The Path of Vengeance

It has been a long time coming, I know. I'll get right to the goods:

Chapter 30

The next day found Yugi cramming the bedding that had covered Yami’s bed into the washing machine, trying like hell to ignore the stabbing pain that had begun in his lower back and spread across his abdomen. He’d spent most of the night in tears, missing his dark yet knowing that there was no way he could ever look at Yami the same again.

He wished Malik hadn’t had to leave. He could almost literally feel the strength that the Egyptian had instilled upon him waning away with every passing moment. Another pain shot through his stomach and he gasped, stumbling back, stopping short when he collided with the wall.

Refusing to be done in by his physical limitations, he staggered into the living room and picked up the bottle of painkillers from the end table, popping two into his mouth. He quickly swallowed them without aid and eased himself into down onto the sofa. He was just about to slide into a prone position when the doorbell sounded.

“Shit,” he muttered. With an exhausted sigh he struggled to his feet again and shuffled into the hallway and down the stairs. “Who is it?” he called through the pressed wood paneling.

“It’s me, Yugi,” Malik’s voice replied.

A smile finally made its way to Yugi’s lips and he unlocked the door, pulling it open. “Hi,” he said brightly. His eyes fell upon the yami. “Um, hi Marik.”

“Hey, kid.”

“Come on in,” Yugi said, stepping out of the way.

“Where’s the fuck stick?” Malik asked, draping his arm over Yugi’s shoulders.

Yugi’s eyes automatically lowered. “He…uh…I asked him to leave.”

Marik blinked. “You kicked the pharaoh out?”

“Yeah.”

“Well hot damn!”

“Yugi, what happened?” Malik asked, taking in the smaller teen’s haggard appearance.

“He told me everything. About him and Bakura.”

Two tanned jaws dropped. “He did?” they asked in unison.

Yugi looked up nervously. “Yeah, he did. Let’s just say that I don’t feel at all sorry for him right now.”

“So his lowness isn’t here, what about Ryou?” Marik asked.

Yugi shook his head, leaning into Malik’s shoulder. “He went to Tokyo to get Bakura.”

Marik raised an eyebrow. “He’s going to help Bakura escape?”

“Yeah.”

“When did he leave?” Malik asked.

“The day after you did. He called earlier this morning and said that they would be coming back tonight.”

“You’re going to let Bakura come here?” Malik asked gently.

Yugi nodded. He wasn’t exactly sure what had possessed him to insist that Ryou bring the thief to the game shop but he knew that it had to be done.

“Do you want me to stay here today?”

“Yes,” the small duelist said quickly, his hands clasping Malik’s black tank top.

“And Marik?”

Yugi brought his eyes to the yami, who was watching Malik curiously. “You can stay if you want, Marik.”


Ryou watched his sleeping yami from the chair placed in the corner of the motel room they’d acquired in Tokyo. He had just gotten off of the phone with Yugi and was fighting hard against his raging nerves. He hadn’t even asked to speak with his boyfriend when the smaller teen picked up the phone, only telling him that they would be back in Domino later that night.

He’d told Yugi that they would be returning to his father’s house until Marik could be brought back and Yugi refused, insisting that Ryou bring Bakura to the game shop instead. So now not only did he have to worry about what to say when he saw Yami he also had to worry about Yugi’s reaction when he came face to face with his rapist.

Ryou flinched. That was a very harsh word. Though he could not deny that it was a fitting one. It was insanely difficult to be angry with Bakura after learning the circumstances that led up to the attack but then his mind would travel back to the time he spent with Yugi during the proctology examination.

“Ryou, come over here and get some sleep. You’re gonna need it.”

The dark haired teen stood up and padded over to the bed before carefully crawling in beside his dozing yami. “Bakura?”

A resounding groan.

“Are you sorry that you hurt Yugi?”

Dark eyes laced with crimson pried open to peer at the pale face just a few inches away. “Do you really want the answer to that?” Ryou nodded. “No. No I’m not.”

The teen blinked at the brutal honesty. “How…how can you say that?”

With a heavy sigh Bakura rolled onto his back. “Look, Ry, I’ve already told you what the Pharaoh put my brother through…I can’t be sorry for settling the score.”

