Seth: This chapter came way too easily to me. I really enjoyed writing this one! Also, once again, please forgive any errors in spelling, I'm doing this without the wonderful tool that is spell-check.

Hostile Takedowns

Chapter 04

Hidden Intrusion

"You seem so troubled, Malik." Ryou stated as he poured him some tea. "Please tell what it is that's troubling you." He sat down beside him on the couch, hands clasped together on his lap.

The somber other could feel the other's gentle gaze concentrated completely on him - he knew what he should be doing but he couldn't help where his legs led him. 'I shouldn't be instilling fear within Ryou - I should've headed to Yugi's house to speak with Atemu... It's too late now I suppose...' He sighed, taking a rather long sip from the tea. "Ryou has Atemu come to speak with you recently?" The other nodded meekly. Malik didn't miss the frown that had appeared on the other's face at the mention of the name. "Well, this has something to do with that..."

Ryou bit his lip nervously, wishing silently he had poured himself some soothing green tea. Closing his eyes gently, knowing how the other seemed to be struggling with whatever it was he had to tell, he sucked up the part of him begging not to hear the fearful truths and stared at his visitor with false calm. "Malik, you didn't come all this way to procrastinate did you?" He smiled sincerely - it always felt comforting to have someone worry about his feelings once in a while. "Just say what's on your mind."

Malik visibly relaxed. Whether the other was just putting on a front or was genuine, he knew he didn't have a choice but to say it here and now. "Ryou something happened about a year ago. I never told my sister about it, not even Atemu whom I've come to respect a lot..." He frowned twiddling his thumbs absentmindedly. "It was about a year ago; Ishizu and Rishid had gone to take part in an underground excavation back home in Egypt - I stayed to keep an eye on the museum in her place." His voice seemed very grim, very worried. His eyes drifted to the ceiling, unable to focus on it though. "It was a little after midnight when I heard a strange noise, like a low but yet noticeable humming. It was coming from the secret vault room where Atemu and my sister sealed the items." He frowned.

"I don't understand Malik. What was it?"

Purple eyes disappeared behind heavy lids, the exasperated sigh that followed filled Ryou with a deep pain. "I left my bedroom, awakened by a very frightening nightmare... about Bakura." Ryou flinched, eyes widening immensely. Malik's head bowed, eyes now glued to the floor, he began to tremble recalling the aura he had felt then. "I didn't know what was going on but when I heard or rather felt that strange 'humming' I had to look, what if it was some evil spirit or something? When I entered the room, naturally it was empty - Ishizu and Atemu have a special barrier that hides the room completely from any other soul... I stood in a very cold and very empty room." He shook his head. "But it was still there; a disturbing aura was emanating from that room I could feel it like a ton of bricks being pressed into my chest. I couldn't see it though."

The other sighed, eyes flitting from his nervous hands to the other, noting how apparent the other's own growing fear was. 'He's as terrified as I am... Why does this stuff have to happen? Why can't things be calm and peaceful?' Though he knew his dreams were just fairytales, he couldn't help but yearn for it. "Malik, if it was so terrible, why didn't you tell Ishizu after it happened?" He asked.

The other smiled weakly. "When my siblings travel to Egypt, they carry no means of communication - there's no service over there anyway, at least where we live... And that was the only night I ever felt it, I stayed up the whole week after that and nothing more happened. I figured maybe I dreamt it or something."

Ryou let it all sink in, the two falling into a sudden stiff silence. His brows furrowed in deep thought, but stilled his nerves for the sake of the other. "It was a year ago Malik, what made you think about it now? Did Atemu speak with you too?" He asked realizing that the once Pharaoh had only mentioned speaking with the other's sister.

"He did speak with me, well to my sister, I just stuck around to figure what was going on. He and my sister went down to the secret vault in that same room, when they lifted the spell, though I hadn't been present, I could feel the powerful aura their magic created..." He shivered. "It reminded me instantly of that night, it was exactly the same only..." He stared ahead, swallowing down his beating heart. "It felt stronger, fiercer than what they emanated."

