Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Heart to Heart ( Chapter 9 )

AN: Okay guys, before we start I must make an apology. For the next month or so I am going to be up to my eyes in extra stuff for work, so may not be able to update EVERY weekend. However, I shall endeavour to keep it to a fortnight at most, and by the end of June normal service should resume. So please bear with me it will get better!

 

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Yugi was busy getting ready for his shift at the casino when predictably his cell phone rang. He sighed, not having to look to see who was calling. There were only two people it could be and he was pretty certain which on of the two it would be.

 

He picked up the ringing cell and opened it. “Yes Malik?”

 

“So?” Came the response from the other end.

 

“So what?” Yugi replied, mildly irritated.

 

“Oh come on. How did Ryou get on with Bakura?”

 

“They looked like they were having fun okay. Ryou looked happy at least.” He muttered as he rooted around the belongings on his dresser for his key card.

 

“So they like each other huh?” Came the amused chuckle.

 

“How would I know, I didn't go in there, I would have been spotted in an instant.”

 

“You have no sense of adventure.”

“Oh really, well the next time you want details you do the dirty work.” He snapped, still irritated that he had been railroaded into spying on his friend at all.

 

Malik laughed. “Chill Yugi. Ra, we are only trying to look out for Ryou.”

 

“I know, I know, I just wasn't comfortable is all.”

 

“Don't tell me you bailed out after five minutes.”

 

“Of course not!” Yugi said indignantly. “Well I was going to but…” He trailed off, not sure whether he should relate his encounter with Yami.

 

“But what?” By Malik's excited tone he knew he wasn't going to get out of this.

 

“I kinda got distracted.” He said, trying to wriggle out of this conversation.

 

“Yugi, what did you do?” Malik teased.

 

“I didn't do anything. Yami and were just talking and…”

 

“Wait a minute.” Malik interrupted. “Yami?”

 

Damn! He'd never intended to let that one slip out. `Me and my big mouth' he through wryly. Malik on the other hand was now laughing.

 

“Ra Yugi, we send you to keep an eye on Ryou's date, and you end up on one yourself!”

 

“It was not a date!” He protested hotly.

 

Malik sniggered on the other end. “Okay, okay, but after all that has been happening it wouldn't surprise me. What I want to know is what he was doing there.”

 

“Same as me, keeping an eye on Bakura.” Yugi rolled his eyes when her heard Malik snigger.

 

“So Bakura wouldn't describe our look-alikes as friends, but they keep an eye on him. Interesting.”

 

“Look Malik, I really am gonna have to go.” He said looking at his watch. “I'm gonna be late.”

 

“Okay, but remember we are meeting at my place tomorrow night.”

 

“We are?” He asked a little surprised.

 

“Yeah, we are gonna grill Ryou for the details of his date, since you are such a washout. Oh and you'd best get here early or we will be taking about your little meeting with Yami with Ryou there.”

 

“You wouldn't.” Yugi hissed. There was no way that he wanted Ryou to find out he was watching them earlier.

 

“Oh you know I would, so be here early.” Malik chuckled darkly.

 

“Tell me why I am friends with you again?” Yugi sighed.

 

Malik sniggered. “Because I'm adorable.” Yugi rolled his eyes. “My place, tomorrow night. We'll order in.”

 

“Damn right, there is no way I am eating anything you cook.” Yugi laughed.

 

He heard Malik laugh on the other end before hanging up. Yugi shook his head with a smile. No matter how he protested he really did enjoy Malik's company. Okay so being grilled about his encounter with Yami would not be comfortable, but it felt nice that he actually had something to be grilled about. Normally shy, much like Ryou, he hadn't dated much, so in some strange way this felt good. Especially since he had been glad to see Yami, to actually speak to him. Now if only he would get to see him again.

 

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Yami was grinning to himself as he made his way back into Hell. He had expected his little counterpart to be shocked by his appearance, and to a degree he was, but he had never expected him to be so accepting of his company when he arrived. The fact pleased him. It also made him curious, especially when Yugi had asked if he would ever see him again. Yes this was a rather… curious turn of events. Though he had to report back to Marik, who he had a sneaky feeling would already know what was going on.

