Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ My Promise ❯ My promise ( Chapter 29 )

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

29: My promise

Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh isn't mine. I don't own Ryou, Bakura and the rest.

Note: Thank you for all review you peeps send me =)

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Breathe in, and out. In, and out. Gods, this aint helping me! I WAS breathing, yet feeling numerous dizzy spells hitting me over and over again.

“Ryou .. calm down ... the doctors are all trying to do whatever they can to make him better, and they told us they would warn us immediately is they know if Bakura is fine.” I felt someone nudge me gently while talking to me, but that only caused me to break down in sobs once more. Oh, how pathetic I am.

“N-NO! He ... he HAS to be okay!!!” He just has to! I have so much more thing so tell him, show him ... he can't leave me here alone!

“Don't worry, Ry. He's your yami, so he's already stronger than an average person.” Oh Malik, shut up for once! I KNOW he's strong, but when I say him laying on the street ... oh, Bakura ... don't leave me!

“Ryou ... I know you probably don't wanna hear this ... but since you must have eaten a long while ago, shall I get you something to eat?”

“Yugi, I know you probably don't wanna hear this, but since you are such a stupid midget, I suppose you don't want me to throw up OVER you.” Oh, did that do the trick? How on EARTH could I EAT something at this moment?! Bakura was ... was almost dead! ... well ... he could be dead already, but luckily I didn't receive pitiful stares yet, so I'm still hoping ... oh, Bakura ... I miss you.

“Gomen nasai, Ryou.” Yugi softly whispered, and I knew there were tears brimming in the corners of his eyes. Ugh. Pathetic. No cry-babies allowed in here! That was something Bakura would definitely say to him, if he was here.

“Yugi ... it's okay.” I heard Yami say to him, and I felt the urge to hit them both. I dunno why I was so violent at this precious moment ... but I really had to do SOMETHING for my Bakura! I was sitting here in the waiting room of the Domino hospital, merely WAITING for some doctor, who could free me from this torture, yet he could torture me way more than this. Oh boy, I feel like shit!

“Bakura Ryou?” I suddenly heard another voice. I didn't feel like looking up, so instead I pulled up my feet to my chin, and rested my head a bit, while wrapping my arms around me legs. I was getting cold too. But I couldn't care the slightest thing. Bakura was probably way colder at this moment. I have nothing to complain about. My needs are nothing compared to what Bakura needs now. And I .... I can't do a thing for him. I can only wait ... and that is ten times worse.

“Kaiba, what are you doing here?!” I heard someone, I guess Jou, because that person was pretty freaking out against poor Seto, hearing the other person's voice rise, but that wasn't something I wanted to see. I only wanted to see Bakura's shining face again, telling me is would be okay, telling me I wouldn't have to stay with these so-called friends, with their so-called friendship toward me.

“Mutt, you heard me.” I heard Seto's chilling voice again, and I wondered how Seto has gotten so cold lately. Or perhaps he always had such cold voice, but I never noticed before. Oh well, I don't think I'll ever find out. I don't care for it either. Oh, Bakura.

“What do you want from Ryou? If you're taking him to the police, then I'll-

“Shut up, Jou.” Seto answered back, immediately shutting Jou up. Hey, he called him `Jou'. Good, Seto, good. Improvement.

When someone nudged me gently again, I growled. It hurt like hell, because all of the stitches I got, but then again ... I also didn't really feel like talking. I could still feel tears forming from my eyes, so I must have looked pretty pathetic at the moment.

“Ry ... you know Kaiba, don't you?” Malik nudged me another time, which caused me to look up, directly into azure eyes. Oh, hello Seto. Long time no see.

“Ryou,” He stated, moving closer and closer to me. When he was a few feet away, he suddenly fell on his knees, so our faces were at the same height. I silently wished I could somewhere find a solution so I wouldn't have to cry any longer. Oh god, how pathetic. Though ... it got only worse when Seto continued talking, “I'm sorry. I hope he'll live.”

Oh boy ... I started sobbing, worse then a minute ago, trembling and shaking, and while Jou was about to kick Seto really hard in his back, I let myself literally fall into Seto's arms. Oh Bakura. It's just NOT fair!

“H-He ... He saved m-me!” I sobbed, crying and crying and crying like there was no tomorrow. I think I was pretty surprised when I found out I had somehow found back my voice, and was now pouring my heart out in the arms of a mere youth-friend. Though I didn't talk more than these 3 words, I knew Seto understood me, understood my pain. Somehow, I knew. I was happy for a little moment.

Jou didn't kick Seto, by the way.

