Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or the song Evil Angel; they both belong to their respective owners.

Chapter Thirteen

Bakura coughed as he woke up, sitting up and realizing that he was in his own bed. The thief groaned, shaking his head to rid it of the faint buzzing before moving so he sat at the end of the bed, rubbing the heels of his hands into his eyes.

It was obvious that he was back, which meant that Yami had done whatever had needed to be done. So everything was back to normal. Then why did this feel so off?

He looked up as Marik suddenly came rushing in a smile breaking across his face before he stepped into the room. "You're back."

"Seems so." Bakura stand up, groaning as he stretched out his back, feeling where he was sore from falling to the ground when he had lost his soul.

"Ryou went to look for Yami, back in Domino. I haven't heard fro-"

"He's with Yami. I saw him." Marik blinked at him before accepting the statement, Bakura briefly wondering when they had gotten so used to this sort of thing. He shrugged before taking a step forward, wobbling a bit before he regained his balance. The thief shook his head before walking confidentially towards the stairs that led to the first floor of the house.

"Going to get him?"

Bakura nodded, stopping halfway in the stairwell to look back at Marik. "Any more of those incidents?"

The Egyptian leaned against the back of the sofa, sighing and giving a shrug. "There was one more but then they just stopped. In the middle of one too. I assume that is because this thing is finished."

Bakura shrugged, not really knowing how to answer that. If he was back, then that meant that the souls of the other people were back as well, but he wasn't sure about the crystals that had caused this. Would they just stay inactive until the demon was returned and the whole process would start over? Or would they just be washed back out with the next rain? The thief gave another shrug, Marik nodding with an equally confused look. He turned and headed up the stairs, resisting the urge to grumble to himself, Marik would give him grief for that. But he hated not knowing what was going on. Things usually got out of hand then.

He rushed through the living room and out into the street, barely looking at the people who gathered to move cautiously about, still whispering to each other. Bakura gave a nod to the few people that looked up, glad that it had not escalated into chaos.

The sight of something green trickling out of a crack made him stop, Bakura staring at the stream for a long while before he realized what it was. The crystals, whatever they were made of, were dissolving now that there was nothing for them to do, meaning that they wouldn't have to worry about the crystals anymore.

A smile broke across Bakura's face before he took off at a run, heading for the main city center of Domino. He would find Ryou and they would talk with Yami. Hopefully, things could be settled between the three of them for now.

And, although he wouldn't admit it to himself, he really wanted to hug Ryou.

"Hey, he's waking up!"

"Then why isn't Yugi?"

Ryou wondered why he was hearing voices, slowly opening his eyes before blinking. He saw vague shapes move backwards, giving him room to sit up. A second later, he recognized them as Yugi's friends, giving them all a confused wave before looking around the room. He could see the mound of covers from where Yugi was still resting, presumably soulless if the conversation he had heard while waking up was right. And, on the floor was…

"Yami?" Ryou scrambled over to his big brother, wincing at the way his crimson eyes stared up at the ceiling without blinking. Hesitantly, he closed the lids over them, breathing a sight\ of relief when nothing horrible happened. Apparently, Yami still wasn't back either. So he was probably fighting that demon.

The British teen groaned before getting to his feet, rubbing his neck. He would have to find Yami, which wouldn't be that hard considering that he was sure he would be able to see the demon.

"Hey, Ryou!" He turned at the sound of his name, nodding at Tomoya. The blonde teenager gave a wave of greeting before shifting nervously. "About Yugi-"

Ryou cut him off with a wave of his hand, memories of what had happened in that realm slowly filtering back. He blinked rapidly for a second before refocusing on Tomoya, a smile apologizing for his behavior before. "He'll be back. I might take some people longer or…something."

He rushed from the room before he could be called upon to explain what he meant by 'something'. His whole life had become that or something to him, strange events that he couldn't really explain. But he didn't really mind in the least. Or he didn't mind them when they were not trying to kill him.

He jogged down the stairs, catching a glimpse of the adults in the living room. Yugi's grandfather perked up, a smile crossing his face. Ryou didn't quite know what to make of that reaction. He wasn't sure whether to be glad that Solomon trusted him so much or be afraid. Ryou paused for a moment, hesitated before making a vague motion with his head. To his surprise, Solomon seemed to take that as a good sign. "Things under control now?"

