This chapter is dedicated to Ihaveapharoahinmymind.

Keep writing.

Chapter Two

The Anthem

PS, beware, people swear in this chapter, and I try to get my humor back.. (sheepish grin)

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Are you sure this is a good idea? the voice was soft, gentle but masculine.

No, I'm not sure. Let's go, the second voice, forceful and feminine.

I don't think this is a very good idea, more forceful, this time without the gentleness, just a plain emotionless statment.

Let GO! We are helping her, brutal, demanding, but almost a hint of pleading as well.

We are going to keep walking Suki, and we aren't going to stop till we reach the pharaoh.No, I say we hel- this was defiantly Anzu's frightened shriek. The girl shakes her head.

We are HELPING her! she yanks her arm out of her taller companions grip and marches down the alleyway. The male rolls his eyes exhaustedly.

Fine, fine, whatever.

The girl smiles slightly. Thanks Yuishiaki.Don't call me by my full name.Then thanks Yuishi. Let's beat us up a thug.

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The dark sneer was wide enough to drive a truck through. Horizontally. The man lowered his stubby arm down to scoop up Anzu, when he was interrupted by a foot to the face that sent him flying backwards into an assembled audience of trash cans. With a groan and a string of repetitive curses, he stumbled up awkwardly to face his attacker. She was a young girl, about sixteen, with thick, dirty-blond hair that was pulled up into a sporty ponytail. Her eyes, an intense, deep blue, sparkled in the artificial light, and her creamy skin stood out against the black of her tee and slacks, a trench coat thrown over the whole lot, that flew out behind her, defying gravity like it was made by Kaiba Corp. Her fists were raised like she was going to try boxing with him, and she bounced lightly from foot to foot.

Little meddling bitch! I'll kill you for that! the man yelled, jumping up and lunging at her. Yet he was stopped short when a powerful blast of force knocked him into the wall behind him. A man, tall and skinny, maybe seventeen or eighteen years old with dark copper skin, flashing green eyes, in the same theme of black tee and slacks, though his were baggy and came down in a bunch around his tennis shoes instead of outlining his frame like the girl's, accompanied by a trench coat, stood with his hand outstretched in the guy's direction.

Yuishi! Don't use your magic here! the girl cried, distress evident. He glanced at her condescendingly.

You're the one who wanted to deal with this..., he replied emotionlessly. She sighed, and looked at the thug. He seemed thoroughly confused.

What the hell are you things? he shouted in panic. The girl flipped a switchblade from the folds of her trench coat, circling around to come up close to his face.

We are assassins, the tan man said, his tone still emotionlessly. An evil smirk claimed the girl's face.

And, we are Nightmares, she whispered darkly into the thug's ear, and slit his throat. The tall man let out a sigh.

Now may we get out of here? he asked her impatiently. The girl shook her head, causing him to let out another exasperated breath, running his tan hand through his short and messy black hair.

Nope, we have to take this girl back to our hotel room, The girl replied forcefully, and leaned over Anzu to study her. Anzu's soft auburn hair was tousled slightly, thickening and clumped at a point where her scalp was bleeding from the earlier contact with the brick wall, and her creamy eyelids were shut over her crystalline blue eyes serenly. The girl sighed, lifting Anzu up easily and shouldering her, even though Anzu would be slightly taller standing up than the girl.

The man let out an annoyed breath, taking Anzu off his companions shoulder and switching her to his own. You looked ridiculous. Come on, let's hurry up already. I want to get this over with, he said, and headed out of the alleyway. The girl smiled.

Thanks Yuishi, she said sincerely as she struggled to match pace with him.

Don't mention it Suki. I assume you'd like to attend to the wounds too?Yes please.You are so predictable.I try Yuishi, I try...

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The bell tolled, as bell's tend to do, signalling the arrival of five o' clock the following day. Yugi Motou glanced out the large pane windows of the arcade, peering down the street. Maybe we should check Burger World..., he said anxiously. Joey walked over to stand next to his best bud, trying to clamp the chain of a necklace Serenity had just given him around his neck, a doughnut held tight in his jaw.

Dun' worry, Yug, Anzu's around somewhere, Joey Wheeler said encouragingly, voice muffled through the doughnut. With a flourish, he ran a hand through his sandy blond hair, took out the doughnut, bit down deep into it, and looked at Yugi with caring eyes. He swallowed, and said for the fifth time in the past hour Don't worry, Yug. She'll be all right.Yeah, I guess you're right, Yugi sighed, nodding. He glanced at Joey. Don't mention it, bud. Didn't do a thing, Joey said humbly. Just then, Serenity Wheeler ran over, dressed in her usual outfit, auburn-red hair flying.

Joey! Joey! Come look at this! I got a high score! she chirped happily, grabbing the ex-bully's arm and practically dragging him over to a dance game to look. Come on, Joey, play with me once!Awright, awright! Calm down Serenity! I'll do it!

With a forlorn smile, Yugi turned from his friends to look out the window again. Two figures caught his eye, a boy and a girl, one maybe a year older than him at sixteen, and the other seeming possibly seventeen or eighteen, dressed in dark clothes and trench coats. The male glanced at the window, smirked, and said something to the girl, who followed his gaze to look at Yugi. She too smirked, and the walked up to the arcade doors, immediately darting over to Yugi.

Hey there kiddo. Are you Yugi Motou? the girl asked, smiling. Her hair was pulled back into a tight pony tail, and her pale skin contrasted her outfit.

Yes, why? Yugi said with childish innocence, eyeing the tall man suspiciously. He kind of reminded him of Marik. Only... a slightly more reserved psychopath/sadist...

We are assassins, and we're here to kill you, the man said with simple, emotionless clarity.

Would this be a bad time? the girl added playfully.

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(1) I would've ended the chapter there, but, you know... I felt like writing more...

My story is awful! Bakura's not in it! EITHER Bakura! Ah well.. I'm sure I'll bring them in eventually.. any advice, please let me know. And please review! (grin) Oh, and tell me which writing style you prefer. They aren't much different, the style this chapter is written in and the style of the last chapter, but I like this one better.. it's easier for me to add pointless humor.. Well, bonne journee au tout!