Yami's koi: I figure now angst is the genre for me. Who'd have thought? I thought this was gonna be a one shot. Guess my 'inner-rage' comes out well when I write. But I won't deny I don't have scars.

Neutral Man: yep. But at least that rage doesn't come out on me!

Yami's koi: yeah. So...no one guessed right! I dunno when Ryou will understand the severity of Ra's 'bargain,' still...it'll be interesting anyways. Thank you again for the reviews, I LOVE the comments. Oh &...sorry if any of you were offended at the Yami/Yugi coupling, they're my joint favourite with Ryou/Bakura.

Neutral Man: more at the end! Enjoy this chap!

"Know this, Ryou Bakura," Ra murmurs during the perusal of my mind. "I shall only lift this curse when you finally realise the full extent of what you have done. And, of course, when you complete the tasks I will send for you to do..."

I feel nervous at that. And the usage of the word 'curse' does not improve matters. What missions will he give me, how taxing shall he make them? More importantly, will he prevent me and Bakura being linked, or lovers? Maybe both. And at that my heart shatters.

"Do not feel afraid, Master Ryou," Osiris then speaks, his shadowy eyes gazing upwards – or, from what I can tell. It's so damn difficult when he has orbs for eyes. "This punishment has been the fate of many. My liege would never give anyone a burden too heavy, or a destiny too harsh. He has much more mercy than that."

Ra smiles, adjusting the cotton kilt wrapped around his waist. The endless orbs he has intrigues me, as does their depth. And from where they originated. I suddenly feel very curious, and begin to break into my questions. Though I know I must tread softly. I cannot offend him, or Osiris. And for that reason I use honorifics.

"Um, Ra-san? If I'm not being so rude...may I ask why you don't have proper eyes?"

Both Gods stare at me then, as if unbelieving of the question I had just asked. Or simply offended.

"We are not mortal, Ryou. We are, in fact, very old, even for an immortal. We dwelled, at the times before men and the universe, in a scalding light. Our eyes, or anything so mortal, has long since been burned away. That is why many of us have adopted the heads of our respective creatures, or crafted ourselves orbs which represent our duties as Gods. If any mortal was to enter the blistering light where we once had our abode...they would instantly be fried."

It makes sense. "But would you have removed something so human if the light didn't erode them anyway?" I ask, almost sounding like Yugi. I feel a stab of guilt at the reminder. It's only now that I consider what I left behind. I once asked Yugi how he could maintain his innocence, and he simply shrugged. 'I'm not as pure as everyone thinks, Ryou,' he had said. He sounded exactly like me in that instance. Not quite so flawless at everyone liked to think.

Ra considers my last question in what I think is a thoughtful manner. Soon he nods. Osiris remains relatively quiet, though his orbs turn less rounded, the equivalent to the narrowing of one's eyes.

"Yes. Many would not be stripped of their honour if they did not, and would be mocked by those who had done so themselves. I, as the King of Gods, felt I could not look quite so alike as my cattle."

Cattle, I think, meaning cattle of Ra, what he calls mortals. What I call people.

"Osiris?" I turn to the Death God. "How severe shall my penalty be?"

"That is for my master to decide." He replies, a staff materialising in his hand. Intricate patterns intertwine cleverly upon it to look like many. The rounded part is a navy colour, the rod being a dark purple. Yet when he moves it to point at me, it flashes somewhat crimson. His eyes, if possible, darken further, and I flinch.

"However, you did something that we did not write in the events of your life. Something that we did not plan. It is not in your hands to make your fate better, but it is in your hands to make it worse. And you, Master Ryou, are going to be far away happiness by this penalty in which you are about to take." He whispers threateningly.

I want Bakura now, more than ever, as I sink further into regret. And I regret ever making a mark upon my body. Ever once doubting that anyone was there for me. Speaking of which...I glance down to my wrists where the cuts were made. No blood flows now, but the slashes are deep. The one across my chest is the same.

Bakura...please save me...

Bakura

My head snaps up. I feel a plea, a call dimly heard. The voice begs for my coming. My arms wrap around my slender body, an attempt for minor solace. To no avail.

"Ryou..." I whisper. My eyes remain stubbornly dry, and have done since the Pharaoh and his lover has gone.

I feel grateful for that. Despite being quite the thick headed, arrogant Game King, he can be understanding. And that consideration has only blossomed since he has been with Yugi.

I laugh bitterly, a laugh of remorse. Yugi. The one so much like my own hikari. Yet not no more. No more will I be able to compare the two, not only because Ryou is dead, but also because I will eventually be turned mad by my despair.

And despair I do. I wonder what Ra would say to me now. How he would berate me for my foolishness and cruelty to the boy. I wonder...would he blame me for this offence? Or would he know what has occurred here today, know entirely what has happened and why?

