Hey everyone! Thank you all so much for the gorgeous reviews. And, I'm very sorry for the month long delay. I was in the process of doing a non-fanfiction related writing that I hope would be successful. Anyways, the story is going really well so far, and I hope to see that it continues to grow in the future until the end.
For this chapter I've decided to switch it up a bit. :D We'll have some Bakura POV this round, but don't worry. Many things will come to light. For sure I would love to read what you all think about the story that will unfold.
Enjoy!
A Vampire's Kill
Chapter 6
Their surrounding was pitch black when they re-entered the forest. Walking slowly, calmly, Bakura inhaled deeply, breathing in the sharp, cool air with the tinge of iciness in it while embracing the howl of the wind and the sound of the tree branches grazing together softly. Opening those rosewood coloured eyes of his, a slight hue of green sparkling in them, he brought his attention down to gaze at his smaller companion. Yugi was staring at the grass, his hood down, ever so quiet.
Bakura sighed internally, his eyes looking away as they walked. He did not forget the boy's question earlier, and from the looks of it, Yugi had not forgotten either. The awkward silence was proof of that. Sneaking another look at the boy, he saw Yugi holding the bags tightly, eyes turned towards the pieces of sky and litter of stars that were seen through the trees.
What was he to do? Atem had forbidden them from speaking about the incident, and everything before then. On the other hand though, they had not been very good at keeping it a secret. They brought it up many times without thinking, and Yugi had obviously heard them. That was why they had this problem to deal with now. Yugi really wanted to understand what was going on. An explanation was the least they could give in return, especially after what Atem had done to Yugi to soothe the ache he was still going through.
Making up his mind, Bakura clenched his eyes.
"His name was Yami," Bakura just said, his voice soft, and he could hear the hitch of surprise that left Yugi's mouth.
Glancing at him, Bakura exhaled softly at the sight of Yugi's wide, curious eyes before he continued.
"He was Atem's little brother, by just one hundred years, and Yami was Atem's life. The reason Atem lived, you could say."
Silence.
"What happened to him," Yugi then asked, voice just above a whisper, and at that Bakura shook his head sadly to himself.
"He died. Yami was murdered by Atem's own clan." He glanced back down at Yugi. "That was why Atem left. Yami was killed before his own eyes and he couldn't do anything. He couldn't stop them."
"Is that why he turned me then? Because I reminded him of Yami?" Bakura heard the soft question, and numbly he nodded. It was the truth after all. Why deny it?
As soon as he and Kaiba saw Yugi's resemblance to Yami, they knew that Atem was not going to let the boy go. It was a miracle Atem even returned the child back to his home all those years ago.
But, he was foolish too. He did not see the boy's resemblance until it was too late. Or, maybe he had noticed, but a foolish part of him thought a cure for Atem could be found in the little boy.
Just when they thought Atem would never see Yugi again, Yugi returned to them. After the struggles Atem went through during those years, it got worse when he reunited with the boy. And it was then they knew things would be different. Kaiba tried warning Yugi to turn back. Even he tried stopping Atem. They tried warning Atem before he turned the boy, but that too was clearly in vain. No matter how much they were against it, Atem's decision could not be stopped. Atem did not even realise what he was doing. The thought of turning an innocent boy into one of them did not dawn on him until after the deed was done, while it was clear to everyone else that Atem was just holding on to someone who could not come back.
It was part of the reason for the arguments. They feared that Atem had retreated into a hollow darkness that they could not rescue him from, and it was a hole that only got deeper as the years passed on. It was hard to notice about the King at first glance, but after some time in his company, anyone could sense that something was horribly wrong.
"Trust me, Yugi, if you can." He looked back at the boy who was snapped out of his own thoughts. "We didn't want him to turn you."
"But Atem did. And in a way, I guess I can understand why," Yugi told him, and Bakura looked into the boy's watery eyes. They held nothing but empathy. "I really do understand, but in the end, isn't he just hurting himself even more? By holding on to me he's not going to get past Yami's death. How will he heal?" and Bakura found himself chuckling. That caught Yugi's attention.
"Why are you laughing? Aren't you concerned?" Yugi asked, and Bakura struggled to stifle the laughter that was slowly getting the best of him. It was funny. Very, very funny that Yugi thought it was that easy.
