Freai. Woo. Yeah! ^-^ Yay for angst. And sensitive sides! And...Stories. :D
----
Malik's phone rang in the still quiet of the household. After a few rings, the answering machine clicked and began to record, "Malik, it's me, Ishizu. I know about Odion and what happened. Unfortunately I cannot offer physical comfort at this time. My work has me so busy that it will be at least a month before I can even consider visiting. Little brother, please pick up the phone. I'm aware of your sorrow, but please talk to me." There was a minute of silence and then the machine clicked again as the message ended.
Malik heard the message. He wasn't far from the phone. It rested on the kitchen counter near the table he sat at. Odion had had a decent funeral. Malik did his best to assemble a ceremony which suited his guardian. Even so, the only family present was Malik and the only friends were rare hunters. Ryou would have offered to attend, but Malik never told him about the funeral in the first place. As a matter of fact, he hadn't talked much to anyone since Odion's death three days ago. The event had taken over the weekend and so far he'd only missed a single day of school. But perhaps that would build up.
If he didn't attend tomorrow, someone from the school would call. Malik went to his room and gathered up his school supplies, setting them on his desk. In the morning, he'd get back on schedule. There was no time or place for extended mourning. All of the sorrow just had to be kept inside. Malik sat down on his bed. There was one place Malik hadn't dared go since Odion's death; his room. He was sure he'd have to go there sometime to clean it up. But it didn't feel right. Even his own room didn't feel comfortable anymore.
Collapsing onto his side and propping up an elbow to suspend his head and upper torso, Malik studied the surface of his bed, "Well Malik... You've managed to kill three members of your family. Why don't you just kill your sister next and commit suicide?" Malik had these talks with himself everyday and they were all similar in purpose. He had to suffer for his failures. In his mind, he was at fault for every death in the family so far.
Odion; had Malik tried harder or worked faster his guardian would still be alive. His mother; why did the poor woman bother giving birth to a wretch like himself? The family would have survived better if it had only been Ishizu and Odion as tomb keepers. His father; perhaps he was unjust and cruel, but he did not deserve to die. "Things go wrong even when I'm not trying. I don't deserve to live..." Malik mused.
As the sky outside darkened, Malik became aware of something else. His Yami was still out there wreaking havoc. He could end it for them both. He could stop the hatred and the pain. Everyone could live without fear if he cut the right vein. Malik's eyes moved over to his millenium rod resting innocently on his desk, "Death will take me when it wants me. Not today..."
The bell rang and the students filed into their appropriate classrooms. Malik visited the principal's office prior to home room in order to explain his absence. He gave the excuse of a minor illness and was granted a sick day, avoiding detention altogether. He dropped a note on Ryou's desk as he passed him and Ryou blinked, concealing the note beneath his desk as he opened it. He scanned over it briefly and narrowed his eyes. It basically stated that Malik wanted to die. And he wanted Ryou to kill him.
Yugi and his friends had badgered Ryou the day before and gathered that something was seriously wrong with the Egyptian. Like a good friend, Ryou didn't tell them what was wrong, he figured he'd let Malik tell them if he wanted to. Joey leaned over the back of his desk to look at Malik and he caught the moot look on his face, "Eh. Who died, Malik?" he joked. Malik sat down and glared at Joey, "Fuck off, Wheeler." Joey huffed, "Okay fine." He turned away from Malik again.
Malik noticed Yugi looking at him funny, "Yea, I swore. What do you care, Yugi?" Malik hissed. Yugi shrank a little and averted his gaze, "Never mind..." No one made a move to approach Malik for the first half of the day. They waited until their lunch period to speak with him. Tea, who had recovered partially from her Vampire bite, sat beside Malik along with Yugi who was positioned next to her.
Duke and the others sat at a nearby table, watching the situation from a safe distance. Duke smirked slightly, "Those two are daring. Hey, Joey, wanna place a bet on who gets bitten first? I'll bet five bucks on Tea." He heard someone give a disgusted grunt and looked over at Ryou who was walking by their table as Duke insulted Malik. The white-haired boy sat at Malik's table and smiled softly at the blonde.
