Healing Touch

Author’s Note – Well, here we go again. Between AFF.net crashing like it did and the stress of every day life, I haven’t been able to do much. I lost my job back in September and haven’t been able to find another one yet. That and marital problems, so I haven’t had a lot of desire to write. I’m hoping that things will work out so that writing and being happy won’t be difficult anymore.

Bakura and Marik may seem out of character but in order for things to get moving in the direction I need it to, they had to grow up fast. Albeit, they will still have their psychotic moments. We all know they’ll never fully outgrow that. However, I do believe that in the situation, this would be a reaction they’d have. Give me time and you’ll see. Just please be patient and stay with me for the next few chapters. I could have a lot more fun with a more mature but psycho Marik and Bakura.

On a more lighthearted note, I want to thank everyone for their kind reviews and for their patience. A huge hug and thank you goes out to DracOnyx, Silvershadowfire, and shy for their love and support. You guys are truly wonderful!

Disclaimer – I do not own YuGiOh or any of the characters affiliated with such anime. I’m just playing with them to match my plot bunny’s evil devices. Anyone thinking that I do own them needs to check the labels of their YuGiOh manga because my name is certainly not Kazuki Takahashi, drat my luck! Lol!!!

Chapter Three – Awakening

It was a long night for the blond haired duelist as he flitted between sleep and wakefulness, occasionally checking on the petite teenager that lay on the small bed. Yugi was naturally a restless sleeper, so it was odd to see him laying so still as he rested under the medication’s influence.

Joey sat there for a long time, observing his friend in the soft light that came from beneath the bathroom’s semi open door. He noted that, even with the medication, Yugi’s face carried a careworn expression that didn’t fit the duelist at all.

Of all the people in their group of friends, Joey was the one that knew Yugi best and the same could be claimed about Yugi knowing him just as well. His little friend had turned to him for help when trying to acclimate to his yami’s presence, and he had lent his support to Yugi while the hikari had attempted to put Yami’s sanity back together again. Despite his confusion as to how his best buddy had managed to get himself into such a fix, Joey had been there every step of the way, wiping away tears of frustration and sorrow and dodging fragile objects as the duelist's infamous temper and too high stress level got the better of him.

Honey colored eyes blinked away silent tears as he thought about what Yugi was now facing. This was going to be extremely difficult for him to face and would need everyone’s support in recovering his strength so he could move forward and heal.

The thought that Yugi might not be strong enough to make it past this sent icy chills through Joey and he leaned forward, taking the tiny hand that lay motionless on the blanket.

“I’m here for you, bud. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not going to let you fail either. We’ve been through too much, Yugi, and I know you’re going to pull through this. I’m here, and so are the others. You’re not alone, pal.”

The determined whisper shattered the silence but didn’t disturb the slumbering teen. It did warm the chills and Joey laid back down, settling himself for the rest of the restless night.

The next morning, a hand gently pulled him out of his doze and honey colored eyes met mahogany, almost startling him.

“Bakura?”

The former tomb robber nodded and motioned for Joey to follow him into the hallway. He leaned against the wall, eyeing the other teenager for a long moment.

“What is it, Bakura? I don’t want to leave him alone for too long.”

“The midget’s grandfather said for you to shower and come down for breakfast. I’ll keep an eye on him for a while.”

Joey was a bit leery of the offer as, up until a few days ago, Bakura had been so determined to hurt those around him. However, during the last few days, the group had seen a side to the white haired yami that had astonished them. With Zorc’s influence gone, his hikari’s light had managed to bring about some healing to the tomb robber’s damaged psyche and Ryou stating that he didn’t want his yami to leave had enabled the two to talk about what had happened between them. The result of this was that the yami and hikari were growing closer with each day that passed, and Joey suspected deep feelings between them.

It was the worried look in the mahogany depths that won Joey over. Although veiled, the blond haired teenager could see the concern the yami held for the small hikari sleeping in the room behind them. He nodded in response and peeked into the room to make sure that Yugi hadn’t woken up.

“You think he’ll be all right?”

Bakura answered the quiet question in a soft voice, not wanting to disturb the slumbering young man. He was very upset with the pharaoh for having abandoned his hikari. One thing he had faced over the last week or so was the knowledge that Ryou kept his soul in balance while he did the same for the white haired teenager. Without his other half, Yugi would have a hard time maintaining his balance.

“With time and those that care for him around, I think so.”

Joey nodded and went to clean up as Bakura put away the blanket and pillow before settling into the desk chair.

While Yugi slept, the former tomb robber lost himself in his memories of the past few days.

After Zorc had been defeated, Ryou had been there to help him pick up the pieces, often spending time in Bakura’s soul room to talk to him about his past and the pain he had experienced. It wasn’t uncommon for the hikari to enter the thief’s soul room during the long nights and soothe him when the nightmares seemed to overtake him.

After the duel between Yugi and the pharaoh, Shadi had announced to the other two hikaris that their yamis could also be separated and sent to be judged by the gods of the afterlife. Ryou and Malik had surprised both himself and Marik by speaking up, insisting that they wanted their yamis to have their own bodies and be given the chance to live again. When told that if this was done that their lives would be forever bound to their yamis, the two hikaris had agreed, stating that they cared for them and wanted them to have a second chance.

