Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Frozen Tears ❯ Realization ( Chapter 7 )

Randomasdf (Grace): Hey minna-san! I'm starting this chapter on the same day I posted chapter six! Aren't you ALL so proud of me? ^.^

Yugi, Jou, Ryou, and Malik: Yup - we are!

Yami, Seto, Bakura, and Marik: <sarcastically> Sure, sure - whatever.

Randomasdf (Grace): <sarcastically> I sense sarcasm.

Bakura: No shit, Sherlock.

Randomasdf (Grace): Why the heck are you people obsessed with that phrase??? And why are you all <points to Yami, Seto, Bakura, and Marik> so cynical??? I AM SO LOST!!! <to readers> Thank you for all of the reviews I have received! I love you all! ^.^ 150+ Reviews on FanFiction.Net! And 36 Reviews on MediaMiner.org! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Bakura: <yawning> Excuse me - did you say something?

Randomasdf (Grace): <slaps forehead> Kami-sama!

Yugi: <blinks cutely> But you aren't Japanese!

Randomasdf (Grace): <annoyed> Your point? I've got my trusty dictionary! <pats lump in pocket>

Ryou: Uh - right. As we were saying before -

Jou: We weren't saying anything before.

Malik: HAPPY SPRING BREAK!!! {for those who have it now - like me}

Seto: Why is everyone so RANDOM??? It's driving me INSANE!!!

Randomasdf (Grace): <shrugs> I guess everyone has been influenced by me.

Seto: <sweatdrops> Ummmmmm -

Yami: Just shut up Seto.

Marik: <off on the side> Ooh - the tension, the rivalry!

Yami and Seto: <still glaring at each other> Marik, shut up.

Seto: <to Yami> You shut up too.

Yami: <sarcastically> Nice comeback.

Randomasdf (Grace): Enough with the sarcasm! And you guys are supposed to be FRIENDS for heaven's sake!

Ryou: WELL - that was in the past. It's the present now.

Malik: He's got a point.

Bakura: Of course he does! He's MY hikari!

Randomasdf (Grace): I would now like to interject in order to thank all of the authors of previous Ancient Egypt fics, because they make up a lot of my inspiration. Thank you all! And, of course, I could never have gotten this far in the story if not for my faithful readers and reviewers! Arigatou minna-san! {Okay - I know that "Arigatou" is spelled "Arigato," but I like the "u" at the end >.<}

Okay - who wants to do the disclaimer? <looks around> Volunteers? Volunteers? <pauses to think, then grins evilly> How about - I don't know - Malik and Marik?

Marik: Damn.

Malik: Shi-

Randomasdf (Grace): <interjects> This isn't a FREAKING cussing contest! Now say it!

Malik and Marik: Wouldn't it be COOL if Grace owned Yu-Gi-Oh!? Well - SHE DOESN'T - SO DEAL WITH IT BAKA!

Randomasdf (Grace): Harsh. >.< Don't be so mean to the readers! >.<

Seto: The truth is always harsh.

Jou: By my standard or yours?

Seto: Uh -

Yami: What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?

Yugi: <innocently> You mean puppy!

Jou and Seto: <sweatdrops>

Randomasdf (Grace): Okay - whatever. ANYWAYS, special thanks go to Angel Princess, firey jazz, Gwen Card Master89, and Hachi for adding me to your favorite authors list!!! (Okay - I'm going to re-thank priestessofthemoon, lunarotimas, Fallen Hikari, Mirror Image, keto saiba, and Ryou-chans girl who I have already thanked for graciously added me to their favorite authors list!!!) You guys are the best!!! <squeals>

Whoa - okay - I am calm. I am calm. I am calm. I am calm. I AM HYPER!!! Onward!

A/N: Fingers crossed for fluff! Remember: The Millennium Eye is on a leather cord around Marik's neck, and the Millennium Puzzle has the power of all of the Millennium Items. Ryou and Malik lost a PLUMP WHITE EWE {FYI: female sheep are ewes, male sheep are rams}. Remember this for later. Also - I'm not exactly a great fluff writer.

