Chapter 6: Strange Attraction

"Cover it up with some makeup," Malik suggested.

"Makeup is for women!" Bakura stammered. "I'll not put it on me!"

The blonde gave up and took a seat. "Then stop complaining. It doesn't even look that bad."

Bakura outlined the scar with his forefinger, wincing reflexively. "It's not that..."

Malik gave him a dull stare. "Then what is it?"

"I just don't like it, okay?"

"Okay." Malik shook his head and stood back up, preparing to walk away, but suddenly, there was a knock at the door. "Who could that be?"

"How would I know?" Bakura threw him a skeptical glance. "Why don't you check?"

Yes, Bakura was still a model of kindness.

Opening the door, Malik expected to see anyone except whom he saw. His mouth hung open in a gasp and his eyes were wide. "...Pharaoh Yami?"

Bakura nearly overturned the table. What was he supposed to do! Yami didn't know he had come back. For all he knew, he had been sealed away by Marik! If that damned pharaoh saw him here, though, in Ryou's house? Oh Ra, it would bode anything but well.

But, Yami was surprised as well. "Malik? What are you doing here?"

He had, after all, expected Malik to have gone back to Egypt with his sister, Isis. What was he doing back at Ryou's house?

"That's a good question," Malik smiled uneasily, trying to close the door so as to hide who was currently lounging within. He would have to hurt the thief later though, as he was currently occupied.

Yami's scarlet eyes seemed doubtful, and Malik was almost scared that he would be able to read his mind and find out what was really going on here. His stance was guarded, yet suave. Arms were crossed and head was held high, like a true Pharaoh of Egypt. It was almost intimidating. Sure, Malik could've told him the truth, but he had the feeling it probably wasn't the best idea.

"I'm here to check up on Ryou," Yami finally said, voice deep. "Is he here?"

"Ryou? Oh, he's fine," Malik said happily. "I just saw him."

"Good, then you wouldn't mind me coming in to see him-?"

He attempted to enter the house, but Malik stood in front of him. "Um, you don't have to go in just yet... Didn't you want to know why I'm here?"

"Well that is a question on my mind, but it can wait until I see Ryou." This time he didn't allow Malik to stop him. Without warning, he slid past him with ease, much to the Egyptian's dismay, and was finally inside the house.

"Wait, wait!" Malik called, rushing back in and closing the door. Ra, how was he going to explain this? But... when he finally got ahold of his surroundings, he noticed that Bakura wasn't there. "Oh..."

"Yami, how good to see you!" Ryou exclaimed, running down the stairs and embracing him. "I forgot you were coming today."

"Yes," Yami returned the hug less enthusiastically, "But why is Malik here?"

Ryou pulled back and held his hands in front of him. "Well, as you know, I just came back from Egypt a few days ago. While I was there, I ran into Malik and we caught up on each other's lives and such and I convinced him to come back with me... you know, just to sort of hang out a little."

"I see..." Yami commented, and Ryou wasn't sure if he believed him or not. Turning to the blonde, he asked, "Why didn't you just say so, Malik?"

Malik feigned a smile. "Funny you should ask."

"I'm glad you're not by yourself," he continued. "It's good to see you too, Malik." Taking a seat, he motioned for Ryou to sit too. "Have you heard the news about Kaiba?"

"No," Ryou shook his head, seating himself, "I haven't."

"He left for Egypt a couple days ago. He's doing some kind of work down there."

"Have you talked to him lately?"

"Me?" Yami arched a brow. "No. Kaiba and I aren't exactly the best of friends. Actually, we're not friends at all. You know how he is."

"He's definitely tough."

"That he is. Speaking of, you look slightly beleaguered. Is everything okay?"

"Beleaguered?" he repeated, glancing quickly at the mirror. "Oh!" How had he not noticed that one of his sleeves had fallen off his shoulder? Gods, he looked harassed! "I just got done exercising," he readjusted the sleeve.

Yami blinked and Malik was trying to stop from laughing. "I didn't know you exercised. It's not like you need to or anything. You've got a nice shape."

Ryou was surprised and a little embarrassed at that comment. "I...I do?"

"Of course." Standing up, he pushed his chair in, but still looked as though there was something he wanted to say. "Ryou... this may sound odd, but I came here because...well, I thought I sensed Marik."

"Marik?" he swallowed hard. "He's not here."

"Well, I trust you. I must've just been sensing Malik." He opened the door but turned once more toward Ryou. "I'll be seeing you."

