Twill: Wow, I got some great reviews! I didn't think this would hit off as
well as it did. THANK YOU ALL!!! Sorry my update took so long but life
tends to jump on your back at the worst times. This chapter's in Bakura's
POV, you all voted for it. I have another chapter all set up too!
Seth: Twill does not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters, plots etc. She likes to think she does but she really doesn't
/blah/ = hikari thoughts
//blah// = yami thoughts
~blah~ = other thoughts
Yaoi between Ryou and Bakura in later chapters...implied for now
---
Woven Story: Through the Pages of the Mind
---
I shifted uneasily in my soul room. A general sense of restlessness hung in the air, pressing me down like dead weight. The hieroglyphics and Egyptian artifacts that littered the place seemed like so much useless junk. There was a feeling of worry and dread hanging about me. I felt as though something was about to happen. Something big.
It was now almost a year since I'd cleaned up my act, stopped being such a pig-headed jerk. Ryou, my hikari, was certainly better off from my change. I used to beat him mercilessly and it seemed I did it all the time. My memory of the years since Ryou received the ring to the end of its pain from it was hazy. Rage had been so much a part of my actions that it distorted the way I saw things back then. I can't be sure of what was real and what I wanted and thought to be true. All I know for certain is I caused my light pain in my quest to gain the seven Millennium Items. And still he forgave me. I dared to call him cowardly and weak yet he has more courage than anyone could ever know. It takes a great deal of strength to stare fear in the face and never back down from your convictions. He never fought back and never ran away. It takes audacity to face the strife he did and not be driven to run in terror and hide. There were several instances where help could have been asked for. The words never formed in his mind let alone made their way to pass his lips. There must have been some good in me that only Ryou could see. He was proved right too.
One lonely evening in the empty house (his father was often away on digs and other work trips) I had emerged from the ring with a black hatred. I was determined to make sure Ryou would barely survive the night. The stair made no sounds as I silently crept upwards. I opened the door to his room and walked purposefully towards the desk at which he sat. He was working away at some school assignment, humming a cheerful tune to himself. My hikari was blissfully unaware that I had separated and now stood behind him with malice. I paused a moment, just watching him happily writing out his homework. Even now I'm not sure why I stopped to look at him. But gods he was precious. Innocence stained his every manner, as if the world had no evil in it. Hi duel monsters deck was sitting next to the lamp on the desk top. He must have put it there for inspiration. There was one card face up.
The Change Of Heart.
My whole world transformed in that instant. Memories that had been locked away by my ring now came flooding back. My final duel, friendships, love but most clearly and vibrant were those of my childhood. I had been like Ryou at one point in my past. My family.they had inflicted the same sorts of injustice that I had been on my light.
"Weakling! You shouldn't have been born!"
"Why did you turn out such a freak! Just look at you, pale skin and white hair. The Pharaoh will most certainly look down upon us because of you!"
Their voices rang clear in my mind then. I flinched as my head swam unpleasantly with the shouts and screams of my father and another relative, my uncle I guessed. Ryou, still joyfully working away, reminded me of me so strongly. I let out a choked sob and he swiveled around to see where the noise came from. Our eyes met and he froze, a look of pure panic washing over his angelic features. But neither of us really expected my actions then.
I kneeled down in front of him and latched myself around his waist. Tears were falling freely, slowly dampening his shirt. Ryou just sat there rigidly in complete shock. Not only had his yami failed to punch the daylights out of him but now he was crying. The emotionless cold Bakura actually had feelings. It was laughable. I really expected him to laugh in my face and shove me back in disgust or confusion.
He never did.
Instead he firmly hugged me back giving comfort in his acceptance. Somewhere through my tears I sobbed out an apology and begged for forgiveness. He gave it to me in an instant. His homework lay forgotten as I consumed the rest of the night with my tears.
Now here I was, shifting within my soul room, listening to the unchecked thoughts drifting through our link. He was flipping through the cards in his deck. I almost smiled at the innocence present even in his thoughts. Each card seemed precious to him and Ryou didn't even comprehend why. Well, he did but it was in such a way that seemed as though he didn't at first glance. Or thought as it were. I waited patiently until our favorite card emerged. The one which seemed to change my life and his. The Change Of Heart. I emerged from the ring quietly, giving no inclination that I had done so. Ryou was wondering why no one used it.
