Disclaimer: No! I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
By: Princessyoukai
WHY DOES LOVE HURT
Chapter Thirteen
Anzu stiffened. She'd felt like she'd been drowned and battered with a pile of bricks. Or more. All she knew was that it hurt.
She didn't notice Bakura walking up to her from where she stood, she was too busy looking at Marik who hadn't noticed her yet.
Bakura, still shocked that Anzu had seen the whole ordeal, felt an overwhelming strain in his gut. He knew exactly what it was. Jealousy.
She was letting that bastard get to her for one stupid kiss with a tramp. Not like he could blame her.
An idea hit him full bloom, and he couldn't help but allow this idea to let a vicious smirk ease his once taut lips up in an impish smirk.
Lying won't hurt……as long as she doesn't know.
The glimmer left his dull brown eyes, as well as the ominous shadow that fell over his features that were partially hidden by white bangs. The smirk vanished from his face when he was greeted with wide, blue eyes.
Ones that belonged to an aghast Anzu. She looked numb, confused, angry, and morally ready to kick someone's ass.
He mentally hoped it was Marik's. The fool deserved it.
The scene she had seen made it impossible for her to form words. She'd gone momentarily mute from the shock. She hoped what she saw wasn't what she thought.
The conversation bloomed in her mind like a rose on a sunny-day.
" Looks like you stick to your guns and keep your word, cowboy,"
What had Mai meant by that? What exactly had Marik promised her? Could it be possible….?
She inwardly shook her head. She didn't, she couldn't believe it. But her mind was telling her otherwise.
She had to know but she was also afraid to know.
Tears of frustration and confusion flooded in her eyes. Bakura, who'd watched her slip into a dazed state, awaited till she woke from her daydreaming. Eventually she did, and she left it crying.
Immediately wishing to be the one to console her, he approached her cautiously, before tentatively embracing her and smashing her smaller frame into his taller body. She stiffened, suddenly aware of her surroundings, as well as the arms that held her close to a muscular, lean body.
Bakura…..?
Her wounded state of mind made it hard for her to fully comprehend what was going on, made her act foolish and childishly as she lashed out on Bakura and fought his grip. Futilely she shoved him away, but he kept his hold on her. She knew he was far stronger, so she carelessly gave up.
The comfort and overwhelming adoration in his embrace allowed her confirmation that she could cry in front of him and he wouldn't laugh at her or much less care. She did all she could at that moment of discovery…..
She sobbed.
And sobbed.
His deep throated breathy tone brushed against her forehead as he spoke in a hushed, assuring whisper that made her legs cave in against his.
" Shh, its going to be ok, Anzu,"
Clinging to him she wept against his shoulder, no longer caring that her tears were thoroughly soaking his shirt. All that mattered was the reassurance his words gave her. He made her feel safe. She knew she could trust him. She always could.
" Why, Bakura? Why?" Her words came in a trembled whisper as she struggled to hold on to her sanity. She felt broken, she felt if he let go, she would lose it. Afraid, she held on fiercely to him and demanded what he couldn't answer.
" Why? Why did he…" She choked on a sob, unable to continue as she buried her face in his chest. Everything that happened in the past five minutes was like a blur. A dream. A memory.
She only wished it really was.
His arms only tightened around her small waist as his soothing voice once again met her ears in a loving hush.
" Shh, it doesn't matter right now. Let it out,"
She did as he instructed and cried all she was worth. At first she felt ridiculous crying in front of Bakura of all people! He probably thought she was weak and pathetic.
" I don't," He murmured, voice deep and low. She shuddered at the seductiveness in his tone.
Had she said her thoughts aloud? Or had he read them? Was he able to do that!?
She realized that, during her fanatic state, Bakura had lead them behind a tree. Further away from Mai, and further away from him.
Their embraced bodies were shaded by the cherry blossom trees pink petals, whistling and hissing against the light airy breezes that reeked of an upcoming rain.
The setting, the moment, and Bakura's presence were all comforting. She reluctantly suppressed any further sobs, feeling she had over-reacted. Even if it did hurt to see Marik kiss Mai of all people.
" He doesn't deserve you Anzu," Bakura stated, emotions once again replenishing his desire to take her away from Marik and bask in his pain that she no longer belonged to him. Thanks to Marik and his pure ingenious act awhile back, helped him all the more and made it easier for him to gain Anzu's love.
Perhaps one day he would be loved by her like he loved her.
She clung to Bakura when she recognized Marik's voice a good distance away, frantically calling for her. She stayed hidden in his arms, cowering the slightest when Marik's shadow came into view.
She couldn't see him. Not now, not like this.
If she saw him in her state, she knew she'd break down like a baby, and she knew Marik especially would be disgusted by such a weakly act.
