Ryou sighed, as he heard someone down the stairs, getting ready for the day ahead. It was early still, five in the morning, and the whitette had trouble sleeping. His dreams were plagued with terror, and nightmares for the past few weeks, ever since the Pharaoh and the Spirit of the Puzzle had returned.
He had stumbled over telling the others...he was scared he was going psychotic if they would say it was all in his mind...and ignore him. He didn't want that, he didn't want the others to think he was crazy...as it is all in his head, it wasn't. He was sure it wasn't.
Taking a deep breath, he walked quietly down the stairs.

"Yuugi wait" Came Ryou's voice as he saw the other prepare to leave for work, he was so glad it was Yuugi, and not Atemu...or Yami.
Yuugi had received a fantastic opportunity working with Kaiba, to develop Duel Monsters further. The young man was an amazing strategist, and Kaiba had jumped on that the minute he had left school, bribing him with world travel and lots of competitions. His fame from winning the championships when he was younger, had given Kaiba a new figurehead, and in return for a very high salary, and flexible hours, it was the best job Yuugi was going to be offered, even if he left for university, and it was doing what he loved.

Yuugi glanced up at the whitette, as he sorted his papers on the table in front of him.
"Ryou, it's still early. Don't you have University later?" Always so observant, but so mature, Yuugi had not changed much though. He was still the kind hearted soul that would help anyone and everyone with their problems, setting himself on fire to keep others warm, but he was more level headed, and a lot calmer. Now that The Pharaoh, and...The Spirit? Had returned, he had seemed a lot happier, a lot less stressed. It was nice.
"I...I have a problem, I need to talk to you about." It was only then he noticed Atemu, out of the corner of his eye coming from the kitchen with a hot cup of coffee. Yami was probably still asleep, not that it mattered. Talking to any of the three might bring an over reaction, but it was happening far too often, he didn't think it was his imagination anymore.

"Good morning Atemu, how are you?" Ryou said, giving a soft smile.
Atemu smiled in return.
"Tired, I am not able to adjust to sleeping yet. Yami has taken to it like a fish to water. But, I made a habit of waking up early. It will take some time"
Ryou nodded, understandable. Atemu was a Pharaoh, and a Spirit, no doubt he had to wake up early because of his duties, or not sleep at all in the afterlife.
"Anyway, Ryou, you had something to ask me? I don't mean to rush, but Seto is sending a car, I keep telling him I can take public transport, but he wont have it apparently"
"Oh yes, sorry. I...I keep seeing...the Spirit of the Ring. Out of the corner of my eye." Atemu raised an eyebrow, and Yuugi put down the papers.
"At first...!" He stuttered, raising his hands. "At...first I thought it was in my imagination. You know, with Atemu and Yami returning, I was paranoid...thinking 'oh it's just me overthinking'. But...but it is happening more and more. At first I would only see glances of him, it's getting frequent, not just glances either...he lingers, he knows I can see him" Yuugi glanced up at Atemu, before standing to get the phone.
"W...what are you...?"
"I'm going to call Kaiba, he needs to give me some time off anyway. I am not abandoning you during this Ryou. If you think he has returned, then this is serious. The Spirit of the Ring...Akefia was his name?" He turned to Atemu who gave a soft nod.
"Tormented you enough when you were younger. Remember the sleepless nights we helped you through? If he is back, then there is no way in hell I'm letting him torment you again, I don't care if you think it is part of your imagination. We should at least take it seriously. If Yami and Atemu are back, there is a chance."

Ryou felt a swell of happiness. It was...wonderful, to know that Yuugi at least, felt so much care for him. It had been so long...so so long since he had, been so happy, and now that he was...well he didn't want to lose this feeling. He didn't want to lose this safety, his home.
Atemu took a step forward, placing his hand on Ryou's shoulder.
"Me and Yami, were not here for your rehabilitation. I can only imagine what the Thief put you through was a nightmare. It was all mine...and my fathers fault for making him so angry, so vengeful, and for that I apologize. We will stand by your side as well Ryou, whatever your decision. You, know the Spirit of the Ring better than anyone, of course. He possessed you for so long"

Yuugi hung up the phone with a smirk.
"He is not happy, and I had to promise to head to America for a month, but he is giving me the time off. I didn't tell him what it was for. He still doesn't believe. Which should be expected, a lot of things happened, I imagine he likes to push it to the back of his mind. I do still need to go in this week however, we have a large workload."
Ryou gave Yuugi a tight hug.
"Thank you, thank you so much for believing me. I mean...I thought I was paranoid at first, but I needed to tell someone. I don't want to suffer from him any more. I am older, I know what torture he can put me through. I have friends now, he wont...wont manipulate me so easily any more."

