What? You think I'd leave you with a cliffhanger? I'm mean, but come on...
Anyway, this story needed some spice so I tossed Bakura into a kiss just
for you guys. :D And the second half is a bunch of thought and angst
courtesy of Marik. I'd better be careful, lest this end up like one of
those stories where I get stuck and quit. O-o; I'd really hate to see this
story go down the shitter, so I'll take it slow. The characters are slowly
becoming more and more out of character. Well gee, what did you think would
happen if they were taken out of the uniform show setting? ^-^; Don't
worry, when the ending comes: I'll be sure to let you know. Until then, I
AM THE NAKED WAIF!!!
----
Marik shifted uncomfortably at first, but then became still. He returned the tomb robber's gesture, saddened when Bakura broke the kiss. Bakura watched confusion spread across Marik's eyes and smirked, keeping his face close to Marik's. His bangs brushed against Marik's forehead gently as he spoke, "I don't know what's come over me. What did you do to change me, Marik?" The rhetorical question didn't go unanswered, "Is that even you, Bakura?" Marik reprimanded himself for speaking as a stinging sensation attacked the right side of his face.
Bakura drew back and tilted his head downward to look at Marik out of the corner of his eye, "You shouldn't be talking. You'll only hurt yourself. And yes, this is me." Marik's blush had flourished noticeably again, his misty eyes telling Bakura all he needed to know, "What; it wasn't -that- good was it?" Marik smiled, "Bakura..." He hesitated, "It's just that... I've been trying to get to you for so long and not knowing how." Bakura listened as he resumed what he was doing. "I'm so happy..." Marik mused to no one in particular.
Bakura smirked, "Without bloodshed? I'm surprised at you." Marik chuckled a little but a wince soon followed, "My face hurts like hell. It's not ruined is it?" Bakura shrugged, deciding not to tell Marik about the area he knew would scar, "Looks fine to me. It's nothing serious." He then continued to clean and bandage Marik's various injuries. Marik thought for a moment, "What time is it? I'm not still..?" Bakura shook his head, "You're no longer a Vampire, no." Marik frowned, "What about the people I-" Bakura explained again, "Those who have died will remain dead. However the ones you've turned are now human once more. Vampirism is based upon chain reaction."
Malik entered the room with folded arms and a scowl on his face. He sat near Bakura and Marik, glaring at Bakura while he spoke to Marik, "So, you're awake." Marik frowned, "You're not happy about that..." Malik huffed, "I can't be happy anymore; especially when I'm in the same room as you two." Marik looked dejectedly at his Hikari, his very expression screaming 'I'm sorry.' A few moments of silence passed between the three. Bakura was the first to break it by clearing his throat suggestively.
Malik blinked suddenly, looking between the two Yamis, "Why are you blushing?" Marik came up with a quick excuse, "I'm not. Bakura hit me because I complained about the pain." Malik lifted an eyebrow, "I'll bet you liked that huh?" Marik sputtered, "Shut up." "Are you almost done? You've been in here for an hour and a half," Malik grumbled. Bakura sneered, "No, I'm not." Malik rolled his eyes, "What have you been doing this whole time then? Staring at him?" Bakura frowned, "Shut your mouth." "Or else what? You'll kill me like you killed Odion? Oh that's rich," Malik said sarcastically.
"I didn't kill Odion, you whiny little brat! Now shut the hell up!" Bakura snapped. Bakura blinked at his own words and quickly turned back to Marik, hoping by some grace of Ra that Malik hadn't heard him. Malik stared at the back of Bakura's head and unfolded his arms, standing and walking up to him, "He's not dead?" Marik seemed confused by this news as well; Bakura could see the spark of hope in his eyes. "Not exactly," Bakura said slowly. Malik took on a demanding tone, "Elaborate." Bakura turned his head and glared death at Malik, "Don't you dare speak to me in that manner."
