Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Redemption ( Chapter 29 )

AN:

Well to my complete surprise I was not murdered in my bed after that last cliff hanger. That has enabled me to get out the next chapter in less than a month - and hell the next one should come sooner than that as it only needs tying. But… *checks that she is wearing her Kevlar and armour* I don't think you are going to like this any more than the last one…

 

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The street remained in stunned silence. Joey and Seto both surveyed the scene in shock, Joey having dragged the angel along after him after yelling at him loudly about sorting out his mess. They had arrived just in time to see the ghastly events unfold. Ryou stepping out into the road, shouting Bakura's name, the angel's head whipping round at the sound, his body twisting, Duke firing the shot in that same moment. Blood sprayed in the air as the bullet tore into Bakura's upper arm, tyres squealed as brakes locked out, the car trying to avoid hitting the figure who had run into the road, the sickening thud filled the air as the car hit Ryou full on. Then came the heart wrenching scream that chilled everyone to the bone, wrenching out of Bakura in a wail as Ryou lay unmoving in a spreading pool of crimson. Then everything was still.

 

That awful moment broke as Duke suddenly fled the scene, knowing he couldn't afford to be seen here, unhindered by the shocked bystanders, all rendered motionless by what they had witnessed. Nobody cared about him right at this moment, their concern lay with the still figure in the road. Bakura staggered forward clutching his bleeding arm as an afterthought, collapsing to his knees by Ryou. He didn't want to think about the blood that was soaking into his jeans, was unaware of the tears streaming down his face. All that he knew was that he couldn't breathe as he looked at Ryou, his face horribly peaceful and calm in unconsciousness, and yet it was so obvious that something was terribly wrong. There was so much blood, crimson staining white, the car's windscreen smeared with blood, crazed in a nasty indent the shape of a head.

 

Behind him Joey was calling for an ambulance, Bakura reaching out with a shaking, bloodied hand to stroke at that porcelain, peaceful face, deliberately not looking at the awful concavity in the back of his head, skull obviously crushed by the blow. The youth was still breathing in soft shallow breaths. The pain in his arm didn't register anymore, his whole world consisted of Ryou right now. He didn't know how long he knelt there, shaking hands covered in Ryou's blood as he cupped his face and stroked the youth's arm crooning soothing words, not knowing if his lover could hear them or not. He just stayed that way, unwilling to break contact with him, had to feel that warmth, feel him breathing, even though it meant ignoring the wetness at his knees, the crimson smears marring porcelain skin and snowy silk. In the midst of this soothing nonsense hands suddenly were pulling him upright.

 

When had the ambulance arrived, he had not heard the sirens and didn't understand why. People swarmed round Ryou as firm but gentle hands pulled him out of the way. He refused to move out of sight from his lover as the florescent coats scurried around him. They were talking to him, but their voices were muffled to his ears, hands on him as they tended to his arm. Some kind of awareness came back to him in this moment, watching them move Ryou onto a stretcher bundle him into an ambulance. No, they couldn't take him away from him! But then those hands were guiding him forward and into the vehicle too. In a moment of clarity he turned to Joey who was right there, and had been as soon as Bakura had moved to Ryou's side. The blond assured him that he and Seto would follow the ambulance.

 

“His friends, you must call his friends.” Bakura demanded in a daze.

 

But then the doors closed, sirens wailing as the ambulance lurched into motion. The feeling of being unable to breath only increased as he sat, eyes locked on Ryou's still form, the paramedic never leaving his side. A second paramedic turned to him to ask how he was but he just shook his head. He didn't care about himself, he would heal in time, a remarkably short amount of time, and normally this little detail would have him concerned that the humans around him would work that out. But all he could give a damn about was the fact that Ryou was fighting for his life. He refused to acknowledge the cold, sinking feeling in his gut that had lodged there since he had seen the terrible wound at the back of his love's head. Ryou would be fine, he told himself over and over, Ryou would be fine, he just had to be.

