Ah, here we are once again. I'm pretty down at the moment...so I decided it was time for another update! (smiles) I don't see the point of waiting a month inbetween chappies like most authors because I've already typed a lot more of each of the stories. (not for this one as much, actually. I'm on chappie 15. It's the weekend now, though. So I should have some time...maybe...)

My rat, Von Fowst, is bleeding from the eyes. We're taking him to the vet this weekend. My car just broke down and cost $450 to fix, so I'm doubting my parents will pay much to save a rat...things don't look good for my baby. (sobs)

Satra: Yeah, I know Yugi was kind of harsh. I wouldn't call it uncalled for...well, maybe he overdid it a bit...but he has a point. (cackles) You and many others are like: "What the heck? Why do Malik and Marik have their own bodies?" Very good. Yes, you spelled curiosity right, dear. (laughs) You're so cute! (goosh) Anyhoo, some of your questions will be answered in this chappie. Review again, dear!

Enlightenment: Yay! Another new reviewer to the story! (hugs tightly) Hmm, I absolutely loved the way you described the scene with Bakura getting snogged. Great word choice, dear! (laughs) I can see you don't like Yugi. I'm giving him a more devious streak because he's too chipper for my tastes too. Please review again, dear! Love ya! (Kowtows)

dragonlady222: Yay! Our crazy antagonists! Mwahahaa! You aren't sure where this is going? Excellent. I love it when people tell me that. It makes me feel...clever...o.O...I love you dear! Review again! (hugs)

Freak in the Shadows: Hmm...you have some interesting relationships with your siblings, don't you? (laughs) I love you dear! Review again!

Silver Mirror: Umm...I wouldn't be so glad to see Malik. He's not too disturbing yet in this chappie...he'll be showing up a lot more later...Unlike in your glorious story, Malik is not going to be very likeable by the end...(cackles) He's soooo evil! On the edge of your seat? (grin) Sit back and read, darling.

Bluegrass Elf: Tsk tsk...reading but not reviewing? Shameful...(perks up) Well, I know now. Yay! Don't usually like yaoi? I just don't like (cough) explicit scenes of...yeah, you know. I don't like such scenes with homosexuals or heterosexuals. I'm glad you're hooked on it now. Review again! (hugs)

Wishfull Thinker: (Laughs) A few of you said the poem made you feel guilty. I find that amusing. Um...you don't like Yami, eh? That's just what I'm guessing. I'm not sure, there was this...vibe in your writing that make me think so. (laughs) Yes, Malik is perverted and completely psycho...not so much in this chappie, but you'll see later. Review again, dear!

Miyosuke: Thanks for the compliment on the poem. Yes, Yugi and Yami's dilemma is quite...complicated. They both have good points and bad points. I'm glad you approved of Yugi's angry scene. Thanks for the tidbit on aibou! (winks) Love ya!

StormySkys: Why are Marik and Malik separate? (smirk) Very good, dear. No fic has ever make you hate Malik? (evil smirk forms on author's face) Is that a challenge? (cackles) Ooooh I think it was! I'm thinking you'll probably like Marik...and Malik for the time being, seeing as how he hasn't really done anything bad...yet. (grins) Review again, dear! Love ya!

Freedom of Darkness/unofficial psychiatrist: Oooh dear...honey, I think you let my praise get to your head a bit. (laughs) I'm counting on you for the next two weeks. Finals are gonna be intense for me. Thanks for the...hyper review! Love ya!

blackalbino: All you people are so happy to see Marik and Malik...o.O...I mean, they're some of my favorite characters too but...(shakes head) nevermind for now...Yes, Yami's existance sucks at the moment. Poor guy. Review again, dear! Love ya!

Collection

Pour out bits of glass like sand

Into the beggar's waiting hands

No money, food, or feeling care;

With bloody hands you leave him there.

IMPORTANT: A few quick notes before you begin this chappie. As you probably guessed by the end of chapter 9, Marik and Malik have arrived; however, I've changed some details about the hot, sadistic yami. Just for the record: Marik is the hikari and Malik is the yami. We clear on that? Secondly, Malik is not Marik's other personality. In this story he's a spirit from ancient Egypt just like Kura and Yami that's been sealed in the Millennium rod. That's all you need to know about him for now. (You'll find out more about him later in the story.) All right, continue…

Chapter 10: Double Trouble

(Mr. Mutou's POV)

I sigh as I enter the living room with a tray full of snacks. I had Ryou and Yugi stay home from school, both of them covered in numerous cuts, bruises, and stings. Ryou told me he and Yami had an adventure in the park. I didn't ask anything else. I don't want to know.

