A/N Takes place sometime during episode 220.
A friend accepts us as we are yet helps us to be what we should. ~ Author Unknown
The soft swaying of the waves soothes his cluttered mind. But only just.
Ryou can't control himself. His hands linger on where the ring should be. (Shouldn't really, he didn't want it there…right?…right.)
He feels nothing with the spirit's departure. No joy or pain or loneliness. Maybe a dull ache.
"Bakura!" a voice calls out to him.
Ryou turns around in a flash, "Yuugi - !"
It's not Yuugi.
This man stands up straighter, taller, with his nose up in the air. His eyes are all wrong too, not the bright wideness of the real Yuugi's.
Ryou's face automatically falters but he quickly forces it back to an indifferent stare.
"Pharaoh."
(It's more of an assertion than greeting.)
The Pharaoh smiles softly, with a trace of a smirk.
"Call me Atemu. My name's Atemu," he says.
Ryou takes a step back. He's never seen that look in the Pharaoh's eyes before. Certain, but compassionate; strong and unyielding.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
Blood memory, soul memory, (darkness staining the back of his mind), all scream at Ryou to not allow this sort of contact.
Ryou is screaming at Ryou not to allow this contact.
He turns back to face the river. "Of course not."
This is silence, but it doesn't last long enough.
"He's gone, for good," the Pharaoh assures.
The shadows don't cling to him wherever he walks. The thick smog of darkness that always suffocated him is gone.
"I know."
The Pharaoh still does not leave. He looks at Ryou with questioning eyes.
(Did he - did he want a thank you?)
Ryou looks away, "Thank you."
(He's not sure if he means it. But he knows he should.)
The Pharaoh scowls.
"Don't thank me, it was nothing. I should have rescued you a long time ago."
"You could never rescue me."
The words come out so fast, so automatic, (so cold), that both Ryou and the Pharaoh gasp silently.
"It's j-just," Ryou fumbles over his words, trying desperately to hide his truth.
He sighs, and his small frame shakes.
"I am grateful."
Ryou looks to the Pharaoh, ashamed. There is no hatred or fear in his eyes. Just certainty.
"I don't know what he did to you," the Pharaoh says, looking deep into Ryou's eyes, "but I want you to know you have friends here. And they'd save you if you'd give them the chance."
Ryou doesn't have any words.
(It's a warm feeling.)
"Goodbye Bakura," the Pharaoh says, with finality.
Ryou smiles.
"Good luck, Atemu."
A/N Because ASL is seriously lacking on any sort of Atemu/Ryou interection. LOL I CALL THIS A DRABBLE -fails- Please review!