WHEE!!! Chapter seven!!! {OMG - I am starting to sound like Rebecca - not cool.}

~*~*~*~*~*~ = Scene Change

|-|Frozen Tears|-|

By Randomasdf

~CHAPTER SEVEN - REALIZATION~

"I could have another tomb robbery under my belt by this time! But NO - I am here - sitting here on my ass and doing ABSOLUTELY nothing!" Bakura complained loudly.

The counsel turned to stare at the white-haired teenager.

"You're THAT Bakura?" they whispered, huddling together, as if they were afraid that he was going to slit their throats.

The former thief rolled his eyes. "Yeah - that's me," he stated, waving their incredulous gazes off.

Marik, however, wasn't paying attention to the conversation around him. His thoughts drifted over to a certain lilac-eyed slave. The counsel member's own lavender eyes were clouded over with an unreadable expression.

"Malik," he whispered to himself, breathlessly.

"MARIK!" someone yelled into his ear.

The blond jumped from his seat, rubbing the side of his face. "What do you want, Bakura?"

Bakura cocked a graceful eyebrow. "That was the third time I called your name - I see that you're finally back from dream world. Now tell me, who is the lucky person?"

The ex-merchant's features furrowed in feigned confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"You heard me. Who were you thinking about?" the white-haired teen rephrased.

A pink tinge appeared upon Marik's bronzed cheeks. "Uh - no one in particular."

"Oh PLEASE! Just get it over with and say it was Malik!" Bakura practically shouted.

The flush deepened to a scarlet hue. "How did you -"

"It's SO OBVIOUS!" the brown-orbed one retorted, smirking.

"What about you, Bakura?" Marik asked, trying to change the subject.

"What about me?" Bakura growled.

"Don't you have someone special?" the lavender-eyed one inquired.

Bakura's thoughts swirled in his head as images of the pale-faced Ryou flashed in front of him. EVERYTHING reminded him of those warm, sparkling, chocolate orbs and that brilliant smile that was reserved for his friends.

"No," he lied between clenched teeth. "Love is for the weak."

"Oh really," Marik was intrigued. `He is DEFINITELY lying," he added mentally. "Then tell me this Bakura - do you feel anything at all when you look at Ryou?"

Cold russet eyes widened. "Wha -"

"Us Ishtars have a special bloodline gift of reading people - if you haven't noticed already. Not only that, I have this," Marik replied, holding up the Millennium Eye around his neck. "Don't worry - I won't tell anyone if that is what you wish," he added, seeing Bakura's murderous glare.

The silver-haired teen nodded and held up his Millennium Ring. "I found out that this allows me to read people's souls - their deepest secrets, dreams, and desires."

The two soon became immersed in a conversation about their Millennium Items, each thinking of their roommates.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Ra help us," Ryou whimpered, as he and Malik penned the sheep to look for the missing one.

"Ryou, what color was it?" the lilac-orbed slave asked nervously.

"I think it was white," his silver-haired companion replied, just as nervously.

"Let's go look for it," they both agreed at the same time.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Seto was exhausted. Assisting people in prayer was hard work - repeating the same incantations and chants was NOT what one would call "fun". Glancing over to his golden-haired slave, he smiled inwardly. Checking to make sure that his Millennium Rod was still securely fastened to his belt-sash, he strolled over to Jou, who was currently muttering inarticulately to himself.

Taking a quick glance around, the High Priest turned his sapphire gaze upon the slave. "Hello Jou - having fun?" he asked softly, chuckling at his antics.

Jou jumped slightly at Seto's voice, jolting him out of his daze. "Depends on what you call `fun'," he huffed and pouted.

The sapphire-eyed one let out a low laugh. "Patience. The day will be over soon." He stared into Jou's honey-amber orbs.

`I've just met you, yet it seems like I've known you for eternity,' Seto thought.

`Do you believe in love at first sight?' the High Priest and his slave contemplated in unison.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The throne room was back in its usual order - Yami was reclined lazily as the servants rushed around, preparing for the festivities that were going to take place the next day. His bored ruby gaze was hazed in thought.

`Not, bad, not bad at all,' he told himself. `Back to my usual number - good."

Of course, he was referring to the number of execution orders he had sent out today.

`Maybe I should add a few more - for good luck.' He sneered maliciously.