When I stopped sobbing, and only big tears were falling down, I softly freed myself from Seto's hug. I whipped away a few tears, but it didn't help much. Luckily some nurse offered me a handkerchief -or was it a peep from the Yugi-squad? I dunno- and I could dry most of my face. I still looked pathetic, but at least I had dry cheeks once more.

“T-Thanks, Seto.” I whispered, giving him another hug, this time not for comfort, but more as a thank. When I looked up, scanning the room again, I noticed the Yugi-squad had become silent, and they were probably all staring at me and Seto. I had the urge to roll me yes, but I decided against me will, pulled myself softly away from Seto -immediately noticing I had wet his trench coat for a big part, oh dam!- then sat down on a bench again, between Yugi and Malik. I feel relieved now. Though I'm still feeling like shit ... I don't have that large lump on my throat anymore.

“Ryou ... you know monayba- I mean, Kaiba?” Jou was the first one who spoke up, trying to swallow the ever used nickname `moneybags' for Seto. Oh, even Bakura named Seto `moneybags', for god's sake.

“Don't you?” I answered back, trying to swallow my sarcasm as I spoke. Hello, we met each other, all 3 of us! I was the one what caused there fight back then! That was ME! Well ... Bakura too.

“Huh?” Jou stared at me, then at Seto. Oh, I knew it. They probably forgot why they `hate' each other. Deep down I know they like each other very much, but that's merely my feeling, and I have more important thing to worry about then Jou and Seto! Like Bakura! And the police!

“Shut up, mutt. Ryou, that person ... that is Bakura, isn't he?” I nodded softly, immediately received several stares. Though I think most were meant for Seto, cuz they were probably think how the hell we could be friends and he knew about my Bakura.

“He was the one you left in Domino. I heard you scream his name before you dad took you to the airport that day. I left a copy of the address of Winchester in your mailbox a few days later. Just in case.” He what?

“W-what? B-But Bakura said ... he stole the address!” Oh boy, typically Bakura. Bragging about something he didn't even do! He probably wanted to be `cool' so I guess he merely he told me he stole it from Jou's or Seto's house personally.

“I guess not ... is he like those goons over there?” Seto pointed his finger at Yami and Marik, immediately received a few cusses back as response. When I shook my head, Seto eyed me curiously. I must say his eyes are not that innocent anymore, by the way. I guess he had grown up over these years.

“Bakura is no goon,” I stated, “He was the number one tomb-robber in old Egypt! He even robbed the grave of the Pharaoh!” Oh, did you sense my pride, when I told this? I guess the Yugi-squad did, because most of them (read: Yami and his little midget) looked like I had just popped out of an egg with purple spots.

“Ehm, h-he always said that to me ...” I tried to smile, but failed miserably. Oh, Bakura. Oops, there went another sob.

“Well ... those goons state I am the incarnation of an old Priest in Egypt. Don't pay attention to them.” Seto shook his head well-knowingly, as if he was right. Wait ... a priest? Oh, if Bakura knew this ... he could tell me if this was true!

“Kaiba, shut up, would ya! The kid is already having a hard time, and now YOU are here as well!” Jou decided to open his mouth once again, but the only answer he got was an extreme pissed off Seto.

“Easy, mutt. I wouldn't say anything bad about ME if I were you.” Seto acted extremely calm toward Jou. Oh yeah, love is in the air -feel my sarcasm-

“Oh, yeah? Why not?” Jou spat back. Oh boy, this is going wrong. We were in a hospital, nonetheless!

“I seem to recall a certain sleep-over party where a certain blond-haired MUTT wanted to see a special show where he had been bragging about for a whole week at school. If I'm not mistaken, Ryou was invited at that sleep-over party, saw the show, thought you goons were a threat, then tried to escape, because he was too friendly to kill you all immediately,” Seto said in one calm breath. Oh, so true! Jou's eyebrow twitched as Seto continued speaking, “Then I recall a certain situation, which I heard from witnesses and the police, where a certain blond-haired mutt together with his squad went looking for Ryou outside, chasing him even more, making him so uncomfortable, he didn't look out for surroundings anymore, like cars, and traffic light that jump red when you try to cross it.”

Jou didn't respond. I feel sorry for him.

“At the other side, I shouldn't feel bad at all. Only for Bakura. I never met that mate of him once, yet I feel sorry for him. From all the information I gathered over the past years, I could conclude Ryou is not a threat. Bakura was, only because he saw others as a threat for Ryou. I have never shown bad intention toward Ryou, so you can say I'm a friend of Ryou. I know Ryou must think of you as a friend too, but that's a detail. I'm sure you don't remember him at all, else you wouldn't have let him see that show this night.” When Seto stopped talking, everyone in the waiting room had fallen silent, even other people who just happened to sit in this room. He must have had a big impact on everyone here. Well, seeing he was already a billionaire when he was still a kid ... I think I can believe it.

