Warning: Yaoi
"Eee? This is the place for the final...?" Bakura asked as he and Mokuba existed the helicopter after
Yuugi and Kaiba.
Mokuba shook his head proudly. "This is just the gathering place!" he exclaimed. "When everyone
gets here the true place will be revealed!"
Kaiba stayed near the helicopter, arms crossed over his chest, while Yuugi scampered over to the
list. "There are only seven people who made it to the finals!" he reported back. "Us, and
Jounouchi-kun and Mai, and Malik." His expression darkened. "And Isis-san, and Namu-kun."
"Eee? Namu-kun?" Bakura walked over and smiled happily. "Sugoi yo! I didn't even know he was in
the tournament!"
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "We'll have to make sure he gets a good match," he said darkly.
Bakura looked over at Kaiba briefly, looking almost worried. "Kaiba-kun..." he said softly, before
looking towards the entrance. "Ah! Jounouchi-kun-tachi are here!" he smiled, waving at the group.
Yuugi raced over in greeting, almost dragging his friends to the helicopter and his boyfriends. They
chatted lightly, all eyes on the entrance to see who would get in next and if an eighth would show up
before the time deadline.
Bakura smiled happily, standing between the group of Yuugi's friends and where Kaiba and Mokuba
were, feeling as if he wanted to run back and forth between his two boyfriends and hug then both, but
knowing it wasn't a good idea.
His smile widened when he saw a familiar figure approaching the entrance. "Namu-kuuun!" he called
happily, waving at the boy as he went to go meet him.
Kaiba's eyes narrowed, and he followed, coming to a stop slightly behind Bakura.
"Bakura! You're okay!" Namu smiled happily at his friend. "I was worried something had happened
when I didn't see you."
"Ah, gomen, gomen!" Bakura apologized with a smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Things got a bit
complicated," he explained. "Demo, you didn't tell me you were in Kaiba-kun's tournament!"
The purple eyed boy looked over at Kaiba, eyes narrowing briefly before turning back to Bakura. "I
did it to try and win your freedom."
Bakura blinked. "Freedom...?" he repeated.
"Because Bakura can't make his own decisions, I suppose," Kaiba countered, glaring.
Bakura looked at the taller boy, eyes almost worried. "Kaiba-kun...."
"Because won't let him," Namu countered with a glare, arms crossing. "I've seen how you've been
trying to control him, Kaiba, and I won't just stand by a let you do it anymore. Bakura deserves better
then to be treated like a possession!"
"Namu-kun..." Bakura said softly, looking at his friend.
"He is a great deal more than a possession, and the decision is for him to make. Not you," Kaiba
retorted.
"Which is why you dress him up in your logo and punish him for spending time with me, when you
even LET him spend time with me," Namu retorted. "You don't let him make any decisions you don't
approve of."
Bakura looked down, feeling slightly upset.
"I don't dress him and I don't lock him up. He chooses to put the clothes on and to stay by my side.
And I don't punish him for seeing you," Kaiba answered, sounding as though Namu was so beneath
contempt that it was a ridiculous accusation.
"And that's why he had to be home at a certain time and was almost afraid when he realized he was
late?" Namu countered. "And why he didn't show up when he said he would the next day? And why his
arm is bruised?!"
Bakura winced, covering the pale marks on his arm. "Mou, ii yo, Namu-kun...!"
"I told ya," Jounouchi near grumbled from where the rest of the group had assembled near by.
"Bakura," Namu turned to his friend again. "I'm just worried for you. I want to be able to tell your father
that everything's fine when he asks me how you are and not be lying to him...."
"Don't you dare use his father as a weapon against him," Kaiba said with sudden fury. "It wasn't until
you showed up that Bakura lost track of the time so he wasn't home when he said he would be. It
wasn't until you came that he started hurting himself." Kaiba strode past Bakura to grab Namu by the
arm. "The one hurting him is you."
"Kaiba-kun!" Yuugi cried, moving closer.
"Kaiba-kun!" Bakura exclaimed in alarm. "Kaiba-kun, please..." he near begged, putting a hand over
Kaiba's grip to gently pull it away.
Namu continued to glare at Kaiba and was about to retort when the wind shifted dramatically, an
overbearing presence appearing in the arena in the form of a dark skinned man in a dark purple
cloak.
"Malik," Kaiba said, abandoning Namu for more important prey.
"Malik," Yuugi repeated in a hate-filled voice, glaring at the stranger.
Bakura looked up as the man looked the group over, shivering slightly as the golden eyes focused
briefly on him.
"Who's this guy?" Namu asked, moving to stand protectively in front of the pale haired boy.
Yuugi moved closer, putting an arm around Bakura to shield him from the gold-eyed man. "Malik is
the one who turned Jounouchi-kun against me. And he's been using Bakura-kun against Kaiba-kun."
The purpled eyed blond glared at the newcomer. "Bakura..." He turned to look at the pale haired boy.
"If I win this, will you consider coming back to Egypt with me?"
Bakura's eyes widened. "Egypt..?! De--demo...!"
"No, he can't!" Yuugi protested, pulling Bakura away from Namu. "If Bakura-kun's father wanted him
to go to Egypt he would have brought him! Bakura-kun has to stay here and go to school and have a
normal life!" He trembled with his defiance, biting his lip to keep it still.
Namu gave a sigh. "This isn't a normal life," he pointed out. "Not if he has people using and controlling
him..."
Bakura near curled up against Yuugi, eyes troubled.
"Just think about it, okay, Bakura?"
The boy gave a small nod. "Demo... I don't want to leave Kaiba-kun and Yuugi-kun..." he said softly.
"You don't have to!" Yuugi protested, looking up at Bakura in dismay. "You don't have to do anything
you don't want to!"
Bakura gave a smile at the smaller boy. "I'd only go if I could take you with me," he assured.
Yuugi smiled and hugged him tightly.
Namu looked the pair over and shook his head slightly before looking to the entry way again. His
eyes narrowed slightly as a figure clad in cream flowing cloth entered the arena.
"Isis-san," Yuugi called, looking up. "We have everyone on the list now. I wonder if we'll get another
person in time."