“Well, yeah…” Ryou stuttered. “But Yugi didn’t do anything to you. He even asked that we stay with him when we get back.”

“I am not staying with that butcher. Regardless of what Yugi wants.”

“When Malik comes back he’ll take Marik to Yugi’s house.”

“Yes, and then Marik will meet me at home and we’ll be gone.”

“Bakura, please? Can we just stop in? You don’t have to see Yami.” No reply came. “You owe me that much.”

“That line isn’t going to work forever, you little shit.”

Ryou leaned down and kissed his yami’s forehead. “Thank you, Bakura.”

The thief blinked at Ryou’s gesture but chose not to acknowledge it. “Go to sleep.”



“Tristan?”

The brunette shifted in his sleep.

“Tristan, wake up.”

The urgent whisper finally made its way through the haze and Tristan lifted his head off of Kaiba’s bare chest. “Kenji?” he whispered back. “What’s wrong?”

The guard shook his head. “You have a phone call. Joseph again.”

Tristan nodded, waiting until Kenji stepped out of the room before carefully extracting himself from the CEO’s comforting embrace. He shivered as the cool evening air nipped at his bare skin and quickly drew on the sweatpants that had been discarded in an unimpressive heap hours before. He kissed his boyfriend’s cheek and moved bare-chested out into the hallway.

“Sorry to wake you,” the man apologized.

Tristan shook his head. “No problem.” He made the minor hike to Kaiba’s office and sat down at the desk, picking up the extension. “Hey, Joey.”

“Are you busy?”

Tristan thought longingly of the comfort of the bed he’d just left. “No,” he replied. “What’s up?”

“I’m going over to see Yugi in about an hour. Want to meet me there?”

The brunette hesitated for only a moment. “Yeah,” he answered. “I do. In an hour?”

“Yep. See you then, buddy.”

Tristan hung up the phone, suddenly excited at the prospect of seeing his two best friends. The last gathering had not gone well at all and he looked forward to a calm evening.

Calm, however, was not in the cards.

He moved back into the hallway and smiled at Kenji, who stood sentry outside of the CEO’s door.

“Do you want me to take Mokuba back to his room?” the guard asked.

Tristan raised an eyebrow. “What?”

The older man was immediately on edge. “You mean he didn’t crawl into bed with you and Mr. Kaiba?”

“Not that I know of,” the teen replied, his heart beginning to pound. He barged through the doorway and almost called Mokuba’s name before remembering that the young Kaiba would not be able to hear him. Instead he pulled the blankets off of the bed in search of the boy.

The action woke the millionaire. “What the hell are you doing?” he grumbled, reaching out blindly for the covers.

Kenji respectfully averted his eyes from his boss’ nude display. “He’s not here,” he said.

“When’s the last time you saw him?” Tristan asked, his voice already rising with fear.

“He told me he had to go to the bathroom,” Kenji replied. “Don’t panic. He’s probably down in the kitchen or the game room.”

“Seto, wake up,” the brunette said, shaking his lover’s shoulder after covering him with the sheet.

Kaiba groggily complied. “What time is it?” he asked, his eyes narrowing on the bedside clock. Just after six.

Kenji cleared his throat. “Tristan, I am going to gather the staff and organize a search of the grounds.”

“Good. Thanks.”

The phrase caught Kaiba’s attention. “Search? For what?”

“Baby,” Tristan said, sitting next to his boyfriend. “Mokuba got up awhile ago to use the bathroom and didn’t go back to his room.”

Kaiba snapped to attention. “You let him wander off alone?” he barked to the guard.

“Seto, stop,” Tristan interjected. “It’s not like he was going to hold Mokuba’s hand.”

Kenji pulled the two-way radio from his back pocket. “I’ll organize the search,” he said, more to Tristan than Kaiba. He nodded and stepped back into the hallway.

Tristan turned to his lover. “Get dressed. I’m going to go look for him.”



“You’re going to stay with Ryou until this all blows over, right?” Duke asked his guest as he sorted through the contents of their drive through bags.

“I hope so,” Yami replied, taking a sip of his soda. “I’ll have to tell him everything. There’s a strong chance that he won’t want anything to do with me after that.”

The raven haired teen picked up his sandwich and leaned back against the cushions on the sofa. “And if that happens?” he pressed gently.

