Author's Note: Not going to lie – I was really nervous going into this chapter. This is it. Five chapters building up to these two characters meeting. I hope you guys enjoy!
Also – I get wifi in the apartment this Saturday. Praise the Lord. I promise to go back and re-edit hopefully before the end of September once that's installed. But we shall see.
As usual – thank you so much for reading and the feedback. It's nice knowing that people read my stuff. If you like it, please leave a review/fav/follow!
Disclaimer: Don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! I know. That's crazy. Rated T.
Enjoy!
I suppose there are worse ways of stalking a person. Bakura thought somewhat bemused as he ordered a strawberry smoothie. He paid at the register before he walked back to his usual spot at the smoothie shop. He sat in the far back corner, giving him a clear view of the entire shop. It was the perfect position for privacy. It was also the perfect position to watch other customers. And that's where Bakura would wait for Marik to come back.
The week had flown by and it was already Friday. Perhaps Bakura was grasping for straws to think that Marik would come back to the same shop. But this kid was a child in every sense of the word. And any indication from the conversation on Monday showed that Marik would return to the watering hole soon enough. Especially given the brat's affinity for smoothies.
In the meantime, Bakura enjoyed the reprieve. And by reprieve, he meant the calm before the hunt. Sure he had slipped up and made a few mistakes, but Bakura was back in the game and ready to go. He was rather excited. He knew he shouldn't play with his food, but given how much Marik fucked over his plans, Bakura figured he was deserved some leeway. So what if he was a bit of a sadist?
He glanced down at the satchel at his side. He was organized and ready. He had an offer ready for Marik, a delicious treat to entice his little nuisance. And although Bakura was sure the brat would be tempted by the offer, he also knew he had to play his role right. Manipulation and deception were two key skills, arguably one of the more difficult aspects to master in his field. Thankfully, Bakura didn't get the name "Thief King" for nothing.
He had been thinking over carefully how he would present his offer to Marik. How to gain his trust and respect. How he would exude conviction and intelligent, but also be genuine and (dare he say it) considerate towards the boy, even caring. To show interest and inspire confidence in Marik. To be professional and casual in careful tandem. It was a fine line to walk. One that Bakura walked daily in his trade.
Bakura looked around the shop before glancing at his watch. It was almost 5 pm. Part of him was anxious and worried that Marik wouldn't return to this shop. It had already been a week and he hadn't seen Marik. If he didn't, Bakura would have to track down Marik a different way. He'll show… probably. Bakura was trying to avoid a headache. He knew talking to Marik would likely give him one so he may as well enjoy the silence before the impending migraine.
Bakura was just starting to think today was also going to be a bust when finally he saw him. The Egyptian brat walked through the doors of the smoothie shop. Bakura took a sip of his smoothie as surveyed his prey, trying to hide the growing grin on his face. About damn time. He didn't care if he was noticed for staring down the kid. Hell, Bakura could make that work to his advantage. He couldn't help it – this was it. Marik was finally here.
Marik looked more tired today than he did on Monday. He still wore his golden jewelry, but he was finally dressed for the fall. Gone was the tiny, lavender tank-top. Instead, he wore a dark gray jacket over his black t-shirt. He wore khaki pants that seemed to cling a bit too tight to his figure. What does this kid have against wearing clothes that fit him? He noticed that in spite of the make-up Marik wore, his eyes were downcast as if he were exhausted. He ordered a smoothie before taking a booth seat by the window like he had on Monday.
Bakura just smiled. This was it. He gave Marik a few minutes to settle in. The Egyptian had his back to Bakura as he pulled out a folder from his backpack and started reading. Bakura couldn't tell if the file was for schoolwork or "business." If Bakura had to guess, he was willing to bet money on business. In any case, he was about to find out. Bakura slung his satchel around him and grabbed his smoothie. Show time.
