Life After Death

By Katia-chan

A/N: Yes, I am finally updating…it has been so long! I am so sorry for making all of you wait, I've had my usual case of writers block and laziness.

You can all thank Jade Cade for this update, because she pointedly reminded me how long it had been, and made me feel guilty. Thanks so much Jade-Chan!

This chapter is dedicated to Kelly Noel. I hope you feel better soon!

Here are the review thank yous for chapter 10, which I couldn't put up last time.

BlueeyesBakura: Gomen, there was a cliffy after all. I'm starting to think I'm genetically incapable of leaving off at a good spot.

Enjeru: Tried…and failed. No quick updates for me.

Dark Magician Girl/Hikaru: I know I know, another cliffy, I'm sorry! I'm glad you liked it, and when I figure out what's going on I'll let you know…which will probably be during the next chapter.

DojoMistressAmbyChan: Tugging on heartstrings…? That sounds painful. Of course it is Murphy's Law that Bakura will come, because Ryou is an unlucky person. Thanks for the review!

Kelly Noel: You think I'm evil? Thank you so much! You are too popular! If you update then I will! …I already am…get better and then update! Thanks for reviewing!

Queen of Games2: The point of locking the casket, my dear friend, is to try and thwart Murphy's plans. Ryou should've thought of claustrophobia before hand, ne? Queeney, you cannot kill my Ryou-Chan yet, I need him. See? I really did update!

Bloodly Bandaid: I am glad you liked it! If you figure out what they're gonna do, let me know. I'm glad you're glad I updated and here's another for you!

Loathe wolf Spirit: Read wherever you like, and thanks for the tip. I need to redo the first 4 chapters completely, and I will once this is finished…however long that may take. Thanks for the comments!

NonYmous: Yes! And now after another 3 months of frustration I update it again! Ryou's plans usually backfire…I don't know if the goody guys will find a way out of this…bribery? Thanks for the Review!

Windswift: I'm baaaaaaaccccckkkkkkk aaagggaaaiiinnnn! Murphy wants to kill Ryou, we all should have realized this by now. Even Kaiba is on his side, and I had to have Ry-chan face the music, I have a sick sense of justice too! Thanks so much for the review!

O. S. Acious: Thanks so much for the compliment, I appreciate it a lot. I updated…way later then I should have, but I updated.

Whew, well, there those are, I'll have the review thank you's for ch11 at the end, and now on to the fic!

Enjoy!

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The silence that filled the church was complete as the entire group stared into the casket. Bakura stood stone still, his face frozen in a mask of horror pain and disbelief. The first small gasp seemed to bring Bakura back to his senses.

His face went deathly white and he raised a hand, as if to strike the boy in the coffin. Ryou's eyes widened and he brac3ed himself for the slap, but it never came.

"You son of a bitch," Bakura whispered, and then took off running down the aisle. Ryou sat up, his face white and his eyes wide and frightened. He glanced at Yami, and at Seto, and at the rest of the people who had known and they watched his features wilt. He climbed slowly out of the casket and stared around. The church was still silent for the most part, until a shriek filled the stillness.

"How could you!" everyone spun around to see Malik on his feet, face deathly pale and fists clenched. His tear stained eyes were wild and the look of betrayal in them sent a dagger spinning into Ryou's chest. "How could you do this to me! You sic bastard!" Malik took off the way Bakura had gone, and Ryou simply stood there for a moment, before taking off after Malik.

"The shit has hit the fan," Kaiba mused as he watched everything from their seats. Joey had his head in his hands and was quietly cursing under his breath. Kaiba glanced at him and decided there were more pressing matters then to beat the life out of him right now.

"Kaiba, can you use some of that stunning PR experience and keep these people busy? Give Ryou some time to sort all this out." Yami quickly walked to the door and looked out it. He could see Ryou in the distance, he must've gone after Malik. 'Good choice" he thought, knowing hta Bakura could hold his own in his grief and pain.

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Ryou raced down the street, following the blond hair that he could see ahead of him. He didn't remember when the blond had gotten so fast, but it was everything he could do to keep up with him. "Malik! Wait!" he yelled after him, and he could see Malik pick up his speed visibly. "Damn it Ishtar! Stop for the love of Ra and let me talk to you!" Malik glanced over his shoulder and gave Ryou the finger.

"Stay away from me Ryou! I don't want to talk to you!" Ryou cursed more and picked up his pace a little more. He slowly began gaining on Malik. It was obvious why; he could hear the blond sobbing from here, and choking on his tears. He crested a hill and began to chase him down it, wondering if it was possible to die from running.