"It has the reputation of being a traitor." He started and twisted rapidly around to see where the reply to his unspoken question came from. His eyes came to rest on me. The look of pure terror and fear that settled on his face reminded me painfully of what I had done. I shouldn't even be out; he probably thought I was going to hurt him. I flinched subtly and looked away. "Sorry." The word left my mouth before I even thought about it. I've never apologized to anyone since I became a thief. Well, no one aside from Malik but he was a friend in a time of betrayal. He had been the only one I trusted. Strangely though, showing remorse to my hikari didn't seem so bad. I absently stared at the wall, debating whether I should return to the ring.
"No, don't be. I'm still not used to your change of heart." That was low. I was surprised my light could even make bad puns. He smiled wryly and I gave him a look that conveyed my feelings on that. "How is the card a traitor?" It was amazing how much bravery Ryou had gained. Never before had he dared speak before being spoken to. I needed a distraction from that past; it was plaguing my mind far too much. I gave him a wane smile and moved over to the foot of his bed, preparing to tell the tale. Subconsciously he scooted closer until was practically in my lap. Why did that feel so right?
"Well aibou," again the word just slid off my tongue before I could really think although Ryou seemed to enjoy it, "that card can cause a lot of trouble." I launched into the story behind the monster, reliving my past in the process. I told him of my final duel, the one which landed me sealed within the ring. I could see the Pharaoh, his pained expression forever branded into my mind. We had once been friends, the game king and I. But that had changed and we became adversaries. I blame him. Although even now I miss the close companionship we shared. My voice became strained and I had to concentrate on keeping my emotions in check. Only weaklings show emotion to others. Never give anyone anything to use against you. I lapsed into silence, lost in the rigors of the memory. Ryou broke the recollection.
"I should get some sleep, school tomorrow and all." He sounded so removed. Ryou probably found the ramblings of a spirit boring anyhow. I guess I couldn't blame him. I gave him another small smile before gently tucking him in and said goodnight. It really was late. Some guardian I am. My soul room solidified around me as I submerged myself once more it its depths.
Why was I acting so nice to him? I know I had changed from my spiteful ways but this was a bit far.wasn't it? I was reeling from all the conflicting emotions swimming around within my soul. I sunk heavily into a chair and hoped I could figure out why I felt this way.
/Yami?/ Ryou tapped into the mind link we share. It startled me from my revere. My instincts kicked in while my mind was still recovering from surprise. Of course that meant I snapped coldly at him and blocked off all signals he might receive from my end. I didn't want to talk to him, not without being sure of how I saw him. He was just my hikari, the lighter half I was supposed to protect from the world. At least, that's what I had believed until now. Again my aibou stunned me. Instead of cowering back into submission like he would of before, my light still approached with his question. A simple request really. Another story. I couldn't believe he wanted to listen to me prattle on again. But who was I to disagree? My troubles were left forgotten as the memories came flooding back.
I had been a thief for many years and I was one of the best. I could plunder any tomb without setting of any traps or getting caught afterwards. Through my travels I met another fellow raider. Malik. He and I hit it off from the start, always seeing things eye to eye. We never fought much but those times we did were over petty things, nothing to ruin a friendship. Then my path crossed with him, the Pharaoh.
It was one a dare, actually. Malik challenged me to steal something from the Pharaoh's bedroom, anything. If I won he'd help me rob any tomb and I'd keep the entire haul. If I lost, he'd keep the entire treasure. It was certainly interesting and I was never one to back down from a challenge. So late one afternoon, when I was certain our ruler would be out tending to his kingdom, I made my approach. The so called 'elite' guards were supremely easy to sneak passed. A simple diversion and they were all off chasing a pebble that made a noise just inside the courtyard. Laughable really. Getting into the room without being caught was another matter. I had to stay on my toes and never stop moving upon entrance. It was pure luck that I found a shawl to cover my identity. To the palace staff, I was just another slave worker. I managed to get to the door undetected. So far so good. There were no traditional body guards in place either, strange. With a quick twist of my lock picks, the door swung open soundlessly. I slipped in and shut it just as quietly and surveyed my options. There were numerous trinkets and bobbles to choose from, each finely crafted and most made from gold. I made my way to the bedside table to select the object I needed. A simple gold pendant, crafted to resemble a pyramid. My fingers never made it that far.
