Everything
By: ChocolateEclar
Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or anything that has to do with the anime/manga.
Claimer: I fully own Ichidou Yachitose and her family, Mrs. Suteki Iyashii, Suteki's deceased father and mother, Ryougi, Karei, Sumizome, Komayaka Mada-Tafunesu, Ke-ki and her gang, Miss Jishi, Nenriki "Riki," Tomobito, Kurisutaru "Kuri" Susume, Nekura Kyouran, Neferetiabet, Miw-sher, and Great Wife Netikerty. Please don't use any of them in any form without my permission.
To Artemis*Obscure: I swear I had to end it there! *hit with ninja weapons* @__@
Iyami: *taps her hikari with her toe* Choc? Daijoubu ka?
Choccy: Argh… @_@
Iyami: *grins maliciously at her hikari* She'll be back. I think she could use some of that sugar though. ^__^;; I'll promise for her that they'll be more Yami/Ichidou in the future.
Choccy: *pop* I'm back! Did someone mention sugar? *grins*
Iyami: -__-;; *sigh* What'd I say?
A/N: Guess what, people? *blank stare from reviewers* ^__^;; Well, Ryou and his yami are in this chapter! W00t! Admittedly, Ryou's old and wrinkly, but hey, he's still got his hair and Yami Bakura still looks the same. ^.^
UPDATE: Anyone who read the previous chapter before 1/9/04, I've changed the preview! The old preview for chapter 12 is now for chapter 13 with a few changes!
Duel Twelve: On the Road to Recovery
You used to captivate me
By your resonating life
Now I'm bound by the life you left behind
Your face it haunts
My once pleasant dreams
Your voice it chased away
All the sanity in me
-From Evanescence's song "My
Immortal"
Yami was at her side in a blink of an eye. Ichidou was lying on her stomach, bleeding from a deep lesion on her back and an even worse one on her abdomen. He took her shoulder and carefully flipped her onto her back. Her chest was faintly moving up and down. 'That's good. Atleast her soul's still alive…just barely though,' he thought.
If she were physically dead then he wouldn't be able to move her real body. He could though for he tested it by concentrating on wriggling her right index finger. So her body was fine then. What had nearly shattered her soul though? That was what was definitely wrong. It was the only thing that could explain such deep wounds on the spectral form of his aibou.
He shook her gently again and whispered, "Ichidou?" She didn't respond. Her eyelids were quivering though, indicating she was dreaming. He eyed the necklace resting against her chest with the Millennium Puzzle. Scarlet, green, and azure gems and gold winked in the low light of Ichidou's now demolished soul room. The blue walls were splattered with blood and the carpet was soaked with the thick crimson substance.
Feeling a mixture of dread and unease, Yami pulled her over to one of the corners of the room. A huge pile of cerulean pillows lay there, on which he set her on. She was still a motionless doll even in her new, more comfortable position. Trying to stop her soul from bleeding anymore, Yami grabbed a blanket resting next to the pillows and wrapped it around her abdomen. With the major back and front gashes covered the amount of blood being spilled deceased.
Ichidou was deathly pale, her brown curls bordering her face in blood-drenched hanks. He had to do something. But what could've been painful enough to do this to his little "Mou Hitori No Boku?" He would've smirked if the situation hadn't been so grave. The nickname had been one Yugi and Ryou Bakura had given their yami long ago for it basically meant "The Other Me." Of course Yugi and Yami and Ryou and Yami Bakura resembled one another far more than Ichidou and Yami did. Ichidou looked quite like Nef-No, he wouldn't think of her.
Finally, he resolved to contact someone who knew enough about souls that they would know what to do he hoped. He was reluctant though. He had no difficulty with the hikari; it was the fellow yami and over three thousand year old spirit that he had a problem with.
Closing his eyes and focusing, he took over Ichidou's body as easily as if he were putting on a glove. As he opened his eyes, Ichidou's body's eyes did the same. In her body, he slipped out of bed and grabbed Ichidou's red sweatshirt, pulling it over her pajamas. He glided into the hallway outside the room and carefully slid down the stairs, skipping the step that creaked. He had learned this, like many things about her family and house, from Ichidou.
