TW: Implied attempted rape. At the risk of spoiler, I promise nothing happens beyond being cornered. But the idea is still there.

Marik watched as Kat and Bakura entered the building, with Atem close behind. He took a deep breath, not really wanting to face the building's proprietor.

"I can go in first if you like? That way Remus won't see you right away," Malik said as a suggestion to the smaller Ishtar.

Marik scowled. The idea of literally hiding behind Malik made him feel like a coward. The alternative of possibly being literally ripped to shreds by an actual werewolf though made the Ishtari's suggestion the more favorable alternative. "Fine," he sighed irritably.

Malik walked beside him, blocking the view of those inside from seeing him through the window, then walked through the front door at a pace that allowed Marik to remain hidden behind him.

Once inside, Marik gingerly peeked from behind, watching and waiting for an opportune time to present himself without the possibility of being viciously mauled to death.

"Kitten! I haven't seen you in ages!" Remus shouted in delight, rushing up and crushing Kat in a friendly embrace, spinning them both around while doing so.

Kat giggled. "Remi! Put me down!"

Remus did so, smiling in excitement over the surprise visit from his friend. "So, I see you have brought guests with you. I assume that means you are here on business?"

"Yes," Kat said in a friendly manner. She walked over beside Atem, leaning lightly onto his shoulder. "I assume you remember the husband I often talked about? This is him."

Remus' eyes lit up. "Oooo...you were right! He is a delectable looking treat…" he said suggestively.

Atem's eyes widened, and he leaned back slightly, uncertain as to what Remus meant.

"Told ya," Kat said with a giggle. "So...he's in dire need of a wardrobe makeover. Think you can get us something that says 'Co-President of a multi-billion dollar company' for...oh I don't know...tomorrow?"

Remus gave her an unenthusiastic look. "Kitten, I'm a high-end fashion designer and tailor, not a miracle worker."

Kat feigned a pout, appearing let down. "Oh, and here I thought if anyone could pull off a miracle, it would be you…"

"Not working this time sweetheart. Not even Ku-Ku can get me to work that fast on a project."

Malik let out a snicker, drawing Remus' attention. "Ah, I see you managed to tame Mali's wild locks," he stated in amusement. He then turned his attention towards Bakura. "And what about this dreadful-looking ragamuffin? That outfit is hideous! Out of everyone here, he needs the most help."

Bakura's face turned up into a smirk. "So, no miracle work? Pity. That means I came all this way for nothing."

Remus got in Bakura's face, drawing a finger along his jaw and tilting his head upwards slightly. "The body is actually a finely crafted piece. A bit lean for my liking. That hair, it's a bit unusual, but I could figure out something. That outfit though, seriously...did you just jump into the laundry basket and pull out whatever was on top?"

Bakura appeared momentarily embarrassed. "Um…"

Remus quickly retracted his hand. "Oh gods, you actually did!" he gasped in horror. He made an over-dramatized expression. "Kitten, why do you torture me with the impossible?!"

"Hey, it's not my fault Kura apparently didn't do laundry," she replied bluntly.

Remus appeared momentarily shocked, looking quickly back towards the pale elemental. He quickly grabbed both sides of Bakura's face, squishing it while he inspected it closely. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing, trying to determine if the person before him was who Kat had insinuated him to be.

Bakura growled slightly, reaching up and pulling the Millennium Ring out from its hiding spot beneath his shirt. "Recognize me now?" he said with his face still squished.

Remus' eyes widened, then he squeezed Bakura in an embrace like he had done with Kat. "Ku-Ku!" he shouted cheerily. He then dropped the elemental, giving Bakura a chastising look. "How dare you show up wearing something like that!? Are you trying to insult me?"

"Sorry, it was kinda last minute after a run in with Ra," Bakura apologized in defense. He then leaned in close and spoke in a sharp whisper. "I thought I told you not to call me 'Ku-Ku' in front of others!"

Remus looked down at him, unimpressed. "Yeah, and you know I'm not going to listen." He glanced around, then closed his eyes and took a deep breath in through his nose. He re-opened them, and continued to look around. "Where is the other one? I smell five, but I only see four."

Marik swallowed hard, then revealed himself from his hiding place from behind Malik. "Hi…" he said, giving a small, nervous wave.

