Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ You Are Not Alone ❯ Anubis ( Chapter 4 )

A-10-TION!!!

A/N: Hello, I'm wide awake and alive! Minus the fact that I didn't have my daily sugar intake, I'm perfectly complete.

Anyway, in this chappie, things start to get intense, and there are also dramatic twists in the story that will surely make the plot more intense and will also expose the character's hidden pains and…other stuff…so… *claps hands*. Hope you'll like it!

You Are Not Alone

Dark Strider-

Chapter 4:

Troubles in the Kingdom of Tombs

Everything did a counter-clockwise rotation for the Hikaris ever since they came to Egypt. Marik and Ishizu had a fight, Jou is placed under a mysterious coma which worries Yugi, and terrified Ryou is lost when Bakura vanishes out of nowhere. When the evil ones threaten to do more than just hurt the Talisman bearers, the Hikaris must take one step beyond the line, to save the people they love, and the world. But will they prefer going solo, or fighting as a team?

War Shouting Anubis-

Day 4.2:

Hikari's Destiny…

"What Talismans Yugi?"

"Erm, Yami, I don't feel like talking…"

"Aibou tell me!"

"Let's uh…go to the living room…" Yugi motioned Yami to the living room leaving Marik to deal with his Yami.

"So…" Marik began, unsure of what to say.

"Yugi, can you answer my question now?" Yami sat down the couch.

Yugi took a deep breath and said. "Do you remember what you told me months ago, about Akari?"

"What about them?" Yami asked.

"Well…you DID mention that you killed Akari because of Seth, because Seth wanted something from him…right?"

"What's the point Yugi?"

"Well…" Yugi paused.

/Do you want to show it?/

Huh? Who are you? The Spirit of the Talisman?

/Yes, but do you want him to see…?/

It is needed…

/But it would bring back pain…/

BUT it must be done…whoever you are…

Suddenly a bright light blinded the conversing pair, and in a flash, in all its glory, appeared the Silver Talisman.

"Does this look familiar…" Yugi pointed the jewelry in his hand.

Yami analyzed the jewel and scanned his brain for any memory…then it hit him…

"That…that's Akari's…how did you…?" Yami was obviously shocked.

"Erm, this was his…and it's not normal…" Yugi answered.

"Obviously, having it with you is not normal. It was broken after Akari died. Are you serious?"

/Say 'Tempest Wing…'/

Say what?

/Tempest Wing, it is the proof of all this…/

"Tempest Wing?" Yugi said, unsure.

Suddenly, a strong wind blew from Yugi to the vase behind Yami, which broke due to the force of the wind.

"Oops, should've thought about that." Yugi sweatdropped.

"How?" Yami blinked, shocked.

Here comes the sickening bad part. "Yami, if I guessed correctly, Akari had this before, and it is THIS Talisman that Seth wanted. I've been through life-threatening situations lately, and I bet it's because Seth knows I have this, and he wants to finish me the way he did to Akari because of this. Now, I can't run away from this, I MUST GO TO EGYPT. Probably I'll find out how to end Seth's evil and finally get a good night's sleep knowing that Seth won't be raising his knife against me."

Yami was silent. Yugi swallowed. "Yami?"

"You're joking right?"

"Why should I be…?"

"Yugi!"
"Of course I'm serious. I won't be THIS nervous if I'm not. Yami, I know you don't…"

"But…"

"Yami that's not TRUE! I will NEVER EVER lie about this, if I am, I would be laughing, I wouldn't be hesitating or anything and you KNOW I'm not that type of person…Yami?"

"Yugi…you don't know Seth much…do you?"

"No…obviously I've never met him. But you told me that he used you to kill…" Suddenly it hit Yugi. Seth used Yami to kill Akari for the Talisman. And Yami still has the powers from the Shadow Realm. Seth, he could be thinking of repeating the past. He could be thinking of using Yami to take the Talisman from Yugi's possession…not to forget Yugi's life.

Was Yami thinking of this?

"No, Yami, that WILL never happen ever again. Seth can't repeat the same trick twice! He's not that stupid." Yugi tried to reassure his dark half. And you're so stupid to believe in this crap, Yugi.

"Seth will do anything and everything to get what he wants, even if it means to make me do the same past mistake…" Yami stared at the Hikari.

Yugi gasped at what he saw. Tears glittered from his Yami's eyes: a rare scene.

"Yami, why?" Yugi whispered.

"It hurts to lose something Aibou, especially if that something is specially attached to you, and especially if that loss is your entire fault."

"NO Yami, it's not your fault! It was NEVER, It was that damned Seth's!"

"Yes, but if I had the will power to resist, he wouldn't have succeeded staining my hands with Akari's blood, now he's trying to stain it with your blood too." Yami hung his head and turned around. "Why can't he just leave me alone?"

"Yami…" Yugi held his Dark half's hand. "I won't let him do it, just in case that DOES happen, I won't let him win! You've got enough guilt on your back and I'll not let him add ME to it. Trust me, I really got to go to Egypt, because if I don't, I'll never know how to end this case."

Yami sighed and turned to face his Aibou. "I know that I can't stop you no matter what I say and do, but promise me one thing…"

"Hmmm?" Yugi asked.

Yami hugged Yugi tightly. "Promise me you'll be OK."

Yugi was first, shocked, then he slowly accepted the hug and returned it. "I promise Yami, I'll be Ok…" I hope.

Marik, well, he too told the same thing to Malik. And like Yami, Malik didn't take it too lightly.

"WHAT?! Malik looked like he was going to strangle Marik. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?!"

"YOU'RE THE ONE WHO'S SPENDING TIME WITH ONESAN AND SENET!" Marik shouted back. "AND YOU KNOW ME: I'M THE TYPE WHO SOLVES MY PROBLEMS ALONE!!! LIKE HELL YOU CARE!"
Malik sighed and said in a soft low. "Like I don't care about what's happening around you…what's happening to you…"

What an idiot you are, Marik Ishtar! Marik swore to himself. "No, I'm sorry Malik. I wasn't thinking. I was just…"

"Don't you realize why I'm shouting like crazy here?! It's because you take things too lightly! Can't you see what trouble you shot yourself into?! Just because you're used getting in trouble doesn't mean that you can handle ALL the troubles barreling your way! What'll happen if the trouble becomes too large to handle?! What'll happen when Seth someday outsmart you, overpower you? You know he can easily do that! You know he can easily slip away from my gaze! YOU KNOW HE CAN EASILY TAKE YOU FROM ME!"

"Malik, I'm really sorry I didn't inform you earlier! I'm sorry that I tried to do this alone and become a hard headed idiot. I'm sorry, I didn't think that it'll affect you this badly…" Marik paused, clutching the Golden Talisman with a crest of the Sun on it, which came out of the Millennium Rod a while ago.

"Marik, this is far different than anything other things we've encountered. This is far paranormal than the other problems we've solved together. This is totally involved with the Gods, this is totally dangerous. I mean, we've…"

"Got to go back to Egypt. I'm sorry, but I can never back out on this one. Especially with Yugi and Ryou involved too, after all, they don't know how to fight off for themselves, even with their Yamis around."

"I…" Malik sighed in resignation. "I understand."

Marik hugged his Yami tightly. "I know you would."

Ryou dried his hair as he stepped into the Bakura threshold. There Bakura was, sitting down the couch with his arms crossed.

"Sorry for being late." Ryou said.
"Now where were we?" Bakura said sternly.

"Uhm…" Ryou trailed off.

"I'm waiting…"

"Ok…" Ryou sighed to himself. Honestly I don't know where to start…

/I'd like to show him…/

I swear that wasn't me… Ryou blinked. And if it's not me then who?

/I'm the spirit within the Talisman, and I'd want to see that Tomb Robber's face when he finds out…/

You don't like Bakura too much to you?

