Tale of Two Thieves
A/N: Sage: (ahem) I would LOVE to welcome you to a new chapter of our latest and most delayed project but-
Kaley: (runs around in a bathing suit) Summer is here! Wheee!
Bakura: (rolls eyes) THAT is why we are late. See, everyone clap and cheer because the girl over here with the attention span of a three year old just graduated from high school.
Kaley: That would be me!
Dark:…Right, so yeah she's why we're late. She's been running around everywhere, having fun, enjoying herself basically. I mean, can't blame her or nothing…oh and there's been a bit of uh, drama…but yeah, personal stuff.
Sage: Well let's hurry to some reviewer mail before we get ourselves killed. Bluespark pointed out some of our stupider mistakes and I mean stupid on our part. Thank you, hopefully one of these days we will go back and fix those…and smack our beta, heh.
Kaley: (putting on a snorkel) Maruken wanted to know just what Satoshi told about Krad, I bet it's killing you guys ne? Welp gotta wait longer to find out!
Bakura: Next up is e.b.o.n.y.h.e.a.r.t who wants to know where Argentine came from. I thought we explained that crazy bastard, meh, whatever. He's from Dark's side over there, a fairly recent character even for the still continuing manga over there. Kaley just loves him though.
Dark: I'll answer Ookami the Great's questions! Why yes, whatever I wear I make sexy so in fact, it is not I that would look more sexy than normal because let's face it, I AM sexy but the kimono that would get sexier. The second someone sees the Great Phantom Thief Dark in a kimono, everyone will think they are sexy again. Also Krad is being nice because he's got his own plan in mind, not that he's got that much brains but you know, he can still think I guess…
Sage: YamiShiningFriendship asked how Dai-chan and Dark switch. Basically, feelings of love trigger it, they just think of the person they love and instant thief…or instant clumsy school boy, it depends.
Bakura: Damn lots of questions this time around…ok Monnieme asked what albeit means…it's just another word for although but it's one of Kaley's favorite words so she uses it a lot.
Kaley: Oh and to No One's Friend, I don't mind if you use my email to check back on updates. It would be easier and kinder on my review meter. I should also tell you that the songs from the DDR tournament are, in this order: NUMA NUMA IEI by O-Zone (also known as Dragostea din tei) then followed by my current favorite J-Pop girl, KOTOKO with Re-Sublimity (get her stuff, she's frickin awesome) and lastly is a DDR oldie but goodie, Moonlight Shadow! Oh and the song Tea danced to was Bumblebee, which is why Bakura's humming it. That's actually a homage to one of the first Bakura/Ryou fics I read, in which Ryou loved that song. It's on my favs list too.
Bakura: Oh and I got a WARNING for everyone today, exciting huh? There's a mild er well mild by our standards scene of yaoi in this chapter and trust me, you'll see it coming so if you want to skip well then um go ahead I guess. So yeah without further delay!
Dark: Get the story started!
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Once you've been born a Hikari, your fate is sealed. There's no turning back, nothing you can do to change what your life will be like from that moment on. Not a single thing will ever give you back that chance at a normal life that was swiped the minute you were conceived. It is a fact that so many before Hikari Satoshi had come to terms with in their own ways, through their art or through hate and revenge. Some even tried to avoid it by moving far away, only to have destiny catch up to them in the cruelest ways. Others, rare fools, would befriend a Niwa only to meet terrible ends. Yes, there were many ways to deal with the curse. He was probably the first Hikari he could think of though, at least in recent times, to deal with it by window shopping and eating ice cream with a Niwa. Specifically the bubbly red head Daisuke. This may count as 'befriending' but it still didn't comfort Satoshi any to put himself into that unusual fool category.
"Things here are kind of expensive aren't they?" Daisuke said innocently as he gazed through the pane glass that kept him and a rather stylish set of pants apart. Satoshi glanced at them before his eyes fell back on the other boy, who was frowning as he licked his ice cream cone. His tongue paused as the cogs in his brain began to work and a few passersby gave him odd looks as he remained locked in place, as if mesmerized. "That's alright though…" Suddenly he snapped out of it, finishing his lick and laughing nervously. "Ah ha…sorry about that Hiwatari-kun. I think I zoned out for a minute."
"It's fine Niwa-kun." Satoshi shrugged and the younger one launched back into his normal, rambling self by starting a conversation about nothing. It was silly, childish and if he was honest with himself, he was going to crack a smile in a second because it was really quite funny. Daisuke was telling some silly story about that strange rabbit pet of his and how just the other day it somehow ruined the cake that the Towa no Shirube was baking. The story itself was only mildly amusing but it was the way the boy told it, his face expressive of every emotion, hands being thrown around in grand gestures and his tone rising and falling to put better emphasis on words. He really got into it and that was what made Satoshi smile.
What made him laugh was when one of the hand movements caused the ice cream to fall with a wet splat onto Daisuke's shirt. The boy froze; staring wide eyed at the now empty cone in his hand before saying very softly "It's kind of cold…"
Satoshi covered his mouth to prevent anyone from hearing the short burst of laughter. Daisuke's lips curled in confusion as he noticed a few people giggling as they walked past.
