Burning Sea

Burning Sea

hato-chiisai

Disclaimer: No own. Go away.

YAOI WARNING

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Chapter 27

Arrivals

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Bakura woke to a pounding on the door. He sat straight up and looked around, finding himself on he sofa in the captain’s cabin.

“Enter!” He called, before covering his mouth as he yawned. Seto opened the door.

“Bakura. We have a ship coming in.”

“Where are we?” Bakura asked, getting up and stretching.

“Weevil guided us into the inlet a few hours ago.” Seto said, and Bakura nodded, following him out onto the deck. He snatched a spyglass from Otogi and moved to the stern, lifting it to his eye. He looked out over the sea to the ship that was fast approaching.

“Well?” Seto asked.

“Can’t see, too far away.” Bakura said, lowering the glass.

“What’s that?” Otogi said, pointing up into the sky. Bakura blinked, then raised the glass upon two birds. And slowly, he grinned.

“It’s Kurama. And Hiei.” He said.

“Hiei, huh? Well, that tells us who’s coming.” Seto said. “Otogi, tell Mako to get working, we have the Shadow Ghoul coming in.” And thirty minutes later Bakura was clasping hands with Ahmose while Mikado greeted Yugi and Malik. And ten minutes later Mokuba, Seto and Otogi were on a small boat rowing for shore to make the five mile trek into town.

~*~

Marik watched Yami pacing back and forth, the chains dragging noisily across the floor. Ryou sniffled and Marik looked down at the boy in his lap, hiding within his arms.

“Shhh….” Marik crooned, hugging Ryou and rocking him gently. The boy whimpered and hid his face in Marik’s chest. Yami turned and looked down at Marik and Ryou.

“How is he?” He asked, walking over and kneeling.

“He won’t stop shaking. I think only half of it is pain. Bring me the water?”

“Sure.” Yami said, and got the jug from the corner of the room. Marik ripped a strip of cloth from his tattered vest and soaked it.

“C’mon, Ryou… Let me see it.” He said, softly. Ryou whimpered and shook his head. “Ryou, please…” Marik encouraged and after a moment Ryou slowly uncurled, whimpering every now and then. Marik pulled Ryou’s shirt up and drew the hem of his pants down a few inches, laying the wet cloth on a burn mark on his hip. Yami pulled Ryou’s forearm out towards him and placed another wet cloth onto the burn that was there; a brand, marking him as a pirate. Marik and Yami both had torn strips of cloth bandaging the same area on their own forearms. Ryou bit his lower lip and choked back a scream, every muscle tensing in his pain.

“Shhhh…” Marik soothed, kissing Ryou’s sweaty forehead and stroking his hair. “It’s okay… it’s gonna be okay.”

“I want Bakura…” Ryou cried, rubbing his wet swollen eyes on Marik’s shirt.

“We know, Ryou.” Yami said, softly, and lifted Ryou’s hand, gently kissing the top as he held the old cloth to the burn on his inner arm. “You’ll see him again…” Ryou shook his head and whimpered. “But you have to tell the courts the truth. You have to tell them who you are.”

All three jumped when the door of their cell opened. Guards swarmed in and dragged them to their feet, unlocking their chains and taking them out of the cell. Ryou whimpered as he stumbled through the prison between the guards who pulled him along. All three prisoners winced when they emerged outside, the sun nearly blinding them. They were taken across the yard and loaded into a cart which drove them to the courthouse. Marik and Yami spent the ride comforting Ryou who was getting more and more frightened by the minute, and the loud crowds didn’t help.

The courthouse came into view and the cart pulled up in front of it. Guards swarmed on board and the three pirates were dragged inside. The courtroom was packed. Yami, Marik and Ryou were sat down on a bench before the judges. Ryou huddled into Marik’s side, shaking violently, as if trying to sink into the older man. Fifteen minutes went by, and the trial started.

Yami was seized first, and brought up before the judges.

“State your name for the court.” Yami was ordered.

“Yami Atem.”

“Yami Atem, you are here being tried on charges of piracy, murder, kidnapping, treason, theft and rape. How do you plead?” The main judge called, and the room quieted.

“Guilty.” Yami said, clearly. “To all but the rape charge.” Murmurs moved through the crowd. “That is a violation I never have, and never will, even THINK of making.” The judge narrowed his eyes. Yami was led back to his seat and Marik was brought forwards.

“State your name for the court.”

“Marik Ishtar.” Marik said.

“Marik Ishtar, you are here being tried on charges of piracy, murder, kidnapping, treason, theft and rape. How do you plead?”

“Guilty on all but the charge of rape.” Marik said. The judge blinked, and Marik was taken back to his seat. And Ryou was brought forwards.

