Okies, I'm trying not to do Author's notes in this one... One, I think they spoil the mood of this fic, and two, I can't think of anything to write for them. I have a question for you guys though, actually, 4 questions.
1. Bakura and Yami are meant to be slightly OOC when they're alone together. Kind of like they come out of their shell, and show emotions, and feeling, etc. Is it believable, and do they still seem at least PARTLY in Character?
2. My aim was to make it feel like Bakura was thinking back on his past, happy memories, but he's upset and disappointed, because in the end, he knows everything doesn't work out for the best. Does that come across? And does it seem as if Bakura's just writing his thoughts as they come to mind?
3. Have I made it seem almost like Yami doesn't have a voice, and that his actions are dictated by Bakura?
4. IS IT BELIEVABLE??? Do you see this truly happening as something hidden in the manga? What I mean, is could it be another part of their lives NOT reflected by the manga?
If you think no, please write how you think I can improve. Constructive criticism, you know?
And this has been surveys 101. Enjoy the rest of the fic!
Sometimes I wonder if everything that happened was a dream I made up whilst walking the confines of the ring. After all, 5000 years would do that kind of thing to you, and everything from that time seems so clear. But there are other times when I scoff and laugh at that fact, because these feelings I have can not be simply 'made up' to entertain me, something had to have happened to start them.
I went back to my life, dashing from stall to stall, taking things from here and there, selling them back to their owners for double the price if they couldn't remember them, selling to others for triple if they could. You went back up to your palace, and I thought I'd never see you again. I centred my efforts upon how to get the Millenium items from your priests. Never yours, I wouldn't dream of touching the puzzle, but the other ones.
That changed as well. Now I do want the puzzle, simply because you don't remember me, and things would be simpler that way.
Your homecoming was rejoiced by the priests. I watched it all from an alcove near the palace, the way Isis wrapped you up in a relieved hug, how Mahaado gave an assuring smile, and how Seto smirked. Anukadin looked slightly angry for some reason, and kept giving you murderous glances as if he hadn't wanted you to come back. This surprised me, and I trailed him as he stalked off. I don't think you ever trusted him as much as your other advisors, but that wasn't saying much, because you still trusted him with your life, and whatever he had planned, I knew that it would show you just what a snake in the reeds was like. I wouldn't allow that to happen to you. Not at all.
Mahaado saw me though, as I took off after Anukadin, he followed the flash of my red cloak. You, so busy trying to convince Isis that you were, indeed, alright, didn't notice the fact that two of your advisors were gone, and the feeling of being watched you had all the way back to the temple was lacking as well. I didn't notice Mahaado, I was too busy concentrating on Anukadin to notice that I was being followed. One of the mistakes of a bad thief. Getting too caught up in the heist to watch your back. It was how a great many fell, and a trap that many more are yet to fall into. I was falling.
I got all the way to your father's tomb before Mahaado caught me. Your father's new tomb (well, really, the old one with a few more traps and renovations. It takes years to build a tomb.) I had lost Anukadin's trail somewhere around here, though I had decided to have a bit of a look.
Your priests had set a trap for me here, without your knowledge. I had fallen for it, rather spectacularly I might add, you know, curiosity kills the cat and all that other crap. I snuck into the tomb without a backwards glance, such was my excitement, and was surprised when the boulder came across the door behind me. Strangely, though, it was not until I reached the first pitfall that I thought there might be a slight chance of a trap not associated with the protection of your father's body laying in wait for me. That's when I heard the first noises of being followed, soft, delicate footfalls, of padded and linen wrapped shoes placed in exactly the right spots to ensure quiet. Turning, I almost gasped as he stepped into view. Mahaado. Like a brother to you. I never really cared for the man, and even as I smirked, I knew how this would end. His millennium item was glowing dangerously as he walked forward. A Ka battle to the death. I was always sadistic, I'm not ashamed to admit it, and this was just one more opportunity for my nature to show its side. Mahaado was not happy with me. He was scowling, and rather furious at my actions, and who could blame him? In his eyes, I had desecrated the tomb of your father, and had been stalking you with malicious intent.
