Woo, another update. Yay! Limeness all the way! ...well, sort of. XD

BWAH! I WROTE THE NEXT CHAPTER AND THE STUPID COMPUTER CONKED OUT ON ME!! Damn it!!!

(sighs) disclaimer? Don't own YGO.

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Chapter Five: Discovery

Sighing, Ryou turned away from his window, running a hand through his hair.

Though Marik's company certainly wasn't boring (omit the sudden kissing, the abrupt embraces), Ryou couldn't help but gaze out of the window, watching night drift pass, wishing he could at least go out to stretch his leg. Company wasn't bad but , no fresh air...

...plus, he was hungry.

He had eaten already his chamber room's stock of food, and he had been longing to hop over to the cafeteria to eat something. He didn't really enjoy the steak he was supposed to eat the first night he arrived; Bakura, being the carnivore that he was, instantly had taken over and demanded that it "wasn't rare enough".

At times when Marik didn't keep him company, the little Light would day-dream, write poems, hum soft songs to keep himself bored. But it was hard to resist the temptation to at least go out for a little walk, especially when Ryou had a quiet but curious mind. He would love to explore the rooms of the large blimp, wondering how everything's doing, eat some food, and possibly get new bandages. Sighing, the Light sat back on the bed, his face propped on his hands, which were on his knees, and sighed again.

Marik had been...well...less psycopathic since he met Ryou. Since there were no more duelists to send to the Shadow Realm, the Darkness's mind seemed to be more at ease, the sadistic insanity that possibly lingered deep down firmly supressed. There were times when Marik was even gentle to him, but again and again, Ryou couldn't help but wonder whether Marik really liked him as a person....or something...less.

Especially when Ryou was beginning to like him as something more.

Everytime, now, when Ryou would gaze into Marik's eyes, his knees would seem to give away, and his heart would beat unnaturally loud. His breath would catch in his throat, and his arms tingling with the impulse to wrap themselves around the Darkness. He even found himself smiling at Marik's sardonic attitude and cold, sarcastic remarks.

...Gah! What was he thinking?

Temptation tugged against his senses, and something heavy tugged at his heart, gesturing him to look at the door. Almost mechanically, he stood up and slowly took a small peek. Why hadn't Yugi come by yet to visit him? Why hadn't Marik? Why especially Marik?

He opened the door a little wider, and noticed that the corridor was entirely empty. They weren't at Alcatraz Tower yet...and it had already been days...and everyone seemed to be asleep...

...well, they hadn't noticed Ryou until now. What were the possibilities that they would come searching for him now?

His stomach gave a slight, quiet rumble.

He missed Marik.

Well..maybe...one stroll...wouldn't hurt. He wanted to eat, he wanted to breathe some better air...

...and though he denied it, deep down inside, he wanted to see Marik.


Quietly, Ryou had slipped from his room and was edging against the darkness of the corridors. He hastily turned a corner and began to walk at a normal pace. Just a little walk...

However, Ryou was barely down one hallway when something lunged at him from the darkness, pinning him tightly to the wall. He opened his mouth to cry out, but something clamped down hard on his lips, suffocating his cry. When Ryou regained his composure and opened his eyes, they widened with fear when dark amethyst ones were staring right back.

Smirking, Yami Marik released his grip on Ryou's mouth, though his face was barely a few inches away from the Light's. Ryou felt his chest size up, though he was unsure why. Oh right..that little fact that he had broken his promise, that he had disobeyed Marik and was taking a small stroll outside his bedroom.

"Oh...h-hi...Marik," stammered Ryou. "Umm..."

However, he was silenced when Marik laid a finger upon his lips.

"You disobeyed me," said Marik, his low voice rich. Ryou guiltly casted his eyes downward, his heart beating unnaturally large in his throat.

"I'm--I'm sorry," he stuttered. Marik smirked and raised Ryou's chin, so that they were staring into each other's eyes. This time, Ryou couldn't help it. Those beautiful eyes were drawing him in, each minute as though an eternity. Such enchanting eyes that captivated his soul; he couldn't bear to tear away from that gaze. Why were his cheeks feeling so hot?

Marik's smirk grew.

"Oh, Ryou," he said, faking exasperation. "What am I to do with you?"

Ryou's eyes widened slightly.

"Perhaps a punishment should be in store for you, Ryou?" suggested Marik, laughing. "Yes...a punishment."

"A-a punishment?" repeated Ryou weakly, eyes widening, fear blossoming within his chest as Marik slowly began to lean in.

"Oh yes..." whispered Marik. "Did you think you could disobey me without a punishment as a consequence?"

