The room was pitch black when he awoke, apart from the light of the moon peeling through the thin curtains. Groggily he glanced at the tower clock outside his window...4am
With a sigh Ryou turned over, before gasping. Two crimson eyes were watching him eagerly, a smirk spread across the demons face.
"Hello beautiful, nice to see you're awake. Get up!"
Ryou clambered up as fast as he could at the order, and Bakura ran a finger down his cheek.
"Look at you, so beautiful in the moonlight. I should just keep you like this, all for me~ My precious light half." He ran his fingers harshly through the others hair, before pulling him into a harsh and biting kiss, causing his bottom lip to bleed. Ryou whimpered, but did not pull back. Letting him kiss him.
When Bakura did pull back, he saw the demons tongue skirt across his lips, tasting the blood.
"We need you to come check on a wound, and fix it up. Be a dear"
Ryou followed Bakura carefully into the living room, noting Malik still up, lazing in the chair, flicking through sheets of paper. Marik was in a corner, head buried in his arms, an uncomfortable position to sleep in for sure. He noticed the Millennium Puzzle in Malik's other hand, as he muttered quietly to himself. So they got the items...that was not reassuring in the slightest.
The room was dimly lit by a flickering light-bulb, and a few candles scattered around the place. Not that it mattered, he saw Malik look up when they entered, and smirked.
"Well well, sleeping beauty is awake. You promised I get a turn with him Bakura, in return for those things from the museum." He pointed to the other side of the room, where a box was. So Bakura had wanted something else from the museum? Wait...a turn?! Ryou turned to Bakura, shock on his face. Bakura said nothing, nodding to Malik.
"Yes yes, I know the deal. He's here to fix your pathetic excuse for a light-half up though. I said next Saturday remember, when I'm away? I have to deal with those...idiots who think their territory is in the North part of the city."
"And you think you can handle that on your own?" Malik smirked, and Bakura shrugged, spinning a knife in his hand.
"They will never know what hit them, and when we take control of that area, we can move quicker. I do not wish to deal with suspicious mortals. Besides, I have the Ring, and with that I am unstoppable."
This was...not a good thing. A whole day with Malik, doing whatever he wanted. Akefia was nowhere around to say otherwise, not that he could...actually. Oh no, he didn't like this at all. What was he going to do to him? What had he to expect? What day was it now? He had no idea how long he had been stuck in this house. Or how much time had actually past...he knew basic hours, but that was it.
"Hmm, fine fine. Carry on. I only hurt him a little bit, but he's acting like it is such a big deal. Who knew he would be a drama-queen" Ryou rolled his eyes.
"I did tell you he was mortal, we can't be thrown around like that, and you know it. What did you do to him this time?!" He snapped, and both Bakura and Malik looked at each other.
"Wow, someone has a tongue on him. Nice to see you still have some fire in you" Malik chuckled, standing up. Bakura however, glared at Ryou, causing him to step back a little bit.
"Go then, fix him up. Then I will talk to you about your attitude" Bakura snarled, and Ryou moved to grab the first aid kit quickly. Great, now he had really messed up.
He walked over to Marik, kneeling down next to him.
"Marik? Come on, I need to see your wounds" He muttered softly, and Marik raised his head. He saw the cuts and bruises all across his face and hands, down his back...He must be freezing without a shirt, but it was probably another punishment from Malik.
"Oh God, what happened..." He whispered, cleaning the wounds carefully, watching Marik wince now and again. He watched Bakura and Malik head over to the items, and cleared his throat.
"Ishizu...is hurt badly. He..." Marik cleared his throat quietly, trying to stop a sob...
"He...raped her..." That took so much effort, he rubbed Marik back as he gave a soft gasp, keeping as quiet as possible.
"I...I...I couldn't protect her...m...my own sister Ryou! T...the...the monster" He buried his face back in his arms, sobbing quietly.
Poor, poor Marik, and poor Ishizu. That was awful news. He could hear Bakura and Malik laughing in the background, but kept quiet.
"Marik, I need you to lift your head. Come on, please. Let me clean you up. I'm so sorry about what happened. I...I wish I could do more to help" Marik shook his head, and sighed softly looking up at him, letting him clean his wounds.
"It's okay Ryou, I couldn't even protect her, and I was there. I...I...I had to watch it" He gave a soft hiccup, and Ryou rubbed his shoulder.
