Hello everyone!

APOLOGIES! ..For being so slow in updating and such. Have had a lot on my plate, but excuses don't count for much, especially when it was such an evil place to leave the fic.

THANK YOU SO MUCH! To everyone that reviewed! And those who read it (..and are perhaps yet to review- right?)

Annnyway, I hope you enjoy this newest intstallment, when Malik wakes up..

Warnings: Sexual themes, Language & and unsure Ryou..

Out of the Ashes – Chapter 13

"Well heaven's certainly taken a turn for the worse! Do you think they've got a Recession on or something? This accommodation is shocking." Malik said disapprovingly, eyeing the stone walls and rough floor.

Bakura almost couldn't contain his happiness.

Malik was alive, speaking to him! His Malik was here, with him, right now. I was almost too much for the vampire.

"Malik, we're not in heaven!" He said, laughing.

Malik ripped his eyes away from a particularly nasty looking damp patch.

"We're not?" he asked, and then sighed. "See, I told you we were going to go to hell for all the bad stuff we did. I mean, I know lap dancing isn't that good-for-the-soul, but does it merit an afterlife in a cave?"

Bakura smirked and kissed his lover soundly on the lips, to which Malik returned heartily. The pale vampire knew he had missed the kisses that were individually Malik.

"We're not dead." He said bluntly, looking into the violet eyes.

"I'm sure if I didn't manage to end it all myself the first time, a vampire would have been able to finish me off the second. It's alright Bakura; I'm not going to freak out or anything!"

Bakura sighed.

"We're not-" he paused, just thinking about what the other had just said. "Wait, what do you mean 'the first time'?" he said, his brow creasing. But Malik was already off on a tangent.

"Oh! Do you know if Marik's Ok? Damn, I must've left him really upset." The blonde said, biting his lip and shifting around so that he was properly straddling his lover's seated form. He realised what he mentioned and gave Bakura a wide eyed glance. "Er… Bakura, don't get mad, but… When you left, I kinda had a little thing with this guy called Marik. He's really nice, you'd like him, he's your kind of guy, but we were… How should I say… together? But don't worry! I still love you, even though you may have to get used to the fact that I still have feelings for him." Malik gave Bakura an apprehensive look, not knowing what his reaction would be. To his complete surprise, the pale haired one just smiled.

Marik had been roused from his slumber by the excessive use of his name. In turn, his movement woke Ryou up, as the two had slept very close last night. Marik had seen his lover alive and kicking, chatting avidly to Bakura, and pointed it out silently to Ryou, a huge smile on his face.

"I know." Bakura was saying, giving the other a chaste kiss. "He could be my kind of guy – at a stretch. A big stretch."

Malik beamed at him, throwing his arms around Bakura's neck.

"I've missed you so much." He mumbled into his lover's neck. Bakura stroked his hair affectionately.

"I've missed you so much too. I love you." He whispered back.

Malik smiled happily, inhaling the scent that was all Bakura. He leant away, sliding his hands down the pale back. His fingers hit something.

Malik threw the other a curious glance before running his hands over the soft wings. His mouth opened in shock. Bakura looked worried.

"Malik, believe me when I say we're still alive. The thing is, we're alive in a different way now. I'm sorry, you were going to die, I couldn't let that happen." He said quickly.

Malik was motionless for a further few seconds before he shoved his finger into his mouth. Dragging the digit along his teeth, he caught his index finger on one of his sharp fangs, pulling it out again, he watching in awe as the cut healed itself. He then hurriedly felt his own back, the black plumage enough to convince him.

Malik let his gaze wander back to Bakura's a look of anxiety. His own face went through a range of emotions before settling on one.

"Cool." He said, smirking.

Bakura breathed a sigh of relief.

"I changed you into a vampire, like me, because you were going to die." He explained. Malik nodded.

"I didn't really do that well against that one, did I?" he reflected. "But, more to the point, how the hell did you end up sprouting wings?" he demanded. Bakura smirked.

"You know that gang, the Royals?" he asked.

"The dealer empire?"

"Yeah, that one, well-"

"Bakura! I told you not to get their H! It was way too expensive." He exclaimed.

"It's done now." He said matter-of-factly. "Well I ran up a bit of a debt with them, and I had to pay it back."

