(laughs) You people are wonderful. I didn't even ask for a ten review thing and yet here we are: eleven reviews. That deserves another early update. (You're going to get caught up to me if you keep this up > ) Must...write...faster...
I'd like to holler out another special thanks for wave of support that came in. Like I told Freedom of Darkness, you all sound like psychiatrists...well...almost all of you. Some of you were a bit more...agressive, perhaps? (snickers) Anyway, thank you.
blackalbino: There you are! Yay! Think it's still adorable? Well ya, it's just gonna start getting darker, that's all. There's still quite a bit of humor and cuteness in this scene...however, nearing the end our antagonists make a lovely appearance. Wondering if Bakura being frightened is an act? Nope. Not an act at all, as you'll see in this chappie. Poor guy. I'm glad you liked the description of bees. Review again, dear! Love ya!
StormySkys: Yep, they spent two hours in the store. Hehe. So Yami! You're the only one who mentioned the limo. Oh yessss...(cackles insanely) Lovely! Review again, dearie! (hugs)
yllom21: What's this? A new reviewer? Yay! (hugs tightly) Look everyone! Look! (jumps up and down excitedly)...sorry...just so glad to see you! I'm dedicating this chappie to you! Thanks for the compliments. You're wondering how Yami will react when he discovers 'Ryou' isn't Ryou? (smirk) Give it time, dear. Review again please! Love ya!
dragonlady222: Hi dear! (smiles) Yes Yami and Bakura are cute together. Think Baku's plan is gonna backfire? (smirk) You'll seeee...review again, dearie! Love ya!
pink-kiss-candy: I totally agree with you. Getting stung by hornets is evil. Wasps are so much worse, though. All of you out there who haven't been stung by wasps, count your blessings! (smiles)...where was I...Oh yes, Yami loves game stores. A lot. Review again, please! Love ya, dearie! (hugs)
Silver Mirror: (laughs) I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter so much. Ten thumbs up, eh? (smiles) Yay! Review again, dear! Love ya!
Miyosuke: Thanks for the sympathy. I really appreciate it. (smiles warmly) I love tree climbing too! Soooo much fun! One hasn't really lived until they've clambered up a few trees! Review again, dear! Love ya!
Wishfull Thinker: Thanks for the encouraging words. What kind of people would do such a thing,you ask? Aquaintances...-.-;...ya... well I'm glad you're not mad at my um...attempt for more reviews. (cackles) You liked the hornets too? Excellent. I'll try and get happier. (don't worry, I avoid drugs and such!) Review again! (hugs)
Freedom of Darkness: Oh stop badgering yourself. You did the right thing. (grins) You're awesome, all right? Review again, dear! (kowtows)
Freak in the Shadows: Don't like water? I love water. Our family has a cottage on a lake. Small lake. (no we're not rich) It's...complicated...heh. I use my sister's meds sometimes too. Review again! Love ya!
Satra: Aww! You're so dang sweet! I wuv you! (cuddles) Satra: o.O...hehe! Anyhoo, thanks for your undying support! I appreciate you sooo much!...Yay! Like the tree climbing scene? (smirk) I love tree climbing. I just had to put it in there. Love ya! Review again! (hugs)
This chapter is hereby dedicated to yllom21! Yay! The poem is about actually doing the things you plan on doing (not waiting for eternity) This is in the light of Yami's...predicament...(smirk) I've got some announcements at the end of the chappie. Continue!
Fly a Kite Tomorrow
On this lovely spring day
Perhaps I'll fly a kite.
The breeze is cool and refreshing.
Maybe I just might.
But I'd have to search the garage
For that lovely sky-blue thing,
Then I'd have to scrub the dirt off
And try to untangle the string.
Maybe I'll just stay inside today
Dreaming about it soaring high.
Tomorrow I will fly a kite
Yes, tomorrow I will try.
Today I will call my family.
It's about time I see them again.
