Disclaimer: I don't own anything of importance in this story.

Chapter 25

Kenshin returned to the lunch room and rejoined the others, leaving Battousai alone once again. Since he could no longer listen in on Ryou and Yami's conversation, he decided to inform Bakura of what they were discussing.

//Oh, Bakuuuuraaaaaa. Where aaaare youuuuuuuu? Bakuuuuraaaaaaaa...// Battousai called out, in an annoying sing-song voice.

{{Shut up! What do you want, kono mushikera me?!}} Bakura demanded, annoyed. He had been sleeping before Battousai's irritating voice woke him up.

//I just wanted to talk. Don't you like talking to me?// Battousai asked, in mock hurt. He enjoyed being the bane of Bakura's existence.

{{I enjoy talking to you less than I enjoy the punishment for getting caught stealing from the Pharaoh's treasury! What is it you want?!}} Bakura replied. He fervently hoped Battousai didn't feel like talking for very long.

//Oh, and here I was trying to be nice and warn you of an upcoming ambush. Well, if you don't wish to hear me out, then I'll be quiet. I'm sure you can handle Yami all on your own,// Battousai said, with practiced indifference.

Bakura suddenly became much more attentive. {{What did you say? Yami is planning to ambush me?! When?!}} Bakura demanded.

Battousai yawned. //Oh, I believe they're planning it sometime on Saturday,// he said, off-handedly.

{{Why are you telling me this? I would think that you would be eager to be taken away from me,}} Bakura asked, suspiciously.

Battousai acted surprised. //Did I say that? What difference would it make as to whether you had me as opposed to Yami? I'm actually trying to help you. Kenshin wants to meet with you today after school, to settle things. It will just be you and him--and me, of course, unless you leave me somewhere else. You could eliminate him and prevent Yami from double-teaming with him on Saturday,// Battousai said, casually.

Bakura's pride kicked in. {{I could take down both of them! I don't need to fight them one at a time!}} he said, arrogantly.

Battousai laughed mockingly. //Oh, yes, you've done a fine job of taking out Yami, so far. I've only been present once when you attacked him and it was an ambush. I know it wasn't the first and you couldn't even take him out then! Besides, I'm sure you remember what I told you about Kenshin. He obviously thinks that he has some way to avoid shadow magic without the Mask. Don't tell me you're afraid to fight that frail, little boy who doesn't even have the benefit of one Millennium Item while you have two?! Don't tell me that I underestimated you. The odds are more than stacked in your favor and you're backing out? You're even more pathetic than I thought...// Battousai said, sneering. He had felt Bakura's anger rise exponentially while he was talking. He just hoped Bakura was blinded enough by rage to miss a few little details, such as how Battousai had found out Kenshin wanted to fight him alone.

Bakura couldn't take a hit to his pride like that sitting down. {{You dare to call me a coward?! I could easily kill Kenshin anytime I wanted! And I think I will do just that! Where was it you said he wanted to meet?!}} Bakura practically yelled. If Battousai's precious little hikari wanted to fight, then it would be a battle he would not walk away from!

Battousai smirked. //In the alley where we first met. He'll be waiting there after school.//

{{Fine. I hope you really aren't too attached to that foolish mortal, because he just signed his own death wish.}}

//Hmph. We'll see. It should be an interesting battle between you two,// Battousai said, still smirking.

Bakura was silent, contemplating all the different ways he would make Kenshin suffer for all the trouble he and the Pharaoh had caused the thief. Oh yes, he would pay. They both would.

~*~

After school, Kenshin started walking home with Yami. The spirit had redoubled his efforts in trying to get Kenshin to help him retrieve the Mask, since he now had a deadline. Kenshin, for his part, didn't want to arouse Yami's suspicions by suddenly having a change of heart, so he was staying with his previous decision.

"Yami, I still don't see how I can help you," Kenshin argued. It was getting repetitive, both he and Yami using the same arguments.

"Kenshin, I told you before, if you tell me what weakness of yours that Battousai told Bakura, we can work together to counter it," Yami said, persuasively.

Kenshin shook his head in defeat. "Fine. Without the Mask, I am no longer able to dodge shadow magic," Kenshin replied, sullenly.

