Alley Cat: n.n I love my reviewers!

Seto: O.o Okay...

Alley Cat: n.n Math kills brain-cells!

Dark Conscience: (hasn't done math homework yet) Crap.

Alley Cat: I'm so happy because I'm getting more readers! ...but, you know, I'm starting to agree with Skyring. Marik is a vampiric rapist...oh well...

Seto: ...you're not supposed to agree with your flames...

Alley Cat: Anything to shut you up.

Seto: ...don't flame her. It gives me nothing to say.

Alley Cat: Well...unfortunately, Marik is gone after this chapter...or at least he won't have a major part...sorry about that. But he'll have a major part later...with the ritual thingy and all. So sit tight! n.n

Thanks to my faithful reviewers:

Skyring - Yeah. Marik is a very sadistic rapist who likes...blood. O.o My mind is demented...probably because of math homework... Don't see how I incorporated that Seto's a pervert...but okay...

Cwthewolf - n.n Thanks for the encouragement! I hope you like this chapter too!

Kaiba's Slave - Cake...cake is good. Any kind of cake is good. Unless it's burnt...really bad...then it's really bad...like burnt steak. Maybe worse...but I've never had burnt cake so I wouldn't know... (snaps out of phase) Uh...sorry. (sweatdrop) It's the math homework... Well...Marik will be out for a little more than a few chapters... (coughmaybefifteencough) so just hang in there... Keep reading! And Marik's still in this chapter so don't worry!

Lou - Wow. Like it that much, huh? n.n You all make me soooo happy! n.n Well, I updated so enjoy!

Black-Lightniing - It was planned out that way. You were supposed to think it was Seto knocking... As for Seto exploring Marik's chamber...you'll have to see for yourself...

Alley Cat: Now that my thanks is done, might as well let you read this chapter huh? Okay...

Seto: Alley Cat doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh...

The Pharaoh was sitting on his throne, slouching a bit as Marik walked in. Obviously, Yami was not in the mood for a casual talk.

"My Pharaoh...you asked for me?" Marik inquired casually.

"Marik," Yami growled. Yami didn't really have a reason for bringing him to his chamber, but it made him feel better when Marik was under his watch.

"Yes, my Pharaoh?" Marik asked politely, yet impatiently. He'd rather get back to his own chamber instead of standing there, in front of the Pharaoh, answering the inevitable questions to come.

"...What...have you been doing recently?" Yami asked, hoping that his true intentions weren't too obvious.

Marik arched an eyebrow. "The usual," he replied vaguely, shrugging his shoulders. Obviously, the Pharaoh wanted to know what had become of Anippe.

Yami was befuddled. Marik was toying with him again. He tried again. "And Anippe's punishment?"

Marik shrugged again. This was fun. "What about it?"

Yami sighed, getting more irritated by the minute. "Has it been carried out yet?" Yami asked forcefully.

Marik raised his eyebrows once more. "You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you? It takes time."

Yami growled. "You've had enough time," he pointed out.

Marik smiled. "But we had an agreement, remember? Anippe's all mine for five days. This is only the second day."

Yami nodded. "But you never said anything about questioning your actions. All you said was that I couldn't interfere, which I have not. When you refuse to answer my questions, then that forces me to interfere," he stated logically. There was no way Marik could get out of this one...

"Ah, but my Pharaoh," Marik said with much enthusiasm, "That was not part of our agreement."

Yami was furious by now. Marik must be hiding something, he concluded. Yami was now feverishly thinking through loopholes. "Yet we did not specify when I could interfere and when I could not."

Marik cursed inwardly. If he could not think of anything soon, he'd be forced to tell the Pharaoh what he was doing to Anippe...or...he could lie. His eyes lit up as he pondered this idea.

"So..." Yami continued, knowing this wouldn't be easy. "What have you been doing? Anippe's my slave. I deserve to know."

"Well," Marik drawled out as long as he could to give his brain some time to think, "I haven't punished her too heavily...yet."

Yet?! "What do you mean?" Yami said as calmly as he could, trying to resist the anger welling up inside of him.

"Well... I haven't really done much..." he replied, trying to sound as innocent as he could. "I'm sorry. I haven't thought of the right punishment for her yet."

Yami's eye twitched. That was it. There was no way Marik could be this innocent. He was lying. It was a damn lie. "Marik," Yami said through gritted teeth, "What have you done with Anippe? Tell me the truth."

Damn it! The Pharaoh had seen right through his lie. He growled. How could he possibly get out of this one? "I've only treated her like my other slaves," he admitted, trying to twist the truth a little. "That was the only punishment I had in mind for her. You're too nice to her. Being with me will teach her a lesson about obedience."