"It's not your fault Marik. Please don't think it's your fault. He's a monster, he's cruel and sadistic and...please Marik" He cleaned the wounds carefully, fixing him up as much as he could. Before he let him return to resting his head in his arms, soft sobs shaking his entire body. He was thinner, frailer. They both were. He ran his fingers through the others hair softly.
"I wish I could help more Marik. I really do" He pushed himself up carefully, and walked back over to Bakura.
"Please don't hurt him, you're going to kill him Malik, and he really needs food soon. You don't want to kill him, do you?"
Malik shrugged, and sighed.
"Fine, fine. I'll look after him. Jeez, but not because I care or anything. Why, do you care about him Sweetheart? Have a little crush on him?" Ryou rolled his eyes, and put the first aid kit away.
"No, now can I go back to sleep? It's 4am" Bakura gave another smirk, he was smirking a lot this morning, and it always seemed to look sinister, and really freaked him out.
"Of course you can, come sleep in my room. It has been a long time since we shared a bed together, has it not? Come join me~ We'll have a talk about your attitude while we're there."
He was lead quite quickly into the bedroom, turning to see Malik's cruel smirk, before the door closed on him.
"P...please Bakura, I am sorry. Really, I am. I just...I've told him not to hurt Marik, he's going to kill him. I...I wont talk out again, I promise" His stuttering was rapid, and filled with fear. Bakura said nothing, giving a cruel sneer, tilting his head.
"Now now, you giving in so easily is not fun at all. Where's the fighting? You're still as pathetic as ever, aren't you? Aren't you glad I'm nothing like Malik, throwing Marik around like he is a doll? I treat you well, do I not? I look after you, and feed you."
I feed you Ryou thought to himself, but stepped back when Bakura stepped closer. That didn't matter as Bakura aggressively pulled his hair, causing him to wince, with that he felt himself being thrown onto the bed rather abruptly, Bakura pinning him down.
"You are however, still so beautiful. I have missed looking at you, my precious Hikari." The demon joined their lips in a rough, and bruising kiss. Ryou couldn't struggle from it, as he felt the weight of the other...weight. Bakura was mortal...
He wasn't thinking straight when he kicked Bakura hard, causing the other to double back in pain. Ryou had enough space to jump up, and leap out of the room. There was no thought as he ran past Malik, and gasped as Akefia opened the door, sliding under his arm and down the stairs. Perfect timing, he was going to be free...There was no way this was a coincidence, he had to run, he had to escape.
He felt the cold air hit him as he dashed outside, and was about to turn the corner when Bakura jumped down in front of him, he turned to see Akefia blocking him from the other side...no...no.
"Well, that was completely unexpected. Looks like you still have a lot of fight in you, how delightful. I enjoy having someone to break" Bakura grabbed Ryou cruelly, dragging him back up the stairs, hand pressed roughly over his mouth to stop him yelling.
"Akefia, perfect timing, though if you hadn't opened the door he probably wouldn't have escaped in the first place" Akefia muttered a quiet sorry, and they opened the door, to see Malik still wide eyed.
"Well well, I never knew the sweetheart had it in him. I didn't expect that at all" Bakura nodded in reply, pushing Ryou forcefully into the bedroom. Ryou fell onto the floor, and watched as the door was closed and locked behind him. Oh god...oh no. He had made a huge mistake. He...he just wanted to be free, and now...now there was no way they would trust him outside of this room again.
He noticed the window open, but the drop was far too high...he could jump but there was no doubt it would kill him...but was it better than Bakura killing him?
No, no he couldn't do that. He was far too scared to even risk doing that...but wait, if Bakura came from this window, and jumped down...he was mortal right? How did he manage to do that?
He was about to glance out the window once more, when Akefia was shoved roughly into the room as well, a bruise forming on his face. Bakura slammed the door behind him locking both the door and the windows abruptly.
"The both of you, are trying my patience!" He snapped angrily, grabbing Akefia by the throat, shoving him forcefully against the wall. Akefia groaned in pain, but said nothing else. Keeping his head bowed.
"First Ryou tries to escape, then you tell me not to punish him?! Who is in control of who around here? What makes you think you give the orders?!" Ryou could see the hand tightening around Akefia's throat, and gasped.
"No Bakura, don't! Please stop" Bakura turned to Ryou, and he could tell he had just made the worst mistake. Akefia was dropped carelessly to the ground, gasping for air, before Bakura stepped over him and grabbed Ryou, forcing him onto the bed, pinning his wrists forcefully.
