Thanks to Mimiheart for commenting on the whole first person, present tense thing. I have had a really hard time writing like this and I was beginning to think that it was a mistake. Vappa, you will get your wish this chapter. Bakura will get to smite someone, though not to the extent I would've liked. I'm trying to avoid character death of any kind in this fic. Animefangurl2003, thanks for the comment about the gradual introduction. I've read so many fics where characters get together so quickly and it doesn't seem realistic. Bakuraluva and CharcoalCat, I'm so happy you mentioned each of the things you liked about the last chapter! I love that "my Yami" line too and I think that I have another pretty good one in this chapter as well. To Starlit Hope, Koishii no Tenshi, KiRyU, and Rei Mayonaka thank you for the always appreciated encouragement. I tried to update quickly for all of you.
Chapter 13
Breakfast
"We should go now if we want to make it there on time!" Yugi states happily. Whoever said that we wanted to be on time? We could always be so late that everyone else has already left.
"Okay, aibou, let's go." Yami starts to move and I am forced to let go of him. He stands up, but I stay sitting, disappointed with the loss of warmth at my side. I was so comfortable too. Yami turns around and I try to give him my best pout, making it clear that I really don't want to go.
"Come on, we'll at least be together. You never know, maybe it'll be fun." I roll my eyes, highly doubting his last statement. He then outstretches his hand and I reluctantly grab hold of it, pulling myself up. We walk over to where Ryou and Yugi are waiting and slip on our shoes and jackets.
The walk to the restaurant was torturous. Every step I took, I knew I was getting closer and closer to all those annoying idiots. Being around them is intolerable at best, but after our last confrontation at school, there's no chance for things to go anywhere near smoothly. I'm sure each and every one of them will have something to say about my previous outburst, so Yami had better be prepared for me to kill at least one of them.
If my impending doom wasn't bad enough, Ryou and Yugi seemed to be on some sort of happiness high while talking to each other. The positive nature of their conversation about school and other aspects of their daily lives was about to drown me in optimism. That's one thing that I have never been able to understand about our hikaris, is how they manage to be so cheerful all the time. I mean, it's not like I want to be like that or anything, it's just mind boggling to me. Even when I wasn't treating Ryou exactly the way I should've been, he never tried to kill himself like I did. In addition to that, the fact that his dad is never around never seems to depress him either. He always manages to find some way to make it through each day. I think that after I told Ryou the truth about my suicide attempt was the only time I've seen him truly depressed, but even after that he recovered quickly. I think in that way, he is stronger than me.
Yami, as if sensing my oncoming depression, takes hold of my hand, intertwining his fingers with my own. I look over to him and I instantly start to blush. I don't know why I blushed, considering it is such a simple and chaste action, but Yami laughs quietly at my embarrassment anyways as I tighten my fingers around his own.
We reach the restaurant Yugi and Ryou have led us to in about twenty minutes. I don't recognize the place, but it wouldn't surprise me if Ryou has taken me here in the Ring before. Yami lets go of my hand once we near the front door and we separate ourselves with our hikaris in between us, as has been normal practice before.
Walking into the front door, I watch as Ryou and Yugi scan the restaurant for their friends. Yugi quickly spots them and waves. Jounouchi stands up and waves in return and we make our way towards them. They have pushed a few tables together and conveniently left spots open for all of us. I look around, noticing that there are two chairs side by side and each on either end left open. I assume they did that so me and Yami could separate ourselves somehow. Ryou sits down in one of the two chairs that are next to each other and I go to sit in the other, preferring to sit by Ryou, rather than be isolated between two people I can't stand. As I pull out the chair, Yugi slides right onto it. He looks up and smiles at my surprised face, "Why thank you Bakura!"
Oh, he must have a death wish or something today. Desperately trying to control my rage, I close my eyes, grit my teeth and raise my fist. Damn him, he is totally taking advantage of the fact that he is the one person that I can't kill now. My anger now slightly in check, I lightly hit Yugi on the back of his head with my fist and storm down to the end of the table and sit down. I look around to see that Kaiba is to one side of me, Malik is on the other and Yami is on the end across from me. Malik actually turns and gives me a friendly smile, but Kaiba doesn't even seem to notice my presence. Malik I don't mind too much, considering I did work with him in Battle City, but Kaiba can be a little too egoistic for my patience. At least Jounouchi is not next to him or I would have to put up with their bickering. As much as I like to see Jounouchi being called a dog or something of the sort, it does get tiresome after a while. Yami is stuck between Anzu and Jounouchi, which is probably not too bad for him.
