New review high! 16 in one chapter! Excellent, peoples!
So sorry it took so long to update! No it wasn't my mom. It was the bloody site. It wouldn't let me submit any documents. So I therefore couldn't update. Damn the site! But I contacted the peoples in charge with a message labeled URGENT and they got on it within two days. Very nice. I'll have to write and thank them.
Safiya: Oh dear. It looks like part of your review got cut off! SAD! (sobs) I'm glad you're enjoying the story so much! Please review again so I can hear more from you! I'm sorry the thingie cut you off! (bangs club on computer) Stupid thing! Review again dear! Love ya!
DreamingChild: Wellll...there's fluff towards the beginning of this chappie. (smiles weakly) You'll be all right, dearie. Review again! Love ya!
Freedom of Darkness: (rolls eyes) Fine fine, keep your freakin' sugar. O.o...kidnapping cupboard, eh? (beams) I just use the basement. (screams heard in background) SHUT UP! It's not that cold down there! Don't make me come down there! (silence) Ahem, where were we? Will miss the fluff but craving angst? My thoughts exactly.
pink-kiss-candy: Getting a littlt scary? o.o...Ummm...It's gonna get a lot scary then. (cackles) On to the reason this fic is rated M! Mwahahahaha! (pink: O.o) Sorry. Got a little excited. Review again, love!
moonlit-leaf: Aha! It's one of you peoples who has me on the favs or something! YAY! (embraces tightly) How are you, dear? I'm so glad you've decided to review! Thank you for the compliments. It's good to hear you're enjoying the story. Happy reading! Review again, please!
KilaInverse: Ack! Your review got cut off! (sobs) That happened to someone else too. (glares at site) You're eating my reviews! Hmm...anyhoo, thanks for reviewing and pleasepleaseplease do so again. Love ya!
Satra: What did Bakura get Yami?...You won't know that for a LONG time. (smiles) Hmm...Hot chocolate? (hangs head) I'm afraid not. He must be semi-sane for what happens in this chappie. Oh the drama! Love you!
Bluegrass Elf: (laughs) I'm glad you like angst...cause there's soooo much coming! Yay! (cackles) You thought THAT was a cliffie? Just wait and read this chappie's ending! Mwaahahahaha!
Freak in the Shadows: Lipring?...No comment. Alrighty then! Hi Tozuku! (smirks) I find him amusing. Anyhoo, I'm glad you enjoyed the last two chappies. Review again, loves!
dragonlady222: (smiles mysteriously) You're correct about that. Marik isn't fully aware of Malik's intentions. Kill Kura? (snerk) Perhaps...perhaps...Malik's still awesome? Well duh! Love ya!
KeraJeir: Yes yes, our dear CEO is joining the drama. (cackles) Poor Kaiba. Marik and Malik aren't planning the same thing, unbeknownst to Marik. Poor hikari. Love ya!
Red Phoniex: YAY! An english person! (squeezes tightly) Oh there are differences in the language. Subtle, but they're there. (Ex: English peoples say favourite and colour. Americans say favorite and color. > ...Much to my dismay. If I write colour in my program it says I spelled it wrong. Yeeesh. -.-;) Thanks for the secret compliment thingie! (winks) You all thought that wasa cliffie? Whoooooo you all are gonna kill me after this chappie! (makes a break for it)
blackalbino: Must love the evil bees. I just had to mention them again. Ummm...Jou and Kaiba aren't "together" in this fic. Sorry. I'm glad you liked the sun god quote. Enjoy!
Silver Mirror: I'm glad you liked the line about Kura entering and exiting buildings. Originally he was just going to sneak out the front door, but where's the fun in that? Still working on ideas for you. Review again, love!