Yami sighed. “Then I go back into the puzzle for another millennium.”

Duke shook his head. “Yami, you can’t just go. Too many people here need you.”

The former pharaoh scoffed. “Not anymore, Devlin.”

“What about Yugi? I know he’s angry now but that won’t last forever.”

Yami shook his head. “He wants Malik, not me.”

Duke did a double take. “Malik? As in Ishtar?” Yami nodded. “When did that happen?”

Yami held up his cast. “He stayed at the house while Ryou took me to the hospital.”

The dice king thought carefully before speaking again. “He’s most likely looking for an escape,” he reasoned. “Someone who he doesn’t see as a protector with whom he can try to forget what happened.”

The spirit thought about that. It made a great deal of sense though it did nothing to calm his nerves where the Egyptian was concerned.

Duke watched the wheels turning in Yami’s head. He couldn’t believe that Malik would care enough to even stay at the game shop, let alone befriend its beneficiary. He was about to speak again when a brown leather object flew into the room from the front hall. “What the hell?” he muttered, his eyes settling on the shoe.

Yami blinked as its mate followed, landing on the recliner with a soft thud. “Devlin?” he said, his voice low.

Duke’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped as a pair of jeans and a t-shirt landed in a messy pile on the Oriental rug. “Joey, no!” he cried, jumping to his feet.

It was too late. The lean, muscular, and aside from a pair of white socks, nude blonde jumped through the doorway with all of the enthusiasm of a superhero showing up just in the nick of time to save the day. ‘Come and get me’ serving as his battle cry.

Yami’s eyes nearly jumped out of his skull as he turned away quickly.

Duke chuckled as a heated blush spread over his boyfriend’s body. “Hey baby. Yami’s here.”

Joey picked up his pants and tugged them on quickly. “Damn it, why didn’t you warn me?” he muttered.

“You really didn’t give me much chance,” Duke laughed, rising to his feet and opening his arms.

The blonde stepped into the embrace, nipping at his boyfriend’s earlobe. “We’ll finish this talk later,” he whispered huskily.

Duke willed his body into submission before taking his seat again. “Yami’s going to be staying with me for a little while,” he said.

Joey raised an eyebrow. “What? How come?”

“Yugi needs some time away from him,” Duke said, softening the story substantially.

Yami shook his head. “Joey, Duke…you both have a right to know why Yugi asked me to leave. I cannot take advantage of your kindness.”

“Yami, I already told you that I don’t care what happened. I am your friend regardless.”

“Devlin, please. Just let me get this out.”

Joey and Duke exchanged a worried glance. “Go ahead,” the dice king said.

Yami took a deep breath and for the second time in the course of a few hours revealed his darkest secret.


Marik sat on the arm chair opposite the loveseat in the Mutou living room, his eyes narrowed suspiciously at the pair across from him. Malik sat with his back against the arm of the sofa, remote control in hand. That wasn’t what bothered him. It was the fact that Yugi sat between his hikari’s legs, resting against Malik’s chest. Both seemed engrossed in the sleazy talk show and oblivious to his presence, as demonstrated by Malik’s other hand delving absently into Yugi’s hair and Yugi’s barely audible sighs of contentment.

He spent nearly thirty minutes in silence before his curiosity got the better of him. //What the fuck are you doing?//

Malik glanced at his dark, his eyes slightly widened in surprise. /What do you mean?/

//You’re awfully cozy over there, aren’t you?//

The teen rolled his eyes. /Jealous much? Do YOU want to lay in my lap?/

//Not a chance, hikari.//

/Then mind your own damned business./

Marik’s eyes narrowed even further. //Since when are you and the twerp so close?//

/Get a fucking clue, Marik,/ Malik shot back. /He’s doing you a huge favor letting Bakura come here and it’s because of him that Yami hasn’t banished the two of you./

A moment passed.

“Hey, shrimp,” Marik spoke aloud.

Yugi jumped at the unexpected voice only to smile when Malik’s arm slid around his waist and squeezed reassuringly. “Yeah?”

“You’re not going to freak out when Bakura gets here are you?”

“I don’t plan to,” Yugi replied, confused.

Marik nodded. “Alright then.” His attention moved on to the television.