"No! Bakura! No! NO!" He yelled and cried struggling against the others hands, but Bakura said nothing. Akefia tried to stand up, but shadows suddenly loomed all around them, it caused both Ryou and Akefia to freeze. Both had witnessed this before, The Spirit of the Ring had power neither of them could master or understand. Without hesitation chains appeared either side of Akefia, trapping him to the ground. He tried to escape, tried to break free, but couldn't.
"I will deal with you after" Bakura muttered more to himself. Ryou was frozen in fear, but Bakura's features remained emotionless. Usually he would crack a grin, a sarcastic remark or tone, but there was nothing this time. Nothing but anger, and hatred. He had not seen this side of Bakura since...since the first battle...with Yami. The one he remembered so well, that swell of hatred, he could feel it himself, feel the pain it caused Bakura.
He felt nails dig into his skin, and tried to pull away again. This side of Bakura was different, absolutely terrifying.
"You, belong, to me. You do not escape...and you broke your promise" The smirk returned to Bakura's face as the realization dawned on him, and Ryou froze. Oh no, his promise. He had forgotten all about it. The only think preventing Bakura from hurting his friends... from hurting Yuugi.
They both seemed to share the same thought, as Bakura pushed himself up instantly.
"No no! Bakura don't hurt him, you can't please! Please I'm begging you" But his cries fell on deaf ears, as Bakura walked to the door, opening it.
"New plan Malik, we take the Pharaohs brat. That will lure them easily, and cause them to panic. He is the thing that keeps their precious friend group together after all. Besides, I imagine we can have some fun~" He heard a wicket cackle from Malik, and Ryou lowered his head to the bed, trying not to cry.
He endangered Yuugi, he was a stupid, idiot! His desire to escape...had now meant that Yuugi...was going to get in trouble. His heart was beating rapidly, what was Bakura going to do with him...or Malik. Both were...horrible...just pure evil.
With that Bakura returned to the bedroom, shutting and locking the door once more.
"I should thank you. You've made the task of luring them in far easier. Your disobedience means trouble for your friends. You should have thought about that before you decided to run away. Now you do not have a leg to stand on."
He grabbed him roughly, about to shove him off the bed when Akefia surged forward. The chains...had vanished? But Akefia...couldn't use shadow magic any more? Akefia wrapped his arms tightly around Ryou, before turning to Bakura.
"I want you to punish me instead. I do not wish for him to be hurt, please. Let me take his place." His voice was quiet, as he moved in front of Ryou, head bowed towards Bakura.
Bakura frowned, looking over Akefia.
"Give. It. Back" He muttered softly.
"King of thieves as well, I didn't even notice you took it, still got the skills, don't you Akefia?" The thief sighed softly, before handing him the Millennium Eye.
"I just needed it to get some magic, in this body, without an item I only have the very basics." Bakura smirked, before putting it away in a locked drawer.
"You two are really trying my patience, you know that right?!" He slammed Akefia roughly against a wall, before summoning the chains again, this time he made sure to wrap them tight around Akefia, strangling him, causing him to gag, and gasp for breathe.
"You want to be punished instead? Fine, have it your way" He smirked, before he punched him hard in the face, causing Akefia to groan.
Punch after punch was heard, as Bakura smacked Akefia as hard as he could. By the time he was finished, Akefia's head was rolling to the side.
"Please! Bakura stop, he can't take any more...please" Bakura turned to him, tears were forming again in Ryou's eyes, and he smirked.
"Why, do you care for him? Is precious Ryou all soft for the great King of Thieves? He deserves no love, especially none from someone like you. Fine, it's not like he's any use to me when he's all beaten up anyway." He moved to turn off the light, lying next to Ryou on the bed.
"You will stay here, and not make a sound, understand? I don't want to wake up to you crying or what not" With that he sighed, and relaxed in the bed.
Ryou said nothing, and moved to quietly lie next to him. At least he had stopped hurting Akefia...poor Akefia.
-x-
"The brat is harder to get than I thought." Bakura heard Malik mutter, as they sat on a rooftop, looking into the large apartment. Yuugi was talking with Yami about something in the house, they watched as Yami ruffled his hair fondly, and Yuugi continue explaining with a lot of emotion.
It was another night, and they had forced Akefia to keep an eye on the apartment for the past few nights, but now that he was out of commission, Bakura had to do it, and Malik had followed for the fun of it.
"The Pharaoh is in another room, but he is not looking too happy, plus those friends of his are lingering around. There is no way we will be able to take him tonight" They both looked to each other, before turning back to the apartment.