Tea tried to start conversation, "So, Malik, you don't seem very happy today. Are you still feeling sick from yesterday?" Yugi listened for any sign of response from Malik, and even then, a positive response. Malik looked at Tea and nearly scowled, "Yea. Real fuckin' sick," he muttered while glaring at the tabletop. He didn't want to talk to anyone, let alone Tea. Yugi couldn't help himself; he reprimanded Malik this time, "Watch your language. You can't talk to people like that!" Malik looked ready to get up and walk away again when Ryou intervened, "Malik, calm down."
Malik shot Ryou an exasperated glance but remained where he was. "Malik, what's wrong? How come you're so mean to everybody? We didn't do anything," Tea asked. Yugi nodded, "Yea, I hope you have a good reason; this isn't like you at all." "I killed Odion," Malik said abruptly. Yugi and Tea gasped, making the nearby table wonder what was going on. Ryou sighed, "No you didn't Malik, we've gone over that already." Tea merely stared at Malik. Yugi blinked, still astonished, "What do you mean by that, Malik?"
"I didn't try hard enough to save him from the shadows. I failed. He can't live his life now and it's all my fault!" Malik slammed a fist down on the tabletop and looked aside. His bangs were casting an eerie shadow over his eyes that made Tea edge away. Ryou looked sympathetic, "That's not true. You couldn't have done anything." "How would you know, Ryou?!" Malik snapped at him. Joey blinked at the scene, "Maybe we should get Yugi an' Tea outta there." Tristan shrugged, "I dunno. I think it's safer to stay here."
Serenity ate her lunch quietly, trying not to listen to what the others were saying. She was too worried to care. She had heard the rumors flying around about how Malik was a Vampire. Of course she knew this wasn't true, but what about his Yami? She wouldn't admit it, but she was friends with Marik on a level that the others didn't see. When the word kill was practically screamed from the other table, Serenity perked up, listening to Malik's yelling.
Ryou frowned slightly, "Don't get mad at me. I'm only trying to help." "Well don't. I'm fine on my own. Just leave me alone all of you. And tell all of your little friends to stop bothering me too," Malik growled and folded his arms. "But you're not fine on your own, Malik. Listen to yourself," Yugi pointed out. Malik gathered up his binder as the bell rang, "Yes, well, perhaps you aren't the miracle cure you think you are, Yugi. You can't save everyone." With that, Malik walked away, harshly kicking open the door to the cafeteria.
The last few periods were much like the first few. Everyone left Malik alone and he sunk deeper and deeper into his realm of despair. There were only a few assignments Malik had missed. He loaded them into his schoolbag and slammed his locker shut. He found Serenity standing on the other side of the locker door as if she were waiting for him to finish up, "Oh, Serenity...Hello." She nodded slightly, "Hey, Malik. Could I...bother you to give me ride home?" Malik blinked at the sudden request but slowly nodded, "Yes, of course."
Serenity smiled, "Thanks. Joey has another detention after school so that leaves me without a way home." The two began to walk down the hall. "So, you were pretty upset today..." Serenity mentioned quietly. Malik simply nodded rather than strike up his defensive shield against her. Serenity was one of the few people he truly felt comfortable around. Malik held the door open for Serenity and she thanked him. Then they headed for his motorcycle which was parked at the back of the school to prevent its total destruction.
Ryou had decided to let Malik calm himself down over the next few days and so he didn't go looking for him after school. As he exited the school building, he was startled as someone grabbed him by the arm and pulled behind some bushes. Ryou struggled but then stopped as he realized who it was that had taken hold of him, "Marik..." Ryou glanced toward Marik's free hand. The millenium rod was resting there as innocently as it had on Malik's desk before Marik took it, "Please, don't use that on me!"