 

But they were at the hospital and they forced him from Ryou's side, only serving to anger and upset him further. He angrily and forcefully shoved off the nurses that tried to tend to him, marching to the trauma bay, sitting outside the double doors refusing to move. Then was the waiting, endless waiting, anxious and numb at the same time. Time… he had no concept of how much time passed, only that Seto and Joey turned up, the blond looking pale and shaken, and even Seto looked drawn. A while later Yugi came in looking frightened and worried, Joey stepping away from the wall he was leaning against and speaking to him in hushed tones, before Yugi was sitting down too. They had barely done so when Malik barrelled in at a run, full of questions, having to be calmed, Joey taking up the task again, before finally stilling as he saw Bakura sat there, staring lifelessly at his blood stained hands.

 

Time ticked by, the clock on the wall marking it in tiny measures, the sound of the second hand for no good reason reminding Bakura of the sound of a grandfather clock, the pendulum swinging like a scythe, culling time little by little, a reaper taking from everyone. The morbid metaphor was surely indicative of the fear that lay heavy in his heart and he tried to push it away, unwilling to dwell on it. He hoped… he prayed, his lips moving silently as he poured his heart, his very soul into his plea. Seto watched his fervour dry mouthed, not understanding the feelings running through him at this moment. Something was building in this place, he could feel it in the pit of his stomach in a visceral way he had never experienced as an angel, but he knew from whence this feeling came and understood all he could do was watch events unfold.

 

Then the double doors to the trauma bay swung open and out stepped a doctor, and while the disposable gown he had worn was gone spots of blood still marred his scrubs, all too visible to worried eyes. Seto and Bakura both stiffened at the same time, the Avenger averting his gaze quickly. The doctor hadn't said a word but to them both it was plainly readable in his deep blue aura. Bakura was pushing past him before he had a chance to speak and the doctor didn't stop him, somehow knowing that Bakura understood and would not prevent the distraught man from seeing his loved one. In the corridor he spoke in hushed and regretful tones. Bakura didn't need to hear it as he stood looking at his love, feeling weak and broken inside as he was able to see what no human could, it taking all of his strength not to collapse at the sight before him.

 

Ryou's friends all stood stunned as the doctor spoke of how Ryou's skull had been crushed, how they had done all they could to release pressure on the brain, and how he would need surgery to piece it back together again but that would have to wait. Tears fell down Yugi's face, Joey white as a sheet, Malik looking ill as he spoke of brain stem activity tests that would have to wait till the next day. Only if they were positive would they proceed. It was the middle of the night, they had been fighting to keep Ryou alive for that long. Then the doctor spoke of how those tests were merely a formality, that they had best say their goodbyes. Bakura had not heard a word of this, did not need to as he held onto Ryou's limp hand.

 

To the nurses eyes the youth in the bed lay with his head swathed in bloodstained bandages, connected to drips and life support machines, and that was all they saw. They looked in pity at the broken and weeping figure beside him. They were waiting for confirmation of what Bakura already knew. What he saw when he looked at Ryou was different. The pale gold aura was in tatters, beginning to dissipate in ghostly wisps. Light no human eye could see gathered around Ryou's heart as his soul clamoured to be released from the prison of flesh that was only kept functioning in the most meagre of senses by the machines surrounding him. The moment the devices were switched off the body would die and the soul would be freed. The medical staff knew it, but didn't dare say it until the tests were done. Ryou was dead.

 

The nurses started as the pale, almost wraithlike figure beside the body in the bed stood up violently. The three friends and Seto all jumped, Yugi actually yelping as the double doors were thrown open with force. Bakura stood before them with a fire in his crimson eyes none but Seto understood. Joey flinched as that inferno was turned on him.

 

“Whatever you do, do not let them let him go.”

 

Bakura's voice was so harsh, so full of finality that it sent shivers up their spines, even Seto was not unmoved by it.

 

“Stay with him, don't let them do anything.”

