For the Love of Past and Present
Part Three: Rings of Fate
Later that evening a fierce storm kicked up sending wave after wave of windblown rain washing over the city streets. Dina Finesse dashed along the sidewalk in the downpour with a black hood over her head from a sweatshirt she wore beneath her leather jacket.
"Figures I'd stay too long at the gallery and let myself get caught in this stuff." she scolded herself as she ran.
Dina was an artist, a painter to be specific, that had recently moved to Domino after receiving offers from several local galleries to display her celestial and Egyptian work there.
A big break non the less she was without friends or family and literally starting over in the new city. She owned a studio downtown and lived in an apartment just across the street but traveling to the gallery had cost her a dry walk home. It probably wouldn't be the first time. Yet this time she'd find herself with a lot more than just damp clothes to worry about…
******
In an alley not too many blocks away a shadowy figure in a dark robe awaited the appearance of an item holder that he sensed would soon be passing by. This figure clutched his own item closely in his right hand. Malik wouldn't let this pathetic mortal wander off with the power that should rightfully be his. The more items he possessed the closer it would bring him to Yugi's item and the limitless power of the pharaoh that dwelt within it.
Bakura came rushing down the sidewalk in front of the alley just as Malik expected. The white haired young man was hustling to get out of the rain before his off-white sweater was soaked all the way through. The Millennium Ring was hidden beneath the dampening article of clothing but Malik could still sense its presence.
"That's right fool, walk right into my trap." Malik snickered as he prepared to seize control of Bakura's mind.
Bakura felt a sudden strain evolve within his mind as he passed by the alley. The strain quickly became a headache which was followed by a menacing voice. Give up now foolish mortal before I decide to do away with you anyway. I'll give you this option Bakura, duel me for your Millennium Ring, or face an eternity in The Shadow Realm!
Bakura's face froze in a look of utter terror. Oh no not again, this is the same scandral that was after Yugi's puzzle! Well he won't take my ring!!
Sensing the struggle against his mind control Malik increased his spell sending Bakura to his knees in sheer mental agony. Don't try to resist my power prey! You have no idea who you're up against.
Perhaps I could be a worthier challenge. A new voice from within Bakura's mind offered.
Malik was only slightly surprised to hear from the spirit which inhabited Bakura's Millennium Ring. He watched as the figure took Bakura's form and arose to meet him with a sardonic gaze.
"Very well spirit, it makes no difference which of you I duel. Once I win the item is mine. And I'll be free to dispose of you by any means I see fit." Malik called.
"And what makes you think you're worthy of a duel with me?" Yami Bakura inquired.
"Because like your host Bakura I have something you want," Malik answered holding out his item, "You are still in pursuit of all the Millennium items are you not?"
"This is true." Yami Bakura nodded, "Very well sorcerer, you've proven yourself worthy. But why should I waste time dueling you when I could just take your item as I took Pegasus's Millennium Eye?"
"Because I have the power to banish your host to The Shadow Realm and without him you'll have no entry to the mortal world." Malik replied growing tired of this argument.
"You know the folly with most duelists?" Yami Bakura asked in a tone of malicious amusement, "They've grown so accustomed to letting their cards do all the battling for them that they're unable of handling their own fights."
"Are you challenging me to hand to hand combat?" Malik snapped.
Yami Bakura let out a dark laugh, "I see that you're in no shape for such a physical task. Why fight you when you're so pitifully unarmed?"
"Insolent thief!" Malik roared, "I accept your challenge. And once I defeat you with my bare hands I shall possess the ring you ware as well as your pathetic life!"
The fight thus commenced as Malik shed his robe and Yami Bakura's ring was pulled from beneath his sweater. After exchanging several blows the opponents found themselves equally matched in fighting skill and strength yet neither was willing to back down. The stakes were too high and the battle too far underway. There was no turning back. With cries of rage each male let fly towards the other. The rain which splattered in the alleyway was soon stained with pools of freshly spilled crimson blood.
*******
Dina continued rushing down the sidewalk then stopped abruptly when she heard sounds of overturning trashcans and cracking crates in an alley just ahead. Pausing for a moment a few yards away she listened in fear as two male voices grunted and cried in pain with each shattering noise or sound of punching. Eyes wide Dina backed a few steps away noting a steady stream of blood flowing from the alley into a storm drain where the sidewalk meet the street.
Wondering if she should run for cover or call for help she was further terrified by the sound of something as heavy as a body colliding with a half empty dumpster. Gasping she rushed forward to help the victim if she could but was stopped when a handsome figure with long white hair, stained with blood and covered in bruises, staggered out of the alleyway and collapsed onto the sidewalk.
"Oh my gosh!" she yelled and quickly fell by his side to see how serious his injuries were. He looked more exhausted than anything, although his body was pretty battered.
She then heard moaning from within the alley but when she got close enough to check the other figure (who had obviously been thrown at full force against the now dented dumpster) was gone.
