Twill: Hey, I'm back! After a long stint of writer's block, I finally have
an update. And it includes Yugi's point of view! The starting pov is left
unnamed for a reason and I'm not going to say. If you'd like to guess, go
ahead. I might even do something for the correct answer. There's also a bit
of Bakura's pov, so you get to see what's happening with him. The plot's
finally starting to take off into more action oriented stuff. I bet you're
glad to hear that!
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
Yaoi hints between a lot of people. I'm not so sure in which direction they're going. Your thoughts are welcome! ^^;
---
Remnants: Haunted by Shadow
---
Dreaming...
Acres of sand stretched before my feet. A hot wind from the west stirred ripples through the vastness of the desert.
I must be dreaming...
A gigantic wall of sand swept toward me, enveloping my form with stinging particles and the roar of wind. It was madness. Pure and complete chaos whipped into a frenzied state with no purpose other than to be chaotic. I felt myself sinking deeper in this whirlwind of insanity and unable to pull myself free.
Why was I dreaming?
It was impossible to tell one direction from another. Up was left, left was right and down was any mixture of all other ways. They began to pull at me, forcing my already beaten body into a new sense of stress. My mind began to scream for air and space even when it knew there was no hope for these things. My fingers could feel the grains of sand sliding past them even when the rest of my body was completely numb. It was like stroking fine silk thread and salt together, a mix of smooth and rough blended together.
How could I be dreaming?
In a sudden rush of air and an explosion of force I was free. My feet stood firmly on packed sand and I could breathe again. There was no sign of the storm that had swept over me. For a moment, in disjointed confusion, I laughed and suspected I had imagined the whole thing. A dream created by the harsh sun and desert that surround me on all sides.
Dreams within dreaming...
My shadow stretched out before my bare feet and remained, a mirror image of my shape. It felt strange to look down upon it. A weight on my back seemed to be missing in this copy. A nagging voice inside my head spoke of finding truth. Which was real? The body in which my mind rested or this thin darkness in front of me? The peace then shattered and I was again beneath a crushing wall of sand, struggling to breathe and feel when neither was happening. I wanted out. I clawed for freedom. I begged for control and sense. I cried for relief.
I continued dreaming.
~*Elsewhere, Yugi's POV*~
The air in the room was thick with apprehension. We all tensely waited for the arrival of Ryou or whatever we thought was Ryou. Yami brooded far off in a corner, casting dark glances at the door. He refused to talk to anyone, even me.
Malik and his darkness were talking quietly close to Bakura's still unconscious form. I knew they were worried, as we all were. Yes, even Yami was worried though he'd never show it or admit it to anyone. It was hard to believe all that had happened in the past few hours. Everything we had all thought was safe was crumbling before our eyes and we didn't know how to stop it. Lunch hour was nearly over and there was still no sign of salvation. Usually I was optimistic, but now... It was difficult to be anything but quietly distressed. I tried my best though.
"Cheer up guys. It could be worse." I winced mentally at how cheesy that sounded. It was a penalty I had to accept with trying to be the one looking on the bright side. I always sounded so sugary sweet. Even I got annoyed with myself at times.
"How could it possibly be worse?" I was met with a half-hearted glare from Malik and sighed.
"Well, the teacher or a student could walk in. We would have to explain why there are suddenly identical twins of us walking around and why 'Ryou' is out cold." I gestured to Bakura and watched Malik's shoulders drop. We both turned, though, when we heard the sounds of the door opening.
"Oh great. Thanks for jinxing us Yugi."
"Jinx? What are ya talkin' about?" The familiar blonde head of Jou poked its way in and I all but fainted from relief. He was shoved in as Honda made his way into the room and shut the door. They both paused and stared at Bakura on the desks. "What the heck happened ta him?" Yami snorted from his corner.
"It's a very long story Jou. Basically, something's happening in the Shadow Realm and this world's in danger. Ryou and Bakura seem to be in the thick of it." I sat heavily in a chair and watched their reactions. Both paled when I mention the Shadow Realm but quickly recovered. Honda glared down at Bakura.
"It seems we can never get a break. Just when things are going so well between me and Shizuka, the world starts to end!"
