So here is Chapter 4! Sorry about that cliffhanger, this was originally all going to be one chapter, but it would have been stupidly long, so I had to split it. Took me longer to type this than I thought, as well, but hey, here it is! Enjoy - Jem
I watched, frozen, as my Father sat up, a frown creasing his brow, his eyes narrowing dangerously. My body towered over him, and my darker half let out loud peals of cackling laughter, sounding almost like he was singing. I could only watch, transfixed, as the knife was raised by my own arm, ready to plunge into the waiting chest of my torturer.
"It's been quite a while, hasn't it?" My voice, controlled by an alien being, sounded strange to my own ears; echoing and dark, it was a warped reflection of my usually light tones. "In fact, it's been four years. My, how much has changed." My Father backed up slightly, resulting in more pealing laughter. "One thing hasn't, though. I am still going to kill you."
My Father's eyes widened, and his movements became more desperate. "Marik, no, what are you saying...you can't kill your own Father..."
The laughter stopped suddenly, and a low hiss took its place. My body leaned closer, muscles I didn't even know I had stretched taught. "What did you call me?"
Father swallowed. "Marik...I called you by your name...Marik..."
A pause before the laughter returned. "You do not even know when your own son has gone? Marik isn't here anymore." The voice became taunting. "He's gone, fled, because he is too weak to stand up to you. I have control of his body now."
Something stirred in my mind at that – something was very wrong with this situation. I shouldn't be a bystander in my own body...
I snapped back to attention at my Father's next words. "I don't know what's happened to you, Marik, but I promise I can help you..."
"Help him?" The laughter grew until my whole body was racked by it. "You couldn't help him even if you wanted to. Only I have the power to do that! And you know, the best way to help someone," I watched as my body leaned even closer to my Father, effectively pinning him to the ground, "is to destroy their torturer. Don't you agree?" My face was twisted beyond recognition, lips pulled back in a feral grin, knife poised high in the air, sharp point, still covered in my blood, pointed viciously at Father's heart. The voice spoke once more, whispering silkily in a low hiss. "I should thank you, really, for weakening him enough to let me out...that damned spirit was giving him far too much confidence...but now..." my lips were pulled even wider, impossibly stretched. "Now, I am free!"
The knife started to fall. My own heart stopped.
Then, a voice by the door. "I think I'll have to step in here."
My body whipped around, and I praised all the Gods in heaven, thanking them for sending me this spirit.
Bakura stood in the doorway, arms crossed, familiar smirk plastered on his face. His eyes were guarded, shielded, as he watched the scene unfold in front of him. I couldn't help a grin spreading across my face. I knew you'd come for me...I knew you'd help me!
A low growl ripped between my lips. "Shut up, you. He isn't here to help you. He wants to save your Father! I'm the only one who can help you."
I gasped at those words and looked to Bakura, who entered cautiously, arms raised slightly. "So. You would be this other Yami, then."
My eyes rolled, a familiar gesture even when outside of my control. "Congratulations, Mr. State-the-obvious. Would you like a prize? I can do you a good stabbing, if you'd like."
Bakura's smirk returned. "I'd like to see you try. But at first, I have something to say to your better half." At that, his focus shifted, his eyes seeming to burn right through my body's, piercing my very soul. Which was about when I became aware of my situation.
I was sat cross-legged in a room filled with shadows, peering through a triangular window at the scene involving my body. This must be the soul room Bakura had mentioned – when I had, in my state of vulnerability, let my darker half out, I must have somehow got trapped here. So now, how to get out?
"Marik?"
I jumped at the sound of my name, and looked back through the window to see Bakura staring straight at me. "Marik, I hope you can hear me from that soul room of yours. As charming as it is to meet your Yami, we have business to attend to tonight, remember? So I'd appreciate it if you came out of hiding. Now."
The peals of laughter started from my body again, and I heard my own warped voice say "He's far beyond your reach now, spirit. Your pathetic attempts are rather amusing though. And didn't you do enough damage earlier? Threatening his family probably wasn't your best move, you realise. He feels all alone now – he knows I'm the only one who can help him. That's why he had to let me out."
No! I screamed the thought into the shadows. That's not true! I don't want your help, you psychopath!
