all disclaimers apply as usual
author's notes: For those of you who were wondering when Ryou would speak...well there's a VERY little opportunity for him to do so as Bakura dominates the body rather than shares it, but this chapter opens with a normally passive Ryou, whose mustered up a little guts to speak to the wily, bad-tempered tomb robber. AAnyway, on with the story...prepare yourself for a new..., well...let me just get on with the story!
But it wasn't entirely a peaceful night.
*I want my body back!*
//Whaa...oh, it's you. I've heard that before...Marik, the loser. Can't you be more original?//
*I thought you were protecting me?*
//Don't whine to me. Ask the pharaoh why your body is in such a state. Now leave me. I need to sleep. Don't fuss about your body. It's in good hands.//
And with that, Ryou had little chance of debating it further. Unlike Yugi and Yami, he did not share a 'partnership' or sharing of the body as willingly. The spirit of the Ring simply overpowered his way into taking over the body when he felt it necessary. But, for Ryou, at least the spirit was talking to him. It was a start.
On the other side of the room, Yami rolled over, forgot how close to the edge of the bed he was, and rolled right off and onto the floor with a solid thump that snapped the ancient ruler quickly into his senses. "##%#$#%!!!!"
"That you king? Can't you
shut up even when you are given peace!?" Bakura ranted. He
couldn't see what had just occurred, but the king's loud utterings
of pain and curse words were enough to fully wake the thief. When
Yami didn't answer, the thief merely listened and could actually
guage what had just transpired.
"Heheheh, you're good king! Can't even stay up on a bed.
Or were you thinking of other things perhaps? A wild thrash with
some of your dancing girls? A romp with that high priest of yours?"
Bakura teased.
Yami, wincing in pain was in no mood for the rantings of a tomb robber. "Go to hell Bakura." Yami snorted back as he hoisted himself back onto the bed once again and tried to reorganize his knot of sheets and blankets.
"Been there. It's boring there. I'd rather be here to see if you'd rather go there your....OOOOWWWW! SONUFABITCH!!!!" Bakura suddenly yelped as he too, now winced in pain as a bed pan smacked his face than clanged to the floor.
"Thought you might like that back now." Yami calmly shot back. What Bakura couldn't see was the smirk of satisfaction upon the pharaoh's face.
The thief said nothing and did nothing. While it wasn't always a good thing when the thief went quiet, Yami took it as a sign that Bakura was indeed tired for once. But, he'd not bare his back to the thief after this. There was little doubt in Yami's mind that the thief would want payback.
Pharaoh-10 Thief-7
/YAMI! I can't believe you just did that!/ Yugi yelped from within. The rough landing and surge of pain within his body awoke the body's original owner.
//Sorry aibou. I know I shouldn't lower myself to his level, but it was appropriate just this once.//
/Perhaps. But don't let anyone know I just said that!/
//Heheh, there's hope for you yet aibou!//
/What's that supposed to mean!?"/
//In due time Yugi. Rest now. I'll try to be more careful. THAT little indignity will NOT happen again.//
/One question Yami?/
//Yes?//
/Hospital beds have rails. How'd you get around it?/
//Hmm, so they do. I have no idea. But leave it to me to find ways around impossible things.//
/Yeah, I've noticed. Not always a good thing Yami./
//I just discovered that.//
/Sometimes Yami, I wonder how much of me is rubbing off on you./
Yami mock shuddered. //Now I AM frightened.//
/YAMI!/
//Sorry aibou. You left the door open.//
/And you had to kick me through it didn't ya!?/
//Force of habit.//
/Well, UNhabit it!/
//Heheh, good habits are hard to break.//
/Good habit!? Yami, you'd better rethink that one. You're giving me plenty of time to come up with paybacks./
//You think you stand a chance against me?//
/I know that body better than you. Believe me, there are ways. You wouldn't want to lose your little wager against the thief now would you?/
//You wouldn't!//
/Heheh, be afraid Yami...be VERY afraid./ Yugi mock threatened then disappeared without another word back to his own soul room thus leaving the pharaoh to contemplate the words of his aibou.
The next morning...
