A.N: Woo-hoo, I'm back. It feels like so long but it's actually been a week. -_-() Oh well, here we go.

~*A Week Without A Keeper*~

              The sunset slowly settled in the chambers of Marik's bedroom. Tea sat up on the edge of her master's bed, her eyes gazing at the floor. Her eyes seem enraptured by the patterns that carved the floor that she had not noticed Marik entering.

              "I will be gone for a week Anzu," he sat down next her, stroking her hair. "Are you sure you're not feeling well my dear?"

              "Tea shook her head. "I'm sure m'lord." she then felt his cold hand placing itself on her forehead.

              "Hmm…" Marik looked down at her quizzically, then a small smile played his lips. "A strange kind of sickness indeed, especially when you're not burning up," he stood up, making his way in front of her. "I trust you enough to not lie right?"

              Tea nodded in reply. "No m'lord, I do not lie."

              "Well then, why don't you explain what kind of sickness do you have?"

              "I…uh…well…I just feel dizzy m'lord. I have a huge headache. That's all."

              Marik looked over Tea, his head tilted to the side. Reaching into his cloak, he took out a small bottle full of pills placing it in her hand. "Take one every night before falling asleep. It shall do more than cure that headache of yours."

              "What else does it do m'lord?" Tea looked over the contents in the bottle.

              Marik chuckled softly. "Oh you'll see." he then leaned forward, kissing her softly before turning to leave the room.

              Tea's eyes glanced at him leaving before gazing back to the floor.

              "I heard you were sick." Tea looked up at Shadi entering the room.

              "Y-yes." Tea stuttered. "I have a huge headache."

              Shadi laughed softly. "Child, you have no idea how long I have been here. I know when a girl is lying. Marik must have sensed it but somehow, he trusts you."

              "All right, I lie!" Tea pounded her fists on the mattress. "I didn't want to go with him!"

              Shadi took a seat on the bed looking over Tea. "Why do you not wish to escort your master on his travels?"

              Tea glared up at him. "That's none of your business."

              "I see you have made quite a quick recovery from your headache Miss Anzu." he grinned, holding up the tip of the millennium key that dangled from his neck placing it on her forehead. He turned it like an ordinary key. Closing his eyes, he slowly entered her mind, wandering about.

              "Hmm…" Shadi looked about within the corners of Tea's mind. "Let's see what the young girl has in mind after all." he looked left to right, noticing there were three doors. Two were open. One led into the heart of her mind while the other led to her thoughts of Marik,

              "Well, that's two doors down." he looked up at the third door in wonder. "Hmm…wonder what this could be?" he placed his hand on the doorknob, twisting it, opening it so easily. Nothing except for darkness is all that could be seen. That is, until something manage to catch his eye. Turning around, he noticed a gold object lying on the floor. As he got closer, he noticed it was the millennium puzzle. "What the? What's this? The millennium puzzle? Can it be?"

              Opening his eyes, he found himself back in the bedroom.

              "Shadi?" Tea shook him slightly. "Are you okay?"

              "Huh?" he looked up at Tea. "Oh…yes. Yes, I'm okay." he got to his feet, looking down on her. "I must be going.' he then turned to leave the room.

              Tea sat up before deciding to wander about. Getting off the bed, she made her way out of the room. Suddenly, a young woman with blonde hair nearly ran into her. She stopped, looking at Tea up and down. "Oh, you're Marik's new escort?" she stared at Tea blankly.

              "Er…yeah." Tea smiled. "I'm Anzu but everyone just calls me Tea."

              The elder girl did not show any intention to socialize in a friendly matter. "I'm Mai. I have been working as a maid for quite some time." she brushed past Tea as if she were in a hurry.

              "Wonder what's her story." Tea watched Mai, who made her way down the halls. Going back into the room, she made her way outside to the balcony gazing at the view below her. She looked up at the night sky before looking down seeing her master riding off on his horse and out of the village.

