Hello everyone. I'm doing an extremely early update due partially to the new reviewers, your pleadings, and because I'm seriously depressed right now. Everything's going so horribly in my life. Need something uplifting...even though the chapter's not really...-.-;
redphoniex: Can't wait until Yami finds out the truth, eh? (grins) Yes, you all want to see that. It's in two chappies from now. I'm glad you liked the background I gave. Here's the next one, like you wanted!
Tabby: (sighs) Yes Ryou's gone. No one's asking for him to come back anymore! Yay! (readers: ;;) hehe...ahem...I'm glad the flashback worked. I was extremely nervous about you guys' reaction to it! So whoot!
Silver Mirror: Glad you liked the chappie. There are 32 chapters in all so that means...(pauses to count on fingers)...erm...7 chapters left. (I'm bad at maths) -.-;...as you know from A Passion of Sorts. (smiles) That was sooo much fun to write...O.o...sorry, I'm babbling again...
Skittles and Sugar Fairy: Yay! A new reviewer! (embraces tightly) So you want to know what Yami and Yugi will do when they find out the truth? (smiles) Yes, that seems to be the new thing you're all demanding. It's coming in...two chappies, me thinks. Please review again! I loves to hear from you all!
Roku: (laughs) Finally! Someone kicked Malik! Lovely. I'm so glad you've reviewed! Please don't stop now! I wanna hear from you again, k? (huggles)
MoonWolf2000: So I hear you chatted with my sister today. (smiles) She said you showed her some of your poems! Yay! I'm glad you've started writing poems again! Stop giving those two cookies! Argh!
KeraJeir: (growls) All of you people are giving them cookies! Dammit! (struggles to get sugar away from Yamis) Yes Kaiba's unfair. (like that's new...)
Zoe: Yay! Another new person! (pounces on) HI! (zoe: O.o) Yes, how Yami will react...you'll find out in this chappie. Yay! Pleasepleaseplease review again! (puppy dog eyes)
Under Finger and Thumb: (cackles) You thought THAT was bad? Just wait until the end of this chapter...hehehe! (readers: GLARE) hehehe! oh yes!...Umm...you going on about Kura and Yami's sex life...that just disturbed me. (a lot) You want Seto to date...grandpa? (bangs head on table) I'm never going to understand you, honey. (smiles) Hey! Not another poker! Too many of your people poke! Gah! (puts on anti-poking lotion) Ha! What now, foo? We should make a group that doesn't fit in with the social freaks? Oooh that's me and my friends at school! We're anti-prep! Whoot!
Satra: (glares) You're all going against my wishes and feeding the yamis! Grrr...What will kura thinks when he hears about Ryou? (smiles secretly)
DarkAngstKoi: Meh! Will you peoples just pick a name already? Yeesh you're confusing me!...um...perhaps I'll send you both some nice helmets to protect your heads from...banging into things...(though i fear it may already be too late) (winks)
Spryte: Resurrected Ryou, eh? Yeah, you can keep him for the rest of the story. It's not like he's going anywhere. You get so see his corpse in this chappie! (crickets)...er...or maybe that's baaaad...(smiles innocently)
moonlit-leaf: I'm glad you liked Seto's breakdown. I know it was un-seto like. It WAS convincing though...wasn't it? (looks hopeful for answer)
wolfjessica5: Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! (tackles) That's the kind of praise me loves to hear! I LOVE YOU! (huggles tightly)
DreamingChild: Yes! YES! Sedatives! Thankyou. Everyone else are sugar-highing the yamis. Yeesh. It's getting more and more difficult to control...I have to keep confiscating them...(puts cookies into own mouth.) Mmmm!
dragonlady222: (sighs) I know it was sad, honey. It'll be all right though. Trust me. (crosses fingers behind back)
KilaCrystal102: Stupid computers. My sympathies. I have one as well. (glares at monitor) Machines hate me. -.-;
TheGodFish: Mwhahahahahahaha! You thought THAT was a bad cliffie? hehehe. You poor thing. You're gonna kill me after this one...(hides behind couch) Right then, as I've stated to some others: Yami will find out the truth in like two chappies or so. (runs away)
blackalbino: Yay for toy sheep! Whoot! Thank you honey! I love you! (grabs sugar from Seto) That was bad of you though. (seto tackles ferris) Aieeeeeeeeeeee!
