Hello everybody!The website hasn't been working…so I'm typing this while I wait. Heh. I already have the previous chapter up and ready to go. You're all probably squirming to find out what happened to our handsome white-haired devil.

I said I'd list some good authors...and their stories that are in progess. Help get them to update or something. I'll just list some for now. These are the best of the best, peoples!

Redemption by DracOnyx: This story is awesome! A must read, peoples. Look into to it. Tell DracOnyx to UPDATE! She hasn't touched it since January! (sigh) She was doing so well on her updating too...

Submission and its sequel Domination by Borath: Excellent stories. Personally, I like Domination better. They've got one chapter to go on that story. (gushes) soooooo well written! Not for the squeemish, though.

Love That Transcends Time by YamiMisao: The title's a bit gushy, but the story is great and has many a funny situation. I haven't seen one quite constructed like it.

The New Students by White Angel: (shivers in awe) an extremely complex harrypotter/yugioh crossover. The best I've seen. This author's got talent, peoples. If you want to read a good story, this one's a MUST. (heh) did I get my point accross? I think so too...

Greetings to our new addition of reviewers: Dragonlady222! Yay! I salute you! This chappie will be dedicated to you.

Satra darling, what can I say? I love your eagerness. You're adorable! (Goosh) Anyhoo, you have no idea how much I appreciate you and your devotedness! (see that, peoples. If you're loyal you will be singled out and praised! ) I was going to wait longer to update, but I couldn't do that to you, dearie. (smiles happily)

This poem kind of relates to Kura. I just wrote it recently and found it appropriate.

Response

I cannot please the world.

I will not shine their shoes

Or kneel at their feet.

They cannot make me choose.

I cannot please the world.

They can't control my mind.

I'll hide from peeping eyes,

From all of humankind.

I cannot please the world.

They do not think like I.

They'll shout orders in my ears,

But I will not reply.

Chapter 8: Betrayal

"I asked you what the hell you did to him, Pharaoh!" Marik yelled placing a tanned hand gently on the thief's freezing forehead.

"Yami?" Yugi whimpered in shock.

Anzu made a strange, strained noise, shivering next to Jou who looked rather ill. Honda was staring at the limp thief in disbelief.

Yami's eyes shifted from the book to Yugi.

"Yami?" the boy whispered.

"LOOK AT ME YOU BASTARD!" Marik shrieked.

/Yami, talk to him/ Yugi pleaded through their link.

"They're…not there…" Yami said slowly in a monotone voice.

"What? Who's not where?" Honda pressed, glancing cautiously at Marik who looked like he was about to explode.

"The memories. I could feel them in my grasp for a moment but then they just…" Yami's voice trailed off. The others stared aghast.

"Wait wait…does this have something to do with the book?" Marik exclaimed turning from person to person.

No one answered.

"What spell did you use on him?" Marik asked frantically.

Yami stared at the book, refusing to look at the blond Egyptian.

"It's a spell that allows the item holder to…take someone's memories," Yugi whispered as he stared with concern at Bakura

Marik's eyes darkened. "You said you'd leave him alone. I risked my damn life to help you so you'd leave him alone!" He was screaming now, outraged at the betrayal.

Still they remained silent.

"Put them back!" he whispered fiercely. "Put his memories BACK!"

"I—I can't find them! They should be in the puzzle but they're not!" Yami said desperately.

Marik's face contorted as realization hit him in full force. "What the fuck! You mean you used the Puzzle?" he demanded standing up.

Everyone was silent once again.

"You did," Marik croaked, sinking to his knees. "Oh Ra….oh gods…" He buried his face in his hand.

"What're you mumblin' about?" Jou asked, frustrated with the whole situation.

"You used the puzzle. That book opens only for the Millennium Rod. These are spells specifically for that item. The puzzle wasn't meant for that spell; or have you forgotten the reaction it had to an item that was even close by?" Marik stood, walking unsteadily to Yami.

