Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Lessons In Humanity ( Chapter 13 )

AN:

Okay people, I know this has come late in the weekend but I have been somewhat busy. Particularly because earlier today I did a charity 5km run to raise money for cancer research. I personally have lost family to this evil and no doubt a lot of you will have been affected by it too. Hence this chapter goes out in memory for all those who have sadly been taken by this curse, and I will continue to do what I can to raise money for future generations.

 

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While friends were apologising and swapping stories, and Marik… well Marik was thoroughly enjoying himself, Bakura had his hands full. Right now he was struggled to refrain from punching the Left Hand of God who had been irritating him from the moment he was woken up by him. While punching him might make him feel better, well for all of ten seconds at any rate, it was a futile exercise. He also felt that the resultant aftermath of such an action was not worth the fleeting satisfaction he might gain.

 

“Fucking Hell!” He growled, his fingers clawing into the wood of the table in his frustration. “This would be so much fucking easier if you would get off your ass and take full human form. I know you are fucking capable of it!”

 

“And why would I want to do such a thing?” The angel asked coldly.

 

“Because…” Bakura began to explain in that exasperated tone one might use with a two year old who has asked `why' one too many times. “In your human form your body can handle eating, drinking and sleeping amongst other things. Things you will need to not look like a freak while you are amongst humans.” Not to mention that the bastard might actually be able to feel for the first time in his life! It might do the pious beanpole to have some hormones even if it was only for a short spell.

 

Seto rolled his eyes. “If I agreed to such a ridiculous notion, would it make it easier to walk around humans unnoticed?” He asked eying Bakura warily.

 

Probably not unnoticed with that attitude and the fact he was freakishly tall, but if it got Seto out of his life then that was no bad thing, Bakura thought bitterly. It had been a battle from the moment Seto had dragged him out of bed. Initially his had been a battle solely of glares and filthy looks, but that had ended in a draw, and Bakura deciding to bite the bullet and get this show on the road.

 

“Yes.” He agreed, though he was careful not to sound too enthusiastic. He knew Seto was not going to buy any idea that he was too eager about. The bastard was too suspicious for his own good.

 

Seto meanwhile was glaring at Bakura as you might eye up something that has crawled out of a stinking mud hole and was currently making a mess of your carpet. Bakura was pointedly ignoring the look before he lost his temper.

 

“Very well then.” Seto growled.

 

Thank fuck for that!

 

Rising from where he was currently sat, Seto, still debating whether this was really a good idea, prepared to make the transformation. Outwardly there would be no difference, but the way his body worked would change. He wasn't sure he would be happy with the results, and this was the first time he was to use such an ability. After all his business was with angels, not humans. He was cautious, but he did not know how long he would be consigned to earth. He would need freedom of movement, and this morning, the idea of staying somewhere that did not involve Bakura had become a whole lot more attractive. The two could barely stand to be around one another. So logically, no matter how he would rather cut out his own tongue than admit it, Bakura was right, so he gave into the force of his own logic.

 

Bakura watched as Seto's cool blue aura flared for a moment, before coalescing, growing brighter as it drew in round the angel and focused. Seto became encased in an intense blue glow as his power stared to flow into the glowing aura, the small apartment pulsating with the light. Seto grit his teeth as he felt the power surge through him, changing his very nature, from supernatural flesh, to the more mundane, mortal flesh of humanity. The glow and power quickly dissipated the task done, Bakura smiling in satisfaction. Now he could get on with things.

 

“Right.” He said with a grin. “Lesson one: breakfast.”

 

Bakura thought he'd best start gently. Getting Seto to eat at all was going to be an undertaking. He had struggled with the idea when he had first been left on earth, before finally giving in to his new needs. So pancakes it would be. Seto followed him to the kitchen and watched him like a hawk, though if he actually attempted to poison Seto it would have no purpose, other than to amuse him for a while and piss off Seto. Human body or not, he was immortal as was Bakura, and could not be killed in this manner. So Bakura ignored the presence over his shoulder, rolling his eyes when Seto wrinkled his nose in distaste as the scent of cooking wafted through the room. He also ignored the look of distrust when he placed the plate of food in front of his guest.

 

“Okay, take this slowly.” Bakura cautioned. “I wouldn't want you to choke.”

