AN: I apologize for the late chapter… I know I said I would update sooner, but I was caught up in the mood where electronics of any sort just made me feel sick. I couldn't write anything that way, and it was all just giving me a headache to try to write when I wasn't in the mood. So, I'm really sorry for the late update.
Thanks to…
FlyingShadow666: Why thanks! I'm so sorry this chapter is late… X( Thanks for the review!
dragonlady222: The Crown Prince is somewhere in the Palace, and the Pharaoh is hiding in the second treasury. And yes, they need to get rid of the Romans! But I agree with you, Ryou needs to be Pharaoh! Yup, yup. I'm sorry the chapter is late. Thanks for the review!
gecko-grl-2: I'm glad you liked it! Sorry this chapter is late. Thanks for the review!
casaragi: lol. Go Bakura! I'm sorry this chapter is late… ;; Thanks for the review!
Roae: Hehe, that's okay. I figured you would leave a long one! (I love them, by the way) I was/am late with this chapter, so I apologize as well. Ari is pronounced "Ah-ree", it's like Armenian or something. Ryou is such a great speaker, he's going to make a great Pharaoh. And I think Bakura's fricking awesome, too! He's so fast (or at least, that's how I see him and that's how he is in my stories) and I love drama when he's in it. Um, the Kul Elna attack happened like, four or three years ago. Bakura was into tomb robbing around the pre-teen age (like, 10-13). Kaiya didn't like him breaking and entering so often, because he started to do it so frequently. Ooh, and I love that line, too! Thanks so much for the review! I hope you enjoy the chapter.
Tails7651: Oh, that's okay. I'm late with this chapter. Whoo, Egyptian Monarchy indeed. Lol. Thanks for the review! (Go Bakura! Fight and win!)
Anime WarriorSkye: Haha, you're so right! I'm really sorry this chapter is late. Thanks for the review!
The Vampire Prince: I like that line, too! Thanks for the review! Sorry this chapter is late, couz.
Chapter Twenty Seven: R.Y.O.U.
Fear was not something the Roman captain was used to. For the first time in his life, he began to doubt his own skills in swordsmanship. He could feel each antagonizing second tick on by as this ragged stranger before him created a larger rift between his confidence and capabilities.
The idea of retreat flickered in his mind for a second, before he shoved it out. His hands were shaking as more time passed, and each second seemed to mark his uncertainty with a dark blotch.
Nervously shifting his weight to his other foot, the Roman hesitantly glanced back, before shaking his head. He had to fight, he couldn't turn back now… Gritting his teeth, the captain tried to increase his determination as he slowly assumed an open fighting stance with his dagger clenched tightly in his hand.
Bakura barked in laughter as the captain sprung forward. He made it look easy, knocking away each and every attack that the enemy threw at him.
Then, when the thief's foe tried a downward strike, Bakura caught the blade between his own two silver ones. He leaned in close and offhandedly said, "You suck with knives."
Ryou saw the Roman's eyes go wide as Bakura ducked and elbowed the man's stomach with incredible speed. He didn't stop there; an uppercut punch followed through the foreigner's chin before Bakura kicked the man's side.
There was a painful hiss as skin skidded against the marble floor. Ryou bit his lower lip, feeling his own leg tingling at the mere sound of the burn. Bakura trotted over to the fallen man, and bent over as he grabbed a handful of the fur cloak.
"Stop, Bakura," Ryou immediately said fearfully as the thief raised a knife. "That's enough."
Bakura felt a small surge of anger wash over him. He knew that the child was right, that crushing the man's confidence was enough, but…he didn't want to stop. And besides, who was he to order him around?
Then, the thief could hear what Marik would have to him, if he could read his thoughts.
Quit being so immature
Bakura chuckled, releasing the man and holding his head in one hand as he got up. Stupid Marik.
Exhaustion attacked his body as Bakura forcefully shoved the idea of fighting away. The mental walls succumbed to his agonized body as he found himself short of breath. Every fiber of his being seemed to be filled with lead as he tried to stand straight, and it was painful to even execute the simple act of sheathing his daggers.
