Yami's and Hikari's

Reviews
KCRose18: Thankies. I’m glad you’re enjoying my fanfic. And don’t worry~ Everyone will get together sooner or later~

Tellnoone_Noonetells: Yeah…sorry about the waiting forever between updates. It has gone from like…once a week to once every couple of months. But I haven’t forgotten about it! So don’t worry I will keep updating as soon as I get the time to. And it’s a bit of both. Life is getting in the way and making it hard to concentrate on writing. ^-^ I’m currently trying to draw some fanart for this fic. When/if I ever get around to it and I think it’s good enough I’ll post a link somewhere in a future chapter. ^-^ But here is some good news~ I’m already working on chapter 8. So hopefully that will be up sooner then two months ne?

J Chan: Yes. Sadly I am still looking for a job, even though it’s been a while since my last update….>_< The job market isn’t exactly at it’s best right now.

Debs: Thanks! And sorry about the long wait for an update. Life tends to get in the way…But I haven’t forgotten about this fic yet, which is a good thing for all the readers ^-^ the day I forget about it means I’ve totally lost interest in it.

ForeverNever: ^-^ thanks. I think I’m doing a good job at bringing the couples together. And I always hated how Bakura was the very last one to come around. He was always the hard ass that refused to believe he was falling in love with someone. So! After reading this chapter, you have to let me know what you think ^-^

Kate: Thanks~ Glad you’re enjoying my fic so far~ Sorry about the long wait for an update. But I hope you enjoy it just as much as the last few chapters ^-^

Yami’s and Hikari’s
Un-beta read version
By Yami Kitsune

Chapter 7 (Un-betaread version)

Yami stood in the kitchen watching Yugi fight with the old wood stove that the monsters on the island had once managed to salvage from a ship that had landed there once. Yami couldn’t remember exactly how long it had been, but when one has lived for over five thousand years it’s understandable.

“I always hated stoves like this.” Yugi said as he threw another log inside. “My grandmother had one and whenever the power went out that’s what we had to use if we wanted a hot supper.” Yugi stood back up dusting his hands off. Yami smiled just watching him. He didn’t understand much of what Yugi talked about; TV’s, electric lights, and other such modern marvels were completely foreign to the young looking king. But he still listened as Yugi talked.

Yami was amazed at how full of life Yugi was. He was quite sure he’d never met anyone like him. Granted he hadn’t met many people since being sealed away in this castle. But the few he had met had all turned out to be greedy and vengeful.

“So what exactly are you making?” Yami asked as Yugi finally got the fire hot enough for him to start cooking.

“I was thinking…Maybe some stew; if you have everything that’ll need.”

“Whatever we do not have here, I can send the Dark Magician or Celtic Guardian out and they shall find what you need.” The two monsters in question appeared in the kitchen suddenly making Yugi yelp backing up quickly he fell over a chair he’d been using to look on higher shelves for ingredients.

“You summoned us your highness?” The Dark Magician said bowing low. Celtic Guardian however had his attention on Yugi who was lying on his back still staring at the two monsters that had appeared. He had seen them before, but he wasn’t used to people just appearing out of thin air. Yami smiled as he stood up heading over to Yugi and holding out his hand to help the smaller boy up.

Yugi slowly took Yami’s hand standing up, never once taking his eyes off of the two monsters watching them patiently awaiting their orders.

“What will you need for your stew?” Yami asked turning Yugi’s attention away from Celtic and Dark. Yugi listed off things he would need and again, in the blink of an eye the two monsters had vanished.

“How do they DO that?” Yugi asked after another long pause of stunned silence. Yami chuckled softly.

“You know, I don’t rightly know. Maybe we should ask them once they have returned.” Yami said taking his seat once more while Yugi turned his attention back to making some food. Yami sat there seemingly watching the younger boy but it wasn’t long before his thoughts started to drift. It had only been a few hours since Yugi had woken up in Yami’s bed chambers. The fact that Yami had gone out of his way to take the boy from his tower and give him a better place to sleep was nothing short of a miracle. Though Yami couldn’t explain what had prompted him to do such a thing. Why should he care about this boy in front of him? Why did the mere presence of the boy relax him more then anything ever had in his entire life.

As Yami dwelled on these thoughts he felt that almost painful pinch in his chest again. He rubbed the spot where he had felt it. And once again he found himself wondering if this boy was truly meant to help lift the curse off this castle. Off of Yami. And for the second time that day Yami found himself dreading the thought of even daring to hope for such a thing. But he could not deny the fact that if he were currently capable of it he would care for this boy.

//Though isn’t the fact you brought him down from that tower proof that you still can care for someone?// a voice whispered in the back of his mind. Yami refused to entertain that thought. He would not be the fool. He told himself so; he would not be the fool who dared to hope for something that was never to happen. For now, he would just enjoy this boy’s company while he watched and waited for the day the boy would find a way off the cursed island and sale back to the world he belonged in.

