((A/N Realy really sorry for the lack of updates for those who still like me. I feel I've lost some people for my lack of updates. x_o
Anyway, here goes the next chapter. ))
****Normal POV****
Bria stepped back, shielding her eyes from the immense light. A warm wind began to build up around them, blowing their clothes and hair.
Swoosh…
As Bria uncovered her eyes, she noticed the room had grown dim again. Once her eyes had adjusted to the light, she saw Malik on the ground, Rashid kneeling beside him and trying to awake him. The Millennium Rod was a small distance away from them on the ground, still gleaming in the faint light. Bakura was approaching the two, his fists clenched at his side.
Once in front of the two bodies, he brought his fist down upon Rashid, knocking him away from Malik. Rushing over to help him, Bria headed for Rashid, who was getting back up. Bounding in his direction, her leg shot out, a kick landing upon his chest. The force knocked Rashid back, his arms flying out to keep balance. Malik, at seeing the attack on Rashid, sprung away from Bakura, grabbing Bria by the shoulders. Rashid took his opportunity to ambush Bakura, who was distracted by Malik's assault on Bria.
Bakura's arms were now firmly twisted behind his back. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't seem to get free; Rashid's grip only tightened as more pressure was put onto him, forcing him to his knees.
Malik's grip on Bria loosened, only to shove her to the ground before she had a chance to attack. The shimmer of the Rod caught his eye. Reaching down for the Rod, he immediately slid the end off, once again revealing the blade.
Bria tried to move, but her legs seemed to go numb. Malik shook the Rod in her face, showing her the glowing end.
"You can't move. I won't let you move."
Turning the Rod to the opposite end, he showed her the blade, which had bloodstains in various places. The tip of the blade lined her cheek, drawing blood as it passed over the tender skin.
Bakura saw no use in struggling anymore. But he had to save Bria…
Malik began to laugh. Hope began to shrink in Bria's mind. There was literally nothing she could do to stop him… She was going to die before…
"Enough!"
Bakura shouted, brown hues almost threatening Malik. Malik simply let another laugh escape him.
"I can't let her live. She must die…" Malik's thoughts remained on killing Bria, as well as what would happen if she lived. He wouldn't let that happen. "…painfully."
The Rod's blade then slit through Bria's sleeve, only to place a cut over a previously made scrape. Malik studied it for a moment… So he was right… The pervious scratch was in the same exact place as where his Rod had gotten Bakura's arm. His hand gripped the Rod tighter as anger began to internally build.
Bakura could feel the rise in anger within Malik, although he wasn't sure of the reason, or why he wanted Bria dead so badly. But something inside him told him not to let Bria die…
The Ring began to glow once again as another golden ray shot at Malik, causing the Rod to fly out of his hand. It made a clattering sound as it hit the floor, startling Malik. He hadn't expected Bakura's Ring to have any power left…
"Malik-sama!"
Letting go of Bakura, Rashid dashed over to Malik's side, who immediately greeted him with a slap across the face.
"You idiot! You let him go!"
Malik began to yell at Rashid, while Bria began to feel her legs again. Once the Rod's spell had worn off, she got to her feet, just as Bakura signaled for her to attack Rashid.
She leapt for the taller one, a blow from her fist causing him to stumble back a few paces. Bakura had taken Malik by the hair and had flung him to the ground. Anger overcame everything else in his mind at the moment. The only thing he wanted to see was Malik suffering…
Bria was monitoring Rashid, making sure he didn't try to come to Malik's rescue once again. Rashid was already injured from Malik's slap and her many kicks, so he decided to allow Malik to fight his own battle this time. Or at least, that's what he thought now.
Bakura's foot buried itself into Malik's stomach, crushing whatever organs lie within him. Malik cried out, his hands wrapping around Bakura's ankle, trying to remove it from his flattened abdomen. Rage gathered in Bakura's brown hues. The more Malik tried to escape, the harder he brought his foot down.
