Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Redemption ❯ Reunions and Partings ( Chapter 30 )

AN:

Okay, naughty girl that I am I have had this back from my beta days ago, but then had far too much to do and didn't get round to updating. But I am here and doing it now, so sorry about that. So, time to reveal what I have been up to all along…

 

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Just as Bakura thought his knees were about to go out from underneath him there came the weight of a hand on his shoulder to steady him. And with it came a presence, one that he had long missed with every fibre of his angelic being, and one that seeded in him such peace he had not felt since before the Battle of the Heavens. As the hand left him, only echoes of that peace remained, his pain and anguish rising in him again. But there was only one who could seed such ease with a gentle touch, and he turned wide eyed to see the serene features of the Lord himself.

 

“Be still my child.” He said softly. “He has a right to know and so I brought him here. Now there is much we must discuss.” He turned to the angel at Bakura's side. “Gabriel, would you take care of this young man for us.”

 

The angel nodded, bowing slightly before crossing to where Ryou's soul stood. With a kind smile he directed Ryou out of the hall. The lovers' eyes met for a moment, Bakura's gaze full of pain and longing, only to be eased by Ryou's kind and understanding smile. He longed to reach out and touch his lover, his form whole and healthy in this realm, but as a soul Ryou had little physical substance. While he might be able to brush against him, he would not be solid enough to reach out and hold. But Gabriel had already guided Ryou out of the Hall, and the Lord was gently ushering Bakura forward. Seto gave him a gentle nod in greeting, his expression and eyes softer than he had seen for a while. Bakura smiled tightly at the Avenger.

 

“So much for you working out with Joey. It's a shame, he had such a good effect on you. You'll never know what you've missed.”

 

The Lord watched this exchange with interest, the way Seto looked away almost with shyness, even a little guilt. It seeded thoughts, possibilities, but that was not for now, he would mull on this later. The sound of wings beating the air behind them as others arrived had Bakura turning to see who the new arrivals were. The Lord was taking his Seat as the breath stalled in his throat at the sight of the familiar figure that Yami and Marik were bringing in between them.

 

“Akeifa.” Bakura breathed in wonder as all three touched the ground, Marik and Yami releasing their charge.

 

Akeifa smiled in utter joy to see Bakura again, the angel running to his daemon, taking him into his arms fiercely in an embrace that encompassed Akeifa in wings and arms alike. The daemon clutched onto the redeemed angel tightly, tail coiling slightly in his joy. They remained that way for a while, unwilling to let go lest this prove to be a dream. But eventually Bakura pulled back, taking Akeifa's face into his hands.

 

“I thought I was never going to see you again.”

 

His voice cracked with emotion and he was close to tears. Seeing Akeifa like this after being in so much pain, the joy that wanted to fill him fighting with his anguish, tearing his heart in two. He didn't know if he could stand it. And after all that had been said in that church…

 

“Just doing my job Bakura.” Marik said lightly.

 

Bakura's attention shifted to Marik as he spoke and the guilt filled him. His eyes met the long missed steel grey as he wanted to explain, to beg forgiveness for what he had said when he had been on his knees and utterly broken. But he was stopped before he could even begin.

 

“No, don't.” Akeifa murmured gently. “I saw it all, did you think I would not be watching you both?” He asked with a soft smile. “I understand, and you need to know, I have never been jealous of Ryou, just happy for you both. It has been such a blessing to see you back to yourself.”

 

“'Keifa…” Bakura breathed, leaning into the soft caress at his cheek, utterly humbled by his words.

 

“I am a touch jealous of you though.”

 

Bakura stepped back a little, utterly confused by that comment, but Akeifa chuckled softly, the sound as delicate a gossamer bee's wing. Had he forgotten that sound, was it so beautiful to him because he had missed it for so long? With that soft laugh came a smile, a proud smile as he regarded the man he had loved through the ages.

 

“You, you have learned to love like no other divine being has. It's a unique experience.”

 

Bakura softened as he understood at last. Though he shook his head; only Akeifa could be jealous of such a thing. His eyes met Seto's, the Avenger's face a mask, but if you looked carefully you could see the sadness in the cerulean depths.

 

“Well some would treasure it more than others it seems,” he said softly never breaking the eye contact with the tall angel.