Yami, once again, looked at him with bewilderment. How could he just state it so simply? Yami shook his head. This was pointless. He groaned. He couldn't punish Marik at all. ...Not without evidence... "All right Marik," Yami replied coldly. He had no other choice but to let Marik go. "You have my leave to go."

Marik smiled and walked out of the Pharaoh's chamber, victorious.

Seto walked up to Marik's chamber and knocked rather loudly.

No answer.

Seto thought this was quite suspicious. What reason did Marik have to be out of his chambers? But then again, he did have the right to be out... Seto shook his head. His accusations were getting to his head. He knocked again, hoping that Marik would answer.

Nothing.

Seto growled and turned around to be greeted by Marik.

"Yes?" he asked amusedly, but coldly.

Seto glared at him. The nerve of him...to be treating the High Priest with such disrespect. The Pharaoh had problems with him too. "I was wondering if you've seen...my slave," he chose his words carefully.

Marik smirked. "You mean the troublesome one who interfered that one day?" he asked.

Seto was speechless. How could he respond to that?

Marik continued to smirk. "I'll take that as a yes. Now...why would I know where your slave is?" Marik asked smugly and crossed his arms, as if the High Priest was under his social class.

Seto just stared at him, unable to answer the question and unable to bare his attitude.

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Well?" he prodded.

"I just thought, maybe—" he said feebly but was interrupted by Marik.

"That maybe she was with me? Now why would that be?" Marik asked slyly. "For Ra's sake, I really don't have a reason, do I? Besides, even if I did decide to take her from you, I would have told you first."

Seto glared at him. "Fine. Whatever," he replied bitterly as he walked away.

Marik smiled as he walked into his chamber. This was the second time he won today...

Okay. Just focus, Anippe thought to herself as she concentrated on the tray ahead. She stood up, for the third time in a row, and tried to just reach the tray. She was too weak to do anything. Even breathing was a pain for her now. She felt relief as her hands clasped the cold, hard handles of the golden tray.

Marik, lying on a couch with his hand propped up to support his head, cocked an eyebrow at Anippe. This was more entertaining than he thought it would be...

Anippe held on to the tray for a few moments to steady herself and carefully lifted it up. As soon as she did, it clattered to the floor, as did Anippe. Her two hands were held out in front of her to break her fall, but a surge of pain went through her body nevertheless. Soon enough, she heard two quick snaps as two welts formed on her back.

Marik was still lying leisurely on the couch, except he had been able to pull out a twelve-foot whip in a split-second. He cracked the whip hard enough to draw blood.

Anippe felt herself becoming less and less aware of her surroundings. She felt light-headed and dizzy. Her body wouldn't stop trembling. The welts on her back were actually producing some warm, fuzzy feeling in that area, which was a lot more comforting than what the rest of her body was going through. She could hardly feel the blood seep through the wounds on her back. She stayed there, collapsed on the floor with her hands held out in front of her to support her. Her breathing was raspy and broken up. She could barely keep her eyes open, and yet she tried to stare at the floor to help her concentrate on blocking out the pain. It wasn't working.

Marik lazily got off the couch and made his way over to Anippe. He rubbed his cheek against her shoulder and smiled viciously. He drew his finger over one of the wounds the whip had made on her back, allowing blood to build up on his finger.

Anippe shuddered slightly as Marik's finger pressed into one of her wounds, exerting more pain than necessary. She whimpered a little and stiffened, unable to bear the pain.

Marik smiled as his finger reached the top of the first wound. He brought the finger to his lips and licked the blood off it, taking pleasure in the luxurious taste. He licked his lips and leaned on her back to lick off the second welt his whip had made.

Anippe's arms collapsed beneath her when Marik added his weight to hers. The feeling of his tongue over her back was uncomfortable, but not as painful as the pressure he was applying to her open welt. It seemed that he was actually pressing as hard as he could. She cried out in pain, unable to tolerate much more. Her breathing got even more broken up than before.

Marik smiled and allowed his tongue to crawl up her back slowly, taking in the taste of her blood to the fullest. The fact that she was in serious pain only added to his enjoyment.

Anippe whimpered as she lay there, collapsed on the floor, too weak to fight back.

Once Marik was done with the wound, he examined Anippe, weak and helpless. He smiled as he turned her over so that she was facing him. "Calm down my little pet," he said soothingly as he rubbed his cheek against hers and buried his head into her neck.

