Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Gorgeous Carat (YGO version) ❯ Petite Rebecca's Case Part 2 ( Chapter 4 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Lsama-no-miko 
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mystery / Romance / Suspense / Drama | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 12.22.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 177 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Mystery / Romance / Suspense / Drama | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 12.22.2007 | Pages: 2 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 177 | Status: Work In Progress
Gorgeous Carat (YGO Version)
By Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko)
Chapter 4: Petite Rebecca's Situation Part 2
A woman screamed as a dark cloaked figure ran out the open window.
*************************
The next day a small group of gendarmes rummaged through the opulently furnished house while their chief inspector sat comforting the lady of the house who was currently sobbing nearby an open and very empty safe.
“You say you saw a shadowy figure breaking into your safe is that right, Madame Hawkins?”
The blonde covered her amethyst eyes as she continued to sob. “I was… scared to death,” she managed to say between sobs. “It’s got to be the same person who’s made my husband disappear, inspector. Hurry and get that vile Masked Noir!” she shouted.
“What makes you think it was Noir, Madame,” asked a younger man with red, black and gold hair.
“And who you might be?” she asked, disdainfully, not liking the man’s attitude and lack of manners.
“So he showed up after all,” muttered the inspector, annoyed at the interruption. “This is Atem Khemet. He’s a private detective who’s been following cases involving Noir.” He then turned to the shorter man and glared at him. “Don’t even think of interfering with our investigation! Get your nose out of police business!”
Atem chose to ignore the irate gendarme and went over to the woman, placing a hand on her arm. “Madame,” he said gently, “I know it’s been trying but how do you know it was Noir if you only saw the person’s shadow?”
The woman looked at him flustered and began to stammer at having been caught in a lie. “Well…” she began after several moments of grasping for a reasonable explanation, “Isn’t the one who’s been causing a ruckus these days? Besides that’s what they’ve been saying all over Paris.”
‘She has an Italian accent,’ Atem mused catching the slight accent which she’d been trying to hide earlier. “Your husband is the owner of the Hawkins du Paris bank is he not?” he asked, receiving a quick nod. “And there was money in the safe?" ‘Banque Hawkins du Paris, the leading bank in the city.’
“That’s right,” Madame Hawkins replied teary eyed. “That money was for moving the head office. Who cares about that!” she yelled. “My poor husband could be dead already!” She began to break down again and sob into her hands.
“Madame, please!” begged the inspector draping his hand around her shoulders. He shot a rather angry death glare at the spiky haired man.
Atem however was too deep in thought to notice. ‘She’s the wife of the head of a major bank… something’s not right.’
“Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur Atem,” a maid said entering from the hall.
Seeing that she wanted to speak with him privately, he excused himself and followed her into the hall. “What is it you wish to tell me, Mademoiselle?” he asked.
The girl blushed and looked away shyly. “I’ve heard you are a famous detective, non? Please use your skills to find the petite mistress!” she begged.
“Petite mistress?” he repeated, perplexed at this new bit of info and surprised at the maid’s boldness.
“Renee!” shouted another maid who had just happened to be passing by. “If you don’t keep your mouth shut, Madame will fire you for sure!”
“Aren’t you worried about Miss Rebecca?!” the first maid, Renee, pleaded. “She hasn’t come home in three days! Madame won’t let us tell the gendarmes! She keeps saying that the petite mistress is out playing and would be home soon, but I KNOW it isn’t like that! Madame doesn’t give a damn about her since Miss Rebecca isn’t her child. Oh that poor, poor sweet girl! She’s only ten!” The distraught maid then shoved a small painted portrait into the man’s hands.
Atem’s eyes widened upon recognizing the girl in the painting. ‘It’s that kid!’ Seeing a possible connection, the young man ran immediately from the house, shocking the two maids.
“M-Monsieur Atem?!” Renee queried, but he was long gone by then.
‘That smug Bakura Akefia Courland! He finally slipped up! Now I’ve got my chance! I’m gonna prove without a doubt that you’re Noir!’ the spiky haired detective congratulated, but suddenly paused in midstep, his instincts going into overdrive. ‘Wait a sec here!’ he started, ‘why do I get the feeling that something’s way off here?’
