Transfer of Guilt (Rei no Kaado)

[mugenginga]

(OOC: Uh, name spelling change. Inpu seems to be a more accepted spelling of Anubis' Egyptian name, but the real reason? Abel, Atem, Adil, Asim, Atsuro, Adachi.... soyeah.)

The station had seemed busy that morning. Inpu had been woken up by it. That is to say, even if he'd been a heavy sleeper (only as a young child...) he'd have been woken. He'd lifted the pillow off the prison bed and put it over his head before throwing it to the other side of the cell and deciding to get some extra workouts in.

The body technically belonging to Bakura Ryou had been getting move developed under Inpu's "care". While he preferred a better set up for training, he had to admit the food he was fed here was quite good, and without any effort on his part at that. If he had to guess from the way the sun was barely streaming through the windows, it was around mid-day. His host's memories indicated that was noon, although he quite honestly didn't care about the modern world's clock. All he needed was to keep an eye on when the sun went down.

Out in the front, there were two reasons for the noise that had contributed to Inpu's awakening a few hours earlier (it was earlier in the morning than Inpu's disregard for the modern clock realized). For one, Adachi had come back to work that morning, having been discharged from the hospital. The only true evidence of his stint were a few fading bruises. He'd be sore, but not unable to function. The other, and actually larger reason, was Inpu was being transferred today. His lawyer had threatened lawsuits if they didn't hurry that aspect of his imprisonment up.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Adachi had been discharged from the hospital that morning after it was determined that his more major injuries (such as his cracked ribs) were for the most part healed. He had to give the doctors here credit. He would have spent a much longer time in the hospital back in his own world for the same issues. Really, Adachi was just glad to be out, though that meant he'd have to deal with Seta again. Seta, who had ended up not getting in any kind of trouble for what he'd done to him. Adachi knew Chisaki hadn't blabbed, since Adachi still had a job, but he couldn't think of why the Seta kid hadn't gotten in any trouble for nearly killing him.

While he'd been in the hospital, Yamada had come visiting and told him some grave news. "Bakura" had been arrested, meaning it wasn't really Bakura, but that bastard Inpu. Bakura hadn't had the Ring on him when he was arrested, so it had to be him. And now they were moving him to the larger jail.

Oh, and that damn bastard Hikaru Kousei was here to help "supervise" the move, since Inpu was his client. Some of the other officers may have been fooled, but Adachi wasn't in the least. Hikaru was a bastard, a liar, and a conman throughout. Adachi knew one when he saw one. He couldn't call himself very good at his own talents if he couldn't recognize them in others, after all.

And, unknown to just about everyone besides Adachi, Hikaru had just slipped away from rest of the procession and into the room where the cells were kept. Adachi narrowed his eyes and followed Hikaru over to the door, where he stayed to listen in.

-------------------

"I see you're already awake," Kousei said with a smirk. He walked over toward Inpu's cell, and stopped a few feet away from it. He wouldn't give Inpu the chance to lay a hand on him this time. "Good news! They're finally transferring you out of this dump into a much larger dump."

[mugenginga]

Inpu had heard the door click as the knob turned, and was sitting on his bed by the time Kousei had it closed. He looked at the lawyer as well as past him, noticing Adachi just as he positioned himself. He wasn't visible now, but the former Thief King had a feeling he was listening in. His eyes followed Kousei as he moved in further, and gave a smirk at where the man was standing. Inpu wondered if he'd intimidated the man more than he'd let on.

"One would think you thought someone was watching you with that smile," Inpu said, throwing his weight forward and landing on the ground in front of the bed. His eyes flicked towards Kousei's outfit, and he saw no indication of a tape recorder this time. Odds were the security cameras were on this time, whether the man had concealed anything or not, "Now tell me exactly why I shouldn't escape mid transfer with your threats before?"

He knew that no one would know what he was talking about. Honestly, it was possible Kousei would get rid of the tape being used now. But Adachi was outside that door, and there could be an advantage to both of them if he could use his own skills to bring Kousei from his pedestal. Adachi could think he'd stay behind bars, and he could work on escaping without dealing with the fool trying to blackmail him. Increased security from his comments? Not with how much they underestimated him here.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei was indeed aware of the man Adachi's presence outside the door. He had expected the man to follow him. He still had to wonder about how close the man really was to Bakura. Perhaps he really had been faking it when he had been going on and on about Bakura all of those months ago.

