Forgotten Love

Chapter 5

By egyptionkitty

Disclaimer: No, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh… don't we all wish we did. Especially us fan girls! Then we could do whatever the hell we wanted! XD

Wow, I haven't updated for… five weeks. I'M SO SORRY! I was going to update a looooong time ago, but thanks to the new homework load, I really couldn't… and I'm lazy. Well, it's also because I had mild writers block, and this is a really important chapter, so I don't want to mess it up, although I am bound to mess it up anyways. And by the way…

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving weekend, which is four days, is one of the reasons I'm actually updating. Because 1) No homework! And 2) I actually have enough time… I was also kinda banned off the computer for awhile for "downloading too many things" Pshh. My parents have no idea how much slower my computer could be if I didn't limit the amount of things I saved on it. So, that's my very long explanation and apology! Now lets get on with the chapter… hint hint, it's the one you've all been waiting for, and this fic is about to live up to its title…

o o o o o

The light of day was peeking out of the window, and directly went on Marik's eyes, as the loud yodel (what else am I supposed to call it?) of a rooster rang out clearly. Marik got up from his bed sleepily as he rubbed his eyes, and trying to get the bitter taste from out of his mouth. He just remembered the night before, and how much he had enjoyed it, the perfect night with the perfect friend. Maybe marrying Katara wasn't going to be so bad. Marik happily thought to himself the great future he was going to have, but suddenly, his blood ran cold.

Today was the tomb keeper initiation.

Marik just realized how much he despised the Tammuz (another word for initiation) and dreaded how it was creeping up on him, minutes being wasted until the final hour. Marik could feel tears well up in his eyes, and he was on the brim of crying; he knew from the screams he had heard while others were taking the initiation, and shuddered at the thought. Why, he was only a boy of twelve! Not even a day older than twelve, but nonetheless, his father was going to drag him into that horrid room, where the carvers will etch the pharaoh's memory into his back forever. The young boy became angry when he thought about the pharaoh. Why did he have to suffer so much pain for a dead person! The pharaoh wasn't the only one Marik despised; he also loathed his father for making him go thorough it. There was only one comforting thought; at least Katara was going to comfort him when he was going to do the scariest and probably most painful thing he will ever do in his life.

Marik sat in his bed, comforting himself, until there was a loud bang at the door. Curious, Marik said "Enter", but before he even finished the word, Odeon ran into the room. The young boy was surprised to see him covered in sweat and panting, obviously afraid. Odeon kept on saying something very fast, but was incomprehensible to Marik.

"What is it?" Marik asked in fright, fearing the worst. By the look of his faithful servant and brother, there was obviously wrong.

Suddenly, three guards ran in after Odeon, and attempted to restrain him, as the confused child looked in horror. They were slapping him and shouting curses, saying that he ought to be killed for his treachery. Marik tried to make some sense from their words, and he slowly realized that they were speaking about them leaving the household late last night.

And then, the worst possible thing occurred.

Slowly stalking into his son's room, Mr. Ishtar himself sauntered into the room, a long and painful looking whip in one hand, and a look of pure hate and anger upon his face.

"What were you doing outside the Ishtar household so late at night?" Mr. Ishtar yelled, as he brandished the whip as if ready to strike.

Odeon said nothing, for he dared not to get the young master in trouble. Marik looked wildly from his father, then to Odeon, praying silent prayers to Ra.

Mr. Ishtar narrowed his eyes as he hit the target… Odeon's face. The whip flew so fast, Odeon didn't know what hit him… but it did leave a red mark. Marik stared, stunned that his father could be so cruel.

After several whippings, each more powerful then the one that had proceeded, Odeon still did not budge. Then, a cruel smile came upon Mr. Ishtar's distorted features.

"Tell me where you went," Mr. Ishtar began, as he narrowed his eyes, "or I'll whip Marik." Mr. Ishtar then turned to his own son, who had nearly fallen out of the bed.

A pained look came upon Odeon's normally expressionless features as he looked down. Then he looked up at the cruel man and said, "We had gone… above ground,"

The guards gasped, as they looked at both Odeon and Marik in disbelief. Marik stared fearfully at his father, and he knew what was coming.

