Dark pasts, Darker Secrets

I know it's been such a long time since I updated, and now that my computer isn't being a bitch, I can update more frequently!!! So once again, I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH OR ANY CHARACTERS IN ANY WAY NOR DO I MAKE MONEY FROM THE WRITING OF THIS STORY!!!

The next two days had a semblance of normalcy for the group of boys as they returned to their schoolwork, trying not to focus on what lied ahead. Ryou sighed and rested his head against the window he sat next to staring out at the scenery. The history teacher droned on and on, but the white haired boy heard none of it. Who could concentrate on what Attila the Hun ate when the imposing end of the world were at stake, or at least the destruction of his world. Deep in his mind he found himself wishing he had never met Bakura. He was appalled at the thoughts but then began to see the truth in them as they swirled in his mind.

'Do you really wish that?' Bakura's voice swirled in Ryou's mind, making the boy jump.

He frowned sadly at the hurt in Bakura's voice and sighed. 'No. Not really. If I hadn't met you I would have been so miserable and alone. You've made my life so much better.' He said the words sincerely and a few seconds later he felt Bakura's hand cupping his cheek even though the boy was nowhere near him. 'You have to teach me how to do that' Ryou teased.

His lover simply chuckled and then he was gone, but Ryou could still feel him in the back of his mind, a subtle presence that fluttered around his mind like the wings of a butterfly. Perhaps Ryou would write his father today. It always made him feel better to speak to his father. With that in mind his mood changed.

The lunch bell rang and all the students rushed into the cafeteria noisy as usual. But when Yami and his group came in the students went quiet. All eyes followed them. Ryou, Yuugi and Jou blushed and looked down, embarrassed to be the center of attention. The group sat together, Honda and Otogi joining them with a laugh.

Soon the noise was back, but the group could hear the conversations about them. "Gossip mongers," Seto growled folding his arms over his chest and glaring at a few boys staring at them. Yami shrugged and picked up a spoon and began feeding a blushing Yuugi.

Once again the school was in an uproar and the rumors started. Jou smiled at the glaring Seto, wrapping an arm around his neck. "Just ignore them," he whispered. Seto looked into those honeyed orbs and found himself lost. "We need some air," Bakura growled grabbing Ryou. One by one the large group followed the two albinos out on to the basketball court.

Malik picked up a ball and started shooting and soon the entire group followed until they had a game going. Halfway through the game they were interrupted by a woman coming towards them. At first they paid her no mind, but they stopped when she called to Ryou.

"Ryou," the woman called, her voice soft. The small boy turned to her and cocked his head. As he walked towards her, he grew wary. Her eyes were full of pity and sympathy as she looked at him. "Can I help you?" The white haired boy asked. She sighed and lowered her head, motioning him to follow her to a bench and they sat. "Ryou.... I don't know how to say this....."
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Bakura watched Ryou and the woman go to a bench and sit. He watched the boy's face closely becoming more and more worried as the time passed. Ryou's face became whiter and whiter as the woman spoke, his brown eyes glazing over with un-shed tears. Bakura wanted to run over and grab the boy up, hold him in his arms and comfort him. 'Ryou....' Bakura called, his voice soft. 'What is it?' he asked.

Ryou glanced at him for a moment before he stood, his body posture stiff and statuesque. "Ryou?" The woman called. She went to reach for him, but the boy avoided her hand and the next moment he was running. Bakura watched in stunned silence before he called out to the boy. 'RYOU!!!' Without thinking Bakura took off after the boy.

'Ryou...' he called again, giving the boy a small push to answer him. 'Tell me what's wrong?' There was a moment of silence before Ryou answered him and Bakura could feel the tearing at his own heart and tears threatened to fall.

'My father....' Ryou sobbed. 'My father is dead....'

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Bakura ran as fast as he could through the streets following Ryou's signature, losing sight of him long ago. With an aggravated sigh the boy ran through a park and collapsed on a bench near him. How was Ryou so fast? He looked so fragile... But, it was strange to Bakura. A few days ago he wouldn't have cared if he saw Ryou upset, but now it made his heart stutter to even think of Ryou with a frown on his face.

With that thought he stood up and connected with Ryou's mind once again. This was one time he was glad the boy hadn't blocked him, but Bakura could feel his pain and emotions so vividly he wanted to cry. He started at a slow jog then his pace quickened until he was at a full run.

