Author 's Notes: Just a quick note to thank the anonymous reviewers –hugs- I do greatly appreciate the time all of you give to read my work and comment on it after, readers are the toping that makes writing that extra bit fun, so enjoy.

Warning(s): M. Yaoi. Spoilers of names. Disclaimer see first chapter.

Chapter 4: The absent King.

It had taken time for Bakura to get over the attack of that village; his mood had been disgruntled to all around him and he was rather silent. The thief King's generous side showed through, on giving the victims of the pharaoh's gutless attack an open invitation to stay as long as they wished.

Once the small group was healed a few moved on, taking their leave to one of the cities. The thief provided them with an escort to see them safely to the city's walls. The other few that remained offered what they could contribute to help the village as gratitude for their stay.

It was also well known that Bakura didn't keep freeloaders.

Mai was the only one willing to give some insight on Bakura from her years of being with him. It had almost brought Malik to tears, which Bakura partly blamed himself for being only recognized by his odd coloured hair and had been followed home by the Pharaoh's guards and priests and everything turned into a hellish nightmare and the tragic death of his parents and villagers in one night. The scar on his face and his hair were the only reminders of that night, so Bakura did the only thing he could, he kept his hair to shoulder lengthen and hid it away at all times under that hood.

"A week!" Malik's heart dropped and was sure his face did as well, it seemed such a long time and he didn't want the thief to leave him after such a shocking event. The thief King packed his horse with water and the loot he had gathered over a few weeks.

"We are running low on food and supplies." The thief grunted tightening up straps on the animal; to be sure he wouldn't be thrown. "With the extra mouths to feed, what we do have won't last us the week." Bakura looked at him and lifted Malik's chin up. "Stick with your teachings and help Mai and Katsuya where you can." The thief gave that damn grin that Malik still didn't like, that same wicked and a since of self satisfaction and accomplishment in just a small twitch of the thief's lips. He lifted Malik's chin. "Will you miss me?" Malik bit his lip and wanted to say yes, but wasn't going to give the other that satisfaction of having another thing over him... the thief already used his body against him; Malik didn't need the thief using his emotions as well.

Malik gasped as he was pulled against the thief and his back hit the side of the horse. "Will you miss me?" The thief repeated, his body pressed against Malik's in all the right places. His lips just inches away from Malik's own and how shamelessly his emotions pulled at him in wanting to be kissed.

"Yes." Malik whispered out, his face heated up and flushed red as he tried to look away... it was sad to say that the thief had full control over his emotions as well. That grin got wider.

"Bakura, leave something to ravage when you return." Rishid grumbled already mounted on his horse and waiting. The thief King's grin was one of satisfaction and triumph as he backed away and mounted his horse and placed on his white hood, that he only now wore when he was leaving the village, he took off across the desert with a few of his men.

The days rolled by and Malik was finding that he was missing the thief horribly, only due to the appalling things Bakura did to him that it now played on his mind and made him think and feel such things, especially at night. Malik through the day kept busy with the children and a few adults in teaching them how to read which he enjoyed greatly. He helped Mai in the afternoons with the horses and gathered water from a nearby oasis with the other women of the village.

Malik slumbered soundly in Bakura's bed one night, when he was woken by a commotion. He dressed quickly and rushed outside, everyone had gathered about something or someone and he feared something might have happened, that Bakura had returned early due to being harmed on his way to the Lower city. Malik pushed his way through and was meant with something he wished he would never witness again. "Another raid?" He gasped looking at Katsuya.

A man had stumbled upon their camp, wounded and bleeding he had clasped just outside the village, where he was found and brought into the camp. "Not sure, but we'll find out." Mai placed her hand on his shoulder giving it a comforting squeeze, before she ordered a scout team to make sure the man wasn't followed.

"Get the physician." Katsuya called out, as they lifted the injured man and carried him away.

The new comer had woken by drawn and Katsuya and Mai were waiting to question him, as it was pointless riding about the desert looking for a camp that would have been well hidden and to accidently stumble into the Pharaoh's guards... it wasn't going to happen. They waited for the stranger to awaken to question him and then they would decide what they were going to do.

"You answer me truthfully and I won't bring pain into this." Katsuya said looking down at the man; Malik had a cold chill as it sounded something close as to what Bakura would have said. "We'll start with your name, where you came from and what happened."

"My name is Mahado; I was the right hand man of lord Sugoroku just outside of Sais."

"Liar!" Katsuya spat drawing his sword and pointed it right at Mahado's face. "Sugoroku's camp and men were taken out over a month ago, thanks to the Pharaoh."

"I was the only one left alive." Mahado didn't even flinch away from the pointed end of the blade. "I made my own way stealing what I could to survive. I was heading to the Upper city when I ran into the Pharaoh's guards and I got away only to stumbled through the desert. I found this camp by chance. You saved my life." Mahado raised his arm and Katsuya leapt away with gasp as a hawk flew in over his head and landed on the new comer's arm, his eyes swept up and met Malik's in a stare for a few moments before he lowered them to his bird.

