Des: Yo, minna-san! =D Took us long enough to get this bloody chapter up, eh? . Anyway...
Thanks everyone for your reviews! Bakare is a name we made up, so that you wouldn't confuse Thief King Bakura with Bakura or Yami Bakura. ^^; ShiningCharizard, your review made us realize that the next chapter did need more action than we had planned... so we threw in a whole bunch of new bad guys just to liven things up! XD So they're for you, okay?
Kythiopia won't be appearing in Ranch of No Return, but we will probably work her in when Yugi and company finally reach Boston. ^^
----
Dreams....The Pharaoh had fallen asleep on his throne, and now he was engaged in a dream. A few of the guards were standing outside of the throne room to ensure that nobody unwanted entered, and alone, one more guard stood watch, staying in the throne room during the night. Kythiopia looked over her shoulder. She thought she heard the silence break, a soft whisper into the darkened room.
The Pharaoh had awoken, registering his dream. He had been falling asleep here quite frequently as of late, he realized. He caught a faint movement in the shadows. Could it be...
"Kythiopia?"
"...Yes?" She turned around completely to face him.
"How long have you been here?" the Pharaoh inquired, looking into her eyes. She straightened herself a bit.
"A few hours... I don't like to sleep for very long, and I've been investigating some..." At that, Kythiopia crossed her arms. There was something suspicious happening, and she knew it... where, she couldn't place.
"Oh? Have you found anything?" he asked, becoming more alert. She shook her head, frustration evident. He nodded, his maroon eyes gazing into hers for ages in silence. He seemed to be contemplating something deep in his mind. Kythiopia left the silence unbroken, her thoughts racing. Why...why was he staring at her like that...?
She hesitated for moments of silence, before lowering her head.
"In any case..." she started, and he returned to the present. "Perhaps I should escort you to your room. If you are still tired, this is no place to regain your energy..."
The Pharaoh smiled wryly. "It is late...." he spoke, slowly stepping out of his throne. "But I don't know if I will even get back to sleep, with all of these worries and dreams plaguing my mind..."
Kythiopia watched him with concern as he drew nearer to her. He looked like he was still tired in her opinion, but she couldn't tell if his answer was yes or no. Slowly, he answered again.
"I suppose I should try." The Pharaoh chuckled slightly. "I can't rule Egypt when I'm half-asleep."
A hint of a smile showed on the guard's face. "Then..." She waited for him to come just a bit closer, before starting down the hallway in front of him.
Kythiopia's eyes scanned the long corridor as she walked it, her ruler close behind. She glanced back to him. He was more tired than he realized. She turned her vision forward once more, but as they continued she felt something warm on her shoulder. She turned to look at her Pharaoh. He was starting to lean on her, but quickly pulled himself upright again.
"My apologies."
She watched him with concern as he retreated, pausing before she responded.
"...That's fine..." The guard moved back towards him, gently offering her arm. "If you wish, you can lean on me.... just don't fall asleep in the hallway."
The Pharaoh smiled tiredly. Kythiopia was a lot warmer to him than to anyone else. "I will be alright..."
He assured her of this, but soon found himself leaning against her again, and this time he did not draw back. The dark-haired woman supported him with the arm that didn't clutch her weapon, glancing down to him from time to time. Soon, they reached the Pharaoh's room, large and well-decorated.
He covered himself with the linens, looking up at her. "Thank you."
The guard knelt respectfully, before standing and turning to leave, but soon Kythiopia looked back over her shoulder. She could sense that he was still watching her. He seemed... unsure of something.
"......Kythiopia?"
"There is something else you need?" She turned back around expectantly.
".... No...... I only wished to..." He stopped, thinking again. Now wasn't the time, he thought. "To wish you a good night."
Kythiopia nodded. "I understand...Thank you." She watched him for a moment longer, before taking her leave. The Pharaoh followed her with her eyes until she had gone, and then slipped into oblivion almost immediately.
****
Six figures crowded in a circle, not a single candle lighting the room as they pulled their robes up close to them, glancing into each other's faces, burning with anger.
"Every piece of precious glass, gone! The jewels too!" A high, female voice rang out amongst them, one of the five males grunting in response.
"There's no doubt about it. It was Bakare. Bakare the King of Thieves who plundered our mother's tomb."
"He disgusts me, you know!" The female started again. "I bet that rat doesn't regard anything sacred! Going in and..."
"Kiya, you're getting ahead of yourself." A calmer male voice spoke, the owner's hands folded over his face. "I realize you want revenge but, that chore belongs to Scepter."
"I know, I know. But still! Our mother... she deserves the best of everything in her afterlife!" Kiya retorted. "And you want revenge as much as I do, Zer."
"Like my son said, Kiya..." The tallest of the figures stood, his voice deep and booming. "I'll punish that thief in the name of our family."
The female looked down, her hair falling over her face. "Yes, father."
