Author's notes:
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or Sailor Moon. I own a laptop,
driver's license, and a Curse of Dragon card... ^-^()
Note: From now on, Bakura is referred to as "Ryou". It makes my life
easier...
***************************************
"Let me be no nearer
In death's dream kingdom..."
- TS Elliot, "The Hollow Men"
************************************
Last time: "And clutching the single card close to his chest, Yuugi jumped."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8: "The Price of a Tribute" - Part 2
Falling.
The wind rippled and danced across Yuugi's body, taunting the
boy who dared to defy their lifeless domain. Ugly streaks of crimson and
black carved into his vision, diluting everything into a grotesque blur,
dancing and writhing with a sickening pulse. And all around him danced
these shadows of darkness, threatening to consume and destroy him.
He was scared. And his fear paralyzed him.
Fear was an intoxicating substance, wrenching one's gut and
rendering the mind incapable. It was an ugly one-eyed beast, gigantic
frame blinding everything else in its path.
Yet, fear only had one eye. And Yuugi had two.
The boy clenched his card with a tightening fist, squeezing his
eyes shut. He needed to concentrate, to block out this unnecessary fear.
An image of his Yami flashed into his mind, the figure smiling and
winking just slightly. Yami could do it. His Yami could call upon the
Magic of the cards. But... how? Refusing to open his eyes and admit
defeat to his fear, Yuugi concentrated harder, focusing on the mental
image of his Yami. In his mind's eye, he saw his Yami turn around to
glance at him. Crimson eyes met violet ones, each one sparkling with
their own light. And then, the Yami dropped his gaze, eyes falling on the
glowing Puzzle around his neck. With one graceful sweep of his hand,
Yami-Yuugi held up the Puzzle, deliberately letting the light shine and
reflect every facet of the Puzzle's golden face.
And then, Yuugi knew.
Small hands grabbed the Millennium Puzzle around his neck,
unaware of the Puzzle flaring up suddenly with golden light, though he
felt its power. It was a strange and ancient power, speaking of Magic yet
to be discovered. And now, Yuugi drained the Puzzle of its power,
unaware of the glowing Sennen Eye flashing on his forehead.
Yuugi opened his eyes, calling out loudly and deliberately as he
brandished his single card in one hand.
"I call upon the Petit Angel!" He shouted, throwing the card into
the void of darkness around him. Momentarily, the card seemed to dance
away: only to curve upwards, swept by an unknown wind as it flared to
life, forming not a beast but a several specks of golden light.
Firmly holding on to his concentration, Yuugi beckoned the
points of light, calling upon them with his Magic. Like fireflies, each
glowing orb surrounded the boy, bathing him in a glimmering light before
collecting to waver and solidify.
And Yuugi arched his back as he felt soft feather's tickle his
shoulder blades. Each feather grew and expanded, spiraling outwards
until they formed a pair of beautiful swan-like wings, held together by a
small boy cradled in the center. With a powerful sweep of his newly
acquired wings, Yuugi shot upwards into the air, letting the momentum of
flight gain him as much altitude as possible before flapping his wings
again in a gigantic arc. The small boy looked around until his lavender
eyes lay fixated on his Yami. Yuugi hovered slightly in mid-air before
abruptly closing his wings tightly against his body, allowing him to drop
like a stone. The boy fell and reeled in thin air, although this time, he was
not scared. This time, Yuugi knew he was in control.
Yuugi fell until he was right about his Yami, suddenly extending
his wings so that they resisted the pull of gravity. Pearl-white feathers
scattered everywhere as Yuugi twisted in mid-air, grabbing his Yami so
that the taller figure now lay cradled within the boy's arms.
Yuugi gritted his teeth as his wings strained against the added
weight of his Yami. He had to land, and fast. Yet, he couldn't land - he
knew there was still Yami-Bakura's Man-Eater Bug waiting for him
below.
What was he to do now? His Yami was slipping from his grasps,
the larger body too heavy for a smaller body to support, no matter how
strong the will.
It was only when Yuugi heard a familiar avian cry that he
remembered another possibility.
"Curse of Dragon!" Yuugi heard himself call out, although his
voice sounded firmer than he was used to. With amazing reaction speed
and obedience, the large bony dragon shot towards Yuugi, allowing the
boy to land carefully on the Dragon's back. The small boy placed his
Yami along the smooth surface, holding his Yami closely to him.
"Yami. Wake up." Yuugi called, beckoning his unconscious
other. There was no reply. Sighing, Yuugi caressed his Yami's hair,
nuzzling the unconscious form as if trying to find some comfort in the
limp body. "Wake up now. We still have to fight."
Upon realizing that there was no reply, Yuugi began to cry
again, tears dribbling down his chin. The boy rubbed his cheek against his
silent Darkness, bending close enough to whisper directly into his Yami's
ear. "Please. I need you."
The Puzzle around Yuugi's neck flared, once, twice. And in
response, a mirror image of the Puzzle shimmered to life, glowing around
Yami-Yuugi's neck. Hesitantly, Yuugi touched the new Puzzle, calling
out to its power and activating the dormancy within. In response, the
Puzzle flickered, filling Yami-Yuugi's limp body with a steady light. And
surely enough, Yami-Yuugi opened his eyes, fluttering them rather
rapidly to adjust to the current situation. The Darkness groaned, putting a
hand to his forehead to steady himself. That was all he was allowed to do
before Yuugi jumped on him, the small boy elatedly wrapping his Yami
with his arms in a tight hug.
"Yami!" Yuugi shouted, wiping his last tears away. "You're
alive!"
Yami-Yuugi winced as Yuugi squeezed his injured ribs. "Yes."
The Yami managed to wheeze. "I'm very alive. Now, if you would please
let me go?"
Yuugi blushed, slightly abashed. "Oh. Sorry."
Yami-Yuugi's eyes suddenly widened, staring at something
directly behind the small boy. With split second reflexes, the Yami
grabbed his other, tackling the small boy so that the rolled to one side of
the dragon. Yuugi let out a startled gasp as suddenly, the space beside his
head held a glimmering black sword, curving upwards to reveal the
white-haired owner.