It's been a while since we've talked;
Two months…or was it ten?
Oh but today my head is achy,
Yes, I just don't feel too well.
Tomorrow I will call them.
Yes, tomorrow will be swell.
Today I'll book a trip
To a place I've always longed to see
And then I'll fly on over there
And spend a month in Germany.
Oh but I don't want to waste my savings;
Maybe right now I shouldn't go.
I'll just postpone my dream trip
For another year or so.
Today I think I'll contact
A dear old friend of mine.
A week ago we had a fight,
We both had crossed the line.
I said some things I shouldn't have,
Things that I'm sorry for.
But today I'm just too nervous.
I'll just wait one day more…
Well I never went to Germany,
I didn't fly my kite,
I didn't call my family,
Or resolve the bitter fight.
I said, "I'll do it tomorrow.
One day more is just the same."
I was waiting for tomorrow
But tomorrow never came.
Don't assume you have forever,
You never know your fate.
You may have until tomorrow
Or tomorrow may be too late.
Chapter 9: Betrayal
(Yami's POV)
We lay there next to the pond, our breathing slowly going back to normal. Ryou's snuggled against my chest, his head right above my heart. He's not shaking anymore, finally calming down. I had no idea he'd been through something traumatic with water…well, with Bakura for a yami one could find basically anything distressing.
"That was quite an experience," I chuckle.
I glance down at Ryou's face where a small smile has formed.
"You got that right." He sighs, slowly sitting up.
We're both sopping wet. I sit too, wringing out my shirt. I nearly swallow my tongue when Ryou suddenly whips off his tee-shirt, twisting it so the water squeezes out of it. I blush, turning back to getting my own hair drier. Something sparkles and I look over to see the ring resting against his pale chest, glimmering in the dimming light. He notices me staring at it, sighing deeply.
"Yami, you've got to let it go," he says softly.
I look at his face, it's worn, exhausted. I can't just leave him at his yami's mercy. The bastard takes advantage of the boy all the time, shutting him away in his soul room. I can't just sit back and let that happen. Ryou seems to have noticed the look on my face.
"I can handle him, Yami. You've got to trust me on this," he states resting a hand on my shoulder.
I sigh heavily, closing my eyes. "You're asking me to do something that I can't promise," I whisper. He releases my shoulder. I open my eyes to see him looking out at the pond, eyes dreary.
"You've never had any faith in me, have you?"
I'm too shocked to speak for a moment, the words cutting. "I…how can you say that?"
He looks over at me humorlessly with those large brown eyes of his. "You're evading the question."
I bite my lip, staring down at my hands in my lap. Do I trust that he can take care of himself? Can he handle Bakura on his own? I sigh heavily, choosing what I want to say carefully before I speak.
"I trust you, Ryou. I do believe you can handle your yami. It's just…" He looks over at me. Waiting. "…I don't want you to have to go to extreme measures to do it. You shouldn't have to suffer in order to be in control of your life."
I tentatively glance up, worried at what his response will be. He's staring at me in amazement and…is it disbelief? I feel my heart soar when he suddenly smiles and nods, pulling his shirt back on and standing to his feet, wincing slightly. I notice how he's supporting more of his weight on his left leg. I quickly scramble to my feet, helping him steady himself.
He smiles appreciatively. "Thanks. I think I sprained my ankle in that fall."
I grimace. "Sorry about that."
I'm startled when he suddenly bursts out laughing. "S—sorry," he snickers when he catches the questioning look I'm giving him. "It's just…your face…when the branch broke…" He starts laughing again. I grin.
"You weren't exactly in a calmed state yourself," I chuckle, letting him lean on me slightly for support as we start back for the trail.
