Hello once again! (I was gonna update on thursday but the freakin' site was all messed up) Yeesh. Yet here we are. For all of you who didn't get the memo: THE STORY'S FRIKIN' FINISHED! (big breath) What I mean by that is I'm done typing it. 32 chappies, baby! Booya! I am soooo awesome! (can anyone say "egotist"?) I can! (beams) readers: o.O...
So my friend who had the cancer is doing well. I've got a new thing now. One of my 18 yr old friends is pregnant. She's not going to abort it. It's a boy. Due in July, I believe. She could really use some prayers (whatever religion you may be.)Seemed to bode well for my other friend so let's get started, neh? (huggles)
KilaInverse: (laughs) Yes,it kinda is a love triangle...sort of. I mean...ya...It's complicated. But of course kaiba's an ass-hole! (hugs CEO) That's why we wuv him so! (beams)
red phoniex: -.o;...I knew I was forgetting SOMETHING...(bangs head on book) Yeesh. My apologies, honey. I'll make sure to e-mail you as soon as I finish this stuff. (it takes me around an hour now to update with all these responses, yet I enjoy it all the same.)
moonlit-leaf: Yesss. Our Malik is...interesting. He's very very very disturbing later on. (shudders) Like Ryou and Seto being friends? (smiles) me too. In a chappie or two you get to see a nice long flashback with them. Yay!
MoonWolf2000: Hi honey! Sorry I didn't check to see if you were on after school today. I'm sick and went straight to bed for a nice 2 1/2 hour nap. Oh yes. -.-...you can keep your gippal and you can have Malik... not Marik though, nor my Kura. They're MINE! (clutches evil hikari and tomb robber) My preciousesssss...(eyes glaze)
KeraJeir: o.O...yah, I know it's disturbing. It's going to get much more so, oh yes! (claps hands together) Weeeeee!
Freedom of Darkness: Mwehehehehe! I can do whatever I frikin' feel like! If I wanna tease then I shall tease! If I want to leave mean cliffies then I shall! If I want to take that freakin' stick from you and crack it over the computer...(lunges)
Satra: (sighs) My poor kura baby! (huggles tomb robber) Yes, Yami and the others still don't know the truth. Kaiba? He's just plain awesome.
dragonlady222: Glad you liked your present. Sorry there wasn't really any humor. There's a hint of some with Gerald and Kaiba in this one. (gotta love gerald!) Poor Ryou as well. We all feel bad for him. (bows head solemnly)
Silver Mirror: Characters ALWAYS take over the stories. It became quite a struggle near the end of this one. Malik was very determined. Of course, so were the rest of them. (smiles)
Kit-Cat-Caitlin: Yes, you must e-mail me the nice piccies! (rubs hands together greedily) Oh yesssss...I'm sure my memory is worse than yours, dear. Trust me. (rolls eyes) Like all the violence? Good, cause there's a LOT more to come. (smirk)
Under Finger And Thumb: O.O...I'm disturbed by you. That's quite an accomplishment, honey. That's all I'll say about that.
DreamingChild: You mean to tell me that that mother-&#$, son of a (&#$, piece of #$ is still around by chapter 31! (laughs) That is AWESOME, honey! (huggles) Yes yes, he's still alive. how would the story be interesting if the villian were gone? (smirk)
TheGodFish: Chappie left you wanting more? (cheers) Yesssss! That's just what I wanna hear! It means I'm getting better with cliffies! There are some down-right EVIL cliffhangers later on. Mwahahaha!
BluegrassElf: Hope you're over that cold. I think I have it now. (narrows eyes) You gave it to me, didn't you? Hmm...The cliffies will only be getting more intense, honey! Mweehehehehe!
Broken Mirrors and Tainted Souls: I hope you're all feeling better now. Love the name, honey. Liked your old name too. (I don't think you can go wrong with naming yourselves. Soooo awesome!)
Spryte: You'll feel a lot sorrier for Kaiba later on...(covers mouth) Hehe. Just ignore that little hint. (smiles evilly)
blackalbino: (rolls eyes) Don't even start that fucking "maybe Ryou will come back" shit. Yes yes, Kura needs help. It's coming, honey. Just hold on a little bit longer. Don't explode messily! (gets out mop just in case)
StormySkys: I think it's safe to say Marik has redeemed himself a bit. (huggles Mawik-wuv) You liked Malik throwing back his head and laughing like only an insane psycho like himself can? (shiver) me too! You'll be seeing more of Yami more later on.Worry not, honey!
wolfjessica5: I'm glad with the positive feedback I'm getting from you people for all the gore and violence. (realizes how weird that sounds) Hehe! we're all insane!