 

Throughout his musing he had been smiling to himself, and had stopped at the entrance to the hall, leaning against the doorpost. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he had not noticed the figures approaching.

 

“I don't know Yami, I send you on an errand and you always find a way to make it more entertaining.” Came the amused chuckle from behind him.

 

Yami turned quickly to see Marik smirking at him, and he wasn't alone.

 

“Marik.” He greeted smoothly. “Akeifa.” He nodded to his friend.

 

Akeifa chuckled softly. “I wouldn't have expected any less of you.” He voiced his approval, his eyes shining with merriment.

 

Marik snorted, torn between amused approval, and slight concern. He knew that Heaven would not be happy, and while bending the rules and pushing boundaries was part of what he did, he knew they were treading dangerously of late. Yami noticed Marik's mixed feelings and decided to play to Marik's mischievous side.

 

“Well, Bakura didn't leave me with much to do. It was going to be positively boring, the opportunity was there and…”

 

“And you couldn't help yourself.” Akeifa finished for him with a smile.

 

Yami turned to Marik. “Would you have done any different if it had been your counterpart? I do believe you already did.” He teased.

 

“Alright, guilty as charged.” Marik admitted with a small smile. “I just think we are pushing our luck.”

 

“I did warn you.” Akeifa stated shaking his head.

 

“So we back off on Bakura?” Yami asked, irritated by the thought of having set things in motion and having to just watch and wait. It was not something he was good at.

 

“Hell no!” Marik laughed. “The Lord cannot stop me as long as I stay within his boundaries, in fact the way things are going he would positively encourage it.”

 

“I know Bakura doesn't believe it, but the Lord is anxious for him to come home.” Akeifa said softly.

 

His companions regarded him for a moment. Akeifa had an uncanny knack for knowing what was going on, sometimes before the rest of the Fallen, despite him being bound to Hell. He often knew things the pool couldn't show him. Marik had his suspicions, but so far kept them to himself. This was yet another example of this uncanny knack. He resolved to look into this matter at another time.

 

“Indeed.” He replied evenly. “What we do is wait.” He responded to the initial query. “Heaven will make some kind of move. What is the question.”

 

“We haven't broken any of the blasted rules.” Yami grumbled.

 

“No, but you know as well as I that they won't just sit by and watch us get too involved with mortals. They learned their lesson and won't make that mistake again.”

 

“Ah, Sodom and Gomorrah, good times.” Yami grinned fondly at the memory.

 

“Heaven's unmitigated disaster.” Marik sniggered.

 

“You had bit too much fun then my friend.” Akeifa chuckled.

 

“It was all part of the job description, well technically it still is.” Yami stated flippantly.

 

“The Lord just decided to change the degree we were allowed to get involved.” Marik put in. “Fucking typical that he changes his mind after giving us the job in the first place.”

 

“I did say that he hadn't thought out giving us this role when this all went down.” Yami put to Marik.

 

“And you know I agreed with you then, as I do now. But it has been to mankind's benefit, which was the whole point. Even if it cost us.”

 

“Oh I don't know, I've become kind of attached to the tail.” Yami chuckled. “And I have to say that what we do is a whole lot more rewarding than what we used to. And not to mention a whole lot more enjoyable.”

 

Akeifa laughed at his friend. “Yami, I swear you become less Fallen and more Daemon over time.”

 

“I am only what the Lord has made me, as are we all.” He replied bluntly, pointedly looking at the malformed remains of Akeifa's wings.

 

Akeifa looked away from Yami's focused gaze all too aware of his point. “I came to terms with my fate long ago.” He replied softly, but both his companions noticed that he didn't look either of them in the eye. While what he said was true, it was obvious that his predicament still brought him pain.

 

“As did we all.” Marik said loudly, trying to steer the conversation away from such sensitive matters. “But back to the matter in hand, we need to see what the Heaven's will do, let things settle for a while. In the meantime, I think it best that I pay Bakura a visit.”

