Prince of Thieves/Heir of Games

Prologue

By

Phoenix Firestorm

*What's wrong kid?*

The 4 year old child stopped crying and looked around his dusty dirty cupboard curiously, wondering if he had actually heard someone speak or just his hunger getting to him. He didn't see anyone other than dirt and spiders, turning his attention to anything that would take his mind off the fact that he hadn't eaten all day.

*Why were you crying kid?* The decidedly male voice spoke again, making the child jump in fright.

"Who said that?" The little boy asked anxiously, eyes darting about curiously.

*Someone who has been with you since your parents died.* The male voice chuckled.

"Really," The child whispered, "like a guardien angel or something like that?"

The person laughed as if finding the concept of being a guardien angel funny, eventually calming down to say *A guardien yes, but I don't think I will ever be considered angelic of any kind. I've been a very, very bad person during my life.*

The child's eyes widened at that, looking like they were going to pop out.

"Are you a ghost, is that why I can't see you?" The little boy asked curiously.

*Well, yes and no. I'm not quite a ghost, just a spirit denied an afterlife. You can't see me because I just woke up myself, I'm in you and sort of took a nap to regain lost energy. Spirits need something or someone to anchor themselves to the living world or they fade away, I lost my old anchor due to how I treated him and needed to find another. Of course, part of the way I treated my old host isn't completely my fault. I wasn't totally myself back then, but I will take the blame for it.* The voice explained in hopes its host body would understand.

The child frowned thoughtfully as he tried to make sense of what his new friend said, some of it was clear to him but others weren't.

"Okay," he finally said, "are you better now?"

*Yes I am, thank you little one. Now why were you crying earlier?* The spirit asked and surprised the child by appearing in front of him, kneeling down onto one knee.

The little boy studied his friend in awe, taking in the long wildly spiky hair and tanned skin. The unusual clothes and jewellary, all in all the spirit looked pretty cool.

"Oh," he said sadly, "nothing much. I'm just hungry, I haven't eaten all day. Aunt Petunia said Freaks don't deserve good food, only trash!"

Now this caused a reaction in the spirit and his eyes flashed darkly in anger, only to calm down when he saw how frightened the child got.

*Listen up kid," the spirit said gently, *how about I get you something to eat. It won't be much as I'm still weak and you don't need to get sick from overeating, I'll need control of your body though. Is that okay, it won't hurt and I'll be careful?*

The child looked at the spirit thoughtfully then nodded, his instincts and gut are telling him that it's safe to trust this person. Something he always tried to do as it almost always saved him from trouble in the past, at least keeping him from being seriously hurt.

"What do I call you," The child asked curiously, "I can't keep calling you spirit? It would be funny and rather odd, right?"

The spirit smirked at that, liking his new host and the innocence within. Swearing to do everything possible to make sure his little one never lost that innocence, purity and wonder for life.

*You can call me Bakura,* The white haired spirit replied, *I already know who you are kitten but it would probably be best to choose a new name for yourself. Names do more than say who you are and define your being, they also have a power all their own. So guard your true name closely little one, never tell it to anyone you don't know or trust with your life.*

The little one nodded to show he understood, then asked puzzled "What name should I pick big brother?"

Totally shocking and surprising Bakura with this, then he couldn't help but be pleased deep inside at the chance to have family however strange it may be.

Bakura thought about it then smiled as he came up with a solution, saying confidently "You're new name will be Osiris Ra, Osiris is the Egyptian god of the dead which suits since you survived a killing blow to the head and Ra is the god of the sun. Osiris and Ra are also brothers who fought thus the reason why they represent life and death.*

Osiris said his new name several times both mentally and silently with his lips to make sure he got it right, then smiled brightly at Bakura before he yawned tiredly.

*Go to sleep kitten,* Bakura said softly, *I'll get you out of here and track down food.*

Osiris nodded sleepily then curled down on the floor, pulling his most precious thing over him….a well-worn and much loved baby blanket. Bakura knew how much that blanket meant to kitten so made sure to take it with them, plus anything else that Osiris valued in the cupboard.

Bakura faded from sight and took control of the child's body, packing up the blanket and any other valuables into an old backpack that Dudley didn't 'like' anymore. Once done, Bakura moved his hosts body to the cupboard door and carefully focused Osiris's magic on the lock. He didn't have a set of lock-picks or other tools to use, something he will have to make sure kitten acquired later on.

Bakura carefully opened the door once the lock came undone, checking with senses and magic to make sure it is safe. When it was, he came out into the hall and closed the door behind him. Smirking as he took the time to lock it again, then used all his skills at stealth to slip into the kitchen. Raiding the fridge and cupboards for food to take with him as he has no intention of bringing kitten back here, he will make a better life elsewhere for his little brother…that much Bakura promised on every deity he believed in!