 

Joey swallowed thickly before asking the question raised by those words.

 

“What about you?”

 

Bakura turned to Seto. “I have something I need to do.”

 

Nothing else was said but as crimson fire remained locked to icy cerulean, recognition softened the blue as the Avenger now understood what Bakura meant to do. He would have said something about it being futile, but given that this was Bakura and his importance to the Lord he remained quiet. He knew how long the host had been waiting for this, though it choked him that it had to happen like this. But Bakura was marching out of the corridor with a determination rarely witnessed in any being on this earthly plane. Bakura's feet carried him through the hospital at a fierce pace, though as he stepped outside he broke into a run.

 

I've been dreaming for so long,

to find a meaning, to understand…

 

His feet pounded against the asphalt, only one destination in mind, only one thing that he could do. It was desperate but he had to try.

 

the secret of life.

Why am I here to try again?

 

As he ran images flashed through his mind; Ryou's smile, his laugh, his soft brown eyes that could express so much, the youth's loving heart that had captured and ensnared him.

 

Will I always, will you always

see the truth, when it stares you in the face?

 

He had hurt him. He hadn't meant to, he loved him with all his heart, just as he had loved another. He had not wished harm on either of them but because of him, his actions, his mistakes, both had been punished.

 

Will I ever, will I never free myself

by breaking these chains?

 

Why? Why was it that when it was his mistake someone else paid the price? Why did he have to stand and watch as they bore the brunt of what he had, or hadn't done? It broke his heart, could feel it shattering even now. What did he have to do to stop this?

 

I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul,

I'd turn it back, it's my fault.

 

But he knew the answer, what he had to do was live, live in his own pain, unable to soothe pain of those that he had hurt.

 

Your destiny is forlorn,

have to live till it's undone.

 

But he couldn't just stand by and do nothing. He'd stood by for millennia, searching for answers he couldn't find, looking for a way forward, waiting for inspiration and guidance that never came. But no more. Now he would demand answers, demand action. He couldn't stand by to watch an innocent lose his life just because they had gotten involved with each other.

 

I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul

I'd turn it back and then at last I'll be on my way.

 

He was no longer aware of running, his body and mind detached as he searched the memories that spanned the ages, looking to see if there was something that he had missed, searching vainly for an answer he so desperately wanted.

 

I've been living for so long,

many seasons have passed me by.

 

So many years, so much time and nothing, no clues as to what he wanted to know. How could so many years be wasted, fruitless? How had he existed for so long like this?

 

I've seen kingdoms through ages

rise and fall, I've seen it all.

 

How could it exist, such cruelty? Wasn't what they stood for, faith, religion, angels, daemons… wasn't it all for the good in the world? So where was it now, how could such travesties happen to the innocent?

 

I've seen the horror, I've seen the wonders

happening just in front of my eyes.

 

But this life was a lesson, he just didn't understand what this lesson was. As pain, anger, loss, desperation and agony all tore at his heart, he just simply didn't comprehend.

 

Will I ever, will I never free myself

by making it right?

 

As he ran through the gates to the church yard, the edifice of stone and stained glass looming before him, he refused to see the graves and the markers of death he passed, consumed with only one thing.

 

I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul,

I'd turn it back, it's my fault.

Your destiny is forlorn,

have to live till it's undone.

I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul,

I'd turn it back and then at last I'll be on my way.

 

As he pushed the door open to the church he stopped dead in the open doorway, his throat tight with emotion, his mind and heart full of so much. In this house of God his thoughts drifted to Akeifa, tearing him in two. Guilt filled him, guilt at having moved on from his angelic love, guilt at thinking of a past love when he was here for Ryou.

 

Jillian, our dream ended long ago.

All our stories and all our glory I held so dear.

 

It was too late, there was nothing he could do for Akeifa. He'd tried, searched for answers for so very long, done all that he could to understand and he had still failed him.

 

We won't be together

forever and ever, no more tears.

