Ok, finally an update! This story is a slow burner but it will get going soon :) Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows! :D - Jem
Marik met Odion on his way back to the Ishtar clan's hideout. His adopted brother breathed a sigh of relief when he recognised Marik's familiar shape headed down the passage. "Thanks the Gods you're ok, brother," he said earnestly when Marik was within earshot. "We were worried about you."
Marik swatted him away with a grin. "No need to be, Odion. I'm fine. Where's Kek?"
"Already back at the hideout," Odion replied as they began walking together through the passages. "He said something about wanting to experiment with the Rod."
Marik rolled his eyes. "Something tells me we're never going to hear the end of him gloating about being the chosen one."
Odion just snickered as they slipped through the familiar entrance.
Ishizu was sat in a corner, wrapped up in her thoughts with her fingertips lightly brushing the Necklace. Kek would probably have been similarly absorbed were it not for the small blonde-haired form of the youngest Ishtar trying to grab hold of the Rod.
"But I just want to touch it!" Namu whined, straining up as far as he could.
"It's too dangerous, kiddo," Kek responded evenly, holding the Rod as high as he could above his head, pushing the small boy away with his free hand. "Even I'm not completely sure just how it works yet. Give me some space, alright?" He looked over to the entranceway and smirked when he saw his brothers. "Marik. You're still alive then?"
Marik grinned back at him. "Unfortunately for you, yes. I said hi to the spirits from you."
Kek rolled his eyes. "I told you not to be flippant about that, brother. The East Wing is dangerous..."
"The East Wing?" Namu whirled round, eyes widening as he ran over to his brother. "Marik, were you there again? Did you see the Thief King?"
Marik hesitated before smiling widely. What harm can it do to spread a few stories? No one will actually believe me, after all. "Of course I did Namu," he laughed, tilting his head slightly. "He said to say hi."
Namu grinned, jumping up and down in his enthusiasm. "Really? To me? What's he like in real life?"
"Go get ready for bed and I'll tell you," Marik responded after a look from Odion.
Namu sighed loudly before obeying, scurrying through a low archway into the next chamber. Odion raised a brow at his younger brother. "Marik, you shouldn't fill his head with stories. He's bad enough as it is."
Marik shrugged. "Can't hurt him. He knows they're not true." Well, not completely, and it isn't like he'll ever actually meet Bakura. For some reason the idea of his youngest sibling being around the white-haired thief sent shivers down Marik's spine. Something about him was just so dangerous, even though he couldn't be much more than a year older than Marik himself.
Odion laid a hand on his shoulder after a quick glance at Ishizu and Kek, who were both totally absorbed in their newly-acquired Items. "Come on, Marik; let's get Namu settled. I want to hear about this Thief King as well."
Marik laughed and headed through the archway. "You know they're only make-believe, right?"
Namu pouted from his spot on his bed. "Marik! No! They're true, aren't they? The Thief King is real, I know it!"
"Yes, Namu, he's real," Marik replied quietly, seating himself on the edge of the bed. "Lie down and I'll tell you all about him."
Namu complied quickly, gazing up at him with big purple eyes. Bakura has purple eyes too, only much lighter, Marik mused silently. I wonder what clan he came from...
"Marik! Start talking!" Namu's commanding voice brought him out of his thoughts, and he smirked down at the blonde boy.
"Alright, but promise to be good and listen. The Thief King lives in the East Wing, in a hidden passage reached by many twists and turns. He has a chamber full of treasures that he keeps to himself, some things he stole, and some things he inherited. It's said that if you take anything from his chamber, you'll be haunted by the spirits of the ruined village above us, that plague the corridors in that part of the network. You must never go there, Namu – it's very dangerous. The spirits like to eat little children who talk too much." No harm in dissuading him from heading that way, after all. Wouldn't want him to actually meet Bakura.
Odion raised a brow. "Don't make this a scary story, Marik. We don't want him having nightmares again."
"I won't have nightmares!" Namu replied indignantly, but Marik held up a hand, smirking at him.
"Ah ah ah! What did I say about being good and listening?"
Namu snapped his mouth shut immediately, and Marik continued with a smile. "The Thief King stands ten feet tall, but moves as silently as a shadow. He can creep up on you and whisper in your ear without you even knowing he was there, and he will always take you by surprise. If he takes you to his chamber of treasures, you have to watch your back, because he will know if you take even the smallest thing away from him. But at the same time, he will answer your questions, as long as you tell him something in return."