"Good. I will find him when morning breaks. Dakarai, Akil, Djau, Zer, my sons... For your sake, I will not allow us to be humiliated."
"Understood, father." The four murmured in response.
****
As Kythiopia headed back down the long corridors to her own room, her mind was occupied with the Pharaoh . . . and with the thief, who kept rudely intruding on her thoughts. She didn't even notice Seth following after her until she had gotten back to her room.
"Ah, good evening."
Immediately Kythiopia stiffened at the unwelcome voice and slowly looked over her shoulder. ". . . Night," she corrected coldly.
Seth remained undaunted. "Yes, it is night, isn't it?" With that he strolled in, even though he knew he was completely uninvited. "Kythiopia, you look so tense," he remarked with a smirk. "I'm not going to bite."
Kythiopia gave him a flat look. "I should hope not."
Now Seth laughed out loud as he advanced closer and touched her shoulder. "Lighten up, my dear," he told her. "Life is much too short to go through it with such a serious outlook!"
"There is too much to be serious about," Kythiopia retorted indignantly, closing her eyes in annoyance as she turned away from him.
"You sound like someone else I knew," Seth purred, beginning to rub her shoulder blades. "He was an old grouch, and that is exactly what he would have said."
Kythiopia was stunned completely speechless by Seth's actions, a look of disgusted shock in her eyes. She stood absolutely still for the moment, unable to move.
"Yes he would have," an unseen and unheard spectre said from the doorway. "And it's exactly what he would say now." Khu, who was still observing his younger brother, now turned away from the scene in irritation.
Seth continued to give Kythiopia a backrub before then starting the same treatment on her bare arms. "Tell me, Kythiopia," he said, "have you always been this way?"
At last the dark-haired woman got over her shock at Seth's presumptuous actions and stepped out of his reach. "Yes," she said shortly and simply.
Seth stepped forward with her and stroked the back of her neck, much to her annoyance. "Tis a pity," he declared.
Kythiopia narrowed her eyes. "It doesn't matter if I've always been like this or not. . . . It is how I am now. That is all you must know." Her voice had an obvious edge in it as she warned Seth to back off.
"Ah, but you would feel so much better if you allowed yourself to relax once in a while." Seth heard the edge but ignored it, rubbing her back again.
"Seth, you idiot!!!" Khu screamed at him from across the room. He knew Seth could hear him because they were brothers, and he also knew that the other man was going to continue ignoring him as well as Kythiopia's warning tone.
Kythiopia had now had enough of Seth's massage. Quickly she turned around so that her back was out of his reach. "The way I feel is none of your concern," she told him flatly.
Seth touched the tip of her nose and then brushed his finger down her cheek. "Someday you may regret the way you've lived---never having enjoyed life," he said smoothly.
"I will live the only way I know how to," Kythiopia replied, giving him a dark look.
"I could teach you a . . . different way of life," Seth continued with a secretive grin.
Kythiopia struggled to stay civil, though she found her hand beginning to habitually touch her weapon's handle. "There is nothing you could teach me," she said.
"And how would you know that, my dear?" Seth returned. "There is much I have learned about life that I would be . . . more than happy to share with you."
Kythiopia was fully aware of what one of Seth's "lessons" would be like. "I am not interested," she told him firmly.
Khu slapped his forehead. "Can't you think of anything other than your own selfish desires?!" he cried, looking at Seth in disbelief.
Ignoring his older brother's chastisements, Seth smirked at Kythiopia again as he said agreeably, "Very well, my dear. But if you ever reconsider, you know I am right down the hall."
"Good night," Kythiopia said curtly, placing one hand on her hip.
"Good night, Kythiopia," Seth replied, smoothly as always, as he left the woman seething in her room.
Khu trailed after his brother, screaming at him all the way down the hall. Seth only tuned the spirit out and merely remarked, "Brother, are you never going to cease bothering me? I know what I'm doing!!"
"I doubt that highly," Khu hissed, narrowing his eyes.
****
Bakare wandered down the mostly deserted village streets. The sun was lazily setting, giving the buildings a soft golden glow and causing the thief's long, silvery hair to glisten slightly as he turned a corner.
Someone else turned that corner with him.
Bakare whirled to see who the culprit was and found himself looking at an empty street. Knowing that he hadn't been simply hearing things, he snarled low and continued on his way, keeping his guard up. Let the fool think they had the advantage. Soon they would learn why he was called the King of Thieves. He hadn't earned that name by being careless.
"Turn around slowly."
A sharp blade poked through Bakare's hair and was pressed against his neck, just as he had expected.
"Turn around, thief."
Bakare did as he had been asked, keeping his hands tucked inside his robe. "What do you want with me?" he demanded.
"You plundered my wife's tomb," the man hissed, keeping the deadly knife inches away from Bakare's throat.
