A Tale of Two Thieves
A/N: Sage: Ah welcome welcome, come in dear readers and sit as I spin you yet another chapter in a Tale of Two Thieves.
Kaley: Of course with each new chapter comes new questions and that is soooo not my job! So let's here it for our reviewer boys!
Dark:…Bakura's not here today, he's in some other fic for some other author. Yay! I mean, how sad. (coughs) Well he is a muse for many fangirls. I am too but I had an opening right now…
Sage: Just get on with it!
Dark: Right! First question is an easy one from Lynlin! Argie, er I mean Argentine, is after me and Kraddiekins…I mean Krad. Yeah, he doesn't give a f…flip about Bakura. I don't either actually, the one time I agree with Argie.
Kaley: Kosmic Kitty found a typo (laughs nervously) We have a beta and we all try to catch them but sometimes a error slips through. We shall try and go back to fix it but…we haven't even fixed the mistakes in Life of a Thief yet.
Sage:…Lazy…
Dark: Lastly I thought maybe I should clear up Argie-
Kaley: Call him Argentine geez!
Dark: Fine I'll clear up Argentine! He's a new character in the manga and not much is really known about him. He's been in what…4 chapters? Only really in 2 of them…so he's an unknown but there's a lot of clues in those chapters. So he gets to be in the story, because he makes a good enemy and because Sage here loves him.
Sage: Madly and deeply.
Kaley: Ok then if that's all then it's time to hit the chapter! It's kinda packed but we'll try to give everyone a fluffy awesome chapter next time!
Dark: One more thing…there are three songs in this chapter. Name them all and win a prize! Maybe, I don't really know but it'd be cool. Anyway back to the good stuff. Get to the damn chapter already!
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"Alright powwow time!" Bakura dragged both Daisuke and Satoshi by the shoulders downstairs and threw them against the couch. He grinned as Ryou walked came down, staring in a mix of curiosity and horror. "Did you hear me call you?"
"Yes I was just scared to find out…" Ryou sat down in a chair across from the boys and couldn't help but smile; Daisuke's face was beat red and his eyes were locked on the floor while Satoshi scowled at Bakura, albeit a very angry 'I'm going to kill you' scowl. Perhaps Bakura was on to something, or at least wasn't just trying to embarrass them. "Err, Hiwatari-san, why are you here?" Ryou blinked. For some reason the thought hadn't even occurred to him that Satoshi didn't live here. Just went to show what his life was becoming: an endless series of random events in which he now just accepted the weirdness.
"I invited him!" Daisuke blurted out, his eyes wide. His voice trembled nervously. "I mean, he's my friend!"
"You mean your friend with benefits!" Bakura pointed out, leaning on Ryou's armrest. "I mean, you should have seen them Ryou." He added, glancing at his other half. "They were going at it like—"
"We were not 'going at it' as you just so eloquently put it." Satoshi's gaze stayed transfixed on Bakura. Ryou knew that look; it was a rather dangerous one that he had seen Bakura give people right before he sent them to the shadow realm. Even the boy's voice was like his at that moment, cold and dark. His left eye twitched slightly when he saw Bakura's mouth opening again.
"Ok then soooo what were you doing pining red here to the bed and panting like that?" Bakura could barely contain his joy at such a discovery. Ryou couldn't help but feel sorry for them, being the source of entertainment for his darker half. Sure, it was odd if that's what had happened but there could be so much behind it. Maybe they were just friends. Daisuke was feverish so that could explain panting or maybe he started to faint and so Satoshi had tried to catch him. Ryou had seen those sorts of things in comic books. Ok so that didn't explain why Satoshi was in Ryou's house with Daisuke but there was also the chance that Bakura was right, heaven forbid, and that they were just embarrassed.
"Bakura hush." Ryou glared at him. Only Bakura could truly read his looks. Someone just watching might think Ryou was actually pissed but he was only mildly annoyed. Still Bakura pouted at him and slumped over the chair more, his head resting against Ryou's. It was uncomfortable but having been away from him for so long, he was silently glad for the proximity. "You two are friends then?" He inquired, receiving swift nods from both. "Well then that's good, Niwa-san here felt ill today." He smiled gently at them and saw relief come across the redhead's face, some of the blush fading. Satoshi however, continued to stare pointedly at Bakura, as if trying to melt him with heat vision. His eyes left the thief for a moment, going to Ryou.
"So then that is all?" Satoshi didn't sound quite as angry now, though there was a subtle disbelief that Ryou caught.
"Well I suppose Niwa-san must have called you after we tried to catch Dark…then you must have been happy to know your friend was so close and after our debriefing was over you came here to check up on him." Ryou pondered lightly, placing one finger on his chin as his eyes gazed at the ceiling. Satoshi, Daisuke and Bakura all stared at him in surprise. "As for your uh…positions when Bakura here found you…well, knowing Niwa-san, he probably jumped up too fast when he saw you, got dizzy and such and you tried to catch him, right? It's nothing to dwell on really."
"…Ryou-kun…" Daisuke's mouth was hanging open slightly. Satoshi had a similarly astonished look, though much less apparent.
