Of Wizards and Duelists …
XO'MagickMoon'OX
A/N: Hey everybody! Guess what? I think I managed to write a chapter without using any of J. K.'s dialogue! Aren't you proud of me? And I created some OC's! That's right, Jason, Gabe, and Karen are ALL MINE! -huggles- Yae! Oh, and HUGE thanks to poxmaker for the Yami/Draco confrontation idea. Hope you like it! Enjoy!
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Time passed at Hogwarts. New relationships bloomed and old ones were rekindled. The three newcomers found themselves fitting in very well with their new friends, although an invisible barrier seemed ever-present between the trio and the rest of the world. Harry carried out his detention with Umbridge, and had the scars on the back of his hand to prove it, though the white markings etched into the flesh of his hand were not something he was willing to show anyone, save Ron and Hermione. Yuugi found himself excelling in Care of Magickal Creatures, as Malik thought he might. Duel monsters or mythical creatures, the small boy had a way with strange beasts. Ryou wasn't doing too bad either in his classes, and Malik was doing wonderfully. It was obvious the blonde belonged in Ravenclaw. The trio also found themselves with the same enemies as their new Gryffindor friends, namely a certain Slytherin and his gang. Atemu and Bakura carried on their conversations, talking about life and love and hopes and fears, discussing all sorts of philosophies they had never even consciously touched upon in their own thoughts until now. Bakura had never once imagined the Pharaoh as being such an excellent conversationalist.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione also found themselves teaching Ryou, Malik, and Yuugi about the Wizarding World. They recounted the evil days when Voldemort was rising to power, all of which they knew through the teachings of their elders, as they hadn't been born or nearly old enough to even say "Lord Voldemort" when it all had taken place. They taught the naïve trio all about Hogwarts (Hermione usually going into intricate detail about something or other) and all about the now-infamous Ministry of Magick. They highlighted some events of previous years, such as the Sorcerer's Stone, the Chamber of Secrets, the whole escapade with Sirius (which also led into their explanation of Azkaban prison and the dreadful Dementors), and then elaborated a little further on the events of last year. They had touched briefly upon Hogsmeade before their first trip to the wizarding town, as Ryou, Yuugi, and Malik were, again, clueless as to what Hogsmeade was when McGonagall had first posted to dates of the trips back in late September. They talked to the foreign threesome about the owl post, the Floo Network, portkeys, Apparation, and brooms, which promptly segued into Quidditch. After hearing the game described, Ryou, Yuugi, and Malik wanted to see it in action.
One Saturday afternoon in mid-October, Ryou, Yuugi, Malik, and Hermione found themselves sitting in the stands of the Quidditch field, spectators of the Gryffindor team practice. Scarves, gloves, hats, and jackets pulled on tight, the autumn wind nipped at their faces, a prologue to the icy weather November was sure to bring. Harry and Ron were on the Quidditch pitch, clad in their scarlet-and-gold uniforms, sitting on their brooms. Ryou, Yuugi, and Malik were awed at the fact that the brooms could fly. To hear about it was one thing, but to see it was another. They watched the players zoom this way and that, their robes billowing, hair flying. Ron was the recently-appointed Keeper, Hermione had explained, and Harry was the Seeker, and had been so since first year.
The Gryffindor team was prepping for their match against Slytherin, which was in November. All month the Houses had been at each other, jinxing, hexing, jeering, and bullying, trying to, in any way possible, lessen the other's chance at victory. Even the Heads of House, McGonagall and Snape, were excited about the game and just as determined to win as the students. But one person who was absolutely dreading the match was Ron. Every fiber of his being, it seemed, was stained with trepidation, as he was nowhere near confident in his abilities as a Keeper. Neither were his teammates, though they hid their worry well. What didn't help was Malfoy's constant mocking. Every chance he got he taunted the redhead, and what was worse, Ron was too horrified at the mere mention of the game to ever retaliate. This made Harry and Hermione worry.
"It's freezing!" Ryou murmured as he wrung his gloved hands in a vain attempt to keep them warm. The wind tousled the locks of long, white hair that weren't trapped beneath his wool cap and bit at his cheeks, turning his milky complexion rosy.
