Beware, everyone, for now I'm obsessed with ramen... ^^ Really random, that
one. Sorry for not updating for some time again, I got caught up in drawing
for some reason. I never had any idea how long it takes to color one lousy
picture with computer...
(I'm sorry, a bit in a hurry now, thanks to everyone for the reviews. I'll respond to them all in the next chapter...)
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 16: Not the Leader Anymore
---Bakura POV---
"What are you so afraid of...?"
It took me awhile to figure out what Ryou was talking about. It's not often I get accused of being afraid... Such an unnatural state that would be for me. What was more surprising, however, was the fact that he was right, I _was_ afraid. A little. Oh, that galled me, the admitting.
I was afraid of him, the possibilities he brought to me. Of the new life I could have, if I just reached out and accepted it.
"It's not like you really need to know. What are _you_ afraid of?"
He looked surprised, perhaps for what I said, perhaps because I answered. And even the day before yesterday I wouldn't have answered, so much he had managed to change me, just by being there. I never thought such a thing could happen.
"You, I guess. This all, it's just happening too fast. I cannot keep up with it"
"It helps if you let go of the past. Letting go of unnecessary memories is one thing I learned a long time ago."
As I had cast out of my mind the happier days of Egypt. The time when the Pharaoh had been with me, the Priest and the Guardian, our little group just hanging out together, hunting those unworthy mortals... Had we truly been friends sometimes? It seemed a dream now, a distant dream. Certainly not something that could actually have happened.
"But I cannot. I cannot forget"
I heard unshed tears in his voice, fighting to get loose. What was a vampire to do in such a situation? I didn't know, and was again left standing there, looking for all the world like a fool. I sifted, trying to find something that wouldn't sound completely wool-headed.
"I'm really not good with this relationships stuff..."
Now he finally looked at me, a small, sad smile playing at his lips. He shook his head and hugged me, to my infinite surprise. Ryou was like no one I had met before...
"What are you doing...?"
"Silly vampire. I'm hugging you"
Silly. One more thing I've never been called, with the possible exception of the time when I was still human, just a small child.
"But why?"
He remained silent. It's not like I really expected an answer, even though I hoped for it. There was no way I could figure this out by myself.
And here I go again, admitting not knowing something. It just wasn't possible I could have changed so much in this short time... But here I was, looking down on him, the little human who I thought to drink dry that first night I saw him. Why hadn't I? I still didn't know.
"...Some things are better left unexplained"
Willing to take his explanation, I squeezed him a little tighter, having an unexpected urge to protect him from whatever might come to our way. I felt... warm. And even though it was so alien, this feeling, I really thought I could come to like it.
---Yami POV---
What indeed would I do? This was one dilemma I craved an answer for, but didn't receive one. Making a decision to leave all thought for the next night, I left everything at the short human's hands.
"What would you have me do, Yugi? You know I'd gladly do almost anything if you asked right now... Perhaps the result of too many years being the leader, I now want to follow someone, not simply do all the decisions and make all the choices. I've grown tired of it"
I pressed the mortal's frail body close to mine, silently waiting for his answer. Maybe he would give one, maybe not, but I wasn't about to do anything without somebody telling me what to do, somebody giving me advice, guiding my steps through this quagmire of feelings. Not one single thing anymore.
Yugi's breath warmed my chest, giving me comfort, belief in yet another tomorrow. He was silent, and I already thought he wouldn't say anything, when he raised his voice in an unexpected statement. Although I should have seen it coming.
"Your past, Yami. I really want to know about your past."
---Flashback---
The Items... It bothered me that I still didn't have them. It bothered me greatly. But soon, very soon now, I would once again get to hold them in my hands, to possess that awesome power. For now I knew who had them.
It really hadn't been so hard to track them down, the Items were so noticeable. Now... Now I was on my way to retrieve them, with my loyal followers. The thieves would be sorry for ever laying their eyes upon _my_ precious treasure.
"This is it, isn't it?"
"We should go in"
I wasted no time on idle chatter and barged in. I had no patience for this, they had taken what was mine. The room was spacious and dim, the lair of darkness. I had no time to see anyone, when a voice from the far end took my attention.
"We have already been waiting for you. Come in, pharaoh"
How could they know I was coming? Well... We hadn't exactly been very careful not to let them know, but at least they should have escaped when they heard. I wasn't weak, and I had three other vampires to back me up.
At this point my suspicions rose. What could they be hiding? Perhaps they had already mastered the powers the Millennium Items bring? No, that would be too unbelievable.
