A Tale of Two Thieves

A/N: Sage: Ah welcome, welcome to chapter two! Lots of questions from the first chapter but they included praise so I don't mind.

Kaley: Besides it's not our job to answer questions! (pushes Dark and Bakura out) Good for it boys! REVIEWER MAIL!

Bakura: Damn it…fine. Anime Crazed asked how much you need to know about DNAngel to read this…and I suppose only what we told you in the Omake chapter of Life of a Thief. I mean, just reading the summaries on Tokyopop's website for the manga volumes should be good enough too. Otherwise you'll understand as it goes. It shouldn't be too confusing.

Dark: SPEAKING of confusing! Lynlin, sorry if you got a bit lost…Ryou doesn't know our dear commander. In fact, the scene we think you misunderstood was a reference to when Satoshi gives Daisuke a tissue when he's crying. In the story, Daisuke sees the tissue and remembers Satoshi but mistaken, as Ryou then points out he isn't Hiwatari-kun and doesn't know one. Sorry bout that!

Bakura: Someone asked when I come back…well, read this chapter and take a guess! HA!

Dark: You ass…

Bakura: Look who's talking…

Dark: Anyways! FantabulousWatapon got confused too! See, Emiko isn't an important person in the sense you might think. She's just in charge of Daisuke's training. As of why he's living with her, well he IS fourteen. Although I suppose we didn't say that…also he's so young because the curse or as you called me, his yami, doesn't appear until fourteen. He then must become a Phantom Thief. It's just how it goes. Yes I know he's young but eh, life sucks!

Kaley: Also you guys probably see by now how the honorifics are going to be but if you have a question just ask ok?

Sage: Ah and for Daisuke and Dark, when they talk to each other in their mind you may have notice its (words) for Daisuke and ((words)) for Dark. Later when we have Satoshi and Krad it will be 'words' for Satoshi and words for Krad. I'm glad so many of you are interested in DNAngel now. It is a very good story.

Tomorrow night, at precisely 10 o'clock

I will be here to steal the Millennium Scales

Phantom Thief Dark

&&&&&&&&&&

"Well I'm here, start talking." It was a hot day in Egypt which technically meant it was a normal day. However the man who spoke was irritated and with good reason: His tan cloak that covered all but his dark chocolate eyes was heavy and sizzling. He wanted nothing more than to retreat to a cool, dark area but the woman before him had insisted on meeting on in the open.

"Ryou is in danger." She said calmly, staring him in the eye. Bakura twitched behind his covers and grabbed Isis by the collar, lifting her level to his grim eyes. "It is true, I'm afraid."

"Then spit it out woman and tell me what's going on!" Bakura growled, dropping her into the sand. She smiled at him, dusting off her long, tight cream dress and flipped her midnight hair behind her. "Would you stop that?"

"Bakura, you still get so protective of your other half…" Isis sighed, staring at the veiled thief. "You've been causing so much trouble here. Stealing every precious artifact you can from the Cairo Museum, with that ka beast of yours."

"Diabound." Bakura's voice had a cockiness to it that Isis had certainly not missed. "He has a name." Inside him, the creature stirred with discontent, eyeing the woman. "But what's it matter if I've been stealing? I'm a great thief after all and it's what thieves do. None of this has to do with Ryou though."

"But it does. That is what this meeting is about." Isis paused, choosing her next words with care. Yes, this meeting, in the middle of a bustling merchant town was all about Ryou. Yet at the same time it was not. The Priestess could feel him, feel the immortal one's eyes watching her to make sure she didn't reveal too much to the thief. She could only tell him so much and yet she longed to tell him everything, the plans of this mad piece of artwork that watched her from afar. But no, if she did that there were even worse consequences. Instead, she would help him the best she could. That was why her brother Marik was already guarding the Pharaoh. "You see, there is a thief like yourself, eternal and talented with an eye for only certain items. Usually, your paths would not cross. However…"

"However!" Bakura blinked, pulling the fabric from his face to reveal his shoulder length, spiked white hair and smooth tanned skin. His mouth was twisted into a frown as he stared her down.

"Y-you cut your hair." She said, caught off guard. His hair had once flowed down his back yet now it only grazed his shoulders.

"It was too long for this weather…" He smiled slightly. "Anyway keep going! The stuff about Ryou in danger?"

