As I Fall Chapter 65: When It Matters, a yu-gi-oh fanfic

Still working on the final chapter but feel confident enough in it to post this one.

Lyrics throughout chapter: "The Dark" by Beth Crowley, "Perfect Doesn't Last" by Beth Crowley, "Prayer" by Bi-2, "The Stars Are Coming Home" by Thomas Bergersen

Lost one, tell me, do you want to be found?

You caught me moments before I hit the ground.

And I hear voices screaming to run away,

Yet I see not black and white but silver and gray.

I don't trust you, but I want to.

Please don't let me fall.

Chapter 65: When It Matters

(Anzu's POV)

"This is the darkest roast you have?" I ask, scanning the rows of ground coffee.

"It is, miss."

"I'll take it. Also six scones. And a chai latte to go."

I hand the barista the cash. Once she's given me my change I step off to the right to wait for my order. It's not busy right now. There are two other customers in front of me. The early morning crowd has already come and gone. It's that time between the morning rush and the noontime horde.

Even without anyone here who knows what I'm doing, I feel self-conscious. Stupid. But is it such a bad idea?

Biting the inside of my cheek, I start letting my eyes wander around the space. There are tables spread throughout the eating/drinking area as well as a lounge. I do a double take when I recognize a familiar hairline at the far end of the room. Honda's sitting in the corner, a window angled on either side of his table. I raise my hand above my head and am about to call out his name when a figure outside stops on the other side of the glass. Honda doesn't notice, staring at his cup, an empty plate by his right hand. I lower my arm and move further out of the way as Mai enters the coffee shop. She doesn't so much as glance at the counter, bee-lining for Honda.

"Cherry Sencha!"

One of the people waiting with me steps forward. He picks up his drink and walk towards the seating area. I follow, careful to keep him in between me and Mai and Honda. I pull the hood of my shirt up and sit in one of the booths in the lounge area close enough I can hear them.

"Honda. Fancy meeting you here. Isn't this a bit upscale for your tastes?"

"Get lost, Mai."

The knot in my stomach loosens a little at the chill in his tone. Maybe this wasn't a planned meeting then. My greatest fear is that he's going to stab Jou in the back again. I watch out of the corner of my eye as he doesn't even spare Mai a glance. She settles on the chair across from him.

"Now don't be like that. I just had a few quick questions for you and I'll…"

"Not interested."

She pauses, her fingernails traces the stitched pattern on her gold and purple clutch.

"What? I just want to know how things are going. I know you've been seeing a few of your friends again."

"How nosey of you."

"Can't I take an interest in other people's welfares?"

He looks up at that, lips downturned into a scowl.

"I seriously doubt you can."

"You're more cutthroat than usual," she simpers cheerfully. "Anyway, I wanted to ask about Jounouchi. I heard that his father is in jail—."

"Don't go there. I'm serious, Mai."

"Oh Honda, don't tell me you're suddenly all happy and fine with Jou sleeping with another guy. And that guy in particular," Mai adds with venom. "You have your friends' ears now. We can make this right. Get Jounouchi where he belongs."

"You mean with you until you bore of him and skip town?" he asks sarcastically, lowering his voice. "Stay away from him. From all of them."

"What this? You're suddenly all homo-loving?"

"No…"

"Because that's certainly how it looks. Is that what happened with his dad? He couldn't handle having a son who fucks the asses of other guys…"

Honda slams his drink down on the table. I jump and quickly turn my back completely. Mai jumps. The other few patrons scattered throughout the place glance over to see what's going on.

"It was you, wasn't it?"

It goes quiet. The next person in line gets called, exiting the building with their order. I stare at the smooth swirls in the laminated tabletop, ears straining.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"You told them Bakura's name. At the press conference. It had to be you."

She laughs lightly.

"Oh Honda, you already told them about Jou's relationship. They trailed Anzu to Ryou's house and could easily get the family name that way." I hear the smugness in her voice as she adds, "But even if you're right, your friends probably believe you did that as well."

"Unless someone proves it otherwise. Yugi maybe. He's never liked you," Honda mentions nonchalantly. "Marik has been teaching him how to use the Millennium rod. Did you know he and his yami are back in town?"

The lack of response brings a smile to my lips. I peer around the edge of my hood at them to see Mai's ashen face at the news of the blonde duo's return. Honda downs the last of his drink and gives her a hard look.

"So here's what's going to happen. You're going to leave Domino. Today. You're not going to come back. You will not contact Jou or any of the others. Including his sister. If you do, I'll tell Yugi. Or Marik and his yami. Let them decide how they want to handle it. Who knows? You may wake up and find you've donated your hair to charity and gotten a breast reduction."

"You wouldn't!" she snarls, rising fast from her seat.

Honda's expression is mild, almost amused, but his eyes are flint.

"No, because I can't. But they can."

Trembling, she backs away from him. She's not stupid. Sure he wouldn't go directly to Malik or Marik. He'd tell me or Yugi. But the results would be the same. As to what length Yami would actually let anyone take things, Mai also doesn't know. All the better. Unable to think of a single comeback, she storms away a bit quicker than usual.

"Today, Mai!" Honda calls after her.

"Chai Latte. Dark roast coffee blend. Scones."

I rise from my seat but Honda hasn't noticed, watching out the window as Mai makes her retreat. I go over to the counter and grab my drink and the paper bag the rest of my order is packed into. Then I turn around and approach him.

"Hey Honda."

He tenses and looks up at me in sheer surprise. Then the panic sets in as he realizes I, at the very least, saw Mai run off and heard him call.

"Anzu, I-I…"

"Was that Mai just now?"

"Yeah." He picks up his cup and plate. "She's leaving Domino. I think she's finally given up on Jounouchi."

"Well that would be awesome," I say, beaming at his back as he goes over and places the cup and plate on the dirty dishes cart. "One less problem for us to worry about. I for one am ready for a decline in drama."

"Definitely." He turns back to me. "Is that going to be possible? My mom said there was a story of Jou in the news two nights ago?"

"Just a mention, not even a story. They were making speculations as to where Jou is living now," I wave it off. "They were baiting the audience, see if there's any interest. Given everything else that's happened, it doesn't seem to have drawn any attention."

"He's not upset about the fame wearing off?"

"To be honest, I think he's relieved," I say, sensing the undercurrent in his tone but not trying to read into what it is. "It's for the best."

"Right. Which household are you off to today?"

"Ryou's."

His face falls. The only place he visits is the Mutou's. Honda shoves his hands in his pockets.

"I'm running a bit early," I add. "Want to wander around with me until I finish my drink?"

"Sure." He brightens a bit and takes the bag from me so I can focus on my beverage, holding the door as we exit the building. "Wow. That's a big bag of black coffee. I thought you didn't drink this stuff."

"I don't," I agree, embarrassed at being caught and by Honda of all people. "It's for Bakura. A sort of peace offering. And compensation."

"Compensation?" he queries, processing the fact I've gotten the infamous thief a present.

"Yes. I sort of got the both of us into a bit of trouble with my latest attempt at heka..."

"You mean that hasn't blown up yet? I thought you said he can't do that type of magic anymore."

"It doesn't mean he's forgotten how to do it. As for our lessons…It all depends on how good a mood he's in. Hence the bribing with coffee."

"And Ryou's okay with this?"

I shrug and take a sip of my latte.

"Apparently this type of magic can't go corrupt like Shadow Magic. It also sounds like its capabilities may only be a fraction of what it once was."

"But it's safe? For you?"

I can't hold back the grin at his genuine concern.

"I'm doing fine, Honda. I promise. I mean, Yami's not thrilled but he also admitted Bakura knows more about heka that he does. Plus I really needed an icebreaker with Bakura."

"Just tell me there are other people around."

"No worries. Ryou insisted on that."

"Good." He sighs, surrendering to the situation now that his concerns have been sufficiently addressed. "I'm sorry I can't be there for you."

"You are. You have been. The rest of it… We'll figure it out."

"Yeah."

Honda doesn't say any more on that. Just recently he's started asking after Jou. I try to answer as best I can, help him understand that Jou is still Jou. They still have no clue where they stand. Jou isn't ready to let Honda back in, if he's ever ready. Bakura wants to burn Honda to a crisp. Honda is on the fence about Jounouchi. At least he's stopped using the 'f' word. I'm to undersand Mr. Mutou is to thank for that. And I'm pretty sure I know Honda's views on Bakura. Then we have the whole business of Honda not knowing Yami is gay too. I'm leaving that battle up to Yami and whether he even wants to disclose that or not. I've been patient with the process, knowing it won't do anyone good to rush. Everybody has to adjust to this new reality at their own paces—me included. There are things about Jou, Bakura and Yami that I'm still not all right with. But that's my emtional baggage and negative feelings. The fact that Honda is asking questions rather than spewing profanties is progress. I don't know if I can get him to where I am right now. But I didn't handle a lot of this well either. It does no good to hold my head high and pretend I acted and thought nobly through this.

"Hey, I've got to swing by the market on 10th Street for a few things after my practice. Want to meet up then in their cafe? Say, 2:30ish? I'd accept a ride home," I add with a cheeky smile.

"It figures. But yeah. I'd like that. I'll should be able to get my dad's car since it's Sunday." Brown eyes cast me a nervous glance. "Anzu, I want you to know: That thing at the coffee shop…with Mai…it wasn't…She just showed up. I wasn't…"

I interrupt that explanation by linking my arm with his.

"I trust you, Honda."

And, for the first time in a long time, I mean it.

(Yugi's POV)

"How did your practice go?" Isis asks, setting down an ornate metal tray with two plastic water bottles and two empty porcelain cups.

Marik doesn't acknowledge her existence aside from snatching up one of the bottles and twisting the cap off. He doesn't bother with the fancy floral cups that I know from previous visits are meant for us to pour the water into. Just another one of the quirks that is his sister.

"Okay, I guess," I say so as not to have her pry.

The truth is it didn't go great. I was too distracted to focus and kept messing up. Marik was finding it hard to teach and ended up snapping at me a few times. Now he's exhausted and irritable and it's my fault.

Isis can read people even when she hasn't been using the Millennium necklace. I'm nervous when she stares at her younger brother a bit too long. Some days she lets it be and other days she pushes people's buttons for no reason I can understand. Today she makes a light humming sound of possible approval.

"I am glad to hear it. Yugi, there is something I wish to discuss with you that I believe you will find most intriguing."

"You always think you have interesting things to say when it's not true most of the time, sister."

"Um…sure. What is it, Isis?" I ask hurriedly so I don't become trapped within one of their many squabbles.

To our surprise she reaches up and delicately unties the golden thread that holds the Millennium necklace to her throat. She lowers it in her right hand with a reverence I haven't seen anyone else give their Items, all the while watching me with a peculiar interest. Marik has gone quiet, curiosity piqued.

"I mentioned to you before during your stay with us that I have been working back through visions of the High Priestess of the necklace. It is almost as if she has left me a breadcrumb trail to follow."

"I never understood the whole breadcrumb thing," Marik scoffs, unimpressed. "It's not very reliable."

"Precisely, brother," Isis agrees while also managing to be dismissive. "I find fragments. Puzzle pieces, if you will. But it has been over a month now. There are certain visions it seems I am not permitted access to."

"I don't think Yami will be interested in going back in time," I tell her before she can request I take the Item to my darker half.

"No, I did not expect he would be. Malik refused as well. So that makes me wonder if she could foresee that. If she left the door open for someone else; if there was a message she wanted to get to them."

"M-Me?" I stammer. "You think a High Priestess from ancient Egypt would want to show me something so I could pass it on to Yami? That she would even know I would exist?"

"Not necessarily. But not impossible. I thought perhaps someone closer to Pharaoh than me might have better luck."

"I wouldn't do it. That thing is a menace," Marik whispers loudly, not trying to conceal it from Isis.

It's tempting. Almost a month has gone by since Isis took a bunch of my friends on a tour of the past to help convince Ryou's father about the yamis. I was jealous, having wanted to see some of it for myself. The few visions I have seen turned out to not all be accurate.

"But visions can be wrong," I say skeptically as I eye the Item. "I saw a vision of Yami dueling Kaiba's past self…"

"Like your precious big rock you showed Kaiba claims," Marik inputs smugly.

"…But when Yami got his memories back he said that it never happened," I protest as Isis sends her brother a reproving glance. "He never fought past-Kaiba. He fought Bakura."

"My point exactly. All records point to Pharaoh battling High Priest Seth. There is not a trace of Bakura in any of the texts. It is a mystery."

"Who cares?" Marik gripes. "The yamis know what happened. They don't want to share. History was altered and erased. End of story."

"They each know the part they themselves played. That is all," Isis replies patiently. "There was a greater picture. And I wish to find out if there was more this woman wanted someone to know."

It's obvious this means a lot to her. I'm doubtful of how useful anything I might find would be. Since I don't have any previous use with the necklace, Isis is the one more likely to actually locate what she's searching for. But she's done so much for Malik. And then for Bakura, Jou, Ryou and his father. I'm grateful for those things. At the very worst the necklace either won't work for me or won't show me anything different than what she was able to find.

"I can try, I guess. I'll ask Yami, too, if you want."

Isis does not outwardly react. It's impossible to tell if she was expecting me to refuse or not. Or if she already knew. She simply stretches out her hand to me. I accept the Item.

"Um…so what happens now? Do you lead me like you did for the others with Bakura's memories?"

"No, because you are trying to enter the visions."

"Isis."

We all look up from the conversation. Rishid is standing in the doorway.

"There's an issue with one of the warehouses back in Egypt. I'm on the phone with Mr. Zaman. He said there are some shipments he was waiting to send until he heard from you."

She exhales softly.

"I will be able to give you some instruction on the use of the necklace, Yugi, but it will have to wait. And I would appreciate if you would ask Pharaoh…"

"Go ahead and take care of that stuff. I can learn a different day," I say offering a wavering smile. She nods and follows her brother out of the room. "Marik, how come she didn't ask you? If this is all about having someone close to the yamis trying to dig something up, wouldn't you be the better choice? You know a lot more about Shadow Magic than me."

Marik swallows a mouthful of water.

"Oh, multiple possible reasons. She doesn't trust me. I despise the necklace. The list goes on," he smirks with a roll of his lavender eyes. "You sure you wanna be messing with that thing when you couldn't even keep track of the puzzle's magic today? Speaking of which: What's eating you? Or do I want to know?"

I catch the second water bottle as he tosses it to me. I climb onto the sofa next to him and take a cool drink while my fingers fiddle with the necklace.

"Probably not. It's just stuff with Yami."

"He becoming a recluse like my yami?"

"Not exactly. He's just been…distant. Distracted."

"This have to do with Ryuuji?" he prods, having learned that it was Otogi that Yami was with that night the Dark Magician was making all those obscure comments. "What's their story?"

"That's the problem. I don't have a clue!" I heave a frustrated sigh. "There were prophecies and all of the cryptic ancient Egyptians seemed to think Yami and Otogi's friendship or connection was important. The thing is I don't know if it's still relevant or not."

"Could always ask."

"It sounds so easy until I'm standing in front of Yami." I take a sip and shake my head. "I just freeze. I'm so afraid of screwing things up."

"With that whole thing with Yami going to the Afterlife?" he asks, having had to be filled in after catching enough snippets of the plan when he was translating for me and Mahaado. "Does it really matter if they stay buddies after the fact? Your yami's staying. You won."

