A/N: alright, chapter 2! this was really long, so i needed to split it into two parts! don't worry, the rest will come shortly!

Ryou: I don't like this chapter...

that's only cause you're embarased! :D

Atem: *coughs slightly* let's just get on with it.

Ryou: Kat doesn't own anything, just the plot!

Chapter 2

"Are you sure you can handle this on your own, Marik?"

"Of course, Ishizu, I'll be just fine."

"Be careful, Marik."

"Yes, Mom."

Marik sighed and hung up the phone. He collapsed onto the bed in his hotel room, ready to get a good night's sleep after his long flight to Domino. He looked at the duffle bag sitting on a chair and sighed. He got up and went over to it. He opened it and pulled out his the Millennium Rod. The symbol glowed for a brief second before going back to normal.

"It's good to have you back," Marik said with a small smile. He turned to the window and looked out at Domino City.

The city was aglow in the evening, people still bustling about from work or shopping or what have you. It reminded Marik of New York City, but he knew that it was on the other side of the world from where he was. He wasn't even sure exactly why he was in Domino.

Something told him to bring the Millennium Items here, and that something wasn't taking no for an answer. So when Marik went to gather the Items out of the stone, the Millennium Puzzle was missing. So he half knew why he was there. The Pharaoh was back, and he would need his Sacred Court once again.

Marik put his Rod down on a table and walked over to the large, floor to ceiling window. He pulled the curtain back and gazed down, looking at the people milling in the streets. There was one person that caught his eyes. That person looked an awful lot like…

"Pharaoh!" Marik cried, recognizing the figure down below. He shoved his Rod into the duffle bag and zipped up and threw it over his shoulder and ran out of the room.

"I missed the City at night…." Atem said wistfully.

"What, you've been here since August of last year and now it's mid June and you haven't been in the City at all?" Nala asked with a small chuckle as she pulled on her Obelisk Blue blazer.

"No," Atem said with a sad sigh. "I was afraid…"

"Of seeing Yugi?" Nala finished with a smirk.

"Yes…" Atem said distantly. "Like I've said more than once, I need to wait until the time is right to see Yugi."

"And you think that time is now?" Nala asked, a little shocked.

"Yes…" Atem said, suddenly very serious.

"Pharaoh!"

Atem and Nala both jumped at the sudden call. They both looked up to see Marik running towards them, waving frantically. Atem smiled at seeing his old friend and waved back. Marik stopped in front of them, bent over a little and trying to catch his breath.

"Marik, it's good to see you again," Atem said, helping his friend up.

"It's good to see you as well, Pharaoh," Marik said with a smile. His eyes fell on the Millennium Puzzle around his neck and his smile widened. "It's also good to see the Millennium Puzzle has found its way back to you."

"He a friend of yours, Atem?" Nala asked, his hand automatically going to her deck.

"Yes, he's a very good friend," Atem said with a smile. Nala nodded and relaxed her grip on her deck. He turned back to Marik, his eyes serious. "Now, Marik, what are you doing here exactly?"

"I'm here because of these," Marik said, reaching into his bag and taking out the Millennium Rod.

"The Millennium Items!" Atem cried, utterly shocked. "But I thought they were in their tablet in Egypt!"

"They were," Marik said, holding up the Rod. "Something told me to bring them here. And it was something powerful…"

"Well, can't argue with that," Atem said with a small chuckle. "But why bring them now?"

"Why come out to the city now?" Nala asked with a smirk.

"You have a point there," Atem said with a nod.

"Looks like the pieces are falling into place once again," Marik said in a dangerous voice.

Ryou shoved his hands on his pockets and continued to walk down the street, oblivious to what was going on. He sighed deeply and looked up, his eyes glazed over in thought. He had felt his dark side acting up lately, and it was a strange feeling to him. To have been rid of that evil for nearly a year and then to have it come back suddenly. It made his shudder just thinking about it.

"This can't be happening…." Ryou said, running a hand through his snow white hair. "Why would he be back….?"

"Ryou…?"

Ryou stopped dead in his tracks. He knew that voice. He knew that voice all too well. And if he was here, that couldn't be good. He didn't want to see him again. It would be far too painful. He cursed himself for not paying attention to where he was walking and now it was too late. He turned hesitantly and faced his amethyst eyed caller.

"Hello, Marik," Ryou said in a small voice.