" Anzu! Where the fuck did you take her tomb robber!?" Marik's voice drew clearer as he spotted Anzu and Bakura.
He grew infuriated at how close Bakura held her. None the less, he was pissed.
" Get your grimy hands off her!" Marik demanded.
Bakura merely sent the other boy a harsh glare. " She saw everything. Its too late. You can't lie now,"
Marik ignored him and turned a desperate and almost frantic look to the brunette, who stubbornly hid her face in Bakura's chest.
" Anzu. It isn't what it looked like," He reprimanded all her disbeliefs in a confident, gruff tone. He didn't sound too happy about the whole thing either.
" It was just a stupid bet to show the blonde tramp that I wasn't afraid of anything,"
Anzu lifted her head, glaring at the blonde, tanned Egyptian with as must hate and disdain when she had found out he was using her to get to Yuugi and his millennium item.
" A bet!? You kissed her just to prove some---some stupid ego thing!?" She demanded, still held firm against the tomb robber who kept his gaze on her, absently running his right hand up and down her back to soothe her.
Marik stiffened before growling. " It's not like I have some sort of infatuation for the tart! I was only proving---"
She cut him off. " Proving what? How brave you are?" The sarcasm in her tone made him mentally step back.
His jaw clenched in rage whilst his right eye unconsciously twitched. He was going over the edge every second.
" It was more than that!" He defended.
" Like what!?"
" I didn't want that blonde bitch to get the idea that I was afraid of anything. Much less kissing her," He snorted.
" ….And you kissed her………just to prove that?" Anzu's voice had grown solemn, weak, hushed, and even fearful.
Marik unconsciously extended his hand toward her as he advanced a mere step. Bakura glared and backed away, bringing the girl in his arms along with him.
" Let her go!" Marik shouted.
" Like hell! You think I'm stupid!? You think I'm going to let you near her!?"
" She isn't yours!" Marik bellowed, clearly beyond rage at this point as his face and neck grew flustered from the anger that was slowly bubbling within him. His face, neck and chest felt hot. Hell, he felt like his body had been in the sun for hours.
Bakura noticed and inwardly smirked. He liked pissing him off.
" What's wrong Marik? Afraid she's finally realized that your not good enough for her?" Bakura allowed a trace of mockery to flicker past his brown eyes, set in a slanted position.
" Don't be an idiot. She loves me, and it pisses you off that you can never have her," Marik chuckled lowly at the expression Bakura returned to his words. He was indeed, wounded.
He unconsciously held Anzu tighter to him. " I know that. I've already accepted it,"
Anzu looked at Marik. " Marik….."
It was the first time she'd spoken so softly after what she'd seen. Least to say it caught his attention and he was all ears.
" Did you really mean what you said? About…….not liking her?"
He inwardly smirked. " Why would I like such a trashy thing?"
" I-I don't know…."
" Stop being childish, Anzu. You very well know how I feel. Do I constantly have to spell it out!?"
He'd let his anger get the best of him. He immediately regretted it by her hurt expression before she swept her face back in Bakura's chest.
She didn't want to respond to that, she'd just end up saying something stupid.
" Can you take me home…..Bakura?" Anzu's meek voice, muffled by Bakura's shirt, was audible none the less to Marik, who looked on in enragement. She wanted him to take her home!?
Didn't she believe him!?
Hadn't he made it loud and clear that he was in love with her!?
Bakura, who's left hand swept up to rest on the top of Anzu's head, nodded his head calmly.
" Of course,"
" Wait…………damn it…" He cursed before looking back up confidently to Anzu and Bakura who'd reluctantly stopped in their stride toward her house.
" Anzu…….do you believe me?" He demanded.
She stayed quiet, but he knew she heard. She was staring right at him.
His teeth gritted. " Yes or no?"
Bakura pushed Anzu slightly behind him as he looked eye-to-eye to Marik. " I thought I told you to lea--"
" This has nothing to do with you!" Marik interrupted.
" Oh really? Well one things for sure, if Anzu were mine, I'd never treat her like you did!"
" Shut up! You don't know a god damn thing about me or how I treat her!"
A cackle from Bakura followed before his expression grew solemn. " It's quite obvious , really. You obviously have no respect for her…." He paused.
An impish glimmer flickered in Bakura's eyes, before it vanished as he continued in a drawled, taunting manner.
" Seeing as you kiss other women here and there. Whenever possible,"
Marik laughed. " Don't make me laugh! You know that's a bunch of bull--"
" Then why'd you kiss her?" Anzu had suddenly decided to speak-up, and it caught both boy's attention.
Marik's face grew flustered one again in annoyance, agitation, anger, and impatience.