Malik, who was sitting next to Ryou, turned to his friend. "Here," he said as he held out his own gloved hands to Ryou. Ryou blinked, unsure of what was being offered. Malik sighed exasperatedly and grabbed Ryou's hands, holding them in his own to heat them with his warmth. Then the blonde's gaze turned back to the practice, which meant that he fortunately didn't see Ryou's already-pink face turn a light shade of crimson.
"Th-Thanks," he mumbled his gratitude.
"Mm-hm," Malik wordlessly replied, apparently transfixed by the practice. Though really, he was simply preoccupied with trying to steady his racing heart and keep his own blush from glowing beneath his tanned face.
So Ryou sat there, with his hands in Malik's lap as slowly feeling began to return to his icy fingers, still blushing … though, thankfully, no one seemed to notice. No one, that is, except for Bakura.
The spirit was sitting in front of his host, and, with one glance over his shoulder, he had noticed the abnormally red tint in the boy's cheeks and the position which he and Malik were in. With an indignant grunt, he turned back to the Quidditch pitch, scowling darkly. Atemu looked over to the thief and tilted his head inquiringly.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly, fully aware that Yuugi could hear him if he spoke loudly enough.
Bakura huffed and folded his arms, trying to mask his pain with anger. He stole another quick glance over his shoulder and huffed again, louder this time. Atemu took the hint and looked behind them.
"Ah, I see."
Atemu tugged at his earlobe, pondering the situation and trying to figure out if there was anything to be done about it. He didn't really want to see Bakura so pained, but he didn't want to ruin Ryou and Malik's budding relationship, either.
Luckily, his increasingly indecisive train of thought was interrupted by a cool, silvery laugh, followed by a chorus of giggles, snorts, and sniggers. Six heads turned to see the Slytherin Quidditch team and various others seated a little ways away from them, all laughing at some derisive joke Draco undoubtedly had cracked.
"I mean really, Weasley can't even afford to pay attention, let alone buy a decent broom. How the hell did he make Keeper? Obviously Johnson's braids are too tight. What was she thinking even letting him onto the Quidditch field? Honestly, he's an embarrassment to the sport!" Draco continued with a sneer.
As if on que, Ron missed another shot, letting the Quaffle fly into the middle ring, and eliciting a bout of roaring laughter from the serpentine spectators. The Gryffindors frowned.
Hermione turned back to the pitch. "Come on, Ron," she hissed. "You can do it."
A swing and a miss. Ron let another Quaffle in. More mocking laughter. The sound was as annoying as the endless wails of a baby, grating, irritating, working its way into the pores of your skin, reverberating through your skull and seeping into your mind, pushing you to the edge of insanity. Or, at least that's what it felt like to the Gryffindors.
Hermione finally burst. "SHUT-UP!" She jumped to her feet, fists clenched at her sides.
The Slytherins sneered.
"What you going to do, Granger?" Malfoy jibed. "Pound my face in? Jinx me?"
"I might," Hermione spat.
"Tsk tsk … you know that'll lose you your badge," Malfoy said with a sly smile. "Can you imagine what the professors will think when they hear that I was assaulted by the Little-Miss-Perfect, Hermione Granger, a prefect nonetheless?"
Hermione growled in fury, her jaw clenched. It wasn't only that Malfoy was being an unbearable bastard, it was also the fact that he was right that was making Hermione's blood boil. She sat back down, flushing furiously.
Draco sniggered. "Good girl."
Bakura chuckled. "Heh, I'd wager the only reason that pretty boy's even here is to see Harry. Bet watching Harry play, getting all sweaty and worked up, really turns him on."
Atemu rolled his eyes. Ryou looked down at Bakura and blinked. What was that supposed to mean? He swallowed nervously as he worked up the nerve to talk to his other half. "Hey, Bakura," he murmured.
Without turning around, Bakura growled, "What?"
Ryou cleared his throat. "Eh … what did you … what did you mean by that?"
Both Yuugi and Malik were now watching Ryou. Hermione was still too livid to notice the fact that Ryou was apparently talking to thin air.
