Chapter 1: A Visit With Ryou Bakura
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! I do own my oc Mika, but I don't own Ryou Bakura, Yami Bakura, Malik, Isis, or Kaiba Corp., etc. But Mika is MINE!
I am also an artist, and if you want to see a pic of Mika, please go to ShadowWolfs.deviantart.com and look for the pic 'Mika and the Tyrant Dragon' in my gallery. ^^
Chapter 1: A Visit With Ryou Bakura
Mika Ishtal
I lied on the couch, my head buried in a pillow. It was 7 in the morning and a school day. School started at 8:15 and I was all ready. Until it was time to go, there was nothing to do but lie around...and think about that dream. Why did it keep haunting me? He died over two weeks ago!
Maybe I should explain 'he'. My father, Malik Ishtal, died two weeks ago. It is still unclear exactly how he died. They think he committed suicide. I knew my father better than that. He wouldn't kill himself. All I know is they found a knife dripping with blood by his body that morning. His throat was cut badly by the knife and he was dying when someone found him. It was too late, he was on the brink of death...by the time medical help arrived he was dead...
I haven't fulfilled my promise to him that I'd show Bakura, his friend that lived close to us, the Millennium Rod. Maybe today was the day...maybe I'd show him the Rod today...
Me? I'm Mika Ishtal, Malik's daughter. I look just like my dad, a mirror image of him. My Mom died when I was two years old, I never got to know her. My father told me she died in a car accident, but when I told this to Bakura some few years later, he looked at me and I saw the great sympathy for me in his gentle brown eyes. Still to this day, I can't figure out why he looked at me like that, as if he were saying, "If only you knew..." Then a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Mika? You should not be lying around, you have school." I pointed to my book bag by the door. My aunt rolled her eyes. "Mika, you know very well that you cannot wear jewelry to school. Now take it off." I took off the gold choker and set it on the small table in front of the couch with a look that plainly said, "There, happy?" But noooo, this didn't satisfy her. "All of it." Grumbling, I took off the pure gold bracelets hidden under my sleeves. I complained about 'the stupid school and its stupid rules' under my breath. "Why do they make us wear these stupid uniforms anyway?" I growled. I lied back against the couch and stared at the ceiling. "Why couldn't I have been home schooled? Dad was." I muttered. "When it is eight 'o clock, I want you to leave and get to school." Aunt Isis said before leaving to go to her bedroom. I didn't even nod my head. My aunt might as well have been talking to a wall. But I figured I'd have to go to school eventually. With a sigh I stretched, got to my feet and grabbed my book bag as I walked out the door.
*~*~*~*~*~
After school, I walked toward home, changed my mind, turned around and started off to the park. When I was almost halfway there, I turned around and headed the opposite way. Not sure where to go, I paced in front of the tall Kaiba Corp. Building. Back and forth, back and forth. I tried to decide where to go. I stopped suddenly. Pacing. It was a habit my father had of doing and I inherited it from him. He was pacing in that dream. The dream. I made a promise to my father and I must keep it. My mind made up, I walked in the direction of Bakura's house.
I caught Bakura just in time. He was outside and was closing the door behind him. He looked flustered, in a hurry. I called his name. His keys jingled loudly in his hand when he jumped and turned quickly to face me. He seemed very relieved when he saw me. "Hello Mika. How was school?" he greeted me, dropping his arm to his side. "Fine, thank you. Gomen nasai, did I catch you at a bad time?" Apparently, he was about to go somewhere. "...Well...No, not really. Why, is it important?" was his reply. I wondered whether to ask or just leave. My hand wandered to my open backpack and grasped the Millennium Rod. For a second, I thought I saw Bakura's eyes darken in a cold stare. Then he blinked innocently and I thought I was just seeing things. I slowly took the Millennium Rod out from behind my back. The expression on Bakura's face instantly changed.
"The Millennium Rod...!" he whispered. His eyes never left the Millennium Rod as he murmured to himself. "Of course...He had to pass it on to someone...But...Good God...You-him...It can't be..." His eyes finally darted up to meet mine. But what I saw made me wish he hadn't.