 

Akeifa looked quickly to Marik. “Please be gentle.” He begged. “He's come so far, he's coming back to himself. I know you enjoy winding him up, but…”

 

“I know, I know.” Marik grinned, making Akeifa smile softly. “I can't promise I won't at all, but I'll try not to go too far.”

 

“That'll do.” Akeifa smiled, before walking away, his barbed tail swaying gently from side to side as he went.

 

Marik and Yami watched him leave, before Yami turned back to his companion. “You're going soft.” He teased.

 

“What?” Marik asked, though he knew full well what Yami was talking about.

 

“There is no-one else in the whole of Hell that you would allow to talk to you, influence you like that.” Yami smirked.

 

“Except perhaps you.” Marik shot back with a smirk.

 

“Hell's gates! You let him get away with things I never would, even though I have been your Right Hand from the beginning.” He chuckled.

 

“Partner in crime might be a better description.” Marik sniggered. Yami had been the first one at his side when he had decided to take his stand against God, which had led to the ill-fated Battle of the Heavens. But that had achieved what it needed to. But back to the point. “So what if I have a soft spot for Akeifa, you cannot tell me that you don't.”

 

“Me and all of Hell.” Yami admitted softly. “How he remains so unchanged by his punishment is beyond me.”

 

“And me my friend. He is a singular being. I find myself hoping that Bakura achieves redemption not just for himself, but because I think that the Lord might just give Akeifa another chance in Heaven if he does.”

 

“Hell is no place for him, and yet… I don't know what we would do without him.” Yami mused softly.

 

“It would certainly be a darker place without his light.”

 

The two stood in silence for a moment, both lost in thought. But it was Marik who brought them back to their conversation.

 

“Come my friend, before I head up to see Bakura, tell me about your little counterpart.” He smirked.

 

Yami grinned, the two starting to walk.

 

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Ryou sat back on the sofa aware that his friends were watching him, after all they were not finished with him yet, but were willing to leave him to his thoughts for a few moments. It was Friday night again, and for the third week in a row he was spending the evening with his friends. It had been so long since he had enjoyed such a social life, and he'd had a date the day before. Ah yes, the date. That was the reason he was sat of Malik and Ishizu's sofa in front of a film none of them were watching and drinking a few beers. Relatively tame for Malik and Joey actually.

 

This had all started about an hour and a half after Bakura had walked him home yesterday. He had copied down the phone number Bakura had written on his hand, and headed to the bathroom for a shower. Once he had dressed he had come back to the pad where he had written the number down and had been staring at it wistfully when the phone had rung. He had answered it without a second thought, and was then rewarded for his lack of attention with an overexcited Malik, who'd been forced to yell to get Ryou's attention.

 

“Woah Ryou, what's with you?” Malik's yell forced Ryou's eyes away from his neat cursive script, and he suddenly realised that he was holding the phone and his friend was trying to talk to him.

 

“Oh Malik!” Ryou suddenly cried mortified. “I'm so sorry, I was just so… distracted I…”

 

“Date that good huh?” Came the amused chuckle from the handset.

 

“I was kinda thinking on it yeah.” Ryou admitted sheepishly.

 

“Good, you think on it tonight `cause I want you at my place by eight tomorrow.”

 

“What? Malik, I really don't want to go out again and…”

 

“Who said anything about going out?” Malik laughed. “We have very interesting matters to talk about.”

 

“Huh?” He asked momentarily confused and suddenly the penny dropped. “Oh.”

 

“Good, that's settled. Remember my place by eight tomorrow or we are coming to get you and drag you over here.”

 

“Wait I never said that I would…”

 

“So glad you agree.” Malik had interrupted. “Anyway, got to go, see you tomorrow.” He said cheerily.

 

“But…” Ryou began to protest, but Malik had already hung up.

 

So here he was. After a beer or two his tongue had finally loosened, well either that or he had really just gotten sick of the constant questioning from all angles. And so he'd started to relate things, random thoughts really, after all, all they had really done was talk, and yet, they had connected somehow. And now he had paused for a moment, thinking about what he wanted to say.

