A/N: Hello again! I realise I haven't updated in a while and I'd sort of lost the writing spirit, however last night it returned to me in full force so, here it is! I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope its enjoyable to read. As ever any constructive criticism or positive comments are gratefully received. Again, apologies for the delay! Enjoy! Xx

Disclaimer : I Do Not Own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 25

It had been almost two weeks since Hina had wrote her letter to no one. Immediately after writing it, she'd folded it up and hidden it beneath her mattress, then had forgotten about it. She was determined to live without pain. It would be a nice change for her and after all she'd forced herself through, didn't she deserve it? Hina thought she did and therefor tried to forget her betrayal and turning her back on the world. She didn't want to be the hero. She'd never asked for it, so why should she play the part? It was impossible anyway, how could anyone win against Bakura? He was unstoppable and would stop at nothing to maintain control. Hina knew that now, so no longer fought against it. After all she didn't have that kind of will power. Not any more. As for the time since her break down, it had been nothing short of peaceful. Bakura seemed to be giving her some sort of space, while being not too far from her in the risk of hurting her again. Whenever they did pass in the hall ways, or catch each other's eyes, it felt awkward; at least it did for Hina. She wasn't sure he could pull off awkward or anything remotely human like that. The days passed in an almost pleasant way. Hina had been allowed to see Osamu twice and each time it was a nice familiarity that she enjoyed, but it always brought on a nagging feeling of guilt and Hina was forced to push the feelings aside. Despite the time she'd spent together with Osamu, she hadn't the courage to tell him she'd given up. She wasn't sure he knew to the full extent what her task had been, but she didn't have the heart to tell him she'd decided to stop trying.

It was on the thirteenth night since she'd cried herself to sleep in his arms that she returned to him and his room. She'd seen Osamu off, which had been awkward. Osamu had known something was wrong. His friend looked less terrified, but less determined at the same time. Her hair had grown a couple of inches since he'd last seen her, but her eyes were dull, defeated. And what was with her seeing him out of the palace, like he was her guest? Osamu knew something wasn't right and it scared him. Hina was like a younger sister to him and it pained him that he couldn't protect her from whatever it was that was hurting her. Hina had waved him out of the door and had remained standing where she was until he was out of sight. Smiling slightly, hiding the hideous guilt beneath her false smile, Hina turned away and began walking the maze of corridors, winding back through the palace. She was completely lost in thought as she walked, thinking about the decision she'd made and how she was going to have a nice bath when she got back to her room so she could unwind and relax all the while knowing it wouldn't happen that way. No, baths were not relaxing or unwinding. They were horrible quiet moments where she'd have nothing to distract her from her thoughts, nothing to distract from the truth and she'd end up finishing her bath tenser than when she'd started. Hina came to a stop, looked up and blinked. She sighed exasperatedly. Hina knew she should really keep focused when walking. She found herself stood in a brightly lit corridor, before a heavy golden door. She recognised it of course. So much had gone on behind the golden slab. Hina was about to turn and walk away, knowing that if she entered, nothing good would come of it. She was halfway through turning when she stopped, looking up at the shinning gold. Something had been bothering her for a while now and she wondered if she went through the door, whether he could help. She remained where she was, frowning at the door as if trying to stare it down.

Hina wanted to read. Maybe he had books hidden somewhere within his fortress. It would be better for her to actually ask rather than go snooping around. She didn't want to destroy this peace treaty they had going. She should just ask. Hina nodded, coming to the decision. A part of her did wonder whether she was just making feeble excuses to see him. Either way, her mind had been made up. Hina stepped hesitantly forwards, her fist raised, ready to tap on the door. Why was she doing this to herself? Did she want the attention she would surely get if she entered the place? Was she ready for that? Tentatively, she lowered her fist. She couldn't do it. She'd already been kissed by him a few times and she didn't need it again. Hina was about to turn away when the door opened. She stood, frozen in shock, barely able to breathe. But it wasn't Bakura she came face to face with. It was the man she'd met very briefly, the man called Marik. He barely glanced at Hina as he side stepped her, his expression giving nothing away.

"Do whatever you must, Marik. I want him found." A voice growled from inside the room. Hina came to the decision that coming here had been a very bad idea. She was about to turn away and pretend like she hadn't been there at all when Bakura appeared in the door way. Marik made a small noise, which almost sounded like a snort, but even he wasn't foolish enough to fully antagonise an angry Bakura.

"I get it," Marik muttered walking away without even glancing back at the man who was bossing him about. As Marik rounded the corner and disappeared from sight, it was only then Bakura seemed to notice her.