Neither king nor thief spoke to one another as the dawn of a new day rose from the darkness of night. They ate their breakfast in silence. Yami stole a glance at the thief and noticed that the tomb robber was now sporting a nice little dark spot upon his cheek...thanks to one well-aimed bed pan. Yami felt bad as he usually did not resort to such lowly, immature ways such as throwing objects at people, but he corrected himself for this instance. Afterall, turnabout is fair play.
Shortly after breakfast, Yami
managed to steal away to the bathroom for a nice, much welcomed
shower. He had to be careful to keep the bandages dry, but at
least he could feel fresh and clean. Once out, he towel-dried
his hair and looked at the grumpy thief as he passed by his bedside.
"I don't mean to pry, but thief, you smell like you could
use one of these too. You've got a stench worse than a stable
boy in a pile of crap."
"It's my love scent." Bakura taunted back sarcastically.
"You love skunks? Well, wonders never cease! Now I know why you are ladyless!" Yami chuckled as he continued quickly to his side of the room.
"Speak for yourself, priest humper!"
Yami was about to send another verbal onslaught the thief's way, but the door to their room opened. It was Tea and Rebecca. Both thief and king quickly recomposed themselves. Yami had to slide himself under the blankets quickly as he hadn't quite completed dressing yet.
"Well, how are the two grumpy ancients today?" Tea asked with a giggle. It was obvious upon entering the room that the tension within was thicker than quicksand.
Neither young man replied.
"Aww, now it can't be that bad. You're both healing nicely and will be out of here soon. That's what the nurse said before I came in. But for some reason, I can't help but think she sounded extremely relieved about that. Care to elaborate?"
Yami smirked and Bakura just gleamed with atagonistic pride.
"Well, those expressions speak a thousand words. I can't believe you two! Especially you Yami! It's almost expected with Bakura, but you Yami?"
Yami only shrugged in defense of himself. For some reason, the tomb robber had this ability to bring out the mean, immature, irresponsible side of the pharaoh. There was little Yami could do to defend his behavior.
"We thought we'd stop in before your other visitors and forewarn you." Rebecca added with a cute, but oh-not-innocent-grin.
"Forewarn us?" Yami asked curiously.
Tea and Rebecca giggled. "You wouldn't believe us if we said who so we'll just leave it at that." Tea replied.
"But, here's a bone to chew on...they haven't been any of your previous visitors." Rebecca added.
"Okay, we gotta run. While you two are busy playing naughty boys and broken bones, we gals are goin' shopping at the local mall. Joey and the rest of the gang are going to check out a local Duel Monsters tournament in town. See all the fun you're missing! Heal fast and maybe you'll be able to join us eh?" Tea replied with a wink.
"Want anything while we're there?" Rebecca added politely.
"Hot dogs, lots of them, with relish and tabasco sauce." Bakura requested.
"It speaks?" Rebecca noted with a raised eyebrow.
"Don't push your luck missy." Bakura shot back.
"Relish and tabasco sauce...on a hot dog?" Tea questioned.
"Tea, don't! That combination has uh, consequences that could require us to wear gas masks if you catch my meaning."
"Oh, eeewww, right, skip the hot dogs. But honestly, anything you want or need there?"
Both ancient nodded negatively. Neither were overly fond of malls or shopping anyway and tended to avoid such places when in control of the bodies they inhabited.
"Okay then, we'll all return to visit later tonight. Oh and uh, enjoy your next visitors." Tea replied with a smirk and wink before following Rebecca out of the room.
"Now I wonder what that's supposed to mean?" Yami muttered to himself while the thief simply grumbled and groaned. Bakura had little need for more annoying people to 'visit' him in his little dilemma. If he had his way, all would be sent to the shadows of the dark games.
Moments later, Yami's curiousity got a response. As the doorway to their room opened, a short, dark-maned boy entered with his usual happy demeanor. The much taller, lanky young man entered calmly behind with his usual stoic and stern expression. All that changed however, upon viewing the two bandaged occupants of the room.