******************************************
Meanwhile in the ‘basement’ of a certain ‘loan shark’ two men, chained to the wall, screamed as a white haired man continued to ‘question’ them.
Noir flicked his whip to the side, shaking off the flecks of blood that were beginning to collect on the sleek leather. “Are you two gentlemen ready to tell me why you dared to set foot into my nice clean mansion with your dirty shoes?” he asked, glaring at them.
“Bugger off!” one of them spat defiantly, though the pain was starting to be unbearable.
“Suit yourself,” the thief said smirking sadistically. He raised the whip again and quicker than lightning it struck both men in one strike, causing them to scream out again. He then repeated several more times until they had begun to sob like a couple of babies. The white haired man glared at them in disgust.
“St… stop…” the second man whimpered. His companion just continued to sob.
Noir sighed. ‘Pathetic,’ he sneered silently. How he hated wimpy men like those two.
“Over so soon?” a young man, with brown and lavender hair said coming in.
The thief sighed again as he threw the whip to the side. He glared at the still sobbing men one more time before turning to his toady. “Just a bit more and they’ll spill. They’re all yours, Rex,” he said. The shorter man’s eyes gleamed gleefully. “You would think that whoever dared come to Noir’s home would have more guts than those two. I was having no fun at all.” He then strode from the dungeon as if he hadn’t been whipping two men for the past hour or two.
*************************************
Yugi sighed as he tucked Rebecca in again. The girl, still shaken from the previous ordeal, refused to let go of his hand. Yugi didn’t mind, still frightened himself. He cringed inwardly at the thought of what Noir could be doing to the two intruders. However, he couldn’t let that get to him, he had Rebecca to think of right now.
“It’s all right,” he said smiling, attempting to reassure the trembling child. ‘Poor thing,’ he mused, ‘It must be tough, running into those *beep*s again.’ “How about some warm milk?” he asked, “It always helped me sleep better.”
“Yugi-nii,” the girl said after a few moments of silence, “I promised my Grandpa that Teddy and I would be good while he’s gone.” She looked away, tears glistening in her clear blue eyes. “But he’s not coming back is he? Maybe Grandpa’s angry at me ‘cause I wasn’t a good girl.”
The spiky haired boy frowned slightly, glad that Rebecca couldn’t see it at the moment. He gently patted her head. “Don’t worry,” he said, putting on his best smile. However, the girl didn’t fall for it. Instead, she finally lost the battle with the tears and began to sob uncontrollably. Yugi immediately gathered her into his arms and rocked her gently, whispering soothing nonsense into her tiny ears. ‘She feels like a bird flittering about, she’s shaking so much. Just what has she been through to make her like this? What could have made her so scared and sad?’
When she had calmed down enough, he got up to get her some warm milk. While he waited for the white liquid to heat up, Malik had come into the kitchen looking for him – Rishid had told him where to find him.
“What’s so funny, Malik?” Yugi asked noticing the grin the Egyptian boy had.
“You’re acting like my sister when I was little.” The blond then turned serious again. “Listen Yugi, it looks like that those guys said something that had to do with Rebecca.”
“Oh!” he cried, figuring that Noir had wanted to talk to him again. He started to go, but stopped at the doorway, glancing at the still cooking milk.
“Noir’s waiting,” Malik said shooing him out, “I’ll give it to her so don’t you worry.” Nodding in thanks, he rushed off to the study.
‘Yugi, Yugi, Yugi,’ he fumed silently, ‘It’s always Yugi now, ‘Kura.’ “Well, who cares,” he continued aloud, “It’s fine with me, I’m only a follower of Noir’s anyway. Bakura you dummy.” He yelped as some of the hot milk sloshed out of the glass he had just placed onto a small tray. “Oops,” he said, sucking on his fingers.
**************************************
“It appears that brat of yours is the granddaughter of the owner of Banque Hawkins du Paris,” Noir explained once Yugi had settled into one of the plush chairs.
“Hawkins du Paris?!”
“So you’ve heard of it then?”