"Nothing, Yadonushi," Bakura replied, as if dismissing a naïve child after they'd asked a question about something of which they were too simple-minded to possibly understand.
But Ryou, despite what some may think, was far from naïve. Perhaps timid and quiet, but not naïve. Did Draco have feelings for Harry? But, how could he? He was so mean to Harry and his friends; Draco and Harry were renowned throughout the whole school as unyielding enemies. The white-haired boy couldn't imagine someone as cruel and cold-hearted as Draco loving Harry, who was his rival no less. Was that even possible? It was like Bakura being in love with Ryou.
That's crazy, Ryou thought, although even as the notion ran through his mind, Ryou felt an inexplicable pang shoot through his heart.
At that moment, Ron finally blocked a shot, and the Gryffindors cheered. Malik absentmindedly squeezed Ryou's hands, and the pain the boy had felt naught but a second ago in his chest disappeared.
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The autumn wind whispered through the fiery boughs of the trees in the courtyard as the students sat outside on a cool, Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks later. Harry and Ron found themselves, again, struggling through their homework, trying to finish it at a reasonable hour. Hermione was talking with Ryou, Yuugi, Malik, and a few of the Ravenclaws who were tagging along with the Egyptian. Malik had finished his homework, and Ryou and Yuugi were within an hour of completion, so they were putting it off until later that night.
"Say, Malik," a freckled, green-eyed brunette, whom Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ryou, and Yuugi had come to know as Jason Myers, said, "I think Cho fancies you."
Malik rolled his eyes, but Hermione, Ron, and particularly Harry bristled. "She does not," Malik responded.
"Oh she does too." This from Gabriel McNeil, a tall boy with sandy-blonde hair and hazel irises that stood out against his fair skin. "She's fawning over you; all the girls are. Lucky bastard."
"Well, I'm not," a fair-haired, tan-skinned girl said. She had a cute, button-nose and high cheek bones, glasses framing her bright blue eyes. Her name was Karen Sanderson.
"Yeah, well," Gabe said, wrinkling his nose, "that's just because you have different tastes."
Jason laughed, resulting in a sharp punch to the arm from Karen. "Oh, you're all just a bunch of homophobes," she said sulkily.
Hermione raised her eyebrows, but said nothing, and Harry and Ron traded amused glances. Ryou, Yuugi, and Malik appeared unaffected by the sudden revelation.
"Anyway," Jason said, rubbing his sore arm, "Cho definitely has a crush on you, Malik."
Harry's face had started to turn pink, but only Ron seemed to notice. He put a hand on his friend's forearm. The raven-haired boy looked up and saw Ron smile reassuringly, though what he was reassuring him of neither were certain. Both Hermione and Ron knew that Harry had fancied Cho since last year. He had even asked her to the Yule Ball, but Cedric had beaten him to it.
Ryou was looking a little perturbed by the whole conversation. Malik turned to him. "What's up Ryou?" he asked worriedly.
"Huh? Oh nothing!" Ryou smiled sheepishly.
Worried you'll lose your boyfriend? a familiar voice jeered.
No! Ryou snapped defensively. Besides, he's not my boyfriend.
But you wish he was.
Ryou jumped. Bakura's tone had sounded oddly strained, almost as if he were in pain. The spirit also appeared to have closed the mind-link again. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"Ryou?" Yuugi looked a little concerned. That was when Ryou noticed that everyone was staring at him, probably because he had just randomly jerked and looked startled.
"Oh, it was just a bee," he said, rubbing an imaginary sting on his wrist.
"I didn't see a bee," Karen said bluntly.
"Oh … well …" Ryou scratched the back of his head nervously.
Yuugi and Malik, though, guessed what had really happened – another private conversation with Bakura, no doubt – and quickly changed the subject.
"So, is anything special happening tomorrow?" Yuugi asked suddenly.
"'Tomorrow'?" Jason echoed.
"Yeah," Malik said, picking up on Yuugi's train of thought. "Tomorrow is Halloween. Isn't that, like, a special holiday for witches and wizards?"
"Oh of course!" Hermione said. "I'd completely forgotten!"
