Phew! Lordly it's been a long time! Two whole weeks! (GASP) I was so excited for this weekend mostly because I get to update now! WOOT!
My blood relation, Ron-chan, came home and we went to Katsukon, which, I might add, was fucking AWESOME! If anyone saw two girls, one with a Thief Bakura's red coat (that was me, I didn't put on the rest of the costume cause I'm lazy) and one with purple hair running around with a digital video camera, that was us.
Oh freaking dancing hell! We saw this FREAKINGLY AMAZINGLY WONDERFUL anime called Sukisho or Sukisyo or whatever! Its SHOUNENAI and, wait for it, they actually DO STUFF! AND THEY HAVE SPLIT PERSONALIES! It's fucking awesome! FUCKING AWESOME I TELL YOU! SPLIT PERSONALITIES AND SHOUNENAI! (squeals and dies with happiness) Its like Yuugiou only BETTER!
Ok, that's enough, sorry for ranting on you all. So here's a brand new squishy chapter! The adventure gets moving, FINALLY! I hadn't read this chapter in a long time cause I didn't like it… not that YOU shouldn't like it! Lots of stuff happens and is explained and yeah…
This chapter is brought to you by: Mystery Vegetables reminding you never to ride in a plane with Malik and that Yugi's shoulder seems to attract other people's drool (don't ask, just read. Crazy peoples…).
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Chyaputa 15: Regulation of the Tribe
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"We'll be landing in just a few moments, ladies and gentlemen. Please buckle your seat belts and sit tight. We're just passing through some mild turbulence," the captain's voice announced over the speaker system as the body of the plane shook violently.
"Mild turbulence?" Malik questioned angrily, glaring weakly at the seat in front of him. His face was tinged a pale sickly green color, his barf bag close to his mouth at the ready. "'Deliver you safely to your destination', my ass," he cursed and retched into his white bag again. The sounds and acidic smells wafting from the seat beside Yugi were enough to make him sick as well. Yami no Bakura, however, looked perfectly content, sleeping soundly on Yugi's shoulder chewing on a lock of Yugi's unwashed sticky hair.
"I can't believe you've never been on a plane before," Yugi said, patting Malik on the back comfortingly andtrying to ignore Yami Bakura as he began to drool on Yugi's shirt in his slumber. "How did you get to Japan in the first place?" Malik looked up from his barf bag miserably, purple eyes blood shot from lack on sleep on the ten-hour plane ride.
"Boat," Malik moaned voice cracking pitifully. The plane dropped again, people in the seats around them gasped, Malik shoved his face back into the bag. Yugi looked away sickly.
'At least it's almost over,' he thought thankfully.
/Aibou/ Yami no Yugi said sticking his head through the floor beneath Yugi's seat. Yugi jumped in surprise. Yami no Bakura snorted in his sleep but didn't wake up.
"Where have you been?" Yugi asked, trying to keep his voice low so they wouldn't attract attention.
/In the luggage compartment to make sure we're not seen./ His eye twitched angrily as he spotted Yami no Bakura sleeping on Yugi's shoulder.Yami no Yugiglared furiously at the other darker half, who didn't seem to notice. /How has the ride been up here/
"Oh, its been okay," Yugi lied, trying to keep his mood positive. His darker half stared at him suspiciously. "How about you? What have you been doing?"
/We've been playing Duel Monsters but we only have Bakura's deck so there aren't that many cards/ his darker side grumbled regrettably, still glowering fiercely at Yami no Bakura using Yugi as a pillow.
"I'm glad you and Bakura are such good friends," Yugi said cheerfully.
I would rather have spent time with you, Yami no Yugi muttered silently, the unspoken thought passing through their mental link, whether by the darker half's will or not.
The plane gave another jerk and landed safely on the ground, Malik moaned leaning over his weak empty growling stomach.
"We have now landed in Cairo. This has been your pilot, Captain Amelda, and we wish you all a safe travel," the voice over the speakers announced dryly. Yugi grabbed Yami no Bakura's head and shoved it off his slight damp shoulder. The dark spirit woke with a start and looked around as through he had forgotten where he was.
"We have to get off the plane now," Yugi reminded him. Yami no Bakura frowned and wiped a spot of spittle of his chin.
"Already? That wasn't very long," he drawled standing up, scratching his head.