He went into the kitchen, checking to be sure Kyoko was sleeping in her bedroom first. He picked up the phonebook lying on the counter and flipped through until he reached the B's. 'Bachi, Agari… Baddoma, Ten… Hmm… Ah! Bakura, Ryou.' He gripped the telephone hanging on the wall warily. 'An ancient Pharaoh can only get so used to new technology,' he mused. He dialed the number slowly while keeping his eyes on the book, the phone, and Ichidou who was looking worse if that was possible. He prayed to every Egyptian God and Goddess that Ryou would answer.
Apparently the Gods granted his wish for in the next instant a groggy voice queried, "Eh, Moshimoshi?" A muffled yawn followed. It was nearly one in the morning after all.
"Ryou," came Yami's deep voice from Ichidou's body.
A scuffling sound issued from the receiver before a dark voice hissed, "Pharaoh!"
"Ah, so the Tomb Robber is awake as well?" questioned Yami mockingly.
"Argh," grumbled the other yami.
"Uft," Ryou muttered, regaining control of his body. "You wished to speak with me, Yami Yu…er… Isn't it Yami Ichidou now?" he asked courteously.
"Yes. There is something wrong with Ichidou in fact and I would like your assistance," replied the King of Games.
"What? 'Can't protect your new little host, Pharaoh?!" snapped Yami Bakura.
Ignoring his other half, Ryou queried, "How can I help?"
"Yugi told me long ago you dealed with problems… of the mind."
"Hmm," muttered Ryou. "That is an eloquent way of putting it. Truth be told though, I'm a psychologist. If you bring her here though, I might be able to help your hikari."
Yami could hear Yami Bakura grumbling in the background as Ryou gave him his address.
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It was amazing that Yami knew some of things he did about modern civilization. He had lived with Yugi, Anzu, and their kodomotachi for many years after all though. These skills came in handy when:
A) You had complete control of your hikari's body
B) The hikari couldn't help you, and…
C) You were traveling
He decided to grab Ichidou's purse and use her money for a bus. So he walked to the bus stop on the corner and waited only seven minutes for the bus to arrive.
He had left a note on the kitchen counter for Kyouko in the best hiragana he could write in a hurry. 'It is a wonder I can even speak the language,' considered Yami, frowning at the poorly formed letters. The message said in English:
Lady Kyouko,
Must see an old friend. Ichidou and I vow to return by midday. Do not worry.
Pha Ate Yami
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The first thing Yami noticed was Ryou Bakura had not altered much. His hair was still very white, but only a little longer than shoulder-length now so that, minus a scar, sturdiness, and youth, he looked very much like his yami had alive. He was adorned in a blue sweater and jeans with his eyes glinting in the moonlight. He was fairly old with a kind, winkled face and his hands clasped before him as he stood and greeted Yami in front of his home.
"Youkoso*!" greeted Ryou a bit tiredly. (A/N: Youkoso=Welcome!, Nice to see you!) He studied the small, female figure before him. If he knew anything about this particular yami, Ryou surmised that the blonde streaks in her chocolate-colored curls and her amethyst eyes were because of the Pharaoh's present possession of her. "Come inside."
Once settled inside Yami related what had occurred from the time he had found the engraved door in his soul room to when he had discovered Ichidou's soul lying, gory in her soul room.
Ryou had mostly decided to take up his profession because of his Millennium Ring's effect on his mind and so that he would fix his psychological problems with his rather manipulating yami. As he listened, he soon realized that perhaps his expertise could help teenage Ichidou.
"Well," muttered Ryou, lying back in his chair with a thoughtful expression. "I can't exactly go into Ichidou's soul to help her, but I know who can for me and can show me exactly what's wrong."
"Who would that be?" Yami asked.
"Mou Hitori No Boku of course," Ryou said grinning. "Right, Yami?" he asked his yami from outside the tomb robber's soul room.
In the physical world, Ryou jolted as if from a blow and a deep voice came from his throat, "Not a chance, teinousha!"
"I do not want him near my aibou anyway," growled Yami.
"That's the only option really. Besides," Ryou said seriously, "if her soul isn't helped heal it will be quite some time before she even awakens at all. I suggest you both cooperate for once for the sake of the girl alone." He frowned, addressing his yami, he said, "By the way, even you could benefit from this, Mou Hitori No Boku."
"Unlikely, baka," objected the ancient tomb robber.
"Well, consider yourself chucked into a forest again," retorted Ryou, holding the Millennium Ring meaningfully.
