Thanks for the reviews, as always and sorry that I'm a day late in updating (I usually do it on Saturdays) Ahem, I double-checked that I uploaded the correct chapter this time XD

Chapter 6: Bittersweet Reminiscence

Ryou stood quietly beside Bakura as a golden glow surrounded them but for a moment, then they disappeared, reappearing seconds later outside the hideout entrance.

This was absolutely insane...

First, Pharaoh Yami's worst enemy, Marik, stole Ryou, and then Bakura, a well-known and tricky thief, stole him again. Could things get any worse?

"I'm willing to bet that you're tired of this confusing brawl," Bakura said, his back turned to Ryou.

"You must really care about Malik..." Ryou said suddenly.

"What makes you think that?" Bakura asked harshly. "You don't know anything."

"I know that you're sad because you lost someone you cared about all those years ago. I'm sorry for your loss."

"...I'm sure you are."

"How did you and Malik meet?"

Bakura turned, facing his hard brown eyes upon Ryou's soft ones. "Not so long ago, when my village was destroyed and I was forced to become a thief, I had nowhere to go and so I spent most of my time as a drifter in the desert... Anyone who was so unfortunate to happen into my sight were my targets for money and valuable items..."

Bakura sat counting the monetary earnings he had stolen for the day and was pleased to see he had enough for a decent dinner. That day, the winds had picked up tossing sand everywhere so it was hard for one to see where they were going unless they knew the desert well.

"I'd better hurry back to the city. Who knows what unfortunate people are waiting to be robbed," he said and smirked.

The trek back to the city was a tiring one, especially with the sandstorm, so by the time the city was in Bakura's view, night had already fallen.

Suddenly spotting a figure not too far from him, he was glad to know he might be able to get a few more pounds of luxury items before the day was through. Sneaking expertly through the shadows, he followed the stranger until they were by the palace walls, and that is where he made his attack.

One quick swoop was all in took and the person was up against the wall struggling fiercely against Bakura, who had their hands pinned above them on the wall.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" Bakura asked.

In the darkness, the person's facial features were hardly visible. All that could be seen was long, wispy flaxen hair that fell down and bounced off their shoulders, and the person's outfit that was comprised simply of a plain tan cloak.

"Let me go!" the person yelled.

Bakura clamped a hand over their mouth. "Shut up," he whispered harshly. "Do you want someone to hear?"

The unfamiliar person nodded.

"By Ra, you are a feisty girl," Bakura muttered, then stifled a string of curses when the girl bit his hand. Backing away a few feet, he looked at his hand under the moonlight noticing the thin crimson line that rivered down his palm. "You're a bloody animal."

The girl narrowed their gaze, then curved around Bakura making a run for the desert. Bakura snarled and dashed after her, feeling strangely alive with the chase. The girl was fast, but Bakura proved to be faster. Hooking onto her wrist, Bakura grabbed her then shoved her sending her tumbling onto the ground with a helpless cry.

"Well," Bakura said, approaching the fallen girl. "You don't know when to give up... I like that in a woman."

Now in the moon's light, Bakura could clearly see the girl's body. Her skin was a deep tan that made Bakura pale in comparison, and when she opened her eyes Bakura was almost dazed by the set of lovely amethyst eyes.

"Hm," he continued. "Maybe tonight I won't only be taking your riches..."

The girl glared as Bakura stood before her. "You're an ass."

"Mind your manners while in front of a thief, woman."

"Stop calling me a woman!"

Bakura cocked a brow. "What's your problem?"

Standing up, she thrust a small leather pouch into Bakura's hands. "There's all the money I have," she said in a perturbed voice. "Now leave me alone!" Turning in an angered huff, she began to stalk off.

Bakura looked slightly confused at the change pocket in his hands. "Jeez lady, talk about desperate. Are you that afraid of sleeping with the well-known thief, Bakura?"

She froze, and then spun around. "Are you deaf or something? I'm not a lady, I'm a man! And, I don't give a serpent's turd who you are!"

Now Bakura was the one to freeze. It was true though. Absolutely no chest. He watched the boy turn around heatedly, then said, "You could've fooled me..."

The blond stopped dead in his tracks and turned around, a bitter expression upon his face. "What in Ra's name is that suppose to mean?"

"Oh nothing. It's just that...you could pass for a girl. What's your name?"

