AN: Whew, the past few days have been crazy. I missed quite a few days of school for Orlando two weeks ago, and I had to make up so much work! Anyways, I was really happy about the number of reviews I received. Thanks so much, and please read on. (And read the note at the bottom.)
Thanks to…
dragonlady222: I'm not sure if Nyq meant for the fire to happen. After all, it did result from Alec's presence, more like. Then again, Nyq has mental problems about how much he hates his brother. Stupid jerk…You're right. Evil is a good adjective for him. Thanks for the review!
casaragi: lol, I love your reason. Hopefully, Marik and Bakura will arrive on time. Thanks for the review!
Mystik Genie: Let's hope so. Poor Ryou…all he wanted to do was get stronger to protect others. Thanks for the review!
Shamise: Hehe, I know what you mean. As an writer though, it's hard for me not to have cliffhangers. I need a good place to…hm, mark my stop? Lol, I'm not so sure anymore. Thanks for the review!
ONIX-21: Oops, I guess I didn't really update soon, but the next chapter will be up a lot sooner. (Read my note at the end). Thanks for the review, and I love the fact that you like it so far!
Carmen-Nemrac: Oh, that's fine. I get really busy sometimes, too. And I know what you mean about Ryou! The poor kid only wants to get stronger to help people, but he's struggling with getting stronger…Let's hope he gets strong soon, huh? Thanks for the review!
Anime WarriorSkye: Hehe, really? That's much a relief to hear. I'm glad you approve so far. Thanks for the review!
The Vampire Prince: I worked hard on the editing. I'm glad you liked it! And someone earlier mentioned cliffhangers. Lol. I guess as a reader, that's not an easy thing to cope with, huh? I'll try to update soon whenever I leave a cliffie. Thanks for the review!
evilraven013: Yeah, poor Ryou indeed. Let's hope he doesn't die…Thanks for the review!
Chapter Fifteen: Interlude
Gasping for breath, Marik leaned against the dark wall of a pub as he glared at Bakura, who was sitting next to him with his head against the same wall.
"When I said 'Find something to strangle in the city', I didn't mean it, idiot!" Marik snapped, gripping his side-ache as he fought to catch his breath.
Bakura grinned, also huffing, and waved away Marik's glower. "Those guys needed a thrashing anyway," the thief wheezed, referring to the thugs they had just disposed of. "They just happened to be in my way at the right time. If it bugs you, think of it this way: I did my first good deed of the day right there."
"Right," Marik said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Hey, we'd better head back soon. I have nightshift tonight."
The snow-haired teen groaned, pushing himself to his feet. "Why do you always have to be a Samaritan all the time, huh? Volunteering to do some other poor sod's work?"
"Why are you so lazy?" Marik countered, slowly starting toward the Palace. "Does it really pain you that much to help someone?"
"Yes," came the quick reply. "It's extra work and a waste of my time."
"Liar," Marik murmured under his breath.
Bakura stopped in his tracks. "What?"
Marik pushed past him and said, "Nothing." But Marik knew that Bakura had heard him. Always in the denial, that guy…What are we going to do with you, Bakura?
"Ah…Can't we stop for a drink, Marik?"
"Keep moving, Bakura!" hissed the Captain. "You're going to make me late."
Bakura coughed, showing that he didn't really care. Nevertheless, he picked up his pace. He hadn't taken more than fifteen steps when Marik cussed for the first time in Bakura's knowledge. He was about to ask what was wrong, when Marik took off sprinting.
"Hey, where are you…" his voice trailed off, his hand still extended toward Marik. Bakura felt a chill run down his spine as his eyes met the blazing stables ahead.
Flames spurted out of every window and every crack, like greedy fingers trying to grab anything of value. There was hollering and screaming, but Bakura heard nothing as he slowly stumbled closer and closer to the stables. Marik was there, right in front, directing people with tubs of water with an air of authority and a cool demeanor. The thief couldn't be anything yet stare at the great crimson and scarlet squall, standing motionless in front of the dying building.
"Over there! Put out that fire on that side first!" Marik shouted, heaving a bucket of water himself. Fiercely, he tossed its contents onto the flame and handed the empty tub to someone when he saw the thief just standing there. "Bakura, get some water!"
