It's finally here. The final chapter to Love of the Dark. I'm mostly happy, but also a little sad.
I wrote this mainly because I wanted to give Malik and Ryou the beginning to a happy ending. There is still a lot they have to make up for, but I think they'll do it.
I hope you all enjoy.
As usual, I don't own anything. I'm too poor to own something like Yugioh.
Love of the Dark
Chapter 12
"What day is it? And in what month, this clock never seemed so alive…" You and Me – Lifehouse
A pale hand slammed down onto an alarm clock and a soft groan was heard from the bed next to it. A head of messy white hair peeked out and glanced at the clock before sighing. Blankets were flung back as the young man, for he was in his early 20's, climbed out of the bed. He waved his hand in front of a sensor and the windows of his apartment went from dark to clear, showing a rising sun over a very futuristic city.
Ryou padded into the bathroom to freshen up and get ready for the day. As he did, the coffee pot chirped to life as the t.v. in the living room flicked on by itself, the news filtering through the apartment. He stuck his head out of the bathroom door at the mention of a boy named Yuuma, toothbrush dangling from his mouth. He listened for a moment before going back to his morning routine.
Heartland City, as Domino was now called, was the current place he called home. It was centuries, and many different lives, since that fateful day in Atem's tomb. He could still recall it as clearly as if it occurred just hours before. He spent much of the time since then living under the radar doing nothing special. He never tried to be in the spotlight anymore. Trying to make amends for his darker half meant doing things behind the scenes. Doing good where no one would expect it.
That didn't mean he wasn't rich. He was probably one of the richest men in the world thanks to his past reincarnations. Oh yes, he carefully and meticulously plotted his finances and estate so that in his next life he would be able to continue his mission.
Part of that included searching for Malik's unconscious body. He spent a great deal of time finding the other in each new life and trying to keep him alive as long as possible. Even if it went against the doctor's recommendation, if there was the slightest chance…
He stepped out of the bathroom and padded over to the coffee maker in fresh clothes. He looked a lot more put together now than before and he turned to pay full attention to the news. Heartland City was dedicated to Duel Monsters and he liked to keep up with the news. Yuuma, the boy who was in the news earlier, was back on the t.v. If Ryou didn't know any better, he would've sworn the boy was Yugi's reincarnation.
But he wasn't. Yugi, Yami, and Atem were all living downtown as instructors to the local school. They taught Duel Monster strategies, of course. Who better? That being said, it wasn't them exactly. It was their reincarnations this time around. They looked completely different from their first life together, but they still loved each other as fiercely as they did then.
It hadn't taken any of them long to recognize and remember him. Yami, for his part, was still very much upset with him. He wanted nothing to do with Ryou at first. Atem and Yugi managed to convince him to give him a second chance. He was very grateful to them. He meant no harm this time around. He just wanted to do good and try to earn his own love back. He knew doing anything to harm them would be detrimental to what he wanted.
Joey and Seto were still around, of course. They were playing an interesting game of cat and mouse in this life. Joey was playing the role of an international magician thief, while Seto was the genius detective trying to catch him. They were totally in love with each other. Even he could see it.
The rest of the gang was around, of course. Doing various things around the world. Even Ishizu was reincarnated. When he realized who she was, he was overcome with such guilt that he swore he would spend the next few lifetimes trying to make it up to her any way he could.
So here he was. Getting ready to head to work to do more good and fix all of the mistakes he made many lives ago. He worked for a nonprofit organization that helped out troubled youth. If he could come up with a way to help those that need it while they were young… maybe he could make up for some of the mistakes he and Bakura both made.
He shut the coffee pot and t.v. off and was about to head out the door when a loud sound came from his living room. Cautiously he grabbed a nearby vase and slowly approached the living room. Vase high above his head, he was just about to hit whoever it was over the head when the vase slipped from his fingers. It fell harmlessly to the floor, cushioned thankfully by the carpet, as he stared in stunned shock at the figure standing in his living room.
His back was to him, but even he knew who it was. If the Egyptian styled clothing didn't clue him in, the mane of wild silver hair did. His voice caught in his throat and he choked out, "Bakura…?"
Said figure turned around and their eyes met. Tears sprang to his eyes as he crumpled to the carpet. He couldn't believe the sight in front of him. His mind had to be playing tricks on him. This had to be an illusion, he was sure of it.
Bakura rushed around the couch between them and kneeled, gathering Ryou in his arms. His voice was rough with emotion as he stammered, "Ry… Ryou? Please tell me this isn't another dream. Please tell me you're real."
