Chapter Eleven:
First Move
It seemed like Malik had wandered across every square inch of Domino, trying to walk off the confusion and underlying fear clinging tightly to his thoughts and his heart. Marik's venomous words still rang clearly in his ears, sending shutters of revulsion through the flaxen haired youth.
He took care to avoid a group of chattering teenagers as he rounded a corner, his lilac eyes trained fastly on the ground. How in the hell does yami know about my attachment to Ryou? he asked listlessly. I never once let my defenses down and it was only one kiss.
And one admission, the small voice, known as reason, whispered to him.
Malik growled and shoved his hands in his jeans pockets. I wasn't even in my right mind. With Marik cackling and plotting world domination in the back of my mind, how could I have been sane?
Isn't love funny? Admit it, Ishtar. You fell for Ryou the second you saw him, that annoying little voice replied lightly.
I... He was handsome, I'll give him that. Even still, it wasn't that mythical "love at first sight". I'm not even sure I have feelings for him now, Malik tried to convince himself.
The voice chuckled. You're afraid to hurt him.
...I'm arguing with myself over a dead tenshi-
Slip of speech, Maly.
"I'm arguing with myself. Maybe I have gone off the deep end," Malik muttered to himself, wishing he could shut himself out like he could Marik.
And you're talking to yourself.
The Egyptian shook his head and decided if he ignored his logical side, it would give up and go haunt Marik instead. Unfortunately, no such luck was present.
You can't even admit it to yourself that you're in love with Ryou. If you ask me, I think you're head over heels for the kid. the voice prodded.
Shut up. I didn't ask Ishizu, Rishid, or Marik. And I sure as hell didn't ask myself what I think. Malik stumbled on an errant soda can, nearly falling to his knees.
[[I'm glad to hear you've detached yourself from Ryou so quickly,]] Marik sneered as Malik kept walking.
The seventeen-year-old sighed, crossing the almost empty streets. [I was never attached to him to begin with.] Malik ignored the small "dirty liar" that floated over his thoughts. I can't be attached to Ryou. It would mean death to him.
[[I'm so very glad to hear that, hikari,]] Marik purred before disappearing into the shadows of his soul room again.
Malik sighed and was about to sit down when the Ring gave an inexplicable tug to the right. Lilac eyes darted down to the precious trinket to see one of the spears glowing and pointing in a diagonal direction. The hell is going on? The Egyptian touched the Ring and suddenly, it was all but dragging him in the direction only it knew.
It's possessed, I swear. Malik managed to pull the Ring from around his neck before it gave him a rope burn, switching to a healthy jog to keep up with the strong pull of the Item. Wait. Bakura once said this damned Ring can sense the presence of the other Items.
The teenager's eyebrows knit together. There would be only two people that the persistent Item had sensed. Shadii or Yugi. Somehow, Malik highly doubted that the desert nomad would be traversing Domino in an effort to piss off the Rare Hunter.
So that left Yugi. And wherever Yugi was, Yami, Ryou, and Bakura were not far behind.
Just my luck, Malik glowered sourly, yelping when the Ring jerked him straight into a closed door. "Ra forsaken pain in the ass," he spat at the innocently gleaming Item. Malik peeled himself off the the formerly shiny glass surface and peered inside the building.
Judging by the multitude of games littering the inner area, the Egyptian had to guess the Ring had dragged him to the arcade Bakura always spoke so highly of. Lilac eyes narrowed as their owner stepped inside the slightly warmed building, the sounds of unhappy shouting assaulting unprepared ears.
"JUST ANSWER THE GODDAMN QUESTION!" a voice, so unmistakably infected with a Brooklyn accent, screamed. The command was closely followed by a crash.
Malik winced, taking refuge behind the pinball machine Duke had been playing with earlier. He had identified the voice as being Joey Wheeler's and if the typically sweet mannered American was that angry, to be found would result in an untimely end.
"I-I calm down, Joey, and let me explain."
Eh, yep. That's Ryou, Malik snickered fondly, catching the barest hints of a British inflection in Yugi's voice.
"Is this your idea of a sick joke?" a third voice, easily identified as Tristan Taylor's, growled.
Wow. What in the hell did those two get themselves into now? Malik poked his head around the corner of the pinball machine, spying an armed Joey and Tristan ganging up on a highly nervous looking Yami and "Yugi". Must have been pretty bad to piss the Village Idiots off.
