Urgh, this chapter was a beast to write. But it's done, and I'm fairly happy with it! And from here on out it gets a lot more exciting, so bear with me XD Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy! - Jem

Marik headed slowly back to his hideout, chewing his lip and thinking carefully over what Bakura had suggested. Well, it wasn't even a suggestion – more like an order. Marik couldn't suppress a grin at that thought as he weaved his way back through the dark dirt passages. For some reason, the thief intrigued him – he wanted to know where he came from, who he was. Of course, finding out where he got all that gold from would be a bonus too. Seriously, that guy could feed an army for a century.

Marik slipped inside the hideout entrance, surprised when the entrance chamber was empty. Tilting his head, he heard Odion and Ishizu talking quietly and headed in their direction, ducking through a low archway and entering Odion's room. His brother turned, a grin spreading across his face when he saw who it was. "That was a long journey to fetch water, Marik."

Marik smiled a little sheepishly. "Yeah, I had a slight mishap."

Ishizu eyed him, frowning. "You're soaking wet! What happened?"

"I...um, I fell in the oasis."

Odion burst out laughing whilst Ishizu just raised a brow. "You fell. I may regret asking, but how exactly did you manage that?"

Marik shrugged. "I just overbalanced. Odion, stop laughing! It isn't that funny."

"I...I beg to differ, brother," he gasped out. "Oh, wait until Kek hears about this..."

"Tell him and you die!" Marik launched himself at Odion, wrestling him onto the floor. Odion fought back half-heartedly before giving up and cracking back into laughter again. Marik glared before getting up and folding his arms, pouting slightly. "You could be a bit nicer about it."

Ishizu just shook her head. "How did you get out? I didn't think you could swim."

"I can't," Marik bit his lip. "I fell in the shallow bit."

"The shallow bit of what?" Kek appeared behind him, making Marik jump. The tallest Ishtar took in his brother's appearance with a grin. "You didn't fall in the oasis, did you?"

Fresh peals of laughter fell from Odion's mouth as Marik glared, stalking past his brother and out into his room. "Shut the hell up, all of you!"

Kek just grinned. "Oh, you are never living this one down, brother."

"We'll see about th...Namu, what were you doing in my room?"

The blonde boy looked up guiltily, mouth open. "Um...nothing..."

Marik frowned. "Then why are you sneaking out of it?"

He swallowed. "You're a liar, Marik!"

He lifted an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"You said you kept them in the special box, but there's nothing in it!"

Marik's eyes widened. "Wh-what?"

Namu sniffed. "You were just making it up, weren't you? You've never even seen the Thief King!"

"Of course he hasn't," Kek snorted. "He doesn't exist."

Marik glared. "Oh sure, he doesn't, but the hundreds of dead spirits from the village all happily wander the corridors of the East corner, right..."

"I told you not to joke about that, Marik!" Kek looked furious.

Marik just rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Get out of my way, Namu. And how did you find my box?"

"It was under your bed," he mumbled. "And the Thief King is real, you were just telling lies!"

Marik sighed, but frowned when he entered his room and saw his box on his bed. "Oh, you really did find it..."

"Yeah, but it's empty!" Namu sounded close to tears.

Kek shot Marik a quizzical look. "What do you actually keep in there, Marik?"

He shrugged. "Not very much. Some trinkets, the odd scripture. And a lock of mother's hair, too."

Namu shook his head violently. "It's empty! There's nothing in there!"

"Don't be daft," Marik scoffed, going over and picking it up. "It's full of..." he froze, staring. Quickly, he gave the box a shake.

The silence was as clear as day.

Ishizu frowned at him. "Open it, Marik."

He stared in shock. This is impossible. I know there are things in this box...Bakura's jewels, among other things. Oh for the love of Ra, please don't let me have lost his gold... Gulping, Marik pulled the key out from under his robes and opened the box, lifting the lid with trepidation.

It was completely empty.

No... Marik stared wide-eyed, oblivious to the chuckles of his family. My gold...mother's hair...it can't all be gone! It can't be! Bakura's going to kill me...

Bakura...

He had heard the story Marik told Namu. He clearly knew how to get to the Ishtar's hideout...what if he'd sneaked in and taken back his treasure, and with it taken the most precious thing of Marik's...No, he wouldn't dare...

"Marik?" He jumped at his sister's voice, looking up to see they were the only two in the room now. "Brother, what's going on?"

Uh-oh. I can't let on about Bakura. If he's been here once, then what's to stop him from coming back at night and murdering us all in our sleep? I don't doubt that he would, if he thought he had good reason. Marik forced a smile, meeting Ishizu's strong blue gaze. "Oh, nothing sis. This is a different box."

