Sacrifice

The pain and darkness soon overtook Mikado...it felt like an endless sleep. Filled with nightmares and sadness. But through it all, Mikado felt warmth. He felt the warmth growing and finally light...Light was stinging the back of his eyes! ...Sounds...he could hear soft music...Since when did music and sunlight accompany death?

When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a beautiful indian city. There was a fountain that's waters danced, the buildings were of stone, and each painted and perfect. The sky fresh powder blue above them as the sun shone down. There were people walking around, talking to eachother in a strange language all smiling and...happy.

Mikado stared around himself, eyes wide in fear and confusion. He slowly sat up, trying to figure out where the hell he was...

People continued to walk around him, some giving him odd looks as the stepped OVER him. Bakura was nowhere to be seen and Mikado had to let out a yelp when a slender puppy came running by and accidentally skidded right into him, holding a large piece of meat in it's mouth.

The puppy blinked but wagged it's tail and dropped the meat to lick at Mikado's face.

Mikado leaned away, but rubbed the puppy’s ears before slowly standing, waiting for the pain to hit him.

But there was no pain. Infact, his wounds were gone. The only reminders was the painted symbol on his chest, and the fact he was once again wearing soft deer-hide pants and moccasins.

Mikado frowned slightly. "... So... I'm dead..." He mumbled.

The puppy yipped before picking up it's meat and trotting off wagging it's little tail. The sounds of music, and the smells of food filled the air, and Mikado's stomach rumbled. It'd been ignored for a while now, and it was about done with THAT.

Mikado blinked. Did the dead even eat?

His stomach rumbled again.

Well... whether the dead ate or not, Mikado was hungry... He began to wander, heading in the direction that the smells were coming from.

As he neared, he found that the city was gathering. Large tables were filled with all manners of food, and in the center of the circle of long tables, was a massive fire-pit where several chickens, a pig and a cow were all being cooked on a crafted rotissery.

The crowd was a sea of fair to dark skin and dark hair...but a flash of white caught Mikado's vision.

Mikado whirled immediately, eyes wide and hopeful.

Though when he got closer, he discovered a woman. She had long beautiful hair, and muddy crimson eyes. She looked Mikado over before smiling. She was clearly a member of Bakura's family, and Mikado's hunch was reassured when she reached out to him and said in strained english. "Ba....ku...ra...?"

Mikado blinked several times, then slowly drew closer to her, not sure what to do.

She smiled and took his hand and pulled him from the crowd, walking calmly towards another, this crowd sitting with their food and watching dancers and musicians play up-beat music on flutes and drums.

She laughed softly and pointed. There, sitting in the back row was another mop of white hair attached to a Male this time. "Ba-ku-ra." She said once more, this time a bit better.

Mikado's eyes widened. He gave the woman a grateful smile, then ran around the group until he reached the other side.

"Bakura!!!" He cried, and tackled the theif into a tight hug, sending them both crashing to the ground.

Bakura yelped and his eyes widened as he stared up at Mikado. "What are YOU doing here?" he said in shock. "Why aren't you home with your brother and all your friends? How the hell'd you get into the city?!"

Mikado shook his head. "I... I came to try to stop you from doing what you were going to do... I swam into the village in the tunnel where the stream flows into the river... And... the snake... He... well..." Mikado looked away and shuddered. "I tried to stop him... but... he ate your soul right before my eyes!!!"

Bakura raised an eyebrow. "I know he did." He hugged Mikado and sat up, kissing his forehead. "But seeing you here is a surprise." He pulled Mikado into his lap and just cuddled him. "Hungry?"

Mikado just stared at Bakura, looking like he was going to burst into tears at any moment.

Bakura blinked and rubbed his back. "What's wrong?"

And that simple question did the job... Mikado burst into tears, flinging himself onto Bakura. "I'm sorry!!!" He wailed. "I'm sorry!!! If I had known I would have helped!!! I promise!!! I swear!!! I never wanted anyone to be hurt!!! Please forgive me!!!"

Bakura blinked and shook his head, calmly rocking Mikado. "Shhh..." he whispered rubbing Mikado's back lovingly. He chuckled when Mikado's stomach once again made it's presence known. "Want something to eat?"

Mikado suddenly looked up, before crushing his mouth against Bakura's. There was a loud chorus of 'Ooooooooohhhh...' from the crowd around them. Mikado pulled away quickly, eyes wide and face red. He stared at the ground, fidgeting.

Bakura blinked and grinned, suddenly crushing his own lips against Mikado's this time, and the 'Oooooooh's were heard again, followed by cheering. Bakura pulled Mikado close and only pulled away when they both needed to breathe. "Gods..." he whispered pressing his forehead to Mikado's. "You love me too..." he looked absolutely thrilled.

Mikado, to Bakura's dismay, annoyance, AND amusement, burst into tears again, apologizing for... something, Bakura wasn't sure what... he really couldn't make much out...

Bakura laughed and rocked Mikado once more. "Shhh...c'mon lets get you something to eat..." he purred standing and helping Mikado up. "The food is good...I promise." He pulled Mikado over to the food line and smiled. "Best food you'll ever eat."

Mikado blinked and smiled through his tears, rubbing them from his eyes. "I didn't think the dead ate..."

"Dead?" Bakura laughed suddenly. "You're not dead!"

Mikado cocked his head. "Huh? Yes I am. That ugly thing ATE me!!!"

Bakura blinked and laughed. "He's a god Mikado!" he said offering the youth a bowl. "We're in paradise. A land promised to my people by the gods when white men invaded."

"... You have to be devoured to enter paradise?" Mikado asked.