But it's not that simple. Yami still goes to visit Otogi what feels like every other day. After Otogi's breakdown at our house, Yami revealed to me that he'd been spending every night with the dice master due to Otogi having nightmares from trauma. What am I supposed to do with that? It's not like I can tell him to cut it out. I was there with Otogi when it happened. I'm not okay and I wasn't the one mauled by a giant wolf. But it just makes me all the more confused about them. And about where Yami and I stand.

"You afraid you're being replaced?" Marik asks knowingly, hitting the nail on the head.

I can't say 'no'. We're drifting apart. It's like he'd rather spend time with Otogi than me. Not that I have a lot of free time these days between hanging out at Ryou's place or training with Malik or Marik. Yami and I aren't purposefully avoiding each other. It's just awkward when I'm so afraid of doing the wrong thing and losing him.

I set down the bottle on a coaster on the glass table. My fingers clench around the Millennium Symbol on the necklace, the two golden strands hanging down like braided threads of hair.

"I just really want to know what is going on with those two."

Rays of light shoot out from between my fingers, turning into towers as they expand above us. Marik yelps and falls off the couch in his attempt to get away. Too late. Panicking, I hold on to the Item, afraid of somehow getting trapped in between worlds if I let go.

We're in a room I don't recognize. I barely have time to take in more than a dresser and the crimson carpet before my brain shuts down from shock. Marik gets to his feet.

"Fucking hell, Yugi! Never say shit like that when you're near or holding the…"

Marik's mouth hangs open as he and I gape at the bodies tangled together on the bed. Yami is on top, currently devouring Otogi's mouth. The dice master isn't voicing any objections, his fingers buried in Yami's hair. They're naked. The only merciful thing about this is the placement of where we landed. Otogi's hip and thigh are blocking details of both of them and what they are currently doing that I don't want to see. Hell, I didn't want to see any of this! Yami shifts and the dice master releases an embarrassingly appreciative groan that I never wanted to hear come from him. His legs slide up Yami's sides, ankles locking behind Yami's lower back.

"Well fuck me," Marik mutters, starting to edge to the left to get a 'better' view.

"Marik!" I snap, grabbing him by the arm while averting my eyes to the dark red carpet that matches my face. "How the heck do I stop this? How do we get out of here?! This is not what I wanted to see!"

The necklace apparently taking that cue, rays of light flash all around us again. Marik raises his voice in protest as we are dragged from the vision. When the blinding illumination fades, I'm terrified to find that we haven't returned to the Ishtars' house. Now we're in a white kitchen without any dirty dishes or food sitting out or anything.

Yami's downing a glass of orange juice. He's fully dressed this time, thank god. Otogi is sitting on a barstool in a burgundy silk robe. His hair is disheveled for reasons that are no mystery.

It makes me sick to my stomach now that I am beginning to process the idea without having to watch them go at it. Yami and Bakura was hard enough to come to terms with because of how Yami lied about it and how Bakura hunted us. But Otogi? I have no illusions about Otogi. He always goes on and on making crude comments about women and girls, never once giving a guy so much as an admiring side-glance. So what is this then? Some elaborate ploy to get Yami wrapped around his finger? This seems extreme, even for him.

"This vision is already boring," Marik complains from beside me.

"Are you really that much of a pervert you would watch them having sex?" I ask as my darker half makes to sit down beside Otogi.

The question makes my mind reel. Yami and Otogi. It didn't even occur to me that Shaddi and Mahaado meant this. I thought it was a rocky companionship possibly teetering on the edge of friendship. Not my darker half screwing the dice master.

"I haven't had any in over a month," the blonde states with an unapologetic shrug. "So sue me."

"How am I doing on time?" Yami asks.

"On this end? You have a good half hour still."

My darker half appears repentant even though Otogi didn't sound accusing. It's weird. If I didn't know better it's as if Otogi's is trying to avoid looking at him. There's something off here. There's a different dynamic in this vision, as if they weren't just going at it like rabbits in Otogi's bed.

"I could stay today, if you'd like."

The dice master shakes his head, his earring oddly missing.

"Nah. It's just the usual. They'll do the check up and be gone within five minutes."

"Can we go already?" Marik whines.

"Shut up!" I hiss at him, trying to decipher what they are talking about. There has to be a reason the necklace brought us here.

"Come over today?"

Otogi's smile is thin and lacking the usual smugness. If anything, it's like he's not fully paying attention to Yami, like his thoughts are elsewhere. I notice the way his fingers curl into themselves on the countertop.

"I'll pass. I don't feel like your friends' bitching today."

Yami frowns in disappointment and my heart sinks. I know I'm included in the 'friends' they're talking about. It makes me uncomfortable even though it's Otogi's fault none of us like him. I just want things to go right for Yami for once. But what exactly does he want out of this? Why would he invite Otogi over? They really get along that well?

"Can we go back to the other one?"

"I said shut up, Marik!" I snap at him.

He folds his arms over his chest.

"Why? What's so fascinating about this? None of it has even happened yet."

"Because I—wait. What?" I round on the other hikari eagerly. "How can you be so sure?"

"Didn't you say the guy still has a cast?"

"I…I think so," I struggle to remember the latest update Yami gave that I only half-listened to. To be fair, my brain is going a bit haywire at the moment trying to process what I just witnessed, real or not.

"He has just a wrap bandage here," Marik nods towards the dice master. "The other vision happens after this one. In their bed-gymnastics his leg just had scars."

"You noticed his leg during all of that?"

"In the position they were in that leg was healed," Marik reveals a knowledge he has gleaned from personal experience.

I stare at Otogi's calf in surprise, mind whirring that this is a possible future, not even necessarily what is going to happen. After all, we were just discussing with Isis how many false visions of the past we've encountered. Why can't that be the same in regards to the future? Is this what comes before that other vision? Or is this an alternative? I don't understand why I need to see this. What makes this conversation important for me to know?

Yami leans down so his arms are resting on the countertop.

"So physical therapy starts this afternoon?"

"Yeah. It should be loads of fun. They're all marveling at how quickly it's healing," Otogi adds dryly with a glance at the key on Yami's chest. "Patting themselves on the backs thinking they're the reason. I thought it'd be a relief getting the cast off yesterday but now I'm going to have to deal with them for even longer periods of time."

"I could hire someone else. They could even come here if you want…"

"I can handle the Kaiba Corp. healthcare, Yami," the dice master says evenly.

"That's just it. I know you can," Yami sighs, apparently used to Otogi turning down his help. "That's not the point. I'm offering so you don't have to."

Yami gets up and walks over to put his glass in the dishwasher. Emerald eyes rise from the black stone with Yami's back to him. He's staring at my darker half in a strange way, the aloofness vanishing from his features. Running his finger distractedly along the countertop, Otogi opens his mouth. His brow furrows in puzzlement when nothing comes out. Odd.

I'm becoming less and less convinced that this Yami and Otogi have had sex. Instead it's like there's a partition between them, something holding them back. It definitely is a leap from the previous, possible future.

"At least let me look into it," Yami keeps talking, unaware of whatever is troubling Otogi. "If you don't like the options I find, I'll back off…"

Otogi doesn't even seem annoyed that Yami is pushing this. If anything, the way he's looking at my darker half is borderline…affectionate. I'm so engrossed in the weird way the dice master is acting that I lose track of Yami's rambling for a moment.

"…I just think having a physical therapist who isn't also a drill sergeant would be beneficial."

A familiar ringtone cuts in. It's me. Future me. Or a possible-future me. This is so weird. Yami pulls his phone from his pocket.

"It's Yugi. Apparently I'm running late. So can I?—make some inquiries?"

"I…sure."

My darker half's lips break into a grin, pleased that he won that round. Otogi meanwhile seems surprised with himself. Something shifts in the dice master. Yami is walking away and Otogi is completely focused on him. He rises to his feet and limps several steps towards the outer edge of the island like he's going to follow my darker half. There's an almost franticness to his expression, as if he's afraid to speak and afraid not to all at once but also has no clue what he's going to say.

"Yami."

There's something in the quality of his tone. The way his voice catches. My darker half halts, his fingers paused in their action to open the phone.

"Yes?"

Emerald eyes are desperate for an instant. I watch with anticipation, having not the slightest idea what this is about. The phone rings again and I admonish my future self for interrupting, urging me to hang up. Unfortunately, it shakes the dice master's nerve. Suddenly he's the old Otogi; relaxed and unbothered by anyone or anything.

"Otogi?" Yami asks, acting as if he'll come back.

"Forget it."

Yami's brow furrows. He saw it too, then.

"You're sure? This can wait-."

"It's nothing," Otogi says dismissively in that laid-back way. "Better answer that or your hikari will give you an earful later. You don't want a repeat of last week."

Last week? What happened? They're making it sound like I'm giving them a hard time. My darker half stares at him for another second before nodding. He opens the phone and winks at Otogi as he closes the door behind him.

"Yugi? Yes, I'm just heading home…"

We're left with the dice master thankfully, because Yami was acting like himself. I want to know what is wrong with Otogi. That's obviously why we're here. He's standing alone in his kitchen, looking completely at a loss for what to do with himself. It's only after Yami is gone that the emotions breach the surface again. Otogi swears under his breath and slams his palms down on the counter and presses his forehead to the black surface.

"You. Fucking. Idiot."

"What a boring vision. What the hell was all that about?" Marik wonders aloud as we watch the other teen berate himself. "Well, on the bright side: Ryuuji isn't replacing you. He's just going to give your yami some action. Satisfied? Can we go now?"

I can't answer. My voice is gone. All I can do is gaze in amazement at the flustered dice master as it all comes together: The things Shaddi and Mahaado said…that wouldn't be for something as trivial as a sex buddy for Yami. Mahaado most definitely would not see that as an important enough purpose to let him remain here. If it wasn't just a good bond of friendship—which I doubt given the first vision—there's only one other reason they would leave Yami behind. And in this vision, whenever it is, Otogi is figuring it out.

"He's falling for him," I whisper, amazed, horrified. "He's in love with Yami."

…or he's going to be.

I would have bet on us
We were untouchable, you and I.

(Ryou's POV)

"I'm just sayin' I'm not ready."

"Are you ever going to be ready to go back to school?" I ask, only half-joking.

"Probably not," Jounouchi grins in admission. "Just 'cause I don't love homework like you do…"

"I do not love homework!"

"Okay, but you do like some classes."

"It's healthy!" I exclaim with a huff, brushing my bangs out of my face.

"That's what they tell the smart kids so they keep studyin'."

I forget what I am about to say as Anzu yells from the direction of the living room. This is followed by a swift round of swearing. Jounouchi bites down on his lip to keep from laughing. I'm not so amused, wondering what they've broken this time and if it belongs to us or the apartment complex. I open the bedroom door.

"Ry, let them handle it."

"You mean like last week when they moved the couch to hide the hole in the carpet?"

Jou grimaces and kicks his legs up and then propels himself upright.

"Good point. Let's go see what the damage is."

We try not to hurry out into the main area of the apartment. Bakura is leaning back against the counter that designates the separation of kitchen and living room. His features are lined with frustration. Anzu, meanwhile, is on her hands and knees, scrubbing at a singed black spot on the back of the couch. She cringes when she sees us.

"Bakura, Otousan said no more burning things!"

"I didn't. She did."

"You can make fire," I retort with a direct look at the ring on his chest. "She can't."

"She's supposed to block the fire," he rejoins without missing a heartbeat. "She didn't."

"You okay, Anzu?" Jounouchi is asking.

"I'm fine." She looks at me apologetically. "I don't think this is going to come out."

"Isn't there something else you could use, Baku?" Jounouchi asks, trying to be supportive of both of them at once. "Some other type of attack she could deflect?"

"Like myself? Not a chance."

They tried Duel Monster cards before. It was too much for all of us. Too close to what we went through.

"I'll pay for this. It wasn't that I didn't block it right. I deflected it!...I just haven't gotten the aim down yet for where the rebound goes."

"It works provided you don't mind burning the person you're trying to protect to a crisp," my yami says sarcastically, though we can all tell he's not unpleased with the results.

"I'm improving!" Anzu states defiantly and my darker half doesn't dispute that.

"That's great. So what exactly are we gonna tell Mr. B?" Jounouchi asks, rubbing off soot on his finger as he wipes at the spot. "He's gonna make you guys practice somewhere else."

"Like where?" Anzu asks.

We all stare at the black spot in thought. We've had this conversation before. It's been a great debate. They can't practice at the Mutous' because Bakura and Yami don't want to be around each other; Mr. Mutou doesn't want destruction to his home or Bakura using magic in his presence; plus, I'm not sure Yami would be able to resist critiquing my yami's teaching methods to Bakura's face. They can't practice at the Ishtars' because Malik and Marik. And that about sums that up right there. We've talked about renting a space or something but there's been so much else to deal with that it hasn't really been a focal point of our to-do list. It's also not a great idea for them to venture to some remote location and hope no one spots them. Bakura and Anzu don't ask for anyone's input and just go about their thing. Even they couldn't argue they would really benefit from an expanded space to practice.

"Otousan is at a meeting right now for an update on the house. On when we can move back in," I add, none of us really expecting much on that. "That would give us room to spread out a bit."

Bakura snorts, walking lazily around the countertop and pouring himself a mug of fresh coffee. I notice the way Anzu watches him, seeming to breathe easier after he's taken a sip and doesn't spit it out. This time I'm the one trying not to smile. Their relationship has been an interesting one as it grows. He teaches her heka. They argue a lot and piss each other off. She comes to their next scheduled meeting with a peace offering. I'm beginning to suspect he looks to pick a fight each time just to ensure she keeps bringing him things.

"There has to be somewhere that isn't somebody's house," Jounouchi says scratching the back of his neck. "I mean, where they can really let loose and not hafta worry about breaking stuff."

"Marik is having Yugi try spells in public," Anzu states, her tone revealing that this has been a point of contention between her and my yami.

"Ishtar's an idiot," my darker half cuts off any debate that could have risen from that.

"It's not the best idea right now, Anzu," I have to agree with Bakura. "Especially when there are scientists trying to identify the distinct energy Shadow Magic gives off."

"They don't even know what they're looking for!"

"But they may recognize it if they see it."

There are multiple locations in Domino that have had major Shadow Magic action this summer and people have noticed. They may not know what it is or what caused it, but they are trying to figure it out.

Anzu wanders away and sinks down on one of the chairs with an air of annoyance.

"I'm not even doing Shadow Magic like Yugi and Marik," she complains to no one in particular.

"True," Bakura concedes, prompting a thoughtful expression from him. I don't like that. I hate when he gets ideas.

"I personally have had enough of Shadow Magic," I confide. "It sounds like heka is the safer bet."

"I guess," she sighs, watching distractedly as Jounouchi meanders over to my yami, the two of them bowing out of the conversation as they converse quietly. "It doesn't feel like enough, Ryou."

"What exactly are you expecting to happen? You've been prepping like you're heading to battle."

"How many times have we been pulled into magical warfare that we haven't been adept to handle?" Her blue eyes harden as she looks down at her hands. "I'm going to be ready next time."

"Anzu…"

"Do you honestly feel the danger is passed? That we have no threats to worry about going forward?"

"No."

"Then quit trying to stop me and Yugi," she insists. "We're doing what we can. I want to do more for the group to keep us all safe. Yugi and Marik are trying to take the weight of the responsibility from the yamis. Wouldn't you like Bakura to be able to let his guard down more because there are other competent magic-wielders watching everybody's backs?"

"Yes. I just don't think that's ever going to happen, no matter how good you get, Anzu. He has major trust issues."

