A/N: You really should see me freak out when I read from you, it's just priceless xD And here's the thank-you-list and the replies:
Saminagg (Mariku doesn't KNOW yet, he's just very suspicious now),
Elle-L (I just can't say 'thank you' enough! Yes about Ryou, let's just say he won't be the 'victim' forever~ I feel bad writing about his misery, so yeah…),
HomicidalWhispers (That's the first word I learned, too, and my friend also taught me to write it as 'Habibi' but seeing all the I's in the lyrics replaced by E's I just wasn't sure anymore and my friend told there were different ways to write it. And thank you!)
ToriPANDAKun (I believe it was her, yes~ and no problem, thank you for being such a loyal reader and reviewer!)
Kuracakes (Ich glaube ich sollte ihr dankbar sein~ Danke! Und wow, ich fühl mich echt... special :D und wo das herkommt, gibt's noch viel mehr... das klang komisch~)
ryoubakura98 (Yes, it was indeed a good one! It has to do with screwing up orders but I can't tell you more~ Thanks again! And getting drunk is serious business~)
Pockyfeind (I'm happy that you enjoy it!)
LadySunami (I… kinda forgot to mention that. In my head they paid the drinks right after they ordered them. Sorry! I also feel bad for Miho. It's really not like I dislike her and I didn't want to make it seem that way. It's just that she was unlucky enough to play that roll. To me he just looks like he can sing… and dance :'D Indeed~ I couldn't imagine Bakura being such a bastard and thought he wouldn't use his 'friend' like that. Really? You liked the singing scene? Oh wow, and I thought everyone would be like 'what the hell did that girl smoke when she wrote that?' Gah! Thank you! Tell me: y u know so much? It's scary xD The Thief King question is going to be (partially) solved in this chapter~ I'm sorry if the long reply creeped you out, I just can't help it D:)
BloodyRose98 (I'm so glad you do! Indeed, he can be a nice guy if he only wants to)
ObliviousAnimeGirl (I'm updating, I'm updating! Just don't cry! XD And I'm happy that you like it so much!)
sun-flavour (Woher hast du gewusst, dass ich deutsch spreche? Oh warte, das stand irgendwo~ Danke, das bedeutet mir viel! Das wusste ich nicht, tut mir leid! . Ich hatte noch nie so eine echte Nasenverletzung, deswegen wusste ich nicht, wie so was ausgehen kann. Man lernt immer dazu~ Oh, das ist so eine Art falsches Bild, das ich aus der Welt schaffen will. Ich war schon oft... betrunken, aber ich hatte noch nie einen Kater und konnte mich nur einmal nicht an etwas erinnern, aber das kam mit der Zeit wieder. Ich dachte nur es wäre... ‚over-used' wenn Malik mit nem totalen Kater aufgewacht wäre. Tut mir leid, wenn das merkwürdig war! Um ehrlich zu sein, ich hab D. N. Angel noch nie angeschaut. Ich bin durch Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne draufgekommen~ Okay, das Bild werde ich nie mehr aus dem Kopf kriegen xD Ich schreibe gerne viel (wie du gerade merkst), also muss ich lange Kapitel schreiben. Freut mich, dass es dir so gefällt und danke für die Kritik!)
Phew... what I wanted to ask you guys: Do you have the feeling that I'm rushing things? I feel like I do but I don't know… Anyway! Have a whole chapter of Thiefshipping from head to toe! (I loved writing this~)
Chapter 7
Secrets
"What brings you here today, dearest partner?" Bakura asked in a mocking tone.
Malik was standing in front of his partner who was sitting comfortably on his bed. He observed the other with a serious look and crossed his arms. "They call you the 'Thief King', right?"
Bakura played with a strand of snow white haired, giving the perfect image of disinterest and boredom. "Yeah. So?"
At that Malik's eyes darkened and he dove a hand into the pocket of his jacket, retrieving a black card and throwing it into his partner's direction. Bakura caught it easily and eyed the object suspiciously. "What's that?" he questioned, looking back at the other teen.
"Read it." Bakura obliged and read what was written on the card. Malik watched his eyes turn from suspicious to disbelieving, but he had expected such a reaction. After a moment the older teen looked back up again.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"It was found in the museum this morning. Whoever wrote this calls himself the 'Thief King'", Malik explained, putting emphasis on the last part and Bakura got the hint.
"If you're implying that it's me who wrote this, then I'll have to disappoint you, kiddo", Bakura answered. He sounded offended to Malik's ears, especially with that tone and the hated nickname.
"So you think there's another one out there calling themselves the Thief King."
"Apparently, yes."
Then, to Bakura's surprise, Malik smiled. "I thought so", he said and flopped down on the bed beside his friend who was rather confused by the boy's behaviour. "As for what I came for..."
"That's not what you came for?" the albino asked dumbfoundedly and Malik shook his head.
"Not exactly", he said. "I have a request."
"I should have known", Bakura muttered to himself but Malik went on regardless.
"You see", he began and took the card out of the other's hands again, "it reads that they want to steal the greatest treasure. While the director believes this to be some crown jewels, I'm sure that in truth they're after the Sennen Items."
