AN: Again, I thank everyone for reviewing! It seriously got me through this chapter. I hope you all like it. You can still steer me to or away from canon!
Chapter Five
Akeno had a feeling she'd sooner go to the Shadow Realm due to angering Bakura than before he got tired of her. She made to pacify him and hopefully put the previous incident out of his mind. "I-I'm sorry, master," she whispered, hating herself for submitting to him but at the same time trying to reason that it was the only way to survive.
Her head was bowed and she didn't see him approach her. She flinched as he pet her head. It took everything inside her to not pull away.
"I don't have much patience, girl. You'll do well to remember that in the future. One more outburst or act of disobedience and I will send you to the Shadow Realm." He smirked and tilted her tear streaked face up. "Your little friends from the graveyard could have some fun with you."
She whimpered and he laughed, releasing her. Akeno wiped her tears as he plopped on the bed, his bed. He put his arms behind his head and shut his eyes. Akeno stared at him, uncertain. She wasn't sure what would insult him so she stayed where she was, sitting against the wall. After awhile she assumed he was asleep. Not having many options, she let her eyes wander over the room. It was larger than her own bedroom, a slight nostalgia washed over her but she pushed it away. The room was mostly white and a blue-green color. Aside from the bed, there was a small table with four squat chairs and a door which she assumed led to a bathroom. She stared out the window from across the room. The stars were obscured by the grayish clouds yet the moon's glow could still be seen. Akeno frowned slightly and turned back to the bed to find Bakura watching her intently. She jumped. When he neither said nor did anything, Akeno broke the silence.
"Is there something wrong…master?" she forced the last part out.
He remained silent for a moment then replied, "You're bleeding again."
Quickly, she glanced down. Her blood now stained through his shirt too. She sighed.
There was a knock on the door causing Akeno to jump again. "Go clean yourself off," Bakura told her.
She frowned but decided to listen and hobbled to the bathroom. She left the door cracked to hear what was going on. She heard the door open.
"What is it?" Bakura asked.
"Your meal, Mr. Bakura," said a man. She assumed he worked for Kaiba. A clink of glass was heard then the man spoke again. "Will the lady be dining here as well?"
Akeno's stomach tightened but was too tired to growl.
"She isn't hungry," she heard Bakura say. By his voice she could tell he was smiling or more likely, smirking.
She resisted groaning. Did she really expect anything less than mean from him? Just one more thing I have to deal with… She turned her attention back to the task at hand. Above the sink there was a cabinet; in it was a small first aid kit, basic supplies such as Q-tips, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a bottle of alcohol and-yes- hydrogen peroxide. She took off his shirt and poured a good amount on the stain. It fizzed but within a few moments, it was gone. It was a trick she learned early on in high school. She doused a paper towel and dabbed the new stain on her dress. It foamed up and she felt a warm sensation where the stain had been.
The door opened fully. Bakura, as she predicted, was smirking. "As a punishment, you won't be eating tonight."
She said nothing, knowing what would come out of her mouth would be said in bitterness. She pressed dry paper towels to her dress, trying to soak up the most of the peroxide. Suddenly, Bakura growled and swiftly seized her already sore wrist. He turned it sharply causing her to buckle to her knees in pain. She cried out but he disregarded it.
"I will not be ignored!" he snarled, twisting her wrist further.
"I'm sorry, master! Please stop! I'm sorry…I'm sorry…" she sobbed.
He snorted. "Ra, you're as weak as my light..."
Bakura let her go but she no longer felt the pain in her wrist and stomach. Ra? He had said something else that was odd... 'Even the pharaoh had a bed separate from his queen' The pharaoh? Only now did it strike her as unusual. She watched him leave. He couldn't be Egyptian…? No, it's all desert. He's too pale to have lived there… right?
She hung his shirt on the towel rack to dry, put away the products and then flicked the bathroom light off. Bakura was seated at the table, a plate of food in front of him. He looked at her. "Come."
Akeno begrudgingly listened. She sat opposite him and watched silently as he ate. She was hoping her stomach wouldn't growl. He stabbed his steak with his fork and violently ripped off a large piece, its juices dripping down his chin. Akeno was loosely reminded of a lion tearing flesh off of a carcass and she had to look away.
"You know, only equals are allowed to sit in the presence of one of power," Bakura said suddenly.
Akeno looked back to him. Something close to malice flickered behind his dark eyes and she was almost certain he was about to pounce on her like an animal. Then it clicked. She hastily scooted off the chair and sat on the floor. He stared at her a moment longer then went back to eating.
He stood when he was done, leaving some food. For a moment, Akeno hoped he left it for her then scolded herself. You really are his dog aren't you?! When he went into the bathroom and didn't tell her she could have it, her little spark of hope dropped. She knew it was only there to tease her and she'd be damned if she tried to eat anything without permission. She sighed and moved to the window. Akeno, what have you gotten yourself into...?
She heard Bakura come out of the bathroom but didn't turn around. I'm not doing anything wrong so why give him the chance to find something?
"Take off your dress."
She froze then whipped around in shock, her cheeks red. "W-what?"
He was again wearing his blue shirt and holding the first aid kit. "You dare question your master?" he asked, a dangerous tint to his voice.
