Sacrifice

“so…” Ryou said, slowly. If you don’t have a garden… or a job to make money… what do you eat?”

Marik blinked. "Whatever I find lying around. Bakura will bring me stuff alot... ya know... whatever he steals..."

Ryou stared. "You slaughter your own cows?" he squeaked in shock.

"No!!!" Marik whined. "He'll bring me stuff like tins of biscuits... sacks of dried fruit and vegetables... sacks of potatoes... barrels of pickles... whatever. Sometimes I hunt deer. Sometimes I find wild fruits or vegetables growing... I trap smaller animals... I um..." He blinked and glanced over at the left over apples on the other side of the room. "... Um... that's it..."

Ryou blinked and then gave Marik a stern look. "You wouldn't happen to be finding 'wild fruits and vegetables' on MY property would you?"

"NO!!!" Marik insisted (not very convincingly). "When I say wild, I mean WILD!!!"

"So you HAVE been stealing my crops." Ryou gave Marik an angry look.

"NO!" Marik whined. "I mean... well... an apple every now and then, but..." He shrugged sheepishly. "They're so GOOD!!!"

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "You're impossible."

Marik blinked, then pouted and looked down. "That's what Bakura tells me..." He mumbled, pushing Angel away from his soup.

Ryou sighed and shook his head. "I wouldn't mind...but my crops were so weak this season..." he mumbled. "Every little bit helps.”

"Really?" Marik asked cocking his head. "Well... maybe we can work out a deal and... I can help you?"

Ryou smiled. "Alright..." he laughed softly when Angel climbed back onto Marik's head and curled up.

Marik blinked, then scowled. "Oh, come ON!!!" He whined. "Aren't you tired of riding around up there yet?!”

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

Yami smiled as he and Ahmose rode back to town. The sun was setting, and they were riding awfully close to eachother. "Thanks..." he said after a moment. "I...had a lot of fun."

Ahmose yawned and nodded. "Yeah..." He said with a sleepy smile. "I... I'm glad I got to know you more..." He said, reining his horse to a stop outside of the general store.

Yami dismounted his own horse, and tied it up as well. "Wanna...spend the night?"

Ahmose blinked and eyed Yami. "I'm... not sure it that would be a good idea..." He said, looking slightly amused.

"Oh yes it would." Yami pulled Ahmose into a hug and grinned at him. "It'd be a great idea..."

Ahmose grunted as the hug nearly pulled him off of his own horse. "I uh... I think I should go home..." He mumbled, blushing.

Yami snickered. "You owe me a kiss." Yami said crossing his arms. "And none of that sissy kissing that you keep trying to pull."

"You got your kiss this morning when you pounced me on your sofa!!!" Ahmose yelped, eyes wide.

"Ohh no. You gotta kiss me proper!" Yami howled.

"I did!" Ahmose cried. "There's a difference between YOUR idea of proper and MY idea of proper. I gave you a proper kiss!!! You want a... a... a FACE SUCKING!!!"

"You agreed to a kiss on my terms." Yami said in a stern tone.

"And you GOT that kiss!!!" Ahmose whined. "Now you want another one!!! I REALLY need to go feed the dogs!!!"

"Then you'd better kiss me and stop arguing." Yami said smirking.

Ahmose blinked, and flushed, but then leaned forwards and kissed Yami. It wasn't passionate, but it wasn't the shy little peck he had given earlier either... but still, it was far too soon for Yami before Ahmose pulled away and wheeled his horse around, galloping towards home so Yami wouldn't see just how RED he had turned.

Yami grinned broadly. "Come back soon!" he called after a soft blush painting his own cheeks. He smiled warmly and walked inside. Ohhh yeah...the love of his life had just given him a decent kiss.

Meanwhile, Mikado was staring around at Bakura's home, stunned.

Bakura had since changed into the much more comfortable tanned leather and Moccasins that he wore around his 'home'. He stretched. "You look surprised."

"What is this place?" Mikado breathed, sitting on the floor, still tied up.

"My home." Bakura said calmly. He began digging though a basket. "Hmm..." He looked at Mikado. "Ahh...this'll fit you." He pulled some pants and moccasins. "Here...put them on." He began untying Mikado.

"What? Why? What's wrong with what I have?" Mikado asked, frowning and leaning away from Bakura.

"Uh...well this is more comfortable." Bakura said calmly. "Plus you're in my home."

Mikado frowned. "Against my will..." He snorted.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Put on the clothes or I'll make you run around naked."

Mikado's eyes widened and he scrambled away as soon as he was loose. "HELL NO!!! Get away from me!!!"

Bakura smirked and stalked towards Mikado. In an instant he had the youth pinned to the wall, the knife from his waist drawn and shredding away the clothes. "Oh yes..."

Mikado gasped and stared at Bakura with wide eyes, then began shouting and struggling. But when the knife sliced into his skin due to his struggles he yelped and grew still, his teeth clenched and eyes tightly shut.

Bakura tossed the shredded clothes away, pinning Mikado's hands above him, against the wall. "This isn't a dream anymore Mikado..." he hissed to the youth. "Now I really DO have power over your body..." he ran a hand over Mikado's chest. "You're my love slave..." he whispered tracing cool fingers over the mark on Mikado's chest.

Mikado's eyes flashed open and he stared at Bakura. "Stop..." He gasped. "D-Don't touch me!!!"

Bakura chuckled. "Learn your place..." he hissed hand trailing southward. "You're mine."

"LIKE HELL!!!" Mikado shouted, and sharply raised his knee between Bakura's legs.