The white-haired other sunk into the sofa, unable to find a viable reply to the other's statement. 'Something stronger...' "...I didn't see Atemu when he left. I was too stunned into a sort of fearful daze and Ishizu had retreated to her bedroom chambers to ready herself for work. I've been kind of mulling over this revelation until now."

"Hm." It wasn't much but it carried the weight Ryou had on him with much anguish and fear. Could it really be true? Another terrible evil borne to only make everyone's life a living hell? "I don't know... I don't know what's going on but Malik, I think you should see Atemu immediately." He nodded with a pathetic attempt at a smile, "I thank you for telling me this. Though I'm scared thoroughly, I am grateful for your courage to come and inform me, despite how hard it is for you."

As fake as the smile was, Malik was glad for it. "Yeah. I plan on seeing Atemu in the morning - first thing. I just wanted you to be aware of what was going on. I wish..." He stood to his feet, as did the other. He sighed hopelessly, "I wish this stuff didn't have to happen."

"Seto! Seto!" Mokuba shouted frantically as he charged through the wooden door that led to his brother's bedroom. It was strange that said brother wasn't already up and about but that was the last thing on Mokuba's mind. "Seto!" He screamed once more as he ran to the side of the queen-sized bed. His body though stopped abruptly, eyes freezing on the sight before him. "...Seto..?"

Kaiba's eyes were downcast, it was as if he hadn't even registered his younger sibling's presence. He'd managed to sit himself up and get his feet off his bed, but now he was stuck in a sitting position hands clenching the sheets, twisting them with great force. His body was shaking tremendously and the sweat dampening his pale complexion coupled with the shallow panting only made Mokuba forget all about what it was he came bursting into the room for in the first place. "Seto, what's wrong with you?" He questioned full-concern etching his features as he knelt down in front of the other, lifting the other's head to face him.

Kaiba continued to pant, eyes open but not seeing a single thing. "Seto?!" Mokuba shouted again. 'Dammit, he's burning up too! I've never seen him like this... No, I've never seen ANYone like this.' "Seto - don't you hear me?!" He exclaimed. "Seto, dammit, listen to me!"

The brunet went still. His eyes seeming to break from the abyss of darkness, "Mokuba." He whispered blinking profusely. His head lifted upward, eyes widening at the sight of fresh tears beginning to run down his brother's face. 'What? Mokuba? No... It's way too early for him to be awake. I - he should still be sleeping.' "Mokuba, what time is it?"

The other let his hands fall to his side, once he was sure the other was really there. "It's almost seven."

"Morning... or evening?"

Raven locks gently rocked to the right as its owner tilted his head in confusion to the side. "Morning. Seto, what's wrong? Why are you sweating like this? You - you were completely oblivious to me and well, everything around you... I came screaming your name and you didn't so much as flinch. What's going on?"

Kaiba tried to recall but honestly he had no recollection of the last five minutes, much less the time after his grueling nightmare. 'What happened? Oh, Mokuba's worried and I still can barely move my arms. I can't even keep my face straight - my body is killing me, I feel dizzy and so unfocused... But I can't just... Wait..' Blue eyes instantly jolted up and stared into his worried hazels. "Wait. You said you came screaming my name. Why? What's wrong?" Mokuba never came charging through his room - he knew to knock and wait for a reply. He'd never under normal circumstance do such a thing.

Mokuba stared at him lost for a response before finally it all clicked in his mind. "Oh Seto! You have to come down right away, there's been a horrible crime committed right outside our home!"

The brunet furrowed his brows. "What kind of crime?"

He shook his head. "When the morning staff came in they found a guy a little older than me unconscious in front of our gates. He looks really messed up and no matter what they've done he hasn't woken up yet. He's resting in one of the first floor's guest rooms."

