~*Chapter 9: Against My Will*~

            "Tea…Tea wake up."

            "Huh?" Tea's eyes slowly opened, finding herself in a cold, dark room. There was a small window in the far corner of the room, which the sunlight shone little of its light. "Where am I? How did I get here?" She groaned, holding her head. "God, my head hurts."

            "Well, just say you're in one of the best rooms in all the house." Bakura smiled, settling down the tray before her, holding out a glass of water. "Eat. You'll need it."

            "What time is it?" asked Tea, drinking the glass of water.

            "7:30 silly." He smiled.

            Tea's eyes widened as he said that. "7:30?!? No way! I don't have a school uniform…" her words were cut off as soon as Bakura placed his finger on her lips.

            "You aren't going anywhere today, my sweet." His lips curled into a smirk. "You'll just stay home for a few days. See what a nice favor I'm doing for you."

            "Favor?!? Favor?!? Tea looked at Bakura, obviously bewildered. "Locking me in here like a prisoner…is that what you call a favor?"

            "Not exactly but anything to keep you from escaping." He fixed his shirt. "There's a bunch of things to keep you entertained. Magazines and the bathroom is over there." He then pointed to the door on the corner. "See how nice I am? Not treating you like a prisoner."

            "You said you loved me Bakura." Tea glared at him.

            "I do, really." Bakura whispered making his way up the stairs. "It's just…well…if Yami or Yugi find out about this, heh, I wouldn't know what to do anymore." He then placed a soft kiss on Tea's forehead. "I promise you, tonight will be very special. See you later." Bakura smiled at Tea before closing the basement door. Tea could hear the sound of the key locking. As soon as she thought he left, she tried opening the door but it was no use. The door wouldn't budge or open for it was locked tight. She also tried going through the window but it wouldn't budge either. Cold air surrounded the basement as Tea sat on the cold floor.

            "Bakura…" she whispered softly to herself. "What's happened to you? How…or why…did you and your yami become one?"

            It was close to 8:00 when Bakura finally arrived in the school.

            "Hey Bakura, my man, did you hear?"

            Bakura looked up seeing Joey, Tristan, and Yugi running towards him. "Heard what?"

            "School's gonna start late." Tristan beamed as he high-fived Joey. "Monorail had problems along the way and everyone knows most of the teachers used the monorail to go to this school."

            All Bakura did was just smile before looking down at Yugi, noticing that he'd been a bit down for quite some time. "Yugi? What's wrong?"

            "It's about Tea." Joey took over for Yugi. "Little Yugi's worried. She kinda ran off on us last night. You know, disappear? She's not in school today too, which is kinda odd. It's not like her to miss out on school."

            "Maybe she caught a cold." Suggested Tristan.

            "Maybe." Said Yugi. "But usually she would call one of us over to drop her homework off for her.

            "I know." Joey grinned, rubbing his hands together as if he had a plan. "Maybe she decided to drop the good girl act and play hookey."

            "C'mon Joey. Like that would actually happen." Tristan glanced at his best friend Joey, a bit dumbfounded.

            "Well…" Bakura started to say. "How about we stop by her house after school?"

            "Nah." Joey shook his hand in a disagreement gesture. "I can't. Gotta tutor my sister Serenity."

            "Well, how about if I tutor her instead?"

            "Can't. Serenity's got Li with her since they're both having trouble with history.

            "Aw man." Tristan pouted.

            "Well Yugi, I guess it's just you and me." Bakura looked down at his friend.

            "Yep. After school." Yugi forced a smile.

            "C'mon Yugi, don't be so down. Maybe Tea's sick with a cold. You'll never know.

            "Thanks Bakura." Yugi was finally happy. Suddenly, Bakura's cell phone started to ring. Reaching into his pocket, he answered his phone.

            "Hello?"

            "Hey Bakura. You wouldn't mind if I talk to Yugi for a moment would you?" it was just Yugi's Grandpa.

            "Uh sure…" he then handed his phone to Yugi. "Here Yugi. Your grandpa wants to talk to you.

            Yugi took the phone. "Hello?"

            "Yugi…" his grandfather spoke. "Come home immediately after school. It's about the millennium puzzle around your neck."

            "But grandpa, me and Bakura were going to visit Tea."

            "Now you know better than to diss your old man Yugi…."

            "I wasn't dissing you grandpa."

            "Well, it wont take long. Trust me."

            "All right grandpa." He then handed back the phone to Bakura. "How about we just meet someplace else. Grandpa wants to have a little chat."

            "Sure…but where?"

            "Hmmm…." Yugi thought of this. "How about the bridge that leads to Tea's house?"

            "Sounds good. "Bakura nodded in agreement. "I'll be right here."

            "All right."

            "So what did you want to see me about grandpa?"

            "Follow me Yugi." Yugi's grandpa then led him to the basement. Switching on the light, there in the far corner laid a coffin. More of a mummy's tomb.

            "Grandpa?!?" Yugi's eyes widened. "Don't tell me you guys stole one of the tombs on your expeditions in Egypt.

