OK here is the next chapter! It's fairly angsty, but it's the last angsty one for a while so I'm hoping it's ok :S Thanks for the reviews! Enjoy - Jem
Ryou returned home later that evening to find his older brother once more sprawled out in front of the TV. "Bakura!" He remonstrated, dumping his bag in his room before coming to join his brother on the sofa. "Didn't you go to any job interviews today?"
Bakura waved him away. "Hush. It's fine. I've got one organised for tomorrow, ok?"
"Just one?" Ryou raised a brow.
"Of course just one. It's the only place I could actually stand to be in for several hours every day."
"Oh really?" Ryou smiled at his brother. "And where might this place be?"
Bakura flicked him a disinterested glance. "A record shop. What are we eating for dinner?"
Ryou's smile widened and he settled more comfortably into the cushions. "Good question 'Kura. What are you going to make for us today?"
Bakura's glance turned into a glare. "You always make the food, Ryou."
"Yes. Which is why I'm making you do it today." Ryou smiled sweetly. "Problem?"
Bakura just sighed loudly before making his way into the kitchen. "You've been spending too much time with that Marik kid," he called, head inside a cupboard. "He's giving you attitude problems. Beef alright?"
"Fine by me," Ryou replied, picking up the remote and flicking through the channels. "And I've barely seen Marik in two days. He didn't show up at all today, you know."
There was a small pause before Bakura said "Well, he's probably sick, or something."
"That's what I thought," Ryou agreed with a yawn. "School's weird without him, though. I have to spend time with this other group at lunch, and they're...well..."
"Well what?" Bakura's head briefly appeared round the door before disappearing back into the kitchen. "They're not giving you any trouble, are they?"
"No!" Ryou couldn't repress a shudder when he remembered what Bakura had done to the last kid who had bullied him. "They're just...well, frankly, they're bizarre. They're always bickering about something-or-other, or they're going on about what great friends they are. It's weird."
Bakura snorted. "To be honest Ryou, if you're calling somebody weird then they've got to be pretty messed up."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Ryou twisted slightly to glare at his brother's back.
Bakura turned and caught the look with a smirk. "Well, you're not the most normal of people either. So if even you think something is wrong with these people, then I definitely believe you, alright?"
Ryou's glare hardened as much as his soft brown eyes would allow. "Oh, whatever 'Kura. You just hurry up and cook; I'm hungry."
"And now you sound like me. That's definitely worrying." He held up a hand, crimson eyes laughing at his brother's disgruntled expression. "Food's ready."
Ryou just sighed loudly before making his way over to the table.
The next morning Marik once more appeared outside the building containing the Travis' flat, sighing slightly as he pressed the buzzer. He still wasn't entirely sure that spilling to Bakura like that yesterday had been a good idea – he didn't even know if he could trust the older teen. But it does feel good that someone else knows, he admitted to himself. And if I had to tell anyone, I'm glad it was him. He...I don't know, he seems to understand it, maybe even better than I do.
His thoughts were interrupted by that low, cold voice saying "That better be you, Ishtar, and if it's anyone else then get the hell away from my house."
Marik chuckled softly. "Will I ever buzz and just hear a simple 'hello' from you, Bakura?"
"The day you do, the world might end." He could hear the smile in Bakura's voice through the crackles of the bad reception. "Listen, while Ryou's still in his room – what did your dad do yesterday when you got home? How bad are you?"
"Keep your voice down!" Marik hissed, looking around quickly and relieved when he saw no one was within hearing distance. "I didn't go home last night."
"What?" Bakura sounded surprised. "Where did you go?"
"Just wandered around for a while, got to know the city a bit better. No way I was going home – dad wouldn't have let me out for a week."
Bakura sighed. "You should have come here. Then at least you'd have got a decent night's sleep."
"And explained what to Ryou exactly?"
"Speaking of Ryou," Bakura replied, his voice becoming slightly more guarded, "Come on up, kid. I've let you in."
"Thanks," he opened the doors when he heard the buzz and climbed the stairs, opening the door to find Ryou jumping on him in the mother-of-all-hugs.
"Oof...hey, Ry."
"Hey Marik!" He drew back slightly. "How are you? We assumed you had a cold, or something..."
