"NOOOO!"

A thick, grey fog obscured the eternally barren landscape. An old man cringed, holding up his worn hands in defense against the encroaching figure.

An irritated voice echoed through the gloomy realm. "Mushashi Iwamoto- your time has come."

"NO! NO! I have so much left to do! Please!"

A single, pale finger reached out and pointed at the groveling man.

"Your time is up."

The man gasped as the cold finger touched the top of his wrist. There was a moment of stillness, then the elderly figure was engulfed in a glowing, white light. A serene smile came over the old man's face, and he sighed as he slowly disappeared into the luminance.

The hooded figure snorted when the glow finally vanished.

"Tch- of course he wasn't going to hell. Whatever..."

The mysterious entity lifted the mud-colored hood from his pallid forehead. Two piercing, red eyes lay under a thick mane of messy, silver hair.

The exasperated being sighed. He had been doing this appointed task for centuries, and it was far from rewarding. Not to mention he was universally feared and reviled in the land of the mortals.

Being the grim reaper was a thankless job.

Thousands of years ago, he had been known by another name- 'Bakura, the Thief King.' Back in Ancient Egypt, he'd made a name for himself as a masterful outlaw. He intruded where other criminals dared not go- breaking seals and challenging curses. In his lifetime, he had stolen from many pharaohs- dead and living. He defiled tombs, flaunted curses, and paid no heed to the gods.

Though he enjoyed great success while he lived, his actions did not go unnoticed. Inevitably, the Thief King perished, and had to face the wrath of the deities he once mocked. Angered, the dark god Anubis sentenced him to a lonesome task as penance.

Condemned to an eternity of chasing down newly-departed souls... wandering a bleak and empty landscape with nothing but the protests of the dead to distract him...

It was a dreary undertaking, and he resented it greatly. His bitterness was not helped by the nature of these 'labors.'

After all, not everyone was willing to 'go into the light;' so to speak. Bakura found himself constantly arguing and even chasing the wayward spirits he was meant to escort. (...needless to say, he wasn't very popular).

"Eh?" The crimson-eyed reaper turned his head.

There was a noise from somewhere in the mist behind him. Someone was calling out plaintively into the dull haze.

'Another one... great.' He snorted to himself. 'The mortals must be breeding like rabbits, to have this many souls at a time.' He raised his hood back up and sighed. "No rest for the wicked."

It did not take the disgruntled guide long to find his target. He felt something twinge within him when he noticed the youth's appearance.

'Odd...' The boy had white hair, much like the reaper's own. His skin was also pale, much like the Thief King's had become after his punishment. And he was unusually slender and delicate looking.

"Mother? Amane?" The lost youth was still seated on the ground, calling out for someone.

'Great.' The irritated angel of death glowered. Young souls were usually more stubborn, often refusing to accept their situation. And it sounded like this teenaged boy wasn't anxious to leave his family behind.

Preparing for a long hassle, the robed malefactor cleared his throat. "Eh-hem."

"GAAAH!" The startled youth yelped as he turned to find the hooded Bakura staring down at him. "O-oh, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to disturb you- um, do you know where my family is? I think we were in a crash of some sort- our car was hit on the way to the store?"

"Your family is still in the mortal realm." The bitter reaper explained tonelessly. "They are living. You are not."

The boy's chestnut-colored eyes widened. "Then- where am I? Who are you?"

"This-" The thief raised one hand and made a lazy circle motion, "-is the Du'at. The empty space that hinges between the living and the dead. And I- I am called Charon. Mercury. Azrael. A shinigami. The ferryman."

The newly-deceased teen gasped. "You're the Grim Reaper!"

The otherworldly figure rolled his crimson eyes. "Yes, yes, whatever the hell you want to call me- there's a million names; I don't give a damn which you use. Just shut up and come with me."

"Oh. Um, o-okay."

Bakura paused, staring at the now-standing spirit.

"You're not going to run? Fight? Protest?"

The strange youth shook his head from side to side. "I think it's pretty clear what happened- I didn't survive that crash. I see no reason to make your job harder when it's obvious what must happen."

Very few people, particularly those in their early years, would ever allow Bakura to guide them without hassle. Frankly, it baffled the reluctant reaper. But his bemusement was soon interrupted by another noise.

The frustrated ferryman groaned. "Hang on- looks like you're not the only soul who passed right now- I need to find them first."

"Um, alright..." The bewildered boy followed after the unusual being as he searched the misty landscape. It didn't take long for the white-haired to find the source of the sounds- it was a very small girl, barely six or seven years of age.

