Disclaimer: With school two days away, I want to leave you all with a super-uber-awesome chapter! I will update every now and again during the school year, but it won't be anywhere near as frequent as I have been… Muchos sorries.
I want to thank everyone who has been so supportive of this story. Bakura and Yami thank you too. ^_^ I think that I'll end this story at around twenty chapters… maybe more though because I have some great ideas for later chapters.
Now… what was I writing again? Ahaha… just kidding. And now, for everyone's enjoyment… I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, for if I did, Anzu would not exist!
Chapter 5: Shot in the Heart With a Silver Bullet
Yami shivered, the cold night air biting at his skin. He curled up a bit, pulling the lame excuse for a blanket around his shoulders. He wished that he had stayed home.
Bakura had insisted that they stay in the ruins of KuruEruna even though Yami had protested and urged him at least spend the night in the near-by city. Bakura refused of course, being the stubborn fool that he was…
Yami glanced over at Bakura, the dying firelight illuminating his face. Bakura slept sitting up, his arms folded across his chest. He didn't have a blanket. Yami stared at Bakura's shivering form, realizing for the first time that night that Bakura had given up his own blanket to him.
He looked down at the tattered cloth, wishing he had taken the time within all of his complaining to think…
Yami shifted closer to the fire, warming his hands and his face. If it was this cold for him, he could only imagine what Bakura was going through… He then realized what he was saying. What WAS he saying?! This man had kidnapped him; dragged him far away from home to see some ruins of what could have been any village! How ludicrous!
Yami scoffed, his eyes rolling toward the sky. Why in Ra's name was he here? Why couldn't he have just let his father execute this madman? He felt incredibly stupid.
"I'm so sorry, father… I will try to get home as soon as I can…" he whispered.
Bakura awoke to the sounds of light snoring. He glanced over at his captive. Yami was still asleep in a very unflattering position. Both arms were stretched over his head, while his legs were spread apart, the blanket only half covering his bare skin. Bakura snickered, trying not to laugh too loudly.
He stood and stretched his entire body, facing the rising sun. Morning was his favorite time of the day. Everyone assumed it would be midnight, when the stars were high in the sky and beginning to fade, but those who though that also called him demon.
Bakura began to rebuild the dead fire, using flint to light some extra pieces of wood. When he finally got the kindling to light, he leaned over and searched through his bag, taking out some bits of bread, water, and some meat he had stolen during his visit to Thebes.
Yami opened his eyes slowly, sniffing the air. He could smell meat cooking and it made his mouth water. He sat up quickly, prepared for his servants to come and serve him his breakfast. What he found was the thief cooking a bit of meat on a sad excuse for a fire. His face fell.
"G'morning sleepy-face." Bakura sneered sarcastically. Yami gave him a forced smile, his face still showing distinct signs of disappointment. Bakura noticed immediately, and forced the food under Yami's nose.
"Here. Eat." he stated, leaning back against an ancient stonewall. Yami stared at the food, picking at it with his fingers.
"Aren't you going to eat anything, fool?" Yami asked rudely. "We need you at full health so you can take me home." Bakura snickered, then turned his face away from Yami, gazing at the sun.
"That's all we've got, Highness." Yami's face fell. There would be no seconds today. He proceeded to scarf down the food, leaving only bits and crumbs on the copper plate. Bakura watched him eat, amused, than began to walk.
"H-hey! Where are you going?!" Yami cried, scrambling to get up. Bakura turned and smiled deviously, pointing towards the east.
"I'm going that way. Why?" he asked, grinning. Yami ran over and stood next to him, panting a bit.
"I know that, you idiot! But where are you going?" Bakura turned and slapped Yami on the back, sending him practically flying into the ground.
"Geez, Yam-boy! You need to work out more. You're weak as a puppy!" Bakura stopped poking fun at him when he got glares of loathing from Yami. "A-anyway, I'm heading to the city for more food. We're gonna need it."
Yami stopped in his tracks. Need more food? For what?! He was going home after tonight, right? But before he could even open his mouth to say anything more, Bakura had already started off at a run.
"H-hey! Wait for me!" Yami cried, racing as fast as his legs could take him after Bakura.
Little Bakura felt ashamed. His brown eyes were filled with tears of rage and sadness. He didn't know what to do.
He stared down at the little puppy in his hands. It was dead. Its little ears had flopped to one side, its body still and lifeless. Bakura began to sob. He didn't mean to do it.
Bakura cuddled it close to his chest, hoping that if he kept holding it, it would come back. His breath caught in his throat, his sobs echoing throughout the barn that he was staying in.