Lily: Yes poor poor POOR Seto and Ryou. They were so cute together! (o.O...not like that though) Please review again, honey! Me wants to hear from you again! (huggles tightly)
Wish-full Thinker: Saw a bit of fluff? (glances around) Hmm...perhaps it's from the flashback...Or the sheep that blackalbino just gave Kura and Yami...very possible. I'm glad you liked the flashback. I was extremely nervous about it. You're my best critquer and you gave me thumbs up so I'm relieved. (kowtows)
BluegrassElf: Noooooooooooooo! Not pixie sticks! (snatches bag and downs it) Mmmm...there! It's gone! (Bakura: >. ) Thought that was an evil cliffie?...(backs away and makes a break for it)
There are quite a few new people so I'll just dedicate it all of them: Skittles and Sugar Fairy, Roku, Zoe, and Lily. Chacha! They're one of the main reasons I've updated so quickly so everyone bow to them! Whoot!
NOTE: You're gonna kill me at the end of this chappie...and next chappie...heck, let's just get it over with now, neh? (runs for life)
I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above.
Those that I fight I do not hate
Those that I guard I do not love.
--Yeats
Chapter 25: Intervention
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
Mokuba embraces his brother who has a look of shock on his face. The poor CEO's face is worn, eyes dismal. His clothing is wrinkled, the same outfit he was wearing on Christmas Eve when he came over to the shop. I feel my chest ache as he kneels down and buries his face in his brother's hair. The younger boy is crying against him.
I stand off to the side with Roland, feeling slightly uncomfortable at being a witness to such a personal reunion. I glance around Seto and immediately regret it. I can make out Ryou's body from here, skin even paler than usual. I close my eyes, turning away. Roland seems to catch on, quietly moving around the embracing brothers and closing the morgue door. I nod thanks to him, him nodding back.
Seto finally stands, Mokuba's arms still tightly around his waist. The older brother turns his weary blue eyes to me.
"What are you doing here?" he asks gruffly. Nice to see he hasn't changed. -.-
"He's been taking care of me, niisama," Mokuba whispers before I can speak.
Seto's face holds a look of slight surprise. I smile kindly at Mokuba who returns with a weak grin.
"Thank you."
I look up at Seto in surprise. His face isn't showing any emotion, yet the gratitude means something. I nod in response.
"Is there any way I can repay you?" he asks. I remember now that he hates to owe someone anything.
I feel my face harden slightly. "Yes, actually."
He gives me a questioning look, as if surprised by so sudden an answer. Roland watches me nervously, twiddling his thumbs.
"And that would be?" Seto continues, quirking an eyebrow.
"Where's Bakura?"
(Honda's POV)
We all sit quietly around a table at our favorite restaurant, sipping drinks and sharing a huge plate of cheese-covered French fries. Well, most of us are. Yami's not eating anything. After gentle coaxing, Jou and Yugi convinced him to at least drink something. All three of them look like shit. According to Mr. Mutou, Yami's done nothing but mope around the house. Poor guy.
"So, any news from Mr. Mutou yet?" Otogi asks from beside me.
Yugi shakes his head. "Not yet. Last we heard was Mokuba was beating him at Duel Monsters."
Jou and Otogi snicker. The rest of us freeze, unsure if we should laugh or not considering the somber atmosphere we've had lately. The tension ends when I start chuckling, then Anzu and Yugi join in. Yami stares down at his drink, apparently oblivious to all of us.
"S-sorry," Jou snickers. "I just pictured Gramp's face when Mokuba dropped his life points to zip!" We all burst into a fit of laughter again, this time earning a weak smile from Yami. Finally.
(Mr. Mutou's POV)
We walk in silence down the dark corridor. It's just an empty hall with lots of metal security doors. Our footsteps echo in the gloom. There are cameras set up all along the ceiling. I suppose it makes sense, since he's keeping Bakura here.