"I'll just come back, ketsunoana*," his yami snapped maliciously. (A/N: Ketsunoana=ass*)
"You just try it," Ryou growled while Yami sighed. He could hear none of the conversation, but from the look on Ryou's face, he was having a dispute with the Egyptian thief.
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Much arguing later, the Millennium Ring was slipped over Ichidou's neck. Ryou's was plastered with a triumphant smirk while Yami and Bakura frowned begrudgingly. In the next instant, a cursing Bakura appeared outside Ichidou's soul room door. He opened the door with a bang, noting the blood on its surface beforehand.
"All right, I'm here. Now what the hell am I supposed to do?!" he snarled.
The Pharaoh was in the corner looking like a rabid animal defending its territory, his violet eyes flashing at the tomb robber. He was hovering over Ichidou's unconscious, bloody soul while Bakura crossed his arms and stepped towards them.
He had to admit the Pharaoh's new little vessel was in pretty bad shape. It was one thing to have a body in such shape for then the person was probably dead, but to have a living soul in such haggard form meant the person had gone through hell and back so to speak. He took control of Ichidou's body from a reluctant, vigilant Yami to address Ryou.
"What the hell can I do, baka?" the King of Thieves snapped through the girl's body.
"First, just give me her diagnosis in more familiar terms," responded Ryou evenly. He smiled softly at how obvious it was who was in control of Ichidou. His yami was known for more gruff ways of putting things after all.
"She's a bloody mess."
"So I gather."
"Well, what else is there to say?!" roared Bakura.
"Try touching her forehead and picking up some of her recent memories," Ryou said calming as he tapped one finger to his own forehead while setting his left elbow on his armrest.
"Argh," grunted Yami Bakura as he walked closer to Yami and Ichidou. Yami gave him a fierce glower before moving from his position beside his hikari. He watched as Bakura reached out and placed a finger on Ichidou's forehead.
Ichidou grumbled in her slumber, but otherwise made no movement as Bakura flinched at the assault of recollections that he gathered from her. He broke away after a moment as if he'd been struck.
"Now-Now what do I do?" he muttered.
"Let me analyze what you've gathered," Ryou said, taking the Millennium Ring and placing it around his own neck. Yami Bakura vanished from Ichidou's soul room as soon as this occurred, leaving Yami in control again.
In his soul room, Ryou studied Yami Bakura before holding out his hand. Bakura wearily took it and fed the memories to his hikari who recoiled slightly. Flashes of a smirking, sun-darkened female face, a glinting dagger, a girl's scream, running footsteps, blood, and a kiss between a man and a woman appeared before his eyes. He shuddered after he had looked over the images once. It felt as if he'd been drenched in cold water.
He took a deep breath and dived into the memories again. He saw a bit more of the first woman this time. She was bejeweled and dressed in long, white robes. The second woman was younger with dark braided hair. It took him a moment of examining the picture before he realized how very much like Ichidou she looked. He soon discovered the person that was running away from the first woman was this Ichidou-like Egyptian. He was sure the two women, and even the man the latter had kissed, were Egyptian by their garb in any case.
He then eyed the kiss thoughtfully. As he had suspected, it was the Pharaoh and the Ichidou-like woman. 'There's no mistaking the Pharaoh's hair really,' Ryou mused with a slight twist of his lips.
He found a bit more images when he plummeted in again. It was the Ichidou-like girl who was bleeding from lesions the first woman had inflicted on her. ''Probably the past life of Ichidou if I know anything about yami and hikari,' Ryou reasoned. 'There are no coincidences where they're concerned.'
Finally, he turned to Ichidou's body where Yami waited agitatedly. "This may seem strange, but she was definitely in Ancient Egypt," said Ryou.
Yami sucked in a breath. "I-How?" he finally resolved on asking.
"Most of the memories I saw where of her as a young Egyptian woman being… well, murdered," Ryou admitted.
"Murdered?" muttered Yami, looking thoughtfully at the ground.
"Kinda slow today, Pharaoh?" snapped Yami Bakura.
"What is that supposed to mean, Tomb Robber?" Yami growled.
"Can't you think of a time back home when a girl like your little hikari was stabbed to death in the palace?" the King of Thieves riposted.
"Wha-I-I," the Game King tried to snap back only to realize exactly what the other Ancient Egyptian spirit meant.
"Catching on I see," said Yami Bakura, smirking coolly.