"Malik, not that it's any of your Ra-damn business. I have to get home now, so go screw some other helpless traveler."

Bakura's jaw dropped. "Now what is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh nothing," he smiled innocently.

Bakura glared and took a step forward, grabbing Malik by his shoulders and pulling him closer. "How dare you talk to me like that."

"I like dares," he said, smirking. "Now, I really have to be getting back-"

His voice was muffled when Bakura pressed his lips quickly onto his own, and he instantly jumped back.

After slapping Bakura across the face, Malik, shocked, asked, "How dare you kiss me when we've only just met!?"

"What can I say," Bakura said, running his cheek, "I like dares. Besides...are you saying I should get to know you first?"

Bakura could've sworn he saw Malik blush.

"That isn't what I meant!" Malik stated. "How dare you kiss me at all? I'll have you know that I have a soon-to-be wife whom I love!"

Bakura's lips curled into a smile. "How did you meet her?"

"...It was arranged."

"Then you don't love her." Walking slowly toward Malik, he said, "You are a fascinating creature..."

Malik took a step back. "Stay away from me."

"Here," Bakura said, holding out the small leather pouch. "Take your money back."

Malik grabbed it irritably. "I thought you were a thief."

"I am, but right now I'm more interested in stealing your heart."

Malik rolled his eyes. "Stealing my heart? That's a good one. I've got to go."

"Very well, when will I see you again?"

"Never!"

Bakura smirked as he watched him stalk away.

Ryou shook his head. "I don't understand...It seems to me that Malik hated you. Did he change his mind overnight?"

"No," Bakura stated simply, "On the contrary, it was many, many nights...too many... before I saw him again. If I recall correctly, I had almost forgotten I had ever met him, but then, something very interesting happened..."

Bakura left the protection of the city's walls, wandering into the early morning's light. It was a strangely chilly morning and the clouds covered up what would've been able to be seen if the sun were visible.

"The same routine," he muttered, walking farther out into the desert.

Then, in the distance he spotted something in the sand. Quickening his pace and thinking it to possibly be something of value, he reached it and froze.

"What in Ra's name-?"

Hoping to find riches, instead he found a person! They appeared to be out cold on the ground as though they had fallen from somewhere...even though there was nowhere to fall from.

"Hey," Bakura said, lightly nudging the person with his foot. "Are you all right?"

The person groaned and rolled over, yawning and then opening their eyes. "Wha-?"

"Malik?!" Bakura said in awe. "What are you doing here?!"

Malik took a moment to take in his boundaries, but as soon as his sight fell on Bakura he froze. "Bakura?!"

Bakura narrowed his gaze. "So much for never seeing me again..."

"Do you think I came here on purpose?" Malik asked, struggling to get to his feet. He lost his bearings though, but Bakura's protective grasp stopped him from falling.

"I think somebody had a little too much wine last night..."

"I'm not drunk!" he defended. "I'm supposed to be dead."

Bakura gave him a worried glance. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"I'm fine," he pulled away from him. "I don't need your help!" He looked around. "Wait, where am I?"

"You're in the desert..."

"The desert? Oh, right, yes...no! That doesn't make any sense... I was killed last night!"

"Killed?" Bakura asked, confused. "If that's true, then how are you standing here right now?"

"I don't know," Malik said helplessly, clutching at his hair. "I don't know what happened..."

"Hey, take it easy," Bakura said, once again pulling Malik closer to him. "Tell me what you remember."

"I...I deceived someone and the Pharaoh ordered me to be killed...I even remember the sting of the spear as it murdered me! Why am I alive?"

"Well...obviously you're alive for some reason. Instead of freaking out about it, be glad. Not many people get a second chance at life." Letting him go, he said, "Why don't you stay with me for a while until you get things sorted out."

"You're not going to make a move on me are you?" Malik asked, that same skeptical look on his face that Bakura recognized from so long ago.

"No...Not until I get to know you." He sat down in the sand.

"Somebody obviously hasn't changed..."

"That's for sure. You still look gorgeous. How's your wife?"

Malik narrowed his gaze. "I'm going to ignore that first comment. Anyways, I don't have a wife anymore. I never had one to begin with."

"Oh really?" he asked, breaking into a devious smirk. "Why's that?"