"Ah right…" Isis coughed, blushing lightly. "Well this thief has been…led…to the Millennium Items and wishes to claim him. Already so many are being swept up into this cruel game but Ryou is one of them. Even now the thief draws closer to him and soon…"

"Wait, this thief is going to try to take something of mine?" Bakura stepped towards her. "Because if he even puts one of Ryou's hairs out of place—"

"Listen! It is far graver than that!" Isis cried, waving her hand in his face. "The Items have become active once more! The true spirit sealed inside them is awakening and soon will come a time of chaos! Even without the Tauk I can see this. The Pharaoh's memories are stirring…and your fate is catching up to you as well. As for this thief, he has his own demons that will now conflict with our own fates. Our fates, their fates, it is all becoming one. A great battle is coming…" She stopped, locking her eyes with Bakura's. "Ryou is going to need you."

"Damn woman…" Bakura groaned. "You should have told me this sooner! Some damn thief is going to try to hurt my Ryou and my Pharaoh? No way in hell." He sighed dramatically. "I suppose I'll head home for a bit and fix things then. Tell that idiot brother of yours to join me." Bakura pulled his hood back over his head and quickly began to leave, already plotting ways to stowaway on a plane.

"He is already there! Please, please be aware! There are terrible things brewing." Isis sighed heavily as he blended with the crowd. Behind her there was a soft whoosh and turning, she saw someone else caped in gray. Isis resisted the shiver that tried to run through her. "I did as you asked."

"Good, I thank you very much…" The man's voice was pleasant and almost kind. Even as he stood, hidden in a tree's shadow, he seemed to hold himself with unearthly grace and charm. She however, knew better. "Although, you did tell him a great deal. Dare I even suggest that you may have said too much?"

"You are a fool." Isis hissed, her dark eyes narrowing. "How dare you even…even…you play with people, like pawns, like this is your own personal game!"

"A fool for playing a game?" He was smiling; she knew it and it made her blood boil more. "Ah well, perhaps we are all fools but they are the best fools of all. Now, if you would please help me in sending the Millennium Ankh? I know Black Wings will be eager to take it next…and soon…" He stepped towards her, smile playing on his face, until they were only inches apart, "All my pieces will be in place. Including you, my dear pawn. Checkmate."

&&&&&&&&

"So um…ah…" Daisuke attempted using his voice again. As before, Ryou looked over at him politely and waited for the boy to continue his mumbling train of thought. Also like before, Daisuke ended up asking a stupid question. "So um what's your school like?"

((Andddd conversation attempt number 3,987 fails beautifully!)) Dark cheered sarcastically ((No seriously, try asking him a normal question. He's not scary. Actually he's kinda hot, looks womanly and all but…))

(Dark!)

((What? I'm allowed to look))

"My school?" He sounded confused but shrugged it off. "…it's just a boring normal school."

"Oh I see!" Daisuke said, laughing nervously and rubbing the back of his neck. "I um was just wondering…"

"I see." The two boys fell silent again and Daisuke cursed himself. For some reason, it was impossible to talk to Ryou. Even though Daisuke has always been an easily flustered boy, this was different. It was almost like when he'd first tried talking to Satoshi, how he had blushed and stammered and spoke in an unnecessarily loud tone. Yet any hopes of carrying on a normal conversation had been shot that morning. Daisuke had returned from a shower to see Ryou sitting in Bakura's room, staring blankly at a dagger on his lap and singing softly. Things had either been awkward or quiet since then. In fact the only talk had been of taking a walk to Yugi's house. So here they were, side by side in silence despite the beautiful sunny day that surrounded them. Daisuke couldn't be sure but he thought Ryou was embarrassed by that event or maybe it was something deeper. Either way Daisuke felt it was his job to figure it out and bring the mood up a bit.

((Try something like 'I'm sorry'. I hear apologies are popular nowadays))

"Ryou-kun? I'm sorry…I'm sorry that I…" Daisuke blushed deeply as he tried to connect the words floating in his mind into sentences. "I'm just sorry…I didn't meant to I mean I didn't walk in on purpose and if I had known you were in there I wouldn't have walked in like I did I err I wouldn't have walked in at all."

"Niwa-san, is that what's bothering you?" Ryou smiled lightly but even as he did, there was something else washing over his face. "There's no reason to be worried about that."

