Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ I Care ❯ Protection from the Goddess; Love form my Lover ( Chapter 6 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Each step she took seemed to take forever but in reality it only took a few moments. Aly only had a few moments before Bakura realized she was there, and she was going to use those moments to her advantage. Aly gripped the metal bar tightly and swung as hard as she could at Bakura.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 06.25.2006 | Updated On: 06.26.2006 | Pages: 15 | Words: 14.0K | Visits: 266 | Status: Work In Progress

Emmy: Man, have you even stared at a computer screen so long that you get a headache and your eyes don't want to blink? I must have spent the last couple school-free days sitting at my computer.

Ryou: Fact: In real ancient Egypt there was a goddess named Isis who was Seth's brother and gave birth to Horus. The pharaoh was supposed to be Horus's earthly form. Seth tried to kill Horus but Isis stopped him. Isis was also said to have predicted her husbands death.

Raven: Enough chit chat! Let's start the fic! (The disclaimer was on the first 1-5 chapters and for the record we don't own Rich Girl!)

Protection from the Goddess; Love from my Lover

“Target in sight…” Aly thought. She peeked out from behind the pillar to see Ryou shutting his locker.

“This is my chance…” Aly waited till his arms were full of books before stepping right behind him and tapping him on the shoulder. Ryou jumped and turned around.

“Oh-hello Aly,” he said. “Sorry but I'm in a bit of a rush, I-.”

“We both have Science next,” Aly replied quickly.

“Oh, well-.”

“Are you ok?” Aly asked, she moved close enough so that he wouldn't be able to make an escape.

“Ok? Uh-yeah, I'm fine,” Ryou replied, his eyes darted around, trying to find a way out.

“Where were you yesterday?” Aly questioned.

“Uh, well, yesterday I was at home,” he replied.

“Why?” she asked, crossing her arms.

“I-I was sick. Just a slight fever, that's all. We really should get to-.”

“Why wouldn't Bakura let me see you on Monday?” she asked. Ryou gave her a questionable look.

“You came to my house? You came to see me?” he asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Yes, but Bakura wouldn't let me come in.” Ryou frowned for a moment.

“I must have been sleeping…” he replied softly. He looked at the floor to avoid Aly's questionable looks. Aly took a step back, she didn't like making him feel uncomfortable for too long.

“Well, that's ok. I was just worried.” Ryou looked up at her.

“Worried?” he asked, surprised once more.

“Well, yes. I-I didn't know if you were sick or-or if anything had happened to you…” Aly replied. She felt a blush creep into her cheeks as she fumbled to say the right words.

“Anyway-we should probably get to class now, just…next time your sick call us so we know your ok, ok?” Ryou nodded a look of mixed emotion in his eyes. Aly smiled and grabbed his arm.

“Come on, or we'll be late!” she said, and the two sprinted down the hall.

XXXXXXXXX (A little later)

Aly's mind began tot wander. The teacher was saying something about cell division…

“If I was a rich girl, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah…See I'd have all the money in the world if I was a wealthy giiiirrrllll…”

Aly looked around the class, Joey was asleep and Tristan was throwing paper balls at the back of Seto Kaiba's head. Tea was the only one who seemed to be listening. They all sat together, in a well thought out pattern.

Tea and Tristan sat in the second row, so Tristan could cheat off of Tea, Joey and Ryou sat in the third row so that Joey could cheat off Ryou and Aly was placed right behind Tea on Ryou's left side. It was perfect.

Aly glanced at Ryou for a moment. She was afraid to let her eyes linger too long; she didn't want Ryou to spot her staring at him.

His eyes were glazed over to show he was zoned out but he seemed to be scribbling notes down anyway. His face was quite…beautiful. It wasn't handsome per say, it was cute…it was beautiful…it was sweet. Aly bent her head down and let her hair fall across her face. It was enough of a cover to prevent Ryou from noticing her when she stared. Aly did stare…and stare…

“Oh I'm not sure but-but maybe I do like him! He's so sweet, and kind, and cute, and smart, and-and he just is so…” Aly sighed then shook her head in disgust.

“Pull yourself together. You're swooning over the guy like he's some movie star!”

“Alright students, get your pencils out. Time for a pop quiz!” the teacher announced. Aly's eyes widened and she mentally kicked herself.

“See? That's what happens when you swoon over a guy too long!”

Aly chewed on the end of her pencil and took a deep breath as the teacher set her paper on her desk.

Aly glanced around. Joey and Tristan were leaning over their `helper's' shoulders, and copying the answers down quick.

“I don't need to cheat to get a good, well ok, passing grade on this quiz!” she said to herself.

