Disclaimer: I don't own YGO…duh!

Chapter 14: Mood Swing

Malik pushed open the door to his own room, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. He had slept in a guest chamber last night, as Kazejin was taking up his bed, and it had made his already sore shoulder a trifle worse. Normally, he would never allow anyone to just have his bed, but Kazejin's wounds had not yet closed, and the blood had leaked onto his sheets. If her wounds look clear, that certainly won't be the case tonight! Malik thought irritably.

He was in a foul mood, due to his lack of sleep. The guest beds clearly were skimped on, and were not on par with Malik's cushy bed. I will inform her she will be sleeping on the floor tonight, and she better not object! I am in no mood to deal with that little ingrate today! She'll be cleaning those sheets, too!

He strode rapidly toward the bed, and came to a halt upon reaching Kazejin. She was snoring peacefully. Malik looked at her in disgust. Yet another bad habit I will have to break, he thought to himself.

"Wake up!" Malik commanded imperiously. "Little Kaze, I am on a schedule today!" Malik was stressed. Preparations had to be made before going to court in six days, so he had woken up at first light in order to ensure everything was being set up properly. Briefly, he wished he had allowed a slave to tend to her rather than taking it upon himself. Oh well, he thought, all in the name of my career.

Kazejin continued to snore, and rolled away from him. Sighing, Malik shook her, hard. Kazejin's eyes shot open, and she jolted up, breathing hard. She blinked for a few seconds, as though trying to recall where she was. When the memory finally hit her, she spoke.

"What are you doing?! Look outside! Amun Ra has barely begun to show himself! What's the big idea, waking me up like this?!" Kazejin protested, clearly annoyed.

"Do not raise your voice at me, Kaze. Didn't you learn anything yesterday? You little fool! I am here to change your wounds, so they do not get infected! Now, lay back, or I will exact more punishment on you!"

Kazejin did as she was told. "You said you would be back in the morning," she grumbled.

"It is morning, my dear. Morning is when Amun Ra rises; he is up. You said so yourself." Malik smirked at her, and picked up his bowl. Kazejin glowered at him, but did not say anything. Malik focused on her wounds, or lack thereof. The cuts and scrapes by her brow had vanished, her black eye was healed, arms were absent of bruising, and her neck was completely perfect, save for some shallow nicks.

"Your wounds are gone here, but I need to examine your chest as well." Kazejin folded her arms over her body.

"Take my word for it, they're healed, okay?! You are not looking at me again!"



Malik smiled wickedly, and reached forward to touch the top swell of her breasts, feeling them through the linen. They weren't squishing in, and he couldn't see any additional blood coming from where the wounds had been through her bandages. "Stop!" Kazejin cried. "What in the seven hells?! I told you not to do that!"

"You can't tell me what to do, Kaze. And besides, you told me I wouldn't be looking at them. You never said anything about touching them. They feel fine, though, you really could do with a little more cleavage, like your eager companion had."

Kazejin looked shocked by his statement. "How rude!"

Now," Malik continued, ignoring her, "I want to see if you can walk. Try to stand."

Kazejin didn't move. "No," she said stubbornly. "I am not leaving this bed!"

In response, Malik grabbed her arm and pulled her up, anyway. Kazejin hit the floor, shocked that Malik would do such a thing. He stood over her and spoke. "Rise," Malik commanded. "Get up! I am in no mood for this!"

"Get away from me!" she snarled. "You're in a bad mood?! Well, how do you think I feel, jerk?! You just totally insulted me!"

Malik's eyes flashed, and Kazejin knew, once again, she had pushed her limit. Roughly, he grasped both of her shoulders and pulled Kazejin to her feet. She was knocked off balance by the force of the movement, tumbling into Malik. Instead of pushing her away, he squeezed her tightly, constricting her body. Kazejin wriggled a bit, but could not overcome the strength of Malik's muscles. He pressed her tightly to him, and whispered in her ear, "I am not in a good mood today, you little brat! Stop calling me names! The only name you may address me by as Master. Don't forget who I am! I am a lord of this home, and I may do as I like with you, or any of your little friends! Perhaps I will give Shizuka back to Marik, hm?" Kazejin stopped struggling, and went limp in Malik's arms. Malik was satisfied that he had induced some sense of fear into his newly acquired slave. "Glad we understand each other," he said silkily after a moment. "Oh, and as for what I said earlier? Though your, hm, personality, leaves much to be desired, I like your little chest. It's just right." Lastly, just to irritate and intimidate her, he stuck his tongue slowly into her ear. He could feel her breath quickening, and with no warning, withdrew it, and pushed her away from him.

