Impermanence
Chapter Three
"Hmph." Bakura narrowed his eyes, matching glares with the other Yami, his hand still clenched on Ryou's collar. Suddenly, his mouth twisted into a smirk. Before Yami knew what was happening, Bakura whipped Ryou in front of himself, one of the spirit's arms locking the boy's arms to his side, Ryou's back pressed to Bakura's chest. It was Bakura's other action that caused Yami to pale.
In his free hand, Bakura suspended a knife mere inches from Ryou's eyes.
"Go on, punish me, Pharaoh," Bakura taunted, waving the knife in his hand. "How's this for a game? Let's see if you can get to me before I damage Ryou too badly…"
Yami growled in anger, but he refused to move. "Fiend! I know you can't kill Ryou; not without ending your own life as well!" Yami yelled, pointing an accusing finger at Bakura.
"True." Bakura whispered softly, almost more to his host than to the enemy in front of him. "But you know as well as I a person can go through immense pain without dying, don't you?"
Yami did not know whom the evil spirit was talking to, but he did not merit him with an answer, his only response shifting to face Bakura full on.
"So, Ou-sama, what is it you want? I doubt you want to waste any more of your time than necessary, so why don't you leave? Of course, if you want to play…"
Yami growled. "I know what you did to Ryou, Bakura. I'm not leaving until he's safe."
Bakura let out an exaggerated sigh. "Very well. Shall we start the game?"
With a flick of his wrist, the knife sliced down, nicking Ryou's cheek. The boy winced at the small cut, but remained silent. Yami gasped, and moved to step forwards. Bakura smirked, and waved the knife warningly. The Pharaoh stopped short, settling for glowering at the other spirit. Bakura smirked at the Pharaoh's anger; he and Yami both knew Yami could do nothing that would not lead to greater pain for Ryou.
Bakura's eyes swept off Yami and onto his host. His smirk grew as he saw the small pool of blood welling on the new cut. His eyes carefully trained on Yami, Bakura leaned his head to Ryou's, his hair brushing the boy's cheek. In one movement his tongue snaked out, licking the skin clean, Bakura's eyes constantly on Yami.
Yami's eyes, however, were fixed on Ryou, not Bakura. The boy's eyes were clenched shut, and he was beginning to quiver violently, and it seemed he would fall to the floor were it not for Bakura's grip.
Yami's eyes glowed with sadness at Ryou's condition, and his hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.
Bakura grinned in exultation at his adversary's horror, before swallowing the blood.
"You were the one who wanted to play, Pharaoh."
"You…" Yami's eyes were shadowed, but his voiced was laced with anger. Bakura raised an eyebrow.
"Don't treat Ryou like that!" Yami yelled, rushing forwards and flinging his fist out. Quickly, Bakura pushed Ryou forwards.
Ryou's eyes shot open as he felt a fist connect with his stomach. He choked for a second, raising his eyes to see Yami Yuugi staring petrified at the boy draped over his arm. Before he could do anything, Bakura grabbed him by the arm and yanked him back, laying the knife casually against the side of Ryou's neck.
"Tsk, tsk, Yami. You're just lucky I let him take the blow instead of striking him myself— he would be more damaged then."
"Bakura!" Yami hollered, eyes burning brightly. "Do not use Ryou as a sheild like that!"
Bakura frowned in mock annoyance, then grinned once more.
"Very well." He stated, then his form faded as he took control of Ryou's body.
"Bakura!" Yami yelled.
Bakura sighed. "Nothing pleases you, does it, Ou-sama?"
Yami's eyes narrowed. "Not when it involves Ryou."
"Oh, do you despise my host so much, Pharaoh? I never knew we had so much in common."
Yami nearly growled at that. "You're the only thing I hate about him. Ryou is Yuugi's friend, and my own. And I'll keep you away from him if I can."
Bakura's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Just try it."
"I'll do more than try."
Bakura shifted his weight casually, waiting for the Pharaoh to draw out his deck, or name some other game they were going to play to determine Bakura's fate.
