YD: Um…don't kill me please. I didn't mean to wait this long. Here's a nice long chapter for you…
HS: (runs)
Chapter five
The three friends all had horrified looks on their faces. Bakura hung back to talk to Yami. Who cared about the stupid rivalry anyway?
"Do you have any idea what's going on?" Yami shook his head.
"Not a clue,"
"We have to find the Shadows before they hurt anyone. First, they have to choose a vessel. They would prefer someone with no soul. It would be easier to control." Ryou whispered.
"We have to ask someone about this. What about Headmaster Potter? He seems trustworthy enough."
"All right. Let's find the headmaster." Quickly the trio set out for the Headmaster's office. Yami and Bakura followed discreetly. Marik trailed after the others, curious.
As soon as they reached the familiar doorway to the office, Yuugi spoke the password. "Phoenix fire," The gargoyle sprang to life and leapt aside, granting them entrance.
When they stepped in, the Headmaster was talking to the other Professors of the school. The five students listened in.
"—we know that something has happened, Weasel, we just don't know what!"
"Draco, I would appreciate it if you didn't insult Ron." Professor Granger admonished. Malfoy just shrugged.
"Okay, what we need to do is contact the Ministry."
"Wow, you're so smart, Weaselette." Malfoy muttered sarcastically. Unfortunately for him, Granger heard. She shot him a glare that could melt metal. Malfoy obediently recoiled under his girlfriend's gaze.
"We just have to make sure that—" Potter glanced toward the door, hand already around his wand. The others followed his example, drew their own wands, and pointed at the door.
"Whoever's at the door, speak!" Potter commanded.
"Er, Professors, it's just us so you can lower your wands." Yuugi replied. Even though the door was closed, Yuugi had still sensed the teachers' intention.
When they had lowered their wands, the three new students stepped in while the other three hung in the shadows. Potter sighed.
"I've had too much experience with death and surprise attacks. So be warned. Never sneak up on me. Another sound and I probably would've stunned you… or worse."
"Yes, Professor, we'll remember that." Malik said.
"Now, what is it that you need?" Yuugi stepped forward.
"We need to tell you all something that will change the world."
"The shadows that we've kept locked up have been released. The War for Balance has already begun. What happened to you happened to all in the world that has some magical tie to the Balance."
"We did fight for the destruction of Voldemort years ago." Professor Granger admitted.
"That would do it." Malik replied. "We're asking for your help. The students of Hogwarts need to be trained."
"You're asking us to teach our students in the art of war?" Professor Malfoy asked incredulously. "Do you realize the enormity of the situation?"
Yuugi glanced at him coolly. "I could ask you the same thing." Malfoy snarled angrily.
"What makes you think you can talk to me that way?"
"Because I know more than you on the subject of war. How many people you loved died fighting next to you? It may have been a while, but the pain is as fresh as if it occurred just yesterday."
"I've fought in a war too! I watched as my friends were murdered in front of me." Yuugi closed his eyes and took a deep breathing, calming himself.
"You would not know how much I've suffered. Did you lose a lover and best friend?"
"I lost many that I held dear in my heart."
"Draco, stop, I don't want any reminders of who we lost in the Final War." Malfoy looked at his girlfriend and sighed.
"First off, the shadows have found a vessel. I've seen it." Malik glanced at the lost look the professors had. "I had a vision. All I saw was murderous blood-red eyes and pale, pale skin."
Yami fit that crimson eye description quite nicely, but he was by no means pale. In fact, he was far from it. But that didn't stop someone from accusing him.
"Yami Atemu," Professor Ronald Weasley spat. Yuugi glared at him.
"Yami's eyes aren't murderous, nor could they ever be. The only time he is even remotely dangerous is when I— someone he loves is in danger. Besides, Professor, Yami isn't pale."
"I'm… sorry. I wasn't thinking. Old habits die hard, eh?" Yuugi knew he was sincere. But accusing Yami of something he would never do in a million lifetimes was crossing a line. He spared one last glare in Ron's direction and continued.
"The one thing the Shadows hate more than anything is the Keepers. There are only three in existence. Occasionally, there will be six, but for a very short time."
Ryou saw the question written all over their faces. "There were seven Items made in Khemet, currently know as Egypt. The Puzzle, Tauk, Ring, Eye, Rod, Ankh, and Scale were created by the blood of 99 humans. Four of them were stolen and lost over time. The remaining three, the Puzzle, Ring, and Rod were assigned to a Pharaoh, a Thief, and a Tomb Keeper. They were known as the Guardians or Keepers, if you will.
In order to seal the Shadows away, the three Keepers sacrificed their lives, locking the Shadows into the Items. Naturally, their lovers protested vehemently. Their last promise to them was that they would reunite someday. The Keepers' lovers became the new Keepers. But the Gods weren't finished with them. Because they had taken on their burden so willingly, the Gods decided to grant them a few gifts.
