Disclaimer: I do no own Yu-Gi-Oh, or any of its characters.
~*~ CHAPTER 7 ~*~
Marik couldn't understand why he was suddenly curious for her response. He shouldn't care what she thought of him. In fact he relished when pedestrians would walk by him and study him as if he were some abnormal creature roaming the earth. His posture emitted defiance and elite authority which somehow nerved the human race. In a sense they felt mocked by his confident composure, and cavalier saunter. Marik enjoyed every second of it, their fear so thick and obvious he could even taste it against his lips, a delicious flavor he relished, as well as the peculiar aroma that intoxicated his nostrils whenever humans held fear. He hated this now.....whenever he was near the Pharaoh's friend, Mazaki Anzu, he felt the situation was reverse and he was the weak and vulnerable human who cared what others thought of his appearance and personality. He was disgusted in himself, he wasn't.....this wasn't suppose to happen. He was never suppose to feel emotions.
Yet somewhere, deep in his soul he was not at all bothered by this factor of sustaining these feelings. Ever since he began to provoke in his 'plan' to avenge his Yami, he grew closer to the obnoxious girl. At first he thought he was going insane with her presence, her words jolting, irritating to the point he felt he'd diminish her soul with his staff. He could feel his Yami laughing at him, mocking him and taunting him through dreams for how weak he had become over this small process. He would succeed in the plan, even if hurting the girl was part of it, he would get through it no matter what. He wasn't weak and his yami, even if in the deep clutches of darkness, held a part of him that would assist him through this. Lowering his gaze he inhaled every emotion currently felt. Weakness would not be allowed. Her hair nuzzled against his cheek as she shifted against his grip, obvious pain evident in her scrunched features. Releasing her wrist, she reluctantly caressed the pink hued are with her other hand, cradling it tentatively.
Anzu rubbed her sore wrist, his grip still evident, lingering on her pale skin now coated in a vague pink. Looking up she studied his stoic features, his body turned to the side allowing her gaze to glide over his side-profile immaculate with a tanning glimmer to intensify his beauty. Shifting his eyes to glance at her he watched satisfied flickering through his amethyst orbs how her eyes swept over him with amazement.
" I-I....." She knew she would have to confess her feelings to him sooner or later, and now seemed the right time. Looking into his eyes she saw pain, confusion, disgust too many negative emotions she was forced to wince and turn away from the harsh gaze. He was physically and mentally wounded, his soul was shattered and she would be the one to help him stitch the fragile pieces together slowly. He wasn't the type to adjust so hastily, she could only imagine it would take innumerable months till he accepted and embraced the 'weak human emotions' as he addressed it. She'd do it, she'd say those words no matter what. She would ignore the sinister smirk across his lips and repulsive shimmer in his eyes whenever he looked at her.
But she couldn't help but notice lately he looked to her with a unexplainable flare in his mischievous eyes, slanted with normality. Whenever she was turned away, or absently walking around the house, she had heeded his piercing eyes on her every move, with an emotion she wished she understood, but the flicker would disappear as quickly as it came leaving her to ponder through nights slumber, plagued by that tantalizing look that drew her in his soul. Looking up she quickly caught his eyes once again overwhelmed with the puzzling hue, that almost seemed to give his entire face a tender, understanding appearance. Now was her chance, he seemed to be in a state of calmness, which would make him except her words more easily.
" Marik.......I--
"..Ahhh!" Bakura's body jolted upward, beads up sweat drizzling down his ruffled hair as he clutched his head with heavy gasps of air. Arching a brow at the sudden interruption, Marik glared towards the awoken tomb robber before quickly heading towards the door.
" Where are you going?" Anzu asked frantically, she couldn't have an angered man like him running the streets without her guidance. She feared he may inflict pain on the innocent in his fit of rage.
" Out." He replied gruffly before slamming the door behind him. Sighing heavily Anzu lowered her head. So things didn't go as she hoped for, there was always later on, and tomorrow. Groaning inwardly she quickly remembered Bakura. Racing over to his side she bent down beside him.
" You okay? Did you have a nightmare, Bakura?"
His eyes remained shut as he nodded his head in reply.
" I'm going to get another wet towel." Thanking her for her troubles he slouched back slowly on the couch, inhaling sharply. Moments later she came back, caring a small white towel, bowl of water, large white shirt and a fluffy blue towel. Laying the bowl on the table she placed the shirt near the edge of the sofa where his feet rested on.
