~Chapter 2 ~ Sadness when you Smile ~
Yami Yuugi stood next to a large oak tree, leaning against the side, arms crossed over his chest, thinking.
There was a small motion near by, a small flash of tinted white though the brush.
The sudden motion caught Yami's eye as he was drawn from his train of thought back into reality. He stepped away from the tree gracefully, his expression caught somewhere between confused and troubled.
Bakura was sitting, half slumped, in a low swing, dragging his feet as the momentum of the ropes moved him forward and back in an almost lazy motion. His eyes were closed, head leaning against one of the ropes causing the swaying to twist slightly.
Yami Yuugi made his way around the tree, trailing his hand along the trunk, stepping nimbly over the roots. Seeing Bakura, his brow furrowed further as he continued toward the other boy and silently slid into the swing beside him.
The boy didn't look up, or even seem to notice anyone was there, face reflecting a deep exhaustion that contrasted with his normally ever-smiling face he put out when others were around. Only the small motions of his feet gave any indication he was even awake.
Yami Yuugi watched the pale boy curiously for a second, his frustration melting away into concern as he eyed Bakura critically until he deemed to speak. "Bakura-kun?" He asked quietly, leaning against the swing and scuffing one booted toe into the dirt.
The boy startled, eyes blinking open quickly. "Yuu--Yuugi-kun..?" he stammered, sitting up in the swing and instantly putting on a smile. "Gomen, I didn't--" he paused as if just noticing who was next to him. "Yuugi-san...." he trailed off, eyes conflicted, smile fading.
Yami Yuugi watched his companion, judging his reactions. "Don't apologize." He said quietly, trying to catch Bakura's gaze. "It's all right." He reiterated, his tone as comforting as was possible for the spirit.
Bakura gave a small smile, looking down.
"So," Yami Yuugi said, fishing for conversation. "What brings you out here?"
The paler boy was quiet a moment. "I come here to think a lot," he said softly, looking down as the tips of his sneakers dragged in the dirt.
Yami Yuugi nodded, turning away from Bakura and facing forward, swinging back and forth slightly. "I do as well. The park has a nice atmosphere for contemplation."
"Un," Bakura nodded. "And not many people come to this part of it," he said softly, leaning back on the swing so that he was looking up at the sky. "So it's nice and quiet and no one notices...."
Yami Yuugi listened to the sound of Bakura's voice, noting the peacefulness that lulled over his speech when he spoke of this secluded area, like it was a place of refuge. "It is very nice. And certainly quiet." Yami Yuugi smiles wryly. "That helps in the thinking part."
Bakura gave a small smile, eyes closing as he leaned further back into the sunlight. "It helps to quiet everything in my head..." he said quietly, almost seeming unaware that he was speaking.
Yami Yuugi looked over at Bakura again, sympathy on his face before replying. "I come here to get away from the paparazzi, should that make any sense to you." He said, almost bitterly. "It is something of a sanctuary."
"Un," the paler boy agreed. "I once slept out here... the nice was so nice and the sky was so clear... I didn't want to go home."
Yami Yuugi smiled softly, resisting the urge to push Bakura's pale locks from his face, glad to see the boy in a more peaceable state than the one he found him in. "I would stay out here all night, but I don't think Yuugi would appreciate it as much as I would." He shrugged slightly, following Bakura's gaze, looking up through the leaves, shadows falling on his face.
The boy gave a soft smile. Slowly, his hands began to loosen their grip on the swings ropes.
Yami Yuugi pushed off the ground a little more now, swinging lightly. "I don't want to make him unhappy." He said softly, and unlike Bakura, his grip on the swing tightened.
Bakura's hands let go and his head fell back completely, hair brushing against the ground as the swing drifted.
Yami Yuugi continued to stare at the sky for another long second, finally directing his gaze at the boy beside him once again.
Bakura's eyes were closed in exhaustion again as he slowly seemed to be slipping off the swing.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi asked, a note of worry in his voice before his eyes widened and he darted out of his swing, jumping under Bakura to catch him.
The boy made a small sound, eyes opening slightly to look up tiredly at the one who held him.
"Bakura? Yami Yuugi asked, looking down at the boy he was holding.
The boy gave a soft smile. "It's okay, he won't let me die..." he said, voice so quiet to almost be inaudible.
"That's not what matters." Yami Yuugi said, looking down at the boy in his arms. "What matters is why you'd want to do that in the first place." He eyed Bakura concernedly, idly brushing that same lock of hair out of Bakura's face that he had been watching earlier.
"I like the feeling of falling... it's almost like flying but with the promise of a change at the bottom..." the boy again gave a soft smile, eyes closing as he unconsciously leaned towards the touch.
Yami Yuugi nodded down at Bakura, his expression still worried, his eyes sad. "I suppose it is." He clutched at Bakura, his heart torn.
"I got a concussion once," the boy continued, voice sounding distant. "I saw Amane... but I couldn't reach her... I kept running and running but I couldn't get to where she was...."
Yami Yuugi watched Bakura, his sad expression deepening, his fingers tightening around the other. "I'm sorry, Bakura." He whispered, absentmindedly running his fingers through Bakura's hair. "I'm sorry." He repeated helplessly, biting his lip.
"If you're so sorry, why don't you get your hands off me?" the boy said harshly, eyes opening to show the narrow glare of Yami no Bakura.
Yami Yuugi grimaced, letting his hands drop to the side. "You again. Will you ever tire of this?" He said, his face icy. "You could have stopped him sooner. Why don't you make yourself useful and see that your host eats every once in a while?" Yami's usual regal nature was abandoned, his earlier struggle coming to light again as he glared at Yami no Bakura.
The boy gave a snort, pushing Yami Yuugi away and sitting up. "So you'd rather I controlled him all the time?" he smirked, tone amused.
"I didn't say that." Yami Yuugi said remorsefully, clenching his fist. "You said you wanted to keep him alive."
"I do. A fall from a swing would hardly kill this body, no matter how frail he tries to make it."
"Yes, but human bodies can only go so long without eating." Yami Yuugi spat out bitterly. "That he would be so... so sad," Yami Yuugi seemed to struggle with words for a moment. "That he would even want to..." He trailed off, planting his fist in the tree beside him.
"Save your lectures for him, Yuugi," Yami Bakura dismissed, looking amused at the other boy's distress.
"I'll lecture whom I please." Yami Yuugi said haughtily, placing his now-injured hand in his lap and staring at the ground despondently.
"So I've noticed," the harsher boy chuckled. "How strongly do you wish my host free of me?"
"For his sake, more than I wish anything else. Powerfully." He added vehemently, wiping his fist off on his pant's leg. "You are the bane of his existence, and thus mine as well."
Yami Bakura chuckled, leaning against the tree behind him nonchalantly. "Then find a way to separate us."
Yami's eyes widened. "What did you say?" He asked, incredulous.
"Get me my own body and you can do whatever you like with his," the former thief smirked. "Although I can't promise to leave him completely alone. The ties the Ring have formed between us are as unbreakable as those that bind you to your host."