Bakura blinked and shook his head. "No...but that's how WE got here." he said calmly.

Mikado nodded. "Okay... I was gonna say... that's one fucked up religion you have..."

Bakura chuckled and began scooping helpings of food into Mikado's bowl. "You look beautiful by the way..." he said after moment.

Mikado snorted. "You mean not sick, wounded and dying? Yeah, I expect I would look alot better... You look better too, than when covered in blood."

Bakura ran a hand through Mikado's hair. "No… you look beautiful...you look like a member of my tribe..."

Mikado blinked, then frowned slightly. "You mean like a freak who cuts the heart out of a man's chest while it's still beating?!" He asked, and went pale and looked quite ill at that. He closed his eyes and shook his head, shuddering.

"A very sexy freak who cuts the hearts out of the chests of men while they're still beating." Bakura purred in Mikado's ear. "You could cut my heart out...but it's already yours." Bakura hugged Mikado smiling. "The feathers in your hair accent your eyes..." He kissed Mikado suddenly.

Mikado squeaked and squirmed a bit, blushing. "I um... I have feathers in my hair?" He asked when Bakura pulled away.

Bakura nodded. "You look stunning."

Mikado flushed. "... Why, I'm not even wearing a shirt!?" He yelped, and the his eyes widened. "Wait... don't answer that."

Bakura smirked finishing filling Mikado's bowl and leading him past a fountain as they walked past. "Go ahead...look."

"... At what?" He asked.

"Yourself." Bakura laughed pointing to Mikado's reflection. Woven into his hair were blue and green feathers, around his neck laid a beautiful pendant and his face and arms were painted with tribal paint. "You're beautiful."

Mikado stared for a while. "... I can't decide if Ahmose would want to study me if he saw me like this, scold me and question me... or laugh himself silly..."

Bakura ran his hands down Mikado's sides, draping them around his waist. "You look perfect to me...so beautiful. This is a look that was meant for you."

Mikado flushed. "Oh, I dunno about THAT..."

"definatly." Bakura said smiling.

"Um... thanks..." Mikado said, bashfully. But he was also lost in thought... he was trying to figure out when he had first... loved Bakura... and when he had finally realized it... and when he had accepted it...

Bakura lead Mikado back to the dancing and sat next to him an arm around his waist and a proud smile on his face. He leaned over to kiss Mikado once more, before he went back to eating his own meal and enjoying the intricate dance show.

Mikado sighed and looked down at his own meal, blankly, still thinking.

Bakura paused his eating to give Mikado a curious look. "What troubles you?”

"I'm... thinking." Mikado mumbled.

"What about?" Bakura asked curiously.

"... stuff..." Mikado said, flushing a bit.

Bakura blinked and laughed. "What 'stuff' ?"

Mikado mumbled and shrugged, flushing even more as he poked some food into his mouth, not even knowing what he was eating.

Bakura suddenly smiled. "It's called destiny Mikado..." he said after a moment. "You and I were MEANT to love eachother." he said watching Mikado eat the mixture of vegetables that had been steamed together with spices. "If THAT'S what you're thinking about."

Mikado frowned. "I beleive we forge our own destinies..." He said softly. He had managed to pinpoint the moments when he fell in love, when he realized it, and when he had finally accepted it...

"That may be true." Bakura said looking back to the dancing. "But some things determine our destinies as well...a man cant walk the whole way alone."

"And yet you tried to... didn't you?" Mikado asked.

"No more than you did." Bakura chuckled.

"I had my brother..." Mikado mumbled, scowling.

Bakura snorted and pulled Mikado into his arms and kissed him strongly. When he pulled away he smirked. "Brothers dont do THAT..." he purred.

Mikado stared at Bakura, eyes wide. "Y-Yeah... I would HOPE not..."

Bakura ran a hand over Mikado's chest. "Wanna take this to a hut?" he whispered grinning.

Mikado's eyes widened. "I'm eating!!!" He yelped, scooting away.

Bakura scooted closer as Mikado scooted away, grinning. "Well then eat...I'll wait RIGHT by you."

"INVADING MY PERSONAL SPACE!!!" Mikado howled.

"I'm going to 'invade' more than your space." Bakura said chuckling darkly.

Mikado's eyes widened and the dish slipped from his hands and shattered on th ground. "Oh shit!" Mikado yelped, looking down in dismay.

"It's clay." Bakura said sweeping Mikado up and kissing him. "They're easily made." He chuckled and cradled his lover. "Now...lets go pick ourselves a home..."

Mikado squirmed. "W-Wait!!! I'm still hungry!!!"

Bakura walked past the table and stooped to get another bowl for Mikado, handing it to him once it was full. "Piglet."

Mikado mumbled his thanks and began to eat, but it wasn't long before Bakura watched him go from eating through hunger, to eating to stall...

“Alright. That’s enough.” Bakura finally said, picking Mikado up and carrying him away. Mikado yelped and squirmed, blushing.

Bakura walked the streets, carrying Mikado contently. "Where should we live?" he asked after a moment. "There's many empty huts, awaiting occupants." he walked among some. "Why dont you pick?" he kissed Mikado's forehead. "I want a home that is pleasing for you."

Mikado frowned, squirming a bit. "... You said... that we aren't dead...?"

"Not even a little dead." Bakura said as he walked.

"So... why are we here?" Mikado asked.

"I told you...this is the land the gods promised my people." Bakura explained. "This is where no more invaders will come. This is paradise!"

Mikado looked down. "... For you..."

"Are you saying you dont enjoy fair weather, vast expanses of healthy land, an entire village that treats you as family and a home with me?" Bakura said pausing to give Mikado a look.