 

At his words the Avenger could no longer maintain their locked gaze, turning away looking faintly embarrassed. Bakura had no desire to add to his discomfiture so turned back to Akeifa who was reaching out to gently caress his wings.

 

“They're beautiful,” he breathed softly, “even more so than before.”

 

“They're bigger than I remember.”

 

But as he spoke there was an absence in his tone, his heart and thoughts elsewhere, even in this joyous moment. Even this reunion, as happy as it was could not stop him worrying for the youth he loved. Did he have to accept his death, that Ryou was now beyond his grasp forever? But no-one seemed to want to address his pain and when he had drawn the necessary courage to ask, the Lord called Akeifa forward.

 

“Come my child, it is time that you regained your freedom.”

 

Bakura watched wide-eyed as with that serene smile he had loved and missed for so long, Akeifa left his side and approached the dais. As he reached the seat of judgement he gracefully dropped to one knee, bowing his head in genuflection, his tail moving in long, languid strokes of happiness. The sight gave Bakura pause. Akeifa was utterly content while he was the opposite, in complete turmoil. He was overjoyed at seeing his love again, but in agony at the death of his lover, torn with guilt and pain, going through the motions on autopilot. But even he could not hold back the awe at the magnificence of the sight when the Lord gently placed a hand on Akeifa's head, and the daemon grew the most glorious set of creamy white wings imaginable.

 

Akeifa was quite the sight. He had both the colouring and the spiked tail of a daemon and yet a perfect set of angel's wings. As he was now, he was as unique in form as Marik. But they could both fly again, their wings restored as if they had never been lost, though both found their wings different to before. They were no longer restricted to a single plane. Freedom at last, but at such a cost.

 

As the brightness of the Lord's powers receded Akeifa withdrew and the Lord leaned forward.

 

“Akeifa, you remain one of the Fallen, that is your place, given to you because of the choices you have made. But long enough have you been banished from my presence. You will be my liaison between realms. I think it has been proven that it is high time I had such contact. Some of the events of late have been disturbing and I need more visibility in the involvement of the Fallen in human matters,” he said sternly, his gaze resting heavily on Yami and Marik.

 

“As for you Bakura, Heaven has been a long time without you. You will remain here, your powers fully restored to you, you are my angel again indeed.”

 

Bakura remained on the verge of tears. He should have been overjoyed but instead he was overwhelmed with grief. Oddly enough it was Seto's gaze that met his, with unlooked for sympathy, as the Lord continued.

 

“Go my Fallen. You have work to do. Akeifa my child, enjoy your wings again, but there is someone I think you should see before you leave.”

 

Akeifa nodded knowingly, and turned to leave, pausing a moment to turn Bakura's face to his, and press a comforting kiss to his brow.

 

“Have faith,” he murmured before he had to go.

 

And in this moment, standing in this Hallowed Hall, where he had longed to be for so very long, Bakura felt more alone than he had done in all his exile on Earth.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Ryou smiled softly at Gabriel, but no matter how warm the expression was, it was tinged by sadness as well.

 

“Yes, I understand. It's… it's incredible to see him like this. I would never have thought…”

 

“That he could be, or is an angel?” Gabriel asked amused. “No, with that foul mouth of his I would imagine not.”

 

But Ryou's face fell. There was something he was struggling to understand, frightened of knowing even.

 

“What happens now? Am… am I dead?”

 

Gabriel smiled kindly.

 

“Actually in your case things are more complicated than that.”

 

Ryou nodded, knowing that the situation with Bakura was unique.

 

“Things are not entirely decided,” the angel continued. “Right now not even I know what is going to happen next. The Lord's mind is often unfathomable, even to us, his firstborn children that have known him for so very long.”

 

Ryou sighed but accepted it. It was like a dream, almost impossible to take in. There had been that awful moment when the shot rang out, seeing Bakura's blood spray in the air, and then nothing. Well that was until he had `woken' in a place made entirely of light. Seto had been there waiting for him, winged, in strange robes, with a sword and dagger at his side, and he had brought him to Heaven explaining a little on the way. Since they had left the Hallowed Hall Gabriel had explained it all, the Battle of the Heavens, Bakura's punishment. Suddenly he understood what Seto had said, not that he hadn't forgiven Bakura already, but now… he could only view his lover with awe. His only regret was that they had not been able to have more time together.