Ryou gave a nervous laugh before giving a nod, not sure why he was answering. "It's getting there. Eventually."

He gave another nervous laugh before rushing out, leaving Solomon to explain to the others. And he would probably do a better job than Ryou. As much as it amazed the usually quiet teen, he was better at action than any other part of their activities. Another thing to just accept without question.

The door was flung open as Ryou stumbled out, the British teen pausing to look around. He was disappointed when nothing came into his line of vision. He spun on his heel, looking around him. He would have thought that the demon would be the first thing that he saw. But there was still nothing.

Ryou groaned before beginning to walk. There had to be a way to find that demon. He resisted the urge to close his eyes, not sure if people had decided to start driving again. But there had to be a scent that came with the demon or a sense of wrongness. Something because it wasn't of earth.

The same primordial scent slowly filtered through his senses. On instinct, he flinched back towards the nearest building, trying to get away. But the hated green light did not appear.

Ryou blinked before turning towards the smell. It was the only clue that he had, and he wanted to know why his big brother hadn't come back. He took a shuddering breath before breaking into a run towards the smell, one arm rising to cover his nose. Part of him was worried about running into the center of Domino, not familiar at all with the city, but there were other things to worry about.

Ryou stumbled around a corner, slamming into Bakura as he came racing around the same corner. The two hit the ground, Bakura ending up on the bottom as they rolled to a stop. The British teen groaned and pushed away from his lover, staring down at him with a growing sense of joy. Bakura was here and he was fine! The world was staring to go back to normal. He leaned down to hug Bakura, giving a relieved laugh as the held him close. He felt the faint rumble of a laugh from Bakura before it was smothered. Ryou was shoved away from Bakura as the thief tried to get up. "This is the only time you'll get me like this."

Ryou was still laughing, Bakura scrambling to pull him off. But Ryou wouldn't be so easily put off. He had wanted to do this for what seemed like forever and he would not be deterred. The thief gave a short struggle before giving up, allowing Ryou to hold him close for a second before a stronger shove encouraged Ryou to let go. "We have other things to worry about."

As much as Ryou wanted to ignore then, Bakura's insistence encouraged him to get up. He offered his hand to help the thief up, Bakura already having gotten to his feet. His hand was still grabbed, the thief pushing him ahead with the clear intention that Ryou should lead.

He hesitated for a moment before taking off in the direction that the scent came from, tensing as the screams started. Ryou blinked and looked out at the street, wondering what could be causing the sound. He looked for the green light that would indicate the beginning of stealing of souls.

A tap on his shoulder by Bakura stopped his search, drawing his attention to the thief. "Gone. They melted when the demon came out."

Ryou smiled before giving a nod, showing that he understood. He was about to speak when something caught his gaze coming into being above the city. His sure running steps slowed until he had stopped completely, his mouth open in shock.

The demon was wriggling gracefully in the air, twisting around its own coils as it looked down on the city through narrowed yellow eyes. It seemed to laugh at something before sinking below the buildings that blocked their line of sight.

Ryou cursed and took off again, nearly dragging Bakura after him as he ran towards where he had last seen the demon, knowing that there would be no route straight to be beast. It would be too helpful, which was the opposite of what the world was inclined to do.

All he could was hope that Yami could take care of it on his own long enough for them to get there and try to lend what help they could.

"Will it be so easy now, little angel?"

Yami felt himself begin to shiver, his throat going dry as he stared at the person he was to face. It wasn't possible. It couldn't be. No, he wouldn't believe it. And yet, the evidence was right there.

The sword dropped from his hand, clattering onto the pavement. The demon jerked its head at the sound, leering down at him but not saying anything, just settling further onto the street behind the one that it had chosen for its champion. It was apparently waiting for Yami to attack, something that he couldn't bring himself to do.

He shook his head and backed away, refusing to look up from the ground. It was easier to stare at the pavement than to look at what was waiting for him. Yami heard the demon laugh, listening as it inched closer, scales scraping against the ground. "You would give up this fight so easily, little angel?"

"I…can't." Yami trembled as the demon laughed, flinching at the sound of metal moving against metal as the demon's champion moved forward. He wanted to take a step back, but he wasn't sure if that would be counted as a surrender, something that he couldn't do. But, at the same time, he couldn't fight. "Chose another."