Yami Yuugi looked stunned for a second, eyeing the Ring's spirit. "How do you propose I do that? I can't even remember my own name." He said sarcastically, his anger and surprise derailing his thought process completely.
"How you do it is your own concern," the spirit dismissed. "You seem to manage to do whatever you please with your Item, I'm sure you can find a way to grant this."
"And why can't you?" He asked, fiddling with the Puzzle around his neck. "Why do you need my help?" He grinned at that thought.
Yami Bakura gave a chuckle. "You're the one who wants my host to yourself."
"And you have some kind ulterior motive, as usual." Yami Yuugi said, standing up. "Besides, I already told you. It is a matter honor, and honor would not allow me to touch Bakura."
"Yet you touch him all the time. Don't paint yourself the innocent, Yuugi."
"You know what I meant." Yami Yuugi glared at the darker one, his expression icy. "His innocence outweighs mine tenfold and he is worth more than both of us twice over."
"Then it must say something sad to how sullied your soul is," Yami Bakura countered, tone still amused. He rose to his feet, brushing the dirt from his hair and pants.
"And your arrogance will be your undoing." Yami Yuugi near-crooned, his voice silky. "If you want to be free of him, then I'll oblige you. Just remember that when you step away from him your only protection is gone."
The pale haired boy gave a snort. "You cannot undo the connection between us. We will always be as one. This way, I won't have to feel your touch when you take him to your bed."
Yami Yuugi snarled viscously, again slamming his fist into the side of the tree. "What do you have against me that you have to make me more and more villainous every time you open your mouth? I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. Only if he wanted it. But if you keep interfering..." Yami Yuugi said, thinking back to the other day, shaking his head. "That's beside the point."
The harsher boy only chuckled.
"You're twisted." Yami Yuugi said bluntly. "Do you get some kind of sick pleasure out of baiting me the way you do?"
"Yes," the other boy responded with humor.
"I thought so." Yami Yuugi said, sounding defeated. "So do you have any brilliant ideas on how to enact your little 'brainstorm'?"
"You're the 'high and mighty Pharaoh,'" Yami Bakura mocked. "I'm sure you can pull some sort of miracle out of thin air. After all, you do it all the time when you duel," he smirked.
"So I'm just supposed to pull something out of thin air." Yami Yuugi said, blinking rapidly. "I see." He looked confused for a second. "Bakura. I challenge you to a duel." He said, eyes hardening.
The other boy chuckled. "State your terms..." he smirked, reaching for his deck.
"If I am the winner of this duel, you will separate from your host, taking on your own form." Yami Yuugi said, reaching into the pouch at his side.
"And if I win, you will surrender your Item to me when I request it and never touch my host again," Yami Bakura smirked confidently.
Yami Yuugi looked taken aback for a second before smirking and nodding. "As you wish. But you will lose."
"Either way, I win," the paler boy replied cockily as he began shuffling his deck.
Yami Yuugi growled and shuffled his own deck, vaguely remembering its latest addition, smiling slightly at the thought before resuming his 'game face'.
Yami Yuugi drew, perhaps for the last time, his eyes widened as he looked down on Bakura's favorite card. The Change of Heart. Was it just him, or did the card look somewhat like Bakura...? He looked up, placing the card in his hand. "I play the Change of Heart." He said solemnly, placing the card on the field and gaining control of his opponent's only monster. "And I gain control of your Death Koala, flipping it to activate it's effect and doing 1600 points of damage to you." He said, the Koala now on his side of the field.
Yami Bakura scowled, glaring at the Change of Heart card. "Yadonushi no tamashi kaado, [my host's soul card]" he near muttered. "How did you get it?"
Yami Yuugi looked at the other, refusing to answer for a second. Finally, "He gave it to me." He pulled another card from his hand. "And now I'll sacrifice your Koala, my Holy Elf, and the Black Magician in order to summon the Magician of Black Chaos." He flipped up the ritual magic card to play his monster and discarded his monsters to the grave.
The harsher boy gave an annoyed sound, arms crossing as he awaited the attack that would end the duel.
"And then, I'll attack you directly, bringing your life points to zero." For some reason, this would normally have been the time for him to add some smart remark or gesture, but he didn't, simply watching the other spirit for a moment.
Yami Bakura looked annoyed briefly, then smirked. "So you win," he chuckled.
Yami Yuugi nodded. "So, I win." He repeated, his trademark triumphant smirk missing from the picture as he continued to stare at the other.
The darkness around them began to fade as the yami no gamespace was banished and Yami Bakura's form began to fade as well, his smirk seeming to linger the longest before he was completely obscured.
Yami Yuugi tensed for a second, his gaze never faltering as he watched the spirit disappear, his own form fading back into reality. He stands perfectly still however, waiting.
When reality reappeared, there were two Bakuras, Yami Bakura standing in front of his former host's unconscious form with a very pleased smirk on his lips. He threaded a finger through the shadowy copy of the Ring that rested on his chest. "His body is now yours to do what you please to, but his soul will always be mine." He threw back his head with a cackle before vanishing completely.
Yami Yuugi ran forward, catching the unconscious figure in his arms, glaring at the ever-fading form of Yami no Bakura. He held Bakura, shaking him gently. "Bakura?"
The boy gave a small tired sound, eyes opening slightly to look blearily up at Yami Yuugi . "Yuu....?" his voice faded before he could complete the name.
Yami Yuugi set him down carefully, leaning over himself, watching Bakura. "Bakura? Can you hear me?" He asked again, trying to get a response.
The boy gave a tired nod. "What....?" he asked faintly.
"Can you sit up?" Yami Yuugi inquired, hands around the other's shoulders, tenderly supporting him, concern in his eyes. "You aren't hurt, are you?"
Bakura leaned into the touch, eyes closing again. A hand went to his shirt, loosely clutching at the fabric over where the Ring was and he gave a small relieved sigh.
Yami Yuugi wrapped his arms fully around the other, content for now that he was safe. He leaned back against the tree behind himself and Bakura, clutching Bakura almost possessively, his expression worn.
The boy gave a contented sigh, melting against the other boy with a tired smile.
"I'm glad you're safe." Yami Yuugi whispered, letting his head rest against the tree trunk and closing his eyes. "Very glad."
"Safe..?" Bakura repeated, voice confused.
Yami's head shot up as he heard Bakura's soft voice, his hands unintentionally tightening around the other. "Yes. Safe." He said, not divulging further, getting lost in a sudden wave of emotion. Emotion, so strange for the spirit, who was usually so stoic. Anger at Bakura's yami, relief that Bakura himself was safe, growing affection for the young one...
The paler boy gave another small smile. "Safe in the arms of my Pharaoh in Shining Puzzle," he laughed tiredly, head resting against Yami Yuugi's chest.
"Yes, safe forever." Yami Yuugi whispered softly, his concern leaving him. Bakura was safe now, or so he told himself. Rather he was safe FOR now. He couldn't let his guard down lest the spirit of the Ring should return. But that wasn't a concern for now, right now all the mattered was Bakura.
"So tired..." Bakura murmured.
"Go ahead and sleep." Yami Yuugi said absentmindedly, playing with a lock of Bakura's hair. "It's okay, I'll be here when you wake up."
