And Koromaru was his Namaeru (Rei no Kaado)

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei took the paper from Atem, looking down at it for a couple seconds before placing it in his suit pocket.

"Unless we can get Bakura-san off of these charges, it's likely he will be going to jail for a long time," Kousei said. Of course, he didn't intend on letting that happen, if only because he had a reputation to keep. He didn't say he was "undefeated" for nothing.

[mugenginga]

Atem gave a solemn frown and nod. Nothing new about the situation then. It had been Bakura's body, even if he hadn't stopped it... he found himself grabbing the Ring without thinking. Bakura who had been trapped in there for weeks and was now threatened with staying there. One of the worst possible scenarios was that he'd be trapped there until he could find his reincarnation...

"If you need my testimony, I'll be glad to give it. Bakura doesn't belong in that prison," Atem said. He didn't know what Anpu had said, or even admitted to, but he knew that. Bakura didn't belong in there.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

"We may need it to convince Bakura-kun to retract his guilty claim," Kousei stated. "He seems reluctant to plead anything other than 'guilty'."

Or rather, Anpu's Ryou act seemed reluctant to plead anything otherwise, which was why he needed Atsuro. Things were already arranged with Adachi; he could get the man to come in soon. Atsuro was just the last remaining thing he needed to clear up.

[mugenginga]

Atem looked angry for a moment at that. It was completely within Anpu's character, in the character of the man who had dragged his father's body into the throne room after descecrating his tomb just to "introduce" himself to him and his priests. His fists had clenched up for a moment as well. After that moment passed he looked back up towards Kousei, his expression grave.

"I don't know if he'll listen to me," Atem said, "We've had... falling outs before."

Was he saying too much? He wished he had some idea of what Anpu had said to this man. If he'd been himself or Bakura... dammit, he didn't have enough information to work with here. Haytham had turned his head towards the two as Atem spoke. While Atem was unsure, Haytham was convinced the Pharaoh wasn't playing it as safe as he should. He could tell the words were being picked carefully...

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei had inferred that from before, when Anpu had brought up the "Pharaoh". His eyes moved to the pendant around Atem's neck, and he got the idea it had something to do with that, but that wasn't likely the whole story. He reached up a hand and pushed up his glasses.

"Any kind of help would be appreciated," Kousei said. "Incidentally, that pendant around your neck. Where did you get it?"

[mugenginga]

Atem looked down at the Ring. It was likely Anpu had mentioned it, but he could have an answer that was truer than most of what he'd said so far. Haytham had glanced at Kousei's question, beginning to get the impression that this man was shrewder then he'd first realized. And now he had questions to ask Atem about Bakura. He'd been involved in the Battle City tournament, but this seemed a different angle. And it couldn't be Zorc.

"It was a gift from my father," came Atem's partial truth response. He wasn't fond of where these questions had gone.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

"Is that so?" Kousei said. He didn't buy that, simply because of the transcripts of Atsuro's conversation with "Ryou" he'd taken. The cameras hadn't been turned off then, after all. He pushed his glasses up again. "Well then, I should be going. Thank you for your assistance."

He turned to leave, and was actually a few steps down the hallway before he turned around again.

"Oh, and Atem-kun? Theft is punishable by up to a year in prison," Kousei said with a smirk.

[mugenginga]

Atem didn't like the tone Kousei had used in his response. He gave a polite nod to the man as he said he was going. Haytham lifted himself up the wall and had a step past Atem into the apartment when Kousei turned back and gave his parting comment. Atem's eyes widened and Haytham's expression turned into a glare as the man turned back around and continued his exit.

* "What happened with Bakura?" * Haytham asked.

* "Anpu," * Atem said with a serious tone.

Haytham had a rare moment of full surprise and turned towards Atem, * "What?" *

Atem shook his head, * "The name of the Thief King that Zorc used." *

Haytham relaxed. Atem gave him a puzzled look. Why would that name confuse him that much, it was a name that had been used in Ancient Egypt. Had he not known about Anpu's resurfacing and been puzzled by it being used now? Atem had no idea if the name was still used. He took a step to get past Haytham.

* "It will only cast more suspicion on you if you try to warn Atsuro," * Haytham said. His expression became more serious, * "Explain yourself further. Do you actually mean to say Bakura's past life is in control of his body?" *

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei allowed himself to smirk as he headed down the stairs. It appeared Atem really did have that Ring. He wasn't sure how it quite related to the predicament with Anpu, but that Atsuro character seemed to believe that it had something to do with Anpu's situation... at least, if he was being truthful. If Atsuro was lying, that meant he was spectacularly good at it.