Yami blinked. He hadn't been expecting Kenshin to actually tell him, but he saw this as Kenshin leaning towards a decision to help Yami. Kenshin saw it as a way to prolong the argument. "Kenshin, I can't dodge shadow magic and neither can Bakura. I don't see how that puts you at a disadvantage," Yami said.

Kenshin shook his head, again. "That's because you have shadow powers to counter Bakura's. I don't," Kenshin said, shrugging.

"Ah, without Battousai, you can't use shadow magic," Yami nodded his head in understanding.

"No, I told you last night--Battousai doesn't have shadow powers, either," Kenshin said. Yami looked at him, obviously confused, so Kenshin continued. "The Mask does not grant its user access to shadow powers, as do some of the other items. It will only enhance the user's physical abilities beyond what they already are. For example," Kenshin disappeared from Yami's side, only to reappear at the end of the block. He waited until Yami looked up and saw him before running back, seeming to reappear next to Yami. Needless to say, Yami was considerably surprised.

Kenshin continued, as if he hadn't interrupted himself. "I can move very fast without the Mask. Having it boosts my speed to the point where I am fast enough to dodge shadow magic. That was my only defense against it. If Battousai decides to help Bakura, then Bakura will have access to time travel via the Mask and Battousai will have access to shadow powers via the Ring," Kenshin explained. Yami seemed to be panicking slightly.

"Kenshin, if that's true, then we don't have any more time to waste! We have to get the Mask back now!" As far as Yami was concerned, Kenshin had just moved up the deadline.

Kenshin seemed to realize his mistake and hastened to correct it. "Yami, calm down. Battousai will wait until he has some sort of leverage over Bakura before allowing himself to be put into a remotely vulnerable position. Asking for access to Bakura's shadow powers shows that he himself has none. He will not negotiate with Bakura until he is sure any information he gives cannot be used against him. We have quite some time, yet," Kenshin said, reassuringly. Yami seemed to accept it.

They were about halfway home, when Kenshin suddenly stopped and started searching through his bag looking for something. Apparently not finding it, he groaned. "Oh, man! I must have left it at school," he complained, more to himself than to Yami.

"What did you forget, Kenshin?" Yami asked, curiously.

"I need to finish this assignment and turn it in tomorrow, but I think I left it in my locker. I have to go back and get it," Kenshin said, as he turned to walk back the way they came.

"I'll go with you," Yami offered.

Kenshin shook his head. "No, you go on home and tell Grandpa I had to go back and get something from school, so he doesn't worry. I'll be home a little later, okay?" Kenshin asked.

Yami nodded. "I'll see you at home," he said, as he continued walking towards the shop.

"Thanks, Yami!" Kenshin called as he headed back in the other direction. He waited until Yami was out of sight before he changed his course. I wonder if Bakura's already there waiting for me? he wondered, as he made his way towards the alley.

~*~

Bakura knew how to invade Ryou's mind, but he didn't know how to block Ryou from his mind. It didn't really matter because while Ryou had just learned how to put up mental barriers, he didn't know how to enter Bakura's mind. Battousai found the whole situation quite humorous, and wondered if the same was true for Yami and Yugi.

Bakura was allowing Ryou to walk home, as the alley where he and Kenshin were to meet was along the way. Battousai, with nothing better to do, decided to see what was going on in Bakura's mind. He was debating about something.

Should I take it with me? Bakura wondered. Battousai listened, trying to figure out what he was talking about.

On one hand, if Kenshin does defeat me, he'll take it back. Not that he can defeat me, but just in case... I mean, I underestimated him the last two times we faced off, and I WON'T be making that same mistake again...

Battousai became very worried when he realized Bakura was talking about the Mask. He had to be there! Kenshin's plan wouldn't work otherwise! Battousai was a key part of it! Battousai, realizing his emotions would be felt by Bakura, hastened to block them from the other spirit. Wait a minute, Battousai thought, to himself, Bakura won't be able to tell whether this feeling is his or not. This might actually help... Battousai slowly dropped the barrier he'd erected and allowed his anxiety to flow into Bakura, just a little bit at first, but building quickly. Bakura reacted as Battousai had predicted.

No, I MUST take the Mask with me! I will not lose if I have it, but defeat may come to me if I do not! After all, I may need it to dodge some of Kenshin's attacks... Bakura thought, almost frantically. Battousai allowed himself to sigh in relief, his fear fading away, leaving Bakura thinking he had made the right decision.