Wishfull-Thinker: Very good friend, he is. I believe he's in his fifties. One of the sweetest people in the world. He's british, actually! (I'm a sap for accents) Just good-luck works fine, honey. No, I don't believe in God. Left Catholicism altogether (and am being stalked by one of the priests who's determined to save me) Yeesh. -.-;...I took to heart what you said about Malik's demonic features. (smirk) REALLY. Just wait until you get to chappie 31. It's utterly disgusting! Mweheheehe! (is proud of self) No, you're not nit-picking. You're giving praise and criticism and I appreciate it. (huggles)
(looks over reviewers) Who should I dedicate this chappie to?...I chose Kit-Cat-Caitlin in hopes she'll e-mail me her lovely drawings! (bribery?) heh. Onward!
Is the soul solid like iron?
Or is it tender and breakable, like
the wings of a moth in the beak of an owl?
--Mary Oliver
Chapter 23: Brutal Memento
(Kaiba's POV)
I pull into the town of Corshan early in the morning. I glance about, searching the surroundings for any sign of Malik, Marik, or Bakura. Nothing.
"Sir!" someone yells down the street.
I turn my head to see none other than Gerald running up to the limo. I stop it, opening the door and stepping out briskly into the cold air. The bodyguard's face is red, breathing slightly ragged.
"Sir…"
"Any progress?" I ask tersely, still glancing around as we stand in the middle of the street.
He shakes his head mournfully. "The necklace had been there for nine hours apparently…now it's been at least twelve."
I curse under my breath, folding my arms. Where would he have gone? Correction, Marik and Malik probably picked him up. Damn it!
"Get in the limo. We're going to circle the town's parameters," I order.
"But sir, he could be far away from Corshan by now!" Gerald protests, getting in when I give him one of my signature glares.
"It's feasible, however, let's start with the closest possibilities," I scowl, getting in the passenger seat.
(Yami's POV)
I sigh, staring mournfully down at the photograph of our group at a local dueling competition three weeks ago. Ryou and I are in the center, arms linked. He had declined to compete in the competition but came to every single match…for Jou, Yugi, and myself. I feel my eyes blur as I stare down at his smiling face. He's really gone.
I jump slightly as Jou sits down next to me on the couch. The blonde had adamantly refused to go home, insisting he was needed here more. I don't believe I'll ever be able to thank him enough for this. He sighs deeply as we both stare down at the picture in my trembling hands.
"It's hard to believe, isn't it?" he whispers.
I nod, entire frame shaking. I can't speak, a large lump forming in my throat. It's not fair. None of this is just. It's all wrong. This shouldn't have happened.
"Yami man, you don't have to keep up this stone face. You don't have to box up yourself."
I look over at him. "I know. It's just…I loved…"
I break down now, sobs wracking my body. I lean on him as he pulls me against him comfortingly. His arms are tense, tremulous.
"It's gonna be okay, man," he whispers, voice cracking.
Mr. Mutou and Yugi enter the room, faces ashen. Yugi's been crying, I can tell. Mr. Mutou's eyes are cheerless, the normal smile on his face vanished. Jou still has his arm around me, tears streaming from his eyes as well.
"Why'd he do it?" Jou murmurs wretchedly.
Mr. Mutou shakes his head, unable to speak. Yugi notices the photo in my hands, lower lip beginning to tremble as he stares at it. I hold out my hand and he rushes over, clinging to me he cries into my shirt.
"It's not fair! It's not fair!" he whimpers.
We all remain quiet, weeping for a person who died too soon…just when we were coming to love him the most…
(Kaiba's POV)
"Stop the car!" I command suddenly, Gerald breaking quickly to a halt.
"Sir?" He gives me a questioning look.
I stare out the window, my eyes narrowed. I've felt this feeling before. I'm sensing something. I glance down at the box in my lap, pulling the Millennium rod out. Could I be picking up the magical signature from the ring?
"Mr. Kaiba?" Gerald tries again as I step out of the limo.
I look about, nothing standing out. The building in front of us is some run-down apartment complex. I focus my attention on it. Gerald gets out of the limo and comes around, stopping next to me.
"Sir?" he asks again.
I ignore him, striding forward across the street…I think I've felt this feeling before. It was on the blimp…in a…Shadow game…
"Mr. Kaiba!" Gerald yells, racing after me.
I walk straight to the building's front doors. They're not even locked. Frowning, I enter, glancing around suspiciously. This could be a trap after all…I'm in a narrow hallway. The rooms are all numbered, many of the names on the doors faded or completely torn off. Scowling at the grubbiness, I decide this is the type of place Malik and Marik would enjoy.
"Sir…!" Gerald calls rushing up behind me.