"The what?" Bakura interrupted.
"The Sennen Items. Those are... were seven ancient Egyptian artifacts. One of them was stolen about a year ago", Malik explained, missing how the teen beside him shifted his eyes to the floor. "I'm sure that the thief from back then and this one are the same and that he or she wants to steal the remaining artifacts now."
"And your request is about...?" The younger teen looked from his friend to the floor as well. This was the part he had not been looking forward to.
"I want you to help me steal the Sennen Items before that thief does." Silence filled the room for a very long moment. Malik did not dare to look up. He had not expected this to be so awkward and so hard to ask. But what had he expected? Had he really expected Bakura to just agree without hesitating?
"Just for the record, you want me to help you steal some artifacts." The younger teen simply nodded. This did not sound good.
"That's quite the request, I gotta admit. What's in it for me if I may ask?"
Another part he had neither expected - although he should have - nor considered. As he was not able to come up with anything else, he answered in a small vocie, "Anything. Anything that I can give you."
"How do I know if your 'anything' is really worth this whole operation?"
"That depends on what you ask of me."
"Touché", Bakura said and leaned back, supported by his hands on the mattress. He grinned at the Egyptian who turned to finally look at him. "What's your plan, partner?"
Malik blinked at him with confused, wide eyes, the flame of hope coming to life. "Does... does that mean you're helping me?"
Bakura shrugged in response. "Looks like. So, do you have a plan? It's not like I go to the museum every day and I don't want to go unprepared."
At that, the tanned teen stood up and went to the bag he had dropped on the floor. He pulled out a golden necklace and rod and after giving the latter a tortured look he presented the items to his friend. "These are two of the Sennen Items."
"If you already have two, then why can't you take the others as well?" Bakura asked but Malik shook his head.
"It's not that easy. These two belonged to our family which is why my sister took them without permission. But the director threatened to dismiss her if she doesn't bring them back."
"What's the point in showing those to me then?"
"The point is that I have to bring them back", he explained and put the items back into his bag, glad that he woud no longer have to touch that cursed rod.
Bakura sat up straight with a grin. "I see. So we're gonna use that chance to get a better look of the museum and make a plan."
Malik smiled back at him and closed the bag. "Exactly."
"And you're sure it's safe to just walk in and put them back in their boxes?" Bakura asked his partner in a hushed voice.
"Trust me, it's foolproof."
"Is it also Malik-proof? Ouch!"
"Stop joking around and get to work!" the Egyptian commanded with his fist still raised while his partner rubbed the spot on his head he had hit.
The albino scowled at him. "Quit bossing me around. I could simply leave you alone in your quest and you'd have nothing to convince me to help you again."
Sadly, Bakura had a good point and Malik knew it. He had gotten so carried away in what seemed to be their friendship that he had forgotten that, although Bakura was his friend, he did not know how much he would do for him. How far he would go. This reminded Malik that Bakura had been a loner before they had teamed up and that he still was that person.
Malik's fist lowered unconsciously and with it his lavender eyes dropped, too. He had never observed their relationship from this angle. Bakura's my friend this, he's my friend that. But he had never thought that maybe Bakura did not even think of him as a friend.
"What's so strange about driving your friend home?"
Those had been his exact words. He had used the word 'friend'. But how did Bakura view friends and how did Malik? It was difficult to say since Malik had no experience whatsoever when it came to friends. But he was sure that he viewed Bakura as one. Only did he not know whether his partner and friend felt the same way. He did not know but felt a tug at his heart, the urge to keep this white haired thief close. He was his first, only and best friend after all. And he did not want to risk that, let alone lose it. He decided that for the time being he would have to watch his actions. He might be walking on thin ice, any wrong comment could make Bakura leave. And that was the least he wanted.
Bakura was slowly starting to worry. Malik's mood had changed drastically and it was not for the better. The boy looked much like a puppy that had been kicked - Bakura could not help but imagine Mariku as the one to hurt the whelp, it was simply what he would do. He had lapsed into silence so suddenly after his last comment and his expression made him look like he was having an inner debate with himself that might give him an awful headache. Since his eyes had averted to the floor, Bakura had to bend down to get the boy to look at him. It did not work, there was no eye contact, as if he was not even present.
"Hey", he tried, soft and gentle and right after that one word had left his mouth he grimaced at the strange sweetness. He did not even know he was capable of sounding so genuinely concerned. "You alright?" But really, he was.
Malik seemed to finally snap back to reality. He shook his head as if he had just been torn out of a realistic daydream. "Yes", he replied but it sounded more like a question even to his own ears. "Let's just go inside already", he said solemnly and went ahead, leaving his partner to stare suspiciously at the back of his head.
Things went smoothly, just like Malik had promised. To the eyes of visitors they were workers who put some artifacts into some show cases. In reality, however, they were criminals, checking out the future scene of the crime. They scanned the museum for cameras and security, memorized all exits and the security measures of the cases the Sennen Items were kept in. They did not raise any suspicion and left the way they had come. They had everything they needed to make a plan.
