easy. I went ahead and upped the rating to R, though I probably could have waited for a
few more chapters. Ah, well, might as well get it over with.
Enjoy.
GUIDE
: Ryou to Bakura :
: : Bakura to Ryou : :
Blah is thoughts
-----
Ryou was currently stationed at the top of the pyramid, serving as lookout. He was
crouched in the shadows, constantly moving his eyes over the area to check for anything
slightly suspicious.
It had been a week since Bakura and he had cased the joint. (Malik's terminology was
beginning to rub off, much to Ryou's chagrin.) Once sober, their partners-in-crime agreed
with Ryou's assumption. Malik seemed a bit surprised that Ryou guessed how he
received his info, and Ryou couldn't help but be a bit smug about it.
Cool it, remember what Bakura said, he told himself as the smugness came back.
Malik had gone on the tourist tour to see if he could get any more info out of the two
guards' heads. Sure enough, he found plenty. All of their plans, in fact. Malik had walked
back into their hotel room grinning like the cat that just caught the mouse. It was then that
Bakura drew up new plans.
They were to follow the two guards and let them do the hard work. Once inside the
antechamber-- Ryou had finally been told they were after some priceless antiques that
were within a tomb deep inside-- the two guards would be knocked out or taken over by
Malik. Then the tomb would be robbed, and the guards left there, unless Malik did take
control. In that case, some less-than-worthy items would be given to them and they would
leave the pyramid, still under his control, to be caught while they got away. Ryou grinned,
despite himself. He was feeling giddy again, but was making sure it didn't go to his head,
though he knew he could barely contain himself.
He had volunteered for the job of lookout, leaving the thieving to the professionals this
time. That and he knew he'd probably get a little too over eager and make a mistake. He
didn't want to screw up his first real mission.
He glanced at his watch. It had been almost a hour, and there could very well be another
one before the job was up. He was getting restless and itchy. The silence was aggravating,
and he didn't want to bother Bakura, who'd chew him out royally. Nothing to do but
wait... and wait... and wait...
Something caught his eye. A shadow? Probably just my nerves and imagination, Ryou
thought, but he did keep on alert. Wait, there it is again! Somebody's coming up the
pyramid! Still unwilling to disturb Bakura just yet, he listened and kept his eyes open.
Sure enough, the sound of footsteps approached. Bakura crouched down lower, willing
himself to blend into the darkness.
A figure appeared. All Ryou could tell was that it was male. The air seem to become
heavy, and the silence seemed to become only more deafening. Something wasn't right.
Ryou held his breath, too scared to even breathe.
"They better have found it... or death will come to them," the figure said quietly. At first
Ryou thought he was talking to someone, but then decided he was just thinking allowed.
Did the two guards have an accomplice? Or was this their informant? The figure didn't
move, just stood there staring at the opening. Ryou finally admitted that it was time to
contact Bakura.
: Bakura... :
: : What is it?! : : came the scathing reply. Ryou fought the feeling to submit.
: There's someone here. :
: : What? Where? : :
: Here on the landing with me. It's a man. He spoke, talking to himself, and from what I
gather he's either an accomplice of those guards or their informant. :
: : What exactly did he say? : : There was urgency in the voice this time.
: 'They better have found it... or death will come to them,' : Ryou quoted. : He's just
standing there, right outside the opening. I think he's waiting for them. :
: : Shit, : : Bakura said, before their mindlink was abruptly ended.
Ryou didn't know what to do. Should he remain where he was or try and attack this guy?
Bakura didn't say to do anything, so I'll stay here in the shadows... unless... I am forced
to attack, he thought. He was anything but giddy now, and fear was beginning to
penetrate his mind. He mentally shook himself. I can't get scared now. I may have to act.
An eternity seemed to pass by. Ryou hesitantly had to allow himself to breathe or else
face passing out. Even so, it was short, quick breaths that he willed to be as silent as the
air around him. The figure never moved or gave any indication that he knew Ryou was
there. Finally, just when Ryou thought he was about ready to lose it, Bakura spoke.
