Lolz hello again~! Yeah I managed to finish my chapter real quick XD was hit with inspiration. I love seeing how much attention this story is getting~~It's really motivating. This chapter was done by me and edited by Renagade Rex Sphinx (Renagade's fanfic account, you can find her stories in my favorites)
Renagade: Thief Bakura
Miss-DNL: Ryo, Pegasus, Yugi, Jonouchi, Anzu, Honda, Mai & Haga
Ba-Ku-Ra!
By: Miss-DNL & RenagadeRexRider
Chapter 8: To Duelist Kingdom!
Anzu sat in the living room with the others as she waited for their friend Ryo to show up; currently the others were looking over some cards that Yugi had gotten in an envelope from Pegasus's company Industrial Illusions, I2 for short. It seemed they were going to have to take a boat to an island of some sort. They all figured with Pegasus being rich it was likely to be a private island.
Hearing someone knock at the door Anzu turned to her friends, "I think that's Bakura. I'll go let him in."
The others let her go and focused on the cards making sure not to miss a single detail. Anzu opened the door and was glad to see it was indeed her white haired friend, but her greeting smile dropped seeing him look paler than usual. He seemed to be in a rush to get inside so Anzu let him pass, her expression worried, "Ryo what's wrong?" She asked quickly locking the door behind them and following after him. Once they reached the living room all attention turned to Ryo and stayed fixed on him when the others saw his expression.
Ryo said nothing as he removes his backpack, unzips it and extracts the exact same dark purple duelist gauntlet that Yugi had received the day before, instantly answering why he looked so grim. Ryo sat down with the others and finally spoke to them, "Pegasus wants the items. He's holding my Father hostage…" His voice seemed to fade off as he remembered the brief image of his Father in a prison cell.
This instantly riled Jonouchi up to a boiling anger, "That creep!" He barked his hands balled up into fists; No one did that to his friends! He gritted his teeth in seething anger wishing he could punch Pegasus in his smug face. But seeing as his anger was wasted currently, he let some of his anger go and looked to Ryo in light of the reason, "What does he want with them anyway?" He asked stiffly.
Shoulders slumped Ryo shook his head, "He wouldn't say…It can't be good though we've already seen what one item on its own can do…" He muttered partly to himself as he lifted the Ring up a bit with his finger. Letting it go he looked up at Anzu, her expression seemed a bit fretful and he furrowed his brow in confusion upon seeing it.
Lightly biting the side of her finger Anzu lowered her head slightly her mind recollecting a past event. She didn't like remembering this…but Ryo had to know this, "Actually we've seen what two together can do..." Anzu said warily, remembering 'waking up' standing on a board suspended off the roof of their school.
Seeing Ryo's surprised expression Yugi took up the job of explaining what had happened to their newer friend, "It was a while back, a while after I finished the puzzle." Hearing him begin to explain Ryo turned himself to Yugi, "The museum opened the Egyptian exhibit. While we went to see the archaeologist, since he was a friend of my Grandpa, I ran into this Egyptian called Shadi he brainwashed him after he had killed the manager of the museum."
Listening silently from within the Millennium Ring Akefia tilted his head, the name resonating with him, thinking to himself he pondered it, 'Shadi? That name seems... familiar to me... eh.' He shrugged slightly in his binds, 'If it's important I'll remember it later...'
Ryo blinked, he had heard about that. The former manager had died of mysterious circumstances, but he hadn't thought an item wielder was the culprit. Then again at the time he hadn't even known about Him… "He went after me to 'test' me and the other me. We all barely got out alive…" Yugi said drearily before looking back to Ryo to finish what he had to say, "He had two of the items, an Ankh and a Scale."
"I remember hearing about that." Ryo answered in a somewhat calm tone, though it sounded a bit distant, "My Father became manager of the museum after he died..." This surprised his friends slightly but now wasn't the time to talk about his Father… Ryo looked to Yugi again, "What was Shadi going after them for?"
Yugi thought for a moment remembering when he first met the mysterious man, "I met him at the museum first. He seemed upset about the mummy of a Pharaoh being put on display." He said, though thinking about it, the man's face seemed to stay rather neutral most of the time, "I think that's it." He answered before looking to Ryo and asking his own question, "Did you get the cards for the tournament?"
Ryou nods pulling the envelope out removing the cards from it showing them to Yugi, "Seems we're going to be taking a boat to his private island..." He said looking at the card of an island, this wasn't good for them but then again…they didn't have much of a choice.