"Aww!" Bakura sat up, pointing at the two boys. "But they were about to have sex! You can't just pull an excuse for them out of your ass!"
"Actually I can." Ryou smirked, though it disturbingly reminded himself of his yami. "In fact, I just did. Now, why don't you stop bothering them and go make something to eat?"
"What! Why do I have to?" Bakura stood, crossing his arms to appear more imposing. Ryou tried not to laugh and covered his mouth.
"Because I always had to cook when you were here." Ryou couldn't contain himself and snorted, drawing stares from everyone. "Come on, just once won't kill you."
"Damn you." Bakura cast him another glare and stormed off to the kitchen. "Damn you and your blasted modern ways of preparing meals! I hate this stupid—" The next words were drowned out by the sounds of someone kicking Ryou's stove. He rolled his eyes, slumping into his soft cushioned chair and waved his hand dismissively when he noticed Satoshi and Daisuke's odd looks.
"Bakura-san is very strange." Daisuke laughed nervously over the strings of curses and clattering metal from the other room.
"He used to be much worse…" Ryou said thoughtfully, a sad smile playing on his soft lips. Satoshi noticed it, jotting something down in his notepad. That was something the chocolate eyed teen was aware of, that the commander was always making notes about the people around him. Interesting trait really, not that Ryou knew much about psychology.
"Um…" Daisuke blushed slightly, leaning in closer as Ryou turned to him. He could tell he wanted to ask something but seemed to afraid to let the words come. "Uh well…you and him…are um…you're close and um you seem like…um…"
"Lovers?" Ryou suggested slyly, causing both boys to give a small start. "I guess so. It's not like we're really dating or anything. But we certainly do ah…well…it's a very complex situation."
"I um, have another question…" Daisuke was blushing badly now, though Ryou couldn't explain why. "He looks…well…just like you. And you two um are really…passionate and uh…"
"I know. He's my other half." Ryou sighed and sat up straighter. This did need clearing up. "Well see…these Millennium Items are magical. Mine held a spirit sealed inside it. Ah it'd take awhile to explain this right…" He propped his head up on his hands. "Ok. 3,000 years ago there was a war in Egypt. There was no hope of winning and so a Priest used a blood ritual to produce the Millennium Items, at the cost of 99 human sacrifices." Daisuke gasped, his eyes wide with horror. "Yes, these are made from flesh and blood, not gold as they may look." Ryou noted that somehow, Satoshi didn't seem at all surprised. Daisuke meanwhile looked like he'd just seen a car crash. "They used a village that had 100 people living in it. Bakura over there-" Ryou jerked his thumb towards the kitchen, "-was number 100. He lived but was forced to watch his whole family slaughtered. To say the least, it drove him crazy."
"Makes sense." Satoshi said mildly, pushing his glasses up his face. Ryou chuckled and got a look shot at him for his moment of amusement. It wasn't his fault that it was a really cute action. Secretly he put that thought in the back of his mind for later use, after all teasing a friend was ok right? "So then these Items are actually dangerous then aren't they? Blood Rituals often result in negative entities being formed, often with revenge based motives." Daisuke turned to stare in awe at his friend.
"Yes it did." He said, ignoring Satoshi's knowledgeable comment. "That entity was called Zork and it used Bakura as his physical form. After that Bakura became a famous Tomb Robber and used that spirit that you saw Hiwatari-san to make the Pharaoh miserable. The Pharaoh's soul, by the way, is Yami. Their fight eventually got so bad that Yami had to seal himself and Bakura into the Puzzle and Ring. Then they waited until their physical reincarnations were born to carry on their fights. Of course that'd be me and Yugi. We were destined after all…it's like…a duty I guess…anyways Zork is still in Bakura somewhat and he and Yami still want to kill each other." Both boys sat in silence for a long time, the only noises heard were Bakura's vulgar language and sizzling that Ryou hoped was food and nothing else. Each seemed lost in their own thoughts, both fascinated and hesitant looks in their eyes.
"But then…you're his host?" Daisuke looked up, this time an unreadable emotion on his face. "I mean, you said he was a spirit and that they needed your bodies…"
"Yes I am." Ryou admitted, somewhat bitterly. "And he was once…awful to me…I don't think I could say this part ever in words…he'd kill anyone who got close to me, claimed me as his…like a possession. He said he was granting me my wishes, that he was there for me and me alone…he was demented, twisted…" He looked down, for a moment ignoring the other two. If he had looked at them, he would have seen the way they caught each other's eye. Satoshi seemed even more interested now and leaned in closer, even if it was subconsciously. Daisuke too paid more attention, though he started to fidget with his shirt's hem. "I just couldn't understand him. Why he wanted to hurt people and why he treated me like he did…so I hated him. I hated him more than anything. Plus I was jealous. I didn't want to think about it then but Yugi and Yami had such a good bond. They were what a host and spirit should be I guess. Friendly and caring and joking and always there for each other. Maybe it was even love…I think it is now, even if it wasn't then. I wanted that…"
"Ryou-kun…" Daisuke swallowed as Ryou lifted his head. "It sounds like…he was…a terrible person."