Mikado frowned. "... I will miss my brother..." He said softly. "And what about our friends? Are they to beleive us both to be dead? What about the horses? Geist is probably still waiting for me... and Strigoi will miss you..."

Bakura laughed and pointed out on the horizon. "Strigoi and the others..." he said pointing to the group of horses running along the lush field. Alongside Strigoi ran Mikado's mare, her limp gone. "Even your mare."

"W-What?! But... HOW?!" Mikado gasped.

"I told you. The GODS!" Bakura said looking proud and joyous. "They're gods Mikado...and this is paradise!" He kissed Mikado's forehead. "This is a perfect place! All illnesses can be cured, there's pleantiful food and an abundance of land...family!" Bakura spun Mikado around a bit before kissing him in joy once more. "It's a land of dreams!"

"My brother?" Mikado asked, hopefully.

Bakura blinked. "uh...no." he said shaking his head. "His place is with Yami. Remember?"

Mikado's face immediately fell.

Bakura sighed and offered Mikado a smile. "Maybe if we ask, the god will find our friends and bring them to this place as well..." he offered. "But...they're not part of the tribe." Bakura said after a moment. "They're of the invading people...it will be tough to convince the gods they're worthy of a place like this..."

"Why must we stay here? Can we not restore your people to the real world?" Mikado asked. "It's not paradise, but... it's not bad... and besides... Paradise will get boring, eventually..."

Bakura gave Mikado a look. "Paradise never gets old. It's not paradise if it gets old." he said blandly. "Besides...you haven't seen the lake...or the temples or anything! Why go back? We lived in a CAVE back there...which I might add, is sealed off."

Mikado frowned. "We don't have to... you... you could move in with me and my brother... there is more than enough room... we have enough land for your horses... it's only a few miles from town and from Marik...." He pointed out.

"Lets weigh the options." Bakura said putting Mikado down and holding out his hands. "On the one hand we go back. I move in with you and lose all forms of privacy, and any intimacy that goes with it." His left hand went down a bit. "my PEOPLE are living in a cave." The hand went down again. "Your horse is crippled deaf and blind in one eye again, and I'm stuck drinking watered down booze."

Mikado gave Bakura a sharp glare, and growled.

"On the other...we stay here." Bakura said looking to the right hand. "Ample land for the horses, our own home together, my people remain in paradise, our friends JOIN us in this paradise...your horse stays healthy and happy, and you can serve REAL liquor if you want to hundreds of happy tribesmen." he raised his hand a bit. "We could have a unity ceremony..." he added giving Mikado a sly look.

Mikado frowned. "And what if the gods do not allow my brother and our friends to join us?"

"Then we do what we can." Bakura said nuzzling Mikado. "For now...lets enjoy what we have...and pick a home." he said motioning to the huts once more. "There's one and two level huts...mind you the two level ones have ladders to the beds, but also more storage..." he said pointing to the huts.

Mikado raised an eyebrow. "Well... they aren't exactly proper houses..." He said. "Two level? Near the edge of the city, if possible... somewhere a bit... secluded? Where we'd have more privacy?"

Bakura nodded and took Mikado's hand. "You pick the house. I dont care where we live as long as we're together." he said after a moment. He sighed. "I'm glad all the fighting is finally finished...I dont think I could have kept loving you if we fought much harder than we did."

"Well... you didn't axactly go about things in a smart way, ya know... everything you did just alienated me and made me fear and hate you..."

"If that's the case, then why do you love me now?" Bakura said giving Mikado a curious look.

Mikado sighed and frowned. "That's what I have been thinking about. I think I loved you... but didn't know it... and when I realized I did... I refused to beleive I did..."

Bakura blinked. "When did you realize it?"

"When you... abandoned me... and left me to die in the temple..." Mikado said softly.

Bakura blinked. "Odd time to start loving someone."

"I told myself it was just part of my delirium... from the fever and stuff... but... it just hurt so bad when you left me there... I lost all hope..."

Bakura sighed. "It hurt me...every time you lashed out." he pulled Mikado close and ran a gentle hand through Mikado's hair. "Because all I wanted from you, was to love you. I didn't even want help saving my people...I just wanted you."

Mikado frowned. "You... you didn't act like it..." He said softly. "I was... afraid of you... I was afriad that you would hurt me or kill me or... force yourself on me..."

"Never. I didn't do it in your dreams either.. I could have many times. But I never took you."

"Y-Yes... I know..." Mikado mumbled, and flushed, squirming a bit.

Bakura grinned taking Mikado's hand and began walking with him. "And I still wont...not until I have your permission. I will wait for you." Bakura said giving Mikado a lovestuck look. "Gods you're so beautiful like this...the most beautiful person in the entire tribe."

Mikado flushed horribly. "But... I'm not... part of the tribe..."

'You're my lover...of course you are." Bakura said laughing. "How could I have paradise without the one I love most in this world?"

Mikado sighed. "The only reason I'm here is because I refused to leave the cave... I... I tried to get him to take me in your place, but..."

"The gods wouldn't send you here for disobeying." Bakura said turning to look in Mikado's eyes. "The gods sent you here, because we were meant to be in love...and I would not be happy without you. This paradise would be no better than hell...if I lost you."

"But you beleived you had lost me." Mikado said. "When you sacrificed yourself."

"I was willing to suffer being devoured...for you and your friends to be happy." Bakura said after a moment.

Mikado stared at Bakura, and then, for the umpteenth time that day, his eyes filled with tears.