Remus' cheery disposition quickly soured. "You! How dare you show your face in my establishment! You….you whore-mongering thief!" he shouted angrily, a small growl erupting as he did.

Marik paled, taking a step back in preparation to run out of the building. "L-listen...I can explain…"

"You stole my yacht!"

"I did, and I'm sorry…" Marik said in apology, trying desperately to avoid being ripped apart.

"Wait...you two know each other?" Bakura asked in mild surprise.

"Unfortunately, yes," Remus replied. "This one here tried using a magic relic on me. When it didn't work as he intended, he seduced me then stole from me," he added bitterly.

Bakura looked over at Marik, his brows raised in amusement. "You stole from a lycan? Talk about some balls. I'm actually quite impressed, Tomb Keeper."

"If I had been aware that's what he was, I wouldn't have even tried it," Marik stated in bitter defense. "I've only recently discovered that he's the Remus from the old tales."

"Ah, so you are fully aware of what I am?" Remus stated casually. "That's good. That means you won't be surprised when I transform and maul you," he added darkly.

"Hey! No mauling my boyfriend!" Kat chastised loudly.

Remus turned and looked at her in surprise. "I thought you were married to that one over there?" he puzzled while pointing towards Atem.

"Was. We're recently separated. Now I'm with that one there," Kat said casually while pointing at Marik.

"Seriously? Oh, Kitten, you can do far better," he replied in an unimpressed tone.

"If he's the one you were bitching about that stole your boat, then I don't think so," Kat sang with a taunting grin. "I seem to recall you telling me about your encounter with a 'dreamy Egyptian who looked like a god...and was most definitely one between the sheets'."

Marik felt his cheeks get hot, and he was certain his face matched Remus'.

"Well...yes...but...he stole from me…" Remus pouted.

"And he said he was sorry," Kat reminded him.

"But...my yacht…"

"I'll buy you a new one."

Remus's eyes glittered excitedly. "Really!? Can I come with you to pick it out?!"

Kat pretended to think about it. "Can you get something for Atem before the end of the day?"

Remus's face fell while making a slight sound of irritation. "You're so mean." He let out an exasperated sigh. "I suppose I can come up with something." He glared bitterly off to the side towards Marik. "Just get this thief out of my building. I can't work a miracle being distracted by the likes of him."

Kat smirked. "I think I can manage that. Just keep in mind that I need Atem looking his best for a meeting with Seto Kaiba tomorrow."

Remus contorted his face into an expression of disgust. "Ew. That garish billionaire who thinks turtle-necks are always in season? Oh, sweetheart...your precious ex could wear last season's garbage and still come out looking better. But, that means the bar is set fairly low on what I need to come up with."

"You have a low standard?" Bakura asked in amusement.

"Actually, I do," Remus stated with a suggestive grin towards him. "You're a great example, my little Ku-Ku."

Bakura appeared offended. "That's just cruel."

"Just look at yourself! You come to me wearing...jeans...dirty ones at that!" he said with a small shudder at the mentioning of the word 'jeans'.

Bakura smirked. "If you find them so offensive, then I guess I'll just need to remove them," he said while starting to undo his belt.

Kat rushed over and stopped him. "Remove whatever you want, after Atem has something for tomorrow."

Atem glared bitterly towards Bakura. "And at least wait for me to not be around."

Bakura ignored him. "Hey, Rem's offended by what I'm wearing. I figured if he doesn't like it, I'll remove it. Besides, he'll need to take new 'measurements'. He needs to know what he's got to work with…if you catch my drift?" he said while grinning devilishly.

Kat grabbed his collar and brought him in close. "Fuck the werewolf later," she stated in an irritated tone. "I'm leaving with Marik, you're playing babysitter and making sure Atem gets what he needs. Play nice, or find out how long it takes for certain extremities to grow back."

Bakura paled. "Wait! Why me?! Don't forget, I would rather see him without a head!"

Kat released him, thinking for a moment. "You're right…" She looked towards Malik. "Mal, you're in charge of making sure they don't kill each other."

Malik's eyes opened wide, appearing nervous and slightly panicked. "Me?! W-why am I getting dragged into this?! I didn't even want to come!"

Kat glared at him with narrowed eyes. "Would you rather spend some time alone with Marik?"