/I hate those who don't respect tombs./

?! How did you know Bakura's a tomb robber…

/His brother served me once, and I know everything even he doesn't know. But it would be nice to show him what my magic can do, what OUR magic can do!/

Then a bright light shot out from the Millennium Ring.

"Ouch…what the…?" Ryou screamed, covering his eyes.

"Shit!" Bakura shut his eyes away.

Then, before Ryou, was the Green Talisman he had found with Yugi long time ago.

"This…" Ryou gasped, as he touched the pendant, the word that once appeared to his mind before came back, and they made him say... "Venon…wrap?"

Then the bandages that appeared to defeat Sekhmeth before came back, dangling above the air.

Bakura was shocked and obviously mentally slapping himself. This is a dream, this is just a dream…

Ryou, what in the name of sanity did you do? Ryou blinked.

"RYOU WHAT IN THE NAME OF RA DID YOU DO?!" Bakura almost echoed the confined question.

"Uh…" Ryou blinked. "I dunno."
Ryou guessed that didn't work, but that was the truth. He really didn't know.

How can you give something you don't have, (A/N: as someone I know always says! Hehehe!) Not unless you don't know that you don't have any, and you'll end up looking stupid.

Of course, Ryou knows he's not stupid, and definitely not Bakura. Who would call Bakura (minus the Yami we all know) stupid?

"But…" Ryou tagged at his last statement. "I did find this Talisman, and when I had it, I've gone through lots of problems, and I've received incredible magic that I really don't understand. This one is a part of that magic."

Bakura was silent for a moment, absorbing the hikari's words.

Ryou stared at him, waiting.

After a while, Bakura said. "Can I see that pendant?"

"Uh, sure…" Ryou handed the Talisman to his Yami who analyzed it and gasped in shock.

"How? How?" Bakura gasped as he slumped back the couch, gazing at the pendant as if it was a curse returning.

"Why, Yami?" Ryou knelt beside the paler than usual Bakura.

"This is HIS! This is HIS! Bu-but how…how did it…come back…?"

"Bakura?"

"This…I remember this…Shinji, Seth made me come after this, Shinji told me that I was strangling him just to take this off his neck, but it resisted me, and now it's with you of all people!"

"Bakura, slow down…I don't understand…"

"THIS IS THE REASON WHY SETH MADE ME KILL SHINJI! IT'S THIS…THING! THIS MADE ME LOSE MY BROTHER, MY IDENTITY AND MY ONLY REASON OF LIVING! AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO TORMENT ME WITH THE SAME MEMORY?! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!"

Somewhere within Ryou couldn't take this.

Ryou was usually calm and collected but now, it's like someone stepped on his temper's high gear, and it exploded.

"Well, for your information, it's not my DAMNED fault that THING came to me! And I definitely didn't want to torment you with…with whatever memory is killing you now! NO, NOT IN A MILLION YEARS BAKURA," Ryou raged.

"NOT IN A MILLION YEARS WILL I EVER THINK OF TORMENTING OR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY SOMEONE LIKE YOU! YOU don't understand do you? Do you know why I never complain no matter how harsh you treat me? It's because I'D RATHER HEAR YOU CALL ME 'WEAK' OR 'WIMP' OR 'IDIOT' AND TAKE ALL YOUR BEATINGS than to be ALONE WITH NO ONE TO TALK TO OR TO BELIEVE IN, NOT EVEN TO CARE FOR! Can't you understand that, Bakura? Don't you feel the pain of loneliness too?

Don't you ever get tired of being lonely? DID YOU JUST TURN INTO SOMETHING UNLIKABLE BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO FEEL LONELY ANYMORE? All I know is that you're just making yourself sink lower in your pain.

Now you'll say I'm becoming over-acting, right? I won't blame you, Bakura, because YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING, ALL THESE YEARS OF LONELINESS I'VE GOT TO GO THROUGH, ALL THE TEARS AND SORROW AND UNSHARED LOVE I'VE GOT TO EXPERIENCE. HOW MANY YEARS DO YOU THINK, BAKURA, DO I HAVE TO GO ON WITHOUT KNOWING NOT EVEN ONCE IN MY LIFETIME, WHAT THE HELL LOVE IS?

SHINJI, YES, AT LEAST SOMEONE LOVED YOU! AT LEAST SOMEONE WOULD'VE BEEN THERE TO HOLD YOU WHEN YOU'RE COLD, TO COMFORT YOU WHEN YOU'RE CRYING AND TO HEAL YOU WHEN YOU'RE SCARRED, BUT WHAT OF YOUR WEAK HIKARI? NOTHING!!! NOOOOOOOTTTTTTTHIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNGGGGGGG!!!!"

Ryou collapsed to tears; Bakura stared at the exploded Hikari, shocked.

"Gomenasai…I shouldn't have…" Ryou sobbed, taking control again, "Gomenasai…" He whispered as he ran to his room and bolted the door.

"Ryou, wait…!" Bakura heard the SLAM! And this told him that Ryou wouldn't come out for a VERY long time. But Ryou's harsh, shocking words burned in his mind, tortured his soul and pained his heart. You are a complete IDIOT, Bakura! Bakura hung his head, trying to hold back, amazingly, tears. I hate myself…I wish I were never born…just to bring pain to others…just to make them cry because of my weaknesses and foolishness…I hate myself…

I'm sorry Ryou…

I'm really sorry…

***

"Ryou, are you joining us for Egypt?" Yugi asked his friend.

Ryou just stared at the couch ahead his gaze. Yugi gave his friend a worried look. "Ryou?"

"Ha? Oh definitely I will Yugi-kun." Ryou forced a smile. "I think I'll start getting packed. Care to help?"

"Sure, I'd be glad to. Malik's got the plane tickets, and he's busy too."

"Come up then to my room, I've got mountains to pack."

"Yami said I've been packing pyramids."

"What's the difference?"

"Beats me. Probably that's an original Egyptian expression."

"Guess so."

Ryou and Yugi climbed the stairs to Ryou's bedroom.

While packing, Ryou couldn't help but think about his Yami. He tried the mental link early this morning yet got no response. He dismissed it as something like Bakura didn't wake up yet.

/Bakura?/

//…//

/Yami, are you there? Answer me!/

//…//

/YAMI!/

//…//

That's it, he blocked me. Ryou sighed to himself. This is all my fault. If I just kept my mouth shut! You are absolutely, out of this world, despicably stupid Ryou Bakura! I've better straighten things out with Yami, if I'll ever solve this Talisman puzzle in peace…

"Ryou, you all right?" Yugi asked.

"Me, oh yes, I'm fine…just fine…" Ryou whispered.

"Honestly, Ryou?" Yugi took a good look at his friend.

"Erm…" Ryou bit his lip.

"Is it about Bakura?"

"Uh yeah, we sort of had a fight and he's still mad at me…maybe I've hurt him more than I thought I would. I should say sorry…" Tears began to well up on Ryou's eyes. "I said that he…he always got someone, so he's sort of a spoiled kid…I TOLD him that, without even considering what he feels! I'm SO stupid! I should've thought about what I was saying and how he would feel! I AM SUCH A JERK!" The tears finally spilled down. Yugi looked at Ryou, shocked and sorry.

"I…I'm so sorry Ryou…but are you sure that Bakura is mad at you? Maybe he's just thinking to himself, reflecting, even looking deep within himself what he truly feels. You don't know Bakura, after all. But you DO care for him, don't you?"

