Closed to thetombkeeper

[moonlightshine]

[Usagi wasn't sure how they all decided to take a quick trip to Domino, but she was happy for it. She would get to see the place where Marik made a name for himself. Be able to explore a new city, and over all make more memories with her friends. The girls decided to go with them as well, which made it easier when it came to getting transportation and hotel rooms. Plus, going as a group and not on a date made it easier to convince her parents.

Leaving their hotel room, she turned to Marik, gauging his expression. She had a feeling he might be nervous being back in a place that was both good and bad. They could take things at his pace. If he wanted to show her around, or if they wanted to explore, that was fine. Either way, she would be happy as long as they got to spend time together.]

The girls said we could meet up with them later in the day. I know Ami-chan wanted to visit a museum or two, and Mina-chan wanted to do shopping...

[Usagi told her boyfriend, her hand easily slipping into his, hoping it would help calm any nerves.]

I'm curious to what you'd like to do. We could wander the city, or stay at the hotel and enjoy a relaxing day.

[Heck, they could make a game of pointing out how many 'KaibaCorp' symbols or buildings were around if he wanted.]

We can do whatever you'd like, Marik-kun.

Comments

[thetombkeeper]

[The Spirit's grin widens. Feisty, wasn't she? Not many would head him face on like this unless they had a bluff. That or she was more brave than she looked. They say never to judge a book by its cover after all.

Like the energy radiating from the regular looking locket he managed to slip from her.]

We're old... "business" partners.

[Marik had jokingly called them partners in crime but that would make it rather obvious. He needed to see just how much of his dark past she was aware of.]

Let's just say I'm checking in to see how the pompous ass is doing. He has great potential. Tends to bite off more than he can chew though.

As most scavengers do.

[A dramatic pause to cross his arms.]

Has anyone ever told you it's rude to answer a question with a question?

[moonlightshine]

[Usagi reached into her pocket and didn’t feel her locket. She thought it had fallen out when she first bumped into them, but had they swiped it?! Panic was starting to settle in her, but she did her best not to show it. If he found out how important that locket was to her, that would be game over.

For now, she would have to play by his rules. Even if it made her uncomfortable. ]

Has anyone ever told you it’s rude to keep a cute girl from her friends?

[Yup, Usagi was firstly alright, but it’s dawning on her that this person knows Marik…and not in the best of ways. Deep breath, she can’t reveal too much. She has to make sure she finds her locket and protect Marik at the same time. ]

You knew him from the Battle City tournament. [Not a question, a statement. An inkling that she knew of her boyfriend’s past…but not much.] If you have unfinished business with him, why take it up with me?

[thetombkeeper]

[Bakura lets out an amused chuckle both at her comment and how he notices her feeling through her pocket.]

You'll have to excuse me. I'm a bit behind on the times.

[Looking like a pleased cat who's just caught his prey, the thief shakes a finger at her and tuts.]

The only unfinished business I have with him is a good punch to the face for nearly getting us both killed with his terrible backseat driving.

[In one fluid movement, he unfolds his arms and presents his hand, Usagi's locket sitting in his palm.]

Looking for this? What an interesting little bobble you have... Such light must attract plenty of dark entities, hmm?

[moonlightshine]

So you want me to punch him in the face for you? Is that it? [Probably not it, but at least she was “trying” to cooperate.

Not that she would ever do such a thing to her boyfriend—but she would need to bring this up to him later. Assuming she got out of this situation unscathed. ]

[The brave demeanor Usagi has been able to keep cracks at seeing her locket in his hand. Could he truly sense the power of her locket with the Silver Crystal there? Yugi didn’t seem to notice, but Marik had always commented she had a lot of light in her.

She thought he was being poetic! Not literal! ]

I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you need to give that back!

[Yes, play dumb Usagi. She could hopefully get her locket back.

The blonde tried to reach out for her locket, hoping to be quick enough to snatch it back. ]

[thetombkeeper]

No. I'd much rather do that myself.

[Like the devil offering an apple, Bakura keeps still until the last minute and draws his hand back.]

Ah, ah, ah, little moon rabbit. I will give you your precious locket back if we can come to an agreement. Play as dumb as you want but I know there is more to you than meets the eye.

[The Spirit nods upwards, as if motioning to the sky despite the fact that they're indoors.]

Those clouds the other day. You saw them, yes? Sensed the evil practically raining down. Your boytoy sensed it, that's for damn sure. All of us Millenium Item holders did.

You have the power to dispel it, don't you? If you find the source, that is. I tell you what, I... assist you in gathering information on this new enemy and you and your little galpals send it back from whence it came. How does that sound?

Normally I'm not so generous but Marik's antics are amusing when not directly tied to them and... this competing energy is treading in my territory.

