Author's Note: "So look alive and don't you fret – cause it's not over yet…"
Also, please note that I know next to nothing about how the justice system works in Japan and my knowledge on how the American system works is not much better. So if I get something wrong, poo poo on me. We'll get through it.
I hope you enjoy! I update weekly!
Bon appetite!
"Hey, Bakura? You up?"
The albino in question was lying on his stomach in bed, his face buried into his pillow. He growled out a mumbled response, indicating he was up but barely. It had been a few days since Bakura met with Atem, and Bakura still found himself rather aimless in life. Ryou suggested that he should find a hobby. Bakura couldn't think of any hobbies he would want to do aside from drinking smoothies, playing games and watching movies. And those were painful reminders. So Bakura compensated with sleep instead.
"Well… I'm heading to work. Try getting up at some point today. The fresh air would do you some good."
Bakura didn't reply, preferring the comfort of his pillow to waking up and trying to deal with his life. He heard Ryou walk away from outside his bedroom door, assumedly to head down to the Black Clown game shop. The sound of their front door closing confirmed that suspicion. Bakura decided to glance up to see what time it was. … 9:45 am. Of course. Bakura rolled over in bed to stare up at the ceiling. Part of him knew his brother was right. He should get up and do something today. Anything. Just go out instead of sulking and thinking about…
Before Bakura could finish that thought, he heard his phone vibrate. Bakura turned his head to stare at the vibrating cellular device, figuring it was Ryou calling about something he forgot. That or trying to get Bakura to get out of bed. Bakura glanced down before furrowing his eyes in confusion. He didn't recognize the caller ID, but something told him that he should. Curious who would be trying to get in touch with him at this ungodly (well maybe not quite ungodly) hour of the morning, Bakura answered the call. "Hello?"
"… Bakura? I-It's Ishizu."
With that, Bakura sat straight up, all traces of sleepiness gone. He stared at the phone in a moment of shock, surprised that Ishizu would be calling him. From what he had figured when they last spoke, Ishizu never wanted to see or speak to Bakura ever again. And yet, here he was, answering a phone call from the museum curator. He finally gathered his senses enough to reply. "Uh… hi?" Bakura resisted the urge to smack himself on the forehead. Brilliant start.
Ishizu coughed on the other side of the line, equally as uncomfortable. "Um, yes, hello Bakura. How are you?" Bakura knew that small talk was the last thing on her mind, but knew better than to mocker her at the moment. His conversation with Ryou a week ago still hung heavy on his mind. "I'm fine. What's up?" Bakura asked the question lightly, knowing that something was wrong if Ishizu was calling him of all people.
He heard her take a sharp breath, as if deciding how to approach before suddenly all came spilling out. "I- Marik's trial is in two weeks. I've been working with the lawyer but right now, I don't know how to help him. They're charging him with a felony and they have the evidence to back it and I just- I just thought it would have been a breaking-and-entering charge, but now, he's facing federal charges. That could put Marik in jail for five years or more. I can't- I don't know what to do! I need help."
Bakura blinked rapidly, trying to take all the information. It was a lot to swallow, but it definitely threw Bakura for a loop. "Okay. Slow down. Try running this by me a little slower, okay?" He heard Ishizu forcing herself to take a few deep breaths. From the information dump she just provided, he could deduce two things – Marik was in trouble and Ishizu needed help. Not just help – she needed Bakura's help. And despite all that's happened, Bakura would be damned if he didn't try doing something.
"Okay… I spoke with the lawyer last week. Initially, Marik was going to be tried for breaking and entering as he didn't steal anything and although he was at the scene of the explosion, nothing could tie him to the crime. I got a call yesterday saying that the prosecution submitted a claim to have him prosecuted for theft of federal property." Bakura narrowed his eyes, sitting on the edge of his bed as he thought about what she said. "Why that?"
