(hisses) They want me to talk to psychiatrists! (claws at) Like HELL!...(readers: O.o...) Heh. Hi guys! Another early update! My life's a mess! Whoot!
StormySkys: Ack! Don't kick the other readers. (now I'll have to inform Roku that you kicked them) -.-; why do I have a bad feeling about this? Yeesh. (grabs root beer from Malik and chugs it down) Ahhhh...that's slightly better. I actually don't like Mr. Mutou...so I've changed him. I like him in my fics! (hugs self) Good ferris. Gooood. (readers: O.o...) hehe.
Lily: Yay! You reviewed again! And look: I've updated again early! Booya!
Roku: Um...I'm afraid I have to inform you that StormySkys kicked you for kicking Malik (backs up in case big kicking contest starts) Just thought I'd let you know...-.o...O.O...Sugar-fied candy?...(grabs greedily) Whoot!
Tabby: (sighs) Yes I DO review early. Far too often, in fact. Yeesh. I'm such a weakling...oh well...You have many questions about what shall befall the characters now that they're all together in the building...(smirk) Some of the questions will be answered in this chapter...some won't. (cackles) I'm soooo clever! -.o...anyhoo, I'm glad you liked Honda's POV.I try to give him something in this fic. He gets more of a roll in Screams of Shadows, I'm afraid. Ah well, can't win 'em all.
Silver Mirror: (smiles) Yes. I'm evil. The cliffie at the end of this chapter is--in my most highest opinion--the worst of the whole story. (cackles insanely) Oh I'm soooo evil! (hugs self)
Skittles the Sugar Fairy: (smirk) You'll hunt Yami down if he hurts Kura, eh? (laughs) You want a happy ending but also an angst-filled one?...hmm...let me put it this way: it's not totally happy but not a miserable tragedy either. (smiles weakly)
blackalbino: (pulls blackalbino off Kaiba) now now! You can't kill him! I NEED him for the story! His part isn't over yet, indeed NOT! Don'tgive up on him yet! He might redeem himself! (smiles secretly)...or not...Heh. That wasn't a cliffie of doom. This is!
spryte: I'm glad you're liking the story so much. Hmmm (Holds bag of cookies over unconcious Kura) No, I guess he won't be eating these right now. But fear not! I'll protect them for him! (runs off with bag)
Under Finger and Thumb: Argh! Where'd you all get these poking sticks of doom from anyway? (snaps sticks on knee) Stupid sticks. (looks innocent) Me? BAD? (smiles sweetly) I've not a clue what you mean, honey. (tries to look angelic) Don't like Jou, eh? Ya, he doesn't get to do very much in this fic. He has a much bigger role in my other fic Screams of Shadows. Me likes him there. (hugs Jou)
wolfjessica5: (head starts bloating) Aieee! you've fed my ego! (sticks pin into head. Head deflates) There. That's better. Here's another early update for you, honey! (huggles)
silva moonlite: Yay! Another reviewer! (embraces tightly) Hi! So glad you've joined us. (smirk) don't want to be left hanging? (glances at end of chapter) oooooh dear...
Satra: Yes, Marik and Kura at the gameshop. Can anyone say "madness"? (smirk) Actually, they're not the ones you should be worried about misbehaving...(you're gonna hate me) (runs away)
DreamingChild: (laughs) You really don't like Yami, do you? Well, anyhoo, your injured bishonen forcefield is gonna have to come down...Sorry honey. I've got blood to spill and stories to finish! Yay!
KeraJeir: Do you not know what pixie sticks are or do you not know how to spell it? Cause if you haven't had them I'm going to track you down and mail a box of 'em to you! The sheep? (shrugs) blackalbino sent them to Kura and Yami.
MoonWolf2000: -.o...Marik's whor...er...Nursemaid, eh? (smirk) you do that, honey. I love your poems. Stop frikin' dissing them! (huggles tightly) I wuv you!