((He's relieved. Ha! He was worrying over it too!)) Dark grinned ((I should have put a bet on it…people like him are so easy to read, they wear masks but really it makes it easier…))

"But there was!" Daisuke cried, ignoring Dark's ramblings about those who wear masks. "You were upset. I didn't mean to…and you're being so nice to me…you don't even know me and you gave me a room and helped me out."

"Of course I did." Ryou indeed sounded comforted and even his previously tense frame relaxed. "How could I leave you out there by yourself? I…I know what it's like to be by yourself when you really need someone…so I don't mind. Besides you're a good person. I guess I kind of trust you." Ryou's eyes lifted, a strange look transfixed inside his chocolate depths. "I don't like trusting people but…I want to trust you so…and I sound stupid."

"N-no!" Daisuke grinned despite himself, grabbing his friend's hand and yanking his attention back to earth. "I-I trust you too Ryou-kun! Even though we just met, I can tell you have a good heart! I can understand, really I can…" His voice grew softer as he looked down, his cheeks flushing. "I do…understand why you wouldn't trust…"

((Sappy Dai-chan, very sappy. But hey I think it did the trick…))

"Niwa-san, thank you." He smiled at the boy. "Actually, I haven't been myself since Bakura left but well I guess…this morning I went to see if you were up and I just ended up sitting there thinking about him. He'd probably hate knowing you're here though. He's so…possessive." Ryou sighed. "No wonder Yami thought I was going crazy." He paused, stopping their daytime stroll down the crowded sidewalks, and looked thoughtfully at his companion. "You know, you're easy to talk to Niwa-san."

"Ah really?" Daisuke grinned; his usual, joyous grin and laughed. "Thank you!"

"RYOU!" The boys looked up as Yugi bounded up to them, his eyes holding a look of fear as he waved a newspaper. "Ryou I'm so glad I found you! Look at this!" He shoved the paper under Ryou's nose. Daisuke blinked, standing on his tip toes to see the heading 'Phantom Thief Expanding to Domino!' "Look at it!" Yugi repeated, his brows knitted in worry. "Some thief named Dark is going to steal the Millennium Scales!"

"What?" Ryou's eyes narrowed and he scanned the paper. Daisuke watched his eyes roll across the print, occasionally widening or narrowing further. "…I see…" He turned back to Daisuke. "Hang on a minute ok?" Ryou led Yugi out of hearing range, under a nearby tree and the two began to whisper in hurried tones.

((Ha, just hearing that I'm in town strikes fear into their hearts!))

(Yes you scared a pair of teenagers, that's quite the accomplishment)

((I bet I could scare you! Not that it's a hard thing to do…))

(I'm not easy to scare!)

((Yes you-WHOA! SHIT KRAD SENSES GOING OFF! RUN DAISUKE!))

(WHAT!)

((…heh…))

(DAAAAARK! That wasn't funny!) Daisuke pouted openly, even if to everyone else it looked like he was pouting into the air. (I wonder what they're saying?)

((White head just said "Can't you use the God Cards?" and then small one said "I guess but…Darkness and Marik are freaking out…" Well that's a weird thing to say…))

(You can read lips?)

((It's a good talent for a thief to have)) Dark paused ((Eh I give up though, they aren't making sense. I think they're talking in codes))

(…Are we…still going to steal from Ryou-kun?) Daisuke asked sadly.

((Well of course we are. Don't worry your pretty little head Dai-chan, it's me stealing it right?))

(I guess so) They stopped as Ryou came back to him, holding the paper tightly.

"Hey Niwa-san, I have to go to Yugi's for a bit. Do you mind going on without me? If you get home early just use my spare card key, down hidden in the yellow flowers."

"Um ok…" Daisuke smiled. "See you later Ryou-kun!"

((Good, let's go get ready then. To the museum!))

&&&&&&&&&&&

"Could it get any easier?" Dark grumbled dully into the empty hallway. His lonesome footsteps echoed around the museum and besides the occasional door leading to another room or hall, there were only shadows of statues and hanging items blocking his path to the Millennium Scales. "I mean geez, does this place even have security cameras? Or at least one trip wire? Or a guard dog? Or something?"

(A guard dog?) Daisuke, who had been resting peacefully, asked as he stretched his unseen arms.