They went back to Bakura's home where the young criminal got a huge piece of paper. With a black marker he drew the rough ground plan of the museum. Next he took a yellow marker to write 'target' in the blank space that was the hall of the Sennen Items. He then picked up a blue marker to draw circles where guards stood and cameras were installed. He picked the red marker at last and drew all exits. After he was done he gave his partner in crime a triumphant yet expectant look. "So, partner, I'd say that this is going to be a piece of cake if this situation remains", he said, tapping the closed marker on the paper.
Malik smiled at the good news. "The easier the better. I just want to get it over with and be done."
"I'd be thankful for a little challenge."
"There's still this other Thief King you can challenge", the blond suggested boredly, he was more interested in a safe plan right now. If their success were not so important to him he would appreciate a thrilling adventure as well, maybe. If he did not have to worry about the Sennen Items so much, he would actually enjoy what they were about to do. He had never stolen anything before, and breaking the rules had always attracted him somehow. It was in his nature to seek new things and do the forbidden.
"True", Bakura muttered under his breath and let the subject drop. Instead he bent over the hand-drawn card and put the tip of his marker on the paper. "And now to the plan."
"I feel like a criminal", Malik mumbled as he pulled the black mask over his head, tugging all of his hair in it. Bakura did almost the same, only he tied his hair into a high ponytail before he put on the mask.
"It was you who asked me to do this", he commented, swallowing the 'You practically are a criminal' that had already been lying on his tongue.
The younger huffed. "I know, I know." While his partner was putting on his gloves, he stole a glance at the entrance. There were two guards posted on each side of the large door, just as expected and just as planned. He squinted his eyes to get a better look at them and after a moment they widened considerably and he gasped.
"What's wrong?"
Malik shakily pointed a finger into the direction of the guards and Bakura followed it with his eyes. "T-that's... that's my brother, that's Rishid", the Egyptian whispered breathlessly.
"If you want to stop, we can still-" the older teen began but was interrupted when the other shook his head.
"No", he said solemnly. "I need to do this."
"Is it really only because of those artifacts?" Bakura questioned with one raised eyebrow and the other nodded. "Why do you risk so much just to protect them anyway?"
Malik paused in thought for a long moment until he stood up from the dirty ground. "You wouldn't understand."
At that Bakura narrowed his burning, crimson eyes dangerously. "Oh, I wouldn't, would I?" he growled offendedly but his partner simply ignored the comment, hoping they could start this raid and get it over with already. And as if Ra had heard his prayers and decided to help him, the lights of the museum went out and left the building and its surroundings pitch-black.
"There. That's our cue", Bakura said and they both lost no time in getting to work. They had agreed that it was safe to begin when the 'Thief King' began who had decided to switch off the lights as his intro. With a bit of luck, the security guys would be too distracted by the actual thief to even notice them, if not there was still plan B. But for now luck was on their side because the guards, including Rishid, both were alarmed by the sudden darkness and ran in to possibly aid their colleagues.
The partners nodded to each other and quickly and stealthily approached the building. However, they could not use the actual entrance yet because of the camera there. Fortunately, they had prepared for this situation. Bakura pulled a can from his backpack and handed it to his younger partner who took it with a confused look.
"If you wanna steal something then you'll have to learn how to do it properly", the albino explained. Malik hesitated for a moment but knew that they had no time for arguments. He carefully snuck to the entrance with his back touching the wall. After taking a deep breath he stretched out his arm with the can and sprayed the thick smoke directly into the camera's direction. Its view was now successfully clouded and they could pass. Malik quickly turned his head and nodded to his partner who immediately joined him to enter the building.
They had just entered when they suddenly saw a light from further away in the hall. As fast and quietly as possible they pressed themseves to the nearest wall. They made no noise, did not even breathe until the guard had run into a different direction and was out of sight. Both let out the breath they had been holding and sighed in relief. And Malik had to admit it. No matter how much this was against his family's wishes and morals, it was simply a thrilling adventure he had never had the pleasure of enjoying ever before. But he had to admit one more thing. And that was that he only dared to do this because he knew that Bakura was with him. He absent-mindedly glanced over to said teen whose face was currently covered by a dark mask. He knew that as long as he had his friend around, nothing would happen. And even if something went wrong, he still had the feeling that he was safe. Malik wanted to say something then but decided to leave it for later. At the moment there were more urgent things that needed to be taken care of. So he went to go further into the hall but a strong tug on his wrist stopped him.
"Wait", Bakura said in a hushed voice. "That spray has another use, remember?"
He did remember and shifted his eyes to the can in his hands. Then he used the spray once more, this time he let the cloud of smoke float in the air before them. Sure enough, the smoke hit its target and fine red beams became visible. Startled by how close he was to touching one of the beams, Malik took a few steps backwards until he was standing beside his partner again.
"Those guys must have activated them after going inside", Bakura mused. Then he put a hand on the Egyptians back, pushing slightly. "What are you standing there doing nothing? Jump over them."
