Responses to Reviews/Author's Notes:

Chapter Sixteen: Judgement

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[Can you still see your dreams in the distant, starry sky?

Are they more vivid than they were when you were little?]

Kurama, Hiei, Yugi and Jounouchi sat around the dining table at the Kaiba Mansion, all with heavy looks. Among the four of them, they had managed to bring back Ryuuji and Seto from the Otherworld. The two Elites were both in shock after Ryou's flight and were currently resting in their respective rooms.

"Is this what being part of TC is about?" Yugi asked quietly. "Killing others?"

The redhead agent gave him a compassionate look, but it was marred with a slight frown.

"We had to learn to deal with that very early on," he said.

"But it's wrong!" Yugi buried his head in his arms. "I won't kill others!"

They sat in silence after his outburst. Yugi was crying, the images of Anubis' bloodied form, Ryou's tears and the sound of the grief-stricken cries haunted his mind. He had never had to face these things before . . . he had thought that scenes like these were only to be in movies and books, not in real life. And yet he realised how very wrong he was.

TC was real, the demons were real and the danger, the death and the horror were all very much real. In fact, it was so real that it terrified him. He didn't want to be in a position where he would be forced to kill others, even to defend himself.

"W-When I first really saw the damage I had done, killing Ishizu and the dark creatures, I-I felt strange," Jounouchi confessed. His hands were clenched in shaking fists on the table. "There was a sort of – numb feeling that washed over me. I-I couldn't bring myself to try and use my powers again any time soon."

"Not many kill anyone, or anything, when they first use their powers," Kurama sympathised. "It's hard to deal with, I know, but that's how it goes."

"These so-called powers are more like a curse," Yugi said, a little harsher than he had intended to.

"Iya, Yugi-kun," Kurama murmured. "Don't think of them as a curse, or a burden, that you are forced to deal with. Your powers set you apart from everyone else; they are you, in every sense. They are the Gods' gift to us, so we can save the world, humanity and everything else."

"And so we must use this to destroy everything that threatens us?!"

"That is the reason why we have our powers!" Hiei shouted, getting to his feet. Jounouchi would have laughed, seeing as his height – or lack thereof – made this move unimpressive, but things were just too serious. "In order for us to protect the world, sacrifices must be made!"

"Then I'd rather not do this!" Yugi yelled back, getting to his own feet. The tears streaked his face. "I'd rather take my own life than destroy others!"

"Don't be stupid," Hiei snapped. "You don't have a choice in the matter! Your fate was decided long before you were even born! Do you think any of us wanted to do this before? Kaiba only did it for his brother; Otogi because he would have died on the streets; and Bakura because he had killed his entire family with his powers when he hadn't learnt how to control them!"

His words were like a slap in the face. Yugi and Jounouchi regarded him with shock and surprise, while Kurama looked away with a saddened sigh.

"None of us wanted to do this, willingly at least," Kurama said. "We all have something to protect and thus we sacrificed what we could to do so. We're not emotionless killing machines, you've seen that quite clearly with Ryuuji-sama and Seto-sama. We're affected by loss, pain, grief, anger . . . and love. We've just learned to conceal it better than others do and to endure the pain so that we can do what we do. Our emotions are shown on the inside, we laugh, cry and grieve inside our hearts, and you will have to learn to do so as well."

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Ryuuji's Rooms – Kaiba Mansion

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[When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart

To rest, they burn the colour of passion]

The bed never seemed larger, or so empty and cold.

Ryuuji lay on his back, on top of the fresh bed sheets, staring at the canopy of the four-poster in a daze. How long had he lain here, seeing, hearing and feeling nothing? He didn't bother to recall.

The assignment was over now and Chimera was destroyed. There was nothing left for him here, except Yugi and Jounouchi. But he didn't want to stay here to train them. Seto could take . . . no, he couldn't. The CEO was in just as bad shape as he was in the next room. Maybe they could call another TC agent into Domino.

He was just too tired to do anything. It was as if his lifeline had been taken away, the source of his energy and life, leaving him weak and helpless.

I can't believe you would do that, a voice sighed. He closed his eyes. I thought you had better sense Ryuuji.

