And the Sun Shall Set Once More
By: Hyacinthus
Rating: R
A/N: WHEEEEEEEEE!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL!! AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS… MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We'd like to thank a few people who reviewed! ^_______^
Shadowdstarshine: Hahahahah Pegasuseseses, we have lots more Ryou for you this chapter
Sutoriitoenzeru-Street Angel: W00t! TeeHee no changes need to be made! Much thanks!
Becky: Hi Becky!!!!!! O.o You flatter us too much sometimes…but we love ya to death anyways!
Chimmoku: Cliffy…! Hnnnh. I think we will! Hrr… wait for the action scenes ^^;; Thanks for the advice!
Ame no Mizu: YAY! You reviewed! We LOOOOOOVE your fics XD You should update moremoremore! ^^;;
For all you BakuraxRyou fans out there, it's coming! Just not in this chapter. TeeHee
Chapter Couplings: RyouxMalik, IsisxShadi, SetoxYami, YamixYugi, EspaxSeto, RyuuzakixMalik
Episode Two: Toxin
Espa Roba gently brushed back teal locks, as he focused gently on the deck of cards in front of him. Closing his eyes and rubbing his temples, he directed his will towards the unmoving deck. Moments later, he opened his eyes and struck his hand out, deftly flipping over the top card.
"The cause" he whispered. "The Lovers." He quickly flipped through the next few cards, laying them face up in a row as he went through each one and pointed at it, uttering short incomplete words as if it would help interpret the meaning behind such a story. "The Devil. Temptation. The Tower. Conflict. Judgement. Awakening. The Moon. Trouble." Turquoise bangs fell into his eyes as he read through the cards. As he sat, attempting to piece together the meaning he murmured hopefully, "Perhaps…Perhaps… Seto…"
Sighing, he shook his hair out of his eyes, before standing up and walking over to the desk and pulling out a scarlet envelope and his deck. "No…" he muttered as he fingered the scarlet envelope in one hand, fingers toying with the slight opening. Carelessly, he dropped it, as a small card slid out, with the words "To My Esp" penned deliberately, with the small scrawls stretching across the paper as if the ink of the ball point pen had permanently disfigured it. Aquamarine eyes stared at the neat handwriting, as millions of thoughts flew through Espa's head, 'Why? Why now? Why show me your Ra be damned face now?" A crystalline tear crept down his face as he picked the invitation off the ground.
Fingers shaking, he attempted several times to open the envelope before setting it back onto the table and sliding down onto the floor. His hands clutched his shirt as he sobbed, wet tears falling upon his hands, muttering "Seto..Seto..Seto.." repeatedly.
He got up, and stumbled back to the table before drawing out a long quill from a nearby pencil case and began to write. "Dear Seto…"
***
"Eheheeheh. And with that I wipe out your remaining life points!" cackled Haga as he stood in front of his battle simulator. Opposite from his stand stood a life-sized projection of Yami no Yugi, head bowed in defeat.
His pleasure of victory was cut short by a decorous voice from the doorway of the room. "Messr. Haga. A telegram from Seto Kaiba has arrived for you." Motioning for the butler to take his leave Insector Haga grumbled as he grabbed the note out of the butler's hands.
"Seto Kaiba…eh?" Turning back to his prized machine, he selected his next holographic opponent. As the image of Seto Kaiba slowly began to materialize, Haga screamed "I'll squash you like the bug you are Kaiba! EEHEHEHEHEE!"
***
White hair billowed in the air as Ryou Bakura ran through the crowded hallways of the Ishtar residence. He swooped right, laughing joyously as he narrowly missed crashing into a priceless vase. Ryou's chocolate eyes sang with mirth as he bounced from wall to wall. Behind him, Malik Ishtar danced in circles while singing –albeit horribly out of tune- the lyrics of some long forgotten English ballad. Ryou giggled as Malik whizzed passed him- slamming directly into the wall. Isis, having heard the ruckus, came over to check what was going on. As she entered the room, the sight of Malik rubbing his nose with his head sporting a purple bruise and Ryou laughing so hard tears ran down his cheeks, she sighed in resignation before leaving.
Malik laughed as his vision slowly swam back into place. "I liked it better when there was two Ryou's…" he whined.
Ryou giggled as Malik gently groped his way up his slim body. "Stop it!" he protested between laughs as Malik began to lift his shirt up. "Not in the hallway!"
"Why not? You didn't protest last time…" Malik purred, causing Ryou to flush a brilliant red.
"Malik!" A sharp cry caused them to look up. Shadi stood there with his hands on his hips and a disapproving look on his face. "You're going to break your back doing that here, and then what would your sister say?"
"She would probably say, That's my reserved spot! Pick another room!" shot back Malik with a grin. Shadi gaped at the reply, mouth moving up and down, but no audible sound coming forth.
"What?" asked Malik innocently, with his hand doing something horribly indecent to Ryou's chest, eliciting a moan from the pale haired boy.
"I don't think you should do that in here, Isis will not appreciate a mess in her newly cleaned halls." Shadi attempted to put on another stony mask, but it was quickly falling, as the intensity of Ryou's moans escalated.
"Neh! Hahaha I got ya Shadi!" laughed Malik, beginning to lick on the edge of Ryou's ear.
"Wha…?" asked Shadi, allowing confusion to mar his stony features.
"Cleaning the halls is my job! Remember? I'm grounded up to fifty years in the after life for having sex in the middle of one of nee-chan's lectures to her middle school students."