Upon trying Souji's door, Kousei found that it was locked and no one was home. He continued on to the bottom floor, and found Naoto's door quickly enough. He knocked on it a couple of times, and found it quickly answered by a rather androgynous... person. He was going with "boy" for now. It was really quite hard to tell.

"Excuse me, but would Kihara Atsuro happen to be here?" Kousei asked. "My name is Hikaru Kousei. I'm Bakura Ryou's defense attorney. I would like to ask Kihara-san a few things."

Naoto gave Kousei a wary look. The man looked harmless enough, but she was getting a bad feeling from him, and she had learned to trust her gut reactions.

"He's currently visiting," Naoto said. "What kind of questions do you wish to ask?"

"I would like Kihara-san to testify in Bakura-san's behalf."

Atsuro moved out from his corner to view the doorway. Some man he'd never seen before wanted him to go to court for Bakura...? Immediately, Atsuro went on the defensive. He didn't know who this man was, but he just seemed too convenient. And besides, what kind of attorney actually visited the apartment of the person in question? On that note, how did he even know he was at Naoto's apartment?

[mugenginga]

Atem nodded. His first thought had been wonder about Haytham's knowledge of it, but perhaps it was more obvious with someone who'd actually remembered Anpu. Bakura looked as similar to his reincarnation as he did to his, after all. Haytham was also a god, and while he was no Osiris it was probable he'd have a better sense of that to begin with.

* "I know that Bakura showed up after I split from Partner and that the Ring was free of taint directly after I regained my memories. There is likely a relation to that." *

* "This 'Anpu's' soul was unable to be judged in its incomplete state. It seems likely the two pieces rejoined when your's completed once again." *

Haytham made a note he would have to look into something. Atem glanced down the hall again and hoped no one would do anything reckless when Kousei showed up. He gestured into the apartment and Haytham took the invitation. He sat down once inside.

* "What did you summon me for?" *

* "Why would we have to worry about Adil Solomon? Minato-kun and Ryoji saw you talking to him, and there seems to be evidence it's not a simple matter." *
-----

Everyone had been rather surprised by the knock, leaving Naoto to answer it. The entire apartment pretty much leaned to see the person in the doorway, and there were various levels of confusion over the unknown Japanese adult in the doorway. He then introduced himself, and there was a slight murmer of surprise in the group. Jounouchi looked like he was about to say something but Honda elbowed him, earning a quiet glare. Yuugi looked towards Atsuro and then back towards Kousei.

"Um, we're Bakura-kun's friends..." Yuugi said, "So we'll be sure to help you however we can! Did Bakura-kun mention Atsuro-kun to you?"

That had to be it, although he wasn't quite sure how the lawyer had found Atsuro either. Had Atsuro given his address when he'd talked to Anpu?

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Upon looking into the room, Kousei noticed Yuugi first. The boy rather resembled the one he had been talking to upstairs, but appeared to be a different ethnicity. Perhaps they had been trading hairstyle tips, though how one managed to get that kind of hair, Kousei had no clue. He also noted the odd pendant Yuugi wore. That was rather interesting in itself, just because of how similar to the one Atem had been wearing it was. There was some kind of connection there.

He gave a nod at Yuugi's question. "I will be sure to contact any of you if I require your assistance. Right now, however, I only wish to speak to Kihara-san outside."

Atsuro slunk back a bit. He wasn't doing that when he was getting such a bad gut reaction from this guy. He was sure the guy was human, but that didn't change the fact that he wasn't going to allow himself to be alone with him.

Naoto noted Atsuro's reaction, and said to Kousei, "Wouldn't it be just as easy to say whatever you need to in here?"

"I would like to keep these interactions confidential," Kousei said.

[mugenginga]

Haytham raised an eyebrow at Atem's question. He wasn't expanding on the evidence he'd mentioned, but... Haytham sighed. It was likely a result of that priest. He shook his head.

