Disclaimer: If I owned either "Rurouni Kenshin" or "Yu-Gi-Oh!" then you would be seeing this in the manga or anime as opposed to ff net.

Chapter 40

The end of the school day couldn't come soon enough for Yami. It had just been one problem after another all day long. He was so distracted that he had forgotten Kaiba's 'request' to meet with him after school. It wasn't until the limo pulled up beside him and Yugi as they were walking home that he remembered.

"Kenshin Himura. Mr. Kaiba wishes to speak with you," the driver said, making it obvious that Yugi was not invited.

Yami sighed. He really didn't want to talk to Kaiba, but after his behavior earlier that day, he felt obligated hear what Kaiba had to say. He turned to Yugi.

"I'll be home later. I need to see what Kaiba wants," he said, inadvertently asking Yugi's permission to leave. The smaller boy nodded his head, and Yami got into the car.

When they arrived, Yami was escorted up to Kaiba's office where the CEO was waiting. Kaiba waited until his staff left before speaking.

"That was quite a stunt you pulled," he said, his voice low.

Yami thought he was referring to the incident earlier that day. "You just caught me by surprise. I already apologized for hitting you."

"That wasn't what I was talking about!" Kaiba snapped. Yami looked at him confused before the memory set in. That's right, he thought, Kenshin had gone over to Kaiba's for something on Saturday. Kenshin said Kaiba wanted to show him a new invention of his. Maybe that's what Kaiba is referring to?

"I want to know how you managed to program an entire world in the system and then have it erased as soon as you left? You covered your tracks well. The only evidence we have that it even existed are the tapes that recorded your every move. You see, I recorded our duel. It was so I could study the fight later. It was set up so that it would stop recording when you left the system. Tell me, Kenshin. How? How did you do that? How did you manage to stay in the system when you were no where on the premises?" Kaiba asked, his voice containing barely concealed anger.

Yami was confused. What is Kaiba talking about? he wondered. He decided that the truth would be his best option right now. "Kaiba, I really have no idea as to what you are talking about," Yami replied, calmly.

Kaiba sneered. "Then, perhaps we should review the tapes, to help jog your memory," he said in a condescending tone. He stood and walked out the door, not checking to see if Kenshin was following. He had thought Kenshin might deny it on the off chance that Kaiba didn't have any proof. So, Kaiba had set up everything before hand. He walked into a different room, turned on the TV and hit play on the VCR. Yami watched everything that Kenshin had done in the virtual world after leaving the shack in the mountains. He knew Kaiba was watching his every move, so he tried to remain impassive. However, he wasn't prepared for what he saw.

He witnessed Kenshin fighting people who skill was below his, but Kenshin was obviously not at his best. Yami watched as Kenshin fought his hardest, trying desperately to gain victory over his opponent, but was beaten back no matter how hard he tried. Yami cringed as he witnessed the beating Kenshin had taken.

The last time Kenshin stood up, it was obvious that both he and his opponent knew this would be the last attack. Yami stared at the screen, almost afraid to see the final outcome. Right before they reached each other, another figure stepped in between them. Yami watched, transfixed, as Kenshin inadvertently killed them both. By the way Kenshin reacted, it was obvious he knew the woman and loved her dearly. Yami could practically feel Kenshin's sorrow and anger at what he had done.

Suddenly, there appeared someone else on the screen. Kenshin seemed to know him as well. He stood and faced this new person, as if waiting for something. Yami's eyes widened in horror as the man's blade ripped through Kenshin's body, mercilessly. Yami watched as Kenshin died right before his eyes. The screen went black, and Yami turned his angry eyes upon Kaiba.

"What did you do to Kenshin?!" Yami demanded.

Kaiba was a little confused. Kenshin had seemed like he was seeing this for the very first time. And then referring to himself in third person? It didn't make any sense. Unless…

"Are you Battousai, per chance?" Kaiba asked, his voice calm. Yami blinked, startled. He had not been expecting that. His eyes narrowed.

"How do you know of Battousai? What do you know about him?" Yami asked suspiciously. Kenshin hadn't been exactly forth coming with that information, so Yami wasn't sure how Kaiba had found out.

"You've mentioned that name twice. Once was when you were sleeping in the hospital and right before you left here Sunday night," Kaiba said, a little guardedly. He had brought Kenshin over to get some answers, but all he was getting was more questions.

