DD: Hey guys! I'm so, so sorry you had to wait a month and eight days for the newest chapter. I hit writer's block and I was working on a bunch of video projects for different competitions that all end around the same day. I'll post the links to them once the competitions end. But anyway, I'm sorry and I'm going to be starting the FINAL VERY LAST NO SEQUELS COMING chapter today. That's right. We're at the end. Enjoy the chapter guys!
Reviews:
LittleMe100: Sorry you had to wait so long!
Ern Estine 13624: It'll be coming soon. I promise.
thor94: Look, this is what happens. I am not doing anything more sexual than kissing in this book. I have already stated this in multiple reviews. Yugi gets what he gets. He gets more mental torture than physical torture.
Kigen Dawn: Bingo.
JaytheAnimeLover4EVER: Sorry you waited so long!
The three were silent.
Marik was curled up in a corner with bleeding knuckles from hammering on the door and trying to break the table with his bare hands.
Bakura was walking around the room, kicking the wall in random places in the hopes of finding a hidden door.
Yami was just staring at the main door.
It had been twenty minutes. Aknadin wouldn't wait much longer; he was never a very patient person.
Sure enough, the door swung open after a few more minutes. They had to look away as light blinded them for a moment. Bakura was the first to be able to brave the sight of the fire.
His gaze found Aknadin. And then the shock of white hair clenched in Aknadin's hand. His heart sank as he followed the hair to Ryou's face. "Ryou..."
Aknadin smirked at him. "Follow me."
Bakura glared up at him. "Let him go."
"Alright." Aknadin pushed him forward. Ryou stumbled and they heard the scrape of a tile being pushed down.
Marik's eyes widened. "Move!" He boomed. Ryou fell back in time to avoid an axe falling on his head. He let out a cry of pain as Aknadin yanked him up by his hair again.
"I know every trap in these tombs," Aknadin chuckled. "Now, if you don't follow, I'll gladly lead Ryou outside. But who's to say he won't trip something on the way out?"
"Bastard," Bakura growled, his hands balling into fists.
Aknadin's smirk grew and he turned away, leading Ryou by his hair. "Let's go."
Bakura stayed where he was. But only until Aknadin tightened his hold on Ryou's hair and the small boy whimpered.
Then Bakura was pretty fast about following him out of the room. Once Bakura was out, Aknadin closed the door and bolted it shut again.
Bakura reached out to try and take Ryou's hand, but Aknadin yanked him away before he could, giving Bakura no choice but to follow.
None of them could focus on the inscribed walls; they had to use the torchlight to make sure they didn't trip any wires or land on false tiles.
Aknadin didn't seem to have much of a problem with it, but Ryou and Bakura had to pay close attention.
Before long, they reached a large metal door with a slot. Aknadin pulled it open and looked at Bakura. "Inside," he commanded. "Now."
Bakura took a glance at Ryou before obliging. Rather than following him in, Aknadin shut the door and opened the slot so Bakura could see out into the hall.
"Watch closely, Bakura." He attached the torch to the wall. "And learn from your mistakes."
He turned to Ryou and slammed him against the wall.
Ryou let out a cry of pain as a hand wrapped around his throat.
"You're the one that challenged my brother," Aknadin said, slowly tightening his grip, "aren't you?" He snorted as Ryou scratched at his hand. "Where's your card games now?"
Bakura hammered on the door. "Let him go!" He roared.
Aknadin just laughed and tightened his grip. "Your actions will determine his fate, nephew," he called over his shoulder. "You can let him die, or live. But either way, he is never leaving this tomb."
Ryou whimpered and aimed a kick at Aknadin's chest. Aknadin cursed and dropped him, staggering.
Ryou landed unsteadily and bolted for the door, trying to pull it open. But before he could, he felt his foot catch on something.
His eyes widened.
He could hear Bakura yelling.
He felt a tug on the back of his t-shirt as he was pulled backwards, but not before pain ricocheted through his arm.
"Stupid boy," Aknadin snarled as Ryou let out a wail of pain. "This is what happens when you don't pay attention!"
Ryou felt him pull something, and both pain and relief washed through his arm. He could see red everywhere, but he couldn't bring himself to look.
He could hear Bakura yelling curses and threats, and Aknadin muttering idiocies under his breath.
He heard the door swing open and he was shoved in with Bakura. He stumbled and hit the ground, and Bakura's arms were around him.
"It's okay," he heard him murmur. "It'll be fine. I've got you. You're going to be fine."
He heard shuffling and tearing, and a pressure on his arm.
He whimpered. "W-what happened?"
Bakura hesitated. "I... I can't... Take a look."