“Of course! It’s one of the largest banks in Paris! But why were they after her?”
“Here’s a hint,” he said holding up the two star sapphires he’d shown him before. However, Yugi couldn’t see the connection. Sighing exasperatedly, he put the jewels down. “Look, we don’t have much time. Monsieur Hawkins, the kid’s granddad went loopy or something, took all the bank’s money and traded it for priceless jewels. It’s obvious he didn’t want them found so he stashed them in a present for a certain grandkid. That’s what they’re really after.”
‘It can’t be! Inside “Teddy”?!’ Yugi thought in shock. “Noir, are you telling me that they were sent by Rebecca’s grandfather?!” “Don’t you dare touch, Teddy! He’s my treasure!” Yugi shuddered as he remembered how the girl reacted when Malik tried to touch the stuffed animal. ‘This is terrible!’
Suddenly, Malik burst into the study out of breath. “We’ve got trouble, big trouble!”
“You could have at least knocked first, Malik,” griped the white haired thief.
“Sor-ry!” the blond spat annoyedly. “Rebecca’s gone! I can’t find her anywhere!”
“Malik!” cried Yugi, “Did those guys find her?”
“Nuh-uh. There’s definitely no sign of anyone else coming in here. I think she just up and left on her own.”
‘Did you run so you wouldn’t cause us more problems?’ the spiky haired boy wondered silently. Getting scared for the petite blonde, he shot from the chair and started for the front door.
“Wait! I’m coming too!” Malik called following him.
However, before either of them could get far, Yugi found himself pinned against the door. “I wasn’t finished,” he said, his face mere inches away from the smaller boy’s. Yugi couldn’t help but blush. “Listen when I’m talking to you!”
“But…” Yugi pleaded, “We’ll lose her if we don’t hurry!”
“Forget about the brat!” the thief shouted, slamming his hand against the door. “She’s a pain and definitely dangerous to have hanging around!”
“Move out of the way you heartless monster!” the spiky haired boy shot back, “She’s got no one! I’m the only one who can stick by her!” He yelped when Noir’s hand flew and struck his cheek.
“Don’t start seeing yourself in that kid!” the white haired man spat. “Look,” he sighed, “The kid’s probably ok. She’s made of stronger stuff than you. You’re also forgetting that I bought you. Again. I control everything about you. You’re not leaving here without my say so! You’d better start remembering what your place is here.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too harsh here, Noir?” Malik said, placing a hand on his master’s arm. He quickly drew it back at the death glare he’d just earned. “Or maybe not,” he muttered quietly.
There was a sudden crack and the white haired man found himself thrown backwards from the force of the blow of Yugi’s punch. “Just because I’m indebted to you doesn’t mean you can treat me like a slave!” the shorter boy yelled. “You’ll kill me if you continue to play with my feelings like that!”
“Fine!” the thief spat back, “Do what the *beep* you want!”
“Fine!” Yugi then dashed from the house, slamming the door hard enough to make most of the house shake.
“The brat packs a wallop,” Noir muttered, rubbing his now sore jaw.
Malik looked at him worriedly. “Are you sure it’s okay to let him go like that Noi—“
The thief quickly covered the blond’s mouth sensing something. “Malik,” he hissed, “What’s my name?” The look he gave said; they weren’t alone and he’d better get with it and fast.
“B-Bakura Akefia Courland!” was the stammered reply.
“Exactly.”
“Oh really now?” came a voice from an open window.
Noir whirled around and like a snake lashed his whip at the nearby curtains. “Do you plan on joining us or are you going to hide all day?” the white haired man snarled, annoyed that he had yet another intruder in his home.
“What gave me away?” Atem asked, coming from behind the curtains.
“Atem Khemet?!” Malik cried in surprise upon recognizing the man. “How did…?!”
“That’s quite a hobby you’ve got,” Noir snarled, “What drove you to peep on me this time Monsieur Oh So Famous Detective?”
“Oh come now don’t be so rude.”
“Just what exactly did you hear?!” Noir demanded.
“Not much. Just the enough to get the general picture.”