"Well it's worth a shot." She gets up and speaks louder: "I need to head out. I have a few errands to run for my mom before I go home. She wanted me to swing by the market on this side of town. She likes the fruit here better."

"Running to avoid the blame?" my yami grouses, turning from Jou to refill his mug.

She shoots him a teasing smirk and heads for the door. Jounouchi snickers and gives her a little wave as she leaves.

"So she's doing pretty good, huh, Baku?"

"She's progressing faster than I thought," is the closest Bakura is coming to giving a compliment to Anzu's skills. "It's difficult. She's never materialized her powers before we started training. It's all been spells to repel internal threats."

"And that's a problem because…?" I venture.

"It's not how I learned heka. I learned how to fight physically manifested foes. My focus was summoning my ka…which isn't possible anymore," he adds when Jounouchi opens his mouth.

"You don't know until you try."

"You think I haven't? I can't even work the most basic heka spells. Why some of you lot have been able to access these powers…and why it seems to only be affecting people who have been somehow involved in Yami's progress…" Bakura trails off, clearly disgusted with the whole situation.

"What about Yami and Malik?" Jou asks. "What form of heka did they study?"

"We're not bringing Malik into this," I say before Bakura can.

"Completely agree," Jou says holding up his hands in peace. "Was just curious."

"Yami didn't use heka much at all, to my knowledge. Malik was trained in both heka and Shadow Magic. The High Priests were teaching him Shadow Magic when he ran. Given he was raised by the tomb keepers it's safe to say he was given severe training in heka."

"You don't know?" I ask, surprised given that, from what we've gathered, Malik and Bakura basically grew up together. Alone. It seems like they would know everything there is to know about each other.

My yami stares into his cup and doesn't answer. Jounouchi and I back off. This is how we learn about Bakura in short leaps and setbacks. He lets us in just a little and then clamps up. Anzu, Yugi, Jou and I have been comparing notes between ourselves and our personal observations of the yamis; though we're all holding back a little bit. There are just certain things, once you know them, that you just can't repeat. It doesn't feel right. We have all agreed on that. But we would like to try to piece together the puzzle of events in the past to better understand our three ancient Egyptians.

"Oh shoot," Jou says, picking up something pink from next to the sink. "Anzu forgot her phone."

"She'll probably be back tomorrow," I protest as he heads for the door.

"That's all right. She doesn't have too big a lead on me. Plus she's gonna be shopping at the market. Besides, I wouldn't mind a walk."

"The reporters have been lurking again. Remember a few nights ago they had that segment trying to figure out where you went, Jou? They've nailed it down to this neighborhood."

"So what? What are they gonna do to me? Snap pictures? I should be able to shake them without much problem. Be back in a few!"

It leaves us in an awkward silence. It's not often Bakura and I are alone anymore. Which is really fine by both of us. I scratch at the back of my arm and glance around the empty space.

"So I'm giving Yami the Millennium scales back. My nose is healed and the puncture marks are scarred over."

"Why are you telling me?" Bakura asks disinterestedly. "You don't need my permission."

"You're still upset I don't want to learn Shadow Magic or heka."

"I think your friend has a better idea of the reality of our situation than you do."

"Teach Jounouchi if it bothers you so much! Isis and the others were whispering about how he has been able to overpower the influence of the Millennium Items multiple times!"

"He's afraid after the last time in the Realm."

"Well I'm afraid too! Did that ever cross your mind?" I realize I was shouting when he wasn't and feel a bit foolish. "I'm sorry. It's just…how many years was I under your control? How much of my life has been taken from me because of magic? I just…I don't want it, yami."

"You'd be safer with it."

I will admit it's nice to have him on my side for a change, and not for his own benefit but my welfare.

"Maybe. But it's like clinging to a gun everywhere I go in case something happens. I can't live like that, Bakura."

I internally cringe after saying it, wondering if he'll take offense since he's not giving up the ring. It doesn't seem to bother him. Given the little information me and my friends have gleaned about him and what he's lived through, it stands to reason he would keep an Item for protection.

The lock clicks and the door opens.

"Otousan," I say as a distracted greeting, shuffling to stand in front of the scorch mark. "Um…you're back early."

(Hikari.)

"What?" My father comes out of some stupor, having just realized he's not alone in the room. "Oh. Yes. I suppose I am."

Bakura noticed before I did: My father is pale. He's fumbling with his hands, placing his glasses down on the countertop and holding the keys up to his face before realizing his mistake.

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"Oh, yes. Quite. Thank you, son. I suppose I wasn't expecting…hadn't even considered…" Otousan gathers himself and appears to grow calmer. He looks at our faces watching him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you boys. Though it makes it easier to tell you first and see how you think we should break the news."

"News?" I echo hollowly. "Otousan, it's okay. We weren't expecting them to let us go home yet."

Bakura's energy prickles.

"What?" Otousan asks, distractedly. "Oh. That. I didn't make it to the meeting. I received a call from…Where is Jounouchi?"

(Jounouchi's POV)

I walk at ease, relishing that the heat wave has ended. Even so, people aren't hanging around outside. The sky is clouding over. The rain we've been missing a good portion of the summer is coming. I don't mind getting wet. Then I remember the pink device in my hand. I slip it into my pocket and pick up my pace a bit. It wouldn't do any good to wreck Anzu's phone. There'd be ear-pulling for that. I wince and bring my hand up to my right ear reflexively.

Two blocks down, one to go. I move my weight from one foot to the other impatiently as I wait at the traffic light. Somewhere high overhead thunder rumbles quietly. Getting wet is one thing. Getting hit by lightning is something else entirely. And I've had my share of peril this summer. I'm ready to call it quits with dangerous situations.

The headlights blink on as it continues to darken. It's gonna storm. I almost decide to make a run for it if there is a break in the traffic. There isn't. Two old guys are folding up a chess game they had going in front of the pharmacy, hurriedly putting pieces into the box with arthritic hands. If the rain can hold off just a few more minutes…I can see the market from here. I'll just make a mad dash when it's time.

While I'm stuck here I ponder what Anzu should get Baku as an apology for the sofa, since I know she'll ask when I find her. Neither Baku nor Anzu will admit it, but I think they're growing on each other. Asking them or saying that would only make them both vehemently deny it and then proceed to be rude to each other to try and disprove it; so Ry and I keep our smiles and observations to ourselves and enjoy the fact that Baku's beginning to bit by bit extend his circle beyond just me, Ry and Malik.

The "walk" signal lights up and I start crossing the street. When I'm in the center of the crosswalk I look ahead and meet a pair of eyes that still haunt me. I don't believe it. He can't be real. My body freezes up in fear. His features twist into a toxic mixture of rage and something I don't want to decipher. He deliberately stalks forward, half-empty beer bottle in hand.

A car's breaks scream to a halt.

"Jou!"

I whip around to find another familiar face watching me from the driver's seat of a blue pickup. I start running before dad bellows, and don't dare look behind me to see if he's chasing me. I rip the truck's door open, diving into the passenger side and slamming the door a half-second before he floors it. I lie on my stomach on the leather, my fingers digging into the edge of the seat so I don't end up on the floor.

The sky opens. Rain pours down in sheets, reducing visibility. The windshield wipers start waving frantically.

I imagined it. That was a freak thing just now. An accident. It wasn't him. It couldn't have been.

"Since when has that bastard been on out bail? And why were you alone if you knew he was?" Honda rants, his fingers squeezing the figurative life out of the steering wheel. "Fucking hell, Jou, he could have…"

His words cut off when I lift my head. He sees my face. Then he realizes.

"You didn't know? They didn't tell you?!"

I can only shake my head, slowly pulling myself up. Honda's slowed somewhat so he won't run over any pedestrians. He's hunched over in tension, eyes darting as he watches for my dad even though he's on foot and long gone.

"How did you know?" I ask him, trying not to sound like I'm interrogating when he's the one who saved me.

"I didn't. I was meeting Anzu at the market. Am supposed to drive her home. Then I saw him. I tried to call Anzu to see if she knew anything but her cell was turned off. So I followed him for a bit. Why else would he be on this side of town? Then you were there and…" His eyes narrow as he pauses and relives that moment. "You really didn't know he was out?"

"No," I mumble, taking out the pink phone and pressing the power button. "I-I was taking this to…Anzu forgot. I should call Ba—the others. I sh-should call."

Honda doesn't argue or say anything derogatory. I think he's in as much shock as me. Whether it's from what could have happened between dad and me just now or the fact that the situation stuck Honda and me alone together. My heart is pounding in my ears as I wait for the device to turn on. Then it's ringing upbeat dance music before I have the chance to dial. I recognize the number and quickly answer.

"Anzu? Anzu, is Jou with…?"

"It's me," I interrupt numbly, trying to keep myself together. "Ry, you sound outta breath."

"Bakura, will you stop…!"

"Where are you?" Baku demands, either having confiscated Ry's phone or tapped into it with the ring.

The intensity to his voice. That it sounds like they've been running or are running. They know.

"I saw dad."

"Where are you?"

"With Honda. We're…drivin' around. Baku, stay away from the market. He was there—dad. He's out. I don't know if he escaped jail or he…!"

"He didn't," Ry says darkly.

"Have you gotten a hold of her?" Mr. B's voice pants from a bit of a distance. "Is he with her?"

"Where are you now?" Baku asks for the third time as Ry catches his dad up to speed.

"Not sure," Honda mutters, squinting at the upcoming cross street, the rain and glare of the headlights casting a sheen across the sign. "I'll figure it out in a minute."

I bite my lip even though I don't wanna say what's next.

"Take them home, Baku."

"The hell I will! I'm not leaving you to…!"

"I'm safe. I don't want you guys running into him. Baku, please."

It matters to him. I know it does. He will feel responsible for Ry and Mr. B. While I'm sure he'd love to gut my dad, he won't want to put his hikari or our guardian in any danger.

"We'll circle around a bit, make sure his dad's gone," Honda states, having gotten his bearings. "We'll pick up Anzu and then bring Jounouchi to your place."

"You think I'm leaving him with you, you backstabbing…!"

"Bakura, it's a sound plan," Mr. B interrupts. "Let's head for the apartment. Jounouchi, I'm going to hang up now and call the police. Your father is violating the order of protection. You call us if you need anything. If you see your father again, drive away. Do you understand?"

"Got it," I manage, even though I'm dreading the part where this conversation ends and I'm left alone with Honda. "See you soon."

Then we're in that moment, but Honda doesn't leave it to being an awkward silence.

"Do we have to worry about your dad getting in his car and following us? He still have the same one?"

"I doubt he came this far on foot," I mumble mechanically, feeling sick. "Yeah, same car. Why? You don't think he's still looking?"

"Don't you?"

I honestly don't know. I don't know to what level my dad is willing to take this. He'll be pissed that I got him in trouble, that I reported him for the abuse. He'll want to make me pay for that.

"How'd he know where to look?"

"Weren't they speculating on the news a night or two ago?"

Something else occurs to me.

"You know where we're living?" I ask.

Honda shifts uncomfortably in his seat, as if he's been caught doing something wrong.

"I've driven Anzu a few times."

"Oh," I say because there is nothing malicious about that. "She never said."

"Didn't want to cause problems…Any more problems," he amends with a frown.

That's the closest he's come to an apology. He wants back in—at least with the others. I don't know if I'm still the disgusting obstacle or what. I'm not ready to know. It occurs to me that he could have passed by, not done anything. I wouldn't have noticed him. No one would have known he'd seen. No blame would have fallen on him.

"You saved me. From dad."

"What I would have liked to do was run the bastard over like I promised," Honda states with an edge to his voice, that tremble that tells me just how angry he is.

Last time Honda saw me with a black eye he threatened to do just that to my dad. Soon after that things got better; at least to the extent that dad wasn't taking out his rage on me. I wasn't showing up with bruises or anything, so Honda backed off. It had scared me at the time, how seriously Honda had sworn he would do it. I glance unsurely at him, grateful but not understanding who he is anymore. He's fixated on our surroundings, obviously on the lookout for my dad to come jumping out like the boogeyman. I hope he doesn't because I do not doubt the weight to Honda's oath.

Their voices rise again. I sigh and curl up against Baku's chest. We're alone in the Ishtar's extra bedroom, the door shut, shutting everything out. After word of what happened spread through the group, everyone had an opinion and wanted to discuss what to do. They also didn't want me staying at the apartment until dad is located, just in case he found out where I've been living. The police are staking dad's place and there is a cop parked down the block from our apartment in case he shows up there.

I don't wanna do anything. I'm exhausted emotionally. Neither of us has said much. There isn't much to be said. I haven't even cried this time. I'm not sure there are any tears left for the broken relationship between me and my dad. So I'm here breathing in time with Baku's heartbeat beneath my ear. All the while his fingers caress my scalp, his arm wrapped around my waist like an iron bar.

"They're fightin' again," I mumble.

"There's quite a bit to fight about."

I fold my fingers into an empty fist in front of my face. I can pick out Yug's voice. And there's Ry. The calmer tones eventually try to placate them—most of the time it's Yami and Mr. B. I'm not sure how many people are here; how much time has passed. As soon as possible Baku marched me here, not waiting for anyone else or letting them have a say.

I don't know what time it is. It's dark outside. Not rainstorm-dark but nighttime-dark.

"They're gonna banish him aren't they? Or…or…"

"Do you want them to?"

I know Baku wants to. So do a lot of my friends. It just tears me further in half. It won't be long before I'm two separate pieces and have to pick which one will be me from now on. I don't want to have to choose between being safe and my dad's life and soul.

"I'm not stupid," I plead. "I just…Why can't he just leave me alone?"

Baku stays quiet, doesn't voice his opinion, volunteer to go and kill my father. The very idea makes me want to vomit.

"I'm sorry," I whisper as a tear slips down my cheek, not for dad but for what I'm putting Baku and my friends through. "I know it'd be easiest. But…I'm not..."

He pulls me closer, his hand stilling on the back of my head. I know I don't have to say anything more. He gets it. He gets me. It doesn't mean Baku understands any of it. But he respects me enough not to take it that far.

Then he pulls away. He offers me a tired smirk that doesn't reach his eyes at my questioning look.

"We'd better go inform them what options are off the table. Maybe then they'll shut up."

(Bakura's POV)

"You really are sticking to not harming him."

I roll my eyes as Yami comes up beside me by the fireplace, a good vantage point to watch everything else going on in the living area of the Ishtar's rental house. Hikari, Mazaki, Hiroto and Yugi are in a circle whispering heatedly amongst themselves; they were less than pleased by my announcement of Katusya's wishes. Hikari's father and the old man are in the dining room on the phone with the social workers, the police, and so forth. Isis is plying Katsuya with food in the kitchen. I don't know where Rishid, Malik or his annoying clone are.

"There are other options," I mutter, finding it so very difficult to quench this desire to rip Katsuya's dad apart piece by piece.

"I was as adamant in the past and you didn't yield," he points out in that annoying self-righteous way of his.

"You aren't seriously comparing his dad to Seth? You didn't care about your cousin. It was all political games, which are stupid."

"True," he admits without any resistance. "Yet it was my wish."

"I'm not getting into another spat about ancient…"

"I'm saying you've grown, Bakura. You're taking Jounouchi's desire into consideration. It's good."

I slouch back against the mantle, not sure what to do with a compliment from him of all people. My skin itches the longer I feel him stare at me. Doing my best to ignore him, I give the other occupants in the room another glance over.

