deliciae
Amor in aeternum : Forever Love : Chapter 9.
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deliciae: We're back again. Finally. And, since Muse is still sleeping, I thought I'd post this before I have to continue to pack. Thanks go out to all who reviewed last chapter.
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Disclaimer and Warnings: Please see prior chapters for this information.
Pairings: Yami x Bakura ; Yugi x Ryou
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The living room was lit up by each click of the control, switching channels in an utmost haste. Brown eyes glared at each new station; none had what he wanted to watch. Finally, out of frustration, his finger paused, allowing the television to settle on Discovery, and the images of the African Safari filled the screen.
No one else was up in this early hour, and he wondered what had made him restless. It was enough that he felt constantly tired, refusing to do anything other than the simplest of tasks now. It had been this way since they had last seen Anzu, that creature who dared to strike his Pharaoh, his Yami. Each day seemed to drain the energy from his body, weakening him; yet, in the early mornings he felt the burst of restlessness, the unease and desire to be awake and aware.
However, this train of thoughts left his mind as he settled further into the couch, his interest diverted by the animals that roam the dark continent. The beasts that were shown reminded him of his treks after leaving the Prince—no, Pharaoh, and disappearing into his own world.
His eyes slipped close, and his breathing evened out as he sought to lose himself in memories and dreams while his fingers held onto the gold ring as a sign of reassurance and safety. The twin trails of wetness, however, went unnoticed after they had slipped from the closed eyelids and fell down the pale cheeks, the silent word of "Yami" on his lips.
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Upstairs in the bedroom, the Pharaoh slept unaware of what his mate was going through. It was not that he did not feel the coldness that had settled into the once-warm sheets; no, it was in the fact that his dreams held him captive.
He stood in the middle of darkness and looked around, his crimson eyes piercing the ink-toned area. Just as he took a step forward, the world around him disintegrated. He fell through the bottom, like on a voyage through the bottom-less pit, yet he was only momentarily startled.
But just as suddenly, he found himself dressed in the regal attire of a Pharaoh, the scarlet cape billowing out behind him from an unknown wind. Before him stood the shackled form of his Thief, having just been caught. The proceedings went on as he had recalled months prior; however, there was a different air to it.
It was like he was watching the on-goings; the words he uttered felt scripted, and not like his own. He felt like that he was just a spectator inside his own body. He felt so confused, so uncertain of what was happening, despite his knowledge of the events. His crimson gaze narrowed as he wondered who or what was to blame for this.
Yet as he stepped forward, about to sentence his white-haired thief, the floor began to crumble, like a weakly put-together jigsaw puzzle. The middle tiles were the first to go as it fell in, reminding the Pharaoh momentarily of a sink-hole, before the tiles below his own feet began to shift and slide into the maw of the darkness.
His eyes slid close as he felt himself fall, then he opened them quickly as the usually present feel of free-fall was not there. Instead, he was standing on the sway of darkness, and he knew this time it was the Shadow Realm. Threads of energy pulsed on the shifting walls, and two impassive guardians blocked the darkest corner from view.
Curious, he stepped forward, toward the guardians. They acknowledged his presence with a nod of the head, but still forbade entrance. Confused, yet mildly angered at their obvious disregard for his status, he stepped forward.
However, his approach was halted by the soft voice of a long-appointed Priest, one who had yet to leave his station, "It might not be wise to pursue the matter, my Pharaoh." Startled, the monarch whirled in his place, and spotted the possessor of the Ankh. "What is the meaning of this, Shadi?"
A vague smile was evident on the other's lips, and he stepped closer to the one whom he sought to protect, "I know not of how you got here, my Pharaoh. Though, the reason you are here is quite apparent."
This simple reply brought more confusion for the crimson-eyed male, and then he took in consideration the threads of energy in the area. His eyes widened to comical proportions, realizing that was probably why Bakura had been so tired of late. For confirmation, he looked at Shadi, who nodded agreement to the unspoken question. Just as he opened his mouth, and started to ask another question, the swirl of darkness returned, closing in on the young ruler.
"Yami!" The cry of his name startled the tri-haired spirit from his dream, rather nightmare, and from the bed onto the floor. The entire set of blankets fell along with him, and with a few muttered curses, the youth dug from within his pile. Innocent and amused amethyst eyes met his as soon as the top blanket was removed, then the apology of "I'm sorry, Yami! I didn't mean to startle you…"
"It wasn't that, aibou," the Pharaoh groused to his hikari as he stood from the puddle of blankets, rubbing his sore hip. There was a moment of silence as Yami thought back on the dream, effectively missing the petite youth's comment. "What did you say?"