Indeed. Why did Ryou do this? What was it that he had said to me before he had died?

'I love you too...Kura...Don't ever... forget there's always... something... worth living for...'

There's always something worth living for. Hold up...does that mean he really didn't want to die, that someone had driven him to such a stage? What did he think was worth to live for? And why did he not consider that reason to live before he did suicide? It doesn't fall into place!

Ryou

Ra and Osiris converse now in their own tongue, frantically discussing what is most likely my fate. An occasional glance is thrown my way, though I feel too distressed to fully notice them. My insides are numb, and I find myself thinking about Bakura. My first love...

Although seventeen, love has avoided me. Once a chaste kiss, but that meant nothing. It was Yugi who made me admit I liked Bakura. And then soon after I confessed to him that it ran much deeper than that. That I loved him. Yugi told me how he longed for his yami, and I simply smiled. I had perceived it. It was just how they'd been acting around each other. They probably didn't notice, but they were WAY too close. They unconsciously flirted; gazed into each other's eyes a lot, things like that.

I realise they have stopped talking in Egyptian. They stare at me, most probably guessing what I am remembering.

"Ryou, we have agreed on your curse. You shall be reincarnated, though your life shall not be as it seems...or, like it seems."

I blink many times. No matter how many times I repeat the words in my head, they make less sense than the original, more rational explanation. How tedious.

"I don't understand."

"Oh trust me, you will do," Osiris mutters quietly, in a low hiss of malice. "We don't expect you to yet realise the extent of what you have done, or what you have earned from doing it. Although your type of death is often brought to our attention, we cannot express the severity of what you have done. Not only to yourself, but to those around you."

"Rightfully said," Ra interjects, "your tasks shall be sent as a mind signal. As you walk back into your world...just remind yourself that things shall never be as they were. Many occurrences have led you to this turning, despite our futile attempts to deprive you of all thoughts. Your life shall be rewritten, as will the events. Who knows...you may never even find Bakura again." He ends calmly.

At that I panic slightly. "Whoa, what do you mean by that? I'm linked to Bakura, you can't sever that bond!"

Ra sighs. "True, we cannot." Then his eyes seem to change colour slightly, a sign, I take it, that his mood is altering. "But we can separate you."

Bakura

My thoughts bring me a headache, though that may be the nauseous scent of blood wafting from down the corridor. What can I do? I have not the strength to lift him from where he lies. And yet I know I must. I must clean his blood. I must arrange the necessary ceremony.

Though it's almost as if I fear the very room now. And just so what if I do remove Ryou's corpse? I shall never have the heart to return there. I sigh. The swifter my fear is confronted, the better.

Ironic, I think, my heart pounding, as I slowly approach the room. That I have seen many dead bodies – many of which I had myself killed – and yet I cannot face one which I did not. Strange how the mind can increase fear from just the memory of a name.

I slowly creak the door open that the Pharaoh had himself closed. My breath draws in deeply, released in a gasp when the room is fully opened to me.

Ryou's body is no longer here.

Ryou

I widen my eyes reflexively. I feel like retching, but I swallow it back down. To puke at the feet of a God would only infuriate them further. I close my eyes shakily. I must consent to this.

"Okay. I'll go back to Earth."

Ra's smile turns wry. "You thought you had a choice in the matter?"

I lower my head. When it rises again, Osiris and Ra have gone. My head whips around to seek them out. I find nobody. My head turns to see directly ahead of me, and there stands another God. His head is that of a jackal, the rest of his body being human.

"Greetings, Ryou Bakura. I am the God Anubis. I shall be the one to grant you back to Earth." He says. He heavily breathes, and I feel energy flooding back to me. Quite literally he had breathed life into me again. With one wave of his hand, I rise up to float. I struggle in panic, until he instructs me otherwise. Soon I relax, and find myself drifting off into a peaceful slumber...

Yami's koi: small notes here...the ancient Egyptians called themselves the cattle of Ra. The Orbs for eyes was made up, and the home of light.

Neutral Man: so...reviews are kindly taken.

Yami's koi: dark business will occur in the next chapter.

Bakura: why make Ryou suffer? Why not the Pharaoh? Glares

Yami's koi: because dear Kura...I have no idea. Hmm...guess Ryou was one I thought likely to suicide. Gomen nasai! Songs of inspiration: Papa Roach, Last Resort, HIM, The Sacrament, Evanescence, My Last Breath.

Neutral Man: thank you for the reviews, and past reviewers. This is all dedicated to you.

All: BYE! Catch ya for the next chap of Hikari Suicide. R&R at will. Plushie of Ryou with wings, or ice cream if you disapprove of plushies. BYE! o