I swear that every time I update its a miracle! :) Well, I hope that you enjoy the chapter regardless of how long it took me to get it up!
Ryou was a wreck. Classes were miserable. He was rubbing his eyes, shaking his head slightly, in an attempt to even stay awake. He jumped at his name, flinching when someone walked up behind him. Every time he saw Yugi, he thought of Bakura, and the end of the world, and became more strung up then before.
It felt just like High School all over again. And the worst of it was it had only been a single week.
Yet, even though it had been a week since the Ring-Spirit's return, nothing seemed to have changed. Everything was just…normal. This was a large part of the reason for Ryou's scattered state of mind, oddly enough. Every day that passed without a word from Bakura made Ryou more panicked than before. It felt wrong, despite that Bakura had rarely spoken to him the first time either. But if they were supposedly 'working together', what was the spirit waiting for? Why didn't he do something, or at least say something to Ryou? Most importantly, how could Ryou ever even begin to think of stopping Bakura when he didn't have the slightest idea of what the demon was planning!?
In addition to all this, his headaches refused to leave him. The headaches were robbing him of sleep and concentration, forcing him to take multiple painkillers that actually did nothing to ease the pain in his throbbing skull. Bakura wouldn't speak to him, ignoring all Ryou's plaintive questions about if it was his fault it felt like his brain was being pounded with a hammer every day. So Ryou was forced to accept that he was just suffering stress-related migraines, which wasn't all that surprising considering how stressed he had been during the past few weeks.
As the days passed and he continued attending his classes, each day feeling less coherent then before, people asked him if he was alright. He nodded, smiled as happily as he could manage, and assured them that he was fine, only that school mid-terms had him stressed. They, in turn, smiled, and didn't have another thought about it. Ryou was grateful for that. He couldn't uphold his false smiles for more than a few minutes at a time before something more sinister crept into his thoughts, replacing a frown where the happy smile had been.
Only Yugi had noticed that all was not well with Ryou, but the teen had been avoiding the duelist with a dedication that surprised even him. The fact of the matter was Ryou dreaded seeing Yugi. It became more unbearable as everything (Bakura, the 'gifts' on their way from Egypt, the darkness growing in his mind) sank in further and further, depressing Ryou more than ever since he'd been seventeen. Seeing Yugi brought back memories from his years in Domino High, making things worse rather than better when he asked if Ryou was alright with friendly concern.
It was after school on one of these days that found Ryou sulking in the shadows of his tiny apartment, staring at the nondescript carpet. He'd finally managed to get caught up on all of his school work, and though he knew he should be studying for mid-terms (which were just weeks away), he really felt he just needed a break. He could hardly explain the reasons for his stress, but he knew that he needed to push them aside for awhile. So he sat there on his couch, awaiting patiently the headache he could feel like a gentle pressure on his brain. They tended to come at least once a day, sometimes twice. They were inevitable, Ryou had discovered, and painkillers did nothing to prevent or stop them, so he'd given up on those too.
He sighed forlornly. He knew that he was acting pathetic, like a spoiled child who didn't want to take care of his responsibilities, who wanted nothing more than to sit in a blissful paradise while the rest of the world dealt with its own problems. Moping would do nothing. Not for him, certainly not for anyone else.
"So do something about it." Ryou said to himself, his voice soft but demanding. "Stop feeling sorry for yourself and do something." But he sat there and did nothing, listening to the silent reply the walls around him delivered. Shaking his head, he muttered quietly to himself, "Just like old times, Bakura."
No sooner had the words left his mouth, then a stream of emotion—like amusement, but not—trickled through him, leaving a slight grin on his lips, and then disappeared as rapidly. Ryou blinked, shocked at the foreign feeling. It didn't belong to him; that much he was sure of.
It was Bakura's, and it meant that their unexplained 'connection' was growing stronger.
In high school (before he'd known about Bakura with a surety), whenever Ryou had laid eyes upon the Puzzle he'd felt a thrill, an anticipation, that left him breathless. Then, too, Bakura and his own minds had been strongly connected even though Ryou hadn't known it. He'd known, in a way, that the feelings hadn't belonged to him, but there wasn't really another explanation. He'd attributed it to his father's archeological expeditions. Bringing home interesting trinkets much like the Puzzle all the time, Ryou had grown attached to ancient relics that his father brought him…like his Ring.