“Well then,” the thief began, “You must know that I had noting to do with that kid. Now leave! I don’t know what you’re up to, but stop annoying me with your presence.”
“I would if Bakura Akefia Courland were here, but I don’t see him, just the Phantom Thief Noir.” Noir continued to glare at the detective.
****************************************
“Where did she go?” Yugi muttered as he ran through the dark streets of Paris. “Maybe she went this way.” He ran down an unlit alley and halted when he saw a tiny figure at the end. Suddenly, an automobile skidded to a halt and a rough looking man leap out, grabbing hold of the figure.
“GET OFF ME!!!!!!!!” screamed the figure. Yugi stood frozen, unable to move an inch as he watched the scene unfold.
“Shut up brat!” spat the man as he wrestled her into the car.
“HEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!!!” the girl screamed again.
“Rebecca!!” Yugi yelled rushing toward her.
“Yugi! Yugi!” Rebecca screamed as the car door slammed shut and sped off.
“Rebecca!!” Yugi slumped to the ground, tears of anger and frustration streaming down his cheeks.
**************************************
Meanwhile back at Noir’s…
“I really shouldn’t be giving you top-secret info,” Atem said, after making himself comfortable in Noir’s study, “But I’m sure you already know that that girl’s father, who is the owner of a rather large bank, is missing. The gendarmes are investigating Noir meaning they believe him to be the main suspect in his disappearance as well as a break in at his home.” Noir glared at the spiky haired man, daring him to try anything. “But after hearing you two talk, I was rather relieved. I knew my Noir wouldn’t resort to such vulgar crimes. He’s got style.”
The white haired thief felt another vein pop. “Glad to hear that, so why don’t you leave already!”
Atem just smirked and continued to speak. “Mai Hawkins.” Noir looked at him as if he’d just grown a second head. “Did your ‘guests’ say anything about her?” The thief shook his head. “Well, it turns out to be that she’s Monsieur Hawkins’ second wife, which makes her Rebecca’s step-grandmother. This is just a hunch I have, but there’s something not right about Madame Hawkins.”
**********************************************************
A stately carriage halted at a dark alley, its driver having recognized the young man slumped on the ground nearby.
“Yugi? Is that you? What on earth are you doing out here in the middle of the night my boy?”
“Monsieur Feder?” Yugi asked at the man’s voice. “Please! I need a ride! A girl’s life is in danger!”
“You know I’d be glad to give you a hand lad, but…” he jerked his head towards the cab behind him, indicating he was in the middle of a job.
“I can pay you!” the boy begged.
“Alright,” the old man said making room for him, “get on boy.”
Yugi leapt onto the carriage. “Follow that car!” he said after catching up to the kidnappers.
“*Beep*!” said one of the men inside the car. “We’re being followed!”
“Don’t worry about a thing hon,” said a blonde woman in a low cut purple dress, “We’ll shake ‘em at the crossroads. You’ve got the bear I hope,” she asked the man next to her.
“Sure do boss,” he said, smirking at the now bound and gagged girl between them.
“You’re one nasty little brat,” the woman said in mock parental concern, and pinching the girl’s cheek, her sharp manicured nails digging into the pink skin. “Always causing trouble for you dear “Grandma”. You’ve really messed up our plans you know that.”
**********************************
Noir’s…
Noir frowned, getting more and more concerned for Yugi now that he knew exactly what the impulsive brat had gotten himself into. “Mai Hawkins’ real name is Mai Valentino,” he said. Atem nodded, indicating he was listening. “I’ve heard she’s a member of an Italian mafia group based in New York called the ‘Black Hand’. It looks like she’s the boss for the Parisian branch.”
Malik let out a gasp, equally worried for the smaller boy and girl.
“I thought as much,” Atem said grimly.
********************************
Meanwhile, Yugi sped after the car, totally oblivious to the peril he was so foolishly racing toward. ‘Don’t worry Rebecca, I’m coming!’
“Monsieur Feder, faster!” he shouted over the beat of the horses’ hooves.
~TBC~
Sakura: I know, I’m evil.
Yami: You can say that again. What’s the big idea with making me flirt with the tomb robber?!
