Identity Shock (Invite Only)

[mugenginga]

Anpu was grateful for his dexterity. Bakura was grateful for Anpu's dexterity, as even as he was launching back he forced the teenager's consciousness into awareness. That move almost killed him both, as the panic in Bakura's spirit initiated a fight or flight response in his body. Thanks to the speed the mind can work, Anpu managed to subconsciously turn it into an adrenaline based energy rush, but or a split second he had thought he was going to lose balance and his head, in that order.

The entire three or so seconds ended with Anpu against the wall. Magatsu Izanagi had his spear trained in such a way that if Anpu moved, it would follow. And Anpu realized with something like terror that if he tried to move, the Ka would act without order. Being hosted by someone Adachi cared about wouldn't matter. Anpu tried to back up more, but the wall behind him wouldn't allow it. Even that slight of a twitch caused the spear to be pressed a bit closer... Anpu felt the moisture of a single drop of blood roll down his throat.

Anpu glared at Magatsu Izanagi. The Ka of a god indeed. He flicked a finger up and slowly moved his hand up. He wasn't letting Adachi know he was moving without intent of trying anything "funny". He was letting his Persona know. For the first time, Anpu was reassessing the thought that Persona meant Ka. There seemed to be more autonomy inherent in this manifestation, the fact that it seemed capable of acting without order...

The thief king got his hand up and pointed at his throat, and then to his mouth. He forcefully pointed his finger at Magatsu Izanagi. He hoped Adachi would understand. He repeated the motion a few times, never removing his gaze from the Persona. If Adachi didn't understand, he'd have to slowly lower his arm and hope that Adachi could control the manifestation enough to keep his implied promise to not kill him.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Through the Persona, Adachi was able to tell that Anpu was trying to say that he couldn't talk with Magatsu Izanagi's spear pressed up to his throat like that. Adachi didn't even have to see the movement to tell. Izanagi was somewhat like an extension of himself, or at least that's what he felt like to Adachi.

"Izanagi, back off a little bit," Adachi ordered. Magatsu Izanagi moved the spear back enough that it wasn't pressing up against Anpu's throat.

"Now... let's make things clear here... I'm extending my aid to you out of the 'kindness' of my heart. That means I won't be tolerating any more attempts on my life. Should this continue, I'll take that Ring of yours and dispose of it myself. If you decide to hide that Ring in Ryou's body, I'll cut it out myself. You got that?" Adachi said.

[mugenginga]

There still wasn't enough room for Anpu to rub his throat. He couldn't nod either. The man had thought he was trying to kill him? That explained the reaction. He'd actually merely been trying to make a point. Anpu spoke slowly and his voice was flat. He looked rather angry, but Adachi and his Persona had succeeded in knocking the smug look off his face.

"I misinterperted your feelings towards my host. Save him by killing us? I get your point. But you have to understand that if he balks me I have to do something about it, just like what you're doing now towards me. I won't harm him if I don't have to. He's aware of that, he's listening right now. If you're that," he gestured towards the Persona. His movements were still slow and deliberate, allowing both Adachi and Magatsu Izanagi to read them before they occured, "adamant about protecting him from harm, you'll advise him to listen to me."

Anpu shifted a bit, slowing down to a pace a snail could beat as Magatsu Izanagi tensed up. Anpu knew movement as fast as something like normal speed would get that blade up against his throat again. It wasn't the first time he'd been cornered. A bit before Atem had ascended the throne, he'd been captured by the previous Pharaoh's men. They probably would have walked him to death, but by that time he'd amassed enough of a following they'd rescued him. He'd made examples of those men. He shifted his focus to Adachi once he was done adjusting.

"However, understand this. If I choose to run, you'll never find me. And since Ryou's body is mine, that means you'll lose him as well. I'm not making a threat, I'm merely making sure we understand each other. I trust we do?"

As he spoke the last bit, Anpu carefully monitored his tone of voice. It was that of fact, not cowed but not threatening either. It was the tone one might expect a dry report to be delivered in. He wasn't giving ground, but he wasn't taking it either. It was best described as purely neutral, almost hollow of emotion. It was the tone those involved in negotiations and not trying to anger the other party while not seeming weak might take.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Adachi scowled. "You're a real pain in the ass, you know that? But fine. I get it. I understand. Now let's just go back to the apartment already. I'm gonna be having a long day tomorrow and need my sleep. And if you're going to be going to that festival, then you're going to be needing that sleep too."