His eyes...They were bitter, cruel...mirthless...They weren't the soft hazel eyes of Bakura I knew...Like...Some kind of...evil lurked within them. A chill went down my spine as he glared at me. He glanced back at the Rod and then, suddenly, his mouth twisted into a malicious smirk and he pinned his unfaltering gaze on me again. "I know why you came here." he said. "You want me to explain about this to you." he said, pointing to the Rod in my hand. "The Millennium Rod...One of the most powerful of the Millennium Items...Give that here."
He reached out for the Rod. A strong feeling of hatred rose up in me. But as quick as it came, it was gone. I was stunned to feel such hatred toward Bakura. I've know him all my life. I shook it off and watched Bakura's hands enclose around the cool metal of the Millennium Rod. He then turned it over in his hands, examining it. He felt the sharp edges on the round sphere at the end of the long rod, his fingers pausing at a certain spot half way on the rod before tracing the eye of Anubis on the sphere. My skin prickled uncomfortably. {How dare he take the Millennium Rod from me...how dare he even touch it with his unworthy, filthy hands...the worthless tomb robber...}
I was startled to hear myself think this...to hear my own voice in the back of my head speak so bitterly. This was a dream...everything was turning upside-down...{Give that back...You are not worthy to hold it...} the voice snarled.
Bakura glanced up at me with his harsh eyes narrowed. He ran his hand over the Rod again, as though teasing me. Indeed, it did. I flinched. Bakura put the Millennium Rod in my hand, smirking. "Your father..." he said. "He told you about the Rod, ne?" "You know what powers it has...to keep it away from thieves..." What? Powers? This thing could actually do something? "You do know...don't you?" "..." The only reply he got was a blank look. "You don't know. Oh Ra..." he said. 'What...did he say?' "I thought you didn't speak Egyptian...Ancient Egyptian at the least..." I said. He ignored me. Only Egyptians-who knew how to speak Ancient Egyptian as well-said 'Ra'.
"Well...I can't tell you about the Rod..." Bakura said. "But...I can tell you about the history of the Millennium Items." Bakura chuckled, saying, "Your father was right to have you come to me. There are other Items beside the Rod. They are called the Millennium Items, of course. I have one myself...the Millennium Ring." he said as he unbuttoned his shirt. Dangling against his chest was a gold pendant. It had five gold cones hanging off the sides of a large ring. In the center of the ring was a triangle with the all too familiar eye of Anubis in the center. On the top of the ring was a hoop in which a rope was tied around so it hung like a necklace around his neck. "Wow...it's pretty..." I said as I ran my fingers along the cold metal. I could feel the power radiating from it. Then I felt a strange desire to grab it, rip it off his neck so it could be all mine...
I tried to quickly pull my hand back the instant I saw the twisted smirk flash on Bakura's face. Bakura grabbed my wrist in a painfully tight grip. Tears sprang to my eyes. Chill after chill went down my spine as I stared into his hard resentful eyes. With a cruel smile he tightened his grip. My hand went limp as I pulled it away from the Ring. He let go of my arm. Bakura leaned against the door and folded his arms across his chest. "Let me make this a little kids' fairytale. Once upon a time in Egypt there were seven Millennium Items. Seven Items, seven holders. Some of the holders used the items' power to summon monsters from the realm of dark shadows. The monsters got out of control. Soon the world would be enveloped in darkness. A stupid pharaoh locked away the Items' holders inside the items themselves in order to save the world from destruction. The end." he said in a high pitched voice. "Yay?" I said. Bakura hissed under his breath. "****ing Pharaoh...had to stop all the fun...him and his d*mn nobleness..."
"Nice story." I said sarcastically. "Very nice until that little part there." Bakura looked up at me. There are three Millennium spirits...that I know of. They are darker personalities of their hikaris. You never know whether a dark spirit might be within someone...Two of them are nearer than you think..." he said. I looked around as though expecting to see them somewhere. "Take some time out of your day and try to figure out what I mean...and try to figure out how to use the Rod. Your yami might be of some help...though I strongly doubt it..." Bakura said. "Can you tell me anything-"I started, but Bakura cut me off. "No. Sorry, I cannot tell you anything else. I've got to go somewhere now."
