Opponents (Rei no Kaado)

[mugenginga]

"Cain!"

Cain stopped as he heard Seth's voice. He didn't plan on turning around, but a thought gnawed on him well enough he finally did. There was no shift in his expression as Seth came up in front of him. His youngest brother stopped to catch his breath.

"Where is Abel?"

Seth tensed up, "I... he's by himself..."

Cain looked up. He knew Abel knew about the way Seth kept his human emotions in check. Ever since becoming the King of Bel, Cain had developed issues reading him. He supposed it was familiarity across history. He'd gotten used to the nature side of Abel's personality. He frowned, he didn't think Abel would discard his human emotions like that. With how Seth had been attached to his hip, it had likely only been a matter of time.

"He said he was going back to the hotel."

"Yeah..."

Cain let out an annoyed sigh, "Show some backbone. I know you have it."

"........Can I come with you?"

Cain muttered something Seth didn't catch under his breath. The laws on the Island tended to consider eighteen legal drinking age, and he'd planned on going to a bar. Not to get drunk, he didn't run around doing that, but to unwind. With Seth on his heels, he couldn't do that. Seth wasn't looking directly at him, and that only annoyed Cain more. His youngest brother had backbone, but only when someone he cared about was in trouble.

"Don't fall behind," he stated.

----------

Anpu had taken dominance while Ryou was making breakfast. The Thief King had been "nice" enough to take the pot of the stove. Ryou had been planning on making some mashed potatoes. At least Adachi had some food that wasn't cabbage. Anpu didn't feel like putting the effort in. He'd dumped the water and the potatoes had been left on the counter.

The Pharaoh's boyfriend hadn't been home that morning. Anpu didn't want to move forward until Takahashi was handled, anyhow. It was easier to remain in Adachi's apartment for as long as he could. It didn't mean he wouldn't hesitate to leave if it came to that, but there was an advantage to being so close to the Pharaoh and his group. While he was unsure about Adachi, and now Souji, he didn't think the rest of the group would sacrifice Ryou just to get to him. He smirked. Especially since the Pharaoh probably knew how low of a chance they'd have with that.

He looked at the Ring around his neck with a dull expression. As it was, someone could just slip it over his head. The rope was getting worn as well. He needed to get something else. A chain would probably work best, but it would have to be sturdy and small enough that it couldn't simply be lifted from around his neck. He'd seen a few stores that carried items such as that when he'd gotten his current outfit. He changed directions he was walking. He was alert, but it wasn't from any special focus.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji had headed out of his apartment about an hour earlier to go walking. He was now on his way back to the apartment, and loaded down with groceries. They may be going to die in a few weeks, but that didn't need that they didn't need to eat.

In truth, he was starting to get worried about Teddie. It had been a couple days since he'd seen the bear. Things had been getting bad on this side. Were going to be getting bad on Teddie's side too, Souji supposed. And there were other things to worry about. Izanagi had felt the presence of Nyarlathotep leave the apartments when the Dark Hour had hit, but he thought he'd sensed the demon on his way out of the apartment earlier. Izanagi hadn't been completely sure, though.

Remember, we need to check the news when we get home, Izanagi said. Souji nodded.

"I know. I didn't forget," Souji said quietly.

And you never got me my coffee.

"You know I've got leeks in here, right? So help me, I will pull one of those out right now and eat it all nice and raw if you don't shut up about the coffee," Souji said.

...You're a bastard.

Souji chuckled. "Hey, I got that from you." He stopped as he saw someone up ahead change directions. He hadn't gotten a good look at them before, but he now was pretty sure that it was either Bakura or Anpu up ahead. After a minute, he settled on Anpu. He clenched the handle of the bag tightly. Maybe Anpu hadn't seen him. If he hadn't, he might be able to follow him. Find out where exactly he was going. Souji knew from the news that there had been more kids poisoned. Four, but only one had died. Just his luck that the dead one had been the only girl. But if Anpu was heading to go try things on more kids...

[mugenginga]

Anpu heard footsteps some ways away. His stance didn't shift at all, but he focused on them. He turned a corner and focused on what appeared to be a second hand shop. He didn't care much about that, but he did care about the mirror in the front display. Sometimes the goddess of fortune smiled on you. He approached the shop, and caught for a moment who was following him. The avatar.

To not allow Souji to be suspicious, he looked at the mirror with mild interest. He shrugged to himself and turned, heading towards an alley. He wanted to get into that area before he made a point of revealing he knew he was being followed. If it came down to a fight, and it could, he didn't want to be in the open. The main issue was Izanagi. He remembered the encounter Izanami and Izanagi had shared, and it was possible the god would force dominance. Well, Anpu was not unable to flee a scene when he needed to. He had no doubt Souji knew it was him and not Bakura with the way he was being trailed.