"Yugi, Atem has gone far from being healed," he said, and the boy's brows furrowed.
"Are you saying that he can't be healed?"
"How can he? You think he'll just let you go?" Bakura smirked and shook his head. "It isn't that simple to make him let go, Yugi. Not anymore."
"Why not?" Yugi yelled, and Bakura stopped walking. He turned back to look at the accusing glare that had now appeared in the child's eyes, and Bakura could not stop a scowl from making its way on to his face.
"You're here now to forever remind him. That's why we tried to stop him. We knew it would get worse. But, it's not only that. Even before, Atem had enough time to get over Yami's death. He got his vengeance, what else does he possible want?"
"Vengeance?" Confusion crossed Yugi's face.
"Yes, vengeance. The day Yami died, Atem slaughtered half of his clan before disappearing. Kaiba and I," he tsked. "We spent thirty years looking for him. When we finally saw him, Yugi," Bakura hands clenched. He could feel anger, pity, hatred… All of the emotions he felt that day rising up within him as he recalled.
"What?" Yugi urged, and Bakura just spat it out with disgust.
"When we found Atem, he was broken, nothing but a cheap reflection of who he once was." Bakura's gaze went back towards Yugi who was stunned, his eyes impossibly wide. "I'm sure you're put off by his behaviour now. You think he's strange and odd and very much insane, but if you had met him during his rule, you would think a lot worse of him."
"I don't understand," Yugi said, and Bakura didn't hesitate to explain.
"He was crazy," Bakura stated, and Yugi's eyes snapped towards him, the look of disbelief written all over his features.
"What do you mean he was crazy?"
At the question, Bakura felt his chest tighten and his skin, his insides, started to boil as conflicted anger rose up within him. Not crazy. Crazy did not describe Atem back then. It still did. He still was crazy. Just a different form of crazy, one that left him feeling absolutely mortified and filled with nothing but despair that crashed into him whenever he saw the King, whenever he looked at him, whenever Atem said a single word because none of it was him. Not anymore.
"Bakura?" Yugi pressed again, but Bakura quickly cut him off, pulling himself from the depressive thoughts that just made him want to beat Atem until he regained his senses, returned to normal. But, how normal? He hated both the past, and the current Atem.
"We killed people, Yugi," and when the shock diminished from the boy's expression, Bakura stepped before him and stopped him in his place, glowering down at him with his eyes ablaze. "We killed them. Atem killed them. We killed people every single day with no rest. We were a blood thirsty clan," and seeing the sign of fear edging its way towards consuming Yugi, Bakura smirked and let out an amused laugh.
"Atem was being humble back there. He wasn't some unimportant King that no one paid attention to much. Do you know who he was?" and when Yugi shook his head numbly, Bakura continued. "He was the King. He was, and still is the true King of the vampires. And he, he was a King like no other."
Staring up at the sky as he proclaimed the truth to a world that was deaf, Bakura's gaze threatened everything and everyone. And damn, did it feel so good to shout it out after holding it in, after fearing what the new Atem would do to him if his feeble attempt at a shield received nothing but a little crack by Bakura's words. He spun back towards Yugi, his chest heaving to see that the boy had stepped closer to him, worry and concern replacing his fear.
"I still remember it, that day when I was nothing more than a petty assistant to some no good noble, standing there like some helpless dog just awaiting orders. I hated every fiber of my being for having to withstand such humiliation, until the day my former master dragged me along to one of those meetings with the King. And there, there was where I saw Atem for the first time and watched with awe as those excuses for Kings stood up and bowed without a single sound, faces holding nothing but respect with a tinge of contempt and jealousy. I watched as he waltzed in, his feet as if on air, and to see him command those Kings that were twice his size shook me to the core with admiration. So naturally, after the meeting was over, I dropped that assistant nonsense and just left, spending a total of four, five years on the run with the goal of finding Atem's clan the main thing on my mind."
Bakura sighed, but however, as more thoughts surfaced, he couldn't help but clench his fists once more and scowl before looking back towards Yugi.
"When I got there though, I was left with the feeling of anger when I learned that Atem was seemingly no different than the other nobles. I found out that he was considered irrational and wild, senseless, blood-driven, and demonic more than anything else. A cocky smirk was what he wore and his flaming red eyes only intensified that insanity his being radiated."
