If you hadn't figured out from like…phase four that that was going to happen, then you're pretty dumb. It was difficult to write without it sounding like a humour fic, but now we're over that hurdle, more chapters should come out a lot easier. This is a short chapter, but only because I want to prolong your suffering.
But things are going to happen a little faster, so keep up.
Phase Eight
Jounouchi was thrown back into his own body to the sounds of Honda's screams being muffled by the tar. He fell to his knees, shutting his eye as tightly as he could, his stomach churning.
A pain shot through the Eye and his head swam. His vision blurred and refocused continually, and he saw the scene from what felt like hundreds of viewpoints. He heard the muffled sounds die out from every angle possible. His head felt like it was splitting open.
As voices and visions died out, Jounouchi opened his eyes. The headache became a dull throb as he reached out for something to pull himself up on. Suddenly, someone offered a hand which he took and used to steady himself. He looked up to thank them, and hissed.
"Bakura."
The albino met his eyes, then looked at the crowd. "So tragic," he said, sarcasm clinging to his words. "And so unnecessary. It should never have happened."
"It was bound to," Jounouchi told him, traces of tears in his eyes. "I saw it."
Bakura reached out and drew Jounouchi closer by the waist. "I have a little secret," he said softly. He began tracing lines on Jounouchi's neck. Shadow Tendrils tried to stop him, but a deep blue light cut them down.
"Get your hands off me," Jounouchi growled.
"Don't you want to hear my secret?" Bakura asked in a deadly whisper. "Don't you want to know why Honda died?"
Jounouchi drew in a sharp breath at Bakura's words. "Go on then."
Bakura reached up with a free hand and stroked the Sennen Eye gently. "Your Eye cannot see the true future."
The blonde frowned. "But - Honda -"
"That future was a possibility." Bakura stressed each syllable on the last word. Jounouchi moved to try and get away, but Bakura dug his nails into the blonde's side, like a cat ensnaring its prey. "However, you made it happen."
Jounouchi shook his head. "I didn't - I couldn't - how could it be my fault?"
"The subconscious is a funny thing." The albino smiled. "If it truly believes something enough, it will make it happen." He sighed dramatically. "Such a shame."
Jounouchi struggled, and Bakura finally freed him. "So, how do you like my little secret?" he asked.
The blonde met Bakura's eyes for a few moments, then turned on his heel and ran.
"I thought so," Bakura said gently, a demonic smile playing on his lips.
Jounouchi ran as fast as he possibly could to get home. His vision was blurred again, but not as an effect of the Eye, instead it was tears that were affecting his sight. "It was me, Manako," he said as he ran. "I've killed my best friend."
Manako was silent.
Jounouchi kept on running, finally hitting his front door and collapsing through it. Shadow Tendrils encircled his body, helping him up and to his room. As he curled up inside his bedcovers, Tendrils crept around the room, blocking all light from entering through cracks in curtains and doorways. He shook as sobs racked his whole body and his fingertips itched at the edges of the Eye.
Almost an entire day later, Jounouchi crawled out of his bed in search for food. As he stood up, however, he was hit by a sudden, dizzying headache. Suddenly, a rush of visions overcame him and he had to hold onto the wall for support. He reached up to touch the Eye and found it sticky with tears and blood. As soon as his fingertips touched the metal of the Eye, however, the visions stopped. Frowning, Jounouchi kept on walking, but ever few steps the visions would rush back.
'I suppose a weakened emotional state would cause that,' Manako said impassively.
"Manako!"
But there was no reply, and Jounouchi was left wondering if he had imagined his Yami's voice. The blonde turned and looked into the mirror, slightly stunned by the mess of blood and tears on his face.
"M - Manako?"