Hiroto didn't leave. I half-expected him to. When he remained, that gave me more questions as to his motives. Yami takes note of who is the focus of my attention.

"What will you do?—if Jou decides to give Honda a chance?"

I don't understand what drove Hiroto to lash out at Katsuya in the first place. I owe him for saving Katsuya today. It doesn't change the fact that I loathe the pointy-headed bastard. Does any of this mean I trust Hiroto? Hells no. And definitely not alone with Katsuya. There is one thing I do understand: This crap with Hiroto is just like these issues with Katsuya's father—it's not my call to make.

"I won't snap his neck as he comes through the door," I sneer because Yami won't quit looking at me. "That's all I'm promising."

"It's something," he says, seeming satisfied.

"If there is any attempt at them meeting I'm sticking Mazaki with the two of them. She'll keep Hiroto in line."

"No doubt of that," Yami chuckles, casting a fond glance toward his friends. "You can trust her to watch out for Jou."

"Why do you think I'm bothering teaching her heka?"

"How's that been going since you don't have the capability anymore?"

I shrug.

"Seini was a thorough instructor. I'm managing."

"Seini," Yami mumbles the sunu's name thoughtfully.

I have no ideas of his recollection of the healer. Hells, I don't even know how I feel about my teacher. Yami and Malik aside, he was the closest thing I had to a friend, someone who didn't try to quash my potential. Though that was in part to make me a weapon to better serve his pharaoh. Then there was the whole flooding the cave trying to kill me. Like all of my other relationships in my three thousand years of existence, it was complicated.

"What ever happened to him?" I ask.

Yami raises his eyebrows.

"It wasn't you?"

"I wouldn't be asking if it was."

"That's right." His face lights up a bit as he remembers. "Karim mentioned Shaddi when we were blocked from our ka. I suspect he had to do with Seini's demise. There wasn't…there wasn't time to find out after."

I can't decide how I feel about that. It obviously has an impact on the here and now because it destroyed the majority's ability to tap into their own magic. But as far as my own feelings, does it even matter? The man is long-dead, taking all of his answers and reasons with him.

"So since Jou has limited the options," Yami changes topics, able to discern neither of us wants to discuss Egypt any further, "what do you want us to do about his father?"

"Us?"

"Isis, Rishid and me. You've had to deal with him several times on your own already. We all care for Jounouchi. Give someone else a turn."

"You don't think I'd hold back after this."

To be fair, I don't know if it would be physically possible for me to restrain myself once I was in a room with the bastard.

"If you want to come…"

I don't. As long as someone who cares about Katsuya is handling it, it makes no difference to me. I want to be here with him.

"Fine. You deal with him. Just make sure he's alive and in this realm at the end of it."

"I can do that."

"One more thing."

"Yes?"

I look him dead in the eye.

"Take back your Millennium Items for a bit. And the scales for good. I don't feel like having to track my hikari and your friends after they decide to go get some vengeance on their own."

"You really think they're capable of that?" he asks, a smile beginning to form and then falling back down as he realizes I'm not joking.

"You know the girl better than me. We've both heard my hikari and Hiroto ranting. And you have a connection to your hikari. That isn't enough for you to tell?"

His brow creases and he looks back toward the group still plotting on the sofa. Hikari brought the scales with him; Mazaki has heka; Hiroto has a truck with which to transport them all and run the man down, no magic required. And if I'm not mistaken—which I never am about these things—Yugi has not one but two Millennium Items. I wouldn't trust this task to any of them, and especially not all them together.

Yami wilts a bit at the prospect of the mess he's put himself in charge of.

"Have fun with that," I say and gladly leave him to clean up duty.

As I am wandering through the large entryway towards the kitchen, my ears pick up quiet arguing at the top of the staircase. Malik and Rishid are standing there. My friend is leaning against the banister for support, an arm clenched around his stomach as if he is in pain.

"…isn't something you can handle right now," Rishid is speaking quietly, intensely. "As for Marik…"

"Leave him out of this."

"That's what I'm trying to do! I plan to make certain he takes no part in whatever they decide."

"How exactly will you do that?" Malik scoffs. "He won't do it, you know. You can try to bully it away from him but he won't."

"Then why don't you ask him?" Rishid demands in frustration.

"Given the subject matter, do you really think anything I can say will make a difference?"

"Well try at least! Do you want him to get involved?…Bakura, there you are," Rishid's deep voice changes as he takes note of my presence and stalks down the stairs with an air of exasperation. "Talk some sense into your friend about the dangers of the hikaris with Millennium Items right now. And for gods' sake, Malik, stay up there if you know what's good for you."

Malik's scowl deepens when I come up the stairs and stand beside him. He looks worn down, like after we'd gone through an extensive escape that required hours of being hunted.

"Shouldn't you be part of the deliberation?" he rasps.

"Why aren't you?"

"It's a bit stifling down there. Little pharaoh's out for blood."

"Him and everyone else."

That earns me a sidelong glance.

"Not everyone. What is wrong with you, Bakura? You know what the answer to this is."

My fingers clench on top of the worn wooden banister, smoothed down over the years by people passing through. I knew this was coming. I just don't know how to handle it when I agree with him.

"There are other options," is the best I can do. "It won't come to that."

"It should have a long time ago. You're letting the mutt be endangered because he's soft. Maybe you'll both think differently when his father is coming at him behind the wheel of a car next time."

"That's not going to happen."

"There's one way to make certain of that," his eyes trail to the Item on my chest. "Two ways. And if you don't get the job done, someone else just might. You have a house full of people wielding Millennium Items who care about the mutt. What exactly do you think they're arguing about? Little pharaoh is feeling a touch murderous at the moment, as are several of his other friends. So do them all a favor and solve the problem before they go vigilante."

He's not lying. I can see that much. And he can feel Yugi. Feel what he's feeling. I'm suddenly more afraid than ever because of what the teens could do in an effort to keep Katsuya safe.

"As with your past romance, you're letting your partner affect your judgment," he comments scathingly, thoroughly disgusted with me.

"Leave him alone."

Damn it.

Malik straightens up with the movements of a cat that is pretending to not be interested while honing in on its target. Katsuya is standing at the bottom of the stairs gazing up at us.

"I'm handling this, Katsuya," I say quickly, not wanting them anywhere near one another. "Go to your friends."

"No," Katsuya replies while rising one determined step after another to our level.

I look to Malik who is surrounded by an oppressive atmosphere. I catch myself watching for the emergence of the veins and phantom face that no longer exist. It doesn't help much that he doesn't have an Item. He still has heka. And even I have never been able to best him in a physical fight. The question is: Would he attack Katsuya now? I would have said no since he's been purged of shadows, but with Yugi's bloodlust bombarding him I worry how much sway that could have on his actions.

Malik picks up on my energy, as he so unnervingly can nowadays. He offers a tired smirk.

"You think I'll go that far? Throw him over the bannister?"

(Jounouchi's POV)

Their stare off makes my heart sink.

"Go on, thief," Malik says lazily with a jeer to his voice. "Go with your lover and make your peace offerings to his father. Be surprised when it blows up in your faces."

I catch Baku's arm as he steps aggressively towards the other yami. It strikes a nerve because Malik and Baku do not having differing views in how dad should be dealt with. The only reason they are butting heads is 'cause of me.

"Baku," I plead with him not to argue with his friend when tensions are already so high. "Give me and Malik a minute. Please."

That catches him off guard. He looks at me in surprise that I would ask to be alone with Malik when the yami and I have been avoiding each other like the plague. I give him my most confident look, assuring him I can handle this. Then my boyfriend squeezes my hand and descends the stairs without a fight. It speaks volumes of his faith in both of us. Malik watches all of this with a mildly intrigued expression that I can't gauge. It makes me wonder whether Baku truly trusts him with me or if he's left us alone to make Malik prove himself.

I wait until Baku has left from the entryway, Rishid having reeled him in to the living room again to deal with some dispute. Malik observes it all with cynicism. He has not tried to hide how unimpressed he is with us. I wasn't really expecting him to.

"If you've got such big opinions, what are you doin' up here?" I ask under my breath as we stand side by side.

He leans his arms on the bannister in a way that mimics relaxation but is anything but.

"It's a bit tense in there for my tastes," he says before adding sardonically: "Besides, my way of dealing with such paternal problems is out of bounds, as I understand. I have no input to offer."

I know what he's getting at: He killed Marik's father. Baku said when Malik was just a kid he killed his own dad too. Murder is his way of dealing with an abusive person. I'll say this much, it's definitely a permanent solution. For him it's such a simple answer.

"You think I'm being stupid."

"It stands to reason. You are stupid."

"It'd be easier if I could be like you—just turn it off. I can't. You had to deal with this type of thing differently in ancient Egypt. I get that."

"Don't try to romanticize Egypt. Past and present have no bearing here, mutt. Marik is making offers to get involved. And the hikari I'm connected to is contemplating murder." If he were still possessed his pupils would be disappearing right about now. "Bakura's in torment, fighting against his own morals and better judgment."

"He's doing this for me."

"And it's tearing him apart!" For the first time lavender eyes hone in on me. They're as dangerous as when he was infested with Shadows. "He was already destroyed once. You want to do it again?"

I take a deep breath. I have to keep my cool. This has to be said.

"I know this isn't what you want for Baku—that I'm not what you want for him. But just because he could easily kill my dad doesn't mean it would be the best thing for Baku. Like you said, we have a group of powerful people in there. There's no reason this has to be all on him. I love him, Malik. An' he and me are good for each other, whether you believe it or not."

"I don't."

It doesn't touch me this time. I'm able to keep my temper in check. Malik isn't my biggest problem. Not even close. I don't want to wedge a gap between him and Baku when they've only reconciled in the last few weeks. It's been a rollercoaster, and I have a hard time telling what a normal argument is for them. Whenever it's about me, I know there's more at stake.

"Good thing I don't care what you think of me then. I don't have much of an opinion of you at all. You were the one who left, remember? You don't get to come back in and bully me and give him a hard time about our relationship," I point my finger at but not in his face, wondering if he would bite it off if I got too close. "We've been doing better. I haven't tried to talk him outta seeing you because you two care about each other so much. But I am not gonna stand by while you mess with his emotions just because you don't like me. You can hate me all you want. I can deal with that. But I'm not gonna let you hurt him again. So back off."

I half expect to be blasted backwards down the stairs before I remember he doesn't have a Millennium Item. He doesn't look mad. He's definitely not very impressed either. This wasn't about making progress with the yami but putting him in his place. I don't care about his views of me; he doesn't care about mine of him. Having said my piece and getting no response from the blonde yami, I turn and walk back downstairs to face the next challenge.

The tension in the living room could cut like a knife. Everyone pauses mid-argument as I come in. Baku, who is standing in the doorway with Rishid, immediately wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me against him. Noticing something is off, I do a head-count.

"Where's Yami?"

"Said he had an idea and would be back soon," Ryou mumbles as he rubs his face with his hands in exhaustion. "He'll probably be quick. He used the Millennium key."

I tense up in Baku's hold. Did Yami go by himself to find dad? Doubt creeps into my mind as I look around at the room of people who would all give Yami their blessings to banish or kill my father.

Baku pulls me closer to him as a portal opens beside us.

"Oh hell no," Anzu moans as Yami and the dice master step into the room.

My grip tightens on Baku's arm, wishing someone had prepared me for this. Only I'm not the only one who isn't happy to see Otogi. So is…everybody.

"What is he doing here?" Honda asks contemptuously, Anzu and him supporting equally hostile expressions.

"That's rich coming from you, Hiroto," the raven-haired teen snarks.

"Otogi," Yami warns him off, placing a hand on Otogi's shoulder while turning to our group by the door. "Jounouchi, we may have a solution for locating your father. Otogi has a lot of connections. People. Access to security cameras all over the city…"

"Et cetera," the dice master cuts him off with a smirk, leaning lazily on his crutches.

"What exactly does that mean for my dad?" I ask, staring at the newcomer doubtfully.

No one else speaks, letting me ask the questions and decide whether this is help I'm willing to accept. The dice master backstabbed me. I don't have a reason to trust him now.

"It means I can find the bastard's whereabouts in no time," Otogi says dispassionately, holding up a laptop awkwardly as Yami's helps him stay balanced. "Just say the word."

"I…what will your people do when they find him?" I ask cautiously while I feel Baku send the dice master a piercing glare over my shoulder.

"They'll contact the police," Otogi shrugs. "Someone will pick him up."

"Alive?" I want to make certain I know what I'd be agreeing to.

"What—you think I'm connected to the Yakuza now?"

"I'm not sure of anything about you," I rejoin fiercely. The dice master doesn't recoil from that, knowing he's guilty.

"I can vouch for him, Jou," Yami cuts in, assuring. "Besides, he won't be the one making the calls. I'm going to be paying for all of these services, so the people investigating will technically be under my orders."

I shift in Baku's arms so I can share a look with the thief. Baku gazes back but doesn't speak. He's telling me he'll go along with whatever I decide. That it's my decision. I've heard bits and pieces of my friends' points of view; of Yami, Malik and Rishid's concerns of my friends possibly going looking for dad on their own. Honda's statement from earlier clings to the front of my mind. God, I don't want that. Without asking for input from anyone else, I turn back to Yami and Otogi.

"Do it."

The dice master's smirk widens.

"This will be done in no time. I'd give them an hour tops. Where can I set up?"

(Yami's POV)

"You're hovering."

"I am not."

Otogi cranes his neck so he's looking up at me while his fingers fly across the keyboard without pause. It's when I remember he's wearing a headset and microphone, the black earbuds blending in with his hair.

"You're standing above me reading over my shoulder. That's hovering, Yami."

"Oh. Right. Sorry."

I take a few steps away, wandering the dining room where Otogi's set up base camp after kicking out Mr. Mutou and Ryou's father. This really was our best option in that neither Mr. Mutou or Ryou's father wanted us to resort to magic. This has given them some peace of mind. Both men have been working diligently to try to get answers. Ryou's father in particular has not backed down, demanding to speak with whomever is on the other end of the line despite the late hour it has become. Given how recently he became involved in our lives and even more so that he was made aware of our situations, I have to admire how readily he stepped up.

Otogi has his computer open to at least twelve different windows; multiple tech and security people checking in at intervals to give updates. His phone goes off every few minutes and he somehow manages to answer or check the message without missing a beat on whatever is going on the multiple images he's following on the screen. It makes me both amazed of and a bit scared of his brain.

"Do you really think you can find him tonight?"

"Most likely. There are cameras everywhere nowadays. Plus if he uses his credit card for, let's say, an alcohol purchase, we're golden. I have a group going back to the time he ran into Katsuya and going through storefront cameras as he moves. Another group is searching in the here and now."

"And what happens when Kaiba finds out you're doing this?" I ask because I don't want to jeopardize anything for him.

"You're the one paying. I'm just the middleman," he reminds me as keen emerald eyes track several videos sent from his investigators. My investigators. "As far as the money-trail shows, this is a non-Kaiba Corp. operation. Kaiba doesn't like it, he can go fuck himself."

"Do you actually talk to him like that?" I ask in wonder that the CEO would put up with that.

"One of the perks of being indispensable."

"Ummm…sorry to interrupt," Yugi says from the doorway, looking very reluctant to be here. "They sent me to check."

"There will be news when there's news," Otogi proclaims as his phone buzzes. "Know what would be really helpful? If everyone would get lost and let me focus."

I smile and shake my head, walking over to my hikari who is fidgeting and actually avoiding looking at Otogi.