"Promise...?" the paler boy asked, looking up to meet the other boy's eyes, a hand loosely clinging to Yami Yuugi's shirt.
Yami Yuugi nodded, watching Bakura. "I promise. I'll be here. I won't leave." He reassured, covering Bakura's hand with his own.
The boy gave a small relieved smile before his eyes closed once more and he relaxed fully against Yami Yuugi's chest.
Yami Yuugi smiled a little, relaxing against the tree himself, his eyes sliding shut every so often as he fought to stay awake.
Yami's eyelids fluttered for a second and he sat up carefully, realizing that Bakura couldn't sleep out in the cold and simultaneously that the tree he was leaning against was becoming uncomfortable. So, as gently as possible, he lifted Bakura into his arms, surprised at how light the taller boy was, starting off across the grassy expanse under the tree, carrying the white-haired one along with him.
Bakura gave a small moan, stirring slightly in his sleep, face tensing.
Yami Yuugi jerked, his face suddenly alert as he turned to face the bed where Bakura lay sleeping.
The boy's hands were tense in the sheets below him and he gave a whimper, tossing his head back and forth.
Yami Yuugi rested one hand on the bedside, leaning over a little and watching Bakura toss and turn, wondering whether or not to wake him. After a moment's deliberation he moved his hand from the bed to Bakura's shoulder shaking gently.
The boy whimpered more, tensing and trying to pull away, curling up slightly.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi said softly, shaking him a little more, brow furrowing. "Wake up, Bakura." He said, a little louder this time and more firmly.
The boy whimpered again, sounding almost panicked and pained.
Yami Yuugi looked even more concerned, dropping his hand away from Bakura's arm and staring at him helplessly for a second.
Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Yami Yuugi leaned over further, carefully sliding into the bed next to Bakura and wrapping his arms around him loosely.
Slowly, the paler boy quieted, relaxing into Yami Yuugi's arms completely, murmuring something unintelligible.
Yami Yuugi sighed, relieved. His arms tightened a little and he closed his eyes, taking in the scent of Bakura's hair.
Slowly, the boy's eyes blinked open slightly, looking at his soundings in utter confusion, "Yuugi...san...?" he asked softly, voice muddled.
Yami's arms fell away slowly, reluctantly, as he nodded. "Are you all right?" He asked, watching Bakura blink.
"Where....?" the paler boy asked, looking up to peer blearily at the other boy.
"I brought you home with me." Yami Yuugi explained, idly brushing a lock of hair from Bakura's face. "You're in Yuugi's room."
Bakura almost instinctively leaned towards the small touch, eyes closing again. "Oh..." he said softly, giving a small smile.
"I didn't know if it would be safe to take you home." Yami Yuugi added, a little hastily. He looked away from Bakura for a second, as though he were entranced with a poster on Yuugi's wall, his crimson eyes boring a hole into it.
"Safe...?" Bakura asked, voice confused once more.
"Yes, safe." Yami Yuugi said, trace bitterness lining his voice. "From him." He paused, tearing his eyes away from the wall, back to Bakura, eyeing him questioningly.
"... who...?"
"From him." Yami Yuugi repeated. "From your other." He searched for words.
Bakura blinked again. "I-- I don't understand..."
Yami Yuugi cocked his head to the side, supporting himself on one elbow. "You can't tell?" He asked, his free hand gesturing towards the Ring, if a bit vaguely.
The paler boy put a trembling hand over where the Ring was under his shirt, looking almost frightened.
"Is something wrong?" Yami Yuugi asked, abandoning his prior train of thought, looking only at Bakura's troubled face now. "Are you all right?"
The boy looked down, trying to hide his trembling. "I-- I'm fine...." he stammered. "I-- I should go..." He shakily rose to his feat, still clutching a hand over the Ring.
Yami Yuugi stood up behind Bakura, reaching out and taking his hand. "You aren't fine, that's obvious. Please Bakura, tell me what's wrong." He looked pleading for a second, another part of him eyeing Bakura's shaking hand over the Ring.
"I-- I-- I can't... I can't feel...." Bakura's hand tensed further and he gave a small pained sound, wincing slightly.
Yami's eyes widened, his nostrils flaring slightly as he turned Bakura so that he was facing him, his expression a little wild. "He would have known, wouldn't he?" He said, under his breath, more to himself than any one else. "He must have known." Yami Yuugi looked Bakura in the eyes, trying to control himself, his breath hitching when he saw the pained look on Bakura's face. "Bakura?" He asked, softly.
The boy looked up and tried to give a reassuring smile. "It's-- it's nothing. I-- I should go..." the boy stammered again, hand lowering slightly to cover five small spots of red that were slowly growing on his shirt.
Yami Yuugi followed Bakura's hand, eyes darting along his chest until sharp eyes caught sight of flecks of red. "Bakura, you're hurt." He said, his voice detached, but not uncaring as he stepped closer to the boy in front of him, still holding his hand.
Bakura shook his head, trying to pull away. "It's nothing," he repeated, trying to cover the spot better.
Yami Yuugi only gripped his hand tighter, worry once again marring his features. "Please Bakura, I'm trying to help." He said, pleading tone returning. "I don't like to see you hurt." He reached for the hand still covering Bakura's shirt. "Please." He reiterated, squeezing his hand reassuringly.
The paler boy began to tremble slightly. "It's really nothing, I just-- it was an accident, it's nothing!" he protested.
Yami Yuugi nodded. "I believe you, but that doesn't mean that you aren't hurt. You still need to be taken care of." His words are soothing, carrying an underlying message of comfort in them. "Will you let me take care of you?" He asked, taking another step towards the trembling boy.
Bakura looked utterly torn, hand tensing further over the cloth that covered the Ring.
Yami Yuugi let go of Bakura's hands, standing in front of him, his expression hard to read. "Are you waiting for something?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Bakura paled slightly and took a trembling step back, giving a small panicked whimper.
Yami's hands fell to his sides as soon as they rose, his feet unconsciously following Bakura as he stepped forward. "He won't hurt you any more." He said, his expression kind. "But he won't help you any more either." He added, catching Bakura's eye. "You have to put your trust in something else."
"I-- I don't understand," Bakura stammered, voice shaking. "What-- what did you do?"
"I'm sorry." Yami Yuugi said, feeling a twinge of regret now for his actions, betrayal seeping in as well. "I thought you would have noticed by now. His spirit no longer resides within you."
Bakura stared in utter shock. "U--uso..."[a lie] he whispered, voice trembling as he clutched at the Ring. "The Ring's still with me! He can't-- can't have left...." his voice cracked to a near soundless whisper.
Yami Yuugi shook his head mournfully. "We dueled, I won. He left." He said shortly. "He has his own form now." 'I thought I was helping you', his heart screamed. He directed his gaze at the floor, sighing slightly. "I'm sorry." He said again, as if it would fix things, as if he hoped it would.
"You-- You made him leave....?"
Yami Yuugi shut his eyes, blocking everything from sight, his breathing growing louder in his ears. "The conditions of the game were met. That's all." He said, sadness tingeing his voice. "I'm sorry." He repeated for the third time.