'Not long?' Yugi thought. 'You were a sleep through all of it…'
"Land," Malik groaned desperately, hands pressed desperately against the tiny window, gazing dreamily at the ground. "Good, sweet, sweet, solid land."
"We're not out of the plane yet," Yami no Bakuragrowled, grabbing Malik by the collar pulling him forcefully to his feet. Malik's knees wobbled and Yami no Bakura had to practically drag him out into the aisle joining the pack of people filing to get out of the plane. Yami no Yugi floated at Yugi's side, red eyes fixed angrily on the back of dark Bakura's white haired head.
"Where's Yami no Malik?" Yugi asked curiously looking around the rapidly emptying seats. "I don't think I've seen him all flight…"
/Neither have I/ Yami Yugi admitted.
/Maybe he missed the plane/ normal Bakura suggested, slipping easily up through the floor and joining with the two Yugis at the front.
"No, he must have made it on," Yami no Bakura cursed, towing the sickly Egyptian behind him. "He wouldn't miss the only opportunity to get his body back."
The five souls finally made it safely off the plane in into the airport. Just as Yami no Bakura predicted, Yami no Malik joined them shortly afterward, stalking moodily along behind the rest, face dark and shadowed.
"Wish we had left him at Japan," Malik cursed hatefully to Yami no Bakura in a low voice. Yami Bakura made no comment, dark eyes fixed on the path ahead. "And I am suing that plane company when with mess is all over!" Malik cursed loudly. "That fight attendant guy, Valon, was such a jerk!"
"His name was Baron," Yugi corrected kindly.
"Whatever!" Malik spat. It took a while to get through customs, mostly because Ryou, Yami no Yugi and Yami no Malik had to keep hidden in the walls of the airport so they would not be seen and therefore kept getting lost but eventually all six of the souls eventually made it out of the building safe and sound.
/Where to now/ Yami no Yugi asked as Yugi and Bakura Ryou gasped open mouthed at the new country, eyes wide with amazement.
"Just follow me. I grew up here, remember?" Malik said confidently, standing on his own feet again and walking ahead proudly, leading the group into the mass of an Egyptian market place.
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Despite having put on new clothes only the day before, Yugi, Yami no Bakura and Malik were all tired, dirty, and smelling by the end of the day. Not that it was surprising since they had slept in the woods for two days and were now trudging across the open desert and still had not had a chance to bathe. Yami no Yugi, Bakura Ryou and Yami no Malik, however, looked perfectly content in the hot orange shimmering air, having no clothes and no body to be effect by the harsh elements.
"How- much further do we- have to walk?" Yugi panted. His sneakers were already filled sand and sweat was pouring down his face.
"It should be around here someplace…" Malik said scratching his head and looking around curiously.
"Malik, we're in the middle of a god forsaken desert!" Yami no Bakura snarled threateningly, all remains of his normally cool composer had disappeared after the first fifteen minutes. "There's nothing here!" His large black trench coat was caked with several layers of sand. Yugi was surprised the dark spirit hadn't collapsed from exhaustion under the weight of it all.
/A lot has probably changed since you left Malik/ Yami no Yugi said logically, keeping a firm hold on his calm. /The place you're looking for might have been destroyed./
"No!" Malik spat and suddenly glared fiercely at Yami Yugi. "It was not destroyed! It can't be destroyed!"
/Well, well, well…/ Yami no Malik interrupted excitedly, looking casually behind them. /Looks like we have a visitor./ The whole grouped turned around to see a dark skinned man, walking slowly towards them. Yami no Malik licked his dry lips, hands flexed and ready to attack.
"Save your energy," Yami no Bakura snapped darkly, stepping in front of him. Yami no Malik snarled at the white haired teen but conceded none the less. The figure came closer; his bald uncovered head was glistening in the dying sun.
"Who are you?" the man cried harshly. "Why have you trespassers come here?" Malik stepped forward proudly.
"I'm Malik Ishtar," he called determinedly, chin held high, platinum blonde hair ruffling in the dry desert breeze. "Before we tell you our business, I would like to know whom I am speaking to!" he commanded.
The man, only a few feet away, suddenly stopped at the mention of Malik's name. Yugi could see a line of scars on the left side of the guy's face; it looked like someone had carved letters into his skin.