 

“You know.” He began, looking out of the window to the night outside. “He's so hard to read. At first he comes across as a kind of tough guy, but when you see past that…there is so much more to him.”

 

He looked across at Yugi, making eye contact with someone for the first time since he had started relating his thoughts.

 

“I would never have thought when we first met that he could be so… profound, some of the stuff we were talking about. Well it was great, a nice change I suppose.”

 

“Yeah a nice change to loudmouth's like Malik.” Joey chuckled.

 

“Speak for yourself.” Malik shot back.

 

Ryou giggled. “I don't know, there is a lot of sadness in his past, but when he smiles… I don't know, it's like something inside him comes alive. And not those smirks you've seen, but really smiles. It's kinda special.” He sighed happily.

 

His friends shot amused looks at each other while Ryou drank from his bottle, eyes somewhere else none of them could see.

 

“Well it must have gone okay.” Yugi put in carefully. “You seem happy about it all.”

 

“Yeah?” Ryou asked carelessly, stopping to think about that for a moment. “Yeah, I had a good time. He's pretty good company actually, easier to talk to than I expected. It went pretty smoothly apart from him seeing me get pissed at Duke.”

 

“Woah, slow down.” Joey put in wide eyed. “Duke came to see you again, and you got pissed at him?” Joey asked with a grin.

 

“Well yeah.” Ryou replied matter-of-factly. “He just doesn't know when to back off. Though his face when I told him I had a date was priceless.” He chuckled. He had quite enjoyed that little moment.

 

Yugi chuckled. “I still think that these two find it hard to believe that you got pissed, even at Duke. It's not exactly like you.”

 

“Oh come on.” He said to his small friend. “You've seen me angry before haven't you?”

 

“That was over a chemistry textbook.” Yugi retorted.

 

Malik and Joey burst out laughing at that one while Ryou sighed and shook his head.

 

“Now that I can believe!” Joey ground out between fits of laughter.

 

“Okay, so I don't have much of a temper.” Ryou flushed a little at being the subject of such derisive laughter.

 

“Easy.” Malik put in. “We know when that prick's involved you can get tetchy.” Ryou snorted in response, deliberately turning away from his friend. “But I believe you, and may I say I'm impressed.”

 

“Damn right.” Joey seconded. “Don't let the jerk walk all over ya'. Quiet you may be, but you're no doormat.”

 

Ryou felt the smile return to his face at the rather… unusual compliment. “Thanks Joey.”

 

Joey merely nodded, taking a swig of his own drink. Malik however wanted to know certain things.

 

“Well we know you had a good time in your… strange way.” The last part earning him a warning look from Ryou. “But the real question is how did it end?”

 

“What?” Ryou asked confused.

 

“Duh, we know you talked, but what happened when you left the coffee shop, oh a very adventurous date choice by the way.” He teased.

 

Ryou rolled his eyes. “Well, I guess he walked me home. I'm not sure that was the plan, but we were still talking and we kind of ended up at my place. You know he has no real friends here because he's always moving from place to place. Must get lonely sometimes.” He was now musing off the point, and Malik rolled his eyes comically.

 

“Oh Ra, concentrate will you? We get that he's deep, interesting and all that shit, we get that you obviously like him a lot, but how did it end?” He was almost whining now, desperate for answers.

 

Ryou actually let a small snigger slip, earning him curious looks from his friends. Ryou… snigger? What was the world coming to?

 

“O Malik you are so funny.” Ryou teased. Okay, perhaps he had one too many beers his friends concluded quickly. “Well since you are so desperate things are open.” He stated cryptically.

 

“What in Hell does that mean?” Malik actually pouted now.

 

Again Ryou sniggered a little. Teasing Malik was too much fun. “Alright, keep your pants on.”

 

“Please!” Joey put in quickly earning him a glare from Malik.

 

“I got his number.” Ryou stated simply.

 

Malik grinned. “I knew it, I know you couldn't be a total loss.”

 

Ryou nearly choked on his drink. “Oh thanks for the vote of confidence Malik.”

 

Now it was Malik's turn to snigger. “Okay, I'm just not used to this more forward side of you. So what next?”