Jonouchi, sitting cross-legged on the floor, crossed his arms as well grumbling bitterly to himself, "Rich people and their money..."
"This will leave you on his territory." Grandpa said from the camera screen, "Be careful you two." He said in a gentle warning tone to both Yugi and Ryo, both nodded curtly. As much as he wanted to be in his body again the elderly man didn't want the two young teens to get hurt trying to help him, especially not his own Grandson.
Kneeling down to the screen level Anzu smiles reassuringly to Yugi's Grandpa, "Don't worry we'll make sure they'll be okay." She promised, getting an agreeing nod from Honda.
"No way we're letting you two go alone." He said looking to his two friends with his arms crossed loosely.
"Yeah, you guys might need some muscle just in case." Jonouchi grinned proudly; he was more than willing to fight in order to defend his friends. His grin switches to a frown, "You two are the ones picked on most of the time..." He pointed out dully making both shift in place out of slight shame. Even after becoming friends with Yugi, Jonouchi had to fight off a few bullies. Ryo had gotten picked on by the gym teacher on his first day. Thankfully now that they both had friends the instances decreased.
Anzu shot him an accusing glare, "You'd know that wouldn't you..." She said stiffly; Before he became friends with Yugi, Jonouchi himself had bullied the little gamer. The blond laughed in a guilty yet sheepish manner rubbing the back of his neck while sweat dropping; Anzu huffed briefly letting the guy off the hook.
Seeing the scene amused the Thief King and he chuckled, "Headstrong and straight to the point..." He shook his head with a grin planted on his face, oh how the foolish amused him, "That's going to bite them in the ass with their lack of brain~ hehehe~."
Ryo twitched slightly at the thief's blatant insult to his friends, though inwardly to himself he admitted Jonouchi wasn't bright all the time. He hummed to himself in a slightly stiff manner, 'Honda's smarter, he'll pull Jonouchi out of it before things get too bad.' The Thief King only hummed mildly in response. Moving on Ryo perks remembering the other item in his bag. Taking out his deck case he turns to Yugi, "Hey Yugi, could you help me with my deck?" Ryo holds the deck case out to his friend.
"Sure Bakura!" Yugi answered happily, slightly excited to see what kind of deck his quiet friend had. Opening it Yugi began looking through the cards; slowly a worried expression became apparent on his face.
Ryo slouches his shoulders his head hung low, "Is it that bad?" He said dismally, bad deck meant he had little chance to save his Father.
Still looking through the cards Yugi shook his head "No, it just won't hold up in competitive play. Most of the monsters are low level too..." He noted while pointing at a weak two star monster that didn't even have a useful effect.
Ryo sighs momentarily, "I thought as much," He pulls out the binder from his backpack and handed it to Yugi who handed his deck back to him, "the rest of the cards I have."
Looking a bit curious the violet eyed duelist opens the binder flipping through the pages looking more surprised with each page. He stops and looks at Ryo with confused and puzzled eyes, "Bakura..." He said slowly, "why are all the good cards in here?" Yugi stared down on one particular page with a lot of good cards on it looking bewildered, "There are some really rare and strong ones in here...they'd make a pretty strong deck." Hearing this Jonouchi grew curious and looked over Yugi's shoulder to see the cards.
"You...really like the freaky looking ones don't you...?" Jonouchi said paling at the sight of monsters that were fitting for an R rated horror movie.
Pushing two fingers together in a meek manner, Ryo looks away from his friends "They're...not really mine..." He said quietly, Ryo knew fully well that some of the cards in the binder were strong. He knew enough about Duel Monsters to spot a powerful card. "The spirit…for a while was going around 'collecting' cards." He said hinting that his previous yami had stolen them, "If I was lucky he just took packs from stores..." Ryo muttered remembering 'waking up' with bruises from fights on occasion, he sighed with a slight shrug, "Then he suddenly just stopped one day."
He looked over a few of the cards, "I believe he was going for an occult themed deck, fiends and ghosts." Ryo guessed not looking the least bit bothered by it in fact he smiled a bit, "I don't mind really, I like them." Hearing this Jonouchi's expression turned shocked as Ryo looked to the binder, face turning neutral, "I didn't use them for the fact they weren't mine but now I don't have much of a choice."
"Well, we can defiantly work with this." Yugi said sounding a bit amused as he starts pulling cards that he felt would be good for the deck out of their slots.
Akefia looks at the cards from his spot in the ring and feels a wave of sad nostalgia wash over him. The creatures depicted on the cards reminded him of Ka, creatures created from within a human soul…reminding him that his wasn't with him.
