Chapter 34

Whole Lot of Something

The sun never was truly going to set these hot weekday afternoons. I could hear the birds singing in the white plum trees that outlined the jailhouse garden. It was my resting period from plowing dry sandy dirt alongside large hairy criminals in the hot sun.

I bathed in the silhouette of the green leaves that swayed overhead. The wire fence I was leaving against shook.

"Long day." Junichi plopped down next to me brushing the dusty earth of his baggy orange pants.

His shirt was missing and the smell of freshly cut grass radiated off his body. He ran the side of his hand across his forehead.

"Man it's hot."

I nodded watching the other jailers work.

"You're thinking about something, aren't you?" He sounded monotone not testing my patience. "It's that Keket-girl isn't it?"

My eyes dropped to my steel toed boots which one had come untied. I leaned over to fix it.

"Actually, I was just thinking about what it's going to be like spending the rest of my life here."

Junichi raised his black eyebrows. "What? You forgot about her already?"

"Well…no.Keket is merely a fluttering memory."

"That stalks you at the dead of night." I could sense a bit of humor in his voice. It was faint but still there.

It felt strange saying Keket's name. For one, I was, in reality, too embarrassed to talk about her. She had become a ghost that would forever glide away from me and it hurt.

It hurt a lot.

"Perhaps, seeing her again would be out of the question." I watched two jailers fight over a shovel.

"Right. And that's why you belong to me now."

I raised an eyebrow and looked at Junichi quietly startled. Realizing what he said, Junichi raised his hands in frantic defense and blushed.

"That's not what I meant!" He quickly turned back to looking out in the distance sweating all the while. He was amusing.

For the first time in a long time, I smiled and patted his head in a teasing manner. We were like two comrades on a sunken ship, two reckless brothers out for a dance with death, or perchance two of Tokyo's most 'Dangerous' minds.

"ALRIGHT LADIES! GET BACK TO WORK!"

Junichi stood up slowly with me following behind. He spat a couple of curse words before stretching and cracking a few knuckles. I have observed this as a new annoying habit of his.

It was amazing how close we had gotten telling secrets, jokes, or just chatting about nothing special. We started relying on each other more ever since our roommate, Bruce, was transported to solitary confinement.Us, on the other hand, we moved to Cell 16D which was on the top floor of the jailhouse. For the rest of the day we worked, ate and yes, even showered together.

I sat on my new bed tending to the bleeding lesions on my wrists and upper left arm. Just then, Junichi came in with a guard unlocking his handcuffs him and later closing the iron door.

"I hope you weren't doing anything you shouldn't have, Marik."

I smirked. "Nah, this is from gardening."

Junichi studied my face for a while before nodding and strolling over to his bed which was positioned against a window that was well-guarded with metal bars.

He rubbed his hands and leaned to look out the window. "Looks like we're gonna see rain."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

I lay down on my bed and rested my heads behind my head. Fighting fatigue, I spoke once more.

"Hey…Junichi?"

"Yeah?"

"How long?" I didn't need to finish my question. I knew he understand what I was asking.

"3 years, starting tomorrow."

"3 years." I whispered before falling into slumber.

"This one?"

"Uh Hm."

"Everline University: Home of the Fighting Hornets?"

Beautiful with sparkling slick streets all around, Hugo's Café' sat deep inside the city of Tokyo. It was nearly empty the morning which persuaded the two into entering it.

They were considered true adults now in their early twenties. They had dreams and destinies that needed to be fulfilled. While their lives were beginning to bloom, they never forgot their past even at times it sure seemed that way.

Bakura had evolved into what one would call the "world's greatest man". He had grown wiser, smarter, and stronger in both body and spirit. The ladies were starting to notice him a lot more now which boosted his confidence in finding a companion.

Keket, on the other hand, had only improved in appearance. She still remained the anxious and caring person her loved ones knew so well. She had decided to move in with Bakura to keep him company and to make sure he stayed out of "trouble", the kind of "trouble" that he claimed to know nothing about.

"So what do you think?" Bakura took another quiet sip of coffee.

"It's a bit…primitive don't you think, I mean, with an IQ like yours…"

Bakura chuckled. "Stop with the flattery, Keket.I want to know what you think."