Question #1:

Name, identify and describe the important events of mitosis.

“Shhh-Crap!!” Aly whispered to herself.

Ryou's P.O.V.

Ryou couldn't concentrate. He had been half listening during the lesson and knew the answers to all of the questions but he was distracted.

Aly had come to visit him and Bakura had stopped her? Why? Ryou felt a bit of anger rise up in him. Aly had wanted to see Ryou, she had been worried, and Bakura had stopped her? Ryou hated the thought of Aly worried, or distraught. Ryou frowned. He couldn't stop thinking about it.

“Aly was worried about me? She…she had caredaboutme!” Ryou almost gasped at what he'd thought.

“You caused her to worry, it's your fault she was upset! It was your fault that she was worried!” his little voice said.

“No!” his other voice argued. “She was worried about you because she cared! She cared!”

“Your fault, because you were sick she was worried! You made her sad and confused!”

“She wanted to make sure you were ok! She cared!”

Ryou's frown melted into a smile. A warm feeling swelled in his chest, making Ryou want to cheer in happiness. He looked at Aly. She was struggling with a question, a look of concentration and frustration in her eyes. Ryou wished he could help her but at that moment he felt something tap his shoulder.

“Ryou!” Joey hissed. Ryou turned to face his friend. Joey was looking at his paper. “Why'd you stop working? I need the other answers!”

Ryou looked down at his work to see he wasn't even half way done.

“Sorry Joey,” Ryou whispered back, turning back to his work.

“Ryou, are you ok?” Joey asked. Ryou looked up at him once more.

“Yeah, why?” he asked.

“Aren't you crying?” he asked, pointing to his cheek. Ryou felt next to his eyes. There were a few small, cold, orbs waiting to fall down his cheek. Ryou quickly wiped them away.

“Allergies,” Ryou said, giving Joey a smile. Joey shrugged and turned back to his own paper. Ryou continued to work.

Joey was not the brightest bulb in the box and probably hadn't noticed that the smile on Ryou's face was real. He was actually smiling, for real! He hadn't smiled for real since…

“…Aly's first day at school.” Ryou thought. The warmness in Ryou's chest grew, it was so over whelming after being so sad for such a long time that Ryou felt more tears forming in the corners of his eyes.

“Tears of joy…”

Ryou quickly scribbled the rest of the answers down and wiped the tears from his eyes once more. After taking a few deep breathes Ryou had his excitement and happiness under control. He turned to look at Aly again and to his surprise he met her gaze.

Aly quickly looked down at her work sheet, her face turning bright red. Ryou's eyes widened.

“Aly cares…she was worried…why? Why was she worried? Why does she care? She is my friend yes, but the others didn't come. Why does she care so much?” Ryou wondered, beginning to form his own answer. “Is it-is it because…does she like me? She's always nice to me…and that time when we watched The Ring…” Ryou remembered how Aly's sharp nails had dug into his skin, how she'd grabbed him in fear. It had hurt yes, but now it seemed more…like a sign of affection or trust.

Ryou's heart was beating fast. He felt exited, shocked, happy, and a little scared at the same time. It was a bit over whelming. The feeling inside him was something he hadn't felt in a very long time…

“Alright students, pencils down,” the teacher ordered as he began to collect the papers. Ryou glanced over at Aly once more; she had a look of worry on her face. Before Ryou could stop himself he leaned over and asked:

“What's wrong?” Aly looked up at him, a little more blush coming back.

“Oh I probably failed!” she said sadly. Ryou didn't like seeing her so distressed.

“The quiz was pretty hard,” he lied. “But I'm sure you got a good grade on it.”

Aly gave him a half smile. “Thanks for your kind words but let's face it, I bombed!” she gave a little chuckle and the two sat in silence for a moment. Aly fiddled with her pencil.

“You know,” Aly said quietly. “You have a great smile, you should smile more often.” Ryou felt his face get hot. Aly was avoiding his gaze and biting her lip. Ryou opened his mouth to say something when the bell rang.

Everyone jumped out of their seats and rushed out of the room. Ryou tried to spot Aly but couldn't find her. Then he felt a tap on his back and turned to see her.

“I'll see you later Ryou!” she said, before darting off into the crowd. Ryou stood there moment thinking.

“What class do we both have next? Um, I have English after this but she doesn't, then there's lunch. I can see her at lunch and in French!”

“Can I help you Mr. Bakura?” the teacher asked. Ryou noticed he was the only one left in the room.

“Oh! No Sir, um, bye!” he said as he headed towards the door.

“Have a nice day Mr. Bakura!” the teacher called as he entered the noisy hallway.

