Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Black Memories ❯ Wandering thoughts ( Chapter 13 )

What would happen if everything you knew was taken away from you? What would you do if you suddenly woke up from an 8-year sleep? A little girl has a quest for something very important to her. Unfortunately, that something is Jonouchi.

Black Memories

Author: Sakiyama

Posted: 10/28/05

Authors note: I own nothing…except Aria ^^.

The Italics hate me…*sniffles*

`….' - Voice in Ryou's head

Chapter thirteen: Wandering thoughts

 

I remember! I remember it all!

 

Jonouchi was still lying on the ground. He kept inhaling dust and choking, which kept Toby up and very concerned. Images flashed through the blonde's mind of a tall grown man tying little Jonouchi to a bed and pounding him into the mattress. These graphic images spread searing pain through is mind and heart.

 

“Mister?…” Toby whispered, trying to crane his neck to see Jonouchi's face. By the bright flashes of light on the TV Toby saw scratches on the blonde's face and arms. There was a tiny puddle of blood surrounding his behind and his hair was sticking in every direction.

 

The soreness in Toby's stomach was fading little by little and he could actually flip over to his other side without crying. He put a gentle hand on Jonouchi's face, watching him shudder and twitch at first, then relax.

 

I wonder what happened to him?

 

Inside Jonouchi's mind was turmoil. Memories made their way into his mind and the flashes of the unpleasant ones he tried to erase from his mind surfaced once again. Even memories he didn't remember having that consisted of him dressed in the attire from his dreams surfaced as well. Then above all other memories, one face was dominant in his mind. Seto Kaiba. Memories of Kaiba making fun of him, calling him `mutt', and anything else that happened during the school year crashed with the recent memories the blonde had of Kaiba. It was like Kaiba had two different personalities.

 

Jonouchi whimpered and held his head tightly in his hands. Toby stroked his messy hair gently, trying to calm him down.

 

“I remember everything,” Jonouchi moaned, “everything…”

 

“It's okay, mister…” Toby mumbled. He continued to stroke Jonouchi's hair absentmindedly, listening to Jonouchi.

 

“Daddy please stop…I'll be good I swear…”

 

“Maybe his daddy beat him when he was little…” Toby said to himself, “that's so sad.”

 

“Hey, you two pieces of shit!” Hector's voice pierced through Jonouchi's pained mind. Toby looked up fearfully and Jonouchi's eyes looked dazed. Hector flicked the lights on without warning, causing both boys pain. “Guess what, gay boy? You're gonna make me a lot of money.”

 

Jonouchi's unfocused eyes gave no sign that the sentence registered in his mind.

 

“Still worn out from last time, eh? Well, there's more of that coming.” The captor smirked and turned to Toby. “Be thankful he's saving your skin boy, or this would be you instead.” Toby shivered, inching away from the disgusting man. Hector walked over and turned the volume up on the TV. Nothing special on the news, the reporters just updated no lead has been made on the kidnappings of Toby and Jonouchi. “These policemen are so stupid. I'm living right under their noses and they don't even realize!” Just then, a knock sounded on the door. Without a word Hector ran up the steps, locked the door and his footsteps died away.

 

“Maybe that's someone to rescue us, mister!” Toby said hopefully. Some muffled voices were heard, some laughter and the sound of glasses tinkling together. Then the door was unlocked and one pair of heavy footsteps thudded down.

 

“Boy, I'm renting you out tonight. Make me a lot of money,” Hector grabbed Jonouchi's arm and hauled him up the steps. “Not a word out of you,” he glared at Toby before locking the door again.

 

~

 

The school bell rang and Kaiba walked in tiredly. He had stayed up all night thinking about Jonouchi. The other students stared at him in amazement, Kaiba was always the first one there and now he was exactly on time!

 

“How are you Kaiba?” Yugi asked him in a concerned voice. Kaiba just waved him off and slumped over his desk.

 

“You don't look so good, man,” Malik observed, lifting up the CEO's arm and watching it fall limp on the desk. Mrs. Takimura walked in and Yugi raised his hand right away.

 

“Yes, Mr. Motou?”

 

“Can I take Seto Kaiba to the nurse please?”

 

Mrs. Takimura took one look at the worn out brunette and nodded. Yugi got out of his chair and pulled Kaiba out of his, much to the class's surprise.