"I plunder many tombs," Bakare replied, narrowing his eyes. "It is how I get by."
"My wife was the best woman in this cruel world," Scepter shot back, barely controlling his rage. "You've desecrated her memory and destroyed her chances at happiness in the afterlife!"
Bakare snorted. "All your nonsense about items in a tomb enabling the deceased to enjoy their afterlife disgusts me," he hissed. "If your wife was truly as good as you say, then her reward should come based on that, not on how many costly things she had in her tomb."
Scepter fumed, ready to jab the knife straight into the hated thief's neck.
Bakare, expecting that move, immediately retaliated, withdrawing his hand from the folds of his robe and producing a sharp machete. "Destroying me will not be as easy as all that," he smirked.
"Very well." Scepter clanked his knife against Bakare's weapon. "We shall have a duel then. And I will win to avenge my wife."
"I doubt that your wife would want you to kill me over a few jewels and priceless glass," Bakare retorted, somersaulting backward and then charging with his machete.
Scepter quickly blocked the attack and bared his teeth, snarling at the tomb raider as their blades interlocked once again. "I will kill you," he vowed, moving to stab Bakare fatally in the chest.
Again his hated opponent dodged the attack, clipping him on the shoulder as he did so.
The silhouettes of the two engaged in their mortal combat adorned the buildings as the sun slipped completely away, beginning to cover Egypt in twilight. Blood splattered the walls and sand as the weapon fell from the loser's hand and clattered to the ground.
Bakare stood over him, breathing heavily. "Perhaps you will see your wife in the afterlife," he said quietly, wiping the blood from his machete. "But not today."
Two new shadows emerged from the enveloping darkness.
"Father!" one of them cried, running forward to the man on the ground.
"You dirty thief," the other one snarled. "You killed him!!"
"He is not dead," Bakare replied as he turned away. "But I was only defending myself at any rate. You cannot say that I was being ruthless or cruel." With that he somersaulted up onto a nearby building's ledge and from there, up to the roof, where he quickly vanished into the shadows of the night.
****
Seth had returned to his hideout, a stream of chanting erupting from his diaphragm. His eyes were closed calmly as he outstretched his arms, scepter in hand. Power surged through his veins as he gestured, wild bursts of smoke arising from the cracks of the tiles and lightning crackling all around him. POWER!! This was what he loved, power, power was what made him feel he could conquer the world! And he would....
Nuru jumped back in alarm at the lightning, watching as the priest cackled maniacally, absorbed in his art.... The girl clutched one of her wrists, retreating slightly as she stared up at him in awe, gasping as he suddenly noticed her.
"Oh.... hello, my dear."
"H...hello..." She stammered in response, staring at the charred spots where the bolts had struck. He was amazing...
"Impressive, isn't it." He crossed over to the adolescent, following her gaze. She nodded sharply. "Soon I will be the most powerful man in the world, Nuru."
"The most powerful, you say?" The young healer blinked at that, gazing up into his eyes. He was so confident of it, maybe...
"I will be even more powerful than the Pharaoh!!" He sneered at the thought.
"Oh! ... That is.... " Nuru started, looking up at Seth as he laughed, putting his arm around her.
"I am already planning just how I will move, Nuru. My magic is growing stronger every day. Soon I will be able to challenge the Pharaoh himself and win against him!"
"You're that strong...?" Her orange eyes were shocked.
"Almost. But... I'm not alone, you know." The priest gestured, a group of his followers emerging into the light. Nuru stared at them. There were some powerful sorcerers and fighters in this group. Seth continued. "The Pharaoh thought the Millennium Items would be protected if he had hidden them away in different locations that only he knew, but that only makes them more vulnerable to me. They believe in my cause."
Nuru remained silent, speechless. They were really going to rebel?
Khu crossed his spectral arms in the corner, frowning, skeptical if his brother was making a bad move.
"Join us, Nuru. Join me!" Seth held out his hand to her, looking down at her with intense eyes and smirking. "Help us defeat the Pharaoh."
She stared at the gathering, before gazing back into Seth's eyes, unsure. Besides... she also believed she was weak. Did she belong among such powerful people, fighting such an important battle?
"You told me of your powers, Nuru. And I have seen some of them. I want you with me, beside me always." Seth, kissing her hand, could sense Nuru fluttering with anxiety, but soon the girl nodded.
"I will... I will help you."
"Excellent." He smiled, pulling her close and stroking her neck. "You have made the right choice, my dear."
Nuru wrapped her arms around him, having a rush, her heart racing. Is this really something she wanted to be getting into? As Seth kissed her lips again, Khu muttered to himself.
"You'd better know what you're doing this time, Seth." He watched them, particularly the girl. She was uncertain. He narrowed his eyes, speaking only to her in her mind, certain her ability to commune with spirits would make him audible to her.
"Do you really care about my brother this much?"