"That's why you took my money?" Malik asked testily.

Bakura looked apologetic.

"I'm so sorry, Malik, I knew you'd be angry so I was going to leave after I'd paid them back anyway. I knew you didn't deserve someone like me. But King was threatening to do things to us, and I couldn't let that happen to you." Malik face softened slightly. "On my way, I was drugged and robbed, so King had the delight in sentencing me to death… The vampire that was meant to kill me, turned me into one of them instead, he Sired me, as I Sired you. Both of us then became the punishment for others in King's sick little Court. You came to kill us, but Ryou – my Sire – attacked. I didn't know it was you until it was too late."

Malik listened patiently, and nodded his head in understanding. He would've tried to kill someone that was out to exterminate him too, so no hard feelings for the pale vampire.

"That doesn't explain why we're in some hole." He observed.

"Well Marik-"

"Shit!" Malik exclaimed, his eyes going wide. "Marik! What is he going to say about all this? He hates vampires, no jokes Bakura, he's going to kill me…"

"No he's not." Bakura said softly.

"You don't know Marik, he's going to track me down and-"

His panic was cut short as a strong pair of arms wrapped themselves around his waist. Malik whipped around, coming face to face with his other lover.

"Marik?" he whispered in fright. Marik smirked at him.

"Come off it, Malik. I still love you." He said.

Malik's face burst into a radiant grin and he leapt out of Bakura's embrace and into Marik's. Sending them both reeling on the floor, Malik kissed the other passionately, hugging him tightly. Marik laughed as the other checked him over briefly, for any changes.

"You're still human then!" he concluded, straddling Marik, who was sprawled out in the dust. "You don't hate me?"

"No! My views have been changed. I've learnt to respect the vampiric race, and their way of doing things… If it was a little thrust upon me." He stated, rolling his eyes.

Malik laughed, completely satisfied with his predicament. He knew Bakura wasn't so subtle with reasoning, if he'd had anything to do with it. He kissed the other happily.

His eyes took in the entirety of the cave and came to rest curiously on a figure standing against the wall just outside the entrance.

The morning sun filtered in behind the slim, pale body, obscuring the features slightly; light gleamed off his milky skin and white hair in an ethereal way.

Malik had to investigate. He got up off Marik and straightened up, walking slowly towards the vampire. Ryou watched his approach anxiously. Was he going to be angry about his almost fatal mistake?

Malik stepped closer, and he took half a step back, turning sideways and allowing the sun to stream over his form properly. Malik almost gasped in shock. He was completely remarkable. The other occupants of the cave watched on in apprehension. He finally stood a pace away from the vampire, trying to make contact with the chocolate eyes that were turned to the floor.

He thought he knew who this was.

"Hello, beautiful." Malik said in a hushed voice.

Ryou's eyes flew up to meet his, and the newly-born was astounded by their depth. The pale vampire blushed, and held his hands behind his back, bowing his head once more. An example that Ryou was actually very shy after all, to people he knew weren't trying to kill him, or attack him, or threaten someone he loved. Malik moved closer still, and lifted a hand to tilt the pale chin back to look at him.

"I'm Malik." He tried.

Ryou smiled softly.

"I know." The vampire whispered.

"And you're Ryou."

Said demon nodded his head, a blush dusting his cheeks once more. Malik's face broke out into a huge smile, and he reached out and slid his arms around the other's slim waist, pulling them into a hug.

Ryou was initially shocked, but smiled, and tentatively wrapped his arms around the blonde's neck. Malik pulled the flushed Ryou away from him for a second, not lessening his grip, and planted a kiss on his pink cheek.

He had this small vampire to thank for the survival of his lover, and a small issue like a near-death attack was going to stop him. Ryou giggled softly at his acceptance. Malik almost melted. Pressing them close once more, he turned to his lovers.

"He is the sweetest thing I have ever seen!" he exclaimed, and Ryou tried to hide his face against Malik's chest, which didn't help the matter. Malik almost bubbled over with excitement for his new acquisition. "Bakura, how did you get something so… so pretty to save you? Oh, I'm glad you did," he spoke, turning to Ryou, "because now I know you, and you are the most attractive little vampire I've ever seen! …Sorry Bakura."

