Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Flying With the Birds ❯ Kitten ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

A rich, low, chuckle emitted from the bed and Ryou�s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head back to see Bakura on his belly, watching Ryou in the dark. The Prince could see nothing but the outline of his body. It was too dark to see his face. Ryou was thankful for that...
�Did you get a nasty little surprise?� mocked the Thief King. Bristling, Ryou scooted away from the pot of figs. His hand brushed against something on the floor and he yelped again. Fortunately it was just his blanket. Bakura chuckled again, reaching out one finger, which he used to beckon Ryou. �Come here Kitten...� he purred. Ryou shook his head back and forth.

Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Romance | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.10.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 6.2K | Visits: 411 | Status: Completed

Emmy: All right my dear readers. I know my updates haven't been coming in very frequently but I'm doing my best. So many things have been getting in the way, but now since I've had two snow days it's been the perfect time to write.

I'd like to give a special thanks to any of the betas, Myra or sometimes Dana and to Iyuna as well. I'm not sure if my co-author will be continuing this story with me. We've had some arguments, but I would like her to know she is always welcome to continue this with me.

Some of you have been asking about the coupling in this story so let me make it clear. I originally planned to make it MarikxRyou and for a while really wanted to make it BakuraxRyou but then decided it wouldn't be true to my characters if Ryou fell for the Thief King. So this will stay MarikxRyou. However, that doesn't mean I'm totally dropping the BakuraxRyou hints and such for they are a big part of the plotline.

Last thing, if any of you are confused, Ryou and the thieves are staying in a cliff type rock area overlooking the desert and the canyon in which Kul Elna is hidden. The canyon is connected to the dried river, which is the area where Yugi and Atemu are. Does that make sense? I hope so, because by using the word `crevice' I think I messed people up.

So, without further ado, here is the chapter I spent two whole snow days on!

Kitten

“Is there any news on Ryou?”

“I'm sorry my Pharaoh. We did get a tip from a thief pulled off the streets. He told us he knew of the Thief King's nearby hideout. We did find it, but by the time we arrived no one was there. It is possible they stopped to rest there.”

“It doesn't matter. Bakura wouldn't stay for long...He's taking Ryou to the valley of Kul Elna.”

“Kul Elna?” asked the general. “The village of thieves? I thought that was just a legend.” The Pharaoh exhaled a long shaky breath.

“Legend or not...that's where he's heading.”

“Then shall we send troops there?” the general asked.

“No,” the Pharaoh said firmly.

“But my Pharaoh, the sandstorm late last night could have slowed them down, even stopped them in their tracks. This would give us the perfect opportunity to catch up and take them by surprise. Let me send my army out and we'll overpower the Thief King!” The Pharaoh was silent for a moment. Queen Mai and the General waited for him to speak. Mai squeezed his hand again, only this tie it was a `well, say something' squeeze.

“It would matter not if we sent ten men or ten thousand,” the Pharaoh said, his voice deep and firm. “The ransom payment has been sent. Only it can bring back my son.”

“What is this ransom payment?” asked his General. “You cannot keep such secrets from your advisors!” Before the Pharaoh could respond he was hit by a fit of coughing. Mai quickly shooed the general from the room.

“The Pharaoh is in no condition to speak right now. You'll have to come back later...” she snapped, promptly shutting and locking the door. “Who does he think he is? You're the Pharaoh. You can do anything you like.” She turned around and walked back to her husband's bedside.

“Mai...” he choked out. She clicked her tongue and patted his head.

“Yes, yes I know my love...” she stroked his hair and kissed his forehead. “You miss poor Ryou dear. Do not fret. They'll find him eventually...Though I am curious,” she continued casually. “If I recall correct, the ransom note said something about an agreed treasure? What treasure is he speaking of? And why does he speak as if you two know each other?”

The weary Pharaoh merely stared at the ceiling. His face, once smiling and proud was not grave and tired. Lines were quite evident on his forehead and dark bags hung under his eyes. It was as if the man's hourglass had sped up and he'd aged twenty years.

“Mai,” he rasped. “Some things...are put away for a reason. Things are put away to be forgotten. Never remembered.” Pharaoh Rien's eyes drifted to the window where he could see the blue sky above. Mai pursed her lips, unsatisfied. But she didn't ask again. Instead the devious woman put on her best warm smile and picked up the bowl of soup resting beside the bed.

“Well...I'd still like to know. You shouldn't keep secrets from your wife,” she chastised. Rien continued to stare out the window. Her smile wavered, “...Darling?”

He slowly turned to his wife and fixed such a gaze on her the Queen felt her smile disappear. His eyes were so distant, and sad. Mai brought a hand to her chest. “...What is it darling?” she asked, softly.

“I'd like to take a walk in the garden,” he replied in such a calm and steady voice it surprised Mai...and for a moment, her heart softened.

