Ok, there seems to be some slight controversy here.-_- I'll explain at the
end of this chapter.
To KiraKura: Um--- you're absolutely correct, just ignore me. It's around 2:48 am and I'm out of it sometimes when I write the chapters.
I think most people figured it out by now. You guys are clever. If you haven't, you should definitely realize it in this chapter. It's filled with a bit of fluff as well.
It's a loooong chapter. About time, eh?
Thanks for the reviews though, at any rate!
Chapter 7
Ryou crept silently through the halls. He looked in the laundry room--- nope. Next he looked in the kitchen--- not there either. Then he looked in the bedrooms--- not even there. "Hm- Where could he be?"
Bakura had told Marik to go to bed and they would speak further of the situation in the morning. Thank goodness, for Ryou was, well, a tad distressed.
He turned the corner and barely caught a flash of black before it grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground, pinning his arms at the sides of his head.
Ryou opened his eyes and smiled. "I was wondering where you were, Yami Marik." ((AN: grr- I can't take it. For a little bit while he's talking, Ryou'll just call him "Marik"))
"I told you not to call me that," he said, flashing a conniving smile. "'Marik' will do," he said and released Ryou's hands.
Ryou gently brushed his fingertips over ((EVIL-)) Marik's lips. "I've missed you, you know."
Marik smirked deviously and leaned down to kiss Ryou, but Ryou placed his hand abruptly on Marik's chest. "What is it?"
Ryou frowned, "They know about you now."
Marik rolled his eyes, "I told you it was only a matter of time."
"Yes, but, Bakura will kill you."
Marik laughed cynically, "I'd like to see him try. Besides, I'll kill him first."
Ryou sat up and gave Marik a truly forlorn look. "Marik, if you kill him, I'll die as well."
"Well, he deserves death. Besides, I'll find a way to bring you back somehow, I do have partial control over the shadow realm," his scheming smirk returned.
"But Marik, that's not the point," he shook his head and closed his eyes, slowly beginning to fall back.
Yami Marik sneered, "Ryou," he grabbed him by the shoulders and looked at him. His glower multiplied ten fold. "Bakura-" he released the dark one's shoulders allowing him to fall back onto the bed.
Bakura almost immediately awoke. He sat up quickly and looked around suspiciously. "Huh?" On his bed in front of him laid Marik.((AN: 'Good' Marik)) "Hm-" he scanned the room once more and pulled Marik further onto the bed, covering him up as he did so. When he glanced at the clock he almost cursed. It was 4:32 am. He still had plenty of hours to sleep, but, he wasn't tired in the least.
He pushed back the covers, making sure not to awake Marik, and headed outside.
In the vast darkness outside, Bakura felt strangely at home. Of course, anything ominous and gloomy was definitely his forte. He stared out into the open sky almost searching for something- an answer? If so, then an answer to what? Why he was 'the way' he was? Nah, he could tell anyone that. So then, maybe it was how he could hurt people the way he did. Still no, he knew that answer as well. Maybe--- he was searching for someone who would listen. No one ever wanted to know, except for Ryou but he was another story, and everyone else was just too afraid to ask.
Bakura wasn't sure how long he stared out aimlessly into the skies. He had definitely come to a conclusion though, he would have to tell Marik how he felt- soon.
He stood up and headed into the house just as the sun was rising.
--
Some hours later, Marik had awoken and had eaten another silence-filled breakfast, despite the better occurrences of the previous day. Bakura was the one to finally break it.
"So, about this whole Yami Marik thing--- are you sure you saw him?" he asked.
Marik sighed, "Yes, I'm sure I did."
"Well, that doesn't really explain anything, except the fact that I want him seriously injured."
Marik smiled, despite the seriousness of the subject, "You know, it's weird. I kept hearing these voices, well, the same voice each time. It must've been him."
Bakura raised an eyebrow, "Hearing voices, um, don't blame your Yami for your serious mental handicap."
Marik laughed lightly, "Yes, I suppose the title of 'Yami' pertains to you as well. Say, do you haunt Ryou as well?"
Bakura smirked, "You have no idea."
"Well, what clues do we even have that Yami Marik actually exists? Just a messed up reflection?"
"Hey, I'm not the one who saw it. If you ask me I think you're hearing AND seeing things," he ignored the warning glance he received. "Wouldn't you be able to sense him if he was here?"
"I don't know."
Bakura focused his angry glare at the table, "Marik, you have no idea how much I hate your Yami."
Marik looked at him a bit confused, "Why? Besides the obvious. Ok, maybe he was totally ruthless, and evil, and mean-"
"And unfair, and unjust, and merciless. The list goes on."
"True. Well, he did steal both our bodies as well, I had forgotten about that."
"I hadn't."
"Um, Bakura, maybe you aren't the best person to be talking about being unfair-, or unjust, or even merciless for that matter-"
Bakura shot him a deadly glance, "Don't even go there, Mr. "I want to the Pharaoh's powers and will do anything to get them.""
Marik only raised an eyebrow. "Fine, we're even. Anyways, I know he's still here."
"First you think, now you know?"
"I don't know, you're confusing me."
"Hm," Bakura stood up, ran to the sink with his cup, and filled it with water. "I have an idea." He walked back over to the table. "Ok, now Marik, listen---" he spilled the water out onto the table.
Marik gave him a confused look. "Um, you think I'M weird?"
"Just look into the water!"
Marik sighed, and began to lean forward, but stopped.
Bakura crossed his arms, "What is it now?"
"Nothing---" he swallowed and looked into the water. He was so afraid that he would see Yami Marik's reflection. "Huh?!" he pulled back.
Bakura stepped closer, "What did you see?"
"Oh my gosh, it was--- it was---"
"What was it?!"
Marik broke into a tricky smiled. "Just kidding. I didn't see anything. Look for yourself."
Bakura bared his teeth and glowered, but did look at Marik's reflection.
He hadn't lied. It was Marik's reflection, no one else's. "Marik, we're back to where we started."
Marik shook his head, "I know what I saw though," his expression had turned serious, "it was him, I know it."
Bakura puckered a brow and placed his hand on Marik's, "We'll figure this out."
Marik looked from his hand to Bakura. "Um, I hope so," he looked away slightly embarrassed.
Bakura quickly removed his hand and straightened up while clearing his throat. "I've wanted to tell you something Marik."
Marik restored eye contact with him, "Yes?"
"Well, uh, you see-"
The telephone picked the worst time to ring.
Marik stood up quickly, "I'll get that." He ran to the phone and picked it up -"Hello?--- um yes, why?--- actually--- no---- yes--- but how did you--- no--- no--- yes--- he's not here right now---" he shot a warning glance up at Bakura. "---Yes, of course--- yep--- fine--- alright, goodbye." He hung up the phone and groaned.
Bakura tilted his head, "Who was that?"
"The principal."
"How did he know you were here?"
"That's what I want to know," he looked out the window.
"Well, what did he want?"
"Me. He wanted me to come to school today to help him move stuff around or something."
"Did you say no?"
"Of course, but he just kept pressing the matter, so I just said yes. He even wanted to know where you were."
"Strange. Marik, I don't like that guy at all. I'd rather see him suffer in the shadow realm."
Marik smirked, "so would I. Well, I better get over there, wouldn't want to keep him waiting-" he said sarcastically.
"Don't even joke like that. I'm coming with you," he said.
"Thanks," he stood up and grabbed his jacket along with Bakura's. "Let's go then."
Bakura sighed, "Alright."
They put on their coats and exited the house, making sure to close the door.
From the shadows, someone giggled.
Yami Marik removed his hand from Ryou's mouth. "Thank goodness they're finally gone."
Ryou breathed a sigh of relief, "Yeah, I thought you were going to suffocate me."
Yami Marik raised an eyebrow, "I still might."
