AGKamon: Sorry about the delay, but first I bought a drawing tablet (once I get the hang of it, I'll try to get a deviantart - you guys will know when that happens), then I got writer's block, and then school started. So I haven't had much time...and since the first day of school, I've had homework. What the heck?
Bakura: Get over it and start the chapter, I'm sure the readers are waiting.
Marik: The Yu-Gi-Oh! Abridged references in the last chapter were the obvious 'Attention duelists', and Kayla's words to the zombies 'at least you didn't run at us, that would've been ridiculous' was a reference to the abridged episode that had Bakura's duel with Bonz where he said something similar.
Kayla: Yay for those of you who caught those references!
AGKamon: Okay, I fear that Bakura is extremely out of character in this chapter, but it's because he finally starting to show he cares. Also, to those of you who reviewed, I'll be replying to them at the end of the chapter. Disclaimer someone.
Kayla: My turn! AG doesn't own anything related to Yu-Gi-Oh! But she does own me! *smiles and points to herself* Start the chapter!
Bakura's P.O.V.
I exchanged a glance with 'Monique' - 6 was my number.
"Me? I get to duel first?" I said innocently, then laughed lightly.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"You should be in bed, resting!" were among the remarks I got.
"I'm fine, being first just surprised me a bit. That's all." I despised acting like this kid; he was way too innocent for his own good. It was sickening, but it had to be done.
"…Bakura's first opponent will be…duelist number 3: Yugi Moto!" After the man explained the rules and such; he stated that the Pharaoh and I should follow him to the duel arena. I then noticed a soft crackling behind my ear.
"Good luck against the Pharaoh…" her whispered voice entered my ears.
I don't need luck, my dear, but I guess that's her caring about my well-being again. I still don't understand why she should care, but it's her choice. After riding the elevator up, the Pharaoh and I found ourselves on the top of the blimp, on a dueling arena. Soon, all the Pharaoh's friends, 'Monique', and 'Namu' had joined us to observe the duel.
"Are you ready to lose everything?" I taunted, my voice beginning to fade away from my other side's voice and back to my own.
"Why don't you tell us who you really are?" the Pharaoh countered. I smirked as my hair raised itself into the less tame style I liked it in, but I didn't answer.
"Alright, have it your way then, but I think I already know the answer." The Millennium Ring glowed and appeared around my neck as well.
"The Spirit of the Millennium Ring!"
"Now that the introductions are over with, why don't we start this duel?" Ah yes, it felt so much better to be acting like myself again.
"Why did you enter the Battle City finals? Does it involve the Millennium Items?" the Pharaoh questioned.
"Perhaps," I answered simply, taunting the spirit that was just as old as me.
He knows I'm seeking the Millennium Items, but he doesn't know how I'm going to obtain them. First I'll win the Pharaoh's God Card and hand it over to Marik, earning the Millennium Rod in exchange. The Millennium Puzzle will be easy to obtain afterwards.
"Maybe there's something else I'm aiming for first," I said, "but enough about me. Shall we start the duel?" The Pharaoh stayed silent, glaring at me briefly before nodding.
"Then I'll go first…" I said, drawing a card.
After the Duel:
Kayla's P.O.V.
"Bakura…I sometimes worry that you're an idiot…going along with one of Marik's plans, how dumb can you act?" I muttered, eyeing his facial features for signs of life. Of course, I knew he was alive, but he was laying so still that I couldn't help but worry.
He said earlier that he cares for me, but he's not sure about the reason. I wonder why he cares…
"Monique, was it?" a voice I recognized as the Pharaoh 's pierced and shattered my thoughts. I turned my head to look over my shoulder, still looking perfectly innocent.
"Oh? What is it, Monsieur Yugi?" I asked.
"I was wondering if he's woken up yet…"
"…Not yet. He seems so still, it worries me to no end. Il regarde…morte. Je sais qu'il n'est pas, mais je ne peux pas m'empêcher de penser de cette façon. Oh! I guess I forgot you don't speak French. Did you need anything else Monsieur?" I said. I saw him nod out of the corner of my eye.
