Thanks for all the great reviews! I'm glad you all haven't forgotten about Yami and all. Heh. Yep, he's still a factor.

Chapter 8: Accidentally in Love

First it was the slight chill in the air that woke Ryou up. He shivered and stretched, pulling the sheets over his body and attempted to go back to sleep. The second thing that awoke him was the sting of pain that began immediately after he covered himself up.

"What in Ra's name-?" Ryou muttered, cracking open an eye to face the dim morning light. "Oh my goodness!"

His clothes! To put it succinctly, they were gone!

...Oh yeah…

Looking quickly at his shoulder his eyes widened at the sight of a small tattoo of an eye matching the one of Marik's head.

Suddenly everything seemed to flood back to him. He had shared the night with Marik. Not only had he shared the night with him, but he had given himself to him as well. The most feared man in Egypt and Ryou had slept with him!

And yet, Ryou felt a strange sense of relief. He felt giddy, almost as a child would, and felt that familiar feeling a child feels when something good happens to them and they want to share it with the whole world.

Smiling, Ryou sat up, stretching as he did so, and happily sighed. Turning to face the bed's other occupant, his smile quickly faded.

There was no other occupant.

"Ryou," a voice spoke from the door.

Ryou turned quickly to face the person, even more upset to find it was only one of Marik's followers. "Yes?"

"Master Marik has left you clothes to change into when you feel it necessary. Whenever you are ready to see him, he will be waiting for you somewhere in the city. But..." a small smirk seemed to play out on the man's face, "He doesn't expect you to be able to meet him right away. He says you're probably very weak right now."

Ryou's jaw dropped. "He said that?!"

"Yes, but who knows what he meant by it. Farewell Ryou," he said, bowed and left.

Ryou felt strangely unnerved and a tad pissed. Marik didn't think he was strong enough to make it out to him? Who did he think he was? A god? Well, Ryou planned on proving him wrong.

After pulling on the floor-length white gown and sandals, Ryou stood up- a determined expression upon his face- and promptly sat back down.

All right. That hurt a smidgen more than he had expected. Maybe this would be slightly harder than he thought.

"Any news we don't already know of?" Yami asked, a worn expression upon his face.

The servant-boy shook his head. "No. We still don't have any new information on the healer, and he is desperately needed, Pharaoh."

Yami sighed. "I know. A lot of people have recently become sick. There is dark magic about. Have any of the other High Priests informed you about who it is that is causing this trouble?"

"No, but there is a rumor that the famous thief has returned to our city."

"Bakura? Now?" Grimacing, the Pharaoh stood clenching his fists. "Why is all of this happening? Inform the other six Priests that they are to locate Bakura and stop him before he causes any damage."

The young boy nodded and left.

"What is he after now?"

Suddenly Yami's thoughts went to the time when Bakura had burst into the Palace in an effort to kill him. After much struggle, he was subdued, but not destroyed. Yami had hoped that Bakura would back away for good... but if he had truly returned, then what did he want- if anything? (1)

Thinking of Bakura reminded him of the strange resemblance he bore to Ryou. They almost could have been twins, but Ryou contrasted so much to the rogue thief that the thought was preposterous. Ryou was much too kind; much too innocent.

And now he was gone.

Feeling slightly lightheaded, Yami went to lean on the throne chair only to find it wasn't there. His head seemed to be spinning and everything around him wouldn't stay still. Swiftly, his vision faded and he fell... but he didn't feel himself hit the ground.

"Yami? Yami... are you all right?"

Yami stirred in his sleep, feeling strange warm rays upon his body. It was pure euphoria. He'd never felt so good in a long time.

"Oh please... wake up."

What an angelic voice. It was so distraught and worried... and about him. But why? Why did this person care so much about whether he awoke or not. As much as Yami wanted to remain asleep, the voice beckoned him to awake and he did.

"Thank Ra," a small voice said. "You're okay."

Yami cocked his head to the side, still somewhat confused and tired. Who was this strange person who troubled so much over him? He didn't even know, let alone recognize the boy.

"Who are you?" Yami managed out, his voice slightly raspy.

The boy flushed and quickly kneeled. "I-I'm so sorry for not introducing myself. My name is Ryou. It's an honor to meet you Pharaoh."

"Ryou?" Yami repeated. "But why are you here?"