"Yugi, I just…I don't know how to tell him just that, to make him feel just that! I'm NOT Shinji, and will never be! But I want to be his brother; I want to be someone who he will turn to when he's lonely, sad and confused. I guess I can never be anything to Bakura, I guess Shinji's the only person he'll ever love…"

"That will never be true, Ryou…"

"He never shows it Yugi; he always blames upon me everything that happens in my life! That's all I am to him: his punching bag. And that's all I am: a nobody and a rag doll. I'll never be ANYONE to Bakura…"

"Ryou, you're convincing yourself to accept a lie. I think Bakura cares about you the same way Yami would never let anything happen to me. You're right, Bakura, you don't know him, so you don't have to say he doesn't care. What if he does, in another way?"

After a pause, Ryou gave Yugi a depressed sigh. "I wish I was as optimistic as you were, Yugi, I wish I was…"

*-----------------*

Day 5-

Lies of the Shadows, Pains of the Light

"All packed up, Marik?"

"Check, what about you Yugi?"

"All the Pyramids are here!"

"Pyramids?" Marik gave Yugi a surprised look.

"Translation to mountains of clothes." Yugi reasoned, biting another chunk of sandwich.

"Oh." Marik shrugged and ate up his sandwich.

"Anyway, Ryou?"

"Eh, yeah Yugi, done with the packing." Ryou smiled as he wiped the table napkin on his face.

"Good, anyway the plane leaves at 8:30 so, let's move…YAMI!!!" Yugi hollered at the staircase.

"COMING, AIBOU!" Yami responded back.

"What about Malik?" Yugi turned to the Egyptian Hikari.

"Any second now…he'll be coming with his thousand suitcases filled with Ra knows what." Marik grinned. "He loves his clothes."

"I get it."

"I'm down already! Are you guys done with your breakfast?" Yami handed Yugi his suitcase.

"Done." Yugi smiled at his Yami. "Malik's the only one who's not here yet…"

"OK PEOPLE, I'VE GOT THE CAB READY!!!!" Malik's voice echoed throughout the house. Marik chuckled "Guess it's not safe to let Malik drive the car…" Then the others strode out to where Malik was waiting.

"WOW LOOK AT THE CLOUDS!"

"Yugi, sit down will you? You look like an idiot!"

"But they look so…"

"Yugi, behave!"

"Poo." Yugi sighed as he sat down properly next to his Yami.

Yugi sat down next to Yami, Marik plopped himself beside Malik, and Ryou crouched all alone his seat.

"I wish Ryou has a seatmate, he's so lonely." Yugi stole a glance at the ivory haired teen reading the in flight magazine.

"Hmph. I think Ryou wants to seat alone rather than to have a ranting Bakura there." Yami frowned.

"No Yami, I don't think so." Yugi objected. Yami gave him a look. "How sure are you?"

"If I were Ryou, I'd rather have someone whipping my back all day than to be all alone. It feels a lot better than being lonely…I'm sure, because I went through the same thing…" Yugi's purple eyes saddened and looked away.
Yami sighed sadly. "I'm sorry, aibou."

"Don't worry Yami it doesn't hurt me, because I'm not lonely…and I'll never be." Yugi smiled brightly, and then he tried to change the topic. "I'm hungry! Can we have the food in?"

"Don't you give in on eating? You'll get fatter and shorter."

"Whatever!" Yugi stuck out his tongue which made Yami laugh.

"You're so…stupid…looking like that!!!!" Yami laughed out loud.

"Shut up!" Yugi pretended to look hurt but at the back of his mind, something bothered him. Yeah, I'm not lonely anymore, but how long will Ryou be lonely? How long will it take before Bakura will finally know what he feels? Will it take him forever…?

…Or will it take Ryou's life?

/So they are heading to Egypt?/

/According to my sources, yes./

/Just great. Anything else?/

/Oh our spy is already blending in the life of our unsuspecting prey. Soon we will have a new host for our parasite./

/Good. Finally, something worth hearing!/

/But there is more./

/Really?/

/Our mages say that the connection between Ryou Bakura and the Tomb Robber is weakening./

/And what reason is behind this?/

/They say that they had an argument, child like if you'll ask me./

/Tsk tsk…it looks like the Tomb Robber has met his match./

/Ha?/

/How could a simple weak Hikari be more valuable than a descendant of Osiris, his own kin?/

/Elaborate please?/

/Don't you get it? It means that Bakura is softening up over such a weakling!/

/But how could he, a simple child, be able to melt the cold shell of such a Yami?/

/Yes, this is very strange. But I could use this as a trap, surely the Hikari cannot refuse. Bakura may be strong outside but deep within he's torn between his honor and his loss. Capturing him now, especially now he's beyond his Hikari's help, will be easy. And I will make Ryou Bakura come to get him. Surely, Ryou will not give the Talisman easily, so I'll just rid of him using…*yawn*…old tactics. Once Ryou Bakura, Light of Osiris, is dead, the Talisman of Osiris shall be mine. And if my calculations are correct, Bakura will have no more will or strength to fight us./

/How can that be, Seth?/

/How human hearts work is simple, Sekhmeth, life is nothing without purpose and meaning. And due to current events, it seems that our Tomb Robber has found the "meaning" he had lost before. And this time, the loss I will make him suffer will destroy him more…your death will haunt him without end and mercy now, Ryou Bakura…

Painfully…

…eternally…/

***

"At last I'm home!" Marik cheered. "Hello, sunny Cairo! Hello, pyramids! Hello camels and hello, house!"

"Hello Senet too!" Malik grinned.

Yugi smiled at his friends' antics as he set his first step down the Egyptian soil.

The sun stained the afternoon sky orange and purple. The airport may be huge, but it was still a dwarf compared to the magestic Pyramids, which stood far away.

"Actually, we're heading for Giza, this is still Cairo. Wanna rent a camel?" Marik pointed the stall nearby with camels in line.

"Great, I've just landed here and I'll get my wallet busted." Yugi laughed.

"How about this: my treat, care to object?" Ryou took out his wallet.

"YAY!" Yugi cheered. Yami sighed to himself.

The camels crossed the grainy sands of the desert that evening. Marik and Malik rode ahead of the other three, leading the way.

"How long do we have to travel?" Yugi yawned.

"A few more hours I guess?" Marik guessed.

"Don't you ever wear a watch?"

"I do, but I don't count hours Yugi."

"Then why wear it?"

"Accessory, kid."

"Whatever." Yugi was nearly falling asleep when Yami pushed him back up his camel. "Don't fall asleep now. You might wake up tomorrow with your head turned into an Egyptian sanded mummy."

"Thanks for the tip."

"Hmm, is Cairo that city over there?" Ryou pointed a brightly lit spot from the distance.

"Yep, that must be it." Marik said happily.

"A few more hours, Yugi, just hang on. Hip hip!" Malik hit the camel's side who groaned and sped up.

"I might as well listen to some of the hits on my discman." Yugi fixed the apparatus, turning it on.

Soon a song filled his ears, the singer starting the soft melodious hymn.

Sora o motomete, tattetaNamida ga kobore, naiyo niAitai hito wa, konnya moWatashi no yume ni konai Hitori demou, kogi dasouDaite kure te, arigatouYami no umi ga, kowai nanteRashikunai desho? Nigetaku wa nai Mae yori takaku, tobu tameniFuri dashi ni, tsure mono saretaKokoro wa, demo atatakaiOmoide ga ooi kara

Yugi sucked in the air of the desert night. The song somehow made him feel a lot better. It made him feel as if he can do anything, as long as he believes in himself.

Watashi no yubi wa gin iroKagen no tsuki ni terasareNandemo dekiru, kigashitaSatsunai hodo no yuuki Sukumu ashi o, senaka karaOshite kureta, kaze no nakaTsume o kajiru, kusemo kietaOkurimono, tatta no kamo shirenai

"Yugi, what are you listening?" Ryou asked the Hikari.

"Oh, it's a song from one of my favorite shows. Wanna hear it?" Yugi asked.
"You seem like enjoying it, maybe later." Ryou smiled.

"Ok then. Remind me later." Yugi focused his mind back to the ongoing song.