"He once sealed someone's soul into a game piece for ordering me to get a hair cut." Ryou laughed darkly and shook his head. "Yes he was a terrible person. But then Marik found something in an ancient Egyptian book…I don't know all the details myself but it allowed for a spirit attached to a host to gain their own body. Well Yugi and Yami did it so that Yugi wouldn't be hurt in battles but when it happened with me and Bakura…I saw something in him…pain…"
"…Pain?" Satoshi whispered, looking away. "Such a demon in pain?"
"Strange I know but true…" Ryou smiled at him. "When I saw a glimpse into his heart, what he was really hiding I just had to know more. So I refused to let Yami kill him and instead we err…bonded. It wasn't easy but after awhile I got him to open up to me. Eventually he and I…well we…" He blinked, suddenly unsure of how to proceed. Shaking his doubts from him, and knowing that Bakura couldn't hear him anyway over the sounds of his 'cooking', he pressed on. "We fell in love. I guess it's silly in a way because he and I are the same person but I can't help it. It was nice for awhile but he couldn't handle it. Bakura still had Zork inside of him. So he went to Egypt to deal with it and just didn't come back." Ryou paused, noting the looks on both boys' faces. The commander seemed lost in thought, a distraught look in his eyes as he stared intently at the carpeting. Daisuke meanwhile, was now engrossed in Ryou's story, though he kept sending the icy teen worried looks. It was strange, in some ways but somehow Ryou knew that his story was affecting them more than he had intended. "Well anyways, Niwa-san here saw what happened when Bakura got home."
"Oh!" Daisuke jumped at hearing his name mentioned and nodded energetically, though his blush rose again. "Yes I-I saw that…ah but you mentioned pain?"
"Yeah, that's a side effect." Ryou placed a hand over his Millennium Ring. "Being away from your other half is a bit unnatural so I suppose it makes sense. But anyway, it was the feeling of being torn in half. Always there too…I thought I was going to go crazy…well crazier. I have to be crazy to be in love with him." Bakura popped his head in at that moment, looking thoughtfully over the teens. He had tied his hair back into a sloppy ponytail that jutted out at odd angles due to his spikes. Some of the shorter chunks were still hanging down, framing his face. He looked like a former gang member turned stay at home mom and Ryou half expected him to put on an apron and light a cigarette. Somehow, Ryou knew they were having a hard time putting it all together and Bakura's current look wasn't helping.
"Hey, you guys sound like you're getting cozy in here." His voice rang with agitation and he walked over with a distinct frown forming. "Just so you both know, Ryou is mine." As if to prove this, Bakura sat down on the armrest once more, pulled Ryou close and licked his cheek. Satoshi made an odd face and Daisuke's blush rose more, which led Bakura to wonder just how much blood that kid had in his head. It couldn't be a health amount. "So don't get any ideas about adding him to your little romps. Or else I'd have to kill you." Ryou raised an eyebrow. Did he have to smile when he said something threatening?
"K-kill us!" Daisuke cried, shrinking back slightly. Satoshi mirrored Ryou's expression, not budging.
"Well…ok probably just seal your souls away in a shoe…or something." Bakura shrugged and glanced at the clock. "Time for you to leave though Sato-chan. Me, Daisuke and Ryou here are going to eat." Satoshi seemed out of it once again and only came back when Daisuke let out a soft, worried 'Hiwatari-kun?' At that moment the hunter's eyes went wide and the faintest color came to his cheeks as he stood. Ryou briefly wondered if Bakura had noticed it, because the man also got up and led him to the door, muttering something. Daisuke frowned and leaned over the couch.
"Hiwatari-kun? Where are you staying?" He called, stopping the other two before they could reach the door. Satoshi paused, his back still to them before he glanced at Daisuke. He wore an odd smile on his face, one that made the object of his gaze turn redder.
"Don't worry about it Niwa-kun." Satoshi though was not one to miss the hidden meaning in his friend's words. "I don't need a place to stay. Good night."
"Night…" Daisuke said, watching sadly as he left. Ryou blinked again. There was definitely something between those two. He'd never been great at seeing these things but this was innuendo that even his eyes saw. Maybe Bakura was right about them, which was a scary thought indeed.
"Ok enough of entertaining guests!" Bakura grinned as he came back into the room. "We can eat dinner now!"
"Great!" Daisuke instantly perked up. "What are we eating?"
"Ramen and raw pig meat!" Bakura cried proudly. "My specialty of course."
"Ugh, you really don't change…" This was one of the few times in his life that Ryou could remember blanching at the thought of dinner with Bakura. It was their first dinner together though since he had returned. Despite the food, it was enjoyable and somehow Ryou found himself laughing and joking just as loudly as the other two. He even laughed when Bakura made a perverted suggestion to Daisuke, who refused many times with his now trademark blush. In fact, he briefly wondered at one point if he was drunk. It was only when he finally laid down to sleep that he realized what that feeling was: Happiness. In had been a long time indeed…
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Sometimes music could be very soothing, the kind of stuff that dug into your soul and filled a void. Sometimes it could be powerful, making you want to move and scream or shout just because you didn't know what to do with all the sudden energy. This music however, was giving Isis the chills. It was full of sorrow and every so often it would dive into a frenzy of high pitched wails and tortured yells that burned into her mind with blistering heat. She could no longer ignore him and set her tea cup down as steadily as she could manage. Argentine noticed and his piano changed with his mood, his fingers moving lightly to produce notes of gentle curiosity.