"What, you've never seen one?" Dark sighed and shoved his hands into the deep pockets his specialized trench coat held. "I guess they aren't common anymore with all the technological advances though…I swear this place doesn't even have a water bucket rigged up somewhere. There's no security."

(It didn't look like it before when we were here either…) Daisuke said thoughtfully inside his mind, remembering how lax the whole place had seemed. (It's not a bad thing though, I like easy nights)

"Well I don't!" Dark snapped, feeling particularly moody. "I don't get out much remember? Where's the glory and fun in this? At the very least they could have locked the inside doors!" As he said this, he kicked open another of these said doors to reveal a large room with various Egyptian artifacts. He bypassed a sarcophagus and made his way to the hidden backroom, pleased to find its door was at least locked. "About damn time…I was almost starting to miss the delinquent duo." He muttered, bending low to examine the keypad.

(He's not a delinquent) Daisuke scolded, knowing exactly who the thief was referring too. Dark ignored him and finished breaking the 'security'. From their time with Ryou the previous afternoon, they both knew that the room was cluttered and hardly had walking space. Yet now it was strangely clean and the window's curtains had been drawn to block the moonlight, veiling the entire area in complete darkness.

"Well isn't that interesting?" A smile came across the previously bored man as he stood into the room, his dangling buckles clinking softly with each step. Just as he got halfway across the room, three small glowing lights appeared accompanied by a gentle electronic whirling. Dark blinked as two boxes on either side of the room lit up, bright enough for the thief to see. The lights were coming from strange looking disks attached to the arms of three people.

(Hey! That's Yugi-kun! The other guy looks just like him too…) Daisuke cried in surprise. Sure enough, the short boy on the end was the same one who they had seen yesterday. Only now he wore a determined, if not angry, look on his face. Next to him stood another boy who could very well be his look-alike if not for giving off the air of being older and more mature. Both wore what looked to be a school uniform. Next to him was a tan, skinny teen with shoulder length sandy hair and bright lavender eyes, dressed in a matching short sleeve shirt and jeans. (I wonder what they're doing here?) Daisuke wondered, his attention wandering between the three. Dark however, stared at the round machines on their arms.

"What are those?" He asked softly but Daisuke only shook his head. The slightly older looking Yugi stepped forward and crossed his arms, taking on a surprisingly smug stance.

"Well now, you must be the Phantom Thief Dark." He said calmly, his eyes locked on Dark's.

"I am the one and only." Dark flashed a grin and gave a mocking bow. "It's a pleasure to meet me, I know."

(Dark…) Daisuke groaned, hating it when he was like that.

((Oh shut up, I get to have fun now))

"You are rather late. Not a very good first impression now is it?" The star haired teen said coolly. "I'd have thought by your notice that you would have been here at 10, not the museum. You've kept us waiting."

"Oh I'm terribly sorry but I didn't know you'd be waiting here for me." Dark then noticed for the first time that each held a different item. The smallest boy wore the puzzle around his neck, the too chatty man as Dark now dubbed him wore a Tauk around his neck and the last teen gripped a wicked looking rod in his left hand. "Hmm, I see you're saved me the trouble of finding all the items! Why thank you…oh right, I don't know your names. I can't thank you without knowing that."

"I'm called many things but you can call me Pharaoh." The chatty one said. "This boy is my aibou, Yugi. And this is the Tomb Keeper Marik." He indicated each as he spoke. "We are not here to hand over the items. We are here to stop those unworthy of controlling their power from taking them."

"Stop me?" Dark chuckled, shaking his head. "Sorry but if anyone's going to stop me, it sure as hell won't be you three."

(Pharaoh…) Daisuke seemed to be thinking hard, then he made a small noise. (Hey! Dark! What did mom say? The two most dangerous spirits? She called one The Thief King and the other was the Pharaoh.)

((You're right…)) Dark agreed thoughtfully. ((If he's the same guy then…)) But his thoughts ceased as the three guardians each raised their arms in unison. From the disks, two bladed pieces twirled out, swinging around and locking together to form an odd, bladed arm guard. It was flattened and curved with their arms and on top were five dents, each rectangle shaped. It looked pretty heavy but none of them wavered as they lowered their arms into a defensive position. They looked prepared for battle and all in less than five seconds too. ((Heh, looks like they want to fight))

(Dark! We can't hurt them!) Daisuke yelled as his counterpart began walking slowly towards them, Wiz climbing to his shoulder. (Dark!)