Bakura stood up and strolled over towards Marik, staying relaxed and calm. As he approached the youth, he saw him chewing on his thumb, concentration and annoyance crossed over his face. Bakura glanced down at the file on the table and noticed the faint etches of what looked like the Millennium necklace. Looks like the kid was finally doing his homework. Well, why don't I help him out a bit?
As he finally reached the youth in front of him, Bakura leaned down close to Marik's ear and placed one hand on the back of his seat. "I wouldn't bother with the Necklace if I were you." Marik nearly jumped at the soft voice that had sent chills down his spine. His lavender eyes searched wildly for the source of the deep, baritone voice that interrupted his thoughts. Bakura leaned casually on the hand resting on Marik's seat, allowing a smirk to cross his face as Marik glanced up at him. Marik was definitely flustered and confused by the sudden appearance of the stranger, his eyes wide and innocent.
"Um… what?" Marik finally regained his composure and blurted out. He tried to keep a straight face, but Bakura noticed he looked like a kid who had just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. This kid was an open book with his emotions. "The Millennium Necklace. That one is a dead end. I would suggest spending your time either looking for the Eye, the Ring or the Puzzle." Bakura stated, moving past the young man and plopping himself in the booth seat across from Marik. He closed his eyes and he took a long sip of smoothie, enjoying the shocked silence from the teen in front of him.
"I- I have no idea what you're talking about!" Marik finally stated, a blush burning on his face. Bakura opened his eyes to watch Marik squirm uncomfortably. He figured he would react this way. Not many people researched the Millennium Items. It was historians, scholars, and the black market that held particular interest in the Items. And it was quite clear that Marik was neither a historian nor a scholar. Bakura placed his drink down in front of him.
"Oh come on. You're reading up on the Millennium Necklace. It's right there in the documents in front of you." Bakura chuckled softly as he watched Marik slam his folder shut after that comment, the brat bristling with irritation. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not going to rat you out to the authorities. Actually, that's why I came over to talk. I think you and I have a lot in common." He leaned forward over the table, bringing his face closer to Marik, who was watching him carefully.
"After all, it's not every day you meet someone with your affinity for history and culture." Bakura smirked, a shrewd look on his face. He studied Marik's face as he slowly comprehended what Bakura was implying. "You mean- you're…" He asked quietly, disbelief still strewn across his face. Almost as if he couldn't believe what Bakura was saying. Bakura just smiled back. "That's right." He watched as Marik fell under his influence, his face lighting up with excitement and delight. And the rabbit has fallen for the trap. Too easy.
"You're Egyptian too?" Marik announced happily, bouncing forward in his seat so that his face was now only inches from Bakura's leaned-in figure. Bakura just stared at Marik in shock. He thinks… I'm… what? How stupid is this kid? "What? No! I'm not fucking Egyptian. Do I look like I'm Egyptian?" Bakura jerked back, suddenly aware of how close their faces were. Marik still leaned in, his face once again turning to its original state of confusion. "But you know about the Necklace and Egyptian history. Wasn't that what you were implying?"
…Seriously? "Fuck no. I was talking about work-related interests, you idiot." Bakura felt his self-control starting to slip. Just calm down. It was a mistake. An honest mistake. "Well there's no need for that tone! No need to be so difficult, Fluffy?" Marik just pouted, crossing his arms in front of him. He leaned away from the table looking rather miffed at being called an idiot. Bakura soon found himself feeling a similar sentiment as Marik's words sank in.
…Fluffy? "The fuck? My name's not Fluffy!" Bakura snapped, frustration growing in his voice. God, this kid annoyed him. "Well then who the frig are you, Fluffy?" Marik retorted back, looking just as annoyed and angry as Bakura did. "I'm Bakura. Not Fluffy!" Bakura now struggled to keep his voice down. What the hell was it with this kid and his insistence on calling him Fluffy? And why did he choose that name of all things? It pissed him right the hell off.
