Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Authoress Notes': This is the revised story of 'Thief Princess'
Princess Training Camp
Yume Silvershadow Chapter 1-Enter the thief
Serenity stepped foot inside the gates, breath catching in her throat.
"…Domino High." She spoke, watching the busy kingdom. She had heard about this place for years. From her older brother, Joey, of course, who constantly called her up, visited her and all. But she was happy, for his presence. For the sibling support.
She clasped a small piece of paper and read it again. " street. It must be here somewhere. Joey said it was near the palace…"
Joey lived in with a guild. More properly known as the Thief's Association. His residence in the guild was mysterious but passable. More people wondered why Serenity herself would be living there.
The Wheeler family wasn't exactly rich. Master Bakura had offered them a lifetime opportunity. And they had trained Serenity outside but now…it was different. This was he chance to become a Thief and not Apprentice no more.
After several minutes, she smiled as she came across the estate. Joey had sent her at least twenty pictures of it. It had several doors, but she knew which one. She rang the doorbell in the one at the left.
Immediately, the door opened, revealing a tall, blond boy wearing a grin.
"'Ren! You're finally here!" Joey shouted happily.
Serenity patted him at the shoulder. "Have you eaten yet? You look pretty thin…"
Joey shrugged. "I just have fast metabolism." He pulled at her arm, ushering her inside. "Come to think of it, it's lunchtime. You should join us, then you get to know the others!"
"…" Serenity let herself be dragged to another room. The double doors opened, and all eyes were on the duo. There was a long table, with a chandelier lighting, and porcelain plates. The chairs were tall and cushioned, the floor smooth and shiny. Thieves they were, poor they were not.
"H-Hey, Joey. Who's that?" The woman in her right asked. She had long blond hair that outlined her slender frame.
"Oh, Mai. This is the sister I was talking to you about. Serenity." He pushed her gently up front.
Serenity froze. "…err…"
The blond haired Mai stood from her chair, walking to her. In one swift move, she captured her in an embrace, but her eyes shone confusion. "Uhh…?"
Mai pulled off and smiled at her. "Any friend of Joey's and Bakura's is a friend of ours too."
Serenity nodded uncertainly, and carefully eyed the people there. Bakura, the master and mentor sat at the head of the table, long white hair flowing freely at his back. There were three empty chairs around the middle, and there was a man with raven-hair tied in a ponytail, playing with a small dice.
She blinked. "…thank you."
Joey gestured her to a chair while he sat beside her.
Serenity glanced at the food on her plate, and the juice in her glass. "…So, Serenity." Joey said in between chewing. "Welcome to Bakura's wing!"
Bakura spoke, "Indeed. The right and center wing is off-limits as the other sectors are there. Other than that, feel free and feel home. Mai will show you your room later."
Mai winked at her. "I'll show you around."
Bakura ignored her and went on. "And Duke here will tell you about your chores and assignments and the rules."
The raven-haired guy must be Duke, for he nodded and looked at her in an almost disturbing way. His dark eyes locked into her pale green ones before she quickly looked away.
"Me, Duke, Mai and Joey are the Thief Team, and you will be soon too, as soon as you finished The Task, which I will personally review to you after lunch, all right?"
"Yes, Master."
After Lunch hour, everything was quiet. Mai had her tour around the different rooms until they came upon the last one, Serenity's room.
The room was simple, with a four-poster bed, a blanket and pillow in it, a small wooden desk, two cabinets, a trashcan in the corner and a window covered with a curtain.
She dropped her bags at the bed, quickly sorting her belongings.
Before she was finished, Mai was beginning to leave.
"I have to go now, Seren. I have a lot to do, and we've been around long. Heh. Have fun! See ya later!" Mai called before the clicking of her heels faded beyond the door. She finished the arranging her things in the cabinet, and sat at the bed, heaving a sigh. The day was getting tiresome…
"Hey."
She spun around and found Duke already waiting for her. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "How long have you been there?"
Duke chuckled. "Mai left the door open. Don't worry, I'm just here to brief you."
Serenity stood. "Oh, yeah…"
"Anyways, I'm in a hurry too, so let's be quick." The Dice Master began. "The assignments are for Thieves, and won't be given to you until after you finish the Task. At any rate, you will find them usually written in papers, post-its, or similar pieces in your door.