Sakura: Stuff it pharaoh! It’s in the script! Anyhoo, if you wanna see if Yugi saves Rebecca or not, gimme loads of reviews and I’ll get the next part out A LOT faster!
By Sakura (aka L-sama no Miko)
Chapter 4: Petite Rebecca's Situation Part 2
A woman screamed as a dark cloaked figure ran out the open window.
*************************
The next day a small group of gendarmes rummaged through the opulently furnished house while their chief inspector sat comforting the lady of the house who was currently sobbing nearby an open and very empty safe.
“You say you saw a shadowy figure breaking into your safe is that right, Madame Hawkins?”
The blonde covered her amethyst eyes as she continued to sob. “I was… scared to death,” she managed to say between sobs. “It’s got to be the same person who’s made my husband disappear, inspector. Hurry and get that vile Masked Noir!” she shouted.
“What makes you think it was Noir, Madame,” asked a younger man with red, black and gold hair.
“And who you might be?” she asked, disdainfully, not liking the man’s attitude and lack of manners.
“So he showed up after all,” muttered the inspector, annoyed at the interruption. “This is Atem Khemet. He’s a private detective who’s been following cases involving Noir.” He then turned to the shorter man and glared at him. “Don’t even think of interfering with our investigation! Get your nose out of police business!”
Atem chose to ignore the irate gendarme and went over to the woman, placing a hand on her arm. “Madame,” he said gently, “I know it’s been trying but how do you know it was Noir if you only saw the person’s shadow?”
The woman looked at him flustered and began to stammer at having been caught in a lie. “Well…” she began after several moments of grasping for a reasonable explanation, “Isn’t the one who’s been causing a ruckus these days? Besides that’s what they’ve been saying all over Paris.”
‘She has an Italian accent,’ Atem mused catching the slight accent which she’d been trying to hide earlier. “Your husband is the owner of the Hawkins du Paris bank is he not?” he asked, receiving a quick nod. “And there was money in the safe?" ‘Banque Hawkins du Paris, the leading bank in the city.’
“That’s right,” Madame Hawkins replied teary eyed. “That money was for moving the head office. Who cares about that!” she yelled. “My poor husband could be dead already!” She began to break down again and sob into her hands.
“Madame, please!” begged the inspector draping his hand around her shoulders. He shot a rather angry death glare at the spiky haired man.
Atem however was too deep in thought to notice. ‘She’s the wife of the head of a major bank… something’s not right.’
“Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur Atem,” a maid said entering from the hall.
Seeing that she wanted to speak with him privately, he excused himself and followed her into the hall. “What is it you wish to tell me, Mademoiselle?” he asked.
The girl blushed and looked away shyly. “I’ve heard you are a famous detective, non? Please use your skills to find the petite mistress!” she begged.
“Petite mistress?” he repeated, perplexed at this new bit of info and surprised at the maid’s boldness.
“Renee!” shouted another maid who had just happened to be passing by. “If you don’t keep your mouth shut, Madame will fire you for sure!”
“Aren’t you worried about Miss Rebecca?!” the first maid, Renee, pleaded. “She hasn’t come home in three days! Madame won’t let us tell the gendarmes! She keeps saying that the petite mistress is out playing and would be home soon, but I KNOW it isn’t like that! Madame doesn’t give a damn about her since Miss Rebecca isn’t her child. Oh that poor, poor sweet girl! She’s only ten!” The distraught maid then shoved a small painted portrait into the man’s hands.
Atem’s eyes widened upon recognizing the girl in the painting. ‘It’s that kid!’ Seeing a possible connection, the young man ran immediately from the house, shocking the two maids.
“M-Monsieur Atem?!” Renee queried, but he was long gone by then.
‘That smug Bakura Akefia Courland! He finally slipped up! Now I’ve got my chance! I’m gonna prove without a doubt that you’re Noir!’ the spiky haired detective congratulated, but suddenly paused in midstep, his instincts going into overdrive. ‘Wait a sec here!’ he started, ‘why do I get the feeling that something’s way off here?’
******************************************
Meanwhile in the ‘basement’ of a certain ‘loan shark’ two men, chained to the wall, screamed as a white haired man continued to ‘question’ them.
