03. The Moon
RENAISSANCE
By: Virtual Maiden and Ruriko Minamino
Ruriko: Hey there! We're back and.... I'm in trouble with V. Maiden!
V. Maiden: because you had too many glasses of LEMONade.
Joey: Can I go now? (tied down to a chair)
Ruriko: HELL NO!!!!!
Joey: Lemme go already!!!! What am I doing here?!?!?! SETOOOO!!!!!
V. Maiden: MUHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA*cough**wheez**cough* ur our slave er MUSE =D
Ruriko: So, you forgive me now for what I did to the chapter?
V. Maiden: (to Joey) sorry cant let u go until this chappie is done (Joey makes big puppy-dog eyes, V.M. turns to R.M.) O_O -_- U_U you had tooo many chocolates
Ruriko: WAAAAAHHH!!! I'm sorry already!!!!!!! (sniffle)
Joey: If you're done whining, let me gooooo!!!!!
V. Maiden: cant let u go until this chappie is done
Ruriko: So, do you forgive me? (pleading puppy-dog eyes)
V. Maiden: do i have any choice?...fine as long as the *cough*lemon*cough* is minimum
Ruriko: (does victory dance) Yahoo! Okay, on to the reviews!!!!
Joey: Hey, what about me? Let me go!!!!
V. Maiden: um........then reviews?
setokaba = R.M.: Really? They do? Well, we'll se what we can do! Thanks for telling us! VM: dont worry we'll try to fix things up
Osiris Lee = R.M.: Oh, we do pity him... (wearing a shirt that says 'STOP SETO ABUSE!!!') And as for Joey, Tristan, and Ryuuji, you'll see what they think here. VM: we are evil...n we DO pity seto, yes hu would want to talk care of yamis! n dont worry u will see the others reaction in chapter 3^^
AmenOsirius = R.M.: (mouth hanging open) YOu guessed right! And we were just about to ask if you sweet readers all noticed the chappie names yet! Oh, yeah, they all will be named after Tarot Cards. ^-^ V.M.: WoW O_O good guess, ya were gonna name the chapters based on the major arcarna, so if our chapter tittles has no relation what so ever with the chapter, then just look at the meanings of the cards, then you'll understand
Ruriko: Note to readers = As AmenOsirius guessed, all chapters will be named after the Tarot Cards in the major Arkana. So, that means, there will be 22 chapters in total! V.M., anything to add?
V.Maiden: just a warning that our chappies are pretty long...so it might be some time before we update
Joey: Hel-loooo!!!! LET! Me! GOOOOO!
V. Maiden: ...sorry cant let you go until this chappie is finish,*takes out questioners*...um so joey how do you view life?
Joey: SHUT UP AND FINISH THE CHAPTER SO I CAN GO BACK TO SETO ALREADY!!!!!!!
V. Maiden: *runs n hides behind ruriko* i give up, ur turn to entertain him
Ruriko: Boy, you're pissed! Okay.... here's the chapter!!!!! Don't forget, readers, R&R!!!!!
{....} - words spoken in Egyptian
Warning = Lemon in this chapter! You have been warned! Don't like, don't read!
Disclaimer = We don't own, you don't sue, got it?.... ^-^
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Chapter 3: The Moon
"Go on," Yami said slowly, crimson eyes focused intently on the turbaned Shadi. "You think you know why we're on edge, do you?"
Joey noticed that Shadi seemed taken aback by the quiet query. "It is your hikaris. You are pining for them once more," he stated with complete confidence.
Bakura snorted. "What put that in your head? Miss that weakling? Fuck no!"
"Why would I miss that little mink?" Marik laughed out manically, leaning in Bakura and Yami for support. "I don't need him."
Yami walked up to the mystic Egyptian. "Poor misguided Shadi. Don't you get it? We don't miss our hikaris. They were light. We are darkness. There was no way we could have stayed together." His eyes held Shadi's in an unwavering gaze. It chilled Joey's very soul to hear Yami and his two cohorts say those words.
'Was everything that ever happened to them worth nothing?' the blonde thought, glancing at his beloved Seto. The two of them had gone through a lot of arguments before they had gotten together. Yugi, Ryou, and Malik hadn't lived to see them fall in love. Sadly, he remembered what one Yugi's last words to him had been. 'Aren't you two ever going to stop fighting, Joey? I know you love him. Why don't you tell him?' The blonde sighed. His little friend would have been happy to see that things had worked out for the best in the end.
Ryuuji and the rest cautiously walked up to the group. "You might as well give it up, turban-dude. They're not going to listen." The turbaned man sighed in defeat and beckoned Isis to speak.
"My Lords," she began in a clear voice. "If indeed what you say is true, may I be permitted to delve into this mysterious predicament further? I could, perhaps, with your leave, cast a spell that would allow us to dispel this fog of absent melancholy that covers you."
"Man, she's good," Tristan murmured to Joey. "If Yami and the others don't give in to her request, nothing's gonna work!"
And work it did. Yami turned to his two co-rulers for a moment and placed a hand on the Millennium Puzzle. In response, Bakura and Marik lightly grasped the Ring and Rod. Something seemed to pass between the three and after a moment, they turned back to Isis and nodded simultaneously in assent.
"Alright. We agree to what you propose," Yami said. "When can you start?"
The dark-haired woman smiled her mysterious smile and spread out her arms. "If it pleases your Imperial Majesties, I can do the ceremony here, with Seto Kaiba and the rest of your chosen companions as judges. The initial incantation is swift, but how long it will take depends on you three."
"What are you waiting for?" Bakura demanded.
Marik pushed his two co-rulers forward and slung his arms about their shoulders. "C'mon already! Do it."
"I will require you to face each other back to back and the rest of our companions must form a circle around you, linking hands, as I begin the chant." Isis took hold of Shadi's hand and placed him before her. "Shadi will continue as I will cast the spell."
As the yamis backed up to each other and Joey and the others formed the circle around them, Shadi began to circle.
Isis began her chant, her voice rising from a deep throaty sound to a high crescendo. "I call upon the Egyptian gods of old. My gods, come to our aid and find the truth behind the lies. Thot, I beseech you, come to our aid in the name of the great and all-powerful Ra!"
There was no turning back now. Joey, Tristan, and Duke looked at each other uneasily. Did they really want to find out what the yamis thought of? What if it was about their three deceased friends? Could they stand to find out that the yami triumvirate didn't really care anymore? Joey cast a nervous look at Seto. The Chief Advisor was staring resolutely at Isis and Shadi. There was no hint of emotion in his eyes. Joey squeezed his hand and the CEO turned and nodded once reassuringly. "Don't worry, pup. I'm here for you."
"Seto…" Joey murmured, leaning on his lover's shoulder. Would the time ever come that the brunette would follow the yamis' footsteps and do away with Joey to achieve a greater desire?
Isis' chanting became more rapid and suddenly, she fell silent and Shadi took her place, his hands raised to the heavens. His words could no longer be understood for he spoke in the long-dead tongue of ancient Egypt. The only word that could be recognized was the continuously repeated 'Amun-Ra', name of the supreme god of the Egyptians.
A bright white light suddenly engulfed the three Spirits and rose up just as suddenly above their heads. The three of them closed their eyes and started to pulsate themselves: Yami glowing a deep red; Bakura tinged with brightest blue; and Marik shimmering with swirls of violet and black. The white light formed itself into a huge sphere above their heads. A strange cry echoed among the rafters of the great chamber and all but the ball of light was dissolved in darkness. In the midst of the light, figures materialized and a scene unfolded...
~*~ Three years ago ~*~
"You're nothing but a coward, Pharaoh!" Bakura snarled, pointing an accusatory finger at Yami.
They, and Marik, were standing in near-deserted park near their hikaris' school, waiting for their light halves to appear. They'd bumped into each other only a few minutes ago and already the former Pharaoh and Tomb Robber were having another argument over some petty thing and Marik was watching in amusement.
"Coward? I? Hah!" Yami looked at the albino in contempt. "Who's been hiding in the Ring all these months? Not I, certainly."
"That does it, Pharaoh! You're going down!"