"Ahh yes, I had…forgotten." 'Fortunately for me.' He added on mentally as he recalled the bewildered looks on the children's faces as Malik and Ryou stumbled in half-naked, in the middle of Isis' discussion on multiplying fractions. Needless to say, Isis gave them all an earful, especially Shadi who was supposed to be making sure that Ryou and Malik weren't causing any mischief. It was the first time that Shadi discovered that Isis could talk for over an hour without taking a breath.
"Yes! It was the first time I've ever seen anyone lecture without taking a breath for that long!" piped Ryou.
"Yeah." Snickered Malik, "I was almost sure she was gonna lecture the whole month of February about how we had permanently mentally scarred the children."
"Yea! She went on as if it was an insult to see us naked!" chortled Ryou, throwing Malik a wink.
"Hahaha!" agreed Malik; "It's a privilege to look upon my nude form!"
Shadi rolled his eyes and snorted which caused Malik to protest. "How about you continue this in your respective bedrooms?" he asked, face reverting back to its stony posture.
"How about we don't tell Isis about your little magazines, and you leave us alone?" suggested Malik, fingers roaming over Ryou's body.
Red faced, Shadi mumbled "Carry… on…" as he stumbled away from them.
Grinning at his retreating back, Malik asked, "Shall we continue my pretty one?"
"Pretty one…" panted Ryou, pupils dilating. "No…No…Where are you?" he murmured releasing his hands from Malik's shirt. "Pretty one…. Pretty one…" He muttered clasping his hands over his ears, as a faded scar began to burn on his back. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around Malik once more before screaming "BAKURA!!!!! BAKURA!!!! Come back… come back…come back to me…"
Tears came to his eyes as Malik gently patted Ryou on the back, running his hands down the smooth alabaster skin. "Hush Ryou, it'll be okay…"
"Malik… that's what he called me…" growled Ryou as the scar on his back began to glow a pale gold. "That's what he called me… before that bastard took him away. I was his. His pretty one. HIS AND ONLY HIS!" Ryou rocked back and forth, faster and faster as he clutched Malik's hand for support. His chocolate eyes narrowed and began to shift to a reddish color. "I'll kill him!" screeched Ryou. "I'll kill that Ra be damned Pharaoh!" His loose shirt slid off his narrow shoulders as he began to shake violently, revealing a scarred body; years of self-abuse placed one upon the other. The small golden scar on his back began to grow, as did the harshness of his voice. Malik watched in fear as pain wracked his small lover.
"Ryou?" he questioned inaudibly. "Oh shit… not again…" Malik crumpled to the floor as unshed tears brimmed at the corner of his eyes.
Ryou groaned and began to shudder on the floor before going into pained convulsions, and Malik caught a glimpse of the old Ryou hidden behind angry chocolate eyes. He knelt down beside the white haired boy, and clutched Ryou's hand within his own. "You'll get through this one alright, Ryou-chan. It's not one of the really bad ones." He whispered as tears began to roll down his tanned face.
Minutes later, Isis came rushing in, as great black wings began to tear themselves from Ryou's body. "Malik! Restrain him!" she called, as Malik rushed forward to and clutched Ryou from behind, as Isis began to chant in low Egyptian. "Go…Go…Go…" The wings gently began to retract into Ryou's body as the demon was slowly forced out, causing Ryou to scream, and tears to drop from the corner of Malik's eyes.
"Ryou?" he whispered. "I'm here for you, love, I'm here for you. Live on, be strong, for me." He murmured as Ryou slipped into unconsciousness with a gentle smile on his face.
Shadi came up from behind Isis, and gently rested his hand on her shoulder, "It'll be over soon, it's almost time. Malik, you can set him in his room."
Sniffling, Malik shuffled out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Isis threw herself at Shadi, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. "What… What happens when that happens to Malik? What'll happen? What do we do?"
"Hush, Hush…" murmured Shadi, running his fingers through Isis' long raven hair. "Breathe, Isis. We'll get through this."
"But…but what about…" she gesticulated at the spot where Ryou and Malik were standing, just minutes ago.
Shaking his head, "It's up to Ra. Entirely up to Ra."
"I don't give a fuck about Ra!" Screeched Isis. "I need to know that my brother will be safe! I need to know that Ryou will be safe!"
"It's almost time Isis, just keep that in mind. It's almost time, almost time to see if Ra is with us."
Upstairs, Malik gently set Ryou onto the wide bed, running his hands through Ryou's pale hair. "Bakura…you better take good care of him." He growled as he bent down give Ryou a soft chaste kiss. Sweat formed in beads on Ryou's tightly knitted brow as he began to moan quietly. "Ryou…?" asked Malik tentatively.
"Bakura…"
"Oh Ryou…" breathed Malik, hot breath sliding over Ryou's pale anxious face.
"Ma..Malik?" asked Ryou, tears blurring his vision as he struggled to open his eyes. "Malik…I miss Bakura…"
"I know. I know." Replied Malik, crawling into bed and pulling Ryou close.
"Are we really going to get him back?" asked Ryou softly.
"Really Really." Said Malik, sliding his arms up Ryou's shirt.
"Are we really going to go back to Japan soon?" questioned Ryou pressing harder against Malik, sliding their bodies together and causing Malik to moan at the friction.
"Really Really."
"We should send a letter to Yugi…" commented Ryou, sliding his hand around Malik's thin waist.
