Reminisces

Chapter Four: A Note

Notes for this chapter:

Normal speaking are these " "

and thought-speak are these ' '

Normal thinking is in italics.

Suchan: sorry, I know I said I wasn't going to finish this one or any of my fics but I lied. I lied. I'm sorry. Let me know if you want me to post the last two chapters. Scratch that, I will, just to say I finished it. Let me know how you like it!

And thanks to anyone who reviewed, to help this thing get started! Luv you all! (group hug)

We were hanging off a cliff from chapter three…

Marik clenched his teeth. He knew that voice, too well.

He took over Malik's mind in a flash-well, y'know, he could probably erase Malik's mind afterwards, never thought about it before…

He shuffled angrily across the carpet and snatched the key out of the outstretched hand. Bakura smirked.

"So you haven't been banished, either."

"Wish I was," Marik retorted bitterly.

Bakura made a hurt face. "Aww… you don't see me for three months and this is the greeting I get?" Marik had a strong urge to slap him. Bakura's expression went back to its usual nonchalant ness. "It really didn't' surprise me that you were still here."

"Oh?" Marik pulled the towel tighter around himself. He didn't like the look Bakura was giving him.

Bakura didn't say anything, just kept staring at Marik. Marik turned back to the locker. "Leave."

Bakura snapped out of his reverie. "What?"

"Leave."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you near me. I have to get dressed."

Bakura gave Marik's back a half-toned death glare. "Why don't you want me near you?"

Marik turned around with a full-toned death glare shooting chills up Bakura's spine. "It's obvious, I think. So just go."

"Fine," Bakura spat. He turned around the corner and stopped. "But you do know, I'm never going to truly leave you." Marik's shoulders drooped. Bakura left.

Marik sat down on the soggy floor. He covered his face with his hands.

There was a small voice in his head. '…Marik?' It sounded timid.

'Yes?'

'Um…how long have you been here?'

'Like, in-your-head here?'

'Yeah.'

'Since summer. Since whenever you thought I was gone.'

Silence. 'That long, huh?'

'Yeah.' There was another uncomfortable pause. 'I'll let you get dressed, then.'

'Yeah.'

The next few weeks continued as if nothing had ever happened, as if Marik had been there with Malik the whole time (which he had, but you know what I mean!)

Marik sat cross-legged on Malik's bed, watching the boy model his newly-hemmed school pants.

"I dunno, they feel weird," he was saying.

Marik leaned back. "You worry too much; they look fine from over here." Malik turned around to face him; Marik grimaced. The pants were MUCH too tight on him. "Ra, if you try to do anything in those, they'll split right down the middle! Jeez, kid, what'd she do to 'em?!"

Malik just shrugged. Ishizu had taken some measurements, taken his pants, and disappeared into her room for a while.

He stopped, turned so his right side was facing the mirror, and turned the other way, a slightly amused frown lighting upon his face.

Marik chuckled. "Wonder if you should wear 'em to school, mm? Maybe Ryou likes blondes in ass-tight pants." Malik stared at him, mainly in shock, as a deep crimson blush spread across his face.

"WHAT?! How did you know about—y'know—"

"Heh. I watched your dreams. I could read your thoughts." He flipped his hand in an impassive manner. "Basically, I was one with what you were thinking and feeling. I was you."

'Can he still read my thoughts?'

"Sorry, kiddo. There's still a link."

"Damnit."

Marik slapped the back of his head. "Quit cussin'. What's Ishizu gonna do with you if you start acting like a delinquent again?"

"Sorry." Malik sat down on the bed.

"But don't worry, I won't tell a soul…as long as you tell no one about me. "

"I won't!" was the immediate reply.

"And you have to stay away from Bakura at all costs!"'

"…Okay."

There was silence, except for the hum of the vents. Then—

"What was there between you two, anyway?" Malik asked cautiously. Marik bit his lower lip.

"Not right now, kiddo." Malik looked down, embarrassed. Shouldn't have asked. That was too personal. "It's okay. Maybe later," he said quietly. "I'll tell you later."

Right after lunch, Ryou came running outside to find Malik. "Malik!"

Malik's head poked up from his lunch. "Yeah?"

Ryou stumbled over to him. "They've really got to fix that bumpy field."

"Yeah. What's up?"

"I had to give you this." He handed Malik a little blue note tied with blue ribbon. "Enjoy your lunch, I have to get back to class or Uchida's going to fry me!" They shared a nervous laugh, and Ryou ran back to the school.

Marik eyed the note. 'It's for me.'

'Huh?'

'It's from Bakura, I just know it.'

Malik sat there in silence. 'Oh.' He frowned.

'Why can't that bastard leave me alone?!'

End Chapter 4: A Note

Suchan: Whee! Got another one typed up! I'm on a roll! I'm butter!

SDSI: Don't mind her, she's hyper from being up so early on her summer vacation.

Suchan: AND from having to go eat my coffee cake, so I'll go do that and then I'll come back and type up chapter FIVE! dances around

SDSI: x.x You do that.

Suchan: By the way, is FFn being a bastard to anyone else? You can't do underscores or asterisks in here anymore! (kicks FFn to kingdom come) hafta resort to these effing parentheses... please review... I'm feeling depressed now. Ffn hates me... sniff