Futatsu no koi wa, kasanatteSure chigai, mawari tsuzukeruWasurete, habaitai te iiOmoide wa omoi kara

Honki de "SUKI" to saken daraHane kaeru, hohoemi tachi niKore kara, meguri aitaiOmoide wa ikite iru

***

"WE'RE HERE!!!"

"Yahoo!"

"So this is Giza."

"Fascinating."

The Pyramids were only a few kilometers far away, and the group was standing on the entrance of the grand city.

They headed around the twisted roads and trails until they reached a snowy white building surrounded by beautiful gardens and a fountain.

"Onesan! Onesan!" Marik's cheery voice rang.

At once the fair lady opened the door. "Marik!" Ishizu sobbed at once, throwing her arms around her little brother.

"Onesan…" Marik sighed softly, returning the action.

"Awww…" Ryou and Yugi whispered to one another.

"Hey, hey Ishizu!" Malik greeted.

"Oh how are you Malik?!" Ishizu greeted.

"Can't wait to play again!" Malik snickered.

"Can you teach us how to play Senet, Malik? We really wanna play!" Ryou and Yugi smiled.

"SENET?! Do you know what you are getting yourselves into?" Yami gasped. "Who ever told you about that aibou?!"

"Marik said it's a nice game." Yugi said.

"NICE?! In my days, the losers are often imprisoned because of their…uh…" Yugi grinned when Yami lost words.

"What happened back then Yami-sama?" Marik gave the former Pharaoh an inquisitive grin.

"Uh…well they do stuff not so good to talk about…" Yami's face turned pale. "Well…like…they ra-"

"YAMI!" Ishizu frowned. "Really, Hikaris, I'd really not suggest that game for such innocent children."

"But they say it will decide…" Yugi's mouth was clamped by Marik's hand. "Onesama's right, buddy. So shall we?"

"ISHIZU!"

"Who's that?" Yami questioned.

"It's him." Marik's voice had a trace of fury. The fun was gone.

Yugi's mouth was now free of Marik's hand. "Him?"

"It must be that…" Ryou lowered his voice to Yugi's ear. "whore Marik's talking about, if you know what I mean."

Yugi and Marik were stunned when they caught the figure stepping down the steps.

He was broad, tall and handsome with flaming red hair, and stony green eyes. He didn't look friendly.

"Sekhthi!" Ishizu rushed to the tall man. Yami's jaw dropped. "Who-who the…"

"Sekhthi, Ishizu-san's fiancé." Yugi said.

"FIANCE?!" Yami gasped.

"Yeah, I know, it's surprising, but keep it down." Yugi sighed.

"I'll just go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast! C'mon Malik, help me here." Ishizu chirped as Malik followed her.

"Hmm, maybe they need extra help…" Yami trailed them.

"So you're little Marik I've heard so much of." Sekhthi glowered over Marik.

"Yes, and you're Sekhthi, I assume." Marik glared at the other man.

"You're short…for a fifteen year old…"

"Shut up bast…" Marik controlled himself.

"What?! You dare call me what I think you're trying to call me?" Sekhthi threw Marik to the ground. Marik groaned in pain.

"Hey, Marik's not doing anything to you!" Yugi said in defense to his friend.

"And you, kid?" Sehkthi glared at Yugi.

"Leave Yugi out of this!" Marik growled.

"Stop doing this already!" Ryou said.

"Ryou, don't!" Yugi trembled under the harsh man's gaze.

"Two new characters, two new idiots, right?" Sehkthi glared at Ryou.

"Don't call my friends idiots!" Marik stood up, flames burning on his amethyst eyes.

"So what's your name weirdo?" Sehkthi stepped over Yugi and lifted him up. "Yugi? What a weird name, not to mention…character."

"Leave me alone…" Yugi trembled.

"Short, weird, weak. How worthless can you get, brat?"

"Help…" It took Yugi all he got to resist the urge to call upon Yami for help. Don't panic, he'll know!

"Stop it already!" Ryou glared at Sehkthi.

Sehkthi's green eyes were stones on Ryou, but Ryou didn't seem to mind.

"PEOPLE, WHAT'RE YOU WAITING FOR? FOOD'S READY!"

"Coming, Ishizu!" Sehkthi gave one last glare at the trio before sprinting to the kitchen.

"What-a-totally-annoying-bastard!" Marik fumed as he helped Yugi up. "You ok?"

"Ouch, I'm fine. Just a sore butt." Yugi groaned.

"Who the hell does he think he is?" Ryou growled.

"Let's just go inside now. Yami and Malik and Ishizu are waiting." Yugi, who hated fights, changed the topic quickly.

"I'm hungry so let's go." Marik motioned the other Hikaris in.

"And we're planning the wedding three weeks from now."

"Wow, you two are surely intimate now." Malik grinned as the group sat down the living room.

"Yeah, and we're going to move to his mansion somewhere in Cairo." Ishizu said proudly, draping an arm around her fiancé.

"Ooooh, care to invite us?" Yami said.

"Yeah, care to share?" Yugi chimed in.

"Of course I'll invite you! Haven't you been the sweetest boy I've ever known in the world Yugi? Not to forget the all mighty Pharaoh here." Ishizu grinned as she lightly pinched Yugi's cheek.

"And you too, Ryou, I'll not be forgetting you." Ryou blushed at Ishizu's comment.

Marik however wasn't listening. He just sat by his chair near the fireplace far from his other friends. Malik seemed to notice Marik's distant attitude so he went over him. "Hikari, you all right?"

"Huh?" Marik blinked. "Oh yes, Malik, I'm all right here. Just thinking of some…things…"

"I know you don't like the idea of Ishizu moving in a new life with Sehkthi." Malik began. "But sometimes you've got to let go." Marik looked over at his Yami who smiled. "But that won't change Ishizu's love for you; you're the only brother she has, not to mention one of the most important people in her life."

"Thanks Yami." Marik smiled. "I'm better now."
"Great, so stop being the black sheep of the family!" Malik helped Marik up and took him to the group who were still chatting.

Yeah, but it feels like HE is the black sheep of the family AND the storm of my life! Marik glared at Sehkthi. Not only did he insult me, he even brought Yugi and Ryou along! If only onesan didn't love him, I've sent him to the afterlife hours ago!

Ryou was sleeping soundly on his bed when suddenly, at exactly 3:00 in the morning, a nightmare plagued upon his mind…

~*~

It was dark, Ryou couldn't see a single thing.

"Where am I?" Ryou looked around.

"Ryou-sama…"
"Huh?" Ryou turned around and gasped.

Before him was a silver haired boy that looked exactly like Ryou, only difference is that he wore an Egyptian style robe.

"Who are you?" Ryou asked.
Then suddenly the boy knelt down beside him. "Please help me! Help me!"

"What?" Ryou knelt down to look at him closely.

The eyes, the expression of innocence, it was just like Ryou's. "Save him, please help him!"

"Who?" Ryou asked again. "Who are you talking about?"

"My onichan, oh please help him! He's making him go bad again. You're his only hope, my only hope!" The boy clutched Ryou's shirt. "You're his only light left, you're his only reason of living! Please don't let him kill you the way he killed me!"

"Can you tell me who's the person at least?!" Ryou frowned since his question was not answered.
"Save my onichan, save Bakura from Seth, please…Ryou…" The spirit was slowly fading. "Save him from Seth, please…"

"Bakura? Seth? What's all this about? COME BACK!"

"You're the only one who can help him…" The figure disappeared completely.

Then an odd new figure appeared out of nowhere. Strangely, he looked familiar…

"Who are you?" Ryou asked.

The figure said nothing and rested his hands tightly on Ryou's windpipe, crushing it.

"Ack! What-are-you doing?!" Ryou choked, then he looked straight at the captor's face.

Pale, Silver haired, harsh brown eyes? Could it be?