"I-I didn't mean to…" He muttered, his voice starting to shake. Satoshi blinked and recognized a classic Daisuke-Cry Moment approaching. He tossed his own ice cream into a nearby trash can and grabbed the boy's free hand, leading him away until they found a place that allowed them use of the bathroom. Satoshi grabbed a handful of paper toweling, blotting the ice cream stain then wet it only to blot it more. Daisuke shivered a few times, mumbling about it being cold again. The other teen only smirked oddly satisfied that the redhead was shivering under his touch, even if it was due to the cold water. After a few more minutes he turned on the wall mounted hand dryer and held out Daisuke's shirt under it.
"Thank you Hiwatari-kun." Daisuke beamed at him, blushing slightly. "You always have to help me with this stuff…"
"Hm, it's quite alright…" Satoshi gave him a sly smile as the boy nervously flattened out his shirt.
"Not really…" Daisuke hesitated, staring down at the still damp spot on his shirt. "I um…Hiwatari-kun…I asked you to spend time with me today because I wanted to apologize."
"For what?" Satoshi said, somewhat surprised. The boy was always saying sorry but even by his standards for what earned a 'sorry', he hadn't done anything wrong.
"Well I…I'm always stealing from you." He said finally, his voice cracking.
"Oh." The turquoise teen pushed his glasses up his nose, a strange habit he had developed. "You don't have to apologize for that Niwa-kun."
"But I do!" Daisuke cried out, throwing himself forward to make his point, coming much closer to Satoshi. "Dark's always stealing from you and last night I realized that if I am him and he is me then I am stealing from you too! I never even really try to stop him…I always just kind of…let him…and I mean, I tell him not to or complain but I don't…"
'Oh…damn…' Satoshi muttered to himself, which technically meant to Krad, who had been listening with growing boredom. Krad just rolled his eyes, yawning visible.
By the seven suns of Hades, will you please shut him up? I woke up in order to make sure he did nothing to harm you Satoshi-sama but right now he's hurting my ears. If you will allow me to do this world a favor and put him out of his delusional misery-
"You're a Niwa." Satoshi pointed out, completely ignoring Krad's ranting in the back of his mind. He had to admit though, he was mildly taken aback that it was he being cornered into the wall. Another of his odd habits was that somehow he was always pinning Daisuke against walls and yet here it was Daisuke bearing down on him. "Niwa steal from the Hikari and the Hikari chase the Niwa, its how things are."
Well it's more like the Niwa steal from the Hikari and the Hikari kill the Niwa. Krad cheerfully pointed out. Trying to spare innocent ears from such grisly details Satoshi-sama? You really can't shield him forever…
"No!" Daisuke's frowned only deepened and he pressed in nearer, now almost touching the other boy. "You're always stopping Krad though! You're trying to change things and I don't do anything to try to stop Dark, so from now on I'm going to! I'm going to stop Dark!" There was a long silence after Daisuke's admirable declaration. Daisuke's cheeks were red and his breath was heavy in his lungs. Satoshi blinked, clearing his throat awkwardly over Krad's laughter in his head.
Ha! Oh how I wish I could see that fool's face right now, to see his precious little Tamer turning against him. This is beautiful, simply beautiful. To think, he honestly believes you try to stop me as well…the Niwa has such strange but amusing ideas. Krad cackled, reminding Satoshi of a very creepy little school girl. Krad frowned slightly, raising an eyebrow. A school girl, Satoshi-sama? Really now, can you not think of a better comparison for my glee? Oh right, he could hear thoughts. Satoshi really had to remember that.
"Niwa-kun…" Satoshi had no idea what to say to the boy, who was looking at him so expectantly. "Er, well, Niwa-kun I fight against Krad for rather different reasons…I have many reasons to fight Krad…"
Fight? I'm not sure I'd call it fighting my dear Satoshi-sama…
"But you fight against him because he's doing something you don't like that hurts others!" Daisuke gave a swift nod. "I want to stop Dark from stealing and hurting you and Ryou-kun and the others! Same reasons."
"Niwa-kun, as happy as it would make me to see you turn against Dark-"
"I'm not turning against Dark though." Daisuke cocked his head to the side in curiously. "He's still my friend, I'm just not going to let him steal anymore."
"Right." Satoshi sighed, his shoulders slumping a bit. "Niwa-kun, I really don't think you understand."
"Why does everyone say that?" Daisuke crossed his arms, leaning in closer. "Dark said that too, what is it? What is it that I don't understand? Maybe if you guys would explain it to me then I'll be able to do things right."
"It's not that…" Satoshi trailed off, avoiding his friend's eyes. Even with his barriers, his mental ones and physical ones like his glasses, he could still feel Daisuke's eyes trying to look deeper into him.
