Updated faster, because I was so sorry that I got the other one up so late. I didn't even wait for the reviews to dwindle and dribble away before I posted. (cheeky grin) So, this is my way of apologizing to you guys. Plus, this is a chapterof rising action. The next chapter will be the one action-packed and starting the angst. ANGST BEYOND, READERS! BEWARE FOR A CHUNKLOAD OF ANGST! MORE THAN THREE CHAPTERS AFTER THIS IS JUST ANGST ANGST ANGST!
So, so sorry again for making the last update so slow...that's why this update was quicker. Please give me more and more reviews...my birthday is in three days! Please please please please give me some good reviews for my b-day! And if you guys do, I promise I'll even update sooner with the angst!
The poem/lyrics things at the bottom are my own. I usually write better poems when I don't have rules and regulations and things that absolutely have to make sense. (argh)
Chapter Twelve: Shadows of the Heart
He was with Bakura!
Any hope that Marik had gathered on his search for Ryou through the desert…any at all…had been extinguished when he climbed up the precipice and peered through the side of the cave entrance. Any hope that he had retrieved had been smothered mercilessly when he saw, to his enraged horror, that Ryou had once again, moved forward first to embrace Bakura, with a soft, dreamy smile on his face.
A fire within in roared and reared with intense rage, screaming at in with such intensity that it was insanity, to go after them. To barge right into their little reunion and destroy them both…Bakura first with the most painful death Marik could possibly think of for tearing his Ryou away…and Ryou second, for betraying his trust.
Yet, Marik smothered that fire instantly with his cunning mind, already at work at scheming his perfect rebound victory. Wait, he thought to himself, a sudden, sadistic smirk forming upon his lips. Just wait…for the opportune moment.
And when that moment came, oh how both Ryou and Bakura would ever regret crossing his path. Bakura's long, slow, agonizing death, his pride destroyed and forced to beg for mercy…his pleading before Ryou's eyes, Ryou's shocked and terrified eyes…and then, after Bakura's dead, bloody, mangled body would collapse onto the floor with a dull thud, it would be Ryou next, oh yes…Ryou next.
But no, Marik would not kill Ryou. Oh no. No. He had something far more…ingenious…in mind rather than to kill Ryou. After all, why kill Ryou when there were nights awaiting to be filled with pleasure? If Ryou truly did not love him…well…Marik would just have to make him love him, force him to love him, whether or not he truly did, and regardless of the punishments he would have to bestow in store.
He watched as Ryou was thrown back by Bakura, watched as Ryou simply smiled at the thief's rough attitude, and watched in growing hatred as Ryou looked back and saw Bakura's bare back. Something within Marik suddenly stirred at seeing Ryou gaping at someone else's bare back…that gaze in Ryou's eyes…wide and unaware, innocent and naïve…
Marik gritted his teeth. Please. How could anyone like looking at Bakura's back? At least Marik's scars were nicely adorned, whereas Bakura's were obviously from continuous whipping.
He slithered away as Ryou began to head off in his direction, holding the robe close to himself, a dreamy smile still on his face. Marik narrowed his eyes, their amethyst shade piercing and cold in the darkness as he slid into a nearby tree, hidden beneath the curtains of green. If anything, Ryou didn't seemed to have noticed; in fact, he was humming to himself merrily, the dreamy gaze still on his face.
The stifled rage within Marik reared again, desperate to break through his self-control, desperate to release its wrath on its victim. But since Marik would not allow his rage to screw up his plans until the opportune moment, the rage within him tried to convince him, sent him images of the days that he planned to come.
A sudden image of Ryou beneath him, bound and gagged, his face against the mattress, assaulted Marik's vision. Those pain-filled cries echoed in his ears, and his skin prickled at the sensation of feeling those tender and soft legs again, tempting him, coaxing him.
But he would wait. Yes, he would wait. And until then…
Well, he thought, as he slipped through the leaves and began to follow his lover home, we'll see.
"Morning Marik!" Ryou greeted cheerfully, a wide grin on his face.
There behind him stood the Egyptian, clad in his repute outfit of black. Though his pitch-dark cloak was veiling most of his body, Ryou knew that he was also wearing black silk sarong, embroidered with gold strands and clasped at the waist with a strong and gold belt.
