Chapter 2: Yami Bakura's Memories
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here on my computer writing fan fiction, I'd be glomping Malik or something! Yup. ^^
Yami Bakura: Then what's this paper here saying 'I own Yugioh!'?
Silver wolf: Gimme that. *tears up paper* You never saw that. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Yami Bakura's just being an ass.
Yami Bakura: 0_o
Silver Wolf: BURN! *burns paper* YOU SAW NOTHING!!!
Yami Bakura: Riiight.
Mika Ishtal
The long gold rod rested in my hand. "Its gold. And valuable. But does it do anything?" I muttered. A cruel laugh broke the silence. I looked around my room and out my window, but I couldn't tell here the laugh was coming from. No one was in my room but me. My skin prickled uncomfortably as I told myself that over and over again. I shook my head. No one was in here but me. Just me. I set the Rod on the bed and pulled my pajama top off before tossing it in a corner of my room. I ran a hand through my light blonde hair.
"I am not insane, damnit." I growled, glaring at my reflection in the mirror. I grabbed my father's old white shirt from a pile of clean clothes lying in the corner of my room. I then changed into a pair of black pants and slipped on shoes, also my dad's. he was the same size as me when he was my age. Therefore, he had passed down everything to me. I put on gold jewelry and my dad's earrings as well. I looked in my reflection in the mirror a second time. I was slightly surprised at my appearance. I looked like Dad in that photo taken at some tournament 20 years ago, called Battled City.
I turned away from the mirror. I didn't want to think about Dad. Not now.
[That's right. Forget about your father. He is no longer here.] the harsh voice said in the back of my mind.
{You're damn right. Who the hell are you to know he is not alive?}
[Why, I am your yami.] he laughed. My...'dark'? That made no sense...no sense at all.
{Will you just speak straight and tell me what the hell you're talking a bout?!}
[Hm. Tell me, hikari, how does it feel to be 'talking to yourself'? To know you're going out of your mind?] A bitter, mirthless laugh echoed in my mind.
{No...}
{No...Who are you!?}
[I told you...I'm your yami.]
{You have no real name?} I demanded.
[Not really...]
{What do you know about my father?!}
[Everything...But he's gone. Forget him.]
{How can I forget him?! Why should I?! He's my father. Why?!}
[Do not worry about him...]
[You have other things to worry about now...ha ha ha ha ha ha!]
White hot pain seared through my body. I cried out and stumbled against the bed. I was temporarily blinded, I couldn't see a thing. Before I could react, another wave of pain passed though me. My whole body felt like it was on fire. The pain felt like it was coming from the inside, burning my very bones. I fell to my knees, screaming. The last thing I remembered was pitch black darkness with no end, coldness beyond chilling. Eerie shadows seemingly dancing behind me. And a bitter laugh. Then all went dark as I lost consciousness.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yami Bakura
"Yami, you're sure you'll be alright?"
"I'm fine, Ryou."
"Because I don't have to go to the Kame Game Store, you know-"
"I'm fine."
"I can stay here-"
"Really, Ryou, I'm fine."
"You just seemed really shaken up, and it made me think that-"
"I'm fine."
"Just the look on your face and everything, I-I don't think I should leave you-"
"I'm fine, Ryou"
Ryou sighed. "No, you're supposed to put that on your forehead." Ryou took the wet cloth in my hand and put it on my forehead. "It'll help you feel a little better." He pushed me back into the couch. "I'm fine, dammit." "You are not fine, yami! I-I don't know what happened, but I've never seen you like this, and that can only mean it's a bad thing! And I don't think you should be alone..." "Ryou!" I yelled. I was on my feet before I even realized it and steered Ryou to the front door by the shoulders. He protested, dug his heels into the carpet and leaned back. I pushed him with all the strength left in me, and it still wasn't enough. As a result, Ryou collapsed on top of me. I cursed in Egyptian under my breath before I tried to push Ryou off me. "Ra dammit, get off me!" I snarled. I was too weak to even push him off.
"Just go, dammit! Go see that bastard, Yugi and the Radamned Pharaoh! I don't care!" I yelled. I stood up, staggered, and fell backward onto the couch. "Yami...You're in the worst condition I've seen you yet...And Yugi's called me over to see a shipment of new cards...You should make an effort to be friendly to him...for once. "And why should I?" I snapped. Ryou sighed again. "I see I'm not going to win this one. I'm leaving, alright? Bye." He picked up a jacket off the floor and left, locking the door behind him.
