A/N : Hello all! again with the delays, but stressful time of year getting Christmas sorted and all... so yeah. This was a fun and challenging chapter to write while nearly falling asleep at the computer several times. I apologize in advance if its not great, but i really wanted to get this posted as soon as I could! Thoughts and stuff are forever appreciated! Please enjoy! Xx

Disclaimer : I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 15

Hina stared at the door for a few seconds longer; trying to contemplate the situation she now found herself in. This was her room? He was trying to make up for what he'd done up to her? He'd have a hell of a lot to do to make up for everything he'd put her through. She was scarred hideously because of him. There was nothing he could do. Even as she thought that, she knew for some strange reason, he was trying. He may have told her this room was so there would be guards with her at all times, but that had practically been the case back in her cell. Hina wandered over to the bed with its clean sheets. It looked a lot more inviting than the bed back in her prison cell. She then walked over to the door to the right of the bed. She pushed it open and stared wide eyed at a small but ample bathroom, complete with bath tub. She shook her head as she realised her anger and hatred towards the man was softening. How could she allow her emotions to run wild like this? If anything, the scars on her back should serve as a perfect and permanent reminder to how much she should hate the King of this world. He'd destroyed everything. She couldn't stay here. She needed to find him and tell him she was going back to her stone confinement. Without another thought, she strode over to the door as best as she could with the chains still restricting her feet. She pulled the door open and was immediately met by two stern looking guards. She ignored them and tried to walk straight between them, but they held their arms out, blocking her way out of the door.

"Move." She demanded.

"The King has told us to not let you leave this room." One of them spoke.

"Well, you can tell your king…" She began then stopped. She sighed and marched back inside. It was no use arguing with them as it would get her nowhere, besides, she had a feeling Bakura had wanted this to be her reaction. He wanted her to get her fight back. She couldn't risk angering him. Hina began to pace slowly around the room, unsure as to what to do with herself. She had a lot more space, but it felt strange… wrong somehow. She wished she knew what the man was up to, what he was thinking. There were so many questions buzzing around her head and she really hadn't any idea where to start. She wished she could ask the man in the cell. She needed to know what was going on. Hina walked over to the bed and slumped down into it, pulling the Dark Magician card out from the inside of her dress as she did. She gazed upon the faded image and ran her fingers over it sadly. She wondered how many owners this card had had. Now, it was hers. She pressed it against her chest and closed her eyes. The card meant so much to her, not just because of who had given it to her, but somehow, it gave her hope.

Hina woke gradually the next day. Despite herself, she had to admit it had been the best night's sleep she'd had in ages. She yawned and stretched out in the large bed, finally bringing her hands up to her face to rub her eyes. Hina opened them and gazed up at the high ceiling. She was incredibly suspicious of why the King had moved her here, but would be too scared to question him about it. For now, all she could really do was accept this as her fate. What more could she do? She forced herself to sit up, running her fingers un-necessarily through her hair. She wished her hair would hurry up and grow back. Hina pulled the covers back on her bed and swung her legs out, placing her feet firmly on the floor and trying desperately not to remember the events that led to her hair becoming this short. She wiggled her bare toes, enjoying the sensation. She pushed off the mattress and stood up. She gazed around the room and sighed with relief upon seeing it empty. She had half expected him to be there. Hina made her way lazily into the bathroom. She quickly showered and changed into a new set of clothes, which she hadn't quite expected to find. She walked out of the bathroom completely clean and refreshed twenty minutes after entering it and froze dead in her tracks.

A man was sat on the sofa, before the Television, cold hard eyes glaring at her. She felt her blood run cold as she recognised the almost burgundy colour of the man's eyes and the silvery white shade of his hair. Hina was unsure as to what to do, so just stood in the centre of the room frozen, awaiting instruction.

"Don't just stand there, girl." He snapped anger flitting across his expression. She hesitated a few moments, not sure where to move to. Seeing anger flare up in his eyes, Hina forced herself forwards. It felt like she was walking to her demise as she approached him. She couldn't remember ever feeling this terrified of him before… before he stopped her escape. She gulped as she stopped beside the sofa. It was then she noticed the small coffee table before the seat had a plate of food upon it. Her eyes lingered upon the plate longer than they should have.

"Hungry?" The King asked with a cruel sneer. Hina's eyes quickly diverted back to Bakura, her heart hammering away in her chest. She lowered her eyes from his, unable to take it; looking into his eyes for risk she might do something stupid.

