Oh...my...good...ness...!...!...!
What brought all that on? My threats? Your loyalty? Your undying love and devotion? Boredom? - -
Anyway, I'm extremely excited by this turn out! eight reviews! (plus I'm updating extremely quickly) Why? Cause you people deserve it. Mostly, though, it's for one person in particular. See, I updated right? So the next day I go to check it and the review count has gone from 24 to 41 OVERNIGHT. Yeah. That's what I said too. Well, one of you (Silver Mirror) put in ten reviews! (no wait...eleven!) One for each chappie. That my friends, is dedication for you.
On to my responses:
T. Lei: Yay! A new fan and anonymous person! I'm always excited about receiving anonymous reviews! I was one myself once. Sooo wonderful! Please continue to review, dearie! Love ya!
Anei Aikouka: Ooookay...let's get started: Yes Bakura doesn't have much resistance when it comes to murdering peoples. Anzu coming back to rescue him? (grins) you'll see...Yes, I've already created some...interesting scenes because of the language problem. About Torrda: he's not any of the characters in Yugioh. He's mine. He's not one of the adversaries from the mangas or anime series. Okay? He's MINE. So Yami hasn't knocked his lights out or anything...I'm having fun writing Mr. Mutou. I'm glad to hear I'm doing a somewhat decent job. He's one of the characters I was more uncertain about writing. I'm glad you mentioned how the hikaris ALWAYSfind their yamis. You're right. We'reALLtired of such. Let's start a revolution! . But yes, I didn't even consider having that be the case, so sick of such situations am I...um...about correcting grammar errors: forget it. No. I won't. Thanks for pointing it out but quite frankly I don't care. Thanks for the longest and one of the most gratifying reviews I've yet received! (kowtows)
azab: Yay! You like it!...no LOVE it! That makes me happy! Please continue reviewing! I'm glad it's "aoseem". Love ya!
Bluegrass Elf: Yessss! Another LOTR's fan! (hugs warmly) I was hoping it was so and it is! Yay! Thank you for the review! Please continue! Namarie!
Dragonlady222: Yes, poor Jou. Poor kid was just hungry. Did you like how I went right from the scene of them not stopping for lunch to the others enjoying a splendid meal at the museum? heh. Glad Bakura saved him? Me too. I think my favorite interactions I've written in this fic happen between Bakura and Jou. You'll see what I mean in this chappie, for example. (grins) Yami's an ass, huh? Well, I think that's a bit extreme, but that's just me. (shrugs) He's done making the situation worse though. Yugi and Ryou are just caught up in this gigantic mess. Thanks for the detailed complimenting! Review again! Love you dearie!
Satra: Ah, darling once again we're here. I see you've discovered Cry of the Wicked. Excellent...but I'll leave my talk about that for that story. Yes, Bakura's change of attitude over the millenia has been nothing short of miraculous. What will he do to Jou? You'll find out in this chappie. You'll find out what became of Anzu in this chapter as well. Thanks for reviewing. Love you! (hugs)
Freak in the Shadows: I always look forward to your reviews, dear. They're so incredibly enthusiastic! Please continue reviewing. Love ya!
Silver Mirror: All right, dear, this chapter is entirely for you. All I can say is you're crazy and i love you for it. I looked on the computer the day after I updated and my eyes came out of my head. (no not literally, don't worry. ) I cannot praise you enough! Thankyou thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! Please continue reviewing! (kowtows in complete, humble gratitude)
This chapter is dedicated to Silver Mirror. Love you all! (this is one of my favorite chapters!)
Reflections
Look deep into my eyes
And tell me what you see.
You tell me you see you;
In your eyes I see me.
Chapter 12: Comrades or Adversaries?
"Oh shit…Bakura!" Jou whispered hoarsely.
The thief stood before him, studying the trembling boy. Kneeling down, Bakura put his face only inches from the blond. Jou backed up against the wall. Trapped.
"Where is the pharaoh?" the thief hissed, holding a blade to the boy's throat.
Jou's entire body tensed. He glanced at the knife that was covered in blood and Ra knows what else.
"Where is the pharaoh?" Bakura repeated, allowing the blade to draw blood.
