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(.........) Yami's thinking
/........./ Hikari's thinking
"........." Normal speech
'.........' Normal thoughts
(A/N: .........) Author's Note
Normal Writing: Common Time
Italic Writing: Dream/memory.
Chapter Nine.
Ryou went to school the next day, remarkably healed because of the Ring. He used the note from the doctors to get out of PE and during lunch he was quiet.
"What's the matter, Ryou?" Joey asked as he stuffed his face with a pizza.
"Nothing." Ryou whispered.
"Liar." Tristan remarked from across the table.
"What is it?" Yugi questioned.
Ryou sighed.
"Bakura won't talk to me. He hasn't since the hospital." Ryou admitted.
"Why?" Joey asked, taking one of Ryou's fries.
"I don't know!" Ryou sighed. "I don't know. But I do miss him. That is odd, isn't it? For so long he's been mean to me, and now that he is leaving me alone I want him back."
Yugi watched him with sympathy. He couldn't imagine it if Yami would refuse to talk to him.
(You don't have to worry about that, Yugi.) Yami whispered in Yugi's mind.
/I know./ Yugi answered.
Ryou buried his head into his arms, surrendering his fries to Joey.
/Yami?/ He called desperately.
- - - - - - - -
Mariku came back the next night. He looked a bit gleeful about something.
"Well? How did the little banquet go with the Pharaoh?" Bakura asked his friend as they lay out on top of the roof of their current dwelling, staring at the brilliant stars.
"Evidently, my family is to guard the tombs of the pharaohs forever." Mariku said, laughing at the irony. "Imagine, I am stealing from those tombs, and now my family is supposed to watch them."
Bakura snickered.
"You'll have to be sure they don't know anything about me or your little raids now." He said.
"I know that, 'Kura."
- - - - - - - -
"I know that, 'Kura." Malik said, staring into Yami Bakura's eyes. It was deep into the night, Ryou had fallen asleep and Bakura had taken control and crept out, desperate to talk to someone.
"I know you know I've been having dreams. That's not the point!" Bakura sighed. "The point is, I've got to stop Ryou from seeing them!"
"Why is that?" Malik asked.
"Because, my memories are getting closer to the time when I finally went on rampage! He does not need to see what I did........." Bakura whispered, sinking onto the couch in Malik's home.
"You care for him, don't you?" Malik said, sitting next to Bakura.
The spirit looked away.
"Yes." He said softly.
"Then, I think you should be truthful and let him see. He will forgive you. He always does." Malik said, sure of himself.
Bakura buried his head into his arms.
"But the things I've done........." he whispered.
"You regret them?"
"Yes."
"You wish you didn't do them?"
"Some, yes."
"Then he will understand." Malik said, as if the case was closed.
"Now, go home and get some rest, Ryou needs to go to school tomorrow." Malik said, pointing towards the door.
Bakura nodded and stood, walking towards the door.
He paused.
Isis stood before him, watching him.
He bowed slightly to her, then walked through the door.
- - - - - - - - -
Ryou woke up.
Bakura had been out last night.
The reason Ryou knew this was because he only saw a fraction of a dream/memory, then a normal dreamless sleep after.
That and he felt a bit less rested than usual.
/Good morning, Bakura./ Ryou said, as he did every morning.
And, as it was every morning, there was no answer.
Ryou sighed and went to school. It was a bit chilly and he pulled his jacket tighter around him.
Cars drove past, and there was the muffled sound of a motorcycle.
"Hey, Ryou! Want a lift?"
Ryou looked over to see Malik riding slowly next to him, tires almost touching the curb.
He pondered whether he should or not.
But as he thought, he felt a sudden awareness in the back of his mind. It was the first time he had felt Bakura since the hospital.
Well, if Malik is what it takes to get Bakura to talk, then Ryou would go with Malik.
He nodded and hopped onto the bike behind Malik, accepting the second helmet.
The speed they were going at caused the chill air to bite into Ryou's hands as he hung onto Malik's waist.
They whirled around a corner, causing Ryou to hold his breath at the dangerous turn.
Maybe he shouldn't have ridden with Malik.
They reached the school, Malik locking up his bike. If anyone tried to steal it, he would know, for not only did he use modern locks, but also Shadow Sealed it as well. No one can pick the lock he sets on his beloved motorcycle.
They walked into the school together, quiet.
"See ya later, Ryou!" Malik said cheerfully as Yugi and co. spotted them and walked over.
"Alright. Thanks for the ride, Malik." Ryou answered. Malik flashed him a grin and sauntered off.
"Are you alright, Ryou?" Yugi asked.
Ryou smiled.
"I'm just fine." He said. He felt a bit better, too. Bakura's defenses didn't seem so strong today, and Ryou could almost feel his yami's emotions.
Almost.
Classes went better than they did yesterday, and once again Ryou was able to avoid PE. He was happy about that, as they were doing a multi-exercise day with suicides, push ups, sit ups, pull-ups, laps, and all that.
Joey griped and groaned to him as they went to lunch.
"Man, Ryou. I wish I can get hit by a car and pull a great recovery but still be able to come to school. I like Biology now that we're done with all that technical stuff, but I would gladly be able to miss THIS class." He muttered.
