Summary- Ryou used to be a normal kid until his father left him for Egypt when he was 14 years old. Ryou was left to fend for himself for over a year, and is now suffering of a terrible loneliness, having mixed feelings for his selfish and arrogant yami, and is slowly dying of a serious eating disorder. His life is now a serious down-spiral of dangerous events, risks, and... boyfriends? Can Ryou be saved before his stress kills him? Who can he trust with his life?

Couples:

Ryou and Bakura (First one-sided, but later may become something more)

Ryou and Seto (Very little)

Ryou and Malik (Ryou finds solace in an on/off relationship with Malik)

Malik and Marik

Yami, Yuugi, and Jounouchi (Threesome?)

Otogi and Tristan (Minor Reference)

WARNING!!! This story may contain all of the following: SHOUNEN AI, YAOI, FOUL LANGUAGE, EATING DISORDERS, DRUGS, ALCOHOL, and SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

Kitty does not own YuGiOh.

The Consequence of Sin

Part Three: "I Trust You Not To Betray Me..."

I was running, running as fast and as blindly as my body would take me. I had a destination in mind, but my mind was so far that I just couldn't remember if I was even still awake. My stomach was still a bit upset, and it was slowing me down. Damn that Seto Kaiba! He thinks that just because he is so high and mighty that he can take whatever he wants! He thinks he can do no wrong! He used me! I hate him!

"I HATE YOU, YOU SADISTIC BASTARD! I HATE YOU!" I screamed as loudly as my lungs would allow. A few dogs began to howl at the noise and I realized that I had reached my destination. An immediate calm settled over me as I rounded the corner. Malik's house was only four houses away. I looked down at my watch. Nine-thirty. No good, it was getting late. But I still had to give it a try. I couldn't give up just yet. I wasn't about to surrender and go back to Bakura. I would not allow myself.

I took a deep breath as I stood on Malik's front porch debating what to do. Should I knock? What if Malik had already gone to bed? What if Marik answered the door? Marik was creepy, right? 'Well, no one could be more dangerous than Seto Kaiba or Bakura right now,' I decided and prepared myself to knock.

After a few minutes I was about to give in and leave when I heard panicked footsteps rushing towards the door and I stopped in mid-turn. I straightened my clothing and smoothed my hair the best I could. No use, I looked a wreck. Locks were being furiously unbound and finally the door swung open with Malik standing before me with a sheet wrapped around his waist and an annoyed look on his face (run-on?). But his features quickly changed to concern when he took a look at me.

I shied away from his practically naked body blushing furiously, my eyes downcast. So Malik had been BUSY. "Ryou?" he said quietly.

"I'm so sorry, Malik, I didn't mean to interrupt you..." I whispered as I went to turn around and leave. "I shouldn't have come, it was a stupid idea." Before I could stop myself the tears once again began to flow and I became a sobbing heap on his Welcome mat. Startled, Malik ran out and helped me to my feet, whispering comforting words into my ears with the love that only my best friend could provide. Too bad that I couldn't understand him; my sobs wracked my body and blocked out all of the sound. My ears were filled with a terrifying ring that made me deaf to anything but.

"Malik, I'm scared!" I finally heard myself scream and everything came rushing back to me in torrents of loud noise. That's all that I was: A loud annoying noise that never seemed to go away.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Slow down, Baby-doll! I can't understand you! What happened to you Ryou, you don't look well," Malik said quietly while slipping on a pair of jeans that were lying in front of the couch. I hiccupped quietly as I tried to calm myself down. I was bound to break down sooner or later; I would have liked it to have been later than sooner, though.

No wonder Malik said I didn't look well; I was beginning to feel a bit sick again. I suppose that I hadn't gotten all of the alcohol out of my system yet, and I had left Kaiba's so quickly. "Could I use your washroom for a moment?" I whispered as I began to sweat. Malik toddled after me nervously down the back hall as I went into the bathroom without even closing the door. I collapsed in front of the toilet as Malik hovered worriedly by the door. After I was done throwing up I found Malik behind me holding back my long hair. He gave me a sweet smile and said kindly, "Care to tell me what's going on, Ryou?"

"Hey, Pussycat! Who was at the door, I'm getting bored!" I heard come from upstairs. Marik no doubt. Interesting pet name. "Put your pants back on, Marik, this is an emergency!" I blushed at the statement, but allowed Malik to lead me back to the couch with a cool washrag on my head. I heard grumbling as Marik came down the steps clad in a pair of black boxers. That's all. Ra damn these people and being half naked all of the time!

