Author's note: Hello to anyone reading my story still. I truly appreciate it if you are. Hope you enjoy this next chapter. It feels super strange knowing I'm coming to the end now, like I can see the finish line in sight. Hope you're all well and keeping safe out there! Xx

Chapter 45

Hina breathed a great sigh of relief, inhaling the air as if it was the first time. She closed her eyes briefly as disbelief swept through her. She hurriedly opened her eyes again. Those red eyes were seared into her mind and closing her eyes only brought them swimming back. She had been certain she was done for, that the creature was about to cut her down where she stood. If it hadn't been for Bakura… Hina could still feel his hand wrapped around hers. She contemplated pulling away, but the comfort his skin upon hers brought was something she couldn't deny and at the moment she needed it. Bakura glanced over at her and grinned. Hina didn't return it. She still felt incredibly shaky and on edge. Her body felt stiff and uncomfortable. She glanced around the village, searching. She wanted to know that creature was truly gone, that she was away from it.

"He's gone," Bakura said softly, gently. Hina met his gaze and nodded once, not sure she truly believed him. Then, her conversation with the monster came back to her. She bit her bottom lip, examining Bakura nervously. Did he know everything she'd been told? Did he know it was Zorc's doing all along? Hina doubted it. He wouldn't work with the creature truly responsible for his village's death, his mothers, would he? Hina cast her eyes around again. She couldn't see the dark omniscient cloud, but that didn't mean he wasn't around.

"Can we go, please?" She asked quietly, looking pleadingly at the man. He considered for a moment and nodded. He still wanted to show her more and he knew how terrifying the monster, Zorc Necrophades, could be to mortals. He'd capitalised on that fear to achieve his goals of world domination. He knew Hina was lucky that within here, their soul room, Zorc couldn't achieve his true form. Should she see him like that, she would struggle to maintain her sanity. He pulled the girl close to him and looked down at her. He couldn't deny he'd felt fear when he realised she had been taken from him. He knew of course the culprit of such a feat. Maybe Zorc was right. She was a distraction for him. He knew it, yet he wasn't prepared to give her up. Not yet. He released his grip upon her and stepped away, suddenly disgruntled at himself. He shouldn't be considering her like that. She had tried, on multiple occasions, to thwart him. He couldn't trust her, not really.

Hina felt him release her and a wave of panic she couldn't quite understand rose within her. She fought it back and swallowed hard. She was starting to forget why she was here, why she was entertaining this man. She couldn't deny, now she knew what she did, the thoughts of simply defeating him and returning to her body weren't as appealing. She suddenly felt sympathy for him. He had been deceived and it pained her to know that, yet she wasn't sure she could tell him.

"Thank you," Hina whispered and he turned back to her, a wariness in his expression. She met his gaze earnestly, before stepping forwards nervously. He didn't flinch away from her so she took that as a sign he was allowing her to approach. Hina stood before him and gazed up into his face, she lifted her fingers and traced the scar down his cheek with trembling fingers.

"I'm so sorry," She whispered as she ran her fingers down it gently. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand away from him, a dangerous look in his eye. Hina bit her lip, worried she'd over stepped, but she couldn't help it. She was overcome with a massive range of emotions and right now, she needed to be near him, despite that causing further turmoil within her. She met his ferocious glare with her own wide eyed one. He pulled her against him, his free hand clutching at her hip. He released his hold on her wrist and lowered his face to hers, where he pressed his lips harshly against hers. Hina felt the air catch in her throat as he claimed her mouth. When he pulled back, Hina was breathless and dizzy. She hadn't expected his kiss and her mind was reeling.

"Come." He spoke his order, a wicked grin across his face. His hand found hers and wrapped tightly around it, as if he were afraid she would be taken from him again, which was exactly what he feared. Hina didn't need telling twice. She stumbled in her hastiness to conform to his command. He led her from the village and it melted away before Hina's eyes.

When the darkness dissipated, Hina was glad to feel Bakura's hand still wrapped possessively around hers. She blinked in the light of the new surroundings. She cast her eyes curiously towards the red cloaked man, who's expression was unreadable. Hina saw, to her surprise, they were standing in a tattered looking alley way. The stone was uneven and there seemed to be rubbish lining the sides. It reminded Hina irresistibly of the alley way she'd hid in back in the King's city, when she'd tried to escape. It was dirty and cast in shadows from the buildings either side. There, at the far side of the alley, huddled up on the floor looking almost dead, was a figure she recognised. Hina wanted to walk forwards, but couldn't bring herself to break free from Bakura's hand. The white-haired boy's head was bowed forwards as he curled up.

"How long was this, since the palace?" Hina whispered as if she was scared to disturb the boy, which was silly, as he couldn't possibly hear her. This was nothing more than a memory.