Bakura yelped. "Mikado oh for god's sake dont cry!" He laughed hugging the youth. "C'mon now...why dont you pick us a nice house." he purred scooping Mikado up once more, hugging him tightly. "We'll fill it with furniture and soft bedding...I can teach you how to brew liquor like our tribe drinks. Anything just stop crying!"

Mikado shook his head. "You... you sacrificed yourself to make me happy!!! And after I called you selfish and uncaring!!!" He wailed.

Bakura laughed nuzzling Mikado. "Hush, I love you. Your happiness is all I want."

Mikado clung tightly, nearly choking Bakura. "Just... just find a house that will give us privacy!!! Maybe with... empty houses around it for our friends...?" He sniffled.

Bakura continued walking laughing. "Alright alright.." he was nearing the edge of town. "How's a two level house? I like the idea of the extra room...so I can fill our house with everything you could ever desire."

Mikado nodded, still sniffling. Bakura was starting to think 'Gods, I hope he doesn't blow his nose in my hair...'

Bakura looked around, picking a nice large house right on the edge of town, overlooking a crystal clear stream. "How's this?" he said looking it over. "Looks big enough...and there's a water source right here so we wont have to go far for drinking water..." he put Mikado down once he crossed the threshold. "Hmm..."

Mikado blushed at the whole being carried over the threshold thing, and began to explore.

There was a ladder up to a stone level secont floor, which was actually built over the storage outside. There was a stone oven for baking breads and cooking, as well as a fireplace for cooking soups and warming the home. The house had pleanty of windows, which invited a pleasant breeze through the home.

Bakura looked pleased. "Looks nice to me...how's the sleeping area look?" he grinned. "Safe for sex someday?"

Mikado's eyes widened and he blushed. "Yeah... perfect. If you get too... out of place I can just toss you over the ledge and let you drop twelve feet and drive your hard on into the stone floor like a damn nail!!!" He cried.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "We both know you wouldn't do that to me." Bakura said crossing the room, pinning Mikado to the wall and crushing their lips together. "This is OUR home..." he purred into Mikado's ear, one hand slowly trailing over the youth's body. "We should fool around a little...christen the place."

Mikado squeaked and his eyes widened. "W-What?! But... but... but..."

Bakura chuckled. "Of course...if you dont want to..." He pulled his hand away and just gazed into Mikado's eyes, still pinning him.

Mikado swallowed thickly. "... Our... friends?" He said, lamely.

"We can ask the gods tonight." Bakura said hand slowly creeping back to trace over Mikado's chest slowly south.

Mikado squeaked and squirmed against the wall, shivering.

Bakura's hand worked further still, slipping easily into the deer-hide pants and groping what it found there, teasing Mikado. "This look on you...drives me wild." Bakura hissed into Mikado's ear suddenly. "You're the sexiest most beautiful...." He crushed his lips to Mikado's again.

Mikado groaned and writhed. And all he could think was, 'Oh my God... THIS ain't a dream this time!!!'

Bakura chuckled as he pulled away and gazed into Mikado's eyes. "Do you want...to spend the rest of your life with me?" he asked softly.

"Ummmm... gosh... lemme think about that..." Mikado stammered, obviously quite... flustered at his current predicament... AND clueless...

Bakura chuckled. "IF you do...then lets ask the priest to preform a unity cermony for us...when you're ready." He slowly began pumping Mikado's length. "Devote our lives to eachother..."

"Shouldn't we wait... until after that to do... this?!" Mikado whimpered.

Bakura continued slowly. "Do you want to stop?" he whispered kissing along Mikado's jaw, nibbling at his neck as he kissed towards Mikado's collarbone.

"Uhhhhh... I, uh... oooh..." Mikado stammered, craning his neck back.

Bakura slowly released Mikado's hands, and pulled him from the wall, pushing him to the floor, and pinning him once more. "You're my lover..." Bakura hissed grinding against Mikado once he removed his hands from the boy's pants. "I know you love me now...We can see the gods together..." he ground against Mikado again. "Bring our friends to this paradise...and be happy...until we die."

Mikado gulped. "R-Really?" He asked, sounding doubtful, but hopeful at the same time.

"Really." Bakura said assuringly. "And your brother can learn all the remedies from our priest and wiseman..." Bakura said lovingly. "Yami can chase all the tail he wants, and then your brother can haunt his dreams for being such a lecher."

Mikado blinked. "Ahmose isn't the kind of person to haunt dreams." He said. "If Yami chases tail, Ahmose will just dump him."

Bakura laughed at that, grinding against Mikado once more. "We better make sure their house is a ways from ours...I bet Ahmose is a loud one...and if he isn't...Ryou definatly is."

Mikado's eyes widened. "What are you saying about my brother?!" He yelped.

"That he's loud when he's fucked." Bakura said crushing his lips to Mikado's once again.

Mikado moaned and writhed, this time responding to the kiss, and tentatively curling his fingers into Bakura's hair.

Bakura groaned into the kiss, one hand sliding into Mikado's hair, the other tugging at his pants lightly. He pulled away after a long time, and gasped for breath kissing Mikado again. "Gods have blessed us both..." he hissed littering Mikado's face with kisses. "I could never love anyone like I love you."

Mikado let out a light moan, closing his eyes and just enjoying, not bothering to fight anymore... He really didn't want to.

Bakura pulled away just long enough to begin tugging Mikado's pants lower. "Do you...want this?" he asked, pausing.

"Uhhhhhh... I, uh..." He blinked and flushed, squirming against the wall. "If I say 'yes' does that make me a slut like Malik?"

Bakura blinked and laughed. "Only if you expect me to pay you afterward." he said tugging Mikado's pants slowly lower. "So I take it you do?"

