Author's Notes: Thanks again for the great reviews! As for the question about the title, I just like how 'Yami no Yume' sounds better. Thanks though. Well, I was bored and decided to write chapter 6. It'll be a few days before chapter 7, so please enjoy! Things are just starting to get interesting! ^_~  (Marik/Tea and Yami Bakura/Tea chapter finally!)

Chapter 6:

If Ever You're In My Arms Again

Marik pulled back to stare into her sapphire eyes. Téa sighed and nuzzled into his neck, she slowly lowered her hands to his chest and pushed him back. They looked at each other, wondering what caused them to do such a thing.

Marik looked away ashamed. "I'm so sorry, Téa. I don't know what came over me. I guess; I'm just feeling a little lonely." He bowed his head. "I hope you don't think I was trying to take advantage of you."

Téa tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She always did this when she was nervous. "No, it's my fault. I was feeling just as lonely. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. You need a friend not some hormonal crazed teen." She blushed.

Marik still had his head bowed. He groaned, irritated at himself. "I'm such a fool…I…" He wasn't able to continue. Téa had grabbed his hand, pulling him down toward her.

"Come here." She said in a whisper.

Marik, feeling slightly unsure obeyed. "What are you doing?" He asked, trying to keep his composure.

Téa brought him down to the floor with her.  She began to gently stroke his hair. "Marik, I know how you feel. I really do. I want you to know I am here for you. But, if anything is to happen between us, we should take it slowly. I'm so sorry I went at you like I did. I've been so confused lately."

Marik sighed.  "What happened? You know you can tell me." His bright violet eyes looked up at her, curious and slightly sad.

Téa shifted so that she was leaning against the wall. "For some strange reason, I've been…having romantic dreams about Bakura.  Actually, it's not Bakura, but the spirit within the ring."

Marik shot up right and shouted. "Are you crazy? Why would you dream about him?"

Téa looked away, her eyes were downcast and shiny. "Um…"

Marik sighed. "I'm sorry, but I hate him. I didn't mean anything by it. Please continue."

Téa nodded. "It started out with him coming on to me, then soon I was coming on to him. Since then…I've realised just how lonely I really am. Ever since you spent that night with me, I've wanted to keep you around."

Marik looked sad. It felt like she was just using him. "So, you didn't mean it when you said you were fond of me?"

Téa shook her head. "No, I meant that. It's just; I want to take things slowly. After all, you were my first kiss. I don't want to jeopardize something that might become special." She ran her fingers up his arm, tracing the intricate patterns in his well-toned muscles. He shivered.

"I was your first?" He asked.

Téa reached up and touched her lips. "Yes, I've never had a guy want me before. Except for Bakura's darker half, but that was just a silly dream. I always assumed it was because I was ugly, or too much like the guys." She dropped her hand in her lap. "When you kissed me, I wanted to experience more, but was afraid to go too far with someone I was just getting to know."

Marik moved up closer to her, now sitting upright. "I want you to know…you were my first too. I know I might seem like the type of guy to have been with many girls, but I was too power hungry to actually have a normal teenage life." He leaned against the wall and chuckled.

Téa turned to look at him. She cocked her head to the side. "What's so funny?"

Marik put his hand behind his head and looked up at the ceiling. "We've both been in the same boat since we first me, and yet we're only becoming teens now, after all of the good years have already passed by."

Téa smiled. "I don't think like that. I think that it's wonderful I can finally be a teen. Yami told me to let it all go. I am doing that. But…something doesn't feel right."

Marik put his arm around Téa, pulling her closer to him. "I know what you mean. Téa, something dangerous is beginning, and I don't want you involved. But after those dreams you've had, I think it's already too late."

"What do you mean, Marik?"

Marik leaned his head against hers. "I can't explain it right now. I need to go to Kaiba corp. tomorrow. I think all of the answers will be there."

Téa glanced down at her watch. "It's not too late yet. I think I'm going to take a walk. Would you like to join me?" She asked, pulling away from his embrace and standing up.