Bakura hissed in pain, but his grip on Mikado held fast and he slammed his free hand into Mikado's gut. "Knock it off or I'll sacrifice you to my heathen gods instead of keeping you as my lover."

"UNH!!!" Mikado grunted, and would have doubled over if Bakura weren't still holding his hands over his head. "W-What?!"

Bakura gave Mikado a sinister look. "I'm Aztec, boy...I could rip your beating heart right out of your chest..." he hissed. "Now stop being disagreeable before I decide to do just that." he smirked. "Gods need blood...because gods cannot bleed."

Mikado's eyes widened. "... Aztec?" He gasped. "What? But... NO! They... they're all gone!!! Wiped out!!!"

"Wouldn't that be nice?" Bakura said giving Mikado a look. "But it's false...I am the last."

Mikado squirmed and tried to get loose. "Let me go!!!"

"And where will you go? You're a ghost of a man." Bakura laughed. "No one can see you or hear you...even realize your presence aside from me."

Mikado's defiant look quickly changed as he remembered this. "Please..." He whimpered. "I... I wanna go home... be with my brother... please..."

"You are home." Bakura said letting go of Mikado and patting him on the head. "Now...you can get dressed in the clothes I've provided you...or you can be a nudist." He chuckled and stepped away. "Either way is fine."

Mikado jerked away as soon as he was released, tripping over some rubble and falling to the ground.

"Stay away!!!"

Bakura chuckled. "Dont take a bossy tone with me..or I may have to put you in your place."

Mikado glared. "Just... STAY AWAY!!!" He snapped, grabbing the pants that had been dropped on the floor.

Bakura snorted and turned, walking out of the small hut and pat Strigoi. "C'mon lets leave sissypants to himself." he purred to the horse, leading it off. Mikado could fend for himself in this darkened village.

Mikado watched Bakura leave, then pulled on the pants and slowly stood, rubbing his arms... he was cold in this... underground village... Cautiously, he went to explore...

The village was massive. There were several small stone huts....some larger...and the remains of perhaps a palace or temple...The village was falling into disrepair...though the art was preserved fully. Certain areas were clearly still used. North of the huts, was a much brighter area, where more sun filtered through. There, played Bakura's horses, along with several cows and a few bulls.

Grass grew in that area, while moss grew most everywhere else. The animals grazed calmly, the colts and fillies pranced eagerly in the soft grass, before pausing to lap at a small underground stream.

Mikado blinked and slowly headed towards the horses... for some reason, their presence was comforting...

Strigoi saw Mikado nearing and rushed him, neighing in warning. He pranced his hooves and snorted.

Mikado froze and stared at Strigoi, eyes wide. He glanced around to see if Bakura was near.

The horse snorted again and gave Mikado a warning look. This was his herd...

Geist whinnied and trotted over in curiosity, but Strigoi would have none of that, and with a sharp nip, Geist snorted and backed up.

Mikado sighed and drooped, slowly backing away. He didn't need to have his skull crushed by this massive monster of a horse...

When Strigoi felt Mikado wouldn't challenge him, he snorted once more and turned, trotting back to the other horses and nuzzling the small colts and fillies.

Mikado watched for a moment, then turned and moved back into the village, and began to inspect the little huts themselves, seeing if there was anything interesting in them...

Each hut was indeed in some degree of disrepair...but inside it looked as if the inhabitants had just...disappeared. Plates or bowls laid on tables forgotten...beds still as if they would be used. Clothes hung out on some lines, and there was even food remaining in the store houses. It was as if the entirety of the village had suddenly dropped from the face of the Earth.

Mikado frowned... He didn't like this place at all... it was a ghost town... He began searching for a hut that seemed to have been uninhabited...

"You wont find one." Bakura said from behind him. "Each of these are homes."

Mikado yelped, jumping and whirling. "What?!" He gasped, startled.

"You're looking for a place to call your own? Each of these huts are homes. You will not find an abandoned one among them."

"Where... where did everyone go?" Mikado asked softly, then glared. "And I am NOT looking for a HOME!!!"

Bakura laughed. "Indeed. Well you will not find a place to rest your bones among the huts." He turned and shook his head. "And they have gone."

"Gone where...?" Mikado asked.

"A place the gods have prepared."

Mikado stared. "They're... dead?"

"I suppose you could say that." Bakura said beginning to walk away. "But there are other words for it."

"... how?" Mikado asked. "How did they...?"

"If you will stop acting like a horse's ass and behave...perhaps I will tell you the story." Bakura said looking over his shoulder. "Come with me."

Mikado eyed Bakura, then slowly followed him, arms crossed over his abdomen in an obvious posture of self consciousness and unease.

Bakura chuckled and rolled his eyes leading Mikado to the temple and calmly building a fire in a firepit. "I'll tell you the story." he said calmly, spreading a mat for Mikado to sit on, getting another for himself.

Mikado sat down, rubbing his bare arms again and shivering, then scooted closer once the fire was built.

Bakura took a seat and smiled. "Where shall I begin?" he said, obviously asking Mikado just how much he wished to know.

"Who lived here... and what happened to them?" Mikado asked.

Bakura laughed and nodded. "Alright." He pulled a small bag from his side and reached inside. He tossed what he'd removed from the bag into the fire. The flames roared up, and seemed to take shape of a glorious city. "My people once lived in this cavern..." Bakura said calmly, seeming to beckon the flames higher with his hands. "The gods bade us to leave our sacred lands...the stars warned of foreign occupation." he swept his hands over the fire and it shrank dramatically. The glory of the city being crumbled, and a great plume of smoke billowing above it. "The stars were correct. The spaniards destroyed our beautiful cities in search of wealth." Bakura snorted. "Leaving plague, famine and death in their wake." He tossed something else into the fire, and the smoke and flames seemed to shape into skulls

Mikado stared in amazement at this... strange illusion that Bakura was producing.

