading back to the sight to argue with one of his financers… so he might be a while. That gives me time to come up with something, or for Ryou to come clean… in any case, I'll tell him of Ryou when I can."

"Right…. And what of Akefia?" Malik asked, "What are we to do with him?"

Ishizu looked at Akefia, catching his gaze a moment before returning her attention to her brother, "For now, it's the same as when I arrived… I'm going to continue to help nurse him to health."

"You…. Can't be… serious Ishizu?" Malik breathed.

Ishizu took a breath and continued in Japanese, much to Akefia's confusion and suspicion, "I am. And I have also agreed to help him regain his lost memory…. And before you say it's crazy, and it might be…. We need to understand how he got here… If the Shadow Realm has any part in this, and I am beyond certain it does…. We need to know in case of some danger that may be lurking about."

Malik tilted his head back and paced again…her change in language meant she was in the room with Akefia and he'd been listening…... Despite his apprehension… she was very right… even though the Tombkeepers were no more… this called to their immediate attention… if there was a loose end… it needed to be paid attention.

"I don't like this Ishizu… I really do not… but you have a point… Sis…. Please. Be careful. If I hear anything that he's done anything I'll make sure he regrets it." he said fiercely, "And I swear it on my birthright…"

Ishizu's eyes softened in a touched, sad and concerned manner, "Don't worry Malik…. I'll be fine…. And so will Ryou. I want you to be happy, and not worry. Tell Rishid everything if you need to, and go have fun with your friends… even if it seems hard. I promise you everything will be fine…. I can handle him."

Malik listened to the soft, yet determined sound of his sister's voice and nodded, smiling, "Ok, Sis…. I'll try…. If anything, at least I got the worry about Ryou off my chest… I'll tell Anzu. She's worried sick…"

"You do that. Ok then… I'll keep you informed, but like I said…"

"Be happy and not worry…. Got ya sis…" Malik said fondly.

Ishizu giggled and the two exchanged goodbyes, Ishizu looked up and sighed.

"Something you felt the need to hide from me?" Akefia muttered, still gazing out the window at the buildings as they lit up.

"Not really… Like I said… you just focus on getting better, and leave the question searching to me…" Akefia, rather than pursue another tiring argument, chuckled at the comment. That amused him despite himself…

"You do the work for me? haha…. How special I feel~" he said looking at her deviously.

He blinked as he saw her bending down and coming back up; looking to her arm, cradled against her body was his gold, "I suppose you'll be feeling a lot of that for now…. just think…. You're being waited on hand and foot…" she said casually dropping his belongings into the box once more. Akefia's eyes glimmered mischievously at the thought,

"Suddenly… I might get to liking this predicament.~" he said with a grin.

"You still have to take your medicine, Akefia." She said sliding the box behind her chair casually…. Akefia's smile wiped away and he grimaced,

"Cruel harpy…" he grumbled.


And Ryou has a panic attack... :( That part was both fun and sad to write. But not to worry. things will get better in time :) and Akefia's memories are jogging bit by bit. We'll see how that does~

Comment appreciated and thanks for reading!:D