(A/N: Same disclaimers as previous. This is probably going to be the shortest part overall, the next is in fact quite long. Previous warning of AU is reinstated more strongly -- again I wonder about my characterization.)

III

And I say love, LaLaLaLaLa, love,

love, LaLaLaLaLa, love,

Gotta believe in,

love, LaLaLaLaLa, love.

Bakura woke up to the shaking of the very foundations of the building, rousing himself to full wakefulness and discovering he was still naked in Kaiba's bed. He silently slid out from under the sheets and went to the window, gazing out into the ever-dark night sky. It was suddenly lit up by a bright explosion from halfway across the city and the building rocked again. Bakura maintained his balance, still peering out in the gloom, trying to discern exactly what was happening. It seemed like an airborne battle this time; there wasn't very much in the way of screaming.

Seto rolled over with a groan, and Bakura glanced back at him, but he was still sleeping. It was always rough after they'd fought, and Seto always slept longer. Bakura couldn't afford to do the same – he had to leave before the sun came up. He wondered why he hadn't left yet… but it didn't feel like it was time to go.

He sighed and redirected his attention to the window as another volley of explosions went off and the room was brightly lit for several seconds. 'Stupid people and their wars.' Bakura thought savagely, his eyes picking out a plane plummeting to the ground, 'What's the point anyway? I could spend years in this room and every time I looked out it would always be the same: people fighting over stupid things. They might be things they believe in, but they're still stupid.'

He heard rustling behind him and knew that Seto was awake now, out of bed; probably stalking towards him to demand why he wasn't gone yet. He tensed slightly, preparing a snappy comeback and readying himself to have to go out the window.

Seto came up behind him and put a hand on his shoulder, asking tiredly, "What's going on?"

Bakura relaxed slightly, though not without some surprise, "More bombing, I think. Planes are involved."

"Is it nearby?"

"Not close enough to be really worried." Bakura glanced back and up at him, "Can't you see that?"

"I just woke up."

"So did I."

Seto sighed, but somehow wasn't feeling annoyed or up to an argument. He voiced this as a question, "Why can't I hate you?"

Bakura smirked, "Is that the same as asking why you love me?"

"Just answer." Seto muttered roughly.

"I suppose it's because we've been loving one another forever."

Seto started to sigh, which likely would have lead to scoffing, but Bakura twisted so they were facing one another and cut him off, "You asked the question and I gave you what I think is the most truthful answer. Can't you just accept that?"

"No, because it's insane. I can't believe that either you or I were alive three thousand or even three hundred years ago."

"Why, because your mathematics can't explain it?" Bakura retorted fiercely, "Human nature isn't defined by numbers, Seto. If it were, ours would be about as far apart as the moon and the sun."

Seto was silent for a while, his contemplative face lit every so often by the flashes of light from the bombing, and Bakura fumed. Finally, Seto spoke slowly, "Suppose we were alive back then. Suppose we were in love. Why now, then? Aren't I different? Aren't you?"

Now it was Bakura's turn to fall into quiet thought, though he'd felt himself rock to the core when Seto had said that. He couldn't help but rejoice a little, as even though Seto had said 'suppose', it seemed he might be starting to accept the past. But then, Seto had changed – he knew near surefire ways to manipulate Bakura now, at least to some extent, as he'd never known in the past.

But then again, maybe he hadn't changed at all. Bakura chuckled a bit to himself, "No Seth, you haven't changed."

Seto blinked, starting to ask a question, but Bakura kept on, "You always did ask the loaded questions. The ones I just couldn't answer. You once asked me why you were a priest. How was I supposed to know that? What was I supposed to say? You already doubted yourself, felt need of confirmation. I swear I thought that if I answered wrongly you'd throw yourself into the Nile or run away with me, neither of which would be very good for you. I didn't know what to say – what do you tell a priest who is questioning their following?"

"I don't know…" Seto interjected, even though it had little point in Bakura's spiel.

"I remember telling you that it was because that's what you were supposed to do. That was why you existed: to be the greatest High Priest of Egypt. Then you asked if your reason for being could be changed. I couldn't answer that question." He looked at Seto, smirking, "Still can't."

"So I'm still supposed to be a power-hungry priest, am I?" Seto said sardonically, crossing his arms over his chest and staring Bakura in the eye. This conversation wasn't going at all where he had expected, and he could feel his heart beat quicken with his nervousness.

"Not a priest, no. But you're meant to rule, to have power. Look at everything you have. It's similar, isn't it? Back then you had power over people, and now you do as well. And you still hate the Pharaoh."

"Don't bring anyone else into this." Seto ordered quickly, "This is already hypothetical enough, without having other people in this past of yours."

"So you acknowledge it's real."

"No." Seto said a bit too quickly, "I don't… believe it." He put his hand on Bakura's shoulder again, staring out the window with his eyes glazed over.

Bakura started laughing quietly to himself once more, whispering, "No Seth, you haven't changed, not one bit."