Shadow of Darkness

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 5 – Wishing You Were Dead

Perhaps it was simply due to the absence of fear when she said it. Or maybe it was that she said it like an adventurer finally reaching their goal, many years after they had given up hope but battled on anyway.

Perhaps it simply came down to the fact that she was quite cute and the only person who hadn't run from him (not that she could have...) since who-knows-when.

Bakura looked up sharply as the neko girl let out a quiet groan and shifted in her sleep. The thief's expression folded in annoyance. He shouldn't even be doing this. He should have left her to boil away in the sun, but a part of him had been curious. Curious as to why she was there, why she wasn't scared of him and why even in her sleep she held an air of mystery.

And though it had only been a few hours – not even a day yet – Bakura was growing impatient. He didn't enjoy waiting.

He slumped down next to her sleeping form and surveyed her through half-lidded eyes. Her light hair and neko features were the only things that really stood out, although he could have sworn there was a tinge of blue in her dark eyes before she passed out. Maybe it was the light, or maybe she was just different.

Deciding not to get lost in speculation again, Bakura settled his frustrations by giving her a good prod in the side with his finger. He watched her wriggle away and begin to wake with a sense of satisfaction. He prodded her again, even harder this time. She squeaked and batted him away, slumping over and groaning quietly. Bakura frowned. She hadn't seemed very injured.

"Hey. Wake up." He growled, scowling down at her. She sat up and rubbed her face carefully, wincing slightly once or twice.

The neko spared glances at him through her fingers, her eyes narrowed wearily as they adjusted to the light. Bakura made no move to shade her and she made no complaint. After a few moments of rigorous silence during which they inspected the other thoroughly, she made to speak.

"It's y—"

"—Yes, I know it's me." Bakura cut in sharply, a nasty smirk on his face. "But who are you, and why are you looking for me?"

A wicked grin blossomed onto her face instantly, looking surprisingly at home there. "Who says I was looking for you?"

Bakura raised an eyebrow disbelievingly.

The girl shrugged. "True, I was hoping to run into somebody interesting during my travels..."

"Through the desert?" Bakura scoffed. "And just how did you intend to keep travelling when dead? If it weren't for me you would have died out there." He wasn't entirely sure why he should be bragging about that, actually.

The girl rolled her eyes. "Well thank you, I'll be sure to remember you next time I wish I was dead."

Bakura growled. "I wish you were dead right now." He snarled.

She smiled sweetly in return. "That doesn't count, it happens too often for that."

It was at this point that Bakura realised that he found this girl intriguing. Not that she was insane – although she definitely was that – but rather that she would fight with him and make it interesting. And he hadn't even tried to punch her yet.

Bakura smirked and got up. The girl watched him calmly, but her cautiousness was revealed in that her eyes were glued to him at all times.

"What's your name, girl?"

She surveyed him coolly before offering a response. "Niut."

Bakura nodded and swept out again, reappearing briefly to toss her some bread. "Eat." He ordered, before vanishing again.

Niut did so thoughtfully, aware that trying to follow him would end in failure, thanks to her experience in the desert. Meanwhile, her mind buzzed rapidly although her gaze and body lay dormant.

"So...that's him." She nodded thoughtfully, as if mulling over something relatively unimportant, that would later be tossed aside carelessly. "Hm."

Settled back into a position that was remotely comfortable, she closed her eyes and headed back to sleep.

Meanwhile, Bakura watched her warily from the shadows of the doorway; his mind racing and lips curling sinisterly.

Merry Christmas everyone! I was working last night to get this up in time for xmas day, so I hope you all like it! I'd like to thank all of my reviewers so far, particularly DarkestInk and Tamaloust for multiple reviews ^.^

Happy Humbug!

naioka1992 - xoxo