The two promptly started brawling and rolling around on the dusty ground. Bakura's eyes flashed madly and a ball of Shadow energy erupted forth from his open fist. It collided with Yami's jaw and the angry tri-colored teen lashed back with a black energy bolt of his own. All that time, Marik was watching them with interest. Suddenly, he disappeared with a pop and reappeared again holding the Millennium Rod. Jumping into the fray, he easily tapped the distracted Bakura on the back of the head. Yami froze mid-punch as he saw his opponent freeze over with glazed eyes. His reaction was fairly predictable.
"Assassin, what in the name of Ra did you do that for?!" The enraged King of Games grabbed at the Rod and tapped Bakura back to normal, then pounced on the bigger Spirit.
Marik just smirked. "It looked like fun, and I was bored."
The former Tomb Robber blinked and snarled at Yami when he saw the Rod in the ex-Pharaoh's hands. "What the fuck was that for?!" Bakura grabbed at Yami's shirt collar and lifted the smaller Egyptian up in the air. "Dirty, cheating son of a murdering ruler! How dare you try to brainwash me!"
"Shut it, Thief!" Yami retorted. "This idiot did that to you. I just stopped him!"
The albino turned on the psychotic yami. "When I get through with you, you won't be able to fuck with that little hikari of yours. No one brainwashes me and lives!"
But Marik was much bigger and stronger. "You can't do anything to me!" He smashed his fist right into Bakura's stomach and sent the pale Spirit crashing into a nearby tree.
Yami kicked him in the chest. "That was uncalled for, you stupid ass!"
"So, you wanna play with me now, Pharaoh?" Marik grabbed the Rod back and uncovered the dagger-like handle. Shadow energy crackled about his arm.
"Stay out of this, meddling Pharaoh! He's mine!" Bakura had gotten up and was hurling his Chain Energy at both the Assassin and the Pharaoh.
"Ungrateful mongrel!" Yami snarled, throwing the full weight of his Mind Crush at the other two.
"This is getting to be a regular thing!" Marik snarled, crashing headlong into the park's jungle gym. "This is the third time this week that we've done this! This time, I'm going to hack both of you into a million pieces!"
"I'd like to see you try – I will rip you limb from limb for what you just did first!" Bakura raised a fist, his hand cracking with Shadow energy. As his hand was about to collide with the sharp point of the Rod, Yami's cuffed hands stopped both of them.
"Wait!" the former Pharaoh said, eyes narrowed in thought as he struggled to part the two. "You, Marik, repeat what you just said."
Puzzled, the two relaxed and moved away until the three of them were forming a sort of triangle. "What? I said that I was going to hack – "
Bakura snorted. "Not that, you dimwit! Before that! About this becoming a regular thing!" His eyes had a strange gleam in them as he caught on to what Yami meant.
"It's true, isn't it?" Yami murmured, settling onto one of the swings. He crooked a finger and the swing began to move on its own, gently propelling him backwards and forwards. "We've been relying on our Shadow powers more than usual these past few weeks. It's almost become a habit."
Bakura laughed contemptuously. "That's ridiculous, Pharaoh! You may be becoming dependent on it, but I most certainly am not!" He slumped down on the side of the sand pit and was idly making miniature sandstorms for a full ten minutes before he realized what he was doing. "Crap…"
"Not dependent on it, huh?" Yami raised an eyebrow. "Look over there." He indicated Marik, who was enjoying his usual pastime: chasing squirrels.
"Get back here, you Ra-damned creature! I'll get you for daring to get near me!" Marik yelled at the furry brown streak darting around the park. On impulse, he started throwing bolts of Shadow energy at it.
"Hey psycho! Get over here!" Bakura called out. "We have to talk!" For good measures, he threw a pebble at the tan blonde's head.
The disgruntled platinum blonde yami ambled up to them and leaned on the side of the swings. "Well?"
Yami looked at them both seriously. "I think it's time we discussed this. I don't know about you two, but I feel strangely comfortable with using the Shadow powers like this." He waved a hand and the swing came to a halt.
"Come to think of it… It's gotten easier to control…" Bakura said, scratching his chin.
Marik shrugged. "I never noticed."
Just then, the sound of laughter reached their ears. Yugi, Ryou, and Malik had arrived. The three hikaris stopped in surprise. The yamis just stared back at them, faces still somber from their interrupted conversation, though their eyes all shone with love as they gazed upon their hikaris.
"G-guys… what's happened here?" Malik nudged his two friends and rubbed at his eyes in surprise, dropping his school bag.
"It looks like Yami, Bakura, and Marik sitting together and having a civil conversation," Yugi replied, large eyes shining in joy, as Ryou smiled, both of them obviously happy at the development.
"Well… much as I enjoyed that 'civil conversation', aibou, we have to go." Yami stood up and started to lead Yugi away, an arm protectively encircling the smaller boy's shoulders. Before he did, he leaned over to whisper something in Egyptian to his fellow Spirits when he thought Malik wasn't listening (he was the only one of the hikaris who could understand the language). {We have to meet again soon to finish our discussion. Marik, Bakura, meet me at Isis' museum this coming Friday. Yugi will be going to the movies with Joey and I think that Ryou and Malik are invited as well.}
~*~*~*~
The strange lights surrounding the three yamis flared out and Joey clung onto Seto fiercely, trying his best not to dissolve in tears. He was a grown man! Surely, after three years, the mere image of his deceased friends shouldn't cause him so much pain.
As he returned his attention to the three unmoving yamis, the scene playing in the orb above their heads shifted.
~*~*~*~
"What took you two so long?" Marik asked, lounging on the front steps of the museum. "I've been waiting forever!"
Bakura and Yami walked up the steps, their heads near each other in a low conversation. For the first time since they'd both gained bodies of their own, they weren't bickering and snarling. Marik himself looked a bit more alert than usual. Silently, the trio walked through the glass doors and into the museum, conversing in Egyptian in low tones. They had checked their actions with much alertness. It was very obvious to them that the powers of the Shadow Realm had become more than a little enticing and each had at least once entertained the idea of harnessing that energy.
"My Pharaoh, I never expected you to be here," the mysterious voice of Isis Ishtar echoed into the hall. Yami had long ago returned the Millennium Tauk to her, but she no longer wore it, choosing instead to keep it safely hidden somewhere. Not even her brother, Malik, knew where it was hidden. "And with the Tomb Robber too." She looked at the three yamis standing side by side with something akin to surprise on her face.
"Isis," Yami acknowledged her. "We decided to come here to talk. It seemed to be the most appropriate place, for everything in here reminds us of home."
"But you are home, my Pharaoh," Isis disagreed, walking in stride with them. "Wherever your hikaris are to be found is the place you must call home."
"Whatever, seeress," Bakura said, pausing in front of a display case. "Hey! I remember this. I stole this once – and that thing on the wall over there too." He began pointing at random items around the museum, stating when and from where he had taken it.
"You remember everything, don't you?" Marik commented sourly. His own memories, by reason of his unusual rebirth, mixed with those of his hikari and filled with insanity and malice, were the foggiest of the three Spirits'.
Yami had stopped at the doorway to a closed-off section. "You are expanding then, Isis?"
The female Ishtar came to his side and explained. "Ah, yes. The artifacts in that chamber arrived only a few days ago and seem to be much related to Seto Kaiba's former self, the High Priest Seth. I would ask him about the items, but for the fact that he can recall very little of his past life."
Yami felt a strange pull towards the room. A quick look at Bakura and Marik told him that they felt it too. "Maybe I can recognize something," the King of Games offered.
"Of course! It would be most beneficial to the museum if you could possibly explain," the museum curator said gratefully. She unhooked the chain, allowed the three Spirits to enter, and then flicked on the lights. "I apologize for the state of things. The set up will not be complete for another week or so."
But Yami, Bakura, and Marik were frozen in place. The only thing that had so far been arranged was a huge slab of hieroglyphics and pictographs on the back wall of the room. The picture was of the solar eclipse and a priestly figure standing above a dozen or so slaves swathed in pure white robes. A dagger in his hand was drenched in the slaves' blood. The hieroglyphics were so faded that it was almost impossible to read, but just looking at the image was enough.