"Well," Gabe said, "they do decorate the school with pumpkins and special candles, gourds and autumn foliage of the sort. There's a spectacular feast for dinner, and the classes are usually centered one way or another around the holiday. But, that's about it."
"Oh." Yuugi nodded. "All right."
"Why? Did you expect something more?" Hermione wondered.
"Well, it's just that I figured Halloween would be a really big deal around here," Yuugi admitted.
Hermione nodded. "I see how you'd figure that."
"Hey," Gabe said, standing suddenly, "let's go for a walk. I'm tired of sitting here."
Ron and Harry looked up. Both had eager grins on their faces; anything to get away from their torturous homework. But Hermione gave them reprimanding looks and, as if her glare had a paralyzing, if not manipulating, affect, both boys obediently stayed in the courtyard and continued on with their work.
The rest stepped across the brittle grass and through the stone archways that led into the open corridor surrounding the yard. Atemu and Bakura followed, unbeknownst to the students, save Ryou and Yuugi. They continued down the hallway, enjoying the slightly warmer atmosphere doubled with the cool breezes blowing in from the courtyard. Everything was nice, until a certain blonde-haired Slytherin interrupted their fun in search of his own.
"Well, well, well," he drawled. "What's everyone up to on this fine day?" Draco's voice held an air of feigned casualness dripping with its usual underlying venom.
Hermione shook her head with a roll of her eyes, and the group kept walking. Although, she did find it odd that Draco was alone; whether it was by choice or not, he usually had a band of groupies on his heel at all times.
"Hey, I asked you a question," Draco said, dropping his false casual tone.
"I'm sorry, but we don't associate with heartless bastards such as yourself," Karen said with a mocking formality.
"Oh, that's all right. I don't associate with homosexual smart-asses such as yourself," Draco snapped with the same air.
"He's one to talk," Bakura sniggered.
Karen grew livid. "Why you …"
"Just ignore him," Hermione advised icily.
"What was that, mudblood?" Draco carried out the word with such arrogance that Hermione, her anger doubled with hate for Draco and pent-up frustration from the Quidditch practice bubbling over her self-control, spun on her heel and, with one swift movement, launched her fist into his gut.
He gasped and fell back against the wall, clutching his stomach and whimpering pathetically. "You'll … pay for … that," he rasped through clenched teeth. He raised his face, blonde bangs overshadowing his flashing, metallic eyes. He pulled his wand from his robe.
Before anyone else could draw theirs, Draco pointed it at Hermione and shouted, "Rictusempra!" A torrent of silver light shot from the tip of his wand and showered Hermione. She immediately fell to the floor in a roaring fit of laughter, holding her sides as though a pair of invisible hands were tickling her mercilessly.
Draco straightened himself with a smirk as Hermione began to tear from the effort of such laughter.
Malik knelt down and waved his hand over the jinxed girl. "Finite Incantatem!" he commanded, and Hermione's laughter quelled. Malik smiled, pleased and a bit shocked that he had done the spell right. Hermione sat on the floor, gasping for breath, before turning to Draco and glaring daggers at him.
Gabe unsheathed his wand from his robe and pointed it at the blonde. "Furnunculus!" he cried at the same time as Draco shouted, "Protego!"
A sickly green light shot from the end of Gabe's wand, and simultaneously white sparks flew from Draco's. Green clashed with white as Draco's charm encircled him, protecting him from Gabe's jinx. Once all light had cleared, Draco was scowling, his fair, porcelain skin red and irritated, rather than sporting the large, ugly boils Gabe had intended.
Jason had pulled out his wand and was pointing it at Draco. Hermione and Karen were doing the same.
"Don't be an idiot, Malfoy," Hermione said, her wand tip inches from his chin. "You're outnumbered."
Draco snarled, his fangs bared, and looked about to stubbornly spout another jinx when Yuugi cried, "Guys, stop!"
Everyone turned to the small boy, who had a pleading look in his eyes. Seeing he had everyone's attention, he repeated, "Stop."
"Stay out of this, midget," Draco jeered.
Yuugi flushed angrily. He wasn't that short.
Draco waved his wand and shouted, "Wingardium Leviosa!" before anyone could react, sending Yuugi up in the air. The smaller boy yelped in surprise, before he grew livid with indignation.