Yami-Bakura sneered as he withdrew the sword embedded in the
Curse of Dragon, wings outstretched as the Dragon cried and exploded
into infinity. "I got bored of waiting." The Yami shrugged, sneering as he
watched Yami-Yuugi summon another flying card to remain afloat.
"Stay behind me, Yuugi." Yami-Yuugi warned the smaller boy,
eyes never leaving Yami-Bakura. The Yami closed his eyes, tracing an
invisible arc with one hand. The arc of nothingness flickered into life,
solidifying so that it formed a golden blade. Yami-Yuugi brandished his
newly summoned sword, glaring at Yami-Bakura.
Both Yami stared at each other for a moment before initiating a
move. There was a ringing sound, golden blade clashing against pitch
black as both Yami swept themselves in a fervent dance for dominance.
Wings fluttered and maneuvered majestically in thin air as they sought to
keep themselves one step away from the other, each delivering blows but
sustaining only minor damage.
Yami-Yuugi swung his sword to one side, feinting a thrust to
Yami-Bakura's left, which the white-haired Yami hastily blocked. The
once-Pharaoh then quickly twisted his sword in a sweeping curve so that
it overshot his opponent's parry and sliced a good portion of Yami-
Bakura's flesh.
Yami-Bakura cursed as his side openly bled, his wound driving
him into desperation. Each move was delivered without a moment's
thought, perfectly precise and stunningly powerful.
Yami-Yuugi winced as he parried yet another blow, knowing
that Yami-Bakura would not fall for another feint. The Darkness's mind
searched for a strategy, eyes focused on the current blocking while his
mind raced over implications. Quickly, Yami-Yuugi raised his arm to
deflect another blow aimed at his head when suddenly, an ebony flash
caught his eye, and he twisted to one side just in time to avoid being
impaled by another blade.
Yami-Bakura grinned as he withdrew his attack thrusts, holding
in both hands a pair of twin blades, each one the same burnished black.
And he grinned to himself as he watched Yami-Yuugi gasp in shock at
the appearance of two swords. Arm muscles coiled like a snake, Yami-
Bakura struck, rapiers pointed right at Yami-Yuugi's neck.
"Game Over." The white-haired yami grinned, pressing one of
his black blades against his opponent's neck rather tauntingly.
"Yami!" Yuugi screamed as he watched Yami-Bakura raise the
other sword, point straight towards Yami-Yuugi's chest. There was a
moment of silence before the point of the dagger plunged downwards.
Yami-Yuugi stared in shock, breathing rapidly at the dagger held
inches away from impaling his body. The other blade still rang along his
neck; yet the former had ceased moving. Wide-eyed, Yami-Yuugi
glanced at Yami-Bakura, suddenly aware that the white-haired Yami was
not moving. Quickly, the once-Pharoah swept his wings forwards, the
momentum pushing him away from the threatening blades.
"Yami!" Yuugi shouted again, although this time, it was one of
elation. The boy dove downwards, white feathers scattering everywhere
as he ferociously hugged his other. "That was close!"
"Yeah." Yami-Yuugi replied, still dazed. The Yami stared at
Yami-Bakura, eyeing the paralyzed figure. What had happened?
Yami-Bakura's shoulder's sagged, his head flopping to one side
like a limp rag doll. Both daggers fell lifelessly from his hands,
disappearing into wisps of smoky darkness.
However, Yami-Yuugi was unconvinced. "Stay here." The
Darkness told his Aibou, crimson eyes never leaving Yami-Bakura's limp
form. "I smell a rat."
Surely enough, as Yami-Yuugi approached target distance of his
opponent, the white-haired Yami began to stir, shaking his head slightly
before his eyes fluttered open. However, Yami-Yuugi was not stupid.
Allowing no time for Yami-Bakura to recover, Yami-Yuugi attacked,
both hands holding the hilt of the blade, slicing downwards to cut off the
white-haired Yami's head. There, the blade stopped just moments before
impact, hovering threateningly in the air.
"Give me a good reason not to kill you." Yami-Yuugi sneered at
the white-haired Yami, sword tensed just in case his opponent tried to
counter.
Yami-Bakura did not answer, but simply cast his gaze
downwards, avoiding eye contact.
"Answer me, you bastard!" Yami-Yuugi cried, voice betraying
his hidden tension. "Answer me, or I'll kill you right now!"
The white-haired Yami opened his mouth, voice so quiet that
Yami-Yuugi had to strain to hear.
"Because..." Silvery-white hair covered his downcast eyes,
making him look rather pitiful than menacing. "Because... I'm not Yami-
Bakura."
"What?" Taken aback, Yami-Yuugi almost lost his hold in the
sword. He quickly regained his composure. "What the hell do you mean
by that?"
But Yuugi knew. Yuugi knew the moment he saw Yami-Bakura
reawaken. The small boy saw the large doleful brown eyes, and they
tweaked his consciousness.
"Ryou?" Yuugi heard himself call out. "Is that you, Ryou
Bakura?"
The white-haired boy jerked his head at the sudden mention of
his name, wincing a bit as this sudden motion caused the blade by his
neck to nick his skin and draw blood. Brown eyes once dull stared in
recognition at the boy who had called his real name.
"Yuugi." Ryou Bakura cried, the voice coming out almost in a
muffled sob. "Yuugi. I'm sorry."
Upon realizing that the tone was genuine, Yami-Yuugi withdrew
his sword. "What happened to your Yami?" Yami-Yuugi demanded, still
grimly aware that the entire dialogue could be a ploy.
Here, Ryou managed a thin smile. From his limp hand
materialized a single card, its golden sheen indicating that it was currently
in use. The white-haired boy held the face of the card towards them, so
that both Yuugi and his Yami could clearly see its surface.
Yami-Yuugi's eyes widened. "The... Change of Heart?" He
stated, question more of a confirmation.
Ryou nodded. "Yes. This card has always had a close attachment
towards me. It was the only way I could stop him." The white-haired boy
shuddered as he mentioned his Yami. "Yet, this card only lasts one turn,
so after this, I-I'll disappear again."