My darker half laughed. "Oh, you're one to talk! Don't you see, I was born out of your hatred and desire for revenge! I am the reason you are here today, you ungrateful child – if not for me, you'd still be stuck in that tomb in Egypt! You should be on your knees thanking me, not fighting me!"
That's not true! You bring nothing but hurt! I want my body back!
"Never going to happen, I'm afraid. You let me out. Your body is mine to control now!"
"Well, I may have something to say about that." Bakura smiled slyly. "As fascinating as it is to hear you argue with yourself, I would rather like Marik back, please. We've got unfinished business to attend to."
My Yami growled. "Stay out of this, spirit."
Don't talk to him like that!
"You too, weakling! Now, where was I, before I was so rudely interrupted..." my body swung back around to face my Father's still trembling form. "Oh, yes, I remember...you tortured little Marik, didn't you? Well, now it's my turn to torture you..."
"Ahem." Bakura stepped forwards calmly. "Not so fast, dark one. Marik, you might want to help me a bit here. Fight him off. Unless you really want to become a murderer tonight?"
I gasped and jumped to my feet. Give me back my body, you evil psycho!
I was ignored as the knife rose, poised once more in the air above my Father's cowering form. Bakura stepped in front of me, though, and calmly outstretched his arms. "I don't think you really want to do that, Marik. Come on now, fight him off. It can't be that difficult."
The sinister laughter was back. "Oh, Bakura, can't you see your attempts are futile? He's long gone and never coming back. And you never even got to tell him how you feel!"
What? I wondered. What are you talking about?
I was ignored as my darker half continued. "But, Bakura, it isn't too late to complete your goals. Why not give up on him? Go to the museum, steal the Items. It's getting late, and you don't want to ruin this chance. You have to steal from Yugi too, remember? You won't get another opportunity like this in a long while – like maybe another five thousand years. So go on." My lips were licked. "What are you waiting for? You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain."
The smirk was still firmly in place on Bakura's pale face. "That's not entirely true."
"What?" My body leaned closer. "What could possibly be false about that? Go, steal your Items. They're all you care about, right? Rescuing the souls of your lost village?"
A pained expression flashed across his eyes for a moment, before the smirk was put firmly back in place. "That's not entirely true either, I'm afraid."
My body snorted. "What? What could possibly be more important than that? What could you possibly stand to gain from fighting me?"
Bakura rolled his eyes. "Marik, you'd better be bloody well fighting in there. I'm not doing this for nothing, you know." He turned back to my darker half, eyes dancing with a hidden emotion. I couldn't help but wonder what he was still doing here. Everything my Yami had said was true, after all – his main goal had to be rescuing the souls of his people. Time was slipping away whilst he was just standing here. Just go, Bakura! You have bigger things to worry about than me! What are you still fighting him for?
At this, my body cackled. "Ah, Bakura. Poor Bakura. Even my lighter half agrees with me. You should just go. You aren't wanted here, by either of us. Marik is perfectly happy where he is."
I frowned at the pained look that shot across Bakura's face. That isn't true and you know it.
Bakura shook his head quickly. "I don't believe you, I'm afraid. I know Marik is fighting you."
I gritted my teeth. I'm trying, Bakura, but I don't know how!
My body laughed once more. "Ah, poor Bakura, still so naive even after five thousand years! Can't you see that Marik is happy now? He's let go of all his pain and hatred, passed it all on to me. You don't even feature in his life anymore – not that you ever did, anyway. Not really. He was using you for his own personal revenge. He wants nothing to do with you now."
I gasped. No, that isn't true! Bakura, he's lying! You asshole! I was seething, but my body just cackled. I screamed soundlessly, tears threatening. But I had no body. How could I cry?
Bakura suddenly looked less sure of himself. "He was...using me? But why? How?"
My darker half pressed his advantage. "Yes. Can't you see? He was lonely, and you were there. He never felt anything for you, though. He just wanted to play around a bit, and teasing you was so much fun. He's done with you now, though – he's done with all of it. So go on," I saw my own hand raise, pointing the knife towards the door. "You may as well head off to the museum. You are running out of time, after all."
