Ok, here's the second chapter XD I meant to have this up yesterday but life got in the way :( Updating every day may be a little ambitious, but I will keep it as regular as I can, and I still hope it will be every other day at the slowest. This fic has a definite beginning, middle and end anyway, so it's just a matter of typing up the chapters! I hope you enjoy! - Jem

When Marik eventually stumbled through the entrance to the hideout he was greeted by a chorus of voices from his clan, making him hold his hands up in tired surrender.

"Marik! Where have you been?"

"Glad to see you home, brother."

"I can't believe you managed to get in trouble again, idiot."

Marik rolled his eyes at that last one. "You're one to talk, Kek. What was it last time? Three unexplained bodies and a crazy witness?"

Ishizu stepped in before Kek could retort. "Marik, please, where have you been? We've been worried sick about you!"

"There was no need to, sister," Marik collapsed tiredly on to a straw seat, only to hear a muffled yelp from beneath him. He jumped back up. "Namu! What are you doing?"

The small blonde head appeared, and the boy huffed "I was lying here peacefully until you sat on me!"

"Well if you hadn't been buried so deeply I would have seen you!"

"Marik!" Ishizu's stern voice made him snap back round to face her.

"Sorry sis," he tried for a smile. "Been a long day. I've been running from two guards."

"All this time?"

"Yeah, it took me ages to lose them."

Kek snorted. "You're losing your touch, brother."

Marik snarled at him. "I'd like to see you try when you're in unfamiliar tunnels with two of the Millennium Items!"

"Wait, unfamiliar tunnels?" Odion's brow creased with concern. "Where exactly did you end up?"

"Oh, somewhere in the East corner," Marik sat back down, careful to avoid his youngest sibling this time, although Namu instantly rested his head on his lap. "I lost track of exactly where, that's why it took me so long to get back."

"The East Wing?" Kek sat up further, his interest piqued. "How in Ra's name did you end up there?"

"Kek, don't swear," Ishizu berated automatically.

"What? It's a valid question..."

"I don't know how I ended up there," Marik interrupted quickly – between those two there was always the possibility of arguments. "I was just running."

Kek shook his head. "You shouldn't have gone there. Haven't you heard the stories?"

Marik couldn't help but scoff. "I'm sorry – I forgot I shouldn't go there because no one leaves without getting decapitated by some vengeful dead spirits. I'll remember that next time."

Kek glowered at him. "Don't be flippant about this, Marik. The spirits of the villagers must have gone somewhere..."

"Yeah. Or they could have moved on. Or never existed in the first place."

"Then how do you explain the abandoned village above us?"

"The people could have just moved on!"

"Oh come on, you can't seriously believe that. Anyway, it's not just the spirits - there have been reports of a lone thief..."

Marik raised a brow. "Oh?"

Odion cut in here. "I've heard those too, at the markets actually. Apparently someone calling themselves the 'Thief King' has taken up residence there."

"Thief King?" Namu sat up excitedly, clambering onto Marik's lap. "Ooh, I love hearing stories about him!"

Marik frowned down at him. "How is it even you've heard of this when I haven't?"

Namu shrugged. "Maybe it's cos I actually listen when we go to the markets! All of the best stories are about him. Like how he's ten feet tall but silent as a shadow, and he has a whole cave of treasures hidden away in the East tunnels!"

"Yeah?" Marik's thoughts strayed back to the strange thief he had met earlier on, thinking back to the impossible riches he had seen in that underground chamber. "What else do they say about him?"

"More importantly," Kek interrupted, rolling his eyes at his two younger siblings. "Marik, did you get the Items? Are they safe?"

Marik grinned slyly. "Yep, I got them."

A hush fell through the hideout until Kek broke it impatiently. "Well? Can we see them then?"

Ishizu bit her lip. "I'm not so sure..."

"Oh come on, what possible reason is there to wait?"

"I want to see them!" Namu twisted on Marik's lap, looking up at him with pleading eyes. "Please? Will you show them to me?"

Marik shot a glance at Odion. "...Well?"

Odion sighed. "I suppose we'll have to test them at some point."

Marik raised a brow as Kek exalted in the corner. "Yes! It's about time we had some real power."

A crease appeared in Ishizu's forehead. "I'm not so sure about this..."

Odion took her arm. "We do need to know if we will still be accepted by them. It's only right."