"Then you have made a mistake. You shouldn't have stayed here."
I walked further into the temple-like room, followed by the other vampires. The figure came visible to my eyes as I walked closer. He - if it was a he - was dressed in loose robes. Then my sharp eyes noticed the gleaming of gold behind him. No... They wouldn't dare to leave them so visible... Would they?
Now I was sure some kind of a trap really existed. They wouldn't be _that_ bold otherwise. And judging from all evidence, they were confident enough in their own abilities to leave those precious items in the open.
Suddenly, when we had nearly reached the pedestal the figure stood, the doors banged close. I whirled around to see who it was. I had known this would happen, or at least suspected. Another robed figure, but as the other's robes were white, this one's were black.
"You've done well, Shadi. Now say out of our way"
The tomb robber beside me gave a hiss.
"So you think you can so easily disregard the one who was once the pharaoh of all Egypt? You have been sadly mistaken!"
"Now, I think you're wrong. _You_ have been mistaken, my dear vampires. You probably have never heard of my kind, but we are very much alive. And we have the means to end your pitiful existance."
With that the man in white robes...did something. I didn't quite know what, but he raised his hand and it was suddenly enveloped in blue light, blue as the sky on midday. In the same instant the white-haired vampire, who had once been the innocent little thief, begun to choke.
The rest of us could only stare at first, abashed by his powers. What was this? But we were soon woken from this little trance. I moved my eyes first, glaring at the man.
"Now you're dead"
With that I jumped towards him, intending to rip out his guts. But this failed, as something stopped me from getting closer to him.
"It's not that easy, you know. First you have to defeat my powers"
I could feel my eyes start glowing a fierce crimson as my hatred for this stranger grew. The other two vampires still free from his grip were in a similar stage of anger, and suddenly the once-Guardian took a step forward and pressed his palms against the barrier.
"You cannot beat us all!"
His voice was low hissing, and I could see how his hands were beginning to smoke from the power of the obstacle. I could smell burning flesh.
"I will not allow you to beat me! You are defeated!"
I could see how much it took from him, but something happened and in a small flash of pure light the barrier was gone. The light, even though brief, burned my skin painfully and blinded me temporarily. When I could see again, the Guardian was crouching in pain on the floor, and the strange man's other hand was pointing at him, shrouded in dark purple light. What _was_ he doing?
Now my little group of helpers had diminished to just the Priest... But we could still beat him. Just break his concentration for a moment, and the others would be free to help. I was sure of it. They couldn't be that bad off, they were vampires... That light couldn't hurt them that much, could it?
"You think you have won? You're so wrong"
We started advancing on this figure again, and I could hear the Priest's breath hiss through his theeth. When we were but a few steps away from him, he suddenly laughed cruelly.
"You have no idea who you're going against, have you... All the better for me!"
I glanced at the Priest from the corner of my eye, and nodded. He seemed to understand what I meant. He'd better. We both lunged at the general direction of our common enemy, and I saw him draw back slightly.
Then I was already past him, and grabbed the first Item that came to my hand. Not even giving it a glance, I turned back just in time to see the priest fall to the floor in pain, and the human's eyes return to normal from the sick green they had been a moment ago.
Anger filled me, and I reached into the Item's powers, drawing on it for extra strength. I mentally threw the whole blast to his direction, hoping it would be enough to knock him out.
There was a bright flash again, but this time it didn't burn me. I was surrounded by it, and I could feel the awesome power I had relesed, clashing with the human's own power. Something exploded.
When I opened my eyes, for I had closed them agaisnt the fierce power, I couldn't see the white-robed man anywhere. The one who had been my High Priest laid nearest to me, the other two a little farther away, groaning. Good, they hadn't died.
It's not like I really cared for them otherwise, but spending the eternity alone was a bit too much for me at this point, so I thought them to be useful.
I looked raised my hand and looked at the Item. It was the Puzzle.
Turning back to the table that held the Items, I made a sudden decision. I wouldn't take all of them, not yet at least. The others deserved some kind of a reward, didn't they? Suddenly grinning, I grabbed the Rod and the Ring and threw them to the general direction of the other vampires.
"Hey. Catch!"
Two stunned vampires stared at me, clutching the Items.
"What? Can one not give gifts anymore?"
I was just turning back to grab a third Item, when a voice spoke behind me.
"They are not yours to give"
I turned around. I had completely forgotten about the one in black robes, Shadi. He was standing there now, behind the table, and the rest of the Items were gone. How had he had time to do that?
