Here it is! Chapter 12... this was kinda interesting to write, honestly, but i hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: sorry, but i still don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of the characters.

Chapter 12

"Oh Queen," a lower thief entered the room that she had been locked in.

"I have a name, It's Masika," she hissed, watching the thief shake in fear from her. How had he even managed to become part of Bakura's gang? Such a weakling…

His eyes darkened, "Well then, Masi, master Bakura requests your prescence at once."

"He can shove it."

"I believe that is not an option," he threw a bundle of clothing at her, "he wants you to wear this. He says no questions, or denials. If you do decline then we get to do what we want with you." His strange turquoise eyes seemed to now hold a lust that was similar to Bakura's the other day when they were by the tablet.

"How about I decline and kill all of you?" she muttered.

"That, is impossible. You couldn't hope to kill us. Now choose."

She fumbled the ball of clothing into her hands and sent the thief from her room; hearing him lock the door as he exited.

"Damn that thief," she mumbled as she unraveled the ball of clothing. "What the hell does he think he's doing?!"

The clothes he had left her were that of which she only saw on the belly dancers that would come to entertain the Pharaoh every-so-often. To make her wear such lowly clothes; but what could she say, she was a village girl. However, most royal women wore very close clothing, theirs were clearly marked and sewn to be that of the same royal fabric and jewels.

She dressed quickly, not being bothered by the feel of common fabric that she had grown up with. Glancing herself up and down she figured quickly that Bakura would be up to something. This was her second day, and she knew he'd have something up his sleeve. She knocked on the door, only to find it opened by the same thief she'd just thrown out. "Are you ready?" he eyed her lustfully.

Slightly disgusted she nodded, would this ever end? He led her to Bakura's 'house'. It was a small building, no larger than her own confinement, but upon entering it seemed much more homey and at ease than hers.

"Master Bakura, she's here." The thief pushed her in the door and closed it behind him.

"Hmm. Hello pet."

She growled at the name, "I'm no ones pet!"

Slyly he appeared behind her, wrapping an arm around her stomach to keep her in place as his hand ghosted over her cheek; she turned her face, but it did no good. "Yes, you are. You were the Pharaoh's, and now you are mine," he grinned at how she had opened up a perfect view of her neck when she had turned away from him. Taking the opportunity, he sunk his teeth into the crook of her neck, evoking a gasp from her throat.

"What are you doing you thief!?" she shouted, trying to break free. At her resistance, he bit harder, arms gripping tighter. It seemed so tight she could hardly breath so, in self-preservation, she relaxed into it. She wanted to swear him out, to curse him in her thoughts, but she knew she couldn't; he would hear her and bite harder.

She didn't realize how bad it was getting until she felt his tongue gracing her skin. If she were to be marked by him, Pharaoh would raise hell to kill him, so she struggled, trying to break free; but still to no avail. When his teeth bit harder this time, she felt the skin break and the blood course out of her skin.

Bakura seemed rather happy at this event; his teeth releasing her, tongue licking up the spilled blood. "See what happens when you struggle?" he purred.

She groaned, mentally mocking him.

"I wouldn't think too much when you're around me," he licked her cheek.

She shuddered, not knowing what else to do. If she resisted, she'd loose more blood. If she didn't, her Pharaoh may as well throw her in the trash. She fell off onto a tangent in her thoughts, when she realized that Bakura's arms were wrapped around her bare stomach, and how they somehow didn't seem as rough as they had the other day. She didn't realize that they had been walking away from the door until she was falling over backwards onto the thief's bed.

"Wait a second. What?" she tried to make sense of what she had missed, but only came to conclude that she had somehow fallen onto the bed and he had somehow made his way to being in front of her, and now he was on top of her, hands pressing slightly against her stomach. He didn't seem nearly as rough when he pressed their lips together, maybe because she wasn't resisting?