'Fine, be that way...' I thought angrily. I didn't want to be around Bakura anymore. He just seemed so much...darker than the Bakura I knew. And I longed to see those warm hazel eyes again...an almost fatherly glance and a welcome inside...I so wished to see the real Bakura again. I stared hard into his eyes hoping to see those friendly, soft eyes behind the dark harsh eyes. The same harsh calculating eyes glared back. "Ja...ne..." I said softly. I turned slowly and stepped off the porch. I felt a light touch on my shoulder. I turned to find Bakura, the friendly real Bakura, staring back with an apologizing glance. "Gomen nasai..." he said softly. I smiled. "Look, I know I'm not your father, but...I was his friend. And...well...if you ever need anything, I'm here." he said. "Arigatou, Bakura." I said before flinging myself in his arms. He hugged me briefly then pulled away and said goodbye. Then I walked home.
Yami Bakura
"Bakura!" I heard someone call. [If its that Radamned salesman again, I'm sending him to the shadow realm!] I growled at Ryou through the mental link, making him jump. {That's your solution to everything, yami.} Ryou said with a sigh. [It is not!] I argued. {Yes it is, it's either 'If you don't shut up foolish mortal I'll send you to the shadow realm with the powers of my Millennium Ring' or 'Stupid tellyfone you better work or I'll send you to the shadow realm!'}my white haired hikari said. I grumbled. You had to admit the guy made a good imitation.
Ryou turned and saw none other than Mika Ishtal, Malik's daughter. She looked so much like the only friend I ever had and therefore, it made me slightly sad to see her. Simply because she reminded me so of Malik. No one ever knew what happened to him. They tried to investigate the scene and found nothing except a blood covered knife and the blood stained carpet. He just disappeared. The fools assumed it was some kind of strange suicide because they never found any footprints beside his daughter's and Isis's. They said that there was so much blood loss that there was no way he could be alive. I knew it had to be a spirit. Even Malik wouldn't commit suicide. Even he was too smart for that. A spirit did something to Malik. No one listened to me. But that was two weeks ago. I had to let it go.
Ryou talked to Mika. I paid no attention until Mika pulled out the Millennium Rod. I immediately took control after Ryou stared at it for a moment. {Yami, what are you doing?! You can't just-} [Watch me.] I snarled. "...It can't be..." I muttered. How could she end up with the Millennium Rod? How could she hold an item of such great power...? My eyes darted up to meet hers, searching for answers. I smiled as I sensed a bit of fear from the girl. I turned my eyes back to her and a stronger sense of fear came from her. "The Millennium Rod...Give that here." I said, reaching a hand toward the Rod. I felt...much hate and anger radiating from Mika. How...I wondered.
The moment my fingers touched the Rod, I saw a shadow of cruel dark red eyes flicker. I took the Rod anyway, though shaken yet not showing it. I knew those red, blood chilling eyes. I examined the Rod, as if hoping there was something to prove it was not real...that Malik was alive somewhere...with the Rod...But this was the real thing. I felt no power coming from the Rod...strange...
I glanced at Mika. She seemed to be in a trance of some kind. Then she looked at me again and I narrowed my eyes. I teased her a bit, not giving the Item back straight away. She flinched. I smirked and handed the Rod back. I told her the history of the Millennium Items ...as he would have wanted. I even went so far as to show her my Ring. Except when she touched it I couldn't control mt reflex to grab her wrist painfully. The look of pure shock on her face was satisfying enough, so I let go. What bothered me, however, was this strong desire within her to take the Ring right off my neck, the greedy, dark look in her eyes. It was nothing I was worried about, just concerned. Concerned was all...
Mika stared at me when I was finished. By the way she stared hard into my eyes, I think she wanted to see Ryou.
{Now see what you've done...?} Ryou said.
[What the hell did I do?] I snapped.
{Onegai...can I have my body back?}
[...]