Ryou opened his mouth to plead, to apologize, but he was instantly silenced as Yami Marik crushed his lips onto Ryou's, his tongue intruding.What exactly made this kiss different than before? Heart thumping loudly in his chest, Ryou hesitantly returned the kiss, his own tongue shyly accompanying with Marik's in a rapidly-evolving frenzy dance. Instinctively, the Light began to wrap his arms around Marik's neck, never wanting to let go, but immediately, Marik had grasped his wrists and pinned them to the wall above him. Whimpering, Ryou broke away, bewildered. An evil smirk was still playing upon Marik's lips.

"Your punishment, Ryou," laughed the Darkness, his tongue slipping out from the side of his lips seductively. "Not mine."

Ryou was about to ask what he meant when Marik suddenly drew his tongue across Ryou's bare throat. Gasping sharply, Ryou tried to lean his head back, closing his eyes. When Marik had finished, he then softly placed a kiss on the edge of Ryou's lips, then trailed his lips downwards towards Ryou's jaw, placing hotter, wetter ones upon. Ryou couldn't help but allow a soft moan to escape his lips as Marik then began to place butterfly kisses near his collar-bone, nor could he contain the sharp gasp and the following whimpering moans of pleasure when Marik sank his teeth in the crook of his neck, licking up the blood and sucking on the wound.

Ryou was barely aware of anything else that was surrounding him. With Marik's impulsive lips and mysterious hands, he had enough to think about. He was only vaguely aware when Marik slowly wormed his knee between Ryou's thighs; a sharp cry escaped his lips when he felt Marik thrust his knee gently upwards. Now his feet were no where near touching the ground, his chest was tightly pinned to the wall by the Darkness's, and his wrists and arms were high up above his head, held there by the Egyptian's fingers. Also, an odd, sensitive sensation had begun just beneath his torso, and it was climbing upwards. He was trapped, and he couldn't escape.

But did he want to?

When Marik pulled away, his lips were in a triumphant sneer as he raised an eyebrow at Ryou's sweaty face and his rapidly rising chest. Ryou stirred restlessly against Marik's grip on his wrists, but Marik did not let go. Somehow, Marik had gathered both his wrists into one hand, and his other was doing some exploring down Ryou's body and underneath his shirt. Ryou bit his lip, trying to supress the moans of pleasure he longed to emit again, and shot opened his eyes when he felt Marik's free hand fiddle aimlessly with the zipper on his pants.

"No, Marik, please," pleaded Ryou, as Marik had managed to flip open the button on his pants and was ready to allow the zipper freedom. Marik raised an eyebrow again as he stared up at Ryou, whose large, doe brown eyes where sparkling with innocence and trust. Marik rolled his eyes despite the smirk on his lips, he obliged, but before he drew his hand away from the bottom of Ryou's torso, he gave Ryou one swift unexpected stroak down his groin, causing the said Light to gasp sharply again, shuddering, whimpering, as he closed his eyes and arched his back.

Smiling triumphantly, Marik slowly turned Ryou's face upwards, so that his breath was sweeping upon Ryou's lips again. Ryou immediately froze, wishing that time would never end, as he stared deep into those enchanting eyes again. Oh, how easy it was to just simply place a kiss on those heavenly lips also?

Marik seemed to read his mind, and promptly claimed his lips. Ryou made no effort to break away this time, and actually fluttered his eyelids shut, drinking in every beautiful presence of this moment. His heart sank slightly when Marik did finally break away, a hand softly carressing Ryou's cheek.

"That wasn't that bad, now, was it?" asked Marik, his amethyst eyes glinting with irony.

Ryou slowly shook his head slowly, pink flushing his pale cheeks.

Marik smirked again as he leaned in to conquer Ryou's lips again. "I thought not."

Ryou had closed his eyes and opened his lips already to recieve another conquest, but instead, Marik suddenly laid a finger on Ryou's lips firmly. Ryou opened his eyes, now wide and darting around, puzzled. Marik's narrow lavender eyes were frowning in one direction when he unexpectedly released Ryou's wrists, causing the white haired teen to slide down the wall, onto his knees on the floor.

"What?" Ryou whispered breathlessly, using the wall as a guide as he stood up, his knees shaking. Why did Marik always seem to have the ability to render him into a jelly wreck?! "Marik...is something wrong?"

He felt Marik press his chest against him again, this time, hiding him from view.

"Ryou," Marik whispered harshly in his ear. "Quickly...someone's coming. Go...!"

He shoved Ryou towards his room, and with one last, panicked look to the Yami's retreating back, Ryou pelted down the hallway. His room was not that far...

But he couldn't stop himself from skidding to a stop when he heard Yami Yugi's voice.

"MARIK!"

"Hello, Pharoah," said Yami Marik's voice smoothly, taunting sarcasm at the regal title. "And what brings you out into the night at such a late hour?"

"What brings you?" asked Yami suspicously. Ryou quickly dodged around the corner and pressed his back against the wall. He had to hear.

