Chapter Twenty-One

The pounding of Akeno's heart almost drowned out those two fateful words. Kill yourself. Wide-eyed, Akeno stared up at him. She hadn't heard him right, she couldn't have. Suicide? Self-sacrifice? In the name of what?

"I'm waiting, my pet," Bakura smirked.

She tried to swallow but her mouth had run dry. He couldn't be serious… He just… couldn't be! He might be one completely sick twisted bastard but he couldn't really expect me to just… kill myself. With a smug look on his face, Bakura pushed the blade closer to her with his foot. She gulped. If I don't… would he? He said before that he wouldn't kill me… I'd just be stuck here in this godforsaken place. Is that any better though?

Akeno tentatively picked up the knife, feeling it'd be better in her hands and not his. She stood shakily, still aching from his beating. I could attack him, I have the knife, she thought suddenly then immediately shot it down. There's no way it'd work. He's too fast and too strong… not to mention I'd be stabbing poor Ryou…

Bakura took a step towards her. "My patience is wearing thin, girl. Hurry and fulfill your vow of obedience."

Looking into his eyes, she could tell he had already calculated her response and was ready to pounce on her. The sadistic glint was present in his eyes, as always, but he seemed more amused than outright malicious. Bakura knew she had no intention of taking her life, even if it meant disobeying him. The moment she promised complete obedience, he knew it was a lie. He just decided to call her bluff immediately rather than later.

"Do it now," he demanded, not attempting to hide his sick enjoyment.

"I…" She tried thinking of a way out of it. Any way out that didn't end in pain or death.

"You weren't lying when you said you'd obey my every command, were you?" he grinned, eager to start phase two of her torture.

"N-no..." she said quickly despite knowing that lying would only make it worse.

"Then what are you waiting for?"

She gripped the handle a little tighter, feeling sick to her stomach. "I… I'm not strong enough," Akeno said slowly, trying to make an excuse. "I wouldn't be able to get it through my heart."

Smirking, he came closer and grabbed her hands. He slowly positioned them so that the tip of the blade was resting on her chest. "Try your hardest," he said softly, "I'll finish you off if you can't."

Is that supposed to comfort me?

She stared into his cold eyes. We're both waiting for me to admit that I won't do it… The more I put it off, the longer I have till he starts beating me again…but we both know and he's only going to get more impatient and that means he'll probably want to do more damage… What do I do?

"Please…" she whimpered, hoping beyond hope that he'd be merciful.

He gave her a small pout, feigning sympathy. "What's the matter, pet? Afraid of the pain?"

She looked away from him, unable to bear eye contact any longer. Her eyes stung with tears but they didn't fall. Get it over with… She let the knife slip from her hands. As it hit the ground with a soft thud, her heart skipped a beat. Eyes on the knife at her feet, she said softly, "I can't…"

Silence. She waited for him to say or do something but he did nothing. Her heart was racing and her stomach twisted around inside her. She couldn't take it any longer. Slowly, she risked a glance at his face.

Akeno was on the ground before she could register what had happened. Her vision seemed to be spinning. The taste of blood was in her mouth and her cheek burned from where he struck her. Despite the wave of dizziness that washed over her, she tried to stand. Immediately, she was shoved back to the ground, her face inches from the dirt. She felt a weight on top of her and a fist tangle in her hair. She felt Bakura's grip tighten as he leaned forward, digging his elbow into her back in the process. He pulled her head back and with his free hand, grabbed her exposed throat.

"If I was as pathetic as you," he hissed in her ear, "I wouldn't hesitate to take my life. In fact, I would've done it ages ago."

She felt as though she was about to pass out. Wavering on the brink of consciousness, she felt a surge of energy run through her. What is this…? Her eyes widened. Bakura's weight lifted off of her as her mind cleared. She looked at her hands. My hands are glowing! I'M glowing! My soul, it must've awakened again to protect me!

Bakura's cold laughter stopped her hopeful thoughts before they could fully form. She looked up at him, who was now kneeling over her. Since he wasn't hindering her movement, she took to opening to turn onto her back and scramble away from him. She didn't get far, she hadn't really expected to, as he quickly pinned her to the ground again. "You're not going anywhere," he growled. "Your soul is no threat to me."

His hands returned to her throat. "By all means, though, try to stop me. I find it entertaining," he grinned, tightening his grip.

Akeno struggled to loosen his grasp. It was intended to cause pain; she'd know when he wanted severe damage done but she still hated being subject to his fluctuating temper. This could go from bad to worse very quickly. Knowing that she couldn't match his strength, she desperately tried to think of another solution.

My soul isn't strong enough and I can't throw him off… How can I even this out?...the knife!

She looked around frantically then spotted it near her feet. Her heart dropped. No… I can't reach it…

Bakura followed her gaze and her fear increased tenfold. He smirked and looked back at her. Keeping one hand in place, he reached behind him for the knife. Holding it up in front of her face, he asked her, "You didn't want this did you?"