{At least to say good bye? She looks...sad...}
[...Alright]
Ryou took over and said something to Mika...I didn't hear or pay attention. That left me to ponder over the strange feelings I felt from the girl. Malik told her nothing of the Rod...but the true question is this: Is she worthy enough to control its powers?
I lay down on a bed in my soul room and rolled on my back to stare at the ceiling in thought. [Looking at her...its like seeing him again...] I didn't notice my thoughts were slipping through the mental link. [He was the only friend I had...or the closest thing to one. I wish I knew what happened to Malik...If I knew...whoever killed him would be writhing in pain on the ground, suffering...I would be standing over him, laughing...before I'd give the final blow and he'd be in the depths of hell...crying for mercy...and I wouldn't give him any...for the cowardly bastard he is...] My eyes closed as I drifted off to sleep...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yugi Mutou sat alone on a couch in the empty game shop. He looked up at the sound of a bell jingle softly. An Egyptian with blonde hair that flared out and lavender eyes walked in. The ice cold eyes fixed their cold glare on Yugi. "Yami Malik!" Yugi leaped to his feet. "What do you want?" Yugi said. "Must you greet me in such a harsh tone, Yugi?" Yami Malik said, pretending to look slightly hurt. "You and I both know I have no reason to trust you." Yugi responded coldly. "It's rather suspicious that you come here..." "Yes, I understand. But can we forget the past and start all over? Though it's been quite a few years...can we just be friends?" the spirit said, holding out his hand.
Yugi was very surprised. Friends? With Yami Malik? There was an apologetic look on the Egyptian's face...maybe this wasn't another of his manipulating tricks...perhaps it wasn't another of his sick, twisted games...Yugi reached for Yami Malik's hand slowly. Nothing seemed dangerous about it..."Yami Malik...well...if you're willing to set aside our past and start off new, I am too!" Yugi said before grasping Yami Malik's hand in a friendly way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryou Bakura
[Don't trust him, fool! I heard my yami snarl. 'What...is he talking about?' I thought. "Trust who?' I stopped walking when my yami growled again. [Yugi, you naive fool...can't you see the playful glimmer in his eyes...? Don't...trust...him...]
I realized I had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and a small crowd of people had gathered to stare at me. I blinked and walked away nervously into a small alley unnoticed by anyone. { yami?} There was no answer. {y-yaaammii...} [That...lying...bastard...] he growled. I wondered what was wrong with my yami...Was he...sleep talking? From a bad dream? Maybe...I'd have to find out...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Malik? Is that you?" Yugi asked the hooded figure in the dark night. He strained his eyes to make out the features of the face. "Malik...?" he said uncertainly. The figure moved closer and moonlight washed over him. He wore a long black cloak with a hood which hid his face in shadow. "Malik? What have you brought me here for? And in the middle of the night..."
"You'll see..." the Egyptian came closer to Yugi. Yugi didn't see his fingers grip the Millennium Rod and make it into a dagger in the darkness. "Malik...?" Yugi asked uneasily. Said person laughed. "Be a good friend and hand over the Millennium Puzzle." a cold voice said from under the hood. A chill went down Yugi's spine as he grasped the chain around his neck.
[No...]
"Don't even think of calling out to the Pharaoh! Just give me the Puzzle." the Egyptian ordered.
[No...]
"No." Yugi said, tightening his grip on the chain. "Yugi...you've always been a naive fool. All grown up now, but you still act so childish! Now...the Puzzle or your life!" the Egyptian said, thrusting the dagger into Yugi's chest with just enough force to draw a little blood. The blade was placed directly over Yugi's heart. "Now...don't make a single move...with a jerk of my hand I can easily take your life away...so don't move a muscle..." He then slipped his other hand around Yugi's neck and pulled the chain...
{Yami! Are you okay?}
[Don't...the...Puzzle...liar..]
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Yami? Yami? ...Yami, wake up!"
My eyes flashed open. I found Ryou staring at me with wide eyes. He was on top of me, his hands on my shoulders shaking me gently. "I...had....a dream..." I explained. I could not hide the terrified look in my eyes. "A...strange...dream..."
