EEWWW. I hated this chapter! I hate the fact that exams are coming, and the fact that this had no Marik x Ryou! (makes a face) Some Marik x Ryou tomorrow, and realsweet Malik x Bakura fluff. I'm still at a bit of a loss as to the Marikx Ryou bit, but I'm thinking of something...something small, but somethign all the same. After all, we all know that Marik's just a liiitttle pissed right now, so most of whatever lime is coming up between him and Ryou is a liiitttle "forced". Of course, Ryou will get a whiff of this soon enough...(cough)

See? I told you that if this was a big Bakura x Malik story, Marik would be made the villain. But we all know who's the TRUE supreme evil force, don't we? (cough) Dark Magic RPG (cough) Yami Bakura (cough) Not Thief Bakura, the sweetheart (cough).

Entirely Bakurax Malik chapter. I would've done better if I hadn't just had my math final. I kept on thinking things like, "Malik couldn't figure out the problems of his heart because the authoress couldn't even figure out what six to the power of three minus six to the power of negative one times three is."

So anyways, chapter nine. To make up for oncoming MarikxRyou agnst, we have sweet MalikxBakura fluff!


Chapter Nine: The Best Thief

Making a face, Malik trudged along the snow of gold, kicking every so often at the hard flakes of sand. It was strange, acting like such a child again. He had been doing that so much recently. He was no longer "Malik, the King", or more accurately, "Malik, the Wanna-be King"…but now he was just…Malik. Little, childish Malik that made flower necklaces out of fun for his siblings.

Pouting, Malik then stabbed his foot forwards, striking a rather impeded rock from the ground sprawling into the air. It landed with a soft and dull thud and then laid still in the darkness.

Above him, the moon shined brightly, its full sphere illuminating the darkness that the Egyptian dunes were now surrounded in. Pale, silvery moonlight glistened against the gold, glinting them to the point of being a land of bronze to golden karats.

Sighing again, Malik plopped himself on a nearby rock, his eyes trailing about aimlessly and with boredom. Ever since Bakura had left him, he had nothing to do but mop. At least with Ryou around, he got to tickle the other Light, and tease him to no end (which was something Malik quite liked in doing), but now with Marik back and obviously involving Ryou in rather mature activities, Malik had nothing to do but brood.

After his futile attempts to sleep, Malik had decided to take a nightly stroll. He liked the night as much as the liked the day; anything outside confining walls and stone chambers was good enough for him. In fact, he thought, as he pulled his legs to his chest and letting his gaze fall upon some nearby pyramids, let's just sleep out here tonight.

A good half a kilometer away stood a large, unfinished pyramid, its crumbling edges ominous in the moonlight. Though to any other bystander it looked almost foreboding, to Malik it was nothing, and after wondering which pharaoh's riches and chambers he'd sleep in tonight, he smiled brightly.

Plus, the added look of morning slaves working and escaping the palace guards would be equally fun too.

Oh, Malik loved being mischievous. It was all he could be if he couldn't be evil.

Grinning and releasing a deep breath, Malik landed on his feet against the dusty limestone, the rock making a soft thump as he made his descend. He had managed to find an unfinished part of the wall on the south side, and had managed to jump in. The northern side of the pyramid had already been finished…all that was left was to cover the large entrance that Malik had gotten into, and a new tomb would be ready for the next dying king.

Sighing with content, Malik stretched himself slightly, arching his back and stretching his abdominal muscles. After shaking his head from side to side in attempts to see where he was, he smirked lightly and promptly began walking down a hallway at random.

After he had gone down the same hallway for quite some time, Malik decided to light a match, and after finding an old, broken stick that was once a makeshift shovel, Malik lit it on fire, and held his new torch high above his head.

Clink.

Blinking and eyes widening, Malik took a step forwards, his gaze narrowing as he brandished his torch before him. He was no coward. Whoever was inside the tomb now must've been a tomb robber of sorts…if that was the case, Malik was interested. He hadn't met a real tomb robber before…at least, none that he knew.

Think Bakura was one though, at some point…Malik though to himself curiously as he stepped forwards boldly. Ha, he snorted. Even if he is…it won't make that much of a difference. He won't ever see me again anyways, so why even hope?

"Who's there?" he called coldly.