Marik suddenly leaned forward, annoyance gone from his face as he smiled at Bakura. He grabbed Bakura's free hand on the table as if to shake it. "Well, nice to meet you Bakura. My name is Marik." Bakura snatched his hand away, feeling his face redden at the odd contact he had with the kid in front of him. This brat has no sense of personal space, I swear. "I don't care." He scoffed, crossing his arms in front of him and glaring at the corner of the room. It was Bakura's turn to appear like a petulant child as Marik chatted animatedly to him. This was not how he wanted this conversation to go. So much for keeping his cool. What was it about Marik that made his lose control and blunder up so badly?
Marik returned once again to pouting, causing Bakura to come to the theory that this kid had about three base emotions he returned to – confused, happy, and pouty. "Well that was rude. I was just trying to be friendly." He huffed. "Why did you even come over here anyway?" Bakura forced himself to relax, sighing and closing his eyes. Right. I came over here for a reason. I guess I can't be subtle around this kid.
Bakura had thought he could be elusive and discreet, just alluding to their craft and that Marik could piece the rest together. But apparently Marik was incapable of that. Apparently, Bakura would just have to spell it all out for him. All of Bakura's skills in manipulation, deception, and persuasion all seemed useless as he realized that he would have to explain everything to Marik in basic terms. What have I gotten myself in to?
"Listen kid-" Marik didn't even let him finish. "Don't call me 'kid!' I'm Marik." He declared, still annoyed by how rude Bakura was earlier. Bakura struggled to keep his eye from twitching. He knew he should play nice, but Marik was not making it easy for him. "Right. How old are you? 16? That makes you a kid in my book," Bakura explained in a condescending tone.
Okay, so perhaps Bakura wasn't dealing with this situation as well as he should. "I'm 19, thank you very much!" Marik chirped out, holding himself proudly. He looked like a toddler who just got invited to sit with the adults at dinner.
Keep it together. Focus. "Fine. Well, Marik, to put it simply, we have occupational similarities. It appears we are both trying to find the Millennium Items." Marik's face dropped to shock, finally realizing what Bakura's sudden appearance meant. It took only a second before he glanced around the smoothie shop. "Um… don't you think we should find somewhere more private to talk about this then?" Marik looked around nervously as if expecting government agents to pop out.
Bakura just laughed. "Who the hell is going to listen in on two guys enjoying smoothies together? Nobody's here anyway. We're hardly appear to be doing anything scandalous." Marik studied Bakura for a moment, before he tipped his head slightly to the side, his earrings catching the sunlight and sparkling brilliantly for a moment. Bakura just drank his smoothie and watched him, letting Marik figure out whatever thoughts he had going on in his head. After a few moments, Marik finally shrugged. "I guess that's a good point. Who's going to interrupt two guys on a date?" Marik just took a sip of his smoothie that had gone ignored for most of their conversation.
Bakura nearly choked on his drink. Date? The fuck? Bakura resisted any urge to yell at Marik. One look at the boy's face told him that the brat didn't mean anything by that last comment. This kid was far too innocent to insinuate anything between them. Strange how spending so much time with Mai Valentine made him accustomed to very bold, sexual advances, making it easy for him to simply brush them off. Yet this teenager making an harmless comment threw him off his game. Bakura gathered his thoughts, trying to figure out what had rattled him so. Marik was so unlike any other people he dealt with. Sure, he was an odd bird, but why did this kid rankle him so much…
Then it hit him. This kid is terrible at social cues. As soon Bakura thought it, everything else seemed to make sense. In fact, it was obvious with how Marik acted. Marik literally needed everything spelled out for him. He was childish. He flip flopped on his emotions at any time. He didn't have any sense of personal space. Bakura wasn't a personable guy to begin with, so to having to deal someone who was a novice in social interactions was a disaster waiting to happen. Bakura couldn't deal with Marik because he had more in common with a child than an adult. And given how Bakura dealt almost exclusively with adults is a very dangerous occupation, Bakura was a complete novice in working with children.
No wonder this was nightmare.
