Warnings: Mild language.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

Ship: None in this chapter, but soon to be citronshipping.

"Put me down! Put me down right now!" Marik yelled, trying his best to sound intimidating.

Bakura rolled his eyes. "Fine," he said, bidding Diabound to release Marik. Marik fell to the ground with a thump, cluching his head where he smacked it.

"Take me home this instant!" Marik yelled, his voice cracking because he was still a bit dizzy.

"You're in no position to make demands," Bakura said, a smirking playing around his lips. Marik growled. "I'll let you go back to your precious palace when it's mine," Bakura continued, laughing evilly.

"My sister and the priests will come find me!"

Bakura scoffed, "Well, I hope so! That's what I want!"

Marik faltered, "W-why?"

"I'll use you to lure them here. And when they're separated from each other, I'll kill them one by one and take their Sennen Items!" Bakura declared, laughed harder.

"You'll never do that! You're a petty thief and they're the trained guardians of the Pharaoh!" Marik cried, clenching his teeth.

"You saw them before. Without the Pharaoh, I could have taken them. And all by themselves, one on one... It'll be easy."

Marik gulped. Bakura was right. He was stronger than all the priests. He could easily beat them all to a pulp and leave their bodies to the vultures. Even Isis would...

"Even your pathetic sister doesn't stand a chance."

Marik shot him a glare, even though he knew it was true, "Never... I'll never let that happen!" He lunged at Bakura, but Bakura easily sidestepped and struck Marik on the back of the head, the same spot where he had hit his head before. The pain caused Marik to fall to the ground with a shriek.

"Geez, you're not much of a fighter... Is that how they train you in the palace?" Bakura teased.

Marik got up and growled, "W-whatever... You'll still never win!"

"Oh, yes I will. And you'll help me."

"Never."

"Or I'll give your sister the most painful experience she's ever had."

"You'll do no such thing!" Marik yelled. It was then that he realized his position. He was here, alone, with an insane murderer. Nobody knew where he was, not even he did. Nobody could save him, and he couldn't do anything to stop Bakura. It was hopeless. Marik hung his head.

"Oh, so you finally get it?"

"..."

Bakura smirked, "Good, I was getting tired of explaining things to you."

Marik looked up at him with tear-filled eyes, "Please don't kill my sister! She's all I have!"

Bakura was genuinely surprised. This kid had gone from acting all tuff in brave to being a big crybaby. "Look, kid, it can't be helped. That's just how it is."

Marik wiped his eyes, his purple orbs shining, "Please... I'll do anything, just spare her..."

"What could you possibly have to offer me? I mean, look at you. You're crying like a baby."

Marik sniffed, "I don't know what you want... But I can help you..."

Bakura's ears perked up. "How so?"

"I was about to be initiated to be a tombkeeper."

"And I care why?"

"Because that means that I know a lot of secrets about the Pharaoh. Secrets even the priests, even the Pharaoh, don't know. If you spare my sister, I'll tell you."

Bakura's eyes widened, "You're bluffing."

"They're engraved on my back."

Bakura paused, "If you're lying, I swear I'll kill you."

Marik shook his head, "I'm not lying. I know that the priests are no match for you... So I want to make this as easy for you as possible... Minimize the bloodshed, so to speak."

"And once you tell me, what's to say that I keep the deal? What will stop me from using the secrets to massacre every living thing in the place?"

Marik faltered. He hadn't thought of that. Quickly, without thinking, he said, "I'll be your slave."

"What?"

"I said I'll be your slave. In exchange for my sister's life, I'll give you mine."

"That still doesn't stop me from killing them all."

"I can sense that you want to kill the Pharaoh for a reason, not just for the pleasures of being ruler. If I'm your slave, you'll always have me to refer to. I know everything about the Pharaoh. I'm a book. I know more than what's just carved on my back. If you keep your deal, you can use me as a reference. I know all the places in the palace that are weak, I know where they store scrolls and food and treasure, and I know which rooms are booby trapped. I could draw you a detailed map from simple memory."

The thought of it made Bakura smirk. Marik was a living Hitchhiker's guide to the palace. The offer was too good to pass up. "So, as long as I keep your sister alive, I get to use you for anything I want?"

Marik winced at the use of the work 'anything', but nodded.

This was so perfect. He had obtained something that would make his goal infinitesimally closer. All in exchange for sparing the life of a woman. Bakura eyed him over, looking for any hint of deceit, just in case. He found none, and nodded. "Deal."

I hope you liked this second chapter, but sorry for the shortness! Please review, because reviews motivate me to update sooner ;)