Duel Two: BaKuRa'S wArNiNg

Stowing away was simpler than I thought it would be. Since we had boarded the vessel to Duelist Kingdom, Minoru, Ran, and I had been sitting among other duelists in hopes of fitting in. When security made an appearance, we would discreetly adjust our apparel, or in Minoru's case, his lopsided, red and black Duel cap. Occasionally, the three of us would have to split up to seem less conspicuous.

Minoru and Ran fit right in, often getting in heated conversations over trading cards or who should've won what duel. Having changed out of our school uniforms before leaving for the harbor, I now wore blue denim pants, sneakers, and a baby blue tee beneath my lime green jacket. I left my hair down so it tickled my shoulders to appear a little older, so far, no problems.

Apparently no one was aware those who shouldn't be on the ship were, making me less nervous. Anxiety was a friend to no one and I was no exception. With a sigh of relief, I fell to my butt beside a slightly less than talkative group. Or at least two members were making up most of the chit-chat.

"Hey Tea, you have some girly cards!" a blonde boy several feet taller than I claimed loudly, reminding a lot of Minoru across the room. Beside him was a brunette with bright blue eyes that were currently narrowing dangerously on her blonde friend. I assumed this was Tea, granted she was the only girl in the group.

"Be careful, they may be beautiful, but they can kick your deck's butt without breaking a sweat!" was Tea's reply, I rolled my eyes toward Ran, who without shame like Tea, was talking over a handful of animal and fairy cards to a few other female duelists.

"I wouldn't talk if I were you Joey, a little while ago an in fact could beat you!" laughed another brunette, though this one was a he with a vertical, pointed hairstyle and a kind smile. The blonde, Joey, went on the defensive.

"I've improved since then! Gimme some credit!" Not even denying the fact an infant could out-duel him, Joey rambled on to his friend as Tea resisted rolling her eyes.

"Don't forget why we're here you two!" Tea said, the two boys nodded, suddenly looking grim. The three looked at the last member of their group who hadn't yet spoken since I took residence beside them. Between Joey and his friend's shoulders, I saw how the boy was around my height (was he the same age as his friends?) with spiky hair resembling lightning bolts…

Lightning bolts? Why does that seem so familiar? Oh, right! Mr. Mutou from the game shop Ran took me too!

I eyed the boy, he had the same violet eyes of the old, cheerful man and wore the high school uniform from Domino High. Frowning, I decided he was older than me, but obviously is vertically challenged. Stifling a giggle, a shiny, upside-down pyramid hung from the boy's neck on a simple rope. A bold, golden eye was designed into it and when I peered into it directly, it sent shivers up my spine.

"Attention duelists! A recent count of persons has revealed to us a number of individuals overriding our current number of attending competitors! Please stand and prepare to give your full name and reveal your single star chip and glove! Thank you!" My heart leaped to my throat and from seeing the look on Ran and Minoru's faces as they shot a glance at me told me they were feeling the same way.

Hold on… I looked over as I stood toward the group I had been eavesdropping on. Only one out of the four had a glove and star chip – they weren't qualified to be here either! How did they get on?

Maybe perhaps they're over the age limit and managed to get on to support their friend, I thought with a mental snort. Scanning the area all the duelists (except a few honorees in their reserved suites) had been stuffed in since the beginning of the voyage, I spotted a few giant boxes behind the small group I was standing a little ways from. Motioning toward the crates, Minoru and Ran nodded in understanding.

Before the security guards made their way into the room, the three of us managed to hide and avoid their shades behind the crates.

Minutes ticked by and my heartbeat quickened with every step that sounded closer and closer to our hiding spot.

"Name?" a gruff voice from the harbor demanded.

"Joey Wheeler, hey, this was cleared up before we got on da boat!" the blonde from earlier exclaimed, a flicker of hope in my eyes returned – maybe the security guards would believe they made a mistake counting their heads that overrode the count and halt their search!

"Hm, I don't see your name." the same gruff voice snarled with amusement, Joey huffed.