After the sun had dawned, Ryou had returned home, only to find that Marik had gotten up as well. The Egyptian made no move to explain where he was or what he was doing, but it was all right with Ryou. Marik had always been mysterious.
The conversation about Marik's eyes had really enraptured Ryou's thoughts on the way home. Never before had he smiled so much; the simple thought of Marik's amethyst pupils brought a loving smile to Ryou's face, and on the entire way home, he had sighed and smiled dreamily to himself, still thinking deeply about Marik's eyes.
Oh, how Ryou loved being in love!
How his heart would race, would pump at the mention of Marik's name…how his breath would be caught at the simple touch of Marik's fingers…how his mind would spin and his heart would leap at the thought of being in Marik's arms.
Oh, how Ryou loved being in love!
"Morning," Marik replied, though his voice seemed to be somewhat flat. His expression was solemn, as usual, cold amethyst eyes sharp and hard. His stance was rigid and stern, menacing and ominous. But Ryou had long gotten used to that presence, as Marik had often worn that same expression and withheld that same stance when he and Ryou first met upon the Battle City blimp.
Ryou returned the greeting with his normal, cheerful smile, cocking his head to the side and stretching. "How are you today?" he asked.
"Perfectly fine," Marik said brusquely, watching discretely as Ryou coughed a couple of times into his hand. When his little coughing fit was over, Ryou looked up at Marik again, his smile somewhat tired.
"Have a good sleep?" Ryou asked, yawning cutely.
Marik nodded curtly. "You?" he asked, his voice slightly cool.
Ryou nodded his head, white-haired head bobbing adorably as he wrinkled his nose. Despite his cheeks were slightly flushed, and his eyes looked rather watery, he nodded again, and said, still smiling, "Yes, thank you." Looking up, Ryou smiled brightly again, looking somewhat mesmerized as he stared deep into Marik's eyes. "You're really…handsome…Marik…" he breathed, in awe.
Marik merely regarded his lover coolly, turning away slightly. "Oh really?"
Ryou nodded. "Of course," he whispered, his voice still in awe. He moved forwards, his arms wrapping around Marik's neck in a loving embrace. "I love you."
Suddenly, Marik moved away from the embrace, his hands taking Ryou's wrists tightly in their grasps. Blinking, Ryou cocked his head to one side in confusion, staring up at Marik quizzically.
"I have a better idea of what we could do," Marik said, watching Ryou intently. For a moment, Ryou winced, unable to help himself.
For a moment…a single moment…there was something about Marik's gaze that frightened him, even if it was just for a moment. Perhaps it was the fire that was lit behind them, just like they were when he had first left Ryou on the blimp, and locked him in his room. But Ryou brushed it away, his heart knowing full well that Marik loved him, and that nothing could ever come between them. After all, Marik had come back…Marik had kept his promise…and Ryou knew that there was something truly magical between them, that he'd cherish forever.
Slowly, Marik led Ryou to the bed again, slowly forcing him to sit. Again, Ryou cocked his head to the side quizzically, wondering what Marik wanted to do again.
His question was answered, however, when Marik slowly began to crawl on the bed himself, gradually pushing Ryou onto his back, until the point where Marik was entirely straddling Ryou's hips. For a moment, Ryou's eyes widened, before he gave out an embarrassed, half-hearted giggle.
"Again, Marik?" he whispered. "Must we?"
"Of course," Marik replied, his hands slowly raising Ryou's wrists above his head. "What else is there to do?"
"Well," Ryou said, feeling somewhat reluctant, "we could…you know…go out…walk around…maybe we can even go to the market place. It'd be great if we could go there and eat…they had this great fish I saw when I first came here, I'm sure it's delicious…"
"Like you," Marik breathed, slipping out from his cloak. He stretched a bit, one hand slowly slithering up Ryou's side, causing the young Light to shudder. Ryou took a deep breath and swallowed.
"Well…at the very least…" Ryou whispered, biting his lip as Marik began to discard the Light's garments, "…couldn't we do this later? I mean, you know I'm tired, Marik…we've been doing this for so long already, couldn't we just take a break?"
"No," was Marik's simple and blunt reply, finally ridding Ryou of his garments, drinking in his gorgeous bare form. The same hand that had slithered up Ryou's side then flicked over to one of his upright nipples, before proceeding to twist it harshly.