The Tomb Keeper's lover had always admired his sister's ability to sense the very near future. The Gods gave him the power to see days, weeks, months, into the future.
The Thief's lover received the power to heal pain because he always wanted to help.
And the Pharaoh's lover had this innate ability to read emotions in people's eyes. The Gods granted him the power to read minds.
Every time the Shadows were somehow released, the reincarnations of the original Keepers would turn up. But to lock up the Shadows, someone needed to sacrifice their lives. Over many incidents, they established a system. The most recent Keepers would sacrifice their lives so the new ones could take over."
"Wouldn't the Keepers remember anything?"
"No, they wouldn't. At least, they wouldn't remember anything about their past lives until the recent Keepers broke down a few walls around the memory."
"So where do we find these Keepers?" Now that was question the three were looking for.
"Start looking right in front of you."
"What? You're the Keepers? That's impossible!"
"Well, Professors, we'll just leave you to think about it." Laughing all the way, the three left the Headmaster's office. Malik left his friends to drift around the castle, thinking. Marik followed him, watching his surroundings carefully to make sure no one was following him.
Yuugi gave his excuses and left to wander alone in the halls of Hogwarts. Bakura showed up when the other disappeared around the corner. Both just stood there, neither one saying a word. Ryou felt a void in Bakura's heart. He smiled mentally.
"Why are you hurting?" Bakura was taken aback at the question. Ryou smiled humorlessly at his reaction. "I didn't expect you to remember anyway. It's been a while since we've met, hasn't it?" Bakura stared, uncomprehendingly. "The Balance is tipping precariously. We don't have much time."
"What?"
"Try to remember… for me." He gave Bakura a quick kiss and ran for it. Bakura tried to grab his wrist but Ryou evaded him and soon disappeared around the corner. He growled and started after the other. Strangely, he felt as if this had happened before. Impossible.
Yuugi walked down the empty corridors, very much alone… or so he thought. Yami was trailing behind him as silent as a shadow. It was after hours already but neither wanted to go back to their dormitory. Yuugi stopped suddenly and collapsed against the nearest wall. Yami checked himself in time. He almost stepped out to confront the other.
"I can't do this anymore!" he whispered brokenly. "I can't keep losing him. I'm not strong enough."
"Yuugi?" The addressed teen jumped up in surprise and Yami saw the tears. "Why are you crying?" Yuugi shook his head, brushing away his tears, trying to seem happy. He failed, miserably so.
"I'm fine, Yami, why do you ask?" He stepped forward, dangerously close to Yuugi. The Light held his breath. Yami lifted his hand and touched the tears that Yuugi missed. He pulled away, much to Yuugi's disappointment.
"Because of this," Yami replied softly, holding the fallen tear. "Oh, Yuugi, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong." Yuugi sighed. He heard this so many times before.
"Yami, there's nothing you can do." He paused. "You could… remember me." Yami blinked, confused. Yuugi's shoulders fell. He looked at the floor to hide his disappointment.
"Yuugi, is there something you want to tell me?" Yami asked, raising the other's chin to look him in the eye.
"Yes," Yuugi replied, tearing his eyes away from his double's piercing gaze. Yami grasped the other's wrist and pulled him close, preventing the other from escaping. Yuugi's breath hitched. He couldn't pull away from Yami's searching eyes. He couldn't be this close and remain unaffected.
Yami moved closer, brushing the smaller one's ear with his lips. Yuugi shivered at the contact. "Tell me what's wrong… aibou." Yuugi jerked away.
"What did you just call me?"
"I called you aibou. Do you not want me to?"
"Atemu?" Yami turned his brilliant rubies on Yuugi. He searched Atemu's eyes to see if his Pharaoh was back. Overjoyed, he saw the sparkle of the past. Atemu was back. Smiling happily, Yuugi embraced his long-lost lover.
"I've missed you, akhu." Atemu whispered.
Ryou knew that someone was behind him. Whether or not his follower was friend or foe, he had no idea. But he was very much alone. Alone and being followed wasn't a comforting mix for Ryou. He walked faster.
Someone grabbed his wrist. Ryou opened his mouth to scream. A hand covered his mouth. Ryou struggled against his captor. He felt lips touch his neck, his weakest point.
"Tenshi," Ryou stilled and the hands restraining him retreated.
"Bakura," The lips against his neck smiled. "What are you doing?"
"I'm not letting one as pretty as you get away from me so easily." Ryou's breath hitched. "You're mine and no one changing that."
"You're the Thief of my heart."
"So I'm the thief, huh? I'd much rather prefer being the Pharaoh but that baka Atemu gets dibs, doesn't he?" Ryou laughed softly and turned to hug his Dark.
"I've missed you, Bakura."
"Same here, tenshi," Bakura's eyes got a playful look. "We have 5000 years of catching up to do. How about we start?"
Malik still had no idea that someone was following him. He was too lost in his thoughts. Behind him, Marik paused. Images flashed before his eyes. It stopped as quickly as it had come but it left one word on his tongue.