Noir flicked his whip to the side, shaking off the flecks of blood that were beginning to collect on the sleek leather. “Are you two gentlemen ready to tell me why you dared to set foot into my nice clean mansion with your dirty shoes?” he asked, glaring at them.
“Bugger off!” one of them spat defiantly, though the pain was starting to be unbearable.
“Suit yourself,” the thief said smirking sadistically. He raised the whip again and quicker than lightning it struck both men in one strike, causing them to scream out again. He then repeated several more times until they had begun to sob like a couple of babies. The white haired man glared at them in disgust.
“St… stop…” the second man whimpered. His companion just continued to sob.
Noir sighed. ‘Pathetic,’ he sneered silently. How he hated wimpy men like those two.
“Over so soon?” a young man, with brown and lavender hair said coming in.
The thief sighed again as he threw the whip to the side. He glared at the still sobbing men one more time before turning to his toady. “Just a bit more and they’ll spill. They’re all yours, Rex,” he said. The shorter man’s eyes gleamed gleefully. “You would think that whoever dared come to Noir’s home would have more guts than those two. I was having no fun at all.” He then strode from the dungeon as if he hadn’t been whipping two men for the past hour or two.
*************************************
Yugi sighed as he tucked Rebecca in again. The girl, still shaken from the previous ordeal, refused to let go of his hand. Yugi didn’t mind, still frightened himself. He cringed inwardly at the thought of what Noir could be doing to the two intruders. However, he couldn’t let that get to him, he had Rebecca to think of right now.
“It’s all right,” he said smiling, attempting to reassure the trembling child. ‘Poor thing,’ he mused, ‘It must be tough, running into those *beep*s again.’ “How about some warm milk?” he asked, “It always helped me sleep better.”
“Yugi-nii,” the girl said after a few moments of silence, “I promised my Grandpa that Teddy and I would be good while he’s gone.” She looked away, tears glistening in her clear blue eyes. “But he’s not coming back is he? Maybe Grandpa’s angry at me ‘cause I wasn’t a good girl.”
The spiky haired boy frowned slightly, glad that Rebecca couldn’t see it at the moment. He gently patted her head. “Don’t worry,” he said, putting on his best smile. However, the girl didn’t fall for it. Instead, she finally lost the battle with the tears and began to sob uncontrollably. Yugi immediately gathered her into his arms and rocked her gently, whispering soothing nonsense into her tiny ears. ‘She feels like a bird flittering about, she’s shaking so much. Just what has she been through to make her like this? What could have made her so scared and sad?’
When she had calmed down enough, he got up to get her some warm milk. While he waited for the white liquid to heat up, Malik had come into the kitchen looking for him – Rishid had told him where to find him.
“What’s so funny, Malik?” Yugi asked noticing the grin the Egyptian boy had.
“You’re acting like my sister when I was little.” The blond then turned serious again. “Listen Yugi, it looks like that those guys said something that had to do with Rebecca.”
“Oh!” he cried, figuring that Noir had wanted to talk to him again. He started to go, but stopped at the doorway, glancing at the still cooking milk.
“Noir’s waiting,” Malik said shooing him out, “I’ll give it to her so don’t you worry.” Nodding in thanks, he rushed off to the study.
‘Yugi, Yugi, Yugi,’ he fumed silently, ‘It’s always Yugi now, ‘Kura.’ “Well, who cares,” he continued aloud, “It’s fine with me, I’m only a follower of Noir’s anyway. Bakura you dummy.” He yelped as some of the hot milk sloshed out of the glass he had just placed onto a small tray. “Oops,” he said, sucking on his fingers.
**************************************
“It appears that brat of yours is the granddaughter of the owner of Banque Hawkins du Paris,” Noir explained once Yugi had settled into one of the plush chairs.
“Hawkins du Paris?!”
“So you’ve heard of it then?”
“Of course! It’s one of the largest banks in Paris! But why were they after her?”
