Burning Sea

Burning Sea

hato-chiisai

Disclaimer: No own. Go away.

YAOI WARNING

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Chapter 29

And Really Bad Eggs

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Ahmose took his hand away from Ryou’s forehead and slid out of Bakura’s bed and faced those gathered. “He’ll be fine.” He said in his soft, stern tone. “It’s more nerves than anything. When he calms down and comes out of the shock of everything, he’ll be as good as new.” Everyone gave relieved grins. “And his burns are not infected, either.”

“Yami and Marik’s burns look okay.” Mikado reported, finishing wrapping a bandage around Marik’s brand. “They’re healing.”

“Well… as joyous as that is.” Pegasus said. “We must split up and get moving. Quickly. They will be after us and we must be long gone.” The other captains nodded. Bakura quickly embraced Mikado and Ahmose, thanking them profusely, then bid fond farewells to Pegasus, Mai and Ishizu, and Shaddi, before quickly joining Ryou in the bed. The boy had slipped into an exhausted sleep, and Bakura diligently watched over him.

“Thank you…” Yami said to Ahmose, hugging him. “I owe you my life, my friend.” Ahmose gave Yami a rare smile.

“Take care of yourself. And of your young lover. He has quite a talent with that crossbow of his.” He said, looking over at Mikado and Yugi bidding each other a fond farewell.

Marik in the meantime was sharing a long, loving embrace with Ishizu, who kissed his forehead.

“Take care of yourself little brother. Both of you.” The woman said, planting a kiss onto Malik’s forehead as well. The pair grinned and hugged her again, kissing her cheeks, and then watched as she boarded the Harpy Lady with Mai. Pegasus and Shaddi shook hands, and departed to their own ships, and only a few minutes later, the crew of the Black Magician watched the Shadow Ghoul, the Relinquished and the Harpy Lady set out to sea, while the Celtic Guardian headed back towards their Island port.

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The first thing Ryou saw when he opened his eyes was Bakura’s smiling face. The pirate reached out and gently ran his fingers through the younger boy’s hair, and slowly, Ryou’s face split into a glowing smile.

“Bakura?!”

“Shhhh… stay calm, angel…” Bakura murmured. “Don’t over-excite your—oomph!!!” He was cut off as Ryou threw himself onto the pirate.

“Bakura! You’re alive! And safe! And… and you came for me!” He squeaked.

“Of course I did!” Bakura laughed, hugging him tightly. “You don’t think I would have left you to die, do you?!” Ryou shook his head, which he promptly nuzzled into the crook of Bakura’s neck. The older man smiled and held the smaller gently, rubbing his hand over Ryou’s back. “It’s all gonna be okay. We’re all okay… The traitors have been caught. And Yami is going make an example of them…”

“Who were they?!” Ryou gasped, lifting his head and staring down at Bakura, who scowled.

“Keith and Tea.” He spat in disgust, and Ryou’s eyes widened before he nodded.

“I see…” He said softly, and rested his head on Bakura’s chest again, listening to the beating of his heart. Bakura watched Ryou slowly smile and rub his cheek against the pirate’s chest.

“My poor baby…” Bakura crooned, stroking Ryou’s cheek and brushing fingers over the bandage covering the burn on Ryou’s arm. “They burned you?”

“… brand.” Ryou said softly. “They branded me as a… pirate.” Bakura frowned.

“I see… They hurt your stomach, too?”

“Yes… when I wouldn’t give up the location of the island.”

“You don’t even KNOW the location!!!”

“I wouldn’t have given it up, even if I did.” Ryou assured Bakura. “I didn’t even tell them that I didn’t know where it was.” Bakura stared at Ryou, then smiled and kissed his forehead.

“You’re so brave, Ryou… I’m so proud of you. Your dad would be, too.” He said, and Ryou smiled back at him.

“Are Yami and Marik okay?”

“They’re fine, angel.” Bakura replied. “Want to go see them?”

“yes!” Ryou chirped excitedly, and Bakura wrapped Ryou in the blanket and lifted him into his arms, before sliding from the bed. The Captain’s cabin was empty, so Bakura walked out into the deck, and there everyone was. Malik was dancing provocatively against the captain, making Yami turn red, and Mokuba, Marik and Yugi were laughing at the scene.

“Your friend is an imp.” Seto said to Ryou as Bakura carried him by, and Ryou giggled.

“I know!” He called to Seto over Bakura’s shoulder, kicking his legs happily.

“Ryou!” Yugi squealed, and he and Malik ran over, hugging their friend tightly.

“You’re okay!” Malik cheered. “Gods Ryou, we were so worried!”

“Marik and Yami took good care of me.” Ryou said softly with a smile, and Bakura turned and nodded to Marik and Yami in thanks, and the pair returned the nod.

“Thanks for coming for us.” Yami said to Bakura.

“How could I have done anything else?” Bakura asked with a smile. “The three of you are my life.”

“Why Bakura!” Marik teased, giving Bakura a noogie since Bakura, with Ryou in his arms, was unable to retaliate. “I never knew you cared!”

“Fuck off, Ishtar…” Bakura growled, making everyone laugh. “Get out of my hair before I castrate you.”

“Hmph!” Marik snorted. “So much for gratitude.”

“For WHAT?!” Bakura howled. “YOU were the one who needed saving!”

“Oh yeah…” Marik mused stupidly, and everyone stared at him.

“How about for taking care of me?” Ryou piped up. “He took very good care of me in the dungeon.”

