Into Darkness

Ame no Mizu

Author's Note: This is one of my favorite chapters, excluding chapter ten. Not much action in this one, but there will be next chapter.

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Chapter eight:

Calm Before the Storm

Marik followed his yami to the kitchen, totally perplexed. Malik guided him to a chair, and the Egyptian light sat, Malik sitting beside him, facing him.

"Marik, baby, I know we've had some… difficulties lately," he began, "But I just want you to know that I love you with all my heart and soul."

"I know, yami. I love you too."

"But I have the feeling that you're not happy with our relationship. I know you've wanted more, and I haven't been providing for you. That's my fault, babe. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Malik, I'm completely happy with you." Marik whispered.

"No, it's not alright. I have to do this." The yami took a deep breath, as though trying to steady his nerves, "Marik… we've been through a lot together. We've been in more fights than I can remember. We've spent more time making up than we have making out, and that's saying something. But we've always stayed together. I don't want that to end. I intend to stay by your side until the end of time. There's only one way I can think to do that."

"What do you mean?"

"Marik… I would be honored if you were to marry me."

Ryou curled up into his yami's arms, sighing happily when he felt Bakura's lips on his cheek.

"I'm sorry, Ryou," he whispered, "I shouldn't have let that bastard get his hands on you. I was supposed to be there."

"It's okay," Ryou said, and played with his yami's hair, "You were powerless to prevent it. If you could've done anything, I know you would've."

"Never again," Bakura whispered, "Never will I put you in danger like that again."

"I know, yami," Ryou laughed, "And you know I would do the same."

They cuddled happily and watched Yami and Yugi talk quietly. Ryou knew they were probably making the same vows that he and Bakura had. He was happy that they were home at last, all together. From what Bakura had told him, Hynes was dead. It seemed that without Hynes, the whole plan fell apart. Ryou hoped that was right.

But that woman… she seemed to know what she was doing. Were they wrong about the whole thing, and she was the mastermind behind it all? It didn't seem possible, but Ryou couldn't help but think it. The woman didn't seem much older than about 25. That would've made her about nine when he was kidnapped as a baby. She couldn't have had anything to do with it, and the kidnapping certainly seemed to be part of the plan. She would also be too young to have been with Hynes then. So how did she become so obviously important to the plan? It made Ryou's head hurt.

He smiled at Bakura, and they kissed. Ryou's fears lessened somewhat. With the yamis here, they were safe. One woman would never get past Bakura, Malik, and Yami all together. Sure, they were vulnerable separated, but together, they were undefeatable. There was nothing to worry about.

He hoped.

Marik sat in the kitchen chair, staring at his suddenly blushing yami, and tears came to his eyes.

"Oh, Malik…" he whispered, "Of course I will. I would a hundred times over…" Grinning, he leapt out of the chair and into his fiancée's arms, kissing him and crying on his shoulder.

"Um… are you okay?"

They turned to see Bakura and Ryou standing at the doorway. Marik grinned at him.

"We're getting married!" he cried, and Ryou gasped.

"You're kidding! Really?" he asked, and Marik nodded. The two hikaris squealed together delightedly and Marik jumped up to accept a hug.

"Congrats, Malik," said Bakura, "You finally got the guts to pop the question, huh?"

"Shut up, Bakura," Malik snapped, but grinned all the same.

Marik remained smiling, but inside, he felt the opposite. Although he knew Hynes was dead, he couldn't get rid of the feeling that they were still in mortal danger. However, being surrounded by his fiancée, Bakura, and Ryou, he felt safer.

Maybe he was overreacting.

They all went back to the living room, Marik in his yami's arms. He sighed when Malik squeezed him gently, as if able to feel what he was feeling. Yami and Yugi were fast asleep on the couch, and no one had the heart to wake them.

"We're… going upstairs," announced Malik, and grinned.

"Use the guest bedroom," said Ryou quickly, "Upstairs, third door on the right."

"Don't be too loud, you hear me?" Bakura mock scolded.

"Don't you worry, we will be," was Malik's last words before they disappeared up the stairs.