“Here’s a hint,” he said holding up the two star sapphires he’d shown him before. However, Yugi couldn’t see the connection. Sighing exasperatedly, he put the jewels down. “Look, we don’t have much time. Monsieur Hawkins, the kid’s granddad went loopy or something, took all the bank’s money and traded it for priceless jewels. It’s obvious he didn’t want them found so he stashed them in a present for a certain grandkid. That’s what they’re really after.”
‘It can’t be! Inside “Teddy”?!’ Yugi thought in shock. “Noir, are you telling me that they were sent by Rebecca’s grandfather?!” “Don’t you dare touch, Teddy! He’s my treasure!” Yugi shuddered as he remembered how the girl reacted when Malik tried to touch the stuffed animal. ‘This is terrible!’
Suddenly, Malik burst into the study out of breath. “We’ve got trouble, big trouble!”
“You could have at least knocked first, Malik,” griped the white haired thief.
“Sor-ry!” the blond spat annoyedly. “Rebecca’s gone! I can’t find her anywhere!”
“Malik!” cried Yugi, “Did those guys find her?”
“Nuh-uh. There’s definitely no sign of anyone else coming in here. I think she just up and left on her own.”
‘Did you run so you wouldn’t cause us more problems?’ the spiky haired boy wondered silently. Getting scared for the petite blonde, he shot from the chair and started for the front door.
“Wait! I’m coming too!” Malik called following him.
However, before either of them could get far, Yugi found himself pinned against the door. “I wasn’t finished,” he said, his face mere inches away from the smaller boy’s. Yugi couldn’t help but blush. “Listen when I’m talking to you!”
“But…” Yugi pleaded, “We’ll lose her if we don’t hurry!”
“Forget about the brat!” the thief shouted, slamming his hand against the door. “She’s a pain and definitely dangerous to have hanging around!”
“Move out of the way you heartless monster!” the spiky haired boy shot back, “She’s got no one! I’m the only one who can stick by her!” He yelped when Noir’s hand flew and struck his cheek.
“Don’t start seeing yourself in that kid!” the white haired man spat. “Look,” he sighed, “The kid’s probably ok. She’s made of stronger stuff than you. You’re also forgetting that I bought you. Again. I control everything about you. You’re not leaving here without my say so! You’d better start remembering what your place is here.”
“Aren’t you being a bit too harsh here, Noir?” Malik said, placing a hand on his master’s arm. He quickly drew it back at the death glare he’d just earned. “Or maybe not,” he muttered quietly.
There was a sudden crack and the white haired man found himself thrown backwards from the force of the blow of Yugi’s punch. “Just because I’m indebted to you doesn’t mean you can treat me like a slave!” the shorter boy yelled. “You’ll kill me if you continue to play with my feelings like that!”
“Fine!” the thief spat back, “Do what the *beep* you want!”
“Fine!” Yugi then dashed from the house, slamming the door hard enough to make most of the house shake.
“The brat packs a wallop,” Noir muttered, rubbing his now sore jaw.
Malik looked at him worriedly. “Are you sure it’s okay to let him go like that Noi—“
The thief quickly covered the blond’s mouth sensing something. “Malik,” he hissed, “What’s my name?” The look he gave said; they weren’t alone and he’d better get with it and fast.
“B-Bakura Akefia Courland!” was the stammered reply.
“Exactly.”
“Oh really now?” came a voice from an open window.
Noir whirled around and like a snake lashed his whip at the nearby curtains. “Do you plan on joining us or are you going to hide all day?” the white haired man snarled, annoyed that he had yet another intruder in his home.
“What gave me away?” Atem asked, coming from behind the curtains.
“Atem Khemet?!” Malik cried in surprise upon recognizing the man. “How did…?!”
“That’s quite a hobby you’ve got,” Noir snarled, “What drove you to peep on me this time Monsieur Oh So Famous Detective?”
“Oh come now don’t be so rude.”
“Just what exactly did you hear?!” Noir demanded.
“Not much. Just the enough to get the general picture.”
“Well then,” the thief began, “You must know that I had noting to do with that kid. Now leave! I don’t know what you’re up to, but stop annoying me with your presence.”
“I would if Bakura Akefia Courland were here, but I don’t see him, just the Phantom Thief Noir.” Noir continued to glare at the detective.