----------

"Hey, Cain?"

"What?"

"It wouldn't kill you to let Abel know you care."

Cain stopped. He turned towards Seth with a dark look. Seth swallowed hard, regretting what he just said. The gaze was maintained until Seth looked away. Cain turned away again and continued to walk. Seth assumed the conversation had been dropped, so when Cain spoke it startled him.

"He knows."

"How do you know that!?"

"I don't intend on explaining everything to you. If you are going to be a bother, return to the Hotel."

The two brothers were close to the alley Anpu had turned into. Void City as like any large city, it had quite the crisscross of backalleys. It was the kind of place you didn't go unless you had business, and only business of the shady sort. The path they were taking meant they could only turn in one direction, and they'd turn right into the place Anpu had stepped into.

----------

Nyarlathotep was pretty sure Izanagi knew they were still being followed. That was the problem with gods, they could sense things. Souji had left about half an hour after Yuugi had. Nyarlathotep had observed the former Pharaoh for a while, he seemed to be upset. It was amusing, as the teenager was probably upset over his own mistakes last night. Death was sound asleep in Minato's apartment, and that blue haired teenager didn't seem inclined to go anywhere. It was probably the calmest day the Apartments had seen from the group in a while.

Now he was trailing back about a block and a half from Souji. The demon had been able to drop back more once Souji started trailing Anpu. The Ring put off quite a bit of negative energy. Enough to be called demonic, although Nyarlathotep couldn't recall ever having met the traces of demonic energy that was being put off. Probably something native to the former Pharaoh's reality. In any case, he was still following Abel's orders and keeping his eye on the group, the focus being on Souji.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Bastard, Souji growled. Even though he had been willing to speak out loud to Izanagi earlier, he didn't want Anpu to hear him since, after all, he was trailing Anpu. He narrowed his eyes as he saw where Anpu was heading. A dark alley. Anpu would be at an advantage if they had to fight there.

Souji, if you end up fighting Anpu, I'm taking control, Izanagi warned. Souji silently sighed. Izanagi was still worried he'd lose it and kill someone. By now Souji knew how much Izanagi disliked walking around in his body. He always said it was oppressing.

...Alright, Souji said. He continued following Anpu, unaware that Cain and Seth were approaching.

[mugenginga]

Anpu stopped once he'd taken a few steps in the alley. The stop wasn't because he was getting ready to attack Souji. It was because he'd heard footsteps from the other easily visible route in the alley. He scowled to himself. He wasn't exactly cornered, it took more than that to corner him, but it did make things complicated. He knew what was behind him, so he began walking again. He wanted to see who was in front of him.

Cain shot his arm out suddenly, and Seth walked into it. The Prince of Bel managed to not let a startled sound out. When Cain was like this, there was a reason. He pulled out his COMP, and Cain brought out his dagger. While they were near the main part of the city, they were still in a back alley. Cain made sure Seth was behind him and took a confident and domineering step around the corner. His eyes locked with Anpu. While it looked like Bakura, Cain wasn't stupid. He took a threatening stance and brandished his dagger. Anpu remembered him from before, althoug he'd been inactive at the time. He took a stance of his own, but no weapon was visible.

"Who are you?" he said. His voice was calm, but it was clearly a demand.

Anpu could also see Cain was taking a defensive protection in regards to Seth. The Thief King couldn't be sure Cain wouldn't get aggressive even without provocation. Souji would probably be there soon, which would make his most obvious choices of escape impossible. Seth was worried about the way the two were staring at each other. Neither were giving any ground.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji caught up with Anpu quickly enough, and came up behind him in the alley. The first thing he realized was that the way Anpu had stopped was odd. Then he looked past Anpu and realized who was at the end of the alley, and groceries hit pavement as he realized who was down there. Oh shit. Anpu was bad enough, now Cain and Seth were here. And if those two were here, then Abel couldn't be too far behind.

His eyes went to the dagger Cain was carrying. Something told Souji that that particular dagger was not covered under most weapons' ownership laws. But most importantly, it was a very deadly looking dagger.

Izanagi wasn't sure what to do with this particular development. He didn't trust any of the Kimura family, including Seth. On one hand, they had Anpu cornered. On the other hand, they had two of Abel's court at the end of the alley.

Souji finally spoke. "Stuck between a bit of a rock and a hard place, huh Anpu?"