Freedom ofDarkness: (breaks stick of doom) Ha! Take THAT! (stomps on stick of doom's remains) Die! diediediedie! (pants heavily) Huh...I feel...better. (beams) Yay! "like a petulant child"? Honey, you ARE a petulant child! (dodges punches) hehehe! No wait, you're a psychiatrist! Aieeee! (screams as freedom tackles)
Broken Mirrors and Tainted Souls: (sighs) Yes everyone's angry at our Kura...well...no, that's not quite true...as you find out in this chappie. (winces) you also find out some people are VERY angry at him...(enough said)
dragonlady222: Hmm, think there's no happy ending? Welllll...it depends on which characters are your favorites I suppose...you also have to put into account the situation...I'd say it's pretty damn happy given the circumstances. Don't worry, it's not a complete tragedy! (huggles)
TheGodFish: (tackles affectionately) I love you! you're so sweet. Don't worry, the chapter you all have been anticipating is coming up...next chappie! (readers: -.-;) hehe!
Kit-Cat-Caitlin: (sighs in aggrivation) I haven't had a chance to look up the piccie yet! My computer's been doing strange things! Yeehs! Me hates machines...almost as much as me hates maths...almost...
moonlit-leaf: I'm glad you found Seto convincing. Yes! Marik has returned to us! (huggles blonde hikari tightly) Why must I torture you with the cliffies? (shrugs) For my own amusement. (snickers) I love to watch you guys squirm!
Bluegrass Elf: (pouts) Did anyone ever take into account that maybe I'D like come pixie sticks too? Oh noooo. Let's give everything to the characters! Let's forget about the stupid authoress that updates at the least once a frikin' week! (sobs melodramatically) Oh the pain!...(reorganizes self) Well, I'll get my revenge. This cliffie ought to do quite nicely. Mwahahaha!
Wishfull-Thinker: Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou! I did NOT realize that thing you informed me about the "feel". I didn't even realize I was doing that! (huggles tightly) I wuv you! Also, I don't necessarily think I write better in past tense...HOWEVER: when I write in third person I do manage to get a lot more details in. It's hard to do in first person because the character need to focus on a lot of things...ya.
This chapter is being dedicated to silva moonlite (our newest reviewer) and also to Wishfull-Thinker for the excellent pointers! Whoot!
NOTE: This is one of my favorites of all my poems. It was actually written for this story. So whoot to that! Secondly: this is the fucker of all evil cliffies! Thou hast been forwarned! Mwahahaha! Onward!
Heartache
It only hurts when I blink.
There's only pain when I breathe.
My heart only aches when it beats
And won't cease for my tears and pleas.
It only burns when I swallow;
In my throat is lodged a sharp stone.
It only seethes when blood flows through my veins
Not stopped by some cork made of chrome.
It only stings when I envision your smile
Or imagine your warm embrace.
I wish my life would cease to be
Whenever I see your face.
Chapter 26: Strangers?
(Yami's POV)
Is that loud banging in my ears my heartbeat? I can't hear anything but it. My vision's swimming. The entire room's spinning. I can vaguely hear someone shouting in the back of my mind. I can't understand what the person is saying though.
He's here. The person who destroyed Ryou. The person who's caused me and everyone else so much pain. It's all because of him.
"Yami!" I come out of my shock at the feeling of someone grasping my arm.
I turn to see Mr. Mutou standing there with a concerned look on his face. Yugi and Jou rush in with Marik right behind them, both letting out a shout of astonishment at the limp figure lying on the bed. I stare at the bastard.
"Yami?...Yami, look at me." I force myself to turn to Mr. Mutou, though I glare over at the thief out of the corner of my eye.
"What's he doing here?" I hiss venomously, Shadow magic crackling about me.
"Yami, listen…"
"NO! How could you do this? He's the whole reason Ryou's gone!" I scream, body trembling in uncontrollable fury.
"Oh like you're any more innocent than he is," Marik growls from the doorway.
"Excuse me?" I snarl advancing on the young Egyptian.
"You gave Ryou that fucking spell in the first place. What was Bakura supposed to think?" Marik hisses.
"He could have asked Ryou!" I shout angrily. The form on the bed mumbles incoherently, shuddering.
