Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Tearing Down the Sky ❯ The Traitors ( Chapter 16 )

Tearing Down the Sky

Hato chiisai

YAOI WARNING

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh.

Chapter 16

The Traitors

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bakura was followed into the council room by his friends and they took their seats among the other spectators. Never had a trial attracted so much attention. The High Council Elders were sitting as both judge, and jury. Finally, the High Elder stood.

"Silence!" He called, and room grew silent. "We are here to determine the guilt or innocence of Bakura's angel, named Ryou, in the murder of demon soldier Ryuuji. Representing the prosecution is Councilmember Odeon." Odeon stood and bowed at the waist. "Representing the defendant is Councilmember Ahmose." Ahmose did the same. "Ahmose… should the angel be found guilty, you will be charged with treason. You understand this?" Bakura's mouth fell open.

"Of course." Ahmose said. "You cannot frighten me, High Elder." The room was filled with murmurs.

"Silence! As you wish, Ahmose. Bring in the defendant." Two demons forced Ryou, his eyes still bandaged, through a door. Ryou was shaking like a leaf in a gale, and looked ready to faint in his fear. Ahmose strode across the room and waved off the demon gaurds, placing a gentle hand on Ryou's shoulder.

"It's all right." He said gently, and guided Ryou over to a chair. He sat him down and stroked his wings as the gaurds clipped chains to the shackles on his wrists and ankles. Ahmose frowned and loosened the leather straps that had been tightly buckled around Ryou's wings. Ryou mumbled his thanks, and Ahmose faced the High Elders again.

"This court is now in session." The High Elder announced. "Please make your opening arguments." Odeon glared at Ahmose, who had never been a friend of his, and moved before the High Elders.

"I am sure that after the death of Ryuuji, the members of the council regret their decision to allow Bakura to keep his angel as a pet. Bakura is, in part, responsible for this outrage as he decided to break tradition and did not kill his counterpart. That creature," He pointed at Ryou, "is an enemy of demons, and should not be permitted to live among us! For all we know, he may have planning to kill as many demons as he could. That boy is a danger to all demons, and must be put down before he can kill again!" Odeon returned to his seat, and Ahmose stood, confidently.

"It is true that Bakura broke tradition, but I believe that the decision to let the angel live or not rests with him. This angel is not a murderer. He is not even a warrior among his people. He is a fledgling Healer in Training. He has minimum combat training; how, may I ask, could he take on a well trained demon like Ryuuji and win, especially when he is temporarily blind?" Ahmose looked around. "With the evidence gathered, I will prove his innocence… and Demon Leiutenant Keith's guilt." And he sat down, smirking at the reaction to Keith's name. Odeon stood.

"I wish to call Keith to the stand." He said, and Keith strode over, smirking arrogantly. "Keith, where were you at the time of Bakura and Marik's patrol?"

"Doing paperwork in my office." Keith said.

"Can this be proved?"

"I have papers marked with the time that I signed them." Keith said. Odeon nodded. The questioning went on, petty insignificant questioning that made no sense in regards to the case, but worded to sound like it did. Finally, Ahmose stood.

"I wish for Keith to step down, and I call Odeon to the stand." He said. Murmurs filled the chamber as Odeon blinked, and took the stand. Ahmose approached him. "A few days ago, Ryuuji came to the High Council to report the reasons for his absenses from his duty over the previous three days. He brought Accusations of Extreme Misconduct Unbecoming of an Officer upon Lieutenant Keith, which the council kept from the public. He accused Lieutenant Keith of raping several soldiers, including himself, and attempting to rape several others. Is this true?"

"It… it is true that these accusations were brought upon Keith by Ryuuji."

"And you discharged Ryuuji from service?"

"…….. yes."

"And was I not suspended from the council for arguing this?"

"Yes…"

"It was later on that day that Ryuuji was murdered?"

"So we believe…" Odeon said, and Ahmose nodded.

"Step down, Odeon. I call Keith to the stand." Ahmose called, and Keith went up to the stand. "Keith, were you aware of these accusations brought against you?"

"No! Not at all!!" Keith cried, and Ahmose frowned.

"You dare to lie in court?" He snarled, and Keith blinked. "I know for a fact that you WERE informed of the accusations brought against you…"

"I, I, well, I knew that accusations were brought against me, but not what they were…." Keith stammered, and Ahmose glared.

"And for some reason, Ryuuji was murdered the same day?"

"He was under my command, I regret his death."