Marik narrowed his eyes and released his hold on Ryou's arm. He unsheathed the dagger concealed within the rod and twirled the weapon so that it faced him. Giving it a thoughtful look, he glanced toward Ryou, "Don't be frightened by what I'm about to do..." He then plunged the rod deep into his own heart, catching Ryou off guard. The pain must have been immense since Marik emitted grunts of discomfort. He pushed hard until the bloodied item protruded from his back... Dark red blood and flesh clung to the dagger and crimson liquid soaked the back of Marik's shirt and trickled down toward the ground. Afterwards, he panted and tried to regain composure, "Ryou...I have to ask something very important...of you." Ryou stared at him in shock, unable to comment just then.
"You know of a way to kill me, don't you..?" Marik continued and lowered his hand from the head of the millenium rod, letting it keep itself there. Ryou nodded slowly, "Y...Yes. But-"Marik held his arms out in an eagle spread stance, "Kill me...Please?" Ryou trembled slightly, "Marik..." "Yes...I know I probably don't even...deserve the peace of death, but put me out of...my misery. It will be...better for everyone..."
Ryou knew he was telling the truth but there was still a way for Marik to be human again. But now he doubted whether it would be worth it. Marik frowned, "Do it, Ryou. Or I'll...do it myself." The millenium rod shimmered as Marik tapped its shadow powers. Ryou was in a tough spot. Should he kill Marik or let him send himself to the shadow realm? Either way, he'd be losing two friends and gaining a guilty conscience, "Wait. Marik... What about Malik and Kaiser? You can still fix things."
"It doesn't matter, Ryou. I'm hated. I've killed people. That cannot...be redeemed with mere words. You hate me too and won't admit it. I even hate myself. So commit...one last act of kindness for me. Please..." Marik was down to the level of pleading. Ryou lifted his hands and hesitated a moment before placing them on Marik's shoulders, "Calm yourself. I don't hate you. I just hate what you're doing. I know who you are, Marik, this is not you. This affliction is taking you over. It's a disease that toys with your mind like Kaiser does." Marik lowered his arms, "It's a disease? That can't be. I'm in...in control of what I'm doing."
Ryou maintained a serious look, "Are you?" Marik thought for a moment back to his feelings in the cave for the past few day, "I can't help myself. N...no, I'm not in control. R...Ryou-"Ryou shook his head, "Just. Just calm down. You'll be ok. And so will Malik. Because I know you're worried about him." Marik nodded obediently and winced as the pain from his impalement came back to him with full force. He leaned forward slightly and Ryou caught him, "Oh god. You really shouldn't have done that..."
Serenity removed herself from Malik's motorcycle and took off her helmet. She then handed it to him and he placed it on his own head, "Thanks for driving me home, Malik. I hope you get things worked out ok. Remember, you can talk to me if you want at any time." Malik smiled, "Yeah, I know. That's why I like you, Serenity." Serenity blushed faintly, "I'm glad." Malik nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow, goodbye." He gave a small wave and then rode off. Serenity sighed, "Be well, Malik..."
Malik pulled up to his house and nearly crashed his bike...again at the sight he beheld. Both Ryou and Marik were sitting on his doorstep and Marik had bandaging around the left side of his torso. He held the millenium rod loosely in his right hand and stood as Malik parked his bike. Malik frowned at his Yami, "What the hell do you want? Give me that rod right now." He held out his hand. Marik handed the item over and was soon joined by Ryou.
"I'm sorry, Hikari..." Marik said softly. Malik huffed, "For what, ruining everything? For helping to kill Odion and Cadelle? Yea, I'm sure you're sorry." Malik pushed past Marik as he continued to head inside. Marik emitted a gasp of pain as Malik touched him where he was wounded. Malik paused and looked back at Marik in confusion and was about to say something when he noticed that the bandages on his back were bloodied as well as those on his chest. He realized that something had impaled him. Ryou saw Malik's look of confusion and therefore explained, "He tried to kill himself with the rod."