"Fluf- I mean, Bakura, is everything okay?" Bakura looked up to see a concerned look on Marik's face, his lavender eyes soft and gentle. Bakura, to his own surprise, laughed softly. Like I'm one to talk about sucking at dealing with people. He had been acting far more psychotic this conversation than Marik had. Time to reel it in and stay focused. No more distractions. "Yes, I'm fine. I just got lost in thought is all." Bakura straightened up as he placed his cup back down on the table.
"Why don't we cut to business? It's obvious we both have investments in the Millennium case." Bakura stated bluntly, as Marik nodded in earnest. "So you're a professional thief, then?" Marik asked in earnest. Bakura pursed his lips momentarily as he considered his words. "I prefer acquisition specialist, but for the sake of this conversation, yes. Professional theft is my specialty. I'm considered rather proficient in my field, I might add. Perhaps you have heard of the 'Thief King Bakura?'" Bakura grinned, waiting to see Marik's reaction to his infamous title.
All Bakura got in return was a blank look. The thief just sighed. Why do I bother? "Never mind. The point is I'm rather good at what I do. That's why Yami hired me and a select few for the task of collecting the Millennium Items. I don't particular care to share the glory with my competition. But here's the strange part." Bakura leaned in towards the table once again, keeping his eyes focused on Marik. "I'm rather familiar with others in my profession. So I know who else was hired for this task. You are not one of them. So tell me – why did you steal the Millennium Rod?"
Bakura enjoyed the look of surprise on Marik's face. He knew that the kid had thought no one knew that he had the Rod. If Bakura hadn't known where the Rod was to begin with, then Marik would have likely gotten away with it too. Bakura also knew that Marik wouldn't piece together how Bakura knew. That was a mystery that would remain unsolved – Bakura would make sure of it.
"How… How did you-?" Marik didn't get to finish his question. "Like I said. I'm the best in my field. It's my business to know. You're collecting the Millennium Items despite not being commissioned by my client to do so. Why? What are you hoping to do?" Bakura gave Marik an almost pitying look. "You must know that Yami doesn't just make business dealings with just anybody. So what do you hope to accomplish?" Marik squirmed slightly in his seat, looking away momentarily.
"I… I want to meet Yami. I have business with him that's important." Marik finally decided on his answer. Bakura just snorted. It was obvious the kid was hiding something, but Bakura decided now wasn't the time to push him. "Right. Yami won't just meet with anyone though. You could have all the Items, but if he doesn't trust you, he won't deal with you."
Marik turned to glare at Bakura, but he saw the discomfort in Marik's face. Bull's-eye. He knew this was what worried Marik the most, what had been consuming him this week. If Bakura had to guess, he suspected that Marik's tired appearance was connected with a lack of sleep regarding this case. I know that feeling.
"Well, what do I do then? What are you suggesting?" Marik demanded, trying to appear relaxed and bored and failing on both accounts. Though his eyes averted away from Bakura, his body language indicated he was neither relaxed nor bored. "Simple answer – give me the Rod. If you do, I'll share a portion of my commission to you. Do that, and we both walk away happy. That's the best you'll get. You could try selling it, but then you open yourself up to a robbery. You let everyone know that you have the Rod. I'm giving you what you might say, a bit of job security."
Bakura decided it was time to change up his game slightly. He leaned forward slightly, an uncharacteristically gentle look on his face. Marik looked back at Bakura, surprised and confused. "Marik, this is a rather dangerous world you're getting yourself into. And although I have no place to tell you what to do with your life, I'd rather not see a nice kid like yourself get hurt. So I'm giving you an out – hand over the Rod and I'll give you 15% of my commission. And with what Yami is offering, you won't be hurting for cash with that amount. It's certainly more than what you would make trying to sell the Rod."
Marik's face was frozen in thought as Bakura just sprinkled in lies. This felt far more familiar. The deception and lies, the manipulation and the control. This was what Bakura was good at. He could see the cogs working in Marik's mind. Bakura was almost sure Marik would take him up on his offer. So he found himself shocked when Marik's expression turned angry and furious. "I don't care about the money! I'm not going to just hand over the Rod. That Rod is my only means of possibly seeing Yami!"
