AN: Okay! So, here's the next chapter early by a few days. I liked the reviews I got, so I decided to post it sooner.
Thanks to…
The Vampire Prince: Hehe, really? Guess what? I was thinking of you when I wrote that. Lol. Don't kill me! Thanks for the review.
dragonlady222: Yeah, I hope so, too. Read on, and you shall find out. Thanks for the review!
HanChan: Why thank you! I hope you enjoy this story thus far.
Anei Aikouka: I'm glad you liked the previous chapter. I fixed the grammical error you pointed out ("saw the saw"). I hope you like this one as well. If there's anything really wrong with it, please tell me. I'll revise it. Oh, and the prologue. Would it be okay if I kept the part in Italics and moved the conversation to later? When I think about it, the 'figures' wouldn't really have to appear as long as I kept the italic part. Thanks for the advice and feedback! (And I tried not to put a cliffy at the end.)
Chapter Two: Collision
The sleeve of the man was blocking Ryou's view. All he could see a ton of sandaled feet, but nothing other than that. However, the silence really scared him. The echo of the chatting of the common people had all but halted. The sudden quiet was really unsettling.
A familiar, icy voice froze his entire spine as it said, "Kneel, or you shall face death."
There was a moment before the man moved out of Ryou's vision.
And in front of him stood what looked like the entire Egyptian Royal Guard with the Pharaoh at the head, Marik beside him.
His father didn't look happy. Ryou swallowed hard as he thought about all the trouble he was going to be in. Trembling, he got to his feet. However, when he opened to mouth to make up an excuse, his father took a step forward.
"I thought I said kneel!" he barked.
It took a moment for Ryou to realize that his father wasn't focused on him. Rather, at the man standing in front of him. He saw the fists clench and unclench before the man rigidly kneeled. Ryou frowned inwardly. It wasn't every day that someone even thought of disobeying his father.
"Lower your gaze, commoner," spat a soldier, who Ryou recognized as Maverick, a highly respected guard. After hearing the distaste wrought in the man's voice, however, Ryou felt his admiration for Maverick falter. "Lower your gaze, or I'll off your head."
By the way the man paused, Ryou knew that he was glaring openly at the Pharaoh. The little prince had never seen such defiance. Slowly, the man's head bent down.
With a tight voice, the Pharaoh curtly said, "Ryou, come here."
Shyly, the boy stepped forward and joined his father trying not to stumble. Guards took their place behind the white-haired man and forcibly kept him kneeling with a hand on each shoulder.
"Who are you, and what were you doing to my son?" said the Pharaoh coldly. His eyes narrowed as the man looked up with mocking eyes.
"Why should I give you my name, when I do not have yours?"
A blur appeared in front of the man, and there was the sound of a slap. Bakura blinked, shaking his head. He hadn't seen that coming…Stealing a glance up, he was sort of surprised to see a European man. Cold gray eyes glowered down at him, warning him that disrespect may cost him his life.
The Pharaoh held up his hand and recalled his personal bodyguard. "We shall try once more, commoner. Give me your name and what you were doing with my son, or I am afraid Alec here will end your pitiful life here and now."
There was a moment of silence as Bakura observed Alec, who had his hand on a scimitar's hilt. The pale man wasn't too tall, but well built. His speed, though…
"I'm known as Bakura."
Ryou felt a presence behind him, and looked up to find himself face to face with Nyq. He looked quite mad.
"What is interrupting my festival?" the Crown Prince asked, annoyed. "If this man is causing trouble, execute him and get it over with."
The Pharaoh's temper flared. It could be seen in his mahogany eyes. "You will never learn to be king if you think only of yourself," he hissed softly. Nyq, shamefaced, looked away and found Ryou staring at him. Quickly, the child averted his gaze elsewhere. The Pharaoh turned back to Bakura, and asked, "What were you doing with my son?"
Bakura smirked. "Depends. I mistook him for a girl."
Ryou's face flared red, but as to why Marik and the Pharaoh grew angry was beyond his comprehension.
"You dared to touch the Prince!" Marik shouted, unsheathing his sword as he stalked forward.
Alec pulled him back as the Pharaoh fought to keep himself restrained.
"My, my." Bakura's grin widened. "What if I did?"
With something similar to a warcry, Marik dove at Bakura with his sword in hand. Bakura, it seemed, had more tricks up his sleeve. He yanked himself out of the hold of the guards and even took a sword from them.