"...interesting to say the least..." He turns to his host grinning, he chuckled with pleasantly surprised amusement, "And I would have pinned you LAST for such things...hahaha..." Fiends, undead, and wicked ghosts weren't the first things one would expect quiet, innocent Ryo would like to make a deck out of. This didn't bother the Thief King in the least through, he grinned broadly, "We can work with this~" He mused.
'Eheh, not the first time I've heard that...' Ryo said through the link while sweat dropping, the King of Thieves chuckling in response. In the past, a few of the people he got to be friends with for a while would also say the same thing when he told them he was interested in the super natural.
After a bit of work, questions and discussion Ryo's new occult deck is complete, he smiled at the newly constructed deck feeling more confident now. He looked gratefully to his friend, "Thanks Yugi."
"No problem," Yugi said with a friendly smile, knowing Ryo didn't duel often he went on to say, "I can help you practice over the week if you want."
Knowing he'd need the help Ryo nods, "That'd be great," Think about dueling Ryo remembers his promise to Jonouchi from the other day. He turns his head to said friend, "Oh, I promised we duel didn't I?"
His blond friend pales, looking horrified Jonouchi looks slightly away from his confused friend, "Er, maybe some other time..." He suggested warily.
Easily realizing Jonouchi was afraid of the ghosts, Ryo sweat drops, "We don't have to use the holograms..." he offered only to deadpan when Jonouchi profusely shakes his head along with his hands, clearly he wasn't about to change his mind. 'Probably had bad experiences...' Ryo figured looking at his shaken friend, looked like he wouldn't be dueling with Jonouchi anytime soon.
The King of Thieves chuckles amused by Jonouchi's pitifully fearful behavior, he had grown up with spirits around him it was always funny to him to see people who feared them like the plague. One just had to know how to handle them properly and of course Akefia knew very well how to do so.
"Awww... Afraid of ghosts are we~?" He mocked though the teen couldn't hear him, he laughed again. "Kehehehe~," He turns his attention to Ryo, "Well now. All that's left is to see just how well this Yugi knows his stuff..." He said to his host as Yugi prepared to teach him some things about his deck before he left. All the while his eyes glanced and lingered on the Item around his neck…
/Week Later/
The dock was filled with people moving about, chatting or merely standing around for the time being. All of them had the duelist glove for the Duelist Kingdom tournament, all were either in it for the money, the glory or even both. All of them waited around to be able to board the dock to the island Pegasus was holding the tournament on, his private island. They moved about the lit area, each eager to duel the first person they could in the tournament. Some of them even eyed the others trying to gauge another duelist's dueling capabilities off of looks alone. There of course were the boasters who were begrudgingly tolerated. Officials watched the duelists carefully keeping any eye out for trouble makers to be disqualified. Despite this the air held a lively and excited tone to it and the area was warmer than in most cold areas along the deck.
With his backpack straps neatly on his shoulders, the bag itself full of supplies, duel glove with star chips on one hand Ryo walks up to the commotion. He takes a breath to steady himself before he took in the sight of all the people and the grand ship itself. Ryo was sure he'd appreciate its grandness if it wasn't for the fact it'd be taking him to Pegasus's island.
"Well...here we are." He says aloud knowing Akefia was listening, 'I hope all the practicing pays off...' He thought looking at his black duel case. He'd been practicing his dueling skills with Yugi or by himself as much as he was able to during the week, 'Well, I know I've gotten better.' He had to have improved after so much practice, it was impossible to have not.
The King of Thieves hummed as he looked out at the scene, watching the people move about with miniscule interest, "Yes... As for the paying off... we'll soon find out." He said simply before a smirk comes onto his lips looking at the other duelist like prey to be hunted, "All you need to do is trample anyone that gets in the way~." He instructed as if it was a simple task.
Ryo laughed in sheepish nervousness, he felt the spirit was overestimating his abilities a bit, "Eheh," A bead of sweat slipped down the side of his face, he wasn't sure how to respond to that exactly, 'Uh, I'll try...' was what he ended up saying to Akefia.
"Bakura!"
Hearing his named be called Ryo turned around and smiled spotting the gang lead by Yugi head over to him. Smiling he waved his greeting to them, "Oh there you are." He greeted when they reached him, "I worried I wouldn't get here before you guys."
"Sorry, hope we didn't keep you waiting." Yugi said self-consciously with a slight smile.