"You're right, he shouldn't be," a perturbed voice cut in. A flash of brilliant sapphire burned in the youth's eyes that spoke. He was an older boy, probably in his younger teen years, and he had quite a few years on Yami. "I'm sorry that he has troubled you in your recovery. He's done his job, now he shall be removed-"

"No," Yami said. "That will not be necessary Seth." Struggling, Yami pushed himself up into a sitting position. Ryou was only a mere boy, not much younger than Yami himself, but Yami demonstrated a level of elegance and royalty that was surprising for his age. "Raise your head, Ryou."

The young boy did flashing a pair of stunning chestnut eyes. "As you wish, Pharaoh."

"Yami, he's nothing but a common boy-" Seth said angrily.

"Quiet Seth," Yami said, never breaking his gaze upon Ryou. "What are you doing here?"

Ryou swallowed hard. "I'm... a... I'm..."

"Come now, spit it out."

"I'm a healer."

Yami elevated a brow. "A healer... My, my... this is interesting indeed."

"If you want me gone, I'll understand. I'll even understand if you want to punish me-"

"Punish you," Yami repeated. "Why would I want to do that?"

"All healers are outcasts..."

"Who told you that?" Yami asked, slightly astounded.

Ryou cast his glance downward. "Everyone I know."

"Did you save me?"

"Yes."

"Why? You don't even know me."

Ryou looked at him and sighed. "Such is a healer's fate."

Yami couldn't take his eyes off the boy. He was just so intriguing. He really couldn't control what he said next. "You're beautiful, has anyone ever told you that?"

"Honestly Yami!" Seth cut in, taking ahold of Ryou's arm. "I think it's time to put him back on the streets where he belongs."

"Hold it right there," Yami said calmly. "You will do no such thing. Is that any way to treat the person who saved my life?"

Seth visibly glared and took a step back. "Why can't you just forget about him?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"I really don't think that's possible at this point," he said, a small smile coming to his face. "Prepare a room in the Palace... Ryou will be staying here from now on."

Seth threw his hands up in a surrendering manner and stomped out of the room.

"I... don't deserve this, Pharaoh," Ryou said quickly.

"You deserve only the best. I hope we can become good friends, Ryou. I owe you one."

"Yami? Yami... are you all right?"

Yami's eyes flashed open. "Ryou?... Oh... Seth."

Seth rolled his eyes. "It's good to see you too."

"I'm sorry High Priest. I just... I dreamed about when I first met Ryou."

Seth seemed uninterested. "Oh really?"

"You know, if it wasn't for that enrapturing voice that called out to me... I don't think I would've ever awoken."

"What are you talking about?"

"While I slept... I remember a voice that called my name. It was so fretful and concerned. I could hear in that voice that at that moment, that person cared about me more than anything in the world. And then... when I opened my eyes... I saw Ryou."

Seth was stunned. "But he-" Sighing, he gave up. "Never mind."

"Why didn't you like him?"

Seth froze. "Who?"

"Ryou. I remember that day very clearly. You didn't like him at all."

"Of course not, you-" Seth stopped, rephrasing the sentence, "I mean he was just some poor boy off the streets and all it took was one look and you... you... Oh! It's not even important!"

Yami sat up, "It's important to me, Seth. I care a lot about you."

"But you love him!"

Yami froze. "Seth... what are you saying?"

Seth shook his head and turned to leave, but Yami grasped onto his wrist in an effort to stop him. Before Yami could say anything, the High Priest grasped onto the young Pharaoh's shoulders, pushing him back onto the bed, and pressed a forceful yet chaste kiss upon his lips.

Seth pulled back locking hard azure eyes on shocked scarlet ones. "You felt nothing... I thought you wouldn't."

Yami was too stunned to say anything.

"You know... there was never any competition between Ryou and I. I could tell you fell for him the moment you laid eyes on him. I don't even think you realized it at the time. But... I noticed immediately, and suddenly, it was as if my whole world had been torn apart. I don't think it would have mattered if Ryou was a boy, girl, had a terminal illness, or was even ugly... because he has this sort of inner beauty that only a fool wouldn't recognize. How could I contend with that? Ryou was this happy, kind, and beautiful person... but I will always be a stern and unsympathetic high priest." A sad smile played across his face as he remembered the events of that day Ryou met Yami. "You know... something interesting that you should know is... that day when you woke up to that voice of the one who "cared about you more than anything"… Well... I'm one of the only people who call you by your name. It was me you heard... not Ryou."

Slipping from Yami's arms, Seth kneeled on the ground before the bewildered Pharaoh. "Yami... as of now, I am disregarding your orders and authority as Pharaoh. I will exercise any means necessary to find Ryou... and bring him back to you."