Meanwhile, Jou was probably having a hard time dealing with this `newfound' information. After all, he WOULD have remembered it, if he had paid more attention to his pen-friend in the past. You know ... I might still have some of those letters in my bag ... or hopefully I scanned them in on my laptop. Perhaps I'll show them to Jou later on ... after I would hear Bakura was okay. He HAS to be okay! He can't be ... he can't be not okay! He's strong, and already survived so many years! Why not a little bit longer with clumsy and stupid me?

“I ... I-I erm ...” Jou suddenly stuttered, and while I looked up at him, I saw that Seto moved into his direction some seconds ago. Oh my ... what is he up to?

“And another thing,” Seto stated, moving closer and closer and closer and closer to Jou, before suddenly giving him a cocky smile, then continuing his talk, “Chains are not cool, it are the rings that are `in' again.” Oh, how funny! After all these years Seto still remembered our conversation just before I went to Winchester!

I let a giggle past my lips. Yes, everyone looked from Seto, to me. I didn't mind though. Seto made me little happier for a moment. That's enough for me, I guess. When Seto looked over in my direction again, I decided to show them my secret. I couldn't care at that moment anyway. Bakura was still being operated, so any distraction is welcome ... this waiting is killing me ... oh Bakura. You just HAVE to be alive!

“Indeed, Seto.” I said, unbuttoning my shirt. Yes, there were buttons on my shirt. I was a sort of hospital-gown, something I had to wear. My real shirt was probably too soaked with blood it was ready for the dump.

When they saw a few bandages, I heard several peeps gasp. Well, that wasn't the thing I wanted them to see. I know I'm weak. I KNOW that! Bakura knows that too, yet he doesn't mind. I minded the fact only a little bit. I've always had Bakura to protect me, so I didn't mind ... now I mind, by the way. I feel so ... fragile. So fragile without him. Erm, back to the main point. My ring. Seto must have known something, else he wouldn't have made such comment.

“I have always loved rings more than chains.” I stated, gently holding my Ring, while showing it to Seto and the rest of the Yugi-squad. Of course not everyone expected this, so I could say some were quite -to put it down mildly- surprised. Oh the joy of being watched ... and gaped at.

“I emm ... well, you have seen the little film my dad made from me when I was 6 ... that was the day I met Bakura.” I stated, silently wondering why I suddenly talked so much, and more why I was talking to THEM ... of all peeps I talk to them who caused this in the first place!

“I guess he made my change in the end. Dad wasn't too fond of that. I think it was a change of the better.” I still continued talking. Shut up, mouth of me! I don't want to tell them all of this! They probably wanna hand me over to the cops as soon as they know what happened to Bakura. Oh Bakura ... I can't do this alone ... I'm telling all of out precious moments together!! I'm so weak! So weak for giving in so fast. Ugh, I detest myself!

“Not that's important anyway ... If Bakura survives this, we'll be in prison for the rest of our lives ... if not then everyone will detest us ... and if he doesn't survive -I let out a chocked sob- I'll go to prison anyway.” I couldn't stop myself adding that last comment. I didn't want their pity ... I just wanted to talk to someone at this moment.

“Ryou, we don't detest you.” I heard Jou say, speaking in sentences again for the first time after Seto's speech. Well, nice to hear ... but that doesn't make a friend of them.

“Yeah, but you do hate me! I-I lied to you ... I even forgot to apologize for Bakura's behavior this morning against Seto ... I ruined your sleepover-party ... and I killed more people! I'm a terrible person ...” I sighed, trying to stop crying. Not that it helped much. I couldn't stop the endless flown of tears, which all slowly slid down my cheeks, making my eyes red, puffy-like, and my cheeks all dry.

“And Bakura must hate me too! H-he killed peeps ... just for me! A-And ... though I'm so clumsy, he even saved me, p-probably cuz we made such a stupid promise when I was still a child ...” I sobbed once more, thinking back of us in my little bed, promising I would give my life if I could save his. Otherwise too ... I guess it didn't really strike me it could happen for real one day. Oh, stupid Bakura. Why did you save me anyway?!

If I knew this in the first place ... you could have lived! I wouldn't have made such stupid promise! I wouldn't have tried to escape the Yugi-hellhole! And I could've tried to act less clumsy and stupid!

Oh, how I hate myself now.

