Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Desert apprentice ❯ Side tracked ( Chapter 1 )

Bakura sat out in the desert on a cliff facing the pharaoh's palace. Next to him, where for the longest time no one had stood, was now a boy quiet similar to himself. One of the reasons he'd picked the kid up. In looks he was similar, and perhaps outlook. Though the kid was younger, less experienced. That was one of the reasons they sat there now, on that cliff side. Bakura pointed to the left side of the palace. "That's where most of the pharaoh's lap dogs live....and over there a little to the right, yes, right there, that's where the pharaoh lives, and the high priest, and a few of the pharaohs more obedient...servants" Bakura said rather spitefully. "Well enter around the weakest point, right there, you see that wall? you'll have to stay quiet though, the guards are getting better, we'll sneak up there and around there, then through there and well...this excursion is to teach you how to rob from the rich...and keep for your self for the most part. So you get to pick out what ever you'd like to keep, has to be jewelry, I want you to wear it to remember your first time" Bakura said as the dusty dry wind blew some of his short spiky hair across his face. He blinked and brushed it back with one hand as the wind seemed to blow stronger. "You got it?" He asked.

 

*Ryou stood at the elder's side, deep brown pools scanning over the area, He wasn't exactly the talkative type and for some reason Ryou liked it about this guy, Most likely because he could relate. Staring out at the area's the other pointed out he nodded his head slowly wondering what if...What if he messed this up, What if he got them caught? What if this went very well... Shaking Soft blue locks from in front of his face he swallowed thickly and glanced back at the Palace laying beyond the cliff, He would be going in there, Someplace that, When he was very young, He was told he would never be allowed to see the inside…Never. But now those whom had told them were wrong. Ryou smiled gently at the thought of being able to keep his own little treasures, As far as he was concerned they were doing something good, not only for themselves. The Pharaoh really didn't need all of those things did he? Staring up toward the other man he nodded his head one again notifying him that he got all of it, and understood what to do, looking away to the palace again he closed one eye as the wind picked up

 

~ Seth hadn't been very busy today, as of yet. Mostly being in his room reading over some older scrolls and updating others as was needed. The temples were being taken care of today by the other priests. Seth having been working too hard and barely able to move this morning from exhaustion. So he was allowed a day off so to speak. Seth stood in his room on the balcony. Deep sapphire eyes out on the horizon of the expansive desert. His dark brown locks standing out against the white robes he wore. He was required to where blue robes or purple ones when performing the duties of high priest. As he hadn't today he was allowed to where what he wanted, so he wore simple white robes. Them falling around him and giving him a more ethereal look. His eyes shimmering in the light of the setting sun, hair flying past his face while he watched the desert sands blow through the area.

 

The Pharaoh Atemu had been in his chambers all morning, thinking to himself about the ways to keep the Palace safe from any intruders. Especially thieves. There was one thief that always seemed to make his way in. That thief was named Bakura. He always caused trouble, and Atemu didn't like it. Atemu was wearing his white tunic, under the midnight blue cloak he always wore. Also, around his neck, hung the Sennen Puzzle, which the thief wanted to have for himself. Golden trinkets were placed around his waist and neck. They were also on his wrists, and his upper arms. The Pharaoh's crown was on his forehead, along with the Ankh earrings, Ancient Egypt's symbol. He was pacing around his chambers, still thinking of ideas. Anything to keep the thief out. Or anyone, for that matter.

 

Bakura nodded and stood up as well. "Come" He said in a soft voices as he jumped down the cliff side skidding down and catching the rocks the pocked out of the cliff. He swung like a monkey from one to the other falling most of the time though when he hit the ground it was on his own two feet and hardly phased him at all. He's slowed his decent speed down by allot and so the impact, what little there was, was nothing. He climbed atop his chocolate brown horse petting it waiting for Ryou. They're journey to the palace would take them till dark. Which was perfect timing anyway. The sunset was red, the color of blood. Bakura frowned, he'd been taught when the sunset was red, many people were dead or about to die. He shrugged it off as an old wives tale though. His red cloak blowing with the wind, what gold jewelry he'd already stolen hanging from his neck and wrists and ankles. Ryou was the first, and best apprentice he had, and he knew he'd need one, Ryou was younger, and in the event he became to old, or died, there would always be someone to continue on. He didn't want to think about that though, even as he did plan for the future.

 

*Shaking his head he wasted until the other was safely down the cliff, The decent was long but he had practice with this type of thing before, So that would make this allot easier. Hopping down after Bakura he skid down the cliff side catching one or two rocks on his way down, His heels digging into the soil, He hit the ground with a light thud but remained on both feet surprisingly. Sighing heavily he was thankful he hadn't fallen on his face, made a fool of himself. He was especially thankful that his loose shirt, and shorts did not catch on any rocks, Or brush on his way down, That would have been a bit more humiliating than falling face first against the ground. Staring up toward the horse Ryou smiled slightly patting it's nose with one hand, Running his had to Pet between the animal's eyes softly. "Lets go.."