"Is there anything you can tell me about this?" Isis asked, laying a hand on the wall reverently.
But Yami, Bakura, and Marik had already vanished from the room.
~*~*~*~
The sphere became blank and Joey and the rest looked at each other in confusion.
"What happened? Is that it?" Seto asked.
A look from Isis silenced him. "Until Shadi stops his chant, it means that there is more to come."
Suddenly, Bakura's voice echoed into the air, although the Spirit himself remained unmoving. "I don't know about you two, but I know how to take control of all the Millennium Items. With or without you two, I will seize them!"
Marik's voice joined his. "Heh! Count me in! This world is ripe for the taking now."
"You two know the risk, do you not?" Yami's quiet voice filled the room, thought the ex-Pharaoh did not move his lips. "You two know of the sacrifice that has to be made."
"What are they talking about?" Joey asked, angry at the tone of the yamis' voices echoing around. "What sacrifice?"
"Pup, be quiet," Seto shushed, pulling back the blonde. "There's more."
Blurry images began to swirl in the sphere and every head turned to look again.
~*~*~*~
It was Tuesday the next week. Yami sat in front of Bakura and Marik at a booth in a diner in the shabbier part of town, frowning down at them. "You two know of the sacrifice that has to be made," he repeated.
The Tomb Robber and Assassin regarded each other uneasily. Did they really want to lose what they loved the most in exchange for power?
Slowly, Marik's face settled into a grim mask. "I'm willing to make it." His voice was firm, although there was uncertainty and pain in his eyes. His eyes lighted on the Rod, which he had again taken from his hikari earlier that afternoon. He bowed his head and his silence indicated that he waited for the other two to make their decisions.
Bakura looked hesitantly from the Ring on his chest, 'borrowed' from Ryou, then at Yami and Marik, then back to the Ring. He hung his head and nodded. "I'm willing to make the sacrifice as well," he said in a halfhearted voice.
"You two can't be serious!" Yami said, slamming his hand down on the table.
Bakura looked at him with haunted eyes. "Will you stop us, Pharaoh Yugioh? Don't tell us you're not tempted as well."
The Pharaoh was at a loss for words. "I… I…" He touched the Millennium Puzzle – Yugi had lent it to him earlier – and slammed his hand on the table once again. His face was contorted in unimaginable agony – the agony of indecision. He laid his head to rest in his hands and moaned. "There will be a solar eclipse in a month's time. We have to act on the night before the sun and moon are in complete alignment."
~*~*~*~
Shadi's chant changed suddenly and instead of Amun-Ra, his wording was laced with reference to Ma'at.
The three apparently comatose figures of Yami, Bakura, and Marik moved apart and the glows surrounding Yami and Bakura faded, while Marik's became brighter. The glowing white orb now rested over his head.
~*~*~*~
"Marik – AH! OH, H-HARDER! Don't stop!!!" Malik begged and screamed as his yami pounded into him relentlessly. "M-MORE! MARIIIIIIK!!!" he screamed as his dark lover bit hard into the side of his neck, drawing blood.
It was a normal evening in the Ishtar household. Isis had decided to spend the night at the museum, doing last-minute checks on the new exhibit. Malik and his yami had decided to take the opportunity to have fun with each other. They were on Malik's bed, in the middle of some serious lovemaking.
Suddenly, Marik slid out of his hikari and collapsed beside the smaller blonde without climaxing. "I can't do it tonight, habibi," the Assassin Spirit said in a strangely quiet voice "I don't feel like it…".
Malik propped himself up on his elbows and looked incredulously at his darker, more insane and aggressive half. "Well, maybe I can persuade you…" the tan blonde purred huskily, a hand snaking down to caress his lover's manhood. He nipped playfully at Marik's nipples, taking each in turn into his mouth and sucking teasingly. The larger man suddenly pushed him away.
"Stop that!" he half-snarled. "I already told you – I can't do it tonight!" His voice was thick with emotion.
"You were the one who wanted this tonight in the first place and now you're saying you're not up to it?" Malik said incredulously, and turned his back on his yami to sulk.
Marik sighed, snaked an arm around his hikari's slender waist, and buried his head in the smaller teen's hair. "Please, Malik, habibi, understand me… I – " He stopped himself. 'This is your last night with him, you jackass! Make it a memorable one.'
Without warning, Malik found himself pinned to the bed by his arms. Without uttering a single word, Marik roughly shoved himself into his light's entrance. He did not stop shoving and by the fifth thrust, he managed to hit his mark.
"AH! M-MARIK! St-STOP TEASING M-ME!!! Harder! Fuck me HARDER!" The hikari thrust his hips up to meet Marik's bulging erection, hips grinding against his yami's to relieve himself of some of the tension.
Marik thrust again, harder than ever, tearing the sinews of Malik's entrance, making blood start to flow. It was painful, but the young light was used to it. After only a moment, the pain melted away to make way for heavenly, blissful pleasure. "Harder, habibi? Do you want more?" Marik asked, teasing his hikari by pulling out slightly. The small blonde growled in protest as the appendage started to slide out of him, then, without waiting for a reply, Marik thrust into him again and reached his climax, pouring his semen into Malik.
"MARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIK!!!!!!" Malik yelled out his lovers name as he too came, his release flowing freely.
Exhausted, the lovers collapsed onto the bed, side by side.
"I love you, Marik…" Malik breathed, drawing Marik to him for a heated kiss.
The yami entered Malik's mouth, roughly exploring his beloved's mouth, tasting him with a strange, wild urgency. If it ever seemed strange to Malik, he did not let it show, and opened his mouth wider to give Marik more. He didn't notice that even as Marik greedily explored his mouth, one of the Assassin's hands was reaching under the bed to retrieve a huge, gold-hilted dagger. Slowly, the awful weapon was raised, making its way up the side of the bed.
Marik ended the kiss finally, whispering words that he believed he would never utter again. "I love you too, Malik, my dear habibi…" With that, he raised the dagger above the two of them and plunged it into Malik's chest.
The hikari's eyes were wide with shock and anguish as the life drained out of his body. He watched in horror as his lover rose from the bed and stood, drawing the bloodied knife out of his body. A single tear traveled down the blonde-haired yami's face. It was the last thing Malik Ishtar ever saw. With his dying breath, he uttered a single question, in it conveying every drop of love, anger, remorse, shock, and confusion he was feeling.
"Why?…"
~*~*~*~
Before anyone had a chance to react properly to the repetition of Malik Ishtar's death, before Isis could collapse on the floor with tears of grief, the orb sped over to Bakura, the purple glow disappearing completely from Marik and Bakura's blue one re-igniting with renewed force.
~*~*~*~
"Do you like this, tenchi?" Bakura asked, burying himself into the silky matter that was Ryou's hair, trailing kisses all over his hikari's scalp.
"Mmmmmhhhmmm…" Ryou breathed. "Oh, Bakura…Yes… I do…" He leaned on his yami's shoulder and began to trace lazy circles on Bakura's strong chest.
The two albinos were stretched out on the couch in Ryou's home, cuddling under a blanket, delighting in the aftermath of their lovemaking session. It seemed that, that night, Bakura had been in the mood for something special. Now, both were exhausted and contented with touching each other, reveling in the feeling of each other's bodies.
"Kura… I wish we could stay like this forever…" Ryou said, trailing little butterfly kisses on his yami's neck and shoulder.
Bakura cupped Ryou's face in his hand and traced the younger boy's jaw line. "Forever and ever…." He murmured pulling the boy's face close for a passionate kiss.
Ryou noticed that there seemed to be a vast feeling – of what, Ryou couldn't exactly figure out – weighing down on the Tomb Robber's heart. There was a sadness in his eyes that Ryou could not come to understand. "Kura, you know you can tell me anything… What's wrong, my love?"
"Tenchi…" Bakura breathed, shaking his head. "No, it is nothing…. Be calm, little angel."