After a few moments of running he heard the thunder rumbling before the first few drops fell, then came the downpour. "Great," he muttered to himself. "Now it's raining...."

His feet pounded on the sidewalk, kicking up droplets of rain as he splashed through deep puddles and almost flooded streets. Following the faint traces or Ryou's mind he swerved in and out of streets until he came to a place that was vaguely familiar to him.

Closing his eyes he focused on Ryou's eyes, pushing to let him see what the boy was seeing. At first Bakura's vision was blurry until Ryou blinked away the tears. The small boy ran up a set of stairs of a rather large house. He threw open the door and ran. Bakura pushed a little too intensely for Ryou caught on and quickly slammed his mind closed. ~Leave me alone!~ he all but screamed.

Bakura winced at the force of the psychic slap but his lips turned up in a grin. He knew exactly where Ryou was. Without a second though he started off at a quick run towards the house.

The house loomed before him, larger than he remembered from when he and Ryou had gone out shopping. The rain fell in steady sheets nearly blinding Bakura. Slowly he made his way up the stairs and stopped. The door seemed normal, if a normal person were to look at it, but Bakura could see the invisible layer of psychic energy.

With a sigh he pushed his way through grunting at the sparks of energy that tried to prevent his entry. Once inside he waited for his eyes to adjust to the darkness before moving forward. He searched the many rooms on the bottom floor, but no Ryou. Turning a corner Bakura looked at the floor and spotted what looked like a shoe print. Looking back he saw his own footprints in the thick dust on the floor and he smirked. So Ryou had tried to get rid of any evidence that he was there.

Now looking carefully Bakura searched the floor and was rewarded with another foot print at the base of the stairs heading up. carefully Bakura made his way up the creaking steps avoiding a few holes in them. How was it that this house had come to such disrepair in the few short years no one had been there? That question plagued his mind until he spotted something on the wall of the hallway.

Walking towards it he saw it was a shifted board and lying around it were a few strands of hair that were undoubtedly Ryou's. Moving the board aside he looked into the gap and saw stairs. Grunting he made his way into the small space and made his way cautiously up the steps. As he ascended, small sounds of someone crying could be heard. Bakura moved quicker until he came to a wide open space. "Ryou...?" he called softly.

The sobs stopped for a moment as he heard breath hitch. Slowly he walked towards the sounds. Behind a large wooden box Bakura spotted a head of white hair. "Ryou..." he called again in a softer voice. Ryou turned and Bakura's heart stopped. The smaller boy stared up at him, his face white and his dark chocolate eyes were full of pain and sorrow. Bakura reached out to touch the boy, but Ryou stood quickly and went to run, but Bakura was too quick for him and caught him before he took a step.

"Ryou!" he cried at the struggling boy in his arms. "Calm down and look at me!" Ryou continued to struggle until it seemed that he wore himself down and collapsed into Bakura's arms. The taller boy pulled the smaller into his arms and held the shaking body to his chest tightly. "Shh...." Bakura rubbed his back. "Just calm down and everything will be alright."

"No, it won't be alright!" Ryou cried shaking his head. "It will never be alright. He's gone, Bakura." He looked into Bakura's eyes, his eyes shining with tears and heartbreaking pain. "My father is dead." His voice broke off at the end and he collapsed into sobs once more.

Bakura lowered them both to the floor and settled Ryou into his lap and rocked him, letting him cry. The two sat like that for what seemed like hours before the smaller boy's sobs turned to hiccups. Bakura kissed he top of his head. "Let's go home," he whispered. "You must be so tired, and the others will be worried about us."

Ryou shook his head, his hair ticking Bakura's cheek. "No," he whispered. "I don't want to go. Please, just leave me be." Bakura set his jaw and pulled his head up, gripping Ryou's chin with his fingers. "I will not just 'leave you be'! You're in pain! And do you know how much it hurts to know that you're in pain and there's nothing I can do?"

Bakura could see the loneliness in the small boy's eyes. The two looked at one another for a moment before Bakura pulled Ryou to his chest once more. "As long as I'm here, you will *never* be alone." Ryou jerked in shock. Had Bakura just told him in some weird way that he.... Loved him? "Please Ryou. Seeing you like this is killing me inside." The smaller boy sniffled and lay his head against Bakura's chest . "I want to stay here, for at least a little while longer." Bakura sighed but nodded. "Alright, but please, let's go somewhere a little less dusty." He sneezed, making Ryou giggle slightly. "My allergies are killing me."