Battousai, confident that Bakura wouldn't change his mind, decided to check on Ryou. Ryou had inadvertently dropped his barrier during a test in his last class and had not yet put up another one. Bakura might not be able take over his body if Ryou was blocking him from his mind, so it was crucial to Kenshin's plan that Ryou's mental barrier stay down. It would have been easier to test the theory and have Ryou erect a mental barrier and then try to give the Mask to Kenshin, but there was always the possibility that Bakura break it down. He was very familiar with Ryou's mind, after all, and that made it easier for him to break through Ryou's barriers if he knew what he was doing. All in all, it was just easier to assume that he could and act accordingly.

Seeing them draw near the allotted alley, Battousai alerted Bakura. //We're almost there, just in case you wanted to know,// he said, being sure to block Ryou from his mind.

{{Why are you so eager to go? What do you know that I do not?}} Bakura demanded, suspiciously.

//Oh, come off it. I'm just eager to see a fight between you two. Kenshin has done some amazing--nigh, impossible--things in the past and I'm curious as to what he has in store for you today,// Battousai replied, casually. It would not do to get Bakura nervous now, even if he had decided to bring the Mask.

Bakura did not respond. Instead, he took over Ryou's body and turned into the alleyway. He walked until he came to the dead end where Kenshin had first beaten him, and looked around. No one was there.

{{Where's that worthless hikari of yours?}} he asked Battousai, irritated. He did not like to wait.

//He's coming,// Battousai responded, feeling Kenshin's ki growing closer. Although he himself had never learned to sense ki, he had been with Kenshin when Hiko taught the boy. Kenshin had caught on fast and Battousai had searched his mind and borrowed some of his knowledge. It was one of the few abilities he and Kenshin both had.

{{Well, he'd better hurry!}} Bakura snapped.

//Patience, oh devious one,// Battousai said, mockingly. Bakura didn't even bother with a response.

~*~

Kenshin decided it would be better to take the back alleys to his destination and, therefore, ensure he didn't see anyone he knew along the way. He was already late as it was. Unconsciously, he kept to the shadows, his long black coat making him difficult to see despite his blood red hair. He stopped just short of the alley when a sudden thought struck him.

What if Bakura hid the Mask somewhere? he thought, a little panicky. He was about to feel for Battousai's ki when he heard a familiar voice.

//What took you so long?! Bakura is almost ready to leave!// Battousai scolded, as he felt Kenshin hesitate.

Kenshin smiled. Well, apparently that problem is taken care of, he thought, relieved. He walked into the alley.

Bakura had made himself comfortable on a turned over trash can and was idly throwing rocks at the opposite wall. He didn't notice Kenshin walk into the alley. Kenshin stepped out of the shadows as he addressed Bakura.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I was detained," Kenshin said, smiling.

Bakura, not hearing or seeing anyone come into the alley, jumped off of the trash can so fast it knocked over several other trashcans behind it. Bakura jumped again at the unexpected noise, and then turned to glare at Kenshin. "About time! Do you know how long I was waiting here?!" he demanded, acting annoyed as he tried to cover up his fear when Kenshin startled him.

Kenshin just continued smiling. "Gomen nasai, it was a little difficult to get away without Yami becoming suspicious," Kenshin explained.

Bakura's eyes narrowed at the mention of Yami. "Well, then, I think you stalled long enough. Shall we begin?" Bakura taunted.

Kenshin's smile turned into a smirk. "Anytime you're ready," he replied.

Bakura, intending to get this over and done with quickly, attacked first.

//Dodge left!//

Kenshin went to the left, narrowly missing the attack.

~*~

Yugi was walking home when Yami felt shadow magic being used. He immediately took over Yugi's body, and rushed in the direction he had felt it coming from. He felt relieved when he noticed it came from a different direction than the school, where Kenshin had gone. He hoped he would get there in time to help whoever was in trouble.

~*~

"Sasuga ni. But, can you dodge this?"

//Right! Right! Jump! Left! Duck! Jump! Right! Duck! Stay down! Roll to the left! Left! Jump!//

Kenshin followed Battousai's directions, miraculously avoiding tripping on any of the refuse littering the alley.

"Impressive. You actually managed to dodge all of my attacks. Was it skill, or just luck, I wonder?" Bakura said, sneering.