Another hand launched from the darkness and clasped around my wrist, stopping it cold. In my eager haste I had failed to notice the silhouette perched upon the edge of the bed. The Pharaoh hadn't been absent like I thought. He gazed at me with piercing crimson eyes. "What are you doing here?" It was a simple question, not a harsh demand. I had always pegged Yami as a cold leader who had no compassion for those around him. However, his soft tone and questioning eyes spoke far more of his true nature.
"I...I..." and my stuttering shattered the air of confidence I'd had only moments before. This was no way for one of the best thieves to behave. Yami continued to watch me, waiting patiently for an answer. Why he hadn't called guards was beyond my comprehension, especially at the time. I suppose it marked the beginning.the trust.
"Who are you?" I guess my failure to answer the first inquiry resulted in a change of tactics. By this time I decided that I had nothing to lose by admitting the reason for my 'visit' or by revealing my name.
And still I still lied.
"I am but a lowly servant, lord Pharaoh. I came to tidy your chamber during your expected leave of absence." Okay, so that was laying it on a little thick but my tone of voice and uneasy manner was very convincing. How else had I managed to sneak up to his room in the first place? The disguise was only part of it, my skills in deception ranked high in this scheme.
"Do you ever tell the truth?" Shot down. I just about threw a punch at him then and there but his soft, non-challenging mannerisms gave me a sense of control and superiority. My ego thought better of brash reactions since it still felt important. I settled for a traditional glare. "I'm Yami," he simply said and extended a hand. As if I didn't know the name of the Pharaoh of Egypt!
"Bakura," I muttered before my defenses could kick in. We clasped hands in a sloppy formal gesture before settling back. Silence rang deafeningly for a few moments. What do you say to royalty after being caught trying to steal from them? I was wondering just that when he spoke up.
"Why exactly are you here? Was it just to rob me?" Yami pointed to the pyramid necklace I'd been reaching for. I shrugged and offered no comment against it. "I see, dared or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?" My glare resumed, there was his answer however he wanted to interpret it. "A dare then." How, blast him, did he know all these things! Of course I was to learn later, but then I was baffled. "How did you get in?"
"Your guards are quite easy to sneak passed, Pharaoh. It was child's play."
"...could you take me out?" The question caught me so completely off guard that I just stood there staring at him.
"Why? Don't you have everything?" I couldn't help the sneer that crept into my tone. I had been raised as nothing more than a low class commoner, practically a slave. My family had nothing. Of course that didn't stop them from...it didn't matter. Because we, I, was poor I took to thievery. But that's already been said.
"Everything except freedom and the ability to act as any other of my age." True, upon closer inspection he was probably no older than I was. A teen forced into ruling against his will. Right then and there I decided to help Yami. I gave him the disguise and managed to find another one for myself. We carefully stepped out into the corridor and began the trek outside. Again, his supposedly superior security didn't catch onto us. Hey, I wasn't complaining. Once we were out of sight of the royal palace, the hoods were removed and Yami looked at the world through the eyes of a youth, not a Pharaoh. The spirit that shone in his eyes was amazing. He turned to me. "Thank you Bakura, I can never repay you for this, even if it is my only chance at fun."
"Who's the friend and what's this talk about fun?" We both jumped a bit and whirled to face Malik who looked at us in confusion tinted with slight smugness. Before I could actually answer he continued. "Looks like you lost the bet, so when should we go to get *my* treasure eh?" He's one for secrecy.
"Well Malik, meet Pharaoh Yami, ruler of Egypt." His face was now dragging on the floor, his jaw having pulled it along. "He was in his chamber and I've brought him out. I've won." Ha! Take that my friend. Yami just looked at our discussion patiently, fingering the puzzle that was now around his neck. When did he put that one anyway?