She bit her lip but nodded. "Alright then. Marik – when you're ready."

Marik nodded up at his sister, pushing Namu off his lap as he stood up and reached inside his coat, drawing out the bag. Taking a deep breath, he emptied its contents carefully into the centre of the room, careful not to touch the metal with his bare skin.

The Millennium Rod and the Millennium Necklace clattered on to the ground.

Marik gulped and stepped back to join his family in a loose circle around the Items that were once rightfully theirs. A faint light began to glow from them – purple from the Rod, red from the Necklace. He nervously scanned the faces of his family – expectant for the most part - a little fear from Ishizu, and a little greed from Kek, but for the most part just expectancy. Eventually, one of them would start to glow with the same aura as the Item – that would mean they were chosen, and the power of the Item would be theirs to use as they saw fit.

Ishizu was the first. She stood stock still, eyes wide in amazement as her skin started to emit a dark red glow, covering her in a haze of light. Marik's eyes widened slightly as she took a step forward and bent down to claim the Necklace as her own. It flickered brightly as she tied it round her neck. A dark hum filled the underground chamber until she resumed her place in the circle, and the red glow disappeared altogether. Ishizu slid slowly onto the floor with a small exclamation of surprise, fingering the Item around her neck with something akin to awe.

The rest of her siblings were still completely focused on the Rod, eyes shifting occasionally to regard each other, wondering which one of them would be covered with that deep purple glow. The seconds ticked past agonisingly slowly until eventually a harsh purple glare developed around the form of the tallest Ishtar. Kek's lips stretched wide as he leaned forwards, scooping the Rod up easily and holding it in front of him, relishing the power he felt searing through his fingertips. Just as with Ishizu, the metal flashed brilliantly when he first held it before him, but soon died down into nothing. It was over.

Marik sucked in a breath, unable to stop himself from feeling a slight disappointment that he wasn't one destined to be chosen by the Items. Namu seemed similarly disappointed, throwing his arms around Marik's waist and cuddling up to him with a despairing wail. "But I wanted to play with them!"

Marik just laughed. "Don't worry brother. They've gone to the right place." They were all one family, after all – he knew Ishizu and Kek would use these Items to help find the others, and that was all that really mattered.

Odion had rushed straight to Ishizu's side as soon as the lights had died down, helping her to stand. "So? Anything?" He asked anxiously, looking between his newly chosen brother and sister.

Kek cackled. "Oh, yes! I can feel the power of it running through my veins."

Ishizu frowned slightly, fingertips lightly brushing the Necklace. "Yes...yes, I see..."

"What, sister?" Odion leaned closer. "Does it show you the future?"

"I..." Ishizu's eyes widened. "That cannot be!"

"What?" Concern showed on Odion's face now but Ishizu ignored him, turning instead to Marik, one finger raised and pointing straight at him.

"You have to go, brother!"

Marik froze, shocked. "Wh-what?"

"Now, Marik! Quickly, before it's too late!"

"Ishizu..." A frown darkened Marik's features. "Go where? What is it?"

She shook her head. "I don't...I'm not sure, but something's happening in the tunnels. And it involves you..."

He just stared at her.

Odion looked between them before making a snap decision. "Right, let's go Marik. Whatever it is must be important if the Necklace is already guiding Ishizu."

Marik blinked once, twice, before nodding slowly and following his brother out of the hideout, Kek on their heels. Namu tried to go too but Ishizu caught him and held him tightly. "Not you, little one," she breathed in his ear, holding him close and ignoring his struggles. "Not yet..."

"But..."

"No, Namu." She sat down on one of the seats, placing him in her lap and stroking his hair. "Your time will come, but it isn't now."

Namu just huffed. "I never get any of the excitement."

Ishizu chuckled. "All in good time, dear. All in good time."


Out in the tunnels the three Ishtar brothers ran in tandem, scouring the passages for any sign of disturbance. Eventually Kek drew to a halt, twirling the Rod in his fingers thoughtfully, "This is getting us nowhere. Ishizu should have been more specific."

"She's new to the Necklace's powers," Odion responded, taking in deep breaths as he leaned against the dirt wall. "She told us what she could."

"Well, it isn't enough." Kek stood tall, towering over his siblings as he fingered the Rod. "I think it's my turn to try."

"What? Kek!" Marik stared at his brother in surprise. "What do you think you can do?"

"I don't know, just let me try."

"But..."