"I'd appreciate if you would explain this, Bakura," Marik said calmly. Bakura, unable to resist this request, gave in, "He resides in the millenium ring now. I neglected to destroy him." Both Malik and his Yami looked toward the ring simultaneously, tying a knot of guilt in Bakura's throat. "The most I can do is transfer him to the rod. He can take on a spirit form, but that is all," Bakura explained. Malik nodded solemnly and lifted his gaze to Bakura's face, "Ok. Do that now then." Bakura briefly closed his eyes and the rod at Malik's side gained slight warmth. When Bakura opened his eyes again, he sighed as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Malik's expression softened slightly, "Thank you. Take care of Marik, I'll check on you later." He then walked away from the two in silence. Marik gained Bakura's attention again, "You never really sent him to the shadow realm?" Bakura shook his head, "I may be mean, but I'm not stupid." He set down the cloth, having completed cleaning Marik's front, "Get on your side so I can cut your shirt off. You've got some nasty slashes on your back too and I think it would hurt if you took your shirt off normally..." Marik didn't move. Instead, he gave Bakura a defiant look, "No. I'll deal with them."
"I'm bound to see every inch of you at some point or another, Marik, so stop trying to stall. Now then, roll the fuck over," Bakura said with a smile. He was trying to lighten Marik's anxiety and hopefully it would work. Marik looked aside for a moment as if thinking. He eventually shifted onto his right side, submitting to Bakura's request. Bakura fetched a pair of scissors from the same table that the cloth came from. He took the base of Marik's shirt into his left hand and dipped the scissor blades beneath the blue fabric, making a vertical cut all the way up to the collar.
Bakura caught glimpses of the hieroglyphics on Marik's back, ~Strange... Just how large are these markings?~ As Bakura set the scissors aside, he eased the two halves of the shirt away from Marik's skin in order to get a good view of the afflicted areas. He was horrified to find that the onyx scriptures on Marik's back spanned from his shoulders down to his waist. Bakura had only expected a small amount, but this was a lot more shocking. Marik interpreted his silence, "I know my scars are ugly; you don't have to touch them if you don't want to."
Bakura shook his head as if to remove himself from the daze he was in, "They're not ugly. I was just mapping out where to start, that's all." He reached over and snatched up his cloth, rewetting it once more and applying it gently to Marik's left shoulder. Marik tensed slightly beneath Bakura's touch and the white-haired Yami frowned, "Relax." Gradually, Marik calmed and simply let Bakura take care of him. It felt strange for old wounds to be bandaged once again, even a little sad.
Malik sat in the living room, cradling the millennium rod in his hands. A worried look was plastered on his face as he looked into the eye perched atop the item, "Odion...I knew you shouldn't have come with me. I'm sorry..." "That's not your fault, Master Malik," Malik nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice which sounded from behind him. Malik whipped his head around, coming face to face with the transparent image of his guardian who stood as he always did; with due respect and dignity. Odion smiled warmly and stepped around the right-hand side of the couch, seating himself beside Malik.
Malik looked to the floor, guilt overcoming his shock, "No; it is my fault. If I had just made you stay home you'd still have your body." Odion shook his head and chuckled, "Malik, I don't need my body. As long as I am here with you, nothing else matters. Right..?" Malik lifted his gaze, "You're right, yes. But I still feel responsible. For this and much more." Odion tilted his head, "Surely you don't mean Marik? You are not responsible for his actions. Don't you ever think that."
"Bakura..?" Marik asked suddenly, startling the white-haired spirit. Bakura settled down, "What?" Marik shifted slightly, "I think Ryou hates me." Thinking a moment, Bakura produced a reply, "I don't see why you would care... But...His only thoughts of you are those of pity. I don't understand that either. What is it that he will not tell me? What's going on between you two?" Marik sat up, looking at Bakura silently for a moment, "He sees me as I am, Bakura. Which is why I have to ask you to stop hurting him."
Bakura looked disgusted, "What's happened to your judgment? He's only mortal; he doesn't matter." "So am I," Marik pointed out dejectedly, "I understand why you keep trying to kill me. But if mortals are so worthless, then perhaps you can tell me why you never succeed?" "You're not just a mortal. You're...different." Bakura tried to explain. "So is Ryou. He is you, Bakura. Stop being so blind and narrow-minded. Your Hikari is you no matter how you arrange the facts," Marik said as he lay back down, now facing Bakura, "Just look at how you bandage my wounds with such care. You're so like Ryou and don't realize it."
Bakura folded his arms, looking less than happy, "You're delirious. Go to sleep." Marik smiled, "I feel fine." Bakura huffed, "Those with delirium usually do." "Stay overnight and I'll go to sleep," Marik offered. Bakura frowned, "That's blackmail." Marik sulked. This made the tomb robber wince, "Very effective blackmail..." Marik smiled and informed Malik via mind link ~Bakura will be staying with me tonight.~ Silence was the only reply. Marik guessed it meant that Malik didn't care.