"Malik-sama!" Rashid cried out, his hands covering his mouth from horror. Bakura spun around, hearing the comment. This distraction gave Malik a second to breathe, only to see Bakura bring his Ring forward.
"Shut up!"
Another beam shot from the Ring, soaring past Bria and hitting Rashid in the forehead, knocking him out on the spot. Rashid fell back, his eyes rolling back into his head as everything went black.
Turning his attention back to Malik, he sent a kick to the side of his dark-skinned head, rattling Malik's brain. His hands flew to his head, gripping it and crying out. Bakura could see he was already in enough pain. But he wanted him to suffer more… Much more. For everything he had done… Trying to kill Bria, taking Seto… kidnapping his hikari…
Just thinking such thoughts brought the frustration right back into his system. Behind him laid the Rod, the blade still uncovered. Bending over, he picked it up. Still kneeling down, he gripped the Rod, stabbing it into Malik's arm. Malik screamed, feeling the hot blade pierce into his skin, the warm blood running down his arm and dripping onto the floor. As a puddle of blood began to accumulate on the floor, Bakura took Malik by his cream-colored hair once again, pulling Malik into an almost sitting position.
"Let Kaiba go. Leave my hikari alone. And if I ever catch you around either again, I'll kill you in the most painful way that you can imagine."
Once Malik had stopped shouting from the pain of his wound, he allowed Bakura to take the key that unlocked Seto's chains. Snatching the key from Malik's shaking hand, he sent another kick to Malik, leaving him sniveling on the ground.
Bria followed behind him, almost worried that Bakura's anger would overpower his feelings for Seto. Bakura paused in front of Seto's chained body, his eyes moving to the key in his hand. Why exactly was he saving him? It wasn't like Seto, er… Kaiba would even know what happened. Much less care. Bria hovered at Bakura's side, pretending to be looking at Kaiba. Instead, she steadily stepped closer, reminding Bakura of his purpose of saving Kaiba…
Bakura's eyes grew less vicious as they moved from the little golden key to the chained Kaiba.
"C'mon Bria. Let's get this over with."
Bria nodded, a smile almost spreading across her lips. Kneeling down beside Kaiba, he took his thin wrist into his hand, the chains rattling. Why did this seem familiar…? Shaking the thoughts from his head, he slid the key from the keyhole, the first shackle falling limp on the floor.
Moving to the second shackle, an image flashed before his eyes… A vision of Priest Kaiba in chains… Bakura gritted his teeth, almost dropping the tiny key.
"Is something wrong, Bakur-"
"No! I'm fine!" Bakura spat at Bria, frantically unlocking the second shackle and moving to the one on his left foot. He was just as quick about unlocking those. Bria helped get Kaiba onto his back, trying to assist as much as she could.
Bakura glanced back at Malik, who was sitting on the floor. Violet eyes followed their every move, almost as if he thought Bakura would return to give him another thrashing. Instead, Bakura turned his back to Malik, disappearing into the darkness, Bria trotting behind him.
Malik now sat alone, lavender hues moving from the empty chains, to the bloody Stick, and finally to Rashid. The blood began to clot on his arm, yet still oozed from the wound. Closing his eyes, defeat began to sink in.
"I'll kill you Bakura! I'll *kill* you…"
****Bakura's POV****
I hauled Kaiba's body back to his vacant room, thankful Mokuba wasn't there to see the bloody sight. Malik's blood had gotten onto my shirt when I stabbed him, and the cuts on Bria's face made it look as if she cried the sticky crimson substance. Bria then exited the room, saying she was going to wash up, although I knew very well she was off to find Trish.
I practically dropped Kaiba's body onto his bed, exhausted from the battle. I carelessly flopped down beside him, quaking the mattress. After a moment, he groaned, turning on his side. Blue eyes opened to reveal me, practically staring at him. His body flung into a sitting position, a look of shock upon his face. Wide eyes, frantically searching for something.
