I'm back again! Aren't you all thrilled? (cricket chirps) Fine. Be that way. See if I care.

There are now three reviewers to the story. Welcome Swordsman! I would like to thank you for your contributions to the review list, but more importantly I want to thank you so much for the tips you gave me! I must agree with you now that I look over my rough draft: Yami is pondering over having no memories far too frequently. I've gone over the chapters I've yet to type up and edited sections, getting rid of some completely. Kudos for pointing that out! I've now combined the first draft chapters 5 and 6 into the final draft of chapter 5. -- …even though that means you're all catching up to me and my writing speed…. So this chapter will be longer…a LOT longer…

About the golden book; you mentioned that this is like the golden book of Amun Ra in "The Mummy." Yes that's true, although it doesn't function quite the same. Now don't worry, I'm not resurrecting any people from the past. I argued with myself for a long time whether or not to make it a golden book….however, I don't want to give incidents in this chapter away, so I'll explain my reasons at the end of the chapter. Thank you for saying that though; I was meaning to point that out but I forgot. (kowtows in gratitude)

On to my next poem for this chapter. My sister wants to have a typed argument with me at the end of one of the chapters, so brace yourselves. You all should be soooo grateful to her. She makes sure that I keep writing….(I'm a slave! 00)

Echo

No memories,

No fond thoughts

Of long ago,

A past.

I'm a figure

With no reflection.

When light shines

No shadow's cast.

Before this

Present time

Lies fragments

Of broken glass.

It shattered

Long ago.

What once was

Could never last.

I'm a body

With no soul.

I'm a creature

With no dream.

I am a form

Forgotten.

I am pain

Without a scream.

I was once

A powerful god;

A life full of

Glory and fame.

Now my dreams

Are full of echoes,

And I do not

Have a name.

Chapter 5: The Deal

Ryou sat alone in the living room. All the lights were off. There was a chill lingering in the air from the open window in the kitchen.

He delicately picked up a picture that was sitting on the mantle. It was a fairly recent photograph, taken only a month or so earlier. It was the only recent photo he had.

It was an image of Marik and Bakura. Marik was lying on the couch, chin on the arm. He had on his classic "Marik"grin; that was the only way to describe it.

Bakura was lounging on top of Marik's back. His eyes were focused on the camera, a slight smirk on his face. It was an average look for his yami. Ryou smiled as he stared at it.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Ryou stood up quickly, the picture frame crashing to the floor. He scrambled on his hands and knees in an attempt to gather the broken glass into a pile. Hastely he snatched the photograph out of the smashed frame and rushed to the door, which was still being pounded on insistently.

"Yes yes wha….Marik!" Ryou exclaimed at the panting figure in the doorway.

"Kura…Bakura!" Marik managed.

"What about Bakura? Marik, what happened? Where's my yami?" Ryou's voice escalated.

"He…didn't come back?" Marik's voice sounded pitiful.

"Where's Bakura?" Ryou pulled Marik inside.

"He didn't come back?" the blond questioned again.

"No no!" Ryou answered quickly, desperate for an explaination.

Marik stood in the living room, a helpless look on his face. Ryo watched as the young Egyptian trudged over to the couch and flopped down. Rubbing his eyes, Marik laid on his back.

"He was acting really weird. He wouldn't tell me what was wrong. I didn't chase him. I….I thought he was going home…" Marik's voice caught in his throat.

Ryou stood next to the sofa. Marik knew his yami better than anyone else. If the blond was this worried, something was terribly wrong.

"I…what should we do?" Ryou whispered.

Marik closed his eyes. "We wait. If he isn't home by morning…"

"But what if he's in trouble!" Ryou protested, eyes stinging.

"You think this is easy for me? He's my best friend!" Marik spat angrily, eyes blazing.

Ryou stared at the floor, his jaw clenched. Marik could just make out the outlines of the other boy's features in the dimness of the room.

Sighing, the blond said more gently, "Ry, there's nothing we can do. Kura's a thief. If he doesn't want to be found, he won't be."

Ryou nodded slowly, eyes still downcast.

Marik smirked. "Guess we'd better get some sleep."

Ryou didn't ask Marik to stay. He knew the Egyptian would.