Malik blinked and then brushed aside the fact, "Hmph. Understandable. Coward wants to kill himself now that he's done something wrong. What an idiot." Malik muttered to himself and went inside. "See, I told you..." Marik said sadly. Ryou shook his head, "No, he's just blaming himself for a lot right now. You both are. Come on, let's go talk to him." Ryou grabbed Marik's hand and pulled him inside. Malik called from the other room, presumably the kitchen, "Marik, if you're not out of this house by the time I get back in there I'll kick your ass to the point where you can't talk!"
Ryou sighed, "Stay here, I'll go see what I can do." Ryou went to the kitchen and found Malik leaning against the counter with a can of sprite in his hand, "Malik, I really think we need to talk..." Malik rolled his eyes, "He has to send you here to talk to me? Why can't he do it himself?" Ryou frowned, "Because you won't listen to him." Malik took a thoughtful sip of his drink and nodded as he drew it away from his mouth, "Hm. Good reason. I really could care less about what he has to say."
"How can you be so cruel to me, Malik?" Ryou said unexpectedly. Malik set the aluminum can down on the counter, "What do mean?" Ryou set down his school bag and sat at the kitchen table, facing Malik, "If you give up on him, then he'll kill himself." Malik shrugged, "And?" "-And- You will die too," Ryou protested. Malik smiled slightly, "Yea. Win win situation there." Malik blinked when Ryou looked dejectedly at the tabletop, "Malik, don't you get it? You're my best friend and now you're just going to leave me and not care that I might miss you? Very badly?"
Malik looked aside briefly and showed signs of regret. He then looked at Ryou again and walked over to him, "I guess I didn't think of that. I'm sorry..." Ryou lifted his head and smiled sweetly. There was no escaping whatever Ryou had to say now. That face always froze Malik in place and so he sat down across from him at the table. "There's a way we can make things work. If you'll promise not to kill yourself that is," Ryou said hopefully. Malik nodded, "I have reason not to now..."
Ryou pushed his bangs out of his face, "Alright then. I've refused to tell Marik the spell that can kill his type of Vampire. But now that you've promised... I will go with him to track down Kaiser and kill him. Hopefully that will make him human again." Malik made a face. "Yes, I know you don't like him much. But I'll leave it up to you and him what you do once he's human again," Ryou said with a simple shrug. Malik stood and Ryou followed him out of the room.
Marik stood by the living room window with his arms painfully folded across his chest. He had his eyes closed as he waited for Ryou to come and tell him that Malik wanted nothing to do with their plans. Marik was startled however by Malik's voice behind him, "Ok." Marik turned around to see Malik standing there with Ryou at his side. Marik smiled slightly, "Come on, Ryou. Thank you, Malik..." Ryou nodded and headed out the front door. Marik turned to follow him but was halted again by his Hikari's hand on his shoulder, "I'm coming with you." Marik nodded, "If you want to waste your time that way I suppose..." Malik snickered at the comment and they both left the house.
Kaiser sat atop a table with his right leg folded delicately over his left. In his right hand he held a bow. And on his left shoulder there rested a violin. He combined these two items with rhythmic motions in order to create a very soothing but sorrowful melody. The room this particular table was in was plain. The walls had a simple wall paper pattern and there was little other furniture present. A painting or two was strewn across the walls and perhaps the most intricate thing in the area was the carpet which depicted an endless repeat of swirls in shades of blue and violet.
His eyes, which had previously been closed, opened now to reveal the startling fact that they were still red. And it was only around four in the afternoon! Kaiser's right arm ceased drawing the bow over his violin. He lowered his arm and set the bow down on the table. Next, he let the violin rest in his lap as he uncrossed his legs. Musing quietly in the silence of the room, Kaiser spoke to himself, "Aye Kaiser... What have you done wrong with your little pet Marik?" Kaiser got off of the table and placed his violin in its case which resided nearby. He allowed the violin bow to join it and then he shut the case with a click. Sighing quietly, Kaiser ran a hand through his silver locks, exiting the room, "Perhaps I should be more careful with you. There is still time to change you, Marik..."
