A/N: Hello! This chapter has taken a little longer than desired, but its done none the less. I would also like to take the opportunity to let anyone who's interested know, I have started a collection of one shots, which are basically more than likely going to be scenes and idea's I've had throughout writing Till the End which I never had the confidence to actually put into story. Mainly Lemons... I think. So, anyone who enjoys reading that or who wants to see how some of the situations in this story could have escalated... it may be worth checking out.

Chapter 37

Hina awoke gradually. It was the seventh day since Osamu had been stolen from her and the pain was still all too real. Hina sat up and glanced around at her surroundings. Her eyes fell upon the extravagant bed across from her and its sleeping occupant. The Kings chest rose and fell gently. Hina felt a sad smile tug at her mouth as she watched him. This was the only time he ever looked peaceful. Hina looked away from him as Ryo entered her thoughts. He had somehow found a way to harm the innocent boy and that had shaken Hina. She was still incredibly depressed, but now she felt a little fight return to her upon realising Ryo still needed her. She would obey the King to protect the last person she could protect. She knew she sounded arrogant thinking a pathetic slave girl could ever make a difference, but she wasn't willing to not try.

"Oh, Ryo…" Hina whispered softly as her eyes filled with tears. Hina hurriedly wiped them away before they had chance to streak down her face. Hina stretched out, examining her body. Her injuries were healing, although slowly for her liking. One thing she couldn't deny, the King sure did have some good medical staff at his disposal. Hina glanced back over to the King and smiled sadly. He promised to keep Osamu's body alive. Hina could get him back. She knew she could. She would have to prove herself worthy of such a gift, but it could happen. She refused to give up. Everything she promised him… while begging for Osamu's life… she'd just have to give him it. He was right. She hadn't lost him. Being near him made her skin crawl and anger bubble, but she could hide it… Gulping down her repulsion at herself, Hina got up out of her bed and approached the sleeping man cautiously. She was lucky the chain he'd locked her in was long and allowed her free movement around most of the room. She could even make it to the bathroom. Hina stopped besides Bakura's bed. She examined the man's sleeping face cautiously. Hina hadn't been this close to him for a while. He had a scar running down over his right eye and down his cheek. Hina remembered his fight with Marik and knew this had been caused then. He was lucky he hadn't lost his eye. Unconsciously, Hina had reached out her hand to trace the scar. Before she could even touch him, Bakura's hand shot out, wrapping around her wrist, stopping her from moving any closer to him. Hina jumped as his eyes opened. They narrowed as he glared at her.

"What are you doing?" He demanded coldly. Hina tried to withdraw her hand, but he didn't let her go.

"You… you're eye… I… I only just noticed…" Hina stuttered, stumbling over her weak explanation. His face split into a grin but he didn't appear amused.

"Curtesy of that fool," He responded, sitting up.

"It's amusing really…" He continued as he released Hina's hand. Hina waited for him to continue, but he didn't carry on with his story. Hina wanted to retreat, but felt herself glued to the spot, watching as the King shifted in his bed.

"What… what happened to… Marik… when you fought?" Hina asked quietly. With everything else that had occurred since she'd been outed as a traitor to the king, she hadn't had much time to contemplate everything that had happened, but now… she remembered Marik and the change he went through. She didn't understand what had happened exactly, but she could guess. Bakura sat up, the bed sheets falling off his bare chest. He turned back to Hina with a scowl.

"Nothing for you to worry about," He dismissed her question. Hina frowned, but didn't argue back. She didn't want to get on his bad side. She'd do whatever needed to be done to remain on whatever little good side he had, knowing it would bring her closer to saving Osamu's soul.

"I'm sorry if I woke you," Hina mumbled her apology. She made to turn away from him. His hand shot out again and clutched at her wrist, stopping her from walking away. Hina felt her breath catch in her throat at the contact.

"Sit." He demanded. Hina bit her lip, but swallowed down her trepidation. She turned back to him and followed his order. She sat on the end of the bed facing him patiently. Hina waited, wondering what he could possibly want her near him for. As Hina sat there, her mind wandered back to the fight she'd witnessed between Marik and Bakura. She was sure he'd been injured but, other than the scar, he seemed fine. Hadn't she heard his arm break? Hina stared at his arm as he repositioned himself. He was fine. Hina frowned, perplexed. She had heard the sickening crack as his arm broke, she was sure of it. She herself was familiar with the sound, thanks to her time with Rokurou. As if on cue, Hina winced as a stabbing sensation spread through her own arm, which was still strapped to her front in a sling. Bakura seemed to notice her shudder of pain. He sat up fully, his expression strangely twisted with concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked quite genuinely. Hina recognised the voice instantly and knew the spirit was no longer in control, for the moment at least.