Ryou's brow furrowed deeper. "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me what's wro – "
Bakura cut him off by forcing his way into Ryou's mouth. "Mmmmmhhhmmm…" he moaned, reaching deeper into Ryou's mouth and exploring each and every inch of it, claiming the boy for his own. In all the time they had been together, Ryou had never lost the two qualities that Bakura adored the most in his heart's earthly angel. Ryou remained innocent and pure of soul, for no matter how many times Bakura claimed him, there was always an untouchable innocence in the silvery-haired boy that nothing could taint. Ryou was also loving – his heart was made of gold. There was no one he could not touch in one way or another. He had melted most of the cold bitterness that Bakura had held on to for the past five millennia, slowly but surely making the rough and careless Tomb Robber learn to feel again.
'Savor every moment of this. It is your last,' Bakura thought over and over, trying to keep his face devoid of any emotion that could potentially alarm his beautiful light.
"Oh, Kura!" Ryou breathed huskily, his arm wrapping around Bakura's neck in an effort to deepen the kiss further. "I love you…and I'm yours… forever… I want you to remember that…" They broke away and Ryou opened his glorious chocolate-brown eyes to gaze at his lover's darker ones. "Promise?"
Bakura found it hard to endure that steady gaze. "I… I promise." He suddenly pulled Ryou to him in a fierce hug, as if he would never let go.
But let go, he did. He stood up and wordlessly left his little hikari on the couch, carefully brushing aside strands of loose hair and wrapping him tightly in the blanket to stare at his retreating (naked) form walking up the stairs.
After what seemed like half an hour, the Tomb Robber returned, wearing a pair of faded pants and a hand held behind his back. He looked like he had been crying.
"What are you hiding?" Ryou asked, laughing nervously. Something was nagging at him in the back of his mind and he was alarmed to see his yami's tear-stained face. "Kura?"
"Ryou… tenchi…" Bakura breathed, coming closer, tears again pouring from his eyes. "I won't ever forget my promise… I am yours in heart and soul, just as you will always be mine… I…I love you too." With that, he drew a long, sharp, gold-hilted knife from behind his back, and plunged it straight into his hikari's heart.
Two crystalline tears fell from Ryou Bakura's eyes as he breathed his last. "Kura… Why?…"
~*~*~*~
Joey fought back the onrush of tears that threatened to overcome him. Only Seto's strong arms about his shoulders prevented him from crumpling to the ground as Isis had done. The blonde's heart not only ached for Malik and Ryou's sad fate, but dreaded what was to come next. As the sphere rushed to the Pharaoh, Joey braced himself. 'Yugi…'
~*~*~*~
"Yami, look! It's almost dawn!" Yugi said excitedly, pointing at the graying sky.
"Yes, aibou, I know…" Yami replied, slipping up beside his beloved and pulling him close, their bare shoulders shivering slightly as the cold morning air drifted in through the open window of Yugi's room.
The two lovers had spent the night together in intimacy, exploring every inch of each other's body, touching, caressing, and experiencing bliss with every passing moment that they spent together.
Yami's loving, fiery kisses and pleasure-giving thrusts had been, if possible, more passion-filled than anything little Yugi had ever experienced before from his Egyptian lover. Nothing, not even their first night together, when Yugi had surrendered his virginity to the adoring Pharaoh, compared to what had come to pass only a few hours ago.
And now, after a short rest, nested in each other's arms, they had awoken to see the dawn. It was their special time of the day – the time when the blackness that was night made way and blended with the rising light that was the approach of the sun-kissed morning. It was the time that expressed exactly what being yami and hikari meant to them, the time when the purpose for which Yami had sealed himself for five thousand years was realized. He was always to be there for his beloved, to protect him, love and cherish him for all eternity. It was his duty, and it was part of who he was.
'And you're throwing it all away now. Enjoy your last moments while they last. Seal your aibou's face in your memory, forever.' He whirled Yugi around and looked deeply into the large, trusting eyes of his beloved little hikari. He pressed a chaste kiss on his hikari's forehead.
"What was that for?" Yugi laughed burying his head in Yami's shoulder, only to have Yami gently push him back. "Yami?"
"Don't do that…" Yami murmured. "I want to be able to gaze at your face…. To take in every small feature and drink it in." He kissed Yugi on the cheek.
"But you've seen my face thousands of times, Yami…" Yugi reminded him, a pretty, rosy-red blush tinting his fair cheeks. He bowed his head slightly and shadowed his eyes with his lightning-blot-like bangs. Yami cupped his face again.
"I told you not to look away… No, I'm ordering you…." Yami said, placing kiss after kiss on his hikari's face. Yugi's Grandpa was out of town on a trip to a convention in Tokyo and they were in no danger of being disturbed.
"But you haven't told me why yet!" Yugi laughed, pecking Yami lightly on the lips. "I won't stop asking you until you answer me…"
Yami smiled lovingly and placed a kiss on the tip of Yugi's nose. "Because," he kissed Yugi's cheek, "I want," he placed another kiss on the younger boy's forehead, "to see," he kissed his way down Yugi's jawbone, "each and every," he nibbled on the hikari's chin, "beautiful part of your face." He ended by capturing Yugi's mouth in a passionate kiss. "And keep it in my memory forever…" he breathed, as the parted for air.
"Yami…." Yugi purred out his lover's name and tiptoed to press his lips to Yami's once more. "You're the only one I'll ever love… I love you so much…."
"As do I, my little Yugi…" Yami replied. "I love you." They kissed again and Yugi suddenly sensed a desperation in Yami's touch. It seemed like was trying to prolong something.
Yugi shrugged off the feeling and turned again to the rising sun. "Did you hear the news, Yami? Today, there will be a solar eclipse! Can we watch it with Ryou, Malik, Joey, and the rest?"
At those words, Yami stiffened and whirled Yugi around once more. He pressed his lips to his aibou's in a definitely desperate kiss, claiming Yugi's mouth with shameless abandon. He steered them back onto Yugi's bed, collapsing on top of the smaller boy. When Yugi opened his huge, amethyst eyes in wonder, he was met by the dulled gaze of Yami's crimson ones.
"Yugi… aibou… No matter what comes of what I am about to do…. I will love you for all eternity…" With that, Yami pressed his lips to Yugi's again, but this time, there was a sharp pain in Yugi's chest and when Yami drew away, the young boy looked down, horrified to see a gold-hilted dagger protruding from his torso.
"Y-Yami… Why?…" These were Yugi Motou's last words as his eyes were closed to the light of day.
Yami collapsed on the floor beside the prone figure, and cried and wept until he could shed nothing more.
~*~*~*~
Shadi's chant ended and the mystic slumped down in exhaustion.
Gradually, the darkness dissolved and those who formed the circle fell into their loved ones' arms, some weeping openly, the others refusing to look at the three yamis. Joey's heart couldn't take it any longer and he cried bitterly on Seto's shoulder. Tristan and Ryuuji clung to each other, heads bowed with silent tears. Shadi held Isis protectively in his arms. They had seen the deaths of persons dearly loved and their grief finally overpowered them.
The yamis, having awakened from their trance, stood tall and regal, regarding the weeping figures before them.
"Leave this room, all of you," Yami said in a cold, forceful voice.
Slowly, the mourning assemblage drifted from the room, their silent sobs echoing up into the rafters. Yami, Bakura, and Marik looked on, their faces impassive. The heavy doors swung closed.
Only then did the Spirits collapse onto the floor and cry their broken hearts out in unutterable loss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
TBC…
V. Maiden: O_O well uh...that was interesting (note to self: dont let ruriko eat too many chocolates)
Ruriko: Too late!!!! (munches on a Crunch bar) Mwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
V. Maiden: 0_o, *runs n' hides as far away from ruriko as possible with the next chappie*
Ruriko: I will get you!!!!!!!!! (starts to run, then remembers stuff, like Joey and teh closing remarks) Well, gotta go now! Joey, I will call Seto to come by and free you.
V. Maiden: *hears ruriko call setos name, then runs faster* you'll never get me alive! *runs to a wall then passes out*
Ruriko: BAKA! (stalks of, leaving Joey to sulk and wait for Seto)
Coming soon...
Chapter 4: The Hermit
- for those of you who want to get an idea of what's next in store, find out the meaning of that Tarot card!