----
Malik's phone rang in the still quiet of the household. After a few rings, the answering machine clicked and began to record, "Malik, it's me, Ishizu. I know about Odion and what happened. Unfortunately I cannot offer physical comfort at this time. My work has me so busy that it will be at least a month before I can even consider visiting. Little brother, please pick up the phone. I'm aware of your sorrow, but please talk to me." There was a minute of silence and then the machine clicked again as the message ended.
Malik heard the message. He wasn't far from the phone. It rested on the kitchen counter near the table he sat at. Odion had had a decent funeral. Malik did his best to assemble a ceremony which suited his guardian. Even so, the only family present was Malik and the only friends were rare hunters. Ryou would have offered to attend, but Malik never told him about the funeral in the first place. As a matter of fact, he hadn't talked much to anyone since Odion's death three days ago. The event had taken over the weekend and so far he'd only missed a single day of school. But perhaps that would build up.
If he didn't attend tomorrow, someone from the school would call. Malik went to his room and gathered up his school supplies, setting them on his desk. In the morning, he'd get back on schedule. There was no time or place for extended mourning. All of the sorrow just had to be kept inside. Malik sat down on his bed. There was one place Malik hadn't dared go since Odion's death; his room. He was sure he'd have to go there sometime to clean it up. But it didn't feel right. Even his own room didn't feel comfortable anymore.
Collapsing onto his side and propping up an elbow to suspend his head and upper torso, Malik studied the surface of his bed, "Well Malik... You've managed to kill three members of your family. Why don't you just kill your sister next and commit suicide?" Malik had these talks with himself everyday and they were all similar in purpose. He had to suffer for his failures. In his mind, he was at fault for every death in the family so far.
Odion; had Malik tried harder or worked faster his guardian would still be alive. His mother; why did the poor woman bother giving birth to a wretch like himself? The family would have survived better if it had only been Ishizu and Odion as tomb keepers. His father; perhaps he was unjust and cruel, but he did not deserve to die. "Things go wrong even when I'm not trying. I don't deserve to live..." Malik mused.
As the sky outside darkened, Malik became aware of something else. His Yami was still out there wreaking havoc. He could end it for them both. He could stop the hatred and the pain. Everyone could live without fear if he cut the right vein. Malik's eyes moved over to his millenium rod resting innocently on his desk, "Death will take me when it wants me. Not today..."
The bell rang and the students filed into their appropriate classrooms. Malik visited the principal's office prior to home room in order to explain his absence. He gave the excuse of a minor illness and was granted a sick day, avoiding detention altogether. He dropped a note on Ryou's desk as he passed him and Ryou blinked, concealing the note beneath his desk as he opened it. He scanned over it briefly and narrowed his eyes. It basically stated that Malik wanted to die. And he wanted Ryou to kill him.
Yugi and his friends had badgered Ryou the day before and gathered that something was seriously wrong with the Egyptian. Like a good friend, Ryou didn't tell them what was wrong, he figured he'd let Malik tell them if he wanted to. Joey leaned over the back of his desk to look at Malik and he caught the moot look on his face, "Eh. Who died, Malik?" he joked. Malik sat down and glared at Joey, "Fuck off, Wheeler." Joey huffed, "Okay fine." He turned away from Malik again.
Malik noticed Yugi looking at him funny, "Yea, I swore. What do you care, Yugi?" Malik hissed. Yugi shrank a little and averted his gaze, "Never mind..." No one made a move to approach Malik for the first half of the day. They waited until their lunch period to speak with him. Tea, who had recovered partially from her Vampire bite, sat beside Malik along with Yugi who was positioned next to her.
Duke and the others sat at a nearby table, watching the situation from a safe distance. Duke smirked slightly, "Those two are daring. Hey, Joey, wanna place a bet on who gets bitten first? I'll bet five bucks on Tea." He heard someone give a disgusted grunt and looked over at Ryou who was walking by their table as Duke insulted Malik. The white-haired boy sat at Malik's table and smiled softly at the blonde.