"I am the Master of the Shadows," laughed Marik airly. "The Night is best fitting for my appeal."

Ryou could almost feel Yami Yugi frown his crimson eyes.

"What were you doing?" asked Yami, his voice low with suspicion.

"Nothing," said Marik silkily. Yami growled in wariness.

"I doubt that."

"Oh, come now, Pharaoh," laughed Marik, leaning against the wall. "Why such a suspicous tone with me?"

"You almost killed Mai!" said Yami angrily. Ryou could just imagine the pharaoh clenching his fists, trying his best to contain himself from ramming his Millennium Puzzle into Marik's skull. Not that Yami Yugi was the type to do that, anyways.

"Is she all you care about?" asked Marik airily.

"You also sent Bakura to the Shadow Realm!"

"That was you, may I add," laughed Marik. "You were the one who attacked him with Slifter. I did not do anything of the sort."

"You were controlling ---"

"Bakura?" laughed Marik. "You are so dense, Pharoah. Malik was never controlling Bakura. True, he was giving hints to Bakura what to do, but Bakura always disobeyed. He was never under Malik's spell of the Millennium Rod, or else he would've been a monotone, dead hollow vessel. Did you notice a difference when you duelled Bakura compared to the other duelists that really WERE under Malik's spell? Like...Joey, for instant?"

There was a tense silence as Yami Yugi was forced to contemplate such an answer.

"You think Bakura was under my spell, Pharaoh?" taunted Marik again. "Think again. He was lively, he was a vivacious duelist, wasn't he? It was his own free will that he decided to go against you."

"Bakura would never do that!" said Yami forcefully.

No, I wouldn't, Ryou wanted to yell. He wanted to jump and run into Yami Yugi, to convince him that he would never do anything like that..

...but...technically, Marik was speaking the truth. It was simply Yami Yugi's fault that he was automatically thinking that Bakura meant Ryou.

"Bakura wanted your Item as much as I did," snarled Marik. "In fact, that's how he got to know Malik. He went up and just said, 'give me your item or fear my wrath'. Well, you can imagine how unimpressive that was to my Light, so he made a deal with Bakura. 'Kill Yugi Motou and my Millennium Rod is yours.' Of course, now that Bakura's in the Shadow Realm, I don't have to give my precious Rod over..."

"You're not talking about Ryou," said Yami Yugi finally. "You're talking about the Spirit of the Millennium Ring."

"Oh, we are using titles now, instead of names?" asked Marik spitingly. "Well, isn't that an awfully convient way to categorize your friends."

"Bakura is not my friend," stated Yami firmly. "Ryou is, and I will not allow you or Bakura to manipulate him this way!"

Marik stayed silent, but Ryou could almost feel the smirk upon the Egyptian Darkness forming.

"Let me see him," said Yami coldly.

"I'm sorry, Pharaoh, that can't be arranged," said Marik's voice smoothly.

"And why not?" asked Yami, in that same, biting tone.

"You could say..." smirked Marik, "...that Ryou now belongs to me."

"No," growled Yami. "No."

"Oh, yes, Pharaoh," smiled Marik back. "I've taken to quite the liking for the boy...and I don't like many things in this world, Pharaoh. Try and visit Ryou and you will suffer consequences."

No! thought Ryou. Please don't, Marik! Please don't hurt Yugi or Yami!! They're my friends!!

"Then I shall," said Yami, and swiftly managed to duck under Marik's outstretched arms, and pelted down the hallway.

Ryou was barely aware of the pounding footsteps that were edging nearer; finally gathering sense, he stood up and also ran for his room. However, just before he had made it to the door, the spirit of the Pharaoh had turned the corner, and saw Ryou's retreating back.

"Ryou!" gasped Yami. Ryou allowed himself a silent gasp also, before his door slammed shut. Quickly, he slid under the covers of his bed, lying still.

The door opened again, and Yami hurriedly ran to his side.

"Ryou!"

"He's unconcious, Pharaoh," said Marik from the doorway, his tone biting.

"No, he's not!" protested Yami. "I just saw him! What did you do to him?"

"Nothing," said Marik silkily. "Nothing."

Yami ignored him and leaned over Ryou's bed. He waved his hand over Ryou's closed eyes, hoping to feel some breath. Ryou held onto his breath and waited for Yami to stop trying to get his attention. However, holding on his breath wasn't the most difficult thing to do. It took all his energy to prevent hiimself from shaking, and especially, from crying. He had broken his promise...he had let Yami Yugi see him...

What was Marik going to do?

After what felt like millennias, Yami Yugi left, leaving Marik and Ryou alone.

"Dammit," snarled Marik as the door closed. It was rather scary to see his sudden change in mood. He turned around. "Wake up, now!" he snapped.

Weakly, Ryou pushed himself up, hugging his knees to his chest.

