**Authors note: Okay I'm REEEEAAALLLLLLLLLLYYYYY sorry for not updating in
such a long time, now that it's summer I have time to type ^__^**
"GONE?!"
Ryou sat bolt upright, his untidy white hair like a blizzard.
"Where was the last place you put it Yugi, you could've just misplaced it somewhere."
"No." Yugi replied. "My connection with Yami is cut off, it's ALWAYS been open before but now . . ." The boy looked at his feet as a crystal like teardrop fell.
"Maybe my Millenium Ring can help, it detects other Millenium items."
Yugi looked up and smiled for a moment, Ryou took it as a good sign.
"Ring, show me the direction of the Millenium Puzzle!"
A pointer on the ring first pointed left, then right, then up and down. Ryou was stunned.
"I don't get it, my ring always has shown me the correct direction, but now it looks like the thing's gone mad."
There came a shuffling noise behind Ryou and he whipped around, only to find the others were slowly waking. Joey stretched and yawned widely.
"Good morn-"
His eyes fell upon the small figure of Yugi who had started crying.
"Hey Yug, what's up man?" Joey crawled over to his friend, concern in his amber eyes. Yugi tried to speak but no sound came out of his mouth. Ryou explained to the group why Yugi was so upset. "Why can't you just use your Millenium Ring Ryou?" asked Tristan.
"I tried." said Ryou angrily. "But the cursed thing went berserk on me!"
"Maybe it's broken." Suggested Tea stupidly. Ryou gave her a death glare and she shut her mouth quickly.
"My guess is some jealous bastard stole it." said Kiara. There was silence for a moment then Joey burst out.
"PEGASUS! It must've been him! He's been after your puzzle for ages Yu-"
"Wait!" interrupted Mai. "All the doors and windows are locked, how could a person have gotten in?" "Hang on a minute there Mai. I found this on the table, I think it might be the answer." Kiara was holding up a piece of paper. She read aloud:
Your puzzle lies in the Realm of Shadows, meet me there, or it shall be forever lost.
"That's it." Joey was fuming. "It's definitely Pegasus. He's the only one I know who fools around with magic."
"No." said Ryou quietly. Everyone stared at him. "It wasn't Pegasus, he doesn't have his Millenium Eye." The teens were rooted to the spot and all were thinking: How does Ryou know this? "My bloody Yami stole his eye."
Just then a transparent Bakura escaped Ryou's body. "That's right." he growled. "Pegasus's Millenium Eye belongs to me now and soon I shall posses the others." His chocolate brown eyes twinkled menacingly. However Ryou's were filled with rage and a fire that none had ever seen in the innocent boy's face.
He reached up and held his Yami by the collar of his shirt with a firm grasp. Even though the taller figure of Bakura was transparent his hikari could still fell him.
"Give it!" said Ryou threateningly. Everyone backed up, away from Ryou and Bakura. "To YOU?" Bakura chuckled. "I'd like to see you try to take it from me!"
"I'm warning you Yami, give it to me . . . " Bakura only chuckled again. "Fat chance hikari, now let go of me." Ryou grip tightened. "I gave you fair warning, hand it over or I'll fight you." Bakura didn't chuckle this time, he laughed out loud, his low evil laugh sent chills up everyone's spine.
"YOU fight ME? You couldn't knock the stuffing out of a plushie, what makes you think you can defeat me?" Ryou wasn't listening, the hand that wasn't clenching his Yami's collar had balled itself into a fist and his teeth were bared. Bakura taunted him, insulted him and even stabbed him a few times. These memories were too much for Ryou, he raised his fist and struck Bakura hard in the nose.
Blood poured from Bakura's nostrils and he swore and punched his hikari in the stomach. Ryou stumbled backwards losing his grip on Bakura's shirt and coughing madly. Bakura seized his chance and kicked Ryou in the shin. Ryou fell over on his back and moved quickly away from his Yami, avoiding another powerful blow by inches. Bakura stood over Ryou he looked taller and more fearsome than usual.
"Pathetic." he spat. "You're an insult to my bloodline, cowardly rat." Ryou had taken enough, using all his strength he kicked Bakura between the legs, where it hurts most. This time Bakura fell backwards and Ryou hurriedly got to his feet. "Had enough?" Ryou was breathing deeply and looking rather pleased with himself.
Bakura was outraged, despite the pain he leaped onto his hikari, once again knocking Ryou flat on his back, knocking the wind out of him. Bakura was on top of Ryou, pinning him to the wooden floor. He reached out his hand and gripped the youth's neck. Ryou was gasping for air and trying to push his Yami off of him. Bakura's hand clenched Ryou's neck tighter. Ryou struggled against Bakura desperately trying to breathe.
Chuckling low in his throat Bakura grasped the dagger he always carried at his side. He pulled it from its sheath, the blade glittering silver in the sunlight flooding the room. The handle, a golden cobra also glinted as Bakura raised his dagger.
