Disclaimer: Nothing that resembles another's work is mine. ::Bakura glares.:: "You better hope not."

1/15/05

((………)) Bakura's thinking

/………/ Ryou's thinking

(/………/)Akefia's thinking

"………" Normal speech

'………' Normal thought

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

Summary: When an accident creates two Bakuras, how will Ryou deal with it? And now that Akefia shows his true colors, how can Bakura protect himself from being sealed into the Ring and having Akefia take his place in life?

Chapter Nine

"Where's Bakura?" Ryou asked as he watched Akefia walk up to him where he was standing with his friends.

"Oh, he decided he didn't want to go." Akefia said, smiling while inside he raged at Ryou's constant devotion to Bakura.

That needed to change.

"Can I have the Ring back?" Ryou asked, and Akefia handed it back with minimal hesitation.

"Thank you." Ryou said, and then they were off, touring the park and enjoying themselves.

No one noticed the fact that Akefia watched Ryou with narrowed eyes at more than one point or another.

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

Bakura, sealed back within the Ring, was forcing down memories of his long imprisonment and trying to concentrate on what he could do.

First off was a plan to get free.

That one will take awhile.

But he knew some of what he could do with Akefia………maybe. After all, Akefia was pure Shadow Magic, so the Duel Monster Cards should affect him. Maybe Dark Hole or something………but then again, Akefia, being Shadow Magic, could probably avoid such attacks.

But there was one thing that was possible………

And hopefully Bakura could get a chance to do it.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Malik was in a similar state.

He remembered fighting with Bakura, then being knocked out. He then had woken up in a dark place that resembled the Shadow Realm.

He had concluded he was either in the Shadows or in the Rod.

Probably the Rod, as certain factors of the Shadow Realm were not present.

So how did he end up here, and how can he get free?

Malik sighed and folded his legs up before him and crossed his arms across them, setting his head down.

He had better start thinking on a plan………

- - - - -- - - - - -

Ryou was getting worried.

Sure, he knew Bakura and Akefia were starting to have fights, but that didn't explain why Bakura is missing and has been for nearly two days! Ryou was getting really worried about his yami.

Sighing, Ryou tried to contact Bakura through the mind-link again.

- - - - - - - - - -

Bakura growled.

He heard Ryou's pleas for him to answer, for him to come home.

And he couldn't answer.

He couldn't go home.

- - - - - - - - -

Ryou wasn't the only one worried.

Marik wandered around, worried as well.

Where was Malik?

Why wasn't he home?

Where was the Rod?

Why can't Marik find his other half?

What was going on?

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

Akefia walked about, smirking broadly.

Bakura was quiet in the Ring, Ryou was fretting about his yami, (which was funny, because he actually did have Bakura with him and he didn't know it, in the Ring.) Marik was looking for Malik, and Malik was trapped in the Rod.

Such a good day.

- - - - - - - - - -

Marik narrowed his eyes.

Ryou was sitting on a park bench, looking completely dejected. Now, Marik didn't have a problem with Ryou, or his yami. So, deciding to attempt to be nice, he went over and sat down.

"Something wrong?" He mumbled, though that was a pretty stupid question considering how sad Ryou looked.

"It's Bakura." Ryou sighed, after an eternal debate on whether or not to tell the insane yami his troubles.

"What's he done this time?" Marik asked, not really surprised at the source of Ryou's worries.

"That just it. He's done nothing. He's not here." Ryou said, his eyes tearing up as he spoke the words aloud.

Marik and Ryou just sat, speaking little, but somehow communicating with the other.

Both were missing someone they dearly loved, and both didn't know what was going on.

- - - - - - - - - -

Marik walked towards his house, musing in silence.

"Ah, Marik."

Turning to see who was speaking to him, the insane yami saw Akefia standing casually in his path.

He held the Millennium Rod.

"Akefia?" He rumbled, eyeing the pale apparition with a bit of dread.

"Ah, Marik." Akefia repeated, shaking his head. "It seems your hikari is a bit more foolish than I gave him credit for. He didn't chose his friends very well."

Marik blinked, the words soaking in.

"Where is Malik?" He growled.

"Oh, don't worry, he is resting comfortably in the Shadow's." Akefia said, grinning at Marik as the yami snarled and launched himself at the other. He was easily avoided.

"Now, don't be rude. I spared killing him. You should be happy. See, he didn't want me to seal his friend back into the Ring, where I could harness the thief's power easily and without interference from his light. You shall meet the same fate as Malik, I'm afraid, for I need the Rod. I want the Rod. And you can't provide power like Bakura can, so you and your light are useless." Akefia reached out a hand and the Shadow Magic began to build, still somehow darker than the rest of the night shadows about.

Marik tried to counter.

He tried to save himself.

But he found himself being wrapped in the Shadow Magic and torn away from reality.

Only Akefia's laughter rang out after him.

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

Marik expected to find himself in the Shadow Realm.

How surprised was he when he came face to face with Malik.

His light cried out in joy, embracing his yami.

Unused to such actions, Marik stared at his hikari.

"What happened to you?" Marik demanded, taking in Malik's ruffled appearance.

"Oh, Marik! It's Akefia! I guess you know that now, seeing as how you're here, but he caught Bakura too!" Malik was obviously worried.

"He tried to send me to the Shadow Realm. Why are we not there?" Marik asked, sincerely confused.

"Bakura, I think. I guess he can still do things without Akefia noticing. Though how he got you into the Rod while he was sealed in the Ring is beyond me." Malik confessed.

"Seems like the thief still has a plan, though."

"We'll just wait and see."

- - - - - - - - - - -

(End Chapter)

Thanks to all reviewers!

TrekieGreenieShannaraElfOfME: Wow……….never heard of that. That's cool! Thanks for sharing!

Summoner of Spirits13619: Well, first off, I didn't think of that. Second, I guess Bakura could do it, and I think it would be a bad idea. After all, what would happen to Akefia? He and Bakura would be the same, yeah, but I don't think it would get rid of him. He'd probably be able to effect Bakura some how. I don't know, but it's a good idea!