Therefore, the spirit was extremely startled to find a fist flying towards his face.
He almost instantaneously recovered and smiled, quickly throwing Ryou into control before the blow landed. Both sets of eyes widened, but neither Ryou nor Yami could react fast enough, and Ryou took the full force of Yami's punch, the angry attack flinging him backwards into a set of filing cabinets.
Ryou slowly staggered upwards, but as soon as he was on his feet Bakura regained control, grinning widely.
"See what happens if you aren't careful, Pharaoh? People get hurt…"
Yami's eyes narrowed once more, half in anger and half in sadness. He knew Bakura would keep pushing Ryou into control, forcing the boy into taking the blows for him. While he would have the freedom to attack Yami without fear… was there any way out of this corner?
Yami's eyes widened. He might be able to seal Ryou in his soul room! It couldn't be strong, due to it being a different Item, but he should be able to. Of course, he wouldn't do it if Ryou didn't want him to.
A sharp kick to his shin brought him out of his thoughts. Yami shook his head and glanced up to see Bakura standing there, grinning.
He'd try to help Ryou, but first, he had a certain abusive yami to deal with.
Ryou sat on the floor of his soul room, resting his head against the wall. He grit his teeth, attempting to regulate his breathing once more, instead of the ragged breaths he currently was gasping.
One would think that being in a soul room shouldn't tire him out so. But it wasn't like this was new. Bakura usually transferred all physical hindrances to Ryou during fights, but Ryou had gotten past minding that. At least it was better than direct abuse, and it wasn't like Ryou had anything to do. And ever since Monster World, Ryou knew better than to try and gain control from Bakura before the yami was done.
Ryou drew his knees to his chest. Currently his yami was fighting with Yuugi's yami, but it wasn't like he'd be in a better mood once he was done; he was usually angrier after fighting Yami, which couldn't bode well for Ryou.
Ryou winced as he was thrown into control for a split second and was dealt a punch to the chest. Ryou coughed slightly as he found himself in his soul room once more, and he started rubbing the sore spot. And it wasn't like Bakura'd be satisfied with the damage that Ryou sustained now, either. Ryou could tell Yami had been trying to hold back, but Ryou had still amassed several new wounds. Not that he blamed Yami, he knew it was all Bakura's fault…
'Ryou, can you hear me?'
Ryou's head shot up, expecting to see someone standing before him, but no one was there.
"Y-yami Yuugi…?"
'I'm not here, Ryou,' Yami explained, sensing Ryou's bewilderment. 'I want to protect you in this fight, and I have enough power to seal you away temporarily. Bakura can't force me to hurt you then.'
"C-can't you seal him in here instead?" Ryou gasped, unconsciously relieving Bakura's exertion, the spirit transferring it to his host to give him an ever greater advantage.
'This seal only lasts for a short time, and—' Yami was cut off for a second, before he shakily regained his voice. 'I want you to be safe from him, Ryou, not just for a few minutes.'
"Yami, what happened?"
'I… got hit. Please Ryou, make your choice, I can't stay like this much longer, or…'
"D-do it Pharaoh, I'll be fine."
Not able to take the time to respond, Yami nodded despite knowing Ryou could not see him, sealing Ryou in his soul room. His focus now completely on his enemy, he dodged the punch Bakura sent his way, sending his own fist hard at the spirit's stomach.
Bakura let out a gasp and staggered backwards a step, arm over his stomach and surprise etched on his face, although these reactions seemed to be more about the fact Ryou hadn't taken the hit for him than Yami's attack.
"What… did you do to him, you…?" Bakura gasped, feeling fatigue rush back over him due to the severed link. He couldn't seem to feel Ryou's presence at all.
"Merely sealed him inside his soul room. He'll be staying out of this fight." Yami said calmly, arms crossed over his chest.
"Heh." Bakura smirked, arm still holding his stomach. "Then how about… we bring a different hikari into the equation?"