"What?!"
"Oh. Heh. Nothing buddy. I'm speaking for us all!"
"Why I oughta..."
"Will you two shut up!" All attention turned to Marik who was leaning against the window and staring outside. He had been very quiet since Malik had phoned Ryou and we'd figured something was wrong with him. I think he was like Yami; worried but unwilling to show it.
"Sorry."
"Yeah."
They took positions around the room, unsure of what else to do but unwilling to leave. The lot of us were never really close, all things considered. Jou and Honda were my friends more so than anyone else. Malik and I held a respect for each other. Yami knew how important my friends were to me and made sure they were safe but I didn't think he really thought of them as his friends, no matter how many times they said otherwise. Malik and Yami... it wasn't worth getting into. They didn't hate each other but they didn't like each other either. And then there was Marik. No one was really sure of what to think about him. Ryou and Bakura had been a sort of glue that held us all together and away from each other's throats. Okay, so Ryou more than Bakura, but it was still the same. With them either out of commission or under difficult circumstances, we were slowly falling apart.
Jou cleared his throat. "Would someone mind filling us in a little more on what's going on?"
"We're screwed royally." I just shook my head and looked at my two closest friends, completely ignoring Malik's comment.
"Sure. We have some time before Ryou's due to show up."
"Wait a moment, you mean that isn't Ryou?" It was an obvious attempt at humor on Jou's part as he tried to lighten the mood. We could all see it wasn't sincere and yet we all laughed anyway.
~Shadow Realm, Bakura's POV~
Growling I slammed my fist down on the table I was currently sitting at. I wanted information and it wasn't being provided! Glaring across at the one I wanted answers from I growled my question again. "When will I get my memory back?" He frowned apologetically and fed me the same answer, that he didn't know. "Or you don't want me to remember."
"I'm not sure what brought about this sudden suspicion, but I speak the truth. I don't know what caused you to forget and I don't know how to fix the problem." The elf rested his head in one hand and regarded me calmly. I continued to glare as my mind continued to churn. It was true, a sudden instinct had kicked in and I was wary of both this elf and this home. Every fiber of my being screamed that something was wrong and I needed to get out. I was trying to figure out what was causing this feeling and why I was so attuned to danger. I even suspected myself of something that I couldn't place.
"Fine. I'll accept that for now." My eyes wouldn't stop flicking from place to place around the room. It was if my body and my mind were working independently of themselves. "Where did Dark go?"
"He didn't say anywhere specific. All I know is he was going to search for allies in this brewing war." Something clicked and I finally rested my gaze on him. He was lying. In the mere minutes it had taken for him to enter from outside the front door and take a seat, something in him had changed. We locked gazes and I knew for certain. Something in his eyes was too confident for my liking. He knew I was at a disadvantage and practically trapped.
"When will he be back?"
"It's hard to say. Could be anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks." His smile, while reassuring on the surface, gloated some sort of success. It was if he was shouting 'Never! Dark will never return!'. I wondered, idly, how long the elf had been this way. I wondered if Dark knew.
"How do I get my memories back?"
He frowned. "I told you I don't know. Nothing's changed since you first asked me."
Sliding my chair back slowly I smirked without fully realizing it. "Oh but something has. And that something's your disposition. Why are you so confident? Are your traitorous friends on their way to pick me up? Do you think you honestly have me trapped?" He stiffened and stood, the guise of calm falling away. His hand immediately went for his weapon as I prepared myself for what I knew was to come.
"You yourself told me I was weak. I guess this is just proof." His sword sliced the table in half. I didn't flinch.
"You are weak and so I will not be beaten. And when Dark returns, you will be sent to a place far more terrible than the graveyard of duels." He paused and seemed to struggle with raising his arm for another blow. The mention of his friend seemed to be the cause of this. I stored this information away for later. "I will be leaving now."
"Not likely. You will either leave here in chains or not at all. You have been deemed expendable." He swung again but I had already started moving.
"On who's authority?" I dodged and began moving toward the door.
"My Master." He pursued, but slowly. If given more time I would've paused to wonder why but my adrenaline was pumping fast. All reason was quickly draining as instinct took over.