"Jump?" the blond repeated incredulously. "How am I supposed to do that? They're way to high for me to simply jump over them." To stress his point he pointed at the highest string of red that reached his hip. Bakura rolled his eyes almost automatically.
"Step aside and watch, you amateur." With a push, Malik was standing behind Bakura who went another three steps backwards. He bent down like a panther before it attacked its prey and in the next moment he sprinted forward. Lavender eyes watched in awe as the albino's body flew gracefully over the dangerous red beams, rolling onto the floor to prevent damage and within the blink of an eye he was standing straight again. Malik's jaw dropped and his partner smirked at him victoriously. He quickly composed himself , making a motion as if to roll up his sleeve. If Bakura could do this then Malik could do this as well.
The blond took another step backwards, just to be safe, and Bakura snickered from the other side. "Come on, we haven't got all night. I'll even catch you if you fall."
Malik gave a furious growl. "Tch... I'd rather fall", he lied. Of course, being caught would be more comfortable than hitting the hard floor. Yes, he would rather land in Bakura's chest, in his protective arms than- 'Wait! ...I think I prefer the floor over that douche's chest... Oh Ra, why am I even comparing those two options so seriously?'
"Maaaalik...", Bakura called in a playful yet mother-like tone, "I just told you we haven't got all night. Oh, wait. Or are you actually considering my offer?"
The boy's face grew hot almost immediately when he realized just how true that was. "No, just shut up", he said grumpily. Finally, he began to sprint forward. He jumped a bit too close to the beams and both noticed it. Bakura approached him while Malik quickly pulled up both of his legs so as to not touch the dangerous beams. Unfortunately, he had been so distracted by avoiding the beams that he was too late to make a painless landing. Drawing closer to the floor that was sure to come, he instinctively grabbed onto the first thing that came into reach. He had even screwed his eyes shut when he thought he was going to hit the floor but then he found something to hold onto. Shortly after, he felt something envelop him securely and pull him back onto his feet. And he knew, it could only be him. Malik looked up and as expected found his partner gazing down at him. In that moment, he found himself unable to push him away or say something rude. Or say anything for that matter. His hands had clenched in the other's dark shirt and he tightened his grip unconsciously as he stared. He could not see much of the other's face due to the mask but he could distinguish the deep brown eyes with the blood red tinge. And although he could not see it, he could swear from the way the older teen was looking at him, that he was smirking. It should piss him off, like it always did. But this time it did not, and it scared him in some way. That he had not only gotten used to this but that he actually enjoyed it. And if he was honest, he never was as furious anymore every time Bakura made a witty remark or smirked at him. In fact, he liked it. Because that was the way Bakura treated him, and only him. That look, only he received it in that way. He had watched him look at others but he never observed them with the same intensity. He felt warm, a nice warmth. And he felt special.
Bakura was just as much lost in the moment as the Egyptian was. He simply stared at his wide, violet eyes that never left his own. He did not know how much time had passed, probably only seconds but it had felt much longer. Yet he had to come back to reality. He heard footsteps coming closer. 'Shit!' he thought and pulled Malik behind the nearest wall with him. Two more men quickly checked their area but did not come close enough to actually see them. In the meantime, Bakura was able to enjoy the feeling of his partner clinging to him willingly. While they were waiting for the men to vanish again, he began to wonder. When exactly had the young Egyptian become so... He did not know which word would describe it best. Trusting maybe. The boy had simply become more open with him, even nicer. When they first met, of course, they were strangers. And it had not been such a long time either, but Bakura had to admit it, at least to himself, that they seriously had become friends. He thought more intensely about it. Friends? Really? He had always enjoyed teasing the blond, even in less appropriate ways, but he had to question himself - was that what friends did? Except for Mariku he had never had any friends before. And, honestly, he would never approach the older Egyptian in the way he did with his younger brother. With Malik it had always been more playful and good-naturedly, with Mariku it was more malicious. He had fun spending time with Mariku, yes, but if he had to choose between the two brothers, he would probably pick the younger one. In some way, he felt very comfortable around Malik. He could be childish, haughty, serious or quiet around him. No matter in what sort of mood he was, even when he was angry, around him he did not feel bad anymore. In fact, he felt better when he could see that beautiful face, especially when he could see him smile. Any expression he made would do, but his smile was special. It could make him forget about everything. Just thinking about it made him calm and content.
A tug on his shirt made him come back to reality. He blinked quickly and looked down at the Egyptian he was still holding tightly in his arms. "Uhm...", the younger teen began uncertainly. One look was enough for Bakura to know that he was embarrassed. "I think they're gone. You can... let go, you know." The albino glanced down at their position. His arms were locked around the other's waist while Malik had his hands clenching the fabric of his shirt to keep his balance. He let go and cleared his throat awkwardly. He usually did not space out like that.
"Anyway. Let's go then", he said and Malik nodded. Bakura led the way even though his partner knew the building better than him. As the more experienced one, and the Thief King no less, he felt responsible and protective. Inwardly he laughed at his own thoughts, 'Protective of Malik? Just when exactly did we reach that point? Really now... I should pull myself together. If this were another one of Ryou's and his lover's dates then I'd keep telling me that but... this is kinda a favor I'm doing him... But it's also about my pride as the actual Thief King. Actually, it's mainly about that. Oh yes, that's why. That's exactly why-'
"Bakura, that's the wrong way", Malik whispered feverishly and his partner stopped in his tracks abruptly.