Before Yami could react, Bakura leapt forward, covering Yami's face with his hand and yanking the puzzle forward. The next second, Yuugi's ghostly form materialized next to Yami. He was barely given the time to gasp before Bakura grabbed him by the hair and pulled him close, his feet only an inch off the floor.
Yami regained his balance from Bakura pushing his backward after drawing out Yuugi. He frowned at Bakura, his hands clasped tightly around the Puzzle, trying to draw Yuugi back although he already knew it was hopeless.
"B-Bakura, why…" Yuugi gulped, hands gripping his hair in an attempt to relieve the pain. Bakura lowered him to the floor, shifting his grip from the boy's hair to his shoulders, gripping them tightly.
"He won't be going back, Pharaoh. If it's all right for you to disturb my link with my hikari, I may do the same to yours."
"Bakura! Why…" Yami sighed, shoulders drooping slightly. "Why are you bringing them into this…?"
Bakura blinked in mock surprise. "I would have thought you would know, Pharaoh. I have noticed when someone goes against you in a fair fight, you always win. I'm just… evening the odds, you could say." Bakura grinned wildly. "Why are you even fighting the battle, Pharaoh? I did nothing against you or your host, which makes you the instigator of this situation… which means we get to play by my rules. I'm the one who's been wronged."
"You weren't wronged, Bakura, this all started because of what you did to your hikari! And…" Yami paled slightly. "Ra, if you harm Yuugi like that…"
Bakura laughed. "I know what's mine and what isn't, Pharaoh. Ryou's my hikari, my little puppet, and I may treat him as I wish. Yuugi has more strength of mind, in any case. Even if you weren't always with him, I doubt I could steal him…"
"W-what are you talking about, tomb robber…?"
"I respect your host, Pharaoh. He is so unlike Ryou… you treat him like an equal, not a shell, so he must be more than Ryou. I know Ryou's good for little more than a vessel for me, so I treat him as such, but your hikari… what I wouldn't give for someone like him on my side, instead of that weakling I was stuck with."
Yami's eyes glowed with anger, but before he could speak, a quiet voice startled him and Bakura.
"D-don't… talk about Ryou-kun like that…" Yuugi whispered, eyes clenched shut. "I… I'm not… he's a human being too, Bakura! I'm happy to share my soul with Yami, I'm not being used as some… some vessel! And Ryou's… he's just the same. He's strong, Bakura, and he's just as alive as anyone. If you didn't keep trying to smother him, you'd see that…"
"But don't you see? Ryou would know better than to talk in a position like this. Don't try to fool yourself. He's accepted his fate. He's not a human to me, and he's finally coming to terms with it."
Yuugi's eyes began to water. "But… Ryou-kun…"
"Bakura."
The thief turned his attention from the sniffling human in front of him to the Pharaoh. The other spirit was staring at him sadly.
"You have no right to treat Ryou like you have. None at all. And no matter what he "is" to you, he is still human. You can deny it, but it won't change."
Bakura snorted. "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"He's more than just a vessel. But you've been smothering him, beating him down…"
"I believe we've already mentioned that, Ou-sama."
"But no matter what you do, it won't change who Ryou is." Yami spoke firmly, holding Bakura's gaze. "He'll never be nothing more than a shell. Ryou will still survive after whatever you put him through, and one day he'll re-emerge. And he'll be stronger than ever."
"It won't survive." Bakura snarled, his grip on Yuugi's shoulders tightening and eliciting a cry of pain from the boy. "I'll crush it's spirit. It can't hold out forever."
"No, but he can hold out long enough." A small smile formed on the Pharaoh's lips. "And that's why you're trying so hard to crush him now, isn't it? Because you're afraid of Ryou fighting back… and winning."
An enraged snarl tore from Bakura's lips, as he roughly tossed Yuugi to the side and dashed at the other yami.
Yami grinned and leapt out of the way. He wanted all along to make Bakura angry enough to attack him head on… a dangerous tactic, knowing if Bakura had thought first he would have done something to his invaluable hostage. But now the thief was bent on the Pharaoh's personal pain… and Yami knew Bakura would lose.