"So this is where they have been hiding? It's quite a nice place don't you think? Ryou was probably rather comfortable here." Bakura pulled his coat tighter around him as a cool breeze blew. Malik shrugged.
"Why does it matter? It's the home of the bastard. We should just kill him now, get it over and done with." Bakura glared at him.
"The Puzzle does not respond to us, the only one it responds to any more is the Spirit. We cannot kill the Spirit, and we have no chance of killing the Pharaoh if the Spirit is around. We both know how powerful he is, and I would rather not risk him finding that out for himself to be truthfully honest." Malik groaned, but sat back, watching as Yami hugged Yuugi tightly.
"Their displays of affection are rather sickening. Imagine if we were like that with our lighter halves." Bakura snorted and shook his head.
"Yeah, they'd walk all over us without a second thought. Yuugi at least has a stubborn bone in him however. Ryou is quite easy to overpower, and things are just not working out with Marik at all, are they?"
"No matter how much I knock the brat down, he still fights against me. I'm running out of ways to torture him without killing him, and I'd prefer not to kill him."
Bakura shrugged, glancing back over to Malik.
"You could try going the opposite way, start treating him really well, get him to at least slightly trust you, then break him. But I doubt that will work with the amount of pain you've caused him. I mean he doesn't even look at me, so I can't imagine how he reacts to you."
They both looked to the window when they saw the Pharaoh get up from his chair, and rolled his eyes as he walked past Yuugi and Yami.
He seemed to be beckoning Yuugi to come talk about something, which Yuugi was more than happy to do, Yami however, didn't seem too happy in the slightest.
"Do you detect hints of jealousy between the pair?" Malik asked suddenly, and Bakura nodded.
"Yeah, well I mean the Spirit had Yuugi all to himself, didn't he? And now he has to share the attention with the Pharaoh. I wouldn't be happy with that either, and we both know the Pharaoh has a superiority complex, he probably think everyone in that house belongs to him. You see the way he walks through, like he is King of the castle."
"Hmmm, maybe we'll get to witness a nice rivalry going on if we take the brat out of the equation. They seem to get along when the brat is around them, but I imagine emotions would run high when they lose their precious light-half."
It was Yami looking out the window that caused them both to duck down quickly.
"Still, this is a rather dangerous look out point, wouldn't you say? Couldn't you find a safer spot?" Bakura hissed and Malik gave him a smirk.
"Like you could do any better, we have perfect view of most of the rooms from here. There is not a better spot. Besides, don't you like the thrill of being able to spy on them right under their noses?"
"It doesn't matter about seeing all the rooms as long as we can see most of them. If we get caught then I for one wouldn't like to feel the Pharaohs rage. But I suppose, they are stupid enough to let the simplest things slip by them." Malik smirked, and looked back to the window.
"It's the Spirit we have to fear anyway. The Pharaoh is just as mortal as Ryou and Marik, we can easily push him around. The Spirit has more shadow-magic than you and me combined, and to go head to head against that will not be a good time for either of us"
"I'm sure with the Millennium Items we could take them rather easily." Malik nodded, before sighing.
"Yes, but now that we're suffering this mortality, using shadow-magic takes a greater toll on the body. I get exhausted after using large spells. So say we use the Millennium Items, and it doesn't work? It leaves ourselves wide open and powerless if the Spirit does realize his full powers" The demon glanced over to the window again, Yami had followed after the pair and they were talking happily to Yuugi.
"Or, maybe they're not as jealous as we imagined. At least we know their weakness is the brat, and with Ryou breaking his promise, we can do whatever we want to him."
"Hmm yes, I would like a piece of him anyway. Marik is fine and all, but it gets a bit boring causing pain and suffering to only one person, and you wont let me touch Ryou or Akefia. I mean me and Akefia could probably go head to head."
Bakura gave a chuckle and nodded.
"Hmm yes, but Akefia is used to a mortal body, you, not so much. Without using your shadow-magic, I doubt you will be much good at fighting"
"Hey! I resent that. I'll have you know I could stand my own." Malik frowned, standing up.
"Come on, they're distracted, we should try and look for weaknesses in their apartment"
"Shouldn't we wait until they're gone before we do that?" Bakura stood up after him, brushing himself down rather quickly, before glaring at Malik.
"No, where's the fun in that?" Malik's grin was manic, before he vaulted over the side of the building, landing on a lower roof.
I'm going to get myself killed spending time with this...freak Bakura thought to himself, before following after him quickly.