Taking the book Marik held it clumsily with his good arm. His violet eyes scanned the spell. Looking troubled, he began awkwardly flipping through the pages.

"What is it, Marik?" Ryou asked nervously, holding Bakura's hand, gently stroking it with his thumb.

"This isn't a book of the priests! I don't recognize this at all!" Marik said, still studying the book. "These are all torture procedures!"

"Oh my god." Anzu trembled.

"How is borrowing someone's memories torture?" Honda asked confusedly.

"It was a way to get information from someone who wouldn't talk after being exposed to extreme torture. It sounds like the spell itself is excruciatingly painful," Marik hissed, eyes dancing with fire.

"Ugh." Jou shuddered involuntarily.

"So…did Bakura's memories just return to him since the spell was done with the puzzle?" Yugi asked hopefully.

"We won't know until he wakes up," Marik whispered, eyes blurring at the thought of his friend in immense pain as the text described.

Ryou let out a sob, burying his face in his yami's shirt. The others, except for Marik, stared with astonishment at this.

'Why does he pity him? Bakura's never been kind to him!' Honda thought bitterly.

'Kura, if only you could see how much he cares for you,' Marik thought sadly, knowing the yami and hikari didn't have much of a relationship.

"Hey you, get over here." Marik motioned to Honda as he knelt by his friend's limp body.

Honda didn't argue. He came up beside the Egyptian waiting for instructions.

"Take him to the couch," Marik said as he gently pulled the hikari's trembling form off the thief.

Honda hesitated but quickly complied. He bent down and warily picked up the unconscious tomb robber. Being careful not to drop him, Honda made his way to the living room where he cautiously set the motionless thief on the couch.

Ryou stared forlornly at his yami.

/Bakura/

There was no response.

Marik stood beside him. "He's not answering?" he asked referring to the mind link.

Ryou shook his head, tears streaming down his face. Honda stood next to the two awkwardly. He glanced back to the others who had shuffled into the room.

"Why don't we make something to eat?" Anzu asked turning to Yugi for approval.

"That's probably a good idea," Yugi agreed softly.

"I'll help," Ryou said suddenly, wiping his tear-stained face with his sleeve.

"Ry, you don't…" Marik began but fell silent.

"All right, let's go see what we can whip up!" Yugi said, the trio heading off with Jou and Honda in tow.

Yami stood mutely, staring at Marik who was gently moving the tomb robber's bangs from his eyes. The young Egyptian was ignoring the ancient monarch; or so said yami thought…

"Pharaoh." Marik spoke suddenly.

"Marik, look I know what you're going to say…" Yami began, holding up his hands in surrender.

"Do you have any blankets? He's freezing here."

Yami paused, stunned for a moment.

"Pharaoh," Marik repeated.

"Right right," Yami said quickly, bounding for the hallway.

He reached the closet and fumbled through searching for a warm blanket. Cursing, he scooped a few up as they fell out of the closet. He settled for and old quilt that was extremely thick.

Hearing a shout, he hurried back to the living room where he was met with an astounding sight. Marik was kneeling on the floor, hand on his jaw. A trickle of blood ran down the hand from his mouth. Yami's attention, however, was on Bakura. The ancient thief stood before Marik, a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes.

Marik watched distractedly as Yami left the room to supposedly get a blanket. Bakura's body was shaking, lips slightly blue.

'It's like hypothermia or something,' he observed with concern, moving closer to his friend's motionless form on the couch.

"Uhhh…" the thief stirred, moaning in agony.

Marik knelt by his friend gently using his good arm to shake him.

"Kura? Bakura, wake up!" he pleaded.

Dark brown eyes shot open.

"Oh thank Ra!" Marik breathed, smiling in relief.

He didn't have time to react as a fist came at his face. He fell backwards, pain throbbing in his jaw.

"What the…?" he said loudly, holding his hand to his face as the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

Footsteps were heard rushing toward the room. Yami appeared in the doorway, quilt in his arms.

"What on earth?" Yami whispered.