StormySkys: (laughs) You just put all the best chapter quotes in your review, didn't you? I had a lot of fun with that chappie. You'll see the item of the thief's demise in this chappie. It beginst the downward motion of our characters' lives. Mwahahaha! (blinks innocently) You don't...trust me?...I've not idea what you're talking about. (smirk)
Wish-full Thinker: Yay! Thanks for the compliments on the poem. STOP asking for Ryou to return! He's GONE! (pants) sheesh. You people are Ryou-deprived, aren't you? Sheesh. -.o;...This chappie's for you, love. (for all your...patient waiting for violence) Love ya!
This chappie is for Wish-full Thinker who's been itching for violence from the start! I'd also like to hollerout a thanks to moonlit-leaf and Safiya!On to the violence!
Eclipse
A groan, a moan, a slap, a sigh
An atmosphere of truths and lies.
A bite, a scratch, the crimson flow
To cry and weep, to reap and sow.
Chapter 18: Devil's Adversary
(Yugi's POV)
"Jou, everyone else has to eat too!" I laugh as we gather about the coffee table where various appetizers have been laid out.
"Muck esht oom goah!" Jou grins happily, stuffing yet another handful of sweets into his already full mouth.
Anzu rolls her eyes, deciding not to make a deal about it because it's Christmas. Honda and Otogi are playing duel monsters on the floor by the television. Grandpa is sitting on a chair next to them, observing their duel techniques and giving Honda pointers.
"I think this would be considered cheating," Otogi smirks.
"Shut it, I couldn't hear what he said!" Honda scowls, leaning over to attempt to listen to Grandpa over the holiday music playing on the stereo system.
I grin, glancing over at Yami and Ryou who are snuggled on the couch next to me and Anzu. They're so cute together. Yami's hand is gently gliding through Ryou's hair whose eyes are closed and relaxed.
"Something the matter, Yug?" Jou asks, swallowing.
I shake my head, unable to keep the smile from my face. "No. Everything's awesome."
"'Specially the food," Jou nods, hand diving into the chip bowl.
The sound of the doorbell signals Mokuba's arrival. I grin, racing into the game shop and unlock the door for him and…Kaiba!
"Hi Yugi!" Mokuba beams happily.
"Hi!" I grin, quickly coming out of my daze. "Hi, Kaiba! Good to see you!"
He scowls. "I'm here to talk to you and Yami about a certain…"
"Come on in!" I say quickly, grabbing Mokuba's arm and jogging away.
I race over to Yami. "Kaiba's here. I think he wants to talk about our…gift." Mokuba gives me a questioning look. Yami glances up.
"Darn it. I was hoping he'd wait until after Christmas," he sighs.
Ryou gives us a curious look. "Wait for what?"
Yami turns and smiles softly. "Nothing. Just a little…business with Kaiba."
Ryou smirks. "Does this have something to do with why he's been stalking…"
"I'll go talk to him! Come on, Ryou!" Yami states suddenly, grabbing the white-haired hikari's arm and yanking him off the couch.
"Niisama? Stalking?" Mokuba mumbles quirking an eyebrow.
I shrug. "He and Yami are strange like that. I try not to get involved."
The younger boy grins. "Likewise."
(Yami's POV)
I stride over to Kaiba, Ryou in tow.
"There you are," the CEO scowls. "I want to talk to you about a package that I…"
"Oh must we discuss such things right now?" Ryou frowns folding his arms.
Kaiba turns and gives Ryou a strange look, almost cold. I feel myself bristle.
"Is there anything else besides that?" I growl. A hand rests on my shoulder, squeezing it. I glance over to see Ryou give me a look that states 'Please don't start something.'
Kaiba sneers. "No, not really. Just so we're clear: you will be receiving a nice package after Christmas with a lovely, ancient…"
"Come, Ryou," I smile cheerily. "Let's leave Kaiba to enjoy the party. Mustn't keep him tense with business."
I tug my koi away before the young CEO can get in another word. I lead Ryou to the kitchen. He turns and stares at me with serious eyes.
"Yami, what was that about?"