I flopped down carelessly on the couch. I rolled over on my side and stared at the...telivison, was it? Teli...tele...televisor...Damn. I stared at the blank box with the Ra cursed name I cannot pronounce correctly.
I remember doing this...Only it was on and flipped to the news channel (the only time I ever watched it)...two weeks ago...on the tenth of November...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ryou, I can't have any peace in thi house with you bothering me constantly about 'being lazy.'"
"You are!"Ryou cried. "You don't offer to help me for anything!" Yami Bakura rolled his eyes.
"This is being lazy." he said, throwing himself on the couch. He yawned and put his arms behind his head, leaning back casually with a playful grin.
"Look at you. You look like you're king of the world." Ryou said.
"Oh, really? How about this? 'Bow down to the mighty Pharaoh of Egypt! I rule all! You! Servant, get me my coffee!" Yami Bakura grinned widely. Ryou smiled as well.
"Oh, but my Pharaoh, there is no coffee. You were to go to the store and get some." he said as he mock bowed to his yami. "Or have you forgotten?"
"Was I? Well servant, you shall go to the Starbucks across the street and bring me my coffee."
"Well, why don't you get off your royal butt and go get it yourself?" Ryou said. He then threw a pillow at the yami's head. This caught him off guard and for a minute or so he looked surprised. Ryou was sure he was in for it this time. There was a deadly silence. Yami Bakura simply stared at the hikari, in a state of complete shock. Ryou had never acted this way...
Then, a smile, a true smile, spread across the spirit's face as he grabbed a pillow and aimed for Ryou's head. Ryou's eyes went wide and he ducked just in time. The pillow had barely whizzed over his hair before he had already grabbed a second pillow and threw it at his darker half. Yami Bakura dodged. A pillow fight broke out and the two were soon laughing as they dodged pillows and Yami Bakura had even hid behind the couch as a fort. Ryou crept up behind his yami on his hands and knees. He had just about got his yami and win the fight, but that never happened. For Yami Bakura grabbed Ryou around the waist and pulled him to the floor. Ryou tried to break free. "Don't make me use my ultimate weapon." Ryou pretended to threaten his yami. "What 'ultimate weapon' could you possibly possess, hikari?"
Ryou flung himself on top his yami so quickly he fell over backward. Ryou tickled Yami Bakura in the stomach. Yami Bakura couldn't help laughing when Ryou hit his ticklish spot. For the first time in his life, Ryou the sinister edge was gone from his yami's laugh. It was instead replaced with joy Yami Bakura hadn't felt since he was a child, more than 3000 years ago.
Both yami and hikari fell over on the couch, exhausted, yet smiling at each other. "You were never this fun." Ryou said. "I was a villain, a thief, soul stealer. What would you expect? The only 'fun' I ever had was having pleasure in seeing weak mortals writhe in pain." Yami Bakura replied. "And killing bastards that tick me off." Ryou suddenly became aware that the television was on. 'Someone must have hit the button accidently and turned it on.' Ryou thought. He reached for the remote on the floor and paused, staring at the screen.
"What's the matter?"
"Its...Jou..."
"Wha..."
"Jou. Jounouchi's on the news."
"Mr. Katsuya Jounouchi, can you tell us anything about..." a news reporter held up a microphone to Jounouchi. Jounouchi shoved it away. "Just a few words, Mr. Jounouchi?" "How 'bout 'no'?! Look, I just found him like that. He needs medical help immediately! No you can't come in the house! I said..."
"That's Malik's house..." Yami Bakura said.
Jounouchi shoved the reporter away rudely. "Will ya all just leave?! The poor guy is in such bad condition, ya can't just burst in on 'im! Back off, bitch! Are the paramedics here yet?! I need help! And someone get those cameras off!" Jounouchi pushed the reporter away from him angrily again. "Excuse me?!" she cried. Jounouchi pushed her further away from the door. "He's a bloody mess and all...I don't think he'll be able to answer any of your damn questions!" Finally, sirens were heard and an ambulance drove into the driveway. "Ah!" Jounouchi cried with relief. A paramedic rushed out and approached Jounouchi. "Look, he's in here. He needs help right away! I couldn't do anything with Miss Nosy here tryin' ta get in." Jounouchi opened the door. 'Miss Nosy' tried to follow them in, but Jou slammed the door in her face. She straightened her skirt and brushed herself off hastily. Then she turned back to the camera. "Well, it appears that..."