"All right. I'll go to bed…do you need a blanket?"

"Make that two blankets," Marik shivered as Ryou began to head for the hallway. "…and a pillow…and some hot chocolate would be nice…"

"Marik!"

"What?"

Ryou smiled slightly. He walked down the darkened hallway. Marik always seemed to know the way to find some light in a bad situation.

The hikari gone, Marik's grin dropped from his face. He was trying to make Ryou stay calm and not worry too much.

'No point in both of us worrying,' Marik reasoned as he stared blankly at the ceiling.

The lights of a passing car lit the room for an instant. Marik's gaze fell on a small object next to the couch. Reaching down, he picked up a crinkled piece of paper that'd been dropped there. Unfolding it, he found himself staring at his and Bakura's faces.

"You had better be all right," he mumbled holding his knees against himself, photograph gripped tightly in his hand.

Early the next morning Marik tiptoed down the hallway to the stairs. He didn't turn on the lights as he headed upward.

"Eeep!" he squeaked, tripping over some unknown object.

He stood perfectly still, listening intently for any movements. Satisfied with the silence, he continued down the hall, stepping carefully, more alert.

Coming to the first door Marik carefully turned the doorknob. The door opened noiselessly. Marik poked his head in. There was a lump on the bed in the center of the room. Not detecting any quick movements, Marik went back into the hall, leaving the hikari to sleep.

Continuing down the hall, Marik came to the door at the end. Deciding not to bother knocking, he pushed the door fully open.

"Kura?" he whispered.

Marik wandered into the room. The place was tidy except for the pile of clothes on the floor. Marik wasn't certain if they were dirty or clean, and quite frankly, he had no intention of finding out. Crossing the room, he came to the bed in the corner. It was empty.

Cursing under his breath, Marik turned around and headed for the door. Not caring about sore feet he walked quickly back down the hallway. He only treaded softly near Ryou's room.

He headed outside, putting his helmet on as he mounted his motorcycle.

"Damn you, Kura," he growled, speeding off down the street.

The house was left completely empty now. All that remained was the supposed hikari asleep in his bed. What Marik did not know was that Ryou had left an hour before him.

An insistent pounding on the game shop door was the wake up call at the Mutou residence.

"Coming coming," Mr. Mutou called sleepily as he made his way to the front.

Opening the door, he found a distraught Ryou.

"My goodness! What happened, Ryou?" Mr. Mutou exclaimed, now awake.

"My yami…! Did Bakura come here?" Ryou pleaded, glancing around Mr. Mutou into the shop.

"I'm sorry, Ryou. Bakura hasn't come by," the old man replied, confused.

Without another word Ryou turned and raced off down the street. Sighing to himself, Mr. Motou picked up his jacket and left as well, heading for the grocery store.

"That is awesome!" Honda exclaimed, eyes wide.

"So…how are you going to get it open?" Anzu asked, setting her tray down at their lunch table.

"I haven't figured it out yet," Yami answered.

"Just think! Before the end of the weekend Yami could have his memories!" Anzu grinned.

Jou sat quietly, slowly munching his lunch.

"Hey man, you're sure quiet today," Honda observed.

"Eh? Oh. Didn't sleep well last night," Jou mumbled.

The others exchanged worried glances but didn't press. Jou continued to pick at his food in silence.

"So do you know any spells or such that could get this book open?" Honda continued, turning a slice of garlic bread over and over, inspecting it.

"No," Yami admitted.

"Hmm…sounds like we need to study some stuff on ancient Egypt," Honda said thoughtfully, popping the approved bread into his mouth.

"We?" Yami blinked.

"Naturally. We've stuck with you two through thick and thin. You didn't think we'd quit now when you're so close!" Anzu laughed.

Yami smiled, glad to have others to lean on.

"We could go to the library after school!" Anzu smiled.

"We could start tomorrow instead. The weekend, you know…" Honda replied, wanting a little free time.

"I don't think the library will have the answers we're looking for," Yami sighed. "The archaeologists, who are very knowledgeable on ancient Egypt, didn't recognize the book. They've never seen one that couldn't be opened."

"Take a chain saw to it," Honda grinned.

"Ryou wasn't at school today," Honda stated as they walked down the street that afternoon.