"He was given a dishonorable discharge." Ahmose snareld. "I would like to present more physical evidence to the court. First, the autopsy report." He slammed the folder down and flicked on the overhead projector and placed a sheet on it. "As you can see here, his death was caused by a knife in the heart. The knife recovered," He held up the knife, "Was foun with fingerprints on it. Belonging to Ryuuji… and Keith. The lab analysis shows traces of blood from Ryuuji, and again, Keith. The blood on the floor of Bakura's bedroom belonged mostly to Ryuuji, but some belonged to Keith."

"Then what do you believe happened?" The High Elder asked. Ahmose smirked and placed a small recorder on the table that the evidence was one. He pressed play, and for the next half hour, the court listened to Ryou's quavering voice tell what had happened. Finally, Ahmose turned it off, and looked at the high elders.

"I examined Ryou and took samples. I would like to call Lillith to the stand." Lillith stood and took the stand. "Lillith, please tell the court your findings."

"I analyzed samples and compared them with my files. Ryuuji was raped before he was murdered. The semen taken from his body mathes our files of Keith. There was no trace of Ryou's semen. Keith's blood was found at the scene, Ryou's blood was found at the bottom of the stairs he claimed that he had fallen down. Scrapings were taken from under his fingernails and I found traces of skin and blood. They both belonged to Keith. All those present at Bakura's house after the incident claim that they could detect Keith's scent within the house. Ryou's story checks out completely." Ahmose nodded his appreciation to Lillith.

And so the trial continued. All evidence pointed to Ryou's innocence…. And Keith's guilt. The demons were livid. Ahmose sat there in quiet confidence as the High Elders discussed the verdict.

"We hereby find the angel Ryou, to be innocent." The room exploded, demons screaming in fury. Bakura found his throat in someone's hand.

"TRAITOR!!" His attacker was screaming, and he watched as his friends were trying to keep the demons from Malik and Yugi. Both jumped down from the seats and ran to Ryou, Ahmose looking around wildly. He stared as the High Elders left the room.

"The bastards…" He breathed. He turned and grabbed Malik and Yugi. "They're hoping you will die in the riot. Come with me." The angels helped Ryou out of his chains, and guided him towards Ahmose. After a moment, Bakura and the others made it over to them. Ahmose ran to the side of the chamber and tapped the wall. A panel sprung open, and the two angels guided the blind one over.

"Go, go, go!!" Ahmose shouted, shoving them through, and watching the other demons follow. He then turned and dashed through, slamming the door on the mob. They were unable to find the switch to trip the door and were unable to pursue them.

"This way!" Ahmose cried and led them through a maze of passages. Finally, he popped open another door, and they found themselves halfway up the main tower. "You'll have to fly. Good luck." He said. Bakura shoved by, and took Ryou's hand.

"Let's go." He said, and dove over the edge, taking Ryou with him. The others followed. Ahmose sighed as he watched them go. Suddenly, a large hand gripped the door and Ahmose gasped in surprise. The door slowly closed, and Ahmose whirled.

"Ahmose…" Odeon growled, and Ahmose slowly backed into the wall and gave a thick gulp. The High Council stood behind Odeon, all glaring at him. He braced himself. He knew perfectly well that this may happen, and he was ready for whatever may now happen…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The demons all fled to Marik's home, where Ishizu waited for them in case any of them were injured in the riot.

"This is getting out of hand." Yami gasped, as he held a frightened Yugi in his arms.

"I'm scared….." Yugi whimpered and Yami rocked him on the sofa, kissing his forehead. Yugi blinked, and blushed.

"I won't let anything happen to you." Yami told him, and watched Bakura guide Ryou to the sofa. The boy was still shaking, and suddenly began tearing at the bandages over his eyes.

"Get them off me! Get them off!" He cried, and ripped the bandages off and opened his eyes, looking around.

"Ryou!" Yugi gasped, and hurried over to check his eyes. After a moment, he stood and nodded. "You're fine." He said, and Ryou leapt into Bakura's arms, sobbing. Bakura held him and rocked him.

"It's okay, Ryou. You're safe now." He murmured.

"No." Yami said. "He's not. Bakura, none of them are. Not anymore." Bakura looked at Yami. Marik nodded.

"He's right, Bakura. They can't stay here. Not anymore." He sighed and hugged Malik.

"We have to set them free, Bakura." Yami said, holding Yugi tightly.

"What?!" Yugi gasped.

