Chapter 7

"Connections"

"Summer again," Bakura murmured to himself, gazing out the window at the bright world outside. The bugs were going crazy, zipping every which way, quite probably due to the thousands of flowers blooming in every possible nook and cranny. Quite a few of them flew right into the window with slight tapping noises, before dizzily spiraling off. A bee was currently attacking the glass, trying to figure out how to get into the house.

Rolling his eyes at the 'idiotic incest', Bakura turned his eyes back to the scene in front of him. Shadow was sprawled on the floor at his feet, flipping through a picture book. The child was a quick learner: he was already able to read simple books on his own. When he had first arrived, he hadn't even known basic hiragana.

I can't believe it's already been half a year, Bakura mused, gazing fondly at the little boy. Shadow had grown a lot over the last six months. Not much physically – he was still on the small side – but he had started to really open up. He still didn't speak much, and he would probably never be the talkative type, but at least he wasn't relying completely on gestures anymore. His smiles came more often, and to hear him laugh was no longer an once-in-a-lifetime experience. His interests had broadened. Seto had even started teaching him to play the piano. It was a sight Bakura enjoyed so much he had started to sneak a camera into the room to snap some photos – some that would look great in his secret photo album, others that would be great blackmail material against Kaiba.

The phone rang, effectively ending the peaceful silence, and Bakura groaned. Seto, who usually answered the phone, had gone on a week long business trip, leaving the house to Bakura and Shadow. Bakura had always hated answering the 'talking machine'.

Sighing in resignation, he stood up, deciding that he had a moral obligation to stop that terrible, shrill noise as soon as possible. As he tried to take a step, he discovered that his toes were trapped. "Shadow-chan, I swear I'm going to trip over you one of these days."

Shadow looked up, and, taking the hint, obediently rolled out of the way. Standing, he followed Bakura to the phone, rather like a very love-struck little puppy.

Picking up the receiver, Bakura growled none too pleasantly, "Who is it and what do you want?"

That tone of voice was usually replied very rapidly with a monotonous dial tone, clearly showing that the unfortunate receiver had hung up rather quickly. It was also the reason Seto had forbidden him to answer the phone when he was around. So he was very surprised when he actually heard a human voice talking back to him.

"Hey, 'Kura! I figured you'd be here," said a very bubbly, girlish-but-obviously-male voice that sound very familiar.

Bakura's eyes widened dramatically, much to Shadow's interest. "Ryou?" he gasped, clutching the receiver tightly, as if afraid it would fly away of its own accord.

"The one and only!" the hikari replied brightly, and Bakura could practically see his huge, sly grin over the phone.

"Where are you?" Bakura demanded. "Why haven't you called? It's been ages!"

Ryou giggled rather childishly, delighted that he was getting such an animated reaction from his yami. Of course, it wasn't exactly hard to get Bakura riled up, but that did not make doing it any less enjoyable. "It's nice to know you care. I'm in England, remember? I've been there since graduation! And I have too called, just not recently." Without giving Bakura a chance to interrupt, he surged right on to his next point. "Hey, guess what?"

"I hate that stupid question, and you know it," Bakura snapped, doing his best to hide his joy at hearing from his hikari. He had a soft spot for the boy, but no one needed to hear him admit that

Ryou laughed, not taking any offense at the rough tone. He knew his yami better than anyone, and he could tell exactly what the spirit was thinking, even from so far away. "You haven't changed a bit, have you? You and your pride. I'm coming for a visit!"

Thus, Bakura was rendered speechless. Ryou had years ago came up with the idea that perhaps he should publish a book. "How to make your personal tomb-robber-spirit-of-the-millennium-ring so shocked he actually shuts up". He actually had the first half mapped out, before Bakura found out about it and made him abandon the idea. Ryou had figured it would make great entertainment material, even if most people wouldn't find it too practical.

"What's wrong, Kura?" Ryou asked, oh-so-innocently, knowing perfectly well that he had effectively sent the yami into a temporary state of shock. Point number twenty-nine in the above mentioned book: 'leave for a year or more and then call up out of the blue and tell you yami you're coming home'.

