AN: Are you ready!? This is a rather long chapter. I hope it makes as much sense to you as it did to me while I was writing it.
I was originally going to cut it off sooner, but I wanted to just go ahead and finish off the day. So there you have it. Enjoy your chapter (which I guess is technically a double chapter) and enjoy your plushies! *sets out a box full of limited edition superspecialawesome...hard plastic Ra-in-Dragon-Form toys which open like easter eggs to reveal a soft, plushie Phoenix* *Thinks that should be a real toy*
Anyway, I have Thanksgiving stuff to prepare for. May you all have a happy, healthy Turkey Day (if you celebrate it. If not, have a turkey leg or something unless you're vegetarian. In that case, more turkey for Bakura!) and spend time with your families. Be thankful and all that stuff. And stay home unless you really really need something until Monday. Post Thanksgiving Shopping is scary and full of angry people...Be safe!
Thank you for reading and cookies for reviewing (11 more and I'll have 100 reviews! Awesome :D)
"Uhnnn...What a strange dream...Why do I feel like I have a hang over? I don't drink..." the teen sluggishly tried to move his body. Something felt vaguely familiar about how it responded to commands, but he couldn't quite wrap his mind around it. He opted to lay still for a moment and try to gather his thoughts.
'I hear voices...we have company?' he wondered aloud. 'I should tell them about my dream...it was really weird...'
"I'm worried about Ryou..." A familiar voice spoke. It sounded muffled and distant to the teen's ears.
'Hmn? Why are they worried?'
"I think he'll be alright," another voice replied calmly.
"Who's that? Did 'Kura invite people over? Hn. I should get up...make tea and...Why didn't 'Kura wake me up? Am...am I sick? Is that why my head hurts?" he tried to wrap his mind around the notion and shook his head. Slowly the teen managed to sit up, whining a bit and keeping his eyes tightly shut. "Aspirin..." he muttered, pushing himself off the bed and stumbling to where the door should have been only to find it two feet to the left.
"I must be sick...can't even remember where the door is..." he muttered, pushing it open. In the next instant a cold wind blew across his face, tugging his hair back. Bright light intensified his headache but the voices he had heard were more distinct now.
"Slow down, Marik," Malik's voice spoke. "Are you trying to eat all the food in that bag?"
"But hi-ka-riiii," the yami whined in return. "I'm soooo hungryyyyy."
"You know, I really am starting to doubt you're the oldest," another man spoke, chuckling.
"Shush you," Marik replied, sounding as though he had just shoved a bite of food in his mouth.
'What's going on?' the teen wondered, a forearm raised to shield his eyes as he slowly opened them. The first thing he noticed was how red the ground beneath him was. It reminded him of Bakura's trench coat until he realized it looked scaly. Looking around, he saw that he stood behind Malik, the blond teen trying to protect the contents of a backpack from Marik, who was attempting to use puppy eyes to sway the hikari into returning it to him. Another teen sat in front of Marik on the strange red floor, hiding a grin behind one hand as he watched the yami and hikari. Beyond him in a half crouch stood another young man, his back to the others.
"By the way, Marik, I was wondering...What happened to your eyes?" the blue-eyed teen asked.
"Hmph? My eyes?" Marik asked, pointing at his eyes with his index fingers. "My eyes match hikari's eyes," he replied as if it were the obvious answer.
"They've been that color as long as I've known him," Malik confirmed.
Raising his gaze further and blinking against the sunlight, the teen realized they were all outside and seemed to be moving quickly. 'What's that at the end of the floor there? It looks almost like...a dragon's head?' Realization began to dawn on the teen and he looked down to his left to see the tops of trees far below them.
"They are different from when we were last together," Rajan admitted. "They used to-"
"KYAAA!" the teen dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around Malik's shoulders.
"-be an amber color."
"GYAA!" the blond cried, flailing slightly and only maintaining his balance when Marik instinctively grabbed his wrists.
"Hikari!"
"What's wrong, Malik?" Rajan called back, concerned.
"What's going on!? Where are we!? Are we on Osiris!? Why are we on Osiris!?"
"R-ryou?" Malik looked back over his shoulder to meet Ryou's panicked, confused gaze.
"Ryou?" Petri asked, looking around. "The hikari Harper kidnapped? Where is he?"
"H-he's right here," Malik replied, point behind him. "Well..in spirit..."
"Where?" Marik asked, reaching forward with a hand and earning a frightened squeak from Ryou that only Malik could hear.
"Ah...you just put your hand through his face, Marik..."
"But hikari, I don't feel Bakura's hikari," the yami whined, waving his hand in the air over Malik's shoulder.
The blond teen grabbed Marik's wrist and pushed his hand away. "I said he was a spirit! Of course you can't feel him."
"Wait..I'm a...spirit? Am...am I...AH! You mean that wasn't a dream!?" Ryou cried, trying to meet Malik's gaze.
"Well...was your "dream" that you lost a duel and had your soul stolen by some maniac named Fredrick Harper?" the blond asked.
Ryou whimpered, hiding his face in Malik's shoulder. "Nnnn 'Kura's probably furious with me..."
"What's he doing now, hikari?" Marik asked, squinting and staring at where he assumed Ryou was.
"Wait...but if Harper released his soul, why didn't it go back to his body?" Petri asked.
"The obvious answer would be that Ryou's body is in the other world. His soul likely couldn't make the trek to return to it alone," Rajan guessed. "But why is it with Malik? And why can't we see him as well?"