“Yes…yes I think I will,” he said to himself and he smiled.

Bakura's P.O.V.

Bakura was sprawled out on the couch, staring off into space. He had spent the entire morning listening to his light's thoughts. He was extremely bored. T.V., comics, and food got boring after a while. What he wanted was a good prank or better yet a good robbery.

“All I need to do is find out where that Aly lives. Then I'll only need about…half and hour to observe the house and where it's entering points will be. Easy, it's too easy. I need a real challenge…”

Bakura wandered from his plotting over to his light's thoughts again. His light seemed to be confused some how. Most of the time Ryou was either sad or distant. He would day dream often and be in a dreamy state.

Suddenly Bakura felt a bit of anger coming from his light. That was unusual. Ryou was often sad but never angry. Bakura began to listen harder.

“Aly was worried about me? She…she had cared about me!”

Suddenly an overwhelming feeling oh happiness surged through Bakura, making him jump. The feeling was so strong, pure and strange. Bakura hadn't felt his light get this happy in along time! It was strange in a way. Bakura had never felt this type of happiness. It was different then the kind Bakura always felt from insulting someone, or scaring some little kid.

Bakura wondered what could have caused his light such joy. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his light once more. Along with the happiness there was a moment of confusion but other then that his light was truly happy.

“He hasn't been this happy since…since…” Bakura thought.

“..Aly's first day of school,” Ryou thought. Another surge of happiness went through Bakura's body. For a moment Bakura thought his light had head him but Ryou made no other comments.

Bakura felt a little strange, like Ryou's happiness was leaking into him. He was starting to feel happy.

“Maybe…maybe I'm not happy because he is happy…maybe I'm happy because he feels happy. Maybe I'm happy that my light is happy…”

Bakura shook his head, a look of disgust on his face.

“What am I thinking? It's the stupid mind link that is causing my mood change!”

Suddenly the happiness inside Ryou changed. He was nervous but exited about something. Bakura listened in to figure out what.

“…does she like me? She's always nice to me…and that time when we watched The Ring…” Bakura watched Ryou's memory of that night. Ryou had been watching the movie, then it had gone dark and a piercing pain had gone through Ryou's shoulder.

Suddenly Bakura's eyes widened. “He keeps talking about that girl…Aly. She had mad him happy…it was her.” Bakura sat up.

“She had been so angry at me when I wouldn't let her see him…she was the only girl that came…”

He listened back in on Ryou. Ryou was exited now. He was happy, shocked, exited and scared. Bakura strained their mental link to its fullest. Now he could see and hear everything Ryou did.

Ryou was looking at the girl Aly. She was smiling shyly and her face was red.

“You know,” she said quietly. “You have a great smile, you should smile more often.” The girl was avoiding eye contact, still very pink.

“She likes him…” Bakura thought, suddenly the feeling of jealousy and hatred began to rise in Bakura's body.

Ryou was nervous now but still happy and exited. He was searching for her in the crowd. She tapped him on the back and said her farewells.

“I'll see you later Ryou!” she called before disappearing. Ryou stood there for a moment as kids pushed past him. Then he despretly began to think.

“What class do we both have next? Um, I have English after this but she doesn't, then there's lunch. I can see her at lunch and in French!”

“And he likes her…”

Bakura cut the mind link and sat there. He felt so many emotions at once and he didn't know what to make of them. He felt jealousy, and anger, but also sadness and rejection. Then he felt shocked but happy. At the same time he felt like a sissy for feeling all these emotions. There was also a feeling…deep down…a cold feeling…very cold and dark feeling…

He sat there a long time. The cold, dark feeling had almost seemed to paralyze him. Then the voices came.

“After all I did for him…”

“You pervert! He's a high school teenager and you thought he could actually care for you!”

“There's more then one kind of love. There's brotherly love, friendship love, soul mate love…”

“I cared for him when he was injured! I cleaned his wounds and cooked him food!”

“…So desperate for compassion that you've turned to stealing it from those who cannot protect themselves!”

“Just because he cares for her doesn't mean he doesn't care for you!”

“I tried to help him…I tried to help him conquer his fears!”

“Ryou is afraid of you, he doesn't love you or even like you! You aren't the one that makes him happy, Alyis…”

“You took care of him and showed him caring, and for that he is grateful!”

“If he doesn't cry then he won't be weak! If he doesn't show his weakness he can be brave!”

“Aly makes him smile. Aly makes him happy. He likes Aly not you…”

“It's not her fault. You can't be the only one that…”

“That's right! Aly is why you've been rejected! It's all because of some stupid mortal!”