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Seto sat in the school study room watching the rain intently. ~Seto?~ Jou called for the blue eyed boy softly, still unsure as how to use the mind bond. ~In the study~ Seto replied. A few minutes later the door opened and Jonouchi walked in taking a seat next to his lover. To the blond, Seto looked like he was deep in thought, his eyes had a far away look in them.

Jou looked out the window and jumped when Seto spoke. "I've been thinking," the brunette said softly. "That spell. I think it would be best not to do it." Jou looked at the other boy in shock. "What do you mean? You have to do it!"

Seto turned and looked him in the eyes. "I really don't think we should do it." he looked away. "The pain it would cause to both partners would be too much for all of you to handle." Jonouchi was silent for a moment before looking at Seto. "Seto, look. I've already come to terms with this whole old as time thing, and I really want you to do that spell. I don't think any of us care about what happens to us. I know I don't."

Seto smiled softly and shook his head. "You would. You're always thinking so rashly, always jumping into things too soon without thinking. It's a wonder you've survived this long." The blond glared at him. "I do too think things through! Not thoroughly, but enough to get me through." Seto chuckled and pulled Jou to him, holding him close.

The two stayed that way for a few moments listening to each others heartbeats. "I don't want to see you in pain. It would kill me." Jou smiled and kissed Seto's cheek. "I know, but I want to be with you for as long as I can. I've never felt like this before, and besides," he looked at Seto with serious eyes. "You said this spell could help me remember who I really am."

Seto looked at Jou. "You know I don't remember anything from my past. I don't know if I have parents, what my childhood was like, nothing. The only thing I *can* remember is that day when I spotted you for the first time and attacked you. All I felt was rage and hate towards you, and I want to know why."

Seto gave him a squeeze. "Well, you can forget about that. I doubt that is ever going to happen again. I love you." Jonouchi smiled, a tear running down his face. "Thank you Seto. I love you too."

"Aww, are we interrupting a tender moment?" Jou and Seto both turned at the voice to find themselves staring at Rex and Weevil. "What do you two want?" Jou growled. He never liked the pair. "oh nothing," Weevil snickered. "We just came to admire the view."

"You two always did look cute together," Rex chuckled. "But now I'm afraid we'll have to break up this little love fest."

As soon as he said that, the room darkened with a black aura, engulfing everything in the room but the four of them in a strange, swirling black mist. "What in the...?" Jou grunted as Seto pushed him behind him. "Stay there, pup." Rex and Weevil cackled in unison. "Well, well, Seto. Looks like you have a soft spot for blondie." Seto looked at Weevil for a second and then back to Rex only to find the other had disappeared!

The next thing Seto heard was Jonouchi's painful cry. Seto turned quickly to help his lover, but as soon as he turned the room returned to normal only without Jou anywhere in sight. ~What will you do now, Seto?~ Weevil called in the brunette's mind. ~We have your little boy-toy. If you don't want him to get hurt, then please come to Pegasus' office. Oh, and bring Yami with you. I'm sure he would like to see what we have for him~

The connection went dead and Seto felt hollow inside. With a curse he slammed his fist against the wall. "Jou..." he whispered. Without another thought he took off down the hall towards he and Yami's room.

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"My father was so sad when my mother died. I remember him telling me stories about when I was a child, and later on in his room I could hear him crying." Bakura listened to the heartbreaking tale Ryou told him while cuddling the smaller boy on the living room couch once they had pulled the dusty sheet off. "We lived here for a while, I remember that much," Ryou continued. "I used to play with my mother in the attic. When father came home from work and couldn't find us, he knew exactly where to look. He would creep up on us and surprise us while we were playing a game. Mother would smile so happily and embrace him, then he would pick me up and spin me around."

Ryou sniffled and smiled sadly. "I guess you could have said we were the perfect family, if there was ever such a thing. It was when mother died that father began bringing me to dig sites. We went all over the world, learned so many new things. I especially liked going to New York, where father's co-workers taught me English. I was with his co-workers a lot because father was always so busy, but I understood. So every night I would cook him a big meal wherever we were staying at the time, and make it feel like home." Ryou put his head down. "But now, I can never hear his voice. Or say I love him."

