another round of thanx to
Cettie-girl: i'm blushing at u're praise once again, and i hope i haven't made ya too anxious for part 2...lol, and i'm glad the part with the music went over well, i'm not real sure what inspired me to have that, but oh well, should turn out well later....
and mom-mi-oh: like i've probably said, your thoughtful comments are probably the most helpful encouragement i get, and thanx 4 waiting!
R Amythest: your enthusiasim is overwhelming! lol...

Part 2 (Chapter 1) – Return

"What about Ryou? He's still trapped in the shadow realms. Bakura still has control over him. He needs our help...your help."

"Why? Why should I throw myself in danger again just for him?"

"He needs you."

"I'm sorry, Yugi. I don't want to hurt you, but this is asking too much. He betrayed me, and that's something I can't easily forget."

"Kira, please..."

"I'm sorry, Yugi. But I won't help you do this."

"I can't do it. I can't face Ryou again. He earned my trust then threw it all away to his dark.

"You don't know the whole story."

"I can't trust him."

"Nothing good's going to come of this."

"Just...go."

"Hikari? We'll find a way, I promise. There's still hope."

"Is there?"

The game starts now...

"The game starts now," Bakura repeated to himself. "The game starts and for you it will soon be finished."

Bakura stood up, shaking off the shadow voices in his memory. The situation was becoming much more interesting than he had ever expected. So. The girl refuses to save him. Perhaps my earlier efforts were not all in vain. This makes things safer for me, but I must still be careful. Humans are so capricious, changing their minds with the wind. Let us hope this one does not.

And the boy Yugi, Bakura walked as he thought, shadows shifting around him. He cares so much for his 'friend'. Yugi would rescue him if he could. I'm lucky that the girl doesn't feel so strongly. All that emotion. It's a sign how weak those humans are. Pathetic really.

"Are they?"

Bakura almost jumped, "Who's there?!" He scanned the shadows cautiously, watching for the first sign of movement.

"I asked you a question," came the light voice again. "Are they?"

Bakura scowled, "Are they what? Where are you?"

"Here," the voice gave a short but mirthful laugh. Bakura's eyes narrowed, focusing in on the source. The darkness seemed to part, and forward stepped a figure not even half of Bakura's height. Grey eyes with only a hint of blue in them were framed by black wisps of hair on either side of her rounded face, and a cloak of deep blue was thrown boldly over her shoulders. All in all, there was a child-like innocence about her, though Bakura could feel that a greater understanding was hidden beneath her expression

"You," he spoke bitterly.

The girl laughed again, "You recognize me."

Bakura remembered with frustration the last confrontation between them. She had somehow let the one girl, Kali's light, into his so carefully protected garden. He had fortified it since then, but the past breach still iritated him. "What is your magic?" he demanded, remember the way she had so casually opened portals within the realm. "And tell me your name!"

The child's smile never left her face, but now it took on a prouder, more serious look. "My name is my own, as is my power."

With a growl, Bakura lunged to grab the girl, but found himself sprawled across the shadowy ground, empty-handed. The girl stood on his back for a moment, then leaped to a safer spot just behind the disgruntled spirit.

Bakura stood calmly, though his fists were clentched, trying to maintain his dignity. "Fine. I get the idea. You want to be mysterious."

She nodded, "And I was the one asking the questions to begin with."

"If you won't answer me, why should I answer you?" Bakura challened.

"Are humans really so pathetic?"

"Why do you want to know?!"

"Are they?" The girl continued to speak steadily but with power.

Bakura cringed under her constant gaze. The things the precense of a child could make him do! "Of course they are! They let their emotions rule them as easily as they let go of their dreams. They let themselves get tied down to others, and lust after the trifles of their world, ignoring where the real power is."

"They find the real power is in realationships," the girl said softly. "They believe in the unity of friendships and the strength in love. That's more than you'll ever get from this dark magic you are trying to conquer."

Bakura scoffed at the triteness of it all. "Sentiments for the weak...or perhaps when you're too cowardly to take anything greater. As for me, I've found all I need in magic, so I'll thank you to take yourself and your good feelings elsewhere."

The girl shook her head sadly. "Someday you'll realize it, Bakura. Someday soon, or it'll be too late."

"Empty threats," Bakura returned, but the girl had already vanished into the immortal night of the realm. "Just empty threats," he spoke again, more to reassure himself than anything else. Still, the child wouldn't leave his mind. He could feel a faint fear in his spirit, and frowned. "Emotion is for the weak. Fear is weaknes. I won't give in, no matter what they try. I must continue as I have always done. Alone. Filling my spirit with magic and darkness. The shadows are familiar to me, at least. And there is power in that."