Ryou faced him with that same worried look upon his face. "Do you know how close that was?"
"Not at all."
"Very! Marik still thinks you are here. They would've found you today if it weren't for my idea."
Yami Marik laughed evilly, "Look where your idea got us-" he held up his hand which had turned semi-transparent.
"Well, at least they didn't find you," he looked down at his see-through body.
"Ryou, it's going to take a lot more than a little water trick to discover me," he smirked.
Ryou shook his head, "If Bakura wants something found, he'll find it." He looked up at Marik with worried eyes, "He'll find you."
Yami Marik wanted to burst out laughing at the preposterous assumption. Bakura? Find HIM? That would probably never happen. Well, probably. "Ryou, you're taking this far too seriously."
"Well, one of us has to."
"So then, what can we do to pass the time?" he asked changing the subject.
"Uh-" he looked at Marik's face which held the same conniving grin as usual, "Not *that* if that's what you're thinking," he warned.
"You read my mind. Why not?" he reached out to grab Ryou but found that his hands went straight through him.
"THAT'S why. If we don't get reunited with our other selves soon, we'll disappear completely."
"I don't believe this. I had plans. This is one of the only times we're left *alone* in the house," he exhaled noisily and went to sit down, falling straight through the chair.
Ryou brought a hand to his mouth. "Oh my---" he couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. He really couldn't help it. When someone of that stature- well- falls through a chair- it's hilarious.
Marik shot one of the most wicked looks up at Ryou, who didn't notice it, and pretty much pounced towards Ryou.
Same results.
Yami Marik went straight through him landing IN the sofa.
Ryou was practically in tears. "Marik let me help you up," he walked towards the sofa, "Wait, where are you?" he broke once again into laughter.
"Ryou, I SWEAR, when we get out bodies back, you're in BIG trouble!" a bellowing voice yelled.
Ryou did quiet down after that. "Well, we'll just have to wait until they get back I guess."
Yami Marik rose from 'inside' the sofa and came to stand in front of Ryou. "Where did they go?" he asked, with a wry smile.
"Uh, to school I think," he sighed, "HE needs their help."
"Wait, who's 'he'?" he asked.
"The Principal."
The smile disappeared. "Wait--- is he the one who pushed Bakura into the pond and almost got you killed?"
"Um, I think so, yes."
Yami Marik crossed his arms and closed his eyes, pondering a few things. The moment that all-too-familiar manipulative smirk played across his face, Ryou began to worry.
"Marik, what are you thinking?" he asked. "It's better if we stay here--- we ARE staying here and WAITING on them to get back--- ok?"
Yami Marik shook his head. "I beg to differ. Let's go pay a visit to this 'Principal.' It seems like there's a lesson to be learned here. Do you know what that lesson is Ryou?"
"No."
"Don't mess with things that belong to me."
--
Marik shuffled through the papers in the dark office. He had been asked to grade a few stacks, but when the room you're in is void of all light, it makes things a bit more difficult.
Thank goodness he was alone in the office- at the time being. The Principal was off yelling at some others kids that had been asked to help, and Bakura had been asked work in the copier room right next door.
Bakura was not enjoying his job at all. He couldn't figure out how to copy a paper. The first time he had tried, he had practically been blinded by some sort of accursed light, and the second time, all his paper had disappeared somewhere. He had gotten printouts of everywhere from hands to faces, but no words.
He was getting ready to destroy the damned machine when all the electricity went out.
Marik hadn't even noticed the change. The room was already dark enough. He did hear the door open though, and close soon after.
He looked up quickly into the vast dimness before him. "Hello?"
"Marik, it seems there's been a power shortage. Nothing to be too worried about I assure you." It was Principal Satome.
Marik scootched back slightly in his chair. "Oh." He was skeptical. A power outage? Now? There wasn't even a storm outside. It only had to be about noon also. "Well then sir," he stood up slowly from his chair, "I'll be leaving then. I can't work if I can't see-" he started towards where he thought the door was, but as luck would have it, he ran in to someone. "Sorry," he said and pulled back.
Principal Satome smirked. "Don't be. I believe we have some unfinished business to talk about anyways."
Marik raised an eyebrow, "We do?"
"Yes. You know Marik, I didn't ask you to come here to grade papers."
"You didn't?" he asked and took a step back.
"Hehe, no, I didn't. You can stop playing your little games now. I think you know what I really want---" he said suggestively.
Marik glowered, "You're a sick man."
A slight breeze blew in from the window, and the door burst open. Marik half expected to see Bakura, but, instead he saw Ryou.
"Sorry to interrupt," Ryou said, smiling sheepishly.
"Huh?" The Principal turned from Ryou to Marik, but, something was different. All the 'fear' that had surfaced on his face before had disappeared, replaced by a devious smirk.
Principal Satome was slightly confused but he barely had time to think before a beam of light sent him flying into the wall.
Ryou made sure to get out of the way.
'Marik' walked over to the shaken man who struggled to his feet with a murderous look on his face. "What, are you angry at me Mr. Principal?--- Good." He sent another beam at the man sending him right through the door.
'Marik' walked out into the hallway and took his place in front of the man. The Principal quickly looked up at him with eyes full of alarm.
"Wh-Who are y-you?" he asked.
Marik raised his head revealing a brightly glowing Sennen eye. "Why, can't you see?," he outstretched his hand toward the guy, "I'm Marik." His eyes went wide and his grin turned deadly, "Now, say goodbye!" A faint trace of light began to form in his palm.
Ryou ran over to him and grabbed ahold of his wrist. "No Yami Marik, don't!"
He looked at him like he was crazy. "Why not? This man deserves to die."
"Maybe so, but Marik," he looked into his eyes with sorrow, "You're not a killer."
For a moment, he was taken back by the white-haired boy's words. He sighed and the light faded from his hand. "Fine Ryou, you win. Instead, I'll send his mind to the shadow realm. That'll be fun. Alright?"
"As long as you don't kill him," he said and softly smiled.
This time, a purple and black electric charge formed around Yami Marik's body. In a few moments, the light had passed from his body, to the principal's and the last thing anyone heard was him yelling.
Moments later, the electricity came back on revealing two VERY confused teens. Bakura blinked a few times and looked around trying to make some sense out of the mess of splintered wood around them, while Marik tried to figure out why Principal Satome was staring seemingly into nothingness. He was still breathing, but he just didn't seem as if he was all there.
"Hey Bakura, what's wrong with him?" he asked and turned to the taller guy.
"Hm," he walked over to the immobile body, "I'm not sure. Wait a-" he looked closer at his eyes. "His mind has been sent to the shadow realm," he said and pulled back confused.
"By whom?" he asked.
Bakura narrowed his gaze, "I don't know. Let's get out of here. I really don't feel like getting involved in something like this."
Marik fell to his knees, "So then, he's gone forever?"
"Yes, I doubt anyone will ever want to save him."
Marik smiled, "Thank heavens."
"Would you get up off the floor please? We have to go."
"Oh, sorry." He stood up and left the school with Bakura.
"MARIK ISHTAR! Get over here now!"
Both boys froze.
Marik turned slightly and his eyes went wide. "Ishizu? What are you doing here?"
Ishizu flashed warning in her eyes, "Marik, my brother, do not ask ME what I am doing here. I sensed YOU using shadow powers! And, more importantly," she stalked up to them both, "What are you doing here with Bakura?"
"Uh, nothing?"
"Is that a question?"
"Um--- no?"
"Marik! What is Bakura even doing here?" she focused her grave gaze on the former tomb-robber. "I demand to know why you're with my brother."
Bakura snickered, "YOU demand to know? Your brother can answer that question."
"There is NOTHING funny here Bakura." She turned to Marik, "You're coming home with me right now! Where's the person you've been staying with?"
Marik shrugged.