"M-Malik?" the man spoke, in a much softer tone. "You are Malik-sama?" Malik's hands suddenly relaxed at his sides.
"Could it be… are you Rishido?" Malik asked hopefully, stepping forward. The man nodded, still slightly stunned. The others watched in shock as Malik suddenly ran towards him and tackled the large man with a violent hug. "Rishido!" the teenager cried, happily. "I can't believe it!"
"M-Malik-sama," the man cried grabbing the boy's face and examining it carefully. "Y-you've came back?" Hot thankful tears stung at the back of the man's eyes. "You've grown so much through these long years. Where is Ishizu-sama?" he questioned looking around at the other teenagers coming toward him. Malik's head bent gravely.
"S-she…" he muttered quietly. "Ne-san isn't coming, Rishido… She…" his voice failed.
/She's dead/ Yami no Malik sneered mildly, glaring at the man. /Ne-san died./ Rishido's dark yellow eyes spotted the darker side of Malik, standing ominously behind the rest. The man's expression clouded like an angry thunderstorm.
"You…" he said angrily. Yami no Malik smirked, nastily.
/What? No warm welcome for me, Rishido/ he mocked wickedly, pale eyes narrowing. Visible hatred flashed in the space between Yami no Malik and the older man. None the less, Rishido tore his gaze away from him turned to Malik questionably.
"This can not be true… Is Ishizu-sama really…?" he muttered, gravely. Malik looked away.
"It's true. Ne-san is dead… but I will explain everything later," he dismissed, finally letting go of his old friend. "Everyone, this is Rishido." Yugi stepped forward warmly and took the man's hand, Bakura Ryou standing nervously behind him.
"Nice to meet you," Yugi said.
"All friends of Malik-sama are welcome,"the mansaid warmly.
"Tell me, Rishido," Malik said after the introductions were complete. "What has happened to the entrance to your city? I'm sure I remembered it around here somewhere. It wasn't destroyed, was it?"
"Malik-sama," the man answered. "The entrance is on the other side of the town." The whole group turned like a ferocious pack of wolves on Malik.
"You mean we've been looking in the wrong place for over three hours!" Yami no Bakura screamed, dark eyes flashing murderously.
"Oh… oh yeah, that's right!" Malik exclaimed in realization. "Well, let's go there then!" He spun around, kicking up sand with his feet and turned towards the entrance's real location.
"Why do you want to go there, Malik-sama?" Rishido asked as the group began to move again.
"We need a place to stay the night. What better then my own village?" Malik said importantly.
"But no one lives in that city anymore…" Rishido said hesitantly. Malik's limbs froze, his purple eyes wide.
"You can't be serious!" Malik cried desperately, turning on his servant once again. "Why? Where have they gone!" He grabbed the front of Rishido's white robes in urgency, panic and confusion filling his face.
"Since your father, Ishtar-sama, died and you and Ishizu-sama left, the clan has had no leader. Eventually everyone gave up hope you would ever come back…"
Malik's face darkened, angry fists trembling. "Cowards…" he cursed. Everyone was silent. Ryou and Yugi watched Malik cautiously.
'In just two days,' Yugi thought sadly, glazing at his friend mournfully. 'Malik's lost everything, his sister and his family…'
"Come," Rishido comforted. "Let's not stand here… I have a place just at the edge of town where you all can stay."
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By the time the group of unwashed teenagers settled in at Rishido's small cramped, if you could call it, house, Yugi's stomach was growling quite loudly. Rishido's stony face twitched into a small smile and began to serve dinner. Yami no Malik, once again, disappeared into the darkness outside. The original Malik didn't talk much all through the making of the thin vegetable stew and sat in an isolated corner glaring angrily at the floor in deep thought. Ryou's glowing ghostly form joined him on the floor to keep him company but Malik pretended he wasn't there.
"Here." Rishido handed Yugi and Yami no Bakura bowls of the soup and set a bowl in front of Malik's feet. The younger Egyptian barely muttered a thankful grunt but made no move to pick it up. Yami no Bakura and Yugi ate furiously, emptying their bowls almost at the same time and handing them to Rishido to fill again. Malik picked at his soup without eating anything, pulling a long slimy mystery vegetable out of the brown liquid and glaring at it.