The small boy curled up in Bakura's arms and sobbed. Bakura pulled him closer in his lap rocking him back and forth. "There is no such thing as goodbyes. You will see your father again someday, and though it may be a long time before that happens, you have to remember the good things, and that he loved you."

Ryou nodded and turned his face to cuddle into the side of Bakura's neck. Bakura shuddered as Ryou's warm breath passed over his skin, then froze as a soft pair of lips trailed down his throat. "R-Ryou," Bakura gulped. "What are you doing?" Ryou only moved lower kissing and nibbling on Bakura's neck. The taller boy moaned and moved his head back slightly, but at a painful bite he came back to his senses. "Ryou you have to stop," he said firmly putting his hands on Ryou's shoulders to push him away. "You don't know what you're doing and will end up regretting this."

Ryou looked into Bakura's eyes. "Don't you like me? You said yourself that my soul is that of your past lover. So how is this wrong?" Bakura shook his head. "No, Ryou. You're grieving, and it wouldn't be right of me to let you continue." The smaller boy scowled and stood with a mighty push against Bakura's chest. "What, am I not good enough for you? You've slept with Malik, so why not me? Is it that I repulse you in some way? Am I not attractive enough for you!?"

Bakura opened his mouth to speak bur Ryou had already turned and headed for the door. Bakura leaped up from the couch and was on him in an instant, but just as he caught him his foot caught on the end of a table and sent them both crashing to the floor. The smaller boy blushed as he looked up into soft brown eyes. His eyes went lower and his face turned redder as Bakura's damp shirt fell from his shoulder in an alluring way. Without thinking Bakura pressed his lips to Ryou's in a soft kiss that turned in an instant to hard and demanding. Ryou groaned as Bakura's tongue filled his mouth, exploring every cavity energetically.

Tentatively Ryou wrapped his arms around Bakura's neck and pulled him closer. His small hands roamed the hard muscular back, his limbs taking pointers from the thoughts in Bakura's mind. The taller boy moaned and thrust his hips down into Ryou's, making the small boy squeak. Finally due to lack of air the two pulled away from one another, lust clearly written in both their eyes. When Ryou pulled in for another kiss Bakura spotted a small tear trailing down his cheek and pulled away. "This is wrong," he gasped moving to get up. "I'm taking advantage of you in your time of need." Ryou wiped the tear away quickly and pulled Bakura back down to him. "Please Bakura," he whispered. "I need this. And I need you."

Bakura stared down at Ryou and his breath caught in his throat. His dark brown eyes were clouded over with lust, and the way his white hair pooled around his head, he looked like an angel. That was all it took to break his willpower and he quickly brought his lips crashing down on Ryou's in a passionate kiss. His mind was throwing warnings at him and screaming for him to stop, but there in the back was a shadow of Ryou's mind urging him to go on.

~Please~ whispered Ryou in his mind. ~Make me feel... Make me forget, even if just a little while~ Bakura's lips made a path from Ryou's neck down to his chest, shivering at the small sounds coming from the small boy beneath him. Bakura traveled the smooth, silky skin to the other side of Ryou's neck, giving the skin there the same treatment. Roughly his hands pulled at clothing, whither it was his or Ryou's he had no clue. Both soft kisses and harsh hands made Ryou gasp and arch his back. Looking into Bakura's mind Ryou managed to slip his hands in the older boy's shirt, finding his nipples and stroking them. Bakura moaned against Ryou's neck, making said boy shudder. Without wanting to both of their minds crashed in a mind blowing pleasurable experience, and that was when Ryou heard Bakura's true thoughts on him. ~You have no clue what you do to me. Even though my mind said no, my body wanted to ravage you from the moment I saw you. I wanted to hear you screaming under me, moaning my name.~ Ryou smiled and looked at his soon to be lover. "Then take me, please."

That was all Bakura needed to hear and went back to his actions with abandonment. Slowly he unbuttoned Ryou's shirt and pulled the fabric away, revealing soft, unmarred pale flesh. Bakura took a moment to revel in the fact that this body was his, given to him by the one he knew that he loved. "Bakura...?" Ryou questioned. The taller boy smiled at him and lowered his head to one pert nipple, flicking his tongue quickly over the small nub. Ryou cried out as pleasure washed over him, his hands moving to tangle in Bakura's hair pulling him closer. Bakura smiled and dragged his hand up Ryou's side to attack the other nipple, his thumb and forefinger tugging and rolling the small nub. Ryou gasped and cried out with each pull of Bakura's mouth and fingers, feeling as if her were going to explode with the new sensations.