[moonlightshine]

[Usagi lets out a frustrated sound, unhappy that she wasn't able to grab her locket. She could only hope her friends noticed her disappearance and were coming to find her. If not, she was utterly screwed. She tried to push thoughts of Luna and her friends being so disappointed with her out of her mind. The blonde had to stay focus on the task at hand.]

I saw the weather changing, if that's what you mean. [Yes, she was going to keep playing the dumb card for her own good. As for dispelling it, there was a hard shake of her head.] I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a klutz, a cry baby--I couldn't do anything like that at all!

[Because...technically she was still those things. She tripped over things, and nearly walked into walls. When she was utterly exhausted she cried, or when a task seemed too difficult the water works came on. How or why would she be connected to something that involved actual power?]

And Marik-kun isn't doing anything! He's a different person now! He's not... [She bit down on her lower lip thinking back to the videos of Battle City.] He's not the person you were "partners" with.

[thetombkeeper]

Hn.

[How annoying. He understood why she was acting dumb but there was no denying the power she had inside of her. It would take a blind man not to notice the light emanating off of her.

It was somewhat nauseating.

What she says about Marik gets a raised eyebrow.]

Different, no. Trained, yes. He might have had good behavior beaten into his head since rolling over and showing his cowardly belly for the Pharaoh but once you've had a taste of the Shadow Magic, your soul is forever changed.

[He taps the Ring to emphasis.]

He was and is a desperate child. If pushed too far, he may... give in to certain urges.

[Bakura lifts up the locket and curiously inspects it.]

You best keep him on a tight leash or he's bound to get himself into trouble again. For someone who throws the insult "fool" around as much as he does, you'd think he'd realize it applies to him as well.

[moonlightshine]

You don't know him! [Those words caused Usagi to snap. She could feel tears pricking at the corners of her eyes from how angry she was getting. What he was saying couldn't be true!] I've seen the kindness in his heart--I've seen the darkness too, and I know he's changed.

[Sweet summer child, she believed those words with all her heart. She believed he was a good person who made some horrible mistakes. Ones that he was working towards repairing and healing from. He wouldn't turn his back on everything he's done so far. He would betray her by seeking power and going after it like a power hungry animal.

Her heart was pounding, silently praying he wouldn't be able to open her locket. He couldn't know what was inside.]

Give that back! [Usagi tried again, reaching forward to grab her compact but to no avail.

"I suggest you hand that back to the pretty girl!" Came a voice off to the left. It was a voice Usagi knew very well, one she was happy to hear but upon looking at the speaker...

It was Minako as Sailor Venus...dressed as Sailor Moon. Oh boy.

"I am the guardian of the Moon and Love! I will triumph over evil like you, so hand it over! Magic Moon Chain!" Suddenly, a chain of golden hearts appeared, ready to grab the locket of the white haired thief's hands.]

[thetombkeeper]

Naivé child. He's obviously never told you what he used the Millennium Rod for. Perhaps you should ask Yugi's cheerleaders next time you see them!

[... Alright, now that he wasn't expecting. The "good" energy he felt yesterday when Sailor Moon was parading around town while fighting that strange creature matched the energy coming from this girl and this locket. But then, who was this?

Bakura simply chuckles, not moving from the spot as his Ring springs to life and deflects the magical chain with a loud clang. His gaze is honed in on Usagi, his expression still absolutely confident.]

This isn't what I'm after anyways. Your little trinket is useless to me.

[He casually tosses the locket to Usagi.]

Tell Marik his old friend Bakura says hello and watch his eyes. If he's changed like you say he has, he'll think nothing of it. Probably make some snide remark and ask if you're alright.

If he hasn't, he'll be paranoid that I came "snooping around" and ask you what I confronted you about.

[His grin widens.]

Don't say I didn't warn you, little moon rabbit!

[The Ring emits a bright flash followed by a sinister laugh. When the light fades, Bakura is gone and all that's left is the tabletop rpg book he had been carrying on the floor.]

[moonlightshine]

[To the surprise of Usagi and "Sailor Moon," the heart chain didn't make contact. It bounced off like it meant nothing. Was this the power of a Millennium Item? There was much they didn't know about them, but the darkness that Usagi sense from the Ring was different than yesterday.

Thankfully the enemy didn't stay long. The locket was tossed back at Usagi, which she barely caught. Once it was in her hands, she sunk to the floor. She could only watch, speechless, as Bakura made his exit. The stress of the event spilled over, causing her tears to fall from her face. She was beating herself up for separating from her friends, for having her locket stolen...and for having her faith in Marik shaken.

Sailor Venus disappeared from the scene, but Ami and Rei were soon there to comfort their friend and princess. Makoto and Minako soon appeared afterwards, managing to calm Usagi down. Her eyes were red from crying, but they agreed they needed to head back to the hotel.

Their vacation would need to be cut short. They would head back to Tokyo as soon as they could.]