Like the one that would be on its way. How close was it now? A day? An hour? Perhaps the mail deliverer was dropping it off right then.
You're whining again he reprimanded himself. Taking a deep breath he stood up. That was when the doorbell rang. Ryou's heart leaped into his throat in surprise, and he waited there for a minute to see if, hopefully, whoever it was would just go away. The bell rang again, and was followed by a swift rapping on the door.
Ryou walked through his kitchen to the front door, peering through the tiny peephole to see who it was. It was a man, dressed in casual clothing with a nametag pinned to his shirt, but Ryou couldn't see what it said. In his hands he held a clipboard, tapping it impatiently against a large box at his feet. Ryou moaned quietly then yanked the door open.
"Can I help you?" Ryou asked brusquely.
"I have a Fast Track delivery for a Ryou Bakura, which is you, I presume?" The man said with a forced cheerfulness that reminded Ryou of flight attendants who always had cheesy grins plastered to their faces.
"Yeah." Ryou said hollowly. "From Egypt, right?" He said, gesturing vaguely at the box.
"Um, yep, looks like it." The man said, looking at the clipboard. "Now I just need to you sign this." He shoved the clipboard at Ryou. Hesitantly he signed his name on the lines. It's like signing away my freedom. He thought grimly. Or maybe my death warrant.
"Alright!" The man picked up the box and shoved it into Ryou's hands, taking the clipboard simultaneously. "It's all yours."
Ryou sighed. "Thank you." He told the delivery man politely.
"Oh, hold on. I was told to deliver this with the box." He pulled a tiny folded paper out of his pocket and flicked it to Ryou, who caught it in one hand. "Enjoy!" The man called, and then he got into his truck and was gone.
As Ryou took the box back into his living room, it seemed like the shadows that filled the corners of the room grew. Like they were reaching out to devour him. He ignored the strange sensation, and put the box down on the floor. Quickly, he walked to the other side of the room and sat down on the couch. He didn't want to be near that thing that was inside the box.
Unfolding the note, he read it quickly.
Son, I just wanted to let you know that these items took a lot, and I do mean a lot of bribing to keep away from the Museum. They're genuine. 1000's of years old, in fact. Its just kudos that this Sennen Ring happens to be an identical to the first one I gave you. I'm sure you'll have fun trying to translate some of the stuff out of the other gift as well. All I want to say is, I hope you enjoy these as much as I would.
Ryou folded it back up and threw it across the room. How? he wondered. How was this possible? That his own father would be the one to send the Millennium Ring to him. Despite the fact that it wasn't his father's fault, Ryou couldn't help but feel a little betrayed. Of course he hadn't known what he was doing, sending the Millennium Ring. It was just a gift to a son he never saw. He didn't know the effect of the Ring on his son. In fact, he probably thought Ryou would be thrilled. And if it were any other artifact, Ryou probably would be.
This meant that things were gathering momentum. Bakura had told him the Ring would come, and here it was. It could be assumed that this also meant that Ryou was going to become a slave to his own mind again. A prisoner within his own body. What was the Ring except for a set of pretty shackles? Bakura…would he give Ryou any peace now that he had his favored tool back? Or perhaps nothing would change. Ryou would simply be used again.
Bakura had told him that he needed his help, Ryou reminded himself. He'd specifically stated that he didn't need the use of his body if Ryou cooperated. And yet, who was to say that Bakura wouldn't change his mind? Who was to say that the demon hadn't been lying in the first place? With the help of the Millennium Ring, Bakura could take over Ryou's body for days, weeks. Of course, he'd proven he could take over without its help, but Ryou thought that Bakura was weaker without it. If Bakura chose to use Ryou's body as his own, Ryou's life was going to begin to deteriorate again.
It already was.
Ryou couldn't help but admit that his own stress, his own inability to deal with stress, was causing more pain to himself than Bakura had at all since he'd returned. But that was going to get a whole lot worse if the Ring became Bakura's way of getting Ryou's 'help'.
