A TRAIN OF THOUGHTS
Elenion: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. I reformatted this story- what do you think of it?
Zelda-Jewel- Sorry I didn't update as fast as you'd have liked. It's so nice to hear from other BakuraxSerenity fans. I've been wondering why it isn't such a well-known couple. Anyway, thanks so much!
Peneia Teke- You've never read any Bakura/Serenity? Hm. Seems to happen a lot... But, yeah, it was really hard to do that to Reiko. I liked that character too. Sigh. Anyway, thanks for your enthusiasm!
Jieli- About Yami Bakura, I kinda surprised myself on that one. I hadn't actually been planning on anything that drastic, but once I start typing, the weirdest things can happen. Pretty violent chapter, huh? I was worried that there was too much action, so thanks for the reassurance!
Danielle of the AnimeFreakos trio- Wow, this is really you're favorite story? That's the kind of stuff that could make me blush. And I interrupted your vacation? Sorry. And no, that doesn't sound clingy. I get that way with lots of things. Btw, your Yu-Gi-Oh fics are really cute! I don't know anything about Inuyasha or I'd read that one too. But I'll stop distracting you so that you can read the actual story.
Lily of the Shadow- It's so nice to hear from you again. Yeah, Yami Bakura is starting to make his break as more of a villain now, isn't he? I know this chapter took me forever, but I finally did it. Sorry to keep you waiting.
Blaze Girl- What can I say? Thank you! You've met a kindred spirit if you like Ryou/Serenity. Well, actually, you've met a bunch, because as you said, other people must like that couple if they're reading this story. Btw, thanks about the whole novel thing. Maybe I should actually consider it. It would probably be worth it. And that last comment made me blush like mad! But I was wondering- why you didn't continue "Midnight's Call"? It's so cute! Thanks again!
Emily Benjamin- I'm so happy you're so enthusiastic! Thanks, and I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long!
SilentAngel014- Good to hear from you again. Sorry you had internet problems. I've been having some computer problems of my own. The best response to your reviews would be "thank you soooo much"! And the whole evil bit with Yami Bakura came as a shock even to me. Lol. But anyways, I'll try to keep writing as fast as I can.
Elenion: I want to apologize for the long hiatus between updates. I was at a beach house for a while, and it didn't have Internet access. Also, my laptop broke last week. As a result, most of this chapter had to be retyped.
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CHAPTER 10: Playing By Colors
Bakura was completely out of breath. Soaked to the bone, the British teen was positively freezing, but he forced his feet to move through the storm.
Lights were gleaming through the lodge's windows. Hope flared inside of him. At least he had done something right. With an extra burst of speed, he barged through the front door. Throwing all caution and concern to himself to the winds, he shouted into the recently lighted hall. "SERENITY?! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
Slicking back his sopping white hair, he proceeded to rush into the bedrooms, flicking on light switches. He was so intent on his search that he hardly noticed the light footsteps scampering towards him... until two slender arms flew around his neck, nearly knocking him against the wall.
He closed his eyes, relieved. "Thank the Fates..."
Serenity breathed deeply into his shoulder, feeling herself beginning to calm now. It appeared that all the danger had passed, and now Bakura was back. Joyful tears sprang to her eyes. "I'm s-so glad y-you're back," she whispered, her voice noticeably trembling.
"Me too, love," he sighed, running his long, pale fingers almost absently through her silky hair.
They just stood there for a moment, reveling in the moment of regaining each other once again. Serenity snuggled deeper into his shoulder, letting his warmth run its way through her veins, breaking apart the icy pieces of fear. It was a wonderful feeling, amazing even. The lights were back on, and Bakura was back. What more could she possibly wish for?
Everything was much less ominous without the dancing shadows in the dark. Fluorescent lighting removed all traces of the ever-present fear that, at one time, had been so overwhelming. Bakura let his mind float in the spring-like scent that Serenity always had. For those few minutes, at least, he had completely forgotten that only minutes before he'd had one of the rudest awakenings of his life. Yes, for that moment, everything was just the way it should be.
But there was still a problem to be addressed.
"Serenity," Bakura said soothingly, pulling her away from him so as he could easily see her face, "Did he hurt you?"
There was an obvious hesitation as the petite girl thought over exactly what she should tell him. "I..." She could practically feel that heartless man grasping her so tightly that she had to gasp for air. But it wasn't anything she couldn't live with. "... nothing too bad."
Bakura narrowed his eyes and furrowed his brow in both worry and thought. "That means he did?"
Suddenly a mischievous grin crept into Serenity's face. "Well, he suffered worse..."