"Yugi… Marik and Bakura love Malik and Ryou. And… I love you." Yugi's eyes widened. "And I don't want to see you get hurt. I cannot allow you to stay here. You and Ryou and Malik have to leave." Yugi's mouth ekpt opening and closing, trying to find his voice. Yami gulped, then kissed him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

For two hours, Marik, Yami and Bakura tried to convince their angels that they had to leave, but the angels stubbornly refused. But all grew silent at a knock on the door. Marik went to answer it.

"Ahmose!" He gasped, as the councilman stumbled in, badly injured. "ISHIZU! Ahmose, what happened?!"

"Never mind me!" The demon said, as both Ishizu and Ryou began to heal his wounds. "You must leave, immediately! There are warrants out for your arrest! You three have been labeled traitors, and your angels are to be taken into custody as well. I cannot help you any longer. I have been expelled from the council and alos labeled a traitor and have been exiled. You must leave immediately. I'll hold them off as long as I can, but…."

"They'll be guarding the gates." Marik said, as Malik trembled in his arms. Ahmose sighed.

"There… there is another way out. A secret way. I can lead you to it, but we must go now."

"Then we go now." Yami said.

"Come." Marik called as he headed to the stairs up to his room. "We should arm ourselves." They all headed up and over to Marik's armory closet. He began passing out weapons, the barbs on his tail snapping in and out, showing his worry.

"Ishizu, go to the fireplace." Ahmose commanded. "Bring up a bucket of soot. We have to blacken the angels' wings." Ishizu nodded and ran downstairs.

"I don't want my sister involved in this." Marik said.

"They won't harm her. She's too valuable." Ahmose said, taking a sword that curved back and forth the entire length of the blade. Ishizu returned, and they began blackening the angels' wings, as well as everyone's hair.

"Let's go." Yami said, tucking the sword into his belt. The group began to head downstairs when there was pounding on the door.

"I'll get it. You go." Ishizu said, and Marik caught her in a huge hug.

"Thanks, Ishizu." He said, and she kissed his cheek.

"Good luck, Brother. I wish you all only the best." And she watched them head to the bathroom where there was a small window just big enough to squeeze through. One by one, they slid out, and Marik closed the window after him just in time; demons swarmed the house, searching for them.

The group fled. All of Hell was in an uproar, and no one paid attention to what looked like a group of civilians flying in plain sight. But one demon stopped. Keith turned and sniffed the air. He knew that scent; it was Bakura's angel. He turned and followed them, calling to his platoon.

"SEIZE THEM!!" He called. Bakura looked over his shoulder.

"Ahmose! Get the angels out!" He cried, and turned.

"BAKURA!!" Ryou screamed.

"Don't worry!" Ahmose cried. "We have to go!" But Ryou turned and followed his lover, charging at the demons.

"No!" Yugi cried, but Yami held tight to his wrist.

"I'll go back for them!" Ahmose called, and kept flying. He glanced back; Ryou and Bakura were doing a good job of holding off their pursuers. Ahmose guided the other four to a tunnel in the side of the cliff, and flew through the blackness. A torch here and there lit the way, and Ahmose led them through the maze.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bakura yelped as he was slammed into the ground. He felt demons all over him, binding his wrists behind his back. He looked up and his heart fell when he saw Ryou on his knees, already captured.

"Get them up…" Keith snarled. "To the Council Chamber." He snapped. Ryou and Bakura went silently, and did not resist. Soon enough, they found themselves before the demon council, and this time there was no Ahmose to help them.

"Bakura." The High Elder said. "You have been branded a traitor."

"Why?!" Bakura demanded. "Because Ryou is still alive?!"

"There is a reason that we kill our counterparts. Maybe this will serve as a lesson to all our people. It is kill, or be killed; take no prisoners. Bakura, at daybreak you will executed for treason." Bakura's wings and shoulders sagged and he stared at the ground, resigned to his fate.

"The angel is no longer your property. He is to be destroyed immediately." Bakura's head snapped up as Odeon stood and approached Ryou with a blade.

"no…. NO!" Bakura screamed, and struggled to get to Ryou. The boy was shoved to his knees and Odeon gripped his hair, forcing his head back and baring his neck. He lifted the blade, prepared to slit his throat.

"Um, excuse me…." Keith called from across the room. "If I may…"

"Yes, Lieutenant?" The High Elder said.

"I request that the angel be placed in my custody."

"What?!"

"For interrogation. When he has nothing else to offer us, he can be used for research. Such as, we can learn more of the angel's anatomy. See what our venom truly does to them, and then we can dissect him. We have an enemy in our hands, we should learn as much as we can from him."