"Sunday night? That's impossible! Battousai didn't come over here Sunday night! Unless…" Yami trailed off as he realized something. "Kaiba, I know this sounds stupid, but was Kenshin in spirit form when he left?" Yami asked, seriously.

Kaiba looked a little surprised that Yami had guessed that little detail. "Yes, he was. Now, I've answered two of your questions. My turn: who are you?"

Yami realized a little late that he'd been referring to both Kenshin and Battousai in third person. "Uh…" he tried to come up with something convincing to tell Kaiba.

"I want the truth. You obviously aren't Kenshin or this Battousai person. I have no idea what you're doing in Kenshin's body or if it even is his body, but I want to know who you are," Kaiba said, practically reading Yami's mind. Yami, realizing that he had no other choice but to tell the truth, shrugged his shoulders. "I'm Yami, the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle."

Kaiba looked at him incredulously. "If you're the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle, then why was Yugi wearing it at school today?" Kaiba asked.

Yami shrugged again. "The Puzzle belongs to him, I just inhabit it. Currently, I cannot seem to escape Kenshin's body, however," Yami said. At Kaiba's blank look, he elaborated. "Something happened to Kenshin's soul. I assume he became trapped in your virtual world for a short while. For certain reasons, I needed to take over his body for a short period of time. Apparently, his body pulled my soul completely out of the Puzzle when I possessed him, and I have not been able to return since. We still haven't been able to locate Kenshin's soul," Yami explained, leaving out everything about Battousai.

Kaiba looked like he wasn't sure whether to believe him or not. On one hand, the story was ludicrous. However, it made sense in a weird sort of way. In the end, Kaiba didn't really make a decision about it one way or the other. "It doesn't matter who you are. You're not Kenshin, and he's the one I want to talk to, not you. That is all, you may go," Kaiba said, dismissing Yami as he turned and walked back to his office.

Yami just smiled, shaking his head. He knew Kaiba had partly believed his story and that was why he was dismissed. Kaiba was going to ponder over what Yami had said for a while, until he convinced himself that there was no possible way it could be true.

Still smiling at Kaiba's predictability, Yami left the Kaiba mansion, and started walking home.

~*~

Ryou was walking home from school alone. Both Kenshin and Battousai had been blissfully quiet since leaving the school. Ryou had never realized how noisy two people inside your head could be. Up ahead, a man was leaning against the side of the building, smoking a cigarette. When he saw Ryou, he crushed the cigarette under his shoe and casually walked around the corner. Ryou didn't notice him, enjoying the silence until said voices interrupted his thoughts once again.

/Ryou, stop,/ Kenshin commanded him.

The boy complied and was about to question the order, but Battousai beat him to it.

//What's wrong, Kenshin?// Battousai asked, noting the seriousness in Kenshin's tone. He could practically feel Kenshin grin almost maliciously.

/Might I take over for awhile? We have some hostile company up around that next corner,/ he said, trying to keep the eagerness out of his voice.

Ryou blinked in surprise/ Hostile company? he asked, a little confused.

/Yes. It appears that the gang from the other night is out for revenge. I promised you I'd teach them their lesson better the second time through…/ Kenshin said, almost impatiently waiting for Ryou's consent.

Why are you so eager to fight them? Ryou asked, not really sure he wanted to hear the answer.

/Oh, I just have a few experiments I'd like to conduct – tests, if you will…/ Kenshin replied, vaguely. The truth was, after proving his worthiness as the spirit of the Ring, he had gained the knowledge of how to access and use all the powers of the Ring. And he had been waiting for an opportunity such as this to test out his new powers. After all, he wouldn't be in the Ring much longer, so this would probably be his only chance. /Don't worry, Ryou. I do not plan to do any permanent damage to any of them,/ he assured the boy.

//Oh, come on. Let Kenshin have a little fun. After everything he's been through recently, I think he deserves it…/// Battousai said. He could read Ryou like an open book, and he knew that statement would be the final vote for the decision.

He was right. Ryou sighed. Very well, he said, entering his soul room as Kenshin took over the body.

Immediately, Kenshin turned and walked back to the end of the block. After a quick survey to make sure no one was looking, he quickly jumped on to the roof of the building. He ran across the rooftops to the alley where he sensed the hostile ki. He perched on the ledge of the roof, and peered over the side. The alley was a dead end, with gangsters hiding behind the trash cans and dumpsters.

