A/N: Thanks so much for the lovely reviews. I am still overwhelmed by the response to this fic, as I never intended it to go beyond one chapter. Since my knowledge of Yu-Gi-Oh is so limited, I hope you will continue to feed me reviews and constructive criticism so that I know if I'm doing this correctly. I apologize for the wait – I finally gave up on waiting for the rerun of the episode I needed to see. Any inaccuracies are due to my faulty memory. 

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Five Thousand Years

Does this pathetic mortal ever shut up? I thought in annoyance as one of Ryou's teachers droned on. Idly I wondered if she would be so talkative in the Shadow Realm, then decided that she would probably babble on about "par-ah-bluhs" even if her only audience were her fellow lost souls.

I sat in the back of Ryou's math class, staring out the window. As far as I could see, there would be no use for this sort of knowledge in my quest for the Millennium Items, so I ignored her completely. I could easily steal someone's homework later and turn it in with my name on it. The only math concepts I understood and considered valuable were "few" and "many", and then only in connection with riches and Millennium Items, in which case "many" was infinitely preferable to "few."

My mind wandered. It was at times like this that I almost wished I had not been so hasty as to seal Ryou within his card – he had his uses, however few, and one of those was keeping me from having to sit through class day after day.

Those moments passed very, very quickly. I would never forgive Ryou for his betrayal in refusing to respect my lessons and fight back. He deserved every iota of this punishment.

For the first few days without Ryou, I finally felt free. I knew now that I had been foolish to expect help from my other half – and why should I waste my time trying to join with someone who, by rights, should not exist? His soul was mine, his body mine!  The mind known as Ryou had only one purpose – to give me a body and make me susceptible to death once more. Only then would Osirus be satisfied. And yet he had carried on, acting as if he had been wronged and enslaved when everything he had was rightfully mine! I needed nothing from him save his form, and now that I had trained it to perfection, nothing could stand in my path!

It was as if a fever had gripped me. I thought of nothing but possessing the Items; I dreamed of triumphs at night. Yet those heady visions of domination and immortality were interspersed with nightmares – of others, managing to collect the Items before me. Of myself, in chains before a shadowed figure who laughed as he displayed the Items to me, my own Millennium Ring around his neck. These dreams awoke a fire within me. I had to find the items quickly, before someone else beat me to them! I longed to leave, to run; my destiny loomed before me and I eagerly reached for it with both hands. But still, unexpectedly, I was chained.

I still could not leave Domino without instigating a search that I could not afford to come after me. I could not fake my own death because I would be unable to leave a passable imitation of a body. All of the reasons that had held me to Ryou's hometown originally still held true, and now I did not have Ryou to withstand the boredoms of everyday life for me. I had thought myself free only to discover the hidden bonds – until fate stepped in again.

I had endured nearly two weeks of a mortal existence in Ryou's body, and my vaguely formed ideas of banishing all teachers to the Shadow Realm were no longer entirely in jest. As soon as I possessed all the Items, they would be the first people to suffer – or at least, the first after I had tracked down the Pharaoh's descendents. They would suffer most painfully.

The days were long and predictable, so naturally I had ignored everything in the classroom and sat myself down to simply last out the day. Laughter and conversation swelled around me, tides of communication that surrounded but never managed to touch me. I liked it that way – people did not so much ignore the pale boy they knew as Ryou so much as they looked through him. He was faded, invisible – and so was I. As long as everyone ignored me, I would not have to work so hard to keep up the façade of "normal."

However, today one particular group of people caught my attention. Their conversation was different somehow then on any other day. I turned my head slightly to look at them –

And my Millennium Ring awakened.

A surge of magic flowed through me; I fought to keep the Ring from manifesting on my chest. It would be hard to explain why an enormous golden necklace had suddenly appeared around my neck. The sudden rush of magic directed my attention irrevocably towards one boy – Yugi Motoh.

The short boy with the improbable hair sat, as always, surrounded by his friends. He had at one point attempted to befriend Ryou, but I had stopped that liaison the moment I had materialized from the Ring. The last thing I needed was a friend asking awkward questions. Now he and his friends were crowded around a letter he had just received.

"…Duelist Kingdom?" I heard. I strained my ears to hear more. I had very good hearing, but it was loud in the classroom. Luckily, they were not too far away.

"Three million dollars?" This was loud, and I winced. Joey Wheeler was almost intolerably obnoxious. Then all of my attention was caught by a particular item hanging around Yugi's neck.

The Millennium Puzzle!