Keket smiled and looked over the small pile of college applications. "That's sweet. But you know my opinion serves no purpose. What if the college I pick, you don't like?"

Bakura tilted his head innocently. "Good point. Well, how about a college we both can agree on. That way we can attend it together."

"Like you have a choice." Keket joked. "You're not leaving me."

Bakura nodded. "Well, then that settles it. We'll pick our college today and visit it tomorrow."

"Deal."

Keket and Bakura continued to their talk underneath the roof of the silent café of Tokyo, Japan. There was a light misty rainfall outside that reflected the suns rays immensely. A man in a dark navy coat entered the café' and shook his umbrella mindlessly. He walked over to the table parallel to the couple's and pulled out a cigarette.

Bakura turned away from the man and decided to focus on his college future. He looked up at Keket who was watching the quiet activity outside. She had rested her chin on the palm of her hand and was biting her bottom lip. She was thinking.

"Hm-Bakura?"

"Yes?" Bakura took another sip of his coffee.

"I miss him."

"Keket, you know better than to bring that issue up."

"I know. I'm not going to cry-you think-" She lightly brushed her bangs out of her face. "You think I should do something for him."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Well I don't know, how about a letter?"

"You haven't visited him yet."

"Yeah I know and I wonder whose fault was that?" Keket's voice strengthened.

"If my memory serves me correctly I drove you up there."

"Yeah, you did."

"And I took you inside."

"Right."

"But you never did see him, did you?"

"No, because-"

"Because?" Bakura politely interrupted.

Keket opened her mouth to answer but sighed heavily wanting to drop the conversation all together. She knew she lost the fight.

Her gaze went back to the window. "I wasn't nervous."

"I know you weren't."

"I wasn't scared either."

"Yes." Bakura spoke softly.

"Then what did I feel?" Keket rubbed her forehead completely frustrated with herself.

"You know the answer to that better than I do, Keket."

Bakura went back to sipping his coffee with an all-knowing expression on his face. The upset girl studied this with a faint smile. It seemed Bakura knew how to handle anything negative life had to offer. As calming as it was, the thought made her mind drift to intimate settings.

"Nevertheless, I believe the letter proposal is a wonderful idea." He finally spoke breaking his friend from her daydream.

Keket only half nodded before looking over at the suspended television set on the wall behind the front counter. The bar tender had just turned it on and the sight of a very familiar woman caught her eye.

"Bakura, look,it's Isis." She stood up and walked to the front counter to get a better look.

Bakura followed her silently with an interested look on his face. He stood unintentionally close beside her resting a hand on the countertop.

"My goodness, it is her." He agreed.

It was the local news station. They apparently got a shot of Ishizu leaving a nearby corporal building and were now following her, as well as every other form of media in Tokyo.

In showed her in a long white dress with golden embroidery on the lower front. Her face hung low with melancholy and annoyance clearly written all over it.

Fortunately, she was not alone. Now all grown up and ready to take on the business world, Mokuba strolled beside her trying to keep the cameras out of his face.

"And there's Mokuba." Keket stated quietly. "He looks…good."

Now, the once cute little boy transformed into a handsome entrepreneur. His black hair now only flowed a little past his ears and his innocent wide eyes now held a famous Kaiba seriousness to them.

The news reporters were randomly shouting questions all insensitive and uncharitable.

"Mr.Kaiba, are you taking over were your brother left off!"

"Miss Ishizu, how does it feel knowing your brother is a murder!"

"Is it true that Seto Kaiba was your abusive lover!"

"Mr. Kaiba, now that your brother is dead do you thing you can handle the business!"

"Can we expect a possible 'connection' between you two, Mokuba!"

Not one subject held every sense of heed to it.

"This is unbelievable." Bakura mumbled turning away from the television.

Keket followed him as they made their way back to where they were seated earlier.

She watched Bakura pack everything up in what Keket liked to call his "Man Purse."

"Bakura, I want to call Isis." She stated without linger.

"You saw the way the media was buzzing around her."

"I know but-"

"I understand that your intentions are good but you are forgetting you were a part of this issue."

"You're right." The girl's arms dropped in defeat.

"Ah ha! So my predictions were correct!" said a voice that came out of nowhere.

As soon as she turned around, Keket was suddenly bombarded by a two cameras and a news reporter. He slicked back his hair and looked slyly at the stunned girl.

