The Path of Vengeance

Still don't own it...dammit


*****

Bakura sat under a tree in the cloak of darkness, his hair being his only visible part to the eye who would seek him out. Though he had come down some from the adrenaline rush that had gotten him this far, he was far from careless. His eyes were ever watchful, scoping out his surroundings, ensuring that he would not be caught off guard.

I did it, he thought grimly. It’s over. He knew that he would be reduced to a bumbling vegetable when the Pharaoh found him. He also knew that he had to contact Ryou. To keep his promise, yes, but also to find out what the boy knew. But now was not the time. He could hear the faint rumble of Marik’s bike as it approached the block.

He rose swiftly to his feet, dusting off his clothes, and, after a quick look around, stepped out of the shadows, awaiting the arrival of his one and only friend.

Marik roared to a stop in the parking lot and dismounted, his violet eyes searching for the thief. When he found his friend he jogged to meet him. “Are you okay?” he asked quickly, pulling Bakura into a crushing embrace.

Bakura’s eyes widened and after a pause he returned the gesture. “I'm alright,” he replied. “Thanks for coming.”

Marik released his hold and looked into the tired eyes of his friend. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, somewhat offended.

Bakura took a deep breath. “Marik, I probably won’t live out the night. Chances are the Pharaoh already thinks you were involved. I didn’t want to make you anymore of an accessory than you had to be.”

The blonde eyed him skeptically. “I don’t believe you,” he openly admitted. “But it doesn’t matter. We’ve got to get you out of here. You can stay with me at Malik’s.”

“No,” Bakura shook his head. “That’s the first place he’ll look.”

“What then?” Marik questioned. Bakura paused. “You do have a plan, right?”

“Not really,” Bakura confessed.

Marik’s eyes opened wide. “Bakura, what’s wrong with you? I hate him as much as you do and I would never pull a stunt like this. You really don’t expect to get away with it, do you?”

“No,” Bakura replied. “I don’t. But I'm going to give that pharaoh a run for his money. Even when he does find me and destroy me he’ll never get back what he lost tonight. I’ve settled the score and there is no way I’ll ever be sorry for that.”

Marik shook his head sadly. “Alright,” he said suddenly. “Where are we going then?”

“What do you mean we?”

“Look, you might be resigned to getting annihilated by the pharaoh but I'm not giving up that easily. The son of a bitch had it coming, right?” Bakura nodded. “Then it’s even. If he offs you then I’ll have to retaliate and he’s only got one hikari.’ Bakura chuckled. “So let’s go.”

Bakura’s smile faded. “Wait. I can’t leave yet. I have to go see Ryou.”

Marik did a double take. “What?”

“I promised him that I would go to him when it was all over.”

“You mean to tell me that Ryou knew what you were planning and he didn’t tell anyone?”

“He didn’t know anything other than the fact that I was leaving. There’s no telling what he knows now though.”

“So why do you have to see him? Just talk to him through the link.”

Bakura groaned. He didn’t want to admit this to Marik. “I promised him that I’d take him with me if he wanted to go.”

Marik raised an eyebrow. “You’re not serious.” Bakura nodded. “I don’t even want to know what possessed you to make such a vow. Find out what he knows and where he is. I’ll meet you at the bike.” He raised a hand to Bakura’s cheek and ran his fingers over the creamy flesh. “And I’ll be taking my coat back, asshole.”


Ryou sat in one of the hard plastic chairs of the waiting room next to Joey, who was crying but desperately trying not to let it show. Yugi had been taken into the operating room as soon as they had arrived. Yami was at the triage desk, tormenting the nurses who had no new information for him. His head ached and his eye had swollen nearly shut. //Ryou.//

The teen jumped slightly. Bakura! He thought, relieved. He glanced at Joey, then at Yami’s back. “I'm going to go to the restroom,” he said in as normal a voice as possible. He stood up and moved as quickly as he dared into the men’s room and locked the door behind him. /Bakura? Where are you?!/

//I'm with Marik.//

/Are you alright?/

A pause. //Yes, now.//

Ryou let the tears fall. /Why?/

Bakura sent him a mental sigh. //I don’t expect you to understand, hikari. I'm leaving town and I promised that I would contact you.//