"Really?" Namu breathed. "So what did you ask him, when you saw him today?"
Marik stopped, his eyes faraway as he remembered. "...I asked him his name. And where he came from."
"And?" Namu sat up with interest, and even Odion looked questioningly at his brother. Marik drew in a sharp breath. Damn. Too much information, Marik. Get out of this one, quick! He didn't doubt that Bakura would find out if he let slip that he had actually met him for real.
Marik sent Odion an innocent smile before responding. "Oh, he wouldn't tell me. A giant keeps his secrets, after all, and the Thief King is no different. He kicked me out of his chamber, but I stole from him anyway. I've got the gold locked away in my special box."
Namu's eyes widened. "Can I see?"
"Not right now, no. Maybe when you wake up in the morning."
Namu immediately squeezed his eyes shut. "When I next open them, it's going to be morning and you have to show me!"
Marik laughed, ruffling his hair as he stood up. "Absolutely, kid. Go to sleep now, and I'll see you in the morning."
Odion stood up with him and they walked back through to the now-empty main room of the Ishtar clan – Kek and Ishizu must have already retired for the night. Odion quirked a brow at his brother. "That was very...imaginative. Did you come up with it all on the spot?"
Marik shrugged. "Some of it's what Namu told me earlier. The rest I just made up. Why?"
Odion tilted his head thoughtfully. "I'm not sure...some of it just rang sort of true. It can't be though, right?"
Marik snorted. "Of course not! It's just a story, Odion. The Thief King doesn't exist." Well, not that version of him anyway. He's actually just a teenager living on his own with a lot of unexplained gold lying around. Nothing suspicious about that at all.
Odion smiled slightly. "So where did you get that gold in your pocket from?"
"Huh?" Marik looked down, and cursed inwardly when he saw the end of the tiara poking out from within the folds of his cloak. He pushed it out of sight hurriedly. "Oh, it's nothing Odion. Just something I picked up last time we were at the markets."
"...Oh." Odion frowned slightly. "I don't remember seeing a jewellery store, or I would have fetched Ishizu something..."
"There wasn't," Marik replied evenly. "I stole it from a Lord who happened to be passing by."
"Right." Odion still looked a little suspicious, so Marik decided the best thing to do would be get out.
"I'm going to sleep, Odion – it's been a long couple of days." He yawned to prove his point, cloak slipping slightly. "I'll see you in the morning?"
"Of course, brother. Sleep well." Odion regarded him silently as he turned and headed to his own chamber for the night, adding under his breath: "And I hope that one day you'll trust me enough to tell me the truth."
Marik's dreams were taken over by a white-haired thief that night. Bakura – it was an unusual name, and he couldn't help but wonder where he had come from. White hair was a feature he had never seen before, not in any clan, so wherever the thief hailed from it must be far away. He's very exotic, Marik found himself thinking the next morning as he dressed himself in his room. But very dangerous. He snapped at me for almost no reason yesterday, after all. I hope he doesn't realise that I stole from him again.
He added the tiara and new set of earrings to the other pieces he had stolen from the piece, locked away securely in a box under his bed. He hung the key on a piece of string around his neck and buried it under his cloak, hoping to avoid more awkward questions from his clan today. Heading out into the main chamber with a yawn, he was instantly met by a small blonde head rushing over to him. "Marik! You promised to show me the gold you stole from the Thief King today!"
Marik laughed, pushing Namu away. "Sorry, kid. It's a secret."
"I'll search your room!" He threatened, glaring.
Marik just laughed. "Whatever. Come on, I'm hungry."
Ishizu tossed him a slice of warm spiced bread. "Not so fast, Marik. It's your turn to fetch water today."
His jaw fell open. "No! I did it last week!"
"Actually, I did," Kek sent him a grin. "You were complaining about having to steal food that night, so I went and did it for you."
"...Oh yeah." Marik heaved a sigh before grabbing the pail and heading out. "I'll see you soon, then. And stay out my room, Namu!"
The smallest Ishtar stepped away guiltily, and Kek burst out laughing.
Marik headed happily through the passages, weaving his way up and out until he finally reached the surface. Stretching happily in the sunlight he headed over to the oasis, slipping off his sandals and dipping his toes in the sun-warmed water, placing the pail down on the sand beside him. He sat down and lay back, allowing himself a moment just to enjoy the sunshine. He closed his eyes, sighing happily.