"No need to be afraid," I tried to say as coldly as I could, "That bastard is going to leave you alone now."
Seto seemed to relax for a moment, only for a disgusted look to replace it. Looking past me towards the door, he seemed as if he were about to flee. Sliding out of his bed, he got to his feet, obviously upset about something. Turning his back to me, I could tell his paces were getting faster as he neared the door.
"Where the hell are you going? I think I deserve some sort of gratitude for rescuing you?"
The sound of footsteps stopped. He turned to face me, this time with a look of uncertainty. What the hell was wrong with him now?
****Seto's POV****
I tried not to stare as his voice caught my attention. So many things were going on in my mind right now… I just wanted to be alone… But his voice… Bakura's voice was never that deep, nor cruel. I could also tell by his eyes… They didn't seem as innocent, and were now narrow with hate.
I lifted my eyes to him, only to feel my stomach churn, remembering those images I had seen in Bakura's room. Something seemed to die in my heart as I realized the truth… Bakura really didn't love me in return.
"What?!"
"If your lover hadn't captured me, I wouldn't have needed rescuing."
"Lover?!"
At this, he jumped up, looking as if he were about to punch me. Of course, I stood my ground. A punch would probably do me some good at the moment. My eyes wandered to the floor as I awaited my punch, only to realize it would never come.
"Nii-sama!"
I heard Mokuba's voice behind me. Before I had time to turn in his direction, he had flung his arms around me, giving me such a tight hug it nearly cut off my circulation.
"Nii-sama! I was so worried!"
Reaching behind me, I stroked his fluffy hair, trying to calm him.
"Mokuba…"
At this, he let me go, allowing me to feel the rest of my body again. Looking up, I realized Bakura was gone. I felt the disappointment fill my soul once again as Mokuba dragged me out of the room. Bakura…
****Bria's POV****
I had heard the whole thing from the next room. Although I had hoped he hadn't meant what I thought he meant when he said 'lover'.
Taking a paper towel from the rack, I ran warm water over it, wiping the crimson stains from my cheeks. My eyes met with my reflection in the mirror. The stubborn stains just wouldn't rub off…
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw in the mirror a haze that began to take form. The haze materialized into Trish, who instantly fell to the tiled floor.
There could only be one reason Trish was separated from Seto's body…
Taking Trish's weak body into my arms, I could feel her stir. Her head lifted as her eyes practically forced themselves open. Thin fingers crept up my arm, tugging lightly on the rim of my sleeve.
"Bria… something horrible happened…"
"What?" Why did I have the feeling this had to do with Malik?
"Malik…" Bingo. "He caused Kaiba to hallucinate all these nasty thoughts. And now he thinks that Bakura is in love with Malik!"
Ugh. Couldn't Malik think of anything better to do than ruin our lives? After making sure Trish was going to be alright, I made a decision to end this once and for all.
* * *
I found Bakura alone and sulking in a dark corner of the ship near the boiler room. He was hugging his legs to his chest, deep in thought. It was almost as if he didn't see me approaching.
"Bakura!"
He jumped, falling out of his position. Now sitting with his back against the wall, brown eyes glared up at me, not bothering to say anything.
"You're pissed about Kaiba, aren't you?"
"Ch, no. Why the hell should I be?"
I felt a coldness begin to grow in my heart. Something didn't feel right. I allowed my weight to sink to the ground beside him, leaning my back against the wall as well. Rolling his eyes, he turned his face away from me. I was going to have to force it out of him.
"Listen, Malik has been messing with people's minds lately. Especially Kaiba's. Why else would he take him to the shadow realm like that? I think he wants something from him…"
My words didn't seem to faze him at all. He simply leaned his head back and closed his eyes. I opened my mouth to scold him, when another cry rang out through the hallway.
"Bria! Kaiba's gone again!"
* * *
I will never know myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel anything else, until my wounds are healed
I will never be anything till I break away from me
I will break away, I'll find myself today
((Ok, the story's almost over! Warn me if it got too boring or ooc and I'll do my best to fix it. Please review!!))
