Chapter 8
Natural instinct
Tick, tock.
Ryou paced back and forth. It had been two or three days since the last time he actually had real contact with his darker half. He'd nearly shut himself inside his room for who knows how long. He only left for the bathroom and occasionally to eat. But even that was a rare occasion. Dark circles were clearly vivid beneath his eyes. He was anxious. Why was he feeling so? Was it because….
What was he to do when his yami was in the bathroom…and taking a shower? His yami. It was unnatural. He shouldn't be in there!
Tick, tock.
The light fisted his hands. He shouldn't be thinking about this. No. He shouldn't thinking of a way to get out of here and away from him. Maybe even escape to Yugi's house where Bakura would know never to come near.
Tick—
Or he could just walk into the bathroom and pretend he had no idea Bakura was in there.
Ryou stopped his pacing and stared at his blank wall. No…NO! That is not an option!
The light immediately marched over to the wall and lightly slammed his head into the plaster. What were you thinking! Shaking his head from left to right, he tried to reason with his jumbled mind. It's the loss of sleep.
Tock.
Yeah, that's it. I'm just sleep deprived.
Thud.
Ryou had hit his head again. I'm loosing it. I am—
Thud.
Loosing—
Thud.
It.
Th—
Ryou was millimeters from the wall when the phone went off. He flinched. But quickly rethinking what to do, he blasted away from the wall and ran out into the hallway. He readied himself to sprint as he briefly walked passed the bathroom door. He could still hear the shower running. Focusing on the phone again, in hopes his yami would not hear, he began to sprint as fast as he could down the hall, and stairs, the moment he passed the bathroom. He ran into the kitchen where the phone hung on the wall. He snatched it off, "Hello?"
His breath hitched in and out as he listened for the caller.
He heard some silence for a few seconds followed by scratching. Then— "Ryou?"
"Yugi?"
"Oh my god…Ryou you have no idea who worried I had been!"
Ryou cocked an eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"
"I have been trying to get a hold of you for two days!"
"I—I" Ryou's mind instantly went to Bakura in the shower; he could still hear the small waterfall. It was quieter since he was downstairs, but nonetheless, he could still hear it, "had some repairs done….You know, I think I have a rat somewhere, it chewed right through the lines!" He could feel his heart beat. Why was he lying to his best friend?! He should be out of the house and running down the street in hopes for Yugi to await him with open arms and save him from the monstrosity living underneath his roof.
"Oh…" Yugi seemed al little hesitate before he answered, "Well, we missed you at the mall."
"Wha—" Ryou pondered for a moment before realization hit him, "Oh. I'm sorry Yugi-kun. I have been really busy lately."
"I understand. There is always another time."
Ryou nodded, "I'll talk to you—"
"Wait! Ryou!"
The light stopped and let Yugi continue what he wanted to say, "Happy birthday Ryou-kun."
There was a twitch at Ryou's lips. "Um…right. A-Arigatou." His voice shook like autumn leaves.
"You're welcome!" Suddenly, the phone line went dead.
"Yugi?" Ryou glanced down at the phone, "Yugi?"
His eyes followed the phone cord to the holder. It was no longer attached to the charger. A hand the color of white ash was gripping the end of it.
Yugi glanced down at the phone in his hand. His eyebrows furrowed. Ryou, why—
His thoughts were abruptly interrupted, "Yugi, what would you like to eat?" The light spun around to see Yami standing in the doorway. He was leaning against the doorframe as his arms folded across his chest in question to his younger half.
"Um…I don't care." Yugi instantly faced the phone within his hand again. He noticed it was slightly shaking.
He didn't notice yami was standing next to him until he felt the phone being lifted out of his hand. Yami questioned, "What is it Yugi?"
The light couldn't face his darker half in the eyes, so he stared at his chest instead. "I'm not so sure myself."
"You look, well worried." Yami placed the phone on the dresser next to him. He softly grabbed a hold of Yugi's shoulders, "look at me." Yugi bit his lip. He didn't want to follow through with Yami's command. "I said look at me Yugi." The light shook his head back and forth before Yami let go of his shoulders. His hands dropped to his sides, "Yugi, if you don't tell me, I can never help you."
"I don't think I need help."
As if he was reading his mind, Yami simply stated, "Ryou." He watched Yugi underneath his stare. He seemed uncomfortable. He felt the sudden urge to hold him within his arms and comfort his small frame. He could feel the itching up and down his arms. They were just waiting for him to lift and embrace his body. Feel the heat from Yugi and give his comfort to him. "I'm sure—"
"You're probably right."
