Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Bump in the Night ( Chapter 5 )

Disclaimer:

I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!, the characters are merely borrowed for the purpose of entertaining myself, I make no money from this yadda yadda yadda etc etc.

 

AN:

This was a hard chappie to write so bear with if it doesn't flow too well. I might revise this later. Okay peoples, lets get into adding more characters!

 

***************************************************************** *************

 

“Did you just see that guy?” Yugi cried out in shock.

 

“Yeah the jerk.” Joey snarled

 

“What?” Yugi turned and saw where the blonde's gaze lay. “Oh!” He couldn't but help but spot the tall brunette that his friend was currently glaring at.

 

Malik on the other hand saw Yugi's excitement, but his attention had been with Joey. “What?” He asked Yugi bluntly.

 

“There!” He shouted in reply, pointing through the crowd. “Him.”

 

His two companions peered where he had indicated, both starting when they spotted a familiar head of hair.

 

“Ra be damned!” Malik swore.

 

“Well I'll be Yug.” Joey just grinned. “If you weren't standin' here with me I would've sworn I'd just seen you leave.

 

“I know!” Yugi laughed, the other two quickly following, Yugi's laugh was quite infectious. “But, forget the hair, you should have seen his eyes. It's like he's my long lost brother or something. Just like me, but not quite the same… well you know what I mean.”

 

“I get it.” Joey agreed.

 

Malik nodded with a smirk. “Well this is turning out to be an interesting night.” He turned to follow a flash of white that he had seen out of the corner of his eye. “And here comes Ryou with the drinks.”

 

“Nice one Ry'.” Joey grinned happily relieving him of a bottle.

 

Ryou smiled shakily, still rocked by the encounter with the singular bartender. He passed out the drinks quickly, but Yugi had unfortunately noticed the change in his demeanour.

 

“You okay Ryou?” He asked, placing his hand gently on his friend's shoulder.

 

“Oh, its nothing.” He replied, laughing nervously, a little embarrassed that his friend had sensed his discomfort.

 

“Hey Ryou, you missed all the excitement.” Malik slung his arm round Ryou's shoulders.

 

“Missed what?” He eyed the Egyptian quizzically.

 

“Yugi has a double.” Joey answered, taking a swig of his drink.

 

“Yeah and he walked right by me.” Yugi added excitedly.

 

Ryou's eyes widened. “You too!” He'd cried out before he'd even realised it.

 

“What?” Joey and Malik replied in unison.

 

The snowy haired librarian reddened under his friend's sudden scrutiny, and he brushed a lock of hair behind his ear as Yugi laughed at his blushing friend. “You are gonna have to explain now.”

 

Ryou rolled his eyes at his friends and turned his attention to the bar. With a quick flick of his head he let the others know to follow him so they could get a better view of the bar. It took a few moments for their view to clear and for him to point out the slim figure of the bartender in question.

 

“There.” He breathed.

 

“Well fuck me.”

 

“No thanks Malik.” Joey wrinkled his nose in mock distaste. They all looked in awe at the white haired figure behind the bar, his movements lithe and surprisingly graceful. “You know Ry' he looks like toy would if you let your hair down a little.” He quipped.

 

“Hey!” Ryou reacted to Joey's smart comment.

 

“So what's he like?” Malik asked with a grin.

 

Oh no! Ryou could just see where this was going. “What?” He asked, as if he didn't already know the answer.

 

“Well did you speak to him?” Yugi asked,

 

“I only ordered our drinks, there wasn't exactly time for idle banter.”

 

Malik rolled his eyes. “Oh you are useless!”

 

“What!” Ryou retaliated. “Just because I'm not a shameless flirt like you.”

 

Joey and Yugi burst out laughing at Malik's expression. “Man he's got you there.” Joey just couldn't resist adding.

 

Ryou on the other hand was watching the bartender once more, almost drifting into his own thoughts. “It was his eyes that were so different.” He mused out loud, momentarily unaware of his friend's presence. “Red, almost scary, but sad, so sad.”

 

His companions looked at him puzzled.

 

“Woah, earth to Ryou.” Joey laughed.

 

Ryou shook himself out of his reverie, blushing again. “Sorry guys, I don't know what got into me.”

 

“Yeah, but we know what you would like to get into you.” Malik laughed nodding towards the object of their conversation.

