Title: Millennium Vessels
Rating: M
Warnings: WIP, M/M, Yaoi, Shonen ai, Anal, Oral, Rape in a later chapter.
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Chapter Nine- A New Game"You are angry with me."
Seto didn't bother to correct Seth's statement since he wasn't quite sure how to respond to it. He was not angry with Seth; nor was it anger that had caused him to switch with the spirit before the end of school. He understood why Seth had retreated after hearing his Pharaoh speak his name- he had felt the sudden surge of emotion that shot through Seth, and Seth's surprise at the strength of those emotion- and knew he had simply done what he believed best to protect Seto.
No, what he was feeling was something else entirely, something a part of him actually shrank away from examining though he knew it was an issue he needed to face, one he realized now he should have dealt with years ago.
Especially after yesterday's little encounter in the lunchroom.
He was beginning to sense how much worse things might get. Still, he was the one who had insisted Seth confront his Pharaoh even over Seth's protests; there was no one else to blame but himself if a few well- buried monsters suddenly rose from the dead.
He should have buried them better.
"Nii-sama?" he heard Mokuba ask.
Glancing across the worktable to where Mokuba had spread his homework, Seto found his little brother watching him closely, a slight frown on his face. Settling back in his chair with a sigh, Seto said, "Go ahead. Ask."
Mokuba stared in surprise even as Seto felt Seth's amazement wash over him. Seto rolled his eyes. "I do answer questions from time to time." he remarked to both of them.
"You don't usually volunteer to answer them though." Mokuba said. "Are you all right Nii'sama?
"I'm fine, Mokuba." Seto answered, and realized too late it was the wrong answer to give.
"Sure you are." Mokuba responded angrily. Seto winced inwardly at his brother's tone as Mokuba pointed out, "If you were okay I wouldn't need to ask you that." Letting out a frustrated breath, Mokuba added in a softer tone of voice as he played with his pen, "I'm just getting worried about you and Seth. You've both been more moody than usual."
Seto knew Seth was listening in on the conversation, but the spirit wisely keep his mouth shut.
"There are some issues that have come up that we need to deal with." Seto finally said.
"What kind of issues?" Mokuba asked, then scowled, obviously catching an echo on his face of the emotions he was trying to hide. "Or is this where you stop answering questions?"
"It's personal Mokuba. It's just something we need to deal with on our own."
Seto could tell it was not an answer Mokuba was happy with but his brother simply nodded and said, "Okay, but if either of you need someone to talk to, feel free to talk to me." Mokuba then shook his head and started working on his homework again as he muttered, "You two keep way too much bottled up sometimes."
You have no idea, Mokuba. Seth said across the link as Seto attempted to get back to his own work.
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Yugi almost jumped out of his skin when Bakura suddenly appeared beside him, dressed in a school uniform similar to the one he wore, near the end of his first class. In all the time Yugi had worn the Ring, Bakura had never put in an appearance in the real world without switching him for his own protection into his soul room first. This was the first time Yugi had ever seen Bakura outside and never with such a thoughtful look on his face. Yugi wasn't quite sure how to respond.
Actually, he found he was a little afraid of how he might respond to Bakura's attention, and part of his mind rebelled slightly to the conflict that thought created. It was one thing encountering Bakura in his mind, it was another to see his lean form casually lounging against the window ledge paying attention to the lesson being taught.
And then there was the fact Bakura only appeared during school hours when he felt Yugi was being threatened.
But it was quickly apparent that a threat was not why Bakura had appeared. The spirit's attention was focused on what was being discussed and almost seemed surprised when the class ended and the other students moved on to their next class. He even ignored Ryou as he gathered up his books and slipped out; remaining where he was studying the notes on the board the teacher was quickly erasing.
Not knowing what else to do, Yugi stood and cautiously approached the spirit. "Umm…" Yugi started to say when Bakura turned and finally looked at him.
"Sorry." the spirit of the Ring said, straightening and walking toward the door. Yugi hurried after him, giving the spirit a curious look once they were in the hall.