She frowned slightly. "Just how many secrets are you keeping?"

He let out a laugh. "No secrets, I swear. I was just telling Namu a story, and it got a little out of hand."

"That's it?" She seemed worried.

"That's it."

She still seemed uncertain, fingertips brushing the Millennium Necklace that was secure around her neck. "Just...be careful, brother. I foresee some dark shadows for you."

He grimaced slightly. Yeah, don't I know it. And his name is Bakura. "I'm always careful, Ishizu. Got to be in our line of work, right?"

She smiled softly. "Just be careful."

As the day wore on Marik began looking for opportunities to slip out and spy on the Pharaoh's excavation of the Millennium Items. Ever since they had been detected deep beneath the ruins of the village of Kul Elna, the place had crawled with Palace guards and officials who searched hungrily through the dirt. Along the way, of course, they had been surprised by the highly effective underground network of thieves and rabble to which Marik belonged. Marik grinned as he remembered some of those early confrontations – the guards had been rather unpleasantly surprised to find that the petty thieves knew exactly how to fight back.

Things had rather quickly settled into an uneasy coexistence though –as long as the guards didn't sneak into the tunnels the thieves left them alone, and as long as the thieves didn't enter the excavation site the guards left them alone. Unfortunately, that's what Marik had to do.

Well, I could just ignore Bakura, he told himself firmly. Why the hell should I have to do his dirty work for him? And what does he want with the Items anyway? He can't be serious about them belonging to him...

"Marik?" Namu's small voice came from the doorway to his room. He tilted his head quizzically. "Did you really meet the Thief King?"

Marik grinned at him. "I'll tell you a secret. I really did meet him, but he doesn't want anyone else to know."

Namu's eyes widened and his face split into a grin. "I knew you wouldn't lie to me! But where's his gold?"

"I didn't take any," Marik laughed. "I did lie about that."

"I knew it," he giggled. "Only an idiot would steal gold from the Thief King."

Only an idiot indeed. "Hey Namu, what are the others doing at the moment?"

The small boy shrugged. "Looking at the Items. Ishizu keeps seeing things and freaking out so Odion's worried."

Marik nodded slowly. "What about Kek?"

"What do you think?" Namu answered sourly. "He's playing with the Rod. It's no fair; I want a go but he won't even let me touch it!"

Marik laughed, ruffling his hair. "Don't worry about it, Namu. I'm going to get food – I'll be back later, alright?"

Namu frowned. "Odion just went and got some this morning."

"Well, yeah, but not my food." Marik winked.

Namu grinned. "If you see the Thief King tell him hi from me!"

Marik rolled his eyes slightly. "Sure thing, Namu. See you later." He slipped back out into the corridors, pushing away the thought that he was quite possibly making the biggest mistake of his life.

Marik crouched low in the passages, peering out hesitantly at the excavation site which was, as ever, teeming with Palace guards. He cursed silently in his head, berating himself for being stupid enough to ever think this was a good idea. No way in hell am I ever going to get close enough to see what's going on...Bakura isn't going to be happy.

Chewing his lip he shrank against the wall as he dared to poke his head out slightly from the shadows. The excavation site was a huge crater that opened up to the surface, so big that the base of a pyramid could easily fit into it three times over. No expense was spared for the Pharaoh to get his hands on the power those Items supposedly held; never mind they didn't rightfully belong to him.

Each Item was destined to be controlled by one person each generation, often from within the same family. The Ishtars had always held the Rod and the Necklace, which is why upon hearing of their discovery, Marik and Odion had risked everything to steal them right out from under the noses of the guards. And that was tricky enough – I am a total idiot to come back here again, Bakura or no Bakura.

Despite himself Marik couldn't resist taking another step closer, craning his neck to try and see what was going on.

The main site for the recovery of the Items was located in a vast tented area in the middle of the crater, where the rocks were jaggedly split open and the guards worked away, always searching for that hidden glint of gold. If any Items were discovered they were taken to another, smaller tent on the side of the crater closest to Marik, awaiting the eyes of the experts to verify they were the real thing. Once they had been authenticated they were immediately sent back to the Palace for the immediate attention of the Pharaoh.

Or they would be, if any of the Items were actually found. So far only the Rod and the Necklace had been discovered, and Marik and Odion had stolen them before an expert could verify that they were authentic.