"I—I don't know what you're saying!" Jou replied, paralyzed in fear.
Bakura narrowed his slanted eyes. He didn't recognize the language at all. Was it a trick or did this boy really not speak Egyptian?
The rain poured down on the pair. Blood from the gang members mingled with the rainwater, covering the ground. Both of the boys were shaking: Jou in fear and pain; Bakura in cold and exhaustion.
The tomb robber stared at the blond helplessly, unsure of what to do. He couldn't torture anything out of the other. Scowling, he pulled the knife away, slumping down, leaning his head against the stone wall.
Jou turned in surprise. Bakura looked horrible. His hair was soaked, matted against the sides of his face. The thief's entire body was quaking, hand gripped loosely on the knife. His brown eyes were still on Jou, warily watching him.
'He's afraid of me?' Jou wondered.
The blond looked about helplessly. He quickly decided to focus on the yami, trying to avoid the remains of Torrda and his followers.
'We've go to get out of the rain,' Jou reasoned.
He winced when he moved. When he looked down at his arms, he wished he hadn't. Long, deep, gaping wounds covered them; blood was flowing down his arms with the rain. He felt the bile rise in his throat again. Swallowing, he stood up unsteadily.
"Come on. We're both drenched," he said glancing down at the thief.
Bakura glared up at him, his body shaking violently. He was cold. He'd never been so cold.
"Hey, get up! Let's go!" Jou said a bit louder, attempting to motion with his arm.
Bakura watched him, eyes full of distrust. Jou noticed all the clothes the yami was wearing were thoroughly soaked. He looked like a drowned rat.
Jou knelt down slowly. "Bakura."
The thief's eyes locked with his good eye. Bakura was trying hard to look intimidating, like a wild animal does when it's been backed into a corner. His eyes, however, could not hide the exhaustion and apprehension he was feeling.
"Hey, it's okay, man," Jou said softly. "You…you saved me, eh?" He pointed to the bodies littering the alley.
Bakura stared back. His face was blank. Okay, that wasn't…bad…
"You," Jou pointed to Bakura. "Saved me." He motioned first to the mangled corpses and then himself.
Bakura remained motionless.
"Come on," Jou said pointing to the entrance of the alley. He stood, holding out a trembling hand. "Bakura?"
The tomb robber glanced up wearily. He pressed his back against the wall, slowly rising to his feet, managing to look with scorn at the out-stretched hand.
"Come on," Jou said again, glad to leave the bodies of the gangsters behind them.
"Damn it! Where the hell are they?" Marik yelled, pacing about the Mutou kitchen in frustration.
"Try to calm down," Mr. Mutou said gently.
"Easy for you to say! The pharaoh and Yugi are right here! The people I care more about than anyone else are out there!" Marik shrieked, nearing hysteria.
"I know what it's like not knowing where someone I care about is," Mr. Mutou replied sternly. "Don't act like no one understands what you're feeling."
"Did the person you care about have no recollection of you at all and run around murdering happy families?" Marik retorted icily.
Mr. Mutou's gaze dropped to the newspaper that still sat untouched on the table. The Tye family smiled up at him. Content. Cheerful.
"No. Not they didn't," he whispered softly, turning away.
"Don't focus your anger at him, Marik," Yami said.
"You're right, Pharaoh." Marik punched Yami in the face with his good arm. "There. That's better." The ancient monarch's hand went to his nose where a steady stream of blood was beginning to flow.
"Hold on now!" Yugi stood up angrily.
"No." Yami held out a hand to stop his lighter half. "It's all right, abiou."
"But Yami…!"
"I said no." Yugi backed down. "He has a right to be angry with me."
"Damn right I do!" Marik stated.
"Shut up, Marik!" Yugi seethed.
"No, I don't think I will," the blond retorted. "It's all this ass's fault! He holds his own desires above everyone and everything. Might as well have murdered that family with his own hands…"
"You bastard!" Yugi screeched, advancing on Marik. "Yami didn't want this to happen!"
"It doesn't matter whether or not he wanted it to happen. It is happening, and he can't do a damn thing to stop it." Marik's eyes were flaming. He stepped close to Yugi; too close. "You think you understand this, but you don't."