"Your blood shall stain this knife." he said in an icy tone. "I won't kill you my dear Ryou, for it would kill me as well. You just have to be punished, for your foolishness and stupidity."
Bakura struck his hikari, the serpent blade splattered with Ryou's shining crimson blood. "Dirty bastard!" Ryou said in a shaky voice. Bakura laughed triumphantly in a low tone. Ryou tried to ignore the white hot pain in his left arm, he was focused on his Yami, on getting the Millenium Eye.
As quick as a tiger the hikari scratched Bakura's face, dragging his nails over the tanned, smooth skin of his darker half. Bakura cursed loudly, clutching his face, dark eyes tearing. Ryou squirmed out from under Bakura, moving around him, then leaping onto his Yami's back.
He caught Bakura off guard, knocking him face first on the hard floor. Ryou seized Bakura's snowy hair, pulling his face off the ground, then slammed it back down. He repeated this several times, then punched Bakura in the back continuously. To finish it off Ryou got to his feet and kicked his Yami in the side. "Give it Yami." None of Ryou's friends had ever use such a stern tone.
Moaning Bakura reached inside his shirt and handed his light the gleaming, glittering Millenium Eye. Yugi and all the others on the sidelines gasped.
~ "So it's true, Ryou's Yami did steal Pegasus's Eye. Poor Pegasus, that must've hurt like hell!" ~ thought Yugi.
Ryou examined the artifact, his fingertips flying over every inch of the smooth, golden surface. "I have a plan." said Ryou after a long silence.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A few hours later the small group was boarding a plane sent by Mr. Maximillion Pegasus himself. After the battle between Ryou and Bakura, Yugi had called Pegasus explaining about the theft of his Millenium Puzzle. He also informed Pegasus how Ryou had fought Bakura to give the Millenium Eye back to its rightful owner. Pegasus wanted to help Yugi so he had ordered his private plane over to Domino to take Yugi and his friends to Duelist Kingdom.
The inside of the plane was rather comfortable looking. One room was lined with squashy armchairs and couches. Another contained a refrigerator, cabinets and a long counter. Joey and Tristan made a beeline to the kitchen area, both tried to pull open the refrigerator at the same time. Everyone else sweatdropped. Yugi, Kiara, Mai Ryou and Tea made their way to the Armchair room. Tea turned on the TV and began to watch her favorite channel: FBC, talk shows about relationships and how important friendship is. The president of the Friendship make the World go round club was giving a speech very much like the ones Tea made daily.
"Figures." Mai muttered under her breath. | |
Kiara found a drawer full of laptops, grabbed one and sat down on a heavily cushioned light blue sofa. Yugi sat down next to her and leaned back on a pillow. "Hey Kiara, with all the events going on I haven't had time to talk to you much, I want to get to know you better . . . umm . . . because . . . err . . . I kinda like you. *blushes as red as Kiara's hair*"
Kiara was stunned for a moment, then she felt her face grow hot. "Umm okay then." The two talked about their interests and hobbies for about 5 minutes, then they were interrupted by the stampede of Tristan and Joey coming back from the kitchen, arms full of sugar related products.
"Man you guys should check it out in there!" said Joey who had a mouthful of chocolate. "There's so much food I don't think even me and Tristan could eat it all. Maybe Pegasus isn't that bad after all he has such good taste in food!"
"Then there must be enough to feed an army, literally!" said Mai as she put down the magazine she was reading. CRASH! Joey and Tristan fell over, anime style. "Very funny Mai!" said Joey sarcastically. "It's true, you two could eat ELEPHANTS and you'd still be hungry."
Trying to get Joey's attention so he would stop bickering with his girlfriend, Ryou stole a couple Hershey's bars from the huge pile Joey had plopped on the floor. It worked, Joey whipped around just as Ryou was hiding the bars under a pillow. "All right, that's it who stole my chocolate?!" He looked at Tea who was obsorbed in a friendship speech much like her own, that the president of the Friendship makes the World go Round club. ~"Definitely not her"~
He looked at Ryou who instantly made his dark eyes look as innocent as a puppy's and had a cute little smile on his face. This didn't fool Joey. "RYOU!!!" he made a dive for the pillow. "Oh no you don't!" Ryou laughed as he grasped the other end of the chocolate bar Joey was pulling. "THAT CHOCOLATE IS RIGHTFULLY MINE!!!" Joey bellowed. Yugi and Kiara were laughing hysterically. "MINE!" said Ryou pulling the chocolate towards him. "Actually boys." Said Mai plucking the chocolate from their grips. "It's mine!"