"When?" the poor spirit managed to ask, though Einstein himself wouldn't have been able to figure out how he managed to process anything through his numb mind.

"Tomorrow!" Ryou replied happily.

"Ryou, how many times have I told you that I. HATE. SURPRISES!"

Ah, yes. This here was a perfect example of 'Tell your yami about big plans only at the last minute in an innocent voice, as if they should have guessed what ridiculous thing you were planning', which happened to be point number thirty-three in his other book, "How to surprise your yami", co-authored by Yugi Motou. This one had actually been started on final draft before both Yami and Bakura had found out about it, stole the manuscript, shredded it, and burned it piece by piece.

Having known perfectly well that that was going to happen, Ryou was able to breeze right through. "I know! So, I'll be at your house at 11:30pm tomorrow night, okay? It's just down the street form Seto's right?"

"No! I'm staying at Seto's!"

"Why? Did you burn your house down?"

Bakura sweat dropped. "What do you take me for, hikari?"

"Okay, that is a perfectly valid question! You can't cook a meal without blowing something up! Remember the numerous microwaves we've had?"

Bakura rolled his eyes. "I've gotten better!"

"Right. I guess we should just be thankful that the rich Seto Kaiba is our friend, huh?"

"Actually, Seto isn't here right now… he'll be back in a week."

"He left YOU all alone in his house? Has he gone mad?" Ryou gasped, in a manner that suggested Bakura had just informed him that the world was subject to end at any moment.

"I'm not a child! I can take care of myself!" Bakura replied hotly, nursing his injured pride.

"Sure, but can you do it without stealing or setting the town on fire?"

"…"

Without missing a beat, Ryou flew on. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kura-kun! This long distance call isn't cheap. Bye, then, alright?"

"Er…yeah, hikari, see you tomorrow…"

And Ryou hung up.

Bakura stared at the phone. "Where did he learn to be so confident…"

There was a pause.

"…ok, so he hasn't changed at all. It's probably me that's going soft."

"Otou-sama."

Bakura looked down. And I bet I know the reason for this softness…

"Yes, Shadow-chan?"

"Who's dat?" Shadow asked, pointing at the phone.

"A friend. Sometimes, more of an annoyance than anything else. C'mon, kiddo, lets go get lunch. Then we'll clean the house."

"Why?"

"So I can show Ryou that I can take care of myself! I don't need Seto to baby-sit me!" Bakura replied with a huff.

Entering the kitchen, Bakura opened the fridge and took out some bread. "How about toast?" He walked over to the toaster that Seto had brought as a replacement for the one he had destroyed six months ago. "Now, how to work this thing…"

He was about to put the bread in the machine when Shadow tugged on his pants. "Otou-sama."

"Not now, Shadow-chan. I'm trying to figure this thing out."

"But Otou-sama. Seto-ojichan said ta tell you he had our meals al'weady, 'n you're not 'loud ta touch t'pwaiances."

Bakura looked down. This was new to him. "Where?"

"Fwige" Shadow replied, pointing.

Bakura went to the refrigerator again and opened it. Sure enough, there were a couple of bento boxes, with a note from Seto, that he had overlooked the first time.

Bakura,

Here are your meals. They are ready to eat, and do not need to be reheated. DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH ANY OF THE KITCHEN APPLIANCES! IF ANYTHING IS MISSING AND/OR "DEACTIVATED" WHEN I COME BACK YOU ARE DEAD!

Have a nice time!

Seto

PS. I'm watching you. Shadow promised to keep an eye on you for me. Don't you try anything, you hear?

Bakura looked down at Shadow and scowled. "Traitor."

Shadow's eyes filled up as he gave the teen his best puppy-dog eyes.

Bakura sighed. Even Yugi's puppy eyes couldn't beat Shadow's. "Oh, c'mon, you know perfectly well I'm not mad at you."

Shadow grinned, his eyes drying up miraculously fast. He pointed to the bento boxes. "Wunch, Otou-sama?"