“It's her fault…” Bakura said to himself. The other two voices seemed to be fading.

“I cared for him…”

“Aly is the reason you feel the cold darkness. It's because she took your light!”

“She took my light!”

“Not her fault…”

“Are you just going to sit around here? She stole your light! She stole from the great Thief Bakura!”

Bakura jumped up. He felt his whole body pulsing; he felt his very veins surge with powerful anger.

He ran out the door and slammed it shut. His feet were taking him to Domino High School.

“It's time Ryou had another lesson in not showing his fear…” Bakura said to himself as he neared the school.

Ryou's P.O.V

Ryou was unable to concentrate the rest of the day. His thoughts kept drifting back to Aly and how he felt about her. He had never been so confused in his life. Did he like Aly as a friend, or something more? Did he even…love Aly?

“Love? It can't be! I only met her about a month ago! But…maybe it is…a bit more then just liking her…”

When lunch drew near Ryou sat at his group's usual table. Yugi, Tea and Tristan were already there. Tea was blabbing on about something.

“Miki told me that there's going to be a dance soon! At least, that's what she heard from her best friend whose aunt is in the P.T.A!” Tea exclaimed.

“Wow that sounds like a lot of fun!” Yugi replied. Tristan nodded and turned around to look at another table.

“I wonder if Ashley would go with me. She's one hot babe!” he said. Ryou looked around but couldn't find Aly anywhere in sight, but he did spot someone else.

“Hey guys!” Joey greeted as he dropped his plate on the table and leaned back in his chair.

“Joey, Tea just got done telling us there's going to be a dance!” Yugi said happily.

“Really? Hmm…I wonder if Mai would want to go with me.” Joey said, his face turned a little red and he stared off into space. There was a look of idiocy on his face and Ryou concluded he was imagining Mai at the moment.

“Who would you go with Yugi?” Tea asked. She put her elbows on the table, locked her fingers, and rested her chin on them, giving Yugi a smile and batting her eyes a bit. Ryou almost laughed, Tea was obsessed with Yugi and his yami.

“I don't know. I guess who ever asks me first,” Yugi replied, seemingly unaware of Tea's flirtatious gestures. Ryou looked around once more. There were tons of teens but no-wait! Ryou finally had found her. She was on her way to their table at that exact moment. He smiled and relaxed a bit. Finally he'd get to talk to her.

“Hi Bakura!” a high pitched voice shrieked. Four girls Ryou knew to well to be his `fan club' stepped right in front of him, blocking Aly from view.

“Uh, hi,” he replied, trying to peek around them.

“Bakura, did you hear? There's going to be a dance soon!” a short blonde announced. Ryou nodded, and really wished the girls would leave.

“So, um…do you have any idea who you're going with?” a taller blonde asked, batting her blue eyes a bit. Ryou opened his mouth but before he could answer someone interrupted.

“Excuse me, but you're in my way,” an annoyed voice said. The girls turned to face Aly; she gave them a small glare and sat in her regular space, between Ryou and Tea.

“Whatever,” the tall blonde replied before turning back to Ryou. The four girls stared at him anxiously, still expecting an answer. A shy looking brunet was looking at him anxiously behind her hair, and an African American girl seemed to be pushing her chest out as far as it would go to impress him.

He turned to look at Aly and realized all his friends were waiting as well. Ryou made brief eye contact with Aly. If she liked him how could he go to the dance with someone else? If she did how would he work up enough courage to ask her?

“Oh, I don't know…” was his weak reply. The girls looked put out for a moment but soon their smiles came back.

“Oh well, we'll see you later then! We still need to find dates too,” the tall blonde said. With that the girls shuffled away in defeat. Ryou was a bit sorry for hurting their feelings but he had never really liked them. They were people who stalked him because they thought he was cute.

Ryou turned back to his friends who seemed a little put out as well. There was a moment of silence while they all ate. Then Yugi asked:

“Where were you yesterday Ryou?”

“Yeah, where were you?” Joey asked. “I totally flunked my math test.”

Ryou tensed up a bit. “I was sick,” he replied. His friends were still staring at him oddly. He didn't say anything more.

“Will Aly tell them about how Bakura wouldn't let her see me? Has she told them already?”

Aly was silent. She was bent over her plate, taking small bites of her left over tuna surprise.

“So who do you want to go with?” Tea asked Aly. Aly gave Tea a confused look. “To the dance? Who would you like to go to the dance with?” Aly swallowed and was silent a moment.

“I don't know,” she replied wistfully.

Tea shrugged and began to chat again. Ryou wished he could see Aly alone, he'd forgotten about his friends.