"The Pharaoh?!"
"No. Your favorite." Leaping back to avoid another blow, I tripped and fell backwards out the door. I stared at the feet of several monsters before looking up. A squat purple lizard and a strangely elfin fiend blocked my only path to freedom. Now I understood why the elf's attacks had lacked emphasis. He knew I was doomed. Cursing hotly I shoved myself to my feet and prepared to fight. I was knocked unconscious before I could even register the blow. The elf had hit me with the flat of his blade.
~*Elsewhere, Yugi's POV*~
"So there you have it."
"Wow. And why weren't we informed earlier?" I smiled nervously in the face of Honda's irritation. He settled down quickly and seemed to answer it himself. "So we have to be prepared for the possibility of war?"
"Pretty much." The thought was not at all comforting. My stomach flip- flopped just at the mention of the word.
"You know, you aren't going to be able to keep your other halves secret anymore."
"Unless, genius, we prevent war from happening." I shot Malik an annoyed look which he didn't seem to get. I valued his input and everything, but he could get annoying with his rudeness. On closer reflection, I supposed I was like that too in my own way. I shrugged.
"Do you have any plans blondie?"
"You wouldn't understand them mutt."
"Better a dog than a weasel."
"Whatever you say shark-head."
"Enough!" Everyone stared at me, some slightly surprised, others annoyed, some impassive and sulking. That would be Yami. "This isn't the time to be arguing. We have other things to be worrying about, so get a hold of yourselves!" It wasn't until after I'd finished did I see the new person in the room.
"Oh my, I hope I'm not interrupting anything." We all looked with shock at a very bedraggled looking Ryou who was standing just inside the door. His hair was wild, his clothing disheveled and his eyes tired. It was if he'd just woken up from a deep sleep and walked through a windstorm. Something was definitely off, though. This wasn't completely Ryou who stood before us. I silently hoped the others wouldn't let on until we knew more. It was then Yami stepped forward from his corner.
"Hello Ryou."
---
Twill: There you go. It's a little shorter than usual, but still good I think. I'll try to update faster but with school going, my writer's block unpredictable and three/four other fics going, it's hard to say. Reviews help though ^___^ Let me know what you think and who you'd like me to delve into the thoughts of. Anyone's up for grabs at this point!
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
Yaoi hints between a lot of people. I'm not so sure in which direction they're going. Your thoughts are welcome! ^^;
---
Remnants: Haunted by Shadow
---
Dreaming...
Acres of sand stretched before my feet. A hot wind from the west stirred ripples through the vastness of the desert.
I must be dreaming...
A gigantic wall of sand swept toward me, enveloping my form with stinging particles and the roar of wind. It was madness. Pure and complete chaos whipped into a frenzied state with no purpose other than to be chaotic. I felt myself sinking deeper in this whirlwind of insanity and unable to pull myself free.
Why was I dreaming?
It was impossible to tell one direction from another. Up was left, left was right and down was any mixture of all other ways. They began to pull at me, forcing my already beaten body into a new sense of stress. My mind began to scream for air and space even when it knew there was no hope for these things. My fingers could feel the grains of sand sliding past them even when the rest of my body was completely numb. It was like stroking fine silk thread and salt together, a mix of smooth and rough blended together.
How could I be dreaming?
In a sudden rush of air and an explosion of force I was free. My feet stood firmly on packed sand and I could breathe again. There was no sign of the storm that had swept over me. For a moment, in disjointed confusion, I laughed and suspected I had imagined the whole thing. A dream created by the harsh sun and desert that surround me on all sides.
Dreams within dreaming...
My shadow stretched out before my bare feet and remained, a mirror image of my shape. It felt strange to look down upon it. A weight on my back seemed to be missing in this copy. A nagging voice inside my head spoke of finding truth. Which was real? The body in which my mind rested or this thin darkness in front of me? The peace then shattered and I was again beneath a crushing wall of sand, struggling to breathe and feel when neither was happening. I wanted out. I clawed for freedom. I begged for control and sense. I cried for relief.
I continued dreaming.