I could sense my comrades coming closer, but I didn't dare try counting on them too much, they might still be too weak.
"Who are you?"
"Me? I'm the one who is supposed to kill you."
"Big joke, tell me something new"
Suddenly a numbing pain spread through me, I could hazily see that Shadi's other hand was outstretched and glowing. I gasped in pain, unable to move.
Then I heard a metallic sound a bit behind me, and suddenly the Guardian attacked Shadi, plunging the blade usually hidden in the rod through his right shoulder.
I could hear his voice say something, but I couldn't make out what. Then the pain was suddenly gone, and I could breathe properly again, and see. In fact, I felt normal, if I disregarded a slight woozy feeling.
The Guardian srumbled back a few paces, obviously exhausted. He had served me well tonight. I turned my attention back to Shadi as he started to speak.
"You may have defeated me now, but in the distant future there will be a day when you shall suffer for it. As the years go by, we all gain strength, but I shall gain the fastest. Goodbye for now..."
Swirling colors appeared around him, and then he dissappeared.
The four of us were left standing there, numb, stunned, wounded, wondering what happened. And with merely three Millennium Items.
---End of flashback---
I gasped for breath, fighting away the cobweb-like feel of my memories resurfacing. I was lying on my back on Yugi's bed, and Yugi himself was leaning over me, his voice soothing me.
"It's nothing serious, right? Just more memories. Although I don't know what could have made them come this time..."
"Why does this have to happen to me? I don't want to... I don't want to remember anymore, I don't want to be a vampire, I most specially don't want to drink the blood of humans..."
Yugi buried his hands in my hair and kissed my forehead.
"Calm down. Perhaps the pain will fade if you share it...?"
I closed my eyes, unable to resist his plea. And I told him. I told him every single detail I could remember of my past.
---
AN: Guess what. I now regret being so hasty in writing the flashbacks, for just a few days ago I found this page with the original storyline (in bad English) plus many scans of the (Japanese) manga... I could have had Isis (at least the one who looks like her, I'm not so sure about the name... Was it really her?) and Seto and all the rest of the 6 priests of ancient Egypt added, if I had known then what I do now -___- It would have been so fascinating! *sigh* Better luck next fic... And I downloaded the Japanese themesongs for myself! They're great! Please review?
(I'm sorry, a bit in a hurry now, thanks to everyone for the reviews. I'll respond to them all in the next chapter...)
Slaying the Dreamer, chapter 16: Not the Leader Anymore
---Bakura POV---
"What are you so afraid of...?"
It took me awhile to figure out what Ryou was talking about. It's not often I get accused of being afraid... Such an unnatural state that would be for me. What was more surprising, however, was the fact that he was right, I _was_ afraid. A little. Oh, that galled me, the admitting.
I was afraid of him, the possibilities he brought to me. Of the new life I could have, if I just reached out and accepted it.
"It's not like you really need to know. What are _you_ afraid of?"
He looked surprised, perhaps for what I said, perhaps because I answered. And even the day before yesterday I wouldn't have answered, so much he had managed to change me, just by being there. I never thought such a thing could happen.
"You, I guess. This all, it's just happening too fast. I cannot keep up with it"
"It helps if you let go of the past. Letting go of unnecessary memories is one thing I learned a long time ago."
As I had cast out of my mind the happier days of Egypt. The time when the Pharaoh had been with me, the Priest and the Guardian, our little group just hanging out together, hunting those unworthy mortals... Had we truly been friends sometimes? It seemed a dream now, a distant dream. Certainly not something that could actually have happened.
"But I cannot. I cannot forget"
I heard unshed tears in his voice, fighting to get loose. What was a vampire to do in such a situation? I didn't know, and was again left standing there, looking for all the world like a fool. I sifted, trying to find something that wouldn't sound completely wool-headed.
"I'm really not good with this relationships stuff..."
Now he finally looked at me, a small, sad smile playing at his lips. He shook his head and hugged me, to my infinite surprise. Ryou was like no one I had met before...
"What are you doing...?"
"Silly vampire. I'm hugging you"
Silly. One more thing I've never been called, with the possible exception of the time when I was still human, just a small child.
"But why?"
He remained silent. It's not like I really expected an answer, even though I hoped for it. There was no way I could figure this out by myself.
And here I go again, admitting not knowing something. It just wasn't possible I could have changed so much in this short time... But here I was, looking down on him, the little human who I thought to drink dry that first night I saw him. Why hadn't I? I still didn't know.
