Tsuki: And continuing on…

Bakura: Be still my beating heart…

Tsuki: Wish granted, you're already dead, you don't have a heart beat.

Bakura: shut up!

Tsuki: okay so if anyone has noticed the chapter headings changed. I'm doing the story by seasons. So here's all that important Egyptian stuff you need to know:

-About Bakura's appearance. I'm basing his look off his official ancient Egyptian look that is featured in the Yu-Gi-Oh! manga series. want a look go here: http://www.janime.biz/main_eng.html Do image gallery, the Thief Bakura.

-And just so no one gets lost (no offense, I do sometimes) Nakht=Bakura (just emphasizing on the fact that that's how Djal knows him)

-Akhet is the season of Winter (Hai, there is a winter in Egypt, it's just not cold.)

-Peret is the season of spring

-Shemu is the season of summer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three weeks later…

Aré woke up to the face of Djal in front of her. She smiled to herself as she realized that he was still sleeping. She would be able to get away without having to deal with him.

She stood, stretched and rubbed at the still evident bruise on her arm. Djal had in fact beat her for leaving that night that Bakura had needed her and not all the bruises had disappeared. Aré was also forced to sleep in Djal's bed now. He said it was so he could keep an eye one her, make sure she did not run off in the middle of the night. But Aré knew what he was really after, she was not stupid.

Aré looked to the window, noticing that it was still a little before dawn. She smiled and slipped from the room.

Bakura stared at the window of his room, he was waiting for dawn. He found himself smiling as he though of Aré…she was always smiling, always nice to him, he even dared to say affectionate to him. His thoughts surprised him. Usually he would not give a person a second glance. He was a loner by nature, needing only to think only of himself.

Yet Bakura found himself worried about her. That freak, as Bakura had labeled him, Djal always hit the girl. The action seemed common enough, even Bakura was slapped around a few times when he was younger. But Aré getting hit just did not seem right.

His thoughts drifted to a particular night about three weeks ago. He had needed her, she had come, she had helped him and stayed with him, then he fell asleep. When he woke the next morning, she was there, smiling. He could not even tell if she had ever left at all. Then Djal had come in, furious. He had beat Aré right then and there, right in front of Bakura. And then left her there on the floor, bloody and bruised.

"Awake already Bakura?"

Bakura shook his head to clear his thoughts and turned his attention to Aré. He smiled. "Morning."

"Feeling better today?"

"A bit."

She set down two breakfast trays and pulled over a chair. Bakura sat up, with a little difficulty, and watched her as she sat down.

"No chores today?"

"It is before dawn, I am not supposed to even be up yet but I could not sleep so I thought I would eat breakfast with you this morning."

Bakura smiled and began to eat his breakfast, Aré following suit.

"You aren't going to get in trouble for this are you?"

Aré shrugged. "Do not worry about me."

Bakura tapped the edge of his plate with his fork, trying to think of something to say. "So…you think you could let me get up again today?"

"I do not see why not, you did well yesterday."

"Well I intend to be up running and training as soon as possible."

"Have you no self-control?"

"No. I've also been told I have no decency, manners, respect, or responsibility."

"Absolutely charming."

"Why thank you."

Aré chuckled and picked up a vile from the tray.

"Oh no not again."

"You want to fully recover, do you not?"

Bakura ran a hand through his hair. He had to admit he was feeling better although the medicines he had been taking seemed to come from a crazed person's thoughts. Sure it was horrible, but he was getting better. He took the vile, quickly downing the atrocious liquid in one gulp.

Aré giggled at his expression. "If you would just hold your nose like I have been telling you it would not be so bad."

They finished their breakfast quickly and in silence. When done, Aré stood and walked over to a cabinet on the wall.

Bakura's eyes widened a little as he became nervous. He had learned to hate that cabinet. For from that cabinet came forth all those malicious medicines, the herbs that burned when they touched his wounds, all the objects that made him cringe.

But today she did not pull out such torturous things. She simply pulled out a square of clean linen, and a small bowl which she filled with water. Aré returned to Bakura, pushing aside the trays on the table and sat the bowl down. She then sat down next to Bakura on his cot.

"Look at me."

