Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Identity ❯ Sentenced ( Chapter 10 )

Identity

Disclaimer: I don't own YGO

Summary: Secrets are dangerous things, especially if you're dealing with a false identity. All has gone well for Bakura Ryou, until Kaiba Seto comes into his life. A sort of medieval/Chinese setting. Slash warning Seto/Ryou, a little Yami/Ryou.

Pairings: Seto/Ryou, Anzu/Honda, Jou/Mai, Shizuka/Yugi, Yami+Ryou

Chapter Title: Sentenced

Author's Notes: this chapter is probably going to be the weirdest of all.

Oh yeah, I will be using Japanese honorifics from now on, partly because I want to and they sound better than `lord' and `lady' blah, blah. And Ryou will continued to be addressed in male terms until the secret is made public (in the story).

ENJOY!

---- Sentenced ----

The whole entire court watched as Rishid was dragged into the chamber, bound with ropes, and cast onto his knees in front of the throne unceremoniously. His head was bowed in defeat and his sensed everyone's glares on him. His eyes darted sideways to his overlords, who were glaring at Ryou in contempt.

"This is the murderer," Sugoroku said gravely, leaning forward on the throne. "What is your name?"

"Rishid."

"You are accused of serial murder, unprovoked attack on Mutou Yugi, Bakura Ryou, Jounouchi Katsuya, Kujyaku Mai and Shizuka." Gasps sounded from around the large chamber. Rishid raised his eyes to meet Sugoroku's squarely. "Do you deny it?"

"No."

Ryou wasn't armed today, settling for bringing his customary fan, which was a good source of defence, though it wasn't much for the offence. He clutched this tightly, near snapping its frame, his knuckles white. Beside him stood Kaiba, who had a hand resting on the hilt of his sword and was poised casually but defensively.

On the other side of the large aisle were Malik and Marik, who sent death glares in his direction. They couldn't believe that Rishid had failed and that Ryou had been so lucky. Then again, a good schemer always had a back-up plan. Rishid would know when the plan was going to kick in.

And then, Bakura, you will pay, Malik thought delightedly. Nobody messes with the Ishtars and gets away with it. We will destroy you and won't hesitate to do so.

"What do you have to say for yourself?"

Rishid glanced briefly over at Malik, who nodded his head, just a fraction. It was time for their plan to kick in. Bakura Ryou was going down.

"My crimes are paler in comparison to my captor, Your Majesty," he said loudly. "I am not a citizen of this capital and have no allegiance to its monarch, but my captor is a noble of the highest class whose family has served the kingdom for centuries."

Kaiba slipped his sword partway out of its sheath. Noticing this, Ryou held out his fan to stop him. He was wide-eyed and trying to conceal his horror. Did they know -? Sugoroku gripped the edges of his throne tightly, eyes narrowed. Yami's eyes darted to Ryou in worry, rising out of his seat just a little. If he needed to protect Ryou, then he would be ready.

"What are you trying to say?"

There was a deafening silence following the question. Tension accumulated in the room until its occupants were certain it was going to explode. Ryou was unmoving, though he was visibly bracing himself for what was going to happen. Malik smirked.

"Bakura Ryou is a fraud." Gasps and shouts sounded from all around. "He has been a fraud ever since he was born! What do you see when you look at this person? A young lord who has served this kingdom for twenty years? Well, think again! Bakura Ryou is a fraud. She should be sentenced to death - for treason."

"She?"

That was the word collectively whispered by all in the room. Yami got up out of his seat and moved towards Ryou, who met his gaze squarely. Everyone watched their movements.

"Is this true?" he whispered.

"Forgive me, Yami-sama," Ryou said quietly. "It's true, I'm afraid."

"Why - why did you do it?"

"It was the only way." He - she - looked away. "My family name was at stake."

"SUGOROKU-SAMA!"

All eyes turned to the doorway. A panting guard stood in the doorway to the chamber, clutching his eyes. Sugoroku motioned for him to enter and he did so, stating that he was here to deliver a message to Marik Ishtar. The message was delivered, as everyone stood in place, unmoving. Marik dismissed the messenger, handing him a gold coin and waving him away with a smirk. He exchanged glances with Ryou.