Malik was unnerved by the look the other gave him. "Do not make yourself comfortable for it's the thief King you must speak with, if you wish to stay." Katsuya sheathed his sword and walked away.

Malik followed Katsuya stating that he didn't like it that Mahado should be forced to move on as soon as he was able. Katsuya stated that it wasn't up to him, but Bakura and that for now Mahado would be watched closely until the thief's return.

Malik was getting a little nervous on why Bakura hadn't returned yet, it had been a week already and the thief had yet to come back. The small village was just as peaceful as always and functioned rather well without the thief Kings presence.

Malik still went about his daily work like everyone else, except it didn't matter what Malik was doing he could feel the eyes of the new comer on him constantly, it had gotten so bad that when Malik turned about Mahado would be standing either behind him or a few feet away... just watching him in his silent way. Malik wasn't stupid he knew the thief King was watching him all the time, even though he had told Malik that he wouldn't be, but it wasn't this closely or so noticeable.

Malik stated his discomfort about Mahado in the camp and asked again that Katsuya make him move on. Again Katsuya brushed him off saying he wasn't such a bad guy once getting to know him.

Malik watched in concern as Katsuya sat down and joined Mahado in all meals and even allowed him to join in on a few raids due to a shortage of men. Ryuji too had stated that he didn't like the new comer and shouldn't be allowed such freedom, he too was ignored.

Malik wished Bakura would only harry up and return.

One night Mai had only added to Malik's worry, by saying that this was the longest Bakura had ever been away for. She added in hoping the thief hadn't of been captured or killed, because she didn't really want to kill him. Malik paled, it had slip his mind that, no matter how he got along with Katsuya, Ryuji and Mai they wouldn't let him leave or live if something happened to the thief and after all they were a group of cutthroat thieves looking out for themselves... Malik at that moment was swept up with a deep longing to be back in the safety of his sister's care and be back in his life where he was ignorant of all that was really happening behind closed doors and whispers in the shadows of unthinkable acts.

Isis was his only reason for wanting to return home, but he didn't think he could face Atemu knowing all that he had done... He now felt bad for not having really thought of her or how much she would be going out of her mind not knowing what happened to him... maybe Bakura would let him send a letter or something to let her know that he was okay.

Their conversation and Malik's thoughts were interrupted as the small scout group brought in five men into the camp, who were looking for food and a place to sleep. Katsuya and Ryuji were a little reluctant to let them, but since the men had a run-in with the Pharaoh's guards at the last town and looked rather beaten up, they allowed them to stay.

It would seem with the thief's absences the responsibility he had left to Katsuya was going straight to his head. His decisions were not thoroughly thought out; this was not going to go down well.

Malik's worry for the unknown whereabouts of the thief King, his life tied to said man should he not return, Mahado shadowing his every move for unknown reasons and Katsuya lacking in his questioning and allowing all who stumbled across the camp to stay, not once did it cross their minds that they could be part of the Pharaoh's guards. Sent by Atemu to wipe them out or drag Malik back to the palace... the attack on that village had now made Malik just as paranoid and untrusting as the thief King.

A few of the men were crude and rather grabby at the women, but it was soon stopped by disgruntled lovers and husbands. Fights broke out once in awhile when one of the men cornered a woman. Katsuya and Ryuji broke up fights with warnings that should not be ignored.

Malik wished they would simply leave, if the thief King was here he would have made them leave by now for he wouldn't have put up with what they were doing. Malik also didn't like how their leader Ushio seemed to watch his every move, much like Mahado, but the difference was Ushio was giving him looks to something akin to what the thief gave him at night.

Ushio had approached Malik on more than one occasion. He made small fleeting touches to Malik's arm, brushing hair from his face, comments on his looks. "You must be rather good or valuable to have that jewel about your neck." Malik placed his hand over it protectively and pulled away.

"Malik!" Ryuji called him away from Ushio, Malik did not hastate nor did he realize the other had cornered him so easily. "If you continue to case him," Ryuji warned. "I assure you; your death will come slowly and painfully."

"Is he yours?" Ushio smirked at the possibility of seeing Ryuji jealous.

Ryuji glared back, even the single males who had taken a liking to Malik upon his arrival, soon learned fast who the boy belonged too, they all kept a respectful distance including a few of the girls. "Malik is property of the thief King." Ryuji made it very clear and walked away.

It was late one afternoon when the five men were packing to leave; Katsuya had taken great pride in convincing them to leave with the help of mentioning the thief King would return at anytime, that was after Ryuji had yelled at Katsuya and threatened him by what Bakura would do if he found out that Malik was being targeted by Ushio.