“State your name for the court.” Ryou was told. But the boy said nothing. He was shaking and looked ready to faint. “State your name!”

“B-B-Bakura Sh-Shiratori…”

“RYOU!” Marik cried, leaping to his feet.

“Ryou, what are you doing?!” Yami howled. Guards swarmed over Marik and Yami and restrained them.

“Silence!!” The judge roared. After order had been restored he turned his attention back to Ryou.

“Bakura Shiratori, you are here being tried on charges of piracy, murder, kidnapping, treason, theft and rape. How do you plead?”

Ryou opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, then fixed frightened eyes on the judge, shaking his head. The judge frowned.

“DAMMIT!! TELL THEM THE TRUTH, RYOU!!!” Marik shouted.

“HE’S NOT BAKURA SHIRATORI!!” Yami screamed at the top of his lungs. In the crowd, near the door, Mokuba watched with wide eyes, his hands over his mouth in worry.

The judge frowned. “Not Bakura Shiratori?” He asked, looking at Yami and Marik. Marik shoved the guards away from him and Ryou ran to him, hiding in his chest. After a few more minutes, order was restored.

“Explain.” The judge ordered, looking at the three young men before him. Ryou shook his head, mumbling into Marik’s shirt. Marik held him gently, and stared up at the judge.

“This is Ryou Kiseki.” He said. “Son of the late captain of the Lady of Faith. We attacked the ship, killed the crew, and sunk it. We took Ryou here, and two of his friends, Yugi and Malik, captive. Because they looked like us.” The judge blinked.

“Are you saying that this boy is a look a like?”

“Yes.” Yami said. “He’s innocent. He’s a prisoner who was mistaken for Bakura.” The judge frowned and motioned to the guards. They took Ryou from Marik, and Marik and Yami were dragged away and sat back down on the bench. The judge looked at Ryou.

“Is this true?” He asked. Ryou sniffled and nodded. “Tell me what happened.”

“They… they attacked my father’s ship and kidnapped us…”

“So you were their prisoner.”

“Yes… we were. But we’re not anymore.”

“RYOU!” Marik barked.

“SILENCE!!!” The judge roared at Marik, then looked at Ryou. “It’s okay, son… they won’t hurt you, you can tell me.”

“I know they won’t hurt me!!” Ryou shouted, looking up. “They would NEVER hurt me! You want the truth, FINE!!! Bakura was injured when the Black Magician was under attack! He couldn’t wield his blade, his shoulder was hurt! But he was going to fight anyway! I couldn’t let him, he would have been killed!! So I hit him over the head, took his sword and went in his place, knowing that they would think I was him. That way, they wouldn’t go looking for him… so… he was safe.” The courtroom was silent.

“I was a prisoner. Up until I fell in love with him. And up until then, I was a prisoner. But not anymore. My name is Ryou Kiseki, and I plead guilty to the charges of piracy, murder, treason, and theft. And before Yami and Marik speak up, I was not forced. I participated in these crimes of my own free will. And I do not regret it.”

~*~

Ahmose and Bakura walked out onto the deck of the Black Magician to greet Pegasus who had just dropped anchor alongside of them.

“Glad to see you.” Bakura said, clasping hands with the man, and Pegasus laid a hand on Bakura’s shoulder.

“How are you holding up?” He asked, concerned.

“As well as can be expected.” Bakura said in a low tone. “I’m… worried.”

“We all are.” Ahmose said, and Pegasus nodded.

“How are the little ones holding up?” He asked, looking over at Malik and Yugi, talking with Mikado.

“They’re scared.” Bakura sighed. “But they’re doing a good job of hiding it. Mikado has been doing a great job of keeping their minds off of it.”

“He is distracting them.” Ahmose said. “But he cannot take their minds off of this matter.” Bakura and Pegasus nodded.

“Where is Seto?” Pegasus asked, looking around.

“Seto, Otogi and Mokuba have gone into town as scouts. Mokuba has gone into the courtroom to make contact with the Pharaoh.” Bakura answered. “He will not arouse suspicion.”

“As long as he is discreet.” Ahmose said, and Bakura looked at him.

“I have faith in the boy.” He stated calmly, and Ahmose nodded.

“That is all the assurance I need.” The dark haired man replied.

“Sir!” Weevil cried, running over with a paper rolled up under his arm. “I found the map!” Bakrua turned.

“Good. Bring it and give us a tour of that city.” He said, and Bakura, Ahmose and Pegasus followed Weevil into the captain’s cabin where the boy unrolled the map over the table top.

“Here is the city entrance, and here is the courthouse. Here is the jail.” Weevil pointed out. “You can probably get in through these entrances here, here and here.”

