He had indeed been as good as dead: nothing more than an old bag of bones, partially seized by rigour mortis and slumped lifelessly against the ancient, sandstone steps. However, a weak warmth flowed in his veins..- A small sliver of life that had managed to escape death. He was unsure as to how long it took for his heart to give that first faltering thud… But slowly, blood dragged itself forward through his veins. It was sluggish, but it was enough for a strangled, uneven pulse to form.

The man, dead in every aspect, had come back to life.

The first breath which he took was rabid, hungry- starved for air. First, he felt relief, as his chest rose with his diaphragm; but that abundance of oxygen was so sudden that now, as he choked on the dust littered in the air, his lungs were volleyed with force. He could hear his own raspy inhales as echoes persisted, cruelly mocking the man's struggle for life. He jerked around on the ground, his body revolting against him and twisting itself, until he lay on his side. Finally, there, he found control over his breath..- Choking and spluttering against the cold earth.

The man's eyes were slow, as they'd agonisingly peel themselves open- fighting against what felt like a hot adhesive that had been dripped over his lids. Unfortunately, for all his efforts to tear them open, he was greeted only by the total and unutterable darkness of the cave. Kaisho Bakura didn't need to see, however, to recognise where he was.

"Oh, R-..Ryou.." He croaked, wheezing as he'd carefully scoop more air into his lungs. He could feel nothing in his limbs, yet somehow managed to extend a hand aimlessly towards the dark..- Fingers twitching, groping for something that wasn't there. "My son…" Bakura strained his face against the uneven ground, groaning in his grief. If he'd had the water for tears, then he would be forming his own river.

It was then, however, that white wisps took shape in the dark. They emitted no warmth, yet offered a dubious, silver glow that made Bakura's eyes ache. He appeared, then; the man clad in trailing, tan robes. The man possessing a golden ankh that hung loosely around his neck. The man that Bakura could vaguely recall from somewhere, long and distant in his memories.

Golden eyes gazed cooly down at the creature grovelling before him..- Hardening with a glacial kind of pity.

".. You were not chosen," The man's voice was almost ethereal, as it echoed in the dark that tried to shy away from his ghostly, glowing presence. "Yet nor have you been devoured."

Bakura recognised those words, though they were spoken in some long-diluted tongue, foreign and ancient. He tried to lift his face from the floor, to take a closer look at this man who felt so numbingly familiar- but the strain was too much.

The man lifted the ankh from around his neck, although he appeared to hesitate..- Lingering before the old man that, at this moment, was so close to both life and death.

"You.. Have a part to play yet." The enrobed man came close to Bakura, then, and extended a hand. Bakura saw as it crept through the shadows, drawing closer to his head- but he was too weak to protest, and so he simply lay there at the mercy of the man. Silver streaks of light reflected in something golden, before a sharp jolt jabbed into his mind..

The next thing he knew, he was back on a ship.

"But see, if you spell it like this…" The girl stuck her tongue out through her lip while she concentrated, carefully commanding her wrist to scrawl the symbol. Ryou could see how much effort she was putting into it, and so he did not criticise her when he saw the flick that she had mistakenly left out. "Then it reads 'dragon'!"

Ryou's smile was faint, as he glanced back at his sister.

"That would be cooler, wouldn't it?"

Amane gave a determined nod, before leaning back on the cushion..- Calling to her mother.

"Why did you spell Ryou's name like this, ummi?"

She hummed thoughtfully while she wrung a dishcloth into the sink, although she found that she could not recall the reason. "Mm.. I'm not sure, Amane…"

"But wouldn't that have been better?" Amane lowered herself against the table, as she carefully scrawled out her own name. "'Dragon' and 'Summit'.."

Ryou couldn't help but playfully chuckle, as he'd pluck the pen from Amane's fingers.

"Hey! Ryouu!" She whined, trying to snatch it back.

"You've only just learned how to write..- Don't criticise our parents. I think that my name is perfect."

Amane inflated her cheeks as she jumped up and down- waving her hands about Ryou's wrist. "Well I disagree. 'Understanding' is boring! You could be a dragon!"

