Light Amongst Shadows

Author’s Note - Another update ready to be read. I was going back over the story and was struck by an idea that I think might work. Fun when the plot wombats decide to take a different direction. I’m debating on the fate of another of my stories and will have to wait and see. Something about that one isn’t sitting right with me.

I hope you enjoy this update, and I will try to be a bit more prompt on updating stories.

Disclaimer - I do not own Yugioh or make money from it. This is the brain child of another genius and try as I might, I’m just not him.

Chapter Six - Confrontations of a sort

It was a confused Bakura that found his way home that evening to find Malik and Marik visiting with Ryou, who had just returned from his excursion to the bookstore. His hikari was seated at the coffee table, reading through books and making notes while chatting with Malik.

Ryou tolerated Marik, mostly for his yami’s sake, and enjoyed Malik’s company. He was close to the blond hikari and often wondered if the other would find someone to care for instead of occasionally joining Bakura and Marik in their bed.

“You look like someone’s got your shorts in a knot,” the blond yami commented to his lover. “What’s going on?”

“I ran into the Pharaoh on my way home. That man gets more and more confusing as time goes by,” Bakura answered.

Marik shook his head, not quite understanding why the other spent so much time on trying to figure out this little mystery. In his mind, Yami was the Pharaoh, an arrogant bastard that he loathed with every fiber of his being.

“You’re wasting time, Kura. There’s nothing there to really focus on. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s making all this up to get attention.”

Ryou broke his silence then, chocolate eyes staring coldly into lavender eyes that were slightly darker than Malik’s.

“And I wouldn’t be surprised if the ritual somehow forgot to include your brain,” he said to the other, catching Bakura a bit by surprise.

“Ryou?”

“I’m tired of him harping on this. I’ve been around him, Kura, and I’ve seen how it affects both him and Yugi-chan. Yami is a lot more than what Marik thinks he is. I wish he’d shut up on this and start using what little brain he has.”

Bakura shot his lover a warning look when the other yami growled at the white haired hikari. Granted Ryou was being a bit rude but in truth, Marik was being incredibly close minded about things.

“You’re just saying that because you want to fuck the Pharaoh’s mini-me,” came the somewhat heated response from Marik.

Ryou shook his head, wondering what in the world his soul partner saw in this man.

“No, even if I weren’t in love with Yugi, I’d see this. I know Kura is starting to see it. He’s different, Marik, and part of me wonders why. I’ve heard a little from Yugi-chan, and it amazes me that he was strong enough to survive his past.”

“I still say he’s an arrogant bastard,” Marik said, leaning into Bakura, who wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

The thief’s hikari sighed, placing a bookmark in his book before turning his attention back to the spiky haired blond.

“If he was, he wouldn’t have asked Shadi and Isis to find the spell to separate the yamis from us. You two would still be locked in our heads and in the Items,” Ryou pointed out. “He didn’t have to do that, especially considering the ritual nearly killed him.”

“Yeah right. I think that was more along the lines of him not wanting to show up naked and show how much he lacks in comparison to us,” Marik snickered.

A voice that had been silent up until now finally broke into the conversation.

“Actually, that’s not true. The ritual that sealed the shadow realm and himself into the Puzzle left his body moments away from death. The bodies you and Bakura were given were new. His wasn’t because of the first ritual. Because of that, Shadi and my sister had to be ready with very potent healing spells to make sure he didn’t die when he was returned to his body.”

Marik and Bakura stared at Malik, who was giving his yami and occasional lover an impatient look, which was returned by the dark skinned yami.

“Then should’ve let him die. No big loss there.”

Malik’s voice grew sharp then, holding notes of anger that told Bakura that his lover was in definite trouble with the hikari.

“You need to pull your head out of your ass, Marik. He’s not as you think he is, and you’re too stubborn to believe the truth when it’s in front of you.”

Marik sat up straighter in his seat, staring at his hikari. This defense of the Pharaoh wasn’t expected.

“Since when do you defend him? Last I knew, you hated him as much as I did.”

Malik stared back, not blinking. He’d done a lot of growing in the last few years, not liking the fact that he was associated with the same amount of anger as his soul partner. The work had been noticed by Yugi and Ryou, and he had found a lot of support with them.

“After the first run in with him, after Yugi forgave me, I started researching and learned a lot from the archives back home,” he told his other.

There was only silence from Marik and Malik continued, gesturing at his own back.

“This was never his choice. He was irate when he found out what had been decided amongst my tribe, even more so when he discovered about the marks my father put on me in honor of the legacy of the tribe. I’ve never seen anyone so irate,” Malik shared with them.

Marik looked stunned while Bakura had a thoughtful expression on his face. There was a moment of silence before Malik started up again.

“You two need to give him the benefit of the doubt. I’m not saying you have to be best friends, but I want you two to think on something. You two have each other to talk to in regards to the past and the pains of being who and what you are. Who does Yami have to talk to? He’s alone in a lot of ways.”