(Bakura's POV)
I can't help but laugh. The klutz did it again. It's all just so damn funny. Even if we got the shit stung out of us by some rabid insects…
I feel myself shudder slightly at the memory of being held underwater. I know he was just trying to get the damn hornets to leave but…I frown. That was an experience I never want to repeat. Actually, a lot of this day was. Ow. Stupid trees. Stupid bugs. Still, it had the right affect. He actually can let me lean on him without his face turning beet red. Progress Pharaoh. I smirk.
My mind wanders to when he was holding me against him during my…panic attack…I internally scowl. How the hell did I let that happen? The King of Thieves does not have panic attacks. Never. Ever.
We continue on back through the forest, getting lost twice. I tell you, what excellent senses of direction we have. It's not like we were paying attention where we were going. I was focusing on what was chasing us. I mentally badger myself for that as well. I'm not usually so unfocused. I know better than to not take in my surroundings, especially when I'm being pursued by an enemy. In order to escape one must thoroughly examine their atmosphere, even if they're retreating. I hate that word: retreating. It sounds so…weak.
Exactly like my light…I guess I'm playing the part better than I thought.
(Yami's POV)
We wander about, finally finding the trail again. This is a larger park than I originally thought. I glance up at the sky. It's getting dark. I'm guessing those are storm clouds, though.
"Look! Civilization!" Ryou laughs as a street comes into view up ahead.
I have the urge to race forward and kiss the first building I see. Thank Ra! As we exit the forest I notice people staring at us as we pass by.
Next to me Ryou snickers. "Can you imagine what we look like? We probably look like some savages right out of a jungle."
I laugh, realizing he's right. My hair is drooping slightly; his is covered in some substance from the pond that's matting his hair. I have blood drying on the right side of my face; Ryou's lip is still bleeding slightly; both of us are covered in cuts, bruises, and stings, our clothes ripped and tattered. My leather jacket, which I had placed in the shopping bag managed to survive the whole ordeal, seeing as how I had dropped it all back at the tree. Thankfully.
"Oh great. Just brilliant," Ryou mutters as it begins to rain, not lightly but in sheets.
I laugh. I can't help it. This day's been so damn miserable yet I think it's the best day I can remember having.
"Well," he sighs, squinting as he looks straight up, water pouring down on his face. "I guess we're as wet as we can get now."
I chuckle, pulling him along. "Come on, let's get going. It must be dinner time by now."
He winces. "Yeah. Sorry about that."
I grin. "Not your fault; although, I must state that you were the one who wanted to go through the park."
He pouts. "Oh you had to bring that up."
We continuing joking, strolling amiably through the pouring rain. Everyone else is running about the streets in futile attempts to get to shelter before they're soaked. Good luck with that.
After a while Ryou's limping more than before. I can see the pain etched in his eyes. Glancing around, I notice a bench off by the curb.
"Come on over here. We're going to rest a minute," I state, dragging him over to it. We both sigh heavily as we sit down, bodies sore.
"What a day," Ryou says in a slight daze. "Sorry it was so chaotic. We just wanted you to have some fun…"
I hold up a hand. "Don't apologize, Ryou. I had an incredible time. As much as it was painful and terrifying at moments it was damn enjoyable." He looks over, a huge grin plastered on his face.
"I think so too, but I wasn't sure if you…"
"What, thought I was a wimp?" I chuckle, staring about as the rain pounds down on our heads. It's causing the hornet stings to burn, yet it feels good at the same time.
"We're probably gonna get sick…again for me," he snickers, coughing slightly.
"Yugi won't be mad. A real excuse to stay home from school," I chuckle, imagining my hikari's eyes lighting up when he finds he's running a fever and is covered in various injuries.
We sit in silence; I think both going through the day in our minds, picking out the best parts. I know I am. The shopping spree…the duel store…falling in the stream…holding Ryou after we'd climbed out of the pond…well, maybe that wasn't so enjoyable for him. I know I'll never forget it though. Next to me Ryou sighs somewhat unhappily.
"I…I guess we'd better be getting back to the game shop," he says quietly.