~*Elsewhere, Yugi's POV*~
The air in the room was thick with apprehension. We all tensely waited for the arrival of Ryou or whatever we thought was Ryou. Yami brooded far off in a corner, casting dark glances at the door. He refused to talk to anyone, even me.
Malik and his darkness were talking quietly close to Bakura's still unconscious form. I knew they were worried, as we all were. Yes, even Yami was worried though he'd never show it or admit it to anyone. It was hard to believe all that had happened in the past few hours. Everything we had all thought was safe was crumbling before our eyes and we didn't know how to stop it. Lunch hour was nearly over and there was still no sign of salvation. Usually I was optimistic, but now... It was difficult to be anything but quietly distressed. I tried my best though.
"Cheer up guys. It could be worse." I winced mentally at how cheesy that sounded. It was a penalty I had to accept with trying to be the one looking on the bright side. I always sounded so sugary sweet. Even I got annoyed with myself at times.
"How could it possibly be worse?" I was met with a half-hearted glare from Malik and sighed.
"Well, the teacher or a student could walk in. We would have to explain why there are suddenly identical twins of us walking around and why 'Ryou' is out cold." I gestured to Bakura and watched Malik's shoulders drop. We both turned, though, when we heard the sounds of the door opening.
"Oh great. Thanks for jinxing us Yugi."
"Jinx? What are ya talkin' about?" The familiar blonde head of Jou poked its way in and I all but fainted from relief. He was shoved in as Honda made his way into the room and shut the door. They both paused and stared at Bakura on the desks. "What the heck happened ta him?" Yami snorted from his corner.
"It's a very long story Jou. Basically, something's happening in the Shadow Realm and this world's in danger. Ryou and Bakura seem to be in the thick of it." I sat heavily in a chair and watched their reactions. Both paled when I mention the Shadow Realm but quickly recovered. Honda glared down at Bakura.
"It seems we can never get a break. Just when things are going so well between me and Shizuka, the world starts to end!"
"What?!"
"Oh. Heh. Nothing buddy. I'm speaking for us all!"
"Why I oughta..."
"Will you two shut up!" All attention turned to Marik who was leaning against the window and staring outside. He had been very quiet since Malik had phoned Ryou and we'd figured something was wrong with him. I think he was like Yami; worried but unwilling to show it.
"Sorry."
"Yeah."
They took positions around the room, unsure of what else to do but unwilling to leave. The lot of us were never really close, all things considered. Jou and Honda were my friends more so than anyone else. Malik and I held a respect for each other. Yami knew how important my friends were to me and made sure they were safe but I didn't think he really thought of them as his friends, no matter how many times they said otherwise. Malik and Yami... it wasn't worth getting into. They didn't hate each other but they didn't like each other either. And then there was Marik. No one was really sure of what to think about him. Ryou and Bakura had been a sort of glue that held us all together and away from each other's throats. Okay, so Ryou more than Bakura, but it was still the same. With them either out of commission or under difficult circumstances, we were slowly falling apart.
Jou cleared his throat. "Would someone mind filling us in a little more on what's going on?"
"We're screwed royally." I just shook my head and looked at my two closest friends, completely ignoring Malik's comment.
"Sure. We have some time before Ryou's due to show up."
"Wait a moment, you mean that isn't Ryou?" It was an obvious attempt at humor on Jou's part as he tried to lighten the mood. We could all see it wasn't sincere and yet we all laughed anyway.
~Shadow Realm, Bakura's POV~
Growling I slammed my fist down on the table I was currently sitting at. I wanted information and it wasn't being provided! Glaring across at the one I wanted answers from I growled my question again. "When will I get my memory back?" He frowned apologetically and fed me the same answer, that he didn't know. "Or you don't want me to remember."
"I'm not sure what brought about this sudden suspicion, but I speak the truth. I don't know what caused you to forget and I don't know how to fix the problem." The elf rested his head in one hand and regarded me calmly. I continued to glare as my mind continued to churn. It was true, a sudden instinct had kicked in and I was wary of both this elf and this home. Every fiber of my being screamed that something was wrong and I needed to get out. I was trying to figure out what was causing this feeling and why I was so attuned to danger. I even suspected myself of something that I couldn't place.