"I'm sorry, you seem busy, I'll just…" Hina spoke quickly, gesturing back down the hall way.

"No," He spoke, interrupting her. His face suddenly didn't seem as agitated as it was moments before. He seemed to have relaxed. He stepped aside, gesturing for Hina to enter, which she did, almost hesitantly. When she heard the door close behind her with a definitive snap, Hina turned back round, finding herself face to face with the King. They stood looking at each other for what felt like an eternity. Hina felt uncomfortable in this silence, his eyes eating her up, pulling her closer.

"I… erm… wanted to ask… If you had a… any books?" Hina spoke lamely, breaking the deafening quiet.

"Why?" He demanded. Hina resisted the urge to roll her eyes. He may not be as aggressive towards her, yet he still insisted on this dominating attitude. Old habits die hard, Hina guessed.

"I've not read… in a long time… I don't want to… you know, forget." Hina explained, horribly aware that her palms were becoming sweaty.

"First it was paper and a pen, now its books?" Bakura mused approaching her.

"I… always liked… reading," Hina explained nervously.

"What else do you like?" He asked in a strange tone that was oddly quiet for him.

"I… don't know…" Hina muttered, breaking his eye contact. This was becoming all too intense for Hina. She needed to get away from him as soon as possible, she was afraid of what would happen if she stayed here with him. He was in an odd mood and that made him even more unpredictable. Hina wasn't sure she could handle whatever it would be that he threw at her. If he kissed her… It wasn't bearable to think about. It wouldn't be good. Hina wasn't sure she'd have full control over her actions or reactions if he did. She gulped, swallowing the nervousness, trying to pound it down. She needed to keep level headed and not caught up in the moment like had happened many times before.

"I like talking," Hina said suddenly, more confidently. It was her theory if they were talking, nothing bad could happen.

"Human interaction?" He mused, his lips curling.

"Yes," Hina nodded then stopped, realising this left a broad variety of other 'things' open.

"NO!" She immediately exclaimed before adding "No, just talking," She smiled. Bakura's grin seemed to intensify before he walked round Hina and towards his bed. Hina followed him with her eyes, feeling increasingly nervous. He sat down on the bed and stretched out, lying back, his feet still planted on the floor.

"Can … can I ask… when did you live? When did you have your own body?" Hina spoke tentatively, wondering if he was waiting for her to speak seen as she had just lied and said she liked talking. Besides, it was a question she had really wondered about since finding out she had been cavorting about with a spirit.

"Five thousand years ago? Maybe you should read a history book," He chuckled to himself. Hina frowned.

"Well, my education was interrupted by the abrupt domination of the world." Hina muttered. Bakura sat back up, grinning.

"I suppose it was," He sneered in an almost un-menacing way.

"Ancient Egypt." He said.

"What?" Hina asked.

"To answer your question, I lived in Ancient Egypt." He spoke. Hina moved forwards and stood beside the bed, making sure she was just out of his reach.

"Like the pyramids?" Hina asked. She vaguely remembered Osamu mentioning them in one of his lessons, although that was a very long time ago. When he was helping teach her, history was the last thing they needed to cover. What mattered was that moment there and then, not the past.

"Sure," He shrugged nonchalantly.

"What was it like?" Hina asked interestedly. Bakura looked bored at the direction the conversation had taken, but apparently he'd decided to indulge in her sudden interest in his back story.

"Sand and it was hot. Very hot," He began with disinterest then sighed rocking himself back up into a sitting position, eyeing Hina almost cautiously.

"The buildings were scruffy unless you lived in a palace, but community mattered," He spoke, folding his arms.

"Where did you live?" Hina asked. Bakura's face suddenly darkened and Hina couldn't help feeling like she tread into dangerous territory which was best left alone.

"In a village, away from the busyness of the main city." He answered rather shortly.

"The main city? Is that where the king or queen lived?" Hina asked, her palms growing hot as she decided to evade asking about his home life. Again, the man's face seemed to grow tense and stone like, anger behind furious eyes.

"Yes, the Pharaoh lived there." He spoke through clenched jaws. Hina fell silent not knowing what to say but already feeling the annoying itch to find out more. Something had clearly happened in the man's past and she was curious as to what. Could it have been the reason he was the way he was?

"You may think of me as evil," Bakura started, standing up and making Hina jump. He stayed where he was stood, fumes of anger and hatred slowly beginning to emanate from him. His face was like stone, giving nothing and yet everything away. Hina had never seen him like this before. She'd seen him mad, sure, plenty of times, but this rage was different. This was more pained even if he hid it deep, deep within him.