Kaiba had adamantly refused to let Mokuba come, leaving the boy with Roland. I trail behind him down the narrow hall, a guard following us carrying a rather large gun. I feel myself bristle. I'm not sure the weapon's really necessary. Kaiba informed me of Malik stealing the ring and bringing about Ryou's death. Apparently a body without a soul cannot fight off injuries well. I feel a knot rise in my throat, the image of Ryou's corpse in the morgue flashing through my mind.
"Here we are," Kaiba smirks, motioning to a white security door tightly sealed with all sorts of alarm systems. "He escaped us once. Never again…" He adds, noting my expression.
He punches in a bunch of codes, also using a card that's around his neck for some security measure. I stand back, waiting. I'm not even sure what I'll say to the thief. Perhaps I'll scream at him or give him a good slap across the face. He certainly deserves more. I'm not the type of person to torture someone though, no matter what they've done. I don't believe that sort of thing solves anything. Kaiba steps back, the door opening to reveal…another door.
"Just what…?" I begin in exasperation.
"He's a thief," Kaiba points out, an almost wicked grin playing across his features.
I feel myself shudder at this as I wait for him to type in all the codes and such to get through this door. I feel my hands sweating. Just what exactly will I say to him? There are a billion questions whizzing through my mind right now. Will he answer any of them though?
The door opens to reveal a sort of viewing area like at a zoo. I feel my stomach churn at the sight of the doctors standing about, talking and drinking coffee as if this is an everyday thing for them. Bile rises in my throat when I see the figure on the other side of the glass. He's strapped down to some metal bed, his arms and legs tied down securely. He's not moving, eyes staring up at the ceiling, not focusing. I'm too far away to see just to what extent he's been ill-treated, but the bandages covering his chest show he's been severely injured. I turn on Kaiba, my eyes flaming.
"Just what do you think you're doing to him?" I hiss angrily.
His eyes don't leave the immobile figure on the other side of the viewing glass, blue depths icy and unfeeling.
"I made a promise to Ryou that I'd take care of him. Let him live."
I growl. "I'm positive this isn't what the boy had in mind."
He shrugs. "This is the best way to contain him. Besides, it's not like he has anywhere else to go."
"Let me in there," I whisper.
He turns and gives me a strange look. "What?"
"You heard me. Let me in there!" I demand, fists clenched.
He stares at me soullessly for a moment before snapping his fingers. The doctors leave, except for one that's manning the controls. A door I didn't notice before opens, allowing access to the small room. Taking a shaky breath I walk in.
I approach the bed, my entire body quivering. I feel my heart wrench at the sight of him. His face is covered in bruises and stitches. His chest is completely covered in bandages. He's wearing some white shorts, some uncomfortable, scratchy material. There's a tube protruding from his mouth. I step up to the bed, staring down at his face. His eyes are unfocused, staring up blankly at the ceiling. He's been drugged.
"What have you done to him?" I hiss, feeling Kaiba's presence behind me.
He snorts. "I've saved his fucking life, that's what I've done. I brought him here instead of leaving him to Malik's sick antics."
I feel myself glare, gently touching the side of the yami's face. He's lucid enough to flinch, turning from my hand and whimpering.
"What was Malik doing with him? I thought Bakura was with you," I whisper, noticing the yami's form is shaking.
Kaiba smirks. "Apparently the thief didn't appreciate our hospitality. He made a break for it and was picked up by the psycho twins."
I look up at this. "What about Marik?"
He frowns at this. "He's here. Malik turned on him apparently. He's demanding to see Bakura but like hell I'll allow that."
"Marik was the other injured?" I whisper, head spinning as all this information is thrown at me. I reach over and run my hand over the tube that's coming out of the thief's mouth.
"That's for feeding him. According to my physicians he wasn't too keen on eating."
"Can you blame him?" I growl. I don't even know why I'm defending him. I can't stand to see someone like this.
"Just whose side are you on?" Kaiba mutters. "I thought you wanted him dead. I thought you'd want revenge for what he did to Ryou."
I feel myself tense, remembering what Mokuba had said about his brother and the hikari.
"I know the two of you were friends," I say softly.
He doesn't reply. At that moment a doctor walks into the room, handing Kaiba a clipboard with a stack of papers attached to it.
"Sir, an updated version of his condition, as you requested."