"Yeah you go Mai! Girls RULE!" cheered Kiara. Ryou, laughing uncontrollably flopped back onto his armchair. Joey jumped up and down, trying to get the chocolate. "Beg!" Mai ordered. ~"This could be fun!"~ she thought as she smirked. Joey kneeled and made whimpering dog noises. "SIT BOY!"
Just as Joey was about to obey a young man in a red kimono appeared on Joey's back, knocking him face forward onto the peach colored carpet. The young man in the kimono looked up, he had sparkling green eyes, silverish white hair and dog ears. A sword in its sheath hung close to his side. Around his neck he wore a string of black beads, a silver bead shaped like a fang every 5 black beads. He looked remarkably like Ryou. "Excuse me but I believe SIT is KAGOME'S line!"
As if in a trance Mai reached up and touched the tall boy's ears. He sweatdropped. "Why does everyone have to do that? Are my ears really that interesting?" Noticing Kiara sitting by Yugi his eyes widened. "Oh hi Kiara strange friends you have here." Kiara grinned. "Hey Inuyasha!" Inuyasha picked up the chocolate bar Mai dropped when touching his ears. "Whatever this is it smells good!" he began to unwrap it candy bar.
"I suggest you don't eat that." said Kiara calmly. "It's poisonous to dogs." Inuyasha sniffed the chocolate again. "Damn, it smells so good! I better get going, see ya around Kiara." "Bye! See ya Inuyasha!" And with that the strange boy vanished.
"First of all what was that guy and second how do you know him Kiara?" asked a very confused Mai. "Is he related to you Ryou?" "If he is I've never heard of him" said Ryou. "Inuyasha's a half dog demon, and I know him because I'm friends with Kagome, the girl he travels with. It pays to have lived in so many places." She winked. "I wonder what it's like to be half demon." Yugi wondered aloud.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
An hour later everyone left the plane and climbed the many stairs to Pegasus's castle. Yugi and Kiara had talked the whole time on the plane, they now felt they knew enough about eachother. Yugi reached for Kiara's hand. She took it and they both smiled and blushed.
Maximillion Pegasus was waiting for them in the dining hall. He looked pale and thinner than usual but he still had the normal warm, welcoming smile on his face. "Welcome Yugi, Joey, Tea, Tristan, Ryou, Mai and . . . your name dear?" "Kiara." Pegasus gave a slight nod. "And Kiara."
"Hey Pegasus." Said Joey. Pegasus smiled at him for a few seconds, then turned away. "Now if you all could sit down please we may discuss the reason you've come." The teens moved to a table. "Ryou." said Pegasus as he eyed the sling Ryou's left arm was in. "Could you come here for a moment please?" Uneasily Ryou moved towards Pegasus. The silver haired man chuckled. "Don't worry Ryou I won't bite, now kindly unwrap your arm."
~"What's he gonna do to me?"~ With his right hand Ryou took off the sling that supported his left arm. He undid the bandages, revealing the deep gash his dark's blade had given him. Pegasus examines the wound then waved his hand, a table with a basin of water and a clean cloth appeared out of thin air. The others gasped in astonishment. Pegasus dipped the cloth in the water and gently cleaned Ryou's cut.
The man put the cloth down next to the basin and lightly ran his index and middle fingertips over the long red mark on Ryou's arm. The skin began mending itself and in a matter of seconds Ryou's wound was completely healed. "Now was that so bad?" asked Pegasus softly. "It . . . it's . . . gone!" Ryou stuttered. "But how . . .?" "I'm a skilled mage and healer." said Pegasus as he waved his hand once more, the table, basin, cloth, sling and bandages vanished.
They all had a quick lunch then discussed how they were going to get the Millenium Puzzle and Yugi's Yami back from the Shadow Realm. "In order to get the Millenium Eye to work, it needs to be sealed into the eye socket of its fated possessor by someone who has great knowledge of the Ancient Scriptures." Pegasus told the others. He shuddered at the memory of when Shadi had first sealed the Millenium Eye into his head.
"At least it won't be as painful as last time." Pegasus grumbled to himself. "Why?" asked Yugi. "Last time Shadi cut out my left eye with a cursed knife and replaced it with the Millenium Eye." "No way! OW! That must've sucked!" said Joey. "Anyway it seems the only person who can seal the Millenium Eye back in is your Yami Ryou." said Pegasus shortly. Ryou moaned. "Bakura will be unwilling to do anything I ask him, I gave him such a beating a few hours ago." "We still have to try." insisted Kiara. "Dat's right! We gotta do whatever it takes to get Yug's Puzzle back!" said Joey.
"Okay I'll try, hang on a minute guys." Ryou knocked on his Yami's soul room door. "Go away Ryou!" growled Bakura. "Please let me come in Yami, I'm REALLY sorry about before!" "Go find someone else to lie to." came Bakura's reply. Ryou pushed open the heavy door. His dark was lying on his bed covered in bruises and scratches. "Are you deaf? I SAID GO AWAY STUPID, STUBBORN ASS!" Ryou walked over to the bed, tears in his eyes. To Bakura's surprise his light bent down and hugged him. Ryou buried his face in Bakura's shirt. He breathed in his Yami's scent, sand, stone, a flowing river.