Ryou's head shot up. Something had changed.
The boy gasped slightly as he realized his soul room's seal had dissipated. At the moment Bakura seemed too distracted to notice, but he couldn't stay that way for long.
Ryou bit his lip softly. If he was going to help Yuugi-tachi defeat his yami, he'd have to go on the offensive. Something Ryou was more than willing to do.
Letting his eyes slid shut. Ryou reached out with mind, searching for chinks in Bakura's control.
Yuugi staggered up from the floor to find the two yamis engaged in a vicious fistfight, throwing and dodging punches and kicks faster than the hikari could follow. He stood in bewilderment for a second, then crept closer and peered at the battlers. Eventually he gathered that it was fairly even, but his yami apparently hadn't taken in the strength with which Bakura would attack once his pride was bruised. The Pharaoh was currently at a slight disadvantage, but Yuugi knew he would come out on top, just like he always did.
Because Yuugi was standing on his side, and Ryou was rejecting Bakura with all his strength.
And that fact made all the difference.
Yuugi gripped the Puzzle tightly in his hands and grinned. Bakura had completely missed the point… the hikaris weren't supposed to be vessels of the spirits… they were supposed to be partners.
Friends.
That let Yuugi know the Pharaoh would win.
Yami ducked a fist aimed towards his head, feeling the wind ruffle his hair. He had to end this soon. Bakura's anger was no longer as uncontrolled, but it was still there, under the surface and adding more power to his attacks than Yami thought there should be. Then again, he had never before got in a physical match with Bakura…
Yami jerked his leg up swiftly, catching Bakura off-guard and kicking him in the stomach. Both pulled away, Bakura panting visibly from exertion, while Yami hid his weariness. It was obvious Yami had the advantage, but that could change at any moment…
Suddenly, Bakura's body went rigid. Yami blinked in surprise.
"What?" Bakura growled, obviously struggling to move his paralyzed limbs.
Yuugi should be able to defeat you easily now. The all-too-cheerful voice of his host came through the mind link. Bakura would have to take care of that. It was obvious to the yami that Ryou was struggling to keep the limbs from moving; he couldn't even gain enough control to be able to talk to either Yuugi.
Give it up, hikari. You'll fall soon enough, so I'd advise not making it more difficult for yourself.
No. I'll make sure you can't hurt Yami, and he'll beat you.
Believe what you will. I can promise you, in a few hours you will wish you had listened to me. The Yami cut the mental link quickly, building up enough power to knock Ryou's defenses down. He couldn't materialize his own form when he was in partial control of Ryou's body, and he wouldn't allow himself to retreat and come out that way. He wouldn't give into Ryou, ever. His pride would never allow it.
A slight grin stretched over his face, before he was shocked by a voice shouting, "Now, Yami!"
The man's head whipped up, to see Yami smirk at him in victory. "Give up, Bakura. You've lost."
Just as Bakura gained complete control, Yami acted.
"Penalty Game!" Yami shouted, his third eye appearing in a flash. The shadows in the room darkened unnaturally, and Yuugi backed up instinctually, even though he knew the dark purple vortex forming over Bakura would not harm him.
Bakura blinked, but he began to smirk as his body faded with the darkness.
"I'll be back, Pharaoh. This is only a minor setback."
"I know." Yami stated calmly, arms folded and face stony as his enemy dissolved along with the shadows.
As soon as he was in the real world, Yami sighed slightly, and turned with sadness in his eyes to the boy lying unconscious on the floor.
"I know."
Author's notes: One chapter left, and the fic will be done. (No Ryou-torture in it though, yay!) I hope you liked this chapter~ (And reviewing would be awfully nice of you. ^^")
Oh yes, just one thing; please look at the link I have posted on the top of my profile. It's pretty much the awesomest wallpaper ever and it's OFFICIAL! Not fan-made! Yay!