Bloody curse it! Bakura swore under his breath.

Great. The great Thief King Tomb Robber Bakura-sama, most feared bandit in all of Egypt, had managed to get sighted. And not just sighted by anyone.

Malik.

Cursing under his breath again, Bakura slid down the wall, making no move to escape, no matter how much his instincts screamed at him to. His heart had won over again.

First Ryou, now you? Bakura seethed. Gods damn it. What is it with you Lights and your abilities to find out pity cases of massacred villages?


As he approached down the hallway, hearing nothing but silence, the glow of his torch slowly began to expand, spreading its dull hue against the walls. After a few more steps, the light of his torch gradually illuminated something else…the tiniest of flashes caught Malik's eye, and after kneeling down to the floor, he saw a string of jewelry, lying lonesome upon the stone.

It was quite a pretty necklace. Its chain was a delicate gold, from which hung an oval-incased pure amethyst jewel. As Malik reached out towards it, he noticed elegant, expensive and intricate designs that had been carved upon the side of the oval encasement, its swirling whorls and delicate vines slithering against the glow if his torch.

However, as his fingers managed to brush against the chain, a strong had suddenly shot out form the darkness, gripping his wrist in a distinctly familiar tight grip.

"What the-?" Malik started, but was cut off abruptly when a hissing voice came from the darkness.

"Pardon me, but I don't think this is yours."

The Egyptian words sounded strange, but Malik had no time to ponder about them. For as quick as a serpent's instinct, the hand had grasped the jewel, jerked it from his hand, and vanished into the darkness.

Stumbling to his feet, Malik brandished the torch out in front of him, yelling, "STOP!"

But to no avail.

For even though it had been mere seconds since that touch had disappeared, there was nothing before him, and no sound echoed in his ears. It was almost as though nothing had happened, and it almost made Malik doubt himself about the mysterious jewel and thief.

But…no. Not quite.

For that touch…even though it had been coarse and wider…that touch had been familiar. That hiss of a voice, though speaking fluent Egyptian words, had a strange accent to it…almost…

…strangely enough, Malik had thought the strange accent to be British.

Malik made a face, to no one in particular.

There was only one "English" thief that he knew, and it sure as heck wasn't Ryou.


Sighing forlornly, Bakura rested his back against the slope of the pyramid, the large sack of treasures next to him and his shorah keeping him nice and cool.

After his conversation with Ryou, Bakura had decided to do something to get himself back into character. He had hugged Ryou…if anyone in Egypt had heard of such a thing, they'd second-guess him the next time he would strike. And Bakura hated a tarnished reputation.

And plus…no matter how hard Bakura attempted to shake it off…no matter how hard Bakura snorted and no matter how strong Bakura was…the memory of those hard, cold, amethyst eyes haunted him, like a tagging ghost at the back of his head. It was not that he was afraid of Marik…hardly!…but all the same, those cold, hard amethyst eyes had a spark of fire within them, something so icy and so fiery at the same time, it was inhumane. And it made Bakura wince.

Weakling, he thought to himself. First Malik, now Marik…dammit, Ishtals have the weirdest eyes…

Thinking about Marik's eyes distinctly brought Bakura's thought track back to Malik…something that the thief wasn't sure was a good or bad thing.

From cold, icy fire amethyst to childish happy ones, Bakura's mind began to drift back to Malik once more, thinking about how large Malik's eyes were, and how gorgeous they were. How they'd sparkle at the sight and widen with curiosity. How they'd bat and wink and harden and narrow…everything.

Thinking about Malik's eyes slowly then led Bakura to thinking about Malik's other features…again. His light caramel skin, his unblemished features…down to those pretty abs and adorable kohl lines.

Yes, Bakura missed Malik. A lot. And yes, Bakura did not wish to see Malik, because he knew it would just hurt him again, just like it did when Kuru Eruna burned to the ground.

Suddenly, a thump jostled him out of his thoughts, and instantly, he jumped to his feet. Eyes narrowing, they darted from side to side for the intruder, his ears prickling at the origin of the sound. Hiding a smirk, Bakura slid away quietly, hiding behind a nearby round boulder, waiting patiently for whatever that had just awakened his senses.

