How do you know this plan is going to work? The voice echoed through his mind, as the rain fell heavily on his hood. Storms had been travelling through the city for the past few weeks, and the bitter cold was not something he found pleasant at all.
The brat works for Priest Seth's counterpart. Luckily he is far too prideful to let the Pharaoh or the Spirit meet him to walk home. We have a clean shot, with the help of the Ring and the Rod, we'll get a boost of Shadow Magic, enough to topple the car and pull him out with ease
Malik was crazy...he should have figured that out by now, all their jobs together, since Akefia was still looking worse for wear. Maybe he should not have hut him as hard...mortal bodies were difficult to predict, one minute they were durable, next minute shattering like glass.
He felt the Ring, cold and motionless, hanging from his neck. It was a comfort, like a barrier. Protecting him from harms way, it had been his prison for so long, and it remained so in some aspects. Pieces of his soul, a shadow-magic trick he had learned long ago, remained in there. There was no way, if he did die, he was going to be lost so easily. It brought him back multiple times, he just needed to keep using the spell...though he was running out of soul to use.
A sudden glint caught his attention, and he saw Malik on the other building. The car was coming, they had one shot. The streets were empty this rainy Sunday. No witnesses, no problems. Though he personally was not bothered if there were one or two victims. Nothing like cold blooded murder to brighten a day.
Bakura touched the Ring, reassuring himself that this plan would work...it had to work, if they failed then Yuugi would run home to the Spirit, and they would be caught out, then they would be farm more protective of the Hikari. So far it was their only weakness. The way the Spirit of the Puzzle, and The Pharaoh both obsessed over him. They had been watching for a while, the love and care shown, it was going to break them, and his friends. The glue keeping them all together.
Suddenly he saw Malik jump from his place, and followed after elegantly. Malik was the strongest, his power over the Rod was impressive. Even though Bakura had 'owned' the Ring for longer. Malik was completely at one with the magic his item possessed, like it was an extension of himself.
It all happened so fast, but he had to ignore his surroundings. Something he wasn't used to doing as a thief. His focus was on grabbing the Pharaohs...pet? A pillar of shadow-magic shot up from Malik's location, and Bakura couldn't help but open his eyes wide with shock. The other really had mastered this. There was no way he would be able to do something like that. The power though...was impressive.
There was no hesitation, the car flipped and Bakura moved quickly, using his swift footing, and the magic of the ring to propel himself forward. He yanked the car door open, smirking at the young man inside, gripping on for dear life. The minute his hand touched Yuugi's, he used all his magic to transport them both. True he couldn't go very far, but him and Malik had practised, and calculated roughly where Bakura would end up. It was, spot on, for the most part. A couple of meters away but still perfect for their estimate.
With no hesitation he gagged the young man, and tied his hands behind his back. When Yuugi was muzzled and secure, he took the chance to look over the light half.
"You really are so similar to him, aren't you? Look at that defiance in your face, the same fool-hearted expression he wears when about to break into one of his ridiculous lectures, of love and friendship. How pathetic" Yuugi struggled in reply, and Bakura gripped him tight, dragging him up. Malik would be too exhausted to use his magic to come to this spot, but they agreed to meet each other back at the apartment. Ryou and Marik were both secure in Bakura and Malik's rooms, so there would be no cause for concern. Nothing would get in their way, and by the time the Pharaoh and the others realized Yuugi wasn't showing up, they would have the place secure. It was only a matter of time before the Spirit of the Puzzle tracked down its whereabouts, so they had it moved to protect their own location...constantly moving actually. It was amazing how many people Malik actually had following him. He should be terrified of the amount of control he had over his shadow-magic.
-x-
The return home was rather uneventful. Yuugi struggled and Bakura had no choice but to lift him onto his shoulder. For a young man...Yuugi really wasn't that heavy. Then again he was a bit on the short side, that could play a part in it, and the only other weight he had to rely on was Ryou's...Ryou was definitely taller than Yuugi, so that would add to his weight.
He made it back to the apartment, dragging Yuugi up the stairs brutally, forcing him into their place of residence. The young man stumbled back, and fell flat on his back, considering he couldn't use his arms or legs to reach out and support him, or keep him on balance.
Akefia looked up from his place by the window, frowning softly.