"Oh my gosh," she brought a hand to her mouth, "Tell me it's not him-" she looked at Bakura. For a moment, a flash of understanding flickered in her eyes, then it was gone, replaced by a stern look. "Marik, we have to go now," she said quietly. "I am very disappointed in you."
Marik was going to protest, but knew he wouldn't win. He really didn't know what to say. They were so close to finding out what was going on. Why did Ishizu have to be so overpowering? Did she want his life to be miserable?
He turned slightly toward Bakura and tried his best for a small smile. It ended up turning into a full-blown hug. "Goodbye Bakura," he said and quickly pulled away, slowly walking to his sister's side.
Before Ishizu left, she darted one last forewarning look at Bakura. Then, they were both gone.
Bakura was really confused. Did that really happen? It couldn't have. No. He was gone again, slipped though his grasp, and he hadn't even gotten to say what he wanted to him. How he truly felt; that didn't matter anymore. It was all too good to be true. Or maybe, it was too wrong to be right.
Bakura focused his cynical 'smile' in the direction Marik took off towards. 'I'm such a fool, such a fool.'
--
Marik threw his coat on the rack, "I still don't understand Ishizu, why can't I be his friend again? Is it possibly because he, yes, may have done some terrible things in his past, but for heaven sake, can we not give him another chance? That's what you're always saying!"
Ishizu remained calm. "This is true Marik. But, what he did in the past was terrible! He strongly disrespected the Pharaoh, and hurt those associated with him."
"So? That was his old life! He doesn't even remember very much about it anymore."
"I don't care Marik, you are not to speak with him anymore, is that clear?"
Marik shook his head, "No, it's not. You know, you can go around saying, "I know there's good in my brother" and things such as that and so, I'm going to tell you, I KNOW there's good in Bakura, and you can't stop me form seeing him."
"Oh yes I can."
"No you can't!" he yelled and left the kitchen, and slammed the door.
Ishizu buried her face in her hands. No. Her own brother, taken away by one of her former enemies? It was too much. But, she could also see how much Marik cared about him and how much Bakura cared about Marik. It was strange: how one could go from hating life and everything associated with it, to falling in love with someone whom he thought he'd only be friends and partners with.
Love just has that way of coming up and slapping you in the face.
Ishizu thought back to the times when Marik was only a small boy. He had always needed so much pampering and watching over. But now, Marik could finally live on his own, and make his own choices. He had earned that. That was why she wasn't going to stop him from sneaking out as she knew he would to see him, and from now on wouldn't oppose him from going over and seeing him once in a while.
She was--- truly happy for her brother, even if she didn't show it.
But, that's just how sisters are.
((AN- It is, I myself am a sister of THREE brothers -_-))
Well, Marik had planned on sneaking out, but other forces must have had different plans, for the last thing Marik remembered was trying to climb out the window.
--
Bakura had gone home and went straight to bed. He didn't feel well at all. His head hurt, his body ached, and his heart was broken. Everything had been coming into perspective lately. Bakura just had this weird feeling that he wouldn't be able to tell Marik how he felt.
He had bigger problems to worry about though.
The Millennium Ring glowed softly for a moment, and Ryou opened his eyes and sat up. This was definitely getting hard. The only time when Ryou could sneak out of the Ring and take over Bakura's body, without his consent, was when he was asleep. It was one of the only times when he let his guard down.
He stood up and stretched, feeling his muscles lose the tenseness they had previously held. Thank goodness Ishizu hadn't asked more about the shadow realm powers she had sensed. Marik and Bakura would've known about Yami Marik for sure.
He started down the hall but barely made it but a few steps when something lunged at him, pinning him against the wall. "Yami Marik? You're here faster than I expected," he sported a cute smile.
Yami Marik smirked, "Yeah, well, I couldn't wait."
"Wait? For what?"
"I owe you big time, remember?" he asked with a manipulating grin on his face.
"Oh, heh, about that---"
Too late.
Yami Marik had silenced the smaller boy by placing a chaste, yet forceful kiss on his lips. "You know Ryou, you don't want to mess with a Yami."
Ryou smiled sheepishly, "What if I say I'm sorry?"
"It doesn't matter." He laced his fingers around Ryou's neck and crushed their lips together, feeling the smaller boy's jaw relax. His hands began to roam over the smaller one's form.
Ryou shivered slightly as Yami Marik's hands explored him, though, it wasn't anything he wasn't expecting. Yet, it always felt like it was the first time every time, when in reality-it wasn't even close. This incongruous act had occurred many times before, the first time being during Battle City.
Yami Marik had first spotted Ryou on his routine search for Rishid. He was lying in bed, helpless, hurt, and vulnerable after the duel with Yami Yugi. Yami Marik knew what he wanted, when he wanted it, and when he saw Ryou injured and defenseless, he knew he had to have him. And naturally, when he wanted something--- he got it.
Ryou gripped ahold of Yami Marik's shirt and tugged slightly bringing them closer together.
"No, no, no Ryou," Yami Marik said pulling Ryou's hands away and pinning them to them wall with a toying smirk upon his face, "This is YOUR punishment, not mine-" He trailed his lips from Ryou's mouth to his neck where he nibbled and sucked producing soft moans from the smaller teen. "You know Ryou," he said, kissing his way back up to Ryou's soft lips, "You're lucky you're just some damned attractive. Otherwise," he pressed their bodies together, "I might be inclined to kill you."
Yami Marik stopped and bit his lip when he realized what he had said. Sure, it was just a joke, but Ryou took this stuff really seriously. "I didn't mean that Ryou-"
Ryou looked away, obviously hurt. "I know. Maybe we shouldn't do this right now-" he slid out from Yami Marik's clutch and disappeared into Bakura's room.
((AN: I'm going back to the whole Yami Marik= Marik for a while))
Marik could've destroyed something. No! It had been so long! Ok, maybe only a few days, but still! He had already gotten started and he would be damned if they were going to stop now just because Ryou was going through an emotional crisis. 'Note to self: No more sensitive boyfriends,' he thought with a wry smile as he walked into the room.
He was quick to change his demeanor though as he approached Ryou, who was sitting on the edge of the bed-how convenient. 'No! Bad thoughts!' Marik snuck up quietly behind Ryou and blew on the back of his neck.
Ryou jumped slightly, but didn't turn to face him. "Marik, I was serious."
Marik sighed. "Please forgive me then," he mumbled out. "I really didn't mean to say anything like that. You know I was only kidding around." He pulled Ryou's hair out of the way and began to kiss the back of his neck.
Ryou leaned back a little, submitting to the touch. Marik was right, he knew he was only joking. But still, you just don't joke around about that stuff when it's possible. He turned slightly towards Marik and smiled. "I forgive you."
Marik's scheming smirk returned. "Good." In one fluid-like motion, Ryou was on his back on the bed and Marik was on top of him. Marik's fingers delved into Ryou's silky hair as he sealed his lips with his own.
Once again, Ryou's jaw went slack, this time allowing Marik's tongue to slip inside Ryou's mouth and engage in a slow-moving, fervent battle of tongues.
Marik was not a very patient person when it came to getting what he wanted. In a matter of less than 5 seconds, Ryou's shirt had been removed and discarded.
Back when Marik had first seen Ryou in his recovery room, he spared no time in introducing himself or anything. Ryou woke up in pain, scared, and beneath some guy, whom he had never met, who had just pounced on top of him.
Marik's hands moved from Ryou's hair to his stomach, where he traced random designs and higher to his chest where he scratched trails of fire.
Next to be discarded was Marik's shirt, followed by Ryou's pants, socks, and any other clothing that was left on either of them.
Marik smirked as he felt Ryou's body writhe slightly beneath him. He loved that feeling of power he had over others. Maybe that's why he was attracted to Ryou: because he knew he could overcome him. He nibbled lightly along Ryou's jaw while his hands wandered lower still causing Ryou to gasp at first, and then cry out, but his voice was only muffled by more of Marik's silencing kisses.
