AN: Ivory: So glad I could help brighten your day, even if it was just a little. Ah, to clear up the whole soul thing; it made sense in my head but I guess I didn't convey it properly. Bakura wasn't kidding when he said Akeno didn't house his soul anymore. The part of his soul was destroyed when Akeno's soul awakened when Malik used the Rod on her. As Bakura told her earlier, her soul was powerful; her fear of Malik caused it unleash raw power forcing everything impure from her. Ie: Malik's shadow magic and Bakura's soul. Mind you, part of Akeno's soul is still in Bakura. Hope that cleared it up! If anyone has any questions about it or anything else, please don't hesitate to ask!

One more thing, Marik isn't out of the picture yet. For such a selfish and self-preserving person, it'd be unlikely that he stay behind knowing that he'd be in danger. He's going to leach onto Bakura as long as he can to keep himself safe.

In case I haven't said this somewhere in the hunk of text above(don't feel like re-reading), thank you to all the reviewers! It means so much!

Chapter Fourteen

Bakura didn't look or speak to her, that stupid ungrateful girl. Her footsteps reassured him that she was still there and on more than one occasion, he had the urge to turn around and smack her. An impatient sigh alerted him to Marik's presence. He narrowed his eyes; he had hoped the moron hadn't decided to tag along. It'd be much quieter and less irritating that way.

"So how long have you been stuck with Mr. Sunshine?" Marik's asked out of boredom.

He heard Akeno gasp slightly and he gritted his teeth.

"You are not to speak to him, girl."

Akeno frowned. She really wasn't too fond of Marik but the thick silence was beginning to become unbearable! She reluctantly nodded to Bakura then realized he wasn't looking. "Yes…master."

Marik growled and turned to Akeno, pouting. She smiled weakly and got an idea. She held up her thumb and index finger an inch apart, indicating she meant a little. He didn't say I couldn't communicate through hand gestures!

He smirked and teasingly waggled his finger in a disapproving manner. She could almost hear him thinking the words, 'Naughty girl.' She rolled her eyes. He pointed at Bakura then had his two fingers look like a pair of walking legs and shrugged.

Do I...know where he's going?

She shook her head.

Marik got a mischievous look in his eyes. He pointed to Akeno and himself then thumbed over his shoulder meaning 'Let's get out of here'. She suppressed a small laugh. He had better not be flirting with me… She gave Marik a questioning look. Why? She thought the word as if he could hear her. He in turn, made a rather crude gesture causing her to give him a disgusted look. Momentarily forgetting that he wasn't solid, Akeno reeled her hand back ready to slap him but it was caught just before she could bring it down.

She turned to see an aggravated looking Bakura. She froze. How long had he known I was talking to Marik? She smiled shakily, knowing she was caught. He growled at her and roughly grabbed her by the arm. After shooting a glare at Marik, he shoved her in front of him so that he could keep an eye on her.

Bakura didn't relinquish his hold on her arm and it was beginning to hurt. It seemed as if he was increasingly growing angrier but Akeno couldn't imagine why, she hadn't done anything wrong and it had been at least ten minutes since she talked to Marik. He couldn't be sore about that still? She chose to ignore the discomfort and stare ahead of her- there wasn't much she could do otherwise. The landscape no longer surprised her, it was repetitive and aside from the eerie effects it gave off, became extremely dull. She suppressed a sigh, not wanting to give Bakura any reason to be upset with her. Besides, he's probably bored too and would be happy to have a reason to hurt me some more to take his mind off.

Akeno frowned then suddenly stopped, making Bakura bump into her. He growled and pushed her. "Move!"

She continued to stare up at the sky. "Look." She pointed and they followed her gaze. Floating above them was a giant hourglass whose ends were pyramid shaped but was most startling about it was the person stuck in the bottom half. It was a blond girl, a bit older than Akeno. I've seen her before! She was friends with Yugi! What's her name… I wasn't paying attention when we were introduced… something with an 'm'… But what is she doing here…?

"What… happened to her?" Akeno asked hesitantly.

"It seems my darker half has banished her here as well," Marik said grimly.

Akeno turned to them quickly. "Can't we do something?!"

Bakura snorted and finally released his hold on her arm which had recently started to go numb. "I don't care what becomes of her," he said simply and continued along his way.

Akeno stared after him.