"Yes, lunch. Y'know, those things would taste better heated…"

"Seto-ojichan said no."

Bakura growled, disgusted that Seto had turned his sweet little Shadow-chan against him. "I can handle a stupid microwave!"

"Y'made t' las' one go on fire."

"That was an accident!"

Shadow gave him a look that plainly said, "Yeah, right."

"Doesn't anyone around here trust me?" Bakura moaned pitifully.

a/a/a/a/a/

"He should be here any minute," Bakura muttered, pacing back and forth, wearing a path in the spotless carpet. Shadow watched him from his spot on the floor. "Why you nervous, Otou-sama?" the boy asked in his soft voice.

"What if something happened? He said 11:30 p.m. That was two whole minutes ago!"

Shadow raised his eyebrows, managing to look scarily like a miniature version of Yami himself. "He reawy 'portan', yes, 'tou-sama?"

"Yeah, okay, yeah. Don't tell anyone I said this, but he's like a kid brother to me. An annoying and sometimes very pesky brother, but nevertheless…"

The teen sighed, and glanced at the clock again. "It's been five minutes since 11:30 now. Where is he!"

"He's fine, 'tou-sama"

Bakura looked at him. "How do you know?"

"I don't," the boy replied, shrugging.

"Oh, that's comforting. You're sounding more like Seto everyday."

"Seto-ojichan says 'm soun'in' more like YOU 'vry day."

Bakura was about to come up with some wisecrack retort, but the doorbell rang at that exact moment, causing him to abandon that idea and fly to the door, before nearly taking it off its hinges.

Standing outside was his hikari. Standing up straight, Bakura realized with shock that they were about the same height. Clearly Ryou had done some growing in the last six years. But other than that, he was pretty much the same as Bakura remembered him. This Ryou was just a bit more…grown-up. More manly. His hair was still the same, just a bit neater. His eyes still sparkled, no less innocent than they had been.

"Bakura!" Ryou beamed as a greeting.

The spirit grabbed him into a hug.

They stayed in their embrace until Bakura finally seemed to realize what he was doing, and stumbled backwards a few steps.

Ryou grinned like the Cheshire cat. "So, you missed me?"

Bakura blushed, and muttered something incoherent. Clearing his throat, he said. "Well, why don't you come in? It's late, you should get some rest."

"Oh, yes, father," the hikari smirked, pulling behind him two suitcases, which he deposited once inside the door.

Bakura felt something hanging onto his jeans, and turned around. Shadow was peeking shyly at Ryou, who still hadn't noticed him, from safely behind the spirit's legs.

Bakura smiled. "C'mon Shadow-chan. He's not gonna hurt you."

Shadow didn't look convinced.

"Who're you talking to?" Ryou asked, turning to face him.

"Oh yes, you haven't been introduced. Ryou, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine."

"Who? Where?"

"Can't you see him? He's right here."

Bakura lifted the child up, letting Shadow snuggled up against him. The child pressed his face against Bakura's shoulder, before turning his head to look at Ryou.

Ryou was staring at the boy with eyes as wide as full moons. His mouth was open, and he seemed to be at a loss for words.

Bakura grinned. Revenge was sweet. This would get Ryou back for sicking this visit on him with so short a notice. "Ryou, this is Shadow. Shaodw-chan, say hi to Ryou."

Shadow gave him a doubtful look.

"Be polite, Shadow-chan. Ryou's not going to bite."

The child looked back at the white-haired hikari. "Hawo," he muttered, pressing closer against Bakura.

"Hi," Ryou said, returning the greeting, coming out of his shock. He moved forward slowly. "What's your name, little one?"

"Sh-Shwadow," the boy whispered, so softly that Ryou had to strain to hear.

"He's a bit shy," Bakura said cheerfully. "But don't worry, he'll get used to ya."

Ryou smile softly, and Shadow, still pressed tightly against Bakura, shyly ducked his head, peering at this friendly stranger from behind his thick bangs..

