Later that day, we arrived at the Grand Canyon National Park. I parked the RV and we donned our rope.
"So what exactly is the Grand Canyon?" Yami asked.
"You'll see when we get there." I smiled. On the inside, though, I still felt like shit. Damn Oddesiya and her alcoholic tendencies.
We walked for a while, swerving in and out of tourists who had also come to see the wonders of the Grand Canyon. We stopped at a bridge that went in a U shape and stretched out over the edge of the canyon.
"Wow..." Yami said, gazing out at the marvel of nature.
"Yep. This used to be a river. Unless you're afraid of heights, you can look down and still see it."
"It's so pretty!" Marik said.
Bakura had been abnormally silent this whole time. I looked back at him, and he looked...Frightened? No, that would be impossible. Bakura wasn't afraid of anything.
"Bakura? You alright?" I asked. I put a hand on his shoulder, and he looked up.
It wasn't Bakura. It was Ryou. But how was that a thing?!
"Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit confused, is all." he replied.
I always felt awkward about Ryou. He's adorable and all, but I knew if I had the opportunity to meet him, I would be a little scared. Why? Because I knew that there was a great evil lurking underneath that cute exterior that, if he had his Shadow Magic, would have killed me already.
"I know this may seem a bit unwelcoming and all, but why are you here?" I asked politely as possible.
"My other self has a fear of heights." Ryou replied.
"A fear of heights? That's unusual. Your other self seems like the kind of person to not have such a fear."
"Everybody has a fear. Marik has buffaloes, I have spiders, and Yugi and Yami have losing friends. I'm not sure about you."
"Same as Yugi and Yami. So how long are you here?" I asked.
"Until we get on solid ground, most likely."
I frowned. It wasn't right for Bakura to use his host like this. But then again, what could I do? It's not like I could go into his soul and berate him for it.
We approached the end of the arc, and would soon pass on to solid ground.
"Ryou, you have a right to live. So promise me something." I said.
"Sure."
"When you get forced back in your Soul Room, tell him it's good, tell him okay..." I turned to look him in the eyes.
"But don't do a Radamn thing he says."
He nodded. As soon as Ryou set foot on the red dusty earth, a flash enveloped him. In his place stood Bakura.
"That was not fun in any way. Let's get the hell out of here." he said, rushing ahead.
"Oh no you don't." I said, yanking his end of the rope. "It's wrong to use people for your own ends, especially an innocent like your host."
"You know I do this kind of thing all the time! Why are you suddenly caring?" he said.
"Apologise to the cutie!" I demanded.
"What?! Why?!"
"Because you owe me. I let my Melvin take over my body to stop the other Melvin. If she hadn't made a drinking buddy and drunk herself into passing out, I would have never regained control. And she's just as bad, if not worse than your Melvin."
He frowned. "That didn't even make sense. "
"Just apologise!" I squeaked. He covered his ears in pain.
"Gha! Fine, just never make that noise again!" he spat. I smiled.
He took his Ring in his hand and held it up to his face. "I'm sorry." he grumbled.
"Thank you. Now let.s get out of here. The heights are nauseating."