The boys didn't talk to each other all morning. Now it's the afternoon and the gang has come over to see how they're doing. I'm not sure what's going on; something about Yami kissing Ryou or something.

"So how you guys doing? We missed ya at school today," Jou says, munching on the food I've brought.

"Fine," Yugi mumbled, not looking at Ryou who was actually glaring at him.

The boy is slumped in a chair, his right foot on the coffee table. I wrapped it up because he'd somehow managed to sprain it…something about a tree. Once again, I don't want to know.

The others notice the obvious tension in the room. I'm getting quite fed up with it, myself.

"That's enough of this you two," I say sternly looking back and forth between the two of them. "Whatever it is, work it out now. I for one am sick and tired of this façade."

"It's not my fault!" Yugi declared, the others watching silently.

"Right, go and slap someone across the face why don't you?" Ryou muttered darkly.

I give Yugi a questioning look. He averts his eyes from my gaze, looking down abashedly.

"You slapped him?" Honda asks incredulously.

"Yami was kissing him!" Yugi shouted angrily.

Everyone goes silent. Ryou, however, doesn't deter in the slightest; if anything, he looks angrier than before.

"And that gives you the right to slap me, cuss at me, and lock Yami in his soul room?" Ryou hisses, eyes dancing with fire.

"He's agreed it's best that he not see you anymore," Yugi says confidently.

"What?" Jou exclaims. "Why're you doin' that?"

Yugi looks around for our approval, faltering slightly as he realizes he might not have it. Honda is scowling, sitting next to Ryou who is continuing to glare at Yugi. Anzu just looks plain distressed. Jou is just infuriated, as am I.

"Boys, there must be some way to…" I begin.

"It's my life. He's my Yami. That should be enough," Yugi stated defiantly.

"You act like he's some type of pet that you can just lock up and order around," Ryou growls. "Well he's not. He's just like you. He's just trapped. Can't you understand that?" Yugi's silent now, looking down at the puzzle around his neck. "That's what all the yamis are stuck in. They're prisoners. They missed out on life in the past. Is it so bad they want one now?"

"Not every yami."

We all turn to see a young man I don't recognize standing confidently in the doorway. He has light blonde hair and tanned skin, a cape draped around his shoulders. My eyes widen when I notice what he's holding: a Millennium item!

(Bakura's POV)

Oh hell no.

"Marik!" Yugi exclaims, everyone else backing away from the newcomer.

The young Egyptian smirks. "Indeed. It's been a while. Yet I didn't think your loyal bonds of friendship and love could be so easily shattered." He draws out the two words like a curse.

"What do you want?" A deep voice growls. Yami's taken over.

Marik sneers. "Nothing from you, dear pharaoh. I can assure you of that." His light violet eyes fall on me. I can't stand this kid. He's about as full of himself as a psycho-lunatic can get.

Yami follows his gaze, standing up, the puzzle flashing warningly.

"I suggest you leave before you start something you'll regret," Yami hisses, standing protectively in front of the rest of us. I sit back quietly. Waiting.

Marik grins, stroking the Millennium rod in his hands. "I don't know. It could be interesting. You'll be surprised to hear I haven't come here to fight. In fact," his eyes meet mine again. "I might have a solution to this…problem of yours." I scowl. Nothing good can come from this kid. I've worked with him; I know.

"Why would you wanna do anything to help Yami?" Jou growls, standing next to said monarch. The mutt doesn't know when to back down. Hasn't he already been controlled by the rod once or twice? Some morons never learn…

"Did you think it was for his sake?" a malicious voice chuckles. I feel the hairs on my neck stand on end. I know that voice. Sure enough Malik, Marik's yami, strolls into the room. What the fuck! How'd he get a body?

Yami seems to be thinking the exact same thing. "How…?"

The two blonde Egyptians burst into a fit of chilling laughter. I scowl. This can't be good. As if one of them wasn't bad enough.

"Don't look so surprised, Pharaoh," Malik grins spitefully. "You didn't think I wouldn't return, did you?"

Yami regains his composure. "I had no doubt you would eventually. Pests are so hard to get rid of."

Malik snarls. "Think what you will, it concerns me not. I'd more than happily cut you to pieces right now."

"So what are you waiting for?" Yami replies smoothly, grinning when both demons glare at the puzzle around his neck.