The two locked gazes and Atem held his breath. He knew what the two had been through, and he also knew it was just a matter of time before they would meet again. And since finding out that Marik had all the Millennium Items, Atem guessed that Ryou would be called back to his Ring. Now, the two former lovers would have to settle their differences here and now.

"Marik I…" Ryou started. He was cut off as Marik enveloped him in a hug.

"I'm so sorry, Ryou, for everything," Marik said, squeezing him tighter. He nuzzled his neck slightly, feeling tears well up in the corners of his eyes. "Please, please forgive me…"

"Why should I?" Ryou snapped, pushing Marik off him. He glared at the Egyptian, making him flinch. "You just used me in Battle City, and then you take away the only thing that connected me to my father! Give me one good reason to take you back after all you've done to me!"

Marik flinched at the screams and needed to take a step back to steady himself. He knew that Ryou was right. He felt horrible for doing that to him, and he just wanted to set things right. He sighed and looked down at the ground. He moved to take off the gold bands that covered his wrists. Once they were off, he held them out to show Ryou, who gasped in horror.

"Because I'm a mess without you, that's why," Marik said, keeping his gaze downcast. He didn't want to see the scars all over his wrists from where he cut.

Everyone gasped, all stunned at what they saw. The scars showed white on Marik's tanned skin, making them stand out even more. They cuts cris-crossed all up his forearm, where his gold bands would hide. Atem was stock still as he surveyed the wounds. There were many that were years old and fully healed, and there were others that looked like they were only hours old.

Ryou was shocked beyond belief. He always knew that Marik was a masochist, but he never thought that he would go that far. He couldn't help that feeling in his gut that told him that it was his own fault.

Marik kept his gaze downward. He didn't dare look up. He didn't have the right to look Ryou in the eyes after all that he's done. He felt how stiff the air became after his little proclamation. He knew that Ryou must hate him, or think him insane. It wouldn't be any different than normal…

Marik jumped when he felt a soft hand gently caress his wounds. He looked up, only to see Ryou kiss them lightly.

"Why did you do this…?" Ryou asked calmly, holding both of Marik's hands in his own. "I knew you were crazy… but I never thought you'd go this far…"

"I caused you so much pain…" Marik started, looking down again. "I couldn't let myself forget what I did to you. I just…. I wanted to feel the pain that you felt… and I guess I got a little carried away…"

"Yes, just a little…" Ryou said with a sad smile as he traced the scars with his fingers.

"I'm so sorry, Ryou…" Marik said, feeling his body starting to shake. "Please forgive me…"

"I already did," Ryou said, gently cupping Marik's chin and raising his head up to look him in the eyes. "I've missed you so much, Marik."

"I've missed you too…" Marik said, leaning forward and closing the space between them.

"Oh, that's something you don't need to see," Atem said as he covered Nala's eyes with his hand, just as the two lovers kissed.

"Hey, Atem! I wanna see!" Nala cried, tugging on the Egyptian's arm. "I'm not a child!"

"No, but you're still innocent. We don't need that to be ruined just yet," Atem said with a small chuckle, pulling his hand away as they two parted. "Good to have this little conflict settled."

"I forgot… We had an audience…" Marik mumbled. He quickly removed his arms from around Ryou's neck and took several steps away, his face and neck beet red. Even Ryou had a light coating of pink dusting his cheeks.

"Man, I missed the yaoi!" Nala whined with a sigh.

"Oh, I almost forgot," Marik said, digging around in his duffle bag. He pulled out the Millennium Ring, which was glowing softly, and held it out toward Ryou. "I think this belongs to you."

"My Millennium Ring!" Ryou cried, taking the Ring from Marik's grip. He slipped it over his head and the glowing stopped, just as it did when Marik picked up his Rod. Ryou sighed and smiled lightly. "It feels good to have this around my neck again."

"Let's just hope that Bakura doesn't come back this time," Atem said with a sigh.

"Agreed," Marik said with a nod. "I have the bad feeling that he's been around this entire time though…"

A/N: sorry to leave you like this, but i figured it was a good spot to end!

Marik: i REALLY hate you right now, i hope you know that.

Oh, i know, especially since you wouldn't stop yelling at me while i wrote!

Atem: alright, break it up, both of you!

Ryou: we'll leave you all there before they kill each other! We'll see you next chapter!