It was bright enough; they were close enough to the surface to have cracks for windows. Cracks big enough to produce enough light to illuminate the room enough to see silhouettes and faint colours.
But he didn't want to look. So he didn't.
Yugi looked up as the door opened. "Mal?" He whispered. "Ry?" Aknadin had taken them about half an hour previously.
"Afraid not." He shrank back when he heard Aknadin's voice. "But I have some of your friend's blood here, if that counts."
Yugi squeezed his eyes shut. What had he done?
It was all his fault.
"But I do have a friend here for you."
Yugi flinched as he heard a match strike and flames lit up the room. His eyes widened when he saw Yami, arms tied behind his back. "M-Mou Hitori..."
"Ai-" Yami began before his mouth was covered and a knife appeared at his throat.
He and Yugi tensed. "Now Yugi," Aknadin said, leading Yami in front of Yugi and forcing him to sit down, "I believe you have quite the story to tell Yami. Don't you?"
Yugi's eyes widened even more. "Wh-what are you talking ab-bout?"
Aknadin smiled. "Oh, you know. Your father."
Yugi flinched and looked away.
"Yugi," Aknadin sang. Yugi flinched again when he heard a hiss of pain from Yami.
He looked back to see a thin line of blood bead up on Yami's neck, where Aknadin had pressed the blade a little too deep.
"Start talking, Yugi," Aknadin chuckled, "or we might die a little from boredom."
Yugi met Yami's gaze. Yami shook his head, but again, he hissed when Aknadin applied more pressure with his blade.
Yugi squeezed his eyes shut. If he didn't talk, his Mou Hitori would die.
But if he did, he would need to relive it.
As if he didn't already do that enough.
"Tick." Hiss. "Tock." Hiss. "Tick." Hiss. "Tock." Gasp.
Yugi's eyes flashed open to see more blood beading on Yami's neck. "Okay!"
Aknadin smiled and sat next to Yami, still holding the knife to his neck. "Excellent. I always love a good story. Make sure to do the voices, won't you?"
Yugi ignored the request. "When... When I was younger, I lived with my parents," he began, "but... but my mom was an alcoholic and my dad was abusive... towards both of us." Aknadin was smirking. It was burning his eyes. "On-e day, when I was-was thirteen, I ran away," Yugi stammered. "I stayed with-with grandpa for a few days an-and we went-t back to get my mom..."
"Yugi," Yami began but Aknadin dug the knife into his skin again.
"Shush," he chuckled. "We're getting to the good part."
Yugi sniffed. "G-grandpa waited in the car when I went in... D-dad was... drunk. Again. But he told me tha-at I could get my mom... When I did, she packed a bag. When we went out to the kit-tchen again, he-he was ho-holding a-a-a g-g-un an-and-" He sobbed. "-he-he sh-sh-ot h-er..."
"I wish I had some popcorn to go with this," Aknadin hummed as tears trickled down Yugi's cheeks. After a few moments of silence, Aknadin glared. "Keep going, aibou."
Yugi whimpered. "H-he knocked me o-over the h-head with something an-and dragged me out to-to the garage," he whispered. His voice echoed back from the stone walls. "I-I wasn't un-unconscious, b-but it hu-hurt t-too much to mo-ove." He bit his lower lip harshly. He could taste the copper tang of blood. "H-he grabbed a... a can and be-began pouring something over me..."
He could remember it.
Hearing his laughter.
Feeling something wet pour over him.
Hearing his laughter.
Wondering how water could hurt him.
Hearing his laughter.
Wondering why the water smelt so bad.
Hearing his laughter.
"Finish the story, aibou," Aknadin commanded. "Yami here wants to know the ending."
Yugi met Yami's gaze. He could see pity, and concern in his eyes. And he hated it.
He hated that Yami felt this way.
He hated that it was his fault.
"I-It was gas," he whispered. "I saw him l-light a match, an-and he dropped it on me, and..." He sobbed again. "And he laughed... H-He-He wa-watched me b-burn and he laughed."
Malik's head shot up as the door swung open and Marik was shoved in by Aknadin.
"What do you want?" Malik snarled, glaring at Aknadin.
"Ooh, feisty." Aknadin smirked. "I like that. You made a good choice with him, nephew."
"I'm not your nephew!" Marik snapped.
Aknadin ignored him. "Also a pleasant change from your friends. They're a bit too... obedient for my liking. At least, when you push the right buttons." He pulled something from his pocket and the two Egyptians tensed. "Now, Marik, you're going to beat your boyfriend here to a bloody pulp with this." He threw the whip to Marik, who fumbled but caught it.
Marik stared at the whip for a moment before looking up at him. "What?"