^-^
By: Virtual Maiden and Ruriko Minamino
Ruriko: Hey there! We're back and.... I'm in trouble with V. Maiden!
V. Maiden: because you had too many glasses of LEMONade.
Joey: Can I go now? (tied down to a chair)
Ruriko: HELL NO!!!!!
Joey: Lemme go already!!!! What am I doing here?!?!?! SETOOOO!!!!!
V. Maiden: MUHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA*cough**wheez**cough* ur our slave er MUSE =D
Ruriko: So, you forgive me now for what I did to the chapter?
V. Maiden: (to Joey) sorry cant let u go until this chappie is done (Joey makes big puppy-dog eyes, V.M. turns to R.M.) O_O -_- U_U you had tooo many chocolates
Ruriko: WAAAAAHHH!!! I'm sorry already!!!!!!! (sniffle)
Joey: If you're done whining, let me gooooo!!!!!
V. Maiden: cant let u go until this chappie is done
Ruriko: So, do you forgive me? (pleading puppy-dog eyes)
V. Maiden: do i have any choice?...fine as long as the *cough*lemon*cough* is minimum
Ruriko: (does victory dance) Yahoo! Okay, on to the reviews!!!!
Joey: Hey, what about me? Let me go!!!!
V. Maiden: um........then reviews?
setokaba = R.M.: Really? They do? Well, we'll se what we can do! Thanks for telling us! VM: dont worry we'll try to fix things up
Osiris Lee = R.M.: Oh, we do pity him... (wearing a shirt that says 'STOP SETO ABUSE!!!') And as for Joey, Tristan, and Ryuuji, you'll see what they think here. VM: we are evil...n we DO pity seto, yes hu would want to talk care of yamis! n dont worry u will see the others reaction in chapter 3^^
AmenOsirius = R.M.: (mouth hanging open) YOu guessed right! And we were just about to ask if you sweet readers all noticed the chappie names yet! Oh, yeah, they all will be named after Tarot Cards. ^-^ V.M.: WoW O_O good guess, ya were gonna name the chapters based on the major arcarna, so if our chapter tittles has no relation what so ever with the chapter, then just look at the meanings of the cards, then you'll understand
Ruriko: Note to readers = As AmenOsirius guessed, all chapters will be named after the Tarot Cards in the major Arkana. So, that means, there will be 22 chapters in total! V.M., anything to add?
V.Maiden: just a warning that our chappies are pretty long...so it might be some time before we update
Joey: Hel-loooo!!!! LET! Me! GOOOOO!
V. Maiden: ...sorry cant let you go until this chappie is finish,*takes out questioners*...um so joey how do you view life?
Joey: SHUT UP AND FINISH THE CHAPTER SO I CAN GO BACK TO SETO ALREADY!!!!!!!
V. Maiden: *runs n hides behind ruriko* i give up, ur turn to entertain him
Ruriko: Boy, you're pissed! Okay.... here's the chapter!!!!! Don't forget, readers, R&R!!!!!
{....} - words spoken in Egyptian
Warning = Lemon in this chapter! You have been warned! Don't like, don't read!
Disclaimer = We don't own, you don't sue, got it?.... ^-^
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
Chapter 3: The Moon
"Go on," Yami said slowly, crimson eyes focused intently on the turbaned Shadi. "You think you know why we're on edge, do you?"
Joey noticed that Shadi seemed taken aback by the quiet query. "It is your hikaris. You are pining for them once more," he stated with complete confidence.
Bakura snorted. "What put that in your head? Miss that weakling? Fuck no!"
"Why would I miss that little mink?" Marik laughed out manically, leaning in Bakura and Yami for support. "I don't need him."
Yami walked up to the mystic Egyptian. "Poor misguided Shadi. Don't you get it? We don't miss our hikaris. They were light. We are darkness. There was no way we could have stayed together." His eyes held Shadi's in an unwavering gaze. It chilled Joey's very soul to hear Yami and his two cohorts say those words.
'Was everything that ever happened to them worth nothing?' the blonde thought, glancing at his beloved Seto. The two of them had gone through a lot of arguments before they had gotten together. Yugi, Ryou, and Malik hadn't lived to see them fall in love. Sadly, he remembered what one Yugi's last words to him had been. 'Aren't you two ever going to stop fighting, Joey? I know you love him. Why don't you tell him?' The blonde sighed. His little friend would have been happy to see that things had worked out for the best in the end.
Ryuuji and the rest cautiously walked up to the group. "You might as well give it up, turban-dude. They're not going to listen." The turbaned man sighed in defeat and beckoned Isis to speak.
"My Lords," she began in a clear voice. "If indeed what you say is true, may I be permitted to delve into this mysterious predicament further? I could, perhaps, with your leave, cast a spell that would allow us to dispel this fog of absent melancholy that covers you."
"Man, she's good," Tristan murmured to Joey. "If Yami and the others don't give in to her request, nothing's gonna work!"
And work it did. Yami turned to his two co-rulers for a moment and placed a hand on the Millennium Puzzle. In response, Bakura and Marik lightly grasped the Ring and Rod. Something seemed to pass between the three and after a moment, they turned back to Isis and nodded simultaneously in assent.
"Alright. We agree to what you propose," Yami said. "When can you start?"
The dark-haired woman smiled her mysterious smile and spread out her arms. "If it pleases your Imperial Majesties, I can do the ceremony here, with Seto Kaiba and the rest of your chosen companions as judges. The initial incantation is swift, but how long it will take depends on you three."
"What are you waiting for?" Bakura demanded.
Marik pushed his two co-rulers forward and slung his arms about their shoulders. "C'mon already! Do it."
"I will require you to face each other back to back and the rest of our companions must form a circle around you, linking hands, as I begin the chant." Isis took hold of Shadi's hand and placed him before her. "Shadi will continue as I will cast the spell."
As the yamis backed up to each other and Joey and the others formed the circle around them, Shadi began to circle.
Isis began her chant, her voice rising from a deep throaty sound to a high crescendo. "I call upon the Egyptian gods of old. My gods, come to our aid and find the truth behind the lies. Thot, I beseech you, come to our aid in the name of the great and all-powerful Ra!"
There was no turning back now. Joey, Tristan, and Duke looked at each other uneasily. Did they really want to find out what the yamis thought of? What if it was about their three deceased friends? Could they stand to find out that the yami triumvirate didn't really care anymore? Joey cast a nervous look at Seto. The Chief Advisor was staring resolutely at Isis and Shadi. There was no hint of emotion in his eyes. Joey squeezed his hand and the CEO turned and nodded once reassuringly. "Don't worry, pup. I'm here for you."
"Seto…" Joey murmured, leaning on his lover's shoulder. Would the time ever come that the brunette would follow the yamis' footsteps and do away with Joey to achieve a greater desire?
Isis' chanting became more rapid and suddenly, she fell silent and Shadi took her place, his hands raised to the heavens. His words could no longer be understood for he spoke in the long-dead tongue of ancient Egypt. The only word that could be recognized was the continuously repeated 'Amun-Ra', name of the supreme god of the Egyptians.
A bright white light suddenly engulfed the three Spirits and rose up just as suddenly above their heads. The three of them closed their eyes and started to pulsate themselves: Yami glowing a deep red; Bakura tinged with brightest blue; and Marik shimmering with swirls of violet and black. The white light formed itself into a huge sphere above their heads. A strange cry echoed among the rafters of the great chamber and all but the ball of light was dissolved in darkness. In the midst of the light, figures materialized and a scene unfolded...
~*~ Three years ago ~*~
"You're nothing but a coward, Pharaoh!" Bakura snarled, pointing an accusatory finger at Yami.
They, and Marik, were standing in near-deserted park near their hikaris' school, waiting for their light halves to appear. They'd bumped into each other only a few minutes ago and already the former Pharaoh and Tomb Robber were having another argument over some petty thing and Marik was watching in amusement.
"Coward? I? Hah!" Yami looked at the albino in contempt. "Who's been hiding in the Ring all these months? Not I, certainly."
"That does it, Pharaoh! You're going down!"
