Disclaimer: YuGiOh and its characters do not, never have, and never will belong to me. The only things I own are the setting for this story and the OCs. Which there won't be many of. (If there are any at all)

Oh, and watch out for shounen-ai hints.

Possible. Not definite, but possible, pairings include (with characters at the moment) BxR, Mx?x?x? ('?' get filled in later, when the characters make it into the story.)

Ummm… Nothing real new to say this time. Just that this will be the last update until December (most likely)

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Italics – thoughts

Line -- - POV change

Freedom Through Inferno:

"…and then, the kitty boy grabbed the vine and tied it to the tree! On two legs! And," he cleared his throat importantly. "I got him to speak! He…wait, he's not supposed to speak, is he?"

"No, no It's not."

Dead silence fell as all parties stiffened with various emotion and three pairs of eyes riveted themselves on the mortified youngling in their midst.

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Chapter 6: Secrets and Lies

"That is impossible."

"No! Kitty-boy spoke! He said 'what'!"

Bakura watched the quarrel with bemusement. The doctor was already getting his breath back, not surprising considering he had been balancing on a ledge using Bakura to balance.

He was resting while I was clinging to the cliff like an over sized spider...supporting both our weights. With a mental grumble, the albino settled back to watch the scientist defend his specimen and observations in the face of Marik's claim. Most men were like that, defending their own theory vehemently in front of others when, if the nuance had been found in private, the out dated belief would have been discarded and the new adopted without a second thought. Was it possible the Thing could talk?

It certainly looks capable, but it's just a beast! Speech implies greater intelligence, a trait the Cat does NOT have. Unless…maybe he's like a parrot, a creature with no great mental capacity but the physical equipment and short term memory to mimic words. (1) Yeah, I'll bet that's it.

Shaken ideology restored, Bakura decided the fight had gone on long enough.

"Marik, the ability to form words does not make something intelligent."

"But Kura!"

"Listen to your accomplice, Oaf. Even he is smarter then you. Of course, if he truly had brains, he wouldn't believe a single word you say, the way I do. I'm going to find my glasses. Try to fall off the cliff while I'm gone."

"YOU-"

He left.

"Kura, I don't think I'm going to be able to not kill him."

"If we're not there within a day, I'll help you. Now," still seated on the ground, he looked up at Marik. "What really happened?"

Oh…badbadbadbadbadbaaaad…

Reluctantly, Ryou followed his maker on all fours. Hopefully, the man would dismiss Marik's claim as the ramblings of a nutcase; in fact, that's what he'd probably do. But there were other factors at work.

I cooperated with him. How could I have been so stupid? AGAIN? I'm supposed to obey Father and only Father, but I couldn't just stay at camp and let them die! Maybe he'll realize that. The hope was bright, but tainted. However, if he realizes that, he'll be forced to accept the fact that I'm capable of higher brain functions.

"How dare he?"

Huh?

Ryou hadn't even noticed the man on the other side of his leash was talking.

"How dare that simple minded pawn try to tell me about my own specimen? I've been raising the brat for years while he's known It for two days! No, the claim is completely false, probably just a hallucination brought about through schizophrenia or some other mental illness. God, it would be just my luck if those mongrels sent to pick me up were diseased, it would definitely be KC's style. (2) Decrepit establishment, I'm glad I quit for the Boss. He's much more effective. More funding too; hell, they actually managed to force my babbling former compatriots out! Pfeh, stupid idiots were always babbling about honor and friendship. And morals. Who needs morals in genetic engineering?"

He stopped abruptly, but Ryou did not bang into him. This monologue was much too interesting to doze off during.

"Idiots, their ideas were even more insane then the psycho's! Training for the arts? Human souls? Especially the two look alikes; Yami always had a soft spot for his subject, half the time he refused the beat the little monster for being disobedient."

Resuming his pacing, the doctor began to introspect silently, leaving a frustrated and curious Ryou walking next to him.

He works for a different company? But that's not what he told the others! Was he talking about Malik and Yugi? Yugi's maker was named Yami, but it might just be a coincidence. I really want to know… Delicate fangs bit on thin lips and drew in a short whisker for Ryou to suck in agitation. It was a childish habit, like chewing one's fingernails, but one he hadn't been able to break. I shouldn't do this, but I REALLY want to know. And what's the worst that could happen? Getting beaten? He already found out I can talk and dismissed it…Well, I might as well try. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back. (3).

Determined, the youth spat out the whisker and rose to two legs, nudging the man lightly in the shoulder to get his attention. With bated breath, he pulled back.