Mokuba looked over at Kaiba, looking almost antsy. "Niisama... all the signed up semi finalists are
here," he said looking at his older brother meaningfully.
"Hn," Kaiba snorted, turning away from Namu and Malik. "We have everything we need and it's past
time to start. Let's get on our way to the semifinals."
Mokuba grinned widely and gave a call to get everyones attention before beginning his explanation of
where the finals would be held, looking incredibly pleased with himself as the blimp descended.
"Aaa, I'm so excited!" Bakura smiled as he followed Kaiba into the blimp, Yuugi following behind him.
Kaiba led them to the observation deck to watch the take off before they separated to go to their
rooms.
Bakura hesitated, looking between Kaiba and Yuugi's rooms as the majority of the non duelists
funneled into Jounouchi's room, unsure where to go.
"Bakura!" Mokuba called. "We have our own rooms with the crew."
The pale haired boy blinked. "Oh..." He gave a small smile, following the black haired boy to his room,
feeling slightly foolish.
He gave a small smile as he reached the room, seeing the plate with his name on it on the door and
some of his belongings already inside. "Mokuba-kun, you really did plan this well," he smiled.
"This is nothing! Wait til you see the rest!" the boy beamed proudly. "I'm going to go over see the set
up the main room now!" he called before vanishing again.
Bakura smiled, heading inside his room, sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes slightly clouded as he
thought about what Namu had said and offered.
There was a knock.
"H--Hai?" Bakura called, slightly started out of his thoughts.
"May I come in?" Kaiba's voice asked from the other side.
"Ah! Kaiba-kun!" Bakura smiled, getting up to open the door.
"I wanted to make sure you were well, after the spectacles we all made of ourselves before
departure," Kaiba said, taking Bakura into his arms.
The pale haired boy near melted into the embrace. "Un," he nodded slightly. "I'm all right...."
"You must know that I will never let either of them hurt you," Kaiba said softly, turning Bakura's face up
to look in the smaller boy's eyes.
Bakura smiled softly. "I know... I just...." he hesitated slightly, looking down slightly. "I just don't like it
when you and Namu-kun fight..." he finished in a quiet voice.
Kaiba's mouth tightened a moment. "Fine," he said with a nod.
Bakura blinked slightly, looking up again. "Kaiba-kun...?"
"I will ignore him for you." Kaiba leaned down and kissed Bakura.
Bakura's eyes went wide and he melted into the kiss. "Kaiba-kun...." he smiled happily. "Arigatou."
"We have some time before the events start," Kaiba murmured, nuzzling Bakura's neck.
The boy gave a soft sigh, leaning to give the taller boy more access. "How much time?"
"As much as I want."
"Damn it, where in hell is he?" Jounouchi scowled, arms crossed. The group was assembled in the
main hall, Otogi and Honda fighting for Shizuka's attention while Mai and Anzu got in some girl talk.
Namu was pacing slightly while the golden eyed Malik was leaning against the back wall, watching
everyone, much to Jounouchi's irritation. "Bad enough he lets that asshole in, but now he's taking his
damned sweet time..." he muttered.
"Ne, Jounouchi-kun? Have you seen Bakura at all since we gotten the ship?" Namu asked, pausing in
his pacing.
Jounouchi's scowl deepened.
Yuugi shifted slightly uncomfortably, glancing at the door to the hall again and wishing that Kaiba and
Bakura would get there soon. "Ah! Here they come!" he announced with relief.
The pair entered the room, Bakura's face slightly flushed with an almost dreamy smile and hair
tousled as he almost absentmindedly smoothed down his shirt
Kaiba, looking as neat as he had when they boarded, strode to the front of the room. "Where is Isis?"
he demanded.
"She's not coming," Mokuba near sighed. "She says she's not going to be called until the fourth
round."
Bakura almost drifted over to Yuugi's side, taking the boy's hand and squeezing it happily. "Gomen
ne," he apologized. "Kaiba-kun wanted to..." he trailed off, cheeks darkening slightly as his smile
grew.
Jounouchi shook his head, looking disgusted.
Kaiba snorted. "Fine. Then let's begin."
Yuugi smiled slightly. "I'm jealous," he said softly.
"Gomen..." Bakura whispered again as the lights dimmed. "Maybe between the next rounds?" he
suggested as Mokuba called up the Ultimate Bingo Machine.
Yuugi's enthusiastic smile and nod were cut off as he caught sight of the bingo machine. "Blue Eyes
Ultimate Dragon!" he choked with laughter.
Bakura smothered a laugh behind his hand. "So that's what Mokuba-kun was planning! I saw the base
design but had no idea..."
Yuugi stifled a chuckle at Kaiba's expression on seeing the machine.
After an explanation of how duel matches would be set, the machine was started. "First challenger is
Number 3: Mutou Yuugi!" the arbiter announced. "Second challenger is Number 8." He glanced
around the room. "There is no eighth challenger. Mutou Yuugi gets a free pass to the next round of
the semi finals."
The number three ball was taken out of the drop slot as Yuugi stood blinking.
"Heh, not that it woulda mattered, eh?" Jounouchi grinned. "Yuugi woulda won anyway."
"But I wanted to duel!" Yuugi protested.
"Maybe you and I could duel after?" Bakura smiled. "It should be all right since... you know," he said,
putting a hand over where the Ring was hiding under his shirt.
Yuugi smiled and nodded. "Un! And then, maybe...?" He gave a wriggle, while looking at Bakura
hopefully.
Bakura gave a smile and nodded.
The Bingo Machine started again. "First Duelist is Number 2: Jounouchi Katsuya. The Second
Duelist is Number 6: Malik Ishtar! So the first duel is Jounouchi Katsuya versus Malik Ishtar!"
Bakura bit his lip slightly, looking at where Jounouchi was glaring daggers at the golden eyed
Egyptian. "Jounouchi-kun... you said Malik controlled him before... will he be okay?" he asked softly,
moving slightly to almost hide behind Yuugi from the sight of the near overbearing man.
"Jounouchi-kun broke his power," Yuugi said, biting his lip. "I think he'll be ok...."
"Not Malik...?"