"So...my people traveled north. The gods leading them by the stars or dawn and dusk." Bakura said calmly. "They settled in this place and these became our new lands." Bakura waved his hands, and once again the glorious city appeared in the fire. "All these gifts, granted by the gods....were only for one millenium." Bakura tossed a sand like substance into the fire, and it flared up in red, the skulls appearing once more. "When once again foreign peoples invaded our peaceful lands." Bakura glared into the fire. "Slowly...my people retreated to this cave...We hid from the strangers. Strangers with weapons far more advanced than our own."

Mikado sighed and nodded slowly... "How... did they die?"

Bakura then tossed the sack itself into the fire, which flared up once more. "When I was young...I left the village. I wanted to find a new way of life. I wanted to not live in fear of another man." Bakura snorted. "When I returned, I came back to realize...the gods had come for my entire tribe in my absence. They were gone. Gone to the paradise offered for my people by the gods." Bakura snorted. "The gods came...and forgot me."

"So... you don't know..." Mikado said softly. "You just came and this place was... empty..."

"No. The gods came." Bakura said firmly. "We knew it'd be happening soon. Just not when specifically." Bakura said glaring. "I'm not stupid. Besides, Their shades come back when night falls."

Mikado blinked, then paled, eyes widening. "Their... shades?" He breathed. It was almost nightfall now...

"Yes." Bakura said grimly. "They live as if nothing happened at all." He stood and looked out over the city. "They are in the gods' realm...but remain visable to the eyes in this...when night falls." Sure enough...as the moon rose...the city darkened...and the pale blue forms of Aztec indians seemed to fade into existance....walking eerily through the city.

Mikado's eyes widened and he immediately latched onto Bakura, gripping his arm hard enough to bruise, terrified.

Bakura calmly pulled Mikado into a hug. "Dont be afraid. They aren't even aware of us." he said softly, resting his chin on Mikado's hair. "We are like ghosts to them....just like they are ghosts to us."

"I... I wanna go home..." The boy whimpered, shaking.

Bakura continued to hold Mikado soothingly. "No." He whispered rubbing Mikado's back lovingly. "I want you to stay with me..." he smiled and nuzzled the youth. "You've nothing to fear."

"N-No!" Mikado whined, trying to pull away. "I... I don't like it here!!!"

Bakura shrugged. "Then go home and live as they do." Bakura said motioning to the shades below.

Mikado stared at the shades, then fixed a heartbroken look on Bakura, before turning and running.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "You wont be able to even leave the cave without magic!" he called laughing slightly. "You've nowhere to run!"

Mikado didn't answer, he just kept running for the hidden mouth of the cave, squeaking the dodging every shade he cam across.

Though when he neared the entrance it didn't fade nor shimmer. It became absolutely solid. Which provided for an interesting collision.

Mikado slammed straight into it and fell flat on his back, stunned. He groaned, laying there and trying to regain his senses.

Bakura chuckled down the cave a bit walking over and picking up Mikado. "Calm down." he said softly cradling Mikado and carrying him back. "You could hurt yourself running into walls like that."

Mikado whimpered, blood trickling from a wound on his forehead.

Bakura carried Mikado back through the town and up to the temple. Once inside he shut the large wooden doors and laid Mikado on the soft cushions within. "You've gotta be more careful." he said digging through his things. "Ahh..." he walked back and wiped Mikado's forehead clean with a damp cloth, applying some stinging ointment and bandaging his forehead calmly. "There...."

Mikado winced and whimpered again. "I... I don't wanna stay here..."

Bakura shook his head. "For now, you are." He said sternly. "So you may as well accept it."

Mikado shook his head in repsonse, only to groan and close his eyes, grimacing.

Bakura reached into his satchel and offered Mikado some small pills. "Aspirin? I bought them at the general store not long ago...good stuff."

Mikado hesitated, before accepting them and swallowing them.

Bakura smiled. "Just give it a chance." He said after a moment. "You wanted to get to know me."

Mikado glared. "NOT like this..." He snapped. "So far, I don't like what I have learned about you."

Bakura gave Mikado a look. "Oh? What have you learned about me? Nothing. You've learned about my people, and my home. So far you haven't learned a damn thing about me. Cocky brat."

"I've learned that you're a theiving kidnapper who is keeping me here against my will, and has seperated me from my friends and family to keep me near him in the hopes that I will be allowed to rejoin them... IF you see fit to..."

Bakura laughed. "That's just a hobby." Bakura said standing. "If you're afraid of the shades...then you should stay in here. They dont near this temple."

Mikado frowned. "If I had it my way, I wouldn't be near YOU."

Bakura shrugged. "Fine. You have the whole temple to yourself. I will not near you. However you will not be leaving without my aid. So I suggest you get over yourself relatively quickly." Bakura turned and walked out, shutting the doors behind him.

Mikado looked around the temple, then dragged himself into the corner and curled up, eventually falling asleep.

The next day, just as he'd said, Bakura did not return to Mikado. Not once. By evening, Mikado was very hungry...and there was no food in sight.

Mikado finally made his way to the doors of the temple... he wanted to find food before the night fell... he would definitely barricade himself in the temple again... he had NO desire to... see those shades...

The city below was as it had been...but in the daylight the sight was marvelous. The patters left along the ground were beautiful among the slightly crumbling buildings. And the most beautiful sight was the very bright patch where the horses were clearly playing.