"...Some things are better left unexplained"
Willing to take his explanation, I squeezed him a little tighter, having an unexpected urge to protect him from whatever might come to our way. I felt... warm. And even though it was so alien, this feeling, I really thought I could come to like it.
---Yami POV---
What indeed would I do? This was one dilemma I craved an answer for, but didn't receive one. Making a decision to leave all thought for the next night, I left everything at the short human's hands.
"What would you have me do, Yugi? You know I'd gladly do almost anything if you asked right now... Perhaps the result of too many years being the leader, I now want to follow someone, not simply do all the decisions and make all the choices. I've grown tired of it"
I pressed the mortal's frail body close to mine, silently waiting for his answer. Maybe he would give one, maybe not, but I wasn't about to do anything without somebody telling me what to do, somebody giving me advice, guiding my steps through this quagmire of feelings. Not one single thing anymore.
Yugi's breath warmed my chest, giving me comfort, belief in yet another tomorrow. He was silent, and I already thought he wouldn't say anything, when he raised his voice in an unexpected statement. Although I should have seen it coming.
"Your past, Yami. I really want to know about your past."
---Flashback---
The Items... It bothered me that I still didn't have them. It bothered me greatly. But soon, very soon now, I would once again get to hold them in my hands, to possess that awesome power. For now I knew who had them.
It really hadn't been so hard to track them down, the Items were so noticeable. Now... Now I was on my way to retrieve them, with my loyal followers. The thieves would be sorry for ever laying their eyes upon _my_ precious treasure.
"This is it, isn't it?"
"We should go in"
I wasted no time on idle chatter and barged in. I had no patience for this, they had taken what was mine. The room was spacious and dim, the lair of darkness. I had no time to see anyone, when a voice from the far end took my attention.
"We have already been waiting for you. Come in, pharaoh"
How could they know I was coming? Well... We hadn't exactly been very careful not to let them know, but at least they should have escaped when they heard. I wasn't weak, and I had three other vampires to back me up.
At this point my suspicions rose. What could they be hiding? Perhaps they had already mastered the powers the Millennium Items bring? No, that would be too unbelievable.
"Then you have made a mistake. You shouldn't have stayed here."
I walked further into the temple-like room, followed by the other vampires. The figure came visible to my eyes as I walked closer. He - if it was a he - was dressed in loose robes. Then my sharp eyes noticed the gleaming of gold behind him. No... They wouldn't dare to leave them so visible... Would they?
Now I was sure some kind of a trap really existed. They wouldn't be _that_ bold otherwise. And judging from all evidence, they were confident enough in their own abilities to leave those precious items in the open.
Suddenly, when we had nearly reached the pedestal the figure stood, the doors banged close. I whirled around to see who it was. I had known this would happen, or at least suspected. Another robed figure, but as the other's robes were white, this one's were black.
"You've done well, Shadi. Now say out of our way"
The tomb robber beside me gave a hiss.
"So you think you can so easily disregard the one who was once the pharaoh of all Egypt? You have been sadly mistaken!"
"Now, I think you're wrong. _You_ have been mistaken, my dear vampires. You probably have never heard of my kind, but we are very much alive. And we have the means to end your pitiful existance."
With that the man in white robes...did something. I didn't quite know what, but he raised his hand and it was suddenly enveloped in blue light, blue as the sky on midday. In the same instant the white-haired vampire, who had once been the innocent little thief, begun to choke.
The rest of us could only stare at first, abashed by his powers. What was this? But we were soon woken from this little trance. I moved my eyes first, glaring at the man.
"Now you're dead"
With that I jumped towards him, intending to rip out his guts. But this failed, as something stopped me from getting closer to him.
"It's not that easy, you know. First you have to defeat my powers"
I could feel my eyes start glowing a fierce crimson as my hatred for this stranger grew. The other two vampires still free from his grip were in a similar stage of anger, and suddenly the once-Guardian took a step forward and pressed his palms against the barrier.
"You cannot beat us all!"
His voice was low hissing, and I could see how his hands were beginning to smoke from the power of the obstacle. I could smell burning flesh.
"I will not allow you to beat me! You are defeated!"
I could see how much it took from him, but something happened and in a small flash of pure light the barrier was gone. The light, even though brief, burned my skin painfully and blinded me temporarily. When I could see again, the Guardian was crouching in pain on the floor, and the strange man's other hand was pointing at him, shrouded in dark purple light. What _was_ he doing?