"C'mon upstairs. I'll show you your room." Bakura gestured to the stairs.

Ryou nodded, and the three of them trooped up the staircase. "You can have the one next to mine. Settle in, make yourself at home. I'm putting Shadow to bed." With that, he disappeared into the neighboring room.

Ryou shrugged. Things have certainly gotten interesting around here. Bakura looking after a kid. Who'd have guessed? The Bakura I remember would've slaughter anyone who got in his way, no questions asked.

Liar! I would not have! Give me more credit, hikari. I'd have taken their money and possibly tortured them first/

Ryou jumped, having just noticed that the familiar link between he and his yami had appeared again. Ryou grinned. He hadn't realized he'd missed the link this much. /You heard that/

/Loud and clear/ The spirit gave a mental grin. /Hate to admit it, but I missed having you around./

/Awwww! I'm touched/ Ryou laughed. Bakura had definitely changed, for the better, in his opinion. /Used to be you'd never admit something like that./

/Yeah…/

There was a moment's pause.

/Bakura/

/Funny how much changes with time/ the yami answered gruffly with a sigh. /Now get out of my head, I have to tell this kid a story./

/Wha…/ Bakura shut off the link before Ryou could finish his question. "Some things will never change," the hikari muttered, starting to unpack.

Fifteen minutes later, Bakura reappeared. Ryou was relaxing on the bed. The elder flopped beside him. "So, what's been going on?"

"Not much. Graduated from college, decided I'd come visit you before going to look for a job. Now you, I can tell, have a lot to catch me up on."

Bakura gave his aibou an innocent look. "I have no idea what you mean."

Ryou returned with a glare.

The yami laughed at the expression which, in his opinion, only served to make the kid that much cuter. "Fine. Basically, to make a long story short, Shadow's an orphan I met and adopted six months ago."

"Ahh. I was wondering where he came from." Ryou looked thoughtful for a moment. "He's been hurt pretty bad."

Bakura blinked. "It's still that obvious, huh?"

Ryou smiled. "Something about the way he reacted to me tipped me off. What kind of name is 'Shadow'? Although it does suit him pretty nicely."

His yami shrugged. "He didn't have a name. The kids at the orphanage dubbed him 'Shadow', and it stuck, I guess."

"So what's his last name? Sagara?"

"Well, yeah. Like mine."

"Have you thought about a middle name?"

Bakura stared. "Only you, aibou, will think up something like that."

"Why? It's a perfectly good question."

"Fine. What do you suggest?"

"Hmmm…" Ryou looked thoughtful. "I'll think about that one. A bit off the subject but…you have noticed how he resembles…well, you know…"

"Yami? Yeah, but looks are about all they have in common," Bakura said dismissively. He had thought a lot about that same topic, and had convinced himself that Shadow's resemblance to Yami was nothing more than a freaky coincidence.

"Oh, really?"

"Well, Shadow does have a knack for puzzles, but what does that prove? He's probably just an ordinary kid."

"Bakura, open your mind. I don't know Shadow at all, but for all you know his inborn personality could have been very similar to Yami's."

"Exactly what are you suggesting?"

"That he could be…oh…I dunno, maybe a reincarnation?" Ryou frowned slightly.

"Of Yami? Nobody up there would be so cruel as to return his spirit to life, aibou. He's already had more than enough time upon this earth. Think about it. After all that he's already done, what could be the point of making him come back again?"

"It's still possible. You can't deny that Shadow looks very much like Yami…"

"Hmph. I'm still not convinced."

If irony could choose its victims, Bakura would no doubt be on the top of its list. He and Ryou had not continued talking for more than three minutes when a cry jerked both their gazes to the wall which the neighboring room – the one Shadow was in – shared. The cry was one of fear, and it was followed by more crying and whimpering.