"Do you think Bakura did something to him?" Yugi asked worriedly.

"I've no doubt that the tomb robber has something to do with his hikari's absence," Yami growled.

"I…" Yami began, but his voice was drowned out by a passing motorist. He paused a moment as it passed; he was startled when the bike did a U-turn and sped back towards them.

"What da heck!" Jou exclaimed.

The bike came to a halt next to the group. Yami stood protectively in front of his companions. The others wearily eyed the stranger.

"Pharaoh!"

Yami nearly jumped out of his skin.

"What did you…How…who are you?" Yami demanded, flustered.

"Oh honestly…" the motorist took off his helmet.

"Marik!" they all exclaimed.

"Such a cheery greeting," Marik rolled his violet eyes.

"What do you want?"Jou growled, balling his hands into fists.

"Touche." Marik ginned smugly.

Jou lunged forward only to be pulled back by Honda and Anzu. Marik smirked at this, yet his attention seemed distracted by something.

"I'll repeat Jou's question: What do you want?" Yami continued, wishing the young Egyptian would leave.

"Getting a kick out of teasing loud-mouthed dogs…Come on! I've got more important things to do," Marik stated, shining his helmet with a corner of his black muscle shirt.

"Then why don't you go off and do those important things and leave us alone!" Honda spat.

"Aren't you a bit low on the food chain to be yapping off?" Marik retorted.

"Honda don't!" Yugi pleaded, catching his friend's arm as he started forward.

Marik turned to Yami. His light violet eyes were intense. Yami stared back defiantly.

"Have you seen Bakura?" Marik questioned.

"As in today?" Honda asked, confused by the sudden change of subjects.

"Why?" Yami asked, narrowing his eyes.

"Just answer the question!"

"Why should we?" Jou yelled back.

"Tell you what: You answer my question and I'll answer yours," Honda stated as he folded his arms across his chest.

"Shoot," Marik shrugged, drumming his fingers on the helmet impatiently.

"Where is Ryou today?"

Marik's eyes widened slightly. "What? He didn't go to school?"

The group shook their heads.

Marik swore under his breath, quickly putting on his helmet and starting up the motorcycle.

"Marik, what is it? What's happening?" Anzu cried.

"I've gotta get back there!" Turning to Yami, Marik said, "Call Ryou's house if you see Bakura!" He roared off down the road without any explanation.

"Man oh man," Jou moaned, running a hand through his disheveled, blond hair.

"Should we head over there too?" Anzu asked with worry.

"No," Yami stated. "Tomorrow's Saturday. Yugi and I will stop over there in the morning.

Marik burst into the house, panting heavily.

"Ryou? Kura? Anybody home?"

Pounding up the stairs he barged into Ryou's room. The white-haired boy looked exhausted. Dark circles were forming under his chocolate brown eyes. He was lying on his bed.

"Ry!" Marik sighed in relief, coming over to the bed. "Are you all right? The pharaoh and his fan club said…"

"He's home."

"What?"

"Bakura's home," Ryou repeated glumly.

"Where? When?"

"About an hour ago," Ryou yawned, burying his face in a pillow.

Marik raced down the hall. He threw open the door to find the room dark. The curtains were drawn. In the corner there was a lump under the bed sheets.

"Kura!" Marik stomped over and began punching the lump. He stopped quickly when he realized it wasn't a body he was hitting. It was a pile of blankets.

"I figured you'd do something like that," a voice behind him stated.

"Why you son of a bitch! Where have you been? We were looking everywhere for you!" Marik screamed at the thief.

"Which was very idiotic of you."

"What the hell happened? Why were you acting like that? I….I was really scared, Kura…" Marik finished softly.

Bakura studied the boy closely. He hadn't meant to worry him. Marik was the only friend he had, after all. Sighing deeply, he slumped onto the bed.

"I just…I don't know…." he mumbled helplessly, trying to make sense of his previous actions.

Marik laid down, head against his friend's shoulder.

"Just don't do that again," he pleaded.

"…."

"Kura, promise me. Promise me you won't do that again. Ever."

"….I……promise…"

"Who wants dip?" Mr. Mutou smiled, setting a tray of food on the couch.