"You see, there's a reason my dear brother never did anything psychologically damaging to you," Aknadin said. "Or at least, as psychologically damaging as what he did to the other two."
"Get on with it!" Marik snarled.
"He seemed to believe that you were too psychotic for mental torture to effect," Aknadin said, pulling a gun from his pocket. "That physical torture would be more effective on you. But I think you're a lot more humane than you let on."
Marik glared, but didn't say anything to contradict his statement.
"So I'm going to make you do to him-" He nodded at Malik. "-what my brother did to you."
Marik shook his head. "What's the point?" He asked.
Aknadin raised an eyebrow. "The point?" He shrugged. "Because I feel like it."
Marik glared at him. "I'm not going to do it."
"Yes you are." Aknadin smirked and pointed the gun at Malik. "Or I'll kill both of you right here, right now, and you'll never leave this place."
Marik tensed.
Never leaving. Never leaving. Never leaving.
"You're never leaving this place, Marik. Not so long as I'm here."
Marik reached out and caught Malik's wrist, pulling his boyfriend behind him. "You can try," he hissed, "but we're getting out of here."
Aknadin snorted, "I'd like to see that." He levelled the gun at Marik's head.
Marik squeezed Malik's hand. Malik squeezed his back. His grip on the whip tightened as he prepared to lash it at Aknadin.
Suddenly, someone was hammering on the door.
Aknadin scowled. "What the-?"
"Come out with your hands where we can see them!"
Malik smirked. "And that would be the police."
"You're sure this is where they are?" The Police Commissioner asked for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"We're sure," Duke said through gritted teeth.
"But it's-"
"We know. Highly unethical." Duke glared at him. "Do you really think we'd go to all of this trouble to stage a prank?"
The Commissioner snorted. "You wouldn't be the first or the last."
"For the love of-"
"They're out."
Both Duke and the Commissioner looked over at the entrance. Tristan was right.
Ryou, Yugi, Malik, Bakura, Yami and Marik were all being led out by police officers, blankets wrapped around them.
Yugi was sobbing, Yami's arm wrapped around him.
One of Ryou's arms was behind his back and both Bakura and a police officer seemed to be trying to talk him into revealing it.
Neither Malik nor Marik seemed injured, but they both seemed shaken.
And Aknadin was being led out, hands cuffed behind his back. There were two officers on either side of him, as well as one in front and in the back.
"Is everything okay?" Duke asked one of the officers.
The officer nodded. "No trouble. He dropped his weapon and led us to everyone to get them out."
The Commissioner nodded. "And the kids?"
"They all seem fine." The officer glanced at them. "Only one is injured and it seems to be from a trap that he tripped rather than from the man."
Duke glared. "They wouldn't have been down there if it wasn't for him, so it was his fault," he hissed.
"How did you two even know they were there?" The Commissioner asked.
"Ryou called us when they were on their way," Tristan sighed, placing a hand on Duke's shoulder and gently squeezing it. "He told us to call the police if we didn't hear from them again in an hour and he told us where to go."
The officer frowned. "So they've been in there for over two hours?"
Duke shook his head. "We called you as soon as we got the call from him," he replied. "Now if you'll excuse us, we need to go and check on our friends."
He stormed over to the group, who were all standing with Ryou.
"It'll be okay, Ry," he heard Bakura say softly. "But we need to be able to see it so we know how we can help."
Ryou whimpered. "B-but..."
Bakura kissed his forehead. "Please, Ry..."
Ryou met his gaze for a moment before shakily taking his hand out from behind his back.
Even Duke nearly fainted, so he wasn't surprised when Ryou fell into Bakura after letting out a cry at the sight of the bloody stump where his hand used to be.
"All rise."
Everyone in the courtroom stood. Yami, Bakura, Marik and their lawyer Atticus Rhodes sat at the bench, with Yugi, Ryou and Malik in the stands behind them.
On the other side of the courtroom were Aknadin and his lawyer Slade Princeton.
"This court is now in session; the honourable judge Lyman Banner preceding." The court clerk placed a file on Banner's table. "This is the case of Aknadin Sennen."
The judge nodded and took the file.
The court clerk turned back. "You may be seated."
The judge turned to Aknadin as everyone sat down. "Aknadin Sennen, you are charged with child abuse, kidnapping, mutilation and mass murder. How do you plea?"
"Not guilty."
The judge nodded as though expecting that response.
Atticus stood up. "Your honour, if I may, I would like to call Yugi Mutou to the stand as a witness."
"Permission granted."
Yugi swallowed and shakily walked up to the stand.
"Please state your name for the court."
"Yugi Mutou."
"Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?"
"I do."