"So, you think you can catch me?" Dark smirked, touching Wiz gently. Wiz cooed and leapt onto Dark's back, transforming swiftly into the beautiful black wings he was known for. "The Phantom Thief?"

"I know we can." The Pharaoh matched Dark's smirk and pulled five card-looking objects from the disk. His two teammates followed suit, glaring daggers at the violet haired rogue. "I will give you one more chance. Go back to your own town and leave the Millennium Items alone."

"A good thief doesn't give up without reaching his goal." He glanced behind the trio and saw the Scales gleaming on a pedestal. "But it looks like you guys are in my way!" Dark's wings fluttered and he sped towards them, ready to knock them aside and gain his prize. However they stood their ground, throwing down the cards into the spaces on their armor like protrusions. Just as he was within a few meters, a strange aura glittered in front of him.

"Reveal trap crap!" Yugi cried, pointing at Dark. "Mirror Force!" Dark blinked, slowing down slightly in curiosity but it was too late. The aura was suddenly right in front of him and he crashed head on into what felt like thick glass…or maybe a brick wall. Either way it was enough to stun him. With a cry he stumbled, landing on his back. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his head as he glared up at them.

"What the hell was that?" Dark demanded, shooting a particularly nasty look at Yugi.

"A trap that you triggered. Technically, it was an energy wall." The Pharaoh said airily, reminding the thief strangely of Krad on a good day. "It blocked your attack, as you can see or rather feel."

"Yeah I noticed…" Dark grumbled, getting to his feet. He kicked out, a small smile appearing on his face as his leg met no resistance. "Looks like your little trap is gone now."

"They only last one turn…but…" The king smirked and set his own card in one of the indents. "There are a lot of things we can do with these cards you know. Like this magic card! Swords of Revealing Light!" Dark's body tensed as the sound of hundreds of swords being drawn from their sheaths reached his ears. His senses took over and he dove to the side, using his wings as a shield against the shining swords. There was a crashing noise as Dark pushed himself against the wall. Where he had stood was a circle of short swords made of the purest light embedded in the floor. Given that they formed a cage all the way to the ceiling, he would have been trapped.

(Dark! What is this?) Daisuke cried, thoroughly freaked out. (Is that magic?) Dark's scowl deepened and he glanced over at his opponents. There was something odd about this room and the darkness it contained. It wasn't a normal feeling, close to what one feels when the hairs on the back of their neck stand up. All of this, he now realized, was coming from the Items they held.

"What kind of magic is this?" He asked seriously.

"This is the power of the Items." The Pharaoh said simply. "Although, it is shadow magic to some extent if that's what you're asking."

"I should have figured." Dark rolled his head from side to side, cracking his neck. Facing three people armed with shadow magic, an offshoot of his own brand, wouldn't be fun. He knew he couldn't fight them head on and win. No, now was the time to use some of his thief moves if he wanted the Scales. He smiled and walked forward, already knowing what to do. "Tell you what, let's play a game."

"A game?" Pharaoh's eyes lit up and instantly his two companions groaned.

"Ah crap, he hit the weak spot." Marik grumbled, throwing up his arms.

"Yami no!" Yugi shook his head and tugged at the other man's sleeve. "Come on, he's just trying to distract us. Remember you promised to stick to the plan? The God cards and all that?"

(Did he just call him Yami?) Daisuke asked.

((Might be a nickname they call him. He said he had a lot of names…I wonder why they don't want him to play though?))

"But Yugi, it's just one game." Yami had a slight pout to his voice. "Besides, we don't need to use the God cards against him. We're doing fine right now."

"Ah alright…" Yugi sighed and he and Marik stepped aside. "But don't lose ok?"

"I don't intend to." The former king walked forward until he and Dark were only a few feet away. "Well? What is it? What are the rules and objectives?"

"Heh you must like games huh?" Dark laughed softly as Yami nodded, the gleam still in his eyes. "Alright let's see…the game is really very simple. It's a staring contest. All I ask is that we sit down for it and that those two over there close their eyes."

"That is all?" Yami questioned.

"Yep." Dark grinned. "If you win, I'll turn around right now and leave but if I win you hand over the Scales. Don't worry about the other items; I can come back for those. Really!" He said quickly under the gaze Yami gave him. "Thief's honor."