Satoshi-sama, if I may. Krad said calmly, not actually asking if his opinion was wanted but giving it anyway. The Niwa have always been this way, though there have been the occasional Niwa that was different. Niwa are quite nosy and self righteous people who seem to be under the impression that their help is necessary and wanted. They are rather thick headed, much like Dark and also like Dark, extremely annoying when you try to explain something to them. They get oddly upset and ask stupid questions like 'Does the plan really have to involve so much bloodshed?' Honestly, of course it did! Did he think that we'd have time to escape without a few lives lost?
'…I think you jumped topic.' Satoshi muttered, mildly amused.
…My point is, Krad continued on sounding annoyed at such an interruption, that Niwa are far too simple and optimistic to listen to the truth. For now, I suggest it would be much more entertaining and beneficial to leave the young one in the dark and to merely let him fight against that thief's impulses. Besides, I'd really rather get you out of this filthy place and he won't let you leave it seems until you agree to his plan. Moronic as it is, it will certainly be fun to finally see Dark struggle against his Tamer…
"Er, Niwa-kun, I guess…if you want to try to stop Dark in your own way then its fine with me." Satoshi sighed. He hated agreeing with Krad but a bathroom wasn't the place to explain hundreds of years of pain and suffering to a fussy Niwa. Daisuke's eyes lit up and he grabbed Satoshi's hands with a grin.
"You'll see Hiwatari-kun! I'll be a big help, I'll make it so Dark doesn't steal from you or anyone else anymore!" Daisuke cried with joyous determination.
"Ha, ahem, yes, of course." Satoshi nodded, giving a small but fake smile. For some reason, the thought of Daisuke aiding Satoshi in the fight against Dark gave him the creeping feeling of despair.
Perhaps it is because this is the boy you have seen walk into the same door three times in a row before? Krad suggested with a smirk.
Why yes, that could very well be it.
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Bakura had to admit, one of the top things on his to-do list was shower with Ryou. Oh sure, he had lots of important things on it but ever since he became a couple with Ryou, that had made the list. Well many things involving Ryou naked made the list but that wasn't really the point. The point was that he finally had the house to just himself and Ryou and the latter was currently upstairs, in the shower.
Bakura repositioned himself on the couch, crossing his legs Indian-style and propping his elbow on his knee. He let his head rest in his palm, frustration building up inside him. Maybe it was because he had such an old spirit inside such a hormone torn teen body but he wanted to go up there right now and pounce Ryou, in more ways than one. Wiggling a bit more in his seat, he glanced over at the walkie-talkie sitting on the end-table. Just that morning, the entire group had yet another one of their meetings. The Millennium Ankh was flying in that night and it was decided by the ever wise Sato-chan that they would go the museum and check it out. To do this, they were spread out now in smaller groups connected by their walkie-talkies and would be called in to meet up when the Ankh arrived.
Still, that wasn't until late tonight and the morning was still young. Daisuke and Sato-chan had run off somewhere and everyone else had left too. Until then, Bakura had to find something to occupy his time. Ryou's suggestion was that they play some video games or work on their table top RPG in the meantime. Bakura's hormones suggested many other things and he vaguely wondered how Ryou made it through the days if they had the exact same hormone levels.
Shifting again, he tried not to think of the scene happening above him. After a few minutes, he realized that was impossible and quietly made his way upstairs to the bathroom, sneaking inside. He could see Ryou's silhouette moving behind the shower curtain. A mischievous grin came to his face and his eyes glowed with a demon's mirth as he threw back the curtain. Ryou gave a small squeak and froze in place, his hands tangled in his hair with all the ivory foam from his shampoo dripping down him. Bakura smirked, some of the water bouncing off Ryou and now hitting him instead of the curtain.
"Gotcha." Bakura's smirk widened.
"Bakura!" Ryou yelled, glaring at him. "What did I say about shower time? It's not gawk at Ryou time."
"Who said I'm going to gawk at you?" Bakura asked, dark amusement ringing in his voice.
"Bakura…" Ryou blinked, then took a handful of foam out of his hair and tossed it at the thief. "No. Not in the shower. Go away."
"Ryouuuuu!" Bakura pouted, though the predatory look didn't leave his eyes. He wiped the foam off his face. "Don't deny my feelings, I need you."
"You need to learn control." Ryou said calmly, turning away from the other man which given that he was wet and naked, didn't really help matters. Now Bakura had a very nice view of Ryou's pale, smooth backside.
"You're always tempting me though, I'd say you make good on all the innuendo." Bakura was already taking off his shirt and Ryou laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
"First off, any innuendo is only on your part and second of all you can stand there naked all day for all I care, I'm not doing anything with you." Ryou said calmly, a small smirk of his own playing on his lips.
"What?" Bakura frowned, pushing off his ancient Egyptian styled schenti, or as Ryou called it a 'manly skirt'. "Now come on…you technically don't have to do much…"
"I said no…" Ryou rolled his eyes, turning around to find Bakura was standing in the shower with him, holding out the conditioner. "Bakura!"
