Disclaimer: I don't, never have, never will, own YuGiOh. But I do own this setting and the species. So yeah, don't steal, k? Thanks. Oh, and watch out for language; there are a couple strong words.

Reviews last chapter SUCKED.

MAJORLY.

It might be because ffnet was stupid and screwed up the amount per chapter when it deleted my info chapter but still…

Mrgh.

I'd really like to thank the two of you that did review though.

Thanks a lot.

And….well….everyone who didn't, remember what I said.

Reviews inspire and make me want to continue, without reviews the chapters will come seldom and be of poor quality.

Sorry if the characters are a little out of character.

Again, if you review, I'll send you a free preview summary of the next chapter!

Italics mean thoughts

>arrows> mean mind speech between Yugi, Malik, and Ryou

Bold means….other stuff.

Confined Anomalies: Chapter 6

That Night

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"Mmph." Bakura yawned widely, not bothering to cover his mouth or keep quiet. "Yami' stup'd. Why's 'e not 'ere?" (1)

Bakura had been chosen second for watch duty and was sitting in the dark on a hard wooden chair in between the kitchen and living room. The niche he was using to conceal himself was on the kitchen side of the wall but gave him a full view of the rest of the living space. When his eyes were open, that is.

At the moment they were stubbornly closed and he was in a state of denial over the possible success of Yami's plan.

It's not like anyone smart enough to break our security system would be stupid enough to come to the same house twice, especially on consecutive nights. And why'd I have to be second? I was dreaming when Yami woke me up! Lousy bastard. Now I've got to stay here for three hours before waking Marik, the human brick, to take my place!

"Huh, ya know what? Not gonna happen." Staggering almost drunkenly, the young man made his way into the living room, collapsing on the semi-clean couch upon arrival.

I'll rest my eyes for a while and keep watch from here, just in case he was right. I should just go back to sleep.

>Guys, there's someone in there.> Yugi quivered like a leaf, pressing himself against the hallway wall to stay out of sight. As the darkest colored (wing wise) and smallest of the three, he'd been sent ahead as a scout of sorts.

>Are you alright?> Ryou sounded concerned.

>Y-yeah. I think he's asleep.>

>Like we should be?>

>Malik, this was practically your idea!>

>That was before I knew Yugi's owner wouldn't return for so long.>

>You didn't need to come.>

>Like hell I didn't! I'm not going to leave you two undefended in a human dwelling! I had to come to protect you!>

>We're capable of protecting ourselves. > But Ryou's soft mental voice was warm and he was obviously grateful and touched by Malik's care and thought.

>Yeah, well, both of you are more likely to hide then transform and fight so…> Malik sounded slightly defensive. He was too much of a 'tough guy' to come right out and admit to having a soft spot.

>Guys?>

>Did he wake up?>

>No, or at least I don't think so, but could you come look? I think the human is Ryou's owner.>

>Mine? What's he doing out here?> cautiously, Ryou crept forward several steps to Yugi's position, keeping his pale wings (which almost seemed to be glowing in the dark) as far back as possible, hopefully out of sight.

>I see him. He's asleep alright.>

>But he's there, in our way. What if he wakes up while we're crossing the room? Should we play it safe and just go back to sleep without food?>

>It might be for the best.>

>RA, sometimes you two work my last nerve! If he's asleep, we just need to fly past him!>

>Malik, don't you dare!>

Malik took off, jumping easily into the air and beating his wings a few times to gain balance before flying quickly through the room to the kitchen doorway. He even went so far as to swoop low while over Bakura, all but tickling his nose with his pinfeathers.

>Malik, be careful!>

>Don't get that close!>

>No! Look out!>

>Heh, see? Nothing to it!> He landed on a kitchen counter with a flourish, extending his wings and bowing like an actor on a stage. >Now it's your guys' turn.>

>But-.>

>No buts Yugi! I know you like staying safe and don't want to compromise our position, but I also know you're starving. Plus, I'm over here all by myself. I know you guys; you won't leave me all alone to fend for myself and I'm not going to return until both of you are full. Yugi, you come first.>

>I-ah-alright.> With a hesitant glance at the giant form on the couch, Yugi flapped his wings just enough to lift an inch off the floor and flew quickly but awkwardly to the kitchen, landing on the floor under Malik.