"Put me down!" he demanded.
"Expelliarmus!" Karen cried, jabbing her wand at Draco. His wand flew from his hand at the same time as Hermione cried, "Impedimenta!" as Yuugi went crashing back down to the ground with a scream. He slowed just inches above the cold, stone floor before landing gently.
"Thanks," he breathed. Hermione nodded.
Ron and Harry now entered the hallway. They had come running upon seeing the flashes of light and sparks and hearing all the commotion. After assessing the situation, the two went to stand by Hermione, pulling out their wands and aiming them at the Slytherin.
Draco huffed and, finding himself disarmed and thoroughly outnumbered, looked ready to leave the scene. Order began to settle itself back into the corridor.
Atemu, however, was not content with simply letting it all go. Draco had done his aibou a great injustice, and he needed to pay. Ruby eyes flashing, mouth fixed into a snarl, Atemu disappeared into the Puzzle, which immediately began to glow with a golden light.
Bakura smirked. "Oh, Draco's in for it now."
Yami, Yuugi said through their mind-link. What are you doing?
Draco's not going to get away with that, aibou, Atemu answered mischievously.
Yami … NO –
Yuugi's last words were cut short as the Pharaoh took control of his partner's body. Everyone, save Ryou and Malik, was now staring incredulously at Yuugi's Puzzle, unaware of the shift within the tri-color-haired boy. Even Draco was struck speechless by the bizarre glow of the amulet, and vaguely remembered something similar happening on the train.
Atemu grinned wickedly and turned his sights on Draco. The blonde felt himself instinctively shrink under the formidable gaze. He couldn't place it exactly, but he knew that this wasn't the same timid boy he had just taunted minutes ago.
Atemu, with a few brusque steps, walked up to Draco, grabbed him by the collar of his black turtleneck sweater, and pinned him against the wall with unbelievable dexterity and strength. Draco yelped as a pang shot up his spine from the force of being thrust against the stone. 'Yuugi's' now-garnet eyes flashed dangerously.
"Listen to me, boy," Atemu growled. "You are to never hurt Yuugi, understand?"
Malik cleared his throat. Atemu turned to him, and Malik said quietly, "You are Yuugi."
Atemu blinked. "Oh, right. You are to never hurt me. If you ever point that wand at … me … again, you will sorely regret it."
Draco, despite looking scared and confused out of his wits, snapped, "Who the hell do you think you are!"
Atemu narrowed his eyes. Suddenly, a bolt of energy surged through the air, and the atmosphere began to ripple. Atemu began to radiate a violet light, and the Puzzle again began to glow, though not with a transitioning aura. The wall behind Draco began to melt into a marble of purple and black, swirling and spinning into an unknown abyss. A dark mist filled the corridor, the glowing of the Puzzle cutting through the haze like golden knives. A deadly sensation crept through the air, smothering everyone with its chill and foreboding.
The Shadow Realm.
"Wh-What's going on?" Hermione breathed.
"I have no bloody idea!" Karen cried, terrified. Everyone else was speechless with fright. Ryou and Malik didn't seem as afraid as the others, but that was only because they knew what was going on, though they were nevertheless scared.
"Pharaoh!" Malik shouted. "What are you doing!"
But Atemu didn't hear them, he was focused solely on Draco, who was trembling uncontrollably, his silver eyes wide. Yuugi's spirit was fruitlessly tugging at his yami's arm, trying to make him stop. If Atemu hadn't been holding Draco by the collar, the boy would've been pulled into the Shadow Realm and would now be spinning about among the monsters and souls trapped in the abyss. Dark shadows moved about behind Draco in the swirling mass of violet and black, their eyes glowing ominously, growls and screeches and predatory purrs sounded from the silhouettes.
"Are we clear?" Atemu said evilly. "You are never to bother me again, or my friends."
Draco nodded fervently, unable to speak. He looked on the verge of tears as he peered warily over his shoulder and yelped.
"Yami, stop it! Now!" an invisible Yuugi pleaded.