"Bakura?" Ryou gasped.

Bakura looked paler than usual, and his eyes were dull and unaware of anything. Ryou gulped. Is this what the stranger was talking about: saving Bakura from killing him?

No wait, Ryou thought. Bakura, he looks strange. It's as if, he's not doing this at his own will…what's wrong with him?

"KILL HIM! TAKE THE TALISMAN! RETURN IT TO ME!"
That voice? Who is it? Ryou looked around and saw a new character: he had a brown jackal's head and fierce reddish eyes out for blood.

"Who the hell are you? What did you do to Bakura?!" Ryou screamed.
"Anyone who has the powers of the Shadow Realm is under my command! And I can make them do anything!"

"You!" Ryou gasped. "You're Seth! You're making Bakura do this!"

"Too bad you can't live to see what I'll do to him next!" Seth cackled.

"NO! LEAVE BAKURA ALONE!" Ryou choked.

Ryou's head was aching, everything was spinning…

Slowly…

~*~

Back in the real world, Ryou looked like he was screaming for his life. Yugi and Marik were waking the child up with no avail. Yami and Malik were far away from them, sleeping soundly. Ishizu and Sehkthi were in another room.

"AH! NO! LET ME GO!!!" Ryou groaned and coughed.

"Ryou wake up! It' us! RYOU!" Marik said, nearly in hysterics.

"AH!" Ryou's eyes jerked open. "What happened?"

"You were dreaming something, and you were shouting Bakura's name." A panic-stricken Yugi explained. "What did you dream?"

"Well, first I saw someone who looks EXACTLY like me pleading for me to save Bakura. Then Bakura shows up and strangles me, Seth comes along and explains that he was controlling Bakura to do this. Yugi, what if…"

"Ryou, Bakura has the powers of the Shadow Realm, right?" Yugi said. "Everyone who has the powers of the Shadow Realm can be placed under Seth's control. Ryou, Yami and Bakura killed Akari and Shinji because Seth wanted them to. I suspect that…"

"They're going to use the same old tactic on us." Marik finished. "Great. All our Yamis have that kind of magic. What now?"

"Well, first we have to figure out when will Seth be free from his prison in the Shadow Realm, research more and race against time." Yugi said.

"That's not going to be a piece of cake." Ryou sighed. "Only the three of us versus an all powerful god along with god knows how much allies…"

"And us versus our own Yamis." Marik added.

"Well let's not get to that first. Anyone of you remember what was stated on that History book or journal on when will Seth rise?" Yugi questioned.

"Hmm, if I recall correctly it said: When the rays of Ra hit the Eight Gods, Seth will be released from his prison. But how can that be possible? I mean, how can the Sun hit the Eight Gods? Aren't they just a myth?" Marik said.

"Maybe it's not based on the literal meaning." Ryou guessed.

"Or maybe there are places here that once belonged to those Gods. Sacred Temples, altars, shrines, who knows?" Yugi said.

"Or oracles. Most likely, they must be referring to the oracles sacred to those Gods!" Marik said. "I know one existed in Memphis. But I don't know which God it belongs to. There's also one in Cairo!"

"We'll just research about it. How about the Library?" Ryou suggested.

"Sounds fine to me." Marik smiled.

"It's settled then." Yugi said. "Tomorrow morning."

"Right!"

"But may I ask a question: What's an oracle anyway?" Yugi smiled foolishly.

***

"Did you see anything yet, Yugi?"

"Nope. How about you Ryou?"

The trio were researching in the library for other possible places in which oracles can be located.

"Hmm, hey I've got something! Check this out!" Marik called the other hikaris who dashed to his side to read what he had found.

The Eannead-

Anubis

Son of Osiris and Nephystis, he was the God of Embalming and Mummification. He was the one who ensured that Osiris' mummification was successful. He too was the one who accompanied him to the underworld.

He is seen with Osiris in the Underworld, helping him judge the cases of those who seek life there. He would be seen before the Scale of Mind and Heart, weighing sin and right.

He is worshipped in the city Asyut, where he created the mystical Papyri of Ani (Book of the Dead) which was said to have powers associated with the Dead and the Living.

Bast

She was one of the daughters of Ra and sister to Hathor, she was celebrated as Goddess of Cats and the Home. She along with the Goddess of War Sekhmeth, defeat the Great Serpent (Apep), who tried to swallow Ra and leave the world in a blanket of Eternal Darkness.

Many idols of her were hoped to bring good luck at the homes of commoners, and it was because of her cats are sacred. These cats too are the renowned Guardians of the Underworld.

The great Temple of Bast was built in her city of honor, Bubastis. She was regarded as their protector and savior from bad health.

Horus

Horus was the great one who overthrew Seth in the battle, just as Upper Egypt gained supremacy. Seth was regarded Evil, while Horus was set with Vengeance and Justice.

In vengeance of seizing the throne that was not Seth's, Horus, son of the Great Osiris and the Healing Isis, rose with the Upper Egypt. The War of Power ensued.

Horus' home was the Nile during his young age. The Nile was the river that carved life in Egypt. It was the symbol of fertility. They say that within the Nile lies the entrance to the Underworld, since the Nile itself was associated with the ruler Osiris.

In the Battle between Seth and Horus, Horus lost his eye (Wadjet Eye) and when the war was over, he replaced it with a serpent, handing the fallen eye to his Father. He is the protector of Upper Egypt and reigned in his Father's place.

Horus' sanctuary was built for him within the midst of the city of Cairo, where his rule was supreme. The serpent on his eye became the symbol of the sight of the Pharoahs, forseeing justice and truth.

"Cairo? We've got to head back to Cairo?" Ryou said.

"Not to mention Bubastis, Asyut and Heliopolis?" Marik added.

"Most likely…hey wait look at this!" Yugi said, flipping another page.

Isis

Goddess of Healing, she was the wife of Osiris who ruled Egypt while Osiris spread civilization throughout the world.

She was the one who saved Osiris from the evil Seth, and it was through her Mummification was possible. She was the one who adopted Anubis, son of Nephystis and Osiris, and hid him and her own son by Osiris, Horus, from the angry Seth.

She tricked the aged Ra into revealing his name, thus giving access to some of his powers.

She was one of the children of Shu and Tefnut, and was honored in a Temple at Heliopolis, where most of the Eannead are worshipped.

Nephystis

Wife of the Evil Seth, she is the Goddess of the Dead. She was the mother of Anubis, who was her son from Osiris.

Nephystis was the one who helped Isis recover the body of Osiris along with Anubis, and helped in the preparation of his journey to the Underworld (Mummification).

She is said to have been honored in Hamunaptra, the legendary city of the Dead, where the Papyri of Ani was hidden away from greedy eyes. She is represented with mummy bandages for her hair and dress.

Osiris

The former Ruler of Egypt, he along with Isis, taught the people civilization and living. He taught the people about the Inundation, farming, livelihood and Government.

Due to the jealousy of his Brother, Seth, Osiris was killed but magically restored by the efforts of Isis, Nephystis and Anubis. Osiris, instead of choosing to rule Egypt, turned to the West (Underworld) with Anubis to judge the souls who came there.

He was respected at Phalae, where a majestic Shrine once stood for him over his burial place. It has been said though that the entrance towards the Under Realm is within the secret forbidden chambers of Hamunaptra, at the base of bronze Anubis.

Ptah

Husband of Sekhmeth, he was regarded with great importance in the Middle Kingdom. He was the God of Craftsmen, Industry and Technology.

It was due to Ptah that many technological advances were possible, like devising new weapons of war, improved industry and new products. It was through him too education was made possible. He was adored at the city of Memphis, where he was chiefly important.

Ra (Ra-Aton, Amon Ra)

God of the Sun and was said to be the creator and chief of the Gods, he represented the Daylight of Egypt, often associated with the Pharaohs, particularly Horus.