"Because, Inpu, in this day and age, it's much easier to move around when you don't have the police chasing after you," Kousei stated. "However, I didn't come to talk to you about your possible escape, though be assured that if you do, there will be... consequences."

Adachi narrowed his eyes from outside the door. So Kousei was aware of Inpu's true nature, at least to some extent? No, he probably just humored Inpu, now that Adachi thought about it. Easier that way for Kousei.

"I came to ask you about that Atem person, the one who took that necklace of yours," Kousei said. "I'll be better for you if you can tell me whatever you can about him."

[mugenginga]

Inpu gave a short scoffing chuckle at Kousei's full warning. He'd had the Pharaoh's soldiers after him several times, he'd even been caught a few times. Being made to walk across a desert with burning hot shackles and no shoes was a far worse punishment then it seemed this era considered civilized, and that was on the road to death for his crimes. Of course, it was easier, but not impossible. And he was sure he'd done worse to people who opposed him then any consequences Kousei could think of.

However, Kousei's next question caught him off guard. He raised an eyebrow at the question. After a moment he shrugged and walked towards the bed, sitting down on it and looking at the ceiling. He seemed almost reminiscent... and it didn't seem of a happy sort.

"His uncle slaughtered my entire village on orders of his father. Right in front of my eyes. Nile had flooded only six times when it happened," Inpu said. The man probably didn't want all the details, but why the hell not?

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei let his smirk drop, but only because he didn't want to appear disrespectful. It was better if it looked like he gave a damn about Inpu's past, after all. The Nile flooded annually, so it seemed this boy had been six when it occurred, or so he claimed anyways. Kousei had to give this alternate personality for sticking quite well to the details. It didn't change that he was a little crazy in Kousei's eyes, though.

"So your entire village was slaughtered. I assume you hate Atem out of revenge, then?" Kousei said. Those weren't the kind of details he was looking for, but perhaps Inpu would say something interesting.

[mugenginga]

Inpu let out a chuckle and looked at Kousei. His expression made it clear he thought the man's question was that of a naive fool, "Slaughtered? You really think that's the end of it? Akhenaden killed everyone I'd ever known and cared about. He then did the same to his men. He then melted bodies into gold to make seven items. Of course, that was only some of them. The rest? He just dumped and let rot."

"I was the only survivor. Akhenaden thought he'd killed all of Kul Elna. Although to say 'surviving' would be an overstatement, don't you think? Especially after I was picked up by slave traders and forced to make an escape," Anpu left out that he'd killed several in his escape, "And that wasn't the end of it. I learned that the Pharaoh had taken the items he'd made with the souls and bodies of my village and was using them to protect the kingdom... or so he claimed. I'd seen that ritual, there is no reason for that kind of thing but a lust for power."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei continued to listen to Inpu's story, though it wasn't with much interest. He had to admit that Inpu's story was rather... detailed. It was likely this Atem believed it as well, at least to some degree. Kousei still believed this was some kind of delusion of theirs. Perhaps they were both delusional.

"Hm, so it has more to do with the items your people were killed to make, then," Kousei said. "If that's the case, then why do you want the necklace that Atem wears?"

Adachi narrowed his eyes. It seemed Atem had more to do with this than he thought. He knew Inpu hated Atem. He knew that all too well. But this explained things well enough, like why Inpu had wanted Adachi to get that poison before. It was almost enough to justify what Inpu had done.

[mugenginga]

"Does it matter? I would think that holding the essence of part of my village in it would be enough. And don't think I think for a second you believe a damn thing I'm saying," Anpu smirked. Despite the comment, he continued, "I scraped by a living, and swore revenge on the Pharaoh... but someone assasinated him. From what I heard, it was poison. Of course his son took the throne and the bastard was celebrated as the hero who brought peace to Egypt."

"There was no way in hell the son of that murderer was meant to rule Egypt. So of course I tried to kill him. Left him a rather creative greeting, and his Priests damn near killed me with their Ka," Inpu smirked, "Summoned monsters, they appear to exist today as a card game of all things. According to little Ryou's memories, it seems the Pharaoh's reincarnation and boyfriend is the world champion at it, his rival being someone that is probably the reincarnation of the Pharaoh's Priests. Kaiba something or other."

Inpu hadn't yet mentioned, of course, how exactly he was running around in the present era. A possible hole Kousei was true to notice.

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Kousei shrugged as Inpu called him out on not believing him, and gave no other reaction. It was only after Inpu paused again that Kousei spoke up.