With a grunt, a shadow came climbing over the unfinished part of the pyramid, before sliding down the slope of sand. The shadow then landed on his feet, brushing his arms of dust and grime. Bakura smirked as he watched the shadow stop to stare at the bag of treasure Bakura had left.

And the predator will pounce…

He jumped.

Now.

"Ungh!" Malik grunted, as something hard and heavy collided into him. Coarse hands gripped his wrists tightly within their grasp, and a well-built chest was crushing his into the wall.

Grunting and wiggling, Malik fought his best against his attacker, snarling and spitting as the shadow increased his hold.

"RELEASE ME I COMMAND YOU!" he demanded.

Suddenly, as though hearing his voice had terrified him, the thief froze. Glaring, Malik opened his eyes, before they widened with shock.

Brown bloodied eyes stared back, shielded by sharp, white bangs. Though hidden beneath the hood of his cloak, Malik could see white hair upon the shoulders, silvery in the moonlight. A pale scar trickled down one eye.

Malik's eyes widened even larger than before, and slowly, he felt his defenses cracking and splintering, before finally collapsing into a heap of dust at the bottom of his heart.

"Ba…Bakura?"

Each of them blinked, and Malik didn't have to question the silence to know that indeed, it was Bakura standing before him. Bakura. His former love.

Bakura was finally with him!

Suddenly, as though abruptly sparked with energy, Bakura quickly jumped away. Instantly Malik did so as well, waving his hands and hiding them behind his back, as though brunt.

"Uhh…"

The thief quickly looked away, his eyes hidden beneath his hood. Golden strands of jewels tinkled lightly as Bakura turned away, skimming his shoulders and draping towards the floor. Malik bit his lip.

Was this…was this really Bakura? The tall, strong silhouette before him? As much as Malik hated to admit it, he couldn't help but think Bakura for being hot again.

Stop it! he berated himself. He hates you. He obviously does. He's not even looking at you. Don't listen to him.

But Malik's heart wouldn't listen.

"Ha..ahh…" Malik finally stuttered out, as he watched Bakura with large eyes. Uneasiness settled within Malik's heart, and he shifted awkwardly on his feet, looking away. "Ahh…h-hi…Bakura…"

"Hello, Malik…" came Bakura's voice, soft and quiet. Malik blinked. It was quite unlike the first them they had met. When they had first met acquaintance, Bakura had managed to dart right in front of Malik's motorbike, and had demanded for the Sennen Rod. Now, the thief stood before him, looking away and silent. But who cared? Bakura was talking to him!

"Ah-aaah…" was all Malik could stutter, at a loss as to what to say. After all, Bakura had been ignoring him since they had broken up…for the very first time, the thief was talking to him, and not disappearing into nothingness. He looked away again, shifting on his feet, lowering his eyes to the ground. "H-hello…Bakura."

An awkward silence fell upon them. The air felt thick and heavy, lingering above and between them, like a dusty curtain sheathing their hearts. Distinctly biting his lip, Bakura straightened, and his eyes darted about, as though trying to find an escape route. It was when he realized there was nothing he could do, lest hurting Malik's feelings, when he noticed Malik's face.

Oh Ra, did that boy change at all? Though Bakura had always looked away from Malik's presence since they broke up, he hadn't forgotten just how gorgeous Malik was. And now, looking at him once again, Bakura distinctly felt a pang of guilt stab his heart. Though he was determined not to show it, he couldn't help but notice how crestfallen Malik looked, looking away, his gorgeous lavender eyes shifted to the floor. How sad did he look…

Swallowing, Malik lowered his eyes even lower, almost shutting them as he tried his best to shrug casually. "A-Are we…are we supposed to even be…talking to each other?" he murmured quietly. "Or…do you have something you need to go do?"

Bakura couldn't help but make a face at Malik's wavering voice. Acting just as casual as Malik was, he also turned away, the bag of treasures clinking quietly.

"No…not really," Bakura murmured, equally quietly. "Just…stealing. There's nothing really I need to go do tonight anymore…you?"

Hastily, Malik shook his head, his eyes still averted. "No…no, not at all."

Bakura nodded. "Oh…I…see."

Another awkward silence fell upon them, and neither of them was very comfortable at all. Finally, Bakura decided to break the silence. Glancing towards the heavens, he focused hard on one of the stars, to prevent himself from looking at Malik.

