Shadow Rising

D’Ceandre: Here we go. A sequel. I just finished watching Pyramid of Light and it put me in a writing mood.

Hime: You’re always in a writing mood.

D’Ceandre: Good point. Note: You probably should read To Lose the Light, or else some of the interactions might seem a little strange.

As before, I don’t own Yu-gi-oh, or any of the characters, except for Sagira, unfortunately.

******

“Hey, Yug.” Yugi paused to allow Jounouchi to catch up. “Where you off to so fast?”

“I have a lot of homework.” Yugi answered, as he glanced away. “Then Grandpa wants me to mind the shop.” Well, that was partially the truth. In reality, he was hoping to get home before Yami broke out. Even now he could feel his other half stirring, reaching out. Firmly, Yugi forced him away.

There was a moment of hesitation, then the Pharaoh subsided, but made it clear that it was by his own choice.

“Well, alright. I’ll see you tomorrow, then.” Yugi smiled brightly, and headed toward home at a fast walk.

:You’re not really intending on doing homework, are you, Aibou?: Yugi winced at the amused tone. Yami tried to take control again. Yugi gritted his teeth with the effort of holding him back.

Yami chuckled and backed off.

******

But Yugi didn’t head home as he had told Jounouchi. Instead, he cut through a few alleys, until he reached the poorer section of town. He relaxed against a wall and Yami surged out, tearing control from him.

Yugi shuddered, defeated. Yami had been somewhat… dark… ever since he and Yugi had been reunited after defeating Dartz, but when Bakura had helped separate them again, that had changed. Yami had become more protective, more… Possessive. If anyone so much as looked at him the wrong way now, Yami was trying to take control, to send the offender to the Shadow Realm. Even Jounouchi had almost been sent on a trip.

Yugi separated from Yami and sat down against the wall. Yami frowned down at him.

“Are you ashamed of me now, My Little One?” He asked. “Or perhaps you don’t trust me. I would never hurt you.” No, not him, but if anyone else got in Yami’s way. Or threatened his Little One.

Yugi wrapped his arms around his knees and hid his face from view, wondering how long Yami would wait.

Not very long. Yami shifted, frowning.

“Coming?” He asked, but Yugi knew it was nothing less then a command. He looked up, seeing that Yami was already strolling away. Yugi quickly stood up and hurried after him.

“Where are we going?” He asked. Yami shrugged.

“Wherever I end up.” They strolled down the streets, Yugi hurrying to keep up with Yami’s longer-legged stride.

*It could be worse.* He thought to himself, careful to keep the mindlink closed. *I could be having to deal with Marik or Bakura.* But that wasn’t really true anymore. Bakura and Marik had changed nearly as much as Yami. Now Ryou and Malik laughed about their yami’s escapades, instead of cowering in fear whenever the subject was brought up. Yami looked down at the smaller form, slowing slightly.

:What are you thinking, Aibou?: Yugi jumped.

:Nothing.: He answered.

:Don’t lie to me.: Yami warned.

:I was just thinking about how much Bakura and Marik have changed.: Yami snorted.

“Not enough.” He answered. Yami refused to forgive the pair. But then, when had Yami ever really forgiven anyone? Well, except for Yugi himself.

Just then Yugi realized where they were headed. He stopped dead, eyes wide in fear. Yami paused to look back at him. Yugi shifted uncomfortably, then moved to rejoin with Yami, eyes downcast.

******

“Hey, Jou.” Yami called. Yugi groaned, and tried to sink deeper into the oblivion of the puzzle. He was shocked when he pushed into a barrier. Yugi pushed again, then ran at it. The barrier flexed under the force, but didn’t break, returning to a flat surface when Yugi stepped back.

“Yami, buddy.” Jounouchi looked confused. “I thought Yugi said…” Yami shrugged.

“We got finished early, and the shop wasn’t very busy. Do you want to go watch a movie?” Jounouchi considered.

“Sure, just let me tell my Pop.”

:I don’t know why he bothers with the idiot.: Yami commented.

:He is his father.: Yugi replied. Yami didn’t look convinced.

“Kay, let’s go. Are we going to invite the others?”

“I wouldn’t want them to think I was picking favourites.” Yami replied. Yugi crossed his arms, looking annoyed. He remained where he was as the other two started off. Yami glanced back at him out of the corner of his eye, but didn’t say anything. Then Yugi felt something pulling him forward. He fell with a yelp, then stood up and hurried after them with an irritated noise.

