Hey guys!
Just in case you haven't seen my profile, just wanted to let you know that my timeline for updates is usually 1-2 weeks . . . AND I GOT IT!
Also a little . . . warning? Comment? I'm from the UK so the majority of my language and knowledge of laws etc. will be British.
Hope that you enjoy the update, please review if you can - I'm always happy to have some constructive criticism.
See ya soon! - Cam x
Chapter 2
"Speak plainly, Ishmael." Bakura barked from behind Yami.
"If you'd shut your fat mouth maybe I could actually explain myself?" Marik growled, his plum eyes flashed dangerously.
"Shut the fuck up, both of you." Yami snapped as he threw a sobering glare at his partner. "Marik, please. If you know something you have to tell us."
Marik's mouth snapped shut and Yami's shoulders sagged with relief. Yami couldn't tell you what had calmed the unpredictable antiquarian. He wasn't sure if it was his desperate tone, his pleading eyes, or the unfathomable desire to do the right thing. Either way, Yami wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth this evening. Marik ran a hand through his platinum hair which made the wild locks stick up more than usual.
"Whatever I say cannot go further than my shop," Marik glared as Bakura snorted. "I'm being serious."
"They promise, don't you Yami?" Malik said as he walked up to stand beside the crimson-eyed detective.
"Of course, whenever have we betrayed your trust?" Yami reached into his back pocket and withdrew a small black leather notebook that had a pen bound to it with a rubber band. "Please, go on." Yami said as he flipped it open to clean page.
"I've never seen them, I'm not sure where they operate specifically but let me tell you that they're well known in the underworld." Marik leaned forward onto the counter, his chin braced in one of his hands as he thought. "They've only recently come to Domino though, think the police were just about to get wise to them in Tokyo so they came to the next best place."
"They?" Yami murmured as he scribbled in his book. "They're an organisation of some sorts?"
Marik nodded, gravely. "Yeah. Not much is known about their members but they're the only ones who'd be caught dead using the Eye of Horus. From what I've heard, they've eradicated anyone else who dared to try and use it."
"It's no surprise they'd want to kill any potential competition." Bakura said with a raised eyebrow, he was back to leaning against the wall with his arms crossed firmly in front of him.
"Nah not just killed, eradicated." Marik grinned wildly. "Destroyed so thoroughly they were wiped off the face of the planet, just boom." Marik made an exploding motion with his hands. "Gone."
Malik shuddered and wrapped his arms around himself as if he was suddenly cold. Yami also felt a few of the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at the declaration. He noticed Bakura stand up straight from the corner of his eye, his face calm and serious.
"They're tight lipped, they don't do business with the rest of us. One thing I know is that whatever city they set up shop in, young people start to disappear." Marik tapped his chin with one delicate finger. "There's never any bodies though, they just vanish. Poof. Gone. A buddy of mine said he met someone who worked for them though."
"And?" Bakura pressed, Yami was shocked that his friend didn't carry the usual harsh tone that he had with Marik. "What did he say?"
"That they're fanatics." Marik's eyes became unfocused as he tried to recall the conversation. "They're devoted to whatever they're trying to do by taking those people."
"A fucking cult." Bakura breathed.
Marik pointed one finger towards Bakura and placed the other on the tip of his nose. His plum eyes were wild and glinted under the dim lights of Ishmael's Antiquities.
"Bingo, get the man a prize." Marik said, another wild smile split his face in two.
The skin between Yami's shoulder blades twitched. He could tell by the look in his eyes that Marik wasn't lying to them. Then again, Yami had more than enough of a reason to trust the crazy shop owner. Yami and Bakura had met Marik three years ago as patrolmen. The crazy man was making a deal with someone and found himself on the business end of a revolver. Yami happened to glance down a dark alley and caught sight of Marik staring down the barrel of the gun. He didn't even think, his body just moved on its own with a cursing Bakura following his lead. He kicked the gunman in the back of the knee as Bakura pounced on his back, planting a knee there to pin him whilst they handcuffed him. Yami would never forget the way Marik stared into the gunman's eyes as they pelted down the alley towards them. He was a little too far away to hear what Marik said, but he could see his lips move as he smiled wildly at his would-be assailant.