 

“I call him I suppose. Meet up again, see where this takes us.” He shrugged, but was smiling softly to himself.

 

“And so did he just give you his number, or was there something else?” Malik asked cheekily. Predictably Ryou blushed when his mind went back to that moment, the endearment, the soft kiss…

 

“Um.” He stammered and looked to see Malik grinning like a Cheshire cat, and knew he would have to tell them something. “I dunno, he was suddenly next to me, running his fingers through my hair and…” He blushed even further. “He said that I'm cute when I blush.” He mumbled the last part, but not quiet enough for his friends to have missed it.

 

“Well he does have a point.” Joey said. His three friends turned and looked at him shocked. “What? Ry' is cute when he blushes, or am I the only one who thinks that?”

 

Ryou, Malik and Yugi looked at each other for a moment before bursting out into fits of giggles. Joey ended up laughing with them it always seemed to be the way. When they all had it under better control Yugi turned to Ryou.

 

“So when you gonna call him?” He asked softly.

 

“I don't know.” Ryou smiled gently. “I think I am just going to have to see what my heart tells me, and see what happens.”

 

His friends all nodded in agreement. One thing was for sure, in one date Bakura had made Ryou happier than they'd seen him in months. Ryou had also started to behave differently, more confidently and more self assured. Whoever could bring around something so positive was okay in their book. So they would wait and watch and hope for the best.

 

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It was remarkable, for the first time in many years he was at peace. Had one hour with a mortal really done that? Well no matter what logic told him he knew it to be true. He'd actually be smiling to himself the whole walk home. It had been a half hour walk from Ryou's apartment to his, but he had hardly noticed the time pass. His mind had been consumed by thoughts of silky, jasmine scented hair, and the feel of blush heated skin beneath his lips. He was no stranger to physical intimacy, but for the first time this was about so much more. They two… connected somehow, which gave Bakura a feeling of comfort he had never known before during his time on earth.

 

Now, in the wee small hours of Saturday morning, his Friday shift at Ikona over, he was walking home at a lazy pace. He made a detour into the park, not wanting to go home to his empty apartment just yet. It somehow seemed more empty than it had after he had met Ryou. So for now he took a seat on a park bench, leaned back and gazed up at the stars. He let his mind wander, thoughts drifting to nothing in particular, allowing himself to get lost in his star gazing. He heard someone approach, but chose not to acknowledge their presence just yet. It came as no surprise to him when the individual sat down next to him while he gently nodded in greeting.

 

“You've always been a watcher, for as long as I've known you.”

 

“We have all the time in the world. Watching is sometimes the best way to understand the nature of things around us.” He smiled softly, turning to his companion. “So come to wind me up again Marik?”

 

Marik smirked. “Perhaps, but I did feel it was time we spoke again. You've been busy since we last spoke.”

 

“Is that what you'd call it?” Bakura chuckled.

 

“Well I know I was hoping to give you a nudge in the right direction when I advised that's boy's friends to visit your workplace, but what has happened since has been out of my hands. You have changed so much. I knew the boy was unique, but I never expected this much of a change.”

 

“Special, that he is.” Bakura mused. “His aura actually affects those of others around him. It is no wonder people are drawn to him, though it seems that they are not always those with the best if intentions.” He muttered, thinking of Duke and the conversation he and Ryou had shared regarding him.

 

“Unfortunately that is the lot of such individuals. Their draw is universal, and it can bring them joy or pain. But he has good friends to watch over him. And what he has done for you is remarkable. I don't think I have seen your aura so settled, not since the times you were with Akeifa before the Battle of the Heavens.”

 

At the mention of his angelic love the smile slipped from Bakura's face. He knew that the feelings he held for Akeifa had changed. They had been changed by his humanity. It had been simple, theirs was a chaste love, strong and pure. Now, with mortal emotions and needs he came to understand that one could desire more, and indeed he did. He wanted that attraction, more than companionship, something Akeifa could never offer him. That was not to say that he no longer loved the angel, it was just… more complicated now.

 

“How is he?” He asked softly. “I imagine he's been watching over me.” He turned his face away, aware that his cheeks were tinged with red at the thought of one he loved seeing him kiss Ryou.