Malik did not look the least bit sorry as he embraced the slim figure once more. Ryou allowed himself to be pulled to the floor and seated between Malik's legs, where the vampire immediately started playing with his hair. After he had cooed over the pale one for a few moments, Malik looked around the cave.

"I'm absolutely starving!" he exclaimed, "Got any food in this hole?"

The others exchanged awkward glances. Malik immediately understood.

"Oh… Oh yeah…" he tried, not looking at Marik, the only human. He was suddenly very aware of the fragrance emanating from his lover. It was strong, making him crave the nourishment he knew he needed.

Quickly standing up along with Ryou, the blonde strode confidently to the mouth of the cave. He gazed over the valley for a moment before spreading his wings, trying not to breathe through his nose.

The new vampire turned to Ryou.

"Hey Ryou, which way is the nearest human, before I end up killing Marik?" he asked casually.

Ryou smiled lightly.

"It's rather a long way south I'm afraid. I don't think it would be advisable in your state." He explained.

Malik sighed defiantly, and spread his wings, testing them out. A wave of fatigue washed over him, and he dropped the feathered limbs to hang on his back limply.

"Ok, you can say 'I told you so' later. What do we do now?" he groaned, turning back to the others.

"Isn't it obvious?" Bakura smirked, picking his nails with Ryou's knife.

Malik audibly growled. Marik stepped in to calm the other.

"Malik, he's not suggesting you murder me." He explained. Bakura snorted. Malik glared at him, bearing his teeth slightly. The other went on picking his nails innocently. "You just need a little bit to get your strength up, then we can head somewhere for you to feed properly. Right Ryou?"

Ryou nodded, standing near them on the stone ledge. "It's going to be hard, but just take a little. Unfortunately I can't say when to stop, so that'll be up to you Marik. Just let Malik know if you feel faint, and I'll pull him off if needs be."

Malik had gone slightly red from holding his breath, not smelling Marik.

"Is this the only way?" he in a choked voice, though he knew the answer.

"Yes. Sorry." Ryou said quietly. He looked at Marik. "You ready?"

"I'm sure this doesn't get less painful, so get it over with, Malik."

Malik nodded, his eyes glittering with sympathy, before he let himself inhale the tempting smell and slid his arms around the muscular form. Marik held him tightly and tilted his head to one side. The vampire kissed the skin briefly before his instincts overcame him and he bit down for the first time in his new life.

Ryou watched carefully, gauging Marik's actions to the amount of danger he was in. Malik was enjoying himself, it seemed, the desire for blood taking over the notion of harming his lover.

Marik's eyes had been shut when they started, so that wasn't a good marker… The pale vampire jolted slightly as Marik suddenly slumped in the other's grasp. Moving quickly, he wrapped an arm around the human's waist and shoved Malik off. The vampire's eyes snapped oven and a look of worry spread over his features. Ryou held Marik up from behind and leant forwards, tracing his tongue over the leaking wounds. He then lay the human down. Marik had obviously put Malik above his own safety and not cared when he felt his consciousness slipping away.

"Shit. Is he Ok?" Malik asked, energy flooding through him. He flitted around the human on the ground.

"Yes, he's just fainted. He should be around soon." Ryou said reassuringly.

"Sorry." Malik said sincerely to the unconscious figure. "It was just so hard to resist." He added, allowing a small smirk.

"He is pretty good." Ryou agreed, standing up next to Malik. "Just don't get used to that, most humans taste worse. But then again, blood is blood."

"True, my blood connoisseur!" he laughed, wrapping an arm around the smaller. Ryou giggled and hugged back.

"Hey!" Bakura called, being too stubborn to move from where he was sitting. "Can my Sire and his playmate not get it on without me involved? …What has the world come to?" He muttered.

Ryou smirked and walked over to the other, who grabbed his hand and pulled him down to sit between his legs. The smaller vampire's eyes were suddenly uneasy as Malik sat down too. Malik had been with Bakura way before him. They were together. He was simply the Sire. Bakura sensed him freeze and tried to tug the smaller figure against him, but he wouldn't budge.

Malik saw all this and didn't feel the least bit bitter towards the adorable creature. After all, he'd been with Marik, so Bakura was entitled to his own activities – within reason – and this certainly was. Besides, Ryou was hot.