 

~ Seth took a deep of the cooling air, his eyes closing for the moment. He opened them after a minute and turned, leaning his elbows back on the railing of the balcony, his eyes staring up at the palace side that went up above his room. He shook his head and stood straight. The gold choker around his neck, the gold belt around his waist and the few gold bands on his arms and ankles the only jewelry he was wearing. His sandals clicked softly on the floor as he moved into his chambers and out into the halls of the palace. He had grabbed his black cloak from his room before he left, heading out to the stables to get himself his black stallion. Having decided to take a ride out in the city and toward the outskirts of town for an hour or so, just needed some time to think alone and away from the palace.

 

Atemu left his chambers, and headed outside. As he walked down the stairs, the guards noticed him. They bowed, and Atemu nodded. "Pharaoh. Where are you going?" They asked him. "Just going out for a walk, around the gardens." He replied, with a nod. The guards that stood at the Palace doors, opened them for him. As he stepped outside, he noticed the air was cool. /I should've wore something warmer./ He thought to himself. Once he reached the garden, he sat on one of the benches, and looked out into the desert, that surrounded the Palace.

 

Bakura arrived at the palace and stared up at the high walled. "They've...built it 10 higher...I can't jump it" Bakura said putting his hands on his hips and looking upward. His horse tied to a tree near by. "Ryou" Bakura said as he handed the boy some rope. He held out his hand in front of him in a cupping manner. He was going to hoist Ryou up and over the walls before he heard some noise. Some one was leaving the palace. He stood up and swore to him self. Tapping Ryou lightly on the shoulder as he ran past him Bakura climbed in to the tree untying his horse on the way up. The horse trained to wait by the edge of town. From there he saw the high priest ride out of the gate and soon he saw the pharaoh come out of the palace in to the gardens. Hopefully they hadn't seen him or his apprentice. It was time to think now. Two items vulnerable for the taking. He'd have to start with Seth and forgo the minor trip to take on the major mission. There would be a change of plans.

 

* Ryou stood by the horse one hand on it's head, rubbing softly to calm the creature, Looking up to the wall he shook his head knowing that any attempt in trying to jump this wall would result in a rather amusing, yet rather painful fall right back down where you came from. Eyeing each crevice in the wall he dropped a hand from the horses head and took a step closer before being called, Nodding quickly he took the rope in both hands before freezing up, hearing the noise as well. He looked to Bakura barely having time to react before the other ran past him taping his shoulder, Ryou Ran toward the Tree sliding to a stop behind the tree flattening his back against it, not daring to look around the tree, in fear of being seen. Fingernails dug into the palms of his hands as he closed both eyes wondering what Bakura was going to do.

 

~ Seth saddled his own horse and then rode out of the gates. The sennen rod on his belt. He leaned forward on his horse, the hood of the cloak he wore resting on his shoulders. He got just outside the gates and then pulled it up while he ran his horse out toward the outskirts of town. He would ride back through the town once it was dark, when most of the shops had closed for the night. Seth let out a slow breath as he moved across the desert. Having felt slightly strange when he passed through the palace gates, but thinking nothing of it.~

 

Once Seth passed and the commotion died down Bakura sighed, "Close. Very. Now Apprentice. Heres what you'll do. You're going to..." Bakura bit his finger and smeared some of the blood from Ryou's hairline, down his forehead, "go out to the priest and act as a distraction in the ways I taught you. wounded..or selling.... you're going to distract him and lead him out in to the desert. We'll get him there. Nephri'll be with you for this, I'll take Kalin. Take a deep breath. I have faith we can pull it off." He gave Ryou's cheek a quick pat before climbing down the tree.

 

*Eyes the other as he bit his finger and smeared the blood down onto his forehead, Closing both eyes quickly he than opened them swiftly and nodded at the two tactics that they were used to using. "Wounded..or Selling.." He repeated the words just to let himself knew he had it down packed. Though why couldn't they just rob the place before them? "Shaking thoughts from his head He glanced to Bakura once again as he climbed down the tree, He followed after him quickly.*

 

~ Seth moved out toward the cliffs near the edge of the borders of the town in which the palace was located. He sat upright on his horse, pushing the hood of his cloak back, looking around across the now night fallen desert. The cooling winds of the night blew around him causing his cloak to fly around him, the moonlight shining down onto his white robes causing them to stand out even more so.~

 

Bakura now sat silently near a large sand dune watching and setting up the trap. waiting for his apprentice to do his job. He stayed close by though incase he had to rescue his apprentice. It was a dangerous game to play with the high priest. He knew what Seth was capable of and sending his new apprentice into that was dangerous. If Ryou got caught, there was no telling how much trouble he'd have to deal with. then again it was better then taking Seth on himself. Seth already knew his face, but he didn't know Ryou's not yet at least. If he could pull this off there would be no need to worry about that in the future any ways. If they couldn't It would be only too much troublesome work to save Ryou. Though he had to, not only was he fond of the boy. He had...ties... to the kid.