"Is this him?" Bakura looked to him with a glare, and Akefia said nothing else, pushing himself up to move closer to the prisoner. He felt a surge of anger, gazing into amethyst eyes. The Pharaoh...the man that caused him years of pain...misery and suffering. This young man...looked identical to him, in every way. Same eyes, same features...softer, he had to admit. Eyes less...crimson. But there was no doubt in his mind who this person reminded him of.
"I don't mind if you punch him you know~ Show him some violence. I'm sure Ryou would love to hear about how you tortured his friend"
Those words caused Akefia to hesitate...Ryou. Ryou's friend, Bakura was right. This wasn't the Pharaoh, the man he had grown to despise. This was an innocent, like Ryou...like Marik. They were wrapped up in something far greater than they understood, a feud that had lasted millennia. He stepped back, and shook his head, returning to his place by the window. He couldn't look into the young man's eyes without feeling hatred, but he could control himself...stop himself from causing the innocent any harm.
Just as Bakura was about to say something, Malik stumbled in, giving a soft chuckle. He looked...bad. Dark tendrils of magic covered his arms, and his neck, seemingly trying to creep up to his face.
"Are you alright? That looks...not very flattering" Bakura pointed out, and Malik fell on the chair.
"Yes yes, the mortal body just needs to get used to the sudden intake of unnatural energy coursing through it. It will settle down and return to normal soon enough, I just need to pause and take a break But we did it, we caught the brat. Let me see him"
Bakura dragged Yuugi up, who was still fighting and squirming. Malik purred, sitting up.
"Well then, he is a beauty as well, aint he? I will enjoy having some fun with him. You want your turn first, since you did such a good job" Bakura shook his head, dropping Yuugi to the ground.
"Fun is not what I had in mind, this brat is bait remember, and also reminds me ever so much of my worst enemy. You can have your fun, I just want to torture and break him. What would the Pharaoh say, when he sees his precious Hikari bowing before us, hmmm? Kissing our feet. It will be so simple, you could use the mind control that the Rod has."
Malik seemed to ponder the idea, before shrugging.
"Wouldn't you like to break him though. The Rod is the easy way out, we can use that and bam, he's ours. But, we could force him, make him beg, and plead for forgiveness. Make him want to kiss our feet, and ignore his friends. That would be far more fun to watch, don't you think?"
The pair seemed to think it over, before Yuugi struggled enough to break from Bakura's grip, gag falling from his mouth.
"You monsters! What the hell do you think you're doing?! Let me go!" He kicked out and Bakura grabbed him roughly to stop him. Yuugi glared defiantly at the white haired man, before he spat in the others face, causing Bakura to reel back.
"Why you little brat, try that again!" He snapped, smacking him hard across the face, causing Yuugi in his binds, to fall back again. However he didn't seem to care, as he tried to get back up, moving his hands to break free from the binds.
"LET ME GO! I don't know what you want, but you cannot keep me here! I will not be your precious little pet, I will not bow down and kiss your feet. You are underestimating me, like everyone does. Just because I don't have Atemu or Yami protecting me doesn't mean I can't stand up for myself! I have been through everything just as they have, I'm just as strong!" With that his hands slipped from the binds, and he pushed Bakura back from him.
Bakura surged forward, grabbing him roughly.
"You may think you're strong, brat. But I am far stronger than you will ever be" He pushed him to the floor, gagging him again as Yuugi tried to struggle against him. He was no match however, Bakura was definitely stronger than the younger man.
"I like your spirit though, very similar to your counterpart. The Spirit of the Puzzle seems to rubbed off on you. Or did you rub off on him?"
Yuugi tried to say something, and Bakura rolled his eyes.
"Well, what should we do to shut him up? Lock him in the laundry room?" Malik nodded, relaxing further in the chair, he looked absolutely exhausted.
"Yes, until we decide how to lure in his two lovers. It's getting late anyway, and I'm rather peckish, your light half could make us something to eat." Yuugi looked up at that, and started struggling again. Bakura did as he was told however, dragging Yuugi up, and shoving him into the laundry room, locking the door behind him.
"He has spirit, kind of like Marik. I imagine he is much more stubborn however, the Pharaoh always was. They are very similar to one another, full of righteousness and oh everything about life is good. So ridiculous.