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! I do own my oc Mika, but I don't own Ryou Bakura, Yami Bakura, Malik, Isis, or Kaiba Corp., etc. But Mika is MINE!
I am also an artist, and if you want to see a pic of Mika, please go to ShadowWolfs.deviantart.com and look for the pic 'Mika and the Tyrant Dragon' in my gallery. ^^
Chapter 1: A Visit With Ryou Bakura
Mika Ishtal
I lied on the couch, my head buried in a pillow. It was 7 in the morning and a school day. School started at 8:15 and I was all ready. Until it was time to go, there was nothing to do but lie around...and think about that dream. Why did it keep haunting me? He died over two weeks ago!
Maybe I should explain 'he'. My father, Malik Ishtal, died two weeks ago. It is still unclear exactly how he died. They think he committed suicide. I knew my father better than that. He wouldn't kill himself. All I know is they found a knife dripping with blood by his body that morning. His throat was cut badly by the knife and he was dying when someone found him. It was too late, he was on the brink of death...by the time medical help arrived he was dead...
I haven't fulfilled my promise to him that I'd show Bakura, his friend that lived close to us, the Millennium Rod. Maybe today was the day...maybe I'd show him the Rod today...
Me? I'm Mika Ishtal, Malik's daughter. I look just like my dad, a mirror image of him. My Mom died when I was two years old, I never got to know her. My father told me she died in a car accident, but when I told this to Bakura some few years later, he looked at me and I saw the great sympathy for me in his gentle brown eyes. Still to this day, I can't figure out why he looked at me like that, as if he were saying, "If only you knew..." Then a voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Mika? You should not be lying around, you have school." I pointed to my book bag by the door. My aunt rolled her eyes. "Mika, you know very well that you cannot wear jewelry to school. Now take it off." I took off the gold choker and set it on the small table in front of the couch with a look that plainly said, "There, happy?" But noooo, this didn't satisfy her. "All of it." Grumbling, I took off the pure gold bracelets hidden under my sleeves. I complained about 'the stupid school and its stupid rules' under my breath. "Why do they make us wear these stupid uniforms anyway?" I growled. I lied back against the couch and stared at the ceiling. "Why couldn't I have been home schooled? Dad was." I muttered. "When it is eight 'o clock, I want you to leave and get to school." Aunt Isis said before leaving to go to her bedroom. I didn't even nod my head. My aunt might as well have been talking to a wall. But I figured I'd have to go to school eventually. With a sigh I stretched, got to my feet and grabbed my book bag as I walked out the door.
*~*~*~*~*~
After school, I walked toward home, changed my mind, turned around and started off to the park. When I was almost halfway there, I turned around and headed the opposite way. Not sure where to go, I paced in front of the tall Kaiba Corp. Building. Back and forth, back and forth. I tried to decide where to go. I stopped suddenly. Pacing. It was a habit my father had of doing and I inherited it from him. He was pacing in that dream. The dream. I made a promise to my father and I must keep it. My mind made up, I walked in the direction of Bakura's house.
I caught Bakura just in time. He was outside and was closing the door behind him. He looked flustered, in a hurry. I called his name. His keys jingled loudly in his hand when he jumped and turned quickly to face me. He seemed very relieved when he saw me. "Hello Mika. How was school?" he greeted me, dropping his arm to his side. "Fine, thank you. Gomen nasai, did I catch you at a bad time?" Apparently, he was about to go somewhere. "...Well...No, not really. Why, is it important?" was his reply. I wondered whether to ask or just leave. My hand wandered to my open backpack and grasped the Millennium Rod. For a second, I thought I saw Bakura's eyes darken in a cold stare. Then he blinked innocently and I thought I was just seeing things. I slowly took the Millennium Rod out from behind my back. The expression on Bakura's face instantly changed.
"The Millennium Rod...!" he whispered. His eyes never left the Millennium Rod as he murmured to himself. "Of course...He had to pass it on to someone...But...Good God...You-him...It can't be..." His eyes finally darted up to meet mine. But what I saw made me wish he hadn't.