"What if it goes back to the way it was before?" Ryou wondered out loud. He looked down at his hands, realizing they were trembling slightly. Old memories lingered…memories of the fear, and the confusion. Never knowing if he'd hurt someone, or stolen something. Not knowing where he would be when he woke up next. Memories like a broken puzzle, like a shattered mirror. A broken, distorted child. And who could he tell then? Who would understand? How could he explain that the one doing all these heinous acts wasn't even him, but a demon that took over his body? How could he call himself innocent? How, when he wasn't even sure that he was? The point was that he was still afraid of the parasite inside of him. But he wouldn't let that fear paralyze him like he'd let it in the past. He was done being a frightened little child.
I'm just one person, though. He thought despondently. And I don't even know what Bakura is planning. The spirit hadn't revealed anything to him. He obviously didn't trust Ryou. But he had said something when they had first met. Again Ryou's mind went to their first conversation.
'I need your help.' Those were the words, they'd come out of his mouth. Truth or lies, there was no way to tell for sure. And then again, that was before the Millennium Ring had arrived on his doorstep. Did he truly still need Ryou's help? If he did, then that could give him an advantage. Withholding his aid from Bakura could give him some sort of leverage…or it could get him a permanent residence within his Soul Room. Was it worth the risk? If it would give him a foothold, then yes.
But then again, what good would he be if he ended up trapped in the corridors of his mind? Ryou was pacing now, walking back and forth across the carpet, yet still avoiding the box on the floor. Suddenly he stopped. His eyes were burning with frustration.
"I'm just one person!" He said loudly to the ceiling. Then he collapsed onto his couch again, staring at the box like it was a venomous snake. He wondered vaguely why Bakura still hadn't made an appearance, if for no other reason than to oversee and ensure that Ryou actually accepted the Ring. For all the demon knew, perhaps Ryou would just take it over to the museum; they'd be happy to have it. Or throw it away, take it to the dump. Maybe he would give away as a gift. He could give it to Yugi.
Yugi… Yugi was a friend to him, and Ryou knew that the boy's nature would have him listen to Ryou, and help him. That is if Ryou was able to ask for help. Who was to say he couldn't. Bakura would not be his master again. One phone call, a simple conversation—only a few words need be exchanged for the message to be delivered. He didn't have to be alone in this.
He pulled his phone out of his pocket, praying Bakura was not paying attention. Scrolling through his contacts, he found Yugi's cell number. Without hesitation he pressed 'call'. And it began to ring.
The phone rang and rang, and then went to an answering machine, but Ryou couldn't give up yet. He pressed redial, silently begging Yugi to pick up. He finally had even the smallest of ideas, he just needed this to work. Suddenly a hand that, although transparent, still gave the very strong impression of being solid flesh and bone, gripped his arm. The touch was like ice, as though the hand had just been held inside a freezer. It seemed to steal the warmth from his skin. Ryou flinched, but didn't look up. He didn't shiver, or allow any sort of fear to become evident on his face. He wasn't going to give into Bakura so easily.
"Hang up…Now." A razor-edged voice demanded.
Just then, the phone clicked and a lighthearted, "Hello?" could be heard. Ryou pressed the 'End Call' button and dropped the phone onto the couch beside him.
"Let go of me." He said emotionlessly, trying to withhold his natural instinct to shy away from the unnatural being beside him.
"You disappoint me, Yadonushi." A chuckle, as though the demon found this all to be amusing, but his grip tightened around Ryou's arm. The cold spread from that spot, numbing his arm. "I truly had thought we were past this. Was I mistaken?" He asked.
"No." Ryou said. "I was only calling to—"
"Don't bother making something up." Bakura hissed, pulling Ryou off the couch to face him. His piercing gaze went right through Ryou.
Ryou pulled away, trying to free his arm from the frigid vise-like grip. He rushed to change the subject, to avoid setting off Bakura's temper. The spirit seemed to be both infinitely patient, and yet infinitely intolerant.
"The…the Millennium Ring." Ryou said suddenly.