"It seems that it is not only the head of the Bakura house who cheats and lies," he said clearly, triumphant. "I have just received news that my fiancee was found with one of Bakura Ryou's personal servants. They were about to elope."

Yami looked at Ryou. She was trembling, looking slightly scared and yet impassive. It was all over. The punishment for treason was death - and it wasn't just her death either. Treason meant that all her relatives, up to ones nine times removed, were to die. Her house was to be eliminated from existence. Everything she had worked so hard for was gone.

"How did this come to be?" Sugoroku asked. "Explain yourself, Bakura."

Ryou fell to her knees, head bowed, in front of Yami. The whole court was watching them, Rishid forgotten.

"I am the youngest and last child to be born in my family," she began. "My mother is the concubine to my late father, who was well into his last years of life when I was born. He passed on when I was born, leaving kaasama and mother with four children. With no male heir, I was brought up to pose as a boy so that the family inheritance and name would be kept. For twenty years I have been acting as a boy, serving the kingdom and upholding the family honour. However, it seems that my days have come to an end. I only ask that you spare my family, for I am the only one at fault. I will suffer the consequences alone."

"As you have served our kingdom for so long and so loyally, I will grant you this one last request," Sugoroku said, nodding. "You will have a private execution in three days' time, exactly at sunrise."

Ryou thanked him formally and let two guards take her by the arms. They dragged her to her feet and turned to lead her away. Two more guards hauled Rishid to his feet.

"No, Bakura-sama," Kaiba breathed. "I - I cannot let you go alone."

He went down onto one knee before Ryou and the whole court, head bowed. This was the formal bowing position for a subordinate when addressing their overlord. His message was clear: I will die with you. Ryou looked at him as if shocked for a moment. Then she turned away, shaking her head.

"You have no part in the matter, Kaiba-kun. I won't let you die without reason."

"I only want to prove my loyalty to you, Bakura-sama." When Ryou failed to agree, Kaiba turned to Yami and Sugoroku. "Yami-sama, Sugoroku-sama, I wish to be executed alongside Bakura-sama. I want to bear this burden with her."

"Kaiba," Yami said, barely audible. "Must we turn one death into two?"

Yami's emotions were in turmoil. He felt betrayed, hurt, startled and even the beginnings of hope conflicting within him. Betrayed, because his best friend turned out to be a woman - more over, the young woman he had fallen for so long before. Hurt, because he was never told. Startled because Kaiba was willing to prove his devotion by dying. Lastly, hope, because there was just that slim chance that Ryou and Kaiba could be saved.

Rishid was dragged away to the dungeons while everyone watched Ryou.

"Allow me to die with you, Bakura-sama." Kaiba sought her eyes.

"Very well." It was Sugoroku who spoke. "At sunrise on the third day, Bakura Ryou and Kaiba Seto will be executed. Take them away."

--------

A dark haired tanned young woman lead her companion through the streets of Domino City. She was dressed in foreign robes in a creamy colour and she wore gold jewellery as if it had cost even less than the dirt beneath their feet. Soft, cloth shoes covered her small feet and her dark blue eyes were filled with a wise, mysterious air.

Her companion was tall and lean and looked to have an athlete's build. He wore coarse, woollen robes of earthy colours, which complimented what was shown of his tanned skin. A long, white scar ran down his left arm, the one that held the bundle of their belongings. A wide-brimmed hat, covered by a gauzy, black veil hid his facial features. It allowed minimal sight from the outside in, but let him see from inside out.

They passed a large crowd gathered around the centre of the city. It was a large wooden board hammered against the walls of the building that served as a public court. A large notice was being tacked up. The paper was a bright yellow, which signified a royal decree. Yellow, or gold, was the royal colour.

"Oh, I see . . ." a woman murmured.

"Such treachery . . . I would have never expected it."

"Is it true?"

"I overheard the guards talking about it when they were drunk . . ."

The woman approached the last person to have spoken. He was a fat, burly man with the air of an overfed pig. She inwardly recoiled, but remained outwardly indifferent.

