DD: Hey guys! Here's the story I promised a few months ago with a pairing I created with my sister. It's Lilacshipping; Thief King Bakura (Akefia) x Miho Nosaka. Please spread it if you can! I wrote this with my nee-chan, RavenCloud18, on wattpad. Here, she's known as LacrymosaRules. Please follow her! She's an amazing writer! Also, there's a somewhat-OC character in this known as Heru. He's Ryou's Egyptian self, as Heru and Ryou both mean 'distant'. He looks like Ryou, but he has tanned skin and his hair is more silver than white. Please spread him too! I own nothing! Hope you enjoy!
It was a usual Wednesday afternoon in the small corner shop. Miho was humming one of her favourite songs as she swept up the shop floor.
Hearing the bell above the door ring, she looked up with a smile. "Welcome to the Nosaka grocery store."
A tanned boy around her age was standing in the doorway. He didn't acknowledge her.
Miho sighed and went back to sweeping. "Some people have no consideration for a friendly welcome. He didn't even thank me," she muttered under her breath.
The boy glanced over at her, his silvery hair hanging in his periwinkle eyes. The right side of his face was still hidden. "You know I can hear you, right?"
Miho's face flushed scarlet. "Uh... Well, you could have at least smiled or something... It doesn't hurt to be polite..."
The boy rolled his eyes and looked away. "I don't see the point when I'll be leaving in a minute anyway, and you probably won't see me again."
"But-" Miho began only to sigh. "Fine..." She knew there was no point in trying to pursue the conversation – if you could even call it that – any further.
She went behind the counter and leaned against it, tapping her foot against the floor as she waited for him to pick up whatever he wanted and pay for it.
As she waited, Miho glanced at her watch. It was almost time for her lunch break. "Miho doesn't have all day, you know," she called to the boy. She could just see a wisp of his hair over the top of the shelves.
"I'll be quick." She heard a rustling sound and without warning, the boy darted out from the aisle and made a dash for the door.
"Hey! Wait!" Miho ran out from behind the counter and grabbed his arm in an attempt to stop him from leaving.
He wrenched his arm out of her grip and darted out of the door and down the street.
She chased after him. "Get back here!"
He glanced over his shoulder. Seeing her chasing him, he growled and ducked into an alleyway.
Miho hesitated before following him into the alley. She wasn't a fan of damp, dark places, especially since the bad experiences that she had had in them when she was still in middle school.
The boy hid at the back of the alley, behind a pile of boxes and crates, hoping Miho wouldn't see him in the darkness.
Miho inched through the dark alleyway. "Look... Miho... Miho knows you're in there... It's a dead end and you didn't run out again..." She peered into the darkness surrounding her and shivered before making her way further into the alleyway.
The boy stayed silent, his breath soft and shallow.
As Miho's eyes grew adjusted to the darkness, she spotted the pile of crates at the back. She headed towards them, trying to appear confident. "Just come out and give Miho whatever you took, or Miho will call the police."
The boy tensed. Miho noticed the slight movement behind the boxes and continued walking closer to them. "Miho knows you're there. There's no point in trying to hide." There was no movement. "Fine. Have it your way." She began tossing the boxes behind her.
The boy reluctantly stood up. "Fine, I'm up." He glared at Miho. "If you're expecting them back, you're not getting them."
Miho put her hands on her hips. "Well Miho's not leaving without them. So if you give them back, Miho will forget this ever happened and you won't get arrested. Keep them and Miho will call the police. It's your choice."
The boy shook his head. "Who is Miho?"
"Me."
"Why do you refer to yourself in third person?"
Miho's face flushed. "That's not important. Give them back or Miho- or I will call the police."
"Don't you get it?" He snarled. "I can't give them back!"
"No, Miho- I don't get it. So tell me; why."
The boy looked away. "It's none of your business."
"Actually, it is my business because you stole from my shop," she replied. "You're already in serious trouble; telling me why you did it isn't going to make any difference, but I'd like to know."
The boy glared at her. "I couldn't let them go another day without food, could I?"
Miho frowned in confusion. "What do you mean? Let who go without food?"
The boy looked away. "...My brothers..."
Miho's gaze softened. "What about your parents?"
The boy's gaze was now locked on the ground. His fists clenched. "Dead."