"I love you Yami!" Ryou whispered. "I don't care how much you treat me harshly or torment me, I fucking love you Bakura!"
Before Bakura knew what was happening his light was kissing him crushing his lips, nipping him lightly with his teeth, Ryou's tongue making it's way into Bakura's mouth. The icy shield around Bakura's heart cracked and broke, his true feelings about Ryou, his light, his soul mate, his love welled up inside him. He grabbed Ryou his teeth now grinding into Ryou's lips, his tongue intertwining with his hikari's. They had to come up for air Bakura seized his chance.
"Ryou my love, I more than love you! Can you ever forgive me for being so harsh, so hard on you? My light I love you!" They rolled over on the bed light and dark intertwined, together. Ryou felt the dark spirit's strong arms, chest, and face. "Yami, will you help us?"
"My light I would go to the ends of the earth for you."
'When Yugi's puzzle is returned to him, when this ordeal is over, will you . . . will you . . . "
But Ryou didn't need to finish.
"You're so young, I couldn't bring myself to do it my dear Ryou." Tears sprang to Ryou's eyes. "Please Yami, I'm begging you, take me!" "You're sure?" "YES!"
There was a long pause. "Fine I'll do it Ryou, if it's truly what you want." A wide grin spread across Ryou's face. He squeezed his Yami, then returned to the dining hall.
"Hey man what took so long?" asked Joey. "Will he do it?"
"Yes he'll do it." Ryou managed to choke out, then he sobbed happily into the front of Pegasus's shirt. Pegasus saw what he was crying about in his eyes and nodded, he didn't seem to mind Ryou getting snot and tears on his expensive clothes. "There, there calm down Ryou." he said soothingly. Ryou looked up and saw that Pegasus knew. Ryou nodded and wiped his eyes on his sleeve.
~"How does he know so much when he doesn't have his Millenium Eye?"~
~"The Millenium Items aren't the only magic in this world."~ Pegasus thought into Ryou's mind. He gave Ryou a small wink when no one else was looking.
"I'll go get Bakura if you're ready Mr. Pegasus." "Go on." Pegasus sighed.
Ryou opened Bakura's soul room door, his Yami was already waiting, a grin on his face.
"Now don't try any funny stuff Yami, Pegasus was always nice to me."
"Of course love." Bakura hugged his light then separated from Ryou's body in transparent form.
"Ready?" asked Bakura. "Yes just please try and get it over with quickly." replied Pegasus. Bakura cleared his throat then chanted something in Egyptian. Only Pegasus seemed to recognize the words. Everyone on the side looked scared, Mai and Joey were clasping eachothers hands, likewise for Yugi and Kiara. Then quickly, still chanting in a loud booming voice, Bakura took the Millenium Eye, which was glowing gold and crimson, pulled back Pegasus's long silky hair and placing glowing eye in the empty eye socket. White fire seemed to wrap itself around Pegasus, he tried to stifle a yell and then it all just stopped.
Bakura's loud chanting ceased and Pegasus lay on the floor, tears streaming down his chalk white face. Bakura looked triumphant, only in a non-evil sort of way. "It worked!" he was beaming. "Are you okay?" Yugi asked Pegasus. Kiara bent forward feeling Pegasus's forehead. Pegasus blinked then motioned for them to move away. The pair did just in time too, for Pegasus sat up on all fours, pulled back his hair and vomited on the floor. When the coughing and retching stopped a sink appeared infront of Pegasus. He washed out his mouth, then the sink vanished along with the puke. He got unsteadily to his feet. "Sorry you all had to see that."
He lost his balance and would've fallen over if it hadn't been for Mai and Joey. "Don't worry, I've seen much worse." Mai confessed as she helped Pegasus walk. "Where do you want to go?" asked Joey who was also supporting him. "Go into the hall and move four doors down." instructed Pegasus hoarsely. The rest of the group followed in silence. They approached a small room, which contained not much more than a large sofa and a TV. "In about two hours I should be alright. You can do as you wish, I'll contact you when I'm ready." And with that he collapsed on the sofa and was asleep in seconds.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Two hours later the group assembled in the dining hall. "Alright I only have enough power to take four people to the Shadow Realm. I'm not playing favorites, whatsoever is that clear?" "Yes." "Good, the people I have chosen are as follows: Yugi Kiara Ryou Bakura and myself." There came some grumbling from the others but they nodded.
"Alright is everyone ready?" All nodded yes in agreement.
Their surroundings because a mixture of black and navy blue swirled together, there was no doubt about it, this was the Shadow Realm. Everyone looked around, then Kiara gasped.