"Please? I'll make myself useful and wash your hair!" The thief pleaded, shaking the bottle.
"Ugh, fine, whatever." Ryou sighed, turning away again so that Bakura couldn't see how deep he was blushing. His face was deep red and he had to admit, he felt quite nervous too. Bakura let the curtain fall back and pushed Ryou so he was under the showerhead. The shampoo washed out and he was immediately pulled back out again, his back pressed against Bakura's chest as conditioner was spread through his slick hair. Bakura's hands worked slowly, rubbing the gel in slow circles across Ryou's scalp. The younger boy shivered, blushing deeper and pulling away a bit.
"What's wrong, scared?" Bakura whispered in Ryou's ear, sending another thrill through his skin. Bakura's hands wandered down Ryou's slippery shoulders, down his arms and caught gently on his lover's hands. "You don't have to be."
"I'm not." Ryou cleared his throat, trying to sound braver than he felt. "You're just being a jackass."
"A jackass?" Bakura laughed, pushing away the boy's hair and nuzzling his face into Ryou's neck. "Oh Ryou…all that matters is that I am your jackass, right? And you're mine. So there's no reason to be scared, I won't do anything, promise…well, ok not much anyway."
"Bakura…" He muttered before relaxing, letting himself lean into Bakura's chest. They stood there for a bit, Bakura washing Ryou's hair and just as he promised, he didn't do much more. He set a few soft kisses across Ryou's neck, down his back and sending more shivers through the younger one's body. Bakura could feel him tremble slightly under each ghostly touch and smiled into his pale skin. He nipped Ryou's shoulder, earning an undignified yelp from his former host. "Bakura!"
"What?" He asked, turning Ryou's head around to face him. He looked deeply into his milk chocolate eyes and gently pulled him in closer until their lips met.
"Damn it…" Ryou gave a half hearted glare as they pulled away and sighed. Staying mad was hard when Bakura was looking at him like that, a look that seemed to bore down into his soul. "Listen um, I think I'm clean enough now so…"
"Aww!" Bakura pouted, jutting out his lower lip and giving the puppy eyes.
"No, Bakura, bad." He conked the man on the head with the shampoo bottle with a look of mild annoyance. "Besides, no way in hell am I giving in to you that easy after what I've been through for the past five months."
"You're not going to leave me hanging are you? Just because of that?" Bakura's eyes went wide as Ryou shut off the shower and smirked. He pushed Bakura out of the shower, snapped the curtain shut and turned the water back on.
"Why, as a matter of fact, I am." Ryou chuckled and stepped out of the shower himself a few minutes later, wringing out his waterlogged hair. "Now come on and we'll go watch a movie downstairs to cool you down."
When all was said and done and Bakura had even helped his other half dry off they moved downstairs, dressed and readied for a movie. A summer shower had begun outside as they sat on the couch together and ate popcorn in the dim light while watching a 'compromise' movie. (Ryou wanted comedy, Bakura wanted horror, so they watched a British zombie movie instead).
It was odd to be alone with him like that but Bakura found himself grinning the entire time. The shower, the movie and then painting their RPG figurines…everything felt completely right. They laughed, teased and insulted each other and just enjoyed their time together. In a way, in the back of his slightly macho mind, Bakura felt sappy. Yet as they watched the gentle summer rains fall from the cool grey clouds out the window, he really couldn't have cared less, even if Ryou had left him hanging.
Of course, if he had paid more attention to the pained expression on Ryou's face, he might have realized what Ryou's true motives really were.
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Argentine tapped his feet cheerfully to the music playing inside his mind, his legs crossed elegantly in his seat. Isis was watching him with a confused, almost disgusted look, pushing herself away from him even though she could not go very far. They sat on a private jet that was currently whisking herself, the psycho musician, Shadi and Rishid off to Japan to deliver the Millennium Ankh to the museum. Isis really had no idea where Argentine had gotten the plane but as he told her 'It doesn't matter'. She desperately wanted to go check in on Rishid and Shadi but Argentine wouldn't hear of it, saying that he was requesting her company for the time being.
"Is there something wrong my dear Isis?" He asked, glancing over at her with wide eyed concern. "If you are uncomfortable then I can get you a pillow or a blanket or perhaps you are hungry?" He paused, tapping his chin lightly. "Or…perhaps you wish to see your friends?"
"Please tell me what you did to them." She said finally, seeing the smirk growing in Argentine's pure sky blue eyes.
"Well, that's better…" The tanned man laughed. "Let me think…Rishid I have kept locked up for a bit in my realm. I am sure that he has a much greater appreciation for art and music now. Of course, that's assuming his soul has lived through all of it. A normal human spirit cannot withstand our realm for very long and he has been in there for quite some time. I shall be sure to check in on him later. Until then his body is comatose. As for Shadi, I resealed him inside the Millennium Ankh. He'll be much happier there. I think that covers it, hm, yes it should."