Mr. Ishtar slowly turned to face his son, his ugly features in shock. Marik's father then let out a cry of rage, as the whip came crashing down to the terrorized boy. Odeon stared in defeat as the whip hit the twelve-year-old's ankle, and the child let out a cry of pain. After the mere child looked down at his ankle, which was now red and puffy, he looked up at his father, who struck him across the face. Mr. Ishtar had obviously struck very hard, because a loud sound emanated. There was a low murmur between the guards, as Odeon looked in pity at his master, whom he cared more about then himself almost. Eyeing all the people in the room, Mr. Ishtar roared to Odeon, "If this was ever to happen again," Mr. Ishtar eyed his son nastily, "I swear to Ra I will execute you."

Marik let out a gasp of repulsion as his father (hardly) led the guards out of the room. Now, Marik really did feel like crying. But no, he would not show his weak side to Odeon, much less his father. He transformed that sadness into hate… hate of his father. Mr. Ishtar couldn't care less if his son hated him, as long as he was taught to obey his commands, because if he ever did, the punishments would be harsh. Marik was aware that he was very lucky this time, and didn't doubt that his father had something much worse in store… Marik was sure that his father would tell the carver to make it more painful. Marik sat on his bed, hugging his knees in deep thought, as Odeon came and sat next to his master.

"I'm sorry, Master Marik," Odeon whispered solemnly, and after a few minutes, he added, "To prove my devotion to you, I will also have the ancient hieroglyphics on my face."

Marik looked up, shocked that his own stepbrother would do something like that. Marik smiled at his servant… no, his stepbrother. Odeon had somewhat of a smile upon his face, but he tried his best to refrain from smiling. After all, it was unprofessional. The young master then climbed out of the bed as he searched his closet. He knew that he wasn't going to need to wear a shirt, but since Katara promised to come, he couldn't walk around without a shirt. Marik was still in a bad mood, because of the ordeal that morning, and that the Tammuz was less than two hours away. Not even the thought of Tamara coming over could cheer him up. Marik knew that this was bound to be the worst day of his life… for many reasons…

o o o o o

Katara had come only 15 minutes before the initiation, and when she did come, she had realized that her friend was in a foul mood. He wouldn't speak to her, and his normal cheery mood was gone; it was as if the Marik she used to know never existed. Odeon sat beside Marik the whole time, and was not willing to reveal what put Marik in such a foul mood. Katara tried to hug Marik and comfort him, but whenever she moved toward to embrace him, he would just push her away. Katara found the behavior quite hurtful, as if he wasn't her friend in the first place. For some reason, Odeon also looked anxious.

Because Katara was sitting in the comfortable sofa beside the fireplace, she saw the grim looking carver walk past Marik's room, and he gave Katara a wicked look, as he carved the hand dagger Katara supposed he would use for the terrible procedure. Katara had no idea what it was like, because her initiation was done when she was a young baby, due to the fact that her parents were against hurting children. Besides, hers was a mere fire symbol with NARAZRAK written in tiny hieroglyphics. It was barely bigger than if you put your middle finger to your thumb, and it was on her right hip. Over time, the mark stretched out, making it look bigger. But, Katara could not deny that she was truly worried for Marik. She felt as if she was hurting inside for him.

As she stared at Marik's expression, she realized what had been bothering him so much. After spending so many years with him, she knew when her friend was troubled. Katara noticed red marks over Odeon's face, and she quickly examined Marik's skin in sign for similar marks on his tan skin. Katara spotted a bright red mark on his ankle, not to mention that it was swollen. Marik soon realized that Katara was looking at his ankle, so he quickly covered his ankle. The preteen gave Katara a quick fearful glance, as heavy footsteps could be heard in the hall. It then dawned to Katara that Marik and Odeon had gotten into trouble… and Mr. Ishtar had punished them. Tears started to well up inside Katara as she cried for her best friend… her only friend for that matter. There weren't many girls underground, and if there were any girls, they were rather old. Katara started to cry even more as a deep voice beckoned Marik to enter… the Tammuz room. Odeon go up and followed his master, earning a questioning glance from Katara.

Katara couldn't bear it… she had to follow him all the way through. She jumped off the sofa and ran to her best fried… when she had finally caught up with him, she whispered something in his ear.