Marik looked around at everyone, baffled. "Hikari has the Millennium Rod behind his back. I saw it."
Malik blinked, reaching behind him and producing the item. "You think...?" Marik shrugged.
Rajan studied the item quietly for a moment. "We're almost their. We should get ready to fight." He looked up suddenly, blinking a few times and then closing his eyes and focusing(1). "...I don't believe it..."
"What?" Petri asked.
"Bakura's still fighting..."
"'Kura?"
"Why does it surprise you that he's still fighting?" Malik asked. Rajan opened his eyes, looking to the teen.
"Because I half expected him to either be unconscious or dead by now. No one has that kind of stamina. Not even Petri or myself."
"Well, can't let the tombrobber have all the fun," Marik smirked, standing up and looking to the battle taking place below. "Rajan, keep Bakura's hikari and my hikari safe."
"Can do," Rajan nodded.
"Wait, did you just-" Malik started to ask but Marik suddenly sprinted forward several steps before leaping into the air and plummeting toward the ground in a dive.
"Ehn, show off," Petri muttered, standing as well. "Can you just get me close to Obelisk when I summon him?"
"You don't want to imitate Marik?" Rajan smirked.
"He...but...What!?" Malik gaped, trying to ask several questions at once but failing.
"Marik's fine," Rajan assured the dumbfounded hikari. As if to prove this fact, Raa suddenly rose into the air beside them in it's dragon form, the yami grinning at Rajan's passengers. With a cry, the Ka burst into flames, changing into it's phoenix form. "It figures your Ka would have the ability to set itself on fire!" the crimson eyed brother shouted.
"Hey! You really aren't going to let me live that down are you!?" Marik shouted back. "Five times..."
"Five!?" Rajan and Petri demanded, but Raa suddenly dove toward the ground, out of sight.
"He called you Rajan!" Malik shouted suddenly, pointing at the man in question.
"And?"
"He never calls anyone by name!" the blond exclaimed. "Not since he came back from the shadow realm. Not even me!"
The two siblings exchanged a glance before Rajan looked back to Malik. "We're going to need to talk later."
Petri nodded, holding out his hand. "Come forth, Obelisk no Kyo Shin Hen!"
:Malik?: Ryou asked curiously. The blond looked back suddenly, realizing that the other hadn't actually spoken. Closing his eyes and clutching the Millennium Rod tightly, he tried to respond in the same way.
:What's wrong Ryou?:
Ryou bit his lip as he debating on his question. :I...have a favor to ask...:
Bakura tossed his head back, laughing as Diabound continued using both his own as well as Osiris' attack against the insects. They were holding out well enough, though they appeared to be making no progress. Several people had approached the thief to question his well being, but he had shooed them away insisting that he was fine. He could tell from the way many were looking at him that he had their respect at least. He stood tall, trench coat open and flowing around him, grinning and seeming to enjoy himself despite being in a life-or-death struggle against the insect horde sent by Ghede to finish them off.
On the inside, however, he was screaming. Mostly profanities in whichever language seemed more appropriate, though occasionally he was cursing himself for being stubborn.
Reinforcements had arrived. Not many, but enough that he could have at least stepped back and taken that break so many had insisted he needed. Rajan hadn't been gone that long, but Bakura was constantly directing Diabound to attack and had just allowed his Ka to be struck by Osiris. Still the thief was determined to last at least until Rajan returned.
'Stupid pride...' he thought bitterly but quickly repressed that thought under another barrage of swears and willing himself to ignore his growing fatigue.
"They're back!" someone shouted, drawing everyone's attention to the sky. Beside Osiris flew Raa, bursting into flames and diving toward the insects. Obelisk appeared next, bursting from the earth and letting out a battle cry. The sky dragon flew passed it before beginning it's own assault.
"Heh, about time they showed up," Bakura smirked, resting his hands on his hips. 'Thank...someone...I don't care who...' he thought in relief. Though he continued directing Diabound to attack, he had slowed to a more tolerable level. The battle continued for another hour before the insects successfully retreated and Mahado called for a cease-fire.
Bakura recalled Diabound easily, flashing a grin to onlookers and striding toward the central area of the temple ruins in search of the others. He found himself forcing back thoughts of how comfortable the ground might be if he just laid down for a nap. 'I didn't get enough sleep last night.' 'That was a long fight.' And other such whispers were likewise batted away. He moved forward on pride and stubborn determination alone, not wanting to show any sort of weakness regardless of who might be watching.
Willing any sign of fatigue from his features, the thief grinned as he approached the others, spotting Marik standing with his brothers and Malik facing Mahado, Mana, and Atem. "Well well, look who's finally decided to turn up."
The blond yami looked up at Bakura and grinned. "Hi tombrobber!"
Rajan's gaze flickered to his brother for a brief second, noting how he addressed Bakura before holding a hand out to the thief. "I need to shake your hand."
Bakura quirked a brow but clasped the offered hand firmly. "Heh, impressed I take it?"
Rajan clutched the captured hand and pressed the fingers of his other hand against the thief's wrist. "That and I'm honestly amazed to see you walking and talking right now."
Bakura laughed confidently, meeting Rajan's gaze. 'Don't you dare...' "I'm fine."
The crimson eyes narrowed marginally but the blond released the thief's hand. "Anyway, there's someone else who wants to see you."
