Yey! My birthday was on Wednesday, and Hump Day all in one. I couldn't be happier. Actually, your reviews are like a birthday present all in itself. You guys are all so nice. Though some of you… how can you sleep at night?! Torturers! Nah, I'm just kidding. You guys are all a delight.

All right. Just a few mandatory notes. As you know, in the last story, there were mature situations and such. Ahem. Yes. In this story, there will be as well. This story will be rated R. AKA lemon, therefore, you've been warned. Thanks. Now on to the chapter.

Chapter 3: Mixed Blessings

The train ride home had been... interesting. Actually, home might not exactly have been reached were it not for some wiring of money halfway through the trip from Ryou's father. Thank goodness he didn't press the matter, because explaining why three otherwise total strangers were accompanying him back to Domino would've been hard to elucidate.

Hell. Pure hell. Or at least, those were the words that Malik had used to describe the Diaspora back. Bakura, to put it blatantly, wouldn't shut up. Though, this was due in part to Marik's constant need to poke fun at him, and in the cruelest of ways, and language as well. For every insult Marik tossed, Bakura, like a good dog, fetched and had a retort that was horrible enough to make a sailor blush.

Malik, throughout the course of the trip, seemed to have already picked his side of the ring. Bakura, being his old friend, was whom he started out defending. He did hate Marik after all, and probably more so than Bakura. But... as the excursion progressed and Bakura didn't show any signs of letting up, Malik gave up and started chastising them both, or at least trying to.

And then there was, of course, Marik. He was such... well, he was most definitely someone unlike anyone Ryou had ever known. His attitude remained quite cold, and Ryou even felt that he was cold toward him. He could stir up such a fire in Bakura, but remain so calm and collected at the same time. Some people call that talent. Ryou called it peculiarity. And, well, Bakura called it bullshit, but that was another story.

"Are you... all right?" Ryou had asked several times to him, but Marik shrugged him off coldly saying "Leave me alone", or "I was all right before you talked to me", and somehow it hurt. But how could someone Ryou didn't even know cause him to feel so miserable?

"We're home," Ryou said quietly, looking out the window at his house. They had all taken a bus from the airport because the only other option was walking.

"About time," Bakura mumbled, "I hate buses."

Getting off the motor vehicle, Malik followed him, and Ryou and Marik were the last to get off.

…Snow. And lots of it.

"What the bloody hell!" Bakura yelled, rubbing his arms for warmth. "I disappear for one month and the world turns white?!"

"It's known as winter, Bakura," Malik pointed out. "Get used to it."

"I'll have you know, that in Egypt, we never had to deal with this white crap."

Ryou slid the key into the lock and opened the front door. The house was eerily dark where no lights had been left on when Ryou had departed, and it would've otherwise felt very lonely, but now three new occupants would be staying for who knew how long so Ryou was going to try and make the best of it- something he was very good at doing.

"Please, make yourselves at home. I'll start on lunch right away."

"No servants?" Marik asked, a look of slight disbelief on his face.

The question undoubtedly caught Ryou off guard. "N-No... we don't have any servants. We do the work ourselves."

"This world has gone to Anubis," he muttered, crossing his arms.

It was now that Ryou noticed the golden bracelets adorning his arms. Two shining clasps measured from his wrist to his elbow, and beautiful earrings, gold as well, hung from his ears. Looking toward the medial view, Ryou noticed the dark outlining of his eyes. It accented their light color but offset it amazingly.

Turning around quickly, Ryou drew in a breath. Now was not the time to be analyzing anyone. Especially Marik.

"Um, Bakura," he said, trying to hide the unsteadiness of his voice.

"What?" the thief answered, sounding somewhat tired.

"Could you please show Malik and Marik around the house? You know where everything is. I would, but I'm engaged elsewhere."

"But-!" he began, like a child ready to complain, "Oh all right. But I won't be held responsible for any resulting injuries."

Ryou threw him a warning glance, but Malik quickly stood up. "Don't worry, Ryou. I'll watch him. He won't goof up under my watch."

Bakura rolled his eyes. "I liked you so much better 5,000 years ago..." He began to walk off.

"And I probably hated you."

Bakura simply shrugged and continued walking.

"What does that mean?" Malik inquired. "I did hate you, didn't I?"

Bakura's chuckle echoed throughout the halls as they disappeared to start the tour.

Sighing relief, Ryou walked into the kitchen and began to prepare for the meal. Outside, snow had begun to fall again and Ryou suddenly missed the warmth Egyptian air provided. At least the air in the house wasn't freezing, though it most definitely could've been warmer.