"I'm following you the whole way through," Katara whispered, as she continued to walk to Marik's fast pace.

Marik looked shocked, but still gave Katara a relieved smile. When Katara wasn't looking, Marik smiled softly and realized what a good friend he had.

When they finally reached the end of the hall, Odeon demanded that they do him first. The carver shrugged, because that meant more work for him. You only become a Tammuz Carver if you enjoy your profession, which this carver very much did. Marik and Katara stayed outside, as the listened to Odeon's scream as the carver plunged his dagger into Odeon's face. Although they were standing outside, both Marik and Katara could imagine the sickening scene. Odeon's screams of pain only made it more vivid. Marik felt sick at the stomach when he thought about how Odeon's screams would very soon be replaced by his. Katara looked worriedly at Marik, as he was holding his stomach. Katara stood and listened, trying not to imagine how Odeon felt or looked. It was sickening even listening to the ghastly howls and screams. Katara shuddered at the thought that Marik might be going through the same thing… but over a larger area…

Suddenly, the screaming stopped. The young preteens relaxed, as Katara's bangles clattered together. Even their breathing could be heard. Odeon walked out of the room, blood smeared over half of his face. Katara refrained from gasping, but looked fearfully at Odeon's face. Odeon gave Marik a long and somber gaze as he stalked to the servant's bathroom, to wash his face.

A deep voice said, "Enter," and Marik turned to Katara and gave her a panicked look. The young girl looked solemnly as she gave Marik a passionate embrace. This time, Marik didn't pull back. He just stared at the worn walls with hieroglyphics spelling out TAMMUZ. Katara wanted to whisper to Marik that she liked him very much, but she could not express it without being embarrassed. Then again, when was she bashful?

Without thinking, Katara whispered, "I like you very much, Marik…"

Marik pulled back from the embrace and looked surprised at what she said, as if she was kidding.

"Really?" Marik asked, scratching his hair, with a nervous laugh. It was quite obvious that he like her just as much… but it couldn't be called love. Love was too much of a powerful word for mere 12 year olds.

Before Katara could reply, a blood covered hand perched upon Marik's shoulder, followed by the Carver's body. His hollow eyes stared down at the two, as he said in a gaunt voice, "It is time,"

Marik sighed as he pulled off his shirt, and following the sunken man. He looked back at Katara longingly, and her brilliant orange eyes were forming tears. It was then she decided to go in with him.

Before the scary looking man closed the stone door, Katara ran into the room. It was a large stone room, with Mr. Ishtar sitting in the audience, along with Katara's parents. Her mother seemed sad to see Odeon's act of loyalty. The sobbing girl walked up the steps and took a seat next to her mother, who put a comforting arm around her daughter. Katara had decided she was strong enough to watch her best friend become a tomb keeper… although it would take much bravery on both parts. For some strange reason, the Mr. Ishtar had an evil look of satisfaction upon his face. Was it to punish Marik…? No, Katara decided, Mr. Ishtar couldn't be that cruel…

After wiping off the bloody dagger the carver had used on Odeon, Marik was asked to lie on his stomach on a very uncomfortable stone bed. The torches lit in the stone room made it stuffy, but the light shone on Marik's tan back. The dagger was raised… and was plunged into Marik's tender flesh. Marik screamed a long mournful wail, but Mr. Ishtar looked like he was about to laugh. Katara stared at the cruel man in disbelief as he whispered to her father, "That wretched boy is getting what he deserves,"

Katara's father didn't reply as he looked pitifully at the moaning boy. Was it just Katara, or was Marik sending hating looks to his father? The young girl wanted to run down the steps and ease the boy's pain, but knew that it was impossible; if she did, they might as well stick the dagger in her. Katara began to cry all over again, except even harder than before for her beloved friend. Why was he going through so much pain? Why couldn't she help him?