"What the hell did you think you were doing?" growled Marik angrily. "I told you to stay inside, I told you not to go out! Look at what you've done now!"

"What I've done?" repeated Ryou, angry tears welling in his eyes.

"Yes, YOU," snarled Marik, approaching him precariously. "I told you not to leave!"

"You were the one who kissed me!" said Ryou. "All I wanted was some air, that's all! Was there anything wrong with that?"

"Now the Pharaoh suspects you're alive," snapped Marik, his lavender eyes flashing angrily. "Do you know how much time it'll take to convince him that you're still unconcious?"

"But why can't I tell him?" asked Ryou pitifully. "He's my friend, Yugi is too, they shouldn't have to worry..."

"I brought you back for a reason," snarled Marik, fists clenched as he all but ran to Ryou's bedside. "Was it really so much for you to stay in here?"

"But why?" asked Ryou tearfully. "I just want to know why..."

"Have I been too soft with you?" asked Marik suddenly, voice deadly soft, as he placed his hands on the bed and leaned in close to Ryou's face. "It never seems you interrogate Bakura this way...do you really enjoy pain to keep you in place?"

"No!" said Ryou, backing up, trembling. "No, that's not what I meant!"

"Then what do I have to do to make you listen to me?!" demanded Marik.

Oh, how sick Ryou felt. Here he had thought that he could've befriened Marik, that Marik wasn't that bad, that maybe he had some good in him. How could he be such a naive fool to believe that?

"I just wanted some air!" cried Ryou. "I just wanted to go for a walk, just wanted to breathe a little bit better, is that so much to ask for?"

"I swear to Ra you don't backtalk this way to Bakura," snarled Marik as he gripped the sheets. "Do you really enjoy pain, Ryou?"

"No!" cried Ryou. He cowered by the headboard, his arms raised up, slim frail trembling. "No, I don't! Please!"

"Then don't interrogate my reasons!" yelled Marik. Leaping over the bed, he wrenched Ryou's arms away from his face, so that the teen's face could be seen. Terrified, Ryou squeaked and turned his face away, bracing himself for a blow.

For a moment, Marik's heart had stopped. Everything seemed to be immobilized, except for Ryou's trembling figure, and the tears that were leaking down his cheeks. A sort of anguished sadness swept through Marik's heart, upon seeing how terrified the boy was of him. He couldn't bring himself to do anything to the sweet angel that was in front of him.

Scowling, Marik threw Ryou's arms away from him, with such unintended force that the boy flew over the majority of the bed. Ryou swallowed and gasped, raising his head with tear-stained eyes that were befuddled by puzzlement, and watched Marik get off his bed roughly.

"Don't disobey my orders again," snarled Marik as he whipped around. "Do you understand, Ryou Bakura?"

Trembling, Ryou nodded his head, his throat too constricted to allow an oral "yes".

"Do you?" prompted Marik angrily. He looked over his shoulder sharply, with dark, intense amethyst eyes.

"Yes," Ryou whispered weakly, bowing his head and hugging his knees to his chest.

There was a silence. Marik then hmphed, and began walking towards the door, but before the chamber door slid shut ---

"--do not make me regret ressurrecting you from the Shadows, Ryou."


Ryou cried.

Ryou cried long, but silently. After what seemed like hours, and after there was no more dry spots on his pillow to cry on, Ryou weakly pushed himself up. He felt terribly sick. He had just heard Yami Yugi declare how much he wanted to see him....and he had just got Marik mad. Why did he think he could change Marik? Why did he feel something towards the Darkness? Why had he been such an idiot to believe everything was going to be okay?

Now that the damage was done, Ryou could do nothing else. Marik had scared him, frightened him, and Ryou didn't know what to do. What was Marik going to do the next time he visited? Ryou trembled. Perhaps it was best to go to Yami Yugi. Why hadn't he done that sooner?! It was quite obvious Marik didn't like him, didn't care for him, that he was nothing more to Marik than...than...a toy! Something to be played with and thrown away!

He hated having his life as nothing more than human. He was a vessel, and now he was a toy! He wanted to be Ryou again, Ryou the friend, Ryou the classmate, Ryou the son, the brother....just Ryou!

Anger and sadness flushed against his heart like a cascade of waves, breaking it apart against the rocks that were his emotions. His head hurt, his lungs hurt..

...his heart hurt.

When his crying had ceased, Ryou gingerly shook his head, trying to clear away the throbbing headache that bombarded his skull. There was no one to blame for this. This was all his fault. All his fault.

Angrily, he looked at the door, his mind made up.

He didn't care any more whether he was scared of Yami Marik or not. He was probably going to be sent to the Shadows anyway.

Standing up, he clenched his fists determinely, and walked out the door.


Yay! Another chapter done! :D Hope you guys all liked that one. Finally, some plot going on.