Malik groaned in irritation. "I'll make sure the Runt doesn't go slitting any throats…" he grumbled unenthusiastically.

Kat clapped her hands together while taking in a deep breath, then plastered on a smile. "Okay! Now that we all know what we're doing, Marik and I are going to spend a little time together before he has to head back! Kura, do take good care of Atem for me. I expect him to arrive in Domino in the same condition he is now…" she said in a sickeningly-sweet tone.

Bakura groaned. "Yeah, yeah. No extra holes…got it." He waved a dismissive hand in her direction.

Kat excitedly grabbed Marik by the arm, then led him out of the building.

Bakura, Atem, and Malik watched as Kat excitedly dragged Marik behind her. Whether the Tomb Keeper was just accustomed to this behavior, or was glad to be leaving, they weren't certain.

Malik stood near the window, watching with a held breath until the couple could no longer be seen.

"Finally…" he said, releasing his breath in a sigh of relief. He quickly jerked out the hair tie and bobby pins that had contained his mane, shaking his head while ruffling his fingers through his hair. "That's much better," he commented to no one but himself. He then glared towards Bakura and Atem. "I am not watching over the two of you." He then vanished into his element, leaving just the two of them with the lycan.

Bakura stared with a clenched jaw at the spot the Ishtari had vanished from. "Are all the fucking gods just stacked against me today?" he growled bitterly.

Remus snaked an arm around Bakura's collarbone from behind, his other making its way up from under the bottom of the elemental's shirt. "You're tense. You should head to the back and make yourself comfortable," he said in a suggestive tone while leaning in close. "I promise I won't keep you waiting too long."

Bakura shrugged him off, growling in even more irritation. "Not today Rem. Just do what needs to be done."

Remus appeared hurt and somewhat insulted at being so coldly rejected in his advances. "My, someone's in a bad mood."

"Sorry, things have been a bit…rough." Bakura growled even more, his canine aspect beginning to show through the more irritated he got. "It's this damned new body! Nothing about it is right!" he shouted.

"Oh, Ku-Ku…just give it some ti-"

"Stop fucking calling me that!" Bakura interrupted in a harsh, barked tone. "I fucking hate it!"

Remus appeared taken aback at Bakura's harsh demeanor towards him. "Out." he demanded coldly.

"Make me," Bakura growled.

"I SAID OUT!" Remus shouted authoritatively, his voice momentarily much deeper than before.

Bakura's eyes widened a bit as he instinctively cowed slightly. He'd forgotten that among canine and lupine type Godaeshans, Remus was what was considered an 'Alpha'. This meant he had the ability to make those who fell into 'lesser roles' obey him…like Bakura, who was technically nothing more than an 'Omega'...a hybrid one at that, which placed him even further down on the totem pole.

"Fine…but I'm standing out front. I was tasked with a job. Not even your command can outrank hers." With that said he exited the building, leaning just outside the entrance.

Atem watched as Bakura stormed out. He glanced over towards the only other person left in the building, who was now seething with anger.

Remus closed his eyes, took in and released a deep breath, reopened his eyes, then plastered on a friendly smile as he turned to face Atem.

"I must apologize for my unbecoming behavior. Having been married to someone like Kitten, I'm certain you understand how difficult it can be to keep certain aspects of oneself in check when upset," he said in a polite tone.

Atem wasn't exactly certain how to respond, so he opted for a slight nod.

"Good. Now let's see…" Remus approached Atem, lifting the shorter male's chin and turning it back and forth slightly in examination.

Atem felt a bit uncomfortable. Even more so as Remus began hastily taking his measurements. If a tailor could 'angry measure', Remus was doing it.

After what Atem felt was far longer than necessary for a measurement session, Remus stepped back, his false smile having vanished as he now appeared to be in deep concentration.

"I think I may have something that might work. It might need a few minor alterations, but nothing that won't take more than an hour at most," Remus stated. "Stay put. I'll be right back," he added.

The lycan turned with a bit of dramatic flair, then vanished into the back. He returned a few minutes later with a black garment bag, motioning for Atem to follow him.

He opened the door to the dressing room and hung the bag. "Try this on and let me know what you think," he said, unzipping the bag to reveal the suit within. He then left, giving Atem some privacy to change.

