Well here we allare again! Look at all the nice new reviews! Yay!
xKokurox: Wondering about Bakura 'appearances'? (smirks) Fear not! Just wait until next chappie! (laughs insanely)...uh...Anyhoo, thanks for the review! (hugs)
BlingBling021: Don't usually review, eh? Well, that makes me all the more flattered to get your review! Please continue! Love ya!
Dragonlady222: You feel bad for Yami?(sighs) Yes, I do too...hehe! It's just so funny though! Don't worry, Bakura will get embarrassing moments too. Please continue your reviewing! Thanks!
Shadowed Mirage: Yay! My first anonymous reviewer for this fic! HI! (hugs)...hmm...now I've probably scared you... So, you liked the portrayal of Ryou and Bakura's relationship. I'm actually really proud of how well that scene worked out. Review again, dearie! Love ya!
Freak in the Shadows: Yay! Reviews! (kowtows in gratitude)
Silver Mirror: (grin) I seriously hope you do have time to write at least one more story...so talented...(goosh!) Anyhoo, thanks for the compliment on the poem. I try. You liked how I portrayed Ryou and Bakura's relationship? Good. Personally, I don't like it when the kid's all whimpering in the corner while Bakura throws punch after punch at him. Not my style. (shrugs) Anyway, thanks for the review! Please continue! (kowtows)
StormySkys: hehe. So you enjoyed evil, scheming Bakura drinkingteain a wad of blankets? I loved that scene. It's so...him. Don't think Ryou's harmless, eh? (shrugs) I'm not going to say anything about that. It's a very important piece of the story. Anyhoo, thanks for the review! Love ya!
I must praise you all. The readers for my other story are being very difficult. They read and read to their hearts' content, but when it comes to reviewing, the majority suck: in other words, They're not reviewing! Yeah, it's like a revolt or something...only they're not revolting...-- sooo confused...
There's a bit more humor in this chappie. I find it highly entertaining.
I think of this poem not only in literal terms but also as a person having something hidden underneath the exterior layers. Apply it to whichever character you want…or just take it literally, I don't really care either way. It'd make more sense to relate it to the story…
Snow-covered X-mas Lights
A candle lit
Under the snow
Sheltered from sleet
Far, far below.
A fallen star,
An icy cloud
Hazy underneath
Its shroud.
Chapter 4: Pastime
(Yami's POV)
I sit in a corner of my container. I hate this. I can't do anything. How could fate be so cruel? Back in Egypt I didn't really think too much about myself. If I hadn't sealed myself away…
As pharaoh, it was my duty to protect my people, so when the high priests and seers informed me of our predicament I didn't hesitate. I didn't even consider what immortality was; that I'd live on…forever.
(Yami?) Yugi's voice echoes throughout my soul room.
I sigh, considering not answering, but know that would only just stir things up more. ((Yes, abiou?))
(Are you going to tell me what's wrong?)
((…))
He sighs deeply. (Why don't you go out for a while and think about it? Maybe you'll figure out whatever it is that's bothering you) he states simply.
((What?)) I ask, not quite believing what I'm hearing.
(Take my body for the day. Get out, stretch,…relax.)
((But Yugi…!))
(Yami, I'm in control almost 24/7. Besides, you need time to yourself outside of the puzzle.) he replies simply.
((But…))
(Yami, go.)
I stand still for a moment in shock. Nodding, I close my eyes and take control as Yugi goes to his soul room. I open the eyes and find myself lounging on the couch next to Ryou who's flipping through stations with the remote.
"Hey."
I glance over in surprise. He hasn't even spared me a glance. He always has been sensitive to the Millennium items and their powers.
"Hi," I answer quietly, remembering our conversation earlier.
"You don't have to act like I'm some viper or something," he states, still not looking at me. "I'm not angry at you."
I don't know what to say, instead choosing to watch the channels as they whiz by. A zebra running from a pack of wild dogs; women in bikinis dancing around a pool; not sure what that one was; a game show; water park commercial; didn't
distinguish that one…Ra, how can he even see what's on?
"So what're your plans for the day?" he asks idly, not deterring in the slightest with his channel surfing.
"I—I'm not really sure," I answer.
"Hmm."
"What…what are you going to do?" Ra, that was a stupid question! I mentally slap myself.
He glances over at me out of the corner of his eye as his thumb continues to tap consistently on the buttons of the remote. "Sit here, I guess, seeing as Mr. Mutou won't let me get up."
I nod slowly, feeling my face flush. Why am I acting so nervous around him? He's never caused this type of reaction in me before! Gods this is insane! Perhaps Yugi's coming down with something that's causing the body to act up. Yes, that's it. He's catching the flu from Ryou. Surprisingly, the white-haired hikari's mind doesn't seem sluggish in the least. If anything, he's more awake and reactive that any other time I've been near him.
"Well, have fun." Huh?
"Oh. Thanks," I mumble, standing up but not going anywhere.
