Chapter Twelve

I crawled out of the debris and looked around. 'What do you know, I won.' The place was in ruin, Mai was dead. I could she her body hanging out of the rubble. Her legs had been crushed and there was a huge gash in her head, no one could pull though after that. Ian on the other hand wasn't in clear view. As I scanned the ground for a sign as to where he was, my heart stopped. There, exactly were Ryou had been earlier, was Vincent's red cloak covering my two friends, if Ryou would accept me even as that. I couldn't blame him if he didn't, not after I failed him. Not just once but twice. 'What in the world are they still doing here?' Luckily they seemed alright, with only a few scraps and will be bruises on Vincent's part.

I walked over; alright I stumbled/crawled over to them as fast as I could. When I got there Vincent stood and walked away. Before he turned I saw a smile on his face and in his eyes. Walking into the night and toward what I knew to be his love. 'What was her name? Lou...Lucy...Lucrezia, yes that was it Lucrezia.' I mentally wished him luck and my deepest gratitude before turning to my own love. Holding and rocking him, trying my best to keep him safe and making him feel loved; muttering nonsense word, telling him how much he means to me.

Tears had come to my eyes often sense I met Ryou but I had never let them fall freely. Something had always stopped me. Normally pride or ignorance. But that was different now. A lot of things were different. Now one did fall. One that contained all my love, hopes, and dreams for the future. One that radiated with its own light, a light that exploded and enveloped us as it hit Ryou cheek.

When sight was possible I looked around and realized we were now in a different realm. A realm I had heard of but never been to. If memory serves it is called The Judgement Realm, a realm where true lovers went if one was about to die before their time. Legend goes, if their love is strong enough a miracle would happen, but if the lovers failed the test they would be separated and never see each other again though the memories they shared would remain with them in their hearts. This meant neither would ever feel complete, which was something I never wanted Ryou to experience. The realm itself was easily described as the exact opposite of The Shadow Realm. Instead of endless black and purple that stretches in every direction in The Shadow Realm, white and silver dominated this plane.

Soon I felt a tug at my arms as Ryou was raised out of them and levitated a good number of feet above the ground. "Ryou?" I asked the question of what was going on and why was he levitating as casually as if asking the time. He seemed so calm but then again I guess so did I. I didn't even acknowledge the pain that shoot through my back or the ripping of skin as wing protruded from it. Wings; ebony black and smooth, but at the same time still tough. Wings of a demon, while Ryou had wings of an angel. His were made of silky feathers instead of leather like mine were, and his were white. A pure white, untouched by the evils of the world.

"Why?" His voice was stronger than I had expected but still a little strained.

"What do you mean?" There were so many questions of 'why'. 'Why did this happen? Why wasn't I there for him? Why did we have wings?' And many more I didn't know which one he was speaking of. Or maybe he was asking them all at once.

"Why do you still love me? I'm...t-tainted."

'What? How could he think that of himself like that? What a stupid question. Of course he was going to think that. I will just have to make sure he doesn't continue to think such a way.' No sooner had he finished talking did he start to fall. To make sure he wasn't hurt I flew both towards him and up. This way when I caught him I could let myself drop a little and lessen the impact. Holding him close he confused my by apologizing. "What are you talking about? You have no reason to apologize."

"I'm weak, I couldn't stop them. I was too weak."

I gasped and tightened my grip on him. Without much thought I took his chin and pressed my lips to his, trying to pour all my love for him into that one kiss. I needed him to realize how much I love him and have him stop putting himself down. I was no longer thinking. Just saying what ever came to mind. "You're not weak, you are very strong. Stronger than me." That was true but apparently he disagreed for he shook his head into my shoulder and I felt I was about to cry again. I hated that he thought this way about himself. "Yes you are. You remained an angel even after what those people did to you. You didn't hurt other because of your pain like I did."

"You-you were ra-" he didn't finish his thought but I still knew what he was asking.

I nodded but remembering he was blind corrected myself. "Yes, by my father actually."

"I'm sorry, and I'm also sorry for not believe in you."

