Chapter 26

Keep the threat:

Avila placed a hand to her now slightly bulging stomach, smiling to herself as she felt a kick. Bakura, who was sitting behind her astride a horse, looked over her shoulder and placed a hand upon hers. "Did you feel that?" Avila whispered, as if speaking too loudly would break the trance she was in. Bakura gave a grunt of response then quickly pulled his hand away. Avila wrinkled her brow in disappointment. He didn't seem at all thrilled about their child kicking for the first time. It had been 2 months since they had come together and he seemed more distant then before. It was as if some unknown demon was eating at him from the inside, burning a whole through his chest.

Avila removed her hand from her now still belly and turned to Adonis who was astride another horse beside them. She gave a roll of her eyes and then smiled. "Traveling is so tiresome…Why can't we just stay in one Ra damned place! I'm tired of just sitting here!" Avila, who was now showing the first stages of pregnancy, began to get frustrated. She was always staying inside, or laying around. Bakura's orders. She hadn't picked up a sword in months, only because Bakura forbid it along with everyone else. Kuni had every sharp object that could have even been considered a weapon put away. Avila had argued that if she had been left to fend for herself that she would surely die. Then Bakura began a heated battle about "men's" jobs… "Protect their property." Which, in this case, meant Kuni and Avila.

Kuni and Malik hadn't yet taken another step further into their relationship. Avila had often caught Kuni glancing at Malik with longing, waiting for him to make the next move. But for some reason, they kept their distance. Always making sure they slept in solos, never asking the other for warmth.

Adonis returned the smile that Avila had graced him with, and then quickly turned away, not being able to stand the image of Bakura wrapped around her. These pass 2 months had been torture for him. The only reason he stayed was because Bakura still had not yet decided what he was going to do with him, and because Adonis was a love sick puppy trailing after Avila. Kuni, who sat upon Malik's lap, faced Avila and wrinkled her nose.

"Says the one who didn't want to be caught again!" Avila shrugged then sunk back into Bakura's chest, sighing as she once again placed her hand upon her belly. It seemed like it had been so long ago since their encounter with the Pharaoh. As if he had dropped off the face of the earth. Sure they had had their run ins with the guards, but they were mostly hunted down for robbing, not for sick twisted plans of the Pharaoh's.

"We rest." Bakura remarked, pulling the reigns of their horse to a stop near an oasis. Avila gave a relieved smile and waited patiently for Bakura to ease her down from the horse. Once on the ground she waddled towards the crystal clear water that beckoned her. And the shade that would keep the suns harmful rays off her skin, which had become more delicate during pregnancy.

Adonis watched as she and Kuni trotted off to the shade, noticing how her hips swayed in a new and unfamiliar way. Malik cleared his throat, glaring at Adonis, knowing full well what he was staring at. Adonis gave a nervous glace towards Bakura and was relieved to notice he was stalking off into the desert.

Bakura reached into his pocket and brushed his fingers against the necklace that he had bought so long ago. He gritted his teeth and kicked at the sand. She was hiding it from him. Keeping that one night all to herself. And why was he letting it affect him so? Why did he let one incident play through his mind? Was it the fact that she was covering up for Adonis? Making sure that Bakura's anger didn't reach it's limits and strangle him? Was she protecting him! Bakura gave a frustrated scream at the thought of her shielding him from his anger, which was now bubbling in his veins and poisoning his thoughts. Blood! He wanted to spill his blood. Cause it's crimson river to flow upon the sand, until there was no more fluids left in his body. He wanted to torture him for looking at Avila, longing for her. Didn't he know when to back off? But why did Bakura keep Adonis with them? Was it to give Avila a choice? To see who she would choose?

She said she was with Bakura, but Bakura felt as if she had feelings for Adonis as well. And he didn't know for sure what had happened between them while he was gone. Malik and Kuni had said nothing of their relationship, or if they had even had one. So Bakura felt as if he was in the dark, crowded by untold secrets. Even though there weren't any.

Bakura, now over come with a rush of anger, pulled the necklace from his pocket and tossed it through the air. Watching as it landed with a plop into the warm sand. Bakura turned on his heel and walked back to the oasis. He caught sight of Adonis and sneered, causing him to jump in fright.