Yami was astonished Yugi had interrupted him. "He might not be," Yami pursued, seemingly not wanting the conversation to end. He wanted to know what was exactly bothering the younger one. "Ryou did miss the get together today at the mall."
"That's exactly it."
Yugi began to walk away. Yami clenched his teeth. Why was he being so stubborn? This was stupid. Incredibly stupid for him to be standing here and letting his other half practically suffer in front of him. The only thing he could do, was voice loudly in eager hopes Yugi would pay attention to him. "Yugi stop!"
His body froze in the middle of the room, "If you don't tell me what this is about, so help me, I will—" Yami left the threat open on purpose. He wanted Yugi to imagine what he would do, because frankly, he really didn't have an answer. Yami urgently stomped over to Yugi and spun his body around to face him. He grabbed Yugi by the shoulders and bent down to his face, "I'm here for a reason. I'm not going to sit back and watch you carry this burden by yourself. Now, you either tell me what is on your mind, or I'll find out myself."
Yugi's eyes widened as he stared into Yami's intimidating eyes. He was nearly frightened the way he was glaring at him. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words left his lips.
"You leave me no choice." Yami quickly closed his eyes ready to forcibly intervene.
"No! Stop!" Yugi quickly pushed on Yami's chest, "That's an invasion—"
Yami wasn't expecting the small contact and became unbalanced. He began to fall backwards with his hands still on Yugi's shoulders. His eyes snapped shut as the two fell to the ground. It was harder than he expected. Yami's lungs felt like they were sucked of air as he hit the ground. Yugi landed on top of him. On impulse, Yami arms had found themselves actually holding his light to protect him from harm.
Just a natural instinct.
Yugi's eyes slowly opened. His cheeks slightly reddened once he observed the situation. His hands were upon his darker half's chest. He felt Yami's arms begin to loosen around his body. Yugi took the moment to move his hands to both sides of Yami's chest on the ground to push him up. As he did, he found himself straddling Yami's lower half. It was a split second before Yami's body began to sit up. His right hand began to support his body as his left went to rub his back.
Yami whispered slightly winded, "Are you ok, Yugi?" He blinked a few times finally noticing how close he was to the boy's face.
What am I doing? I shouldn't be thinking this. It's wrong, horrid! Yugi's voice rang inside Yami's head. His lips look like velvet though.
Yami had to shake his head from side to side. He quickly felt the weight from Yugi get off of him before Yugi spoke softly, "I'm sorry Yami. I really didn't mean to." The darker half watched Yugi stand up, quickly mimicking his light, Yami did the same thing and grabbed for his wrist as Yugi began to walk off.
"Yugi," his wrist is so small. It's almost like I could snap it. Yami thoughts were moving at the same time: "its," left his mouth, "Ok." He's so fragile.
Yami's violet eyes trailed up Yugi's arm and down his body. He wasn't exactly….he was just examining him. He then back met the younger one's eyes. The light within them were nearly diminished. He's so thin. Why hadn't I noticed before?
Yugi seemed paralyzed. His thoughts racing at a hundred miles an hour. Yami seemed in his own little world and wasn't letting go of his arm. He had no idea how incredibly wild it was making him. His heart was racing. And the heat in his cheeks seemed to rise even further. He didn't want it to ever end, and yet, in the depths of his heart, he knew he should never be thinking of such things. But he stood still, waiting for Yami to respond.
Yami heard Yugi's light as clear as a roaring lion, but not as loud, don't let go. Just don't let go…No! Let go! LET GO! You should not be thinking that! He's your protector, darker half and someone who should be willing to—
All he could do was grip harder on Yugi's wrist and shut the connection off. He had only threatened the use of forcing his way into his light's mind, but in the end…it was only a threat. Yugi must have let his guard down when we fell. Yami was distracted as well as Yugi was wide open for an attack for his darker half to invade.
Yami let go. It was sudden for the two of them. Yugi took his hand back and slowly spun around to resume exiting the room, "I need a drink." He left the room cradling his hand.
All he could do was watch his younger half walk away. His only thoughts were, Yugi, there's more than just Ryou is this package, isn't there?
Dread.
His heart seemed to stop.
Fear.
Ryou no longer breathed.
Satanical suicide.
Anything was better than this moment.
Time stopped. The ticking from the clock in his room was no longer audible.
Could this be my last moments of life? Ryou's mind didn't waste a second as the time went by in mere seconds before his darker half took as step towards him.
Bakura's hand shook with anger. Evidence that he had done something terribly wrong, Ryou sudden reaction was that…he didn't care.
But in the few short moments of that feeling washing over him, he noticed his hand still held the phone as his body became stone. Frankly, his body didn't want to move either. He was stuck.