"Fine. I'll accept that for now." My eyes wouldn't stop flicking from place to place around the room. It was if my body and my mind were working independently of themselves. "Where did Dark go?"
"He didn't say anywhere specific. All I know is he was going to search for allies in this brewing war." Something clicked and I finally rested my gaze on him. He was lying. In the mere minutes it had taken for him to enter from outside the front door and take a seat, something in him had changed. We locked gazes and I knew for certain. Something in his eyes was too confident for my liking. He knew I was at a disadvantage and practically trapped.
"When will he be back?"
"It's hard to say. Could be anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks." His smile, while reassuring on the surface, gloated some sort of success. It was if he was shouting 'Never! Dark will never return!'. I wondered, idly, how long the elf had been this way. I wondered if Dark knew.
"How do I get my memories back?"
He frowned. "I told you I don't know. Nothing's changed since you first asked me."
Sliding my chair back slowly I smirked without fully realizing it. "Oh but something has. And that something's your disposition. Why are you so confident? Are your traitorous friends on their way to pick me up? Do you think you honestly have me trapped?" He stiffened and stood, the guise of calm falling away. His hand immediately went for his weapon as I prepared myself for what I knew was to come.
"You yourself told me I was weak. I guess this is just proof." His sword sliced the table in half. I didn't flinch.
"You are weak and so I will not be beaten. And when Dark returns, you will be sent to a place far more terrible than the graveyard of duels." He paused and seemed to struggle with raising his arm for another blow. The mention of his friend seemed to be the cause of this. I stored this information away for later. "I will be leaving now."
"Not likely. You will either leave here in chains or not at all. You have been deemed expendable." He swung again but I had already started moving.
"On who's authority?" I dodged and began moving toward the door.
"My Master." He pursued, but slowly. If given more time I would've paused to wonder why but my adrenaline was pumping fast. All reason was quickly draining as instinct took over.
"The Pharaoh?!"
"No. Your favorite." Leaping back to avoid another blow, I tripped and fell backwards out the door. I stared at the feet of several monsters before looking up. A squat purple lizard and a strangely elfin fiend blocked my only path to freedom. Now I understood why the elf's attacks had lacked emphasis. He knew I was doomed. Cursing hotly I shoved myself to my feet and prepared to fight. I was knocked unconscious before I could even register the blow. The elf had hit me with the flat of his blade.
~*Elsewhere, Yugi's POV*~
"So there you have it."
"Wow. And why weren't we informed earlier?" I smiled nervously in the face of Honda's irritation. He settled down quickly and seemed to answer it himself. "So we have to be prepared for the possibility of war?"
"Pretty much." The thought was not at all comforting. My stomach flip- flopped just at the mention of the word.
"You know, you aren't going to be able to keep your other halves secret anymore."
"Unless, genius, we prevent war from happening." I shot Malik an annoyed look which he didn't seem to get. I valued his input and everything, but he could get annoying with his rudeness. On closer reflection, I supposed I was like that too in my own way. I shrugged.
"Do you have any plans blondie?"
"You wouldn't understand them mutt."
"Better a dog than a weasel."
"Whatever you say shark-head."
"Enough!" Everyone stared at me, some slightly surprised, others annoyed, some impassive and sulking. That would be Yami. "This isn't the time to be arguing. We have other things to be worrying about, so get a hold of yourselves!" It wasn't until after I'd finished did I see the new person in the room.
"Oh my, I hope I'm not interrupting anything." We all looked with shock at a very bedraggled looking Ryou who was standing just inside the door. His hair was wild, his clothing disheveled and his eyes tired. It was if he'd just woken up from a deep sleep and walked through a windstorm. Something was definitely off, though. This wasn't completely Ryou who stood before us. I silently hoped the others wouldn't let on until we knew more. It was then Yami stepped forward from his corner.
"Hello Ryou."
---
Twill: There you go. It's a little shorter than usual, but still good I think. I'll try to update faster but with school going, my writer's block unpredictable and three/four other fics going, it's hard to say. Reviews help though ^___^ Let me know what you think and who you'd like me to delve into the thoughts of. Anyone's up for grabs at this point!