Tenshi- OMG!! There's only two chaps left after this!!
Spirit- I know, weird isn't it? I hate ending stories.
Tenshi- Bummer. I was actually in this one too.
Spirit- You're in a couple more of mine, so pipe down. Anyways here it is!!
Disclaimer- I don't own either animes/mangas. All I own is the plot.
THANKS TO ALL WHO REVIEWED! YOU GUYS SO ROCK!
88 Last Time 88
Stepping out she began walking the opposite way which they had gone. Passing the locked door she heard it suddenly open. Before she could turn around to see who it was a arm snaked around her waist as a firm hand clamped over her mouth.
"Hello there my little whore. Trying to escape again?" her capture whispered into her ear. Hotaru immediately tensed when she recognized the voice. "Too bad, I still have plans for you"
88 This Time 88
Haruka collapsed to her knees in exhaustion. She had used up all her magic and now had to resort to the old fashion way of fighting. Just beating the crap out of her opponent. Her sword had been tossed away in one fight not so long ago and now laid buried underneath the sand and bodies. Usagi and Mamoru, after getting their strength back, had joined the fight and soon gave them the upper hand. The rebels were winning, but they couldn't keep this up for much longer. The sandy blonde woman looked towards the palace in hopes for some sort of sign that Portayga was finally dead. Unfortunately all she saw was a charging soldier with a raised spear.
Mustering up enough strength she dodged the weapon as it came down on her. Dropped kicked the guys arm, causing a satisfying snap and pain filled yell from her opponent. The navy eyed fighter then dropped to the ground, kicked his feet out from under him, then brought one foot up and brought it done on his chest. She felt the ribs crack beneath her heel and the soldier coughed up some blood before dying. Haruka backed away from him, stood and looked to see how the others were fairing. Michiru had also reached her limits and was fighting alongside Usagi. Mamoru was now protecting Setsuna who had fallen unconscious when she used her magic to freeze the lava they had poured from the palace walls long enough for their people to get out of the way.
"Haruka to your left!" on instinct she lashed out with her leg and nailed her attacker in the neck, instantly breaking it due to the force of her kick and the guys speed.
She looked over to see Jabari cutting his way to her. When the thief was finally over she was able to see the large cut on his head. The blood ran down the side of his face and dripped off his chin. "Any sign of them yet?" he asked, wiping the sweat off of his forehead.
Haruka shook her head. "No, but you better bandage that, before you bleed to death"
"What this?" he asked, pointing to his wound. "I've had far worse. Oops watch it." the blonde ducked as he threw that last of his knives at two soldiers fast approaching. Both dropped down dead once the weapons hit them between the eyes.
"If you don't mind my asking, what could be worse than that?" Haruka asked as she pushed him out of the way, jumped up and kicked another enemy in the temple, cracking his skull.
"On one of my lovely visits to a tomb, a rookie set off a trap. Two humongous axes dropped from the ceiling and swung at us. I moved, but not fast enough. The thing nearly sliced my arm off. Luckily Makoto was there, and quickly patched me up. The rookie wasn't so lucky."
Haruka rolled her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. Then a odd wizzing sound caught her attention. "What the hell is that?"
Jabari looked behind them and smirked. "Some help." the blonde turned to follow his gaze and saw a large group of black clad men on horses. Most had bows out. Hearing screams they looked back towards the wall to see most of the enemy soldiers fall dead with multiple arrows in their backs or torsos. "Night arrows. Thieves love to use those."
"Those men are yours?" Haruka asked.
"Naturally. I had sent for help on the day your group arrived at the oasis. They live in the lower part of Egypt." he said bringing up his sword again. "This war is going to end tonight. You ready to watch it?"
Nodding the blonde stood up and got in a stance. "More than ready."
88888
Bakura raced through the many halls of the palace, trying to find another entrance to the throne room. The first one had been blocked off by multiple guards and was also locked heavily from the inside. There had to be another door somewhere however. The problem was finding it in this damned huge building. Not to mention the random guards that turn nearly every corner were a pain to deal with. Shouldn't most of these guys be out fighting that damned pharaoh and his army? Atem's group must really suck if there were this many men left in the palace.
Finally he turned a corner and sighed. There was the other entrance to the throne room, where Portayga and the Millennium Items were waiting. The corridor was a long one and filled with doors on each side. Not to mention an upper level that over looked it. Many torches were lit to keep the place bright enough to see every corner. The shadows were too thin for someone to hide in, but anyone could pop out of those doors at any time. He would have to be cautious, or risk letting Portayga know there was an intruder.
Carefully he walked on, making as little noise as possible. His eyes switched back and forth to each door, and also kept alert to his backside as well. He had come to far to get caught now. The items he sought were just beyond those huge double doors.
Unfortunately luck was not on his side. The very last door suddenly opened, and he readied himself for the attack. It didn't come though. For a moment he thought perhaps a draft had opened the door. However the muffled sound of screaming was heard followed by a mans cursing. Etaxu walked backwards out of the room carrying something, or rather someone that was still hidden by the open door. He threatened his captive, before catching sight of Bakura out of the corner of his eye. He turned to face the thief and grinned.
"Well, well, I was wondering when you'd get here." He said.
Bakura narrowed his eyes. "Stay out of my way, I've got no business with you."
"Oh really? I thought for sure you'd want to kill me. After all, I beat your priestess nearly to death, and was going to sell her."
"That woman no longer concerns me." Bakura growled. The grin on the assailants' face widened.
"Oh really, I guess I can keep her this time around then." he said and finally pulled his prisoner.
Bakura's eyes went wide as Hotaru's small, and frightened form was revealed. Violet clashed with crimson and for a second there was silence. That is until Etaxu's chuckle broke it. "Aw, what a happy reunion. I guess you still care for her then."