"Say, Yami, what exactly is that?" And Malik beat me to the punch, I hate it when he does that.
"Oh, this is...nothing important."
"You aren't cut out for lying Pharaoh."
"Well, it's the Millennium Puzzle." Both of us practically fell over in shock! He had an item for Shadow Dueling! Of course we both wanted it now. "Please don't look at my as if I'm lunch."
That was the fated meeting of a thief and a Pharaoh. The three of us grew closer as the years went on. Yami continued to sneak out of the palace and we would meet in a nearby oasis. But then he betrayed that friendship.
Malik had managed to break into the chamber which held the Millennium items. He stole two of them before needing to leave before getting caught. He kept one and gave the other to me on my birthday. That's how I received the ring. His was the rod. We concealed our new powers from everyone, challenging some to shadow games and taking their memories of them so they couldn't tell anyone else. A search was conducted to recover the lost items but it was unsuccessful. We still met Yami at the oasis whenever he could sneak out but we hid our secret from him too. He was behind the search. At one point I felt we should tell him since the three of us had become close friends. Malik disagreed and he was right. We never should have to Yami. He was more the Pharaoh now, the duties and responsibilities weighing heavily on his judgment.
Malik was taken away and no doubt tortured deep in the dungeons of the palace. I somehow escaped. The gods know why I was. I plotted and bided my time, winning more shadow duels and increasing my powers. I was then ready to face him.
My narrative faded as I discovered Ryou had long since faded into slumber. I probably bored him to sleep.
~Strike now the crippling blow to the one who summoned us. Seal his fate within the darkness child. Take your revenge~
Ryou jolted awake screaming. I was shocked out of the ring and into my substantial form. He immediately shrank away from me. Probably had a nightmare about how I used to treat him, damn it! But why was he staring with a strange fixation at his sheets? I looked for myself and spotted something quite strange.
Three shimmering white feathers.
---
Twill: Well there you go Bakura's thoughts on everything. You now know why he's changed and a little more about Ryou's dream. The next chapter's already started but I'll get a big boost of writing power if I get a lot of reviews! R&R!!
Seth: Twill does not own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of its characters, plots etc. She likes to think she does but she really doesn't
/blah/ = hikari thoughts
//blah// = yami thoughts
~blah~ = other thoughts
Yaoi between Ryou and Bakura in later chapters...implied for now
---
Woven Story: Through the Pages of the Mind
---
I shifted uneasily in my soul room. A general sense of restlessness hung in the air, pressing me down like dead weight. The hieroglyphics and Egyptian artifacts that littered the place seemed like so much useless junk. There was a feeling of worry and dread hanging about me. I felt as though something was about to happen. Something big.
It was now almost a year since I'd cleaned up my act, stopped being such a pig-headed jerk. Ryou, my hikari, was certainly better off from my change. I used to beat him mercilessly and it seemed I did it all the time. My memory of the years since Ryou received the ring to the end of its pain from it was hazy. Rage had been so much a part of my actions that it distorted the way I saw things back then. I can't be sure of what was real and what I wanted and thought to be true. All I know for certain is I caused my light pain in my quest to gain the seven Millennium Items. And still he forgave me. I dared to call him cowardly and weak yet he has more courage than anyone could ever know. It takes a great deal of strength to stare fear in the face and never back down from your convictions. He never fought back and never ran away. It takes audacity to face the strife he did and not be driven to run in terror and hide. There were several instances where help could have been asked for. The words never formed in his mind let alone made their way to pass his lips. There must have been some good in me that only Ryou could see. He was proved right too.
One lonely evening in the empty house (his father was often away on digs and other work trips) I had emerged from the ring with a black hatred. I was determined to make sure Ryou would barely survive the night. The stair made no sounds as I silently crept upwards. I opened the door to his room and walked purposefully towards the desk at which he sat. He was working away at some school assignment, humming a cheerful tune to himself. My hikari was blissfully unaware that I had separated and now stood behind him with malice. I paused a moment, just watching him happily writing out his homework. Even now I'm not sure why I stopped to look at him. But gods he was precious. Innocence stained his every manner, as if the world had no evil in it. Hi duel monsters deck was sitting next to the lamp on the desk top. He must have put it there for inspiration. There was one card face up.