"Whatever," Kaiba mutters, tossing the clipboard over to the flustered guard and storming out of the room.
"May…I see it?" I ask.
The guard nods, handing it over to me. I reach out, hands trembling. My god, there must be twenty pages! My eyes widen as I read the first line describing his condition when they'd brought him in, one word in particular jumping out at me. I glance over pityingly at the person who's caused the people I've cared about so much pain.
(Marik's POV)
"Opening this fucking thing right now!" I scream banging my fists on the metal door of my prison.
The room' s about 6' by 6'. How can they lock me up in here? Of course, Kaiba probably thinks I was in on whatever went on in that room. Well he might damn think differently if he gave me a chance to speak! Bastard.
"Damn it, Kaiba! Open this fucking door right now!" I continue to rant, ramming myself against it.
I stumble back in surprise when I hear the locks undo. The door creaks open to Kaiba, a guard, and…Mr. Mutou?
"What is it going to take for you to sit still?" Kaiba scowls. "You've most likely broken more ribs whamming against the door like that."
I frown, my side throbbing slightly. Mr. Mutou's staring at me strangely.
"Where's Bakura?" I growl, already in a bad mood for being locked up in this crummy little room.
"That's none of your concern," Kaiba retorts.
"Like hell it isn't!" I hiss, starting forward.
"Why do you want to see Bakura?" Mr. Mutou asks softly.
I stop, glancing over at him. "I care about him…What the hell are you doing here anyway?"
He smiles slightly. "Checking in on him. What are you doing here?"
I glower. "That's a good question. One that nobody's given me an answer to yet."
Mr. Mutou glares over at Kaiba who's annoyed expression doesn't change. The guard stands at the door, blocking the only exit.
"I do not trust you on the streets. Besides, if what you say is true then Malik will be after you as well," Kaiba states.
I sneer. "I'm not afraid of that piece of shit. When I get my hands on him…"
"Which you won't be doing any time soon judging by the looks of them."
I glance down to find my fingers all broken, bloodied and crooked. I wince, noticing the pain for the first time. Mr. Mutou steps forward and gently grasps my wrist, examining my busted hands.
"What happened?" he asks, turning and giving Kaiba a glare that clearly states: You had better not have done this.
As much as I'd like to lay the blame on the CEO, now's not the time. "Must've happened when I was trying to get out…"
"In other words, flinging yourself against a metal door," Kaiba mutters rolling his cynical blue eyes.
"You shut up!" I growl, Mr. Mutou restraining me from lunging at the pompous bastard.
"Could you get someone in here to clean his hands up? Otherwise this is going to get infected," Mr. Mutou states, forcing me back over where we both sit down on the small bed in the corner. The guard nods, leaving the room.
Kaiba remains impassive, staring at me with his piercing eyes. I glare back.
"So where's Bakura?" I ask again.
"I already told you…"
"Seto."
We both turn to Mr. Mutou who's looking over firmly at the CEO.
"What?"
"I'll take Marik to stay at the game shop." What?
He smirks. "If you want him. He's been nothing but a pain in the ass since he's gotten here." I think I'll ignore that comment. -.-;
"Is that all right with you, Marik?" Mr. Mutou asks turning to me.
I shrug. "Personally, I'd rather not stay under the same roof as the pharaoh…"
"Ungrateful as ever…" I hear Kaiba mutter under his breath. .
"Oh, I think we might be able to work something out…" Mr. Mutou smiles.
I narrow my eyes. "What do you have in mind?"
(Yugi's POV)
We start back for the game shop in a slightly lighter mood. Yami's even made a joke or two. I can't thank everyone enough for helping cheer him up a bit. I'm not a fool though. I know we still have a long road ahead of us. It was just nice to have things a little more back how they used to be.
"Well, that was fun," Jou grins as we approach the door of the game shop.
"I must admit it was," Yami smiles, eyes still burdened but not as sad as before.
I nod, reaching into my pocket to get my keys only to notice the OPEN sign in the window. Curious, I reach forward to find the door unlocked.
"Gramps is finally back then!" Jou beams, the three of us entering the shop.
"Grandpa, we're home!" I yell excitedly racing through the shop into the living room.