 

He had failed Akeifa, but he wouldn't fail again. Ryou… he couldn't fail him now. Just because this was his fate did not mean he would give up.

 

I'll always be here until the end.

 

He closed his eyes in silent apology to Akeifa as he stepped slowly over the threshold.

 

Jillian, no more tears…

Jillian, no more tears…

 

He walked up the aisle of the empty building, the Parson asleep in the rectory, but the church door was always open to those who sought solace and sanctuary. As he reached the altar rail he sank to his knees, silent tears streaming down his face.

 

I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul,

I'd turn it back, it's my fault.

 

In this place, the house of the Lord, a place close to God and all that was Holy, he turned his attention to the Heavens.

 

Your destiny is forlorn,

have to live till it's undone.

 

Bakura had no idea of how many were watching him at this point, from so many places. He never heard the softest of footsteps behind him over his own heaving breathing.

 

I'd give my heart, I'd give my soul

I'd turn it back and then at last I'll be on my way.

 

One figure remained by the door as the other approached Bakura, lifting his wings out of the way of the pews, feathers rustling softly over the simple seating. Bakura's hands gripped the dark polished wood of the altar rail so hard they were white, bloodless, a stark contrast against the old grain. But the fierce grip was to try and stop the trembling, stave off the awful sobs and further tears threatening to wrack his body. He didn't think he had ever cried so much in his long, long life. But he couldn't block out the imagery of Ryou, broken, limp, kept alive by machinery, his soul ready to leave the already dead shell of flesh that the doctors were keeping alive by inhuman means. It made him so angry.

 

“Why!” He demanded, his eyes turned to the heavens. “Why did you do this to him? He's an innocent, surely he couldn't be meant for this.” He only wished that he was in God's very presence for this, though he might have attempted to strangle him if he was. “Why do you have to destroy something so pure? To punish me? You have fucking eternity to do that, don't do that to him, not him.”

 

His voice trailed off from his rant, wavering as tears ran freely from crimson eyes. Of all the horrors he had seen throughout the years this was by far the worst.

 

“It's not right!” He roared eyes fixed on the effigy of Christ on the cross that hung over the altar. “This is because of me, you can't take his life because he got involved with me. You want to punish me then do it, don't make innocents like him pay for my mistakes. Why would you do this I don't understand? What do you want from me?!”

 

Behind him, unheeded by Bakura in his tirade the figure closest to him looked to the tall figure that stood by the door, arms folded across his chest, the two exchanging a look. They both knew this moment was pivotal. After so many millennia the time had finally come.

 

“Tell me what you want, I'll do it just… just don't do this to him. Give him back, give him the chance he deserves please… please I beg of you.” Finally Bakura had broken down into harsh sobbing, his head in his hands. “Don't make me live when he's gone,” he whispered.

 

Marik took a deep breath, steeling himself for this. He had a job to do here and the time was now. He stepped forward, Seto sighing softly as he leaned against the doorframe to watch events unfold.

 

“Bakura.”

 

The earthbound angel looked up quickly, snapping out of his weeping at the stern summons to see Marik stood above him in his full form.

 

“You want him to live?”

 

The question was harshly asked, the unsaid implications ringing off it. It hadn't been on Bakura's mind when he had come here, but for a price Marik did have the power. He had been making bargains since he had taken on the role as Master of Hell, and he was here now, asking him if he wanted to bargain.

 

“Yes.”

 

Marik hated how broken Bakura sounded right now, but could not afford to let his own emotion show.

 

“What would you be willing to do in order for him to live?”

 

“Anything.” The reply was soft.

 

“What would you be willing to give?”

 

“Anything.” Stronger this time.

 

“Anything?” Marik's tone was almost disdainful.

 

“Everything that I have, all that I am.” Bakura returned fiercely.

