Greetings all! We hath returned with a revised, better version of Hostage! We already have ten chappies of this baby written out. Some have been edited, others not. We have two beta now, so we won't have strange things like missing words, saying he when we mean I lol. Anyway, some announcements to make before we get this bad boy on the road!

First, this is a special occasion update. Our update schedule will beevery other Saturday. The reason we are posting now is because this is the day my mother died (seven years ago), and I wanted to post it in her memory because without her, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

Second, quite a bit has changed from the first story to this story. The concept is still the same, but we will do alotmore with people. The palace, the clan. So we're not exactly sure when Atem and Bakura will end up meeting, but they will I promise! We have big plans for those two!

Third, I have been asked to say who is doing who in this story, as I'm sure y'all are aware from last story, this is a collerbation story between my awesome girlfriend, Shadow Spirit Dragon-wolf (Pippa) and me. So here are the characters we are doing. Some of these are OCs, and they are important to the plot, but don't worry about that. They will not overshadow the other characters. When do my OCs ever do that? *scoffs*

My characters:

~Bakura

~Atem

~Marik

~Kisara

~Mai

~Otogi

~Seth

~Isis

~Shaadah

~Pegasus

~Mana

~Shimon

~Shadi

~Jono

~Teana

~Aknamkanon

Important OCs:

~Zaid

~Madu

~Kosey

~Kanika

~Bennu

~Moswen

~Valentina

Pippa's characters:

~Malik

~Heba

~Ryou

~Honda

~Mahaado

~Karim

~Aknadin

~Mokuba

~Shizuka

~Amane

Important Ocs:

~Ennos

~Masa

~Bomani

~Khalid

~Badru

~Akila

~Sefu

~Safiya

~Sadiki

~Umi

~Halima

Now, as y'all can tell, we have changed to Japanese names. Why? Why not? *shrugs* We don't really have a reason, we just want to use them. So, from now on, all of my stories will be with the Japanese names. Also, we have a new formatting style. It's SO much neater! It's the format I use for Fang! :).

Speaking of characters, Crow and Kalin willnotbe in this story. I'm sorry, but fear not! They shall return in the NEXT story. So, sorry about that. I know y'all will miss the cuteness, but y'all will be alright. Another note about characters:

Marik is the Hikari and Malik is the Yami!

Kisara and Ryou are siblings, not Amane and Ryou! Amane and Mai are. Just pointing that out :).

Also, everyone's ages have changed from last time! You will find out how old they are. Too many ages to list lol.

Pairings!

Casteshipping (BakuraXAtem)

Deathshipping (MalikXRyou)

Sunshipping (HebaXMarik)

Pleashipping (IsisXMahaado)

Those will be the pairings who will get together THIS story and go onto until the end of time and beyond.

Pairings that will come into the story quite a bit for different reasons:

Sickleshipping (MalikXBakura)

Outcastshipping (KisaraXBakura)

Whatever MaiXMalik is

Whatever RyouXAmane is

Whatever RyouXKisara is

I'm sure there's others I'm not thinking of or aren't that important to mention lol. Okay, so these pairings willnotbe together. Might just mention stuff about them here and there that are important. You'll see what we mean.

Disclaimer: We do not own Yugioh. Last time I checked, I wasn't Kazuki Takahashi. Yugioh belongs to him and all of its characters. OCs belong to Pippa and me, so no stealing! ASK!

*Warning*:proceed this story with extreme caution! There will be: Violence, gore, death, rape/non-con (whatever you want to call it), incest (this is Ancient Egypt. Get real!) A bit of OCCness due to the situations of characters, prejudice and discrimination against skin colour and religion, depression, suicide tenancies, hate/love relationships.

Now then, it's time to start! :). Please enjoy! Feel free to ask any questions, criticize, whatever you must do. NO FLAMING! You're stupid if you flame! Get a life! *scoffs*

Now, presenting... the epic revision of...

Hostage

Chapter One: Encounters

Bakura

I stand on my cliff looking out at the stars. My raid was great tonight. Those foolish guards were easily lead astray. They always are. Everyone is always so scared of them, but I know their game. I know how to play it well. I'm the one who invented it.