Tea tried to start conversation, "So, Malik, you don't seem very happy today. Are you still feeling sick from yesterday?" Yugi listened for any sign of response from Malik, and even then, a positive response. Malik looked at Tea and nearly scowled, "Yea. Real fuckin' sick," he muttered while glaring at the tabletop. He didn't want to talk to anyone, let alone Tea. Yugi couldn't help himself; he reprimanded Malik this time, "Watch your language. You can't talk to people like that!" Malik looked ready to get up and walk away again when Ryou intervened, "Malik, calm down."
Malik shot Ryou an exasperated glance but remained where he was. "Malik, what's wrong? How come you're so mean to everybody? We didn't do anything," Tea asked. Yugi nodded, "Yea, I hope you have a good reason; this isn't like you at all." "I killed Odion," Malik said abruptly. Yugi and Tea gasped, making the nearby table wonder what was going on. Ryou sighed, "No you didn't Malik, we've gone over that already." Tea merely stared at Malik. Yugi blinked, still astonished, "What do you mean by that, Malik?"
"I didn't try hard enough to save him from the shadows. I failed. He can't live his life now and it's all my fault!" Malik slammed a fist down on the tabletop and looked aside. His bangs were casting an eerie shadow over his eyes that made Tea edge away. Ryou looked sympathetic, "That's not true. You couldn't have done anything." "How would you know, Ryou?!" Malik snapped at him. Joey blinked at the scene, "Maybe we should get Yugi an' Tea outta there." Tristan shrugged, "I dunno. I think it's safer to stay here."
Serenity ate her lunch quietly, trying not to listen to what the others were saying. She was too worried to care. She had heard the rumors flying around about how Malik was a Vampire. Of course she knew this wasn't true, but what about his Yami? She wouldn't admit it, but she was friends with Marik on a level that the others didn't see. When the word kill was practically screamed from the other table, Serenity perked up, listening to Malik's yelling.
Ryou frowned slightly, "Don't get mad at me. I'm only trying to help." "Well don't. I'm fine on my own. Just leave me alone all of you. And tell all of your little friends to stop bothering me too," Malik growled and folded his arms. "But you're not fine on your own, Malik. Listen to yourself," Yugi pointed out. Malik gathered up his binder as the bell rang, "Yes, well, perhaps you aren't the miracle cure you think you are, Yugi. You can't save everyone." With that, Malik walked away, harshly kicking open the door to the cafeteria.
The last few periods were much like the first few. Everyone left Malik alone and he sunk deeper and deeper into his realm of despair. There were only a few assignments Malik had missed. He loaded them into his schoolbag and slammed his locker shut. He found Serenity standing on the other side of the locker door as if she were waiting for him to finish up, "Oh, Serenity...Hello." She nodded slightly, "Hey, Malik. Could I...bother you to give me ride home?" Malik blinked at the sudden request but slowly nodded, "Yes, of course."
Serenity smiled, "Thanks. Joey has another detention after school so that leaves me without a way home." The two began to walk down the hall. "So, you were pretty upset today..." Serenity mentioned quietly. Malik simply nodded rather than strike up his defensive shield against her. Serenity was one of the few people he truly felt comfortable around. Malik held the door open for Serenity and she thanked him. Then they headed for his motorcycle which was parked at the back of the school to prevent its total destruction.
Ryou had decided to let Malik calm himself down over the next few days and so he didn't go looking for him after school. As he exited the school building, he was startled as someone grabbed him by the arm and pulled behind some bushes. Ryou struggled but then stopped as he realized who it was that had taken hold of him, "Marik..." Ryou glanced toward Marik's free hand. The millenium rod was resting there as innocently as it had on Malik's desk before Marik took it, "Please, don't use that on me!"