"I don't trust your words and I don't trust thieves." Yami said, suddenly sounding annoyed. He debated a moment then nodded. "Fine, we'll play that game. Yugi, Marik, please close your eyes."

"Hey you heard the man!" Dark waved at the boys standing near the Item's pedestal. "Shut your eyes!"

"Yami…be careful alright?" Yugi said, glaring at Dark before closing his eyes.

"A staring contest…wait till I tell my sister about this…" Marik sighed unhappily and followed suit. "She'll blame me if he loses…"

"Quiet in the peanut gallery!" Dark smirked and flopped down on the ground, crossing his legs. Wiz reverted back to his rabbit form and scampered off near the wall. Yami also sat down, flicking his bangs aside and crossing his arms. "Alright now, there are really no rules except if you break eye contact you lose." Dark said. "Can you follow that?"

"Of course. Can you thief?" The Pharaoh asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hey now, don't label me just because I'm a thief. I wouldn't break these rules." Dark flashed another smile before turning a bit more serious. "Alright, start on three. One…"

"Two…" Yami said, preparing his eyes.

"Three." Dark smiled and their game was on. The two opponents sat transfixed on each other for only a few minutes before Dark broke the silence. "So, not a fan of thieves huh?"

"Not really. Especially your kind: Arrogant, cocky, and utterly annoying. Thieves are nothing but nuisances who lie and break promises." Yami said, trying to keep the resentment from his voice.

"Sounds like you've had a bad experience." Dark said in a matter-of-fact tone.

(Dark? Could you ask him something?)

((Yeah, I know exactly what you want to ask him. I'm wondering too.))

"Your name, they called you Yami."

"I don't have a name." He said, shrugged without moving his eyes. "A friend gave me that nickname given that I am a 'darker' half."

((I guess that explains why they look alike, even if we don't…))

"So then you're his other half? That Yugi kid's?"

"Yes. We are one in the same and yet we are two different people. It is complicated."

(You're telling us…) Daisuke laughed.

"Why do you look like him though?"

"You could say he's a physical reincarnation."

"Were you sealed in the Item?"

"Inside the Puzzle, yes. Why do you ask me these things?"

"I just get curious about the things I steal." Dark grinned. "Besides, do you want to stare at me in silence? I know I'm stunning but really…"

"I suppose this all must be part of your strategy." Yami sighed, careful not to look away. "Normally I would not care about some thief like you but you realize that I can not allow anything to happen to these Items. They are the keys to my memories."

"What does that mean?" Dark asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Well…I don't actually know much about it yet." Yami admitted.

"There's a lot you don't know huh?" An ominous smirk came to his face as Yugi and Marik both gave a sudden cry. Yami's whole body locked up but his eyes did not twitch.

"Yugi! Marik!" He shouted but he received no response. His hands became tight fists and his eyes narrowed. "What did you do to them!"

"Why not look and see?" Dark chuckled. "Oh right, you can't or you lose the Scales…" He waited a few seconds, which seemed to drag on into eternity for the former king, until he spoke again. "Ah but my eyes burn. I guess I lose this game." He stood, blinking several times. Yami took no time to savor his victory and raced over to see Yugi and Marik sleeping against the wall. He knelt down beside Yugi, shaking him gently.

"Yugi!" He cried into the boy's ear. "Yugi wake up!" A growl rose up in his throat as he spun around to face Dark…only to see the thief perched on the window sill, his black wings spread, ready to fly with the Millennium Scales clutched in his hand. "You…what did you do!"

"Relax, I'm not that heartless." Dark rolled his eyes. "It's sleeping gas. They'll come around in a few." He winked. "Great game though."

"But I won!" Yami said slowly, his anger rising. "Not only do you hurt my friends but you'd lie as well? I should have expected this from a thief."

"Hey now, I didn't lie." Dark said innocently. "Wiz lost that game, I didn't."

"Wiz…?" Yami stared at him and Dark pointed to his wings.

"Wiz was the rabbit. He can become my wings…or he can become my doppelganger. He lost for me."

"But…but…" The Pharaoh was stunned. "How did you switch! When? It's impossible!"

"Ah ha ha! Sorry Pharaoh but a good thief doesn't reveal his secrets!" Dark chortled and waved one long finger. With that he dove out the window, flying away with ease. Yami watched him until he had blended into the night sky and faded away. He groaned and rested his head against the wall.