There he goes again. Apologizing when there is no need for him to. "It's okay, you had every right not to."

"I wish I could see you now." 'I wish the same if it would make you happy.'

"You can," came a female voice. I almost jumped but luckily caught myself otherwise it would have startled my Ryou. When looking for the voice's owner I found no one. The voice had seemed to come from everywhere at once. "There is nothing wrong with you eyes."

What was she talking about? My Ryou can't see and she says there is nothing wrong. Ryou asked the question first thought, "What so you mean? I can't see."

"That is only because you didn't want to. You were afraid to see the face of those boys or the face of the one you thought betrayed you. All you have to do is will yourself to see and you can. Trust in Bakura." That made sense. It would explain way he couldn't see and way his soul room had been black. That was how he felt, so it reflected in his soul. I felt him nod than seemed to concentrate. I gave a reassuring squeeze and looked down into his eyes. Slowly the light and joy returned to his chocolate brown eyes. There were tears streaming down my face, this time tears of happiness. Finally he relaxed and wrapped his arms and wings around my waist and I wrapped my wings over his back.

The next words he spoke were soft but full of life. "I can see. Thank you, Bakura. Thank you, mother." 'Mother? Could he mean the woman's voice?'

"You're welcome, my son." 'Guess so.' "Thank you Bakura for watching over him for me and my husband. We can never express our appreciation enough."

"I only wish I could have done more." 'Protected him better. Kept him from some of this pain.'

"Nonsense, you did everything possible. I am sure Ryou agrees, don't you?" Ryou nodded and I appreciated it even if I didn't agree. You don't believe what I say, fine, but at least believe what Ryou tells you. The voice of Ryou's mother sounded in my head. Could he lie to you?

I looked down at the angel in my arms and shook my head. (No, he couldn't lie.)

Then you believe me, I nodded. Good, then I am sending you back to your realm.

(What? Wait, I thought we were to be judged. This is the Judgement Realm, right?)

The voice chuckled, Yes, this is the Judgement Realm and you have already passed the test.

(Huh? Alright, now you've lost me.)

Another chuckle, The test was Ryou's sight. Even though we didn't cause it the fact that he became emotionally blind was handy for the test.

(Emotionally blind?)

After your seeming betrayal and then the rape Ryou was devastated. He couldn't handle such pain, as a resolute he started to close up. Distancing himself from the rest of the world. In doing so he lost his eye sight because he never wanted to see the faces of the ones that hurt him again. Any hikari would have acted this way but it was especially hard for Ryou for two reasons. He had been alone must of his life, even before you showed up. He had a few friends, such as Malik and Yuugi but even towards them he stayed removed. But when he learned you returned his love his world brightened up. You knew almost everything about him and you still accepted him. Something he always doubted others would do, for reasons I am not sure of. Then when he saw you and Mai his world crashed down around him. He thought he had been lied to and used. Lastly was the rape; this unearthed something that happened years ago. A year after my death he was rapped multiple times by his uncle. Do you know how traumatic that is for an eight year old? His uncle watched over Ryou while his father was on digs before Ryou was old enough to do it himself. For the first year everything was fine but after his aunt died his uncle began to drink more and more. Occasionally he would came home and take his frustration out on Ryou. Only beating him at first but eventually he found other ways to take out his anger, ways he found more pleasurable. Ryou never told anyone and it was like that for two years, until he was ten and his father said he was old enough to stay alone. He has never completely gotten over it and only started to forget a month before you arrived.

(Why didn't he tell anyone?) I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How come he never told someone they could have helped him?

His uncle threatened to hurt his father. Figures, Ryou will do whatever possible to make sure another isn't hurt. It takes a great deal for someone to become emotionally blind but it takes even more to reverse the process. Only two soul-mates could have accomplished such a feat. You too have proven beyond a doubt that you are meant to be together. You are the best thing that has ever happened to Ryou, never think otherwise. As her words faded so did the light. Everything happened so quickly that I blinked and when my eyes reopened Ryou and I were in the middle of the pile of debris from earlier.