"What? Oh, you. Wait…" The eyes narrowed dangerous and Ryou began to sink back down. Uh-oh, looks like I'll never get to that 'satisfaction' part.

The very last thing he expected was a laugh.

Low, sinister, and downright spine-tingling, it was a sound the boy had never before had the bad luck to hear. The situation was made that much worse because of its unknown reason.

"Well, well, well; I was wondering when they'd answer."

What?

"You see Ryou; I was not unsuspecting of the attack the other night. I took…precautions…when I found out and it would appear," he reached out to grip the leather band around the neko's neck and…study it? "One of them has finally caught up. Now we'll see how those amateur assassins deal with real professionals."

Confused and scared, Ryou trailed after the man back to camp. He knew why the collar had been inspected; last night, it had started making funny buzzing noises and a small light had lit up on the panel. He had been too tired to realize it at the time (he'd curled up against Bakura and gone back to sleep) but now it was a terrifying and glaring truth.

They had been found, and not by good people.

By the people who had taken Yugi and Malik away.

Marik had spent the last ten minutes explaining, in great detail, to Bakura how the cat boy had acted and how it was impossible for him to be unintelligent. He'd also dressed the albino's wounds. The blonde had been relieved to find that, although painful, they were not serious.

"Well, I guess it's possible Marik. But I'm not going to really believe it until I see it."

Easier said then done. Especially while the youth wasn't there.

"Where'd the bastard take the kitty?"

Bakura couldn't help smirking at the new nick name, it suited much better then 'Doc'. "I don't know, but so help me, if he tried to run away-."

"I'd be able to do it with both hands tied behind my back."

Oh joy, he was back, with a painfully confused follower.

"Try it and die. We're leaving. NOW!"

"Sure."

Whoa, hold it. Suspicion kept Bakura from moving for several moments. Conspiratorial smirk, crafty glint, scared pet…something was up.

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing." The smirk grew wider. Geez, he looked like a shark.

"Fine. Marik, take rear guard. And keep an eye on him."

Last time, it had been for fun (and sanity) but this was serious.

"Alright Kura." Marik knew it as well.

Just one more day at the most and he's not our problem any more. Whatever he's got planned will not take affect before then. At least, it had better not.

"Was this here before?"

"Yes, but we were driving on it."

"No, I mean THAT."

"No, it wasn't."

"Cuz it looks…not right."

"I know. It doesn't belong there."

They had found the first sign of civilization: a road! A one-lane dirt road, granted, bordered by deep ditches and strange jagged pieces dark material, but a road nonetheless.

With a car sitting in the very middle.

A new, black car with what looked like leather interior, a DVD player, monster wheels, and Hummer-like body.(4) It was an odd combination, but very attractive, almost as if the car had been doctored to fit the two men's personal desires.

Can you say suspicious?

"But we need the car."

"And yours was destroyed."

"It's a sweet ride."

"Not a motorcycle, but it'll do."

Can you say greed?

"Should we go for it, Kura?"

"I think the good Doctor should go first."

"Who's that?"

"Your," –snicker- "'bastard', Marik."

"HEY!"

"Good idea!"

"WHAT?"

"Unless you're scared Doc? Or maybe you know something you're not telling?"

Under the near maniacal crimson glare, the older man caved. As the other two remained hidden in the bushes watching closely, he struggled to cross the ditch. (Ryou made it in one leap) and slunk reluctantly across the road.

Marik and Bakura crossed as soon as he reached the half way mark, drawing out of the shadows to dart across fluidly. Neither drew their weapons; if there was someone in there, they could just as easily be taken down by hand. Oddly neither paused to banter or comment on the car; there was something wrong about the entire situation.

"Great, we're here, now what?"

"Shaddup, Doc."

"Kura look!"

Tension seeped away as Marik checked the car, going over possible dangers and traps as well as its high points. Finishing his inspection of the cab fairly quickly, he climbed into the bed to peer under the seat.

"NOW!"

Two sharp cracks rang from nearby, unexpected and unwelcome.

Two bodies slumped over instantly, thought processes running on exactly the same track.

Damn…gunshots…Bastard…He set us up.

But who helped?

Didn't see, didn't hear…

"No! Ryou, sit!"

The landscape faded to black.

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Cliffy….

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Nope

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It's bright. Why is it so bright? Raising a hand to cover his eyes, Bakura realized two things. One, his hand wasn't moving despite the mental command; two, he was lying flat on some sort of cold metal.