"Dragons have too many responsibilities." Ryou sighed, before relinquishing the pen to his sister.

"Perhaps..- Although maybe you could do with some responsibilities, Ryou." His mother ducked her head out from the kitchen, "Could you do some of these dishes, please?"

"Ah-" Ryou stammered, placing his hand over Amane's head. "Actually, I was helping Amane with her homework.."

"No he wasn't." Amane blinked cluelessly, innocently glancing at her brother.

"Yes, I was." Ryou insisted, looking to his sister with a plea: Not the dishes! Don't do this to me now...

Amane gave a gentle little smile, before zipping up her pencil case.

"But we finished, Ryou..- You should go and help ummi."

Ryou could feel his eye twitching, as he dragged himself to his feet..- Sighing. "Fine, fine.. I'll help."

It was when Ryou had begun to rinse the first glass, however, that they heard a pair of keys twisting in the front door's lock.

"Oh- Kaisho~." Ryou's mother stopped what she was doing, cheerfully hanging her apron over a peg. Amane, meanwhile, hurried out from her room- excitedly stumbling over herself.

"Oh! Oh! Is that papa? Is he back?"

Ryou stared at that door..- distant for just a moment, before he loosed an uneasy gasp. He couldn't understand..- It was strange. He felt as though, up until this moment, he had entirely forgotten about his father..- Or rather, the existence and concept of a father. He hadn't recognised the name, nor the word..- and Ryou had no idea how he had managed to dismiss his memories of his dad. When had this happened? He couldn't recall..- Suddenly, all of his memories were shapeless blurs in his mind, as his thoughts turned hazy.

"Ryou, are you alright?" Concern flooded into his mother's gaze as she cast it upon him- a frown tugging her lips downwards by their edges. She saw how her son rocked back and forth, dizzily casting his gaze askance.

"Uh-..." Ryou's voice was hoarse and quiet as he collected himself. "Yeah..- I'm fine." He was careful, as he placed the glass down and moved to join his mother by the door. She sceptically regarded him for a moment more, before the door was meekly pushed open.

The sight before them was disturbing. Ryou's father reeked through his muddied, torn suit..- Both looking and smelling as though he had neither changed, nor showered since he left..- Two weeks ago, now. His clothes hung from him loosely, where before, they were almost too tight.. And there were brown stains mottling his white shirt. They had never seen his hair so grey- with heaps of sand trapped between his thickly matted locks. Meanwhile, his desperate eyes peered from beneath crooked glasses that hung haphazardly over the bridge of his nose. One lens had popped out, whilst the other was severely clouded.

Amane covered her mouth with her hands, staring wide-eyed at her father, while Ryou was still stunned by his very existence.

"Han.. Hana.. I'm-" He staggered towards his wife, stretching discoloured, patchy arms out for an embrace, moaning ruefully. Just before he crossed the threshold, however, something caught his attention and made him immediately pause in his step. Glancing to his left, with red and fretful eyes, he saw his son.

".. Ryou." Kaisho Bakura was in total disbelief, gaping at his son. It made Ryou shudder, to see his father stare at him so intently- and, to be in such shock. First, Kaisho felt relief- tears of unadulterated joy slowly draining out from his eyes. Then, his expression shifted..- Darkening considerably, as he backed into the hall with a shiver. "But.. If you're here..- No, could.. Could you have-?"

"Dear.." His wife spoke gently, as even in her confusion, she maintained a level head in trying to coax Kaisho into the house. "It's alright, come inside.." She slowly offered her pale hand to the grubby man. "Tell us what happened over tea."

"Hana I.. I don't understand- how.. How is Ryou..-" He was unblinking in his gaze, fixated upon his son. Hana swallowed, glancing to each of her kids...

"-How is Ryou doing? Oh, Ryou is doing fine..- He's been working on his very own diorama for Monster World, actually..- You would love to see it, right?" Hana smiled, quite as though things were ordinary and that the broken man before them was not glaring, with unyielding eyes, at his very own son. Ryou couldn't tear his eyes from his father either, trying to search for what he could recall of him..- nervous under his watch, yet distracted.