"Hoo yeah! Dat's the stuff!" Jou laughed, lunging for it.

Honda, Anzu, and Yami were studying the book. Yugi was next to Jou, shuffling through his deck.

"Maybe it'll open if…" Honda demonstrated, pulling at the edge of the book.

"Kids, I'm going to my room to take a nap," Mr. Mutou stated, ascending the stairs.

"All right, Gramps!" Jou waved, fingers covered in orange chip dip.

"There must be a magic seal…" Yami muttered to himself.

"Well, Bakura might know then!" Anzu cried.

"No chance then," Yami sighed in defeat. "The only people that would know how to open it would have to have lived in my rule in ancient Egypt and would have to be knowledgeable in shadow magic."

"What about someone brought up in the ancient ways?" Yugi asked.

"What?" Honda, Yami, and Anzu turned.

"What about Marik? He was raised in the ancient ways and has very accomplished shadow powers."

The others remained silent, glancing unsurely at one another.

"I…" Yami began but stopped.

/Yami, he's the only one who can help…unless you want to track down Isis, his sister/

/But… /

/Or Shadi. Good luck on finding him./

/Yugi/

/Seriously Yami, Marik is your best chance./

"Would Marik cooperate?" Honda wondered.

"Might as well try," Yugi grinned.

"Isn't there anyone else?" Jou growled.

"Now Jou, Marik's changed. His evil side is gone. He even gave Yami the Millennium Rod.," Yugi pointed out.

"Doesn't change much…" Jou huffed.

"Let's call him!" Yugi bounced out of the room.

"Yes let's….Wha? Wait! Abiou, wait a minute!" Yami called, racing after his lighter half.

Yugi snatched up the phone and raced up the stairs.

"Yugi, get back here right now!" Yami yelled, clambering after his lighter half. There was the sound of a door slamming followed by an insistent pounding.

"Sounds like Yug' locked him out," Jou chuckled.

"You open this door right now!" Yami yelled, madly ramming against said door. Suddenly the noise ceased. All was dead quiet.

'They killed each other," Honda grinned.

Marik jumped slightly as he woke. The sound of the phone was coming from downstairs. Glancing at the sleeping thief next to him, he grumbled profanities. Struggling down the stairs he picked up the cursed device.

"Hello?" he mumbled groggily.

"Hi Marik!" a voice chirped.

Marik's eye twitched involuntarily. Voice…too…happy…

"Marik? Yami, stop it!"

"Uhhh….hi Yugi," Marik yawned.

"Yami knock it off! Hi Marik! I'm glad I got a hold of you!" Yugi said hastily.

"Why?" Marik questioned curiously.

"Because….Yami, I said stop!" There was screaming heard in the background.

"Maybe you should call back later…" Marik began.

"No Marik wait!"

"Don't listen to him!" a deeper voice shouted desperately.

"Pharaoh?" Marik blinked.

"Yami! How…where…!"

"I'm on the other phone, dear hikari."

"Heh, forgot about that…" Yugi mumbled.

'This is too weird…' Marik sighed internally.

"Anyway Marik, we have a book here…"

"Stop it, Yugi! Shouldn't the two of us discuss this before…"

"Quiet Yami. Anyway, Marik…"

"I will Not be quiet! Who are you to boss me around?"

"The other half of your soul," Yugi replied smartly.

"Dammit Yugi!"

"Marik, could you…?"

"Yugi, be quiet!"

"NO! This is important!"

"Want me to tell him about your crush?"

"Yami!"

"How you dream about Anzu so and…"

"YAMI!"

"Umm…guys?" Marik began.

"…and blush every time she smiles at you…"

"YAMI WEARS KURIBO BOXERS!" Yugi shrieked.

"Yugi!"

Marik's eyes were bulging out of his head by this point. As amusing as it was that the pharaoh wore kuribo boxers, now was not the time to discuss that. It would, however, be excellent fuel for another day.

"As interesting as lovers and the pharaoh's choice of undergarments are: Is there a point to this phone call?" Marik interjected.

"Yes Marik, we…"

"No! It's pointless! Hang up now!"

"Yami!"

"SHUT UP!" Marik screamed into the receiver.

The lines went silent.