He looks bored already and the day's only begun! How can I just leave him like this? It feels so selfish! I sigh, not sure what to do. Should I call Jou, Honda, Anzu or Otogi? I feel a weight in my stomach. No, I don't feel like talking to them right now. I need quiet.
"Is there something else you wanted?" Ryou asks, referring to the fact that I haven't moved yet.
"Wha? Oh, just…deciding what I want to do. I have a bit of a headache, you see," I lie, feeling I have to have an excuse for zoning out repeatedly.
He smiles. "Ah, so Yugi lets you take control when something in the body goes awry."
I chuckle. "Well, not really. He seems to have the idea that I don't get out enough."
He turns to me for the first time, leaving the remote to cool off. "Really? Sounds like a good idea."
I start. "You think so?"
He nods. "Just because it's Yugi's body doesn't mean you shouldn't have time to live a little. Heck, you did the world a favor, and your payment is the joy of being confined in an item for all of eternity? Doesn't sound fair to me. You deserve some free time."
I smile at the sincerity. "I…I suppose…"
He looks at me seriously. "You are still part human, Yami. Don't consider yourself inferior to mortals…but don't hold yourself too highly above them," he adds with a smirk.
I laugh. "You don't have to worry about that!"
"Ugh!"
"What what?" I ask frantically.
He's fumbling for the remote. He grabs it madly, switching off the channel that shows a group of cartoons and puppets prancing about happily. Ugh is right! The music in itself was atrocious!
We both wince, bursting into laughter when we catch the looks on each others' faces. I feel my stomach hurt; I'm laughing so hard. He suddenly breaks off into a coughing fit, dropping the remote in the process.
"Are you all right?" I ask urgently.
He nods, clearing his throat. "Sorry. Still sick." He smiles apologetically.
"Perhaps I should leave you to rest…" I begin, standing up.
"Please don't. I don't think I could sleep anymore even if Mr. Mutou forced sleeping pills down my throat," he replies, rubbing his neck gingerly.
I feel myself sink back down onto the couch, glad he wants me to stay. I don't really know where else I'd go. It's funny, really. He always has been so shy and distant. Perhaps he's finally learning to open up.
(Bakura's POV)
Ra, could they make this any more simple for me? I can't fully act like Ryou; he was such a boring individual. I'm going for a mixture of both our attitudes, feeling it should be a safe enough approach.
Yami's walked right into my trap; I really didn't even do much to get him to stay. The thing is, I think he wanted to. Why, I have no idea. Perhaps he and Ryou were closer than I originally believed. It wouldn't surprise me in the least, since they were plotting my annihilation together…
"Do you believe the same for Bakura?" he asks softly.
"What?" I ask, caught off guard.
"What you said about me having free time…do you apply that idea to Bakura as well?" he asks a bit uncomfortably.
I shrug. "I don't know. He just seems to get me into trouble."
He looks a bit shocked. "But…"
I sigh, switching the television to mute. "What do you want me to say? That I hate him? That I love him? He's my yami. That's all I guess."
He nods sadly. "You deserve better, you know. I know it's not really my place, but he doesn't seem to respect you at all."
I feel my fists clench. I can't help it. I know this is the type of conversation I'm going to have to get used to, but it just makes my blood boil to have him talk me down to me!
"I…" I clear my throat. "I need a drink."
He looks at me for a moment before nodding. Standing up, he walks out of the room. I hold the edges of a blanket in my fist, allowing the seams to rip as my fingers tighten around them like the coils of a snake.
What I said to him earlier, about freedom, did I mean it? I sit back. Yes, I suppose I did. I gave Ryou more than enough freedom, not interfering with his personal life; not that he really had one. And how did the little sneak repay me? Attempts to completely obliterate me, that's what!
I scowl, switching the television off. Yami re-enters the room with a glass. He delicately hands it to me, a small smile on his face.
"It's water. I know you don't care for soda that much." Ha! So he does have a sense of humor after all.
I pretend to pout. "Geez, go and pick on a kid when he's sick."
He chuckles. "Oh you're quite capable of defending yourself. You're more devious than I thought." I grin at this. So you think, pharaoh…
We sit quietly for some minutes. I sigh, not really having any new ideas for my scheme yet.
"What do you want to do?" he asks. I shrug. "Well," he continues. "We could…play a video game…"
My ears perk. "I…er…I've never played one before," I admit.
He grins. "Well, then by all means!" He scrambles to the ground, opening a cabinet underneath the television; quite eagerly, I might add. I sigh, a game. Just another thing he can beat me at. Well, might as well go down fighting.
"Are you going to go easy on me or do I have to struggle in a futile battle, already ill as I am and inexperienced with the game of your choice?" I sigh dramatically.
He rolls his eyes, a giddy grin on his face. "Oh come on now. It won't be that bad."
"Oh of course, King of Games," I emphasize. "If you ask me, you seem to have an unfair advantage."
He quirks a delicate eyebrow. "What do you propose then?"
I grin. "A handicap."
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
I look about making sure I've got all the clean laundry, placing the large pile into a basket and heading for the bedrooms to put it all away. I pause in the hallway at the sound of laughter coming from the living room. That didn't sound like Yugi.