A sharp gasp escaped Ryou's throat, and instantly, the small Light arched his back, unintentionally arousing Marik further. A moan then escaped Ryou's throat again, and he began to writhe a bit, half desperation, and half in complaint.
"Marik…please, must we?" Ryou gasped, as the same hand then gave the other nipple the same treatment. "I'm so tired already, Marik, and I really don't feel so well. My head's kind of dizzy, and my lungs…"
"Quit complaining," Marik breathed, a smirk appearing on his face. He bent down, nuzzling Ryou's nose with his. "I know you want this. You want this, don't you?"
"N-No, not really," Ryou gasped again, arching his back and tossing his head from side to side. "No, come on, Marik, can't we just spend some time together? You and I haven't even talked that much to each other at all since we've gotten together, and I really honestly don't feel well…"
"Aw," Marik whispered, his lips kissing Ryou's chest. "Pity. I thought you loved me enough to do this for me."
"Well, of course I love you," Ryou gasped, swallowing again. "I mean, I'd do anything for you…"
"Then do this for me," Marik breathed, finally discarding his sarong and slowly binding Ryou's wrists with it. Finally immobilized, Ryou sighed in defeat, making a small face at his new bindings.
Smirking, Marik brought his hands to Ryou's face, directing the Light to look straight at the Darkness.
"For me?" he breathed. "Don't you trust me?"
For a moment, Ryou's eyes widened slightly, uncertainty twinkling in his eyes. But as he gazed deeply into his lover's eyes…his lover's enrapturing, pleading amethyst eyes…Ryou could not help but trust Marik completely, and finally, submitted to defeat.
"Alright," Ryou breathed, nodding. In his heart, he felt certain, knowing that Marik would take care not to hurt him, to lead him along. "For you." Closing his eyes, Ryou raised himself a bit, his lips softly embracing Marik's in a simple, loving kiss. "I trust you."
With a smirk, Marik pried open Ryou's lips, plunging his tongue in with reckless abandon. His hands roamed over Ryou's land of alabaster skin, feeling them tremble beneath his grasp. As he left Ryou's mouth, dotting wet kisses along the Light's jaw, Ryou gasped again, closing his eyes in content. Marik…for that name alone, Ryou would do anything for. Even though he did not like romping so much, and even though there would things he would prefer to do than being in bed all the time, for Marik, he'd do anything. As long as Marik was happy, Ryou was happy, and for a single moment, Ryou felt complete. Full and complete.
Marik would never hurt him. They trusted one another. He had never broken a promise, or intentionally hurt him. And Ryou, in return, would never to such a thing, his only existence to be Marik's love, to be Marik's light, to be Marik's comfort.
"I love you, Marik," Ryou whispered.
And yet, strangely enough, Marik did not reply.
"There you are," Malik said, as he guided his horse towards the left. The figure he had been talking to turned about, revealing familiar, narrow deep brown eyes. Malik smiled. "And what might you be doing on this bright and sunny day, Yami-Baku-sama?"
"Don't say my name in the middle of daylight," Bakura hissed back, though a short smile graced his lips. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Not really, no," Malik laughed, as he forced his horse to stride up next to Bakura's. "I was just wondering what you were doing in daylight, if obviously you can't steal."
"I like a challenge," said Bakura casually, smirking somewhat. Malik laughed again.
"Would you like to skip out on the challenge then," he asked casually, "and hang out with me?"
For a moment, Bakura blinked, his smirk growing slightly more wicked. "Are you asking me out on a date?"
A sweet, innocent smile in return. "And what if I am?" Malik asked, his lavender eyes twinkling mischievously. Bakura's wicked smirk promptly turned into a sinister grin.
"Well…" he said loudly, steering his black spur in front of Malik's, so the other could not ride away, "…if it's not a challenge, why would I accept?"
Lavender eyes glittered, and just faintly, a smirk graced Malik's own features.
"Well then," he said, pausing for effect, eyes locking onto Bakura's, "challenge this." And with that, the younger Egyptian yanked hard on his reins, and with a loud, rearing neigh, both rider and horse bolted off in the other direction, golden sands clouding behind him. A wave of the hand told Bakura the challenge, and the thief, with a wide and wicked smirk, accepted.