"What do you mean by disappear?" Yuugi asked.
"My Yami is not as nice as your's." Here, Ryou gave a half-
smile. "When he takes control, he does not give me any liberty. I become
confined to him, sitting in the deepest corner of his mind, waiting until he
is finished with whatever task at hand."
"Confined like a slave." Yami-Yuugi repeated, spitting out the
words in disgust. "Sounds exactly like the Yami-Bakura I knew."
"You knew him?" Yuugi stated, startled. Ryou too, looked
shocked.
"That is a story for another time. "Yami-Yuugi stated. "What
matters right now is that we destroy Yami-Bakura, before the turn runs
out and the magic card effect becomes void."
"Then kill me."
Ryou's statement was so sudden that the meaning escaped
Yami-Yuugi at first.
"There's no way we can kill you!" Yuugi cried in place for his
stunned Yami. "Y-you're my friend, and I care for you like all my other
friends."
The white-haired boy stared at Yuugi in shock. "Am I really
your friend?" He repeated, half-afraid that it was all a lie. "How can I be
your friend if I only hurt you?"
Yuugi shook his head. "It's not true! I know it wasn't you. You
can't blame yourself for the things your Yami has done."
And yet, Ryou seemed unconvinced, although his pleading eyes
begged to accept Yuugi's friendship. "It's not that simple." He finally
replied, hazel eyes brimming with tears.
"What do you mean?" Yuugi was confused. He knew for sure
that his Yami and him were separate beings, each one with a different
idea.
"What I mean is that-" Ryou was suddenly cut off as the
glowing card in his hand began fading. The white-haired boy winced
slightly, feeling the darkness once sedated inside of him begin to stir.
"There's no time for this!" He shouted, turning towards Yami-Yuugi.
"Please, you have to kill me. It's the only way!"
"I've got a better plan." Yami-Yuugi suddenly shouted. He
withdrew a card from his hand, smiling just slightly. "I play the Eye of
Truth, which reveals to me the cards in the opponent's hands!"
Ryou gasped as he suddenly felt his soul being pulled away from
the body. A dizzying sensation followed as the world around him seemed
to spin into oblivion. When the white-haired boy dared to open his eyes
again, he was hovering in mid-air, staring at Yuugi, Yami-Yuugi and...
his own Yami?
Yami-Yuugi gave his trademark smirk. "I figured that since
we're only "cards" in this game, I could use my Eye of Truth to reveal
both cards of my opponent - you and your Yami!"
"All right!" Yuugi cheered, flying towards Ryou to embrace him
in a tight hug. "I'm glad your safe, Ryou!"
Yami-Yuugi, however, kept his eyes on the stirring figure of
Yami-Bakura. Not even bothering to focus to his surroundings, Yami-
Bakura opened his eyes, twin blades again flying into both hands as he
leapt at his opponent.
"Bastard!" Yami-Bakura shouted, blades attacking with renewed
effort. "You'll never destroy me!"
Ryou watched as both Yami's below them danced in a series of
ferocious parries and thrusts, none gaining the upper advantage. Both
Yami's now broke away from a tight hold, each one glaring at the other
while drawing in deep gasps of breath to sustain themselves.
"Everything will be all right." Yuugi smiled, seeing the
frightened look on the white-haired boy. "I trust my Yami with all my
heart."
"I wish I could too." Ryou whispered sadly. "I wish I could have
a Yami like your's, who would care for me." He sighed, tears plummeting
down his face. "I guess I was destined to be alone; always unloved."
"It's not true!" Yuugi cried. "You're not alone! Surely, you're
family loves you!"
"My family's dead." Ryou's tone turned bitter, unlike his usual
voice, reminding Yuugi slightly of Yami-Bakura. "My Yami killed them
all."
Yuugi's eyes widened. "I-I'm..." He was devastated, unsure of
what to say to comfort the white-haired boy. "I'm really sorry."
Ryou wiped the last of his tear from his eyes, managing a brave
smile. "Yuugi. It's not your fault." Momentarily, his gaze traveled down
towards the two Yami who were now engaged in a ferocious display of
Magic combined with sword skill. "You see, this is a chosen world. And
those who are born into misery must accept the path destined for them."
"You're wrong!" Yuugi protested, feeling an immense pity for
the white-haired boy beside him. "There's more than just destiny or fate.
Even in the darkest hours, there is always possibility and hope. You
proved that to me when I thought Yami-Bakura was going to destroy all
of us, and you showed up just in time to invoke the Change of Heart."
"Yuugi..." Ryou was speechless by the small boy's words. At
last, he gave a final, genuine smile, soft and forever radiant. "Thank you."
Later Yuugi, would realize just exactly why Ryou had done what
he did. But now, his eyes widened in stupor as the white-haired boy bent
down, kissing the small boy on the lips. Yuugi wanted to pull away, to
scream; but realized that there was nothing in the touch but innocence.
And the small boy kissed back, lips touching firmly another soft surface,
although it was no more than a simply interaction; nothing romantic,
nothing lustful.
Finally, Ryou pulled away, face flushed a deep crimson as he
gazed straight into Yuugi's violet eyes. "I love you." He murmured, voice
slightly awkward.
And before Yuugi could reply in any manner of astonishment,
Ryou snapped his wings shut, suddenly falling in a mad spiral
downwards.
"RYOU!"
And everything else happened too fast to comprehend, flashing
only like a sequence of images. Perfectly timed images. Only afterwards
would Yuugi realize that only Fate could have done this.
Yami-Yuugi invoked a flash of Light Magic, blinding Yami-
Bakura temporarily to allow enough time for an opening. The once-
Pharoah raised his sword in the air, tip traveling strait towards Yami-
Bakura's chest. And suddenly, the gleaming golden sword protruded not
out of Yami-Bakura's chest, but Ryou, who had positioned himself right
in front of his Yami. The white-haired boy's face was not one of sudden
shock but grim acceptance, smiling serenely before closing his eyes, one
hand on the hilt of the golden blade that rested in his chest. Blood began
to sleep and pool around the wound, although the attack seemed to take a
rather painless air. Maybe it was because Ryou was already dead.