"Bloody hell! Just stop for a minute!" Malik ignored him again, but as he turned a corner Ryou watched his foot catch on the curb and he went sprawling on the tar. Ryou ran up to to where Malik was trying to pick himself up and, without a second thought flipped the blond onto his back and sat on his chest. "If you're not going to listen to me willingly then I'm just going to sit here until you will." Malik glared up at him and stopped trying to push him off.

"What the hell do you want," he said, lying his head back on the curb.

"Well, first I need to tell you," He paused, feeling like the lowest scum of the earth, "I have to tell you that I am so, so sorry." Lavender eyes stared up at him, their hatred burning him.

"Keep your apologies, I don't want them." Ryou sighed deeply, how was he going to do this? How could he understand?

"I can't tell you why I did this Malik, it doesn't make sense anymore," he choked a little, knowing this was his last chance to salvage his friendship, "All I'm asking is for you to forgive me, not like me maybe, but forgive me."

"I honestly don't know if I can Ryou, no one has ever lied to me like this" the hurt flashing in his eyes made Ryou's heart sink to his feet. "This is the most despicable trick anyone I've ever known has ever played, and I don't trust you anymore." Ryou sighed in exasperation and crossed his arms across his chest.

"I'm not asking you to trust me yet, I know that could take a long long time, all I want is for you to forgive me. I promise I'll explain everything, but now I have to go find Bakura."

"That's another thing I don't get, didn't anyone tell you how badly this was hurting him? Didn't anyone tell you how many times he came to our house in tears?" Ryou felt the words stabbing him, and he could still hear Bakura's screams just a few minutes ago. His yami had never sounded more lonely and scared.

"I heard." He whipped at his eyes furiously. "That's why I need to find him, and I need to apologize to. To him too." The blond teen simply stared for a moment, and then nodded slowly.

"I'll forgive you, it doesn't seem like I have much of a choice."

"Thank you so much!" Malik sat up and Ryou rolled off of him. He extended a hand and pulled him to his feet.

"Don't thank me, just go find him." Ryou stood up and began to sprint in the other direction. He figured Malik wouldn't have taken the same way as his darker half. Knowing Bakura he'd gone to a place where it would be impossible to find him.

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Three hours later Ryou was still searching. He had gone to all the places he knew. When he had gone to his house the door had been unlocked, so he had walked in. It had startled him, first to feel like a stranger in his own house, and then the feeling as if one of its occupants had died. The rooms were silent and dusty, the whole place felt like a tomb.

He had walked into Bakura's room and sat down on his bed, feeling lonelier then he had ever felt during the long love starved life he had lead with his dark.

In the living room he had seen the holes in the walls, Bakura's blood spattered in little crimson droplets around them, dried to that frighteningly black color. He felt as if he didn't belong there, and had left soon after encountering the blood.

Now he was walking down the streets, through with all the normal haunts. Bakura hadn't been at the Ishtars, nor in the park, and he hadn't encountered him wandering. This was turning out to be a fruitless search, and on top of it all it had started to rain heavily. Ryou pushed his hair out of his eyes and cursed the laws of nature that said it had to rain when you were frustrated and outside. It was insanely cold and he wanted to find Bakura and be done with this.

He sighed and decided to go find the others at the church. He hoped they would have stayed there, he had a lot of explaining to do to the congregation. Anyway, that was the closest and he was freezing out here. He trudged towards it, feeling similar to a drowned rat, and ten times as miserable.

He reached it and pushed open the heavy doors. His heart sank as he realized it was empty. All the lights had been turned off and people had left quite a while ago it seemed.

He walked down the center aisle, smelling the over powering scent of flowers. It was almost enough to make someone feel sick. There were hymnals on the pews, and he picked one up and played with its thin pages, staring down at it and not seeing it. He set it down and continued to walk towards the front. His casket was still there. He felt a chill, seeing an open casket at a funeral.

Walking towards it he almost wished it would have burst into flames with him in it. It would have been preferable to hurting people like this. All of Yami's admonitions and Seto's scornful looks replayed in his mind, and he couldn't help feeling irritated. They probably had a sense of smug satisfaction right now, knowing they had been right.

The wood of the casket gleamed, and he went to it, deciding to sit in there and think for a while, to straighten out his head.

But there was already someone sitting in it.

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A/N: I really must stop doing this to everyone since you all have been so wonderfully patient, but I can't help myself.