Yugi looked up at Malik, a questioning look in his eyes.

Malik shook his head and leaned down, whispering into the teen’s ear. “That was his way of saying thank you.”

It made absolutely no sense to Yugi but he chose not to dwell on it. He went back to the program.



Another in a series of worried glances was exchanged between Duke and Joey as Yami’s story came to its painful conclusion. The only sounds in the room came from the grandfather clock and the former pharaoh trying to hold back his tears. Both men watched as the spirit rose to his feet and disappeared into the guest bedroom.

Joey released a shaking breath. “You know, it’s weird,” he said. “I always sort of forget that Yami isn’t like us. You know, that he isn’t from this time. Well, maybe not forget,” he amended. “But it’s just not something that I think about. I never would have guessed that he would do something like that.”

Duke shook his head. “He wouldn’t,” he stated. “Not now. But that was a long time ago.” He stood up. “I’m going to see if he needs anything.” He crossed the room and knocked lightly on Yami’s door. When no reply came he let himself in.

Yami’s bag was open on the bed and the spirit was hurriedly shoving his few belongings back into it. “I am sorry,” he said, his voice breaking. “I’ll be gone in just a minute.”

“Gone?” Duke repeated. He grasped Yami’s arm to get his attention. “You’re not leaving.”

Yami shook his head. “I can’t stay.”

The dice king tightened his hold. “I want you to stay,” he said sincerely.

A moment passed as the former pharaoh struggled to process the information. “Truly?”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Yami? I’m your friend. Your past can’t scare me off.” He pulled the man into a comforting hug and not a moment later Yami began sobbing. Duke whispered soothing words, urging the pharaoh to cry it out.

A few moments later Joey’s head poked through the door. “Yami?” he said softly, stepping up behind the pair and joining in the embrace. “Are you alright?”

“He’ll be okay,” Duke stated. “He just needs a few days to get his thoughts in order. Let’s go back in the living room.”

The trio left the room and settled back on the couch, Yami centered between them. “Thank you,” he whispered gratefully.

“No problem,” Joey replied. “Don’t you worry. Tristan and I are supposed to meet at the game shop in about twenty minutes. I’ll talk to Yugi.”

Duke looked at Yami. “Is that alright with you?”

Yami nodded. “Yugi would love to see you,” he said to Joey.

“Take my car, baby,” Duke offered.

Joey stood up and picked his wrinkled shirt up from the floor, tugging it over his head. He returned to the couch and knelt in front of the former pharaoh. “Yami, listen. I’ve looked up to you for years now. You’ve always been like a hero to me. Nothing will change that.” He squeezed the spirit’s shoulder reassuringly and stood up. He stole a kiss and the car keys from Duke before walking the length of the room to retrieve his shoes. “I’ll find out what’s going on,” he vowed.



“What the fuck is taking so long?” Marik asked for millionth time.

“Oh will you relax?” Malik snapped back, his voice a muffled grumble from inside the refrigerator. Yugi had mentioned being hungry and in a show of kindness, or weakness, Malik had gotten up and gone into the kitchen in search of provisions.

Yugi sat obediently at the kitchen table watching the exchange between the pair. He even found himself laughing from time to time. “I’m sure they’re fine,” he said, trying to placate the nervous spirit. “When Ryou called he said that they were in a hotel. They probably waited until nightfall to leave.”

Marik pondered the possibility from his perch on the counter. “That’s true,” he relented. His eyes drifted to his hikari. “Hurry up, Malik, we’re starving.”

The obscene finger gesture emerged a second before the blonde head. “I don’t know how to make any of this shit,” he said. “We’re ordering in.”

A loud knock sounded from the door. Marik jumped off of the counter. “It’s about damned time!” he exclaimed. He fairly flew down the stairs into the shop and flung open the door.

“Wheeler!” he said in disgust. “What the fuck do you want?”

Joey’s eyes widened. Rather than answer he pushed past the Egyptian and thundered up the stairs. “Yugi!” he yelled, worried for his friend’s safety.

Yugi looked up, startled when his blonde friend ran breathlessly into the kitchen. “Joey?” he said in surprise.

Joey looked from Yugi to Malik. “Are you alright?” he asked the smaller teen.