Nuru turned a deep red. Khu definitely wasn't the kind of spirit she wanted to hear in her mind. But being inexperienced, a channel was cleared in her mind that she couldn't shut just yet. However, she also could respond privately and wordlessly. "I ... I just... don't want to be alone anymore....and...I think we can help each other..."
The ghost rolled his eyes, refusing to speak further.
Seth chuckled, suggestively running a finger down her arm. "It seems there is a spirit among us again."
"You're right," Nuru responded. He must have just sensed the other presence..
"I do believe he never left, but no matter." He led her to a more secluded spot, away from his minions. "I don't mind if he lingers about, as long as he doesn't disturb us."
Nuru sat down on a bench as Seth moved in, kissing her shoulder. She settled down, smiling a little. Well...she did like his attention....
****
Bakare once again climbed over the palace wall and silently dropped to his feet on the stone ground. "It really is amazing how ridiculous most of these guards are," he mused softly, smirking to himself and feeling very clever.
As he wandered about among the various buildings and the occasional palm tree, his goal was one thing, and one thing only---to again find Kythiopia. It appeared, however, that she was nowhere about on the grounds. Perhaps, he reflected, she was inside the palace this time.
Getting inside the massive structure would be no problem for the King of Thieves. After patrolling halfway around the back wall, he found an unguarded window and slipped inside easily.
"So, this is the Pharaoh's palace," he remarked, slowly creeping down the long hallway. "Fascinating."
He pressed on, quietly opening a door near the end of the hallway. "Seth's quarters," he muttered, peering in at the high priest, who was asleep in his bed. Noiselessly Bakare shut the door and moved on.
At last he came to another room, one which was closer to the Pharaoh's personal quarters. Perhaps this was where the leader of Egypt kept his favorite bodyguard, Bakare thought as he eased the door open and looked in.
The room was elegantly decorated with various expensive draperies and knickknacks, but this was one time when Bakare was much more interested in something other than material treasures. He advanced slowly, having caught sight of Kythiopia deep in slumber amid the soft linens of her bed.
"You are . . . truly beautiful," Bakare murmured, kneeling beside the bed and studying the guard's sleeping form. Should he stay and wait for her to awaken, he wondered, or should he leave now? Perhaps he could hide out in the palace until later, he mused. But something prevented him from leaving.
Kythiopia's lips opened in a slight, noiseless yawn and she stirred vaguely.
Bakare perked up, continuing to watch her. I truly do care for her, he realized to himself. Almost without knowing what he was doing, the tomb raider leaned down and softly brushed his lips against her cheek.
Unbeknownst to him, Kythiopia had awakened at the kiss. She opened her eyes partially, watching the intruder into her room, and then closed them again. At the moment she was in no hurry to let him know she was aware of him.
"You have cast a spell over me," Bakare whispered, gently caressing the cheek he had kissed. "I daresay I am in love with you."
Still Kythiopia tried not to respond for him to notice, but she was completely amazed by his words. The King of Thieves was in love with her?! Her cheeks colored slightly.
Noticing, Bakare cocked his head to the side thoughtfully. "You are awake, aren't you?" After a pause in which she didn't reply, he decided that she was still going to pursue her ruse. "I mean every word of what I have said," he said quietly.
Sighing, Kythiopia sat up and looked at him, deciding that she wouldn't be getting any more sleep any time soon. She wasn't sure how to answer any of his words, however, and so the two stared at each other in silence, until at last Bakare spoke.
"I want to always be near you," he said, taking her hand.
Kythiopia wrapped her fingers around the calloused hand of the tomb raider. "I can see that, if you had to sneak into my room at night," she remarked wryly.
Bakare looked into her eyes for a long moment, then slowly leaned forward and kissed her again, on the lips this time.
Kythiopia was shocked at first by his actions but then closed her eyes, softly kissing him back. She did enjoy being with him, she admitted to herself. He had been painted on her thoughts.
Now Bakare reached out and put his arm around her, bringing her close to him. Kythiopia, no longer denying her feelings, melted into his embrace, an arm around his neck.
"I do not remember ever being happier," Bakare said softly, a rare, gentle look in his eyes.
Kythiopia had never experienced anything of the kind before. Now words would not come to her. Slowly she moved her hand down and began to let go, when suddenly she became aware of something.
"You're bleeding on me," she said matter-of-factly.
Bakare blinked, glancing down at a wound he had sustained during the battle with Scepter. "My apologies," he said with a smirk, pulling back slightly.
Suspicion in her mind, Kythiopia touched his chest slightly and then reached into his robes. Bakare watched, unsure of what she was up to.
In a moment the guard withdrew a bag containing several priceless articles of jewelry. She looked at the contents and then up at Bakare with a knowing look and a bit of a sigh. Once a thief, always a thief, she supposed.
She smirked wryly. "I'll just take these back where they came from," she said.