The paramedic came back out before she could finish. The reporter excitedly help up the microphone to the paramedic. "Sir, can you tell us who it is that is seriously injured? How bad are his injuries?"
The paramedic was, however, not like Jounouchi and answered. He opened his mouth and... "Malik Ishtal is seriously wounded. I cannot tell how these horrible cuts were brought upon him. There is a large cut across his chest and his arm and others wounds too, though not as deep as the one on his chest. Whether he did it himself or someone else inflicted damage, but there is a blood covered knife on the ground somewhere in the living room." he said.
Ryou and Yami Bakura stared in disbelief. No, it couldn't be...Malik? But...how? They both stared at the television.
The paramedic went to his truck and took out a first aid kit. He rushed back to the door of the house where Jounouchi stood waiting. They hurried back inside. The reporter and the cameraman hurried to the side of the house, by the window, which was half open. Outside there was silence... Then,
"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! HE WAS RIGHT HERE!!! I SWEAR TO GOD HE WAS RIGHT HERE!!!" Jounouchi's loud voice was heard clearly through the open windows. "HE JUST...JUST...DISAPPEARED!!!"
"Sir, please calm down..." said the deep voice of the paramedic. "I'm sure he...Oh my God....."
"......"
"......."
A new voice was heard from inside. His soft voice drifted through the window.
"Jounouchi, calm down. I am here to speak to Malik, not you, mutt. Now where is that cheating bastard..."
"Malik...Malik isn't here...He...He was hurt pretty bad and..."
"I can see that. By all the blood on the floor, it looks like they did a hell of a job. Serves him right, the cheat. Happy holidays, my ass!"
"Kaiba, how could you..."
"There's no reason for me to stay here any longer."
Seto Kaiba walked out the front door. He almost ran into the frantic reporter and her microphone.
"You should all leave now. There is nothing to see." He gestured to the news vans parked at the curb and the crowd of people. With that he left, his blue-green trench coat flaring out behind him. The crowd of people stared after him in shocked silence. No one had noticed him enter the house. The reporter was speechless.
The reporter walked cautiously up the steps to the front door, urging the cameraman to follow her to get a closer shot inside the open door. She gasped in shock. Large pools of blood dyed the carpet red. But there was no trace of Malik. "Th-there is no t-trace of Mal-lik I-Isht-tal." the reporter could not talk straight. Her face was a ghostly white. she stood in silence a few minutes, then her eyes rolled back and she fainted. "MALIK! Malik, are you..."
None other then Malik's sister burst into the house. "Where is my brother? Jounouchi, where is Malik? What happened?" Before Jounouchi could respond, Malik's daughter came in. "Dad, I knew you'd be alright, I knew I'd come home and find you right here, waiting for me, so I could return your Millenn..." Mika's outburst stopped as she looked around. She was as equally confused as her aunt as she looked around. Her eyes rested on Jou. "Jounouchi. Where's my dad? Where is he?!" Jounouchi backed away. "Mika, I had nothing to do with it." "To do with what? Why is a reporter...Who...why are they...where's dad ?....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I lye on his back with the wet cloth on his forehead. I still wondered if Kaiba was actually involved in Malik's 'death'. I had chased after the reporter and sent her to the shadow realm the day after the news report to vent some of my anger. She deserved no better fate, for she had a rumor spread that Malik had committed suicide. Malik hurt himself that badly? These mortals puzzle me. By the Gods, how can such ignorance exist?! Malik would never thrust a dagger into his own skin. He could not enjoy the taste of his own blood, could not stand the pain, know that he could resist it. He couldn't. How these foolish mortals would believe such a thing is beyond me. For that, I hunted down the news reporter.
