Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh.
Summary: When Marik begins stalking Téa and ruining her life, Ryou Bakura offers up his home. He wants her safe at any cost, but Ryou is continuously plagued with illnesses. Téa finds herself left with only Yami Bakura for protection, but the tomb robber is far from anyone's savior. As Marik's attacks grow worse, Téa finds that not everything is as it seems...
Sanctuary
By: Chi Yagami
Téa's mind wandered far from the meal set before her. She hadn't left Ryou's house since she had abruptly arrived two hours ago. After she had told Ryou about what had happened with Marik, he had insisted that she stay. Téa tried to argue, but there was something about his force of words that held her tongue. She hadn't paid much attention to it before, but tonight she noticed that Ryou had been acting slightly different. He was definitely worried about her well-being, but she had never seen him so... aggressive.
She snorted aloud at this thought. Aggressive wasn't the right word.
"Something wrong, woman?" the tomb robber asked with a growl.
"Uhh, no… nothing."
"Téa, is everything okay? You haven't touched your dinner," Ryou commented.
"Maybe she doesn't like your horrible cooking."
Eyeing Bakura through a narrowed gaze, she shoved a helping of black bean soup into her mouth, trying to smile at the same time (which was very hard). "Ed dewishis."
It was very tasty, she had to admit, but she found she wasn't very hungry. Ryou was watching her, looking very concerned, and... yes, very concerned for her well-being.
"It's delicious," she said again, her throat steaming.
"Whatever. Woman, when you're done, I'll be in the guestroom."
And with that, Bakura pushed his dish away and left the table. The other two shared unspoken words. Was that an invitation...?
"I'm glad you're enjoying the food," Ryou beamed, breaking the silence.
"Well, thank you for letting me stay for dinner. I suppose I should be heading home soon, though…"
Téa frowned at the thoughts of an empty house, with the streets that led to it bare and possibly hiding a lurking Marik.
"Téa…" Ryou started, his voice sharper than usual. "I refuse to let you leave when Marik is probably at your house right now, waiting for you to return. Wouldn't it be smarter to go home tomorrow, when people are out in the sunshine?"
He was worried about her getting home safely. Nodding, she was warmed by Ryou's kind gesture.
Her happiness fell quickly, however. No matter when she went home, Marik would be waiting, day or night. Téa was not sure if he would be angry or apologetic, but she was praying for the latter. Whenever she thought about him, Téa felt a pang in her chest. She couldn't believe she had considered that asshole. He was a stupid, selfish, deceiving, greedy bastard. Why had she even agreed to see him? Oh, probably because deep down she might have actually enjoyed the attention. Not that she wanted him stalking her, but, he had been throwing himself at her, and it was always nice to know someone wanted you. At least that was what she told herself.
She helped Ryou wash the dishes, and, afterward, she followed him into the living room. They flopped down upon the couch, both suddenly eyeing the remote. Before Téa could move, Ryou snatched up the device and retreated to his spot. Knowing this could mean nothing good for her, Téa had to get that remote control.
"Ry-you," she cautioned, "I wouldn't do that if I were you…"
"Oh yeah?" he replied slyly, switching on the television. "Why not?"
"You know I can't stand watching the food channel…" And, unfortunately, it was Ryou's favorite channel.
"I know. Which is why is must be done."
As soon as the television screen depicted a bowl of batter, she jumped from her cushion and tackled the prepared snowball. Ryou fought back, one arm gripping her two, and his legs wrapped around hers; Téa was trapped. Ryou teasingly dangled the remote in front of her face. She scowled and stuck her tongue out at him. A list of ingredients for some dish rang in her ears; she couldn't take it anymore! Téa bit down on his left arm, sinking her teeth lightly into his flesh. Now who wants to suck whose blood?
"Getting violent, are we?" Ryou asked, trying to shake her off. Téa reluctantly let go, but, taking advantage of his distractedness, she lunged forward, her right hand slipping through his and latching onto his wrist. All the while, Ryou grinned with some mischievous sneer (if it was possible for Ryou to sneer). Téa began to feel uneasy again…
She was snapped from her thoughts as Ryou flipped her over, and they both landed on the floor. She winced in pain as she ended up underneath a heavy mass of white hair.
"Sorry, Téa, but I definitely weigh more than you do," Ryou taunted.
Mustering all her strength, Téa managed to prop herself up with one elbow. His face was suddenly dangerously close to hers, still boasting that irregular sneer. It vanished shortly though, and it was replaced by a softer expression. Téa froze when his nose brushed her cheek. She felt that uneasiness again, like something was off...