"Ryo…" Hina whispered with a start, quite surprised by his sudden appearance. She stared open mouthed at the kind boy. He smiled weakly at her, although his eyes were full of pain. He moved forwards on the bed so he was knelt before Hina. He took her free hand in between his own earnestly.

"I'm so… so sorry," He whispered as tears sprung up in his wide brown eyes. "I… I tried… to stop him… to take control… but his hatred… it made him stronger and… and… I just… couldn't… Oh, Hina… I'm so sorry…" He spoke desperately. Hina was completely taken aback by this sudden appearance, although she was insanely happy to see Ryo again.

"It's okay… I understand… I…" Hina began not too sure what she could say to the boy.

"This… This is all my fault… I told you to… to try and get Yugi… You're in this state because of me… because of what I asked of you…" He continued on. Hina squeezed the hand that held hers.

"No… No, I would have got myself into this mess somehow… I'm just sorry we… we failed…" She finished miserably. Hina looked away from Ryo, unable to look him in the eye knowing he was aware of their failure. She felt him release his grip on her hands and her heart accelerated as his fingers traced a particularly nasty bruise on her face. She returned her gaze to his.

"I… I understand… Don't feel ashamed… you did the bravest thing I've seen since he took control…" His voice wavered and trailed off until they were left in silence staring at each other. Hina felt tears welling up into her eyes despite her best efforts. She didn't want to cry. She'd done too much crying recently. She hated how weak she felt when she shed tears. She was just so glad Ryo was here.

"How's… how is your hand?" Hina asked distractedly, putting an end to the tension rising between the two of them. Ryo gazed down at his injured hand that was still wrapped in bandages. He smiled weakly.

"I'm okay… I… I didn't expect him to do that…" Ryo's voice trailed off. Hina wrapped her uninjured arm around Ryo and buried her face into his chest as she embraced him as best as her injuries would allow.

"I'm so… sorry… I'll do whatever I can to make sure he doesn't do that to you again," Hina whispered. Ryo wrapped his arms around her tentatively returning her hug.

"You can't. Don't, please don't. Don't bend to his whim." He whispered into her hair. Hina sat back up and stared at the weak looking man. He was beside himself with emotions, all of which Hina suspected were negative. Despite the pain he'd undergone for the entirety of the Kings rule, he still wanted to try and protect her? Hina shook her head sadly.

"I may be nothing but a pathetic weak slave girl…" Hina started, but he put a finger up to her mouth silencing her.

"You are anything but." He interrupted her. Hina shook her head again.

"I am a worthless slave girl, that is my position and I can accept that, but that doesn't mean I won't still try to protect you. If I have to go along with what he wants, then I will." Hina finished speaking with a weak smile tugging at her mouth.

"But… you'll be giving everything up," Ryo began, but Hina laughed without any humour.

"I have nothing left, nothing that I could give up. So, believe me when I say if I can't help Yugi or Marik defeat him, if I can't assist you in returning you to your body, then I sure as hell will make sure he doesn't harm you further. I'll do my best, because I made you a promise." Hina whispered. Her mind wondered over the people she'd met and lost in some way or another. Joey, she hadn't heard anything about him since he was taken from her. Yugi and Marik were long gone, hopefully far away enough from here. Odion was dead. Osamu's soul had been stolen from her. Ryo was all she had left and she would be damned if she was going to let the last thing remaining to her slip through her feeble fingers. Her heart pounded as she felt his hand cup her cheek gently. He lent forwards and Hina started as he brushed his lips against hers gingerly. Her breathing caught in her throat as her eyes widened.

Bakura felt the contact as he hid just beneath the surface of Ryo's consciousness. He wanted to laugh but held it in. He'd allowed Ryo this brief moment of control. He was interested in how his little slave girl would react, what their conversation would be. Now, he knew what he'd suspected. She was going to follow his wants no matter what. She wanted to protect the only person she had left and that person just so happened to be one he had total control over. It was amusing to say the least. She really was interesting. Despite her broken body and damaged willpower, it still remained there. She wasn't just a pathetic weak little slave girl, not to Ryo and certainly not to him. Even now, hidden away, he still couldn't untangle his emotions from Ryo's. Despite knowing this was his plan all along, he was feeling jealous at the fact it was Ryo kissing the miserable girl and not him. Shaking the feeling off, he began to retake control, his need to be the one touching the girl proving too difficult to contain.