“Rien...” she began. She wanted him to look a way...But he did not. “Don't look at me like that,” she whispered. Those eyes...pleading...all knowing--she had too look away. “You're too weak to go to the gardens...”

“Mai,” his voice was soft, a little less strong. She cut him off before he could continue

“You can't. You need your rest.” She dipped her spoon into the bowl and brought it to his mouth. “Eat your soup.”

His eyes widened with disbelief and he turned his head away…

XXX

Ryou wasn't quite sure if it was morning or not, but it seemed he'd been lying on the floor for an eternity. As you can guess the floor was not very comfortable. Plus he had no pillow to lay his head upon.

Uttering a long, sad, sigh, he closed his eyes. The first thing that popped into his mind was the image of Bakura's, shiny, red eyes. He instantly opened his own.

`I've got to get out of here.' he thought. `I've got to get away from Bakura!'

Sitting up, Ryou peered over at the Thief King, who was stretched out on his bed with his arms behind his head. The Prince studied his kidnapper for a moment with interest. The thief wasn't even under the covers…how could he not be? It was freezing in the cave! And his sleep position didn't seem natural at all.

`Perhaps he's prepared for a surprise attack…I bet he's a light sleeper…I wonder…' The Prince spotted a golden candlestick on the ground and for a moment considered, perhaps, trying to surprise attack Bakura in his sleep. `No. That wouldn't work. He's the Thief King, I'd never be able to surprise him. To try would be a death wish.”

Instead Ryou began to explore the room. It was filled with so many interesting things, he decided to take this opportunity to grab something that might be of use to him later. The light was very dim. The one candle was still lit, but it didn't light up the room at all. `I'll just have to explore with my hands then…' he thought. He crawled around the cool, cave floor. He felt his way through many pots. Curiously, yet carefully he felt inside each one, feeling the items until he had a good idea what they were. Inside some he found food or money, and sometimes jewels. The Prince wondered if this was Bakura's own private stash of goods.

The Prince discovered a pot of…something. It felt pruny…and it smelled fruity. He took a small bite of the object and discovered it was a dried fig! He popped the rest into his mouth, feeling sort of sneaky and excited that he was stealing from the Thief King. Even if it was just a fig…

The prince poked his hand into another pot and quickly drew it back when he felt a pain in his finger! Ryou sucked on his right, index finger and tasted blood in his mouth. `Something sharp could come in handy…' With great care Ryou felt around inside the pot. There were coins inside…lots of coins. His hand briefly touching something pointy for a moment and he paused. His fingers felt something smooth and long…and pointy. He grasped it between his fingers, and slid it out of the coin mountain. After a few seconds of inspection it was clear--this was some kind of dagger.

He'd have time to inspect it more later. Quickly he stashed it in his pocket.

`I need a shower.' he thought. `I've been wearing these same clothes since they took me from the palace!' He sniffed under arm and winced. `And I smell terrible.'

Ryou reached into the pot of figs for another, and would have popped it into his mouth—had he not suddenly felt movement under his fingers! The fig was moving! He squinted at it through the dark, and yelped! It was not a fig--it was a scarab! He could feel it squirming under his fingers and without another thought flung it across the room. The Prince made a gagging face and shook his hand around to get off the `bug germs' as he thought about how the scarab had almost gone into his mouth. The thought made him gag!

A rich, low, chuckle emitted from the bed and Ryou's heart skipped a beat. He turned his head back to see Bakura on his belly, watching Ryou in the dark. The Prince could see nothing but the outline of his body. It was too dark to see his face. Ryou was thankful for that...

“Did you get a nasty little surprise?” mocked the Thief King. Bristling, Ryou scooted away from the pot of figs. His hand brushed against something on the floor and he yelped again. Fortunately it was just his blanket. Bakura chuckled again, reaching out one finger, which he used to beckon Ryou. “Come here Kitten...” he purred. Ryou shook his head back and forth.

“Don't call me that,” he replied. It irked him.

“You're not really in a position to be making demands, remember?” asked Bakura, a bit sharply. He regained his composer easily. “You look like a little kitten; helpless; afraid; and far from home. Why won't you come over here little kitten? I'll give you a nice treat.” It was obvious Bakura was enjoying his little game. Ryou gritted his teeth, biting back a snappy remark. What Bakura said was true. He was in no position to be making demands. The best thing to do would be to keep on the Thief King's good side, and yet still not lose himself to the man. He had to stay strong. He wasn't going to give in like a whimpering little puppy--or as the thief would say--kitten.

`I'll play his game,' Ryou thought. `I have to if I'm going to get through this.'

“Come here kitty, kitty, kitty...” the older man called. Ryou closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The breath before the plunge.