"This one's awake."

"About time, I was ready to just dump them in the ditch and hope the fall would break their necks."

The voices moved away, confusing the immobilized assassin even more. Focus, just focus. There will be plenty of time to remember what happened later. For now, I just need to relax and sort out where I am…

Focused on his task, Bakura didn't even notice the eyes watching his every movement.

Ryou was miserable.

He hadn't liked being dragged around on a leash all day, but at least he'd been around nature and out of the only alternative: a cage. Like the one he was sitting in right now.

While the arsonists had been checking out the car, Father was watching the trees carefully. Ryou didn't know why, but when the man had shouted and gunshots rang out, he'd understood.

Backup was hiding in the trees, using the car as bait.

The targets fell to tranquilizer darts as Father held Ryou back and commanded him to stay away. When no less then ten men emerged from the forest carrying weaponry, restraints, and a large animal carrier, Ryou had been very surprised. Even his keen nose had failed to pick up their scent.

Out of the full number, seven were needed to force him, flailing and yowling, into the container, then up onto the car and not a one escaped without a scratch or bite.

A vague mumble attracted attention nearby, Bakura was waking up. He'd been bound securely with the restraints and left in the open back of the car along with Ryou's cage and Marik's unconscious form.

I can't help him; I can't even get near him! I wonder what he remembers? And, actually, what he knows; sooner or later, I'm going to have to tell them what I found out. Maybe the knowledge will mean something to him.

Taking in his surroundings, Bakura quickly remembered what happened and whose fault it was

"Damn Bastard."

Where's Marik? Oh, there he is, still unconscious. Oh well, he's got a thick hide, he'll be fine. What's with this dog cage thing? Must be a hulkin' giant dog, the cage is 3 ft tall and four long! Guard dog? We're screwed if it is. Maybe it's empty? I can't hear anything…An unhappy whimper emanated from the object of scrutiny and mournful emerald eyes peered through air holes set in the side of the box.

"The cat? But that bastard always keeps his pet with him-."

"Up and over! Hey prisoner, duck! Or lose your head, I really don't care."

"Huh? Oof!"

Mocking laughter sounded outside the suddenly covered truck compartment. The SWAT team (they probably weren't actually soldiers, but they sure looked like them) had thrown a tarp over the entire thing, blocking out every last glimmer of sunlight. It was understandable, but still enough to make Bakura's blood boil.

"Goddam FuCkIn ASSHOLES! YA HEAR ME! I'LL RIP YOU TO SHREDS WHEN I GET OUT OF HERE! SEE IF I DON'T! YOU-!

"Please stop."

"DAMN- huh?"

"Please, it hurts my ears."

Where's that voice coming from? No soldier would sound so innocent or quiet. Or sad. Who would be sad?

The crimson gaze turned instantly to look at the kneeling figure confined less then a foot away. No, impossible…

"Was that…you?"

Silence for a long moment as It shifted around uncomfortably and almost nervously.

"Cat. Answer." The growl brought a cringe and the youth stopped moving.

"NOW!"

"I…yes. It was me."

"Well I'll be damned. Marik was right."

The scared blink given in response was the last communication the two were allowed; two armed soldiers climbed into the bed with them, lifting up the tarp for admittance. The guns, noticeably not tranquilizers this time, were quickly targeted on Bakura and the still unconscious Marik.

"Where the hell are you taking us?"

A cruel laugh was the only answer received as the car started and set off, the sound of another following, presumably carrying the rest of the soldiers and the scientist.

Enhanced green eyes observed the guards closely, fearfully. Their outfits, weapons, even headwear were exactly the same. In fact, the only unique aspect to either were their dog tags; each inscribed with an ornate 'P' followed by the individual's name.

The first read 'Croquet', the second: 'Keith'.

TBC.

End Chapter six.

(1) Honestly, I have no idea what parrots are like, how smart they are, or anything. They were just the only well know animal that I could think of with the capability to talk.

(2) KC: the company he used to work for. See chapter 2 for explanations.

(3) Yes, this IS the second part of the saying. Or at least, as I have heard it.

(4) Type of car. Don't own.

Oh, and if you want me to switch standard US measures to metric for you, just PM me or review and ask.

heheheheh, I"ll bet you weren't expecing THAT twist. XD

I absolutely love cliffys

Thank you for reading.

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Thank you: Ilikeyaoi, Ayamari, redconvoy, Thunderstorm101 for reviewing the last chapter.

Seeya later!