(This is a bit more intensive than I realized. It makes him on edge) I apologize on behalf of the dice master who would do no such thing. (Is everything all right, aibou? You're mad I brought him?)

((No. No, this is right. I mean, nobody's happy to see him but…but if he's as good as he says he is…)) Yugi trails off, eyes widening as he stumbles on his words. ((Not that you'd know if he's good…What I mean…I…))

"No news yet?" Marik asks cheerily, popping up seemingly out of nowhere behind Yugi, causing my hikari to jump.

"You couldn't give me a room with a door," the dice master grumbles as he replies to a text.

The Egyptian grins broadly, the Millennium rod tucked harmlessly through his belt. So he didn't come here to intimidate Otogi. That's something. Though why he's so interested in all of this is befuddling to me. He certainly seems eager to be a part of everything. Then again, he does love drama. Marik brushes past me as Yugi tells him not to, drifting over to Otogi and giving the computer and phone a glance of feigned interest.

"Geez. How do you keep track of all that? The most mind slaves I could handle at a time was…"

"Marik, give him space to work," I admonish as Otogi tenses.

"Yeah yeah," the blonde waves me off but obeys, starting to move away from the dice master.

Then he pauses, lavender eyes landing on the crutches propped up beside Otogi. Tilting his head to one side a bit, Marik peers under the table, golden earring brushing across his cheek.

"I thought Yami gave you an Item so you'd heal quicker."

"Just while he sleeps," I supply while Otogi sends him a chary look.

"Too bad." Marik straightens up. "The sooner you get mobile the better. So when do you get the cast off?"

"Possibly next week," Otogi says slowly, giving Marik an uncertain once-over as the Egyptian grins broadly. I can't blame him. Why the hells is the hikari taking such an interest in Otogi's injuries?

"A week? That's awesome," Marik beams, sending a shrewd look at my lighter half. "Isn't it, Yugi?"

"Marik!" Yugi hisses, his face suddenly beet red. "Let's go. These guys have things to do."

"They sure do," Marik smacks the dice master on the shoulder who jolts in surprise and just a little fright. The Egyptian snickers, meandering back toward Yugi and me. "Have fun, Pharaoh."

Yugi mumbles something and quickly makes his exit after Marik. The amount of embarrassment coming through my hikari's side of the link is overwhelming. But why? What is there to be discomfited about? Otogi turns in his chair, staring after the pair in bafflement.

"What the hell was that about?" he asks in bewildered exasperation, wiping his hand across his shoulder to make sure Marik didn't plant something on him.

"I don't have a clue."

"Your friends have issues, Yami," he complains, returning to his effort once he's assured he's safe.

"Technically, Marik isn't my friend," I reply, slipping my thumbs into my belt-loops. "And you aren't exactly issue-free."

His eyebrows rise along with the edges of his mouth.

"Never claimed I was. Hello. What do we have here?"

He selects the window in the top left corner, expanding it so it takes up the entire screen. I don't have to come closer to see what he's seeing as he leans in. He breaks into a victorious smile that borders Bakura's and Malik's evil grins when their plotting pays off.

"Bingo."

Quiet!

Souls are on the roof, slowly breathing before the jump.

I hear all your thoughts.

Everything around us

Is upside-down.

How easy it is to say not to fall apart, not to wear out.

We will be here for centuries

Like a river,

Like the words of a prayer.

(Rishid's POV)

It should have been a relief. It was in the sense that Jou, Bakura, Ryou and his father could return to their apartment. To know Jounouchi's father is back in custody where he belongs and will not be released pending a trial. The police had to chase the drunkard. He simplified things by driving into a stop sign and giving himself a concussion and whiplash.

I watch with growing worry as Yugi paces up and down the long Middle Eastern rug. The boy is fuming. Hells, I'll admit only to myself it's getting under my skin too. Marik sits forward on his spot on the sofa, fingernail running along one of the wing blades of the rod as his mind works out all sorts of plots. He's careful, aware of me standing in the doorway with my arms folded over his chest. I've been watching both of them with a dismal apprehension. Yami posted me here before he left to whisk the dice master away as if I am some great force to be reckoned with. At the very least I am immune to the rod since I still have the eye. How that came about I still don't quite know. Maybe as a 'thank you' from Bakura for saving Malik? Or Bakura wants to help ensure I don't become controlled by Marik?

"Yugi, you have to calm down," I say.

"I am calm."

"You're not."

"You're right! I'm not!" the kid explodes. "How am I supposed to be calm right now? He was released once! Look what good a restraining order did! He'll do it again!"

"I can take care of it," Marik reminds us as if we had forgotten, twirling his Item expertly. "Simple."

"Neither of you are going near the man, Marik," I speak forebodingly. "You least of all."

"Rishid is right, brother. You are not getting involved in this affair."

"Fuck you!" He springs from his seat as our sister enters the room. "This is messing with Katsuya's head. Which will mess with the thief! If they go off the deep end again…"

"My first concern is you not taking that plunge, brother." She steps into line with me like a pair of sentinels. "We have agreed the two of you hand over your Items until this is resolved or you have cooled your heads."

"Like hell I will!"

"That's not fair!"

"No it isn't," Isis says placating and firm as the two hikaris visibly tense. "This isn't what Jounouchi wants. You are all out for blood."

"I don't get why you aren't," Yugi seethes, the center of the puzzle glowing from the enormity of his emotions. "He terrorized Jounouchi and he can't even fess up to what he did! You saw Jou! He shouldn't have to go through an investigation and trial! Just because he never reported it before…!"

"And I don't see anyone taking the ring from the thief!" Marik chimes in.

"Bakura has held himself back multiple times from killing Jounouchi's father," our sister says patiently.

They have to back down at least on the account that the thief has practiced such admirable self-control. It pisses them off. Though it seems to at least be getting the message through to Yugi.

"You're just going to let Jou's dad deny everything and drag Jou through hell before someone believes him?" he asks, quieter than before.

"I think what happened today gives more weight to Jounouchi's claims, Yugi," Isis says, not unkindly. "But you are overwrought with powerful emotions. I shall be insisting on the necklace back before you depart."

Yugi blinks, having forgotten he had the Item. He pulls it from his pocket. When he places the necklace in her outstretched hand, his brows knit.

"Isis, I—we saw something…"

"Understatement."

Yugi casts Marik a wilted glare. Isis waits silently for the pharaoh's hikari to continue. I keep my peace, not one to question her when she deems something worth pursuing. She asked me to interrupt her conversation with the hikari earlier so she could leave him with her Item. Obviously it was impactful.

"When you have a vision…How do you know?—what will happen? If it's something real?"

"One cannot know. Not for certain," she replies, brushing her hair back and delicately tying the Item's thin thread about her neck. "Often there are clues to pick up on, to see what forces might drive things in that particular direction. Is there anything more specific you can tell me?"

Marik snickers while Yugi's cheeks redden.

Yami steps into the room from thin air. Yugi suddenly finds the floor very interesting. Distracted as he is, Yami doesn't notice his hikari's reaction.

"Otogi's home. Gloating. Though he does deserve some praise for this. Where's Mr. Mutou? It's late. We should be getting him back to the house."

"Malik accompanied him home over an hour ago when the excitement piqued. Your grandfather was exhausted and Malik wasn't exactly faring well with Yugi as passionate as he is," Isis says in a way that tells me she's relieved to have had so many people depart our house. "We were just discussing our decision about the Items with Marik and Yugi."

"It's not the answer, Yami!" Yugi petitions his darker half for backup. "More than ever now we need to have Items for saf—."

"The man's been arrested, aibou."

"He's in a hospital, not a jail," Marik gripes. "You think he won't bust out and hunt Katsuya down if he gets the chance?"

"Brother, there are laws and institutions created for this very scenario. Keep a level head. This is about Jounouchi's father. Not ours."

Marik flinches as if our sister struck him. I shoot Isis a reproachful look. Tact is not her strong suit when it comes to anything to which emotions are attached; especially the ways Marik has dealt with the trauma of our upbringing.

Yami pulls Yugi aside, both of them speaking through their mind link to give us space and sort out their own qualms. It's sensible on Yami's part. What will convince Yugi and Marik will be very different things.

"What's my yami have to say in this?"

"Malik has agreed with us," Isis states evenly. "As has Bakura. We told them we'd handle the situation with Jounouchi's father."

"How is taking away everyone's power handling anything?" Marik snarls as he tightens his hold on his Item like a child with their protective teddy bear.

Yugi sags and pulls the cord from over his head.

"Don't you dare, you little pansy," Marik hisses under his breath.

The other hikari casts him a beaten look and hands the puzzle to his darker half. I come close to Marik. For a moment I wonder if I should wrestle the rod from him. I could. This really is the worst intervention club he could go up against. Yami, Isis and I have Items, making the rod useless. It only would have been better if Malik could be here. Still, as Malik advised, it's best if Marik surrenders the rod himself. Not to mention if we want to use it we need Marik's permission and Marik's alone. Gods damn it, why did Malik have to leave it solely in my brother's custody? It didn't help that the yami had zero faith that Marik would surrender the Item.

"Malik doesn't want to see you lose yourself again. None of us do."

"I don't have to kill the bastard," he points out sullenly now that no one is on his side. "Just control him to do and say what we want him to."

"You really think you can stop at that?" I ask quietly, both of us already knowing the answer.

This is opening up old wounds that none of us have dealt with. We never talk of our father. Never grieved, if that was even possible. Can you grieve someone so cruel? In many ways I'm grateful to Malik for doing what I could not while simultaneously cursing him for using Marik to do it. Being the catalyst for the killing of his father gave Marik a whole other level of distress to my brother that Isis and I do not carry.

"We'll handle it. I promise," I hold out my hand, palm up ready to receive. "We'll do better this time. Please believe me."

Marik shakes his head and takes a retreating step. A line draws across Isis's forehead as he withdraws from us. I lower my empty hand.

"Marik, your behavior is…"

I place said hand on our sister's shoulder and she quiets, letting me take over. He won't listen to her. Hells, he'll do the opposite of what she wants just to rile her. The two of them butt heads constantly. They can't not bicker at the best of times, and this is most definitely not the time.

"You'll stay here in this house then until we've worked something out regarding Jounouchi's father," I say, not asking Yami or my sister for input. "All right, Marik?"

"But Rishid…"

I shake my head at Isis. It's no good. Even if we forcefully take the rod, he won't give us permission to use it. This isn't like at the hospital where Yugi was wielding it for the benefit of people. What we could use it for might be considered an 'attack', which will most certainly bring out the negative influences of using an Item not freely given or won.

"Whatever."

Marik rolls his eyes at this show of 'honor' on our parts. There's nothing for it. He gives the other hikari a disapproving glare and storms out of the room with the rod. Yugi doesn't follow him; perhaps partially due to how perturbed Marik is with him; perhaps because he wants to know just what exactly we're going to do. I wish I knew. Isis and I watch our brother go with heavy hearts. We were hoping but it was a dim hope.

"It was as much as could be expected," Isis states without inflection. "All right. So what is your plan, Pharaoh?"

"Is it really necessary we do anything?" I ask. "The man has set up a bad case for himself."

"True," Yami says as he wanders to the window. "All the same, I'm not willing to risk it. At the very least I want to see him, see his frame of mind."

"He may not even be awake," Isis reminds us. "They were going to keep him overnight for observation."

"I'll go," Yami announces wearily. "Best to get this taken care of before he does try something or any of my friends decides to take matters into their own hands."

"I'm coming!"

"Not this time, aibou."

Isis and I exchange a look while Yami and Yugi go still as an internal battle commences. I glance pointedly at the ceiling and she nods, resting her hand over her heart. That was easily decided. We have to make certain Marik does not try to 'help' in this. She touches my arm affectionately before speaking aloud.

"Yugi and I have things to discuss. Don't we? You can wait here with me for Yami and Rishid to return."

The Yami blinks at her in surprise.

"I-I…I can manage on my own."

"It's best no one goes alone and have things get out of hand due to emotional turmoil," Isis reinforces my accompanying the former pharaoh.

Yugi casts his darker half a crafty look now that things have turned on him. The hikari accepts he won't be allowed to come along. And he doesn't seem particularly bothered by the notion of talking with her. He is rattled by whatever vision he witnessed. I'm sure he has plenty of questions.

"Very well," Yami surrenders wearily. "We'll go now, Rishid, if that suits you."

"Let's be done with it then," I agree, stepping forward. "I'll drive."

"I have a better way."

Like hells he does. I don't want to use the key. Yugi's talked animatedly about his trip with Shaddi from Japan to Egypt through some portal. After our visit to the borders of the Afterlife, I haven't been eager to take a step off this earthly realm.

"Pharaoh is right," my sister states with a placid smile. "Best not to be witnessed in the vicinity."

Damn it, Isis!

"What exactly are you thinking we're going to do to the man?" I ask her, more than a bit bothered.

"Why, nothing, brother. Absolutely nothing."

"Do any of them have the capability to go after him with magic?" I ask curiously, queasily, as we stand in place as the world ripples around us. "Your friends?"

Yami sighs, troubled by his answer.

"Anzu might. I don't know what exactly her and Bakura's heka lessons have entailed. Though from what I gathered they were focusing on more defensive spells. Ryou would have acted if I hadn't taken the scales from him. He looked ready to commit murder when we got to their apartment."

"I can imagine," I say but I don't have to. I've lived this myself. "And you?"

"I'd be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind."

I try to recall if I've ever seen him this angry before. It's a quiet rage, much like mine. An indignation at the injustice of the world. But there's the burden of having the capabilities to alter the situation with nothing to keep that ability in check.

"It says something to show that restraint when you have the power."

"I've always had that power. Even without Shadow Magic, I had the power to snuff out someone's life. It's not a pleasant authority to command." He stares out aimlessly in 'front' of us. "There were few times I actually used it. And there are always consequences. I keep trying to remind myself that. Lately it feels like we have all been relying on Shadow Magic too much."

"You can't blame them after what they went through."

"No. I can't." His fingers flex and loosen as he concentrates on moving us. "But they would use it against Jou's father because it'd be easy. My friends didn't grow up with magic like we did. They don't understand what it will cost them. There has to be a line drawn somewhere."

"Are we drawing it tonight?"

"Maybe." Violet eyes dart to me. "I won't kill him or banish him, as much as I want to. That would shatter Jou."

"It also wouldn't be a good impression to leave on Marik, Ryou, Yugi and Anzu."

"That as well." He hesitates and then asks: "Have you? Taken a life?"

"Many. To protect Marik."

"And Marik?"

So he caught on to that.

"Quite a few Rare Hunters," I admit because I know at this point he won't hold it against my brother. "Why do you think Isis, Malik, and I are so against him keeping the rod?"

"I was hoping it was just good common sense," he says sadly.

"I wish it was. His conscience can be severely lacking, you might have noticed. He'll never be like Yugi. Like your friends. He was our father's fixation. Someone doesn't ever completely heal from that." We ponder that gravely, the similarities to what we're dealing with now. I work up the nerve to ask: "If Jounouchi gave his blessing, what would you do?"

"The same thing you would nowadays if the victim was Marik, I imagine," he replies with a humorless smile and a lethal undercurrent to his voice.

We're very still for a long while, watching the unrecognizable shapes and muted colors drift by. There's a solemnness to this. A sacredness to what has been said. It can't be shared with most people. They would not understand. It's not an experience in which one wants to find much company.

