Chapter 4: A tough decision

A/N: I can't believe I left this aside for so long. I always intended to finish this story, but I never sat down on it again. Well, here's the next chapter. I'll try to update more frequently to get this finished. Hope I'm not too rusty.

Atem's POV till I say otherwise.

Italics = thoughts

" " = dialogue

This is terrible…

When I first found out who Takunin was, I was expecting to find myself in a distant past, but not this far. Dear Ra, a baby?

The woman gently brushed the white locks out of the sleeping child's face and smiled at him. I stared at him; apart from his hair, he looked…normal. Just like every other baby out there. Somehow, this made it all worse. The silence made me stiffen. I had to say something, and I had one question I needed an answer to.

"How old is your son?" I whispered to her, my voice cracking as the words came out of my throat. My mouth had dried up and I tried not to swallow too loudly.

"He'll be 3 months old by the next full moon" she whispered back proudly.

Only 3 months old?

I tried to keep a straight face, but inside I was a wreck. When I made my wish, I was certain of what I had to do. If I killed Bakura, all would be well. My people would be safe. Even if it was murder, it would be for the best of everyone, I thought. It wasn't an easy decision to make though. I'm not a criminal, and if I were left any other choice, I would've never even consider it. Mahaad's death made my decision for me. Bakura had to go, for the sake of everyone else.

Now...now I don't know what to do anymore. Killing a full grown man is one thing, but killing a baby, regardless of who he'll become in the distant future…it'd make me a monster beyond redemption. But if I don't, everything I've managed to do so far will be in vain.

I stood there like a stone statue, unmoving, expressionless and cold. I stared into space for what felt like eternity, waiting for a sign on what I should do. The child slept on, unaware that his life could end by my hands at any moment if I so chose.

I felt a soft hand on my shoulder, and goose bumps ran down my spine. I finally snapped out of my daze and turned my head stiffly to the side. I almost expected to hear a wooden crackle from my neck as it moved, as I felt I were a marionette played around with by the strings of fate.

The woman named Amina gestured with a soft nod for us to leave. I stood there for a few moments too long, unsure of what to do. A part of me had been waiting for this ever since she removed the curtain, ready to run away and never look back. At the same time, I knew there was no turning back now. Going to the past was our only chance of stopping Bakura anymore and this was the one place and time I had the advantage.

I have no choice. Even if I'll regret it for the rest of my life, I'll kill him when everyone's asleep and make my escape.

I gathered the pieces of my broken heart together and got up to my feet. I moved ever so slowly across the room, dragging along on the wooden floor. I stopped at the stairs and looked back at the baby. The woman kissed his forehead gently and pulled the satin cloth over his bare chest, then came after me.

I rubbed my temples and sighed quietly. These people are so nice, I feel like such a bastard to do this to them. They genuinely love their child and they trust me as a friend. I wonder if the gods will forgive me, because these people certain won't.

The rest of the evening went on as awkward as I felt. Bakura's father and I made petty conversation while the young mother served us drinks and went about her leftover chores. After a while I stopped talking, leaving him to tell stories about his ancestors, great lands he's heard about from distant travelers and how important his village used to be in arming the past pharaoh's armies against invaders.

Even though things were going along smoothly, the pain in my chest was getting stronger. The moment of truth grew closer with each minute, and the expressionless mask I put on that night was starting to fade away, revealing my sadness.

Takunin seemed to pick up on this, and I could tell he was getting worried about me.

"My boy, you've been silent for almost an hour now. If there's anything wrong, you can tell me and I'll do anything I can to help you"

You can't help me. Nobody can. This is something I have to do on my own.

I smiled a weak smile. "Nothing's wrong. I was just thinking…" I paused. He waited for me to finish. "You have a wonderful family".

I can't say what I'm thinking about. A month ago, I would've scolded myself for the horrible thoughts running through my mind at this moment.

He smiled at my statement.

"Yes, I think so too. This is why I've been thinking of moving away from this place. Kul Elna's become a mere husk of what it used to be. The once proud people whom the pharaoh's emissaries personally asked for their services have all but died, and their kin are now snatching blankets from windows to clothe themselves. It's a sad place and I'd rather my son not grow up to see it like this."

As if on queue, a loud wail started in the room upstairs, drawing everyone's attention to it. The woman smiled and set down the wine flask.

"It seems Bakura wants me to serve him dinner as well. I'll be right back" she said and headed towards the stairs.

The crying stopped very soon as I guessed he was getting the milk he asked for. My mind started to wonder and soon I realized I was imagining the young woman slowly taking off her top, revealing her chest and soft breast. I blushed hard and tried to remove these indecent thoughts before they went too far.

Takunin was probably getting used to my constant blushing as he didn't see anything wrong with me nor did he make any comments about my beet red face.

Awkward silence settled in once more. He had no more stories to tell me, no clunks of glasses or plates being put or removed from the table, not even the sound of a pendulum to break the gloomy mood that was settling in at a fast pace. I found myself almost begging for something to distract me from this situation.