Kazejin flopped against the bed, completely scarlet. She clenched her fists, in apparent rage. Her face was scrunched in anger, but slowly, it faded to resignation, and she dropped her head, and stood gracefully. Kazejin raised her pearly eyes to his. They were full of defiance and disgust, but she clamped her mouth closed, and walked to him, still blushing furiously.

"I can walk, Master," she muttered. "What else do you wish for me to do?"

"Why the sudden change?" Malik mocked, enjoying her dilemma. "You sound so….servile."



"You threatened my friends," she stated flatly. "Leave them alone, and I promise to do as you say."

Malik smiled coldly. "Excellent. I knew you'd see things my way. But I think what you said is only half-true. Surely you fear for yourself as well, my dear? Fear what I could do to you?" Malik wanted to hear her say it, even though he would never do anything to her. Oddly enough, taking his anger out on her had quelled his bad mood.

Kazejin's eyes snapped up, and she responded, "No. I don't. Just leave my friends alone. I don't care what happens to me. After all, what do I have left, now that..that.."

Perhaps she was not scared of him, but, nonetheless, she was bothered by something. Malik watched her curiously. Kazejin looked upset, but the emotion only lingered in her eyes for a brief moment. Then, they returned to their original icy state. She glared at him, but said nothing.

"What are you thinking about, my dear? You are so quiet. A nice change, to be sure."

Kazejin shrugged. "Nothing. Just resigning myself to my new role."

"How unlike you. Very obedient."

"You wouldn't know what is or isn't like me anyway. You don't know me, sir, if I may speak bluntly."

Malik brushed aside her last comment. She was subdued now, and he wasn't going to look into the matter further. What did he care what was bothering the girl, anyway? As long as she did as he commanded, it was of no concern to him.

"Come," Malik beckoned, as he picked up a white garment hanging from the edge of the bed. "And bring those sheets. I am going to show you where everything is. Normally, I would let you figure it out, but I'll not have you wandering around the manor on your own. Otherwise, someone, namely my brother, may try to prey upon you again."

Kazejin nodded, eyes stony. The left the room and headed into the cavernous hall. The only sound that could be heard were their footsteps echoing around the walls. It was early in the morning, after all, and Malik was pretty sure no one was awake just yet.

Malik cast a sidelong glance at Kazejin. Her eyes were set, straight ahead, her posture stiff. Malik knew she could feel him looking at her, but she just continued walking forward. Displeased with the silence, and lacking entertainment, Malik ventured a question, "How old are you, Little Kaze?"

"Seventeen," she answered, not even looking at him.

Malik was surprised. "You are nearly my age then, for I am a little over eighteen years."

Kazejin looked at him from the corner of her eye, giving the statement brief acknowledgement. They lapsed into silence once more. Malik groaned mentally. He wanted her to obey him respectfully, 

but not be this quiet. He liked her stubborn and blunt nature, and he hoped anything he had said or did earlier hadn't broken that. No, he reasoned, it's still there. She is not easily broken. Any fool can see that. She is protecting her friends, and herself.

"What of your family?" Malik tried. "Who are they?"

"Those you attacked. My father was the lord of Kamen. My mother probably perished in the attack, though we are not sure. And my sister is the "eager young companion" with the big boobs. You know, the one you like so much?" Kazejin spat bitterly.

Malik was shocked. He had no inkling that this girl was part of the family of traitors. This was the very family that Lord Ishtar had wanted to be bound to through marriage, when they had been considered honorable and rich.

"Interesting," Malik commented. "Did you know then, you were my intended for a brief period of time, then?"

"I had remembered something of the sort, but now that I've met you, perhaps I should thank Ra that my father is now no better than a petty scorpion in Egypt's eyes, for I have no desire whatsoever to ever be married, especially not to you. I told my father so back then, and he broke the engagement off."

"Ah." Malik raised his eyebrows. "So it was you. I remembered my father speaking of how one particular lady of the house was quite ill mannered. The youngest. The girl that was to be mine. She refused over and over again until the lord of Kamen gave in."

"My father wasn't very happy, but he never wanted to force us against our wills. He adored Mai and me. However, if I recall correctly, he was particularly adamant about this marriage. He continued asking us, even in the weeks leading up the attack. I guess uniting our two families was financially beneficial."

"Why would you refuse, my dear? Someone your age should be married. Even I am a bit old to still be single."

"Because men treat my sister like an object. As soon as she hit the court, when she was fifteen, they would all harass her, because of her beauty. Though I am not as pretty as her, I didn't want to endure the same treatment. She tells me of how she has been a married man's mistress many a time. I didn't want to be the waiting wife, turning a blind eye to my husband's trysts. A loveless marriage begets no faith in each other, or happiness."