Ryo put his worries to rest with the simple shake of his head, "No, I just got here myself." He looks back to the ship and the crowd of duelists that had gathered around it, "There sure are a lot of duelists, the tournaments bigger than I thought it'd be." He said aloud getting agreeing looks from his group of friends.
Looking out at the crowd Jonouchi scanned for any dangerous competition he suddenly gasps spotting two familiar duelists. It was two short guys one with green hair with yellow stag beetle glasses, and one with long shaggy brown hair wearing a red beanie. Quickly he points the two guys out in the crowd, quickly catching Ryo and Yugi's attention, "Guys look! Insector Haga and Dinosaur Ryuzaki the winner and runner up of the last tournament..."
Honda frowned slightly, looked like there were tough duels ahead for his friends, "Man, tough crowd..." He said aloud, getting some nods from the others.
Yugi looks at his deck as he holds it in one hand, eyes glinting with a determined passion, "We have to win. Everything rides on our decks." He wasn't going to let strong duelists scare him off from saving his grandpa! Feeling the same Ryo nods curtly, he had to save his Father…he was the only family he had left. He had to save him!
Gazing from within the Ring Akefia looks at the pair of competitors, judging them, he huffs unimpressed, "Hmph... hardly look like much..." He paused noting the looks in their eyes, "but they do have that vicious look about them... they may pose a threat..." Akefia pondered the possibility, though only for a second, "but only vaguely I'd wager..." The thief blinks glimpsing a blonde girl in tight fitting clothes amongst the crowd. Akefia quirks a brow, her clothing was rather strange to him, he hums, "Now there's one likely to use more than just mental prowess in a duel..." He frowned, he didn't like the look of the woman, he bluntly grunts, "She looks like a harpy..."
Curious as to who his yami was talking about Ryo looks around for the girl by trying to gauge what he'd see from the Ring's position. Catching the sight of a blond with long flowing hair and a suggestive outfit Ryo gaped, 'Oh dear…' Quirking an eyebrow Ryo tries to see if he could recognize her, 'I don't recognize her from tournaments but that doesn't mean much. She must be here for the prize money.' Ryo perks hearing the announcer say his speech to the crowd of duelists gathered in front of the boat, quickly riling everyone up into cheering and shouting, "Looks like it started."
Akefia listens wistfully and nods with a grin, more than ready for the tournament to begin, "Well then let it begin~~."
Shortly after Akefia said that the woman he'd noted earlier let out a very high pitched laugh causing everyone around her to turn their heads, "Aha-hahaha!"
Ryo winced visibly at high pitched tone of her laugh as it scraped roughly against his eardrums, 'Ah! She is a harpy! She has such a loud voice!' It took all the restraint he had to avoid shielding his ears to avoid catching the woman's attention.
The Thief King also winced at her voice; he groaned, he didn't like this woman already, "Ugh..."
The woman recomposed herself and glanced about her competition that was present around her, "It's like a pep rally for little kids." She laughs to herself flicking some hair over her shoulders, "Then again it is mostly kids here! Hee, hee, I haven't seen any real competition." She hummed hopping she'd at least find a slight challenge to be present in the tournament, wouldn't be fun otherwise, "Yet..." She added.
Ryo watched her for a moment longer looking at her evenly. He sighed to himself hoping he wouldn't run into her during the tournament. He looks back to his friends about to suggest they get aboard the ship before his jaw dropped. He couldn't believe what he was seeing…Yugi, Jonouchi and Honda drooling over her! Ryo sighs roughly holding his forehead with one hand, 'Seriously…? She's competition!' Finding no further words he just shakes his head, feeling disappointed in his friends at the moment.
"Seriously...?" Akefia said flatly as he stared at Ryo's friends in a rather dull manner, "That has to be the most repulsive female within the whole of three thousand miles..." He huffs grumbling to himself, "weak minded morons..."
Finding Akefia's view on the blond woman amusing Ryo chuckled to himself, clearly the spirit had different standards on the opposite gender than most men of the current time, 'Most people now a days wouldn't even think of the word repulsive when seeing her.'
The Thief King stopped a moment, staring before sighing numbly, "Oh how the standards have fallen then..."
The busty blonde turns towards their direction and instantly spots Yugi making the short teenager blush, "Hey, you're that kid called Yugi right?" The upstart duelist attempted to answer her but ended up stammering incoherently, the woman laughed at the sight and took it as a yes, "What A Surprise~! How could a little boy like you defeat Kaiba? You're famous you know?" She mused smoothly with a wink, knowing fully well she was flustering the young boy.