"Nebet," mumbled Yami, glancing at Ichidou's fragile soul. He could see the similarities. He'd always noticed them, but never really concentrated on them. The memories were too painful and he realized just what was behind that door in his soul room with the udjat on it. "Gods above. She saw Nebet's death," whispered Yami numbly.
"You got it, Pharaoh," said Yami Bakura, his smirk widening. "I heard stories of how, because of little Lady Neferetiabet, you had your own mother imprisoned," he added before Ryou took back control of his body and scowled fiercely at his yami.
"There was nothing else I could bear to do with her," Yami feebly defended the jibe. "She-She murdered Nebet," he added with difficulty.
"Who was a little concubine," said Bakura in his soul room.
Ryou made sure Yami hadn't heard his darker half's taunt before saying, "Well, this explains Ichidou's lack of… liveliness."
"W-What can I do to aid her?" Yami finally stammered.
"I'd say the only thing you can do is talk to her," said Ryou. "Be gentle though. She'll wake up sooner if you just sit and chat with her as she sleeps. She'll react to your voice eventually."
"How long?" Yami muttered.
"Two or three days," answered Ryou. "You'll have to control her body 'til then. When she does wake though she'll be very frail and have trouble staying…calm per se. Her soul needs time to heal and it will probably take a lot of it."
"All right," Yami whispered, nodding. "Thank you."
"It's no problem at all," Ryou said. "I needed a visit from an old friend. Besides, it's been pretty dull with only my Mou Hitori No Boku to talk to."
"You shouldn't talk, baka," hissed Yami Bakura.
Yami smiled weakly. Hopefully his hikari would awaken soon.
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Yami was back soon enough so that Kyouko didn't know they were gone, but that didn't mean she didn't notice Yami was in control when she did awaken. Yami's incorporeal ears were still ringing and it had been two days. It was strange having total control of Ichidou's body. It had been many years since he'd had full control of a hikari and it was disconcerting having a female body at that. Ichidou's wounds ceased bleeding on the second day, but they were still gaping cuts that Yami tried to bandage up the best he could.
The third day was Monday and Yami was afraid he would have to pretend he was Ichidou at school. Kyouko saved him from it though by ordering that Ichidou stay home atleast until she woke up. Ichidou's okaasan was becoming accustomed to having such a deep voice coming from her daughter's body. Still, it was bizarre to say the least.
It was on this day while Kyouko was at her job that Ichidou awoke. Kyouko worked at a doctor's office as a nurse and was gone from about ten until six most weekdays. So as Yami sat in Ichidou's bedroom, lying on her bed while talking to the previously motionless Ichidou, he heard his hikari's soul mumble, "Oh! My stomach… Ouch!"
Yami immediately had his full attention on his aibou who was groaning in agony. "Ichidou, can you hear me?" he asked.
"Hai… Argh… Oh, I hurt so bad," grumbled Ichidou, opening her emerald eyes. They were hazy for her head was spinning with pain. She pressed her palms to her forehead and scrunched up her eyes. "Everything's so blurry. What hap-Ah!" That was when everything came crashing around her ears. She could remember it all: The kiss, Atem, Miw-sher, oh, and worse of all Netikerty and her murder of Nebet.
Ichidou couldn't help it. She began to sob into her hands as her shoulders shook. She cried out in shock when she felt hands from behind. She gave a little sigh when she realized it was Yami awkwardly placing his hands on her shoulders. It really was his way of attempting to sooth her so Ichidou turned all the way around to face him and buried her face in his shirt as she bawled. She didn't care how embarrassing it was. Her soul craved comfort and that was something that, at the moment, only he could give her.
Eventually, Ichidou fell back asleep. The only way Yami could tell was her sobs had receded and her breathing was heavy against his chest. He reluctantly moved her onto a new, blood-free set of pillows in her soul room. Then he sat, ever docile, beside her, watching her sleep. It was another consolation that kept Ichidou from thinking about what had occurred so many millennia ago for as long as possible. When she awoke, she knew she would have to face her inner demons. For now though, she slept dreamlessly.
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A/N: Please review!!! ^_^
Iyami: You think you'll get death threats again?
Choccy: I dunno. I hope not. *laughs*
Iyami: You bounce back quickly anyway.
Choccy: True. Hehe. ^___- Sayonara 'til next chapter!