Hina felt the all too familiar change occur beneath her touch. The person she was connected to became steadily stronger and possessive. His firm grip ensnared her like the grasps of a boa constrictor, a hold she never believed she'd be able to escape. His lips claimed hers in a much more ferocious manner than those that had tentatively graced her own barely moments before. Hina struggled, but it was pointless. The confines of her body were weak and her mind slowly began to numb against the rough caresses she was trapped in. When the man released his hold on her mouth, his narrowed eyes met hers as a malevolent grin plastered itself across his smug face. Hina's expression turned stony as she glowered back at him, unable to hide her annoyance at his interruption. Despite releasing her from his kiss, he still held onto her waist with a powerful almost painful grip.

"Please let go," Hina sniffed, not even trying to free herself. She knew it would be a pointless thing to attempt and she was already exhausted from been around him. He drained her of energy and it was in short supply these days. His grin broadened and for a moment he held on that little bit tighter. Hina's breathing hitched in a sudden burst of terror at the thought he wasn't going to let her go, but then his grip loosened and Hina shuffled away from him instantly.

"Why isn't your arm broke?" Hina asked to distract herself from the moment.

"I know you wish ill upon me, but is that the best you can do?" He sneered at her. Hina scowled but resisted a retaliation in which she would point out a million things worse she wished upon the spirit.

"No, in your fight with Marik, I heard your arm snap. Like a twig," Hina responded, not wanting to recall the awful sound. Bakura grinned.

"You must have imagined it." He half laughed. Hina shook her head adamantly.

"No, I didn't. I heard it. I saw it happen." Hina protested almost feeling angry. Bakura laughed before holding both his arms out towards Hina, who flinched away instinctively. He twisted them out, his muscles flexing beneath pale skin.

"See. They're fine. I'm fine," He smirked at her once more.

Hina looked away from him feeling confused. She was certain his arm had snapped. She hadn't imagined it, but why would he hide it? What would be the point in him pretending nothing had happened? There would be no reason. Had she imagined the noise?

"I must say I'm almost touched to see your concern for me though," Bakura's voice shattered through Hina's ever cloudy thoughts and confusion. Her head snapped up at his words.

"I am not concerned for you." She snapped angrily before she could stop herself. She regretted it almost immediately. His face darkened ever so briefly. In a split second he'd shoved the bedding back and was up out of his bed. He dressed quickly and in silence. Once he was dressed he marched to the door and only stopped once he'd opened it and had stepped half out into the corridor beyond. Hina, who hadn't moved from her position upon his bed as she watched him dress angrily, glared at him as he turned to her.

"Don't go anywhere," He smirked cruelly at her, clearly knowing there was no way she could go anywhere even if she wanted to because of the chain he'd conjured around her ankle. He didn't wait for her to respond before he left, allowing the door to slam shut behind him. Hina watched him go as anger bubbled up inside her. How dare he think he had any right to touch her like that, hold her like that again. He had long since lost that right and Hina knew with terrible certainty she had been a fool to ever fall for his act. Not again. She couldn't allow herself to fall prey to his lies again. Hina stumbled up from his bed, wincing gingerly as she moved. She retook her place at her own bed and settled upon its surface, vowing to guard every part of her emotions and keep Bakura as far away as she could from infecting her again. He wouldn't get anywhere near her again.

Bakura walked away from his room and the girl who held part of his soul within hers. He knew very well his sudden burst of anger was irrational. He knew it was idiotic to give in to such petty, human emotions. Despite himself and his common sense telling him he was being foolish, he couldn't deny the stab of irritability and frustration he'd felt as she'd declared what she had.