His eyes...They were bitter, cruel...mirthless...They weren't the soft hazel eyes of Bakura I knew...Like...Some kind of...evil lurked within them. A chill went down my spine as he glared at me. He glanced back at the Rod and then, suddenly, his mouth twisted into a malicious smirk and he pinned his unfaltering gaze on me again. "I know why you came here." he said. "You want me to explain about this to you." he said, pointing to the Rod in my hand. "The Millennium Rod...One of the most powerful of the Millennium Items...Give that here."
He reached out for the Rod. A strong feeling of hatred rose up in me. But as quick as it came, it was gone. I was stunned to feel such hatred toward Bakura. I've know him all my life. I shook it off and watched Bakura's hands enclose around the cool metal of the Millennium Rod. He then turned it over in his hands, examining it. He felt the sharp edges on the round sphere at the end of the long rod, his fingers pausing at a certain spot half way on the rod before tracing the eye of Anubis on the sphere. My skin prickled uncomfortably. {How dare he take the Millennium Rod from me...how dare he even touch it with his unworthy, filthy hands...the worthless tomb robber...}
I was startled to hear myself think this...to hear my own voice in the back of my head speak so bitterly. This was a dream...everything was turning upside-down...{Give that back...You are not worthy to hold it...} the voice snarled.
Bakura glanced up at me with his harsh eyes narrowed. He ran his hand over the Rod again, as though teasing me. Indeed, it did. I flinched. Bakura put the Millennium Rod in my hand, smirking. "Your father..." he said. "He told you about the Rod, ne?" "You know what powers it has...to keep it away from thieves..." What? Powers? This thing could actually do something? "You do know...don't you?" "..." The only reply he got was a blank look. "You don't know. Oh Ra..." he said. 'What...did he say?' "I thought you didn't speak Egyptian...Ancient Egyptian at the least..." I said. He ignored me. Only Egyptians-who knew how to speak Ancient Egyptian as well-said 'Ra'.
"Well...I can't tell you about the Rod..." Bakura said. "But...I can tell you about the history of the Millennium Items." Bakura chuckled, saying, "Your father was right to have you come to me. There are other Items beside the Rod. They are called the Millennium Items, of course. I have one myself...the Millennium Ring." he said as he unbuttoned his shirt. Dangling against his chest was a gold pendant. It had five gold cones hanging off the sides of a large ring. In the center of the ring was a triangle with the all too familiar eye of Anubis in the center. On the top of the ring was a hoop in which a rope was tied around so it hung like a necklace around his neck. "Wow...it's pretty..." I said as I ran my fingers along the cold metal. I could feel the power radiating from it. Then I felt a strange desire to grab it, rip it off his neck so it could be all mine...
I tried to quickly pull my hand back the instant I saw the twisted smirk flash on Bakura's face. Bakura grabbed my wrist in a painfully tight grip. Tears sprang to my eyes. Chill after chill went down my spine as I stared into his hard resentful eyes. With a cruel smile he tightened his grip. My hand went limp as I pulled it away from the Ring. He let go of my arm. Bakura leaned against the door and folded his arms across his chest. "Let me make this a little kids' fairytale. Once upon a time in Egypt there were seven Millennium Items. Seven Items, seven holders. Some of the holders used the items' power to summon monsters from the realm of dark shadows. The monsters got out of control. Soon the world would be enveloped in darkness. A stupid pharaoh locked away the Items' holders inside the items themselves in order to save the world from destruction. The end." he said in a high pitched voice. "Yay?" I said. Bakura hissed under his breath. "****ing Pharaoh...had to stop all the fun...him and his d*mn nobleness..."
"Nice story." I said sarcastically. "Very nice until that little part there." Bakura looked up at me. There are three Millennium spirits...that I know of. They are darker personalities of their hikaris. You never know whether a dark spirit might be within someone...Two of them are nearer than you think..." he said. I looked around as though expecting to see them somewhere. "Take some time out of your day and try to figure out what I mean...and try to figure out how to use the Rod. Your yami might be of some help...though I strongly doubt it..." Bakura said. "Can you tell me anything-"I started, but Bakura cut me off. "No. Sorry, I cannot tell you anything else. I've got to go somewhere now."