 

Well actually the image of Seto choking was quite appealing, but he thought it wise to keep such opinions to himself. The angel in front of him was still very much in control of his powers and not beyond using them against him. If Seto really wanted he could kill Bakura, though he would probably be in a hell of a lot of trouble with God. Seto on the other hand was looking at the plate of pancakes pretty much how he had been looking at Bakura all morning. Bakura chuckled and turned to his own breakfast, knowing Seto would either follow his example or go hungry. He knew that trying to tell Seto how to eat would get him nowhere. Seto watched his every move as he reached for the syrup, drizzling plenty over the pancakes. Well so he had a bit of a sweet tooth, it was one of those things that made living as a mortal quite pleasurable at times. It was beginning to bug him that Seto was watching him so intently as he took his first bite, and was struggling to put up with it.

 

“It's better if you eat it while its hot you know.” He growled at Seto, when what he wanted to do was actually scream `stop staring at me you idiot! What do you think this is the fucking zoo at feeding time?' He was actually quite impressed at his self-restraint.

 

But it was his turn to watch as Seto picked up his fork. Seto poked at the food on his plate as if he were testing to see if it might fight back. With caution he took a forkful, all the time Bakura watching silence, maintaining the stony expressions on his face. He knew that if he didn't concentrate on it he would crack up any moment. Seto looked like he was about to wage war on the forkful of pancake. Maintaining the wary gaze he slowly placed the food in his mouth, chewing experimentally. The taste was… well he had never tasted anything before, but his body was not objecting, but was not giving him a string response either. Apart from the sudden pang in his stomach which he guessed must be… hunger was it? Well apart from that, this wasn't so bad.

 

Now swallowing was a different proposition altogether. It took a few attempts to get the right muscle action, this being something he had never done before. He did succeed without choking, all the time giving Bakura a glare that threatened an unimaginable amount of pain if he dared to laugh. Bakura managed to restrain himself with difficulty as Seto struggled to swallow, and it was a close run thing. When the snigger bubbled in his throat he quickly turned it into coughing to mask it.

 

“Well?” He asked with an amused smirk.

 

Seto blinked, it took a moment for him to understand the nature of Bakura's question. It didn't take him long, and though he had no prior experience to relate it to, and answer came to mind.

 

“Bland.” He replied curtly.

 

Chuckling Bakura passed over the syrup. “Try this, but go easy, you don't know how much of a sweet tooth you have.”

 

Cautiously Seto drizzled the syrup as Bakura had done, before cutting another forkful of his first meal. He eyed it carefully even though his last mouthful had been pleasant enough. This time the flavour fairly exploded on his tongue, his eyes widening at the unfamiliar sensations and flavours. Bakura chuckled at the surprised expression, which earned him a scowling glare in return. Seto however, despite the glare continued to tuck into his breakfast as if he did this every day, Bakura sniggering knowingly before tucking into his own food.

 

The two ate in silence though watching Seto was an education, as well as a form of entertainment. Now that he was absorbed in his task his eating became less clumsy, but it was obvious that he was getting lost in the sensations he was experiencing, everything new and alien to him. The stony mask had slipped, expression starting to light up his face, softening the normally hard features. Bakura blinked a few times to check that he wasn't seeing things, but there was no doubt about it. His expression was one of enjoyment, surprising since not so long ago he was insisting that eating would not be necessary.

 

It was an expression that Bakura had never seen on the angel before, but then again Seto's range of expressions was extremely limited in his opinion, and he wondered if Seto knew of his lapse. Now that the permanent scowl had gone, the softness extended even to those icy blue eyes and he realised that if Seto smiled, apart from such an event would probably signal the end of the world, it would be a wonderful sight to see. Seto on the other hand had just about finished his breakfast and realised that he was being watched.

 

“What?” He growled, the scowl firmly back in place.

 

“Nothing.” Bakura smirked. “I was just wondering what natural disaster might occur if you smiled.”

 

Seto glared at him for a moment, postulating on what would be an appropriate insult in riposte, though Bakura was not going to give him the chance to decide.

 

“Well it looks like you will be alright on the eating front.” He stated cheerily. “Though I wonder if you can handle your arsenic.” He grinned darkly.

 

Seto's eyes flashed with anger, on his feet in an instant while Bakura laughed.