            "Not exactly. We were told to investigate the tomb and somehow, I can't find its meaning. You remember Professor Hawkins?" Yugi nodded in reply before his grandpa continued. "Well, he came by this morning and it took him hours to figure out what those hieroglyphics mean. My god, we were shocked."

            "So what is it Grandpa? What does this have to do with my puzzle?"

            Yugi's grandpa cleared his throat. "Yugi, this is the pharaoh's tomb."

            Yugi's eyes widened within surprise and shock as his grandpa said this. "The…the pharaoh's tomb?"

            "Yep. It says here that it's a possibility that we could bring this mummy to life."

            "But how are we gonna do that? The pharaoh is bound to be skeleton by now."

            "Simple…we use your millennium puzzle."

            "The millennium puzzle? Well, it's worth a try." Yugi then took out his millennium puzzle while his grandpa opened the tomb. Both of them were surprised as they looked at the pharaoh's body. His body wasn't skeleton just rotted through wrapped and mummified bandages.

            "Oh well Yugi, go for it." Grandpa smiled. Yugi nodded, placing the millennium puzzle around the mummy's neck. Suddenly, a light shone from the puzzle for a moment, nearly blinding Yugi and his grandpa. Dark eyes opened gazing at the two.

            "Do you think it worked?" Yugi looked down at the body, the mummy before him. Time passes by as the mummy slowly sat up looking up at Yugi's grandpa before slowly turning his head towards Yugi. Slowly, the mummy's hand rose up, removing the bandages that covered his face. The pharaoh's face was actually Yami himself.

            "It really is you." Yugi tilted his head to the side, blinking with amazement."

            "Yes, it is me." The pharaoh replied unwrapping the remaining of the bandages.

            "It works! It works! It works! It works!" Yugi's grandpa jumped up and down.

            "Oh grandpa, can we go now?"

            "Huh?" Yugi's grandpa stopped jumping looking at his grandson. "Uh…sure…you can go." He then looked up at Yami noticing that he wasn't wearing anything except for the millennium puzzle around his neck and a small loincloth around his waist. "Tell you friend to put on some clothes."

            "Hey, you made it."

            Bakura, as promised, waited by the bridge looking at Yugi.

            "Hey Bakura," Yugi smiled. "Hope you don't mind if I brought along a friend."

            "No problem. Depends on who's your friend...oh fuck…" his eyes widened in surprise as he saw Yami walking behind little Yugi. "Yugi, I thought…but…how…he…"

            "It's a long story." Said Yugi. "C'mon, let's go to Tea's house."

            "Why are we going to Tea's house?" asked Yami as they made their way on the path of the sidewalk.

            "Well," said Yugi. "Tea disappeared last night and she wasn't in school today which is kinda strange."

            "Tea." Yami whispered her name under his breath as they reached Tea's house. Yugi started knocking on Tea's door, calling out her name. No answer came about.

            "Where is she?" Yami's voice was filled with concern, peeking in one of the windows.

            "It must be because of that creep that has been calling Tea." Said Yugi.

            "Creep?!?" Both Bakura and Yami looked down at Yugi.

            "Well," Yugi's gaze went towards the ground. "It was last night when we were at the movies. Somebody called her cell phone and pretty soon, she started freaking out. When I asked her about it, she wouldn't tell me anything. All she just said was to tell everyone that she had to leave and just took off."

            "I remember a few days ago when some called Tea's cell phone. There was this eerie whisper on the other line telling me to stay away from Tea or else."

            Bakura, however, just stood there gazing at what seems to be nothing. He was silent for a long while, perhaps lost in his own thoughts. His twisted, dark thoughts maybe.

            "Hey Bakura?" a voice called out to him. He looked down at Yugi wondering what to say.

            "Oh…sorry Yugi." Bakura smiled nervously. "I guess I was lost in thought. I fear that maybe she got kidnapped?"

            "Kidnapped?" Yugi was shocked. "I don't think…"

            Yami, however, just cut off Yugi. "Bakura could be right Yugi. Suppose if her stalker managed to nab her."

            Yugi frowned gazing at the concrete steps below him. It was obvious in his eyes that he was worried about his friend, actually fearing the worst that could have possibly happened to her.

            "It's all right Yugi." Yami patted his hand on his head. "I'm worried about Tea too. Just try not to think the worst right now ok?"

            Yugi nodded, smiling weakly.

            "I have to get home." Bakura scratched his head, gazing at both Yami and Yugi. "You guys go tell Joey and Tristan and maybe even Serenity what's going on."

            "Good idea." Yami nodded, looking down at Yugi. "C'mon Yugi, let's meet up with the gang and tell them."

            Bakura watched the two look alikes that had run off. His lips curled into a twisted, cold smirk.

            It's a sad world that those two dimwits don't really know what happened to Tea. Bakura spoke in his head. He then walked down the steps heading home.