He was respected in the Old Kingdom and is famous at his center of cult at Abusir, where the Sun Temple and the Sun Cult was honored.

In the Middle Kingdom, he was associated with Amon, and they joined to form the Deity Amon-Ra. It was said that he too was once with Aton, but was separated because Aton and Ra thought separately. Ra became a primary deity from there until the Middle Kingdom.

"Have you jotted them down?" Ryou asked Yugi.

"Oh yeah, I'm nearly done." Yugi said. "Finished. Now let me check: Anubis is at Asyut, Nephystis is in Hamunaptra, Horus is at Cairo, Bast is at Bubastis, Isis is at Heliopolis, Osiris is at Thebes, Ptah is within Memphis and lastly Ra is at Abusir. Now where are these places?"

"Let's buy a map." Marik suggested.

"Great. Now I've got to call Yami and tell him that we're on our way back home!" Yugi picked up his cellphone and dialed while Marik and Ryou were inquiring at the library where to buy a map.

*---------------*

Day 6. 1-

I Only Did It For You…

*A/N: The proceeding three chapters are rather short, this is just

to show how the Hikaris 'situations' came along, OK?*

"Argh! It's 7:30 in the daylight! Onesan, why are you waking everyone up this early?!" Marik groaned.

"Get up Marik, Sehkthi's calling us for a picnic! Come one." Ishizu trotted down hallway.

Fuck him! A picnic, at seven thirty, what the hell was that bastard thinking? Marik bit his lip in anger. He was sure that it was his responsibility to wake up his…

/YAMI WKAE UP!!!/

/Wh-what the hell? What's with you aibou?/

/We're of a picnic…/

/Ha? At seven thirty? What does…/

/It's Sekhthi's idea./

/Shit! I'll kill him for waking me this early!/

/Whatever. Bye then…/

/Yeah I'll see you downstairs…/

Marik frowned to himself. "I just don't get it why!" With that he got down the bed and ran off.

***

"Hello, people!" Sehkthi greeted.

"Hi!" Greeted the drowsy, minus Ishizu, group.

"I've got the food ready. So sit down and eat!" Sehkthi pointed the table…only filled with bread, cheese and fruits enough for only three peopled.

"Oh how thoughtful of you Sehkthi!" Ishizu chirped; Yugi, Ryou and Marik choked.

"Erm, how many are we?" Yami mused.

"Let me guess, three of us are not going to eat?" Marik murmured.

"Erm did you make a mistake in counting?" Ryou said quickly.

"OH! So sorry! I guess that means…" Sehkthi grinned.

"That WE are not going to eat, that's it!" Marik frowned. "Me, Yugi and Ryou are not going to eat."

"Oh so sorry…" Sehkthi looked sympathetic but the glint on his eyes looked as if he meant it.

Yugi and Ryou looked hurt, they were very hungry, and they skipped breakfast because they were the last ones to use the bathroom. Ishizu ate the meal happily; Yami and Malik ate a little just to satisfy themselves.

Yami felt his blood boil; what a jerk this guy is, forgetting that there were other three guests there for the picnic, AND one of them was his aibou. Malik felt the same way.

But if Yugi and Ryou are upset, Marik was angry. "You IDIOT!"

"Huh?" Sehkthi raised an eyebrow.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Marik screamed at Sehkthi. "Waking us in the middle of our sleep, and only three of us can eat?! What the hell are you thinking?!"

"Marik behave yourself…" Ishizu gave him a glare.

"It's all right for me, BUT if you even let them go hungry, THAT I CAN'T TOLERATE!" Marik shouted.

"Marik!" Ishizu frowned, starting to get angry.

"Like what I said, I made a mistake!" Sehkthi was getting angry.

"MISTAKE?! You made a mistake?!" Marik wanted to kill him already. "WE WERE THE ONES YOU WERE PICKING ON LAST TIME, AND YOU 'RE ACTUALLY TRYING TO SAY THAT YOU FORGOT ABOUT US?! LET ME THINK WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO: YOU LEFT US OUT ON PURPOSE BASTARD!!!"

The next action was unexpected…

SLAP!

Yami and Malik stared, wide eyed. Ryou and Yugi quickly ran down to help the boy up, too stunned to say anything.

Ishizu's hand was at the air, eyes hard and teary after slapping her ototo.

Marik looked at her, shocked. "How? Why?"

"You know perfectly why Marik Ishtar!" Ishizu growled.

Yugi gulped. The lady rarely used Marik's full name. This stated that she is very angry…

"Don't tell me you're…"

"How could you call him a bastard Marik? You don't even know him yet! Like what he said, he probably forgot that he had guests! And plus, Marik, I only told him about Malik and you! Yami, Yugi and Ryou must have slipped out of his mind because he only met them just yesterday! How dare you disgrace our family." Ishizu said angrily.

That was the bottom line, Marik couldn't take it anymore. Even you onesama…even you…

"WHY IS IT THAT I'M ALWAYS WRONG?!" Marik got up from Ryou's supporting hold and screamed. "WHY IS IT ME THAT'S ALWAYS MAKING A MISTAKE?! DON'T YOU THINK I HAVE A REASON I'M SNAPPING LIKE THIS? DO YOU THINK I'M RECKLESS OR STUPID! I AM NOT!" Tears freely poured down the young Ishtar's cheeks. "You don't understand do you, Ishizu? Don't you know how much it hurts going against your decision? Don't you know how it feels to go against your own sister? I bet you don't! YOU NEVER DID! I wish I never came! I wish I never lived! I wish that I just followed outosan to Osiris' realm! Probably you'll be happier! After all these years in my life, I never knew that I would even doubt the fact that you love me and that you care! Well now I do! You'd rather believe in him, a guy you've only met a while ago, than me, a person you've been with all your life! Well I'll tell you something Ishizu: I HATE YOU!"

And with that Marik took off, leaving behind him a trail of bitter tears.

"MARIK COME BACK!" Ishizu screamed.

"HIKARI!" Malik went after his aibou.

"What's with him?" Yami asked, dazed.

Yugi bit his lip. Then he threw a quick "I'll be back Yami!" over his shoulder before going after the pair.

"Aibou you too?!" Yami ran after them as well.

Ryou was about to go too but then…

"ISHIZU-SAN!" Ryou screamed when Ishizu fainted. Quickly, he caught the maiden on his arms.

"Ishizu-san, please wake up!" Ryou shook the other lady. "Ishizu-san!"

Ryou looked around for help, but not even Sehkthi was there.

Some lover boy! Ryou frowned.

Maybe Sehkthi was a jerk after all…

***

"MARIK! MARIK! COME BACK!" Malik was screaming around for his Hikari.

"Marik-chan!" Yugi called.

"Where is he?!" Yami frowned when he heard someone trip, opposite from the trail the trio were on. "MARIK!"

"Ouch…" Marik groaned.

"Marik!" Malik knelt beside his other half. "Are you OK?"

"I'm fine…I just twisted my ankle…" Marik said softly.

"Oh hikari why did you do that?" Malik whispered.

"She hates me…onesama doesn't love me anymore…" Marik broke down.

"What's happening to you Marik?" Yami looked surprised.

"It's always Sehkthi, always him. She doesn't even know what kind of a jerk he is!" Marik whimpered.

"Why are you like that Marik? Ishizu won't choose him if he's like that!" Malik cradled Marik close.

"She…she doesn't know!" Marik sobbed. "He's so mean to us!"

"Yeah, he's a jerk…" Yugi muttered. Yami seemed to have heard him. "Come again aibou?"

"When we first met, he picked on Marik. When I tried to defend him, he…" Yugi bit his lip. "He called me puny, weird, and he even tried to hurt me! It took me all that I got so that you won't know! I didn't want trouble so…"

"Why didn't you tell me?!" Yami said angrily.