It could be nothing else. I stared in stupefied amazement, then in almost unbearable excitement. All of this time I had wanted to leave and search for the Millennium Items, and there was one right here in Domino! I cursed the fact that I so seldom paid attention when Ryou was in school – I should have noticed this much sooner.

I forced myself to calm down and listen. It seemed that the creator of Duel Monsters, Pegasus, was holding a tournament. Yugi, as one of the well-known top duelists, had received an invitation to attend. When I heard where the tournament was to be held, I nearly leapt out of my seat with excitement.

A private island? This was my chance! I could attack Yugi and recover the puzzle there with no one the wiser. Far away from prying eyes, my chances of being apprehended were virtually nil. 

I decided immediately to sneak onboard the ship to Pegasus's island. Ryou had, of course, not been invited. Not through lack of skill – I admitted, grudgingly, that the boy had constructed a decent deck. But he had never used that talent, had been content to simply watch others win matches and titles without participating. I had no respect for someone like that, but at least it had served me now. Who could suspect someone of robbery when he wasn't even officially there?

* * *

I crouched in the darkness with my eyes fixed on my target. All of my senses were on hyper-alert, aware of every subtle change in the surrounding forest. My quarry had stopped for the night, and for the first time since he had arrived, he was far away from all other duelists bar his own friends. His secluded position practically invited foul play.

I had slipped on to the ship to the island with a practiced ease the night before it was set to launch. Pegasus's burly guards, so quick to catch Joey Wheeler the following morning (I had watched from my hiding place and sneered at his pathetic efforts to sneak on board), were not expecting trouble the day before they sailed. The security was contemptibly lax, and I was safely holed up in the bow before anyone was even aware of my presence.

Impatient and excited as I was, the voyage seemed interminable. My hiding place, an unused cubbyhole of a closet far in the back of the storage rooms, was out of the way and reasonably comfortable, but it provided nothing in the way of entertainment. I came dangerously close to summoning a few Man-Eater Bugs to have some fun with the guards (who deserved it for being so incompetent). That, however, would have no doubt instigated a boat-wide search for more of the monsters, which I certainly did not need. Work must come before pleasure, after all.

Not that it wouldn't be a pleasure to steal Yugi's puzzle.

I had a few bad moments, specifically the first night when I chanced sneaking out of hiding to measure the ship's progress. The very idea of an island, reached by boat and surrounded by sea, was fascinating to me – I had never seen a body of water larger than an oasis, save the Nile River. As I leaned against the ship rail, I had the uncomfortable feeling that I was being watched, but no one revealed himself, and the feeling disappeared shortly after I heard a loud commotion from farther down the ship. I finally decided it was nothing, but to be safe I did not venture from the cargo hold again.

I tensed at the first sign of abnormal movement from the nearby camp. As I watched, the older girl who had shared her provisions with Yugi walked away from the tiny fire, leaving only Yugi's small circle of friends with him.

It was time to move.

Carefully, I stood from my hiding place and began stalking towards the firelit camp. I had almost reached them before I realized my error – the Bakura that these people knew would never be able to sneak up on them unawares. I reversed for about ten yards and then strode forward, purposefully breaking twigs and crashing through the underbrush. The noise was loud enough that I couldn't make out Yugi's reaction to my advance, but I soon found out when I stepped into the clearing. Joey had freaked out at my approach and Tea looked rather nervous. Joey, at least, looked embarrassed when he saw who it was.

"Aw, for a minute there I thought we had something to worry about."

I fumed inwardly. It revolted every instinct I possessed to be thought of as weak, and I cursed my host's soft-seeming exterior. Then I realized the delicious irony of the situation and smiled. Joey had much more to worry about then he ever dreamed.

"What are you doing here, Bakura?" I jumped a little – I should have anticipated that question! I racked my brains for a moment before coming up with an answer. "The same thing you are, I guess," I replied, making sure to alter my voice to imitate Ryou's soft tones. There! A vague answer, not revealing anything, yet enough to satisfy them. I took a moment and basked in my own brilliance. I deserved to gain the Millennium Items and rule the world, so that each person could receive the benefits of my genius.

As I had expected, Yugi and his friends accepted me without question. I sat quietly at the edge of their circle, waiting for my opportunity to come.

Joey gave me the opening I needed. In his typical blustering attitude, he told the little group that he pretended to actually be the card that he played, which lead to a conversation about each player's favorite Duel Monster card. I could hardly believe my luck. I had realized immediately that I would need to get rid of Yugi's friends before attempting anything, and this discussion gave me the perfect idea.