"Of course it is. He thinks there is nothing but good in the world, they both don't understand that not everyone grows up privileged with a good life. People are tortured, abused, hurt. They've seen this first hand for themselves, yet still think oh life is good and wonderful...speaking of wonderful, do you mind getting sweetheart through here. I am...exhausted. I never thought it would be this bad, might put a dampener on our original plans. Using that much energy, in a mortal body, seems rather impossible...maybe I could get my immortal body back? There's got to be a spell in that book"
"How is Marik's translating going?" Bakura spoke as he unlocked the door to his bedroom. Ryou was asleep on the bed, Akefia had perked up when Ryou's name had been mentioned, eyes fixed on the bedroom door.
"Fine, I think. He has worked out the spell we need. Turns out it is not as different from Ancient Egypt as first imagined. I will get him to take a look for other spells, there has got to be one that makes casting shadow-magic drain less energy."
Bakura woke Ryou up rather harshly, grabbing him and dragging him from the bed. Ryou woke up in shock, before realizing it was Bakura...he was never going to get a moments peace with the Spirit around. Every hour it was something new, fixing wounds or making coffee, cleaning or cooking. He was a glorified maid. Massaging feet, running back and forward with trays of breakfast...this was nothing but torture, and the beatings he got from Bakura made him want to disobey less and less.
Bruising was forming up his side, scars covered his body...cigarette burns, he didn't even know Bakura smoked! Everything and anything to torture the young man, Bakura had thought of. Ryou dreaded if he found a new punishment to test on him.
He shakily stood in the doorway, waiting for the command from Bakura. Was he trembling? It felt like he was. Just being around either of these...monsters was starting to affect his sanity. He was shaking constantly, having nightmares.
Back to how things were He thought to himself quietly. Before Yuugi and the others helped him, looked after him and made him feel safe, and at home. Now here he was, suffering the same problems he did two years ago. Back to what he deserved. There was no way he was going to be rid of Bakura...this demon. He would have to get used to the suffering...and constant fear.
Glancing over, he saw Akefia in the corner, and perked up instantly. It was rather odd their relationship. When they were both locked in the room, they got closer. Talking and laughing. Akefia was...safety, he protected him from a lot of Bakura's torture, suffering it himself. He cared a lot about Akefia, he had stuck up for him, lied to Bakura about problems for him. They were growing closer together, he liked being with Akefia.
Akefia gave him a soft smile, hopefully unnoticed by Bakura, which it was thankfully.
"Make us something to eat. Malik got some more food recently, so you have plenty to work with" Ryou winced at that, and moved over to the kitchen. Their definition of food and his definition of food were two entirely different things. They bought a lot of meat, and little of anything else. If anything else. What he wouldn't do for some nice fish, or fresh fruit.
But there was no way they'd even debate getting sensible things. The lack of nutrients would run them all down eventually.
"Oh and you better make something for our guest in the laundry room. We don't want him to die on us, I don't think the Pharaoh, or the Spirit would be happy if we killed their weaker half. Especially after only a day of having him" Those words caused Ryou to drop the plate he was holding, looking up to Bakura in shock.
"You didn't! No, not Yuugi. Bakura please, did you hurt him? Oh gods" He could feel tears forming again. He would rather suffer months of torture, than put Yuugi through the same thing. This was all his fault, he shouldn't have ran, he shouldn't have broke their deal. Now Yuugi and the others could be hurt, Bakura had no promises to stick to"
Bakura just grinned at the young man, shrugging.
"Well, we need bait. What better bait, than the glue that holds their little friend group all together. Everyone loves the Pharaoh's light half, everyone would do anything to protect pure innocent Yuugi. He's someone everyone loves. Well, I want to take away their friend, and cause him the same amount of pain and suffering that wretched Spirit forced me to endure!" His voice had grown louder, and Bakura slammed his fist against a wall, snarling quietly.
"I had to deal with his idiotic speeches, and him ruining my plans for far too long. He destroyed everything! Even Zorc returning to this stupid world. I could have won! If he hadn't been in my way. I wouldn't have been sent to that Ra awful shadow-realm for however long. No, he has ruined my life, and Akefia's life. That Pharaoh is no better, flaunting around his power, considering himself King of the Mountain! Well no, I am going to show him what true loss feels like. I want him ruined!"