The separation had come at a cost though. It had brought about a great deal of pain for both hikaris as their yamis had been removed from their bodies and granted new ones, weakening both Ryou and Malik considerably. Shadi had told them later that their strength would recover in time, telling the two quietly that this would also enable them the opportunity to bond better with their soul partners.

Bakura and Marik had spoken about the incident on the plane as their hikaris had attended to Yugi. Marik had also been very surprised that Malik had wanted him to stay. Bakura acknowledged to himself that he had known his hikari had the compassion and strength, even though he had treated the boy badly in an odd effort to both protect and encourage that strength. He was proud of Ryou for making that decision, knowing full well that his yami could easily continue the same behavior he had shown ever since the Ring had come into Ryou’s possession.

His thoughts were broken by footsteps and a quiet voice.

“How is he?”

Turning his head, Bakura spotted the blond spiky locks and violet eyes of Malik’s yami and shook his head before answering in a voice that was equally as soft as Marik’s had been.

“He’s still sleeping.”

Marik leaned against the desk, watching the slumbering hikari for a moment.

“Malik and I were talking about him last night. I still can’t believe the baka pharaoh took off like that. Didn’t he realize that his hikari is going to need him?”

“More like didn’t think about it.”

Violet eyes narrowed as he thought about yesterday’s events. He was still stunned that Yami had chosen to leave, not even thinking about the effects his departure would have on the young one he had been bound to for so long.

“Do you think he’ll be all right?”

White hair fell into the thief’s eyes as he shook his head again.

“Ra only knows, Marik. You and I both know that the depth of the bonds between yami and hikari haven’t fully been tested. There’s no telling how long it will take Yugi to get over the Pharaoh’s departure.”

Marik moved to the bed, staring down at Yugi. He pictured his own hikari and felt his heart lurch. There was no way he could or would do that to Malik. He’d attempted to before and now understood why Bakura had wound up protecting Ryou. Once that understanding had come, the yami of the Tomb Keeper had sworn to ensure that light would never again fear his other half.

“How is it we are drawn to these small ones?”

“That’s an answer I haven’t fully figured out. From what I have pieced together, their light draws us as our darkness nurtures that light and protects it, receiving their protection in turn. As Jou would put it, yin and yang in both soul and body.”

A slender finger touched the pale cheek, darkened skin showing a considerable contrast, before Marik continued the conversation.

“And who will protect him now? Who will he protect and nurture in turn?”

“Again, I don’t know. All we can do now is make sure he doesn’t fall before the gods find a way to fix what the idiot has done.”

Violet eyes met mahogany and a mutual decision was reached. The hikaris would fall under their protection, including the one laying in this room. Yugi would be watched over until the gods found someone to bring his soul back into balance and protect him as he deserved.

Once that decision was reached, Marik slipped out to check on the other two and make sure Joey hadn’t eaten all of the food. The sounds of quiet laughter could be heard after a while as the group teased Joey about his appetite.

Bakura listened to the muted chatter and waited, watching over Yugi as he slept. The hikari would not have it easy from this point, the thief knew this and an idea hit him. He would talk to Marik later about it. Perhaps Isis could give them some guidance as to what the gods intended for the teenager.

The sound of sheets moving brought pulled him out of his thoughts an hour later. He looked up to find amethyst eyes blinking slowly as Yugi tried to get his eyes to focus. Knowing the medication was still in his system, Bakura keep his voice gentle but firm, wanting to make sure that Yugi heard and understood what he was telling him.

“Yugi, it’s Bakura. You’re home now and in your own room.”

Yugi frowned, trying to speak and found his voice was hoarse due to dehydration. The thief noticed this and questioned him.

“Would you like a glass of water?”

The petite teenager nodded and Bakura stood, heading towards the kitchen. All eyes turned on him when he entered the room, silence cutting into the laughter that had been heard mere moments before.

“He’s awake and needs some water. The drugs have dehydrated him some.”

Joey stood, moving to the sink and filled Yugi’s favorite glass with water. The others, sensing his need to check on his friend, didn’t volunteer to go with him. Malik spoke for them instead, wanting Yugi to know that he wasn’t alone.

“Tell him we’re here and will go up there to see him when he’s ready.”

“I’ll do that, Malik. Sorry I can’t help with the clean up right now, Gramps.”

The senior Mutou just smiled and shook his head, relieved that his grandson was finally awake.

“I have helpers here, Joey. Go and check on Yugi. I’ll bring him something to eat in a bit.”

Joey nodded and headed upstairs to bring the beverage to his friend as the others gathered the dishes and began to help their host clean up. Their thoughts were on the duelist upstairs and hoped they would see him soon.

Author’s End Note – Like I said, the two yamis are a bit out of character but you’ll understand why soon. I hope you guys enjoyed it. Please review and let me know what you thought of it. Your comments help keep the plot bunny alive and kicking. Believe it or not, you guys inspire creativity. So please remember to leave comments for myself and other writers out there. Good luck to all and see you soon!