Ryou watched Bakura stagger toward him, cradling his left arm as it bled profusely from underneath the metal plate. As he took a quick look around the room, he knew all this useless fighting was almost over.
Already Romans were laying down their weapons when they saw their leader crumpled on the ground. Ryou was about to walk forward to meet Bakura when he saw a shadow fall on his path from behind.
Without really thinking, Ryou paused and glanced behind him and nearly lost his life for his carelessness.
Someone's arm, Ari's, collided with his throat at the very beginning of the swing. If it had been near the end of the swing, the child's neck would have snapped in half from the momentum alone.
Gasping for breath, Ryou stumbled backwards pretty far as he clawed at his throat, tears sliding down his cheeks. No air was coming in, and he started to hyperventilate. His heart rate nearly tripled as he wheezed and coughed at the same time. He could see Ari charging again at him, his sword unsheathed and rushing straight for him.
There was a short scream as Bakura yanked Ryou back, the sword smashing right through the teen's tunic and into the metallic plate eating his shoulder.
Ari's eyes grew wide as he stepped back, stunned, as Bakura clutched his shoulder through the torn red clothes. W-why so much blood? Just moments ago, he wouldn't have hesitated to kill the teen who knelt before him now, grasping his bloodied shoulder. But when it came to the actual act of it…
Ari's mind was racing as he stared at Bakura kneeling on the ground. The lavender eyes were blank as his breathing grew uneven."B-Bakura?" he whispered, scared of what he might have done.
The plate wasn't visible, but he could feel its presence on his skin. Thank the gods it wasn't dented… Bakura shuddered as he tried to move his arm. "N-no more…" he murmured, wincing as he fought another wave of pain.
"I-I'll get you to a doctor," Ari hurriedly reassured the thief, stepping forward to pick him up.
However, a small figure blocked his path, his arms spread out wide. Ryou was panting heavily as he glared at Ari, feeling so frustrated by this man's absurdity. He was tired of it all, of fighting! Why didn't this guy just give up already? Didn't he get it? Revenge was just an excuse to kill!
"You are such an idiot!" Ryou shouted, wanting nothing more than the ability to thrash the fool that stood before him with his hands wrung in front of him, looking lost. "Whatever path you take, whatever decision you make, stick with it you coward! Quit hurting him and then worrying about him! You're just making it harder for Bakura!"
Ari snarled as he grabbed the front of Ryou's shirt, yelling, "What do you care? He's your dog, isn't he?"
Squirming hard, Ryou tried to fight his way out of Ari's shaking hands. "He-"
Ari just tightened his hold as he lifted the child higher and higher. "He's your slave, right? He's yours?"
Does anything go through that thick skull of his? Ryou mentally screamed. He just hurts Bakura by following his emotions without thinking! Infuriated by the man's close-mindedness, Ryou fiercely kicked with all his might at his captor's face.
Ground ran up at him to meet him, producing a strangled cry from the child. Ryou felt something break or crack from the fall, but he slowly picked himself up as he glared at Ari.
"How stupid can you get!?" Ryou screamed.
Ari was spitting blood out of his mouth, as well as a tooth that Ryou had knocked loose, when he literally snapped.
"He's not a dog!" Ryou continued, a little angry himself. "He's not a slave, he's not mine! He's Bakura!"
"Don't talk like you know him," Ari muttered, slowly wiping away the dribble of blood from the corner of his mouth. He looked past Ryou, at Bakura, and he instantly grew pale.
Ryou dared to glance back, and saw that Bakura's soaked shirt he wore had fallen away, revealing the metal plate enveloping his shoulder.
Ari felt his very blood grow still as he read the name inscribed on the plate. Without a word, he met Ryou's gaze as his entire body grew stiff.
"I'm going to kill you."
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AN: I'm sorry if it's short. ;; I'll update by Tuesday night or Wednesday. Please review!