My mind wandered to the dream I had earlier. I didn't understand it. Why would Malik want the millennium puzzle? He was 40 years old, he didn't need it...So why would he want it? Why would he deceive Yugi after his own yami made peace between them and Yugi? I just didn't understand. I didn't even know when it happened. I never heard of it from Malik...or Yugi. Where was the Pharaoh on that night, anyway? He was supposed to leap to Yugi's side immediately when the runt was in trouble of any sort like the fool he was. Yugi wouldn't know how to defend himself, having never had to handle awkward situations on his own. When danger comes, he won't know what to do. Obviously, Malik knew this. But why in the name of Ra did he want the puzzle? It was of no use to him....Besides, stealing the Millennium items is my job. I wanted so badly to know. Hm....Who better to ask than Yugi himself?
My mind made up, I walked to the Kame Game Store. On my way, parts of the nightmare flashed in my mind.
"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!" A droplet of water trickled down my face. I looked up into the dark sky. More droplets of water hit my face. I shook my head as I realized it had begun to rain.
"Malik? Is that you?" Yugi asked the hooded figure in the dark night.
I broke out into a run.
The figure moved closer and moonlight washed over him. He wore a long black cloak with a hood which hid his face in shadow.
The rain began to pour harder. I passed the gigantic building of Kaiba Corp. I ran on past it.
"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...
Malik stumbled backward and his back hit a wall. Violet eyes glared at him through the darkness. Malik laughed. "Is that the best you can do?" A hand grabbed the black robe he was wearing. Malik looked up...his eyes flashed a blood red and narrowed.
What...? I didn't remember that...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Silver Wolf:So, what d'ya think? It seems a little longer than the last chapter, but stories tend to do that, right? ^^; In the next chapter-
Malik: Don't spoil it for them!
Silver Wolf: For who? There's hardly anyone that looks at this. Just friends...
Malik: Still! You are supposed to leave it hanging, on the edge of suspense! That's why its called a cliff hanger!
Silver Wolf: Oh.
Malik: *smacks head on wall*
Ryou: No flames please!
*~ Silver Wolf: So, are people going to fall of a cliff that I just leave there?
Malik: *smack*
Silver Wolf: I should do a christmas story. I think I should make up my own. I see way too many of the same story out there. *~*~
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! If I did, I wouldn't be sitting here on my computer writing fan fiction, I'd be glomping Malik or something! Yup. ^^
Yami Bakura: Then what's this paper here saying 'I own Yugioh!'?
Silver wolf: Gimme that. *tears up paper* You never saw that. I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. Yami Bakura's just being an ass.
Yami Bakura: 0_o
Silver Wolf: BURN! *burns paper* YOU SAW NOTHING!!!
Yami Bakura: Riiight.
Mika Ishtal
The long gold rod rested in my hand. "Its gold. And valuable. But does it do anything?" I muttered. A cruel laugh broke the silence. I looked around my room and out my window, but I couldn't tell here the laugh was coming from. No one was in my room but me. My skin prickled uncomfortably as I told myself that over and over again. I shook my head. No one was in here but me. Just me. I set the Rod on the bed and pulled my pajama top off before tossing it in a corner of my room. I ran a hand through my light blonde hair.
"I am not insane, damnit." I growled, glaring at my reflection in the mirror. I grabbed my father's old white shirt from a pile of clean clothes lying in the corner of my room. I then changed into a pair of black pants and slipped on shoes, also my dad's. he was the same size as me when he was my age. Therefore, he had passed down everything to me. I put on gold jewelry and my dad's earrings as well. I looked in my reflection in the mirror a second time. I was slightly surprised at my appearance. I looked like Dad in that photo taken at some tournament 20 years ago, called Battled City.
I turned away from the mirror. I didn't want to think about Dad. Not now.
[That's right. Forget about your father. He is no longer here.] the harsh voice said in the back of my mind.
{You're damn right. Who the hell are you to know he is not alive?}
[Why, I am your yami.] he laughed. My...'dark'? That made no sense...no sense at all.
{Will you just speak straight and tell me what the hell you're talking a bout?!}
[Hm. Tell me, hikari, how does it feel to be 'talking to yourself'? To know you're going out of your mind?] A bitter, mirthless laugh echoed in my mind.
{No...}
{No...Who are you!?}
[I told you...I'm your yami.]
{You have no real name?} I demanded.
[Not really...]