Both horses raced across the gold plains, kicking yellow dust and clouds of sands into the air, at almost neck-breaking rapid speed. Pale cream whipped about after the first mahogany horse, blood red flapping after the night-black second. Cries of playful threats echoed into the air, in tune and melody with the rhythmic, rapid thudding of the hooves.
Looking back, Malik grinned, seeing the thief gain speed behind him. With a lurch, he threw his horse sharply towards the left, in attempt to trick Bakura off course in his chase.
However, the thief was far too skilled for this, and, with a careful, calculating gaze, the thief had steered his horse also towards the left. However, that wasn't al he was planning.
Long before Malik had even come to the decision of changing course, Bakura had eyed a large, unfinished and abandoned half of a pyramid, it's crumbling stones still stable and strong. A few good tens of meters tall and strong, it would make an excellent jump-off, and that's what Bakura had in mind as he steered his horse up the makeshift ramp.
"Ha! You can't catch me!" Malik yelled triumphantly behind him.
"We'll see about that!" Bakura yelled back, his horse already climbing rapidly up the diagonal ascend of the pyramid. "You just keep running!"
"You'll never catch me!" Malik yelled, laughing, and kicked his heels against the horse's side.
Bakura chuckled, his horse finally about to reach the top of the manmade precipice.
"Watch me," he whispered. With a loud battle cry of triumph, the horse finally leaped into the air, black mane flashing past against the white-hot circle of sun. For a moment, all seemed still, the wind slitting past Bakura's bangs, revealing his dark brown eyes, focused triumphantly upon the oblivious form of Malik beneath.
Though the second was an eternity, it seemed to snap by in an instant, and as the horse was about to land, Bakura curled skillfully into a ball, and leapt high into the air, his body soaring through the sky and past the Egyptian sun.
But what goes up must come down, and without further ado, Bakura deftly flipped through the air, so that his feet and legs were directly above Malik's spur, and with careful and perfect and minute calculation, the thief landed onto his prey's spur, right behind Malik.
"H-Haah!" Malik cried out in surprise, shocked to feel the jerking pressure beneath him as the horse bucked up with its newly arrived passenger. He looked behind him, his eyes wide and shocked. "Bakura?"
Bakura sent him a cheeky grin. "Told you I'd catch you," he said smugly, and without further ado, wrapped his arms around Malik's waist, grabbing the horse's reins from the Keeper's hands, and taking them into his. Malik cried out in surprise again.
"Bakura!"
"Want another challenge?" the thief grinned, jerking the reins back. "Well, I'm up for it!"
Sighing, Marik opened his eyes, his arms cushioning his head comfortably from behind. Next to him, breathing somewhat raggedly, even in his sleep, lay Ryou, exhausted and weary. Though the Light had both his arms wrapped around Marik's waist and was resting his head on Marik's chest, the Darkness did not return the favor, merely keeping his hands to himself, showing absolutely no show of affections.
Not that Ryou had the energy to question him about it, anyways. If what Marik had done truly was too much for Ryou to handle, the Light would probably be unconscious until late evening. And even after Ryou would awaken, he would still have the issue of being physically immobilized…partly because his wrists were still loosely bonded, and partly because of the blood that was flowing down his thighs.
Slowly, an evil smirk crept across Marik's features, as visions of their last few hours flashed before his eyes. Ryou squirming beneath him, Ryou crying out his pleasure, Ryou begging for release…oh, how Marik had savored each moment, drinking in each plead, each beg, as though nectar of sweet, sadistic ambrosia.
And oh, the best part of it all…was when Ryou begged, and when Ryou pleaded, and when Ryou cried beneath him, begging him for mercy and release. How, in some distorted illusion between them, Ryou had thought Marik was being kind and loving, expressing his care and affection through seduction, when really, Marik was punishing him, twisting him, torturing him for his betrayal.
Cry for me! he would yell. Beg! You want your release? Beg!
Please! Ryou would cry back, please! Make it stop!
You like it, don't you? You like it!
Y-Yes! Ryou would cry again, his voice lined with high desperation. P-please! Make it stop!
And yes, how Marik would then make everything 'stop'. How Marik would make everything feel 'better'. Oh yes…just 'peachy.'
By the gods, Ryou was so naïve. So foolish and so naïve. No one in their right minds would trust Marik, must less love Marik. How could he, Marik himself…be so foolish? There was no one in this world who would ever care for him…no one. How could he have ever fallen for the idea that Ryou had loved him? No one cared for Marik.