"Hey," Yami no Bakura called getting Rishido's attention. "Do you know anything about the temple of Kuru Eruna?" Yugi, Ryou and Yami no Yugi looked up surprised. Rishido's frame went rigid at this strange request and turned his questioning stare on the white haired boy.
"How do you know of that cursed temple?" he asked suspiciously. Yami no Bakura's eyes narrowed threateningly.
"Just answer the question," the dark soul ordered harshly. Rishido paused and then looked down at Malik, who made no sign that he was paying attention to the conversation at all.
"It is the secret of our clan," he said in a low voice. Malik's head suddenly shot up.
"What secret? I've never heard of this temple," he accused.
"You were too young at the time but the Tomb Guardians have been guarding the secret of its location for thousands of years."
/Thousands of years/ Yami no Yugi repeated seriously. /What is in this temple? What can you tell us about it/ he questioned urgently. Every soul in the room was now staring at the old Egyptian with intense interest.
"It is said that it holds a great power that only the chosen ones can grasp," he explained. Yami no Yugi shot angry look at dark Bakura, who shrugged in satisfaction.
Damn, it's just as Bakura said, Yami no Yugi cursed silently.
"But it is also said that the unworthy ones' souls will be consumed." Ryou and Yugi shivered. Yami no Bakura looked unmoved, even slightly bored. Had he heard this before? "Why do you seek this temple?" Rishido asked desperately to Malik, who had returned to his silent state.
"That's none of your business," Yami no Bakura sneered loftily. "But I should say that if you care for your master's well-being you will bring us to the location tomorrow." The dark soul stood up; bits of sand flicking off the black material off his over coat as he strode from the room.
"Malik-sama," Rishido continued cautiously, eyes narrowed in seriousness. "That temple is dangerous. Those that venture too far inside have never come out again. Horrible darkness is said to lingering in its depths." Malik remained silent as though he couldn't hear him. Then he suddenly stood up, eyes hardened and still staring at the floor.
"I'm going to bed," Malik announced and walked out of the room. Rishido looked after him; his face lined with worry.
/If you don't mind me asking/ Bakura Ryou said cautiously, looking up at the old Egyptian/Malik mentioned something about a hidden underground city a while back, is that where he grew up/ Rishido hesitated, looking down at Ryou gravely.
"Yes, that's where we all grew up. Malik-sama is from a tribe of grave keepers," Rishido began, settling himself down on a wooden stool. "I heard the tribe's lineage goes back all the way to the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. They were ordered to remain underground, away from modern civilization, to protect the secret of their ancestors until a certain time."
/What time/ Yami no Yugi questioned seriously. Rishido shrugged.
"I have no idea. I myself was not born into the tribe; these are only things that I have overheard. You see, Malik-sama's mother found me abandoned as a baby and took me in as a servant. I was ordered to watch over Ishizu-sama and Malik-sama until… that incident…" The man's voice died, his eyes were clouded with some dark memory.
"That incident?" Yugi prompted curiously. Rishido looked up.
"That ghost-like man who looks like Malik-sama, he is his other personality, is he not?" Rishido asked seriously, eyes suddenly cold.
/How did you know/ Yami no Yugi asked surprised. Rishido's expression darkened.
"I have seen him once before, six years ago. As I told you before, the members of the tribe were forbidden to make contact with the outside world but Malik-sama always begged Ishizu-sama to let him go up, out into the sun. One day Ishizu-sama finally gave in and while their father was sleeping Malik-sama and Ishizu-sama snuck up to the surface. But Ishtar-sama found out where his children had gone and when Malik-sama and Ishizu-sama returned he beat me within an inch of my life right in front of them and claimed he would torture them next, a punishment for breaking the clans sacred rules."
Ryou's eyes widened fearfully. /How awful/ he whispered.
"I lost consciousness soon afterward but when I awoke I saw Malik-sama standing over me with a bloody knife in his hands, a horrible twisted expression on his face," Rishido explained stiffly. "It was inhuman."
/His dark personality/ Yami no Yugi commented grimly.
"Yes. When his father had tried to beat Malik-sama, Malik-sama's other self came out and killed him. He would have killed Ishizu-sama and me as well if I hadn't woken up and stopped him…" Yami no Yugi and Yugi looked at each other and then forcefully looked away. Ryou stared at the floor, his wide brown eyes full of his own bloody past.