Okay, I had been stalking you, but my intent was far from malicious. Besides, I wasn't stalking you, not really, only watching OUT for you. I sound like I'm trying to convince myself, don't I? But anyways, it was really no reason for a Ka battle, was it? Don't answer that question.
Anyways. He was pissed. I'm sorry, there's no other word for it. The ring was glowing incredibly brightly, and before I knew it, his Ka was standing before me. [1] I snorted at this point in time, and summoned forth Diabound, somewhat surprised at the improvements he was showing. I didn't know at that point that he grew with every battle, and this revelation surprised me greatly. [2] I didn't let it show, however, marvelling at the shocked look upon Mahaado's features.
Darkness was quickly overtaking me, Diabound always had that effect, and I was slowly falling into it, feeling him control my actions, and giving me a sense of overwhelming power I had never felt before. I think that's what Diabound represented, my darkness, my lust for revenge, a darkness that has taken millennia to destroy, yet I still manage to portray that image through my actions. Mahaado and I were soon locked in fierce combat, my ka easily overpowering his, seeking to destroy, to claim the power of the guardian of tombs. The ring glinted against his head as our Kas roared in fury, destroying the building around us, Diabound's snakelike tail lashing and striking, his fists conneting with the purple clad ka of Mahaado. The Magician's magic was slowly being drained, by the power-hungry beast, Mahaado was weakening, fading before my very eyes,
And I was enjoying it. I know, you would hate me for saying that, and I don't feel remorse for my actions at all. I'm a thief, and our enemies we take down with no pity. That's all your priests were to me, enemies.
It was inevitable that he would fall, and fall he did, his body crumbling as his spirit was ripped from it, being sealed away into a harsh cold stone Tablet for all of eternity. He was dead.
I remember the sick joy I felt looking upon his carcass, as Diabound roared his satisfaction. I would be told, that later you were looking upon that stone Tablet as Mahaado's image appeared, hoping that neither of us would be claimed, knowing that one of us would. I heard you cry out in agony as I hid in the great catacomb, gently scooping the Millenium ring from around Mahaado's neck, and placing it over my own, enjoying it's feel against my bare chest, ignoring the way that the five pointers beat against my chest accusingly, digging in ever so slightly. The item bowed to me, it's new owner. For how long and at what price I don't think I understood back then.
My eyes fell upon Diabound, watched as he slowly mutated to take up the new powers of the ring, plus his battle strength. He was the one who got me out of that tomb, took me in his arms, and passed through walls for me. I held onto him tightly, feeling the almost assuring grip he reserved just for his vessel, never in the heat of battle would he hold an opponent so fondly. He and I passed, invisible, by where you were sobbing, and I felt my heart break from the sound. I had caused you tears.
It was that night, when I was idly fiddling with the pointers of the ring that I heard a noise outside my small bunker. The cold wind blew, rattling about the place, and I remember every nerve of mine being on fire as I heard faint footsteps approaching. Could you imagine my relief as I saw your profile, and not one that I didn't recognise?
This relief was to be short lived, however, as you walked into the bungalow, you were obviously upset and angry, at me. "How COULD you Tou?" You demanded, the first words out of your mouth as you glared at me, none of the love and respect you had felt that morning reflected there.
"How could I what?" I asked, almost coyly, looking at you with a slight frown upon my brow.
"You know very well what..." You broke into heaving sobs there and then, the ones that you had been crying all day and tried to keep from me. I wrapped a comforting arm around your shoulder, holding you as you shook, your warmth pressed up against mine almost comfortingly. Almost.
"It was him or me." I whispered, hoping to comfort, hoping to put you at ease that your lover was not a murderer by choice. (Never mind that I had killed before Mahaado, but we won't go into that.)