"…Did you know about the Spirit in the Millennium Ring?" he questioned. I hesitated, should I say yes?
"Mhm. I met him once, and mon amour explained it to me. The Spirit doesn't seem to mind me; he's never hurt me or anything. I believe that I'm the closest thing he has to a friend in this world. I don't think he is all mauvaise, you have to have a good reason for holding a grudge for 5000 years, correct? Something tragic must've happened to change his path in life. What do you think Monsieur?" I explained. In truth, that's what I thought about Bakura. He was trapped in the Ring for 5000 years, and he still wants to destroy the Pharaoh. There must be a good reason for that amount of hate, but it's probably hidden in his memories somewhere. He probably didn't have many friends back in Egypt either; he cares about me for some reason, friendship has to be related to it somehow. Although, he'd never admit it.
"I never thought about it that way, but even so, be careful around him. See you around." I then heard the footsteps leaving the room, and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been keeping.
Keeping up an alias is so nerve-wracking… I sighed and decided to retreat back to my room for the night.
"G'night Bakura…" I said quietly before stepping out the automatic doors. I was deep in thought while I strolled into my room.
Why does he care about me? A better question: why do I care about him? Those were my last thoughts before I gave in to the clutches of sleep.
The Next Morning:
"Attention duelists! The next pair of duelists will be chosen in one hour, please report to the main lobby by that time," the announcement boomed through the hallways of the blimp, entering my ears and startling me awake.
"Kaiba…I'm going to kill that suit of yours one of these days…" I muttered darkly, figuring I might as well get up because I'd probably be woken up sooner or later anyway. I was just finishing up with my green contacts when I heard a knock.
"Who is it?" I shouted. There was a pause.
"…Namu." I chuckled at his reluctance to use the name.
"Yes? What did you need, Monsieur Namu?" I asked cheerfully as I opened the door for the Egyptian. However, my mood changed as soon as the door closed, and I narrowed my eyes at him.
"What's with the attitude? Upset that your 'boyfriend's' bed-ridden?" he taunted, grinning.
"Shut up! You may not think of me as anything more than an accomplice, but I happen to list the two of you as the only two friends I've had since I ran away from home. So yeah, I'm actually concerned for Bakura's health because I care about his well-being, but I care a bit less about yours now because it was your stupid plan that got him in this mess." I kept my voice even so no attention would be attracted to the room if anyone walked by. Marik chuckled.
"Who's fault is that? We never said we wanted friends; I don't want friends, and Bakura couldn't care-" I stopped him before he could say another word, by slapping him. The whole room went silent before I spoke.
"Don't you dare talk for Bakura; you have no idea what he thinks. When I was there when he woke up after he was stabbed, I told him that I was there because I cared about his well-being. Admittedly, he acted a bit weird about at first, but he told me that he hasn't had anyone care about him in a really long time. That he needed time to get used to the idea. When I tried to leave our little group after Bakura won the Locator Cards at the graveyard, he stopped me. He proved to me that, even though he's not sure why, he cares about my well-being as well. He hasn't admitted anything close to the word friendship, but don't talk for someone you know nothing about." Marik raised his hand and briefly touched his cheek, staring at me in disbelief while he listened.
"You…slapped me…"
"That I did, and I'd do it again."
"…I guess I can't talk for Bakura's sake. …Were you going to check on him?"
"Perhaps. Don't you have a drawing to attend?"
"As a matter a fact, I do. I'll leave you to do as you wish."
"Yeah, you better," I retorted, glaring after the blonde as he left. I took a deep, calming breath and decided to continue to Bakura's room.
"I shouldn't have expected anything…" I sighed, seeing that he wasn't awake yet. He was still as unmoving as ever. Even so, I wasn't in the mood for watching a duel, so I sat in the chair I had set next to his bed earlier. Then, I, once again, gave into the dark hands of slumber.
Bakura's P.O.V.
"…no…"
What was that? It sounded like a voice, wait, why is everything so dark? …Ah yes, my duel with the Pharaoh must've caused me to fall unconscious. But…who else is here? I forced my eyes open, blinking multiple times because the world seemed exceedingly bright at first.