"It's true – we're here to support our friend Yugi Mutou!" claimed Joey, behind me, I felt Ran shift her weight. My thoughts were the same – so he was related to the manager of the game shop!

"Hmm…fine then, but give us your names again anyway." The gruff voice said, still soaked in a twisted amusement. I gulped, what if they caught us? Alost instantly my imagination took hold - would they throw us into the ocean to fend for ourselves for stowing away? No matter how limited I was to the television, I felt everything I saw on it was fake – unrealistic. In this century, no one could be that cruel could they?

"Tea Gardener," the girl brunette answered stiffly. The sound a pen scribbling something on paper against a clipboard could be heard.

"Tristan Taylor," he must have been the other brunette.

"And you are an actual duelist invited by Pegasus himself," the security guard said, I guessed he must have been looking at Yugi.

"Right," Yugi had a high voice compared to Joey and Tristan.

"Fine, keep your lackeys under control and they'll be no problem." The security guard growled, Joey and Tristan instantly took offense.

"Lackeys!?" Another security guard came up to the gruff one, distracting them from the obnoxious pair.

"After adding up everyone in the room, the count's different sir," a man said in an almost fearful manner, was it because to whom he was speaking to? Fighting for a view, the three of us peered through a crack between the crates to see the gruff guy in shades and a skinnier guard in shades.

"Nonsense," the gruff guard snorted, his eyes scanning the room around him from behind his sunglasses.

"Then they must be hiding," I felt Minoru and Ran's bodies stiffen behind me.

Before anything could be said, the men in suits throughout the room began pushing through duelists and into coat racks and boxes and rooms. The men closest to Yugi's group took the initiative toward the crates. With a freaky smirk, the man came closer with his hands itching to grab anyone who dared stowaway under his watch.

"Penny-" squeaked Ran, but Minoru clamped a hand over her mouth. A bead of sweat ran down my cheek as we left the crates and got down on the floor.

"Or…" Joey's voice drifted over the crates and into our ears. "…Some'un miscounted." The man about to discover our whereabouts came to an abrupt halt before turning around, giving the blonde a harsh glare.

"Not likely," was all he said, a pair of boots stomping down the stairs indicated another guard joining the party. The guard practically ran up to the man glaring at Joey with a rather frazzled expression.

"Kemo sir, there's a problem up deck – Pegasus wishes to speak with you," I couldn't believe our luck! As the guards gave up their search for possible stowaways, they followed their reluctant leader back up the stairs. Two of them positioned at the bottom to keep an eye out for the uncounted for heads.

"Whew," Joey groaned, the three of us didn't dare venture out again for the following hours.

Eventually, at some point, the group was led away by the creepy bug inspector (or whatever) and was about to be followed by Minoru (who just had to have his autograph.) Other duelists began to unravel sleeping bags or find the comfiest spot on the floor to fall into slumber.

Minoru and I were about to step outside the crates to join them when Ran grabbed the scruff of our jackets then pull us back out of sight. She held her index finger to her lips then pointed at something beyond the crates when we turned on her.

Licking my lips nervously, I saw what Ran was so edgy about. The guards left below duck with us were being replaced with a fresh pair of men. They held emotionless masks even the Boogeyman wouldn't attempt to scare. With a silent sigh, I imagined we were going to be stuck behind the crates (where space was already very limited) and against the wall for the rest of our voyage.

It wasn't until a little past midnight that I woke up to find I had the unpleasant feeling I had begun to dread since my realization. Where were the restrooms on this dang boat to begin with?

Cautiously, I peered in between the crates and at the guards. They hadn't inched since they had been stationed there many hours ago. I wondered how they could do it until the blasted sensation rippled through my lower region, reminding me I had to go – now.

Reason told me there was no way the guards could remember every person's face on the ship and therefore, would not possibly believe I was some stowaway. Yet even if I hid my face in the shadows, there was no doubt my lack of a gauntlet would give me away and thus, I knew I couldn't be seen by the guards.