Bakare smirked as well. "Next time," he told her, "I'll bring something to drink."
Thanks everyone for your reviews! Bakare is a name we made up, so that you wouldn't confuse Thief King Bakura with Bakura or Yami Bakura. ^^; ShiningCharizard, your review made us realize that the next chapter did need more action than we had planned... so we threw in a whole bunch of new bad guys just to liven things up! XD So they're for you, okay?
Kythiopia won't be appearing in Ranch of No Return, but we will probably work her in when Yugi and company finally reach Boston. ^^
----
Dreams....The Pharaoh had fallen asleep on his throne, and now he was engaged in a dream. A few of the guards were standing outside of the throne room to ensure that nobody unwanted entered, and alone, one more guard stood watch, staying in the throne room during the night. Kythiopia looked over her shoulder. She thought she heard the silence break, a soft whisper into the darkened room.
The Pharaoh had awoken, registering his dream. He had been falling asleep here quite frequently as of late, he realized. He caught a faint movement in the shadows. Could it be...
"Kythiopia?"
"...Yes?" She turned around completely to face him.
"How long have you been here?" the Pharaoh inquired, looking into her eyes. She straightened herself a bit.
"A few hours... I don't like to sleep for very long, and I've been investigating some..." At that, Kythiopia crossed her arms. There was something suspicious happening, and she knew it... where, she couldn't place.
"Oh? Have you found anything?" he asked, becoming more alert. She shook her head, frustration evident. He nodded, his maroon eyes gazing into hers for ages in silence. He seemed to be contemplating something deep in his mind. Kythiopia left the silence unbroken, her thoughts racing. Why...why was he staring at her like that...?
She hesitated for moments of silence, before lowering her head.
"In any case..." she started, and he returned to the present. "Perhaps I should escort you to your room. If you are still tired, this is no place to regain your energy..."
The Pharaoh smiled wryly. "It is late...." he spoke, slowly stepping out of his throne. "But I don't know if I will even get back to sleep, with all of these worries and dreams plaguing my mind..."
Kythiopia watched him with concern as he drew nearer to her. He looked like he was still tired in her opinion, but she couldn't tell if his answer was yes or no. Slowly, he answered again.
"I suppose I should try." The Pharaoh chuckled slightly. "I can't rule Egypt when I'm half-asleep."
A hint of a smile showed on the guard's face. "Then..." She waited for him to come just a bit closer, before starting down the hallway in front of him.
Kythiopia's eyes scanned the long corridor as she walked it, her ruler close behind. She glanced back to him. He was more tired than he realized. She turned her vision forward once more, but as they continued she felt something warm on her shoulder. She turned to look at her Pharaoh. He was starting to lean on her, but quickly pulled himself upright again.
"My apologies."
She watched him with concern as he retreated, pausing before she responded.
"...That's fine..." The guard moved back towards him, gently offering her arm. "If you wish, you can lean on me.... just don't fall asleep in the hallway."
The Pharaoh smiled tiredly. Kythiopia was a lot warmer to him than to anyone else. "I will be alright..."
He assured her of this, but soon found himself leaning against her again, and this time he did not draw back. The dark-haired woman supported him with the arm that didn't clutch her weapon, glancing down to him from time to time. Soon, they reached the Pharaoh's room, large and well-decorated.
He covered himself with the linens, looking up at her. "Thank you."
The guard knelt respectfully, before standing and turning to leave, but soon Kythiopia looked back over her shoulder. She could sense that he was still watching her. He seemed... unsure of something.
"......Kythiopia?"
"There is something else you need?" She turned back around expectantly.
".... No...... I only wished to..." He stopped, thinking again. Now wasn't the time, he thought. "To wish you a good night."
Kythiopia nodded. "I understand...Thank you." She watched him for a moment longer, before taking her leave. The Pharaoh followed her with her eyes until she had gone, and then slipped into oblivion almost immediately.
****
Six figures crowded in a circle, not a single candle lighting the room as they pulled their robes up close to them, glancing into each other's faces, burning with anger.
"Every piece of precious glass, gone! The jewels too!" A high, female voice rang out amongst them, one of the five males grunting in response.
"There's no doubt about it. It was Bakare. Bakare the King of Thieves who plundered our mother's tomb."
"He disgusts me, you know!" The female started again. "I bet that rat doesn't regard anything sacred! Going in and..."
"Kiya, you're getting ahead of yourself." A calmer male voice spoke, the owner's hands folded over his face. "I realize you want revenge but, that chore belongs to Scepter."
"I know, I know. But still! Our mother... she deserves the best of everything in her afterlife!" Kiya retorted. "And you want revenge as much as I do, Zer."
"Like my son said, Kiya..." The tallest of the figures stood, his voice deep and booming. "I'll punish that thief in the name of our family."
The female looked down, her hair falling over her face. "Yes, father."