Marik shook his head. "Thanks, but I should really be going. I'll see you again, I promise." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "Good night, Téa."

Téa blushed. "Good night, Marik!" She waved as he exited the basement door, leading out into her garden. She leaned against the door and sighed. "I should be going. It's eight and I promised mother I would be home by ten." She walked upstairs and pulled her coat out of the closet. Grabbing her keys, she left and headed off for the park.

The night air was welcoming after a hot day on the soccer field. Téa decided to take a short cut through an old alleyway she uses to get home quicker from school. "It's a bit dark, but if I run, I think I can make it safely. The street lights are just up ahead." She started down the alley, watching closely for any kind of movement.

Voices in the dark could be heard near the end of the alley.

"You can't keep fighting us! Give us that necklace now, pretty boy!"

Téa peeked around the corner and saw a group of thugs hovering over a body. She could only make out the legs. She saw a cop car parked across from the alley. She smirked and stepped out in front of the thugs.

"Hey, what do you think your doing?"

"Let's have some fun with her, boss!"

Téa's smirk grew wider. "I don't think so, boys. You see that lovely cop car over there?" She pointed behind her. "If I scream loud enough, they'll come and when they do, you won't be going anywhere except maybe prison!" She took in a deep breath.

"Ok, ok! We're out of here!"

The thugs ran off into the darkness.

Téa smiled and walked over to the body, kneeling down in front of it. It was a boy. White sweaty bangs were covering his eyes. "Bakura?" She gasped. She reached over and brushed his bangs to the side. A sticky substance remained on her hand as she pulled away. "Dear god…what did they do to you?" She patted his cheek gently. "Bakura? Open your eyes, please!"

Yami Bakura moaned. There was someone touching him. Its voice was high and soft. Something told him it wasn't a thug. The only problem was, he couldn't see anything. "Who…whose there?" Came his shaky reply.

Téa hushed him, stroking his cheek. "It's ok. It's me, Téa."

Yami Bakura sighed and slumped back.

"What happened?" She asked, helping him up. She lifted his arm up and put it over her head. Her arm went around his waist.

Yami Bakura gripped the ring around his neck. "They wanted…this…"

Téa bit her lip. "Those jerks…how could they do this to you? How…did you survive?" She asked herself more then him.

Yami Bakura laughed, but it turned into a cough. "I'm not Bakura."

Téa froze in place. "Oh…?" She asked, praying she heard him wrong.

"I won't let that fool take over. He wouldn't survive this. Why don't you just leave me here, now that you know I'm not your precious Bakura.

Téa shook her head. "I don't think so. Bakura or not, you are hurt and I won't leave you here. You're coming home with me, and don't argue!" She started to walk forward, but Bakura wouldn't follow.

"I don't need your help, girl." He pushed away and began to stand up. A wave of dizziness came over him and he fell forward.

"BAKURA!" Téa caught him just before he hit the ground. "You are in no condition to walk, let me help you, if not for you; for the other Bakura. Didn't you say you needed his body? It's his body you're hurting if you don't let me help!" She grunted, shifting his weight.

Yami Bakura didn't reply; he just let her lead him away from the alley and toward her house.

Téa reached the front door and dug into her pocket, searching for her key. "Thank god mom won't be home till midnight!" She clicked the door open and led Yami Bakura inside. She pulled out a towel and placed it on the beige couch her mother had bought. Mom would kill me if I got blood on her new couch!

Yami Bakura slumped down, hardly moving. Téa was really beginning to worry. He was so pale and weak. It was strange seeing him like that. She pulled out a first aid kit from the closet and sat down on the couch next to him.

"Just…what do you think your doing?" He spat, weakly.

"I'm saving you and your partner!" She huffed, flipping open the med kit. "Take your shirt off." She commanded.

Yami Bakura didn't move. "I'm fine."

"Look, if I have to, I will tear it off myself. Don't try me!" She snapped. "Please…just let me help."