And yet, having Ryou this close wasn't so bad. However, looking at him like they were about to kiss was freaking her out, and so, to break the weirdness, Téa enveloped him in tight hug. Hugs were safe, hugs were friendly. She could feel his warm breath on her neck. It was nice to feel the comfort of holding someone, and having someone hold her.
"If you want to have sex, you might think of moving the coffee table."
Bakura! Téa had totally forgotten about the spirit! She flinched, and Ryou was stricken with embarrassment. Shooting out from under him, she hurried over to the spirit.
"Right, umm, you wanted to see me?"
Bakura looked as if he had swallowed a hairball. Turning on the heels of his feet, he walked back towards the room. Giving Ryou a somewhat remorseful look, Téa followed the Egyptian into the bedroom, sighing quietly. What did he want with her now?
After he closed the door and sat promptly on the mattress, Bakura curved his finger in her direction in a beckoning sort of way.
Hesitant, she shuffled her feet. "What do you want?"
"Is this room suitable enough for you?"
He had brought her in here all secretive-like to inform her that she would be sleeping here? Bakura was lying on the bed, completely stretched. The soft fabrics looked comfy, and not a moment later, Téa found herself lying down beside him. His eyes never wandered from the ceiling fan, and his spiky hair stood on end in every which direction.
"Why do you think I am teaming up with Marik and hunting Millennium Items?"
Ah. So that was the real reason he brought her in here. "Uhh, well, I suppose because it's in your nature to be conniving and evil like that… Why do you care?"
A long pause of silence left her guessing.
Then Bakura scoffed.
"I don't. But when you mentioned Marik was back in town…"
What was he hinting at? OH SHIT. WAS HE PLANNING ON MEETING MARIK AND GOING ON A SCAVENGER HUNT? Téa may have stumbled onto something big! She had to alert someone. Sliding off the sheets, she made for the phone.
"Mortal!" Bakura barked, her body halfway into the hall.
"Yes?" she squeaked, too terrified to turn around.
"I know what you are thinking, and I must disagree. I would never help that double-crossing pansy."
Téa didn't know whether to be relieved or scared. On one side of the scale, he claimed to not be involved with that ass, and he sounded believable enough; however, the other side was weighing her fear that this would lead to something worse.
He patted her head. "Never fear, little one. You are safe here."
Coming from him, that was not very reassuring. She watched Bakura's withdrawing figure move to his bedroom. Then she reentered the kitchen to find a pleased Ryou humming "Whistle While You Work."
"And what are you so happy about?" Téa inquired playfully. He shrugged and continued humming, stirring hot chocolate.
She peered over his shoulder. "Bakura doesn't like chocolate, does he?"
"Yup. All the more reason to make it, if you ask me."
Giggling, Téa opened the cupboard and seized two mugs. Remembering that Ryou liked marshmallows, she fetched those, too.
… z z z …
Téa was finally getting sleepy. She and Ryou had been up all night, playing board games and drinking their cocoa. His body was flung over the armchair closest to the dying fire, and she was lying on the couch, debating on whether or not she cared enough to brush her teeth. Guilty conscious winning, she approached the bathroom, only to find it already occupied.
"'Kura?" she mumbled, hearing the toilet flush. Before Téa could knock, the door swung open, Bakura and towel towering over her. She was too tired to take in his facial features, but she knew he was probably wearing some type of scowl.
"Woman, why are you awake?"
"Ryou, me… playing games and drinking…" Cocoa never managed to come out in time.
"Getting drunk and playing games? My, my, Téa. Never thought you'd reach this level," he joked. "Was it Truth or Dare?"
"No… Strip Poker."
Hmm, she wondered if Ryou would actually play that… probably not.
"Aww, you should have told me; that's my favorite game."
The door to his room closed, leaving Téa alone in the corridor. For a second, she had actually believed him.
. . .
"GOD DAMN IT! I'M NOT A FUCKING IHOP!"
…five more minutes, Mom…
"I REFUSE TO COOK PANCAKES FOR THAT WENCH!"
Yum, pancakes. But that sounded like Bakura… wait, who was he calling a wench?!
"YOU HEARD ME, YOU PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A HIKARI!"
Soft mumbling, then—
"NO FUCKING WAY AM I GOING TO THE FUCKING STORE TO BUY FUCKING PANCAKE MIX FOR THAT FUCKING WOMAN!"
Oh no he didn't! Jumping out of bed, Téa stormed into the kitchen to find a cowering Ryou and a heavily peeved Bakura.
"SHUT UP!" she yelled, right in Bakura's ear. Her voice was hoarse with sleep and her hair was a mess, but she didn't care.
"Woman… you are testing my patience!" he growled in response.