Bakura stared as the man who had been pretending to be Malik collapsed. "But... but if he's not
Malik, then...." The pale haired boy froze, eyes widening as he heard a strangled cry from behind him.
"Namu-kun!" he exclaimed, horrified as he stared at the blond Egyptian, first caught by his pain and
then by the object in his hand.
Yuugi pulled his eyes away from the spectacle on the arena to follow Bakura's eyes. "Namu-kun is
Malik!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. "Then who is Jounouchi-kun duelling?"
"Namu-kun is...." Bakura stared at the boy who he believed to be his friend. "Uso..."
Yuugi, meanwhile, had vaulted up to the arena. "Jounouchi-kun! Get up!"
Bakura continued to stare at the blond Egyptian and the Millennium Rod in his grip. Slowly, he moved
towards the boy, eyes almost transfixed on the item as he carefully reached out for it.
"Bakura!" Kaiba called, dashing under the arena to pull Bakura away from the blond. He looked at
the Egyptian as though seriously considering pushing him over the edge of the blimp.
Bakura gave a started exclamation, struggling briefly before realizing who held him and relaxing, eyes
still transfixed on the golden rod.
Kaiba pulled him around so that he wasn't facing the blond anymore.
Everyone looked their way as the Egyptian on the arena pointed out the boy with the rod as Malik.
"Kaiba-kun, please..." Bakura trembled slightly in Kaiba's hold. "Let me take the Rod from him,
please..."
"It will only put you further in his power," Kaiba said shortly. "As anyone taking the Puzzle from Yuugi
would suffer for it."
"Demo--" Bakura broke off suddenly, eyes going wide as Malik's transformation occurred, making the
air nearly ripple at the change. He buried his face in Kaiba's chest, not wanting to see.
Kaiba held Bakura tightly, putting himself in between the smaller boy and Malik.
The boy continued to cling to the brown haired boy after the transformed Malik walked off and the
paramedics attended to his fallen conspirator, utterly upset.
Kaiba stroked his hair soothingly, watching the proceedings with an almost detached air.
"Are you going to disqualify him because he lied?" Honda demanded.
"Why? He still has something that I want. We'll see what he does now."
"Typical," Jounouchi snorted. "C'mon, Honda," he nodded as he followed the paramedics off.
Honda shook his head and followed.
"Kaiba-kun... what are you going to do about Malik? He put that poor man in his place to take all of
our hate and all the blame so he could pass unnoticed," Yuugi said, brow furrowed.
Kaiba put his other arm around Yuugi, pulling the small boy to his side. "He will be dealt with. But he
still has things that we need. I told Isis I would collect all the God Cards and I will keep that promise."
Yuugi nodded slowly, then looked at Bakura. "Bakura-kun, are you ok?"
The boy shook his head. "Namu-kun wa... Namu-kun janai," he near whimpered. "I-- I defended him!
I-- I--" he tensed again, unable to continue.
"You thought he was your friend," Kaiba said firmly. "You defended your friend who wanted what was
best for you. You didn't know that he wasn't."
"He might really have been your friend once," Yuugi added, taking Bakura's hand. "Before all of this
happened. We don't know what he was like before."
"I-- I should call Tousan... and ask him if-- if there ever was a Namu-kun or... or if he..." Bakura broke
off again. "I don't want to think about this... I don't want to think about this...." he whispered, voice
shaking.
"We can talk to your father tomorrow," Kaiba said. "It might all come out before then, so let's deal with
this as it comes."
Bakura gave a small nod. "I-- I think I'd like to lie down, is that okay?"
"Do you want me to come with you?" Yuugi asked.
Bakura nodded. "Onegai..."
Slipping out from Kaiba's hold, Yuugi put an arm around Bakura and walked towards his room.
"Ne..." Bakura said softly as the trio headed back to the rooms after Kaiba's win over Isis. "Would...
would it be alright if I slept with one of you tonight...?" he asked timidly.
"Which of us?" Yuugi asked eagerly. "Maybe we could all stay together?"
Bakura smiled happily. "Could we?"
Kaiba nodded with a smile. "My room has ample space for all of us."
"Just let me tell Jounouchi I'm staying with Bakura so he doesn't have all the others trying to stay in his
room," Yuugi said with a smile, running off quickly.
Bakura gave a smile. "Next time Mokuba-kun should make sure there's a spectators dorm," he
decided, snuggling against Kaiba slightly.
"We should have known to expect all your friends to demand to come along," Kaiba conceded. "And
they have been helpful," he admitted, holding Bakura tightly.
Bakura gave a smile. "Kaiba-kun," he said in an almost congratulatory way.
Kaiba scowled slightly, then pulled Bakura close and ravished his mouth to change the subject.
The pale haired boy melted against the taller boy, obliging happily as he wrapped his arms around
him.
Kaiba picked Bakura up and laid him on the bed, pausing as there was a knock on the door. He
answered it with the beginning of a scowl that got cut off when Yuugi practically skipped into the room.
"Starting without me?" he teased.
Bakura reached out for the smaller boy, eyes warm. "Kaiba-kun's just impatient," he teased the taller
boy.
"You were teasing him," Yuugi countered, eyes sparkling. "And I missed it!" He hopped onto the bed
and began kissing Bakura senseless with small rabid kisses.
The pale haired boy gave small gasps for air, unable to keep up with the smaller boy.
Kaiba came up behind Yuugi and pulled him away, holding him up. "Let him breath," he ordered.
"Ok!" Yuugi agreed cheerfully, turning his attention to Kaiba.
Bakura went mostly limp against the bed, watching his two loves with a small smile.
As Yuugi attacked Kaiba with kisses, Kaiba pulled Yuugi's clothes off and deposited him back on the
bed. Yuugi blinked a moment, slightly surprised, but turned to give similar treatment to Bakura, pulling
the pale haired boy's clothes off slowly as his lips travelled over the other boy's body.
Bakura gave a blissful sigh and shivered slightly as his body reacted, reaching out to run his fingers
slightly over the smaller boy's sides.
Yuugi moved toward the touch, sighing against Bakura's skin.
Shedding his own clothing, Kaiba moved onto the bed behind Bakura, nuzzling against his neck and
stroking his back.