Atemu took another sip of coffee, sitting down.
"So, if you do think he is back. What will he be planning? Zorc was defeated, as the Spirit had been. There is no way he can regain the items, those have no power any more. Ishizu was kind enough to show them to me after I returned. It seems like they are just regular, gold artefacts."
Ryou gave a soft shrug, dropping in one of the chairs.
"I was trying to think of that myself. If the point of The Spirit's...torture, was to get to and punish you. Surely he would be finding another way of doing that. That was his goal in life...to get rid of you, for all the suffering your family caused him." Atemu winced, and gripped his cup tighter.
"If I had known, that was how the items had been created...I would have stopped it long ago. I would have destroyed them. I did not mean to make anyone suffer. The thought, of carrying on my fathers legacy...his...diabolical torture of those people. Yes, it was a town filled with thieves, and murders...but there are better means of punishment, of locking people up, to teach them right from wrong...not to descend to their level."

Yuugi placed a hand on Atemu's arm, giving a soft smile.
"It was not your fault. You are not your father, the Spirit should not have placed his crimes on your head." Ryou gave a soft nod, before sighing.
"However, the Spirit still blames the Pharaoh and Yami. You both defeated him, and he was sent to the Shadow Realm. I imagine he wants nothing more than revenge on you both."

There was a quiet knock on the door, and Yuugi stood quickly.
"That will be the car for work, I have to go. Ryou, do you go to University with anyone?" Ryou hesitated, before giving a soft nod.
"Yes, Joey isn't in the same classes, but we have roughly the same times. So he tends to walk with me. We have different lunch breaks though"
Yuugi nodded, glancing over to Atemu.
"Can we tell him, the problem? We can trust Joey, he's my closest friend." Ryou hesitated again, the reason he told Yuugi, was to keep this as low down as possible. He didn't wish to give his friends any more trouble than it...than he was worth.
"Yeah, I guess so" He shrugged quietly, head lowered.
"Hey, don't worry, he's your friend too, this is for your protection. We don't want anything bad happening to you Ryou, none of us do. Atemu, can you tell Yami when he wakes up, and Joey. Make sure there is someone with you at all times Ryou. If you've seen the Spirit more, then he's planning something, and he may need you for it. Our first goal is to make sure you are protected. Okay?"

Atemu pushed himself up from the table.
"Yuugi, you are going to be late. Do not worry, I will handle things. I have nothing to do today, I can walk you to University and collect you, as well as Joey. Two heads are better than one, and in a fight, we do not know exactly what the Spirit brings to the table yet. I would rather make sure you are safe, than let him take you, and torture you again."
Ryou smiled, and Yuugi headed to the door.
"Alright, I will be home tonight. We will decide on what else to do. Text me, if you do see the thief. Even if it is just a glance, text me where you are, and the exact time. We should not too careful. I will get in contact with either Atemu, Yami or Joey to meet you. This is important Ryou. Please don't think it's all in your imagination."

With that Yuugi moved to the door, giving him a wink.
"Don't worry about it, the sooner we find out if he is around, the sooner we can deal with him, together. We will never abandon you Ryou. Never think that, alright? Promise me"
He gave a soft smile, and a nod, and Yuugi was gone, out the door and to work. He clenched tighter to himself, and Atemu placed a hand again on his shoulder.
"I don't feel so well now, the thought of...that monster being back. It scares me Atemu, it really does. He...he put me through so much torture...so much pain. I can't go back to that life, I just can't"
Atemu gave a soft nod, sitting down next to him carefully.
"You will not, you do not ever have to go back to that life again, if I have anything to say about this. We will protect you Ryou. If he is after you, which he might be. I mean when me and Yami first returned from the Afterlife we sought out Yuugi. Then we need to find out everything about him. What he is planning, and what he wishes to happen. Our main priority however, is keeping you safe, and capturing him. Keeping him under our control is the best plan we have at the moment. When Yuugi returns, we will discuss this further with our friends. I understand, you probably do not wish to bother them. But we all only want what is best for you, we want you safe."