Bakura's expression hardened, and he glared. I gasped. No, you can't believe him! Bakura, he's lying! I would never use you! And I do feel...feel...hell, I don't know what I feel for you, but it sure as hell isn't nothing! Don't you dare give up on me, you damned spirit! Don't you dare! Bakura!
But his brown eyes remained hard, and he dropped his arms, stepping briskly away from my Father. He turned towards the door. "Keep fighting him, Marik."
No! I threw myself at the window. Bakura! Don't go! No!
"Yes!" Cackled my evil half, advancing with the knife raised. My Father looked up, eyes trembling, grey beard drooping with sweat. "Now you're mine! This whole world is mine! Hahahaha!"
That maniacal laughter just fuelled my determination even more. Don't you dare touch my Father! Don't you dare let Bakura leave! Give me back my body, dammit!
Suddenly, the hand holding the knife froze mid-strike. I gasped, my sudden success making me giddy. Yes! Come on, just go back to wherever the hell you came from and give me back my body!
"No!" My hand was wrenched forward again, but it was now curiously empty. Furious, my Yami swirled round to meet a smirking Bakura, who was twirling the knife confidently between his fingertips.
"Well, I think that's quite enough of that, don't you? Marik, isn't it about time you got your skinny ass back out here? Time's running short, you know."
My heart was dancing a little jig in my chest. Bakura! You didn't leave!
"No! I will not let him out!" My Yami threw his hands in the air before twisting them into the crazy spikes of his hair. "I will not give up my freedom!"
This just made me try even harder. I threw myself at the glass window, and it shattered. You are not free, dammit! This is my body! Crawl back to wherever you came from, NOW!
Suddenly, I was back in control. A welter of confused emotions swam over me – lingering traces of my darker half, urges to murder and maim my Father, desperate hatred and jealousy of the white-haired spirit before me. I swayed slightly on the spot before tumbling to the ground.
"Marik!"
Pale hands were on my face, gently lifting my head into his lap. A cool touch grazed my burning forehead and I leaned into it, nuzzling his hand. I still didn't fully understand how I had got out of my soul room. "Bak...Bakura? Am I back? Did I do it?"
He chuckled, the sound lighter than any I had ever heard him make. "Yes, Marik, you're back. And about bloody time too. Do you have any idea what you just put me through?"
I blinked. "Huh?"
He snorted softly. "Just don't do that again, ok? Now, let's get you cleaned up." He made to move away but I grabbed his wrist weakly, sitting up slightly.
"Why didn't you leave?"
He turned back, confusion clouding his brown gaze. "What?"
"Why didn't you leave? You could have got the Items...you could be on your way to Egypt right now...why didn't you just leave me?"
He frowned. "If you don't know the answer to that, Marik, then you're blind as well as stupid. Now come on, let's get you cleaned up." He tried to lift me up but I pulled out of his grasp, staring at him.
"I'm going nowhere until you tell me what you mean."
He rolled his eyes. "Marik, now really isn't the time to be stubborn."
I crossed my arms. "I'm not moving until you tell me."
He sighed, sitting back down next to me. Suddenly, without warning, he pulled me into a kiss. "That answer your question?"
I just stared at him, more confused than ever. He rolled his eyes again and was about to speak when a cold voice interrupted us.
"Well, isn't this a touching scene."
We both snapped round to face my Father. He was crumpled on the floor, shaking with the odd tremor, but his eyes were focused and sharpened by hatred. Mostly directed at Bakura. "So. It would seem you are the one who has corrupted my son."
Bakura huffed. "Charmed, I'm sure. And he was already corrupt when I met him. Mostly by your doing, I believe."
Father hissed at him, body trembling as he crawled towards us. "I don't know who you think you are, kid, but I'll tell you something..."
In a flash, Bakura had him flat on the floor, stomach pressed to the carpet as he crouched above him. He tugged on Father's long grey hair with his left hand, forcing his head to arch backwards so he could press the still bloody knife to his neck.