"FATHER!"
"GONE?!"
Ryou sat bolt upright, his untidy white hair like a blizzard.
"Where was the last place you put it Yugi, you could've just misplaced it somewhere."
"No." Yugi replied. "My connection with Yami is cut off, it's ALWAYS been open before but now . . ." The boy looked at his feet as a crystal like teardrop fell.
"Maybe my Millenium Ring can help, it detects other Millenium items."
Yugi looked up and smiled for a moment, Ryou took it as a good sign.
"Ring, show me the direction of the Millenium Puzzle!"
A pointer on the ring first pointed left, then right, then up and down. Ryou was stunned.
"I don't get it, my ring always has shown me the correct direction, but now it looks like the thing's gone mad."
There came a shuffling noise behind Ryou and he whipped around, only to find the others were slowly waking. Joey stretched and yawned widely.
"Good morn-"
His eyes fell upon the small figure of Yugi who had started crying.
"Hey Yug, what's up man?" Joey crawled over to his friend, concern in his amber eyes. Yugi tried to speak but no sound came out of his mouth. Ryou explained to the group why Yugi was so upset. "Why can't you just use your Millenium Ring Ryou?" asked Tristan.
"I tried." said Ryou angrily. "But the cursed thing went berserk on me!"
"Maybe it's broken." Suggested Tea stupidly. Ryou gave her a death glare and she shut her mouth quickly.
"My guess is some jealous bastard stole it." said Kiara. There was silence for a moment then Joey burst out.
"PEGASUS! It must've been him! He's been after your puzzle for ages Yu-"
"Wait!" interrupted Mai. "All the doors and windows are locked, how could a person have gotten in?" "Hang on a minute there Mai. I found this on the table, I think it might be the answer." Kiara was holding up a piece of paper. She read aloud:
Your puzzle lies in the Realm of Shadows, meet me there, or it shall be forever lost.
"That's it." Joey was fuming. "It's definitely Pegasus. He's the only one I know who fools around with magic."
"No." said Ryou quietly. Everyone stared at him. "It wasn't Pegasus, he doesn't have his Millenium Eye." The teens were rooted to the spot and all were thinking: How does Ryou know this? "My bloody Yami stole his eye."
Just then a transparent Bakura escaped Ryou's body. "That's right." he growled. "Pegasus's Millenium Eye belongs to me now and soon I shall posses the others." His chocolate brown eyes twinkled menacingly. However Ryou's were filled with rage and a fire that none had ever seen in the innocent boy's face.
He reached up and held his Yami by the collar of his shirt with a firm grasp. Even though the taller figure of Bakura was transparent his hikari could still fell him.
"Give it!" said Ryou threateningly. Everyone backed up, away from Ryou and Bakura. "To YOU?" Bakura chuckled. "I'd like to see you try to take it from me!"
"I'm warning you Yami, give it to me . . . " Bakura only chuckled again. "Fat chance hikari, now let go of me." Ryou grip tightened. "I gave you fair warning, hand it over or I'll fight you." Bakura didn't chuckle this time, he laughed out loud, his low evil laugh sent chills up everyone's spine.
"YOU fight ME? You couldn't knock the stuffing out of a plushie, what makes you think you can defeat me?" Ryou wasn't listening, the hand that wasn't clenching his Yami's collar had balled itself into a fist and his teeth were bared. Bakura taunted him, insulted him and even stabbed him a few times. These memories were too much for Ryou, he raised his fist and struck Bakura hard in the nose.
Blood poured from Bakura's nostrils and he swore and punched his hikari in the stomach. Ryou stumbled backwards losing his grip on Bakura's shirt and coughing madly. Bakura seized his chance and kicked Ryou in the shin. Ryou fell over on his back and moved quickly away from his Yami, avoiding another powerful blow by inches. Bakura stood over Ryou he looked taller and more fearsome than usual.
"Pathetic." he spat. "You're an insult to my bloodline, cowardly rat." Ryou had taken enough, using all his strength he kicked Bakura between the legs, where it hurts most. This time Bakura fell backwards and Ryou hurriedly got to his feet. "Had enough?" Ryou was breathing deeply and looking rather pleased with himself.
Bakura was outraged, despite the pain he leaped onto his hikari, once again knocking Ryou flat on his back, knocking the wind out of him. Bakura was on top of Ryou, pinning him to the wooden floor. He reached out his hand and gripped the youth's neck. Ryou was gasping for air and trying to push his Yami off of him. Bakura's hand clenched Ryou's neck tighter. Ryou struggled against Bakura desperately trying to breathe.
Chuckling low in his throat Bakura grasped the dagger he always carried at his side. He pulled it from its sheath, the blade glittering silver in the sunlight flooding the room. The handle, a golden cobra also glinted as Bakura raised his dagger.
