Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, and all people, places, and events from the original Yu-Gi-Oh! were written and are the rightful property of Kazuki Takahashi (as it should be; if any of us fanfiction writers get our little hands on it... well, then it wouldn't be Yu-Gi-Oh!).

Author's Note: Now, I know that some of you HATE cliff hangers, but you're gonna have to get used to it if you're gonna read my stuff (and now I oddly sound like Joey). Well, as the title says, I will be bringing Bakura into this little fray, and we all know that when he gets into a mess he makes it al the more…Bakura-ish! Well, enjoy!

#2 Author's Note: All thoughts are in italics, as well as conversations between a hikari and a yami.

Revival of the Heart

By: Angel's Nocturne

Chapter 9: Enter the Thief

Sunset was just appearing over the horizon as Ryou Bakura finished his homework. The day had been rough for the white-haired teen, not just in school but inside of him as well; it was the secret self that he tried to hide, but his attempts were usually futile compared to the strength of the evil spirit within him. Today, however, things were quieter than normal. Now Ryou was fighting the urge to find out what was going on.

Ryou Bakura was a student at Domino High, and had ties to the famed Yugi Moto and all of his friends; he had become the beloved crush of many girls in his school, to his dismay. It was learned later, though, that he had much more in common with Yugi than he let on, for both boys had a Millennium Item in their possession. While Yugi had the Millennium Puzzle, which contained the spirit of the mysterious Pharaoh who went by the name of Yami, Ryou had the Millennium Ring, and held within the dream-catcher like pendant was the even more mysterious Spirit of the Ring, or Yami Bakura. His dark spirit caused problems for the group many times in his rivalry against the Pharaoh, his desire being that he wanted to defeat Yami and gain all seven Millennium Items for his own selfish needs. He failed at each attempt, however, and was now only another spirit inside of Ryou Bakura's body.

It was only a week earlier that Anzu informed Ryou of the Pharaoh-now named Atemu- and his leaving for the afterlife; even so, Ryou had already heard about it from his roommate, Yami Bakura. Ever since that day, Ryou noticed that his somewhat-companion was much quieter than normal. The teen assumed that the dark spirit inside of him would dive head first at the opportunity to try and control the world after the Pharaoh's demise, but he was oddly mistaken. A week later, and no sign of any changes, Ryou reluctantly summoned forth the Spirit of the Ring to find out about his dormant behavior.

Hm? What is it? Why are you summoning me? Ryou rarely did bring forth the evil spirit on his own accord, grateful that the dark spirit wasn't using his body to wreak havoc on innocent people. His moody temper and the edge in his voice were no surprise to Ryou at all, but it still made him uncomfortable to even speak with the Spirit of the Ring. I don't wish to be bothered now.

"I just want to know why you're all clammed up, that's all." This was the first time Ryou was actually having a sane conversation with his dark half, except for the first time they spoke to each other. Otherwise the time they did spend talking to each other consisted of Bakura suppressing his host into the back corners of his mind while he took the steering wheel. Bakura looked up at his worried host, annoyed.

Why do you care? He asked sharply, his demonic brown eyes glaring. I thought that you, of all people, would be happy that I have locked myself up in your miserable body.

"Actually, I'm not." Ryou didn't believe he was really saying that; it was a total lie and he was very joyful that Bakura had receded from his life for a little while. "This isn't like you and I want to know why. Now."

Bakura's ungrateful frown turned into a delicious grin, almost like that of the Cheshire cat in Alice and Wonderland. You're not one to be curious, Ryou. That isn't like you at all either. Tell me why you are so intrusive, and perhaps I'll say why I'm so 'unlike' myself.

"You already know why I'm asking about you. Stop playing games with me, Spirit." Ryou could feel a tingle of rage simmer inside of him.

Silly fool. I can play as many games as I desire. Bakura let his fingers slid across a Duel Monsters card that had mysteriously appeared in his hand. And if you must know, I can sense that a dark presence has emerged after the Pharaoh's death. If it wasn't for that, I would be trying to find the Pharaoh's tomb and steal his stuff or something like that, but I can assume that this new evil will be after all of that soon enough. I'm just bidding my time.

Something didn't seem right with Bakura's confession, or at least to Ryou it didn't. "You're lying."

Am I? Or are you just not pleased with my answer? Did you want something more dramatic, perhaps?

"Spirit, you have taken refuge within my body for the longest time. You've nearly destroyed me, my friends, and life itself several times, and yet you insist on doing it again. I think I have every right to know what you're up to."

A silent moment stood between the two, and then Bakura erupted into an evil laugh. Ryou frowned, insulted. You think you have the right to intrude into my affairs? Ryou, the only right you have I to be my obedient vessel! He stood up, now amused by his host's rebellion. Allow me to demonstrate-

Silence. Ryou had his eyes screwed shut, and had backed away from his dark half about five feet before he realized that something was amiss. Opening his eyes, the teen saw Bakura looking away from him, his eyes stricken with terror. Seeing that the threat failed to follow through, Ryou sighed in relief, but now had a bigger problem at hand. "What's wrong?"

I can sense her. She has returned. Bakura said without looking towards his host. He seemed to be talking more to himself than to Ryou. It has begun.

"What are you talking about?" Bakura's eyes shot up towards Ryou, and he spoke as if he hadn't heard the question.

Who is that girl who hangs out with Yugi Moto? Ryou was speechless for a few moments, not expecting the Spirit of the Ring to ask him that.

"Do you mean Anzu Mazaki?" There was another paused moment, to Ryou's dismay.

Finally, Bakura responded. We need to go, now! Before Ryou could object, the dark spirit overtook his body and charged out of his apartment and down to the street, where his motorcycle-which Bakura had stolen from one of Ryou's bullies a week ago- was parked. He put the helmet over his head, and rode into the sunset, never looking back.

Where are we going! A frightened Ryou asked within his mind to the controller of his body. What are you doing!

"I'm going to find Anzu Mazaki."

---

Author's Note: Alright! Now we got Bakura and Kaiba mysteriously swirled into this, and we have yet to see what happens to Anzu and the gang! Hope I don't keep you waiting too long on the next chapter!