"He's right," Marik said to her. "Besides, there's nothing we could do anyway."

"But… we can' just leave her…"

Bakura suddenly turned and leered at her. "It's her or you, choose!"

She was surprised at his outburst. "I-I don't-"

"If one of you were to die right now, would you save yourself over her?"

His face was stoic and his tone, harsh. Akeno grasped for words but found none.

"She'd undoubtedly turn you over to the wolves without hesitation. You shouldn't hand out sympathy with such ease," Bakura said coldly with something odd behind his eyes. "Your kindness will ultimately kill you."

Akeno found herself red in the face. She ducked her head, not wanting to meet his fierce gaze. When she looked up, the two of them were already some distance from her. Her heart picked up and with one glance up at the blond whose name still escaped her, she ran to catch up. What was that all about...?

Sometime way after Akeno stopped trying to count, the three entered another cloaked area. Upon stepping inside, a medium-sized cave was revealed.

"You can't be serious," Marik sneered.

Bakura shot him a look, growing irritable at his comments. "The girl and I are staying here. I couldn't care less about what you do with yourself. I'll tell you this though, if you can't keep your mouth shut, I'll destroy you before these monsters have a chance to."

Marik didn't reply. It seemed Bakura always had to have the last word.

Akeno glowered slightly. Girl? Has he forgotten my name already or does he simply refuse to use it?!

Bakura sat some ways off from the entrance of the cave.

"Aren't we going in?" she asked.

He glared at her as she came to stand in front of him. "I am waiting for the monsters to become active; if any are in there they'll leave during that period. Wouldn't it be wise not to wake them?"

Akeno blushed slightly then nodded, somewhat embarrassed though it couldn't really be expected of her to know that. She hesitantly sat down beside him, leaving enough personal space for them both. Bakura stared at her for a moment and she pretended she didn't see. Out of nowhere, he pushed her over and sneered.

She yelped and looked at him, somewhat hurt.

Bakura shut his eyes, refusing to look at her. "Who said you could sit next to me? Go … over there somewhere. And keep standing."

She scowled at him and stormed away. He's such a…brat! He was right; I shouldn't try and be kind. Not to jerks like him anyway! Guys like Bakura aren't worth any effort! He's not insecure or misunderstood… he's just an ass!

Akeno stood off to the side, her back to him. Her legs were killing her from all that walking- all she wanted to do was collapse but she refused to. Not only would he jump on her for disobeying him but she didn't want him to see her as weak. Why give him the satisfaction?

Her mind cleared for a split second as a thought randomly occurred to her. Mai... that was her name. She smiled to herself.

A loud groan startled her from her thoughts. A rumble came from the cave and echoed into the distance. Akeno threw away what little pride she had left and hurried over to where Bakura was now standing. His gaze was fixed on the entrance to the cave. She sharply drew a breath and subconsciously shrank behind him. A large creature resembling a dragon emerged from the cave and let out another bellow as if warning everything that it was awake. It took a few more steps out and stiffed the air. Can it smell us? It flapped its fleshy wings and took to the sky faster than looked possible. Akeno visibly relaxed. The three, for Marik was hiding behind them both, didn't move or say anything for the next few minutes, waiting to see if any more monsters would come out. Finally, Bakura walked to the mouth of the cave and peered in. Akeno hesitantly followed him. She stood behind Bakura, half wanting to run. I can't. If I run I'm dead for sure, I couldn't last a day without him in here! She frowned looking into the dark cave.

"Go in," he ordered.

Akeno gasped and turned to him. "Me? But what if there are still monsters in there?"

"Why do you think you're going in first?" Bakura asked matter-of-factly, pushing her inside before she could protest.

Chills went up her spine; it was a lot cooler in the cave. She took a step further inside, squinting into the dark. She felt Bakura come up behind her. Somehow she didn't feel reassured- he was probably more of a threat to her than anything else in the Shadow Realm. There was a distant drip that echoed off the cool walls making Akeno feel uneasy. It was so quiet.

"…Do you think it's safe?" she whispered.

Bakura flinched at the sound of her voice or more so at her stupidity and clamped his hand over her mouth. He then nearly threw the two of them to the side of the wall. His back was against the wall and hers was against his chest. Bakura had her so that she couldn't move; she hated how he could accomplish that so easily. Akeno was panicked and worried he was going to he'd hurt her. It was starting to become his hobby, after all. It wasn't until she heard the heavy breathing coming from the back of the cave did she stop struggling against him.