Ryou waved as he left, closing the door behind him. "Thank goodness that's over."

"I think Yami likes you."

Ryou nearly tripped at that. "Where did that come from?"

Malik shrugged. "I'm not sure. He's always acted strange around you, like his guard is somewhat down."

"I don't think so," Ryou shook his head. "Yami and I are just friends. Do you know where Bakura went?"

"Hm, good question. I almost thought Yami was going to find him. Why did he come here anyways?"

"Ever since Battle City ended, well, Yami thought it best to check up on me periodically because he knew my father would be away a lot and I would be alone."

"Oh. That makes sense."

"Yep," Ryou sighed.

"Are you okay? Not to sound redundant, but you do look stressed out." His expression was serious. "It's not Marik is it?"

"No, of course not."

And of course it was. Today was "the big day" after all, only, Ryou wasn't rejoicing. How was he going to get himself out of this? Though, even if he did, he'd be killed. Where was the sense in it? Actually, where was Marik? Ryou hadn't seen him since the previous day when they had had their talk.

"I've must go check on something," Ryou said, not caring to elaborate. "Feel free to watch television or something."

So with that said, he left the room to ironically go find Marik.

"Mother, where are we going today?"

"To the palace, my dear."

Marik immediately became excited. "The Pharaoh's palace?"

"Yes. There's someone I need to talk to."

"Someone important?"

The woman smiled. "Someone very important."

"I knew it. That's why you look more pretty than usual today."

She patted him lightly on the head. "My son, you are so sweet. When you grow older, people will flock to you just to see your good looks."

"The looks I got from mother," he smiled and held her hand.

Her plum eyes softened and she gave his hand a light squeeze. They really did look alike, though she was very beautiful. Fine locks, the color of crystal sand, fell down her shoulders stopping just short of her waist, and her eyes were the color of the amethyst gem itself, maybe even more stunning. Her skin was bronzed from her life in the sun but it only made her even more exotic. And, as she was known to do, a pretty little dessert flower was tucked behind her ear.

"Mother...are we going to see father?"

She seemed surprised, but quickly hid it. "Actually, we are, but I don't think it's time for you to meet him just yet."

"Does father hate me?"

"No, of course not... If anyone, your father hates me." Resuming her formal posture, she pointed to the large city that was growing larger as they approached. "Look, we're almost there. You can see the palace from here."

Marik looked, and sure enough, there it was...

The Pharaoh's palace.(1)

Ryou had almost given up looking for Marik when he came across the old guest room. Opening the door a crack, he peeked in, not really expecting to find Marik there, but sure enough, there he was. And oddly enough... he was sleeping.

"So he's human after all," Ryou mused quietly, taking a step in.

He wasn't sure what compelled him to enter; Marik seemed to have this magnet affect on him that he couldn't explain. Walking softly over to the bed, he made sure to keep his distance as he watched Marik peacefully doze.

Marik was a complete void of violence and fury, so maybe that was why Ryou found it so amusing to watch him sleep. It was almost like every wall went down and he became like everyone else. Even that accursed Eye of Ra shone serenely, now nothing but a faint glow.

It was like he was a completely different person.

Using his left arm to steady himself, he reached his right arm over Marik so that one hand was on either side of him. Marik fascinated Ryou for some unknown reason. Compared to Marik, Ryou was paler than clouds, but Marik's skin held a bronze-like attribute that was incredible. His eyes wandered up to Marik's lips and he couldn't draw away.

There it was again! That strange attraction! Why was it that Ryou couldn't help both disliking and finding Marik practically gorgeous at the same time. Which was it? It couldn't be both. The fact that it could wasn't the point, but rather the fact that it just couldn't. After all, there was something Marik didn't know about him.

"Marik, are you awake?" he whispered. Maybe they could talk things through.

Talk things through? Who was he kidding? Marik didn't talk things through. If something didn't go his way, he probably vented his anger by killing someone.

"Marik?" he spoke softly again, leaning even closer. The moment he involuntarily rested his hand on Marik's shoulder, he immediately rebounded and sat back up. What was he doing? Placing his hand anywhere on Marik's body just felt awkward, and wait, was he actually blushing?

Immediately his hands went to his cheeks, which were suddenly warm. How could he do this to himself? Ryou desperately needed to sort out his feelings...he wasn't quite sure what his heart was telling him. Was he actually starting to care about Marik? And if so, what kind of care was it? How do you care about someone who threatens to kill you?