One moment Bakura bit his flesh, then his tongue was there to soothe the sting. These attentions made the small boy writhe and moan on the floor. Slowly Bakura made his way down Ryou's stomach, his tongue dragging across his heated sensitive flesh. His lips came in contact with the hem of Ryou's pants and he left a string of kisses along it, making the boy squirm. "Ba-Bakura please..." Ryou gasped.

The taller boy looked up and smiled. His hands came down from Ryou's sides to the front of his pants, undoing the button and bringing the zipper down slowly. With a harsh tug he was free of the one obstacle, but had another in his way. Underwear. Ryou panted with need as he watched Bakura grip the hem of his underwear and slowly slide them down his thighs, the feel of the material against his skin making him go crazy. Once they were removed, Bakura began kissing a path up Ryou's legs, to his inner thighs, avoiding that one place that needed attention the most. "Bakura... Please stop teasing...."

The taller boy chuckled and shook his head, looking up from his place between Ryou's thighs. "Patience. I work slowly." And he placed a chaste kiss on Ryou's inner thigh before sitting up to take his own clothing off. Ryou watched his fingers deftly unbuttoning his shirt, one at a time and grew impatient. Sitting up he knocked Bakura's hands away and undid the buttons, almost ripping the shirt in an effort to get it off.

Bakura chuckled and caught Ryou's desperate hands, bringing them down to his zipper. Ryou smiled and pulled the zipper down, sliding the rough material of denim and underwear down his partner's legs. Bakura groaned as his straining erection was set free of the tight barrier. Ryou threw himself at Bakura and both boys gasped as skin met skin leading to a hot and passionate kiss. Ryou groaned and thrust his hips up, gasping at teh friction of their two erections sliding together.

The two pulled away with an explosive gasp and they stared at one another for a moment taking in much needed air. Bakura brought his head close enough to touch noses with Ryou and kissed him. "Before we go any further, I need to ask again. Are you sure you want this?" Ryou was silent for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I want this. I want you, Bakura." At those words Bakura shivered and brought three fingers to Ryou's mouth, sliding them into the hot cavern. When teh boy did nothing Bakura chuckled. "Suck on them." The small boy gave him a quizzical look but did as he was told, sucking on the digits with a vengeance. Bakura closed his eyes, trying to calm his body down. Finally he pulled his fingers from the hot mouth before his body exploded. "Why did you do that?" Ryou asked. "It helps, you'll see." Bakura gripped Ryou's ankles and brought them over his shoulders. Slowly he made his way down to Ryou's entrance and traced the small opening lightly.

Ryou stiffened when he felt the pressure of the first finger sliding in. "Relax Ryou," Bakura whispered. "You know I wouldn't hurt you." Slowly Ryou forced his body to relax enough that Bakura could ease his finger in and he held it still, waiting for the small body to adjust to it. Ryou blushed at the intrusion his face turning bright red and squeaked as Bakura began to move the digit in and out of his body. The taller boy leaned down and kissed Ryou's birthmark lovingly. He tuned into the small boy's mind, adding the second finger when he knew the boy was ready. "B-Bakura....it feels strange..." Bakura smiled. "I know. It will feel good soon." Slowly he slid the third finger in, stopping when Ryou hissed in pain. "Relax little love. You need to relax for me so I can make you feel good."

Ryou nodded and squeezed his eyes shut, forcing his body to relax before Bakura's hand moved again. Almost desperately Bakura sought out that one spot deep within Ryou's body. Quite suddenly his fingers brushed that bundle of nerves and instantly Ryou gasped as white hot sparks of pleasure shot through him. "Ohhh!" he gasped. "Do that again!" He pleaded. Bakura passed over the small knot of nerves and had Ryou squirming beneath him, his face flushed and sweating. Finally when he figured the boy was ready, Bakura pulled his fingers from Ryou, chuckling at the keening cry of loss Ryou gave. Slowly Bakura positioned himself between slender white thighs and looked at his lover. "Are you ready?" he asked. Ryou nodded and shut his eyes. "Take me now."

