Chapter Three- The Problem

Ryou laughed as Jono related a tale from his and Seto's childhood. "He actually hit someone? That doesn't sound like priest material."

"I was a child," Seto protested. "And I was defending myself."

"He was," Jono agreed. "Himself and me. I can defend myself but as it was two on one, Seto jumped in."

"But it was over something so silly."

"It was food," Jono said. "In our time, that is a precious commodity and it was stolen from my parents' storage bin."

Ryou's smile vanished. "My apologies."

Jono smiled brightly. "It's okay." He looked mischievously at Seto. "Maybe I could tell you about Seto's first attempt at horseback riding." Jono started laughing hard. "Oh, it was priceless!"

Ryou giggled at the sour look on Seto's face. "Jono, that isn't necessary," the priest said.

"Embarrassed?" Jono teased.

Rallying, Seto said, "Your first attempt wasn't any better."

Ryou giggled harder at Jono's red face. He was enjoying Jono's company and his good-natured teasing of Seto who didn't hesitate to tease back. The blonde-brown boy was like Joey in some ways, but different in other ways; for one thing, he liked to learn unlike Joey. Ryhou knew Jono's passion for learning was because most commoners in Ancient Egypt didn't receive formal education.

"I understand your village was attacked and burned," Ryou said, recalling a conversation he and the gang had with Seto the weekend the priest had control of the body months ago.

Jono and Seto both nodded. "My parents and I relocated to another town until I decided to live in the pharaoh's kingdom as a fruit vendor."

"I had gone on to train for priesthood and when I heard of a new fruit vendor, I went to welcome him as part of my training and was surprised when I saw it was Jono. I kept visiting him after that."

"Jono," Ryou said slowly. "Bakura regrets causing your death. I understand that Zorc influenced him to kill innocents that night."

"He does? That's good to hear that he regrets it. I mean, maybe he's not as bad as I had thought."

"Bakura doesn't deny that he did bad things of his own free wil but they were minor compared to what he did under Zorc's influence.'

"I admit that is true," Seto said. "Is it possible we could talk to him?"

Ryou sadly shook his head. "I'm afraid not. When he returned to my body, he lost all interest in what goes on in the world and my life's affairs. He talks to me to maintain our connection and avoid a true death, but he stays in his Soul Room practically all the time. His seclusion is because he thinks my friends hate him and I can see why he would think that."

Jono felt a bit disappointed and no longer afraid of the tomb robber taking control and causing trouble. "That's too bad. I'd like to tell him face-to-face that I forgive him."

"Well, if he goes through my memories about today, he'll come across your forgiveness."

He nodded. Despite his fear of Bakura causing trouble, he would have liked to have forgiven in person. This is the best I'm going to get if he's decided to stay in his Soul Room.

Seto frowned thoughtfully. Bakura's seclusion and loss of interest seemed wrong. His own seclusion and severing connection with Kaiba had also been wrong but it was the kind of desperation that got Kaiba to accept Seto's existence and that sharing the body was a positive thing. That realization cleared the way to a smooth partnership. Seto explored Kaiba's memories and helped his other half with company affairs. Kaiba, in exchange, let Seto be in control for occasional fun or when he needed peace and quiet to work on something. Seto loved getting out and enjoying the modern world. Bakura should enjoy it too. He's technically a teenager and most teens have fun.

"Ryou," he said. "Bakura doesn't have to stay in his room. He's a teenager like us and should have fun like we do."

"I know, but I can't seem to convince him."

"Don't convince him. Just force him to take over. I did that when I began my life with Kaiba."

Jono suddenly put a hand to his mouth and snickered. "Sorry," he said. "It's just that Atem and Yugi did that at least once. Joey had asked Atem a question about a card and, to avoid answering it, he forced Yugi to take over."

Seto and Ryou laughed and the white-haired boy knew Seto was right: He could force Bakura to take over. He wouldn't expect me to do something like that. I won't do that today. Another time- maybe a kind of spirits' day out. "Maybe I could do that and perhaps you two and Yugi too. A day for all four of you to hang out and let Bakura know that he doesn't need to hide."

Jono nodded. "I have no problem with that and neither does Joey."

"I will need to speak to Kaiba about it. He's close to releasing a new product. Once we've agreed, he or I will call you Ryou and you can pass on the message."

Ryou smiled. "Yeah, that works. I really appreciate your help, both of you."

"You're Joey's friend. That makes you my friend too," Jono said.

"And any friend of Jono's is mine as well," Seto added.

Ryou felt good at hearing that. Between them and Atem, Bakura may stop hiding in his room and take interest in the world.

"Seto, do you think we could do a practice duel?" Jono asked, looking out the window behind the couch, and eyeing the duel arena.

Seto smiled and stood. "We could if that's okay with Ryou. This meeting was for him and you."

"I don't mind. Jono will need the practice if this future get-together involves dueling."

"You know you could hold a duel with Joey in the Soul Corridor, right? Kaiba and I do that on occasion."

"But don't you have the same deck?" Jono asked as they entered the duel arena room.

"Yes, but not in the same order."

"Who usually wins?" Ryou asked.

Seto flashed a Kaiba-like smile. "Sometimes he does, sometimes I do. It all depends on the cards."

Ryou tilted his head. He hadn't thought of dueling Bakura; mostly because he wasn't a good duelist or much of one for that matter. Perhaps it's time that I got into it, he thought as Seto and Jono took their places and began to duel.

"Joey, that was a lot of fun," Jono said as Joey walked home.

"The meeting or the duel?"

"Both. Ryou really is a sweet guy, the opposite of Bakura. I hope we can help him with Bakura."

"I think you can, especially with Seto and Atem on your side."

"True."

"Trust me. It'll work out. You did well in your practice duel."

"Yeah?"

"Uh-huh. De-fusing Alligator Sword Dragon to summon Red-Eyes? I would never have thought of that."

"Don't I know it. No offense, but your dueling style is lacking some strategy. I could help with that."

"Sure. I could use some pointers."