I have never been certain of him. Perhaps it was because of what we were raised to assume. Or just the title Pharaoh came with expectations all its own. Each of the ancient Egyptians has his own shortcomings, but all three have also proven themselves to have more depth than I gave them credit.

"The hospital is just here. How shall we look for him?"

"I've gotten to know this place pretty well. Took to roaming it when I was taking a break from my family," I say dryly. "We'll start with the inpatient ward and look for policemen guarding a door."

"That would be a good giveaway. Here we go."

Our surroundings settle around us. My legs wobble beneath me as we're suddenly on solid ground. The spinning sensation is gone, as if we had been flying at an incredible velocity only to slam to a halt. We're standing in the atrium of the hospital. The lights are lowered, visiting hours long since passed. There's a janitor mopping the floor next to the fountain. A nurse walks purposefully from one wing to another without looking around at all. We are undetectable, a light haze rippling around us.

"How are you doing? I know it can be a bit rocky the first few times."

"I'm all right," I manage, the two of us walking across the open space toward the stairs. "Just how many times have you done this?"

"At least twice a day."

I don't ask what for. He didn't offer an explanation when he answered. We have enough things going on. I don't care to weed into other people's personal lives.

"And how many times today?"

"I've lost count," he reveals tiredly.

"Then you might not have much ground to stand on when saying the others have been using too much Shadow Magic."

"Touché."

We reach the next level and walk through a series of corridors. A sanitized labyrinth of doors and side passages. Everything is numbered or labeled. Everything in its place. A glance at Yami tells me he is enjoying the return to this place as much as I am.

Our feet don't make a sound as we walk through the inpatient wing. I suspect they have tucked him into one of the furthest rooms back so as not to have visitors walking by police and asking questions. Not that they would be allowed to answer. But people are unnerved enough when they're in a hospital without knowing there's an abusive bastard nearby.

Suddenly there's too much activity. A white-faced nurse hurries past us from the direction we are headed. Yami and I share a look. This can't be good.

When we reach the room there's a cop standing outside the door talking on the phone to someone.

"…No, captain. We don't know what happened…I swear we didn't touch him…no one but docs and nurses, like you said… Maybe it's normal, I don't know…Dai and I are in the hall. We wanted orders on how to proceed with this…"

"What in the hell is going on?" I ask, looking down at the scales in my hand as if they will somehow give me an answer.

"Hang on. We're going through the wall."

"The wa—?"

And so we do. It isn't nearly as harrowing as I would have thought. Perhaps because it happened in a split second. Or that I'm too distracted when it happened.

Yami immediately gags beside me at the overwhelming stenches. Urine. Feces. Vomit. A large man is lying on the bed, a handcuff shackling his right wrist to the bedframe. Together we approach the figure. I've never seen him before and would not be able to describe what he normally would look like. There's intense purple and green bruising on one side of his face. A brace is wrapped around his thick neck. I remind myself he was in a car crash. That's the whole reason he's here and not in jail. His skin has an ugly bluish tinge. His broad chest is motionless and coated in yellow drying vomit that reeks of alcohol. Beady glazed eyes are bulging unnaturally in horror.

"Damn it," I curse.

He's dead.

"Someone else got here first?" Yami murmurs in bewilderment, looking me up and down as he counts our Items.

Yami is wearing the key and puzzle. I have the eye in my pocket and the scales in my hand.

"You think Bakura was lying about not coming?" I ask.

"Why would he?"

"So Jounouchi wouldn't think badly of him?"

Yami shakes his head.

"He could have snuffed out Jou's dad at any time without anyone knowing. Why wait until now when Bakura himself requested we confiscate the Items? That just would give fewer alternative assailants. I don't believe he was lying to me," Yami states deliberately slowly, meticulously. "That leaves the necklace and rod."

That's what I was afraid of. I digest this in numb silence as a doctor and two nurses enter. They talk calmly, professionally as their eyes scan the patient. They don't seem surprised or in disbelief of what happened.

"We should have been able to revive him."

"Obviously there was an underlying condition we are not aware of. We haven't gotten his toxicology results back yet. Or there could have been a bleed that caused the seizure," the doctor says, reaching forward and touching the shackled hand, noting the blood encircling the wrist probably caused while seizing. "The police were never alone with him?"

"No, doctor."

"Neither the rod or necklace possess powers that could get someone here before us," I say to Yami when it's obvious we probably know more than these people do. "To get moving after we left, arrive here before us, do whatever the hell was done to the bastard and then depart before we get here? I don't think so. And look at these windows. They don't open. The only ways in are the door and the Millennium key."

"Or the rod's control. Marik could have sent a mind slave," Yami mumbles. "Though he would have had to be in close contact with them and then they would have to come here. Could Isis have encased Jou's dad in a vision?"

"And scared him to death?" I ask, almost disbelieving but then again I'm sure she could whip up something. "She'd have to be in the room. Which begs the question again: How would she get in? It would make sense if the keepers of the rod and necklace teamed up, but not when it's Marik and Isis."

Yami scrutinizes the corpse for a long moment and then turns in the direction of the far wall. It's unspectacular with one of those mundane prints of some idyllic seaside scene. There's a small counter with medical supplies that was thrown open obviously in the rush to save the man.

"…loss of bowel and bladder control very normal after this type of seizure…"

"So what do you want to do? We could hang around and listen in longer but I don't think they're going to come to any conclusions anytime soon. Let's face it, Yami, it wasn't possible for anyone to get at him. It just happened."

"You may be right," Yami says grimly while giving the wall a final appraising glance before turning back to the dead man.

"Let's get out of here then. That stench is getting to me."

He doesn't bother exiting the room. We simply leave the building. It doesn't matter we're up so high from the ground. I can't even tell precisely where the ground is. It's all a blur once again. I hardly pay attention, too engrossed in my own concerns and half-theories.

"Yami, I have to ask…"

"It wasn't me. Yes, I took Otogi home. But do you really think I had the time it took to do that as well?"

"I don't know what type of time constraint goes into that," I say with revulsion. "But I do believe you'd tell me now if you were responsible. It really was just natural, wasn't it?"

"So it seemed," the former pharaoh exhales. "Your sister was correct: We didn't have to do anything."

(Yami's POV)

Yugi leaps to his feet as Rishid and I reappear in the Ishtars' living room. Isis rises from her seat on the sofa with an air of calmness about her. Her composure is difficult to crack, but I wonder if she knew in advance. If she knows now.

"He won't be any more trouble," I announce tiredly. "Let's go home, aibou."

"I could drive you. Bring Malik back here…" Rishid starts to offer.

"No. He's probably asleep by now. Stay here and get some rest," I say. "You up to travel by key, aibou?"

"Sure thing," he says, watching us both curiously, questions brimming on the tip of his tongue. "Thanks again, Isis. For the advice."

"Of course," she says and then bows her head to me reverently. "Good night, Pharaoh."

I nod to her without a word and accept the scales from Rishid. Yugi comes beside me and we are enveloped in the key's powers. He sways a moment and grabs ahold of my arm.

"So what happened? Did you scare him? Pin him to the ceiling with Shadow Bindings? Mind Crush?"

"No. When Rishid and I arrived…He's dead. It appears he had a seizure. Perhaps a brain bleed from when he crashed his car."

Yugi blinks.

"Really? Just like that?"

"Apparently. Much simpler than any of us was expecting. And yes, he was dead before we got there."

"Oh." Yugi shifts uncomfortably. "I don't really know how to feel about that."

"Neither do I, aibou," I assure him these convoluted emotions are all right to have.

"What about Jounouchi? Does he know?"

"They're still scrambling a bit at the hosptial, so I don't know how soon they'll contact Ryou's father. I think there's a little time. I'll call Bakura when I get to Otogi's. He'll probably want to be the one to break it to Jou. "

"Sure."

I am glad my hikari isn't beaming with joy at this news. Marik will probably be a different story, as Rishid pointed out in regards to the teen's morality. It does give me hope that, while Yugi has been dabbling deeper into magic, he also doesn't have the heart of a killer when it comes down to it. The way he was acting before was all rage and protectiveness of Jounouchi. The reality of the thing is something completely different.

"I am sorry about taking the puzzle, but you were so upset. You can have it back."

"Sure," he agrees distractedly, wondering over everything. "Guess this means Marik won't have to be under house arrest."

"A mercy for him and his siblings, I'm sure."

"Got that right," he winces a smile. "That was going to get ugly really fast."

We lapse into our own thoughts as we are quietly, gently hurdled through space. He really doesn't seem too suspicious of anything. If anyone will be disbelieving of how things transpired, it will be Bakura. But I have a feeling he won't ask. He won't care to know. I don't think he'd trying calling me out on it because it was what he preferred. Some of our friends might not be convinced that Rishid and I have clean hands in all of this, but they won't be complaining about how things have turned out either. Mr. Mutou will be worried I played a part but at least I can tell him truthfully that I didn't. I could have if I had gotten there first. As things stand I have a feeling no one is going to be prodding Rishid or me for details.

"It was a good thing you brought Otogi in," Yugi says out of the blue. "He really came through."

"He did," I say cautiously, wondering at the notion of Yugi complimenting the dice master.

"Do you really have to go to his place tonight? It's already late."

"Yes. I called to tell him I'd be a while yet. He still is having pretty serious night terrors." I look down at my other half who I can feel is at war with himself. "Does my going there bother you, aibou?"

"Maybe," he admits. "I guess I don't know him well enough to know if it bothers me."

It takes me a moment to wrap my brain around that sentence and make sense of it.

"If my spending time with him is a problem…"

"It's not that," he interrupts quickly, looking up at me. "Yami, we're okay, aren't we? You and me? You'd let me know if you were...Are you happy with your decision to stay? Here?"

Again, it takes me several heartbeats to catch up with the winds and bends of this conversation. When I understand what he's referring to, my heart tightens. It isn't just Otogi then. Malik was right.

"I'm okay, aibou. It's feels different one day to the next. But I'm staying. What brought this on?"

"I don't know. You and I don't…we haven't talked much. Seeing you with Otogi…" His cheeks have been flushing a lot today. I wonder if he's coming down with something. "You two have gotten close, haven't you?"

"Really, aibou, if you'd rather I…"

"He's your friend?"

"Something like a friend," I answer and add, "You know how he can be."

"So there is more to him than super rudeness?" My hikari takes a breath and his shoulders slump. "I'm sorry. I'm asking questions and getting upset when you're trying to reply."

"I get it, Yugi. I know what an asshole he can be. But I've gotten to know him while I've been helping him and he's...It's become easy to talk to him."

"And I'm not."

"Not lately. Don't you feel the same way?"

"Yeah. I do. It's partly why I'm asking. I want to make sure you're all right with him. That he's a …a good friend."

"It's less that I was opening up easily to him as that he's a determined prick who won't let up when he notices something is wrong." I consider what Yugi asked me about regretting the Afterlife choice and what Malik suggested I do to placate my loved ones' fears. "There's something I want to tell you. I'm just afraid you'll be upset with me."

This could pit Yugi against Otogi. I don't know if my hikari will be jealous. I don't want more drama, more things for them to fight about.

"I'm pretty sure I already know what you're going to say, Yami."

I look down into his face in surprise. He doesn't seem mad. Determination is etched into his features as he resolves not to blow this out of proportion. He has access to the god cards. Was he just waiting this past week for me to say something? Waiting for me to explain?

"You noticed Slifer was missing?"

He blinks, confusion taking hold.

"What? The god card?"

"I gave it to Otogi," I say slowly, watching the misperception manifest and transform as he digests that information. "He was worried I would use the spell…"

"You told him about the spell."

"Yes."

"You gave him Slifer."

"Yes," I say, feeling as if I'm digging my grave the way he turns away from me and looks out into the hazy abyss. "He won't do anything with it, aibou. I know he tends towards a lot of underhanded tactics but he won't use Slifer. Between the Shadow wolves and not being able to work, he's been stressed. I know, I know, we all have been. But he doesn't have a group of friends like we do."

"Whose fault would that be?" he slips again, a bite to his tone.

"Aibou."

"I'm worried, too, Yami! Did you even think to give me a god card?"

"They're ours-yours and mine," I remind him with some surprise. "You could take one at any time and hide it away. It'd be your right."

"It's not about that! It's the precedent! You thought about how to make Otogi feel better but not me!"

I don't know what to say. It isn't that I haven't been worrying, but I asked Mr. Mutou and Malik. I haven't gone to Yugi because I didn't have an answer. I didn't want to scare him. And he isn't wrong. After I gave Otogi Slifer, I felt relieved and safe. It didn't even cross my mind to offer Yugi the same, that he needed that gesture from me.

"I'm sorry," I say because what else is there now?

"Me too," he groans unhappily. "Yami, I'm trying with this whole Otogi situation. He just gets under my skin."

"What would you like me to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Otogi. I can back off with him if it bothers you so much."

"No!" he says quickly, almost in a panic, then sighs and turns back to me. "Don't do that. You like him. You guys are…it sounds like things are going well."

"But you hate him."

"Hate's a strong word. I was in the Shadow Realm with him when he was mauled. If I hated him I would have let go of him as they dragged him off."

"You wouldn't have and we both know it," I say fondly, placing my hand his arm to keep him steady as we materialize in our living room. "Though I still would like to know how I could make you detest the situation less."

The lamp next to the couch has been left on as the only light. The space is empty and quiet. I was half-hoping they would still be down here. That Mr. Mutou could invalidate what I already know to be true.

My hikari is working up the nerve to speak. He acts like his thoughts are making him ill.

"I don't know."

Something occurs to me.

"You didn't know about the god card. Yugi, what did you think I was going to tell you?"

"Where are Grandpa and Malik?" he evades, wandering around me and peeking into the dark kitchen as if either of them were standing there.

I would interrogate him except I'm exhausted and still have one more thing to do before I can go to Otogi's.

"Looks like they gave up on us and went to bed," I say, folding my arms.

"Malik's awake," Yugi tells me, placing a hand to his temple. "At least, I think he is. Perhaps he's dreaming. It's sort of muffled. Can you feel it?"

That does its job. I remember why I came here in the first place and didn't just let Rishid drive Yugi.

"Not well. Not like you can. You're still agitated, aibou. It won't do any good for you to go near him right now. Go get some sleep. I'll check in on Malik."

"Discreetly, Yami."

"Discreetly," I agree as we trudge up the stairs side by side.

Yugi breaks off at my room, taking the puzzle with him. Since Malik has started showing up unannounced and taking over Yugi's room, I cleaned out a drawer for my some of my hikari's clothes so he wouldn't have to go up there if he doesn't want to.

I continue up to the third story alone. I tap my knuckles on the door. No answer. I stand a moment, placing my forehead against the door and closing my eyes. Yugi was right: Malik feels distant. Not right on the other side of the door. Yet if I'm picking up on his aura from here, he can't be far.

"Malik?" I push open the door.

The bed is empty. The room is empty. Yet the scales in my hand begin to teeter at the faint presence I'm sensing. I look up as a breeze move through my hair. The skylight is open.

I sigh in resignation and set the scales on the nightstand.

"He couldn't mope in the yard," I grumble, climbing on top of the bed and reaching up and finding my grip on the frame.

With a boost from the key, I pull myself up and out. This portion of the roof is slanted at an angle that makes me not want to let go of the skylight. I move my foot an inch and it slips. I clamp my fingers tighter and try to figure how the hell he got out there.

Malik seems to have missed the memo that this is not the safest place to be hanging out, let alone having a breakdown. He's 'lying' on his back in the middle of the roof staring up at the sky.