{What do you know about my father?!}
[Everything...But he's gone. Forget him.]
{How can I forget him?! Why should I?! He's my father. Why?!}
[Do not worry about him...]
[You have other things to worry about now...ha ha ha ha ha ha!]
White hot pain seared through my body. I cried out and stumbled against the bed. I was temporarily blinded, I couldn't see a thing. Before I could react, another wave of pain passed though me. My whole body felt like it was on fire. The pain felt like it was coming from the inside, burning my very bones. I fell to my knees, screaming. The last thing I remembered was pitch black darkness with no end, coldness beyond chilling. Eerie shadows seemingly dancing behind me. And a bitter laugh. Then all went dark as I lost consciousness.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Yami Bakura
"Yami, you're sure you'll be alright?"
"I'm fine, Ryou."
"Because I don't have to go to the Kame Game Store, you know-"
"I'm fine."
"I can stay here-"
"Really, Ryou, I'm fine."
"You just seemed really shaken up, and it made me think that-"
"I'm fine."
"Just the look on your face and everything, I-I don't think I should leave you-"
"I'm fine, Ryou"
Ryou sighed. "No, you're supposed to put that on your forehead." Ryou took the wet cloth in my hand and put it on my forehead. "It'll help you feel a little better." He pushed me back into the couch. "I'm fine, dammit." "You are not fine, yami! I-I don't know what happened, but I've never seen you like this, and that can only mean it's a bad thing! And I don't think you should be alone..." "Ryou!" I yelled. I was on my feet before I even realized it and steered Ryou to the front door by the shoulders. He protested, dug his heels into the carpet and leaned back. I pushed him with all the strength left in me, and it still wasn't enough. As a result, Ryou collapsed on top of me. I cursed in Egyptian under my breath before I tried to push Ryou off me. "Ra dammit, get off me!" I snarled. I was too weak to even push him off.
"Just go, dammit! Go see that bastard, Yugi and the Radamned Pharaoh! I don't care!" I yelled. I stood up, staggered, and fell backward onto the couch. "Yami...You're in the worst condition I've seen you yet...And Yugi's called me over to see a shipment of new cards...You should make an effort to be friendly to him...for once. "And why should I?" I snapped. Ryou sighed again. "I see I'm not going to win this one. I'm leaving, alright? Bye." He picked up a jacket off the floor and left, locking the door behind him.
I flopped down carelessly on the couch. I rolled over on my side and stared at the...telivison, was it? Teli...tele...televisor...Damn. I stared at the blank box with the Ra cursed name I cannot pronounce correctly.
I remember doing this...Only it was on and flipped to the news channel (the only time I ever watched it)...two weeks ago...on the tenth of November...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Ryou, I can't have any peace in thi house with you bothering me constantly about 'being lazy.'"
"You are!"Ryou cried. "You don't offer to help me for anything!" Yami Bakura rolled his eyes.
"This is being lazy." he said, throwing himself on the couch. He yawned and put his arms behind his head, leaning back casually with a playful grin.
"Look at you. You look like you're king of the world." Ryou said.
"Oh, really? How about this? 'Bow down to the mighty Pharaoh of Egypt! I rule all! You! Servant, get me my coffee!" Yami Bakura grinned widely. Ryou smiled as well.
"Oh, but my Pharaoh, there is no coffee. You were to go to the store and get some." he said as he mock bowed to his yami. "Or have you forgotten?"
"Was I? Well servant, you shall go to the Starbucks across the street and bring me my coffee."
"Well, why don't you get off your royal butt and go get it yourself?" Ryou said. He then threw a pillow at the yami's head. This caught him off guard and for a minute or so he looked surprised. Ryou was sure he was in for it this time. There was a deadly silence. Yami Bakura simply stared at the hikari, in a state of complete shock. Ryou had never acted this way...
Then, a smile, a true smile, spread across the spirit's face as he grabbed a pillow and aimed for Ryou's head. Ryou's eyes went wide and he ducked just in time. The pillow had barely whizzed over his hair before he had already grabbed a second pillow and threw it at his darker half. Yami Bakura dodged. A pillow fight broke out and the two were soon laughing as they dodged pillows and Yami Bakura had even hid behind the couch as a fort. Ryou crept up behind his yami on his hands and knees. He had just about got his yami and win the fight, but that never happened. For Yami Bakura grabbed Ryou around the waist and pulled him to the floor. Ryou tried to break free. "Don't make me use my ultimate weapon." Ryou pretended to threaten his yami. "What 'ultimate weapon' could you possibly possess, hikari?"