The two promptly started brawling and rolling around on the dusty ground. Bakura's eyes flashed madly and a ball of Shadow energy erupted forth from his open fist. It collided with Yami's jaw and the angry tri-colored teen lashed back with a black energy bolt of his own. All that time, Marik was watching them with interest. Suddenly, he disappeared with a pop and reappeared again holding the Millennium Rod. Jumping into the fray, he easily tapped the distracted Bakura on the back of the head. Yami froze mid-punch as he saw his opponent freeze over with glazed eyes. His reaction was fairly predictable.
"Assassin, what in the name of Ra did you do that for?!" The enraged King of Games grabbed at the Rod and tapped Bakura back to normal, then pounced on the bigger Spirit.
Marik just smirked. "It looked like fun, and I was bored."
The former Tomb Robber blinked and snarled at Yami when he saw the Rod in the ex-Pharaoh's hands. "What the fuck was that for?!" Bakura grabbed at Yami's shirt collar and lifted the smaller Egyptian up in the air. "Dirty, cheating son of a murdering ruler! How dare you try to brainwash me!"
"Shut it, Thief!" Yami retorted. "This idiot did that to you. I just stopped him!"
The albino turned on the psychotic yami. "When I get through with you, you won't be able to fuck with that little hikari of yours. No one brainwashes me and lives!"
But Marik was much bigger and stronger. "You can't do anything to me!" He smashed his fist right into Bakura's stomach and sent the pale Spirit crashing into a nearby tree.
Yami kicked him in the chest. "That was uncalled for, you stupid ass!"
"So, you wanna play with me now, Pharaoh?" Marik grabbed the Rod back and uncovered the dagger-like handle. Shadow energy crackled about his arm.
"Stay out of this, meddling Pharaoh! He's mine!" Bakura had gotten up and was hurling his Chain Energy at both the Assassin and the Pharaoh.
"Ungrateful mongrel!" Yami snarled, throwing the full weight of his Mind Crush at the other two.
"This is getting to be a regular thing!" Marik snarled, crashing headlong into the park's jungle gym. "This is the third time this week that we've done this! This time, I'm going to hack both of you into a million pieces!"
"I'd like to see you try – I will rip you limb from limb for what you just did first!" Bakura raised a fist, his hand cracking with Shadow energy. As his hand was about to collide with the sharp point of the Rod, Yami's cuffed hands stopped both of them.
"Wait!" the former Pharaoh said, eyes narrowed in thought as he struggled to part the two. "You, Marik, repeat what you just said."
Puzzled, the two relaxed and moved away until the three of them were forming a sort of triangle. "What? I said that I was going to hack – "
Bakura snorted. "Not that, you dimwit! Before that! About this becoming a regular thing!" His eyes had a strange gleam in them as he caught on to what Yami meant.
"It's true, isn't it?" Yami murmured, settling onto one of the swings. He crooked a finger and the swing began to move on its own, gently propelling him backwards and forwards. "We've been relying on our Shadow powers more than usual these past few weeks. It's almost become a habit."
Bakura laughed contemptuously. "That's ridiculous, Pharaoh! You may be becoming dependent on it, but I most certainly am not!" He slumped down on the side of the sand pit and was idly making miniature sandstorms for a full ten minutes before he realized what he was doing. "Crap…"
"Not dependent on it, huh?" Yami raised an eyebrow. "Look over there." He indicated Marik, who was enjoying his usual pastime: chasing squirrels.
"Get back here, you Ra-damned creature! I'll get you for daring to get near me!" Marik yelled at the furry brown streak darting around the park. On impulse, he started throwing bolts of Shadow energy at it.
"Hey psycho! Get over here!" Bakura called out. "We have to talk!" For good measures, he threw a pebble at the tan blonde's head.
The disgruntled platinum blonde yami ambled up to them and leaned on the side of the swings. "Well?"
Yami looked at them both seriously. "I think it's time we discussed this. I don't know about you two, but I feel strangely comfortable with using the Shadow powers like this." He waved a hand and the swing came to a halt.
"Come to think of it… It's gotten easier to control…" Bakura said, scratching his chin.
Marik shrugged. "I never noticed."
Just then, the sound of laughter reached their ears. Yugi, Ryou, and Malik had arrived. The three hikaris stopped in surprise. The yamis just stared back at them, faces still somber from their interrupted conversation, though their eyes all shone with love as they gazed upon their hikaris.
"G-guys… what's happened here?" Malik nudged his two friends and rubbed at his eyes in surprise, dropping his school bag.
"It looks like Yami, Bakura, and Marik sitting together and having a civil conversation," Yugi replied, large eyes shining in joy, as Ryou smiled, both of them obviously happy at the development.
"Well… much as I enjoyed that 'civil conversation', aibou, we have to go." Yami stood up and started to lead Yugi away, an arm protectively encircling the smaller boy's shoulders. Before he did, he leaned over to whisper something in Egyptian to his fellow Spirits when he thought Malik wasn't listening (he was the only one of the hikaris who could understand the language). {We have to meet again soon to finish our discussion. Marik, Bakura, meet me at Isis' museum this coming Friday. Yugi will be going to the movies with Joey and I think that Ryou and Malik are invited as well.}
~*~*~*~
The strange lights surrounding the three yamis flared out and Joey clung onto Seto fiercely, trying his best not to dissolve in tears. He was a grown man! Surely, after three years, the mere image of his deceased friends shouldn't cause him so much pain.
As he returned his attention to the three unmoving yamis, the scene playing in the orb above their heads shifted.
~*~*~*~
"What took you two so long?" Marik asked, lounging on the front steps of the museum. "I've been waiting forever!"
Bakura and Yami walked up the steps, their heads near each other in a low conversation. For the first time since they'd both gained bodies of their own, they weren't bickering and snarling. Marik himself looked a bit more alert than usual. Silently, the trio walked through the glass doors and into the museum, conversing in Egyptian in low tones. They had checked their actions with much alertness. It was very obvious to them that the powers of the Shadow Realm had become more than a little enticing and each had at least once entertained the idea of harnessing that energy.
"My Pharaoh, I never expected you to be here," the mysterious voice of Isis Ishtar echoed into the hall. Yami had long ago returned the Millennium Tauk to her, but she no longer wore it, choosing instead to keep it safely hidden somewhere. Not even her brother, Malik, knew where it was hidden. "And with the Tomb Robber too." She looked at the three yamis standing side by side with something akin to surprise on her face.
"Isis," Yami acknowledged her. "We decided to come here to talk. It seemed to be the most appropriate place, for everything in here reminds us of home."
"But you are home, my Pharaoh," Isis disagreed, walking in stride with them. "Wherever your hikaris are to be found is the place you must call home."
"Whatever, seeress," Bakura said, pausing in front of a display case. "Hey! I remember this. I stole this once – and that thing on the wall over there too." He began pointing at random items around the museum, stating when and from where he had taken it.
"You remember everything, don't you?" Marik commented sourly. His own memories, by reason of his unusual rebirth, mixed with those of his hikari and filled with insanity and malice, were the foggiest of the three Spirits'.
Yami had stopped at the doorway to a closed-off section. "You are expanding then, Isis?"
The female Ishtar came to his side and explained. "Ah, yes. The artifacts in that chamber arrived only a few days ago and seem to be much related to Seto Kaiba's former self, the High Priest Seth. I would ask him about the items, but for the fact that he can recall very little of his past life."
Yami felt a strange pull towards the room. A quick look at Bakura and Marik told him that they felt it too. "Maybe I can recognize something," the King of Games offered.
"Of course! It would be most beneficial to the museum if you could possibly explain," the museum curator said gratefully. She unhooked the chain, allowed the three Spirits to enter, and then flicked on the lights. "I apologize for the state of things. The set up will not be complete for another week or so."
But Yami, Bakura, and Marik were frozen in place. The only thing that had so far been arranged was a huge slab of hieroglyphics and pictographs on the back wall of the room. The picture was of the solar eclipse and a priestly figure standing above a dozen or so slaves swathed in pure white robes. A dagger in his hand was drenched in the slaves' blood. The hieroglyphics were so faded that it was almost impossible to read, but just looking at the image was enough.