Kaisho took his wife's hand in his, allowing himself to be led inside..- Yet he kept his eyes trained upon Ryou, twisting his head to maintain his gaze as they'd pass him and settle stiffly on the couch.

"Darling, let's talk.." Ryou's mother laid a gentle hand over her husband's cheek, slowly turning his face so that his gaze could meet her own.

Kaisho began to mutter under his breath, rocking himself on his heels. Neither Ryou nor Amane could see his expression now, but both were frightened.

".. Ryou, would it be alright if you and your sister went out to play for a while?" She didn't look away as she asked..- Although it was more of a request, as Ryou knew.

"Of course..- Come on, Amane." Ryou's cold and clammy hand quickly gripped Amane's as he rushed to leave, leading her through the door and closing it shut behind them.

"I'm worried about papa…" Amane was the first to admit it, weakly pushing herself on the park's swing set with just the kick of her legs. The two had seen their father return in similar states before, dirty and shaken- but, he would always spin his story into one of adventure, entertaining the kids with tales that were akin to Indiana Jones. This time, however, he hadn't concealed his fear- and it had unsettled both of the kids deeply.

".. Me too, Amane." Neither of them made eye contact..- Finding it easier to talk to their feet, as they watched each other's shadows stretch before them in the afternoon sun. "He.. He seemed so shocked to see me."

"Maybe he just had a bad dream- one time, I woke up and thought our hamster had died.. But then ummi reminded me that he had just gone to a farm." Ryou stammered- checking himself before he spoke.

"Yeah, maybe she just needs to remind him that I was with my friends and not.. dead." For some inexplicable reason, the word was like led in his throat despite how it had only been meant to humour his sister.

Amane smiled lightly, tapping Ryou's ankle with the toe of her shoe. "Maybe, yeah."

Ryou tried to share in Amane's smile..- But his expression turned grave, as he recalled that sensation from the kitchen.

"Actually.. It's strange.." Ryou planted his feet onto the ground, stopping the swing but keeping his eyes on the silent shadow before him. "But I.. I was surprised to see him too."

Amane blinked as she leaned forwards on the swing- tilting her head towards Ryou. "Huh?"

"It felt like.. When I saw him, it was unusual- as though he shouldn't have been there... I was as shocked to see him, as he was to see me." Ryou felt a small pain in his chest..- Like a spider bite.

"Ew.." Amane couldn't help but shiver- wrapping her arms around herself as she shook her head furiously. "That's so creepy! Maybe it was like.. Some Egyptian curse!"

Ryou's chuckle was hollow- devoid of genuine laughter, for he couldn't help but think.. What if she's right? Suddenly, Ryou hissed- itching furiously at his chest through his shirt. Wherever that bite was... The sting was becoming more like a burn.

Amane eyed him with concern, suddenly nervous. ".. Ah- Ryou, do you think that it's been long enough?" She pushed her glance forwards. The slanting rays of the evening sun had given a warm, orange tint to the sky- mottling its blue landscape with patches of red and gold. Their shadows were no longer growing, but instead beginning to shrink as the day dipped away.

".. Yes- I think so. We should get going."

Ryou easily stood from the swing, but couldn't help his snort as he watched Amane land awkwardly on one foot, catching her dress on the rusted chain. She yanked her dress out and smoothed it down, pouting and opening her mouth-

"Aww, it's so cute! Look at them." A familiar voice jeered at the pair. Both of them froze in their places..- Ryou's jaw going slack, as his mouth ran dry. Slowly, he searched for Amane's hand- taking it in his, and gripping it tightly.

"Mm.. I don't think that weird things can be cute, Haru." The other voice was far less musical than the first- carrying hostility in its tone, as the one to whom it belonged would juggle a pebble between his hands. "Do you?" He threw that pebble at Ryou, then- tossing it fiercely. It struck him on his arm, and caused him to yelp.

Haru had a mean laugh, before suddenly switching tone- "Hey, aren't you gonna say 'hi'?"

Amane drew her fearful gaze up towards Ryou, giving him a small tug.