Ryou raked his nails down Marik's back as he continued to yield to Marik's touch.
Things did get a bit rougher after that- as you can imagine. Marik couldn't stay in 'sweet mode' for long. It wasn't his nature. But, every playful, and sometimes painful, bite was kissed tenderly, and each scratch was gently massaged.
At one point, Marik pulled back and kissed Ryou's ear softly before whispering, "And now Ryou, you will surrender yourself to me."
--
Time passed quickly for others, but slowly for Ryou and Marik. Their passionate and intimate lovemaking had ended leaving a very tired Ryou and a content and pleased Marik.
Ryou had snuggled unconsciously onto Marik's chest as he always did. It had sort of become like a habit. Marik unknowingly played with the strands of ivory-white hair that spilled out onto his torso, while contemplating the days to come.
((AN: Um, back to 'Yami Marik'))
Just as he was about to go back into Marik's body, Ryou stopped him. "Yami Marik, please don't go tonight-" he pleaded.
Yami Marik shook his head, "You know I can't stay. They'll find out about me for sure."
"Please- I don't care anymore. I can't take the fact that I'm not supposed to be with you anymore. How many people are going to try and tear us apart?"
"I don't know. Ryou, I have to go-"
"*Please* Yami Marik, you've never ever stayed, not one night. Just for tonight? Just for me?"
Yami Marik didn't think he could have said 'no' at that point. "Alright, but just for tonight, just for YOU."
Ryou smiled and laid his head back onto Yami Marik's chest. "Good night."
"Good night Ryou," he said and closed his eyes.
--
The next morning, Ryou had surprisingly woken up first so he got out of bed, got dressed, and set out some clothes for Marik.
Actually, Ryou was taking a shower when he heard someone walk into the bathroom. Without turning off the water, he peeked out through the shower curtains and almost jumped when he noticed it was Marik! ((AN: the 'good' one))
"Hello?" Marik called out in a sleepy voice.
He received no answer.
He did notice the shower that was running though. He reached out his hand and gripped onto the curtain and in one swift movement pulled it open.
MUCH to his surprise, an unconscious, naked, wet, warm, and VERY attractive guy fell out of the shower and into his arms. He didn't even have to see the person's face. "Bakura- are you alright?"
Now that was a stupid question.
Bakura groaned after a little bit and opened his eyes. "What?" he said and rubbed his eyes. "Where am I?" he asked and looked around.
"Your house, the shower to be exact," Marik answered him.
"What?" at first he didn't believe him, but as he became more aware of his surroundings and lack of clothes, things started to sound very familiar. "Marik, why are you here?" he said and pulled his legs up in front of him.
"I was hoping you could tell me---"
"Um, waking up randomly in a shower was not one of our problems."
"That's true. I woke up this morning and found clothing sitting out for me and folded and neat."
"I didn't put them there."
"This is getting weirder."
"Yeah, do you remember anything from yesterday?" Bakura asked.
"Um, besides the whole Ishizu problem, no," he looked away. "I'm sorry about that Bakura-" the awkward silence began to settle.
"Don't be." He took a deep breath, "I should be. I let you get away--- again," he said and placed surprisingly gentile hand on Marik's cheek.
Marik made eye contact with him and an engaging smile played across his lips.
Bakura continued, "Marik, there's something I have to tell you-" his sentence was cut short when Marik suddenly leaned forward and kissed him! It was a straightforward innocent kiss, but even so, it was enough that Bakura laced his arms around his waste and pulled him into the (still- running) shower with him.
The water seemed to excite their contact turning everything into a mad-dash of passion. Marik trailed wet hot kisses from Bakura's neck to his lips, where Bakura took control.
He ran his fingers into the damp hair, and in a second, the kiss had deepened. It was as if they were going to die and had one chance to express everything they felt for one another.
Bakura's hands had no problem slipping off Marik's shirt. He pulled back to breathe; all the while assaulting Marik's neck with wet kisses. They were no longer chaste kisses. No, these were mischievous kisses that were highly addictive.
As Bakura made his way back towards Marik's mouth, he happened to glance in the water, and what he saw caused him to stop and stare in awe. "Marik, look-" he pointed out.
Marik focused his strewn senses down towards the water. "Oh my gosh. It's him- It's my Yami," he brought his hand to his mouth.
And it was. Yami Marik was staring back with that all-too familiar underhanded smirk.
Both guys raced out of the shower and dressed themselves at lightening speed then rushed back into the shower.
The reflection was still the same. It was somewhat haunting really. It got even scarier when 'it' spoke.
/Well, well, well. I supposed that this day would arrive. Actually, I expected it. By the looks of your faces though, it doesn't look like either of you did though./
Bakura cursed under his breath, "Why don't you come out and face me, you coward!, instead of hiding in someone else's 'shadow'?"
Yami Marik seemed to contemplate that for a moment. /Very well, but, I'd like us to take a trip somewhere, that way, we'll all four be together./
Marik's face twisted to form a sort of confused look. "Four? There's only 3 of us though."
Yami Marik chuckled bitterly, /Oh yes, I forgot. You two didn't know that Ryou was on *my* side, did you,/ it was more of a statement than a question.
Bakura gasped, "What?! You're lying!" he looked down at his reflection, but Ryou looked away. "Oh my gosh, it's true. I don't believe this. I swear I'll kill you Yami Marik!"
He only smirked more, /Well, since you seem so anxious now, let's go to the awaited destination immediately./
In a snap of his fingers, the bathroom was filled with a thick and dense purple, black, and blue fog, or maybe it was clouds. Either way, it was impossible to see in or out. Bakura and Marik could see themselves but as they looked forward, Yami Marik and Ryou appeared dressed just as they were.
Bakura shook his head, "I don't understand, how do you now possess bodies?"
Yami Marik smirked and answered, "Well, this IS the Shadow Realm, Bakura. A lot more things are possible than you think. Now, I propose a duel."
"A duel?"
"No, let me rephrase that- a challenge. You and I against each other only. Which ever one of us survives, lives in harmony alone with their hikari." His smirk disappeared, "Whoever loses though, will die a gruesome death over and over in the Shadow Realm. This is a challenge to see how much you truly care about a 'significant other' shall we say who resides in this room."
"I don't understand-"
"Don't worry, you will. Do you accept?"
Bakura sighed, but looked up with confidence. "Of course!"
---TBC---
wow, I've been typing 3 hours straight -_- Now it's around 3:34 am. I'm tired, but guess what?!--- look at this dudes---
===*FINAL* Chapter: Bakura will have to learn the new rules of the shadow challenge before he gets defeated. Who will win? And most importantly--- will Bakura get the chance to tell Marik how he really feels?
PLEASE REVIEW! I stayed up a while typing this chapter filled with R/YM- a stranger couple I know, but I think it's cute. I need to know what you guys thought!
*Cheers* the Principal is out of the way! Sorry his disposal was so quick. I just couldn't stand him. I didn't really check for spelling erros cuz I'm tired as hell so ignore them
Oh yeah, the controversy. Pretty much someone(s) O.o thought that the R/YM pairing was weird. Hey, so *DID* I, until I wrote a formal first chapter to a story I've started about a *gradual* r/ym thing set in Ancient Egypt. It's gonna be hard to get YM to realize how he feels since he's so evil. I just have to decide when to put it up on FF.net. That's how much that person inspired me! I *WILL* make it work! You just have to have the right plot which is REALLY hard to do when it comes to YM You should see him in the first chapter--- scary man! I've never read any of r/ym fics before, but I really haven't looked either. It's a small phase/obsession I'm going through so if anyone has seen any, tell me please!
Thanks so much for reading! Plz Review!