Yugi next to him on the floor, his eyelids shut tightly, trying to block out the blood and screams from his memory - the same blood and screams that brought an expression of amusement to the Pharaoh's lips.

`Those lips,' he mused. His violet orbs jerked open. `There is NO WAY I just thought that! He's mean and cruel - not to mention he doesn't care at all for his people!'

At that same moment, Yami turned to observe his slave, who currently held his head in his hands, mentally screaming at himself.

`Hmm - how interesting.' No one seemed to notice the crimson glow from the Millennium Puzzle. The scarlet-eyed Pharaoh smirked as he concentrated his powers upon the small boy.

`He's mean and cruel - not to mention he doesn't care at all for his people!' Yugi's thoughts reverberated in Yami's mind.

Shocked, Yami let the Millennium Puzzle fall from his hands, dangling around his neck on a leather cord. The slave looked up at his bewildered master, his sparkling purple pools clouded in confusion.

`Oh no,' Yugi breathed, finally noticing the Puzzle's fading glow.

The Pharaoh did not notice the tense look, for he was lost within his own world of thoughts.

`That was me he was talking about.' He paused. `Why do I care?' He halted once more. `I don't,' he concluded firmly to himself.

`Or do you?' answered the nagging voice at the back of his mind.

"AAAUUUGGGHHH!" Yami's annoyance and anguish echoed throughout the resonant chamber, as he buried his face into his palms.

Everyone froze in their tracks.

"Uh - Pharaoh?" Yugi asked apprehensively, his round amethyst orbs as wide as they could be.

A pair of sanguine eyes peeked out from behind elegant fingers. Immediately, everything snapped back to its previous state, as if nothing happened. Yami lifted his graceful head up from his hands, looking somewhat disoriented.

`It must have been what I said - thought?' Yugi corrected himself, remembering about the Puzzle. `What if -" He groaned. `What if Yami heard what I said about his lips?'

Violet-orbed Yugi flushed deeply, a scarlet hue spreading across his cheeks. The Pharaoh, seated upon his regal throne, arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow, questioning the color in his slave's face. Yugi turned away quickly, trying VERY hard to keep his blush in check.

"Look at me, Yugi," Yami's deep rich voice ordered calmly. The slave, knowing it would be "obey or die", reluctantly turned.

The Pharaoh almost wished he didn't make Yugi look at him. ALMOST.

Yami's knees once again became weak and his heart raced at the aura of innocence surrounding the boy. Simultaneously, Yugi's heart beat sporadically, and none of his senses were working properly. The intense clash of ruby and amethyst held for what seemed like an eternity.

The older of the two was the first to break the powerful stare. His angular crimson eyes fell upon Yugi's lips - those soft, pliant lips that looked absolutely delectable. The younger reddened once again under his unwavering gaze, shifting his own large mauve orbs to the Pharaoh's silky golden bangs, so much like his own.

`No - I hate him. I hate him. I hate him! Look what he's done to you! Taken away your freedom - your only chance for a better future!' Yugi mentally scolded himself.

A sudden scowl graced the slave's childish features. The Egyptian King frowned.

The servants and guards in the room stared at the two glowering boys.

`What in the name of Ra is going on???' was the common thought among them.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The glimmering orange sun set upon the land of Egypt - another day gone by. The blazing orb sunk slowly into the golden sands, and little by little, it vanished completely. Darkness overwhelmed the skies, as tiny shimmering stars were painted across the heavens.

Two panting, dirt-covered figures ambled into the palace, trailing filth upon the sparkling limestone steps. They had spent the last five hours searching for that "damned sheep" of the Pharaoh's royal flock.

"Malik, do you think that he'll know the difference?" Ryou asked sleepily, rubbing his eyes.

"I don't know - do you think that he memorizes his sheep?" Malik replied sarcastically with the same drowsiness.

"Good point." This did not make either of them less nervous, however.

**FLASHBACK OF EARLIER**

The two companions had looked EVERYWHERE for the missing ewe to no avail. Finally, they both gave up and convinced a local shepherd who took pity on them to donate one, after they had informed him of their awaiting punishment from the Pharaoh.

"Sorry," he told them sincerely, "I can only give you this one." The shepherd gestured to a thin black ram.