              "Why didn't you go with Marik?" a voice startled her. Looking up, she noticed the former pharaoh approaching her. His millennium puzzle dangled from his neck. Tea felt her face turn red before turning away from him. Yami stopped right behind her, standing not more than two feet away.

              "I…I…" Tea tried to think of a reason.

              "What is it?" Yami tilted his head to the side. Slowly, Tea turned around noticing that he stood a few inches taller than her.

              "It's a bit personal." her eyes tilted to the ground.

              "I can tell by your eyes and voice that it is more than personal." Yami lifted her face up gently. "It's more than that, is it not?"

              "It's just…" Tea looked around. "You know I am Marik's escort, right?" Yami nodded before Tea continued. "See, I'm developing feelings for him."

              "That is normal for an escort to feel the need for her master. I have seen it before."

              "No…" Tea pounded her fist on the railing. "You know the rules of an escort? Especially that golden rule?"

              "You mean…you're in love with Marik?" Yami was surprised.

              "That's not the only thing that scares me." Tea took a slight glance up at him.

              "Then who is it?"

              Silence hung in the air as the two stood there. Finally, Tea brushed past Yami, making her way back inside the room.

Four Days Later…

              Tea sat in the kitchen taking a bite out of her apple. She was told that Marik was to return at a much later date due to an upcoming sandstorm that was about to hit north.

              "I didn't expect to find you here." Looking up, Tea saw Yugi entering the kitchen wearing what seems to be a black robe. He took a seat across from her, taking out a bunch of grapes from the fruit bowl. "Is it really that boring now that Marik won't be back for a while?"

              Tea shook her head. "It's not that. Perhaps I just have too much in mind as of late."

              "Such as?" Yugi looked at Tea curiously. Meanwhile, Yami approached the entrance to the kitchen but stopped when he saw Tea and Yugi chatting. Taking a few steps back, he made himself invisible within the darkness.

              "Yugi." Tea laughed nervously. "This may sound rather unusual but…um…do you know one of the golden rules for an escort?"

              Yugi grinned. "Sure. Do what thy master tells you and thy master will do for you."

              "Yugi!" Tea pounded her fist on the table. "Are you getting my point or not?"

              "Take it easy." Yugi was surprised at Tea's livid behavior. "It's obvious that you problems is more than just disturbing."

              "I'm sorry," she placed her hands on the table, not really looking at him. "But I seem to have broken the rules as an escort."

              "Don't tell me that you're in love with Marik." Yugi was shocked.

              "There is more to this story that I speak of." she slumped beck down on the chair. Neither of them noticed Yami standing there, hiding himself within the doorway.

              "Is it all right to ask what is it you're hiding?" Yugi was getting worried, fearing Tea will turn herself into something.

              "Only if you promise not to tell anyone." Tea glanced up at Yugi.

              "All right, I promise not to speak a word."

              Tea took a deep breath. "I know Marik will give me more than a lecture if he were to find out. But not only have I grown quite fond of him, I have also grown to love the pharaoh."

              "Pharaoh? You mean Kaiba?"

              "No Yugi. Not the one who rules the north. The…the…"

              "You mean to tell me you love both Yami and Marik?" Silence filled the whole room. From the doorway, Yami was stunned at what just took place. He could only wish it was a dream but somehow, he was only left with a mixture of emotions. Slowly, he turned around and left.

              "I may not know much of the escort life," Yugi broke the silence. "But I do know that one of the rules for escorts is that they are not to fall in love with their own master. I guess that's the way it's always been. Escorts being nothing more than puppets to the highest people of society. I remember Yami having an escort. She was killed for a reason he wouldn't tell me. But I remember the day when he received the news. He was livid. He…"

              "What did he do?" Tea wanted to know the whole story.

              Yugi hesitated before facing away from her. Taking off his robe, he let the article of clothing fall off. His back revealed many scars and whip lashes. Brushing off the dust that collected on his loincloth that wrapped around his waist, he closed his eyes, tilting his head towards the ground.

