deliciae
Amor in aeternum: Forever Love : Chapter 10

Muse: Thanks go out to The Summer Stars for reviewing the last chapter. Oh, and good-job MiniMiniMuse for ripping up deliciae's books.

MiniMiniMuse: ::smiling::

deliciae: Hey, that isn't funny.

Muse: Never said it was. On with the ficcy.

Disclaimer: Don't own. You'd know if we did.

Warnings: OOC-ness. Yaoi: don't like, please leave.

Pairing: Yami x Bakura

Yami arrived at the Mega Mall and made his way through the throngs of shoppers. Finally reaching his destination, the Wizard's Shop, he was startled to notice the darkened interior and closed door. Tentatively, the dark grasped the doorknob and attempted to turn it. No such luck; indeed, the place was locked up solid.

'If it's closed, then where did Isis…' he trailed off as he turned to walk away. Behind him, the lock clicked and the door slightly swung open. Yami turned at the noise and was surprised to see the now-unlocked door. With a regal stance, the tri-haired spirit pushed the door further opened, expecting to see the black-haired seer. But no one was there; however, the air was alive with the feel of Shadow Magic, and the crimson orbs narrowed slightly.

Further inside, the store became darker as the light seemed to fade from the interior. There was no sign of anyone, but Yami knew better. Someone was around… just where that someone was at was another question. Far behind the register was a beaded curtain, obscuring the passage to the storage room, and if he was correct, an office or two.

Indeed, Yami was correct, yet the first office area yielded no results; it was just a workroom filled with vials and powders and whatnot. Only one door remained, and just as his fingers slipped around the doorknob, ready to open, the door jerked open. Yami released the door immediately, and met crystalline-blue eyes which were filled with amusement and a wealth of knowledge. "Welcome back, my Pharaoh."

Isis glanced down the hallway, her brows knitted in a frown, "Did you not bring Bakura?"

The barest of an agreement slipped from the ruler's lips, only to be followed by a voice from across the darkened room. "You didn't need to bring him, Yami."

Curious as to who else was there, the spirit stepped more into the room. Seto casually on a leather couch, yet his posture was stiff and anger burned in the icy-blue orbs. At this, Yami wondered if Isis had said something to his Priest, but his thought was stopped by a creak of the office chair.

It had been facing the wall, and slowly turned, revealing the other occupant of the room. The blonde hair shone like sunlight despite the lack of light, and the purple eyes were full of mirth. In his hands, the Millennium Rod twirled about idly, and once Yami recovered from the shock of seeing his Tomb Guardian before him, he noted offhandedly that was what Seto was probably angered by.

"What are you doing here?" The words echoed in the silent room, and none seemed to have a full explanation. A moment passed as Isis took a seat next to Seto, and all eyes were directly on the Pharaoh. Unfortunately, this only caused the already nervous/upset male to become enraged at the lack of answers. "Well?"

Malik smiled, finally holding the Millennium Rod tight in his fist, and he leaned forward on the desk. "I'm here only because…"

The guardian trailed off, and his sister continued, "I requested his presence, Pharaoh. It is of great importance that we are together for this."

Those words pierced the anger-coated shell around Yami, and he sat down on another strategically placed chair. His body was exhausted from the recent events and his argument with Bakura. Seto glanced at him curiously, and Yami shook his head, implying 'I'm fine.'

Despite the comment, the reincarnated Priest refused to believe the regal spirit. Instead, he turned toward the siblings and stated in his business-tone, "What is this great importance?"

Isis looked at the trio who watched her, and frowned lightly. "Unfortunately I cannot say until our last member is here…"

At that, Yami stood up, anger once again flaring at full force. His eyes were narrowed and his hair spikier than normal. "No! He will not be here! I forbid it!"

---

Outside the door, Bakura stood, his form hidden in the shadows of the hallway. The words that Yami uttered, filled with such venom pierced the thief's heart, causing it to twist in pain. 'I didn't mean…' He paused on his thought, as regret began filling him.

When he had stormed to the bedroom, his anger dissipated by the time he slammed the door, yet it was too late—far too late to take back those accusing, hate-filled words; words that he had never meant to say. He had thought long and hard over the argument; was it truly Yami's fault?