The white-haired teen raised an eyebrow curiously. He would give a lot just to know what had happened. Somehow, it didn't seem as if she was going to tell him what had occurred. 'Oh gods, Serenity, if anything ever happened to you...' He closed his eyes, thinking deeply for a few moments. Apparently, nothing too serious had happened to her, or he was sure that she'd tell him. Something, then, occurred to him. "Where is he now?"
Serenity looked him squarely in his deep eyes, feeling almost lost in their depths. "He's in... the walk-in freezer."
Deep brown orbs stared in disbelief into honey-colored orbs.
"How-" Bakura began, but stopped. The questions should be saved for later. More pressing matters should be dealt with immediately. "Are you sure he's still there?"
Serenity bit her lip. Of course, the door had locked, but she couldn't sure. Not 100% sure anyway. But what was the possibility of him getting free, right? Perhaps... But it would be better to tell the truth. "No. I'm not sure at all." She closed her eyes heavily and gazed tiredly at the floor. Now that all her adrenaline was leaving her, she had nothing left but exhaustion.
There was silence for a moment. Both of their minds were wondering what it was they were supposed to do right then.
Serenity lifted her head again to allow her innocent eyes to beam directly into Bakura's. "Where's Reiko?"
Bakura's hold on her weakened, and he took a few stumbling steps back. Serenity watched with alarm as his pure, calm eyes widened in shock and some other emotion that she couldn't pinpoint- fear, maybe?
"Bakura?" She asked worriedly, touching his arm ever-so gently with the tips of her fingers. "Bakura- what's wrong?"
He wasn't looking at her. He didn't seem to be hearing her at all. Instead, his eyes were fixed on a point somewhere on the floor in front of him, as if he was seeing something there that she wasn't. Inside his head, all the images were pouring down over him. Again.
Serenity felt confused tears brim in her sweet eyes, watching something awful happen to the teenager before her. The worst part was, no matter what she said, he didn't seem to hear her.
"Bakura! What happened?" Her voice choked up for a moment before she was able to regain her composure. "Bakura- please!"
There didn't seem to be any way she could help him, and that was what scared her the most.
Serenity felt helpless. Since her childhood, this had been the one emotion that she had feared the most.
Slowly, Bakura raised his hands in front of his face. Again, it seemed that he saw something there- something horrible beyond description- that she could not see. His sincere eyes were a virtual mask of confusion and horror. Serenity didn't like this change. Bakura had never before acted so petrified.
He uttered one word, then. "Yami..."
In that one word, he seemed to exude all emotions that Serenity had never guessed he contained: fear, hatred, bitterness, desperation, confusion... And yet, it was a word that she did not understand. By that, she felt even more helpless. Tears spilled unbidden down her cheeks.
Without even comprehending what she was doing, Serenity took hold of either side of his face and stared directly into his dark chocolate eyes. "Bakura! Please listen to me! Just tell me what happened!"
His eyes weren't really meeting hers. It scared her more than any darkness had ever scared her before. Desperately, through her tears, she whispered, "You're not alone..."
Bakura felt- more than saw- the images fade. Something else was drawing him out of his nightmare. His eyes dimly began to see, and the darkness of the Control Room receded as the fluorescent lights of the hallway crept in. A melodic voice whispered something, that seemed to be for him only: You're not alone. He felt a certain warmth break his nightmare.
He blinked once, letting his vision completely readjust. The realization that he was staring fully into Serenity's tearstained face hit home. Her eyes were tightly closed, as if she was lost somewhere without a guiding light. He could feel her soft hands holding either side of his face. Surprised, he touched one of her fragile hands with his own. It was so amazing that through his hell, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
"Serenity..."
Her eyes fluttered open suddenly, and her lips parted slightly in anxiety of what was to come. She was silent- afraid to say anything that might trigger such a reaction again.
Bakura shook his head lightly to clear it, silver hair fluttering around his face. "I... I'm sorry, love. I don't know what came over me."
Serenity blinked, searching his eyes diligently with her own. She wanted to ask what was wrong so terribly... But she didn't want him to slip into... that again. It was almost as if he had been hallucinating. Maybe he had.
"I don't think it will happen again," he said firmly, taking both her hands off his face and holding them in front of him tenderly. If he was correct, that was what she was worried about.
"Bakura- who is 'Yami'?" Serenity asked quietly.
Suddenly, Bakura's eyes darkened again, and for a moment, Serenity feared that she had lost him to the darkness again. But it dissipated, and the warmth greeted her again. He smiled weakly as he looked at her. "Someone I hope that you will never meet."
