Letters and Candles

Chapter 7

Awakening

Disclaimer- No, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, I own the story line but not the characters that are in it.

EDIT- I had to fix the end to this chapter.. I didn't like it...

'Morning already?' Light glowed outside my warm, quilt cocoon.

I wriggled under the covers but something weighed me down. Squirming I managed to pry a hand out from under the covers. Feeling around for what weighed me from surfacing; my hand landed in a sea of silk. I gasped and pulled my hand away, Bakura was asleep across my stomach.

His head lay on my stomach, his arms crossed in front of his face blocking out the light. I pulled my hand back, laying my hand on my collarbone. My hand upon meeting skin instead of my usual pajamas caused me to jump. I'm wearing nothing but my boxers…

The thought didn't upset me right away... But then it sank in...

'I'm in a bed… with Bakura on top of me…in my boxers… OMG! What happened last night?' Frantically I searched my mind. I remember cleaning Malik & Marik's guest room then the floor swaying and feeling sick… 'OMG! You fainted!' Swarmed my mind, leaving me feeling not only embarrassed but like a pin in the side as well.

Bakura shifted nuzzling his nose into my stomach. And of course out of instinct… I squeaked. Well, it was more of a yip. And Bakura… well he leapt about two feet and fell off the bed, all the time screaming and cursing.

"Oh my gosh, Kura. I am soooo sorry! I really didn't… I didn't mean…"

Flashbacks of multiple beatings flashed across my mind and echoed in my ears. Bakura yelling and cursing; my own screams and pleas, fists flying, my arms flailing in weak defense. And blood… pools of the crimson liquid… everywhere. Staining my hair, the carpet and walls. Just everything…

I was instantly snapped from my daze by… laughter. Bakura was laughing, whether at me or not I couldn't tell, but he was laughing, and it wasn't his usual maniacal laughter either. It was true, deep-chest laughter, and honestly it was kind of…nice.

"Marik! Come quick Ryou's awake!"

I turned sharply, almost falling off the bed myself. Then… falling off the bed and onto the floor. Just the thing I had tried to avoid. Malik was wrapped around me in one of the tightest hugs I'd ever experienced. I take that back… until now that is the tightest hug I've ever had.

Malik snuggled up to me on my left and next thing I knew I had Marik on my right. My back straightened and my muscles tensed, my eyes gazing down at Malik and Marik. I glanced uneasily to Kura for some form of advice but he only watched.

"We were sooo worried, Ryou! The doctor says you'll be ok after you rest though. Oh yeah..," Malik pulled an orange pill bottle from off the dresser and pulled out two of the pills. "I'll go get you some water."

I looked from Malik to the pills. They were small capsules, half red and half yellow.

"Don't worry the doctor prescribed them. They'll get rid of your fever and make you feel better."

Malik must have seen my face and I instantly felt guilty for even the sliver of doubt that had crossed my mind.

"Come on Ryou, we wouldn't try to drug you up," Bakura said in an almost offended tone. But the smirk destroyed the entire guilt trip.

"I…I really didn't mean to impose…" Malik shook his head then left. I guess to get me a glass of water for those pills.

"Ryou," Marik said in a half questioning tone.

"Yeah?"

"Stop saying that. It's no big deal. You're sick; you'll get better right here in bed," Marik glanced once up at the bed before continuing, "If you can manage to stay in the bed."

I laughed and that was the end of it.

I spent most of the day in bed. After I phoned in sick and listened to Ashley tell me for a good half hour; how I should stay in bed, drink lots of fluids and all that. Bakura and Marik sat at the foot of the bed as I phoned in, Malik had gone to the store for groceries.

The storm had cleared up while I slept and the street-sweepers had the snow cleared.

"Bakura?" I asked curiously.

"Yeah?" Bakura questioned looking up from the T.V show he'd been watching. Some drama about these two friends who fall in love then try to make the other jealous all the time and the girl ends up getting raped. Odd but Bakura's favorite soap none the less.

"What's today?" I asked playing with the corner of the comforter. A small string was dangling off the corner and I had been playing with it for who-knows how long.

"Uh, Wednesday I think. Why?" Bakura tilted his head to one side to emphasize his question.

"Ah-no, I mean the date, sorry." Note to self- Be specific when asking questions.

Bakura thought a moment before responding, "Christmas was three days ago making this the 27th."

That means New Years is only four days away. You have to get better! The thought flashed then vanished within the depths of my mind.

The Christmas party at The Cabana was great but New Years ruled the town. Everyone loved the New Years bash. There is everything from a dance with live DJ (playing songs appropriate for children too) to our own kids bash in the back room. It's one of the best parties of the year and everyone goes for at least an hour.

Christmas Eve flashed through my mind. The party at The Cabana had been a night of food, fun, dancing and the occasional romance with the occasional drama. Kids ran mayhem in the back room while parents partied in front of our favorite DJ.

Ashley and I had passed out food and drinks at the counter while Kylie managed the children's bash with the help of a few volunteering parents. Many stopped to chat with us in between taking orders. Yugi, a kind but shy boy who I had gone to school with, had stopped in with his boyfriend, Yami, halfway through the night.

Yugi talked to me about several things; our winter break plans, what had happened so far and of course how Yugi and Yami's relationship was going. They had just started dating after Halloween. Actually Yami asked Yugi out on Halloween night. And of course Yugi, who had called me almost daily with some sort of 'Yami did this today' report, had now almost stopped talking to me. I guess if I had someone like that I wouldn't tell my best friend everything too…

After a while I took my break to dance and socialize with the guests without distraction. I had weaved through the crowd, nodding my head slightly to the beat of the music, trying to locate Yugi. I was unsuccessful in my search and preceded to return to the counter.