“I think that most of us should enter the city in small groups from several entrances.” Ahmose said. “And have one group dock a ship at dawn. It will provide a quick escape. We should leave behind just enough men to sail the ships up to this spot here, just out of sight of the town. When we bust them out, we get the Pharaoh and the other two to the docks ship. I suggest the Hapie Lady or Celtic Guardian, their names will not be known. Get them on, and get them out. Then we meet the other ships, everyone gets to their own vessel, and then we split up.” Bakura and Pegasus nodded.

“A good plan.” Pegasus said, and he and Ahmose both looked at Bakura for his opinion.

“Fine with me. You’re the brains at this table Ahmose. Not me. Yami trusts you, and so do I.” The albino said, and Ahmose nodded.

“It should take Mai and Ishizu and whoever else is coming another day to get here.” Pegasus said, and Bakura nodded. “And between all of our crews, we should have a good…. Two, three hundred hands.” Bakura nodded again. Pegasus frowned and reached out, placing a hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “Everything will be okay, Bakura.”

“Thanks.” Bakura replied, covering Pegasus’ hand with his own. “I owe you guys.”

“You can repay me right now.” Ahmose said, and Bakura blinked and looked up at him. “Allow me a few minutes with Keith and Tea…” Bakura blinked again. “I promise to leave more than enough of them for Yami’s satisfaction…” Pegasus quirked an eyebrow at the gleam in the younger man’s eye, and grinned.

“You can pay me back, too, Bakura. Let Ahmose have a few minutes with them. And let me watch.” The one eyed man said, and Bakura chuckled.

“As you wish. Just… leave them alive, aware, and in one piece, Ahmose.” He snickered. Ahmose gave a sinister smirk and nodded, then turned and left the cabin. Pegasus blinked.

“You gonna be okay, Bakura?”

“Hah! Ask me that when we have everyone home safe! Now go make sure Ahmose doesn’t get carried away.”

“Yes sir!” Pegasus said, and chased after Ahmose. The younger man had disappeared below deck already, but Pegasus caught up with him unlocking the door to the brig.

“About time! We’re hungry!” Keith bellowed. Ahmose slammed the door open and glared. The two traitors grew silent when they saw Ahmose and Pegasus in the doorway, both with looks that could kill. “Oh…”

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Bakura moaned slightly when Pegasus gently tapped his ankle.

“Bakura… Ahmose… Mikado…” The one eyed captain called, softly. He was standing at the door to Bakura’s bed, peering in at Bakura, who was spooned between Ahmose and Mikado. Pegasus sighed and smiled slightly. The pair had been comforting Bakura last night when he went to bed, but couldn’t sleep. He ended up crying in his worry over Yami, Marik and Ryou, and had finally cried himself to sleep. Ahmose and Mikado had fallen asleep only minutes later, both unwilling to leave Bakura.

“Bakura. Ahmose.” He called again, and Mikado grumbled and opened his eyes.

“Pegasus?” He asked, sitting up slightly. The man nodded.

“Two ships are coming in.” Pegasus said.

“Oh. Okay…” Mikado said, then looked back at Bakura and Ahmose. “Guys… wake up. Hey…” He frowned, then smacked Ahmose.

“OW!!” Ahmose yelped, jerking awake.

“AAH!!!” Bakura howled, sitting straight up.

“Ships are coming in.” Pegasus said, and the three clamored out of the bed and headed out onto the deck. Mako brought them bowls of hot oat meal to wake them, and they ate in silence as they watched the Harpy Lady and Celtic Guardian approach. And finally, Bakura sat at the table in the captain’s cabin, looking around at the men and women staring at him; Ahmose, Mikado, Pegasus, Mai, Ishizu, Shaddi, Seto and Otogi. Mokuba sat with Malik and Yugi on the nearby sofa to listen in on the plans. Seto and Otogi looked over the map, pointing things out, and Mokuba gave an account of the trial he had witnessed. This made Bakura groan and bang his head on the table top.

“I love the boy, but… he’s not the sharpest sword on the ship, is he?” He muttered in reference to Ryou, making Mikado giggle. But then, Mokuba dropped the bomb.

“After only two trial days, they were sentenced…” Mokuba said.

“What?!” Bakura yelped, eyes wide. “The sentence has already been passed?!” The boy nodded.

“By order of the King, through a letter, they are to be executed by hanging. Friday morning.”

“That’s tomorrow.” Pegasus said. Bakura frowned.

“Then we have run out of time to plan.” Ahmose said. “We move tonight.” Bakura nodded, and looked to Seto.

“Call up the crews, Seto. We have to brief them on the plan…”

“Yes sir.” Seto said, and left the cabin.

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Sorry it’s taken so long, everyone… but I have major writer’s block on this fic… I’ll try to have it finished by Christmas with 30 chapters. So it’s almost done!!! Please bear with me.