"Boys boys!" Mr. Mutou hushes us desperately.
"He could have left. He had the chance to leave and he chose instead to kill Ryou. The bastard deserves worse than death," Jou growls darkly. "Why is he in here?"
Mr. Mutou sighs. "He was attacked and tortured by Malik. Kaiba had him locked up and drugged in some laboratory. He was tied down to some iron-hard bed and left there with a tube down his throat. I couldn't leave him like that."
"Yes you damn well could have!" Jou snarls glaring over at the still form.
"What was that, Jou?" Mr. Mutou asks darkly. The blonde backs down, intimidated.
"Get him out of here," I whisper heinously.
Mr. Mutou looks over at me, raising his eyebrows. "What?"
"Get him out. I don't want him here," I repeat, glaring over at the form.
He smiles grimly. "This is my house, Yami. I'll be the one calling the shots of who leaves and who can stay. I'm not sending him back to Kaiba. Ryou wouldn't want that for Bakura."
"He didn't know the psycho was going to obliterate him," Jou mutters.
"That's enough. All of you back downstairs."
"No, I won't…" I begin.
"NOW." There's a look on the elderly man's face that leaves no room for discussion.
I back down, never having seen Mr. Mutou so infuriated before. I'll have to accept the situation for the time being. We all trudge out of the room in silence. I glare back at the unconscious thief…the thief who stole everything from me. I'll make him pay for that. I'll make him regret ever being born.
(Yugi's POV)
I can't believe Grandpa! How could he? After everything Bakura's done to us…I shake my head, unable to focus. Bakura's in our house. We're protecting the person who's…
"Yami?" I ask uncertainly as he strides for the door.
"I need some time alone, aibou," he mutters, slamming the door behind him as he leaves the house, causing the walls to vibrate.
I wince, glancing over to Jou and Marik who are in a heated argument. Marik's sitting on the couch, bandaged hands resting in his lap. Jou's standing in front of him, face beet red. They're growling insults at one another, the argument ceasing to be an argument and becoming a cursing contest. I sigh heavily, trudging back up the stairs and into my room, trying to keep my eyes from glancing at Grandpa's bedroom door as I pass by.
My heart wrenches as I slump onto my bed, unsure of what to do now. There are so many questions whizzing through my head. I glance down at my hands and realize they're clenched tightly together and trembling. I've never felt so helpless, so out of control. Why is all this happening? It didn't have to be this way. Why would those two kill Ryou? Was it really worth Yami's misery to murder someone so innocent?
There's a soft knock on the door.
"Yes?" I ask, sitting up.
Grandpa enters, face grim. "Yugi, I know you're angry right now…"
"I'm not mad at you, Grandpa," I answer quietly. "It's…I don't even know who I'm mad at. A lot of people, I guess. This is all so complicated."
Grandpa nods, eyes downcast. "I couldn't leave him, Yugi. You should have seen how they were treating him. It was like he was a lab rat or some science project. It was the sickest thing I've ever seen." He walks over, sitting down on the bed next to me. "I know that's not what Ryou would have wanted for him…Bakura was the world to that boy."
I can hear the tremor in his voice as he says the last sentence, hiding his face in his hand and turning away from me. I lean over and put an arm around him, his shoulders jolting slightly in silent sobs. The tears trail down my face now, unable to hold them back any longer. It hurts. Gods, why does it have to hurt so much? We sit there together in the dimness of the room, sobbing against each other for a long time. I finally let out all my emotions, thoroughly drained physically. I don't heed the tears pouring from my eyes or the way my chest is heavy and aching. I try not to concentrate on anything, just trying to accept that what has happened has indeed happened.
We both jerk slightly at a thump coming from across the hall. We look at one another only momentarily before rushing out the door and into Grandpa's room. The bed's empty. I hurry around it to find Bakura's trembling form struggling to sit up from where he's collapsed on the floor. His breathing is harsh, entire body bony. He's clad in a pair of white shorts that they'd dressed him in back at Kaiba Corp. His arms and legs are covered in bruises and stitches. Bandages are covering his torso, especially thick on his chest. I can hear his breath hissing as he wheezes. Grandpa comes over slowly, kneeling down in front of the yami.