Ishizu sighed, however this time is sounded more annoyed than exhausted. "Because they have evidence to prove he was trying to steal artifacts from the museum. The museum is funded by federal funds so stealing something from there is stealing government property." Bakura resisted the urge to snap back. Leave it to the museum curator to know this stuff. Details like that usually slipped Bakura's attention, usually because he was good enough at his job to avoid getting himself in this predicament.
Well… I can't be hard on Marik. I'm the one who got him into this situation. He knew better than to piss off Ishizu right now. She was stressed and at the end of the line – it was better to be cooperative at this point. "Okay. I'm following so far. So how does this relate to me?" He heard Ishizu laugh lightly, but it sounded more manic and desperate than anything else. "Because we don't know what to do. We don't know where to build a defense! He was there, with equipment and gear for a burglary. The evidence is overwhelming. I'm desperate. I can't- I have to protect Marik. I have to do something- anything to help him. Please."
Bakura was ready to laugh in frustration, to snap back at Ishizu that there wasn't anything he could do. He was the one to screw everything up after all. However, hearing Ishizu talking about helping and protecting Marik suddenly sparked an idea. He knew it wasn't the best idea, but right now, Marik was facing a hopeless case and potentially prison time. Bakura had to at least try to do something.
Perhaps this was the chance to get Marik the help he desperately needs.
"… Okay. I… might have something. Let me gather some stuff, but then I can meet up. Where should I meet you?" Ishizu sounded startled, almost surprised that Bakura had come up with something so quickly. "Uh… I'm meeting with Marik's lawyer at 12… I could pick you up?" Bakura knew it would be an awkward car ride over, but it would work. "Yeah, let's do that. I'll see you later." Bakura didn't wait for Ishizu's response, quickly getting out of bed. He had a couple of errands to run and details to iron out, but if he played his cards right, perhaps he could still help Marik…
Bakura emptied out his backpack as quickly as he could before he made his way to collect some reading material. He could try to explain everything verbally to Ishizu and the lawyer, but this would back everything he said. And so it was, out of breath and nervously, Bakura sat in the passenger seat of Ishizu's car as they left to meet Marik's lawyer in a pre-arraignment meeting. Bakura stared at the window as Ishizu drove them to the justice hall near the center of town.
This was the first Bakura had any encounter of this kind. He had always avoid legal process whenever possible, due to his line of work. He had never gotten so far as to warrant researching his own defense. It was somewhat to his embarrassment that Ishizu had to explain the process to him. This did little to ease the worried woman, who was counting on Bakura's help.
The two got out of the car and entered the government building, Bakura feeling nervous and antsy as they walked in. He glanced around as if he expected to be attacked at any minute. When he had gone inside, Bakura had expected something resembling a courtroom – not the office building structure they now passed through. He walked briskly next to Ishizu, passing a bunch of important looking people until finally Ishizu stopped in front of an office, knocking for a moment.
Bakura glanced around the old stone building until the wooden door cracked up, a bald man rather startling gray eyes staring at them. "Ishizu, good to see you." Ishizu politely bowed, Bakura standing back as the two greeted each other. Ishizu smiled politely. "Hello Dr. Shadi, thank you for meeting with me. I've brought my… friend that I mentioned earlier." Bakura had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. He knew Ishizu would be rather happy if she never saw the albino ever again. But she needed Bakura's help. As they say, desperate times called for desperate measures.
Shadi turned and stared at Bakura with strange eyes. Bakura had to resist the urge to shiver – the glare felt intense, but there was no shimmer in his eyes, almost like they were dead. "Yes, Ishizu mentioned you would be coming, mister….?" Bakura bowed slightly, breaking himself from his trance. "Bakura, sir. Pleasure meeting you." Shadi nodded for a moment, studying Bakura before finally stepping back into his office to grab a briefcase and folder. "Right. I believe that's enough pleasantries, shall we head down then?"