" Lift your head." She stated softly, before quickly sliding the pillow beneath his head as he struggled to raise his body. Towel still in hand she dipped it partially in the bowl of steaming hot water, before gripping the soaked linen in both hands and squeezing out the excess water. Smiling tenderly she laid it out over his sweat streaked forehead, applying light pressure to collect the sweat and lower his temperature. Slowly his rugged breathing adjusted to soft light breaths of air, indicating his slumber as his features softened, lips parting as his head swayed slightly to the side, seeking comfort from the pillow cushion. Smiling weakly she pushed away stray locks of his white hair aside, before frowning as she rose in a standing position, hovering over the contented boy.
Slowly she walked towards the door frame, a saddened expression twisting her features. Should she go and look for Marik? She was worried about him, no matter how insane it sounded. She would've never thought life would've ended up this way, with her aiding Bakura's ill state and allowing him to stay at her home, and become closer and more comfortable around their worst rival. The thought didn't bother her that both males staying at her home were once her best friend Yugi's enemies, in fact she enjoyed their company. Her parents were always gone on business trips, leaving her home alone for weeks, even months. Now that Bakura and Marik were staying with her she had company at home, and was annoyed by the utter silence of an isolated home with only her occupying it. Leaning against the door she examined Bakura from the peculiar angle in which she stood. He seemed fine on his own, but she still felt guilty about leaving him by himself while on her search for Marik. Glancing to her right to the thin narrow window beside the door frame she spotted Marik sitting in the front yard, legs propped in knee lock, placed affront him as his long fair hair swayed with the gentle breezes swirling past him with eerie hisses. Anzu sighed with relief. He hadn't even gone far, he was practically eight feet away from her, sitting solemnly on the green grass. Opening the door slightly, she peered within the small space she had made, shutting her eyes almost immediately as the swift breezes tickled her face and neck.
" Are....you alright?" She spoke so softly she had thought he hadn't heard her, especially since the loud wind muffled her voice into nothingness, yet it seemed he had as he tilted his head slightly over his right shoulder.
" What's it to you, Mazaki?" He spoke gruffly. Anzu huffed angrily. She never got this guy! One minute she was getting through to him and the next he was completely quiet, stoic, and refrained from speaking too much to her.
" I'm just worried!" She shot back, no longer caring if she told him everything right the and there, even in his crude state. " I was just making sure you were alright. You don't have to be so rude."
For a moment he turned back to the diurnal rays of the sun slithering over his features, providing his entire body penetrated by the orange light, an unusual yellow hue.
" Worried.....about me." It seemed as if he had trouble saying the words, as much as believing them. Why would she care? I've done so much to harm her and her friends, and yet she still cares for my safety? He scowled with irritation and annoyance, he couldn't understand this girl! He'd done every crude thing possible to her, the Pharaoh and her obnoxious friends to cause her to hate him, yet she didn't, and he couldn't get why. Was she insane?! Did she not loathe him for everything he'd done in the past? For everything he'd said to her? Suddenly he realized her presence beside him, and if not for being half absent in mind, he'd have jumped back from her sudden propinquity. He turned to her with an raised brow, and narrowed eyes.
" Its never fun to be alone is it? I myself know the feeling." She stated, a weak smiling gracing he flushed, plush lips. She couldn't think of anything to say. Why was he so hard to start conversations with, she didn't get it. She could walk up to a stranger and make easier discussions.
" Its about to rain, we should be getting inside."
He remained silent, motionless almost, and his posture indicated he neither cared nor bothered to listen to her statement. Frowning she looked at him.
" You might catch a cold if you stay out." Upon finishing her phrase, droplets of the pristine liquid, gifted from the heavens began to rapidly pour upon their sitting statures. And yet he stayed still, as if mimicking a mannequin as he remained un-moved. Anzu became nerved by his silence, in which she guessed he was doing on purpose to anger her.
" Well if your staying out here, then so am I."
He turned to her with an incredulous gaze, mouth slightly agape. He wanted to tell her to leave him alone and give him his privacy, but it seemed useless at the moment, and oddly he didn't mind she was accompanying him. A vague smirk lifted the crease of his lips, as the drops of rain abated. Perhaps she wasn't as worthless as her cronies. He shifted his eyes to the right, studying her side profile intently as if calculating something within her features. Now the question of whether or not he could go on with the plan and using her plagued him. Could he? It wasn't as if he'd fallen in love with her, that was utterly absurd, preposterous to be exact. Then why was he bothering to question the plan's continuation? Could he.....
He shut his eyes and tilted his head back, laying his arms out behind him to steady himself from falling as he inhaled the husky scent of rain. Falling in love with her was insane, even to him. So why in kami's name did he keep thinking about it!? He sighed as the questions began to make his temples throb. He'd think over everything in the morning, and whatever he concluded to, he'd push himself to endure it. No matter what..........