"All right, that's better," Marik sighed. "Now, I'm going to do something drastic if you two start bickering like a married couple. Now…Yugi, what were you about to ask me?"

"Now wait a minute!"

"You shut your mouth, Pharaoh. I'm talking to your hikari at the moment!" Marik growled threateningly.

To his surprise, Yami fell silent.

"All right…umm…" Yugi began, more timid than before. "We have a book here from ancient Egypt. We…uh…can't open it…"

"And you figured good ol' Marik who was raised on the ancient scriptures might be able to help," Marik smiled humorously.

"Well…we think it may hold some answers to Yami's past…" Yugi tried again.

"Sorry. Not interested," Marik sneered. "After all you've put Ryou and Bakura through with this whole 'Yami's past' crap…"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Yami bristled.

"You did something to Kura. He's acting really strangely. Plus, you've been stalking Ryou," Marik spat.

"I did no such thing! I asked Ryou once. Once, Marik! As for the tomb robber, he just has issues." Yami stated defensively.

"Yes! YOU!" Marik yelled back. "Why can't you people leave them alone!"

"I didn't even…!"

"Marik." Yugi's voice was quiet.

"What?" Marik said before he could stop himself.

"Just help us open this book. We won't bother Bakura, Ryou, or anyone else after that about Yami's past," Yugi promised softly.

"I…I…" Marik stuttered.

"Yami, you promise too," Yugi pleaded.

"I…" Yami, too, was speechless.

/Yami…/

"I give you my word, Marik. I won't ask any more of the tomb robber or Ryou."

Marik quietly ascended the stairs. He grabbed his jacket from the floor of Bakura's room. The leather felt cool against his skin as he skipped it over his slender shoulders. He turned to leave.

"Where are you off to?" the thief mumbled from the bed.

"Uhh…just gotta go get the motorcycle filled up," Marik answered nervously.

'The last thing he needs to think is that the pharaoh's using me against him. He's stressed enough as it is,' Marik told himself.

"Oh really?" Bakura's voice held an amount of doubt.

"Yeah. Really," Marik replied confidently, thanking all the deities of the Underworld and the skies above that the Bakura residence only owned one phone.

"Fine. Go if you must," Bakura growled, turning his face to the wall.

"I'll be back soon," Marik reassured his friend, leaving the room.

'It's like ancient spirit PMS or something,' he smirked to himself as he headed down the stairs.

"Hey Marik! Thanks for coming!" Yugi smiled cheerily, bidding the Egyptian to enter.

"Hmm. So what's all this crap about a book?"

"If That's what you want to call it…" Jou growled from the couch.

"Wow. The whole cheerleading team's here too?" Marik grinned smugly.

"Wat!" Jou yelled, jumping to his feet.

"Ignore that moron, Jou," Anzu huffed airily.

"Indeed," Marik yawned lazily, dropping into the empty chair next to the couch.

"Are you hungry, Marik?" Yugi asked politely.

"Hell yeah," Marik nodded.

The others looked on disapprovingly. Yugi brought a tray full of snacks out. Marik dug in, wiping some crumbs on the chair arm.

"So…where's the Pharaoh?" Marik asked between bites.

"He's getting the…"

"I'm here," a deep voice said from the stairway.

Marik turned slightly, shifting in his seat so he could view the other. Yami stood tall and proud on the bottom step. His eyes burned intensely into Marik's.

The young Egyptian's attention, however, was elsewhere. Tucked in the pharaoh's arms was what appeared to be a solid gold book. He couldn't make out the symbols from the distance.

"You guys sure 'bout this?" Jou muttered, noticing how Marik was eyeing the volume.

"Jou!" Yugi said pleadingly.

"I would like to thank you for coming," Yami stated, slowly walking towards the boy.

"Please, you sound like a late-night comedian or something," Marik snorted.

"I was trying to stay as civil as possible," Yami replied sourly. "However, now it's hardly needed."

"Yami…" Yugi implored eyes wide.

Yami heaved a sigh.

"So where'd you get that?" Marik asked casually, nodding toward the book.

Yami's hands visibly tightened on the volume. His eyes locked on the cover. He found it impossible to speak suddenly.

"It's from ancient Egypt," Honda stated.

"No duh." Marik rolled his eyes.