Now Bakura was almost certain that the tri-haired monarch was not lying, nor was he in a conspiracy with that… that Shadi. Besides, despite the entire sealing-into-the-ring episode, which was only a probable response for thievery, Yami had loved, had treasured him above all else.

That thought alone made the white-haired spirit almost cry out in grief, for it felt like his heart was ripped in two. A tear trickled down his normally passive face, and splashed onto the dark fabric of his clothing, immediately being soaked up. Now he knew… it wasn't Yami that had been at fault. It was he who had been at fault, and for that, the only recourse was to apologize and pray to all the Gods that his love would forgive him.

Taking a deep breath, Bakura straightened up from his position and stepped forward to the semi-open door. His pale hand reached out and silently pulled it open. With his years of experience as a thief, he stole into the room without arousing anyone's suspicions. But before he could step into the shadows once again, the Millennium Rod was pointed at him, and all eyes forced on the emotionally tormented spirit.

Dark chocolate-brown eyes stared as Malik stated, "Bakura?" yet the questioning word did not penetrate the thief's mind. No, all Bakura was able to see was Malik's lips moving, no sound, as a pain suddenly gripped him, coming up suddenly. It struck without warning, and he fell to his knees, not hearing everyone gasp, including Yami.

Was this true heartbreak, or was it a heart attack? He wondered idly as the pain finally closed in, taking its victim. As his vision darkened and he slumped down onto the floor, he spotted Yami's tear-filled gaze and held it until he saw nothing else.

---

No one knew what had happened when the thief slumped to the ground, Yami holding onto his body cautiously. Malik looked at the Millennium Rod in confusion, as if blaming it for the entire deal. Seto glared at the blonde youth, and muttered under his breath, "Idiots shouldn't play with things that weren't theirs to begin with."

Unfortunately, the so-called idiot had heard the statement and if it were not for the glare his sister was giving him or the seriousness of the situation, he would've attacked the former Priest. So instead, in a very childish move, he held the item up victoriously and stuck out his tongue.

Isis looked away from the two, shaking her head in disbelief. Those two were certainly not going to be of help, not while the Millennium Rod's ownership was up for challenge. Gently she knelt next to Yami, who brushed a stray lock of hair off the thief's forehead. "Are you still mad at him?" Her voice was soft, and full of curiosity.

Crimson eyes blinked in saddened realization, and huskily he whispered, "No." His tri-toned locks swayed as he shook his head and continued his statement, "No, not any longer."

Carefully he looked at his thief for any sign of what was possibly wrong, and found none. Bakura laid in his hold, gently breathing. It looked like he was just asleep, not that he had passed out from something unknown.

Moments passed in which Yami glanced away for the first time, finally realizing that Seto would help him. However, the sight that he saw startled him. Malik was playing with the Millennium Rod as if it were a toy, purposely trying to anger Seto, who was making a point of not looking. With a sigh, the royal uttered, "Seto, get over here and help."

Blue eyes blinked at the order, but he dare not refuse his Pharaoh. Quickly he hurried from his post, and knelt next to the trio on the carpeted floor. With an intense look, Seto glanced over the body of the one he disliked, finding nothing out of the ordinary. "Isis, do you have any smelling salts?"

The seer nodded then scurried to find them from the main room. Maybe it was only a fainting spell that had gripped the thief. And if it were not, then they'd figure it out once Bakura was awake.

After what seemed like an eternity to Yami, Isis finally returned to the room, clutching a small glass bottle in her hand. Quickly she uncorked it when she knelt again, and placed it below the unconscious one's nose.

A low groan slipped out after a moment, then the silver-hair-laden head tilted to one side to get away from the salts. Bakura's eyes blinked open, and he groggily asked, "Where…"

Yami quickly pulled his beloved mate closer to him, and sighed with contentment. Once Bakura became more aware, the soft words of apology were uttered, "I'm sorry."

Confusion crossed Bakura's face—had he said it without realizing it? But when the words came again, he understood. Yami was apologizing, for what the thief didn't know, yet it shouldn't be the proud yami that was the one apologizing; it was supposed to be him.

The words came out in a husky whisper and Yami sat back, slightly surprised. Only once before had he heard the albino-like spirit utter an apology, and the words were a comforting, soothing balm to both of their wounded and angry spirits.

Both sets of lips melded together, and in their mind, everyone else slipped away, and they were alone. While that was not the true reality, it was to their passion-induced one. Slowly they broke apart, and looked at each other, "Forgiven?" The words came out as one, and simultaneously each nodded, forgiving the other within a heartbeat.