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/Do you think that man is right, about the temple consuming people's souls/ Bakura Ryou asked quietly to Yugi as the shorter teen lay out a woven mat Rishido had given him to sleep on.
"I don't know what to think," Yugi admitted shrugging, lying down on his bed and covering himself with a dirty linen sheet. "I just hope that by this time tomorrow, this will all be over." Ryou and Yami no Yugi both nodded in hopeful agreement.
/But I think its safe to say that we can not trust either of the other two darker halves. The other Malik is always disappearing and doing who knows what. And the other Bakura…/ Yami no Yugi looked out toward the next room where the white haired psychopath was sleeping /He hasn't been telling the whole truth from the start./
"Maybe he didn't know that temple was dangerous," Yugi suggested.
Yami Yugi looked at Yugi, eyes fixed in a disbelieving stare. /I doubt that./
/Even if it's dangerous, I would still go/ Ryou said truthfully. Yugi and his dark side turned to him, surprised at the sudden serious tone in his words. /If that temple has the power to put our souls back together then maybe there's something in there that explains why there are two halves of us in the first place/ Ryou murmured, brown eyes deepening in thought. /That's what I want to know most of all, where the darker halves came from…/ Ryou's gaze fell down to the floor, face darkening despite his glowing skin.
Yugi and his darker side went silent, staring at Ryou in amazement.
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Malik waited until the voices in the room next door finally stopped and night had fallen into deep impenetrable blackness outside. As smooth as liquid, he slipped out of his sheets and knelt down on the floor next to where Rishido slept. He grabbed a hold of the man's shoulder and shook him awake.
"Mali-" Rishido began but Malik silenced his servant with a harsh look then pulled him to the door leading outside. Very confused, the man followed, careful not to make any noise as they crept out the door and to the back of the house. "Malik-sama, what are we doing?" he hissed, voice barely above a whisper as they sunk further away from the house.
"Getting out of here," Malik answered. "We're leaving." The older Egyptian stopped bewildered.
"You're leaving your friends? But why? I don't understand," Rishido questioned urgently. They reached the small wooden shed at the back of the house and Malik shoved the large wooden doors open and entered.
"I'll explain later," Malik hissed revealing a motorbike under a ragged old cloth. He coughed at the particles of dust and sand, disturbed by his movement. "We just need to get out of here before anyone notices we're gone."
/And why is that/ a cold sharp voice spat from behind them. Rishido and Malik's heads snapped around to see Yami no Malik emerging from the shadows of the house, dangerous pale blonde spikes of hair casing distorted shadows on the sandy ground. /Going somewhere, weaker half/ he snarled deathly, pale pupil-less eyes wide.
Rishido stepped in front of his master protectively, eyes daring the dark spirit to come closer. Malik impulsively stepped backwards towards the motorbike, already starting to tremble.
/Is this another attempt to escape your fate/ Yami no Malik was deadly serious, it was scary. Even Rishido could feel the overwhelming pressure coming off his body. /That's my body, weak personality, you're not taking it anywhere/
"You can try to stop me!" Malik snarled hatefully, still shaking like mad. Yami no Malik took a threatening step forward. Malik flinched and Rishido moved in front of him again.
/Get out the way, servant/ Yami no Malik spat. /Or I will kill you./
"Well now, what's all this?" a lazy voice spoke. All three people turned and saw Yami no Bakura standing coolly behind them, white hair glowing eerily in the faint moonlight.
"Bakura-kun!" Malik exclaimed in relief. Yami no Malik looked even more pissed.
/This is none of your business/ he growled irritably, glaring at the newcomer.
"Oh is it?" Yami no Bakura questioned mildly. "Would you excuse us for a moment?" he ordered, turning to Rishido. "I promise nothing will happen to your master." The man looked unsatisfied, looking between both the darker halves distrustfully.
"Its okay, Rishido," Malik said. "Go get us some food and supplies from the kitchen." Rishido hesitated but faithfully followed orders and went into the house.
"So, you're running away, Malik?" Yami no Bakura asked mildly, now that they were alone.
"Yes, and nothing you can say can stop me," Malik spat stubbornly. Yami no Malik stepped forward again, white eyes so furious they were almost homicidal.