"Watch who you're calling kid," he breathed loud enough to reach my ears. "I am a five thousand year old spirit who has far more important things to deal with than scum like you who beat their own children." He dug the knife in sharper and I smelled fresh blood, my Father wincing in pain. "I believe," Bakura hissed into his ear, "that you may have heard of me. My name is Bakura, and I was once the Thief King of Egypt. Remember my face, scum, and if you ever see it again, you remember to run. I don't go easy on people who harm the things I care about." He quickly brought my Father's head down, cracking it against the carpet once so that he was knocked unconscious. He did it once more for good measure, before turning to me with a grim smile. "Gods, I have wanted to do that since you first told me about him."
I could only stare, eyes wide with wonder. "Did you just...did you just say that...you cared about me?"
He rolled his eyes. "Now isn't really the time, Marik. We've got more important issues to deal with. Like patching you up, for one. Do you even realise how much blood you've lost?"
My brows furrowed, though I couldn't stop a grin tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You do care about me, don't you?"
He growled slightly. "There's a time and a place, Marik. Come on, we need to get you seen to. Come with me to Ryou's, we'll patch you up there."
"He's going nowhere."
The flat voice caused both of us to jump, and we stared up at the stony face of my sister, standing in the doorway, seemingly unfazed by the scene in front of her.
Bakura was at my side in an instant, helping me to stand. The moment I stood, however, the world began spinning around me, and I sank back down, eyes closed. "Oh, Gods...I don't feel so good..."
Bakura crouched down next to me. "It's alright Marik, we'll get you seen to soon. I've just got to deal with the rest of your family first." I vaguely registered him sending Ishizu a death glare, which she coolly returned.
"I take it you're not Ryou, then."
He flashed her a wide grin, baring his teeth. "Got it in one. Congratulations."
She stepped further into the room, glowering down at us. "What did you do to my Father?"
He shrugged. "Nothing worse than what he deserved. In fact, all things considered, I went rather easy on him."
Her eyes flashed. "How dare you...!"
I raised a hand and flapped it at her weakly. "Don't worry, sis, it's fine. Bakura saved my life. We can trust him."
Her eyes widened at the mention of his name, and she took a step back. "That's...that's Bakura?"
He grinned again and licked his lips. "The very same. Pleased to see me?"
She gasped and retreated. "Odion!"
Bakura sighed and muttered into my ear. "You owe me big time for this, boy."
I managed a weak chuckle before sliding further down onto the floor. Bakura wrapped an arm around my waist, supporting me, as Odion entered the scene.
"Odion!" Ishizu ran to him. "That's...that's Bakura! We have to get out, we should call the police, or something, he's already injured Father, Gods know what he's planning to do next..."
Bakura hissed sharply between his teeth. "I don't have time for this right now. Odion, as you can clearly see, your brother is injured. I need to take him back to my house to patch him up. Your Father is the one that put him in this state, anyway...as I'm sure you're aware." He furrowed his brows, anger reaching his russet brown eyes. "So if you don't get out of our way in the next ten seconds, I am going to make you. Understand?"
Odion said nothing, but turned his gaze to me, expression unreadable. I stared back meekly, too weak to really register what was going on.
Eventually, he spoke. "Well, brother? Is that what you want? To go with this...tomb robber?"
I continued staring at him, words taking a while to register. I felt Bakura tense against my side. Slowly, careful not to slur my words, I answered "Yes, Odion. Yes it is. I had already planned to leave with him tonight..." my breath caught as pain suddenly exploded across my back, and I screwed my eyes shut, letting out a low moan.
"That's it." Bakura stood up, lifting me easily into his arms. I let out a mewl of complaint, which, as ever, he ignored. "We're done here. You heard your brother. I'm giving you about three seconds to get out of my way before we leave. One...two..."
Odion held up a hand, gaze still hard, expression still unreadable. "I hear even the slightest word that you've hurt my brother, and you're a dead man."
I felt Bakura freeze, and twisted in his grasp. His arms clasped tighter around my weak and trembling form. "It's a deal," I heard him grind out, before he stalked passed the shocked form of my sister and the impassive body of my brother, carrying me slowly but surely out of the door and away from my old life.
I didn't become fully conscious until we were at Ryou's. Bakura laid me down carefully on the sofa, but I couldn't help groaning when my back came into contact with the material. He rolled me over carefully, cursing when he pulled aside the remains of my shirt to see the damage. I turned my face to the side, breathing heavily . "How...bad...is it?"
