Chapter Two

Crap, I forgot the disclaimer: I don't own Yu-gi-oh or the ever-loveable Bakura.

"Think Ryou will know of the nights you spent running from Rare Hunters?" Bakura whispered snapping her back to the present. "The sleepless days and nights that have gone by?"

"It's part of the deal of having a Millennium item: having jokers try to take it from you."

Bakura backed a step and nodded, "And what do you suppose his reaction will be when he sees what happens when you allow me in control of your body." He smiled darkly, "Ryou looked enough like me that the change wasn't so drastic. You on the other hand Tanith Lee…"

She threw her goggles at the apparition, "I know, okay! I've seen what happens when you're in control, you think I like it?"

"I do."

Tanith scowled, "Yeah, you would."

Bakura only smiled sinisterly.

"I hate it when you're in this mood."

"What mood?" he asked innocently.

"The I-just-have-to-annoy-Tanith-as-much-as-I-can mood." She replied retrieving her goggles and slipped them back on, "It's really annoying, Bakura."

The spirit chuckled, "I think that's the point, dear."

Tanith laughed as well as she returned to her work, "Yeah, I know and that's the most annoying part."

"So." Bakura purred sliding up behind her. "What are we going to do?"

"About?" she prompted as sparks scattered around her.

He leaned over and rested his chin on her head, "Entertainment, Ryou, Malik… the usual."

Tanith got a mischievous smile, "What we do every night, Pinky. Try to take over the world!"

She began singing the theme song from Pinky and the Brain as Bakura groaned.

"…One is a genius, the other's insane!"

"I am offended." Bakura said looking down at her, "I happen to have a very good reason for being the way I am."

"Uh huh." She replied and burst into song again. "I am a genius, you're deviously insane."

"Better."

Tanith laughed, "I like you better when you're in a playful mood."

"I don't need to be liked." He replied laying his head down again. "You didn't answer my question, what are we going to do?"

With a sigh, she shrugged. "For entertainment, you can watch me fix this generator."

"I'd rather watch grass grow."

"Screw you too!" Tanith exclaimed and sighed, "About Ryou, we can sneak into the hospital again and check up on him."

"And nearly get caught by Rare Hunters again."

"We got out in time, thanks to my Rare Hunter detector!"

Bakura stood up straight and threw up his hands, "Why couldn't you set that thing where it could detect them before they're almost next to us?"

"Because if I did, it would detect any amount of gold found around us." Tanith shot back, "The way it's set now, the device will only alert us if it spots those chains they're always seem to be wearing."

The spirit snorted, "And what about Malik? Are you going to use to toys to avoid him?"

Tanith spun around, "Malik's your guy. I don't mess with the Millennium Ring's powers. You take care of him."

"Let me remind you who sent Ryou and I to the Shadow Realm for almost a year and caused you to be stuck in the condition you are." Bakura snapped. "Malik. Do you think I can defeat him in a Shadow Game with you so charmed by him?"

She sighed, "But I'm not..."

"As you're so fond of saying, can it. I know you like him, you know you like him and Malik knows you like him."

"I don't like that creep!" Tanith shouted.

"Then why were you blushing and acting so shy around him?"

"Ever hear of intimidation?"

"Ever hear the word enamored?"

"Oh, the grade school drop-out Tomb Raider knows a big word." Tanith snapped.

"Shut up!" Bakura growled and a wave of dark energy slammed into Tanith, knocking her back four feet. A second later, Bakura too flew into the air and slammed into the ground in a tangled heap.

"Take that." Tanith's weak voice cried. Both groggily got to their feet and met back with each other.

"Don't insult my intelligence." He huffed.

"Agreed as long as you quit saying I like Malik. For Christ's sake I met the guy once." She replied with a groan.

"Fine."

"Fine."

Tanith went back to repairing the generator as Bakura went back into the Ring. There they stayed until nightfall. The generator was fixed and hooked back up to the other three so Tanith and Bakura could have some electricity for their home.

Done yet? Bakura asked telepathically.

"Yup, all done." Tanith replied as the spirit appeared from the Ring. She wiped her hands clean of grease on her shirt as she continued, "Now that that's done, you can go have some fun."

Bakura rubbed his hands together as he returned to the Ring and took over for Tanith. A glow surrounded the girl and grew from the Ring until it enveloped her. When the light vanished, it was Bakura himself who stood in her place.

What are you going to do? Tanith inquired. I remember the time when you broke into Kaibaland and had me screw with the dueling arenas.

That was fun. Bakura replied

Tanith giggled, Turning all defense monsters into attack monsters and vise versa did cause quite a stir.

Seto Kaiba himself had come down from his offices to fix our mischief.

Planning on another trip?

No, but what I have in mind might solve a problem or two.

Tanith giggled, Can't wait.

The hospital had the eerie quiet that all places at night have. The noises that once filled the halls dimmed. The ever-present lights cast shadows everywhere. One such shadow crept down the halls with expert ease and slipped into a dim room, shutting the door quietly behind them.

Bakura looked down at his comatosed hikari and sighed. Why did he ever get involved with Malik Ishtar? He smiled wryly, to get his Millennium Rod of course.

And now that he can't have the Egyptian God cards, he's after the next best thing, the Millennium Items. Beginning with mine, Bakura thought grimly.