Bakura's eyes closed, and he let out a deep, suffering breath before he went on, his voice slightly hoarse.
"Although his commanding tone and graceful, royal, tendencies awed me, I didn't like him. Even though my mind bubbled over with excitement when I was appointed his personal bodyguard, advisor, chief or whatever professional name they called me, that anger was still there."
"But if you hate him, why are you here with him? Why are you almost… protective?" the child asked, and Bakura turned towards Yugi to see the sorrow, pity-filled gaze. However, at the question, Bakura could not stop himself from smiling sadly, turning away from Yugi's intrigued eyes as the memories, the wonderful memories, surfaced.
"Since I was so near to him, practically all the time due to my position, I started to notice things. I slowly began to understand the reason as to why I felt Atem, setting aside his craziness, was so different from the other Kings."
"Why was that?"
"It was because he had Yami with him. I started to see how he lived his personal life, and frankly I found it quite interesting." Bakura let out a laugh, and turning to Yugi he saw a tiny grin of amusement on the boy's face. Whether it was because of him or what he was saying, he would never know. "Atem was and still is demanding. He's troublesome, stubborn, arrogant, but he's not selfish as I had initially thought. He loved to talk, and he laughed during the worse possible times. Yami was the one who would scold him endlessly, tease him, make him go red in the face with anger and embarrassment, and Atem would say nothing. He would sit there and take it all with a hilarious frown."
"He's not really like that anymore, is he?" Yugi mumbled, and Bakura shook his head.
"No. Only Yami was able to make him behave like that. While the other King's went insane themselves, Atem would regain his sanity because of that impish little brother of his. Only Yami was able to bring Atem back down from the high of blood and power. And seeing that, their interactions with each other was what sparked a new interest for me in his clan again. He… it seemed as if he turned into this completely different person."
Bakura went on.
"When Atem wasn't out blindly fulfilling the needs of his clan, trying to keep his title as the greatest King, he was doting on Yami. Any time he had for himself was immediately given away to Yami. Feeding him, cleaning up after him, scolding him when necessary, the teases, jokes, the pure sound of joy and laughter coming from the mouth of such a scary person…" Bakura trailed off. "The rest of the clan believed Atem to be ruthless, but I was finally able to understand." Another, warm smile made its way on to Bakura's face before he went on, leaning against a tree, dangling the big bag in his hand.
"Atem, so caught up with Yami, would drop everything. He would run up to Kaiba and me and ask in this excited tone as to what he should get for Yami's birthday. Atem would wake up sometimes and just stare out at nothing, mumbling about Yami. Once," and Bakura chuckled, "he spent three hours just talking about all the things he wanted to do. All the things he loved. He spoke to Kaiba and me about everything he couldn't share with the rest of the clan. Of course, Kaiba would sit with him because he knew of Atem's human-like personality before I did. They are cousins after all. I can still remember standing there, watching with that same feeling of awe, watching as he rolled around on his bed, too excited to sleep. He was so different. I guess that's why Kaiba and I do anything for him. He's kind of, precious."
He heard Yugi sigh, and eventually, the boy spoke. "Isn't it a good thing though? Atem, the part he was hiding from everyone, it's out in the open. He can be himself."
"No," Bakura suddenly growled, and immediately Yugi stopped talking. "Atem had the largest vampire clan that ever existed. He was at the top, and he was the true King. Hiding that part was what made him special. He hid it because he knew he had responsibilities to fulfill as the King. He had a clan to take care of, and that childish side of him had to be put away. He had that control over himself, dammit. He knew he couldn't be that way and that was how it always was. That was what made him who he was and there was a balance. But that… that person with us now…" Bakura's voice broke and shuddered, and he took a gulp, staring directly at Yugi.
"That isn't him, Yugi. And it frustrates me because we can't tell him that. Kaiba and I… that's what we were fighting about last night. I was trying to figure out a way to snap him out of the shell he built and get his life back together, but no. Kaiba wants to keep him that way. He's convinced Atem's fine. He's happy. Like hell he is!" Bakura knew he was pacing, but at the moment he couldn't care.
"I still don't understand," Yugi muttered, and he sunk down to the ground, the bags held before him.