"Why are you still playing?" Isis asked, staring at the table. "How did you get a piano in my house?" In response, the sounds changed to that of mischief, dancing across the keys with an almost sick amount of cheer. "Is that your answer? More music?" Mellowing out now, becoming a bit unsure, pausing slightly and yet so relaxed. This wasn't music anymore, it never had been. He was speaking, singing, calling out to her and any who listened with the rhythms and feel of his instrument. He was speaking in a language deeper than anything one's tongue could produce, not weighted down by cumbersome words and phrases. This was pure, raw emotions set out for all to hear.
"If only…humans could open their hearts…" His sky blue eyes clouded over, his expression far away as his melody turned to a more simple song, a wistful, dreamy feeling washing over the room. "If they could only hear this song. That is what my creator believed. He wanted everyone to hear this song. All should open their minds to music…"
"I can hear it fine." Isis said, slightly put off. He spoke so highly of his piece, as though it were a hymn from heaven. If anything, the way he was playing now sounded like it were created from the depths of hell. It sent another chill through her, griping her very core with freezing fingers.
"You hear it, you don't feel it. There is quite a difference." There was a lull again, like the calm before a storm. Not perky or happy but dreaded, foreboding. "You my dear Isis, must learn to feel. All humans should feel…that is why we are here. That is why we continue on even though our lives are hated. They try to stop us but why?" There it was again, coming full force, assaulting her heart with demonic energy. Even if his voice stayed calm and steady, his music betrayed all his feelings. "Why would they deny such a basic need? Emotions, beauty…all lost because of human atrocities!"
"Speaking of atrocities…" Isis fought back the fear his music instilled in her and shot him the best glare she could manage, "Don't you think that keeping me sealed in my own house is bad? Or what of Rishid? Whenever I ask you refuse to tell me what you did to him."
"Ahh, Rishid…" Argentine's song grew darker, less energy but something terrifying beneath the surface. "He refused to listen to my song. He refused to let his heart open. He is better now though, much better."
"Wha-what do you mean!" Isis lost her composure, she didn't really care though at this point. She stood abruptly, staring at the man in horror. "N-no…you wouldn't!"
"Wouldn't?" Argentine stopped playing very suddenly, only echoes remaining of his song, turning to her slowly. The look on his face frightened her a thousand times more than any song he'd played. His eyes were devoid of anything but insanity, the cool, logical kind. He was rational, she could see the gears turning in his mind and yet the madness was purer than any she'd seen. To quote her brother, he was a smart crazy person. "Wouldn't what? Wouldn't punish those who refused to understand? Those fools who would betray me? Betray my creators? I'm sorry to say my dear Isis that you still have much to learn. Open your heart before it's too late for you as well." He stood and walked to her, taking her hand and raising it gently to his lips. "Perhaps one day, humans will see…that their black hearts will only bring destruction."
"Y…you…" Isis sputtered, trying desperately to form words but no phrase could describe her feelings right then. She could only stare in shock as Argentine's mood did a flip, his eyes now shining like the clearest summer skies, full of promise and kindness. The storm clouds had passed and he once again looked oddly tranquil, at ease with everything around him. To be honest, that switch scared Isis just as much as his previously demonic aura. She wanted to yell or fight back but somehow she couldn't and didn't so much as flinch when he began to tug her along beside him.
"Hmm? Ah it's not becoming of a lady to stutter. Stand straighter my dear, there better." He smiled, taking her hand and escorting her towards the door. There it was again, that knowing smile that had haunted her as of late. "Well we have a bit of free time so why don't we go visit your friend Shadi? He has the Millennium Ankh still and I really need Black Wings to have it soon. I'm sure we can convince him to give it up, one way or another, ne?"
Just as before, no matter what her brain told her, Isis couldn't protest.
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It was clearly going to be one of those days, that Daisuke realized the moment he'd woken up to find Bakura sitting next to him, staring at him casually with a smirk playing in his eyes. All through breakfast he felt the older thief watching him, studying him like he was some sort of trap or more precisely, a threat. So he was glad when Ryou had announced they were leaving for Yugi's. Yet this turned on him too.
It was there that he saw Satoshi debriefing everyone with Yami, later explaining to Bakura something in hushed tones. Dark however, clearly saw the word 'Krad' come off the commander's lips. Of course, Bakura was the only one who'd seen Krad but that made both Daisuke and his other half nervous, wondering just what Satoshi would tell.
((He won't reveal us but…revealing Krad isn't normal Hikari protocol and not normal at all of mister 'I am a brick wall' over there)) Dark contemplated during the meeting.
(Why would he though?) Daisuke frowned but Dark had no answers and fell silent, deep in thought for the rest of the discussion. This only increased Daisuke's worries and made the day worse.