"Good. I will find him when morning breaks. Dakarai, Akil, Djau, Zer, my sons... For your sake, I will not allow us to be humiliated."
"Understood, father." The four murmured in response.
****
As Kythiopia headed back down the long corridors to her own room, her mind was occupied with the Pharaoh . . . and with the thief, who kept rudely intruding on her thoughts. She didn't even notice Seth following after her until she had gotten back to her room.
"Ah, good evening."
Immediately Kythiopia stiffened at the unwelcome voice and slowly looked over her shoulder. ". . . Night," she corrected coldly.
Seth remained undaunted. "Yes, it is night, isn't it?" With that he strolled in, even though he knew he was completely uninvited. "Kythiopia, you look so tense," he remarked with a smirk. "I'm not going to bite."
Kythiopia gave him a flat look. "I should hope not."
Now Seth laughed out loud as he advanced closer and touched her shoulder. "Lighten up, my dear," he told her. "Life is much too short to go through it with such a serious outlook!"
"There is too much to be serious about," Kythiopia retorted indignantly, closing her eyes in annoyance as she turned away from him.
"You sound like someone else I knew," Seth purred, beginning to rub her shoulder blades. "He was an old grouch, and that is exactly what he would have said."
Kythiopia was stunned completely speechless by Seth's actions, a look of disgusted shock in her eyes. She stood absolutely still for the moment, unable to move.
"Yes he would have," an unseen and unheard spectre said from the doorway. "And it's exactly what he would say now." Khu, who was still observing his younger brother, now turned away from the scene in irritation.
Seth continued to give Kythiopia a backrub before then starting the same treatment on her bare arms. "Tell me, Kythiopia," he said, "have you always been this way?"
At last the dark-haired woman got over her shock at Seth's presumptuous actions and stepped out of his reach. "Yes," she said shortly and simply.
Seth stepped forward with her and stroked the back of her neck, much to her annoyance. "Tis a pity," he declared.
Kythiopia narrowed her eyes. "It doesn't matter if I've always been like this or not. . . . It is how I am now. That is all you must know." Her voice had an obvious edge in it as she warned Seth to back off.
"Ah, but you would feel so much better if you allowed yourself to relax once in a while." Seth heard the edge but ignored it, rubbing her back again.
"Seth, you idiot!!!" Khu screamed at him from across the room. He knew Seth could hear him because they were brothers, and he also knew that the other man was going to continue ignoring him as well as Kythiopia's warning tone.
Kythiopia had now had enough of Seth's massage. Quickly she turned around so that her back was out of his reach. "The way I feel is none of your concern," she told him flatly.
Seth touched the tip of her nose and then brushed his finger down her cheek. "Someday you may regret the way you've lived---never having enjoyed life," he said smoothly.
"I will live the only way I know how to," Kythiopia replied, giving him a dark look.
"I could teach you a . . . different way of life," Seth continued with a secretive grin.
Kythiopia struggled to stay civil, though she found her hand beginning to habitually touch her weapon's handle. "There is nothing you could teach me," she said.
"And how would you know that, my dear?" Seth returned. "There is much I have learned about life that I would be . . . more than happy to share with you."
Kythiopia was fully aware of what one of Seth's "lessons" would be like. "I am not interested," she told him firmly.
Khu slapped his forehead. "Can't you think of anything other than your own selfish desires?!" he cried, looking at Seth in disbelief.
Ignoring his older brother's chastisements, Seth smirked at Kythiopia again as he said agreeably, "Very well, my dear. But if you ever reconsider, you know I am right down the hall."
"Good night," Kythiopia said curtly, placing one hand on her hip.
"Good night, Kythiopia," Seth replied, smoothly as always, as he left the woman seething in her room.
Khu trailed after his brother, screaming at him all the way down the hall. Seth only tuned the spirit out and merely remarked, "Brother, are you never going to cease bothering me? I know what I'm doing!!"
"I doubt that highly," Khu hissed, narrowing his eyes.
****
Bakare wandered down the mostly deserted village streets. The sun was lazily setting, giving the buildings a soft golden glow and causing the thief's long, silvery hair to glisten slightly as he turned a corner.
Someone else turned that corner with him.
Bakare whirled to see who the culprit was and found himself looking at an empty street. Knowing that he hadn't been simply hearing things, he snarled low and continued on his way, keeping his guard up. Let the fool think they had the advantage. Soon they would learn why he was called the King of Thieves. He hadn't earned that name by being careless.
"Turn around slowly."
A sharp blade poked through Bakare's hair and was pressed against his neck, just as he had expected.
"Turn around, thief."
Bakare did as he had been asked, keeping his hands tucked inside his robe. "What do you want with me?" he demanded.
"You plundered my wife's tomb," the man hissed, keeping the deadly knife inches away from Bakare's throat.
"I plunder many tombs," Bakare replied, narrowing his eyes. "It is how I get by."