He dropped a bit of the psycho tone as he spoke. He wasn't going to take the lead out of the alley, though, in case Anpu decided to attack from behind. It wasn't likely, but Adachi wasn't one to take any chances in that regard.

He did make Magatsu Izanagi disappear, though. No need to keep him out now that he was sure Anpu wasn't going to try to kill him.

[mugenginga]

Anpu took in a few breaths after Magatsu Izanagi vanished. He felt his throat and looked at his hand. It seemed the only blood was from the single drop the Persona had spilled. It had begun to dry as he swiped, so he didn't get much. He lifted up his shirt and spit on it, using the saliva to wipe away the blood. He felt Adachi's eyes on him and was aware the man was waiting for him to go first. He continued to wipe until he was sure the blood was gone.

He let his shirt drop down. He looked a bit unfocused, "You're aware of my thoughts without me speaking aloud, correct?"

_"......yes." Bakura said, again with the presence that few could sense let alone see. He was making a point of not looking at Anpu.

"Try not to pass out when I switch with you,"

Bakura looked up, "Wait, wh-"

"-at!?"

As the surprised words came out, the stance changed to match. Bakura jerked up and looked towards Adachi. He was now a bit afraid of the man. He believed Adachi had done whatever he had done to protect him, but it didn't change some things. One, Adachi had threatened to kill him if Anpu got out of line. Kill Anpu, kill him. Ripping something out of his body, even if Anpu was controlling it.

There were changes, though. Before, his other self had rarely talked to him. That entity had all but denied his existance. It hadn't been the type to offer to make deals. Bakura was beginning to realize there was something else in the Ring from before. He had no idea what had caused the change, but it was different.

And he could feel this version's emotions. Usually it was overwhelming lust for revenge, almost to the point of making Bakura wish he could do something about it. But there were sometimes other things. Anpu, as he had called himself (another difference, the previous one had never given a name), seemed to be reassessing his opinion of Adachi. Bakura knew that from more than the parts of the encounter Anpu had forced him to observe.

"I'm sorry, Adachi-san..." he looked away. He shook his head. Saying this would let Anpu know, but he didn't want Adachi to think he could save anyone by killing him, "...thank you for wanting to save me like that, but it won't work..."

He was almost muttering. Adachi would be lucky to hear him. "Like that" meant by killing him. It didn't occur to Bakura that he was unclear. He wasn't even aware he was speaking in a low enough volume to possibly be unheard. Let alone that the words themselves were vague.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Adachi groaned. "You heard every bit of that, huh?"

Well, shit. He hadn't thought Bakura had been listening. So much for keeping up the Nicedachi facade. He hadn't been expecting Bakura to find out about this at all. That bastard, Anpu had done this on purpose, Adachi knew it.

He sighed. "Come on, Ryou-kun... let's just head back to my place." He was avoiding replying directly to what Bakura had said. He knew that Bakura would die if he did that. He'd killed someone he "cared about" before. Even if that Konishi chick he'd just been slightly attracted to, he had cared somewhat for Yamano. He'd actually believed she'd deserved it then, too. Not so much now, but eh, that's what being arrested and spending, what, two weeks in jail does to you.

[mugenginga]

Bakura looked up. He looked surprised. Adachi wasn't going to ask what he meant? He smiled. It was a bit pained, but it was genuine. He saw a look on Adachi's face he couldn't quite make out. Annoyed? Worry? ...guilt?

"I'm not upset!" Bakura jumped, as if surprised by the force he put behind it, "I mean... you're trying to protect me. I just don't want you to get hurt because of it."