Now my little group of helpers had diminished to just the Priest... But we could still beat him. Just break his concentration for a moment, and the others would be free to help. I was sure of it. They couldn't be that bad off, they were vampires... That light couldn't hurt them that much, could it?
"You think you have won? You're so wrong"
We started advancing on this figure again, and I could hear the Priest's breath hiss through his theeth. When we were but a few steps away from him, he suddenly laughed cruelly.
"You have no idea who you're going against, have you... All the better for me!"
I glanced at the Priest from the corner of my eye, and nodded. He seemed to understand what I meant. He'd better. We both lunged at the general direction of our common enemy, and I saw him draw back slightly.
Then I was already past him, and grabbed the first Item that came to my hand. Not even giving it a glance, I turned back just in time to see the priest fall to the floor in pain, and the human's eyes return to normal from the sick green they had been a moment ago.
Anger filled me, and I reached into the Item's powers, drawing on it for extra strength. I mentally threw the whole blast to his direction, hoping it would be enough to knock him out.
There was a bright flash again, but this time it didn't burn me. I was surrounded by it, and I could feel the awesome power I had relesed, clashing with the human's own power. Something exploded.
When I opened my eyes, for I had closed them agaisnt the fierce power, I couldn't see the white-robed man anywhere. The one who had been my High Priest laid nearest to me, the other two a little farther away, groaning. Good, they hadn't died.
It's not like I really cared for them otherwise, but spending the eternity alone was a bit too much for me at this point, so I thought them to be useful.
I looked raised my hand and looked at the Item. It was the Puzzle.
Turning back to the table that held the Items, I made a sudden decision. I wouldn't take all of them, not yet at least. The others deserved some kind of a reward, didn't they? Suddenly grinning, I grabbed the Rod and the Ring and threw them to the general direction of the other vampires.
"Hey. Catch!"
Two stunned vampires stared at me, clutching the Items.
"What? Can one not give gifts anymore?"
I was just turning back to grab a third Item, when a voice spoke behind me.
"They are not yours to give"
I turned around. I had completely forgotten about the one in black robes, Shadi. He was standing there now, behind the table, and the rest of the Items were gone. How had he had time to do that?
I could sense my comrades coming closer, but I didn't dare try counting on them too much, they might still be too weak.
"Who are you?"
"Me? I'm the one who is supposed to kill you."
"Big joke, tell me something new"
Suddenly a numbing pain spread through me, I could hazily see that Shadi's other hand was outstretched and glowing. I gasped in pain, unable to move.
Then I heard a metallic sound a bit behind me, and suddenly the Guardian attacked Shadi, plunging the blade usually hidden in the rod through his right shoulder.
I could hear his voice say something, but I couldn't make out what. Then the pain was suddenly gone, and I could breathe properly again, and see. In fact, I felt normal, if I disregarded a slight woozy feeling.
The Guardian srumbled back a few paces, obviously exhausted. He had served me well tonight. I turned my attention back to Shadi as he started to speak.
"You may have defeated me now, but in the distant future there will be a day when you shall suffer for it. As the years go by, we all gain strength, but I shall gain the fastest. Goodbye for now..."
Swirling colors appeared around him, and then he dissappeared.
The four of us were left standing there, numb, stunned, wounded, wondering what happened. And with merely three Millennium Items.
---End of flashback---
I gasped for breath, fighting away the cobweb-like feel of my memories resurfacing. I was lying on my back on Yugi's bed, and Yugi himself was leaning over me, his voice soothing me.
"It's nothing serious, right? Just more memories. Although I don't know what could have made them come this time..."
"Why does this have to happen to me? I don't want to... I don't want to remember anymore, I don't want to be a vampire, I most specially don't want to drink the blood of humans..."
Yugi buried his hands in my hair and kissed my forehead.
"Calm down. Perhaps the pain will fade if you share it...?"
I closed my eyes, unable to resist his plea. And I told him. I told him every single detail I could remember of my past.
---
AN: Guess what. I now regret being so hasty in writing the flashbacks, for just a few days ago I found this page with the original storyline (in bad English) plus many scans of the (Japanese) manga... I could have had Isis (at least the one who looks like her, I'm not so sure about the name... Was it really her?) and Seto and all the rest of the 6 priests of ancient Egypt added, if I had known then what I do now -___- It would have been so fascinating! *sigh* Better luck next fic... And I downloaded the Japanese themesongs for myself! They're great! Please review?