This time however, he wanted her to deepen it. His fingers prodded around her stomach, pulling an indescribable noise from her throat, but she didn't understand. "This time, you lead," he purred silkily in her ear before crushing their lips back together.

Having quickly judged the effects to her if she didn't listen, she complied; reluctantly, but still. She deepened the kiss, allowing her tongue to venture every inch of his mouth, stopping to glide against his own.

Sensing her lack of interest, he prodded at her stomach again; this time she understood.

Trying to imagine him as the Pharaoh wouldn't be that easy, but she somehow managed it. As long as her eyes weren't open to prove her wrong, she was perfectly fine pretending he was Atemu. She kissed him back, passionately, and was instantly rewarded with his hands lightening their pressure upon her stomach. Somehow, her hands guided themselves to his face, holding gently, but firmly as they continued in their kiss.

Relishing at having her comply, Bakura allowed his hands free roam, knowing she wouldn't dare put up a fight, for he had a dagger hidden in his robes if she were to be stupid enough to try such. His hands slid both up and down her back, tucking underneath the clothes that had held as barriers.

Feeling his touch as it slid, brought her back and she quickly, slid his hand up and out from her skirt.

She received a grunt from him and a quick domination over the kiss; he had every intent of showing her who was boss. Being able to do no more, she complied, allowing his hands to grace her skin. Everything seemed different somehow, he didn't seem the same deranged thief who had tried to take her yesterday, now he seemed almost friendly.

Almost.

He hadn't been forcing her much anymore, there were no fingers digging into her skin, no devilish smirk; it was all, gentle. Almost too gentle… She was able to fully relax when she had made the realization that he was being gentle because he wanted feedback. He had wanted her to kiss him back, but knew, even though fear is the greatest weapon, she would be more likely to resist. How he had figured that, she didn't know.

Inwardly, he smiled, knowing that his control over her was working, his hands still held a tight grip, even though she was relaxing, he was always on guard. As one of his hands nestled a thumb beneath the skirt, he moved his other to take one of hers. She squeezed it slightly, and he returned it as he placed it atop his stomach, which to their 'luck' was also bare.

The steamy hot skin beneath her fingers gave her shivers, but she didn't really seem to care. She pressed gently against his skin, feeling hard abs just beneath the skin, she slid her hand around to his back, pulling him closer.

He seemed to laugh at how she was now giving him more feedback than he had believed she would give him, but it didn't matter now. He moved one of his hands and removed the dagger from his robes; knowing he wouldn't need it for persuasion anymore. Suddenly, without notice he felt them roll over; his eyes shot open as she pulled back slightly.

She laughed, both hands now pressing against his abs as she looked down upon the thief. "You confuse me so much Bakura."

He didn't seem to realize that she actually used his name, but he didn't really seem to care either. Even though his face still carried the same devilish smirk as always, it seemed a bit lighter. Luckily, neither of them carried that drugged look that Atemu had often given her after a kiss.

His hands still attached to her hips, slid upward, to her shoulders and pulled her back down so he could whisper in her ear, "It's not I that confuse you; you don't know what you want."

She blinked, wondering if he was right, but she found her thoughts incoherent as she felt his teeth nibble on her earlobe, soon followed by his tongue. She found her hands beside his head, trying to hold her up, but found it useless as he rolled them over again.

He dragged his mouth back down to her lips, joining them once more, sliding his hands temptingly across certain pleasure points on the skin, causing her back to arch slightly.

It was in that moment, when she found herself wrapping her arms around him to bring him closer once more that the door broke down. They snapped apart instantly. Bakura reached for his dagger that lay on the floor but found the Sennen Rod's spear pointing straight at his throat.

Masika, realized that Seto and about ten guards had just stormed in the room; and she had been making out with her captor.

Seto looked down at the thief, speaking to Masi, "Get outside to the horses."

Nodding she glanced between the two males sadly before rushing out.

"Masi!" the familiar voice manifested behind her.

"Mana? What are you doing here?"