I feel my heart sink. Yes, the game shop; Mr. Mutou will fuss over us; Yugi will take over again…and I'll go back to the puzzle.
"I…suppose so," I say desolately. Neither of us moves.
How does one go on after a day like today, pretending as if it never happened? Do they just store it in the back of their mind until years down the road they perhaps have a chance to experience something like it again? Will it just dissolve, having no real purpose in life overall? I feel my fists clench. No. I don't want to pretend this day was a dream. I don't want it to end…or disappear. And I know I can't just sit back in the puzzle and wait for Ra knows how long to experience something like this again…if I even get another chance…
"Ryou," I say boldly before I can stop myself. "There's something I need to tell you."
He looks over at me with those beautiful brown eyes curiously. I take a wavering breath. There's no turning back now.
"Yes?" He asks when he realizes I'm nervous.
"I know it took forever for me to get to know you…the real you, and I apologize for that…" He nods, urging me to continue.
I sigh, looking out across the street where a current of rainwater is rushing toward the gutters. I watch in fascination as a leaf flows down mini rapids, getting swallowed up in a whirlpool as it heads under the pavement to the sewers below.
"Yami?" Ryou asks questioningly, placing one of his soft hands on my arm.
I look back at him. "I…" My voice gets caught in my throat as I stare at him. He really is just like an angel; the snowy white hair coming down to his shoulders, lighting his entire face up. I gulp anxiously.
"Yami, come on now. Tell me what's on your mind," he smiles warmly.
(Bakura's POV)
Good Ra, it looks like he's going to pass out. I increase my grip on his arm, trying to keep him focused. He gazes at me in a dream-like state, just staring. I'm getting uncomfortable with having him look at me like that. This isn't like before when I tried on the leather pants and he was getting all turned on. This is different. There's a deeper look in his eyes, a passionate and caring look I've never seen on his face before…I think I've got him. Jack pot.
"Yami, come on now. Tell me what's on your mind," I smile, confident now, though I don't show it.
He looks at me helplessly. Come on now, pharaoh. Tell me what you're thinking. I internally smirk at his predicament.
"It's like this…" he begins, and then pauses. Damn it pharaoh!
"Yes?" I ask sweetly. Spit it out already you moron!
"I…Ryou…" He leans in slightly, staring at me desperately as if that will make me understand everything (which I do, but like hell I'll let him off that easily.) On the contrary, this is amusing.
He sighs, running a hand through his wet hair. I can see his hands trembling. So this is it…we're gonna catch pneumonia and die out here and he'll still won't have said it.
"Yami, come on now. Whatever you have to tell me can't be that bad."
"Wha…Oh no. No! It's nothing bad…" he stutters. "At least, not to me. It could be…if you take it the wrong way…"
"All right, I promise not to slap you, yell at you, insult you, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera," I grin.
He smiles thankfully. "I—I know…it's just…I…" I wait patiently, nodding encouragingly. "I'm just not sure when the next time we'll be alone like this will be—I don't get out much, you know," he smiles humorlessly. "And I just don't want this day to end without you knowing that I…"
My eyes widen in shock as he lunges, capturing my lips with his. Hot damn! Didn't see this coming! Must take advantage of the situation though; I respond, kissing him back, internally smirking. He stiffens suddenly. The next thing I know I'm tumbling off the bench, the side of my face stinging. I stare up from the muddy ground in complete shock at the figure before me. Oh shit.
(Yugi's POV)
I slowly wake up, looking about my soul room in a bored fashion. I wonder what time it is…I stretch, hoping Ryou's managed to get something out of Yami on his strange behavior lately. I grin. Perhaps I should check on their progress.
I focus on Yami and my link, looking out. I do a double-take at the scene before me. Yami is snogging Ryou; in my body, no less. I growl, reaching out and shoving Yami into his soul room before he realizes what's going on. See how he likes that!
