Leoht Doerc

By Kaehimi

Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

"The Stranger"

Yami's Point of View...

I saw the Afterlife portal close once the person was out. Good thing that I had experience with them before this day- or we all would have been dead.

The portal almost had a mind of its own, so it was very difficult to summon. Once it decided to appear it also took great strength to enter it. Then, of course, came the terror of traveling through its dark corridors. This person could be one of a couple things. He or she must be in favor of the gods- or one of them in disguise. If not that, they were a great force to be reckoned with.

Bakura had squeezed his eyes shut again, refusing to look at the pale, pale hand. The person- or creature- was wearing a cloak, so its hand was all we could see. I was about to rip off the covering when it spoke.

"Bakura, are you okay?" The statement was whispered from a harsh and raspy voice, but it was laced with what seemed to be genuine concern. I still didn't trust it.

Bakura stood up and in an instant was facing it. "Who are you?"

In response, the thing reached up and pulled back the hood. We all stared at the pained face of Yami Bakura. "Does this guy ever die?!" It seemed that Joey had regained his wits.

Yami Bakura looked hurt.

And Bakura looked horrified.

Barely managing to keep my face placid, I growled, "What are you doing here?!" Without waiting for an answer, I gathered my power and lifted my palm. Then I set the crushing wave at him.

The air swirled, sucking in my blast. "No..." Now I was the one who looked horrified.

Yami Bakura stood unscathed as I sent another blow of strength at him. "How did you negate my attack?" I demanded.

"A gift." For a split second, I think I saw a flash of a smirk slither across his face. What is this? Why am I doubting my senses?

"Bakura, aibou." Yami Bakura turned towards him. "Please, give me another chance.

"Why should he?" Tristan, who had been silent up until now, yelled.

"Yeah!" Joey agreed.

"You hurt him, and you expect him to just forgive you?" Téa joined in.

Yugi didn't say anything- neither did Bakura.

Yami Bakura's eyes filled with something- but could he truly be feeling sorrow? "Please." He whispered again. "I've changed..."

Kaehimi: Sorry about all the short chappies, I have a tendency to write them when I have loads of work to do. Also- thanks GIR! ^_^

Excuse of the Chapter: I went fishing with my Daddy, and the waves were huge! So I got so wet and cold that I couldn't write. *innocent face*