Mikado made his way to the nearest huts, and began searching for food.

It was then he noticed that none of the huts were as they were the night before. All manner of things had been moved.

Mikado was a bit... unnerved by this, but he continued his search.

The food that had been present in the huts the night before was completly gone.

Mikado whimpered, searching desperately.

His search only turned up used dishes, and empty storage bins. There was nothing left.

Mikado was ready to cry in his hunger and frustration... but night was falling. He made his way back to the temple, stomach growling.

As he made his way back...the delightful smell of cooking beef caught his senses. Beef, biscuits, fresh vegetables being simmered...It was a glorious smell!

Mikado blinked and looked around, cautiously. He could make out a fire at the edge of town...and above it hung a large piece of meat, suspended on a stick. It was merely smoking away...dripping with tender juices of being near completly cooked.

Mikado glanced up at the cracks in the cieling.

It was still daylight outside...he'd have pleanty of time to eat the meal and run back to the temple.

And so he headed for the meat, keeping his eyes open for his captor...

JUST as Mikado sat down and reached for the meat, said captor chuckled. "Stealing from a thief are we?"

Mikado yipped and jumped, then whirled, eyes wide.

Bakura was smirking. "I take it you have no food of your own hmm?" he said crossing his arms. "And why should I share with you? You're ungrateful, spineless, whimpering and rude." he said walking past Mikado. "You've been nothing but ungracious to me, especially since I've welcomed you into my life."

Mikado glared. "WELCOMED me?! You KIDNAPPED me!!!" He shouted.

"And shouting." Bakura commented poking the meat with a stick, before dusting it with seasonings which only made it smell all the more delectable.

Mikado glared. "You dragged me here against my will!!! Don't you expect me to be a proper guest when I'm a prisoner!!!"

"Then dont expect me to provide you with food." Bakura said crossing his arms. "If you dont eat with me, and be polite, then I can assure you...you wont be eating at all."

Mikado glared furiously, but any intimidation he may have had was destroyed by a noisy stomach announcing its desire for some of that meat.

Bakura snickered slightly. "Will you behave?"

Mikado just GLARED. "I AM behaving... I haven't tried to take your head off or break any of your limbs yet..." He hissed.

"As if you could." Bakura said giving Mikado a look. "Now sit down. Unless you want to see my tribe once more, you'll eat quickly and be off."

Mikado's eyes widened quickly at that, and he plopped down.

"I thought that'd calm you down." Bakura pulled the meat from the fire and began cutting it. Once he finished he handed Mikado the largest piece. "Here..." he said kindly, offering Mikado a few biscuits and vegetables as well. "Eat quickly, and I'll walk you back to the safety of the temple."

Mikado nodded and began to eat with a voracious appetite. After all... it had been over 24 hours since he had eaten...

Bakura smiled. "Tomorrow I can take you to the bathing springs." he said brushing some of Mikado's hair behind his ear, to keep it away from the food.

Mikado jerked away from Bakura's touch, looking at him suspiciously.

Bakura merely smiled. "Would you rather have gotten your hair in your food, and invariably into that mouth of yours, which you are stuffing quite viciously?"

Mikado snorted. "I can manage." He mumbled through his dinner.

Bakura chuckled. "Like you managed to feed yourself?" he teased watching the sun through the cracks. Once they began to turn pink he tapped Mikado's shoulder lightly. "Finish." he said firmly. "The shades will be out soon."

At that, Mikado nearly dropped his food, scrambling to his feet quickly, his cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk.

Bakura laughed and took Mikado's hand. "Come on. Lets get you inside." He said leading Mikado through the town much quicker than Mikado had come. The shades were just beginning to appear as Mikado and Bakura ascended the stairs to the temple. Bakura gave Mikado a tender look and offered him a waterskin. "here." he said looking over his shoulder back at the shades. "I dont think you'll be coming out for drinks...and I'm sure you're thirsty."

Mikado looked down at the waterskin, then accepted it with a quiet nod of thanks.

Bakura smiled. "Goodnight Mikado." he said softly. "Sleep well."

Mikado turned and went into the temple, and headed over to his little mat in the corner, settling down quietly.

Bakura closed the door behind Mikado and left his captive-love to his own devices. He'd win him yet.

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

Ahmose woke bright and early, as always. He had some patients to see today... finally... hopefully Yami wouldn't be stupid and arrest him again... But when he passed his brother's room, he was surprised to find it empty. He frowned and shrugged. Who knew what Mikado was up to... He dressed, had breakfast, and then headed into town, riding past Ryou's little homestead. Marik was working in the vegetable patch, the flock of bunnies hopping around him, trying to dig up veggies... he kept bopping them on the head and fixing the damage they were doing... probably why he wasn't making much progress...

Ryou giggled softly and shook his head. "You bunnies behave! Stop making trouble for Marik." Ryou said snatching a few and cuddling them. "If you're hungry then have some apples that are already on the ground."

Marik snorted, scowling. He had offered to help Ryou out (partially as payment for all off the apples he had pilfered in the past) and partially because he just... wanted to be around Ryou.

"Aww dont be too hard on them." Ryou said softly, patting Marik's back. "They're just bunnies."

"I've made it five feet in one hour." Marik whined.

"Well..at least one bunny is behaving." Ryou offered smiling. Angel was sitting calmly in Marik's hair, grooming her ears.

Marik snorted. "... Behaving... right..."

Ahmose snickered in amusement, and went on his way to town.

When he arrived, Yami was waiting outside his office leaning against the door. "Ahmose!" he called eagerly.

