AN: I can honestly say I didn't give the Memory Arc that much thought, kind of trying to get over this hurtle before worrying about the next! Lol. I was considering breaking free from canon at some point but right now it's sort of a security blanket, you know, telling me where to go and whatnot but I assume that isn't very entertaining… Hmm yeah, not sure at the moment but it's definitely something I'll be thinking about. Until then, hope you like this chapter. I feel I've said this before but I'm a little worried about how this chapter goes over. Not entirely satisfied with it but I can't really do anything about it. I feel like I'm rambling so I'll just stop( assuming anyone's actually reading this…) I promise next chapter will be better! n.n"
Chapter Six
Akeno stayed a few steps behind Bakura to maintain distance; also, she couldn't match his quick pace even if she wanted to. She found walking rather awkward with the bandages; she imagined that's how a corset would feel. Bakura abruptly spun around and grabbed her wrist.
"Can you move no slower?" he growled.
She cried out and nearly doubled over, tears stinging at her eyes. He let go of her, unsure of why she was in pain. As she clutched at her wrist, he realized he had gripped it too tightly. He hadn't really noticed until now how raw they were. He frowned slightly. Yugi and his friends may be morons but Bakura doubted that even they'd overlook such an injury.
"Go back and get bandages," he told her, handing her the card-key.
She hesitated then as quickly as she could, went back to the room. Taking the rest of the bandages, she hurried back to him.
"Do it as you walk…" he said. "You are capable of doing two things at once, aren't you?"
She blushed and ducked her head. "Yes…master."
Her binding job was done somewhat sloppy compared to his but it was better than nothing. When they reached the hall, she had just finished.
"I expect you to behave."
She nodded- there wasn't much else she could do. The room was huge, mostly metallic but still had a grand sense to it. From the ceiling hung a large crystal chandelier and many tables of different foods littered the floor. She didn't know it was possible to make a blimp into a ballroom.
"Akeno? Can I talk to you?" said a voice from behind her.
Tea stood looking rather embarrassed and meek.
Akeno looked at Bakura who huffed and turned away, giving his approval. Tea led her a little ways off.
"Look, I'm really sorry for walking in on you two." Tea said hanging her head. "I mean when Bakura said you were old friends, I didn't realize you were that good of friends."
Akeno blushed. "No, we were just…" He was just making sure I don't keel over from the stab wounds he inflicted earlier when we were trading parts of our souls… Yeah, she'd buy that.
"Um it's okay," Akeno said glancing over at Bakura who was talking with Joey. Somehow Bakura seemed different, just like he did before. Akeno frowned.
"Here, why don't you eat something?" suggested Tea, dragging her over to a table. "The deserts look delicious!"
"Oh um…" she glanced at Bakura who was now heading towards them. "I'm not hungry, thanks."
Even though she was starving, Akeno wasn't going to risk angering him. Sure, he wouldn't hurt her here while he was putting on his weird nice-guy routine but once they got back to their room… His room, she corrected herself.
"Here, I think they're going to start the drawing," Bakura said in a sweet tone guiding Akeno away from Tea.
The lights dimmed and a large odd looking machine rose onto a platform.
"Finalists and guests, may I have your attention please," said one of Kaiba's suits. "Now the first two duelists for round one will be chosen by lottery." He went on telling everyone how fair the selection was and that it was completely random.
"The first duelist is," the man began and waited as the selector spat out a ball. "Number six, Bakura!"
"Me? I duel first?"
He seemed genuinely shocked but Akeno figured it was part of his act. The others protested saying he should rest but he insisted he was fine enough to duel. He's in fit enough shape to torture people, another duel should be nothing.
The selector rumbled and tossed out another ball. "And his opponent, duelist number three, Yugi Moto!"
Again, the gang seemed surprised but Bakura shook it off like nothing.
"I guess I'm dueling Yugi. This should be fun," he smiled.
He pulled Akeno aside as the others headed for an elevator. "Go with them for now, the separation should be brief and the pain minimal," Bakura said then added, "Don't even think about misbehaving."
She nodded as a young girl, Serenity, called to her. "Akeno, don't you want to see the duel? Come on!"
Bakura nudged her in their direction and with one glance back at him, she squeezed inside of the elevator. It relieved her slightly to be away from him yet at the same time; it worried her as a small ache arose in her chest as the elevator began moving.
Someone casually draped an arm across her shoulders. "So how long ya two been goin' out?"
"Joey!" exclaimed Tea, blushing.
Play it off, Akeno. "Um, about a year."
"Really?" asked Tristan. "He never mentioned you before."
"Yeah, well, I'm not surprised seeing as it really doesn't concern you," Akeno said bitterly, everything starting to get to her.
Joey removed his arm. "Oh, right ah sorry."
Akeno felt awkward the rest of the ride despite Tea's sad attempts at breaking the silence. That really wasn't necessary… Just because I'm stuck in a horrible situation doesn't mean I should take it out on them.
The door opened and wind assaulted them as they stepped out. There was an elevated arena in which Bakura, Yugi and the referee were standing. She quickly made her way over to alleviate the discomfort in her chest, the rest of the gang followed.
As the duel began, most of the gang cheered for Yugi. Tea elbowed her slightly, smiling. "Aren't you going to cheer on Bakura?"
Akeno looked stunned as if Tea had suddenly sprouted feathers and horns. "Uhh…"
Thankfully, the referee interrupted the conversation.
"Alright, the first duel between Yugi Moto and Ryou Bakura begins now!"
Akeno noticed Bakura's demeanor change.