Yugi's blush turned an even brighter red and he rubbed his neck shyly, "Er...Thanks!"
'WHO IS THIS WOMAN!?' Anzu thought, her mind burning with rage not liking one bit how the blond woman was acting with her friend, who, along with Jonouchi and Honda, she thought were being complete morons!
Ryo standing next to Anzu gulped noticing her clear rage, "Uh...Anzu?" He managed to say quietly.
Seeing the scene unfold the King of Thieves laughs, "Oho~, what's this?"
Lowering his head warily Ryo speaks through the link in a sheepish manner, 'She's mad...'
The attractive blond blatantly ignores Honda and Jonouchi as they try and introduce themselves and huffs, "Whatever..." Done with whatever she wanted accomplish she turns walking away from the group. Pausing she looks at them over her shoulder, "In a duel it doesn't matter if my opponent is a little kid, anyone who stands in my way...will be CRUSHED!" The woman declared before smirking, "My name is Mai Kujaku." With a faint laugh she headed to the ship while giving them a quick wave, "See yah later, boys!"
Akefia seeming to be happy she left bluntly says, "About time..."
Watching her leave after her display Ryo hums calmly, 'Guess she's serious after all.' His nose twitched picking up a smell, "Hmm?" Quickly he covered his nose almost gagging at the strong odor, 'Ugh! Her perfume is so strong!' Ryo looked to the other guys only to groan seeing them actually smelling her perfume, even drooling while doing so. He rolled his green eyes, 'Oh come on...'
"YOU IDIOTS!" Anzu shouted, loudly enough that it shocks them out of it. Looking thoroughly ticked about her male friend's behavior she shoots them a hard glare "And you guys wonder why the girls all like Bakura..." Anzu huffed whilst tapping her arm with her fingers. Ryo blushed lightly as she brought the subject up and let out a sheepish laugh while shifting his feet where he stood.
Honda blinks blankly, and obliviously answers, "Because his hair is white?"
Smirking deviously at his host upon hearing what Anzu said Akefia slyly muses, "Oh~? Now what's this that I hear~?"
Ryo could practically see the thief grinning at him inside his mind. He shifted nervously; he always got shy when this was brought up, 'Uh...well yeah, I'm kind of popular with girls...eheh,' Ryo sighs mentally not finding it of importance at the moment, 'It doesn't really matter though. I don't really like any of them that way...' Thinking about it he realizes something and sweat drops, 'I don't even know half of their names.'
Anzu rolled her eyes upon hearing Honda's lacking answer, "Come on you two idiots." She said as she roughly grabs Honda and Jonouchi by their arms and pulls them away, "We have to find a way to sneak on board." Anzu said stiffly to the two boys she was dragging away. Stopping momentarily she looks back to Ryo and Yugi who were speechlessly watching her drag the two other guys away, "We'll catch up with you guys in a bit!" Anzu said her tone going back to its usually bright friendly nature.
Watching as she continued to drag Honda and Jonouchi away Ryo waves awkwardly to her noticing the swift mood swing in her voice, "Okay..."
"My, my~," Akefia mused with a slight chuckle in his voice, "And a gentleman to boot~~." He smirked out of intrigue as the three other friends set off to find a way to sneak on board, "Hehe~ let's see how well they manage~." The Thief King doubted they'd impress him, he wasn't often impressed by anything really, but he was still curious to see how they'd manage.
Hearing Akefia's comment Ryo rubs his neck sheepishly before looking to Yugi, "We should get on the boat." He advised to his friend.
Yugi nodded agreeing with him seeing the other duelist forming a line to get on board, "Yeah, let's get going!"
Getting on board the ship Ryo looked around at his surroundings, it was certainly a big ship. He hummed slightly curious about what their rooms would look like, "I've never been on a ship this big before..." Quickly he remembered just who the ship belonged too, 'Not that I can enjoy it...' Ryo though dismally his curiosity dashed to nothing, remembering his friends were sneaking on board he figured they'd need help. He turned his head to his star haired friend, "Yugi could you look for where we'll be sleeping. I'm going to go see if I can find the others," Ryo leans down to him a little whispering, "They might need some help sneaking on board."
Yugi nods to Ryo; he was worried about them as well, "Alright, I'll meet you in the common room." He said as he headed off towards the room.
Watching Ryo as he walked off in the opposite direction of Yugi, Akefia smirked wondering how his host would handle things in order to get his friends onboard the ship.