When the question inevitably turned to me, I pulled out the Change of Heart, barely holding back a smirk. These fools had no idea why this was my favorite card. Anything that could deliver such an effective punishment was ideal in my book. After giving my answer, I suggested a little game before we went to bed – just for fun, of course.

Of course.

"There's something I'd like to show you all – especially you, Yugi," I said, smiling a bit nastily. I held my hands in front of my chest and concentrated, cherishing the familiar feeling of magic racing through me. In the next moment my Millennium Ring had materialized around my neck, to various gasps and exclamations from Yugi's friends.

"Another Millennium Item!" cried Yugi. I nearly rolled my eyes at the statement. What did the dunderhead think it was, a good luck charm? Joey muttered something about hating magic, but I wasn't paying attention to him. My moment had arrived, and I would not ruin it now. It took all of my concentration to summon the Shadow Realm up around us – I had not done it in five thousand years. As I felt the magic swell around me in its familiar patterns, however, I smirked and could not help but indulge in a bit of theatrics.

"I am a thief and a stealer of souls – and I have done terrible things in my quest to possess the Millennium Items." I was really laying it on thick, taking a sadistic pleasure from the fear in their faces. I had dropped my affectation of Ryou's voice, and the looks on their faces as "Ryou's" voice and demeanor changed so drastically were priceless. "And now the magic of my Millennium Ring will take us all to the Shadow Realm!"

In the next second, the draining effects of the Realm overwhelmed their weak mortal bodies, and as one they collapsed upon the ground. I summoned the power of the Ring again, and trapped their souls within Yugi's deck. I didn't want to kill them – the last thing I needed was the police out looking for a murderer, and they would surely die if left unprotected in the Shadow Realm. I, of course, had no problem – as a spirit, the Realm could barely affect me at all.

I stared for a moment at Yugi's fallen form. I couldn't believe it – a few days ago I had despaired of ever leaving Domino to search for the Items, and now one was right within my grasp! I reached towards the still body to take the Puzzle.

To my shock and dismay, the Puzzle began to glow, and in the next moment Yugi sat up and opened his eyes!

This was impossible! I had trapped his soul in his own card; there was no way he could have escaped! I extended my senses in a panic towards Yugi's deck, and in a moment reassured myself that all four souls still resided within. So how could this be?

Then it struck me, and I cursed myself for a fool. Yugi's Puzzle must also contain a spirit, much like myself. Just because I had not known of another such imprisonment did not mean that one could not exist. No matter. This would only alter my plans. I could just as easily win the Puzzle as steal it – just because I preferred the latter method did not mean I was incapable of the first.

No, the thing that bothered me was the odd sense of familiarity the new spirit gave me. It was very unsettling. I shrugged it off and we began the duel.

"I will play the Flame Swordsman! Joey's favorite card," the not-Yugi spirit said. I grinned nastily. I couldn't wait to see his face when he realized just what – or whom – he had summoned to the field.

The look on his face was very rewarding, and so was Joey's when he realized just how he was dressed. The other spirit tried to explain things, but he did such a poor job that even I didn't blame Joey for not understanding. The blonde thought about it – I could nearly see the steam rising from his ears – and gave up, deciding instead to attack. Just what I had wanted.

The maniacal smile on my Morphing Jar enveloped Joey for an instant, then dissipated. As I discarded my hand, I watched the other closely, waiting for him to make the connection. There! Judging by the shocked expression on his face, he had just realized what would happen if a Morphing Jar was attacked when a soul card was in his hand - but if he played them, they were in danger as well. I leered at him. Adding nasty choices and risks to a game was simply delicious.

The game progressed just as I could have wanted. I enjoyed toying with the other spirit, placing facedown card after facedown card, playing with his mind as much as with the cards. Before long all four soul cards were on the field, though they had made some pathetic attempts to hide the girl. I sneered at their stupidity.

The boy with the strange hair and Wheeler had both died once, brought back by a cleverly used Monster Reborn. Now was the time to use one of my favorite cards. "Just Desserts!" I cried, flipping the card over. I smirked as the other spirit nearly collapsed from losing so many life points. Now was the time to end it. I pulled one final card out of my hand and held it for a moment, enjoying the irony. Then I placed it on the field.

Ryou materialized on the field, pale and ghostly as the Change of Heart. I didn't listen to the others' exclamations of surprise when they saw him. Now, I thought, now is the final revenge. You refused to help me willingly – now you will do it on my terms. I would take over the little Yugi and destroy every one of his friends – and Ryou would help me do it. Sick, sadistic pleasure rushed through my veins and made me feel almost weak.