"So…uh…what are you doing out here, anyways? At this time of night?"

Malik blinked, but he still wouldn't look at Bakura. It hurt too much, at any rate. "Oh…nothing," he said softly. His heart sped up a little bit, but his mind forced it to suppress. Bakura was talking to him again! "Nothing. I think Marik took Ryou somewhere, but I'm not sure. I've just went into the pyramid over there…and…yeah."

Bakura nodded. "I see," he said, rather lamely.

Another silence. This time, Bakura let out a rapid string of Egyptian curses in his head, as to block out the deafening silence between him and his former lover. He was about to change to more colorful Japanese words when Malik's voice drifted to his ears.

"What about you? Stealing again?"

Before he could hold himself back, Bakura instantly snorted.

Okay…why the hell did I just do that?

"Of course," Bakura said, in a rather void voice. "What else would I be doing?"

Malik shrugged. "I don't know…" he said, so softly that Bakura almost tore from his view of the stars to hear him.

Silence. This time, Bakura decided to entertain himself by counting the stars. Sixteen stars were counted before Bakura heard Malik's soft voice again.

"…So uh…did you…did you get anything good?" he asked.

"Huh? Oh yeah…" Bakura said distractedly. "Loads."

Eighteen stars.

"Oh…wow…umn…I see," Malik nodded. "You got a…you got a really big bag there. What's in it?"

"Stolen goods."

Seventeen stars.

"Oh…I see…umn…like, what stolen goods?"

Bakura shrugged. "Jewelry from the temples and tombs," he said casually.

Malik's eyes widened, and he turned around to face the thief. "You're kidding."

Bakura shook his head. Malik blinked, before he clasped his hand over his mouth.

"But that's…that's….you'll be impaled if they catch you!"

"No one catches me," Bakura replied off-handedly. "Please. You think I don't know what happens to me if I get caught? Hell, that's my motivation to run if I have to."

Distinctly, Malik felt his lips twitch into a smile. He was about to nod when a flash of light caught his eyes…blinking curiously, he stepped forwards toward the thief.

The flash of glittered shined again, and this time, Malik noticed a small strand of gold hanging off Bakura's waistband. From hung on a delicate golden chain, was a small, diamond-cut gem, outlined with a golden base. The gem itself was a gorgeous amethyst, ranging in shades. The bottom was a deep, crystalline purple, whilst the middle a lavender, and the top, a very faint mauve. Smaller beads of purple dotted the top and bottom, where the angles of the golden base were connecting.

"Oh wow…" he breathed. And forgetting about Bakura entirely, he reached out towards the necklace, inadvertently brushing his fingers along the skin of Bakura's waist.

He had forgotten Bakura was not wearing anything on top, beneath the robe.

Yelping and tearing his eyes away from the stars, Bakura jumped back. Malik's eyes had widened and what he had done, and instantly, he jerked back and looked away.

If Bakura had still been counting stars, he would've lost count at how many he had counted for this period of silence. Fifty-six, he'd reckoned.

"Ah…um…" Noticeably, Bakurafelt his cheeks flush slightly. Wait…what the hell? He never had blushed in the future, so why was he blushing now? "Umn…was there…was there something you liked?"

"Oh! Umn….no…not really," Malik stuttered. "Umn..it's just that..I found something really nice, and I …wanted to take a look at it…" Gritting his teeth nervously, Malik turned around, facing his back towards Bakura. Hastily he found himself the jackhammer nearby, it's long stick and heavy stone edge lying by a ball-like boulder, to amuse himself with, and found much interest within it. Anything to stop looking at Bakura.

….

NINETEEN STARS!

"Ohh.. um…" Bakura stuttered. "Which one? What're you looking at?"

Malik jumped. "The..the..jackhammer," he stuttered, staring at the old, beaten hammer with interest. Vaguely, he wondered whether Bakura had seen it or not…it was resting beside the pyramid in the shadows, after all. If that's the case, then Bakura probably would've thought him an idiot.

But that was not quite the thief's reaction.

Bakura's eyes widened instantly, and his cheeks flushed. "T-The WHAT?"

Poor Malik had not known that what Bakura meant was, 'What were you looking at?' and instead, had translated it to, 'What are you looking at?'

