Hello and here we are again! Some people whose stories I like have been faithfully sending me feedback about my story and telling me that they like it, which is awesome!

So I'm giving both of you a shout out! You know who you are! XD

Also a shout out to DSDreamGirl491 for dropping a favorite!

Anyway, in this chapter, there will be a seven year time skip. I'll kind of explain what happened during that time, as well as explain the fact that Marik and Mariku are now dating. Which is kind of odd. They also start to form their little plan on how they're going to meet up with the others, because they run straight into Ryuo and Bakura who haven't recognized them yet, though they're suspicious of who they could be.

I hope you enjoy and will keep on reading. Also feel free to leave a review below.

Phase 04: Talk With a Thief

Mariku growled a little. Not exactly in a literal sense, but his mind growled and snarled much like a wolf. This of course, was a sound that Marik was accustomed to. If he didn't hear it, he assumed that something was wrong. Their minds had at one point had such different languages that it was hard to interpret what exactly was meant when they didn't speak in their minds. So instead of forcing the already unstable young man to adapt to his, Marik had turned around and learned Mariku's mind language. Now he was more wolf like himself, only a much gentler wolf. Mariku's gratitude to the boy had been immediate, and he had grown even closer and fonder of his soul mate. If he was willing to leap such great distances for him, then he would do anything for Marik.

Any others who would have heard the growl would have grown nervous. But Marik could speak Mariku's language. He had grown up in such a way that he couldn't whine to express joy or pant. He always growled. But there were many different growls. This one for example, was a gentle growl that he reserved only for Marik, a growl of greeting, a tender sound. It was the closet thing that Mariku got to showing affection. He only showed any affection to Marik, and he guarded the boy jealously. But there was a reason for that.

Over the seven years that the two of them had been together, Marik had become a beautiful young man. He wasn't beautiful in the sense a girl would be, but never the less, he was beautiful. On the run since he had been ten, he had developed some muscle, though Mariku would probably always have more than he would. He was just of a thinner build. He had grown taller, though the caramel color of his skin had never left him and his eyes were older now, not so innocent. He had a body though that was everyone's dream of a perfect boy friend. Which of course, made Mariku even more possessive and protective over him than normal.

Mariku had grown as well. He was still taller than Marik, which slightly wider shoulders and a build that made him a much better fighter. They both wore the eye liner that Marik had worn as a child in Egypt though. It was too much a part of his life to let go. Mariku had become a handsome young man, and sometimes Marik felt embarrassed that he was beautiful instead of handsome like he should have been. Which of course made Mariku instantly reassure the boy and growl to him in his gentle manor, telling him that he thought him perfect.

It was obvious to both of them. They shared every little thought that flowed between their minds. It had been an annoyance at first, but neither one could imagine their lives without the constant thrum of the other's mind in the back of their heads. It was reassuring. So when Mariku began to develop feelings of love for Marik, and then Marik couldn't help but develop feelings back, it came as no surprise to anyone. Yes, Mariku wasn't exactly normal. There was something wrong deep down psychologically with his brain. But that didn't stop Marik from loving him. Marik knew the real him. And for Marik, Mariku would do anything, even interact with people. He hated people.

For seven years they had been running, trying to get away from the police who wanted to catch Mariku. They had managed to slip out of Egypt, and then from there made their way up into Asia. It took a long time. But after a while they had managed to hide in Asia. There they learned several different languages and even attended school for a time, though they left when Mariku had gotten too aggressive towards one of Marik's suitors. They were smarter than they should have been at their age though, because over the years the memories of their past lives had resurfaced then and they had been able to learn quickly and efficiently. They picked up other languages as well.

From there, they had managed to make it to Japan, where they had originally though to pause and try and figure out where they were going. It was there though that Ra announced, finally, that he had found the presence of the other two gods here in Japan. They had traveled for about a year until at last they had found the place where their presence was strongest.