Imitating that pathetic dance most kids do when they're being potty-trained, I scanned the room outside the crates for any sign of a restroom. A thought dawned on me with horror, numbing my bladder for several seconds. Perhaps the restrooms were outside the room we were being held in?

But of course, a voice inside my head chided with light amusement, snarling, I crouched down onto my belly. Advancing at the pace of a snail, I crawled out of the crates and along the mounds of human bodies curled up in their sleeping bags. Stopping many times whenever I believed a guard twitched or moved his gaze towards my direction, it took me almost thirty minutes to evade detection before finding a spot to stand at long last.

But not before being caught.

He wasn't a guard – there was no way a beanpole like him could be one. Especially not with a hair of dazzling white down past his elbows and enormous, amicable brown orbs. Plus he had no shades – what a relief – sort of.

"Uh…h-hello," I greeted, still a little wary of making friends, of course I wasn't too stupid to accept candy from a stranger – if he would attempt that is.

At first, he didn't say anything, but he did stare at me, probably wondering 'a kid?' Then he smiled, a pink hue stained my cheeks and a warm feeling fluttered in my belly.

He doesn't look old, but he has white hair…and he's cute… I absently wondered how old he was, then images from Father's graphic novel I nicked from his study a week or so ago raced into my head. The plot centered around a loli-lolito? Or was it lolita?

Whatever, it was disgusting.

"Hello, would you by chance, have anything to do with the chaos from earlier?" he asked warmly, obviously referring to the guards looking for us a-long-way-from-home stowaways. I thought roughly about telling him the truth – what harm could it be in doing so? But if there was one thing Mama and Father were adamant about that I knew came from the truth was about the reliability you can put into people you just met.

This guy could be wanted for stealing or kidnapping, I wasn't about ready to reveal my life story to him!

"Nah, my friends and I are here for the tournament. I'm just short for my age," I replied, thinking of the boy with the upside-down pyramid around his neck with a gauntlet on his right hand. Thinking of the golden trinket…this boy had one too, or at least something similar.

My eyes narrowed on the ring with half a dozen glittering 3D rhombuses hanging from it. A golden eye stared out from it as one did on the upside-down pyramid, there had to be a connection between the two.

"Ah, I see." Was his reply, apparently he wasn't convinced but played along anyhow. That irked me, I didn't like having my way, but he didn't look like a tattle-tale, so a small sort of relief snaked around my heart.

"Is that some sort of new fashion trend?" I questioned, pointing at his golden ring hanging from his neck. He peered down at it as well, his smile wavered.

"Not really, it's a rare item called the Millennium Ring." Answered the stranger, I raised a brow.

"Another boy has something like it, it has the same kind of eye." I pointed out, the white-haired boy nodded.

"You must be talking about Mutou Yugi, he's a friend of mine – he has the Millennium Puzzle." He explained, the uncomfortable sensation below my tummy worsened. I frowned painfully.

"Um…this is a little embarrassing, buuut do you know where the restrooms are?" I asked, of course, it's not a good idea to ask a stranger where you're destination is in fear they will know where you are. Then again, he might be awake past midnight too for the same reason. If all else fails, be optimistic!

He blinked.

"Yes, right down there on the left." He said, jabbing a finger ahead of us.

"Um…nice speaking with…er…you, bye." Awkwardly, I ran around him then quickly jogged down the hall along the side of the ship. The ocean waves could be heard swishing against the ship's metal walls.

Finding the women's restroom, I hurried in. Less than five minutes later, I exited to find the white-haired boy right outside, leaning over the railing. Looking out toward the horizon where the water met the sky. Cautiously I approached him, wondering if he wanted to resume our conversation. When I was close enough for a decent chat, he didn't say anything, but kept staring out at sea. My eyes began to wonder to and I found myself gazing heavenward.

It was a cloudy night, the stars could hardly be seen. Even the moon was playing hide-and-seek behind giant puffs of gray and navy blue. The shadows weren't dancing tonight.

"They're from Egypt," he suddenly spoke, snapped out of my stupor I glanced at him.