The lilac-eyed slave growled at the stranger. The other jabbed him in the ribs, letting out an exasperated sigh.

"Malik, it's better than nothing. Let's just hope he doesn't notice," Ryou said with a tinge of uneasiness in his voice.

"He'd BETTER not notice - or we're in for the long haul," came Malik's reply.

Exchanging worried glances, they headed back to the palace grounds. The royal flock was mostly large, plump white sheep, and they had returned with a skinny black one.

"Why me?!"

**END FLASHBACK OF EARLIER**

"Let's just pretend everything is normal," the silvery-white-haired teen whispered to his friend.

"Everything IS normal," was the sandy-haired boy's retort.

Together, they crept down the palace hallways, shrouded in shadows.

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Can we go now?" Bakura stifled a yawn.

"I guess so," Marik responded, as the ex-merchant and ex-thief snuck out of the counsel hall.

They stepped into the darkened corridor. "Uh - which way was it again?" the blond asked, rubbing his head gingerly.

The silver-haired counsel member rolled his eyes. "This way," he pointed left, using his "tomb robber instincts".

Marik shrugged and followed his confident friend.

"If you're sure."

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Jou," Seto said softly, gently tapping his slave's shoulder.

"Huh? Wha- oh -" the fair-haired slave turned, grinning sheepishly. Seeing the blackened sky outside the temple, Jou gasped. "Whoa! It's already that late?"

"Very observant, puppy," the High Priest laughed at his slave's antics.

"Puppy?!"

"Well, you see Jou, it makes perfect sense - I'm the master, you're the puppy," Seto replied coolly.

"I guess I don't have a say in this, then," the slave growled.

"Nope. And it fits too - you growl just like one!" the cerulean-eyed priest teased good-naturedly. "Anyways, we should be heading back to the palace. We wouldn't want to be on Yami's bad side, now would we?"

Jou shook his head violently, frightened to death of the Pharaoh's wrath.

Seto chuckled, low in his throat. "Aw - poor puppy's afraid? Don't worry, your master will protect you!"

The honey-amber-orbed teen narrowed his gaze. "That's not funny. The Pharaoh scares the living daylights out of everyone!"

The High Priest sighed. "Yami's not that bad once you get to know him. Sure, he has his moments, but who doesn't? Besides - nothing scares me anymore, at least, after meeting him. I guess I'm used to the bloodshed and the punishments."

Jou looked skeptical.

"It's Yami's past," Seto blurted out, shocked at himself for confiding in his slave.

"What? His past? Huh?" Jou scratched his head, puzzled.

The cobalt-eyed priest exhaled deeply. "Yami and I were friends since we were little, and since I was slightly older than him - about six months - I looked out for him like an older brother would. Sadly, my own little brother, Mokuba, was taken away from me when I began my training for High Priest - I do not know of his whereabouts now." He paused, reminiscing the past. "Anyways," he continued, wiping away the wetness around his sapphire eyes. "One day, when we were about eight years old, I noticed some dark bruises forming upon his jaw. He never told me where they came from, but it was obvious that they came from his father - the previous Pharaoh - since he always cringed at the sight of him."

The slave's jaw hung open. "I had - I had no idea," he managed to gasp.

"Well, it seems like you haven't had the best childhood, either." He eyed Jou wearily.

Jou stared at the floor. "I miss my mother and my little sister, but they are safe, away from my father's drunken rage, and that is all that matters. I would have gladly suffered more if it kept them away from him." A single lonely tear trailed down his tanned cheek.

"Come on, we have to get back," Seto wrapped his arms around Jou's shoulders and brushed his lips lightly across his forehead. "You're safe now."

"Thank you," came the slave's faint reply as the two of them strolled toward the palace under the shimmering rays moonlight.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Yami sat regally upon his grand bed. He motioned for Yugi to approach him, and the violet-orbed slave hesitantly did.

"Pharaoh," he greeted, sinking slightly in his knees.

"Yugi," the crimson-eyed teen began. He paused, forcing his deep voice to remain emotionless. "Where exactly did you get those gashes and bruises upon your back?" His scarlet eyes narrowed. "And don't lie - lying is useless against me," he continued, his fingertips tracing the eye on the front of the Millennium Puzzle.