The camp was settling down for the night when Malik was making his way to Bakura's tent. He was relieved to know that the men would be gone by the next day. Now, only if Bakura would return, for the last thing he wanted was for them to give up hope and slit his throat while he slept.

He had just reached the thief's tent when he was shoved hard from behind. Malik hit the ground hard inside the tent and didn't have time to recover as a weight of Ushio was on him. "Just think." He tore at Malik's clothes, who struggled with all he had to get away. "I'll be famous for being the only guy to have ever stolen from the great thief King himself"

"Get off!" Malik cried out, trying to land hits where he could, but at such a close space, it did nothing. The guy flipped Malik over onto his stomach, holding him in place while he undid his pants.

"Watching you over the last few days has been hell. I'll take you with me; I'll treat you so much better than that bastard thief." Malik still struggled to get free, he would rather a life time in thief's bed then a moment with his guy.

"Like hell you are!" Came Mai's voice and the weight Malik was being crushed under was gone, he scrambled on his hands and knees to the other side of the tent.

"Are you alright Malik?" Katsuya asked rushing over to him, Malik clearly shaken only nodded his head, besides a few bruises, torn clothing and the rough handling, no real damage had been done. "Ahh, the King's going to have our heads for this!" Katsuya turned barking his order.

"They are spies of the Pharaoh." Mahado walked in throwing down a cloak with the Pharaoh's symbol on it before Ushio.

Katsuya cursed at his own stupidity, Bakura would kill him if he found out... he had to do something. "Around them all up." He ordered. The men in the camp had been more than happy to help out in gathering up the other four men.

Katsuya lead the way as they dragged all five men outside the camp, never to been seen again. Malik didn't think they deserved to die, but they couldn't just be let go either. "It was more merciful coming from me, because if it had of been Bakura here and what that guy tried doing to you and being a guard. You've never seen Bakura truly pissed off at someone..." He trailed off going a little pale and waved a hand dismissively adding. "I like my sleep to be undisturbed."

Malik hoped he would never witness such a thing as he already thought Bakura could be cruel bastard at times.

He really wanted to go, show Bakura that he too could earn his keep like every other male in the camp. "Are you sure?" Malik asked eyeing the horse.

"Yes, it's only small, a few men and mostly woman caravanning to Upper Egypt not far from here. Nothing to worry about, I have your back." Malik bit his lip, he had never gone on a raid before without Bakura being at his side, the thief had travailed to Thebes with Rishid and Varon and had yet to return.

Malik had never attacked people before in his life for any reason at all; it seemed so savage to him, besides the thief only took him to raid tombs where there wasn't any people involved but the dead... Malik didn't know which was worse, robbing from the dead or attacking people... He so wanted to prove that he was just as capable as the rest of Bakura's men.

"No, I have your back." Mai muttered giving Malik wink as she mounted her horse and moved the beast with a kick of her heels, following Mahado.

"Let's move, while Ra is still in the sky." Ryuji mumbled following Mai. Malik mounted the horse and followed them.

Attacking the travailing caravan, had been a little more trouble then what they had expected, the men were from the palace, Atemu's guards, who were well armed and ready for any such attack. In the moments of surprise of not having the few people running and screaming or dropping to the their knees begging for their lives, they attacked head on, Mai had been stabbed in the shoulder, and Malik had an arrow shot into his side.

The small battle consisted of Katsuya grabbing Mai and calling out a retreat. They returned with only their lives later that night.

The thief King met them upon their return and he looked furious. He rushed to Ryuji who held an unconscious Malik in his arms on horseback. He let Malik fell into the waiting arms of the thief.

"Sorry, Milord." Ryuji muttered his apology and hopes in defending himself against any punishment that was coming his way, for the look the thief King gave them, told him that they were all going to get it. "They were the Pharaoh's guards." The thief froze staring at him for a moment, then scanned over the dark desert.

"Get patrols out there; I want them outside the camp and inside. No one sleeps everyone's on watch." Ryuji nodded his head and moved to for fill the orders. "Who are you?" The thief snarled at Mahado and before the man could answer Bakura had turned away. "Get the physician!" The thief ordered and glared at Katsuya. "You," He seethed his grip tightened on Malik, it was obvious that he had been mistaken in leaving him in charge. "I'll deal with you later." Mai was carried by Rishid as he followed Bakura.

The physician spoke once Bakura laid Malik onto his side. "You must hold him." The thief with a solemn look did as told, he held Malik to him tightly as the old man worked to remove the arrow. Malik woke up long enough to scream his pain, clutching at the thief and promptly passed out again when it was pulled free of his body.

"Will he be... alright?" The thief asked holding an unconscious Malik to him as the physician worked on the wound for a moment before he sealed the wound with a hot end of a blade and then wrapped Malik's side up.