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Mai stared across the kitchen table at a very silent Joey. Before the... accident... he was always the life of the party- the impulsive guy who refused to back down from any challenge. Now, he had receded into himself. He had begun to blame himself for what had happened, and Mai had a notion that it was mostly that bitchy reporter's fault.
There was a slight buzz in the air. It was making the violet-eyed beauty uncomfortable.
Joey silently picked at the chipped wood the table. He made no effort at conversation. It was unnerving.
Two minutes passed in exactly that way...
Finally, Mai couldn't take it anymore. "Joey-"
Ding-dong!
Both of them froze. The only thoughts running through their heads were that it was another reporter coming to collect an "exclusive" interview with brother and friend of two of the unfound train wreck victims. Joey couldn't take too much more of this.
Joey gazed at the door as if willing it to open itself. He had no heart to face another barrage of manipulative questions. All his wounds were still raw, and he didn't need reporters rubbing salt into them. And yet, what if- by some small, infinitesimal chance it was Serenity at the door? As much as his friends thought he was losing it, the more Joey thought about it, the more he was convinced that it had been his little sister's voice on the answering machine.
Ding-dong!
Mai raised an eyebrow irritably. 'Whoever's there must be one impatient bastard.'
Sluggishly, Joey slid out of his chair with a rustle and crossed the apartment to the door. He considered looking through the peephole, but he found that he no longer cared who it was. Little things like that didn't really make a difference to him anymore. He fumbled with the deadbolt lock and finally was able to open it.
He saw, out of the corner of his eye, that Mai had gotten up and was standing beside him. Her face was set, and it appeared that she was quite ready to give the interrupter a damned-good piece of her mind. Not long ago, that knowledge would have made him grin like a fool, but now, his face was frozen in a stony mask.
Joey swung the door open.
There stood a very- for lack of a better word- obese man with a scruffy mustache that hid most of his upper lip. He looked like he'd never exercised one day in his life, and his eyes gazed with both impatience at the two of them from under a buzz-cut.
"You Joseph Wheeler?" he asked in a quick, yet booming voice to the blonde teenager holding open the door.
"Yeah," Joey replied in a dead voice, "Why?"
He took a quick breath. "I have a package for y-"
Mai's violet eyes flashed angrily. She raised a manicured hand to silence the practically bald man. "Wait one minute. Just who are you? And what gives you the right to just barge into people's homes?"
The man snorted with his apparently characteristic impatience. "I am an employee of the Domino Train Station, young lady. And I have a few things that the young man here- not you- probably wants."
The blonde woman crossed her arms angrily, but she was able to bite her tongue this time.
Joey watched this argument with mixed emotions. He wanted to help Mai, but he just didn't feel up to it anymore. And what exactly was this train station guy going to give him? If there was one thing that Joey still had after his life turned upside-down, it was curiosity. "What did you want to give me?"
With one more intense glare at the woman next to him, the enormous man turned his gaze to Joey. He then began speaking in a tone that suggested he was reciting something given to him on a piece of paper: "On behalf of the Domino Train Station, I am returning to you some items of your loved one. I hope that it will be some comfort to you and your family." With that said, he handed Joey a fair-sized cardboard box that had been previously at his feet. Abruptly, he turned and stalked away towards the elevator. He was the most hasty man either of them had ever met. You'd think he was permanently late for every appointment.
Joey stood shocked for a moment, staring at the box in his arms.
"Joey?" Mai asked soothingly, "Aren't you going to open it?"
That was a more difficult question than Mai had probably thought. Yes, of course, he wanted to see Serenity's things... but if he did, would that really mean that this was it? This was all that was left of her now? Her things?
"Joey?"
The blonde boy turned to see a pair of very concerned violet eyes staring into his. "Yeah. I'll open it."
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Serenity looked at Bakura quizzically. She wondered what he meant by someone I hope you will never meet, but she didn't think it was safe to bring it up again. That or Reiko. The petite girl couldn't help but come to the conclusion that something awful had happened, but Bakura obviously wasn't ready to talk about it.
It was just like after her father went on one of his tirades. Every time, she was horrified that she couldn't talk about it for days.
Yes, she understood. And if he didn't want to talk about it, then she wouldn't make him.
Bakura closed his eyes, fending off the visions that plagued and haunted his mind. Things like this had happened before, but nothing so serious as what had happened to Reiko... The British boy shuddered. His yami. There was no other explanation that he could think of, and he'd tried analyzing the situation from every conceivable angle.
"Um... Bakura?"
His deep chocolate eyes opened and looked kindly at the auburn-haired girl holding his hands. "Yes?"