I'm slowly making a name for myself. I've always been amazing, but now I'm a king. The King of Thieves. Soon, I shall be the King of Kings. I smirk to myself. A small breeze blows through my hair from the Nile below. I close my eyes, breathing in the delicious smell. It's the only thing I'm going to miss about this world. That, and the stars. Unfortunately, destruction must come first. It always does.

I gasp as I'm knocked into the Nile, and hit a rock hard. I start to resurface, but something pulls me under. I snarl, hitting the idiot who dares to touch my greatness with their peasant touch. The idiot lets out a grunt, but still refuses to let go. After kicking him in the balls, however, he learns to let go. We resurface.

I spit out water, panting heavily. "How dare you!" I hiss.

He spits out water, gasping. "I didn't think you wanted to be seen by the damned guards," he snaps.

"Oh please, I have no problem with guards. They're too stupid for their own good. Though, from the looks of you, you seem to. What? Did we try to steal from the market and now are running for dear life like a fool?" I sneer.

"I didn't steal anything," he scoffs. "Unless you count a fool's life." He starts to get out of the Nile.

I pull out my dagger and tackle him onto the bank, stabbing him in the shoulder. "Do you honestly think you're going to walk away alive? You have a lot to learn about messing with me," I say.

He turns around with a growl. "What the fuck was that for?!"

"Why are you so surprised? Really now, a small stab wound should be the least of your concerns. You broke several laws tonight, after all."

"What the fuck are you talking about, moron?"

"Insulting me. That's another law broken. If you had paid attention, then you would realize what I am referring to, but since you clearly aren't, then allow me to explain this; you stepped foot into my territory without my permission. You knocked me into the Nile, and you touched me. You do not touch me!" I hiss. "Now, it's time to say goodbye. What will your last words be before I cut you to pieces?"

"What the fuck is your problem?" He demands pulling out a dagger.

"I already told you. It's not my fault you're not very perspective. Then again, I'm not surprised," I sneer.

He has to be someone of high class from the way he's dressed. In society, he would be considered the 'king' in comparison to me. Too bad this world is mine; therefore, I am the king. My eyes move to the knife. It's nothing too extraordinary. A bit dull with dried blood crusted at the tip. Not surprising considering he just murdered someone. If he's from a high class that means it must have been someone of importance. I wonder who. Not that it matters. If I truly want to know, I'll find out from the gossip of the citizens. Those fools never know when to shut up.

"You're an arrogant brat," he spits. "I'm not in the mood to play with stuck up children."

"Children? Clearly, you don't know who you're dealing with. Well, before I fill the Nile with your blood, I suppose you have the right to know the object of your demise's name. I am the Great Bakura, the King of Thieves." A smirk creeps onto my face. "I have robbed many tombs and villages, and have killed hundreds of people. I am not afraid of you in the slightest. Now then, if you wish not to die more painfully than I had planned, then I'd suggest you not insult me. Otherwise, you are going to learn the reason why I'm so feared."

"One day that cocky attitude of yours is going to get you killed," he snarls. "I'm afraid I haven't heard about you."

I just shrug. I have every right to be cocky. I know what I'm good at. Sure, I haven't gotten to my father's level yet, but I'm getting there. I'm slowly starting to make a name for myself. Zorc is most pleased by my performance. I am as well.

"Oh? Well then, I will have to teach you," I say as I lunge at him, knife steady in my hand. Confidence.

He raises his knife up blocking my blow with his own. He pushes against me making me lose my footing for a second.

I hiss as my ass hits a stupid rock. Okay, that's it! I jump up, a bit sloppy due to the water, and lunge at him with my dagger. He barely has time to respond as I stab him in the gut. Using the opportunity, I grab the back of his tunic, pulling him into the water. I keep him down with one hand on his right shoulder, while my other remains on the dagger embedded deeply into his body. Blood pools around, swirling into the water. Beautiful!

He flails trying to get free. He raises his hand out of the water still holding his dagger. He slices down wildly aiming for me.