Bakura cleared the chair he had been sitting on away, "Well, do you have a pillow you could lend me?" Marik smirked, watching him try and find a suitable place on the floor to lie down, "Baka... Get over here." Bakura made a face, lifting his eyebrows in surprise, "What?" Marik moved over on the bed, creating room for the tomb robber, "I won't let you sleep on the floor. Get in the bed with me." Bakura blushed and Marik saw it, "What, you think I didn't mean it when I said I loved you?" Bakura gave a small grin before moving onto the bed beside Marik. He lay on his side and eyed the Egyptian. Marik tugged the blanket over Bakura's legs. Bakura reached out and shut off the pull chain lamp beside the bed.
Marik smiled to Bakura in the dark, "Good night tomb robber." Bakura set his head on the pillow, quite close to Marik since it was after all a bed for one person. The two looked at each other for a while until their eyes became accustomed to the pitch black room. It was as if one was daring the other to shut his eyes first. In the end, they both became drowsy and they simultaneously nodded off.
Ryou's circadian rhythm kicked in like it always did in the morning and his deep brown eyes fluttered open. He was aware of several things. This wasn't his room, he had no idea where he was, and someone had their arms around his waist... Ryou looked over his shoulder, a blush furiously painting his face. He froze, seeing Marik behind him, sleeping peacefully against him. Ryou snapped, "Ahhhhhhhh! What in blazes is going on?!" He tore himself free from Marik's hold and found himself falling off the bed with a thump. Marik woke with a start, "Bakura, why are you being so loud?" He muttered groggily.
He glanced down to Ryou, looking like a deer in the headlights, "Ryou..." Ryou got up from the floor, backing away from Marik, "W...where am I? What am I doing here? Oh god, you didn't... do -that- to me, did you?" Marik looked like he could cry from embarrassment, "Wha? Never! No!" He shook his head feverishly, "You're in Malik's house. Bakura stayed over last night to make sure I was ok." Ryou could tell something was up between those two by the way Marik hurried his explanation, but what caught his attention were the bandages which coated Marik's body, "Did... Did Bakura put those on you..?"
Marik took a moment to register what exactly Ryou was talking about, "Put on...bandages? Right... Yes, he did." Ryou seemed confused if not a little worried, "Your face... Here, let me help you re-bandage your eye, it's bleeding through." Marik shook his head, "No, you have school to get ready for. I'll go wake up Malik." Marik pulled his blanket off of himself and moved to get out of bed. Yet a stinging pain from his various wounds nearly sent him to the floor, "Nngh..."
Ryou winced a little, "Never mind; I'll do that." Ryou quickly exited the room, emitting a relieved sigh as he entered the hallway and shut the door behind him, "Icky, icky, icky..." Sticking out his tongue in disgust, Ryou tried to forget that he had quote on quote 'slept with Marik'. Looking down the hall, he assumed that Malik slept not too far away. Not to mention he heard an alarm clock blaring from two doors down. Walking to the door, he first knocked. When that had no effect, he entered the room, hesitating as he saw Malik sprawled out on his bed, fast asleep. Ryou moved to his bedside table and shut off the alarm clock.
He then placed a hand on Malik's shoulder and shook him gently. Malik gave a sleepy groan and opened his eyes, "Hm? Wha? Gah! Ryou!" Malik shot upright and grew red in the face, "Wait. Ok... You were here last night." Ryou nodded, "Yes. Apparently Bakura wanted to for some reason or another. Now then; I suppose we should get ready for school." Malik noted that Ryou was headed for the door, "That'll take too long for you to go home and get your uniform. Just wear mine. I'll take the penalty."
"Malik, I really don't think that's necessary..." Ryou started to protest, but Malik simply walked by him and placed the blue uniform in his arms, "Let me know when you're ready." Ryou stood there blinking as Malik exited the room. Sighing, Ryou figured that it was a good plan. After all, he didn't feel like going home and getting in trouble for being late. Not to mention that Malik was only a tad taller than himself. The uniform would fit well enough.
Ryou entered the living room, adjusting the cuffs of Malik's uniform while doing so. His judgment was correct, the uniform fit nicely on him. Malik had his schoolbag with him and his motorcycle helmet in hand. He smirked and whistled as Ryou entered the room. Ryou blushed at the catcalls, "Oh be quiet. Let's get going before we're late. Malik smiled and placed the helmet on Ryou's head, "Ok, fine." The two of them left the house and headed off to school.