"Guys, stop chasing them and I think they'll respond," Duke tried, wisely staying out of the way at any rate.
"Yes, guys, please," Ryou agreed, gulping when he was backed into a Street Fighter game. "Yami's been upset about my-Ryou and Bakura's passing lately. He's been suffering flashbacks and the such."
Malik sighed, the puzzle finally falling into perspective. The Pharaoh must have said something stupid, he guessed, sneaking over to the change machine in the middle of the room.
"Why? I though Bakura and Yami hated each other," Joey sneered.
Ryou looked at Yami, apology written all over his face, as he blurted out, "It was an act. They were actually secret lovers."
The Pharaoh sighed and shook his head.
"That's such a load of shit. Lovers don't try to kill each other," Joey growled, raising the rather thicking looking text book he was holding.
Malik suddenly pitched forward when the Ring yanked him towards the Puzzle, a chain reaction from an obvious switch between Ryou and Bakura. Damn it. I'm outta here.
[[Not to fast little hikari. It's not nice to leave little Ryou and Bakura in this mess all alone,]] Marik taunted before mind shuffling with Malik before the younger Egyptian could resist.
"Why do you think I kissed him?" Bakura spat out.
Marik smirked as he got to his feet, casually leaning against the machine Malik had been hiding behind. So, Pharaoh's got a thing for the tomb robber? That's too rich. The psychotic Spirit finally ventured forward, taking up a perch behind Duke.
"How in the Hell should we know?" Tristan hissed. "We're not psychic."
"Psychic, no. Psycho, yes," Marik quipped.
There was a mixed reaction of gasps and yelps as those present turned to regard the Rod guardian. Duke, being the closest, made a quick get away to Yami's side while Joey and Tristan turned their text books in Marik's direction.
"What in the hell are you doing here?!" the former growled, his voice belying an underlying fear.
Marik shrugged, toying with the spears of the Millennium Ring idly. "I was wandering around the town and I happened to find myself here," he replied casually.
"I thought I destroyed you after our duel," Yami pointed out, moving forward to place himself between his friends and Ryou's would be murderer.
"That's the funny thing about magic. Once you learn how to use it, you can do the strangest things." Marik's dusty lilac eyes met the Pharaoh's amethyst ones squarely. "Things like disappear into thin air, for example."
Bakura stepped up next to Yami, fists clenched. "What do you want with us, bastard? Another bloodletting?" His striped eyes flashed dangerously.
Marik finally got to his feet, the Ring suddenly casting golden shadows across his face. "Not quite, tomb robber." A feral smirk crossed his lips as his stolen Item flashed, blindingly bright, before falling dormant once more. "It's too early."
Joey, Tristan, and Duke were rendered unconscious in the wake of the Shadow magic; Marik had abandoned his control and let Malik take over again to deal with the repercussions of his actions.
Bakura, predictably tried to pounce on a highly unaware Malik, but Yami's strong arms wound around his chest. "Let me go, Pharaoh. I wanna shred that scarab to pieces!"
Malik backed away from the irate Ring guardian. "Marik's laughing his ass off in his soul room. Please leave a message," he quipped, taking another step back just for safety's sake.
"I kill you, I kill him!" Bakura growled, struggling forward. "Goddamn it, Pharaoh, when did you acquire actual muscle?" he added venomously.
Yami soundly whacked the other Egyptian. "Shut up, Bakura." His eyes met those of Malik solemnly. "What do you, and your dark side for the matter, want with us?"
Malik shoved his hands in his pockets, hissing when the movement upset his wounded shoulder. "Marik wanted to screw with your heads. I, unfortunately, was just along for the ride." The flaxen haired teenager headed for the door. "Do yourselves a favor and expect him to show up again."
"Ugh, Yami! Let me go! Malik, wait up!"
The Egyptian halted his exit at the sound of the gentle, British voice that haunted him. Malik turned slowly, letting the glass door close to ward off the chill of impending nightfall. "Ryou, I suppose?"
Ryou nodded and strode up to Malik with a boldness that belied his inner fear. "You have my Ring, I want it back right now."
The older teenager stifled a laugh. Here was Ryou in a five foot nothing body making demands that could have him put in his grave again. "Are you sure I have the Ring?" He hated to be cruel and it was abstract to see Yugi acting like Ryou, but the Brit's presence soothed Malik's raging guilt complex.
"Yes, you bloody moron! It's mine, I won it in a duel and I want it back!" Ryou growled, crossing his arms.