Anyway, here goes the next chapter. ))
****Normal POV****
Bria stepped back, shielding her eyes from the immense light. A warm wind began to build up around them, blowing their clothes and hair.
Swoosh…
As Bria uncovered her eyes, she noticed the room had grown dim again. Once her eyes had adjusted to the light, she saw Malik on the ground, Rashid kneeling beside him and trying to awake him. The Millennium Rod was a small distance away from them on the ground, still gleaming in the faint light. Bakura was approaching the two, his fists clenched at his side.
Once in front of the two bodies, he brought his fist down upon Rashid, knocking him away from Malik. Rushing over to help him, Bria headed for Rashid, who was getting back up. Bounding in his direction, her leg shot out, a kick landing upon his chest. The force knocked Rashid back, his arms flying out to keep balance. Malik, at seeing the attack on Rashid, sprung away from Bakura, grabbing Bria by the shoulders. Rashid took his opportunity to ambush Bakura, who was distracted by Malik's assault on Bria.
Bakura's arms were now firmly twisted behind his back. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn't seem to get free; Rashid's grip only tightened as more pressure was put onto him, forcing him to his knees.
Malik's grip on Bria loosened, only to shove her to the ground before she had a chance to attack. The shimmer of the Rod caught his eye. Reaching down for the Rod, he immediately slid the end off, once again revealing the blade.
Bria tried to move, but her legs seemed to go numb. Malik shook the Rod in her face, showing her the glowing end.
"You can't move. I won't let you move."
Turning the Rod to the opposite end, he showed her the blade, which had bloodstains in various places. The tip of the blade lined her cheek, drawing blood as it passed over the tender skin.
Bakura saw no use in struggling anymore. But he had to save Bria…
Malik began to laugh. Hope began to shrink in Bria's mind. There was literally nothing she could do to stop him… She was going to die before…
"Enough!"
Bakura shouted, brown hues almost threatening Malik. Malik simply let another laugh escape him.
"I can't let her live. She must die…" Malik's thoughts remained on killing Bria, as well as what would happen if she lived. He wouldn't let that happen. "…painfully."
The Rod's blade then slit through Bria's sleeve, only to place a cut over a previously made scrape. Malik studied it for a moment… So he was right… The pervious scratch was in the same exact place as where his Rod had gotten Bakura's arm. His hand gripped the Rod tighter as anger began to internally build.
Bakura could feel the rise in anger within Malik, although he wasn't sure of the reason, or why he wanted Bria dead so badly. But something inside him told him not to let Bria die…
The Ring began to glow once again as another golden ray shot at Malik, causing the Rod to fly out of his hand. It made a clattering sound as it hit the floor, startling Malik. He hadn't expected Bakura's Ring to have any power left…
"Malik-sama!"
Letting go of Bakura, Rashid dashed over to Malik's side, who immediately greeted him with a slap across the face.
"You idiot! You let him go!"
Malik began to yell at Rashid, while Bria began to feel her legs again. Once the Rod's spell had worn off, she got to her feet, just as Bakura signaled for her to attack Rashid.
She leapt for the taller one, a blow from her fist causing him to stumble back a few paces. Bakura had taken Malik by the hair and had flung him to the ground. Anger overcame everything else in his mind at the moment. The only thing he wanted to see was Malik suffering…
Bria was monitoring Rashid, making sure he didn't try to come to Malik's rescue once again. Rashid was already injured from Malik's slap and her many kicks, so he decided to allow Malik to fight his own battle this time. Or at least, that's what he thought now.
Bakura's foot buried itself into Malik's stomach, crushing whatever organs lie within him. Malik cried out, his hands wrapping around Bakura's ankle, trying to remove it from his flattened abdomen. Rage gathered in Bakura's brown hues. The more Malik tried to escape, the harder he brought his foot down.