Bakura paused, scrutinizing Ryou. "What about it?" He said finally, his voice totally even. It didn't betray any emotion, any feeling at all, and of course his thoughts were almost completely shielded from Ryou. Only the spirit's strongest emotions could be felt through their connection. Those, or the emotions that Bakura allowed Ryou to feel.
"It came today." Ryou said quickly, bravely meeting Bakura's gaze to see his reaction, hoping the distraction from his unplanned intentions to call Yugi and try and explain things would work.
At first Bakura didn't appear to care, he just narrowed his eyes, but then he released Ryou and said in a skeptical tone, "Go get it."
Ryou rubbed his arm where the skin that Bakura had touched was practically white, as though his touch had taken the life out of it. Going over to the box, he sat down beside it and pulled out his car keys from his pocket, using the sharp end of one of them to cut through the tape that held the box marked 'FRAGILE' closed.
Bakura looked at the note, reading over it while he waited for his Host. "How ironic. It seems that your father is as determined as me to see the world meet its end." He said with a smirk.
Ryou stopped, considering an argument against the statement, but simply asked, "Why is that?"
Bakura was suddenly at Ryou's side, kneeling beside him. "Well," he began cynically, "He sent you this gift back when you were young as well, as I recall. With its aid, and yours, together," He emphasized this, a sneer on his face. "He's practically handed me the tools I need to accomplish my goals. Wouldn't you say that makes him on my side?"
The box lid finally popped up slightly as the tape came free, as though it was eager to be opened. "I wouldn't say that." Ryou said softly. "He sent me these because he cares about me and knew that I would enjoy them. I'm sure no one has ever cared about you enough to bother giving you anything. I think that makes him on my side." Ryou looked at the box, waiting for retaliation.
Bakura laughed coldly. "Your side." He said. "You're on my side…more than you realize." He laughed again, softer. "You know nothing, Hikari."
Ryou shrugged solemnly. He rubbed his head slightly where the headache was still threatening to come on any moment. Then, putting his headache aside, he lifted the box's lid gingerly. His heart was pounding, both from his minor confrontation with Bakura (something he'd never done before) and from what he might find within the box.
The box was filled to the brim with packing peanuts. They were all shades of light blue, green, yellow, and pink. A rainbow to conceal the storm cloud hiding within. Ryou dug through the colored foam peanuts for a second before he found what he was looking for. He pulled out the white Styrofoam box and brought it over to the couch. Bakura came and stood behind him, watching over his shoulder.
The lid of the Styrofoam box slipped off easily, allowing access to its contents. There it was. The Millennium Ring sat, glinting in the half-light of the living room. The gold ring and sharp tassels glittered prettily, a deceiving mask covering its true nature. But despite what it meant for him, Ryou picked it up possessively. He handled it with fragile care, supporting the tassels with one hand and holding the ring itself with the other.
Bakura watched as Ryou stood to find some rope or something similar to tie onto the Ring. As his Hikari walked out the door, he looked back down at the box. Ryou hadn't bothered checking the box for the other item that waited within. He didn't know that it would be much more prevalent in his plan than the Ring, although the Ring would certainly help.
"Oh Hikari, you're trying so hard to stay clean when you're trapped within the ashes of a world that is coming to its close." Bakura said abruptly, his tone soft, his eyes trailing back to the doorway Ryou had left out of. He bent down, reaching into the box. He could feel the item, almost sense it, and yet he couldn't literally touch it. Not with this spirit form. He straightened, his eyebrows coming together in a frown of frustration, and knowing that the issue would have to be remedied soon. Ryou wouldn't be able to harbor two strengthening demons forever, no matter how many charms Zorc had granted him.
Ryou was rummaging around in some drawers in the kitchen, trying to find the rope that he had used before. He knew he hadn't thrown it away, but where was it? He sensed Bakura, waiting with uncharacteristic patience in the next room. He couldn't help but wonder once again, now in the presence of the spirit that had been eluding his questions and mental probes for the past week, if he had made the right decision.