Bakura returned with a snarl of annoyance. "You can't just see Yami! What part of that don't you get? I've been working years in the field to get where I am. You know nothing of how this law-breaking business works, do you? You are far too inexperienced for anyone to take you seriously. No one will honestly consider you for any job until you've proven yourself. The Rod won't get you any closer to meeting Yami." Bakura glared menacingly at the teenager sitting across from him, as if he could intimidate the youth into cooperating.
Marik, however, didn't back down from the angry albino in front of him. Marik instead put both of his hands on the table, leaning in towards his apparent opponent. "I don't care if it doesn't get me any closer. That Rod is the only thing that might lead me to a meeting with Yami. I don't care about experience or money or any of that. My business with Yami can only be dealt with in person. And I don't care how long it takes – I'm going to meet him!"
Bakura just growled in frustration. Well, so much for that. Bakura could have sworn that Marik was just out to make his life difficult. However, this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. In fact, Bakura anticipated that Marik would refuse that offer. Marik didn't even want the money from the commission – he had his heart set on meeting Yami. Something about that way odd, but if anything, this was good news. This would actually make Bakura's job easier. He didn't need to bribe with money – just influence. So he's going to need my help…
Bakura sighed. "Meeting Yami means that much to you, huh?" He watched as Marik bobbed his head up and down, an intense look still drawn on his face. Bakura nodded softly, his face becoming uncharacteristically soft. "Unfortunately, Yami won't meet with you even if you got all the Millennium items and silenced all of his enemies. If he doesn't trust you, he won't meet you. If he doesn't believe you're worth his time, you're not. But…" Bakura lingered on the word as he watched Marik shift from depressed to hopeful. "Perhaps I can help."
"Really? How?" Marik asked eagerly, a smile growing on his face. He bought into this pretty fast. "Listen – Yami only meets with people that come recommended. I am highly recommended. Everyone knows who I am in my field. You, Marik, are rather new. No one knows who you are. However, you happened to be lucky enough to meet me, one of the most famous acquisition specialists in Japan." Bakura smirked as he allowed himself to groom his own ego.
"You mean… You would vouch for me? You would recommend me to Yami? Would that allow me to go meet him?" Marik started rapid-firing questions before Bakura had time to answer even one. "Slow down, kid," Bakura began, ignoring the annoyed protest Marik gave at the word 'kid.' "Yami respects me enough. If I came to him saying that you're a new yet talented thief who might be worth five minutes of his precious time, then he'd probably be willing to spare two."
Bakura watched as a smile grew on Marik's face, lighting up his own figure. He seemed to positively glow and radiate in the afternoon light. "Seriously?" Bakura just nodded. "Yes. But you do realize I wouldn't do this for free. I want something out of it." Marik nodded enthusiastically, oblivious to his deal with the Devil.
"Okay! What do you want from me?" Marik asked. Bakura smiled as he watched the youth in front of him, unaware of what he was getting into. Bakura narrowed his maroon eyes, resting his head on his arm as he leaned up on the table. One word from Bakura, one little line promising him a meeting with Yami and Marik was putty in his hand. He could ask Marik for anything and he was pretty sure Marik would bend backwards to make it happen. Even something he refused to offer before. Bakura just smiled, a fake, placid grin as he stared into Marik's eyes intensely.
"A resume."
Marik's smile faded slightly as his eyes furrowed with confusion. "A what?" Bakura snickered softly. "A résumé. I want a résumé from you. If I'm going to recommend you to Yami, I have to know you have what it takes. That you're good at what you do and you don't make stupid mistakes. If you're serious about becoming a 'professional thief,' then you need to prove you have the skills needed."
Bakura watched as Marik absorbed what he said. It was clearly not what the youth had been expecting. Bakura wasn't demanding for any object, treasure, tools or money – he demanded work. He demanded proof. Marik slowly nodded, thinking about what Bakura might expect from him. "Okay, so I need to show you that I am a good thie- a good acquisition specialist. So how do I go about that then?"