Bakura shivered again, arching back slightly to meet the touch, leaning his head forward to expose
more of his neck, breath slightly quickened as he continued caressing Yuugi.
After completely stripping Bakura, Yuugi moved back up to kiss him deeply, pressing their bodies
close together.
The pale haired boy melted against him, parting his lips slightly and giving small moans.
Holding Bakura tightly, Yuugi pressed against him, slowly lowering himself onto the other boy's
hardness.
Bakura gave a sharp gasp, eyes going wide. "Yu--Yuugi-kun..." he stammered, face flushing as he
gave a moan.
Yuugi moaned, clinging to Bakura as he fully seated himself. Eyes shut and breathing sped, he
started moving himself against Bakura.
The pale haired boy gasped, burying his face in Yuugi's hair as he clung to the boy, shakily caressing
his sides as he moaned.
Kaiba took a few moments to prepare himself, and then pressed into Bakura from behind, kissing the
boy's neck and holding his waist to steady him.
Bakura cried out again, breath catching as he arched. He gasped slightly, face flushed, skin heating
up. "Kaiba-kun..." he near whimpered. "Yuugi-kun..."
The pair responded wordlessly, Yuugi catching Bakura's lips with his own, while Kaiba stroked
Bakura's sides and moved gently inside him.
Bakura continued to make small muted noises, gasping against Yuugi's lips, eyes closed as his
scenes were assaulted with an overload of pleasure. Finally he came with a sharp cry, going limp.
Kaiba came shortly after Bakura, and then Yuugi, and the trio lay tangled together.
Bakura gave a small smile, eyes closing. "Yuugi-kun... Kaiba-kun..." he murmured in a tired, yet happy
voice.
"We love you, Bakura-kun," Yuugi said softly. Kaiba kissed Bakura's neck.
The pale haired boy's reply was mostly incoherent, but positive as he snuggled contentedly against
the two boys.
After a few moments, Kaiba rose to get a washcloth to clean them all with.
"Arigatou, Kaiba-kun," Yuugi murmured, settling into sleep close against Bakura.
Bakura tensed slightly in his sleep as a conversation went on inside him. Slowly, his eyes opened and
he sat up, carefully disentangling himself from his two lovers to rub underneath his eyes.
Yuugi reached out as Bakura left, but, finding Kaiba, snuggled up against the taller boy happily.
The day's activities had left Kaiba so exhausted that he didn't wake.
Only seeming half aware, the pale haired boy slipped out of bed and dressed himself, slipping the
Ring on and heading out of the room. The instant the door closed behind him, he gave a slight smirk,
Ring glowing as his tousled hair became even more so. With a determined stride, he headed for the
room of the fallen Egyptian.
A while later, Yuugi half wakened. "Bakura-kun?" he murmured, not finding the pale haired boy in bed
with him. He got up, rubbing his eyes, and looked around the room. "Where did you go?" He pulled
his clothes on, hung the Puzzle around his neck, and went in search. "Mou hitori no boku, do you
know where he is?"
'Check the arena.... There's a yami no duel going on, I can feel it...'
"Yami no duel!" Yuugi said in alarm, hurrying to the elevator. "I hope no one gets hurt," he worried.
The doors opened to show a large dark cloud obscuring the arena. 'Aibou... let me take over.'
Almost reluctantly, Yuugi released control, sitting very close behind his other self's eyes to see what
happened.
The former Pharaoh pushed his way into the game space. His eyes widened as he saw Yami Malik
casually bend down and pick up the Millennium Ring.
Yuugi grew frantic. 'Where's Bakura-kun!?'
"MALIK!" Mou Hitori no Yuugi roared, eyes blazing. "Where's Bakura?!" he shouted, echoing his
aibou's question.
The transformed Egyptian gave a chuckle. "Who knows...." he replied nonchalantly.
Yuugi retreated, insensible to what happened next as he sobbed for Bakura in his soul room.
'Aibou... Aibou, wake up,' Yuugi's other's voice called much later. 'I've won.'
Yuugi sniffled and glanced up. "But Bakura-kun....."
'Was one of the terms of the duel.'
"What?"
'His return was one of the terms of the duel,' the elder spirit replied with a patient smile. 'I'm banishing
the game space now, take over.'
Yuugi resumed his usual spot and looked around. "Bakura-kun?"
The arena's features became clearer as the darkness of the game space faded, reveling the
unconscious form of the pale haired boy sprawled out on the deck.
"Bakura-kun!" Yuugi cried, pulling the pale boy into his arms. "Wake up, Bakura-kun! Wake up!"
The boy gave a soft exhausted protest that was almost inaudible.
"Please, Bakura-kun," Yuugi pleaded. "I can't carry you."
Bakura murmured something unintelligible, moving slightly to lean his head against the smaller boy.
There was a groan from behind the pair as the original blond Egyptian pulled himself into a sitting
position, cradling his head.
Yuugi stood between him and Bakura, brandishing what turned out to be the rod in what he hoped
looked like a menacing pose.
Malik looked at him briefly, grimacing, before pulling himself to his feet. "Rishido..." He staggered off
almost drunkenly towards the elevator.
Yuugi was torn between chasing Malik and staying with Bakura, but decided that Bakura needed him
more.
Before too long Kaiba came out of the elevator and gathered Bakura into his arms.
"How did you know to come up here to find us?" Yuugi asked.
"The blond slut is having a reunion with his pawn and he said you were up here." Kaiba carried
Bakura back down to his room, Yuugi following.
Bakura snuggled tiredly against the taller boy, hand going to his chest as if looking for something.
Frowning slightly, his eyes opened slightly. "Ring... ga nai...?" he blinked.
Yuugi looked around, then blinked at his hand. "I have it, Bakura-kun," he assured.
The boy reached out for it.
Yuugi handed it over to him, asked his other self if it was safe to.
'It should be, the seal is still there...' Yuugi's other nodded.
Bakura smiled happily, almost cuddling against the metal before falling asleep again.
Kaiba laid him out on the bed and curled behind him, while Yuugi retook his position in front of the
pale boy.