From the darkness came a humanoid form and the smell of death. It came closer to them and she could see it had three heads, all with large staring eyes and peeling flesh that looked rotted. She quickly backed into Bakura as far as she could, trying to get as far away as possible from the creature. She was certain that if she wasn't hurting him than he must have been extremely uncomfortable. She had pressed herself against him so hard, she was sure if she pulled away, the Millennium Ring would be imprinted on her back. His grip on her tightened but she didn't care. Her heart was beating so fast. Please don't let it know we're here! Please! She couldn't help but notice how Bakura had put her between the creature and himself. I can't tell if he's protecting me or using me as a shield again!

Luck was with them when the creature left the cave with a grunt. Bakura didn't move or release her. They waited in silence to make sure the danger had passed.

"Don't worry about me," Marik said sarcastically. "I'm fine in case you were wondering."

Bakura snorted and pushed Akeno away from him. She was expecting him to scold her or at least shoot something back at Marik but he did neither. He walked towards the back of the cave.

"Stay," he said simply.

Akeno watched him disappear from her sight and sighed. She fidgeted and shuffled her feet as an awkward silence developed. Again, the thought of running away crossed her mind and was dismissed.

"Shit!" she heard Bakura yell.

She jumped and without thinking ran in the direction he had left. Akeno could barely see in front of her so it wasn't long before she tripped over a stalagmite and fell to the floor. She groaned, sitting up as Bakura calmly came to stand over her.

"It's a pity you didn't impale yourself," he said looking down at her. "I'd be spared from your stupidity."

Akeno frowned and stood up after realizing he wasn't about to offer her a hand. She tried to the brush the dirt from her dress.

"What were you doing running around?" he snapped. "Didn't I tell you to stay put?"

"Well, yes but-"

"You decided to disobey me?"

"No! I just… I heard you yell and I thought you needed-"

"Help?" he barked, almost laughing. "You thought I needed your help?"

She was suddenly glad for the darkness in the cave as she felt heat rise into her cheeks. She ducked her head.

"I just thought you were in trouble…"

Bakura laughed at her. "Foolish girl, if ever I was in trouble, the likes of you wouldn't be able to do anything of use."

"I-I'm sorry…master."

He tipped her chin up so that she was looking at him. "Despite your stupidity, it's nice to know you're finally developing concern for me. It's about time you realized that without me you're nothing."

Akeno pulled out of his grasp and looked away. What a bighead! Concern? For him? No way! It was only instincts, not caring! Let him think what he wants… if I gain his trust now maybe if- when we get out of here, I could sneak away easier…

She said nothing in response and Bakura took this as a sign of acknowledgment. "Good girl," he said patting her on the head and walking back the way they came. She reluctantly followed.

Marik looked about ready to run for the hills when the two of them came back; he clearly was expecting a monster in their place. He sighed, "Is the rest of the cave safe?"

Bakura snorted and sat down with his back against the wall. "Go check for yourself."

Marik growled at his answer and peered out of the cave entrance.

Akeno looked from one to the other. "So we're sleeping here..?"

Neither answered and she started feeling awkward.

"Wouldn't it be safer to stay in the back…? I mean if a monster comes in, it wouldn't see us right away and we'd have time to leave."

Bakura glared at her. "And where will you go if it's blocking the one exit?"

She blushed. "Oh… I didn't think of that."

"That's why I'm the master and you're the follower," he smirked.

Akeno ignored his comment. "You know, it's kind of cold…" she said rubbing her arms.

"If you were about to suggest we huddle for warmth, I swear I'll throttle you," Bakura deadpanned. "Besides, if you freeze to death, it'd be that much easier for me. I can only hope."

Her blush deepened so much that she had to turn away. I can't tell if he's serious or not… and I wasn't suggesting that! Conceited bastard…

"Go over there," he ordered, pointing to the wall opposite his.

Akeno sighed and did as he said. She sat down facing him. He was sitting with his arms crossed and his one leg bent up to his chest. If he hadn't been sneering into the dark, she would've thought he looked rather relaxed, instead it came off as annoyed. Bakura saw her staring and glared. Being caught, she decided to break the silence.

"So how long do you think-"

"Shut up now."

She sighed. "Yes, master."