"It'd better not be a healer wasting their time," the thief tsked.
"Though it might be advisable," Atem said, a hint of concern in his tone.
'Oh ho, and now the Pharaoh's concerned about my health as well,' Bakura though with amusement. "Whatever," he shrugged, looking around. "Well? Where is this mystery person?"
Malik's gaze dropped and he clutched the Millennium Rod tightly in his hands, biting his lip softly. Just as Bakura noticed that the teen was acting strangely, his eyes squeezed shut.
"I'm sorry!" Malik said, his voice sounding softer than usual. "I-I'm sorry 'Kura."
Bakura's eyes widened, looking Malik over curiously. The others remained silent, though Marik fidgeted uncomfortably.
"I-it's my fault. I...I lost that stupid duel...I let him cut my face like that..." a soft whimper came from the teen and he raised his gaze to meet Bakura's, revealing that his eyes were a familiar shade of brown rather than their usual lilac. The thief just stared dumbfounded as the realization of who was speaking hit him like a ton of bricks.
"Ryou..."
"I should have been more careful," Ryou said, angry with himself. "I walked right into every trap he set. And then I made you...made all of you worry about me. I-" his words were cut off as the thief suddenly lunged forward and grabbed his shoulders, silencing his needless apologies with a kiss.
Marik watched silently, fingers twitching slightly but the kiss was brief, Bakura looking into Malik/Ryou's eyes, but only seeing the latter.
"Shut up. You didn't do anything wrong so shut up," he said lowly. He pulled the teen against him and looked at Rajan. "Does that mean Harper's dead?"
"He escaped before we could finish him off," Rajan replied.
"Che, bastard better stay hidden if he knows what's good for him," the thief tsked, returning his gaze to the teen in his arms. "You realize that when we get home, you're never leaving the house again." he smirked, not caring if they had an audience for their reunion.
"What? You can't just keep me home. And it's not like I wa-" again Ryou was cut off as Bakura pressed another kiss to the teen's lips, not registering that it was Malik's body he was kissing.
A fact that didn't escape a certain other yami. In a flash, the thief felt a strong hand on his forehead shove him away from Malik/Ryou, lavender eyes smoldering as he separated them and stood between them.
"Your hikari's fine," Marik growled. "Now stop kissing Malik."
Harper scrowled and limped through the castle, ignoring the milling insects that were slowly transforming the building to match the hives that Ghede maintained. He let his chain drag the floor beside him, too weakened to coil it properly.
'Stupid light. Stupid god-things,' he thought bitterly. He dreaded facing his employer with the news of his failure but knew he had little choice.
He felt the loss of the souls he had gathered as if it had lost a part of himself. This, he knew, was expected as each soul he won began a part of him to an extent. He felt their presence and could draw on their power though they existed outside of him. The sudden loss of contact had left him weak as much as the fight against Malik had and he was sweaty and cold.
Finally he approached the top of the stairs, emerging in what had once been the observatory. Little remained of the walls and the ceiling had been completely removed, several large insects working to restructure the room to Ghede's liking. The man himself stood tall and imposing in the center of the room, his back to Harper, his hands before him, one clutching his cane while the other hovered around the glowing crystal atop it.
"Master Ghede..." The hand near the crystal lowered, but the man said nothing. Harper coughed softly. "I found another of the lights you wanted sir...and challenged him. But...well, he cheated somehow. Him and those brothers." Ghede turned to face his minion, his features still betraying no emotion. "I had his dark, who's gros bon ange turned out to be the Winged Dragon of Raa. I would have won easily if those two blond pests hadn't interfered." He didn't need mention that he had lost all the souls he had gathered, knowing his employer would have noticed by this time.
"It's fine." Ghede's reply silenced the man and he took a few steps closer. "I have the light of fate. They will bring what I want to me to try and retrieve it." He paused, lifting a hand and caressing Harper's left cheek, sending a chill down the man's spine. "I will grant you one last chance, but remember this: I do not employ failures. Let this serve as a reminder."
Harper screamed until the pain became unbearable and he blacked out.
No one spoke, unable to do more than stare at Marik as the blond glared at Bakura. The thief blinked a few times before realizing that his jaw had dropped at being forced away and he quickly corrected that fact, straightening and offering a cocky grin. "Heh, what's the matter? Afraid I'll tea-" a strong hand grabbed his face, covering his mouth. He cursed his fatigue, but wondered if his reflexes would have been fast enough to dodge the blond even if he was well rested.
"Don't." Marik warned, shaking the index finger of his other hand at him. "I know what you're going to say. And I know you're not going to mean it. But if you say it-" he grip tightened slightly. "-I will kill you." His gaze locked with Bakura's for a second and something flickered in his eyes before he suddenly released the thief and buried his hands in his own hair, lavender eyes squeezing shut.
"Marik!" Malik cried, rushing around his yami and pushing the Millennium Rod into Bakura's numb hands.
"What's wrong?" Rajan asked, snapping out of the trance Marik's outburst had caused all the onlookers.
"My head hurts," the yami half growled, half whined.
"Is there somewhere we could go to be alone for a bit?" Malik asked, looking to Rajan and Mahado. "I'll take care of him. You guys should talk to Ryou. He's been through alot."
Mahado shook his head slightly and motioned to Mana. "Will you-"
"Yeah," the younger mage nodded quickly, motioning for them to follow her. Once they were out of ear shot, Petri looked at the others.