"We've come here to give you an opportunity," Marik continues, brushing off the conversation. He strides forward with the rod, stopping right in front of me. I glare at him. "Bring the tomb robber out." Like hell.

"Get away from him now, Marik," Yami hisses, snatching the rod from said boy. Marik jumps back in anxiety, warily eyeing Yami who now holds the item firmly in his grasp. The others are put slightly at ease. I wouldn't start a party just yet…

Malik, however, doesn't seem intimidated in the least. "We want to give you the spells we used to get a separate form. In other words: to free your soul from the item." Holy shit…

"Why would you offer me this?" Yami growls suspiciously.

Malik shrugs. "Honestly, we weren't going to. However, we knew if we only offered it to the thief you would pursue him to no end to find out how he'd accomplished it." What? They wanted to give it to me? Something's wrong with this picture.

"Bring him out," Marik demands again. Yami growls.

I look at Malik guardedly. His soulless eyes look me up and down. I wonder if he can see the truth…I wouldn't put it past him. He was very practiced in Shadow magic in ancient Egypt. I suppose they won't talk until 'Ryou' leaves. I sigh, the ring flashing quickly.

"Well well, look who's come back," I smirk, leaning back in my chair.

"Bakura!" Yami exclaims. Ra, why is he surprised?

"Finally," Marik grins from next to Yami, eyeing me like a piece of meat. Little freak.

"It's been a while. Since what, when I beat you on the blimp?" Malik chuckles.

I roll my eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. Try dueling with that voice in your head." I jab a finger at Marik who glares in response.

Malik chuckles, striding over to me. I stand up; ready to give him a good blast with the ring should he provoke me.

"Easy now. So uptight," he smirks, looking me up and down.

I scowl, folding my arms. "Are you going to say why you wanted me to come out or…?"

"In time, dear thief," he smirk, waving his hand dismissively. Did he just call me 'dear'?

"Enough of the chit-chat," Honda rumbles.

"You stay quiet," Malik sneers, eyes not looking away from me. "So," he starts to circle me. "How have you been?"

"Oh everything was just pleasant…until you dragged you ass over here," I say sweetly, sending him a glare.

He chuckles. "Hmm…so you're fine with your light and the pharaoh?" I scowl. "I thought not," he grins. "I figured you'd want your own body; to be freed of all this…madness." He licks his lips.

"Don't you even start trying to talk about madness," I roll my eyes.

He laughs in response. This psycho seems to find everything amusing.

"So you'd just offer this to me out of the goodness of you heart?" I smirk.

His face changes. Before I can react his arms are around my waist, his body pressed against mine. I grimace at the feeling of his hot breath on my ear.

"Actually, Marik and I were hoping you'd join us…I must admit you caught my eye back in Battle City…a loner, willing to team up in order to get whatever he desires…of course there's Egypt as well…and ever since I haven't been able to get you out of my mind," he whispers, his hands beginning to roam down my back.

"You touch my ass and you're a dead man," I growl, punching him across the face, hard.

He stumbles back, blood streaming from the split I gave him on his lip. He grins, licking the red liquid.

"Aggressive as ever, I see," he smirks, producing a large knife from Ra knows where, advancing on me. "I like it."

I take a step back. Oh boy. The psycho wants to play with knives, does he? I harness the powers of the ring, ready. Before either of us can move a step further Malik is blasted across the room by a bolt of Shadow magic. I look over in surprise at Yami who's fuming, both the puzzle and rod glowing brilliantly. Marik rushes over to his yami who's rising off the floor.

"Defending an enemy against an enemy, pharaoh?" Malik smirks, not looking the slightest bit weakened…or worried for that matter. "I didn't expect one of such your social stature to stoop so low as to defend someone like him." All right, now he's going to die.

"I could care less what happens to the tomb robber," Yami growls, advancing on the two. Good to know I'm popular. "But it's Ryou who will take the blow, not Bakura. And I will not tolerate that." Ironic, isn't the situation?

Marik sends a fierce look at Yami, a tanned hand resting on his yami's.

"Well then," Malik smirks. "It looks like we'll have to wait to play until after you perform the spells, thief." I glare daggers at him.

He strides forward and I tense, ready this time should he come too close. Yami watches warily, ready to attack again if necessary. At least he's got my back for the moment…heh. Malik takes a small, black velvet bag out of his pocket, holding it out to me. I stare at him apprehensively, not reaching out to take whatever it is.