Her soul energy faded, having exhausted itself. She stared up at him, horror-struck, and said nothing.

"Whatever were you going to do with it?" he teased. "Did you have second thoughts about killing yourself?"

She shook her head, crying silently.

"Surely you didn't intend to use it on me," he drawled, "Did you?"

When she didn't answer, he lifted her slightly by the throat and slammed her into the ground. "Answer me!" he barked.

She shut her eyes tight and began to sob. Bakura chuckled to himself.

"How cute," he smirked, "You actually thought you stood a chance against me? This is priceless."

Bakura released his hold on her neck but remained on top of her. He put the knife in her hand and she opened her eyes in surprise. "Lets see what you can do, pet. Try and attack me. Do your worst," he challenged.

Akeno lay there as if frozen, knife shaking in her hands. He smirked at her. "What's the matter? You wanted the knife, now you have it. Use it."

She held the knife out towards him, warningly. "Please don't hurt me," she sobbed.

Bakura pretended to look surprised. "Don't hurt you? But you have the weapon, doesn't that mean you have the upper hand?" His eyes narrowed. "Are you that pathetic that you can't even use it on someone else- someone who wouldn't hesitate to disembowel you with it?"

He backhanded her, trying to push her to lash out but she only whimpered in response. A thought struck him suddenly. "I see now… You don't want to hurt my little host, is that it? That's too bad. There's no getting away from me without going through him." He growled, "It's either him or you."

"Please... please don't make me…"

Bakura sneered at her and moved her hand so that the blade was against his throat. "Do it," he commanded. She started to sob and dropped the knife, unable to bring herself to harm him.

"Pathetic!" he laughed, slapping her hard across the face.

"Please stop!" Akeno cried desperately.

He snickered and pinched one of her cheeks, feigning affection. "Aw, don't like how master treats you?" She continued to sob, knowing better than to answer the question. His fake smile dropped and he slapped her across the face. "You had better get used to it, girl. The sooner you accept your fate, the easier it'll be."

Bakura grabbed her jaw and held her face straight. "Look at me," he ordered. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes which were still welling with tears. He leaned in close to her face and spoke in a low dangerous tone, emphasizing each word, "Don't forget this feeling, the pain, the fear, because next time it will be worse. Tonight's lesson will pale in comparison for what I have in store for you. The next time you disobey me, you will beg for death."

She stared up at him, terrified beyond belief.

"Are we clear?"

Akeno nodded vigorously, not wanting to test his mood. "Yes," she squeaked, "Yes, master."

"Good."

There was no trace of humor in his eyes. He was dead serious about his threat and she knew full well that he would carry out with it. Akeno noticed the temperature change immediately; the warm summer air rushed towards her, making her feel colder than she was. They were back in Ryou's apartment, still lying in the living room.

"Don't think you're safer in this realm," Bakura hissed, his voice cutting through the night. "You'll always be at my mercy."

He stood and glared down at her trembling form. "Now get up," he ordered. She didn't hesitate despite her aching limbs. The fear of his punishments by far outweighed the protests of her body. She couldn't bare to look him in the eyes so she opted for staring at the eye of his Millennium Ring. Bakura closed the distance between them and yanked her head back by her hair. Tense and frightened, Akeno met his harsh gaze. He studied her tear-streaked face and reddened eyes. His lip curled in disgust and he pushed her away.

"Go clean yourself up," he ordered. "You look terrible."

Akeno backed away from him, turned and quickly hurried to the bathroom. She swiftly locked the door and sunk to the floor, trying to hold back tears. She couldn't take much more of this. The man from her dream said she had to stay strong and resist him but Bakura was relentless. His will easily overpowered hers, as well as his brute strength and supernatural power. Appeasement was her only safe option. He could have easily killed her tonight, or worse, and she feared that she wouldn't be so lucky next time. If his anger outweighed his need for her… She trembled and squeezed her eyes shut. How many times could she look death in the eyes and walk away?

There was an abrupt bang on the door, causing her to jump.

"Hurry up," Bakura growled from the other side of the door.

Akeno calmed her breathing and stood. She glanced at herself in the mirror. She really did look terrible. Her face was tear-streaked and, like her eyes, red. Turning on the faucet, she splashed cold water on her face, hoping to prevent further swelling. The cool water felt both soothing and irritating. There was really nothing more she could do, aside from applying ice but she didn't want to have to ask for permission. Akeno, understandably, wanted as little contact with Bakura as possible but knew that her hope was fruitless- she seemed to be his only source of entertainment and thus made interaction with him, in some form or another, definite. She was only halfway through a sigh when another bang rattled the door.

"Don't make me repeat myself, girl."

Taking a shaky breath and putting on her bravest façade, which looked more nauseous than courageous, she opened the door to face him. They were silent for a moment- Bakura looking her over and Akeno looking at her feet. He grabbed her chin and tilted her face up.

