Chapter Eighteen-Visions of the Past and a Reconciliation

"Marik......." Victoria whimpered softly. She opened her eyes slowly, and looked around. "How....?"

"You passed out. Do you remember?" Marik was sitting by her bed. "Rishid,Ishizu and I brought you here."

"T-they did?" She looked up, seeing movement in the doorway. "Ishizu....."

The young Egyptian woman nodded. "You upset us greatly by your actions, but the past has taught us against disowning family. And you are family,Victoria." Her blue eyes were soft. "We are curious about these.....visions you saw..."

"Moreover, how did you come to start having visions?" Marik interrupted.

Victoria was silent for a long while, before she started explaining what happened. "I was trying to go home.....to my world. After Rishid made me leave. I thought you were dead.....or would never speak to me again. The portal,combined with Yami Bakura's shadow blast must've awakened something up there."

Marik nodded. "We......we really need to know.....what did you see..back at Bakura's?"

Victoria's eyes clouded over, as she remembered the sights, and immense pain that came with them. "I tihnk they were visions of the past."

"Victoria?" Marik put a hand over hers, watching her in concern. "It helps to talk about things you've seen..."

The girl closed her eyes again,sighing deeply. "I saw what happened to you,Marik......" The horrible images of his father carving her best friend's back up played again in the girl's mind. "H-he really hurt you......" Her voice was soft, but it shook,as if she were holding back sobs. Marik squeezed her hand gently, sighing sadly.

"He did....." Marik agreed softly. "But....it was a long time ago....."

"You're still in pain from it.....otherwise,I wouldn't have gone nuts like that..." Victoria realized,looking up at Marik now.

Marik couldn't argue. As often as he had tried, the memories of his torturous childhood still haunted him. He looked over at Rishid, who came to his side for support. "Yes, Victoria. As often as I have tried to forget, I cannot. So long as those scars remain on my back, and the yami loose, I will never be allowed to forget." He bowed his head, as his older brother put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm.....sorry,Marik.....I never knew.........." Victoria felt the flood gates open, as she laid back on her pillows. She regretted every angry thought she'd had on the Ishtars in the last few months. Once again, she became the loyal best friend she knew Marik needed. She cried even more when she saw that Marik himself was trying not to cry.

Ishizu came forward now, her eyes sad. She went around to the other side of Victoria's bed, and leaned down to hug her. "I suppose you deserve a second chance." Her heart warmed when Victoria hugged her back.

"Thank you,Ishizu...." Victoria said softly, as she looked up at Rishid. "Rishid.....I am really sorry for what happened....to all of you. And..to myself. I won't be so careless again."

As he hugged Marik gently, Rishid nodded. "Let us hope not, Victoria. Let us hope not."

At last, Marik sobered up enough to look to his best friend once more. He let go of Rishid, and the two friends embraced each other as if they'd never let go. "Do you want to come home now?"

"Yes, Marik. I really would." Victoria replied.

"Very well. I will go speak to the doctor." Ishizu volunteered, and she left to do just that.

(A/N: Four more chapters to go! I can't believe it's all almost over.......sniffles)