"Bakura…you alright?" Malik asked as he pulled out the sack of food. Bakura merely grunted, stalking off towards the oasis, where Avila and Kuni sat dangling their feet into the clear sparkling water. Bakura marched over to where Avila sat and grabbed her by the shoulders. Avila gave a gasp of surprise, only to be cut short by the jerk of his arms, which brought her to her feet. Without saying a word he crashed his mouth to hers in a demanding kiss. Avila stared up at him as he forced his tongue into her mouth. 'What's wrong with him!' she thought as she fell into his body, her belly rubbing against his strong hard stomach.

Avila felt as if he was sucking the air from her. She felt her face flame with lack of air and her lungs burn with fire. She pushed at his chest and broke the contact of their lips. "Bakura! Why are you so demanding and rough! What was that all about!" Bakura just stared down at her, studying her eyes. "I'm leaving." He murmured. Avila took a step back and stared up at him. "Where are you going!" Panic flashed through her eyes at the thought of him being gone.

"I need to finish something I've started…Don't worry about me…I'll return." Avila frowned in response then pulled away. "Fine! Go then! You've only been with me 2 months then decide to leave again! MEN! I will never understand you!" She stalked away, muttering under her breath. Kuni looked from Bakura to Malik, and then rushed after Avila. "Avy! Wait!"

Malik studied Bakura for a moment then sighed. "The Pharaoh? Is that it? You going back to remind him of your threat? I mean, he hasn't bothered us so far…" Bakura ignored his friend and just walked off.

Malik shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. "Ra damn him. I hate it when he has something bugging him…" Malik gave an exasperated sigh and turned around to find Avila kicking at a near by rock, then jumping back with a shout and clutching her foot in mid air, dancing around like a complete idiot.

"Don't take so long to come home this time…" Malik muttered as he watched Adonis rush forward and inspect her injured foot.

Avila stared into the cackling fire, watching as the flames licked at the wood, making it turn a black charcoal color. Kuni nudged her, trying to place a bowel of soup into her hands. "Eat Avy. You haven't eaten in two days…He'll be back, he said he would."

Avila pushed the bowel away and sighed. "It's not that Kuni. It's been two months now, and within those two months he's been acting weird. He hasn't been himself…It eats me alive at night to think it could have been something I did…" Avila sighed, leaning forward and placing her elbows on her knees, tucking her fists under her chin. Malik, who sat across from her wrinkled his brow in confusion.

"But Avila, if it had been something you had done, wouldn't Bakura growled about it? Him being the grouch he is?" Kuni asked, once again shoving the bowel in front of Avila's face, hoping the aroma would make her want food. Surely the child she carried was hungry. But once again Avila shoved it away. Kuni finally gave up and placed it down beside her, digging into her own bowel of soup.

"Avila…Do you know where Bakura went? Do you even know what he has to do?" Malik asked, leaning back and studying her with lavender eyes. Eyes that knew something she didn't. Avila shot up from her sitting position and glared at him. "You know something! Tell me!" Malik just shrugged, not uttering what she wanted to hear. Avila stomped her foot in annoyance and continued to glare at him.

Adonis watched as Avila's eyes flashed from that of anger to sadness. It was as if she was falling apart right in front of him. He had never seen such a strong girl break before. In all his time knowing her, he always saw her as strong, never near tears. That's when reality struck him. She loved Bakura, and there was no changing that. None of his actions mattered to her, for she did the same. Adonis felt as if his heart broke into millions of large shards, falling one by one out of his chest and hitting the floor with a crash. Why did he still peruse her? There was no hope for him, even though he prayed to Ra ever damn day, wanting there to be some.

Adonis stood up and glanced at Avila's still watered eyes, watching the fire light dance upon them, causing a glow to emit from them shinning like true gems. 'I will never forget this look' he thought to himself. Because, where he was going, there would be no oval face for him to glance upon. No emerald green eyes to enchant him. No soft delicate lips to turn into a smile for him. He needed to move on. End this torment that he willingly placed upon himself. He would, no doubt, be gone before dawn.

Bakura leaned against the palace walls, watching as the Pharaoh leisurely soaked in his large bath house. Bakura had been watching the poor fool for two days now, and he never seemed to go anywhere without at least one guard. It appeared that Atemu hadn't taken Bakura's threat lightly. He actually feared him!

Bakura pushed off the wall with a smirk, and drew out his dagger, the one he planned to use on the unbeknownst Pharaoh.