“I'll just have to talk to her after school,” Ryou thought. He almost groaned. That seemed so far away at the moment.

Aly's P.O.V.

Aly fumed as she stared at the list of French words before her. She'd seen what those preppy looking girls were doing. They were all over him, bating their eyes and that one looked like she'd stuffed her bra!

“You're jealous!” a little voice sang.

“I am not jealous…am I?” she asked.

“Face it girl! You like him and you're jealous that others are moving in on your territory!” Aly sighed. There was no more denying it. Whether it was just a crush or teen love she knew she liked Ryou more then a friend.

Aly smiled to herself. It felt kinda good to except the fact that she liked a guy. It made her feel giddy. Aly stared at the boy a seat over to her left. It was the second time that day they'd caught each other staring at one another. Both turned away quickly and blushed.

“I'll talk to him after school…maybe…maybe we can be more then just friends…”

Bakura's P.O.V.

Bakura leaned against the walls of the alley, waiting in the shadows. He knew school wouldn't be out for a few more hours but he didn't care.

“As soon as Ryou wanders from his group of friends I'll teach him a lesson he'll never forget,” Bakura hissed.

“He will break away from his friends, to talk to Aly, and then you'll have them both! That foolish mortal girl won't know what hit her!” Bakura's evil voice hissed.

“She stole my light, she had the nerve to steal from the King of Thieves and now she will pay the ultimate price.”

Bakura saw flashes of Aly covered in blood or screaming in pain.

“I'll stab her, I'll hit her, and I'll break all her bones. I'll taunt her, I'll scare her, and I'll threaten to rape her. I'll bring her to an inch-no a centimeter of her life, and then I will send her to a place worse then hell…”

“Then I'll gorge out her eyes, and cut her body parts off one by one. I'll stick her head on a stick and display it in the park for all to see. I'll smear her blood on the door of her family and while I'm at it I might as well kill them…”

“I'll make Ryou watch. He'll see what happens to people who anger me! I'll smear him with her blood. I'll make him sorry that he ever betrayed me by killing her! I'll make her sorry she dared to steal from me. She'll be in the dark for the rest of her miserable, painful existence…”

“You must try to calm down…” a very faint voice said. “You know that Ryou hasn't meant to hurt your feelings. You also know that this is wrong. You're light is happy, which is all you ever really wanted him to be…”

Bakura felt a little bit of his anger slip away but soon it came right back.

“I'll wear her necklace around my neck so that everyone will know that she an idiotic fool and got herself killed by the great King of Thieves.”

Ryou's P.O.V

Ring!

Ryou jumped from his desk and sprinted out of class. Finally after all that waiting he would get a chance to be alone with Aly. Ryou stuffed his books into his bag and sped outside. He had to find her before she met up with the gang.

Ryou darted in and out of halls, trying not to knock anybody over. He went by her locker but she wasn't there.

She must already be gone!” Ryou thought. Suddenly his heart began to beat faster. He had to find her! He had to talk with her! Ryou raced down the stairs and was about to head for the courtyard but almost knocked someone over. The tall blonde from lunch slid right in front of him, smiling brightly.

“Hey Bakura!” she said, giving him a flirtatious smile and bating her eye lashes. Her hip was sticking out to the left and it looked as though she had recently applied more make up. Out of all the girls Ryou had to say she was the prettiest. He would never consider her `his type' but most boys would like to have her as a girl friend. Her chest was large, her lips were rosy and soft, her eyes were bright blue, and her long blonde hair looked silky and shiny.

“Uh hey…” Ryou said, trying to remember her name.

“Brittney,” she replied, batting her lashes again.

“Oh yes, Brittney, of course. I'd love to chat but-.”

“So would I,” she replied, moving closer. Ryou took a step back. He wasn't in the mood for this.

“And I'm sure we will, later,” he replied. He was about to run around her but she stopped him.

“Actually you can talk to me now, because Aly has already left school,” she replied. Ryou's eyes grew wide and a feeling of disappointment swept over him.

“What? How do you know?” he asked. Brittney smiled sweetly.

“She was the one at lunch right?” she asked innocently. Ryou nodded.

“Well, I saw her and your other friends leave a few minutes ago. I came back up to find my pals,” she replied. “But I guess I found something better.”

Ryou frowned. Aly was gone. After all that waiting…he had already missed her! The sadness seemed like a stranger. He'd only been happy and giddy a few hours but once it had stopped he realized just how awful it was to feel sad.

“So, why don't we chat now?” Brittney moved closer again, and gave Ryou a flirtatious smile. Ryou returned it with a frown. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to yell and scream at the girl and how much he disliked her or to have Bakura come and threaten her.