Bakura just smirked. "Well, you could consider this a bit of a job interview. You want to meet Yami. I want the seven Millennium Items. Conveniently, in order for me to collect all the Items, I need quite a bit of theft and robbery. You collaborate with me to get the rest of the Items, and I'll recommend you. I get my commission; you get your meeting. Make sense?"
Marik thought briefly before nodding his head. "I think so. So I help you break-in and steal the Items? I can do that. I was planning on doing that anyway." Marik took another sip of his smoothie before placing his down to grab Bakura's cup and stealing a sip. Bakura had to suppress a look of disgust and annoyance at the pushy, little brat. Bakura dropped the smile for a moment before relaxing in his seat.
"Pretty much. In the end, we'll both get what we want. But it's a bit more complicated than that." Bakura closed his eyes and relaxed before he continued, sensing the young man's growing confusion as he drank Bakura's smoothie. Little snot. "Yes, you have the Rod, but the truth is, I honestly don't know if you make a good thief. I don't know the details of how you acquired the Rod so I don't know if you have the necessary skills of a thief." Lies. Bakura knew what a crappy thief Marik was. But there was no point in telling him now.
"Sure, I could work with you, but if I find out in the middle of the mission that you're terrible at thievery and you only got the Rod out of dumb luck, then not only would we both be endangered, but so would my client. That's pretty much a death sentence on both sides for me. So I need to know if you have what it takes to go in on your own and complete a mission successfully." Bakura opened his eyes, dark brown eyes locking with bright lavender ones across the table.
Marik's face revealed nothing for a moment before he smirked. He figured it out. Perhaps this kid isn't so clueless after all. "So that's what you meant by a job interview. You're commissioning me to go and steal one of the Items for you. To make sure I don't frig things over. Only then will you collaborate with me on a mission. And if I'm good enough, we'll both be able to get all the Items. And then you'll recommend me to Yami?"
Bakura gave a genuine smile to Marik. Of course not. "Yes. Precisely. Is that agreeable to you?" Marik suddenly laughed, surprising Bakura. The youth gave Bakura a cocky smile. "You're hiring me to do your job now. Isn't that cheating?" Bakura felt his cheeks burn red. Whether it was from embarrassment or annoyance, he couldn't figure out. "Idiot. It's job security. I'm just trying to protect my and my client's interests." Bakura turned his head away to avoid the cheeky look Marik gave him.
Marik just laughed out, his nasally voice more abrasive than before. His laugh rang loudly across the smoothie shop as the few people there looked up, startled and confused by the noise. Bakura sighed as he rubbed the side of his temple. He wasn't sure how, but he always forgot how truly annoying Marik was until he encountered him again.
"Well? Are you interested in the job or not?" Bakura demanded, cutting Marik back to the original point. Marik stifled his laughter before nodding. "Yeah, yeah. I'm totally in. If this is what it takes to convince you I'm serious about this business, then I'll do whatever it takes." Marik composed himself, trying to appear serious and business-like. "So… what is the job then?"
Bakura just smirked, finally meeting Marik's eyes again. He paused a moment before reaching down into his satchel. He grabbed the manila file that he had clipped together, an odd array of papers sticking out. He pulled it out before plopping it in front of Marik on top of his folder than he had been reading previously. Marik jumped slightly as the thick folder landed in front of him, cautiously glancing up at Bakura. Bakura just nodded towards the file. Marik tentatively opened it up, his eyes widening as he did. "This is…" He murmured softly, speaking more to himself than to Bakura.
"This is my case file on the Millennium Eye. I should let you know that I already have possession of the Millennium Necklace, Key, and Scales. You have the Millennium Rod. That just leaves the Millennium Eye, Ring, and Puzzle to be located and obtained." Bakura prattled off without pausing, leaving Marik to look quite flustered as he quickly took in the information dump. "Wait – you already have three of the Items? How? When did that happen?" Marik blurted out, looking somewhat star-struck. Oh, now he's impressed. "Like I said – I'm good at what I'm do. As for how I got those Items, that's a story another time. Now shut up and listen. I'm not going to repeat myself, got it?" Marik thought of saying something before closing his mouth and nodding. Bakura just sneered at the youth.