"Ryou! You haven't had your full break yet! Don't come moseying back up here just yet!" Ashley had said in her usual blonde cowgirl fashion. Her father had raised her on his cattle ranch somewhere in the United States until Ashley's mother had filed for divorce. In a bitter and drawn out custody battle the judge had ruled Ashley go to her Grandparents on her father's side until it was resolved. It had never been resolved… so she had been raised with her grandparents here in Domino.

As I had considered ignoring her advice and going back to work, Ashley pulled the closed sign out from under the counter and turned off the register. Before I could ask what she was doing she had pulled off her waist apron and was dragging me into the crowd.

"I'm not letting you work the night away! I'm keeping an eye on you, Ryou," she had said opening her eyes widen to make a point. I laughed but nodded my head ok.

In the middle of the crowd we had stopped and danced, allowing others to join in till we had a nicely formed circle. I don't know why we always end up in a circle, well… something close to it. But we went in a random order into the center breaking out our best moves. Ashley had stood there dancing in place clapping to the beat. I, like everyone else, was doing pretty close to the same thing.

She turned to me nudged her head toward the center of the circle. I had shaken my head, eyes wide, realizing she wanted me to take a turn. Just to prove a point, when the center had cleared out she took another go. Pulling her arms into the air and dancing in perfect time to the beat. The crowd cheered and whistled but when she left the center she came and stood next to me and with a nudge; managed to push me into the center.

Embarrassed I had practically tripped into the center, I stumbled to pick-up the beat. I caught up fairly easily, the beat pounding into my ears. Unlike many, I attempted to match the beat, instead of just trying to show myself off. Ashley called out my name and jumped into the center and danced with me. I had grinned and danced with her but our circle now became disorganized and as soon as I was close enough to run into the person behind me. I knew it was time to get back to work.

I never have enjoyed being in compact spaces. I thought turning to see what Bakura was doing. Surprisingly Bakura wasn't even in the room any more. I guess I wouldn't really want to stay in a room all day with someone who sits here daydreaming. 'Great job, Ryou,' was my only thought.

Without even thinking about it; I climbed out of bed and pulled on my shirt and pants, which had been neatly disregarded onto the floor next to the bed. I crossed the room, tuning off the T.V. Bakura had been watching all day and started to fix the bed.

Downstairs… 'Kura's Point of View

"So you just put the picture in his apartment. Just like that?" Malik asked after I told them what I had done. Marik just gave me the 'That was bold' grin while Malik looked dumbfounded.

"Wow 'Kura. So, does he even remember the wish?" Marik asked pulling another chunk off a loaf of French bread on the coffee table in front of us. As I too pulled off a chunk I shook my head.

"Don't think so. If he does then he's choosing not to remember," I said taking a bite. I knew that he didn't remember. The look on his face while we were in his apartment told me he didn't.

"You know, you really should tell him…" Malik said snatching away the bread from me and Marik, "And that's supposed to be for lunch tomorrow and you know it," he said bopping me and Marik on the head with the half devoured loaf of bread. I hated when Malik acted like that. Reminded me too much of a grandmother and a young child. Hands out food to them then yells for them eating before a meal…

"What if I had other plans for dinner?" Marik asked seductively grabbing Malik's arm before he could leave. I smirked watching the two; an argument always was the most fun.

"Hmm…," Malik purred, "Depends on what's on the menu…" Marik took the hint and pulled Malik over onto his lap; turning his head to nuzzle Malik's neck. Malik's head tilted back and gave a light sigh. Marik after a minute began to nip lightly at Malik's neck; before both jumped apart when a loud thump sounded form upstairs. I even jumped a bit; damn, I get to into those sorts of things.

"Damn, he better not be out of bed," I dragged myself up but it was too late. Ryou was hopping down the stairs.

"What's going on everyone?" He asked, brown eyes reflecting upon us. Two blonde Egyptians on the floor and me looking somewhat angry yet relived. "Did I interrupt something?" His face was bashful and shy.

"No, not really," Malik said before pulling himself up then pulling Marik to his feet.

"Are you feeling better, Ryou?" Marik asked walking over and laying a hand over Ryou's forehead. "Your fever has broken."

Ryou nodded, "I feel like…" It took him a moment to find the right words. "…like going to work actually."

My eyes narrowed fast and Ryou seemed to feel my mood shift. He turned to me and gasped. I know he was having memory flashes and that the look scared him. And truthfully I didn't know if I could control my emotions for a minute. I actually didn't act on instinct. I took a moment to think… for the first time in a while really.

"Don't…" I stuttered slightly and took a moment to regain control. "Don't you dare…" I know I almost hissed the last word. After the last word was out though I sighed, sinking back into the couch. Controlling yourself is exhausting.

"Aww! 'Kura! That's so sweet! You controlled your temper!" Malik squealed, squeezing past Marik. I "humphed" before crossing my arms and but looking quite tired. He sat down on my lap before giving me a congratulatory kiss.

Ryou was blushing when I looked away from Malik's lavender eyes. I gave him a confused look back. I knew Ryou got embarrassed easily around… well just about any sort of public affection. Marik gave a chuckle before going over and whispering something to Ryou. Ryou turned about 3 shades of red darker almost instantly before running up the stairs.

I pulled up, almost dumping Malik into the floor in the process, "What did you say?" I asked almost defensively.

"Nothing…"

Yes, I know it was a sort of long- drawn out chapter… And it took forever for me to update. I'm moving in July so I wont be able to update till after I get moved in but I should be able to get one-two more chappies up before then… This chappie is deticated to my BFF's for always being there when I need them and my loyal reviewers who have waited too long… I love you all…
Lupe