He got onto all fours and moved to face Ryou, who caught his gaze and looked to the ground with embarrassment.

"Excuse me?" Malik asked.

The slender thing raised his eyes cautiously, wondering whether this would be a good time to move.

"…Yes?" he whispered.

"Do you want to relax any time soon? I'm not a psycho boyfriend… Much." Malik said sweetly.

"Erm… Ok?" The small demon said uneasily, not sure if Malik was joking.

Bakura watched on with a smirk on his face, though behind it he was as anxious as Ryou… how Malik would behave?

Ryou tentatively leant against the pale chest and draped a leg over one of Bakura's. Malik shuffled up against the side of Bakura where Ryou's head was, and Bakura wrapped an arm around him. The blonde smiled down at the soft features and ran a hand through the pale hair. Bakura glided a hand up Ryou's pale chest, making him shiver slightly.

"That's better…" Malik breathed. "…I take it you two have been together?" He added, a smirk on his lips.

Ryou blushed, swallowing thickly.

"It's what extensive confinement does to you, I'm afraid." Bakura replied.

Ryou growled and punched his chest. The larger pretended that it didn't hurt. Instead he leant down so that his lips were centimetres from the pale pink ones below.

"You know I'm joking…" he breathed, kissing him once, gently.

He straightened up.

"You don't mind do you, Malik?" Ryou suddenly asked, he voice full of concern. "If you do, I don't mind backing off."

Selfless, caring Ryou, Bakura thought, feeling his love for the smaller grow.

The elder vampire obviously had a strong connection with him, as Sire and taker of his virginity, yet he was offering to dispense of this for the price of his and Malik's happiness. Malik was having the same thoughts. He could smell the extent of Bakura's involvement with Ryou, and felt a further attraction to the small vampire, fuelled by his beautiful appearance and manner. The other two exchanged glances and smiled slyly at Ryou's offer.

"Now why would I want you to do that?" Malik said huskily, tracing his fingers over Ryou's creamy neck. The vampire's breath hitched.

"B-because you two are… together?" he whispered, trying to stop his body reacting to the fingertips that were ghosting his sensitive skin.

Bakura joined in, sliding his hands up Ryou's slim sides. Not being arrogant, but when he and Malik tried to seduce one another, they had a success rate of 100%. Of course he knew that Malik was attracted to Ryou, mainly physically right now. He also knew they wouldn't do anything too sexual with him at that moment, as it was Ryou's single weakness, the only thing he was not that experienced with. Bakura didn't want to take advantage of his Sire's weak point; he loved him too much for that.

"So are you and Bakura." Malik countered smoothly, his fingers tracing the prominent collarbone.

"But you two were together before I came and wrecked… everyone's lives…" Ryou managed.

Both sets of hands stopped suddenly.

Ryou blinked a few times, looking up into the suddenly serious faces.

"Is that how you see it, Ryou?" Bakura asked quietly.

Ryou pulled himself upright, sitting before the two lovers. He nodded his head.

"You two were together before me-"

"We're still together now." Malik interrupted.

Ryou continued, his face expressionless.

"If King hadn't got me, and wanted to show off his new form of 'entertainment' he would never have given you such a short deadline. You two would have worked this whole thing through and wouldn't be stuck in some cave, but instead you would be living your dream dancing Malik, and Bakura, you would be happy. It's also my fault that you almost died, Malik, I'm sorry for that by the way… Now Marik's been dragged into this too."

The other's faces softened and Bakura reached out, roughly pulling the incompliant Ryou into his embrace. He stroked his white hair reassuringly. Malik moved behind the small vampire and wrapped his arms around his waist, resting his tanned chin on the pale shoulder.

"Ryou… The only thing that's your fault is that I've fallen in love with the most beautiful, dangerous being that King happened to be taking care of. Don't blame yourself that I'm happy." Bakura said, looking into Ryou's chocolate gaze.

"No worries about the whole almost killing me thing." Malik said, making Ryou smile faintly in a way he would learn to discover only Malik could. "Easy mistake to make."

Bakura gave him an encouraging smile and kissed his forehead.

"Everything's going to sort itself out. We'll go back to the city tonight, find some food, and then get a new place for us to stay: all of us." He said, glancing over at Marik.