Yugi wrinkled is brow. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I saw Marik downstairs…”

“He’s waiting for Bakura,” Yugi replied.

The blonde’s eyes widened. “Bakura?” Yugi nodded. Joey tried again. “Bakura’s coming here?!” Another nod. “Yugi, what the fuck??”

“Leave him alone,” Malik spoke up, stepping in front of Yugi.

Joey stared in disbelief. “What’d you say?” he asked, his temper flaring.

“I said leave him alone,” the Egyptian repeated.

“Malik, its okay,” Yugi spoke up, rising to his feet. He sidestepped around the object of his growing affection and took Joey’s hand, pulling him into the living room. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I came here to see you,” the blonde replied. “What the hell is going on?”

“What do you mean?” Yugi asked, knowing full well what was coming.

Joey lowered his voice. “Why are they here?” he asked. “And what is this about Bakura?”

“Malik is staying with me for awhile,” Yugi confessed. “Marik’s here until Bakura comes.”

The blonde struggled to understand. “Why is Bakura coming here? When did this happen?”

“He should be here soon.”

“WHY?” Joey exploded.

Yugi jumped. “It’s complicated…” he stammered. Despite the recent turn of events he could not bring himself to reveal Yami’s secret.

“Are you FORGETTING what he did to you?”

“Of course not.”

Joey’s hold on his temper grew thinner and thinner. “So what then? You waiting for him to do it again?”

Yugi gasped, tears filling his eyes. “What…?” he breathed.

“I think you should leave,” Malik said firmly from the doorway.

“Get the fuck out of here, this doesn’t concern you,” Joey shot back.

Malik, actually quite calm, could see Joey’s clenched fists shaking. “Yugi, come here,” he said.

The trembling teen took one last look at his out of control friend before rushing to Malik’s side and bursting into tears, his face buried in the Egyptian’s shoulder.

“You aren’t helping things,” Malik said.

“Oh, I’M not helping?” Joey very nearly growled. “I’m not the one who’s brainwashing him and turning him against Yami!”

Malik slid an arm around Yugi’s waist and turned toward the kitchen. “Marik!”

“What?”

“Show him the door.”

Joey’s eyes widened. “Oh, you’ve got to be kidding.” When Marik appeared in the doorway he shook his head. “Yugi, tell them you want me to stay.”

The small duelist cringed. “Malik,” he whimpered.

“Get the fuck out, Wheeler,” Marik threatened.

Joey looked at Marik, Malik, and Yugi in turn before shaking his head. “Fine.” He left the room, running down the stairs, out the front door, and into Duke’s car. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, trying to calm his anger. Nearly twenty minutes later he started the car. The clock on the dashboard read seven forty-five. Tristan had abandoned them all again. What a perfect ending to a perfect fucking night.



“It’ll be alright, Yugi,” Malik soothed, trying to calm the trembling teen.

“You want me to fuck him up?” Marik asked seriously.

Yugi shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “Thanks though.”

“Come on, let’s make a nest,” Malik suggested.

Marik raised an eyebrow. “A what?”

“Not you, you ass,” the blonde shot back. “What do you say, Yugi?”

“Yeah,” came the soft reply.

“Marik, go to the closet and pull out some blankets, would you?”

An annoyed look crossed Marik’s face but he disappeared down the hallway nonetheless.

Yugi looked up at Malik, determination in his tearful eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Malik smiled down at the teen. “No problem.”

Gathering his courage, Yugi rose onto his toes and planted a soft kiss on Malik’s cheek.

“Get a room,” Marik said, returning with an armful of bedding.

A blush crept over Yugi’s cheeks as Malik flipped off his dark. The small teen stepped forward took the blankets. “Thank you, Marik.”

“Sure. I’ll be in the john.”

Yugi tried not to laugh. Instead he worked on arranging the bedding into a workable nest. “Malik, do we need more pillows?” No reply came. “Malik?” He turned and froze, his heart leaping into his throat and his stomach dropping.

In the doorway stood the epitome of fear itself. Bakura.
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A/N Again, I'm sorry this took so long to update. But this story is my baby and I can't bring myself to post crap for the sake of posting. But you'll be happy (I hope) to know that my muse is back working harder than ever!!
Thanks to all of you who have reviewed!! It's you guys who keeps me going with these fics :)