Marik gathered up enough composure to exit his room after the two boys had left. He first applied a shirt to himself despite his constant battle with pain. After this, he entered the bathroom across the hall. He rubbed sleepily at his right eye, wincing at his own touch. Leaning against the sink, he looked downward, slowly peeling the bandages from around his eye. Ryou was right; the cut had bled right through. Strange. He lifted his head to see just how bad this 'cut' was. Marik emitted a surprised gasp, leaning forward for closer inspection.
Staring unblinkingly at his reflection, Marik realized why the 'cut' had hurt so much. It wasn't a cut; it was a scar! Or one that would form anyway. A fairly deep gash ran down the right side of his face from just above his eye and to level with his mouth. Adding to this were two thinner slashes which ran horizontally over the original gash. And Bakura had said it was nothing. Unlike the tomb keeper markings beneath his eyes, this new scar was lighter in color. Already the bloodied flesh was a lighter tone than the rest of his face.
Taking a cloth into his hand, Marik applied water to it and cleared away the crimson from his damaged face. Turning away from the reflective glass, Marik leaned back against the sink, gently caressing his new mark with the cloth despite the fact that it was free of blood. "Marik?" the dark spirit became alert at the voice of Odion beside him. Having projected himself from the rod, Odion now stood with Marik, looking concerned. Marik looked ashamed to be pitied by Odion. He turned and left the room, tossing the cloth back into the sink without a word.
Odion pursued him, materializing in his path, "You won't speak to me?" Marik paused in mid-step and frowned, "You must be awfully bored to come out here and talk to me..." Odion didn't seem offended, "Don't be so hard on yourself." Marik shook his head, "If anything, I'm being too gentle with myself. Don't taunt me with your kind words, Odion, I don't deserve them." "You shouldn't be up and about; you're hurt," Odion said quietly, trying to persuade Marik to go lay down. "I said stop it!" Marik barked at him. Odion winced at his outburst. Marik looked regretful, "Stop being nice to me. Just stop... Please..."
Marik moved to walk around Odion, leaving the man perplexed, "Marik... As much as you think I should hate you; I won't." Marik stumbled into the kitchen, steadying himself against the counter. He kept his back turned to Odion who followed him. Opening the refrigerator, he grabbed a juice box. Malik was often in a hurry or just plain lazy, so juice boxes were a great way to store drinks. Marik harshly impaled the top of the box with the clear plastic straw that came with it and shut the fridge. Next, he moved to seat himself atop the kitchen counter, placing the straw in his mouth.
Odion sighed, watching Marik try to push him away with his silence. In fact, he was surprised when Marik was the one to shatter it, "I really am no good, am I?" He set the juice box down on the counter and fixed his gaze on the floor. Odion walked closer to him, awaiting an explanation. "I'm trying to be better; I really am. I just want to keep Malik safe... I'm hurting him more than anything else. What am I good for, Odion? What am I good for? Nothing... Nothing but what no one wants to say, hear, see, and feel..." Odion's expression spelled out pity by every meaning of the word. He opened his mouth to offer some comfort, but Marik continued with his rant.
"I hate myself. Is that even possible; to hate 'hate'? Well, I do. I suppose it's possible now if it wasn't before. I don't even see why you bother standing there listening to me. The interior of the millenium rod is more worthy of your company than I am. Malik has the right idea. He can't trust me. He can't even look at me now without suspecting something. I'm so stupid. I thought I could change. I thought I could... Why is it so hard?" Marik thought out loud while tilting his head.
"Marik stop that..." Marik lifted his head suddenly to see Odion right in front of him. Odion had a bad habit of sneaking up on people and saying their name to scare the shit out of them. But perhaps this wasn't done on purpose. Odion frowned, "You're not good for nothing like you say you are. People manipulate you because..." Marik blinked, "Because what?" "You're only a child. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear; but I've been watching for a long time now and I've figured it out." Odion admitted.
Marik furrowed his brow in confusion, "A child. But that can't be..." "It can be and it is. You haven't been around for as long as you'd like to believe. You came to be during Malik's tomb keeper's initiation. That was around six years ago. You may have the body of a teenager and the knowledge of one, but your mind... It's just not matured. That is why you do not understand the world around you. And no one has explained it to you. Yet..." Odion explained solemnly, "You've been tortured for several years. It was partly on my behalf. And I am sorry for that." Marik frowned, looking frustrated. He picked up his juice box again, drinking from it and mumbling quietly, "Help me understand. I want to."