 

“Easy fly boy! If I had really had put arsenic in your breakfast you would know it by now.” He smirked at the irate angel. “You are just too fucking easy.”

 

Seto growled. “Listen you apathetic excuse for an angel, if you even dare to try anything, I will be taking it out of your sorry hide for the next hundred years!” He hissed dangerously.

 

“Promises, promises.” Bakura chuckled, amusement flashing in his eyes. “Now we can work on finding out what you do and don't like. I predict that you'll be fucking picky.”

 

“What's that supposed to mean?” Seto narrowed his eyes at the earth bound angel.

 

“That you are a fucking awkward bastard and I expect that part of your personality to extend to your tastes in food.” He smirked.

 

“Awkward?” Seto sneered. “Well at least I am not like some flightless bird.”

 

“Ha, ha, very original, I would expect as much from someone as heartless as you.” Bakura spat in return, the two's temper rising all of a sudden, as hostile words began to be exchanged. “I cared enough to take my stand because I loved someone. Tell me, can that heart of stone even feel?” He sneered.

 

Seto approached Bakura with that deadly elegance which he was known by all of the Heavens for.

 

“Love?” He questioned with disdain. “Don't make me laugh. Yours is the worst kind of cowardice.”

 

“How dare you!” Bakura exploded with a roar, grabbing two handfuls of the taller angel's shirt. “How dare you call me a coward you fucking arrogant, power addicted automaton! Don't you fucking talk about cowardice when you couldn't recognise an emotion if it walked up and slapped you in the face!”

 

Seto grabbed Bakura's wrists, wrenching himself free from the other's grasp before stepping up, towering above him.

 

“What did you call me?” He hissed dangerously.

 

Bakura took a moment to consider which of the insults had hit home. “Power addicted.” He spat, knowing he had struck a nerve when Seto's glare intensified. “Come off it, we all know you get your rocks off hefting that sword of yours. Righteousness my ass, you are just a sadistic control freak that uses your role as an excuse to take enjoyment in other's fucking misery.”

 

Seto sneered down at Bakura. “I do the Lord's bidding without question, which is more than I can say for you. My allegiance is to him and no other, that is why I am entrusted with my task.” Apparently dismissing Bakura's rant out of hand.

 

Bakura smirked, not buying Seto's dismissive act for a moment. “It occurs to me, considering how you rule over the angels with an iron fist, and a fucking huge sword… which by the way is that compensating for anything?” Hmm, the Avenger had managed to turn an interesting shade of red, that look of outrage suited him for some reason. “You must love the power you have over others. So it really must fucking bite that you have to take orders, even if it is from God.”

 

Seto's aura flared with anger, and before he knew it Bakura found himself flying across the room, the taste of blood in his mouth as Seto punched him. He hit the carpet in an unceremonious heap, glaring in angered shock at his assailant.

 

“How dare you judge me, you have no right!” Seto roared. “You have no idea about me, the hardships of my task or what I may or may not desire. You've kept yourself from Heaven for so long that I doubt you have any idea about how things work there any more. And all because you are too scared to give up your heart, to have something that you would be willing to give up everything you have for. I'll say it again, you are the worst kind of coward!”

 

Growling Bakura got back to his feet, wiping the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his crimson eyes blazing.

 

“And what give you the right to judge me?” He snarled in return. He had put up with quite enough of this treatment. “You who has no understanding of love. At least I can feel Seto. It must be lonely up there in that ivory tower of yours. I wonder, what would it take to thaw that glacier round your heart you arrogant fuck!”

 

With that he forgot the injury, it would be gone in a few minutes anyway, and squared up toe to toe with the Avenger, unashamed and unafraid.

 

“You speak of cowardice saying I am afraid to commit my heart to something in its entirety. You fucking hypocrite!” He roared the last three words. “You stand there in your pious certainty, talking about love when you have kept your own heart locked away, never giving it a chance to feel, to experience love in any form. You are so firmly entrenched in your perception of righteousness and duty that you have never once allowed yourself to feel, to be touched by something or someone. You accuse me of cowardice Seto, when perhaps that label should be yours. Don't you fucking dare sneer at me for not doing something you have never fucking dared to do yourself!”