Bakura smiled slightly. "Thought I might be able to help you out with your schoolwork." A slight scowl crossed his face as he continued. "Though none of it was making any sense. Did it make sense to you?"
"Umm, a little." Yugi answered then asked carefully, "Why would you want to help me with my schoolwork?"
The spirit shrugged. "That little encounter with Pharaoh and Seth just got me thinking, that's all."
"About what?" Yugi found himself actually curious to hear the answer.
"I've been protecting you a little too well, haven't I." Bakura stated as he watched the students filling the hall make their way to their next class. Before Yugi could protest the spirit's statement, Bakura pointed out, "You were enjoying yourself playing against Pharaoh's vessel until we interfered."
Yugi wanted to reassure the spirit he was okay with that but found the words sticking his tongue in place. Biting his lower lip he glanced away, only to turn back worriedly when Bakura gave a low growl.
Stopping in front of Yugi, the spirit crossed his arms and looked down at him. Instinctively, Yugi hugged his books tight against his chest and fought the unexpected impulse to back away.
But why would he be afraid of Bakura after all the spirit had done for him?
An expression Yugi couldn't identify crossed the spirit's face as he stated, "Maybe I should start protecting you from me."
Yugi tried to answer again but still found himself unable to speak.
Bakura glanced around at the quickly empting hallway and took a step back, moving aside to let Yugi go. Dropping his arms with a slight shake of his head, Bakura said, "You should get to class, I wouldn't want you to be late. If it's all right though I wouldn't mind staying out."
"I don't mind." Yugi answered hastily.
The spirit raised an eyebrow, a doubtful look on his face. He sighed, and there was a tone of regret in his voice as he spoke. "Maybe it would be best if we just work on this. Just call on me when it is all right for us to talk about this or if you have need of me." Without another work, Bakura faded away, both visibly and within Yugi's mind, his presence disappearing into the Millennium Ring.
Yugi stood in the hallway, feeling suddenly a little lost and vulnerable without the spirit in the back of his mind. But the ringing of the bell broke into his thoughts and he automatically moved on to his next class, unable to figure out why he also felt relief that Bakura was gone, even as he wanted to beg the spirit's forgiveness for whatever he had done to hurt his protector's feelings.
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Grabbing his stuff for home Ryou groaned in despair as he thought about all the studying he would need to do tonight to get ready for tomorrow's test in history. He knew Atemu would not bother him; he could sense the spirit wandering around the Puzzle just as he had last night, though the spirit's emotions were certainly much calmer than they had been.
Ryou shut his locker and settled his backpack a little more comfortably before glancing around at the end of school hustle and bustle. As much as he wanted to talk more to the spirit, it was probably best if he left Atemu alone and got his homework done. Considering how little he had actually paid attention to today's class while he thought about the spirit, Ryou was going to need all the study time he could manage tonight.
Moving into the current of students flowing out of the school, Ryou managed to see Yugi at his locker out of the corner of his eye just as Jonouchi sauntered up to him.
If it hadn't been for the surprised look on both their faces when Yugi turned, Ryou probably would have just continued on. But Jonouchi's startled step back and Yugi's look of utter confusion pulled Ryou to a stop to watch.
Yugi's head turned slightly, and Ryou was sure it was to speak with the spirit of the Ring. A shift in Yugi's posture was the only sign something had changed, but it was enough for Jonouchi to notice and he mumbled apologetically, "Sorry, didn't mean to get you confused with the runt, Bakura."
Yugi's eyes narrowed. "I suggest using that brain of yours next time before opening your mouth, idiot." he responded in a low rumble.
"Hey, I'm sorry okay!" the blond exclaimed, his annoyance clear in his voice. "Look, are you coming or not?"
"No. You'll need to find someone else." Yugi turned to grab the backpack and slammed the locker door shut. "And I suggest next time you find someone else to annoy." he stated as he walked away.
Jonouchi glared at Yugi's retreating back a few moments before muttering, "Well, fuck you."
Watching Jonouchi as he spun around, disappeared into the crowded hall, Ryou failed to notice Yugi had circled back and was now standing beside him, waiting patiently for him to acknowledge he was there.