Yugi looked at his preoccupied dark for a moment, and then began his statement again. "I said, Ryou and I were surprised when we went into the living room this morning, and there was Bakura, sound asleep."
It was only then that Yami noticed the disappearance of his mate, and he hurried from the room in utmost haste. From there, he instantly darted into the living room, and stopped, a loving smile on his face. Bakura was on the couch, curled around a pillow, with a peaceful and serene look on his face. Yami did not want to awaken his mate, for the white-haired yami had been tired and sleepless lately, so the crimson-eyed dark turned and headed directly for the kitchen.
Ryou was in there, a smile on his face, as he fried up some bacon to accompany the already-made meal of pancakes, sausage, eggs, smoked ham, orange juice, and milk. "Good morning, Yami," the words were gently spoken, and Yami replied in the like as he sat down at the table.
While the spirit nibbled on his food, his mind raced directly back to his dream. Was it a dream? A message, perhaps? Shaking his head, Yami knew that he had not dreamt the last session; rather, the Guardian had called forth his presence, and answered one unasked question. Now, it was up to him not only to tell Bakura, but also to find out exactly why Bakura was losing energy.
A rustle of the table dragged the monarch from his thoughts and his gaze was directed upward. Bakura stood there, seeming half-awake as he pulled out a chair and slumped into the seat. Idly he picked at the food presented to him, while the two hikaris exchanged a confused glance.
Neither youth knew of Bakura's recent restlessness, but they had experienced first-hand the tiredness and irritability. Both flinched as they recalled one of the dark's more destructive mid-day moods; they never wanted to experience that again, and for such, they kept quiet. As soon as they finished their food, Ryou placed the plates in the dishwasher, to be cleaned later.
Yami spared a mild glimpse at the two as they hurried out of the door, then looked at his mate. It was now or never. With that finality in his thoughts, the regal dark stood from his seat and moved to the recently vacated one of Yugi's. He turned toward the half-aware thief, and frowned slightly, uncertain of how to go about this.
"Bakura?" There was no response to the questioned word, so again Yami stated the other's name. That finally pierced through the fog surrounding the almost-albino's mind. Blankly, he looked over at his mate, a light of confusion in his chocolate-brown eyes. "Yami, what is it?"
The once-Pharaoh bit his lip, then asked, "You've been tired recently, right?" That seemed to be the trigger, as Bakura appeared more aware, and quite interested, after this, "Yes, what of it?"
The ball was back in Yami's court, so as to speak, and he looked at his mate directly before uttering, "While I slept, I was drawn into the Shadow Realm for a reason that is still unclear; however, during my brief stay, Shadi pointed out the threads of energy in the area. Apparently, they are from you."
At first the statement didn't appear to affect the other, but as Yami watched, the earth-brown eyes narrowed in exasperation. "What do you mean—from me?"
"Exactly that." Yami stated calmly, and that seemed to unravel the already-frayed string of sanity. Bakura stood up, and pointed at the regal dark accusingly. "You're in on it, aren't you? It's a conspiracy and Shadi is out to get me. And you—You—are helping him! How could you…" The last comment was spat, anger and lunacy noticeable in each word.
The former-Pharaoh stood and faced the thief, looking him directly in the eye. His expression was the most serious anyone had ever seen, and it sent unnoticed shivers down Bakura's spine. Yami's hurt was thinly veiled, as was the anger that had accompanied it. "Bakura, I never knew of energy until Shadi revealed it. Why would I go against my own mate, the one whom I swore to love and protect for all eternity?"
The emotion and feeling within the comment were lost upon the thief, and he replied snidely, "You already did it once; why should I believe you wouldn't do it again?"
The reference to Ancient Egypt, and what had happened in that time, went straight to Yami's heart like a dagger, piercing it deeply. He stared at Bakura in disbelief, who in turn sneered, mocking the once-mighty dark. After that, Yami closed his eyes, refusing to give into the burning sensation of tears, no matter how hard the droplets tried to escape.
Bakura glared at the quivering, closed-eyed spirit, and felt a small amount of compassion break through the fortified anger. With a huff, the silver-haired thief exited the kitchen, heading up to the bedroom.