Thinking quickly as he walked along the outside of the ship, Ryo quickly thought of the ways the others could use to get on the ship, 'There's only one way,' he thought as he looked over the metal rail that lined the ship. Ryo then spots the anchor chain, which as he expected, his three other friends where steadily climbing up, 'There they are.' Knowing there was a level below him Ryo turns around and heads to it. Reaching where the anchor was again Ryo looks over the rail checking their progress.
Spotting his friend's white hair easily in the dark Honda blinks his eyes to make sure he wasn't seeing things, "Bakura?"
Hearing him Ryo nods, he looks around making sure no one was around before answering his friend in a hushed tone, "Keep going I'll keep watch." Managing to hear him Honda nods and starts climbing again much to the relief of Jonouchi and Anzu.
Akefia nearly groans at their cliché choice of sneaking on board, then again he couldn't have expected much from armatures, "Tch... up the anchor," the thief rolls his eyes drolly, "But of course." Hearing something heading towards them he blinks, "Eh? Heads up boy... might have someone coming..." He pauses momentarily listening carefully to the footsteps, "Sounds rather heavy... could be a hired guard..."Akefia warned.
As the Thief King said a large guards turned around the corner pausing only momentarily when spotting Ryo looking out over the rail, "What are you doing out here?" The man questioned getting Ryo to turn his head to him, "Shouldn't you be heading to your homeroom?"
Remaining calm Ryo blinks his eyes, "Oh?" He looks up at the guard giving him a quizzical look, "I wasn't aware that I was required to head in at a certain time." Ryo said furrowing his brow looking confused by the guard's questions. Hearing Ryo talking to someone Honda stops alerting the others to stop climbing the chain immediately. Holding on to the thick metal chain Honda tenses hopping Ryo will be able to get whoever it was to leave soon.
"No not entirely..." The guard answers while crossing his arms, "but there have been a few incidents already of people being forced out of their rooms by other duelists or otherwise..." He grumbled sounding annoyed by the situation, "It's getting troublesome, so they want the duelists to ensure things are in order and no problems... if there are, then report to the security." The guard instructed to Ryo.
"Ah," Ryo nods to the guard in understanding, "No I'm fine just getting some fresh air," He reassuring normally to the man, "thanks for telling me though."
The guard looks him over humming, the boy before him seemed innocent enough, harmless really so he nods, "Alright then. Enjoy the ride then." He walks off rounding the corner once more out of sight letting Ryo breath easily again now that he didn't have to act anymore.
"Well handled." The King of Thieves said through the link, his voice lightly tinged with an impressed under tone, "I've seen people panic over less..." He added looking at his host, while remembering how others would panic when they haven't even started their thefts. Yet his goodly host had gone through the instance without the guard even suspecting a thing.
The Thief King's host looked back over the rail once he felt sure that the guard wouldn't be coming back anytime soon, 'Sadly I have experience at it...' He says to the thief, remembering how he'd 'wake up' in strange places and have to explain himself or lie to his Father about his absences in school. Ryo then indicates for the others to climb up and not long after he helps Honda over the rail he then helps Jonouchi who in turn helps Anzu over before anyone else can arrive.
Jonouchi exhales in relief before rubbing a slightly sore arm, "Thanks Bakura, we owe you one."
His white haired friend turns and starts heading to the common room answering him as he walks "You don't owe me anything," He motions the others to follow him, "come on we should head to the common room. Yugi is waiting for us." The others nod and they head to the common room which was alive and bustling with duelist, making the space look rather cramped. Looking around it didn't take Ryo long to spot Yugi's tri-colored hair among the crowd despite his small size. Going up to him he noticed his friend looked rather upset about something, "Hey Yugi, what's wrong? Did you find out where we'll be sleeping?"
Yugi sighs looking up at Ryo before motioning to the room, "This…is where we're sleeping..."
Shocked Ryo stares at him jaw partly hung open, he hardly knew what to say aside from the obvious, "What? We don't even get a room!?"
His friend shook his head creasing his brow slightly looking vaguely annoyed, "Nope, not even a bed. Only tournament finalists get rooms." He said flatly remembering how Haga and Ryuzaki got rooms and the rest had to sleep out here.
Ryo frowned irately, with a boat as large as the one they were on there were bound to be enough rooms for the current amount of people and then some! "I find it hard to believe that there are that many finalists on this boat." He said stiffly as he started to take his backpack off his back.
Kicking the floor Jonouchi growled to himself, "Damn rich people..."
