Tenshi no Kokoro

Disclaimer: refer to first chapter

Summary: Chimera has been defeated and the Angel has emerged. But now the Angel seeks only to destroy evil. Seto and Ryuuji, aided by a reborn Marik, must overcome it to find their lover. S/R/R, YY/YB, YM/R

Warnings: I forgot about this . . . deaths and lots of them! Fluff, some swearing (but not much), weirdness of character, OOC and OC's who just appear for a brief period of time before I get rid of them. Anou . . . if there are more, then I'll tell you guys when I get to it, ne?

Responses to Reviews and Author's Notes:

invisible-eyes: yeah, I couldn't have the three of them being separated all the time! That's not my style . . . anyway, you get fluff in this chapter!

andromeda90: believe me, your stories are that good! I don't think Anubis knew about what was to come when he said he wanted to be Angel ... raises eyebrow at Anubis questioningly Anubis: Hey, don't look at me! I thought it would be cool....

Elle-Fate2x1-2: I totally agree with you. Ryou-chan can't die (not until I've wrung him dry of all the torture I can get out, anyway!!), but no, the Angel is not stupid - not in a literal sense, anyway. In my fics, you can always guarantee that Seto will make Ryou feel better ..... in more ways than one smirks Teensy weensy fluffiness for you in this chapter!

lilmatchgirl007: frowns in concentration I guess you could be right....the Angel would seem a little bit like Yami Marik, ne? I'd never thought of it that way...and you'll get more Bakura (aka Anubis) in the next chapter. Sorry about this one though, I just had to pave the way for his debut...

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Chapter Five: Old Flames

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As soon as word reached Marik about the recovery of Ryou's person, the former demon took of to see him. They hadn't properly talked for a long time now and they probably still had a few matters to clear up. A faint frown touched his lips as he remembered back to when he had almost drowned Ryou in the River of Lost Memories. He looked up when his feet came to a stop, finally noticing that he had arrived at the Kaiba Mansion.

"Can I help you, sir?"

The speaker was a middle-aged man dressed in a casual polo shirt and pants, with a distinct bald patch on the top of his head. But no matter how casually he dressed, Marik guessed that his outfit would be a hundred times more expensive than his own.

"Uh yeah," he said hesitantly. "I want to see Kaiba Seto."

"Kaiba-sama is busy at the moment," the man replied.

"Oh – um . . . then is Otogi Ryuuji here?"

"Otogi-sama is at school."

"Then do you know when they'll be – not busy?"

"No sir." He looked at Marik's school uniform. "But Bakura-sama is here. I am the head butler. Perhaps you would like me to show you to Bakura-sama's room, where he might be able to tell you when Kaiba-sama is free."

"Aa, arigatou."

Marik followed the curiously dressed 'head butler' of the mansion inside. Weren't butlers supposed to wear those fancy-looking suits and pompous little towel things on their arms to make them look important? Deciding not to ask the question in case it offended the man, Marik followed him quietly.

The mansion was huge – insert mental slap on the forehead for being an idiot. That was the whole point of a mansion. His mind seemed to have given up on him sporadically since his rebirth so that he had these periods of idiocy every so often. Unfortunately for him, it did not bode well, especially since 'every so often' could most likely be translated into 'almost always'.

Anyway, as he was led up the second flight of stairs, Marik started counting the doorways one corridor contained. He passed five before they turned left and then there was another ten. Then there was yet another flight of stairs. The Kaiba Mansion didn't look like it had three levels from the outside. But anyway, on the top floor – or at least, what Marik hoped was the top floor – there were eight double doors.

On the closest one, there was a big sign in bright colours that read 'Mokuba's Room'. It was decorated with pictures of Duel Monsters, a popular card game. The door next to it had 'KS' in gold on it that served as door handles. It was Seto's room, obviously. Across the corridor from it was a similar door, only that it had a simple, metal sign on it that read 'Otogi Ryuuji'. The door next to that was devoid of decoration.

"Come this way," the butler motioned for him. "Bakura-sama is resting within his room. He has not been feeling well for the past days since he returned to us."

He was led to the door a bit beyond that, which felt strangely oppressing as Marik approached it. There was no light coming from within it and there was no elaborate marking as to whom it belonged to, even though the butler had told him that Ryou was inside. The butler walked over to it, knocking quietly.

"Bakura-sama? There is someone who wishes to see you."

Marik didn't hear a reply, but it was obvious that one had been given because the butler gave him the nod to go inside. He approached the door quietly, pushing it open. The butler had somehow managed to get to the other end of the corridor while he had been doing so.

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The inside wasn't exactly dark, but it wasn't exactly bright either. Well, not artificially bright anyway. The lights hadn't been turned on and the curtains of the huge windows had been opened a small fraction to let a trickle of light in. Ryou sat in a huge armchair by the window, looking small and fragile in his light blue robe.