Ishizu nodded as she followed Shadi, Bakura following more slowly. He shifted his backpack up on his shoulder nervously. Were they going to meet Marik now? Bakura was under the impression that they were going to talk today – Ishizu had said nothing about seeing Marik. Although the idea of seeing is rather rash and spritely boyfriend definitely was appealing, Bakura felt a queasy uneasiness and worry grow at being confronted for his actions the night of their heist.
Ishizu nodded as she followed Shadi, Bakura following more slowly. He shifted his backpack up on his shoulder nervously. Were they going to meet Marik now? Bakura was under the impression that they were going to talk today – Ishizu had said nothing about seeing Marik. Although the idea of seeing is rather rash and spritely boyfriend definitely was appealing, Bakura felt a queasy uneasiness and worry grow at the thought of being confronted for his actions on the night of their heist.
They wandered the hallways, Bakura barely aware of where they were going. He realized they were going far back into the building where the albino suspected where they detained suspects before their trials. He wasn't sure the whole legality on how that works, but he suspected that felony-level theft probably meant that Marik had to be detained. He certainly couldn't go home at this point. They got into an elevator and ascended two floors, Bakura studying the two others with him in the elevator.
As the three exited out, Bakura glanced around the floor, his eyes blinking for a moment as he was vaguely aware of his surroundings. "This is…" Bakura muttered softly, thinking to himself. Shadi glanced back, his face a mask as he observed the albino. "This is the Domino City District Court office. This is the detention level where detained suspects are kept until trial. Conveniently, Marik's trial will be downstairs in the West Wing, which we passed on the way here."
Bakura nodded but said nothing. Upon entering the floor, a guard joined them, speaking quietly to Shadi. Bakura resisted the urge to feel the knife he kept hidden in his jacket sleeve. Knives were technically illegal in Japan, and Bakura wanted to smack himself for not ditching the knife earlier. He knew he would probably be dealing with lawyers and law officials, and yet he stupidly kept to his paranoid habits of keeping his weapon on him. Don't get yourself arrested trying to help Marik. Bakura knew he would have to carefully walk that line to appear like a law-abiding citizen.
Essentially, he had to act like Yami. Great.
The guard unlocked one of the rooms for them, a large square room with a table at the center. Bakura noticed windows on each of the walls, where guards passed by and other people in formal attire. He suspected they were other attorneys or prosecutors like Shadi. He joined the two of them sitting down at the table, watching as Shadi carefully removed his files and sorted through them. He pulled out a pen and a pad of paper on top of them, clicking his writing utensil before looking up at Bakura.
"So, Mr. Bakura – Ms. Ishizu says you have information that might help us build a defense for Marik." Bakura blinked and nodded, glancing down at the backpack that sat next to him. "Yeah, I think I have something that might work." Shadi said nothing as he stared deep into Bakura's eyes, making the albino feel uncomfortable under the solemn gaze. Finally, Shadi broke the silence. "Alright. I suppose I should inform you of all the details of what we know on the case."
Bakura nodded, allowing Shadi to explain the events of the heist and what the police believed had happened. In all honesty, Bakura knew most everything Shadi covered – he had been at the scene of the crime that night. Not that Bakura would ever admit to being there. Nonetheless, he sat quietly as Shadi explains how the Orichalcos infiltrated and bombed the museum the same night Marik and Odion had planned to steal the Millennium Puzzle. In the end, the police figured the Orichalcos succeeded in their goals while the Ishtar brothers were left as victims to the violence.
"Once Marik was well enough, he was moved here. Ishizu contacted me to act as lawyer for Marik. Our families go pretty far back." Bakura blinked before glancing over at Ishizu. The elder sister said nothing, her blue eyes trained on Bakura with an unreadable expression. Bakura didn't say anything, though couldn't help the mild curiosity he felt as to how Shadi and Ishizu were previously acquainted. Bakura nodded as he realized Shadi was done speaking.