 

*Wincing slightly Ryou pulled a dagger from the belt at his side and raked it across his arm leaving a large cut, Tossing the Dagger into some Dry brush he made sure it made a sound as he emerged from the desert stumbling toward Seth's horse.."Please.." *He whimpered gently and stumbled over the sand before falling to his knees sobbing, his face in his hands, He fell to his knees about 10 feet from Seth;s horse, his cries loud enough to hear. "Help me please!!My mommy...and D..Daddy.." Of course before walking to seth he had smeared a bit of Dirst into his wound and ripped a strap of his sandal. to make it seem as if he had been walking for quite awhile. "Help mommy!"

 

~ he had been thinking to himself, about several things actually. He then looked up as he heard a rustle in a nearby bush. He blinked and looked around just in time to see a strange young boy fall into the sand. Seth jumped down from his saddle and stepped around his horse. Watching the stranger. He moved over to him and kneeled down, feeling a little strange about this. He kept his hand on the sennen rod as he kneeled down and looked at the boy.~ " What happened?"

 

"F..Father!" *Ryou choked in his own tears sobbing loudly, tears making small streaks down his face. "A..And Mother....Their both ..T..T..Their both at our home..." *He closed his eyes tightly and wailed trying to gather himself together. "They just came in! and..And took ev..everything..F..Father's hurt! They have mother at the house! P..Please help me..I need to save them!" *He grabbed a hold of his tattered clothing harshly.*

 

~ he felt a strange vibe coming from this guy..like he was hiding something more than that. Seth took a breath while he listened to the story, and he was starting to think that's all it was..a story. Seth stood up for a shook his head then looked around for a second, his hand still resting on the sennen rod. Mostly out of habit than anything.~

 

*Swallowing harshly Ryou looked back toward the desert and whimpered before looking up toward Seth.."I..If your not going to help me..I'm going back alone!" *He scrambles to his feet and turned toward the desert backing in in fear before closing both his eyes, Wiping away tears with the back of his arm.* "I can do this..I'm coming mother."

 

Bakura watched and knew Seth was becoming uneasy. He couldn't allow the high priest time to think it over though. If given the time to think then Seth would probably follow gut instinct and back away. If he was forced to make a split second decision the choice like in most cases where one doesn't have time to mill a problem over, would most likely be the wrong one based on the circumstances. Bakura tilted his head back and let out a howl, coyote howl. He'd introduce the idea that there would be dangerous animals in the area. He wondered if the high priest would still let Ryou go alone in to the desert.

 

~ Seth had been about to let the stranger go before he heard the howl. His own form tensed for a split second and he took a step back he then stepped up and grabbed the boys shoulder. Not harshly, but enough to get his attention and stop him from walking away. Seth looked around. This really didn't feel right. He let the idea of leaving the male to take care of his own problem, and it faded off. Him taking a step back after making sure he had stopped the boy from leaving, looking around his immediate area again.~

 

*Ryou looked to the hand on his shoulder and shook his head staring off into the desert.* "Please....I..I need someone's help.." *Pressing his chin to his chest he opened both eyes and eyed the ground as small grains of sand quivered than blew out of place.* "I can't do this all by myself, I'll do anything..We don't..Have much money..Please..I'll work off the payment. I can be a stable boy..Please.." *A tear fell soon after another, He yanked free from Seth's hands and fell to his knees touching his forehead to the ground.* "Please!"

 

Bakura let out another howl, a louder one. The sound echoed off the near by cliffs splitting the noise. Now it would seem like more then one wild dog was in the area. Perhaps surrounding them who knows. Ryou was bleeding and that wasn't a good thing. Bakura then fell silent again as he watched. Damn it the priest needed to get going, the longer he was out here the more the palace would become suspicious that something went wrong on Seth's little trip out. He hoped to have no interference by the other priests.

 

~ Seth cursed as he heard the louder howl and it was starting to freak him out. He knew something was up. He looked to the boy..he looked familiar. He hadn't taken the time to notice it until now. Seth looked around in nervousness then took the boy by his hand and pulled him over to his horse.~ " Come on, it's not safe."