If Adachi stopped to think, he'd realize something. The only time he knew for sure Bakura had seen his "creepdachi" mode was here in the alley. And it had occurred becau Anpu was threatening him. It wasn't that Bakura was being gullible, he was operating on the knowledge he had. Adachi had done nothing but helped him so far, after all.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Adachi jumped when Bakura spoke. The kid hadn't put that much force into things before. He sighed again. "I wasn't just trying to protect you I..." Adachi suddenly realized that Bakura couldn't have seen the other time he had fought with Anpu. Not if he thought Adachi was trying protect him. "...Ahahaha... I should probably shut up now, huh?"

He rubbed the back of his head. "Don't worry! I wouldn't get hurt. Besides, I've got Izanagi to protect me if that ever happens again."

He could work this. Bakura already trusted him, and only thought that instance before was because Adachi was trying to protect him. As long as Seta or one of his friends never told Bakura the truth about what he'd done back home, Bakura would trust him.

[mugenginga]

Bakura looked confused but shook his head lightly. He still didn't like the situation. Adachi had handled the situation well because Anpu had rushed him head on. And he hadn't been trying to kill him. Anpu hadn't started one of those Dark Games, either. Bakura turned and started heading in the direction of the apartments. It was to hide the worry on his face. He suspected Anpu could read his emotions, but at least he couldn't read his mind.

Adachi had suggested they go to bed. Bakura thought that was a great idea. His biggest worry still remained. Anpu wanted Atem dead. He found himself rubbing his right arm. He knew Anpu would do it. If he was going to fight, he had to pick his battles. He wouldn't let Anpu kill Atem. He didn't know much about the friend of Yuugi's that said he was Dark Yuugi, but he didn't think he was bad. If he really was Dark Yuugi, he'd saved his life once. So he had to fight only when someone's life was at risk...

He realized yet another difference. Anpu was easier to fight than whatever had been in the Ring before was. He found himself wondering why...

[Firebreath Fishslap]

(OOC: And time skip goooooo)

The next morning, Minato was waiting out in the hallway with Teddie, Naoto and Kanji, who had heard about the festival from Minato. He'd actually called Naoto and Kanji the previous night after leaving Souji's apartment to tell them about what had happened. The two of them were half coming along to investigate this thing with Izanami, and half coming to enjoy the festival; after all, there weren't that many festivals in autumn. Both Naoto and Kanji looked concerned about Souji; Naoto had sounded concerned on the phone last night, too.

At the moment, the three of them were waiting for Yuugi, Atem, and Bakura to show up so they could go to the festival. Adachi had left about an hour previously for work, so Minato wasn't too worried about seeing him. Though Souji had said he had seen Adachi at the shrine before, so that meant Adachi might be there too.

Minato looked back at Souji's door. Souji and Ryoji probably weren't going to be coming. Souji didn't need to come after that incident with Izanami the day before, and Ryoji was still having those headaches.

"Morning."

Minato jumped as someone poked him in the back. Minato wheeled around, and saw Souji standing behind him.

"What the-- How the hell do you do that?" Minato said.

"Sneak up on you? It's not that hard. Especially with you. You've always got those headphones in, and they're always so loud; I'm surprised your eardrums haven't ruptured yet," Souji said. Minato groaned.

"Sempai, I thought you were still in bed," Naoto said.

"Yeah, we called you like five times, and you didn't answer," Kanji said. Souji shrugged.

"I'm not a morning person. Where's Yuugi and Atem? I'm ready to get going," Souji said, looking around at the hallway as he said so.

"Not here yet-- wait, you're coming? What about Izanami?!" Minato said.

"I changed my mind. And besides, I still have a few questions to ask her about," Souji said.

"But you're still looking kind of sick, don't you think you should still be in bed--" Naoto started, but Souji cut her off.

"Shut up, I'm going, that's final," Souji stated. Minato groaned.

"You are one stubborn guy, Souji," Minato said.

[mugenginga]

"Partner, how are you supposed to wa... stop laughing please."

Yuugi added his second hand to the one already covering his mouth. His eyes looked wet from trying to hold in the laughter. Or all of the laughter, he was snickering too much to be called holding in laughter. Atem glared at him, but no malice was meant behind it.

The former Pharaoh was wearing a male yukata, the bottom being a somewhat dark shade of blue and the top being navy. It wasn't entirely plain. Some gold embroidery was stiched aroun the wide sleeves and collar in a pointless geometric pattern. He had come out of the bathroom looking rather awkward. Not from the outfit, but from the way he was... almost walking.