Marik narrowed his eyes and released his hold on Ryou's arm. He unsheathed the dagger concealed within the rod and twirled the weapon so that it faced him. Giving it a thoughtful look, he glanced toward Ryou, "Don't be frightened by what I'm about to do..." He then plunged the rod deep into his own heart, catching Ryou off guard. The pain must have been immense since Marik emitted grunts of discomfort. He pushed hard until the bloodied item protruded from his back... Dark red blood and flesh clung to the dagger and crimson liquid soaked the back of Marik's shirt and trickled down toward the ground. Afterwards, he panted and tried to regain composure, "Ryou...I have to ask something very important...of you." Ryou stared at him in shock, unable to comment just then.
"You know of a way to kill me, don't you..?" Marik continued and lowered his hand from the head of the millenium rod, letting it keep itself there. Ryou nodded slowly, "Y...Yes. But-"Marik held his arms out in an eagle spread stance, "Kill me...Please?" Ryou trembled slightly, "Marik..." "Yes...I know I probably don't even...deserve the peace of death, but put me out of...my misery. It will be...better for everyone..."
Ryou knew he was telling the truth but there was still a way for Marik to be human again. But now he doubted whether it would be worth it. Marik frowned, "Do it, Ryou. Or I'll...do it myself." The millenium rod shimmered as Marik tapped its shadow powers. Ryou was in a tough spot. Should he kill Marik or let him send himself to the shadow realm? Either way, he'd be losing two friends and gaining a guilty conscience, "Wait. Marik... What about Malik and Kaiser? You can still fix things."
"It doesn't matter, Ryou. I'm hated. I've killed people. That cannot...be redeemed with mere words. You hate me too and won't admit it. I even hate myself. So commit...one last act of kindness for me. Please..." Marik was down to the level of pleading. Ryou lifted his hands and hesitated a moment before placing them on Marik's shoulders, "Calm yourself. I don't hate you. I just hate what you're doing. I know who you are, Marik, this is not you. This affliction is taking you over. It's a disease that toys with your mind like Kaiser does." Marik lowered his arms, "It's a disease? That can't be. I'm in...in control of what I'm doing."
Ryou maintained a serious look, "Are you?" Marik thought for a moment back to his feelings in the cave for the past few day, "I can't help myself. N...no, I'm not in control. R...Ryou-"Ryou shook his head, "Just. Just calm down. You'll be ok. And so will Malik. Because I know you're worried about him." Marik nodded obediently and winced as the pain from his impalement came back to him with full force. He leaned forward slightly and Ryou caught him, "Oh god. You really shouldn't have done that..."
Serenity removed herself from Malik's motorcycle and took off her helmet. She then handed it to him and he placed it on his own head, "Thanks for driving me home, Malik. I hope you get things worked out ok. Remember, you can talk to me if you want at any time." Malik smiled, "Yeah, I know. That's why I like you, Serenity." Serenity blushed faintly, "I'm glad." Malik nodded, "I'll see you tomorrow, goodbye." He gave a small wave and then rode off. Serenity sighed, "Be well, Malik..."
Malik pulled up to his house and nearly crashed his bike...again at the sight he beheld. Both Ryou and Marik were sitting on his doorstep and Marik had bandaging around the left side of his torso. He held the millenium rod loosely in his right hand and stood as Malik parked his bike. Malik frowned at his Yami, "What the hell do you want? Give me that rod right now." He held out his hand. Marik handed the item over and was soon joined by Ryou.
"I'm sorry, Hikari..." Marik said softly. Malik huffed, "For what, ruining everything? For helping to kill Odion and Cadelle? Yea, I'm sure you're sorry." Malik pushed past Marik as he continued to head inside. Marik emitted a gasp of pain as Malik touched him where he was wounded. Malik paused and looked back at Marik in confusion and was about to say something when he noticed that the bandages on his back were bloodied as well as those on his chest. He realized that something had impaled him. Ryou saw Malik's look of confusion and therefore explained, "He tried to kill himself with the rod."