'I... really should stop thinking so much.' "Yeah, I know", he said, very unconvincing, and Malik raised an eyebrow. 'Concentrate on what's at hand, damnit!' the thief told himself furiously as he turned to go into the opposite direction. Malik observed his tense form suspiciously and shook his head. He did not understand why he was acting so strange all of a sudden.
They finally reached their destination, the Sennen hall. But the room was not completely unguarded. The two men from before were present. One of them guarded the entrance and the other was looking around the room for any signs of a thief.
"Here comes 'Lesson No. 2'", Bakura said and retrieved a small box from his backpack. He opened it and picked up a pin. "How to knock out people."
"What are those?" Malik asked curiously and Bakura gave him a sly smirk.
"The needle of each and every one of those pins has a substance on them that will make you fall asleep instantly. It only lasts for about half an hour but that's more than enough for us to get the items and get out of here." His partner nodded, understanding. Stealthily, like the professional criminal he was, Bakura crept closer to his victim so as to be in reach. When he was close enough but not too close for the man to notice him, he threw the pin. It hit the man's neck soundlessly. The man choked a bit after being hit in the neck but became silent soon after and collapsed onto the cold floor. "One down." Mahogany eyes wandered to the remaining guard. "One to go." He turned around to his astounded partner who was hesitantly coming closer. He held out his second pin for him. "Want to try?"
Malik only shook his head rapidly and Bakura shrugged his shoulders. "Your loss."
The second guard had heard it when his colleague collapsed and turned around. When he saw the other male lying on the floor, he immediately went up to him and shook him, trying to get him to answer. Bakura took his chance and threw the second pin. It hit the man in the arm and just like the other, he also collapsed. The white thief left their hiding spot behind the wall and went into the room carefully. He scanned his surroundings. Everything was still dark but he could not see anything move. He turned to his partner who was still cowering in the corner where he had left him. "I think the coast is clear. You can come out." With that the Egyptian, too, went into the room. Meanwhile, his partner took a flashlight from his bag and illuminated the place a bit. The light hit the glass of the show cases in which all six Sennen Items laid untouched.
Malik's face lit up. 'They haven't been stolen yet. We did it!" He eagerly began to walk towards the items. He was stopped, however, by Bakura who had stretched out his arm in front of him. The younger teen looked at his partner, at first annoyed but then he saw the look in his eyes and how they scanned the area over and over again. He began to worry. "What is it?"
"It's just...", the albino began wearily, his eyes never ceasing to look around the room. "It's too easy."
Malik sighed. "That's what you're worried about? Oh Ra, Bakura, and I thought there was someone. If it's because you're annoyed that this wasn't enough fun for you then-"
"Watch out!" Bakura yelled and pushed Malik down onto the floor. All Malik could register was how they hit the floor painfully and the sound of shattering glass. They both sat up and turned to where the noise had come from. Their eyes widened simultaneously at what they saw. In front of them, in one of the now broken show cases, stood a figure clad in dark clothes, the color was not clear in the darkness but the person wore a white mask which looked much like one a joker would wear. A black ponytail rested on the back of his head. In one of his hands he was holding the pistol he had just used to break the glass and in the other he was holding a golden necklace.
"The Sennen Torc!" Malik yelled desperately as the scenario he had wanted to avoid at any cost became reality. It was then that they finally became aware of the alarm that had gone off when the other thief had shattered the glass. The thief raised his gun again and aimed for the remaining show cases. Bakura quickly got off of his partner and grabbed something from his bag. In the meantime the other thief had managed to take hold of the Rod and Puzzle as well. Malik had gotten off the floor and ran towards the thief. He saw Malik approach him and aimed for the boy's head with his pistol.
A clicking sound could be heard and the thief's attention shifted to what was behind the Egyptian. "I wouldn't even think about it, if I were you", came the dangerous threat from Bakura who was now holding a gun of his own. Seeing that the thief did not react in any way, he took advantage of that to give his partner a command. "Kiddo", he barked, "Get the fucking items! What are you waiting for?" At first Malik was slightly annoyed that his partner was treating him like that but as he went to collect the remaining items, the Scale, Key and Eye, he became aware of the fact that Bakura had saved him twice at once. He was the one pointing a gun at the one who had been pointing a gun at him and he had not revealed his name by calling him 'kiddo'. He therefore showed his gratitute by quickly collecting the remaining pieces of gold. When he was finished, he went to stand beside Bakura again. What now?
"So you're the one who calls himself the 'Thief King', huh?" Bakura was highly pissed that this guy had stolen his title, but at the same time he was thrilled to see what this other Thief King was made of. But their moment of rivalry was interrupted when the other guards entered the room. The other thief was distracted for a moment and Bakura used this to shoot. For once he was thankful for his aiming skills, because his bullet hit the other's gun dead on, making it fly out of his hand and onto floor. The thief then began to flee towards the window.