 

“He is well.” Marik replied gently. “And yes he has.”

 

The two fell into silence, Marik knowing where Bakura's thoughts were. He was dealing with a certain amount of guilt over his attraction to Ryou. Yes, Bakura was beginning to admit to himself that he was attracted to Ryou, and that given the chance, he would let their cautious meetings develop into something more.

 

“I can't help but wonder how he is taking all this. He's been a part of your little plots.”

 

Marik chuckled. “Yes, but you know Akeifa, he remains as selfless as ever. He wants to see you come back to yourself, be who you once were, angel or not. He see s how far you have come. He even begged me not to wind you up today.” He sniggered.

 

Bakura chuckled. “And what did you say to that?”

 

“I made no promises.” He replied, with a grin, making Bakura laugh out loud. He waited for his companion to settle, and smiled sympathetically as he sighed. “I can guess at how you feel Bakura, and you have to trust me, Akeifa would not want you to feel any guilt.”

 

“No he wouldn't, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't. After all our situation is all my doing. If I had chosen a side then we wouldn't be having this discussion, and we would not be kept from each other.”

 

“But then you would not understand love in a way no other angel can.” Marik posed.

 

“Love?” Bakura asked. Wasn't it a little soon to be thinking in those terms.

 

“Yes love, I know that you see the love you and Akeifa share with new eyes. Angels only understand one kind of love, and yet the evidence is laid out before me everyday that there is much more to love than we know. You human emotions may have been part of your punishment, seen as a curse, they are also a gift.”

 

Bakura looked at Marik shocked. It had never occurred to him that what was his punishment, could be seen as a gift. But for those who worked so closely with humanity, Bakura could see the draw. The guardian angels, those working to redeem the souls in Hell; for those an understanding of human emotions, motives would indeed be desirable.

 

“Sometimes Marik I forget you are Fallen, you retain much of the angel in you, though you keep it well hidden.”

 

He was mildly surprised to see Marik smile softly in response. “We have all been changed by the experience, some more than others. Akeifa manages to remain the least changed of us all.”

 

“In some ways you would expect it to be the opposite, but that is Akeifa. He was always a shining beacon amongst angels.”

 

“And he remains so, despite the circumstances he finds himself in.”

 

Bakura found himself thinking about the past, about that day so very many years ago. “I wept to see him lose his feathers. To take what was left of his wings was cruel.”

 

“Not to mention the loss of your own.” Marik muttered bitterly. “There were many who felt that was a step too far.”

 

“There is no point musing on it now.” Bakura sighed heavily. “Besides, while I remember flying, I have no memory of how it feels anymore. It's been too long.”

 

Marik thought for a moment, wondering whether he should tell Bakura something. He took a deep breath and leant back, looking up at the stars.

 

“Akeifa still has your wings.” He said softly.

 

“What!” Bakura hissed.

 

“He kept them. They remain whole, after all, they were part of an immortal body. “

 

Bakura closed his eyes. “Oh `Keifa.” He sighed sadly, reverting to the shortened name he had used for the other in the past. Why, why would he do such a thing?

 

Marik sensed his thoughts. “I think he keeps them as a reminder that there is a chance for you, that you ca learn, and earn them back again. They are what keeps him focused, knowing that in some small way he can help you, and perhaps one day… even see you again.”

 

Now he felt the guilt again. Guilt for wanting more, for wanting one so like him, and yet, so very different. One that could give him something the angel could not. He looked up to the Heavens feeling tortured by his human emotions right now. Marik on the other hand rose and stood in front of Bakura.

 

“Put such thoughts out of your mind. He understands, and is more worried that you won't forgive him for messing around with your sleep.”

 

Bakura's eyes widened and he couldn't stop a soft chuckle from escaping his throat. “Sometimes he can be so naïve.”

 

“I know.” Marik smiled. “He understands that you still love him, but in this life you need more. He is content knowing that you do not forget him, that you love him still. But he wants you to be happy. He knows that you have a chance at happiness with Ryou. If it is what you want you have his blessing.”