****************************************
“Where did she go?” Yugi muttered as he ran through the dark streets of Paris. “Maybe she went this way.” He ran down an unlit alley and halted when he saw a tiny figure at the end. Suddenly, an automobile skidded to a halt and a rough looking man leap out, grabbing hold of the figure.
“GET OFF ME!!!!!!!!” screamed the figure. Yugi stood frozen, unable to move an inch as he watched the scene unfold.
“Shut up brat!” spat the man as he wrestled her into the car.
“HEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPP!!!” the girl screamed again.
“Rebecca!!” Yugi yelled rushing toward her.
“Yugi! Yugi!” Rebecca screamed as the car door slammed shut and sped off.
“Rebecca!!” Yugi slumped to the ground, tears of anger and frustration streaming down his cheeks.
**************************************
Meanwhile back at Noir’s…
“I really shouldn’t be giving you top-secret info,” Atem said, after making himself comfortable in Noir’s study, “But I’m sure you already know that that girl’s father, who is the owner of a rather large bank, is missing. The gendarmes are investigating Noir meaning they believe him to be the main suspect in his disappearance as well as a break in at his home.” Noir glared at the spiky haired man, daring him to try anything. “But after hearing you two talk, I was rather relieved. I knew my Noir wouldn’t resort to such vulgar crimes. He’s got style.”
The white haired thief felt another vein pop. “Glad to hear that, so why don’t you leave already!”
Atem just smirked and continued to speak. “Mai Hawkins.” Noir looked at him as if he’d just grown a second head. “Did your ‘guests’ say anything about her?” The thief shook his head. “Well, it turns out to be that she’s Monsieur Hawkins’ second wife, which makes her Rebecca’s step-grandmother. This is just a hunch I have, but there’s something not right about Madame Hawkins.”
**********************************************************
A stately carriage halted at a dark alley, its driver having recognized the young man slumped on the ground nearby.
“Yugi? Is that you? What on earth are you doing out here in the middle of the night my boy?”
“Monsieur Feder?” Yugi asked at the man’s voice. “Please! I need a ride! A girl’s life is in danger!”
“You know I’d be glad to give you a hand lad, but…” he jerked his head towards the cab behind him, indicating he was in the middle of a job.
“I can pay you!” the boy begged.
“Alright,” the old man said making room for him, “get on boy.”
Yugi leapt onto the carriage. “Follow that car!” he said after catching up to the kidnappers.
“*Beep*!” said one of the men inside the car. “We’re being followed!”
“Don’t worry about a thing hon,” said a blonde woman in a low cut purple dress, “We’ll shake ‘em at the crossroads. You’ve got the bear I hope,” she asked the man next to her.
“Sure do boss,” he said, smirking at the now bound and gagged girl between them.
“You’re one nasty little brat,” the woman said in mock parental concern, and pinching the girl’s cheek, her sharp manicured nails digging into the pink skin. “Always causing trouble for you dear “Grandma”. You’ve really messed up our plans you know that.”
**********************************
Noir’s…
Noir frowned, getting more and more concerned for Yugi now that he knew exactly what the impulsive brat had gotten himself into. “Mai Hawkins’ real name is Mai Valentino,” he said. Atem nodded, indicating he was listening. “I’ve heard she’s a member of an Italian mafia group based in New York called the ‘Black Hand’. It looks like she’s the boss for the Parisian branch.”
Malik let out a gasp, equally worried for the smaller boy and girl.
“I thought as much,” Atem said grimly.
********************************
Meanwhile, Yugi sped after the car, totally oblivious to the peril he was so foolishly racing toward. ‘Don’t worry Rebecca, I’m coming!’
“Monsieur Feder, faster!” he shouted over the beat of the horses’ hooves.
~TBC~
Sakura: I know, I’m evil.
Yami: You can say that again. What’s the big idea with making me flirt with the tomb robber?!
Sakura: Stuff it pharaoh! It’s in the script! Anyhoo, if you wanna see if Yugi saves Rebecca or not, gimme loads of reviews and I’ll get the next part out A LOT faster!