 

“Malik!” Yugi groaned.

 

“What, its about time he got laid again.” The egyptian carried on blithely.

 

“Man, do you have to be so crude?” Joey asked.

 

Ryou merely smiled and turned away. Little did they know that his relationship with Duke had not been like that. Well it's not to say that theirs was a chaste relationship, just that they'd never gone quite that far, Things had not been stable enough in the relationship for him to have allowed it. Considering how things had turned out he was glad that he had been insistent about it.

 

“Hey, why don't you butt out of Ryou's sex life.” Yugi put in.

 

“Yeah.” Joey smirked. “From what I hear, no matter how much flirtin' you've been doin', that bed of yours aint seen any action in a while.”

 

The three laughed heartily as Malik practically choked on his drink. Coughing and spluttering he only just managed to avoid spraying his drink all over his companions.

 

“Who is hell told you that shit!” Malik growled incredulously.

 

“Your sister.” Joey smirked.

 

“Fuck Ishizu! Ra as my witness she is gonna pay for this.”

 

Ryou was fighting down fits of laughter and Yugi was faring little better. Joey on the other hand was grinning from ear to ear. He knew when he was on to a good thing and was not about to let Malik get off that easily.

 

“What's wrong, did I say something wrong?”

 

Malik's lavender eyes narrowed dangerously. “You shouldn't believe all that you hear.”

 

“Yeah, whatever.” Joey shrugged, drinking deeply.

 

This comment only served to wind up their egyptian friend more, who was seriously begging to look like he was considering hurting Joey. Yugi, ever the diplomat, rolled his eyes and stepped quickly between the two.

 

“Now guys, perhaps we should drop the subject, after all, your own sex life is nothing to write home about Joey.” He grinned as he took the focus off Malik.

 

“So what, doesn't bother me.” Joey smiled. “Its not me that's so sensitive about my reputation.”

 

Ryou decided enough was enough. “Look guys, I'm gonna visit the men's room. Please try and be talking about something else when I get back, for all our sakes.”

 

He didn't wait for a reply, merely handing Yugi his drink without a word and turned away. He smiled as he made his way through the throng, glad that he was not alone in his single status. Being the only single guy in the group would have ended up with Malik trying to pair him off with someone and that didn't bear thinking about. This was partly why he had resisted going out with the others for quite so long. As he reached the door to the men's room he tried to peer through the crowd to spot his friends. He pushed the door open, not looking where he was going only crash into someone else.

 

***************************************************************** *************

 

Bakura was currently squatting in front of one of the bar's fridges, restocking it with bottles for the thirsty customers as his colleagues served the masses. His thoughts drifted to the white haired youth from earlier. The brush with the young one's aura still crackled within his own. The calmness that was almost alien to him had won off, but he still did not feel as agitated as he usually did. It was something he had never experienced before. In his many years he had been in contact with many mortals in a variety of ways (damn the needs of the flesh!) and the mixing of auras was always a strange experience, but never had one affected him quite so much.

 

Standing up from the uncomfortable position he stretched out his back, easing the tension that had built up in his muscles. While that eased one ache, there was another that he would have to deal with. He threw a wave at his colleagues, signalling his temporary departure and headed for the men's room. He almost laughed at himself for thinking about the human, never before had been consumed by thoughts of one individual. He had a sneaking suspicion that Marik's sudden presence in his life and coming across his double were events that were not entirely coincidental.

 

However, all thoughts of anything left him as he answered the call of nature. He never could think at these moments. He was on autopilot as he finished, washing his hands while pointedly avoiding his reflection in the mirror. He found it very hard to look into his own eyes, the crimson colour perhaps the starkest reminder of his ongoing predicament. He was not paying attention as he went to exit the gents, his mind on nothing in particular. In an instant that could not have been engineered (though of which Marik wished he could take credit), the two white haired individuals crashed blindly into each other.

 

Ryou came off worst, flying backwards at the sudden contact, his back hitting the wall hard, knocking the breath out of him. Bakura on the other hand had managed to keep his feet.

 

“Fuck! Watch where you're fucking going!” He snarled before actually seeing his human double. Any further admonishment died in his throat as he saw Ryou collapse to the floor, unable to draw breath. “Shit!” He was on his knees by Ryou's side in an instant, willing the youth to be alright.