Perhaps his luck would turn around but no, it was content to continue its spiral. Using a tracking feature on the Millennium Ring, the group searched all through the city, stopping at the mall when the signal got stronger. A fight broke out on who would search with who. Daisuke ended up with Ryou which was fine until Ryou gave him a strange speech about love. Turns out he thought that Satoshi was his boyfriend, which Dark found incredibly ironic, nasty and hilarious all at once while Daisuke blushed and babbled, trying to clear things up without explaining too much. That only convinced Ryou more that they were. Then an explosion happened in the food court that destroyed a hot dog cart. Apparently Bakura and Marik had gotten bored and were trying to 'teach' Yugi to unlock the Puzzle's powers. Didn't go so well and Ryou ripped Marik and Bakura's heads off as he apologized to the mall security, who forced him to pay for damages.
Yami and Satoshi meanwhile had gotten lost in the women's section of some department store and Dark was thrilled to think of Krad's reaction to modern day bras and panties.
((You know, I don't think he's ever seen them…I bet Satoshi hasn't either. Then again, girls get creative when confessing love nowadays. Maybe they've given him a peek before, not that he'd care too much for that type of view. Some guys get all the luck)) Dark had sighed. Daisuke felt very bad when he saw the blushes on their faces when they came back. Some girls had hit on them while they were in that section and now were being stalked by a group of them. Yami also later confined that he'd seen a man named Kaiba Seto with his brother Mokuba and sort of brother Noa. He explained that it had been very disturbing indeed, especially when Noa and Mokuba started to kiss. Daisuke decided not to ask, given the looks on everyone else's faces.
So to put it short, their mall visit had been anything but productive. Now the assembly was trudging back to Yugi's, each lost in their own annoyance. Ryou was glaring at Bakura, who was pouting while Marik grumbled. Yugi and Yami were awkwardly avoiding each other's gaze and Daisuke noticed Satoshi seemed to be arguing with 'himself' by the way his eyebrows twitched slightly. Really, all they wanted was to go home. Except Dark, who wanted to go back to the mall but Daisuke rightly put his foot down on that idea. The mall just wasn't ready for their little troupe's version of round two.
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"So you'll come then?" Tea said, her voice rising hopefully. After their very unsuccessful 'raid' on the mall, the group had wanted anything but to be intercepted by the buxom and cheerful girl. Her eyes flashed a warning, as if daring them to deny her request. Tossing back her short, high cut brown hair Tea stepped forward, blocking passage to Yugi's home. Of course she really just wanted Yami to come but invited everyone anyway to watch he dance in the local Dance Dance Revolution tournament. She leaned closer to the identical star haired boys, who both smiled. The others stood by watching with expressions ranging from polite curiosity to outright boredom.
"I would be honored to attend." The Pharaoh said, his lighter side bouncing on his heels and nodding with agreement.
"You guys should come too!" Tea grinned, turning to the others as if just now seeing them. "I mean, you don't have to but…the more people there to cheer me on, the better I'll do!" Daisuke blinked, noticing the way her bracelets jangled when she did a small, happy twirl. Distantly he wondered why he was staring at her wrists, until he realized he didn't want to look elsewhere on the older teen girl.
"Sure, I don't see why not…" Ryou said, glancing at his companions. Satoshi gave him a 'do I have to look?' which Bakura copied exceptionally well. Daisuke just smiled nervously, unsure of what to say. He knew the game but he also knew that no one really wanted to go watch her play it. Marik, he saw, was doing a good job sneaking away until Bakura grabbed him by the pant's pocket and dragged him back. "You guys don't mind watching her dance do you?"
"I've heard of those games but I've never seen anyone play them." Daisuke admitted, seeing that the decision was on him. "So going to a tournament…it sounds like fun!" Tea gave him an appraising look, ruffling his hair with delight.
((Uh-huh, lots of fun…as long as it's all women dancers. Then it IS fun!))
(Dark…it's a dancing video game. It's….it's nothing like….that…)
((Hey I've seen your eyes wander. Don't pretend you don't think that way. I am you after all. So you're thinking the same way that I do)) Dark pointed out. Daisuke ignored him.
"Why do I have to go?" Bakura frowned, pointing at himself. "I don't want to watch her dance around for hours."
"Well you should." Yami gave the thief a half glare. "This tournament means a lot to Tea and I think it wouldn't be nice to let her down."
"I've never let a woman down in my life Pharaoh." Bakura grinned smugly and instantly everyone saw where the conversation was going. Even Daisuke knew by now that these two fought constantly or as Dark had put it, like they were married and wanted to kill each other for the life insurance. "You, on the other hand, well…I've heard rumors…"
"…What are you saying Tomb Robber?"
((That you are inadequate! Shame that some guys have that problem…))
(DARK!)
((What? Oh you want to know about sex metaphors again?))
(NO!) Daisuke flushed, staring down at his shoes.
"Oh you know…" Bakura gazed up at the sky as if uninterested with the king. "It's just that you never took a wife…or had any concubines or anything…not even some servant boy…kind of….odd wouldn't you say?"
"And a thief who would sleep with anything not nailed down isn't?" Yami's eyes narrowed. "I believe that is a far worse thing to have in your background."