“Heeey, come here.” When someone reacted to my ranting, I felt Marik gently grab me, holding me for comfort. I chocked out a muffled sob, but otherwise I guess I was pretty glad to be hold for a moment.

“You shouldn't think so low of yourself, Ryou. You're not so bad as you think you as, right guys? -several agreeing mumbles were heard- And Bakura is touch! I'm sure he is! He wouldn't give up so fast, especially when he has such a great friend waiting for him.”

That did it. I broke -once again- down in sobs. I couldn't help myself. Oh, Bakura, if you could only see me now. A pathetic boy ... with friends! You'd be happy, I'm sure of it! You'd be happy I found other to share my likes and dislikes with, to share spare time with. Of course you'd treat to kill them for a few times, but you wouldn't mean it. You would never really mean it.

“But ... but,” I mumbled, swallowing nervously, as everyone looked in my direction some more, “I couldn't even congratulate him for being visible!” I whispered, before hugging Marik fully back, slightly relieved I could tell it. I don't mind being labeled as `crazy' afterwards. After all, it would be prison for me after all.

“Huh?” I heard Marik question us softly, though I'm not sure if the `huh' was meant for me or not. Hmmm, guess I'll tell them the rest too. I mean, it's not like I haven't talked too much already.

“Emmm ... I was the only one who could see him ... didn't I tell you this already a couples of hours ago?” I answered back, still hiding my face in Marik's shirt. I was probably blushing madly now. I could still remember my embarrassing answer I gave to that stupid question Malik asked me. Ohh, that seemed ages ago now! So many things happened between the stupid question and this.

“You weren't kidding back then?” Yugi suddenly piped up, immediately putting his hand in front of his mouth, symbolizing he could shut himself up that way. Riiiight. I really have the urge to roll my eyes right now.

“No .. not really.” I answered, trying to swallow back the lump that had settled in my throat. Ohhh, why can't I think thinking of this? Of Bakura? He was there too, and he was the one who helped me out of that mess. Gods, why does he always HELP me? I know I'm clumsy ... but really, he always helps me, else I wouldn't be here ... literally. I would probably be in Winchester, or more likely, in prison.

“Tell us.” Seto spoke up. Ohh yeah, he was still here. I wonder how Mokie is doing. I haven't seen that little dude in years! Perhaps he still has a cool yellow shirt? Oops, I'm trailing off ... damn it.

“But you said it was a joke!” As soon as I wanted to answer, Yugi spoke up once more. Imagine me sigh. Deep. Then, before I answer, I let go of Marik's shirt, and sat down on my own place on the bench again. I did not have any tears left to shred anyway.

“It wasn't, okay?” I said, little irritated. Hello, if it was a joke, why would I be here?! What would you do if you told some people the truth, and they all immediately labeled you as `psycho'? This was better. Nobody believes Bakura is real ... yet he is. But who am I to tell you what to believe and what not?

“You all thought I was a freak ... so I made up the whole joke-thing. Everything is true,” I saw Malik's bewildered look, “Yes, even those parts, Malik.” I said that last part especially to irritate Malik. I couldn't help but dislike him at this moment. After all, he made my sweet Bakura mad, just before that damn show began.

“You ARE gay!” Malik then shouted, while I resisted the urge to roll me eyes. Yes, I was gay. Didn't he notice before? Hell, I think I would even hold up my pink when I drink my tea!

“Yes.” I snapped back angrier than planned. Oh, where did all this anger come from? Well, it could have been because Bakura is now being operated, and there wasn't a DAMN thing I could do to help him!

“Tell us.” Seto spoke up again, but it was useless to me. I was pretty raged, I guess. Oh, how I wanted to DO something! I know I am pretty useless, but there MUST be something for me to help Bakura.

“No. You're not worth to know anything about me and Bakura.” I said, deciding this conversation was over. I stood up, and walked over to the reception, where an old lady was doing some paperwork.

“Excuse me, may I ask if there is any new information about the patient Bakura available. He is in surgery, and I'm his brother.” I said, lying with practiced ease. Though I think I heard Yugi gasp softly, probably because I lied, I did not paid any attention to him or the others. I only wanted Bakura.

“Well honey, I'm sorry to say, but I can't say how your brother is doing right now..” She answered me. I immediately made sad puppy-eyes, so she hastily continued talking, “Perhaps I can call if there are any results in ... after all, I can also try, ne?” She said, while I gave her a hopeful smile. She totally melted, then grabbed the phone on her desk.