Even Akefia had stepped back at Bakura's rant, they were looking at him in fear, Malik in mild amusement. That was the rage Ryou was used to, the rage he felt when the Spirit of the Ring fought the Spirit of the Puzzle for the first time, he remembered it well, the pain and the shear anger Bakura had. Of course he was going to get revenge, but Yami and Atemu were Ryou's friends, and so was Yuugi. Bakura was and had been nothing but a bother, a man who was cruel, and tortured him...he didn't deserve kindness.
Ryou moved into the kitchen, deciding to prepare some food. Bakura's rage seemed to die down, and he fell on the sofa, stretching carefully. The room was silent, apart from the noise coming from the laundry room, banging and muffled yelling. Yuugi, he wanted to help, he wanted to free him. Maybe if he was good...he could go see him, make sure he was alright.
He noticed Malik stirring, before pushing himself up, dark, purple tendrils covered his skin, Ryou had only just noticed them now. They looked like scars, faint scars that were etched in swirls and spirals. Could be mistaken for a tattoo rather easily, now that he thought about it. Maybe it was the shadow-magic, he had noticed it on Bakura's hands from time to time, when he used the magic. It seemed to be...infecting them? It was weird, there were subtle changes when they used magic. Bakura seemed...to relax? He seemed more exhausted, though he hadn't used it in large amounts for Ryou to actually take notice of the problem.
Malik walked over to his room, unlocking the door.
"Marik food, make yourself useful and help Ryou" He heard a soft stumble, and Marik slipped through the door rather quickly, wincing when Malik slapped him, and squeezed a butt cheek, before laughing cruelly.
Marik walked over to where Ryou was standing, watching as Malik sat back down, and started talking to Bakura about something.
"They've got Yuugi" Ryou muttered to him quietly, not looking up from his work, handing him some carrots and potatoes to peel and cut. Marik groaned softly, shaking his head.
"I knew they were up to something, Malik was being rather...crude last night. Going on and on about how much fun he was going to have with a little light. Should have known."
"It's my fault" Ryou whispered, giving a soft sigh, seasoning the meat, glancing up to see if Malik or Bakura were watching him, neither seemed to be, they were too distracted by their own conversation.
"I broke my promise to Bakura, I made a deal, to protect Yuugi and the others, and I broke that deal, all because I was too desperate to escape"
"Anyone would have done it Ryou, don't blame yourself. It's awful here, a prison is a prison. I would have escaped first moment I got. Malik is terrifying. I have had enough scars and bruises for a lifetime. I just want to be free of this. We both do, I know that. But we have to find a way to get Yuugi out of here. I can handle Malik's torture, and I know you and Akefia can handle Bakura's. But they hate the Pharaoh with a passion. Yuugi is going to be in so much trouble, they're going to...they're going to be ever so cruel Ryou, we can't let him suffer as we are."
"I know Marik. But right now we are out of options. We can't just walk over there and open the door, and Bakura trusts me about as far as he can throw me, there is no way I'll be allowed in that room any time soon. We need to tell Yuugi it will be okay, and show him we're fine...I just...I feel so bad he's involved in this now. With me, he's my dark half, he's been tormenting me for so many years, I should be able to control him by now. And...no offence but Malik is the anger and hatred from you. We should be the only ones allowed to suffer by their hands, not bring Yuugi...or Yami...or anyone. They're innocent in this!"
Bakura looked up, and both Marik and Ryou fell silent, working on their given tasks. Marik shot Ryou a soft glare and Ryou said nothing.
When Bakura went back to his conversation, Marik rolled his eyes.
"I know Ryou, I know. We have to deal with the hand we get. Malik's starting to trust me more. I mean I've not tried escaping for a while. We need to gain their trust enough, to be able to see and talk to Yuugi. Okay? I know you're angry, I'm angry too. It's not fair, but we can't fight against them. We're not strong enough"
Ryou groaned softly before nodding.
"I know Marik I know, I'm sorry. I just...I feel so useless" Marik rubbed the others shoulder, before returning to cutting the vegetables.
"I am too Ryou, we'll find away, I know we will. Besides, now that Yuugi's here, Yami and Atemu may have better luck finding us, they were drawn to Yuugi rather quickly when they first arrived after all."
"You're right, we can hope anyway"