Disclaimer: Hello, and welcome to Chapter 7, or as I like to call it, Lucky Seven. Considering I only got two reviews for the last chapter, I've decided to make this one kick major bootay.
Well, it is September 11th again… Goodie. I didn't go to school today. Feel like you know what… But enough about my issues. Let's get on to the story shall we?
GOMEN NASAI!!!! It's now September 21st and I feel really bad for making you wait all this time… I just haven't had the time or the luxury to work on this story as of late… let's see if I can get it done tonight, eh?
Chapter 7: Lucky Seven
Yami let out a small gasp as Bakura poured the bucket of cold water over his head. He felt his hair slick down his face and down his shoulders, closing his eyes as the water streamed down his tear-streaked cheeks.
Bakura had found a large bin, normally used for horse-feed, and stuck Yami inside of it. After a few minutes of Yami sitting there, smelling uncannily like a horse, Bakura returned with three large buckets of water.
"Now… you don't have to strip if you don't want to, but…" Bakura stated, blushing slightly. Yami smiled a bit. For now, Bakura was his lifeline… his protector… his guard.
Slipping off the foul-smelling clothing, Yami sat patiently, waiting for the next step in this new process. Bakura slowly poured the water over Yami, watching the rivulets run down his pale skin.
"Bakura… why did you come back for me? I was… such a brat and…" Yami stammered, unsure of how to proceed with the conversation. It was hard enough having let down his guard long enough for those ruffians to convince him to go with them… but now… now Yami was feeling the full weight of the awful things he had said to Bakura.
Bakura smirked, listening eagerly as the boy admitted his guilt to him. However, his smile faded as he watched Yami's shoulder begin to shake and tremble.
Tears ran slowly down Yami's face, his amethyst eyes watering slightly. His lower lip trembled; his entire body shook from the cold bite of the water.
"…I just wanted to go home… I was wrong, Bakura… I can never go home can I?" Yami choked, his breath catching in his throat. Bakura stared down at the boy, the sense of longing to hold him moving through his head.
"I'll take you home, Pharaoh." Bakura stated quietly. He knew that he couldn't ask Yami to stay with him any longer. It was time for him to go home… It was time to return him to a place he was more familiar with. Yami looked up at him in surprise, the morning's glowing light illuminating his face.
Bakura reached out and gently wiped away his tears, watching the light play softly across the boy's features. He could almost see his dirty face reflecting in the young man's eyes, as he pulled his hand away slowly.
Turning away, Bakura let out a soft sigh. How he longed to face Yami, to feel his eyes on him again… but he couldn't. Not anymore. This was not who he was. This was not what he had set out to do. He had to remember his revenge. But how could he do that now…?
"I'll find you some clothes. Wait here." Bakura croaked, walking quickly down the street. Bakura's voice caught in his throat as he practically ran through the city, his mind wandering. How he wished Yami could always shine that light on him…
Yami was to Bakura the morning light, shining… glowing… Since they had first come to this city… no. Even before that… When Yami had given Bakura that drink… Merciful he was.
Bakura stopped, his eyes tensing. He wanted to cry; to sit down in the middle of the street and sob. But he hadn't done that for years and he wasn't planning to start now.
Slowly, he reached into his robes and pulled out his copper knife. He stared down at its glinting blade, hating it, hating himself. How could he be so selfish?
Holding the knife to his chest, he closed his eyes, wanting this entire ordeal to end. And end it would. Right now. Everything just needed to end. His eyes fluttered open.
"Must you be such a brat?!" Seto yelled, smacking Yami across the face. Yami yelped and fell to his knees from the slap. Seto glared down at him coldly.
"Did you know that if you weren't here, my father would succeed the throne?" Seto rasped, his cold eyes focused on his young cousin. "And did you know that if you weren't here, after my father was dead I would be the next Pharaoh?"
Yami stared up at Seto, his eyes watering. He was unsure of what to say or do; maybe he should just keep his mouth shut. Seto gave a small laugh of pleasure, adjusting his wrist adornments.
"You're too damned weak to be Pharaoh. Grow up, brat!" Seto whispered venomously. Yami watched as Seto turned and walked out of the room. Still staring at Seto's retreating back, Yami cursed under his breath, wishing that his cousin would just die.
Yami stared down at the water, wondering where Bakura had gone. He obviously could not get up and look for him… he had no clothes after all. Leaning back in the bin, Yami closed his eyes and began to fall into a restless sleep.
"I give up, father. I can't do this anymore." Yami sighed gently, pushing away his scrolls. Akunumkanon looked down at his son, then lightly whacked him on the top of his head.
"You have to. You can and you will." Akunumkanon stated. Yami gazed up at his father. He should be proud to be the next in line, and yet… Yami felt empty. All he did was study anymore.
Letting out another sigh, Yami pulled the scrolls back towards him, running his eyes over the writing. It was all so boring. Why couldn't these scholars write about something interesting? War… famine… loss… it was always the same.
The light outside began to fade, dark descending on the city. Yami continued to read until his was the only candle lit in the entire palace.
Bakura had decided. His steps were quick and purposeful. He was ready. He had to be ready. Even if he wasn't, it was the only thing he could do.
His eyes were filled with determination, the copper knife still gripped in his hand. His knuckles had begun to turn white; his entire body shaking. But he needed to. It was time to take his revenge.
Bakura turned onto the street, looking forward to where Yami lay in the bin. He stared at the young boy's closed eyes, knowing that it had to be now.
Bakura quietly advanced, his hair blowing out behind his shoulders. Upon reaching Yami, Bakura kneeled, the copper knife raised above his head. His eyes stared unwaveringly at the Pharaoh. He arm shook with anticipation. Could he do it…? He had to. He just had to.
Ahahahahaha! It's another cliff-hanger! Don't you just hate those? Well… hopefully this will make up for all the time I lost by NOT updating… I'm still really sorry for that… Please review! Expect next chapter soon…(I hope…)