"Could you tell us what's going on?" she inquired politely.

"Sure thing, lady," he slurred. "Bakura Ryou, the highest ranking lord of Domino, has just been given the death sentence."

He waddled away, looking smug. The woman felt a hand clasp her shoulder tightly in worry. She turned to her companion and knew, from the tense set of his shoulders, that he had heard the news. The crowd thinned and dispersed, chattering noisily about the notice. Finally, the newcomers could approach the noticeboard.

By Royal Decree:

Bakura Ryou, highest-ranking lord of Domino City, will be executed for treason in three days' time at sunrise. Her companion and subordinate, Kaiba Seto, will be executed alongside her at the same time.

"By the Gods," the man said hoarsely. "We may be too late."

--------

They were put into the highest security dungeon in the castle, surrounded by guards. In here, they could do nothing. The dungeon only had one cell, so Ryou and Kaiba were together. Kaiba was slumped against the wall, both wrists shackled to the wall while Ryou sat next to him, in a similar position.

"You really shouldn't have gotten yourself involved in this," Ryou said.

"I wanted to prove my loyalty to you, Bakura-sama."

"There's no need for formalities now. Just call me Ryou. I'm not a noble anymore."

"Then you must call me Seto."

A moment of silence passed. They were still close enough to have contact, though neither could reach the others' restraints so they could free each other. Ryou sighed and leaned back against the cold, stone wall.

"Frankly, I'm more worried about Honda and Anzu," she admitted. "I know they've got feelings for each other and now that Honda has been caught trying to elope with Marik Ishtar's fiancee . . . I regret not being there for them."

"I'm concerned as to how anyone could have found out your identity," Seto replied. "You've hidden it for twenty years, so if it were so easy to find out, why not before? Why do they choose to step out now?"

"You don't mind Seto?" Ryou asked, watching him. "That I'm a woman?"

"Should I?" Seto gave a sigh. "No, I don't mind. In fact, to be honest, I would prefer it this way. We only have a few days left to live, so I want this out in the open."

He struggled with his chains so he could take something from inside his clothing. They had been given white garments that reminded them oddly of nightclothes. Everything that would prove a threat was removed from their person. They had been chained because of their martial arts abilities that were a threat to their guards, since they were Domino's best.

He produced a small object hanging from finely spun red silk. It was a pendant, with the intricate design of a phoenix. Ryou reached out a hand for it and Seto gave it to him.

"Things have been hectic since we returned to Domino, I never got the chance to give this back to you," he explained. "I must admit, it served a reminder as to what I live for."

"Seto . . ."

"Baku - Ryou," Seto corrected himself. "I know it's inappropriate for one of my station in society to say such things, but I - I've never felt so strongly about a person than you."

Again, Ryou just whispered his name.

"Over this period of time I served you, I've encountered many different things. I've never felt happier than when I was with you or more at loss when I wasn't. I hated myself for angering you and I felt content when you were happy. I didn't notice it at first, but when I saw you about to be taken away, I knew - I just couldn't lose you."

When Ryou didn't reply, Seto turned away and cursed himself for being an idiot. When all was said and done Ryou was still a noble, a highborn and one who had no business getting involved with a servant like him. She wouldn't even think about a servant like him. A gentle pressure surprised him on his shoulder from behind.

"Ryou . . .?"

"I . . . I feel the same way," Ryou whispered. "I just knew it wasn't proper for the two of us. I couldn't - I knew, but I couldn't . . . I'm sorry I got you into this. You shouldn't have gotten involved. No one's ever gotten closer to me than you have, not even Yami and he's my best friend."

Seto turned back around to meet Ryou's eyes. They were open, honest and warm, something he hadn't seen for a long time, in anyone. He shifted so that she could lean on his chest and looped his arms over her head and held her. The chains allowed that much. She rested against his shoulder and placed her hands over his chest.

"Now we won't have to spend the last days of our lives alone," he said softly.

---- End of Chapter Ten ----

A/N: gah, short chapter!

Sorry people, but that last scene was corny!

Anyway, next chapter may be last.

Keyword: MAYBE

So yeah.

REVIEW!

Relinquished