"Bakura," he says gently.
The thief's head shoots up. Gods he looks horrible. Black bruises are under both his eyes, stitches and contusions lining his face. There's blood matted in his hair and clotted in the corners of his eyes as well. His eyes hold a wild, terrified look, entire body trembling violently. I kneel down slowly next to Grandpa, not sure what to do. I've never seen anyone in such a state before.
"It's all right," Grandpa continues in a calm voice now that the yami is aware of our presence. "No one's going to hurt you." He moves forward only to have the thief cringe, backing away.
Gods, what did Malik do to him? This isn't the Bakura I've met before. The yami I knew was cold with a sense of pride and unwavering determination. Now he's been reduced to…this. When we came in here earlier it was obvious he'd been hurt, but I had no idea it was so bad. Bakura pants heavily, breathing ragged. He doesn't speak, eyeing us warily.
"Bakura, listen to me," Grandpa tries again. "We got you out of Kaiba Corp. You're at our house now. We want to help you but you have to let us near you." The thief shuffles away further until he's pressed against the wall.
"N—no."
My heart wrenches at the sound of his voice. It's cracked and broken, his throat raw no doubt from the tube Kaiba's doctors put down it. Grandpa's face is ashen, looking with pity at the person who's caused us so much misery. How can I hate the thief? He's been completely torn apart. This is one of the people Ryou cared the most about. The least we can do is try to help him, if not for his sake then for his hikari's.
"It's okay, Bakura," I say softly. He turns to look at me, eyes distrustful and frightened.
I freeze. I wasn't prepared for that. No one's ever looked at me like that before. It's a look of complete hopelessness…of someone whose soul's been utterly crushed.
"Gramps!" Jou voice calls.
We tense at the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Grandpa stands and hurries to the door.
"Jou, quiet please!" he says imploringly.
"What's going on?" I hear Jou ask from the doorway.
I look back over at Bakura who's staring at me. What should I say? Should I try to go near him? I shift slightly and he flinches, backing up more against the wall.
"He's awake."
"And?"
"Can I see him?" a third voice asks quietly. Marik.
There's utter silence for a moment. Bakura and I stare at one another, me straining to hear what Grandpa's answer will be.
"It's worth a try."
I avert my gaze from Bakura as the three of them enter the room. Jou's face is tense, eyes still blazing. His expression drops when he spots the thief huddled in the corner against the wall like a trapped wild animal. Grandpa puts a hand on my shoulder, urging me to stand.
"Back away, Yugi," he whispers, nodding to Marik to go forward.
(Marik's POV)
My stomach churns when I spot him quivering in the corner, covered in bandages. I'd seen the state he was in while he was still unconscious from the drugs but…his eyes.
He spots me and whimpers, curling up more. I realize that he probably thinks I'm Malik. I kneel down, looking at his eyes. They're wide but blurred. The drugs haven't worn off completely yet, his mind still hazy.
"Hey Bakura," I say gently, edging myself forward.
He presses his back against the wall, eyes becoming all the more terrified when he realizes there's nowhere left to go. I continue to move forward, him all the while staring at me pleadingly.
"It's Marik. You know me. Malik's not here, okay? He can't hurt you," I say firmly yet in a gentle voice.
He looks at me, brow creased with uncertainty. The drugs and trauma are no doubt giving him a hard time processing things. I'm only inches away from him now, reaching out to touch his face. He flinches, turning his face away.
"Bakura, look at me," I whisper, touching his arm with my bandaged hand.
He slowly turns his head so we're face to face.
"…Marik?" he asks weakly, a glint of hope in his eyes.
I smile, nodding. I reach out and pull him against me. Gods he's trembling violently. He lets forth a sob, burying his face against my chest, entire form shuddering.
"Ra, what did he do to you?" I whisper, gently rocking him as he clings to me. "I swear I'll make that bastard pay for this."