"You call this improvement?" he snorted.

Akeno blushed although it was barely noticeable with her already flushed face. He released her and began to walk to Ryou's room. Without looking over his shoulder, he said to her, "Come." She obeyed without hesitation despite the protests of her mind and body. He had just spent the last few hours, although it seemed like ages, torturing her and what's more, enjoying every minute of it- why continue to indulge his every whim?

At the moment, she couldn't think of another course of action. She was exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally. Obeying Bakura was the only rational thing to do. She wasn't thinking about the cloaked dream man or his warning against submission. Or even about Ryou and how she needed to help him. Or about anything outside of that apartment. The only thing that mattered at that moment was not upsetting Bakura in any way, not giving him a reason to attack her. It wasn't that shameful- submitting to survive. If she died then and there, what good would she have done? Nothing at all.

Bakura shut the door behind her with more force than necessary, making her jump slightly. Akeno bit her lip nervously, realizing she wasn't quite out of danger. The room was dark, like the rest of the apartment at night. Bakura never really utilized lights, partially because he knew it unnerved her and also because he was accustomed to seeing in the dark like some sort of nocturnal predator. Akeno felt his presence still behind her, watching her carefully, waiting for her to step out of place and blocking her line of escape. She didn't dare move despite her sore muscles begging for relief and her mind crying out for sleep.

The floorboards creaked as he slowly advanced on her- he always moved silently except when he intended for her to know how close he was. He could practically hear her heart thundering inside her chest and smell the fear pouring off her. Her soft whimpering and ragged breathing made him grin wolfishly- the sheer terror his mere presence could invoke was remarkable.

Bakura eyed her shaking form and slowly reached out to her, dark humor dancing in his eyes. She cringed as he touched her hair, playfully dragging his fingertips through her long tangled tresses, making sure to snag every knot he could. He smirked when she didn't pull away. She must be too frightened, he thought smugly. He continued for a moment longer, sending chills up her spine, relishing every whimper that escaped her lips.

Quickly bored by this, he suddenly yanked her backward by her hair. He snaked his arm around her waist and roughly pulled her to him. Akeno instinctively made to struggle but then stopped herself, knowing it would only make matters worse. Bakura held her like that, unsure of what to do next. The pain of the soul bond had been wearing on him and now, as it had been whenever he was this close to her, had temporarily subsided. He despised this weakness and despised her for being its source. He gritted his teeth and pulled her head back, exposing her neck.

"You know I keep my promises, don't you, pet?" he growled into her ear.

Akeno forced herself to speak, "Y-yes, master."

"I'm about to fulfill a promise right now," he said, his cool breath on her neck. "Know what it is?"

She tried shaking her head but his grip on her hair was too strong. "No," she answered fearfully.

"This," he said, removing his arm from her waist and holding something up in front of her. With her eyes more adjusted to the dark, she caught make out the feint glint on a blade. "I promised this knife that it could taste your blood and drink as much as it wants," he paused, smirking slightly. "And it has not yet been satisfied."

She didn't offer a reply but Bakura could feel her body tense up even more. "You wouldn't want me to break a promise, would you?" He shook her when she didn't answer. "Would you?"

"N-no, master," she sobbed, breaking into silent tears again.

Bakura grinned at this and placed the blade at her throat. "Good girl," he cooed, pressing the cold steel into her skin. She let out a small whine as he slowly drew blood. "Try not to move, or else I might kill you by accident." he smiled, sickly. He watched the rhythmic pulse of her jugular vein as he carefully cut parallel to it, delighting in the way her blood trickled down her neck, past her collar bone. He shushed her whining as he finished the incision. The cut was only about three or four inches long and wasn't deep enough to scar- there was really no need for her to moan and groan like she was. But more importantly, she did obey and that's what mattered most.

Admiring his work, Bakura had the overwhelming urge to lap up the blood on her neck. He thought it over a moment then forced it from his mind. He'd settle on a secondhand source. With that he rendered her unconscious with the Millennium Ring. She immediately went limp in his grasp, a sigh passing her lips. Bakura considered dropping her then figured she was stupid enough as is; it'd be his luck she hits her head and gets worse. Using that logic, he lowered her to the floor and turned her on her back. He stood and looked down at her impassively, licking her blood from the blade.

"It seems you get to live another day, pet," he smirked, looking at her unconscious form.

AN: Yeah, I'm evil for leaving that cliffhanger for so long, PURE EVIL- WRITER'S BLOCK AND SCHOOL= DEAD! I hope this chapter was worth waiting for! You guys didn't REALLY think I'd kill off Akeno, did you? Well, let me know what you thought!

Also, thank you all so much for reviewing- it means so much to me! It keeps the story going. ^^

Forgive typos, please, as always. Hm. Why do I always end up posting these at like 5 in the morning...? o_0