Bakura sprang up, and bolted out of the room. Ryou followed him, though the light stopped at the door whereas the yami sprinted towards his young charge. Skidding to a stop beside the bed, Bakura scoped the child up into his arms and sat down on the covers. "Shh, Shadow-chan, it's all right. It's just a dream. I'm right here, ok? Everything's ok, kiddo, calm down." He patted the child on the back, rocking slightly back and forth, hoping to soothe the boy. "It's okay, baby, everything's okay. I'm here, things are going to be just fine." He continued talking quietly, comforting the small boy. Slowly, Shadow's whimpering faded and he came back to the conscious world. He opened his eyes, and they gradually came into focus.

Upon spotting Bakura, his bright crimson eyes filled up again. He grabbed the elder's shirt with both his hands, and pressed his face against the material, crying. "Otou-sama, Otou-sama," he repeated over and over, like a mantra, his voice muffled by the thin fabric he had buried his face in.

'Shh, it's over now, it's ok. I'm right here, Shadow-chan, don't worry." He hugged the child close, waiting patiently until the boy's sobs subsided into small sniffs and an occasional whimper. "Are you ok now?" Bakura asked, cradling the child in his strong arms.

Shadow nodded. "'tou-sama. I was scared!" he whispered, pressing as close as he could get against Bakura's body. His words were more slurred then usual, but still more or less understandable.

"What was it?" Bakura asked, feeling curious. It was the first time Shadow had had a nightmare that he knew of.

Shadow didn't hesitate to tell him, desperate to get it off his shoulders. "There was a monster, 'n it was all b-big 'n black. It was…it was made of…of darkness, n' it was shawped wike this…this scawy thing. Wike a huge bear or dog, with huge spiwkes on it head. There were wisps of shawdowy smoke comin' offa it. Its eyes were all rwed. It had these wong cwaws, and some cuffs 'round 's ankwls with browken chwains 'tached" Shadow sniffed, so shaken that he was tripping over practically every word. "There were hwuge bwack wings on it shoulders, 'n it got this weird rwed eye thingy on it fore'ead. 'N, 'n…" the child bit his lip and started to cry again. "'n it was crowched o-over you, 'n you couldn't rwun 'cause your lweg was bleedin' and it was gonna k-k-kill you…" he let out a small cry and buried his face in Bakura's chest again, sobbing.

The spirit could only stare in shock at the child in his arms. No way…that's impossible! But it wasn't. The truth was that Shadow had just described the very monsters he had face seven years before. The ones that had killed Yami and badly wounded both himself and Marik. He had no doubt that the monster Shadow had seen in the dream was the same one that had been about to obliterate him as he stood, wounded and unable to run, and had instead succeed in killing Yami. The child had described that hideous creature very accurately. And that scene the boy mentioned, with he, Bakura, at the mercy of that beast…there was no two ways about it. Shadow had somehow relived that one moment of the attack.

"Shadow…" Bakura whispered, still feeling a bit overwhelmed. "Shadow-chan, it's all right, it's over now. Go back to sleep, kiddo. I'll be coming to bed shortly."

"No! Don't weave, Otou-sama…"

"I'll stay with you till you fall asleep, ok? I promise I'll come to bed soon."

Shadow nodded reluctantly, and allowed Bakura to tuck him back into bed. Within a few minutes, the child had fallen asleep again, apparently more tired than he had thought.

After making sure that the boy was soundly asleep, Bakura stood up. Ryou, who had stayed by the door all this time, straightened up and followed his yami back to the room next door.

"Bakura…" the hikari started.

"If you're going to say 'I told you so', save it," Bakura cut him off.

Ryou sighed. "We should really get to bed…"

"Yeah…" Bakura sighed. "But first…ok, so say you're right about the whole reincarnation thing. Seems there's no denying it now. So, the question remains-why is he back?"

Ryou shrugged. "Dunno, "Kura-kun. I'll sleep on it, and I suggest you do the same. Don't worry, everything will turn out ok."

"You would think so. But then, you were never the type to worry too much." The yami sighed again. "I'm going to bed. Good night, and see you tomorrow, aibou-chan."

Ryou smile at the use of his old nickname. "Goodnight, Kura-kun. I'll see you tomorrow."

Japanese note: 'Ojichan' 'uncle'