[mugenginga]

Cain didn't react to Souji's presence. The situation was tense enough that a knife couldn't cut it. He did make a mental note of the name Souji had called him. Anpu. Not known by many people in the modern world, but it was the proper name of the Egyptian god, Anubis. The judge of the dead. Cain knew if any association existed it was all in the mind of the person before him. In a few leaps few other than Naoya was capable of, he'd pieced together that Anpu was someone Atem had known in their world's Ancient Egypt.

He relaxed a bit. He was still poised, but his dagger had lowered about an inch. His eyes flicked back to Seth. He'd throw his brother off as well, but it would be a way to confirm the situation. If Anpu really was from Ancient Egypt... Cain kept his eyes locked, and then let out a phrase that only one person in the scene would understand... probably only one person in the scene would know what the hell the language he was using was.

"[Anpu********************************]"
("Anpu, as in the judge of the dead?")

There wasn't much that could put the Thief King off guard. There wasn't much at all. But Anpu's ready stance completely dissolved for a few seconds. If someone had rushed him then, they could have likely given the man a significant injury. He straightened up and blinked. The position wouldn't allow Souji to see his eyes, but Cain and Seth more than could. His eyes had turned into saucers for a moment. The moment passed, and Anpu became more ready to leap than before. Souji was out of his mind in terms of anything but situational awareness at the moment.

"[****************************************************************]" Anpu's tone carried a growl. Only Cain would know, but he was somehow managing to be ruder than usual.
("Who the fuck are you and how do you know this language?")

Nyarlathotep had closed the distance enough that he could hear Anpu speaking. The demon hesitated for a moment. He was only able to understand part of what Anpu had said. The man was speaking a long dead language. Nyarlathotep wasn't fluent in it by any means, but his presence had been around since before that culture, so he could get the jist of the meaning. This was certainly interesting. Cain was using his memories to converse with Anpu in Ancient Egyptian. Seth hovered his finger over the summon button on his COMP. He had no idea what Cain or Anpu was saying, but they seemed to be understanding each other...

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji was still keeping an eye on the three people before him. Anpu was his immediate concern, but Cain was a big problem too. He'd never been on good terms with Naoya, not once. The two of them had just decided they really did not like each other. As far as Seth, aka Keiji, went, Souji wasn't really sure how to act. He'd only known the man for about three, four days before K1 and Naoya had returned to their worlds.

He blinked as Cain suddenly began speaking in a language he didn't recognize. Souji had been able to pick out the word "Anpu", so it was obvious who he was addressing, especially since Anpu answered back in what appeared to be the same language.

Izanagi, can you translate? Souji asked.

No. Though, if I had to take a stab at it, it's probably ancient Egyptian, Izanagi stated. Yeah, that made sense. If Anpu could speak it, and Anpu had been a thief back in Atem's time, then he probably could speak it. But that didn't explain why Cain could speak it.

[mugenginga]

Cain's eyes had flicked towards Souji for half a second. Souji looked confused, and he could see no indication that Izanagi was understanding either. It made sense. Izanagi was a god of the island of Japan. He was back onto focusing on Anpu quick enough. He could tell Anpu was trying to decide something, but he couldn't figure out what. The fact that Anpu looked like Bakura in terms of basic appearance made the relation pretty clear in his mind. After all, he had known Atem and Yuugi before they split. Anpu was using a form of his language that was very rude and self important. He noted that as well.

"**********************************************************************]" Cain smirked.
("Knowing who I am would do nothing for explaining why I know your native tongue," Cain smirked)

"[************************************!?]"
("I can decide that for myself! Who the hell are you!?")

Cain shrugged, "[Souji************, ****. ****Cain, **************************]"
(Cain shrugged, "Souji would be telling you eventually, I suppose. I am Cain, the same known by those the Egyptians treated as slaves.")

Anpu relaxed a bit more. So the Cain of the Hebrew people thought he cared about things such as politics? The field seemed to have evened out a bit more by that. It was unclear what Cain had said beyond the two names he had dropped, but the air had changed as a result. Anpu took a step backward, knowing it put him closer to Souji. If either the avatar or the god tried to rush him, he'd force Bakura to dominance. He gave an arrogant shrug.

"**********************? ***********************. ***********************," Anpu jerked his thumb towards Souji, "***********? ******************," Anpu's voice was dangerous sounding near the end, another sign of his regained confidence.
("You think I care about the laws of the Pharaoh and his government? I have no direct quarrel with you or your God. I wish to avoid a conflict with him," Anpu jerked his thumb towards Souji, "So would you let me past? Don't make the mistake of thinking its my only route of escape," Anpu's voice was dangerous sounding near the end, another sign of his regained confidence)

(OOC: Retcon! A really good fic I read had someone who did research. Apparently the time when Atem fits in best was PRIOR to the Exodus. So the Hebrew people were still slaves during Atem's short rule.