"Your blood shall stain this knife." he said in an icy tone. "I won't kill you my dear Ryou, for it would kill me as well. You just have to be punished, for your foolishness and stupidity."
Bakura struck his hikari, the serpent blade splattered with Ryou's shining crimson blood. "Dirty bastard!" Ryou said in a shaky voice. Bakura laughed triumphantly in a low tone. Ryou tried to ignore the white hot pain in his left arm, he was focused on his Yami, on getting the Millenium Eye.
As quick as a tiger the hikari scratched Bakura's face, dragging his nails over the tanned, smooth skin of his darker half. Bakura cursed loudly, clutching his face, dark eyes tearing. Ryou squirmed out from under Bakura, moving around him, then leaping onto his Yami's back.
He caught Bakura off guard, knocking him face first on the hard floor. Ryou seized Bakura's snowy hair, pulling his face off the ground, then slammed it back down. He repeated this several times, then punched Bakura in the back continuously. To finish it off Ryou got to his feet and kicked his Yami in the side. "Give it Yami." None of Ryou's friends had ever use such a stern tone.
Moaning Bakura reached inside his shirt and handed his light the gleaming, glittering Millenium Eye. Yugi and all the others on the sidelines gasped.
~ "So it's true, Ryou's Yami did steal Pegasus's Eye. Poor Pegasus, that must've hurt like hell!" ~ thought Yugi.
Ryou examined the artifact, his fingertips flying over every inch of the smooth, golden surface. "I have a plan." said Ryou after a long silence.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A few hours later the small group was boarding a plane sent by Mr. Maximillion Pegasus himself. After the battle between Ryou and Bakura, Yugi had called Pegasus explaining about the theft of his Millenium Puzzle. He also informed Pegasus how Ryou had fought Bakura to give the Millenium Eye back to its rightful owner. Pegasus wanted to help Yugi so he had ordered his private plane over to Domino to take Yugi and his friends to Duelist Kingdom.
The inside of the plane was rather comfortable looking. One room was lined with squashy armchairs and couches. Another contained a refrigerator, cabinets and a long counter. Joey and Tristan made a beeline to the kitchen area, both tried to pull open the refrigerator at the same time. Everyone else sweatdropped. Yugi, Kiara, Mai Ryou and Tea made their way to the Armchair room. Tea turned on the TV and began to watch her favorite channel: FBC, talk shows about relationships and how important friendship is. The president of the Friendship make the World go round club was giving a speech very much like the ones Tea made daily.
"Figures." Mai muttered under her breath. | |
Kiara found a drawer full of laptops, grabbed one and sat down on a heavily cushioned light blue sofa. Yugi sat down next to her and leaned back on a pillow. "Hey Kiara, with all the events going on I haven't had time to talk to you much, I want to get to know you better . . . umm . . . because . . . err . . . I kinda like you. *blushes as red as Kiara's hair*"
Kiara was stunned for a moment, then she felt her face grow hot. "Umm okay then." The two talked about their interests and hobbies for about 5 minutes, then they were interrupted by the stampede of Tristan and Joey coming back from the kitchen, arms full of sugar related products.
"Man you guys should check it out in there!" said Joey who had a mouthful of chocolate. "There's so much food I don't think even me and Tristan could eat it all. Maybe Pegasus isn't that bad after all he has such good taste in food!"
"Then there must be enough to feed an army, literally!" said Mai as she put down the magazine she was reading. CRASH! Joey and Tristan fell over, anime style. "Very funny Mai!" said Joey sarcastically. "It's true, you two could eat ELEPHANTS and you'd still be hungry."
Trying to get Joey's attention so he would stop bickering with his girlfriend, Ryou stole a couple Hershey's bars from the huge pile Joey had plopped on the floor. It worked, Joey whipped around just as Ryou was hiding the bars under a pillow. "All right, that's it who stole my chocolate?!" He looked at Tea who was obsorbed in a friendship speech much like her own, that the president of the Friendship makes the World go Round club. ~"Definitely not her"~
He looked at Ryou who instantly made his dark eyes look as innocent as a puppy's and had a cute little smile on his face. This didn't fool Joey. "RYOU!!!" he made a dive for the pillow. "Oh no you don't!" Ryou laughed as he grasped the other end of the chocolate bar Joey was pulling. "THAT CHOCOLATE IS RIGHTFULLY MINE!!!" Joey bellowed. Yugi and Kiara were laughing hysterically. "MINE!" said Ryou pulling the chocolate towards him. "Actually boys." Said Mai plucking the chocolate from their grips. "It's mine!"
"Yeah you go Mai! Girls RULE!" cheered Kiara. Ryou, laughing uncontrollably flopped back onto his armchair. Joey jumped up and down, trying to get the chocolate. "Beg!" Mai ordered. ~"This could be fun!"~ she thought as she smirked. Joey kneeled and made whimpering dog noises. "SIT BOY!"