"Bakura…" Ryou sobbed out, his arms going up around the other's shoulders. He clung to him tightly as he cried. He couldn't believe it. Bakura was there, in front of him, very real and holding onto him like he was going to disappear at any second. He buried his face into his chest and just sobbed. Finally, they were together. Finally, he had his love back…
Slowly, Bakura gathered him up in his arms and carried him to the couch. Sitting down, he settled Ryou into his lap and held him. Silent tears of his own coursed down his cheeks and he clung to Ryou as tightly as he was being clung to. He could hardly believe it. One moment, he was being cursed to spend eternity in the millennium ring, and the next he was standing in an apartment he didn't recognize.
Neither one spoke for several minutes. Slowly, very slowly, their tears calmed down and they eventually sat there in silence. They simply enjoyed the feeling of being close to each other once again. It was the most peaceful feeling Ryou could recall ever feeling of any of the lifetimes he went through. He felt whole again. Eventually, the curiosity got to him and he lifted his head as he asked in a voice rough from crying, "How…?"
Bakura dropped his head back, not caring one bit about the wetness on his face. His eyes were red as he gazed up at the ceiling. Murmuring quietly, he began, "It started back after Atem sealed us away. The Gods told us we were to spend eternity locked in the very items we once coveted so deeply. We would be locked away with no hope of redemption, they told us. There was nothing to save us from that fate. I was just grateful they didn't feed our souls to Ammut. And so we slept. We slept, unaware of the passage of time. A few years ago, we slowly began to wake up. We knew something was happening, but we didn't know what. Weren't we to spend eternity in the items? We didn't know anymore. Then, just two days ago, we woke up fully. The Gods explained we were to be stripped of everything we once had. We would be nothing more than mortals in a world that changed so much. Then today… well, you know the rest."
"They finally gave you back to me… I finally did it. I finally made amends enough to get you back…" Ryou whispered in wonder as he made the connection. There was only one reason as to why Bakura would be back in his life, and that would be if the Gods decided he finally made amends enough to earn it. A new wave of tears came over him and he buried his face back into Bakura's chest.
The other waited patiently, rubbing his back softly as he cried. He wanted to know what Ryou meant by making amends. There was something there the other knew that he didn't. He wanted to know what. Slowly, Ryou stopped crying and he gently tilted his face back up as he asked, "Ryou… what happened while I was locked away in the Millennium Ring?"
In a halting voice, Ryou proceeded to tell him everything. Starting with Malik approaching him about finding the items and getting them back. He told him about killing Ishizu because Malik told him it had to be done. How they both went insane from grief. He told him about finding the tomb and Yugi, Yami, and Atem stopping them. He didn't even hide from him how Malik went insane and got locked in the rod with his darker half. He left nothing out. When he was finished, Bakura sat there in silence, processing everything he was told. He was most importantly thinking about the deal Ryou made with the Gods to get him back.
It was a stupid and risky deal. What if he never made amends? What if everything was simply not enough and he lost hope? It could've gone so terribly wrong and the things the Gods could've subjected Ryou to… He simply couldn't accept how very foolish Ryou was back then. There was nothing he could do about it now, but still. It upset him quite a bit.
Just as he was about to open his mouth and say something, the phone rang. Both of them looked over at it in silence for a moment; the second and third ring going unanswered before Ryou finally launched himself up. He picked up the phone and asked, "Hello?"
"Hello, is this Mr. Ryou Bakura?"
"Yes, it is."
"This is Serena with Kuroba Regional Hospital. I'm calling in regards to Malik and Marik…"
"Yes, what about them?" he interrupted, panic setting in and making him grip the phone tighter. Part of him hoped for good news, but he also felt a great deal of fear because they both went through so much and did so many terrible things…
"I just want to let you know they both woke up. Now, they're in very critical condition because their bodies haven't ever been used, but they are awake. They have asked for you. I'm not sure how they know you, considering, but will you be able to make it down to the hospital at some point?" she asked, the confusion in her voice evident even over the phone.
Relief melted through Ryou, quickly turning to joy as he sagged down onto the couch next to Bakura and replied, "Yes, I can. I'll be down within the hour. Thank you so much for calling and telling me all of this."
"You're welcome. We'll see you soon then."
Ryou dropped the phone back onto its hook and sank back into the couch. He wore a look of pure disbelief on his face. Not only was Bakura back, but Malik and Marik were both awake? That could only mean that Malik somehow purged the darkness from Marik's soul. The fact that it took this long didn't surprise him, but it was a bit… unexpected?
Bakura tilted his head and looked at him in concern. He wasn't sure what his lighter half had been up to all this time, but it seemed to be quite important. A single eyebrow went up when Ryou began to laugh. He lightly touched Ryou's shoulder and asked, "You okay?"