Bakura groaned- he hated kids. They were always scared of him for some reason, and they sometimes led him on bloody long chases across the realm.

He was just thinking how best to grab the small spirit, when he noticed the youth next to him stepping forward. The slender teen knelt down and smiled at the sobbing girl.

"Hello, my name is Ryou. Are you lost?"

The little girl sniffled, her strawberry-blonde pigtails shaking. "I don't know... where is everyone? Where is mama?"
"I don't know, but maybe we can find her together?" The kindly boy smiled and held out his hand.

The little girl paused for a moment, seemingly unsure if she could trust this strange person. But then she wiped her eyes and nodded, slowly reaching for Ryou's pale hand.

There was a blinding flash of light, and to the others' shock, the little girl began smiling and giggling. She was quickly surrounded by a brilliant ball of golden light.

"I am Kebechet, daughter of Anubis. I help tend to lost souls before they are sent to their final resting place." Her hair began changing to a long, sleek black, and her eyes became vivid amber orbs, with narrow slits. "I have been searching for a partner for you, Thief King. You have done well with souls deserving of Ammit; however you lack the gentleness of heart to deal with the innocent."

The nettled convict snarled. "No sh*t- what the hell did you expect?! I'm a long-term prisoner!"

Kebechet grinned, her yellow-orange eyes gleaming with amusement. "Perhaps- but my father's penalty is not without end. You will be freed when the time is right." She raised one tanned arm and pointed to the bewildered Ryou. "Until then, this boy will assist you- he shall provide balance for your labors."

"W-what? But I- oh!" Ryou gasped as he was suddenly engulfed in a silver-tinted glow. His torn and bloodied clothes began melding and transforming into a long gown. The robe was a brilliant bluish-white, with a handsome sky-blue trim along the sleeves and collar. The glow soon faded, and Ryou looked down in awe at the pristine garment now adorning his form.

"Oh my... incredible..."

The Thief King had to agree with the stunned youth. His own robes were roughly hewn, made from a worn and distressed set of mismatched burlap-like squares, and colored in shades of charcoal and mud.

"Your robes reflect your soul." The snake goddess gave a mischievous wink. "I should say they're quite fitting- in every sense of the word."

Ryou couldn't help but giggle a little as the reaper fumed. Kebechet smiled as she gestured to the newly-clad spirit. "Ryou has proven that he will be a compassionate and wise adjutant. He shall be your partner until the end of your sentence. Treat him well, for you will still be judged when the time is right. "

"Tch-" The older human spirit scowled. "My fate was decreed long ago. The gods are only amusing themselves by prolonging my demise."

Kebechet's face grew somewhat somber. "Do not forget your past, Thief. You committed many heinous crimes- too many for Ma'at to overlook. However, your beginning was not... pleasant. Your early life was tainted by a most cruel loss and suffering. That is why the gods deemed you worthy of at least one trial to test your spirit. Should you pass this test, you will be allowed to ascend into the heavens."

"A little more information would be helpful."

"Ah, but where is the fun in that, dear Thief?" Kebechet winked playfully. "No, I believe you will discover everything for yourself... in time." She grinned, her golden eyes sparkling impishly. "Until then, fare well, and be gracious to your partner."

There was another flash of golden light, and the cryptic goddess vanished.

"...the hell..." The ever-irritated bandit frowned. Apparently his social skills were so lacking, the gods had been forced to find some modern fool to take on half his job. "This is gonna be one long eternity... dammit." He sighed and turned to the brightly-robed teen. "Well, looks like we're stuck together."

To his shock, the other reaper held out his hand and smiled. "Then we should work together, don't you think?"

Surprised by the gentle gesture, the Thief King could only look away and mumble a vague reply. But he did take the offered hand, which felt surprisingly warm compared to the reaper's own.

'Odd...' Bakura was curious as to why this dulcet, earnest youth was chosen to stay by his side. Yet as weary and suspicious as the Thief King could be, he felt no ill will towards this strange newcomer.

'Perhaps this will not be such a miserable punishment after all...' The taller spirit reflected as they set about their appointed tasks, together.

There is a legend amongst the ancients that when you die, you are greeted by an angel of death. If you were a virtuous and compassionate person, it is said that the angel will be clothed in white, and will guide you to paradise. But if you have been wicked and heartless, then a dark angel will come and grab your soul and hurl it into a miserable inferno.