"Now, this is nice and all, but can we get to the reason why Isis requested you here?" Malik stated angrily, once he realized that his hand held empty air. Seto's hand, however, was filled with the swiped golden treasure, and he smirked triumphantly. Reluctantly Yami and Bakura broke apart, only to share the single chair together.

With everyone seated, Malik leaned forward once again, although this time sparing a momentarily glare at Seto, before he began to state, "Isis told me that you two had bonded." He clearly implied the spirits, and Seto took the time to glare at Bakura, in which Malik took back the Millennium Rod.

Before Seto turned back and realized it was gone, the Egyptian youth had it locked in one of Isis's desk drawers. Yami and Bakura tried not to snicker at the ongoing events, for they had watched the entire 'exchange'. Finally the Priest realized what happened and chose to take the time to glare at the Tomb Guardian, demanding that the Millennium Rod should be returned to its proper owner.

This only began a new round of headaches for the Pharaoh, as even he didn't know which one should have the Rod. Finally in a fit, Yami demanded the item's possessor be he, and he alone, until one of the two were finally going to act like an adult. Malik gave the golden treasure over hesitantly, and then whimpered once it was out of his hold. Never before had the Millennium Rod been taken from him, aside from Seto snatching it, and now it had come to pass.

With the debate about the sacred item over, now came the important information. From that same unlocked drawer, Malik pulled out a newer papyrus scroll and unrolled it atop the massive desk. The hieroglyphs were dark, the ink stains recent, yet that wasn't what caught the attention of the group. No, it was the fact that this was the missing part of the fabled tablet—the very one that held the consequence of the bonding spell.

All four viewers leaned forward, each set of eyes glued to the distinct symbols, attempting to decipher them. "Where did you…" The statement was only half uttered, but Malik understood and replied, "Among the spoils from a thief's hideout."

"Hey!" Bakura's voice echoed about the room, filled with indignation and horror of the fact that his own cache had been 'stolen'. But his remark was not commented to, as everyone's attention was absorbed in the parchment.

Malik continued his statement, acting as if Bakura had never made an exclamation. "I transcribed the tablet piece, so I could easily bring it here and so that the piece itself wouldn't get damaged or stolen yet again…"

Again Bakura spoke up, his words full of indignation, "Hey!" Once again, he was disregarded. However, this time the reason for it was that the words were beginning to come clear, the text unraveling its mystery. "If it is used for binding, there is a consequence. Of what the consequence is depends on how the spell is used… if it is used for a binding of true love…"

The following hieroglyphs seemed to disappear into thin air, stopping the translation effectively. Just as everyone's fingers touched the place where the hieroglyphs were, the papyrus scroll began to burn, as if the fingers themselves sparked it. Quickly each pulled away from the scroll; Isis hurried to the fire extinguisher, yet there appeared no need for it.

For as the scroll burnt, the hieroglyphs each burnt into the desk's top, charring it with each word. Yet, only half of the scroll was there, the other half's fate was unknown. Isis looked at the shocked expression on Malik's face and knew immediately that the guilt was not his.

Something was more at play here, and the seer's face was covered with a frown. Could it be Shadi? That thought seemed ridiculous once it rested within her mind. There was no way the Millennium Guardian to have a role in disrupting the two spirits' fate.

Maybe it was just that whatever was written wasn't yet supposed to be known. A smile lingered on Isis' face at the thought… yes, that had to be it.

Behind her, Seto leveled an icy glare at the violet-eyed Malik, and uttered, "This is all your fault…"

"Is not…"

"Is too…"

Despite their ages and stations in life, they sure seemed childish. Isis thought as she looked at the two spirits, who were comforting one another with the similar knowledge that she herself had come up with: It all wasn't supposed to be yet known.

However, that did nothing to stop the ponderings of what was going on in the Shadow Realm and what Shadi was up to.

TBC.

deliciae: I am not too happy with this chapter, it didn't go how I wanted it. And the characters are way OOC. But it did cover what Isis wanted to say. In the next chapter, it's becoming more obvious about what is going on with the Shadow Realm, Shadi, and Bakura. Will the secret finally be revealed? It might just be. Thanks for reading this chapter, and please don't forget to review.