Akeno gulped and backed into a wall, mentally cursing for being across the room from the door. He stepped towards her, triggering her panic button. She made a run for the door, momentarily forgetting what would happen if she got too far from him. She managed a total of two steps when Bakura caught her.
"Let go!" she yelled as she struggled against him.
He growled and flung her away from him. She landed with an 'oomph' on the floor and looked up to find he was gone or rather she was. Looking around her, Akeno realized she was no longer in the room, let alone on the blimp. She gasped as realization set in… I'm in the Shadow Realm!
Pain struck her heart and she clutched her chest. Not again! It became unbearable and she, unable to do anything else, curled into a ball, gritting her teeth, hoping for the pain to go away. She pulled at her hair and when that didn't help any, she raked her nails through the dirt leaving long trenches behind. Coldness swept over her one foot- it felt odd as her blood boiled and caused her to crack open her eyes. One of the humanoid blobs had a hold oh her foot, inching up her leg. Could it be Bonz? Or one of his friends? Or another one of Bakura's victims?
She screamed in fear and pain. Kicking out, she tried freeing herself from the once human's fingerless grip. She couldn't shake it, the creature continued to crawl over her, consuming her. It now covered up to her knees. Her legs were almost numb and a tingling sensation spread throughout them like a wildfire. Akeno saw more blobulous forms coming towards her, she shielded her face, giving up from the pain. She wanted it all to stop, she couldn't take it!
Then suddenly, the ground beneath her was hard and cool and the pain slowed to a small throb in her chest. Her breathing shaky, she looked up to find Bakura gazing at her coldly from the bed.
"Come here and remove your clothes," he ordered, not allowing her time to recover.
Akeno gulped and made her way over to him on unsteady feet. He said nothing as she stood before him. Just do it. Get it over with before you chicken out. Akeno hesitantly started to pull down a strap of her dress. Oh just do it! Don't give him a damn strip tease while you're at it! She bit her lip as it slid to the floor. With closed her eyes as her hands moved to her bra. Her eyes snapped open as his hand met hers. She looked at him questioningly.
"That's enough," he said, no emotion in his voice.
For a moment, she thought he had only been testing her. Maybe he doesn't want anything else…
"Now get on the bed."
Maybe not… Maybe he wanted to take the rest off himself.
She hesitated, hoping he wouldn't notice. Akeno took a step towards the bed, unsure of herself. He nearly killed me for sitting on his bed, was this a… double test? No matter what I did, I'd technically be disobeying him… But maybe it was okay since he told me to… Wait, had I been thinking too long?
He grabbed her arm and pulled her onto the bed, forcing her on her back. Please no! She shut her eyes, holding back tears.
"Do not test me, girl. I assure you, your next visit to the Shadow Realm will be permanent."
She whimpered, trying to put her mind somewhere else. This can't be happening to me. For God's sake, I'd rather be with the blob people! His hands slid over her stomach making her shiver. This isn't real. This isn't real. This isn't-
"Ow!" she jolted upright as her wounds stung.
She saw a bottle of some medicine in his hand. That's what had caused the stinging sensation. He moved to pour more on her but she shuffled back towards the pillow.
"Girl…" he growled.
"What are you doing?" she asked, apprehensive.
In a fluid motion, Bakura pulled her into him so that her back was against his chest. With one arm, he restrained her.
"Whatever I please," he said as she struggled. "Now stay still. If these wounds become infected, I'll see you dead before I see you in the care of that fool Kaiba's medical staff."
Akeno gulped and let him apply the rest of the medicine. She winced but stayed still. He released her as he reached in the first aid kit for bandages.
"Lift your arms."
Silently, she obeyed. She tensed up the first time he put his arms around her as he wrapped her wounds, if he noticed he didn't say anything. Recalling his earlier Egyptian comments, she was reminded of mummies and smiled slightly. He, of course, caught the smile.
"Do you think this is an act of kindness?" he asked, sounding irritated.
She honestly doubted he was capable of any act of kindness but chose not to answer.
"I'm only doing this because I have enough to deal with. I don't need you ill as well."
She stayed silent. It may have been her imagination but the remaining wrappings were a lot tighter than the rest. When he was done, he roughly pushed her off the bed.
"Don't expect me to take care of you," Bakura sneered. "If you prove too weak to survive, I'll destroy you myself."
Akeno shivered and gathered her dress. She had trouble standing with the bandages but with some effort she got her dress half on. That was when the door slid open.
"Hey, guys! I just wanted to let you know the drawing for the first duel is being-" Tea began but quickly ducked her head seeing Akeno half dressed. "I'm so sorry!"
"Get out!" Bakura shouted jumping off the bed.
Tea ran out apologizing more as Bakura shut the door. He snorted. "Intrusive little pests…"
Beside him, Akeno was blushing like mad. Oh God, she must think we…
Bakura considered leaving her in the room but decided it would seem odd, he also remembered the soul bond. He knew he would grow tired of its limitations soon.
"Come," he ordered walking out into the now empty hall. She followed, hating everything about this situation.
She followed behind him like the obedient dog he wanted her to be. For now I'll play along, master, but once I find a way out of this…this dog is gonna bite!