They were looking now into the quiet halls of an average Japanese High school, where they should have been attending school if they had been in school. It had taken quite a lot of time just to figure out where they were. It was the heat of the day, just before school would let out. The neighborhood was quiet. No one was out at this time because the older men and women were at work and the kids were in school. The two of them had been staring up at the school, thinking of how to best get to where they could speak with the others. It seemed they were about the same age after all. But doing it was becoming increasingly difficult, not to mention the fact that they had to do so without arousing suspicion.

That was when Mariku had grown increasingly fidgety and then turned to Marik. He had let out the gentle growl, and then walked up behind the smaller boy. Marik felt his arms wrap around his waist and pull him back against his hips. Mariku's chin laid down on top of Marik's shoulder, and the wolfish boy seemed upset. Marik understood why. He didn't like people, and he had barely put up with everyone at the other school because they needed to. He didn't particularly want to do it again. He would though, because he knew that he couldn't protect Marik alone and he was curious about the others that they had shared their past with. But he wasn't going to like it. So he was nervous.

He pulled Marik close and breathed in his signature scent. He knew it anywhere. Something that only he could manage, though his nose wasn't good enough to quite detect what it was. He did note though that Marik shivered a little as the cold metal on his arm touched his bare midriff. They had the same basic style. Too look more normal they had changed their clothes. Marik had been uncomfortable with it, but Mariku had insisted it would help disguise them so he had agreed. Both had gold on. The golden jewelry they wore spoke of their past, because they had both been Egyptian. They wore several large bangles on their wrists, going almost up to their elbows, and they had several gold chokers that were the same way, as well as a single gold bangle on both of their upper arms. They also both wore the same type of earrings, a sort of diamond shape and rather large. This, the eyeliner, and their natural skin tone gave them a very exotic look. Then, there was the complete wardrobe change.

It was this that had caught Marik so off guard. Mariku wore khaki cargo pants, which seemed to somehow look ridiculous on anyone else but him. He also wore a tight black shirt with no sleeves. Then there was Marik. Marik had gone for blue jeans, but it was his shirt that made him feel uncomfortable. He was wearing a light purple top that had a small hood on the back. It had no sleeves and hung a little loosely because it was short, where it exposed his midriff, and also where he could not hide the fact that he in fact did have abs. As gentle and happy go lucky he seemed to be, as approachable as he was, it didn't seem like that personality particularly fit with that kind of body. This had always somewhat conflicted Mariku. He didn't want others to see Marik's body exposed like that because the boy was his. But at the same time, he liked to see it because even he had to admit he was greatly attracted to the boy.

These thoughts flickered quickly through Mariku's mind, and then he seemed to shake out of them and just pulled Marik closer. He was aware of how uncomfortable Marik was with his body. He again quickly reassured the boy that he was perfect and then nuzzled closer. Marik let his racing thoughts calm and reached up, laying his hand on the side of Mariku's face. He heard the wolfish mind give out a contented growl, and he couldn't help but smile a little.

"You know we have to," he said gently.

"I know," Mariku replied. They could speak through their minds but they were trying to look normal. "But I still don't like it."

"I'm sorry," Marik said, and truthfully he was. Before he had been scared what that Mariku would hurt others, but now he knew how Mariku really was and was more worried for his already fragile mind. With as tough as Mariku was, his mind was rather breakable. Mariku noticed the train of though and assured the boy he would be fine. He hated worring Marik almost as much as he hated him getting hurt.

"I'll do fine," Mariku said. "If you're there with me I can do anything."

"I know," Marik replied with a smile. "But you still can't try to beat up everyone who takes any interest in me. You have to act at least somewhat normal. I know you hate it, but you can't just kill everyone who looks at me. They're going to look."

"Well what do you suggest I do?" Mariku growled. "You're mine."

"I know that," Marik assured him. "And you know that. We'll just say that you're my boyfriend. It's already close enough to the truth. I just hope the others won't react strangely to that idea. It's kind of weird thinking that I'm in a sense dating myself."