Bakura didn't move. At all.
Marik frowned, quickly making his way over to the thief. He grabbed Bakura's right shoulder, shaking him slightly. "Hey, what's wrong? Bakura? Bakura!"
Nothing could call the snow-haired teen back. The lavender eyes were lost in the blaze before them, mesmerized by what Marik saw as fear.
This wasn't good. Not at a time like this.
Marik cursed again, turning around and yelling some more commands. "Is there anyone in there?" he shouted, trying to make himself heard above the ruckus that surrounded them.
One man, a solider, shook his head, saying, "There hasn't been a stablehand in there since supper, sir."
Marik nodded, his mind racing. They had to put out the fire now, before the wind picked up for the night. It was already starting to get gusty, and he couldn't risk any fire spreading to the main city, where most of the poorer populace lived. They didn't have marble and quartz like the Egyptian royalty.
"Someone get some more people to help," Marik ordered, pointing at the barracks. "We need-"
The rest of his command was never heard, as a scream tore the air.
"My brother!" someone sobbed. "My brother is in there!"
Marik immediately looked to the person, and nearly lost his balance. Nyq stood a few meters past Bakura, on his knees with his hands in his hair. "My brother!" he continued to scream. "My brother!"
What the hell was going on? How the hell did Ryou end up in the middle of that thing? Marik shoved these questions aside and tried to evaluate the situation. He had to stay calm at times like this.
Smoke was already clogging the very air they were breathing, and the building was creaking underneath the crackling of fire. The entrance was completely sealed with flames, and the only way to get in would be hopping through a window. He was surprised the glass was still intact, but he shoved this thought away. The inside looked as if most of the first floor was burning, and…There was no way…Marik bit his lip, wincing. Shit, there's got to be a way!
Another scream interrupted his thoughts as a woman fell backwards, Bakura growling. Marik couldn't believe what he was seeing as he hurried toward the two.
The thief was turning to leave as soon as Marik stepped up to him. "What did you just do?" Marik demanded to know.
"Get out of my way," Bakura stoically murmured. He pushed right past the surprised soldier and stalked up to the stables. It took a while for it to register, but Marik finally caught on to what the thief was about to do.
"Bakura, don't!" he shouted, in hopes of trying to stop the thief in time. "We'll find another way, you'll kill yourself if you – Bakura!"
There was a shatter of glass as the thief crashed through the window of the burning building.
"Bakura!" Marik felt his lungs being crushed as the thought of losing both Ryou and the troublesome friend. He was about to run after the thief when a hand grabbed his wrist.
"You're insane, that stupid slave isn't worth it!" Nyq shouted, yanking the Captain of the Guard back. "My brother is dead," the Crown Prince mourned. "Oh, my god, what do I do? Father is going to kill me!"
Marik pulled his arm free and shoved Nyq away. The prince looked scared as Marik glowered at him. "Father is going to kill me? Is that all you can say? That should be you running in there!" Marik hollered. "What kind of a prince are you? What kind of a brother are you? If that were you inside, Ryou would've run in there and tried to save you! You coward, all you can do is stand here and scream! That's your brother in there, possibly dead! And what are you doing about it? You've done nothing, and you've been here from the start! Move, you imbecile! Get some water or something, and make yourself useful!"
"Captain!"
Marik clenched his fists and restrained himself from punching the lights out of stunned Nyq before him.He watched the prince trip over himself, trying to make himself helpful, as he asked in a strained voice, "What is it?"
It was the woman that Bakura had pushed down earlier. "Sir, that man..."
Marik was slow to respond, still struggling with the possibility of losing…He cleared his throat. "Who, Bakura?"
"Yes, him! He took my shawl. I think he'll be fine."
Marik raised an eyebrow as the eager brown-haired and dark-eyed female nodded. Is this woman in her right mind? "Because of your shawl?"
"No, sir," the woman earnestly said. "Because it is wet."
Marik blinked. How the hell did Bakura know about dealing with fire?
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AN: Well! I hope that this was a good chapter. I worked hard on this one…I'm glad about the number of reviews I received. Because I got so many, I'm going to try to update sooner for you guys. So…expect the next chapter by maybe tomorrow night or Sunday afternoon? Thanks for the reviews, and please review again!