He flicked me a look, expression closed, before wordlessly heading into the kitchen and returning with the first aid kit. He stopped, just staring at my back. I groaned. "Don't go quiet on me. What is it? What's wrong."
He looked away, speaking in clipped sentences. "There appear to be two rather large stab wounds on your back. I can bandage them, but it's going to be painful."
I closed my eyes. "I doubt it can be much worse than it already is."
He chewed his lip, regarding me worriedly before turning to leave the room. I couldn't help crying out. "Don't leave me..."
You see, Marik? Everyone will leave you. You will always be alone. And I will always be here, waiting.
I sucked in a shaky breath. "I don't want him to come back..."
There was a cool touch on my face. Bakura cradled my head to his chest. "Marik, Marik , it's alright, you're safe now. I promise I will never leave you alone. I just have to get some water, those wounds will get infected if we leave them any longer."
My fingers found his wrist. I stared at him imploringly.
He sighed, releasing my head slowly. "I'll be thirty seconds. Don't you dare pass out." He was gone, and I trembled.
Ah, Marik, you have no reason to be afraid. I'm still right here with you.
I shuddered harder. "Go away. Leave me alone."
I can protect you, if you let me out.
"No! Never again! You stole my body...you were going to kill Father...you tried to chase away Bakura..."
There was a cool touch on my wrist. Bakura smirked, not quite masking the worry in his eyes. "I told you not to freak out."
I smiled weakly. "Actually, you told me not to pass out. I didn't. Just."
His forehead creased, and he dipped his hand into a bowl of water next to him, drawing out a flannel. "Hold still for me, ok? This is probably going to hurt."
I gritted my teeth and nodded. When the flannel first made contact I couldn't hold back a moan, trying to suppress a shudder. Bakura's free hand stroked my hair gently. "Shhh. Don't worry. It will be over soon." He continued rubbing the water into my wounds, and I tried my best not to flinch as it trickled a path down my back. My breath hitched and I bit the sofa, trying not to scream.
When he was done cleaning the wounds, Bakura gently bandaged up my back. "What happened, Marik? What happened after you stormed out of here?"
I moaned. "Stormed is a strong word. You scared me."
"I'm sorry." He stroked my hair, tying off the bandages. "I was too focused on my task. The minute you were gone I wished I'd made you stay. When I got your text I knew something awful must be happening...then when I got to your house, and saw your Yami..."
I turned my face and reached up to take his hand. "Not your fault. Don't worry."
He smiled softly at me. "So what happened?"
I closed my eyes, not really wanting to remember. But he did deserve to know – he saved me, after all. "When I got home, my family had found my phone, complete with texts from you. They figured out that I was helping you with something. Ishizu and Odion felt betrayed, so they left Father to deal with me. That's when he...I don't know, he must have got a knife from somewhere. It was too much for me to handle. My Yami started talking to me, and so I gave in...I was too weak to do anything to save myself. All I could do was text you...if you hadn't shown up, I don't think I'd ever have got out...I'm not strong enough to beat him...he's right. I'm a weakling."
Bakura's eyes hardened. "Don't be an idiot. You aren't weak. Your Yami just took advantage of a horrific situation. You'd have got rid of him soon enough, whether I showed up or not."
I shook my head, eyes still tight shut. I couldn't meet his gaze. "No. I needed you. I still need you. When you're around it's easier to ignore him..."
You could never ignore me, Marik.
I gasped softly, and caught Bakura's hand in a tight grip. "Please, don't leave me alone with him...you're strong enough to fight him, I need you..."
I felt Bakura's hand squeeze my own firmly. "I already promised, Marik. I'm never leaving you alone. I'm the only psychotic Yami allowed to mess with you, alright?"
He wishes. Don't worry, Marik, sooner or later he'll abandon you. Then I'll be here to take care of you. Just like I was today.
"No!" I squeezed my eyes shut tighter. "I won't ever listen to you again! I want nothing more to do with you! Get out of my head!"
Can't do that. I'm a part of you. Without me, you don't exist.
Bakura stroked my hair. "Marik? He may be inside your head, but you don't have to talk to him."
"But he talks to me...he tries to make me give in..."