Marik shot a quick look at Bakura, who was standing outside his room with one brow raised, before replying. "Yeah, I've had flu or something. I'm over it now, though. Sorry for bailing on you yesterday."
Ryou waved him away. "Oh, no, it's fine. I'm ready to go, if you like."
"Sure thing." Marik sent one last grateful look to Bakura before leaving the flat.
The school day passed slowly, as ever, and Marik was glad when the last lesson finally finished and he could walk out of the school gates, Ryou once more by his side.
The slightly shorter teen turned to his friend with a smile. "So, you're welcome to come over again tonight, if you like."
Marik nodded happily. "I'd love to, if that's alright..." The longer I can put off going home to face my dad, the better.
Ryou's smile widened. "Of course! Could you talk me through those equations again please, I swear I still do something wrong every time..."
"Oh, sure, don't worry about it," Marik replied as they continued down the street. His heart sank when a female voice called out from the alleys to the left.
"Marik!"
Ryou stopped, surprised. "Did you hear..."
"Yes," Marik replied shortly.
"Marik!" Sure enough, Ishizu appeared out of a street to their left, panting heavily. There was a large red mark on her cheek, and Marik froze. No... "Marik, I'm sorry but you have to get home now. Dad..."
Marik nodded quickly, holding up a hand to stop her from continuing. "I get it. Ryou, I'm sorry..."
He waved him away. "Please, don't worry. Family come first, always." He shot a shy smile Ishizu's way before continuing along the street.
Marik hesitantly followed his sister through the shadows. "Ishizu, what..."
She turned to him, blue eyes icy. "Marik, I completely understand you wanting to get out, but not coming home last night was really stupid. Dad's furious. He's got it into his head that you've gone and told someone, like the police or something..."
"What?" Marik's steps faltered. "Why would he think that?"
Ishizu shook her head, pulling him along behind her. "I have no idea. You have to get home and tell him he's wrong, or I shudder to think what he'll do to you..."
"You know what he'll do to me anyway," Marik responded, tone even. "And don't look at me like that, sis, I know this has to happen. Don't expect me to relish the idea of going home, though."
Ishizu shot him a look, pace slowing slightly. "Where could you go that he wouldn't find you?"
Marik bit his lip as one name sprang instantly to mind. Bakura. He wouldn't tell...he would help if he could, Marik knew. Blinking, he returned to Ishizu's icy gaze. "I have friends, you know. I could stay with them. You could too – we could get out, be free of him forever. We could turn around right now..."
Ishizu's eyes widened and she hissed "You know why we can't do that!"
"No, I don't actually." Marik glared. "I know why you won't, but I don't understand it."
"Marik, he's our father!"
"He's also our torturer!" Marik pulled out of her grip, angry now. "You've seen what he does to me, what he did to Odion! Not to mention..."
"Don't." Ishizu's voice was ice cold. "Don't you dare say his name."
Marik drew in a shuddering breath. "He wouldn't have stood for this. He would have got us out."
Ishizu's expression was pained. "Please, Marik...the sooner we get back, the less angry he'll be..."
Marik just shook his head, disappointed. "I know, sister."
They continued on.
When Ryou got back to the flat Bakura was sat up at the kitchen table, reading through some documents with a frown. Ryou's eyes widened when he saw what he was wearing. "A suit, brother? Really?"
Bakura snorted. "Shut up, Ryou." He flipped the documents over, eyes scanning them quickly before setting them back on the table. "Marik not with you?"
"Why, did you want to see him?" Ryou watched with a smile as his brother's cheeks tinted again.
"Of course not!" He denied viciously. "I just don't want to have to put up with you whining over how he's ditched you again."
Ryou just laughed. "Whatever, Bakura. He was going to come over but a woman - I assume it was his sister – appeared and said he had to get home."
"So he's gone?" Bakura looked at him with interest. "He went home, I mean?"
Ryou nodded. "They left together, anyway, so I would assume so. Have we got anything to eat?"
Bakura frowned slightly, eyes distant. "I made pasta for lunch. Heat it up if you like."
"Thanks." Ryou opened the fridge. Bakura didn't respond, eyes still faraway, mind fixed on a certain effeminate Egyptian. I hope he'll be ok...