/One, two, three,… only fifteen? I'm insulted!/ he said indignantly. /I would have thought that there would have at least been twice that many! Oh well, I won't let their small numbers ruin my fun./

Silently, he jumped from the roof to the ground behind the gang, and stood there for a moment.

"He was walking this way. He should be here any minute," Kenshin heard one of the gangsters whisper. Deciding they weren't going to notice him, he decided to announce himself.

"Oh, who are we waiting for?" he asked in Ryou's normal voice. Startled, the gangsters whipped around toward the sound of his voice. Kenshin watched as their eyes traveled from him to the dead end behind him, then to the walls bereft of any type of ladder, and then back to him again. He could almost see their minds trying to figure out how he had gotten behind them. Of course, they gave up trying to figure it out when their leader stepped forward.

"Actually, we were waiting for you. We have some unfinished business from the other night," he said, cracking his knuckles in what he thought was an intimidating display. Kenshin stifled a yawn. "Would you care to stay and play with us?"

Kenshin's eyes lit up, just like a little child's at Christmas time. "Oh, yes! I would love to stay and play!"

Some of the gang members looked at each other. This kid new he was about to get the beating of his life, right? Maybe he wasn't quite all there mentally…

Kenshin, ignoring their confused looks, continued. "However," he said, his voice dropping, "we'll play by my rules, this time."

The gangs leader was intrigued. Didn't this kid know he was out-numbered and out-matched? He decided to play along. "Oh? And what rules might those be?" he asked, a bit sarcastically. Kenshin's smile widened.

"Well, first off, no one can escape," he said, grinning almost maniacally as the first tendrils of fog began to drift across the alleyway entrance. The fog grew thicker, surrounding everyone in the alley and blocking out the sun. Two of the gang members panicked, and bolted towards the street before it was completely blocked from view.

"I said you shall not escape!" Kenshin yelled, his voice full of rage and his eyes burning with anger, causing some of the gangsters closer to him to step back instinctively. He quickly stretched his hand towards the would-be escapees, using the power of the Ring to immobilize them. They stopped, inches short of their goal, as the mists closed around them. Their faces widened in fear as they realized that their bodies were no longer under their control.

Seeing that the fog had finished forming, Kenshin's face relaxed into a smile and he released his hold on the two thugs. Startled at their sudden freedom, they stumbled forward falling right at the edge of the swirling mists.

"I'd be careful not to enter in there. You'll spend eternity wandering the Shadow Realm, and you don't want to know what horrors lurk in it's depths," Kenshin said, his voice barely above a whisper. As if the prove his statement, an unearthly shriek tore through the air, seeming to come from everywhere at once. The gangsters hurriedly backed away from the darkness, everyone unconsciously gathering in a group in the center, as far away from the mists as possible.

Ryou was a little concerned. He had no idea Kenshin could use the powers of the Ring, and was more than a little uneasy at Kenshin summoning the Shadow Realm. He was also confused by Kenshin's behavior. Although he had shouted out in almost pure rage earlier, Ryou could only sense a mild amusement from him. He wasn't sure what to make of the situation.

Battousai, feeling Ryou's confusion, decided to explain what Kenshin was doing. //Relax, Ryou. Kenshin's only intimidating them,// he said, reassuringly.

But, he sounded so angry -- Ryou began before Battousai cut him off.

//Sounded angry, yes. But do his emotions tell you he's angry? No. In fact, he seems to be enjoying himself. He doesn't get to act like the bad guy without having to hurt anyone very often, so I'd suggest you just sit back and enjoy the show. Besides, he gave you his word that he wouldn't cause any permanent damage. You got nothing to worry about,// he said confidently.

I suppose your right, Ryou agreed, reluctantly. He did trust Kenshin.

/You do realize that since I am the only who's linking you two together, I can hear every word you say, don't you?/

Gomen, Kenshin, Ryou apologized.

Kenshin turned his attention back to the gangsters before him. They were still in a bit of shock at what he had just done.

"Sorry, but I couldn't allow you to get out before the Shadow Realm had finished forming," Kenshin said smiling a little evilly, his voice soft and spoken in a tone that sent shivers down the spine. The gangsters where starting to regret picking on this boy.

Deciding they weren't frightened enough, Kenshin manipulated his ki in the same manner he had with Joey and Tristan, and sent it at them. His attack was stronger due to his new shadow powers, and the fact that they were already jumping at every little thing that moved. It didn't help that shadow forms could be barely seen, prowling along the edge of the barrier Kenshin had formed around them. A few of the gangster were on the ground, tears flowing freely down their cheeks as they whimpered in terror.