* "If you are not Pharaoh, it is of no concern of yours. Were you not insistant on discarding that title?" *

* "It's my concern if one of my friends is in danger. Anzu is dating him." *

Haytham gave a small sort of smirk, * "She is in no danger. It is rather unlikely any of your friends are. This isn't your battle, Atem." *

* "I don't appreciate you dodging my question. Is Adil Osiris?" *

* "Was this the only reason you called me here? To further deny your position and demand the perks of it?" *

* "I'm not denying my position. Maybe I'm not going around it like I was 'supposed to', but I intend on defeating Zorc. If Adil has any impact on that whatsoever, if my friends are in danger because of him, I demand an answer. You once said I stood higher than you, does title bear that much on it? Why is Adil a danger to continue to interact with. What about him do you know?" *
-----

Yuugi frowned at Kousei's request. It was rather likely Anpu had said something that put at least one of their group under suspicion. He couldn't help but think it was him. Anpu had the largest problem with him and Atem. Atsuro hadn't mentioned anything about a lawyer before, but if they'd been recording the conversations...

"We're really worried about Bakura-kun, though!" Anzu chimed in, "I mean, can't you just say it here? We won't interuppt!"

"Anzu, we should let Atsuro-kun decide," Yuugi said. Anzu looked surprised and then gave a weak smile. Right, sometimes she forgot how much Yuugi had grown because of Atem's help. Yuugi looked back towards Atsuro, "Do you have a problem with it, Atsuro-kun? It's probably because Bakura-kun considers you such a good friend."

Jounouchi and Honda gave a look towards each other, but remained quiet. There was definite concern towards Yuugi's words that Kousei would likely pick u pon. Ryoji was remaining quiet because he didn't know how to help. Yuugi seemed to be taking charge. Even Teddie was being quiet, and the tension was heavy. The group was definitely worried.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei had been about to say something when Yuugi spoke up. He noted the blond and the brown-haired one's concern over Yuugi's words, and looked back down at the short teenager. No one else seemed to be inputting anything; the short one had just taken charge. Atsuro still looked a bit uncomfortable, but he shook his head.

"It's no problem, really," Atsuro said. "I just never thought I'd get pulled into some kinda legal thing... I mean, I do want to help Bakura, I just never thought they'd need me to testify."

Kousei noted Atsuro's continued apprehensiveness. This wasn't going to work out, not with this large group of people here to convince him otherwise.

"If you're uncomfortable with talking here, all I need you to do is come to this address tomorrow," Kousei said, pulling out a business card from his jacket. The address was legitimate, and it was for Kousei's office. "Business hours are from nine to five."

Atsuro took the card from Kousei and looked down at it. He made a note to research that location if only because he just didn't trust that man. Kousei didn't seem to notice Atsuro's expression and just pushed his glasses up his nose again.

[mugenginga]

Haytham gave Atem a neutral expression. The Pharaoh was, by virtue of his crown, the representation of the gods on earth. The taking of avatars had come around as a way to fill that void after Egypt as it was then had fallen. He was not truly a god, nor did he have a "divine right". However, the taking of the crown placed him as a representative, and the gods followed his command. Even that one Pharaoh Akhenaten had been accepted by a huge drop of divine activity, the balance not completely thrown out of whack in the pantheon thanks to the people's opinions of his actions.

It was what he'd been implying in regards to Atem's position. The god's followed the Pharaoh's lead. Their refusal to listen to him to this point was a result of his denial of his title. Title bore everything of it. Haytham straightened up and turned towards the door with a frown.

* "Adil is not Osiris, nor are your friends in any more risk of danger than anything else you seem to court with. If you're to know the full situation, it will come out whether you pursue this line of inquiry or not," * Adil looked back towards Atem and shook his head, * "Was this the only reason you called me?" *

Atem still looked frustrated. Part of his question had been answered, but the main thing had been dodged. Would Haytham lie to him if he thought it would make him accept his supposed position as Pharaoh? He couldn't rule out the possibility. Atem's frown deepened.

* "I won't hesitate to fight the gods if my friends are put in danger. If you refuse to answer my questions, you can leave." *
-----

Of course, Kousei was still standing there so the tension didn't really drop. There was definitely a sort of heavy silence hanging in the room. Yuugi looked at Atsuro again and gave a serious grin, and aside from the shifting of feet due to the worry and heavy air, no one was making any noise.

"That should work, right Atsuro-kun?" Yuugi asked.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Atsuro nodded. "Yeah, that'll work."

"Then I'll take my leave," Kousei said. "Thank you for your time." And without another word, Kousei turned around and left the apartment. There was a moment of silence after he left before Atsuro spoke up.

"I don't trust him."

"I've heard a few rumors about that man," Naoto spoke up. "He's rather infamous for how he approaches cases. He will do anything to win, and then turn it back on his client in the end."