Serenity bit her lip anxiously. "That man... he's the..." Her voice trailed off.
"He's the what?" Bakura asked, furrowing his pale brow.
Serenity hesitated, wondering how she should say this. "He's the man from the... tunnel."
Bakura's eyes widened and then narrowed. 'But... Collins? Didn't they both kill one another?' Apparently not... This was bad. But somehow, through his exhaustion and desperation, he felt white-hot anger spread into him. That demonic protectiveness was back, and somehow, he knew, that nothing would come near Serenity. Not while he was still alive.
"Maybe we should make sure he's still where he was?" Serenity provided helpfully. And then, perhaps, they could leave... She had come to hate this place. All she wanted now was to move on, storm or no storm.
There was the distant drum of thunder, farther away now.
Bakura nodded. "Yes. We should." Then he thought for a moment. "Let me get my pack first."
Still holding one of her hands gently, they moved into the room that Bakura had previously been reading in. The deck of cards was still scattered all over the floor. It didn't really matter to him. There was a sense of urgency, and he didn't feel as if there was enough time to stop and repack them. So he grabbed his bag and left the cards as a memorial of sorts.
They wound through the newly lit hallway. As much as it didn't appear quite as threatening as it had in the dark, there was still something inexplicably tense in the atmosphere. It set both of them on edge. Every movement of the wind outside made them freeze and turn abruptly, thinking that maybe someone was watching them.
Silently, the couple made their way towards the kitchen. Serenity cautiously opened the door and peeked her head in to make sure no one was there. She was surprised to see that the light had been turned off.
'Funny... I don't remember doing that...'Bakura motioned to her that he would go in first. So she agreed and followed behind him, holding his hand.
Carefully, the British boy felt along the wall for a light switch. There must be one. Something wasn't right. He could feel it, and it did appear that his instincts were typically correct. Although Serenity hadn't actually told him if the light had been on, he assumed that she would have. So then, why was it off now?
His hand came across a small plastic object. 'There you are...' He flicked it upwards.
The kitchen lights came on.
Both of them froze in shock.
The walk-in freezer door... it was...
"It's open," Serenity whispered in shock.
Despite it all, Bakura wasn't surprised. He figured that there was probably some mechanism on the inside of the freezer door to prevent someone from being locked inside. And now that man was gone... "Dash it all!" he swore under his breath.
Someone chuckled darkly behind them.
Serenity and Bakura instantly turned about to see a wiry man with greasy black hair... and icy green eyes. He was leaning casually against the kitchen door, watching their every move. Most likely, he had been there since they had first come in. With chagrin, Serenity realized that he had been hiding behind the door. He had stolen the same trick she had used on him...
"You!" Bakura hissed, feeling anger bubble up inside of him.
"Oh, so you recognize me, kid. I'm amused." The icy eyes narrowed down to slits, and a grin crept over his features.
Serenity squeezed Bakura's hand tightly. Contrary to what she had hoped, this was all far from over.
"What do you want?" Bakura asked, amazingly keeping his composure in a seemingly helpless circumstance.
The grin widened sadistically. "I have a proposition for you, boy. Right now, I have two marbles behind my back-one in either hand. One is black and the other is white." His green eyes flashed wickedly despite the fiery pain in his shoulder. At that point, it didn't matter. The little cat would pay... eventually...
"And?" Bakura asked with a steely voice.
"And- so if you pick the hand with the white marble: I'll let you and your cat go free." He raised an eyebrow as he saw the pretty little girl tense at being called a cat. 'Strange...' "But," he continued silkily, "If you pick the black one, we're both in it to the death."
Bakura's eyes glowed with godlike fury. It was the same feeling as the last time he'd fought this man. However, this time, the man had nothing to lose but his life... and this green-eyed man was armed.
"Bakura, I don't like this," Serenity stated in a whisper. Her honey eyes found Bakura's. This just wasn't fair.
The white-haired teenager nodded in agreement. He didn't like it either. Hated it, in fact. He was being toyed with- he knew it. There were probably two black marbles in his hands, but there was no way to prove that. And besides- if the man let them go- who was to say he wouldn't come after them again?
This would have to end one way or another...
"Pick a hand, and pick your color," the green-eyed man said, loving the emotions playing over the boy's face.
Finally, Bakura spoke. He didn't seem to have any other choice. "Right hand."
Serenity held her breath. Hoping...
The man, still grinning that sickening grin, brought out his right hand from behind his back and opened it...
A black marble.
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Elenion: I guess I kinda left it at an evil spot. Sorry. But the next update won't take so long, so don't worry!