"Okay. So how much of this Marik know?" Shadi said nothing but instead turned his attention over Ishizu. She coughed slightly, staring at her hands resting on the table. "I've explained to him that he's being charged for attempted robbery of government artifacts and that Shadi will help us out in court. I've told him the police report, as we know it. After some discussion, we thought perhaps it would be best of Marik would, as they say, 'plea the fifth.' At least, for now. If you have something…"
Bakura nodded, understanding where Ishizu was coming from. There was an unspoken word between the three that they knew Marik was guilty. Bakura wasn't sure how much Ishizu told Shadi, but he suspected Shadi was aware that Bakura was a shady character. Nonetheless, their concern was keeping Marik safe. The less Marik said, the less likely he was to incriminate himself. Will that change with what I'm offering to the table? Ishizu coughed slightly, breaking Bakura from his thoughts as he glanced up. Apparently Ishizu wasn't done.
"Also… I haven't told him about Odion. I told Marik to focus on his court case coming up… Marik thinks Odion is still in the hospital…"
Bakura blinked, leaning back as he took that in. So Ishizu hasn't told Marik about Odion's death? About how I…? This part shocked Bakura the most. He had assumed Ishizu would be glad to be vindicated and confirm what she always knew. Perhaps because Bakura himself was a vindictive person, he figured Ishizu would be the same way. In many ways, it made sense that Ishizu would hold off on telling Marik. He was already under enough pressure and stress as it was. Telling him that Odion was killed would only compound that.
But he still has a right to know…
"Okay… I think I'm up to speed now." Bakura spoke softly, glancing down at his backpack. Ishizu nodded as she returned his gaze to Shadi. The bald man tested his pen for a moment to make sure it worked. "Well, we've laid our cards on the table. Time for you to do the same." Bakura nodded, pausing a moment before leaning over to open his backpack. He pulled out multiple heavy textbooks before grabbing a small journal. He placed the stack on the table and slid it towards the other two.
The two across from Bakura just blinked before reaching hesitantly out to read the books. Ishizu grabbed the small journal, her brow furrowed as she went from curious to almost sad upon recognizing the handwriting inside. Shadi, however, remained quiet, though a note of skepticism escaped him. "An insanity defense?" Bakura shifted in his seat, feeling the scorn from Shadi's voice. "Sort of… I don't know what you call it, but I do know that Marik is not well mentally."
Shadi just stared at Bakura, glancing down at the folded page that marked Dissociated Identity Disorder. "So that's your contribution? Your amateur diagnosis that Marik has a second personality? No one in court's going to believe that." Bakura resisted the urge to snap back, instead turning his attention to Ishizu. Her face was pinched and he could see her hands shake slightly. "This… is Odion's journal, isn't it?" Bakura nodded, watching as Ishizu closed her eyes for a moment to compose herself. Bakura decided to give her some space and address Shadi's skepticism.
"I wouldn't suggest something so outlandish unless there was some backing to it. Odion was the one who told me that Marik had DID. And this is coming from someone who was Marik's guardian for over seven years. He knew Marik best and based on what he told me and what I've observed, I have no issue believing that Marik has DID." Shadi didn't say anything, carefully studying Bakura as if trying to gauge him. Bakura met his gaze, not flinching as he kept his resolve.
The glare-off was cut short by a voice to the side. "Bakura…" The albino glanced over at Ishizu, her eyes furrowed in concentration as she studied Odion's notes. Gone was her sorrow and a sharp intelligence gleamed in her eyes. "You're serious about this? Without a doubt?" Bakura nodded, focusing his stare at the table. "Yeah. I initially thought it was hogwash, but Odion explained everything about your father and the events surrounding his death and… suddenly it wasn't bullshit. If Odion was taking it seriously…"
Ishizu said nothing, but placed the journal down on the desk, the page open to a list of dates and times. Bakura recognized the page, glancing up at Ishizu who tried to make sense of the schedule. "And this..." Bakura nodded his head, his eyes remaining fixed on Ishizu. "… Odion did his homework. He had to know for sure. That included observing Marik's behavior to figure out what was going on." Ishizu bit her lip, studying the dates as if she herself was trying to recall something.