 

Unable to be in Seto's presence any longer without attempting to strangle him Bakura spun on his heel and stormed out of the small kitchen diner, slamming the door so hard behind him that it rattled in it's frame. Seto stood in silent shock at Bakura's tirade, looking after the wingless angel as though he might still see him through the closed door. Never before had anyone stood up to him like this, much less dares to call him a coward, he who did his duty unflinchingly and unerringly. And yet… He felt a twinge in his chest, something he did not recognise having never felt it before. He thought to dismiss it as something to do with the now human nature of his body, but he knew better.

 

This feeling tugged at his heart, the very heart that Bakura, quite rightly in all honesty, had accused him of caging, which made him realise something. His eyes softened, and had anyone been there to witness it they would have seen an expression of resignation cross his features. He was angry, no he was absolutely furious with Bakura for questioning his loyalty and motives, but no matter how angry he was, he had no right to storm after Bakura and demand that he take it all back, no matter how much he might want to. After all, Bakura was right.

 

Bakura on the other hand had stormed into his bedroom to attempt to calm down, knowing that raging against Seto was useless, through the prick's arrogant, self-important attitude drove him crazy. He fought to calm down, realising what he had just done in his anger. Fuck! He had just made this situation so much more difficult. Well if Seto was going to insist on being such a fucking difficult son of a bitch he would have to work out passing for being human all by himself. Right now he hated the pious shit. He hated how he made him feel so fucking inferior, so inadequate!

 

He let out a scream of frustration, before taking deep breaths in an effort to put his feelings to rest. He stood in silent meditation for a few minutes, pushing out all thoughts, all emotions, schooling his mind and heart into a state of calm till his blood no longer boiled. It was a technique he had perfected over the years, having plenty of time to do so. He was roused from his efforts by a soft knock at the door, which he had failed to close behind him. Wait a minute… did Seto just knock?

 

He turned to see Seto walk in slowly, the emotionless mask that was his trademark back in place, though somehow, he looked less haughty. Whether it was the way that he walked, or that his eyes were a fraction softer, or something else entirely, Bakura could not tell, but this slight change in demeanour was Seto's way of backing down. Heaven forbid that he might actually admit that Bakura had a point. Instead he eyed Bakura with a wary respect which had Bakura raising an eyebrow questioningly.

 

“It occurs to me.” Seto stated calmly. “That fighting is getting us nowhere. So I propose a truce.” Bakura blinked at this, but motioned for Seto to continue regardless. “I mind my own business and you mind yours. That way we can get done with this sooner rather than later.”

 

“Agreed.” Bakura replied evenly, after all it made sense. “Though for the record I don't like you.” He stated petulantly.

 

“The feeling is mutual.” Seto replied dryly.

 

“You don't like anyone.” Bakura smirked now. “I am nothing special.”

 

“Hnn.” Seto grunted. “You are better than Yami or Marik.” He conceded.

 

Bakura's eyes widened before he burst out laughing earning him a look of disdain from his companion. Sniggering he took the… somewhat sideways compliment for what it was, a peace offering, or as much of one as he was going to get at any rate.

 

“I'm honoured.” He jested while Seto merely grunted in reply, though just for a moment, though he couldn't be sure, Bakura thought he might have seen the slightest smile cross the Avenger's features.

 

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The rest of the day started well enough, though teaching Seto to drink, well that had been… interesting to say the least. It had taken a few attempts to teach him not to breathe while drinking, or at least to do so through between swallows, and had entailed the angel almost drowning and covering them both in water, the two glowering at each other once more. It was with great effort that the truce held, neither of them throwing insults at the other. It occurred to Bakura that putting the two of them together like this was not the most well thought out idea. No matter how hard they tried their two personalities simply grated against one another. By the end of the day Bakura was close to tearing his hair out and was eternally grateful that he had a work shift that evening to give him a few hours peace. After a heated discussion involving telling Seto not to destroy anything while he was gone and teaching Seto how to use the TV, though Seto had more than one attempt to destroy the remote, not trusting it's `power', he finally headed out for his shift. He would face the whole issue of sleep and such later, thought that was something he was distinctly dreading.

 

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Meanwhile far from Domino, across the oceans, Yami was making his appearance in the world. San Francisco was his entry point, in particular a dark office where he settled to wait for its owner. With and angry huff he sat down in the large chair behind the desk, fidgeting to get comfortable with his tail and wings. He would not need to hide them for this meeting. He put his feet up on the desk belligerently, still peeved at Marik for his little stunt. The whole situation gave him a headache. Why did he get the feeling that Marik's illicit little liaison was not going to be a one off? His violet eyes were tinged with red in his annoyance, deepening their hue. As the office door opened he grinned predatorily.