Ryou flung himself on top his yami so quickly he fell over backward. Ryou tickled Yami Bakura in the stomach. Yami Bakura couldn't help laughing when Ryou hit his ticklish spot. For the first time in his life, Ryou the sinister edge was gone from his yami's laugh. It was instead replaced with joy Yami Bakura hadn't felt since he was a child, more than 3000 years ago.
Both yami and hikari fell over on the couch, exhausted, yet smiling at each other. "You were never this fun." Ryou said. "I was a villain, a thief, soul stealer. What would you expect? The only 'fun' I ever had was having pleasure in seeing weak mortals writhe in pain." Yami Bakura replied. "And killing bastards that tick me off." Ryou suddenly became aware that the television was on. 'Someone must have hit the button accidently and turned it on.' Ryou thought. He reached for the remote on the floor and paused, staring at the screen.
"What's the matter?"
"Its...Jou..."
"Wha..."
"Jou. Jounouchi's on the news."
"Mr. Katsuya Jounouchi, can you tell us anything about..." a news reporter held up a microphone to Jounouchi. Jounouchi shoved it away. "Just a few words, Mr. Jounouchi?" "How 'bout 'no'?! Look, I just found him like that. He needs medical help immediately! No you can't come in the house! I said..."
"That's Malik's house..." Yami Bakura said.
Jounouchi shoved the reporter away rudely. "Will ya all just leave?! The poor guy is in such bad condition, ya can't just burst in on 'im! Back off, bitch! Are the paramedics here yet?! I need help! And someone get those cameras off!" Jounouchi pushed the reporter away from him angrily again. "Excuse me?!" she cried. Jounouchi pushed her further away from the door. "He's a bloody mess and all...I don't think he'll be able to answer any of your damn questions!" Finally, sirens were heard and an ambulance drove into the driveway. "Ah!" Jounouchi cried with relief. A paramedic rushed out and approached Jounouchi. "Look, he's in here. He needs help right away! I couldn't do anything with Miss Nosy here tryin' ta get in." Jounouchi opened the door. 'Miss Nosy' tried to follow them in, but Jou slammed the door in her face. She straightened her skirt and brushed herself off hastily. Then she turned back to the camera. "Well, it appears that..."
The paramedic came back out before she could finish. The reporter excitedly help up the microphone to the paramedic. "Sir, can you tell us who it is that is seriously injured? How bad are his injuries?"
The paramedic was, however, not like Jounouchi and answered. He opened his mouth and... "Malik Ishtal is seriously wounded. I cannot tell how these horrible cuts were brought upon him. There is a large cut across his chest and his arm and others wounds too, though not as deep as the one on his chest. Whether he did it himself or someone else inflicted damage, but there is a blood covered knife on the ground somewhere in the living room." he said.
Ryou and Yami Bakura stared in disbelief. No, it couldn't be...Malik? But...how? They both stared at the television.
The paramedic went to his truck and took out a first aid kit. He rushed back to the door of the house where Jounouchi stood waiting. They hurried back inside. The reporter and the cameraman hurried to the side of the house, by the window, which was half open. Outside there was silence... Then,
"WHAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! HE WAS RIGHT HERE!!! I SWEAR TO GOD HE WAS RIGHT HERE!!!" Jounouchi's loud voice was heard clearly through the open windows. "HE JUST...JUST...DISAPPEARED!!!"
"Sir, please calm down..." said the deep voice of the paramedic. "I'm sure he...Oh my God....."
"......"
"......."
A new voice was heard from inside. His soft voice drifted through the window.
"Jounouchi, calm down. I am here to speak to Malik, not you, mutt. Now where is that cheating bastard..."
"Malik...Malik isn't here...He...He was hurt pretty bad and..."
"I can see that. By all the blood on the floor, it looks like they did a hell of a job. Serves him right, the cheat. Happy holidays, my ass!"
"Kaiba, how could you..."
"There's no reason for me to stay here any longer."