Also, I did some research. Pharaoh had a different pronunciation in Ancient Egypt, although I think the title WAS in use when I place Atem. Pharaoh is based on the Latin pronunciation of the word. Modern Egypt is called "kemet" by its people, but even if thats what it was referred to in Ancient Egypt, Souji would't know the word. XD)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji was still confused. He'd heard his name come up, so he assumed that they were talking about him. Plus Anpu had pointed at him. It would be nice if they were using a language he understood. But not only that, why was Cain speaking in Egyptian? He could understand Anpu speaking it plenty. But Cain?

He looked over toward Seth, who had been quiet this whole time, either because he couldn't speak the language, or because he had nothing to input. But now that Souji thought about it, Abel didn't seem to be anywhere near. Seth always stuck nearby Abel from what Souji had seen. Plus, Souji doubted Abel would turn down an obvious confrontation like that. So where was he?

It looked like Cain and Anpu were occupied (though with those two, you could never really tell), so Souji mouthed "Where's Abel?" to Seth, hoping he'd see it.

Izanagi's attention was focused elsewhere. Damn, that demon is following us still. I thought I sensed him before.

[mugenginga]

Seth seemed to focus on Souji as he "spoke". It was damn hard to tell with the teenager, his eyes were always so distant. Souji had probably caught onto that before. He'd known Keiji for a few days, but even at his worst he'd never seemed so damn unfocused. Abel's lifeless eyes were creepy, but so was that almost vacant expression Seth seemed to hold now. Like he was looking inward all the time. It was almost unnatural how many different degrees of unfocused he had, because they did focus a bit more on Souji. Still distant, but closer.

Cain saw Souji mouth his words as well. He held up his right hand to his side. It looked to be the gesture for 'stop', but it was loose. For his warning, though, Seth hadn't been able to stop looking depressed and looking away from Souji's silent question. He didn't look back up, instead focusing on his COMP screen. He seemed pained, and the timing put the reaction as a result of Souji's question. He didn't seem inclined to speak or even move his lips, lending further credence to Cain's action having been a command to keep quiet.

Anpu knew Cain was reacting to something, but he didn't turn around. He was aware of Souji's position, that was all he needed. If he turned Cain could rush him, and while both ends of the alley presented a level of danger, Cain was more dangerous. Not because of any myths or anything as insubstantial as that. Anpu knew the kind of feel a killer gave off, he'd associated with enough of them in his time. Cain was dangerous and while Anpu was sure he had a standard way of acting, it was the kind that would defy most peoples' ways of thinking.

Cain held out his hand again, this time stepping to the side some. Seth was touched by the extended hand. He looked towards Cain and more of that nonverbal communication seemed to pass, and Seth moved with the silver haired man. There was a definite different feel to the interactions the cousins shared from before as well. Before, Keiji had seemed to keep an eye on Cain, as if he didn't trust him. Now the trust was obvious. Souji didn't know how long the group had been gone, but it was clear something had shifted their relatonship.

"Then go," Cain ordered, back to Japanese.

The tone Cain used meant it couldn't be anything but an order. He flashed a smirk towards Souji. After all, the teenager had picked up on who he truly was even before he'd dropped his facade. The implication was heavy he was letting Anpu go just to get to Souji. It wasn't that far from the truth. Cain would have considered messing with Anpu more had Souji not been there. Cain caught the suspicious glare Anpu gave him at the action. The person using Bakura's body seemed to be a touch paranoid. Cain gestured.

"If I have to repeat myself, you'll have to use the other methods you mentioned."

Anpu glared and focused on the position of Cain and the blue haired teenager more. After a few moments, the Thief King took some quick steps foward. He kept his eye on Cain as he advanced. Seth watched Souji and Cain kept his own eyes trained on Anpu. If Souji really wanted to, he could probably attempt to stop Anpu. Success wasn't very high, especially since Cain seemed to be intent on letting Anpu go just to get to Souji.

Nyarlathotep had stopped advancing. He could hear the conversation well enough. His angle allowed him to see Cain speaking, and he could rid the man's lips when it came to his Japanese. As for the Egyptian, if Cain wanted him to know he'd say so. Actually, considering Abel's orders, it was more than possible he could get the info even if Cain didn't want it. The demon did note that he couldn't sense Abel near by. It smirked again. Well, something had clearly happened.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Souji could tell something had gone wrong from how Seth had reacted to his question. Cain's obvious warning hadn't been in time for Souji to not catch Seth's reaction. So something had happened with Abel and Seth, which was why Abel wasn't here.