--------

Bakura stood back watching as Marik looked Ryou over. Bakura had waited for nearly an hour for Marik to show up at his chambers. And during that time Ryou seemed to have gotten worse. Though Bakura was sure it was only his imagination.

“Well?” Bakura snapped. Marik didn’t even look at him. There was no point in it since Bakura had been demanding answers for the past ten minutes. Marik stood up and headed over to a chest that Bakura kept extra skins and furs in. Pulling out a few he draped them over the sleeping boy.

“He has a really high fever.” Marik said propping Ryou’s head up with another pillow. “You’ll have to keep a close eye on him. How did he get like this anyway?”

“My tower isn’t exactly weather proof.” Bakura answered and looked at the pale boy on his bed. He looked so frail and weak laying there. “I didn’t think he’d get so sick from staying up there.”

“Why didn’t you leave him up there?” Marik asked out of curiosity. He’d had his own reasons for taking Malik out of his own tower, but the last person he expected to do something like that, was Bakura. But here he was, and there was the boy, and if Marik hadn’t known better he’d say that Bakura was actually worried about the boy dying. Marik watched as Bakura sat on the bed still staring at the boy and frowned. Perhaps he didn’t know better.

“I don’t know why I brought him down here.” Bakura said. “I went up there because I couldn’t the brat out of my head. I don’t know if I was just going to kill him and fix the problem then and there so I could get some sleep. But he looked so weak.” Bakura snorted. “It’s no fun killing someone who looks as pathetic as him.” Now that sounded like the normal Bakura. The Bakura who cared for no one or nothing, and certainly not a powder puff like the one sleeping in his bed.

“And what about you? Why is that crazy kid not in your tower?” Bakura asked looking back at Marik who just shrugged.

“It’s really no fun to torture someone who’s not even going to struggle to stay alive. And after that move he did on you I might keep him around a while longer.” Marik grinned.

“If I had been paying attention he never would have landed that first punch.” Bakura growled as Marik’s amused smirk widened.

“Sure. What ever you say Bakura.” Marik said with a chuckle. “And as for your own little room guest, just let him sleep. His fever should brake. And if it doesn’t, you’ll have one less room guest to worry about in the end. I think I’m going to go Yami hunting now.” Marik turned and left the room. Bakura watched him go making sure the door was fully closed and he heard Marik yelling for Yami down the hall before turning his attention back to the sleeping boy.

Bakura also felt a painful pinch in his chest. He looked down thinking that maybe something had hit him there. But there was nothing. He looked again at Ryou, the boy’s hair was plastered to his face with sweat, reaching a hand out Bakura gently moved the hair away from Ryou’s face, surprising himself with how gentle he was being. It would be a cold day in hell before Bakura admitted to either Yami or Marik, but he was really concerned for the boy.

“How does someone get so sick, so quickly?” He asked knowing no one was going to answer him. Bakura could almost remember a time back when he was truly human that he used to be prone to sickness. Though no one ever knew of that weakness, that wasn’t exactly something you made public knowledge when you were constantly at war with someone.

Bakura continued running his fingers though Ryou’s hair. He could almost remember what it felt like to be the one trying to sleep with a high fever. He’d been lucky that one of the islands greatest healers had devoted herself to his kingdom. At least, that’s what he had thought at the time. He wondered where that old witch was now, or if she was even still alive.

“If she were here she could heal him as fast as she used to heal me.” Bakura thought out loud.

“…w…who…?” the soft voice was so unexpected that Bakura fell off the bed in surprise. Ryou struggled to sit trying to see if Bakura was alright.

“Lay back down!” Bakura yelled at him when he saw the boy using all his strength just to sit up. Ryou froze where he was his senses coming back to him enough to remember where he was, and who he was with. And then Bakura saw the fear clearly on his face. Sighing loudly Bakura stood up dusting his pants off.

“Please, lay back down.” He said more calmly now. “You won’t get better if you push yourself.” Bakura put his hands on Ryou’s shoulders gently laying him back down putting the blankets around him again.

“Now I don’t want to see you getting out of this bed for anything. If you need something I’ll be here to get it for you. I don’t have anything else to do anyway.” The pain in Bakura’s chest came back, stronger this time. It felt almost as if someone was starting to slowly sink a knife into him. But it stopped as suddenly as it started. He looked down locking eyes with the boy who was starring back up at him. When Bakura let him go Ryou didn’t make any more moves to get up, but he also didn’t stop starring at Bakura.

Bakura was the first one to break eye contact as he turned away. “I’m going to get you something from the kitchen. You try to get some more sleep. When you wake again I’ll have some food here for you.” With that Bakura left the room. Even though he’d just told Ryou he would be there if he needed anything, he had to get out of that room now. The look that boy had been giving him was so full of innocence.