"Don't…wanna…alone…anymore…" Those mumbled words entered my ears, and I sat up slightly, looking to my side. There she was, a head of midnight-blue hair resting next to my arm. I looked closer, there was a pained expression on her face, as if she were reliving something tragic. Hesitantly, I shook her shoulder. She shot up like she'd been struck by lightening, eyes wide. Quickly, my hand took itself from her arm.
"Kayla? Are you alright?" I asked. She turned to me, still with a fearful expression.
"B-Bakura?" I've never heard her stutter like that; what had she been dreaming about? In an attempt to comfort her, I put my hand on her shoulder again. At once, she flew into my arms, shaking, with her chin on my shoulder and her hands grasping my shirt.
"I…don't wanna…be alone…" I heard her mutter under her breath. My shirt wasn't wet, so she wasn't crying, apparently, she was scared. Now, back in ancient Egypt, I'd been with quite a lot of woman, but I'd never known them on an emotional level. It'd been short relationships, with little to no commitment involved, at least on my part, but this girl was different. Unlike anyone I've ever known, I actually cared about her. However, this was not my forté. So I, not being used to this sort of situation, awkwardly lay my hand on her back and moved it up and down slightly. She was still clinging to me, but the shaking wasn't as severe, so I guess it worked.
"What happened?" I asked quietly, leaning the side of my head against hers so I only had to whisper in her ear.
"I-I had a dream…about when I was younger…"
"I thought you said your childhood was normal until you ran off."
"I lied. I was a lonely child. …It scares me…being alone…"
"I have no experience in comforting people, but if you wish to talk about it, I'll listen." Might as well not lie to the girl, right? I felt her nod as she took in a shaky breath of air.
"M-my parents were always working. They loved me, but they were so busy. Always away on business trips or at the office. My mom was allergic to most animals, so I couldn't have a pet either. And I guess the kids at school knew I was a bit off in the head before anyone else did because everyone would stay as far away from me as possible. Always sitting alone. Always doing schoolwork alone. Always alone. Maybe that's why I started spying on people, so I could get close to people without them trying to get away…I knew that when I was diagnosed with my problems, my parents would gladly ship my off so they wouldn't have to worry about me at home. But, I knew they wouldn't visit…I was afraid of being even more alone. I figured being alone on the road where I'm free is better than being locked up and still alone. Bakura…?" Her grip on my shirt tightened.
"Yes?"
"Am I still alone in the world?" Her voice sounded so small, so vulnerable. In all my years of living, I've never heard anyone sound so…broken and desperate. I knew that if I answered her in the wrong way, she could potentially break down so much that no one could put her together again. A bit like that stupid nursery rhyme I sometimes heard small children singing in town; I believe it was about someone falling off a wall…or something like that.
"No, not at all. I told you, I care about you for some reason. As long as I'm around, you're not alone," I replied.
"…Thank you."
"Did anything happen while I was unconscious?"
"Hm…no, but I slapped Marik this morning." I chuckled.
"I'll have to ask you about that later." Suddenly, I sensed a dark presence entering the room. My arms brought themselves around her waist and held onto her.
"Uh…w-what are you d-doing?"
"There's someone in here, someone dark. Just stay there." I felt her nod again.
"Who's there?" I asked warily into the darkened room. A sinister chuckle filling the air was my response. I was about to speak again when another voice stalled me.
"I'm disappointed that you don't recognize me…" A familiar tanned Egyptian stepped out of the shadows, his entire being gave off an air of darkness, evil, and superiority. Only, something was very different about him.
"I always suspected Marik was crazier than he thought he was," I said. Kayla turned her head to look at what I was talking about, and I felt a shudder course through her.
"That's not Marik. I saw him this morning, and then he went off to the drawing for the next duel," she muttered, narrowing her eyes.
"Very wise, my dear. I am the true Marik, the half that was locked away in his mind. Now that Odion is unconscious, I have been freed." Instinctively, I let my grip on Kayla tighten slightly at him calling her 'dear'.
