No Yugi-oh owning…
Chapter Three: Eaves Dropping
"Bakura, where were you. We could've used your skills in that heist you missed." Tsar grabbed at Bakura's arm roughly and pulled him out of the large room everyone had been eating breakfast from. Once through the doors Tsar flung Bakura to the ground. "Where were you!" Tsar repeated. But Bakura just looked at him questioningly. Tsar cleared his throat. "Where- were- you."
Bakura didn't like how Tsar was treating him at the moment and refused to answer. Tsar glared at him angrily before punching Bakura across the face. He then turned on his heels and left.
Bakura's hand immediately went to his face. He held it there trying to quell the pain. That had hurt. Small tears formed in his eyes and he desperately tried to push them away. His nose was bleeding and his hand and face was now covered in the leaking blood. Hearing footsteps Bakura turned from the closed doors that were just starting to open and ran for his bedroom.
"Hey Bakura, what happened. Did you run into a wall or something." Giro taunted as he saw Bakura running with his bleeding noise down the hall. Bakura just ran faster. Once at his door he flung it open, as soon as he was inside he slammed it shut and leaned against the door. Slowly he fell to the ground. Bakura stayed there for a good five minutes with his back to the door before getting up. Ripping some cloth he wet it and wiped the drying blood from his face. Once that was done Bakura threw his bloodstained hand into the bucket and watched as the water turned red.
Hearing voices outside Bakura looked out his window. Tsar was talking to Honokaa, one of the top thief's that runed the Shadow Maunders. Bakura strained to hear their conversation. Tsar was talking, "The third phase has been completed. Uh, Honokaa, Are you sure all this is worth it. I mean, can we trust those guys from the Shadow Re-" Tsar never got to finish his sentence because Honokaa's hand had covered his mouth. "Silence fool!" Honokaa's eyes were looking wildly around. Removing his hand Honokaa spoke quietly, so quietly Bakura only caught a few words. "……not alone."
Suddenly Honokaa looked up directly at Bakura's window. Surprised Bakura quickly ducked out of view. Whispers were being whispered and Bakura dared not lift his head into view again.
"Who was that."
"That was Bakura, one of the lesser thief's."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Was he with us earlier."
"No."
"Why?" Honokaa's voice seemed to take on a tint of curiosity."
Tsar bit his lip before he spoke. "He" Tsar looked at Bakura's now empty window before continuing. "…Didn't want to."
Honokaa looked surprise. "What do you mean 'didn't want to.' Since when do you give your party members permission on which raids they wish to go on!"
Tsar's eyes narrowed slightly before giving his response. "I do not let my members choose, he went missing before the raid and we had to go on without him."
Honokaa looked like he was deep in thought. "Do you know what detained him."
"No. He didn't tell me."
"Fool! Is he loyal? Will he betray us."
Tsar smiled faintly. "I doubt it. He has no family- no-one living at least."
That didn't surprise Honokaa. Most to all the men in his camp had no family. He saved them all, gave them reasons to live. Gave them riches. And he, Honokaa was the leader, well, one of the leaders. But if this… Baruka was a problem… "Boy!" Honokaa looked back up at the window. "Baruka, come down here!" Tsar smiled faintly at Honokaa's blunder.
Bakura just sat under the window, out of view. He didn't want to go down there with those two. Especially since he had been listening to their conversation. Bakura had no like at all for Tsar and trusted Tsar's commander even less. That's why, for some deranged reason when he heard Honokaa was ordering him to go down there Bakura grabbed the bloody water bucket. And without giving any thought he looked out the window and gauged where Tsar was standing. (the windows obviously wouldn't have glass on them) Bakura smiled.
Relieved that Bakura had obeyed, Bakura was known for disobeying his commands, Tsar turned to Honokaa before looking back up at the window. "Come here!" Well, that was what Tsar had wanted to say, what he managed to say was "Come h-" Before red water hit him directly on his face. Tsar was so surprised that he fell backwards and choked. Since his head was tilted upward and his mouth wide open the water had no problem entering his lungs.
Honokaa took a step back as he watched Bakura. Bakura looked him straight in the eye before mouthing 'no.' and left the window. Honokaa was taken aback by the youth's behaviour. But he wasn't angry. He was most interested in this boy. Bending down he waited for Tsar to stop choking but grew impatient quickly and hit Tsar's back, hard. "Who was that again."
"Bakura!" Tsar jumped to his feet and attempted to bolt after the youth. But Honokaa held him back. "I meant who was that boy. Info."
Tsar was obviously steaming and wanted to get his hands on Bakura very badly. "Ughhh. Bakura. He's been with us for about five years now. A royal pain in the ass!"
Honokaa was getting annoyed. "But who IS he!"
Tsar escaped Honokaa's grip and bolted to the doors that lead inside. Quickly he raced up the stairs and burst into Bakura's room, only to find he had already left. Tsar punched Bakura's bed in his rage. The kid was smart for not hanging around, he had to give him that. But not smart for pouring that dirty water on him. Starting tomorrow Bakura was going to participate. He was going to do exactly what was asked of him, he would become obedient. AND there would be no more disappearances!
()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*()*() Earlier that day
Malik rubbed his arm. He hadn't gotten any sleep last night because his father made him do chores till dawn. And now, well now he was on his way to the market. As usual the streets were chalk full of people shopping and walking, making it difficult for Malik to get anywhere. He sighed as two little kids ran past him- almost knocking him over. Managing to side step most people Malik headed for the busiest area of town, this was not going to be fun.