"We will, in a due time." Malik replied, pulling the blanket over himself and Ryou.
***
Growling, and roughly pushing his blonde locks out of his face, a man pulled out a long dagger and began to advance on the screaming woman. His red white and blue bandana hung loosely around his forehead as he began to slowly lick the knife, grinning in anticipation of what was to come.
"Help! Help! Anyone Help me Please!" begged the woman in vain, slowly sinking against the brick wall. As she spoke, hundreds of letters flooded from the top of a nearby building. On each card, in small printed calligraphy, read Bandit Keith. Keith stood, distracted by this sudden onslaught of cards before snatching one out of the air, and ripping it open.
As he read through the contents, his grin widened, "Seto Kaiba ehh? Interesting proposal, I'll see you in hell…" When he tuned back into reality, the disappearing sounds of footsteps reminded him that he had lost his quarry. "Fuck it…"
***
Seto sat, as night fell, his mouth chewing nervously on the end of a small cigarette. "Mokuba…" he muttered gently unclasping the small card on his necklace and flipping it open. "I've really blown it this time." He leaned his hand over the side of the small plush armchair, gently holding a decanter in his free hand. Setting the decanter on the desk, he picked up a small box on the edge of the coffee table. Opening it, he found the two initials S and E engraved in the band of a small ring while a topaz grinned at him from the center. "Esp… My Esp. I've messed things up with you too haven't I? I've messed things up with everyone…" he whispered as he sunk down further into the soft chair.
A knocking on the mahogany door, drew him out of his misery as he stood up, brushing his hands off on his pants, and putting out the cigarette in a nearby ashtray. "Who is it?" called Seto, eyes locked on the brass handle.
"It's me…Yami no Yugi."
"You're late." Shot Seto flatly.
"Better late than never!" grinned Yami, shooting Seto an infectious smile, as he swung the door open.
"You've been hanging around that midget other of yours for too long…and close the God damned door, it's cold."
"Hrr, you've never complained before…"
"Well, now I'm kind of hoping you'd warm me up." replied Seto, giving Yami a thin lipped smile.
"Always, Seto. Always, all you have to do is ask…"
Meanwhile, Yugi moaned and stretched in his large double bed, hugging a pillow tightly to his small frame, before moaning Yami's name quietly.
Morning found the Motou residence, with Yugi lying tousled in bed, tossing and turning with a sense of foreboding. As he slowly awoke, the sound of eggs sizzling in the background comforted him. "Heh" he chuckled to himself "I hope Yami realizes that when the eggs are black it means they're overcooked."
Moments later, he heard Yami call, "Aibou? Are you awake yet?"
"Hai!" he called back. "Is anything wrong?"
"Nah," called Yami. "It's just that…these black eggs taste funny."
Seto Kaiba awoke to a cold bed, covered in only a thin linen sheet. His hand moved down to the locket on his necklace. "Mokuba… I'll find you." He promised as he dressed.
***
Ryou sat in the cold room, drawing his arms around himself with a blank paper lying in front of him. As he sat chewing the end of his pen, Malik poked his head from around the corner before asking, "Ryou, love, have you finished the letter to Yugi yet?"
"No…I don't know what to write."
"Hmm, well tell him that we'll be dropping by sometime in the next week. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it."
"Okay! Will do." Ryou hurriedly scribbled a note before shoving it into a small white envelope and addressing it to the Motou residence.
"Now are you done?" asked Malik as he came up behind Ryou and drew his arms around the white haired boy in a tight embrace.
"Mmhmm." Replied Ryou as he rested his head gently on Malik's collarbone. "Do you miss him? Your Yami, I mean."
"Well…I'm not sure. He did uhhh kill me." Joked Malik, kissing Ryou on the forehead.
"Yea, but he did go back to get you afterwards." Giggled Ryou.
"That was only after Bakura threatened to kill him…again!"
"HnnH Malik?" asked Ryou softly, his snowy white hair falling into his eyes.
"Yea, love?"
"I think…your Yami, really liked you." Ryou blew the hair out of his eyes, causing them to float gingerly to frame his elfin face.
"Liked me enough to kill me?" responded Malik sarcastically.
"I think…that we all hide secrets, and I think that you should give him time."
Malik sighed into Ryou's hair, "I know, but it's hard for me."
Ryou nodded before sealing the envelope and pressing it into Malik's hands. "Can you ask your sister to send this to the Motou residence for me?"
"Sure. First thing in the morning. We should rest, tomorrow's gonna be a big day."
"Isn't every day?" commented Ryou wryly, "but I suppose you're right…"
"Like always!" Malik finished.
Ryou snorted as the two boys walked off to bed.
***
"HaiHai. Whatever." Replied Ryuuzaki as he slammed the receiver down on the phone…HARD. He growled as he fingered a small envelope in one hand tossing it in the air before catching it again. "Baka Hiroto." He snorted as he kicked the table leg. "What does he take me for? An idiot?" Ryuuzaki sighed as he ran his fingers through the ends of his long brown hair, once wild, now tamed. The hair fell behind him and hung over the edge of the chair in long waves.
"Damnit." He growled as he clenched the card in one hand. "We've all changed a lot. All of us. Except for that son of a bitch Haga." His mind wandered; no doubt Haga would have been invited, but who else? Had he…? Ryuuzaki shook his head, shaking away images of a platinum blonde, with beautiful purple eyes. "Those eyes…" he muttered as he pulled his deck out of his pocket and began to shuffle it. "Those hauntingly beautiful eyes."