>Are you alright Yugi?>

>Yeah, thanks Malik. Ryou, are you coming over?>

>I don't really have a choice now, do I?>

>Nope!>

>No, not really.>

>Hm. Well, I'm not going to fly. My wings will stir up too much air.>

>Aw come on!>

>No. I'll walk. It'll take a while but be much safer.>

>Maybe you should transform.> Yugi sounded slightly hesitant.

>Why?>

>It wouldn't take as long and you don't look like you're glowing when you don't have wings.>

>But my clothes are white.>

>Nah, Yugi's right. Your clothes don't glow nearly as much as your wings. Probably cuz they're not magical.>

>B-but…I'll be BIG. What if he wakes up? He'll see me for sure!>

>He didn't for either of us.>

>Weeeelllll…okay. But I'm not going to be able to talk once I've transformed. There's no way I'm going to talk out loud while my owner is asleep so nearby.>

>Alright.>

>Not like it'll take you very long. You'll be here in three steps.>

>I hope so.>

He concentrated for a few seconds and almost instantly felt his bones and muscles stretching and growing as his wings shrunk, the magical power stored within being used to power the transformation.

The soft glow of magic faded as the procedure finished and Ryou peered around the room again, taking stock of the now considerably smaller looking threats as well as his goal.

Well, here goes nothing.

He took a deep breath and inched forward, using small steps so as not to trip on the clutter Malik had left scattered that afternoon. So focused was he on the mission and on staying quiet that he did not notice Bakura's sudden rigidity and quick breathing until too late.

>>RYOU! LOOK OUT!>>

Wha-?

"GOTCHA!"

"AHHHH!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his scalp as someone grabbed his hair from behind and yanked. HARD.

"Looks like Yami was right."

Bakura's foot smashed into the back of his captive's leg, making Ryou collapse to his knees with a whimper. Oh this is not good.

"The thief always returns to the scene of the crime. But only-" the voice moved closer until warm breath ghosted mockingly down his neck, making him tremble. "-really stupid thieves do it the night after."

"Leave him alone!"

Oh no…

-WHOOSH!-

"THE HELL? MARIK?"

Malik?

"How DARE you confuse me with him!"

"What? You're not…HOLY CRAP!"

The rough hands quickly released and Ryou turned slightly in order to watch his owner begin to chant and move his hands in a defensive spell pattern.

Defensive? And that sound from before sounded like Malik's magic… that meant…

"MALIK, NO! NO FIREBALLS IN-."

-FWOOM!-

"Take that!"

"Who the hell ARE you?"

"-DOORS! Dammit."

Bakura had been resting peacefully, minding his own business, when the first floorboard creaked. He'd become alert but not bothered enough to open his eyes, it was probably just an errant night sound.

The second and third creaks were what forced him to open his eyes and take in the little he could see of the ethereal looking visitor.

Who had long silvery white hair that looked like an exact match to the strands Marik had found on his bed.

He'd waited for an opening and found it quickly when the person passed the couch. In five easy seconds, he'd used a couple-rather painful- techniques to pin the robber and announce his victory.

That was when all hell broke loose.

A person who looked like Marik came screaming out of the kitchen throwing fireballs.

It's safe to assume these are the people we're looking for.

Another fireball glanced off his hastily made shield and hit the wall.

"Malik, knock it off!" the captive was escaping!

"YOU stay there. YOU…who ARE you?"

"Wouldn't YOU like to know?"

"Nah, on second thought it doesn't really matter. I know all I need to. You two are the burglars from yesterday."

"Burglars?" temporarily, the person stopped creating fireballs, throwing the room into darkness made intense by the sudden lack of light.

"Why do you think we're burglars?"

The voice was calm, if nervous, and came from somewhere near Bakura's feet so he guessed it was the person he'd jumped. A young boy if the inflection and tone meant anything. Oddly enough he seemed to be obeying the command not to move.

"Hah! As if you don't know! Both of you returned to the scene of the crime!"

"Well, we really don't know and we didn't 'return' anywhere, we've been here all day." The new voice was sarcastic and belligerent, most likely belonging to the fireball thrower.

"Malik!" the other robber sounded surprisingly reproachful.