"..- Actually, we were just leaving, so... Goodbye would be more appropriate." Ryou began to lead his sister by the hand. He had to get her away from them. They were his problem, after all, and he didn't want them laying a finger on his sister..- Nor on him, not in front of her, anyway. They persisted, however..- Stalking after the pair.

"Eh? How rude. Come on, we're your pals, right?" Haru grinned, trying to rile Ryou into reacting, "We might need to teach them some manners, Masaru..- What do you think?"

Masaru's rare smirk was sinister, as he'd close in on Ryou..- Reaching a hand out for his hair. "Can't help but agree."

Before even one finger was laid upon the boy, Ryou spun around..- A sudden and untethered malevolence chortling from deep within his cruel glare. Masaru was thrown by his wrist in just an instant- his face meeting the pavement with a wet smack. Haru was too stunned to speak- mouth falling agape, as he simply stared in total and utter shock.

"R- Ryou!" Amane cried, her eyes filling with an equal mixture of surprise and delight. Ryou, meanwhile, staggered backwards- blinking several times.

"Huh- was I just.. What-" He glanced down at Masaru with horror, as he struggled to his knees- nursing the red scrape that Ryou had impacted on his cheek.

"Ryou, come on!" Amane tugged at his sleeve, before running off. Ryou followed, sparing one glance back at the bullies, before focusing on Amane.

"Amane, wait! You can't just run off-"

"But they're right behind us!"

"No, they're.. Ha.. really not.. Ha.." Ryou was already out of breath- not being the most athletic of children. He often longed for just a shred of Amane's stamina. "Please, just slow down at least!"

Amane laughed as she ran on, only stopping for the crossing. When Ryou arrived, he braced himself with his hands over his knees, panting profusely.

"Please.. Ha.. A war- ha.. Warning.. Next time..!" Amane turned to him, sticking her tongue out in response.

"I just had to remind you that I'm still better!"

Ryou blinked. "What- What.. Do you mean?" His mouth was dry and his throat burned, but at least he had at last caught his breath.

Amane shrugged innocently, giggling to herself. Ryou couldn't help but curse himself for having such a cheeky younger sister- or rather, curse his parents for it.

"Oh-" Amane appeared giddy, as she looked back across the road and remarked. "There's ummi!"

Ryou, even from this distance, noticed how pale his mother appeared..- Walking like a ghost down the street. She was holding something underneath her arm, some folder.. "I wonder what..- Hey!"

Suddenly, Amane ran out into the road, waving as she did. "Ummi! Hello!" She called out for her mother, who stopped as though stunned..- Staring ahead, and slowly turning to glance in the direction of the sound. Instead of her usual warm delight at seeing her children, however, Hana's expression began to unexpectedly morph into one of frantic terror. She waved both her hands in the air, running towards the crossing.

"Amane, wait! You have to hold big brother's hand-" Just as Ryou was about to give chase, something yanked him back by his shoulder..- Gripping him with such force that it sent a tremor throughout his entire body. When he turned to look at the stranger, he noticed something.. Someone strange...- Someone he could feel, but.. Someone..

"Who..-" Ryou gazed at the air, confused by what was both seen, and unseen..- But before he could ask anything, he was cut off by the loud, bleating blare of a horn..- And an ensuing scream.

He felt something spread in his veins..- Ice-cold and numbing..- as all feeling would leave him. He stared at that blank, empty space while tires screeched against asphalt, until all sound was gone and Ryou could no longer hear. His every movement was laboursome, as though weights were pinned onto each of his joints. In fact, his very body felt like it had stiffened into stone as Ryou fought just to glance over his shoulder.

The scene he saw didn't make sense. Amane's belongings were scattered across the road, but.. They had been in her bag just a moment ago. Could she have dropped them while running? And ah, the Monster World figure that he had made with her... Something red was soaking into it, dashing her white hair with a blossoming maroon. Ryou couldn't recall, though..- What was red? There was something so familiar about the colour. Ryou couldn't recall what it was, but for some reason.. It made him feel so ill, to see as that colour red spread from beneath that white van.