Author's Note

Yes, yes, I know I should be updating my other fics but I dun wanna right now. I will update the "rulebook" as soon school gets out maybe. There are lots of things I need to do including make two fanlistings (like at thefanlistings.net) for Yami Bakura VS Yami Yuugi and Thief Bakura vs. Pharaoh Atemu and I have till June 17 to do so!! Not alot of time, ne?

Chapter Five - Meeting Maaliki
I should really figure out where I am now. If I breathe in much more of this perfume I think I'm going to faint... I curl myself out of the ball I had formed and stretch out facing the ceiling. I raise my legs up, yawn like the ditzy eight trade years old I am, and bring my legs down quickly enough to plant my feet down and stand up. This time, however, the dizziness didn't hit me like a wave of nausea. I prop myself against a wall anyways.

I make my way towards an tall arched doorway into another room adored with more gold. There's a stair case, but... It would seem as though I won't be going down it. The blond haired boy that I remember is outside on bench looking out. I make my way towards him and I'm amazed at what a big porch they have. Big upstairs porches expensive to get and difficult to build out of mud brick... But then again, what was I expected? With all the gold and pillows and perfumes of course they'd have enough money for some expensive house.

Who WERE these people?

As I neared the blond boy he turned his head. "Oh hello, I'm glad to see you're awake."

He leapt up from his spot of the porch-ledge thing and came over.

"I'm Maaliki Ishtal. I was down by myself at the river and you sort of fainted at my feet all dazed like so I decided to bring you home. Father's already seen you, sorry to say he thinks you're dirtier than a rat..."

My eyes narrowed.

"No offense or anything." He kept talking. Smart move.

"-All it means is that I'll just have to get you cleaned up before I send you back wherever you're from."

I blinked and my expression probably showed my annoyance. He talked a lot. So I decided to speak just so long as he'd shut up. "I'm not from anywhere any where. My village burnt to the ground yesterday."

"Oh." Maaliki leaned closer and pointed at my cheek, "That must be where you got that, I'll have one of the maidservants clean that up with some sack soap. What's your name?"

"I'm Bakura."

"That's it? Just Bakura?"

"Yes." I said aggravated, "Just Bakura."

"Come on! Maybe you can be my friend. Father never lets me have any friends especially not with people on the streets. But you came to me. Maybe I can convince him you were a gift from the gods and then we can stay and be friends!"

Chapter Six - Caution, he bites.

So who exactly was this kid? This puzzled me as he dragged me back into the room and down the stairs. He dragged me across a large room downstairs and through a small courtyard. I looked up; in the very near distance I saw the pharaoh's palace. How did I get so close?! Am I in Thebes already?

He sat me down in another room after my view of the palace left and in front of an old lady with some soap. Lots of smelly lavender and citrus soaps. Oh, Sakhmet, no. They aren't going to soap me down!!

"Now come here, child." The old lady lifted a finger in my direction.

I stood, stunned. No. I refuse to go towards her and her oily soaps.

"Its alright, friend, she's not as mean as she looks. She's been the family docter for years, she won't hurt you." He gave me a little shove and I regrettably sat down on a pillow next to the old lady. She leaned so close over to me I could feel her breathing on my neck as she looked at the scar on my cheek.

"Aaaaaaaaah... yeees... this is a deep wound. It may never fully heal. Where did you get this child?"

Maaliki spoke, "He told me his village was burnt to the ground? Maybe he got hurt on the way out."

Quite frankly I don't remember how I got it. But I DO know I'm not comfortable with an old lady sticking her face two inches from mine.

"Are you done looking yet?"

"Oh yes, dear." She moved away and I sighed in relief. Maaliki started into another conversation. Dang, this kid must have entire conversations with himself.

"You don't know who I am, do you?" he asked me.

I shook my head. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the lady did her fingers in some black ointment and into the scented soap and wax. I twitched.

"I'm the son of one of the priests."

My head turned upwards immediately. Why didn't that come to mind first? Him. Son of one of those damn priests. I clenched my teeth.

"What's wrong?"

My eyes softened. No need to blame him, he's treated me with nothing less than kindness.

"Nothing, sorry, I was just thinking of my village."

"Oh."

Eventually I know he'll ask about it. I eyes widened and I opened my mouth to shriek. A hand was clamped over my mouth and I closed my eyes shut tight as the old lady suddenly rubbed black goop into my scar. She let go of me and I was left to my own devices. Them being cursing and howling.

"Hush, child, it won't hurt that bad if you think of something else."

How could I possible do that?! It hasn't even started to subside yet! She reached into the bowl for more goo.

"I bite!" I threatened, glaring. I bit at the air to prove it.

"Yes, child, you're probably have rabies too. You disease ridden filthy thing. If you don't want my help, fine."

"No! I don't want it!" I stood up immediately and marched back into the courtyard.