I turn around. "Hush!" I whip around and continue cautiously down the narrow corridor, Millennium item in hand. There's no way I'm facing those psychos without it. Not that I really know how to use it…I'll deal with that problem when it comes.
(Malik's POV)
I look up from the trembling form beneath me. We're both covered in blood, his blood. My victim lets out a whimper as I get off him, focusing on the atmosphere. I've put up a Shadow barrier around us so the occupants of the other rooms won't hear the screams. It's the same concept of a Shadow duel where the Realm surrounds the holder of the item and whosoever they choose. I smirk down at the blood-covered tomb robber who's chained down, eyes unfocused.
"It appears your savior has come for you, dear thief."
He doesn't respond, another whimper of pain escaping him. I grin at this, stepping forward and forcefully kissing his mouth. The metallic taste of blood is covering him. It's so…delicious.
I suddenly tense, sensing it isn't whom I've been expecting. I frown at this. It was supposed to be the pharaoh. Not the priest. Wait…
I feel a smirk form on my face. This could work…
(Marik's POV)
I weakly lift my head from the floor when I pick up a magic signature. It's not possible…Could Yami have found his way here? I struggle over to the wall of the elevator, leaning unsteadily against it, breathing harsh.
There's the sound of voices just outside the door now. I can sense the Millennium rod. I strain my ears, frantically trying to figure out what they're saying. My eyes widen when I realize it's not Yami, recognizing one of the voices. Kaiba!
(Kaiba's POV)
"Just what are we doing in here, sir?" Gerald whispers, afraid of facing my wrath for talking too loudly again.
"What you're doing in here? I've no idea," I mutter, glancing about. I wrinkle my nose as a stench attacks my nostrils. Blood. Gerald notices it as well, pulling out his gun.
"That's not going to be of much use here," I say quietly, looking around for the source.
We both jump at the sound of a quiet knocking on metal. I turn to see an elevator door. My eyes widen at the sight of crimson liquid flowing from under it.
"Holy shit!" Gerald exclaims. I stomp on his foot, a silent order meaning: shut the hell up.
I tighten my grip on the item, moving forward and pressing the button to the elevator. The door creaks open to reveal no one other than Marik lying in a pool of his own blood, struggling to sit up.
"Well what have we here…" I growl, moving forward and kneeling down in front of him, pulling one of the rod's sharp edges under his chin. He winces, violet eyes opening, desperate.
"You…have to save him…" he chokes, coughing up some blood.
Gerald's calling a helicopter at a nearby airport asking for assistance. Renting one, no doubt. Since he's taking care of that…
"Where are they, Marik?" I hiss, letting the blade make a cut on his neck.
"Malik…has the ring…" he gasps, shuddering as I increase the pressure.
"Don't make me ask you again," I growl, eyes flashing dangerously.
"Room 34 C…third floor," Marik says hoarsely.
I turn to Gerald. "Take him to the limo. Watch him like a hawk."
"Sir…"
We both turn at the sound of a thump to find Marik's passed out, no doubt from pain and blood loss.
"Scratch that, come with me. We'll pick him up on the way back," I smirk pulling the bodyguard into the elevator, stepping around Marik's unconscious form, and pushing the button for floor three.
(Mokuba's POV)
I sit back in my brother's office at home, angry and confused by all that's been going on. This is so complicated. Why would niisama run off with Bakura? O.o…I didn't mean it like that…
I tense at the sound of footsteps rushing for the office. I quickly slide under Seto's desk as a group of people hurry into the room. Time to get some answers.
"I don't know the coordinates. Gerald said there's one boy seriously injured…most likely more," a man's voice states urgently.
"We've got to send someone over there now!" a woman's voice cries, banging her fist on the desk. "What if something happens to Mister Kaiba?" I feel my heart sink into my gut.
"Gerald's already contacted a local airport nearby. They're sending a helicopter over there," the first man answers.
"But Mister Kaiba prefers to avoid hospitals…we should have the helicopter pick them up and take them to the airport. We can meet them there with our fastest jet to bring them back here to be treated," a third man states hurriedly, shuffling through some papers.
"Do you know how time consuming…" the first man begins to protest.
"We must send some backup to protect Mister Kaiba…" the woman begins.
"Enough!" One of our head bodyguards, Roland, is in the doorway. I can see his shoes from here. I know his shoes when I see them because I liked to hide from him when I was little.
"We're going with Gerson's plan," Roland states firmly, referring to the third man who had the most elaborate arrangement. "The jet's on its way already. I don't want to hear another argument. All of you get over to Kaiba Corp. We're assembling a medical team there." They all rush from the room.
"Mister Mokuba, you can come out now," Roland's voice states in a slightly amused tone.