Bakura made a small choking sound, burying his face in his hands as he slid to the floor, curling up.
In a jolt, Yami Yuugi sank to his knees, sympathy written all over his face. "I am sorry, Bakura. I was rash in my decision, I didn't stop to think... about what this might mean to you." He balled his hands into fists, anguish now joining in his expression. "I wish I could help you. Somehow." He sounded hopeless then, watching his hands in his lap.
Bakura didn't seem to hear, rocking back and forth, whispering something Yami Yuugi couldn't hear.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi asked, looking up at the sound of his voice. "Bakura, are you all right?"
The boy just continued rocking, whispers sounding more and more like choked begging.
Yami Yuugi looked pained for a second before hesitantly crawling forward until he was right beside Bakura, slowly reaching up with one hand and resting it on Bakura's shoulder.
The boy looked up, eyes tear stained and pleading.
Yami Yuugi leaned forward, carefully wrapping his arms around Bakura, whispering in his ear. "I'm so sorry." Over and over again, his normally composed nature slipping away for a second in favor of comforting this person who was becoming more and more precious to him the more he became involved with him.
Bakura's eyes went wide a brief moment before he buried his face in Yami Yuugi's chest, breaking down into muffled sobs as he clung to the other boy.
Yami Yuugi allowed the boy to rest against him, whispering encouragingly in his ear and running his fingers through his hair. "It's okay." He said repeatedly, his face sad.
Slowly, Bakura's sobbing quieted to small sniffles.
Yami Yuugi continued to run his fingers through Bakura's hair, even after he stilled, crooning softly against his ear.
The paler boy relaxed slightly, hands still clinging to Yami Yuugi's shirt as the smaller boy's voice soothed him.
Yami Yuugi was content to hold Bakura for a while, his body relaxing against the other boy. His worry still lingered at the back of his mind, waiting for him to give it another thought, but he was, again, content to ignore it.
"He has to come back, doesn't he...?" Bakura asked in a small voice. "I-- I still have the Ring.... he has to come back..."
"Well, yes, I suppose so." Yami Yuugi said, drawn from his stupor. "He isn't gone forever."
"Gomen.. I-- I know he doesn't like you and you don't like him, but--" Bakura's hands tensed again. "Everyone always leaves... I'm so afraid of being alone..."
Yami Yuugi clutched at Bakura desperately. "I won't leave you. I thought... I thought he was hurting you. I'm sorry for that. I didn't want to be the one hurting you." He paused. "I want you to be able to trust me."
The paler boy said nothing, hands moving slowly to be hugging Yami Yuugi in return without letting go of his shirt, as if afraid the shorter boy would vanish if he did so.
"I promise I won't leave you." He assured, resting one hand on Bakura's head, tilting his head back to look at him. "Unless it is what you want." He added softly.
"No!" Bakura's voice held a taint of panic as he looked up. "Don't leave..." he near begged.
"If you don't want me to, I won't." Yami Yuugi said firmly. "No matter what."
The paler boy gave a relieved smile.
Yami Yuugi smiled as well. "Will you be all right?" He asked softly.
The boy hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Gomen, I-- I didn't mean to break down on you like that," he gave an embarrassed smile. "It-- it just feels like my soul's been torn in half..."
"It's okay, I understand." Yami Yuugi nodded, arms loosening around the boy as he gave a relieved sigh. "I'm glad." He said, indicating his happiness that Bakura was all right.
Bakura gave him a confused and slightly hurt look.
"I mean, I'm glad you're going to be all right." He said, hastily repairing his mis-speech.
Bakura gave a small embarrassed laugh. "Gomen, I thought you meant..." he trailed off. "Gomen."
"I'm sorry, that was my fault." Yami Yuugi smiled, embarrassed with himself. "I should have said."
The paler boy smiled slightly. "Yuugi-san no sei ja nai," he said softly.
"I don't want to hurt you." He pointed at Bakura's face. "I don't want to hurt your feelings." His hand moved to Bakura's chest, finger resting over his heart. "I want to keep you safe," he emphasized.
Bakura nearly melted at the words, smiling warmly.
"And," he added, mock reproach in his voice. "I want to keep you healthy." He said, playfulness skirting the edge of his voice. "You should sleep more. Eat more." He shook a finger at Bakura.
The boy looked down with an embarrassed smile.
Yami Yuugi smiled genuinely. "Bakura..." he began, trailing of and shaking his head. "Never mind."
"Nani...?" Bakura pushed gently.
Yami Yuugi looked at Bakura, blinking. "It's nothing." He said dismissive. "Do you want something to eat?" He asked, curtsey invading their interlude.
The thinner boy shook his head slightly. "I'm fine," he smiled slightly.
"You're scrawny." Yami Yuugi said appraisingly. "And you've been asleep for a long time, besides going through a physically trying ordeal. You need to eat." He eyed Bakura, his tone bordering on stern, but managing to stay gentle for the most part.
"How long was I asleep...?"
"A long time." Yami Yuugi said, thinking. "According to Yuugi, 18 hours." He looked at Bakura pointedly. "Long enough."
"Gomen, I must have worried you and Yuugi-kun," Bakura looked down, tone apologetic.
"It's all right." Yami Yuugi replied, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "You aren't any trouble." He said sincerely. "But you must be hungry, surely?" He asked again.
Bakura shook his head.
Yami Yuugi eyed him, still suspicious, but he finally shrugged. "Is there anything else you need?" He asked politely.
The paler boy shook his head again. "I probably should have my meds," he laughed slightly. "If it's been that long, no wonder I made an idiot of myself crying..."
Yami Yuugi nodded cautiously. "You're right. Maybe you should go home and get those." He indicated with a wave of his hand. "And you did not make an idiot of yourself."
Bakura gave a small smile. "Arigatou... for everything," he said softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded, admiration in his eyes. "It was my pleasure." He said, smiling slightly as well and closing his eyes.
"I feel bad for poor Yuugi-kun," Bakura laughed softly. "He hasn't been able to do anything because of me..."
Yami Yuugi smirked and shook his head. "I'm sure he doesn't mind."
Bakura was still a moment more before slowly and reluctantly pulling away.
Yami Yuugi dropped his hands from around Bakura, nodding and standing. "Go home, freshen up." Yami Yuugi said, suggesting.
Bakura gave a smile, nodding. "I probably still have dirt in my hair," he laughed softly.
Yami Yuugi grinned. "A little." He said, reaching up to brush nonexistent dirt from Bakura's snowy locks.
The paler boy blushed lightly, still smiling. "Apologize to Yuugi-kun for me for messing up his bed," he requested before heading for the doorway. He hesitated a moment, looking back at Yami Yuugi Yuugi a moment before leaving.
Yami Yuugi watched Bakura leave, feeling like he should follow him or something, his feet still rooted to the ground by Bakura's last smile.
----
AN: Mild smut starts next chapter. Whoo. And Death Koala is an actual card. I have three. *grins* It's just not been relased in the US version of the game yet, I beleive.
Feed the feedback junkies and review please! Wanna know if this is worth continuing to post here or not. [cause if noones reading it, why bother, right? *shrugs*]
Yami Yuugi stood next to a large oak tree, leaning against the side, arms crossed over his chest, thinking.