"I know that if I did, you'll beat him up… and Ishizu will be mad…" Yugi said.

"But aibou…"

"Yugi's right Yami, we wanted to handle our problem ourselves because we didn't want to involve you guys." Marik coughed.

"How many times do I have to tell you that's a bad habit?!" Malik frowned. "Not all things coming your way are easy to handle!"

"But…"

"And also, you hurt Ishizu Marik. She thought you were making a mistake. Yes you did make a mistake by not telling her what you went through with that jerk! You should've told her. She will listen and understand if you talked to her properly, not in a shouting way." Malik explained, which seemed to be reasonable to the other half.

"Yeah, I'm so stupid reacting this way…" Marik sighed. "I should apologize to onesama…"

"MARIK!"

"Huh? Ryou what's wrong?!"

"It's-" Ryou panted. "It's Is-shi-zu-sa-n!"

"ONESAN!" Marik stood up from Malik's arms, "What happened to my onesan?!"

"She's-miss-ing!" Ryou swallowed. "When I cam back to bring her water, she's out of her bed! I couldn't find her. Then I saw you!"

"Naze onesan?!" Marik made a mad dash for his house.

"She wanted to find you…"

"Huh?" Marik glanced at Ryou.

"When she woke up, the only thing that she kept saying to me was 'Where's Marik?' Everytime I tell her no, she'll go…uh…devastated. Probably she just can't take it anymore, so she went by herself…she really loves you Marik…she lost herself when you said you hated her, when you said she doesn't care, it hit her too hard…" Ryou whispered.

"Shit I'm so fuckingly stupid!" Marik cursed.

"Marik don't blame yourself." Ryou comforted.

"No it's all my fault Ryou…" Marik opened the door of their house and gasped.

The house was a total mess. Tables were turned over, curtains were torn, and wares are shattered.

"Oh no!" Marik gasped.

"Look, isn't this…?" Yugi picked up a beaded bracelet from the floor.

"THAT'S ONESAN'S!" Marik quickly ran to get it.

"But what does this mean?" Ryou paused when Yugi picked up something else awfully familiar.

"It means one thing…" Yugi's voice tightened. "Ishizu is kidnapped…" He squeezed a familiar handkerchief. "By a traitor."

"What do you-" Malik was cut when Marik gasped. "IT'S HIM!!!"

"Obviously." Ryou frowned.

"DAMN IT!!! ONESAMA!!!!! ONESAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Marik screamed to the heavens, tears poured freely down his cheeks.

*------------*

Day 6.2-

Strongly Connected

Ryou stirred some tea for the shocked group as they gathered on the Ishtars' common room.

"Hikari, calm down, it's not your fault…" Malik rocked the extremely heart-broken Marik, who wouldn't stop blaming himself for his onesama's disappearance.

"But it is! If I wasn't so stupid…!" Marik cried.

"It's no one's fault but that loser's!" Yami declared. "Wait till I get my hands on that double crosser…"

"I know what'll happen, but we first gotta find out where to find him!" Yugi said.

"Just great, this thing sucks!"

"YAMI!"
"Woops! Sorry aibou." Yami blushed when Yugi gave him a glare.

"Never curse in front of a kid!" Yugi stuck out his tongue.

Ryou watched his other friends. At least Yugi and Marik are going along well with their Yamis, I wish I had their luck…

Sometimes, Ryou would look back in the past and remember how he met his own Yami…

Bakura wasn't very nice, and is the worst pill to swallow down. The only three things he ever did in his life with Ryou are: 1. Get the Millennium Puzzle, 2. Get rid of Yami in any possible occasion, 3. Hit Ryou minimal of ten times a day. It did more than hurt Ryou physically, it hurt him within his heart. Why would you keep loving a person if he doesn't even care? As if you're wasting everything on nothing.

What matters is that you love him…

Oh god Yugi, I really wish I can keep on with this but sometimes it hurts. It hurts to love someone, especially if he doesn't care for you. Tears stung Ryou's eyes. Sometimes, I wish I were Shinji, but I can never be him. I can never be anyone to him. Maybe he's better off with someone who'll make him happy…someone better than me…

Meanwhile…

Loosing…

Stop it! Stop it! Leave me alone! Help me!

Wandering…

Bakura couldn't get out of his Soul Room, even call his aibou. He was strangely powerless against a creature consuming the energy within the place. But the creature was about to do more than just steal valuable energy.

/Come to me, I'm the only power you need. No one cares, no one minds, and you don't care about anything else but power…/

NO LEAVE ME ALONE! Bakura's mind screamed.

Discovering…

/I'm the only thing you wanted, not someone from above! They don't care, so do you. You just want to kill them all for your own increase in power. You want to dispose your Hikari, so that you will be supreme in control!/

NO! That can't be… I don't want this anymore! I don't want to be alone anymore! Someone help me please!

/You don't know love, you never had friendship, you only need power! Yes, Bakura, power. And I will give it to you!!! And with this, you can dispose Ryou's soul to be supreme in power!/

Ryou…not Ryou…please…

/You're weak, you need me to be stronger…/

Ryou… aibou…

…please help me…

//Aibou, please help me…//

/Yami?!/ Ryou got up from his chair, surprised when he heard his Yami's voice in his mind. /Yami, answer me!/

//…//

/Yami, please!/

//…//

He was begging for help, MY help! What can I do?! What's going on…Ryou gasped when he recalled what his dream boy said to him before.

"You're the only one who can help him…"

Shit! What if Seth has begun his work of evil? What if he already took Bakura? Maybe I should check this out…Ryou concentrated…

"RYOU!!!"

Yugi caught his friend as his fainted.

"What happened?!" Yami and Malik came up to Yugi.

"He fainted, dunno why." Yugi said.

"Ryou, Ryou are you ok?" Marik checked for his pulse. "His pulse is normal. But there's no sign that someone's in control, not even Bakura…masaka!" Yugi caught the fear in Marik's eyes and gulped. "You're not thinking…"

*In Bakura's Soul Room…*

"BAKURA! ANSWER THIS DOOR NOW! BAKURA! YAMI!!!!"
Ryou pounded the heavy door of his Yami's soul room. No answer…

"That's it, I'm coming in!" Ryou heaved all his weight on the door, making it crash to the floor.

After the door, a horrific sight crossed the chocolate eyed boy.

The walls were stained with oozing black liquid, the floor was stained with a mixture of blood and oil, the furniture and stuff around the room were shredded, clattered and broken. There was no sign of the Tomb Robber.

"Bakura! Where are you?! BAKURA!!!!" Ryou shouted throughout the room.

Fearfully, he held on his Millennium Ring. It wasn't as warm as before, it looked just like a normal accessory. For some reason it made Bakura seem so far away.

NO! I will find Bakura! I must! I've got to find him…he's the only thing I have now…

JUDGEMENT DAY!!!

"Huh?" Ryou gasped as mummy bandages covered the whole room. "What the hell-?"

Then the mummy bandages parted to show a familiar figure that made the silver headed boy…

"SEKHMETH?!"

*---------------*

Day 6.3-

Never Ending Sleep

"Ryou's awake!"

Ryou groaned as he tried to sit up but Yugi forced him still.

"Oh god, are you ok? You fainted all of a sudden." Yugi said in a worried tone.

"Yeah…" Then it hit Ryou. "Yugi, Bakura's missing."

"What? Are you sure he didn't just run off?" Yugi asked.

"No, his Soul Room was a wreck, and it stated that someone else was there."

"Oh dear…"

"Oh you're awake, Ryou." Yami arrived with Malik and Marik.

"Sorry to worry you…" Ryou noticed the wet pad over his forehead and sighed. "I have to admit my head hurts."

"What happened?" Marik asked.