Tensing as he glanced down, Ryou felt Atemu shift his awareness a little closer as he observed the switch between the spirit and Yugi. Yugi blinked at him uncertainly, apparently at a loss as to what to say.
Smiling slightly, Ryou simply said, "Hi."
Yugi tilted his head again, his attention moving to a spot to his left before turning back with a tentative smile. "Hi. Um, sorry I didn't mean to bother you."
Ryou shrugged. "That's okay." Curious as to why Yugi was there, Ryou asked, "Actually, is there something Bakura wanted? He was the one who walked you over here." He let his gaze move to where Yugi suddenly looked and said honestly, "I kind of feel like I'm being rude ignoring him if he's still here."
Yugi shook his head in amazement as his smile became more genuine. "No. Actually he was only trying to help me out. Bringing me over here was his way of apologizing for interrupting our duel yesterday." Ryou was sure words were being exchanged then Yugi said with a slight laugh, blushing slightly, "And you're not being rude, he said. It's just that Bakura tends to be a bit impulsive sometimes."
Unable to help himself, Ryou commented with a chuckle, "I know how that goes."
Yugi's regard became inquisitive as Ryou remained standing next to him and finally asked with a touch of amusement, "Do you mind if I ask, before anything new interrupts us, how long you've worn the Millennium Puzzle?"
"I don't mind at all." Realizing the halls were becoming empty, Ryou said, "A few years now." as he began walking toward the exit. "I got it while I was in Egypt. My sister and I often stayed with my father when he was on a dig and on one of his trips into town I happened to find the Puzzle in a shop selling gifts and things."
"Your father is an archeologist?"
Ryou nodded, "He was. He and my sister died in a car accident a while back."
"Oh, I'm sorry." Yugi responded sincerely.
"Thank you but it's all right." Ryou reached up and cradled the Puzzle in his hand a moment as he explained, "Luckily, I had already solved the Puzzle when it happened. If it hadn't been for Atemu helping me I don't think I would have survived losing them."
"So your spirit protects you too?" Yugi asked.
Ryou had to grin at that. "Oh yes. He's saved me several times." Stopping once they stepped outside, Ryou asked, "Where do you live?"
"With my grandfather. He owns the Kame Game Shop." Yugi said.
"I pass by there on the way to school!" Ryou exclaimed in delight. "I've been wanting to stop there but I haven't had a chance yet."
"Well if you want I'm sure grandpa would be willing to keep the store open a little later tonight so you can look around." Yugi said then laughed lightly, "He's always willing to entertain new customers."
"It's a deal." Ryou responded, ignoring Atemu's halfhearted reminder that he had a test tomorrow. He knew Atemu's words were just a formality; the spirit was just as interested in seeing the game shop as he was.
It did not take long to reach Yugi's place and Ryou followed his fellow classmate into the shop as Yugi called out, "Grandpa, I'm home."
A surprised "Yugi?" was heard just before the speaker appeared in the doorway leading to the back. Stepping around the counter, man stopped and looked at them curiously as he said in what seemed to be a cautious voice, "Hello. Didn't realize you'd be home this early, Yugi. Who's your friend there?"
"That's okay." Yugi said then shifted aside to introduce him. "Grandpa, this is Ryou Bakura. He's…" Yugi's voice trailed off as a look of utter shock crossed his grandfather's face.
"Grandpa?" Yugi asked, worriedly.
Ryou was about to take a step forward when he felt Atemu reacting in the same way as Yugi's grandfather seemed to be. He was surprised when Atemu asked carefully, "Ryou, could we switch for a moment?"
"Sure." he answered, and quickly found himself in Atemu's place.
From the startled looks on both Yugi and his grandfather's face, they had seen the switch. Atemu stood straight and grinned as a brillant smile crossed the old man's face.
"It is good to see you again." Atemu said with a slight bow towards Yugi's grandfather.
Both Ryou and Yugi stared at the old man in shock as he answered with a slight bow of his own and said, "I'm glad to meet you again as well, Pharaoh."