 

*Looks out toward the desert*"..My mother..and Father...We need to help them." *He whimpered slightly as he was pulled toward the horse, Pulling away slightly eyes scanning the desert.* "W..What if they need my help..They sent me for help..." *He chokes back a sob and began to cry again.*

 

~ he shook his head and pulled the boy, lifting him up onto the horse and getting up behind him, not taking no for an answer. He was getting out of here. Seth held the boy on the horse incase he tried anything. Seth knew this wasn't right, something was really off right now.~

 

*Ryou swallowed thickly and bit his bottom lip, Pulling from Seth's grasp.* "No, No! Mother Father!" *He screamed toward nothing..Toward the desert sands..* "No! I promised!..Mother!" *His voice gave way to harsh rasps as he tried to jerk away, tried to get off the horse, Tried to get to his 'Family.'*

 

" I said no damnit!" ~ he yelled right back, now he knew something was up, he was officially nervous. No little slight nervousness, completely nervous, his stomach tying itself in knots. When the boy tried to get off his kicked the side of his horse and the horse bucked up causing Seth to get knocked off. Him falling back and hitting the sand with a thud, grunting more in annoyance than anything else.~

 

Bakura smirked. Good enough. He order Nephri to scare the horse. Hopeful Ryou would have enough sense to get off the horse. Bakura watched as Seth's horse ran off. This would leave Seth with out a way back. Bakura let out another howl. This was still dangerous. Seth could use the sennen rod to hurt Ryou or take over his mind. Seal his soul into something even. Bakura had the ring so he knew he was at least protected. Bakura still had to play though, get the priest to seek out shelter, then fall asleep. If he was doing this himself he would of attacked right about now. But he couldn't put his new apprentice in danger. He only hoped Ryou would still play along.

 

*Ryou Yelped loudly as he fell off the back of the horse and toppled to the ground with Seth, Landing on his stomach he blinked rapidly to free his eyes from any sand that had been blown into his eyes by the impact, Which was a considerable amount, Shoving off the ground with his forearms he watched at the horse ran than turned to Look to Seth, Gathering himself to his feet he walked to him and kneeled down..* "You alright?"

 

~ he cursed and growled when his horse ran off. *Damnit!! * he yelled at himself, he got up and watched his horse run off, knowing it was running for the palace. Seth looked to the one who had pretty much caused this in his mind. He shook his head and turned away, he would rather walk back then deal with this new annoyance in his life. Seth pulled the hood of his cloak up over his head as the cool nightly winds blew past him harshly~

 

Bakura growled softly and ordered Nephri to pull some illusions. Bakura stepped out from his hiding place, though the illusion that covered him made him look like a coyote. Four other illusionary coyote's followed out. Only the lead Coyote, Bakura, made any noise though. He snarled and walked toward the two. A great distraction. He couldn't let Seth leave. Not with the sennen rod at least.

 

*Ryou backed against Seth grabbing a hold on his cloak, not really knowing this was an illusion, Tugging gently he looked to the elder and gave yet another tug on the fabric of his white robe watching as the coyote's closed in. "Nay..Ideas?

 

~ he snarled when the coyote came out. This still wasn't right. He was slightly unnerved by the sight, but he remained calm. He felt the tugging on the back of his robe and growled in answer.~ " Just shut up for a minute." ~ he said shortly, looking around, he didn't know what to do~

 

The illusionary coyotes surrounded Seth and Ryou leaving only two openings. One towards where Ryou wanted to go. The other out into the desert towards Kuru Eruna. Bakura stared Seth down as the illusionary coyotes started to move in slowly closing off their escape. He'd force Seth to react.

 

*Ryou grabbed ahold of his Robe and gave another small tug looking at the coyote's as they closed in on the both of them.* "I'm n..not sure we have much choice!" _He huddled To Seth's back fingering his belt for his dagger, forgetting he had thrown it. *

 

~ he growled hearing him, and getting tense as the coyotes got closer, as well as having to listen to the male behind him, who wasn't helping the situation. He let out a short breath then turned and ran, grabbing the hand of the male who had been behind him. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going, having just took off running.~

 

Bakura and the illusions chased them he wouldn't stop this so soon. He chased them towards Kuru Eruna snarling and barking. He chased them till they got to the village houses that had been rebuilt. He'd run them right into one of those. Hopefully by now his apprentice had caught on to such circumstances. Hopefully Seth hadn't.

 

*Ryou yelped loudly as his hand was grabbed and he was pulled along in one direction or the other trailing at Seth's heels. "Where are we going?!" *Staring back at the Coyotes as he ran he picked up the pace, running at the others side now.*

 

~ Seth didn't care where he was running, running as fast as he could, feeling a hand on the boy's so he wouldn't love him. He ran into the house and stopped in his tracks, not even answering the stupid question. He looked around, trying to figure out what had happened and where they were, well he knew what had happened, so he was trying to figure out where they were.~