I try to wave it off. "Don't worry about it. Kaiba's just…"
"No, I want to know what's going on," he replies stubbornly.
I sigh. "Ryou, can't we talk about this later?"
He frowns. "Fine. But we will talk about it."
I grin seductively. "Of course."
I wrap my arm around his waist, pulling him in for a kiss. He smirks against my lips, arms enveloping my torso.
"Whoa, an' there isn't even a mistletoe," Jou whistles from the doorway.
Ryou and I separate, grinning smugly.
"Nice to see you too, Jou," I chuckle, fingers entwining with Ryou's.
"So you two been doing great since the yami/hikari separation, eh?" the blonde smiles.
I nod. "Nothing but wonderful. I have my own body and Ryou…" I feel Ryou's hand tense. I glance over at him worriedly. "Something wrong?"
He shakes his head, hair waving back and forth slightly. "No. Nothing."
Jou and I exchange a glance. Ryou glares.
"Don't you start that now."
I chuckle, kissing his forehead. "Jealous?"
"Oh like hell!" Ryou smirks, turning and skipping out of the room.
Jou's face turns beet red as he realizes what I was suggesting. I laugh, patting his shoulder.
"See you back at the food, Jou."
I wander back into the living room where everyone is situated, the noise growing in intensity. I feel myself smirk. The neighbors are going to appreciate this. Rolling my eyes, I pick up some garbage on the floor.
"Hey Yami man, you said you'd duel me, remember? Get over here!" Jou calls from back at the food table.
I laugh. "Fine fine. Just wait a moment. I left my deck upstairs!"
"Oh suuuure! Planning on running off, are you?" Jou yells after me. I chuckle as I climb the stairs, turning on the hallway light.
I wander into Yugi and I's room and glance around. Where did I put it?...I stop when I notice something on the bed. I walk over and pick up the small, wrapped package. There's an unsealed envelope with my name on it attached to the wrapping. Well well, what have we here?
(Bakura's POV)
"So much for that," I grin as Jou's life points drop to zero.
"Wat!" Jou yelled in amazement. "Where'd you learn to duel like that?"
I laugh. "Oh, I've played the game for a while." A few thousand more years than you…
"Wow, he really beat you good, didn't he?" Honda smirks, giving Jou a punch on the arm.
"Ow! Shaddup!" Jou growled pouncing on the brunette.
"Now boys…!" Mr. Mutou begins as he and Anzu start forward in an attempt to break up the scuffle.
Yugi taps me on the shoulder. "Have you seen Yami? He went to get his deck a while ago."
I smirk. "He probably found the presents. I'd better go steer him back down here."
I head up the stairs. It's quiet. Too quiet. I grin. Yup, he's found the presents under the bed. I open the door to find him sitting quietly on the bed, a look of complete vehemence on his face.
"Yami? What's the matter?" I ask stepping forward.
He looks up, eyes dark.
"What do you want me to say? That I'm sorry?"
I blink. What the devil is he talking about?
"I…don't understa…"
"Ryou, I know you weren't…keen on this idea, but did you have to go and give the spell back to me like…"
"Wait wait…what spell?" I ask, thoroughly confused now.
He glares at me. "Stop it. This is enough. What do you want me to do? Kneel at your feet and beg for forgiveness? Because I'm not going to."
"Yami, you're not making any sense," I frown.
He holds out a crinkled piece of paper. "Why'd you give this back to me?"
I feel something foreboding in the air that's telling me something dangerous and horrific is afoot. I push that to the back of my mind. He must be confused about something. I take the note, glancing down at the writing. My heart sinks into my gut. It's the spell.
"How…how'd this get here?" I murmur, hands trembling.
Yami's glowering. "I'm still not sorry for giving that to you. It was for your own protection. What more do you want me to say?"
I look up, eyes wide in disbelief. "What did you just say?"
He's angry now, I can feel the atmosphere about us shuddering. I don't care though. Did he just say what I think he did? Please Ra no!