 

~Kaiba's P.O.V~

 

I don't even know what's happening around me anymore. I feel myself being pulled out of my school desk by someone, I think its Yugi.

 

We walked down the hallway but I didn't even realize where my feet were taking me. I just wanted to know that Jonouchi was okay. I stayed up all last night examining what I saw during dinner. How could my mind play tricks on me like that if it wasn't important?

 

Aria is home alone today. I had no one to stay with her and Mokuba's in school. I hope she's doing okay also.

 

I'm so tired…I just want to sleep until Jonouchi comes to wake me up.

 

I didn't know I liked him that much…recently I've been having dreams that we were lovers…it was like something from the past, but I don't really believe in all that, do I?

 

“Kaiba we're at the nurse's office,” I heard Yugi say. The voice penetrated the fog clouding my mind and when I looked at my surroundings it was like I wasn't even really there. Everything seemed so distant and cold. I allowed myself to be led into the room and I heard the nurse making a fuss.

 

I found myself lying on something soft and comfortable. I closed my eyes and let myself fall into a deep sleep.

 

~Kaiba's dream~

 

Seth the high priest ran down the hallways hurriedly. Cries of pain sounded throughout the palace and it only made the high priest quicken his steps. He reached a room full of maids and servants. In the center of it all was a female-looking Jonouchi, her face contorted with pain. Her legs were spread wide apart and blood was collecting on the floor.

 

“My lord…I mean lady…you must push, it'll be over soon,” a servant cooed, kneeling between the lady's legs waiting for something to happen.

 

“It hurts so damn much!” the lady cried, tears forming in the corners of her eyes.

 

“My love, Jonouchi!” Seth rushed over and took the lady's hand.

 

“Hang in there m'lady,” another servant placed a wet cloth on Jonouchi's forehead. Jonouchi gave one last push and the servant pulled out a blood-covered baby.

 

“It's a girl!” the servant cried happily, handing the baby to her mother.

 

“At least Hetho's curse did one thing for us, love,” Jonouchi smiled at Seth, “He let us have a child.”

 

“She's so beautiful,” Seth breathed, touching the baby's forehead lightly.

 

“If you will,” the same servant spoke up, “we must clean the baby up and get some warm blankets.”

 

“Of course,” Jonouchi smiled and handed her baby to the servant.

 

“So, how was labor?” Seth grinned, gaining some color in his face.

 

“It's hell. Ra be damned if I ever do that again!”

 

“Well I wouldn't want to be a woman either.”

 

“Haven't you guys made any progress trying to turn me back into a man?” Jonouchi's pouting face made his lover laugh.

 

“Sorry love, but not much progress was made at all.”

 

“Well I don't wanna be stuck like this forever!” Jonouchi watched as the servants carefully washed all the blood away and dried off her child. They handed her the child once again wrapped up in hot blankets. “She is the prettiest girl in the entire land,” Jonouchi kissed the baby's nose, “Her name is Aria.”

 

“Aria, huh? Nice name,” Seth kissed his lovers head and wrapped his arms around her.

 

“Please Ra, let me turn back into a man soon,” the blonde begged while Seth just chuckled.

 

~End Kaiba's dream~

 

The CEO's eyes shot open and he stared up at an unfamiliar ceiling.

 

“Where am I?” he groaned, holding his head. After surveying the room he realized he was in the nurses office.

 

“Oh good, you're awake,” the nurse came bustling in, checking Kaiba's head and throat. “Well you don't look sick to me. Just overworked.”

 

“Yeah, company…stuff,” Kaiba lied.

 

“I say, kids these days. Running company's at 18…” The nurse walked away muttering to herself. Kaiba tried sitting up and went back down feeling dizzy.

 

Guess I'm stuck here for a while.

 

The CEO rolled over on his side, his hair falling in his eyes.

 

I have to admit to myself I'm falling in love with Jonouchi. The longer he stays away the more I long for him. I've never felt this way about anyone before…

 

Just then the door burst open, almost closing violently again from the force. Mokuba rushed in and ran to his brother's side.

 

“Nii-san! Are you okay?! I came as fast as I could after they told me!”

 

“I'm fine,” the brunette muttered, closing his eyes.

 

“No you aren't, that's why I sent for the limo so I could take you home.” Mokuba signaled for two men that Kaiba didn't notice before to get him on his feet. A wave of dizziness washed over Kaiba and he almost fell over. “Alright guys, support him to the limo.”