(Yugi's POV)
We sit on the bed, Bakura the only one laying down. He's curled up against Marik who's draping an arm around the thief protectively. Jou's sitting on the edge of the bed, still staring at Bakura in disbelief. Grandpa has a wet washcloth, gently cleaning the blood off the yami. I sit next to Grandpa holding a bowl full of warm water. At first the thief wouldn't let Grandpa touch him but with Marik's gentle coaxing finally permitted it.
"How's Kaiba holding up?" Jou asks gruffly, trying to make it appear that he doesn't care.
Grandpa sighs heavily, immersing the washcloth in the bowl of water. "Horrible. I can only hope things will get easier now that Mokuba's with him."
"I still can't believe he and Ryou were friends," I muse, staring down at the water in the bowl that's mixing with the blood, little swirls of red twirling about in it. Bakura begins quaking, eyes clouding.
"Perhaps we shouldn't talk about that right now," Grandpa says softly noting the thief's despairing reaction, gently scrubbing the blood from the corner of Bakura's eye who winces in response. "Am I hurting you?"
"I'm fine," is the desolate reply.
"Bakura, I want to know if I'm being too rough," Grandpa says firmly, turning the thief's face slightly with his hand to get to his other eye.
"Doesn't matter," Bakura mumbles, eyes downcast.
Grandpa stops, sitting back. "Yes it does. I don't want to hurt you."
Bakura looks up with a miserable, questioning expression.
"Why are you helping me?"
We all stare at him in surprise. He holds his gaze, though is slightly meeker now that we're all looking at him.
"No one should have to go through what happened to you," Grandpa whispers reaching out and wiping more dried blood from the thief's face.
Bakura stares back at Grandpa as he continues his ministrations. It's hard to name the expression on the yami's worn face. Slowly he begins to settle down. He sighs shakily, closing his eyes and relaxing under the touch. Marik looks down fondly at the figure in his arms, eyes full of concern as we all sit in silence.
(Marik's POV)
Damn it. I thought I could protect him. I thought I could give him all he'd ever need. I can see now this isn't the case. He needs all of these people, not just me. He needs the person he loves the most. My jaw clenches as I picture Yami's enraged face when he'd spotted the thief. It was a look of pure hatred. He doesn't know then. I'll tell him as soon as he gets back and end all this pointless drama. Bakura needs not only his love and support now but his protection as well. Malik's still out there.
I sigh as the others continue talking quietly, shutting out their voices. Bakura's asleep, head resting against my chest. His breathing is harsh and uneven, those broken ribs and other wounds no doubt causing him an immense amount of pain with every breath. My vision blurs as I stare at his face. He's not mine. He never was. I can see that now. I can't give him what he needs. And what he needs is Yami.
(Bakura's POV)
I wince in pain as I awake from an uneasy sleep, glancing around warily. The room is empty save for me and Yugi who's sitting on the edge of the bed staring off at nothing. I swallow, my throat raw, unsure of what to do. Is this all just pity?
"Oh, you're awake," Yugi says suddenly, smiling at me nervously.
I nod, slowly sitting up a bit, leaning against a pillow for support. Gods, everything hurts. I've never been in so much physical pain in my life. That's saying something. I was tortured in the dungeons back in ancient Egypt. I've got to hand it to Malik, I'd choose the dungeons over him any day.
"How…how do you feel?" Yugi asks softly, shifting timidly.
I can't say I blame him. I must look awful. Plus, he doesn't know he's been with me the past six months, not Ryou. Ryou…I feel a lump rise in my throat. He's dead. When I became conscious at Kaiba Corp. the guard who'd been left in charge of me back on the mountain came and told me. That'd been the last straw for me. I lost it. I'd killed Ryou, been shunned by the people I cared about, tortured, fucked over, and lost Ryou for the second time. I close my eyes, fighting back my emotions. Hearing Yugi shuffle on the edge of the bed uneasily I open my eyes to see him still watching me.
"Like shit," I mumble.
He grins. "You look like it too." Whoa now…
I manage a weak smile at that for a moment. As I look at him my expression darkens again.