I started counting the minutes since Amina left the room. It had been over 10 minutes and the room was still quiet. I wondered if the man was just waiting for me to tell my own tale or if he was studying me for some reason. I couldn't blame him though, I guess I did stand out among these people. My good clothes were hidden under a loose ragged robe, but my face and arms were exposed. The mismatch was very obvious as my face was too clean and rather pale for a peasant. I also noticed for the first time how smooth my hands were. Takunin's were hardened and rugged, the hands of a working man.

Me, I never once held a plow. I had a few lessons in self defense as every man in the palace was required to do, but never to the point where my hands started to hurt against the wooden handle of the spear or bow. It was obvious I lived a pampered life up to this point. I guess this is also why losing it all at once left such a big impact on me...

The door upstairs creaked open as the woman returned into the dining room. I glanced her way casually until I noticed the wrapped bundle she was cradling in her arms. The cloth moved slightly and the child turned around from his mother's chest, wiggling in place until he found a comfortable position facing towards us.

"He wouldn't go back to sleep. he saw the light downstairs and wanted to see who was here. We rarely have visitors and Bakura loves meeting new people. He wanted to be your host as well" the woman said smiling, as if she could tell what the baby was thinking, if that was even the case.

The child blinked a few times as if he was trying to focus his vision in the brightly lit room. His large purple eyes darted around the room and quickly settled on the unfamiliar element- me. He stared me down like a hawk, never breaking eye contact. It was actually unnerving to have him watching me with such interest. I tried not to look in his general direction, hoping he'd change his focus. No such luck. The baby started to gurgle and reached his chubby little arm towards me.

I didn't know what to do so I smiled as sweetly as I could, but I'm sure I wasn't very convincing. I never knew how to act around babies. The mother lifted him higher into her arms and gestured with her head that it was safe for me to touch him.

I remembered babies liked to cuddle, so I reached my hand to brush through his messy hair. As soon as my hand got close enough, he grabbed my middle finger tightly in his own tiny hands and put it in his mouth, suckling on it lightly.

I didn't know what I was supposed to make of that gesture. Was he thinking my hand was a tit? Was that supposed to be cute? I had no idea.

The woman chuckled at this and explained

"This is his way of saying hello. He likes you". I stared at the baby. His big eyes were still fully focused on me, as if he was waiting for a specific reaction from me.

He... likes me? Why?

I scrunched my face into the nicest smile I could muster at the moment, trying not to show my confusion. If only she knew how much we hated like each other in the present time, she'd understand how awkward this moment felt for me.

The baby finally lost interest in my finger, probably because no milk came out of it, no matter how hard he pulled on it with his lips. He squirmed around a little more and quickly fell asleep with a soundless yawn. The woman wrapped him tighter in the soft cloth and headed upstairs to put him back to bed.

I suppose he IS kind of cute…

Why did I think that? Why did I even care about something like that?

Midnight was fast approaching and I was getting more and more agitated. I had to commit my crime tonight or I would fail my only chance to defeat him. Still, for reasons still unclear to me, I wanted to postpone it as much as possible. Maybe it was because i was reluctant to murder a child, or was I feeling bad for him? The howl of a lone jackal could faintly be heard outside, as if Anubis was watching me. Then it all died down, leaving only the night crickets to break the silence. This was the sign my host seemed to be waiting for, as he picked up the half burnt candle form the table and told me come upstairs to sleep.

I didn't resist his invitation and followed the pair up the stairs into the makeshift bedroom. I settled into the furthest corner from the bed, covering myself with a cloth that was lying around. Despite the man's protests, I refused to sleep on the bed and laid down on the floor close to the window. It was cold and drafty, but I wasn't planning on sleeping anyway.

An hour or more passed as I waited with my back turned to the couple, my eyes cracked open and bloodshot. I barely kept myself from truly falling asleep, as my past weeks have been much too agitated and I had next to no time to rest.

I turned my head around slowly, trying not to make any noise. I watched the two for a couple of minutes. The woman was turned towards me and clearly asleep. The man was sleeping beside her with his face staring at the ceiling. I could see his chest moving up and down in a steady rhythm. I concluded he was fast asleep as well.

I got up and tip toed around the bed towards the curtain covered corner. I pulled the curtain, the baby resting on top of the cushions like he did when I first saw him. I unsheathed the knife again, this time having nobody to catch me in the act.

This is it, this is the moment I've been waiting for…I'll kill him quickly and run away before they have time to react.

My heart caught in my throat and my breathing stopped. Was I already too afraid to do it? I blinked hard and shook my head. This is not the time to back away.

Isis has faith in you to save our people…DO IT!

With my hand shaking, I pulled the knife above my head, building momentum. I aimed for the heart, wanting to end it quick and painless. Even so, my hand came down slowly, much slower than I wanted to.

As I was lowering my hand, the baby shifted around and his eyes fluttered open just as the blade almost grazed his chest. I froze with my arm in the air, having not expected this. My heart stopped for a few moments, waiting for the baby to start crying and alert his parents.