"I... I'm sorry; I-"
"Don't bother," he cut her off. "Believe me; I'm happy they're gone."
For the first time, Miho glimpsed the right side of his face. There was a long, deep scar running from the top of his eyebrow to the middle of his cheek, with two smaller scars running directly through it.
A small gasp escaped her lips. "Did... did they give you that?" The boy's hand flew up to his face, covering the scar. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to..."
"Forget about it," he muttered. He pulled a small packet of nuts, a chocolate bar and a bottle of fever medication out of his pocket and held them out to Miho. "Here. I didn't take anything else."
Miho knew she had to do something; she couldn't just take it back and pretend everything was fine. "Look, keep it. But come back to the shop with me; I might be able to help."
"I don't need your help," he snapped.
"Calm down. I know; you've been taking care of yourself and your brothers for however long and I'm not saying that you can't. I'm just saying that you can't keep stealing. One of these days you'll get caught and go to prison. Then what will happen to your brothers?" The boy hesitated. "Please let me help; come back to the shop."
He hesitated and clenched his fists. "I need to get back to them first. Bakura's running a bad fever and he needs medicine."
"Okay, go. But whenever he's better, you know where to find me." She paused. "Hang on." She rooted around in her pocket and found a pen and a piece of paper. She wrote something and handed it to him. "Here's my number. Call me if your brother gets worse; I know a shortcut to the hospital."
"...Thanks." The boy pocketed her number and put the things back in his pocket. He moved to leave the alley.
"Wait; what's your name?" Miho called before he could leave.
"It's... Akefia Touzoku." He glanced back at her. "And yours?"
She smiled at him. "Miho Nosaka."
He gave her a somewhat strained smile in return before running out of the alleyway.
Miho made her way back to the shop. No one had been since she had left.
Her head was spinning. What did I get myself into?
Akefia slowed to a walk as he reached the crumbling house that he and his brothers were staying in.
He glanced around to make sure that no one was watching. When he was sure that he was alone, Akefia knocked on the old wooden door. "It's only me. I got the medicine and some food."
He heard the door being unlocked and it opened to reveal his younger brother Ryou.
"How is he?" Akefia asked. Ryou hesitated, worry on his face.
"I'm fine," Bakura called from the couch.
"He's being stubborn," Ryou sighed, closing the door behind Akefia. "Heru went to get some more water."
"Okay. Hopefully, the medicine will help." Akefia took the bottle out of his pocket. Ryou nodded and smiled.
Akefia returned the smile and opened the bottle, pouring some of the green-black liquid into the lid, which he was using as a make-shift spoon. He walked over to Bakura.
Bakura turned his head away. "I already said I'm fine. I don't need it." Naturally, that was when he began coughing. Badly.
After a few minutes, Bakura's violent coughing fit died down and he slumped back against the arm of the couch. Akefia raised an eyebrow. "You were saying?"
Bakura rolled his eyes and reluctantly took the lid, swallowing the liquid. He cringed at the taste and stuck out his tongue. "Stupid fever..."
Akefia closed the bottle and put it back in his pocket. "Don't worry, Kura. You'll be better soon."
Bakura scowled, looking down. "I should be better now. I'm not much good lying here."
"You can't help it; you're sick." Akefia put a hand on his shoulder. "Just rest. You won't be much good if you over-exert yourself and make yourself worse."
Bakura sighed and nodded. There was a knock on the door. "It's just me," called Heru's familiar voice.
Akefia opened the door and let Heru inside. Heru put the large bottle of water on the table and poured Bakura a glass. "Here, nii-san. You need to drink more."
Bakura scowled but took the glass. "Fine..." He drank a mouthful of water and put the chipped glass on the floor beside the couch before lying back and closing his eyes.
Ryou sighed and leaned back against the wall. "This is my fault..."
Akefia looked at him sharply. "Get that out of your head, Ryou. It's not your fault."
Heru nodded in agreement. Ryou looked down, biting his lip.
"Ryou, look at me." Akefia's voice was softer now. "It wasn't your fault, and blaming yourself won't help him."
Ryou hesitated before nodding. "Okay..."
"You couldn't have known this would happen," Heru pointed out. "You need to let it go. None of us blame you. It wasn't your fault, and you're still our brother."
Ryou swallowed and nodded. "Thanks."