"My wife was the best woman in this cruel world," Scepter shot back, barely controlling his rage. "You've desecrated her memory and destroyed her chances at happiness in the afterlife!"
Bakare snorted. "All your nonsense about items in a tomb enabling the deceased to enjoy their afterlife disgusts me," he hissed. "If your wife was truly as good as you say, then her reward should come based on that, not on how many costly things she had in her tomb."
Scepter fumed, ready to jab the knife straight into the hated thief's neck.
Bakare, expecting that move, immediately retaliated, withdrawing his hand from the folds of his robe and producing a sharp machete. "Destroying me will not be as easy as all that," he smirked.
"Very well." Scepter clanked his knife against Bakare's weapon. "We shall have a duel then. And I will win to avenge my wife."
"I doubt that your wife would want you to kill me over a few jewels and priceless glass," Bakare retorted, somersaulting backward and then charging with his machete.
Scepter quickly blocked the attack and bared his teeth, snarling at the tomb raider as their blades interlocked once again. "I will kill you," he vowed, moving to stab Bakare fatally in the chest.
Again his hated opponent dodged the attack, clipping him on the shoulder as he did so.
The silhouettes of the two engaged in their mortal combat adorned the buildings as the sun slipped completely away, beginning to cover Egypt in twilight. Blood splattered the walls and sand as the weapon fell from the loser's hand and clattered to the ground.
Bakare stood over him, breathing heavily. "Perhaps you will see your wife in the afterlife," he said quietly, wiping the blood from his machete. "But not today."
Two new shadows emerged from the enveloping darkness.
"Father!" one of them cried, running forward to the man on the ground.
"You dirty thief," the other one snarled. "You killed him!!"
"He is not dead," Bakare replied as he turned away. "But I was only defending myself at any rate. You cannot say that I was being ruthless or cruel." With that he somersaulted up onto a nearby building's ledge and from there, up to the roof, where he quickly vanished into the shadows of the night.
****
Seth had returned to his hideout, a stream of chanting erupting from his diaphragm. His eyes were closed calmly as he outstretched his arms, scepter in hand. Power surged through his veins as he gestured, wild bursts of smoke arising from the cracks of the tiles and lightning crackling all around him. POWER!! This was what he loved, power, power was what made him feel he could conquer the world! And he would....
Nuru jumped back in alarm at the lightning, watching as the priest cackled maniacally, absorbed in his art.... The girl clutched one of her wrists, retreating slightly as she stared up at him in awe, gasping as he suddenly noticed her.
"Oh.... hello, my dear."
"H...hello..." She stammered in response, staring at the charred spots where the bolts had struck. He was amazing...
"Impressive, isn't it." He crossed over to the adolescent, following her gaze. She nodded sharply. "Soon I will be the most powerful man in the world, Nuru."
"The most powerful, you say?" The young healer blinked at that, gazing up into his eyes. He was so confident of it, maybe...
"I will be even more powerful than the Pharaoh!!" He sneered at the thought.
"Oh! ... That is.... " Nuru started, looking up at Seth as he laughed, putting his arm around her.
"I am already planning just how I will move, Nuru. My magic is growing stronger every day. Soon I will be able to challenge the Pharaoh himself and win against him!"
"You're that strong...?" Her orange eyes were shocked.
"Almost. But... I'm not alone, you know." The priest gestured, a group of his followers emerging into the light. Nuru stared at them. There were some powerful sorcerers and fighters in this group. Seth continued. "The Pharaoh thought the Millennium Items would be protected if he had hidden them away in different locations that only he knew, but that only makes them more vulnerable to me. They believe in my cause."
Nuru remained silent, speechless. They were really going to rebel?
Khu crossed his spectral arms in the corner, frowning, skeptical if his brother was making a bad move.
"Join us, Nuru. Join me!" Seth held out his hand to her, looking down at her with intense eyes and smirking. "Help us defeat the Pharaoh."
She stared at the gathering, before gazing back into Seth's eyes, unsure. Besides... she also believed she was weak. Did she belong among such powerful people, fighting such an important battle?
"You told me of your powers, Nuru. And I have seen some of them. I want you with me, beside me always." Seth, kissing her hand, could sense Nuru fluttering with anxiety, but soon the girl nodded.
"I will... I will help you."
"Excellent." He smiled, pulling her close and stroking her neck. "You have made the right choice, my dear."
Nuru wrapped her arms around him, having a rush, her heart racing. Is this really something she wanted to be getting into? As Seth kissed her lips again, Khu muttered to himself.
"You'd better know what you're doing this time, Seth." He watched them, particularly the girl. She was uncertain. He narrowed his eyes, speaking only to her in her mind, certain her ability to commune with spirits would make him audible to her.
"Do you really care about my brother this much?"