"I'm sorry… I can't save you…I want to save you…" he whispered, rocking back and forth on his knees. His heart felt as if it were made of stone, heavy in his chest.
Bakura placed the little animal on the ground, staring at it through tear-filled eyes. His cheeks stung with the salt of his tears, his body shaking. He had only been playing with it… He didn't know that it was so fragile; so easy to kill.
…Had it been this easy to kill mother? Did killing the puppy make him the same as the men who had burned his village? His eyes narrowed, his face beginning to fill with hatred. Was he the same?
Bakura stood up, gazing down at the broken form of the puppy. He hated it. He hated himself. He hated everything!
Letting out a scream of pent up rage, he kicked the lifeless body out of his way, watching it hit against a wall and then flop back down to the ground. It remained dead.
"Why?! Why won't you come back, you stupid animal?!" he yelled at it, his hands balled up into fists. "I hate you! I hate you so fucking much!"
Bakura dropped to his knees, holding his head. He didn't want to remember anymore. Why couldn't he just forget everything that had happened?
"Why do I exist?!" he sobbed, he head filled with thoughts of death; of hate and malice. He couldn't comprehend anymore. Everything around him made no sense to him anymore.
Bakura crawled over to the puppy, scooping it up with his small hands. He held it close again; it was still warm. Warm… like…
"I want to save you… Why can't I save you?…"
Bakura entered the city, Yami trailing close behind him. He glanced back at the Pharaoh, smiling a bit. It had been long since Bakura had had any companionship. Bakura walked back to Yami and handed him his cloak. Yami looked at it, then up at him quizzically.
"Put it on. I don't want anyone recognizing you." Bakura whispered, watching the people around them carefully.
"But… Thebes is far from here. Do you really think…" Bakura placed his hand over Yami's mouth and pulled him close, glaring into his eyes.
"I don't want to take any risks. Now, put it on dammit!" Yami shrunk back a bit and pulled the cloak over him, covering his face. Bakura nodded approvingly.
"It looks good on you, Pharaoh." Yami gave him a disapproving frown. Bakura just grinned, then motioned for him to follow.
People moved out of the way as Bakura passed them, making a small walk-way through the crowds. Mothers showed their daughters into their houses quickly; fathers gritted their teeth and glared; merchants moved closer to their stands. Bakura grinned back at Yami, glad that he could witness his power.
Yami watched the people stare at them. Why were they doing that anyway? He huddled closer to Bakura, not wanting to be lost in this strange city.
"H-hey, Bakura. Why are they all staring at us like that?" Bakura turned to Yami, surprised that he had actually used his name. He smiled.
"They're afraid of the white-haired demon." Yami gave him a reproachful look. What a load of crap.
Yami then realized that this was his chance. He could get away here. He could get lost… Bakura wouldn't be able to find him! Yami began to fall behind, looking around for an escape route. He found it in a small alleyway that was quickly approaching.
Watching Bakura carefully, Yami began to sneak closer towards the right side. Bakura did not turn around. Yami grinned, then quickly rushed down the alley, running at top-speed. He looked behind him. Bakura was not there. He had done it! Now… now he could hire someone to take him back to Thebes and…
"Going somewhere, Pharaoh?" Yami ran straight into Bakura's arms. Bakura caught him and held him tightly. Yami struggled, yelling at Bakura to let him go.
"You stupid thief! Let me go! I WANT TO GO HOME!" he screamed. Bakura held on tightly, his eyes flaring.
"Shut-up, brat!" he yelled, his hand flying across Yami's cheek for the second time. Yami staggered and fell to the ground, stuttering. Bakura grabbed him by his cloak, pulling him back up to his own eye-level.
"You wicked little brat! You told me… You told me you wanted to know the truth! Here I am, trying to show you what your dear-old daddy has done, giving you food and the clothes off of my back, and you're trying to make a fool of me?!" Bakura spat maliciously. "How dare you?! You're not a captive! You're being treated as a prince, as I have never treated anyone before you!" Bakura tossed him back to the ground, his breathing heavy.
"Well fine then, little Pharaoh… Yami. You can go. Go back to your life of luxury. Be my guest. You'll never know… my pain…" Bakura gazed down at him for a few seconds, longing to pull him into an embrace; to make amends for his cruel words. His facial features softened, his heart aching… How he had wanted to have Yami understand…
Bakura turned away and walked back into the swarm of people, his white hair disappearing from Yami's view.
End Notes: Waiiii! What did you all think? I personally think this is the best chapter I have written for this story! I am really beginning to love the characters… Anyway, read, enjoy, review, all that jazz. Be prepared… the next chapter is a doozy!