"Come on though, we're talking a powerful king of a powerful country. Yet you didn't do anything like that? I can't help but wonder if maybe they knew something about you that would be er, damaging…" Bakura slowly lowered his eyes. "You know, maybe while bathing an attendant snuck a peak and wasn't…pleased, shall I say?"
"You're such a disgusting man." Yami groaned, half-wishing he could cover Yugi's ears. "This is a rather low blow don't you think?"
"A low blow?" Bakura laughed. "I doubt you'd know much about that either, given your inexperience. I on the other hand—"
"Ok!" Ryou quickly stepped between the two men. Yugi, Tea and Daisuke all wore varying shades of scarlet against their cheeks, looking away with wide eyes. "That's enough Bakura." He glared at his other half, who sighed, throwing up his hands.
"Aww come on, I was just making a point." Bakura said then turned to Yugi. "But let's ask the one who would know the answer."
"Wha-what!" Yugi's face turned, if possible, an even brighter shade of red. "I-I wouldn't know anything about that…that kind of…of…stuff…especially about Yami! I didn't do anything to him and I mean I wouldn't do anything to him so I don't even know what you're implying or talking about…or or…or…"
"Calm down kid!" Bakura smirked. "I meant that since you and the Pharaoh have the same body, you know what he looks like." He wrapped his arm around Ryou's shoulder. "Hell, I know what he looks like naked too!"
"Bakura…I'm going to hit you in ten seconds." Ryou twitched though he still moved closer to the other man. "You don't just talk about this stuff in public…"
"Well I do." He grinned, moving his hand up Ryou's neck and resting in his hair. "But it sounds like Yugi over here has something to tell us." He smiled at Yami. "Looks like I was wrong about you…well maybe not entirely wrong. Birds of a feather after all…"
"Tomb Robber, when this tournament is done I challenge you to a duel, got it?" Yami hissed, also moving in protectively by his light. "Do not insult Yugi." He took a deep breath, a tense silence falling over the group. "…Well, shall we get going?"
"Er, um ah right!" Tea blushed and nodded. "Yes let's get…going." She looked between Yami and Bakura before laughing nervously. "Um well…I'm sure this will be really fun you guys."
&&&&&&&&&&&&&
"Yes!" Tea cried, her body dripping in cold sweat as she stepped off the platform and into the crowd of onlookers. She had come in second place in the tournament and now was being congratulated left and right. Ryou clapped politely with the others, except Yugi who was especially enthusiastic and forcing Yami to be just as much so.
"Not bad I suppose." Bakura shrugged, turned back to the remaining group members. Ryou nodded, still in polite mode and thankful that Bakura was too. Their mental link had been restored not long after his return and in his mind, the tomb robber was talking about all the things he'd rather have done than watch her dance. Most were perverted but Ryou kept his blush under control. The music was still thumping on and the crowd's cheers and general noise were annoying him until he caught Bakura humming along. He felt Ryou staring and smirked. "What? It's a catchy tune…doopi doopi do da da…"
"I like it but you shouldn't, you seem like more of a…I don't know, Slipknot type." Ryou rolled his eyes and saw Daisuke's head bouncing cheerfully with the song, much to both his and Satoshi's amusement. Bakura watched with slight interest until suddenly his face lit up as if he were a five year old on Christmas morning. "Uh…what's with that look?"
"I just got a great idea." Bakura grinned and ran over to Yami, pulling him aside. They didn't talk long before climbing up on the stage. Bakura sent Ryou a knowing wink as the boy paled. Daisuke stopped bobbing and turned to his older friend.
"Are they going to dance?" He asked with a curious smile. Ryou couldn't answer as he ushered them towards the dance floor. Everyone was gathering back around, seeing the two new dancers waiting on their chosen arena. Of course, the duel they had discussed earlier…but did it have to be dancing? Ryou groaned. Bakura and Yami were looking over the song list with care, listening to the samples and arguing over which to use. Ryou folded his arms on the stage's edge, resting his chin on his wrist and settled to look only mildly angry.
"Oh Bakura, just what do you think you are doing?" He called nonchalantly to his darker side.
"We're dancing of course!" Bakura grinned as they finished picking the songs and each took their positions: Yami as player one and Bakura as player two. Yugi came over with Tea and Marik, standing next to Ryou. He smiled and cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Go Yami!" He called.
"You can do it!" Tea shouted, waving her hands. Yami gave them a confident nod as the large, wall sized screen changed to display the dance directions.
"Well if you're going to do this, at least win!" Ryou yelled, his version of being supportive. Bakura winked and turned his attention back to the game. The person on the display prepared himself while the blank arrow spaces appeared. The speakers suddenly came to life, slowly building up with a faint, muffled man's voice growing louder until the music kicked in and that was the moment they began to dance. The arrows flew across the monitor while the person on screen began to do a strange arm shake but they were nothing compared to the darker halves on stage.
"Cool!" Yugi cried but that could hardly describe it. Ryou watched as Bakura's feet bounced easily from square to square, left right up up right down…it didn't matter that the music boomed around them, it was in them. Both he and Yami swayed and moved with complete control, cocky smiles on their faces as the dance beat echoed around them and the strange language sang cheerfully through the song.