 

He looked into soft brown eyes that were filling with panic, looking up at him desperately.

 

“Fuck this!” He couldn't just watch as the mortal struggled. Thinking quickly he pulled the other up till he was kneeling upright, grabbing a fistful of the front of his white shirt. “Kid, this is probably gonna hurt.” He warned the other, brown eyes widening. The hand that had hold of the human's shirt braced the slender body for what was to come next. He hit the youth's back with a ringing slap that echoed throughout the room, and sent pain radiating through Ryou's back. It did however, have the desired effect, and with a whooping noise, the human of the two sucked down a huge breath of air, panting and gasping in relief. Feeling like he was falling he blindly reached out, grabbing the arm of his saviour, grasping a fistful of his t-shirt, hanging on for dear life as his body fought to attain equilibrium.

 

“Easy kid.” Bakura groaned as he was suddenly assaulted by the human's aura. Fear snaked through its essence, but was now receding, relief taking its place. Beneath the immediate emotions eh could sense the nature of the one that was grabbing onto him. Quiet, a little shy, but with an inner fire and strength that was rarely seen by others. There was the kindness and gentleness he had felt earlier, but also love in abundance, waiting for someone to shower it on. At the core of his being was a peaceful equilibrium, but there, almost hiding, was the mark or a recent emotional upheaval. He forced the aura away, but could not help noticing that it had calmed his own aura again.

 

“You alright?” He asked releasing his grip on the white shirt, smirking as his double began to redden with embarrassment.

 

Now breathing freely Ryou nodded, looking up into crimson eyes, the amusement he saw in them rankling slightly. He only now noticed the death grip he had on the other's sleeve and let it go hurriedly. He watched as the other stood, and looked blankly at the hand that was offered to help him up. The bartender noticed his hesitation and smirked.

 

“I did wash my hands you know.”

 

That broke the tension and Ryou broke out into a grin despite himself. He took the proffered hand, tucking his hair behind his ear nervously as he was helped up. In a strange moment, the two regarded each other, the pair making an interesting tableau. The two were almost twins, and yet almost opposites. The slightly taller broken angel dressed in black had a wild, almost dangerous air to him, while the youth dressed in a white shirt and tan slacks seemed the picture of calm and control.

 

“Well its not every day you meet your double.” Bakura smirked, ending the moment.

 

Ryou laughed gently. “I know, and my friend says he's seen his double tonight too.”

 

Bakura raised an eyebrow at this. “Well tonight seems to be a night for surprises.”

 

Ryou looked at the tiled floor sheepishly. “I'm sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going.”

 

“Don't worry about it, neither was I.” Bakura shrugged. “You okay? I hit you pretty hard.”

 

In fact, his back had settled into a throbbing ache, a sign that it would probably be bruised in the morning, but whatever. It had done the trick. “I'll live.” He smiled softly, raising his gaze once more. “Thanks by the way.”

 

Bakura nodded in acknowledgement. “Look kid, I have a job to get back to.” He stated gently, but did not wait for a reply as he walked past the other.

 

“Wait.” Ryou called as the other's hand reached the door handle. He suddenly felt nervous as crimson eyes regarded him carefully. “What's your name?” He did not know what had possessed him to ask such a thing.

 

The other smirked. “Bakura.”

 

“Ryou.” He managed, though he was aware that he was blushing again under the intense scrutiny of the other.

 

“See you round Ryou.” With that Bakura was out of the door.

 

Ryou let go of a breath he wasn't aware that he was holding, ironic after the predicament he had been in. He was pleased that he knew the other's name now, and he felt a little tremor of unexplained excitement. Now that it was all over, his bladder decided to remind him of the reason he was here.

 

***************************************************************** *************

 

Bakura was musing over his little encounter in the men's room. More accurately he was musing over how he was currently feeling in the wake of it. He was actually smiling as he returned to the bar, a fact that his colleagues hadn't missed, looking at him strangely. Their newest member of staff was known for smirking, cussing, but genuinely smiling, this was a first. He had returned to his task of restocking the fridges, not allowing anyone to comment on the fact, and allowing him to continue to think in peace.