"S-sorry, Atem, but you look ridiculous..." Yuugi said. He didn't sound very sorry.

"Which is why I'm asking for help... seriously, do I look that ridiculous?"

Yuugi shook his head, but the added peals of laughter didn't make for a convincing argument, "Y-You should t-t-take smaller steps..."

At this point Yuugi had tears streaming down his face. He was actually wearing a similar outfit to Atem. The bottom piece was a vivid blue and the top was the darker blue of Atem's bottom. It had the same gold stitchwork, though. Atem covered his face, the fabric of the kimono making the cover more effective.

"I can go change..."

"N-no, you'll be fine..." Yuugi took a deep breath and wiped his face, "I'm sorry. I mean it, though. If you take smaller steps you'll be fine.

Atem didn't look like he believed Yuugi. After a few more moments of looking embarassed again, he tried his partners advice. He still felt he looked ridiculous, but walking was a bit easier. It wasn't that he wasn't used to wearing tight garments, it was just the ones he was used to didn't extend past his knees. Before now he had never realized how important being able to bend one's knees were.

Yuugi nodded, "See?"

Atem gave Yuugi a flat look, "...not really. It's still hard to walk."

"You don't look as ridiculous, though. Arisato-kun-tachi are probably wondering where we are..."

Atem glanced at the clock on the wall and facepalmed, "We're ten minutes late from when we said we'd meet them. You should have told me these things were hard to get on, Partner."

"I didn't," another snirk escaped Yuugi's lips. He waved his hand in a nevermind manner and shook his head, "Sorry, I didn't think. I forget you're not used to traditional Japanese wear."

"I'm still confused how you are. I thought you didn't go to many festivals," Atem said.

Yuugi looked abashed, "Yeah, well... I never had anyone to go with. Anzu was always busy, and all the chaos of the past year kind of prevented it. Mom and Dad took me when I was younger, but then dad started travelling all the time. Gramps had the store to run and mom was always busy... besides, I got to a point I didn't like to go out with my mom."

"I'm sorry I mentioned it then."

Yuugi sighed, "How long are you gonna apologize for? These last few years were the most fun I've had in my entire life, even with the Dark Games. Relax. We really should go. Can you... Atem, I'm sorry, I just can't get that image out of my head... can you walk?"

The annoyance on Atem's face was less mocked than before. Even so, he was almost chuckling himself, "I'll. Be. Fine."

-----------

Teddie looked surprised as he saw Souji come out of the apartment. Naoto and Kanji got to him first, though. As Souji adopted his "that's final" voice, Teddie turned away. He hadn't gotten to ask anything. Truth was, he was feeling a bit disheartened. He couldn't get the fact that Izanami was back out of his head.

-----------

Bakura patted the front of his shirt, hoping the Ring didn't show too much underneath it. He couldn't hide the Ring being there from the rope, but a blind man could see it was gold. He didn't want Anpu coming out because someone tried to steal it. He had often wondered how Yuugi had never avoided getting the Puzzle stolen.

The shirt was the same one from yesterday, he hadn't had a chance to go shopping. He had felt stupid sniffing it to make sure it didn't smell when he woke up. It didn't. There was a damp sand slightly off color spot at the blue stripe on the top of his shirt. He'd taken a rag to in and tried to rub the blood out. It had just smeared it a bit, but it looked more like a normal stain than a blood stain. He'd checked his throat there too. No mark was there.

He sighed as he pulled the Duel Monsters card out of his pocket. Anpu had... there was no way around that. He had been ordered to take them. He closed his eyes but his expression was pained. He worried about Atem most of all. He still didn't know why Anpu hated him so much, but it was enough hate to want to kill him. He stuck the cards back in his pocket and walked to the door, grabbing the black trenchcoat and pulling it on. He'd undone the locks after Adachi left, he saw no reason for them all and it took him three minutes to undo them. Anpu probably could have done it in seconds, but he refused to willingly switch with him like that.

Bakura opened the door and walked into the hall, surprised to find the group already there. Yuugi and Atem weren't, and he felt his heart rise. Maybe they'd decided not to come?