“Why do you call me?” he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“Because I want to give the little kitten some nice treats,” he replied, reaching for another pot on the floor. He lifted it up onto the bed and stuck his hand inside, pulling a something out. It was too dark for Ryou to tell what lay in the palm of his hand. Food? Maybe this was a trick.

“Come on Kitten,” Bakura's voice had an edge to it now. “Don't make me come over there and get you myself.” That was enough for Ryou. Hesitantly he crawled forward, to Bakura's out stretched hand.

“What's that?” he asked suspiciously.

“A treat for you...” he replied. There was something in his voice that gave it away. Just as Ryou drew close enough to reach out for whatever he held Bakura pulled away. “...but now that I think about it, maybe I won't give you a treat. Only good kittens get treats, and you haven't been a very good kitten now have you?” Now that he was closer Ryou could see the outline of Bakura's facial features. His eyes were like dark, narrow, pits. “You stole from your Master little kitten. That's the kind of things bad kittens do, and bad kittens don't get treats.” For a moment Ryou's pulse quickened as he thought about the dagger hidden in his inner pocket. He tried to keep his cool.

“I-I was hungry,” he said. “It was just one fig...”

“You don't eat unless I give you food,” Bakura snapped. He was upset now. His empty had reached out and grabbed Ryou's hair roughly. “And no one steals from the Thief King. Especially not his own treasures!” He shook Ryou's head a bit and the Prince hissed in pain. Bakura held onto him for a few moments, then loosened. “Conceder this your warning...But next time you do this, Kitten,” he snarled, “I won't let you off so easy. Understand?”

Ryou thought about the Pit and nodded his head. “Say it,” Bakura commanded.

“I understand,” he confirmed. Bakura was silent. Ryou frowned, not understanding what he was waiting for. So the Prince continued. “I understand I am not to steal anything from Thief King Bakura...” Seemingly satisfied, Bakura let go of Ryou's hair and gave it a pat.

“Good Kitten.” his voice was pleasant again. He offered out his hand to Ryou again and the Prince accepted his `reward'.

`Oh joy.' he thought sarcastically in his find. `All of that for a handful of raisons.' Later on Ryou would realize how much of a treat raisons were, considering how little food the Thief gave him.

Bakura stroked his head (pets for kitten!) and Ryou tried to ignore it. He kept reminding himself he would just have to deal with it for a while. It was better to be meek and healthy than defiant and dying. Right?

`What would Father do?' he wondered. If only he knew...

“Why so suddenly sad Kitten?” the thief asked, noticing the mood change that always came when Ryou thought about his Father and his home. “Aren't you grateful for the treat I gave you?”

Ryou nodded his head. “Yes. Thank you...I,” he thought a moment. “I...was just wondering something.”

“Oh?” Bakura inquired.

“Yes. I was wondering if it was...possible for me to take a bath?” he asked, unsurely.

“I thought cats hated water,” Bakura teased.

“I'd just like to wash up a bit,” said Ryou, looking up at the thief. “Can't I just have a bath?”

Bakura leaned his chin down on Ryou's shoulder and whispered mischievously, “Yes, but I get to choose who bathes you...”

“Never mind then,” Ryou said quickly, feeling his cheeks get hot. Bakura laughed--really laughed! Ryou was tired of being a joke to him. He huffed and glared at the floor; embarrassed.

“People bathed you at the palace didn't they?” questioned the older man. Ryou was silent.

“What's wrong? Cat got your tongue?” He snickered at his own joke. “Aww wait! That's right Kitten, I forgot. You don't like it when I laugh do you?” he asked in a fake, nice voice. The kind of voice you would use to talk to an animal! “Are you upset with me now?” Ryou sighed, hugging his knees to his chest. Bakura stroked his head again before sliding off the bed. In the blink of an eye he was at the door. He moved in the dark with an ease Ryou could never compete with.

“Where are you going?” the Prince quickly asked. Bakura drew back the curtain and turned to look at Ryou over his shoulder.

“Just stay here for a while Kitten. I'll come back to play with you later. Right now I've got things to do.” As he turned to leave Ryou called “Wait!” Bakura stopped and turned again. “You're leaving me in the dark?” he asked, softly.

“Yes Kitten,” he replied smoothly.

“But,” Ryou continued. “I don't like...the dark.”

“I know,” Bakura said, coolly. “But do you want me to waste my candles? You'll have to stay in the dark for now Kitten.” He turned again.

“But--wait!” It was too late. The curtain fluttered back into place. Bakura was gone.

XXX

Yugi shivered, and used a stick to poke the small fire in front of him. Atemu had instructed him in making it.

`If it weren't for him I'd be dead by now.' Yugi thought. He glanced over to where the sick man slept. Escaping the sandstorm had not helped his fever at all. Now he was even worse.