The Change Of Heart.
My whole world transformed in that instant. Memories that had been locked away by my ring now came flooding back. My final duel, friendships, love but most clearly and vibrant were those of my childhood. I had been like Ryou at one point in my past. My family.they had inflicted the same sorts of injustice that I had been on my light.
"Weakling! You shouldn't have been born!"
"Why did you turn out such a freak! Just look at you, pale skin and white hair. The Pharaoh will most certainly look down upon us because of you!"
Their voices rang clear in my mind then. I flinched as my head swam unpleasantly with the shouts and screams of my father and another relative, my uncle I guessed. Ryou, still joyfully working away, reminded me of me so strongly. I let out a choked sob and he swiveled around to see where the noise came from. Our eyes met and he froze, a look of pure panic washing over his angelic features. But neither of us really expected my actions then.
I kneeled down in front of him and latched myself around his waist. Tears were falling freely, slowly dampening his shirt. Ryou just sat there rigidly in complete shock. Not only had his yami failed to punch the daylights out of him but now he was crying. The emotionless cold Bakura actually had feelings. It was laughable. I really expected him to laugh in my face and shove me back in disgust or confusion.
He never did.
Instead he firmly hugged me back giving comfort in his acceptance. Somewhere through my tears I sobbed out an apology and begged for forgiveness. He gave it to me in an instant. His homework lay forgotten as I consumed the rest of the night with my tears.
Now here I was, shifting within my soul room, listening to the unchecked thoughts drifting through our link. He was flipping through the cards in his deck. I almost smiled at the innocence present even in his thoughts. Each card seemed precious to him and Ryou didn't even comprehend why. Well, he did but it was in such a way that seemed as though he didn't at first glance. Or thought as it were. I waited patiently until our favorite card emerged. The one which seemed to change my life and his. The Change Of Heart. I emerged from the ring quietly, giving no inclination that I had done so. Ryou was wondering why no one used it.
"It has the reputation of being a traitor." He started and twisted rapidly around to see where the reply to his unspoken question came from. His eyes came to rest on me. The look of pure terror and fear that settled on his face reminded me painfully of what I had done. I shouldn't even be out; he probably thought I was going to hurt him. I flinched subtly and looked away. "Sorry." The word left my mouth before I even thought about it. I've never apologized to anyone since I became a thief. Well, no one aside from Malik but he was a friend in a time of betrayal. He had been the only one I trusted. Strangely though, showing remorse to my hikari didn't seem so bad. I absently stared at the wall, debating whether I should return to the ring.
"No, don't be. I'm still not used to your change of heart." That was low. I was surprised my light could even make bad puns. He smiled wryly and I gave him a look that conveyed my feelings on that. "How is the card a traitor?" It was amazing how much bravery Ryou had gained. Never before had he dared speak before being spoken to. I needed a distraction from that past; it was plaguing my mind far too much. I gave him a wane smile and moved over to the foot of his bed, preparing to tell the tale. Subconsciously he scooted closer until was practically in my lap. Why did that feel so right?
"Well aibou," again the word just slid off my tongue before I could really think although Ryou seemed to enjoy it, "that card can cause a lot of trouble." I launched into the story behind the monster, reliving my past in the process. I told him of my final duel, the one which landed me sealed within the ring. I could see the Pharaoh, his pained expression forever branded into my mind. We had once been friends, the game king and I. But that had changed and we became adversaries. I blame him. Although even now I miss the close companionship we shared. My voice became strained and I had to concentrate on keeping my emotions in check. Only weaklings show emotion to others. Never give anyone anything to use against you. I lapsed into silence, lost in the rigors of the memory. Ryou broke the recollection.
"I should get some sleep, school tomorrow and all." He sounded so removed. Ryou probably found the ramblings of a spirit boring anyhow. I guess I couldn't blame him. I gave him another small smile before gently tucking him in and said goodnight. It really was late. Some guardian I am. My soul room solidified around me as I submerged myself once more it its depths.