Now that I was calmer than before it was easier to spot Ian. Judging from his appearance I guessed that one of his legs was broken, so were at least two ribs. Still he was attempting to get away. I could never allow that now could I. Since the Judgement Realm had restored my energy supply I could once again use my shadow powers. Using these powers I created a bind that wrapped itself around his neck and squeezed, cutting off all oxygen. He started to struggle and scream, but since I noticed that my angel was asleep I wouldn't have this idiot waking him. Holding my hand like a gun I shot a sphere of pure darkness that became solid as it flew towards him. When it impacted, it slowly and painfully entered into his body on the way to his heart, killing him in the most painful way I could think of. Because combined with the physical pain was the feeling of emptiness and misery. Eventually his body hung limp in the hold of the shadow bind before the powers dispersed and Ian fell ungracefully to the ground. Not even shadow powers could bring him back now.

Looking down at my hikari I saw he no longer had wings and the only sign of them ever existing were two scars from where the wings had been. All his other wounds had healed till nothing but the faintest scars were visible. Lifting him gently I headed toward his home and maybe my home.


Nervous

Excited

Afraid

Today was my first birthday I have celebrated in over 5,000 years. I never really aged while inside the ring so counting years was worthless. But since I became 'friends' with Ryou we have had time to talk about such matters. We decided that since Ryou is the other half of my soul and one forgets their birthday after 5,000 year we might have shared the same date of birth; so we agreed to have a joint birthday.

Today was the day. I had been planning this for weeks. I reached into my pocket and touched the box that contained Ryou's present. I knew he wanted it, I had entered his dreams once and saw what I was about to do, but I was still nervous. I certainly didn't want to rush anything. I had once tried to go beyond kissing and Ryou he gotten scared, apologizing saying he wasn't ready. Scaring or hurting him is the last things I want to do.

Upon arriving home I looked down at my suit. I had rented a tuxedo for the day, most of which I spend with Marik. He had called around noon and asked for me to come over. Ryou suggested I should go but voted to stay behind himself. While I was over with Marik we talked about our relationships. Marik had finally told Malik how he felt and Malik had returned his feelings. Both of them have also helped with the surprise. Malik, in telling me what I was supposed to do, and Marik, more for moral support.

Quietly I opened the door hoping to surprise my koi but it was I instead who was surprised. Inside all the lights were out. The only light came from candles which lined a pathway to the dinning room. Once at the dinning room I was paralysed momentarily with shock. Candles were once again the only lighting to the room. On the table was a romantic dinner for two with roses and music. In the middle of the room was the one who put it all together. He was dressed in a white suit with a white shirt and shoes to match. He walked up to me and said, "Happy Birthday, koi," before wrapping his arms around my neck and giving me a gentle kiss.

"Did you make all this?" He nodded sheepishly. I laughed then gave him another kiss. "You look wonderful," he blushed.

"You too."

His smile gave me the temporary courage I needed to say what I wanted to say. I took his arms from around my neck and he put on a face of mock insult until I knelt on one knee and reached into my pocket. He gasped in surprise and I opened the box I had brought out to reveal a ring. On the ring was the Irish claddagh-Irish wedding symbol-a heart adorned with a crown being held by two hands. Ryou had pointed it out once while on our way to the grocery store. The hands represented friendship, the heart love, and the crown stood for loyalty. "Ryou, will you marry me?"

Tears started falling from his eyes but the sweet smile he gave me let me know the answer. "Oh, Bakura," he fell to his knees, "yes, thank you so much, yes." Kneeling beside him we started to kiss. Once he had calmed down enough he pulled back and looked me in the eyes. "My turn to give you your present." He leaned forward until his lips captured mine and forced my back on the ground. He took off my jacket and had started to unbutton my shirt when he pulled away just enough to speak. "I'm ready."


LF: Only one more chapter left. But this is my St. Patrick's Day present to everyone.

Bakura: points to LF Obsessed with the holiday.

LF:That's because it doesn't get enough respect. Anyways battery is dying so enjoy.