Atticus walked up to him as he sat down. "Yugi, when did Yami approach you for help?"
Yugi hesitated. "A few days after he moved in," Yugi replied. "Boxing Day."
"And what did he tell you?"
Yugi hesitated again. "He... he told me that he, Bakura and Marik needed help. That they were locked in the attic and being tortured."
"And who was torturing them?"
"Their father and uncle," Yugi replied. "Their father was already arrested a few months ago."
"And when Aknadin kidnapped-"
"Objection, your honour." Slade stood up. "My client has pleaded innocent of the kidnapping charges."
"I'll rephrase," Atticus said smoothly. "When you were kidnapped, are you sure that it was Aknadin?" Yugi nodded. "How?"
"I saw him," Yugi replied. "And he said something about getting his nephews back."
Atticus nodded. "No further questions, your honour." He walked back to the bench.
"Mr. Princeton, would you like to cross-examine the witness?"
"Yes, your honour." Slade stood up and walked over to Yugi. "Mr. Mutou, did you physically see my client torturing your boyfriend?"
Yugi clenched his fists. "No, but-"
"So you have no real proof that he did anything to them?"
"I believe them more than I do him."
"Do you have a recording of him confessing to torturing them?" He argued. "And do you know that it was him that kidnapped you? Maybe it was just someone who sounded similar."
Yugi took a deep breath to him. "No, I don't have a recording," he said, "but I know it was him. I saw him."
"So we're taking the word of a fifteen year old child? Excellent." Slade turned away. "No further questions, your honour."
Banner nodded. "You may be seated, Mr. Mutou."
Yugi sighed in relief and stood up, walking back to his seat.
Yami smiled at him, and Atticus gave him a thumbs-up.
A loud bang rang through the room and Yugi fell to the floor, clutching his chest.
Screams and yells filled the air.
Yugi felt someone's arms around him, calling for someone to dial one one nine.
Blood dripped through Yugi's fingers onto the hardwood floor of the courtroom.
He managed to look at Aknadin. Slade had darted away and was on the phone.
Aknadin was smirking, holding the gun aimed at him. "Your honour," he called over the mayhem, "I would like to change my plea to guilty. Of all charges."
"Friends of Yugi Mutou?"
Everyone's head shot up and they ran over to the doctor. Ryou was the only one not present, having to get the stitches on his arm changed.
"How is he?"
"Is it bad?"
"Is he okay?"
"Is he alive?"
"When can he leave?"
The doctor held up his hands to quieten them. When they fell silent, he smiled slightly. "Your friend is fine." Sighs of relief ran through the group. The doctor's face fell. "For now. Follow me."
The group followed him down the hall into a small, brightly lit office. The doctor picked up a file on his desk and took out the x-ray photo.
"The bullet punctured his left lung here," he explained, pointing to a large black spot, "and here." He pointed to another black dot. "It then went through to his right lung and punctured it here." He pointed to the last black dot. "His lungs were already bad from smoking. Now, if he doesn't get a lung transplant..."
"Will he be okay?" Malik asked after a moment of silence. "Like, he'll still live, right?"
"It all depends."
"On what?"
"Him." The doctor looked over at Yami. "And how much he wants to live. He can fight, or he can give up before the transplant. We've put him on the list, but he won't have it for a few months."
"So the shrimp has to stay in hospital for a few months?" Bakura asked. "Why not just let him out and let him enjoy life?"
The doctor sighed. "It's not that simple," he protested. "He's on a life monitor now, and he has to get oxygen from machines. He can't leave the hospital; he can't breathe properly. If he leaves, he'll die."
Everyone fell silent.
"Are any of us the same blood type?" Duke offered. "It's possible to live with one lung, right?"
"Yes," the doctor admitted. "And we may have to take blood samples from all of you. But even so, it might be a month or two before he can have the operation." The doctor put the image in his file again. "You can visit him now if you want. But only one at a time."
"You first, Yami," Marik said. "He'll want to see you."
Yami hesitated. "Are you sure?"
Despite the fact that they all probably wanted to see Yugi themselves, there wasn't a single person that didn't nod.
Yami turned back to the doctor, who smiled. "Right this way."
"Hey."
Yugi slowly opened his eyes. Every movement was a struggle, but he managed to prop himself up on his pillows when Yami walked in. "Hi..."
Yami walked over to the chair beside Yugi's bed and sat down.
For a few minutes, neither of them said anything.
"The judge made his decision," Yami finally coughed out. "Aknadin was put on death row. He waved his right to a long trial, so he should be executed in about three months."
"Oh..." Yugi looked down. "Does he... does he need to die?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper. "I mean, I know he did some terrible things, but... no one has the right to take another life. No one."