After almost a few hours worth of screaming and crying, the carving was finally done… but there was still one more task to perform. The carver started to clean up the blood spread over his back from the many cuts and gashes as he muttered an old spell to make the cuts permanent and never fade. Pain shot up through Marik's back as he said the spell, and his voice was hoarse from all the screaming. Then, after the enchantment, the carver took out a brush and mysterious black ink that never faded, as he started to paint the hieroglyphics engraved in his back, making them sting unbearably. Marik refused to give his father satisfaction, as he beard the pain shooting up through his back. He clamped his mouth closed to stop him from yelping in pain. At last, the Tammuz had finished, and Katara was thrilled that Marik had been so brave. Katara was going to rush down the steps to congratulate him, until there was a cruel laughing ringing in the room. Katara stared up at him in disbelief, hardly daring to believe that Mr. Ishtar would be laughing at his son after completing the terrible ordeal. But nonetheless, he continued to laugh.

Marik looked up from the stone table as he looked up at his father in a newfound hatred. How could his father laugh at him, after putting him through all that pain and suffering? What kind of cruel maniac would do such a thing? Suddenly, Marik's heart started pumping faster and a new power was surging through his veins. A dark force seemed to have made his hair go up, and it stuck up like a cockatoo. (I couldn't really compare it to anything else…) His normally kind, velvety eyes turned fierce and savage. The millennium eye symbol was now on his forehead. A cruel grin came upon his face as he stood up, and he pulled on a shirt.

The carver had left to clean his hands, and this new, evil Marik, eyed the bloody dagger. He picked it up and started to walk menacingly toward his father. Katara looked at this strange new Marik, not the kind hearted boy she had learned to befriend. He stared back at her as he climbed up the stairs to his father. He gave her a cruel smile as he slowly continued to walk up the stairs. Katara had a strange feeling at the pit of her stomach, and knew it was not good… not good at all.

The intimidating young boy slowly paced up to his father, but Katara knew that his intention wasn't good at all… His violet orbs seemed lifeless, unlike the shining eyes Katara had learned to admire. Katara's mother and father looked gravely at the young boy, and realized his intention. In attempt to stop him, the father of the Narazrak family started to send flaming blue fireballs at the boy, but Katara cried out "NO!" in fear that he would be heart. She didn't have to worry about him, because the fireballs dissolved inches before it hit him, as if there was a strange force field.

Ignoring the attempted attacks, Marik continued to walk up, until he was a mere few feet away from his father.

"Stay back!" Mr. Ishtar barked, but it was obvious that he was scared. Marik ignored his father's command and continued to proceed. The boy raised the dagger above his head, and Mrs. Narazrak screamed and fainted. Mr. Narazrak got up and tried to run up to the boy and stop him, but he was too late…

The dagger plunged down into Mr. Ishtar's heart. Katara stared at disbelief. Her head was buzzing, not wanting to believe what she had just seen. Blood started to spill out of the man's chest, as he let out a wail of pain. The fearful girl knew that her eyes were not defying her… Marik had really killed his father.

All of a sudden, Marik seemed to have returned to normal. His eyes were no longer cruel; the symbol of the millennium eye was no longer on his forehead. His hair fell back down on his shoulders. The young teen looked shocked to see his father bleeding in a pool of blood. Marik looked down at his hands, and found them covered in blood. Also, there was a dagger in his father's heart.

Marik started crying in disbelief. Had he killed his father? Ishizu, who had been waiting quietly in the corner, ran to her little brother, and comforting him. Katara decided that it was now safe to approach her friend, and she ran up the stairs. She cried out, "Marik!"

The boy looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

"Oh my Ra! Thank Ra you are okay!" Katara cried out, kneeling beside him, as her dress became soaked in Mr. Ishtar's blood.

Still staring at Katara with a confused look, Marik asked, "Who are you?"

o o o o o

Finito. Yes, I know it's a very sad chapter. In fact, took me 2 and half hours to write, which is quite a while for me. I finally finished it… I'm so proud of myself! GO ME! I'm sorry if you don't like it. Basically, Marik forgets all about Katara in this chapter. Sad, yes, and that is how this fic got its name… I'm very annoyed that the hits counter was reset, but nothing I can do about it. Also, I'm kinda annoyed that they put a reply review thing, so I guess its okay so I can reply to your reviews without my fic being deleted. WOW! 39 reviews for 4 chapters! I'm very thrilled. That's 22 reviews less than my other fic, which is completed with 10 chapters! To some people, that might be how much you get in a chapter, but I'm still very pleased. GO REVIEWERS! And happy turkey day!