"W-What?"

"They're from Egypt, the Millennium items." He said plainly, his voice was still the same, but his eyes were narrowing. "There's no ocean there,"

"Of course not, it's all sand." Even I know that, I watched him for a moment, undecided in whether I should head back to Ran and Minoru or not.

"Have you ever seen the sea before?" I asked, the boy still refused to make eye contact and continued to look at the rolling waves. Was it a look of longing?

"Oh, I used to live in Britain, I've seen it plenty before." He said, I frowned.

Weirdo. For some reason, that was all I could think of. Not to mention he's speaking funny and I'm not talking about his British accent either.

"You're not fourteen, or any older than that." He spoke again after a few minutes of silence. Worry manipulated itself into my chest, swelling like a balloon as the boy suddenly looked at me. Same voice, same eyes – if not a little narrow, as if he were looking me over. "Why are you on this boat?"

"I already said-"

"I know what you said," he said, but not with the same warm tone from earlier. I gulped, goosebumps were beginning to appear beneath my sleeves.

"My father received the Millennium Ring from a vendor in Egypt. Telling him it would bring good fortune to whomever wears it," the boy explained, his eyes turning back out toward the black sea. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, trying to purchase a more comfortable position.

At the mention of "father" the silver-haired man whisked in front of my eyes. I didn't know the boy noticed the slight widening of my eyes and analyzed it in his own pair.

"You're not going to Duelist Kingdom to duel either," he concluded, shocked, I just stared at him. Yet it quickly turned into a glare.

"It's none of your business," I growled, I didn't care how childish I sounded, this guy was just weird! Looking around, I saw no one – not even guards.

"How old are you really?" at that, I stuck my tongue out at him.

"You shouldn't ask girls that, it's rude." Trying to sound light and playful was not my intention, but it came out that way even though my uncertainty grew – making me all the more uncomfortable. It felt as if I was watching some suspenseful horror movie, but I was the main character and he was the manipulative villain. But he didn't look the part except for the eyes that grew darker with each passing second.

"I apologize," and just like that, the darkness vanished and he was the kind soul I first met.

"I…" the sudden disappearance of the dark presence lightened the atmosphere and I felt better around him again. After heightening my suspicion so much, when it all vanished I felt I could trust him. "I am the stowaway they were all making a big deal about."

A new friend…

"I want to talk to…Pegasus about…something," I confessed, but I felt it was okay to do it. The white-haired teen smiled, but he did cock his head slightly as he stared at me funny.

As quickly as it had disappeared, the darkness returned in full blast if not stronger than before. I instantly realized my mistake, somehow what I had said provoked it. His hair began to rise and his eyes narrowed dangerously.

"What is your name?" he asked, his voice no longer warm or welcoming. It was cross and gruffer, I felt cornered. He straightened his spine, his overall appearance made me think of a skinny, white, evil bat. Not only had his hair risen as if a balloon had been rubbed against his scalp, but the edges of his sweater seemed to bristle with static.

"P-Penny…" I reluctantly replied, not giving my full name. I dared to ask the same for him. He smirked.

"Call me Bakura,"

Feeling the urge to sprint as fast as I could, I began backing away – I'll risk taking the long way back to my room. Bakura seemed to have other plans.

"The guards are close by," he said coolly, but a smirk still graced his lips. "You shouldn't stay here much longer," He turned and left, when the moonlight escape through a hole in the clouds above, he vanished into the shadows.

Fighting the urge to break down, I couldn't help but think there was some hidden meaning to the words he had just spoken – like a warning…did it have something to do with Pegasus? The darkness came when I mentioned him and it didn't seem nice.

After a few minutes, I heard footsteps. Taking Bakura's words to heart, I hurried back to the room.

The coming morning, the duelists were packed back up and out on the deck to catch the first glimpse of Duelist Kingdom. Ran, Minoru, and I stayed behind the crate until the guards went up with the last of the duelists.

A cheer broke out as we crawled out from our hiding place.

Duelist Kingdom was on the horizon it seemed.