```AmethystRoze```
To KiraKura: Um--- you're absolutely correct, just ignore me. It's around 2:48 am and I'm out of it sometimes when I write the chapters.
I think most people figured it out by now. You guys are clever. If you haven't, you should definitely realize it in this chapter. It's filled with a bit of fluff as well.
It's a loooong chapter. About time, eh?
Thanks for the reviews though, at any rate!
Chapter 7
Ryou crept silently through the halls. He looked in the laundry room--- nope. Next he looked in the kitchen--- not there either. Then he looked in the bedrooms--- not even there. "Hm- Where could he be?"
Bakura had told Marik to go to bed and they would speak further of the situation in the morning. Thank goodness, for Ryou was, well, a tad distressed.
He turned the corner and barely caught a flash of black before it grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground, pinning his arms at the sides of his head.
Ryou opened his eyes and smiled. "I was wondering where you were, Yami Marik." ((AN: grr- I can't take it. For a little bit while he's talking, Ryou'll just call him "Marik"))
"I told you not to call me that," he said, flashing a conniving smile. "'Marik' will do," he said and released Ryou's hands.
Ryou gently brushed his fingertips over ((EVIL-)) Marik's lips. "I've missed you, you know."
Marik smirked deviously and leaned down to kiss Ryou, but Ryou placed his hand abruptly on Marik's chest. "What is it?"
Ryou frowned, "They know about you now."
Marik rolled his eyes, "I told you it was only a matter of time."
"Yes, but, Bakura will kill you."
Marik laughed cynically, "I'd like to see him try. Besides, I'll kill him first."
Ryou sat up and gave Marik a truly forlorn look. "Marik, if you kill him, I'll die as well."
"Well, he deserves death. Besides, I'll find a way to bring you back somehow, I do have partial control over the shadow realm," his scheming smirk returned.
"But Marik, that's not the point," he shook his head and closed his eyes, slowly beginning to fall back.
Yami Marik sneered, "Ryou," he grabbed him by the shoulders and looked at him. His glower multiplied ten fold. "Bakura-" he released the dark one's shoulders allowing him to fall back onto the bed.
Bakura almost immediately awoke. He sat up quickly and looked around suspiciously. "Huh?" On his bed in front of him laid Marik.((AN: 'Good' Marik)) "Hm-" he scanned the room once more and pulled Marik further onto the bed, covering him up as he did so. When he glanced at the clock he almost cursed. It was 4:32 am. He still had plenty of hours to sleep, but, he wasn't tired in the least.
He pushed back the covers, making sure not to awake Marik, and headed outside.
In the vast darkness outside, Bakura felt strangely at home. Of course, anything ominous and gloomy was definitely his forte. He stared out into the open sky almost searching for something- an answer? If so, then an answer to what? Why he was 'the way' he was? Nah, he could tell anyone that. So then, maybe it was how he could hurt people the way he did. Still no, he knew that answer as well. Maybe--- he was searching for someone who would listen. No one ever wanted to know, except for Ryou but he was another story, and everyone else was just too afraid to ask.
Bakura wasn't sure how long he stared out aimlessly into the skies. He had definitely come to a conclusion though, he would have to tell Marik how he felt- soon.
He stood up and headed into the house just as the sun was rising.
--
Some hours later, Marik had awoken and had eaten another silence-filled breakfast, despite the better occurrences of the previous day. Bakura was the one to finally break it.
"So, about this whole Yami Marik thing--- are you sure you saw him?" he asked.
Marik sighed, "Yes, I'm sure I did."
"Well, that doesn't really explain anything, except the fact that I want him seriously injured."
Marik smiled, despite the seriousness of the subject, "You know, it's weird. I kept hearing these voices, well, the same voice each time. It must've been him."
Bakura raised an eyebrow, "Hearing voices, um, don't blame your Yami for your serious mental handicap."
Marik laughed lightly, "Yes, I suppose the title of 'Yami' pertains to you as well. Say, do you haunt Ryou as well?"
Bakura smirked, "You have no idea."
"Well, what clues do we even have that Yami Marik actually exists? Just a messed up reflection?"
"Hey, I'm not the one who saw it. If you ask me I think you're hearing AND seeing things," he ignored the warning glance he received. "Wouldn't you be able to sense him if he was here?"
"I don't know."
Bakura focused his angry glare at the table, "Marik, you have no idea how much I hate your Yami."
Marik looked at him a bit confused, "Why? Besides the obvious. Ok, maybe he was totally ruthless, and evil, and mean-"
"And unfair, and unjust, and merciless. The list goes on."
"True. Well, he did steal both our bodies as well, I had forgotten about that."
"I hadn't."
"Um, Bakura, maybe you aren't the best person to be talking about being unfair-, or unjust, or even merciless for that matter-"
Bakura shot him a deadly glance, "Don't even go there, Mr. "I want to the Pharaoh's powers and will do anything to get them.""
Marik only raised an eyebrow. "Fine, we're even. Anyways, I know he's still here."
"First you think, now you know?"
"I don't know, you're confusing me."
"Hm," Bakura stood up, ran to the sink with his cup, and filled it with water. "I have an idea." He walked back over to the table. "Ok, now Marik, listen---" he spilled the water out onto the table.
Marik gave him a confused look. "Um, you think I'M weird?"
"Just look into the water!"
Marik sighed, and began to lean forward, but stopped.
Bakura crossed his arms, "What is it now?"
"Nothing---" he swallowed and looked into the water. He was so afraid that he would see Yami Marik's reflection. "Huh?!" he pulled back.
Bakura stepped closer, "What did you see?"
"Oh my gosh, it was--- it was---"
"What was it?!"
Marik broke into a tricky smiled. "Just kidding. I didn't see anything. Look for yourself."
Bakura bared his teeth and glowered, but did look at Marik's reflection.
He hadn't lied. It was Marik's reflection, no one else's. "Marik, we're back to where we started."
Marik shook his head, "I know what I saw though," his expression had turned serious, "it was him, I know it."
Bakura puckered a brow and placed his hand on Marik's, "We'll figure this out."
Marik looked from his hand to Bakura. "Um, I hope so," he looked away slightly embarrassed.
Bakura quickly removed his hand and straightened up while clearing his throat. "I've wanted to tell you something Marik."
Marik restored eye contact with him, "Yes?"
"Well, uh, you see-"
The telephone picked the worst time to ring.
Marik stood up quickly, "I'll get that." He ran to the phone and picked it up -"Hello?--- um yes, why?--- actually--- no---- yes--- but how did you--- no--- no--- yes--- he's not here right now---" he shot a warning glance up at Bakura. "---Yes, of course--- yep--- fine--- alright, goodbye." He hung up the phone and groaned.
Bakura tilted his head, "Who was that?"
"The principal."
"How did he know you were here?"
"That's what I want to know," he looked out the window.
"Well, what did he want?"
"Me. He wanted me to come to school today to help him move stuff around or something."
"Did you say no?"
"Of course, but he just kept pressing the matter, so I just said yes. He even wanted to know where you were."
"Strange. Marik, I don't like that guy at all. I'd rather see him suffer in the shadow realm."
Marik smirked, "so would I. Well, I better get over there, wouldn't want to keep him waiting-" he said sarcastically.
"Don't even joke like that. I'm coming with you," he said.
"Thanks," he stood up and grabbed his jacket along with Bakura's. "Let's go then."
Bakura sighed, "Alright."
They put on their coats and exited the house, making sure to close the door.
From the shadows, someone giggled.
Yami Marik removed his hand from Ryou's mouth. "Thank goodness they're finally gone."
Ryou breathed a sigh of relief, "Yeah, I thought you were going to suffocate me."
Yami Marik raised an eyebrow, "I still might."
Ryou faced him with that same worried look upon his face. "Do you know how close that was?"