Kenshin remained silent. Why bother telling him that Battousai was in his mind, telling Kenshin where Bakura was going to attack next?

"No comment? Then let's see how long you can keep this up, shall we?" Bakura began attacking again.

//Left! Left! Left! Left! Don't move! Right! Jump! Duck! Right! Jump to the left! Duck! Right--//

"KENSHIN!"

Kenshin was distracted by the new voice and, as a consequence, tripped. Bakura saw his opportunity, and attacked. Kenshin couldn't get out of the way fast enough. Suddenly, another ball of shadow energy came from the side and hit Bakura's attack, sending the two careening off into the wall. Both Bakura and Kenshin turned to stare at the newcomer.

"Kenshin, what are you doing?!" Yami demanded. He was standing in the entrance of the alley, his hand out-stretched. Kenshin rose to his feet.

"So, you couldn't face me alone after all, could you? You were planning an ambush all along," Bakura spat. He couldn't believe he had fallen for such an old trick.

Kenshin's eyes flashed at the accusation, and he turned to Bakura sharply. "Ore ni makasero," he said, without looking at Yami.

"But Kenshin--" Yami started to argue.

"Kondo wa zettai ni makenai," Kenshin said, "Don't try to interfere, Yami."

\\That fool is going to get himself killed,\\ Yami said, angrily.

\Maybe not. Kenshin's not that foolish--he must have some sort of plan,\ Yugi replied.

Yami fell silent as Bakura started attacking Kenshin again.

//Left! Right! Jump forward! Left! Duck! Stay down! Stay down! Roll to the right! Jump! Jump! Don't move! Duck! Left!//

This continued with Kenshin slowly inching his way toward Bakura. Yami was fairly surprised at how well Kenshin was doing. Weren't they having a conversation moments ago about how defenseless against shadow magic Kenshin was? \\He must have been planning this,\\ Yami realized. Yugi didn't respond.

//Duck! Jump! Right! Right! Duck! Roll to the left! Jump! Right! Now! Jump forward to the right!//

Kenshin jumped forward, drawing his sword in one smooth motion. He landed beside Bakura, connecting the hilt with Bakura's left temple, stunning him. Kenshin spoke. "I've defeated you twice already and, while I believe in giving people second chances, a third chance is pushing it. I think a more permanent solution is in order. Yami? Since I don't have any shadow powers, would you like to do the honors?" Kenshin asked, as he stepped away from Bakura. It wasn't what he had planned on, but it worked out better this way.

At first, Yami thought that Kenshin was going to kill Bakura, but was confused when Kenshin turned to him. At the mention of shadow magic, Yami understood what Kenshin was asking him. It had been something he'd been meaning to do for a long time.

Yami threw out his hand, palm out, facing Bakura's stunned form, fingers spread wide. "Mind Crush!" Yami yelled. Everything seemed to freeze and lose its color, as though it was a negative from a picture. It was gone just as quickly as it had come and there was a short cry from Bakura. His back arched and his whole body tensed briefly, before falling limply to the ground.

After a few seconds, Ryou blinked his eyes, and stood up slowly, holding on to Kenshin for support. He put a hand to his head. "Itai...What happened?" he asked, confused.

Kenshin smiled, embarrassed. "Gomen, Ryou. I hit your temple with the hilt of my sword," he said, apologetically. Ryou just looked at him.

"Bakura has been banished to the Shadow Realm," Yami said, walking up to them. Again, Ryou seemed to be having trouble articulating his words.

Kenshin smiled at Ryou's stunned expression. "Let's get you home, ne? You should have a headache for awhile, but there will be no lasting damage," Kenshin said, as he led the boy out of the alley. Yami walked next to them. The walk to Ryou's house was spent mostly in silence, the only conversation taking place when Ryou had to tell them which way to go. Ryou only tripped once, forcing Kenshin, who was still supporting the stumbling boy, to catch him. Yugi had taken over once again and thought he saw a flash of gold in Kenshin's hand, but Kenshin had moved his hand before Yugi could examine it further. Yugi dismissed it as a trick of the light, because the sun was setting, and turned his mind to concentrating on other things, such as what they were going to tell Grandpa when they got home.

~*~

Japanese terms:

kono mushikera me - you insect

sasuga ni - your skill is as I expected

ore ni makasero - leave it to me

kondo wa zettai ni makenai - this time I'm not going to lose

itai - ouch