There was a small motion near by, a small flash of tinted white though the brush.
The sudden motion caught Yami's eye as he was drawn from his train of thought back into reality. He stepped away from the tree gracefully, his expression caught somewhere between confused and troubled.
Bakura was sitting, half slumped, in a low swing, dragging his feet as the momentum of the ropes moved him forward and back in an almost lazy motion. His eyes were closed, head leaning against one of the ropes causing the swaying to twist slightly.
Yami Yuugi made his way around the tree, trailing his hand along the trunk, stepping nimbly over the roots. Seeing Bakura, his brow furrowed further as he continued toward the other boy and silently slid into the swing beside him.
The boy didn't look up, or even seem to notice anyone was there, face reflecting a deep exhaustion that contrasted with his normally ever-smiling face he put out when others were around. Only the small motions of his feet gave any indication he was even awake.
Yami Yuugi watched the pale boy curiously for a second, his frustration melting away into concern as he eyed Bakura critically until he deemed to speak. "Bakura-kun?" He asked quietly, leaning against the swing and scuffing one booted toe into the dirt.
The boy startled, eyes blinking open quickly. "Yuu--Yuugi-kun..?" he stammered, sitting up in the swing and instantly putting on a smile. "Gomen, I didn't--" he paused as if just noticing who was next to him. "Yuugi-san...." he trailed off, eyes conflicted, smile fading.
Yami Yuugi watched his companion, judging his reactions. "Don't apologize." He said quietly, trying to catch Bakura's gaze. "It's all right." He reiterated, his tone as comforting as was possible for the spirit.
Bakura gave a small smile, looking down.
"So," Yami Yuugi said, fishing for conversation. "What brings you out here?"
The paler boy was quiet a moment. "I come here to think a lot," he said softly, looking down as the tips of his sneakers dragged in the dirt.
Yami Yuugi nodded, turning away from Bakura and facing forward, swinging back and forth slightly. "I do as well. The park has a nice atmosphere for contemplation."
"Un," Bakura nodded. "And not many people come to this part of it," he said softly, leaning back on the swing so that he was looking up at the sky. "So it's nice and quiet and no one notices...."
Yami Yuugi listened to the sound of Bakura's voice, noting the peacefulness that lulled over his speech when he spoke of this secluded area, like it was a place of refuge. "It is very nice. And certainly quiet." Yami Yuugi smiles wryly. "That helps in the thinking part."
Bakura gave a small smile, eyes closing as he leaned further back into the sunlight. "It helps to quiet everything in my head..." he said quietly, almost seeming unaware that he was speaking.
Yami Yuugi looked over at Bakura again, sympathy on his face before replying. "I come here to get away from the paparazzi, should that make any sense to you." He said, almost bitterly. "It is something of a sanctuary."
"Un," the paler boy agreed. "I once slept out here... the nice was so nice and the sky was so clear... I didn't want to go home."
Yami Yuugi smiled softly, resisting the urge to push Bakura's pale locks from his face, glad to see the boy in a more peaceable state than the one he found him in. "I would stay out here all night, but I don't think Yuugi would appreciate it as much as I would." He shrugged slightly, following Bakura's gaze, looking up through the leaves, shadows falling on his face.
The boy gave a soft smile. Slowly, his hands began to loosen their grip on the swings ropes.
Yami Yuugi pushed off the ground a little more now, swinging lightly. "I don't want to make him unhappy." He said softly, and unlike Bakura, his grip on the swing tightened.
Bakura's hands let go and his head fell back completely, hair brushing against the ground as the swing drifted.
Yami Yuugi continued to stare at the sky for another long second, finally directing his gaze at the boy beside him once again.
Bakura's eyes were closed in exhaustion again as he slowly seemed to be slipping off the swing.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi asked, a note of worry in his voice before his eyes widened and he darted out of his swing, jumping under Bakura to catch him.
The boy made a small sound, eyes opening slightly to look up tiredly at the one who held him.
"Bakura? Yami Yuugi asked, looking down at the boy he was holding.
The boy gave a soft smile. "It's okay, he won't let me die..." he said, voice so quiet to almost be inaudible.
"That's not what matters." Yami Yuugi said, looking down at the boy in his arms. "What matters is why you'd want to do that in the first place." He eyed Bakura concernedly, idly brushing that same lock of hair out of Bakura's face that he had been watching earlier.
"I like the feeling of falling... it's almost like flying but with the promise of a change at the bottom..." the boy again gave a soft smile, eyes closing as he unconsciously leaned towards the touch.
Yami Yuugi nodded down at Bakura, his expression still worried, his eyes sad. "I suppose it is." He clutched at Bakura, his heart torn.
"I got a concussion once," the boy continued, voice sounding distant. "I saw Amane... but I couldn't reach her... I kept running and running but I couldn't get to where she was...."
Yami Yuugi watched Bakura, his sad expression deepening, his fingers tightening around the other. "I'm sorry, Bakura." He whispered, absentmindedly running his fingers through Bakura's hair. "I'm sorry." He repeated helplessly, biting his lip.
"If you're so sorry, why don't you get your hands off me?" the boy said harshly, eyes opening to show the narrow glare of Yami no Bakura.
Yami Yuugi grimaced, letting his hands drop to the side. "You again. Will you ever tire of this?" He said, his face icy. "You could have stopped him sooner. Why don't you make yourself useful and see that your host eats every once in a while?" Yami's usual regal nature was abandoned, his earlier struggle coming to light again as he glared at Yami no Bakura.
The boy gave a snort, pushing Yami Yuugi away and sitting up. "So you'd rather I controlled him all the time?" he smirked, tone amused.
"I didn't say that." Yami Yuugi said remorsefully, clenching his fist. "You said you wanted to keep him alive."
"I do. A fall from a swing would hardly kill this body, no matter how frail he tries to make it."
"Yes, but human bodies can only go so long without eating." Yami Yuugi spat out bitterly. "That he would be so... so sad," Yami Yuugi seemed to struggle with words for a moment. "That he would even want to..." He trailed off, planting his fist in the tree beside him.
"Save your lectures for him, Yuugi," Yami Bakura dismissed, looking amused at the other boy's distress.
"I'll lecture whom I please." Yami Yuugi said haughtily, placing his now-injured hand in his lap and staring at the ground despondently.
"So I've noticed," the harsher boy chuckled. "How strongly do you wish my host free of me?"
"For his sake, more than I wish anything else. Powerfully." He added vehemently, wiping his fist off on his pant's leg. "You are the bane of his existence, and thus mine as well."
Yami Bakura chuckled, leaning against the tree behind him nonchalantly. "Then find a way to separate us."
Yami's eyes widened. "What did you say?" He asked, incredulous.
"Get me my own body and you can do whatever you like with his," the former thief smirked. "Although I can't promise to leave him completely alone. The ties the Ring have formed between us are as unbreakable as those that bind you to your host."
Yami Yuugi looked stunned for a second, eyeing the Ring's spirit. "How do you propose I do that? I can't even remember my own name." He said sarcastically, his anger and surprise derailing his thought process completely.