 

“I need to stay in class…” Kaiba moaned, making a feeble attempt to leave and walk back to class.

 

“Oh no you don't. Right home you go to stay in bed all day,” Mokuba nodded as the two men carried his brother out. He walked right to Kaiba's classroom and informed the teacher that his brother was going home early.

 

~

 

The bed is nice and soft…it feels really nice…

 

Kaiba lay in bed with a thermometer in his mouth and the covers pulled up to his chin.

 

“I'm not sick,” he mumbled to Donny who was sitting next to him ready to read the thermometer.

 

“Just checking for a fever, Mr. Kaiba,” Donny assured him, taking the thermometer out and checking.

“Well it could be worse. 99.9 isn't so bad.”

 

“I need to run KaibaCorp…there's so much to do…” Kaiba protested.

 

“Let young Mr. Kaiba handle it, I'm sure he's able,” Donny put a gentle hand on Kaiba's shoulder, “you just need plenty of rest.” Donny got up and walked out, shutting the door.

 

Damn, Jonouchi…I've failed you. Getting sick now…why now?!

 

~

 

“Kaiba's sick!” Yugi burst out over dinner. Yami raised an eyebrow at his aibou.

 

“Yeah! He hardly even moved when Yugi took him to the nurse,” Malik added, digging into his stew.

 

“Well he works too damn much. Workaholic, that one is,” Marik said, picking up the bowl and slurping his stew.

 

“Really, Ishtar,” Yami sighed, using his spoon. “Anyway, I wonder if it's just his work that's made him sick.”

 

“You mean Jonouchi right?” Yugi nodded, ignoring Marik's bad eating manners.

 

“Yeah…Kaiba is really troubled. I wonder if something else happened?” the former pharaoh pondered this while ignoring his stew for the moment.

 

“All of this stuff is making my head hurt,” Malik sighed. “I'm gonna go get some Advil.” He got up and walked out of the room.

 

“Modern medicine confuses me,” Marik said, getting off topic. “People just don't do it like they used to.”

 

“I agree. Although, this medicine works much better then the ones I used to use,” Yami said. Marik just sighed and watched Malik down 2 Advil.

 

“Me and Malik are together, ya know,” Marik whispered, grinning. Yami didn't seem phased at all but Yugi went wide-eyed.

 

“Huh?! Really?! Wow!!”

 

“Yeah. It's a lot of fun,” Marik winked. Malik walked back in and saw Yugi.

 

“Is anything wrong, Yugi?”

 

“You didn't tell me you were with Marik!”

 

“Well…” Malik blushed, “It just happened a little while ago and…I hadn't gotten around to telling anyone yet.”

 

“Well congratulations! I can't wait to tell Ryou!” Yugi shook Malik's hand and ran to the phone.

 

“He's a little too enthusiastic…” Malik sighed.

 

“Probably to get his mind off of Jonouchi,” Yami nodded in response.

 

“Hey Ryou-chan! Guess what!? Malik's got a boyfriend! Yeah! Know who?! MARIK!!! I know! Wanna come over? Yeah Bakura can come too. Kay see ya!”

 

Yugi bounded back into the room with a big grin on his face.

 

“Ryou is coming over!”

 

“We heard, aibou,” Yami smiled. Two minutes later the doorbell rang.

 

“That was fast!” Marik said, amazed. Yugi opened the door and Ryou stepped in dragging Bakura.

 

“Hello everyone!” Ryou said cheerfully. Bakura just mumbled a greeting. “Sorry, Baku-chan is a little grumpy about leaving the house after dinner.”

 

“Well, did he not have enough? He can have some stew if he wants,” Yugi offered the tomb robber a bowl.

 

“Sure!” Bakura's face lit up and he practically devoured the bowl with the stew.

 

Everyone in this house always seems so happy…

 

Ryou thought this while smiling at Bakura's never-ending appetite.

 

Bakura is always so grumpy…am I doing something wrong?

 

`Of course…he doesn't want you…remember?'

 

You! You again! Why can't you leave me alone?!

 

`I already told you…I reside within you…now that Bakura's gone.'

 

You're wrong. Bakura still shares my soul…it doesn't matter if he has his own body.

 

`We'll see…it is not time yet anyway.'