 

The human walked in unsuspectingly, but to his credit barely flinched when his eyes rested on the daemonic figure currently occupying his chair.

 

“Good morning, its been a while Yami.” The tall human greeted smoothly, with a practised ease that he did not feel.

 

“For you perhaps Dartz.” Yami muttered.

 

The CEO ignored the foul mood his guest seemed to be in. “To what do I owe this visit?” Dartz asked quickly. While he had over time become used to seeing Yami or another daemon in his office, he never felt comfortable in their presence and would prefer to have this over with sooner rather than later. Despite this, he had to admit that these visits were a small price to pay for his overwhelming business success. Though he was withholding judgement on the term his soul would spend in Hell for now.

 

“I need to spend some time on earth, Domino, Japan to be exact. I need a place to stay and money to live.” Yami replied bluntly, not in the mood for messing around. He was saving his foul mood and teasing banter for Seto when he saw him. That promised to be an amusing aside at the very least.

 

Most people would have been incredulous at such a request, but after bargaining away his soul for guaranteed fortune and health, Dartz knew that he could expect the occasional…odd request from his benefactor, who was technically his master now, and merely blinked for a moment before thinking about the technicalities.

 

“And how long will you need to be staying?” He asked with a resigned sigh.

 

“No fucking idea.” Yami answered, swinging his feet off the desk and getting out of the chair, vacating it for Dartz so that he could get on with things.

 

Dartz rubbed his temple discreetly, not wanting to anger the daemon with his own displeasure at the situation. He sat down before turning to his computer and bringing up the sites he would need to deal with Yami's needs.

 

“How about a two bedroom apartment on a monthly lease? You can just let me know when you are finished with it.”

 

“Fine.” Yami nodded as he wandered across the office to look out of the window. “It is merely a place to lay my head for a while.”

 

He looked down from the top floor office to the hustle and bustle of the morning rush hour of the city below. All those people, all those souls. This is what he had fought for, lost his wings for, for their right to salvation and Heaven. It was a rewarding job, and sometimes there was interesting field work involved, though Yami hadn't had an opportunity like this in millennia. He smiled, starting to feel that excitement he felt when he was about to start something like this. It would be invigorating, and when he saw Seto… oh then the knives would come out, a prospect he was relishing.

 

Back at the desk Dartz noticed that Yami was uncharacteristically quiet, but chose to say nothing, after all, discretion was the better part of valour.

 

“I should have everything dealt with in the next 24 hours.” He said calmly, turning towards the daemon who currently had his back to him. “The time difference you see. I shall have to wait until things open up again before things can be set up. I shall have a bank account set up for you, with the details waiting for you in the apartment when you arrive.”

 

“Good.” Yami stated with a smirk, turning to Dartz once more.

 

Dartz shuddered at the look on Yami's face. The daemon was plotting and he pitied the being that plot was aimed at. But to be frank as long as he wasn't involved he couldn't care less. He had other concerns on his mind.

 

“Is there anything else I can do to be of service.” He asked hoping to end this impromptu meeting. He was expecting someone soon and while he knew Yami could disappear from earth in a moment, it still made him uneasy having him here when expecting visitors.

 

Yami chuckled. “Alright Dartz, I will leave you to your little empire. I will be expecting to pick up the keys in 24 hours. I'll know where.”

 

With that he did indeed leave the office, narrowing his eyes at the prospect of what tomorrow would bring. Seto had best watch his back because he was coming. There would be no way in hell he was going to allow the Avenger to mess things up. And then there was the issue of his counterpart to be considered. Hmm, this little trip was going to be interesting. Meanwhile the populace of Domino went about their business, completely unaware of the storm that was coming.

 

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AN:

There we go. A shorter one, but it was fun to right. And oh the irony of Seto having to be taught how to be human. It is somewhat delicious. And yes, watch out, Yami is heading for Domino. There will be showdowns to come!!!

 

Talking about Yami though, I have done a nice piece of fanart for him at last, I have been promising to do it for months. I have it in plain pen and ink and in colour so if you are interested…

 

Black and white: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/57737744/