"Not at all."
"Very! Marik still thinks you are here. They would've found you today if it weren't for my idea."
Yami Marik laughed evilly, "Look where your idea got us-" he held up his hand which had turned semi-transparent.
"Well, at least they didn't find you," he looked down at his see-through body.
"Ryou, it's going to take a lot more than a little water trick to discover me," he smirked.
Ryou shook his head, "If Bakura wants something found, he'll find it." He looked up at Marik with worried eyes, "He'll find you."
Yami Marik wanted to burst out laughing at the preposterous assumption. Bakura? Find HIM? That would probably never happen. Well, probably. "Ryou, you're taking this far too seriously."
"Well, one of us has to."
"So then, what can we do to pass the time?" he asked changing the subject.
"Uh-" he looked at Marik's face which held the same conniving grin as usual, "Not *that* if that's what you're thinking," he warned.
"You read my mind. Why not?" he reached out to grab Ryou but found that his hands went straight through him.
"THAT'S why. If we don't get reunited with our other selves soon, we'll disappear completely."
"I don't believe this. I had plans. This is one of the only times we're left *alone* in the house," he exhaled noisily and went to sit down, falling straight through the chair.
Ryou brought a hand to his mouth. "Oh my---" he couldn't help it. He burst out laughing. He really couldn't help it. When someone of that stature- well- falls through a chair- it's hilarious.
Marik shot one of the most wicked looks up at Ryou, who didn't notice it, and pretty much pounced towards Ryou.
Same results.
Yami Marik went straight through him landing IN the sofa.
Ryou was practically in tears. "Marik let me help you up," he walked towards the sofa, "Wait, where are you?" he broke once again into laughter.
"Ryou, I SWEAR, when we get out bodies back, you're in BIG trouble!" a bellowing voice yelled.
Ryou did quiet down after that. "Well, we'll just have to wait until they get back I guess."
Yami Marik rose from 'inside' the sofa and came to stand in front of Ryou. "Where did they go?" he asked, with a wry smile.
"Uh, to school I think," he sighed, "HE needs their help."
"Wait, who's 'he'?" he asked.
"The Principal."
The smile disappeared. "Wait--- is he the one who pushed Bakura into the pond and almost got you killed?"
"Um, I think so, yes."
Yami Marik crossed his arms and closed his eyes, pondering a few things. The moment that all-too-familiar manipulative smirk played across his face, Ryou began to worry.
"Marik, what are you thinking?" he asked. "It's better if we stay here--- we ARE staying here and WAITING on them to get back--- ok?"
Yami Marik shook his head. "I beg to differ. Let's go pay a visit to this 'Principal.' It seems like there's a lesson to be learned here. Do you know what that lesson is Ryou?"
"No."
"Don't mess with things that belong to me."
--
Marik shuffled through the papers in the dark office. He had been asked to grade a few stacks, but when the room you're in is void of all light, it makes things a bit more difficult.
Thank goodness he was alone in the office- at the time being. The Principal was off yelling at some others kids that had been asked to help, and Bakura had been asked work in the copier room right next door.
Bakura was not enjoying his job at all. He couldn't figure out how to copy a paper. The first time he had tried, he had practically been blinded by some sort of accursed light, and the second time, all his paper had disappeared somewhere. He had gotten printouts of everywhere from hands to faces, but no words.
He was getting ready to destroy the damned machine when all the electricity went out.
Marik hadn't even noticed the change. The room was already dark enough. He did hear the door open though, and close soon after.
He looked up quickly into the vast dimness before him. "Hello?"
"Marik, it seems there's been a power shortage. Nothing to be too worried about I assure you." It was Principal Satome.
Marik scootched back slightly in his chair. "Oh." He was skeptical. A power outage? Now? There wasn't even a storm outside. It only had to be about noon also. "Well then sir," he stood up slowly from his chair, "I'll be leaving then. I can't work if I can't see-" he started towards where he thought the door was, but as luck would have it, he ran in to someone. "Sorry," he said and pulled back.
Principal Satome smirked. "Don't be. I believe we have some unfinished business to talk about anyways."
Marik raised an eyebrow, "We do?"
"Yes. You know Marik, I didn't ask you to come here to grade papers."
"You didn't?" he asked and took a step back.
"Hehe, no, I didn't. You can stop playing your little games now. I think you know what I really want---" he said suggestively.
Marik glowered, "You're a sick man."
A slight breeze blew in from the window, and the door burst open. Marik half expected to see Bakura, but, instead he saw Ryou.
"Sorry to interrupt," Ryou said, smiling sheepishly.
"Huh?" The Principal turned from Ryou to Marik, but, something was different. All the 'fear' that had surfaced on his face before had disappeared, replaced by a devious smirk.
Principal Satome was slightly confused but he barely had time to think before a beam of light sent him flying into the wall.
Ryou made sure to get out of the way.
'Marik' walked over to the shaken man who struggled to his feet with a murderous look on his face. "What, are you angry at me Mr. Principal?--- Good." He sent another beam at the man sending him right through the door.
'Marik' walked out into the hallway and took his place in front of the man. The Principal quickly looked up at him with eyes full of alarm.
"Wh-Who are y-you?" he asked.
Marik raised his head revealing a brightly glowing Sennen eye. "Why, can't you see?," he outstretched his hand toward the guy, "I'm Marik." His eyes went wide and his grin turned deadly, "Now, say goodbye!" A faint trace of light began to form in his palm.
Ryou ran over to him and grabbed ahold of his wrist. "No Yami Marik, don't!"
He looked at him like he was crazy. "Why not? This man deserves to die."
"Maybe so, but Marik," he looked into his eyes with sorrow, "You're not a killer."
For a moment, he was taken back by the white-haired boy's words. He sighed and the light faded from his hand. "Fine Ryou, you win. Instead, I'll send his mind to the shadow realm. That'll be fun. Alright?"
"As long as you don't kill him," he said and softly smiled.
This time, a purple and black electric charge formed around Yami Marik's body. In a few moments, the light had passed from his body, to the principal's and the last thing anyone heard was him yelling.
Moments later, the electricity came back on revealing two VERY confused teens. Bakura blinked a few times and looked around trying to make some sense out of the mess of splintered wood around them, while Marik tried to figure out why Principal Satome was staring seemingly into nothingness. He was still breathing, but he just didn't seem as if he was all there.
"Hey Bakura, what's wrong with him?" he asked and turned to the taller guy.
"Hm," he walked over to the immobile body, "I'm not sure. Wait a-" he looked closer at his eyes. "His mind has been sent to the shadow realm," he said and pulled back confused.
"By whom?" he asked.
Bakura narrowed his gaze, "I don't know. Let's get out of here. I really don't feel like getting involved in something like this."
Marik fell to his knees, "So then, he's gone forever?"
"Yes, I doubt anyone will ever want to save him."
Marik smiled, "Thank heavens."
"Would you get up off the floor please? We have to go."
"Oh, sorry." He stood up and left the school with Bakura.
"MARIK ISHTAR! Get over here now!"
Both boys froze.
Marik turned slightly and his eyes went wide. "Ishizu? What are you doing here?"
Ishizu flashed warning in her eyes, "Marik, my brother, do not ask ME what I am doing here. I sensed YOU using shadow powers! And, more importantly," she stalked up to them both, "What are you doing here with Bakura?"
"Uh, nothing?"
"Is that a question?"
"Um--- no?"
"Marik! What is Bakura even doing here?" she focused her grave gaze on the former tomb-robber. "I demand to know why you're with my brother."
Bakura snickered, "YOU demand to know? Your brother can answer that question."
"There is NOTHING funny here Bakura." She turned to Marik, "You're coming home with me right now! Where's the person you've been staying with?"
Marik shrugged.
