Light Amongst Shadows Part 11

“Good boy.” Bakura huffed, amused when Jou pointedly ignored the dog reference in light of the current situation. “Now, you two, listen carefully, I’m only going to say this once.” She looked between them, “This is not a long term truce. Consider it like every other time some jackass has stood between me and what I want. I’m only going to work with you guys as long as necessary, not a minute more.”

She could see the spirit of the Millennium Puzzle roll her eyes, as if she had expected that, and Jou grimace, and to be fair, she did not like it herself, but she could not trust the part of her that was still merged with Zorc to behave. She knew full well that given a chance to backstab the Pharaoh and grab the Puzzle, that part of her would take it in an instant. It was only her landlord’s interference that had stopped that part of her from finishing Yugi off when she had scared away the mooks after all.

She did not want them to trust her. Not long term. It was too dangerous. But they were fools and they did not seem to think much beyond the present. If she seemed trustworthy now, they would expect her to turn on them later, when it was her plan they were in the midst of. They would not expect a sneak attack in the middle of this mess, which she could all too easily see coming if they were stupid enough to let their guard down.

“If you’re done stating the obvious,” Oneesan stated, deadpan tone hiding the fact she still hurt, “We need to leave.”

Bakura wanted to make a comment about her not being the only one stating the obvious. She had not even wanted the spirit of the Puzzle and her runt to come along, but Jou had made a valid point. If they left her unattended there was no way she would not get into trouble and Bakura did not particularly want to come back to find that the Pharaoh had snuck out and the mooks had finished the job they had started.

She snatched the Ring up, holding onto the item of gold, blood and souls as she demanded that it took them to wherever the ‘idiots who had attacked the city were hiding.’ It did not take the Ring long to respond, the tracking magic causing the spikes on it to lift up until they were horizontal and then turn left.

Oneesan was honestly relieved when she saw the Ring react so readily. She was more than aware that the items almost had a sentience of their own. She had been worried that with the truth of what the hooded men were trying almost public knowledge, they would actually side with the men. After all they were feeding the Shadows the items drew from.

“It’s not that suprising, Anesan.” Yugi pointed out as they got halfway up the road, the first words she had said to the brooding spirit of the Millennium Puzzle since she had asked Oneesan to promise her she would be careful, “I doubt the... the spirits of those from Bakura’s village would be any happier about this than we are.” She could not help the hesitation or the sadness in her tone. Oneesan could sense that Yugi did not ever want to consider what had happened to create the item she had relied on for so long. “They probably don’t want anyone else going through what they did.”

Oneesan doubted it was less some form of wanting to prevent others the pain of what they had gone through and more self preservation, the Millennium Items seemed intent on that above all else. But she did not tell her little sister her suspicions. Imoto-chan’s heart had been hurt badly enough, she did not need Oneesan laying into her belief that most people did what was best for everyone too.

With someone leading the way who actually knew where to find the thugs they were looking for, it was not long before they were practically on top of the hideout. They had not been far from it when the group had been at the clock tower fountain. It was only two roads over. However getting into the building was a problem, because there was an energy that was preventing them from getting in.

“I bet this is surrounding the city too.” Bakura growled as she flicked stones at the barrier, which started at ground level as a pulsing, blood red light and went clear as it moved away from the floor. It surrounded the building, preventing any exit or entry so the stones bounced off of the invisible wall and off down the street.  

“So how are we getting past it?” Jou asked, watching one pebble bounce away down the alley.

Bakura looked considering for a moment, then with just a little effort she scaled the fire escape on the neighbouring building. She sent the ladder of it crashing to the ground then continued on up, vanishing swiftly onto the rooftop.

“You know? I’m beginning to think that she’s a ninja.” Jou commented as Oneesan started her way up.

“As long as she’s on our side for now.” Oneesan shrugged, “She can be a pirate or a ninja or whatever she wants to be.”

Jou could not help the chuckle that escaped as the mental image of Bakura as a pirate appeared in his mind. He clambered up after Oneesan, the pair taking a bit longer than the teenager they were following. By the time they both reached the roof Bakura was already looking over to the next roof, as if considering the distance.

The thief flicked a stone at the other building, gaining a smirk when it bounced down the slate tiles on the roof and tumbled into the barrier, ricocheting off the inside of the barrier and bouncing in through a broken window. “They never think to protect the roof.”

“So you want us to jump?” Jou asked, gauging the jump for himself and certain that while it might be possible for him to make it, Oneesan would never be able to.

“No.” Bakura shook her head, “But it you look over there.” She gestured to a corner of the roof where a bunch of support beams for scaffolding rested, “Some of those are long enough to reach across the gap.” She looked to Oneesan, an amused grin on her face, “Think you can balance long enough to get across?”

“Of course.” Oneesan shot back, pride piqued as she moved over to the pile. “Jou, give me a hand?”

He nodded and helped her with one of the thicker metal beams, it was just long enough to rest on both the edge of the roof they were on and the edge of the roof they wanted to reach. Bakura did not wait for them to go first. She shot across with a grace that reminded Jou of when Anzu was dancing. Oneesan was next at Jou’s insistence. She was not as confident as she cross the gap, refusing to look at the long drop below.

Unfortunately the board slipped slightly when she was halfway across, causing her footing to slip too. She let out a yelp as she nearly overbalanced and glanced down, the distance to the ground causing her to blanch and dart the rest of the way across.

“Ready Jou?” She called across, ignoring Bakura amused chuckling at her reaction.

“Y...Yeah.” He nodded, feeling less confident after Oneesan’s mishap. He stepped up onto the edge of the roof, only to get distracted by the sound of the roof opening behind him.