"Is there anything you can tell me about this?" Isis asked, laying a hand on the wall reverently.
But Yami, Bakura, and Marik had already vanished from the room.
~*~*~*~
The sphere became blank and Joey and the rest looked at each other in confusion.
"What happened? Is that it?" Seto asked.
A look from Isis silenced him. "Until Shadi stops his chant, it means that there is more to come."
Suddenly, Bakura's voice echoed into the air, although the Spirit himself remained unmoving. "I don't know about you two, but I know how to take control of all the Millennium Items. With or without you two, I will seize them!"
Marik's voice joined his. "Heh! Count me in! This world is ripe for the taking now."
"You two know the risk, do you not?" Yami's quiet voice filled the room, thought the ex-Pharaoh did not move his lips. "You two know of the sacrifice that has to be made."
"What are they talking about?" Joey asked, angry at the tone of the yamis' voices echoing around. "What sacrifice?"
"Pup, be quiet," Seto shushed, pulling back the blonde. "There's more."
Blurry images began to swirl in the sphere and every head turned to look again.
~*~*~*~
It was Tuesday the next week. Yami sat in front of Bakura and Marik at a booth in a diner in the shabbier part of town, frowning down at them. "You two know of the sacrifice that has to be made," he repeated.
The Tomb Robber and Assassin regarded each other uneasily. Did they really want to lose what they loved the most in exchange for power?
Slowly, Marik's face settled into a grim mask. "I'm willing to make it." His voice was firm, although there was uncertainty and pain in his eyes. His eyes lighted on the Rod, which he had again taken from his hikari earlier that afternoon. He bowed his head and his silence indicated that he waited for the other two to make their decisions.
Bakura looked hesitantly from the Ring on his chest, 'borrowed' from Ryou, then at Yami and Marik, then back to the Ring. He hung his head and nodded. "I'm willing to make the sacrifice as well," he said in a halfhearted voice.
"You two can't be serious!" Yami said, slamming his hand down on the table.
Bakura looked at him with haunted eyes. "Will you stop us, Pharaoh Yugioh? Don't tell us you're not tempted as well."
The Pharaoh was at a loss for words. "I… I…" He touched the Millennium Puzzle – Yugi had lent it to him earlier – and slammed his hand on the table once again. His face was contorted in unimaginable agony – the agony of indecision. He laid his head to rest in his hands and moaned. "There will be a solar eclipse in a month's time. We have to act on the night before the sun and moon are in complete alignment."
~*~*~*~
Shadi's chant changed suddenly and instead of Amun-Ra, his wording was laced with reference to Ma'at.
The three apparently comatose figures of Yami, Bakura, and Marik moved apart and the glows surrounding Yami and Bakura faded, while Marik's became brighter. The glowing white orb now rested over his head.
~*~*~*~
"Marik – AH! OH, H-HARDER! Don't stop!!!" Malik begged and screamed as his yami pounded into him relentlessly. "M-MORE! MARIIIIIIK!!!" he screamed as his dark lover bit hard into the side of his neck, drawing blood.
It was a normal evening in the Ishtar household. Isis had decided to spend the night at the museum, doing last-minute checks on the new exhibit. Malik and his yami had decided to take the opportunity to have fun with each other. They were on Malik's bed, in the middle of some serious lovemaking.
Suddenly, Marik slid out of his hikari and collapsed beside the smaller blonde without climaxing. "I can't do it tonight, habibi," the Assassin Spirit said in a strangely quiet voice "I don't feel like it…".
Malik propped himself up on his elbows and looked incredulously at his darker, more insane and aggressive half. "Well, maybe I can persuade you…" the tan blonde purred huskily, a hand snaking down to caress his lover's manhood. He nipped playfully at Marik's nipples, taking each in turn into his mouth and sucking teasingly. The larger man suddenly pushed him away.
"Stop that!" he half-snarled. "I already told you – I can't do it tonight!" His voice was thick with emotion.
"You were the one who wanted this tonight in the first place and now you're saying you're not up to it?" Malik said incredulously, and turned his back on his yami to sulk.
Marik sighed, snaked an arm around his hikari's slender waist, and buried his head in the smaller teen's hair. "Please, Malik, habibi, understand me… I – " He stopped himself. 'This is your last night with him, you jackass! Make it a memorable one.'
Without warning, Malik found himself pinned to the bed by his arms. Without uttering a single word, Marik roughly shoved himself into his light's entrance. He did not stop shoving and by the fifth thrust, he managed to hit his mark.
"AH! M-MARIK! St-STOP TEASING M-ME!!! Harder! Fuck me HARDER!" The hikari thrust his hips up to meet Marik's bulging erection, hips grinding against his yami's to relieve himself of some of the tension.
Marik thrust again, harder than ever, tearing the sinews of Malik's entrance, making blood start to flow. It was painful, but the young light was used to it. After only a moment, the pain melted away to make way for heavenly, blissful pleasure. "Harder, habibi? Do you want more?" Marik asked, teasing his hikari by pulling out slightly. The small blonde growled in protest as the appendage started to slide out of him, then, without waiting for a reply, Marik thrust into him again and reached his climax, pouring his semen into Malik.
"MARIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIK!!!!!!" Malik yelled out his lovers name as he too came, his release flowing freely.
Exhausted, the lovers collapsed onto the bed, side by side.
"I love you, Marik…" Malik breathed, drawing Marik to him for a heated kiss.
The yami entered Malik's mouth, roughly exploring his beloved's mouth, tasting him with a strange, wild urgency. If it ever seemed strange to Malik, he did not let it show, and opened his mouth wider to give Marik more. He didn't notice that even as Marik greedily explored his mouth, one of the Assassin's hands was reaching under the bed to retrieve a huge, gold-hilted dagger. Slowly, the awful weapon was raised, making its way up the side of the bed.
Marik ended the kiss finally, whispering words that he believed he would never utter again. "I love you too, Malik, my dear habibi…" With that, he raised the dagger above the two of them and plunged it into Malik's chest.
The hikari's eyes were wide with shock and anguish as the life drained out of his body. He watched in horror as his lover rose from the bed and stood, drawing the bloodied knife out of his body. A single tear traveled down the blonde-haired yami's face. It was the last thing Malik Ishtar ever saw. With his dying breath, he uttered a single question, in it conveying every drop of love, anger, remorse, shock, and confusion he was feeling.
"Why?…"
~*~*~*~
Before anyone had a chance to react properly to the repetition of Malik Ishtar's death, before Isis could collapse on the floor with tears of grief, the orb sped over to Bakura, the purple glow disappearing completely from Marik and Bakura's blue one re-igniting with renewed force.
~*~*~*~
"Do you like this, tenchi?" Bakura asked, burying himself into the silky matter that was Ryou's hair, trailing kisses all over his hikari's scalp.
"Mmmmmhhhmmm…" Ryou breathed. "Oh, Bakura…Yes… I do…" He leaned on his yami's shoulder and began to trace lazy circles on Bakura's strong chest.
The two albinos were stretched out on the couch in Ryou's home, cuddling under a blanket, delighting in the aftermath of their lovemaking session. It seemed that, that night, Bakura had been in the mood for something special. Now, both were exhausted and contented with touching each other, reveling in the feeling of each other's bodies.
"Kura… I wish we could stay like this forever…" Ryou said, trailing little butterfly kisses on his yami's neck and shoulder.
Bakura cupped Ryou's face in his hand and traced the younger boy's jaw line. "Forever and ever…." He murmured pulling the boy's face close for a passionate kiss.
Ryou noticed that there seemed to be a vast feeling – of what, Ryou couldn't exactly figure out – weighing down on the Tomb Robber's heart. There was a sadness in his eyes that Ryou could not come to understand. "Kura, you know you can tell me anything… What's wrong, my love?"
"Tenchi…" Bakura breathed, shaking his head. "No, it is nothing…. Be calm, little angel."