"I am nothing compared to him!" He growled the noise deep and terrifying. It was like standing in the presence of a monster. Hina could almost feel his anger lashing out around him.

"What… what… happened?" Hina asked nervously in a timid voice. She didn't want to aggravate him but at the same time curiosity clutched to her like a second skin. She wanted to know what made this man so hateful, so cruel… so evil. Bakura walked purposely across the room, seemingly collected, stopping before his table which had an ornate glass lamp upon it along with a coffee mug and a book. Hina watched him as he paused before the smooth dark glossy wood, wondering if she would come out of this encounter with several bruises, cuts and broken bones? Without warning, Bakura lashed out at the table, practically throwing it across the room. It crashed against the wall, shattering into pieces and crumpling to the ground like a former shell of itself. The mug smashed as did the lamp and the book crumpled against the floor. Hina flinched at the noise of wood splintering, ceramics smashing into a thousand piece mosaic and the fluttering of pages.

"Ha," Bakura barked the laughter out without a shred of amusement, "You want to know what the Pharaoh's damned people did?" He smirked turning and facing Hina, his eyes void of any emotion. He was cold and empty and that look terrified Hina so much. It was the look he'd had when they first came face to face. Cold, cruel and calculated. Hina didn't want to go back to where they'd been. She didn't want pain or hurt or torture or any of that. She was done with it, so why was she here, unintentionally antagonizing the monster once more? He walked back towards her, barely stopping inches apart from Hina. He grabbed at her chin and forced her to meet his gaze.

"They killed my entire village. Slaughtered them like animals. Men, women and children. 99 to be exact." He spat. Now his eyes betrayed him as they filled with an inferno so hot Hina was sure she could feel it scorching her insides.

"It wasn't a fight. It was an execution," He laughed humourlessly. He stepped even closer to Hina, and unable to stop herself, Hina took a step back, her body trembling.

"So I vowed to get revenge on the Pharaoh and his men. Make them feel the pain I felt when I lost everything. I would take all that mattered from them and twist them until they screamed in agony." He hissed as he let Hina's chin go, but stepped closer again. Hina stepped back and he pursued her, continuing to back her up until she felt something hit the back of her legs. With one horror struck glance over her shoulder, Hina saw it was the bed.

"Why?" She blurted out panicked.

"Why what?" He demanded his signature smirk playing back on his lips.

"Why did they kill your friends, family? What reason was there to murder an entire village?" Hina asked, no longer daring to move. His face twisted into an expression of disgust and amusement.

"Why? For this!" He spat, pulling his millennium ring off over his head and throwing it onto the bed.

"That and six other items like it. 99 souls were used to forge these items of gold. They slaughtered my people to create items that could save the world… or end it," He laughed the sound chilling Hina to the core. Hina felt understanding wash over her like a huge tidal wave. This… all of this, the end of society and life, this was all for revenge. He'd used the items that his people had died to create against the purpose they were forged. They were forged to do good, but instead he'd done bad. Whatever the items were, they somehow had powers and he had abused that power to enslave humanity. Hina was struck with sadness. She regretted asking him now. She didn't want him angry. She could somewhat empathise with him. She'd seen the world crumble and break around her, the only difference was the man who stood before her was the cause of such pain.

Bakura's anger was still bubbling, coming to the boiling point and that was a point Hina should be afraid of. He was unpredictable when filled with such a rage and hatred. Hina was awfully aware that she alone would be the only one in the firing line. Not good. Not good at all. A vein throbbed in his temple and his hand reached up to his face, gripping that part of his head. He hissed out in response to some sort of pain. Hina watched him as his head bowed as his other hand came up to clutch at his skull.

"No…" his voice was quiet, timid and nothing at all like the man he was before. Hina recognised that small shy tone and gaped in disbelief.

"No!" The voice had changed back to Bakura's. He staggered backwards, collapsing against a set of drawers, almost knocking them over. He was groaning slightly, one hand still grasping over his face, the other hooked over the wood, keeping him upright. His hair was wilder than usual, seemingly changing with each passing moment.

"Stop… please…" He whimpered. That was Ryo's voice again. He sank to the floor, still hiding his face beneath his hand.

"Bakura?" Hina spoke hesitantly.

"No!" Bakura's voice breathed out. What was happening? Hina couldn't understand what was going on.

"You… promised…" Ryo's quiet tone sobbed from the quaking body.