 

But a couple of familiar figures were heading their way, familiar if you discounted the wings in the silhouette of course. He had never actually met Marik or Yami he knew instantly it was them, the likeness to his friends was unmistakable, though they definitely were harder, darker versions of the friends he knew so well. But he did not know the third of the group. Gabriel was smiling at the stranger in a soft way he didn't quite understand, but the angel was turning him to make the formal introductions. Ryou shook his head as the bigger picture came into view. Just how had he and his friends gotten involved in something like this?

 

“This is… it's a lot to handle.” He said softly.

 

“Well this wasn't exactly how I was planning on meeting ya' kid, but there you go.” Marik shrugged.

 

“The Devil?” Ryou asked timidly, still finding it hard to swallow.

 

Marik nodded with a smirk.

 

Ryou sighed. “Malik is going to have a fit.”

 

It was bizarre enough to see the two of them standing before him, one very plainly a demon, the other a dark angel - the Adversary himself - let alone realise that his friends had been dating them. Though he was one to talk of course. But Gabriel was bringing his attention to the third of the group, motioning him forward.

 

“Akeifa?” Ryou asked softly, Realising that this was the man… angel… demon… that Bakura had spoken of in the past. Strange to understand that.

 

“Yes young one,” the Fallen affirmed softly.

 

“I… I'm sorry,” he mumbled.

 

“What for?” Akeifa asked smiling. “For making Bakura happier than he has ever been? For helping him find love, a love that no other divine being will ever know? For helping him find redemption? You have nothing to be sorry for.”

 

“But he is yours,” the youth protested.

 

The Fallen smiled kindly shaking his head. “No Ryou, he is yours. I am merely fortunate to be in his heart, even after all this time. His heart belongs to you, and I do not begrudge you that.”

 

But Gabriel was stepping forward.

 

“Marik, you recognised at the outset of things that Ryou was special. I think I know why, but Akeifa, only you can confirm my suspicions with your power. With your permission Ryou, I want him to touch you deep in your core. It will feel strange as you are merely a soul right now.”

 

Ryou wasn't entirely sure what was being asked of him, but Gabriel was so serene, and Akeifa was looking curious, so he nodded, not knowing of any reason why he should disagree. So the odd mix of angel and daemon approached him slowly.

 

“Relax, I promise this will not hurt.”

 

Yes, he was incredibly curious as to why Gabriel would ask him to do this. His talent was unique amongst the divine, he had the ability to judge souls, to see within them and what was hidden in their core. It had been this ability that he had discovered on his first contact with a human soul that had prompted him to take the stance he had in their short lived war. But in the wake of that battle and their fall from grace, it had been his task countless times over the millennia he had dwelt in Hell; to judge the souls in their care when the way to guide them to Heaven was not so clear, the case more difficult.

 

So he gently ran his hands over Ryou's shoulder in that barely there touch that was possible with all souls to soothe them, a touch he was adept at. As Ryou's form visibly relaxed under the influence of his aura he placed his hand over where his heart had laid in life. Ryou gasped as that hand sank into his spiritual form, and he had a sense of merging, of being part of the being before him in a way that he didn't understand. But as quickly as it had happened Akeifa was withdrawing, looking at him with wide eyes full of astonished shock.

 

“Kisara.” He breathed incredulously.

 

It wasn't possible, but there was no mistaking the presence of his twin within this youth's soul. But Gabriel was smiling gently.

 

“Just as I thought.”

 

Looking slightly distraught Akeifa turned to God's Right Hand seeking understanding.

 

“How?”

 

“We always knew that when an angel, or indeed a daemon, died that their energy would dissipate into the universe. We had all assumed that said energy would not remain cohesive, but disperse and become part of the fabric of everything we know. Apparently we were wrong. Somehow after all this time Kisara found a way to be reborn, inside of Ryou.”

 

“I'm… I'm someone else?” Ryou asked timidly, as shocked as the rest of them.

 

“No Ryou, you are very much your own unique person. But in essence you are part angel.”

 

Ryou was stunned, not knowing what to make of this. So much that was impossible was happening. Akeifa looked like he was about to weep, though whether it was with sadness or joy was not entirely clear. But Marik was shaking his head.

