Author's Notes: Thanks for the great reviews! Here's chapter 5!  As for a question by a reviewer, yes, Dark Bakura was having bad thoughts about the sleeping Téa!  ^_~

Chapter 5:

That's The Way It Is

Yami Bakura shifted uncomfortably in his chair. He sighed and reached out toward the sleeping girl leaning on his shoulder. He lifted her head up gently, feeling the silky tresses slip through his fingers. He sat her upright and slid out of his chair.

Joey looked up from a conversation with Yugi. "Where are you going?"

Yami Bakura, he reached into his back pocket for his wallet. "I'm going to head home now. It's getting late." He pulled out some bills and laid them down on the table. "Here, this is for Téa's drink." He waved cheerfully and exited the shop. "Night guys!"

Everyone waved goodbye, except for Téa. She was in a deep slumber.

***

Bakura didn't head for home though, he wandered the streets, deep in thought. Actually, it was Yami Bakura who had decided to take the walk; he over took Bakura back at the shop and never changed back since Yami and Téa had left. He stuffed his hands in his pockets and began down the walkway. What is going on? I've never felt so clouded in my mind before. Just sticking to one thought was fine, but now I have millions running through my head. He kicked a can that was in his path. It hit the back of the brick wall he was passing, stirring movement in the darkness.

A group of thugs were smirking and eying Yami Bakura's golden millennium ring.

"Let's go boys!" The leader said, tapping a long metal rod in his large hands.

Yami Bakura was too deep in thought to notice the approaching danger. I really don't care! I know that. So why would seeing him at her house upset me? Ever since those damn dreams, nothing seems right! I've felt…ugh, never mind! It was a mistake to take this walk. Now I am even more confused. He stopped in his tracks, crossed his arms and shook his head. "Damn it all! I'm going home!" He turned around to head for the bus stop, but felt a tugging at his shirt and paused. "I don't think you want to do that!" He sneered.

"Why not?" Came a raspy voice. "With that little trinket around your neck we could bring in millions!" He snapped his fingers and six more thugs showed up, circling dark Bakura.

Yami Bakura sighed and smirked. "You're going to regret this, you know!" He closed his eyes. "Go ahead, try and hit me!"

One of the thugs smirked and swung his rod at dark Bakura's head.

Yami Bakura ducked and kicked the thugs' legs out from under him. "Who's next?" Came his snide reply.

Another thugs came at him, swinging a chain. Once again, Yami Bakura had him down on the ground and begging for mercy. "Is that all you've got?"

The leader signalled at something in the shadows.

A tall and overly large man came out and snuck up behind Yami Bakura, who was distracted by three thugs attacking him. The man raised a large knife over his head and slashed down, slicing into dark Bakura's back.

Yami Bakura's eyes shot open as he felt his back burn with pain. "Ugh!" He cried, feeling the knife slice again.

The leader came up to him and swung at his face with his metal rod. The big guy held Yami Bakura's arms' behind his back, allowing the thugs to have fun with him. After a few more slashes and punches, Yami Bakura was on his knees coughing up blood.

"You…are going to…regret that!" He lunged at the leader and yanked a small knife out of his back pocket. He slashed it deep into the thugs arm.

The leader cried and grabbed his arm, rolling around on the floor in pain. The gang ran to his aid.

"Forget me, get him you fools!" The leader cried, crawling away pitifully.

The thugs rounded on Yami Bakura. The big one kicked him in the back, causing him to keel over. He once again pinned Yami Bakura's arms behind his back and let the thugs continue their beating.

Yami Bakura's vision was going blurry, but he was determined to win. He kicked one of the thugs where it counted and elbowed the big one in the chest, winding him. "I warned you!" He shouted, laughing insanely. He slashed at the big thug, causing him to cower against the wall. "I…warned you…" He said in a deadly threatening tone. He lifted the knife up and stabbed it deep into the big guys chest. He twisted the blade, laughing like a mad man. "Don't you get it? I love blood!" He cried out laughing joyously.

The big guy tumbled over, unconscious.

Unknown to Yami Bakura, one cowardly thug came up from behind him and smashed a large metal pipe over his head. A sickening crack was heard as it connected with dark Bakura's skull.

Yami Bakura's eyes shot wide open in pain, but soon closed as he drifted out of consciousness.

"Now your treasure is mine!"

***

Yugi stared at the silver card in his hand. He kept flipping it over and over. "Do you have any idea why I was given this, Yami?" He asked, casually.

Yami shrugged. "I don't know, but I do know that it should be destroyed immediately! I don't remember much about my past, but I do know that, that card should have never been made. Pegasus was a fool to create it!"

Yugi sat up, more curious then ever now. "Why so, Yami?" He asked.

Yami closed his eyes and sighed. "That monster was the only monster in Egypt that could not be controlled at all. Even the God cards could be controlled if used properly. This card was different. As a monster it fed off of people with the purest hearts, corrupting their minds. Some would go mad within days, some would be tortured by nightmares so they would never sleep." He leaned against the couch. "Yugi, that card was evil itself. Created to grant an evil heart power and a good heart madness. It could look deep into your soul and pull out your darkest desires. It was a mix of power and pleasure. Once it found a host it liked it could consume and possess that person until that person became it!"