And now, there Ryou laid, his eyes resting shut, his breathing quiet yet ragged, both arms wrapped tightly around Marik's waist in a warm embrace. By the gods, merely looking at Ryou even made Marik sick. That innocent, sweet face, those soft, tempting arms…how Marik had once mistaken such things for love would forever be inconceivable.
As Marik learned from his own experience, there was simply no love in this world. There were no such things as Friendship, Compassion, or Love. There was only Hatred, Anger, Greed, and Deception.
((How you once deceived me))Oh, how Marik's heart filled with rage right then and there, that very instant. How Ryou's mere presence brought Marik rage and anger, smothering him with radiating sweetness that the Darkness felt like gagging.
((And yet you believed in me))There was no possible way, that all the times that they had spent together were reality. There was just no possible way. How could Ryou have done all that…worried over him, cared for him, even slept with him, if there was no other motive? No doubt Ryou perhaps was just lonely…in need for company…any company…and Marik was just the first to come along.
((There were times when there wereNothing else))
Marik shook his head. He never really loved me, he thought to himself. He just wanted my protection. He just wanted me to help him keep safe from Bakura. That's all he wanted. Why else would anyone fall in love with someone as treacherous as me?
((Except your love, your care))
There's no way he could've cared for me, Marik thought to himself. No way. There's nothing good in this world. The entire world is just a pile…a pile of betrayal. Deception. Greed. No one as sweet as him could…can…survive in a world like this.
((And yet, you never hid them well))
Parasite, Marik hissed mentally.
((Pretending and deceiving
I saw them all))
I need to get away from here, Marik thought angrily. Getting up, he roughly threw Ryou's arms from around his waist. The Light mumbled something, whined about something, before settling again. Growling, Marik dressed himself quickly and briefly. He couldn't stay here anymore. He would taint Ryou's innocence with hatred if he had to, but later.
Of course, there were times when he loved Ryou this innocent and naïve…all the more fragile to break later. But at times like these…it was simply too sickening for Marik to handle. Too pure for someone as dark as him. Too Good.
Grabbing his cloak, he realized something.
He couldn't take it anymore.
He couldn't stand Ryou's feign of innocence any longer. Pretending that he still cared, pretending that he still loved Marik…what a disgusting, sniveling little fake.
Shaking his head furiously, Marik left the room storming, his rage and anger boiling up full-throttle. Red blossomed before his eyes, and before he even realized it, he was no longer human.
Hatred and Rage had taken over, and, although Marik knew none of it, the Shadows within him had conquered his mind. No longer could he think rationally, no longer could he think properly. No longer had he a mind of his own, a control of his own. Everything was in the swift, murderous decisions of his Shadow-induced heart and mind, controlling his raging rivers of blood.
((Don't think you can betray me
Don't think you can lie to me))
So Ryou thought he could hurt Marik by playing with him so? Well, Marik smirked, two can play at that game.
((Because I'll play just as dirty))
Blinded by incomprehensible and unimaginable rage and suppressed wrath, Marik swiftly left the labyrinth, walking into the evening sun. The flying cellar doors spread their wings of furious wind, urging him on his quest for vengeance.
However, as Marik stepped out into the dying sun, a part of him…a sane part of him…remembered something.
"You're worth more than all the sunsets in the world."
Yes…that day…that day when he had given everything he could for Ryou…to make Ryou feel better…for a moment, Marik stopped in his tracks, his eyes glazing softly into lavender as he recalled that heavenly day.
"If it makes you smile, then I should have."
The locket. Yes…the locket. The locket he had given to Ryou, the one that once belonged to…
Angrily, Marik shook his head. He would not remember that day. That day had been a fluke, a fake. That day had just been a reminder of how weak he used to be, thinking about other people's feelings before his own.
Bracing himself, Marik straightened tall, and walked into the night.
((And then you'll know))
Someone was going to die tonight.
((Why you should hate me.))
Please give me some (a lot ) of reviews for my b-day! Please? Please? (hopeful eyes) More than ten? I know this is acutally a really boring chapter, but it's an excellent chapter for rising climax. I promise you, the next one will be so action-packed and sad...well..er...angry sad. You know, frustration-sad.
Please READ AND REVIEW!