Even as he looked for the rope for the Millennium Ring, he could feel the guilt beginning to gnaw at his conscience again, as it had been every day since the spirit's return. And, Ryou was reminded, he hadn't technically even done anything yet. How would he be able to handle things once Bakura actually started causing problems? He sighed. It was too late to turn back now. Might as well follow through and pay the consequences of his mistakes.
Finally he found the rope, softened and frayed with the passage of time. He tied it around the Ring's top golden loop, securing it tightly so that it couldn't come undone unless it was deliberately untied, or cut off. Holding it in front of his face by the rope, he walked back to the living room.
Bakura stood just as before, arms folded across his chest, face deep in vengeful thought. He looked up at Ryou's entrance, his eyes traveling from the Ring to Ryou's calm face, the turmoil of his thoughts hidden behind the brown eyes. Ryou walked up to him and held out the Millennium Ring. Bakura grasped it by the rope and held it out at arm's length to get a better look at it.
He looked at Ryou, a pleasant smirk on his face. "You'll wear the Millennium Ring from now on. It's for your own good."
Ryou couldn't help but laugh half-heartedly. "For my own good, Koe?" He shook his head. "I doubt that."
"Trust me." Bakura said quietly, "Don't think I haven't noticed how you're falling apart under the pressure of me coming back. The Ring will focus my energy within it, rather than in your mind alone." A grin traced his lips. "And if you try to go to Yugi again, I'll have more direct access to divert your course of action."
"In other words take over my body." Ryou snapped.
Bakura shrugged slightly. "Be an obedient little Host and it won't become an issue. Continue to rebel and we may have…problems. Aibou?" He held out the Ring. Ryou looked at Bakura in surprise. 'Aibou' had been the Pharaoh's favored name for Yugi. Partner.
Never, never, had Bakura used that word in reference to him.
Bakura's eyes were like ice, watching Ryou as always, analyzing him. Ryou averted his gaze, uncomfortable beneath that watchful gaze. He accepted the Ring though, and, after some hesitation, slipped it over his head unsurely. No sooner had the Millennium Ring fallen back against his chest then he paled in shock.
He breathed in sharply. Immediately, the aura of the spirit was all around him. Its strength was suffocating, like a black blanket that was slowly but surely smothering him. Ryou fell to his knees and grabbed onto the couch for support. His knuckles turned white and his fingers curled, digging into the fabric. Bakura smiled, baring sharp teeth and laughed in sadistic amusement.
"Is something wrong, Yadonushi?" He said derisively, standing over him. Ryou kneeled on the floor, gasping for breath. The Millennium Ring dangled heavily from his neck, and Ryou put one hand on his chest. It felt like someone was stepping on him, the pressure squeezing him and causing him to curl over even further. His lungs felt tight and he was lightheaded almost to the point of pain. His headache, which had finally begun to subside and leave him without the crippling pain he usually had, exploded again with the strain. The dark space in his mind that he couldn't penetrate seemed to be magnified as the power of the ancient relic flowed through him.
The spirit regarded him curiously, coldly watching him struggle with the influence of the Ring.
Slowly the shock subsided as Ryou's physical body adjusted to the new force. His breath rattled and his eyes were closed. The hand on the couch relaxed and slipped onto the floor. He collapsed, slumped against the couch, breathing hard. Feeling completely drained, he looked up wearily. The spirit was standing a ways away, his face still caught in a deriding smirk. This was only a temporary weakness. No actual harm had befallen his Host, or he wouldn't have been so amused. As soon as Ryou got used to the Ring again, he would be able to wear it as he used to. Casual and unnoticed.
"I don't…remember…it being so…hard, before." Ryou said weakly between breaths.
"A lot of things have changed since then. When you first received the Millennium Ring, it was the first time I had awakened in 3000 years. I was weak before." He said this in disgust, as though irritated to have to admit it to himself. "I've only grown stronger over the last few months, gathering my strength in the Realm of Darkness. It's also understandable that your separation from the Millennium Ring may have had an effect on your ability to handle it. You'll grow used to it with time." Bakura looked down at Ryou's collapsed form on the floor. "Go get some rest. You look like you might pass out."