" Did I not just make it clear why I did it!?" He thrashed.
Anzu turned, pulling Bakura by the hand along with her while she muttered. "Crystal clear,"
" Stop acting like that! You know how much I hate it when you exaggerate!"
" Exaggerate!?" She whirled around, eyes flooded once again in tears. But this time, only ones of hurt.
" If I was kissing boys just to prove a bet, would you be acting calm!?"
" Would you!?"
He remained silent. She went on.
" I love you Marik! I really do! But I'm starting to get the feeling its only from one way…."
" What the hell do you mean by that!?"
" I mean……. if you kiss girls just to prove yourself…….I wonder what you'd do if you were pressured into it."
" Or for that matter…….your just stringing me along like some idiot. Just a number. Just another girl. Nothing special. No big deal."
" You know its not that!"
" I love you Marik, and I show it by not kissing other guys, even if its just to prove myself!"
" I respect you."
He became agitated. " Ra, Anzu. I would understand if I was screwing the tart, or kissing her because I actually liked her. But its not like that!" He bellowed.
" I need time to calm down. Ok? Just give me that…."
" Then you believe me?"
" Yes……but don't think for one second your off the hook!"
He couldn't help but smirk. She believed him. Thank you Ra.
" Come on Anzu. Let's go," Bakura slung his right arm around her waist before pulling her back against his side and walking away. She reluctantly followed, allowing one more glance to Marik who stood behind.
Slinging his hands in his pockets he stood still and watched them walk away.
A drop of water hit his cheek, causing him to glance up at the ominous gray clouds and curse aloud.
Damn it! Of all the things!
Just his luck.
He looked back to where Mai and her friends once stood and realized they were still there. Of course they were in their own world, chattering in their circle and giggling like mad women. It was all he could do to stop from hurling at that moment.
A grin lifted the corners of his mouth when Mai looked his way with a flirtatious wink and smirk.
An idea occurred to him.
He jerked his head, gesturing for Mai to come toward him. With a quick chatter back to her friends, she walked up to him with a seductive smirk.
" Got a ride?" He asked. She merely smirked in reply. Suddenly, getting back home wasn't so bad.
With a ride that is.
A free one at that!
Anzu leaned against Bakura half way to her house. They were caught in the downpour, but neither seemed to care as they used the other for warmth.
Shutting her eyes she trusted Bakura as her guidance as he walked on in a slow steady stride.
Bakura muttered something, causing her to look up and stop--seeing as he had--and look at the road where he was looking.
A red corvette drove up to them, and Anzu felt like her legs had given way, either way she couldn't tell because Bakura was standing firmly behind her.
Marik! What's he doing in her car!?
The window rolled down on its own, revealing the person in the passenger seat. One who was smirking like a maniac.
One named Marik.
" I'll meet you up at home, Anzu," he murmured, before ducking his head back in the car and letting the window role back up with a vague buzz. Without a word from her, the car fled off.
" He's just trying to get you jealous. Ignore him," Bakura assured. Reluctantly nodding her head, assent with the white haired tomb robbers words, she walked off with him, back on their journey to her house.
When they arrived at her house, Marik was casually leaning on the pillar of her house near the steps leading up to the door. The roof supplied a somewhat shield for him, blocking the rain from hitting him.
Bakura brought her closer against him when they stopped a foot or so away room Marik.
Marik opened his eyes that were once closed and smirked. " Took you long enough,"
" We walked. Unlike you,"
Marik chuckled. " Don't give me that look Anzu. I couldn't help it. It was a free ride,"
She sighed. " Well that's nice. But if you hadn't noticed, we're soaking out here!"
" Then why don't you go in already?"
She glared. " Ugh. We were going to do just that," She stomped up the steps. Bakura followed, before shoving Marik off balance by hitting his shoulder into the Egyptians. Marik stumbled a bit before chuckling at the silent challenge.
Anzu grabbed the extra key from under the 'welcome' mat in front of her door, and opened it to let Bakura inside, before she turned to Marik.
" Aren't you going to come in?"
" Am I allowed?" He drawled, smirk set as he turned his head to look at her.
" Unless your staying at Mai's…..yes,"
He reluctantly walked up the steps, taking her chin in his hands when he stood beside her.
" You know I love you. So stop being jealous."
" I wasn't jealous!"
He grinned. " Your lying is pathetic,"
" I'm not lying!" She slammed the door after they'd both walked in.
Ignoring Marik saying something about everyone loving him, she passed him to find Bakura shredding off his shirt in the family room.
" Bakura! What are you doing!?" She blushed at the sight of his pale, lean, yet muscular torso.
Marik walked behind her-- after taking a visit to the kitchen--with an apple in his mouth.