"I was wondering when you'd show up." A familiar voice said from the room's shadows. Bakura spun around in time to see Malik step into the light of the bedside lamp.

"Wait no more." Bakura replied watching his foe flip on the lights and take a seat across from him.

"What did you call me here for?" Malik inquired, "Not that I'm not delighted you did, saves me the trouble of tracking you down."

You called him? Why the heck did you call him?! Tanith screamed.

Patience, you'll see. Bakura said aloud, "To play a game."

"I already defeated you in a Shadow Game."

Tanith sensed her guest's ire but he kept his cool, "Not a Shadow Game, another." Bakura chuckled, "In fact, you have already begun playing it."

Malik's curiosity got the better of him, "And what game is that, Tomb Robber?"

Bakura smiled sinisterly, "Chess. You send out one of your pawns, we counter."

"You mean you and that foolish street urchin."

Ha! And you said he liked me, Bakura.

The once tomb robber didn't blink as he answered her. He does, he just won't admit it to me. Now shut up and let me talk. "Who has been able to avoid your Rare Hunters for six months, Ishtar?" he shot back with a smirk.

Malik scowled, "What's in it for me?"

Bakura leaned up against the wall next to where Ryou lay asleep, "Everything you want."

This made Malik even more curious, "How do we play?"

Score! Tanith exclaimed. You got the lil fishy!

From the folds of his jacket, Bakura brought out a battered chessboard and pieces and sat them on Ryou's food tray.

"Tanith or I will meet you here and play our move for the night. As with regular chess, whomever gets checkmate, wins."

"If we win, you will leave Ryou, Tanith and I alone." Bakura continued with a sinister smile.

Malik crossed his arms in front of him, "So you'll risk getting captured every night just to save your hikari and your host. How sweet."

Bakura glared at him, "I'm not sweet."

Sure you are Bakura, Tanith retorted. Why I bet when Ryou wakes up, you'll be out picking flowers for him.

You're a sick and twisted mortal, Tanith. Bakura told her and said aloud, "Are you willing to pass up the even greater chance of getting my Ring?"

Across from him, Malik seemed to think about it. He drummed his fingers on the table, looking up at Bakura with a Mona Lisa smile.

"I'll play your game…as long as it's against your Tanith." He replied. Bakura felt her cowering in her soul room.

I don't want to be near him let alone play chess with him. He's too creepy. She told the yami.

Picture him dressed as the Easter Bunny, Bakura advised. A great big, pink and fluffy bunny.

That's creepy just thinking about it, Tanith replied evenly.

Bakura growled and shoved her out of the soul room and after being enveloped by light, Tanith stood where the yami once did.

"Bakura! You get back here." Tanith demanded and stomped her feet childishly. Malik seeing this cleared his throat audibly and Tanith blushed furiously.

"Mr Ishtar!" she exclaimed. "So lovely to see you once again, ya creepy guy you."

"Malik." He corrected rising to his feet.

Tanith blushed again and began setting up the chess game. She paused when she felt Malik's breath against the back of her neck.

"May I be so bold as to call you Tanith?" he whispered in her ear.

"S-sure be as bold as ya want."

Malik chuckled and brushed a strand of black hair back away from her face. "You know, under all that dirt and grime, you're actually rather attractive."

Aww isn't he a romantic. Bakura cooed, A real Casanova.

Tanith shook herself and moved away from the Egyptian. Thanks for spoiling the mood.

No problem, I always was a party pooper in life.

Tanith chuckled, "I bet you say that too all the girls you try to beat in chess."

Admitting defeat, Malik stepped back and allowed Tanith to finish setting the game up. Once she was done, she rolled up the table to the chair he once more sat in.

"White or black, Mr Ishtar."

"Black, I was taught to allow ladies to go first." He replied, "And please call me Malik."

"Wow manners, I'm impressed." Tanith walked out of the room and returned shortly with another chair, which she sat down across from Malik. Once she sat down she moved a pawn to E4.

"You don't sound very." He told her as he moved a pawn to C6.

Tanith studied the chess board, "No really, a depraved guy like yourself having manners. Wow." She moved another pawn to D4 then looked up at him, "Your turn, Mr Ishtar."

Malik sighed and studied the board propping his head on his fists, sending strands of platinum hair forward into his face. Unconsciously, Tanith used her telekinesis to brush them back. Lavender colored eyes shot up to lock with dark blue.

"Something wrong?" she inquired sweetly. "Can't think because you're so enamoured with me?"

Oooo, big word Tanith, learn that before you dropped out? Bakura inquired sweetly as he could.

You're just jealous I got passed grade school, Tanith shot back.

"You're pretty." Malik said with a chuckle, he moved a pawn to D5 and added, "But not that pretty."

Shot down! Bakura exclaimed gleefully. Tanith smirked as she moved a knight to C3.

Malik began studying the board again then his eyes lit up, spelling trouble. Tanith watched helplessly as the pawn on E4 was taken by D5.

Tanith studied the board as her Rare Hunter detector began vibrating. She rose to her feet and applauded her foe.

"Nicely executed but it is time for this game to be discontinued, I sense your Rare Hunters are arriving to visit Ryou."

She walked out the door with a wave and then into the night. The Rare Hunters missed her by two seconds.