So many questions, yet no answers. It just wasn't fair. Leaning once more over Marik's strong frame, he fully intended to kiss Marik right there just to prove to himself that this was all a fancy, that he was only kidding himself, but fate had other plans.

Marik awoke with a start, grabbing Ryou by his wrists and flipping him beneath him. "What do you think you're doing?"

It was amazing how quickly Marik could fully awaken. He was now staring down at Ryou with something akin to distrust and at the same time odd amusement. Ryou didn't disappoint. As was his way lately, he froze up, unsure of what to say. Why couldn't an excuse make itself present this time?

"My Ra," he rolled his eyes, obviously perturbed, "Not the silent treatment again. 5,000 years ago you wouldn't shut up and now you barely speak." Glimpsing out the nearby window, he smirked as he noticed the setting sun. "Well, well, well... I do think enough time has elapsed," he faced Ryou again, "Wouldn't you agree?"

Ryou nodded hesitantly, feeling exposed under Marik's intense stare. Even Yami rarely looked at him like that. If he had any feelings for him, like Malik had guessed, he at least troubled to hide them. Marik made no such effort. From the audacious rake of his eyes to the provoking thrust of his stance, he was like a lion hunting him, batting him between his paws. Ryou shivered with perverse excitement and at the same time fear, not enjoying the prey-like feeling he aroused in him, but helplessly thrilled by the adrenaline that rushed through his body.

"I have waited, Ryou, and I cannot wait anymore. What is your decision? Death? Or submission?"

Ryou sighed in defeat. "Submission."

Marik smirked. "Good choice..."

There was a brief moment before their lips met, when Marik stared deeply into Ryou's eyes, all the while searing violet piercing into soft brown, when Ryou made this sudden discovery. Marik wasn't looking at him... he was looking past him, past his eyes, past his soul, straight at someone else. And it hurt.

Whatever Ryou had anticipated, it was not like this, not the ferocity that leapt between them in that instant when Marik's mouth closed over his own. Slightly stunned, Ryou fought him. Fearing him, fearing himself, he fought him. Marik was too strong for him to battled though, as Ryou had known he would be. He couldn't even push him away. Marik's hands pulled his body against his own firmly, dominating him, until little by little, Ryou's struggles ceased and against his will, he was forced to respond.

Ryou whimpered against this intimate invasion and pillage, even as his own body betrayed him by welcoming it. As Marik's feverish lips scorched their way from his mouth to his throat, Ryou idly realized that he no longer had a will of his own. Marik had taken it from him, bending it to his own as he pressed Ryou into the bed of the otherwise vacant guest room.

To Marik, Ryou was the treasure he couldn't have, his own forbidden fruit. 5,000 years of being apart had nearly driven him insane, but why should he have to worry about that now, when he was finally with the one person he was willing to risk his life for.

Of course, somewhere in his mind, a voice was telling him this was wrong, and it was wrong. He knew it. This wasn't Ryou; but when Marik looked down at him, those beautiful chocolate eyes looking up at him, it was Ryou. He was wicked and wanton, some kind of devil, with his fallen angel in his soul-stealing embrace, a loath captive of his fiery domain.

Ryou couldn't fight much as his shirt was pulled off and discarded, thrown somewhere irrelevant. He couldn't really think at all. A part of him told him this was just Marik's power compelling him to do his will... but another part of him knew it wasn't. That other part... what was it? It was the same force that had coerced him to not fight against Marik the first time he had kissed him. Whatever it was, Ryou desperately strove against it, some primitive impulse motivating him to renew his struggles to escape Marik.

It was all in vain.

While Ryou knew he should struggle, that same, horrible part of him prevented him from doing so. Besides, hadn't he brought this upon himself?

He couldn't protest when he felt Marik's ghostly fingertips undo the fastens of his pants and when Marik jerked them halfway down, the strength in that motion awakened some strange feeling deep within him. There he was, almost completely exposed to this barbarian, and still he didn't fight when Marik's hands brushed down his thighs, easing his slender legs apart. His heart did beat at a terribly fast rate though. He clutched so tightly onto the bed sheets that his knuckles were white and any courage he had felt previously was now gone.

This was really happening. Marik was about to take him, and Ryou was going to have to comply. What had he done? He had sold his soul...

Marik finally drew himself from Ryou's mouth, licking his lips and tasting the former healer on them. He was ready to take the boy. One thrust was all he needed. So, what was stopping him? As he stared meticulously at the white-haired teen, all he saw was fear. Was that it? Was that what was wrong? Since when did sentiment mean anything to him though?

Though last time... Ryou had been willing.