/No!/ Ryou yelled back. /That’s not all you promised!/

//You want to come with me, Ryou? Me? The thief who raped your friend?//

/…what?/

//You heard me.//

Ryou’s eyes opened wide and he had to fight with all he was to keep from screaming. How could he choose between the monster he loved and his friends? He knew that either way he chose the other would cast him away. /I hate what you did,/ he said brokenly. /But I can’t be alone anymore./

//Why don’t you go make out with the Pharaoh again then?//

Ryou narrowed his eyes. It’s not always about you, he thought to himself. I can play this game, too. /Maybe I will./ He made a quick glance in the mirror, grimacing at his swollen eye and trying to smooth his hair down before unlocking the door and returning to the waiting room. He scanned the crowd and saw Yami down one of the vast hallways by himself, his shoulders shaking as he tried to hold back his tears.

//Don’t you dare,// Bakura threatened.

Ryou didn’t respond. He approached the spirit carefully, so as not to startle him. “Yami?” he said gently.

Yami looked up. “Hello, Little One.”

Ryou stood in front of him. “How are you?”

“A little better,” he replied. “Yugi’s going to be okay. They have to keep him here for a few days but he’ll heal.”

“That’s good to hear.” He moved next to the pharaoh, leaning against the wall, their shoulders touching.

//You’re pushing it, Ryou.//

“Listen, Yami, I know this is probably the worst timing ever but I want to say I'm sorry for what Bakura did.”

Yami raised his head and looked at the teen. “Don’t apologize for the thief. Believe me when I say that he will be punished severely.”

Ryou’s eyes widened. He hadn’t even thought of that. “What do you mean?”

Yami regarded the boy for a minute. He could see the worry in those beautiful brown orbs. “Never mind,” he said gently. “I don’t want you to worry about it.”

“Yami,” Ryou said slowly. “Do you love Yugi?”

Yami turned his head and met Ryou’s obviously troubled gaze. “Of course I do,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “He is the other half of my soul and for that reason I’ll always love him.”

“Oh,” the teen replied. He thought a moment. “And there’s nothing you wouldn’t do to protect him right?”

Yami’s eyes darkened. “Absolutely nothing.”

Ryou sighed and blocked his mind from his dark. “Then you understand why I can’t help you find Bakura.”

The Pharaoh looked up sharply. “What do you mean you won’t…oh. I understand, Ryou. I don’t like it but I understand.”

Ryou’s eyes threatened to spill over once again. Damn you, Bakura. How can I choose between the two of you? “I'm so sorry, Yami. I didn’t know he was capable of this. If I had known…”

Yami put an arm around him. “I don’t blame you Ryou. The fault is entirely my own. I did know what he was capable of and yet I let him run unchecked.”

Ryou leaned into the embrace. “Yami?”

“Yes, little one?”

“Why does he hate you so much?”

Yami grimaced. “I won’t relive that time again, Ryou. Just know that his hatred of me is justified. But his actions today were not. I can’t just let this go.”

“I don’t expect you to,” Ryou admitted. “And I don’t want you to think that I'm not upset about Yugi…or that I don’t still care about you…”

The spirit blinked. “You do?” Ryou nodded. “Then why? Why didn’t you want to see me again?”

“I did,” Ryou admitted finally. “But Bakura wouldn’t hear of it.”

Yami closed his eyes, fighting to contain the fury that had just doubled within him. “I’m not even going to ask how he managed to manipulate you. Chances are I already know but to hear you voice it wouldn’t help me right now.”

Ryou frowned. He hadn’t wanted to upset the man further. “I'm sorry, Yami.”

“So am I,” Yami replied. “But I'm glad you told me.” He tightened his grip on the teen and pressed a small kiss to his temple. “He may be able to bully you, but not me. He won’t take you away from me again.”


Bakura waited a few moments for Ryou to re-establish their link before rolling his eyes and making his way carefully to the parking lot. As much as he didn’t want to involve the Egyptian, he was genuinely glad that Marik had come. Misery loves company and all…

“Okay,” Marik said when the thief approached, glancing up from the wad of bills in his hand. “I’ve got four-hundred dollars that I lifted from Isis before I came here so we should be able to get pretty far. I didn’t think to bring any clothes or anything so we…what?” Bakura was staring at him.

“You really mean to come with me then?”