“No,” was his only reply. He ran around her. She grabbed his arm but he pulled away and escaped down the staircase. So what if Aly had already left? He could still catch up. He could visit her at her house!

With this new idea Ryou excitedly jogged down the sidewalk. He had no clue what life changing event was about to happen.

It all happened so quickly. He had been running when all of a sudden someone had grabbed his arm and pulled him into darkness.

Ryou felt the painful grip on his left arm as he was swung up against the dirty, gritty brick wall. He slid to the ground and didn't even have a chance to cry out before a series of violent kicks broke out. His back, his stomach, his head, his abdomen, everything hurt! He curled up into a defensive ball but it did not stop the pain.

Finally the kicks stopped but he was grabbed by his hair and thrown against the wall. Hands gripped his throat tightly cutting off his oxygen.

Ryou's eyes widened with immense fear. Bakura's angry gaze was nothing he'd ever seen before. Ryou saw sadness, anger, and determination in the gaze. It was enough to make him go limp.

Ryou waited but Bakura did not move, he just held Ryou there. A moment later Ryou began to move. He jerked violently, trying to get oxygen into his lungs. His head was pounding, his chest was throbbing and everything was spinning. It was when he felt unconsciousness approach him that Bakura let go. Ryou fell to his knees gasping for air.

He was trembling fiercely and felt he was about to faint. It was only when he heard a scream did he look up and gasp in horror.

Aly's P.O.V.

Aly stepped out into the courtyard looking left and right. Where was Ryou? Perhaps he was already with the gang? Aly spotted her other friends chatting on the sidewalk, waiting for the other two to join them.

Aly wanted to talk to Ryou. She knew she cared for him greatly and…she wanted to tell him so bad…but she couldn't, not yet. Aly was about to join her friends when she spotted a bit of white hair. Aly made a sharp turn just in time to see Ryou get pulled into a dark alley.

Immediately Aly's heart began to beat faster. She stood frozen for a moment, not breathing. She felt that something was going to happen…something bad. Finally Aly snapped out of her shock and crept over to the alley. She walked slowly, afraid of what she might find.

“Why would someone pull another person into an alley unless they were going to mug them or beat them up?” she thought. She wanted to go get her friends so that they could face whatever lay ahead together. But for some reason her feet kept walking, her body made its way towards the alley. Somewhere, deep down a feeling of power arose in Aly. She knew, she didn't know how she knew, but she knew that this was something that she had to do alone. Whatever was in that alley was her problem, it was her fight. This feeling of power was one Aly had never felt before. She strutted up to the corner of the alley and peered in.

Just as Aly had thought. A strong, muscular looking figure was holding another figure above the ground, by his neck! Aly knew who the monster was instantly. Her eyes searched the dark corners of the alley for anything that could help her, and she found it.

Bakura held the gasping Ryou high as if waiting for something to happen. Ryou didn't move but Aly quickly but silently picked up the metal crowbar sprawled on the ground. She wasn't thinking anymore, she was doing. Aly let her instincts take over for she knew that if she tried to think it through she wouldn't know what to do.

Aly gripped the metal bar tightly and swung as hard as she could at Bakura. His right shoulder took the blow, making him drop Ryou to the ground.

Aly's eyes widened when the teen turned around. His eyes were filled with rage giving Bakura the appearance of a mad man. Aly swung hard again hitting, his side. Bakura had not been expecting this and took the blow again. He stumbled back a bit and opened his mouth to say something but Aly lunged once more, hitting Bakura's legs and making them wobble.

She came in for another swing but Bakura grabbed the bar and held it tight, Aly could not pull it from his grasp.

“You!” he growled, pulling on the crowbar. Aly was stupid enough not to let go and was dragged closer to the spirit. He punched her across the face and she shrieked as she fell backwards. He face was throbbing but she couldn't just sit there. Instead she quickly jumped up but Bakura was quick too. He grabbed her arms and held her wrists tightly.

“You are going to regret the day you ever set foot in Japan,” Bakura hissed evilly. Aly struggled, trying to free her hands but that only made Bakura laugh evilly. Then Aly stomped down hard on his foot, the Thief King cursed in surprise, and Aly stumbled from his grasp.

Ryou's P.O.V.

Ryou looked up and to his horror he saw Aly fighting with Bakura. Bakura had just knocked her to the ground.

“Aly! No!” Ryou gasped as he tried to stand up. He couldn't let Bakura hurt her!

“You can't do anything, you're weak and helpless! Bakura would just knock you out! Aly's going to die and it's all your fault!”