As his hands felt the familiar chill of his deck, he calmed down a trifle. Bright brown eyes, stared out from behind a cowboy hat. It had been awhile since he had ditched the beanie, yet, he stilled enjoyed a covering over his head. Creating a sense of security, a hat had stood poised on Ryuuzaki's head for as long as he could remember.
Reaching up and touching the edge, he muttered "I sure look like Jou's sister. No wonder Hiroto keeps hitting on me." The edges of his eyes softened as he pulled out the pictures he had take at Battle City. There weren't many friends he had left. Espa was the only one that truly visited often. Yugi and co. have been wary of him ever since he had challenged Jou. "Boy was I a fool for underestimating that kid."
Throughout the years he had lived alone, and maintained a more careful maintenance of his appearance, hoping that a certain platinum haired beauty would catch on. Yes, I have changed a lot, thought Ryuuzaki sorting through the pictures. "I was so immature, I couldn't see, none of us could, not Espa or me." His eyes blurred from tears at the pictures of the finalists. Namu, he called himself. Malik, the world called him.
He picked up the phone and prepared to call Espa, Espa would know, Espa always knew. He sighed as he remembered all the lonely nights they've cried in each other's arms, wishing for selfish silly loves. "The vows that Espa had exchanged with Seto," growled Ryuuzaki, "That bastard broke them." Ryuuzaki shook his head, dialing Espa's number he made up his mind, he would see that pair of beautiful violet again, and he would show them how much he's changed.
***
Yugi Motou yawned as he scribbled down the last bit of his history homework and shut the book. Shoving the detested object into his backpack with a sneer of disdain, he reached for his planner to check what homework he had left. Ever since his stupid history teacher had moved on to the history of Japan, things hadn't been as easy, and he actually had to study for once. Glancing at his planner, he slowly checked off the many assignments he had finished. Releasing a breath of relief, he was glad to see that all of his homework was finally complete. It was a miracle, considering history was his worse subject, not to mention Yami couldn't help him with it anymore. Sliding all of his books into his backpack, he made sure he'd be ready for school the next morning, then glanced around the room.
"Yami?" He called quietly. His voice had long since lost its high, mirthfully childish chirp, and now rang with the deepening tones of adolescence. "Yami?" He called again, more loudly as he made his way down the hall to their humble living room. "You there?" Making his way to the kitchen, he saw that he was quite certainly alone. "Must be out picking up groceries, or checking out some card at the game shops." The mumbled words were a comfort to his solitary form.
Pawing through the fridge, a grimace appeared on his teenage face as he pulled out some stale milk and rotten eggs. Heading to garbage dumpsters in their side yard, he grabbed the mail, rifling through the mounds of junk. Dumping the waste and spoiled food into the appropriate receptacle, his eyes caught the bright flash of a scarlet envelope's silver seal in the setting sun's light. As if by its own will, it fluttered to the side, landing by his feet. Perplexed by its appearance, he reached down, fingers brushing its satin edge as he gently picked it up. Running his fingers over the glowing silver waxen seal, he read the initials "SeKa", hesitating before quickly flipping the envelope over. A chill ran down his back as he read the words "To Yugi Motou," written in elaborate black script. Quickly breaking the seal, he flipped it open, quickly reading its contents. The clouds were a light ash-gray, highlighted orange and pink by the setting sun. Leaning in the doorframe, Yugi sighed, momentarily pausing to appreciate the sunset. The letter hung limply in his firm grasp.
Before he had loved sunsets, they were wonderful, and he never disliked their romantic feel, the flourishing colors reminding him of the blooming love and friendship all around him. However, now the sight of it only stirred discomfort within him, doubt growing stronger, and flaws more glaringly apparent. How was it that something so wondrous and beautiful could be so easily, and senselessly perverse? The cold wind forced a shiver to shake his still thin frame, and blew his hair about his face.
"I don't deserve him," a harsh whisper escaped his lips. "I don't deserve him, not this wretch of a," his voice cracked, oddly muffled by the wind. Choking on his words, he gritted his teeth. Eyes shut tightly, the tears threatened to fall unbidden, as he struggled to hold them back. 'I'm so unworthy, he's far too good for a coward like me,' the thoughts echoed in his head. 'Hell, I won't even let him touch me! What good is that for as long as we've been together?' Though holding them in, the sobs wracked his body, shaking a few strangled cries through his gritted teeth.
"Stop," he managed. "Stop it, this won't do you or Yami any good and you know it." He quietly told himself, bringing the sudden swell of emotions under control as best as he could. "Since when did being an over-emotional bastard ever help anyone anyway?" He muttered to himself, wiping at tears that had not fallen. 'Besides, Yami probably will be home soon, don't want him to find me like this, right?' Having just completed that thought, he heard the front door being unlocked, and the familiar voice of his Yami warmed his heart.
"Koibito?" A ruffled of some thick paper. "Where are ya?"
Quickly banishing any remaining doubts, Yugi went back into the house and to the living room, where he found Yami closing the door.
***
A/N: It was a little short this time, but next time it shall be much longer! ^_^ Longer than the first chapter in fact because umm, we had a bit of a miscommunication problem so the next installment will have parts that this installment was s'posed to have ^^;;
Review! Review!