Ahmose blinked. "Oh. Goodmorning..." He said, blushing a bit.

Yami smiled. "I um..." he stepped forward, meeting Ahmose as he dismounted his horse. "Gotcha somethin'..." he pulled a beautifully cloth and gold bound book, with a rose tied to it. "It's...well...a book about indians."

Ahmose blinked. "... Huh?" He asked, taking the thing and looking at it.

Yami smiled. "You dont seem the type to like chocolates and roses." he said inching closer to Ahmose and grinning. "So I think I'll try to romance you with books and a rose instead."

Ahmose flushed horribly. "Oh... Uh... Um... Thanks, I guess..." He said, bashfully.

Yami inched closer and hugged Ahmose. "S'it workin?" he whispered kissing just below Ahmose's ear. "Cause you're blushin'."

Ahmose squeaked and blushed even more. "Y-Yami... I... Thanks..." He said, smiling shyly. Nakhti wandered down the street since no one was paying attention to him.

Yami grinned and kissed Ahmose. "Hey..." he whispered. "You forgot to tie up your horse again..." he said grinning. "Looks like I get to date you again today...."

Ahmose blinked. "What? Oh! Nakhti!!! Where do you think YOU'RE going?!" He yelped, shoving the book into Yami's hands and chasing the horse. Nakhti turned and looked at Ahmose, then snorted and shook his head, before trotting away, tossing his tail.

"HEY!!!! Get back here!!!" Ahmose howled. Nakhti neighed, prancing down the street JUST fast enough that Ahmose couldn't catch him. The horse looked terribly amused.

Yami merely watched amused as well. "You're under arrest once you get that horse tied up proper!" Yami called laughing softly.

"SHUT UP!!! This is YOUR fault!!!" Ahmose howled.

Yami laughed even more. "It's YOUR horse! How is this MY fault?! I thought you said he was 'trained'!"

"He IS!!! But he wants to PLAY!!!" Ahmose howled, and disappeared around the corner after the horse. Yami sat down to wait. A few minutes later, Nakhti appeared around the other corner, leading Ahmose in a circle.

Yami snickered as he watched. "Havin a bit of trouble there?"

Ahmose slowed to a stop and glared, panting. "Shut... up..." He panted, and waved a hand at the horse. "Screw it. He'll come back when he wants to."

Yami laughed more. "Alright then...you're under arrest now." He said walking over to Ahmose and kissing his cheek. "C'mon you."

Ahmose snorted and shoved Yami off. "Can't. I have patients coming in soon." He said. "You can arrest me later."

Yami made a face and pulled Ahmose into another hug, clinging slightly. "But I want you nooooow." he whined grinning playfully.

Ahmose snorted. "And my first patients are coming right now." He said, pointing. Pegasus, owner of the bank, was coming down the street in a buggy with his wife, Cecilia.

"Boy wont they be surprised." Yami said suddenly.

Ahmose snorted. "Go catch my horse and we can do dinner." He said, giving Yami a kiss on the cheek, and then turned and unlocking his office, walking inside to get things in order.

Yami sighed and grumbled before going to do just that. Catch the damn horse…

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

"Ryouuuuuuu!!!" Marik wailed. He was sitting in the garden among the radishes, and the rabbits seemed to be using him as a playground. There were seven ON him, and five AROUND him.

Ryou giggled and kept trying to pull the rabbits off and away, but the bunnies adored Marik. "I cant help it!" he cried wiping amused tears from his face. "They like you!"

Marik scowled. "How can I work with this?!" He howled.

"The same way I work with it every day." Ryou cooed. "With patience and understanding." And Ryou went back to work.

Marik snorted. "How about I build them a pen?" He asked, looking at Ryou. "Maybe... plant them their own garden to dig up? I can maybe build a little door in your house so they can get in and out as they please...?"

Ryou looked thoughtful. "Alright...just please dont make any damage...I'm not exactly a handyman."

Marik smiled. "Well... I am!" He announced. "I'll start right away!!!" And to Ryou's confusion, he turned and ran out of the gate and down the road towards his own shack.

Ryou blinked in shock but continued working while Marik was gone.

He returned about an hour and a half later, leading his mule who was carrying building materials.

Ryou blinked as Marik lead the mule in and tilted his head to the side. "You're not going to demolish my house are you?"

"No." Marik said, then walked to the side of Ryou's house and looked it over, then went inside and looked at the same wall. Then, Ryou heard sounds of pounding and sawing. A moment later, a peice of his house fell off. It was a hole, a foot tall and a foot wide. There was then some hammering. Then, Marik came back out and went to the hole in the wall, which was about two feet above the ground (the floor in the house was two feet about the ground itself) and he made a little ramp. Then he began to unload the mule...

Ryou watched blinking. Marik was slowly becoming less and less of a bumpkin...and more of a decent person every second!

He began pounding poles into the ground, and then dig a small, but two feet deep ditch between the poles. He strung chicken wire between the poles, then filled in the ditch. And by the time the sun was getting ready to set, Ryou found a large pen attached to the side of his house, with two trees in it. Marik smiled. "There. Now they can come and go as they please.

Ryou grinned. "Wow...that's nice!" Ryou said calling the bunnies over and putting them in the pen one by one. "Ohh they'll love it!"

"There's a flap covering the door, too..." Marik said, taking Ryou inside and showing him the swinging door for the bunnies to come in and out through.

Ryou's smile broadened as the bunnies began doing just that. "Oh it's perfect!"

Marik grinned broadly. "I'm glad you like it!!!"

Ryou leaned over and gave Marik a peck on the cheek. "Thanks..." he whispered.