The violet-orbed slave gulped nervously.

`Be strong, Yugi. Promise me that,' his mother's words echoed in his mind - words that she had spoken just before drifting to Osiris's realm.

`Yugi, no one can change who you are. Hold onto your identity - you're a smart boy - you'll know what to do when time comes,' his grandfather's smooth aged voice reverberated in his mind alongside his mother's.

`Mother and Grandpa always knew what they were talking about.' Yugi inwardly smiled.

His thoughts were cut short by an impatient Pharaoh. "Well?" Yami's creamy voice held a somewhat gentler tone towards the smaller teen.

The slave snapped his eyes shut. "My father - he was constantly drunk ever since my mother died when I was five. He blamed me for her death and took his anger out on me. Jou helped me as much as he could, but there was little he could actually do, seeing that his father did the same to him, only that -" He paused, unable to continue.

"Only that - what?" Yami inquired, his own memories reemerging.

"Only that - only that -" Yugi's voice grew faint. "Only that he didn't r-r-rape him," he practically whispered, drops of crystalline liquid squeezed from his innocent purple orbs.

He could almost feel the throbbing pain coming back to him as his petite frame began to tremble violently. Yami did the first thing that came to his mind -

he embraced the small boy.

The great Pharaoh of Egypt held his slave firmly, tucked in between his arms, as Yugi's eyes opened in shock.

`What am I doing?' Yami was astonished at his own actions.

`What is he doing?' Yugi asked himself, absolutely stunned, but couldn't help sigh at the comforting hug.

They both pulled back. "I - um - er -" the teenaged king began. "Goodnight, Yugi," he finished, sliding off his silky sheets and walking calmly to the adjoining bathing room

`Perhaps Yami IS human after all.'

~*~*~*~*~*~

"Malik?"

The door creaked open and a VERY tired Marik crept into the chamber. He and Bakura had spent the last half hour looking for their rooms.

`Note to self: tombs are different than palaces,' he smirked slightly.

The tanned slave looked up from his place on the large bed. "Oh - you're back! I thought you got lost or something!"

"I DID get lost," Marik growled.

Malik sniggered lightly. He planted a soft kiss upon his lover's nose.

"How was your day?" the counsel member inquired.

"WELL, now that you ask - it was horrible. And you?" Malik's voice held an air of sarcastic happiness.

"Well then, we must make it up!" Marik replied, as both blond Egyptians held identical smirks.

The slave leaned in slowly and placed a light, almost non-existent kiss upon the other's lips.

"You'd better do better than that," Marik growled playfully and pulled Malik into another kiss - this time it was fierce and full of passion.

He ran his soft tongue across Malik's lower lip, coaxing him to open his mouth fully. When he complied with the request, Marik plunged into the sweet cavern, exploring it thoroughly. Malik's hands tangled themselves into Marik's spiky locks. Their tongues soon entwined in a vicious battle for dominance, but they parted reluctantly with the need for air.

They smiled - in the sadistic way that they always smiled. The two lavender-eyed teens leaned back upon the feathery mattress. This was going to be a LONG night.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Bakura banged open the door, causing Ryou to look up from his position on the floor, startled.

"What are you looking at, slave?" the counsel member snapped harshly.

"Oh - um -" Ryou turned his gaze away, blushing slightly. "You just surprised me, that's all."

`You blush too much for your own good,' Bakura mused, noting the faint pink tinge in his pale cheeks.

The younger of the two shifted uncomfortably under his roommate's stern glare. "So - um - how did your day go?"

Bakura snorted. "Why do you care? And stop stumbling over your own words!"

Ryou backed away, flinching slightly. "Sorry - I was just trying to be nice."

"Nice? NICE? I don't have time for your NICENESS," came Bakura's reply.

`If Ryou is supposedly my `special someone', then why do I always feel an urge to be distant?' he asked himself. `I'm denying own fucking feelings!' His cold brown eyes enlarged slightly. `No! I am NOT admitting I have feelings for that pathetic excuse for a human! No!'

`Hmm - are you sure about that?' that strange voice in his head asked him.

"Yes!" he roared aloud.

"Uh - are you okay, Bakura? Who are you talking to? Do you need any help?" Ryou rushed over to his side.