"That...that's not like him at all..." he said quietly.
"No," Rajan said quietly. "That's not true, Petri." All eyes fell on the crimson-eyed blond and he sighed, watching Marik. "You never saw it, but Marik had a nasty temper. Especially if anyone messes with his family..." he sighed and looked to Bakura and Atem. "He's changed since we last saw him, but he's still the same Marik."
"He has...been through a great deal," Atem nodded. There was a moment of silence before Bakura held up the Millennium Rod, studying it for a moment.
"Huh...strange that Ryou's soul would end up in here," he stated thoughtfully. "Would have thought it would come back to the Ring if anything else."
Mahado held out his hand. "May I see that for a moment?" The thief glanced at the mage but relented, handing him the item. "Rather than having to borrow a body to speak to us, I have a temporary solution." He closed his eyes and chanted softly, a soft, purple glow spreading from his hand to the Rod. When he finished, the glow faded from the item and began again in the air just before him. In it's wake stood a transparent and slightly confused Ryou wearing the outfit he had during the Battle City Tournament. "There we are."
"So this is the third hikari," Rajan mused thoughtfully.
"Hmm? You can see me?" The teen looked around before looking down at his hands. Mahado offered the Millennium Rod to him.
"As I said, it is a temporary solution. You're still a spirit, but at least you can be seen and heard now," Mahado explained.
Ryou grasped the rod and nodded before moving to stand beside Bakura. "Thank you..."
"So. Do you recall what happened?" Rajan asked. Ryou nodded in response. "Tell us."
Mana led Malik and Marik to a quiet corner of the small sick bay(2) that had been set up for the injured. "If you guys need anything, just call out, alright? no one should bother you guys back here."
"Thank you, Mana," Malik replied, watching he leave. He guided Marik to the bed which was little more than a futon and helped him sit. The yami clung to him, whimpering about how much his head hurt. After a few minutes of trying to console him, Malik pushing him away slightly.
"Here, let's do this." He carefully removed Marik's cloak before pulling off his own shirt and made himself comfortable. The yami immediately curled up beside him, attaching himself to Malik's waist and resting his head on the teen's bare chest. Once he was settled, the hikari covered them with the cloak and gently ran his fingers through the unruly blond spikes. "Better?"
Marik nodded his head slightly, snuggling a bit closer. "My hikari."
"Yes, your hikari," Malik soothed. A thought struck him. "You called me Malik back there. I was starting to think you'd forgotten my name."
"I know everyone's names, hikari" Marik muttered.
"Then why do you give everyone a nickname?"
"..."
"Marik?" Malik looked down at the yami when he didn't respond. Finally he decided to change the subject. "I hope Yugi's-"
"Tombrobber kissed you," Marik interrupted.
"What? No he-"
"He was kissing you and pretending he was kissing Bakura's hikari but he was still kissing you," Marik growled softly, tightening his grip on Malik possessively.
"Bakura would never kiss me," Malik insisted.
"You wanted him to."
The teen blinked a few times and then blushed slightly. "Oh...you knew that I...well, we were sharing a body at the time, so you would know about that..."
Marik turned his head to shoot Malik a glare. "Hikari, even if we weren't sharing a body, it was obvious. You wanted to kiss tombrobber. You like him."
"No," Malik snapped, meeting Marik's glare. "I did have a crush on him. For a long time I did. But tell me, why would I still want Bakura when I have you?"
Marik seemed to think about this fact for a moment, seemingly unconvinced. Malik leaned down, kissing the yami's forehead. "I'm sorry. I didn't think he'd kiss me...or well, Ryou. Forgive me?"
Marik leaned forward and pressed his lips to Malik's. "My hikari kisses," he murmuered, stealing another kiss before resting his head against his hikari's chest again. Malik smiled and resumed combing his fingers through his yami's hair.
"Yes, your hikari kisses."
"Um...excuse me?" Petri's voice spoke quietly. The hikari looked up at the teen cautiously approached. "You don't have to get up...I just wanted to say something to Marik."
"Sure," Malik nodded. The blue-eyed teen came closer.
"I just wanted to say that...I know we joke around and all...but I missed you, Marik. And I'm glad to have you around again. And I know Rajan is too." Petri sighed. "That's all...Sorry for bothering you two." He quickly turned to leave.
"Petri-" Marik's voice stopped him and he glanced back. "I missed you guys too."
The teen smiled. "There's a lot to do and it's getting dark already so I'll see you in the morning, big brother. You two take it easy for now."
As Petri left, Malik closed his eyes. 'He calls both his brothers by name easily...Eh, I'll ask Rajan about it tomorrow,' he thought, focusing his attention on the yami attached to his waist. "Head still hurt?"
"Ra(3) yes," Marik groaned in reply.
Ryou hovered near Mahado as the mage, Rajan, and Atem spoke. Bakura had departed to help with some of the projects that needed to be finished and the teen wished he had been able to go with him. However, he had been needed for the current discussion as he had been close to Harper for a few days now as well as now being tied to a Millennium Item.
The latter was the current topic being discussed.
"Bakura did have a point," Mahado muttered, eying the Millennium Rod. He held the Ring, which Bakura had willingly given up to it's former owner before departing. "Both Ryou and Bakura were bound to the Millennium Ring in a way. Bakura was sealed within it and Ryou was destined to carry it. since his body is in another world, it would make more sense for his soul to return to someplace familiar at least."