"We thought you weren't gonna make it, Yugi!" Jounouchi exclaims across the table.
"Sorry Jounouchi-kun, it took us longer to walk here than I thought it was going to." Yugi replies, rubbing the back of his head where I hit him. "Have you guys ordered yet?"
"No, we were just about to."
"Great!"
Everybody starts their own conversations with each other. Kaiba brought Mokuba so even he is talking to someone. Mai, Jounouchi, Yami, and Anzu are all involved in one conversation, something about the next Duel Monsters tournament. Malik and Honda are talking to Ryou and Yugi about something that is going on at school. And I am left at the end of the table, silent as always. Usually, I wouldn't even bother to make an appearance and stay in the Ring or at home, but I know if I had tried that this time, either Ryou or Yami would not have let me. I hope Ryou is not trying to force me to become more sociable or something like that, because he is sure to fail.
I'm just surprised nobody has said anything about the little incident that happened the last time I was around them. Maybe they're all too happy about not having to go to school today. Or maybe they just don't notice my at all. It used to be that they were afraid of me when I was around. That is how it should be, they should fear me, but I don't think that they do anymore. They don't perceive me as a threat. I have lost my status as the terrifying Tomb Robber that would send them all to the Shadow Realm if even slightly irritated. They must think that after Yami changed me so that I wasn't hurting Ryou, that I turned into someone that was no longer dangerous. Now, I know that my methods for making Ryou tougher weren't exactly the best and I will never hurt him again, but I am still just as powerful as I was before. Yami just took away some of the more evil aspects of my personality, not everything. Even though I don't really feel exactly like myself anymore, they should still fear me. I have no wish to regain that fear from Ryou, but as for the rest of them, they should all cower before me.
I casually observe those around me, because I have nothing better to do, and notice that even Malik has been accepted into their little group, but I guess it was different with him. The evil aspect of him was completely destroyed by Yami at the end of the Battle City tournament. It seems that he has even adjusted well to life here, but I can't blame him for not wanting to go back to his life in Egypt. It's not like I want to be a part of their group, I just don't want to be that person that is just there for no reason. The one that doesn't really fit in with everybody else, but that they won't get rid of because they feel sorry for him or something, that is just there. I don't want their friendship, I don't want their pity, and I don't want to be here. It's like they all know I tried to kill myself and that instantly makes them feel sorry for me, thinking it was a dismal cry for help or attention. But I know that is impossible, since I am sure that any of the people who actually know about it would never tell the others.
The waitress comes by and starts to take everyone's orders. I order scrambled eggs, toast, and some coffee, something simple. While everyone else is focusing on ordering, I glance at Yami and I quickly realize that it was a big mistake. As our eyes meet, Yami tilts his head down seductively and runs his tongue along his lips, causing me to instantly blush. How can he do something so damn sexy like that out in public? I can't help but stare back, mouth gaping.
"Bakura, are you feeling alright?" Malik inquires putting a hand on my arm, startling me a bit. "You are a bit red, are you sick?"
"Um, no, it's just kind of hot in here." He looks suspiciously at me and then at Yami, who has already started talking to Anzu again. My stomach drops as I fear that he might discover us. Ra, I'm going to be the one to screw this up aren't I? Malik opens his mouth to say something, but stops short and sits back in his chair, much to my relief.
After a while, our food is brought to us. It seems satisfactory enough, though it doesn't begin to compare with Yami's cooking. I eat a few bites, but after that, the food becomes less and less appealing. I just don't think my stomach can handle it right now. Everybody continues their happy little conversations, while I pick at my food. Jounouchi even makes a dumbass of himself by spilling too much syrup on his pancakes and jerking his hand back, in turn knocking over his glass of milk, which splashed over onto Mokuba, in turn pissing off Kaiba. It was rather funny actually, but Yami and Anzu managed to calm them down before it turned into a physical fight. So sad, maybe they would have killed each other. Other than that, there were a few times when either Ryou or Malik attempted to start up a conversation with me, but I really wasn't in the mood and they easily recognized that. Though, Ryou was unfortunately more persistent.
Why aren't you eating your food? Ryou asks without even looking at me.
I just don't feel like it, okay, stop treating me like a child. I can do as I wish.