He scowled as Cain suddenly told Anpu to leave in Japanese. It had taken him a moment, but Anpu had started walking away. Souji returned Cain's smirk with a glare. Cain was doing this to get to him after all. Looked like things hadn't changed that much between himself and Cain, though they definitely had changed between Cain and Seth since the last time he saw them.

"Hey, I still have things to talk to him about!" Souji said. He clenched his fists. "Your king's been spying on me. You have to know what I need to talk to him about by now."

Souji got the feeling that Cain probably didn't care about the dead kids, though. He took a step forward.

[mugenginga]

It would have been easy to not understand what Souji was talking about. Cain had the pieces, but few could put them together in such a way. Well, in general. The entire group, even on opposite sides of the field, had more than a few observant members. Naoya had heard the reports of the kids on the news. Normally, random cases of poisoning and such didn't get reported, the Island wasn't what you would call safe. Abel had seen the best example of that possible when they'd arrived at the ITS. But the number and victim types had been enough to get on the news.

The General of Bel didn't turn. He gave little acknowledgement he had heard Souji. The most Souji got was a narrowing of eyes at Anpu. The evidence could be strung together that the unknown attacker was the man before him. He made no movement to stop Anpu. He kept his focus on Anpu as he began to walk towards Souji. Seth positioned himself so that Cain could get Anpu if the white haired "teenager" rushed them. Cain would have criticized Seth for it had Souji not been there. It was clear the man had no intention of it.

By this point Cain and Anpu passed each other, and one could almost feel the friction, almost like the world had slipped into slow motion. It wasn't because they were glaring. It wasn't because either of them were about to strike. The tension would have been less if it was. It was more like the potential existed. The monster unseen is always more terrifying than the one that can be quantified. The stifling air passed as Anpu walked past and made to turn to walk out of sight. If Souji really wanted to stop Anpu, he'd have to act now.

"Your quarrel with 'Anpu' is not of my concern," Cain said. He had an almost flat voice, but what little wasn't was laced with darkness. The next was spoken with a taunting smirk and greater darkness, "As for the actions of His Majesty, you may call it a matter of 'national security'."

Seth had tensed at the tension. He was still saying nothing. His eyes looked towards Cain for a moment before they pointed towards Souji again. The teenager was observant enough that he stood a chance of reading Seth's expression. The Prince of Bel didn't want Souji to start anything. Seth hoped Souji realized how dangerous Cain was. His oldest brother would kill him if he had to.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

The moment Cain started walking toward him, Souji's focus moved from Anpu to Cain. There were two dangerous individuals in this alley, and one of them was walking toward Souji. He took a more defensive stance as Cain approached him. His glare got stronger as Cain began to speak. The man appeared to be in all-business mode for a moment... and then that second sentence had come, and Souji knew he was just being taunted.

He looked past Cain at Seth, who was trying to tell him something. His expression was telling Souji that it might be a bad idea to get on Cain's nerves. A bit too late for that, Souji thought to himself. He didn't want to get in a confrontation, but he wasn't going to back down from this. Not when he wanted some answers.

"'National security?' What on earth is that supposed to mean?" Souji said. "Are you saying Abel finds me enough of a danger that he's sent one of his demons to keep an eye on me? I'd have thought he'd be more worried about the guy whose persona is Messiah."

[mugenginga]

Cain's expression didn't change. He had to fight it not changing. He'd almost scowled, but that was what Souji wanted. They were back to their wordplay. The only indication Souji would have of any reaction was the half a beat longer than the teenager likely expected for Cain to respond. Cain stopped and his shoulders raised. It was a sort of half shrug. Anpu had turned the corner by the time Cain stopped and was no longer part of the 'play'. Seth wasn't making eye contact with anyone, but his head was turned towards where Anpu had vanished.

"How can you be so certain he's not keeping an eye on him, as well?" Cain said, the dark traces still in his voice, "Besides, you're the Shadow, are you not? Or does that mean we should be less worried. After all, you're nothing but a toy for a god, right?"

Seth looked nervous as Cain continued. By this point Cain had adjusted the position he was holding the dagger. If not Souji, Izanagi would be more than aware he was making a threat display with how he held it. Where as Abel had expressed something like concern over the revelation Souji was a Shadow, Cain seemed to not care. What probably threw Souji off the most was that Cain knew about Izanagi. That hadn't been revealed while the group had been there before. Then again, Cain. The man was downright eerie with how he was able to piece things together sometimes.