Malik sat down across from him, avoiding his gaze. "We just...didn't share the same views, all right?"

Bakura chuckled. "I know you're in love with me, but you shouldn't have dragged the wife-to-be into this."

"I am not!" Malik replied angrily. "What makes you think that?"

"Thief's intuition, I suppose. We just know when we're destined to have something."

Malik threw him a horrified look then stood. "I'm not going to take this anymore. I'm leaving!"

Turning he was jerked backwards into Bakura who was now standing as well.

"Oh come now, dear Malik," Bakura whispered in his ear. "Can't you just admit that you want me?" He pressed a quick kiss onto Malik's neck.

Malik squeezed his eyes shut. "I don't..."

"Not even just a little?" he turned Malik around so they were facing one another, and kissed him this time full on the lips. Pulling back, he asked, "Well?"

Malik was flushed and his breathing came in short gasps. "No."

Smirking, he shook his head. "You're really something, but I know I just broke through your last defense... There's no holding back anymore."

Leaning in quickly, he pushed Malik sending them toppling to the ground and captured Malik's mouth with his own. Both sets of eyelids fluttered closed and Bakura was pleased to feel Malik kissing him back. One of Malik's hands dove into his ivory hair and the other wrapped around his shoulder. Bakura's kisses massaged Malik's jaw open, allowing their tongues to engage in a passionate dance.

Pulling back, Bakura smirked.

"So, just how long did it take for you to realize how you felt?" the curious thief asked.

Malik looked up at him hesitantly. "When I got home, my fiancée said she noticed a change in me...like I wasn't really happy with her. I broke it off immediately... But Bakura, how did you know how I felt before I did?"

"I told you," he said before leaning down to capture his mouth, "When a thief wants something...they'll get it..."

Ryou smiled. "You must have loved him very much as well."

Bakura looked at him with wonder. "Why do you say that?"

"Well, whenever you talk about him, you smile." A troubled expression befell his face. "But there's still something I don't understand... Why did you help me before with Marik and why were you nice to me..."

"Hm...I suppose I saw a bit of Malik in you...and I couldn't bring myself to hurt you."

"Oh..."

Bakura sighed, almost in an exhausted manner. "This story doesn't have a happy ending. Malik and I were together one night before morning came. I slept late and I barely remember Malik arguing with someone... but when I woke up, he was gone. I followed his tracks only to find that Marik had stolen him and I would've taken him back, but he was deathly ill. I feared that if I moved him, he wouldn't survive, so I disguised myself as "Rabaku" and waited for him to heal. Of course he didn't, and it wasn't until you showed up that I realized what needed to be done. I don't know if you understand my actions, but-"

"No, I understand them completely. You'd want to do whatever you could to help the person you love..."

"If anything should ever happen to you, Ra forbid, then I will do whatever it takes to help you…"

At about that time, the rock with the eye of Ra upon it moved and Marik came out.

"Well, have you made your decision Marik?" Bakura asked, dragging Ryou to his side.

"Actually, I have," Marik said.

"And?"

"Ryou will not lay one finger on Malik."

Ryou flashed a confused expression toward Marik. Was he insane?

Bakura narrowed his gaze and tried his best to control his anger. "As you wish then-"

"No!" Ryou yelled.

Whether it was because he didn't want to be torn away from Marik, or through his own wish to help Malik, Ryou shook himself from Bakura's grip.

"I'll do it..." he said simply, "But first, I need to know one thing."

Marik raised a brow. "And what's that?"

"Tell me what happened all those years ago. Why you've got that glowing golden eye on your forehead, and why you hate Yami, and why Malik's cursed to die. I have this strange feeling it's all connected. Please Marik, you're the only one that knows... Please tell me the truth."

Marik stared at him for a long time with a contemplating gaze, then said finally, "Very well..."

---TBC---

This chapta was sappy, yes, and seemed short. The next chapter will make up for that (a lot ).

Oh yes! I have a question. I was fic-searching yesterday and I keep seeing fics with all this "shipping"-ness in the name, like "tendershipping" and "puzzleshipping" and stuff. What is that? It confuses me greatly and I'd gladly appreciate an explanation so I'm not sitting here dumbly.

Thanks for reading Please review! OH! And I hope you all had WONDERFUL Thanksgivings! Happy belated turkey-day to you ALL!

AmethystRoze