Marik blushed. "... You... You're welcome..." He said, smiling.

Ryou nodded blushing as well. "Well..it's gettin dark...you should go home..." He picked up a basket and handed it to Marik. "Here...I...I made you another pie."

Marik blinked, then smiled. "Thank you." He said, standing and looking around... he didn't see Angel... maybe he would get away this time!!! "I'll see you tomorrow?" He asked, heading out the door.

But once he stepped outside, he found Angel. She was sitting calmly next to Marik's mule. Ryou hadn't put her in the pen!

Marik blinked then groaned. "God, when will she want to stay home with you?!" He asked Ryou.

"When she wants to!" Ryou called back smiling. "At least you have company to share the pie!"

Marik snorted. "Yeah... sure..." He headed over to the mule, and stared down at Angel.

Angel flicked her little ears and looked up at him expectantly. 'lets go!'

Marik sighed and knelt, scooping her up and putting her on the mule's back, then began leading the mule home.

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

When Ahmose finished with his patients for the day, he headed to the saloon to talk to his brother... but Mikado wasn t there... Ahmose frowned, and headed to the General Store.

"Yugi?" He called when he walked in.

Yugi looked up from his closing preparations. "Hmm? Ahmose? Oh hi!" He smiled. "What are you doin here so late?"

"Have you seen my brother?" Ahmose asked, walking over.

Yugi blinked. "No. Not today." he said looking confused. "Why? Was I supposed to?"

Ahmose frowned. "... He... wasn't at home this morning... what about last night?" Yugi frowned. The saloon hadn't even been open last night... Mikado hadn't been home?

"The saloon never opened." Yugi said after a moment. "Mikado went in for inventory...but Malik and Mai said that when it came time to open, he never came...."

Ahmose blinked. "What?! But... where... where IS he?!"

Yugi shrugged. "I dunno...maybe he went traveling around to see what was around here. Yami does that a lot."

"He wouldn't just run off..." Ahmose said, shaking his head. "I don't like this... Let me know if you hear anything." And he turned and ran to the stable. To his shock, Mikado's horse was there. He went to the stable master. "When did you last see my brother?" He asked. "And how long has his horse been here?"

"I saw Mikado yesterday morning." The stable master said calmly. "He hasn't yet returned for his horse..."

"... Yesterday morning?" Ahmose asked, frowning. "... Where could he be?" He turned and headed for Yami's office.

Yami was within, doing his card tossing once more. When Ahmose entered he perked right up. "Ahmose!"

"Mikado is missing." Ahmose said, walking over. "No one has seen him since he went to take inventory yesterday afternoon."

Yami blinked. "Really? Hmm...well I'll keep a look out for him, and ask around about him." Yami offered smiling. "Dont worry. I'll find him for you."

Ahmose nodded, looking VERY worried.

"Dont worry." He stood and walked over, hugging Ahmose. "I'll find him for you." he purred kissing Ahmose's cheek.

Ahmose stood still for a moment, then wrapped his arms around Yami, hugging him tightly.

Yami grinned. "ohh I got a hug!" He said looking pleased. "I think I might be slowly winning my beautiful Ahmose's heart."

Ahmose gave Yami a look that clearly said 'Please, not now... I'm too worried...'

Yami just rubbed Ahmose's back. "I said dont worry. I'll find him. I PROMISE."

Ahmose sighed, then nodded. "Thank you..." He said softly.

"Go home, get some sleep." Yami said kissing Ahmose's cheek. "I'll go right now and start asking around. he cant have gotten far."

Ahmose sighed and nodded. "I'll go home... if only in the hope that he may be there... or he may show up there..."

"That is best." Yami said giving Ahmose one more rub on the back. "He may come home...dont worry."

"Thanks... I'll see you in the morning..." Ahmose said, and left.

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

Mikado was woken in the morning by Bakura entering the temple.

"Mikado?" Bakura called. "Would you like a bath?"

Mikado slowly blinked his eyes open, and he looked up at Bakura.

"Aww...You look sleepy." Bakura chuckled and inched closer. "Do you want a bath...and maybe some breakfast?"

Mikado eyed Bakura, obviously not trusting him. "... Okay..." He said, softly.

Bakura offered Mikado his hand to help him up. "You know...you're NOT locked in this temple...you can wander the city all you want." he said as he began leading Mikado out.

Mikado frowned. "Yeah... cuz THAT'S real interesting..."

"It's better than staying in the temple all day." Bakura snorted. "Cause THAT'S so much more interesting."

Mikado scowled and glared. "I would much prefer going home..."

"Life sucks then ya die kid." Bakura snorted. "We dont always get things the way we want."

Mikado snorted and looked aside.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "If we did, I would be with my people, instead of being stuck here alone."

"It's a shame, what happened to you... but why make ME suffer as well?" Mikado asked.

"Are you suffering?" Bakura said turning on Mikado. "You have family...friends and a home." He glared. "How dare you compare your pitiful problems to mine..." he gave Mikado a harsh look. "You will always have the love of your brother, you will ALWAYS have a home with him. You have wealth, you have health, you have friends, you have all you need to get by...." Bakura turned away. "Dont you dare say that you suffer. You cant even begin to know the meaning of that word."

Mikado frowned. "Right now, all I have is this miserable place, an asshole jailer, and no hope to go BACK to that happy life unless YOU decide to allow me to!!!"

Bakura chuckled. "Oh you poor child." he turned back to the path rolling his eyes. "It must REALLY suck for you to be alive."

Mikado glared, growling, then snapped. He launched himself at Bakura, tackling him to the ground and waling on him.