"Seth wait-!" Yami said, seeming to break from his state of surprise.

But it was too late. Seth was gone.

Marik was sitting quietly upon one of the strange boulders that were scattered throughout the city and speaking with a few of his devotees when Ryou finally found him.

"Ah, so someone finally got up," Marik said with a mischievous grin, and Ryou would've been angered had he not noticed the slight fondness in his eyes.

"Yes, and no thanks to you," he answered meekly.

"I know, I'm just that great, ne?"

Ryou's jaw dropped and he looked immediately at the three quiet men who stood tall before their master.

"Oh don't worry," Marik said casually. "Everyone in the whole town already knows."

"You told them!" Ryou said accusingly.

"That's where you're wrong. They already knew. Maybe it had to do with your loud screams last night-"

"Marik!" Ryou exclaimed, blushing furiously. "Oh, I've had enough of this."

Turning around in silence, he attempted to stomp off, even though it ended up being a slow walk, thanks to that persistent pain.

Marik couldn't help but laugh as he jumped off the rock and caught up to Ryou in no time.

"Oh come on," he said, curling an arm around his waist. "I was only jesting."

"That's not the problem here," Ryou stated flatly, escaping Marik's grasp. "It's what you're suggesting that's bothering me!"

"Actually," one of the mauve-clad followers cut in, "We had all assumed this would eventually happen. But until now, none of knew what had happened last night..."

Ryou opened his mouth to protest, but closed it. He was so used to saying that "nothing happened" that now that something had, it was hard to say otherwise. "Just don't go spreading around-"

"All right!" a voice yelled, coming closer to them. "Ryou and Marik are finally together!"

"Oh lord," Ryou said, feeling slightly sick, "Meera. Now our secret will never be safe."

"Morning, Ryou," Meera said cheerfully. "I've already prepared your bath for this morning... but maybe I should make it for two..."

"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't say that so loud..."

"But you should want to shout it to the rooftops! Ryou and Marik! Together at last!"

Ryou couldn't seem to find what was so hilarious about all of this that even Marik was laughing. This was serious to him. How was he going to get that through to Marik?

"Why weren't you there when I woke up this morning?" he asked, eyes cast downward.

Everyone seemed to quiet down and even Marik was now standing silent.

"Ryou, I had things to do."

"What is more important than waking up beside the person with whom you'd just spent an amazing night together with? Something remarkable happened to me last night, and I'm not just talking about the sex. I'm talking about my freedom, my unchaining. I'm talking about not being a healer anymore. There's nothing more lonely than waking up to an empty bed with no one to share your feelings with."

"I can't always be with you."

"Why not?" Ryou asked, tears blurring his vision. "Did you expect to just have me and then have nothing to do with me?"

"Ryou, you know that's not it."

Marik was starting to feel pressured by the people that had started to form a small circle around them.

"Then what?" Ryou asked.

"I don't know," he said in the confusion. "It just... seemed like a good idea at the time."

"A good idea... How could you... Ra, never mind," he said, turning once again to leave. His vision blanked out for a moment and he would've collapsed had not Marik quickly caught him and balanced him.

"Are you all right?" Marik questioned, trying to mask his concern.

Ryou shook his head, purposefully avoiding his eyes. "I'm fine. It's just a dizzy spell."

"And how many have you had?"

"It's not important!"

Marik exhaled noisily, obviously perturbed by the conversation. "What exactly is the problem, Ryou?"

"The problem is," Ryou said, turning around resignedly. "I love you."

Marik took a step back, as though he had been struck. "You don't know what you're saying."

"You don't know what I'm feeling."

"Love doesn't exist," Marik said simply. "It's just a name put on an emotion. And an emotion is fake too. It's just a reaction in response to something else."

Ryou was awestruck. Did Marik know how insane that sounded? He had no more power to fight back.

"Fine, we'll have it your way. I'm going to go take a bath, feeling this so called "reaction", and then I'm going to prepare to leave."

Marik narrowed his gaze. "You know what kind of person I am, Ryou. This is your own fault. Why did you let me sleep with you?"

"I don't know," Ryou said before leaving. "It just... seemed like a good idea at the time."

Now at about this moment in time, in the lush city of the Pharaoh, Bakura and Malik, who had indeed returned, strolled casually throughout the metropolis. Thankfully, and as a result of Malik's worry, hooded cloaks that cast dancing shadows across their faces concealed their identities.

"Tell me again why we're here," Malik whispered uncomfortably, pulling the hood down farther over his face.