I'm just worried that's all and I think Yami is too. If you would look up from your plate for a moment, you would see the look on his face. That said, I raise my eyes just in time to see Yami turn back to his conversation with Anzu, but I still caught his expression. He did look worried. I hate it when people worry about me, but it still makes me feel bad when people I care about have to in the first place. Against the wishes of my stomach, I take another bite of my food.
Sorry.
Ryou smiles and goes back to talking with Yugi and the others. I finish my food and wait for everyone else to get done. It's taking them longer because they are all talking to each other, why can't they just hurry up and finish already?
"Hey guys, since we don't have to do anything else today, why don't we go to the mall? We can get our Christmas shopping started early!" Anzu suggests to the table. I swear I'm going to kill her. Can this day be anymore torturous? Everybody readily agrees and I think I'm going to be sick. Christmas is an entire month away, why do they want to do this now? I get up from the table, desperately needing to get away from these people. Maybe Ryou will let me get away with not going.
Ryou notices me leave, but does not say anything. I'm sure it's very obvious to him that I am quite pissed off right now. I walk to the back of the restaurant and go into the restroom. I take a paper towel, wet it with cold water and press it to my face. After a couple minutes, I hear the door swing open and to my relief, see Yami walk towards me.
"How are you holding up?"
"You know this is torture for me." I tell him as I take him in my arms, wishing we could just stay like this forever. "Do I have to go to the mall?"
"It'll be easier for us to slip away together, so why not? And you know Ryou wants you to come so you can get out more."
"Fine, as long as we don't have to be around everyone else." I say, afterwards kissing him on the forehead. We stay together for a few moments, until Yami jerks a bit.
"Shit, Yugi told me that Malik just said something about both of us being gone from the table. Now everyone is wondering where we are."
"We're going to have to be more careful around him. I think he suspected something after that little stunt you pulled. You are such a tease, you know. You will have to be punished later." Smiling, I lift his chin up, claiming his lips with my own. He places his hands at the back of my head, burying them in my hair and pulling me all the more closer.
You should get back here. Everybody's getting suspicious.
Dammit Ryou, why do you have to interrupt me now?
Why? What were you doing? You weren't trying to blow up the restaurant were you? He is so innocent.
No, guess again. There is silence in the link and then realization hits him.
Okay, never mind then. Heh heh, I love it when I catch Ryou off guard.
"We should head back, Ryou is bugging me too."
"You go back first and I'll follow a few minutes later."
"Okay."
I take a deep breath, willing myself to go back out there. I make my way back to my chair and sit down. Several of the others look at me, but I ignore them, as I usually would.
"Where did you go?" Malik inquires.
"Is that any of your business?" I reply angrily. He must still be suspicious. Kaiba is silently monitoring our conversation as well. He'd better not get any ideas like Malik has.
"I was just curious." He retorts, getting slightly defensive.
"If you really must know, I was outside getting some fresh air." One of my better told lies. There's no reason for him not to believe it.
Malik decides to discontinue his interrogation right as Yami comes back and sits down. I try to avoid making eye contact with Yami as he sits down, but I can't help myself. Yami notices me glance over at him and promptly picks up his fork and begins to slowly lick the syrup from his pancakes off of it. I can't believe him! Not to mention the fact that nobody else seems to be noticing. But I guess it would seem to be a somewhat normal act if you didn't realize that it was aimed towards me. Is he trying to let everyone know about us?
I glare at him, not really mad about what he is doing, more annoyed and frustrated because I can't pounce on him right here and now. I narrow my eyes even further to let him know that he is in for it the next time I can get him alone. Yami simply smirks and turns back to talking with Jounouchi.
"Are you two fighting again?" Anzu asks loudly from the other end of the table. She must have noticed me glaring at Yami. This manages to end everyone else's conversations, so now all the attention is on Yami and me. "Did you get in a fight yesterday at lunch or something? I was worried when you two went off alone like that."
Yami has absolutely frozen. I'm sure now he realizes the consequences of his actions. I should just stay quiet, make him come up with some answer. He was the one messing around after all. And besides, I don't have to explain myself to them, he's their friend.
After a rather awkward length of silence, with everybody looking questionably at myself, Yami, and Anzu, she nervously continues talking.
"That's it, isn't it? We should all be friends here. I know you two haven't exactly gotten along in the past, but now it's different, you guys have no reason to hate each other. If it's about Bakura yelling at me yesterday," she looks from Yami over to me, "I want you to know that I took no offense by it. I know it's been a little hard for you lately, so I forgive you."