"I… wasn't… going… to… hurt… her," Bakura's voice sounded strained and in discomfort. Hina approached nervously, not able to hold back any longer. He was shuddering on the floor, his body jerking as transformation between boy and spirit changed exhaustingly quickly.

"Let… me… see…her…" Ryo's timid voice pleaded. Then he changed again, his demeanour now dark and cruel.

"No! She is… mine!" The voice roared out.

"No… you...can't…" Ryo cried. The man on the floor twisted on the spot, his hands still clamped firmly over his head as if struck by a migraine. He growled out, the noise wavering and dying in his throat as soon as Ryo took over, then it was back to Bakura. His fingertips were pressed deep into his face and Hina was sure it must hurt.

"Bakura… Ryo…" Hina spoke uncertainly, not understanding who to address. Then, it stopped. He stopped moving, his head bent low. Hina dropped to her knees before the man.

"Who is it? Which one of you won?" Hina asked not certain she dared believe Ryo to be victorious in this situation. The man lifted his head and met Hina's eyes. Hina stared, completely dumbfounded. This person was neither of the two… or both of them.

"If you met me five thousand years ago, I wonder if you could have saved me?" He asked. Hina stared, completely at a loss for words. It sounded like Ryo's voice but with a slight gruffness and knowledge of the past the spirit had. The meaning to his words struck Hina like a bullet. Could she have saved him? What did that mean? Saved him from the evil that had consumed him whole? Did he believe that she had it in her to have saved him before he was too far gone down the evil path fate had dragged him? Why would she even think like that? Why now that she had some knowledge of what made him who he is was she feeling more acceptance of him? She should still hate him for all he had done to her, to the entire world. All of these conflicting thoughts were giving Hina a headache and she couldn't seem to think straight.

"I… I don't know… Maybe," Was all her numb mind could come up with as a response.

"Would you have?" He asked, again in that strange voice that was completely throwing Hina of balance. He sounded almost sweet and innocent while retaining his abruptness and cruel stare.

"Yes," Hina whispered her reply, knowing there was no way she could answer any differently. If she could have saved this man from the evil that had consumed him, she would without a doubt have tried to prevent the blackness from settling upon his heart, eating away and corroding it. In doing so, she would not only have saved him, but the entire suffering of the world too. He suddenly clutched at his head again and let out a growl of pain as his face was hidden back in his hands once more.

"No! I am IN CONTROL!" Bakura roared out. Hina jumped back, startled by the sudden loudness. He stopped moving again and from the sounds of it, was breathing heavily. For some reason, fighting against Ryo was becoming a much harder task for him to do without breaking a sweat.

"Ring... Now." He rumbled. Springing to her feet, Hina grabbed a hold of the golden object before she even knew what she was doing. She thrust the violent piece of gold against the man's chest before straightening back up, her emotions everywhere. She watched him as he pulled the cord back over his head, letting the golden ring swing back over his chest. He stood up and his face seemed to be shrouded in shadows.

"Are… are you… okay?" Hina asked lamely. Bakura raised his head and his eyes narrowed as he inspected Hina. The cold calculated and violent spirit was back in full force. He crossed his arms across his chest and over the ring.

"My Host is such a fool." He sneered, trying to retain his usual manner but was unable to hide the fact he was shaken by what had happened. Hina gulped, wondering if this was the moment they'd reached the end of their truce. Would he take his frustrations out on her now? Hina wasn't sure she could handle it if he did. His gaze was so intense as if he was devouring her very soul, just through a look. Hina folded her hands behind her back, hoping to hide the fact her hands were shaking like a leaf. She daren't move, she dared not even breathe.

"You are mine and mine alone. I may share a body with him, but I do not share my possessions." He snarled, taking a step closer to Hina, closing the gap considerably between them. Hina gulped, quickly turning into a bundle of nerves. The tension between them was unfathomable and thick. Hina could actually feel the shudders rattling through her tiny frame, could feel her heart beat betray her by quickening with every step he took towards her unable to escape that stare, those deep almost red eyes that held her in place. She wanted to stop him, to plead with him that he needed to stop this… whatever this was. She gulped down a wave of emotions, afraid they would take over.

"I would never hurt you, not again." He spoke in a positively soft tone for him, his hand reaching out and gently cupping her face. Hina's eyes followed his movement and the moment his palm touched her skin, she took a sharp intake of breath. It was electrifying been touched by his hand so softly. She tried to contain the sparks that had exploded from such a simple touch, but was failing spectacularly. Her wide stunned eyes darted back to his in something close to alarm. How could she be feeling like this? This wasn't normal! She shouldn't be feeling this way. Hina wanted to scream and shout at herself, tell her she was stupid and that she was foolish for ever coming to his room! That was the only problem; hindsight was truly one hell of a bitch.