//You’re going soft Bakura.// He told himself as he stormed down the hallway. //But it’s alright to be soft once in a while. So long as the other two don’t find out about it.// His hand absently rubbing his chest. That’s when he felt it; something inside his chest gave a single beat before stopping again. It had been so quick that he wondered if he imagined it. It couldn’t have been, his heart hadn’t beaten in over five thousand years. The same as Yami and Marik; as part of the curse. Their hearts had been cold and uncaring towards each other, and the people in their kingdoms. So their hearts had been frozen by the curse, and had stopped beating that very day. Though they still lived on, the world and time moved on, and just seemed to forget to take the three kings along for the ride.

Bakura made a mental note to talk to Yami and Marik and see if either of them remembered exactly what the curse had been. Hell, Bakura wasn’t even sure if he remembered correctly how the curse was supposed to be broken. It was definitely time they all talked about it again. The pain and single heart beat forgotten for the time being Bakura made his way to the kitchen.

------

Marik opened the door to his bed chamber once again. “I’m back.” He announced as he entered his room. But he wasn’t greeted back. Not that he’d been expecting Malik to greet him. But he had been expecting an onslaught of questions about the condition of Ryou.

The fact that there was none was what made Marik look over at the bed. It was empty. Looking around the room checking behind and under everything he could he soon found that his little prisoner was no where to be found.

“Perfect, just…perfect.” He growled his anger rising quickly. Granted he hadn’t exactly told Malik to stay in the room, but the fact that he hadn’t staid there pissed Marik off.

“He’s supposed to be a prisoner for Ra sake.” He grumbled to himself as he started his search of the castle. The longer he had to look, the more irritated he was getting. And it wasn’t long before his mind was set on a good beating for Malik once he found his little escapee. After checking his entire section of the castle Malik decided to check Yami’s side, since it was the closest to where he was right now.

As he headed in that direction he heard voice coming from down the hallway. One he could tell was Yami, and the other he assumed was his little look alike. But there was a third. Eyes darkening Marik headed down the hallway and into the great hall where sure enough, there sitting at one end of the long table were Yami, Yugi and Malik who seemed extremely happy to know that Yugi was alright. And Yugi was busy worrying over the bandages that were wrapped around Malik.

“Does it hurt?” Yugi asked trying to see Malik’s back. Malik smiled and put a hand on Yugi’s head.

“I’m fine. I promise.” Malik reassured his smaller friend. He looked up when he saw Marik coming into the great hall. He tried to smile at him but there was a dangerous look in his eye that Malik had seen many times when his father had lost his temper.

“…sorry, you were gone so long and I was hungry so I was going to find the kitchen and I found Yugi instead and…” Malik trailed off as Marik stopped right next to him glaring down at the younger blond Marik didn’t say anything. Yami frowned as he gently pulled Yugi out of the way. He’d try and talk to Marik, but in case he blew up he didn’t want Yugi to be harmed.

“Marik.” Yami started but wasn’t able to get anything else out because Marik had just punched him hard in the face sending Yami flying back onto the floor. Malik jumped standing up quickly his eyes never leaving Marik.

“You think you can go wandering around the castle on your own?” Marik asked his voice low and dangerous. But it didn’t sound like his own…he sounded almost demonic. Eyes flashing Marik’s arm shot out and he grabbed Malik by the hair pulling him forward. Malik went along with it as best he could knowing from experience it was best not to fight in a situation like this.

“Malik!” Yugi shouted. Malik’s eyes widened knowing that Yugi was going to try something stupid, like try and help him.

“Stay back Yugi.” Malik warned. “I’ll be fine.” He said, once again trying to reassure his friend. But the laugh that was coming from Marik clearly said that Malik would NOT be fine.

“I may have taken you out of the tower, but you are still a prisoner.” Marik said turning he started dragging Malik out of the great hall by his hair. The blond boy stumbling along trying to do is best not to fall.

“NO MALIK!” Yugi shouted chancing after them. But was stopped by strong arms wrapping around him.

“No Yugi, stay here! I do not wish for Marik to hurt you!”

“But he’s going to hurt Malik!”

“…there is nothing I can do for your friend…” Yami said sadness in his voice. Yugi elbowed him hard in the stomach making Yami back up, more surprised then he was hurt.

“I’m not going to sit here while one of my best friends is being killed!” Yugi shouted and darted from the room. Yami watched for a second before running after him. Malik’s screams could be heard echoing down the hall. He couldn’t let Yugi reach Marik. Out of the three kings Marik could be considered the worst. Bakura hid it well, but he did have a soft spot. Yami assumed that was due to the fact that the albino king had grown up being weak most of his life. But Marik, he had never had anything to slow him down. Raised to believe that power was the one and only thing worth gaining in this world. There had even been rumors before that Marik was not fully human.

That would certainly explain his random mood swings such as the one he was having now. Yami just hoped that Malik or Yugi weren’t hurt. Marik probably wouldn’t forgive himself this time.

TBC>>>
And yet again. Another chapter. ^-^ surprised I didn’t forget about it? Hehe. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten, my writing has just been a bit slow recently. But here it is, another full chapter.