Once the slam of a door resonated around the house, Yami collapsed into a nearby chair, and covered his face with his hands. The tears began to seep through the tightly closed eyelids, trailing their paths over his cheeks. A low sob was verbalized just before his shoulders quaked and he lost himself in the flood of pent-up emotions.
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Beyond the doorway to the kitchen stood the two hikaris, both staring at the distraught regal yami. They were concerned for him, yet angered by the other's actions, when both were truly not to blame for this entire situation. However, just as Yugi started into the kitchen, the phone rang.
Yugi answered it, and no words were exchanged past the traditional "hello". Ryou observed the tri-haired youth, who paled at whatever was said on the other end, then hung up the phone with a sharp click. With utmost concern, the pale youth asked, "Yugi… what's wrong?"
Had it been a prank call? Harassment? Or even maybe a threat? Questions like these swirled through the British youth's mind, causing him to become more worried and anxious by the silenced second. However, his own paranoia was not to last, as Yugi finally sighed then uttered in an extremely quiet voice, "That was Isis."
Despite being overly quiet and hushed, a tri-haired head jolted upright in the nearby room and crimson eyes narrowed. "Aibou… come here, please."
Yugi shook his head and put on an "oh shit" and "why me?" expression before entering the kitchen. Ryou followed discretely behind, as Yugi stepped closer to his dark and asked in a nervous tone, "Y-yes, Yami?"
The regal dark sat rigidly in his chair, and looked every inch of his former station in life. It was eerie to say the least, and even the commanding voice sent chills down the two's spines. "Why did she call, Yugi?"
The words were baited with impatience and eagerness, as well as suspicion and an underlying curiosity. Yugi bit his lip as he struggled to remember; in the moments that had past, her words had slipped from his mind. Eventually the authoritative words were recalled.
"Isis said, 'I bid the Pharaoh and his Thief'…she said that with a mean tone, wonder why." The hikari trailed off, thoughtfully, aware that he was also stalling for time, for an unknown reason. "Um, the Pharaoh and his Thief, to come to my Apothecary shop, for there is much that needs to be revealed.'"
At the end of the statement, Yami raised an eyebrow skeptically. "That's all, honestly." Yugi sweated lightly, hoping that his dark didn't notice the fingers crossed behind his back.
Apparently Yami didn't, for he replied after a pause, "Well, I'm going… alone. Don't tell him where I went." With that, he left the kitchen, and the two hikaris watched him leave. Once the front door clicked close, Ryou looked at Yugi and stated directly, "What did you keep from Yami?"
"Huh?" The amethyst-eyed light asked, feigning complete ignorance. However, it did not fool his boyfriend, and the brown eyes narrowed in suspicion. His British accent was more pronounced and the words clipped with each uttering, "Yugi Motou, what did you keep from telling your dark?"
"W-well, uh, I…" It was hard to explain about what the seer had said, and indeed, Yugi was having extreme trouble. He gulped as he glanced everywhere, except at his lover, and sighed. "I, uh, she said that…"
Ryou's eyes narrowed even more, making the usual warm chocolate color darken to almost a black. A drop of sweat trickled down Yugi's face, and he offhandedly came to the realization that the hikari looked like his yami, especially when provoked. Finally, the words came clear, and the tri-haired youth hurried to say, "S-she said that Shadi has informed her of the change in their fates, and that… I can't remember the rest."
Despite the knowledge that the statement was only half of the message, Ryou accepted it. His normally cheerful expression covered his face, and he smiled at Yugi. Yugi sighed, and walked up to his almost-albino boyfriend, pulling him in for a kiss. And for that, no one saw the dark spirit that lingered in the hallway, listening into the conversation. As soon as he heard the message, he left the house stealthily, and hurried to the exact location he knew where the Pharaoh would be.
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TBC.
deliciae: Hmm, so Bakura found out. What will happen now? I wonder… and unfortunately, next chapter will take some time to be posted. I am moving tonight, to a college about 3 hrs away, so it'll be a while before I can even think about typing again. Also, I will not have a personal computer until my parents finally cave in and buy one. Hopefully I'll be able to post a new one before Christmas time. And, if you have any suggestions about what should happen—like how will Bakura react once he goes in to the Apothecary shop, or how Yami reacts, or anything like that, I'd love to hear it. Thanks for reading, and please review.