Ryou’s voice was gentle as he picked up where Malik left off.

“Even more so since the one family member that he did get along with doesn’t remember him in this incarnation and refuses to accept what’s in front of him.”

The blond hikari nodded, then headed to the kitchen to get a glass of water. Seconds later, he was followed by Bakura.

“I’ve noticed some of what you’re talking about,” he told the Egyptian, who drank his glass of water before answering.

“I know. Ryou told me some of what he’s noticed from you, and I’ve seen you when Marik and I are hanging out with you. Honestly, I’m glad one of you is observant enough to realize that things aren’t as they seem.”

Bakura frowned, leaning against the counter as he shared his thoughts with his and Marik’s occasional lover.

“It’s like he’s more delicate inside and is struggling to hide it. But knowing how powerful he is and how strong his presence can be when the situation is rough, it’s hard to reconcile what I’ve seen back then to what I’m seeing now.”

Malik set his glass down, lavender eyes looking into mahogany.

“Masks can be an important thing to people. Even more so to those who are in the public eye a great deal of the time. Tell me, would the people in your time follow a man who was flawed and had issues?”

White hair brushed over his shoulders as he shook his head.

“No, he’d have lost control immediately if he showed any signs of weakness. The Council would’ve deposed him immediately and put Seth on the throne, though I doubt he’d have stayed on long considering how much stronger he was than most of them.”

“Exactly. Yami’s used those masks so long, it’s hard for him to show who he really is. Especially since you and Marik tend to be so hard on him.”

Bakura hid a wince at that. Thinking on it, he and Marik had been rough on the man, which hadn’t really been called for since Yami had gone out of his way to not be around whenever the two of them hung out with the group. It was as if the tri-color haired yami knew that his presence wouldn’t be wanted around them and was giving them space.

When faced with that piece of realization, it definitely hammered something into place. The suspicions of Yami hiding something was certainly right. The man he’d thought he knew was not the person he’d loathed for so long. Had Yami been the arrogant man that Bakura had accused him of being all this time, he wouldn’t have given Marik and Bakura time to be with their friends and inserted himself into every activity.

“Damn.”

Malik saw the change in Bakura’s expression and nodded, pleased that the former king of thieves had accepted this knowledge.

“Now it’s time to get to know the real man,” he said quietly.

“Yeah, easier said than done,” Bakura answered with a shrug, trying to figure out just how to do that.

“Well, at least you’re willing to make an effort,” he responded, shooting the kitchen door a dirty look. “More than I can say for my jackass of a yami in there.”

He chuckled a bit at that. Malik was a special person and in a moment of softness, he often considered the blond a second hikari to watch out for. Not that Malik needed it, he was tough and had quickly become street smart since moving to Domino permanently.

“He has his moments, Malik. Give him time, and he’ll see what we do.”

“Yeah,” he sighed softly. “He’s gotten to be a bit more possessive and arrogant lately, and I don’t like it. I understand it towards you but our agreement is a casual thing, not that it happens often.”

Bakura frowned at that. He hadn’t noticed it but in truth, he’d been so focused on the Yami situation that he’d not seem much lately.

“I’ll talk to him about it. While I’m thinking about it, didn’t you have a date tonight?”

The blond shrugged. Dating had been a bit of a sore issue lately. He knew what he wanted but was still looking for it. Unfortunately, he hadn’t found it yet and hoped that he would. Malik was happy for his friends, but it was difficult being alone.

“I canceled it. He said something about Isis that pissed me off so I ended it.”

The white haired yami shook his head. Malik was very protective of his sister and so was Marik too. Isis had been very good to them over the years, understanding in ways most people wouldn’t be and the two were steadfastly loyal to her.

“Damned idiot then,” he murmured and Malik nodded, agreeing with him completely on that.

“Yeah, so it’s back to being single again for now.”

The other male shook his head again. Malik deserved someone, and he could only hope that he’d find what he was looking for in time.

“Well, in the meantime, just have fun while you’re looking,” he said with a wicked smirk.

The hikari laughed at that, nodding.

“Oh I definitely will. Honestly though, what are you going to do about Yami?”

That question sobered and put him into a pensive mood as he contemplated the answer. In truth, that was going to be difficult.

“Get to know him somehow. Maybe you and Ryou can put together more group activities and have the midget talk Yami into going?”

That was a good suggestion and Malik was pleased, smiling at that idea.

“I think it’ll work. Ryou was mentioning wanting to do more stuff as a group. If nothing else, you and Marik can join the tabletop RPG and play with everyone.”

“Hmm, that’s definitely an idea. Games are something everyone loves so it’d help him to relax more.”

Malik could only agree with that and would help Ryou with whatever he needed to get the games going. This would definitely be a challenge, and he could only hope that the other two yamis would start to befriend the third and see each other for who they were.

Author’s End Note - Another chapter done and I think I’m happy with this one. If you’re interested in update alerts, please check my author’s page for my yahoo group information and sign up! Please let me know what you think of my story so far and thanks for reading!