~*~
~*~ CHAPTER 7 ~*~
Marik couldn't understand why he was suddenly curious for her response. He shouldn't care what she thought of him. In fact he relished when pedestrians would walk by him and study him as if he were some abnormal creature roaming the earth. His posture emitted defiance and elite authority which somehow nerved the human race. In a sense they felt mocked by his confident composure, and cavalier saunter. Marik enjoyed every second of it, their fear so thick and obvious he could even taste it against his lips, a delicious flavor he relished, as well as the peculiar aroma that intoxicated his nostrils whenever humans held fear. He hated this now.....whenever he was near the Pharaoh's friend, Mazaki Anzu, he felt the situation was reverse and he was the weak and vulnerable human who cared what others thought of his appearance and personality. He was disgusted in himself, he wasn't.....this wasn't suppose to happen. He was never suppose to feel emotions.
Yet somewhere, deep in his soul he was not at all bothered by this factor of sustaining these feelings. Ever since he began to provoke in his 'plan' to avenge his Yami, he grew closer to the obnoxious girl. At first he thought he was going insane with her presence, her words jolting, irritating to the point he felt he'd diminish her soul with his staff. He could feel his Yami laughing at him, mocking him and taunting him through dreams for how weak he had become over this small process. He would succeed in the plan, even if hurting the girl was part of it, he would get through it no matter what. He wasn't weak and his yami, even if in the deep clutches of darkness, held a part of him that would assist him through this. Lowering his gaze he inhaled every emotion currently felt. Weakness would not be allowed. Her hair nuzzled against his cheek as she shifted against his grip, obvious pain evident in her scrunched features. Releasing her wrist, she reluctantly caressed the pink hued are with her other hand, cradling it tentatively.
Anzu rubbed her sore wrist, his grip still evident, lingering on her pale skin now coated in a vague pink. Looking up she studied his stoic features, his body turned to the side allowing her gaze to glide over his side-profile immaculate with a tanning glimmer to intensify his beauty. Shifting his eyes to glance at her he watched satisfied flickering through his amethyst orbs how her eyes swept over him with amazement.
" I-I....." She knew she would have to confess her feelings to him sooner or later, and now seemed the right time. Looking into his eyes she saw pain, confusion, disgust too many negative emotions she was forced to wince and turn away from the harsh gaze. He was physically and mentally wounded, his soul was shattered and she would be the one to help him stitch the fragile pieces together slowly. He wasn't the type to adjust so hastily, she could only imagine it would take innumerable months till he accepted and embraced the 'weak human emotions' as he addressed it. She'd do it, she'd say those words no matter what. She would ignore the sinister smirk across his lips and repulsive shimmer in his eyes whenever he looked at her.
But she couldn't help but notice lately he looked to her with a unexplainable flare in his mischievous eyes, slanted with normality. Whenever she was turned away, or absently walking around the house, she had heeded his piercing eyes on her every move, with an emotion she wished she understood, but the flicker would disappear as quickly as it came leaving her to ponder through nights slumber, plagued by that tantalizing look that drew her in his soul. Looking up she quickly caught his eyes once again overwhelmed with the puzzling hue, that almost seemed to give his entire face a tender, understanding appearance. Now was her chance, he seemed to be in a state of calmness, which would make him except her words more easily.
" Marik.......I--
"..Ahhh!" Bakura's body jolted upward, beads up sweat drizzling down his ruffled hair as he clutched his head with heavy gasps of air. Arching a brow at the sudden interruption, Marik glared towards the awoken tomb robber before quickly heading towards the door.
" Where are you going?" Anzu asked frantically, she couldn't have an angered man like him running the streets without her guidance. She feared he may inflict pain on the innocent in his fit of rage.
" Out." He replied gruffly before slamming the door behind him. Sighing heavily Anzu lowered her head. So things didn't go as she hoped for, there was always later on, and tomorrow. Groaning inwardly she quickly remembered Bakura. Racing over to his side she bent down beside him.
" You okay? Did you have a nightmare, Bakura?"
His eyes remained shut as he nodded his head in reply.
" I'm going to get another wet towel." Thanking her for her troubles he slouched back slowly on the couch, inhaling sharply. Moments later she came back, caring a small white towel, bowl of water, large white shirt and a fluffy blue towel. Laying the bowl on the table she placed the shirt near the edge of the sofa where his feet rested on.