"Why are you talking to me? Shouldn't you be off plotting my destruction or something like that?" I ask quietly, averting my eyes from his.
I flinch involuntarily when he crawls over to me so we're only about half a foot apart. I look up, our eyes meeting. He's staring at mine with compassion…trust. I feel my heart melt, remembering how open-minded he has always been. Some people would consider that a weakness. I disagree. This takes a lot of guts…and understanding. I know for a fact I'll never be like him. I'm not strong enough. It's funny really; he's such a short little shrimp…
"Why'd you kill Ryou?" he whispers, tears lining his eyes but he fights them.
I stare at him in silence for a moment. I will answer him. I have to answer him. He deserves at least that much after all the grief I've caused. It's funny really. I don't think I could cry even if I wanted to. I'm emotionally drained as well as physically.
"I was…frightened," I murmur.
He swallows, a crystal gem escaping his violet eye. He looks at me mournfully, his lower lip trembling.
"He…cared about you," he whispers softly, unsure of what my reaction to that will be.
I sigh heavily, staring down at my scuffed up hands.
"I know."
He takes a deep breath. "He wanted you to be happy. I…want to make sure that happens someday." I look up at him in surprise. "I…you asked earlier why we were helping you," he adds as a reason for what he's just told me.
We stare at one another for a long time. Neither of us speaks. It's not an awkward silence though. There's nothing to say. I look deeply into his violet eyes that stare back, strong and determined to continue living. I've never met anyone like this kid before. We both turn when there's the sound of footsteps on the stairs. A moment later Jou enters, stopping when he sees the two of us so close to one another.
"Uh…Yugi, Gramps wants you to help him with something downstairs really quick. It'll only take a second," Jou says uncomfortably, avoiding my eyes.
Yugi nods, turning to me. "Will you be all right for a moment?"
I nod, unable to think of anything to say. He smiles, getting up and following Jou who's already going back down the stairs.
"Yugi," I suddenly say before I can stop myself.
He turns, giving me a concerned look. "Yes?"
I smile. "I'm never going Christmas shopping with you again."
He freezes, staring at me in complete shock. I watch his expression play across his face, realization dawning on him. His mouth is hanging open in revelation, unable to find any words. Jou suddenly appears in the doorway again.
"Yug, Gramps is getting impatient. Come on." He grabs the boy by the shoulder, steering him away. Yugi looks back at me, eyes wide still in disbelief at what he's finally realized. I smile slightly as he disappears with the blonde. Finally, someone knows.
I sigh heavily, leaning back against the pillow. Ra, I need some pain pills. Lots of them. I struggle to sit up more but collapse back against the bed with a yelp. I wince, moaning at the pain that's erupted all over my body. My ears perk when I sense someone coming up the stairs again. I prop myself on my right elbow, looking over to the door. My heart drops when the person enters.
"Well look what we have here," he hisses venomously, striding toward me.
"Yami…" I whisper shakily, backing up against the head frame of the bed.
I let out cry of pain as he lunges, fingers wrapping around my cut up throat. I stare up in complete fear into his eyes. They're insane, sharp like a diamond's razor edges. I try to speak, unable to make a sound as he increases the pressure on my neck. He leans over me so our faces are an inch apart.
"I'll make you regret what you've done," he whispers vituperatively, Millennium symbol glowing on his forehead. "It's time to die."
(cackles) Ooooh yessss! What now! THAT, my friends, is a cliffie. (dodges knives and fruit) yeesh.
Kura: Ack! What the fuck! Someone get him offa me!
Yami: (in trance) Die you! Diediedie!
Malik: (sitting next to Kaiba on sidelines) So what do you think?
Kaiba: (shrugs) I alread know, but like hell I'll give it away.
Kura: Heeeeeeelp!
Yami: Diediediediediediediedie!
Yugi: (to Kaiba and Malik) Umm...could you guys come help possibly?
Malik: Hmmm...(smirks evilly)
Kaiba: (pretending to not pay attention)
Ferris: (downing cookies)
Yugi: -.-;...um...review...I guess...