After a minute more of walking Malik couldn't go any further. The crowds grew too thick and passage was non accessible. Cranky and tired he tried to slide between people to see what was going on but his efforts were in vain. One man actually grabbed him by his upper arm and pushed him out of the way. Not a smart thing to do to a thief. Realizing he couldn't get past the mob Malik pocketed the man's coin purse and decided to go the scenic route.
Actually this would be better. A little bit of freedom was always good. Dodging into an alleyway Malik used one of the building windows as a stepping stool and climbed to the top of the flat roofed building. From there he took great delight in jumping from one buildings roof to another. Once past the crowd Malik sat down on the edge of a building- feet dangling, and watched at what had everyone's attention.
Apparently someone was saying something. Guards encircled the crowd, making sure no one was able to get through. The Egyptian Palace looked wonderful in the coming sun. And the talker was addressing another, a more powerful looking man- no, Malik told himself. A Youth, just like him and Bakura. Although from Malik's viewpoint he couldn't here a word spoken but Malik could basically piece together what was happening. Sheesh, no wonder there was such a huge crowd covering the whole of the Egyptian streets. The new Pharaoh was being crowned.
The people were rejoicing and even if Malik were closer the crowd's noise would drown out the talking being held down below. Sa-Yugi-oh, the new Pharaoh. Even if you were three you would recognize the pharaoh's face- and that of the pharaoh's sons. At the current moment Sa-Yugi-oh was bending his head down to the high priest. The priests face was stern yet held a tint of joy to it. The snake and vulture headpiece was being lowered. Something moved in the shadows. At first Malik ignored it, what could be more important then witnessing the crowning of the prince of Egypt, the new Pharaoh. But then he saw a flash of light- caused by someone tilting something shiny, like say a sword reflecting Ra's light. Malik stood from his seat on the stone house and started to look about wildly. Then he spotted it. No, wait. There are more over in that direction, and that one. The prince of Egypt was surrounded.
Men dressed in black jumped from ropes out of the shadows of other buildings while others came from people's houses. Malik wanted to shout a warning, and he did, but to no avail. The crowds were too noisy and his voice didn't carry. He did, however, manage to get the Shadow Marauders attention. And before he knew it he was jumping over rooftops being followed by three men. This didn't bold well.
The Shadow Marauders bounded down and took the guards by surprise. Others went straight for the Pharaoh. The High Priest immediately stepped in front of the now crowned Pharaoh and held out his staff. A magical shield surrounded both Sa-Yugi-oh and the priest. The Shadow Marauders soon found themselves at a disadvantage. They could not get through the force field. Sa-Yugi-oh quickly recovered from his shock of the attack. Putting one hand on the High Priests shoulder Sa-Yugi-oh stepped in front and took charge. Holding one hand up he smiled and gave a fierce look to all the Marauders.
"Listen to me. I am Pharaoh of Egypt, your crowned Prince. I order you to stop your assault or I'll be forced to punish you." Although his voice was serious it was hard for the Marauders to take him seriously because he looked rather… um, odd with him standing there and one arm held up in the air.
Instead the Marauders surrounded the Pharaoh. Sa-Yugi-oh shook his head sadly. "Then you will pay the price of the insolence you have demonstrated here today!" Flames burst from his outstretched hand forcing the Marauders to back step several feet.
The band of thieves parted as a tall man in a flowing jacket stepped forward. He walked right out to the shield and bowed before the Pharaoh. "I am Honokaa. One day you will fear me and Egypt will be mine. But before that day comes I'm afraid I'll need your assistance."
The Pharaoh looked amused. "Really. And just why would I help you."
"Oh, I know not by choice…" Honokaa held his hand out to the shield and it shattered and fell to pieces. "But by force."
Sa-Yugi-oh smiled. This surprised Honokaa. "Fool. I am Pharaoh of all Egypt and you cannot make threats to me. I am also not without the talent of magic." Sa-Yugi-oh did the same stunt with fire but this time aimed only at Honokaa. The flames parted to the side of him.
"My turn." Honokaa said. Honokaa grabbed at the air in front of him causing the ground in front of Sa-Yugi-oh to turn into some sort of black abyss. The Pharaoh's face turned to freight as he fell into the black hole. Before he could completely fall inn the hole shrank trapping him and making him helpless. "The- Shadow Realm?" he muttered in disbelief.
"Yes. Now wait a second as I take care of your Priest. He looks rather angry at the moment. Within one instant another misty shield held the Priest within and no magic escaped its hold. "That's better." Honokaa reached a hand down for the Pharaohs headpiece but just as he was about to grab it, another snatched it.
Malik stuck out his tongue at Honokaa as he raced past. Several Marauders on his trial already. Honokaa was about to punish the youth when he got a better idea. "Did you see that Pharaoh. Did you see my minions face."
"I may be trapped but I am not blind, Honokaa. Yes. And you will both suffer for this treacherous act!"
"Good. Retreat!" All the marauders evacuated the area. Honokaa followed the direction of the insolent boy who took a great moment from him. Soon he joined up with Malik and the other Thieves. Malik was bleeding pretty badly and the headpiece was in the marauders hands. Tsar walked over to Honokaa and gave him the item he so graciously deserved. When the thieves turned their attention back to Malik he was gone.
Gone, but not forgotten.