"Trust me on this one, Marik, for once in your life." Kek smirked at his brother before lifting the Rod. A look of concentration flashed across his face before it stretched into a wide grin. "There are people in the East corner. Lots of them, and I think they're fighting."

Marik's eyes widened. "The East? You sure?"

"Of course I'm sure, brother, or I wouldn't have said..." Kek trailed off, staring after Marik's retreating back. "Um...where are you going?"

Marik just laughed, throwing over his shoulder "Trust me on this one! I've got it!" Before tearing on down the tunnels. Kek raised his eyebrows before turning to Odion, who grinned.

"I think we'd better let him get on with it."


Marik hurried down the passages, slowing slightly as he neared the East corner. He recognised some of the tunnels from the night before and strained his ears for any noise, trying to follow the route he had taken with the strange white-haired thief, although he was sure he went wrong occasionally. He was on the verge of giving up and heading back to the hideout when he heard a slight shift in the dust. Turning towards the sound, he paced a few more passages silently until he finally came across the place of disturbance, and his eyes widened in surprise at what he saw. The tunnels eventually opened up into a small clearing of sorts, and there were four guards advancing silently on a figure in the centre, trapped.

The figure had white hair.

Marik stopped in one of the tracks leading up to the clearing, hovering against the wall as he watched the silent stand-off, dirt scratching under his fingernails as he clung onto the wall. The thief from the night before flicked his gaze between the guards, eyes narrowing as he watched their slow advance. They seemed confident, one of them even grinning as he neared the white-haired thief. "Now, boy, we all saw what you did. So you just give back what you took and we'll let you alone, ok?"

The thief made no reply.

The guards continued their advance, the same one speaking again. "Come on now, we don't want this to turn nasty unless we have to. So you just give us back that gold, alright?"

The thief blinked once, a smirk slowly spreading across his face. "If you think you can take it off me, you're welcome to try. Otherwise, I suggest you get out of my way."

The guard couldn't help scoffing slightly. "Come on boy, it's four on one. You haven't got a hope."

The smirk only widened on his face. "Oh, I wouldn't be so sure. I'm a lot more competent than you are. And It's four on two, actually," at this, his eyes flicked to the passage where Marik was hiding. "...If you're going to help rather than just stand there watching, that is."

Marik stopped in shock, staring for a moment until the thief broke eye contact and turned back to the guards. The moment had barely lasted a second, but it was enough for the guards to become suspicious. "Oh yeah? Got a friend hiding somewhere, have you?"

The thief didn't reply, and Marik decided to make his move. Stepping out of the passageway he said "Yes, he has actually," before diving in and elbowing a guard in the gut.

The fight was short and sharp, both young thieves effectively knocking out the guards so they lay unconscious on the floor. When it was over the white haired thief took Marik's wrist, pulling him along with him. "Come on, they won't stay out forever you know."

Marik just snorted. "I'm not a complete idiot – I do know that."

The smirk returned to the thief's face as he said "I wouldn't be so sure of that, Ishtar." They once again reached the concealed entrance to the chamber of the thief, and he pressed the button to let them in. "Oh, incidentally, please don't steal anything this time, it isn't very polite. And I expect those other pieces back. Four necklaces and one set of earrings, I believe?"

Marik stopped in shock. "How do you know that?"

He sent him an impatient glance. "Oh, please. You don't think I keep an inventory of what I have here? I know what you took, Ishtar."

Marik rolled his eyes. "My name's Marik. I'm not the only Ishtar around, you know."

The other thief shrugged, turning away. "I don't care. So the Items have chosen your family again then, hm?"

Marik raised a brow. "And it's your business because..."

"Because those Items are rightfully mine," the thief replied with a glare.

Marik scoffed. "You have got to be kidding! If they're anyone's they're ours. And just who are you, anyway? There are tales of a lone thief in these parts, who calls himself the Thief King. Can't be you though – you're just a boy, after all."

The young thief's eyes flashed at that, and he advanced on Marik threateningly. "You know nothing of me, Ishtar, so watch your words. Now tell me – who is it that was chosen by the Items, and have they been used yet?"

Marik glared right back at him. "I won't tell you anything if I don't get something in return."

The thief cocked a brow at that. "And what, pray tell, do you think you possibly deserve from me?"