“No!” Ryou said, shaking his head. “Bakura-stop!” he pleaded. At that moment Aly was struggling to get away from Bakura's hold. She stomped hard on his foot and Bakura cursed in Egyptian.

Aly grabbed the crowbar but Bakura was too quick. He grabbed her by her beautiful hair and cackled evilly. Aly glared at him angrily and before Bakura could do a thing she swung the crowbar between his legs, hitting him right-well to be frank she hit him in the balls.

Bakura tensioned and cursed some more. “That's it!” he cried. Suddenly Ryou felt very cold.

“No…” he gasped.

“I've had enough fooling around!” Bakura cried, his body began to glow dark purple. His face was contorted into the scariest evil grin Ryou had ever seen. Ryou wanted to do something! He wanted to help Aly. It seemed like time was passing so slowly but he as aware of everything.

The ground was cold, wet and smelled awful. Ryou's friends were running towards them, calling out for Bakura to stop. It was very quiet, too quiet. All of the other teens must have left.

Bakura grabbed the crowbar and in one quick movement hurtled it across the alley. Then he took Aly's arm and threw her into the right wall. Aly gave a cry of pain and slid to the ground. Ryou called out her name and she gave him a tired look of sadness and shame.

“I would have loved to see you suffer my dear girl but I grow tiered of these games. I'm sending you to the Shadow Realm!”

“No!” Ryou cried, stumbling over to Aly. Yugi, Joey, Tristan and Tea gasped from the sidelines.

Ryou looked at Aly despretly and she gave him a small sad smile.

“No, Aly!” he cried. Aly knew she was done for. She knew she couldn't win but she still liked him. She still cared for him!

Aly's P.O.V.

The mad Bakura was towering over her, grinning evilly. She was a goner.

“The Shadow Realm is worse then hell…I'll never be able to tell Ryou that I think I like him…I'll never see my parents again…I'll never talk to my friends again…I'll never be in the play, I'll never get a job, I'll never go to collage, I'll never see Cookie again…”

All these thought went through Aly's head. A deep weight suddenly burdened her as the truth dawned on her. She was going to suffer a fait worse then death.

The dark power surged from Bakura and covered the entire alley in a dome of darkness. Aly looked at Ryou and smiled. She wanted him to remember her smiling.

“This is what you get for daring to steal from the King of Thieves!” Bakura cackled. As Aly felt the darkness surrounding her, she knew she only had a few moments left. She glared at Bakura.

“You will get your one day Bakura. You will suffer more than ever can in the Shadow Realm. You will be punished for all your terrible deeds Bakura…one day.”

Aly was engulfed by darkness, she couldn't see Bakura, or Ryou or any of her other friends. She felt herself sinking deep down and began to prepare herself for the Shadow Realm but suddenly she saw a light.

Aly looked and saw a light radiating form her body. A second later Aly shouted out. A powerful feeling like no other she'd ever felt before was pulsing through her body. The light shone brightly from her as though she were an angle. She felt the light surround her, and protect her from the dark. Aly embraced it, for she had never felt such greatness in all her life.

Bakura's P.O.V.

“What?!” Bakura cried angrily. He was in the middle of banishing Aly to the shadow realm when a powerful light blinded him. The darkness surrounding everyone was blown away and instead they were engulfed by light.

Bakura felt the power in the air, it was thick like summer heat. The only thing that could generate such power was…

Suddenly the power decreased a bit, just enough for Bakura to uncover his face. He looked around and gasped at what he saw.

He was surrounded by light. There as no sky and no earth, only light. In front on him, sprawled on a throne was a woman. Bakura gasped because this woman was none other then the Goddess Bastet.

The woman wore an Egyptian style of dress with gold bracelets dangling down her tanned arms. Her head was that of a domesticated cat, with amber eyes. The light seemed to be radiating from her body.

“Bakura,” she said, her voice had a purr to it.

“B-Bastet!” he said, exasperated. “W-what are you doing here?!”

Bastet gave a cat like chuckle and her long tail whipped through the air.

“Bakura, King of Thieves I have a bone to pick with you,” she replied, standing from her throne and making her way down to him. Her movements reminded Bakura of a gymnast, because she moved with elegance and flexibility.

As she approached Bakura bowed, even he knew not to anger a goddess, even one of so minor authority. Bastet was the daughter of Re, and he was not someone you wanted to offend.

“What is it my Goddess?” he asked, looking straight into her amber cat eyes.

“King of Thieves you have angered me by trying to do away with one of my followers,” she replied, although she did not sound too angry.

“What?” he asked. What the heck was she talking about?