 

Yes it was time indeed for the Devil to go to work, to tempt the soul from the rightful path and in doing so, help it find the way to Heaven. Marik dropped to one knee beside Bakura so he could more easily look him in the eye. Though now he could also more easily see the desperate hope in those crimson depths. It was hard to ignore who Bakura was, that they were essentially friends. Now, in this moment, in this place, they were beyond whatever ties they had once had.

 

“And what do you have to give?”

 

Bakura swallowed thickly.

 

“I don't know!” He growled in frustration.

 

“Oh I think you do.” Marik countered utterly serious. “Are you willing to sell your soul to the Devil, to do anything I ask of you for all eternity, to fight God, tear the Heavens apart if that is what I demand, turn your back on the Lord at my very whim?”

 

“If you can bring Ryou back, take me to Heaven and I will crush it with my bare hands.”

 

“Ah, yes, Ryou.” Marik smirked darkly. “What if I gave him his life back and you could never see him again, what if that is the price I demand?”

 

Bakura shook his head. “I don't care as long as he lives. He has to.”

 

“Why? Why do you come looking for a miracle, what is it about this boy?”

 

“I love him you bastard!” Bakura snapped, anger flaring inside him as well as desperation. “Don't fucking mess with me. Don't come here and fucking offer me this then ask why. You fucking want me for your cause then fine. You've wanted me from the beginning, so fine you can have me.”

 

Bakura was ranting, clutching at the slight hope, but he knew Marik could do it, it was within his power as long as he was willing to pay the price, and yes, he was willing to do whatever it took. Marik chuckled.

 

“So eager to deal, and for love no less. But in that case I am not done.” Lavender eyes turned cold. “Would you really give up everything? If I made the price your life, would you pay it willingly, would you still fight for the boy then? No hope of an afterlife Bakura, you know this, such is an angel's fate. Are you willing to fall and die while falling, to become nothing in this universe, to never see your love again, is your love that strong?”

 

Marik watched as Bakura's eyes grew hard with conviction.

 

“Yes.”

 

Marik nodded. He was almost there, and at the door Seto shifted, fidgeted as he sensed it too.

 

“Even though it consigns Akeifa to Hell, never to be released after you promised you would help him?”

 

The question hit Bakura like a double round of buckshot deep in his belly. Akeifa… no he had not forgotten him or his promise. He was suddenly torn by the longing to see him one last time, to reach out and touch what he only remembered in slowly fading clarity, to feel those wings around him, wings which were now gone. Wings did shift round him as Marik leaned in close like a hawk mantling its prey, black feathers moving against each other in menacing susurrations, the sound both enticing and chilling in the stillness of the church.

 

“You would never see him again, lose your chance to release him from Hell, as well as your life. Would you really give that up for this boy? Do you really love him enough to give up your hope of redemption for you both?”

 

Bakura was shaking, no longer looking at Marik as yet more tears ran down his face. Where did they come from? Surely he should have run out of them long since. But he couldn't halt their flow as he looked at his hands, looking at the blood that had dried there. Some of it was his, but most of it was Ryou's and it was beginning to flake off. Ryou's blood… He thought of Akeifa, his soft smile, his kindness, his conviction and his love. Then he thought of Ryou, the short months they had shared, the sheer joy of being with him, the love that he had felt. Was that short time they had shared worth more than the eternal bond he shared with Akeifa?

 

“Forgive me,” he whispered as he already knew his heart, and no amount of guilt could sway his feelings.

 

“Who do you choose Bakura?” Marik asked, his voice quiet and soft, the final push.