Ryou's face floated in his mind's eye, smiling.

I'm too tired to move, his own voice replied. I had to think of a way to do it.

Why was he recalling a memory from so long ago? He smiled as he remembered what had triggered this conversation. Ryuuji had let one of his fangirls at school do his Math homework while he fell asleep during study hall. Ryou caught him at it and took the homework from the girl and whacked him over the head with it.

Those poor girls are head over heels for you, Ryou had sighed. At least show some sort of consideration for their feelings.

But I only have eyes for one person. At this point, he had fixed Ryou with an intense gaze. And I hope they show some consideration for my feelings.

Ryou had flushed and hurried back to his own seat behind him, concentrating on his homework. The game creator let out a gusty sigh and opened his eyes again, the memory fading. That had been the first time he had given Ryou any hints about his feelings and it had occurred around four months ago. After that, he had seen Ryou flushing every time they made direct eye contact, but that gradually went away when he'd got used to it.

He'd been the first person to receive a proper answer to that question. Throughout all his years, only Satoshi had ever known why he had decided to run away. Everyone else who asked only had the subject changed and question diverted or evaded.

Ryou was the kindest and gentlest person he had ever met. Even when he was destroying demons and vanquishing spirits, he was always the same. Ryuuji had long given up on relying on people, thus becoming one of the three best independent agents in TC, but Ryou had found a way into his life. Now, without him, things would be empty and life . . . would be back to the meaningless way it was before.

" . . .do you know my one regret, Ryou?" he whispered to the canopy. Silence greeted him. "I never got to tell you I loved you properly."

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Seto's Rooms – Kaiba Mansion

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[I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were

But that me from long ago now sleeps inside my heart]

Mokuba was curled up at his side, sound asleep. Even his presence didn't soothe away the horrors and the pain, though it comforted him somewhat. He hadn't been with Mokuba for a long time like this, and he felt a little guilty about it, but he just hadn't had the time.

The boy still didn't know about TC, but Seto figured that it was about time to tell him, so he would know what happened to Ryou and to all of them. He would have further preparation for what was to come later, should news of this Chimera incident reach other places.

He silently wondered if Ryou's angelic form had really destroyed every bit of darkness in all the worlds. Would that mean that there would be no more TC and that he could lead a normal life again? Then he could forget that all of this happened, Mokuba wouldn't need to know about them and he would have a lighter workload.

And suddenly, Seto felt very selfish.

He remembered something Ryou used to say to him whenever he felt upset or angry at anything.

Good times hadn't been very common in his sixteen years. He had been abused, isolated and moulded into a person he didn't want to be. It became harder for him to accept people and to open up about his feelings. The memories he did have were of Mokuba and how they used to have a time to enjoy themselves when Gozaburo or any of his suits were away.

What were his good memories?

Ryou's laughter echoed in his head as the time when they had had a water fight flashed in his mind. His and Ryuuji's voice joined it.

Oh this is so not funny, Ryuuji! Another memory. Stop doing that!

The time when Ryuuji took control over Ryou's PC from his own . . .

Mokuba dragging them all to buy ice cream in the park . . .

Ryou and Ryuuji ganging up to get him to stop working once in a while . . .

Ryou's declarations of trust and support . . .

The first time they had acknowledged they were partners . . .

Seto closed his eyes and pulled Mokuba closer to him. The black haired boy mumbled incoherently and snuggled closer with a content smile on his face. Usually, when he was too busy doing work, Ryou would be the one to tuck Mokuba in and hold him while he slept. Mokuba had told him so, and how much he missed Ryou.

"I miss you so much too, Ryou," he murmured. "Aishiteru."

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Library – Kaiba Mansion

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"Iie, Gaea-sama," Kurama apologized. "We couldn't find any trace of him."

Are you sure? The voice over machine asked. Not even a single trace?

"Gomen, we tried our best."

"Not very well." Kurama sighed. "They haven't said a word to us since we returned. But they're strong. I believe they'll be back in action very soon."

The four of them were standing in front of the large screen, which showed a black swirl. The members of TC had no direct contact with Gaea, nor did any of them know how he looked. Their faith and trust in him was pure blind, much to Yugi and Jounouchi's dismay.