"How you do it is your own concern," the spirit dismissed. "You seem to manage to do whatever you please with your Item, I'm sure you can find a way to grant this."
"And why can't you?" He asked, fiddling with the Puzzle around his neck. "Why do you need my help?" He grinned at that thought.
Yami Bakura gave a chuckle. "You're the one who wants my host to yourself."
"And you have some kind ulterior motive, as usual." Yami Yuugi said, standing up. "Besides, I already told you. It is a matter honor, and honor would not allow me to touch Bakura."
"Yet you touch him all the time. Don't paint yourself the innocent, Yuugi."
"You know what I meant." Yami Yuugi glared at the darker one, his expression icy. "His innocence outweighs mine tenfold and he is worth more than both of us twice over."
"Then it must say something sad to how sullied your soul is," Yami Bakura countered, tone still amused. He rose to his feet, brushing the dirt from his hair and pants.
"And your arrogance will be your undoing." Yami Yuugi near-crooned, his voice silky. "If you want to be free of him, then I'll oblige you. Just remember that when you step away from him your only protection is gone."
The pale haired boy gave a snort. "You cannot undo the connection between us. We will always be as one. This way, I won't have to feel your touch when you take him to your bed."
Yami Yuugi snarled viscously, again slamming his fist into the side of the tree. "What do you have against me that you have to make me more and more villainous every time you open your mouth? I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. Only if he wanted it. But if you keep interfering..." Yami Yuugi said, thinking back to the other day, shaking his head. "That's beside the point."
The harsher boy only chuckled.
"You're twisted." Yami Yuugi said bluntly. "Do you get some kind of sick pleasure out of baiting me the way you do?"
"Yes," the other boy responded with humor.
"I thought so." Yami Yuugi said, sounding defeated. "So do you have any brilliant ideas on how to enact your little 'brainstorm'?"
"You're the 'high and mighty Pharaoh,'" Yami Bakura mocked. "I'm sure you can pull some sort of miracle out of thin air. After all, you do it all the time when you duel," he smirked.
"So I'm just supposed to pull something out of thin air." Yami Yuugi said, blinking rapidly. "I see." He looked confused for a second. "Bakura. I challenge you to a duel." He said, eyes hardening.
The other boy chuckled. "State your terms..." he smirked, reaching for his deck.
"If I am the winner of this duel, you will separate from your host, taking on your own form." Yami Yuugi said, reaching into the pouch at his side.
"And if I win, you will surrender your Item to me when I request it and never touch my host again," Yami Bakura smirked confidently.
Yami Yuugi looked taken aback for a second before smirking and nodding. "As you wish. But you will lose."
"Either way, I win," the paler boy replied cockily as he began shuffling his deck.
Yami Yuugi growled and shuffled his own deck, vaguely remembering its latest addition, smiling slightly at the thought before resuming his 'game face'.
Yami Yuugi drew, perhaps for the last time, his eyes widened as he looked down on Bakura's favorite card. The Change of Heart. Was it just him, or did the card look somewhat like Bakura...? He looked up, placing the card in his hand. "I play the Change of Heart." He said solemnly, placing the card on the field and gaining control of his opponent's only monster. "And I gain control of your Death Koala, flipping it to activate it's effect and doing 1600 points of damage to you." He said, the Koala now on his side of the field.
Yami Bakura scowled, glaring at the Change of Heart card. "Yadonushi no tamashi kaado, [my host's soul card]" he near muttered. "How did you get it?"
Yami Yuugi looked at the other, refusing to answer for a second. Finally, "He gave it to me." He pulled another card from his hand. "And now I'll sacrifice your Koala, my Holy Elf, and the Black Magician in order to summon the Magician of Black Chaos." He flipped up the ritual magic card to play his monster and discarded his monsters to the grave.
The harsher boy gave an annoyed sound, arms crossing as he awaited the attack that would end the duel.
"And then, I'll attack you directly, bringing your life points to zero." For some reason, this would normally have been the time for him to add some smart remark or gesture, but he didn't, simply watching the other spirit for a moment.
Yami Bakura looked annoyed briefly, then smirked. "So you win," he chuckled.
Yami Yuugi nodded. "So, I win." He repeated, his trademark triumphant smirk missing from the picture as he continued to stare at the other.
The darkness around them began to fade as the yami no gamespace was banished and Yami Bakura's form began to fade as well, his smirk seeming to linger the longest before he was completely obscured.
Yami Yuugi tensed for a second, his gaze never faltering as he watched the spirit disappear, his own form fading back into reality. He stands perfectly still however, waiting.
When reality reappeared, there were two Bakuras, Yami Bakura standing in front of his former host's unconscious form with a very pleased smirk on his lips. He threaded a finger through the shadowy copy of the Ring that rested on his chest. "His body is now yours to do what you please to, but his soul will always be mine." He threw back his head with a cackle before vanishing completely.
Yami Yuugi ran forward, catching the unconscious figure in his arms, glaring at the ever-fading form of Yami no Bakura. He held Bakura, shaking him gently. "Bakura?"
The boy gave a small tired sound, eyes opening slightly to look blearily up at Yami Yuugi . "Yuu....?" his voice faded before he could complete the name.
Yami Yuugi set him down carefully, leaning over himself, watching Bakura. "Bakura? Can you hear me?" He asked again, trying to get a response.
The boy gave a tired nod. "What....?" he asked faintly.
"Can you sit up?" Yami Yuugi inquired, hands around the other's shoulders, tenderly supporting him, concern in his eyes. "You aren't hurt, are you?"
Bakura leaned into the touch, eyes closing again. A hand went to his shirt, loosely clutching at the fabric over where the Ring was and he gave a small relieved sigh.
Yami Yuugi wrapped his arms fully around the other, content for now that he was safe. He leaned back against the tree behind himself and Bakura, clutching Bakura almost possessively, his expression worn.
The boy gave a contented sigh, melting against the other boy with a tired smile.
"I'm glad you're safe." Yami Yuugi whispered, letting his head rest against the tree trunk and closing his eyes. "Very glad."
"Safe..?" Bakura repeated, voice confused.
Yami's head shot up as he heard Bakura's soft voice, his hands unintentionally tightening around the other. "Yes. Safe." He said, not divulging further, getting lost in a sudden wave of emotion. Emotion, so strange for the spirit, who was usually so stoic. Anger at Bakura's yami, relief that Bakura himself was safe, growing affection for the young one...
The paler boy gave another small smile. "Safe in the arms of my Pharaoh in Shining Puzzle," he laughed tiredly, head resting against Yami Yuugi's chest.
"Yes, safe forever." Yami Yuugi whispered softly, his concern leaving him. Bakura was safe now, or so he told himself. Rather he was safe FOR now. He couldn't let his guard down lest the spirit of the Ring should return. But that wasn't a concern for now, right now all the mattered was Bakura.
"So tired..." Bakura murmured.
"Go ahead and sleep." Yami Yuugi said absentmindedly, playing with a lock of Bakura's hair. "It's okay, I'll be here when you wake up."