 

What do you mean?!

 

`You'll see.'

 

“Ryou?”

 

Ryou snapped back to focus to see Yugi waving a hand in his face.

 

“Ah…sorry Yugi, I spaced out. Not getting enough sleep, you know,” Ryou laughed to cover up the emotions wanting to be displayed. Bakura pretended to be concentrated on his food but out of the corner of his eye he saw something was not right with his hikari. That kind of expression was when one was talking to his other half, and everyone knew it.

 

“Okay…well let's celebrate!” Yugi ran into the kitchen to get drinks.

 

“Hikari…come here for a minute,” Bakura beckoned Ryou into the next room. Ryou busied himself with staring at the dull gray couches and the single lamp that light the room.

 

“Yes, Baku-chan?”

 

Bakura twitched at the nickname but continued on.

 

“Have…you been feeling alright?”

 

“Yeah…why?”

 

“Well…you just seemed a little off…is there something you want to talk to me about? Even though it might not look like it I am concerned about you…so come to me if you have a problem alright?”

 

“Sure, Bakura,” Ryou faked a smile. They walked back into the other room where Yugi was trying to get Malik with some champagne he found in his grandpa's closet. Ryou started laughing and joined in the fun. Bakura stayed back, wondering what his hikari wasn't telling him.

 

He's hiding something…I think its time I visited my old soul room.

 

~

 

A few hours and a Malik totally drenched in various liquids later, everyone stopped partying and made their way to bed. Ryou and Bakura stayed over so Yugi and Ryou could walk to school together. As Bakura climbed into the guest bed beside Ryou, he held his hikari against him.

 

“You're so warm, Bakura,” Ryou smiled and snuggled against his yami. Bakura's mouth twitched into a little smile itself, he couldn't get over how much he loved Ryou. He was just too afraid to show it, afraid of what Yami would think and afraid of being vulnerable. The few times he did he knew Ryou loved it, but recently his hikari was acting different.

 

Even breathing coming from Ryou made Bakura aware that he was asleep. He gave his other half a light squeeze before closing his eyes, concentrating on Ryou's mind. He opened his eyes and found himself in Ryou's mind.

 

“Wow I haven't been here in ages,” Bakura commented to himself, walking down the corridors. He ran his hand along the wall and stopped at a door. It was Ryou's door. He opened it slightly and saw the usual inside. Light blue skies, his hikari's childhood toys strewn across the floor, his mothers picture on a cloud.

 

Something moved in the corner of his eye, so the tomb robber whipped his head around to see nothing.

 

“Man, that was really weird,” Bakura shivered involuntarily. He closed the door to Ryou's soul room and walked on to find his own. “This should be interesting.” He opened the door and stepped inside. Immediately pain shot through his body and he fell to his knees. Laughter resounded in his head and throughout the room. The room was unusually dark; Bakura could hardly make out his bed with Egyptian silk and the ancient runes on the walls. His scented candles gave little light to the dark room. He went over to the balcony in the left corner with difficulty and opened the windows. The pitch-black night sky was unsettling to him.

 

“What in the seven hells is going on?!” Bakura growled out loud.

 

“So…you are Bakura, the one who left Ryou's mind open to me.”

 

“Who are you??” Bakura glanced around him, seeing no one.

 

“You look no different from when you did back then.” A hand fell on Bakura's right shoulder and he jumped. “Are you scared of me?”

 

“Well I can't see you, and things I can't see unnerve me a little,” Bakura said. His body stiffened as the hand did not leave his shoulder.

 

“I can't have you interfering with my plans, now can I?” the voice chuckled. Bakura didn't have time to react when an intense pain was sent throughout his entire right side. He collapsed on the floor and the figure stepped out of the shadows. He looked almost identical to Hector, with his black hair a little longer and his brown eyes filled with hate.

 

“Now, time to reunite with my other self.” The Hector look-alike stepped over Bakura's body and exited the soul room, closing the door behind him.

 

~

 

The next morning everyone crowded around the tiny table in the Motou kitchen and ate breakfast. Except for Bakura.

 

“Has anyone seen Bakura at all?” Ryou asked. He was worried when he woke up to find Bakura not next to him like he always is.

 

“Maybe he went shopping?” Yugi said.

 

“I doubt it,” Marik laughed.

 

“Maybe he is gonna surprise you when you get home from school!” Malik exclaimed.