"Oh my gosh," she brought a hand to her mouth, "Tell me it's not him-" she looked at Bakura. For a moment, a flash of understanding flickered in her eyes, then it was gone, replaced by a stern look. "Marik, we have to go now," she said quietly. "I am very disappointed in you."
Marik was going to protest, but knew he wouldn't win. He really didn't know what to say. They were so close to finding out what was going on. Why did Ishizu have to be so overpowering? Did she want his life to be miserable?
He turned slightly toward Bakura and tried his best for a small smile. It ended up turning into a full-blown hug. "Goodbye Bakura," he said and quickly pulled away, slowly walking to his sister's side.
Before Ishizu left, she darted one last forewarning look at Bakura. Then, they were both gone.
Bakura was really confused. Did that really happen? It couldn't have. No. He was gone again, slipped though his grasp, and he hadn't even gotten to say what he wanted to him. How he truly felt; that didn't matter anymore. It was all too good to be true. Or maybe, it was too wrong to be right.
Bakura focused his cynical 'smile' in the direction Marik took off towards. 'I'm such a fool, such a fool.'
--
Marik threw his coat on the rack, "I still don't understand Ishizu, why can't I be his friend again? Is it possibly because he, yes, may have done some terrible things in his past, but for heaven sake, can we not give him another chance? That's what you're always saying!"
Ishizu remained calm. "This is true Marik. But, what he did in the past was terrible! He strongly disrespected the Pharaoh, and hurt those associated with him."
"So? That was his old life! He doesn't even remember very much about it anymore."
"I don't care Marik, you are not to speak with him anymore, is that clear?"
Marik shook his head, "No, it's not. You know, you can go around saying, "I know there's good in my brother" and things such as that and so, I'm going to tell you, I KNOW there's good in Bakura, and you can't stop me form seeing him."
"Oh yes I can."
"No you can't!" he yelled and left the kitchen, and slammed the door.
Ishizu buried her face in her hands. No. Her own brother, taken away by one of her former enemies? It was too much. But, she could also see how much Marik cared about him and how much Bakura cared about Marik. It was strange: how one could go from hating life and everything associated with it, to falling in love with someone whom he thought he'd only be friends and partners with.
Love just has that way of coming up and slapping you in the face.
Ishizu thought back to the times when Marik was only a small boy. He had always needed so much pampering and watching over. But now, Marik could finally live on his own, and make his own choices. He had earned that. That was why she wasn't going to stop him from sneaking out as she knew he would to see him, and from now on wouldn't oppose him from going over and seeing him once in a while.
She was--- truly happy for her brother, even if she didn't show it.
But, that's just how sisters are.
((AN- It is, I myself am a sister of THREE brothers -_-))
Well, Marik had planned on sneaking out, but other forces must have had different plans, for the last thing Marik remembered was trying to climb out the window.
--
Bakura had gone home and went straight to bed. He didn't feel well at all. His head hurt, his body ached, and his heart was broken. Everything had been coming into perspective lately. Bakura just had this weird feeling that he wouldn't be able to tell Marik how he felt.
He had bigger problems to worry about though.
The Millennium Ring glowed softly for a moment, and Ryou opened his eyes and sat up. This was definitely getting hard. The only time when Ryou could sneak out of the Ring and take over Bakura's body, without his consent, was when he was asleep. It was one of the only times when he let his guard down.
He stood up and stretched, feeling his muscles lose the tenseness they had previously held. Thank goodness Ishizu hadn't asked more about the shadow realm powers she had sensed. Marik and Bakura would've known about Yami Marik for sure.
He started down the hall but barely made it but a few steps when something lunged at him, pinning him against the wall. "Yami Marik? You're here faster than I expected," he sported a cute smile.
Yami Marik smirked, "Yeah, well, I couldn't wait."
"Wait? For what?"
"I owe you big time, remember?" he asked with a manipulating grin on his face.
"Oh, heh, about that---"
Too late.
Yami Marik had silenced the smaller boy by placing a chaste, yet forceful kiss on his lips. "You know Ryou, you don't want to mess with a Yami."
Ryou smiled sheepishly, "What if I say I'm sorry?"
"It doesn't matter." He laced his fingers around Ryou's neck and crushed their lips together, feeling the smaller boy's jaw relax. His hands began to roam over the smaller one's form.
Ryou shivered slightly as Yami Marik's hands explored him, though, it wasn't anything he wasn't expecting. Yet, it always felt like it was the first time every time, when in reality-it wasn't even close. This incongruous act had occurred many times before, the first time being during Battle City.
Yami Marik had first spotted Ryou on his routine search for Rishid. He was lying in bed, helpless, hurt, and vulnerable after the duel with Yami Yugi. Yami Marik knew what he wanted, when he wanted it, and when he saw Ryou injured and defenseless, he knew he had to have him. And naturally, when he wanted something--- he got it.
Ryou gripped ahold of Yami Marik's shirt and tugged slightly bringing them closer together.
"No, no, no Ryou," Yami Marik said pulling Ryou's hands away and pinning them to them wall with a toying smirk upon his face, "This is YOUR punishment, not mine-" He trailed his lips from Ryou's mouth to his neck where he nibbled and sucked producing soft moans from the smaller teen. "You know Ryou," he said, kissing his way back up to Ryou's soft lips, "You're lucky you're just some damned attractive. Otherwise," he pressed their bodies together, "I might be inclined to kill you."
Yami Marik stopped and bit his lip when he realized what he had said. Sure, it was just a joke, but Ryou took this stuff really seriously. "I didn't mean that Ryou-"
Ryou looked away, obviously hurt. "I know. Maybe we shouldn't do this right now-" he slid out from Yami Marik's clutch and disappeared into Bakura's room.
((AN: I'm going back to the whole Yami Marik= Marik for a while))
Marik could've destroyed something. No! It had been so long! Ok, maybe only a few days, but still! He had already gotten started and he would be damned if they were going to stop now just because Ryou was going through an emotional crisis. 'Note to self: No more sensitive boyfriends,' he thought with a wry smile as he walked into the room.
He was quick to change his demeanor though as he approached Ryou, who was sitting on the edge of the bed-how convenient. 'No! Bad thoughts!' Marik snuck up quietly behind Ryou and blew on the back of his neck.
Ryou jumped slightly, but didn't turn to face him. "Marik, I was serious."
Marik sighed. "Please forgive me then," he mumbled out. "I really didn't mean to say anything like that. You know I was only kidding around." He pulled Ryou's hair out of the way and began to kiss the back of his neck.
Ryou leaned back a little, submitting to the touch. Marik was right, he knew he was only joking. But still, you just don't joke around about that stuff when it's possible. He turned slightly towards Marik and smiled. "I forgive you."
Marik's scheming smirk returned. "Good." In one fluid-like motion, Ryou was on his back on the bed and Marik was on top of him. Marik's fingers delved into Ryou's silky hair as he sealed his lips with his own.
Once again, Ryou's jaw went slack, this time allowing Marik's tongue to slip inside Ryou's mouth and engage in a slow-moving, fervent battle of tongues.
Marik was not a very patient person when it came to getting what he wanted. In a matter of less than 5 seconds, Ryou's shirt had been removed and discarded.
Back when Marik had first seen Ryou in his recovery room, he spared no time in introducing himself or anything. Ryou woke up in pain, scared, and beneath some guy, whom he had never met, who had just pounced on top of him.
Marik's hands moved from Ryou's hair to his stomach, where he traced random designs and higher to his chest where he scratched trails of fire.
Next to be discarded was Marik's shirt, followed by Ryou's pants, socks, and any other clothing that was left on either of them.
Marik smirked as he felt Ryou's body writhe slightly beneath him. He loved that feeling of power he had over others. Maybe that's why he was attracted to Ryou: because he knew he could overcome him. He nibbled lightly along Ryou's jaw while his hands wandered lower still causing Ryou to gasp at first, and then cry out, but his voice was only muffled by more of Marik's silencing kisses.
