DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fanfiction produced for entertainment purposes only. Yu-Gi-Oh! and all related characters are the creations of Kazuki Takahashi. The song 'Eternal Flame' was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: During the song, "Words" are being sung and (Words) are being spoken mind-to-mind. Ryou and Yugi's musical talents are a gift from me for the duration of this story ;D
Chapter 3: Ryou's Performance
By Shadow's Mirror
The black velvet curtain slowly slid back to reveal a sight that made the audience gasp in surprise.
A beautiful grand piano had pride of place in the middle of the stage, but all eyes were on the teenager standing beside it. Although two names had been called, only one boy was on the stage.
He was slightly shorter than average, with a mane of long white hair that appeared to shine silver under the auditorium lights. Although he stood calmly, there was a hint of nervousness in his dark brown eyes. He was dressed neatly in white sneakers, creased blue pants (not jeans like most of the other students) and a pale blue sweater over a white shirt. All in all, aside from his hair, he looked like a perfectly ordinary teenager.
Taking the microphone out of its stand, he spoke into it and his soft English voice filled the auditorium. "Good evening. I'm Ryou Bakura. My friend Yugi and I have two songs to present to you tonight. Together, we refer to them as 'A Gift from the Light to the Darkness'. The one I'm about to play for you is called 'Eternal Flame'. Kura, this is for you."
As Ryou placed the microphone back into its stand and sat down at the piano, in the audience, Bakura was sitting wide-eyed in shock. He didn't know what stunned him more, Ryou being so calm now when he'd been a bundle of nerves for weeks, or Ryou calling him Kura. He'd never done that before. Bakura decided that he rather liked it. He leaned forward, eager to hear the song. When Ryou played the opening chords, he blinked in surprise and a slow smile dawned on his face. He hadn't known the name of it before, but he immediately recognised his favourite song!
Ryou played with his usual light-but-sure touch, each note rising through the auditorium until the entire room seemed to resonate with the music. There was no sign now of the tentative style of playing he'd used during the rehearsals. Instead, his music brought a smile to every single face in the auditorium, and a tear to more than one eye. But to one particular member of the audience, it meant far, far more.
After the first bar, just when the audience had gotten over their initial surprise at the young boy's skill, he surprised them again. His voice rose, soft but clear, over the notes of the piano, as though he had done this many times. Only two members of the audience knew that he had never sung in public before, and neither of them had known just how good he was.
To Bakura, hearing his light play his favourite song was something that he would never forget, if he existed for another five thousand years. But hearing his light sing was even more memorable. He had never known the words to the song, but as he listened, he suddenly realised why Ryou played it so often. Through his mind-link with his light, he could usually sense Ryou's feelings at least slightly. Now Ryou opened the link completely. Even as he sang to the audience, he spoke to Bakura in the most private way possible. Mind to mind.
(It's a sign of trust. I trust you. Do you trust me?)
"Do you feel my heart beating? Do you understand?"
(I'm alive. I live for you.)
"Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming?"
(Sometimes I wonder if this is real. You're so different now.)
"Is this burning an eternal flame?"
(Will you always be with me?)
"I believe it's meant to be."
(I am your light. You are my darkness.)
"I watch you when you are sleeping, you belong with me."
(You look so peaceful. I love seeing you so relaxed around me.)
"Do you feel the same? Am I only dreaming?"
(Am I only fooling myself, or are we becoming friends?)
"Is this burning an eternal flame?"
(I don't know what I'd do without you.)
"Say my name - sun shines through the rain."
(One word from you can make my day complete.)
"A whole life so lonely,"
(I was all alone until I met you.)
"And then you come and ease the pain."
(Yes, you've hurt me. But you've helped me too.)
"I don't want to lose this feeling."
(I don't want to lose you.)
Ryou continued to play and sing and complete silence fell over the auditorium as the awed listeners drank in every note and every word of the performance. When the last note finally faded into silence, there was a moment where not a sound was heard in the auditorium. Then, as one, the audience stood up and began to applaud!
Ryou swung around in shock and blinked as he looked out on the applauding audience. Bakura instantly knew that his light had become so caught up in the song that he'd completely forgotten where he was! Slowly, Bakura stood. His eyes never left his light and he knew the instant Ryou saw him. Bakura smiled and joined in the applause. At his side, he sensed that Yami had also stood and was adding his applause to everyone else's. A rush of pride filled Bakura's heart as he looked up at his light, who was now blushing furiously. "My light," he whispered, unheard above the applause.
On the stage, Ryou could feel the heat rising in his face and he silently wished that he didn't blush so easily. His gaze darted back to Bakura and he almost forgot to breathe as he saw the look of pride on his yami's face. It was the first time Bakura had ever looked at him that way. Suddenly, Ryou's embarrassment faded and he raised his head and smiled.
He had done what he had set out to do. He had given his yami a gift that he would not soon forget. Ryou was suddenly glad that he'd allowed Yugi to convince him that this was a good idea. He never would have gathered the courage otherwise.
Ryou glanced to the side of the stage, where Yugi was standing waiting patiently for the applause to die down so he could make his entrance. Seeing Ryou looking his way, the little light grinned and gave his friend a thumbs up. Ryou smiled back and then stood. He went to the microphone again. The audience quieted as they saw what he was doing.
"Thank you everyone, I'm very glad that you liked the song. I hope you enjoy the next one too." Ryou was suddenly too shy to say anything else. Instead, he stepped back and held out his hand, motioning for Yugi to join him on the stage. As Yugi obeyed, Ryou sat down at the piano again. He had presented his gift to his yami, now it was Yugi's turn!