            "So, what did you two wanted to see us about?" asked Joey. Joey, Tristan, Serenity, Li, Yami, and Yugi gathered around the park later that afternoon.

            "Well," said Yugi. "I think Tea might've been kidnapped. Not only that it's unusual that Tea would bail out on the last minute but it's just that someone's been stalking her."

            Everyone started talking at once, shocked at the fact that Tea might've been kidnapped. Yugi took out his cell phone, only to notice his shoes were untied.

            "Here Yami," Yugi handed Yami his phone. "Hold on to this for a sec."

            "Uh…sure." Yami took Yugi's cell.

            Meanwhile, Bakura slowly opened the basement door, making his way down the steps. His eyes kept its gaze on the lovely Tea, who was asleep, her body sprawled on the floor. Kneeling before her, he slowly nudged her, trying to wake her up. Finally, Tea's eyes opened slightly, looking up at Bakura.

            "Hey Tea." Bakura smiled, handing her a glass of water. She took it eagerly drinking it down at a fast pace.

            "Please Bakura," she begged, looking up at him, weakly sitting up on the cold floor. "Just let me go home all right? Seriously, I can't miss out on school everyday and…"

            Bakura placed a single finger on her lips before wrapping one arm around her waist, pulling her close. His eyes glanced at the wall before looking down at her. With a grin on his face, he stood up, pulling her up gently as well and pinned her to the wall.

            God he thought to himself She's so beautiful. He then pressed her lips against hers, slowly slipping his tongue inside her mouth.

            Oh my god. Tea's eyes widened as Bakura kissed her. The kiss was demanding, a bit forceful, but at the same time, sweet, gentle. It was as if he needed her. To Tea's surprise, his kisses were nearly the same as Yami's. But Bakura was just her friend. She loved Yami.

            I can't do this. Tea cried in her mind. With her hands, she pushed away Bakura with all her might.

            "Bakura." Tea said softly. "I can't do this. You already know I love Yami. Can't you see that? I mean, I care about you too you know. You were one of my closest friends since elementary."

            Instead of feeling calm, Bakura's face started to twitch as he gazed at her. "You don't care how I feel don't you? You…you…you fuckin bitch!"

            "Bakura?!?" her eyes widened, shocked at what he just said. "What's happened to you? Tell me!! I demand to know right now. This isn't like you!!"

            "I'll tell you afterwards." He smirked, taking out his cell phone from his pocket, punching in a few numbers.

            "Hey Yugi, your phone's ringing."

            "Just answer it Yami. Probably Grandpa forgot to tell me something.

            Yami looked at him confusingly before answering the phone. "Hello?"

            "Ah Yami." The familiar, raspy whisper came about on the other line. "Looking for Tea?"

            "Oh shit." Yami recognized the voice. The rest of the gang looked up at Yami.

            "What is it?" asked Tristan.

            "It's Tea's stalker." Yami told him before going back to the phone. "Who are you? Where's Tea?"

            "She's somewhere." The caller replied.

            "Stop playing games with me. This isn't funny. I swear to god." Yami started to become more upset.

            "Yami!" a familiar voice cried out. "Help me!"

            "Tea?!?" Yami's voice was filled with shock.

            "Keep out of this Tea." Yami heard the person yell to her. Suddenly, he heard a loud slap and Tea groaning in pain.

            "Stop it!" Yami became furious. "Don't you dare hit her!"

            "Perhaps we should meet at your friend Bakura's house."

            "You leave Bakura out of this!"

            "Just do it. And come alone Yami. Don't bring anyone, especially that whelp Yugi."

            There was a long silence before Yami finally spoke. "All right."

            "Good." The caller said before the phone clicked. Yami gave Yugi his phone back.

            "Yo Yami?" Joey looked at Yami, concerned. "What happened?"

            "Tea was kidnapped. The stalker wants to meet with me."

            "We've got to go with you," said Li. "Tea's already in huge danger."

            "No," Yami answered quickly. "He only wants to see me." He then turned to Yugi. "He told me not to being you along as well."

            Yugi nodded. "Be careful Yami."

            "Don't worry. I'll get to the bottom of this." He then brushed off the dust that clunged onto his black top. Yugi lent him the only attire that could fit Yami perfectly which was the clothes he wore for the Battle City tournament. Turning around, he then made his way towards Bakura's house.

            "I'm sorry Tea." Bakura placed the ice pack on where he slapped her. "Truth is, I just can't control myself anymore. I'm not who I once was."

            "What's happened to you Bakura?" Tea's eyes were filled with tears, some streaking down her face. "What do you mean by two souls entwined in one?"

            Bakura stood up, making his way towards the stairs that lead to the door.

            "Tell me Bakura, damn it! You're making this hard enough." All was silent as Bakura just stood there, one foot rested on the first step.

            "I made a deal." He said softly.

            "A deal?!?" Tea was startled.

            "Bakura nodded in reply. "I made a deal with my yami, the shadow within me. If he helped me get you, our souls will finally become one. Say that he's somewhat taking over me."

~*To Be Continued*~