"Eee? This is the place for the final...?" Bakura asked as he and Mokuba existed the helicopter after
Yuugi and Kaiba.
Mokuba shook his head proudly. "This is just the gathering place!" he exclaimed. "When everyone
gets here the true place will be revealed!"
Kaiba stayed near the helicopter, arms crossed over his chest, while Yuugi scampered over to the
list. "There are only seven people who made it to the finals!" he reported back. "Us, and
Jounouchi-kun and Mai, and Malik." His expression darkened. "And Isis-san, and Namu-kun."
"Eee? Namu-kun?" Bakura walked over and smiled happily. "Sugoi yo! I didn't even know he was in
the tournament!"
Kaiba's eyes narrowed. "We'll have to make sure he gets a good match," he said darkly.
Bakura looked over at Kaiba briefly, looking almost worried. "Kaiba-kun..." he said softly, before
looking towards the entrance. "Ah! Jounouchi-kun-tachi are here!" he smiled, waving at the group.
Yuugi raced over in greeting, almost dragging his friends to the helicopter and his boyfriends. They
chatted lightly, all eyes on the entrance to see who would get in next and if an eighth would show up
before the time deadline.
Bakura smiled happily, standing between the group of Yuugi's friends and where Kaiba and Mokuba
were, feeling as if he wanted to run back and forth between his two boyfriends and hug then both, but
knowing it wasn't a good idea.
His smile widened when he saw a familiar figure approaching the entrance. "Namu-kuuun!" he called
happily, waving at the boy as he went to go meet him.
Kaiba's eyes narrowed, and he followed, coming to a stop slightly behind Bakura.
"Bakura! You're okay!" Namu smiled happily at his friend. "I was worried something had happened
when I didn't see you."
"Ah, gomen, gomen!" Bakura apologized with a smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Things got a bit
complicated," he explained. "Demo, you didn't tell me you were in Kaiba-kun's tournament!"
The purple eyed boy looked over at Kaiba, eyes narrowing briefly before turning back to Bakura. "I
did it to try and win your freedom."
Bakura blinked. "Freedom...?" he repeated.
"Because Bakura can't make his own decisions, I suppose," Kaiba countered, glaring.
Bakura looked at the taller boy, eyes almost worried. "Kaiba-kun...."
"Because won't let him," Namu countered with a glare, arms crossing. "I've seen how you've been
trying to control him, Kaiba, and I won't just stand by a let you do it anymore. Bakura deserves better
then to be treated like a possession!"
"Namu-kun..." Bakura said softly, looking at his friend.
"He is a great deal more than a possession, and the decision is for him to make. Not you," Kaiba
retorted.
"Which is why you dress him up in your logo and punish him for spending time with me, when you
even LET him spend time with me," Namu retorted. "You don't let him make any decisions you don't
approve of."
Bakura looked down, feeling slightly upset.
"I don't dress him and I don't lock him up. He chooses to put the clothes on and to stay by my side.
And I don't punish him for seeing you," Kaiba answered, sounding as though Namu was so beneath
contempt that it was a ridiculous accusation.
"And that's why he had to be home at a certain time and was almost afraid when he realized he was
late?" Namu countered. "And why he didn't show up when he said he would the next day? And why his
arm is bruised?!"
Bakura winced, covering the pale marks on his arm. "Mou, ii yo, Namu-kun...!"
"I told ya," Jounouchi near grumbled from where the rest of the group had assembled near by.
"Bakura," Namu turned to his friend again. "I'm just worried for you. I want to be able to tell your father
that everything's fine when he asks me how you are and not be lying to him...."
"Don't you dare use his father as a weapon against him," Kaiba said with sudden fury. "It wasn't until
you showed up that Bakura lost track of the time so he wasn't home when he said he would be. It
wasn't until you came that he started hurting himself." Kaiba strode past Bakura to grab Namu by the
arm. "The one hurting him is you."
"Kaiba-kun!" Yuugi cried, moving closer.
"Kaiba-kun!" Bakura exclaimed in alarm. "Kaiba-kun, please..." he near begged, putting a hand over
Kaiba's grip to gently pull it away.
Namu continued to glare at Kaiba and was about to retort when the wind shifted dramatically, an
overbearing presence appearing in the arena in the form of a dark skinned man in a dark purple
cloak.
"Malik," Kaiba said, abandoning Namu for more important prey.
"Malik," Yuugi repeated in a hate-filled voice, glaring at the stranger.
Bakura looked up as the man looked the group over, shivering slightly as the golden eyes focused
briefly on him.
"Who's this guy?" Namu asked, moving to stand protectively in front of the pale haired boy.
Yuugi moved closer, putting an arm around Bakura to shield him from the gold-eyed man. "Malik is
the one who turned Jounouchi-kun against me. And he's been using Bakura-kun against Kaiba-kun."
The purpled eyed blond glared at the newcomer. "Bakura..." He turned to look at the pale haired boy.
"If I win this, will you consider coming back to Egypt with me?"
Bakura's eyes widened. "Egypt..?! De--demo...!"
"No, he can't!" Yuugi protested, pulling Bakura away from Namu. "If Bakura-kun's father wanted him
to go to Egypt he would have brought him! Bakura-kun has to stay here and go to school and have a
normal life!" He trembled with his defiance, biting his lip to keep it still.
Namu gave a sigh. "This isn't a normal life," he pointed out. "Not if he has people using and controlling
him..."
Bakura near curled up against Yuugi, eyes troubled.
"Just think about it, okay, Bakura?"
The boy gave a small nod. "Demo... I don't want to leave Kaiba-kun and Yuugi-kun..." he said softly.
"You don't have to!" Yuugi protested, looking up at Bakura in dismay. "You don't have to do anything
you don't want to!"
Bakura gave a smile at the smaller boy. "I'd only go if I could take you with me," he assured.
Yuugi smiled and hugged him tightly.
Namu looked the pair over and shook his head slightly before looking to the entry way again. His
eyes narrowed slightly as a figure clad in cream flowing cloth entered the arena.
"Isis-san," Yuugi called, looking up. "We have everyone on the list now. I wonder if we'll get another
person in time."
