Tenshi- i hate finals...i always choke.
Spirit- so do i..and i probably failed my first semester of math:cries: stupid teacher! anyways here's the chap i'm sure you have all been waiting for. i probably only have like four more after this one.
Disclaimer- I don't own either animes/mangas. All I own is the plot.
THANKS TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! YOU GUYS ROCK!
88 Last Time 88
The two hesitated, then nodded. "Alright. Be safe Hotaru. We'll find a way to get you and your brother out of this." Jabari said. The girl nodded and watched as the two disappeared from view. She let out a sad sigh and leaned her head back against the wall. The only problem now was getting Bakura to listen. Would he actually come if he thought the pharaoh had her? And if Makoto and Jabari got to him in time. . . would he still come? Only time could tell of what lay in wait for this country .
88 This Time 88
Haruka wiped the sweat from her forehead. The desert sun was killing there small group. Looking back she found the servants and maids who had escape following slowly. The one horse they managed to steal was carrying Setsuna who was covered with a blanket so she wouldn't be burned. To the blondes right was Michiru, who looked weary. Her once beautiful features seemed a little more older. Bags lay under her teal eyes, and her lips were cracking. She imagined herself looking no better. Suddenly a child's cry was heard and they stopped. Looking to the far back they saw a woman had collapsed. Haruka, with unknown energy, quickly made her way over to the boy who was trying to shack his mother awake. The tomboy checked the woman's pulse but felt nothing. She was already gone.
Minako came over and picked the distraught boy up. She began whispering comforting words to him as he continued to cry on her shoulder. Haruka looked at the men who had come to help carry the woman, and just shook her head at them. There was no need to carry a corpse. Silently she made her way back to the front and went on walking. No one uttered a word. The only sound to be heard was the boys crying and the shifting sounds of the sands as they walked. They had been walking since yesterday, when the palace was being taken over. They were the only ones who were able to escape, but now it seemed that even staying there might have been better. The mother had been the fourth person they lost to the cruel desert. No doubt more would fall if they did not find water and shade soon.
"Haruka." came the cracking voice of Michiru. "What should we do? Should we head back?"
The taller woman shook her head. "No, if we head back now more of us will die and we'll most likely be killed by those soldiers and guards. Our best chance of surviving is to find the next city."
"Lady Haruka!" came a shout from behind. They stopped to look at the man who was holding the reigns to Setsuna's horse. "Lady Setsuna wants you. She says it's urgent."
Nodding the two walked over to their friend who weakly lifted the blanket in order to see them. "Haruka there is an oasis not far from here. It's beyond those sand dunes there." she pointed to there left and they turned to look. The dunes were rather high so they were unable to see anything.
"Setsuna are you sure?" Michiru asked.
Setsuna just gave her a funny look. "Can't you sense the water Michiru?" the aqua haired girl turned to the direction and concentrated. There, she felt it. In her ears she could here the beautiful sound of calm moving water.
"She's right!" she cried as she opened her eyes. Everyone began to mutter and talk with each other.
"Alright! Listen up. We'll head that way. Don't run, we still need to save our energy. The water isn't going anywhere. Now lets move!" Haruka barked. The people nodded and began to follow.
The sand dunes were very difficult to get over. They were steep and the sand kept giving away. Children were having to be carried and any extra weight was dropped. Haruka and a man had to hold Setsuna so that the horse could get over as well. Eventually they made it over and immediately spotted what was to them, heaven. Instantly the people began to move a little quicker and were soon by the ponds edge and were drinking to their hearts content. The children began to splash each other and push each other in. Everyone was in much better spirits.
Minako smiled as the child she had been caring for began to drink the water next to her. She even scooped it up and dumped it on his head. He began to laugh and chase her around into the shade. The blonde haired girl was having to much fun to notice where she was going and slammed right into someone. Both ended up falling over to the ground. The boy stopped laughing and quickly went to check if Minako was ok. She gave him a reassuring smile then turned to apologize to whom ever she had knocked down. Her breathe caught at the sight of him and she quickly rose and stood in front of the boy protectively.
"What are you doing here?" she asked calmly.
Bakura got up rubbing his head which he had bumped on a tree. "What do you think bitch? It's the only place to get water and shade for miles. Besides I was here first before your little happy group arrived." he snapped.
"Minako." the three turned to see Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna. Setsuna had been the one who spoke. "Don't worry about him. He's alone. He won't try anything with so many people against him."
The thief growled. "And why do you think that?"
"Trust me. I know a lot more about you then you think." she said, her crimson eyes boring down on him. A shiver ran up his spine, it felt like the woman was looking into his soul. "You're planning to go to the palace to steal the rest of the Items aren't you?"
"So what if I am? You planning to stop me?"
"The palace was overrun yesterday. A group called the Assailants now have the Items. The pharaoh is no where to be found after he went to tend to a group of raiders." Michiru explained.
"You're efforts will be in vain." Haruka pointed out. Bakura didn't know if he should listen to them, or think they were all crazy. However it wouldn't hurt to hear what they had to say. For if in fact it was true, he would need all the information they had.
88888
A flat hand shot out of the darkness and chopped down on a guards neck, knocking him out. Three other figures quickly took care of the rest of the soldiers. After no one was around two of them took off their hoods and masks to reveal Atem and Rei. So far the plan was working perfectly. They had managed to get into the palace with the disguise of them being guards bringing in two troublesome girls. Ami and Usagi played their part well and now they were at the door that led to the dungeons. Grabbing the key from one of the unconscious guards, Ami fit it into the keyhole and unlocked the large door. They all then slipped inside and proceeded down the stairs.