"Technically, Yugi won it. And I wouldn't give the Ring to him if you paid me."
"Well, I'm not paying you. I'm telling you to," Ryou replied, his temper kicking whatever fear he felt out the backdoor. "Now hand it over."
Just make your move, that damned little voice whispered.
Malik rolled his eyes at his own mind's urgings, but didn't see much harm in following his own advice. He leaned close to Ryou's ear and whispered, "If you want the Ring back, meet me at the boardwalk at seven."
"Are you insan... Yeah, you are," Ryou hissed.
Malik smirked and brushed a feather light kiss in the irate teenager's cheek. "I'll see you at seven, Ryou," he murmured before making his grand escape into the approaching dusk.
Ryou stood rooted in place, a hand on his face. Whatever just happened, it better happen again, he thought with a degree of giddy felicity.
Yami walked over, placing a hand on Ryou's shoulder. "Are you okay?" he asked, having only heard Ryou making vain demands to Malik. "What happened?"
Ryou fought back a grin. "Nothing. I'm meeting Malik at the boardwalk tonight at seven. I take it he's going to give the Ring back."
The Pharaoh chuckled, hearing the barely tamed glee in his charge's voice. "I see. Are you going to accept his invitation?"
Ryou nodded faintly. "Yes. But," he added, having noticed the double-edged use of the word "invitation". "It's only to get the Ring back. Don't go thinking this is a date or anything."
"Trust me, I never thought any such thing," the former Pharaoh replied wisely. "You dedication to your cause is noble."
Ryou fought back a smirk. Yep, I'm just going to get the Ring and my life back. "Thanks Yami no Yugi. Now, let's see how much of Joey, Tristan, and Duke's minds Marik erased," he suggested. Yeah. I'm only going to do my job. The date's just a fringe benefit!
* * * *
"So, nii-san, what exactly are we going to the museum for?" Mokuba asked, locking his fingers together behind his head. "I mean, more specifically then to hear an 'end of the world' story?"
Seto smiled. "That's about the long and short of it, Mokuba." The teenaged CEO ran fingers through his hair before tucking into his jeans pocket.
"If you know what this lady's gonna say, then why are you even bothering to go?"
"It's quite complicated, ototou-chan, but something's telling me that I should go and see Miss Ishtar," Seto replied thoughtfully.
"Miss Ishtar? Oh! Ishizu Ishtar. She was the scary necklace lady that dueled against you at Battle City!" Mokuba suddenly pointed out.
The strange label his brother used for Ishizu made Seto laugh. "Why do you call her 'the scary necklace lady'?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Well, she had what she called the Millennium Necklace and she was always moping around and telling people, in short, that they were doomed. I'm sorry, but she scared the crap out of me," Mokuba explained, looking up at the older Kaiba. "What's so funny?"
"You remember the two Rare Hunters in the tournament?"
Mokuba searched his memory, shuttering when he remembered said thieves. "Unfortunately, yeah I do."
"They were Ishizu's brothers."
Mokuba's eyes widened. "They were what?! I thought they just knew each other." The pre-teen flushed slightly. "Not that I was really paying attention..."
"I didn't expect you to. As long as you knew the rules, enforced them, and carried my briefcase, I didn't care what you did," Seto quipped with an affectionate ruffle of Mokuba's hair. "So, Ishizu seem so scary now?"
The Japanese youth shook his head vigorously. "Malik didn't scare me that badly. I mean, aside from having a severe case of split personality, he didn't seem that bad. But the other one, I think Rishid was his name... He made Miss Ishtar look normal!"
Seto chuckled again. "You have a strange opinion of people."
Mokuba raised an eyebrow, a scowl crinkling his features. "I do? What about yourself? You hate the guy that's saved your ass a million times and date the other guy you live to humiliate."
"What's that have to do with anything?" Seto asked shortly. "Yugi is a thorn in my side and Joey knows it's only for show."
"Still. You're saying I've got a strange opinion of people and you... Ah, never mind." Following the statement, Mokuba threw his hands up in the air. "You're hopeless!"
"Arigatou, Mokuba." Seto shook his head at his pouting sibling and looked up seconds before he collided with a small group. He managed to move in time, but Mokuba wound up tripping into the tallest of the conscious teenagers.
"Oi, Joey!" the small Kaiba grinned after having righted himself. "Yugi, Yami no Yugi, konnichiwa!" he greeted. "What's wrong with Tristan and Duke?"