Just as Joey was about to obey a young man in a red kimono appeared on Joey's back, knocking him face forward onto the peach colored carpet. The young man in the kimono looked up, he had sparkling green eyes, silverish white hair and dog ears. A sword in its sheath hung close to his side. Around his neck he wore a string of black beads, a silver bead shaped like a fang every 5 black beads. He looked remarkably like Ryou. "Excuse me but I believe SIT is KAGOME'S line!"
As if in a trance Mai reached up and touched the tall boy's ears. He sweatdropped. "Why does everyone have to do that? Are my ears really that interesting?" Noticing Kiara sitting by Yugi his eyes widened. "Oh hi Kiara strange friends you have here." Kiara grinned. "Hey Inuyasha!" Inuyasha picked up the chocolate bar Mai dropped when touching his ears. "Whatever this is it smells good!" he began to unwrap it candy bar.
"I suggest you don't eat that." said Kiara calmly. "It's poisonous to dogs." Inuyasha sniffed the chocolate again. "Damn, it smells so good! I better get going, see ya around Kiara." "Bye! See ya Inuyasha!" And with that the strange boy vanished.
"First of all what was that guy and second how do you know him Kiara?" asked a very confused Mai. "Is he related to you Ryou?" "If he is I've never heard of him" said Ryou. "Inuyasha's a half dog demon, and I know him because I'm friends with Kagome, the girl he travels with. It pays to have lived in so many places." She winked. "I wonder what it's like to be half demon." Yugi wondered aloud.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
An hour later everyone left the plane and climbed the many stairs to Pegasus's castle. Yugi and Kiara had talked the whole time on the plane, they now felt they knew enough about eachother. Yugi reached for Kiara's hand. She took it and they both smiled and blushed.
Maximillion Pegasus was waiting for them in the dining hall. He looked pale and thinner than usual but he still had the normal warm, welcoming smile on his face. "Welcome Yugi, Joey, Tea, Tristan, Ryou, Mai and . . . your name dear?" "Kiara." Pegasus gave a slight nod. "And Kiara."
"Hey Pegasus." Said Joey. Pegasus smiled at him for a few seconds, then turned away. "Now if you all could sit down please we may discuss the reason you've come." The teens moved to a table. "Ryou." said Pegasus as he eyed the sling Ryou's left arm was in. "Could you come here for a moment please?" Uneasily Ryou moved towards Pegasus. The silver haired man chuckled. "Don't worry Ryou I won't bite, now kindly unwrap your arm."
~"What's he gonna do to me?"~ With his right hand Ryou took off the sling that supported his left arm. He undid the bandages, revealing the deep gash his dark's blade had given him. Pegasus examines the wound then waved his hand, a table with a basin of water and a clean cloth appeared out of thin air. The others gasped in astonishment. Pegasus dipped the cloth in the water and gently cleaned Ryou's cut.
The man put the cloth down next to the basin and lightly ran his index and middle fingertips over the long red mark on Ryou's arm. The skin began mending itself and in a matter of seconds Ryou's wound was completely healed. "Now was that so bad?" asked Pegasus softly. "It . . . it's . . . gone!" Ryou stuttered. "But how . . .?" "I'm a skilled mage and healer." said Pegasus as he waved his hand once more, the table, basin, cloth, sling and bandages vanished.
They all had a quick lunch then discussed how they were going to get the Millenium Puzzle and Yugi's Yami back from the Shadow Realm. "In order to get the Millenium Eye to work, it needs to be sealed into the eye socket of its fated possessor by someone who has great knowledge of the Ancient Scriptures." Pegasus told the others. He shuddered at the memory of when Shadi had first sealed the Millenium Eye into his head.
"At least it won't be as painful as last time." Pegasus grumbled to himself. "Why?" asked Yugi. "Last time Shadi cut out my left eye with a cursed knife and replaced it with the Millenium Eye." "No way! OW! That must've sucked!" said Joey. "Anyway it seems the only person who can seal the Millenium Eye back in is your Yami Ryou." said Pegasus shortly. Ryou moaned. "Bakura will be unwilling to do anything I ask him, I gave him such a beating a few hours ago." "We still have to try." insisted Kiara. "Dat's right! We gotta do whatever it takes to get Yug's Puzzle back!" said Joey.
"Okay I'll try, hang on a minute guys." Ryou knocked on his Yami's soul room door. "Go away Ryou!" growled Bakura. "Please let me come in Yami, I'm REALLY sorry about before!" "Go find someone else to lie to." came Bakura's reply. Ryou pushed open the heavy door. His dark was lying on his bed covered in bruises and scratches. "Are you deaf? I SAID GO AWAY STUPID, STUBBORN ASS!" Ryou walked over to the bed, tears in his eyes. To Bakura's surprise his light bent down and hugged him. Ryou buried his face in Bakura's shirt. He breathed in his Yami's scent, sand, stone, a flowing river.