"A good point." The High Elder said. "Very well. You may take the angel. But he is your responsibility."

"Don't worry. He is not a pet to me. He is an enemy with information." He approached Ryou who watched him come, terrified.

"NO!" Bakura screamed. "PLEASE NO! DON'T LET HIM TAKE HIM!! PLEASE!!!"

"Silence!!" Odeon bellowed, backhanding Bakura to the floor. Keith grabbed Ryou by the upper arm, and Ryou screamed. He began to struggle as Bakura fought against the demons dragging him from the room.

"BAKURA!!!" Ryou was screaming, until Keith gripped the pressure point on his neck, knocking the angel out cold. He flung him over his shoulder and left the room.

"RYOU!! NO!!" Bakura screamed, then turned his glare on the High Elder. "YOU'LL LIVE TO REGRET THIS!! I SWEAR IT!!!" A cloaked figure quickly made his way out of the viewing area and fled.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I was too late." Ahmose said, pulling off his cloak and looking at Yugi and Malik. "Bakura is scheduled for execution at dawn." Marik and Yami stared hard at the cloud they were standing on. "And Ryou has been turned over to Keith for interrogation."

"Dammit!" Marik yelped. "There's got to be something we can do."

"We go in and get them!" Malik cried. "We have to!"

"With what army?!" Yami snapped. "There's no way."

"Do we really need a full army?" Yugi said, softly. Malik turned and looked at Yugi.

"I know that look." He said, smiling. "You have a plan." Yugi grinned and nodded.

"I do. But we'll need help. Seto and Tristan should be patrolling soon… Let's go get them. They'll help." The group took off and headed to the patrol route. And sure enough, Seto and Tristan came along soon. Ahmose stood at the edge of the cloud and flared his wings, catching their attention. They immediately headed towards him. They landed.

"What do you want, Demon?" Seto snarled.

"SETO!" Malik cried, and ran at him.

"Malik?!"

"Yugi!" Tristan gasped, and caught Yugi as the boy hurtled at him.

"We need your help." Yami said, and the two older angels glared. "If you do not, Ryou will die."

"What?" Seto gasped.

"It's a long story." Marik said.

"Basically, Ryou never died. Bakura kidnapped him and kept him as a pet." Malik said. "But Bakura and Ryou fell in love, and so did me and Marik when he caught me and Yugi and Yami are in love too, they just didn't know it, and they all protected us but a bad demon named Keith killed this good demon Ryuuji and Ryou got blamed but that guy, Ahmose, got Ryou off the hook but was labeled a traitor and has been exiled and we are all being hunted by the demons and Ahmose helped us get away but Bakura and Ryou were caught and Bakura's gonna be executed at dawn and Keith has Ryou and he'll rape him and we need your help to save them!"

"………. Wait… What?!" Tristan said.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bakura pulled at the chains again, ignoring how his wrists were all but mutilated. He couldn't let this happen. Ryou was in danger. He knew that Ryou would not survive one day with Keith; he was just too brutal. His angel would die, alone, hurt and scared. He couldn't let that happen.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yami confessed!!! Yaaaay!!! I can't believe we're almost at the end. I'd say Chap 25 will be the last.

Anyway, as of 11:00 pm on the seventh, I closed the "contest" of guessing who The Four are. I got many entertaining answers, ranging from the four ninja turtles, to the four elements (earth air water fire) to the Four Saint Beasts from YuYuHakuscho to four devils (Why would the angels worship devils?) to the Three God Cards and Exodia. But the correct answer is………..

The Four Arch Angels, Micheal, Gabriel, Uriel and Raphael!!! Congratulations to those who guessed correctly! GO YOU!!! They will get a chapter in a fic dedicated to each of them. It will be a while before the fic is up, and will probably be called Gardenias. If this changes, I will let you know. But anyway, the winners are:

Tao K., Liviania, Digital Diary, Sakura-chan, Miroki, Tamako Moonlight (It's not Simon, it's Uriel, but close enough), Tala-baby, Angel Reaper, Nix, Zorra Lombardi, Fae-chan, Vixinkitsune, Cat in the web, Elle-FeTe2x1, DreamingChild, Lain 1, Happy yaoi lover2, Raberry (No, Azrael is not one), Thornrose, Nights Child, Eres, Ryou Bakura Obsessor, Dorobu Baku-Baka, and AmenOsirius