"You…I…I can't believe…" Isis stared in shock then sank into her seat. After a moment of silence she cleared her throat, trying her best to gain composure. "No wait, yes I can believe that you would do that, you're crazy enough..." She watched him shrug off her comments as he pulled a violin case from under his seat.
"Normally I enjoy the piano best, there is nothing quite like the feeling of smooth keys under your naked fingers." Argentine said thoughtfully as he snapped open the case to reveal a beautiful, handmade violin. "Yet today I find myself wishing for the sounds of these strings. Perhaps it is the way the user, in this case myself, plucks each string and yet can one say they truly play music? Does music not really play the user, leading them through long forgotten melodies buried deep within the fragmented human heart? Humans believe they play music but that is quite wrong, rather it is the opposite. Music plays humans, directing them like marionettes on the tightest of strings." He laughed softly, smiling a strange smile that gave him an almost drugged expression. "In the end, a simple sound can evoke any emotion in any given human, manipulating them at will to feel a certain way. It's so fascinating."
"…You are mental…always going off on these tangents…by Ra if I survive this I'll need therapy." Isis groaned, hanging her head. Rishid could be dead for all she knew and this man didn't care one bit. Instead he sat around rambling about his favorite topics: music, humans, things involving himself and his plot. Isis had to admit, if she ever needed someone to talk endlessly to stall for time, it was him.
"Mental? That's a rather rude thing to say." Argentine frowned slightly as he set himself up to play. "Now really, I'm only doing what's in the best interests of my creators. I am following their wishes. Isis my dear, sometimes I must question your thought processes. You really should use more logic."
"Logic!" Isis cried, her head shooting up again. "How dare you tell me to use logic! You are the one using people for your own gain then sitting here playing music and locking up innocent souls in some other world and and…ugh!" She gave a frustrated cry and slumped back into her seat. "You are a lunatic who needs to be stopped."
"Hm, I'm sorry you feel that way." Argentine sighed deeply, adjusting the violin and getting the bow into position. "I'm in such a good mood though today so I will ignore your outburst. Just listen to my song Isis…I have hope for you, I believe that one day you will hear my song…it is an augury of what is to come, the final phase before the time of Black Wings. If you hear the song before then, you will be saved." Isis stared at him blankly, her eyebrows raised in a silent question but her only answer was a single, quavering note that stretched long and sorrowfully over the quiet hum of the air conditioning. From there he dragged the bow gently, playing a slow, sad song that caused a pain to well up in Isis's chest. Everything seemed to hit her and she hung her head in silent defeat, letting a few tears fall down her cheeks.
"I really don't understand…" She said quietly, not even sure herself of why she was feeling the way she was.
"No, you don't." Argentine whispered back, continuing to play with his eyes glazed over. "But you're starting to."
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It was another normal night by the standards of anyone in the group. Yami was rushing down the hallway with Yugi at his side, both summoning their Dark Magicians to catch the Phantom Thief. It wasn't too long ago that the plane had arrived to Domino City, with Shadi and the Millennium Ankh on board. Something about the whole thing though had put everyone on edge. Ryou had noticed it and felt it the same as all of them. It was an omen that something was very wrong.
Still, Shadi had waved away their concerns and given the Ankh to Yami before saying he had urgent matters to attend to. That in itself was strange and yet no one was quite sure how to voice their fears, except Bakura. When they rejoined Daisuke and Satoshi at the museum, he said it very simply.
"Someone's fucking with us." He had said, scowling up at the night sky.
Then there was Ryou himself. Aside from his own paranoia, he was also dealing with a rather odd problem. His soul pains had returned full force earlier in the day while he showered. They were currently running through him in short bursts, causing him to twitch lightly ever few seconds in pain. He hugged himself loosely, looking more like he was trying to keep warm rather than brace himself for the pain like he was. Ryou couldn't understand why they had returned when he was closest to Bakura at the moment that they did. That made him nervous and to be honest, scared.
The unease was even apparent in the Phantom Thief, although Ryou wondered if he was the only one noticing it. Sure he was still cocky and full of playful banter. He was also still leading them on a grand chase, only this time they were being accompanied by a friend of Bakura's that Bakura affectionately called "Sock". Sock was a strange one, with long blonde hair tied back in a ponytail, gleaming golden eyes that were full of malice and huge ivory wings that easily rivaled and yet matched Dark's black ones.
His name was also quite obviously not named Sock. Each time Bakura shouted that name to him from his perch on Diabound's shoulder, the angelic man twitched in a way that suggested holding back violent impulses. No one else knew who he was though and Ryou found it odd.
In fact, so many things were odd about tonight. For example, was it his imagination or was there someone behind him? He would normally shake off such feelings but whenever he turned to look, although no one was there, he still heard a faint rustle like that of a cloak. Ryou was waiting on the roof in the misty air, still damp and humid from the day's rain. Bakura was circling overhead with Sock, who was flying lazily beside him, chatting quietly. Everyone else's cries could be heard from deep within the museum. Dark was getting closer.