Finally, the Pharaoh acknowledged the boy, and looked down at the spirit. His breath caught at the fear and pain he saw on Yuugi's face. Immediately, the portal behind Draco melted back into solid wall and the haze disappeared, taking the ominous air with it. Draco's collar slipped from Atemu's fingers as his fist unclenched, and the boy fell to the floor in a whimpering heap. The Pharaoh began to tremble, his eyes still locked with Yuugi's.
He shook his head and looked around, as if suddenly realizing what he'd done. He saw the other students with equally terrified and wary expressions, all gaping at him, and Malik and Ryou watching him incredulously. Even Bakura looked awestruck, and was staring at Atemu with … reverence? Yeah, that was Bakura.
"Y-Yuugi …" The Pharaoh stammered ashamedly, turning to his aibou. "I'm … sorry …"
The Puzzle flared to life again, and Yuugi melded back with his body, the Pharaoh disappearing into the Item. Moments later, he appeared beside Bakura, who grinned and put a hand on the Pharaoh's shoulder proudly. Coming from Bakura, it wasn't encouraging. Atemu fazed through a nearby wall and left, Bakura following suit, his expression now one of great concern. Yuugi was standing, holding his head, and everyone else was silent, speechless.
Draco, naturally, was the first to speak. He got to his feet and took off down the hallway, shouting something like "He's insane. You're all insane!" before turning the corner and disappearing. Karen, Gabe, and Jason traded nervous glances before they, too, departed with hurried farewells to Malik. He nodded wearily.
Hermione, Ron, Harry, Ryou, Yuugi, and Malik were left alone in the hallway, with Yuugi leaning back against the wall, his eyes closed. Then, he opened them and looked around at his friends.
"I … I gotta go," he said quietly. He slipped down the corridor and headed for his dorm. He really just needed to get away from everyone at the moment.
Ryou sighed tiredly, and Malik shook his head, eyes gazing unseeingly at the floor.
Silence, all except for the wind whispering through the trees in the courtyard.
Then, Ron burst, "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?"
Everyone jumped. Ryou and Malik glanced at each other and shook their heads.
"It's … hard to explain," Malik said.
Hermione frowned angrily. "That's not good enough!" Ryou and Malik looked at her. She continued, "Look, we know that you all are good friends, and that you have a history together, one that's obviously very complicated, but you're our friends now, too, and we'd like you to fill us in on what is going on! 'It's hard to explain' isn't going to cut it any longer! Tell us," she commanded, "… tell us everything we need to know."
"We … We have to think about it," Ryou said.
"Ryou –" Hermione started.
"No." The sudden assertiveness in the usually quiet boy stunned the others into silence. He continued, "We really do have to think about it. What you 'need to know' is very hard to understand and just as hard to explain. We will think about it and tell you once we've talked together."
With that, Ryou headed down the hallway, and Malik followed, leaving the other three standing there with incredulous expressions.
Ryou and Malik walked in silence for a little while down the empty corridor, until Malik said, "That was great. Quick thinking."
Ryou nodded and looked up at the blonde. "Thanks." He smiled.
Malik tilted his head. Ryou was adorable when he smiled.
Ryou swallowed. Why was Malik staring at him like that? He felt heat rise in his cheeks as he averted his gaze.
Malik gave a small grin. Ryou was also adorable when he blushed.
The two kept walking in silence. Malik's mind was reeling. Since they'd arrived at Hogwarts, he'd felt his feelings for the white-haired boy evolving. He wasn't sure exactly where he was at the moment, but he was sure he was at least crushing on the boy. And he could tell that Ryou had feelings for him. Didn't he? Well, there was only one way to find out …
Malik stopped and grabbed Ryou's arm before gently pinning him against the wall, pressing his body up against the smaller boy's.
Ryou gasped. "M-Malik! What're you –"
The rest of his words were muffled as Malik pressed his lips against Ryou's. Ryou, with his eyes wide and heart racing, bristled at first, but once he realized what was going on, he relaxed and closed his eyes, tilting his head to deepen the kiss. Malik's lips were very soft … and warm … Ryou reached around the blonde's neck and entwined his fingers in the Egyptian's hair, pulling him, if at all possible, closer.
