Into Darkness

Ame no Mizu

Author's Note: Okay, here's the deal with chapter three. It was going to be that I would have Ryou, Marik, and Malik go meet Hynes in this chapter, but I got a huge idea that made this chapter a little longer. So, I decided to split chapter three into two chapters. There is a reason for this. You see, had I not split it, you wouldn't be getting chapter three for another week or so, and I didn't want you all to think I died or something.

Ryou: 'Cuz that's not cool.

Anyway, thanks for all the wonderful reviews!!!!

Bakura: You know that the only reason you got so many was because hato-chiisai was on vacation, right?

Wow, thanks…

Bakura: What? It's true…

Well, anyway… I hope you like chapter three… ::goes off to sulk in her closet::

Chapter three:

Jealousy

Malik prowled around Ryou's home, his eyes watchful, and his senses on guard. Marik and Ryou were upstairs, asleep in each other's arms. Malik didn't have the heart to wake them, so he decided to keep watch.

The situation was getting increasingly dangerous. This man, Hynes, knew what he was doing. He'd been able to overpower his hikari, a feat not many could accomplish. He'd kidnapped a yami, Bakura of all people. He was now apparently trying to get his hands on Ryou and Marik.

Of course, Malik would never let that happen.

Finding nothing downstairs, he headed back up to the hikaris. They were still asleep, their arms and legs intertwined.

"Bakura…" the name fell from Ryou's lips, just a whisper. Malik watched sadly as a lost and forlorn expression took over the albino's delicate features. Sighing, the yami brushed a stray lock of hair out of the angelic face and smiled as Ryou leaned into the touch.

For as long as he could remember, Malik had been attracted to Ryou. It was hard not to be. The way he walked, the way he spoke, the way he played with his hair when he was bored… Malik was attracted to every little piece of the small hikari.

"Bakura, you're a lucky man," Malik whispered, not thinking, "Not everyone can wake up every morning with such beauty in their arms." A sound from outside suddenly brought him back to earth, and he hurried downstairs to see what the commotion was.

Had he stayed, he wouldn't have missed the solitary tear that ran down Marik's cheek or the choked sob that followed it.

The next morning, Ryou awoke to the sound of his fellow hikari's voice.

"Ryou, get up. Malik wants us downstairs," the albino opened his eyes in time to see Marik's retreating back.

Five minutes later, he shuffled in to the kitchen. Marik was at the stove, his yami at the small round table. Ryou sat, and there was complete silence until Marik set down three plates of fried eggs in front of them and sat down himself.

"I don't think we should go."

At Malik's quietly uttered statement, Ryou's head shot up.

"What are you talking about? Of course we should go. We can't leave Bakura in the hands of that madman!"

"Ryou, it's too dangerous. If you get hurt, Bakura will never forgive me."

"If we don't go, there may not be a Bakura left to forgive you," Ryou snarled, taking the two blondes—and himself—by surprise, "If you take him away from me, I won't forgive you either."

"Ryou, you're overreacting—"

"Overreacting?" the albino cried, "If you were in my position, and Marik were in danger, you wouldn't react any less than I am now."

"…That's different."

"How, Malik?" Ryou asked, tears coming to his eyes, "If someone kidnapped Marik and threatened to take him away from you, do you honestly think you would stay calm and not do everything you possibly can to get him safely back in your arms?"

Malik remained silent, his eyes on the floor. The discussion was over.

At eleven thirty, they left, still cloaked in silence. Ryou's mind was racing. What if Hynes had already destroyed his yami? What if Bakura was angry that Ryou hadn't done anything to prevent the kidnapping? So many questions he hoped would be answered by this meeting…

They arrived at the park fifteen minutes early, and they chose a bench to sit on and wait, Malik sitting between the two hikaris.

All they could do was wait.

Marik wrapped his arms tightly around his yami's waist and smiled when Malik hugged back. He briefly remembered his flash of jealousy the night before at his lover's words concerning Ryou, but now he felt silly about it.

It's just a crush, after all, he thought, making sure Malik couldn't hear, He would never cheat on me, especially not with Ryou. He… loves me, and Ryou loves his Bakura. Nothing's going to change that. Ever.

His eyes roamed the park, taking in the random families that walked past. He'd always wanted a family. He had been thinking about talking to Malik about it. Even though they technically couldn't have children, it would be nice to adopt… marry each other… settle down… maybe go back to Egypt…

His thoughts were interrupted when he felt his yami tense. He looked, and saw Ryou clutching Malik's arm in fear, murmuring something unintelligible beneath his breath. The albino whimpered and moved closer to the blonde yami.

… it's nothing. He's just scared, that's all…

"It's him," Marik heard Ryou whisper, "He's here."

Marik looked wildly, and his eyes met those of a sickeningly familiar man walking toward them leisurely. It was Hynes. Malik's grip on Marik's waist tightened, and the hikari knew that although he'd never seen Hynes before, Malik could feel the evil intentions radiating off the man.

"Whatever happens, hikari, I want you to stay close to me unless I tell you otherwise," he whispered in Marik's ear, then stood as Hynes reached him.

"Good boy, Ryou," Hynes greeted, "You always were one to do what you're told," Marik tensed as the small, beady eyes turned to him, "I'm surprised you came. I thought for sure you'd run and hide like all the others. But I'm glad you decided to come out and play," Hynes suddenly licked his lips, "You scream so beautifully."