"Are you prepared to lose it all?" asked Bakura nonchalantly.
"I won't lose," said a deep voice.
Akeno turned and was surprised to see it was Yugi who spoke. "Before we begin this duel why don't you tell me who you really are and stop this charade."
Bakura merely laughed.
"Alright, have it your way then but I think I know who you are!"
At that moment, Bakura chose to reveal his necklace, letting it appear to melt through his shirt to rest, glowing, on his chest.
"It is you! The spirit of the Millennium Ring!" shouted Yugi.
Spirit? Millennium Ring? Could he mean Bakura's necklace?
"Look at Bakura!" Tea said pointing.
"Ah man, he's wearin' dat Millennium Ring again!" exclaimed Joey.
"That can't be," started Tristan. "I got rid of it at Duelist Kingdom. I tossed that thing into the deepest part of the woods, miles from anywhere. I don't know how Bakura got it back but I know it's not a good thing!"
"Girl," Bakura called.
Her stomach tightened seeing his eyes rest on her. She felt as she did back at the graveyard, so close to freedom only to have to snatched away.
"Step away from those fools and come to me."
Akeno bowed her head in shame and started walking towards him. She had no other choice but couldn't help feeling embarrassed with the others, though strangers, watching her obey him like a slave.
"Akeno, don't do it!" Tea shouted, coming up beside her.
Akeno stopped reluctantly and looked sadly at Tea.
"He isn't your boyfriend!"
Yeah, no kidding!
"Look, I know it's hard to understand but he's not who you think he is," she explained.
"Now," Bakura drawled dangerously.
Akeno sighed. "Sorry, Tea," she said and turned away, coming to stand below Bakura.
She didn't dare look over at the others. She didn't want to see their faces. A few moments after the duel began, she managed to detangle herself from her thoughts and look up. She gasped seeing a pair of cold blue eyes watching her. She hadn't noticed Kaiba across from her before. His stare only seemed to make her feel more shameful and his little brother's sad looks at her didn't help either. She turned away, trying to interest herself in the duel.
She looked up in time to see Yugi's robot-like monster destroy Bakura's Headless Knight.
"Now, Gazelle, attack his life points directly!" shouted Yugi.
A lion-like creature with a horn on its head bounded forward and slashed Bakura causing him to momentarily lose his composure. For a fleeting moment, Akeno felt scared for him then scolded himself.
"Time to make your final move," Yugi said.
The winds picked up suddenly and Bakura laughed. "You've done exactly what I wanted you to do. Now your destruction begins. It's over."
She heard the others chime in about how he must be bluffing. Akeno then remembered the graveyard duel. Bakura had led Bonz on too, making it seem like he was losing only to come back in the end and defeat him.
"I hold a card in my hand with dark powers beyond your wildest imagination. But first before I could play this all powerful card, I needed a bit of assistance. Thanks for helping me destroy you."
He summoned a monster, Dark Necrofear, that looked like a blue woman with pointed ears, in her arms was a ghastly halved baby doll with large eyes. Surprisingly, he ended his turn without attacking.
Yugi then sacrificed his two monsters to summon a card, Dark Magician Girl and made it stronger with a magic card. He destroyed the Dark Necrofear and seemed shocked as Bakura laughed again.
"Thanks," said Bakura. "Once again you've done exactly what I wanted, Yugi. Don't you realize I've manipulated every move you've made so far? Including destroying Dark Necrofear so I can play this."
He slipped a card into his duel disc and a reddish haze surrounded them. Not again!
"Watch as the entire playing field is engulfed in a shroud of dark magic known as Dark Sanctuary."
Many large eyes and sharp teethed mouths appeared in the sky around them along with a tall jagged castle behind Bakura.
"Look around you, there's no escaping the magic of Dark Sanctuary. Well done, everything had to go just right for this to work and you've played your part perfectly. You have no idea what you just helped me to unleash. Prepare to experience an evil like you've never seen before!"
Yugi seemed apprehensive but attacked with his Gamma the Magnet Warrior. Just as the monster was about to attack, a white ghost popped out of its back turning the attack back on Yugi. Akeno gasped.
As Bakura explained, he was able to possess Yugi's monsters and gain half of the monster's attack points as life points.
Bakura drew a card. "I play Destiny Board. You're finished."
"Destiny Board? What does that do?" asked Yugi.
"You're about to find out," answered Bakura, smirking.
A large board with letters and numbers on it appeared over his head. Akeno recognized it immediately as a Ouija Board.
"My Destiny Board gives me the ability to communicate with the lost souls of the Shadow Realm. Using the letters on this board, they shall spell out a message for you."
The ghostly hand started moving the pointer over the board. "Its time for you to receive the first letter of your message, Yugi. And that letter is… 'D'!"
A glowing white 'D' appeared in front of the Destiny Board.
Was it Bonz and his friends spelling out the message? Are they asking for help? Akeno bit her lip. He's just going to trap Yugi and his friends in the Shadow Realm just like them! I can't stand by and watch that again!
"Yugi!" Akeno yelled. "You have to beat him! Do whatever it takes or he'll send you to the Shadow Realm!"
Bakura glared at her. "Be quiet, girl! I didn't say you could speak!"
She met his gaze and crumbled. She knew she had made a mistake she'd pay for. Her yelling had done nothing to help Yugi; it had only damned her to more of Bakura's punishments. His previous words flashed through her mind.' I assure you, your next visit to the Shadow Realm will be permanent.' She gulped.
Akeno you're so stupid. You've really done it now!