Nuru turned a deep red. Khu definitely wasn't the kind of spirit she wanted to hear in her mind. But being inexperienced, a channel was cleared in her mind that she couldn't shut just yet. However, she also could respond privately and wordlessly. "I ... I just... don't want to be alone anymore....and...I think we can help each other..."
The ghost rolled his eyes, refusing to speak further.
Seth chuckled, suggestively running a finger down her arm. "It seems there is a spirit among us again."
"You're right," Nuru responded. He must have just sensed the other presence..
"I do believe he never left, but no matter." He led her to a more secluded spot, away from his minions. "I don't mind if he lingers about, as long as he doesn't disturb us."
Nuru sat down on a bench as Seth moved in, kissing her shoulder. She settled down, smiling a little. Well...she did like his attention....
****
Bakare once again climbed over the palace wall and silently dropped to his feet on the stone ground. "It really is amazing how ridiculous most of these guards are," he mused softly, smirking to himself and feeling very clever.
As he wandered about among the various buildings and the occasional palm tree, his goal was one thing, and one thing only---to again find Kythiopia. It appeared, however, that she was nowhere about on the grounds. Perhaps, he reflected, she was inside the palace this time.
Getting inside the massive structure would be no problem for the King of Thieves. After patrolling halfway around the back wall, he found an unguarded window and slipped inside easily.
"So, this is the Pharaoh's palace," he remarked, slowly creeping down the long hallway. "Fascinating."
He pressed on, quietly opening a door near the end of the hallway. "Seth's quarters," he muttered, peering in at the high priest, who was asleep in his bed. Noiselessly Bakare shut the door and moved on.
At last he came to another room, one which was closer to the Pharaoh's personal quarters. Perhaps this was where the leader of Egypt kept his favorite bodyguard, Bakare thought as he eased the door open and looked in.
The room was elegantly decorated with various expensive draperies and knickknacks, but this was one time when Bakare was much more interested in something other than material treasures. He advanced slowly, having caught sight of Kythiopia deep in slumber amid the soft linens of her bed.
"You are . . . truly beautiful," Bakare murmured, kneeling beside the bed and studying the guard's sleeping form. Should he stay and wait for her to awaken, he wondered, or should he leave now? Perhaps he could hide out in the palace until later, he mused. But something prevented him from leaving.
Kythiopia's lips opened in a slight, noiseless yawn and she stirred vaguely.
Bakare perked up, continuing to watch her. I truly do care for her, he realized to himself. Almost without knowing what he was doing, the tomb raider leaned down and softly brushed his lips against her cheek.
Unbeknownst to him, Kythiopia had awakened at the kiss. She opened her eyes partially, watching the intruder into her room, and then closed them again. At the moment she was in no hurry to let him know she was aware of him.
"You have cast a spell over me," Bakare whispered, gently caressing the cheek he had kissed. "I daresay I am in love with you."
Still Kythiopia tried not to respond for him to notice, but she was completely amazed by his words. The King of Thieves was in love with her?! Her cheeks colored slightly.
Noticing, Bakare cocked his head to the side thoughtfully. "You are awake, aren't you?" After a pause in which she didn't reply, he decided that she was still going to pursue her ruse. "I mean every word of what I have said," he said quietly.
Sighing, Kythiopia sat up and looked at him, deciding that she wouldn't be getting any more sleep any time soon. She wasn't sure how to answer any of his words, however, and so the two stared at each other in silence, until at last Bakare spoke.
"I want to always be near you," he said, taking her hand.
Kythiopia wrapped her fingers around the calloused hand of the tomb raider. "I can see that, if you had to sneak into my room at night," she remarked wryly.
Bakare looked into her eyes for a long moment, then slowly leaned forward and kissed her again, on the lips this time.
Kythiopia was shocked at first by his actions but then closed her eyes, softly kissing him back. She did enjoy being with him, she admitted to herself. He had been painted on her thoughts.
Now Bakare reached out and put his arm around her, bringing her close to him. Kythiopia, no longer denying her feelings, melted into his embrace, an arm around his neck.
"I do not remember ever being happier," Bakare said softly, a rare, gentle look in his eyes.
Kythiopia had never experienced anything of the kind before. Now words would not come to her. Slowly she moved her hand down and began to let go, when suddenly she became aware of something.
"You're bleeding on me," she said matter-of-factly.
Bakare blinked, glancing down at a wound he had sustained during the battle with Scepter. "My apologies," he said with a smirk, pulling back slightly.
Suspicion in her mind, Kythiopia touched his chest slightly and then reached into his robes. Bakare watched, unsure of what she was up to.
In a moment the guard withdrew a bag containing several priceless articles of jewelry. She looked at the contents and then up at Bakare with a knowing look and a bit of a sigh. Once a thief, always a thief, she supposed.
She smirked wryly. "I'll just take these back where they came from," she said.
Bakare smirked as well. "Next time," he told her, "I'll bring something to drink."