"But does it make a difference that the Millennium Rod held...a soul once as well?" Atem asked, still wishing to spare Marik's brothers from knowing everything that had happened to the blond yami.
"It does, my...I mean, Atem," Mahado replied. "I know you are avoiding the subject and why, but it is something that needs to be addressed," he added. "Only three of the Millennium Items held souls, though certainly all seven held the potential to do so. However the situation in which each soul was bound to the item differed for each of you. You sealed yourself within the Millennium Puzzle along with sealing away most of Zorc using your name. Bakura, because of the portion of Zorc that had attached itself to his soul, was sealed via Zorc within the Millennium Ring. And Marik..." he paused, seeming to reconsider continuing for a moment. "Marik, from what I can gather from our talk earlier today, was possibly killed by the Millennium Rod itself, though that alone wasn't likely the catalyst for his soul being sealed away."
Atem watched Rajan out of the corner of his eye. "And the hikaris are bound to the items because of their respective yamis, yes? So likely only Marik's and Malik's souls should be able to reside in the Millennium Rod?"
"Makes sense," Rajan muttered distractedly.
"I'd like to hold onto the items for now, Atem," Mahado said. "I would like a chance to study them and think this over." He smiled at Ryou. "Except for the Millennium Rod, of course. If I need to see it, I'll send for you, Ryou."
"Thank you," the teen sighed. "Can I go? I want to look for Bakura."
"That's fine. Tell him to get some rest," the mage smiled.
"Tell him I'll knock him out if he refuses," Rajan added.
"I will. Good night Atem. Rajan. Mahado." He gave a small bow before floating off. He marveled at how easy it was to adapt to gliding through the air rather than walk. He had also found since the sun had set that he seemed to see better in the dark than he could before. Everyone was pleasant with him and offered to help him find the missing thief, though he politely declined and continued his search.
'A lot of people have seen him. It's strange, Bakura's been really helpful and no one's complained about hims being an ass to them. But where did he run off to?' He paused, looking around suddenly. He changed direction and glided to a more secluded part of the temple, following a small tug he felt in his chest. Finally he saw the thief slouched against a wall, well out of sight of anyone who might come looking for him. Worried, the teen slipped closer, floating low to the ground to try and peer into the other's face.
"'Kura?" Violet eyes parted slightly and Ryou huffed a bit. "What are you doing all the way over here? And why aren't you sleeping?"
"Because by some cruel twist of irony, I can't," the thief muttered, his voice straining a little when he spoke.
"What?" Ryou changed his position in the air and dropped carefully to the ground to kneel beside Bakura, gently resting a hand on the back of Bakura's head to check for a fever before remember he lacked the sense of touch to do so.
"I don't know," Bakura sighed, closing his eyes. "All I know is I'm f***ing tired and can't f***ing sleep no matter how hard I f***ing try."
Ryou frowned. "Yeah, you usually don't say that word repeatedly unless you're really tired or angry..." he moved again, blushing a bit and straddling Bakura's lap, his arms wrapping around his neck and pressing their foreheads together. "My poor 'Kura..." he breathed, pressing a warm kiss to the thief's mouth. Though he felt only a vague sensation from the act, he hoped that he could perhaps distract Bakura with it or that the thief could feel the emotions he was trying to convey.
Plus had had missed his lover for the past several days they had been separated. He missed the feel of being connected with Bakura, despite that the thief was occasionally far from gentle. Not that he'd ever admit to anyone that he enjoyed it so long as it was Bakura.
Chocolate eyes snapped open and Ryou leaned back, blinking at Bakura. "You really are tired..." he whispered worriedly, concerned by the completely lack of response.
"I'm molesting you with my mind," Bakura insisted quietly, meeting his gaze wearily. "In fact...molest yourself and I'll watch."
"'Kura!" Ryou squeaked, blushing brightly.
"Thief King." A soft laugh rumbled in Bakura's chest.
"Th-that's not..." the teen trailed off with a huff.
"Seriously, though, I know what you're doing. And you don't have to," the thief murmured. "It wasn't your fault. You don't have to "make it up to me" or any of that bull shit."
Ryou maintained his blush and pressed his forehead against Bakura's once more. "Why didn't you just tell them you were tired? They have a few beds. From what I've heard, you could have not only gotten a bed, but been pampered and treated like royalty. These people like you're some sort of god."
"Then let them think I'm off being godly somewhere else," the thief tsked.
"You do realize that after you fall asleep I'm just going to go tell them where you are," Ryou threatened.
"You'd have to make me fall asleep first," Bakura taunted.
The teen bit his bottom lip a moment. "Fine. Fine, I'll make you go to sleep. And I won't even need Rajan to come and knock you out."
"As if he could."
"I'm going to lull you to sleep with my horrible singing," Ryou stated threateningly.
"...That's it? I have to sit hear and listen to you sing?" The thief chuckled quietly and settled back as comfortably as he could. "Go ahead. I've missed hearing your voice."
Ryou blushed a bit and closed his eyes, bringing to mind a song that reminded him for them. Unbeknownest to either the teen or the thief, someone had stumbled upon them and was smiling at them.
"Ohhh he's going to sing," she whispered, looking back at her Ka spirit, who shook her head.
"We shouldn't be here," the Ka spirit whispered. "Come on, let's leave them alone, Mana."