The Thief King huffed, seemed some things never seemed to change, "That's typical of anyone of high class. They only recognize 'their own'..." He explained dryly to Ryo before dully adding, "So don't take it personally..."
Hearing the spirit's explanation Ryo sadly knew that it was true, "There isn't much we can do about it anyway..." He sits down against the wall putting his backpack next to him watching as the others settled down around Yugi and him.
"True enough..." Akefia said simply to the boy, nothing could be done so no use fussing over it.
Ryo looks around seeing what the other duelists were doing to past the time before they decided to go to sleep, 'A bunch of people are trading cards. This is the last chance to get new cards.' He grabs his deck case off his hip, 'I'm fine though,' He shifted were he sat a bit nervously, 'Also don't want people taking a peek at in case we duel.' Ryo thought pensively before he smiles seeing Jonouchi and Yugi trading cards with each other. He admired that the both of them could still act like they normally did in a time like this while he was stuck worrying. Ryo blinked hearing Akefia chuckle through their link.
"Being sneaky are we?" The thief questioned slyly before chuckling again, "Kehehe~ I might be rubbing off on you~." Akefia pointed out with a grin, though he did agree with the boy. Better to play it safe than be sorry you didn't later. Caution always had its place in a situation like theirs.
'That may be,' Ryo replied, then thinks to himself keeping his through private, 'It might be good in this case...' He'd need some of the thief's confidence and quick thinking to rub off on him if he was to get through Pegasus's tournament. Thinking about it, the other Yugi seemed to have such an effect on Yugi…was that what a happened to a person with a yami? Ryo rests his head against the wall trying to relax but as time goes on he only feels more restless, all the noise of the busy crowded room not helping him, and gets to his feet. "I'll be right back, I need some air." His friends look at each other but let him go. Ryo heads out leaning on the rail taking in a deep breath of the cool ocean air helping him feel more relaxed, 'Much better...'
"About time... more noisy than a tavern in there..." Akefia commented briskly, the only thing that had been missing was alcohol and a drunken fist fights.
Ryo blinks, he hadn't thought that the noise could have bothered the thief partly due to the fact he'd been so quiet. He frowned a bit, he hadn't meant to make him listen to all that noise, 'It was bothering you Akefia? I'm sorry. I would have left if you asked.'
The Thief King huffed at his concern, "It was bearable..." He hums noting the restlessness that had caused Ryo to leave the common room in the first place, "but it seems different in your case... lot on the mind I take?" He questioned tilting his head a bit.
The boy's tone grew quieter as he looked out at the gently rolling waves of the ocean, 'yeah...I don't like sitting here when Father is in danger.' He gripped the metal bar tensely. He grew more anxious just thinking about the image of his Father being held captive. 'I can't rest with that on my mind. I'm used to being threatened whether by the spirit or by people. I've dealt with that for most of my life but I never thought Father would be put at risk...'
Akefia grew quiet for a while listening to Ryo speak his heart out, it wasn't hard to pick up the stress and worry coming from him but one could just as easily see it on his face, "...You never know when life will play you a wild gambit..." He said finally to his host with a sigh, he knew very well how life could suddenly be so cruel to someone, "Just don't worry about it."
'I'll try...' Ryo answered his voice sounding distant. Hearing someone walking towards him Ryo was pulled from his thoughts turning his head Ryo sees Jonouchi standing behind him. Ryo blinks curious of his presence, "Jonouchi?"
His blond friend looking a little troubled gives him a slight wave before clearing his throat a bit, "Uh hey," He started sounding a bit hesitant about speaking with him, "Bakura um, I know you wanted some time to yourself but I wanted to talk to you about something..."
Noting his odd uncertainty Ryo knitting his brows feeling a little concerned he hopped nothing was wrong. Turning to him Ryo says, "No you're not bothering me. What is it?"
Jonouchi sighs calming himself, he rubs his neck before standing next to him along the rail, "You remember my sister right? I got that video message from her a couple of days before all this started." He explained looking worried again when speaking about his younger sister.
Thinking back for a bit Ryo nods, frowning sympathetically remembering what condition his sister was in, "Yeah, she's...going blind…" At that moment Ryo understood why Jonouchi had come to him, "I understand," Jonouchi looks at his friend puzzled by the sudden shift in the conversation, "I'll give you the money so she can have her operation if I win."
For a good while Jonouchi stared at him stunned by how willing he was to give up so much money for his sister, and so out of the blue. After a while Ryo began to worry about him for going so silent he was about to ask if he was okay when Jonouchi suddenly did something of a bear hug, headlock, strangle hold mix, "Thanks Bakura! If you ever need anything just ask!" He exclaimed while grinning happily.