"What do you want?" I growled.
"I figured I should pay my weaker half's former allies a visit. Nothing more, but I should be going. Perhaps we will meet again, farewell." That 'Marik' wasn't human, I noted as he faded back into the shadows and vanished from the room completely. Even after he left, I continued to hold the girl. He'd been eying her, I could tell.
"Bakura…? He's gone, right?"
"For now, but I don't trust him to leave you alone. We're heading to your room now; I want you to gather all your things. You're staying in here with me from now on. I'm not taking no for an answer; let's go." I let go of her and stood up after she did.
"He creeps me out; I agree with you completely. Let's just hurry up," she agreed, quickly seizing my wrist and pulling me behind her.
"How much stuff did you bring with you?" I questioned.
"Not much. A few changes of clothes, some of my spy equipment. It shouldn't take long to gather everything, especially since I pretty much kept everything in my bag." I didn't remember her having a bag, but she must have one, right? She pulled me through the door with her. The only thing in the room that seemed to be hers was a suitcase in the corner.
"Good. Grab it and go." Not daring to let go of my wrist, she snatched the suitcase and hurried the both of us back to my room. I considering asking about her strange behavior, but after her potential breakdown earlier, I let it go. After convincing her to relax, she fell asleep. However, I stayed awake, wondering.
That new side of Marik is much darker than the normal side. Something has to be done about him, to keep not only me safe, but her as well. …Well, I guess that leaves me as the only one willing to take action right away because the Pharaoh will obviously wait until he's actually chosen to duel Marik. I fell asleep while formulating my plan to keep us safe.
Kayla: These are the French translations:
Monsieur - sir or Mr.
Il regarde…morte. Je sais qu'il n'est pas, mais je ne peux pas m'empêcher de penser de cette façon. - He looks...dead. I know he is not, but I cannot help but think that way.
Mon amour - my love
Mauvaise - bad
AGKamon: And now I'll respond to all the review I've gotten:
katz341 - I thank you for the yummy cookies, they satisfied my cravings. I give you props for hugging Bakura anyway as well. Thanks for reviewing again!
KittyFluffyninja - I'm glad you agree with my personal quote, and it makes sense - if someone was completely sane, they'd be considered insane. And...I haven't actually figured out myself how Kayla got labeled as a pyromaniac, a kleptomaniac, and having an explosion obsession. I've been trying to do that, I'll hopefully establish that sometime soon. I haven't actually been labeled as insane by anyone yet (although, some kids at school probably think it), the quote just popped into my mind one day. I'm glad you love Neutral so far! :)
KittyFluffyninja (2) - I'm glad you found that funny; I try to add humor into my stories, and it happens randomly. I think it's great that you actually think this is good enough to quote in your review, I've never had that happen before. Even if you think there was no point to your review, I'm just glad to get one! My day brightens when I get reviews! And both I and Bakura agree, he does just win. Although he's currently asking me if we're talking about him winning the Millennium Items...thanks for reviewing anyway, twice!
sorecess of the nile - Yes, I enjoy adding humor to my stories, especially the author's notes because they're not related to the story and I can do anything! And I always thank the readers who favorite/review/put my story on their alert list; I'm glad people actually read my stuff! So...uh, thanks for reviewing! :)
Thanks again to all of you! I think I'll start replying to reviews like this more often... Bakura, care to sign us out?
Bakura: I'd rather not.
Marik: *glares at Bakura* I'll do it. Thanks for reading, go ahead and review!
AGKamon: *eyes sparkle* Does this mean you forgive me for hitting you with cake last chapter, Marik?
Marik: *shifts glare to AG* No, in fact...PAYBACK! *throws cake at AG*
AGKamon: *yelps as she's hit* Nice one Marik...now we're even...
Kayla: *wipes some icing off AG's face with her finger* Hm... *licks icing on her finger* Oh! It's vanilla, my favorite! Marik, did you make this? *he nods* Can you make me some?
Marik: *shrugs while walking toward the kitchen* Why not? Remember to review readers! *waves*