"Wait up, you bastard!" Bakura called after him but was reminded that there were other men now who wanted to see him in jail. 'Shit.' Their personal fight would have to wait for another time. And there would be another time, he was sure of it. Malik had already begun to chase after the other thief. He accidentally dropped the Sennen Eye but Bakura was quick to pick it up while running after him.
"Wait!" Malik shouted at the fleeing thief and managed to grab something he was holding. The thief did not seem to care about losing one of the stolen goods and simply let Malik take it, if that meant that he could flee. Malik was a bit taken aback by the lack of resistance and stumbled backwards. He looked at what he was holding in his hand and his eyes widened when a golden eyeball looked straight back at him. He yelped and dropped the object as if it had burnt him. His wide eyes stared at the item in horror - the Sennen Rod.
Meanwhile, Bakura was fighting to get rid of the guards chasing them. He looked over his shoulder and threw his gun at the men. It hit one of them right on his forehead, successfully distracting him. But there was still the rest and there was - Bakura recognized him better than ever before - Rishid. Unfortunately, the tall Egyptian was unexpectedly fast and caught up with Bakura. He reached for the thief and grabbed his mask from behind. However, the teen reacted quickly by pulling a knife from his pocket. He cut off the part Rishid was holding onto and tore himself away from the grip. In the process the mask had been torn so much that it fell off of his head of white hair. Rishid's eyes widened at the sight but Bakura did not care. "Get the Rod!" he called to his partner who stood frozen, just staring at the artifact. Seeing the hesitation he picked up the Rod himself. He shoved his knife back into his pocket and grabbed his friend's hand to drag him along. They escaped through the window the other thief had used to flee before them and gone they were.
Outisde they ran a few more feet but hid in a thick bush where they calmed their breaths and waited. From the distance they could hear the guards search for them and call to one another, inquiring whether the other had already found something. When steps approached them, Bakura put an arm around his partner's shoulders to pull him closer. "Not a sound", he whispered as quietly as possible. Malik did not even nod for fear it might make the bush rustle and give them away. The steps came closer and closer and he felt as though his heart might beat its way out of his ribcage at any moment. The person even searched the bushes around them but luckily never came across their hiding place. When both were sure he was gone, they let out equally relieved sighs. "We better go home now", Bakura said and Malik looked up at him. He gasped as he realized the change in his partner's appearance.
"Bakura, your mask is gone", he whispered and the other looked away.
"I know... Let's just go home."
"For now I'm gonna hide them in here", Bakura said as he opened his wardrobe. "I'll find a better place to hide them soon."
Malik nodded, tired now that the thrilling part was over. Not only that. He was also feeling down because they had not managed to protect all of the Senne Items. He especially felt bad about losing the Sennen Torc, it had belonged to his sister after all.
The older teen bent down and opened a small door in the floor of his wardrobe to hide the items in there. In the hideout, shining as golden as the stolen Sennen Items, laid another object that had been hidden there some time ago. Bakura swiftly closed the door as soon as he was finished and turned to his sleepy partner who was already dozing off on his bed. He sighed.
"Malik, you can't sleep here. We have to get you back home before anyone notices that you're gone." The younger teen only gave a sleepy sound of approval and slowly sat up again. He rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"What time is it anyway?"
"About 2 in the morning. Come on, let's get you home so you can have your beauty sleep", Bakura said teasingly.
Malik feigned annoyance as he huffed. "Shut up."
Without waiting any longer they left the house once more and drove to Malik's home. There they both had to climb up the tree that stood in front of Malik's window in order to get into the boy's room. And it worked. Malik had left his window open slightly but it was enough to enter. Bakura followed Malik inside, making the teen wonder why. He sat down on the Egyptian's bed and looked around with a smug expression.
"So this is your room."
"Yeah, so?" Malik asked wearily as he sat down beside him.
"Well..." the albino laid back down on the bed with his arms crossed behind his head in a relaxing manner. "Isn't that a nice place to discuss a few things?" At that, Malik became even more suspicious and he narrowed his eyes at his friend.
"Such as?"
"Such as why you reacted so strange when you saw that rod." There was silence but no answer. Malik looked away from his friend, unable to do anything else in a situation like this. Bakura stayed patient. He could imagine that if the blond reacted like this then there had to be a good reason. Maybe even a reason Malik would not talk about. But he had to hear it. He was sure that if Malik told him he would understand and perhaps he could even help. Furthermore, telling him would mean that he trusted him enough to give away his secrets. Bakura somehow doubted it but he could still hope. Maybe he just had to use a different method. He sat back up again.
"Malik", he said in a serious yet gentle voice but his friend did not look at him. Bakura put a hand over Malik's and the boy visibly tensed at the touch. "If you ever need someone to talk to...", he began and gave the soft, tanned hand a light squeeze, "I'm always there to listen to you." The albino let that statement hanging and stood up to leave. He stopped after one step when his occupied hand would not move. He whirled around and saw Malik holding onto his hand, not intending to let go. He had his head hung low so that his expression was covered so Bakura could not tell what it was like.