"Rules are simple. Aside from what Bakura said, for now, you are only allowed to leave and come back by dinnertime, unless otherwise stated in assignments. You may not visit others' room without permission, but is free otherwise. Most of your money comes from your catches. You may steal in minor. Like picking pockets and that kind. However, stealing of major items, like paintings, I.D.s, statues, and things that, unlike purses, are not passable, is prohibited unless stated in a mission.
"You only get a begginer's knife. Bakura-san will equip you with it. Any other weapons you get by yourself.
"Obviously, you also cannot steal from us, or any thief for the matter. Thief's code. Never steal what's already stolen. In any given case, you also are expected to help other thieves, even those not belonging to our guild. The only time you can steal is during the Training Session, and anything you get is yours.
"Once a Thief, Always a Thief. You already swore allegiance to Bakura months ago, if I remember correct. The reasons are simple. You can betray us, you can gain for yourself at our expenses. There are…dire consequences if you attempt to do that.
"All for one, one for all. If we are found out together, then we protect each other. Howwever, if only one person is found, then it's every man for itself, because if you are found, then it's treachery if you return to us.
"We all have our real identity. We aren't illegal citizens here. No, we have a record. Even you too, since Bakura applied you, with him as your legal guardian since you're…uhm…15, right? Anyways, the record is clean and spotless. Usually, in assignments, we have other secret undetectable fake identities, but mostly, our identities remain the same. So if you're on an assignment under your true name, then you better watch out
You have no chores yet, because you are not fully a Thief." And he said that all fast that the words spun around Serenity's mind, unable to grasp all at once.
"And…good luck, Serenity. Your case is pretty hard." He offered her a warm smile. 'He looked all the more handsome when he smiled…', Serenity thought subconsciously.
Without waiting for a reply, he fled.
Serenity stood, trying to remember all that he said.
But unfortunate for her, her thoughts were interrupted when another person claimed the space Duke stood a moment ago.
"Ah, Ah, Master!" She scrambled, erasing all her thoughts with a small bow. "So fast. You are. " When she realized how strange it sounded, she added, "I'm sorry—I meant I didn't expect you this soon."
The albino replied, "Apology accepted. But Serenity, remember: Expect The Unexpected"
"Uh-huh…yeah,…it's just that…nevermind, do go on…sir."
"…So, Valentine and Devlin have done their jobs. Now it's time for mine." Bakura slipped a sharp-bladed knife from his pocket, handing it to her.
Serenity lifted her head and accepted it gratefully.
"Your mission." He gave her a folded piece of paper.
Serenity opened it and read it mentally. Whaaaaatttt….?
Miss Serenity Wheeler , age:15. Febuary 14.
You are invited to join a valentine ball at the palace at 7:00 in the evening. If you wish to go there is Princess training camp, and the chance of being the next princess. Further details are not given, and will only be told to the participating ladies.
We will be awaiting your arrival.
Serenity blinked. "Feb. 14? B-But…that's tomorrow!"'
Bakura nodded. "Exactly."
"…You wish me to go and join this…princess-camp, whatever-thing?"
"Yes. My sources tell me it happens in the castle itself. Then you'll have more chance in getting access."
Serenity pocketed the slip. "Access to what?"
"What else? The Prince's signet ring. Its has indefinite power, over magic mostly. The power to control. To unlimited magic. Mostly, it contains physical magic, I've heard. Like elements. But it also have powers over monsters. To be more specific, Duel Monsters."
"But how? It's in the Prince's finger!"
"That, you figure out. And," He laughed, "Be careful not to end up marrying him."
"As if."
A/n: Bakura is still a thief, a different kind and he's a bit nicer than usual! Our little Seto hasn't made an appearance yet, but maybe next chapter.
I deleted and re-posted this story, since it has multiple revisions. The plot was contradicting each other so…I just had to. The whole plot, the princess-camp thing, I got the idea from the military training that you have to join when you reach Third Year High School. You train with the guns, the medics and all, and if you wanted to be a superior, you have to go through a sort-of military camp. This one, however, has some Duel Monsters in it, of course! So there!
Next chappie is more on the valentine's ball and Princess training camp. BTW, Happy Belated Valentines to everyone!
There MIGHT be some slight DukeSerenity in here. I'm just warning you, but don't worry, the end pairing will be SilentShipping. Anyway, review!