I apologize; I know it's been a while. I was away. Firstly, I warn readers now: I will keep this PG-13/T, only suggestive. You'll know why I said that in a few moments. I also dedicate this chapter to Leona Saclat, Angelgirl453, Yugi's Light Keeps Me Pure, and RedEyesDarknessDragonLady.

Disclaimer: I repeat, I DO NOT OWN YU-GI-OH! IT IS "NOT THE PROPERTY OF THE UPDATING WRITER"! huff

Chapter 2- Gains and Losses

"No! I don't want to!" A pair of hands grabbed at her, pulling her back. When she continued to struggle, she was lifted up and thrown harshly to the floor. Sharp pains ran throughout her body. Still she continued to scream. "Please! Not again! It hurts, Fa -" The cries stopped when she was kicked in the ribs. Without her own noise, she could hear the sounds of captor. He was breathing hard, husky breaths, and even in the dark she could feel her Father's eyes on her. And the awful smell of sweat and alcohol. "Shut up!" he said with a bit of a slur. He leaned down, positioned on top of Selket, pinning her down. He ripped at her again, and whispered in her ear… "You are mine..."

Selket sat up, hot and sweaty. The dream had reoccurred for days on end, since the actual thing happened. She shook her head to rid herself of the memory.

Looking around her surroundings, she found afternoon sunlight already pouring through the window, as well as a piece of papyrus on the ledge below. It was addressed to her Father.

My Dear Khonsu,

I hope you read this before you leave. I have been called by the Pharaoh's soldiers to work there for a time. I don't know why just yet, but I will let you know soon. Take good care of Selket!

With all my love,

Tauret

She couldn't believe it. How could her mother abandon her like that? Leaving her with Father, going out of the village without- out of the village? Selket jumped as she remembered her plans with Bakura. All things forgotten, Selket grabbed her book from underneath the cloths and rushed out the door.

Selket ran to the edge of Kul Elna, to the palm tree that had become the "secret base" of Bakura's and hers. She wasn't surprised Bakura was already there. It was afternoon, after all.

As she slowed to a walk, Bakura made a mention to Selket to follow him. Then he turned and made his way quickly across the sand. Selket followed in suit. Soon they reached the outskirts of the village and disappeared, completely unnoticed.

Selket couldn't believe the city, the palace, was only a short walk from her village. She had never seen such a place. So many things to buy lined the streets; carts filled with food of all kinds, exotic clothes in every color possible, jewelry- and the people! The streets at home were always empty, and the streets here were crowded, the city echoing with voices, so many different languages, sounds, clothing, everything! It took all Bakura's strength to keep her moving. Though he'd never admit it, he was just as awed.

However, it didn't take long for Selket to realize she could never have any of it. She knew the people of Kul Elna lived the lives of the poor, and just being among the rich made her feel like she didn't belong. A pauper among princes. It gave a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, her first taste of envy. Suddenly Bakura started. "Wanna see how good I've gotten?" Selket looked at him. "C'mon, Selket. You know you want something. I bet I can steal anything from anyone of these slowpokes! Take your pick!"

Selket wanted immediately to see it. But then she remembered her Father. Still, she wanted so much to see Bakura…Then she had an idea.

Selket scanned the crowd looking for a person who looked impossibly hard to steal from. At last, she spotted a man that was no younger then thirty years. He wore a long, all white robe with a gold fastening with the eye of Horus engraved in it- a symbol of magic. No doubt he was a mage of some sort. He was also surrounded by guards.

Selket pointed. "That one." She expected Bakura to back down, chicken out, anything but advance toward the man. Bakura disappeared into the crowd.

/Oh no…./

Selket sprinted after her friend and ran straight into…the man. She collided with him and bounced off.

"Lord Akenaden!" a guard shouted. The man (Lord Akenaden?) merely glanced down at Selket. Selket's heart skipped a few beats as she saw two guards approach them, not looking too happy.

"Leave me. I am fine," Akenaden said in his grave voice. The two guards hesitated, then turned their backs and retreated. Selket took this moment to get to her feet, but Akenaden had looked at her again, and she decided she couldn't run. "S-sorry, sir," Selket stammered, backing up slowly. "It is alright," he replied. "From where did you travel from?" Selket hesitated again. "The village…Kul Elna." Akenaden looked at her hard "Kul Elna? The- what! Akenaden turned around, and both he and Selket stared at Bakura. Bakura looked very much like a deer in the headlights1, standing directly behind the man, one hand stretched out. Then he ran passed the man, grabbed Selket and made a run for it down the street. "Thieves! Catch them!" shouted Akenaden. The guards began to pursue the two.

"Bad bad bad bad…" muttered Bakura repeatedly. Selket looked behind her and was unhappy to see the guards in close pursuit, pushing over carts that were in their way.

Her eyes widened as Selket watched her diary fall from within her pocket onto the street.

She stopped and started to run back to retrieve her lost item. Bakura suddenly pulled her and continued to drag her through the streets.

Selket tried to turn back again. The guards were closing in on them. /No/ she thought. /We'll get caught! Stop, trip over and break your heads, you meanies, don't catch us, can't catch us…No/

As if answering her thoughts, a guard suddenly toppled over, tripping over a cart that had landed in his way. Another cart near to that one slowly began to turn. It tipped and toppled over with the full weight of gravity directly in the path of the other guard, spewing fruits all over the ground. A large mob formed over the spilled goods, blocking the guard's way. Selket turned back and kept running.

Bakura and Selket made it out of the city and hide behind the walls. "That…was close," said Bakura panting. "But not close enough." He put his hand into his pocket and grinned. He withdrew a small bag of money, sagging under the weight of the coins. "See? I told you," he said smugly. Selket smiled.

Bakura pocketed the money again. "What did you drop?" he asked. Selket stopped smiling and looked down. "Sorry, Bakura…That was your present." Bakura stared at her. "No it wasn't. You dropped something pink and black. The diary was brown." Selket looked confused for a moment, then her eyes widened. /The Way…The Way of Darkness…/

Akenaden paused in the middle of the street. He picked up a book, with black and fleshy pink edges, imprinted with the eye of Horus in the middle. He looked at it carefully. "Kul Elna, eh?"

Cliffie! I'm so sorry once again about the delay.

1."deer in the headlights" didn't exist yet. Whoops.

Angelgirl453- Glad you liked it. I ain't saying nothing.

Leona Saclat- Thank you so much! It was really nice of you to give me recognition, plus to put me on your favorite authors list. Thanks again!

RedEyesDarknessDragonLady- Thank you for the review! The first chapter was really that good? Ne, I'm very glad you enjoy it so much.