"I'm testing your patience? YOU'RE testing my patience!"
She could hardly think, the albino freak was all but screaming. She had never seen Bakura throw a temper tantrum before, but Téa supposed that even ancient grave robbers had a loose string or two. Heck, her strings were always loose. Her mood constantly changed, and the environment around her didn't help… for example, right now, Téa was extremely angry, and this maniac shouting in her face certainly wasn't making it better.
"YAMI RYOU BAKURA!" she started, teeth clenched. "SHUT UP. I DON'T GIVE A SHIT WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT ME, BUT YOU WILL NOT TALK TO RYOU THAT WAY. NOW YOU GET YOURSELF CLEANED UP AND GO TO THE GROCERY STORE."
Fuming, Bakura made to punch her.
"Oh," she added calmly, breaking his rage, "I like blueberry pancakes."
Then, trying to hide her shakiness, Téa exited the kitchen before he could swing his arm.
Bakura stood there, mouth agape.
"Well, you'd better do what she says," Ryou suggested. "She looks pretty mad."
"Whatever. The bitch is merely going through that time of the month again."
"Uhh, sure… well, here's some money for the food. Please don't take any detours; I hate it when you come back smelling like cocaine."
"I will do what I please," he snapped. Then, grabbing the money, Bakura left the house.
He didn't understand the people of today's world, especially that girlfriend of Ryou's. They spent so much time doing the most ridiculous things: going to school, getting jobs. As if any of that really contributes to the art of survival. All one needed to live was food, water, and shelter. The riffraff Ryou boasted, about love and companionship and having friends. It was nonsense, utter bullshit.
"You wouldn't catch me repeating such crap," he muttered to himself.
Bakura entered the grocery store and looked around. What to do first… oh right, get one of those moving things called a shopping box… He hated asking anyone for help, let alone strangers.
"Where are the shopping boxes?" he demanded of a wheezing old man.
"Huh, sonny? Shopping foxes?"
"BOXES, DAMN IT! B-O-X-E-S!"
"Sonny, if you're looking ta get Botox injections ya might look elsewhere."
The spirit face-faulted. BOTOX? The fool, he'd get what he deserved!
"Why you little—"
"Picking on people better than you, tomb robber? How typical."
Bakura growled. Yami was smirking, standing no less than five feet away. Behind him was a display of canned tuna. Thieving reflexes kicking in, Bakura filched an apple from the man's cart and chucked it directly into the stack of fish. The many tin cans flew apart, several of them hitting Yami square in the back of the head.
"HA! Not so tough now, are you, Porcupine Head?" he tittered.
The old man's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and he scurried away before anymore of his groceries were stolen. Yami coughed deeply and stood in the mess. He was not happy. A pharaoh such as himself could not be seen like this!
"I challenge you to a DUEL!"
Bakura stopped laughing and frowned. "It's always with the cards, isn't it? You're addicted to dueling…"
"So you admit you'll duel!"
"Ha, NO. Bring yourself into the century, freak."
WHAT? How dare that unworthy fool call the great Pharaoh names!
"I CHALLENGE YOU—"
"Anything but a duel…"
A large amount of people had stopped to watch the two, something Bakura wasn't too pleased about. People needed to mind their own damn business, or heads would roll…
"—TO A RACE!"
The other was caught off guard. Something other than a duel? Finally, Bakura sighed. What sort of race…?
"What kind of race are we talking, Spiky?" he asked, tapping his foot.
Yami opened his mouth, then closed it. Actually, he didn't know of any races other than the chariot races that were held in Ancient Egypt. Trying not to look clueless, the former pharaoh took a quick look around the store for inspiration.
"Come now, I haven't got all day…"
"Umm, I challenge you to a race of… of… A race of shopping carts!" he proclaimed, puffing out his chest.
"Fine, a race of shopping carts… that I can and will win," he added softly. "How shall we have it then?"
"We will each get a cart and ride around the store, going down the aisles in order, then proceeding to the streets. THIS WILL END IN DEATH, TOMB ROBBER. MARK MY WORDS!"
"Gladly, and with your own blood too."
…gulp…
"You there," Bakura pointed to a frantic-looking woman. "You will say on-you-mark etc."
She backed away quickly, but the crowd of onlookers prevented her from escaping.
"You will do as I say, mortal, or I'll rip your throat out!"
She nodded slowly, Bakura's words carving themselves into her memory.
The two spirits climbed into their shopping carts like children at the store's entrance. Both determined, both hating the other, both pissed at the witnesses.
"Uhh, how are you going to move the carts if you're in them?" a boy dared to ask.
Yami laughed. "We have Shadow magic, of course."