Thankfully there were no more guards inside. Torches were placed well around the room. The people in their cells shifted around, trying to get as far away from the doors as possible. However once they saw their pharaohs face they immediately stood up and began to give silent pleas for help. It hurt Atem to see his people being treated this way. Quickly they began unlocking the cell doors and chains. The people piled out of their cells and thanked the four. Atem then called attention to himself.
"Listen. We're here to lead you out of the palace and to a refugee camp a miles away from here. This girl, Usagi will be leading you there. She is able to cloak you so that the guards won't be able to see anyone leaving. Follow and listen to her. Myself and the others are remaining here. Is this all understood?" the people nodded. "Good. Now be safe."
"You too our pharaoh." a woman said. He smiled and nodded. At that Ami opened up the passageway that would lead them out. Usagi was the first to go in and the people began to follow. Ami and Rei went and dragged the guards in, then threw them into the now empty cells. Ami took ones clothes and dressed herself in them. Once the three were hooded and masked, and the people all gone, they went back up the stairs to continue on with their mission.
88888
Rei walked confidently down the halls of the palace. She and the others had decided to split up in order to find out more of the Assailants plans. As of now she was on her was to what was once the pharaohs bedroom. However once she turned the corner she saw how heavily guarded it was. Who ever was their leader was probably now occupying the room. Dead end there. There was no way she could take out so many soldiers and not be heard or found out. It was far to risky. Turning back around she thought of another destination. The ballroom. Atem was already checking out the throne room, and Ami the kitchens and dinning area's. This seemed like the only other place she could go.
Upon opening the doors to what was once a very beautiful and grand room, she saw it had become what appeared to be a training room. Dummies, targets, and other such things were set up everywhere. A veiled woman was the only one there and was currently kicking the hell out of a large dummy. Instantly she stopped at the sound of the doors opening and looked to Rei.
"You lost?" she asked, her grey eyes narrowing.
"No, sorry for intruding." Rei said flatly then began to leave. The wiz of a dagger made her duck in time as one flew were her head once was. She turned to see the woman have two more in hand.
"You're no guard. Who the hell are you?" she asked.
Rei mentally kicked herself. She had forgotten to disguise her voice to be male. There were no female guards at the palace. Finding it useless to hide herself further she threw off the mask and cloak. Her own purple eyes narrowing. The woman seemed surprised but then smirked beneath her veil. "Well, well, well. If it isn't . . . my baby half sister Rei."
Upon hearing that the girls eyes widened and she gasped. "Nama?"
The woman stood up straight. "That was my old name. The one that died along with my old self. I am now called Gravekeeper." . . .
88888
A smile spread across Makoto's face as lush green trees and bushes came into view. They were now reaching their break point. The Eshe Oasis. Hopefully Bakura had not left from it yet. Turning her head she whistled to the others who smiled and kicked their horses into a gallop. She faced back to the front and did the same. Jabari soon rode up beside her and gave her a wink before going a little more ahead. She just rolled her emerald eyes at his indication of a race. Still she had no choice but to meet his challenge and made her horse go faster.
They caught up with him easily and the two were now neck and neck. Thieves from the back laughed at the two's childish fun. However everyone began to slow down or stop at the sight of their resting place. People were there. Men and women dressed like servants and maids. Makoto and Jabari stopped their horses and looked at the group in confusion. What the hell was going on? Seeing as how staring wasn't going to help, Makoto dismounted and walked a little forward.
"Whose in charge here?" she asked the people who only stared in fear.
"I am." came a strong voice. They turned to see a sandy haired man coming out of the trees. However upon a closer look. The brunette found that the man, was actually a woman. Well. . . at least they had common ground. "My names Haruka. We are refugees from the palace."
"So it's true. Portayga really is planning to take over Egypt." Jabari said dismounting his own horse.
"What?" came a familiar voice. From right behind Haruka came the well known King of Thieves. His red eyes glared at his group and he crossed his arms. Waiting for an explaination.
"It's Portayga Bakura. He has been planning to obtain Egypt and the Millennium Items. He also . . . has Hotaru and Tenshi. He's going to use them as bait to lure you out so they can get the Millennium Ring." Makoto explained.
Bakura only rolled his eyes. "Please I have better things to do then waist my time saving them." the group of thieves looked shocked.
"But Bakura! He has Hotaru!" Jabari said stomping over to who was once his best friend. "Don't you even care about her anymore?"
"No, I don't! I could care less about that bitch!"
Makoto just glared at him. "Then we will save her. You can stay here and rot for all I care." she hissed, using a tone that acutally scared some of her own men. Turning to her group she began barking orders. "Alright. We'll stay here for the night. We leave at dawn for the palace. We're not fighting for the pharaoh or his government. We're fighting to survive and live freely in this country. Understood?"
"Yes!" they all cried.
"Good. Now rest up and prepare for tomorrow." she yelled. She then turned back around, gave one last death glare to Bakura and marched over to a vacant spot to set up her bed roll and a fire. Her horse, without even being called, followed her loyally.
Jabari just looked at Bakura with a serious expression. "I never thought I'd see the day when I actually wanted to kill you myself Bakura. Hotaru was right. That Ring has changed you for the worse."
Bakura just watched him join his lover and help her build the fire. Deep inside he was screaming at himself for acting this way. It was like watching a bad dream. The Millennium Ring was like using him. The words he said were not his own but it's. He felt like a puppet. Somehow he needed to find a way to be rid of it's hold. But for now, there was nothing he could do, but watch all of his friends turn against him.
Spirit-hehehe, so many twists my little mind is coming up with. well that's all for now. i think i might update Practical Love next...probably on Tuesday.
Tenshi- getting back to work are we?
Spirit- maybe, you never know. this next quarter of school though i'm going to really have to work hard at. well Please Review! Ja ne
Death