Ryou nodded, looking at the table.
"I just feel...why, why does he want me? Can't he just leave me alone? I don't want to have to deal with him, at all."
"I know, I understand. But if he is back, you sadly do not have a choice in the matter. However, if he is after you. We can try to lure him in, use that to keep him under control. But the thought if it...of him being back in our lives, scares me as well. I do not wish to have to deal with him again. Anyway, do you want something to eat? You better get something before going to school. You look...paler than usual, no offence"
Ryou gave a soft grin.
"None taken, thanks Atemu"

-x-

Atemu had walked him and Joey to University, as promised. Joey was a lot more protective of Ryou anyway,lingering with him during his breaks, keeping an eye out on their surroundings. Even Yami joined them both for lunch at a nearby Burger King.
"Thank you, both, for doing this for me. I don't mean to cause any trouble" Ryou muttered as he took a small bite of his burger.
"Hey, I'm always up for free food" Joey gave a soft smirk, and a bigger bite of his own burger. Yami rolled his eyes, giving a soft smile.
"We are not here for free food, no matter how nice it is of Ryou to pay for us, thank you by the way, again. It is very kind of you" Ryou turned to Yami, giving a soft shrug.
"It is the least I can do, you guys are keeping an eye on me. It makes me feel much safer."
"Have you seen him? That stupid bastard? If he's bothering you Ryou, I'll deal with him the old-fashioned way. He may have this fancy magic, but he's got nothing on me. I can give him a straight punch in the face for you"
Ryou chuckled at the thought, nodding to Joey.
"I'll take you up on that offer when I next see him"

But he didn't see him. Even at his work, though Atemu was waiting outside for him the whole shift. He told him there was no reason to, he didn't need to take time out of his day to babysit him. But Atemu was happy to. They walked home together, and Ryou made sure to buy everyone pizza, to thank them for their help. It was nice, to feel cared for, and respected. It made him feel...worth something, and treasured. He would show the same concern to any of his friends.
He felt a glow in his stomach, at the thought of friends. He could call these people friends... there was no shying around it. He had lived with Tea, Yuugi, Joey, Duke and Tristan for three years, and they had been nothing but kind to him. It was...pure bliss. Even though he worked, and studied so much, he had friends, who cared for his well-being, and looked after him.

When he arrived home, Tea hugged him tightly.
"Ryou, why didn't you tell us sooner! We're your friends. If you have any problems, we have to know. How can we help you otherwise"
Ryou shot a glare at Yuugi, who gave a helpless smile.
"Joey told Tristan and Duke, who told Tea. Don't look at me, we all care about you here." Ryou sighed and smiled at Tea.
"Thank you for your concern, it means a lot. I just...I'm not used to having people to rely on...or to tell my problems to. I only really told Yuugi because of Atemu and Yami. I will try to tell you more often, I promise"
Tea seemed happy with that answer, and stepped back, moving to sit next to Tristan on one of the sofas, Ryou moved to put the pizza down on the table, which Joey, Tristan, Duke and Yami dived for. Atemu, Tea and Yuugi took a slice as well, and Ryou smiled.
"Can you tell us when you started seeing him?"

Ryou frowned, all eyes were on him. Everyone was here, Joey, Tristan, Duke, Yami, Yuugi, Atemu, Tea...
"Uhh, a couple of days after Yami and Atemu came. It was just in the corner of my eye though, so I didn't think anything of it. I thought I was being paranoid..."
Duke nodded.
"Well obviously, after living with that psycho inside your mind for years, that makes perfect sense."
Ryou nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
"The sightings started to get more frequent...a month or two back? I guess. Definitely round about November, and then throughout December, I started seeing a lot more of him. But again, I thought I was just being paranoid...weird right?"
Tea was leaning forward in her seat, frowning.
"Yes, but if he is showing himself more...then something must have happened. I mean Yami and Atemu came back in June...well June ish. That's 6 months of staying in the back of your mind."
"Maybe he's building a psycho army?" Tristan said, and Ryou shook his head.
"No, he's not one to work with people, unless he absolutely needs to. He prefers doing things on his own. He could have been up to something though, for 6 months. I have no clue what though..."