My hand flies to the right side of my face. Pain I never knew existed explodes throughout me. "Fuck!" I exclaim, letting him go. My dagger falls into the water as I stumble backwards, hitting that stupid rock a third time tonight. That rock will be murdered. Weak tears from my left eye seep out as blood from the other slides between my shaking fingers and into the water below.

It happened so fast; I couldn't respond. His dagger's tip stabbed right through the bottom of my eye then, with the dagger flushed against the bone, it sliced in a frenzy. First, downward then left, right. Downward, left, right, and finally downward again until it reached my chin. It is deep, cutting through skin, muscle, and veins.

"You son of a bitch!" I choke out, standing up shakily, blood surrounding me. I can feel my bone touching the base of my fingers. "You are dead!"

He comes out of the water coughing up blood and water. He leans against the other bank panting heavily. He clutches his gut. "Damn, I wish I got your throat. I suppose we can't have everything we want."

"That's because you lack in skill. It's clear from the way you cut my face," I snap. My willpower to get out of the water and get this wound taken care of is the only thing I focus on as I drag myself out of the Nile and onto the bank. I stagger over to my horse, who is a few feet from where I was moments ago, tied to a post. I have to grip his mane tightly to keep myself upright. He neighs a bit, but then toughens it out. He's had much worse. I clumsy reach into my saddlebag, pulling out a roll of thick wrap. I let go of his mane, leaning against him as I place the roll on his back. I push the roll, making it unravel itself.

After getting a good amount, I stop it, and pick it up. I turn around, leaning against my horse. The unraveled wrap tangles around my legs and chest. I put the roll in my mouth. The movement causing me pain, and even more so when my teeth sink into the soft substance, slowly soaking up the blood entering my mouth from the giant hole.

Keeping my teeth sunk in, I reach for another one of my many daggers. I pull it out, planting my foot on the end of the roll, I cut. I place the knife back as the severed roll separates from the roll it was once a part of, landing in the sand like a dancer, wrapping around my legs like a bitch begging me to fuck her.

I spit out the roll, and reach down to grab what I need. It's a bit dirty, but it will have to do until I can get proper help. I press one end behind my right ear, then move it slowly and tightly. I move my hand once the wrap does its job. I go around once more, going over my left eye and under my nose. I lace the end through the layer near my hairline. I tie it securely with the other tie I had made previously.

I reach down, rolling my wrap up quickly and evenly. The idiot is stumbling towards me, hands holding his gut, blood dripping as he walks. After getting it rolled, I put it away. I grab another, cleaner one.

"Here," I say, tossing the idiot the roll.

He barely manages to catch it. "Oh, so suddenly you don't want me to die?" He unwraps hit shakily starting to wrap to around his gut.

"We both know we can't fight right now. My life is more important than settling score. Do you need a dagger to cut that, or do you have another one?" I ask, noticing he no longer had his.

"It was hard enough to get that one," he replies.

"You don't carry weapons?" I ask as I walk towards him, pulling out the dagger I used to cut my own wrap. "Here," I grab the roll, cutting it for him. "Be still." I press the end to his abdomen then start wrapping him. He's smart enough to move his hand when need be. I wrap it once more before securing it. "There. Now then, I suggest we-"

My head spins. I close my left eye tightly as pain fills my head and stuffs it. Dizziness takes over as I hear shouts and the running of pounding of hooves. Fuck!

I swallow the blood in my mouth. "Here, cut my horse loose!" I demand, thrusting the dagger towards the peasant. "Hurry up! We don't have time to stand here!"

"There he is! And look, it's that thief brat!"

"Excellent! Let's get them!"

"This will be so easy! They're both injured!"

"Don't have to tell me that," he scoffs, going over to my horse, and cutting the rope. "Let's get the fuck out of here before those idiots catch up."

The horse whizzes past the idiot. I pull myself up, grabbing the fool's hand and jerking him up. "Hold on tight," I say as I force the horse to move at full speed.

"Faster! They're getting away!"

The fools move closer.

"Looks like the guards want to play," I smirk. "Diabound!" I exclaim. My beautiful Ka comes out with a mighty roar behind the peasant. "Helical Shockwave!"