Atem groaned internally, then proceeded to change into the ensemble that was all black, with the exception of the shirt. The shirt itself was a deep red. He looked at himself in the mirror. Nothing but red and black. It felt fitting for the life he had lived. A life full of blood and darkness.

A knock on the fitting room door brought him out of his sudden dark musing. "How are you coming along? If you need help with any of it, do let me know," Remus said in a pleasant and slightly playful tone.

Atem paled slightly, recalling Remus' flirtatious behavior towards Bakura, and his earlier comment about Atem looking like a 'delectable treat'.

"I think I've got it," he replied through the door. He looked downwards, holding the ends of a long piece of decorative silk that looped around the back of his neck. "Now if only I can figure out how to tie a tie…" he mumbled to himself.

He heard a sigh from the other side of the door. "I can help with that, you know…" Remus said in exasperation.

Atem groaned internally again, then exited the dressing room.

Remus quickly helped with the tie, then stepped back. "So…how does it feel? Any particular areas that you feel are too tight or too loose?" he questioned.

Atem did a few basic movements to test the fit. "Actually, everything feels perfect," he said in astonishment.

Remus smirked proudly. "And that, dear, is why Kitten brought you to me." He then leaned in close, forcing Atem's face upwards with a single finger beneath the shorter male's chin. "I must say, seeing you wear one of my designs makes you look all the more delicious."

Atem's eyes grew a bit wide. Warnings were going off in his head as he saw the lycan's smirk become a taunting grin. "T-thank you for the suit. It fits great. I'll just go change real quick and be on my way…" He quickly rushed back into the dressing room and tried to shut the door, but Remus stopped him from doing so by standing in the doorway.

"Here, let me assist you…" Remus said with a dark grin, his tone of voice revealing his intentions.

"I am more than capable, b-but thank you," Atem fumbled, looking to see if there was a way to get past the werewolf.

Remus approached, reaching out. He halted as a flash of silver forced his chin upwards to avoid being cut.

Bakura clicked his tongue in a chastising manner from behind. "Rem, you should know better. Do you really want to do something that would piss off 'Kitten'?"

"I was only toying," Remus pouted.

"That was a bit more than 'toying'. Finish up without any more incident, and I won't mention it to her," Bakura growled.

Remus growled in irritation. "First you come here with a thief, then you refuse me, and now I'm not allowed to play? You've changed Bakura, and I'm not certain I like it."

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "The Tomb Keeper is no thief, he's simply a ballsy fool. And the one you have decided to 'play' with, does not belong to you. As far as refusing you…you wouldn't understand my reasoning. And so what if I've changed? Is that really such a bad thing? Maybe it's just time for me to start looking for a new tailor."

Remus hesitated, then relaxed away from Atem. Bakura lowered his blade, allowing Remus to walk away.

"He's set for his meeting. As soon as he's changed, you both can leave," Remus stated bitterly before retreating to the back of the building.

Bakura closed his eyes, his brow furled in a tight scowl. Without opening his eyes, he pointed his dagger towards Atem. "Not a word. Don't think I did this for you. Now hurry up so we can leave."

Atem didn't have to be told twice. He quickly closed the door and changed back into the clothes he'd arrived in and placed the suit back in its bag.

Bakura stood just off to the side of the dressing room, impatiently waiting for 'His Royal Highness' to emerge. Why the fuck had he stepped in? Why hadn't he allowed Rem to do to the Pharaoh what the Pharaoh had done to him? It would have been fair…right? That way the prick could know what it was like to have something taken that could never be returned?

He internally growled in frustration. Why couldn't last night just leave him the fuck alone?!

Atem emerged, carrying the garment bag in one hand.

"About time," Bakura growled. "Let's go." He indicated for Atem to walk ahead of him, watching with an intense scowl as the Pharaoh hurried towards the exit.

Once both were outside, Bakura grabbed Atem roughly by the arm and drug him down the street. After they were far enough away from Remus' shop, he stopped and roughly released Atem with a shove towards the brick wall of the building they had stopped by.

"I've known Rem since before Rome was founded…and in a single fucking day…you have managed to ruin everything! Why do you always ruin everything?!" Bakura shouted with his eyes closed and jaw clenched.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn-"

"You're not fucking sorry! You're never fucking sorry! You just say the fucking words, but you don't mean them!" Bakura interrupted, shouting even louder. His eyes glowed from beneath tightly closed lids while the wind around them intensified.