Oh, Marik. One day you'll give in to me. You'll be glad of my presence when this spirit leaves you alone again.
"No...go away...I won't listen..."
Suddenly, something cold and metallic was pressed to the skin of my hand, and I felt a jolt. The only way I can describe it is that my soul felt as if it was falling forwards, and I tumbled head-over-heels into another room of shadows.
My first thought was No, not again...not this again. But then I noticed the subtle differences between this soul room and my own. The shadows were a deep blue-black colour, without the hints of purple that had decorated my own walls. There was no triangular window, and most importantly, no cruel voice whispering lies into my head.
For the first time in years, my head was solely my own.
Well, almost.
Bakura strode towards me, black coat billowing, familiar smirk on his features. "Hello, Marik. Nice of you to visit."
I frowned. "This...this is your soul room?"
He nodded once.
I gasped. "How...?"
"Before you barrage me with questions," he raised a hand, one eyebrow raised, "let me explain. I wanted to talk to you in private, without your little visitor who seems so intent on poisoning your mind. I'll give your Yami this much, Marik – he's a master manipulator. So in order to stop him interfering, I had to get you out of your head for a while. The Millennium Ring houses my soul room, so I brought you in here for a bit."
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. Then spoke anyway. "So...this is where you've lived for five thousand years?"
He nodded, smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. I raised my eyebrows. "How have you not gone insane? It's boring!"
He laughed at that. "Only you would say that on entering another person's soul room, Marik."
I pouted slightly. "Huh. You don't have to be so insulting you know."
He chuckled, eyes bright. "You should know me well enough by now to realise that I will always insult you."
I glowered. "Great. Thanks. What did you want to talk about in private, anyway?"
"Well. You were telling me how you got in this mess. Your Father found your phone?"
I nodded. "Not just him – Odion and Ishizu too."
His gaze darkened. "They knew? And they didn't stop him?"
I looked down. "They hate you too. I always knew they'd never approve of what I'm doing. I wasn't going to tell them I was leaving for Egypt with you."
"That's still no excuse for letting him do what he did to you." Bakura looked the angriest I'd ever seen him. "They're your family. They're meant to protect you. What in Ra's name were they thinking?"
I took his arm. "Hey. Stop it."
He pulled away from me. "No. If I'd known this was how they'd treat you I'd never have forced you to help me. You should go."
"Hey!" I took his shoulders, forcing him to meet my eyes. "Has it ever crossed your mind that maybe I agree with you instead of them? They've never seen the Pharaoh for who he is. Plus they only know what the scriptures say about you. They don't know you like I do."
Bakura looked at me. "That doesn't excuse what they did. If they had protected you like they should have, your Yami would never have been able to take control."
"And then you would never have come to help me, and I would never have realised that you care about me." I shot him a smirk.
I was pleasantly surprised that his cheeks coloured slightly. When he spoke, his voice was gruff. "Yes, well, if you went and died on me then I wouldn't have any help stealing the Items, would I?"
I smiled slightly. "I suppose. Thank you."
He looked away, cheeks turning red. "No need to thank me."
"Yes there is." I pulled him into a sudden hug. "No one's ever stood up for me like that before. I don't know where I'd be without you."
He stiffened in my grasp before slowly wrapping his arms around me, stroking my back affectionately. That was when I realised something.
"My back..." I pulled away slightly, staring at him. "...It doesn't hurt."
He met my eyes with a smirk. "Oh. Good."
I stepped back, eyeing him warily. "What did you do?"
He laughed. "Honestly Marik, there's no need to look so suspicious."
I lowered my brows.
He rolled his eyes. "Alright. I had a hunch that being in a soul room would take away pain. It should also give you more time to heal. You couldn't go back in yours, though, because your Yami would...mmph." He trailed off when I pressed my mouth to his.
I pulled away, grinning. "You know, the more I get to know you, the more I like what I find."
He met my gaze with narrowed eyes. "Don't you dare get sentimental on me."
I just grinned wider. "Whatever, Fluffy."
"Are we really back to that again?"
"What?" I ran a finger through his white locks. "You are fluffy, whether you like it or not."