"Sorry I'm late, I had.. stuff to do," he said, breaking any eye contact he might have had in the second part of his statement. No need to burden them, they didn't know what had happened last night.

Before anyone could question Bakura's statement, the door to Souji's apartment popped open... and smacked Souji in the back of the head.

"Hey, watch where- Souji-kun!" Ryoji looked embarassed, "Hey, sorry man! I didn't know you were standing there still! Why didn't you wake me?"

He seemed in a better mood this morning.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji looked away as he saw the disheartened look on Teddie's face. Crap, he'd done something wrong, hadn't he? Or maybe it was just that incident from the day before... Souji had decided he was bad at not worrying people.

"Hey, Teddie--"

And then Souji got smacked in the back of the head with a door. He had been about to yell something at whoever did that (since, after all, Seta Souji was not a morning person), when he saw it was Ryoji. Minato's expression fell a bit, something Naoto took note of, but Souji smiled a bit as Ryoji asked why Souji hadn't woken up.

"You were just so picturesque sleeping there... didn't want to ruin the Kodak moment," Souji said. "Even if you were sleeping on the couch again. You know, you can borrow my bed if you want."

Naoto groaned, but Kanji grinned.

"Looks like you're in a good mood today, Sempai," Kanji said.

"I wouldn't say that..." Souji said. "I have a certain goddess I wish to confront. And then I'll join you all at the festivities."

"If you're going after Izanami, then we're going with you," Naoto said. Minato and Kanji both nodded. Souji sighed.

"Well, I can't really stop you," Souji said. He looked over at Bakura. He could see the rope the Ring was hanging on, but it looked like Bakura was keeping the Ring under his shirt. Smart idea. They would be in a heavily populated area, and that was a massive hunk of gold he was carrying around. Souji doubted Anpu would react well to someone trying to steal it.

[mugenginga]

"So you wanted me to miss the festival because I looked cute? Don't joke about that, it brings up bad memories from Gekkoukan," he slowly facepalmed, "I had one guy actually hit on me."

There was a few thumping sounds from the stairs, followed by something like panicked shouts. Then words came.

"Atem, I told you to take smaller steps!"

"Partner, if you don't move I really am going to fall!"

A few more thumps and Yuugi came into view. He was sort of walking, sort of stumbling backwards and windmilling his arms. A tanned hand shot out and grabbed his wrist before he could actually fall. Atem showed up and pulled Yuugi into a stable position. He let go once he was sure the shorter teen was stable and turned his head to see the entire group staring at him.

".....I look ridiculous, don't I?" he said. He looked annoyed and slightly embarassed.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji smiled at Ryoji's latest comment. "Hey, you and Teddie have something in common then... Hmm... now I'm wondering how you'd look in a dress..." He facepalmed and was about to make another comment when he heard someone coming down the stairs.

Minato snickered as he heard the incoming voices. Naoto facepalmed. Souji crossed his arms and smiled. It wasn't until Yuugi and Atem fully came into view that Minato's snickering got even worse.

"Yes," Souji stated at Atem's question, not giving Minato a chance to speak first.

"Kimonos... niiiiice," Minato said. "Didn't think you guys would go all out for the festival, to be honest."

"Since we're all here, are we ready to go?" Souji asked.

[mugenginga]

Ryoji lost all color in his face and opened his mouth to object. More like his jaw went slack. He probably wouldn't have formed coherent words at the blasphemous objection. Teddie seemed a bit picked up at Souji's comment and was about to say something as well. Bakura blinked and looked towards Ryoji and Souji. He actually felt something at relief. It mean he wasn't the only one who'd had that happen. Then the thumps, shouts, and more thumps occurred.

Atem asked his question, and Souji responded a bit quickly. Atem sighed and glanced at Yuugi. He mouthed 'I told you' to the shorter teen. Yuugi smiled apologetically as Minato spoke. He turned towards him.

"Yeah... I just thought it would be more proper..." he looked towards Souji as he spoke and nodded, "Yup!"

".......I'm sorry if I hold you up," Atem said. It was clear what he meant as he took a step forward. He obviously was not used to kimono.