As Ryou grabbed some random ingredients from the cupboards, he didn't notice Marik, who slipped quietly into the room undetected. Closing the door silently behind him, he waited for the telltale click, a small smirk present on his face.

Actually, Ryou wasn't aware of his presence until Marik was upon him, his warm breath tickling his cheek.

"Finally. We're alone."

Ryou nearly jumped at the whisper and turned around swiftly, but incidentally found himself back in Marik's arms. Marik's reflexes seemed feline as he gripped Ryou's small wrists and turned him around, pushing him up against the counter.

Poor Ryou. All he could do was stare, and freeze up, for Marik's grip was painfully tight and he had no doubt Marik had the power to snap every bone in his body with ease.

"Can I help you?" Ryou uttered out, his voice frail but steady.

Not exactly the perfect question.

"Actually," Marik took a step closer. "You can."

Now, if you can imagine, they were quite close. Marik had Ryou fixed to the counter, and he was right against it. After Marik took that one innocent step, well, they were now touching, and more than just with their hands.

Marik finally released one of Ryou's arms and brought the previously occupied hand up under Ryou's jaw, his thumb resting on his chin. "Still as beautiful as I remember…"

The throaty murmur sent a chill up Ryou's spine. A warm chill though, which really made no sense.

"Do you remember Egypt, Ryou?" he questioned darkly, "Do you remember...me?"

"I..." Ryou swallowed hard, Marik's face inching toward his, "Well, I..."

Marik was actually going to kiss him! How crazy was that? The moment he began, Ryou knew he wouldn't be able to stop him, so he was left praying for a miracle.

The light around the room suddenly changed. It dimmed substantially, and Ryou felt the counter behind him stiffen. He brought his free hand around to feel it and was shocked to touch cold stone. Looking at the floor, he noticed the tiles were gone, replaced with slates of alabaster. Torches lit up the area revealing ancient walls engraved with hieroglyphics. His attire had changed as well. He now wore no shirt, his chest bare, and a thin skirt-like vestment covered his legs to his kneecaps at least. Dainty sandals were on his feet and Ryou could feel the makeup that was around his eyes.

Then there was Marik before him, dressed similarly, but with a long dark-black robe that polished the floor.

"What happened?" Ryou said, though strangely not as afraid as before.

Marik grinned, though sardonically, as he eyed Ryou like he was dinner. "In time, you will come to know this." He pressed a kiss onto Ryou's lips and pulled back ever so slightly, their faces now inches apart. "Just as you will come to know me."

Ryou gripped the stone behind him as Marik leaned in for another kiss, but that miracle suddenly came as Malik burst through the door that hadn't been part of the vista causing the scene to ripple like water and vanish.

"I thought so!" Malik accused, pointing a finger at Marik. "Let him go now!"

"Let him go?" Marik said, quite amused, "My, my, I can see having you here will be a problem."

Bakura took a step in front of Malik. "Not as much of a problem though, as it will be having me here." He smirked. "I assure you."

"Guys please," Ryou pleaded, slipping away from behind Marik though Marik still had a loose grip on his wrist. "I don't want you to fight."

"That's exactly what I've been saying," Malik sighed. "You two fight like children."

Bakura took one look at Marik's hand that was holding Ryou's and glared. "Marik... we need to talk. Alone."

--

After Ryou and Malik had hesitantly exited the kitchen, Bakura, arms crossed, slowly approached Marik as though contemplating something very important.

"I don't believe it," he finally said, ever-present smirk on his face.

Marik didn't look the least amused. "And I neither care, nor know what you're talking about."

Bakura brushed his hands together as though they were dirty. "You're still besotted."

"Besotted? I beg your pardon?"

"You... Hm, 5,000 years, I figured you might still be interested in pursuing him, and that was a very weak might. But, as I've come to realize just now, it's quite the opposite. And oh, how the tables have turned so cruelly away from your favor."

"Please tell me what, in Ra's name, you're babbling about." His temper was short and he was getting angry. Angrier to be more correct.

"Even now, even after you know this Ryou holds no known connection to the one of the past... you're positively smitten."

"You're positively insane," Marik growled.

"Hey," he shrugged uncaringly, "I guess I can't help what I am, but then neither can you. Unreciprocated love is hard to deal with. It'd be best to give up."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't love Ryou. I didn't even love the past one."