Bakura however quickly flipped Mikado off and slammed him to the ground, stabbing him harshly in the shoulder, and twisting his knife brutally. "I've had about enough of your attitude you selfish little prick." He hissed. "You want home so bad. Fine...I'll TAKE you there...but I will not allow you to have your perfect little life...not now not EVER!" he pulled the knife out harshly, and brought it down into Mikado's other shoulder, twisting once more.

Mikado yelped at the first stab and twist, but screamed at the second, writhing under Bakura as moving his arms now hurt terribly.

Bakura pulled his knife away and tossed it into the nearby water. He snorted and stood up from Mikado glaring down. "You have not a gracious bone in your body...nor an understanding of how truly blessed you are in your life. One thing goes wrong, or out of your liking and suddenly you think you're in hell itself...I'll show you hell..." Bakura hissed beginning to dig through his satchel. "STRIGOI!" he shouted loudly, pulling bandages from his side and beginning to wrap Mikado's wounds roughly uttering in a foreign tongue.

"A curse on you..." Bakura hissed. "You will remain invisible to your world... Voiceless... and all that you touch will be cursed with misfortune!" He growled hefting the youth onto Strigoi's back. "Town, Then home." he said firmly to the horse.
Strigoi snorted and turned, galloping with Mikado barely on his back away.

Mikado spent the entire ride gritting his teeth and whimpering in pain, clinging tightly to Strigoi's mane so as not to fall off. When they reached the town, he stumbled from the horse and ran straight to Yami's office, knowing that Ahmose would not be in town yet.

The horse turned and galloped off. leaving Mikado alone...And the instant his hand fell on the door, the doorknob fell off. Luckily Yami wasn't inside...because he would have been locked in!

Mikado blinked at the doorknob, then just pushed on the door.

The door fell completly in, glass shattering everywhere.

Mikado stared, eyes wide. "... Oh God..." He breathed, then turned and ran from the place and towards the stable... he had to get home!!!

When he reached the stable, the horses were all calmly eating their meals.

Mikado hurried to his mare, flinging open the stall door.

The door fell to the floor, splintering and when Mikado's hand touched his mare, she fell to the floor, with a pained whinney beginning to heave.

Mikado froze, eyes wide as he stared down at her. "... No... Oh God... what did he do to me?" He gasped, slowly backing away.

Stable hands rushed to the mare and began soothing her. One brushed past Mikado unknowingly, and slipped over the broken stall door and yelped in pain. "Ahh!" He sat up slowly, pulling large splinters from his bleeding arm. "Ahh...ouch..."

Mikado backed away, then turned and ran from the stable, eyes wide in fear.

He turned and stumbled down the street, wincing at his wounds, which were throbbing horribly. He reached the main square and leaned against the wall of the clothing store.

The store let out a thundering creak, and the wood began rotting rapidly near where Mikado was touching it.

Mikado yelped and stumbled back, staring at it in helpless panic, tears coming to his eyes. "No... No... No no no..." He whimpered, gasping and dodging out of the way when the owner came running to look at the damage.

The owner stared in horror, tears springing to her own eyes...she would never have enough to repair such extensive damage!

There was soft rumbling, as rainclouds were gathering over head.

Then, Mikado saw his brother.

Nakhti was galloping down the road, trying to get to the stable before the rain began to fall... Ahmose looked tired and worried, and his face was lined. Mikado sniffled, biting his lip and moving out of the way, watching Nakhti ride past... right at that moment, he wanted nothing more than to go to his brother and cry... to be held and consoled, to have those gentle hands carefully tend to his wounds... to make everything all better again... but he could very well kill his brother with as little as an accidental brush... Mikado watched his brother disappear into the stable, then he turned and began walking down the road, heading out of town.

As he walked, the rain began to fall...sprinkling at first, before going into an all out downpour.

He got barely half a mile outside of town beore collapsing on the side of the road. He dragged himself under a tree and leaned against it, clutching his throbbing shoulders.

The tree groaned and cracked...the only shelter from the rain suddenly tilting back...snapping in two as termites escaped the tree.

Mikado yelped and scrambled away, staring as the thing came crashing down. Finally, he could't take it anymore... he slumped against the stump, and began sobbing brokenly.

As night began to fall the rain slowed...but Mikado's luck had not improved...for once the moonlight touched the earth...the ghostly forms began fading into reality...They were here too!

Mikado got no sleep that night... he spent it wet and cold in the mud, shivering and whimpering in pain and fear, and by morning, fever had set in, and he was shaking uncontrollably...

The shades faded into nothingness when the sun rose...and Ryou was walking down the path holding a basket full of baked goods and smiling. "Such a beautiful day..." he purred contently. "I love mornings..."

Only half an hour down the road, and Ahmose caught up with the boy.

"Good morning." He said softly, looking at Ryou. "Need a ride?"

Ryou grinned. "Only if you're going into town." he said smiling. "I hate troubling you you know."

Ahmose nodded and offered Ryou a hand. "I am." He said in a muted tone.

Ryou frowned and shook his head. "Yami already came to see me...I...heard about Mikado." He sighed. "I'm so sorry that he's missing...I hope Yami finds him soon..."

Ahmose winced and nodded, helping Ryou up onto his horse, and urged him into a canter. "I hope so too..."

Ryou sighed and gave Ahmose a hug as they passed Mikado. "Oh my...That reminds me." Ryou said looking at the fallen tree. "Yami said someone destroyed his door,...Mikado's horse got sick too.."

Ahmose nodded, also glancing at the tree. "Yes... I know..." He said. Mikado slowly raised his head, trying to focus his blurry vision on his brother...