Psst. Tell me what you think of the EspaxSeto and RyuuzakixMalik…
By: Hyacinthus
Rating: R
A/N: WHEEEEEEEEE!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS Y'ALL!! AND FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS… MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We'd like to thank a few people who reviewed! ^_______^
Shadowdstarshine: Hahahahah Pegasuseseses, we have lots more Ryou for you this chapter
Sutoriitoenzeru-Street Angel: W00t! TeeHee no changes need to be made! Much thanks!
Becky: Hi Becky!!!!!! O.o You flatter us too much sometimes…but we love ya to death anyways!
Chimmoku: Cliffy…! Hnnnh. I think we will! Hrr… wait for the action scenes ^^;; Thanks for the advice!
Ame no Mizu: YAY! You reviewed! We LOOOOOOVE your fics XD You should update moremoremore! ^^;;
For all you BakuraxRyou fans out there, it's coming! Just not in this chapter. TeeHee
Chapter Couplings: RyouxMalik, IsisxShadi, SetoxYami, YamixYugi, EspaxSeto, RyuuzakixMalik
Episode Two: Toxin
Espa Roba gently brushed back teal locks, as he focused gently on the deck of cards in front of him. Closing his eyes and rubbing his temples, he directed his will towards the unmoving deck. Moments later, he opened his eyes and struck his hand out, deftly flipping over the top card.
"The cause" he whispered. "The Lovers." He quickly flipped through the next few cards, laying them face up in a row as he went through each one and pointed at it, uttering short incomplete words as if it would help interpret the meaning behind such a story. "The Devil. Temptation. The Tower. Conflict. Judgement. Awakening. The Moon. Trouble." Turquoise bangs fell into his eyes as he read through the cards. As he sat, attempting to piece together the meaning he murmured hopefully, "Perhaps…Perhaps… Seto…"
Sighing, he shook his hair out of his eyes, before standing up and walking over to the desk and pulling out a scarlet envelope and his deck. "No…" he muttered as he fingered the scarlet envelope in one hand, fingers toying with the slight opening. Carelessly, he dropped it, as a small card slid out, with the words "To My Esp" penned deliberately, with the small scrawls stretching across the paper as if the ink of the ball point pen had permanently disfigured it. Aquamarine eyes stared at the neat handwriting, as millions of thoughts flew through Espa's head, 'Why? Why now? Why show me your Ra be damned face now?" A crystalline tear crept down his face as he picked the invitation off the ground.
Fingers shaking, he attempted several times to open the envelope before setting it back onto the table and sliding down onto the floor. His hands clutched his shirt as he sobbed, wet tears falling upon his hands, muttering "Seto..Seto..Seto.." repeatedly.
He got up, and stumbled back to the table before drawing out a long quill from a nearby pencil case and began to write. "Dear Seto…"
***
"Eheheeheh. And with that I wipe out your remaining life points!" cackled Haga as he stood in front of his battle simulator. Opposite from his stand stood a life-sized projection of Yami no Yugi, head bowed in defeat.
His pleasure of victory was cut short by a decorous voice from the doorway of the room. "Messr. Haga. A telegram from Seto Kaiba has arrived for you." Motioning for the butler to take his leave Insector Haga grumbled as he grabbed the note out of the butler's hands.
"Seto Kaiba…eh?" Turning back to his prized machine, he selected his next holographic opponent. As the image of Seto Kaiba slowly began to materialize, Haga screamed "I'll squash you like the bug you are Kaiba! EEHEHEHEHEE!"
***
White hair billowed in the air as Ryou Bakura ran through the crowded hallways of the Ishtar residence. He swooped right, laughing joyously as he narrowly missed crashing into a priceless vase. Ryou's chocolate eyes sang with mirth as he bounced from wall to wall. Behind him, Malik Ishtar danced in circles while singing –albeit horribly out of tune- the lyrics of some long forgotten English ballad. Ryou giggled as Malik whizzed passed him- slamming directly into the wall. Isis, having heard the ruckus, came over to check what was going on. As she entered the room, the sight of Malik rubbing his nose with his head sporting a purple bruise and Ryou laughing so hard tears ran down his cheeks, she sighed in resignation before leaving.
Malik laughed as his vision slowly swam back into place. "I liked it better when there was two Ryou's…" he whined.
Ryou giggled as Malik gently groped his way up his slim body. "Stop it!" he protested between laughs as Malik began to lift his shirt up. "Not in the hallway!"
"Why not? You didn't protest last time…" Malik purred, causing Ryou to flush a brilliant red.
"Malik!" A sharp cry caused them to look up. Shadi stood there with his hands on his hips and a disapproving look on his face. "You're going to break your back doing that here, and then what would your sister say?"
"She would probably say, That's my reserved spot! Pick another room!" shot back Malik with a grin. Shadi gaped at the reply, mouth moving up and down, but no audible sound coming forth.
"What?" asked Malik innocently, with his hand doing something horribly indecent to Ryou's chest, eliciting a moan from the pale haired boy.
"I don't think you should do that in here, Isis will not appreciate a mess in her newly cleaned halls." Shadi attempted to put on another stony mask, but it was quickly falling, as the intensity of Ryou's moans escalated.
"Neh! Hahaha I got ya Shadi!" laughed Malik, beginning to lick on the edge of Ryou's ear.
"Wha…?" asked Shadi, allowing confusion to mar his stony features.
"Cleaning the halls is my job! Remember? I'm grounded up to fifty years in the after life for having sex in the middle of one of nee-chan's lectures to her middle school students."