/What wrong? Don't want to join with me again/ Yami no Malik snarled. /I can see you at night, weaker half, curled up into a ball, shivering like a wounded animal! Are you afraid to go to sleep because you can't get rid of your nightmares of me/ he taunted sickeningly, a cruel evil grinned stretching his thin lip-less mouth.
"Shut up!" Malik cried fiercely, backing away. "I hate you! I hope you die!" Yami no Malik lunged forward but Yami no Bakura put out a hand to stop him.
"Let me handle this," Yami no Bakura hissed to the other dark soul and then turned to Malik. To Malik's surprise Yami no Bakura's face twisted angrily and he took hold of the front of Malik's shirt, bringing the Egyptian's face right up to his own threateningly.
"Bakura! What are you doing?" Malik cried. He had thought Yami no Bakura had come out to protect him from Yami no Malik.
"How dare you be so selfish! I expected better from you Malik!" Yami no Bakura spat threatening, white teeth dangerously close to Malik's face. "Didn't you know? All six souls must enter the temple for the power to be given! If you do not come to the temple tomorrow then none of us get to join with our other halves!" Malik's purple eyes widened.
"You're lying! I don't believe you!" he snapped, starting to struggle. "Let me go!"
"If you leave, yadonushi and Yugi's darker side will disappear from existence, and believe me Malik, that's a thousand times worse than actual dying," he sneered, voice lethal, white hair glowing in the moonlight like knife blades. "Do you really want to be responsible for that?"
"No, you're lying… you have to be!" Malik repeated helplessly. Yami no Bakura grinned, seeing despair fill Malik's blank eyes. He tossed Malik to the ground where the Egyptian landed in a crumpled heap.
"I'm sure your darker side won't be so nice if you try to leave again," Yami no Bakura threatened turning away and leaving Malik broken on the ground. His dark brown eyes caught Yami no Malik's skeptically stare and distasteful scowl. Yami no Bakura smirked cruelly. "Your welcome," Yami no Bakura taunted the other darker half smugly and then walked coolly back to his room. Yami no Malik glared suspiciously at the back of Yami no Bakura's head before the other dark soul disappeared back into the house. Yami no Malik looked down at his weaker half one last time, scoffed and then left, turning back to the protection of the shadows.
An empty hole of despair was filling Malik's body, eating away at his insides.
"Dammit!" Malik screamed angrily, frustrated tears were hanging in the corners of his eyes. He pounded the sand with his fist, dull pain shooting up his arm.
'I could leave, if I really wanted to.' The thought echoed dully in his hollow brain. The knowledge that his motorcycle was only a few feet away tempted him. He glanced hopelessly towards the shed. 'I could be free. It would be so easy… but I… I…'
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The next day dawned pale and sickly. As Yugi pulled himself up from his slumber he could feel a heavy unmistakable tension hanging in the air. At breakfast, Malik looked like a zombie, dark circles under his dim purple eyes. No matter how much Ryou and Yugi tried to cheer him up, Malik would not move. Yami no Malik joined the group for breakfast that day, standing ominously in the opposite corner, glaring angrily at his lighter half across the room, pale dead eyes narrowed threateningly. Rishido watched the dark spirit's movements suspiciously, making sure he stayed directly in between Yami no Malik and his master.
Yugi and his darker side observed it all, slightly confused.
Did something happen while I was asleep? Yugi asked, looking curiously up at his darker half. Yami no Yugi shrugged and blew a stray ghostly strand of golden hair from in front his red eyes.
I don't know, but I saw Yami no Bakura come in from outside really late last night. Then that Rishido guy carried Malik back in, he answered.
Yugi turned his gaze over to Yami no Bakura puzzled, but the white haired demon pretended he didn't notice anything and continued to wolf down his slim breakfast of stale bread and dried fruit. Ryou looked across the room towards his dark side then to Yugi, the same question lingering in his eyes. Yugi shrugged and finished his own breakfast. Uncomfortable silence filled the mud brick house. Then finally Yami no Bakura stood up, sharp eyes sweeping the room harshly.
"Let's get going," he ordered clearly, moving toward the door. His dark eyes landed on Rishido. "You'll be showing us to that secret temple of yours now."
Bakura seems to be in a rush, Yugi thought standing up as well. Across the room Ryou helped the limp Malik to his feet. Everyone slowly headed toward the door and into Rishido's car in shed behind his cramped house.