Bastet pointed to her throat and Bakura saw she bore her symbol.

“Does this look familiar?” she asked. Bakura nodded.

“It is your symbol,” Bakura replied. Bastet's ears twitched.

“Right you are Thief King. Now, as you also might know I am very protective of any of my followers and I don't take kindly to it when someone tries to send them to the Shadow Realm.” Bakura gave her a confused look.

“What? You mean-but Aly isn't a follower of you!” Bakura cried. Bastet's tail twitched.

“She bears my symbol,” was Bastet's simple reply. Bakura's eyes widened.

“But-!”

“It does not matter whether she prays to me or not Bakura. She bears my symbol, and as long as she has that I will let no harm fall upon her.” Bastet flicked Bakura with her tail and held her head high.

Bakura was speechless. “That means…”

“You can't touch her,” Bastet finished. She gave a little laugh and returned to her thrown.

Bakura stood where he was and shot her a glare. “Bastet-you can't do this to me! This had nothing to do with you!” he cried in anger.

Bastet narrowed her eyes. “If I were you I would speak kinder to my betters,” she warned annoyance in her voice.

Bakura couldn't help it, he smirked. “And if I don't? What are you going to do? Sick your kitty cats on me?” Bastet glared at Bakura and gave a low growl. Suddenly Bakura was surrounded by eyes, many angry eyes. Hisses and growls echoed throughout the light chamber.

“How does and eternity of my pets ripping you limb from limb sound?” she hissed. Bakura mentally kicked himself for being too cocky.

“Not too pleasant,” he replied. The goddess waved her tail and the eyes disappeared but Bakura could still hear low hissing.

“I thought so. Anyway, I shall be watching you Bakura. With our civilizations gone there aren't many people who wear the symbol of the gods anymore, and I really don't want to lose one more.”

Bakura nodded his head but clenched his fist. “Gods always mess things up…” he thought bitterly.

“You always were known as the Protector,” he told her Bastet's eyes sparkled.

“And on certain occasions the Tearer,” she reminded him. Bakura swallowed.

“Idiot! NEVER anger a god or a goddess!” he scolded himself.

Bastet gave a small chuckle. “I'll let you off this time, as a warning,” she said, the calm purr back in her voice. Bakura sighed on the inside. Then Bastet waved her tail and said:

“Have a nice life King of Thieves.” Hr eyes were dancing with mischief.

Bakura suddenly felt the light around him disappear. He was spinning down into the darkness once more. He felt his body sink lower and lower. As he sunk down into the shadows he saw a light in front of him. It was Aly. Her body was glowing a magnificent gold, just as the goddess's had and she seemed to be floating up, away from the shadows.

Bakura gripped his shadow magic once more and began to pull himself back to the real world. The shadows were melting away now. Now they were in the alley and as the dark began to creep away the light returned to the glowing necklace around Aly's neck and Bakura could have sworn he heard someone whisper in his ear:

“I'll be watching…”

Ryou's P.O.V

Ryou covered his eyes with his hands, the light was blinding. It reminded him of the day the yamis got their own bodies. It was strange; he wasn't sure what had just happened. Bakura had called upon his shadow magic and it had grown cold…the kind of cold that chilled you to the bone as if you'd never be happy again. Then suddenly the darkness that had engulfed them all was pushed away and replaced with a warm, safe, powerful light. Ryou couldn't feel the ground anymore; he seemed to be immobilized by the light.

Ryou couldn't tell how much time was passing or even where he was. He didn't feel light headed or anything, he felt warm and safe.

“Did we all die and now I'm in heaven?” he asked himself. He was tempted to uncover his eyes but he knew the light was too bright.

Suddenly the light began to decrease and once he was sure he was safe he uncovered his eyes and looked around to see the last remains of the warm light retreat into the glowing necklace around Aly's neck.

Reality hit him. He was sitting on the hard ground, it was hot, he was aching all over and his heart was beating furiously. Bakura was still towering over Aly although he was no longer summoning his shadow magic. Ryou's eyes darted over to Aly quickly. She was sprawled out on the ground, unmoving.

XXXXXXXXXXX

Emmy: (gasps and falls over) That…took…A LOT…of……

Raven: I think she passed out.

Bakura: Party time! (puts Rich Girl on)

Ryou: Have you not been reading the story Bakura? Something big and dramatic just happened! Weren't you the least bit worried or curious about what was going to happen?!

Bakura: Uh…I guess…Party time! (begins to dance with Raven)

Ryou: (sigh) Please R&R and tell us what you think, Emmy worked really hard and she wants to know your honest opinion about it.