"Kitten?" Malik turned, startled. No one had called him that for 5000 years. He relaxed when he saw Marik.
"Were you following me?" Marik nodded sheepishly and stepped out of the shadows toward his double.
"So am I the Pharaoh, Thief, or Tomb Guardian?" Malik blinked. "You actually believe?"
"It makes sense because I know I've seen you before, yet I've never met you. And I have this instinct to keep you safe." Malik smiled.
"You were the tomb keeper." Marik sighed.
"I'd much rather be the Pharaoh." Marik embraced his double and Malik nuzzled him. "I've missed you." He said tenderly to his Light. Malik responded by wrapping his arms tighter around the other.
"Marik, I love you." Marik laughed.
"I know, kitten. I love you too."
"Aibou, I heard you talking earlier, about how 'weak' you supposedly are. Why were you questioning yourself so?"
"Oh Yami," Yuugi clung to the shirt of his Dark, trembling. "I can't keep losing you! It's taking a toll on me." He was shaking violently while sobs wracked his form. Yami pressed his lips against the other to calm him.
"I know, aibou. It's hard on me too." Yuugi's tears continued soaking the other's shirt. They stayed there for an indefinite amount of time; Yami comforting; Yuugi lying in Yami's arms.
It was getting darker though and increasingly risky to the two sitting in the hallway. Being caught after hours would not be a good thing. Unfortunately for Yami, Yuugi had fallen asleep.
Yami tried lifting the smaller one. He was heavier than he looked but was still light enough for Yami to carry. You'd think he was anorexic or something. It was quite frightening.
Yami made it to the common room without further incident. Yuugi shifted in his arms and sighed happily. The Dark smiled slightly at his aibou's actions.
"biAw," Yami whispered softly. Yuugi smiled in his sleep. The Dark ascended the stairs slowly, finding it a bit difficult to see where he was stepping. When Yami opened the door to his dorm, he noticed that the other four were asleep. Good.
Quickly, quietly, Yami laid his other on his bed and drew the curtains around him. He hoped his roommates wouldn't open them in the morning. It wouldn't do if Yuugi was found in his bed.
"Atemu," Yuugi called almost inaudibly. His other leaned closer to hear what his hikari wanted. "don't go."
"I won't, little love." He nuzzled his sleeping love and lay down next to him. "I swear it."
Ryou led his Thief to his private chambers that the Headmaster had given to him at his arrival to Hogwarts. Potter figured that the other students, when they arrived, would treat him differently, regardless of what he said at dinner. How the Headmaster had known to give Ryou a room in Ravenclaw before he was sorted, Ryou didn't know.
After a quick Silencing Charm on the room, Bakura practically attacked his love. Ryou smiled against the kiss and let their emotions fuel their actions. Five thousand years was a very long time apart. They had a lot of catching up to do.
"I love you, Bakura."
Bakura merely growled in response.
Marik and Malik spent their time together terrorizing people. It was amazing how many students broke curfew and wandered the halls of Hogwarts at night. It was amazing how stupid and gullible they were too.
"So, Kitten, how about we go to your room?" Marik cautiously ventured. His other smirked.
"I'll race you!"
Even though both were running down the eerie corridors of Hogwarts, they were never caught by anyone. It pathetic how loose the security was.
Once they were safe behind the door, Malik uttered a quick Silencing Charm. Easy and effective. A split second later, Marik's lips were covering his. Malik was pressed against the wall harshly, their lips still connected. Marik's hands wandered his body, causing the other to moan into their kiss.
Each couple did sleep with each other… in different ways. Atemu and Yuugi slept next to each other. Bakura and Ryou wasted no time. Marik and Malik terrorized others and then tended to their needs. But all spent some time with their long-lost lover.
Blood-red eyes gleamed in the darkness. A flash of green light. A body fell to the ground, very much dead. Glassy eyes stared, unseeing, into the face of the Shadow's stolen body.
"The world will end, regardless of the Keepers unification. They cannot stop me now. It is time for the awakening of old Magicks, forbidden and deadly."
Something shrieked in the darkness. The murderous eyes lit up triumphantly before fading away.
"The world will be consumed in fire and the blood of the people will drench the landscape. None will survive."
Harsh laughter filled the air.
"It is time!"
To Be Continued
Note one: I know this is late. Please, don't hurt me.
Note two: Yuugi's Darkness will be referred to as Yami or Atemu. It depends on my mood. And Yuugi will be referred to as akhu or aibou. That also depends on my mood.
Note three: I know Marik and Bakura are OOC. They haven't seen their respective lovers for 5000 years. Of course they would act differently!
Note four: I never planned this. The Keeper story, that was all made up from some weird inspiration. This plot is building itself. That's why my updates are so late. And I know Marik was never in Khemet. I added that for the sake of the plot. This is an AU. What I say goes! Deal with it!
Note five: I live on reviews. PLEASE REVIEW!
YD: Don't kill me. I never meant this update to be so late.