"I can feel Yami's pain through our mind link. I can feel his heart clench every time he wakes up from some nightmare of a past he can't remember. I see that hopeless look in his eyes; as time passes, that look appears more and more frequently, and all I can do is stay by his side and try to reassure him that everything will be all right," Yugi whispered angrily. "Don't tell me that I don't understand any of this."
Marik smiled sadly, shaking his head. "The two of you shared a body once. You know what it's like to be controlled; to do things against your will. My yami controlled me. He killed my father and countless others with these hands…These hands!" he screamed, holding his trembling fingers in front of Yugi's face. "Bakura's being controlled right now. He's doing things of the past that the Bakura I know wouldn't do. But you never killed anyone. You are the one who does not understand; and I pray to Ra that you never will."
Yugi dropped his gaze in submission. The three Mutou's stood quietly, avoiding Marik's eyes. They all jumped at the sound of someone pounding on the front door. Yugi ran into the shop, the banging on the door being drowned out by a loud clap of thunder overhead. The three stood tensely in the kitchen, waiting.
"It's Anzu!" Yugi's voice shouted over the noise.
"Thank goodness!" Mr. Mutou rushed from the room. Yami and Marik stood alone, awkwardly.
"You…your yami…"
"Don't sweat it," Marik smiled grimly. "I've had to come to terms with a lot of things. Kura's been by my side for me to lean on for support since Battle City."
"He…has?" Yami asked, astounded at this.
"Don't look so startled. He's got a heart, you know," Marik frowned sadly. "You won't believe how long it took me to get him to carry a civil conversation with me."
"A civil conversation?"
"It's not so strange. I never imagined you and I would ever have one; yet what are we doing right now?" Marik smiled, a genuine smile, heading for the door.
Yami stood in surprise for a moment. It was true. "Wait Marik! Where are you going?"
Marik turned. "Back to that museum. We're not going to accomplish much sitting around here on our butts."
"But Jou…and Ryou and Honda!"
"Mr. Mutou and Yugi can stay here and wait for them," Marik left the room. A few seconds later he popped his head back in. "You coming?"
Yami blinked in confusion. "What?"
Marik grinned. "What? You thought I'd let you stay here and sit back on your royal ass? Come on, Pharaoh! We've got some memories to recover!"
"Right!" Yami laughed, jumping up and following the boy through the door.
"This is insane," Jou said and he and the thief trudged through the storm. "We're way too far from the game shop, and the museum's on the other side of town! Blast!"
Bakura kept an eye on the blond, intrigued. He'd nevermet anyone who could talk so long non-stop. It was rather annoying really, but it was the only thing keeping him awake. His muscles were burning, entire frame shaking, freezing. He coughed harshly, his throat raw.
"Getting sick, eh? I think we can get to my place in 'bout ten minutes. Hope my dad isn't home. You'll be difficult to explain to 'im. He's hardly ever home though. Hopefully we'll be lucky…" His voice trailed off when he realized the thief was no longer next to him.
Turning, he spotted Bakura a few yards back. The tomb robber was on his knees, breathing harshly. He was blinking slowly, attempting to focus his vision that was blurring. Jou walked over, kneeling down in front of him.
"Hey…hey Bakura!" He reached for the tomb robber's shoulder only to find a knife held by a trembling hand in his face. "Whoa now! I'm not gonna hurt 'cha!" Jou held up his hands in peace.
Bakura tried to snarl but began to cough fitfully, entire body lurching forward. Jou winced when he noticed the veins on the thief's neck bulging. He tentatively placed a hand on the yami's back as the coughing fit continued. Bakura's body was freezing, shuddering uncontrollably.
"Shit! Come on man!" Jou placed a hand under each of the thief's arms and gently hoisted him to his feet. Bakura didn't resist, too weak to fight.
Jou wrapped one of the thief's vibrating arms around his own shoulder and put his own arm around the yami's waist for support. Bakura moaned slightly, eyes unfocused. Jou began to drag him along through the rain, praying it wasn't already too late.
"Come on, man. Stay wit' me here!" he whispered.
"You didn't recognize the man?" Mr. Mutou asked earnestly as he handed Anzu a cup of tea.