'Fine, be that way...' I thought angrily. I didn't want to be around Bakura anymore. He just seemed so much...darker than the Bakura I knew. And I longed to see those warm hazel eyes again...an almost fatherly glance and a welcome inside...I so wished to see the real Bakura again. I stared hard into his eyes hoping to see those friendly, soft eyes behind the dark harsh eyes. The same harsh calculating eyes glared back. "Ja...ne..." I said softly. I turned slowly and stepped off the porch. I felt a light touch on my shoulder. I turned to find Bakura, the friendly real Bakura, staring back with an apologizing glance. "Gomen nasai..." he said softly. I smiled. "Look, I know I'm not your father, but...I was his friend. And...well...if you ever need anything, I'm here." he said. "Arigatou, Bakura." I said before flinging myself in his arms. He hugged me briefly then pulled away and said goodbye. Then I walked home.
Yami Bakura
"Bakura!" I heard someone call. [If its that Radamned salesman again, I'm sending him to the shadow realm!] I growled at Ryou through the mental link, making him jump. {That's your solution to everything, yami.} Ryou said with a sigh. [It is not!] I argued. {Yes it is, it's either 'If you don't shut up foolish mortal I'll send you to the shadow realm with the powers of my Millennium Ring' or 'Stupid tellyfone you better work or I'll send you to the shadow realm!'}my white haired hikari said. I grumbled. You had to admit the guy made a good imitation.
Ryou turned and saw none other than Mika Ishtal, Malik's daughter. She looked so much like the only friend I ever had and therefore, it made me slightly sad to see her. Simply because she reminded me so of Malik. No one ever knew what happened to him. They tried to investigate the scene and found nothing except a blood covered knife and the blood stained carpet. He just disappeared. The fools assumed it was some kind of strange suicide because they never found any footprints beside his daughter's and Isis's. They said that there was so much blood loss that there was no way he could be alive. I knew it had to be a spirit. Even Malik wouldn't commit suicide. Even he was too smart for that. A spirit did something to Malik. No one listened to me. But that was two weeks ago. I had to let it go.
Ryou talked to Mika. I paid no attention until Mika pulled out the Millennium Rod. I immediately took control after Ryou stared at it for a moment. {Yami, what are you doing?! You can't just-} [Watch me.] I snarled. "...It can't be..." I muttered. How could she end up with the Millennium Rod? How could she hold an item of such great power...? My eyes darted up to meet hers, searching for answers. I smiled as I sensed a bit of fear from the girl. I turned my eyes back to her and a stronger sense of fear came from her. "The Millennium Rod...Give that here." I said, reaching a hand toward the Rod. I felt...much hate and anger radiating from Mika. How...I wondered.
The moment my fingers touched the Rod, I saw a shadow of cruel dark red eyes flicker. I took the Rod anyway, though shaken yet not showing it. I knew those red, blood chilling eyes. I examined the Rod, as if hoping there was something to prove it was not real...that Malik was alive somewhere...with the Rod...But this was the real thing. I felt no power coming from the Rod...strange...
I glanced at Mika. She seemed to be in a trance of some kind. Then she looked at me again and I narrowed my eyes. I teased her a bit, not giving the Item back straight away. She flinched. I smirked and handed the Rod back. I told her the history of the Millennium Items ...as he would have wanted. I even went so far as to show her my Ring. Except when she touched it I couldn't control mt reflex to grab her wrist painfully. The look of pure shock on her face was satisfying enough, so I let go. What bothered me, however, was this strong desire within her to take the Ring right off my neck, the greedy, dark look in her eyes. It was nothing I was worried about, just concerned. Concerned was all...
Mika stared at me when I was finished. By the way she stared hard into my eyes, I think she wanted to see Ryou.
{Now see what you've done...?} Ryou said.
[What the hell did I do?] I snapped.
{Onegai...can I have my body back?}
[...]