Ryou raked his nails down Marik's back as he continued to yield to Marik's touch.
Things did get a bit rougher after that- as you can imagine. Marik couldn't stay in 'sweet mode' for long. It wasn't his nature. But, every playful, and sometimes painful, bite was kissed tenderly, and each scratch was gently massaged.
At one point, Marik pulled back and kissed Ryou's ear softly before whispering, "And now Ryou, you will surrender yourself to me."
--
Time passed quickly for others, but slowly for Ryou and Marik. Their passionate and intimate lovemaking had ended leaving a very tired Ryou and a content and pleased Marik.
Ryou had snuggled unconsciously onto Marik's chest as he always did. It had sort of become like a habit. Marik unknowingly played with the strands of ivory-white hair that spilled out onto his torso, while contemplating the days to come.
((AN: Um, back to 'Yami Marik'))
Just as he was about to go back into Marik's body, Ryou stopped him. "Yami Marik, please don't go tonight-" he pleaded.
Yami Marik shook his head, "You know I can't stay. They'll find out about me for sure."
"Please- I don't care anymore. I can't take the fact that I'm not supposed to be with you anymore. How many people are going to try and tear us apart?"
"I don't know. Ryou, I have to go-"
"*Please* Yami Marik, you've never ever stayed, not one night. Just for tonight? Just for me?"
Yami Marik didn't think he could have said 'no' at that point. "Alright, but just for tonight, just for YOU."
Ryou smiled and laid his head back onto Yami Marik's chest. "Good night."
"Good night Ryou," he said and closed his eyes.
--
The next morning, Ryou had surprisingly woken up first so he got out of bed, got dressed, and set out some clothes for Marik.
Actually, Ryou was taking a shower when he heard someone walk into the bathroom. Without turning off the water, he peeked out through the shower curtains and almost jumped when he noticed it was Marik! ((AN: the 'good' one))
"Hello?" Marik called out in a sleepy voice.
He received no answer.
He did notice the shower that was running though. He reached out his hand and gripped onto the curtain and in one swift movement pulled it open.
MUCH to his surprise, an unconscious, naked, wet, warm, and VERY attractive guy fell out of the shower and into his arms. He didn't even have to see the person's face. "Bakura- are you alright?"
Now that was a stupid question.
Bakura groaned after a little bit and opened his eyes. "What?" he said and rubbed his eyes. "Where am I?" he asked and looked around.
"Your house, the shower to be exact," Marik answered him.
"What?" at first he didn't believe him, but as he became more aware of his surroundings and lack of clothes, things started to sound very familiar. "Marik, why are you here?" he said and pulled his legs up in front of him.
"I was hoping you could tell me---"
"Um, waking up randomly in a shower was not one of our problems."
"That's true. I woke up this morning and found clothing sitting out for me and folded and neat."
"I didn't put them there."
"This is getting weirder."
"Yeah, do you remember anything from yesterday?" Bakura asked.
"Um, besides the whole Ishizu problem, no," he looked away. "I'm sorry about that Bakura-" the awkward silence began to settle.
"Don't be." He took a deep breath, "I should be. I let you get away--- again," he said and placed surprisingly gentile hand on Marik's cheek.
Marik made eye contact with him and an engaging smile played across his lips.
Bakura continued, "Marik, there's something I have to tell you-" his sentence was cut short when Marik suddenly leaned forward and kissed him! It was a straightforward innocent kiss, but even so, it was enough that Bakura laced his arms around his waste and pulled him into the (still- running) shower with him.
The water seemed to excite their contact turning everything into a mad-dash of passion. Marik trailed wet hot kisses from Bakura's neck to his lips, where Bakura took control.
He ran his fingers into the damp hair, and in a second, the kiss had deepened. It was as if they were going to die and had one chance to express everything they felt for one another.
Bakura's hands had no problem slipping off Marik's shirt. He pulled back to breathe; all the while assaulting Marik's neck with wet kisses. They were no longer chaste kisses. No, these were mischievous kisses that were highly addictive.
As Bakura made his way back towards Marik's mouth, he happened to glance in the water, and what he saw caused him to stop and stare in awe. "Marik, look-" he pointed out.
Marik focused his strewn senses down towards the water. "Oh my gosh. It's him- It's my Yami," he brought his hand to his mouth.
And it was. Yami Marik was staring back with that all-too familiar underhanded smirk.
Both guys raced out of the shower and dressed themselves at lightening speed then rushed back into the shower.
The reflection was still the same. It was somewhat haunting really. It got even scarier when 'it' spoke.
/Well, well, well. I supposed that this day would arrive. Actually, I expected it. By the looks of your faces though, it doesn't look like either of you did though./
Bakura cursed under his breath, "Why don't you come out and face me, you coward!, instead of hiding in someone else's 'shadow'?"
Yami Marik seemed to contemplate that for a moment. /Very well, but, I'd like us to take a trip somewhere, that way, we'll all four be together./
Marik's face twisted to form a sort of confused look. "Four? There's only 3 of us though."
Yami Marik chuckled bitterly, /Oh yes, I forgot. You two didn't know that Ryou was on *my* side, did you,/ it was more of a statement than a question.
Bakura gasped, "What?! You're lying!" he looked down at his reflection, but Ryou looked away. "Oh my gosh, it's true. I don't believe this. I swear I'll kill you Yami Marik!"
He only smirked more, /Well, since you seem so anxious now, let's go to the awaited destination immediately./
In a snap of his fingers, the bathroom was filled with a thick and dense purple, black, and blue fog, or maybe it was clouds. Either way, it was impossible to see in or out. Bakura and Marik could see themselves but as they looked forward, Yami Marik and Ryou appeared dressed just as they were.
Bakura shook his head, "I don't understand, how do you now possess bodies?"
Yami Marik smirked and answered, "Well, this IS the Shadow Realm, Bakura. A lot more things are possible than you think. Now, I propose a duel."
"A duel?"
"No, let me rephrase that- a challenge. You and I against each other only. Which ever one of us survives, lives in harmony alone with their hikari." His smirk disappeared, "Whoever loses though, will die a gruesome death over and over in the Shadow Realm. This is a challenge to see how much you truly care about a 'significant other' shall we say who resides in this room."
"I don't understand-"
"Don't worry, you will. Do you accept?"
Bakura sighed, but looked up with confidence. "Of course!"
---TBC---
wow, I've been typing 3 hours straight -_- Now it's around 3:34 am. I'm tired, but guess what?!--- look at this dudes---
===*FINAL* Chapter: Bakura will have to learn the new rules of the shadow challenge before he gets defeated. Who will win? And most importantly--- will Bakura get the chance to tell Marik how he really feels?
PLEASE REVIEW! I stayed up a while typing this chapter filled with R/YM- a stranger couple I know, but I think it's cute. I need to know what you guys thought!
*Cheers* the Principal is out of the way! Sorry his disposal was so quick. I just couldn't stand him. I didn't really check for spelling erros cuz I'm tired as hell so ignore them
Oh yeah, the controversy. Pretty much someone(s) O.o thought that the R/YM pairing was weird. Hey, so *DID* I, until I wrote a formal first chapter to a story I've started about a *gradual* r/ym thing set in Ancient Egypt. It's gonna be hard to get YM to realize how he feels since he's so evil. I just have to decide when to put it up on FF.net. That's how much that person inspired me! I *WILL* make it work! You just have to have the right plot which is REALLY hard to do when it comes to YM You should see him in the first chapter--- scary man! I've never read any of r/ym fics before, but I really haven't looked either. It's a small phase/obsession I'm going through so if anyone has seen any, tell me please!
Thanks so much for reading! Plz Review!
```AmethystRoze```