"How you doing, sweetheart.?"

"Wha?" Keket looked at Bakura dumbfounded.

"And we're on in 5,…4,…3,…2,…-" The cameraman pointed in Keket's direction and the question began.

"Good Morning Tokyo, I'm Akio Suyama bringing you number one new all the time! Here with me today is Keket-uh-the girl who is the lover of the infamous Marik Ishtar."

Keket stepped back a little feeling anxiousness shower over her fragile heart. The reporter's microphone was shoved into her face.

"How does it feel knowing that you are in love with a criminal? A murderer? The Devil of Toyko?"

"I-"

Keket's heart, soul, and overall well-being began to disintegrate with every foul shot the reporter made.

"Did you know he was related to Ishizu Ishtar? How long will he rot in jail? Do you think he deserves to be killed!"

"No."

"Did you know Seto Kaiba? Did you hate him? Despised him? Loathe Him?"

"Well I-" Keket's heart began t quicken with every confusing question.

"Did you want Seto dead?"

"No, why-"

"Was this a stab at Kaiba Corp.'s wealth! You're not keeping up with me, Miss Keket."

"Sorry but-"

The reporter turned his attention to Bakura who was silently trying to keep his emotion under control.

"What about you, young man? Do you believe this girl was a component in the explanation why Tokyo's Number One Man is dead!"

The cameraman completely focused on the white-haired young adult. Unknown to him, the show was live and was being broadcast all over Japan.

"By the way, kid, are you Miss Keket's replacement? Hmmmm?"

As the microphone inched ever closer to Bakura's lips, he snapped. With a swift flick of his wrist, Bakura snatched the microphone out of the reporter's hand making the startled man stumbled a bit.

"First of all, Miss Keket's business is hers and hers alone and secondly; my relationship with Miss Keket is strictly confidential. Your constant banter will not be tolerated by Keket or myself any longer."

And with that, Bakura threw the microphone on the dark tiled floor and escorted a very surprised Keket out of the café.

As expected, Bakura's fitting performance left everyone in awe, not because of his great word usage but his flaw.

Bakura and Keket left the café hand and hand.

The new reporter picked up his microphone and straight out his tie. "Confidential."

-

About 60 miles away, at the steady growing business of Kaiba Corp, Ishizu sat at the desk of the once cocky Seto Kaiba. She dug her fingers her ebony hair with dissatisfaction.

She was exhausted from all the media and the rumors that strangely appeared out of nowhere. The glass door of the main office opened and in walked Mokuba with a silver tray.

"I brought you tea." He said softly placing the tray on a separate desk.

He walked over to the window and peeked through the white blinds. Even though they were on the 10th floor, he could still see the camera vans and news reporters lining up at the front of the building.

"They'll still out there."

"Predictable." Ishizu muttered rubbing her temples slowly.

Mokuba noticed this and walked over to the tea tray. "Here."

Ishizu looked up and took the small up from the tray.

"The phones haven't stopped ringing yet."

"Nor have the questions seized." Ishizu added.

Mokuba placed both of his hands on the desk impatiently. "Miss Ishtar, you have to say something."

The beautiful woman smiled placing her tea cup in front of her. "Mokuba, you have known me for a long time now. You may call me by my first name."

Mokuba nodded timidly. "Uh, right.But let's not get of subject. If we tell the public what's really going on then all this craziness will stop."

Ishizu pulled her cup back to her and stared down into it. "Hm."

"Just think, Ishizu.The media will stop coming at our doorstep, you'll get your brother back, Keket will get her lover back and maybe, just maybe, you'll-"

"It's something I must think about." She stood up from her chair and walked to the window. "Then again this is very large problem, what if it's out of my hands? In fact, I believe it is out of my hands."

Mokuba relaxed a little. "Well we gotta do something."

Ishizu nodded with Egyptian Pride glowing around her having finally made her decision. "Alright then. If you think it's the right thing to do."

"Yes. It's been going on for far too long." Mokuba pressed a button on his brother's office phone and Ishizu spoke.

"Miss Tanaka?"

"Yes Miss Ishtar?"

"Make a notice that Mokuba and I will be a public announcement."

"When?"

"Tonight at 8:30 in front of Kaiba Corp."