Marik flicked some hair out of his eyes before resting his hands on his hips, smirking slightly. "Well, you could start with telling me your name. You know mine, so it's only fair. And as I helped you back there I should get a cut from whatever you stole. Gold, that guard said, right?"

The other raised a white eyebrow. "Why would I give you a cut? I didn't ask you to help me."

"But I did, didn't I, so it only seems fair." Marik grinned at him. "So go on - tell me your name."

The other just scoffed. "Why is that any business of yours?"

"Why are the Items any business of yours?"

The thief rolled his eyes. "I already told you. They're rightfully mine."

"Well, I don't believe you."

"Never said you had to." The thief's smirk widened into a grin. "So I repeat – why would you want to know my name?"

Marik rolled his eyes. "We're getting nowhere like this. I'll make you a deal. Any information I tell you, you have to tell me something too. Agreed?"

The thief regarded him silently for a moment. Eventually he responded: "On one condition. You have to answer truthfully anything I ask you."

"Fine, only the same goes for you." Marik held out his right hand. "Deal?"

"...Deal." The white haired thief shook his hand firmly.

Marik grinned widely. "Right. So, your name?"

The thief shook his head, smirk returning. "Not so fast, I'm afraid. You tell me something first."

"I've already told you my name," Marik pointed out.

"That isn't something I wanted to know – you just volunteered it. So tell me – who now controls the Items?"

Marik shook his head. "Not until you tell me your name."

He rolled his eyes. "Fine, if it'll get you to cooperate. My name is Bakura. Now, who has the Items? Tell me quickly, my patience is already wearing thing."

Marik snickered. "Alright, Bakura, calm down. The Necklace is held by my sister Ishizu and the Rod by my brother Kek. Are you the one known as the Thief King?"

Bakura just stared at him impassively. "I have been called that before, yes. Have either of your clan members tried to use the Items yet?"

"Yes. If you are the Thief King then why does my little brother think you're ten feet tall?"

Bakura sighed loudly. "Why does that even matter?"

"If you want your questions answered, you'll answer mine first." There was laughter in Marik's violet eyes as he looked into Bakura's light purple ones.

"Fine," he muttered eventually. "I may have exaggerated slightly when spreading word of my deeds in the markets. I want to be left alone, after all – if people are scared of you that's the best way. Now tell me – what have the Items been used for?"

Marik frowned slightly, thinking. "Well...Ishizu told me that I had to get out, because something was happening in the tunnels that involved me. And then Kek directed me to the fight, where you turned up. Why did you help me yesterday?"

Bakura started at the question. "Why would you want to know that?"

Marik raised a brow. "Just answer the question."

"If you really want to know, I could tell you had the Items on you. I don't want them falling into the wrong hands. So the Items led you to me? Why is that significant? What's important about you?"

Marik blinked. "What do you mean, what's important about me? The question should be what's important about you. And how did you know I had the Items?"

Bakura's expression darkened. "That's enough questions for today. Get out of my chamber."

Marik snorted. "You're not getting rid of me that quickly - you still owe me a cut. And just who exactly are you, Bakura? Where have you come from?"

"Why is that any business of yours?" Bakura glared daggers at him.

Marik raised a brow. "Well, the Items must have led me to you for a reason. What's going on?"

"It's nothing to do with you," Bakura ground out. "Get out and go home."

Marik shook his head firmly. "No. Not until you answer me."

"I'm not answering your questions, idiot. You've overstayed your welcome. Get lost." Bakura turned to walk away but Marik grabbed his shoulder. He whirled back around, eyes cold with fury. "Get your hands off me, you insolent child. What right have you to come into my home and question me!" His hand gripped Marik's wrist like iron, twisting slightly so Marik wriggled in discomfort. He leaned closer, breathing in his ear "You had better leave right now. I will come and find you when the time is right for me to take your Items. Now get out, and do not seek me out or speak of me to anyone. Understood?"

Marik glared at him, eyes hard as he replied. "Understood."

Bakura let go slowly, pinning him with another stare before turning and entering the hidden chamber at the back. Marik stepped away slowly, cheekily stealing a gold tiara and another pair of earrings - he never got his cut, after all, so it was only fair. He turned to leave the chamber, remaining completely oblivious to the light purple gaze that watched his every move.

I hope people are enjoying this story, I'm not so sure about it because it does stray from canon rather a lot. If you're reading it and like it so far please let me know! Anyway, thanks for reading and see you next update! - Jem