"Right guys, that's enough of the questions. I think we should all keep close to Ryou more often. No offence Ryou, but the more of us, the less chance he has of getting you"
Ryou nodded softly.
"It's okay, no I understand. I didn't see him at all today, the first time in a while actually. So it is working, or he's staying away or something."
"What about Marik? Didn't he have a psychotic other half as well? If the Spirit of the Ring is back... won't he be back too?" Joey said.
"That's a good thought, Joey, I'm not too sure..." Yuugi frowned.

Atemu froze, a frown on his face.
"I am not sure about now, but when I went to visit Ishizu at the museum, Marik was there, and he seemed fine to me. Perfectly happy. I have met with them a few times since...though last time Marik was not there. I assumed he was busy...Ishizu did not mention anything however, she would have said something...right?"
"I can phone him," Yuugi said, lifting up his phone, and moving through into the kitchen.

They waited in silence while Yuugi was on the phone. They didn't know Marik too well, but Ryou had seen him about University, and spoke to him from time to time. Tea seemed to know him well, as she worked at the desk in the museum, so she saw him quite a lot. Also Tristan and him were quite interested in motorbikes, and spent time together.
Yuugi came back through with a sigh.
"I can't get in touch with him. He's not picking up his phone."
Ryou sighed, curling up in the chair he had sat in, taking a small bite of the slice of pizza he took.
"This isn't good news. Marik always answers his phone" Tea frowned, lifting up her own phone.
"I've not seen him at work these past few weeks. Ishizu has been quieter as well. But I didn't think anything was up, I don't really speak to him...too much. I mean now and again yes. But when I do phone him he always answers."
Tristan nodded. "I've tried to arrange to go out with him as well, my bike needs touched up and he's always interested in that. But he's not been answering my texts. I thought he was just busy though."

"What do we do?" Ryou frowned. He didn't want Marik hurt, true he didn't know him too well. But he still didn't want him hurt. Marik's darker half scared even the Spirit of the Ring, which was an achievement. He could feel the fear when he duelled the other. Marik's dark half was psychotic...and just, pure evil.
"If Marik's dark half is back, and the Spirit of the Ring is back. Do you think they would try to work together?" Tea asked, looking over to Ryou, who shook his head rapidly.
"The Spirit hated Marik's dark half with a passion. There was no way he would willingly team up with him. No matter what their goals. Even if he was forced to. He hates him, nearly as much as he hates The Pharaoh."

"So, there is no way we will find them together...unless Marik's dark-half has his own plans" Atemu muttered.
"We should try contacting Ishizu still, see if she has any information she can bring. We may be able to lure the Thief into a trap anyway. That will help ease concerns, if Ryou is willing of course. Do not worry Ryou, we will not force you if you are not willing to"
The whitette sat back, thinking it over, before nodding.
"I would rather like to make sure I am not paranoid, finding out he is actually out of the Shadow Realm and following me, will be a lot worse than me just being crazy though. I'm not sure what I would prefer. I don't want to deal with him again, I really don't"

Yuugi took this chance to stand up, walking over to Ryou.
"Look, if worse comes to worse, Marik has been kidnapped by either his dark-half or if they are working together, both of them. I know you don't want to Ryou, but if he is in danger, we need to do something, we can't just leave him."
Ryou sighed, putting his arms around himself.
"I know, I know! I'm just...scared, what if...what if it goes wrong? We don't know how powerful he is. Yami and Atemu came back with their magic...what if he's far stronger than before?"
"I doubt that" Yami snorted.
"It's fine Ryou, we will be near you, so if he tries anything bad, we will be able to protect you."
"How do we even know this trap will work?" Ryou was obviously worried now, he was shaking, clinging to himself.
"I'm sorry, I...I don't mean to be scared. Just the thought of him being back...I can't deal with that again. I don't want to be...to be anywhere near him again"

"No no, we completely understand. It is okay if you don't want to. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm forcing you. I'm just trying to show you both sides."
Ryou nodded, pushing himself up from the chair.
"Fine, okay...I guess we can do this. Do you have a plan?"