Honda glared at the blond Egyptian. Jou growled.

"How do you know it's from your time?" Marik continued, ignoring the others.

"We don't. We can't open it," Yugi replied.

"Ah."

"So can you open it or not?" Jou asked impatiently.

"Can't tell if I can't examine it," Marik shrugged, grinning.

He leaned back in the chair, eyeing the figure before him. Yami's eyes bore into his own, searchingly.

"Very well." Yami reverently handed it over.

"Hmm…" Marik's eyes slowly ran over the cover of the book.

The others waited silently. Marik could feel their eyes boring into him. He soon forgot about them, however, as he studied the hieroglyphs.

"Well?" Jou yawned after a few minutes.

"It's from your time alright," Marik observed, eyes still roaming over the book.

"What's it for?" Yugi asked excitedly.

"Looks like a book of incantations."

"Is it Yami's?" Anzu whispered, putting a hand on Honda's arm.

"I doubt it. I looks more like the kind of book a priest would have. They each had their own set of fancy books with spells and the like. I know, for a fact, you had six priests," Marik glanced up at Yami. "Each of them was a holder of a Millennium Item."

"So…how do we open it?" Yugi asked curiously.

"You probably would use the particular priest's item," Marik shrugged.

"Does it say what priest owned the book?" Yugi pressed.

"That'd be too simple," Marik smirked, flipping the book over unceremoniously.

"Be careful with that, eh!" Jou growled.

"It's solid gold. I'm sure it'll be fine," Marik sighed in exasperation.

"So do we just start trying each item on it?" Jou questioned, still glaring at the blond Egyptian.

"You really don't know much about shadow magic do you, mutt?" Marik muttered, not bothering to look up.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Honda asked angrily, gripping Jou's shoulder.

"Fools. You can't just take the items for a test drive on this thing. There are magic seals on it," Marik sighed, rubbing his temples.

"So what now? Is there any way to figure out which item to use?" Yugi asked, completely entranced by all the information.

"I already have," Marik smirked.

"What!"

"Which one?" Yugi whispered eyes wide.

"The Millennium Rod."

All righty! Excellent. Seventeen pages, peoples! Take that! Thank Swordsman for that. They got me to edit then combine two chappies. Oww…my fingers. I am not doing that again. No more long chappies…unless you corrupt my mind again.

About the books now: I needed something with a lot of "spells" in it. A scroll doesn't need to be opened. Book worked best, as far as I was concerned. Why gold? (shrugs) Why not?

Seriously though, look what constructive criticism got you, a nice loooong chapter. That's Good people. I was home sick today, so I was like: "Nothin' else to do. I'll check my reviews." And BOOYA! Critiquing! Excellent Swordsman! (and you didn't insult me in the process, which I thank you from the bottom of my heart)

Things start heating up A LOT in the next two chappies. (Not like THAT you perverted freaks! - -) I'm talking about violence, swearing, bloodshed…you get the idea. Not too much next chappie really…anyhoo! Review! (heh, that rhymed! )

Chella: Hi peoples! I'm Ferris Ulf's beloved sister!

Ferris Ulf: -- Yesss...she has come...

Che: Bwahahaha! Hey did you know your initials are F U?

Fer: Shut up. (Younger sisters...grrr...)

Che: Little sisters

Fer: Hush up. Don't dis me in front of my fans!

Che: I have fans too! Yay! they love me!

fer: OoO

Che: Ha ha! I am soooo cool!

Fer: Does this conversation have anything to do with my story?

Che: Yes! I am sooo many chapters ahead of your fans! You are sooo mean to them.

Fer: How am I mean! You're the one who just said that!

Che: You don't update fast enough:p

Fer: what the.. ! I update faster than most other authors on this website! Stop insulting me! (booger...)

Che: Omigosh...this conversation is soooo weird!

Fer: Right. We'll continue this at the end of another chappie. review peoples!

Che: About the story not our conversation...you could if you wanted to though...

Fer: Shut up and say good bye.

Che: What if I'm not done talking yet!

Fer: We're not talking. We're typing. Enough!

Che: Okay fine. Hey you know you said shut up about 4 times in this thang?

Fer: Just review people. --

Che: Bye! .

fer: Ugh...