The thief's eyes snapped over to him, those crimson eyes held nothing but pure malice in them. "Release her, or I'll skin you alive." he threatened, pointing his sword at the other man.
"I don't think so. You have a choice Bakura. Either give me the ring and you can have your precious girlfriend back alive, though I can't guarantee unharmed. Or keep it, but watch her bleed to death. Only one person is making it through those doors." Etaxu said, snickering at the thief.
Bakura growled and clutched the Ring around his neck. Inside he was screaming to give the damned thing up, but his body was fighting against his will. "Don't do it!" he looked over at Hotaru, who had managed to pull Etaxu's hand away from her mouth. "They already have the other Items! If they get the Ring they'll be unstoppable! Forget about me!"
"Silence you!" Etaxu growled pressing the dagger closer to her throat. A small line of blood slowly ran down her neck and she winced at the new pain. "Well Bakura! What's it going to be? Either the girl or the ring? Choose! Before I decide for you!"
Slowly Bakura pulled the rope that held the item from his neck. He stared at it then at Hotaru. Her eyes were teary it was obvious she was still scared. However she kept mouthing no. Bakura didn't know what to do. Part of him wanted to put the Ring back on and let her die, but the other part, the real part, wanted her to be safe. And it seemed that part was winning.
Hotaru closed her eyes. Either way it would be the end. Etaxu wasn't going to let the two just waltz out of the palace alive. They didn't come this far to let them go. A sound then reached her ears. Her eyes snapped open and she looked up at the small balcony behind Bakura. There stood two archers aiming their arrows at the thief's back. Her violet eyes widened as they pulled their arrows back. She felt Etaxu chuckle to himself and knew what was going to happen. She had to react now!
Without hesitation she elbowed the man as hard as she could in the gut. Instinctively he released her and she dashed toward Bakura. Etaxu quickly recovered however and called out, "Fire!"
"Bakura move!" she shouted and pushed him out of the way just as the arrows were let loose. Time seemed to slow down as the arrows flew through the air. Instead of piercing the thief's back, they went on and pierced the violet eyed girl's chest.
Hotaru let out a choked scream as the sharp metal dug deep into her. She fell backwards to the ground trying to breath.
"Hotaru!" Bakura cried as he watched the girl he loved fall to ground with the two arrows in her. For a moment it seemed everything just froze. No sound could be heard, no movement. It was as if time itself had stopped.
However the sudden sound of running caught Bakura's attention and he brought up his sword in time to block Etaxu's. The man had taken advantage of Bakura's shock. The thief growled and glared daggers at him. "You son of a bitch! I'll kill you!" he roared.
"I'd like to see you try thief!" Etaxu snapped, an insane grin on his face as he pushed Bakura back.
The Thief King slipped to the side and swung his sword upwards. Etaxu was able to dodge and the two locked swords again. Out of the corner of his eye, Bakura saw the archers take aim at him again. This time he would be ready. As soon as he saw them release, he moved to the side, making Etaxu loose his balance. He grabbed the mans arm and used him as a shield as the arrows were let loose. One pierced Etaxu's chest while the other went into his throat. The evil man choked then fell to the ground dead. His blood pooling out around him. Swiftly unhooking two knives that were up his sleeves, Bakura flung them at the archers. The knives shot into the mens heads and their bodies slumped over the railing.
Once sure they were all dead, Bakura tossed the Ring away and ran to Hotaru. He lifted her by her shoulders and pulled the arrows out as cleanly as he could. "Hotaru? Please speak to me." he asked, his voice quivering. He couldn't loose her. Not now, he had to apologize, he had to tell her a hundred more times how much he loved her. This couldn't be it. This couldn't be her end.
Tears welled up in his eyes as a weak hand reached up and cupped his cheek. He looked down into the violet eyes he loved so much. "Hotaru you can't leave me."
"Bakura it's ok. . . I'm not scared. I got to see you one last time. . . I'm sorry I couldn't help you." she said. The tears that had been building up began to fall. He clutched her hand and shook his head. No she couldn't die, she was to strong for that. "Bakura. . . please stop this war. I don't want anymore people. . .to suffer."
"I will, and then we can live together. We'll travel outside of Egypt and do other things. Whatever you want to do." he said, hoping his words would somehow stop death.
She just looked up at him sadly, almost sorry. "I would've liked that. . . I love you Bakura. . ."
"No! Hotaru, please don't! You can't leave me, please!" he cried, thoughts racing through his mind. How could he save her? He had to! There had to be some way! But it was too late. Her hand went limp in his and her eyes glazed over then closed. After a few moments, . . . she stopped breathing. "Hotaru? No you- . . .no . . ."
Bakura held her to him, crying into her ebony hair. She was gone. He wasn't getting her back. And it was all his fault. If he hadn't stolen the Millennium Ring, he wouldn't have fought with her. She would still be safe, still alive. Images of when they first met and there other meetings played over and over in his head. When he kissed her to keep her quiet. When he found her at the slave trade completely traumatized. To when she was living with him, and slowly they were healing each other from their pasts. But mst of all, her little smile stuck in his head. The smile he would never see again.
Laying her body back down he just sat there for a moment. His face blank, his eyes empty. Since the first time since he lost his village, he felt completely lost, useless, and alone. He wanted to join her in death, but he couldn't end it here. He still had a promise to keep. Kissing the top of Hotaru's head, he then got up and picked up his and Etaxu's swords. He would end this war, then join Hotaru. With that in mind he opened the two large doors and walked inside.
Tenshi- ::jaw drops:: -the hell was that!
Spirit- The chapter. . . please don't kill me
Tenshi- ::to shocked, and sad to do anything::
Spirit- Yeah, I know, very sad chap. Sorry, but it had to be done. Well . . .Please Review! Ja ne::runs off::
Death