"Helping rescue you!" she jumped up and down. "C'mon, We've already got a few guards," she helped her onto the horse and they rode off towards home.

As they rode on, the realization of what she'd done hit her, and she couldn't help but feel like running away from the palace for good. 'I can't believe I did that! What came over me? How did I allow myself to do that? What was I thinking?! …I wasn't… that's… Ra! I can't go back now!' she graced her hand along her neck, feeling scar tissue from where he'd bit her. 'Not to mention there's that. And Seto's inexplicable timing… but… I wonder what would've happened if he hadn't've walked in…' she sulked the entire way home, which unfortunately was a good four hours.

Upon entering the gates Mana pushed her off the horse and told her to go find Atemu. The shame still evident in her eyes she nodded reluctantly. She didn't want to see him, especially right now. She was happy to be home, but wished she'd have returned differently. Slowly she reached the throne room, finding it empty she moved up to the library, but too afraid to face him she sighed and turned to go to his room. "I don't even deserve to be a queen," she removed her jewels the second she walked in, throwing them to the desk.

Falling on the bed she allowed her tears to fall freely, "I'm a disgrace, and not to mention, no matter what I want to do, I can't avoid him, but I don't think I can tell him. But I can't lie. Ra! Please help me!" the rest of her words fell silent behind her sobs.

She cried and cried until she felt warm arms scoop her up into their owners lap; embracing her fondly. "What's wrong?" the low voice held full of concern.

Her eyes snapped open and her tears dried; it was Atemu. He'd seen her cry and now he wouldn't rest until he knew why. She shook her head, mumbling a small 'nothing' as she allowed her head to rest on his shoulder; the way it always had. Her tense muscles started to relax, but only grew more tense when he pressed a small kiss to her forehead. "Masi, I am so sorry for letting that happen. I'll never let anyone hurt you again."

He was apologizing, and he barely even knew what for.

She shook her head, "Don't apologize my Pharaoh, it's not your fault. Accidents happen… but… if anything …" she trailed off tears taking her words away once more.

"Masi? What do you mean?" 'Why is she being so formal? What happened when she was with those thieves?'

"Its nothing my Pharaoh. Do not bother yourself over me," she choked out.

He only tightened his loving embrace around her. It was nothing like Bakura; he was fearful, forceful; this was loving and compassionate. 'Why am I thinking about him?' she cried again. Was it because she was happy to be in her lover's arms, or because he was developing feelings for that thief? 'Never. I was so afraid of him! I wouldn't seriously love a man like him. Besides, everything I did my heart was against. There's no way that could've been right… I couldn't have feelings for someone like him. I did all that against my will…' she then remembered how she remembered his words. 'I do know what I want! I want to be with Atemu! I don't' want to be with Bakura! No! I love Atemu. That's what's right.' She sighed, content with her answer, but her brain still seemed in slight conflict with it. Part of her enjoyed Bakura's company, but she still loved Atemu much more, with every fiber of her being.

Relaxing into his arms, he saw her hair drift off her shoulder, revealing a very dark brown mark and a circular type scar around it. His fingers graced it gently, making her flinch; not only that, she pulled herself from his arms and to the other side of the room. "Masi? What was that?"

She covered it up, "Nothing. It was nothing. It's of the past." Her words were fast and barely coherent.

Hate colored his crimson eyes, the same look he'd given her father; and that he'd given her when she refused to tell him about her 'kitten-like' picture. "Masika. Come here and tell me what he did to you."

She sank to the floor, crying again; she didn't know why. She had no real reason to fear him, unless he were to physically go rabid and kill everything in his path… that was a possibility… right? "I… he… we…"

All sorts of images painted their way into his mind, "You what?"

She cried harder at the sound of his homicidal voice. "He forced me… he threatened me…"

"To do what?! Sleep with him?"

"NO! I didn't sleep with him!" she shouted, meeting his anger with honest eyes.

He sighed slightly, "Then what?"