Bakura's eyes darted to the newcomer. A look of surprise turned to rage. With a feral snarl the thief lunged at Yami. They tumbled to the floor, the quilt tangling around limbs.

"Kura wait!" Mraik yelled, struggling to his feet.

"What's going on?" Yugi asked as everyone peeked into the room.

Yami was straddling Bakura's chest, clawing madly at the thief's hands that were strangling his neck.

"Yami!" Yugi screamed as Honda and Jou hastily rushed forward to separate the two spirits.

Yami's gasped in surprise when Bakura hooked a knee into his stomach. A moment later he was on his back, the knee pressing painfully into his ribs. Bakura's quick hands snatched up the quilt, smothering Yami with it. The pharaoh's arms flayed about helplessly.

Jou and Honda pounced on the thief, dragging him off Yami. Bakura was surprisingly resilient after his condition from only moments earlier. Yugi rushed forward to Yami who was gasping for air. Honda and Jou slammed the tomb robber into the singed wall. Bakura growled as he thrashed back and forth in an attempt to break free. Ryou stood in the doorway to the kitchen, eyes wide.

"Kura, stop it!" Marik yelled. "Yes the pharaoh's an ass! Forget about him! Let's settle this later. Listen to me!" he screamed as the tomb robber continued to struggle.

It was obvious the thief 'd had a rush of adrenaline. His eyes were weary, although anger still remained. He seemed to be realizing how futile his efforts were, movements becoming sluggish.

"Let him go now," Marik said, slowly walking forward.

"Hell no! Did you see what he was doing to Yami?" Jou yelled, gripping the thief's arm tightly.

"Kura, just promise not to jump him again…just for now," Marik pleaded, blood still flowing out of the side of his mouth.

Yami sat up, ears ringing.

"You all right, man?" Jou asked.

Yami nodded, head stinging. He glanced up at the tomb robber who was being held against the wall by Honda and Jou. He was breathing harshly, chest heaving in an attempt to catch his breath. Brown eyes met dark violet. Yami stared in disbelief. Bakura's eyes were intense, burning, ignited by some demonic rage. Yami felt a shiver run down his spine. He'd never seen pure hatred before; yet here it was now, focused entirely on him.

"Bakura…" he began, not really sure what to say, but feeling he needed to say something.

Bakura's face held a look of shock, although the rage remained. Honda and Jou tightened their grips as they felt the tomb robber tense.

/Yami/ Ryou whispered through their mind link.

Bakura jumped slightly. He glanced about as if searching for something. His eyes held a look of utter bewilderment as he spotted Yugi standing next to Yami.

"What's wrong, Kura?" Marik tried a calmer approach.

Bakura turned to the tomb keeper. His brown eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Where am I?"

Marik's brow creased. Something wasn't right.

"What'd he say?" Honda asked.

Yami's mouth hung open, jaw slacked. "It's not possible," he whispered.

"What? What'd he say?" Honda repeated.

"Weren't you listening, dolt?" Marik sighed in exasperation.

"Of course I was. I just can't understand the language he spoke in," Honda retorted.

"Wha?" Marik's eyes bulged.

"Ancient Egyptian…" Yami murmured, eyes locked on the other yami.

"Pharaoh, where are we? What have you done?" the thief snarled.

"Holy shit!" Marik gasped.

"Don't just stand there like dummies! Somebody calm him down! Talk to him!" Jou stated.

"Why's he speaking in ancient Egyptian?" Anzu asked nervously.

"Let's find out," Marik muttered. He stepped closer to the trioagainst the wall. "Bakura, what's wrong?"

"Don't taunt me you little girly boy!" the thief sneered.

"What'd you call me?" Marik yelled, switching languages without realizing it.

"What? What'd he say?" Honda asked, readjusting his hold on the thief.

"You are truly pathetic, Pharaoh. Can't even fight your own battles. Have to have your pitiful minions do all your dirty work," Bakura hissed, a taunting smile on his face.