Yami-Bakura screamed as his Millennium Ring began to glow
too brightly, burning suddenly in reaction to Ryou's death. He continued
to scream until he dissipated, darkness once again claiming his vengeful
soul.
And then, everything began screaming, the shadows around
them whirling and arousing in a malevolent storm. The very space around
them began to rock and buckle, threatening to collapse into a pool of
chaos. With a final sigh, the darkness shattered, disappearing until it once
again revealed the face of reality.
Yuugi winced as he fell onto the hard pavement of the ground.
Startled, the boy looked around, seeing the familiar sight of a beautiful
and quiet neighbourhood, complete with shining sun and sparkling green
grass. In front of him was the smoking ruins of a burnt house, now
completely lifeless and dull, flames having died scarce moments ago.
The boy jumped, startled as he felt a hand on his shoulders.
Yuugi looked up to see the grim expression of his Yami, eyes cast in pity
for the small boy. Yuugi needed only that slight comfort before falling
into his Yami's arms, eyes overflowing with tears. He gazed at the silent
scene around him, ears roaring, although himself mute.
There the pair of them stood, both of them finding they could
say nothing, but simply stare in remembrance.
"Why?" Yuugi finally asked. "Why did he do it?"
Yami-Yuugi shifted uncomfortably, not sure of the answer
himself. "When I-I killed Ryou, he looked at me one last time, and said
'It's not your fault'."
"But why?" Yuugi repeated. "Why would he say that?"
"Yuugi." Yami-Yuugi suddenly asked. "Do you think it was my
fault?"
Yuugi wanted to scream, to say that of course it was his Yami's
fault simply because he needed someone to blame for these incidents. He
wanted to point and label someone for all these mishaps so that they
could be solved and cleared. Yet, he realized that there was no simple
solution to the sequence of events. Everything had just happened so
suddenly.
"No." Yuugi replied. "Of course it's not your fault." And he
meant every world of it.
Yuugi and his Yami spent the entire night erecting tombstones
for their lost ones, the smaller boy occasionally stopping to shed some
tears.
"Good-bye Mother, Grandpa." Yuugi whispered, placing lilac
flowers in the small mound that signified his family. He then turned to the
other two mounds. Despite everything, Yuugi had insisted on a mound for
Yami-Bakura, which seemed to mystify Yami-Yuugi more than
everything else.
Here, Yuugi stopped, placing crimson flowers on Yami-
Bakura's mound. "Good-bye, Yami-Bakura. May your afterlife teach you
about the price of vengeance."
And at long length, he stopped at Ryou Bakura's own mound.
Having gone through the tension of passing so many graves, Yuugi now
looked at his Yami for support. Yami-Yuugi squeezed his Aibou tight,
smiling encouragingly.
"And good-bye to you too, Ryou." Yuugi finally whispered,
placing pure white flowers by the mound. "I hope that you're happy up
there." Tears dripped onto the wet soil. "I guess I never had the time to
say that I love you too." Yuugi finally blurted. The small boy covered his
mouth in shock, eyes wide.
Yami-Yuugi simply chuckled. "You're a good boy, Yuugi."
Yuugi nodded, slowly. "I realized the moment that Ryou kissed
me that there was more to love than just lust or a desire to be forever
intimate. For Ryou, love was a simple friendship offered to him, because
he had never felt otherwise. And I respect his type of love."
"I see." Came the Yami's reply. He sighed. "I still can't help but
feel a little jealous, you know. It kind of bothers me to know that while I
was fighting for your life, you were making out with someone else."
Yuugi blushed a deep crimson. "I _wasn't_ making out! I was
kissing!"
"Oho!" Yami-Yuugi stated. "You were _kissing_ now were
you? Okay, allow me to correct myself: 'I still can't help but feel a little
jealous when I was fighting for your life and you were _kissing_
someone'."
It was a good thing that Yami-Yuugi wasn't solidified at that
moment as a flying brick passed straight through his head.
***************************************
Unknown to Yuugi and his Yami, two pairs of eyes were
watching them from their perch on the roof.
"What do you think?" The first cloaked figure turned to her
partner. "Has he passed the test?"
"That is not for me to judge." The second figure whispered.
"Although fate will decide either way."
There was a slight pause. "Those wings that Yuugi invoked.
They looked just like the wings of-"
"- I know." The second cut off. "That's what I'm afraid of."
"You don't think she could still be alive?"
"I'm not sure. But I have a feeling that she is far from dead."
************************************************
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jounochi says:
Jounochi: This chapter sucked! Seven pages and not even a mention of
myself! Does anyone even care what happened to me? Nooooo....
Honda: What do you expect? When you're not the author's favourite
character, you don't get in the fanfic a lot - unless you happen to be the
opponent.
Jounochi: Then what on earth was Ryou doing in the chapter? He's not
evil!
Honda: Baka! You can't exactly have his Yami in there without having
him in there too, you know.
Jounochi: *grumbles* That _still_ doesn't explain that little romance
scene. I thought I was one of the few privileged characters who get to kiss
Yuugi!
Honda: ...
Jounochi: *still grumbling* Anyway, Zoo sent me a moral to say for this
chapter. *reads the very crumpled up script.* The moral is..... "Don't eat
fried beans"??! What the hell??!!
Yuugi: *walks in clutching stomach* Ooh.. I'm gonna be sick.... *rushes
towards washroom*
Jounochi: ....
Honda: ....
Yami: -_-;;; I guess Aibou didn't like the beans I fried.
******************************************
End notes:
It took me FOREVER to try and not make this chapter into some corny,
cliched romance thing. I guess I failed halfway ^^().
Whoah! I can't believe I reached 50 reviews! Thank you everyone for
reviewing, and if I say this now, I say it all the time - any opinions you
offer I take seriously, whether positive or negative ^^.
By the way, one of Ryou's lines was taken from a Sailor Moon manga,
volume 11. Extra points to anyone who can pinpoint who said it.
Next time:
- the truth is out there! Or so you wish...