Returning to the first young man she gently lifted him off the sidewalk. We're a good eight miles from the hospital right now and there isn't a taxi in sight. Most of the shops have closed early today because of the severe weather so I'd best just take him home and try to find out where he lives…and what the heck happened.
Carefully she continued walking, more or less dragging the young man, towards her apartment building which was thankfully the third building down from where she'd found him.
The few people scattered in the lobby took note of Dina as she dragged her company towards the elevator. "Um…he's my friend from out of town," she explained blushing, "we're rehearsing for a play. Like the gory make-up?"
The elderly lady standing next to her in the elevator glanced sideways at the young man and drew back against the railing on the wall, "Oh my goodness!"
"It's just stage make-up," Dina explained, not buying her own lie for a single minute, "nothing to worry about."
"Then why is he unconscious?" the woman inquired.
"Oh that," Dina eyed the man with eyes pleading him to wake up soon and spare her the trouble of making up more stories, "we had a big party a while ago, the whole cast got a little tipsy, he kinda had a little too much. I'm taking up to my place so he can rest and sober up before he has to head home."
"Well might I suggest a shower and change of clothes?" the lady recommended in a rather stuck up tone.
"Sure, I think that's a good idea." Dina replied as the elevator reached her floor. "Nice of you to stick your nose in our business lady," she muttered upon exiting the elevator.
After a great deal of difficulty unlocking her door Dina hauled her guest to her bed and laid him down. "There, hopefully that'll do for now. Maybe you'll wake up soon huh?"
Staring down silently at the young man's motionless body Dina felt a slight pang in her chest telling her she should try and do more for him. Help him, in any way that she could. Sighing she headed into the bathroom and started pulling wash clothes and towels off the shelves. Filling the sink with luke warm water she dipped the wash clothes in and headed back to the bed.
The young man didn't even stir as she carefully cleaned his wounds and then patted the water droplets away with the towels. In the process of tending to his injuries she'd removed his sweater and the shirt beneath and placed them on the bed beside him. His feet had been moved onto the bed and his pant legs were rolled up just above his knees allowing her to bandage the bleeding wounds on his legs.
His arms, chest, and back were likewise tended to and afterwards Dina headed into the laundry room with Bakura's shirt, sweater, and the bloodstained towels and wash clothes. Reentering the bedroom she noted that Bakura's pants were soaked and bloody, she could in good conscience leave him to rest in clothing like that and possibly become ill so she timidly pulled off his pants, letting them fall by his shoes and sock on the floor and was relieved to find he had on a pair of black boxers with silver hieroglyphic designs underneath. Now worried that he wouldn't stay warm she struggled to maneuver his body underneath the sheets and comforter.
"You'd better appreciate all this pal." she muttered before leaving to clean the rest of his garments.
******
Several hours later Dina was working on one of her desert paintings when she heard a faint moan from her bedroom. "Looks like my houseguest is waking up." she chuckled to herself as she left her easel and entered the room. "Good morning, I was wondering when you were going to wake up."
"W-where am I?" Bakura asked holding a hand to his forehead. When he saw his bare arm his eyes traveled down to the sheet over his chest which he lifted up to discover that he was clad in nothing but his boxers, "And where are my clothes?!"
"Don't worry," Dina smiled, "I've got them in the dryer now. You were pretty banged up when I saw you collapse outside that alley. But I guess whoever you were fighting came out the worse for the ware because he risked staggering away in the rain as opposed to facing you again."
"What?" Bakura faintly recalled his encounter with Malik and how Yami Bakura had emerged from the ring to challenge Malik to hand-to-hand combat rather than a duel in the rain.
"That guy you were fighting, don't you remember?" Dina repeated drawing closer to the bed and sitting down at the foot of it.
"Vaguely." Bakura admitted, "It's mostly a blur though."
"Well, you're safe now. I didn't know if I should drag you all the way to the hospital or not so I just brought you here. It was a lot closer and I took care of your cuts and all. Sorry about the shock, I didn't wanna wake you up myself."
"Y-you did all this?" Bakura asked holding up his bandaged arms. Dina nodded. "T-thank you…"
"Dina." she grinned warmly, "Dina Finesse, I'm sort of the new artist in town. And I've gotta tell ya, I never expected to make friends this way."
Bakura found himself laughing a little at this. "Sorry about that. I didn't exactly plan on a run in with that fellow you heard me battling with. Otherwise I would've just avoided the area altogether."
"Well, don't take this the wrong way," Dina blushed slightly, "but I'm kind of glad you didn't."
Ah, this again. Bakura thought to himself, he really was quite a ladies' man. So it came as no surprise that this young lady seemed to be a bit infatuated with him now.
Poor lonesome Bakura always shunning the lovelorn and withdrawing to himself. the nagging voice of the spirit within his ring mocked. If I had use of this body right now I'd give her an appropriate show of gratitude that she wouldn't soon forget.
