Malik, sweet bishounen though he is, is definitely warped and twisted by his tragic childhood. I mean, practically all that keeps him going through Battle City is his desire to kill Yami, all because of a misunderstanding. I wanted to show that. This is Malik, not his Yami talking; his Yami has priorities of his own.

Disclaimer: *does the Jedi hand thingy* Yu-Gi-Oh belongs to me… It belongs to me, I say! *sulk* I need to find someone more weak-minded.

I saw you last night, pharaoh.

I saw you yesterday through my first Rare Hunter's soulless eyes, as I had seen your host through that fool Keith's eyes. I have to say, I wasn't impressed. I was expecting a lot more out of the great pharaoh. But I've found you now, and you'll not flee any longer.

I saw you last night in some realm past consciousness, your cape-like jacket flowing out behind you, and your crimson eyes cold and harsh. It was as if you were waiting for me. "Do you know me, pharaoh?" I called out.

You studied me, taking in my golden jewelry and flowing purple cloak. "Who are you?" you asked softly, unafraid.

"I told you to remember my name, pharaoh. I am Malik, Ishtar Malik."

"Ishtar…"

"The name should sound familiar, pharaoh," I spat out the title. "Spawn of Seth, look me in the eye!"

"What do you want?"

"I want your death, I want to see your eyes glaze over in agony as you lie dying in your own foul blood! I want vengeance."

Your eyes went sad. Afraid of death, O pharaoh? "Malik, there is something you don't understand."

"Don't understand?" I screamed, the furious hot tears welling in my eyes. "I understand enough!! You killed my father and ruined everything that was ever good in my life. What else is there to understand?!"

I pulled the Sennen rod from beneath my cloak and drew its dagger. You put your hands up defensively and didn't back away. "Malik, listen…"

I cut you off with a brutal slash from the dagger. You trembled and slowly put a hand to your bleeding arm, but still you would not step back. I plunged the blade into your chest, letting my anger flow as I remembered my father's mangled body. I watched in satisfaction as your eyes grew distant, fading under my ruthless assault. I watched you sink to your knees as I remembered the dark lonely nights after my father was gone and the pain of growing up without any sort of mentor.

Your puzzle glowed red through the blood that coated it, flickering and growing dim. You changed suddenly into your host's form. The young boy turned his large innocent eyes up at me, his hands covering the wounds as if to stopper the blood. "Why?" he whispered. "Why?"

He slumped to the ground as I brushed the tears from my face. So many times I had asked that same question in the pain following my father's murder. His shape turned back to yours, pharaoh, and I saw you shiver in agony. You raised your head to look up at me, gleaming tears seeping from the corners of your eyes. "Malik," you said softly. "You've been deceived. You're wrong."

"I don't want your excuses," I seethed, kicking viciously at your form. "Die, pharaoh. Die and know the agony my father did."

You put your hand on the foot that had kicked you, your blood running down the sides of my shoe. "Don't, Malik. You don't want more to regret later."

"There is nothing about vengeance to regret."

"Unless you're wrong."

You shuddered and lay still as I knelt by your body and dipped my hands into the pool of your blood, still hot from your wounds.

I woke and it was still night, but the sweat ran from my palms as your blood had in my dream. And, remembering your corpse, I laughed.

Owari

Disturbing? It was supposed to be. Let me know! Review, onegai!