 

“Well that explains the aura.”

 

But Akeifa was shaking his head, actually looking disturbed.

 

“This is wrong, he shouldn't be here, not like this, in this form.”

 

They all looked at him in alarm.

 

“If he is dead, because of Kisara within him, he should be an angel himself, he should have ascended.”

 

Ascension happened rarely with certain special souls within humanity, though usually it was impossible to tell who would ascend or why. But in the stunned silence that followed Akeifa's words a soft chuckle broke the moment. They all turned toward the sound to see Gabriel smiling.

 

“I did say it was complicated.”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The Lord had not been blind to his angel's distress, he had been but biding his time, waiting to deal with it in the right moment.

 

“Bakura, why does your lover's death upset you so? He is in Heaven, should you not be rejoicing?”

 

The angel bit back the angry snarl that rose within him, mindful both of whose presence he was in, and that he had a lot to be thankful for right now. It would not do to anger him again so swiftly.

 

“He died because of me,” he countered. “He should have had a long life, and a happy one. Instead he got me, got involved in all of this and he died because of it.” He only just managed to stifle the cry of `it's not fair' and avoid sounding like a petulant child. “You can't tell me that this was in your plan for him?”

 

The Lord smiled.

 

“What Ryou did was off his own back. Much like you were willing to give anything to save his life, he rushed out unthinkingly without any concern for himself to save yours.”

 

“But I can't die, not like that.”

 

The Lord laughed. “He didn't know that remember? All that he knew was that he loved you, no matter how angry or upset at you he was, and he wanted to keep you safe. He didn't want you to suffer for his mistakes.”

 

“His mistakes?” Bakura was incredulous.

 

“Yes Bakura, he is just like you. He sees his relationship to Duke as a mistake, a bad one. You have seen for yourself what kind of man he is.”

 

“I dread to think of how many he has hurt.” Bakura growled.

 

“He will be punished.”

 

Seto's cold tone startled Bakura, he had just about forgotten he was here too. The Lord smiled benevolently.

 

“Indeed he shall. But now I must deal with business. So even now Bakura, when Ryou's soul is assured of a place in Heaven, you would still fight for his life, tear down Heaven with your bare hands?” He asked with a touch of amusement.

 

Bakura unimpressed, answered in all seriousness.

 

“If I can save him by doing so then yes.”

 

The Lord smiled softly, Bakura actually getting annoyed by the entertainment he seemed to be getting out of this situation.

 

“Then my child, are you not glad that I just brought him here as there was something I needed to confirm, that others are discovering for themselves at this very moment?”

 

He rose to his feet as Bakura looked at him stunned.

 

“But in the hospital…”

 

“I know, but miracles do happen, small ones everyday. It has been a while but I imagine that this one will go by relatively unnoticed. Raising the dead does not have the impact it once did in this modern world.”

 

He had reached Bakura now, placing a hand on each of the angel's shoulders.

 

“Go with my blessing, and use your power to work that miracle. Say your goodbye to him and have patience. He will return when his mortal life is lived and he will be at your side for eternity as he is meant to be, as he will ascend. So be at peace my child and do my work. Return to my side, we have missed you so much.”

 

Bakura sighed, a soft sob of relief escaping him as he realised what was happening. The Lord reached out to wipe away the tears rolling down Bakura's cheeks. He thought to bid his child not to weep, but they were tears of joy, and he would not deny his beloved don the emotion, not after so long hurting. Instead he drew him into a gentle embrace.

 

“Go my son, all will be well.”

 

With that he released him, Bakura bowing his head in gratitude before striding out of the Hall. As he walked it took some getting used to, the feeling of his wings at his back, air moving through his feathers, but it felt like home. It didn't take him long to find Ryou, and therefore the others too.

 

“What are you three still doing here, I thought you were sent back to work?”

 

He was surprised to see them there, though the Lord's comment about others discovering what he had confirmed made sense now.

 

“Well we came across some interesting information, we wanted to see how this played out.” Marik said with a shrug.

 

But Bakura only had eyes for Ryou now, so glad to be seeing him, but his heart twisting in his chest at the knowledge that this was goodbye, though he did not know for how long.