Ryou sighed, shifting uneasily. Everything tonight felt like a ghost, haunting him and sending chills through him with its very presence. He couldn't see it but he could feel it in the winds and knew it was just beyond his field of vision.
Someone was fucking with them for sure and it wouldn't be long until they ended their game.
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"Hey, Sock…" Bakura drawled, leaning back against Diabound's neck. Krad shot him a look that could freeze fire but the thief was used to looks and jus ignored it. "Sock, you know your kid friend Sato-chan was lying to me."
"First off thief, my name is Krad. You shall refrain from calling me Sock, unless you have a strange masochistic streak in you. If that is the case I will happily oblige you with my own brand of memory enhancers." Krad said softly, the promise of pain evident in his voice. As he spoke, he glided in closer so that he did not have to articulate any louder. "I am only putting up with you because you fit well into my own plans and are just making things more convenient. As for Sato-chan, call him that again and I WILL kill you regardless of your use to me, understand?"
"Whatever…" Bakura rolled his eyes. "Gods you're like the damn Pharaoh, always talking, blah blah blah ANYWAYS before you ranted on about meaningless shit, I told you that your friend lied to me. I know he did, because I'm like you. You can't lie to a spirit about these things."
"Whatever thoughts are drifting in that empty space we call in your brain should stay there." Krad warned, idly pulling his gloves straighter as his eyes roamed over the museum for signs of Dark.
"Hear me out." Bakura said, wording himself carefully. "I'm a spirit, I know these things. You and that Satoshi kid…I can sense it, you realize that right? I thought I felt it in him when I saw him…" He paused, as if he was going to say more but Krad interrupted him.
"Thief, don't continue to speak unless you know what you're getting yourself into. The relationship between myself and Satoshi-sama is not meant to be known to the likes of you or anyone else here." Krad stopped himself, hovering in the air by use of his own powers. Diabound also slowed so that the two could continue their talk. "In fact, I really didn't want you people involved at all but unfortunately, that idiot had to go after your Items and now our Fates are tangled." He paused and a audacious smile came to his lips. "Of course, that doesn't mean I'm going to play right into Fate's hand. I'm merely going along with it until a better plan comes up."
"Heh, if you say so Sock, er, sorry, Krad but you know…" He grinned and leaned forward. "You and me, Satoshi and Ryou, we have things to talk about…you may not realize it but I think we could help each other more than either of us truly know. I was once confined to my host too. So was that idiot Pharaoh. There's always a loophole you know, always a backdoor, a way to get around things. Imagine, if you could get around them too."
"Hmph, do you honestly think I would sink so low as to accept your help?" Krad's delicate golden brow raised with a questioning look.
"Not help per say, just go against Fate." Bakura grinned, shrugging. "Of course, that's not my call. It's yours. Personally, I'd love to take out Dark myself but I get the feeling he's your prey. But I'm just saying, I can help you along with access to a few of my special loopholes…" Krad was silent for a moment, studying the rogue with suspicious, narrowed eyes. He didn't trust him, in fact, he really didn't trust anyone. Nor would he ever accept help from someone with the same life profession as that fool Dark. Yet using someone was definitely within his bounds of reason. A smirk found its way to his face as he crossed his arms. Use the thief; get whatever he could out of it. He was already planning something similar but this was just making it too easy.
'You're plotting again…' A very sleepy yet pissed off voice came from the very deepest part of Krad's mind.
Oh, my apologies Satoshi-sama, did I wake you from your slumber? Krad inquired politely.
'…You're the one who put me out in the first place! You need…to give me back…my damn body…stop it…' Satoshi muttered, Krad-induced sleep already taking hold of him again. 'Damn…you…stop…it…'
Now really Satoshi-sama, you must get more rest. Krad scolded with a dark laugh, sounding like a mother who had just poisoned her first born child. I'm only doing what is best for you. Do you blame me for caring about your well being? Honestly no one else will and I am all too happy to take up the position myself. Why, as a matter of fact, I enjoy being your caretaker, your only anchor, the only one who cares. You really must learn to appreciate my work Satoshi-sama In his mind, Satoshi tried to protest but Krad's will proved stronger in forcing him back under. Good night and sweet dreams, my everything.
"Well?" Bakura's voice cut through his thoughts and Krad glanced over at the smirking thief, who seemed to feel he had the upper hand. He obviously didn't know Krad as well as he claimed and that would make the whole thing even more delicious. Holding back a chuckle, he extended his hand. Everything would work out to his advantage, better than he could have ever hoped for.
"Heh, well thief, you have a deal."
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Tonight sucked a monkey as far as Dark was concerned. In fact, his whole day sucked and he really didn't care if sucked wasn't a proper word to use, because all the others were swear words and Daisuke was pissy enough as it stood. First Dark had to spend most of the day bored as hell while Daisuke and Satoshi wandered the city and had 'fun'. If he could have, he would have banged his head into a nearby wall. The only good thing was that Krad probably had just a bad of time as he did during the whole thing. It was a comforting thought anyway. Krad could barely stand to have Satoshi within a continental radius of Daisuke, let only sitting on a park bench with him eating ice cream. Next was that both Bakura and his spirit thing and Krad were both eagerly waiting for him in the skies, which wouldn't be a problem if Yami, Yugi, and Marik weren't herding him further upstairs.