Ryou looked up at him, watching this internal struggle with awareness. What was going on? Was Marik actually having second thoughts? His grip on the sheets loosened and in an attempt to move himself away from Marik, his hand somehow hit the T.V. remote and turned it on.

Talk about the perfect way to ruin the moment. Marik let out an annoyed sigh and even Ryou felt like what he had done was stupid.

"Sorry," he said softly, avoiding Marik's eyes. Now it was time for embarrassment to creep in, as Ryou was currently undressed.

"Just turn it off," Marik said in monotone.

"And in the news tonight, billionaire Seto Kaiba, of Kaiba Corporations, has announced his plan to continue excavations in Egypt."

Both Ryou and Marik soon found themselves listening.

"So the rich bastard has finally been drawn back to his homeland," Marik said cynically. "I wonder whose lives he's decided to destroy next."

"Mr. Kaiba had originally done work near Cairo a few years back, but was reported to have dropped that project. Now, he says that new interests have been sparked since the finale of Battle City. We'll play the short interview we have with him now..."

Kaiba was suddenly shown on the screen, sapphire gaze boring into those who were viewing, and the vast expanse of the Egyptian desert could be seen behind him. "It's true that I have re-started my excavation in Egypt. I find that of late, certain things have come to my attention that I'd like to find."

"Can you specify, Mr. Kaiba?" the interviewer's voice was heard.

"Well, it's a certain rare gem like this one on my ring." He held up his hand, and sure enough, encrusted into the golden band around his middle finger, was a jewel more beautiful than any sapphire Ryou had ever seen... Save for one… "This ring has been in my family for many years, but only recently came into my possession. You'd think it to be sapphire upon a first look, but it's not. My studies led me here, to Egypt, where it is rumored that it's the only place where the stone can be found."

"Oh my Ra," Marik said, almost unable to believe what he was hearing. "Don't tell me... Those are-"

"-Serpent's Eye Jewels of Osiris," Kaiba finished. "Legend has it that the jewels were made from the god's eyes and he bestowed them upon the Egyptians as a gift to those who worshipped him. Ancient sorcerers are noted to have used them somehow, but their true purpose isn't known.(2) A few years ago, the jewels were sought out and somehow destroyed. Other than the one I already possess, there is only one more left somewhere. I fully intend to find it."

"Thank you, Mr. Kaiba. Good luck with your search. It was also reported that Seto Kaiba will start his excavations first in the untracked sands of Egypt. He is sure to uncover some very interesting things. And in other news-

"This is great," Marik said, no thrill in his voice. "Who'd have thought it would come to this?"

"Marik... what is it?" Ryou asked, uneducated in the sacred Jewels in question.

"If Seto gets his hands on just one gem... it will create problems for all of us."

Ryou looked at his hand, pondering his thoughts, before he showed Marik the small, shining stone that was crushed neatly into the plain surrounding metal. "Is this what you're talking about?"

Marik pulled Ryou's hand closer, so as to get a better look at the ring's crystal, and immediately looked back to him. "Where on earth did you get this?"

A sudden pillar of blue light was emitted from the small gemstone. It shot straight up, engulfing both Ryou and Marik in it, and when it finally cleared, both were glad to find themselves in one piece.

But... the bed's sheets no longer surrounded them. Now, in all directions, was plain sand, some highlighted in gold by the moon's presence above.

Ryou touched the ground just to make sure it was real. "Marik, where are we? Is this one of your tricks?"

"This is no magic of mine," Marik inhaled the fresh scent of the desert. "...We're most definitely back in Egypt."

Ryou's eyes went wide, but suddenly closed as he lost consciousness. Marik caught him before he hit the ground, making sure he was still breathing. This was the last thing he needed. But why...? What had caused them to come back? Looking down, Marik noticed the bright shimmer of the azure jewel as the moonlight played off of it, and the answer was suddenly clear.

"...Kaiba."

oooTBCooo

(1)- Yes, another flashback. They will become important, and I'm not sure if you guessed it but Marik was dreaming this. I don't know, I always imagined Marik's mother as being really pretty.

(2)-I made the information about the Serpent's Eye Jewels up, but still thought it was cool. It will be very important to the story later though. Especially the little fact about Osiris.

Yes, Kaiba will be the main enemy for now, though, he's not really the enemy. Now that Marik's back in his own terrain, and alone with Ryou, he'll have the upper hand and he won't be afraid to hold anything back. I'm excited, I've wanted to get back to Egypt for a while.

AmethystRoze