Bakura was broken away from his conversation as Shadi drew their attention. "Mr. Bakura, you'll have to forgive me for my skepticism, but I still don't believe we can build a defense. Have you actually met this other personality of his?" Bakura bristled slightly but composed himself before he lost his cool. He needed Shadi's support and cooperation if this was going to work. "No, I haven't-" Bakura glared angrily as Shadi snorted condescendingly at the albino. "And you want to build an insanity plea? I believe you have mistaken Marik was the insane one."
Bakura clenched his fist, glancing at Ishizu. "If you would let me finish," Bakura hissed out the words as he narrowed his maroon eyes. "I was going to tell you that no, I haven't met Marik's other self. But Odion had. That's why I believe Marik has DID." Ishizu jerked her head up, glancing over at Bakura before shifting her gaze to Shadi. The lawyer looked like he was going to snap back, but something Ishizu's gaze cut him off. Bakura watched the stand-off, curious where this would.
Finally, Shadi backed off, leaning back in his chair as Ishizu sat tensely, her eyes focused on the notebook in front of her. Bakura turned his attention back to Shadi as the lawyer composed himself carefully. Bakura could still sense the man's reluctance. "Firstly, we have no way of knowing beyond a doubt that Marik is mentally ill unless we can get a psychiatrist to talk to him. It could take weeks before we could get a proper diagnosis and we don't have that time. The insanity plea hardly ever works and the burden of proof is placed on the defendant to prove they are mentally ill."
Bakura sighed, glancing down at the table. He knew this would be a hard sell – it would be pointless to waste time a red herring if it didn't deliver. Bakura knew that Marik was ill, but to convince a jury of the same? He knew it was true, but it was a different case altogether trying to build a court case around it. But what other course do we have? They didn't have any choices to make. Bakura glanced over at Ishizu, realizing that perhaps this truly was a lost cause. He was startled by the intense look she now gave him, her blue eyes piercing him.
"Bakura… You sure all of this is all true? And that we can win this court case with this in mind?" Ishizu's expression revealed nothing, her voice soft and calm. Bakura felt almost stunned for a moment before composing himself. Ishizu gave him the clarity to remind him why he came here – to help Marik. If they could do that, then Bakura had nothing to lose. "Yes. It won't be easy building a case, but it's doable. You might not like all the aspects of it though."
Ishizu narrowed her eyes before turning to stare at the table. "I don't like the situation as it is, but what other choice do I have but try to make amends? What do you have in mind?" Bakura nodded, glancing back to Shadi who sat quietly, waiting for the albino to explain his idea. Bakura reached over to the book at the bottom of the stack, one that had not belonged to Odion. Bakura had bought this book before meeting up with Ishizu. He didn't know much about the law, but he knew it a little something about lying.
"I know you both feel somewhat doubtful about the mental illness angle, but if I'm able to prove it to you, will you reconsider?" Shadi and Ishizu glanced to each other, a moment of silence passing. Shadi turned back with a dubious look on his face. "What do you have in mind?" Bakura grunted, leaning back as he flipped through the book he held in his hand. He stole one last glance at Ishizu, knowing she would probably hate this plan. Nonetheless, it was the best they had to go off of.
"We build the case around Marik being mentally ill. Odion, who was aware of his disorder, used Marik's condition to try stealing the Millennium Items with the intent of pawning them off and getting rich. Marik is therefore a victim of his condition while Odion is the one who is real perpetrator of the crime. Plea guilty but insane or mentally ill. If we're lucky, we can settle and they'll put Marik in a psychiatric facility for god knows how long. But he won't be in prison and he'll be able to get the help he needs."