Mikado's eyes widened, then he gave Bakura a look. "How about you stop complaining about my liquor?" He grumbled.

"I'll stop complaining...when you stop watering it down." Bakura chuckled suddenly ripping Mikado's pants away.

Mikado yelped and jerked back. "I do NOT water it DOWN!!! I just... I carry a less potent liquor because Ahmose is such a fuckin' lightweight... all it takes is a single shot of tequila to send him back on his ass."

"You BUY it watered down?!" Bakura roared with laughter, hand beginning tease Mikado's length.

Mikado smacked his hand. "NO!!! It's just... weaker and... well..." He pouted and drooped. "Yes. I buy it watered down. There. HAPPY?!"

Bakura chuckled stooping to kiss Mikado. "Dont worry kid." He purred. "I'll teach you how to make REAL liquor." he kissed Mikado once more. "Then...we'll get your brother flat on his ass drunker than he's ever been."

"OH no!" Mikado said firmly. "NO. Ahmose drunk is NEVER a good thing!!!"

"He'll live. We'll get drunk too, and have hot drunken sex." Bakura said grinning.

Mikado's eyes widened. "Wait... with... with my BROTHER?! What they hell is WRONG with you?!"

Bakura gave Mikado a look. "Uh no. No invitation for Ahmose. Yami gets his ass." Bakura said laughing. "I only fuck the BETTER brother."

Mikado flushed terribly at that, and looked away, mumbling "I'm not better..."

"Yes you are." Bakura said chuckling and shoving Mikado's pants onto his head. "You're also more fun." he laughed backing quickly away before the nude-teen could retaliate.

"Hey! You jerk!!!" Mikado howled, jerking his pants off of his head and throwing them at Bakura, before scuttling away, blushing and picking up a pot, hiding himself behind it. He vaguely thought that he should have used the PANTS to hide, and thrown the POT at Bakura.

Bakura stared at Mikado, grinning and holding the pants. "Now...what would you do....if these disappeared?" he said slyly, walking towards the door.

Mikado's eyes widened. "NO!!! Don't you DARE!!!"

Bakura let out a maniacal laugh and made a dash for the door.

"BAKURA!!!" Mikado howled, just watching in horror.

Bakura laughed, and was outside in a split second hanging the pants on the tree near the stream. "Now I know you wont leave the house." he said once he walked back in. "Which gives me time to go barter for a gift for you."

Mikado had scuttled up the ladder and was now sitting on the bed, wrapped up in the blanket, glaring.

Bakura smiled. "Now you wait here." he said and disappeared down the street. The white-haired thief didn't return until well into dusk. He was pulling a small cart behind him filled with things for Mikado, and their home. "Mikado!" he called peeking into the house. "I brought presents for you." he said smiling proudly. "I had to ask My family to lend me some things to get started, but they didn't mind. They even sent gifts to you as well."

Slowly, Mikado's eyes appeared out from under the blanket, and over the edge of the bed. He still didn't look too happy. "I hope pants are among those gifts..." He grumbled.

Bakura chuckled and reached outside into the cart, tossing the pants up to Mikado. "C'mon! Get down here and look at the things for our home." he said eagerly.

Mikado snatched the pants, and emerged a moment later, wearing them. "Jerk."

Bakura pulled Mikado into a hug and slid a beautiful jewel encrusted comb into Mikado's hair, pinning it behind his ear. "I thought that the jewels would bring out your eyes..." he whispered in said uncovered ear.

Mikado blinked. "... What, I'm supposed to look like a girl now?!" He asked, giving Bakura a look... but also blushing a bit.

Bakura blinked and chuckled kissing him. "You could pass for one, as beautiful as you are." he said cupping Mikado's cheek. "My family sent us a lot of things to get us started." he said pointing to the cart. Within, several large clay cannisters sat, as well as a beautifully woven blanket, and a large pad of fabric, that looked to be a matress.

"I also did some bartering in the city." Bakura pulled several pots from the cart, as he and Mikado began unloading it into the house. When it was unloaded, Bakura was already driving nails into the walls and covering the windows with colored cloth curtains to lessen the breeze at night. They had several pans to cook with, the cannisters were good for preserving fish and other meats or fruit. There was a large woven-reed rug, that was surprisingly soft for being made of reeds. Several baskets and finally, a small vest for Mikado to wear, so he could be more comfortable and feel less naked.

This he put on right away. "When can we see about bringing our friends here?" He asked as he worked.

"As soon as you feel like going to the temple." Bakura said as he filled the hearth of the fireplace and placed the cauldron-like pot on it's hook.

Mikado frowned. "Is... is that ugly snake thing gonna eat my heart?" He asked, nervously.

"He already ate it." Bakura said poking Mikado's chest lightly.

"But... he said he was going to eat my heart every night until I died!!!" Mikado squeaked.

Bakura kissed Mikado's forehead. "You'll be ok...I'll protect you from the mean old snake." Bakura chuckled.

Mikado scowled at Bakura, NOT looking amused.

Bakura chuckled and hugged Mikado, just hugging him for a long time. "So...when do you want to get Ahmose then?"

"NOW!" Mikado cried, nearly jumping in his eagerness.

Bakura laughed and nodded. "Alright alright...we'll go now." He said kissing Mikado's cheek. "For the record...it might be helpful if you apologized for the 'the gods can fuck themselves' comment you made a while ago."

Mikado blinked, then flushed. "That uh... that was aimed at you... not them." He admitted with a nervous giggle.

Bakura laughed and pulled Mikado out of their home, shutting the door and walking with him back towards the city. "It'd still be polite." He said looking up at the clear star-filled sky. "Do...you like it here?"