 

Bakura turned away, rare tears welling up in his eyes, overwhelmed by a rush of strong emotions. Love for Akeifa flaring, hope, sadness and longing mingled together and tore at his heart. Marik placed a hand on Bakura's shoulder.

 

“And you have all our blessings too.” He added softly. “Ryou is good for you. It is good to see you coming back to yourself again.”

 

Bakura didn't answer, a single tear falling down his cheek as he breathed deeply. It seemed he had a lot of thinking to do. Marik smiled softly, though it wasn't seen by his companion. He turned to walk away.

 

“Thank you.” The softly spoken words stopped him though, turning to look at Bakura once more. The tears were gone, the crimson eyes now locked firmly to his lavender. He nodded in reply as Bakura rose. “You will tell him that I will never forget him, no matter what happens.”

 

Marik smirked. “He knows that you fool, but I'll tell him anyway.”

 

Bakura chuckled. “So what now? Do you go back to tormenting me now we've actually managed to be civil to each other for once?” He asked with a cheeky smile.

 

Marik sniggered. “Oh I see, its going to be like that is it? Well perhaps, but for now we shall see what happens. Much like you and Ryou.” Marik was satisfied that for the first time in their conversation the mention of the boy did not bring a pang of guilt to Bakura's eyes.

 

Bakura nodded. “Though I have to ask, what was with you appearing to Ryou's friend directly?”

 

Marik smirked. “Oh you know I can never pass up an opportunity.”

 

“Ah yes.” Bakura mused. “I heard something interesting regarding Seto and a young man named Joey. I presume you were involved somehow, it had to be you since Malik saw you there.”

 

“Well, credit where credit is due I suppose.”

 

“Did he really apologise?” Bakura asked eagerly, almost chuckling at the mere thought.

 

Marik nodded with an evil grin, Bakura breaking out into fresh laughter, the sound of their voices echoing in the night.

 

“Oh I wish I could have seen it, and to think he was only across the room from me.” He sniggered. “Oh it must have been priceless.”

 

“I am particularly proud of that little moment.” Marik chuckled.

 

“And so you should be. Oh one day I am so going to wind him up about that.”

 

“Get in line.” Marik sniggered.

 

“Happily.” Bakura countered.

 

“Well, I must get going Bakura, there are other souls I need to see. Though be warned, after all that Yami and I have been up to, I am expecting Heaven to do something. I don't know what, and it should not affect you and Ryou as everything has been above board, but something is up. I can feel it.”

 

Bakura sniggered. “Oh come now, you aren't afraid now are you?”

 

“Hardly.” Marik snorted. “I just thought you might appreciate being kept in the loop for once.”

 

“I do. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye out.”

 

Marik nodded, and then with a smirk vanished.

 

Bakura shook his head sniggering. “Show off.”

 

With one last look up at the stars, and a light heart he headed for home. The future awaited him, and for the first time in many a year, that future seemed bright.

 

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

 

AN:

Hmm, okay so that wasn't action, but in my view very important. We have dealt with some real emotional issues here, once I felt needed to be answered. I thought this was gonna end up being a short chapter but it kinda came in at a middle length so go figure.

 

Right I think it is time I put a shout in here to my reviewers!

 

Paniwi: My dearest Audrey, where would I be without you? Its all your fault you know, turning me into a tendershipper. So guys, you can blame her! Anyways, you know I love you for it. My faithful friend, I hope that I can make you laugh as much as you make me.

 

BlackAngelReaper: Always lovely to hear from you, and I hope you are continuing to enjoy

 

ahiru-san: Well I do believe you found me on ff.net. I tried to reply to your review but had no email so I am glad you caught up with me there!

 

sglily: I am honoured by your interest and sooooo appreciative of your reviews, I find them so helpful. Though with the prospect of writing the first citrus flavoured stuff, having one such as yourself has me a little nervous. Still I shall do my utmost for my readers.

 

aknkkskd: new reviewer and always welcome. Hope you continue to enjoy.

 

Right, we need more Bakura and Ryou time next chapter. Till next time, I have fan art to get back to!