 

“I dunno about that…” Ryou thought back to what Bakura said to him last night.

 

“Well…you guys are gonna be late for school,” Yami commented.

 

“This always happens!” Yugi grabbed two pieces of bread and dragged Ryou out the door.

 

“Yugi's been so absentminded lately. It kind of worries me,” Yami sighed, shaking his head.

 

“Any leads on Jou yet?” Marik slurped the rest of his cereal.

 

“Really, how rude.” Yami huffed, before continuing, “no more leads yet. I've even been searching for him in my sleep and I can't find any trace of him.”

 

“This is so strange. Usually if it was a regular kidnapping we'd find him in at least a day. Some higher power is working here.”

 

“Let's head out to visit Kaiba, I'm sure he wants some visitors at least.”

 

Marik followed Yami out the door and they took the 15-minute walk to the Kaiba Mansion.

 

~

 

“I don't want anymore soup, Donny!!!” Kaiba snapped, knocking the offending bowl off of his bed and onto the carpet. A maid rushed in immediately and began to clean it.

 

“Really, Seto. You're acting like a child,” Donny sighed.

 

“I want Jou! That's all I want…damn it!!!” Kaiba yelled out in frustration. It was the first time he ever verbally expressed this desire, and Donny wasn't surprised in the least.

 

“I knew it…” Donny smiled, his eyes twinkling.

 

“I just want him to be close to me…I can't sit here idly while Jou could be in danger!”

 

“I understand but being sick won't help Jou be found.”

 

“Why hasn't he been found yet?!”

 

“We're trying as hard as we can, I assure you Seto,” Donny sighed, “I haven't seen my wife in days.”

 

“I'm so sorry Donny…”

 

“Not to worry, your safety and happiness comes first,” Donny trailed off and was interrupted by the phone on Seto's bedside ringing. The CEO picked it up and answered irritably.

 

“Marik and Yami are here to see you Mr. Kaiba.”

 

“Oh…send them up to my room then.”

 

A few minutes later, the two yami's appeared in Kaiba's doorway. Donny excused himself and let the three be alone.

 

“Anything up, guys?” the brunette fell back on his pillow tiredly. Marik raised his eyebrow at the soup stain on the carpet and shook his head.

 

“We came to see how you were holding up, and to report we haven't found anything yet…sadly.” Yami's eyes were sad, they looked almost as if there were no trace of hope left.

 

“We'll…we'll find him soon. We have to. I need him…”

 

Kaiba didn't care who heard it anymore. He was done suppressing his feelings. He wanted Jonouchi and he wanted him now. He wanted to hold Jonouchi and never let him go. He wanted to take all of the blonde's pain away and make everything better.

 

“Aw…that's so sweet,” Marik wiped away a fake tear and smiled. Kaiba growled.

 

“Mr. Kaibaaa,” Aria ran into the room dressed in a pure white dress. Her hair was tied back with white ribbons and she wore golden dress shoes.

 

“You look so pretty sweetie!” Kaiba exclaimed, hugging the little girl, “what's the occasion?”

 

“I wanted to dress up…it reminds me of when me and mommy used to attend dinners and stuff!” Aria's face lit up instantly, “all the yummy food and conversations with the pharaoh…”

 

Yami looked at Aria weirdly but it went unnoticed.

 

“The pharaoh is such an interesting person you know? Oh…pharaoh!” Aria turned and bowed courteously. Yami just nodded, confused once again.

 

“Should I just call you Yami? Yeah…probably…” Aria giggled.

 

“Um…call me whatever you wish,” Yami shrugged.

 

“Wheee! Pharaoh!” Aria tackled Yami to the floor. The spiky-haired yami just patted her head awkwardly. He hadn't been called pharaoh in a long time, besides the usual insults from Marik or Bakura.

 

“Anyway…maybe this dress will bring mommy back!” Aria smiled optimistically, doing a full turn, letting her dress fan out and spin around her. She looked just like an angel fallen from heaven.

 

“It might…” Marik trailed off, not wanting to get the girl's hopes down.

 

“Hey I just realized…shouldn't you be in school?” Yami asked Aria, just thinking of the subject.

 

“I got all my schooling from your very best teachers remember? Silly pharaoh!” Aria shook her finger in her face.