"Ahh yes, I had…forgotten." 'Fortunately for me.' He added on mentally as he recalled the bewildered looks on the children's faces as Malik and Ryou stumbled in half-naked, in the middle of Isis' discussion on multiplying fractions. Needless to say, Isis gave them all an earful, especially Shadi who was supposed to be making sure that Ryou and Malik weren't causing any mischief. It was the first time that Shadi discovered that Isis could talk for over an hour without taking a breath.
"Yes! It was the first time I've ever seen anyone lecture without taking a breath for that long!" piped Ryou.
"Yeah." Snickered Malik, "I was almost sure she was gonna lecture the whole month of February about how we had permanently mentally scarred the children."
"Yea! She went on as if it was an insult to see us naked!" chortled Ryou, throwing Malik a wink.
"Hahaha!" agreed Malik; "It's a privilege to look upon my nude form!"
Shadi rolled his eyes and snorted which caused Malik to protest. "How about you continue this in your respective bedrooms?" he asked, face reverting back to its stony posture.
"How about we don't tell Isis about your little magazines, and you leave us alone?" suggested Malik, fingers roaming over Ryou's body.
Red faced, Shadi mumbled "Carry… on…" as he stumbled away from them.
Grinning at his retreating back, Malik asked, "Shall we continue my pretty one?"
"Pretty one…" panted Ryou, pupils dilating. "No…No…Where are you?" he murmured releasing his hands from Malik's shirt. "Pretty one…. Pretty one…" He muttered clasping his hands over his ears, as a faded scar began to burn on his back. Closing his eyes, he wrapped his arms around Malik once more before screaming "BAKURA!!!!! BAKURA!!!! Come back… come back…come back to me…"
Tears came to his eyes as Malik gently patted Ryou on the back, running his hands down the smooth alabaster skin. "Hush Ryou, it'll be okay…"
"Malik… that's what he called me…" growled Ryou as the scar on his back began to glow a pale gold. "That's what he called me… before that bastard took him away. I was his. His pretty one. HIS AND ONLY HIS!" Ryou rocked back and forth, faster and faster as he clutched Malik's hand for support. His chocolate eyes narrowed and began to shift to a reddish color. "I'll kill him!" screeched Ryou. "I'll kill that Ra be damned Pharaoh!" His loose shirt slid off his narrow shoulders as he began to shake violently, revealing a scarred body; years of self-abuse placed one upon the other. The small golden scar on his back began to grow, as did the harshness of his voice. Malik watched in fear as pain wracked his small lover.
"Ryou?" he questioned inaudibly. "Oh shit… not again…" Malik crumpled to the floor as unshed tears brimmed at the corner of his eyes.
Ryou groaned and began to shudder on the floor before going into pained convulsions, and Malik caught a glimpse of the old Ryou hidden behind angry chocolate eyes. He knelt down beside the white haired boy, and clutched Ryou's hand within his own. "You'll get through this one alright, Ryou-chan. It's not one of the really bad ones." He whispered as tears began to roll down his tanned face.
Minutes later, Isis came rushing in, as great black wings began to tear themselves from Ryou's body. "Malik! Restrain him!" she called, as Malik rushed forward to and clutched Ryou from behind, as Isis began to chant in low Egyptian. "Go…Go…Go…" The wings gently began to retract into Ryou's body as the demon was slowly forced out, causing Ryou to scream, and tears to drop from the corner of Malik's eyes.
"Ryou?" he whispered. "I'm here for you, love, I'm here for you. Live on, be strong, for me." He murmured as Ryou slipped into unconsciousness with a gentle smile on his face.
Shadi came up from behind Isis, and gently rested his hand on her shoulder, "It'll be over soon, it's almost time. Malik, you can set him in his room."
Sniffling, Malik shuffled out of the room. As soon as he was gone, Isis threw herself at Shadi, tears brimming at the corners of her eyes. "What… What happens when that happens to Malik? What'll happen? What do we do?"
"Hush, Hush…" murmured Shadi, running his fingers through Isis' long raven hair. "Breathe, Isis. We'll get through this."
"But…but what about…" she gesticulated at the spot where Ryou and Malik were standing, just minutes ago.
Shaking his head, "It's up to Ra. Entirely up to Ra."
"I don't give a fuck about Ra!" Screeched Isis. "I need to know that my brother will be safe! I need to know that Ryou will be safe!"
"It's almost time Isis, just keep that in mind. It's almost time, almost time to see if Ra is with us."
Upstairs, Malik gently set Ryou onto the wide bed, running his hands through Ryou's pale hair. "Bakura…you better take good care of him." He growled as he bent down give Ryou a soft chaste kiss. Sweat formed in beads on Ryou's tightly knitted brow as he began to moan quietly. "Ryou…?" asked Malik tentatively.
"Bakura…"
"Oh Ryou…" breathed Malik, hot breath sliding over Ryou's pale anxious face.
"Ma..Malik?" asked Ryou, tears blurring his vision as he struggled to open his eyes. "Malik…I miss Bakura…"
"I know. I know." Replied Malik, crawling into bed and pulling Ryou close.
"Are we really going to get him back?" asked Ryou softly.
"Really Really." Said Malik, sliding his arms up Ryou's shirt.
"Are we really going to go back to Japan soon?" questioned Ryou pressing harder against Malik, sliding their bodies together and causing Malik to moan at the friction.
"Really Really."