"Numa numa hei…numa numa numa hei…" Daisuke couldn't help but rock to the song, singing what little he could understand on the chorus. Ryou tapped his feet begrudgingly, too wrapped up in watching Bakura's body. The way it seemed to ignore the arrows and yet land perfect simply by waving to the music. His arms moved perfectly, in sync with Yami's intricate dance. The two twirled at the same time, slowing down when the song lulled and stomping faster when the beat picked back up. The best part though in Ryou's opinion was how much fun they were having. The crowds were cheering wildly, singing along and grooving in support of either dancer.
"Wow…" Marik grinned, nodding his head to the song. "How are they doing that? The same dance I mean?"
"No idea…" Ryou looked on in awe. The song switched over, to what sounded like piano music only to be covered by hard electronic spins, pulsing harder than the first. This one was brutal, jarring compared to the upbeat sounds of the first. It forced them to dance faster, pounding the buttons under their feet with greater force. The men's arms whirled as their bodies whipped and turned with the same grace as before, only with this new, hectic beat pushing them on. A woman's voice came over it now, singing rapidly in Japanese with the clashing trance rhythm. Yet they didn't let up, picking up their pace with the loud chorus. This was true techno, causing the floors to thump and dance with the deeper bass.
"Toki no mukou kawa e to nagasarete Mayoigo ni naru Yurusenu negai!" The woman sang, not slowing down at all. Neither were the rivals, who only rose to the challenge and pushing themselves to be the best.
"Come on Bakura-san! Go Yami-san!" Daisuke cried, his own body taken by the music. In fact, nearly everyone in the room was moving. Soon the song let up, just long enough for the dancers to do a jump and spin before hitting the fast beats again. Ryou vaguely wondered how anyone, including the singer, could keep up but then the song changed and he saw the two men become a bit more serious. This was the last song on their list and they both had perfects at this point. One of them had to tire and give in soon, especially after that song. This one sounded just as bad until the woman started to sing, an easier rhythm revealing itself. The bass in the back throbbed steadily, more techno and dance mixed into a distant, almost surreal beat.
"Bakura come on win!" Ryou shouted hoarsely over the frantic events. The girl who sang had a wonderful, dreamy voice that echoed in a distant way that added to the unreal feeling that the song had. The music had perfect lows and highs for such dancing, allowing them to break out their most complex moves and a fan-favorite, hitting more than one button at once. The arrows still guided them but now the beat truly gripped them, whispering to them the best ways to nail combos. Yet still they each listened and had a perfect score. It was impossible but someone had to lose, the song was nearly done. It did one final lull before reaching the peak.
"I watched your vision forming, carried away by a moonlight shadow shadow…" She sang her last and now all that remained was the pounding beats, which also faded abruptly as the dancers stomped one final time on their arrows. Both stayed in that pose, their bodies heaving to catch their breathe as the scores revealed a tie. The crowd went nuts, screaming and chanting. Their friends of course joined in and Daisuke poked Satoshi until he too clapped 'for their rhythm and performances'. After a bow to their fans, Yami and Bakura left the stage and returned to the group.
"That was amazing!" Yugi cried, hugging his other half. Tea nodded and joined in as the two babbled about how good he was. Ryou shook his head, a smile spreading across his face as Bakura walked up to him. The man was sweaty and looked tired as he tried not to let himself pant.
"Well a tie isn't that bad I suppose…you did alright." Ryou grinned at the look on his darker side's face.
"What do you mean 'alright'? I did fu…fucking awesome." He groaned as his breathe caught in his throat when he swore. Yami was having trouble talking too as he was busy trying to control his lungs.
"Next time…we'll have a rematch, next time." Yami managed to get out, still smiling. He and Bakura nodded before allowing themselves to slump and relax.
"That was really good!" Daisuke grinned, suddenly popping up next to them. "Both of you did great!"
"Yeah not too bad." Marik smirked. "I didn't know you could dance so beautifully Bakura, you had Ryou drooling."
"What!" Ryou glared at him. "Marik you're the one who was drooling. I was too pissed off to drool."
"Uh-huh, tell yourself that Ryou." The Egyptian patted him on the head. "That certainly was a good show though. Good way to kill time."
"Heh if you like my dancing so much then maybe I should show you a different one sometime…when we're in a more private area." Bakura nudged Marik knowingly and the two laughed. Ryou sighed but smiled too. For once, a duel between Yami and Bakura had ended without one of them dying or getting into another fight afterwards. It was actually a pleasant moment, watching the dancers being congratulated by their friends and at the moment random people who had watched. So the day hadn't been a total loss really and if he were honest with himself, watching Bakura dance had been rather hot. It was only too bad that he hadn't won but a tie was a blessing in their lives.
"Hey Ryou, ready to go home?" Bakura's voice snapped him from his thoughts and he nodded. "Good, I think I need a shower…"
"I think so too." Ryou grinned. Bakura glared and Ryou knew the day really hadn't been that bad after all.
