Author's Notes: Although I do believe this chapter is comparatively dull in relation to the first, it is NOT filler. I don't think I'd ever have the heart to put in a chapter that did not advance the story, even just a little bit.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Unfortunately for Amunet, she had just started to feel settled for the first time in her life. She had always been so eager to avoid someone recognizing her, even if they bore no importance or threat. However, this particular district was so poor and work oriented that no one seemed to be interested in anyone's business but their own. As she made her way to the cot in the far corner of the room, despite all the anxiety that was washing over her, she desired nothing more than to sleep. As of late, after she would roam around the city during midday, she would come home and take a small nap before going back out once the sun had set. Amunet preferred to roam around at night, her black garb only aiding in her masterful ability to never be seen, much less caught. Even if her shawl had fallen off, her long black hair also blended into the night, whereas a certain thief she knew did not blend in so easily. Still, he was far more stealthy and capable than she would like to admit, as to how he had managed to find her or make it to her home before her, she would never know. He was too dangerous and unpredictable, staying there would only lead to more trouble. As she laid down on the cot, she couldn't help the heaviness she felt in her eyes as she wondered where she could possibly go now.
After sleeping for only a short amount of time, Amunet began to collect her things in preparation for night fall. Once darkness consumed the city, she could leave and find some place to go where she could be sure he would not find her, at least, for a little while. As she grabbed her treasured, golden anklets and put them on under her dress, she wondered how long it would be before she'd ever find a sense of normalcy again. Looking around the room, she realized with a heavy heart that was the best she could ever do, and had still managed to screw it up.
Once night fell Amunet left her home for the last time, and quickly made her way through the deserted streets that were always bustling during the day. She wondered what particular score her fellow thief would be making off with tonight, as she finally arrived to the building that she could easily climb up onto, getting a better view of the city. Although she was still in one of the poorer districts, she knew that one could easily see everything from this particular building. Once she scaled up to the roof, she rested onto her back and gazed into the stars. It was a beautiful night, and despite the cooler temperature, Amunet found herself secure enough to fall asleep again for a little while before moving again. As she drifted off, she cursed herself for stealing from him in the first place. What had possessed her to steal from him anyway? She had been bored by the usual scores, stealing from him was challenging and she had gotten the biggest rush of adrenaline as she left his room. When she first had heard rumors that the great Thief King was possibly staying in a nearby inn with some valuables he had recently acquired, her curiosity, as well as her stomach, peaked with interest. Sneaking into his room while he was passed out drunk was quite possibly one of the most triumphant moments of her life, and taking a few spoils only sweetened it even more. However, having to flee from her home, lest she incur his true wrath later on, made her sincerely regret the decision she so stupidly made. She did not sleep for more than a few moments before one of her night terrors woke her violently. As she sat up, she breathed deeply, trying to forget the images of fire and blood that stained her mind. "Alright, I'm up. I'm up," she said quietly as she stood and started to walk towards the edge of the city. As much as she wished to remain within the confines of the city, the gnawing feeling in her gut told her to remove herself entirely, even if only for a few weeks. It was nearly day break as she came to the edge of the kingdom, looking back she smiled thinking about all the merchants who would enjoy her absence.
Unbeknownst to her, a certain white haired man had been following her for some time now. Smirking to himself, he held back in the shadows, awaiting for the right moment to call his horse. "Sweet Amunet, you can try to run but you can't outrun me," he said as he watched her form grow progressively smaller in the distance. Up ahead were some of his cohorts, he knew getting Amunet would be no easy task when there was nothing holding her back. She was just as insane and fierce an opponent as he was, when the moment called for it of course. However, he could not fathom how much she had underestimated him, surely she did not think that she was going to get away so easily after stealing from right under his nose. The matter he had to take care of earlier had barely taken up any time, and knowing Amunet as well as he did, he only had to wait for nightfall to watch her leave and head in the same direction that he told his men to wait. Amunet was usually more paranoid and careful, he mused, but his little visit earlier that day must have shaken her to the core. He smirked and called his horse, who came galloping out. He swung his arm around its neck and without another second passing, he was on top of the horse, grabbing ahold of the reins and speeding towards his target.
Amunet turned suddenly, although faint, the sound of hooves was unmistakable especially as the sound drew closer to her. "Damn!" realizing immediately who was on the horse, she began to run in the direction of the river, knowing very well that she was a much faster swimmer. As she ran, she begin to notice the yells of multiple men to her left, while also noticing that she had a few moments of running before she even reached the Nile. She cursed herself for quite possibly the hundredth time that day, as she sprinted as fast as she could away from the men now behind her. Her heart was beating so fast she was sure it was going to explode before she even made it to the water, her legs growing increasingly tired from the amount of distance she had already made. She could hear the horse getting closer as she finally made her way into the reeds, the smell enveloping her nose as she descended the bank. Looking back she knew she had only a small window of time to take off her beloved anklets and hide them before she would have to jump in. Knowing that she'd be back for them later, she adjusted her shawl just as she dived into the water.