"Oh come on," Mana whispered back, smiling and calling her staff to her hands. "You name me one person who couldn't do with a lullaby tonight. Besides, there's no harm in it. Now help me with a spell to make sure everyone hears."
Dark Magician Girl sighed and rolled her eyes. "Fine, but if Master Mahado comes after you, I'm not going to defend you."
"Fine fine, now hurry!"
Ryou drew in a slow breath before singing softly, believing Bakura and he to be alone.
"I hear your voice on the wind
And I here you call out my name"
Bakura smiled softly and closed his eyes, imagining that they were back home.
"'Listen my child', you say to me
'I am the voice of your history
Be not afraid, come follow me
Answer my call and I'll set you free'"
Malik stirred slightly in his sleep, shifting a bit and finding that Marik had moved at some point as well. They were both curled on their sides and facing each other, the yami holding him protectively under his chin, strong arms cradling him close. With a yawn, the teen lazily settled closer and started to drift off to sleep again. He heard singing and somewhere in the back of his mind recognized the voice was Ryou's.
"'s nice," he murmured sleepily.
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice, I will remain
Marik smiled, gently petting Malik's hair as the teen drifted back to sleep. He had woken as well with many thoughts keeping him from finding sleep again. He pressed a kiss to the top of his hikari's head and closed his eyes, listening to the song and trying to quiet his mind so he could find follow Malik's example.
Rajan sat atop one of the taller pillar that stretched up to the sky, no longer supporting the ceiling as it once had. He hugged one knee as he stared up at the stars and contemplated the events of the day.
"Tomorrow I have to talk to Malik," he told himself quietly. "No matter how hard it might be to hear, Petri and I need to know what happened to Marik." He sighed, thinking of his older brother. "What happened to you since we last were together? What happened to your eyes? Why do you not address people by name? Ra knows you knew everyone's name in the whole town when we were kids..."
I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone
The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow
Ne'er do I sleep throughout all the cold winter long
I am the force that in springtime will grow
The blond blinked at the words that were sung, mulling them over. The singing paused, replaced with a soft humming to a tune that followed the verse and crimson eyes wondered down to those gathered below him, bustling about and trying to make certain everyone was fed and had sleeping arrangements. Beds were limited and thus given first to the injured and then to those deemed "important".
Rajan knew that he and Petri had likely been assigned beds. And he also knew that Mahado would have turned down any offer for such luxury, as he would do shortly. Both knew there were others just as deserving of their spot as others.
'She'll turn one down too,' he thought, spotting Kisara easily by her long white hair. He shook his head with a sigh. 'Stop it, Rajan. She's still in love with that priest. I need to go down there and assign a watch. Let's see...who would be a good choice...'
Atem sat beside Yugi, lightly trailing fingers over his cheek thoughtfully. 'Two cards. Two cards. Which two cards did you mean, aibou?' he wondered, trying to recall the cards he had seen over the years. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on the teen's brow.
I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future
Bring me your peace
Bring me your peace and my wounds, they will heal
"I will speak to the others tomorrow and find those cards, aibou. I will defeat Ghede and rescue you. Please be strong until then..." the former Pharaoh breathed. He laid beside the teen and closed his eyes, knowing he needed rest if he was to find the answer he sought.
"Isis?" Mahado called out, approaching the woman slowly. She turned to face him and he felt his heart skip a beat. 'She looks just as she did in the past...' "May I speak with you a moment?"
"Of course, Mahado," she replied, offering a small, polite smile. Again the mage felt his heart miss a beat but smiled in return.
"You've heard of Ryou's return, correct?"
"Yes...though I am worried for him as well as Yugi and my brother.." she trailed off and looked away slightly.
"Did the Millennium Necklace show you something?" he asked automatically. She shook her head in reply.
"It has shown me only the same images each time I've tried to use it," she admitted. "It's as if the images were prerecorded somehow into the Necklace."
"Bakura had mentioned before that the Ring hadn't worked correctly for him either, pointing him in any direction save the castle. I wish to study the items and try to discern why they are behaving oddly." Isis nodded and unclasped the item, holding it out to the mage. Both looked up as they heard someone singing.
"That sounds like Ryou," Isis commented.
Mahado closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "And I feel some magic in the air, which I would assume is Mana." He sighed. "I hope she at least has his permission."
"Hmm?"
"It's nothing," he smiled, taking the Necklace from her, their fingers brushing in the transaction. He managed to keep his heart on beat this time and offered her his elbow. "Come, let me escort you to bed, Isis."
Isis hesitated but accepted the offer, the pair walking leisurely to their destination. "Not that I'm grateful, but aren't their limited beds?"
Mahado nodded. "Do not worry, Isis. Those who need a bed most have one," he said with a reassuring smile. She nodded, looking straight ahead.
After a moment she asked "How did you know...that I had a Ka spirit? And what did you mean when you said I commanded her "once long ago"?"
Mahado paused this time before speaking. "It may seem hard to believe. I didn't believe it myself until you actually were able to summon Spiria. There was a time in Egypt when you possessed the Millennium Necklace and served the Pharaoh Akunumkanon and then his son, Atem. You were one of six priests, along with Karim, Set, Akunadin, Shada, and myself."
"So you think I'm the reincarnation of-"
"I do not think so," Mahado interrupted, stopping and urning to face Isis. "I know you are. How else could you summon Spiria? Why else would the Millennium Necklace have fallen once more into your hands."
Isis opened her mouth to speak but closed it again and looked away. "I don't know..."
