—I have completed yet another Chapter. Now before you read I want you to pay close attention to this paragraph right here. I won't be updating for a long while, because I'm in some serious trouble with my parents and it's not looking too good. So I will try and update when I can, but it might not be in the very near future. But I will update! This I promise my loyal readers!
Chapter Nine – Broken Hearts
Ryou curled up into the fetal position as he lay on his bed. He'd locked the door and put a magic seal on it to prevent Bakura from using magic to enter. He was frightened and sad without Nuri. His soul felt only half complete and he was furious that Bakura would do such a thing. His fire for the evil Druid was fading rapidly to a mere spark. But it was still there deep inside.
"Nuri…please be all right, my friend. You've been with me since I first became a Druid. Our mentors thought that we were awfully young to go through such a ritual, but we proved them wrong. We bonded our souls and lived through it." Ryou said to himself. Nuri had been a pet, traveling companion, study buddy, and dear friend to Ryou for at least five years.
The White Druid hugged a pillow to his chest and wished he knew if Nuri had survived or not. He had found his windows broken and the cage where Bakura imprisoned Nuri had been opened and empty. Did Nuri escape? Did the pooka think Ryou hated him? Ryou could only pray he would find his white pooka.
"I should have never betrayed Prince Alexander." Ryou said. He suddenly sat up. "Wait, Alexander will forgive me. He's my friend and I can help him protect the British Empire from Bakura's Knights. At least I know how those Knights were created." He stood and collected as much of his books and scrolls as he could to make himself ready to leave.
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"Nuri!" Diamond Dust shouted when she saw the white pooka lying on the table in the middle of Daelin's study. She jumped from Diana's shoulder and ran to Nuri's side. The white pooka was still alive, but barely.
"What happened to him?" Diana asked.
"It's Ryou's pooka. The bond between him and the White Druid was severed. A fairy found Nuri in a cage and in this condition." Daelin replied. "Diana, you are the only one who has the power to heal Nuri."
Diana blinked. "You mean repair the bond between them?"
Jhada sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, no power in any world can do that. Such a magic is older than time itself. Just heal the poor creature the best you can."
Diana nodded and aimed her staff at the white pooka. Diamond Dust nuzzled Nuri before leaping to Daelin's shoulder.
"Concentrate on the healing process, Diana." Daelin instructed.
Just like when I saved Henry, Diana thought. She focused her thoughts and feelings to a living, healthy Nuri. She had never really met Nuri and she didn't really know how he was, but she imagined that he must be pretty wonderful for Diamond Dust to love him so. The eyes on the Blue Eyes Head of Diana's staff started to glow dimly. The glow brightened and Nuri's body became enveloped in the same glow.
Diamond Dust started to relax when she saw Nuri's fur become brighter and neater. He didn't look so close to death now. But the lady pooka could feel that it was taking all of Diana's focus and attention to help Nuri. Diamond Dust whispered this fact to Daelin and he nodded. "I can sense it. She needs to exercise her power. That's what Silverfox says anyways."
Finally the glow died down and Diana fell to her knees. Yugi ran to her side and let her rest her head on his shoulder. Nuri's eyes fluttered open and Diamond Dust was at his side again. Diana sighed at the swelling of happiness and relief that she felt coming from her pooka. The two pookas tackled each other and Nuri pulled at Diamond Dust's ear and she scratched at his fur.
To Yugi, they looked they were trying to kill each other. But he noticed that no one else was protesting, so he kept quiet about it. When the pookas were calm down, Nuri jumped down to the floor and bowed his head. "Thank you Rose Duelist. You saved me and I'm very grateful to you."
"You're welcome." Diana said.
Nuri looked at Yugi and smiled. "King Henry! Nice to see you again!"
"Nuri…" Yugi said. The King helped Diana to her feet and Diamond Dust jumped down to stand beside Nuri.
"Don't scare me like that again, Nuri. I thought you were going to die."
"Why? I'm not going anywhere, Diamond Dust." Nuri said.
Diamond Dust rolled her eyes. Jhada coughed to get their attention. "You realize this means Ryou's probably angry at Bakura by now, right?"
"He'll leave Bakura, I know it." Nuri said. "Ryou and I are no longer connected, but it doesn't our bond for me to know that he's hurt and sad. I should go and find him."
"Just like Rosenburg said." Fin whispered. Yugi nodded in agreement.
Jhada stamped her foot in irritation. "I have to go find Ryou. I've known him since we were kids. I can help him."
"You said you had to stay here and protect Yugi."
"Let his woman do that, Dark Shadow." Jhada snapped.
"Don't you talk to me like that, Silverfox."
"If Fin was in Ryou's position right now, you'd do something about it too. Why is it any different with me?" Jhada growled. She turned on her heel and left the room.
Daelin sighed. "She is so complicated."
"Let her go." said Yugi.
"I intend to, sire." Daelin grunted. "You should take Diana to rest for a while. I'll send Melisanne in with food and drink."