“Yes, with me. I was wondering is there are any results in yet from patient 401 ... yes, the one from the car-accident ... okay, anything further? ... yes ... yes, his brother is here ... I'll ask ... okay, bye-bye.” She hung up, and looked at me again. I could feel the Yugi-squad staring holes in my back, but I was not paying attention to that.

“Your brother is still alive, and the prospects are better than the doctors had expected. Your brother is a tough guy, but he lost a lot of blood earlier. I cannot promise you he will live, but please remember he's fighting for it.” With that she eyed me for a moment, and when I didn't burst out in tears, she turned around to continue her work again.

What on EARTH was I supposed to do with this news?

I already knew Bakura was still alive, because so far I still feel little of our bond. That, and I knew doctor would immediately inform if things went wrong. I also knew it went bad with Bakura. If he couldn't mentally answer my questions, or at least respond, things were going bad. I also knew he was fighting for it. Hell, else he wouldn't have jumped in front of that car!

Ugh, I'm thinking negative again, though I had promised Bakura to try being positive about things.. yet this whole Bakura-had-an-car-accident-thing wasn't very positive for me.

I decided to quit thinking about my thoughts, and returned to my seat again. The Yugi-squad was probably still staring at me, but I didn't pay attention to them. I only wanted Bakura, and not them.

When strong arms were wrapped around me, I still didn't care. All I could think of was Bakura fighting for his life. And I? I couldn't do a thing. I could only be so stupid for crossing a street when the light is red, so he jumps in front of the damn car. Indeed, good for nothing.

o0~0o

It was about 2 hours later -I heard that later- before I woke up again. Yes, I slept. Probably from the shock, and the blood-loss. Though I only had my body full of scratches while Bakura was still in surgery, I couldn't help but to feel it ache little. Ugh, I detest myself. Bakura is fighting for his life, and all I could feel was the dull pain caused by those tiny-winy scratches!

“Ry.. you awake?” I still had my eyes closed, so I guess they merely notice a little movement from me. Well, technically I was awake.. I was just trying to sleep again, and hope this was still a bad dream which kept on continuing.

No such luck. Bakura had that accident, and it was my fault.

“Hmmm.” I sleepily nodded my head after a moment, still didn't feel the need to open them.

“The.. the doctor is here.” A soft voice very close to me said. And of course I snapped my eyes open within a second, only to look up at.. ugh, everyone was -again!- staring at me. I detest that!

“A-And?” My eyes searched for a doctor, and found him immediately. He was standing in front of me, while I was leaning against Seto's shoulder, and.. wait, the doctor wasn't completely sad, so does that mean..

“He's alive.. but,” The doctor paused for a moment.. Bakura? Alive! I.. why was there a `but'? There shouldn't be a `but'! I.. oh god, what have I done by crossing that damn street! “We did anything for him, but you brother ... he fell into a coma..”

... what?

“Mister Ryou.. you are allowed to see him now. We transported him to a room for himself on the second floor.”

“Can one of us go with him? Ryou is looking quite pale.”

“Unfortunately we have strict rules when a patient has just been operated. You can guild Mister Ryou to the room though, then wait outside.”

“Come-on Ryou, let's go.”

“Why don't you go with him alone, Kaiba? Perhaps the all of us are too much.”

“Hmm, that must the first smart thing I ever heard you say, Mutt.”

“Kaiba, I-... never mind, just help Ryou. He's looking paler with the second.”

“Don't worry too much, Mutt. Ryou is in good hands.”

“Right. Mister Kaiba, Mister Ryou, Patient Bakura is currently situated in room 204 at the second floor. If you go with an elevator, it's the first hall on the right.”

“Okay.”

“Oh, and Mister Kaiba?”

“Yes?”

“Please give that poor boy a glass of water when you return. He's not looking well.”

“Of course he isn't.”

“I um... okay, I'll go now.”

“Come-on Ryou, we can go as well. It's only a little walk to Bakura's room. Surely you can hold on, just try it.”

...

“Ah, we found it ... Ryou, can you do this alone?”

“.. Ryou? Oh well, just go inside. If you won't be back within 10 minutes to say something to me, I'll check.”

“... Ryou?”

As if Seto's plies could actually pierce through my black-out. I merely turned around and walked inside.

And then there was that one moment in my life, when I stared at the now pale-looking Bakura who was wearing more bandages than clothes, tubes and infusions all attached to his body and face, my own hands tightly balled in fists, my cheek dry because there were no tears felt to spill..

I felt utterly lonely.

~oOo~ End flashback ~oOo~

“And there you know. This is it. The end. Well, technically this was the end. Only my story was finished, while my life, and yours hopefully, isn't. On the contrary, it's only been 4 weeks ago since that accident happened.”