"Who is—Oh! Hello Ryou!" Marik smiles broadly. He's certainly mellowed out a bit. I had always remembered him a bit more... psychotic.

"Anyway!" Malik interrupts, "Ryou, care to tell me now what happened?" I held my breath and prepared to tell Malik everything. About Bakura, and then Kaiba, and about what I'm supposed to do now.

"I hate to intrude," I began, "but I didn't know who else to turn to." Both Egyptian teens nodded intently and I continued as difficult as it was. "I was thinking about Bakura this evening... and I realized just how much... I loved him." "Oh, Ryou, that's wonderful!" Malik smiled placing a hand on my shoulder. I would have liked to smile back, but I couldn't find it in myself to do so unfortunately. "I asked Bakura... if he thought I was attractive... and he laughed at me." I swear I just saw the sourest look cross Marik's face! Is he mad at me... or Bakura? They were silent. "So I ran to the park, and was crying and stuff and I accidentally ran into Mr. Seto Kaiba." "And then what did you do?" I could tell they were actually listening to me. That felt good, I think. "Kaiba was very kind to me and wiped my tears. He took me back to his place and fixed me some tea and crackers. After that everything was a blur! But when I came to, it was more than an hour later I was sprawled across Kaiba's loveseat with a splitting headache and his hands up my shirt!" "That bastard!" Marik screeched. I nodded. "I know!" I buried my head in my hands, but my tears had run dry, and my voice came out nothing more than a strangled whisper. "He took advantage of me... he spiked my drink, got me drunk, and put his filthy hands and mouth all over my body." I raised my head and found myself staring into the lavender eyes of my best friend.

"Am I a dirty kid now, Malik? Will anybody ever love me?" I sniffed. Malik stared at me with a look of hurt in his eyes. He raised my chin a bit higher with a delicate finger. I flinched remembering Kaiba using the same methods. "Don't be scared, Ryou," he whispered, "Marik and I want to help you," he paused, "and whether Bakura wants to admit it or not, you are beautiful, gorgeous even." Malik leaned over and kissed me on the forehead. I sat there stunned. Never had I felt so cared for in my entire life. I know I can trust Malik. He is my best friend, not a stranger. "Thank you," I whispered.

"No problem, Ryou, we love you. And there is plenty of room in Marik and my relationship for you if you so desire. We could use a little angel in the house right about now!" I blushed upon the comment. Angel? I was nowhere near, was I? I surely wasn't as pure, and now Kaiba's sinful hands have tainted me, leaving me dirty. But to enter their relationship? That was asinine! They were so deeply in love and... involved with each other! I could never take that away. I could never amount to what they found in each other. I had to decline.

"Malik, I could not intrude—!" "Nonsense." I looked up at Marik. He was a bit frightening with his poker face on and his brows furrowed in seriousness. I was always a nervous wreck when Marik and Bakura were together because of all the shit they pulled during Battle City. Those two together is like the apocalypse of 2004. Not such a smart pair.

"I am willing to share my hikari," Marik began and I focused my attention fully on him. "And I cannot forgive Bakura or Kaiba for hurting a light as pure as you. That is a sin beyond absolution. I may not be very reasonable at times, and I may have been frightening in the past, but I do care for you Ryou, just as my hikari does. I will not lay a hand on you, if I make you uncomfortable in any way. My hikari will take good care of you. But I will take care of you as well. I want you to know that you are not alone." (Sounds like the Pharaoh prepared that one for him...) And with that Marik turned and went up the stairs. A door clicked quietly and I turned to Malik, a gentle smile upon his lips. "Stay with us Ryou... please?"

I stared at him. He was sincere. I keep telling myself that Malik is my best friend and that he is trustworthy. And after Marik's speech, I could not refuse! I've made up my mind. I will stay with the Ishtars. Maybe even fall in love with them.

"I trust you not to betray me," I said, and Malik gave me a hug and a kiss on my cheek. I blushed faintly; this is how things were going to be. And I believe I may be falling already for a certain blonde Egyptian.

To Be Continued...

Sorry for all those Kaiba fans out there. I really do adore him! He's just the one I chose to assault poor innocent Ryou! Anyway, reviews make me very happy, minna!

Next Chapter: "Where Are You, Ryou?"