Ryou and Bakura stretched out on the loveseat, leaving Yami and Yugi to themselves. They lulled each other to sleep by the sounds of soft breathing, dimly aware of a pounding sound that Ryou didn't want to place.

Bakura was the first to wake in the morning. Ryou was half on top of him, breathing evenly. He gently put him aside and stood, hoping not to disturb him. He went upstairs to check on the two Egyptians in the guest bedroom, and they, too, were fast asleep in each other's arms. He traveled back down to the kitchen, and began to prepare breakfast for everyone.

"Bakura?" It was Ryou, standing in the doorway. He looked tired.

"Yeah, Ryou?"

"I… I think this is it," the hikari whispered. Bakura frowned at him, perplexed.

"What are you talking about?"

"Something's going to happen, Bakura, I can feel it," he cried, throwing himself into his yami's arms and burying his face in the spirit's neck, "We aren't safe, yami…"

"Oh, Ryou, don't talk like that," Bakura whispered, "Of course we're safe. With me, Yami, and Malik here, nothing can hurt you or any of the hikaris."

"I know that, but I still feel like there's something we forgot to do, something we have to be careful of…" he said desperately.

"What happened?" The two albinos looked at the doorway, and saw Yugi standing there, his yami behind him.

"Nothing, Yugi, it's okay," said Bakura, "Ryou's just worried, that's all. Nothing you need to be concerned with."

"Oh, okay," replied Yugi, "So, what's for breakfast?"

"I was thinking eggs," said Ryou, "And bacon. What do you want?"

"That sounds fine."

Ryou smiled and strolled over to the refrigerator, opening it. After a few moments, he closed it.

"We're out of eggs," he said, pulling on his shoes, "Bakura, you want to go with me to get some more?"

"Of course I do," Bakura snapped, "You don't honestly think I'd let you go by yourself, do you? That's how this whole mess started."

"Okay, okay," Ryou laughed, and the two left.

The morning was cool, and as Ryou began to walk, he wished he'd brought a light jacket. His fingers intertwined with his yami's, getting dirty looks from passersby. Of course, he didn't care. They were used to this whenever they got the least bit intimate in public.

The store was a few blocks from Ryou's apartment. The two enjoyed the stroll, and Ryou was glad Bakura had come with him.

"Ryou?" said the yami suddenly.

"Yes, Bakura?"

"Are you really that scared that something's going to happen?"

"Yes, actually, I am," Ryou answered, "I had this really strange dream last night. Maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion, but it really did scare me."

"You know that if anything were to happen, I would protect you, right?"

"I know, yami. I mean, you came for me yesterday…" Ryou smiled, but it faded, "I can't believe all that happened in just two days… it seems unreal. This is happening too quickly."

"I know…"

They entered the store, and a blast of cold air hit them in the face. Ryou giggled when Bakura made a face, and they began to pick up various items they needed for the house, including eggs. They talked of the past and funny things that had happened to them before they had been together.

"So me and Marik are in this tomb, right?" Bakura said as they approached the counter, "He says, 'Oh, wait, I know this guy.' And I asked, 'how?' He says, 'I used to protect him.' You'll never guess what he did next, Ryou, you'll never guess."

"What did he do?"

"He goes to the burial chamber, where the mummy is put, and he takes the lid off the sarcophagus, and he kisses the damn mummy. He says, 'Thanks, friend,' and we go and rob the tomb."

"Oh, ew, Bakura!" Ryou cried, and paid for the food. Bakura took both bags, "I can take one of them, you know. They're not heavy."

"No, it's okay, hikari, I've got them."

They walked back home in a comfortable silence, not needing to speak.

She sat in the car she's stolen from her late servant, and laughed softly as she watched the two lovers pass her. They had no idea… They all thought Hynes was the mastermind? That was laughable.

She'd let them settle into their false sense of security. Then she'd strike. They'd never see it coming. How pathetic.

Go on, little hikaris… surround yourself with your yamis. You think they'll protect you? You think their pathetic Egyptian shadow powers will rescue you? Well… you've never met Yanatarei…

We finally have a name! You think Hynes was bad, wait till you see what Yanatarei does…

Next time: The yamis believe that their beloved hikaris are safe… are they really?