&&&&&&&&&&&
"That was fun…" Daisuke yawned, contently snuggling into his sheets. Even though his day had started badly, everything seemed to have changed when they went to the dance tournament. It had been a blast to watch, the way the two danced had been amazing and Daisuke now knew he had a thing for techno. Ryou and Bakura weren't fighting anymore, at least not by the way they had kissed goodnight and Satoshi had even enjoyed himself somewhat, Daisuke could tell. During the dance, they had talked a bit. Satoshi explained he had come to make sure that they would be ok, that the Items were dangerous and that if they really insisted on stealing them, he would have to stay in Domino. He didn't have a plan yet but he warned Daisuke that he couldn't let the Items hurt him. Dark was thrilled about such a challenge but as usual, Daisuke was just worried. Still, it was nice and even better they hadn't stole anything and Yami still didn't know where they hid the Millennium Scales and Tauk. Things had turned out pretty good.
((Yeah I guess so)) Dark too was settling down for bed or whatever it was that spirits did at night. ((I wish that creep wasn't here though…now I've got Krad to deal with again…but hey things certainly were interesting!))
(I figured you'd be happy…) Daisuke sighed, rolling over and immediately missing the warmth of his former resting spot. He scooted back to it. (So what do we do next?)
((Steal another Item of course)) Dark said with a small shrug. ((We should just steal the Millennium Eye and Ring since they're right here but maybe we should save those for last. I'm not sure yet…))
(Daaark…) Daisuke frowned, pulling the covers over his flaming hair. (Do we really have to steal from Ryou-kun and Bakura-san?)
((Especially from Bakura. And Ryou too yes.)) The thief paused, his smirk fading and replaced by a stranger look, more foreign. ((Daisuke…why do you always ask me that?))
(Because I don't want to steal from them!) Daisuke huffed, as if it were obvious because to him it was. (I don't want to steal from Yugi-kun or Yami-san either and Marik-san isn't that bad either…)
((So what?)) Dark turned to look at Daisuke. Like usual, they were standing in the young boy's mind, the only place they could meet eye to eye. ((Listen Daisuke…I didn't want to say this but you know, we steal from your Hiwatari-kun all the time))
(W-well…yeah but…) Daisuke's eyes widened a bit and he shook his head, trying to get a hold of himself. (Yeah but I don't like you stealing from him either!)
((I know but listen to yourself)) Dark walked towards him, considering his words carefully ((You're protesting me left and right but you let me steal. You're not doing anything to stop me. Here's another thing…when I steal from Hiwatari, you don't say anything about his feelings or what he thinks but now you're concerned about what Ryou or that other thief will think?))
(Well…I mean…that is…) Daisuke hesitated, now being forced to think about it. What did Satoshi think? He was protecting the artwork but that was just a Hikari duty wasn't it? Or was he protecting it because he liked it…did he like the art and want to keep it? What if he was mad at Daisuke for stealing it? What if he was?
((I just wanted to make sure you knew)) Dark interrupted, hearing enough of his other side's thoughts to know that he got the message. ((Daisuke, being a Phantom Thief isn't easy. I'm not the only one stealing. You're also stealing, from your friends really.)) Dark frowned, unable to see Daisuke's eyes. He bent down, pushing away the red bangs to see the same color eyes full of sadness and anger.
(I don't want to steal though…) Daisuke had always been easy to get upset and his voice was already getting louder. (I don't want to make Hiwatari-kun and Ryou-kun mad at me…and I don't want to steal…)
((Hey now come on Dai-chan…)) Dark's eyes softened and he hugged the boy gently. The redhead blinked in surprise but smiled slightly as the thief pulled away. ((There that's better. It's just…you don't get it sometimes do you? I am you and you are me. We're both stealing.))
(Why can't you just stop?) Daisuke asked, sounding hurt still. (Why can't you all stop this? You don't have to fight or steal or anything but you do. It's all so stupid.)
((Daisuke…))
(Dark I don't want to steal anymore. I won't let you) He said, with surprising determination.
((Heh no offense but there's no way you can stop me)) Dark laughed but it only served to make the younger one angrier.
(Yes I could! You know what! I think I will. Next time you try to steal something I will stop you!)
((Fine then go ahead and try!)) Dark crossed his arms. ((You can't do it))
(Why do you think I'm helpless?) Daisuke cried, stomping his foot. (I could stop you!)
((Geez why are you so pissy today?)) Dark rolled his eyes and sat down. Daisuke glared at him and dropped to his knees next to him.
(I am not pissy! You're just inconsiderate!)
((You're just being stupid. You don't understand anything. I thought you were starting to…)) Dark sighed and slumped, resting his head in his palms. He blew a few strands of his deep purple hair away. ((Go to sleep Daisuke))
(No! I don't have to!)
((Daisuke)) Dark glanced at him, giving a slightly hard look. ((You steal, deal with it. You steal from Hiwatari and hurt him. You steal from Yami and Ryou and Bakura. You steal, it's what you do, you're a Niwa. Now just…relax for now ok? We'll talk later. You just…you're not thick but you sure do a good job pretending to be))
If he could, he probably would have hit Dark. Instead, Daisuke fell into a restless sleep full of nightmares. They showed angels, crying, screaming, blood, pain…far more than there should be. The images were awful. The dreams made no sense but hurt him terribly and haunted him through the next morning. The thought didn't occur to him that they weren't his dreams though.