"Konnichiwa, Marik," he greeted gently, smiling.

"Ryou."

The albino motioned for him to pull up another chair from a bit further away and sit down. He did so quietly, eyes still intent on Ryou's face. He was pale and withdrawn, but still the same, beautiful Ryou he had met in Britain three years ago. But now his love belonged to someone else – two someones, in fact.

"Was that really the head butler?" Marik blurted out before he could stop himself. He mentally smacked himself again.

But Ryou laughed. It had been so long since Marik had heard him laugh.

"Yes, that was really the head butler," the albino answered in amusement. "He just got to work."

"Oh – this late?"

"It's actually still school time, Marik," Ryou reminded him. The clock above the fireplace read 10 o'clock. "He works late into the night, so he comes later."

"Oh."

Ryou stretched his arms out to him. He let the other boy hug him tightly.

"I've missed you, Marik."

"Me too."

He didn't want to let him go, even when Ryou had dropped his arms down, signalling that he wanted to break away. He was lost in the albino's lavender scent and frail form. The guilt that rose to his throat gave way to the first tears he had cried for several millennia.

"Marik . . .? Daijoubu ka?" Ryou asked gently.

"D-Daijoubu," he whispered hoarsely. "I – I don't know what came over me."

Pulling away, the first thing Marik saw was Ryou's concerned gaze. His eyes had changed from dark, warm brown to ice blue after the transformation. The depths of his hues were clear in colour, but a veil that covered any possible emotions Ryou might have shown shrouded them. It was as if the other presence within his body didn't want him to give anything away.

"How is this – condition going?" he asked tentatively.

"Mou hitori no boku?" Ryou queried quietly, looking at him. "The Angel, Marik? Is that who you're asking about?"

"Onegai – don't talk about that thing as if he were really part of you."

"But he is, Marik." Ryou's eyes were lit with a dim sadness. "None of us have any control over that. He is part of me and over last night and this morning, I've had plenty of time to come to terms with it."

"It's my fault, isn't it?"

"Nani?"

"It's my fault that you're . . . that you've got it inside you, isn't it?"

Ryou sank back in the armchair, looking melancholy. Marik almost took this as a yes, especially when the boy dropped his arms back to his sides. He straightened silently, ready to leave, when Ryou spoke again.

"You didn't, Marik." His voice was soft and distant. "No, he's always been there, only he had been – dormant – for a time. Your death in the Otherworld was what triggered him to awaken, that was all. I can't blame you for it."

He looked up and into Marik's surprised eyes. They were emotional, but openly honest and sincere with the innocent and yet perpetually wise shine. He remembered all too clearly how he had, in a twisted way, actually loved this Chosen when they had still been on opposite sides. He still did now and it was painfully obvious in his eyes.

"Ryou . . ."

You must let him take care of him, the Angel whispered. He has ulterior motives, Ryou. Let me kill him.

No, I trust Marik. He won't do anything to me.

If you insist. Just don't call me for help.

Without further ado, Marik leaned forward and pressed their lips together gently. Ryou stiffened in surprise, unable to react. There had been a time when this touch had been welcome and even longed for, but that was a time long gone. He still retained some affection for the other, of course, but it wasn't the same. It didn't have the same effect on him as it used to and it felt strange. Not at all like when Seto or Ryuuji . . . he trembled.

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Marik was lost. He had craved Ryou's sweet and pure taste for a long time now. It was like a drug, you were addicted to it as soon as you tried it. He ran his hands through the soft hair and brought his face closer, delving into his mouth.

The door banged open.

"Marik!" Seto roared, storming in and grabbing the blonde by the collar. "Get away from him at once!"

"What are you doing, Kaiba?"

"Can't you see that Ryou didn't want your advances?" the CEO demanded.

"Nani . . .?"

He turned to look a Ryou, who was staring at him, wide-eyed, looking upset. Guilt rose within him. He had been so caught up in his emotions that he had forgotten all about Ryou's feelings. Seto shoved him away angrily and went to Ryou's side. The albino reached out and sought his arms. Marik felt his heart wrench as Seto gathered the albino in his arms tenderly, soothing him.

"G-Gomen," he muttered, feeling tears prickle the back of his eyes. "Gomen."

He rushed out of the room while Seto continued to hold Ryou protectively while the albino trembled. Ryou didn't need him anymore – he had Seto and Ryuuji now. He would only be in their way. From somewhere deep inside, he felt angry at the fact that Ryou had been denied to him. But this anger was smothered by the pain and the guilt he felt for doing this and knowing it wasn't right.

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"Sh . . . daijoubu," Seto whispered soothingly.

He hadn't been aware that Marik was inside the mansion until he had entered Ryou's room and interrupted their conversation through his mental link. During their conversation, he had kept quiet and let them sort out a few things from the past. He knew they needed it. But a few minutes after their conversation ended, Ryou called out for help and he seemed scared and confused.