With a growl, Malik stepped forward so he was between his hikari and the deranged man, his nose an inch from Hynes's.

"If I ever hear you talk to my hikari like that again, I will rip out your spinal cord and feed it to you," he hissed venomously, "The only thing keeping me from killing you right here is the fact that you still have Bakura. But as soon as we get him back, you're mine." Hynes chuckled insanely.

"I look forward to it."

"Where's Bakura?" Ryou suddenly demanded, "What did you do to him?"

"He is safe… for now."

"What do you want, Derek?"

"In short," Hynes purred, "You. You're all I've ever wanted, Ryou."

"Why have you dragged Marik into this?"

"You're a very nosy little boy, Ryou," Hynes sighed, "Just like your mother, digging around for information that isn't yours to know. If you want your lover back, love, meet me at this address." The man shoved a piece of paper forward and Ryou took it hesitantly.

Before Ryou could withdraw his arm, before Malik had the time to react, Hynes grabbed the albino's wrist and pulled him off the bench. Marik saw him whisper something into Ryou's ear, then fist his hand in the boy's hair, forcing the space between them to close. Ryou panicked. He gave a muffled scream, and Malik shot forward, prying him out of Hynes's grasp.

"I'll see you at four, love," Hynes laughed, then turned on his heel and left.

Ryou trembled in Malik's arms as he watched Hynes leave. Close to tears, he let the two blondes lead him out of the park and down the street.

"It's okay, Ryou," Malik kept whispering to him comfortingly, "We'll get Bakura back. That bastard won't get away with this."

The living room clock said one-fifteen as they walked in. Malik led Ryou to the couch and sat with them.

"I'll make some iced tea," said Marik quietly, and he disappeared into the kitchen.

"Ryou, are you alright?" Malik whispered in the albino's ear, rubbing his back soothingly. Ryou nodded feebly.

"I'll be better when I'm back in Bakura's arms," he said, wrapping his own around Malik, "I'm scared. I want my Bakura back. I want him to hold me and tell me it's okay. If I get just one more kiss from his lips, I'll be okay. But now, I may never see him again…" Ryou's voice cracked with emotion and he began to shiver uncontrollably. Malik held him closer and began to rock him back and forth.

"Don't think like that," he whispered, "We're going to get him back, don't worry. I won't let him be taken away from you, just as I would never let anything take Marik away from me. We're going to bring your yami home."

"I hope so," Ryou whispered, "Without Bakura, I have nothing, not even a reason to live. I need him back…" As he trailed off, he began to cry, burying himself in Malik's shoulder.

Marik suddenly walked back into the living room with the three glasses of iced tea, but froze when he saw his yami and Ryou on the couch. They were rocking back and forth, locked in each other's arms.

Shocked, he suddenly let go of the glasses and they shattered on the wooden living room floor. Marik saw his yami jump and turn his head.

"Marik? Hikari, what's wrong?" he asked, still holding Ryou. Marik shook his head, unable to form words. A tear slipped down his cheek.

"I hate you," he whispered, and with a small sob, he turned and ran out the front door.

"Marik!" Malik yelled, panic filling his veins. Hynes was still out there, and it would be all too easy to snatch Marik while he was off his guard and unprotected. Setting the now sleeping Ryou down gently, he shot after his hikari, hoping he'd get to him before something happened.

All he could do was hope.

"This is so damn boring."

Tommi Calis leaned back into the passenger side seat of the black Mazda the boss had lent to him. They'd been sent to watch this stupid house, but nothing yet had happened.

"We've been here for half an hour, Tommi," sighed his partner, Robert, a skinny little man that Tommi could floor with one punch, "You'll be fine."

After a few minutes, the sound of breaking glass was heard. Tommi looked up in time to see a blonde boy run out the door and down the street.

"Ain't that the kid the boss wants?" asked Robert.

"Yeah," replied Tommi with a sinister grin, "Why don't we go give him a ride?"

"How thoughtful of you," Robert laughed, and pulled out of their parking space, following the blonde as he slowed to a walk.

Tommi knew he had to move quickly. The boy's lover would follow him, and from what Tommi had seen, this "yami" was extremely powerful. People had died for even touching the Ishtar boy. He had to grab him quickly before his lover had time to defend him.

Tommi stepped out of the car as it slowed to a crawl beside their target. The boy didn't even notice. He'd been crying, Tommi could see his red, puffy eyes.

Displaying the skill he'd perfected over the years, he stepped up behind his prey, effectively silencing the boy with his hand, pinning the boy's arms to his side with his free arm.

"Marik!" he heard someone yell as the tanned angel—Marik—began to struggle. Tommi twisted his head and saw his captive's lover running towards them.

Shit.

He pushed Marik into the back seat of the car, and the boy cried out to his lover, his mouth freed. Tommi jumped in after the struggling teen, closing the car door behind him.

"Go!" he shouted at Richard. His partner hit the gas, and they sped off, leaving Marik Ishtar's lover behind.

Well, there ya have it. Please review!!!!

Also, there's a reason I made Marik seem so incredibly jealous. You'll find out why next chapter.

Next time: Marik returns to Ryou, and the both of them agree to go meet Hynes together. However, there will be a not-so-nice little surprise for the both of them… Be sure to look out for chapter four, "Betrayal."

Ja ne!!!!!