:Why are you being so difficult, Aibou? I’m not going to hurt your friends, so long as they act like friends.:

Yugi was thinking of how to answer when they heard Ryou’s voice.

*Oh, no.* Yugi thought. Yami’s eyes narrowed as the white-haired boy caught up with them.

“Hey guys.” He said, smiling brightly.

“Ryou. We’re going to the movies, want to come?” Jounouchi asked. Bakura appeared in his spirit form.

“Sounds like fun.” He said. Yami glared at him.

That was something else that had changed. Now, every one of the hikari and yami could see and hear each other in spirit form. Yami said it probably had something to do with Sagira’s spell. Those who didn’t have yami, like Jounouchi, couldn’t see them, but Jounouchi had long gotten used to having others seemingly talk to themselves while he was around.

Yugi and Ryou exchanged glances, both looking nervous. Bakura might be treating Ryou better, but he was still who he had always been. He enjoyed pushing Yami’s buttons and did it as often as possible. Yugi wondered if Bakura had realized how much the pharaoh had changed.

“As long as you don’t start any trouble.” Yami snapped at Bakura. The tomb raider only smirked. Yami’s scowl deepened and he stalked off.

******

They eventually ended up at the theatre, just in time, after having picked up Honda, Anzu, and Malik along the way. Both Malik and Marik gave Yugi odd looks.

Marik quickly forgot about it, more concerned with how quickly he could freak Ryou out. Ryou was terrified of Marik, and Marik encouraged that fear. It wasn’t so bad at the moment, since Marik was in spirit form, but had he taken control of the body, it wouldn’t have been long before Ryou headed for cover.

Yami shrugged unconcernedly, when Malik looked at him, insinuating that he had no clue what was wrong. Malik’s frown of confusion grew. Yami wouldn’t have let Yugi reach anywhere near that level of unhappiness, before.

:Something’s wrong there.: He commented to Marik. Marik only grinned at Ryou. The white haired boy moved to put Jounouchi and Honda between them.

:No kidding. You should have seen the Pharaoh while you guys were gone.: He answered, drawing his attention away from Ryou, still ignoring the dark looks Bakura had been giving him ever since they had met up. :He was scary.:

Malik blinked. Marik thought Yami had been scary? He was kind of glad he hadn’t been there, then.

“Hurry up. Previews are starting.” Jounouchi called. The others quickly followed him in, Yugi still alternately pulling away and trying to hid in the puzzle, Yami still forbidding either.

******

Kaiba sat in his office, staring out the window, trying to put a finger on what exactly was wrong with him. It had started with his comment to Bakura and Marik on Spirit Island, and now he found himself doing odd things, and blacking out. The longest spell had only been two minutes so far, but it worried him.

He had decided quickly that this was Yugi’s fault, somehow. Him and all his talk about dark powers, and spirits. The whole bunch of them were crazy.

:Really?: Kaiba jumped out of his chair, staring around.

“Who’s there?” He growled.

:Oh, stop staring around. You can’t see me, not yet at least.:

“I don’t know who you are, but you had better show yourself right quick.” Was this another of Yugi’s mind tricks? There was a laugh. Kaiba blinked. It sounded like it was right in his head.

:Right on track.: The voice answered. Kaiba’s eyes widened.

“No! This is just some trick.” He told himself. “Hidden microphones or something.”

:What are microphones?: The voice asked. It sounded fainter.

Kaiba shook with anger. Someone was trying to control him again. He refused to give in. He had been controlled far too often already.

:Get! OUT!: He snapped, not realizing he hadn’t said it aloud.

:No need to ye…: The voice faded away and was gone. Kaiba slumped back into his chair. It was time to upgrade the defences. He’d get to it, but right now he was strangely exhausted.

He fell asleep, and the sennen eye appeared on his forehead. Kaiba changed slightly, and then the priest opened his eyes, looking around. He didn’t have the strength to move, not yet, but at least he could do this much. Oh, how long he had waited, trapped behind his other self’s solid barrier, waiting for the moment Kaiba made his mistake.

That had been at Spirit Beach, when Kaiba, only for a second, had wished for the power to help. Only a second, but it had been enough.

God help Marik when he got his hands on him. If he hadn’t taken the Millennium Rod, this would never have been a problem. He could have easily overwhelmed Kaiba’s defences.

But he would get the rod back, he just needed more time, more strength.

He felt himself fading and didn’t fight it, retreating back to his hidden corner.

******

D’Ceandre: And there we go. Let’s see if this one goes up as fast as it predecessor.
Trouble: Probably. You still have no life.
D’Ceandre: Gee, thanks.