"What's the catch to this?"

Aré chuckled at his question.

"No, really."

"No catch Bakura. The gashes under your eye are practically fully healed. I just want to check them once more. I will not even need to dress them any longer."

"Well that's good to hear." Bakura turned his right cheek to her, letting her remove the linen that was already placed there.

She wet the piece of clean linen she had in her hand, pressing it to his cheek.

He winced a little. The wound may have been healed but the flesh was still tender. "So, uh, how bad did they turn out?"

"They scarred over…but it does not look bad."

Aré reached out and pushed a few strands of Bakura's hair back away from his cheek. She let her fingers linger in the white silk, smiling softly.

"Your hair…"

"Yes? What about it?"

"Is it naturally like this?"

"Um, yes it is."

She ran her fingers down the length of it letting it slip through her fingers. If Bakura had not been restraining himself he would of blushed.

"It is very alluring."

Bakura smiled at her. "As are you eyes."

Aré however did not hide her blush. She pulled her hand from his hair and adverted her eyes some. Attempting to change the subject she stood, making her way back to the cabinet. She opened it, pulling out a small mirror an returned to Bakura.

"Here, take a look."

Bakura held up the mirror, viewing the scars under his eye. He smiled. "You're right. They don't look too bad. In fact I'd say they give me character."

"Well as you know, Lord Djal does not like you roaming around the temple on your own, so you have to stay with me, and I have chores to do. I am sorry in advance if I bore you."

"Hey as long as I'm up and out of bed I could really care less."

Djal sat at his desk, his fingers steeped as he thought. Nakht had been here a month now. And for that entire month, Arétut had been hard to control. She used the boy as an excuse to get away from the High Priest, even now she used him as an excuse and the boy was no longer in need of her constant care and vigil.

As far as Djal was concerned, it was time this 'guest' left. He could walk, could care for himself, he did not need the temple's hospitality anymore, or Arétut.

She was taken with Nakht, Djal knew it. Even if she had not realized it. One rare thing attracts the other, Djal was not going to have Nakht mess up the deal the High Priest had made with Rudiju. Arétut was bought and well almost entirely paid for. Why did this have to happen, Akhet was almost over, Peret would be here soon. Why now when Shemu was practically less than a season away?

Djal slammed his fist down on the table in frustration. He had to correct this situation. Djal had taken all of that time breaking Arétut down, ruining her self esteem, killing that fighting spirit she had in the beginning. Nakht was not going to fix what was broken, Arétut would stay forever shattered by Djal.

Bakura leaned against the wall, his weight resting between his right shoulder and left leg, watching Aré go about her chores.

"So, you have a nickname? Calling you Arétut all the time does get tiresome."
"No."

"Good I'll call you Aré."

"Whatever you please."

"How old are you?"

Aré looked up from her work and smiled. "My my Bakura, you are just full of questions today."

He shrugged and what quickly reminded of his shoulder injury as pain flared up. He sucked in a breath and clenched his teeth, holding back a yelp. But Bakura kept his arms crossed refusing to show his discomfort.

"Well?"

"Nineteen summers." She turned to him, smoothing out her dress. "And what about you?"

"Twenty-one summers."

"You do not look that old."

Bakura flashed a grin at her. "It's my boyish charm. How else do you think I get away with all the cri-" He cut himself off. As far as he knew, she did not know he was a thief. Why tell her? So she could turn him over to the Pharaoh?

Aré quirked an eyebrow at him. "Get out of what?"

"Never mind…it's not important."

Aré walked over and sat on a bench in the temple's hallway. She motioned Bakura over as she rested back against the wall.

Bakura limped over, seating himself beside her.

"Would you mind telling me?"

He looked at her blankly. "Tell you what?"

"Why they were chasing you."

Bakura looked down at the floor, she was referring to the slave traders. He sighed. At least he could tell her a half truth instead of a full lie.

"To sell me into slavery, simple as that. They can make a handsome sum of money off of people like us." Okay, so if Bakura had lived they would of sold him into slavery. Slave traders also doubled as bounty hunters, and judging by their actions they were trying to kill the young raider that night.

"Like us?"

Bakura looked at Aré who only innocently blinked at him.