I enter with my armload to find Ryou and Yami sitting on the couch playing a video game. I do a double take when I spot Yami. The boy has one eye covered with a towel that's securely tied about his head. His spiky hair is being pushed down by it, making his head appear to be lopsided. A few of his fingers are being flattened to the palm of his hand by rubber bands, causing him a bit of grief with the controls.
"What's going on?" I ask in confusion.
They pause the game, turning to me.
"What?" Ryou asks innocently.
"What on earth happened to you, Yami?" I ask, referring to his present condition.
He looks at me mournfully. "I have to be fair!" he insists.
I sigh. "Sorry I asked." I mumble, turning and retreating quickly.
"Ryou, these rubber bands are cutting off the circulation in my fingers!" I hear Yami complain.
I shake my head. I suppose I should be happy someone's entertaining Ryou. I wonder what Yugi's doing. Hopefully they're switching every so often so he isn't being left out. I mutter to myself, deciding to let them handle themselves, not wanting to get tied up in it all…literally.
(Yugi's POV)
I carefully take a peek through our mind link and hear laughter. Lots of laughter. I smile to myself. Ryou's plan is working. Even if he hasn't gotten Yami to tell him what's wrong, at least he's making sure Yami has some fun.
I've never really thought about giving Yami more free time before; except, perhaps, when it's time to duel. Yami is an extremely competitive individual, never missing an opportunity to play against someone, no matter what the game may be. The thing is, he always is courteous and makes certain the game is fair. He always wins though. Sometimes he lets me win, which I don't consider a victory on my part. The thing is he cares about his opponent, wanting every competition to be honorable.
I grin, sitting back in my soul room. Is it so horrible to allow him some freedom? Why didn't I think of this?
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
It's quiet. Too quiet. I get up from where I'm reading in my room. Those boys have been playing those video games for a few hours. Perhaps they're finally taking a break.
I make my way to the room where I'm met by quite a sight. The television is still on, GAME OVER flashing on the screen. The boys are sound asleep, Ryou's head leaning over, resting on Yami's shoulder. The rubber bands aren't on Yami's hands anymore. Looks like Ryou was merciful.
I smile, tip-toeing over and turning off the television. I sigh. Yugi will probably end up catching the flu now. Oh well, what's done is done.
Grabbing the blankets off the floor, I cover them, putting more on Ryou who's snuggling up against Yami in an attempt to get warm. I gently lay a hand on the boy's forehead. No fever. I feel myself smile. They just look so cute, which is a slightly strange way to describe it, but I don't know how else to. I shake my head, turning off the lamp and leaving them to rest.
(Yami's POV)
I strain my ears to make sure Mr. Mutou is out of the room before I open my eyes again. Smiling warmly, I stare down at Ryou who has managed to cuddle against my shoulder. He just kind of dozed off during our sixth game, head rolling to the side.
It's funny, I've wanted so much to get out of the puzzle and what do I do when given the opportunity? I sit around for a few hours playing video games. It's all rather ironic. I suppose it wouldn't be so bad if the puzzle had video games….but it's more fun to play with someone else. Ryou's more competitive than I would have thought. I haven't really had an opportunity to compete against him in anything; Bakura always takes control and wreaks chaos upon us.
I glance down at the hikari. It's so wrong that how the tomb robber treats him. He deserves to have a yami who cares for him; not just to protect him because he's 'useful.'
I feel myself growl at that. Ryou mutters something, pushing away slightly. He's so adorable…
(How's everything going?)
I jump. ((Oh…fine abiou.))
I can feel happiness radiating from him. (So you and Ryou have a good time?)
I nod. ((Yes. You'll have to play him in some of the video games sometime. He's quite good.))
(Really? I've never thought of him as being very aggressive.)
((Just give him the opportunity to compete. It's really quite startling.))
He laughs. (Probably picked it up from his yami.)
I feel myself internally scowl. ((Perhaps…))
He senses my tension. (Oh come on now, Yami. Let it be. He seems to be doing fine.)
I nod slowly.
He sighs. (I'm going back to my soul room for now. Just relax and stop worrying.)
((I'll try.)) I smile softly.
I sit there with Ryou leaning against me, feeling yet another wave of guilt wash over me. He sometimes acts like he cares about Bakura so much; sometimes, though, I'm not so sure. I suppose I got the true answer when I…
He moans slightly, face contorted in a look of pain. I tenderly let my hand slid through his silky hair. He slowly calms, lines of anxiety leaving his angelic features.
"Someday you'll be free of him," I promise softly to the sleeping innocent.
Yay! how'd you like it? Next scene gets a tad bit bloody and doesn't have very much humor. I like it all the same, though.
I really don't have much to say. You guys are awesome. In my other story I have to spend like two paragraphs at the beginning and end of each chappie trying to convince them to review...futiley. (sighs in frustration)...So yeah, I love you guys! (passes out bottles of sparkling juice) Celebration time!
Review!