 

All the little irritations that normally contributed to his usual prickly mood now seemed petty and insignificant. He knew that it was the other… Ryou's aura that was affecting him. Not that it was unpleasant, far from it. As he stood out he found that he was unconsciously rubbing at his arm where Ryou had clung on to him, lingering over that desperate touch. Hmm, tonight was a night for surprises indeed. While he suspected that Marik had been involved somehow - though how was unclear given the rules that God had laid down, he found that he didn't actually mind. That admission stopped him for a moment. He didn't know what had possessed him to tell Ryou that perhaps they would meet again, but as he returned to his place serving drinks, that was an eventuality that he had to admit, he kind of hoped would come to pass.

 

***************************************************************** *************

 

Marik and Yami stood observing matters from Hell. Marik was grinning from ear to ear.

 

“Seto is not going to like this.” Yami smirked.

 

“Not that he can actually do anything about it.” Marik smirked with his companion.

 

“That's why this is quite so enjoyable.”

 

“You really do enjoy seeing him stew don't you?”

 

“He puts on that aloof exterior, it's nice to see it crack.” Yami explained.

 

Marik chuckled. “Well I have to say that went rather well, even better than I could have hoped.”

 

“We still don't know if it will actually achieve anything.” Yami mused.

 

“Mmm, but anything that gets Bakura's attention is worth it. He might make things happen for himself. Besides a little nudge here, a gentle push there…”

 

“Careful.” Yami sniggered. “I'm beginning to think you enjoy pushing Setos' buttons yourself.”

 

“Never claimed I didn't.” Marik smirked.

 

“Well here's something for you then.” Yami grinned slyly. “It seems one of Ryou's friends caught the Avenger's eye, though why I'm not quite sure. Perhaps we can cause him to visit more often, and see how far we can make that tough exterior crack.”

 

Marik looked at him stunned for a moment, then burst into gales of laughter. Oh, now that could just be fun!

 

***************************************************************** *************

 

Ryou sighed as he unlocked the door to his apartment. In was 3am and he knew he had stayed out too late. Still, at least he was on the afternoon shift at the library tomorrow. He walked in, dropping his keys on the side as he turned on the light. He stretched his back out, causing it to throb. Yep, that was going to be a nice bruise in the morning, well… later. He grabbed a drink of milk from the fridge, there was no way he wanted to head to work tomorrow with a hangover. He'd never done so before and he wasn't planning to now.

 

His thoughts turned to the night. He had been forced to relive the encounter with Bakura as soon as he returned to his friends, since they were all curious as to why he looked so flushed. Malik had leered about it predictably while Yugi had jumped to his defence, and the rest of the night had predictably been spent discussing Bakura and the Yugi double. Not that he could blame his friends, but it started to bug him after a while. Her had been quite glad when the night came to a close. Still that was all in the past and now he needed some sleep. As he headed to bed he was almost dead on his feet. He found that lying on his side was the only option for getting comfortable. Yet it seemed his mind was treacherous, no matter how little he wanted to think about it, as he drifted into sleep his thoughts were of a sad pair of crimson eyes.

 

***************************************************************** *************

 

On the other side of Domino Bakura was once more stood smoking at his bedroom window. He knew sleep would not come to him as yet and so was looking up at the stars again. It was at these times that he would normally be thinking about Akeifa. Yet tonight his thoughts were with another. The snow haired boy with the ethereal qualities of an angel, and yet there had been that passion, that fire deep within. Okay, so that in itself reminded him of Akeifa, especially in the build up to the Battle of the Heavens. It was part of what he had loved about the angel. Now his feelings in that regard were not so clear.

 

He closed his eyes in thought. If Marik was really involved in this then the Lord or Seto would inevitably drawn into this. And that meant there was a chance Ryou would be caught in the middle. Breathing out smoke he sighed heavily, aware that the last time he had been at the centre of events he had been the cause of Akeifa's additional pain. He had not prayed in a long time, on the theory that he had nothing to talk to God about, that and he feared ranting and incurring further wrath. And yet he found himself quite unconsciously whispering a quiet prayer.

 

“Please, whatever you and Marik have planned, prevent me from hurting him.”

 

Up in the heavens the Lord smiled.

 

***************************************************************** *************

AN:

Hmm, that was actually very enjoyable to write. I love the idea of Marik plotting, after all it suits him. That was exactly why I cast him as I did. And yes, our white haired pair cannot help but think about each other now, and even Yugi is going to be wondering about his double. Oh this is so much fun!!!