Disclaimer: Nothing that resembles another's work is mine.

12/29/04

((………)) Bakura's thinking

/………/ Ryou's thinking

(………)Akefia's thinking

"………" Normal speech

'………' Normal thought

Yami's have their own bodies. NO ROMANCE OR YAOI!!!

Summary: Yami Bakura is bored and decides to try something new with the Ring. Something goes wrong, and, oh dear; there are TWO TOMB ROBBERS!!! What will Ryou do with double the trouble?

Chapter Seven

Malik sat in class brooding over his test paper. His horoscope had stated plainly that he would succeed in something large today, but the "F" on his paper didn't justify it.

What else could there be for it?

What else did it say……...someone from your past? Bakura? But not as he remembered.

Ah, forget it.

Malik ambled out of class when the bell rang, walking over to where he and Bakura normally met.

Bakura was there, but looking a bit disturbed.

"What's the matter?" Malik asked on the onset, noting the curious un-Bakura look.

"Akefia." Bakura stated.

With Malik's questioning gaze prompting him, he told the story.

"You'll be inspired to remember someone or something from the past -- but you may not be seeing it as it really was." Malik muttered.

"Hm?" Bakura mumbled, looking up at his friend.

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Malik answered, and fell into his own contemplation. Someone from the past would be Bakura. Not as you see it, that's Akefia. So there was truth to the horoscopes. Malik had always been slightly superstitious.

If that was true, then what were they going to do about Akefia?

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Akefia smiled charmingly at Tea and the rest of Yugi's little group of friends.

How pathetic they are.

They saw him as the good side of that infuriating Ring Spirit.

Not likely.

But he smiled and laughed and charmed his way into their friendship circle. He would stay in the real world, and Bakura would be sent to the Shadows.

Forever.

Yes, Akefia was greatly enjoying himself.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Bakura and Malik went to go find Marik, to see what they could do about Akefia.

They found Marik with Akefia.

Apparently the two had hit it off, and were greatly enjoying themselves.

"Come on, let's go." Bakura whispered, ducking away so that the two wouldn't see him. Malik stared, slightly perturbed at his yami's behavior.

But he followed Bakura, leaving Akefia.

Bakura smiled sadly. At least he has one friend still.

- - - - - - - - - -

Akefia grinned as he stared at the retreating pair.

Bakura will go.

And Malik will see Akefia's true power soon for his loyalty to the Tomb Robber.

And Ryou will be Akefia's hikari.

What a wonderful life.

- - - - - - - - - -

Ryou waited for his yami and Akefia to get home. He had dinner all planned out.

Akefia came in first, smiling broadly.

"Hello, Ryou!" He greeted, grinning happily.

Once again it struck Ryou as to how different Bakura and Akefia were. Bakura was darker, but on a smaller level he seemed more………real? Yes, he seemed more real. But Akefia was more fun, he was optimistic and happy all the time, and he actually liked Ryou's friends.

But there was something fake about him. Maybe it was his overly bright smile, or his friendliness with everyone Ryou liked.

Oh well.

Where's Bakura?

- - - - - - - - - -

Bakura stood outside the house.

Akefia was in there.

Should he go in?

Then Bakura realized how stupid he was being. He was an ex-tomb robber! He had killed many people in the past! He could stand up to this look alike and send him to the Shadows where he came from.

Snarling, Bakura entered the house.

Akefia greeted him with a big smile.

"Hey, 'Kura! Missed you today!" He cried, throwing an arm around Bakura's shoulders.

Ryou smiled, glad to see the two getting along. Bakura was glaring, but he always glared when someone tried to show affection to him.

"Get. Away. From. Me." Bakura hissed from between clenched teeth.

"Ah, you're no fun." Akefia said, then whispered, "We shall see where Malik's loyalties really lie when I have a………talk with him." He snickered at the end. Ryou had left and gone into the kitchen.

"WHY YOU!" Bakura spun about, his hand flashing to his new dagger.

Akefia howled with laughter.

Ryou came running back out of the kitchen where he had gone to check on dinner.

"What's going on? Akefia, you're not teasing Bakura, are you?" Ryou chastised, eyeing the two.

"No, of course not." Akefia said, smiling softly and convincingly at Ryou.

Bakura, fuming and snarling, was ignored.

"Okay then. Dinner is almost done, you two!" Ryou said happily, spinning about back into the kitchen.

Akefia kept the charming smile.

"You see? They all like me. Because I am what they want me to be. You, on the other hand, taunt and torment all about you. Even Ryou." His smile dropped. "And I also realized something. You are the power in the Ring. Sure, it has the Shadow Realm powers, but you are the one who ties them together, since you've had your soul sealed in there for so long."

Bakura growled.

"If I get rid of you, the Ring won't be as powerful. I want that power. So, I need to keep you. You will be sealed within my soul room, which is already forming, as you can tell if you look. Ryou won't know you're there, and you won't be able to tell anything. You'll be locked in memories." Akefia smiled.

Bakura hissed. "I'll destroy you! You and your false attitudes! At least I'm my own person! People like me or hate me for who I am! I don't suck up to them!"

"Ah, and that is why you're going to lose your place in life. You'll be a Shadowin Ryou's mind. You'll just be a helpless soul caught and held in the Ring." Akefia laughed.

Bakura snarled once again, before storming out of the house.

He'll kill Akefia.

He will.

Akefia watched him go, smiling softly. Ah, this will be fun.

Ryou came out of the kitchen.

"Dinner's ready!" he called. He then looked around. "Where's Bakura?"

"Oh, he decided he'll go out to get something to eat." Akefia lied, smiling sadly at Ryou.

Ryou blinked cutely. "Okay, I guess if he doesn't want dinner here, it'll just be you and I." He turned back into the kitchen.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Ryou." Akefia whispered under his breath as he followed Ryou.

"Not any other way."

- - - - -- - - - - - -

End Chapter.

Thanks to all reviewers!

Sorry for the major delay! I've been busy!