: : Alright, we've got the goods and we're comin' out. Malik's got these two idiots under
control. He's gonna send them out with some various worthless things. It should distract
this guy of yours long enough for us to beat it. It's up to you to tell us when to come out,
ya got it? : :
: Yes, : Ryou replied shakily.
: : Don't fuck this up, you hear me? : : Ryou took a deep breath at what could be
considered Bakura's form of encouragement.
: I won't, : he replied as strongly as he could. It must have been believable enough, for
Bakura said no more.
A moment passed and Ryou could hear footsteps echoing from within. The two guards
emerged stiffly, a sure sign that Malik was indeed in control. One had a pack slung over
his shoulder.
"Did you get it?" the mystery guy asked. The one with the pack held it up. He slung it
back over his shoulder. "Prove it."
Uh-oh. He's going to see... Ryou didn't finish the thought. He watched, ready to take
action, as Pack Guy hesitantly opened it up. He pulled something out quickly then put it
back, but Mystery Guy didn't seem pleased.
"Give me that!" he hissed, grabbing the pack. He opened it and pulled the object out
again. Ryou saw that it looked to be a pot of some sort. "What is this? This isn't what we
came here for!"
"Well..." Malik said through Pack Guy. Ryou knew it was time to act and he just prayed
that he didn't screw this up.
He whistled, drawing all attention to where he was in the shadows. He still couldn't be
seen, but he knew Malik knew he was there.
"What was that? Who's there?" Mystery Guy said.
Despite being scared out of his wits, Ryou made himself laugh. He went down a few
steps, crawling on all fours, and moved over until he was behind the guy. He crept up
and, grabbing the guys leg, laughed again. The guy fell forward and Ryou pounced,
flipping him over and holding him down. He managed to get his hand over the guy's
mouth, but not before he managed to get out a cry.
: GO! : he shouted through the mindlink, and a few seconds later they appeared. Malik
rendered the two guards unconscious.
: : What the hell-- : :
: Get going, I'll keep him busy! Unless you'd rather get caught! There'll be guards all
over this place if he was heard! : Bakura didn't hesitate and the three were off.
The guy kept struggling and finally got the better of Ryou. He was flipped over and onto
his back. Before he knew what hit him, a fist landed on the side of his face. He'd been
through some bad beatings in his life, so he managed to shake enough of it off. He kneed
the guy in the stomach and flipped back over so he was holding the guy down.
He heard a few shouts and some footsteps and knew that the guards were coming. He had
to get out of there. Mustering his strength he hit the guy as hard as he could in the face,
and heard the sickening crack of bone breaking. He had broken the guy's nose, and now
he was yelping like a madman.
Shut up shut up shut up shut up, Ryou began chanting. Why won't this guy shut up?!
Despite the injury the guy fought back still. The guards were close now. The guy shoved
Ryou off of him and stood up. Ryou scrambled up. The guy charged, but Ryou dodged,
diving off to the side. Unfortunately for the guy, he couldn't stop, and he plunged down
the steep side of the pyramid. Ryou looked in horror, frozen to the place. The guards were
closing in on him, but he couldn't move. He had just killed a man....
: : RYOU, WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU?! : : Bakura nearly screamed, shaking Ryou
out of his freeze. He bolted and crawl-ran down the one side of the pyramid as fast as he
could.
It seemed forever before he reached the bottom, and once there he broke into a run and
didn't stop for anything. He didn't stop until he ran inside the hotel room where he
collapsed onto the bed and promptly passed out.
A/N: Ah, a cliffhanger almost. Don't worry, I'll be updating soon. (It's every three days if
I can help it.) Feel free to flame me as you wish; I probably deserve it. Hey, Ryou was
never told this was going to be easy. The question is, now, how will he handle what he
did?