"Malik and Marik… they're awake!" Ryou exclaimed as he sprang back up and clapped his hands together. His eyes were wide and shining with excitement as he spoke, "I've got to let Yugi and the others know about this!"
"That runt is still around?" Bakura heard himself ask, but Ryou was already on the phone and didn't answer. He stood up and wandered around the apartment. So much had changed since he was last in the world. Some of his old feeling disappeared. He chalked that up to the time he spent in the millennium ring "sleeping". He felt a bit out of place, though. Especially when he moved the curtain to the window and looked out. So much was different. There were things, technologies, that he didn't recognize. Humanity changed in the time of his sleep. It was definitely very different from when he was a live in Ancient Egypt and he wasn't sure how to process it all.
A gentle set of arms wrapped around his waist and he turned his head to look at Ryou. The other wore a small smile as he asked, "It's all quite strange, isn't it? I imagine it feels so different seeing all of this."
"It does," Bakura agreed with a nod. He turned and drew Ryou into his arms. Dropping his head, he kissed him lightly before pulling back and murmuring, "But I have you to help me get used to it. Let's get going. I'm sure you're eager to see Malik and Marik."
Ryou stared in awe at Bakura, making him a little uncomfortable. He was being so nice… and the kiss, while short, felt amazing. This wasn't quite the Bakura he remembered. Not that he was arguing too much. It was simply a bit of a surprise to have him be so nice and gentle. Bakura shifted and asked a bit roughly, "Are we going to go or are you going to keep staring at me?"
Ryou blushed a little and pulled back. Padding over to the door, he replied, "We have to pick up Yugi and the gang, but yeah. We'll go see them. I'm sure Marik will be delighted to see you again. Hopefully they won't mind if we bring a few people along."
They headed out the door. Bakura marveled at everything they passed. It was all so new and foreign to him that he felt like he was in some kind of wonderland. Ryou indulged him by explaining different pieces of new technology, well new to Bakura anyway. They made their way to Yugi's and Bakura was surprised to see three different people come out that looked nothing like the Yugi he remembered.
Yugi, for his part, was still short. He still had gravity defying hair, but it was pure platinum blond. It was a lot shorter than he remembered it being and stuck up in no random pattern, unlike before. He wouldn't have even recognized him if Ryou hadn't shouted out the window, "Yugi!"
Yugi bounded up to the vehicle and eagerly leaned into Ryou's side. He happily chirped out a hello as Bakura studied the two men sauntering up behind him. One was tall, with a dark tan complexion so dark that he almost mistook him as being an African. As they got closer, it was easier to see that it was more of a tan than an actual skin tone. Long hair flowed down to the man's ankles, held back in a pony tail. It was the darkest ebony and Bakura marveled at how a man could wear hair that long.
The other seemed to be the complete opposite. He was just a few inches shorter, though not quite as short as Yugi, and had bright red shaggy hair. Green eyes pierced through him, smirking laughter lay inside, as he took note of a smattering of freckles over his nose. The man seemed to know him, but he couldn't place him for the life of him.
"Oh! Bakura, it's great to see you," Yugi exclaimed as he grinned at him. Noting Bakura's curious gaze, he jerked his thumb over his shoulder and introduced, "Oh, right. You may not recognize them. The taller one is Yami and the red headed goofball is Atem."
"What?!"
The screech was so loud it caused several people in the street to look over at the in bewilderment. Bakura was hyperventilating a little bit and staring at the three of them in pure confusion. There was no way that was the Pharaoh! He looked too… normal. He knew it was a different time, but they couldn't be that different…
"Looks like the lad can't comprehend the idea that we might change over time," Atem replied in a very distinctive Irish voice. He placed a hand on his hip and looked like he was having a very hard time keeping his laughter in.
Yami stepped up next to him and slapped the back of his head as he rolled his eyes. Out of the three of them, he was the only one who remained Japanese. While his accent was barely noticeable when he spoke English, Bakura could pick out just the slightest nuance when he said, "Leave him alone, Atem. The poor guy just woke up, after all. I'm pretty sure seeing your freckled ass would shock anyone, let alone someone who actually knew you back then."
Atem gave an indignant cry and turned to argue with Yami as Yugi simply rolled his eyes and turned back to Ryou as he asked, "So is it really true? Malik and Marik are really awake? Did they say how they were doing?"
Ryou shook his head as he replied, "I only know that they're awake and asking for me. The nurse did say they were in critical condition, but well enough to ask for me. It's because their bodies have been in a coma for their entire lives. So it will be a while before they're able to be released from the hospital."