"Don't worry about it," Bakura said, patting Malik's back in an attempt to comfort him. "Just some business."

"You know how much I hate it here... it's where... well, you know…" he trailed off, inferring the situation in which he had been killed. "Now what business could you want in one of the most opulent cities around when you're currently broke?"

Bakura's lips curled into a smirk. "Thief business." He took ahold of Malik's hand and covered it with the other. "You see, I heard a rumor that there are some very exceptional items here, possessed by a chosen few, that have powers beyond imagination."

"And you're thinking of stealing one of them, aren't you?" Malik stated more matter-of-factly than as a question. "I thought you'd given up thieving..."

"I had, but I just really wanted to take a peek. It wouldn't hurt…" Malik's skepticism was evident. "Listen, I promise that as long as we're together I won't steal anything. But... curiosity has really gotten the better of me. Here's the thing: These items are said to have powers of the shadows, endowing one with abilities beyond their wildest dreams. They possibly even have the power to bring back a lost life! Please tell me that's not worth at least borrowing."

Malik sighed. "It does sound interesting... and I know exactly what you're talking about too... The Seven Millennium Items. And yes... they do possess the power you've heard of... and more. But Bakura... they're in the well-guarded palace, and we cannot go in there. Promise me we won't," he said, true worry in his eyes. "I dread even being near the place."

Bakura exhaled nosily. "I cannot believe I have been reduced to this man-slave. You're lucky I care about you so much... Without you... I probably would've turned bad a long time ago. Let's just say I wouldn't be as I am now."

"I'd never leave you without the intention of coming back. I love you too much," he said reassuringly. "And you mean because... of what happened to your village?" Malik asked, slightly cautious.

Bakura unknowingly avoided his gaze. "Yes."

Malik had been told briefly during their first night together about the tragedy that had occurred at his childhood village- Kuru-Eruna- and how Yami's family was strangely involved.1 Bakura never seemed too fond of that subject.

"Just trust me on this, Bakura..." Malik said, squeezing lightly on the thief's hand. "The seven items aren't worth risking your life over. They should only be pursued if in desperate need and under extreme conditions."

Bakura raised a brow. "How do you know so much about them? I've been meaning to ask you this for some time now."

Malik looked up at him quickly, unsure of what to say. He hadn't really wanted to get into this conversation so soon. Family matters were a nag to drag other people into.

Thankfully though, there was a nearby commotion and their thoughts were drawn elsewhere.

"Move out of the way!" an ambler shouted. "Galloping horse coming through!"

Everyone cleared out of the way forming a distinct path and the horse with the blue-cloaked rider cantered at lightning speed through the crowd. Malik, who hadn't noticed which direction the rider was coming, stood directly in the rider's course.

Had Bakura not yanked him roughly out of the way he would've been trampled for sure. Instead, Malik barely brushed against the side of the horse accidentally knocking off one of the many rucksacks that hung off the sides.

A moment later all that was left was the dust that had been kicked up from the constant galloping hooves.

Bakura pulled Marik in front of him harshly. "What were you thinking, Malik?! Did you not see the horse coming?!"

Malik frowned. "I'm really sorry. I was sort of out of it."

"You can't go doing stuff like that!" he said, a mixture of anger and relief in his eyes.

"I'm really sorry, Bakura."

Bakura stepped back and for a moment Malik thought he would hit him, but instead Bakura embraced him so tightly Malik thought he might suffocate, but strangely, he felt very relieved. And more importantly... he felt safe. Inhaling deeply he took in Bakura's soft scent that was a mixture between crushed petals and dawn-touched sand, and then exhaled. Then, he barely realized that Bakura was mumbling something to him about how if he died he'd never be the same. Oh yes, the same lecture he'd given him not too long ago, and at least ten times before they'd gotten there, but Malik never once reminded him that he was repeating himself and instead said as he always said:

"I'd never leave you without the intention of coming back. I love you too much."

"And I love you more than you'll ever know," Bakura said finally, withdrawing from the blonde's arms. "Otherwise I wouldn't have gone through all I have to get you back."

Malik seemed deep in thought for a moment. "Do you think Marik loves Ryou?"

Bakura rolled his eyes at the name. "I don't know nor do I care."

"But really... I'm positive that Ryou loves him... but do you really think Marik is capable of that feeling? I know how odd that sounds."

"Honestly? I don't think Marik cares a blink about things that don't benefit him in some way."

