Chapter 2: Bakura, Also Known as The Prince of Darkness
Fifteen years after the Time of Shadows, there was a large-scale nuclear war between the United States and Afghanistan. Most of the major countries of the world were drawn in and four billion people were killed. Among these were Ryou Bakura, Yugi Mutou, Isis Ishtal, Mokuba Kaiba, and most other mortals who knew about the Millennium Items. The Items that remained on earth were lost to even Bakura, their protector…
"IT'S GONE!!!"
Bakura's cry was so loud it echoed throughout all of the realms, startling mortals and immortals alike.
"WHERE THE HELL COULD THE DAMN THING GO?!!!"
Ryou sighed and in an instant returned to Bakra, his lover's domain. Bakura was scavenging through possession after possession, his black wings fluttering with frustration. The hikari slowly approached the god, making sure his footsteps were loud enough to hear; one thing he'd learned while living with Bakura is that you never sneaked up on him when he was in a bad mood. Ryou stopped a short distance away from the yami, bowed, and waited.
"It should be here," Bakura muttered, his body shaking with anger. "I've allowed no one to touch it for twenty-five years!"
"May I ask what's missing, Bakura?" Ryou asked. Normally, no one but another god was allowed to speak this name, but Ryou could always get away with it.
"The Millennium Ring, that's what!" the god exclaimed. His sleek feathery wings shuddered warningly as he stood up, a stark contrast to his pure white hair. Today, in keeping with his darkened spirit, he sported a tank top the color of fresh blood and tight black leather pants over his tanned skin. In his anger, ivory fangs had revealed themselves over his lips, and his normally chocolate blown eyes were red with fury.
"But how could it be lost?" Ryou wondered, pointedly making it sound like it wasn't the god's fault. Ryou had white wings, as he was a hikari and couldn't be dark, and always wore the same light colored clothing; snow-white hip-hugging pants, an extremely light sea green tank, and an ice blue knit calf-length coat.
"Someone could have taken it," Bakura hissed warningly. "Someone who knew where it was."
"I didn't take it," Ryou said fearfully.
"Did I suggest that?"
"I promise, my lord, I haven't touched the Ring since you left me to become a god."
"I believe you, my little angel," Bakura said. He approached his hikari and reached up a hand to caress his cheek. "That's why you're going to go find it for me."
"M-me, Bakura? I don't see what I can do. I'm not a god like you."
"That doesn't matter. You have plenty of power yourself." He kissed the angel, his fangs brushing over his lips, searching for blood. "You're my favorite, remember?"
"But…" Ryou sighed and smiled apologetically at his god. "I'm sure you know best. I'll try to find it."
Bakura gazed down at his young-looking hikari. "I'm sure you will, because if you don't, I'll have to punish you."
"Bakura, you know I don't mind your punishments."
"You'll mind this one," the demon assured him. "Because if you fail me, I'll banish you to Elysium."
Ryou's doe-brown eyes filled with shock and fear. "B-bakura, that's the Pharaoh's realm. You wouldn't really send me there, would you?"
"I would and could–"
"My lord, please excuse my interruption," said a voice near the doors. Bakura turned to the man, his eyes crimson with annoyance.
"What is it, Bruce?"
"My lord, the Pharaoh is requesting an audience with you. Should I tell him to leave?"
The yami growled with annoyance but shook his head. "No, admit him. Might as well see what the bastard wants."
Bruce bowed and pulled the heavy ebony doors open allowing light to enter the great hall. The features of the great room were now clearly visible; at one end, a great throne carved of obsidian and set with gold, rubies, and opals stood imposingly, looking down the length of the hall to the tall doors. The patterns carved and set into the wood were of gruesome murders and dark creatures of the night that drank blood; at head level was Bakura's holy symbol, the Millennium Ring. Standing next to this great throne was a smaller one for Ryou, carved of clear quartz crystal and also had a picture of the Ring inset on it.