"I am not concerned for you"

Her words ran through his mind like poison, polluting otherwise clear and strategic thoughts. Bakura had well and truly destroyed what they'd once had. He'd enjoyed what they had previously had. It had been new to him and oddly pleasant at times. Bakura had known, since the night he'd caught Hina in the room with the fake millennium items, that she planned to betray him. He had found himself almost desperate to believe her story that she had been paying her respects to his people who'd died to create such atrocities. He had wanted to believe her soft saddened features as she'd gazed into the room, but he knew better than that. In fact, he'd suspected her when he'd found her outside of the palace with that fool, Marik. Bakura hadn't wanted to accept the possibility, but he'd always known Marik was an idiot who'd take any opportunity to turn on him, Bakura just hadn't counted on him recruiting his toy. Bakura was impressed with the girl's performance leading up to the big reveal in which the fools had hoped to release the Pharaoh from his eternal tomb and cause Bakura's downfall. She had been convincing and the more time he'd spent with her, as she tried to manipulate his emotions, he'd found her presence almost intoxicating. Of course, she took advantage of his soft spot for her and he'd allowed her to as he manipulated her emotions right back. Bakura smirked to himself as he glided down the corridor. He had enjoyed himself, but now it was different. Now she was completely alone, completely his and he would do everything he could to keep it that way. He would infect her again. He would make her realise she was his, she was always his and she would always belong to him. What he anticipated more was making her like it, making her enjoy belonging to him. There was no Marik this time, there was no Joey or Yugi to distract her and she didn't have her damn friend by her side. She only had him and he would make sure that would always be enough.

Bakura walked into his throne room and strode across the empty hall, taking his seat upon his golden chair, ready to proceed with the day's events. He was feeling rather heinous today and couldn't hide the sneer that sprung across his face at the thought of all of those subjects of his that would need punishment. He lounged back, getting comfy, ready to start as the doors to the room opened.

Hina winced. She had decided to take a bath. She'd indulged in few over the days she'd spent locked up in the Kings bedroom. There wasn't exactly a lot she had to do in the long hours she spent locked away from the savage world. She hadn't been given any books and the only interaction she got was from Bakura which she really didn't need. He was still under the impression he owned her. Hina knew in his mind he did, but in reality she was free. He may be able to keep her locked up like a tiny little bird in a cage, but her mind was finally free from him. His soul throbbed painfully in her chest as if to try and cage her emotions, but it failed. It no longer controlled her. She controlled herself. Hina lowered herself further into the bath, which proved to be a difficult feat to achieve when one arm was out of commission and every other part of her body still ached and stung as the hot water lapped against her bare flesh and sore wounds. Her hand slipped and she fell the final few centimetres into the depth of the deep bath. The water sloshed against the sides of the porcelain and lapped over the sides, spattering onto the floor. Hina hissed at the sudden sting but soon adjusted to it. She exhaled shakily before stretching out, her limbs aching sweetly as the hot water soothed the tension in her muscles. Hina turned her thoughts back to Bakura as she examined the thin gold chain trailing over the side of the bath and disappearing into the sweet fragranced water. The steam rising from the blissful water seemed to be filling her with strength as she felt it healing her. Baths used to give her time to think, her thoughts usually whirling her into further confusion, but these past few days had been different. Where she'd previously come out of her bath feeling ever more confused, now when she finished soaking her mind was calm and full of clarity. Hina had done a huge amount of growing up in a very short space of time. She wasn't foolish enough to believe she could defeat the King, she no longer trusted that anyone could over throw him. She had to carve out a place for herself in the world as it was now. She had to get Osamu's soul back and then she would have won. She didn't need anything else, not anymore. If she could free Osamu from the shadows, there was a chance he could live a life as full as possible. He may even be able to meet someone, get married and have children. He could live his life to the fullest possible under the rein of the King. And Hina, she would remain where she was by Bakura's side, secretly living there for Ryo. They would both be prisoners until the day they left this earth, but Hina vowed to do it with him. She wouldn't leave him alone to be buried inside his own body as the spirit ruling the earth ran amok. Hina knew her plan sounded melancholy, but it was the best she could do. Hina smiled to herself as she sunk lower in the bath. She stretched fully out, her head sinking into the water, her face just breaking the surface of the warmth as she floated across the water gently.

"Osamu, I will free you," Hina whispered quietly. She had unwittingly taken up the habit of talking to her friend, imagining he could somehow hear her voice across the darkness that stretched between them. It would be impossible that his soul could hear hers from the shadow realm, but the hideousness of the situation didn't stop Hina from trying. It comforted her somehow.