Yami Bakura sighed and lifted his shirt up over his head, pulling it off. He handed it to her and crossed his arms, looking away.

Téa took the shirt and placed it on the table. She turned around and saw his back. Her eyes went wide and her jaw dropped.

There were deep slashes all over his pale skin, bruises the size of fists and dried blood smeared all over.

"Dear god…" She whispered. Her eyes stung with tears. She touched his shoulder gently. "Bakura…" She leaned her head against his shoulder, wishing she could comfort him some how.

Yami Bakura tensed up as he felt her head touch his shoulder. He was regretting letting her help. He had hoped this wasn't going to happen. He looked up at the ceiling, praying she would just disappear.

Téa wiped her tears away and started to poor a liquid onto a cloth. "This might sting, so please bare with me." She placed it on his cut, causing him to hiss slightly. "It's ok." She soothed. After she cleaned his cuts, she pulled out gauze and wrapped it around his back and chest. Once she was done, she closed up the kit and turned him around so he could face her.

"May I go now?" He asked irritably.

Téa sighed. "I think you should stay here."

"Why?"

"Because …you're blind…"

Yami Bakura bowed his head. He had hoped she wouldn't notice. He was already afraid and he didn't want to admit it. He had to keep up his cold façade. He started to stand, but two small hands clamped down on his shoulders. "Téa! Let me go!" He shouted in her face.

"NO!" Came her stern reply. "What are you so afraid of? Huh? Me? I won't hurt you!"

Yami Bakura stood up, wrenching her hands away form his shoulders. "YOU? I am NOT afraid of YOU!"

"Then what are you afraid of?" She huffed, crossing her arms.

Yami Bakura growled. "Afraid? You want to know?"

"Yes!"

"I'm afraid of not being able to see!!!" He shouted, breathing heavily. He realised what he just said, groaned and took off for the front door, feeling foolish and weak. He felt around, searching for the cold knob.

Téa stared blankly, taking it what he had confessed, but stopped thinking when she saw him stumbling toward the door. "Get back here!" She cried out, grabbing his arms.

Yami Bakura struggled, trying to push the girl away. He ended up throwing her to the side and falling to his knees. "GET AWAY FROM ME! LEAVE ME ALONE!" He shouted.

Téa backed up. She was afraid he had lost it. "Bakura…?"

"I DON'T NEED YOU! I DON'T NEED ANYONE! JUST DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Téa gulped. She'd never seen him like this before. He truly seems to have lost it. Was he dangerous? He looked like a child. Deciding to cast her fear away, she walked over to the sobbing boy. "It's ok. I'm here." She soothed, touching his shoulder. He flinched, but didn't stop her. He was grabbing his head in pain. She wrapped her arms around him, rocking him slowly. "It's ok…" She mumbled. "Everything will be alright."

Yami Bakura relaxed a little, still grabbing his head. It was pounding out of control, blocking out everything around him. He couldn't see, he could barely here and he was in so much pain. He'd never felt so helpless before. Being blind was new to him. He could only smell, touch and just barely hear. He could smell Téa's shampoo; feel her warm arms around him and just make out her gentle voice.

"I know you're afraid, but I promise I won't tell anyone about your weakness. Just let me take care of you, as I would do for all of my friends. After all, Bakura is within you, and I won't let him suffer either." She did something after that, that she would regret. She kissed him on his forehead.

Yami Bakura looked up in shock, he could feel her breath on his face. His feelings overwhelmed him at that moment and he pulled her down to him, kissing her.

Téa's eyes shot open. This is not what she was expecting. She felt him grab her roughly by the shoulders and pushed her away from him.

Yami Bakura was breathing heavily. His mouth was hung open and his faded eyes were wide with horror. "I need to get out of here!" He cried, running back to where he hoped the door was. He opened it and ran out, without looking back.

"Bakura! No! Come back!" Téa cried.  Hanging onto the porch's post, she watched him disappear into the darkness. "Why did you kiss me?"

To be continued…