Again it is short, but I thought the update would be appreciated no matter the length…maybe? I'm sorry if this was sort of a pointless chapter, I'm still lacking in creativity.

All reviews, as long as they are constructive, are welcome. Please give them!

Review thanks for chapter 11

Jade Cade: Don't destroy your computer! You were very…poignant at pointing out the length of my nonupdation…make me feel guilty why don't you! I personally don't mind if you spaz on Joey…it makes me feel safer. Thanks so much for getting me back into this and for your review and for adding me to your favorites!

Pork Stake the Grand: This can't be considered soon, can it? And that cliffy did go away! It was just replaced with a new one! Thanks for reviewing, you made my day!

DD: I did more, happy? I hope you're still into it! Thanks so much!

ChainsLeatherSex: Ryou is mean, Kura is actually the victim…it's amazing. Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you liked it…and don't hurt me!

CaecusLupa: Can you breathe now? Hope so! Well, I did only take three months this time…is that ok? Thanks for reviewing!

Lill-Riter: Thanks so much for reviewing, I love it when people like what I write. Little ego boost! Yes, I love cliffies, can't resist them. Thanks for putting up with that!

Bree-chan: I almost made you cry? I'm sorry! I'm glad you liked it though, and you're one of the first people who sees Ryou's cause as something ok! I'm sure he's loving you right now…because he's currently hating me. Thanks for reviewing!

BunnyAsakura: Yes, something always goes wrong for poor Ryou, doesn't it? Thanks for reviewing!

Taurinel: Don't hurt me please! I promise I'll update more! Thanks for leaving your threats…they have been duly noted, and thanks for reviewing! People who threaten me get me to update faster.

TehMeev: Welcome back to the anime fandom! We're glad to have you back. You think I'm evil? Thanks so much! You are awesome for reviewing!

ZNZA: I'm giving you the next chapter, later then I had planned, but here it is! Thanks for your review!

Ka Tokubi: I'm glad you like this, and yes, Baku-Chan is rather amusing. I know Yami Malik is out of char, but I needed a go between, and I decided to use my very small creative license to bend reality for a bit…and can you see Ryou being this mean either? You are awesome for reviewing this! Come back next chapter!

Esther'nEra-guardians-ofChaos: Don't choke! I'm glad I made you laugh though, and I tried to hurry! I really did! Thanks for reviewing!

DojomistressAmbyChan: Yes…yes I have a vague idea of the most wanted lists I'm on…but did you have to remind me! I know it was cruel, but I don't wanna die! Fake nails? Good idea if you react to cliffies in that way. Thank you so much for reviewing this story! You make me feel special!

nOnymOus: I hate cliffies too…and I hate updating too apparently. My muses do at least, it's their fault! Thanks for the review!

DeathXStar: You like it? Thank you so much! Bakura deserves to be pitied, after all he is being emotionally tortured for 12 chapters. Thanks for reviewing! It means so much!

Dark Magician Girl/Hikaru: Is this soon enough? No…? Ok! Here's a new chapter! I'm glad you appreciate my cliffies, and Bakura is open for hugs and comfort from all who care to. Thanks for your review!

Queen Of Games2: Uh, you may want to close your mouth, flies tend to fly into open ones. Bakura has a twisted sense of grieving, doesn't he? Kaiba stated your exact sentiments. I know the last chapter, and this one for that matter, were way to short! I'll try really hard to make the next one longer! Thanks for reviewing!

Windswift: I'm glad you had gotten home, and I shall review until the end of time! Poor Bakura is right. Thank you for your loyal readership!

Black Crystall Draygon: You still have some sanity left? Lucky you! I'm sorry for leaving it where I did, and I'm sorry for leaving it here too. Forgive me and continue to stay with this please! Thanks for your comment about the emotion, that meant a lot.

MENace tenChi: Your socks rock? Fun! I want rocking socks. Yeah, I've lost it. I hope you didn't hurt yourself! Maybe you should read lying down? Thanks for leaving a review!

Name: I'm glad I amused you. It makes me feel good to know I'm not the only one who laughs at these predicaments. Thanks for reviewing!

O. S. Acious: I'm so glad you liked this, and even though it sounds a bit, uh, twisted, the fact that it had you tearing up makes me happy. Poor Ryou-Chan needs more friends.

That was so many reviews! Thank you to everyone who read, even if you didn't review. You are all so great, and as always, I will get chapter 13 out as soon as possible. I'm sorry this was so short, and I hope you can all forgive me the length.

Happy white day!

TTFN

Katia-chan