" What are you screaming about?" Marik demanded, after taking a chunk out of the apple.
He looked up to see Bakura smirking the slightest at Anzu, who was currently staring at his bare chest. Immediately he glared at him.
" What the hell are you doing!?"
Anzu giggled, ignoring Marik. " Sorry Bakura….I just thought….uhm…forget it,"
Bakura smirked. " It's ok. I didn't think you'd mind. It was soaked," he directed his gaze to the wet shirt in his hand.
" Oh no. Its ok. Do you need some new clothes to change in?"
He nodded his head.
" Well then, follow me!"
Bakura followed her upstairs, and Marik eagerly went after them to make sure nothing happened.
" Hopefully my dad won't mind, but here," Anzu handed Bakura a pair of silk black pajama pants and a top that matched with long sleeves. He didn't like the top much, and just took the pants.
Marik frowned. " What about me?"
Anzu arched a brow with crossed arms. " You didn't get wet in that downpour like we did!"
Marik smirked at a sudden realization. " Speaking of which….." He looked her up and down.
She became aware of her soaked school uniform that stuck to her curves.
Bakura, who also noticed her state, stared for all he was worth.
" I uhm!…" Nervously she pushed through them and out into the hallway before heading to her room.
" I'll be back!" She scrambled into her room and shut the door behind her.
Bakura made a move to walk out but Marik grabbed him and stopped him from doing so.
" Where do you think your going?"
" I don't think that's any of your concern," Bakura knocked Marik's hand that was sealed around his wrist, from off him.
" It is if it happens to lead to her room,"
" What if it does?"
" Don't mock me tomb robber!" Marik shouted. Bakura glared.
" If you hadn't noticed, idiot, I have to change!"
Marik grumbled something under his breath before letting the other boy walk into the bathroom in what they guessed was Anzu's parents room.
Anzu walked back in, clad in a light blue gown that fell a bit below her ankles, dragging an inch or so behind her, giving her an airy and royalty appearance.
Marik gaped, before snatching her and pulling her flush against him. She hadn't expected it and gasped when she felt herself slam into something soft, but hard.
" Marik, what are you doing!?" She demanded. He merely nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck and looped his arms around her waist.
" You know when I saw you I regretted it," He murmured, hot breath brushing against her neck.
She shuddered slightly. She knew what he was talking about. " So you didn't regret it before?"
He chuckled. " It was different before. I didn't think it was so wrong to kiss a girl for a bet, not until I saw that look on your face…"
He felt her shaking against him, and immediately knew she was going to cry. Sighing with vague agitation he rubbed her back with his hands.
" Come on now! Stop your crying! You know how I love you,"
She nodded her head against his shoulder, where she'd buried it once the tears had begun to flow.
" I'm sorry I…..I doubted you….."
" Good! You know how irritated I get when you constantly accuse me of something I never did?"
" I-I know….and I'm sorry…."
" As long as you believe me," he mumbled, kissing her neck lightly.
Bakura walked out of the bathroom, clad in the black silk pajama pants Anzu had given him. They fit his slender long legs well, giving him a sexy appearance as his hair was still damp from the rain, clinging to his face.
Bakura rolled his eyes before snorting at the scene before him.
" Do you mind?"
Anzu giggled, pulling away from Marik who glared at Bakura, as if saying--'thanks for opening your mouth ass! I happened to be enjoying hugging my woman!'
" Sorry Bakura," She sniffled a bit before randomly hugging Bakura in a death-tight grip. But he didn't seem to mind, in fact he looked rather pleased.
" And thank you too Bakura, for being there…….when I needed you,"
Marik faked a gag. " Don't make me sick!"
Anzu glared at Marik before continuing to hug the tomb robber who was more than willing to hug back.
Ripping Anzu off Bakura, Marik pulled her against him. " Enough of this weakly portrayal! I'm going to be sick now,"
" Oh shut up," Bakura grumbled. Snatching Anzu by her hand, Marik led her out of the room, while Bakura easily caught up and took her free left hand with a mocking glare toward Marik that said, 'ha ha! Your not the only special one around here!'
Marik glared back in return.
" Guys! Not again! Come on!" Anzu begged. When they came to the stairs it was rather amusing, seeing as the three of them--side by side--couldn't each go down the stairs at the same time, but neither boy made a move to let go of Anzu's hand.
Who would've thought walking down the stairs could be this difficult!
Seeing as neither boy was giving up their spot, Anzu took the initiative to walk a step ahead of them, while they followed a step behind.
But they were both happy. Because neither had to let go.
Marik smirked.
Bakura smirked.
Anzu merely groaned at their childish antics.
Tonight is going to be a long night!