              "Oh no!" Yami did this to you?" Tea was shocked at the appearance. Yugi nodded before Tea spoke once more. "Is he always like this?"    

              "He was never like this." Yugi picked up his robe, slinging it over his shoulder. "Let's just say he's a lot different from Marik."

              "How so?"

              Yugi turned with the bunch of grapes in hand, leaving the kitchen. "I believe you know the answer as well as I do." Tea watched him leaving, placing the apple on the table.

              "Well, well," Mai entered with a feather duster in hand. "Little Miss Anzu Tea is two-timing Marik with the former pharaoh." a smirk curled her lips.

              "What does that supposed to mean?" Tea looked up at her.

              "Believe me little girl, Serenity and I have been here much longer than you have. I know when a young escort tends to break the rules of their society. A young one such as yourself had the same situation that you are in now. Except she was a troublemaker sometimes. Her name was Ishizu. She too had a thing for him that was far beyond what her status was meant to be. Unfortunately, Marik didn't have the same feelings she had for him. So you see, Marik is really hard to get to know other than he's merciless."

              "Whatever happened to Ishizu? How come I don't see her?"

              "Not too long ago, she pulled off this prank on him. So Marik gave her a choice on whether to leave or send her to the shadow realm."

              "And you? Has he done anything to you? You know, like whipping?"

              "Well…" Mai started to say.

              "Of course he did." Serenity stepped in. "If I recall, he used the bullwhip to strike against your bare back a few days ago because you were talking behind his back."

              "Oh jeez," Mai started to dust off the table with the duster. "You didn't have to give off the details." she then left the kitchen.

              "Serenity," Tea looked up at her friend. "Do you guys really hate each other?"

              "Mai's a total bitch." Serenity took a seat next to tea. "She's just jealous because there was this one time she asked Marik if she could be his escort but somehow, he refused."

              "What did he say to her?"

              "He told Mai, 'You're better off serving me in the kitchen and other parts but not within my chambers.' "

              "That's cold."

              Serenity sighed. "Tell me about it."

              Yugi entered the guestroom seeing Yami looking out the window.

              "Well Yami," Yugi smiled nervously. "What do you think we should do this eve? We were cooped up in the house all day."

              "What makes you change the subject?" Yami's back was still facing Yugi.

              "Huh?" Yugi looked up at his brother strangely. "What are you talking about?"

              Yami turned towards him, looking down at Yugi. "I heard everything Tea told you."

              "I don't know what you're talking about?" Yugi's face turned red for a second, realizing Yami must've overheard his conversation with tea. Finally, after moments of silence, Yugi finally spoke. "Do you love her back?"

              "I…" Yami choked on his words. "I'm not sure."

              Yugi snickered. "I know you love her. Admit it. You fell for her in the beginning."

              Yami smirked. "If I recall, it was you who referred to her as Marik's bitch the first night we arrived."

              "Yugi grinned before laughing softly. "But that's how escorts are. They are nothing more than slaves…puppets if you want to call."

              "She is an exception." Yami lit up one candle that sat on the nightstand. "She is much different than those I have seen." he then turned and made his way out of the room.

              "Yami, where do you think you're going?" Yugi started to follow along.

              "I will have a word with Tea." he placed on a black robe.

              "What? Hey wait! I know that you're going to give her more than just a word."

              A grin played Yami's lips. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

              "Oh c'mon Yami. Don't be such a dumb ass. You're a ladies man. Back when you ruled the north, you would seduce not only the escorts but the young maids as well."

              Yami smiled at that thought. "Ah, I remember that sinful bliss." he continued walking.

              "Yami!" Yugi grabbed onto Yami's ankle, trying to stop him. Unfortunately, Yami continued striding down the halls, easily dragging Yugi along. "Yami, if Marik finds out you're making time with his escort, he will kill you and Tea."

              Yami stopped, looking down at Yugi. "What Marik doesn't know won't kill him."

              "You're insane!" Yugi looked back up at him. "Dead insane if you ask me."