Anippe stiffened slightly, but was too weak to do anything at all. All she could concentrate on now was Marik, who was just about lying on top of her. She squirmed a little, but that only caused Marik to press down harder on her, exerting force into her stomach wound, once again. She let out a barely audible moan.

Marik smiled, still enjoying the taste of Anippe's blood in his mouth. "Mm," he murmured softly in her ear. His lips grazed her cheek and made his way to her mouth.

Anippe stiffened and averted her head.

Marik continued to smile while he turned her head back to his. He kissed her harshly, brutally.

Anippe tensed and let out a small whimper as she felt his tongue pass her lips.

Marik's kiss intensified the longer he held it. Finally, he let go, leaving Anippe gasping for breath.

Anippe's face was completely flushed and coughed lightly. She had now idea what she could say, or do, to stop from his torturous assault. She tried to calm down, but she could already feel darkness consuming her mind. She closed her eyes, trying to stay conscious. It didn't work; soon enough, she was left lying unconscious on the cold, hard floor of Marik's chamber.

Damn, Seto thought. I could have sworn Layla was with him...there'd be no other explanation. But he said himself that he didn't have a reason to take Layla...but he could be lying... For Ra's sake! Why did my life have to get so complicated? Seto growled. There would be no other explanation. Layla had to be with Marik. That's the only place she could be... But Marik... No. Wait. Things suddenly snapped into place. He does have a reason to take Layla... She did enough that one-day to have Marik hold a grudge against her...for a long time...

He pondered this thought for a while. Damn it! He'd been tricked! He halted right in his walk back to his chambers and started to backtrack...back to Marik's.

Yami was sitting in his chair with his hand propped up on the desk and his head on top of it, his eyes looking down. If this continued much longer, he'd go insane. He groaned. He could concentrate on anything...except for Anippe...and how helpless she was... He shook his head. He couldn't go on like this for much longer.

"Yami? Is something up?" someone asked from behind. Her voice was filled with worry.

Yami smiled. Maybe she could help him overcome his guilt. There. He said it. He was in a state of guilt, an enormous weakness for a Pharaoh. "Tea," he said softly. "What brings you here?"

Tea smiled slyly. "I heard you were acting strangely for the last few days. So I decided to come talk to you."

Yami turned around to face Tea. "Well. I guess something has been bothering me these past few days..." That's all he could get out. How could he explain how he was feeling? Even to a person like Tea?

Tea looked at him anxiously. "Like what?" Tea asked.

Yami looked into Tea's eyes, full of worry and concern. He sighed and decided to tell her everything.

Layla stared fearfully as the doorknob started to turn. The dagger was still wedged in her chest. The blood had stopped though, which was a good thing.

Marik walked through the door, eager to finish what he had started before he got rudely interrupted. He walked over to Layla and gripped the dagger's handle, smiling evilly at Layla.

Layla cried out in pain as Marik ripped the dagger out of her wound.

Marik just stood there, watching Layla suffer, gripping the bloody dagger in his hand.

After a few minutes, Layla's scream softened to a moan. Her breathing was raggedy. Her entire body was now coursing with pain. She glared at Marik in hatred.

Marik smiled even more sweetly. Layla's reaction was better than he expected. He brought the blade to his lips and slowly licked the blood off.

Layla stared at him in disgust. She continued to whimper for the pain just wouldn't cease.

When the blade was clean, he carefully put it aside. He put his head next to her wound, careful not to get any blood on him. He heard her heartbeat, fast-paced and loud. He smiled; this was just his day. He was having so much fun! He stood up and looked at Layla, how weak she was.

Layla whimpered a bit, but other than that, she was completely quiet. Her head was hung low, too weak to do much else.

Marik frowned. Where those footsteps? He growled. Who was it this time?! He turned around and headed toward the door.

Seto practically stomped into Marik's chambers, furious and savage. He looked around the room for Marik. He didn't find him. Instead, he found Yami's slave sprawled across the floor, unconscious. He growled. He knew Marik was up to something.

Suddenly, Marik burst through a room in his chamber, for his chamber led to more rooms. He was quite tousled and seemed to be in a rush to get out of there.

Seto eyed him suspiciously. "What's in there?" he demanded.

Marik had completely lost his cool. "What's in where?" he asked frantically, desperately trying to hide where Layla was.

"The door you're standing in front of," Seto said coldly. "Show me what's behind it."

"What?!" Marik cried out bewildered. "You—you can't do that! That stuff in there is private!"

"I am the High Priest," Seto explained curtly. "I can do just about anything." And with that, he pushed Marik aside and opened the door himself. Horror struck him as he saw what was behind the door. He glared back at Marik wrathfully.