Bakura needed no other words than that. Slowly he pressed into the tight opening, closing his eyes at the sheer bliss. "Oh gods, Ryou..." Bakura gasped. "You're so tight." Ryou blushed and looked away, his face clinched in pain. "Just please. Hurry up." The taller boy took a deep breath and stopped once he was fully sheathed, allowing Ryou to adjust to his size. "We will not hurry this, love. I've waited too long for you." Ryou looked at him and smiled.

A few moments later the small boy nodded his head, a signal that allowed Bakura to let out the breath he didn't know he was holding. Moving slowly the taller boy moved back and felt himself sliding from the welcoming heat then just as slowly thrust back in. Ryou's muscles clenched around him tightly and Bakura felt he was home. The smaller boy grunted in pain then gasped as that heavenly spot was hit. "Faster...." he gasped. Bakura smirked and granted his lover's wish and began a faster pace hitting the spot with almost every thrust. Ryou moaned loudly tossing his head to the side, his eyes closed tightly. "Gods," Bakura moaned. "Look at me Ryou... I love to look at you. You're so sexy..." Almost instinctively Ryou moved his hand down his body, reaching for his own straining erection, but at the last minute his hand was slapped away and he whined. "Shush Love," Bakura whispered. "That's my job."

He began a faster pace, his movements becoming erratic. Ryou was too tight, too hot for him to hold on for long. His climax built ever coming on faster as he moved. With a groan he grabbed Ryou's member and stroked it with every thrust. Ryou cried out in pleasure, his rocking hips arching, needing more. "Please....More!" He called. The two thrust together in symphony, their moans and cried crashing like a crescendo every time one moved. "Feel what I feel," Bakura moaned.

He leaned down to touch foreheads with Ryou. Instantly the boy's mind was filled with the pleasure Bakura was feeling, doubling his own. Ryou's eyes went wide and his mouth fell open as he screamed his climax to the heavens, his love and passion bursting from him like a fountain. Bakura cried out at the sudden pressure as Ryou's muscles clenched around him, unbearably tight. He burrowed his head in his lover's neck and screamed, riding out his orgasm in waves, his hips pumping as he emptied himself in the small pliant body beneath him.

With Bakura's last thrusts and the images playing in his mind from his lover he grew hard once more and came hard when Bakura's seed filled him, hot and passionate. Finally the two fell from their pleasured high and collapsed to the floor trying to catch their breaths. Ryou turned his head and kissed Bakura softly. "Thank you," he whispered. Bakura smiled and stared into the love filled brown gaze. "You realize we're both going to have stiff backs tomorrow, right?" Ryou chuckled and leaned in to kiss Bakura once more. "I don't mind..." A few moments later Bakura looked at Ryou and grimaced. "This may hurt a bit," he said and slowly pulled from the tight sheath around him. Ryou winced and bit his lip, his breath exploding from his chest as his lover collapsed next to him. The two curled up together for a long, well deserved nap.

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The ceiling had never been so interesting to Yami before, the boy realized as he stared up at it from his bed. Perhaps it was the small boy he was now getting to know. He hadn't spent much time with Yuugi, but the boy had woven his place into the pharaoh's heart. When he had first seen Yuugi at first, he thought he was going to be the same as Yuugan, but Yami was completely wrong. The small boy was nothing like the small slave boy he had known all those long years ago.

Yuugi was a free spirit with hopes and dreams, and the life that sparkled in his eyes was the joy in Yami's life. Whenever he set his eyes on the boy he wanted to smile and couldn't help but feel love and admiration for him. The pharaoh smiled and closed his eyes about to take a nap and dream of his little one when his door burst open. "YAMI!!" Seto stood in the doorway, his eyes wide open in panic and his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Yami flew from his spot to his cousin in a flash. "Seto? What' wrong? You look like you've just burst in on Marik and Malik having sex." Seto ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. "Pegasus," he gasped out. "Pegasus has Jonouchi..."

Yami cocked his head in confusion. "The principal? Why would he want Jou? Well, besides the obvious punishment." The blond boy had been sent to the principal so many times in the past it was amazing he didn't have his own seat. Seto shook his head. "This is no time for jokes, Yami!" The pharaoh sobered up at the boy's tone. He had never heard Seto speak like that in his life. "That pain we all felt," Seto continued. "It was caused by Pegasus! He was the one that called the ones back from the dead!" The tri-colored haired boy was now at rapt attention "Are you certain?" Seto nodded. "Yes.... and now, he has Jou, and also.... I think he may even have Yuugi." Yami's eyes widened. Without thought he pushed past his cousin and ran out in the hall towards Yuugi's room. It couldn't be... his little one couldn't be gone, not again!