{At least to say good bye? She looks...sad...}
[...Alright]
Ryou took over and said something to Mika...I didn't hear or pay attention. That left me to ponder over the strange feelings I felt from the girl. Malik told her nothing of the Rod...but the true question is this: Is she worthy enough to control its powers?
I lay down on a bed in my soul room and rolled on my back to stare at the ceiling in thought. [Looking at her...its like seeing him again...] I didn't notice my thoughts were slipping through the mental link. [He was the only friend I had...or the closest thing to one. I wish I knew what happened to Malik...If I knew...whoever killed him would be writhing in pain on the ground, suffering...I would be standing over him, laughing...before I'd give the final blow and he'd be in the depths of hell...crying for mercy...and I wouldn't give him any...for the cowardly bastard he is...] My eyes closed as I drifted off to sleep...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Yugi Mutou sat alone on a couch in the empty game shop. He looked up at the sound of a bell jingle softly. An Egyptian with blonde hair that flared out and lavender eyes walked in. The ice cold eyes fixed their cold glare on Yugi. "Yami Malik!" Yugi leaped to his feet. "What do you want?" Yugi said. "Must you greet me in such a harsh tone, Yugi?" Yami Malik said, pretending to look slightly hurt. "You and I both know I have no reason to trust you." Yugi responded coldly. "It's rather suspicious that you come here..." "Yes, I understand. But can we forget the past and start all over? Though it's been quite a few years...can we just be friends?" the spirit said, holding out his hand.
Yugi was very surprised. Friends? With Yami Malik? There was an apologetic look on the Egyptian's face...maybe this wasn't another of his manipulating tricks...perhaps it wasn't another of his sick, twisted games...Yugi reached for Yami Malik's hand slowly. Nothing seemed dangerous about it..."Yami Malik...well...if you're willing to set aside our past and start off new, I am too!" Yugi said before grasping Yami Malik's hand in a friendly way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ryou Bakura
[Don't trust him, fool! I heard my yami snarl. 'What...is he talking about?' I thought. "Trust who?' I stopped walking when my yami growled again. [Yugi, you naive fool...can't you see the playful glimmer in his eyes...? Don't...trust...him...]
I realized I had stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and a small crowd of people had gathered to stare at me. I blinked and walked away nervously into a small alley unnoticed by anyone. { yami?} There was no answer. {y-yaaammii...} [That...lying...bastard...] he growled. I wondered what was wrong with my yami...Was he...sleep talking? From a bad dream? Maybe...I'd have to find out...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Malik? Is that you?" Yugi asked the hooded figure in the dark night. He strained his eyes to make out the features of the face. "Malik...?" he said uncertainly. The figure moved closer and moonlight washed over him. He wore a long black cloak with a hood which hid his face in shadow. "Malik? What have you brought me here for? And in the middle of the night..."
"You'll see..." the Egyptian came closer to Yugi. Yugi didn't see his fingers grip the Millennium Rod and make it into a dagger in the darkness. "Malik...?" Yugi asked uneasily. Said person laughed. "Be a good friend and hand over the Millennium Puzzle." a cold voice said from under the hood. A chill went down Yugi's spine as he grasped the chain around his neck.
[No...]
"Don't even think of calling out to the Pharaoh! Just give me the Puzzle." the Egyptian ordered.
[No...]
"No." Yugi said, tightening his grip on the chain. "Yugi...you've always been a naive fool. All grown up now, but you still act so childish! Now...the Puzzle or your life!" the Egyptian said, thrusting the dagger into Yugi's chest with just enough force to draw a little blood. The blade was placed directly over Yugi's heart. "Now...don't make a single move...with a jerk of my hand I can easily take your life away...so don't move a muscle..." He then slipped his other hand around Yugi's neck and pulled the chain...
{Yami! Are you okay?}
[Don't...the...Puzzle...liar..]
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Yami? Yami? ...Yami, wake up!"
My eyes flashed open. I found Ryou staring at me with wide eyes. He was on top of me, his hands on my shoulders shaking me gently. "I...had....a dream..." I explained. I could not hide the terrified look in my eyes. "A...strange...dream..."