"You risked your life for another," Bakura said, face suddenly grave. Of course he was referring to a time long past. "…There's no greater love. I suggest, shadow-dealer, that you stay away from Ryou. You're only going to hurt him."

"How do you know that?"

"Because... I know you."

--

"Ryou...are you okay?" Malik asked, slightly worried.

Ever since the two had exited the kitchen, Ryou had been strangely silent. He spoke not one word and sat quietly in a chair staring off into his own world.

Of course, Malik's inquiry shook him from it and he faced him immediately. "Me? Oh, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? I'm not certain how long you were alone in there with Marik... so, anything could've happened."

"Nothing happened," Ryou reassured with a smile. It'd be best to keep the kiss a secret. "It's just that... I suppose all of this will be a big change."

Malik exhaled. "Yeah. Can you promise me something though?"

Ryou glanced at him, noticing the strange change in his attitude. He was very serious. "Of course."

"...Don't fall in love with him. He'll only make you sad."(1)

Ryou looked puzzled by the request, but Malik was still looking to him for an answer. "Don't worry, Malik. I don't think that's possible."

The blonde seemed to relax a bit, sitting back into his chair. "Just keep your guard up. He toys with minds as a hobby."

"Well, at least Bakura's back," Ryou said as happily as he could, to try and lighten up the moment. "We can be thankful for that."

Malik laughed at this. "Ryou, you're either the most naïve person I've ever met, or the wisest. Having Bakura here has its ups, but it also has its downs. And with Marik here, I feel like everything that happens will be a mixed blessing... which automatically means a bad side."

"Yes," Ryou agreed, "But mixed blessings have a good side as well. We'll just have to look hard to find them."

Malik smiled, unable to be sad around such a positive person. Ryou emitted kindness so strongly and a lot of the time. He had a truly big heart and wasn't just worried about himself, so it was easy to like him. But, it was also easy for other, more sinister people to like him as well, which could prove to be a problem.

"Ryou... you know that hideout that collapsed? The one we supposedly lived in?"

"Yes. What about it?"

"Well," he avoided his eyes, "There's something I didn't tell you..."

"All right," Bakura said, emerging from the refectory, "I'm going to take a nap."

Ryou noticed immediately that he seemed angry somehow. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes," Bakura hissed, "Everything's peachy." Flashing a forced smile, he headed up the stairs and before he entered into one of the rooms, yelled "And fix the damn heater. It's freezing!" He then proceeded to finish off the grand show with a slamming of the door.

Malik rolled his eyes. "I'm not so convinced that men can't PMS, though it is somewhat chilly." Standing up and stretching, he motioned toward the upstairs. "Actually, a nap doesn't sound too bad. Traveling times messed me up. I should've been in bed hours ago. Do you have an extra room?"

"Why certainly. Extra blankets are in the hall closet. There's a free room with a twin bed to the right of my room. Er, that's the one to the right of the one Bakura just went in. Did you understand that?"

"I think so... Wait," he paused. "I can't leave you all alone downstairs with Him."

Oh yeah... Marik.

"Everything will be fine," Ryou said again. "Don't worry. Besides, should anything happen, I'll call for you."

"Well..." he thought about it for a moment, "All right. But heed my words: Stay as far away from his as humanely possible unless absolutely necessary. Okay?"

Ryou grinned. "Okay."

Malik flashed him one final look before giving in and wiping his eyes like a sleepy toddler, then trudging up the steps and into the room. Something still bothered him, though he forced himself to forget. When he had asked Ryou earlier to promise not to fall for Marik... he hadn't.

Ryou ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Checking the thermostat, he noticed that it still read seventy, though that couldn't have been right because it felt around forty. It must've been broken.

Grabbing a light sweater, he pulled it on, musing idly that it provided little warmth, and looked toward the kitchen. He was unsure whether or not it was, well, safe to go in. Marik had made a move on him earlier, and quite awkwardly, and Ryou felt nervous.

Why exactly had he? Did it have to do with the fact that he was the reincarnation of himself? My, it was a mind-boggling thing to think about this. But, the more Ryou thought about it, the more Ryou felt bad. He had a tendency to think in favor of others, and if Marik had truly cared for his previous self, then finding him again, only to find then that he didn't remember him... well, it must've been quite painful.

Taking a deep breath and straightening up, Ryou marched with confidence back into the kitchen, only to find then that Marik was no longer there.

"Oh..." Looking around, he caught sight of the back porch where the sliding door was cracked open slightly. "Is he outside?"