Mahado flinched slightly and gently took her hand. "I apologize. You do not remember and I have not right to assume you believe me when we have just met."
I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice that always is calling you
I am the voice
"Please forgive me Isis. Your bed is right there, the third from the wall," he said, pointing it out and releasing her hand. "Good night." He gave her a small bow and turned to leave, looking down at the Millennium Necklace in his hand.
"Mahado!"
He stopped a looked back to see Isis reaching a hand toward him for just a second before she drew it close to her chest and looked a little confused and somewhat shy. "Um..Good night," she whispered, moving toward the bed he had indicated. Mahado turned away again, smiling faintly.
'Perhaps a part of her does remember...'
I am the voice of the past that will always be
I am the voice of your hunger and pain
I am the voice of the future
I am the voice
I am the voice
I am the voice
I am the voice (4)
Ryou opened his eyes, smiling to find that Bakura was now sleeping deeply. Though he would have been content to simply sit there and watch the thief sleep, he knew what his lover needed was a bed.
'I'll just go find Rajan and-' he stopped mid thought when he felt a presence standing behind him. He turned and felt a chill run down his spine when he saw a familiar figure towering over him.
"G-Gorz?" he whispered a little fearfully at the powerful Ka spirit. A man stood beside the armored being, red hair styled in similar spikes as the warrior and wearing a black leather tunic, pants, and boots. He uncrossed his arms and smiled at Ryou, dark eyes glittering slightly.
"Gorz, the former Emissary of Darkness, and his Ba, Ira. Can we be of some assistance?"
Before Ryou could respond, Gorz moved forward and, with a gentleness the teen would never have guess the bladed Ka could posses, scooped up both Bakura and himself. With a small squeak, the teen floated off the thief and moved to hover beside Ira.
"I..um..."
"Gorz remembers you," Ira replied to the stunned Ryou. "Come on." He followed after Gorz as the Ka moved toward the sleeping area, Ryou trailing after him timidly. "I owe you at least this much I think. In a way, you saved my life in that Shadow Game."
"Sh-shadow Game?" Ryou blinked. "Um...what do you mean?"
"You don't remember?" Ira raised a brow. "Back when you first met Gorz. Zorc sent him after you."
(AN: exert from Hikari no Yami no Game)
---
With a frown, he looked down at his right hand, fingers flexing slowly as if grabbing hold of something. 'Bakura...Just for that second...' He closed his hand as well as his eyes. 'It felt good...safe...just the touch of your hand...' "Bakura!" Ryou called, spinning around, visually searching the ruins surrounding him. "Yugi! Malik! Yami!"
Instead of the familiar voice of a friend, a battle cry reached his ears. Ryou turned toward it instinctively, taking a nervous step back as he heard the quick beat of approaching footsteps. The man, as he assumed it was, donned black armor, leaving only his shoulders, fingers, and the lower half of his face unguarded, wild red hair trailing behind him and a large sword clutched in hand. It only took a half second for Ryou to know running would be a good plan and he took off, weaving through the ruins to try and out maneuver his attacker.
Standing atop a building, Tozokuo/Zorc watched the teen. "Yes, run little Ryou. Lets see how long you can outrun Gorz the Emissary of Darkness before he puts you down." He chuckled, turning to look in a different direction. "Oh Pharaoh, seems you're the lucky one. You have Hasan and Mahado to look after you. Pity your friends aren't as fortunate," he grinned, looking up at the sky. "It's only a matter of time now."
Ryou gasped for breath as he ran, lungs burning and legs starting to ache from the effort it was taking to stay ahead of the fiend chasing after him. 'Can't I do anything but run?' he wondered frantically, darting through another building. 'There has to be something...Yugi and Malik were summoning things...they had duel disks...' The teen squeezed his eyes shut, forcing himself to run faster as he heard how close behind his attack had to be. 'But I don't have-' his eyes flew open, looking at his left forearm as it felt suddenly heavier. '...I'm not asking questions right now,' he skid to a halt, turning to face his enemy and quickly drawing a card. 'I hope this works...'
With a quick glance at the drawn card, he placed it on the duel plate. "Dark Necrofear!" 'One of Bakura's cards!...I hope that's a good sign...'
Gorz roared, bringing his sword down and cleaving the fiend Ryou had summon in half, leaving the stunned teen down 500 life points and open to attack. He brought his arms up, praying for some sort of miracle as he expected the same treatment given Dark Necrofear. Instead he heard the shifting of armor followed by the wind quietly howling through the ruins. Ryou cautiously lowered his arms to see Gorz genuflecting before him, still nearly a half foot taller that the teen.
Looking down, he took a moment to actually read the ability of Dark Necrofear. "If this card is destroyed by battle, equip it to a monster your opponent controls during the End Phase of this turn. Take control of the equipped monster...Cool!" His face lit up as he looked up at Gorz, nodding. "Alright, lets go."
---
(AN: End of Exert ;) )
"I remember," Ryou nodded. "Because of Dark Necrofear's ability, Gorz became my ally. But...what do you mean I saved your life?"
"Ah, you don't know? Our Ka spirits are tied to your world. During Shadow Games, they actually travel through the Shadow Realm and appear "in person" so to speak," Ira explained. "But what happens to them affects us here. When they are defeated, we suffer. It's like getting sick and knowing it's going to happen but you can't stop it. But see, in this world, there are three groups. The people here who follow Mahado are group one. There's another group that doesn't want to leave here, like the people in group one do, so they live apart from Mahado's followers. That's group two. Then there's the group I was with. They are angry about being stuck here and want to leave, but they also seem to think that the only way to leave is through death."