“Yeah!” Marik agreed. “See? You DO owe me gratitude! And if it weren’t for me, you and Ryou would never have gotten together in the first place!”

“WHAT?!”

“… He has a point, Bakura.” Ryou said. “When I first came on board you were a stuck up pig. Marik was kind to me.” Bakura muttered and glared at Marik, who was giving him a smug grin.

“You’re welcome.” Marik sang cheerfully, and Bakura grumbled and bitched under his breath as he carried Ryou down to the galley.

“Ryou, are you okay? Can’t you walk?” Yugi called after him.

“Of course!” Ryou giggled back. “But Bakura loves me THIIIIIIS much!!!” And he squealed and kicked his legs, glomping onto the pirate and giving him a big kiss to the cheek. Bakura grunted and stumbled, then disappeared into the galley.

“You missed, dear. Try a little to the left.” He said to the boy, who grinned and moved a little to the left, pressing his lips against Bakura’s.

“I love you…” The boy cooed.

“Love you too… hey Mako! What’s for breakfast!”

“You mean lunch?” Mako laughed.

“Whatever.” Bakura said, sitting Ryou down near the stove to keep him warm, which was unnecessary. Ryou and Mako exchanged amused smiles as Bakura fussed over Ryou. Mako ladled some soup into a pair of bowls and set them down before Ryou and Bakura along with some slices of fresh bread.

“Thank you.” Ryou chirped, and dug in.

“Thanks.” Bakura said, dipping his bread into the broth before cramming it into his mouth. Mako smiled and nodded.

“Yami’s executing Tea and Keith tonight.” He said.

“Oh?” Bakura asked, looking up. “Good.”

And a few hours later, everyone was standing on the deck watching Yami confront Keith and Tea.

“Traitors!” He spat. He was shaking in his fury, and Bakura looked livid as well. Marik was snarling and his fists were clenched. But Yami was the one to deal with them. “How dare you… WHY?!”

“The same reason you’re a pirate…” Keith snapped. “For the money!” Yami’s eyes flashed and he backhanded him.

“That is NOT why I am a pirate, you dog!” Yami shouted. “I am a pirate because I have no choice! Because the King used me as his scapegoat to cover his own hide and had me incriminated! I cannot do anything else!” He turned his glare onto Tea. “I don’t even NEED to ask YOU why… You’re nothing but a slut. You always were. And you did this because I would have nothing to do with you! Is that right?!” Tea gave him a bitter glare.

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!” She sniffed, turning her head to the side and away from Yami, who seized her throat.

“A woman scorned hath not fury like a man betrayed…” He hissed right back. “You could have earned a clean death had you simply focused on me… But you hurt innocents in this! Bakura and Marik have nothing to do with my decisions! And neither do Yugi and Ryou!!! And why did you never target Malik?!”

“The opportunity never arose with Malik!” Tea seethed. “Or he would be dead. He was far more alert than the others… And of course they had something to do with your decision! You chose to share your bed with THEM over ME!!!” Yami glared at her.

“Perhaps it is because I trust them… And I care for them. They are my family. And Yugi is my lover, and I NEVER shared my bed with Ryou! And if you targeted those who had shared my bed, why did you never target Seto?! Or Jono or Otogi?! Huh?!” Tea turned away and glared at the horizon, tears filling her eyes. “Tea…” Yami hissed, his voice shaking in rage. “I would have fucked anyone on this ship before I fucked you… The only one who didn’t acknowledge that fact WAS you… and that’s your problem. But you had to make it mine and that of everyone else I love… I will not show you mercy.” He finished, then turned to Keith. “And your excuse?!”

“It was time for you to fall…” Keith hissed.

“You wanted my ship. You wanted my crew… you wanted all that I have.” Yami clarified.

“Yes.”

“And you shall die for it. For trying to kill Yugi. And Marik. And Bakura and Ryou… And all those loyal to me.” Yami turned and pulled his knife, then whirled and slashed both Keith and Tea. “Your blood will call the sharks…” He hissed, then turned. “Bakura. Marik. You know what to do.”

“It’s an honor…” Marik growled, and Yugi, Ryou and Malik clung to each other watching Marik and Bakura tie Keith and Tea’s wrists before them, slashing them all over their bodies. Within minutes, they were hung by their wrists out over the water. And then, Yami ordered for dinner to be served while they waited. But as the blood fell into the water, they didn’t have long to wait. By the time the sun was setting, sharks circled, drawn in by the blood. Tea was in hysterics, screaming and pleading and thrashing. Keith was cursing and shouting in his own terror. Yami slowly walked to the railing of the ship and peered over the edge. Then he nodded and turned.

“Torch.” He demanded, and Bakura passed him the waiting torch. The crew swarmed the railing to get a good seat, but Malik, Ryou and Yugi hung back with Mokuba. They watched Yami turn and set fire to the rope holding the traitors. And soon, there was a snap and Keith let out a shriek. A moment later there was a splash, followed quickly by agonized screams and trashing water. The pirates were cheering and Tea was screaming as she watched her partner in crime being torn apart and eaten alive in a feeding frenzy of sharks. Yami watched it all calmly with a grin. Then he looked up.

“I doubt they will be full when they’re done with him…” He hissed. “and even if they are… others are coming.” He glanced around at the crew. “This is the penalty or traitors!!!” He thundered, and with a snap and a scream, Tea fell into the bloodied foaming water amongst the thrashing sharks. Yami drew in a breath, and slowly released it, then sneered and spat into the water as Tea was dragged out of their sight forever.