The ride over to the temple was even more unbearable than that morning's breakfast had been. They were cramped into smaller space, Malik sitting up front, removed from the others, Ryou's transparent body sitting in the empty space between Malik's seat and Rishido's, who was driving. Yami no Bakura, Yugi and Yami no Yugi sat on the back bench, Yami no Malik in the space behind their three person seat.
They took a ferry across the Nile river and then drove for another three hours, no one saying a word. Yugi, Ryou and Yami no Yugi, exchanged glances every once in a while but didn't say anything. Yami no Bakura's eyes were fixed out the window, desert countryside slowly changing more and more wild as they continued.
Finally after several long hours, a small town appeared at the edge of the horizon. Rishido finally stopped the car at the edge of it.
"This is it," he said as they filed slowly out of the car. "The tomb robber village of Kuru Eruna." Yugi looked around at and run-down town. Buildings were falling apart and there were hardly any people to be seen, except for an occasional glassy eye peering out of dark alleys, half closed doors or windows. "We'd better stick together," Rishido advised cautiously. "They are many dangerous people still living in this village."
/Why would there be a secret temple be in the middle of a thief town/ Ryou asked the man curiously as they began to walk.
"In ancient times the very rumor of this place kept most people away so it became a haven for outlaws and criminals," the old Egyptian explained. "But many of the people living in the village eventually went insane. That is the horrible curse of this temple, it eats your soul." Ryou wrapped his arms around his shoulders as though he could already feel his soul slowly being dissolved away.
Rishido stopped at a small stone house in the center of the town. It looked pretty ordinary, almost exactly the same as the building next to it.
"This is the place that you seek," he said pointing to the stone building.
"It doesn't look like a temple," Yugi observed. He had imagined something large and scary looking with all this talk of soul eating and powers of darkness.
"It's underground," Rishido explained. "The entrance to the temple is inside the house." The man made a motion for them to go inside. Yami no Bakura grunted and walked in, Yami no Malik following behind him.
/Aren't you coming/ Yami Yugi asked the old Egyptian. Rishido shook his head.
"Only the chosen ones are allowed inside the temple," he answered. His golden green eyes fell on Malik as he turned to leave. The younger Egyptian's horrified gaze was fixed on the building, his legs paralyzed with fear.
'If I go in there,' Malik thought desperately. 'If I go in there… I'll never be free from my darker side again…'
/Malik-kun/ Ryou asked as he and Yugi were about to enter the building. /Lets go/ he said, oblivious to Malik's dire situation. Malik hesitated, hands trembling.
"Its okay, Malik-kun," Yugi encouraged cheerfully, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Even if this temple is dangerous if we stick together it will be okay." In the shadows, Yami no Malik watched his light closely with pale sickly eyes. Yami no Bakura's mouth curled into a smirk.
'Idiots, he's not afraid of entering the temple,' Yami no Bakura mocked silently. But there was nothing for him to worry about; after all, Malik couldn't very well abandon them now.
Malik, his voice failing him, nodded his head weakly. Then, stepping forward and swallowing hard on the sick feeling bubbling up in his throat, he followed Yugi and Ryou into the house.
"I'll wait for you by the car," Rishido called after them and turned away, not expecting an answer. The group was all gathered inside the small stone building and then took one last look at the outside world before disappearing under the ground.
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Dun, dun, dun. (dramatic music)
That was long. More time to feel sorry for poor little Malik. (cries)
Yeah… Yugi's shoulder seems to attract people, first Malik then Yami no Bakura. And why do they both drool? Why? (deep thoughts)
Haha... Valon, Baron? I crack myself up.
Ryou's line, that one about wanting to know where the darker halves came from, is a morphed version from a line in the manga where he says, "I have to find out the mystery of the sennen items. What are they? Where did they come from?" See! He's useful! He has a purpose! Really, he does!
Next Chapter: They enter the temple (duh). Everything looks kinda ordinary then... BAM! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! What's this? Swords? Knives? Glaves? WHY?
Reviewing is good! Why, you ask? Reviews make author happy. If author is happy then story gets better and the author updates. So logically one can conclude…
REVIEW!
PLEASE REVIEW!
REVIEW LIKE YOUR LIVES DEPEND ON IT!