"No problem." The two gave Ryou a reassuring smile. Ryou returned it.
"Come on; let's eat a bit," Akefia sighed, rooting around in his pockets. "We'll save some for Bakura for when he wakes up."
Heru nodded in agreement. "What did you get?"
"Not much, but it'll do." He pulled the packet of nuts and the chocolate bar out of his pocket. Ryou's eyes lit up at the sight of the pocket. Akefia chuckled at his youngest brother's reaction. "We'll have a small piece each, and a few nuts. We can save the rest." He broke off a piece of the chocolate and handed it to Ryou.
Ryou nibbled at the chocolate with a soft smile. Akefia broke off a second piece and offered it to Heru. Heru shook his head. "Give my piece to Bakura when he wakes up."
Akefia ruffled Heru's hair. "Don't worry; we have enough for him. Eat. You need the energy."
"But-"
"Just eat it, Ru."
Heru took a reluctant bite out of the square of chocolate. He smiled in bliss at the luxurious taste. Akefia handed them each some nuts before taking his own portion and pocketing the rest of the food.
Heru ate the nuts more readily than the chocolate, while Ryou nibbled at the nuts in the same manner.
Akefia popped a nut into his mouth, savouring the taste as he crunched it between his teeth. He reached into his pocket, feeling the crumpled piece of paper that Miho had given him. Why did she care?
"Nii-san?"
Akefia looked up at Ryou. "Yeah?"
"Is everything okay?" Ryou tilted his head. "You seem distracted."
Akefia shook his head. "It's nothing. Everything's fine."
Heru raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Are you sure?"
Akefia cleared his throat. He didn't like the smirk on Heru's face. "Yes of course I'm sure. I mean, why wouldn't I be?"
"You're blushing, nii-san," Ryou giggled.
Akefia bit the inside of his cheek. "I'm not blushing. It's just… warm in here. That's all."
Heru raised an eyebrow. "It's four degrees."
"Well it's warmer than usual. Most of the time it's three degrees."
"Whatever you say," Heru chuckled.
Akefia cleared his throat again. "I, uh… I'm going to go outside for a minute to… to, uh… get some fresh air."
He quickly left the building and leaned against the outer wall, burying his head in his hands with a groan. Why can't I get her out of my head?
He saw her when he closed his eyes. Her dark purple eyes, her lilac hair. He had to see her again. He gripped the paper in his pocket.
But he couldn't. He didn't need help. What he needed was a time machine. But that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
With a heavy sigh, he stared at the gravel beneath his feet. He had to take care of his brothers. He couldn't get distracted by some girl.
He had to focus on getting enough food for everyone, and clothes when they needed it. Usually he had Bakura to help him; one person stealing was a lot harder than two.
With two, one could distract the vendor and the other could steal. With one, the vendor often saw him.
He couldn't let himself get caught again.
He had to be extra careful, and keep away from that shop. There were easer pickings from the corner stalls on the streets. He could slip away into the crowds without a problem. Also, there was the Domino market every week. They were always good for crowds and good food.
Besides, it couldn't be that hard to avoid Miho. She had purple hair, for Ra's sake. He would see her ten stalls away.
No need to worry about that anymore then. He headed back inside to check on his brothers. Ryou was boiling water over the dismal fire that he had made for tea. One of the problems with living in an abandoned house was the lack of electricity.
Heru was putting the two litre bottle of water that he had fetched from the nearby river earlier that day in the last remaining cabinet.
Bakura was still asleep.
Akefia sighed and slumped into the breaking armchair in the corner of the room. Maybe he could finally get some rest.
Miho rushed over to the door with a smile the second that she heard the familiar tinkling of the bell. An elderly man walked in and returned her smile. She held back a sigh. "Welcome to the Nosaka grocery store."
As soon as the man left the shop, Miho's smile fell from her face. Will he ever come back? A feeling of longing hit her. His periwinkle eyes were imprinted in her brain, full of something she didn't understand.
And the scar… She was sure of it from the way that he had reacted. His parents must have given it to him.
She traced the shape of the scaron the counter and sighed. He must have been through a lot. And even still he didn't abandon his brothers when it would have been the easiest option.
Miho leaned against the wall.
He was strong… So strong… But he couldn't go on like that forever. He was so thin; he probably gave any food he got straight to his brothers and only ate what was left over. And the stealing… He might not be so lucky next time.