"Ahmose..." He whispered, barely able to manage anything but that... He tried to crawl towards the horse and riders, but he merely slipped from where he was leaning against the stump and slumped to the ground, still cold and wet from the previous night's rain. He watched as the blur that was his brother faded from his sight, leaving him there alone. He groaned miserably, tears falling... there was a horrible throbbing pain, hot in the center of his skull... he closed his eyes, trying to alleviate it.

The sun grew hot with the mid-day...drying Mikado's clothes and he saw Yami ride past, seeking out Marik to ask if he knew of Mikado's whereabouts. Then, about an hour later he rode back looking troubled. No one knew a hair of Mikado's presence. "He went into the bar...and never came out..." he mumbled to himself, as he passed Mikado.

Mikado groaned softly, blinking at the sheriff. Surely someone had seen Bakura go in?

Just then...as if it had been timed, Bakura was riding past... on his way to Marik's.

"Hey Bakura. Have you seen Mikado?" Yami asked stopping the thief as he rode. Bakura looked to the side of the rode, eyes catching Mikado's for a brief moment. "What happened to the tree there?" he asked after a moment. "Lightning from the storm last night?"

Mikado let out a weak, whimpering moan, fingers twitching slightly. He was horribly flushed and sweating heavily, but his uncontrollable shivering was still there.

"I guess...But enough about the tree. Have you seen Mikado?" Yami insisted.

Bakura shrugged. "I was going to get a drink, but the Saloon's been closed. Ah well...Marik brews better liquor than that watered down shit."

"So you haven't seen Mikado?" Yami asked hopes fading.

"No. I'm afraid I haven't seen him. He missin?"

Mikado stared mournfully at Bakura, before closing his eyes.

Yami sighed. "I see...well then I'll look for more clues elsewhere. But I may want to talk to you again...so try to stay in the area."

Bakura nodded as Yami rode around him and Strigoi and out of sight. Bakura chuckled, eyes falling back on Mikado. "Still think that my home is a dismal prison?" he said and Strigoi seemed to laugh as well. "Now you lay here in misery, sick and dying like that mare of yours...bringing misfortune to all you touch..."

Mikado furrowed his brow and groaned, twitching as tears fell from his closed eyes.

"Do you want to come back with me? Away from this hell that once offered you salvation from my care?" Bakura offered. "Or should I leave you here to die a nameless death among the shades?"

Mikado winced and whimpered again, more tears falling. His fingers twitched.

Bakura dismounted Strigoi and stooped to Mikado. "Do you want to come with me? Or stay here Mikado? Make your choice."

But Mikado gave no answer... not a twitch nor moan. He didn't move a muscle, or make a sound. He was barely breathing.

Bakura snorted and picked Mikado up. Once his hands touched the suffering youth, a cooling breeze washed over Mikado, and he could feel the pain fading from his form. "I will make your choice for you..." Bakura said climbing back onto his horse, cradling Mikado in his lap. He brushed his fingers over Mikado's forehead, the cool digits providing much craved comfort.

Mikado let out a tiny whimper, barely audible, and his head limply rolled to the side to rest on Bakura's shoulder. The heat coming from the boy's face was intense. Bakura knew immediately that if he didn't bring Mikado's fever down soon, the boy would most likely die... and if he did live, he would be crippled. Possibly be blind, or deaf... or worse...

"Strigoi. Home." Bakura said firmly, "Fast."

The horse neighed and took off like a shot. Bakura cradled Mikado holding him safely in his arms. When they arrived, Bakura carried Mikado to the springs, and stripped him, dipping him into the water, and dabbing his forehead. "You will heal..." he whispered. "The waters of the river protect the souls of the city...even those who invade it..."

He uttered a prayer and the water began to glow softly as it washed over Mikado, the only words heard...were Bakura's ancient indian prayers.

Mikado moaned softly, stirring slightly in Bakura's arms. He blinked open blurry eyes, but they fell closed again almost immediately, as a droplet of sweat trickled down the side of his face.

The waters swirled around Mikado and slowly, the boy's fever began to drop as his illness began to fade...though his wounds remained. Bakura continued to sit near Mikado, praying for him even after the water's glow had faded and it's work finished.

Mikado rested in the water quietly, the mud and dirt slowly being washed away, but it was still streaked across his face.

Bakura finally stopped his prayers, and removed his shirt, dipping it in the cool water, beginning to wash away the dirt from Mikado's face and body. He didn't disturb the tired youth, and when he finished, he unbandaged Mikado's arms, washing the wounds.

Mikado grimaced and squirmed a bit at that, groaning a bit. He slowly opened pain filled eyes.

Bakura finished cleaning Mikado and lifted his nude form from the water. He sat him on the soft dry moss and began to dry him. "Do you feel better now?" Bakura whispered lovingly.

Mikado groaned again, wincing. "N-Not... much..." He managed to mumble.

Bakura put some stinging balm onto the wounds and began wrapping them. "You will..." The balm stung intensely, but soon a warmth spread over Mikado's shoulders and the pain numbed. Bakura picked Mikado up and kissed his forehead. "Lets get you to bed..." he purred lovingly. "And I'll make you some oatmeal..with honey."

Mikado just moaned miserably again, his head once more resting on Bakura's shoulder.

Bakura stood, Mikado in his arms and he carefully carried the youth to the temple. He kissed Mikado's forehead, nuzzling him. Once he reached the top of the steps, he entered the room and laid Mikado on the cushions within, covering him with a thick woolen blanket. "Stay here...rest." he cooed to Mikado, brushing wet bangs from his forehead. "I will bring you food and drink...just relax."