Kaiba sighed in frustration. Mokuba stood briefly and settled on the bed beside his brother, placing his right hand on his brother's back. He didn't look so well himself. "They let him in? Why would they let a stranger in? It was probably some street kid hanging around a bad crowd - it isn't any concern of-"

"But Seto this wasn't just a coincidence." Kaiba turned his head to the side - it took more than a little effort to do that meager task. Mokuba continued, "This was... s-stapled to his chest." He pulled out a piece of paper with thick lettering on it. The younger held it out for the other.

Kaiba attempted to reach for it but found it too difficult to do, plus it would mean letting one arm off of the bed, which was the only reason he wasn't on the ground to begin with. "...Read it to me." He said, feeling all the more pathetic.

Hazel eyes wearily stared at him before turning down to the note. "Okay. It says, 'I thought it would be wrong of me to leave your little friend in an empty building to die. So here he is, beaten and submissive, all yours now. But for the safety of you and your little group of loved ones, Seto Kaiba, I'd suggest keeping your nose out of our affairs.'" They both sat in collective silence, Kaiba had already figured the next couple of questions his brother was going to say... "Seto, what is going on?"

Kaiba sighed once more in frustration, he lifted his hand but was unable to hide the pain reflecting on his face and the pained groan that escaped his throat. "Seto?" Mokuba swallowed back his tears. It seemed no matter how many years passed, or how 'mature' he was, it was so easy for him to cry.

"Mokuba..." He muttered between breaths, "Call the office for me will you?" He quickly threw his hand down onto the bed to balance his weak body. "...I can't go anywhere today... I need you to... Dammit all.. Find that bastard Atemu and Yugi and those damn friends of theirs and bring them here..." He growled, how he hated dealing with them. But he could tell when something was up and remembering the conversation with that boy, Akuna, whom he was sure the injured 'guy' in his guestroom was, that this was something Atemu was responsible for. "There's no time to... waste..."

Mokuba shifted his position on his bed and held onto his brother. "Seto, lie down. Just lie down."

Kaiba nodded. "Yeah... But listen to me." He winced again as he turned his eyes back to his brother, trying hard to maintain a shred of determination present, "I need to speak with them, the sooner the better."

He had never heard his brother request and demand to see his long-time rival before. "Then this is something... Something big isn't it?"

Kaiba shut his eyes, the action seeming to relieve some strain. "Yeah."

"Then rest Seto. Don't worry, I'll get them right away."

He helped his older brother back down on the bed and wiped away some of the sweat from his forehead. 'fuck.. What the hell happened to you Seto?' He glared at nothing in particular. When Kaiba's panting calmed into a slow steady pace, he stood and made his way to the door. "Mokuba."

He turned, "Seto?"

"Whatever you do - be careful. Just be careful."

"It is so cruel of you, Isiah." Makun's dark green eyes narrowed at the other. "Though, it is quite kind of you to let him live." He further stated. "Even if I had to shout at you to do so."

Isiah scoffed. "Just because he was a friend once doesn't mean you have to spare him. We owe him no favors." He growled.

Makun turned to face the other, his short black hair following a bit after. He stared at the other with an unreadable expression, seeming to reflect on the other's statement thoroughly. "Perhaps you are right. He was just a friend to you... I guess I harbor lingering affections for him.. He was something more than a 'friend' to me." He spat venomously.

"Don't talk in such a tone with me, it might cause me to wonder where your allegiance really lies. The way you speak of your affections and such."

Makun smirked stifling sudden wicked laughter from erupting. "You are so simple, so so simple. Isiah." His amusement quickly darkened to a scowl. "Don't ever joke of my allegiance, fool." He snarled, unlike his usual calm demeanor. "If there is one thing in this world I shall devote myself to, it is this mission and our master. Ever suggest something otherwise..." Isiah froze in a state of cold surprise, this was definitely not Makun's normal behavior. "I shall be forced to remove our own ties." He threatened.

The air between them thickened incredibly so. Makun settled back to an impassive expression. "I guess I shall have to find another... To replace Akuna." He sighed. "Oh well. Isiah," He called, shaking the other out of his surprise, "I'm heading out to find suitable sacrifices. Our Master has given me a message for you; an order."