“Bakura, you’re my best friend. What, did you think I’d just drop you off somewhere?”

Bakura looked down. “Ishtar…”

Marik raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Fuck it,” Bakura hissed, closing the distance between them and pulling the blonde into a heated kiss. The thief had long since forgotten the eloquence required in situations like these. All that remained was all that he was: a sarcastic thief whose lifelong need for vengeance had finally come to fruition and left him without the drive that had sustained him thus far. He clung to Marik, tasting him, replacing the ill flavor of his revenge with that of the Egyptian’s.

Marik pulled the tomb robber closer, feeling the undercurrent of raw emotion beginning to surface in the other. “Bakura,” he whispered, coming up for air. “Don’t worry. I'm not gonna leave you alone in this.”

Centuries of thoughts and feelings believed to be long lost flooded back into his conscious as his mind replayed the events of the past several hours. “It’s over,” he whispered. “After all this time it’s finally over.”

“No,” Marik corrected. “It’s not over, Bakura. We have to get you out of here before the Pharaoh comes looking for you.”

“Just wait a minute,” Bakura whispered, hiding his face in Marik’s shoulder. As much as he fought it, the tears began to slip from his eyes. For the first time in nearly three thousand years Bakura, the famed Tomb Robber, began to cry. Even the spirit’s rock-solid defenses could not hold back the flood of relief in knowing that after all this time his family had been avenged.

Marik was the only one who knew the sordid details of the thief’s past. Just as Bakura knew of his own. They understood each other in a way that no one else could. “Come on, Bakura,” Marik whispered gently. “We’ve got to go.”

Bakura pulled himself together and angrily wiped at his eyes. “Sorry,” he said.

Marik nodded. He knew better than to comment on the thief’s loss of control. “Let’s get out of here.” He climbed onto the bike and started the engine, grateful to feel Bakura’s arms encircle his waist. He was no fool. He knew what the Pharaoh would do if he found them. Bakura would cease to exist. Not gonna happen, the Egyptian thought fiercely. I'm not losing him now. He lifted his feet as the bike shot off into the night, heading for the freeway.


Joey left the nurses’ station and peered down the hall that held his two friends. “Yami,” he said softly, not wanting to startle him.

Yami took Ryou’s hand and they joined the blonde in the waiting room. “What is it?” he asked quickly.

Joey raised an eyebrow at the gesture but chose not to comment on it. “Yugi just got out of surgery. “They said you can go see him, being that you’re family and all.”

“Is he okay?” Yami asked.

“They said he made it through the surgery well. Why don’t you go see him?”

“I will. Joey, why don’t you go on home? Get some sleep and I’ll call you if anything changes.”

Joey nodded. “Serenity must be really worried.” He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was just after seven am. “I’ll call everyone else and let them know what’s going on.”

“Thank you, Joey. For everything.”

“Don’t mention it,” Joey replied. “Just tell Yugi I hope he feels better.”

“I will.”

Joey sighed. “I’ll be back this afternoon. With everyone else most likely.” He leaned in and gave Yami a quick hug. “Take care of him.”

Ryou watched the blonde’s departure with a heavy heart. Joey hadn’t acknowledged him once in the exchange. Well, there’s friend number one I’ve lost so far. He could only imagine what was yet to come.

“Ryou? Are you okay?”

Ryou nodded slowly. “Yes, I'm fine. Go see Yugi. I’ll be okay.”

Yami pulled the teen close. “I don’t want you going home.”

“Why not?”

The former pharaoh chose his words carefully. “I don’t trust Bakura. I’d hate for anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll be fine,” Ryou replied, giving Yami a tight squeeze. “I’ll actually be going to your house. Someone has to board up the front door before you get robbed. I’ll come back with a change of clothes for you.”

“Thank you, little one.” Yami kissed the teen on the cheek and disappeared through the formidable double doors into the body of the hospital.

Ryou released a heavy sigh before leaving the waiting room and stepping into the crisp morning air.


Bakura sat alone on the double bed in the motel on the outskirts of Domino while Marik made use of the shower. He raised his arms over his head, wincing at the pain in his back and shoulders. The past twenty-four hours had taken their toll on both his mind and body. He had expected to be a lot further out of town by this point but Marik had insisted that they stop for the day, stating intelligently that the Pharaoh would not leave Yugi’s side until the teen had recovered and that they were less likely to be seen and/or recognized during the twilight hours.