Suddenly, one of the beasts broke through the barrier, and ran towards the terrified group. As it came closer, they could make out not one, but three heads. The center was that of a lion, jaws gaping in anticipation of the meat that would soon grace it's stomach. It had wings on it's back and a tail that resembled a snake. They didn't see what the other two heads were, as their eye's were all focused on what they were sure would be their last sight.

It slowed as it approached them, seeming to study them and determine whether or not they posed any threat. Seemingly satisfied, it gave them a feline grin, showing all of it's sharp, pointy teeth. It raised one massive paw, claws out, and brought it down right in the center of their group. Too scared to move, they watched as their doom came closer and closer until, at the last second, they were pushed out of the way.

Since they were standing so close together, when one person lost his balance, the whole group went down. They landed hard on pavement. It took everyone a few seconds to realize that they were back in the alley, and the strange mists (along with the monster) were gone. After they got untangled, they kind joked half-heartedly about it, saying it was nothing but their imagination. A cold voice cut through the air.

"I was lenient this time, because of your ignorance. However, the next time you try to fight me, I shall leave you to become Chimera's next meal," Kenshin said, softly.

Before anyone could react, Kenshin disappeared before their eyes. On the ground where he had been standing were three deep gashes in the pavement, where Chimera's claws had hit. No one said a word as they stared at what had almost been there demise.

~*~

Kenshin walked the rest of the way to Ryou's house in silence. It didn't feel nearly as satisfying as he thought it would when he put the gangsters in their place. Oh well, at least Ryou won't have to worry about them anymore, he thought, relinquishing his control back to Ryou as he stepped inside the house.

/Oh, Ryou, by the way, would you mind if I borrowed your body around 2:00 tomorrow morning?/ Kenshin asked.

What? What do you need my body for at 2:00 in the morning? Ryou asked, more than a little surprised. His eyes narrowed. I think you scared those gangsters enough…

/No, no, nothing like that. It's just, well, I need to get the Mask and the Puzzle. I highly doubt that Yugi would willingly hand them both over, so I'm going to borrow them while he's asleep,/ Kenshin explained.

Ryou was silent. Battousai, however, was not. //Stealng other people's Millennium Items? You're starting to sound like Bakura!// Battousai said, laughing.

/Steal is such a strong word. The Mask is mine, anyway. And as for the Puzzle – well, I'm just going to borrow it without Yugi's permission. I intend to return it to him. That's hardly stealing…/

//Kenshin, no matter what pretty definitions you give it, it still stealing!// Battousai said, still laughing at Kenshin's attempts to defend his position.

/Alright, fine. Have it your way. I'm going to steal the Puzzle and the Mask and then I'm going to return the Puzzle after I'm done with it,/ Kenshin said, conceding to defeat to Battousai. The latter just smirked mentally.

Well, I suppose you'd just take over while I was asleep if I said no, so go ahead and use my body. I'll just sleep in my soul room tonight.

/Thank you, Ryou./

//You know, you really shouldn't support his bad habits, Ryou. When a child reaches his adolescent years, you must be firm with him.//

/Shut up./

~*~

Yami woke in the middle of the night to the sound of the floor boards creaking slightly in the hallway. Probably just my imagination, Yami thought, trying to go back to sleep. He wondered how Kenshin could get any rest at all – his body woke up at every single noise. Yami was drifting back off the sleep, when he heard a door latch click into place as the door closed. He identified the sound as coming from Yugi's room.

Instantly, he was on his feet, thankful he was in Kenshin's body to deal with the intruder. He rushed into Yugi's room, mindful to be quiet enough so that he wouldn't wake the boy. Looking around, he spied nothing out of the ordinary. Yugi was asleep on his bed, undisturbed. The curtains swung lazily in the cool breeze allowed inside from the open window. Yami felt a little foolish as he realized that the wind had blown the door shut. It was a little too cool outside, so he walked over and shut the window. He checked one more time to make sure no one was lurking in the corners or skulking in the shadows, before heading back to Kenshin's room, berating himself for his foolishness.

Outside, a white-haired boy walked out of the shadows, briefly casting out his senses to show the ki of everyone around him. Satisfied that he had not been seen, he hurried back home, the Millennium Mask and Millennium Puzzle clutched tightly in his hands.

~*~