Yes, Malik thought, he definitely likes me.
Chastity gave way to passion as Malik nipped at Ryou's lower lip, resulting in a soft moan from the white-haired boy. Then back to kissing. Ryou felt Malik's tongue sliding across the seam of his mouth, trying to pry his lips apart. Ryou granted the other entrance and soon felt Malik's tongue inside his mouth. Ryou tasted luscious, like some sort of sugary fruit, and the blonde decided he liked the taste.
Soon, the two began to run short of breath, and grudgingly pulled apart. Panting and smiling, Malik pressed his forehead against Ryou's, and violet met brown as they locked eyes. Malik kissed the tip of the other's nose, and Ryou wrapped his arms around the blonde lovingly, before they continued down the hallway, heading towards the Ravenclaw tower.
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"Atemu!" Bakura called. He glided up to perch atop a stone archway that led from the courtyard to the school grounds surrounding the castle. The Pharaoh had slipped away from him for the second time in the past twenty minutes. "Dammit, where are you?"
"Right here, idiot," a depressed growl sounded.
Bakura looked to his left to see Atemu sitting on the same archway. How had he not seen him? The Pharaoh was a tricky bastard. Bakura sat down, his phantom legs dangling over the archway, next to Atemu, who was staring blankly at the ground.
"Hey, come on now, stop beating yourself up over this," Bakura advised in an uncharacteristically friendly manner. Really, he convinced himself, his motives for helping the king were selfish. After all, if Atemu went around sulking and acting all depressed, he'd be no fun to talk to anymore. Really … he was doing it all for himself. Wasn't he? Whatever; it didn't matter.
"But, I … just can't believe I did that," Atemu repeated for probably the sixth time. "I just couldn't control myself; I was so angry."
"And you had a damn right to be! That Draco is a royal pain-in-the-ass …" Bakura tried to reason. "I mean, really –" Bakura gasped, his breath hitching.
Atemu turned inquisitively to the thief. "What?"
Bakura blinked, brushing his fingertips over his mouth. Then he scowled. "Why that little bastard! How dare he touch my yadonushi!" Bakura leapt to his feet, eyes flashing, fangs bared.
"What?" Atemu repeated.
"Malik! He … He … He kissed Ryou!"
"You felt it?"
"Of course I felt it! We're linked, remember? Just like you and Yuugi."
"Oh, right."
Bakura turned to face the school. "I'm going to kill him!" he ranted.
"Bakura, calm down," Atemu urged standing up as well. "You can't stop them from kissing each other."
"The hell I can't!"
"No! Bakura, don't do anything to ruin their relationship. You're already on strained terms with Ryou. If you really love him, you'll let him do what he wants and be happy."
Bakura blinked back tears, his mouth a thin line. "But, I … I want him. I don't want to share him with … with Malik," he said softly. "I'll never be the one to … make him happy, will I? It'll always be someone else who pampers him and cares for him and protects him … never me, although I'd gladly do any of those things for him. I just … I can't."
Atemu put a hand on Bakura's shoulder. "Why not?"
Bakura turned to the Pharaoh, his eyes glistening with tears. "Because … it's not physically possible. I don't have a body; I can't show him how much I care about him with my actions. All I have are my words, and what good are my words? He won't believe me if I tell him I love him! I have to prove it to him. But how do I do that? How? It's not possible! And even if I could somehow make him see how I feel about him, it wouldn't matter because he won't love me back. So I can't tell him! How awkward would that be, to have a spirit that loves you sharing your body? If anything it'll just put more distance between us, and that's the last thing I want. I just … I want him. I want to be able to love him, and I want him to love me back! … It's all hopeless. Isis hates me."
"Bakura …"
The thief collapsed back onto the archway, his legs beneath him, as he cried. Atemu sat beside him, his woes temporarily forgotten as he tried to console Bakura. But he couldn't think of anything to say to the thief, because he knew that everything Bakura had just said was true …
For both of them.
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Well? Likey? No likey? Tell me! TBC as usual. Did you like my OC's? Did you like that little duel? Did you like the ending? TELL MEE! I must know! And if anyone has any suggestions, please share them!
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