"Sit down," He spoke irritably, resting back in his seat. Hina did as she was told, making sure to sit as far away from him as the sofa allowed. She sensed him shift forwards and flinched. He picked up the plate of food and thrust it at her. Hina took it hesitantly.

"Eat." He commanded. Hina obeyed and began shovelling the meal of scrambled eggs and toast into her mouth. She hadn't known just how hungry she actually was. When she was finished, the plate completely empty, she carefully placed it back onto the table and relaxed back into her seat.

"Thank you," She murmured. Hina glanced around at him and felt her cheeks burn as she realised he was staring at her.

"For some foolish reason, I don't want you to die." He replied. An awkward silence washed over them. Hina had so many questions she wanted to ask him, but did she dare? She winced, remembering the pain she'd endured last time she'd crossed the man. She didn't want to displease him, she didn't want to be whipped again. Without a word, Bakura lifted his hand up, a silver box thing in his palm. He pressed a button and the Television came to life. Hina stared wide eyed at the coloured picture and how real it looked.

"I don't suppose you will have watched a TV before?" He asked, slightly amused by the girls wondrous expression.

"Yes… but long ago… I don't really remember…" Her voice trailed off. Hina blinked, realising she wasn't focusing properly. She sat back, not remembering moving to sit on the edge. She drew her legs up onto the sofa and wrapped her arms around her knees. She gazed at the King as questions whizzed around her head. She was desperate to get answers, but she wasn't sure he'd react well to her questioning him.

"What?" He demanded annoyed. Hina felt her face flush and quickly diverted her eyes towards the floor.

"Can…c…can I…I ask you a qu…question?" Hina stuttered.

"I can't guarantee I'll answer, but…" He replied.

"Erm…" Hina struggled. Now she had permission to ask a question, she couldn't think of any. Just seconds before she'd had dozens flying through her mind.

"Well…I… I just wondered… if I could go for a walk," She concluded lamely. Hina was annoyed with herself, at the perfect opportunity, she was unable to speak her mind. Hina clenched her fists as she waited for the answer to her fake question.

"As long as I'm with you, feel free," he spoke standing up. Hina glanced up at the man's face, taking in each feature, noting how he no longer made her skin crawl, she'd become accustom to the cruel person now.

Walking along the edge of the wall that ran around the palace felt strange. It was odd reflecting that she'd managed to climb up and down the sheer face. She reached out with her fingertips and brushed them along the stones as she walked. All the time, she felt the King walking with her and the restrictions around her ankles from her chains. She gazed up and almost felt sick at the height. How had she managed that climb? The sun was beating down almost as merciless as the King that ruled the land. Hina couldn't help but glance to her side to see Bakura was watching her closely. She wished he wouldn't watch her like that; there was no need for it. It wasn't like she was going to attempt to escape anytime soon. No, she'd learned a harsh lesson from her last attempt.

"I must admit, I'm impressed you managed to climb this wall," He commented suddenly. Hina managed a small smile.

"It wasn't easy," Hina replied glancing back up towards the top of the wall. They continued to walk for a few more minutes in silence. Suddenly, Hina felt hands grab her shoulders and turn her around. She blinked, surprised by the sudden action. Bakura was staring down into her face, his expression unreadable.

"Girl, I once made you say that you were mine, that you belong to me." He hissed, his hands gripping into her skin as he held onto her upper arms.

"y…yes… I remember," Hina stuttered, seeing a crazy desperation look in his eyes.

"I told you, you were mine, I own all of you and I will destroy anyone who tried to touch what's mine. You need to remember that statement still stands." He sneered at her, pushing her back against the wall.

"Yes," Hina replied trying not to show her fear.

"I want to hear you say it," He smirked at her, his face contorting with the grin, making him look almost deranged. Hina gulped. This was all too familiar to her.

"I belong to you," Hina replied without a moment's pause. She knew how this had to go, she had to obey him or risk his wrath. He smirked at her.

"Care to prove that?" He asked his expression one of cruel amusement.

"Wh…what? What do I have to do?" Hina asked nervously. Bakura didn't speak, he only winced ever so slightly. Hina stared at him completely confused, waiting for a reply. After several moments, he reached beneath his shirt. Hina tried to back away, but she was already pressed up against the wall. She watched as he pulled out a golden ring, with a triangle in the centre and five prongs dangling off it. Instantly, Hina took a disliking to the object, especially when she noticed rich coloured blood staining the spikes. Bakura pulled the cord the object was attached to over his head. He smirked as he held it out, seeing the trepidation on the girls face. Without speaking, he placed the cord over the girls head and watched with satisfaction as the millennium ring fell still over her stomach.