Hiei frowned.

"Demo, Kaiba seems strong," he said. "Physically yes, but he is rather unstable emotionally. I have known him a long time to be dependent on others in his emotions. Bakura's disappearance has hit him hard. Perhaps it's best if we replace him until he recuperates."

"Replace Seto-sama?" Kurama said, shocked. "Then we will only have one Elite!"

"Can you think of an alternate decision?"

"Their powers are not in our fields," Hiei protested.

"That's not entirely true, Hiei." Kurama looked thoughtful. "You and I are both manipulators and that requires strength of will. Jounouchi is a conjurer and Yugi is a time manipulator. I'm sure that I can teach Jounouchi about manipulating solid objects. You'd be able to handle their psychic fields."

Hiei grumbled something about more work to do, until Kurama shoved him lightly and in jest. The shorter teen grumbled some more, before agreeing reluctantly. Gaea added something else.

"Hai, Gaea-sama."

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Chamber of Judgement

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[Dreams are more fragile and fleeting than a glass rose,

So then why are we destined to dream?]

Marik opened his eyes slowly and groggily and found himself staring at a bright, mosaic ceiling of pure white gold. He hastily sat up and found, to his shock and joy, that he could survive the brightness of light again. But as he scrambled to his feet, he saw that he was in a well-known chamber of the Otherworld.

In front of him was the Council of Gods, the highest-ranking deities from every belief and religion in the world. First and foremost was the God he had served as a human, Ra, the Sun God of Egypt. He realised, with a sudden dread, that this was his Final Judgement.

A Final Judgement was only given to those who had been directly 'useful' to the Gods. In his case, they had damned him into the life of a demon so that they could use his human soul to produce Ryou. That was why he had been attracted to the albino, because they were, in fact, one being. For Anubis, Ryou had been modelled after him and he had only become a demon because they could not let two identical people exist in the same time.

Marik Ishtar, a lower-class God, one he didn't recognise, recited. A priest's son in the fourteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. Siblings Ishizu Ishtar and Malik Ishtar. Reason for Judgement: relinquished soul for the workings of the Gods and protecting the product of these workings with his life. Marik Ishtar's Judgement may begin.

Marik Ishtar, Ra's voice – or, at least, Marik assumed it was Ra's voice – echoed in the chamber. You have been of use to us Gods in the past. Your soul was given to create the Angel who vanquished evil from the mortal world. Of this, you deserve eternal life. However, as a denser being, you committed countless crimes against many mortals. For this, you should be punished justly.

Punished. Marik felt fear rise up in the pit of his stomach. How was he to be punished? He had heard many tales of the Underworld, the World of Punishment. There were many frightful ways of punishing the criminals of the Otherworld, many of which he had not even dared to use against his victims.

"I-I wish to know how my loved ones fair," he mumbled, unable to meeting Ra's piercing gaze. "What will become of Ishizu and Malik? What of Ryou?"

Ishizu Ishtar and Malik Ishtar's sentences have already been delivered, Ra answered in his booming voice. They will reincarnate into mortals once again and serve for the greater good until their debt is paid.

Another God stepped forward. This God was the God of Catholic/Christian origin, their one True God. Marik knew that Ryou had been born into a Catholic family, so then it was only natural that this God was his patron. Only their patron Gods could deliver their sentence.

Bakura Ryou is my charge, he said. His fate is yet to be chosen. After your sentence is delivered, Ryou will choose his own path. He is the Angel, the true Chosen, who has performed nothing but good in his life. Fear not, Marik Ishtar, no punishment will be dealt to him.

"Thank you," Marik whispered. "I have no further requests. I will hear my Judgement and sentence."

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Domino City

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[Sometimes two dreams can turn into love

But there are times when they can't]

Yugi and Jounouchi returned to school, along with Hiei and Kurama, who had transferred in to stay with them. Anzu and Honda pelted them with questions about their week's disappearance and they did their best to cover up what they had done. They didn't tell them anything about TC or about Chimera and the Otherworld.