Yami took his hand and squeezed it. "I know, aibou," he murmured. "But if they don't, he'll eventually get out and do it all again."
Yugi slowly nodded. "Yeah..." His eyes burned. "I'm sorry..."
Yami blinked. "What for?"
"For everything," Yugi whispered. "For doing drugs again, for not accepting your apology... For everything..."
"Why did you do it?" Yami asked after a minute.
There was no point in accepting an apology when you didn't know the reason.
Yugi squeezed his eyes shut. "It made me feel numb," he said. "And I was hurting. A lot. Ra, Yami, you don't know what you did to me when you pushed me away..." He sniffed. "An-and there was the bullies and-"
"You were being bullied?" Yami asked, his eyes wide.
Yugi nodded. "Yeah..." He slowly raised a hand and rubbed his eyes. "I'm used to it, but... I don't know..."
Yami squeezed his hand again. "Everyone has breaking points, Yu'," he murmured. "You just found yours."
Yugi sniffed and lowered his hand. "I guess..."
Yami swallowed. "And I'm sorry for doing that to you," he mumbled. "Pushing you away."
Yugi met his gaze. "Why did you?" He asked.
"I... I don't know..." Yami shook his head. "I shouldn't have kissed you. Not then."
Yugi flinched. "Why not?"
Yami caught the flinch. "Not because of that," he quickly assured. "I like you. More than anyone I've ever met."
Yugi shook his head. "Then... why?"
Yami sighed. "We had just gotten out of the attic," he mumbled, "and I had just been..."
This time, Yugi squeezed Yami's hand as he trailed off.
Yami sniffed. "I guess I was just... scared." He laughed feebly. "Sounds pretty weak..."
"No it doesn't." Yugi slowly raise a hand and cupped Yami's cheek. "You were scared. Everyone's scared of things. And you had just been raped."
Yami flinched but nodded. "Yeah..."
Yugi smiled softly. "I'm sorry for making it worse by kissing back."
"Don't be." Yami shook his head. "It was amazing."
Yugi's face flushed and he looked away. "Shut up."
They heard someone knock on the door. "Hurry up, Pharaoh," Marik called in. "Malik's throwing a hissy fit; he wants to see Yugi."
"I am not!" Malik yelled.
Yami chuckled and stood up. "Your visitors await."
Yugi sighed. "This is going to be a long day, isn't it?"
"Probably," Yami agreed. He hesitated before leaning in and pecking Yugi's lips. "See you later, aibou."
Yugi's face flushed even darker, but he smiled at Yami. "Bye, Mou Hitori. I..." He seemed to hesitate. "I love you."
Yami returned the smile. "I love you too."
Ryou slowly opened his eyes as the bell rang.
He looked around. He was curled up next to Bakura in his bed, so his boyfriend hadn't gotten locked out again.
And he could hear Marik snoring in the spare room, and he only slept when Malik was with him, so they were both there.
He knew Akane and Takato had left; it was the only reason they were back in the house. She had taken money from his bank account and booked two seats on the next flight to Vegas. Again.
Maybe he was just imagining it?
Yeah. Yeah, that was it. He closed his eyes, nuzzling closer to Bakura. He had probably woken up from a dream just as someone had rang a doorbell in it.
There. Explained, and he didn't have to get-
The bell rang again.
He groaned and sat up rubbing one eye. Scratch that theory.
He grabbed his dressing robe and pulled it on over his pyjamas before slowly making his way downstairs.
He reached the door just as the bell rang again.
He glanced at the clock. Three forty seven.
The bell rang again. "I'm coming, I'm coming," he yawned. "Jeez... If you're coming this early, at least wait a few minutes..."
He unlocked the door and pulled it open, turning on the porch light.
The person standing on his doorstep was... odd.
He reminded him a bit of a cross between Marik and Bakura.
He had skin the colour of dried clay, and silvery hair that reached his chin. His grey gaze – or was it more periwinkle? – met Ryou's, giving him full view of the long scar that ran through his right eye. Ryou suspected that he was blind in at least that eye.
His clothes were the oddest part of him. A long, red robe with a golden hem, a white shirt and a deep blue shenti with Nike runners.
It looked as though he had literally grabbed the first four items of clothes he could find in his closet and thrown them on.
"Can I help you?" Ryou asked with another yawn.
"Yes," he responded. "My name's Akefia Touzoku. Is Bakura here?"
DD: Well, were you guys expecting that? I really hope not. Let me know what you think of the chapter and if I'm still holding the story together, because if it ends well then I plan to publish this (with different character names anyway). Hope you enjoyed! See you next time, Killer Queens!