Seto Kaiba walked out the front door. He almost ran into the frantic reporter and her microphone.
"You should all leave now. There is nothing to see." He gestured to the news vans parked at the curb and the crowd of people. With that he left, his blue-green trench coat flaring out behind him. The crowd of people stared after him in shocked silence. No one had noticed him enter the house. The reporter was speechless.
The reporter walked cautiously up the steps to the front door, urging the cameraman to follow her to get a closer shot inside the open door. She gasped in shock. Large pools of blood dyed the carpet red. But there was no trace of Malik. "Th-there is no t-trace of Mal-lik I-Isht-tal." the reporter could not talk straight. Her face was a ghostly white. she stood in silence a few minutes, then her eyes rolled back and she fainted. "MALIK! Malik, are you..."
None other then Malik's sister burst into the house. "Where is my brother? Jounouchi, where is Malik? What happened?" Before Jounouchi could respond, Malik's daughter came in. "Dad, I knew you'd be alright, I knew I'd come home and find you right here, waiting for me, so I could return your Millenn..." Mika's outburst stopped as she looked around. She was as equally confused as her aunt as she looked around. Her eyes rested on Jou. "Jounouchi. Where's my dad? Where is he?!" Jounouchi backed away. "Mika, I had nothing to do with it." "To do with what? Why is a reporter...Who...why are they...where's dad ?....
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
I lye on his back with the wet cloth on his forehead. I still wondered if Kaiba was actually involved in Malik's 'death'. I had chased after the reporter and sent her to the shadow realm the day after the news report to vent some of my anger. She deserved no better fate, for she had a rumor spread that Malik had committed suicide. Malik hurt himself that badly? These mortals puzzle me. By the Gods, how can such ignorance exist?! Malik would never thrust a dagger into his own skin. He could not enjoy the taste of his own blood, could not stand the pain, know that he could resist it. He couldn't. How these foolish mortals would believe such a thing is beyond me. For that, I hunted down the news reporter.
My mind wandered to the dream I had earlier. I didn't understand it. Why would Malik want the millennium puzzle? He was 40 years old, he didn't need it...So why would he want it? Why would he deceive Yugi after his own yami made peace between them and Yugi? I just didn't understand. I didn't even know when it happened. I never heard of it from Malik...or Yugi. Where was the Pharaoh on that night, anyway? He was supposed to leap to Yugi's side immediately when the runt was in trouble of any sort like the fool he was. Yugi wouldn't know how to defend himself, having never had to handle awkward situations on his own. When danger comes, he won't know what to do. Obviously, Malik knew this. But why in the name of Ra did he want the puzzle? It was of no use to him....Besides, stealing the Millennium items is my job. I wanted so badly to know. Hm....Who better to ask than Yugi himself?
My mind made up, I walked to the Kame Game Store. On my way, parts of the nightmare flashed in my mind.
"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!" A droplet of water trickled down my face. I looked up into the dark sky. More droplets of water hit my face. I shook my head as I realized it had begun to rain.
"Malik? Is that you?" Yugi asked the hooded figure in the dark night.
I broke out into a run.
The figure moved closer and moonlight washed over him. He wore a long black cloak with a hood which hid his face in shadow.
The rain began to pour harder. I passed the gigantic building of Kaiba Corp. I ran on past it.
"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...
Malik stumbled backward and his back hit a wall. Violet eyes glared at him through the darkness. Malik laughed. "Is that the best you can do?" A hand grabbed the black robe he was wearing. Malik looked up...his eyes flashed a blood red and narrowed.
What...? I didn't remember that...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Silver Wolf:So, what d'ya think? It seems a little longer than the last chapter, but stories tend to do that, right? ^^; In the next chapter-
Malik: Don't spoil it for them!
Silver Wolf: For who? There's hardly anyone that looks at this. Just friends...
Malik: Still! You are supposed to leave it hanging, on the edge of suspense! That's why its called a cliff hanger!
Silver Wolf: Oh.
Malik: *smacks head on wall*
Ryou: No flames please!
*~ Silver Wolf: So, are people going to fall of a cliff that I just leave there?
Malik: *smack*
Silver Wolf: I should do a christmas story. I think I should make up my own. I see way too many of the same story out there. *~*~