"Well, someone looks comfortable."
Marik's eyes shot open and he leaped to his feet, whirling round to face the owner of that familiar voice. Sure enough, the white-haired thief was smirking at him. Marik straightened up with a sigh. "Bakura. How long have you been stood there?"
He shrugged, stepping a little closer. "Doesn't matter. Are you surprised that I'm not ten feet tall?"
Marik raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
"Or maybe you're just trying to escape those spirits that will eat little children who like to talk too much." He emphasised those last three words, leaning forwards and whispering them threateningly. "If I catch your little brother wandering desperately around my tunnels searching for the Thief King, I will not be held responsible for my actions."
Marik stepped back, shocked. "You...you heard what I told him last night? How?"
Bakura's eyes sparkled. "You're not difficult to follow, Ishtar. Also, I'd appreciate you giving me back what you stole. A tiara and another set of earrings, plus what you took from me before - it isn't very polite to rob your host, you know."
Marik just grinned. "Well, you never gave me a cut after I saved your skin yesterday, so I thought it was only fair."
"Oh, please," Bakura scoffed. "You did not save my skin. I would have got out of there whether you showed up or not."
"It was four on one!"
"So?"
Marik just shook his head. "You must have some kind of death wish, you know that?"
Bakura snickered. "No more so than you. You stole two of the Millennium Items right out from under the guards' noses. They're looking for you, by the way – they have quite an accurate description circling, of both you and your brother."
"Really?" Marik looked surprised. "We haven't heard anything..."
"That's because you've been too busy spreading false rumours about me." Bakura sighed. "You need to be more careful. I can't afford to have you lose those Items, or I'm just going to have to take them off you."
"Hah!" Marik snorted. "I'd like to see you try. They'll only obey Ishizu and Kek now, so there's no point anyone trying to get them back."
Bakura shrugged. "It won't stop the Pharaoh, and it won't stop me."
"I'd like to see you try."
"No, no you wouldn't, Ishtar." Bakura leered at him, white hair falling forwards into his face.
Marik just laughed. "Don't try and be threatening, thief. You don't scare me."
Bakura raised one white eyebrow quizzically. "Really?"
"Nope." Marik grinned cheekily.
"I have a knife, I've killed before, and I know where you sleep...I'd be a bit more careful, Ishtar." Bakura grinned right back, flashing sharp white teeth.
Marik edged back a little, saying "Well, you haven't done anything yet...AH!"
He had forgotten how close to the oasis he was. Unwittingly, he had backed right up to the edge of the sandy bank. Arms waving wildly he reached out vainly for something to grab hold of but he was too late as, overbalancing, he fell straight into the deep water, sinking straight to the bottom.
Now, having lived underground for his whole life, Marik had never thought to learn how to swim – the only water he ever came into contact with was this oasis, and he never planned to fall in. He struggled vainly as he sank to the bottom, kicking desperately and causing wide ripples of water to spread through the water, blurring his vision. His chest heaved and he breathed water, coughing and spluttering but with no air to clear his lungs. Chest burning he felt his vision darken, limbs still struggling weakly as he started to drift...
There was a splash somewhere above him, and then hands were on his chest, one tugging at his hair to pull him up. The pain made his eyes water but he didn't care, trying to push himself upwards as he felt his body rising. Breaking surface he continued kicking wildly, coughing and spluttering as he drew sharp painful breaths into his lungs.
"Stop struggling, dammit! I've got you." The cool voice hissed in his ear, and Bakura's white hair and light purple eyes swam into view. Marik's eyes widened and Bakura sighed, treading water as he tried to calm the still-struggling teen. "Marik, I'm serious. Stop moving. I can't swim with you kicking like that.
Obediently Marik relaxed, allowing himself to fall still as Bakura began pulling him to the shore, dragging him up to the bank and collapsing beside him. Both teens just lay there for a few seconds, chests heaving and clothes dripping as they both concentrated on breathing. Bakura recovered first, rolling to face Marik with a smirk. "You really are an idiot."
Marik sent him a glare, still gasping. "You...made me...back up..."
Bakura rolled his eyes, propping himself up on his elbows. "I didn't think you'd be stupid enough to forget there was a large body of water behind you. How come you can't swim, anyway?"
