Wow, it's been so long since I updated. I apologize for the delay, but I've been so busy with school, that I've been barely able to write anything, let alone post it. And I know this is too short, but........yeah.....So, enjoy!
There was a quiet knock on the door, yet it was loud enough to wake the spirit of the Ring from his slumber. Grumbling slightly, he rubbed his eyes, stretching before he stood. Looking at his light, almost sadly, then walked to the door and opened it.
Yugi and Yami were the ones who greeted him when the door opened, concern in both their eyes.
"Hi," Yugi said meekly.
Not answering, Yami Bakura simply turned, walking back to the chair he was sitting in and all but collapsed into it.
Following him inside the small hospital room, Yami closed the door behind him. "How's Bakura?" he asked quietly.
"Hasn't changed," Yami Bakura replied. "He just collapsed last night, and the doctor thinks he's in a coma…but…"
"But what?" Yugi asked.
"He doesn't know what I do…I felt…something happen to him before he passed out, and it was an immense pain…" The dark spirit yawned, rubbing his eyes again.
"You look tired," Yami said. "Did you sleep at all?"
The snow-haired spirit shook his head.
"You should get some rest…"
"I can't…"
With a sigh, the Pharaoh grabbed the other's wrist. "Let's go for a walk," he said, dragging the other out of his chair. "It'll help clear your mind so you can rest in peace."
"What, are you trying to stick me in a grave? I'm not going for a walk with you…" But there wasn't much he could do as Yami pulled him out the door.
Yugi watched the two go, then turned back to Bakura. "Should I have told Yami Bakura about my dream?" he asked the other teen quietly.
If he was expecting an answer, he didn't receive one.
The small teen sighed slightly. "I'll do my best to help, Bakura, but how much good can I do? Wouldn't your Yami have been better to ask for help? Especially something like this…"
Slowly, his small hand slipped into his pocket, and he pulled out the glass orb shard. "I promise to help as much as I can Bakura, but what if I don't make it? What if I don't pass one of the tests? I don't care what happens to me, but if I don't succeed, you'll die as well…"
Putting the piece away, he rubbed his temples. "I'll do what I can, Bakura…I just hope it's enough…"
Yugi…
The boy's head snapped up, and he stared at the teen on the bed. "Bakura?"
Yugi…The voice was rather weak.
"Bakura, I really don't know what I'm doing…How am I supposed to find the pieces of the orbs? Where do I look?"
The piece…you have…
Yugi frowned slightly. "What about it?"
The pieces…connected…
"Connected? You mean the piece I have can find the others?"
Yes…
"And the tests…you said if I fail one test, I'll die?"
Yes…
"Then what will happen to the pieces that I've collected…?"
They'll scatter again…farther than they were before…
"So, if I fail, the orb might scatter to outside Domino City?"
Maybe farther…outside of Japan…
Yugi thought for a moment. "They would be much harder to get that way, and by then it might be too late…Bakura?"
There was no answer.
"Bakura? Are you still there?"
Yes…
"Are you okay? You sound a little weak…"
As my soul continues to be pushed out, I'll sound stronger…
"Really?"
Yes…The more my soul is pushed out…the less need for my body…so you'll be able to hear me better…since my soul won't be as attached as it was…
"But you'd still die?"
No…I wouldn't die…I'd just cease to exist…
"What do you mean?"
Since my soul is being forced out, I still need a body…without one…my soul would just disappear…
"Couldn't you borrow one? Like I borrowed yours?"
You were able to borrow my body because of the side-effect of the spell placed on you…but that wasn't placed on me so I can't do that…
"Well, people get possessed by spirits all the time…I mean, we kinda do…"
People are possessed by the dead…I'm not dead, so I couldn't do that either.
"So you couldn't do that either…what about your soul room?"
I need to get in through my body. Soul rooms exist on the balance of body and soul…
"So I'm guessing you couldn't go in it right now?"
Not exactly…no…
"I see…" Yugi sighed again.
If you don't want to do this, Yugi, I'll understand…
"No, I said I'll do my best to help you, Bakura, and I meant it."
You're not afraid of dying?
"Well…kind of…but mostly because if I die, you might disappear…"
I see…
"……Bakura……?"
Yes?
"Is it…painful…having your soul forced out this way?"
There was a pause before the other answered. A little…
"Just a little?"
There was a slight hesitancy before he answered, Yes.
Yugi wasn't sure whether to believe him. "Maybe you should rest or something…"
But how would I?
"I don't know…but it can't be easy talking to me the way your soul is right now…get some rest…"
I'll try…
"Okay…"When there was no answer, Yugi looked at the teen's unconscious body again.
The door of the room opened then, and Yami and Yami Bakura walked into the room.
"So that's it," the spirit of the ring said as he answered, shaking his head slightly.
"Hmm….that does sound like a problem," Yami replied.
"Ya think?"
"What's a problem?" Yugi asked, slightly surprised they were getting along.
"Bakura's stay here is going to cost a lot of money," the snow-haired one said, "but we don't have access to his father's bank account, and he has all the money."
"And Bakura's father won't be visiting for a while, so they can't get the money until then…" Yami added.
"Well, how long will he be gone?" the boy asked.
"A year or two at least…just like always…"
"Doesn't he leave Bakura any money?"
"Just enough for food and clothes…not for a hospital bill…" Yami Bakura sighed, sitting down. "It'll take a miracle to pay for a bill like this…"
Thinking for a moment, Yugi looked out the window. "Maybe…maybe not…" he replied.
"What are you thinking, Yugi?" Yami asked.
"Well…I can only think of one person who can help right now…"
Seto Kaiba hung up his cell phone, putting it away.
"Who was that?" Mokuba asked.
Not answering, the young CEO said to the driver of the limo, "There's been a change of plans."
The chauffer looked at the teen through the mirror. "Change of plans, sir?"
"Head to the hospital."
"Yes sir…." He turned the lime around and began towards their new destination.
"The hospital?" the young boy asked, looking at his brother. "Why are we going there?"
"We have to see someone," the elder replied bluntly.
Mokuba looked a little puzzled, but said nothing more.
Seto looked out the window of the vehicle, folding his arms across his chest. 'This better be worth my time, Yugi…' he thought.
TBC
Short, huh? Sorry about that, but that's all I could think of for this chapter. So, please review!