"You say you are from ancient Egypt, but here you are, running around like it was nothing, and that Atem is doing the same thing," Kousei said. "Perhaps if you explained that for me, I might accept your story a bit more."

[mugenginga]

Inpu frowned. That was something he hadn't figured out either. Exactly how was the Pharaoh up and running around? While he was grateful to Fate for giving him another stab at the bastard, it didn't really make a lot of sense. Although he had a feeling it was directly related to what he was doing back. He shrugged.

"I gave myself over to a demon on the condition he'd bring the Pharaoh down, and he came collecting. I'd assume something he did prevented his death, violating the contract and allowing me to return as well. Although whey I'm stuck in someone else's body," he looked at Bakura's pale hand for a moment and then glanced up at the forming muscles. He still had a ways to go, and he still wasn't as tall as he'd been back in his own body. He finally shrugged and looked back at Inpu, "It's beyond me. The Pharaoh has his body back for some reason."

"You wanted to know why I wanted the Ring?" Inpu smirked. Kousei had figured it out from what he'd said. He hadn't intended on giving a hint, but it wasn't like it mattered, "Wouldn't you say they're rightfully mine? Ninety-nine people, most of which were people I'd known for my entire life, were melted into those damn Items. I would think my reason for wanting them should be obvious."

[Firebreath Fishslap]

A demon. Demons and summoned monsters; this story only continued to get more fantastic as Inpu continued on. Kousei didn't give any kind of visible reaction as Inpu continued on. He smirked.

"Do you wish to destroy them?" Kousei asked. He shrugged. "Well, it doesn't matter to me. I was only curious. In any case... I don't much appreciate being eavesdropped on, Adachi-san."

There was a pause, and then Adachi stepped out from behind the door. He didn't look angry, just annoyed.

"You're not supposed to be back here. You need to head back outside, now!" Adachi said. It was obvious to Kousei that wasn't the real reason Adachi was annoyed, though that was only because he knew Adachi's type. The man was keeping up his mask rather well, Kousei had to admit that.

"Now now, no need to be so harsh, Adachi-san," Kousei said. "We can get your little talk with Bakura-san done here."

"What the... what does that have to do with anything?!" Adachi looked a little taken aback. "Hey, I'm not kidding! You better get back outside before I have to arrest you!"

[mugenginga]

Inpu smirked and returned the shrug in response to Kousei's rhetorical question. The Items were made, the people he cared about weren't coming back, and they'd prove to have abilities beyond what the Pharaoh's Priests had used them for. What had that other Egyptian called it? A Game of Darkness? He was quite interested in that... especially given what he'd seen of them. It sounded quite effective for torture, and the Pharaoh didn't deserve an easy death...

He looked towards the door as Kousei indicated Adachi, the smirk remaining on his face. He'd figured the other man knew Adachi was there. Kousei didn't miss a trick any more often then he did himself. He also knew Adachi wouldn't fall for the Bakura trick, he knew the thing with the Ring, but there was a chance Kousei's manipulation could work to everyone's advantage. The former Thief King of Ancient Egypt stepped back, and his stance changed. His shoulders slumped, his eyes softened, and he seemed almost to lose an inch in height. He then blinked in surprise, before a look of resignation spreading on his face.

"Wha-what are you doing here, Adachi-san...? Are you sure you're okay? I heard you were in the hospital!!"

[Firebreath Fishslap]

Adachi had opened his mouth to yell a few more things at Kousei before Inpu suddenly changed his stance. He turned toward Inpu, and slightly softened his expression. Adachi was completely aware of the fact that Inpu was only pretending to Bakura, but Adachi still had to put up the facade that he actually cared about Inpu.

"Oh... yeah... But I'm fine now! Just a few bruises and stuff," Adachi said. His injuries had actually been pretty serious at the time. He was still wondering what the hell Chisaki had done to get both him and Seta off. "More importantly... why are you here? You shouldn't be here, Ryou..."

"That's part of what I want to talk about, Adachi-san," Kousei said. "But perhaps Bakura-san can explain better."

[mugenginga]

Bakura looked doubtful of Adachi's explanation for a moment, but he seemed to force a smile and a nod. He looked at Kousei, seemingly confused. He seemed to almost be trying to recognize the man. He looked over at Adachi and lowered his head for a moment. Inpu remembered that Bakura and Adachi had left on poor terms, after all.

"I..." he looked at Kousei again, "I'm very sorry, do I know you...? Wait, I mean... I never did anything to you, right?"

Now he seemed almost worried.