----
Marik shifted uncomfortably at first, but then became still. He returned the tomb robber's gesture, saddened when Bakura broke the kiss. Bakura watched confusion spread across Marik's eyes and smirked, keeping his face close to Marik's. His bangs brushed against Marik's forehead gently as he spoke, "I don't know what's come over me. What did you do to change me, Marik?" The rhetorical question didn't go unanswered, "Is that even you, Bakura?" Marik reprimanded himself for speaking as a stinging sensation attacked the right side of his face.
Bakura drew back and tilted his head downward to look at Marik out of the corner of his eye, "You shouldn't be talking. You'll only hurt yourself. And yes, this is me." Marik's blush had flourished noticeably again, his misty eyes telling Bakura all he needed to know, "What; it wasn't -that- good was it?" Marik smiled, "Bakura..." He hesitated, "It's just that... I've been trying to get to you for so long and not knowing how." Bakura listened as he resumed what he was doing. "I'm so happy..." Marik mused to no one in particular.
Bakura smirked, "Without bloodshed? I'm surprised at you." Marik chuckled a little but a wince soon followed, "My face hurts like hell. It's not ruined is it?" Bakura shrugged, deciding not to tell Marik about the area he knew would scar, "Looks fine to me. It's nothing serious." He then continued to clean and bandage Marik's various injuries. Marik thought for a moment, "What time is it? I'm not still..?" Bakura shook his head, "You're no longer a Vampire, no." Marik frowned, "What about the people I-" Bakura explained again, "Those who have died will remain dead. However the ones you've turned are now human once more. Vampirism is based upon chain reaction."
Malik entered the room with folded arms and a scowl on his face. He sat near Bakura and Marik, glaring at Bakura while he spoke to Marik, "So, you're awake." Marik frowned, "You're not happy about that..." Malik huffed, "I can't be happy anymore; especially when I'm in the same room as you two." Marik looked dejectedly at his Hikari, his very expression screaming 'I'm sorry.' A few moments of silence passed between the three. Bakura was the first to break it by clearing his throat suggestively.
Malik blinked suddenly, looking between the two Yamis, "Why are you blushing?" Marik came up with a quick excuse, "I'm not. Bakura hit me because I complained about the pain." Malik lifted an eyebrow, "I'll bet you liked that huh?" Marik sputtered, "Shut up." "Are you almost done? You've been in here for an hour and a half," Malik grumbled. Bakura sneered, "No, I'm not." Malik rolled his eyes, "What have you been doing this whole time then? Staring at him?" Bakura frowned, "Shut your mouth." "Or else what? You'll kill me like you killed Odion? Oh that's rich," Malik said sarcastically.
"I didn't kill Odion, you whiny little brat! Now shut the hell up!" Bakura snapped. Bakura blinked at his own words and quickly turned back to Marik, hoping by some grace of Ra that Malik hadn't heard him. Malik stared at the back of Bakura's head and unfolded his arms, standing and walking up to him, "He's not dead?" Marik seemed confused by this news as well; Bakura could see the spark of hope in his eyes. "Not exactly," Bakura said slowly. Malik took on a demanding tone, "Elaborate." Bakura turned his head and glared death at Malik, "Don't you dare speak to me in that manner."
"I'd appreciate if you would explain this, Bakura," Marik said calmly. Bakura, unable to resist this request, gave in, "He resides in the millenium ring now. I neglected to destroy him." Both Malik and his Yami looked toward the ring simultaneously, tying a knot of guilt in Bakura's throat. "The most I can do is transfer him to the rod. He can take on a spirit form, but that is all," Bakura explained. Malik nodded solemnly and lifted his gaze to Bakura's face, "Ok. Do that now then." Bakura briefly closed his eyes and the rod at Malik's side gained slight warmth. When Bakura opened his eyes again, he sighed as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Malik's expression softened slightly, "Thank you. Take care of Marik, I'll check on you later." He then walked away from the two in silence. Marik gained Bakura's attention again, "You never really sent him to the shadow realm?" Bakura shook his head, "I may be mean, but I'm not stupid." He set down the cloth, having completed cleaning Marik's front, "Get on your side so I can cut your shirt off. You've got some nasty slashes on your back too and I think it would hurt if you took your shirt off normally..." Marik didn't move. Instead, he gave Bakura a defiant look, "No. I'll deal with them."