"I love you Yami!" Ryou whispered. "I don't care how much you treat me harshly or torment me, I fucking love you Bakura!"
Before Bakura knew what was happening his light was kissing him crushing his lips, nipping him lightly with his teeth, Ryou's tongue making it's way into Bakura's mouth. The icy shield around Bakura's heart cracked and broke, his true feelings about Ryou, his light, his soul mate, his love welled up inside him. He grabbed Ryou his teeth now grinding into Ryou's lips, his tongue intertwining with his hikari's. They had to come up for air Bakura seized his chance.
"Ryou my love, I more than love you! Can you ever forgive me for being so harsh, so hard on you? My light I love you!" They rolled over on the bed light and dark intertwined, together. Ryou felt the dark spirit's strong arms, chest, and face. "Yami, will you help us?"
"My light I would go to the ends of the earth for you."
'When Yugi's puzzle is returned to him, when this ordeal is over, will you . . . will you . . . "
But Ryou didn't need to finish.
"You're so young, I couldn't bring myself to do it my dear Ryou." Tears sprang to Ryou's eyes. "Please Yami, I'm begging you, take me!" "You're sure?" "YES!"
There was a long pause. "Fine I'll do it Ryou, if it's truly what you want." A wide grin spread across Ryou's face. He squeezed his Yami, then returned to the dining hall.
"Hey man what took so long?" asked Joey. "Will he do it?"
"Yes he'll do it." Ryou managed to choke out, then he sobbed happily into the front of Pegasus's shirt. Pegasus saw what he was crying about in his eyes and nodded, he didn't seem to mind Ryou getting snot and tears on his expensive clothes. "There, there calm down Ryou." he said soothingly. Ryou looked up and saw that Pegasus knew. Ryou nodded and wiped his eyes on his sleeve.
~"How does he know so much when he doesn't have his Millenium Eye?"~
~"The Millenium Items aren't the only magic in this world."~ Pegasus thought into Ryou's mind. He gave Ryou a small wink when no one else was looking.
"I'll go get Bakura if you're ready Mr. Pegasus." "Go on." Pegasus sighed.
Ryou opened Bakura's soul room door, his Yami was already waiting, a grin on his face.
"Now don't try any funny stuff Yami, Pegasus was always nice to me."
"Of course love." Bakura hugged his light then separated from Ryou's body in transparent form.
"Ready?" asked Bakura. "Yes just please try and get it over with quickly." replied Pegasus. Bakura cleared his throat then chanted something in Egyptian. Only Pegasus seemed to recognize the words. Everyone on the side looked scared, Mai and Joey were clasping eachothers hands, likewise for Yugi and Kiara. Then quickly, still chanting in a loud booming voice, Bakura took the Millenium Eye, which was glowing gold and crimson, pulled back Pegasus's long silky hair and placing glowing eye in the empty eye socket. White fire seemed to wrap itself around Pegasus, he tried to stifle a yell and then it all just stopped.
Bakura's loud chanting ceased and Pegasus lay on the floor, tears streaming down his chalk white face. Bakura looked triumphant, only in a non-evil sort of way. "It worked!" he was beaming. "Are you okay?" Yugi asked Pegasus. Kiara bent forward feeling Pegasus's forehead. Pegasus blinked then motioned for them to move away. The pair did just in time too, for Pegasus sat up on all fours, pulled back his hair and vomited on the floor. When the coughing and retching stopped a sink appeared infront of Pegasus. He washed out his mouth, then the sink vanished along with the puke. He got unsteadily to his feet. "Sorry you all had to see that."
He lost his balance and would've fallen over if it hadn't been for Mai and Joey. "Don't worry, I've seen much worse." Mai confessed as she helped Pegasus walk. "Where do you want to go?" asked Joey who was also supporting him. "Go into the hall and move four doors down." instructed Pegasus hoarsely. The rest of the group followed in silence. They approached a small room, which contained not much more than a large sofa and a TV. "In about two hours I should be alright. You can do as you wish, I'll contact you when I'm ready." And with that he collapsed on the sofa and was asleep in seconds.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Two hours later the group assembled in the dining hall. "Alright I only have enough power to take four people to the Shadow Realm. I'm not playing favorites, whatsoever is that clear?" "Yes." "Good, the people I have chosen are as follows: Yugi Kiara Ryou Bakura and myself." There came some grumbling from the others but they nodded.
"Alright is everyone ready?" All nodded yes in agreement.
Their surroundings because a mixture of black and navy blue swirled together, there was no doubt about it, this was the Shadow Realm. Everyone looked around, then Kiara gasped.
"FATHER!"