"Promise...?" the paler boy asked, looking up to meet the other boy's eyes, a hand loosely clinging to Yami Yuugi's shirt.
Yami Yuugi nodded, watching Bakura. "I promise. I'll be here. I won't leave." He reassured, covering Bakura's hand with his own.
The boy gave a small relieved smile before his eyes closed once more and he relaxed fully against Yami Yuugi's chest.
Yami Yuugi smiled a little, relaxing against the tree himself, his eyes sliding shut every so often as he fought to stay awake.
Yami's eyelids fluttered for a second and he sat up carefully, realizing that Bakura couldn't sleep out in the cold and simultaneously that the tree he was leaning against was becoming uncomfortable. So, as gently as possible, he lifted Bakura into his arms, surprised at how light the taller boy was, starting off across the grassy expanse under the tree, carrying the white-haired one along with him.
Bakura gave a small moan, stirring slightly in his sleep, face tensing.
Yami Yuugi jerked, his face suddenly alert as he turned to face the bed where Bakura lay sleeping.
The boy's hands were tense in the sheets below him and he gave a whimper, tossing his head back and forth.
Yami Yuugi rested one hand on the bedside, leaning over a little and watching Bakura toss and turn, wondering whether or not to wake him. After a moment's deliberation he moved his hand from the bed to Bakura's shoulder shaking gently.
The boy whimpered more, tensing and trying to pull away, curling up slightly.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi said softly, shaking him a little more, brow furrowing. "Wake up, Bakura." He said, a little louder this time and more firmly.
The boy whimpered again, sounding almost panicked and pained.
Yami Yuugi looked even more concerned, dropping his hand away from Bakura's arm and staring at him helplessly for a second.
Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, Yami Yuugi leaned over further, carefully sliding into the bed next to Bakura and wrapping his arms around him loosely.
Slowly, the paler boy quieted, relaxing into Yami Yuugi's arms completely, murmuring something unintelligible.
Yami Yuugi sighed, relieved. His arms tightened a little and he closed his eyes, taking in the scent of Bakura's hair.
Slowly, the boy's eyes blinked open slightly, looking at his soundings in utter confusion, "Yuugi...san...?" he asked softly, voice muddled.
Yami's arms fell away slowly, reluctantly, as he nodded. "Are you all right?" He asked, watching Bakura blink.
"Where....?" the paler boy asked, looking up to peer blearily at the other boy.
"I brought you home with me." Yami Yuugi explained, idly brushing a lock of hair from Bakura's face. "You're in Yuugi's room."
Bakura almost instinctively leaned towards the small touch, eyes closing again. "Oh..." he said softly, giving a small smile.
"I didn't know if it would be safe to take you home." Yami Yuugi added, a little hastily. He looked away from Bakura for a second, as though he were entranced with a poster on Yuugi's wall, his crimson eyes boring a hole into it.
"Safe...?" Bakura asked, voice confused once more.
"Yes, safe." Yami Yuugi said, trace bitterness lining his voice. "From him." He paused, tearing his eyes away from the wall, back to Bakura, eyeing him questioningly.
"... who...?"
"From him." Yami Yuugi repeated. "From your other." He searched for words.
Bakura blinked again. "I-- I don't understand..."
Yami Yuugi cocked his head to the side, supporting himself on one elbow. "You can't tell?" He asked, his free hand gesturing towards the Ring, if a bit vaguely.
The paler boy put a trembling hand over where the Ring was under his shirt, looking almost frightened.
"Is something wrong?" Yami Yuugi asked, abandoning his prior train of thought, looking only at Bakura's troubled face now. "Are you all right?"
The boy looked down, trying to hide his trembling. "I-- I'm fine...." he stammered. "I-- I should go..." He shakily rose to his feat, still clutching a hand over the Ring.
Yami Yuugi stood up behind Bakura, reaching out and taking his hand. "You aren't fine, that's obvious. Please Bakura, tell me what's wrong." He looked pleading for a second, another part of him eyeing Bakura's shaking hand over the Ring.
"I-- I-- I can't... I can't feel...." Bakura's hand tensed further and he gave a small pained sound, wincing slightly.
Yami's eyes widened, his nostrils flaring slightly as he turned Bakura so that he was facing him, his expression a little wild. "He would have known, wouldn't he?" He said, under his breath, more to himself than any one else. "He must have known." Yami Yuugi looked Bakura in the eyes, trying to control himself, his breath hitching when he saw the pained look on Bakura's face. "Bakura?" He asked, softly.
The boy looked up and tried to give a reassuring smile. "It's-- it's nothing. I-- I should go..." the boy stammered again, hand lowering slightly to cover five small spots of red that were slowly growing on his shirt.
Yami Yuugi followed Bakura's hand, eyes darting along his chest until sharp eyes caught sight of flecks of red. "Bakura, you're hurt." He said, his voice detached, but not uncaring as he stepped closer to the boy in front of him, still holding his hand.
Bakura shook his head, trying to pull away. "It's nothing," he repeated, trying to cover the spot better.
Yami Yuugi only gripped his hand tighter, worry once again marring his features. "Please Bakura, I'm trying to help." He said, pleading tone returning. "I don't like to see you hurt." He reached for the hand still covering Bakura's shirt. "Please." He reiterated, squeezing his hand reassuringly.
The paler boy began to tremble slightly. "It's really nothing, I just-- it was an accident, it's nothing!" he protested.
Yami Yuugi nodded. "I believe you, but that doesn't mean that you aren't hurt. You still need to be taken care of." His words are soothing, carrying an underlying message of comfort in them. "Will you let me take care of you?" He asked, taking another step towards the trembling boy.
Bakura looked utterly torn, hand tensing further over the cloth that covered the Ring.
Yami Yuugi let go of Bakura's hands, standing in front of him, his expression hard to read. "Are you waiting for something?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
Bakura paled slightly and took a trembling step back, giving a small panicked whimper.
Yami's hands fell to his sides as soon as they rose, his feet unconsciously following Bakura as he stepped forward. "He won't hurt you any more." He said, his expression kind. "But he won't help you any more either." He added, catching Bakura's eye. "You have to put your trust in something else."
"I-- I don't understand," Bakura stammered, voice shaking. "What-- what did you do?"
"I'm sorry." Yami Yuugi said, feeling a twinge of regret now for his actions, betrayal seeping in as well. "I thought you would have noticed by now. His spirit no longer resides within you."
Bakura stared in utter shock. "U--uso..."[a lie] he whispered, voice trembling as he clutched at the Ring. "The Ring's still with me! He can't-- can't have left...." his voice cracked to a near soundless whisper.
Yami Yuugi shook his head mournfully. "We dueled, I won. He left." He said shortly. "He has his own form now." 'I thought I was helping you', his heart screamed. He directed his gaze at the floor, sighing slightly. "I'm sorry." He said again, as if it would fix things, as if he hoped it would.
"You-- You made him leave....?"
Yami Yuugi shut his eyes, blocking everything from sight, his breathing growing louder in his ears. "The conditions of the game were met. That's all." He said, sadness tingeing his voice. "I'm sorry." He repeated for the third time.
Bakura made a small choking sound, burying his face in his hands as he slid to the floor, curling up.