"I hope it's not too horrendous where ever he's keeping you," Hina continued whispering to the empty room all the while picturing Osamu's soft expression. Tears formed behind Hina's eyes, but she refused to shed them. She made a promise to herself, one she intended to keep. She refused to cry until the day she got her friend back. Then she would allow herself the freedom of tears and they would be tears of relief and joy, not sadness or despair.

A sudden knocking on the bathroom door sent Hina spiralling out of her thoughts and crashing back into reality. She started, the noise scaring her. Her head dipped below the surface of the water for a second. When she re-emerged, her short hair plastered across her face, Hina spluttered. She pushed her hair out of her eyes and glared at the door terrified.

"Hello?" She called out tentatively. Was it Bakura? Had he returned to torment her further?

"Miss?" A quiet unknown voice called out. Hina relaxed. It was one of the many other slaves who inhabited the castle. Hina suddenly felt extremely guilty about the small but very significant luxuries she'd had almost constant access to since she was brought to the Kings palace. She's had to endure constant physical and mental abuse at the Kings hands, but she had a soft warm bed to sleep upon and warm water to bathe in when the other slaves had nothing. Hina clambered clumsily out of the bath tub, the water cascading off her tiny frame and slapping against the tiled floor. Hina grabbed a hold of one of the large towels hanging off a wall rack neatly. With difficulty she managed to wrap it around her battered body. She exited the bathroom, taking care not to trip over the golden chain that constantly trailed along behind her as a constant reminder of her imprisonment. When Hina entered the bedroom she expected to be alone, whoever had knocked on her door long gone and a simple but ample meal left for her upon the table in the centre of the room. Hina was left surprised however when her eyes fell upon a girl not much older than herself. The girl had long chocolate coloured hair and was skinny as most of the slaves were. She smiled weakly upon seeing Hina.

"I was told to bring you food," the girl spoke apprehensively, her eyes darting around the room nervously. Hina didn't recognise her and realised she must be new here. She didn't have the same resigned look the rest of the slaves had. It was a look someone who'd accepted their fate wore once realising there was no way out or escape. The expression would soon come to the brown haired girl.

"Oh… thank you," Hina whispered completely losing her appetite. She wondered over to the table her food was set out upon. A roll of bread, slices of ham and cheese met her eyes along with a small beaker of water. Hina glanced up at the girl who'd begun ringing the sleeve of her slaves dress.

"Are you alright? Do you want some?" Hina asked the girl feeling uneasy at the girls own anxiousness. The girl shook her head adamantly at her offer.

"No… no, I'm alright. You… you need your strength…" The girl faltered, eyes going wide for a moment. Hina frowned.

"I… er… I helped to… clean up your old room… I found these…" She spoke in a hushed tone as if afraid of been over heard. She held her hand out. Hina stared. In the girls slender hand she held a crumpled piece of paper and astonishingly, the Dark Magician card Osamu had stolen for her. It was as Hina examined the girl further that she realised the girl didn't actually appear malnourished as she first believed. She was a slender built girl with a small waist, but she wasn't starved. Hina took the items from the girl suspiciously.

"Who… who are you?" Hina asked curiously. The girl glanced around the room almost terrified. When she seemed satisfied that they were truly alone she moved closer, suddenly gaining a small amount of confidence.

"I'm a friend. You won't be alone for much longer." The girl spoke hurriedly, her brown eyes suddenly coming to life with a determination Hina had never seen anyone inside the palace walls wear before. Hina opened her mouth to ask a multitude of questions but the girl spoke before she even had chance to formulate her puzzlement into questions.

"Its okay, Hina, trust me," The girl whispered before holding onto Hina's uninjured hand.

"I promise everything will be okay," The girl urged a brief but very real smile gracing her lips.

"What? I… I don't…." Hina stopped midsentence. Understanding dawned on her. The girl could only be talking about one thing, one possibility with one awful definite outcome. Marik was returning to the city and he intended to bring hell with him. Hina shook her head as nausea overwhelmed her.

"No… they can't, they'll lose," Hina spluttered terrified. The girl smiled.

"Marik isn't alone, not this time." The girl whispered with pride breaking her voice.

"What? What do you mean? How many people is he bringing to die?" Hina snapped her terror making her short tempered. Hadn't Marik learnt anything the last time? There was no winning, no way to over throw Bakura.

They. Would. Lose.

There was no other way of putting it. They would try and they would fail, paying with their lives.

"Marik isn't alone," The girl repeated as if she hadn't heard Hina's rude outburst, "He's with Seto Kaiba,"