He slapped my hand away with a feral snarl. "Watch it, Ishtar. You are in my soul room, remember. I can kick you out at any time."
I pulled a sad face, giving him my very best puppy dog eyes. "But Fluffy, it hurts out there..."
He stared at me for a minute before bursting into peals of laughter. "Gods, you are such a child!"
I crossed my arms. "Yeah. Whatever." I couldn't help but grin as he carried on laughing. He straightened up eventually, eyeing me with a familiar gleam.
"Well. I guess I can let you stay for a bit. At least until your back has healed a little."
I threw my arms around him. "Thank you! It's so nice not to have to hear my Yami's voice, as well. It got a little embarrassing when he kept butting in on my daydreams."
Bakura held me at arm's length. "Daydreams, hm? And what, pray tell, might they be about?"
I looked away, flushing slightly. Me and my big mouth.
He chuckled seductively and pulled me close, pressing me against his chest. "Don't worry Marik. I think I can guess. I'm flattered, really."
I flushed darker and glared down at him. "Don't be so big-headed."
He smirked. "Well, am I wrong?"
"...Not exactly..."
"Heh. Good. Nice to know I can still make you blush."
I glowered. "You were blushing too! You can't talk!"
He managed to look slightly abashed for a few moments before the smirk returned. "Heh. Well. You were getting all sentimental."
"I was thanking you! Seriously! You don't have to read so much into it all the time. You're almost as bad as Odion..." I trailed off, trying not to think of Odion's impassive expression the last time I had seen him. When I had walked out of his life for good.
Bakura cocked an eyebrow at me. "What exactly is that supposed to mean?"
I drew myself back to the present. "Huh? Oh...nothing. Just that, Odion kept reading too much into us too."
"Oh really? Now I am intrigued."
I shrugged. "You shouldn't be. It's just, he knows you spent the night that time, and then I stayed with you, and he saw the texts you sent me..."
Bakura chuckled. "Yes, I see. The evidence is just growing and growing, isn't it."
I glowered. "Evidence of what, exactly?"
"You. And your sexuality." He laughed brightly. "You should just admit that you're gay already. Everyone knows it apart from you."
I hissed through my teeth. "For the last time, I am not friggin' gay! Will you just accept that already?"
His eyes glinted dangerously. "No. No I will not, actually, boy." He took a step closer. I backed away nervously as he continued. "What? After all, if you really aren't gay, this shouldn't bother you, right?"
I chewed my lip nervously. Why did my damn hormones always have to react? "Right..."
He took another step, fingertips brushing my forearms as he leaned in. I couldn't help my breath hitching. "And, if you aren't gay, then you should not be reacting to this." He pressed his lips to my forehead, arms snaking round my neck. I swayed slightly and he chuckled.
"And, most of all," he breathed. "This should not bother you in the slightest."
And he kissed me, full on the lips.
I couldn't help myself. It just felt so good! My arms wrapped tightly around his waist as I leaned into him, kissing back with everything I had. It ended far too quickly as he leaned backwards, pulling my head into his chest. He laughed into my hair. "Oh, Marik. You can't keep this up for much longer, you know."
I just snuggled closer. "Hmph. Well. I might still be reconsidering."
He chuckled softly, bringing us down until we were sat on the shadowy floor, wrapping his arms around my shoulders, pulling me into his lap. "You won't just be reconsidering if I have anything to do with it, my dear."
I flushed slightly, burying my face in his long white hair. "Shut up, Fluffy."
"How many times do I have to say it? I'm not bloody fluffy."
"If you aren't Fluffy, then I'm not gay."
He leaned back slightly, arms still tight around me, keeping me in place as he met my gaze. "You do realise what you just said? If I let you call me Fluffy, you'll admit to being gay?"
I worried my bottom lip with my teeth. "Um...I guess...I could have maybe said that...perhaps."
He stared for a moment before flashing me a sudden dazzling grin. My heart fluttered. He was very handsome, after all. "I think you might have got yourself a deal there, Marik."
I grinned back and pecked him on the lips. "Good."
He wrapped his arms tighter, holding me close, and I rested my head happily on his shoulder. I wouldn't have minded staying like that for a long, long time, but I couldn't get rid of the nagging sensation that we really ought to be doing something. Of course. The Items! After everything that had happened with my family and Yami, I had completely forgotten about Bakura's mission. I couldn't believe I'd just abandon him like that, after everything he'd done for me as well!