Ryou smiled.
"Next time, I'll be sure to let you get hit by a car." He said, and Joey pulled a face.
"Thanks a lot. That's not what I meant."
Ryou laughed. Nothing like his friends to lighten his heart.
"Come on, lunch is just ahead." Tristan said, punching Joey in the arm.
Joey took aim at Tristan as Ryou shook his head.
"I'm going to sit with Malik today, okay guys?" He told them.
"Why?" Tea asked. She never did really like Malik. She cast a glance to where the Egyptian was sitting alone at a table. He didn't seem to mind eating by himself.
Ryou ducked his head and made sure no one around was listening.
"Because Bakura went on a little walk last night and I think he went to Malik's, because Malik met me on my way to school and seemed to want to say something. I think he was going to say it when we got here but you guys came along. So maybe he has something to say about Bakura." Ryou explained.
"Oh, well then, see you in class." Yugi said, waving at Ryou. The white haired boy waved back at his friends and walked over to Malik.
Purple eyes glanced up before looking back at the food before him.
"Hey, Ryou. What's up?" Malik asked, applying some ketchup to his burger.
"The ceiling is what's up." Ryou answered, grinning as Malik rolled his eyes.
"Really, you need more original responses." Malik said, grinning at his friend.
"I had something to ask........." Ryou began.
"I kind of thought you did." Malik stated off handedly, squinting one eye as he carefully ordered his fries just right.
"I thought you didn't eat meat." Ryou said, looking at the burger.
"This, my friend, is a veggie burger. Isis made it for me and I nuked it in the cafeteria's microwave." Malik said, waving with a flourish towards the doors that led to the kitchens.
"They let you in there?" Ryou asked.
"With the proper notes from Isis and the principals, they did." Malik answered.
"Was this note from the principals long and gold, with a Egyptian Eye on it?" Ryou asked casually, grinning as Malik pouted.
"No. A actual note." He said, crossing his arms.
"Fine. If you say so."
Malik sniffed. "Well, what did you want to ask me?" he said, and the gleam in his eyes suggested that he already knew what Ryou was going to ask.
"Did Bakura stop over last night? I already told you about the dream/memories I've been having, so you understand me when I say I only had a portion of one last night." Ryou asked, eyeing Malik carefully as the blonde picked up his veggie burger.
"Yes. He did." Malik said, unusually sober and serious.
"What did he say? Why won't he talk to me?" Ryou asked softly, and Malik could hear the concern and anguish in Ryou's voice.
Should he tell Ryou? He was sure Bakura wouldn't want him too, but Ryou was a friend too.
Oh well, the Tomb Robber will get over it.
"Bakura did come over. He told me a couple of things. He didn't tell me why he wasn't talking to you, but he did tell me why he was upset." Malik said, biting his lip.
"Why? He's been brooding, and I can feel it, but I can't feel HIM." Ryou said, close to despair.
"His memories are nearing the point where he goes beserk and crazy, and starts rampaging across Egypt." Malik answered. "He doesn't want you to see those memories, he's afraid you'll never forgive him for the cruelty he displays."
"Why does he finally snap?" Ryou asked, understanding in his eyes.
"I don't know. He wouldn't tell me and he seems to try and avoid it." Malik said.
"Maybe it's the Ring." Ryou said, fingering the leather cord said Ring was hung upon.
"I don't know." Malik answered.
"But I sure hope we find out."
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Well, gee, 'Kura." Mariku said, grinning at his friend.
"What is it now, Mariku?" Bakura answered, staring over the flat sand.
"You're a wonder, do you know that? For one thing, you've gone this long without being caught, and you do all the truly crazy stuff."
"Crazy stuff? How is this crazy?" Bakura asked, turning to look his friend in the eyes.
"Well, I can think of many, but his takes the pot. I mean, ROBBING A PREIST'S TOMB??" Mariku shook his head. "And you call me crazy."
"You are crazy."
"If I'm crazy, you're insane. A psycho."
"You say psycho like it's a bad thing." Bakura said smartly. Mariku shook his head.
"You're a wonder."
"You said that already."
(End Chapter.)
Thanks to all reviewers!
Youkai no tenchii: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like it! I admit I'm pretty good at depressing stories that have a nice flair. Lol.
Chonteclair: Thanks!
Yami No Marik: I don't really like yaoi, though I will read it. You're right when you say there are not many plain Ryou and Bakura fics that aren't yaoi. Thanks for your review! I like writing about Bakura's past!
Daisaigai 697832: Really? I didn't know that. All I know is that silver is less bulky and easier to steal than gold. I have a fetish for coins, you see. Mostly old silver coins, and they are easier to carry than the other kinds I have.
Seethe: Thanks for your review!
Zircon: Lol, here's the next chapter and sorry for the wait. I've been having a difficulty getting the ideas I want typed up properly.
Fast-Talking Johnny: Yep, he does always want to have his say, but for now he needs to be quiet. I don't know why yet, but I will!
Telly: Thanks for your review!
Anime Crazed: Glad you liked, I enjoyed writing that!
HANDHELD Uber Rei Model 05: Lol, thanks for your review.
Queen-galux: Thanks for your reviw!