Why was I acting so nice to him? I know I had changed from my spiteful ways but this was a bit far.wasn't it? I was reeling from all the conflicting emotions swimming around within my soul. I sunk heavily into a chair and hoped I could figure out why I felt this way.
/Yami?/ Ryou tapped into the mind link we share. It startled me from my revere. My instincts kicked in while my mind was still recovering from surprise. Of course that meant I snapped coldly at him and blocked off all signals he might receive from my end. I didn't want to talk to him, not without being sure of how I saw him. He was just my hikari, the lighter half I was supposed to protect from the world. At least, that's what I had believed until now. Again my aibou stunned me. Instead of cowering back into submission like he would of before, my light still approached with his question. A simple request really. Another story. I couldn't believe he wanted to listen to me prattle on again. But who was I to disagree? My troubles were left forgotten as the memories came flooding back.
I had been a thief for many years and I was one of the best. I could plunder any tomb without setting of any traps or getting caught afterwards. Through my travels I met another fellow raider. Malik. He and I hit it off from the start, always seeing things eye to eye. We never fought much but those times we did were over petty things, nothing to ruin a friendship. Then my path crossed with him, the Pharaoh.
It was one a dare, actually. Malik challenged me to steal something from the Pharaoh's bedroom, anything. If I won he'd help me rob any tomb and I'd keep the entire haul. If I lost, he'd keep the entire treasure. It was certainly interesting and I was never one to back down from a challenge. So late one afternoon, when I was certain our ruler would be out tending to his kingdom, I made my approach. The so called 'elite' guards were supremely easy to sneak passed. A simple diversion and they were all off chasing a pebble that made a noise just inside the courtyard. Laughable really. Getting into the room without being caught was another matter. I had to stay on my toes and never stop moving upon entrance. It was pure luck that I found a shawl to cover my identity. To the palace staff, I was just another slave worker. I managed to get to the door undetected. So far so good. There were no traditional body guards in place either, strange. With a quick twist of my lock picks, the door swung open soundlessly. I slipped in and shut it just as quietly and surveyed my options. There were numerous trinkets and bobbles to choose from, each finely crafted and most made from gold. I made my way to the bedside table to select the object I needed. A simple gold pendant, crafted to resemble a pyramid. My fingers never made it that far.
Another hand launched from the darkness and clasped around my wrist, stopping it cold. In my eager haste I had failed to notice the silhouette perched upon the edge of the bed. The Pharaoh hadn't been absent like I thought. He gazed at me with piercing crimson eyes. "What are you doing here?" It was a simple question, not a harsh demand. I had always pegged Yami as a cold leader who had no compassion for those around him. However, his soft tone and questioning eyes spoke far more of his true nature.
"I...I..." and my stuttering shattered the air of confidence I'd had only moments before. This was no way for one of the best thieves to behave. Yami continued to watch me, waiting patiently for an answer. Why he hadn't called guards was beyond my comprehension, especially at the time. I suppose it marked the beginning.the trust.
"Who are you?" I guess my failure to answer the first inquiry resulted in a change of tactics. By this time I decided that I had nothing to lose by admitting the reason for my 'visit' or by revealing my name.
And still I still lied.
"I am but a lowly servant, lord Pharaoh. I came to tidy your chamber during your expected leave of absence." Okay, so that was laying it on a little thick but my tone of voice and uneasy manner was very convincing. How else had I managed to sneak up to his room in the first place? The disguise was only part of it, my skills in deception ranked high in this scheme.
"Do you ever tell the truth?" Shot down. I just about threw a punch at him then and there but his soft, non-challenging mannerisms gave me a sense of control and superiority. My ego thought better of brash reactions since it still felt important. I settled for a traditional glare. "I'm Yami," he simply said and extended a hand. As if I didn't know the name of the Pharaoh of Egypt!
"Bakura," I muttered before my defenses could kick in. We clasped hands in a sloppy formal gesture before settling back. Silence rang deafeningly for a few moments. What do you say to royalty after being caught trying to steal from them? I was wondering just that when he spoke up.