 

“I'm so sorry,” he said. “I never…”

 

“Shh!” Ryou stopped him. “It's okay, I know everything.”

 

But Ryou saying that made him realise something and he looked to Gabriel.

 

“He always intended for Ryou to live.”

 

Gabriel nodded. “Stepping out into the street was of his own free will. Because of that you have rejoined the Host. The Lord, like you, does not believe that death should be the price of that. And as Akeifa has discovered, he's not truly dead.”

 

Ryou still looked confused, even fearful.

 

“What is going to happen to me?”

 

“I am taking you home,” Bakura said softly. All eyes were on him, Ryou's in particular. “I don't think it will be easy. I will help you along as best I can but there is only so much I can do. You have a long recovery ahead of you,” he said sternly.

 

“That's okay, you'll be with me.”

 

Bakura sighed. “No Ryou, though I wish I could be. If I was to stay on Earth I wouldn't age, it would get noticed. My place is here, and I have a few millennia of work to catch up on.”

 

Ryou's face fell and Bakura knew that if he could his lover would be weeping. But a soul does not have enough substance to be able to cry even if the emotion was as acute as in life.

 

“We will be together again in time.” Bakura soothed. “Have faith and patience my love.”

 

Ryou hung his head. “You'll… you'll be watching over me?”

 

“Always, don't ever doubt it.”

 

And that was enough for the youth, well it had to be to tell the truth. Bakura was about to leave with Ryou but Marik made him pause.

 

“Look kid, it's up to you what you tell your friends when you get back, but to be honest I doubt me and Yami will ever get to come back. If you can find a way to tell Malik it ain't my choice I'd be grateful.”

 

“Likewise,” Yami said softly. “And it was just starting to get interesting too.”

 

Marik elbowed Yami sharply.

 

“Can I tell them the truth?”

 

Bakura sighed, only Ryou would think like this.

 

“That is up to you.” Gabriel said. “But nothing and no-one will stop you. But it really is time that you left.”

 

Akeifa turned to Bakura, approaching him and taking him into a gentle embrace.

 

“Finally I will get to see something of you.”

 

Bakura chuckled. “Be careful, you might get sick of me.”

 

But that said the three Fallen did have to leave, all taking wing to traverse the dimensions. Bakura watched with a smile as Akeifa flew for the first time with his new wings. He had longed to see that for so very long and it was a joy to see. But Gabriel was turning to them.

 

“And it is also time I took my leave. But on an interesting note, Marik is a daemon and like all daemons can be summoned quite simply. You merely have to want to see them with all your heart and call their name. Even God won't stop a summoning. It is a shame angels cannot be summoned also.”

 

With that Gabriel turned and left them, Ryou turning to Bakura shyly.

 

“Will we be flying too?”

 

Bakura shook his head. “As a soul you do not have a solid enough form. Hell I can't even hug you or kiss you goodbye. I guess we will have to wait until you have had a long and varied life.”

 

Ryou sighed softly.

 

“Promise me you will live life to the full Ry'. Please sweet one, I want you to be happy.”

 

Ryou looked to his lover. “As long as you promise to watch over me every day.”

 

“I will always be there for you,” he reassured him.

 

“Then yes.”

 

“Now I need to get you back.”

 

He stepped up to Ryou, circling his large wings round the soul, holding his hands out, drawing the power from within for the direct transport between dimensions.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~

 

In the hospital the three friends were sat with Ryou once again. The convulsions had stopped and Ryou was still again. They all sat afraid. It was only supposed to be two visitors at a time but none of the nursing staff had the heart to make one of them wait outside, not when they were so sure of the youth's imminent death. So they quietly got on with things around them. But the scene suddenly slowed, coming to a halt, everyone and everything freezing. It was at this moment that Ryou and Bakura appeared in a flash of light. Time was stopped, well at least temporarily, so events would remain unseen. The transfer had been quite harsh on Bakura, after so long he was not used to his powers, flying was by far easier and took less power. But now they were here Ryou was looking at himself in horror, only now aware of what had happened to him.

 

“Oh Bakura, it's bad isn't it?”

 

“Yes.” He replied truthfully. “Your skull was shattered at the back. I will help you along as best I can, you will be whole in mind, and your body will be yours to control again in time, you won't be paralyzed, but that is all I can promise. It's going to be hard for a while and you will have to be strong love.”

