Disclaimer: See first chapter.
AN: You asked for a longer chapter next time so is this any better? I got inspired and wrote a lot.
(On the street, Third person POV)
It had turned out that they were going into one of the vampiric (A/N did I spell that right?) cities. The vampires made up one fourth of the population, and when you added their slaves that made up almost half of the residents of the city. Most of the human residents were not aware that vampires existed. Although they had become used to some pretty strange things they just assumed that they were the product of new technology. The city had a lot of night clubs and other entertainment options which drew large crowds of people.
Malik and Ryou were told to stay with Marik and Bakura and they did try to, but the huge crowds were a problem for them. Not being as fast as the vampires they often dropped behind. Marik and Bakura got rather annoyed at this. Whenever Marik had to go back for Malik he slapped him across the face and after about a half hour Malik's face was covered in discoloring bruises.
"Come on," Bakura snapped at Ryou impatiently. "Do I have to put you on a leash or something?"
Ryou, deciding that it was actually a good idea because it would prevent him from falling behind and receiving the same punishment Malik was, nodded. Dropping down to all fours he grabbed Bakura's pant leg between his teeth and tugged him in the direction of the 'exotic pets' store. "Okay, okay," Bakura said impatiently. "I get the message. Did you get that Marik?"
Marik nodded, smirking at the idea of Ryou actually wanting a leash. "Get me one for Malik would you?" he asked.
"Sure. Come on then." Bakura pulled Ryou into the store, gave him a couple hundred yen, and sent him to get a tag while he bought a leash and collar. When they met up again outside Bakura displayed a thin brown collar that matched the color of Ryou's eyes, with a small silver bell dangling from it. The leash mirrored the color. To complete the ensemble Ryou had gotten a simple tag with two lines on it.
Ryou
Property of Bakura
Bakura laughed at the message and let Ryou put the collar on himself before attaching the leash and continuing his walk to wherever they were going. Ryou, freed from having to constantly watch Bakura to make sure he stayed with him, looked around curiously. He'd never been to a place like this before.
All the stores were decked in bright colors and many had neon lights on despite the bright daylight. Scantily clad women leaned out of windows or beckoned from behind half-closed doors. A few people lay sprawled out in corners obviously out of it. Both men and women staggered along the streets weaving in the manner of the more than slightly tipsy. Catcalls rang out as a later arrival came in, women wearing low-necked high skirted outfits, or men in leather with pieces cut out in suggestive designs allowing their skin to show through.
Expensive outfits and jewelry abounded as did jeans and faded t-shirts. This was a favored place for rich and poor alike. Ryou was just grateful that he blended in. With all of the exotic or gauche outfits around he looked practically normal in his white silk shirt and brown leather pants. Malik was wearing the same in black and lavender, and now a leash attached to the ever-present black collar.
Bakura wore a body-hugging blood-red satin shirt with low-slung black leather pants and Marik had dressed to match in tight leather pants and a close-fitting dark purple shirt of crushed velvet. The group attracted appreciative stares but didn't look out of place in the crowd. They would have looked absurd in an ordinary crowd but here they looked like all the other merry-makers.
After a while of this they turned down a darker street, shadowed by the huge casinos on either side. Ryou almost hadn't noticed it and wouldn't have if they hadn't turned on to it. Bakura followed Marik who made his way with ease along the narrow streets. They walked for a while before coming to a small shop with a simple plaque above the door saying 'Welcome'.
Marik turned into the shop and the others filed in behind him. A tall man hurried over to them, asking if they needed anything and whether they wanted anything more than the items they had ordered.
"There are several new and interesting artifacts that have come into my possession you see, and I was wondering whether you would like a look at them sirs." It was obvious that they were respected figures in vampire society.
"Certainly," Bakura said before Marik could object. "I'd love to."
Marik glared at him as the man scurried off. "Did you have to do that? Now we're going to be here all day."
"No we're not. And besides, there might be something interesting."
"In an antiques shop? I doubt it. The only reason I agreed to come here in the first place was because he can make really good weapons."
Bakura sighed, "Yes I know. But you should take an interest. Some of the things that he sells here are really great."
"Oh," Marik asked snidely, "Like what,"
Bakura smirked, "Like that, for example." He pointed to where the man was coming out from the back room with a beautifully carved jade horse.
"There are several pieces of jewelry also if you would like me to bring them out." The man said diffidently.
"I just want my knife." Marik said quickly.
"Yes sir." The man said calmly, producing a beautifully worked knife and handing it to Marik. "As you wish," then to Bakura, "Would my lord like to look at some of the other pieces?"
"Yes please," Bakura replied absently.
Marik spat in disgust, "Well you can stay here if you want." He tossed Malik's leash to Bakura. "I'm going to go have fun. Meet you at the Manger lieu Endroit at three okay?" (Manger lieu Endroit means something like eating place in French. I used my crappy French dictionary to find the words separately because I wanted something fancier than just restaurant.)
"Okay, sounds good. Why are you leaving Malik here with me though?"
"That isn't obvious?" Marik asked. "Where I'm going he'd only get in the way."
"Right. Got you." Bakura said. "See you later then."
"The gentleman forgot to pay my lord," the man said anxiously.
"Huh? Oh, right, Katsuya, it doesn't matter. Just add it to my bill when we're finished here. Now, you said something about jewelry?"