Seto and Ryuuji hadn't gone to school, still at the mansion recuperating. They were showing signs of recovery earlier on the previous day, but Kurama had decided not to push it. Hiei was tempted to knock them back into reality, but it seemed too cruel to do that to them after such a heavy loss.

Throughout the whole Chosen association, the news had spread about Ryou's identity and disappearance. Agents by the thousand tried to prove themselves worthy to replace the albino as Elite, but none had been acknowledged. It seemed that Ryou's power and experience was unmatched by any of the 'bloody amateurs', as Hiei referred to them.

Life went on.

Seto and Ryuuji came out of their self-made isolation, returning back to their jobs and to school. None of them spoke about Chimera, or about Ryou, and things continued that way for a while. They took many assignments from Gaea, once again reinforcing their status as Elite with many incidents.

Ryou's power had only destroyed the darkness on the worlds that had opened up when he had appeared. The Spirit World was now empty; as were five or six others that had had their portals open. Many more dark beings came out of their hiding places from other levels and worlds, so TC continued with their work.

Now they were sitting in study hall, in their usual seats near the window. Ryuuji had moved so that he was sitting in Ryou's old seat, next to Seto. The CEO never told them, but every single time he glanced over out of the corner of his eye, he would always see the silver-haired angel sitting there, before reality took over. Ryuuji only took this place because it still held some of Ryou's things inside the desk.

And it was on this seemingly uneventful school day that things began to change yet again, in study hall period.

"Minna-san," the teacher said. "We have three new students in our class. Please welcome them."

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[Even when they're alone, people want to share their feelings, but it can be so hard

Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife]

The two felt like it was dejavu. The door slid open quietly as the class held their breaths. The first person stepped in, a tanned, platinum blonde-haired young man. He looked to be a year older than them, with red-violet eyes.

"Ore wa Marik Ishtar desu," he grunted.

[Even when they're alone, people want to share their feelings, but it can be so hard

Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife]

The next person came inside as well. He was almost exactly like Marik, only that his hair was tame and he had lighter, pale violet eyes. He was also slimmer and looked to have more of an athlete's build than a body-builder's, like Marik's. He had a dazzling smile on, which made the girls sigh.

"Boku wa Malik Ishtar desu," he introduced brightly. "Boku wa Marik no otouto."

Which left only the last person. Seto and Ryuuji felt decidedly strange, something was tingling in their veins, making their breaths hitch as the final person stepped inside.

[I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were

But that me from long ago now sleeps inside my heart]

Pale skin and hair were the first things they saw. Slowly, the pale blue eyes became visible as the newcomer looked up at the class, a slightly blank look in their depths. Everything about this person was one word: pure. He joined his companions at the front of the classroom.

And their gazes met.

Blue on blue.

Blue on green.

A flicker of recognition sparked in those pale eyes, but it went away quickly. He smiled slightly. It wasn't as noticeable as Malik's, nor as bright or as cheery, but it was there. And Seto and Ryuuji felt their hearts fill to almost bursting point as he introduced himself to the class.

"Boku wa Bakura Ryou desu. Doozo yoroshiku."

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End

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The Sequel

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The members of Chimera have been reincarnated back into the mortal world to serve for the greater good as their punishment. Along with them, the Angel, Bakura Ryou, has returned also.

But he's different. Sometimes, he is the Ryou both Seto and Ryuuji fell in love with. Other times, he is the cold and frosty Angel who is intent on destroying all evil in humankind, and the two of them also.

Desperate to get back the real Ryou, Seto and Ryuuji must help him overcome the heart of ice his counterpart has. They must suppress the Angel's heart so that Ryou can live again. And Marik aids them in their mission.

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End Sequel Preview

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Author's Notes:

Ah, finished!

Maybe the ending was a little too predictable. I'll explain why Ryou has to come back:

Well, firstly, when he first appeared, the initial purity of his form eliminated evil that was close to him. He didn't use his powers properly so then not all evil was destroyed. That's why he has to come back and carry out this task.

Secondly . . . this is Ryou we're talking about. He has to end up with Seto and Ryuuji! That's another reason why he has to come back.

Okay, liked it? Hated it?

REVIEW!

Relinquished