The Thief and his Willow

The Thief and His Willow

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Chapter Eleven: Zorc’s Second Attendant

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Ryou’s eyes open that morning with delightfulness, calm and peaceful. Oddly, he awoke quite happy, the most he has in such a long time. And as he lets off a large, long-awaiting stretch, Ryou found himself feeling as if he were worth millions. He felt special, and knew he should. He listens, smiling at hearing the soft breathing of the thief that had taken him the night before, and Ryou could feel the thief’s warmth wrapped around him. Turning, Ryou smiles into sparkling violet eyes. He’s never seen them sparkle so brightly before.

Bakura, already being awake for many minutes, smiles into his willow’s chocolaty eyes, them full of joy. He had enjoyed watching Ryou sleep, but now that Ryou was also awake, Bakura took opportunity to snuggle his nude body against Ryou’s own underneath the covers. “Hi,” he charms as he brushes back Ryou’s tangled hair. Ryou’s hair was beautiful when brushed, but after sleeping on it for many hours, it made Ryou appear as if he were some wild yeti.

Smiling back, Ryou whispers, “Hi,” very softly.

Leaning down, Bakura locks lips with Ryou, pushing him into the covers as they kiss. Their kiss, sadly, lasted only briefly. As Bakura began to kiss down Ryou’s neck, filling his willow with oncoming lust, they become interrupted by knocking at the door.

Cursing, Bakura quickly covers over Ryou’s bare, flat chest. Growling, he shouts, “What?” as Ryou leans into him.

The door opens, and in enters a slave as she bows. Ryou recognized her from the kitchens, and he could tell she was a bit shocked to find him and Bakura in bed together. “Sir Bakura, Lord Zorc has asked for you presence.”

“Tell him I’m busy,” Bakura demands. But the slave only bows lower.

“He says it’s urgent.”

Growling, Bakura hugs Ryou closer. “Alright,” he says, “I’ll be right there.”

When the slave leaves, Bakura finishes kissing Ryou, tugging at the willow’s delicate lips one final time before releasing. “I need to go,” Bakura said, sounding less angry, but more disappointed. He throws off the covers, and stands to his feet, moving over to a tiny woodened chair. He always kept his finest robe and kilt there. He dresses.

Ryou sits up to dress, as well, but before he could make it off the bed, Bakura pushes him back down. Startled, Ryou gazes with wonder at Bakura, his adorableness getting to Bakura. Smirking, Bakura whispers, “I was a bit rough on you, last night. If you went to work, you might not last through the day, so take a day off. Stay here, relax. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” And loving the very idea, Ryou smiles as he snuggles back into the comfort of Bakura’s bed. Chuckling, Bakura tugs at Ryou’s hair playfully. “Don’t get too comfortable. This is only for today. Tomorrow, I expect you to work double hard for Hana, since we still need to keep your identity secret.” And understanding, Ryou nods at his master.

As he heads for the door, Bakura promises to be back, he hoped, later that afternoon. He exits, allowing Ryou to sigh in complete bliss.

--

Knocking on those large doors, Bakura listens for Lord Zorc’s command. It takes a moment, but shortly Zorc asks that he enter. Bakura takes the doors, and pulls them open, making his way into his master’s headquarters. Seeing Zorc sitting there, munching on a large portion of meat, Bakura walks forward and bows. “You wished to see me, my master?”

“Bakura,” Zorc spits. He swallows a final bite before throwing the large, bloody bone aside. “Yes. I must say that I have some interesting news. Shall I share?”

Smirking, Bakura nods his head. Oh, what could it possibly be this time? Did the Dark Lord hear of a new slave trader? Was he angered about competition with another Lord? Bakura loved hearing new news.

“Bakura, it would appear that I am becoming way to careless,” said Zorc, causing Bakura to stare at his master in shock. “Four years, three months, and fourteen days from today, a crafty thief had made his way into my lair. He thought he’d be capable of stealing my valuables and goods. Alas, to his disappointment, he had been caught red-handed -- by me. I made him a promise to not kill him, as long as he served me, and he has been doing so. He’s very good at what he does.” Zorc awaits Bakura’s reaction, and with knowing, he chuckles by Bakura’s sudden droopiness. Bakura feared -- was he getting booted? Was this it? Was this -- the end?

“I do admit, you are a true awe-inspiring attendant,” Zorc chuckles. “You do your job, and you put up with me. I do not wish to be rid of you, Bakura. But just last night, something remarkable happened. And it dawned on me that, though you are spectacular, I’m sure there are days where you grow dreary, or at least, wish you had some help at what you do.”

“So I have decided, Bakura, that you shall have a partner.”

Brows rising, Bakura looks up at Zorc. “Master?”

“Bakura,” Zorc looks into the darkest corner of the room, “Allow me to introduce my second attendant, and your new partner.”

Turning his head, Bakura watches the man appear from the shadows. And at the sight of that long, flowing black hair. At the sight of those beady eyes, Bakura could only gap as Jalal comes fully into view.

Resting his cheek against his hand, Zorc grins, “I believe you two know each other?”

“Jalal,” Bakura hisses.

Nodding his head, Jalal replies, “Bakura.”

Fists tightening, Bakura stands to his feet, no longer caring if his ‘master’ sat in the room. “How did you get in here?”

“What a fascinating question,” Zorc interrupts, laughing wildly in his throne. “Is it not? Why, Jalal did just as you did, Bakura. He snuck his way in. That is why I find I am way to careless. Perhaps I should obtain a few male slaves, in order to keep my dungeon protected?”

Zorc’s intrigued mind of his carelessness does not bother him. Most people feared him, and even if others found their way through his dungeon, he could easily kill them with a flick of a single claw. But ignoring Zorc’s fascination, Bakura could not take his eyes off the body of his worst enemy.