"Malik-sama!" Rashid cried out, his hands covering his mouth from horror. Bakura spun around, hearing the comment. This distraction gave Malik a second to breathe, only to see Bakura bring his Ring forward.
"Shut up!"
Another beam shot from the Ring, soaring past Bria and hitting Rashid in the forehead, knocking him out on the spot. Rashid fell back, his eyes rolling back into his head as everything went black.
Turning his attention back to Malik, he sent a kick to the side of his dark-skinned head, rattling Malik's brain. His hands flew to his head, gripping it and crying out. Bakura could see he was already in enough pain. But he wanted him to suffer more… Much more. For everything he had done… Trying to kill Bria, taking Seto… kidnapping his hikari…
Just thinking such thoughts brought the frustration right back into his system. Behind him laid the Rod, the blade still uncovered. Bending over, he picked it up. Still kneeling down, he gripped the Rod, stabbing it into Malik's arm. Malik screamed, feeling the hot blade pierce into his skin, the warm blood running down his arm and dripping onto the floor. As a puddle of blood began to accumulate on the floor, Bakura took Malik by his cream-colored hair once again, pulling Malik into an almost sitting position.
"Let Kaiba go. Leave my hikari alone. And if I ever catch you around either again, I'll kill you in the most painful way that you can imagine."
Once Malik had stopped shouting from the pain of his wound, he allowed Bakura to take the key that unlocked Seto's chains. Snatching the key from Malik's shaking hand, he sent another kick to Malik, leaving him sniveling on the ground.
Bria followed behind him, almost worried that Bakura's anger would overpower his feelings for Seto. Bakura paused in front of Seto's chained body, his eyes moving to the key in his hand. Why exactly was he saving him? It wasn't like Seto, er… Kaiba would even know what happened. Much less care. Bria hovered at Bakura's side, pretending to be looking at Kaiba. Instead, she steadily stepped closer, reminding Bakura of his purpose of saving Kaiba…
Bakura's eyes grew less vicious as they moved from the little golden key to the chained Kaiba.
"C'mon Bria. Let's get this over with."
Bria nodded, a smile almost spreading across her lips. Kneeling down beside Kaiba, he took his thin wrist into his hand, the chains rattling. Why did this seem familiar…? Shaking the thoughts from his head, he slid the key from the keyhole, the first shackle falling limp on the floor.
Moving to the second shackle, an image flashed before his eyes… A vision of Priest Kaiba in chains… Bakura gritted his teeth, almost dropping the tiny key.
"Is something wrong, Bakur-"
"No! I'm fine!" Bakura spat at Bria, frantically unlocking the second shackle and moving to the one on his left foot. He was just as quick about unlocking those. Bria helped get Kaiba onto his back, trying to assist as much as she could.
Bakura glanced back at Malik, who was sitting on the floor. Violet eyes followed their every move, almost as if he thought Bakura would return to give him another thrashing. Instead, Bakura turned his back to Malik, disappearing into the darkness, Bria trotting behind him.
Malik now sat alone, lavender hues moving from the empty chains, to the bloody Stick, and finally to Rashid. The blood began to clot on his arm, yet still oozed from the wound. Closing his eyes, defeat began to sink in.
"I'll kill you Bakura! I'll *kill* you…"
****Bakura's POV****
I hauled Kaiba's body back to his vacant room, thankful Mokuba wasn't there to see the bloody sight. Malik's blood had gotten onto my shirt when I stabbed him, and the cuts on Bria's face made it look as if she cried the sticky crimson substance. Bria then exited the room, saying she was going to wash up, although I knew very well she was off to find Trish.
I practically dropped Kaiba's body onto his bed, exhausted from the battle. I carelessly flopped down beside him, quaking the mattress. After a moment, he groaned, turning on his side. Blue eyes opened to reveal me, practically staring at him. His body flung into a sitting position, a look of shock upon his face. Wide eyes, frantically searching for something.
"No need to be afraid," I tried to say as coldly as I could, "That bastard is going to leave you alone now."