"Well, you see, Yami's missing so when I decided to look for him in his Soul Room it's a wreck…I bet he's attacked or something, he called for my help, really." Ryou explained.

"That Tomb Robber is always looking for trouble…" Yami frowned to himself.

"But what if it's serious? What if he'll get hurt? What if I'll…" Ryou bit the last words, unsure of himself.

"Ryou I suggest you stop worrying about that Bakura too much, he can take care of himself after all he IS a tomb robber." Malik noted.

"Ok…" Ryou's mind was unsure remembering his dream…

You're the only one who can help him…

He's counting on me, how can I fail him?!

Yugi lay down the sofa as he debated on his thoughts. Everything, everyone is disappearing so fast. First, Ishizu then Yami Bakura, yet the only thing in common is that they're close to us. Is it Seth? Is he using his usually cowardly tactics again? That means people I'm close to are in danger as well! What'll happen to my friends, to Grandpa and Yami? What if they'll get hurt because of me? What if…

RRRRRRRRRINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!

"Holy God!" Yugi toppled down the floor as he answered his cellphone. "Hello, Yugi here."

"Yu-yugi?"

"Shizuka?" Yugi sat up when he recognized the girl's voice…but it seemed as if she was crying.

"Bad news, Yugi…Jou…nisama's…in a com…a…" Shizuka said between sobs.

"Woah! But why…? Jou's never been that sick before!" Yugi said

"It is strange…all I know is…it just happened…" Shizuka wept.

"I'm so sorry, Shizuka…" Yugi bit his lip. Forcing tears back.
"Arigatou, ja ne Yugi kun…" Shizuka hung up.

Jou…Yugi sighed as he hung up.

"Yugi!"

"Huh? Oh Yami what's up?"

"Come on, dinner's ready."

"Right…" Yugi looked over his cellphone that he left on the table. Oh Jou what happened to you?

"That's awful, Yugi!" Yami said.

"I know…" Yugi frowned as he swallowed his soup.

"Gee, I wish we could be with Jou now…" Ryou said sympathetically.

"I wonder why that happened. He's not that sick to fall in such a serious condition." Yami said.

"It's stupid! Really stupid!" Marik frowned. "Troubles piling one after another! I can't take this anymore!!!"

"Marik…" Malik rolled his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I guess that I am a bit…" Yugi paused. Troubles piling up! What if…holy shit!!!

Yugi jumped away from his chair to his bedroom. "I'm done!"

"Hmm…Yugi?" Yami blinked when he saw the child dart up his bedroom. "whatever…"

/Yami?/

//Eh? What's wrong, Yugi?//

/Gomenasai…/

//Huh?//

/Honto ni…gomenasai…/

//Yugi?//

/…/

Yugi held his Millennium Puzzle. It's now or never…

Slowly, Yugi hesitantly removed the Puzzle from his neck, leaving an empty feeling beside him yet he chose to ignore it.

Gomenasai Yami. This is something I don't really want to do…but I have to…for Jou…for you… Yugi held the Talisman…To protect my friends…to protect you…this is what I have to do…

I know you can grant my wishes, Talisman…

Take me to Seth…please….

A cold, severed feeling swept throughout Yami.

"Yami, what's up?" Malik noticed the other Yami's paled expression.

"Shit you didn't Yugi…YOU DIDN'T!!!" Yami stood up from his chair and darted to Yugi's room.

"YUGI!" Yami banged the door open. "HOLY SHIT!"

"Yami?" Ryou and Marik caught up with him first. "Oh my god…"

"Why?" Malik stared at the Millennium Puzzle abandoned on the white bed sheets.

~~~

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

PLOP!

"OW!" Yugi groaned. "Where am I?"

/You've found me Yugi Motou…/

"Seth? There you are!" Yugi shouted at the looming wolf headed figure of the evil deity.

/And let me think of the reason of your arrival…is this for your friend, Jounouchi Katsuya?/

"You did do it to Jou! How can I cure him? TELL ME!"

~~~

Ryou and Marik pondered their problem, Malik stirred them some tea, while Yami held the accessory close, his heart beating with worry and uncertainty each and every moment.

Yugi, why? Why are you doing this to me? Where did you go, aibou? We're all so worried about you?

I love you…

~~~

/I've long admired your determination, Yugi Motou, and let me inform thee that the cure you seek can only be found at the Kingdom of the West itself, where you can retrieve his soul./

"Do you know how to answer questions?"

/Your friend's soul, I have taken it away; so it means that he is in a deep sleep, alive in flesh, though dead in soul. You can only retrieve him by heading West. Oh and tell that Ryou too that his Yami is right here with me if he wants to have him back, as for that Ishtar well, I guess that Ishizu is within the depths of the West too…/

"You're a BASTARD, Seth! Tell me where this Kingdom of the West is!"

/Tut, tut, Yugi Motou. Impatience will lead to downfall…not unless you don't mind your beloved friend will die…/ Seth held out a huge hourglass as tall as a refrigerator, it was a wonder he could hold it with one hand, but he's a god after all. /When all the blood from the top vial flows down to the lower vial, your friend will join Osiris in the Field of Reeds. But don't worry, in no time at all, I'll be sending YOU and the other Hikaris too…the same way I did before…only it will bring a more painful, more devastating loss…such effect I've always dreamed of…reminds me when Isis sought for Osiris before along with Nephystis and Anubis…hopeless, devastated, cold. I'll make that Pharaoh feel the same pain AGAIN Yugi, through YOU!/

"You take that back you bakemono! I'll not let you win!"

/Yugi it's time to go…/

"But…" Yugi recognized the voice of the talisman guardian.

/He's waiting…they're waiting…/

Yugi sighed as he slowly began to fade. "I'll win against your game Seth, and so will Ryou and Marik! We'll see who'll be devastated!

~~~

With a bright silver light, Yugi re-appeared beside Yami.

"Yugi?" Ryou, Marik and Malik gasped.

"Yugi…YUGI!" Yami threw his arms around the little Hikari.

"Yami…" Yugi looked at the group's worried faces.

"Thank god! We thought we'd never see you again." Smiled an excited Ryou.

"Ra, you're so good!" Malik praised.

"Where have you been? We were so worried about you?" Yami asked, gently ruffling his aibou's hair.

"Yeah, what happened?" Marik sipped his tea.

"Well…" Yugi squeezed his Yami's hand gently as he recollected what he had heard from Seth.

"That teme!" Malik cracked his knuckles. "God or whatever he is, I'm gonna show him who's boss."

"Kingdom of the West? Where could that be?" Ryou wondered. "Yami, Malik ever heard of it?"

"Nope, never heard of a place." Malik nod to the ancient Pharaoh who said in agreement "Same here."

But the West, it seems so…familiar…have I heard of it before…even read…? Then it hit Yugi. The passage about Osiris states that 'Osiris, instead of choosing to rule Egypt, turned to the West' meaning that Osiris, who is the judge of the dead, ruled the Kingdom of the West making THE Kingdom of the West the…

"GUYS I'VE GOT IT!" Yugi exclaimed, jumping from his Yami's arms.

"What? Where is it?" Malik stared at Yugi, surprised since he was right beside him.

"But it would be rather unbelievable…"

"Well tell us." Yami said.

"Seth wants us to go…"

"Go where? Spit it out Yugi." Marik and Ryou chorused excitedly.

"He wants us to go…

to the Underworld!"

A/N: Hope you've enjoyed my new chap. And sorry if this is a cliffhanger. Anyhow, please RxR, and you'd do me a great favour. OH THE SONG!!! That song is from 'Boys Be' anime entitled 'MEMORIA' © Kazuko Hamano. Mind you, it's one of my personal favorites. I didn't add the translation snippets, since I'm nearly exceeding ff.net's KB limit. Anyway, any other questions will be entertained at: Darkhopemisstress@yahoo.com