Mikado shrugged. "I dunno... I haven't been here for long... I don't know anything about this place..."

"Then...are you sure you want Ahmose here?" Bakura said giving Mikado a look. "He'll have nothing to start life with. Nothing to barter with!"

"What if... we could contact him and tell him to prepare? Could he bring his medical supplies? His horse?" Mikado asked.

"I dunno about all that." Bakura said after a moment. "And...well I dont think we can contact him..." He continued walking to the temple. "IF we did...we'd be shades."

Mikado nodded. "Bakura... would... would he even be... needed here? As a physician? Do people get sick here? Get hurt?"

"Yes, we get hurt." Bakura said thoughtfully. "Every night someone voulenteers to give their heart. The god eats it, then they are healed...but there's always deep wounds in the chest for several days." Bakura said pointing to his chest. "Sometimes pain... I dont know if there's any sickness here however..."

"So... could Ahmose be of any help here?" Mikado asked.

"Well...I'm sure he could find something. There's always animals and women giving birth."

Mikado blinked. "Oh. Um... okay..." He said, nodding. "And Ryou could farm... Marik could... well... do odd jobs... But what about YOU?! You're a THEIF!!!"

Bakura rolled his eyes. "I'm also a warrior." Bakura said laughing. "Warriors aren't needed here, so I can tan leather, or build furniture, or even brew liquor for you to sell."

Mikado snorted and rolled his eyes. "And who says I WANT to sell liquor here?" He asked. "What if I want to help you breed your horses?" He asked.

Bakura gave Mikado a look. "You? You dont seem the type to be interested in wether or not horses fuck."

Mikado blinked, then glared. "Very funny. Shut up."

Bakura looked thoughtful. "You could always help me with the horses, and tanning leather...it'd be fun to teach you some of the traditions my people have." He gave Mikado a smile. "If...you wanted to learn them?"

Mikado blinked, then shrugged. "Maybe. We'll see..."

"Here's a question for you." Bakura said chuckling suddenly. "What would Yami do?"

Mikado blinked, then grinned. "Uhhhhhhh... make a nuisance of himself?"

Bakura laughed and began climbing the temple steps. "I knew that."

Mikado followed, now very nervous.

When they reached the top, twin snakes sat entwined, looking over their marvelous city. Their eyes snapped to the two visitors and they stared them down.

Bakura got to his knees and clasped his hands together, bowing his head. "lords..." he said calmly. "My beloved has not found paradise...to be full." He looked at Mikado and smiled. "He has a request."

Mikado's eyes widened at that. He wanted to kick Bakura for saying that. Jeeze, that was almost worse than telling the gods to fuck themselves. 'Your paradise isn't good enough!' Good GOD!!!

The snakes stared at Mikado before the paler snake began chuckling. "Honesty is always best." it hissed looking amused. "Tell me, child of prophecies...what is it that is missing from this paradise?"

The brighter snake however looked displeased. "He does not belong here." it hissed giving Mikado the angry eye.

Mikado winced. "Well... ummm... I... I wanna first of... apologize for what I said... ya know... about fucking yourselves? That... that wasn't actually directed at you, I was mad and I said it to Bakura to piss him off, I... Um... sorry?"

The pale snake laughed more. "We know."

Mikado gave a sheepish smile.

"So..." The pale snake uncoiled from the bright snake, slinking forward to Mikado. "What must be done to make this paradise more complete for you?”

"Oh... ummm..." Mikado glanced at the other snake, nervously. "I... My... my brother... our... friends."

"Are not welcome here." The other snake hissed glaring at Mikado. "It's bad enough one invading heathen is here."

The pale snaked turned and glared at the other. "How can we deny this child a paradise equal to his lover?" The bright snake hissed but turned away.

Mikado winced. "I... If I cannot have my brother and my friends... I don't want to stay here..."

The pale snake looked thoughtful. "You would...leave this place?"

The bright snake laughed. "Send him home. He's not welcome here anyway."

The pale snake shot his brother a glare and turned back to Mikado. "You would be leaving behind more than a paradise....you'd be leaving behind someone who loves you."

Mikado looked at Bakura, upset. "... I... I don't know!!! I love him too! But I love my brother! And I have friends and... I didn't even KNOW I was gonna end up here when I was swallowed, I... I thought it was... the end..."

"It was meant to be." The brighter snake hissed at Mikado.

"But I stopped it." The pale said looking at his brother again. "Child of prophecy...I will speak with my brother about this...and we will make our decision. If our choice is not what you wish to hear, then do you wish to leave?"

Mikado frowned. "I... don't know..." He sighed, and looked at the snake. "What... what IS the prophecy about me?"

"That you would reunite the people of this tribe, and create peace." The pale snake said calmly, and the bright snake snorted.

"You mean drive the lost child to near insanity..."

Mikado snorted. "I think that was mutual." He said, giving the bright snake a bit of an annoyed look.

The bright snake lashed forwards suddenly, fangs inches from Mikado's face. "Silence yourself!"

Mikado's eyes widened and he yelped, stumbling backwards a bit.

Bakura caught Mikado and held him protectively, hugging him close.

"We will convene." The pale snake said calmly. "Return to your home...and sleep."

Mikado winced and looked down, chewing his lip and moving closer to Bakura.

Bakura stood, helping Mikado to his feet and nodded. "Thank you lords." He said bowing and pulling Mikado away. He smiled when they left. "The evening star favors you..."

Mikado blinked. "... Uhhh... what?"

"Those gods. They're the dawn and evening star. Brothers." Bakura explained. "They're the sun and moon.'