"…That man…he's just like Bakura…" Yami's eyes fell on Yugi and Marik. For one terrible moment, he'd thought they were lost to him. He didn't know what he'd do if he lost Yugi. If Yugi were injured, or killed…or worse. If he was separated from his precious boy, if someone took him away… No, he never would be away from him. He would not let that happen even if it cost him his life. "He will pay for that, aibou…" he said softly, brushing his fingers against Yugi's cheek. "…and I'm going to kick Bakura, just because."

&&&&&&&&&&&&

"I WILL KILL HIM! HE WILL PAY FOR WHAT HE DID!" Ryou winced, holding the phone as far as he could from his near bleeding ear. Yami had decided he couldn't wait the extra ten minutes it would take to come to Ryou's house and had called to give the details of Dark's heist. To say the least, it went badly. Well for Yami anyway. "HE IS A HEARTLESS BASTARD! HOW DARE HE!"

"I think we should play a drinking game Daisuke." Ryou said wearily to the redhead peering meekly at him from across the kitchen table. A morning newspaper was set between them with a blurry picture of Dark flying across the night sky under the heading 'Phantom Thief Active and On the Move'. "Every time he yells, take a drink. That way we'll soon pass out and won't hear him anymore."

"I um I don't drink…" Daisuke blushed, looking away with an oddly guilty expression playing in his eyes.

"Me either, bad for my health." Ryou sighed while Yami screamed incoherently in the background. "But so is this, poor eardrums…" With a soft groan he put the mouth piece to his lips, still holding the other end away from his head. "Yami! Calm down!" The Pharaoh stopped shouting immediately.

"…Ah, my apologies." Yami said calmly. "I am just…upset."

"I can tell." Ryou rolled his eyes. "Listen, we'll get the item back don't worry about it. As for Yugi and Marik…well…how are they?"

"Yugi is fine and Marik is err, more or less alright." Yami said strangely. Suddenly there was a scuffling noise and a shout of 'Marik!' before the Egyptian's voice filled Ryou's hearing.

"Ryou, my sister's so pissed." Marik moaned. "She was ranting on forever about Tomb Keeper's honor and protecting the Pharaoh and trust and it was awful!" He almost sounded like he was crying.

"Uh well…" Ryou frowned. He was terrible at comforting people in all honesty. Oh well, he had to try. "Well…she uh she was just worried about you and um…besides it's ok because we'll get it back…you'll just have to go all out next time on him. Use the God Cards and everything you can to capture him. I mean he's just some stupid thief…he should have known not to mess with us right? We can take him down, no matter what." Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Daisuke twitch. Covering the mouth piece, Ryou looked over at him. "Hey, Niwa-san?"

"Yes?" Daisuke's head lifted rapidly.

"Are you ok?" Ryou asked, casting him a worried eye. "Listen…I know this is all very weird and distressing but…we'll handle it, I promise. Don't worry; things like this happen a lot. Strange things…dangerous things…but don't be afraid ok? It will be alright." He gave him what he hoped was a comforting smile. Daisuke smiled back weakly before dropping his head again. Ryou frowned and turned back to the phone. "Hey Marik, see what you can dig up on Dark."

"What?" Marik had been very silent while Ryou talked to Daisuke and even now seemed quiet. "You mean research him?"

"Yeah, maybe we can find a weakness or something. I've never even heard of him but then again I don't read the paper or listen for this stuff…but you said you had heard rumors so look into those some more."

"Ok. Maybe if I find something, sister won't be mad at me!" With new found energy, Marik ran off. Ryou assumed this anyway because a second later he heard the phone hit the floor with a plastic-y clunk. More scuffles and then…

"Hey Ryou…" Yugi yawned, his voice mild enough that it bordered depressed. "Sorry about all this. We're all just…mad I guess."

"Understandable." Ryou said. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine." Yugi tried to make his voice more cheerful. "I'm tired that's all. I'm mad too. It's just weird having some other thief after the items. He was kinda like Bakura too. Real confident and arrogant."

"Well that's nice, two thieves like that?" Ryou laughed softly. "What are the odds?"

"In our lives? Pretty good." Yugi was smiling now, Ryou could hear it. "I mean, what were the odds that you would move here? Or that we'd both have Items? Or that we'd all get swept up into this world saving quest? I guess its Fate."