The hall itself had very little light, the only light being provided by seven torches that burned living flesh, a symbol of Bakura's patronage over the Millennium Items. The columns that lined the hall were constantly covered with flowing blood, a reminder of the assassins that supplied it. A large fountain built of the bones of the betrayed stood in the middle of the hall, emitting the same crimson liquid as the columns.
The Prince of Darkness walked past this fountain, ignoring the urge to drink from it, and sat heavily on his throne, attempting to look as bored and annoyed as possible. Ryou had just taken his seat when Yami marched in like he owned the place right past the bone fountain to the very edge of the safe distance between him and the other god. They glared at each other for about a minute before either started talking.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Bakura growled.
Yami scowled at his rude greeting. "I'm concerned."
"About what?"
"About the Millennium Items!" The Pharaoh pointed at his chest; the lack of gold was extremely prominent. "The Puzzle is missing, thief, and, as I hear it, so is the Ring. It's supposed to be your responsibility to look after them and now you've lost one within your own realm? It concerns m–"
"Just shut up, Pharaoh!" Bakura exclaimed angrily. "I don't need your pity, and you're lucky I even agreed to admit you! I'm doing just fine! I have the situation under control!"
{Bakura, you haven't told him about my punishment, have you?} Ryou asked through their mind-link, an assured way that Yami wouldn't hear.
{{No, I haven't. He'll just have to be surprised.}}
"Your words don't bother me, Atemu. Take it to Ra if you have a problem, but I'm taking care of it." His annoyance suddenly changed to amusement, and he slowly, dramatically got to his feet, his wings opening slightly in anticipation. "Now I suggest you leave before my hunger puts you in danger."
If Yami felt any fear, he didn't show it as he turned and strode angrily out of the hall, glaring once back at Bakura before the ebony doors shut in his face. Bruce hid a grin as he turned and bowed to his god, his black hair falling haphazardly into his eyes.
"He is a fool, my lord."
"For once, you're right, bat-boy." The Thief King walked slowly to his fountain and dipped a sliver goblet into it; casually sipping his drink, he regarded the dead man curiously. "Ryou, I've decided you're not going alone to find my Ring."
"What do mean, Bakura? Are you coming, too?"
"No, of course not. But you need a bodyguard. Ra knows how many people out there would hurt you to get to me."
The angel smiled as he stopped next to his lover. "They would only incur your wrath, lord."
"I still think you shouldn't go out alone. That's why Bruce is going to go with you."
"What?" Ryou said incredulously.
"What?" Bruce echoed from the other end of the hall.
"You were supposedly quite good at helping people several years ago. That's why you're here," Bakura answered, his voice slightly calmer as a result of his drink. "Surely your skills haven't diminished in death."
"No, but–"
"Good." The demon smiled down at his former host. "Then you and Ryou will go down to Earth and figure out what happened to my Ring."
The seraph gazed longingly back at his yami. "Why are you making me go? Can't I stay here with you?"
"Remember what will happen if you disappoint me." Bakura smiled and kissed his hikari. "You're the only one I would put my confidence in, besides myself, that's why. And I do wish you could stay with me, but I need the Ring back. Here, open your mouth and tip your head back." Ryou did as he was told, and Bakura poured some of the blood from the goblet into his hikari's mouth; Ryou swallowed as soon as the blood touched his tongue and licked his lips, eyes filling with disappointment as Bakura drained the rest of it.
"Bakura…"
"No, I've given you enough today. You'll become a full vampire if you drink any more. Now go find my Ring." He kissed the angel again and pushed him toward the door. "Bruce, I expect you watch over him day and night. I won't look kindly on you if Ryou comes back harmed in any way."
Bruce bowed with full servitude. "Yes, my lord."
"And go get Alfred to take your place while you're gone."
"Yes, my lord." He bowed again and pulled open one of the doors. "Come, little prince."
Ryou glanced back once before following the spirit through the door.