Marik had truly astounded the thief with his reaction to the entire situation. There had been no questions or judgment, only unending support and assistance. Bakura had been so filled with the need for revenge that he had not realized how deep his feelings for his companion had gotten. And selflessness be damned, he wanted Marik with him, regardless of the risks. In truth, if the Egyptian had stayed behind he would likely have fallen victim to the Pharaoh’s wrath anyway for having been friendly with his new adversary.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, Bakura did not feel alone. Marik had proven in just a matter of hours that he could be trusted implicitly. Bakura stood up and toed off his shoes, kicking them into the far corner. He took off Marik’s coat and hung it over the back of one of the chairs before sitting down in it, resting his head on the table.


Marik stood under the powerful spray of the shower head, letting his muscles relax. To say that this was not how he was expecting to spend his day would have been the understatement of the millennia. He had known of Bakura’s passionate need for revenge all along. He didn’t however expect it to take on this form. Admittedly, he thought that the thief may have been a little careless with his plan but he wasn’t about to voice the opinion. He knew Bakura felt justified in what he had done and would stand beside him regardless of the consequences.

Speaking of consequences, he could only imagine what they were about to be up against. Yami held power unimaginable to any of them. Marik could sense the ancient magic that still resided within the pharaoh. He knew that Yami was completely unaware of his potential but what the spirit did recall was enough to keep the Egyptian on the run.

/Marik?/

Marik winced. He’d been dreading this. //What is it?//

/I just thought you’d want to know that Joey just called./

//And?//

/And I know what Bakura did. He’s with you, isn’t he?/

There was no point in lying. //Yes, he is.//

/Is he okay?/

Marik was taken aback. //He’s a bit shaken up, but I think he’ll be okay.//

/Good. I didn’t tell Joey that you were gone too. He thinks you’re asleep./

Now Marik was shocked. //You didn’t tell him? Why not?//

/Bakura’s my friend, Marik. And I know how much he means to you. Besides, I'm not the type to go off without talking to Bakura first. When are you guys coming back?/

//We’re not, Malik. If Bakura goes back there Yami will kill him.//

/What do you mean you’re not coming back? Where are you going?/

//I can’t tell you. I don’t want anyone to be able to use us against you. I’ll be in touch though, don’t worry.//

/Of course I'm going to worry. Joey said everyone is getting together after school to go over to the hospital to see Yugi. I’ll go along and see what I can find out./

//Malik, don’t get caught helping Bakura and me. The second the Pharaoh finds out you are you’re dead.//

/What exactly happened?/

//I don’t know the details. All I know is that Bakura kidnapped Yugi, raped, and beat him.//

/I didn’t know he hated Yugi so much./

//He doesn’t. It has nothing to do with the kid. It was all to get back at Yami.//

/Wow. I hope I never piss Bakura off./

Marik laughed out loud. //Don’t worry, hikari. I’ll protect you. I’d better check on him though. Let me know what you find out.// He closed the link and ducked under the spray of water, rinsing the shampoo from his hair. He had known all along that Malik would be on his side, but didn’t expect the teen to offer to spy for them. It was a pleasant surprise.

He turned off the water and stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist. Shaking his head to remove some of the water from his hair, he stepped out of the bathroom and into the vanity area. He peeked out and saw Bakura fast asleep in one of the chairs by the window, his head resting on the table. With a small smile, Marik pulled on his boxer shorts and walked over to his friend, touching his shoulder. “Bakura?”

“Hmm…” Bakura muttered, making no effort to move.

Marik chuckled and easily lifted the sleeping man into his arms and lying him gently down on the bed before crawling over him and under the covers. He turned out the lamp and closed his eyes, his body immediately relaxing into slumber.


Waves of pain filtered through the medicinal cloud that had offered Yugi the temporary relief of unconsciousness. He slowly opened his eyes to see Yami standing at his bedside talking to a doctor.

“His physical injuries will heal in time, Mr. Mutou. The puncture on his side will require further care, as will the tears in his anal cavity. I have to insist that he stay for about ten days. We can’t risk an infection in his colon.”

“We’ll do whatever you recommend, Doctor. Thank you for everything.”

Yugi turned his head at the sound of Yami’s voice. “Yami?”