'I'm always there...', the blond's mind repeated. 'Always... there?' He replayed the words over and over again and the more he thought about it, the warmer he felt. It was alright to trust a person who promised you to always be there for you, right?
"Every time...", Malik said and inhaled shakily, "Every time I see the Sennen Rod..." Bakura's eyes widened for a moment but he quickly masked his surprise again. "...I think back to when we used to live in Egypt." The older teen felt the grip on his hand tighten as if to say 'don't go'. To show that he was not going anywhere now, he took a little step back towards Malik but kept holding the other's hand regardless.
"Our family was part of a clan. A clan of tombkeepers that has existed for millennia already. Our clan protects the tomb of an ancient Pharaoh - the Nameless Pharaoh. A prophecy said that he would return someday to reign over Egypt once more and bring peace and justice. As the tombkeepers we had the honorful task of preparing everything for his return. We had to watch over his tomb, study his history and keep everything as it was millennia ago. Each and every one of us had to learn Ancient Egyptian. We had to be able to read and write hieroglyphics and speak the ancient language fluently. For so many years we had to live underground in the most primitive way possible in modern Egypt..." Malik paused and raised his head a bit. Bakura was now able to see his hurt yet hateful eyes.
"But that Pharaoh never returned", Bakura said for his friend. Malik nodded bitterly and went on.
"I had been taught everything about the Pharaoh, everything there was to know about him. I learned it with all of my heart, but deep down I must have known that it was impossible for him to return. I remember how I once asked my...", Malik stopped to take a shaky breath which did not go unnoticed by the albino, "...father why he would return if he had already moved on to the afterlife. My father beat me for asking that question..." Bakura gave him an incredulous look.
'He... what?' he said inwardly, his blood beginning to boil with anger. 'For asking a question?'
"He got so angry... He yelled at me, saying how I could think like that and that, of course, the Pharaoh was going to return. If Isis hadn't come in right then... He stopped beating me when she pleaded him to stop. He always listened to Isis. It's because she looks so much like our mother. At least that's what everyone always said..." Malik looked up at the ceiling. His once sparkling, lavender eyes now looked like two hollow, violet orbs without any sort of life in them. "I never got to know my mother. I... she..."
The young Egyptian was struggling to get the words out but Bakura already knew what he wanted to say. "She died when you were born", he finished for the other.
"Yes... and father had loved her so much. And that is why he adored Isis so much. He never beat her, he did not even yell at her. He was like another person around her. I guess he must have acted the same way when our mother was still alive. Rishid told me that he never had a whip until Mariku began to be rebellious."
'That sounds just like him', Bakura thought and tried not to grin too much. Malik was having a hard time telling him his story after all. And he appreciated his efforts.
"It was usually father who went to the city now and then but Isis was allowed to join him. I always envied her because I had never been on the surface. We didn't blame her but one day... one day Mariku had this plan of going to the surface himself. I was only eight years old then and Mariku was ten. I was hesitant at first but after all I also wanted to leave that dark hole. He offered me to come along and I accepted. He even managed to convince Rishid to cover for us. So on that day father and Isis were out again and we were going to leave as well."
Bakura was drowned in the story, his eyes transfixed on the story teller's changing expression. A primitive life underground, without real education, without being able to see the real world and on top of that an abusive father. He felt rather guilty now. He had overreacted when his father had returned the other day. Compared to Malik he had a wonderful life. He bit his lower lip as he thought back to the memory that was only a few days old. 'Damn, I'm so stupid...'
A feathery light smile was displayed on the tan boy's features. "That was the first day I saw the sun. When we got out of the dungeon I could not open my eyes for a minute. I remember it as if it was yesterday. The fresh air, the warm sun, the hot sand beneath my feet... And then Mariku and I went to the city. We both knew the way because Isis had told us about it many times. We were both speechless when we finally reached the center of the city. So many different people. For the first time we saw people with white skin. We didn't know what tourists were so that really shocked us. Then we reached the market and there was just too much to memorize it all. We had never seen so much food or new books, or such modern clothing. And then we saw something we called a 'shiny box'. Well, of course, we had never seen a TV before. We were practically from ancient Egypt after all. We had no knowledge of the 21st century whatsoever. The only useful thing we had learned was modern Arabic. With that we could ask people about things but Mariku told me that we shouldn't ask too much or else it would seem suspicious. Our clan was supposed to be secret after all. On our way back to the dungeon I had found a magazine with motorcycles."
"Oh, so that's why you have one", Bakura, who had sat down again, commented.