Mokuba looked over at Kaiba, looking almost antsy. "Niisama... all the signed up semi finalists are
here," he said looking at his older brother meaningfully.
"Hn," Kaiba snorted, turning away from Namu and Malik. "We have everything we need and it's past
time to start. Let's get on our way to the semifinals."
Mokuba grinned widely and gave a call to get everyones attention before beginning his explanation of
where the finals would be held, looking incredibly pleased with himself as the blimp descended.
"Aaa, I'm so excited!" Bakura smiled as he followed Kaiba into the blimp, Yuugi following behind him.
Kaiba led them to the observation deck to watch the take off before they separated to go to their
rooms.
Bakura hesitated, looking between Kaiba and Yuugi's rooms as the majority of the non duelists
funneled into Jounouchi's room, unsure where to go.
"Bakura!" Mokuba called. "We have our own rooms with the crew."
The pale haired boy blinked. "Oh..." He gave a small smile, following the black haired boy to his room,
feeling slightly foolish.
He gave a small smile as he reached the room, seeing the plate with his name on it on the door and
some of his belongings already inside. "Mokuba-kun, you really did plan this well," he smiled.
"This is nothing! Wait til you see the rest!" the boy beamed proudly. "I'm going to go over see the set
up the main room now!" he called before vanishing again.
Bakura smiled, heading inside his room, sitting on the edge of the bed, eyes slightly clouded as he
thought about what Namu had said and offered.
There was a knock.
"H--Hai?" Bakura called, slightly started out of his thoughts.
"May I come in?" Kaiba's voice asked from the other side.
"Ah! Kaiba-kun!" Bakura smiled, getting up to open the door.
"I wanted to make sure you were well, after the spectacles we all made of ourselves before
departure," Kaiba said, taking Bakura into his arms.
The pale haired boy near melted into the embrace. "Un," he nodded slightly. "I'm all right...."
"You must know that I will never let either of them hurt you," Kaiba said softly, turning Bakura's face up
to look in the smaller boy's eyes.
Bakura smiled softly. "I know... I just...." he hesitated slightly, looking down slightly. "I just don't like it
when you and Namu-kun fight..." he finished in a quiet voice.
Kaiba's mouth tightened a moment. "Fine," he said with a nod.
Bakura blinked slightly, looking up again. "Kaiba-kun...?"
"I will ignore him for you." Kaiba leaned down and kissed Bakura.
Bakura's eyes went wide and he melted into the kiss. "Kaiba-kun...." he smiled happily. "Arigatou."
"We have some time before the events start," Kaiba murmured, nuzzling Bakura's neck.
The boy gave a soft sigh, leaning to give the taller boy more access. "How much time?"
"As much as I want."
"Damn it, where in hell is he?" Jounouchi scowled, arms crossed. The group was assembled in the
main hall, Otogi and Honda fighting for Shizuka's attention while Mai and Anzu got in some girl talk.
Namu was pacing slightly while the golden eyed Malik was leaning against the back wall, watching
everyone, much to Jounouchi's irritation. "Bad enough he lets that asshole in, but now he's taking his
damned sweet time..." he muttered.
"Ne, Jounouchi-kun? Have you seen Bakura at all since we gotten the ship?" Namu asked, pausing in
his pacing.
Jounouchi's scowl deepened.
Yuugi shifted slightly uncomfortably, glancing at the door to the hall again and wishing that Kaiba and
Bakura would get there soon. "Ah! Here they come!" he announced with relief.
The pair entered the room, Bakura's face slightly flushed with an almost dreamy smile and hair
tousled as he almost absentmindedly smoothed down his shirt
Kaiba, looking as neat as he had when they boarded, strode to the front of the room. "Where is Isis?"
he demanded.
"She's not coming," Mokuba near sighed. "She says she's not going to be called until the fourth
round."
Bakura almost drifted over to Yuugi's side, taking the boy's hand and squeezing it happily. "Gomen
ne," he apologized. "Kaiba-kun wanted to..." he trailed off, cheeks darkening slightly as his smile
grew.
Jounouchi shook his head, looking disgusted.
Kaiba snorted. "Fine. Then let's begin."
Yuugi smiled slightly. "I'm jealous," he said softly.
"Gomen..." Bakura whispered again as the lights dimmed. "Maybe between the next rounds?" he
suggested as Mokuba called up the Ultimate Bingo Machine.
Yuugi's enthusiastic smile and nod were cut off as he caught sight of the bingo machine. "Blue Eyes
Ultimate Dragon!" he choked with laughter.
Bakura smothered a laugh behind his hand. "So that's what Mokuba-kun was planning! I saw the base
design but had no idea..."
Yuugi stifled a chuckle at Kaiba's expression on seeing the machine.
After an explanation of how duel matches would be set, the machine was started. "First challenger is
Number 3: Mutou Yuugi!" the arbiter announced. "Second challenger is Number 8." He glanced
around the room. "There is no eighth challenger. Mutou Yuugi gets a free pass to the next round of
the semi finals."
The number three ball was taken out of the drop slot as Yuugi stood blinking.
"Heh, not that it woulda mattered, eh?" Jounouchi grinned. "Yuugi woulda won anyway."
"But I wanted to duel!" Yuugi protested.
"Maybe you and I could duel after?" Bakura smiled. "It should be all right since... you know," he said,
putting a hand over where the Ring was hiding under his shirt.
Yuugi smiled and nodded. "Un! And then, maybe...?" He gave a wriggle, while looking at Bakura
hopefully.
Bakura gave a smile and nodded.
The Bingo Machine started again. "First Duelist is Number 2: Jounouchi Katsuya. The Second
Duelist is Number 6: Malik Ishtar! So the first duel is Jounouchi Katsuya versus Malik Ishtar!"
Bakura bit his lip slightly, looking at where Jounouchi was glaring daggers at the golden eyed
Egyptian. "Jounouchi-kun... you said Malik controlled him before... will he be okay?" he asked softly,
moving slightly to almost hide behind Yuugi from the sight of the near overbearing man.
"Jounouchi-kun broke his power," Yuugi said, biting his lip. "I think he'll be ok...."
"Not Malik...?"