I crawl out, looking up imploringly at the man who Seto has put the most trust in protecting me. Roland's face is creased with worry, perspiration lining his forehead.
"Roland, what's happening? Is my brother all right? Where's Bakura?" I ask nervously.
"I can't answer your questions right now, sir. I'm sorry, but I must get over to Kaiba Corp. and get some more details on the situation."
I frown but know he's right. This isn't the time to be filling me in on the situation. Niisama's in trouble.
"Can I come with you?" I ask.
He sighs. "I'm going to say no, sir."
I glare up at him. "But Roland…!"
He shakes his head. "Your brother has trusted me to be your guardian should he ever be unable to be there to look after you. I'm making this decision for him. You're not coming, sir." He turns to leave, pausing in the doorway. I stand silently, wondering why he isn't going yet.
"This is what he would want me to do, sir," he says in a quieter tone, leaving me alone in the office.
I stand mutely for a moment to make sure he's gone. I turn and rush over to niisama's telephone on the desk, punching in a number I know quite well. I tap impatiently on the edge of the chair as the other end rings.
"Hello, Mr. Mutou?"
(Kaiba's POV)
I stand outside the door, Gerald reluctantly standing behind me. He wanted to go in first, but I won't have it. He has no idea what we're dealing with here.
I kick the door open, expecting to find the misty fog of the Shadow Realm looming in the room, but there's none. My eyes widened as I spot Ryou's limp figure on the floor, blood gliding down his neck, a large pool of blood encircling him. I rush over, kneeling down and checking his vital signs. He's still alive…barely.
"Mister Kaiba." I look up to see Gerald standing in the doorway to an adjacent room. I pick up Ryou's listless form, carrying him across the floor.
My eyes widen at the sight. Bakura's naked, bloodied form is tied down on a bed. The entire room looks like a massacre occurred here, blood covering the walls and furniture. Gerald rushes over to the thief, checking for a pulse. I stand in the doorway, narrowing my eyes. Where's Malik?
"Sir, I—I think you should see this," Gerald says in a shaky voice.
I walk over cautiously, still glancing around for any sign of the psychotic yami. My breath catches in my throat when I look down at the Bakura. There are ancient Egyptian symbols carved deep across the yami's chest…recently. Blood is gushing grotesquely from the wounds, pouring down his sides, ribs visible in certain sections. I feel my jaw clench when I make out what it says:
Little toy was broken
But now it has been found.
Spared from torment temporarily
Until master comes round.
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
The three boys have all dozed off on the couch, cuddled against one another. I sigh, walking for the kitchen but not really knowing what to do. I stare down at the dirty dishes in the sink, unable to focus.
Ryou's gone. That sweet, compassionate boy…destroyed by one of the people he cared about most. I could tell Ryou was protective of Bakura. He always had been. I never really understood why…
My thoughts are interrupted at the sound of the telephone. It's most likely Honda. He's been calling at least once an hour to check up on the rest of us and to see if there's any news of Kaiba and Bakura. I sigh, trudging over to the phone and picking it up.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Mr. Mutou?" a young voice asks.
"Mokuba?" I exclaim.
"They found my brother."
"Where is he? Is Bakura with him?" I ask quietly, not wanting to wake the boys.
"I think he's in trouble…there are all these emergency people running about." I can hear the fear in his voice. "They're transporting people to Kaiba Corp. Apparently someone's hurt really bad…" His voice cracks.
"Where are you?" I ask, concerned for the poor boy.
"At the mansion."
"Mokuba, stay right there. I'm coming over," I say.
"…Okay."
I hang up the phone, rushing over to put on my coat. I turn to see Jou enter the room, an exhausted look on his face.
"Where are you going, gramps?" he asks in some confusion.
"To Kaiba's mansion. Something's happened," I say quickly, putting my scarf on.
"It's bad?"
"I'm afraid so," I whisper. "Let Yami and Yugi sleep. Could you…stay here until I get back? I'm going to make sure Mokuba's all right."
The blonde gives me thumbs up. "Already on it, gramps."
I manage to smile before rushing out the door, heart pounding frantically in my chest.
Yesss! our Malik is SOOOO disturbing! (it's only begun, sweeties)
Kura: -.-; This is so not fair. I'm getting the shit beaten out of me.
Malik: (licks blood on lips) hehe.
Yami: I'm so damn emotional! I want revenge! Why am I just sitting around on my ass?
Ferris: o.-...
Kura: And who's this Gerald freak anyway?
Ferris: (rolls eyes) Believe me, you do NOT want to be insulting him. He's an essential character, honey.
Malik: I will make him bleed. Mwahahahaa!
Ferris: Umm...no, actually you won't.
Malik: >. ;
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