They were here? "You were here? Where?"

"Why should we tell you?"

Bakura rolled his eyes. Apparently the stranger had more in common with Marik than just looks.

"Well if you want to be childish about it…"

"Kura?" a light flickered on, blinding all present. "What's going on? I could hear you all the way down the hallway, you woke me up. Is it my turn yet?"

"No." Bakura blinked at him, vaguely amused. His eyes were still closed. "Where's Yami? His plan worked."

"That's nice."

"Did you even hear me?"

Bakura was very conscious of the two robbers watching the conversation.

"I'm going back to bed now."

"No! Marik, either go get Yami or hold onto one of them!"

Sleepily, Marik squinted an eye open but it did not focus on Bakura; it found its way several feet past to the uncomfortable looking Malik in the kitchen doorway.

"Pretty?" he advanced a few steps, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. Malik swallowed but held his ground, pretending to be clueless. "Why is he big?"

"What are you talking about?" Bakura turned to look and for the first time examine the fire thrower in the light. He looked almost exactly like Marik, or the fairy creature, but that was not the strangest thing. Strangest was the fact that his clothes exactly matched those the fairy had been wearing when it went missing. "That's weird."

He looked down at his own captive and his eyes widened. Marik's double was possibly a coincidence or hallucination, both men were still tired and Bakura hadn't seen the fairy creature up close, but this! This could not be dismissed.

The boy kneeling with his back to him had snowy white hair the same color as Bakura's but longer. His body was slim, his skin was pale, and his clothes exactly matched those Bakura's pale pet had been wearing when he'd last been seen. The boy looked like the fairy in every way but size.

"That's impossible…"

Chocolate eyes snapped up and around back to meet his own at the exhalation and nervousness crossed the boy's fair face.

"W-well, we're very sorry to have disturbed you and I'm sure we should probably be leaving now so you two can get back to bed." Ryou blushed and stumbled upright, turning and backing away from Bakura towards his friend.

The tomb robber shared an amused glance with his companion before slowly edging around, forcing his double away from the kitchen doorway and front door and closer to an enclosed corner of the room. He was mirrored by Marik's actions with Malik.

"How'd pretty get big?"

"Would you stop CALLING me that?"

Stop? That's a confession if ever I heard one. These two are definitely our missing fairies.

"But you're pretty!"

"Grrr…." A slight change in room temperature was all the warning they got. "Eat this!"

-FWOOM!-

Only Marik's quick reflexes kept him out of the fireball's path.

"Malik, lay off the fire!"

As Ryou turned and Malik's attention wavered at the comment, the other two made their move.

"NOW!"

They swept forward, taking the robbers by surprise. Bakura grabbed his double by the wrists and slammed him harshly to the floor, pinning him in the blink of an eye.

"Gotcha again."

"OW! GET OFF!"

"Nope! Pretty belongs to Marik!"

Bakura glanced over during his struggle to see Marik pinning the other boy to the wall with sheer brute force and holding his wrists in a vice like grip at his sides.

An upright version of what Ryou was going through on the floor.

Shaking his head with a smile, he turned back to his prisoner.

"Now then." The human's voice lowered to a dangerous purr. He leant over and peered directly into frightened mahogany. "I'm sure you two have a fascinating story."

The boy fidgeted slightly but didn't say a word.

The malice grew in Bakura's eyes as he tightened his hold and shifted more weight onto the captive. He would not take no for an answer.

"Ryou! Leave him alone you bastard!"

"Pretty's being violent." The yells ended abruptly and another glance in Marik's direction revealed that the boy was being gagged with a torn strip from his double's pajamas.

Bakura smirked and leaned down even farther, pressing his nose to that of the captive and making him as nervous as he could, all the while keeping pressure on the wrists.

"Who and what are you?"

TBC?

REVIEW!

(1) He's talking while he's yawning and sleepy so the words are muddled and slurred.
This chapter….

Well, I can't decide if I liked it or not.

Let's leave it at that.

Oh, and there is a reason neither Yugi nor Yami got involved in the fight, it'll be seen next chapter.

Not allowed to answer reviews here anymore, but I can PM you if you sign in! And, I can send free preview summaries if you review! So, now that there is a REWARD, maybe I'll get more ppl!

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