There was a clash as Marik found himself crossed with Bakura. Marik's face revealed anger, while Bakura just grinned. "Ain't he a pretty thing?" Bakura said lightly. Marik roared as he kicked Bakura backwards. Right before hitting the ground, Bakura sprung into a backhand.
Guards rushed in, and a small blanket of dust swirled up. Ryou coughed slightly, watching Bakura with fascination.
Bakura kicked aside another guard, and knocked one out with the flat side of his sword. He looked so lithe, leaping and jumping gracefully to avoid being hit.
Until Alec stepped in.
Ryou didn't know where the man came from. All he knew was that Alec had been found, nearly dead in the desert, by his father. He rarely spoke, smiled, and never laughed. Ryou had always harbored a small feeling of fear and envy because Alec was much closer to his father than he was.
However, despite his fear, Ryou was also drawn to Alec. Swordplay was something Alec was superb at. The first day he recovered, he had asked to be a bodyguard for the Pharaoh. Immediately, the Royal Guard refused him, until every guard had been defeated by the white man.
The skirmish ended too soon for Ryou. Alec coolly strode toward the snow-haired man and grabbed his wrist so hard that Bakura winced and released the sword.
Twisting his arm slightly, Alec brought Bakura to his knees, his face expressionless. "Do not," he said, as he twisted a little further, "disturb the Pharaoh with your petty brawls and foolish remarks. Did you, or did you not touch the Prince?"
"He didn't." Ryou surprised himself when he exclaimed this. Seeing how these men all looked toward him, he quickly explained, "He chased away the bad people."
Marik clenched his jaw, his knuckles around his sword white. His eyes never left Bakura as he returned to the Pharaoh's side.
Alec was about to release Bakura when something caught his eye. He lifted the thief's arm up, pointing to a tattoo of some kind.
"The mark of a slave," Nyq said, taking a few steps forward. He examined it, smiling, as Bakura growled at him. However, the man was powerless as Alec held his arm tightly. "Yet…it's not crossed…"
"An escaped slave," the Pharaoh murmured.
Nyq sneered. "Father, I'll take him." When the Pharaoh looked slightly surprised, the Crown Prince quickly explained, "I shall break him in. He will obey my every whim."
Under his breath, Bakura muttered, "As if." He grimaced as Alec's hold tightened a bit.
"No!"
Stunned, Nyq sought the voice who refused his will, and found himself facing his brother.
"You aren't going to break anybody." Ryou glared at his brother, but was slightly irritated when a few guards started snickering. Did he just make a mistake? Ryou felt his face grow red for the second time as Nyq grinned.
"Don't you know anything, Ryou?" his older brother derided.
Ryou stamped his foot. He wasn't going to lose to his brother in front of everyone. "You can't have him!"
"And why not?"
Their father growled. "Enough of your imprudent conducts. I am tired of standing here and arguing about this." He pointed to Alec. "Take that man back to the palace. Get him working in the kitchen, and make sure he's chained. I don't want him escaping. Keep him away from the staff as well."
At Nyq and Ryou's puzzled looks, he said, "He shall be your servant, Ryou." When Nyq opened his mouth to argue, the Pharaoh held a hand up and explained, "After the man is broken in by you, Nyq. However…" Mahogany eyes narrowed. "If you kill him, the title of Crown Prince will no longer be yours to call."
Nyq bared his teeth, and let out a breath. He smiled, but it was obviously forced. "Yes, father. Now, if we may proceed with my festival?"
The Pharaoh nodded. "Marik, take Ryou home. I do not want to see him again at all today. He has caused enough trouble as it is."
A hammer came down on Ryou at his father's harsh words. Ryou bit back tears as the Royal Guard rearranged itself around the king and prince. He didn't have to be so mean, Ryou thought, feeling quite hurt as the procession marched away.
"Come, little prince. It is time to go home."
Ryou looked up at Marik, who avoided his gaze. Sighing, the child mumbled, "So you're mad at me too, huh?" Gasping Marik's offered hand, Ryou lumbered forward, focusing on the ground.
"I'm…not mad at you, my prince."
"It seems like it," Ryou pouted.
"You gave me a scare today, is all. Please don't do that again, my prince."
Ryou could hear the concern in Marik's voice, but he couldn't promise not to do it again. As they neared the grand entrance of the palace, Ryou said, "I…I'll try not to."