"Malik," I say, scrabbling for purchase and failing miserably. "I need to talk to you."

"Get lost," is the monotonous reply. There's no bite to it. No anything.

"Malik." Damn it. I end up on my knees outside the window, holding on for dear life. "Will you please come inside so we can talk?"

"I don't have anything to say to you."

"Jounouchi's father." I flex my fingers as my left foot slides on the rough pitch for purchase. "Malik, we said we would handle him."

He doesn't spare me a glance. His energy prickles in the air around us, picking up on my aura. I can't hide how I feel from him.

"You going to seal me in an Item again? Just get it over with, will you?"

It chills me how much he isn't joking. How beaten and unapologetic he sounds, as if every ounce of his strength has been sapped. The other ancient hasn't budged from his spot, arms spread out on the black shingles like a bird about to take flight. Except he isn't flying anywhere.

He's crashed

This is different from his spiraling and being all jittery and overwhelmed. This is deep and dark. For a moment I debate alerting Yugi. He can do more than I can. Just as quickly I know that this type of talk will frighten him. He won't understand where Malik is coming from. And it will also bring to his attention what the other yami has done. While I'm against Malik's actions, I don't want to involve my hikari in this.

Keeping my hand secure on the ledge, I sink down onto my butt and slowly scoot towards Malik. Stretching my hand out, I'm able to place lock my fingers around his wrist. The limb twitches in reaction. He doesn't jump up and try to scratch my eyes out or throw me off the roof. The muscles in his jaw and neck tighten as if he's building up energy to retaliate. I'm poised to tap into the key as a means of restraining him if necessary. This rooftop is no place for a scuffle.

Malik closes his eyes.

The green energy comes to me. His ka is fully aware of how badly he's doing. I force myself to not recoil as it weaves between us eagerly, praying my hikari is already asleep because he's sure to feel this coming from us. I don't let that be a deterrent. If Yugi comes up here we'll handle it.

"You killed him," I murmur, unsure if his senses are agitated again.

"Kind of hard to do from so far away."

"Don't play dumb with me, Malik. I know you went to the hospital. I know you used your ka to get in. I felt its residual energies in the wall…"

Well damn. I felt his ka. Malik and his ka are not detectable—to anyone but Yugi and me, who are connected to him—when they are together. But what I felt in the wall was stronger than what I feel residing by the other yami.

Shadow Ghoul threads us tighter when Malik tries to pull away. I lock my fingers around his wrist and hold on for his life and mine. He doesn't order it to throw me off. He doesn't get up.

"You didn't go to the hospital. You sent your ka."

"Solomon was distraught," he reveals. "I wasn't going to leave him here alone."

That takes my anger down a notch even when I don't want it to. Damn it. Why does he have to do that? Just when I feel I can be firm and act accordingly, he says something like that.

"He's in bed."

"Just in the last half hour. Besides, I'm pretty sure I can't move through walls anymore."

"So you sent you ka. And what exactly did it do?"

"You really want to know?"

I really don't.

"Was the plan to kill him? Because it'd be understandable if things got out of control," I try to talk sensibly to him and see just what his intention was. "If you couldn't control your ka's actions well from so far away. If he had something else physically wrong that was exacerbated by your frightening him..."

"You really are a noble, spineless prat," he sneers up at the stars as his body remains immobile. "All of you. None of you can just do what is necessary."

"So you did," I say flatly. "Malik, Rishid and I were going to…"

"Take care of it? Put a little temporary spell on him? I know you don't use Mind Crush anymore. The worst you'd do was getting him to confess to get him in jail."

"It was where he belonged."

"It would have been temporary. He won't be a threat again."

"What about how Jounouchi feels?"

"I'll tell you one thing he'll feel: Relief at not getting terrorized and beaten to a pulp anymore."

My anger ebbs out. Does this have to do with lingering trauma of Marik's father? Of Malik's own father? I only have one or two memories of Malik's father. A rigid tomb keeper. A cold man. Much like mine. The difference was my father rarely gave me the time of day. He left my grooming up to other, better people. From what little I know, Malik's father was much more hands on. Literally.

My emotions have been running of their own accord. Malik notices the sympathy. He remembers himself and tugs free from my grasp.

"That's enough."

"Malik, you can't go on like this. I know why you did it and I am grateful to how much you care for your loved ones. But snuffing out lives is not how to deal with problems nowadays. If you want to fit in in these times…"

"I don't." He's staring upward with hopeless despair. "I can't. After the Shadow Possession…I just…can't."

I dare reach out again and place my hand atop his. His fingertips curl into the tar, clawing into it.

"A lot has changed," I say quietly, squinting up at the sky as I offer my calm to his ka in contrition for yet another slight I've made against the other ancient. "Almost everything. And I got to sleep through it all. And Bakura got to remain himself. If there's anything I can do…"

My voice trails off because I can't think of a solution, of some way of helping him. Even if there was, I doubt he'd tell me of all people. He's never come to me for help. It's me who finds him in a bad way. His energy vibrates horribly like a mini earthquake within his body. I don't know if it was the murder itself or the situation of yet another abusive father that was a threat to people Malik cared about. It could even be due to having been so far away from his ka. I can already tell I don't need to punish him. He's being hit hard by the backlash.

"I can't," he murmurs almost inaudibly in our native tongue. "I'm so damn tired."

I hear him. I just don't know what to do. Since he reaches out to Yugi for help sometimes, perhaps my lighter half could give me insight on what could be done to improve Malik's quality of life. Malik's become a loner now that he's given up the Millennium rod, avoiding interactions with people since he has no Item to shield himself from them. I'm not deluding myself into believing he'll ever be able to function normally in society. I won't be able to perform any great miracle but I would like to make living in these times more bearable for him.

"I think we both need to get some sleep," I say, even though that isn't the kind of tired he's talking about.

"You're letting me go?"

"You going somewhere?" I ask, trying to sound lighthearted but falling short.

He remains silent, out of sorts as he tries to figure me out. Hells, I haven't figured me out. Not with him. I just know I want to protect him. And I'm sure he's not going to be going on a murdering spree the moment I go.

"What you did…it can't happen again, Malik. No, I'm not interested in punishing you. But this has to be the end of the killings. I need you to trust me. Trust Rishid, Isis, and me, at the very least, to watch out for everyone. I know none of us have earned that with you…"

I trail off because what's more to be said? I can't apologize my way into gaining his trust. It's going to take time and a lot of effort on my part.

"I'm off to Otogi's." I pause, my gaze lingering on steep fall below us. "If I'm leaving, Malik, will you come inside? Please."

There's a dimness in his gaze as our eyes lock. He understands what I'm alluding to, why I'm asking this of him.

"I told you before that isn't how my mind works. That's you and Bakura's answer when things go south."

"All the same," I insist. "Or I'll wake Yugi and have him join you up here."

He scowls at me and we both know I've won. I would have asked Yugi but knew it wouldn't come to that. Malik looks out for my hikari and, aside from stealing his bedroom several times a week, does what he can to not inconvenience Yugi.

"Meddling bastard."

"That I am," I agree as he nimbly gets to his feet without swaying or losing his balance. "I can take you back down with the key."

"Don't you dare."

I keep a close watch as he moves toward me across the rooftop without incident. I don't know if I'm more expecting him to slip or to jump off the roof. Neither happens. He leaps gracefully down through the skylight, landing on his feet on the mattress which dips under his weight. Knowing I am not capable of that and not feeling like being humiliated in front of him, I move through space and reappear next to the bed.

"You're loving that new power, aren't you?"

"It comes in handy," I don't bother denying it. "Especially when I have to get to Otogi's still."

Malik sits down cross-legged on the bed, hair tussled from the breeze and being pressed against the roof. He looks ready for a long sleep. All the same, his eyes narrow as if he can see my aura. I'm beginning to wonder if he has that ability and just hasn't told anyone.

"Maybe you should call it quits for tonight."

"You worried about me?" I ask with a smile, picking up the scales from the nightstand.

"I worry about your hikari if you pass out while invisible."

"Which, by default, means you're worried about me," I can't help but prod.

"Just quit being stupid and take a bus or something."

"It's 2am, Malik."

"So?"

It brings me back to who I'm talking to; that business hours of anything would have been irrelevant to him and Marik as they meandered through life with the Millennium rod. He really doesn't have a clue about this world for the time he's spent in it.

"Never mind. I'll be fine. Just stay off the roof."

I step into the vortex I open with the key, Malik's doubtful expression the last I see before it closes. I sigh in resignation. That could have gone better. Though it could have been much worse, too. It does mean we have a long way to go in making Malik feel comfortable and safe in this time. I have no doubt Isis knows what Malik has done. I am grateful she left it to me. I won't tell Yugi or Jou. After the way Malik acted a week ago when I asked if I should call Bakura when Malik was spiraling, I think I'll hold off on informing the thief either.

It will be useful to have someone else who can help me watch over Malik's moods and stay alert for him slipping further. I'm going to tell Rishid. He won't be completely shocked by the yami's actions. Also, Rishid acts downright protective of Malik. Whatever happened to Yugi and Rishid when they had to retrieve and free Malik's soul, it transformed Rishid's view of the ancient. It will also work because the only two places Malik traverses are my house and the Ishtars'.

The hazy atmosphere makes me sway a bit. Or not. I realize it's not simply my being sleep-deprived. With as much magic I've used tonight, I'm spent. My legs become jelly. I speed up the spell, which only exerts more energy, more power from me. I pant in place as I travel faster than I ever have before.

I breathe in relief as I step out into Otogi's living room. I'm not even sure if I finish the spell.

"Yami?!" I hear a millisecond before everything goes dark and very quiet.

Put out the fire in me

Take all the rage that feeds me

I've known it all along—

The stars are coming home

(Bakura's POV)

Katsuya mumbles something in his sleep. He kicks, sending the blankets flying off of us. Then he rolls onto his back with his arms and legs spread, hogging as much space as possible as his hand smacks me hard in the face.

"Fucking hells," I grumble under my breath as my nose smarts.

Climbing stiffly off the bed, I make my way around it, taking up the heaviest of the blankets with me as I go. Part of it is wadded against my chest, the majority of it trailing behind me on the ground. Leaving Katsuya the bed and his action-filled dreams, I stagger down the hallway, plotting nonviolent ways to get back at him later. I'm so drawn into trying to think up something devious without being cruel—still relatively new territory for me—that I fail to notice the lamp is on.

"Can't sleep?"

I freeze at the end of the hall but it's too late. The man has spotted me. He's in the process of making his way from the kitchen to the living room area, a mug in one hand and a book in the other.

"Bakura, you're bleeding."

He gestures at his nose. I raise my hand to my face, feeling the warm liquid on my fingers. The man sets his things down and scurries back to the kitchen, running the faucet.

"Katsuya's dreaming," I say as explanation, clutching the blanket to my chest while rubbing my blood-coated fingers together. "A lot."

"Goodness. That must be some dream," he comments, walking toward me.

Flight mode kicks in. I resist the urge to run. There's no use running from him. Plus the blanket is tangled around the back of my legs. If I were to turn fast and try to move I'd face-plant. The man has enough wits to sense my unease, stopping sooner than he meant and holding out a dishcloth. I accept it and press the wet fabric to my aching face.

"Come sit down. Please." He herds me to the couch which he has to uncover from the mini mountains of papers and books that have collected there since the rest of us went to bed. "Couldn't you…Can't you do something about his dreams? Like you did with Ryou?"

I stare at him blankly, not wanting to give anything away; though what exactly it is I'm trying to hide, I'm not sure. It's not as if he's acted against Katsuya's interests. The man was visibly shaken with a quiet rage as he made the necessary phone calls today.

"No," my voice has a nasal twang thanks to the pressure I'm applying. "I don't have a spiritual link with Katsuya."

"Oh. Right then. I had forgotten. There are a lot of rules to remember, aren't there?"

I shrug because what else am I supposed to do? We sit awkwardly, me with half my face covered by a dish rag and him twiddling his thumbs and playing with his glasses.

I've been avoiding this. We both have. It's been just over three weeks since Isis showed him my memories. In that time we've managed to never be alone together. Not too difficult a feat in a place this small with the number of people that seem to inhabit it during the day. If he's had questions he asks someone else when I'm not around or in a hushed voice. He's constantly stealing glances none-so-subtly and watching me whenever my back is turned.

"I'm glad he's able to sleep. I haven't been able. So I'm throwing myself into work. What about you?—prior to having your nose bloodied, that is."

"Can't sleep," I admit that much, my blood still simmering.

"I went all the way up the chain of law enforcement as well as social services," the man says with an edge to his voice, eyes flint as he recollects. "They assure me Jounouchi's father will not be released again anytime soon. And if by some magic he were, we would be notified well in advance. They really dropped the ball."

I snort, which causes blood to spurt into the cloth. Blue eyes soften in understanding.

"I know. It's difficult to trust the system. But please trust me. I don't want you to do anything rash because you feel Jounouchi is threatened. I was relieved when Ryou gave the scales back to Yami. All of this magic makes me apprehensive. Especially the idea of any of you going off to try to avenge Jounouchi under some pretense of justice. Are they…will they do something?"

Well, the guy isn't deaf to what's going on around him. That's something.

"Don't know. Yami and the Ishtars were going to handle it."

"And that means…?"

"He's much more principled than me," I reveal even as I wonder how much he would hold back to shield his friends from this. "They'll just make sure the bastard doesn't come near Kastuya again. That's all we need to know."

"I still don't like it," he murmurs, but doesn't fight it. This has gone beyond a few reincarnated teenagers with magical powers. He holds no illusions that he can tell Marik's siblings what to do.

Pulling the cloth away, I touch the tender flesh above my lip and sniff testingly.

"It's stopped already?" he asks in surprise, reaching to take the dishcloth from me.

"Guess it wasn't bad," I say, making no mention of the glowing Item hidden beneath my tee-shirt and the blanket I'm still holding pressed against my chest to help obscure the light.

"Hmm? Ah, yes. Right."

He doesn't get up to throw the thing away or whatever squeamish modern humans do with anything soaked with blood. Instead he stares down at the red stains, face lined with concentration.

"Bakura, there is something of which I've wanted to talk with you. After what happened today…planning for the future seems even wiser. They're talking about setting a new date for the school year. It sounds as if it might begin within the next few weeks, barring any more…occurrences." Blue eyes send me a sidelong look that is far from the subtleness he thinks he's achieving. "Ryou tells me you haven't gone to school since you've had your own…since…erm…I'm sorry, I don't know the appropriate way to phrase this."

"No. I don't go to school."

"Never? Well of course not in Egypt, I suppose," he adds lamely and winces. "I'm doing badly."

What am I supposed to say? Deny it? He's right. He sucks at this.

So do I.

"My point being, you are here. You are a young man. And you have a future. Do you have any plans for it? How you will go about making a living?"

'Shadow Magic' isn't the answer he's looking for. I can tell. Truth be told, I've always been an outcast on the fringes of society. The 'normal' way has never applied to me. I wasn't expecting it to.

"No."

And here comes the lecture. How he can only go so far being responsible for me. That all of his resources have gone into the best education and welfare of his son. Now that he has Katsuya to look out for as well, there's even less room for me.

"But you can read and speak Japanese. I've seen it. And you have no foreign accent like mine."

"So?"

"Where did you learn?"

"I taught myself."

He leans back and pushes his glasses back onto his nose. I wait but he's staring at the bloodied cloth again. Why the hells is he still holding that thing?