Yami was at his side in an instant. “Yugi. How are you feeling?”

Yugi tried to cough. “My throat hurts.”

“It’s because you had a breathing tube inserted, Yugi,” the doctor put in. “It’ll stop soon enough.” He made a few notes on Yugi’s chart. “A nurse will be here in a few minutes to move you into your private room. It’ll be a lot quieter and we’ll give you something to help you sleep.” He shook hands with Yami and left the room.

“Oh, my god, Yugi, what happened?” Yami asked.

Two large tears slipped down Yugi’s face. “I'm sorry, Yami…”

The former pharaoh shook his head. “No. Don’t apologize. None of this was your fault. And I don’t want you to worry. You’re safe now and I'm going to make sure that you stay that way.”

“Bakura…where is he?”

“I don’t know,” Yami replied honestly. “But as soon as you are better you can bet that I’ll find him. He’s not going to get away with this.”

“Yami…” Yugi gasped as another wave of pain hit. He grasped Yami’s hand, his breath quickening as the medication began to wear off even further.

“I know aibou. They’ll be here in a minute to give you more medicine.” He picked up a corner of the pastel blue hospital blanket and used it to wipe some of the perspiration off of Yugi’s forehead.

It was only a few moments later that the pretty brunette nurse came in. “Hello, Yugi,” she said brightly. “Looks like you’re in a bit of pain, hmm?” Yugi nodded miserably. “Well I think I can help you with that. I'm Becky and I’ll be your nurse until midnight.” She turned to Yami. “Twins?” she asked.

“Excuse me?” Yami replied.

“Are you twins?”

“No, we aren’t. I'm his…cousin. Yami.”

“Oh, I'm sorry,” the nurse said, shaking the man’s hand. She pulled a small vial from the pocket of her shirt, and emptied its contents into Yugi’s IV. “Okay, Yugi, we’re gonna go for a quick drive and then I promise I’ll leave you alone so you can get some sleep.” She turned to the pharaoh. “Are you coming along for the ride, Mr. Yami?”

“I’d like to see you stop me,” Yami replied with a grin. He liked Becky immediately.

Becky smiled and raised the side-bars of Yugi’s hospital bed. “Hold on, kiddo. Here we go.” She released the brake on the huge bed and pushed it out the door and down the hallway to the large elevator. “Fifth floor,” she said to Yami, who immediately pressed the corresponding button, grateful for something to do.

When the quick ride came to an end, Becky pushed the bed through the doors and into the brightly lit hallway. They passed the nurses’ station and steered into room 208, which already had the words Mutou Yugi written on the dry erase board at its entrance.

The brunette made a few adjustments with the massive bed before fitting it into place beneath the strip of fluorescent lighting against the wall. She set the brake and lowered the guardrail closest to the door. “He’s out,” she whispered to Yami.

“How long will he sleep,” the man questioned.

“He’ll be in and out for the next few days,” Becky replied, slipping a thermometer under Yugi’s tongue. “It’s the medication. He will not be permitted to leave the bed either. We can’t have his stitches tearing.” She wrote down his temperature on his chart and went to the corner, pushing the heavy armchair next to the bed. “Here,” she said. “This’ll be more comfortable than standing.”

Yami nodded. “Thank you,” he replied gratefully.

“Of course.” She attached a blood pressure cuff to Yugi’s small arm and recorded her findings. “Now I’ve got to go make the rounds. “Either myself or Lucy will be here every thirty minutes to take his vitals. Lucy is one of the other nurses. The remote for the television is right here and the bathroom is through that door. I’ll send Lucy in with some extra blankets also. Do you need anything else?”

“No,” Yami replied. “You’ve been more than helpful already. I thank you.”

“Well if you do need anything press the red button attached to this cord. It rings at the nurses’ station and one of us will be in right away. Oh, and the phone on the bedside works if you need to make any calls. The phone number is on the base.”

“Thank you,” Yami said gratefully.

“Sure thing, hon. I’ll be seeing you soon.”

Yami watched her leave before leaning over Yugi’s bed and brushing a few stray blonde streaks from his forehead and replacing them with feather-light kisses. “He won’t get away with this, Yugi,” he vowed. “I’ll see to it.”