"I'm bound to see every inch of you at some point or another, Marik, so stop trying to stall. Now then, roll the fuck over," Bakura said with a smile. He was trying to lighten Marik's anxiety and hopefully it would work. Marik looked aside for a moment as if thinking. He eventually shifted onto his right side, submitting to Bakura's request. Bakura fetched a pair of scissors from the same table that the cloth came from. He took the base of Marik's shirt into his left hand and dipped the scissor blades beneath the blue fabric, making a vertical cut all the way up to the collar.
Bakura caught glimpses of the hieroglyphics on Marik's back, ~Strange... Just how large are these markings?~ As Bakura set the scissors aside, he eased the two halves of the shirt away from Marik's skin in order to get a good view of the afflicted areas. He was horrified to find that the onyx scriptures on Marik's back spanned from his shoulders down to his waist. Bakura had only expected a small amount, but this was a lot more shocking. Marik interpreted his silence, "I know my scars are ugly; you don't have to touch them if you don't want to."
Bakura shook his head as if to remove himself from the daze he was in, "They're not ugly. I was just mapping out where to start, that's all." He reached over and snatched up his cloth, rewetting it once more and applying it gently to Marik's left shoulder. Marik tensed slightly beneath Bakura's touch and the white-haired Yami frowned, "Relax." Gradually, Marik calmed and simply let Bakura take care of him. It felt strange for old wounds to be bandaged once again, even a little sad.
Malik sat in the living room, cradling the millennium rod in his hands. A worried look was plastered on his face as he looked into the eye perched atop the item, "Odion...I knew you shouldn't have come with me. I'm sorry..." "That's not your fault, Master Malik," Malik nearly jumped out of his skin at the sudden voice which sounded from behind him. Malik whipped his head around, coming face to face with the transparent image of his guardian who stood as he always did; with due respect and dignity. Odion smiled warmly and stepped around the right-hand side of the couch, seating himself beside Malik.
Malik looked to the floor, guilt overcoming his shock, "No; it is my fault. If I had just made you stay home you'd still have your body." Odion shook his head and chuckled, "Malik, I don't need my body. As long as I am here with you, nothing else matters. Right..?" Malik lifted his gaze, "You're right, yes. But I still feel responsible. For this and much more." Odion tilted his head, "Surely you don't mean Marik? You are not responsible for his actions. Don't you ever think that."
"Bakura..?" Marik asked suddenly, startling the white-haired spirit. Bakura settled down, "What?" Marik shifted slightly, "I think Ryou hates me." Thinking a moment, Bakura produced a reply, "I don't see why you would care... But...His only thoughts of you are those of pity. I don't understand that either. What is it that he will not tell me? What's going on between you two?" Marik sat up, looking at Bakura silently for a moment, "He sees me as I am, Bakura. Which is why I have to ask you to stop hurting him."
Bakura looked disgusted, "What's happened to your judgment? He's only mortal; he doesn't matter." "So am I," Marik pointed out dejectedly, "I understand why you keep trying to kill me. But if mortals are so worthless, then perhaps you can tell me why you never succeed?" "You're not just a mortal. You're...different." Bakura tried to explain. "So is Ryou. He is you, Bakura. Stop being so blind and narrow-minded. Your Hikari is you no matter how you arrange the facts," Marik said as he lay back down, now facing Bakura, "Just look at how you bandage my wounds with such care. You're so like Ryou and don't realize it."
Bakura folded his arms, looking less than happy, "You're delirious. Go to sleep." Marik smiled, "I feel fine." Bakura huffed, "Those with delirium usually do." "Stay overnight and I'll go to sleep," Marik offered. Bakura frowned, "That's blackmail." Marik sulked. This made the tomb robber wince, "Very effective blackmail..." Marik smiled and informed Malik via mind link ~Bakura will be staying with me tonight.~ Silence was the only reply. Marik guessed it meant that Malik didn't care.