              "Maybe one day you will understand." he smiled, reaching down to pry Yugi's fingers off his ankle. "But today isn't the day."

              "You will regret it." Yugi cried out, watching Yami leave.

              "What will Yami regret?" a soft voice called out.

              "Huh?" Yugi turned around, gazing at the silhouette figure behind him. He squinted, trying to see who it was. "Well, it's just that Yami and Tea may have a thing for each other. And on top of that, Tea's got a thing for Marik."

              A figure slowly stepped out of the shadows wearing a cloak that covered its body from head to toe. Most of its face had been covered, except for the mouth. Yugi looked the cloaked figure over, tugging on the cloth. "Hey, what's with the disguise?"

              "I shall see to it that their relationship will come to an abrupt halt." the shadow spoke once more.

              "What do you mean by that?" Yugi's hand reached up to the head of the cloak, revealing the face that was hidden under there, shocked to see who it was. "What the?"

              Before Yugi could say anymore, the shadowed figure held out burning incense. The smoke surrounded him and within seconds, he collapsed to the ground.

              The one in the cloak smiled a sinister smile as it placed the hood back on its head. "Not to worry Yugi. I can promise you that the relationship between Tea and Yami, not to mention her other love for Marik will be nothing more than her being a puppet on strings. But now you know what my intentions are, I just have to see to it that I keep your mouth shut." With its hand, it picked up Yugi's ankle, dragging it on the floor.

              In the darkest of night, Tea laid down on a hammock she found with its two ends tied to a tree on each side. The night was cold and windy as the hammock began to sway side to side. She was glad that she was able to let out her feelings to someone she knew about Yami and Marik.

              I wonder, Tea thought to herself, what either of them think? But still, what am I going to do? I can't love them both at the same time…

              "I know how you feel."

              Startled, Tea looked up seeing Yami standing beside her. "Oh…I…uh…how…"

              "I overheard your conversation with my brother." his fingers grabbed hold of the hammock.

              Tea's face blushed. "Oh…that conversation…" her voice trailed off.

              Yami smiled. "Do you wish to know how I feel?"

              Before she could answer, he took her hand in his, leaned forward, and kissed her softly on the lips.

              Tea was surprised at the kiss. This one seemed so different from Marik's. It was…sweet. A kind of kiss that made her want to melt. Closing her eyes, she too kissed him back.

              Gently, Yami lifted her up, his lips never leaving hers. He carried her back inside and down the halls until they reached into his bedroom. He noticed Yugi was gone but it didn't matter right now. Taking off his shirt, he laid her on the bed, gazing into her eyes.

              "Are you sure you want this?" he whispered.

              With a slight nod, Tea was unable to look away. His eyes locked hers gaze in place. "I'm sure."

              Time passes by. His hands were all over her, their clothing lying in a heap of a mess on the floor. Yami sat on top of Tea, stroking her face. Tea stretched her legs apart. Smirking, his hands held her legs, slamming inside of her. She cried out in a mixture of pain and pleasure. Yami looked down, a bit concerned as he reached out and squeezed her hand.

              "Tea, I can stop if the pain is unbearable."

              "No," she managed to choke out. "Just keep going."

              Yami nodded. "As you wish." he continued moving in and out, penetrating her. Minutes pass by as he finally climaxed. Breathing heavily, he collapsed on top of her. Tea kissed him softly. Yami rolled off of her, lying on his back, pulling Tea close to him. She rested her head on his chest, slowly drifting off to sleep. Yami stroked her hair softly, looking down at her.

              The hours passed into the night. Suddenly, Shadi's voice rang throughout the house. "Marik, what are you doing back so soon?"

              "Tea's eyes opened wide. "Oh shit! How could he be back soon?"

A.N: Okay…just remember this fic has graphic scenes so if you don't like, take a hike. ^_^ It's that simple. As long as I don't turn it into an X-rated fic then everyone's happy.

~*To Be Continued*~