Seto seemed to relax for a moment, only for a disgusted look to replace it. Looking past me towards the door, he seemed as if he were about to flee. Sliding out of his bed, he got to his feet, obviously upset about something. Turning his back to me, I could tell his paces were getting faster as he neared the door.
"Where the hell are you going? I think I deserve some sort of gratitude for rescuing you?"
The sound of footsteps stopped. He turned to face me, this time with a look of uncertainty. What the hell was wrong with him now?
****Seto's POV****
I tried not to stare as his voice caught my attention. So many things were going on in my mind right now… I just wanted to be alone… But his voice… Bakura's voice was never that deep, nor cruel. I could also tell by his eyes… They didn't seem as innocent, and were now narrow with hate.
I lifted my eyes to him, only to feel my stomach churn, remembering those images I had seen in Bakura's room. Something seemed to die in my heart as I realized the truth… Bakura really didn't love me in return.
"What?!"
"If your lover hadn't captured me, I wouldn't have needed rescuing."
"Lover?!"
At this, he jumped up, looking as if he were about to punch me. Of course, I stood my ground. A punch would probably do me some good at the moment. My eyes wandered to the floor as I awaited my punch, only to realize it would never come.
"Nii-sama!"
I heard Mokuba's voice behind me. Before I had time to turn in his direction, he had flung his arms around me, giving me such a tight hug it nearly cut off my circulation.
"Nii-sama! I was so worried!"
Reaching behind me, I stroked his fluffy hair, trying to calm him.
"Mokuba…"
At this, he let me go, allowing me to feel the rest of my body again. Looking up, I realized Bakura was gone. I felt the disappointment fill my soul once again as Mokuba dragged me out of the room. Bakura…
****Bria's POV****
I had heard the whole thing from the next room. Although I had hoped he hadn't meant what I thought he meant when he said 'lover'.
Taking a paper towel from the rack, I ran warm water over it, wiping the crimson stains from my cheeks. My eyes met with my reflection in the mirror. The stubborn stains just wouldn't rub off…
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw in the mirror a haze that began to take form. The haze materialized into Trish, who instantly fell to the tiled floor.
There could only be one reason Trish was separated from Seto's body…
Taking Trish's weak body into my arms, I could feel her stir. Her head lifted as her eyes practically forced themselves open. Thin fingers crept up my arm, tugging lightly on the rim of my sleeve.
"Bria… something horrible happened…"
"What?" Why did I have the feeling this had to do with Malik?
"Malik…" Bingo. "He caused Kaiba to hallucinate all these nasty thoughts. And now he thinks that Bakura is in love with Malik!"
Ugh. Couldn't Malik think of anything better to do than ruin our lives? After making sure Trish was going to be alright, I made a decision to end this once and for all.
* * *
I found Bakura alone and sulking in a dark corner of the ship near the boiler room. He was hugging his legs to his chest, deep in thought. It was almost as if he didn't see me approaching.
"Bakura!"
He jumped, falling out of his position. Now sitting with his back against the wall, brown eyes glared up at me, not bothering to say anything.
"You're pissed about Kaiba, aren't you?"
"Ch, no. Why the hell should I be?"
I felt a coldness begin to grow in my heart. Something didn't feel right. I allowed my weight to sink to the ground beside him, leaning my back against the wall as well. Rolling his eyes, he turned his face away from me. I was going to have to force it out of him.
"Listen, Malik has been messing with people's minds lately. Especially Kaiba's. Why else would he take him to the shadow realm like that? I think he wants something from him…"
My words didn't seem to faze him at all. He simply leaned his head back and closed his eyes. I opened my mouth to scold him, when another cry rang out through the hallway.
"Bria! Kaiba's gone again!"
* * *
I will never know myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel anything else, until my wounds are healed
I will never be anything till I break away from me
I will break away, I'll find myself today
((Ok, the story's almost over! Warn me if it got too boring or ooc and I'll do my best to fix it. Please review!!))