'Amazing. His persona has seemed to alter slightly. He's never been so malicious before - and to change back and act as if it hadn't even taken place...' "What is the order?"

Makun ran a hand through his thick black locks. "It's a rather horrid one. I'm sure you'll enjoy it." He began to wander off. "If you even recall it..."

"What is it?"

"He needs you to take him somewhere - to visit an old... 'friend' of his." Makun left at the sardonic laughter echoing through the dark hideout they occupied.

Fifteen minutes to eight'o'clock, Ryou's alarm rang loudly. The brown-eyed boy mumbled incoherently at the intruding sound, he had just found sleep about two hours ago after a whole night of worrying over his conversation with Malik. Sitting up and shutting the thing up, he rubbed his eyes and stretched. He didn't have anywhere specific to go - it wasn't like he had much of a life really, other than water the plants in the house and shop for groceries, which he did have to go and get some neccessities such as milk, eggs and things of the like.

But he never was one to sleep a day away, perhaps he'd head to the park to clear his mind a little, the lively trees and sweet breeze always calmed him and gave him a sense of peace. It was hard sometimes being so alone- he never was good at making friends. Ryou was too shy, way too polite for his age and well, his looks attributed to a lot of teasing and name-calling. He sighed and stepped out of bed.

After washing his face and brushing his well-kept teeth, he headed down to make a grocery list for himself. After he'd written the first few items, a knock sounded on his door. His hand stopped mis-stride as he listened to the gentle rapping. His eyes flickered with a sense of uncertainty. He was beginning to grow anxious of guests, it seemed with every one he spoke to brought even worse news.

"But I suppose I must answer it... It could be important." He approached the door wearily. 'It must be important - why else would anyone visit me?' He frowned at his own condescending tone, how could he ever blame them? It wasn't like they'd ever been friends before - he didn't have a right to be a part of their group, he wouldn't fit in... He was too much of an outcast... His hand settled on the door with a hesitation he couldn't quite place. 'Get a grip Ryou... You promised both Malik and Atemu that you'd help them. You're gonna help them this time - not just get in the way.' With this newfound strength and assurance, he answered the door, blinking profusely at the tall teen with red hair and a tight-leather outfit. "Oh. Who are you?"

The figure smiled warmly, feigning a bit of shock. "You do not recognize me, Ryou?" The voice asked softly, almost shyly. The gentle other stared at the other and slowly shook his head. Did he know this person? The stranger shook his head and suddenly the smile transformed into a smirk, a callous and devious smirk... "I suppose I shouldn't have expected you to, in this body, how could you recognize me?" He questioned, the voice a lot darker than before... A lot less gentle and completely... sincerely sinister.

Ryou stepped back, fear paralyzing his brain. The only thing chanting in broken-record style was His name, His voice... "N-no... Please..." He couldn't will his body to move, to run, to act.

The being stepped inside, caressing the other's face in mock-tenderness. "This is a follower of mine, his name is Isiah. Ryou, my sweet little defenseless Ryou," He cooed, shutting the door behind them. There was nothing, not a scream, not even the slightest bit of resistence. The only thing Ryou did besides stand there; was cry.

Atemu awoke with a start. He stared around and blinked in a panic like the nights before, except it was morning and... He had remembered the dream, with clear detail only... 'This wasn't like the dreams before. I could see it and now it is so easy to think about it. Why would I dream though, of Kaiba?' His brows furrowed. Yes, this dream was different. He saw Kaiba and some figure was ranting to him about some plot of destruction and doom. 'And then... he was on fire, he was in pain... Kaiba was dying but...' Atemu stood to his feet and put his hand to his chin, another thing had irked him about that dream too. "The Millennium Rod. It appeared before him as he was being tortured... It was as if it came to save him."

As he pondered on this thought, there was a rushed knock on the door, so loud and anxious, even up in Yugi's room, he heard it. He ran downstairs and opened the door quickly - before any of the others woke up. His eyes widened in surprise, "Hey, what are you doing here?" He asked without hiding his shock.