That was the beginning of an extremely enjoyable day for the three of them. Bakura bought something for each boy. Malik received an armband in the shape of a gold dragon, with amethyst eyes and scales picked out in detail, each one having an amethyst edging. Ryou got a silver unicorn pendant with deep brown eyes. Bakura also ended up buying the jade horse as well as an amber dragon, several delicately worked filigree boxes of varying materials and values, a set of bone hair pieces, and a dragon pendant in silver with scales of various types of pearl and brown eyes.
After that, as it wasn't time to meet up with Marik yet, Bakura took them on a whirlwind tour of the city. They bought bonbons and toffees in the multi-cultured section, ribbons, jewelry, and pictures from the street vendors, and hot pies, cakes, and ice creams from several restaurants, which Bakura seemed to be well known at. Malik didn't think he'd be allowed to keep anything, but Bakura insisted that he at least wear the armband he'd bought for him.
Right before they got to the Manger lieu Endroit Bakura bought them both carved wooden boxes to put their stuff in. Marik took one look at them and made a face. "What have you been doing? You look like proper fools."
"Enjoying ourselves Marik," Bakura replied, tossing Malik's leash back to Marik, "Isn't that what you're supposed to do here? And I don't think we look stupid, we just look like the people who had to save up for ages to get here and are determined to enjoy themselves."
"Yeah, and they look stupid. What have you done to Malik?"
"Me?? Nothing. I just bought him a few things."
"That's what I mean," Marik was getting annoyed. "You're pampering him. If you keep doing that he's going to end up being disobedient."
"Oh come off it Marik. You've got him way too well trained. Besides, this is the first time he's been outside since you caught him. Don't you think he deserves to have it a special occasion?"
Marik sighed, "No, not really, but I'm not going to argue with you. I'd just lose. Come on; let's go get something to eat." Bakura nodded, and followed him as he towed Malik inside. The inside of the building was entirely different from the outside. From the outside it looked old and worn, not a very nice place, but the inside was magnificent. The ceilings were high and lofty, the walls were decorated with tiled mosaics, the floors were marble, and all the windows were stained glass.
Despite all this, splendor it gave off a feeling of menace. If you actually looked you could see why. The splendid mosaics were of evil creatures or great, tall, dark knights. The marble floor was black, the windows blood red, and statues of goblins or gibbering imps peered out at you from the shadowy recesses or lurked behind corners. The lights were shaded in red or black, swirling designs that added to the aura of evil power. Candles flickered, held up by statues of women in black robes, or hidden behind the hands of the imps.
Tables were scattered across this vast hall and varying groups sat at them. You could see a group in jeans and ratty t-shirts seating next to a band of people in suits and evening gowns. The only thing that didn't vary amongst them was their beauty. Every one of them was good-looking. It was almost as if they had been selected to make the restaurant look good and to add an air to it.
What was strange was that they seemed to blend in to this setting effortlessly. The atmosphere welcomed them and didn't pull back when Malik and Ryou knelt by their master's chairs. If anything it seemed to grow slightly warmer. People looked over in interest at the group and waiters argued over who was to take their orders.
Ryou looked around surreptitiously as Bakura ordered his meal. He didn't see anyone that he knew, but then, he hadn't expected to. People there apparently knew Marik or Bakura or both, and they waved. Several came over to their table to say hello and exchange courtesies. One, a man with spiky hair in three colors - red, yellow, and black - sat down with them as if he had been invited.
"Hey Yami," Marik said to him, "Decided to join us?"
"Why else would I be sitting at your table?" Yami replied, "Who's this?" He gestured towards Ryou.
"Him?" Marik replied carelessly, "That's Bakura's new pet."
"Really?" Yami was startled. "I didn't think you went in for that kind of thing Bakura."
"I don't," Bakura said calmly. "Marik kidnapped him and dumped him in my house so I didn't really have a choice. I appreciate it now though." He ran a calming hand over Ryou's hair as a giant lumbered up to them.
"Your majesty," the giant rumbled, bowing to Yami, "Sir," to Marik, "My Lord," Bakura, "We have a problem."
"Yes?" inquired Yami politely, "And that would be..."
"It's the dragons," the giant stammered, "They're invading again and-" he started crying in great snuffling sobs. "They're killing everyone." He wailed.
"Again" asked Yami in consternation. "How often do I have to deal with this?"
"I'll do it if you don't want to," Bakura volunteered, and he and Ryou had vanished before Yami could reply.
"I'm going after him," Marik announced, glaring daggers at the poor giant. "And if he gets hurt I'm going to take it out on your hide."
"Um, Marik?" Yami asked, "You... do realize that it's much more likely that he'll exterminate the dragons than anything else. I'll be surprised if they actually manage to get his clothes dirty."
Marik stared at him, "What the hell are you talking about? He isn't that good. I always beat him at games and things."
"That's because if it's a game he doesn't use magic." Yami replied serenely, "If it's serious then he will. And he'll win. I'm glad that he considers trying for the title and the leadership position to be a game, otherwise I wouldn't be the leader. He would. I think. As it was, it was largely the combined efforts of you two against the other contestants that ended up putting me on the throne."
"Actually he was only trying because I wanted to be the leader," Marik admitted. "But I'm still going to check on him."
"All right. I'm coming too then." Yami replied and vanished. Marik followed him, taking Malik with him.