"Do it, I dare you."
Marik was infamous amongst Domino's biggest and baddest as Tomb Keeper due to his penchant for collecting rare and valuable objects. Bakura and Yami knew who he was instantly. Theft, drugs, fraud, assault, and torture were but a few of the crimes he was well-known for. Yet Marik was one step ahead of them.
"I'll give you Siegfried von Schroeder on a silver platter, if you let me walk."
Siegfried was an illustrious crime lord that haunted the streets of Domino City at the time. So, with Captain Valentine's approval, they cut a deal with the Tomb Keeper to get the bigger fish. Marik did not lead them astray with Siegfried, and Yami had no reason to distrust his information now. After thanking Marik for the lead, Yami, Bakura and Malik turned to leave with Yami bringing up the rear.
"Atemu!" Marik called, the detective turned to look back at the Tomb Keeper with one tanned hand holding the door open. "Be careful, alright? These guys are more fucked up and crazy than your normal crime ring."
Yami smiled briefly at Marik and nodded. "You be careful too, Tomb Keeper. You too."
Marik watched as the door closed with a gentle whoosh. Marik detested cops as much as any other criminal in Domino City. Yet, Yami and Bakura had saved his ass at one point and that was not something he would forget. He swore to them he'd tone down on his criminal activity after all that business with Siegfried, but what they didn't know (or be able to prove) wouldn't hurt them. Marik nodded to himself and smiled as he reached under his counter and lovingly placed his new acquisition atop it. The box was long and rectangular and solid gold. Various hieroglyphics and integrate indentations decorated the gorgeous vessel. Marik's fingers gently traced the raised carving of the Eye of Horus that adorned the top of the box.
He couldn't tell them; they would've taken it away as soon as they saw the eye. The Tomb Keeper went through too much shit to acquire this particular item. Once again, what Yami and Bakura didn't know wouldn't hurt them.
"That was enlightening," Malik chirped from the backseat as Bakura peeled away from the curb.
"Indeed," Yami leaned back into the passenger seat and closed his eyes as he processed what Marik had given them.
They may be up against an honest to God cult. Yami wasn't sure if he and Bakura were up to this solo. The two young detectives were the best in their division but their usual customers were large groups of organised crime, wannabe Yakuza and/or drug lords. Religious people . . . were something else entirely. Criminals can be swayed, tracked and caught out eventually once one of their crew got sick enough to squeal on them or when they made an inevitable mistake.
If what Marik said is true . . . we're in deep trouble. Their followers will be too devoted to the cause to reveal anything to anyone. Yami thought bitterly, his hands clenched into tight fists on his thighs.
"Where are we possibly going to start with this one, Yami?" Bakura said, his hands tightened dangerously on the steering wheel as his dark eyes flashed with rage. Yami marvelled briefly at the fact his partner's thoughts unwittingly echoed his own.
"We have a lot hindering on those cards, Malik." Yami turned in his seat to look at the forensic analyst in the back.
Malik nodded sagely with his hands linked behind his platinum blonde head. "Yeah, I texted my lab techs and they said we should know some more by the morning."
"Looks like you'll make Mana's show after all." Bakura chirped as he tapped one, long, pale finger against the radio that proudly displayed the time, 20:20. "We can't do anything until morning anyways."
Yami nodded distractedly and looked balefully out of the window as Domino City whipped by. Where could he start? Was it right to be going to Millennium to watch Mana sing when they could be investigating more? Yami's hands were still balled into fists on his thighs and he glared at them heatedly. This felt wrong.
"I know exactly where that peanut-sized brain is going, Yamir." Bakura growled as he released one hand from the steering wheel to smack Yami on the back of his head, Yami let out a cry of shock. "We can't fucking do anything until morning, alright? Sitting around agonising about it when we're waiting for vital information is stupid. You need to relax, have a couple of drinks."