Ryou's brow furrowed deeper. "Something's bothering you. Please, tell me what's wro – "
Bakura cut him off by forcing his way into Ryou's mouth. "Mmmmmhhhmmm…" he moaned, reaching deeper into Ryou's mouth and exploring each and every inch of it, claiming the boy for his own. In all the time they had been together, Ryou had never lost the two qualities that Bakura adored the most in his heart's earthly angel. Ryou remained innocent and pure of soul, for no matter how many times Bakura claimed him, there was always an untouchable innocence in the silvery-haired boy that nothing could taint. Ryou was also loving – his heart was made of gold. There was no one he could not touch in one way or another. He had melted most of the cold bitterness that Bakura had held on to for the past five millennia, slowly but surely making the rough and careless Tomb Robber learn to feel again.
'Savor every moment of this. It is your last,' Bakura thought over and over, trying to keep his face devoid of any emotion that could potentially alarm his beautiful light.
"Oh, Kura!" Ryou breathed huskily, his arm wrapping around Bakura's neck in an effort to deepen the kiss further. "I love you…and I'm yours… forever… I want you to remember that…" They broke away and Ryou opened his glorious chocolate-brown eyes to gaze at his lover's darker ones. "Promise?"
Bakura found it hard to endure that steady gaze. "I… I promise." He suddenly pulled Ryou to him in a fierce hug, as if he would never let go.
But let go, he did. He stood up and wordlessly left his little hikari on the couch, carefully brushing aside strands of loose hair and wrapping him tightly in the blanket to stare at his retreating (naked) form walking up the stairs.
After what seemed like half an hour, the Tomb Robber returned, wearing a pair of faded pants and a hand held behind his back. He looked like he had been crying.
"What are you hiding?" Ryou asked, laughing nervously. Something was nagging at him in the back of his mind and he was alarmed to see his yami's tear-stained face. "Kura?"
"Ryou… tenchi…" Bakura breathed, coming closer, tears again pouring from his eyes. "I won't ever forget my promise… I am yours in heart and soul, just as you will always be mine… I…I love you too." With that, he drew a long, sharp, gold-hilted knife from behind his back, and plunged it straight into his hikari's heart.
Two crystalline tears fell from Ryou Bakura's eyes as he breathed his last. "Kura… Why?…"
~*~*~*~
Joey fought back the onrush of tears that threatened to overcome him. Only Seto's strong arms about his shoulders prevented him from crumpling to the ground as Isis had done. The blonde's heart not only ached for Malik and Ryou's sad fate, but dreaded what was to come next. As the sphere rushed to the Pharaoh, Joey braced himself. 'Yugi…'
~*~*~*~
"Yami, look! It's almost dawn!" Yugi said excitedly, pointing at the graying sky.
"Yes, aibou, I know…" Yami replied, slipping up beside his beloved and pulling him close, their bare shoulders shivering slightly as the cold morning air drifted in through the open window of Yugi's room.
The two lovers had spent the night together in intimacy, exploring every inch of each other's body, touching, caressing, and experiencing bliss with every passing moment that they spent together.
Yami's loving, fiery kisses and pleasure-giving thrusts had been, if possible, more passion-filled than anything little Yugi had ever experienced before from his Egyptian lover. Nothing, not even their first night together, when Yugi had surrendered his virginity to the adoring Pharaoh, compared to what had come to pass only a few hours ago.
And now, after a short rest, nested in each other's arms, they had awoken to see the dawn. It was their special time of the day – the time when the blackness that was night made way and blended with the rising light that was the approach of the sun-kissed morning. It was the time that expressed exactly what being yami and hikari meant to them, the time when the purpose for which Yami had sealed himself for five thousand years was realized. He was always to be there for his beloved, to protect him, love and cherish him for all eternity. It was his duty, and it was part of who he was.
'And you're throwing it all away now. Enjoy your last moments while they last. Seal your aibou's face in your memory, forever.' He whirled Yugi around and looked deeply into the large, trusting eyes of his beloved little hikari. He pressed a chaste kiss on his hikari's forehead.
"What was that for?" Yugi laughed burying his head in Yami's shoulder, only to have Yami gently push him back. "Yami?"
"Don't do that…" Yami murmured. "I want to be able to gaze at your face…. To take in every small feature and drink it in." He kissed Yugi on the cheek.
"But you've seen my face thousands of times, Yami…" Yugi reminded him, a pretty, rosy-red blush tinting his fair cheeks. He bowed his head slightly and shadowed his eyes with his lightning-blot-like bangs. Yami cupped his face again.
"I told you not to look away… No, I'm ordering you…." Yami said, placing kiss after kiss on his hikari's face. Yugi's Grandpa was out of town on a trip to a convention in Tokyo and they were in no danger of being disturbed.
"But you haven't told me why yet!" Yugi laughed, pecking Yami lightly on the lips. "I won't stop asking you until you answer me…"
Yami smiled lovingly and placed a kiss on the tip of Yugi's nose. "Because," he kissed Yugi's cheek, "I want," he placed another kiss on the younger boy's forehead, "to see," he kissed his way down Yugi's jawbone, "each and every," he nibbled on the hikari's chin, "beautiful part of your face." He ended by capturing Yugi's mouth in a passionate kiss. "And keep it in my memory forever…" he breathed, as the parted for air.
"Yami…." Yugi purred out his lover's name and tiptoed to press his lips to Yami's once more. "You're the only one I'll ever love… I love you so much…."
"As do I, my little Yugi…" Yami replied. "I love you." They kissed again and Yugi suddenly sensed a desperation in Yami's touch. It seemed like was trying to prolong something.
Yugi shrugged off the feeling and turned again to the rising sun. "Did you hear the news, Yami? Today, there will be a solar eclipse! Can we watch it with Ryou, Malik, Joey, and the rest?"
At those words, Yami stiffened and whirled Yugi around once more. He pressed his lips to his aibou's in a definitely desperate kiss, claiming Yugi's mouth with shameless abandon. He steered them back onto Yugi's bed, collapsing on top of the smaller boy. When Yugi opened his huge, amethyst eyes in wonder, he was met by the dulled gaze of Yami's crimson ones.
"Yugi… aibou… No matter what comes of what I am about to do…. I will love you for all eternity…" With that, Yami pressed his lips to Yugi's again, but this time, there was a sharp pain in Yugi's chest and when Yami drew away, the young boy looked down, horrified to see a gold-hilted dagger protruding from his torso.
"Y-Yami… Why?…" These were Yugi Motou's last words as his eyes were closed to the light of day.
Yami collapsed on the floor beside the prone figure, and cried and wept until he could shed nothing more.
~*~*~*~
Shadi's chant ended and the mystic slumped down in exhaustion.
Gradually, the darkness dissolved and those who formed the circle fell into their loved ones' arms, some weeping openly, the others refusing to look at the three yamis. Joey's heart couldn't take it any longer and he cried bitterly on Seto's shoulder. Tristan and Ryuuji clung to each other, heads bowed with silent tears. Shadi held Isis protectively in his arms. They had seen the deaths of persons dearly loved and their grief finally overpowered them.
The yamis, having awakened from their trance, stood tall and regal, regarding the weeping figures before them.
"Leave this room, all of you," Yami said in a cold, forceful voice.
Slowly, the mourning assemblage drifted from the room, their silent sobs echoing up into the rafters. Yami, Bakura, and Marik looked on, their faces impassive. The heavy doors swung closed.
Only then did the Spirits collapse onto the floor and cry their broken hearts out in unutterable loss.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`
TBC…
V. Maiden: O_O well uh...that was interesting (note to self: dont let ruriko eat too many chocolates)
Ruriko: Too late!!!! (munches on a Crunch bar) Mwahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
V. Maiden: 0_o, *runs n' hides as far away from ruriko as possible with the next chappie*
Ruriko: I will get you!!!!!!!!! (starts to run, then remembers stuff, like Joey and teh closing remarks) Well, gotta go now! Joey, I will call Seto to come by and free you.
V. Maiden: *hears ruriko call setos name, then runs faster* you'll never get me alive! *runs to a wall then passes out*
Ruriko: BAKA! (stalks of, leaving Joey to sulk and wait for Seto)
Coming soon...
Chapter 4: The Hermit
- for those of you who want to get an idea of what's next in store, find out the meaning of that Tarot card!
^-^