 

“Well, since I haven't regained all of my memories yet…” Yami confessed, still unsure about his past.

 

“Aw too bad! I remember everything!” Aria rambled on and on, obviously happy with the fact that she knew something Yami didn't.

 

“Anyway, we're gonna keep trying all day today Kaiba,” Marik ignored the hyper girl. “We haven't been able to find Bakura though, but I'm sure he's looking.”

 

“Thanks guys. I didn't know you liked me so much,” Kaiba smile sadly. He had treated these people so bad…and yet…

 

“We're your friends! Of course we'd be doing this for you!” Yami exclaimed. The brunette's eyes almost welled up with tears, but Kaiba's don't cry so Seto's eyes only glassed over.

 

“We'd better get going if we want to get the most out of the day,” Marik said, waving to Kaiba.

 

“Yeah, feel better Kaiba,” Yami smiled, heading out after Marik.

 

How…after all the mean stuff I have done…how can they still want to be my friend?

 

“So Mr. Kaiba…do you feel better yet?” Aria's expectant eyes peered up from the side of the bed.

 

“Almost, hun. I'm not allowed to get out of bed or Mokuba will kill me. Literally. Can you get me a glass of water please?”

 

“Surely!” Aria skipped out of the room merrily.

 

I just love how strong that girl's spirit is.

 

Aria was back with water five seconds later. She chatted about her latest dream while Seto just nodded his head and drank his water slowly. He wondered if Jou was going without food…or water even. Was he being treated tolerably? Was he really chained to a wall as Marik had seen?

 

“AND THEN! Mommy comes up to me and goes: `silly little Aria! You aren't a mermaid!' and then you, daddy, go, `that's not true, she's our little mermaid'!”

 

“Wait…what did you just say?” Kaiba's head snapped up at the mention of him and `daddy' in the same sentence.

 

“You're my daddy! But I thought you'd like to be called Mr. Kaiba instead, since you're scary sometimes,” Aria smiled.

 

“Your…daddy?” Kaiba swallowed a knot in his throat. He'd never been a father before, let alone have a father figure himself that was worthy of being called that.

 

“Can…can I call you daddy?” Aria asked timidly. Kaiba looked into her dark purple pools of innocence and couldn't help but smile.

 

“Sure sweetie, anything you like.”

 

“Wheee! Daddy!” Aria jumped onto the bed and hugged her `daddy' tightly. Kaiba turned a slight shade of pink, hugging her back. He wasn't used to being a father, and didn't know what to do.

 

“You know Aria…maybe when this whole crisis is over…we'll enroll you in school.”

 

“Oh…I can make friends!” Aria's eyes lit up, “yay!!”

 

“Glad you're excited,” Kaiba smiled at the little girl.

 

~

 

The Hector-look-alike peered through Ryou's eyes. They were in math, and the subject was as boring as hell. Ryou wasn't aware of his intruder in his soul. He was focused on staying awake for another 30 minutes. His head slipped off his palm and almost slammed onto the desk. He caught himself in time and shook his head vigorously, copying the notes on the board quickly.

 

The intruding spirit growled mentally. He had no time to be sitting in this boring class! There were more important things going on in the world then math. Nevertheless, he had to wait until everything was over to not cause alarm and suspicion.

 

Ryou's thoughts were on Bakura. He paid no attention to the teacher's incessant talking and tried to think of places Bakura could have gone.

 

He might have gone looking for Jonouchi. I doubt it though, it was too early to do that. Maybe…maybe he's in trouble!

 

Ryou decided he would visit Bakura's soul room during lunch. That seemed an eternity away however, as the clock hand slowly switched to 10:57.

 

This is the longest day ever.

 

Ryou sighed mentally and turned his attention to math.

 

~

 

Lunchtime finally arrived.

 

“About time!” Ryou said impatiently.

 

`So…you think you're going to get to your dear Bakura, Ryou? I think not…'

 

Ryou didn't hear this, and went into the bathroom. He went into a stall, closed his eyes, and found himself inside his soul. The long, dark hallway seemed to stretch out forever. Ryou opened the door to his own soul to check everything was okay. Seeing that it was, he walked the 2 feet to Bakura's soul-room door. As soon as he touched the ancient doorknob, his hand felt like it was burning and he was thrown back.

 

“What?!” Ryou said in shock and pain. He tried again, only finding the same result. “Why can't I get into Bakura's soul-room!?”