Why hadn't he left while he had the chance? He was alone and able to walk out the front door like nothing had ever happened to him within the last two weeks. He would have been able to knock on his friend's door, get the help he needed, and be rid of the very person standing in front of him. Was it even as easy as is sounded? For all Ryou knew, it did. Bakura in the shower had given him the perfect timing to chase after freedom, and yet, he didn't even take the chance.
Ryou body shuttered from lack of oxygen. His lungs were still ablsent of air the moment Bakura had even made himself known. There's no point, I'm already at a dead end.
Ryou noticed Bakura's eyes never left his face. His own honey eyes had fallen to the floor in dismay. How could he have let himself be caught doing this? Bakura was in the shower moments before. He had heard everything through the noisy pipes and the roaring waterfall.
This isn't fair.I'll never get a second chance.
Baka.
Ryou's face quickly snapped up to stare Bakura in his eyes. It was daring, but Ryou was nearly surprised when he heard Bakura's voice in his head instead of out loud.
It's been awhile, Ryou noticed the smirk upon Bakura's lips, hasn't it, Hikari?
Breathe Ryou! BREATHE!
Clenching his teeth, Ryou inhaled deeply. He gulped.
You of all people should have seen this coming. Even after all these years…
Bakura took a step forward dropping the cord to the floor. Clunk.
Run. Ryou nearly shook his head to his own voice. I can't! My feet won't—
If you don't run now, you'll never see the light of day again!
His heart began to race. It felt like he was running a marathon.
Run!
"Ryou."
The light knew his darker half had spoken out loud this time. Suddenly, completely unexpected by the two of them, Ryou took a step back. Bakura's eyes narrowed in his direction. You can't get away from me Hikari. I. Own. You.
RUN!
Ryou's feet obeyed and took off to the left. He had a backyard, a small one, however it was his escape. He dodged the counter before coming to the sliding glass door to the outside. Pulling on the door with all his strength, he noticed the door didn't budge.
Unlock it you dolt!
He fastened one of his hands on the handle as the other swiftly unlocked it. His body came within seconds of lunging for the outside.
But he was caught. Trapped, and crushed by his yami's body.
Bakura has thrown himself at Ryou's body the moment the door opened. The two flew out the door and onto the small cement patch in the backyard. It took a second for Ryou to realize what was going on. He couldn't tell if he had hit the cement hard and was knocked unconscious, or if any of this was still a dream. No matter what the situation was, Ryou found himself enclosed in Bakura's arms quite tightly. The grip was too hard from him to even move. But as one eye popped open as well as the other, he could do nothing more than just hear for the sounds of his life. His heart still beat regular rhythms. But—
He also heard something else.
It was another heartbeat. Ryou's ear was pressed against Bakura's chest. He hadn't landed on the cement at all…Bakura did.
"You are to never leave!" Bakura seemed to hiss with pain as he suddenly pushed his light off of him. He stood, but grabbed Ryou's arm and pulled him up as well. His grip was extraordinarily hard as Bakura began pushing Ryou up the stairs to the open door. He shoved him inside.
Ryou stumbled but caught himself in time to turn around and watch Bakura slide the door shut and lock it. A flash of red caught his eye.
"Oh my god! Bakura you're bleeding!"
It was the first time in ten minutes Ryou noticed Bakura's jean pants and no shirt. His hair was still damp from the shower.
The dark spun around to warn Ryou's figure from coming any closer, "Don't!"
Ryou stopped immediately.
"Touch me," Bakura seethed, "and I'll—"" Bakura paused for a second, "—hurt you." He took a step towards his light to warn him, "Get out of my sight."
"But—"
Bakura suddenly exploded with anger. It echoed throughout the house, "Go. AWAY!"
Wavering for a second, Ryou hesitated, but quickly obeyed. He turned around and sprinted out of the kitchen and up the stairs. He ran into his room and slammed the door shut. He slid down the door as Bakura's voice rang in his head, my rules still stand Ryou. You are to never leave this house!
Tick-tock.
He was back to square one.
Ryou's hair shadowed his eyes as his head fell onto his knees. Bakura's heart, Ryou thought, has the same rhythm as my clock.
...Bakura fell to his knees in pain. He ignored the tiled floor beneath him as it cradled a few drops a blood. So this is what it's like. Clenching his teeth, he stood up and began inching towards the sink. He felt numb. The moments before seemed to become a blur within his memory. All he could remember was flying at Ryou, seeing the cement, and at the last second, trying to protect the very thing he wanted to hurt the most.
A natural instinct?
His hand suddenly slammed into the sink for the second time in a week. Damn you Yami. This is your entire fault.
TBC!
A/N: A little different, right? Well i'm getting there.