Having this come out of nowhere not only startled Ryo but also put him in a bit of daze, and confused him as well. Ryo gasped not able to breathe quiet properly, "Letting...me go... would be a nice start..." He suggested between gasps.
Jonouchi sweat drops letting his skinnier friend go, rubbing his neck he apologizes, "Sorry...got to excited...eheh."
Ryo rubs his own neck that feels a bit sore from being held so tightly, "Its fine."
Seeing how frail his host was Akefia huff bluntly, "You need to eat more meat..." The only response he got from Ryo was a sheepish laugh and a sweat drop.
Jonouchi looked out at the ocean with his arms resting on the rail, his face suddenly becoming subdued, "Seems it's taking too long to get there doesn't it?"
Noticing the sudden change in mood Ryo perks slight but nods solemnly, "It does..."
A solemn silence falls between the two friends until they heard what sounded like a scuffle happening near them. Jonouchi looks off towards the sound of struggle, "What the?" He looks at Ryo who nods in a silent agreement and they both go to investigate. The two run towards the scene and to both of their shock they catch the sight of Insector Haga throwing some of Yugi's cards over the rail and into the ocean below. Yugi lay collapsed against the rail appearing to have hit his head against it in a struggle to get his cards back. Jonouchi growls angry that his best friend had been harmed and charges at him. He snatched Haga right off the ground, holding him up in the air while snarling, "You little creep!"
While Jonouchi was handling Haga, Ryo rushes over to Yugi to make sure he's okay, holding him steady he tries to get answers from his slightly dazed friend, "Yugi what happened!?"
Groaning Yugi rubs the back of his head, "Haga snatched Exodia from my hands, I tried to get them back but he hit my head against the rail..." He looked out at the ocean, big violet eyes filled with guilt for losing his Grandfather's cards, "now Exodia is gone..." Ryo looks out at the waters trying but failing to see the cards floating in the dark waters bellow. The five pieces of Exodia were lost to the ocean.
Hearing that Jonouchi glares at the frightened tournament champion, he narrows his eyes further frightening the insect duelist further, "Just so yah know...I'm not afraid to hit a guy with glasses..." In a matter of moments Jonouchi pummeled the underhanded cretin and left him crumpled up against the wall, "Humph, little creep." He huffs before he looks to Yugi worried about his friend, "You okay Yugi?"
Yugi nods getting up leaving Bakura's support, "I'm fine..." He looks to the camera slung over one of his shoulders that now held the tape that has his Grandfather's soul within it. "Sorry I lost Exodia grandpa..."
His Grandfather looked out past the screen at his grandson looking far more worried about him than his cards, "Don't worry about it Yugi. I'm glad you're okay."
The King of Thieves observed the scene, Haga in particular, from his spot inside the Millennium Ring, "Getting rid of the competition like that... effective... but such a coward."
Hearing this Ryo frowns disapprovingly, 'Coward or not that was unexceptionable.' He said stiffly through his link with the Thief King. He blinks noticing something is off with Yugi but quickly realizes his other half has taken over Yugi's body.
Akefia's eyes widened in angry surprise, trembling in anger, his host was right…'He's right there... and,' His tone changed to a grating stiffness as he thought to himself, 'I can't do ANYTHING...' The King of Thieves was trembling hard enough in his shadowy binds that the Ring was shaking from his sheer anger.
The spirit of the Puzzle in control of Yugi's body walks up to Haga roughly jabs Haga in the side with his foot making the unconscious champion wake up, "Get up you cretin." He growls before roughly pulling him up to his feet. "When we get to the kingdom...I'm going to CRUSH you LIKE THE LOWLY INSECT YOUR ARE!" Yami Yugi snarled furiously. He bared his teeth glaring sharply at him when he get gets a mocking grin in return.
Jonouchi puts a hand on Yami Yugi's shoulder, "Come on Yugi…" He shot Haga another nasty look, "don't waste your breath on this creep."
The yami nods curtly to him, he gives Haga one last look before he turns to leave, "You're right. Let's go," He turns his attention to Ryo, "We'll need our rest."
Ryo nods, following him before glancing at Haga for a brief moment, 'If he doesn't defeat him I will...'
Next chapter our heroes will arrive in Duelist Kingdom! Who will Ryo duel first? Will he duel Haga? Or someone else? How will Akefia react to the new form of dueling? You'll have to wait patiently for Renagade to finish her chapter!
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