"Bakura, I am sorry. You think I intended for any of that?" Atem asked, trying to hide his already shaken state from the elemental that was becoming more and more angry by the second.

"NO YOU'RE NOT! STOP SAYING YOU ARE!"

"Naram-sin?" a soft, cherubic voice asked in confusion from not far away.

Bakura's eyes shot open wide and his face paled as his anger began to quickly dissipate. What was he doing here? And of all the times for him to appear out of nowhere, it had to be now?

Bakura turned his head to face the source of the voice. "Ryou? W-what are you doing here?" he asked, his stomach roiling at the thought of his heir finding out about the previous night.

The boy with identical pale features to his own stared at both him and the Pharaoh as though trying to figure out the situation that he had stumbled upon. The deep brown of his eyes flashed momentarily as he looked at one, then again as he looked at the other.

"I see," said Ryou after looking at both of them individually. He then looked back towards Bakura.

"I'm here running a few errands for the Elder…but I'm starting to suspect she had an ulterior motive for sending me and not someone else."

Bakura began to slightly panic. The Elder was involved? "W-what do you mean?"

"It's not mine. I gave it to you. I understand why you are upset, but stop thinking that the one he stole from was me. I am no longer 'Ryou'. I am Judgment now. In all technicality, 'Ryou' has crossed over. He is dead."

Bakura found himself immediately scowling and becoming bitter. "That's a fucking lie and you know it! I see 'Ryou' standing in front of me, not 'Judgment'!"

The pale boy shook his feathery head of hair. "No. I only answer to 'Ryou' for you, no one else," he said calmly. "But that is only for the time being. Soon when you call me 'Ryou', I will not acknowledge. Tell me, would you like it if I continued to call you 'Heir of Ra'?"

Bakura calmed slightly, turning his head away in a small pout. "No."

"What about Naram-sin? You appeared very surprised to hear your Akkadian name."

Bakura winced at hearing that name. "No." he replied with a small growl.

"You still prefer Bakura then, yes? The name the Daughter of Anubis gave you."

Bakura clenched his teeth, closed his eyes, then sighed. He understood what Ryou…Judgment…was trying to say. "I get it," he reluctantly stated.

"You wear a body that was not originally your own, but now it is. No one can claim right to it except you. Not me. Not the gods themselves. Just you."

"I don't like it…but I see what you are saying," Bakura growled slightly, his head hanging a bit.

"Good," Judgment stated. "If it's any consolation, he's not my type," he added with a slight nod in Atem's direction.

Bakura quickly lifted his gaze, his eyes wide with nervous fear at what Judgment had implicated.

"You worry that should Pharaoh Atem enter the Halls of Osiris again, that I may find him attractive…which bothers you. I'm simply informing you that I have no interest in someone like him," Judgment clarified.

"How did you-"

"I am Judgment," the boy stated boredly. "I see everything in a mere moment when I gaze upon someone. It's how I am able to quickly determine whether a soul is worthy or not."

Pink formed quickly across both Atem and Bakura's faces, both realizing that Judgment had seen the drunk encounter simply by looking at them.

"O-oh…" was all Bakura could stutter out. Dammit, he hadn't wanted Ry-...Judgment…to know about that. At least now he knew he could send the Pharaoh to the Afterlife without having to worry about what Kat had implied was a possibility. Why did he always let her get into his head like that?

"It's nothing either of you should be embarrassed about," Judgment continued. "You both find the other physically attractive. The Pharaoh enjoyed your former muscular appearance, but he finds your current appearance intriguing. He has a hard time not staring at it."

Bakura quickly turned his head towards Atem, taking in the sight of the former Pharaoh's face becoming increasingly more red by the second with his eyes open wide in shock at having been outed.

The elemental raised a puzzled brow. "Congratulations Pharaoh, I am both appalled and flattered."

"You find him attractive as well," Judgment added.

Bakura felt the heat rise in his face as Atem gave him a glance similar to the one he had worn only seconds before.

"As am I," Atem replied.