"You…gave this to Ryou…?" I whisper, backing away from him.
This can't be happening. It can't be. There's no way. He wouldn't do something like that! He wouldn't!
He narrows his eyes. "What?"
I feel myself bristle. I'm angry now. So this is my light's accomplice.
"You gave him this to destroy me," I hiss, ring glowing in a silent threat underneath my shirt.
His eyes widen as he realizes who he's standing in front of. "BAKURA!"
I scowl. "Very good, pharaoh. I've been wondering who it was that helped that pathetic little sneak. Well, the mystery is over now."
"Where's Ryou?" Yami demands, puzzle glowing as well. It's a stronger item, but like hell I'll back down now.
I grin viciously. "He's gone."
"Where? What have you done with him, you bastard?" Yami screams, blasting a ball of shadow magic at me. I dodge, snarling as it hits the wall next to me.
"We decided to test this little spell of yours," I sneer.
His eyes widen as realization dawns on him.
"No," he whispers.
"And to think I deemed him harmless. To think I thought you were above utterly annihilating your enemies…you both put on quite a show. I applaud you."
I don't have time to react as he pounces on me, fist connecting with my jaw. He straddles my chest, yanking my head back by my hair so I'm looking him straight into the eyes.
"You lie," he whispers fiercely, increasing the pressure. "You lie!"
"It's your own bloody fault!" I scream, blasting him off with my own beam of shadow magic.
He soars across the room, tumbling into the closet that's open. I stride over to him, staring down in hatred at the one person I thought I could count on. The one person I actually gave my heart to. What a complete fool I've been.
"You brought this upon all of us," I whisper venomously.
"No."
"You gave him the fucking spell!"
"I'll kill you!" he shrieks, shadow magic engulfing me.
I let forth a screech as it forcefully pulls me to the ground, tearing at everything, inside and out. The pain is excruciating. I fight back with my own powers, knowing it won't get me out of this. My entire body is spasming, completely out of control. I can't breathe, fire engulfing my lungs. My eyes are blurring. I manage to look up at the indistinct figure outside this whirling ball of shadow magic. This is it…
I let out a gasp for air as it suddenly ceases. I moan waiting for a taunt or kick but nothing comes. I wearily open my eyes, vision still slightly distorted to see Yami's unconscious form on the floor next to me.
"I take it he found out the truth," a cold voice whispers.
I strain to look up. Kaiba stares down icily at me. Without a word he reaches down and pulls me up by my collar.
"Let…go!" I hiss, wheezing from the burning pain in my lungs.
"Like hell," he growls, grabbing me by the back of my neck with his other hand and steering me out of the room towards the stairs. I struggle to keep up with his pace, entire body throbbing. My mind's too fuzzy to comprehend what he's planning. Everyone turns and stares at us as I stumble down stairs, still being held tightly in his grasp.
"Kaiba, what are you…?" Yugi exclaims, no doubt noticing the state I'm in.
"I'm sending a body guard to pick up Mokuba and to take him back to Kaiba Corp. He should be here in ten minutes or so," Kaiba states as he marches across the room with me toward the door.
"Niisama?" Mokuba asks worriedly.
"What are you doing?" Jou yells angrily, starting to come after us.
"Don't you dare follow, mutt. This doesn't concern you," Kaiba growls, pushing me out the door without any explanation.
"Let me go!" I hiss, trying to struggle but still too weakened from the pharaoh's attack.
Kaiba doesn't reply, dragging me over to the limo that's ready to leave. A tall, burly man in a suit opens the passenger door in the back.
"In you go," Kaiba growls, roughly shoving me in and slamming the door behind me.
(readers: O.O) Hehe...I'm so mean! (readers: GLARE) Uh oh.
Now that's a cliffie. hehehe! I'm so devious! Can you tell I'm proud of myself? Cause I am! (dodges knives and fruit)
Anyway, REVIEW!