Diabound moves towards the group of enslaved and mindless drones of the palace, sending them to oblivion as they charge towards us. They scream as they're taken away from this earth. I cackle madly, forcing my horse to move faster.

"You ought to know not to mess with me, fools! I am the Great Bakura! The King of Thieves, and don't forget it!"

"How the fuck can you summon your Ka?" The peasant demands.

"I should ask you how you even know about them. The way you're dressed would indicate you are of high class, but not enough to be from the palace. Perhaps a noble family, or…" I trial off. "Ah. That explains it."

"Yes, I was a tomb keeper if you must know," he says. "I suppose since we're doing introductions, I may as well show you mine. My Ka wants some action."

"Was, eh? So you decided that protecting a dear pharaoh's tomb wasn't worth wasting your life on? Well, summon it! Let's see what power you have for me to steal!"

"Why I decided to leave is none of your business," he spits. "Whatever you say, Gardius, let's tear them to pieces!"

I snort as he summons his Ka. It appears beside of its master. From what I can see of it, it's a large monster with sharp claws that appear to be at least three inches. Three blue mask, each with red eyes are on it. A sacrificed green 'human' is attached to its abdomen.

"Impressive!" I grin as the guards shout and scream like the fools they are. "Well, since we want to show off, you take the next attack."

"Yours isn't bad either," he says. "And it would be my pleasure. Go, Death Gardius! Bone Crushing Slice!"

I cackle madly as the creature pulls out the bones attached to its body. It makes them bigger, and slices into the fools. They scream.

"Retreat! Retreat!"

"No, fool! We must-"

"I don't want to die!"

"Too late!" I exclaim. "Diabound!"

My Ka moves blasting the idiots. The peasant also attacks. More screams are heard. Diabound moves to me, floating above me and the peasant. She opens her arms, casting her great dark radiance upon us. "You can return your Ka. It might be wise so you won't lose too much energy," I say as I force my horse to go faster.

"Nice job, Gardius," he says as his Ka vanishes. "You need to keep energy as well. Wouldn't want you passing out randomly."

"I can handle it. I just need to keep Diabound out so we don't attract any more guards. No one can see us right now," I say.

"So your Ka can conceal things as well?" he says. "So where exactly are we going?"

"That's just one of the many things she can do. And we're going to the nearest village. I'll probably have to threaten to obliterate some souls, but we can get help at least."

"Sounds like a plan. Well my Ka can do other things as well, but I'm not about to show you everything we can do."

"I can easily find out," I say.

A wave of pain explodes through my face. Diabound disappearing from the lack of concentration. The pain seeps into my brain, tearing into it. My right hand flies up, covering my bandaged face. My vision divides the village that we're closing in on. I gasp, gripping the reins tightly, and pressing my palm against my face more as another wave of pain erupts throughout my body. I feel myself shake, sweat lining my brow. Nausea overtakes me, and I puke all over myself and in my horse's mane. Great. I'm going to have to wash him again. As if washing him isn't hard enough? I can't blame him though. He's terrified of water.

"Whatever you say," he says. "Looks like you're getting a fever. Not surprised though."

I sit up more, taking my hand away from my face. "Whatever," I snap. I force my horse to move faster as I focus on the village ahead.

Finally, we get there. I jump off, the idiot sliding off. I stumble like a dumbass to my saddlebag and shakily pull out a rope. I struggle to tie my horse, but I finally manage it. I stumble further into the village. I trip over my own feet, falling on the ground. I order myself to move, but my body won't respond to my mind's screaming protests.

The peasant grabs me, pulling me to my feet again though he is also shaking. "Having problems?"

"No. I'm just fine. Can't you see the giant smile of joy on my beautiful face from the excitement?"

"Sure can; let's find the healers before one of us passes out in the middle of the street."

I snort. I wrap my arm around his waist, pulling him against me. We struggle down the street, holding and supporting each other like weakened fools of war. I spot a sign up head. It's attached to a wooden post. A picture of a person's arm in a sling on a white sign. "This should do."