"We should send a letter to Yugi…" commented Ryou, sliding his hand around Malik's thin waist.
"We will, in a due time." Malik replied, pulling the blanket over himself and Ryou.
***
Growling, and roughly pushing his blonde locks out of his face, a man pulled out a long dagger and began to advance on the screaming woman. His red white and blue bandana hung loosely around his forehead as he began to slowly lick the knife, grinning in anticipation of what was to come.
"Help! Help! Anyone Help me Please!" begged the woman in vain, slowly sinking against the brick wall. As she spoke, hundreds of letters flooded from the top of a nearby building. On each card, in small printed calligraphy, read Bandit Keith. Keith stood, distracted by this sudden onslaught of cards before snatching one out of the air, and ripping it open.
As he read through the contents, his grin widened, "Seto Kaiba ehh? Interesting proposal, I'll see you in hell…" When he tuned back into reality, the disappearing sounds of footsteps reminded him that he had lost his quarry. "Fuck it…"
***
Seto sat, as night fell, his mouth chewing nervously on the end of a small cigarette. "Mokuba…" he muttered gently unclasping the small card on his necklace and flipping it open. "I've really blown it this time." He leaned his hand over the side of the small plush armchair, gently holding a decanter in his free hand. Setting the decanter on the desk, he picked up a small box on the edge of the coffee table. Opening it, he found the two initials S and E engraved in the band of a small ring while a topaz grinned at him from the center. "Esp… My Esp. I've messed things up with you too haven't I? I've messed things up with everyone…" he whispered as he sunk down further into the soft chair.
A knocking on the mahogany door, drew him out of his misery as he stood up, brushing his hands off on his pants, and putting out the cigarette in a nearby ashtray. "Who is it?" called Seto, eyes locked on the brass handle.
"It's me…Yami no Yugi."
"You're late." Shot Seto flatly.
"Better late than never!" grinned Yami, shooting Seto an infectious smile, as he swung the door open.
"You've been hanging around that midget other of yours for too long…and close the God damned door, it's cold."
"Hrr, you've never complained before…"
"Well, now I'm kind of hoping you'd warm me up." replied Seto, giving Yami a thin lipped smile.
"Always, Seto. Always, all you have to do is ask…"
Meanwhile, Yugi moaned and stretched in his large double bed, hugging a pillow tightly to his small frame, before moaning Yami's name quietly.
Morning found the Motou residence, with Yugi lying tousled in bed, tossing and turning with a sense of foreboding. As he slowly awoke, the sound of eggs sizzling in the background comforted him. "Heh" he chuckled to himself "I hope Yami realizes that when the eggs are black it means they're overcooked."
Moments later, he heard Yami call, "Aibou? Are you awake yet?"
"Hai!" he called back. "Is anything wrong?"
"Nah," called Yami. "It's just that…these black eggs taste funny."
Seto Kaiba awoke to a cold bed, covered in only a thin linen sheet. His hand moved down to the locket on his necklace. "Mokuba… I'll find you." He promised as he dressed.
***
Ryou sat in the cold room, drawing his arms around himself with a blank paper lying in front of him. As he sat chewing the end of his pen, Malik poked his head from around the corner before asking, "Ryou, love, have you finished the letter to Yugi yet?"
"No…I don't know what to write."
"Hmm, well tell him that we'll be dropping by sometime in the next week. I'm sure he'll be glad to hear it."
"Okay! Will do." Ryou hurriedly scribbled a note before shoving it into a small white envelope and addressing it to the Motou residence.
"Now are you done?" asked Malik as he came up behind Ryou and drew his arms around the white haired boy in a tight embrace.
"Mmhmm." Replied Ryou as he rested his head gently on Malik's collarbone. "Do you miss him? Your Yami, I mean."
"Well…I'm not sure. He did uhhh kill me." Joked Malik, kissing Ryou on the forehead.
"Yea, but he did go back to get you afterwards." Giggled Ryou.
"That was only after Bakura threatened to kill him…again!"
"HnnH Malik?" asked Ryou softly, his snowy white hair falling into his eyes.
"Yea, love?"
"I think…your Yami, really liked you." Ryou blew the hair out of his eyes, causing them to float gingerly to frame his elfin face.
"Liked me enough to kill me?" responded Malik sarcastically.
"I think…that we all hide secrets, and I think that you should give him time."
Malik sighed into Ryou's hair, "I know, but it's hard for me."
Ryou nodded before sealing the envelope and pressing it into Malik's hands. "Can you ask your sister to send this to the Motou residence for me?"
"Sure. First thing in the morning. We should rest, tomorrow's gonna be a big day."
"Isn't every day?" commented Ryou wryly, "but I suppose you're right…"
"Like always!" Malik finished.
Ryou snorted as the two boys walked off to bed.
***
"HaiHai. Whatever." Replied Ryuuzaki as he slammed the receiver down on the phone…HARD. He growled as he fingered a small envelope in one hand tossing it in the air before catching it again. "Baka Hiroto." He snorted as he kicked the table leg. "What does he take me for? An idiot?" Ryuuzaki sighed as he ran his fingers through the ends of his long brown hair, once wild, now tamed. The hair fell behind him and hung over the edge of the chair in long waves.
"Damnit." He growled as he clenched the card in one hand. "We've all changed a lot. All of us. Except for that son of a bitch Haga." His mind wandered; no doubt Haga would have been invited, but who else? Had he…? Ryuuzaki shook his head, shaking away images of a platinum blonde, with beautiful purple eyes. "Those eyes…" he muttered as he pulled his deck out of his pocket and began to shuffle it. "Those hauntingly beautiful eyes."