"It's the spells and the ingredients you'll need," he smirks. "Believe me; I wouldn't do anything to bring harm to you." Rrrrrright.

I don't reach out to take it, so he looms closer. His hand quickly darts out and grabs mine firmly, twisting it slightly. He delicately drops the bag into my hand, taking my fingers and closing them about it, letting his own glide over my hand, a victorious grin on his face. I scowl at him, ripping my arm from his grasp. He chuckles, turning and unceremoniously tossing another bag to a surprised Yami.

"Come, Marik. Let's leave them to resolve their feud," Malik sneers, the others cowering back slightly.

Marik grins, striding after his yami to the door. Malik turns when they reach it, looking back at me.

"We'll come find you once the spell is complete. Until then." He softly closes the door behind him, sending me one more evocative look before it's completely shut. Bastard.

(Yami's POV)

I hold my ground, waiting a few moments before looking away from the door. Those two psychopaths. I glance down at the small velvet bag in my hand. Is this a trick?

"All right they're gone. That means you can go too," Jou growls. I look over to where he's rounded on Bakura.

"I have every intention of leaving, loudmouth," Bakura scowls, striding for the door.

"Wait!" I say before I can stop myself, rushing over and blocking the exit. He glares at me.

"What?"

"Marik and Malik are still out there. You shouldn't leave yet."

He chuckles darkly. "Oh how thoughtful. It's nice to know you care about my well-being."

I frown. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm not sure what those two want from you but they'll include Ryou if given the opportunity."

He smirks. "Ah yes, your little whore. Mustn't get him involved."

I stride forward so we're less than a foot apart. "Don't ever call him that again," I whisper fiercely.

He laughs quietly, a sinister look in his cruel, narrowed eyes. I feel myself bristle. How can Ryou deal with him? There's no way he can by himself. That means…I glance down briefly at the bag in my hands. Freedom…

"Well well well, it appears you've gotten quite close to my light," he continues, leaning against the back of a chair.

"Not that it's any of your business," Jou growls, striding over and standing next to me.

Bakura grins, a glint in his eyes. "Oh but I think it is…seeing as how we still share a body."

"That can change now. Bakura, we can be free," I say, hoping he'll use the spell and leave Ryou for good.

"We'll see..." he smirks, revealing his sharp canines. "I'm not just about to race home and perform it. Anything that duo schemes up is bound to be trouble."

"Speak for yourself," Honda mutters. Heh.

Bakura frowns. "I prefer to work alone, thank you very much. Plus, I wouldn't have offered you anything. I suppose if it is truly the spell that got that bastard his own body then you're lucky, pharaoh." All right, he's up to something.

"What did he say to you when he…er…embraced you?" I say, still disturbed by that scene. Whatever he'd said, the thief hadn't seemed too pleased about it…and that's an understatement.

He scowls. "Not that it's any of your business but basically he's a pervert, which you already knew." O.o ….ooookay then…"Now if you'll move your royal ass, I'll be taking my leave now." He shoves me out of the way, striding for the door.

"Hey! That was uncalled for!" Jou yells angrily, starting forward. I hold out my arm to stop the blonde. It's quite obvious the thief is determined. I just hope he can hold his own against those two; otherwise Ryou will be the one who pays for it.

Bakura turns as he opens the door, a smirk on his face. "I'll tell my host you said good bye." He slams the door, shaking the walls. That good for nothing…

(Yami?)

I start. ((Yes aibou?))

(I…I'm sorry for what I said earlier. What Ryou said, it's true. It's not fair to you…what I did…)

I stop him. ((What you said is correct too, though. Yugi, you're right, it is your life…))

(But…!)

((Let's take a look at what Marik and Malik gave us.)) I continue. ((I'm not saying we're going to try it; let's just see what exactly this is all about. If we decide it's a trick or something we'll figure out something else. Don't worry.))

I can feel him smile. (Right.)

I've got exams coming up. I'm not sure yet how that will affect my updating...definately will decline my writing...argh! Stupid exams!

You guys are amazing! Within two days there were eleven reviews! You're catching up to me! Agh! (types furiously)

I've posted some stuff on my profile page about each of the stories I've been working on and usually update each a day or so after I post a new chappie. (just informing you...)

You all are like: "Yay! Malik and Marik!" You've got to believe me here: Malik is the sole reason this fic is rated M. He's gonna be causing quite a bit of misery...that's an understatement.

Keep your fingers crossed for Fowstie!

Review!