I skid to a halt, my eyes widening in shock. Marik's lazing around the couch, both hands covered in bandages. He sits up when he notices us, Jou and Yami now standing behind me.
"What are you doing here?" Jou growls striding forward threateningly.
Marik smirks, leaning his head back. "Easy now, mutt. I've been invited here this time."
"What?" Yami asks, voice menacing.
Marik snickers. I scowl. I've never liked him. He's so…he makes me uncomfortable.
"Ah boys, you're back," Grandpa says, entering from the kitchen with a dishtowel in hand.
"Gramps, what's he doing here?" Jou asks, looking at Marik like he's some type of parasite.
To our surprise, Grandpa frowns. "Now let's not rush into another argument. We all have a common enemy here, so Marik will be staying with us for the time being."
My eyes widen in shock when he says this. Has Grandpa lost his mind?
Yami stares at the other Egyptian curiously. "What's going on? What happened to you?" he asks noting the bandages covering the other. Marik's arm is in a sling and a thick layer of bandages visible under his shirt.
Marik smiles grimly. "Malik."
I feel my stomach churn. "I…don't get it…"
Grandpa sighs heavily. "There are some things I need to tell you, boys. I went to Kaiba Corp today."
Yami becomes more alert at this statement. "Who was hurt? Who died?"
Grandpa's eyes go dark at this. "Yami…"
My darker half begins to tremble, backing away from us. "No….not Ryou," he whimpers.
I glance over at Marik who stares back at me mournfully. I feel my knees weaken. He's really gone now. Not only his soul, but his body too. Jou wraps an arm around my shoulder.
"Damn that tomb robber," Jou hisses angrily.
Marik rounds on him before Grandpa can speak. "It wasn't him. It was Malik."
"Why?" I whisper nervously. "What good would killing Ryou do?"
Marik grins dismally. "That." He nods toward Yami who's sobbing against Grandpa.
I feel my heart wrench. Damn, I thought we'd gotten over the worst. I turn back to Marik.
"All right, what happened?"
(Yami's POV)
I sit next to Yugi numbly as Mr. Mutou tells us what Kaiba had informed him. Ryou's dead. Malik's after me, according to Marik, doing whatever he can to make me miserable. I must admit he's doing a hell of a job. Apparently Marik and Bakura were the two injured; that Bakura escaped from Kaiba and was then captured by Malik. I feel my blood boil. Bakura…I don't give a damn that Malik's after me. Bakura's the one who destroyed Ryou. My grievances with him are much more numerous than with Malik. I'll deal with the blonde psycho later.
I stand up, unable to listen to any more. I've lost too much. I'm not ready to talk about this yet. They all give me anxious looks.
"I'm going up to rest for a while," I state, starting for the stairs.
"Yami," Mr. Mutou begins. "There's something else."
"You know what? I can't deal with any more right now!" I hiss, racing up the stairs before he or anyone else can say another word.
I stop at the top of the stairs at a noise. It sounded like a whimper. I turn, staring at Mr. Mutou's bedroom door that's opened a crack. I ignore the others continuous calling downstairs, cautiously approaching the door. I push it open, taking a step inside. I squint my eyes slightly as they adjust to the dimness of the room, heart rising into my throat as I recognize the still form lying on the bed. Bakura.
Whoot for Marik and the humor he brings!
(dodges knives and fruit) Heh. So I take it you liked the cliffie? (readers: GLARE)
Great news! I'm currently working on chapter 6 of Son of Apophis! If I can keep it up I'll be far enough along on it to start posting it on the site by the time this story's through! Whoot!
Yami: Give us back our cookies!
Kura: Yeah! And my pixie sticks!
Seto: Yeah! I finally have fans in this fic! I want my cookies!
Malik: xx...(heh, one of you kicked him)
ferris: Urp...(smiles blissfully)
Yami: -.- I hate you. (plays with toy sheep)
Seto: I wanna toy sheep too! (pounces on Yami)
Yami: Neh! Give it back! (two of them wrestle on floor)
Kura: (runs off with his own toy sheep)
Malik: xx
Ferris: (stuffing confiscated sweets into mouth)
Mmmm...oh yeah, REVIEW! (burps)