Chapter 40

Things seemed completely normal back at the circus when they landed with a thump in the middle of the grassy compound, surrounded by trailers. Marik lay on his back for a while, looking up at the sky that was bleeding into dusk, speckled with brightening stars and a phantom moon.

Bakura kicked him softly and silently urged him to get up, which he did and swayed slightly on his feet, dizzy from their trip. The Ringleader was already looking around, checking to see if everything was in order and hadn't gone to hell while they'd been away. Time seemed to have strayed slightly, as they were gone for a total of five days at the most, and yet it was just turning night time.

Ryou came rushing over to them, looking very flustered and relieved. "Where have you been?" He asked in a slightly demanding voice but he squeaked when Akefia sent a glare at him. "Its just you missed rehearsals and the show is in half an hour and no one has been able to find any of you."

"Yeah, seriously, you say something is wrong and then you go missing Bakura." Malik turned up from behind one of the trailers, looking a little annoyed. "That wasn't creepy or worrying at all." He said with a sarcastic roll of his eyes.

"Half an hour?" The Ringleader questioned. "Really? Shit. Better get ready then, haven't we?" He flashed a convincing and menacing smirk at the two new arrivals, sending them skittering away for fear of their leader lashing out at them. "You two as well. As I've noticed, Marik is missing his collar and your shorts are barely staying on your hips." He glanced over at his two subjects, who went and did as they were told without a second thought.

Akefia strode over to his personal trailer, oozing confidence and dominance as always. He was a little cold without his jacket, which had gone missing in the palace somewhere and he hadn't wanted to look for it, but it didn't matter. Shutting the door to his 'home', he slumped against the plastic, still exhausted, and slid down to the floor. He brought his knees up to his chest and rested his head on them. He would never ever admit it out loud, but the whole experience with Yami, and the shrooms, and being locked up for so long had really shaken the usually strong and commanding master of ceremonies. He ran a hand through his shaggy white locks, idly noticing he'd also lost his gloves and that his pants were frayed at the edges and dirty as hell.

Letting out a huge sigh, Akefia stood and shook himself. For the next couple of hours at least he could be his usual malevolent Ringleader self. He could collapse and rest when it was all over. He couldn't let the mask slip right now, not when so much was expected of him and when he'd been in such a submissive postion. That thought still sent a chill down his spine.

He quickly showered and pulled on the spare clothes he had. They weren't the same as his usual ones, as he often recommissioned his jacket once a season so he wasn't wearing the same thing all the time. It would do for now, until he could commission another jacket. The Ringleader was pleased to notice his top hat was contently sitting on his dressing table, and as he towel dried his hair some more the tanned Ring King couldn't help but smile sort of affectionately at the red accessory so innocently existing in front of him. Very few people knew of its secrets, and at that moment he wondered if it was worth having it, after everything it had done.

Five minutes until the show started, and donning the trademark red hat, Akefia smirked at himself in the mirror. Yes, it was.

Marik was waiting for him outside, red leather collar matching the Ringleader's outfit. He looked up from his position sat on the cool metal steps and moved so Akefia could step down. The blonde lion didn't say anything as he simply gazed upon his master, an unreadable expression on his face.

"What?" Akefia asked, not sure whether or not to be annoyed with his pet.

Marik stood on his tiptoes and licked the scar on the Ringleader's cheek, which was for once visible from under his curtain of white hair. "I don't care." The lion said, admitting something vague, "And you don't mind."

Watching the scarred back of his most faithful pet as he walked away, Akefia had to smile to himself. A true and honest smile that didn't grace his face that often.

Yes, it was completely worth it.



FIN