 

“Because I don't want you to, of course.”

 

“Who's there?” Ryou's voice shook.

 

“My name is Hetho. I am an ancient spirit. I have not been able to rest for over a thousand years. My soul is filled with hatred and anger. I am separated from my other half and somehow inhabited your body instead. I have taken care of your dear Bakura.”

 

“What?…no…” Ryou's eyes started tearing up, and he fought back the tears.

 

“What kind of man are you? Crying like that…” Hetho shook his head. He held his hand out in front of him like he was trying to grasp something and starting closing his hand slowly. Ryou felt pressure being applied on his throat and he struggled to breathe. He wasn't even touching him but suffocating him at the same time! The white haired hikari choked and gasped for air. “I could end your pathetic life in an instant.” The insane spirit smiled sadistically. “But I need you to get to my other half.” Ryou felt the pressure leave and breathed in deeply numerous times.

 

“You…are…a monster!” Ryou choked out.

 

“I'm just trying to get what I want.” Hetho spat on the ground in front of Ryou, turning and walking away without saying another word.

 

“Bakura…” Ryou cried helplessly, beating against the outside of the ancient door.

 

~

 

Bakura moaned, holding his head.

 

What the hell happened?

 

He didn't know, except there was a dull pain in his side and he had a horrible headache.

 

He looked at his surroundings. This was is soul room.

 

Wait…I remember!

 

That damn spirit wounded him and left him here! Oh, he'd pay for that.

 

Bakura stood up shakily and went towards the door. He heard a faint pounding coming from the other side.

 

“I wonder what that is…” he wondered to himself out loud. He opened the door with ease and found his hikari on the other side sobbing uncontrollably.

 

“Ryou!? What's wrong?! Why are you here??”

 

“BAKURA!” Ryou latched onto his yami, not letting him go. “I thought something bad happened to you…he said….”

 

“Who said?” the white haired yami brought Ryou into his arms and slid onto the floor, rocking him gently.

 

“Hetho…that spirit…he disappeared into my mind…”

 

“Him again! He's gonna pay double now!” Bakura growled.

 

“Oh…I'm pretty sure I missed lunch now. I'm still in the bathroom.”

 

“That's okay tenshi. I'm sure you didn't miss lunch. You have to tell Yugi what happened. I'll rest in my soul room until the school day ends.”

 

“You sure, `Kura?” Ryou asked, concerned.

 

“I heal ten times quicker in my soul room remember? It's just a headache and dull pain anyway.”

 

“Alright…”

 

Ryou kissed Bakura on the cheek quickly, and then disappeared.

 

Awww…he kissed me.

 

Bakura smiled to himself and re-entered his soul-room.

 

~

 

“Yugi!” Ryou yelled, bursting out of the bathroom. Yugi, who was eating lunch with Honda and Otogi, looked up confused.

 

“Oh Ryou-chan! Hey!” Yugi waved. Ryou sat down at the long brown table, panting.

 

“I gotta tell you something!”

 

“What is it?” Yugi's face was concerned.

 

“I just visited my soul-room. There is another spirit inside of me that I can't get rid of. He hurt `Kura and he was trapped in his soul-room for a little while. The spirit's name is Hetho!”

 

“Whoa. That's crazy!” Yugi put his hand on Ryou's shoulder. “Are you okay?”

 

“Yeah…I'm worried about Bakura and this spirit's powers.”

 

“I'll tell Yami right after school, and I'm sure he'll tell Marik. I'll see to it something happens about this guy.”

 

“Thanks so much, Yugi,” Ryou smiled and ran off to get some lunch.

 

“I'm worried about Ryou…” Yugi sighed.

 

“Me too man,” Honda patted Yugi on the shoulder.

 

“That kid's been through worse, he'll be fine,” Otogi said optimistically.

 

“I hope so…” Yugi watched the white haired boy sadly.

 

-End-

 

FINALLY FINISHED! Oh my god. You have no idea how long this took me ;.;. I've been so busy with drivers ed and AP classes and all this stuff it's a miracle I found time to do this. Thank you to the people who still read…thank you! I wish I could thank all my reviewers buuut I have a lot of work to do so bear with me guys ^^;. I'll try to get the next one out soon! Hopefully a little after new years seeing how this is going >.<. Um…so thank you again and see everyone later!