- Yuugi finally decides to join Club 0013, if he can find it ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or Sailor Moon. I own a laptop,
driver's license, and a Curse of Dragon card... ^-^()
Note: From now on, Bakura is referred to as "Ryou". It makes my life
easier...
***************************************
"Let me be no nearer
In death's dream kingdom..."
- TS Elliot, "The Hollow Men"
************************************
Last time: "And clutching the single card close to his chest, Yuugi jumped."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 8: "The Price of a Tribute" - Part 2
Falling.
The wind rippled and danced across Yuugi's body, taunting the
boy who dared to defy their lifeless domain. Ugly streaks of crimson and
black carved into his vision, diluting everything into a grotesque blur,
dancing and writhing with a sickening pulse. And all around him danced
these shadows of darkness, threatening to consume and destroy him.
He was scared. And his fear paralyzed him.
Fear was an intoxicating substance, wrenching one's gut and
rendering the mind incapable. It was an ugly one-eyed beast, gigantic
frame blinding everything else in its path.
Yet, fear only had one eye. And Yuugi had two.
The boy clenched his card with a tightening fist, squeezing his
eyes shut. He needed to concentrate, to block out this unnecessary fear.
An image of his Yami flashed into his mind, the figure smiling and
winking just slightly. Yami could do it. His Yami could call upon the
Magic of the cards. But... how? Refusing to open his eyes and admit
defeat to his fear, Yuugi concentrated harder, focusing on the mental
image of his Yami. In his mind's eye, he saw his Yami turn around to
glance at him. Crimson eyes met violet ones, each one sparkling with
their own light. And then, the Yami dropped his gaze, eyes falling on the
glowing Puzzle around his neck. With one graceful sweep of his hand,
Yami-Yuugi held up the Puzzle, deliberately letting the light shine and
reflect every facet of the Puzzle's golden face.
And then, Yuugi knew.
Small hands grabbed the Millennium Puzzle around his neck,
unaware of the Puzzle flaring up suddenly with golden light, though he
felt its power. It was a strange and ancient power, speaking of Magic yet
to be discovered. And now, Yuugi drained the Puzzle of its power,
unaware of the glowing Sennen Eye flashing on his forehead.
Yuugi opened his eyes, calling out loudly and deliberately as he
brandished his single card in one hand.
"I call upon the Petit Angel!" He shouted, throwing the card into
the void of darkness around him. Momentarily, the card seemed to dance
away: only to curve upwards, swept by an unknown wind as it flared to
life, forming not a beast but a several specks of golden light.
Firmly holding on to his concentration, Yuugi beckoned the
points of light, calling upon them with his Magic. Like fireflies, each
glowing orb surrounded the boy, bathing him in a glimmering light before
collecting to waver and solidify.
And Yuugi arched his back as he felt soft feather's tickle his
shoulder blades. Each feather grew and expanded, spiraling outwards
until they formed a pair of beautiful swan-like wings, held together by a
small boy cradled in the center. With a powerful sweep of his newly
acquired wings, Yuugi shot upwards into the air, letting the momentum of
flight gain him as much altitude as possible before flapping his wings
again in a gigantic arc. The small boy looked around until his lavender
eyes lay fixated on his Yami. Yuugi hovered slightly in mid-air before
abruptly closing his wings tightly against his body, allowing him to drop
like a stone. The boy fell and reeled in thin air, although this time, he was
not scared. This time, Yuugi knew he was in control.
Yuugi fell until he was right about his Yami, suddenly extending
his wings so that they resisted the pull of gravity. Pearl-white feathers
scattered everywhere as Yuugi twisted in mid-air, grabbing his Yami so
that the taller figure now lay cradled within the boy's arms.
Yuugi gritted his teeth as his wings strained against the added
weight of his Yami. He had to land, and fast. Yet, he couldn't land - he
knew there was still Yami-Bakura's Man-Eater Bug waiting for him
below.
What was he to do now? His Yami was slipping from his grasps,
the larger body too heavy for a smaller body to support, no matter how
strong the will.
It was only when Yuugi heard a familiar avian cry that he
remembered another possibility.
"Curse of Dragon!" Yuugi heard himself call out, although his
voice sounded firmer than he was used to. With amazing reaction speed
and obedience, the large bony dragon shot towards Yuugi, allowing the
boy to land carefully on the Dragon's back. The small boy placed his
Yami along the smooth surface, holding his Yami closely to him.
"Yami. Wake up." Yuugi called, beckoning his unconscious
other. There was no reply. Sighing, Yuugi caressed his Yami's hair,
nuzzling the unconscious form as if trying to find some comfort in the
limp body. "Wake up now. We still have to fight."
Upon realizing that there was no reply, Yuugi began to cry
again, tears dribbling down his chin. The boy rubbed his cheek against his
silent Darkness, bending close enough to whisper directly into his Yami's
ear. "Please. I need you."
The Puzzle around Yuugi's neck flared, once, twice. And in
response, a mirror image of the Puzzle shimmered to life, glowing around
Yami-Yuugi's neck. Hesitantly, Yuugi touched the new Puzzle, calling
out to its power and activating the dormancy within. In response, the
Puzzle flickered, filling Yami-Yuugi's limp body with a steady light. And
surely enough, Yami-Yuugi opened his eyes, fluttering them rather
rapidly to adjust to the current situation. The Darkness groaned, putting a
hand to his forehead to steady himself. That was all he was allowed to do
before Yuugi jumped on him, the small boy elatedly wrapping his Yami
with his arms in a tight hug.
"Yami!" Yuugi shouted, wiping his last tears away. "You're
alive!"
Yami-Yuugi winced as Yuugi squeezed his injured ribs. "Yes."
The Yami managed to wheeze. "I'm very alive. Now, if you would please
let me go?"
Yuugi blushed, slightly abashed. "Oh. Sorry."
Yami-Yuugi's eyes suddenly widened, staring at something
directly behind the small boy. With split second reflexes, the Yami
grabbed his other, tackling the small boy so that the rolled to one side of
the dragon. Yuugi let out a startled gasp as suddenly, the space beside his
head held a glimmering black sword, curving upwards to reveal the
white-haired owner.