And poor Bakura, had translated 'jackhammer' to…well…'jackhammer.'

And damn his body for betraying him. Without tearing his shocked look from Malik, his hand drifted down to his waist, and automatically smacked the persistent, hard, hot bulge beneath his sarong.

DOWN boy!

"T-The…the…WHAT?" Bakura repeated again.

"The jackhammer," Malik replied instantly, trying his best to maintain cool. "You now…the one by…the…you know…the rock…the rock that's shaped like a ball, you know…over there…" he rambled, feeling his cheeks grow hot. "You know…over there…" Malik pointed. Though he wasn't sure if Bakura could see it, there was indeed a large boulder, shaped like a ball that was a few feet away from the jackhammer.

Well, hell, Bakura's jackhammer and balls were rock hard now.

He smacked himself again, and had to bite his lip to restrain the whine of pain he longed to emit. Stupid…stupid…hormones!

Down boy! he thought madly to himself. Down! Down!

SMACK.

Ooh, that was a little too hard.

Hearing the sharp sound, Malik quickly turned around, and saw Bakura's flushed face and bent knees. Frowning with worry, he was about to run to Bakura, when the thief straightened and looked away.

"Oh, Ra, Bakura…what's wrong?" Malik asked.

"N-Nothing…" Bakura replied, his voice shaking madly. Malik's expression scrunched up with worry and fret, and hesitantly, he reached out towards Bakura's locks.

"You sure…?" Malik asked. "You're really warm…do you have a fever?"

"N-No…" Bakura shook his head. "It's just…that…" Taking a deep breath, he looked back over to Malik, and forced himself to look straight into Malik's eyes.

Oh Ra….how beautiful they were…just like that amethyst necklace he had stolen from the tomb…

"W-Were you…were you really looking at my jackhammer?" Bakura asked, cursing at himself for his flushed cheeks.

Confused silence followed, but to Bakura, it was an eternity.

….

Oh Ra.

TWENTY-TWO BLOODY STARS!

"Y-Your….your jackhammer?" Malik repeated, looking wide-eyed and frightened. "Yours? What do you…"

It was then did Malik notice something prodding him against his waist.

Eyes widening drastically, both of them averted their eyes downwards, staring at the straining, hard bulge that had begun to prod into Malik's stomach on its own accord. Instantly, both leaped away from each other, as though burned, which was how hot Bakura's arousal was currently feeling.

"Oh!" Malik exclaimed, swallowing as the stared at Bakura's sarong. "Oh! Um…no! Of course not!" Quickly, Malik turned away, but distinctly found that his own arousal was growing too.

"You…you weren't?" Bakura asked, sounding quite relieved. "You really weren't?"

"Well…of course not!" Malik said, blushing furiously and laughing a shaky laugh. "I mean…why would I? I mean, we're not together, so which means that I can't, no wait, it means I shouldn't, because we're not together, and since we're not together…"

"Malik, you're rambling," Bakura said, his eyes looking somewhat worried. Malik stopped abruptly in his cascade of words.

"Oh…UM!" was all he could say, as he bit his lip. "Well…if I'm bothering you with that, I could just shut up, you know…" he said hurriedly, smiling nervously. "I mean, after all, who'd want to hang out with someone like me, you know? I mean, Ryou's got Marik, and Marik's got Ryou, Isis is not here, Rishid is chasing after her, yeah, well, sure, I understand. No one wants to be with me. I get it." Nodding decisively, Malik turned around, taking a deep breath and exhaling loudly. What was the matter with him? Why couldn't he speak? Why couldn't he say something that would at least grant him some dignity? "No one wants to be with me…" he said quietly.

There was a soft silence between them, one that this time, neither of them bothered to use to count stars. The wind was the only sound between them, whistling softly its mournful tune, caressing and swirling around them, in sad attempt to bring them closer together.

He's still really pretty…Bakura thought to himself, as he watched Malik bow his head forlornly towards the sand. Just like he was when we played in Kuru Eruna, and just like when we talked during Battle City. He's still really pretty.

"No, Bakura, please, I don't want to!"

"For me, please, Bakura?"

