A/N: Yea, I know. I shouldn't be starting something new when I have another two fics to be done. Luckily, this one is going to be a quickie, only 3 or 4 chapters, most of which is done. I really need to stop listening to music while I write, that's 90% of my issues right there. Anyway, this is loosely based on Richard Marx's 'Hazard' Which is a song about a man accused of a murder he maybe didn't commit. WARNING! There will be a character death!
3 years ago…
"Are you sure this is going to work?"
Yugi asked Pegasus nervously, eyeing the pile of candles that were dumped hap-hazardly on the table. Pegasus smiled, the fake Eye he had made to fill his eye socket glittering mischievously.
"Oh Yugi-boy have I ever steered you wrong before? I'm sure in no time flat you will be wrapped up in the arms of your beloved Pharaoh once again."
Yugi swallowed nervously, taking a second to glance over at Joey for reassurance. His best friend grinned, flashing his famous thumbs up grin. Yugi then looked over on his other side at Ryou, who smiled sadly. Pegasus had been having visions of Yami, not content in the after life wanting to come back and spend his lifetime with his soul mate. After months of ignoring, the Duel Monsters creator had finally contacted Yugi, suggesting a ritural he had found to bring his back.
Yugi had jumped at the chance, but now that he was here he wondered if he was making a mistake. However, it was too late to turn back now, and all Yugi could do was wait and see what happened. Croquet began arranging the room, adjusting the chairs and lighting the candles. Pegasus waited silently, not wanting the other man's work to interfere with his big moment. Yugi waited with bated breath, holding both of his friends hands.
When Pegasus had approached him, Yugi's first thought was to have the entire gang here, waiting to greet their friend back. That feeling quickly vanished when he realized that there was a good chance this wouldn't work, and instead of telling all his friends, he told Joey. The blond listened intently to all of his worries, then gently suggested that Yugi talk to Ryou, as someone who would truly understand Yugi's feelings. It was Ryou who convinced him to listen to Yami's wishes, and who offered to come with him to Pegasus's Island for help.
Joey had come too, and the three boys had quietly planned a trip without alerting any of their friends. Now they were waiting as Pegasus muttered in another language, waving his hands over the table theatrically as was his way. Yugi clenched his friend's hand, a low noise beginning to ring in his ears, getting louder and louder until he was unable to stand it anymore, his vision turned white and he passed out.
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Abruptly Yugi woke up, blinking wearily to help focus his sight. The sun shining told him it was morning, although he wasn't sure how many days had past. He was in one of the rooms in the castle, probably the same one that he had stayed in during Duelist Kingdom. He went to sit up, only to feel the presence of another. Without even looking, he knew it was Yami, the bond between the two having been restored as soon as the other had crossed onto their plain. Yugi looked over, mesmerized for a moment at finally being able to really see his soul mate.
He gently kissed Yami on the forehead before easing out of bed. Running his fingers through his hair he padded down the hallway towards the dining hall, where he heard several voices. Entering, he saw Pegasus, Joey and Croquet in the middle of an argument, Joey on the phone talking to someone. They all stopped once they realized who was in the room, and Joey hung up the phone without a word.
"Hello Yugi-boy, did you sleep well?"
Pegasus asked, smiling as the shorter boy came to the table.
"Yes, thank you. I can't believe it actually worked!"
Yugi smiled, settling down next to Joey, who quickly glanced at Pegasus. The phone went off again and Joey growled, leaving the room quickly. Pegasus watched him go, greatly bemused.
"Who would have thought that Kaiba-Boy and Joseph could have made a relationship work? Will wonders never cease?"
Yugi laughed, digging into a pile of pancakes that Pegasus's cook had brought out to him.
"So Yugi, about last night… there's something that you need to know."
Pegasus drawled out, watching as the smile faded from the younger duelists face.
"He's going back isn't he?"
Yugi whispered, already feeling tears of disappointment on his cheeks.
"No, no nothing like that. It's more… complicated."
"Well, I hope you having the welcome mat rolled out Pegasus, causes Kaiba and Mokuba are on their way."
Joey interrupted, frowning in annoyance as he sat back down next to Yugi. Pegasus shook his head at the news, looking over at Yugi who was frowning in confusion.
"Yugi, the spell I used to bring back Yami also brought back Bakura. He is currently locked in one of the bedrooms with several guards surrounding him, but we need to decide what to do with him."
"First, I think you should treat him with a little respect."
Ryou stated, appearing from the hallway. Pegasus frowned, annoyed that he didn't sense the other boy in the area.
"Ryou, I know he was a part of you, but he's done some pretty bad stuff. He killed most of Yami's friends, tried to destroy the world several times, not to mention all the times he put you in the hospital to help out with one of his schemes."
Joey said, arching an eyebrow at the white haired boy.
"I know, but at the same time, he had an evil demon inside of him… which was brought on by the awful things that happened to him. Maybe he deserves a second chance, just like Yami."
Pegasus leaned back in his chair, pressing his fingertips together in thought.
"What do you think we should do Yugi?"
He asked, and Yugi shrugged.
"Normally I would leave this decision up to Yami, but I don't think we could trust him to have an unbiased opinion."
Yugi turned to Ryou, doubt shining in his eyes.
"Do you think you could control him if he stays? Maybe he does deserve a second chance, but I won't be the one with that responsibility."
Ryou nodded, considering what Yugi had said for a moment.
"Let me see him, then I can make an informed decision."
Pegasus nodded, gesturing to Croquet who stood to escort Ryou out of the room, leaving the other three there in silence. Croquet stopped in front of a door, nodding to the guards who were stationed there.
"You have three minutes."
He told Ryou, adjusting his shades and standing stiffly at the door. Ryou nodded, opening it and walking in the dark room.
"Bakura?"
He whispered, looking around as the door shut behind him.
"Well, if it isn't my wonderful host, never thought I'd have the pleasure of seeing you again."
Bakura hissed from the spot on the wall he was chained too, lying on the floor. Ryou knelt down to his former parasite, touching his face gently.
"Oh Bakura, I've missed you."
He whispered, wrapping the older man in a hug. Bakura stiffened for a moment before relaxing, allowing a single tear to silently fall on the back of the man he had once abused.