Yugi nodded and helped Diana back to her room with the pookas following. Yugi sat on the bed and leaned against the headboard while Diana put her head in his lap. Diamond Dust and Nuri curled up next to each other at the foot of the bed in a blissful sleep.
"I noticed your eye, Henry. Are you okay?"
Yugi's lips curled into a small smile. "I'm all right now, Diana." He ran his fingers through her hair and sighed peacefully. "My world is brighter when you're near me."
Diana blushed slightly. "What about your kingdom?"
"They're fine. I told you I left Yami in charge." Yugi rubbed his stomach. "God, I'm hungry. I hope Melisanne hurries with our food."
Diana frowned a little. "Yugi, shouldn't you go back to your kingdom?"
"I'm staying here with you, Diana. I want to help you."
Diana sat up and looked at him. "Henry…they need you more than I do."
Yugi straightened and hugged her. "Diana, I need to be with you." He flipped her over so that she was lying on the bed and he was kissing her. He pulled away and buried his head in her neck. "I need to be close to you, Diana. I love you so much."
"I love you too, Henry. But your people need their King to support them and help them. No doubt those Immortal Thieves damaged a lot of property and killed so many people."
"Yes. But I want to help you before anything else." came Yugi's muffled response.
Diana immediately pushed him off her. "Henry, what is wrong with you? Those are the people that stood by you when you were in exile. They're the same people that came to your coronation and cheered your success. Forget about me and go help them!"
Yugi was shocked. He could only stare at her. Diana sat up and got off the bed. Yugi followed her and held her close. He didn't want to be separated from her. He wanted to always be with her. He hated being so far away from her warmth and her love.
"Let go, Henry!" Diana snapped, pulling away. "Listen to me. I do love you, but you have to understand that I can't be with you every minute. Please just give me my space and let me alone once in awhile."
"I—" Yugi began, but stopped. "I want—"
"Don't be like Rosenburg and get obsessive over me." Diana said in a low tone. She cried out when Yugi's hand connected with her cheek.
"I'm nothing like that monster…" Yugi said angrily. He saw Diana's cheek go red and her trembling hand touch the sore spot. He was immediately ashamed and sorry about what he did. I…I hit her, he thought. I hit the one I love most. What have I done? He should have stayed and begged for forgiveness, but that's not what happened.
Yugi turned and left the room just as Diamond Dust and Nuri were entering. "Hi there, sire!" said Nuri cheerfully, but Yugi walked right passed them. "Thanks a lot, buddy."
Diamond Dust ran over to Diana who was still holding her reddened cheek. "Diana, what happened? What's wrong?"
"He…H-Henry slapped me." Diana stuttered with tears glistening in her eyes.
——————
Henry headed for the place where he first crossed over with Jhada. He felt so stupid and so guilty. He hit Diana. He really hit her! She was right, though. They did need some time away from each other. I have to remember that it was because of me that her life has gone from horrible to incredible, Yugi thought as he approached the tree identical to the one in his world. I must leave this place for her sake and give myself time to settle down.
"Your Majesty?" asked a timid voice. Yugi turned and was stunned to see Ryou standing there with a load of scrolls and books in his arms.
"Ryou! What are you doing here?"
Ryou knelt and said, "Please forgive, sire. I can't take the pain of my guilt and my shame. I did not mean to betray Prince Alexander. I honestly didn't, so now I humbly ask for—"
"Ryou, please…let's talk about this at my castle." Yugi said.
The White Druid stood and nodded. "Yes my lord." He walked through the tree with the King and they disappeared back into Tanna Undome.
Far away, in his gloomy-looking castle, Bakura watched his lover through the crystal ball as the White Druid met with Yugi and crossed back into the human world. Bakura stood and grabbed the chair he'd been sitting in. He threw it across the room and it smashed into the wall and shattered to pieces.
"Ryou…I will get you back." He growled to himself. "I need you…I cannot live without you."
—Wonderful eh? Yugi hit Diana and Ryou ran away from Bakura. Now this has to end well, right? Oh who knows? You'll see in Chapter 10 when I am able to update. Review Response are in…3…2…1…now:
DarkShadow – okay, cool. I was asking only because I know he's not my character. Thanks, I'll think about it.
Jaded – you'll know how Yami and the others are doing in the next Chapter. Wait until they handle the news about Ryou rejoining the good side.
Swift – that wasn't exactly the cute moment you had in mind, was it? Heh…don't worry. They'll have one – after their wedding…
Shit…I said that out loud didn't I? …uh, what wedding? Weddings are a myth. You're hearing things, people!
SG – aw crap…they're Chinese…ack. Okay, they're officially Japanese in my fanfic. I don't know Chinese anyway. –feels really stupid now– Y'know I probably should have paid attention to that part…Fin and Melisanne's relationship will come to surface in the next Chapter. Fin will actually tell Diana about it too…
mariks1andonly – we'll have their moment, like I said…heee…
Sara – great stuff! I like the story so far. I might throw in Lauren's character once more, just because she kinda appears once and then nobody knows what happens to Maia and they have no clue what or how she knows Nuri…so yeah, Maia will be back later on in the story.