When he reached the door he slammed on it, calling Yuugi's name. All he received was silence. Growling he called the boy's name again before setting his hand on the door. In a matter of seconds the door was blown from the hinges. Yami looked into the room and almost collapsed. The room itself was in shambles, furniture strewn all over. It was obvious a struggle had taken place. Seto finally caught up with him and gasped as he looked in the room. He put a comforting hand on Yami's shoulders.

"Yami.... Pegasus, he also has Rex and Weevil working for him. You remember them don't you?" At a nod from Yami the brunette continued. "Those two aren't the same. They're different somehow. Their auras are completely changed, as if they are now...ancient." Yami barely listened as rage filled his mind and blackened his soul. "Pegasus..." he growled.

Seo lifted his hand from Yami's body as a glow illuminated the boy's body, the form of the Millenuim puzzle, his true and oldest weapon. Seto noticed this and grabbed his cousin's shoulders and shook him forcefully. "Yami!" he looked into the boy's hate filled gaze. "Yami this is not the time for this! We have to think of a way to get them back! Plus we don't even know if Pegasus has Yuugi or not. He may be bluffing, trying to get you to slip up in anger." Seto knew he was lying through his teeth, but he had to do something to calm the teen down before he destroyed the entire building.

Slowly Yami's anger receded and the glow died from his body. "You're right," he breathed. The brunette sighed. "Good. We have to go and see him. He's called for us." The two took a moment to calm themselves and walked to the principal's office. Once at the door Seto grit his teeth and knocked on the door. "Come in," called the secretary. Yami and Seto glanced at one another and walked into the room.

At first it looked as if nothing were wrong until they looked at the woman sitting behind the desk to their right. The woman sat straight up, her eyes looking at them but not truly seeing them. "Master Pegasus has been expecting you," she said in a monotone voice. "Please proceed to his office." Seto stared at her fro a moment then took Yami's arm and pulled him to the large oak door.

There was nothing they could do for the woman at the moment. The room they entered was dark and cold, an evil feeling lurking in even the walls. Seto tried his best to see into the blackness but could see nothing. Yami growled and looked around. "First he tells us to come to him, and now hes not even here. For someone so evil he's very rude." Seto grinned. Even in situations like this Yami still managed to find some humor. The two stepped back as a single light illuminated a spot in the room. Seto gasped and went to move forward, but Yami held him back. In the light stood Jou, but he wasn't moving.

Forming around him was what looked like a sheet of ice, the jagged edges creating patterns as they grew upward to encase the boy fully. Shaking Yami's grip from his arm Seto lunged forward. As soon as his hands touched the substance he was thrown back by some kind of charge. "Seto!" Yami cried running to his side. "Are you alright?"

The brunette nodded and winced at the pain that small movement caused. "Yes... Just a little dizzy." Slowly he stood, his gaze never leaving Jou's body. He looked so peaceful, as if asleep or.... Seto shook his head. Now was not the time to have thoughts like that he reminded himself. Slowly Yami made his way to the casing, putting his hand out to feel the air around it. "There's something radiating from this...thing. I can feel the magick in it. It's very powerful." Seto nodded. "Yeah I know. I felt it up close and personal. Just whatever you do don't touch it. It has an evil tint to it."

Yami nodded and stepped away. "Pegasus mentioned he had something of mine. So where is he and whatever it is." The boy's voice grew dark as he looked around the room. "Oh don't look like that, Pharaoh." The two boys jumped at the voice and looked around warily. "I have what you want right here." From the darkness Pegasus seemed to appear, his red suit as immaculate as any other day.

Slowly he went to his desk and sat, the two teens watching him with wary eyes. "Pegasus," Seto growled. "Why are you doing this? Why are you playing these games?" The white haired man chuckled. "What fun would it be if there weren't any pieces on the chess board?" Yami's hands tightened into fists and he shook with anger. "You know who I am," he stated. "And you must know what I can do. Release Jounouchi from that prison and give me back what you have taken from me."