Oh, I am so relieved that she has no hard feelings towards me, like I could give a damn! And what the hell does she mean by "it's been hard for me," she has to be referring to the whole thing with Yami and not my suicide attempt. There's no way she can know about that, I am just being paranoid. But at the moment, my rage is overpowering my paranoia. Why would she think that I would even need that sort of assurance from her? I am not some little child that feels guilty for one little outburst.
I try to keep myself under control, knowing that if I lose it, I will only create more problems. I know in the past, I wouldn't have given a damn and either left by now or attempt to kill one of them, but I have to do this for Yami. But he sure as hell better say something fast if he wants all of his friends to make it out of this alive.
"It's alright Anzu, there's nothing wrong anymore." Yami tells her.
"You sure got that right! I bet Yami put Bakura in his place yesterday, considering the way Bakura is sitting over there all quiet and restrained. You don't have to worry about him Anzu, ever since Yami got rid of his evil side he hasn't been a threat to anyone." Jounouchi just has to add. He is dead. Yami's, Yugi's, and Ryou's eyes all go wide with shock, knowing that Jounouchi just went too far.
My overwhelming fury causes a blue aura to surround me as I slowly rise from my chair. My head lowered, bangs covering my eyes, I make my way over to where Jounouchi is sitting. He stands up as well, to face me, not at all afraid of me, but I will make him understand that he has just made a grievous error.
"I'm right aren't I Bakura? And I'm sure you can't do anything to me." Oh how wrong you are baka.
I start laughing quietly, my signature crazed laugh that has not been heard for some time. At this point everyone in the entire restaurant has stopped and turned to monitor the situation. Good, I have a larger audience to witness what I am about to do.
My laughter becomes louder as my aura intensifies even further. After a few seconds, I abruptly discontinue laughing, raise my head up, and grab his shirt, lifting him a couple inches off the ground all in one swift, terrifying motion. The smug expression instantly drops from his face, as I adopt a homicidal appearance of my own. My eyes pierce through his own, permeating his entire soul with crippling fear and horror, proving to him that I am still a force to be reckoned with.
"You think that I have become weak?" I ask in a low, threatening growl. Jounouchi remains paralyzed in my grasp, not being able to say a word or even tear himself away from my intense gaze. He can't even blink.
"Never assume that someone who is as inferior as you are will have any sort of power over me. You are sorely mistaken to believe that I have lost any of my evil intent. I am the darkness, I am the iniquity, and I am the devil that will be waiting for you after I send you to hell."
And with that, I let him fall to the floor, watching him crumple like a doll. Ah, that felt good. I smoothly stride back to my chair and sit down, examining the look of disbelief and fright on each and every one of their faces. Even Yami and Ryou are stunned. I revel in the fact that I have regained my previously well-earned status as the feared Tomb Robber. They will think twice about underestimating me again.
Jounouchi crawls back up into his chair, not daring to take his eyes from the table. The rest of the people in the restaurant go back to their own conversations, but our table remains silent.
The waitress unexpectedly appears and looks around at all of us, confused. She must not have seen what just happened. "Here's your bill." She says and walks away.
Everybody is snapped out of their shock by her statement.
That was impressive. Ryou tells me as everyone begins several uneasy conversations.
What? My display of overwhelming power?
No, the fact that you didn't kill him.
Yeah, I figured that this wasn't the best place for murder, but next time... Ryou laughs a bit, happy that I have regained some of my confidence. I turn to see what Yami is doing. He is simply smiling at me and I return one of my own, though not for long, just in case someone notices our interaction once again. I'm surprised that he didn't try to stop me, though. But, in the end, I really needed to do that.
I sigh to myself, realizing that I have to go to the mall with these people after this.
To be continued-
Sorry, I meant to include the part with the mall in this chapter as well, but I just ran out of time. Finals are killing me. I sincerely apologize to all you Jounouchi fans out there. I didn't mean to pick on him or anything, I just needed someone who was arrogant enough to provoke Bakura to such an extent like that, but it built up, so it wasn't all Jounouchi's fault. Since I have a seemingly big Kaiba fan that has been reviewing my story, I decided on Jounouchi and he is like that enough in the anime (at least the Japanese version anyway) that it seemed to be the most plausible choice. Well, anyways, hope you enjoyed and I will update next week!