Mariku was quiet a moment, and Marik noticed that he was thinking about it. He didn't want to make Marik uncomfortable. That was his main concern. But at the same time he knew that it would calm him a lot, knowing that most of the advances people made on Marik would be negated because of that. But he was also worried because he knew that entering a high school would mean that they would be separated from each other in different classes, and he worried that Marik wouldn't be able to protect himself. A little annoyed as well as amused, Marik gave Mariku a quick peck on the cheek.

"It's alright," he said. "It'll be fine. I can protect myself if push comes to shove. Besides, you're the only one who really gets me. As if I could ever love anyone else. If I can't handle it, I'll come find you. But only if I can't handle it. I'll be fine. And..." Marik paused a little, a blush suddenly touching his face. He didn't have to say that he'd always wanted to call Mariku his boyfriend.

Mariku smiled a little. It was a very gentle smile, and Marik was the only one who could manage to get that smile out of him. Marik was the only human he'd ever trusted in a long time though. He worried constantly over Marik because of that. But Marik had some backbone, and he wasn't afraid to fight back, though truthfully he'd rather not. Still, the thought eased Mariku's mind a little. He turned his thoughtful eyes back towards the school again, noting that a single student had looked out the window. He looked away, not seeming to think anything of the two of them since they had been outside of the gate and were turned mostly away from the school to avoid suspicion. They looked like a couple just trying to get away for a moment, and their exact age was hard to decipher by just looking. For all he knew they could be college students.

"Well what are we going to do when we meet them?" Mariku asked.

"They'll recognize us," Marik replied. "There's no doubt about that. But you know as well as I do that they're still after us."

He didn't have to say who they were. They were unknown men and women, shrouded in black cloaks. They had been following them closely since they had left Egypt. There was no doubt in their minds that they were followers of Zorc. They had been trying to herd the two of them away from the others for a long time. They didn't want them to find them. They had even tried to separate Marik from Mariku. Several of them died because of this. Mariku was having none of that.

Mariku's mind gave a soft but savage growl at the thought, and he pulled Marik closer. Marik was quiet and let him. They both knew that there was something wrong with the fact that they were being specifically targeted. Even Ra said it was odd at how much they were being followed. They had both decided that the reason was because Marik was the keeper of the prophecy. It had been carved into his back, and though Marik had taught it to Mariku, it was he that he wanted. Suddenly reminded of the carved design on his back, Mariku pulled the back of Marik's shirt down though it covered it. He growled, a far more savage snarl, thinking of the man who had done it to him.

Marik ran his hand quickly through Mariku's hair without thinking about it. Instantly the boy seemed to calm. For whatever reason, that seemed to do the trick. It seemed to Marik that the bristling wolf relaxed a little, and the fur settled down its back as he repeated the gentle motion, carefully calming the wolf. Mariku let out a little bit of a sigh, and it seemed the anger had passed.

"Yes," Marik said. "They're still after us. And they'll try harder than ever to keep us from talking to them. But we can't let that phase us. We have to keep pushing through. Besides, we're not alone now. We'll have to be careful. We'll just pretend that we don't know anything. At least for a while. We don't want to be too suspicious in our advances."

"I know," Mariku said quietly. He looked up as the final bell rang. "They'll be leaving school soon. Come on. We should go."

With that, Mariku released Marik, though not completely. He seemed really unnerved, and so he grabbed Marik's wrist and tugged him along gently after him. Marik didn't try to pull away. He knew exactly what Mariku was thinking, and he understood that he was upset. He just followed him, somewhat like a little puppy being led around on a leash. Marik sent Mariku a mental image of a huge wolf dragging a little puppy around on a leash, which amused both of them greatly for a moment. But then Mariku tugged Marik into a park.

They sat down on a bench there, hoping to not look to suspicious. There they just sat, running through the ideas they could come up with in their heads. It wouldn't be easy to get into the school. Think of all the documents they'd have to forge and get passed just to be able to enter the school! They didn't have any idea where to begin. Without thinking about it, Marik laid his chin on top of Mariku's shoulder. It was perhaps because of this, that they didn't draw much attention as another oddly similar looking couple entered the park.