Bakura cleared the chair he had been sitting on away, "Well, do you have a pillow you could lend me?" Marik smirked, watching him try and find a suitable place on the floor to lie down, "Baka... Get over here." Bakura made a face, lifting his eyebrows in surprise, "What?" Marik moved over on the bed, creating room for the tomb robber, "I won't let you sleep on the floor. Get in the bed with me." Bakura blushed and Marik saw it, "What, you think I didn't mean it when I said I loved you?" Bakura gave a small grin before moving onto the bed beside Marik. He lay on his side and eyed the Egyptian. Marik tugged the blanket over Bakura's legs. Bakura reached out and shut off the pull chain lamp beside the bed.
Marik smiled to Bakura in the dark, "Good night tomb robber." Bakura set his head on the pillow, quite close to Marik since it was after all a bed for one person. The two looked at each other for a while until their eyes became accustomed to the pitch black room. It was as if one was daring the other to shut his eyes first. In the end, they both became drowsy and they simultaneously nodded off.
Ryou's circadian rhythm kicked in like it always did in the morning and his deep brown eyes fluttered open. He was aware of several things. This wasn't his room, he had no idea where he was, and someone had their arms around his waist... Ryou looked over his shoulder, a blush furiously painting his face. He froze, seeing Marik behind him, sleeping peacefully against him. Ryou snapped, "Ahhhhhhhh! What in blazes is going on?!" He tore himself free from Marik's hold and found himself falling off the bed with a thump. Marik woke with a start, "Bakura, why are you being so loud?" He muttered groggily.
He glanced down to Ryou, looking like a deer in the headlights, "Ryou..." Ryou got up from the floor, backing away from Marik, "W...where am I? What am I doing here? Oh god, you didn't... do -that- to me, did you?" Marik looked like he could cry from embarrassment, "Wha? Never! No!" He shook his head feverishly, "You're in Malik's house. Bakura stayed over last night to make sure I was ok." Ryou could tell something was up between those two by the way Marik hurried his explanation, but what caught his attention were the bandages which coated Marik's body, "Did... Did Bakura put those on you..?"
Marik took a moment to register what exactly Ryou was talking about, "Put on...bandages? Right... Yes, he did." Ryou seemed confused if not a little worried, "Your face... Here, let me help you re-bandage your eye, it's bleeding through." Marik shook his head, "No, you have school to get ready for. I'll go wake up Malik." Marik pulled his blanket off of himself and moved to get out of bed. Yet a stinging pain from his various wounds nearly sent him to the floor, "Nngh..."
Ryou winced a little, "Never mind; I'll do that." Ryou quickly exited the room, emitting a relieved sigh as he entered the hallway and shut the door behind him, "Icky, icky, icky..." Sticking out his tongue in disgust, Ryou tried to forget that he had quote on quote 'slept with Marik'. Looking down the hall, he assumed that Malik slept not too far away. Not to mention he heard an alarm clock blaring from two doors down. Walking to the door, he first knocked. When that had no effect, he entered the room, hesitating as he saw Malik sprawled out on his bed, fast asleep. Ryou moved to his bedside table and shut off the alarm clock.
He then placed a hand on Malik's shoulder and shook him gently. Malik gave a sleepy groan and opened his eyes, "Hm? Wha? Gah! Ryou!" Malik shot upright and grew red in the face, "Wait. Ok... You were here last night." Ryou nodded, "Yes. Apparently Bakura wanted to for some reason or another. Now then; I suppose we should get ready for school." Malik noted that Ryou was headed for the door, "That'll take too long for you to go home and get your uniform. Just wear mine. I'll take the penalty."
"Malik, I really don't think that's necessary..." Ryou started to protest, but Malik simply walked by him and placed the blue uniform in his arms, "Let me know when you're ready." Ryou stood there blinking as Malik exited the room. Sighing, Ryou figured that it was a good plan. After all, he didn't feel like going home and getting in trouble for being late. Not to mention that Malik was only a tad taller than himself. The uniform would fit well enough.
Ryou entered the living room, adjusting the cuffs of Malik's uniform while doing so. His judgment was correct, the uniform fit nicely on him. Malik had his schoolbag with him and his motorcycle helmet in hand. He smirked and whistled as Ryou entered the room. Ryou blushed at the catcalls, "Oh be quiet. Let's get going before we're late. Malik smiled and placed the helmet on Ryou's head, "Ok, fine." The two of them left the house and headed off to school.