That was when he realized that Marik was trying to force himself on Ryou. The demon was still obviously in love with Ryou and hadn't given up on him, even when he knew that Ryou no longer felt the same way. Out of anger and of protectiveness, Seto barged into the room and pulled him off.

"Seto," Ryou whimpered. "Gomen – I should have stopped him."

"Iie, Ryou. You're still weak and you can't attack powerless people with what you possess. I know you would try to stop him if you could."

"Gomen nasai, Seto." Ryou looked around the room. "The barriers are broken, aren't they? The disturbance of a mortal . . ."

"No problem, when Ryuuji-tachi comes back, we'll set it up again." Seto kissed his hand gently. "I'm glad I stayed home from school."

"Will you stay with me? I – the Angel is stirring again and something might happen. I don't want to be alone."

"Of course."

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Ryuuji was on his way back to the mansion from school, having decided to take the rest of the day off. Besides, he wanted to see Ryou and there was nothing he wouldn't do to see him. When the teacher asked, he would just use his born talent for charming and lying his way out of situations.

And now he was roaring down the street on his motorcycle, feeling cool, calm and in control of himself. He went back to thinking about Ryou and the Angel, the silent challenge to him. You have not won me as yet, Chosen. What did that mean? Did the Angel acknowledge him as an enemy, or a rival to be beaten?

Ryuuji, where are you? Seto's voice came from over the intercom on his motorbike.

"Seto? I'm coming home now – almost at the gates."

Good.

"Daijoubu ka?"

Marik was here, Seto sounded grim. He was trying to force himself on Ryou.

"NANI?" Ryuuji exclaimed. "Kisama . . ."

The barriers around the room are broken, so you have to get here quickly. Ryou can feel the Angel stirring inside.

"Wakarimashita."

Swearing softly to himself, Ryuuji accelerated with frightening speed and shot off down the street towards the Kaiba Mansion. He swore not only because the Angel was stirring again, but also because Marik Ishtar – who had claimed to be reformed – was attempting to do what would possibly eventually lead to the Angel killing him. Not to mention that he had tried to commit the act on Ryou. Anyone who touched Ryou in a way he didn't like meant they were going to get hell from him – Otogi Ryuuji, Ryou's self-assigned protector.

But he was also slightly shaken, and a bit frightened, that he was actually feeling a little tingle of excitement at the prospect of seeing the Angel face to face again. His nerves went jittery, as if he were looking forward to the meeting and the mental image of the Angel himself involuntarily showed up.

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With a shaking hand, Marik turned the doorknob to his apartment door and pushed it open, stumbling inside. Malik wasn't home yet – school wouldn't finish for another couple of hours – and Ishizu was at work. He was home alone.

He used to like being alone because then he'd be able to do whatever without getting told off by Ishizu. But right now, he would have preferred it if someone was at home to keep his mind away from the voices in his head, reminding him over and over about what he had done . . . how unforgivable it was.

Why did I do it? I knew it wasn't right. It didn't get anywhere . . . but what if Kaiba hadn't come in at the moment he did? What if Kaiba hadn't been at home?

I would have taken him, Marik concluded in his mind, horror filling him. I would have taken him, even against his wishes – I would have raped him.

The last thought left him in horror. He wasn't – he couldn't . . . this was just not right. How could he have even formed the thought about raping Ryou? The boy was much too important to him. He slammed the door harshly and dropped to the floor, head in his hands.

I – I'm so sorry . . .

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Yami was now accustomed to the mortal way of life and he found it a great contrast to his previous lives as a ruthless Pharaoh and a vengeful demon. Some times, the experience was highly enjoyable. As a human, he could feel what it was like to have a normal life, not one that was overshadowed by paranoia about who was going to have a go at his life next. That change was a welcome one.

However, the down side to all of it was his loss of power. He could no longer protect himself against any unexpected visitors – more or less still after his blood. And, at this point in time, almost everyone he knew or who knew him, were aware of the fact that he could bleed very well.

And it was after he finished work and walking back home when one of those 'unexpected visitors' decided that he needed a little company.

"You adopt the ways of the humans you hate so much. I'm surprised, Yami-sama," a voice sneered.

The former Pharaoh whipped around, but came face to face with nothing. He blinked a few times in confusion, before turning back and beginning to walk again. No sooner had he taken three steps did an odd sensation flood through him. It was cold . . . and numbing. He felt himself falling into oblivion; the darkness consuming his vision as his mind was drenched with the icy feeling.

"Sleep well, Pharaoh," the same voice hissed. "You'll be doing a lot of that from now on. Haga will use your body well."

Haga . . .

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End Chapter Five

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Author's Notes:

Well, I decided to stop the bantering nonsense Seto, Ryou and Ryuuji are doing to fill up the chapters. Yami's gonna get his turn in the limelight! The Otherworld is back for revenge on Yami and the Four Kings of Chimera!

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