Later that evening the Travis brother's were crashed in front of the TV in front of a horror film, Ryou curled up neatly in the armchair and Bakura sprawled out on the sofa, eyes fixed on the screen. Both boys had a secret love of horror movies, although Bakura was always more interested in the gore than Ryou.
Their intercom buzzed, and Bakura groaned. "Go get that, Ry."
"Why don't you?" Ryou's eyes were glued to the screen, steadfastly ignoring the persistent ringing of the buzzer.
"Ryou, if you don't go and get that right now I am going to make this film look tame."
The younger of the two sighed loudly, getting up. "Fine. But you owe me for this."
Bakura just snorted, listening with half an ear as he picked up the receiver. "Hello?...Marik! Are...are you alright?"
Bakura shot upright, sending his brother a concerned gaze. Ryou looked back, open mouthed as he held the receiver to his ear. "Hold on, Marik...we're coming down right now..."
Bakura was out the door in an instant, pelting down the stairs as fast as he could, nearly sending several people flying. He pushed the button to open the main doors impatiently before rushing onto the steps and scouting around for Marik. His heart stopped at what he saw.
There was a crumpled body leaning by the buzzer set, resting heavily on the railings of the steps. A familiar blonde shock of hair fell messily in front of his closed eyes as he concentrated on drawing fast, shallow breaths, face clearly screwed up in pain. Bakura's eyes widened when he saw the blood decorating the back of Marik's shirt.
Going to his side, Bakura laid a careful hand on his shoulder, making Marik's eyes fly open as he tried weakly to pull away. Bakura grasped his arm, muttering "Calm down, it's me. What the hell happened?"
Marik just shook his head, wheezing out "My...dad..."
Bakura growled lowly. "Of course. Come on, let's get inside. Can you walk?"
Marik took two faltering steps, swaying slightly before he crumpled slowly to the ground. Bakura caught him before he fell, wrapping one of his arms around his shoulders before making his way slowly inside, ignoring the stares from the passers-by. When they were safely in a lift (on their own, thankfully) Bakura pressed the button for the third floor before fixing Marik with his piercing gaze. "I told you you were an idiot if you went back there."
Marik managed a chuckle. "Do you really...want to start...an argument now, fluffy?"
Bakura's brow rose. "What did you call me?"
"Fluffy...I've always thought...you're hair..." Marik swayed, eyes fluttering shut, and Bakura supported his weight easily as he fell unconscious.
"God, Marik," Bakura breathed as the lift doors slid open. He swung him up into his arms, surprised at how little he weighed, and carried him quickly into their flat, relieved that none of the neighbours were around. He didn't want his reputation to be damaged, after all. Ryou took one look at Marik before screaming, brown eyes wide. Bakura sighed. "Ryou, get a bowl of hot water or something. Marik's bleeding, a lot."
Ryou nodded, face shocked as he ran to the sink. "Put him on the sofa, 'Kura. What happened?"
"That's what I'd like to know," he muttered under his breath, carefully laying Marik down on his front and pushing his hair out of the way. He heard the Egyptian's breath hitch slightly and lifted a brow. "Just how long have you been awake, Marik?"
The tanned teen's eyes opened, and he looked a little guilty. "Um...I never really fell asleep."
Bakura just stared. "That desperate to get in my arms, hm?"
"Maybe," Marik chuckled slightly, wriggling. "My back...itches."
"It should be doing a lot more than just itching!" Ryou ran back in from the kitchen, staring in amazement at the blood on his shirt. "Marik, what the hell happened? Actually, tell me later – for now I'm going to clean your wounds, alright?"
Marik nodded slightly, hissing through his teeth as Ryou pulled his shirt up. Both British boys stared in shock at what they saw.
Marik suppressed another chuckle. "Bad, huh?"
Bakura's gaze darkened and even Ryou looked angry. "Whoever did this, it was deliberate, Marik. You're back is probably scarred for life."
Bakura shook his head, still furious. "Ryou, help him. He's losing too much blood."
Ryou turned to his brother, helpless. "I...there isn't much I can do, he needs a hospital..."
"No way!" Marik stared pleadingly at Bakura. "They'll call the police..."