"He's right Atemu," Malik piped up again. "That brain of yours is like a squeaky hamster wheel that won't quit sometimes. You need to ferment that thing in some alcohol and give yourself a rest."
"You both make it sound like I don't know how to have fun." Yami sighed and forced his hands to un-ball. He flexed his fingers experimentally as Bakura began to speak again.
"Yami, when you're on a case you live and breathe the thing." Bakura sighed and looked at his friend with a hint of worry in his dark eyes. "Hell, what was the last date you went on? An actual date not just a hook-up after work?" Bakura hurriedly said the last part when he noticed his partner was about to protest.
Yami slumped back in his chair, his arms crossed firmly over his chest. "A year? Maybe more?"
Bakura, for a change, looked serious as they glided to a stop in front of a red traffic light. "Yami, I have no business trying to tell you how to run your life but I am worried about you. It would be great if you could find what I've found with Ryou. Emotionless hook-ups to distract you from the job only make things worse."
"You're right, Bakura. It's not really your business." Yami threw a lopsided smile to his friends. "I just haven't had anyone catch my interest past the first date . . . relationship-wise anyway. I'm very happy with myself thank you very much!"
Malik shook his head and rested a gentle hand on the crimson-eyed detective's shoulder. "One day cupid is going to strike and it's always in the unlikeliest of places."
Yami snorted. "Sure, because the magic of love really exists. You walk in to some random place and . . . bang!" Yami made an exploding motion with his hands. "You fall in love. I'm sorry it just sounds like something from a bad romantic comedy."
"Oh, my poor, naïve, sweet, Yamir." Bakura chuckled darkly as they pulled into a car park. Bakura's eyes instantly began to shine as they spotted Ryou standing by his parked car, texting. "I never thought I would find it either. Yet, here I am, and I will always worship the ground that Ryou walks on with absolutely no regrets."
Yami snorted as Bakura glided into a space and shut off the engine. Malik was out of the car and heading toward Ryou before Yami could even snap off his seat belt, Bakura trailed behind him with his hands jammed in his pockets – obviously trying to not look so eager to see his fiancé. As Yami slid out the vehicle, Bakura pressed his keys to lock it without even looking. Yami sighed and cast his eyes to the club Malik was so excited to visit.
The building stood proudly next to the small pay-and-display car park that Yami occupied at the moment. It was red brick and extremely clean in comparison to its brothers around it. Yami's eyebrows crawled up into his hairline, the owner must be extremely particular to care about the outward appearance of the building. Yami felt an interest to see what the inside looked like bubble up in the pit of his stomach.
"Yami! Move your ass we're heading inside!"
Yami blinked, he wasn't sure when his friends had made it in front of him. Bakura's shouting had broken him out of his stupor and Yami broke into a light jog to catch up with them as they approached the que to gain entry.
"Hey Yami!" Ryou waved at him happily which pulled a small smile from the usually serious detective.
"Hey Ryou, glad you could make it." Yami groaned as he took in the long line of punters who were waiting for entry ahead of them. "We're going to miss Mana if we have to stand here all night. This line doesn't seem to be moving."
Malik rolled his lavender eyes. "Sometimes, for a detective, you're really dense." Malik stalked past the que and spoke to Yami over his shoulder. "What do you think I meant when I said we were tight with the owner?"
Yami, Bakura, and Ryou hurriedly followed Malik to the front of the que. Yami noticed that a lot of those waiting to get in were throwing glares as they cut the line. Yami just stared back, not really wanting to seem apologetic for something he really didn't feel bad about.
I promised Mana, if that means I cut in front of everyone . . . fuck them. Yami thought.
The bouncer was a lanky man with brown hair that had been styled to a point. His eyes were forest green and guarded, at least until he caught sight of Malik. He grinned widely and nodded his head as Malik stopped in front of him.
"Malik, Ryou!" He boomed as he threw a friendly arm around Malik's narrow shoulders. "Haven't seen you in ages!"