Malik was puzzled by her statement. "Are you waiting for love, then? Your husband can give you material comforts and children. What more would you need?"

"I wait for nothing. A marriage is constraining either way. I will have none of it."

"You shall be as much a disgrace as your father, if that is so."



"Well, let's say I did marry you. I know enough of your reputation, my lord. You sleep around, much like your brother. Is there any guarantee you wouldn't have cheated on me?"

Malik was insulted. "Hold your tongue. I am not married yet, so I may do as I please. When I do make that commitment, I will be faithful."

Kazejin snorted in disbelief. "I'm sure." Malik glared at her, and Kazejin cut him off. "Okay. Maybe. But you can't say your brother would cherish my sister in the same way."

"No I can't," Malik answered, "but how dare you judge me! What do you know of me?"

"And, as I told you before, you don't know me."

Malik growled. "You are trying my patience, again, Kaze."

"I am sorry, Master, but you asked." Kazejin stated plainly.

Malik was irritated, but he smiled thinly. Her will was still there, and unbroken. He could play with her again, and she would fire back, as he had come to expect.

"So," he asked innocently, "you would find being married to me rather detestable?"

"Yes," she replied instantly.

"And why is that?"

"Well, it might have something to do with the fact that you have already assaulted me twice in such a short space of time."

Amused, and unable to resist taunting her, Malik leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Oh, but you enjoyed the second time, I'm sure."Kazejin flushed. Malik, noting her embarrassment continued, "You taste absolutely delicious, by the way. I'll have to make a third assault sometime soon."

"Hmph," Kazejin turned away from him. Malik pointed to an open doorway, leading out into the sun. In the distance, Kazejin could see a large pool, surrounded by rocks.

"This is where the sheets are to be scrubbed. I want them white again. Also, there is more laundry out on the rocks. See?"

Kazejin squinted. Sure enough, there was a large pile of white linens catching the newly risen sunlight. She nodded.

"Down through here", Malik pointed to a dingy stairwell, "is the kitchen. You are to prepare my lunch for me, and make a little something for yourself. I hope you can cook, darling. I shall be back when Amun Ra is at his peak. Noontime. I have much to do before then. The pool next to the main pool is safe to drink from, when you get thirsty. If you get sick, call for one of the guards. They are over by the well, making sure mischievous servants like you don't leave the premises." Malik turned to leave. "Oh, by the 

way," he called over his shoulder, "you and I are eating lunch together. And our topic of conversation shall be your strange healing. Don't think I have forgotten that."

Kazejin bit her lip. Malik could tell she wanted to say something, but she held it back. "Okay, my Lord. Until noon, then." She curtseyed stiffly, and walked outside, ready to work.

"Hold on," Malik grabbed her shoulder, squeezing it slightly. "You need clothes," he stated, noting her attire. She still had the ripped dress on from before, with bandages as her only covering. "Here. Take this." Malik handed her the white garment from earlier, that had been hanging on the bedpost. "After you are done washing the sheets, and making my lunch, we will unwrap those bandages and take a bath. But, this will do for now."

"We?!" Kazejin cried indignantly, not taking the clothing from Malik's outstretched hand. "What do you mean we?!"

Malik snickered. "We. As in you and I. Didn't you have an attendant that bathed you? You're an attendant as well. You will wash me."

"Ew! Gross!" she yelled. She clamped her hands over her mouth, as she was prone to do after speaking so bluntly, and caught Malik's facial expression nervously.

Malik laughed. He tapped her chin. "Go. Just go. Change behind those rocks. No one will see you there. I look forward to our lunch."

Kazejin darted away from him, angry at the prospect. She hissed about him and cursed all the way to the rocks. Malik really did love his new toy. He supposed he really had to thank his older brother. He owed Kazejin all to him.

Author's Notes: Just so you know, this story is going to be pretty stretched out. I like them looooong. Um, I just had a question for you all. Do you find Malik's behavior OOC?? It's really hard to write for him, because in the show and manga, he is portrayed as a one-sided villain. When he becomes good, you don't see that much of him, so I feel like his character has little depth. I guess that's why there are so many fanfics for him. My point, however, is, how would he act?? I'd like to think he's proud, a bit of a brat, and kind of mean. I also give him a dry sense of humor and a very sexual side, so that he can tease Kazejin. Finally, I give him a short temper, but he still is capable of sympathizing with people. It's different writing for him in the past, because that evil side doesn't exist…idk…what do you guys think??

P.S. I have annoying spaces in my story, due to page spaces in Microsoft Word. Anyone know how to get rid of that crap?! Share knowledge 