Your head snapped up, eyes blazing as yu forcefully pushed me away, staring angrily into my eyes.
"BUT MAHAADO WAS MY FRIEND! CLOSER THAN A BROTHER TO ME!" The amplitude of your shout caused the deset cicadas to fall silent for a moment as the clouds above boomed their thunder. A heat storm was coming.
"WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE, ATEMU? IT WAS KILL OR BE KILLED! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT LIFE IS LIKE OUTSIDE THAT PUSHY PALACE!" The row was terribly loud, both of us fuming with anger tatthe other could not see our point of view.
I think our stubborn natures were the beginning of our downfall, as neither of us were willing to back up in that argument, and what a terrible argument it was, me fiercely defending the position that it was either he or I who was to die, and weren't you grateful I was alive, and not dead now? You were furious, crying, an emotional wreck as you used arguments of Mahaado being your closest friend and companion, how could I have taken that away from you?
Truth be told, I don't know. The argument was heated, fiery, you were sobbing, yelling, your voice cracking every other syllable, I was just yelling, feeling pain and anger welling up inside, the pain serving to make me angrier. In the end, our voices tired and cracked, we fell into silence, you sobbing, I fuming, trying to be a comfort to the other when really all we wanted was our own space. The fact that we stayed in the same place was what kept our relationship together, each of us finally giving in to our bodily needs, though tentatively, softer than before.
It was only afterward, when you were sleeping so softly in my arms that I stroked the side of your face, and gently touched my lips to yours in a loving embrace. I knew you were confused; you loved me, yet hated me at the same time for destroying one of your priests. I knew you hurt; I knew you felt like you didn't understand the way the world worked. I still felt no remorse. You hadn't forgiven me, but I wasn't sorry.
The gentle mist of your breath blowing across my face was the reminder of what I had done, throughout the rest of our time, it would always be my reminder.
I awoke the next morning to your crimson eyes, a frantic expression held within them, and I watched, through half-sleeping eyes as you raced around in a panic, gathering your royal clothes and hoisting them on in a hasty fashion.
True, half-asleep style, I remember commenting, "Where's the fire?" and the way you turned to me with fear in your eyes, gasping for need to hurry.
"The guard! The guard followed me!" Your fear was infectious, and now I was slowly starting to get nervous. You were frantic, trying to impress upon my tired brain the importance of the situation. "TOUZOUKO! YOU ARE A THIEF! THE ROYAL GUARD WANTS YOUR HEAD!"
You were certainly loud enough.
My reaction was immediate, springing up and pulling my own red robe over my shoulders. "Run." I remember hissing at you, before hiding in one corner of the bunker. And run you did, out of the bunker and as far away as you could go. I slipped further into the tiny shack, hearing the guard pass by my very door, not really feeling terrified, but knowing you were afraid for me. Secretly I was hoping you wouldn't do something stupid.
I have never been a praying person, I prefer to work my own way in a world than rely upon a bunch of spiritual beings which no-one is sure exist or not, but then I was praying. I was praying that you would not be found with me, or that you would not be around when I released Diabound, for he wanted to slaughter the guards then and there. [3]
He wanted to kill... again.
[1] I know it becomes the Dark Magician when Mahaado infuses his spirit with it, but what's it called before then? The magician of something.... Sanctuary? No wait, that's the spirit of sanctuary... Does anyone else think that Kuriboh's a sweetheart? No? I'll shut up now.
[2] Puahahaha... Revelation... Sorry, listening to Jesus Christ Superstar countless times in a row does this to me. Really should stop listening to the soundtrack, but it's so good! A-TE-MU! SUPERSTAR!–glass shatters.- That doesn't work that well, does it? ANYways, I think it did startle Baku in the Manga, even though he hid it very well. Poor baby. Didn't know that his Ka would hideously mutate. –Glomps Baku-
[3] I'm meant to be asleep right now... can you tell?