"Uh... okay... I don't like that mean one..." Mikado mumbled, pouting.

Bakura nodded. "The dawn star. He's a bit brash...but the evening star compensates for his temper."

Mikado snorted. "Nice to know..." He grumbled.

Bakura walked with Mikado back to their home. "Well...lets rest." he said once they entered and shut the door. "Hopefully the gods will let our friends come too."

Mikado sighed and nodded. "Yeah... I don't want to have to choose between you and them..."

Bakura sighed and nodded. "I'd understand...if you wanted to leave me for Ahmose."

Mikado frowned, upset. "... I don't WANT to leave you!!!"

"I know...but if you have to. I'll understand." Bakura said hugging Mikado. "I wont be angry."

Mikado snorted. "Yes you will...” he said softly.

"Mikado..." Bakura sighed. "Your happiness is what's important. I will live, if you decide to go home."

Mikado frowned, shaking his head and clinging to Bakura. "Can... can you not come back with me?" He asked.

"I cant." Bakura said softly. "This is my home...my place. This is where I've always wanted to be."

Mikado stared at him. "Really?" He asked. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." he said proudly. "Where else would I want to be?"

"Umm... with... me?" Mikado asked, shyly.

"And your PURPOSELY bought watered down booze?!?"

Mikado winced. "I'd get the good stuff for YOU!!!" He whined.

"And all this time you were screaming it wasn't watered down." Bakura snickered. "I knew it."

"No, I was saying that I didn't water it down!!! The manufacturers watered it down! NOT ME!!!" Mikado pouted.

"It doesn't matter WHO waters it down. The fact is, it's watered down!"

"But I didn't do it, and that's what you were accusing me of." Mikado pointed out.

"No, the conversation always started with me pointing out the booze is watered down." Bakura argued as he climbed the ladder to the bed. "Then you always screamed 'It's not watered down!' ."

Mikado snorted and scowled, folding his arms. "You were PICKING on meeeee!!!!"

"You're so cute when you wrinkle your nose." Bakura said pulling Mikado into the bed and cuddling him tenderly.

Mikado scowled. "I do NOT wrinkle my nose!!! Ryou does that!!!"

Bakura kissed Mikado's nose lightly. "Suuure you dont."

Mikado snorted, snuggling down and getting comfortable. "When... when will we know the decision?"

Bakura shrugged, pulling Mikado into his arms and spooning him. "We'll find out when they decide. I'm not a god-predictor." he chuckled sighing in comfort. "They're unpredictable. They're gods."

Mikado frowned. "I don't think I like them..." He mumbled into his pillow. "... I don't like snakes..."

"They can take other forms." Bakura said yawning. "They're gods. Snakes are just the form they're commonly seen in."

Mikado just pouted, and yawned. "... He ATE my HEART."

"Not before I stole it." Bakura whispered kissing Mikado's cheek. "...Mikado?" he asked after a moment, sounding sleepy. "When'd you first fall in love with me?"

Mikado blinked, and his face immediatey heated up, and his eyes widened. He squirmed a bit. "Oh... ahhh..."

"Well?" Bakura asked, yawning again and cuddling Mikado, pulling the blankets up around both of them a bit more.

"Umm... ask me again some time..." Mikado said, but he realized his with horror that the blood in his face was draining and heading... elsewhere as he thought of the moment Bakura was inquiring about...

"I'm asking now..." Bakura chuckled. "Or are you too shy still, to tell me?"

Mikado mumbled and curled up, hoping to God that Bakura wouldn't notice his... developing condition...

"What was that?" Bakura whispered, his breath tickling Mikado's ear.

Mikado gulped. "What was... what was what?"

"The mumbling." Bakura chuckled, the hand on Mikado's stomach beginning to massage lightly, and it seemed so close... "I couldn't understand you."

"Nothing..." Mikado said, flushing.

Bakura kissed Mikado's neck. "Aww...c'mon. Tell me. When did you fall in love with me?"

"I, um... I'll tell you later...?" Mikado offered, squirming a bit... Bakura's close proximity and... innocent loving actions were continuing to affect him.

"I asked now. Why wont you tell me?" Bakura said opening an eye and smirking, his hands seeming to slip a bit lower.

Mikado squeaked and wiggled around, trying to move and get Bakura's hand further from the... incriminating evidence. "B-Because..."

"Beeecaaause?" Bakura moved closer to Mikado, their bodies pressed together comfortably.

Mikado let out a soft wail, as now... Bakura's groin was now pressed into his backside. Great. Just what he needed...

Bakura's hand slipped casually lower. "Mikado...are you ok?" Bakura whispered, sounding slightly worried. "Should I ask the wiseman to come see if you're alright?" Oh he was having fun with this.

"No! I'm fine! I'm... I'm just tired, and I'm not used to being in bed with someone, it's... slightly crowded."

Bakura's hand backed away a bit. "Why wont you tell me when you fell in love with me?" Bakura asked kissing Mikado's neck again, trailing down to the crook of his shoulder and nibbling lightly. "I want to know..."

"B-Because... It's... embarassing..." Mikado finally admitted.

"Why?" Bakura's hand was creeping lower once more. "You know I love you back, so what's to be embarrassed about?"

"It just IS!!!" Mikado wailed, squirming and trying to get Bakura's hand to stop it's downward progress.

Finally, Bakura's fingers were playing at the hem of Mikado's pants. "Oh?" Bakura gently bit Mikado's neck, not breaking the skin, but teasing his flesh with his teeth. "I think I know when you fell in love with me..." he said hand slipping into Mikado's pants to grip the awakened flesh he found there.