Marik couldn't help but feel a tug of curiousity as to how close the guards were to finding the rest of the Items. He didn't want them particularly – he wasn't really interested in their power – but the thief in him found the thought of all that gold rather enticing. Bakura must want something more with them though – he had said he needed all of them. If he thinks he can manage that on his own, he's crazy, Marik scoffed. One man taking on all the might of the Pharaoh? You have got to be kidding me. Except, well, he does have all that gold, and he claims to be working alone...urgh, I need to stop thinking about him.

Marik gave himself a small shake before retreating back down the passages. He was damned if he was risking stepping into that crater whilst it was crawling with guards – no, he'd go and tell Bakura that if he wanted more information on the Items he would have to get it himself, and stop getting Marik to risk his life for him. He may have saved my life, but I'm not that much in his debt!

Marik traced the increasingly familiar passageways of the East corner until he found the entrance to Bakura's chamber (although admittedly he walked straight past it twice without even realising). His fingers scratched on the dirt surface of the walls until he found that hidden button, and with a satisfying click the door slid open. He entered the chamber of treasures with a barely-hidden smile.

There was no sign of Bakura, and Marik's heart sank a little. He busied himself with scouring the treasures instead – the horde really was impressive, particularly if the white-haired thief was telling the truth about stealing it all himself. His eye was caught by a lengthy rope necklace tossed negligently into a corner, and he couldn't resist running his fingers through it, marvelling at the silken gold against his skin.

"Now now, what did I say about stealing? You could be a bit more polite."

The cool voice sent shivers down Marik's spine as he whirled to face the purple-eyed thief. Bakura tilted his head, wearing his usual smirk; Marik hadn't even heard him come in.

He straightened slightly, glaring. "You're one to talk! You stole my box, didn't you!"

Bakura just chuckled, crossing his arms. "I left the box, actually. I just took everything inside it."

Marik's jaw fell open – he still hadn't quite believed it. "But...how...how the hell did you even manage to get in my room?"

"I told you you were easy to follow, Ishtar," Bakura scoffed.

Marik shook his head. "I can't believe it. I don't believe it."

"Oh, so you won't be wanting this back then?" Bakura casually reached into his robe and pulled out something small and blonde. Marik's eyes widened; his mother's lock of hair.

His face darkened. "Give that back."

Bakura smirked. "Why? Some lover of yours, hm?"

"Just. Give. It. Back." Marik ground out, fighting to keep his voice under control.

"Hm, I don't see why I would do that." Bakura shifted slightly, and Marik saw a blade in his hand. "Maybe I could just cut..."

Marik lost control and lunged at the thief, screaming at him. "Don't you dare touch it! Don't you touch it!"

Bakura let out a huff of air, surprised as the younger teen threw himself at him, momentum forcing them both to the floor. Marik's fingers raked against Bakura's as he scrabbled for the hair, eventually pulling it free and cradling it against his chest, checking it minutely for damage as he unconsciously straddled the other teen.

Bakura coughed. "Would you mind getting the hell off me?"

Marik blinked. "What?"

Bakura sighed loudly. "You're sitting on me. Move."

"Huh?...Oh..." Marik felt his cheeks burn as he realised where he was. He hastily stood up and turned his back on Bakura, tucking the hair safely deep within his robes and out of sight.

"So that belong to some girlfriend of yours, hm?"

Marik whirled around to see Bakura eyeing him quizzically, head tilted slightly to his right. He hissed. "None of your business, thief. Just keep your sticky fingers out of my stuff."

Bakura lifted a brow. "That's rich coming from you."

Marik just breathed out, rubbing his temples. "Whatever."

"So you're not going to ask for your gold back?"

"What?"

Bakura chuckled lowly. "As I recall, there was a lot more gold in that trinket box of yours than what you stole from me. Aren't you going to ask for it back?"

Marik shrugged. "I highly doubt you would give it back if I asked."

"True," Bakura grinned. "But that didn't stop you grabbing that hair from me. Who did it belong to, anyway? She must be really important to you. You'd better not be secretly married - your clan would go spare."

Marik just sighed. "Nothing like that. It was my mother's, if you must know."

"Oh," that quietened Bakura for a moment, his eyes clouding. "I understand."

Marik's eyes hardened slightly. "You understand nothing. You know nothing."

Bakura regarded him coolly. "I know what it is to lose a parent."

"How about both?"

"How about a whole village?" Bakura's voice dripped venom before his eyes widened and he cursed. "Forget I said that."

Marik just lifted a brow. "You lost a whole village, huh? That was careless of you."

Bakura growled threateningly. "Don't joke about this, Ishtar."

"Well, you brought it up..."

His eyes narrowed before he pounced, once again crashing them both to the floor, although Bakura straddled Marik this time. He leaned close, voice low and threatening. "Watch your words, Ishtar. I do not take kindly to brats who poke their noses in other people's business."