"It struck nothing of importance. He'll need rest and watch for infections. He should heal just fine. You can take him now." The old man said as he moved onto Mai. Kissing Malik's forehead briefly as the thief rose to his feet and carried the boy back to his tent, where Malik could rest undisturbed.

Mahado watched the scene as it played out before him, the boy held some importance to the thief and it was obvious there was some kind of affection there between the two.

Katsuya had been stripped of all privileges of being in charge in the thief's absence; he had been flogged, ten lashes and tied to a post just outside the village for three days without food or water and in the full wake of the blistering sun and cold nights.

Mai had been rather upset but seemed to silently except the punishment that was dealt to Katsuya. However, she ignored and avoided the thief King the best she could and it wasn't just Mai, but the entire village avoided the thief and his extremely bad mood when they saw him coming, in fear that he would direct his anger at them, they would stay out of his path and sight the best they could.

Mai kept a watchful eye over Katsuya, making sure nothing attacked him in the night while he was bound, while keeping her distance.

Malik had been pulled from all raiding and was to remain within the village borders at all times, unless companioned by the thief himself. Bakura had made it very clear that Malik too would be punished if he broke that rule.

It worried on the thief King's mind that the Pharaoh had sent his guards so far out into the desert was because the little brat was still looking for his cousin. Bakura tracked the guard's movements and made sure they were not looking for his village. The guards did try and Bakura lead an attack, killing the guards and stripping their bodies from armour to sandals. The thief give the order to pack-up camp and move, he was taking no risks and no one dared argue, they simply got to work.

Three days and Katsuya was dragged back to camp and dropped at the thief's feet. "Was his punishment really worth almost killing him over?" Malik muttered at the thief king, angry that Katsuya couldn't even raise his head from the ground or move at all on his own. His skin was blistered and burnt; he could barely breathe and was so dehydrated that his lips were cracked and bleeding.

"Be quite." The thief snarled at Malik. "Everyone knows I set the rules and everyone follows them if they wish to survive." He turned his dark glare on the still body of Katsuya. "Two were injured and you might as well have escorted the Pharaoh's guards back here!" The thief circled him, he was beyond furious, his men gathered about, heads hung and silent. "I set the raids and plan them carefully; I gave no orders for raids while I was gone! You might as well have just invited them here." He gave a kick to Katsuya, who only rolled onto his side and the thief pulled his sword. "You could have gotten everyone killed by your stupidity!"

"Stop!" Mai rushed in throwing herself over her lover's body. "Please don't" she was begging. "Katsuya has suffered enough; you've made your point. He'll never do it again." There was a short collective of gasps as Bakura raised his sword, Mai shut her eyes and pressed her face into Katsuya's back wanting the blow that would end both their lives.

Malik wouldn't run off in tears at the sight of the thief's sadistic side, not when it was aimed at the thief's own loyal man. Malik moved forward that made him cry out in pain and stumbled on his feet and fell against the thief while holding his side; Bakura caught him lowering his weapon. "Bakura," Malik mumbled into his chest, he felt the need to at least stand up for Katsuya for saving him from that man, which Bakura had no idea what had happened in his time away. If Bakura was already fuming at Katsuya for taking it upon himself to raid, Malik feared the thief would kill Ryuji and Mai and Mahado along with Katsuya and for allowing that group of men to stay in the camp. "Don't, killing him will lose your loyalty of your men." Malik straightened up and stood his ground even then the thief was towering over him and the look in his eyes was murderous, Malik still glared back though it was wavering, the thief did have a horrify temper.

"Get. Katsuya. Out. Of. Here." They all rushed forward and carried the unconscious man out; Mai gave Malik a fleeting look of gratitude and sympathy, for whatever happened to Malik next, no one could help him. "You!" The thief raged at Malik, grabbing the other by the arms tightly enough to leave bruises, Malik whimpered. "You ever undermine me again in front of my men; all personally remove your tongue."

"You would have killed him!" Malik hissed back, he had seen it happen before when the thief was in such a mood his judgement was cloud by his own anger.

"He would have deserved it!" The thief yelled in complete anger. "I'll not lose another village because of him or anyone!"

"Your men like Katsuya, killing him would have them all turn..." Malik was cut off.

"Enough!" The thief raised his hand to strike him, Malik recoiled shutting his eyes he had never been hit before and waited for the blow that never came. "Look at me." The thief shook him hard enough to rattle his teeth and his grip was crushing on his arms. "I'll take this as payment for your information you have given me... but you do not ever ask of anything from me ever again." The thief turned leaving the tent, Malik was so shaken up that he fell to his knees holding his side.

TBC

Slight changes I've made and the reason why this isn't being updated as fast as I would like it to, but it's so much smoother then what I had originally, how can you tell, you'll just have to take my word for it (love and cookies) and R&R.