"I'd have to agree," he says. "So how do you plan on getting someone to wake up at this time?"

I try to come up with a response, but all that's coming over me is nausea again. Great… will this weakness ever die?

XXXX

Malik

I have to ask myself how I got into this mess. I grit my teeth at the pain in my gut. I didn't imagine that my departure from the tombs would be like this, but I guess that's just how things are. I can't believe I'm helping this brat. I should just leave him out here to die. He's interesting for sure. I look at him. I sure did a number on him. He's probably going to pass out soon. I don't know how much longer I can keep myself from passing out either.

"I guess there is only one way to do this," I say more to myself. I slam my foot into the door. I wince at the pain that shoots through my body. I take a few deep breaths before we start to head into the house.

"Nice going, fucktard," Bakura scoffs weakly. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a compliment or not, but I don't really care right now. He shakes with each step we take. Finally, the pain is too much for him. He lets out a groan of pain, blood trickling from his mouth and down his chin as he falls limp.

I walk through the house. After a while, I notice someone in the shadows. Growing up in a tomb means I have pretty good night-vision especially since I used to sneak around at night. "Get out of the shadows, and help my friend and me."

"You don't want me to do that," the person says. It is clearly a male.

"If I didn't want that then I wouldn't have told you to come out," I tell him.

"Aren't you scared I'm going to curse you?"

"Why would I be scared of that?"

He walks out of his hiding spot. I'm taken aback at first. He has white hair, and pale purple eyes, but that isn't even the strangest thing. His skin is as pale as the moon.

"I told you," he says.

"What are you?"

"A human, just like you," he says with a frown.

"Fine. Well, whatever; just heal me and my friend," I spit. I have no time to pick and choose who heals us. After all, Bakura's already out, and I'm on the verge of collapsing myself.

"Alright," he says. He helps me get Bakura to another room, and lays him down on a table. I sit on another one.

"And don't you dare tell the guards where we are," I say.

He looks up at me from where he was unwrapping Bakura's face. "You think they'd believe me?"

"Fair point."

"You two in some kind of trouble?"

"That's none of your business."

"Guess not." We sit in silence as he undoes the last of the bandage. When he sees the extent of the wound, he gasps saying something in a language I don't understand.

"What did you say?"

"Huh?" He pales a little as if realizing what he did. "It's a curse in my native language. I don't know what it would be."

"Where are you from?"

"I don't know, but not here."

"I gathered that. I wondered why you had an accent."

"If I knew where I'm from do you really think I'd stay here?"

"Not really." Of course he wouldn't. With the colour of his skin everyone must think he is some demon or phantom. They probably hate him just because of that.

I watch him closely as he works on Bakura. After he stitches the wound up, he puts a hand over the wound. I watch as green power dances around his fingers.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

He looks up at me, his eyes are green for a moment before he pulls his hand away. "Healing him."

"Interesting," I say. That power he is using is magic for sure. I wonder where this kid learned magic. I thought the magicians lived in the palace, and if there are some that don't at first, they all go there eventually. To find one here of all places is interesting. That power is probably the only reason he isn't dead.

After a while, I lay on the bed black spots swimming into my vision. I close my eyes. This is certainly interesting

I'm not sure how long I've been lying in the bed when I feel a hand touch my stomach. I jerk, grabbing the boy's wrist. White hot pain shoots through my body making me hiss, and fall back against the bed letting go of his hand.

"Sorry, I thought you were unconscious," he says.

I open my mouth to reply, but the blood loss and exhaustion take over my body, and I fall into blackness.

Whelp, that was the first chappie! What do y'all think? Much better than last time. Pippa and I are in sync (most of the time lol) Okay, so Bakura mentions about robbing tombs. Yeah... so not sure exactly what they were called, but he hasn't been to the Valley of the Kings. WAY too early for that lol. He needs Malik's help for THAT. Anyway, as I said before, feel free to ask questions, criticize, whatever you must do to make our writing better. We want this to be as amazing and as realistic as possible. :).

Review lovelies! Welcome back to Hostage :). *hearts for all*