"But then it wouldn't be my champion, now would it?" The leviathan chuckled, Yami almost able to see the smirk that the creature would have. "No, this is the one you must face. And, if you don't do something soon, you will lose. I will be free to wander the earth. You can't want that."

Yami shuddered, finally looking up as the sound of the demon's champion stopped, his crimson eyes looking over the dark grey armor that the champion wore, barely glancing at the sword he held before looking at the champion's face. Yugi stared back at him through empty purple eyes.

He had to send the demon back; the angels demanded that he do that. The safety of Ryou and the others demand that as well. But he couldn't do that to Yugi. Not to his aibou.

Yami shook his head, his eyes widening as Yugi lunged forward, falling over. He grunted as he hit the ground, the sound more out of habit than any real force behind the impact. His gaze remained on the sword that was poised over where his heart would be, flickering up to Yugi's empty eyes from time to time.

His survival instinct raged in his head, telling him to get up, to act. To do anything but lie there. But, if he acted…And he didn't know what would happen to Yugi. It wasn't worth it to lose his aibou forever.

Nothing was worth that.

Yami's hand twitched at his side, inching towards his own weapon before it went still, the uncertainty keeping him from moving. He gave one last look at Yugi before turning his head to the side, not wanting to see those lifeless purple eyes that had once held such a brilliance. Yami stared into the nearest gutter and hoped that Yugi would strike soon.

"No fight? Alright then." Yami heard the demon slithering around on the ground, sighing before closing his eyes. "Strike!"

It took all he had not to tense at the command, just letting the involuntary indrawn breath out in a long sigh. He was alright with this. He hadn't lived the life that he had wanted, but Yugi would still be alive. It wouldn't be the life that Yugi would want, but Yami couldn't bring himself to kill his lover.

"I told you to strike!"

He opened his eyes as he heard the clanking of metal plates against each other, turning his head to look up at Yugi in surprise.

The teen had frozen in place, shuddering violently as he remained poised over Yami. He thought he saw something flash in Yugi's eyes, some sign of life, but it was gone before he could properly think it over.

Yami hesitated a moment more before moving, taking the chance that was offered him to roll out of the way of Yugi's sword. His hand knocked against the hilt of the sword that he had dropped, fingers curling around it before he came up with it in guard position. He wouldn't kill Yugi, but that didn't mean that he would give up easily.

The demon hissed, staring at him before looking back at Yugi, its tongue flickering out at the creature thought. It was only a moment more before the leviathan started to laugh, its head thrown back. "He's still loyal to you. After everything, he's still loyal to you. But that is easily taken care of. And you would never harm your precious aibou."

"Shut up!" Yami tightened his grip on the sword, wanting to do nothing more than run the demon through, but he doubted that Yugi would allow him to do that. Yami spared another glance at his lover before shaking his head. "I am no champion for heaven. I only did this to get him back. Let Yugi go and we'll fight each other."

The creature shook its head. "As long as you are like that," it tipped its muzzle towards the halo and wings that were still on Yami, "you fight for heaven, whether you want to or not. Now, face me and we will see who wins."

Yami shuddered a bit before nodding. Obviously, refusing would get him nowhere and Yugi couldn't possibly hold out against whatever control was being used against him. The teenager rolled his shoulders and focused on his lover, hating that they were facing each other like this.

Yugi charged forward, Yami dodging to one side and blocking the strike with his own sword. There was only a moment to recover before Yugi was charging him again. Almost frantically, Yami blocked the attacks, never making a move to attack himself. There were times when he would see an opening and something would encourage him to go for it, but he would always catch himself. He just couldn't bring himself to harm Yugi.

Yami grunted as a block forced him to nearly bend backwards, planting his feet so he couldn't be pushed back further. He shivered as Yugi leaned forward, not sure what the teenager was going to do. Of course, it could be something that the demon was making him do.

"You have to fight."

"What?" He almost didn't hear the whisper, staring into Yugi's eyes in hope that he was breaking out of the control. There were no hints, just the empty purple eyes staring back. But, to his relief the message was whispered again.

"You have to fight."

"But what about you?" Yami tried to push Yugi back, biting back a whimper as he was forced to bend even further back. "What will happen to you?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Yugi pulled away, Yami barely having time to raise his own blade to block the attack before he rushed away from Yugi, staring at the teen as he turned slowly.