"Really?" Ryou frowned. "So...are they...suicidal then or-"
"No, that's the strange part, I guess," Ira chuckled. "Looking back, it doesn't make any sense at all. They want to leave and think death is the only way out, but they don't want to die. It's sort of become more of a game to hunt down others and "do them a favor" by killing them." He sighed, looking up at Gorz. "I'm not proud to admit my part in the killings. Not anymore. When Gorz was pulled into the Shadow Game by Zorc, it was just a game to him. Another opportunity to draw blood. Then he met you." Ira smiled. "Because your light affected Gorz, it affected me as well. When the Shadow Game was over, we came looking for Mahado and asked him for help."
"My light?" Ryou blinked, confused.
"That's the way it was explained to me," Ira nodded. "Dark Necrofear's Ba told me after I joined Mahado's group that her Ba doesn't have any sort of ability to change people. Mahado told me the story of the three hikaris and their abilities. "The Light of Faith has the power to change the heart of it's enemies and turn them into allies" is what he said. So I do owe you my thanks. Even though I'm fighting now, it's to protect people and not to mindlessly slaughter them. It's definitely a better life than the one I lived before you met Gorz."
"Well...you're welcome, Ira," Ryou said, offering a smile to hide his confusing at this new revelation. 'I have that sort of power?'
"Anyway, let me see if I can't get a bed for you two. Should be easy," Ira smirked. He cleared his throat and raised his voice slightly. "Ah, it looks like all of the beds are taken. And here we have this poor warrior who could use a good rest. What ever shall we do, Gorz?"
"Oh? Who's that?" Someone asked.
"Isn't that Diabound's Ba?" Someone else asked. "He can have my bed."
"No, give him mine!" another person insisted. A few others began bickering, all eager to part with their bed (and a few offering to share theirs) for the sake of the thief.
"Everyone's always eager to help a hero," Ira chuckled, smiling to Ryou.
"Did he finally pass out?" Rajan asked, the other voices falling silent. "About time. I was starting to think he wasn't human. Put him in my bed."
"Yes sir," Ira smiled, Gorz moving to gently set Bakura in the offered bed. Rajan sighed, fingers pressing against the thief's throat.
"There isn't one people here who can donate life force to him, but I think I can find a few donors so he'll at least wake up in the morning. Much as I'd love to be able to let him sleep for three days, we'll need his Diabound if we're going to survive," Rajan sighed.
"Three days!?" Ryou knelt on the bed beside Bakura and looked up at the blond. "Is he that weak!?"
"He's pretty burned out, Ryou," Rajan explained. "I'm just guessing three days. Bakura's a tough guy, though. I wouldn't be surprised if it was up tomorrow on his own, but I'd feel better if we gave him a little jump start on his recovery." He paused, smirking. "One thing's for sure, I'm glad he's on our side. I never want to try fighting him one on one. There's a chance he could beat out Osiris, if only because I'd get worn out long before him.(5)"
"He's that powerful?" Someone asked.
"Potentially," Rajan nodded. "Ira, you and Gorz up to some night watch?"
"Sure. We just got here a little while ago," the red head nodded. "See you later Ryou. Take care of Bakura."
"Bye Ira," Ryou replied, petting the thief in question.
"I'll be back in a little while, Ryou," Rajan promised, slipping off.
"Thank you, Rajan," the teen smiled. He placed the Millennium Rod between himself and Bakura, laying down and draped an arm over the thief's chest. He closed his eyes with the intention of opening them again a moment later. By the time Rajan returned, the teen was fast asleep.
AN: Long chapter is long. Hope that makes up for the wait. Cute stuff happened in this chapter and more action will happen in the next chapter, where we'll see what the others are up to and you'll learn a secret.
A closely guarded secret. That involves Seto. Oh snap! I've said too much! *runs away!*
Anyway, look forward to it! :D
(1) As I said before, they can see what their Ka sees. He saw Bakura through Osiris' eyes. :3
(2) I didn't know what to call it, but Sick Bay reminds me of Star Trek. Which Michael was playing in the living room. The new movie. And that's probably why it was in my head. So...it's a sick bay now. :p
(3) I'm really trying to keep things not confusing. So to explain (cause I don't remember if I did before or not) if it's Ra with on "a", it's referring to the Sun God of Ancient Egypt. If it's Raa with 2 "a"s, then it's Raa no Yoku Shin Ryuu. Please point out if I get them confused so I can laugh at myself. :p
(4) The Voice by Celtic Woman. Please pretend it's a soft, male voice singing it when you read it. Well, it's too late cause you've read it, but...you know what I mean D: ...I hope.... Anyway, I heard this when I saw a video on YouTube called "Yu-Gi-Oh - The Voice" which was dedicated to Bakura. And I thought "I love this song. Ryou should sing it to Bakura". And so I made it happen. :3
(5) HAHAHA Osiris did lose to Diabound before in the anime (did it happen in the manga too?). Granted, it was because Akunadin threw a sword at the stone tablet containing Osiris and it shocked the dragon just long enough to have it's top half vaporized by Diabound, but it still happened.
See you in the next chapter! Hopefully I'll get started on it tonight :3