Bakura stared as the man who had been pretending to be Malik collapsed. "But... but if he's not
Malik, then...." The pale haired boy froze, eyes widening as he heard a strangled cry from behind him.
"Namu-kun!" he exclaimed, horrified as he stared at the blond Egyptian, first caught by his pain and
then by the object in his hand.
Yuugi pulled his eyes away from the spectacle on the arena to follow Bakura's eyes. "Namu-kun is
Malik!" he exclaimed, eyes wide. "Then who is Jounouchi-kun duelling?"
"Namu-kun is...." Bakura stared at the boy who he believed to be his friend. "Uso..."
Yuugi, meanwhile, had vaulted up to the arena. "Jounouchi-kun! Get up!"
Bakura continued to stare at the blond Egyptian and the Millennium Rod in his grip. Slowly, he moved
towards the boy, eyes almost transfixed on the item as he carefully reached out for it.
"Bakura!" Kaiba called, dashing under the arena to pull Bakura away from the blond. He looked at
the Egyptian as though seriously considering pushing him over the edge of the blimp.
Bakura gave a started exclamation, struggling briefly before realizing who held him and relaxing, eyes
still transfixed on the golden rod.
Kaiba pulled him around so that he wasn't facing the blond anymore.
Everyone looked their way as the Egyptian on the arena pointed out the boy with the rod as Malik.
"Kaiba-kun, please..." Bakura trembled slightly in Kaiba's hold. "Let me take the Rod from him,
please..."
"It will only put you further in his power," Kaiba said shortly. "As anyone taking the Puzzle from Yuugi
would suffer for it."
"Demo--" Bakura broke off suddenly, eyes going wide as Malik's transformation occurred, making the
air nearly ripple at the change. He buried his face in Kaiba's chest, not wanting to see.
Kaiba held Bakura tightly, putting himself in between the smaller boy and Malik.
The boy continued to cling to the brown haired boy after the transformed Malik walked off and the
paramedics attended to his fallen conspirator, utterly upset.
Kaiba stroked his hair soothingly, watching the proceedings with an almost detached air.
"Are you going to disqualify him because he lied?" Honda demanded.
"Why? He still has something that I want. We'll see what he does now."
"Typical," Jounouchi snorted. "C'mon, Honda," he nodded as he followed the paramedics off.
Honda shook his head and followed.
"Kaiba-kun... what are you going to do about Malik? He put that poor man in his place to take all of
our hate and all the blame so he could pass unnoticed," Yuugi said, brow furrowed.
Kaiba put his other arm around Yuugi, pulling the small boy to his side. "He will be dealt with. But he
still has things that we need. I told Isis I would collect all the God Cards and I will keep that promise."
Yuugi nodded slowly, then looked at Bakura. "Bakura-kun, are you ok?"
The boy shook his head. "Namu-kun wa... Namu-kun janai," he near whimpered. "I-- I defended him!
I-- I--" he tensed again, unable to continue.
"You thought he was your friend," Kaiba said firmly. "You defended your friend who wanted what was
best for you. You didn't know that he wasn't."
"He might really have been your friend once," Yuugi added, taking Bakura's hand. "Before all of this
happened. We don't know what he was like before."
"I-- I should call Tousan... and ask him if-- if there ever was a Namu-kun or... or if he..." Bakura broke
off again. "I don't want to think about this... I don't want to think about this...." he whispered, voice
shaking.
"We can talk to your father tomorrow," Kaiba said. "It might all come out before then, so let's deal with
this as it comes."
Bakura gave a small nod. "I-- I think I'd like to lie down, is that okay?"
"Do you want me to come with you?" Yuugi asked.
Bakura nodded. "Onegai..."
Slipping out from Kaiba's hold, Yuugi put an arm around Bakura and walked towards his room.
"Ne..." Bakura said softly as the trio headed back to the rooms after Kaiba's win over Isis. "Would...
would it be alright if I slept with one of you tonight...?" he asked timidly.
"Which of us?" Yuugi asked eagerly. "Maybe we could all stay together?"
Bakura smiled happily. "Could we?"
Kaiba nodded with a smile. "My room has ample space for all of us."
"Just let me tell Jounouchi I'm staying with Bakura so he doesn't have all the others trying to stay in his
room," Yuugi said with a smile, running off quickly.
Bakura gave a smile. "Next time Mokuba-kun should make sure there's a spectators dorm," he
decided, snuggling against Kaiba slightly.
"We should have known to expect all your friends to demand to come along," Kaiba conceded. "And
they have been helpful," he admitted, holding Bakura tightly.
Bakura gave a smile. "Kaiba-kun," he said in an almost congratulatory way.
Kaiba scowled slightly, then pulled Bakura close and ravished his mouth to change the subject.
The pale haired boy melted against the taller boy, obliging happily as he wrapped his arms around
him.
Kaiba picked Bakura up and laid him on the bed, pausing as there was a knock on the door. He
answered it with the beginning of a scowl that got cut off when Yuugi practically skipped into the room.
"Starting without me?" he teased.
Bakura reached out for the smaller boy, eyes warm. "Kaiba-kun's just impatient," he teased the taller
boy.
"You were teasing him," Yuugi countered, eyes sparkling. "And I missed it!" He hopped onto the bed
and began kissing Bakura senseless with small rabid kisses.
The pale haired boy gave small gasps for air, unable to keep up with the smaller boy.
Kaiba came up behind Yuugi and pulled him away, holding him up. "Let him breath," he ordered.
"Ok!" Yuugi agreed cheerfully, turning his attention to Kaiba.
Bakura went mostly limp against the bed, watching his two loves with a small smile.
As Yuugi attacked Kaiba with kisses, Kaiba pulled Yuugi's clothes off and deposited him back on the
bed. Yuugi blinked a moment, slightly surprised, but turned to give similar treatment to Bakura, pulling
the pale haired boy's clothes off slowly as his lips travelled over the other boy's body.
Bakura gave a blissful sigh and shivered slightly as his body reacted, reaching out to run his fingers
slightly over the smaller boy's sides.
Yuugi moved toward the touch, sighing against Bakura's skin.