Of course, then there was Daisuke. If Dark was honest about his host, one of the things that made him especially cute was just how stubborn he could be. If he truly set his mind to something, he was going to do it, no ifs ands or buts. However, tonight it was Dark's butt that he was keeping in check and that was making escaping with the Millennium Ankh even harder. When Daisuke realized he couldn't switch back to himself or stop the initial switch, he went to diversionary tactics. He would do sudden screams of very random things or say a loud mantra or say things that he knew disgusted or angered Dark in every attempt he could to slow him down. And damn him, it was working.
Dark sped past an open door as Daisuke switched tactics yet again. He'd tried pleading earlier but that obviously had been shot down. Now his voice shook, though Dark could feel he was upset without hearing his voice. Sure, he didn't like seeing Daisuke upset like this; in fact it killed him if he let any of his true emotions show. Yet sometimes things like this needed to happen. He wasn't just stealing these artifacts for Emiko, he knew a little more about their power than he let on and knew it had to be sealed and safe in Niwa hands. It wasn't about stealing and hurting people tonight, it was about protecting the world from a very dangerous, dark power. Too bad Daisuke didn't see it that way.
(Dark! Dark stop right now!) Daisuke's voice rang with frustration and he knew that it was wavering. (Please! I've asked you nicely, I've done everything I could think of to stop you! Don't make me do something bad! I really don't want to but I will if it means stopping you from hurting anyone than I will!)
((Ha! No offense Dai-chan but your definition of 'bad' and my definition of 'bad' are two very different bads)) Dark chortled, grabbing a pole to gain speed as he spun around a corner, barely avoiding a blast from one of Yugi's monsters. In fact, he felt the heat from it graze his back, causing him to shudder. Close calls did give him a sort of thrill though.
(That's it! You're making me do this!) Daisuke gulped, a deep blush coming across his face. Dark smirked, waiting for the almighty threat as he threw himself up a set of stairs. (I'll…I'll…I'LL THINK BAD THOUGHTS!)
((What!)) Dark tripped up, doing his best to regain his previous grace and speed but now a giant grin was in place. ((You mean…those kind of thoughts?))
(…Ick I mean yes!) Daisuke shut his eyes tightly. (Don't make me do it!)
((Heh, Dai-chan, by all means you have my permission to think that way!)) Dark laughed, his mind already distracted and wondering exactly what thoughts his other half could think. He had many ideas, in fact, he was compiling a list of them. Yet this was Daisuke here, so bad thoughts really couldn't be that bad, could they? Then again, he'd seen a few of them before. The kid was fairly pure but…
It was about then that he realized he'd slowed down his pace considerably, almost walking casually now to the rooftop exit and that his posse had almost caught up with him. Blinking away his surprise, he heard Daisuke's nervous laughter in the background of his mind.
"Argh! Damn it!" Dark gave a frustrated cry just as with a hard thump, Yugi landed on his back.
"Got you!" Yugi yelled but Dark did a quick spin, ducking down and throwing the lighter boy off. He staggered up the stairs as Yugi grabbed onto his ankles.
"Hey! Damn it, let go of me!" Dark growled, glaring down at him. He nearly fell over but managed to shake off the boy as Yami and Marik finally caught up. Dark groaned, running as fast as he could to the exit.
(Dark!) Daisuke yelled again but Dark waved him off, getting extremely ticked off with his day.
((D-damn it Dai…Daisuke! Leave me a…a…alone for a second!)) Even in his mind, Dark's voice was strained with exhaustion. He'd been chased up and down through the museum for at least an hour and now his tiredness was shining through. ((I have to think h-how we're going to get ou…out of this!))
(But Dark!)
((Not now Daisuke!)) Dark said but even as he did, he realized what was wrong. He was exhausted, too tired to run much further and even worse, keep his form. He could already feel the changes happening. ((…Aww shit…))
(I tried to tell you!) Daisuke moaned, sounding even more upset (See? Because you had to steal we're going to be caught)
((What! This…this isn't my fault! You're the one who…who kept distracted me!)) Never let it be said that Dark was never so tired that he'd stop arguing though. Lucky for them, Dark managed to get outside, slamming the door shut just as the change reached the midway point. Dark slid down the door, clutching the Ankh tightly as Daisuke's consciousness took over. Dark's form faded completely and Daisuke took a moment to breathe a sigh of relief, only to have it shatter as he looked up, meeting eyes with not only Ryou but Bakura and Krad as well. The color drained from his face and he shut his eyes again, pulling the Ankh closer to his chest.
((Oh shit, Daisuke! Ugh, I'm too exhausted…you'll have to run for it!)) Dark felt panic rising up but it wasn't nearly as much as poor Daisuke.