Yami-Bakura sneered as he withdrew the sword embedded in the
Curse of Dragon, wings outstretched as the Dragon cried and exploded
into infinity. "I got bored of waiting." The Yami shrugged, sneering as he
watched Yami-Yuugi summon another flying card to remain afloat.
"Stay behind me, Yuugi." Yami-Yuugi warned the smaller boy,
eyes never leaving Yami-Bakura. The Yami closed his eyes, tracing an
invisible arc with one hand. The arc of nothingness flickered into life,
solidifying so that it formed a golden blade. Yami-Yuugi brandished his
newly summoned sword, glaring at Yami-Bakura.
Both Yami stared at each other for a moment before initiating a
move. There was a ringing sound, golden blade clashing against pitch
black as both Yami swept themselves in a fervent dance for dominance.
Wings fluttered and maneuvered majestically in thin air as they sought to
keep themselves one step away from the other, each delivering blows but
sustaining only minor damage.
Yami-Yuugi swung his sword to one side, feinting a thrust to
Yami-Bakura's left, which the white-haired Yami hastily blocked. The
once-Pharaoh then quickly twisted his sword in a sweeping curve so that
it overshot his opponent's parry and sliced a good portion of Yami-
Bakura's flesh.
Yami-Bakura cursed as his side openly bled, his wound driving
him into desperation. Each move was delivered without a moment's
thought, perfectly precise and stunningly powerful.
Yami-Yuugi winced as he parried yet another blow, knowing
that Yami-Bakura would not fall for another feint. The Darkness's mind
searched for a strategy, eyes focused on the current blocking while his
mind raced over implications. Quickly, Yami-Yuugi raised his arm to
deflect another blow aimed at his head when suddenly, an ebony flash
caught his eye, and he twisted to one side just in time to avoid being
impaled by another blade.
Yami-Bakura grinned as he withdrew his attack thrusts, holding
in both hands a pair of twin blades, each one the same burnished black.
And he grinned to himself as he watched Yami-Yuugi gasp in shock at
the appearance of two swords. Arm muscles coiled like a snake, Yami-
Bakura struck, rapiers pointed right at Yami-Yuugi's neck.
"Game Over." The white-haired yami grinned, pressing one of
his black blades against his opponent's neck rather tauntingly.
"Yami!" Yuugi screamed as he watched Yami-Bakura raise the
other sword, point straight towards Yami-Yuugi's chest. There was a
moment of silence before the point of the dagger plunged downwards.
Yami-Yuugi stared in shock, breathing rapidly at the dagger held
inches away from impaling his body. The other blade still rang along his
neck; yet the former had ceased moving. Wide-eyed, Yami-Yuugi
glanced at Yami-Bakura, suddenly aware that the white-haired Yami was
not moving. Quickly, the once-Pharoah swept his wings forwards, the
momentum pushing him away from the threatening blades.
"Yami!" Yuugi shouted again, although this time, it was one of
elation. The boy dove downwards, white feathers scattering everywhere
as he ferociously hugged his other. "That was close!"
"Yeah." Yami-Yuugi replied, still dazed. The Yami stared at
Yami-Bakura, eyeing the paralyzed figure. What had happened?
Yami-Bakura's shoulder's sagged, his head flopping to one side
like a limp rag doll. Both daggers fell lifelessly from his hands,
disappearing into wisps of smoky darkness.
However, Yami-Yuugi was unconvinced. "Stay here." The
Darkness told his Aibou, crimson eyes never leaving Yami-Bakura's limp
form. "I smell a rat."
Surely enough, as Yami-Yuugi approached target distance of his
opponent, the white-haired Yami began to stir, shaking his head slightly
before his eyes fluttered open. However, Yami-Yuugi was not stupid.
Allowing no time for Yami-Bakura to recover, Yami-Yuugi attacked,
both hands holding the hilt of the blade, slicing downwards to cut off the
white-haired Yami's head. There, the blade stopped just moments before
impact, hovering threateningly in the air.
"Give me a good reason not to kill you." Yami-Yuugi sneered at
the white-haired Yami, sword tensed just in case his opponent tried to
counter.
Yami-Bakura did not answer, but simply cast his gaze
downwards, avoiding eye contact.
"Answer me, you bastard!" Yami-Yuugi cried, voice betraying
his hidden tension. "Answer me, or I'll kill you right now!"
The white-haired Yami opened his mouth, voice so quiet that
Yami-Yuugi had to strain to hear.
"Because..." Silvery-white hair covered his downcast eyes,
making him look rather pitiful than menacing. "Because... I'm not Yami-
Bakura."
"What?" Taken aback, Yami-Yuugi almost lost his hold in the
sword. He quickly regained his composure. "What the hell do you mean
by that?"
But Yuugi knew. Yuugi knew the moment he saw Yami-Bakura
reawaken. The small boy saw the large doleful brown eyes, and they
tweaked his consciousness.
"Ryou?" Yuugi heard himself call out. "Is that you, Ryou
Bakura?"
The white-haired boy jerked his head at the sudden mention of
his name, wincing a bit as this sudden motion caused the blade by his
neck to nick his skin and draw blood. Brown eyes once dull stared in
recognition at the boy who had called his real name.
"Yuugi." Ryou Bakura cried, the voice coming out almost in a
muffled sob. "Yuugi. I'm sorry."
Upon realizing that the tone was genuine, Yami-Yuugi withdrew
his sword. "What happened to your Yami?" Yami-Yuugi demanded, still
grimly aware that the entire dialogue could be a ploy.
Here, Ryou managed a thin smile. From his limp hand
materialized a single card, its golden sheen indicating that it was currently
in use. The white-haired boy held the face of the card towards them, so
that both Yuugi and his Yami could clearly see its surface.
Yami-Yuugi's eyes widened. "The... Change of Heart?" He
stated, question more of a confirmation.
Ryou nodded. "Yes. This card has always had a close attachment
towards me. It was the only way I could stop him." The white-haired boy
shuddered as he mentioned his Yami. "Yet, this card only lasts one turn,
so after this, I-I'll disappear again."