"Yeah, like us."

"I do not understand."

"People like us…one's who don't have the characteristics of regular Egyptians. See I have white hair and you have teal eyes, we break the regular pattern. We're commonly called desert jewels and we're worth a lot if sold into slavery or um…other…things."

Aré's expression saddened a little. "Oh." She understood perfectly now. She also knew that Djal had paid for her, and she was not a slave and that he did those "other things" to her. So Aré fit perfectly into the "other things" category.

Bakura studied her. She looked on the verge of tears. He reached out, gently touching her shoulder. "Are you alright Aré?"

"No…"

"What's' wrong?"

"Djal…he…"

"Arétut! There you are girl!" Djal yelled as he rounded the corner, spotting the two. Bakura instantly drew his hand away and Aré stood, quickly wiping at her eyes.

"Yes Lord D-Djal?" She dropped her gaze, not being able to stoop the slip in her speech.

Djal stared at her, noting that she had either been crying or had been about to, he knew her tears well. He turned his cold stare to Nakht.

"What have you done to her boy?"

Nakht turned a shocked look on Djal. "I have done nothing."

"She would not be upset for no reason."

"Hey she said something about you and-"

Djal spun around, grabbing Aré by her shoulder, gripping hard. "So my dear Arétut, what have you been telling our friend Nakht?"

"N-nothing, I have told him nothing."

Bakura stood not liking the situation.

Djal pulled his hand back, bringing it down to slap the young girl. But his hand never connected with Aré's face. Now he glared at the hand holding tight to his wrist, keeping him from hitting Arétut. Djal met Nakht's intense gaze.

"What do you think you are doing boy?"

"Don't hit her." Nakht stated in a cold emotionless voice.

"This is not you concern or place to intervene."

"Funny this looks like a perfect time to intervene."

Djal smiled slyly. "Well then, we find ourselves in a very compromising situation. You, me, the girl between us. And do not forget your injuries, they complicate the matter. What will you do now?"

The two men stood there, glaring at each other. Nakht finally snatched Aré out of Djal's grip, surprising the High Priest. But Djal let his surprise melt into a smirk. Why fight for the girl? He owned her, she knew, therefore she would do anything he said.

"Arétut go to your room."

Nakht stared at her as she bowed slightly and turned, walking down the hall.

Djal's smirk broadened. "I own her, remember that boy."

Nakht glared after Djal as he turned, following Aré. When they reached the end of the hall Djal shoved her roughly in.

Bakura balled his hands into fists, and started down the hall towards the room. He came to the door an stopped, noticing it cracked open. Bakura watched silently through the crack in the door as Djal pinned Aré against the wall.

"You naughty little girl, telling him things he need not know. I should punish you for that you know. But, I have other plans."

He slid his hand down her side, bringing his hand to rest on her hip, Djal's thumb making circle motions in a gesture of false gentleness. Djal braced his hand on her neck, forcing a rough kiss on the girl.

Aré started to cry as he leaned his weight on her, breaking his kiss for a breath of air, only to force another on her.

Bakura had to look away, he could not watch Djal violate Aré anymore. Anger welled up in the young thief. Aré was his-his what? His friend? No, she was something more to him. In his current state he could not help her at all, Djal had "kindly" pointed that out, and it would still take weeks till he was at full strength again.

Bakura's heart sunk at the painful realization. He gripped his left shoulder, the injury not hurting him but mockingly reminding him of his weakness. This…this was the worst injury. That arrow had ripped through flesh, muscle, and bone all in one swift motion. It could possibly takes months to heal. Bakura closed his eyes, listening to Aré's sobs as Djal spoke to her again.

"Yes my dear Arétut, I have great plans for you, for us. Just wait till Shemu. I will have you like I have always wanted you and you know what Arétut? There is nothing you can do to stop me."

Three days later…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bakura: Where's the rest.

Tsuki: Mwaha it ends there.

Bakura: You've been around your aibou too long.

Tsuki: Shhh, if you mention her too loudly she might pop up.

Neko: *Pops up* Who's talking about me?!

Tsuki: Ah! *runs*

Bakura: Uhhh, r & r guys.