"Long story, Mokuba," Yami replied shortly, his eyes drifting over to Joey and Seto. He could feel a fight starting already.
"You look like shit, Chihuahua," Seto sneered conversationally. "Been digging in the dirt too long?"
Joey growled. "Can it, Kaiba."
"Oh, I'm scared." Seto smirked in the face of Joey's growing "frustration". He leaned down to pick up a stick, fighting back a laugh when he saw his koi flip him off, a gesture seen only by the two of them.
"Stop it, Kaiba. It's been a long day for us and we have to get Tristan and Duke home," Yugi pointed out wearily, not wanting to have to listen to the infamous bickering.
"Yeah, Kaiba." Joey grabbed the stick and threw it. "You and Mokuba go play fetch. We're outta here." He grinned cockily.
Faster then the eye could really catch, Seto had removed the belt from his waist and wrapped it around the American's neck. "Bad dog," he growled, trying to keep the playfulness out of his tone.
"Kaiba! You lousy bastard!" Joey growled, trying to launch at his koi.
Seto moved aside. As he still had his belt in hand, the movement caused Joey to trip when he yanked. "You should be in obedience school... Not like you'd learn anything." The CEO smirked in his usual way and handed the leader to Yami.
"Kaiba... You're going to pay for this," Joey hissed as he righted himself, coffee eyes flaring in a manner that spelled a few, very lonely nights for Seto if he kept it up. He took the belt from his neck with a scowl. "But I've got better things to do."
Mokuba, by this time, was in near stitches at the silent threats the blond kept throwing at his brother. Someone's gonna be sleeping on the couch! he snickered to himself. "C'mon Seto. We've gotta get going."
"Indeed." Seto turned, shooting Joey one more, apologetic look. "I'll see you again, puppy," he warned in a light tone.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Jerk."
Seto grinned as he and Mokuba rounded the corner before the latter bust a gut laughing. "What's so funny?"
"You're gonna be one lonely guy tonight!" Mokuba teased. "Wait, go back and taunt Joe some more."
"Why?"
"That way I'll get a week of uninterrupted sleep!"
"You little-"
Mokuba smirked in a manner reminiscent to his brother. "So, we off to see the wizard?" he asked, trying to prevent an hour-long lecture from Seto about the virtues of staying out of his love life.
Seto thought about it for a second before shaking his head. "I think I have a little damage control to run. Ishizu can wait."
Mokuba shook his head and followed after his taller sibling. "You're going to have to shove your tongue down his throat pretty far to make up for that stunt," he muttered under his breath.
"Oh, that is so it!" Seto rumbled, turning on Mokuba with a crazed look in his eyes.
Without being told, Mokuba screamed and tore past the eighteen-year-old, not looking back to see if he was in pursuit or not. Me and my big mouth!
[grin] Sugar's goooooooood. Ahem… Yeah. 'Nother sugar-high chapter. Sorry that it's short, but stupid chores keep getting in my way. -_______-U
Animegirl: lol! Don't feel too bad, chica. What information I've gotten is from the Internet and from friends who have friends who have the Japanese Yu-Gi-Oh! [sweatdrop] But, I'm glad you liked the chapter! [glomps Animegirl] Makes my work more enjoyable when I know people are enjoying it as well. ^)^ (And yes, there is no effective way to destroy Marik.)
Akuro: Yesh, sugar is very good. ^)^U It wreaks havoc on your ability to focus, but is a good weapon against annoying writer's block and pesky little brothers who wanna see what you're writing. ^)^
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Chapter Twelve Trailer:
Malik got to his feet then, approaching the other blond with grace akin to a hunting lion. "You wouldn't be here by chance of my sister's summons, would you?" he asked lightly.
Joey shook his head. "Nope. I was just wandering around when I realized where I was wandering exactly." Coffee eyes met lilac, narrowing with a small burst of anger when a random thought broadsided him. "Why in the hell do you have the Rod still? I watched you give it to Yugi!"
Malik shrugged. "Why should I hand over what's rightfully mine?" A chilling smirk smothered his lips. "Maybe I took it back with an intention of pursuing my goals further?"
Joey took a deep breath to steel his nerves. "You've failed once. Stop embarrassing yourself and go home," he shot back.
Malik ran a curved blade over the American's cheek. "What if I want you to help me overcome the Pharaoh again?"
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