He noticed Ryou's uncomfortable look was back once again. He suddenly realised that Marik and Ryou had exchanged small, but noticeable, signs of affection. No wonder that the pale vampire was beating himself up, he thought he was going to look like some kind of interfering whore.

"Sounds like a plan." Malik said with soft enthusiasm. "Don't worry Ryou." He added, before kissing the pale shoulder.

Ryou jumped slightly and turned his face to Malik, a blush spreading over his cheeks. As far as Bakura knew, he was the only one that made Ryou blush like that. As he watched his lovers search each other's eyes, he felt the chemistry between them building like water behind a dam. Malik's gaze lingered on the other's damp lips, and Ryou smiled softly as the tanned one moved closer. Bakura's mind was screaming at them to hurry up, this would look extremely hot. Ryou knew he wouldn't mind if he…

Ryou abruptly pulled away, averting his gaze from Malik, he bowed his head after sending Bakura an apologetic glance, a blush over his face. Bakura turned to Malik and gave him a look as if to say 'don't worry'.

Malik winked and reached up a hand to place under Ryou's chin. He gently moved the other to face him, and looked intensely into his brown eyes. Suddenly leaning forwards, he pressed their lips together, both pairs of eyes slipping shut as the small sparks of electricity seemed to flicker through their beings from their lips.

Malik moved his mouth expertly over Ryou's accepting lips before drawing away, his eyes cloudy with affection. Ryou reached up and touched his lips with a shaky hand. It was not that he didn't want to kiss Malik, (who wouldn't?) it was the fact that he didn't know how Bakura would act. Said vampire leant down to briefly press their mouths together.

"That's Malik's way so saying that he likes you." He whispered.

Ryou giggled and turned to the blonde.

"I like you too… Thank you." He said shyly.

Bakura had never heard him use that tone of voice. He rather liked it.

Malik smirked.

"Anytime." He assured.

Marik had finally woken up when the sun was high in the sky. Ryou had offered to take the still-faint human down to get him some food, to leave the newly reunited lovers to talk. The two sat with their legs dangling over the rim of the high ledge, when Bakura voiced the thing Malik hoped he would avoid. The pale vampire took hold of one of his tanned arms.

"Are you going to tell me where these came from?" Bakura asked, his slender fingers tracing over the long pale scar that shone on the bronzed skin of his wrist.

Human scars were not changed when vampires were.

Malik spent a long time looking at the trees below, he sensitive eyes catching a flash of movement that must be Ryou stalking through the vegetation. He let Bakura hold his limp arm. He knew Bakura had worked it out, the white haired one just wanted him to explain.

"When you left…" he began, gaze still set on the horizon. "I… I got depressed I suppose. Like when we were getting clean, though worse… I had no one to pull me out of it this time… I was so alone, Bakura. You don't realise how much I need you."

Malik turned to face him, their eyes meeting. Bakura leaned across to pick up his other arm, his fingers tracing the almost identical old wound.

"… I know I sound silly, needy, I'm sorry you have to put up with that. The bed was cold… I couldn't live without you. I thought… I thought you didn't love me any more."

The pale vampire started. He knew that they always slept together since they had become lovers, and Malik's fear of being alone was definitely one that was profound since the death of his parents.

"Marik saved me. He was the surgeon who fixed me up… He wasn't you, but he was there to fill the gap, I love him for that… I love him now."

Bakura was racked with guilt for what he had put the other through. He had never expected Malik to turn to such drastic measures.

Who knows what would have happened had his plan been successful? Had someone not found his lover when they did?

He shivered at the thought and pulled Malik to him. Brushing their lips together, he rested their forehead together, taking in the other's presence. Bakura leaned back and swept a strand of platinum hair out of the other's eye.

"I'm so sorry, Malik." He said sincerely, looking into the other's eyes. Malik knew he was being honest; the pain in the mahogany eyes was enough to tell him that. "…I've never stopped loving you."

The new vampire hugged the pale one closer.

"I know." He whispered.

Sweeeeeet :)

I hope you enjoyed. I will actually try and reply to reviews this time, I know I've been very, very bad at doing that recently.

Don't think you don't mean anything to me!

Cos you'd be wrong :)

Love, Scarlett.x