"A few days." He replied emotionless. Hina glanced around at him and noticed he looked more uneasy than he had at any point through this walk down memory lane. Frowning, Hina returned her gaze to the boy. He had moved, shifting and glancing up towards them. With a jolt, Hina thought he had spotted them, but then a figure walked through them and towards the boy. Hina tried not to react to the sudden appearance of a person walking through her. It wasn't as if she felt anything, but the sight was enough to send her heart into shock. The figure, a child no older than the boy sprawled out across the dusty floor, approached him. Hina examined the child. It was a girl, dressed in tattered clothing, her dark hair braided down her back and skin a very similar tone to that of the boy. He eyed her suspiciously as she approached. The girl stopped before him and he looked up at her, the wound on his face horrific and looking at the beginnings of infection.

"Hello." The girl said brightly, not at all repelled by the wound on the boy's face.

"Leave me alone." The boy said, turning and looking away from her.

"Well, that's not a very nice thing to say." The girl spoke in a sing-song voice, not at all put off by his hostile attitude. The young Bakura merely growled in response, to which she gave an overly dramatic exasperated sigh.

"My name's Kiya, what's yours?" She asked, almost oblivious to his distaste for her presence.

"Go away!" He growled louder this time, turning, and glaring dangerously at her, an expression he'd long since mastered in his adulthood.

"Okay, 'go away', nice to meet you." She beamed at him, bouncing on the balls of her feet. When he didn't respond, other than to continue glaring at her through his one good eye, she spoke again.

"That cut looks nasty. My Nana can treat that." She said proudly. The boy shifted uncomfortably, evidently still suspicious.

"Why would you help me? I'm nothing but a traitor and I've been disfigured to prove it." He asked. The girl merely shrugged.

"My Nana treats anybody. Good people, bad people, tomb robbers, thieves…" Her voice trailed off and she smiled again. Young Bakura considered for a moment.

"Look," The girl started, tapping her foot impatiently, "That cut looks infected. If you don't treat it, you'll die and your purpose will be over,"

"My… purpose?" He repeated

"My Nana says everyone has a purpose. Some more important than others, but still. A purpose."

Bakura nodded and tried to get to his feet but stumbled. The girl, Kiya, caught him and helped to steady him. She looped his arm over her shoulder with a genuine smile as she helped him down the alleyway, back towards where Hina stood watching with the adult version of the boy. She saw the girl's profile for the first time. She still looked childlike, but her dark eyes held more wisdom than her years. Hina imagined, back in these ancient times, children had to grow up pretty fast, if they were to survive. Just like she had. Hina stood back, pressing herself against the wall as the two children walked by them. Hina turned to watch as the girl, Kiya, helped the boy stumble along. Weakness from his wound, and likely hunger, had taken its toll. Hina chanced a glance towards Bakura curiously. If this was a memory he was showing her, then this girl had to be important to him in some sort of way. Bakura caught her eye, and his expression gave nothing away. He merely nodded his head in the direction the pair had gone, stepping after them. Hina hurriedly fell into step beside him. She gazed down at her hands, which she was ringing together nervously. Hina was still none the wiser to any of this, but she wasn't about to question it anymore. She would wordlessly allow him to show her his past. Hina wanted to know now, she wanted to understand the spirit better. It may give answers she so desperately craved. She bit her lower lip, chewing on it anxiously. There was also the issue of the monster from before. He was behind it all and Hina had to tell the man striding along besides her. What if he already knew? Hina couldn't believe that. She'd seen the little boy and the way he'd gazed at his mother, Takhat. He'd never have helped the creature responsible for her demise.

"We're here." Bakura's gruff voice spoke, jolting Hina out of her ever-spiralling thoughts. She blinked back the tears that had begun to form in her eyes before she lifted her head, examining their surroundings. They were standing on a run-down quiet street, right on the outskirts of the city it seemed. The girl Kiya had a covering over her head and had seemingly placed one over the young boys too. Hina understood, it shielded them not only from the sun, but also any guards or curious onlookers. The girl stepped away from the boy and pushed open the shabby wooden door on an unsuspecting stone house. It was simple yet not as run down as those in the village Bakura was from. The walls were smooth and clean, and it somehow looked more expensive, while looking not much different from those in Kul Elna. Once the door was open, Kiya returned to the boy and helped him over the threshold. Hina walked forwards, following them with curiosity. She passed into the shade of the home and found her eyes relaxed, no longer needing to squint in the harsh sunlight.

Hina felt the presence of the man behind her and knew Bakura had followed after her. She ignored him for the moment, instead examining the inside of the home. It was bigger than she'd first thought. There was a doorway opposite the entrance, leading off into a second room hidden by a sheet of cotton. The room they were in seemed to be some sort of clinic, although Hina had never seen anything like it before. There were shelves upon shelves lining the walls with a multitude of ceramic jars and assortment of ointments, wrappings and other objects associated with healing. It looked rather crude, compared to modern medicines, but at the same time it was also impressive. Kiya helped the young Bakura over to a small, raised bed in the corner of the room. She lowered him onto it, and he sat there, a painless expression cast over his face.