But he never did. He looked at me quizzically, not making a sound. He wasn't scared and he didn't wail, he just stared at me with those big, innocent eyes of his.

Why isn't he reacting? Doesn't he realize what's going on? Why is he looking at me like this? Is he trying to gain my sympathy?

I got my composure back and I decided to finish my action before anything else happened. I pushed the knife forward again towards his chest.

I'm sorry little one, but this is for the greater good…

I didn't expect what happened next. The baby caught my hand in his own. My hand opened slightly in reaction to the touch and he stuck my finger in his mouth, just as he did earlier. He started suckling on it contently, his sweet eyes still focusing on my own... My arm instantly went soft. The knife slipped away and slid down on the curtain to the floor.

The child really did like me. He wasn't afraid of me because he knew I couldn't hurt him. And he was right... I couldn't.

My eyes stared into space as hot tears started streaming down my face. My heart finally broke down from all the feelings that were pounding away at me that day. I fell to my knees, tears still flowing strongly as I tried to keep from sobbing loudly. I couldn't kill an innocent child, Ra be damned who he'd become in 20 years. My mission was over.

I'm sorry... Isis, Seto, Mahaad… everyone…I failed you...

I didn't care anymore. I just couldn't do it. I loved him in a way I didn't quite understand. I felt like a foster parent to him, or maybe a big brother. I felt the need to protect the delicate being, as if he were my own flesh and blood. I think, deep inside, I was hoping I could change him.

I've failed my friends and family…I can't show my face to Isis ever again.

That is, if I ever managed to get back to own time. It didn't matter though, I knew what was I was going to find. Fire, brimstone, death, and a cackling white haired thief waiting to get his hands on me. I was probably going to get killed by him or his demon Ka, but I couldn't get myself worked up over it anymore.

Maybe I was always destined to fail…

The baby released his grip on my hand and looked at me again, smiling softly. I smiled back and ran the tip of my fingers up and down his smooth, lightly tanned cheek. His smile grew and he fussed around a bit, moving his balled fists to try and touch my hands as the slight coolness of my fingers tickled his face.

I closed my eyes and sighed defeated. At least I got to see his more humane side, even if it was for only one night.

The baby fell asleep again after a few minutes of playing around, settling back into his soft cushions. I kept my eyes on him for a moment, trying to burn this image into my mind. I wasn't going to see it ever again.

I picked the knife off the floor and left the room. There was no reason for me to stay there anymore.

I'll have to go back to the spring and use the Puzzle to get home. Or at least, I hope it will bring me home.

I took one least look at the house before heading down the lane. The building appeared to glow in the morning sunrise, as if Ra himself was telling me the person inside it special.

Bakura…If only you were a hero and not a murderer, like your parents wanted you to be. Maybe then, we could start over…

I walked slowly, my feet dragging as if stuck in a soft sand dune. I felt as if something was terribly wrong. Something I forgot…

I turned around to see the man from last night come out from behind the building. My eyes went wide when I remembered my deal with the Thief King.

"So, did you have your talk with the person you were looking for?" he asked me. I nodded quickly, a look of concern plastered on my face.

"Y-yes, your services aren't required anymore". I was stuttering. The thief caught on and frowned at me.

"Our leader doesn't want you to 'fix your problems'. He wants his payment". His voice was loud and demanding.

"And he shall receive it as soon as I get the goods" I answered him.

"Our deal was for you to have it in the morning! The Thief King is not pleased with people who go back on their word" He all but shouted.

I had to fix this situation. "I did not say I don't have the gold. But I don't have it on my person. Give me some time to go get it from where I left it"

"I'll come with you." The thief insisted.

"That won't be necessary". I couldn't take him with me, otherwise he would find out I had more gold then I told them and I'd be in greater trouble than I already am.

The thief clenched his teeth. He was angry with me. He probably thought I was going to run away from him. He grabbed me by my arm and insisted upon coming with me once again. When I refused once more, he threw me to the ground.

He whistled through his fingers and instantly 5 men with their faces hidden in dark velvet veils appeared from around corners and alleyways. they had been waiting there all night for his orders...

They stormed the house and I heard Amina's screaming, followed by an angry yell from her husband. Then all fell silent.

My eyes widened and my mouth fell open. Are they..?

What have I done?

The thieves exited the house with a bunch of stolen goods, including dinnerware, clothes, trinkets and whatever jewelry they could find. And also…

"Bakura!" I screamed.

One of the thieves was carrying the baby in his arms, holding him carelessly and flinging him around like a doll. The baby was crying loudly as his little body ached at the abuse. The cloaked thief handed him over to the thief standing beside me, who grabbed him and mounted the horse we rode into town.

I jumped at him, reaching for the child, but I was quickly knocked back down by the rest of the thieves around me.

"If you want this baby back, bring the goods in less then 2 hours to the den. Otherwise, we'll complete OUR end of the bargain and kill him." He stated and kicked the horse in the sides, making it run away as fast as it could.

The other thieves quickly followed him, and before I knew it, they were all gone.