In a jolt, Yami Yuugi sank to his knees, sympathy written all over his face. "I am sorry, Bakura. I was rash in my decision, I didn't stop to think... about what this might mean to you." He balled his hands into fists, anguish now joining in his expression. "I wish I could help you. Somehow." He sounded hopeless then, watching his hands in his lap.
Bakura didn't seem to hear, rocking back and forth, whispering something Yami Yuugi couldn't hear.
"Bakura?" Yami Yuugi asked, looking up at the sound of his voice. "Bakura, are you all right?"
The boy just continued rocking, whispers sounding more and more like choked begging.
Yami Yuugi looked pained for a second before hesitantly crawling forward until he was right beside Bakura, slowly reaching up with one hand and resting it on Bakura's shoulder.
The boy looked up, eyes tear stained and pleading.
Yami Yuugi leaned forward, carefully wrapping his arms around Bakura, whispering in his ear. "I'm so sorry." Over and over again, his normally composed nature slipping away for a second in favor of comforting this person who was becoming more and more precious to him the more he became involved with him.
Bakura's eyes went wide a brief moment before he buried his face in Yami Yuugi's chest, breaking down into muffled sobs as he clung to the other boy.
Yami Yuugi allowed the boy to rest against him, whispering encouragingly in his ear and running his fingers through his hair. "It's okay." He said repeatedly, his face sad.
Slowly, Bakura's sobbing quieted to small sniffles.
Yami Yuugi continued to run his fingers through Bakura's hair, even after he stilled, crooning softly against his ear.
The paler boy relaxed slightly, hands still clinging to Yami Yuugi's shirt as the smaller boy's voice soothed him.
Yami Yuugi was content to hold Bakura for a while, his body relaxing against the other boy. His worry still lingered at the back of his mind, waiting for him to give it another thought, but he was, again, content to ignore it.
"He has to come back, doesn't he...?" Bakura asked in a small voice. "I-- I still have the Ring.... he has to come back..."
"Well, yes, I suppose so." Yami Yuugi said, drawn from his stupor. "He isn't gone forever."
"Gomen.. I-- I know he doesn't like you and you don't like him, but--" Bakura's hands tensed again. "Everyone always leaves... I'm so afraid of being alone..."
Yami Yuugi clutched at Bakura desperately. "I won't leave you. I thought... I thought he was hurting you. I'm sorry for that. I didn't want to be the one hurting you." He paused. "I want you to be able to trust me."
The paler boy said nothing, hands moving slowly to be hugging Yami Yuugi in return without letting go of his shirt, as if afraid the shorter boy would vanish if he did so.
"I promise I won't leave you." He assured, resting one hand on Bakura's head, tilting his head back to look at him. "Unless it is what you want." He added softly.
"No!" Bakura's voice held a taint of panic as he looked up. "Don't leave..." he near begged.
"If you don't want me to, I won't." Yami Yuugi said firmly. "No matter what."
The paler boy gave a relieved smile.
Yami Yuugi smiled as well. "Will you be all right?" He asked softly.
The boy hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Gomen, I-- I didn't mean to break down on you like that," he gave an embarrassed smile. "It-- it just feels like my soul's been torn in half..."
"It's okay, I understand." Yami Yuugi nodded, arms loosening around the boy as he gave a relieved sigh. "I'm glad." He said, indicating his happiness that Bakura was all right.
Bakura gave him a confused and slightly hurt look.
"I mean, I'm glad you're going to be all right." He said, hastily repairing his mis-speech.
Bakura gave a small embarrassed laugh. "Gomen, I thought you meant..." he trailed off. "Gomen."
"I'm sorry, that was my fault." Yami Yuugi smiled, embarrassed with himself. "I should have said."
The paler boy smiled slightly. "Yuugi-san no sei ja nai," he said softly.
"I don't want to hurt you." He pointed at Bakura's face. "I don't want to hurt your feelings." His hand moved to Bakura's chest, finger resting over his heart. "I want to keep you safe," he emphasized.
Bakura nearly melted at the words, smiling warmly.
"And," he added, mock reproach in his voice. "I want to keep you healthy." He said, playfulness skirting the edge of his voice. "You should sleep more. Eat more." He shook a finger at Bakura.
The boy looked down with an embarrassed smile.
Yami Yuugi smiled genuinely. "Bakura..." he began, trailing of and shaking his head. "Never mind."
"Nani...?" Bakura pushed gently.
Yami Yuugi looked at Bakura, blinking. "It's nothing." He said dismissive. "Do you want something to eat?" He asked, curtsey invading their interlude.
The thinner boy shook his head slightly. "I'm fine," he smiled slightly.
"You're scrawny." Yami Yuugi said appraisingly. "And you've been asleep for a long time, besides going through a physically trying ordeal. You need to eat." He eyed Bakura, his tone bordering on stern, but managing to stay gentle for the most part.
"How long was I asleep...?"
"A long time." Yami Yuugi said, thinking. "According to Yuugi, 18 hours." He looked at Bakura pointedly. "Long enough."
"Gomen, I must have worried you and Yuugi-kun," Bakura looked down, tone apologetic.
"It's all right." Yami Yuugi replied, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "You aren't any trouble." He said sincerely. "But you must be hungry, surely?" He asked again.
Bakura shook his head.
Yami Yuugi eyed him, still suspicious, but he finally shrugged. "Is there anything else you need?" He asked politely.
The paler boy shook his head again. "I probably should have my meds," he laughed slightly. "If it's been that long, no wonder I made an idiot of myself crying..."
Yami Yuugi nodded cautiously. "You're right. Maybe you should go home and get those." He indicated with a wave of his hand. "And you did not make an idiot of yourself."
Bakura gave a small smile. "Arigatou... for everything," he said softly.
Yami Yuugi nodded, admiration in his eyes. "It was my pleasure." He said, smiling slightly as well and closing his eyes.
"I feel bad for poor Yuugi-kun," Bakura laughed softly. "He hasn't been able to do anything because of me..."
Yami Yuugi smirked and shook his head. "I'm sure he doesn't mind."
Bakura was still a moment more before slowly and reluctantly pulling away.
Yami Yuugi dropped his hands from around Bakura, nodding and standing. "Go home, freshen up." Yami Yuugi said, suggesting.
Bakura gave a smile, nodding. "I probably still have dirt in my hair," he laughed softly.
Yami Yuugi grinned. "A little." He said, reaching up to brush nonexistent dirt from Bakura's snowy locks.
The paler boy blushed lightly, still smiling. "Apologize to Yuugi-kun for me for messing up his bed," he requested before heading for the doorway. He hesitated a moment, looking back at Yami Yuugi Yuugi a moment before leaving.
Yami Yuugi watched Bakura leave, feeling like he should follow him or something, his feet still rooted to the ground by Bakura's last smile.
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AN: Mild smut starts next chapter. Whoo. And Death Koala is an actual card. I have three. *grins* It's just not been relased in the US version of the game yet, I beleive.
Feed the feedback junkies and review please! Wanna know if this is worth continuing to post here or not. [cause if noones reading it, why bother, right? *shrugs*]