Miho sighed again. If only she had some way of contacting him herself; if she only knew where he lived. She could help them more.
But all she could do was hope that he would contact her and pray that he and his brothers would be safe.
She sighed and looked up with a plastic smile as another costumer came in. "Welcome- Tristan?" The plastic smile gave way to a genuine one at the sight of her friend.
"Miho! Are you alright? We heard about what happened!" He ran up to her as Yugi, Yami, Tea, Malik and Joey entered the shop as well.
"Oh, hi guys… I'm fine, Tristan, really," she insisted as Tristan grabbed her hands.
"Are you sure? You're not hurt?"
"Tristan, give her room to breathe." Malik grabbed Tristan's ear and pulled him back.
Miho shook her head. "Don't worry; I'm fine. It was no big deal."
Tea blinked in surprise. "You don't refer to yourself in third person anymore?"
Miho's cheeks darkened. "Well… someone pointed it out to me so I'm trying to stop…"
"What happened?" Yugi asked, peering over the counter to look at her.
"Um… Well…" Miho hesitated. She wanted to tell them what really happened, but it might be better if she didn't. For Akefia's sake. "Someone just came in and grabbed a chocolate bar, but I got it back," she explained. "So there was no real need to call the police." Well it's partly the truth…
Yami narrowed his eyes. Miho knew from his expression that Yami didn't believe her. But then the tri-coloured haired male smiled. "Okay. I'm just glad it wasn't more serious."
Miho nodded and smiled. "So what have you guys been doing?"
"We were going to the library to help Joey study for his biology test when we heard what happened," Yugi replied. "So we decided to put that on hold and visit you."
"I'm fine." She looked over at Joey. For the first time she noticed that he was almost as thin as Akefia had been, and he had dark bags under his eyes. "Joey, are you okay?"
Joey glanced over at her and grinned. "I'm fine. Just this course is exhausting."
Miho nodded. "Just get a good night's sleep, okay?"
"I will after the test," Joey promised.
"Good." Miho smiled. "You need to look after yourself. If you fail the test, it's not the end of the world."
"I know." Joey's smile became a bit more strained. Miho remembered meeting his father but decided not to mention it.
"Oh, Miho! Look what I got earlier!" Malik interrupted before the conversation could go any further. Miho noticed the red leash in his hand and followed it down to a cute black puppy with grey socks and blue eyes.
"Awww! It's so cute!" She squealed. The puppy ran up to her, dragging Malik with him. Miho crouched down and stroked the puppy as he jumped up at her. "Does it have a name?"
"His name's Umi," Malik replied, scratching the puppy behind the ears. "I wanted to name him something in Arabic but someone-" He threw a pointed look at Joey and Tristan. "-kept calling him Umi and now he won't respond to the name I had in mind."
"Umi…" Miho hummed. "It suits him." The puppy barked and licked her cheek.
Miho smiled. "He likes you," Malik chuckled.
Joey pouted. "Why didn't he lick my cheek?" He reached out to pet Umi but the puppy jumped up into Miho's arms.
"Sorry Joey; Umi just doesn't like you." Malik shrugged. "Maybe he thinks you smell funny."
Joey scowled and folded his arms, looking away. "I don't smell funny."
Umi sneezed, causing Malik and Yugi to start giggling.
"I think he thinks you do," Tristan laughed.
"At least I don't pick up other people's trash for fun!" Joey shot back, glaring at Tristan.
"I don't do it for fun!" Tristan protested. "As a beautification member, it's my solid duty to-" At this point, everyone tuned Tristan out.
Miho glanced at her watch. It was nearly closing time. "Uh, guys? I need to close up soon, and you'd better get studying Joey."
"Good point," Joey sighed, stretching his arms above his head. Umi sneezed again.
"I need to get Umi home before Ishizu gets back from work," Malik grumbled. "If she sees him, there'll be war…"
"Good luck." Tea put a hand on his shoulder.
"I'll need it," he sighed. "See you tomorrow, guys."
"Bye!" Miho waved as Malik left the shop.
Yugi looked at his watch. "Joey, come on. The library closes soon."
Joey cursed under his breath, earning a frown from Miho, and grabbed his bag, running out the door. "Bye!"