As his hands felt the familiar chill of his deck, he calmed down a trifle. Bright brown eyes, stared out from behind a cowboy hat. It had been awhile since he had ditched the beanie, yet, he stilled enjoyed a covering over his head. Creating a sense of security, a hat had stood poised on Ryuuzaki's head for as long as he could remember.
Reaching up and touching the edge, he muttered "I sure look like Jou's sister. No wonder Hiroto keeps hitting on me." The edges of his eyes softened as he pulled out the pictures he had take at Battle City. There weren't many friends he had left. Espa was the only one that truly visited often. Yugi and co. have been wary of him ever since he had challenged Jou. "Boy was I a fool for underestimating that kid."
Throughout the years he had lived alone, and maintained a more careful maintenance of his appearance, hoping that a certain platinum haired beauty would catch on. Yes, I have changed a lot, thought Ryuuzaki sorting through the pictures. "I was so immature, I couldn't see, none of us could, not Espa or me." His eyes blurred from tears at the pictures of the finalists. Namu, he called himself. Malik, the world called him.
He picked up the phone and prepared to call Espa, Espa would know, Espa always knew. He sighed as he remembered all the lonely nights they've cried in each other's arms, wishing for selfish silly loves. "The vows that Espa had exchanged with Seto," growled Ryuuzaki, "That bastard broke them." Ryuuzaki shook his head, dialing Espa's number he made up his mind, he would see that pair of beautiful violet again, and he would show them how much he's changed.
***
Yugi Motou yawned as he scribbled down the last bit of his history homework and shut the book. Shoving the detested object into his backpack with a sneer of disdain, he reached for his planner to check what homework he had left. Ever since his stupid history teacher had moved on to the history of Japan, things hadn't been as easy, and he actually had to study for once. Glancing at his planner, he slowly checked off the many assignments he had finished. Releasing a breath of relief, he was glad to see that all of his homework was finally complete. It was a miracle, considering history was his worse subject, not to mention Yami couldn't help him with it anymore. Sliding all of his books into his backpack, he made sure he'd be ready for school the next morning, then glanced around the room.
"Yami?" He called quietly. His voice had long since lost its high, mirthfully childish chirp, and now rang with the deepening tones of adolescence. "Yami?" He called again, more loudly as he made his way down the hall to their humble living room. "You there?" Making his way to the kitchen, he saw that he was quite certainly alone. "Must be out picking up groceries, or checking out some card at the game shops." The mumbled words were a comfort to his solitary form.
Pawing through the fridge, a grimace appeared on his teenage face as he pulled out some stale milk and rotten eggs. Heading to garbage dumpsters in their side yard, he grabbed the mail, rifling through the mounds of junk. Dumping the waste and spoiled food into the appropriate receptacle, his eyes caught the bright flash of a scarlet envelope's silver seal in the setting sun's light. As if by its own will, it fluttered to the side, landing by his feet. Perplexed by its appearance, he reached down, fingers brushing its satin edge as he gently picked it up. Running his fingers over the glowing silver waxen seal, he read the initials "SeKa", hesitating before quickly flipping the envelope over. A chill ran down his back as he read the words "To Yugi Motou," written in elaborate black script. Quickly breaking the seal, he flipped it open, quickly reading its contents. The clouds were a light ash-gray, highlighted orange and pink by the setting sun. Leaning in the doorframe, Yugi sighed, momentarily pausing to appreciate the sunset. The letter hung limply in his firm grasp.
Before he had loved sunsets, they were wonderful, and he never disliked their romantic feel, the flourishing colors reminding him of the blooming love and friendship all around him. However, now the sight of it only stirred discomfort within him, doubt growing stronger, and flaws more glaringly apparent. How was it that something so wondrous and beautiful could be so easily, and senselessly perverse? The cold wind forced a shiver to shake his still thin frame, and blew his hair about his face.
"I don't deserve him," a harsh whisper escaped his lips. "I don't deserve him, not this wretch of a," his voice cracked, oddly muffled by the wind. Choking on his words, he gritted his teeth. Eyes shut tightly, the tears threatened to fall unbidden, as he struggled to hold them back. 'I'm so unworthy, he's far too good for a coward like me,' the thoughts echoed in his head. 'Hell, I won't even let him touch me! What good is that for as long as we've been together?' Though holding them in, the sobs wracked his body, shaking a few strangled cries through his gritted teeth.
"Stop," he managed. "Stop it, this won't do you or Yami any good and you know it." He quietly told himself, bringing the sudden swell of emotions under control as best as he could. "Since when did being an over-emotional bastard ever help anyone anyway?" He muttered to himself, wiping at tears that had not fallen. 'Besides, Yami probably will be home soon, don't want him to find me like this, right?' Having just completed that thought, he heard the front door being unlocked, and the familiar voice of his Yami warmed his heart.
"Koibito?" A ruffled of some thick paper. "Where are ya?"
Quickly banishing any remaining doubts, Yugi went back into the house and to the living room, where he found Yami closing the door.
***
A/N: It was a little short this time, but next time it shall be much longer! ^_^ Longer than the first chapter in fact because umm, we had a bit of a miscommunication problem so the next installment will have parts that this installment was s'posed to have ^^;;
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