Shedding his own clothing, Kaiba moved onto the bed behind Bakura, nuzzling against his neck and
stroking his back.
Bakura shivered again, arching back slightly to meet the touch, leaning his head forward to expose
more of his neck, breath slightly quickened as he continued caressing Yuugi.
After completely stripping Bakura, Yuugi moved back up to kiss him deeply, pressing their bodies
close together.
The pale haired boy melted against him, parting his lips slightly and giving small moans.
Holding Bakura tightly, Yuugi pressed against him, slowly lowering himself onto the other boy's
hardness.
Bakura gave a sharp gasp, eyes going wide. "Yu--Yuugi-kun..." he stammered, face flushing as he
gave a moan.
Yuugi moaned, clinging to Bakura as he fully seated himself. Eyes shut and breathing sped, he
started moving himself against Bakura.
The pale haired boy gasped, burying his face in Yuugi's hair as he clung to the boy, shakily caressing
his sides as he moaned.
Kaiba took a few moments to prepare himself, and then pressed into Bakura from behind, kissing the
boy's neck and holding his waist to steady him.
Bakura cried out again, breath catching as he arched. He gasped slightly, face flushed, skin heating
up. "Kaiba-kun..." he near whimpered. "Yuugi-kun..."
The pair responded wordlessly, Yuugi catching Bakura's lips with his own, while Kaiba stroked
Bakura's sides and moved gently inside him.
Bakura continued to make small muted noises, gasping against Yuugi's lips, eyes closed as his
scenes were assaulted with an overload of pleasure. Finally he came with a sharp cry, going limp.
Kaiba came shortly after Bakura, and then Yuugi, and the trio lay tangled together.
Bakura gave a small smile, eyes closing. "Yuugi-kun... Kaiba-kun..." he murmured in a tired, yet happy
voice.
"We love you, Bakura-kun," Yuugi said softly. Kaiba kissed Bakura's neck.
The pale haired boy's reply was mostly incoherent, but positive as he snuggled contentedly against
the two boys.
After a few moments, Kaiba rose to get a washcloth to clean them all with.
"Arigatou, Kaiba-kun," Yuugi murmured, settling into sleep close against Bakura.
Bakura tensed slightly in his sleep as a conversation went on inside him. Slowly, his eyes opened and
he sat up, carefully disentangling himself from his two lovers to rub underneath his eyes.
Yuugi reached out as Bakura left, but, finding Kaiba, snuggled up against the taller boy happily.
The day's activities had left Kaiba so exhausted that he didn't wake.
Only seeming half aware, the pale haired boy slipped out of bed and dressed himself, slipping the
Ring on and heading out of the room. The instant the door closed behind him, he gave a slight smirk,
Ring glowing as his tousled hair became even more so. With a determined stride, he headed for the
room of the fallen Egyptian.
A while later, Yuugi half wakened. "Bakura-kun?" he murmured, not finding the pale haired boy in bed
with him. He got up, rubbing his eyes, and looked around the room. "Where did you go?" He pulled
his clothes on, hung the Puzzle around his neck, and went in search. "Mou hitori no boku, do you
know where he is?"
'Check the arena.... There's a yami no duel going on, I can feel it...'
"Yami no duel!" Yuugi said in alarm, hurrying to the elevator. "I hope no one gets hurt," he worried.
The doors opened to show a large dark cloud obscuring the arena. 'Aibou... let me take over.'
Almost reluctantly, Yuugi released control, sitting very close behind his other self's eyes to see what
happened.
The former Pharaoh pushed his way into the game space. His eyes widened as he saw Yami Malik
casually bend down and pick up the Millennium Ring.
Yuugi grew frantic. 'Where's Bakura-kun!?'
"MALIK!" Mou Hitori no Yuugi roared, eyes blazing. "Where's Bakura?!" he shouted, echoing his
aibou's question.
The transformed Egyptian gave a chuckle. "Who knows...." he replied nonchalantly.
Yuugi retreated, insensible to what happened next as he sobbed for Bakura in his soul room.
'Aibou... Aibou, wake up,' Yuugi's other's voice called much later. 'I've won.'
Yuugi sniffled and glanced up. "But Bakura-kun....."
'Was one of the terms of the duel.'
"What?"
'His return was one of the terms of the duel,' the elder spirit replied with a patient smile. 'I'm banishing
the game space now, take over.'
Yuugi resumed his usual spot and looked around. "Bakura-kun?"
The arena's features became clearer as the darkness of the game space faded, reveling the
unconscious form of the pale haired boy sprawled out on the deck.
"Bakura-kun!" Yuugi cried, pulling the pale boy into his arms. "Wake up, Bakura-kun! Wake up!"
The boy gave a soft exhausted protest that was almost inaudible.
"Please, Bakura-kun," Yuugi pleaded. "I can't carry you."
Bakura murmured something unintelligible, moving slightly to lean his head against the smaller boy.
There was a groan from behind the pair as the original blond Egyptian pulled himself into a sitting
position, cradling his head.
Yuugi stood between him and Bakura, brandishing what turned out to be the rod in what he hoped
looked like a menacing pose.
Malik looked at him briefly, grimacing, before pulling himself to his feet. "Rishido..." He staggered off
almost drunkenly towards the elevator.
Yuugi was torn between chasing Malik and staying with Bakura, but decided that Bakura needed him
more.
Before too long Kaiba came out of the elevator and gathered Bakura into his arms.
"How did you know to come up here to find us?" Yuugi asked.
"The blond slut is having a reunion with his pawn and he said you were up here." Kaiba carried
Bakura back down to his room, Yuugi following.
Bakura snuggled tiredly against the taller boy, hand going to his chest as if looking for something.
Frowning slightly, his eyes opened slightly. "Ring... ga nai...?" he blinked.
Yuugi looked around, then blinked at his hand. "I have it, Bakura-kun," he assured.
The boy reached out for it.
Yuugi handed it over to him, asked his other self if it was safe to.
'It should be, the seal is still there...' Yuugi's other nodded.
Bakura smiled happily, almost cuddling against the metal before falling asleep again.
Kaiba laid him out on the bed and curled behind him, while Yuugi retook his position in front of the
pale boy.