"What's he talking about?" Yami demanded.

"It's his past." Everyone turned to Ryou.

"What?"

"You did take his memories, but not his memories of ancient Egypt," Ryou whispered, a tear escaping his eye. "You took his memories of the present time. This is Bakura the tomb robber."

They all looked at the white-haired yami who was staring in disbelief at his hikari.

"He doesn't know who we are," Ryou whimpered helplessly.

"Oh Ra," Yami whispered, wide-eyed.

"Bakura, what do you remember?" Marik asked, near hysterics at the thought of his best friend having no recollection of him.

"Where are we?" the yami growled ignoring the question.

"Answer me!" Marik stated.

"Why should I? What are you anyway? Priest in training perhaps?" the thief smirked, his voice dripping his sarcasm.

Marik stared, jaw slacked. His eyes were wide, looking like he would have a mental breakdown at any given moment.

"What'd he say? What's happening?" Honda demanded, seeing the tomb keeper's state.

"It's true, isn't it?" Ryou trembled, not leaving the doorway.

"Bakura…listen to me…" Yami stated, trying to take control of the situation.

"No, I don't think I will!" the thief shot back stubbornly. "What're you going to do about it? Put me in solitary confinement? Torture me?"

"What the? I would never to anything like that!" Yami insisted, shocked the tomb robber had even suggested it.

This caused the thief to burst into a fit of chilling laughter. Honda and Jou both let go at this, backing off in fear. Yami shuddered, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end.

"Yami man, what'd you say?" Jou asked.

Bakura stopped. "Come now, Pharaoh, I expect that you want revenge for your precious priest. Don't play the fool with me."

"Priest?" Yami blinked in confusion.

Bakura scowled. "You son of a bitch."

The Millennium Ring blasted a beam of Shadow Magic directly at Yami. The pharaoh barely managed to dodge, the chair next to him exploding.

Bakura grinned wickedly, amusement gleaming in his eyes. "You want to play, do you?"

More blasts came aimed at Yami, Honda, and Marik.

"Shit!" Jou shrieked, ducking behind the couch.

Anzu and Yugi were screaming from behind the television where they'd taken refuge. Yami jumped at Marik, yanking the boy to the floor, barely missing the blast.

"What the hell?" Honda choked as the lamp next to him exploded.

Yami scrambled to his feet, bracing himself for another attack.

"Ooooh…" Marik moaned from the floor.

"Where'd he go? Where'd he go?" Jou asked frantically, slinking out from behind the couch.

"He's gone," Ryou whispered from the kitchen doorway. "He's gone."

Hehe! What a cliffhanger, eh? Too bad for you guys.

I've been slightly depressed lately. I hope that doesn't affect my writing. I'm planning a few new stories. One of them will be a one-shot Rurouni Kenshin. If you're not a fan, fine. Be that way. I'm also extremely excited about my new Yugioh fanfic: Cry of the Wicked. I've yet to see a plot like it. So it's MINE! My preciousssss...sorry, I'm a big LOTR's fan. If you don't like it, well...I don't want you to abandon me when I flat-out insult you...so I'll behave. (twitches)

I've been in a poem-writing phase lately. It's like a high (fans: - -) Oh hush, I know I'm strange. Being weird is a good thing. Normal is baaaad! Don't be normal peoples. If you are: You're B-O-R-I-N-G! You need to loosen up and find yourself. I'm serious here. Don't be a drone and try to follow fads. Make up your own! That's what I do! (and it's probably why my sister ignores me at school) Heh.

Wowzer! I'm really babbling! My most sincere apologies! (kowtows)

Well, I probably won't be updating until after the holiday. You know, Thanksgiving. Lovely. Too many family get-togethers. I have a huge family. I'll dub this "turkey weekend." A four-day weekend at that. At least some good's coming out of it all. Anyhoo, happy thanksgiving! Eat turkey. Get fat. Sleep. Drink sparkling grape juice. (quivers in delight) Yummy!

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