 

Ryou shook his head. “They're all here.” He said looking to those sat at his bedside.

 

“Of course. Treasure them, you will need them now.”

 

“I will miss you.” Ryou breathed, sounding choked.

 

“I know sweet one, and I you. But it is time.”

 

Yes, he could only hold them outside of time for so long.

 

“What do I have to do?”

 

“Just relax and close your eyes.”

 

Ryou did as he was bidden, Bakura smiling softly. He drew his power forth, enveloping Ryou's soul in it, softly guiding the soul back into the body it belonged in, Ryou having the strangest sensation of floating. He watched as the soul merged with flesh once more, beginning to anchor inside. Good. Now he stepped forward, holding his hands over Ryou's body much as a reikei healer might. But his power could be seen, a glow emanating from his hands. He sighed as he imparted his own energy into Ryou's body. This was why he had been pressed so hard to join the Battle; his gift had been to heal and would have been invaluable. It was also why in his time on Earth he had healed so quickly from any injury. So now he gave what boost he could to Ryou's healing, focussing on the brain to take away any damage done by the accident, placing a hand on Ryou's forehead to do so. As he did so he suddenly felt power of an amazing strength rise up within him, and he knew the source, who was lending it to him.

 

But the moment passed leaving him feeling spent of strength, having done all that he could. He looked to the figures of Ryou's friends, frozen in time, all with such sorrow and concern on their features. Soon that sorrow would be gone, even if his own heart would ache in the coming years. In the meanwhile he had to entrust Ryou to their care. He smiled softly as he looked down on his love. Now he could really say goodbye. Unable to kiss his lips due to the respirator, he pressed his loving kiss to Ryou's forehead, squeezing his hand.

 

“I will wait for you love, have faith, we will be together again.”

 

His throat tightened with emotion, but he had to go. So he spread his wings, opening the portal between dimensions, and taking wing for the first time in millennia. As his presence left the earthly plane time reasserted itself. The three friends looked up in fear as a new alarm went off. Puzzled, a nurse came across to check the machine. Surely that couldn't be right? But as Ryou suddenly moved, raising a hand to the device in his mouth there was no doubting it. She caught his wrist before it could get there.

 

“Easy. Give me a moment and I will take it out for you. Just don't fight the machine okay.”

 

The three friends watched in stunned silence, open mouthed as Ryou's eyes opened slowly, the nurse pulling on some gloves. She turned off the machine and eased the tubing out of his throat, rubbing his chest gently as he coughed.

 

“Welcome back,” she said, her voice full of wonder. “I have to say that this is a very pleasant surprise.”

 

But Ryou was turning as well as he could, reaching out to his friends. The three were on their feet at his side in an instant. Yugi was crying again in relief and the joy on Malik's face was obvious. Joey looked pretty close to tears himself, his voice trembling with emotion.

 

“Damn it Ry', you gave us all a heart attack.”

 

That was an understatement. The doctor had been talking about brainstem function tests and saying their goodbyes… now look at him, awake and alert.

 

“Bakura left to do something, I'm sure he'll be back soon.”

 

“No he won't.” Ryou's voice was dry, raspy from the irritation in his throat from the tube. “But that's alright.”

 

Joey turned away not knowing what to say. After seeing that blow out in his own house, well he couldn't say that he would be surprised, though that would be a pretty shitty way to treat Ryou. But his friend seemed far from upset which was exceedingly odd, his expression quietly serene. But Yugi was looking at Ryou's hand.

 

“What's this?”

 

Ryou ever so slowly, the movement such an effort, lifted the hand he had not yet moved so he could see the object he was holding onto so tightly. His friends could not understand how it had got there or why it made Ryou smile so happily. The presence of the huge feather, so large it was hard to comprehend what kind of bird it had belonged to, white and tipped with the merest sliver of crimson was a mystery. But Ryou's smile was beatific as he simply smiled and explained.

 

“It belongs to my angel.”

 

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AN:

Oh yes I have separated them again. But the story is not over. I have a few loose ends to tie up (Duke, Akeifa's secret meetings…) a few promises to keep, so keep with it, this is not the end. But look, no evil cliffhanger.