After the brief respite, the three buckled down. Yuugi wasn't sure whether Ryou could be saved but he was still going to try. It wasn't as if one could choose to become a vessel.

Atemu watched from several feet away, fists clenched in nervousness. Yuugi had been chose to lure Ryou out because Bakura would have sensed Atemu coming in a heartbeat. As it was, Atemu had to shield his mind and the link he shared with Yuugi. It still didn't help his nervousness. Bakura was unpredictable. What if something happened? What if Bakura took Yuugi hostage again? What if Bakura... killed Yuugi again? It couldn't be allowed. He would rip Bakura limb from limb before he could even touch his Yuugi.

Hikari paced around his legs, Atemu's nervousness getting to her. She couldn't change form here and was suppressing the urge to yank Yuugi back from danger. She knew Atemu would never completely kill the protective urge he had. It was his nature.

Atemu and Hikari watched as Ryou opened the door. Atemu spared a moment to pity the poor boy. Ryou had always been pale but now he simply looked like a good breeze would push him away. There were dark bags under his eyes. Atemu knew that if he had been close enough to see clearly, there would be bruises and cuts riddling the boy's skin. No doubt Ryou wore long sleeves and pants to cover those marks, but Atemu knew they'd be there.

Yuugi reached out and gently cupped Ryou's shoulder. Atemu saw that flinch from where he stood. Fury burned within him. Bakura would pay, he promised himself.

"Here they come. When we pull them into the Shadows, be prepared for a fierce fight. We cannot let Bakura escape to fight another day. He will only grow stronger. He must be defeated now or we will never rest."

"I understand, Hikari. There's no way I'll let Bakura live to threaten Yuugi. I failed him once. I will never allow it again."

As the two Lights approached his hiding spot, he grabbed them and pulled them into the Shadow Realm. Ryou, already weakened by Bakura influence, nearly collapsed on top of Yuugi. A fraction of a second passed before Bakura straightened, eyes alight with the need to kill. His eyes flicked to Yuugi and Atemu acted with a second's delay.

Atemu stepped forward, thrusting Yuugi behind him as he aimed an old fashioned punch at Bakura. The move was unexpected so Bakura stumbled back from the force behind the move. Hikari had changed and growled challengingly at Bakura.

For someone outnumbered, Bakura looked remarkably calm.

"I knew this day would come... You couldn't just stay dead, Pharaoh?! No matter; I'll kill you now!" With a roar of insane laughter, Bakura summoned Diabound. Still powerful even after its long sleep, it attacked Hikari. They flew off, parrying and attack one another. They were evenly matched. But it left the field with Bakura, Atemu, and Yuugi.

Bakura wasn't as powerful as he had been during the Final Battle before, but Atemu took no risks. He stayed close by Yuugi as they worked together to bring Bakura down.

Atemu and Yuugi were back to back as they fought off Bakura's attack. Momentarily distracted, neither noticed Diabound flying towards them. Hikari screamed a warning but it was too late.

Diabound swooped down, separating Atemu and Yuugi just enough for Bakura to snatch Yuugi away. Atemu was thrown several feet back from the force of Diabound's movement.

"Bastard!" he screamed uselessly. His fingers ached to release a stream of power at Bakura, but he couldn't risk hitting his Light. Then he saw the knife that Bakura pulled from the Shadows. Atemu stumbled forward, reaching out as if he could take his Light back.

Atemu paled as he stared at a scene all too familiar. He didn't know how Bakura had managed to sneak up on Yuugi but there he stood with a knife to his beloved's neck. Atemu wanted to scream and cry and rage at the unfairness of it all. He had been given a second chance for a reason! It wasn't to see Yuugi die a second time!

Hikari roared above him; Atemu's anger feeding the Guardian's power. She flew in tight circles around Atemu, magic crackling over her scales.

"Release him, Bakura! Your fight is with me!"

"He's your weakness! I could see it the moment I saw you push him away from me. How long do you think he can stand the call of the Shadows, Pharaoh? How long until he succumbs?"

Atemu thought quickly. He couldn't allow Yuugi to be killed again. But unlike the first battle, this version had time. Time for Yuugi to escape without putting himself in danger.

/Aibou! Push the knife away from your skin! Use your magic! Concentrate, now, aibou!/

Atemu didn't know whether Yuugi obeyed him or not. He had to reveal Diabound before it could recover.

"Hikari, shine a Light in the darkness! Show me Diabound's location!"

With an echoing roar, Hikari shined like a sun in the darkness. "Attack Diabound!" Atemu cried, seeing Diabound cower away from the light.