"Bakura, you are going to need an education. I know there are loopholes for you and the other two... I overheard Ryou and Yugi talking about using a particular Item in order to get proper papers and IDs for you," he says while pressing his fingers to his temple as if this thought causes him a headache. "But you're going to want to know what is going on, how to do things for yourself."

I bristle, ready to fight his next suggestion tooth and nail.

"I am not going to a school with Pharaoh and hundreds of obnoxious teenagers."

"I agree. That would not be an ideal situation." He smiles wanly when I'm taken aback. "You thought I would throw you in with a large crowd of people after your stay at the hospital went so swimmingly? That wasn't meant as an insult. You're not a normal teenager. The circumstances of you being here, the things you have experienced…It's not fair to assume that things like school will be easy for you to acclimate to."

"But you just said…"

"I said you need an education. I never said it had to be at school." The man clears his throat when I don't react because I don't know what he's implying. "You know I've taken a year sabbatical. It's with the understanding I will be researching on my own. Ryou and Jounouchi will be returning to school soon. That leaves you and me here. Don't look so horrified," he adds, trying to pass it off as a joke, though he seems equally uneasy.

I still don't understand. Maybe this is about something he's mentioned before to the others when I've tuned him out. It's grown tiresome to hear his persistent questions. He tries to be delicate about it, which somehow annoys me more.

"So you're suggesting…?"

"I used to tutor as a method of paying my way through university. I covered pretty much all major subjects. I'd like to add some real-world knowledge as well that will be beneficial." He doesn't back down despite the growing dread on my face, his speech growing faster and faster. "It wouldn't be like school with long lectures. You can work on assignments while I do my research. We can figure out paperwork and official test scores later. Use that Item my son mentioned if necessary to get you the recognition your knowledge qualifies you for."

I'm sorely tempted to Mind Erase this entire conversation. It's no good. It's obvious he's been working on this idea for some time. I wouldn't be surprised if hikari is in on this too. He definitely would be on board.

"Tell you what: Let me put together some material and see what you know," the man says eagerly. "We can see if this method is agreeable."

"No."

He is not really surprised but disappointed. I'm ruining another of his brilliant ideas.

"Bakura, do you have a better alternative? I'm not asking to be snarky, I really wish to know."

I shift uncomfortably in my seat.

"No."

"Well then what's wrong with this plan? I understand you have been through a lot but it sounds as if you've really made great strides this summer. To throw all of that away would be such a waste."

"I owe you plenty already," I snap at him, feeling the ring activate with my temper. "I'm not interested in lengthening the list of things you get to hold over my head."

That shuts him up. He looks down at the bloodied cloth and then seems to realize he's still holding it. He tosses it to the side.

"I'm not the sort to do that. I'm helping because I want to help. Have you considered it possible that I do not have ulterior motives?" He sighs when all that earns him is a doubtful stare. "Right. So you won't accept my help? You won't even try?"

He could be sneaky and bring Katsuya into it. Ask if I'm willing to be a burden to him when he's trying to better himself. Turns out the man doesn't have to. It's already crossed my mind. Perhaps I'm that transparent.

"What if…What if we could make this situation symbiotic?" he continues to pry.

I try not to move a muscle and give away how much my heartrate has sped up. There's only one thing I could give him that he would be slightly interested in. I really must not be hiding my emotions at all by the way he holds up his hand to placate my fears.

"I don't mean dig into your past. We made an agreement that I wouldn't press and I don't want to make you divulge anything you do not wish to. It's just I…that is…" He leans over and picks up a familiar binder and opens it on his lap. "It's been driving me mad for weeks now. Could you at least tell me what I got wrong? Please?"

He holds out a paper covered in red ink. I recognize the characters. Resting on his lap, several more pages of the same text are visible, each slightly different.

"You're still working on that?"

It's the translation page I taunted him with back at the hospital. Or a copy of it. The man sputters as he shuffles the pile of contents.

"Well you know, one can always improve on translation…"

"Not once you get it right."

"Right," he concedes, pulling a pencil out of his breast pocket and offering it sheepishly. "Will you help me then?"

Rolling my eyes, I accept the writing utensil. Then I stare at him in frustration until he apologizes and hands over the binder and papers. It lands hard on my thighs and I wonder at the mess if there's any organization. There's not that I can tell. But then modern humans can be perplexing like that.

"I so appreciate this," he breathes in relief, watching in fascination as I rewrite the phrasing, not only correcting the translations but the missing parts of the original. "You've no idea how long I've been…"

"Whatever."

"Really, Bakura, this is…" The drawn out pause makes me grit my teeth. I hope to all the false deities that he is just paying rapt attention to what I'm doing and not coming up with any more…"I have a thought."

Damn.

I snort, telling him I'm busy. That I'm not interested. That it's the middle of the night. That I've been smacked in the face and just want to sleep.

"If I tutored you…would you be willing to teach me ancient Egyptian?"

"You can already read. Mostly."

"Quite. But there's obviously plenty I don't know. Case and point," he adds at his own expense. "But I would love to learn. And to speak."

I look up from symbols I haven't etched in three thousand years.

"Why? You can't use it. No one would believe you. You wouldn't have any proof."

"Ah but I'd know it. Even if I could never fully share it with my colleagues," he taps the side of his nose and smiles. "Ancient Egypt is my life's work, Bakura. And yes, it pains me to not be able to ask you all sorts of questions. To hear your story. I won't intrude on that. And Isis and her brother have offered me access to some artifacts their family has safeguarded. No doubt they could probably teach me the language if I asked but…you said you wanted to be on more level ground with me. This would even things out."

"Not really," I say quietly, glancing around the small apartment.

It doesn't matter that it's small. He's made room for Katsuya and me in the midst of some shattering revelations. When he found out what Katsuya's dad had done, he went into a quiet rage. I was careful, didn't mistake it for being passive. The man is one that conserves his energy for opportune moments. If Katusya's dad had been in front of him, he would have slugged the bastard across the face. He's also holding to his word, not trying to dig into my life before and not holding any of it against me. And damn it, is this really that big a thing he's asking? No, I just don't want to do it.

"Well then believe me when I say it matters a great deal to me," he says sincerely. "And I do so wish to see that you are given all the tools you need for life in the here and now. Please."

I'm out of options. Fuck. I'm already teaching Mazaki heka. Now this too?

"All right," I accept glumly because what am I supposed to say? I don't have another plan.

"All right," he repeats, perking up as it registers that I've agreed. "All right then! I'll get on that tomorrow. Well, today," he adds, with a glance at his watch. "Oh my, it is late. Well I'll gather up my things so you can get some shut eye."

"Don't bother. I think I'll try the bed again. I'd rather Katsuya not wake up alone after what happened earlier," I say because it's obvious he wants to stay up late and pour over the little information I'm giving him. "Here. I'm done."

He accepts the binder with trembling hands and wide eyes. I gather up the blanket again and head back the way I came. He's muttering the words excitedly under his breath in a very poor accent. I can already tell I've got my work cut out for me.

"Ah, Bakura, what is…you forgot line four."

"No, I didn't."

"It was one of the three lines of the text you mentioned. I remember. But you didn't make any corrections."

A smirk makes its way onto my face as I revel in how much he must have squirmed over that one.

"That's because there wasn't anything wrong with it," I reveal as I make my exit in triumph, leaving him in stunned silence.

Fine ashes and light,

I didn't notice

How time went by.

The magic is losing its power and turning pearls into glass.

How empty the soul is without illusions, without magic.

We're only here for a moment.

Let it ring like the words of a prayer.

(Yami's POV)

"It's about fucking time."

"Hnnn?" I groan, every inch of my body screaming in protest as I become aware of my surroundings.

I'm on Otogi's couch, a pillow under my head and several tucked around me to keep me still. A sheet has been pulled up to my chest. My bare chest. I look underneath and find myself clad in a pair of black boxers. My clothes are folded in a neat pile on the arm of the couch. The Millennium key and puzzle are resting on my chest. The scales are on the coffee table. Otogi is sitting a distance away, setting his laptop to the side as I gaze at him in bleary confusion.

"You're a moron, you know that?" the dice master says. "A complete and utter fucking idiot. You barely made it here before you passed out. I didn't know what the fuck happened to you. For all I knew giant wolves found their fucking way into your spell and…"

"That would never…never happen," I press my palm to my forehead as I try to remember.

"Well I didn't fucking know that!" the dice master snaps irritably. "So I had to go and call for help and…"

"Oh good," another voice warbles. "He is awake. Yugi, he is awake."

Yugi?

The back of the couch blocks my view of the kitchen area. I don't need to wait. Mari and my hikari appear. Yugi has a relieved grin plastered on his face while Mari looks on seeming not the least fazed by any of this. I stare in stupefaction as Yugi walks up and smacks me upside the head.

"Ow! Aibou!'

"That's from Malik. He said you deserved it after being so stupid, only he used more colorful language," he says evenly before diving in for a hug. "You scared us."

"I'm sorry," I mumble in a daze. "I didn't realize how tired I was. I thought I could manage…"

"Yeah, well, you barely fucking did," Otogi interrupts, clearly pissed off with me.

I look up at him in wonder.

"You called Yugi?"

"Of course I did!" Otogi replies sharply, twisting a lock of hair around his finger. "I had no clue if it was your body or your soul or…Quit looking at Mari like that. She knows. She refused to leave me by myself until you got here. Explanations were in order when you dropped out of thin air."

"It does solve the mystery of how I never noticed your comings and goings," the elderly maid comments sunnily. "Mr. Otogi, we should give Yami Mutou and his brother a moment to talk privately. I'll get you some breakfast, Yami Mutou."

"Whatever," the dice master grabs ahold of his crutches and lopes after her out of sight.

"Brother?" I query.

Yugi shrugs as he settles down on the edge of the couch as I slowly sit up in my nest of pillows.

"She knows you can work magic. She mentioned something about her grandmother and old traditions and so this didn't startle her too much. The whole yamis and hikaris and reincarnation stuff is another thing entirely. Otogi decided to tell her the bare minimum" He grins as the dice master and Mari start arguing in the kitchen area. "You really got him worked up. I've never seen him like this. I mean, I've seen him scared of Shadow Magic, but this was different. He was really worried about you."

"We are friends. I told you, aibou."

"Yeah, but…This was different," he repeats again, finding it hard to articulate just what he means.

"You mentioned Malik," I say, gingerly rubbing the back of my head. "Where is he?"

"He stayed at home since I planned on spending the night here. We didn't want Grandpa to wake up in the morning with everyone gone. I told Malik I'd call if we needed his help."

"There's no need for you to stay here tonight, Yugi," I say because I know it won't help Otogi's mood to have a slumber party with Yugi and Mari.

"It's 2 in the afternoon, Yami. You've been passed out for nearly twelve hours."

My stomach does a summersault. I note the sunshine peeking underneath the white drapes over the sliding glass doors of the balcony.

"Oh."

He snickers and pats my arm affectionately.

"Yes. You're gonna have to make it up to both me and Otogi for that all-nighter."

"Not to mention Malik is going to come after me for this," I moan, recalling his warning to take it easy with the Shadow Magic.

"True. But he won't kill you," my hikari chirps.

"Oh gods. Jounouchi! I was going to call Bakura. To let them know-!"

"They know. The hospital called them. I talked to Anzu a few hours ago. Jou's upset, obviously. I think everyone else is just relieved, which I know is bad and not fair to Jounouchi…" he trails off, obviously reeling from these conflicting emotions.

"What does Bakura say?"

"I didn't talk to him. He's not leaving Jou's side. I should call Anzu. Let them all know you're awake. Everyone's been worried about you."

"I'm so sorry, aibou. I didn't mean for this to happen."

"I know. But it does mean you need to slow down. You took on too much again and I'm not the only one who thinks so."

"Oh? What allies have you rallied?"

"Malik and Otogi," he reveals casually. "I got to have long conversations with each of them last night."

For the love of Ra.

"…doesn't need a fucking seven course meal…!" Otogi is protesting from across the open space.

"Language, young man."

Yugi surprises me when he smiles at the exchange between the dice master and his maid. I find it unsettling given his usual reaction to anything that comes out of Otogi's mouth.

"You should bring him around," my hikari says thoughtfully.

"What are you talking about? Did we switch topics again?"

"No. Yami, if Otogi's your friend and needs support then you should bring him over."

"What exactly happened between you two last night?"

"Maybe have him avoid Anzu at the start," he adds hurriedly, seeming genuinely concerned.

"Mr. Mutou dislikes him as well."

"That's beside the point. Everyone dislikes him. But think about it: Bakura is slowly being socialized. If he can do it, why not Otogi? If you two are going to be d—close friends then I want to be supportive."

"What did you almost say?"

"What? Nothing. I'm tired. My words are garbling. Is that sausage I smell?" he gets up and quickly wanders away.

That's the second time he's slipped-up and then avoided my questions in the past twenty-four hours.

"Yugi," I demand he come back, scrambling to get up.

As I rise a pokerfaced Otogi is in front of me. Without a word he shoves his hand into my chest, knocking me back down. I 'oomph' and give up. Even with his crutches I don't think I could take him right now. I'm achy and exhausted. Besides, I have a feeling Yugi and Mari would take his side.

"Sit. Stay," he states before sitting down beside me when I don't disobey.

I do because I'm rather low on options. Otogi has rings under his eyes as if he hasn't slept. I'm beginning to doubt any of them have. I imagine I'm a sore sight right now too.

"This is all your fault."

"I'm sure it is," I say as a way of placating him. "What specifically?"

"Them!" he hisses, motioning towards the kitchen where Mari and Yugi are chatting cordially. "They keep having these conspiring talks whenever I'm out of earshot. She's bad enough left to her own devices, Yami. I don't need your hikari encouraging her."

"Slow down, Otogi," I chuckle. "Yugi was just pleased that you called him for help. He agreed that you are welcome as a visitor at our house. That's a far cry from what Mari has suggested."

There's no way Yugi would ever believe or even consider something like that; let alone encourage a physical relationship between Otogi and me. Besides, what Yugi's proposing, while outlandish coming from him, is music to my ears. I've felt stretched thin between Otogi and my other friends. The next step will be convincing the dice master to accompany me anywhere they are.

Otogi cranes his neck to peer suspiciously over the top of the couch at the duo.

"I don't like it. You haven't heard her latest imaginings. She's conniving."

"You honestly believe Yugi would push for any plan that involved you and me sleeping together?"

"No, but…"

"But nothing. So he and Mari become friendly. So she convinces him that you and me hanging out isn't a bad thing. That's a far cry from stocking condoms in drawers and dropping suggestive comments about the two of us. That's the type of talk that will scare Yugi off."

"…I guess."

"Well I know, which is even better."

Listening to Yugi laugh at something Mari says, especially after his repeated slipups, I can't completely quash my own doubts about that. Even if it doesn't have anything to do with Mari, there is definitely something going on with my hikari.

"Don't get so paranoid," I say with less conviction as we listen to his maid and my hikari converse animatedly. "There is no conspiracy to get the two of us together."

Am interested to hear people's reactions to a few specific things regarding this chapter. It took a long time to get it just the way I wanted it.

As i said in the beginning notes, I am working on the final chapter of the fic. Can't believe it after all this time. Long-hauler brain fog aside, I'm also struggling a bit to wrap it up because not only do I want it to do the story justice but, well, this fic has been going on for so many frickin' years! It feels bizarre to release it at long last. I'm excited to start writing my very own non-fanfiction work. All the same, I will miss this story. Miss this community.

See you guys next chapter!