Bakura shook his head. "I'm sorry kid, but this is going too far. You'll die if you don't get proper treatment."
"No, 'Kura, you promised..."
"Nope, Marik. It's for your siblings too." With that Bakura left the room, and Marik's eyes widened. "NO! You have to stop him, my siblings will never..."
Ryou placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "Relax, Marik. 'Kura's right, you need an ambulance, these wounds are really deep..."
"NO! Ry, please, you don't understand..." Marik caught his wrist, struggling to sit up. Ryou winced as the wounds cracked. "My siblings will kill me!"
Bakura stalked back into the room, eyes hard. "Marik, listen for a moment."
He twisted furiously, pinning Bakura with a dangerous purple gaze. "If you called them..."
Bakura held up a hand. "Hear me out." He quirked a brow and Marik nodded slowly. "Thank you. When the ambulance comes, they're bringing police with them. You'll give them your address, and they'll go and get your dad. Now, before you flip, where's Ishizu at the moment? Because if she's on her own with him..."
Marik's eyes widened. "Oh, Gods...I didn't even think..."
Bakura nodded calmly. "I thought as much. Now, stay calm, the police will be here soon. While we wait for them, how about you tell us what happened?"
Ryou looked between them. "Why do I feel like I'm missing something?"
"Because you are." Bakura's sentences were clipped, short. "Marik?"
The trapped Egyptian looked between them, eyes wide before they clouded over. "...Fine. But I don't want this spread around too much."
"Of course!" Ryou sat back and stared at him. "What happened?"
Marik drew a shuddering breath. "Alright. Ryou...the reason I've been missing school is because my...my dad's been punishing me. He likes to lock me in my room and beat me up."
Ryou's jaw fell open, "Wh-what? Marik! Why didn't you say?"
"He did," Bakura said calmly from the doorway. "He came here yesterday and told me everything."
"Huh?" Ryou stared.
Marik held up a hand, chuckling weakly. "Ryou, let me explain. My dad locked me in my room the night before last, but he forgets to feed me so I sneaked out. I came here and Bakura fed me, but he made me tell him what was going on. My dad's been hurting my siblings and me for years, but I'm fighting back now. I didn't go home last night, which is why Ishizu came to get me after school – dad was kicking off, and she needed help dealing with him. But when I got home..." his face screwed up in pain. "Dad was the maddest I've ever seen him. Was screaming rubbish about how I disgraced him...I don't even know. But he got a knife from somewhere..." Marik's voice broke and he shuddered.
Ryou stared, frozen, unable to comprehend the horror of what he was hearing. Bakura took one look at his brother's shocked face and Marik's shaking form before leaping on to the sofa next to the struggling Egyptian and taking him into his arms. "Marik, hush. Come on, you have to remember for us – your dad did this to your back?"
Trembling, Marik nodded before throwing himself at Bakura, sobbing into his chest. "H-he took the knife and h-held me down...was screaming about needing to mark me...I don't know what he did but it hurt like hell..."
Bakura's arms tightened around the shivering form, careful to avoid the new wounds. "Marik, he carved something in Arabic. I can't read it..."
Marik blinked, drawing back slightly. "...Arabic? Can...can I see it?"
"I don't know..."
"Please 'Kura, I want to know what I have to carry with me for the rest of my life."
The albino nodded once slowly, not once breaking eye contact with him. "Ryou, can you get a notebook please? We'll write it out."
Ryou scrambled up and out of the room, and Marik stared at Bakura with pain deep in his eyes. "I didn't even think of Ishizu...I just got out of there as fast as I could...Gods, what will he be doing to her..."
Bakura pulled him close again. "Calm down, Marik. The police will be there soon."
Ryou returned, watching the small scene unfold with a slight frown. Bakura took the notebook off him and gently turned Marik around, copying the markings with swift smooth strokes whilst the Egyptian shivered impatiently. When he was done he grasped Marik's shoulders, turning him around once more as he passed him the paper. Marik's eyes widened, then clouded with hate.
Bakura watched, silent. The air was heavy with anticipation.
Marik said the word finally. "Outcast. It says outcast."
The three teens just sat in silence until the ambulance finally came.
I'm so mean to Marik :S but it gets better from here! Next chapter will be out as soon as I can XD - Jem