 

“Ryou.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

In the hospital where the three friends sat beside the fourth, pale and fearful, faces stained with tears, they all leapt as the still form beside them began to convulse. Alarms sounded, nurses rushing in, ushering them out in a hurry as they set to trying to save their broken friend who was arcing off the bed. As the doors swung closed blocking him from sight Yugi broke into fresh sobs, Joey drawing him into his arms, holding him tight. Malik was deathly pale as they feared for their friend. Was this it? Where was Bakura, he should be here for Ryou now. Silently Joey begged for Bakura to hurry his ass up and get back here. Part of him wondered where Seto had gone, he had slipped out shortly after Bakura had left, but he had more important things to worry about. He stared at the double doors and hoped with all of his might that in this day of horrors, something might go right.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Bakura roared in pain as it tore through him. Fire blazed in his back with such intensity that everything - Marik, the church, the very ground fell away from his senses. It registered that he was now alone, that all he knew was gone, that there nothing else but the pain his body was suffering. But even as he could feel hot blood running down his back, as he was screaming out his agony, the pain did not compare to that which was shredding his heart. He didn't understand and frankly just didn't care. If this was all part of the deal that would save Ryou then he would gladly bear it. But as soon as it had come the pain was gone leaving him feeling hollow, a heaviness at his back in place of the pain. After a few moments of breathing hard he realised that the sensation was both unfamiliar and yet one he knew, and yet it just could not be.

 

Tentatively he lifted his head to take in his surroundings and gasped. How? How could he be here? It just made no sense. He looked to his side and saw something else that was utterly impossible. But as he got to his feet he couldn't deny the weight at his back that he had missed for so very many years, or the feel of feathers moving against each other, that delicate sensation that was impossible to describe to another. He was stood at the very gates of Heaven and he had wings again. It seemed like an impossible dream, one that he had thought was unattainable after so long. Hadn't he just agreed to give up these things forever? But in the halo of a brilliant golden aura a familiar figure appeared.

 

“Gabriel.”

 

The angel approached him with open arms and a warm smile.

 

“Welcome home Bakura.”

 

Then he was pulled into a gentle embrace, so different from the last one they had shared and yes… it felt like home, all he had longed for.

 

“Why? How?”

 

Bakura was confused as they parted, unable to comprehend what was going on.

 

“Do you not remember?” Gabriel asked kindly. “Well it has been so long I suppose,” he said with a chuckle. “You were confined to earth until you found something you were willing to fight for, give up everything for. In doing so you would find redemption in the Lord's eyes. I'd say you found that something.”

 

Bakura swallowed thickly, understanding starting to seep through the fog.

 

“And Marik?”

 

Gabriel chuckled. “He always knew the day would come when that would be the role he would have to take. He just didn't know when, or even how you would come to this point. It has taken a lot longer than we expected. But the most important journeys are often long and hard. But come, the Lord is waiting to see you.”

 

Bakura nodded numbly, it was all he could do. It was so hard to take it all in, so much was happening and at such a time. As he followed Gabriel it felt so strange, having to adjust to having wings again, drawing them around him to confirm that they were indeed his. The tips of the brilliantly white feathers were edged in the finest sliver of crimson to match his eyes rather than the tan of his first set of wings. Such a cruel irony that colouring, bitterly reminding him of blood staining jasmine scented silk, Ryou lying broken in the road, the blood spreading. Was this the price of his redemption?

 

As they stepped into the Hallowed Hall, approaching the Seat of Judgement on the dais, he passed faces he had not seen in millennia, all smiling benignly, welcomingly at him. Ahead, to God's left of the throne stood Seto in his due place. Well that would please him, no more fucking about on Earth. But then Seto moved to the side and Bakura's heart froze in his chest. No! Please almighty God no! He'd asked Joey to make sure that nothing happened to him. But there was no doubt about it, stood with Seto was a brightly shimmering soul, its light so bright from being released from life. As the soul turned its attention to him and its identity could no longer be denied Bakura didn't know how his knees didn't collapse from under him.

 

“Ryou.”

 

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AN:

Yes, I killed Ryou, you read that right. No sissy or cliché comas for me pal. I don't do anything by halves. But on that note I think it is time I made a very swift exit!

 

P.S. Lyrics come from Jillian by Within Temptation (I do not own, do not profit etc etc) and many thanks to Paniwi for selecting the song as Redemption's theme a year ago. Love you precious!