Bakura eyed him carefully, and taking a couple of deep breaths, he too took a seat infront of the boy. The distress was evident on the Yugi's features. His explanation was all over the place and it only confused him. Maybe he should have waited. He should have discussed it with Kaiba's help. Kaiba was always the more organised one of the two of them. Yet, he couldn't stop now. If Yugi went home looking as if he had the world's issues on his head, Atem would get concerned and then what would he do? How will he explain?
"The thing is, is that when Yami died, Atem threw his responsibilities out the window. The balance in his life was shaken up. He was shaken up," Bakura started carefully, and he continued to breathe, trying not to let emotions get the best of him this time.
"He killed his clan in despair. Not rage. His world shattered, and to deal with it he ran away."
"But why did the clan do that?" Yugi asked. "Why did they kill Yami?"
Bakura sighed and shrugged helplessly. "It was because Atem vanished for a month."
"Wait, he left for a month? Why?" Yugi then asked, and Bakura gave him a stern look which clearly told him to let him continue to speak. Yugi fell quiet.
"I don't know. He didn't tell Kaiba or I anything. He just upped and left, returning a month later. When he did, he told the clan that they won't kill humans like they used to anymore. They will eat once a year, and to help sustain themselves, he brought the crystals to help."
"You mean, these?" Yugi asked, and he pulled out his own violet one that was tucked away in his jacket. Bakura nodded.
"Yes. The crystals are one of a kind, and can only be created using the blood of the clan leader. The crystals help to keep us alive, basically. As we've told you previously, it's equivalent to drinking human blood. Since the other clans eat whenever they please, they don't need it. But since we're restricted, we do. I'm sure that a lot of vampire's don't even know of the crystals existence, since they all eat like maniacs."
Yugi oohed.
"Well, if Atem put that as a rule, the other vampire's…"
"Yeah, they didn't like that. They rebelled. Yami… the kid didn't even know of the new rule. He was away for two months on a hunting trip, and when he came back, the trap they had set for Atem was set on Yami instead. You know, even to this day, Atem didn't tell us why he changed to those rulings." Bakura shook his head, "Doesn't really matter now anyways. Atem's word is law, whether we understand or not."
"But yeah, as I was saying earlier," Bakura continued with a wave of his hand. "After Atem ran away, we finally found him after thirty years of searching. And what we saw, we were far from happy. We found Atem hiding underground, the same hole we live in now actually. Back then it was smaller, just big enough to fit three or four people. Atem was there, locked away just awaiting death. He was killing himself slowly. He denied himself blood, which caused his skin to go blue. He was shaking, shivering, miserable… He would have died there even though the crystal he had struggled to keep him alive."
"Does he blame himself for Yami's death?" Yugi asked, and Bakura nodded.
"Somewhere inside of him, he still does. That's why he locked himself in that ridiculous shell. He wants to hide from it, and Kaiba is too stupid to see that. Atem's suicidal thoughts have diminished over the years, but he's not better. That's why he's latched on to things that Yami liked, would have approved of him doing instead of behaving like an animal. He cares about clothes, eating well, being good, and acting normal and human even though he isn't any of those things."
"And the cups?"
"Yeah, even these silly things."
Bakura looked at him, and offering a hand the two stood up. "So please, Yugi. Don't be offended by his behaviour. After all the searching Atem was doing, he found Yami in you. I'm not telling you to let him do what he wants. Yami had a backbone too, you know. I just want you to understand why he's that way. It's strange, but he's broken. He thinks that by having you around, he'll heal. We know what it's actually doing to him, but what can we do?"
"Don't worry," Yugi said, and he looked into Bakura's eyes with reassurance. "I do understand. I know Atem isn't all bad. It was just… confusing at first for me. I was brought into this type of life by Atem, and yes, I was angry, but how long can I be angry for? I can't go back to my former self, and really, I have nothing to complain about ever since I've been with you three. You've all taken good care of me, so…" and the boy trailed off uncomfortably, but that was enough.
Patting Yugi on the head, Bakura grinned.
"I'm just glad," Bakura said simply, and he stood, pulling Yugi to his feet as well. "Just, don't go telling anyone about it just yet. Atem, he didn't want us saying anything to you, nor does he even want to hear about the events of the past." Bakura cringed. "He still reacts badly to it, so try not to say anything concerning Yami, okay?" Although the reply was delayed, Bakura's heart lightened once Yugi finally answered.
"Okay. I promise."