She couldn't speak it, she ran from the room, slamming the door behind her. She didn't know what to say; she couldn't bring herself to admit what she'd done. She ran out of the Palace, into the streets, to her store.

"Masika? What's wrong?" her father dropped the box he was carrying and ran over to her, hugging her dearly.

"You're okay!" her mother rejoiced and began to cry as well. "What happened?"

She sobbed, slowly unraveling the tale to her parents, most of which was barely audible or coherent. When she'd finished, her father looked ready to kill her, and Bakura.

"You LET him do that?"

"I didn't have a choice! If I didn't I'd be dead right now!" she justified; she had heard that moment when he removed the dagger from his robes.

"And you just ran out on the Pharaoh and didn't explain any of it?! He probably thinks you slept with him!" her mother raised her voice; luckily, she didn't bring the same fear that Atemu did.

"And that mark on your neck no less!" her father made her want to cry.

"I know! I just… I can't bring myself to admit it to him. I'm too ashamed."

"If you were forced into it you should have no problem admitting it."

"If you saw the eyes he gave me, you'd be afraid of saying something as nice as, 'I love you'. It just instills this fear in you; you get afraid to move!"

"I know that look… he gave my daughter that look!? I'mma kill him!" her father cracked his knuckles.

"No. Don't. It's my fault… I just. I can't tell him, but I have to… but when I see his face I just get so afraid."

"Afraid for who? You or Bakura?" her mom reasoned.

At that time, all of Bakura's words came back to her 'if he can, he will'… "I guess… both of us. Bakura's had a hard enough life… I don't want him to come after me because Pharaoh's after him."

Her mom nodded, understanding her fear of being a target again.

"What do you mean he's had a hard life?" her father poked.

"When he was a kid, the Pharaoh sent Akunadin and a group of guards, to Kul'eldna, to kill the village, so that they could make the Sennen Items."

"That's absurd!"

"Its true. I've felt the spirits' presence, and I've seen the stone tablet. Bakura was the only survivor."

Her father nodded, but still seemed doubtful.

"Thanks for listening to me," Masi turned and left, no questions asked. She glided down the streets and went to her oasis; sitting atop the mound, making sure Pharaoh was not around, she watched as the sun began to set.

Slightly angry, Atemu found his way to the library, and Seto. "Seto. I want you to tell me what happened when you got there!"

"What do you mean my Pharaoh?"

"I want to know what happened."

"I didn't see anything my Pharaoh," he lied.

"I know you're lying. You must've seen something. What happened?"

"Its not my place to tell you my King. Only Masika should be the one to inform you of that. How did you know I walked in on them anyway?"

He turned red, "I was guessing. You walked IN on them!? What were they doing?"

Seto received the same look that Masi had and fessed up, "They were on his bed, making out."

Pharaoh nearly caught fire, his blood was boiling and he needed answers. "What?!"

"The only other thing I'll tell you is that the clothes were on," Seto left the library before the wrath of Atemu could be placed upon him once more.

He growled, leaving the palace, there were only two places she'd be if she wasn't there, at home, or at the oasis.

He entered her home to find it occupied by her mother, who was tidying. He cleared his throat.

"Oh! My Pharaoh!" she bowed, "How are you today my King?"

"Where's your daughter," he hissed.

"I don't know, but don't you give me that tone!" she scolded him; to his much dislike. "Don't give me that look either. Its no wonder she's afraid to tell you what he did! You look like you want to kill me."

He softened, realizing that she was right.

"Now you look much more approachable," she smiled.

"Where is your daughter?"

"I don't know, honestly, she left our home with no words. But not before she told us what happened."

He appeared desperate to know at that instant.

Masi looked over at the Palace, lights still on everywhere, no one was sleeping. She stood up from her spot beside the lake, getting ready to return to her home, only to find her wrist taken captive by someone's hand. Turning to see who it was that grabbed her she choked on air.

"Atemu."

"We need to talk."