They both were very pale, almost as white as the puff of white hair that sat atop their heads, and both had blue eyes. One though was taller, with more severe eyes and two sprigs of hair that seemed unable to smooth down. The other had more smooth hair, though both had hair that hung down to their shoulders, and his eyes were much gentler. Mariku noted that the one with more severe eyes had been the one that had been looking at him. He had the Millennium Ring around his neck, a circular ring that looked almost like a dream catcher, with a flat pyramid with an eye in the center of it, as well as several dangling diamond shapes. They knew it could point out other Millennium Items, and so it was no surprise that it pointed at Marik, who was hiding the Millennium Rod on his person.

They both instantly paused. It had been obvious that they hadn't noticed the two of them, not really. But with the Millennium Ring suddenly acting up they had taken a greater interest in the two of them. They both looked up, though Marik and Mariku had pretended not to notice the Ring's behavior. The two strangers seemed to freeze, as if they had realized something. They probably had. If anything, Bakura and Marik had been such good friends that this alone could have tipped it off, besides the fact that they obviously recognized them. Instantly the two turned and began to walk towards the couple.

Even Mariku was greatly interested in the two. It went to show just how much their ancient selves had been bonded as close friends. The two walked over, and the shorter of the two white haired boys smiled at them kindly. They looked almost like twins too, and only a closer inspection of their faces made it possible to tell that they weren't related at all.

"Hello," the happier one said in Japanese. "I don't think I've seen you two around here before?"

"No we only just moved here a few days ago," Marik replied, with just a good nature. That wasn't a lie. They had moved in recently to a little apartment here in town, not too far from the school.

"Welcome to Domino city," the boy replied, smiling wider. To anyone, it would have looked like rather friendly advances to a stranger. But Marik and Mariku could see it for what it really was. They were seeking answers. "We just got out of school. My name is Ryuo, and this sour faced kind is named Bakura."

Bakura inclined his head a little to the two of them. So he shared a name with his ancient counterpart too? It must not be that odd then. Still, they were a little unsure of why the two of them had insisted upon coming and talking to them right then. However, they decided that their particular path had already been set, so they continued as if they hadn't recognized the two of them, which seemed to put them out, but only for a moment.

"So," Bakura said. "You've moved into town? Are you going to be going to school here too?"

"As a mater of fact," Mariku replied. "We are. We're in the process of being transferred into a high school called Domino High School. It's taking a while though."

"That's where we go to school," Ryuo said, smiling broadly.

"I can tell why it's taking a while," Bakura mused. "Your skin tone is really dark. No offense, but you're not from around here are you?"

"No we're not," Mariku replied.

"We' re from Egypt," Marik added. No point in hiding it now. They would have figured it out eventually.

"Egypt?" Ryuo asked innocently, though they could tell that the two had great interest in their eyes at this piece of information. "That's a bit of a journey."

"Just a little," Marik laughed.

"Have you ever seen an object like this?" Bakura asked, pointing to his Millennium Ring. Again, there was no point in hiding it, so Marik pulled out his Millennium Rod.

"You mean like this?" Marik asked. "My sister told me to watch over it. She said it would be important. I know the myth of a Rod like this. So I know it's powerful."

"So you don't know why you have it?"

Marik just shrugged. The two of them seemed a little confused, but they seemed in a rush now too. Most likely they would be going to tell the others what they had discovered. Good, the more support they had with them sooner the easier they would find it to complete their task, vague now that it was.

"Well sorry," Bakura said. "We have to go."

"It's nice to meet you," Ryuo added as they hurried off.

They watched the two of them go, and Marik and Mariku felt more interested in what was going on than they had in a long time. At last they were going to be doing something instead of just hiding away and hoping that they could survive. Silently they stood and departed for their apartment, quickly notifying the god as they walked.

This was kind of an odd chapter and it felt rushed to me at points, but I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. I wanted to use it to show how their relationship had blossomed. I hope that was a good enough start to their relationship for those of you who have fallen in love with the BronzeShipping in this story. And anyway, please feel free to leave a review below and enjoy the coming chapters.