"What're we waitin' around here for?" Atem asked as he moved over to the rear driver door. He pulled it open and gave them a grin as he continued, "Let's go see 'em and find out how they're doing."
The others piled into the car, chatting a mile a minute. Bakura just turned to look out the window, feeling rather overwhelmed. He took several deep breaths and started just a little as Ryou reached over and gently squeezed his hand. He smiled back faintly and turned his hand to intertwine them together as he felt himself relax a bit. It was overwhelming and confusing, but… just maybe it would be okay.
They got to the hospital pretty quick and Ryou was one of the first out of the car. He and Yugi bounded up to the building even as the other three followed behind at a slower pace. It was Yami that spoke the thought that was on all of their minds, "They're pretty eager, despite what all has happened."
"Yugi forgave Ryou and Malik a long time ago. Long before our first life together ever really ended," Atem remarked as they crossed the parking lot. His hands slipped into his pockets as he paused just outside of the entrance. Turning, he looked at Bakura over his shoulder as he grinned and continued, "It's been a long time for all of us. We've all learned to forgive and forget. You're lucky. Our lighter halves have given us a reason to move on instead of lingering on the past. Maybe you should too."
Bakura didn't know what to say to that. Didn't know what he could say to that. He ducked his head as Yami briefly squeezed his shoulder before moving inside. He stayed where he was standing for a few minutes, just trying to get the emotions he suddenly felt to calm down. By the time he was able to shake the feeling, everyone disappeared on him and he had to ask for help.
Wandering down the various hallways he had been directed through, he soon heard the excited chatter of Ryou and Yugi filling Malik and Marik in on everything. Stepping just inside the door, he took the moment of not being noticed to just take in the scene in front of him.
Ryou and Yugi were sitting on Malik's bed and were chatting away. He thought it was a little weird they were allowed in with them being considered critical condition, but he chalked it up to the charm Ryou and Yugi had. It was easy to see that they could talk their way into anything. Even more so when it involved someone they cared about.
Malik sat there listening with an amused look on his face. He too looked different from the last time Bakura saw him. Not as much as Yami or Atem, but enough to know he wouldn't recognize them on the street. The normal spiky blond hair was lying down around his shoulders. It was darker, much more brown than blond, but the face was definitely Malik. He glanced around and noticed that Marik was lying on his own bed not too far away with his eyes closed. He wasn't sure if he was sleeping or not, but like himself, Marik was the only other one of the group to look like his old self.
The conversation paused only a second as he stepped into the room and sat down next to Marik. The only acknowledgement he got from the blond was a single eye opening before closing. Malik nodded at him as Ryou and Yugi resumed their chatter. From their story, Bakura was able to glean that they only really remembered their past lives when they encountered someone from it.
Ryou said it was really fortunate that he and Yugi grew up in the same town or else he might not remember any of it. They met as kids and it was almost an instant memory. From then on, they spent a good portion of their lives helping Yugi find Yami and Atem. Ryou also spent a great deal of time looking for Malik and Marik and was very lucky to find them when he did. Their parents were discussing taking them off life support when Ryou volunteered to pay the medical bills to keep them on it. He was very grateful to see them awake.
"What… about… others?" Malik rasped out softly. His voice was a mere whisper and it sounded as if he were having a hard time finding the words. His mind remembered them, but his body was not familiar with the process of talking.
Yugi hung his head a little as Ryou replied softly, "We haven't found them yet. It's been very difficult to find people as the population continues to grow. We're not sure where they are or even if they've been reincarnated yet."
Malik nodded and Ryou helped him take a sip of water. He seemed to sag a little and Yugi stood up as he murmured softly, "We'll let you get some rest, Malik. We'll be back tomorrow. I promise you two won't have to go through this alone. In the meantime, you both just focus on getting stronger, okay?"
Malik nodded again and slowly drifted off to sleep. The group slowly filed out and left the two boys to rest. Marik, whom was awake when they arrived, was also fast asleep by the time Bakura stepped out of the room. The group slowly chatted about them and how good it was to have a portion of the group finally back together again.
A glint of gold caught Bakura's eye and he paused to look out the window. The sun, still in the process of rising, hovered in the sky and cast a golden hue over the city. It reflected off of a nearby window and Bakura felt a sense of peace wash over him. It was different, scary, and overwhelming. But he felt, for the first time since he could remember, a sense of hope. Hope that maybe the future wouldn't be so bad after all. And maybe, just maybe, he could have the kind of life he always imagined. A small smile appeared on his lips and he sauntered toward the group that stopped to wait for him.
It was looking better already.
Well, there it is. The end to this story.
Onto Angel of Darkness! I really need to figure out where that was going...
Jaa!