"No. It almost seemed like Jou did, though," she whispered mournfully.
"Don't worry, we'll find him," Yugi said reassuringly.
"But why would someone want to hurt us?" the girl cried, clutching the hot cup tightly.
"I don't know, my dear. Let's just hope that Jou's all right," Mr. Mutou replied solemnly.
Jou pushed open the door the apartment. The place was dark. Thankful to be out of the rain, he helped the weary thief over to the couch.
"Dad?" he called. "You home?" No reply.
Bakura looked up with worn eyes, still shivering violently. Jou looked down at him, grinning slightly.
"Looks like we're in luck. Ol' man's not home. Come on," he motioned for the thief to follow him.
Bakura groaned as he slowly got up from the couch and followed the boy down the narrow hallway. The blond entered a door to a small room. The floor was tile. All the objects in the room were made of some smooth stone.
Jou went over and turned the shower on, turning the dial over until the water was warm.
"Come here. It's okay, see?" he coaxed, placing his own hand in the water.
Bakura scowled at the blond. What was he up to? The thief slowly backed toward the door, eyeing the shower like it was a pit full of cobras. Jou noticed the tomb robber's retreat.
"Oh no you don't," he growled, springing forward and blocking the exit.
"Fuck you!" the thief snarled, leaning unsteadily against the sink.
"I don't know what da heck you're sayin', but you ain't goin' no where!" Jou said firmly. "Now, you can get in there before you die of hypothermia or I'll drag you in there myself!" He pointed at the shower to stress his point.
Bakura looked fiercely at him, edging forward. Jou stood his ground, muscles tense.
'Oooh boy. I was hopin' he'd back down!'
He was taken off guard when Bakura rushed at him with incredible speed considering his current physical condition. Ju gripped the doorframe frantically, feeling the warmth of blood in his mouth as the yami's fist connected with his already bruised jaw. He let out a pained gasp when the fist next collided with his gut. His eyes widened in fear as the knife appeared in the thief's grasp. The blond involuntarily took a step backward, clenching his fists. Bakura strode forward, entire frame tremoring. Jou took a breath and lunged, slamming a fist across the yami's face.
It had more of an affect than Jou thought it would. Bakura fell to the floor, dazed. The blond took advantage of the thief's condition, swiping the knife from the cold, trembling fingers.
"Up we go!" Jou yanked the spirit up by his shirt, dragging the struggling yami toward the shower.
"Don't you dare!" Bakura rasped, struggling futilely.
"That's right, come on," Jou grinned, throwing the thief into the shower of warm water.
"Aaaaahh!" the tomb robber yowled like a cat stuck out in the rain.
"There, not so ba….Aaaaaahh!" Jou screamed as a hand reached out and yanked him in.
He toppled onto the thief. As miserable as he was, Bakura managed a triumphant smirk and a nice shove as he pushed the blond off. Jou flopped over clumsily, still in shock.
"Did think I wasn't going to take you down with…" he broke off, coughing harshly, body spasming in pain.
He leaned wearily against the tile as the water poured down on them both. It was actually a relief. He'd come close to freezing to death out there. Bakura closed his eyes, accepting his fate for the moment.
Jou finally managed to sit up, thoroughly pissed off. He stopped himself from clobbering Bakura when he saw that the thief had at last calmed down.
"Heh, finally," Jou sighed as the water ran soothingly over his sore body, relaxing his muscles. "This is progress, you know. You not trying to constantly watch me."
Bakura, exhausted, didn't bother to open his eyes but muttered irritably: "Oh shut up."
"Yeah. You're agreeing wit' me. We'll be fine. We…" Jou tensed as a pale hand went over his mouth. His eyes met the thief's, who was staring at him meaningfully.
"Oh, okay," Jou shrugged, shutting his mouth and leaning back to relax.
Yay! I love the shower scene! (yeah yeah it sounds dirty, shut up - -) So? What'd you think?
Don't go wimping out on me now! We've got new reviewers in now and will continue to get more! (hopefully) And I want a review from each and every one of you! (sighs cause I know it's not gonna happen) Like I've stated before: the more reviews the faster I update. I'm just finishing chapter 20 tonight. Getting close to the climactic end of the fic! booya!
Review!