"I'm fine, I'm fine! I'm just tired - it's been a long day," the older one exclaimed, swatting away his roommate's help.

He climbed into the soft bed, and shut his eyes, pretending to fall asleep immediately. Ryou smiled at the sleeping Bakura, surprised that a person such as him could look beatific in dreamland. He walked over to the figure upon the mattress and brushed his lips to Bakura's cheek for a soft, chaste kiss.

"Goodnight, Bakura."

Still smiling, he retreated to the floor to get some sleep, not noticing that the form upon the bed had opened his eyes in astonishment and lifted his hand to the spot on the side of his face where an angel had touched him.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Randomasdf (Grace): Yay! Another chapter done! This was my longest chapter yet - 14 whole pages (up to this point)!^.^ Like I said - I'm not a terribly good fluff writer - I like to build my stuff from other fics. So - please don't kill me if the fluff wasn't as good as you expected. >.< I pray to the fluff gods everyday - I guess they just can't hear me.

Yami: I still don't see why I have to be so mean to my aibou.

Bakura: <rolls eyes> You are hopeless, Pharaoh.

Yami: Better a hopeless Pharaoh than an idiotic, pathetic tomb robber.

Ryou: Please don't argue!

Yugi: <tugs on Yami's shirt> Onegai?

Yami: <scoops Yugi into his arms> If that is what pleases you, chibi ichi.

Yugi: <giggles cutely>

Randomasdf (Grace): I'm sorry - was I interrupting something? <rolls eyes>

Malik: By the looks of it, I'd say so.

Seto: Ugh - get a room, you two!

Yami, Bakura, and Marik: Gladly.

Yugi, Ryou, and Malik: <blushes>

Jou and Seto: <slaps forehead>

Randomasdf (Grace): What? You two don't want a room?

Jou and Seto: <looks at each other sheepishly> WELL, now that you mention it -

Randomasdf (Grace): <blanches, then cuts in> Okay, okay - forget I mentioned it. Anyways, moving on - tell me what you think about this chapter in a nice review! ^.^ Next chapter will be the festival - and you know what that means!

Bakura: Nope. What does it mean?

Randomasdf (Grace): <slaps forehead> It means opportunity for FLUFF, tomb robber! Do I need to spell it out for you too? F-L-U-F-F!!!

Marik: Honestly, I think that Yami's rubbing off on you.

Yami: I am NOT rubbing off on anyone!

Yugi: <innocently> You are on me!

Seto: <sweatdrops, then turns to Yami> Stop corrupting innocence! <turns to Bakura> You too!

Bakura: <as innocently as possible> Me? I think not!

Marik: I think so!

Ryou: <exasperatedly> PLEASE, PLEASE stop arguing!

Randomasdf (Grace): In the next chapter, Yami notices *something* wrong with his flock of sheep - uh - no comment. Oh - if you have any suggestions, feel free to enlighten me! I am open to anything! I have a few good plot ideas - so please keep reading! ^.~ Oh - and sorry if it's going too slow for your tastes - I just think that it can be more dramatic that way. >.< I leave you now - I better go keep them in check. <gestures behind towards arguing mob> Until next chapter! ^.^ Sayonara minna-san! Until next chapter! ^.^

**FUNNY NOTE: I was listening to "The Phantom of the Opera" theme song (without words) while I was writing the Seto/Jou part, and when I reread it with the music on, it was like a really sappy, cheesy movie. It was so hilarious that I fell out of my chair. Let's hope it wasn't TOO sappy and cheesy. >.< Ha ha ha! Actually, once I think about it a bit, this song makes my whole chapter seem really sappy and cheesy. <shrugs> Oh well. Please review! ^.^

**OTHER NOTE: I find it interesting that in the SHOW, Yami Marik (or Marik in my story) doesn't come from the Millennium Rod - he was created from Marik's (or Malik in my story) hatred and anger when he was a little kid. Sorry if this spoiled anything for you, but I just find it intriguing, seeing how Yami comes from the Millennium Puzzle and Bakura comes from the Millennium Ring. So technically - Marik and Yami Marik (or Malik and Marik - ugh - so confusing) couldn't ever be separate people. But then again - who's being technical here? ^.^