" Lift your head." She stated softly, before quickly sliding the pillow beneath his head as he struggled to raise his body. Towel still in hand she dipped it partially in the bowl of steaming hot water, before gripping the soaked linen in both hands and squeezing out the excess water. Smiling tenderly she laid it out over his sweat streaked forehead, applying light pressure to collect the sweat and lower his temperature. Slowly his rugged breathing adjusted to soft light breaths of air, indicating his slumber as his features softened, lips parting as his head swayed slightly to the side, seeking comfort from the pillow cushion. Smiling weakly she pushed away stray locks of his white hair aside, before frowning as she rose in a standing position, hovering over the contented boy.
Slowly she walked towards the door frame, a saddened expression twisting her features. Should she go and look for Marik? She was worried about him, no matter how insane it sounded. She would've never thought life would've ended up this way, with her aiding Bakura's ill state and allowing him to stay at her home, and become closer and more comfortable around their worst rival. The thought didn't bother her that both males staying at her home were once her best friend Yugi's enemies, in fact she enjoyed their company. Her parents were always gone on business trips, leaving her home alone for weeks, even months. Now that Bakura and Marik were staying with her she had company at home, and was annoyed by the utter silence of an isolated home with only her occupying it. Leaning against the door she examined Bakura from the peculiar angle in which she stood. He seemed fine on his own, but she still felt guilty about leaving him by himself while on her search for Marik. Glancing to her right to the thin narrow window beside the door frame she spotted Marik sitting in the front yard, legs propped in knee lock, placed affront him as his long fair hair swayed with the gentle breezes swirling past him with eerie hisses. Anzu sighed with relief. He hadn't even gone far, he was practically eight feet away from her, sitting solemnly on the green grass. Opening the door slightly, she peered within the small space she had made, shutting her eyes almost immediately as the swift breezes tickled her face and neck.
" Are....you alright?" She spoke so softly she had thought he hadn't heard her, especially since the loud wind muffled her voice into nothingness, yet it seemed he had as he tilted his head slightly over his right shoulder.
" What's it to you, Mazaki?" He spoke gruffly. Anzu huffed angrily. She never got this guy! One minute she was getting through to him and the next he was completely quiet, stoic, and refrained from speaking too much to her.
" I'm just worried!" She shot back, no longer caring if she told him everything right the and there, even in his crude state. " I was just making sure you were alright. You don't have to be so rude."
For a moment he turned back to the diurnal rays of the sun slithering over his features, providing his entire body penetrated by the orange light, an unusual yellow hue.
" Worried.....about me." It seemed as if he had trouble saying the words, as much as believing them. Why would she care? I've done so much to harm her and her friends, and yet she still cares for my safety? He scowled with irritation and annoyance, he couldn't understand this girl! He'd done every crude thing possible to her, the Pharaoh and her obnoxious friends to cause her to hate him, yet she didn't, and he couldn't get why. Was she insane?! Did she not loathe him for everything he'd done in the past? For everything he'd said to her? Suddenly he realized her presence beside him, and if not for being half absent in mind, he'd have jumped back from her sudden propinquity. He turned to her with an raised brow, and narrowed eyes.
" Its never fun to be alone is it? I myself know the feeling." She stated, a weak smiling gracing he flushed, plush lips. She couldn't think of anything to say. Why was he so hard to start conversations with, she didn't get it. She could walk up to a stranger and make easier discussions.
" Its about to rain, we should be getting inside."
He remained silent, motionless almost, and his posture indicated he neither cared nor bothered to listen to her statement. Frowning she looked at him.
" You might catch a cold if you stay out." Upon finishing her phrase, droplets of the pristine liquid, gifted from the heavens began to rapidly pour upon their sitting statures. And yet he stayed still, as if mimicking a mannequin as he remained un-moved. Anzu became nerved by his silence, in which she guessed he was doing on purpose to anger her.
" Well if your staying out here, then so am I."
He turned to her with an incredulous gaze, mouth slightly agape. He wanted to tell her to leave him alone and give him his privacy, but it seemed useless at the moment, and oddly he didn't mind she was accompanying him. A vague smirk lifted the crease of his lips, as the drops of rain abated. Perhaps she wasn't as worthless as her cronies. He shifted his eyes to the right, studying her side profile intently as if calculating something within her features. Now the question of whether or not he could go on with the plan and using her plagued him. Could he? It wasn't as if he'd fallen in love with her, that was utterly absurd, preposterous to be exact. Then why was he bothering to question the plan's continuation? Could he.....
He shut his eyes and tilted his head back, laying his arms out behind him to steady himself from falling as he inhaled the husky scent of rain. Falling in love with her was insane, even to him. So why in kami's name did he keep thinking about it!? He sighed as the questions began to make his temples throb. He'd think over everything in the morning, and whatever he concluded to, he'd push himself to endure it. No matter what..........
~*~