Malik fixed an unsure gaze upon him. "But Marik showed genuine care for Ryou that I've never seen before... What's your honest to Ra opinion?"

Bakura cocked a brow. "My honest to Ra opinion?" he repeated. Sighing he said, "If the truth-be-told, in all the time that I got to know Marik, not once did he show anyone the care and courtesy he showed Ryou. But Malik, you can't forget... Marik is a very unpredictable person. He's gone through a lot. Love doesn't come easy for some people, and for others... it doesn't come at all. Ryou is going to have to work very hard if he wants to heal him."

"But I didn't think Ryou had his powers anymore."

"Not all healing comes from powers, but rather from the heart. Now, before I blabber on and turn into some sappy idiot, let's go-"

He stopped mid-sentence; looking down to see the tan bag that Malik had knocked off of the horse from earlier. Malik followed his gaze and picked it up. It was of rather small size but felt somewhat heavy.

Bakura's interest got the best of him and he took the sack from Malik and opened it, sliding its contents into his hand.

"Wow," Malik breathed out. "They're beautiful."

Bakura narrowed his gaze. "They're serpent's eye jewels."

The gems that sparkled in his hand were stunning. Their sapphire color made them look as though blue fire danced about inside them.

"What are they for, if anything?" Malik wondered.

"Sorcerers replace serpents' eyes with these using magic and it allows them to see what the serpent sees. They're usually used for spying and that sort of thing, and there's only one person known who uses these..."

"Who?"

"High Priest Seth."

"So that means... it was he who left not too long ago..."

"Precisely... but what could he possibly be going after?"

"Or who?" Malik said, worry written all over his face. "You don't think Seth is going after Ryou... do you?"

"Whatever he was after... it seemed important. Come on, let's hurry up and get done here so we can leave. Now I'm starting to dislike it here."

"Agreed."

Ryou was finishing redressing after taking his bath when Marik came in to see him. His face held a grave look and he held his hands loosely behind his back. Ryou noticed him immediately and ignored him, tossing his damp hair back allowing his white bangs to fall messily into his face.

"So you're still mad," Marik said simply.

" Please thank Meera for the bath," Ryou said as he began to walk past him, but Marik caught his wrist and pulled him back quickly, pushing him with force against the stone wall.

"Do NOT order me around like I'm the slave."

"So suddenly I am again?" Ryou questioned, a tired expression upon his face.

"Did I say that?"

"Imsorrie," Ryou mumbled.

"What?"

"I said I'm sorry. Maybe I acted slightly out of line earlier. I was really just frustrated that's all. I'm not really going to leave... It's just that... I never know when you're going to hate me and when you're going to care about me. You destroy those who care about you; you destroy the care they have for you. What is it going to take for me to help you?"

"Why are you so interested in getting things done quickly? We have forever."

Marik backed up and released Ryou and was somewhat surprised when the youth clutched back onto his lavender robes, burying his face in his chest.

"Because I don't have forever," he finally answered. "I have to find a way to mend your broken heart that seems to be shattered in a million pieces, and to make things worse, the pieces are probably scattered in a million places. I've healed so many people in my life before with almost every sickness and ailment imaginable," he pulled back to look Marik in the eyes, "But never before have I met someone who needed a healed heart. So, I can't give up." Softly, he drew a hand down Marik's cheek to rest at his shoulder. "Power or no power, I'm going to help you somehow, and while healing people is a lot easier than healing hearts... sometimes the latter is more important."

Stepping back, he smiled gently then left the room.

Marik was taken back with Ryou's earnestness. He was the reason Ryou was upset earlier and now he had done a full circle to caring about him again? How did the boy do it? AND, how did Ryou strangely have the power to actually make Marik feel bad for upsetting the ivory-haired boy at all?

But, if Ryou truly wanted to help Marik... he would have to work very hard, for there was indeed a multitude of pieces that would need to be gathered to even begin to piece together the perfect sculpture that was once his heart... and some pieces Marik himself kept safely hidden... for no one to find.

---TBC---

(1)-This story actually ties in with the actual manga plot from ancient Egypt (somewhat). Bakura actually did bust into the palace and all in order to get Yami's powers and all that but he was conquered eventually, and Kuru-Eruna was the village Bakura lived in that I believe Yami's father raided and destroyed then ordered the death of the people there because I forget why. It's not important in this story and if you so desire, look up the manga scans and read it.

Okay, that chapter was intersting. It ended weird I know but I had to end it there or it would've gone on for a while more and I don't want to bore you.

Thanks for reading, please review.

AmethystRoze