"Hina," He spoke and at that moment, Hina had to wonder if Ryo was truly hidden back away as the softness in the man's expressions wasn't one that belonged to Bakura. His hand moved gently from her cheek, down her throat and around her neck. He pulled her closer and Hina felt herself unconsciously make the decision to go willingly. She closed the tiny gap that remained between them with trembling legs, her hands unclasping from behind her back to dangle uselessly by her side. She was pressed against him and she could feel the cold metal of the pendant he wore through her clothes. His head bent closer and Hina felt the air catch in her throat as she realised the predicament she was in. his lips, the lips she was so used to seeing twisted into a cruel amused smirk, brushed lightly against the corner of her mouth, so lightly under ordinary circumstances she would have barely felt it. However this wasn't any normal circumstance, no, this was different, much different and the tiny contact sent a shockwave as powerful as a lightning bolt coursing through Hina's body. Her legs went inexplicably weak and every tiny sense in her body burned like fire.

The kiss was barely a few seconds long and it occurred to Hina that it was timid, as if he was testing, waiting to see what her reaction would be. Hina knew what her reaction should be. She should lift her useless hands up to his chest and push him away. She should step back and excuse herself from the room, vowing to never allow him to kiss her again. Although she knew what her reaction should be, she couldn't find the strength or energy to do it. Her body was reacting to him without her permission. She was putty in his hands, to do with as he wanted and mould or re-shape in any way he saw fit. She felt his other arm curl around her waist and knew without a doubt that she wasn't escaping his clutches. Not because he wouldn't let her, but because she herself wouldn't allow it. His face bent towards her again and without even thinking about it, Hina met him in the middle. She thrust herself up onto tip toe and met his lips with an eagerness even she couldn't begin to fathom. Their lips crashed together and every nerve in Hina's body jumped to life, every part of her feeling the excitement and explosions of so many emotions come to live tenfold at once. His grip on her tightened with urgency as some unspoken chemistry between them made itself known. His hands held her against him tightly, his fingers biting into the fabric of her dress and Hina knew there was no escaping. Her heart thundered away in her chest as everything collided and her mind went blank, forgetting about been rational, forgetting about the thousands of reasons why everything about this was wrong. Hina made the last move she could, the only move that would bring this moment to new and dangerous heights, a simple move which would change everything and indicate this was what she wanted. She lifted her shaking arms from her side and wrapped them around his neck, pulling herself even closer against the man that had ultimately destroyed her. He had turned everything round, he had shredded her defences, blown every wall she had built and stripped her bare. She had never felt so caged and so free in her entire life.

His arms wrapped around her waist, lifting her of her feet and she let out a little gasp against his mouth. She felt the smirk split across his face and felt her cheeks flush with colour in embarrassment. Never had he had this effect on her before, not when he'd kissed her before or tormented her or hurt her. This was different. He was different. His encounter with Ryo and the struggle for control had somehow changed him. He wasn't fully him, part of Ryo was hidden within him making him different. At a very far corner of her mind, Hina knew that wasn't good news and if their souls were somehow merging, the chance of Ryo surviving was becoming even less likely. But the far corner of her mind was a very long way away and she was barely able to comprehend words at the moment. When he pulled his lips away from Hina's, she felt her body responding by wanting more, not wanting the moment to stop. She felt breathless and from the sounds of his breathing so was he. He gently released his grip on her and Hina felt her outstretched toes come back in contact with the floor. She wasn't sure she'd even be able to stand but somehow managed it, stumbling only slightly. Her mind was spinning, her head numb. He was staring at her and Hina didn't even have to force herself to meet the man's gaze. He was looking at her like he never had before and it sent shivers all the way through her body, but this time it wasn't bad shivers, it was shudders of excitement. He held his hand out to her, his palm facing the ceiling. Hina didn't even consider not taking it.

She placed her hand in his, almost instantly and nearly turned to jelly when she felt his thumb stroke her knuckle tenderly. He led her forwards, and as he did, Hina was consumed. Every last part of her was this mans and she'd fought against it for so long, so long has she denied him and the power he possessed over her, but now he was all consuming. She was drowning in him, in the mystery of him and she was melting away the cruelness, seeing who he was beneath, what made him who he was. All that mattered now was that she had accepted her fate and this was it. She belonged to him and nothing or no one else could possess her soul quite like he did.