"I… I don't understand…" Hina began, increasingly uneasy as she felt the weight of the golden object around her neck. Bakura moved closer to her and stared into her eyes.

"This will only hurt if you resist," He muttered, his eyes falling to the ring. Hina felt the odd warmth spreading across her body followed instantly by a sharp pain. Her immediate thought was that Bakura had transported them into the desolate decaying landscape and had begun an attack upon her, but as the sudden shock wore off, Hina could see they were still in the palace grounds, the sun glaring angrily upon them. Hina felt her breath catch in her throat at the pain and stared horrified up into the Kings face, hoping for some inclination to what was happening. She saw his eyes were diverted to her middle, a sort of triumphant amusement displayed across the man's face. Hina glanced down fearfully. The ring he had just placed around her neck was glowing oddly and menacingly.

"What the…" Hina began, words failing her. The five golden spikes had somehow cut their way through the rough beige cloth that made up her dress and had imbedded themselves into her flesh. The edges of the fabric that had been cut were now tainted with thick red droplets. Hina instantly brought her fingers up and brushed over the spikes, feeling their shape under her skin. Hina panicked her heart racing. She took a hold of the golden ring and yanked at it, trying desperately to get the object away from her. No matter how she tried, the damned thing wouldn't move! If anything, each attempt she made to try and removed the object it caused her more pain. She leaned back against the wall panting. Bakura loomed over her, one arm resting against the part of the wall besides her head, his stare meeting hers.

"Don't resist. If you do, it'll hurt more." He smirked at her, clearly enjoying their little outing. He used his free hand to place his palm upon the millennium ring. As he did, the glow from the ancient object intensified, as did the pain.

"What are you doing?" Hina whimpered. Bakura didn't reply other than to straighten up and, hand still in contact with the ring, use his free hand to pull the hem of his shirt up, revealing pale skin. Hina stared at the man's pale skin and saw what she should have figured and noticed. There were five tiny slits into the skin, arranged in the shape of a semi-circle. The blood trickling from the wounds were still fresh. Then Hina clicked on. The blood, the blood that had stained the ring before she'd put it on, it had been his. That was horrible, what was he doing? Hina began to struggle against the unforeseen force keeping the ring in place. Her only reward for struggling was the pain increasing and the intensified glow.

"Stop fighting it." Bakura growled suddenly, his eyes now closed and his chest now concealed. Hina fell still against the wall, her hands by her sides as she forced herself to calm down.

"Better," He muttered as the pain from the five slits in her skin intensified. It felt as though a tiny little ball of pure agony was searching every inch of her body, reaching down to her toes and stretching out to her fingertips. It was only as she heard Bakura whisper

"There!" in accomplished tone to realise that was exactly what was happening. He was searching her body for something, and whatever it was, it sounded like he'd just discovered it. She felt the ball of pain move within her chest and suddenly wrap its claws around her very core. She was chocked by the attack, curses and scream's not making it out of her throat as talons dug deep into something. It twisted and morphed, pushing as it tried to merge with her. Hina wanted to grasp at the damn golden ring and rip it from her body, but knew she couldn't. She didn't have the strength as she stood there convulsing and shaking from whatever un-natural abomination as going on inside her chest. What was the ball of pain and evil even attacking, this foreboding darkness, what was its goal? Why did it feel like it was trying to merge with her, become a whole. The answer came to her no sooner had the question left her mouth

"Your soul," It whispered to her in answer.

"Hina, let me in," Bakura whispered through gritted teeth. Hina let her guard down for a split second shocked at hearing him use her real name, but that was enough.

Pain ricocheted through Hina's body like an electric shock. The thing, this evil had successfully merges with her soul. Hina cried out in agony and threw herself forwards, passing out before she hit the floor. Bakura caught her easily and lifted her up into his arms.

When Hina opened her eyes, she felt disorientated. She was back in her bedroom, lying atop her bed covers. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. Had she just dreamed all that? A necklace stabbing into her stomach? Surely it had to have been a dream? Hina glanced down at her dress. She could see five tiny cuts in the material, which was marked by blood. So it had been real? Why? Hina quickly got off the bed and made the plan to march out of the door and find Bakura as quickly as possible so he could explain why she now had five cuts into her skin. Just as she was heading towards it, the door swung open and the very man she was looking for stepped into the room. She stopped dead in her tracks, seeing there was someone else with him. Hina blinked, unable to believe her eyes.

"Osamu?" She whispered completely shocked.