"Bring me some figs!" Atemu cried, while clapping his hands. A servant appeared from the shadows, carrying a tray of thinly sliced figs. She knelt down, displaying the tray of goods to her master. Atemu picked one up without even looking at it, and plopped it into his mouth, closing his eyes and savoring the taste. "Now bring me a glass of wine." He commanded to the maid, waving her away with his hand. She bowed her head and slowly walked up to retrieve his request. Bakura felt adrenaline pump through his veins, knowing that now was as good a time as ever. He watched the Pharaoh's head as it fell backward into the water, soaking his long strands of blonde golden hair. His violet eyes were closed in relaxation. The guard he had standing near the pool would be nothing to Bakura, merely a test of how quick he could kill a man before he uttered a word.

He tip toed up to the edge of the pool and quickly sliced the neck of the guard, making sure to catch him before he hit the ground with a thump. But unfortunately, Atemu heard the sounds of a struggle and quickly darted up in the water.

"You! GUARDS!" he began to frantically paddle away, fearing for his life. Not wanting to end his time of rule here and now. This wasn't going as Bakura had planned. He wanted to make this fast and easy. Atemu's eyes enlarged in panic as Bakura stepped into the water, still planning on completing his deed. He would not leave this palace until the Pharaoh was dead, and buried six feet under. Ra knows he deserved it. After everything he had done to Bakura. Sure, Bakura has done his share of evil deeds, but none so low as taking another mans woman. They had always come to him willing. (Oh my flipping Ra! I just had to put that!)

Atemu was now splashing around wildly, as if the more water he flung at Bakura would cause him to slow down. Bakura slipped the dagger between his teeth and began to use his arms to slice through the water, making him advance with speed. Atemu felt his heart jump into his throat as he sunk into the pool helplessly. There was nothing he could do, and no one to save him. Sadly, his guards had not heard his plea… Or had just not felt like running to his aid.

Kuni sighed as she watched Avila toss onto her back in sleep. A soft whimper escaped her lips, telling Kuni that once again she was having a dream of Bakura. Which she often had. But who could blame her? Ever since they had left the Inn, Bakura had been acting cold towards her. Sure he tends to her needs and cares for her, but he always seemed to have this cold air around him that screamed anger.

"She dreaming again?" Malik whispered as he took a seat beside Kuni. Kuni gave a nod then looked behind him. "Did you find Adonis?" She already new the answer before he responded. She knew Malik wouldn't bring Adonis back, even if he had found him. Adonis being gone, only helped them. At least, that's how Malik and Bakura saw it. But, did they know how he had often saved Avila's life? Not to mention Kuni's? Any time they were Ill, or weren't feeling to well, he was beside them in a heart beat with some odd tasting tonic. The tonic was so repulsing that it made them want to gag but, it always seemed to work.

"He left on purpose, there's no point in tracking him down…" Kuni glanced up at Malik and narrowed her eyes at him. "You don't seem to care at all that he left. Why don't we just throw a party then! You know Avila cares! He only saved her child's life!"

"He only saved it once, and I believe Bakura repaid him for that by sparing his life!" Kuni didn't know why she was starting an argument with him, the stupid lout. But something inside her burst, causing her to pull some unknown rage from her body. "Wow! He spared his life! How honorable he is! Not like Adonis had done anything to warrant his wrath to begin with!"

Malik glared up at her, watching as her face turned a soft pink in rage. "You don't know anything woman, butt out!"

Kuni stormed towards him, clenching her fists and throwing them into his hard chest. Malik watched her with curiosity as she began to pummel him. He watched as her dark eyes began to glaze over with tears, and how her hair whipped around her oval face. He had caused this rage, and he knew it. It wasn't because of Adonis, and it wasn't because of his lack of compassion for the weaker sex. It was because he had stolen her heart, then tossed it aside.

Malik quickly grabbed her shoulders and pulled her down to him, grabbing her lips gently with his own. Kuni paused in amazement, staring at his tan face. Watching his lavender eyes peer into her own. It seemed like ages until he pulled away, causing Kuni to gasp for air. Before she could speak, Malik placed a finger to her lips. "I'm…I'm sorry…" Kuni could tell it took him some work to say it, and that he obviously meant it, causing her to smile with happiness. A tear slid down her cheek, causing Malik to groan! "I was trying NOT to make you cry! And you cry anyways!"

Kuni shook her head and brushed the tear away. "I'm not crying because I'm sad…I'm crying because I'm happy!"

A clapping interrupted their moment, as they turned to see Avila sitting up with a grin spread over her face!

"It's about bloody time!"

Sorry it took me so long! I've been ubber busy! And I was rushed writing this! So it may not make sense at all:gonk: n e ways, I got to take my little sister to the park now! Ciao!

Oh, P.s. for all you Harry Potter fans! The movie was great! You should go see it! Right away!