"Ugh no, don't talk about Fate." Ryou groaned playfully. "I don't want to hear that this is my fate."

"I don't blame you. How are you anyway? Pain wise?"

"You know, it varies." Ryou muttered. "Anyways, I have to call my dad and tell him how it went now. I'll see you later." He hung up after Yugi's delayed farewell and glanced over at Daisuke. "Niwa-san? Would you go get this…pill bottle from the bathroom? It's orange, the only orange bottle in there." Daisuke nodded and jumped off his stool, leaving the kitchen. Ryou went back to the phone, dialing in a long series of numbers. After only two rings another voice came on the phone. His dad.

"Hey dad…it's me, Ryou."

"Ah! Ryou! How are you son?" He sounded happy enough.

"I'm alright." Ryou lied. He didn't want his father to know anymore than he needed to.

"That's good to know. Well how did it go? Were your friends able to stop the thief?"

"…No they weren't." Ryou sighed. "He was able to get away with the item. I'm sorry father."

"I thought as much. Good thing I already took the necessary precautions." His father seemed pleased with himself. "Yes I had to pull some strings but nothing I couldn't do."

"Um…" Ryou blinked as Daisuke entered the room, holding the pill container sadly. "I have to go…can I call you back?"

"Of course but please be nice to whoever they send over. Goodbye." Then there was only dial tone.

"Sending?" He asked the dial tone. Ryou put the phone back on the hook and walked to the sink, filling a glass with water. "My father is so weird…"

"Ryou-kun? Um these are…" Daisuke stammered, padding over to him in his bare feet. "These are really strong painkillers."

"I know." Ryou said softly. "I need them though or else I black out from the pain. Don't worry, I know how much to take."

"That's awful though." Daisuke said, his eyes wide with shock. Even his voice was filled with pity. "You shouldn't have that kind of pain…is it a disease?"

"No it—" But Ryou froze as he was about to swallow the pills. All at once the pain had faded immensely, to something only a bit discomforting rather than agony. Just like that, so completely random that it made Ryou freeze. His vision was no longer blurry, he could see much better than he had in months and he didn't have to force his body to stop trembling.

"Ryou-kun!" Daisuke gasped, seeing his friend as still as an ice sculpture. "Ryou-kun? What's wrong?" He asked, tugging on his arm.

"Niwa-san…" Ryou blinked. Why was the pain gone? Why now? Did Bakura get hurt or was he…no, he couldn't be back, could he? Ryou took a steadying breath, hoping to regain his senses. The pain was still there, it wasn't like it was gone but it had faded so much that it was now bearable. The only explanation was that Bakura had come nearer, close enough that their souls were connecting again. "Bakura…"

"What?" It was Daisuke's turn to be confused. "What do you mean?"

"He's…" Ryou smiled weakly and began to laugh. He wasn't sure why but soon his laughter grew louder until it filled the room, echoing faintly in the background. Ryou leaned against the counter to prevent himself from falling, resting his forehead against the cool surface as his laughter died down and a sigh escaped his lips. A hand trailed down his side, rubbing the area where it now felt as though a knife was jammed. He hated laughing sometimes, nothing but trouble. Just like Bakura.

"Ryou-kun…" Daisuke whispered, shaking his shoulder gently. Ryou twisted his head around, unable to stifle the grin on his face. "Maybe you should lie down?"

"No…that's alright." Ryou shook his head, knowing exactly how crazy he looked. At least now he knew why people always stared at his darker half. Aside from him being hot and sexy. Pausing, Ryou also realized thoughts like that didn't help his case for sanity. "I guess someone is coming soon. My father mentioned it…and I think…" He allowed himself a normal smile, indulging the hopeful feeling fluttering in his chest, "That my friend will come back soon."

"But Ryou-kun" Daisuke began but at that moment there were three swift knocks at the door. Both boys stopped and craned their necks in an attempt to see the source of the noise. Without warning the hope inside him skyrocketed as he dared think of who could be there.

"Hang on…" Ryou left the kitchen, grasped the doorknob and turned, heart racing as it revealed…a young man he didn't know at all. Icy blue hair cut short with a thin pale frame and matching eyes that were cold and distant behind a pair of glasses. Yes, Ryou didn't know him at all and yet…

Neither boy heard Daisuke yelp as he hid behind the wall.

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