Judgment glanced skyward, sighing. "Duty calls." He then looked back towards Bakura one last time, smiling his signature 'Ryou' smile. "It was nice seeing you again. I'm glad we were able to talk like this. I never thought we would ever get a chance to have a moment where you weren't threatening to hurt my friends or locking me away in my own mind."

Bakura opened his mouth to reply, but before he could get a word out, Judgment unfurled the wings he had kept hidden behind a glamour and took off, quickly vanishing into the sky above.

Both he and Atem stared upwards for several long moments.

"You like me?" Bakura puzzled out loud, breaking the silence while still looking skyward.

"I was about to ask the same," Atem replied, sounding just as puzzled, looking skyward as well.

"No…that can't be right. You disgust me. I want to cut out that tongue of yours. I can't stand the sound of your voice."

"I find your attitude towards everything in general, repulsive. How can you openly hate practically everything?"

"I don't think the kid knows what he's talking about. There's not a single thing about you I find attractive."

"Why would I enjoy looking at someone like you? I prefer my partners to look a bit more…well…more."

"You know what, to hell with what the kid said," Bakura said, bringing his gaze down and looking over towards Atem. "You and I both know it's absolute bullshit. Hell, for all we know, it was just his way of helping us put aside the awkwardness of last night. Honestly, I would like the fucking universe to stop shoving it back in my face."

"I concur," said Atem in agreement to Bakura's statement, bringing his gaze over to the elemental. "I say we should both pretend it never happened."

Bakura curled his nose and heaved an irritated sigh. "I still don't like the fact that you stole from me…but if it means this bullshit never gets brought up again…I'm willing to let it slide. But, if you touch a single thing that belongs to me again, I'll cut off the offending appendage."

Atem paled slightly, but nodded. "I have no intention of even coming close to touching anything that is 'yours'."

"Good." Bakura ran his fingers through his hair, scowling as irritating thoughts began to surface. "Listen, we need to avoid anyone discovering our little run-in with Judgment, and I don't feel like explaining why we left Rem's place early." He heaved another irritated sigh. "That means as much as I don't feel like dragging you around on a little shopping spree, I'm gonna have to…otherwise Kat will question why you have only the one suit. I'm just hoping she won't be too observant and notice that anything else you end up with didn't come from him."

"Can we go somewhere other than Rome? I haven't enjoyed being here since I've arrived," Atem asked, sounding somewhat exhausted.

"Agreed. How about Milan? I know a few places we can check out that won't rat us out to your ex."

"As long as it gets me away from this city, I don't care where you take me."

"Milan it is."

Bakura placed a hand on Atem's shoulder, and the two evaporated into thin air.

Oh boy, where to begin with this end-note?

I guess for starters I want to point out that I did not stereotype Remi as the 'flaming homosexual fashion designer'. I actually have a former coworker that I based him off of. And no, that former co-worker wouldn't hurt a fly. He's the sweetest person on the face of the Earth. Remi's just having an off day.

Second item on the list. This one is the longest, so I will try to break it down.

I would like to explain how/why I have decided to make Bakura have an Akkadian origin. I don't remember where I stumbled across it, but there was this random fan-theory that Thief King Bakura wasn't actually Kemetic/Egyptian. Why would the (in canon) brother of the Pharaoh destroy a village that would essentially be under the protection of the Pharaoh himself, and by that extension, the Gods? Also, why would no one know/remember that Kul Elna existed? Even in those times you couldn't just annihilate an entire village without someone actually noticing and it becoming a huge issue for the Pharaoh himself. So the most likely explanation is that the village was never under the protection of the Pharaoh. How does the Pharaoh refuse to protect/acknowledge a village that exists within the border of his kingdom though?

Looking back around the time period (based on the 4Kids dub of 5000 years), Kemet was in the process of eradicating the Akkadians. Any that were around were forced with two options: Assimilate to the Kemetic way of life and follow their gods, or perish. Knowing what happened in Kul Elna, we can assume the latter.

The Akkadian origin also gave me the perfect opportunity to choose his 'original' name. So Naram-Sin means 'Beloved of Sin'. Sin is the name of the Akkadian moon diety (like Khonsu is the Kemetic moon deity). I like to believe that with his silver-white hair, his mother would have thought him touched by the moon, therefore making him the 'Beloved of Sin'.