(Oh no no no no no no! We're caught, this is my fault!) He wailed, his mind in too much of a panic to hear Dark's words. (If I had just stopped you…if I wasn't so weak…now we're caught, Ryou's going to hate me, Bakura and Krad will probably kill me and then oh no poor mom…oh no…please I don't want this to happen, I don't want to be caught!)
((Daisuke! Listen to me!)) Dark yelled as the three approached the cowering boy.
(No, no…I didn't want this to happen…I just…I just want some help!) He cried, bowing his head as the Ankh glowed brightly.
There is an old saying, be careful what you wish for. It is an all too true saying because people in general don't think before they make a wish. So really, following that train of thought, Daisuke shouldn't have been surprised to find that once the glow had faded and his vision returned, he was somewhere new. An ancient looking graveyard to be exact, gray and foggy under a swirling storm filled sky with none other than Dark sitting next to him. Daisuke and Dark stared at each other, mirroring each other's looks of shock and disbelief. They both reached out, touching the cheeks of their reflection.
"…Dark?" Daisuke said, barely above a whisper.
"Daisuke…what the hell?" Dark blinked, pulling his hand back. "What the hell is this?"
"You're in your purest spirit form." A gentle man's voice came, carrying a slight German accent. "Right now, you are spirits…and you're in my world."
"Who the hell are you?" Dark asked, helping himself and Daisuke up. He kept a hand protectively on his other half's shoulder.
"My name is Faust." A tall, lanky man with a rumpled lab coat stepped out from behind one of the tall statues littering the graveyard. His messy blonde hair fell across his sunken in face and his dull blue eyes were heavily bagged to the point where it looked like eye shadow. He adjusted the long, thick orange scarf that fell down his skinny torso and smiled politely at them. For as tired and zombie-ish as he looked, his smile was still very friendly. He waved one gloved hand across the expanse with the same cheerful expression. "I welcome you to the Millennium Ankh, Black Wings and Tamer."
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/Another Side, Another Story Part One/
Kaiba Seto was a powerful man, the owner of some of the most influential companies in the world. Anything he didn't own, he very well could or probably did through trade agreements. He was at the top of his game and still young. He wasn't content though. It wasn't because he didn't have everything he wanted but rather it was because one of his business partners was currently driving him insane with requests.
"Come oooooon Seto-chan!" A man with long and wild sandy colored hair pleaded over the net phone, his eyes pouting behind his yellow tinted sunglasses. He tilted them slightly down his nose in an attempt to not only look cooler but to show his puppy look in full force. "I need new models! I SAW those pictures from Battle City and let me tell you that those boys aren't just the next thing in card games, they are next in line for a Harajuku runway!"
"Saga-san…" Seto resisted the urge to twitch at the man's behavior. Saga Keiji, one of the leading fashion designers in the world, was the one currently annoying the living hell out of him. His work was known far and wide and he often did directing on the side, movies, commercials, you name it. However, just as well known as his creativity was his strange, hyperactive behavior. In fact, rumor had it that only one person, his assistant Funabashi, could control him. And that was 'control' in the loosest sense of the word. "Please, remember this is a business call and to stay formal."
"Pfft!" Saga made a very rude noise, literally waving off Seto's complaints. "You do business your way and I'll do it my way! Besides this isn't a business call, this is a call between two friends!"
"We aren't friends." Kaiba rolled his eyes, his fingers slowly moving closer to the computer's 'off' button. "Now what exactly is it that you want?"
"You're so cold Seto-chan…" Keiji said, folding his arms. "Fine fine, I want to come to that party you're having for your stockholders. I'm sure you invited those beautiful boys and I want to see them up close!"
"Sir, what are you doing?" Came a calm, monotone voice. The infamous Funabashi, the only one collected enough to deal with Keiji on a daily basis. "Didn't I tell you that you had a meeting to attend to?"
"Awwww Funabashi-myu!" Saga now turned his childish pouting towards a straight-laced man with a short, traditional haircut. "I don't wanna go to the meeting! Besides, me and Seto-chan are talking business!"
"Ugh…Funabashi-san…" Seto ignored the whining Keiji. "Take him to his meeting please and get him out of my hair."
"Gladly." Funabashi said emotionlessly, dragging the other man away from the video phone.
"Fine Seto-chan! But invited or not, I'm coming to the party!" Keiji cried, grabbing the computer screen for dear life as his minion tried to pry him off. "I'll be there soon though because I have some work I need to do in Domino anyway! Wherever Dark goes, I follow!" He declared with a grin as Funabashi tackled him to the ground with a yell of 'Sir please!'.
"…Everyone in my life is a moron." Seto grumbled, shutting off the computer with a annoyed click.
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A/N: Sage: About damn time ne?
Kaley: Keiji's sunglasses by the way are pwned by Les Scribbles!
Bakura: So what's up with the Ankh? Who's Faust? What's going on? Any ideas guys?
Dark: Review, tell us what you think and we'll see you soon!