to mom-mi-oh - ty for your faithful concern, my characters much appreciate it...lol...and 4 u're constant appreciation of each of my chapters. like i've said b4, your reviews are always thoughtful on your part and well awaited on mine...:P

to Cettie-girl - another chapter and another review on your part...ty for the compliments and the encouragement...hope u continue to enjoy...

and of course, to the multiplyer of my reviews... Ryou Bakura!!!!!!!!! - lol...go Lucas and Tolkien! only three days till THE TWO TOWERS! i'm so hyped...now if only i can convince my parent to let me go considering it's during finals...--
and anyway...ty for the praise...when i got on and noticed the eight new reviews, i almost cried...wipes away a fake tear but yeah, u're doing just great on the praise thing, even if it is repeated...lol

oh yeah, and i just borrowed the Vampire Princess Miyu soundtrack from a friend - it's sweet!...a little dark sounding, but very cool!

otherwise.....
new chapter 4 ya guys....duh... ; - i'm feeling smart today...
enjoy!

Part 1 (Chapter 21) – Recovery

Ryou raised a hand in front of his face, staring at the sweaty, dust-covered palm. It took so much effort just to lift. A tightness clenched around his wrist, though nothing was visibly there. Still, the feel of something cold and a little unearthly had been secured in his mind. The image of a chain imprinted itself in his mind with almost every move he made. I am a prisoner, he realized. A prisoner in this place.

It all looked the same. A garden of mist and shadows, created from something, somewhere, in the mind of his yami. Or perhaps it was simply the way his own mind perceived this area of the realm. Flowers still bloomed in shades of grey, and climbing vines still sent out leaves that might shift with the slightest breath of air. But nothing else moved.

Ryou had tread the paths of this garden many times before. The smooth stone beneath his bare feet felt almost frosty; and no matter what hour of the day it was, there was no sun to warm him. Slight, uncontrollable shivers coursed up Ryou's spine. The air was dead here. There was no joy, and the silence was not peaceful. The atmosphere was of loneliness and despair was creeping in the shadows. I refuse to let it take me.

But now there was pain. It wasn't the searing cuts and harsh beatings that he had once received from his "master". It wasn't the cruel words from Bakura's poisoned mind. It wasn't even the betrayal he had been forced to inflict on his friends. This pain, though slight, filled his soul. His entire body ached with every movement, and slowly, Ryou could feel his heart growing numb.

So he rarely ever explored anymore. There wasn't much point; Ryou knew the garden by heart, and there was no way out. Once, he had fought the pain, going steadily and intentionally towards the garden gate, only to find it gone. Bakura had taken the gate, the only means of escape, and melded it with the wall. It was a single, impenetrable fortress; and he, Ryou, had become the most unfortunate of prisoners.

Sure, he had been desperate for a way out, following the entire wall along twice, searching for the gate, despite the pain. He had even thrown himself at the wall and had tried to climb it. But though it was only mist, it refused to yield to his efforts, and continued to keep Ryou captive.

So he had stopped trying. The pain was inhibiting, and there was no need to move so long as the mist continued to defeat him. How long since I last tried? How long has the pain been with me? Ryou moaned. It is too hard to tell. Have I been in this prison for days or only hours? I can't be sure. I fear what Bakura may be doing. I fear for my friends. Will I ever see them again? Shadows crowded his mind. Ryou had stopped trying, but he would not stop hoping.

"Kira!"

"Hey guys," she greeted them cheerfully.

"We're sure glad that you are all right," Tea told her sincerely.

"Yeah, me too," Kira agreed. "Especially thanks to you, Yugi." She shot a glance in his direction.

The small boy blushed, "It wasn't just me. You know that."

"I do." she agreed seriously. "But you're too much fun to embarrass!" The others laughed as Yugi turned even redder, returning a weak smile.

"It don't matter who," Joey shrugged, "Just so long as you're better now."

Kira nodded, "I'll go with that."

At that moment, the teacher entered the room, synchronized with the late bell ringing. Joey, Tea, Tristan, and Yugi quickly found their seats. Setting down his books, the teacher first glanced over to the group. "Welcome back, Kira. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise, sir," she replied.

"I do hope you have fully recovered from your...what was it again?"

She murmured with a grimace, "A bad case of a yami."

Inside Kira's head, Kali snorted, while Yugi stifled a laugh next to her. The teacher only gave them an odd stare.

"Nevermind," Kira hung her head. And after a moment's pause, he let the subject be and moved on with the day's teaching.

After class, Mai passed Kira desk while she was still stacking her things together. "Hey, Kira. How ya feeling?"

"Not too bad," the girl in question grinned up at Mai. "Though thanks for thinking of me."

"Anytime," she shrugged. "Well, take care." Mai turned and filtered out the door with the rest of the class. Close behind came Seto. Kira gazed firmly in his direction, and their eyes met briefly before he again pulled away.

"Don't mind him," Tea assured Kira from behind. "He's too used to being a loner, especially at school. "I think that he's just as glad to see you as the rest of us are, but in his own weird little way, he's not going to admit it."

"I know," Kira told her, eyes still on the CEO's coatails leaving the room. "It's all right." Kira thought briefly of the "get well" card he had sent. It was gathered in the pile she had at home of all the gifts received during her two week stay at the hospital. Though Kaiba didn't like to show much, Kira knew him to be a sincere friend – even in spite of his more evasive exterior.

Footsteps from behind brought Kira mind back to reality. She looked over her shoulder.

"What are you staring at?" a low voice growled. Ryou was preparing to leave and had caught Kira's eye on his way out.

"N...nothing." But Kira couldn't drag her eyes away from him. Something had changed in Ryou's face and manner. His eyes were cold and dark, drawn together under a tight brow. A shadow seemed to be brooding in his expression. Strangely, she couldn't find anything in his look to remind her of the Ryou she once knew. Something had changed since her encounter with his dark spirit in the shadow realm. Something...and Kira wasn't sure she liked it.

Ryou tore his eyes away first, and continued to the door, stopping only briefly where Tea and Kira stood. "Warn that pathetic spirit of yours that I don't handle betrayal lightly. The job she failed to finish, I will complete." Leaving both girls to gawk at him, Ryou turned smugly and walked off.

"Bakura, that baka," Kira murmured.

"What did he mean by that, Kira?" Tea asked.

"It meant," Kira sighed, "That this whole battle is just beginning.

Bakura stared at the boy, huddled against the rock path. Such a waste of magical energies. A good thing he doesn't know just how strong he could be. Still no match for me of course... But strong for a mortal nonetheless... That's why he stays here. It's safest for him and me. I can't have others meddling in my business before the time comes; and I won't take any distraction from him.