Sometimes Atemu would talk in his sleep, saying things that made no sense at all. Sometimes he would start shaking and Yugi would feed the fire more. He'd even taken off his own cloak for the man to use as a blanket. Yes, Yugi was cold, but if his companion didn't get well, Yugi feared he would soon be alone in the desert.

`I was raised to clean and cook for the Pharaoh, not survive in the desert.' he thought. Atemu was though. After the sandstorm, when they'd gone in search of a have, Atemu seemed to know exactly where he was going. They'd traveled at least a mile or two down the rocky side of the crevice and all the way to the bottom. A few times Yugi had almost fallen, but the older man had grabbed him just in time. When they finally reached the bottom Atemu had to stop and rest, but he told Yugi that he knew where they were going.

“A river once flowed here. Although it has long dried, and cannot be used for trade anymore there is still water in the earth. Where there is water, there is life.”

Yugi found this true. The bottom of the dried river was not dried, as one might think. It was moist. Unlike the world above, a world of sand, the floor of the dried river was earth. There was water to! Everywhere Yugi looked there were puddles of water. It was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen!

Plants grew all around them; fed from the water. Atemu had shown him which plants were good to eat and which were bad. Yugi took great care and remembering everything Atemu said. It could cost his life if he didn't.

Not only was there plant life in the dried river, but many, many other objects! Because the river had once been used for trade there was a mass of objects embedded into the soft earth--such as pots, pans, pieces of boats, tattered shoes, any anything else you could imagine to be lost overboard! Yugi had gone digging and collected things of use, just as Atemu had instructed.

They'd found a dry spot and settled down for the night. Getting the fire going had been difficult because of the wet area, but Yugi had done it eventually. Besides keeping them warm it kept the animals away. Yugi was amazed at how many creatures took refuge down where the earth was wet and the air was cool There were lizards, snakes, and insects mostly, but it was smart to be careful. Where there were animals, there were bound to be hunters of those animals.

He spent the entire night and day by Atemu's side, feeding him and bringing him water.

“Come on now...” Yugi bribed the man in a soft voice. “You have to eat this. I made you some soup from the water and plants. I cooked it in that pot I found.” Atemu frowned in his sleep and Yugi frowned along with him. “You have to eat.” Eventually he did.

It was about mid afternoon when Yugi took a break. He was exhausted from taking care of Atemu and having to keep the fire going all night. He was trained to work, but he'd never gone so long without sleep.

`What do I do now?' he thought, as he rested his head on a rock. `I've failed. What will become of the Prince? How will I save him now? Will he die? Oh Rah please, don't let him die! Please keep him safe! If the Thief King Bakura will not let Prince Ryou go, how will I tell the Pharaoh? I might as well not even go back to the palace...The Pharaoh will hate me. He'll have me killed...Why did he have to pick me?! I've never been anything great...Why did he choose me?'

“You remind me of someone I lost,” he said softly. “And I have confidence in you. I can see it in your eyes that you won't let me down.”

Yugi exhaled. `I did let him down...' He shifted his position to look over at Atemu. The man was shivering again. Yugi sprang to his side and tucked the cloak around him tighter. As he did so his hand brushed against something hard. Curious, the boy pulled back the cloak. There was something pointy under Atemu's cloak.

`I don't want to make him angry by going through his things...' Yugi ran his fingers over the point. He was just about to lift up Atemu's cloak when a hand shot out and grabbed his. He gasped! Atemu's eyes found his. They were hazy, but stone hard.

“I-!” Yugi fumed over his own tongue. “I-was just curious...What is that?”

“It is nothing that concerns you,” Atemu replied sternly. He let go of Yugi and his hand fell to the ground, limply.

“Oh...I'm sorry.” He looked away, then said, “Would you like some water? Food?”

Atemu shook his head. To Yugi's surprise he sat up, rubbing his head. “I'll be right back...” he slurred, shakily coming to his feet. Yugi took his hand to steady him. His expression showed concern.

“Where are you going?” he questioned. Last time the man had tried moving on his own his fever had increased immensely. “I think you should--!”

“I'm going to relieve myself,” he said, cutting the short boy off. “I'll be right back...” Yugi let go of the man reluctantly and watched him walk off a ways. The boy noticed, as Atemu walked away, he reached into his cloak.

`What is he hiding?' Yugi asked himself. Then he immediately scolded himself. `It's his business not mine...' Still, the boy wondered...

XXX

Somewhere overhead a lone woman walked through the desert. It must have been fate. It couldn't be by chance that she'd headed in the wrong direction. It couldn't be chance that she was still alive. It couldn't be chance that she just happened to stumble upon a trunk in the sand...

XXX

Woo! How did you like that? Took lots of cookies and a few cups of cocoa! I'm actually quite proud I got this accomplished in so little time! Please please please please please REVIEW! I beg of thee!

Oh and by the way I hope you like my little cliffhanger there. Hehe. Those of you who are smart will know exactly who the woman is. Just think back...