“You snuck in?”

“My only purpose was to see Lord Zorc,” Jalal grins. “After all, Bakura, I had grown jealous hearing of your interesting tales. I thought it’d be fun to see if I could meet his greatness, and now look where I am.”

“Tales?” Zorc chuckles. “And what tales, might I ask, were shared by Bakura?”

“Oh, he just loves to show off,” Jalal snickers.

“Indeed, he does,” Zorc agrees. He leans back in his throne, quite impressed by both men’s aromas. He knew the two hated each other to the core, but having both work together as partners seemed rather interesting, and Zorc new he’d have a blast with wrecking both their minds. But who would last the longest? “Well now, let me see about getting you a room, Jalal. Bakura, why don’t you show Jalal to an empty chamber? Then afterwards, you two can get to work.”

Grinding his teeth, Bakura bows. He had to follow Zorc’s demand. “Yes, Master.”

Watching the two exit, Zorc grabs another fine chunk of meat, and he gladly swallows it hole.

--

Out in the hall, Bakura turned to glare at Jalal. He grabs the sinister man by his front collar, pushing him against the wall. “Why the hell are you here? What is it that you are after?”

“Bakura,” Jalal sneers, taking Bakura’s hand that clenched around Jalal’s fine shirt. “I’m appalled. You understand that I’ve been fascinated by Lord Zorc ever since I first began selling slaves to him. I’ve always wished to meet him.”

Frustrated, Bakura releases Jalal, taking a cautious step back. “You lie.”

“Do I?” Jalal grins. “I must say, I was being very truthful when we were in Zorc’s presence. I was jealous of you, and this opportunity you achieved.”

“Humph,” Bakura turns his back to Jalal. “It’s not as great as you think it is.” Bakura starts down the hallway, telling Jalal to follow. Bakura made sure to give Jalal a chamber far from his and Ryou’s own.

“Even if not, I still find it amazing,” Jalal said. He looks around the large hallway, enjoying the creepiness of the dungeon. “I mean, just by taking in beautiful women, you have been gifted with money, luxury, and you even were gifted that delicate slave, Rye. How lucky are you?” Jalal took notice of Bakura’s back tensing at the mention of his slave. Smirking, Jalal asks, “How is she, anyway? You two seemed rather distraught from last evening’s party?”

And swiftly, Jalal found himself once again against the wall. Bakura gave him a glare that could kill Death, it full of fury. “You stay away from her! She belongs to me! Zorc gave her to me!” Releasing Jalal, Bakura crosses his arms, trying desperately to control his anger. “You have to earn things, just like I have.”

“Yes,” Jalal says while dusting his shoulders. “I understand.”

Shortly, both men stood at the entrance of Jalal’s brand new home. Opening the door, Bakura leads Jalal in. The room resembled Bakura’s, it having a single bed, some chairs, a desk, and a side-door leading to a single small bathing room. “Here,” Bakura said. “Welcome to the rest of your life.”

--

At the hearing of footsteps echoing closer, Ryou quickly sat on his knees, eagerly awaiting Bakura’s arrival. Ryou had re-dressed in his fine, ordinary robe. He had also gently placed the beautiful dress Bakura had lent him back into the box, and underneath Bakura’s bed. He was starved, having not eaten anything all day. He remembered Bakura leaving early to visit Lord Zorc. He did not know why, but Ryou hoped Bakura would return with food.

The footsteps stop, and an angry curse fills Ryou’s ears. Bakura enters, raging mad as a hyena. Slamming the door behind him, Bakura enters empty-handed. Taking no notice of Ryou, Bakura angrily kicks at a chair, it crashing sideways as Bakura goes into his bathing room, slamming the door behind him, and causing Ryou to jump.

Ryou suddenly felt afraid. But he pondered Bakura’s anger. He sits up, trying to act as if he wasn’t worried just as Bakura walks back into the room.

Bakura looks Ryou over. Had he been sitting there all day? Noticing Ryou’s calmness, Bakura knew the boy was faking. Bakura was pretty pissed. His day had not gone too well. Rubbing at his hair, Bakura orders Ryou to stand. Ryou does so, keeping his hands folded and his head bowed. He was still Bakura’s slave, and knew he should act as such when Bakura was angry.

“Look at me,” Bakura orders, taking Ryou’s chin by hand. He forces Ryou’s eyes to meet his own, and Ryou saw that Bakura’s eyes seemed to be full of concern and worry. “Now, listen to me and listen good! If I ever have to leave you here alone, you stay here, with the door locked, and you never leave. Understand?” After Ryou nods, Bakura goes on. “If you ever hear anyone outside those doors, if ever there is a knock and someone tries coming in, do not let them! Not for anybody, but me! And when you are working, you stay in the kitchens. I will talk with Hana. She’ll listen.”

“But -- but why…?” Ryou tries asking, only to have his mouth covered.

“Slaves do not talk back,” Bakura shouts. “You will listen and obey!” Bakura removes his hand, but he keeps that stern look, showing he was being serious. “Do you understand?”

Bowing his head, and trying hard not to fear Bakura’s sudden words, Ryou whispers, “Yes, master.” Embarrassingly, Ryou’s stomach growls then, causing Ryou to blush. He keeps his head lowered, hoping Bakura had not heard. But the thief had, and his seriousness turns soft as he chuckles.

“Now,” Bakura takes Ryou’s hand, “Let’s eat.”

-Chapter Eleven End-

Sorry for the shortness of this chapter. I always seem to get brain farts after writing hot, erotic chapters. *bonks head* But anyway, please do stay tuned for more. Oh! And I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!