Pegasus simply clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Such impatience. Really, youth today has no clue how to wait for the surprise." He shook his head. "Oh well. It seems as if I have no choice but to show you since you've already ruined the moment." The man reached into a drawer of his desk and pulled out two cards, holding one in each hand.

Yami and Seto stared at the cards with shocked faces. On one card was a picture of Jounouchi's petrified face, and on the second card was Yuugi with the same look. "What is this?" Yami roared. "What kind of game are you playing because I am not in the mood!" The room trembled with his rage and Seto took a step back from his cousin. Pegasus waved the hand with Yuugi's card in it. "This is no game, little pharaoh, though I do prefer Pictionary, but I digress. What I have here in these two cards are the souls of your beloveds. I believe that they are important to you and your little game of survival, hmm?" He looked darkly at the two teens. "As of now they are out of that place in life and have come into my hand. I have only the need for one more soul to complete my task. For a full hand five souls are needed, so why not take what you can?"

Seto cocked an eyebrow. "Five souls?" he wondered aloud. "There are only four of us." Pegasus smiled, an evil thing and snapped his fingers. there was a crash from a now revealed door and it swung open to reveal the bodies of Honda and Malik.

"Malik! Honda!!" Yami made to run to them but was stopped by Weevil who stood in his path. "Not so fast spoiled brat.” His voice was deep and masculine, not at all like the scratchy annoying voice they had all gotten used to. “These two belong to Master Pegasus now,” Weevil continued. “There is nothing you can do to stop him, at least not while the Meiji are around.” Seto and Yami gasped. “The Meiji..” the brunette breathed. He remembered that name from the palace. He remembered hearing talk of rebelling against Yami, until word reached the pharaoh's ears and had them killed. “These...” he whispered turning to look at Pegasus. “These are the souls you summoned from the underworld?!”

Pegasus laughed and clapped his hands. “Ding ding ding ding! You are correct young Kaiba.” Seto glared at him but couldn’t keep is eyes away from the lifeless bodies on the floor. “What was the reason you called us here?” Pegasus chuckled. “Isn’t obvious? I do need one more soul for my little plan, but unfortunately he is with the anal one. Bakura has always been a thorn in my side. So, I need you to get him for me. I know Ryou won’t come to me on his own.” Yami growled and tensed. “Don’t even think of dragging Ryou into this!” Pegasus sighed and looked at Rex who had snuck into the room. The teen smiled cruelly as he walked to the closet, carelessly kicking Honda’s body out of the way. Yami cried out as Yuugi’s body was dragged into sight and Rex dropped him to the floor.

Yami’s stomach turned at the burns and cuts all over his skin. “What have you done to him!?” The silver haired man laughed. “I took the neccessary precautions to get him here, but unfornately the boy struggled a bit too much.” Weevil snickered. “Yeah, too bad for him.” Pegasus glared at the boy and he lowered his head. “Sorry sir.” Finally the principal stood and walked from behind his desk. “Now, about Ryou. Do we have a deal?”

“We will never give into your outrageous demands!” Seto roared. Pegasus shook his head. “I was hoping it wouldn’t come to this. I really didn’t want to touch such a pretty face, but drastic times...” In almost slow motion Seto watched the man’s pale hand reach out and touch the barrier around Jou and almost instantly a scream was heard.

“SETO!!” Jou’s voice cried. “Help me! It hurts! Please, help me!!” Seto cried out, almost falling to his knees from the heart wrenching terror and pain he felt. “I’m coming Jou!” he called back. “Just be strong!” Pegasus removed his hand from the barrier, a long thin line on Jou’s cheek. “Now, do we have a deal?” He asked, his hand never far from the barrier.

Yami looked at Seto. “Please.... you can’t give into him.... How do we know that was really Jou? It could be a trick.” Seto’s mind was sure it was his pup, but his body reacted. Quickly the teen slammed into Rex and he grabbed Yuugi’s body and ran. Yami followed after him, grabbing the brunette’s shoulder as he muttered a word and disappeared.
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WOOT! Another chapter finished after sooo long. It's been really tough rewriting this to my standards lol. But, hopefully you can forgive me for the long delay?? And please give some good reviews, maybe some criticism! I love criticism, it makes me write even better! Annnd.... for the long delay, I will be uploading two chapters today!!! Yay! So, there's another chapter waiting for you!