Bakura looked at me quizzically, feeling me tense against him. "Marik? What's wrong?"
I stared at him, dismayed. "Oh, Gods, Bakura I'm so sorry. I totally forgot we were meant to be stealing the Items today! We have to rescue the souls of your village..."
He rested a finger against my lips. "Don't worry, Marik. That's the last thing on my mind right now."
His eyes were telling a different story. I pulled away slightly. "No, it isn't fair. I can't disrupt all your plans. You've been working for this for five thousand years! We may never get an opportunity like this again. We've got to get them, before it's too late. You said you had a plan, right?"
His eyes clouded. "Well, yes, but..."
I shook my head deftly. "No buts! I promised to help you! Gods, I can't believe I forgot about it for this long..."
He silenced me with a look. "You're injured. Forget it. We'll go another time."
"I can't let you do that!" I locked gazes with him. "You've planned everything out. The Items in the museum, Yugi's Puzzle – they're all there for the taking. We have to do it tonight. I'll be fine – my back doesn't even hurt anymore!"
"That's because we're in a soul room..."
I could feel his resolve weakening. "Enough time must have passed. It will have had an effect on my body, I'm sure. Bakura, listen, I can't thank you enough for what you did today, and I will never be able to repay you. But perhaps, if I helped you rescue the souls of your people...well, that would just help me show my gratitude. So please? Will you steal them with me tonight?"
He looked at me in amazement. "But your family...your life here...you'd be risking it all..."
I looked right back. "For you, I'd risk everything." I realised as I spoke the words that they were absolutely true. I didn't fully understand everything I felt for Bakura, but I knew that I'd do anything in my power to help him. Particularly after he had saved me today.
He regarded me for a few more moments, waiting, before his face cracked into a mischievous grin. "Well then, Marik. It looks like we've got some work to do."
When we returned to our bodies, Bakura was once again leaning over me protectively as I lay on my stomach on his couch. Almost immediately, I was welcomed back into my own mind by that warped voice.
Welcome home, Marik. Did you miss me?
I hissed. "Not at all, you body snatcher. You stay out of my head, got that?"
No can do, I'm afraid. I've got nowhere to go. Unless you feel like giving me your body...
"No!" I announced loudly, only to meet Bakura's questioning gaze. "Sorry. My Yami's welcoming me back in his usual pleasant manner."
Careful, Marik. You really don't want to offend me.
Bakura shook his head. "The sooner we work out how to get rid of him, the better."
"No arguments from me on that one." I sat up gingerly, wincing slightly as the new wounds on my back stretched. The bandages held them tightly closed, though, and the pain was much less than it had been before Bakura took me to his soul room.
He watched me anxiously. "Are you sure that you're going to be alright?"
I waved him away. "Yes, I'll be fine. I'm just adjusting." To prove it, I jumped deftly off the couch, landing on my feet without so much as a stagger. "See? I'm all better. So what's the plan?"
He regarded me slightly disbelievingly before continuing. "We go to the museum first. Their security's pretty good, but it's no match for me. After that, we'll go to Yugi's. Getting the Puzzle might be a bit tricky, so I'll ask you to keep watch whilst I get it on my own."
I opened my mouth to argue but he glared. "No arguments, Marik! I can't spend my time worrying about you getting into trouble. Will you please just trust me on this one?"
I snapped my mouth shut, considering. "...all right. I'll trust you."
He nodded once. "Thank you. Now, the sooner we get going the better. Are you ready?"
I thought hard about that question, considering all it implied. Was I truly ready to turn my back on the life I had built for myself, on the only people in the world I had ever loved: my family? Was I ready to give them up?
Looking into Bakura's eyes, I found all the answer I needed.
"Yes. Yes, I'm ready. Let's go."
Writing as Yami Marik is so much fun XD Next chapter might take a couple of days, I have to figure out how the rest of this story is going to happen - it might be a little longer than I originally thought, too. I shall post it as soon as it's done though! Drop me a review to let me know what you think? Thanks! - Jem