"Good. Now, Maximillion Pegasus, the CEO of Industrial Illusions, currently holds the Millennium Eye. He is currently forming a mutually beneficial business arrangement with Kaiba Corporations that has him temporarily residing here in Japan. The Eye will be located at Pegasus's estate in Tokyo in Cecilia Gardens, a well-known manor estate. The specific address and details of his home, including security information, are in that file." Bakura paused for a moment as Marik looked up from the file to meet his eyes.
"I've done all the research for you. You're job is simple – get the Eye and get out. Don't get caught. Don't disrupt anything else. Pegasus should never know that you were there. This needs to be a clean in-and-out operation. The mark of an excellent thief is to fade into the background, unnoticed until it's too late. If you do something bombastic or flashy, you'll get caught and charged. If that happens, Pegasus will move the Eye to a more secure location. This will make it more difficult to extract at a later point. So don't fuck this up. Do you understand?"
Bakura was practically glaring at Marik, as if to impress how difficult and dangerous this task was. Marik finally overcame his shock and nodded. Bakura grunted his satisfaction. "Good. Pegasus appears to have the Eye on his person at all time. Due to business interactions, it will be much easier to try stealing while he is at home. He will be in Domino through this coming Wednesday before returning to his estate on Thursday. He will likely be out for a social event on Friday night, so you're best bet is to conduct your heist on Thursday night. I've already said this before, but consider this a job trial. This is to prove your skills. This is your job alone – no one else it help you on that night you go in."
Marik seemed to pale for a second, wanting to protest, but seemed to think better of that. Bakura watched Marik carefully. Part of Bakura knew that it would actually be easier to have Marik take a team in. It would make his own mission that night easier. But if Marik had help, he might actually succeed.
"You have about a week to read through the file and prepare for Thursday then. That gives you almost a full week. That's plenty of time. Also…" Bakura paused momentarily before glancing away, almost as if disinterested in this next part. "If you haven't already, you need to find a secure place to keep the Millennium Rod. Get it in a safe that only you know the combination to. Don't tell anyone else that combination. Keep the safe in an undisclosed facility that won't likely be targeted. Make sure it's well protected" Bakura glanced at Marik as he saw him thinking about that suggestion. Excellent.
Bakura breathed out, almost tired. "I think that about covers it. Everything you need to know is in the file so read it through carefully. When you've successfully stolen the Eye, call me on this cell." He grabbed a cheap flip phone from his pocket and tossed it across the table to Marik, the teen catching it at the last moment. "It has only one number on it and that's my number. Once you make the call, we'll decide on a meeting time and place and then dispose of the phones. Wouldn't want to get caught after all your hard work." Bakura reached in his pocket to show an identical looking cell phone before returning it to its previous location. "Any questions?"
Marik looked like a deer in the headlights. He seemed overwhelmed by all the information provided to him. He seemed dumbfounded that he was now receiving a rather specific and difficult commission before him. And yet in spite of the astonished look he had on his face, Bakura noticed something else growing on his face. Excitement.
"Nope! I think I got it. I've got this!" He declared proudly. Bakura just chuckled. Bakura debated getting up, but paused for a moment. "Do you have a cell phone?" he asked. Marik looked puzzled but nodded. "Yeah, but you just gave me a cell phone to use." Bakura just shook his head. "I know, but this is for an emergency. Hand it over." Marik still looked confused, but handed over his phone. Bakura flipped to his contacts. He spent only a moment before returning to his explanation.
"It's unlikely, but if something should happen to the cell phone, you can send me a message to my email from your phone. I won't be able to respond immediately because I'll need to set-up a discreet server so that I won't be tracked. Should that happen, I'll get back to you via your personal cell, once I establish a safe network for us to use. Make sense?" Bakura slid the youth's phone back to him. Marik nodded as if he understood, but the vacant look in his eyes told Bakura that Marik didn't really know exactly what he told him. That was okay. In fact, Bakura was counting on it.