What? No!

Ryou had moved – but not to control Yugi. He had possessed my Lady of Faith! For a moment I was lost in the impossibility if his actions. How could he defy my orders? He was part of me!

"Quickly, Yugi! Attack me and win against the evil Bakura!"

Another shock ran through me. No, I though dazedly, no, he can't do this… This betrayal ran even deeper than his previous one. I missed Yugi's response in my disbelief. This was unforgivable.

Ryou was talking again. "I don't care! It's better than being enslaved by an evil spirit!" At this I recovered. Anger rushed through me in a flood, ten times as strong for being delayed even for a moment. Enslaved? The weak fool shouldn't even exist! If anything, he was the one keeping me captive in his own weak body, trying to steal what was rightfully mine!

Fury burned though me, hotter and sweeter and more powerful than ever before. Its seductive call consumed me, and as I surrendered to it I failed to see the not-Yugi reach for his Puzzle until it was too late. Before I could react, he activated the spell to return Ryou to his body – and place me on the field in his place.

I cried out as I felt my mind fall from my host's body. Quicker than I could think I found myself standing on the field, dressed as the Lady of Faith and staring down the business end of the Dark Magician's staff. The twerp Yugi raised his hand.

"Dark Magic attack!"

My heart (assuming I still possessed one) knew it before my mind did. Even as I screamed in anger and frustration, a part of me had already accepted the reality of the situation, had almost anticipated it. My scream became one of agony as the Dark Magician's attack vaporized my body, but not even the pain could hold back the realization that I had failed. I was being sent to the Graveyard, and this time there would be no escape…

I landed in the midst of tombstones, still reeling from the attack. I had stood there for only moments when I sensed a presence, and I spun around to see a figure from nightmares rushing towards me. The Reaper of the Cards.

For a moment I knew fear. I despised people who were constantly afraid, my host being one of them, but at that precise instant terror over took me like it never had before. I was going to die, truly die this time, and I would never get back, never, and the Pharaoh in all his arrogance would win –

No!

The last realization shook me out of my terror. I would never allow the Pharaoh to best me again. I opened myself to the depths of my shadow powers – weakened after sustaining a battle in the Shadow Realm, but there nonetheless. I pulled deep inside myself to summon one of my favorite monsters.

It is difficult to summon a monster without a card to provide a focus. However, I had formed a special relationship with this particular monster long ago, and after an agonizing moment, it responded to my call. The Man-Eater Bug reared up from behind a tombstone, stopping the Reaper in its tracks. It was too wise to attack a Man-Eater, unfortunately, and it fled into the distance. I stopped my creature from pursuit and allowed it to vanish. I would need all of my strength.

Then I noticed that the pain from the attack had not gone away. In fact, if anything it was growing stronger. I barely held in a cry of pain as a fresh wave of agony rolled over me. What was wrong?

A new wave of pain drove me to my knees. My breath came in short, shallow gasps. What had the little brat done to me? Was this some kind of curse? Instinctively, I reached into my mind, trying to hide within my soul room – and came up with nothing. Without a host body, I was just a spirit. I had no body to return to, to hide in. This pain was amazingly familiar…

I couldn't help but scream as I realized that my soul had been ripped apart again. It had not been like this while Ryou lay imprisoned in the Change of Heart card, but then both halves had still been in the same plane – unlike now, when one part resided in the real world and the other in the Shadow Realm. I could feel the excruciating pain begin to overwhelm me. I couldn't take this, not again! I screamed aloud, blindly reaching out with my senses, desperately searching for relief I knew I could not find.

Until I did.

Like a shining beam of light, something reached through me and blocked the pain. The sudden termination of the pain nearly shocked me into letting it go. This light – it reminded me of my time in the Ring, when Ryou's soul had invaded my prison and soothed away my pain. In fact, it felt exactly the same.

The feeling was unmistakable. Somehow, Ryou's soul was still reaching me in the Shadow Realm. The Ring!  He must still have the Ring! I thought crazily. The Ring connected me to my other half, and as long as Ryou possessed the Ring, there was still hope.

I laughed. I couldn't help it. My laughter filled the dark realm, as I sat wild with relief. All I needed was Ryou to venture within the Shadow Realm himself to return to him, and with another Millennium Item around, it was almost a forgone conclusion that he would return to the Realm sometime. I reached through my bond to the Ring, calling on its magic to form a shield between the Realm and myself. Protected, all I needed was time and patience.

Thanks to the Pharaoh, I had both in abundance.

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