Yugi gulped. He put the card down on the table gently and backed away.

***

Ishizu sipped a cup of coffee as she watched Kaiba pace back and forth, arguing with someone one the phone.

"What? No! I said fire him!" He paused. "I want to know who was in charge of THAT!" He shifted the phone, so he could use both hands. He wrote something down on a piece of paper. "Right, right. Ok, yeah. Thanks!" He tossed the paper at Ishizu. "Huh? I'm at home. What? I did not escape because of that! I was…well fine! You're fired too!" He slammed the phone down and grabbed his head. "I need an aspirin."

Ishizu chuckled. "Looks like things didn't go as you had hoped?"

Kaiba shrugged. "Well, it seems I am now Domino's most wanted criminal. You are a traitor to the country and some new company is now in charge of the city. They are the ones that ran that blasted place!" He slammed his fist down on the edge of the coffee table. "Who's ever heard of punishment before a trial?"

Ishizu walked over to him and put her hand on his shoulder. He rounded on her, causing her to jump back.

"Sorry." He mumbled.

"Seto, I know how you feel. But, we can't do anything about it right now. Well, I'd better find a place to stay, before that incident is repeated again." She reached over for the phone, but Kaiba's hand clamped down on her wrist. She looked up, her eyes searching his.

He drew her closer to his face and leaned in toward her, his lips just barely touching hers.

Ishizu closed her eyes, waiting for the kiss, but he pulled away. "Seto?"

"You are welcome to stay here. No one will find you. Only Mokuba and I live here."

Ishizu hung the phone up and sighed. "I should be going. But thank you anyways." She turned to leave and once again felt Kaiba's hand clamp down on her wrist. Feeling slightly frightened now, she began to tug her wrist out of his grasp.

Kaiba kept an intense gaze on her, never letting go of her wrist. "Please…?" He asked in a soft whisper. His breath washed over her face like a gentle breeze. His eyes seemed to be pleading with her.

Ishizu sighed again and bowed her head. A tiny smirk played on her lips. She looked up at him and nodded.

Kaiba smiled warmly, but only for a moment, soon he was back to looking cold and unfeeling. "Thank you." He said sternly, releasing her hand and walking over toward his desk.

Ishizu shivered involuntarily. "What just happened?" She gasped.

***

Téa was laying spread eagle on her bed. Her eyes were staring blankly at the ceiling. "Why am I so tired?" She laid the back of her hand on her forehead. "So hot…" She started to drift off to sleep again when she heard a noise downstairs. "What was that?"

A bell sounded.

"Oh! It's the doorbell." She jumped off the bed and slid on the carpet toward the door. She opened it and was greeted with a sight she never thought she would see again.

"Marik?"

The blonde Egyptian smiled. "Hey, Téa! I'm sorry to bother you, but I left something here the other night. Mind if I check out your basement?"

Téa nodded and smiled. "Sure. Follow me."

Téa led him down the steep stairs, flicking on the light as she reached the last step. "What did you lose?"

Marik walked passed her and reached down for something lying on the floor. It was a gold dagger. It had a ruby incrusted on the tip of the handle and its blade was jagged like animal teeth. "This!" He said, holding out the magnificent blade.

Téa felt a bit nervous but shrugged it off. "It's beautiful! Where did you get it?"

Marik frowned. "It was…my fathers…"

Téa walked over to him and reached out to touch his shoulder but stopped herself. "I'm sorry…" She said softly.

Marik looked up at her and smiled. "It's alright. It's just a nightmare I'll have to live with." He reached out and brushed his hand across her cheek. "Thanks for caring, Téa." He flipped the dagger into the air, caught it and placed it in his pocket. "Well, I'll leave you be now."

Téa touched her cheek and felt her face flush. "Why…why don't you stay here again?" She asked, almost trance like.

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"

Téa nodded. "Yes, I really missed your company when you left." She felt her face growing really hot now. "Er, never mind." She looked away.

Marik laughed lightly. He pulled her over toward him and held her hands in his. "Téa, are you growing fond of me?" He teased.

Téa bowed her head so he couldn't see her face. "Umm…maybe…?"

Marik pulled her into his arms. "Good, because I'm growing fond of you."

He lifted her head up with his finger. His hand moved up her body to her face, brushing the cheek gently, he let his hand slip up into her hair. His other hand followed suit, his thumbs making slow circles on her reddening cheeks. Téa closed her eyes, feeling his gentle touch. Her hand strayed to his face and she also brushed her hand across his tanned cheek. He leaned his head into the warmth of her palm, sighing. Her other hand played with his white blond hair, massaging and caressing ever strand she touched. She looked up at him, and titled her head toward his. Marik leaned in, pulling her by her waist toward his body. No space was left between them. He leaned down toward her lips. After a moment of hesitation, their lips met in a slow and lingering kiss. A soft Marik pressed harder into the kiss, savouring its feel and then pulled away gently. His eyes were open very wide.

Téa's eyes fluttered open and she also had wide eyes. "Whoa…" She breathed.

Marik nodded. "Téa…" He whispered as he pulled her in for another kiss.

She gladly accepted. Her arms now wrapped tightly around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist. Soon they were lost in each other's arms, oblivious to the world around them. Yet something lingered in the back of Téa's mind. Why didn't this feel right?

To be continued…