"It's so wonderful…for you to be here with me…next to me…it almost makes me wish to stay like this forever…"

"I love you, Baku…"

"Well…" Bakura said softly, looking at the ground. "I guess…I still do…if…well…" He took a deep breath. "Well…if you're not doing anything," Bakura said hesitantly. "You know…in the near future…maybe…we can get together some time? I wouldn't…mind…being with you…again."

Blinking, Malik turned around hesitantly, as though unsure at what he heard.

"Wha…what?" he whispered.

Clearing his throat, Bakura took a step forward. He wasn't exactly sure what was driving him to do so, but strangely, something told him it was right. Something made his heart swell again, made his heart beat again. After all, it was Malik. Sexy, cute, adorable, mischievous Malik.

Hard to ignore.

"Well…umn…" Bakura started softly. "If…you aren't doing anything tomorrow, or something…maybe…maybe we can get together, or something, you know? I could…pick you up by the pyramid here, at around sunset-ish…and maybe…we can just…walk? Talk? Just…be…together?"

Blinking again, Malik slowly turned around, his large lavender eyes slowly filling up with hope and apprehensive longing. Bakura cleared his throat again, looking deep into those lavender eyes, those same, beautiful lavender eyes that had always captivated him so.

"So do you…do you want to?" he asked, almost weakly.

Malik slowly cocked his head to the side. "You…mean it?" he whispered, as though almost hardly daring to believe it. "You'd…really want to spend…some time with me again?"

Bakura nodded, cracking a small, cheeky smile.

"Sure. That is…if you want to."

Slowly, Malik's lips gradually formed into a smile. Though small and hesitant, it was a smile none-of-the-less, and it made Bakura's heart soar and beat like mad.

"I'd…I'd like that," Malik breathed, his smile now forming into a grin. "Yes," he said, more firmly, but just as soft as before. "Yes. I'd like that."

Breaking out into a grin himself, Bakura nodded. "Then that's…that's great, then," he said. "I guess I'll pick you up here tomorrow then? At sunset?"

Malik nodded, still grinning. "I'll be there."

Nodding his head again, Bakura took a step forwards, staring deep into Malik's eyes again.

"You know…it's almost sunrise," he said softly. "You should go back soon. I need to go too. Once the sun rises, I'll be far easier to catch. But I promise I'll be here at sunset."

Though he was disappointed, Malik nodded understandingly. "Sure. I know. I should be getting back too. Ryou might get upset."

Bakura coughed, clearing his throat at the mention of Ryou. Smirking, he looked back into Malik's eyes again, and his smirk widened.

"Well? Do I at least get a hug?"

Laughing, Malik threw himself at Bakura, feeling the thief wrap his arms around Malik's waist. As Malik softly nuzzled the thief's neck and cuddled close, he whispered, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Bakura whispered back.

Slowly, they parted, each of them smiling at each other. With a wave, Bakura quickly motioned to the slow break of gold against the horizon, and Malik nodded. Both of them then turned away from one another, and started on their way home. Malik was literally skipping when he reached the cellar way to the Keeper's labyrinth, his heart alight and his chest all swelled.

He was on a date with Bakura again!

As Malik turned back on last time, before slipping into the cellar steps, something clinked lightly in his pocket. Blinking, he reached into his pants pocket and pulled out the mysterious object, and gasped when he saw it in his hand.

The amethyst necklace.

After staring at it for a while, a grin slowly broke out upon Malik's face. He turned his face back to the direction of the unfinished pyramid, and, as the morning sun finally began to rise, couldn't help but think that Bakura was truly a great thief.


Okay, so it was not THAT bad. I still think it was poorly written, but the situations were adorable. Hee hee, "jackhammer".

I love writing Thief Bakura. He's just so...cheeky like. Actually, his attitude is quite a lot like Marik's...especially in the manga. Yami Bakura's just deranged. Thief Bakura is sweet, cheeky, blunt and bitter. Granted, I do believe Marik's more a romantic (comes with him being a perv), but I love imagining a love-clueless Thief Bakura. He's just so adorable. (Luvs Thief Bakura.) A bit of both worlds! He's got Yami Marik's build, a bit of Yami Bakura's wit, but most of all, he's got the sweetest, angstiest backround that makes the fangirls so SWWOON and AWW.

I love angsty guys. That's why I love Ryou.

And yes, Yami Bakura does come back eventually in this fic. Gee, I make them sound like they're two different people...