"Why exactly are you here? Was it just to rob me?" Yami pointed to the pyramid necklace I'd been reaching for. I shrugged and offered no comment against it. "I see, dared or are your eyes bigger than your stomach?" My glare resumed, there was his answer however he wanted to interpret it. "A dare then." How, blast him, did he know all these things! Of course I was to learn later, but then I was baffled. "How did you get in?"
"Your guards are quite easy to sneak passed, Pharaoh. It was child's play."
"...could you take me out?" The question caught me so completely off guard that I just stood there staring at him.
"Why? Don't you have everything?" I couldn't help the sneer that crept into my tone. I had been raised as nothing more than a low class commoner, practically a slave. My family had nothing. Of course that didn't stop them from...it didn't matter. Because we, I, was poor I took to thievery. But that's already been said.
"Everything except freedom and the ability to act as any other of my age." True, upon closer inspection he was probably no older than I was. A teen forced into ruling against his will. Right then and there I decided to help Yami. I gave him the disguise and managed to find another one for myself. We carefully stepped out into the corridor and began the trek outside. Again, his supposedly superior security didn't catch onto us. Hey, I wasn't complaining. Once we were out of sight of the royal palace, the hoods were removed and Yami looked at the world through the eyes of a youth, not a Pharaoh. The spirit that shone in his eyes was amazing. He turned to me. "Thank you Bakura, I can never repay you for this, even if it is my only chance at fun."
"Who's the friend and what's this talk about fun?" We both jumped a bit and whirled to face Malik who looked at us in confusion tinted with slight smugness. Before I could actually answer he continued. "Looks like you lost the bet, so when should we go to get *my* treasure eh?" He's one for secrecy.
"Well Malik, meet Pharaoh Yami, ruler of Egypt." His face was now dragging on the floor, his jaw having pulled it along. "He was in his chamber and I've brought him out. I've won." Ha! Take that my friend. Yami just looked at our discussion patiently, fingering the puzzle that was now around his neck. When did he put that one anyway?
"Say, Yami, what exactly is that?" And Malik beat me to the punch, I hate it when he does that.
"Oh, this is...nothing important."
"You aren't cut out for lying Pharaoh."
"Well, it's the Millennium Puzzle." Both of us practically fell over in shock! He had an item for Shadow Dueling! Of course we both wanted it now. "Please don't look at my as if I'm lunch."
That was the fated meeting of a thief and a Pharaoh. The three of us grew closer as the years went on. Yami continued to sneak out of the palace and we would meet in a nearby oasis. But then he betrayed that friendship.
Malik had managed to break into the chamber which held the Millennium items. He stole two of them before needing to leave before getting caught. He kept one and gave the other to me on my birthday. That's how I received the ring. His was the rod. We concealed our new powers from everyone, challenging some to shadow games and taking their memories of them so they couldn't tell anyone else. A search was conducted to recover the lost items but it was unsuccessful. We still met Yami at the oasis whenever he could sneak out but we hid our secret from him too. He was behind the search. At one point I felt we should tell him since the three of us had become close friends. Malik disagreed and he was right. We never should have to Yami. He was more the Pharaoh now, the duties and responsibilities weighing heavily on his judgment.
Malik was taken away and no doubt tortured deep in the dungeons of the palace. I somehow escaped. The gods know why I was. I plotted and bided my time, winning more shadow duels and increasing my powers. I was then ready to face him.
My narrative faded as I discovered Ryou had long since faded into slumber. I probably bored him to sleep.
~Strike now the crippling blow to the one who summoned us. Seal his fate within the darkness child. Take your revenge~
Ryou jolted awake screaming. I was shocked out of the ring and into my substantial form. He immediately shrank away from me. Probably had a nightmare about how I used to treat him, damn it! But why was he staring with a strange fixation at his sheets? I looked for myself and spotted something quite strange.
Three shimmering white feathers.
---
Twill: Well there you go Bakura's thoughts on everything. You now know why he's changed and a little more about Ryou's dream. The next chapter's already started but I'll get a big boost of writing power if I get a lot of reviews! R&R!!