Bakura just stared at the table, not really wanting to see Ishizu furious or Shadi insulting his intelligence. Honestly, he couldn't care what Shadi's opinion was on the matter. Well, he cared since he was Marik's lawyer, but he knew that it was Ishizu he was more worried about. He could hear Shadi expressing his concerns over the issue, but Bakura tuned him out, waiting to hear from Ishizu. Her silence was more unexpected and unnerving than anything else.
Bakura finally decided to steal a glance at Ishizu, suddenly regretting the action as he did so. Ishizu clenched her eyes shut, her hands fisted in her lap. She pinched her lips as she took deep breaths through her nose, fighting back tears. Bakura knew she hated the plan. The idea of turning her kind and gentle brother and turning him into a public enemy was truly her worst nightmare. In any other scenario, this idea would be almost laughable for the polite and loving brother to be painted in such a light.
However given the severity of the situation, Bakura had to suggest the unthinkable. In the eyes of populace, Odion would be a cruel terrorist who abused his siblings. Marik would be the victim, even though it was Marik and Bakura that dragged Odion into this mess. Bakura said nothing as he watched Ishizu, waiting for her to make a decision. If Ishizu didn't hate him before, she certainly would now. Bakura had dragged her family down this path, knowing the risks and now this what was left. Part of him thought she would refuse this plan.
But what other choice did they have?
Ishizu snapped his eyes open, tears not yet fallen. Her gaze turned harsh as he turned to glare at Bakura. The albino in question said nothing, meeting her angry gaze. After a few moments of tense silence, Ishizu finally spoke, her voice cracking slightly. "Fine." Bakura nodded, understanding what went unspoken. She hated this plan and the fact that she would drag Odion's name through the mud. Despite how much she loved her older brother, Odion was dead and wasn't coming back. She would have to shove her grief aside and do what was necessary to protect her little brother.
Bakura understood what Ishizu was sacrificing. He also knew what would be demanded of him. Shadi stared between the two, his own exasperation starting to slip through his careful mask. He wasn't convinced of this plan and Bakura knew that. Ishizu was barely on board as it was. Bakura would have to prove his case to the two of them if they were going to build a defense for Marik. Shadi leaned back in his chair, raising a hand to rub the side of his temple as he thought. He gave a heavy sigh before settling his gaze on Bakura.
"… If we're going to this, I'm going to need more than speculation. Insanity plea is a hard sell as it is in a courtroom, even when an individual is mentally ill. Can you prove his condition?" Bakura said nothing for a moment before turning to stare out the windows in the room they were in. He thought about what Shadi had said earlier, watching one of the guards pass down the hallway. "Marik is here, right? He's not too far from here." Shadi narrowed his gaze, almost as if suspicious, but nodded.
"… Yes, he is. Do you wish to talk to him?" Bakura shrugged, suddenly nervous. He was aware that he would have to prove Marik was mentally ill, but he hadn't really thought about what he would have to do to make his case. Talking would be part of the plan to prove Marik's condition. Shadi was displeased by Bakura's lack of commitment in his response. "And what do you plan to accomplish by talking to Marik about his condition?"
Bakura snorted, almost laughing at the notion. Odion had once threatened Bakura for trying to talk to Marik about his mental health problem and now here he was about to do just that. Telling Marik he had DID wouldn't convince Marik he had it. But he didn't need to convince Marik. "Marik has one other personality. It's very aggressive and will come out if Marik feels threatened. If Marik is under stress, his other self will come out to take charge. That's how Marik designed his alter to be."
The two individuals just blinked at him from across the table, suddenly registering what Bakura was suggesting. It was Ishizu who broke the silence this time. "You mean… you're…" Bakura just glanced away, staring out the window to avoid his gaze. It was more to avoid their scrutiny and to hide his nerves. If they were going to give him the time he needed to talk to Marik, he was going to have to act like he had everything under control. He glanced back to Ishizu and Shadi, his face a mask of indifference and confidence.
"Give me fifteen minutes with Marik alone. I… I'm going to meet Marik's other personality myself."