Mikado jerked violently, bucking his hips and throwing his head back. "AHH!!"

"You gonna tell me now?" Bakura hissed kissing up Mikado's neck. "Or...do I have to do a little...torture first?"

Mikado whined. "It was... I don't quite remember... The... last night you came to me in my dreams? And... Oh God..." He groaned, his body already breaking into a sweat.

"When Malik was there?" Bakura laughed.

"N-No..." Mikado mumbled.

"You mean the one where you said you wanted me?" Bakura slowly began pumping Mikado's length, thumb sliding slowly over the sensitive slit of flesh at the tip of Mikado's arousal. "Would that be it?"

Mikado whined, squirming. "I dunno... is... is that the one where you... ummm..." He flushed again.

"Where I 'ummm' what?" Bakura laughed continuing his sweet torments.

"I... Can't say it!!!" Mikado cried, panting.

"Oh yes you can." Bakura hissed into Mikado's ear. "I want to hear it."

"When... when you... Ummm... did thing on my chest...?" Mikado said slowly.

Bakura's free hand curled around Mikado and rubbed his chest. "The symbol?" Bakura whispered smiling. "It's just the symbol of lovers..." he purred stroking said symbol on Mikado's chest. "Because I love you."

Mikado blinked. "It... it is?" He asked, turning and looking back at Bakura over his shoulder.

Bakura nodded grinning. "Mmhmm."

"Well... it was the night when you... Ummm... with the... ropes and... and the candle..." His eyes widened at that memory and he shivered.

Bakura trailed his thumb over Mikado's slit once more at the shiver. "Ohh? My beautiful little masochist...." Bakura purred. "What a delightful little surprise." He bit Mikado's neck lightly once more. "I think we could have so much fun with that...."

Mikado squeaked and shivered again. "... I... I didn't even know that about myself... until you... and... ummm..."

Bakura continued his work. "We're going to have SO much fun with this..." he whispered licking the side of Mikado's ear slowly. "Every night..."

Mikado's eyes widened and he was rendered completely breathless for a moment. "Oh... Oh God..." He finally gasped, squirming in desire.

"Oh yes...I'll go tomorrow...get us some leather-woven ropes....and maybe a good cloth to use as a gag..." Bakura purred in Mikado's ears. "Some candles....a dagger or two."

Mikado groaned. "Nnnnnh... My... brother will LOVE that..."

"Oh you'll never tell him." Bakura hissed beginning to speed his pumping. "Oh no, this will be our little secret. Our nightly secret...dirty little secret from the world. I may even make a collar for you...with my name written on it...that you can wear just for me."

"What?!" Mikado yelped. "I'm not a dog!!"

"Before or after I tie you up and drip hot wax all over your body?" Bakura chuckled. "Besides...It'd look sexy seeing my name around that neck of yours..."

Mikado rolled his eyes. "Freak."

"Freak who enjoys being sexually assaulted." Bakura laughed pulling Mikado closer.

"AH! Jerk..." Mikado snorted, closing his eyes and gritting his teeth as he fought back a moan. He flung the blankets off, too hot to bear them any longer. His entire body was covered in sweat, and his hair stuck to his back, neck and face. "God..."

Bakura chuckled sitting up and sliding Mikado's pants down slowly, still pumping him. "You look hot..." he said licking his lips.

"I AM hot..." Mikado mumbled, a drop of sweat rolling down his chest. He reached one arm back behind him, gripping Bakura's hair and turning, kissing him fiercly, and the other joined Bakura's... busy hand.

Bakura moaned at that. Such a hot spunky lover he had...He had to be the luckiest Aztec to ever live!

Mikado sighed in response, opening his mouth and flicking his tongue between Bakura's lips breifly in an invitation to invade. He also moved the leg that was on top to curl around Bakura's legs.

Bakura eagerly took the invitation, plundering Mikado's mouth with his tongue, and playfully teasing Mikado's tongue as well. His free hand curling into Mikado's hair and pressing him into the kiss more.

Mikado spasmed slightly and gasped, his hands tighening in Bakura's hair, and on Bakura's hand that was stroking him; he was close.

Bakura pulled away gasping for breath and sitting up, his hand wandering from Mikado's hair to remove the youth's pants. He pulled Mikado's hand away, as well as his own and pinned Mikado's hands to his sides, before he took the heated flesh into his mouth,

"OH FUCK!" Mikado yelped, jerking and thrashing slightly, groaning. "Oh God..."

Bakura began bobbing his head, trailing his tongue over Mikado, coaxing him. He wanted this release, not just to 'christen' their new home...but hopefully it would help Mikado become more comfortable with their relationship, and him. Plus...he was so fucking HOT!

"B-Bakuraaaaa..." Mikado moaned. "God... PLEASE don't let this be another dream..."

Bakura deepthroated Mikado suddenly, beginning to hum softly, knowing the vibrations would likely drive a virgin like Mikado absolutely CRAZY.

And he was right. Mikado threw his head back with a startled scream (score! Bakura got himself a screamer!) and thrashed about slightly, before groaning and screaming again when he released.

Bakura swallowed every drop, licking Mikado a few more times teasing him, before pulling away and chuckling. "mmm....the gags will be a good investment for my beautiful screamer..." he whispered laying back next to Mikado and cuddling him.

Mikado just gave a tiny quavery moan as he slowly recovered, curling into Bakura's arms with a soft purr of contentment.

Bakura smiled, wrapping his arms around Mikado and kissing him once he'd pulled the blanket back over them. "Goodnight Mikado..." he whispered smiling and closing his eyes. This was paradise...

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