That's enough! Bakura scolded his item's spirit. I've told you before that I will not be bullied by you any longer. Remember, if I discard this ring you'll be left without a host and permanently stuck inside!
Better to be stuck in here than trapped within a prude. the harsh voice retorted.
"Are you alright?" Dina studied Bakura's fazed out and slightly angered expression, "Did I say something wrong?"
"Huh? Uh…no. Sorry, I must still be a little shaken from the attack." Bakura snapped back to their conversation.
"Oh, well if you need more rest I can go back into the living room. I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Should I call a doctor? I mean, it's kind of early in the morning and all but-"
"No, that won't be necessary. Thank you." Bakura interrupted. "I'm fine, really. What time is it anyway?"
Glancing at her watch Dina replied with a slight yawn, "Two twenty-five in the morning. No biggie, I'm a night owl anyway. Most of the time."
"I've been out that long?" Bakura asked amazed.
"Yeah," Dina nodded, "like I said, I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up."
And I was beginning to hope you wouldn't. the dark voice of the spirit chuckled.
That's enough out of you, I mean it! I should've left you back at Duelist Kingdom when Tristan tossed you out of the castle window! Bakura snapped to the spirit.
But you didn't.
Well I should have!
There he goes again, Dina thought, spacing out on me. He's so mysterious.
Once Bakura returned his focus to Dina he saw how obviously fascinated she was by him. Blushing slightly he eased back farther on the bed, "If my clothes are dry I really should be going now Dina. Thanks again for assisting me."
"No problem," Dina quickly shook her head to clear her thoughts, "I'll go check on your clothes now."
Bakura watched as the slender red head headed out of the room and down the hall. And there goes another one. the spirit remarked, And such a fine specimen of feminine beauty too. Completely oblivious to the peril she'd be in if only I had control.
I thought I told you to cut that out?!
I don't expect you to comprehend what it is to thoroughly enjoy the concept of physical bliss Bakura. the spirit ridiculed his host, After all it would take a real man to do that.
Enraged by his spirit's accusations Bakura clenched the soft fabric in his hands and winced in embarrassed rage until he heard Dina's footsteps as she returned down the hall with his shirt.
"I'm sorry Bakura, this was all that was dry enough to pull out. I'm sure the rest will be ready in a few minutes." she apologized.
"That's quite alright," he assured her, he was going to prove something to that condescending spirit in the ring right here and now, "I-I'm not so sure that I feel up to traveling just yet anyway."
"Oh," Dina stared at him in puzzlement, "I thought you were feeling better. Um, would you like me to fix you something to eat? Get you a drink or something?"
"No, I'm not thirsty or anything right now." Right now Bakura was set on proving Yami Bakura wrong about something, his ability to make use of his charm with the opposite sex.
Dina ran a hand through her short hair and let it fall around her ears in its untamed way. She was at a loss for what to say or do next. Thankfully it was Bakura who spoke.
"I wish there was something I could do to repay you for your kindness." Bakura said softly bringing a hand to her cheek. As he began to caress her soft pale skin he continued to flirt, "It's not just anyone who would stop to help a complete stranger in the middle of a raging storm."
"It was no big deal," Dina stuttered with her cheeks reddening even more, "I'm sure you'd have found someone else to help if I hadn't been there."
"And I'm sure you're quite mistaken." Bakura smiled drawing nearer. This was the first time he'd allowed himself to get this intimate with anyone. Dina was actually beginning to entice him, although he couldn't quite decide why. Perhaps it was those sparkling blue eyes, or her pale skin (so similar to his), or better yet, those deep pink lips. Lips that he was gradually nearing with his own.
Dina opened her mouth to speak but as soon as her lips parted they were encased by Bakura's. With her mouth enclosed by his Dina found herself short of breath as Bakura deepened the kiss. Exploring the inside of her mouth with his tongue. She mimicked his movements and soon…she was lying next to him atop the sheets as he ran a hand down past her thigh easing her beneath the covers with him.
A slight moan of pleasure escaped her as Bakura brought his well muscled figure down onto hers. A chill ran up and down Bakura's spine as Dina wrapped her arms around his neck and gently brought her body up to lightly touch his as he gliding back and forth over her slim figure. Their kisses were broken only by bits of fabric as Bakura removed her sweatshirt and the white tube top beneath. Dina was unaware that her jeans were already at the foot of the bed as Bakura unfastened her upper undergarment and tossed over the side of the bed.
Whispered I love you's followed as their warm breaths blended just before their bodies joined. Dina was now completely bare and at this handsome stranger's mercy. Bakura's Millennium Ring hung from his neck and dangled back and forth between their bare chests glistening in the moonlight seeping through the window as the skies outside cleared revealing twinkling stars…
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*And there's your romance that got the fic rated PG-13. I'm pretty sure I'll add more chapters like this one so review and tell me what ya think. Consider my posting two chapters in one day an apology for taking so long to update. See ya soon readers!*