Ryou staggered to his feet obediently and made his way down the hall as Bakura dissipated into the newly acquired Ring. One hand was held out for anything to give support, while the other was clenched unmercifully around the rope attached to the Millennium Ring. He stumbled to his room, feeling weaker with every step. Somehow he managed to find his way to his bed before his legs gave way to exhaustion. He was asleep before his head hit the pillow.
He awoke again only an hour later, still exhausted. His mind and body were tired to the point of collapse, and Ryou felt that they would fail him any moment…and yet sleep eluded him. A headache blistered through his mind, remaining from the shock of the Millennium Ring.
Ryou stood up, going over to the window and looking outside. The moon was just beginning in its zenith across the night sky as it was still early. Stars, barely visible above the harsh glare of the city lights, tried their best to outshine one another upon the deep black nighttime canvas. Down on the street a few cars drove past every now and then. Street lamps blinked on and off at regular intervals. A few buildings and businesses had lights on, but most had closed for the evening.
Rubbing his neck where the cord chafed at his skin, Ryou turned from the window and walked back down the hall to the living room. The box, full of packing peanuts, sat abandoned in the middle of the floor. The note was beside it.
"Oh." Ryou said suddenly. He'd just remembered that his father had sent not only the Millennium Ring, but another gift as well. He was surprised he'd forgotten it, but in the confusion with the Ring, it wasn't actually all that surprising. The peanuts shifted, their quiet squeaking and shuffling seemed loud in the quiet of his home, as he dug down to the bottom of the box. His hand touched whatever it was, and he grasped it.
It was heavy, but he managed to drag it out, and was surprised to see that it was a book. A large, heavy, thick, obviously very old book. He sat down on the floor beside the box and examined it. The cover was made of dark brown leather. It was soft, worn down. A large golden eye, similar to the one on his Ring, was on the cover. Thin trails of gold bound the book, heavily adorning the corners and the spine. They stretched out over the cover, reaching in small arrows and designs towards the Eye of Wdjat in the center. Bordering the edges was a rock-hard white material in a carefully set pattern. Ryou gingerly fingered it, realizing that it was made of bone. How the creators of the book had fashioned bone into the strange designs that were on the edges of the book he had no clue, but it was obviously very finely made. Ryou opened the cover, eager to see the contents despite his fatigue.
There, perfectly preserved, were lines upon lines of ancient Egyptian script. The perfect little symbols were aligned in neat rows, and occasionally spiraled off into patterns. Pictures describing events, histories, or rituals--Ryou couldn't tell which--broke the lines of text.
Another small note from his father was pasted on the inside of the book. I've actually had this book for ages he'd written. It's been sitting in a box ever since the excavation of the ancient ruins a few miles from the Valley of the Kings. I was waiting for a good opportunity to give it to you.
Ryou crumpled the note, tossing it aside. It was forgotten almost immediately as he turned the pages, looking at the foreign language displayed before him. Looking at the book, Ryou could partially understand what his father felt as he excavated. It was exciting, finding the remnants of a long dead civilization.
Eyes scanning the page, Ryou could make out just a few of the simple symbols. His father favoring Egypt above all other archeological dig sites, he liked to send a few symbols and their meanings to Ryou with his letters. Regardless, Ryou knew only a small percentage of the huge amount of symbols that composed the Ancient Egyptian language. His father expecting him to make anything of the gibberish on the page was ridiculous. But maybe…
He wondered vaguely if Bakura would be willing to do a little scribe work. Being from Egypt, the spirit would most certainly be able to read it, wouldn't he? It was doubtful that Bakura would be willing to help though. He'd probably laugh in Ryou's face.
Ryou shrugged, dismissing the idea, and closing the book. He carried it back up to his room with him. The book was an amazing piece of archeology regardless of if he could read the words or not. Maybe he could even take it to the museum and see if someone in the Egypt department could read it.
Feeling a glimmer of excitement, his worries, his tiredness, and even his headache temporarily forgotten, Ryou lay the book on his desk and returned to his bed.
Wow, you know writing my story is exciting. I think I have more fun writing the story out then people do reading it. My lack of reviews would testify to that, I believe. I want to thank those who do review though. It means a lot!
PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!!! (please please please?)