Ryou carefully stepped over the broken glass in the doorway of the game shop and went inside. He made his way to the storeroom and began hunting up the items he would need to secure the entrance.

How could he do this, he asked himself for the millionth time. If he’s got an issue with Yami he should take it up with Yami. Fuck it, I have to know…

/Bakura?/

//…//

/Bakura!/

//I thought you weren’t talking to me.//

Ryou lugged the large board through the shop and to the front door. /Bakura why did you do it? Why Yugi? He never did anything to you!/

//I already told you that I don’t expect you to understand.//

/Well what do you expect, Bakura? I can’t figure it out! You’re pissed at Yami so you take it out on Yugi?/

//The kid had nothing to do with it. He’s a casualty that couldn’t be avoided.//

Ryou threw the hammer he had been carrying to the floor. /What is wrong with you?/ he asked furiously. /How could you do that to someone? Did you plan this or was it just some spur of the moment idea?/

//Look, Ryou. I don’t want to go into the details of the encounter with you. I did what I had to do and now I'm leaving. You don’t have to worry about me anymore.//

Tears of frustration and upset streamed down Ryou’s face. /This isn’t fair, Bakura! Do you know the situation you’ve put me in? Do you know what you did to Yugi? Do you even care?/

//I know exactly what I’ve done, Ryou. And I never asked for your acceptance. You’re the one who wanted me to contact you, remember?//

/I don’t get it! If you were so pissed off at Yami, why not go to him directly? Why hurt Yugi?/

//I did what I had to do,// Bakura said again.

Ryou was growing more and more perturbed by Bakura’s seemingly unaffected ambience. /You know what I think?/ he asked.

//This should be stunning.//

/I think you’re a coward! You knew you couldn’t defeat Yami at anything so you had to go after Yugi./

//Watch your fucking mouth, Ryou.//

/So that’s it,/ Ryou pressed. /That’s what gets to you. The truth. You think you accomplished something last night? The only thing you did was prove to both me and Yami that you are afraid of him./

Intense rage flooded the link. //I do not fear that butcher. Don’t go running your mouth about things you don’t understand. You think Yami is the embodiment of all that is decent and good. You’re the fool, Ryou, not me.//

Ryou sighed heavily. He’d never be permitted to hear Bakura’s reasoning when the spirit was so pissed. /I'm sorry, yami,/ he relented. /I just want to understand./

//No, Ryou, you don’t. There is absolutely nothing about this that is pleasant. There are no heroes, no victims, no happy ending. This goes way beyond your time into an age where such things were commonplace.//

/No victims? What about Yugi?/

//Let it go, Ryou. Go take care of your friend if you’re so worried about him.//

/I plan to,/ Ryou responded. /But damn it all I'm worried about you, too!/

//…you are?//

/Of course I am! I can’t just write you off, Bakura. Not knowing where you are and whether or not you’re okay is killing me./

//Ryou…I'm sorry this has to be so hard on you. But it had to be done. If the Pharaoh finds and kills me now I can die with no regrets.//

Ryou could feel the truth in the statement. /Bakura, I don’t know what drove you to this point. Chances are, I don’t want to. But I want you to know that I already told Yami I couldn’t help him to find you. And don’t expect me to give you any information about what he’s doing./

//Fair enough. Thank you, hikari.//

Ryou began nailing the board over the door. /I’ve decided to stay here,/ he said with more than a hint of regret. /But only if you promise to keep in touch. Don’t close yourself off from me. I’ve got to try to undo some of the damage you caused./

//Fine, if that’s what you want.//

/I'm serious, Bakura. I want to hear from you every day./

//Alright.//

Ryou hammered in the last nail and took a step back, scrutinizing his work. It seemed solid enough. /I’ve got to get back to the hospital. I’ll talk to you tonight?/

//Tonight it is then.//

/Bakura?/

//Yes?//

/Please be careful./

//I will hikari.//

Ryou closed the link and leaned against the counter, his tears finally falling. He was no closer to understanding the thief’s motives and it didn’t seem he ever would be. He made his way through the shop and into the house, noting with unreserved horror that he was following a bloody trail set by Yugi. I can’t let Yami come home to this, he thought. Fighting back his nausea, he pulled off his shirt to avoid getting it stained and went off in search of a bucket and brushes, grateful that there was one mess he was able to clean up.