"What do you mean by disappear?" Yuugi asked.
"My Yami is not as nice as your's." Here, Ryou gave a half-
smile. "When he takes control, he does not give me any liberty. I become
confined to him, sitting in the deepest corner of his mind, waiting until he
is finished with whatever task at hand."
"Confined like a slave." Yami-Yuugi repeated, spitting out the
words in disgust. "Sounds exactly like the Yami-Bakura I knew."
"You knew him?" Yuugi stated, startled. Ryou too, looked
shocked.
"That is a story for another time. "Yami-Yuugi stated. "What
matters right now is that we destroy Yami-Bakura, before the turn runs
out and the magic card effect becomes void."
"Then kill me."
Ryou's statement was so sudden that the meaning escaped
Yami-Yuugi at first.
"There's no way we can kill you!" Yuugi cried in place for his
stunned Yami. "Y-you're my friend, and I care for you like all my other
friends."
The white-haired boy stared at Yuugi in shock. "Am I really
your friend?" He repeated, half-afraid that it was all a lie. "How can I be
your friend if I only hurt you?"
Yuugi shook his head. "It's not true! I know it wasn't you. You
can't blame yourself for the things your Yami has done."
And yet, Ryou seemed unconvinced, although his pleading eyes
begged to accept Yuugi's friendship. "It's not that simple." He finally
replied, hazel eyes brimming with tears.
"What do you mean?" Yuugi was confused. He knew for sure
that his Yami and him were separate beings, each one with a different
idea.
"What I mean is that-" Ryou was suddenly cut off as the
glowing card in his hand began fading. The white-haired boy winced
slightly, feeling the darkness once sedated inside of him begin to stir.
"There's no time for this!" He shouted, turning towards Yami-Yuugi.
"Please, you have to kill me. It's the only way!"
"I've got a better plan." Yami-Yuugi suddenly shouted. He
withdrew a card from his hand, smiling just slightly. "I play the Eye of
Truth, which reveals to me the cards in the opponent's hands!"
Ryou gasped as he suddenly felt his soul being pulled away from
the body. A dizzying sensation followed as the world around him seemed
to spin into oblivion. When the white-haired boy dared to open his eyes
again, he was hovering in mid-air, staring at Yuugi, Yami-Yuugi and...
his own Yami?
Yami-Yuugi gave his trademark smirk. "I figured that since
we're only "cards" in this game, I could use my Eye of Truth to reveal
both cards of my opponent - you and your Yami!"
"All right!" Yuugi cheered, flying towards Ryou to embrace him
in a tight hug. "I'm glad your safe, Ryou!"
Yami-Yuugi, however, kept his eyes on the stirring figure of
Yami-Bakura. Not even bothering to focus to his surroundings, Yami-
Bakura opened his eyes, twin blades again flying into both hands as he
leapt at his opponent.
"Bastard!" Yami-Bakura shouted, blades attacking with renewed
effort. "You'll never destroy me!"
Ryou watched as both Yami's below them danced in a series of
ferocious parries and thrusts, none gaining the upper advantage. Both
Yami's now broke away from a tight hold, each one glaring at the other
while drawing in deep gasps of breath to sustain themselves.
"Everything will be all right." Yuugi smiled, seeing the
frightened look on the white-haired boy. "I trust my Yami with all my
heart."
"I wish I could too." Ryou whispered sadly. "I wish I could have
a Yami like your's, who would care for me." He sighed, tears plummeting
down his face. "I guess I was destined to be alone; always unloved."
"It's not true!" Yuugi cried. "You're not alone! Surely, you're
family loves you!"
"My family's dead." Ryou's tone turned bitter, unlike his usual
voice, reminding Yuugi slightly of Yami-Bakura. "My Yami killed them
all."
Yuugi's eyes widened. "I-I'm..." He was devastated, unsure of
what to say to comfort the white-haired boy. "I'm really sorry."
Ryou wiped the last of his tear from his eyes, managing a brave
smile. "Yuugi. It's not your fault." Momentarily, his gaze traveled down
towards the two Yami who were now engaged in a ferocious display of
Magic combined with sword skill. "You see, this is a chosen world. And
those who are born into misery must accept the path destined for them."
"You're wrong!" Yuugi protested, feeling an immense pity for
the white-haired boy beside him. "There's more than just destiny or fate.
Even in the darkest hours, there is always possibility and hope. You
proved that to me when I thought Yami-Bakura was going to destroy all
of us, and you showed up just in time to invoke the Change of Heart."
"Yuugi..." Ryou was speechless by the small boy's words. At
last, he gave a final, genuine smile, soft and forever radiant. "Thank you."
Later Yuugi, would realize just exactly why Ryou had done what
he did. But now, his eyes widened in stupor as the white-haired boy bent
down, kissing the small boy on the lips. Yuugi wanted to pull away, to
scream; but realized that there was nothing in the touch but innocence.
And the small boy kissed back, lips touching firmly another soft surface,
although it was no more than a simply interaction; nothing romantic,
nothing lustful.
Finally, Ryou pulled away, face flushed a deep crimson as he
gazed straight into Yuugi's violet eyes. "I love you." He murmured, voice
slightly awkward.
And before Yuugi could reply in any manner of astonishment,
Ryou snapped his wings shut, suddenly falling in a mad spiral
downwards.
"RYOU!"
And everything else happened too fast to comprehend, flashing
only like a sequence of images. Perfectly timed images. Only afterwards
would Yuugi realize that only Fate could have done this.
Yami-Yuugi invoked a flash of Light Magic, blinding Yami-
Bakura temporarily to allow enough time for an opening. The once-
Pharoah raised his sword in the air, tip traveling strait towards Yami-
Bakura's chest. And suddenly, the gleaming golden sword protruded not
out of Yami-Bakura's chest, but Ryou, who had positioned himself right
in front of his Yami. The white-haired boy's face was not one of sudden
shock but grim acceptance, smiling serenely before closing his eyes, one
hand on the hilt of the golden blade that rested in his chest. Blood began
to sleep and pool around the wound, although the attack seemed to take a
rather painless air. Maybe it was because Ryou was already dead.
