Hello everyone! I've been reading all of the comments that have been given for the story, and I have to say…. You guys are what really keeps me going. I wouldn't be writing this story if you guys didn't like it. And I apologize for taking such long breaks, it's just that things do come up and you can't really help that. But, I think you guys deserve an update to the story. So, here it is!

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_~_ Ryou's P.O.V_~_

My eyes fluttered open slowly. My hands were chained above my head, and a cold breeze hit my skin and made goosebumps erupt on it. Was I outside…? What was going on…? I could hear laughter, cold and cynical and from many different people…..

"Are you finally awake?"

I shifted my gaze upward and screamed: Bakura was standing before me, dressed in a medieval executioner's robe that was splattered in blood. In his hand was a blunt ax, also with specks of the crimson liquid spattered on it.

Bakura laughed at my reaction. "You're so pathetic, Ryou! Look at you! Cowering like a woman!"

"Wh-what are you doing?" I whimpered, shaking uncontrollably.

"Oh, you can't figure it out? You're dumber than a dog." Bakura twirled the ax like a baton. "I'm going to chop you up."

"Chop him up! Chop him into little bits!" The crowd roared. I looked around me and saw that the crowd was made up of entirely Bakuras.

"Th-this has to be a dream!" I yelled, trying to struggle against the chains that held me.

"Oh, it's no dream, Ryou….." Bakura lifted up the ax. "It's a nightmare." He swung down.

I let loose a bloodcurdling scream and thrashed around violently, still half-asleep and in the throes of the nightmare. A pair of strong yet gentle hands grabbed my arms.

"Ryou! Ryou, calm down! Wake up!"

Unable to move, I opened my eyes, afraid that the dream was real and that I would be looking straight at Bakura. But as my vision focused, I saw worried lavender eyes gazing at me and knew that it was…..

"M-Marik…." I went limp and started to sob; my heart was ready to burst from my chest, and I was drenched in a cold sweat. Marik pulled me into his lap and held me, enveloping my shaking frame in a warm embrace.

"Shhh….. it was just a dream…." He murmured into my ear. "Come on now, deep breaths….."

After what felt like forever, I began to calm down. The nightmare was slipping away; Marik continued to whisper comfortingly, calming me until I could breathe normally again. I hiccupped and wiped my eyes, looking up at him.

"… Are you okay?" I asked, suddenly worried for him. His usually bronzed face was taking on a sickly pale pallor, and his breath was shallow and quick.

"I'm fine…. It's just the damn cold…." He muttered. "Come on, let's get you washed up….." To his surprise, I got up and took his hand, leading him into the bathroom and sitting him on the toilet.

"Don't try to neglect yourself." I chided, waggling a finger at him. "What would I do if you got pneumonia and died?"

He blinked and looked up at me; I don't think he was fully there at the time. His eyes had a dull sheen to them. He was so sick, from taking care of me.

"….." I turned my back to him and began to run a cool bath, as hot guilt settled in the pit of my stomach. Why couldn't Marik have gotten better? Why did he have to be the one who was still so sick? "Come on, let's get you undressed…." I heard something hit the floor and turned. "MARIK!"

_~_ Marik's P.O.V._~_

Muffled and distorted voices were all I heard for a long time. I didn't hear any discernable words, just sounds, all running into each other. My body was too weak to do anything; I couldn't even muster enough strength to open my eyes. I had no idea what was going on. I felt like I was floating in air, drifting along with at the mercy of the wind.

"…..Marik….." A gentle breeze brought along the first understandable word and distinguishable voice. "….Marik….. wake up…"

That voice was familiar….. but…. It wasn't his…. I forced my hand to move, to search for him…. Another hand grasped it; immediately I could tell Ryou wasn't by my side, wherever I was….

"Come on, little brother…. Wake up for your sister….."

"I….shizu…?" I breathed out.

"That's right…."

"W….where's…. Ryou….."

Her hand moved up and brushed my bangs from my sweaty face. "Just rest, Marik…. Rest….."

Mustering every ounce of strength I could, I moved my hand up and pushed hers away. "Where…. Is Ryou…." I muttered, putting a little more force behind my weak words.

"Don't worry about him, Marik….. you need to get better….. He realized that….."

"… Ishizu….. what…. Did you do to him….."

"Sleep, Marik….."

Against my will, I felt myself fading back into that realm of distorted voices. Ryou…. Be strong…. I'll be home soon…..