"Nana!" The girl cried out, in her pleasant sing song voice. Within a moment, the curtain covering the doorway rippled before it was wrenched back, and a woman entered the room. Despite being called Nana by the girl, the woman entering the room didn't look elderly at all. She was tall and slender, dressed in a simple cloth dress. Her features were sharp, and her black hair was braided thickly down her back. Her dark eyes cast around the room, settling upon the boy slumped over on the bed, clutching his face. Her face pinched slightly, seeing the figure. She focused on Kiya with a curious expression.

"What have you brought me, child?" She asked, stepping further into the room.

"He's hurt, Nana. He needs help." Kiya smiled, almost bouncing on the balls of her feet. The woman smiled warmly down at Kiya, the emotion lighting up her exquisite face perfectly. Without another word, the woman strode across the room and crouched down before the boy.

"May I see?" She asked in a calm, quiet tone. Bakura didn't move. The woman lifted an elegant hand and wrapped her fingers around the boy's wrist. She gently pulled the boy's blood-stained hand away from his face, revealing the ugly wound beneath.

"I see." The woman spoke, lines appearing across her brow. She contemplated for a moment, meeting Bakura's one good eye. She straightened up.

"Kiya, did anyone see you?" She asked sharply.

"No." The girl replied, her own expression becoming serious.

"You bring me a traitor to the Pharaoh. You must be certain."

"I told you, Nana, no one saw us." Kiya replied.

"Alright. You, boy." She snapped. Bakura looked up at her. "I will treat your wounds on the condition you speak of this to no one."

"I have no one to speak a word to." He mumbled in reply. The woman's face softened ever so slightly. She turned to Kiya and spoke a few orders to her, asking for certain items. Kiya sprung to action instantly, collecting items from the shelf before hurriedly disappearing through the curtain. The woman knelt before the boy, taking his chin in her hand, and tilting his face from side to side, examining the injury.

"You are lucky Kiya found you when she did. Any longer and I'm afraid even myself would have struggled to prevent your death." She mused. The boy merely shrugged, and the woman scowled.

"My name is Merit, and I expect gratitude, boy. I have treated many in my time, but a traitor to the Pharaoh is a first." She released him just as Kiya entered the room, a large bowl in her hand. She set it down beside the crouched woman. She then disappeared again. Merit looked down into the bowl and reached in. She pulled out a rag from the hot water and rang it out, wincing slightly at the heat. She lifted the rag and gently dabbed at the dried blood encrusted upon the Young Bakura's face. He flinched but didn't pull back. Kiya returned and stood back silently as Merit cleaned the skin and the wound. Once his face was clean, Kiya handed the smaller bowl across and Merit took it. She dipped her fingers into the substance and dabbed it upon the boy's wound. Hina wrinkled her nose as the injury was completely smothered in, what looked to her like, thick greenish mud.

Once the wound was covered, the woman stood up, wiping her fingers clean in the now bloodied rag.

"There." She stated, satisfied with her work. "That should prevent any disease, although I can give no guarantee. If the gods want you, they shall have you no matter what I do." She finished wiping her fingers clean and cast the rag down into the bowl. She examined the boy with sad eyes.

"You may stay here tonight. Kiya will look after you." The woman spoke softer than the tone she'd been using previously.

"Thank you." Bakura whispered barely audibly. The woman smiled briefly before making her exit.

"Come." The older Bakura next to Hina spoke and she started. She'd almost forgotten he was here as she'd watched the interactions unfold. Hina followed him out the house and into the street. He began walking away from the house and Hina fell into step beside him, the sunlight almost blinding her now after the darkness of shelter. The street was dusty and quiet and Hina found herself losing interest in the identical buildings of smooth stone. She looked at the man and examined the scar still visible upon his features. It was because of that woman, Merit, he'd even survived the disfigurement. It was a very odd and peculiar sensation, being able to draw similarities between herself and the man walking silently besides her. She winced slightly, remembering the punishment her back had taken and the purpose of such scarring. It was to mark her as a traitor and warn anyone else off trying to oppose the King. Hina exhaled and Bakura cast his eyes round to her. He stopped in his tracks and turned to her. Hina stopped too.

"What?" He asked, rather harshly. Hina blinked, taken aback by his tone. She frowned and folded her arms over her chest.

"Nothing." She retorted irritably. She immediately pushed away the thoughts that were truly troubling her. The monster. Was it nearby? Was it watching their every move, hidden away from them? Hina cast her eyes around them, her arms tightening around her defensively.

"That monster… Do you know if it's nearby?" She whispered. Bakura frowned. Was that what she was worried about? He couldn't blame her.

"He won't harm you, not while I am with you." He said shortly.

"That wasn't what I asked." She retorted, shuddering. Bakura found his curiosity piqued. He knew from just a feeling that Zork was not near them, nor was he able to listen in on them without his knowledge.

"He is not near." Bakura eventually said. He saw the fear and tension leave the fragile girl. Her eyes became round and pleading as she met his gaze.

"Bakura… I need to tell you something."