Marik breathed. He blinked, twice. "...You mind getting off me now?"

Bakura snarled. "I mean it. Not a word, to anyone. And stop telling your little brother about me; it's irritating."

Marik grinned. "He hero-worships you. You have a fan, Thief King."

Bakura growled. "He ever comes near me and I'll kill him where he stands."

Marik shivered. "He's ten! Leave him out of this."

"Why?" Bakura scowled at him. "Plenty have died younger than ten. Why should your brother be any different?"

Marik glared. "Because if you so much as lay a finger on any of my family, I will make your life a living hell."

Bakura leaned down, breath hot on Marik's face as he silkily whispered "You are in no position to be making threats, Ishtar."

"Well neither are you, Bakura."

They stared at each other for a long moment before Bakura slowly sat up, not releasing Marik. "Well, that remains to be seen. What have you got to report to me, anyway?"

Marik rolled his eyes. "That would be easier to say if I was upright."

Bakura just grinned. "No, I like you how you are. So go one," he shifted slightly. "Spill."

Marik glared. "Not until you let me up."

"Now why would I want to do that?" Bakura looked amused.

"The question is, why would you want to keep me down here?" Marik smirked, a glint in his eyes. "Like the feeling of having me under you, hm?"

Bakura just laughed. "Don't flatter yourself." He stood up anyway and offered Marik his hand, pulling him to his feet. "Go on. Tell me all."

Marik brushed himself down a little huffily. "Right. Well, for starters, you're mad if you think you can steal all the Millennium Items – that place is full to bursting with Palace guards."

Bakura snorted. "If you and that adopted brother of yours got out without being caught, I'm sure I can cope too."

Marik just sighed. "It's your funeral. The Items are excavated through the tent in the centre of the cavern, then placed in the tent to the South side where they await expert opinion. That's the best time to steal them, if you're crazy enough to even attempt it."

Bakura nodded. "And which Items have they excavated now?"

Marik let out one loud laugh. "I have no idea. No way was I getting close enough to find out."

Bakura's eyes flashed. "Well, you'll just have to try harder tomorrow then, won't you?"

"Ha. I am not going back. I've repayed the favour now, Bakura – I'm not in your debt anymore. So I'll just be on my way." Marik turned to leave, only for Bakura to grab his arm and twist him round to face him again, faces inches apart.

"You do not get away that easily," he breathed.

Marik suppressed a shiver. "I have no reason to return."

"Is that so?" Bakura shoved him roughly against the wall of the chamber, leaning in dangerously close. "Perhaps I'll have to give you one then, Ishtar."

Marik wriggled, trying to get away but the other teen just slammed him back against the wall, drawing a gasp from the blonde Egyptian. Bakura breathed shallowly, keeping a tight hold of his urges as he leaned forwards again, pinning Marik in place with an ice-cold stare. "You know I can get in your room, Marik. I know where your family sleep. Getting on my bad side is a very bad idea."

Marik shivered, breathing uneven as he met Bakura's stare defiantly. "That isn't a reason to come back. If anything, it's a reason to stay away."

Bakura's eyes flashed and he leaned closer still, bodies pressed tightly against each other. Marik suppressed another gasp as heat rushed to his cheeks. This situation was precarious, and he found himself half-repulsed by and half-attracted to the white-haired thief before him, surprised by his own body's reactions to the feeling of another man pressed so close.

Bakura seemed to notice and pressed his forehead against Marik's, eyes sharp. "If you want a reason to return..." he breathed, "I can think of nothing better than this."

He closed the gap between them, lips connecting harshly as their teeth clacked together. Marik arched away from the wall, reacting without thinking to the unbelievable pleasure he felt in that moment. This cannot be good...this is not supposed to feel this good...

All too soon Bakura pulled away, expression unreadable as his fingers dug into Marik's sides. "Same time tomorrow," he ordered, no sense of compromise in his tone. "Don't be late." With that he turned his back and walked straight through the doorway concealed in the back wall, leaving a flustered Marik sagging against the wall for support.

The young Egyptian blinked, one hand reaching up to brush his own lips in amazement. That cannot have just happened...that did not just happen...His swollen lips and shallow breathing told a different story though. Marik cursed silently before heading out of the door and making his way to his own hideout.

One thing was for sure – he would be back the next evening, even though he knew it was probably the stupidest mistake he had made in his life so far.

That's it for now :) This story picks up the pace next chapter, I promise. I know it's been a little slow so far. Not sure when the next chapter will be out as I'm not very well at the moment, hopefully in the next few days though. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed! - Jem