"You have to attack." The sword almost fell from his hands again at that comment, his eyes going wide. He could have agreed to fighting Yugi. He could have agreed to disarming him. But he never would agree to attack him; it was the only thing that he could not promise.

Yami retreated again, shaking his head, watching as Yugi moved towards him again. The demon was hissing and twitching in the background, dissolving into fits of laughter over his situation. Yami spared a glance at the demon before facing his lover again, swallowing as Yugi charged, bringing their swords together again as they strained to gain the upper hand. "What about you?"

"I'll be fine."

"You don't know that."

"Yami…"

He wasn't getting through to him; Yugi could see that out of the small bit of consciousness he was allowed to cling to. He assumed that the demon did that to torture them further, allowing Yugi to resist at times before finally closing Yugi off; which would leave Yami believing that he was still fighting Yugi instead of the leviathan that was using his body.

Yugi forced himself to stare into Yami's eyes, ignoring the pull on his consciousness. The creature was trying to get back into control, something that he couldn't allow to happen. If full control was given over, then Yami would lose. He had to get through to Yami, even if just for a moment, because he knew he was right. Nothing could happen to him if he was defeated; he was just an unwilling pawn.

Yami had agreed to this. Even if he was the unofficial champion of heaven, it was also his life on the line. Yugi's body was merely a puppet on strings. The harm would go to the one pulling those strings instead of him.

It seemed that luck was finally on their side, if Yami would only attack.

Yugi grunted as he tried to keep their blades locked, fighting against the impulses to bring the blade down. He couldn't defeat Yami, not now. Yami still didn't understand.

"Yami…" He stepped away, panting for breath in the small space of time the demon allowed him before the hold clamped down again. From afar, he could hear the creature taunting Yami again, something that was slowly beginning to work. Between his fear for Yugi and the assumed hopelessness of the situation, Yami was giving up.

Yugi shifted, feeling the armor that weighed him down shift as well, his eyes unable to widen as he discovered a weak spot. When he held his sword out to the side, the rotation of his shoulder pulled the plating back, exposing a spot where the armor didn't quite fit. He smiled mentally, unable to do much more.

He could see victory, it was close now. Only a few more things to do and everything would be over with. But Yami would never…

But he could…

Yugi swallowed nervously, the action once again more mental than physical, before stepping forward. It hurt to attack Yami again, forcing him to defend himself, but it was the only way that this could end. He let the creature take most of his control away, faking a surrender and sitting back to wait for the right moment.

He focused on the clash of swords, not on what he was going to do. There had to be one time, one moment where this plan could work perfectly.

There! Yugi pushed the creature out of control, gasping out loud with the suddenness of it. But this wouldn't hold forever. Even now he could feel the creature scrambling at his conscious, trying to gain back the control that it had lost. Yugi forced it back even further, hoping that he could keep it at bay long enough.

He looked down where their swords were, Yugi smiling at the perfect positioning before looking up at Yami. His guardian angel was staring at him, crimson eyes wide. "Yugi?"

"Catch me."

"What?"

Yugi just smiled and moved his sword, no longer blocking the vunerable part of his armor. Yami, surprised by the sudden move stumbled forward, his sword point passing through the space between the plates. Yugi tipped his head back as his forward momentum allowed him to slide down the sword, his own weight forcing the sword deeper into his body.

"Yugi!" He opened his eyes, not aware that he had closed them, looking up at Yami with a smile. His guardian angel looked like he was close to crying, which confused Yugi. They had won, why would he be crying?

The creature was out off his head now, Yugi could hear it writhing and screaming on the ground as it was impaled as well, light coming from the demon to throw shadows on the pavement. He was free.

Yami moved, tearing the sword from him before holding him close, Yugi looking up at Yami's tearstained face. He frowned and reached up a hand to touch one cheek, aware that the armor was fading away from his body, leaving him in his normal clothes. But his entire focus was on Yami. Why was he crying?

Yugi had felt no pain from the sword on entry or exit and there was no wound, or at least not one that he could feel. It had been a fatal blow, if he had been alive, but there was no pain or fuzziness. He had never felt more alert than he did now.

He was pulled closer, Yami clinging to him like he was drowning, tears still coming. Yugi used his other hand to pat Yami's arm, intending to tell him that everything was alright and that he was fine, but he never got to. Annoyingly, he faded away before he could even speak.

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