Bakura just returned to his default empty, fake smile, Marik being none the wiser. "I think that wraps up our little conversation, don't you agree? I'll be expecting your call next Friday then?" Marik smiled proudly as he grabbed his phone off the table. He quickly checked the time before suddenly jumping up from his seat. "Oh frig! I'm going to be late! Odion's going to kill me!" Marik grabbed the files on the table, shoving them into his backpack. He grabbed his bag.
"Oh! Thank you so much Fl- Bakura! I won't let you down! Just wait until next week!" Marik eagerly declared, pausing before he ran towards the door. Bakura chuckled softly. "Right. I look forward to seeing your progress. Do your homework now." Marik just grinned and made for the door. A few seconds later, Bakura watched Marik run back and grab his smoothie off the table. Next thing he knew, Marik was running out the door. "Just wait for my call!" Marik yelled last second as he walked out of the store.
Bakura glanced out the window to watch the young man walk briskly down the path. He still wore that silly smile on his face, looking radiant in the dusk lighting. His platinum hair shimmered with darker hues as the sun continued to set. His eyes were bright and Marik didn't look nearly as tired as he did before when he entered the smoothie shop. He continued to watch the Egyptian until he was finally out of sight.
Bakura finally allowed the phony smile to drop from his face, his eyes narrowing as a sickening grin formed on his face. That had gone over surprisingly well. There had been some hitches in the beginning, but once they got down to business, everything went according to plan. Marik was far too naïve to realize what Bakura had set up. Every detail, every bit of information, every honest tip was given exactly as he intended. And Marik ate it all up. Idiot. You shouldn't trust strangers so quickly, Marik.
He thought back on the conversation. Marik had been a pain in the ass to start with, but it was okay. Bakura could suffer through his bratty antics to get the Rod. Once he got it through Marik's skull that his only chance of meeting Yami was through him, he believed anything he told him. He even believed that Bakura would even recommend him. Like he ever would. Bakura couldn't hold back a snigger.
Perhaps the golden bit of the entire conversation was setting up the Millennium Eye case. He told Marik that everything he needed to know about the Item was in that case file. That wasn't true. Sure there was quite a bit of useful information, but Bakura had been careful to leave information he had about the Eye. The Eye was always on Pegasus's person, but he failed to mention the rumors of the Eye and its owner. Rather sickening rumors.
The rumors that Pegasus had surgically implanted the Millennium Eye into his left eye socket.
Bakura could only imagine the horror on Marik's face when he discovers if this is true. Bakura was normally inclined to disbelieve such rumors but based on his research on the odd billionaire, he suspected there was truth to these rumors. He wouldn't be there to find out. No, it would be Marik who would receive that honor. And if Marik was going to keep this a low-profile theft, he would have one hell of a time doing so when the Eye was literally in a person.
And of course there was the final trick at the end – involving the Rod. From the cell phones to telling Marik how to protect the Rod to accessing Marik's cell phone – everything went perfectly. He figured Marik would have gotten suspicious at some point. Yet to his surprise, the boy has trusted him, a complete stranger who revealed himself to be a criminal, with his own personal cell phone. Bakura reached into his pocket to pull out his own work phone, entering in a new contact that he helped himself to while on Marik's phone.
He snapped his phone shut as he stood up, stretching. He took his empty cup, allowing a disgusted look to cross his face as he thought of Marik stealing his drink. He tossed it in the trashcan, suppressing the memory and allowing a rather pleased look to grow across his face. It all worked out in the end. That's what mattered. He walked out of the shop, his white hair now glowing red under the setting sunlight. The light caught in his eyes, turning his normally brown eyes a dark crimson color. As he shoved his hands in his coat pockets, smirking, he looked rather devilish as the night fell over Domino. Bakura started back to his apartment, eager for Thursday night to come around.