Yami-Bakura screamed as his Millennium Ring began to glow
too brightly, burning suddenly in reaction to Ryou's death. He continued
to scream until he dissipated, darkness once again claiming his vengeful
soul.
And then, everything began screaming, the shadows around
them whirling and arousing in a malevolent storm. The very space around
them began to rock and buckle, threatening to collapse into a pool of
chaos. With a final sigh, the darkness shattered, disappearing until it once
again revealed the face of reality.
Yuugi winced as he fell onto the hard pavement of the ground.
Startled, the boy looked around, seeing the familiar sight of a beautiful
and quiet neighbourhood, complete with shining sun and sparkling green
grass. In front of him was the smoking ruins of a burnt house, now
completely lifeless and dull, flames having died scarce moments ago.
The boy jumped, startled as he felt a hand on his shoulders.
Yuugi looked up to see the grim expression of his Yami, eyes cast in pity
for the small boy. Yuugi needed only that slight comfort before falling
into his Yami's arms, eyes overflowing with tears. He gazed at the silent
scene around him, ears roaring, although himself mute.
There the pair of them stood, both of them finding they could
say nothing, but simply stare in remembrance.
"Why?" Yuugi finally asked. "Why did he do it?"
Yami-Yuugi shifted uncomfortably, not sure of the answer
himself. "When I-I killed Ryou, he looked at me one last time, and said
'It's not your fault'."
"But why?" Yuugi repeated. "Why would he say that?"
"Yuugi." Yami-Yuugi suddenly asked. "Do you think it was my
fault?"
Yuugi wanted to scream, to say that of course it was his Yami's
fault simply because he needed someone to blame for these incidents. He
wanted to point and label someone for all these mishaps so that they
could be solved and cleared. Yet, he realized that there was no simple
solution to the sequence of events. Everything had just happened so
suddenly.
"No." Yuugi replied. "Of course it's not your fault." And he
meant every world of it.
Yuugi and his Yami spent the entire night erecting tombstones
for their lost ones, the smaller boy occasionally stopping to shed some
tears.
"Good-bye Mother, Grandpa." Yuugi whispered, placing lilac
flowers in the small mound that signified his family. He then turned to the
other two mounds. Despite everything, Yuugi had insisted on a mound for
Yami-Bakura, which seemed to mystify Yami-Yuugi more than
everything else.
Here, Yuugi stopped, placing crimson flowers on Yami-
Bakura's mound. "Good-bye, Yami-Bakura. May your afterlife teach you
about the price of vengeance."
And at long length, he stopped at Ryou Bakura's own mound.
Having gone through the tension of passing so many graves, Yuugi now
looked at his Yami for support. Yami-Yuugi squeezed his Aibou tight,
smiling encouragingly.
"And good-bye to you too, Ryou." Yuugi finally whispered,
placing pure white flowers by the mound. "I hope that you're happy up
there." Tears dripped onto the wet soil. "I guess I never had the time to
say that I love you too." Yuugi finally blurted. The small boy covered his
mouth in shock, eyes wide.
Yami-Yuugi simply chuckled. "You're a good boy, Yuugi."
Yuugi nodded, slowly. "I realized the moment that Ryou kissed
me that there was more to love than just lust or a desire to be forever
intimate. For Ryou, love was a simple friendship offered to him, because
he had never felt otherwise. And I respect his type of love."
"I see." Came the Yami's reply. He sighed. "I still can't help but
feel a little jealous, you know. It kind of bothers me to know that while I
was fighting for your life, you were making out with someone else."
Yuugi blushed a deep crimson. "I _wasn't_ making out! I was
kissing!"
"Oho!" Yami-Yuugi stated. "You were _kissing_ now were
you? Okay, allow me to correct myself: 'I still can't help but feel a little
jealous when I was fighting for your life and you were _kissing_
someone'."
It was a good thing that Yami-Yuugi wasn't solidified at that
moment as a flying brick passed straight through his head.
***************************************
Unknown to Yuugi and his Yami, two pairs of eyes were
watching them from their perch on the roof.
"What do you think?" The first cloaked figure turned to her
partner. "Has he passed the test?"
"That is not for me to judge." The second figure whispered.
"Although fate will decide either way."
There was a slight pause. "Those wings that Yuugi invoked.
They looked just like the wings of-"
"- I know." The second cut off. "That's what I'm afraid of."
"You don't think she could still be alive?"
"I'm not sure. But I have a feeling that she is far from dead."
************************************************
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jounochi says:
Jounochi: This chapter sucked! Seven pages and not even a mention of
myself! Does anyone even care what happened to me? Nooooo....
Honda: What do you expect? When you're not the author's favourite
character, you don't get in the fanfic a lot - unless you happen to be the
opponent.
Jounochi: Then what on earth was Ryou doing in the chapter? He's not
evil!
Honda: Baka! You can't exactly have his Yami in there without having
him in there too, you know.
Jounochi: *grumbles* That _still_ doesn't explain that little romance
scene. I thought I was one of the few privileged characters who get to kiss
Yuugi!
Honda: ...
Jounochi: *still grumbling* Anyway, Zoo sent me a moral to say for this
chapter. *reads the very crumpled up script.* The moral is..... "Don't eat
fried beans"??! What the hell??!!
Yuugi: *walks in clutching stomach* Ooh.. I'm gonna be sick.... *rushes
towards washroom*
Jounochi: ....
Honda: ....
Yami: -_-;;; I guess Aibou didn't like the beans I fried.
******************************************
End notes:
It took me FOREVER to try and not make this chapter into some corny,
cliched romance thing. I guess I failed halfway ^^().
Whoah! I can't believe I reached 50 reviews! Thank you everyone for
reviewing, and if I say this now, I say it all the time - any opinions you
offer I take seriously, whether positive or negative ^^.
By the way, one of Ryou's lines was taken from a Sailor Moon manga,
volume 11. Extra points to anyone who can pinpoint who said it.
Next time:
- the truth is out there! Or so you wish...
- Yuugi finally decides to join Club 0013, if he can find it ^_^