Marik raised a brow. "How come you can?"
Bakura laughed softly. "We learned as children. I assumed you would have, too."
Marik shook his head. "Lived underground my whole life, idiot. Never needed to. And what do you mean, we? I thought you lived alone."
Bakura's expression shifted, eyes faraway. "I do. But I didn't used to."
Marik tilted his head. "Who did you used to live with, then?"
Bakura blinked and sat up, frowning. "None of your business, Ishtar."
Marik sighed, drawing in one last painful breath before sitting up too. He wrung out his dripping hair, grimacing. "Urgh, that's just fantastic."
Bakura chuckled. "Aw, is poor little Marik worried about his looks?"
"Shut it, you." Marik glared. "This is all your fault, anyway."
"Oh no, I'm sorry but it isn't my fault you're a total idiot." Bakura rolled his eyes. "You could be a little more grateful, you know. I did just save your life."
"I'll consider it repayment for me saving yours yesterday," Marik replied smoothly, shooting him a smirk.
Bakura's brows lowered. "And what about when we first met, hm? I seem to recall saving you from guards that time. So by my calculations, you still owe me."
"Oh, whatever." Marik grinned. "You only saved me because I had the Items, anyway. What was the reason this time?"
"Because you still have them, fool."
"Then why are your cheeks dark?"
Bakura touched his face. "What...?"
Marik just laughed. "I'm joking. Relax."
Bakura glowered. "Don't mess with me, Ishtar. I know where you live, remember."
"Well, I know where you live too," Marik responded, shaking his head. "So that isn't much of a threat."
Bakura looked amused. "Why do you think you know where I live?"
Marik looked surprised. "The chamber..."
"I don't live where my treasures are, idiot," Bakura responded, chuckling. "That would be irresponsible. So I'm still winning, I think."
Marik leaned back slightly, resting on his elbows. "I didn't realise we were competing."
"Sure you didn't." Bakura stood up, retrieving his red robe from where he'd dropped it before diving in after Marik. He caught Marik's stare and laughed again. "What, like what you see, Ishtar?"
Marik looked away, shocked when he felt heat rising to his cheeks. "Shut up!"
"Now who's easy to tease, hm?" The amusement was apparent in his voice as he held out a hand. "Come on, get up. You've got work to do."
Marik allowed himself to be pulled to his feet before quirking an eyebrow. "I've got work to do?"
Bakura just smirked. "You need to keep an eye out for the rest of the Items. I require them all, you see."
Marik couldn't help his face from blanching. Bakura laughed, tugging his arm slightly. "If you don't mind I'm heading away from the water. Don't need you falling in again."
Marik just glared. "Why in the name of the Gods do you want me to look out for the Items?"
"Because you, Ishtar, are in my debt." Bakura smiled widely at him. "This is how it's going to work. Every evening you're going to slip out and get close to the excavations, and then you're going to come and report to me. It's essential I get to the Items before the Pharaoh does, so I require you to be accurate."
Marik just stared at him. "You have got to be kidding. It was hard enough getting just two of them! I'm not getting five more!"
"Four, actually," Bakura responded evenly.
Marik frowned. "I thought there were seven..."
"There are. But I already have one."
Marik's jaw fell open. "You...what...how?"
"All in good time, Marik." Bakura flashed him a grin. "So, do we have a deal?"
Marik folded his arms. "So let me get this straight. You want me to get away from my clan every evening without telling them what I'm doing, spy on the Pharaoh's excavations which are surrounded by guards, and then go and report to you?"
"Exactly."
"Yeah, that isn't happening." Marik laughed slightly. "Why don't you just do it yourself?"
"I can't risk being recognised."
"Well what makes you think I can?!"
"Because frankly, Ishtar, you aren't as important as me." Bakura sent him a feral grin. "And besides, I have more important matters to focus on."
"...Like what? What's more important than the Items?"
"Spoken like a true thief, Marik," Bakura laughed. "Don't you worry about that; just get your job done. I expect to see you in my treasure chamber this evening. And bring my jewellery back!" He turned and disappeared back into the darkness, leaving Marik staring open-mouthed after him.
"Well, that was unexpected." He said to the empty desert air.
Ended kind of suddenly, but there's lots of stuff happening next chapter so I kind of had to end here :S Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! - Jem