"Joey, wait up!" Yugi ran after him.
"Bye, Miho. I'm glad you're okay." Yami smiled at her before following Yugi and Joey at a calmer pace.
Tea sighed and facepalmed. "Boys," she muttered before smiling at Miho. "I'll see you later." She grabbed Tristan by the ear. "Let's go, beauty boy." She dragged him out of the shop.
"Bye!" Miho smiled. Her friends really were one of a kind. Then the door closed and silence surrounded her once again. She leaned against the counter. "Akefia…" She breathed. She closed her eyes. Why can't I get him out of my head?
She sighed and picked up her keys, turning of the lights. She would just have to stop thinking about him until he came back for help.
If he did.
She locked the sop and trudged back to her apartment, not willing to admit what she already knew.
She wouldn't be able to stop thinking about him. No matter how hard she tried.
"Nii-san!"
Akefia groaned as Ryou shook him awake. "What?" He looked at his watch. It was half two in the morning.
"Something's wrong with Bakura…"
"What?" Akefia's voice took on a tone of alarm as he pulled himself off the armchair and ran over to where Bakura lay.
There was a dark, feverish blush on Bakura's cheeks and his breathing was shallow and irregular, even in his unconscious state.
Akefia felt a rush of cold fear wash over him. Bakura needed medical attention. Now. He needed help.
He swallowed, gripping the paper in his pocket. "Wake Heru and try to get Bakura to drink something. Keep him warm. I'll get help." Ryou nodded and scurried over to where he and Heru had been sleeping to wake his twin.
Akefia ran out to the nearest pay phone. They lived near an old church and a post office. Neither was used much, but there were enough people in the vicinity to require a pay phone, which Akefia was grateful for at that moment.
He rooted around in his pockets and found a few hundred yen which he had saved for emergencies. He inserted a one hundred yen coin into the slot and punched in the number on the paper. His hands shook as he held the phone up to his ear.
The phone rang twice before someone picked up. "H-Hello?" He heard Miho yawn.
"Miho, it's… It's Akefia…" He squeezed his eyes shut and rested his elbow against the machine. "My brother's sick and he really needs help."
"What happened?" In an instant, Miho sounded awake.
Akefia took a shaky breath. "His fever's gotten worse. Much worse. I don't know what to do…"
"Okay, don't worry; I'll come over and take him to the hospital. Where are you?" Miho's calm tone made the fear Akefia was feeling begin to fade.
"The house near the old Domino church," he replied.
"I'll be right there. He'll be okay; I promise." She hung up.
Akefia ran the twenty metres back to the house and waited outside, pacing back and forth. A jolt of relief shook him when he saw an old green car pull up. Then the relief shattered as a middle-aged man climbed out.
Akefia recognised him as the vendor that he and Bakura regularly stole apples from at the market.
He couldn't run inside. There was no back door, no locks on the front door and no glass on the windows. He would put his brothers in danger. He stood his ground as the man stalked over to him. "You little thief! I've got you now! You had better pay up for those apples or I'll be calling the police!"
Akefia growled, his body tense. "I don't have time for this."
The man glared at him. "Well I promise, this won't be a waste of time, you little vulture! I'll teach you not to steal." He smirked. "You'll have to learn the hard way."
"It was a few overpriced apples that cost you a hundred yen!" Akefia snarled.
"Aye, a hundred yen, but it was my hundred yen and I've got debt collectors on my back so I need every penny I can get. And teaching brats like you an important life lesson won't cost me anything."
Akefia took a step back as the man took a step forwards. Suddenly, the man lunged and grabbed Akefia's arm, twisting it behind his back. Akefia hissed in pain but twisted with the man's push and managed to kick him hard in the crotch.
The man groaned and fell to the ground in pain. Akefia rubbed his sore arm, glaring at the man, who slowly forced himself up. He staggered towards Akefia. "You really think… I'd give up that… easily?"
Akefia's fist clenched. "Get out of here."
The man shook his head. Akefia had to do something. If that man got passed him, he could get to his brothers. Bakura was a good fighter, but he was sick. Heru was bad but he would struggle. Ryou couldn't fight to save his life.