Marik had fallen on his leg, twisting his ankle, and screamed out in pain. He glared at the High Priest, but the High Priest had cast him an even worse look than he could possibly imagine, so he backed away.

Seto was about to advance on him when Layla whimpered. A flash of worry ran through his eyes once more, and he looked back at Layla. He shook his head. He had to take care of Layla first before he could deal with Marik. He walked over to her and said a spell to release her from her bonds.

Layla would have collapsed onto the floor if the High Priest had not put his arms out to catch her. She was so weak and desperate that she couldn't even move. "Master," she whispered so softly that it was barely audible. "I—I'm sorry," was all that she managed to say before she passed out in his arms.

Seto stared at her worriedly before picking her up and carrying her out of the room. He glared at Marik once more before he left his chambers. As he was walking back to Layla's room, he examined her and only got more worried. Her whole body was full of cuts and bruises, plus the major wound she had in her chest. He sighed. Once he got to her room, he laid her gently on the bed and muttered some spells to heal her chest wound. The other wounds would have to heal by themselves. Besides, they didn't look that bad; there was just a lot of them, that's all. He pulled a chair over next to her bed and sat in it. His head collapsed into his hands, and he prayed that she was going to be all right.

"So that's it. That's what happened," Yami concluded dully.

"And now you're guilty," Tea reasoned, trying to suppress herself from saying 'How could you do such a thing?!'

"Yeah," Yami agreed. "Tea...what should I do?" he asked helplessly.

Tea stared at him for a while. There was really nothing she could advise him on. This was more complicated than she expected...and dealing with a person like Marik wasn't easy... "I think you should go to Marik's chambers and see what's really going on," Tea advised. It was the best thing she could come up with. She didn't want to just tell Yami there was nothing she could do, or think of, after all the trouble he went through to tell her his story... Besides...she had to admit...she liked him...a lot...

Yami's eyes lit up. Why didn't he think of that? "Good idea. Thanks Tea," he said as he headed out the door.

Tea smiled. "No problem," she replied.

Yami walked in Marik's chambers and saw Marik feebly trying to get up. His right leg seemed like it was in serious pain.

Marik held onto a desk and tried to lift himself up. His right ankle must have been sprained. Once he got himself at standing height, he accidentally put some pressure on his right ankle and cried out in agony as he fell back down on his leg. He cursed for a while. Then he looked up to find the Pharaoh staring at him curiously. His face flushed. First the High Priest, now the Pharaoh... "M—my Pharaoh," he stammered, hoping he wouldn't look around and find Anippe lying on the floor. He cursed inwardly at his stupidity. He should have put her in a room, somewhere out-of-sight. "W—what are you doing in my chamber?"

Yami cocked an eyebrow before speaking. "I came to talk to Anippe," he replied casually. It wasn't in the agreement that he couldn't talk to her; he just couldn't interfere.

Marik's face flushed even more. "She—she's busy right now," he managed to get out.

Yami's surprise only grew. "Oh? Is that so? So busy that she doesn't even have time to talk to her master? I don't think so," Yami stated matter-of-factly.

Marik was speechless. What could he say?

Yami took Marik's silence as a bad omen as he looked around the room. Soon enough, he spotted Anippe, unconscious on the floor. Anger fumed inside him. He glowered back at Marik. "MARIK," Yami practically screamed through gritted teeth.

Marik was silent, casting his eyes down toward the floor. He didn't want to get punished more than what was necessary.

Yami's anger was rising. No words could express what he was feeling. He glared at Marik, and then looked back at Anippe. He growled. He'd have to deal with Marik later. "Marik," Yami snarled, "You'll pay for this!" He carefully picked up Anippe, noticing that numerous numbers of bruises and cuts and...wounds she had. He glared back at Marik as he left the chamber.

Marik let out the breath he had been holding. He'd gotten off lucky...with both the High Priest and the Pharaoh...

Alley Cat: Okay...now everybody feel sympathetic toward Marik! He has a sprained ankle! How could you do such a thing! (glares a Seto)

Seto: What?!

Dark Conscience: ... (sweatdrop)

Alley Cat: (sighes) Yeah... So Marik's not going to be in the next few chapters...probably... I tend to procrastinate...

Dark Conscience: AKA: She doesn't think ahead.

Alley Cat: Shut up!

Dark Conscience: (snickers)

Alley Cat: Anway, my ending may seem a bit rushed...well, I was rushed...for reasons I'm not going to explain. So...I must go because I am currently limited on time. So R&R!!!!!! n.n