"It-it CAN'T BE!" the taller male exclaimed to himself as he grew pale and threw a hand upon his forehead in confusion. Seeing two individuals that appeared as ghosts from a denied past were coming back to haunt in a very realistic way. Everything 'Yugi' had said was true. There was indeed two beings in one body and now that the physical presence of the spirit could be manifested, denial was fast turning into fact.
The younger, shorter male seemed
amazed, but unphased by what he saw.
"Hello, uhm, Yugi...err.." he stammered.
"Yugi is fine Mokuba or if you wish to keep us a separate identity, Yami will do."
"Wow, so what you said was really true. I mean, back in the helicopter during Battle City, you said it, but it all seemed so far-fetched. But seeing it now...you're definitely not Yugi."
"Well wonders never cease! The whelp figured it out." Bakura remarked as his sarcasm and grumpy nature continued to prevail. "But, I think there's something wrong with the priest...probably in shock from seeing his long lost lover return at last." Bakura snickered, but at least it brought attention to a person in need...a rare feat for one such as this thief.
Sure enough, all was a bit overwhelming for Seto. He was leaning up against a wall, pale as a ghost itself and a hand still planted upon his forehead. He wasn't taking this well.
"Brother, you okay?" Mokuba asked as he returned to his brother's side and observed him.
Seto said nothing. His breathing was becoming labored. Inside his head, images of past and present were rapidly spinning. With a slight groan, he slid down the wall, unconscious.
"BROTHER! Aww, CRAP NOT AGAIN!" Mokuba exclaimed as Yami, now dressed, hobbled over as fast as he could. He had already instinctively pushed the nurse's call button on his bed.
Within seconds a nurse arrived and helped tend to the downed visitor.
"What happened?"
"He passed out."
"Why?"
"Uh, long story ma'am." Yami replied. She'd never understand and the explanation would take eternity to explain. They'd all be in another hospital ward after such a tale anyway.
The nurse ran to get some smelling saltz as Bakura looked on, amused at the sufferings of another 'goody-good.'
Pulling a chair over, Yami, Mokuba, and the nurse hoisted Seto into it then administered the foul smelling but conscious-bringing saltz. Slowly Seto came to, but he was still confused and uncertain. Too much was coming at him too fast, especially stuff he didn't even wish to accept.
"Watch him. If he doesn't fully come to in twenty minutes, give me a call." the nurse replied to Yami and then exited the room to tend to another call in another room.
Meanwhile, Mokuba and Yami spent the time in idle conversation.
"Why did Bakura call my brother a priest?"
"His memories appear more intact than my own. I presume that if Seto did indeed have a past life like myself and Bakura, then he may have been a priest of the royal palace. I wish I had my memories so I could explain better, but this is all pretty new to myself."
"But, it's so cool! I mean, wow...I'm speaking to a once king?! A king with no memories, but still, a king!" Mokuba said excitedly.
"King or fool, they're all the same." Bakura shot from the other end of the room, interrupting the two.
"Uhm, so who's he?" Mokuba asked as he thumb-pointed to the white-haired grump in the other bed.
"A thief...a tomb robber to be exact."
"A king and a tomb robber in the same room? Is that wise?"
"Modern reality doesn't comprehend past relationships. The hospital thinks we're close 'friends.'"
"Good thing you don't have all your memories then eh?"
"You're probably right there.Otherwise, this thief would probably never be in my presence."
"I HEARD THAT KING!"
"Obviously...we're in the same room." Yami shot back.
"Are you two...okay?" Mokuba replied, seeing and sensing the hostility first-hand.
"We're still alive and healing so I suppose that is my response."
"Oh."
"So what brings you both here Mokuba?"
"Brother has a meeting on the other coast. But we're arriving a bit earlier than expected. Then, we heard through the duelist grapevine that you all were at a ski resort here and you know how nosy my brother can be. With the extra time we have, we decided to land here and see what's up. We ran into Tea and Rebecca at the resort and they told us what happened to you and Bakura. So, I INSISTED that Seto and I come visit you here in the hospital."
"I see."
Just then Seto moaned and tried to open and focus his eyes. Upon seeing dark skin, he groaned again. The bad dream was still there. He closed his eyes again and tried harder to make the dream go away.
to be continued...