Malik blinked and then brushed aside the fact, "Hmph. Understandable. Coward wants to kill himself now that he's done something wrong. What an idiot." Malik muttered to himself and went inside. "See, I told you..." Marik said sadly. Ryou shook his head, "No, he's just blaming himself for a lot right now. You both are. Come on, let's go talk to him." Ryou grabbed Marik's hand and pulled him inside. Malik called from the other room, presumably the kitchen, "Marik, if you're not out of this house by the time I get back in there I'll kick your ass to the point where you can't talk!"
Ryou sighed, "Stay here, I'll go see what I can do." Ryou went to the kitchen and found Malik leaning against the counter with a can of sprite in his hand, "Malik, I really think we need to talk..." Malik rolled his eyes, "He has to send you here to talk to me? Why can't he do it himself?" Ryou frowned, "Because you won't listen to him." Malik took a thoughtful sip of his drink and nodded as he drew it away from his mouth, "Hm. Good reason. I really could care less about what he has to say."
"How can you be so cruel to me, Malik?" Ryou said unexpectedly. Malik set the aluminum can down on the counter, "What do mean?" Ryou set down his school bag and sat at the kitchen table, facing Malik, "If you give up on him, then he'll kill himself." Malik shrugged, "And?" "-And- You will die too," Ryou protested. Malik smiled slightly, "Yea. Win win situation there." Malik blinked when Ryou looked dejectedly at the tabletop, "Malik, don't you get it? You're my best friend and now you're just going to leave me and not care that I might miss you? Very badly?"
Malik looked aside briefly and showed signs of regret. He then looked at Ryou again and walked over to him, "I guess I didn't think of that. I'm sorry..." Ryou lifted his head and smiled sweetly. There was no escaping whatever Ryou had to say now. That face always froze Malik in place and so he sat down across from him at the table. "There's a way we can make things work. If you'll promise not to kill yourself that is," Ryou said hopefully. Malik nodded, "I have reason not to now..."
Ryou pushed his bangs out of his face, "Alright then. I've refused to tell Marik the spell that can kill his type of Vampire. But now that you've promised... I will go with him to track down Kaiser and kill him. Hopefully that will make him human again." Malik made a face. "Yes, I know you don't like him much. But I'll leave it up to you and him what you do once he's human again," Ryou said with a simple shrug. Malik stood and Ryou followed him out of the room.
Marik stood by the living room window with his arms painfully folded across his chest. He had his eyes closed as he waited for Ryou to come and tell him that Malik wanted nothing to do with their plans. Marik was startled however by Malik's voice behind him, "Ok." Marik turned around to see Malik standing there with Ryou at his side. Marik smiled slightly, "Come on, Ryou. Thank you, Malik..." Ryou nodded and headed out the front door. Marik turned to follow him but was halted again by his Hikari's hand on his shoulder, "I'm coming with you." Marik nodded, "If you want to waste your time that way I suppose..." Malik snickered at the comment and they both left the house.
Kaiser sat atop a table with his right leg folded delicately over his left. In his right hand he held a bow. And on his left shoulder there rested a violin. He combined these two items with rhythmic motions in order to create a very soothing but sorrowful melody. The room this particular table was in was plain. The walls had a simple wall paper pattern and there was little other furniture present. A painting or two was strewn across the walls and perhaps the most intricate thing in the area was the carpet which depicted an endless repeat of swirls in shades of blue and violet.
His eyes, which had previously been closed, opened now to reveal the startling fact that they were still red. And it was only around four in the afternoon! Kaiser's right arm ceased drawing the bow over his violin. He lowered his arm and set the bow down on the table. Next, he let the violin rest in his lap as he uncrossed his legs. Musing quietly in the silence of the room, Kaiser spoke to himself, "Aye Kaiser... What have you done wrong with your little pet Marik?" Kaiser got off of the table and placed his violin in its case which resided nearby. He allowed the violin bow to join it and then he shut the case with a click. Sighing quietly, Kaiser ran a hand through his silver locks, exiting the room, "Perhaps I should be more careful with you. There is still time to change you, Marik..."