Akefia gritted his teeth and charged at the man, catching him off guard. The man wasn't fast enough to block the punch that came his way and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
As Akefia caught his breath, another car pulled up to the house. He looked up, still tense. The door swung open and Miho climbed out. Akefia sighed in relief as she ran up to him. She looked at the unconscious man. "What happened?"
"I'll tell you later," Akefia promised. "But we need to get my brothers out of here. It's not safe anymore, and Bakura needs to get to hospital."
Miho nodded and followed Akefia inside. Ryou and Heru tensed at the sight of her, the latter standing protectively in front of Ryou and Bakura. "It's okay; she's here to help," Akefia said.
Heru hesitated before nodding while Ryou smiled gratefully at Miho. Akefia and Miho gently picked up Bakura and carried him to the car. Heru and Ryou ran after them.
Heru and Ryou climbed into the back before Bakura was placed lying down across their laps. Akefia climbed into the passenger seat and Miho climbed behind the wheel. She turned the keys in the ignition and began driving away from the house.
Two left turns and a five minute drive later, they were at the hospital. Miho helped Akefia carry Bakura inside. One of the doctors saw them and headed towards him. "Is everything okay?"
"He's got a high fever and he's unconscious," Miho replied.
The doctor nodded and before long, two paramedics were running over with a stretcher. They gently lifted Bakura onto the stretcher.
"Will he be okay?" Ryou whispered.
"Don't worry; they'll take care of him," Akefia replied, rubbing Ryou's back. I hope.
Ryou nodded and sat down in one of the chairs beside Heru. Their eyes were fixed on the stretcher with Bakura as it was wheeled to one of the wards.
Ryou bit his lip and lowered his head. Akefia went over to him. "Ryou, he'll be fine. Everything will be okay," he murmured, wrapping his arms around him.
Ryou bit his lip, shaking slightly. "B-but what if something happens?"
"Nothing will happen," Akefia promised. "Do you really think a little fever will get the better of him? He's too tough for it."
A feeble laugh escaped Ryou's mouth. "You're right."
Akefia smiled at Ryou and glanced at Heru. He had his head down and eyes closed, taking deep, controlled breaths. "How're you holding up?"
"Fine," Heru mumbled. "I just hate hospitals…"
"Don't worry; we won't be here for too long." Heru nodded but kept his eyes closed. "Do you want to wait in the car?"
Heru shook his head. "I want to see him when he's out."
"Okay." Akefia nodded. He wrapped his arms around Heru in a comforting hug.
Heru leaned into the embrace. "Thanks, nii-san."
"Don't worry about it, Ru." Akefia ruffled his brother's hair affectionately before walking over to the window.
Miho was leaning against the wall beside it, having been watching his actions with a small smile. Upon seeing him approaching, she blushed. "I wasn't staring at you; I swear."
Akefia chuckled. "I honestly didn't notice." He looked out the window and his smile vanished. Worry clouded his gaze.
Miho put her hand on his. "He'll be okay. I know some of the doctors here; they helped save my friend's sister from going blind. They'll help your brother."
Akefia flinched slightly at her touch but didn't pull away. "Thanks."
Noticing his flinch, Miho pulled her hand away. "Sorry."
Akefia turned back to her. "It's okay; no need to be sorry. I didn't mean to… I…" He shook his head. "It was just instinct. I'm not used to anyone but my brothers touching me anymore."
Miho looked up at him. "I get it; sorry. I should have asked or said something first."
"It's fine; you didn't know," Akefia assured her with a smile. Miho returned the smile. "Thanks for helping us."
"Thank you for letting me."
A humourless chuckle escaped him. "If I didn't, Ra knows what would have happened."
"Don't think about that," Miho cut in. "You did, and now Bakura's getting the help he needs. Besides, I'm sure you would have figured out a way to help him without me anyway."
Akefia shook his head. "Ryou's really the only one of us with any medical knowledge."
"Well he could have thought of something, right?" Miho pressed.
"Possibly, but we didn't have much medicine," Akefia sighed. "But he might have been able to do something." A soft smile crossed his lips. "He'll be a great doctor if I can work up the money for college for him."
"There's no point in worrying about that now," Miho pointed out.
Akefia sighed and nodded in agreement, resting his head against the wall. "You're right."
A silence descended upon them as they waited.
DD: Hope you enjoyed. Please spread both knowledge of Lilacshipping and Heru. Please review! See you next time, Killer Queens!