Ryou laughed lightly as they caught up to the front of the line. "We were here a couple of weeks back, Honda!"
"Dammit why do you always throw your tree-trunk arm around me?" Malik growled as he threw the offensive appendage off.
"You brought your guy again as well, Ry!" Honda extended a slim hand towards Bakura who shook it. "Nice to see ya again."
"Honda," Bakura replied gruffly.
Honda's eyes landed on Yami who stood up straight and met his gaze. "Who is this you brought?"
"Honda, this is Yamir Atemu but everyone calls him Yami," Ryou chirped. "He works with Bakura on the force."
"He's also Mana's cousin." Malik said as he straightened his shirt that had gotten messed up with Honda's embrace.
"Oh, Mana's the new singer, right?" Honda smacked his forehead lightly before he also extended a hand to Yami. "Pleased to meet ya!"
"Likewise," Yami said and he was surprised to feel that he meant it. The boisterous bouncer was a breath of fresh air.
"So, is the boss-man in tonight?" Malik asked.
"Sure is! You guys go on in." He stepped aside, his face did not move as the people at the front of the line began to protest and hurl abuse at the group. "Don't worry about them."
Yami was the last to sidle past Honda and he was a little surprised when the bouncer tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Hey, Mana's probably getting ready to go on now. She mentioned her cousin was coming tonight and asked me to send you to the boss-man when you arrived. He'll be behind the bar, most-likely."
"Thanks Honda, hope that you have a good night." Yami said and once again, he was happy that he meant it. He really enjoyed the bouncer's energy.
"You too!" He boomed as he slapped Yami hard on the shoulder. Yami stumbled through the open double doors of Millennium from the impact but he kept his footing. Honda's laughter faded to nothing as the wave of voices from within washed over him.
Yami wasn't sure what he was expecting from Millennium, but whatever that may have been it exceeded them regardless. The lighting was dim, an almost comforting blackness that was easy on the eyes. Sleek, black floors stretched as far as the eye could see. The room was filled with intimate tables that were almost the same colour as the floor but the edges were outlined in gold which glinted becomingly in the low light. The darkness of the furniture only extenuated the plush, purple suede chairs that currently housed Millennium's happy patrons. Music was being played but at the perfect volume, loud enough to still be enjoyed and yet, low enough that you could hold an easy conversation. The left-hand side of the club was lined with booths that sported the same dark tables and purple chairs as the rest. Purple lamps adorned each table, heavily shaded so they could provide helpful low light to the occupants but not ruin the aesthetic for those around them if they were to be switched on. Directly in front of Yami was a raised stage, there were no lights on to highlight it yet but he could see a sleek silver microphone stand. Yami caught sight of Bakura's white head in one of the booths on the left, he started to go towards it until Honda's words echoed in his head. Instead, he veered right towards the bar and thought there would be no harm in grabbing himself a whiskey before going to join Bakura and the others.
The bar itself was relatively clear when Yami approached, with only a few customers clustered around the sleek counter. The wall behind the bar was exposed brick with multiple glass shelves filled to the brim with any kind of alcohol that Yami could think of. Multiple tills lined the wall which many of the barmaids were dipping in and out of with practiced efficiency. Yami took note that there was only two men working the bar with the rest being women. There was the small man who had his back to him and then there was the cheerful blonde with honey-gold eyes who smiled broadly and made cocktails with practiced ease. Yami tapped his hands on the surface, impatiently, as a couple of the barmaids and the blonde seemed to serve everyone but him. Yami looked at the watch on his wrist, 20:50, Mana was going to be on in a few minutes!
The small man was still stood with his back towards Yami as he counted change in the till against the wall. Yami cleared his throat discreetly, yet the man did not turn around. Yami rolled his eyes slightly and leaned forward on the counter.
"Excuse me!" Yami said lowly, he didn't want to be rude or cause a scene. He just wanted a drink before he died of old age!
The small man turned around slowly and Yami felt his voice die in his throat as he drowned in the most beautiful, amethyst eyes that he had ever seen in his life.