He turned back to Yuugi, now pinned beneath Bakura. Hatred coursed strong through his blood. He ran towards his Yuugi with the intent to kill. The distance seemed to triple in size as he ran, murder in his thoughts.

Yuugi was pushed to the ground as Bakura hovered over him. Bakura straddled Yuugi's hips, throwing his weight into pressing a jagged knife towards Yuugi's pale throat. Yuugi fought back just as fiercely, throwing his magic into pushing the knife away. They were locked in an equal battle of strength.

"You're just as pretty as my little Ryou," Bakura growled at him. Yuugi didn't like that glint in his eyes.

A breathless gasp escaped him as Bakura grinded against his lower body. Where the fuck was Atemu?

"Maybe I shouldn't kill you, Yuugi. Maybe I should keep you for myself. You would be fun to break. The sight of your blood slowly leaving your body, of your face reflecting the pain you feel," Bakura's eyes looked crazed with lust. "Hearing your scream of agony echoing on and on..." He licked his lips.

"Not a chance in hell, you crazy motherfucker! I belong to Atemu!"

"Ah, that Pharaoh, eh?"

"Get off of my Hikari!" Atemu snarled, knocking Bakura back. He rushed at the other, logic clouded with hatred. He threw punch after punch as he straddled the other body. Dark emotions fueled his punches.

(No, Yami... you're using the wrong emotions. Bakura can't be killed with darkness. Only Light. Use your love for me, Yami.)

Atemu gasped as Yuugi sent his love through their link. He felt it well within him. The strength of tenderness, he had called it before.

Bakura was bloodied but by no means finished. He raised his first ready to send Atemu flying backwards. What he didn't expect was Atemu's finger touching his forehead. His Millenium Eye shone brightly before cracking. As it cracked beneath Atemu's finger, Bakura felt himself weakening.

Atemu closed his eyes, concentrating on the tenuous link between himself and Bakura. He sent everything Yuugi gave him to devastate Bakura's darkness. He sent love, affection, acceptance. Everything Yuugi provided for him to keep the Shadows in his heart at bay.

The emotions ripped through Bakura's defenses, driving his Darkness away from Bakura's grasp. Distantly he could hear Yuugi order Hikari to destroy Diabound. It would be weak with Bakura's hatred to fuel it. Bakura lay nearly comatose beneath Atemu's mental assault.

Bakura opened his eyes; Atemu tensed, waiting for his retaliation. But the eyes were soft, nonthreatening. "Aibou." He said softly. Atemu recognized the Light. He panicked; Ryou's soul was too fragile to withstand the call of the Shadows.

"Yuugi! Help me shield Ryou!"

He felt Yuugi's presence beside him almost instantly. Together a web weaved of their magic shield Ryou from the bite of the Shadows.

"Is it over?" Yuugi queried. "It can't be that easy, can it?"

Atemu frowned, spreading his awareness out. The Shadows reacted to his call but brought no information back. Could Diabound really have been destroyed?

Atemu lifted Ryou's unconscious body, still shielded from the Shadows and straightened. "Yuugi, Hikari, we need to help Ryou. He's the only one who can tell us whether Bakura is really gone or not. Yuugi, keep hold of that Ring. If Bakura does remain, I don't want him hurting Ryou any more."

Yuugi removed the Ring from around Ryou's neck. Hikari returned to her original form, rubbing against Yuugi's leg, purring softly. They were in no danger if Hikari resumed her cat form.

Thought Yuugi kept a tight grip on his emotions, Atemu could feel the strain of the Shadows getting to his Light. He had no resistance but his magic. And that was nearly gone.

"Come on, aibou. The sooner we leave, the sooner you can rest." Yuugi nodded. In his hands, the Ring seemed to weigh tons.

A couple steps later they returned to their shared dorm. Yuugi immediately collapsed, leaning on the couch for support. His breaths were labored but he waved Atemu off.

"Aibou,"

"I'm fine, Yami. Take care of Ryou first. Let him have my bed."

Atemu looked unsure but at Hikari's nod, he left to ascertain Ryou's status. Yuugi leaned heavily on the couch back, exhaustion pouring over his body. He sank to his knees slowly. Hikari mewed softly. Her master was in no danger. He was tired but it would pass. No Shadows clung to him. He was safe.

"Hikari," Yuugi whispered. His eyes closed as he lowered himself completely to the floor. Ryou would be fine with Atemu looking after him. Yuugi would just close his eyes for a while before cleaning up. Just a little while.

Sorry for the delay! I'm in the middle of my Spring Break and kind of forgot about writing for a while. There isn't much story left so the next part should be the last.