I nimbly smack Ryou across the face sending him to the ground. He stares up at me, look of complete shock turning into dread. He should damn well be scared!
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" I screech at him. "You're supposed to be helping me figure out what's wrong with Yami, not make out with him!..." My eyes widen. I leer closer. "That's why you agreed to help me, isn't it? You just wanted time alone with him!" I'm screaming by this point, and I don't care.
"Yugi, it's not like that…" he says desperately, struggling to his feet.
"Go to hell," I whisper fiercely, turning and racing for home, ignoring the pain all over my body.
((Abiou?))
I don't reply. I'm sitting on my bed, door locked. Ryou came after me. Grandpa made him come in and now the whore is spending the night. I'm going to keep in complete control now, especially since he's in the house.
((Yugi, listen to me.))
(Why should I? I did all that for you. I give up my own freedom so you can live a little. And what do you do? You go making out with my back-stabbing friend…)
((Don't talk about Ryou that way.)) Yami growls. I should have known he'd defend that little bitch.
(Why not?) I seethe.
((Because)) Yami sighs. ((I was the one who kissed him. He didn't ask for it or encourage it. I'm the one responsible for what happened. He didn't have any part in that.))
(He sure was kissing back when I took control) I retort.
He sighs. ((I don't know about that…all I know is his intentions for whatever you and he were planning were sincere. Don't get angry at him for something I did.))
I sit quietly, mulling over the incident in my head. Perhaps I was a bit harsh with Ryou; jumped to conclusions a bit too quickly. But the fact still remains with one thing…
(That doesn't matter much to me as the fact that you were using my body for your own gain. I gave you freedom. I let you go out and enjoy yourself. But you can't go dating other people in my body or anything like that. What do you think my life would be like? I'd be married to two people: one partner for me and one for you. Life can't be that way, Yami. I'm sorry if you care about Ryou that way, but you can't see him again.) I feel my heart get heavier as I realize just what this all means. I know I'm hurting him but it can't be helped. This is my life, not his.
((I…understand abiou.)) Yami whispers, closing his link.
(Yami's POV)
I sob into my knees as I huddle in a corner of my soul room. Yugi's right, of course. I can't make this my life. It's not my body to take. It wouldn't be fair to him or Ryou. It's just so hard. I never knew being a yami could hurt so much, the sacrifices the occupation requires. Curling up, I lie down. It's going to be a long night.
(Bakura's POV)
Damn that freakish little worm! My plan was going perfectly and what does he do? He messes everything up, that's what! I was this close…THIS FREAKING CLOSE!
I had the pharaoh in the palm of my hand. I was going to get as remotely possible to him in order to crush him. This won't do, not at all. I'm going to have to scheme up something…but what? Yami wouldn't ever go against that brat's wishes. Damn it!
(regular POV/ third person)
A lone figure sits in the shadows, eyes fixated on the small shop across the street. All the lights are off now, rain pouring down all about. He's wearing a long cape with a hood, the Millennium symbol on the top of the hood. The teen smirks as he runs a slender, tanned finger over the Millennium item in his grasp.
"It's true then?" A voice hisses. The boy turns to see what appears to be his identical twin striding out of an alleyway.
"It would appear so, yami. He's staying at the Mutous'. Has been for a few days now," the first teen nods, looking back over at the game shop.
The other chuckles darkly. "Well well well, looks like we'll have to pay them a nice visit tomorrow." They both grin knowingly; striding off into the storm, leaving no trace that they'd been there.
(cackles) Enter our antagonists. A warning. Malik is...disturbing.
My sister was like, "He's so evil and perverted! I hates him!"
and I was like, "But he's the antagonist! You're supposed to hate him!"
Then she goes,"But I hate how you wrote him!" o.O...
Me: "YOU'RE FREAKIN' SUPPOSED TO!" (breathes deeply)
So I guess I'll take her hatred of him as a good thing, as that's what I was aiming for...I guess...-.-;
Review!