They continued the walk towards the familiar clearing without a single word, each of them in their own thoughts as they got closer and closer, the night getting darker and darker. Glancing down at the bag in his hands, Bakura let out a silent sigh and stared ahead. Forever anxious, he couldn't help but wonder as to whether or not he did the right thing by telling Yugi of the past events. The boy had the right to know, but what if it slipped and Atem found out? Kaiba wouldn't spare him, not that he was concerned, but it was Atem's reaction that worried him. It had to stop though, and even though he couldn't admit it, a part of him knew that Yugi would be the key in completing Atem.
Pushing the rock and throwing back the trap door, Bakura stepped down the stairs, hearing Yugi's soft footsteps grazing against the stone steps. The faint light of the night disappeared after Yugi closed the door, and the grumble of the earth a bit as the stone was put back in its place. Bakura stared into the living area, the torches already lit, and his gaze fell on Kaiba who was laying down on the couch, arms under his head as he stared up at the low ceiling. The brown haired vampire's head turned towards their direction, however his gaze jumped Bakura and fell directly on Yugi.
"Did you have fun, Yugi?" Bakura heard him ask the boy behind him, and he saw that Yugi passed him and stepped forward, a smile on his face.
"Yes. We found so many vintage-looking teacups. I just know that Atem will like them," Yugi excitedly explained, stepping back as Kaiba sat up to stare at the bags in his hand.
"Really?"
"Look for yourself."
Rolling his eyes, Bakura turned on his heels and walked into the kitchen. He dropped the bag on the kitchen table and hastily began to remove the large box from within the plastic bag. Hearing the sound of ruffling plastic from the living area behind him, Bakura could feel his skin heating up with anger. Kaiba… pretending like nothing happened? Okay with everything? It was infuriating.
"Heh, these are actually pretty," he heard Kaiba say, and Bakura's nose flared. With an angry smack against the table with his fist, Bakura clenched his eyes shut before reopening them. When they did, he stormed out of the kitchen and stopped to shoot an ugly glare down the hallway.
"Atem!" he shouted. "Come see your cups. Yugi picked them out," and he returned back into the kitchen. When Atem didn't show up, his head spun around and shouted again, hands clutching the edge of the table. "Atem!?"
"I am coming," Atem's voice called back a second later, and the next moment Bakura turned to see Atem entering the kitchen after giving Yugi, who was still talking to Kaiba, and now Marik, a glance. Atem was buttoning the sleeves of his black shirt, jacket under his arm. "I did not know you were back already. I was showering," he explained, and Bakura watched as a small grin appeared on Atem's face as his crimson eyes lit up slightly after seeing the box.
"Is this it," Atem said, and he stepped forward, dropping the jacket on the spotless table to drag his finger across the edge, his eyes widening upon seeing the image printed around the box. Bakura nodded, forcing a little smile of his own.
"A new tea set. Yugi picked it out," he explained, and they both looked at Yugi as the boy entered, setting the other boxes on the table.
"Really? You picked them?" Atem asked in disbelief, and Bakura cringed at the sound of his voice. Atem deserved to be happy, yes, but not when he was throwing out his responsibilities in the process.
"Yeah, I did! I picked out these two, and the set. Bakura picked out the other two and he got some tea," Yugi explained, and hearing the boxes being ripped open, eliciting a chuckle from Kaiba, Bakura turned around and left, ignoring the curious look he received from Marik who stood at the entrance.
"Bakura?" he heard Marik say, and feeling the other grab his arm, Bakura shrugged it off and shot him a glare.
"Piss off," he hissed, and at the tone his arm was immediately released. Marik went back to turning his gaze towards the others, and glancing at Atem who was already grabbing them all and preparing to store them away in the little cabinet. Bakura shook his head and stalked to his room without another word.
Oh my goodness. The length of this is crazy, huh? But, I like it, I think. I hope you enjoyed it as well! I am wondering if the information Bakura gave to Yugi was confusing, or too much to handle at once. I know, it's still early on in the story, but I just wanted to clear some things up and help the flow along a bit more. And, another thing. How did you find Bakura? Was his POV alright? Was it enjoyable? Do you want to see more of him and other POV's? Please, I would love to know!
Anyways, thank you all for reading. Please leave a lovely review. You know how they make my day. :)
Bye~