Malik nodded. "Yes, but I had to throw it away again. I couldn't take it in. Neither of us wanted to go back, but eventually we had to. But when we came back... our father was back, too. Of course, he had noticed that we were gone. Father..." the blond had to pause once more. He tried to calm his breathing which was becoming more frantic regardless. Bakura was still holding his hand, so he gave a comforting squeeze and urged him to go on. "Father was so furious... When Mariku and I came in we found our sister crying on the floor. Mariku was trying to get her to talk but all she could do was cry. I heard something from the other room and went inside. I saw Rishid lying on the floor and father was standing over him, beating him with the whip over and over again although he was already unconscious. I gasped and that's when my father noticed me. He stopped beating Rishid and came to me. I... I couldn't move, not really. I backed away to the wall but then I couldn't move anymore. He then began to whip me. Mariku came in when he heard me scream. He tried to help me but was beaten as well. W-when Mariku also fell to the ground he turned back to me. And he... and he grinned. It was such a... a horrible sight. For a moment I thought he was being p-possessed by a demon. I was so scared."
The albino sensed that Malik was nearing the edge of a mental break down and began to stroke the back of his hand with his thumb, trying to soothe him. Malik was trembling and although his hand was cold, it had become damp with sweat. Bakura seemed calm on the outside but only remained so for Malik's sake. He was raging on the inside. He could not believe that there actually was a person who would do this to Malik. 'And Mariku, of course', he quickly added to his train of thoughts when he noticed he was only considering Malik. On top of that they had been children, abused like that by their own flesh and blood.
"He dragged me to an altar and tied me up. He said that I should respect our fate more. A-and he said that he would seal it into my flesh if that was necessary to make me understand. So he took the Sennen Rod... heated up its pointy tip on a flame and... a-and carved hieroglyphics into my back... the history of our clan and our honorable mission."
Shock and terror was not enough to describe how Bakura felt when he heard the shaking Egyptian utter those words. He did not know what to say. Should he even say anything? His question was answered when Malik stood up and for the first time in a while let go of Bakura's hand. He stayed with his back facing his friend and gripped the hem of his black shirt on both sides. He slowly pulled it upwards and mahogany eyes widened when the first row of ancient writing was revealed. Malik pulled his shirt off completely and waited like this. His friend stayed silent and Malik wondered whether he was shocked or disgusted. He could not face the other with this uncertainty. He shut his eyes tightly as he simply went on with his story.
"When he was finished, he released me again. He was careless then and Mariku took advantage of that. He had just come to and picked up the whip father had dropped. He beat father with it once and that made him drop the Sennen Rod. My sight was blurry and I'm still not sure whether it was from the tears or because of the blood loss. So my memory of that part is not clear... but that's probably for the better... I only remember how Mariku held the Rod and how father cursed and still he tried to convince Mariku to drop the Rod again. But Mariku didn't listen to him and he... h-he stabbed father a-and... father..." Malik gasped when he suddenly felt a warm hand on the scars on his back. Fingertips gently trailed down the lines of history. Malik's breath was caught in his throat as his heart began to beat even faster than before. The cold faded away and was replace by a sudden wave of heat.
He could feel the other's breath on his neck as he spoke. "Does Mariku blame himself for what happened?" he asked softly despite the seriousness of the question.
Malik hesitated for a moment. "Well, no... but if I hadn't agreed to go with him-"
"Then you shouldn't blame yourself either", the albino interrupted. He then stopped his ministrations and, although reluctant, wrapped his arms around the younger teen's waist and let his chin rest on his shoulder. "He got what he deserved and it was not your fault." Malik was not exactly convinced by those words but felt something being lift off his chest. He was glad that Bakura did not blame him for his father's death like he had blamed himself all these years. "And you and your siblings deserved a better life than that. Waiting all your life for a king that's never going to come back anyway. And at last you are free. That's all that matters."
"Bakura..." Malik breathed as he could not come up with anything to say. He was just overwhelmed by what he was feeling. He was in the arms of someone who believed he was not at fault. He heard reassuring words that said he could finally live his life now. It was not his fault. Was it true? Had he been wrong all along? His siblings had always told him that he should not blame himself for what happened back then, but he always assumed that they said this because they were worried about him. But if Bakura said that it was not his fault... could he finally believe in those words? His sight began to become blurry with tears but he refused to cry.
"And if that bastard were still alive, I'd make him go to hell with my own hands", Bakura said in a joking tone although he actually meant it. Malik laughed slightly and the older teen smiled at his victory. The Egyptian then turned around in the other's embrace and put his arms around his pale neck to return the hug. He buried his face in the crook of his neck and breathed contently.
"Thank you...", he whispered.
Bakura said nothing in return, he just held the other boy for a long time. When Malik had calmed down, they said goodbye and the older teen left the way he had entered the room, through the window. Malik smiled at his friend one last time before he vanished and he closed the window again. That night Malik was not plagued by any cruel nightmares, instead he had relaxing dreams that allowed him to rest peacefully until his alarm clock woke him up again.
A/N: It felt like describing a scene from some bad action movie. Oh hey! Any guesses as to who this Thief King might be? There was a hint in the desciption and let me tell you: You know that character.
Next chapter is a Halloween special! It (hopefully) will be up on Oct 31st then. And it's a Deathshipping date. And then we'll have three more dates to go but hey, we also have to find out who the Thief King is, whether Mariku and Ryou ever find out that they're being stalked and what happens to Bakura's old gang. And of course: what happens to Bakura's and Malik's relationship? See? We have a lot of work to do!
See you on Halloween!