Marik gathered up enough composure to exit his room after the two boys had left. He first applied a shirt to himself despite his constant battle with pain. After this, he entered the bathroom across the hall. He rubbed sleepily at his right eye, wincing at his own touch. Leaning against the sink, he looked downward, slowly peeling the bandages from around his eye. Ryou was right; the cut had bled right through. Strange. He lifted his head to see just how bad this 'cut' was. Marik emitted a surprised gasp, leaning forward for closer inspection.
Staring unblinkingly at his reflection, Marik realized why the 'cut' had hurt so much. It wasn't a cut; it was a scar! Or one that would form anyway. A fairly deep gash ran down the right side of his face from just above his eye and to level with his mouth. Adding to this were two thinner slashes which ran horizontally over the original gash. And Bakura had said it was nothing. Unlike the tomb keeper markings beneath his eyes, this new scar was lighter in color. Already the bloodied flesh was a lighter tone than the rest of his face.
Taking a cloth into his hand, Marik applied water to it and cleared away the crimson from his damaged face. Turning away from the reflective glass, Marik leaned back against the sink, gently caressing his new mark with the cloth despite the fact that it was free of blood. "Marik?" the dark spirit became alert at the voice of Odion beside him. Having projected himself from the rod, Odion now stood with Marik, looking concerned. Marik looked ashamed to be pitied by Odion. He turned and left the room, tossing the cloth back into the sink without a word.
Odion pursued him, materializing in his path, "You won't speak to me?" Marik paused in mid-step and frowned, "You must be awfully bored to come out here and talk to me..." Odion didn't seem offended, "Don't be so hard on yourself." Marik shook his head, "If anything, I'm being too gentle with myself. Don't taunt me with your kind words, Odion, I don't deserve them." "You shouldn't be up and about; you're hurt," Odion said quietly, trying to persuade Marik to go lay down. "I said stop it!" Marik barked at him. Odion winced at his outburst. Marik looked regretful, "Stop being nice to me. Just stop... Please..."
Marik moved to walk around Odion, leaving the man perplexed, "Marik... As much as you think I should hate you; I won't." Marik stumbled into the kitchen, steadying himself against the counter. He kept his back turned to Odion who followed him. Opening the refrigerator, he grabbed a juice box. Malik was often in a hurry or just plain lazy, so juice boxes were a great way to store drinks. Marik harshly impaled the top of the box with the clear plastic straw that came with it and shut the fridge. Next, he moved to seat himself atop the kitchen counter, placing the straw in his mouth.
Odion sighed, watching Marik try to push him away with his silence. In fact, he was surprised when Marik was the one to shatter it, "I really am no good, am I?" He set the juice box down on the counter and fixed his gaze on the floor. Odion walked closer to him, awaiting an explanation. "I'm trying to be better; I really am. I just want to keep Malik safe... I'm hurting him more than anything else. What am I good for, Odion? What am I good for? Nothing... Nothing but what no one wants to say, hear, see, and feel..." Odion's expression spelled out pity by every meaning of the word. He opened his mouth to offer some comfort, but Marik continued with his rant.
"I hate myself. Is that even possible; to hate 'hate'? Well, I do. I suppose it's possible now if it wasn't before. I don't even see why you bother standing there listening to me. The interior of the millenium rod is more worthy of your company than I am. Malik has the right idea. He can't trust me. He can't even look at me now without suspecting something. I'm so stupid. I thought I could change. I thought I could... Why is it so hard?" Marik thought out loud while tilting his head.
"Marik stop that..." Marik lifted his head suddenly to see Odion right in front of him. Odion had a bad habit of sneaking up on people and saying their name to scare the shit out of them. But perhaps this wasn't done on purpose. Odion frowned, "You're not good for nothing like you say you are. People manipulate you because..." Marik blinked, "Because what?" "You're only a child. I know that isn't what you wanted to hear; but I've been watching for a long time now and I've figured it out." Odion admitted.
Marik furrowed his brow in confusion, "A child. But that can't be..." "It can be and it is. You haven't been around for as long as you'd like to believe. You came to be during Malik's tomb keeper's initiation. That was around six years ago. You may have the body of a teenager and the knowledge of one, but your mind... It's just not matured. That is why you do not understand the world around you. And no one has explained it to you. Yet..." Odion explained solemnly, "You've been tortured for several years. It was partly on my behalf. And I am sorry for that." Marik frowned, looking frustrated. He picked up his juice box again, drinking from it and mumbling quietly, "Help me understand. I want to."