He noticed the deep plum shroud that had been hung over one of the chairs and walked immediately to the door. Sure enough, Marik stood outside, arms crossed, and scowling something awful. That last part wasn't really a surprise, but it was cold outside. In truth, with regards to Malik's words, he wasn't really sure what fell under the unless absolutely necessary part so he supposed it was up to himself. Opening the screen door, Ryou took a step out, immediately shivering as the wind hit his face.

"Marik... it's not healthy to be out here without your... cloak."

Wonderful, Ryou. Wonderful.

"I- I mean, you should come inside where it's warm. You'll catch your death out here." His teeth chattered and he rubbed his arms again. "Marik?"

Marik said nothing, only turned slightly, locking harsh purple eyes with soft brown ones. "Trust me," he said menacingly, "I have a heart of ice. Out here I'm right at home."

Ryou shivered again, unsure this time whether it was his voice or the wind that had caused it. Why did Marik seem to hate him so?

"You, on the other hand," Marik turned all the way around to face him, "Are very delicate. You're as fragile as glass."

Ryou braced himself as Marik took ahold of his shoulders, pulling him towards him. Heaven help him if Marik tried to take advantage of him now because he was too cold to move, let alone cry for help.

Marik pulled him so close again, inches apart, but all he said was, "You'll catch your death out here..." he sighed, "And we can't have that..."

Taking ahold of his arm, more gently this time, he led Ryou back inside and shut the door immediately. Ryou's skin was ice cold and he had paled somewhat.

"You should've never come outside," said Marik, raising a brow.

"Well, n-neither should you," Ryou stuttered. "I didn't want you to get sick."

Marik peered at him as one looks at a drunkard. "By Ra, you are not what I expected."

"I thought we already established th-that." He rubbed his hands together.

"I mean that you're... different, and yet the same. Oh, never mind." Grabbing his heavy cloak from the chair, he brought it up around Ryou's shoulders and clasped it in front so he was fully covered.

"Is that a bad thing?" Ryou asked suddenly, something akin to worry in his eyes.

"... I don't know yet. I guess we'll see."

Ryou thought about that response for a moment before accepting it as a worthy answer. "Okay," he said, "Like Malik said... maybe it'll be a mixed blessing."

Marik gave him an odd look again. "Listen, I wasn't lying when I said that you'd be mine, against your will or not. Why do you act like we've known each other for years? We're not friends."

Ryou winced. "I'm trying to look at the brighter side of this," he pulled the cloak closer to him. "I don't want us to fight too."

Marik rolled his eyes. "Still looking for a perfect world I see. Pay attention, it doesn't exist. Now, I'd advise you to go get to bed too," his expression was dangerous again. "My cloak isn't very warm but it'll do until you get to your room."

"Thanks."

"Don't thank me just yet. Just know that before this week is through, you'll hate me."

"And why is that?"

"I told you," he turned away from him with a devious smirk. "I'm Marik."

Oh, not that crazy logic again! Ryou had almost had it with it. Still, Marik had given him his cloak... But no! He couldn't start thinking nicely about him just yet. Marik seemed to be promising that Ryou would hate him... something he found hard to do to anyone.

"We'll see," Ryou said simply, "Goodnight."

Marik shooed him off, truly glad when he was gone. If the truth-be-told, it was taking his every last shred of dignity not to grab the boy and do bad things to him- to put it nicely. Actually, Marik would've preferred to be in bed with him. BUT. For now, he'd keep to himself until Ryou was in health again. He didn't want to take advantage of him when he had a fitness-related handicap. BUT. As soon as Ryou was ready, he had better watch out, because Marik wasn't planning on holding back.

…At all.

---TBC---

(1)- Reminds me of a line from the Chobits manga. Whoa, kinda gives the effect that Malik likes Marik or something. He doesn't, but he's just speaking from a general view, since Marik did make him sad.

All right. I'm satisfied. I liked this chapter. Still, Marik seems too nice, or at least nicer than he would be. Plus, I want to do the next chapter more from his point of view (in contrast to this one which was more Ryou-centric) so you can see how much he's suffering, per say. That's why next chapter he gets to be really mean again. Sorry, I had to do it. Actually, one of the next few chapters is called "Rub-a-Dub-Dub", for reasons unknown to you right now, though I'm sure you can guess. Also, we wanted to bring the setting back to Egypt again so if any of you were hoping for that also, be patient. It might just happen. Until then, the closest you'll get to the Land-o-Sand is the "new" power Marik has to toy with minds... Being evil must be great fun. Hasta La Vista, Babies.

AmethystRoze