A/N : Hello! So yeah... Marik. I wasn't planning on updating quite so quickly as I thought writing Marik would take some time for me to get the abridged version out my head, but then I realised today, the 18th of February is a pretty important date for me. It has been exactly one year since I first uploaded a piece of fan fiction writing and it would be unforgivable of me if I didn't honour the date by uploading a new chapter. So yes, I've tried to write Marik and Bakura's relationship in a less abridged way... Don't get me wrong, I love the abridged series, but I didn't think their shipping would work so well in this story :-P

So enough with my ramblings. I promise this will be the longest A/N I post. I hope I've got Marik right as it's the first time I've wrote him before. If not I apologise and if you have any constructive criticism, as ever don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts! Please enjoy! Xx

Disclaimer : I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!

Chapter 20

Hina stared perplexed at the man who had entered the room. She felt a mixture of emotions flood her at once. She felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment at been found in such a manner. What had she been thinking? Why had she kissed Bakura? Why had she allowed him to kiss her? She hadn't been thinking. That was the only logical answer. She'd been an idiot, yet again. The second emotion she felt was fear. She was afraid for the man who had just entered the room. He'd interrupted Bakura and Hina was pretty certain he wouldn't take kindly to that. The blonde man barely glanced Hina's way and his expression seemed almost bored. He was stood framed perfectly in the door way, arms folded over his chest. Hina noticed his eyes were a light purple colour and couldn't miss the fact he was fairly good looking. Even more, he didn't seem to be dressed in slave's clothes. Who was he?

"Marik, What do you want?" Bakura almost growled, straightening up and letting Hina go, who inwardly sighed a breath of relief and took a tiny step back from him, she began pushing herself against the wall in a foolish bid to get free. She was reminded of how the first time he'd kissed her, she'd tried to run away. If only that was an option now. Even if it was, would she dare?

"I thought you'd like me to inform you we've returned," The man called Marik spoke looking rather stern and disinterested at the same time. Hina blinked, barely able to breath. Returned from where?

"And?" Bakura demanded, his expression never changing from its ferocious sternness. In a way, it almost looked business like. He took a step away from Hina and closer to the white blonde man. Hina wanted to shout out a warning, but daren't.

"It was a success." Marik replied a half smirk playing across his face. The tension in the room was overwhelming. Hina felt as if it was choking her and she didn't dare make any noise at all. Whatever they were talking about had to be serious.

"And Kaiba?" Bakura almost growled the question. Kaiba? Who was Kaiba? Hina recognised the name somewhere in the back of her mind, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Still nothing," Marik replied with indifference. Who was this Marik guy? He didn't seem to care at all that the person he was speaking to ruled the world. He wasn't been outwardly rude to him, but he wasn't going out of his way to be overly polite and respectful either. Impossibly, someone had found a way of speaking to Bakura in an unfriendly way, that didn't result in them dying or having their soul stolen. Hina wanted to speak and ask questions but forced herself not to. Even she knew this was not the time to be winding Bakura up.

"And the fools you've captured?" Bakura asked expectantly, his expression almost murderous as he stood before the man called Marik, his arms folded across his chest and powerful authority radiating from him. Marik smirked at the white haired man, apparently oblivious to the power coming off him. He was obviously unaffected by the fear of god Bakura put into normal people.

"Odion is – questioning – them as we speak. What's the matter? Still don't trust me? After all this time I've served you? I must say I'm shocked," Marik grinned. Was it Hina's imagination, or was he taunting Bakura? It didn't seem like a safe thing to do. Did Marik have a death wish? Hina glanced back to Bakura and saw an expression across his face that any normal human being would have quivered at.

"I'm losing my patience, Marik. I want him found!" He ordered his expression close to killing someone with looks alone.

"I know. Although I'm not sure what good it'll do. What would retrieving the Kaiba brothers accomplish? After all this time, they're helpless. They can't do anything to you." Marik commented looking bored again.

"That's not what this is about. He couldn't hope to defeat me! He couldn't ten years ago and he won't now. I want the fool to suffer. He will suffer for ever opposing me!" Bakura laughed his eyes glinting in a very frightening and rather sadistic manner. Hina shrunk back, only to realise she couldn't as there was a wall blocking her way. Marik seemed unperturbed by the terrifying speech of cruelty before him.

"I'll let you know if we find anything out. I'll let you get back to… business," Marik spoke uncrossing his arms and his gaze resting momentarily upon Hina. She couldn't be sure, but she thought his gaze held some puzzlement and questioning in them, but before she could tell, he'd turned around and walked out of the hall.

The silence that followed was deathly. Hina dared not breathe let alone speak or move. All she wanted was to get out of this hall and put as much space between herself and Bakura. What had just happened? Who was Marik? Where had he been? And who had he taken? Who were the 'fools' Bakura had spoken of? There were so many questions spinning through Hina's mind it made her feel dizzy just trying to gather them all. Part of her wanted to run after Marik and ask him how he managed to speak to Bakura like that without getting killed, or at least lashings as she'd received. Hina tore her gaze away from the now empty door way and chanced a glance at Bakura who had remained standing where he was. As her eyes fell upon him, he turned his head and glared at her. Hina let out a frightened noise seeing his eyes had narrowed and he looked ready to murder somebody, which horrifyingly reminded her she was the closest person in the vicinity. After barely seconds of been caught under the homicidal gaze, Hina couldn't keep her eyes upon him anymore. She forced them away. It was intense, she was struggling to keep her fingers from shaking and could feel something rising up in her chest which terrified her. She wasn't sure if the choking ball of emotion would make her laugh or cry hysterically. She bit down on her lip as it rose ever higher.

Just. Don't. Laugh. She told herself repeating it over and over again. laugh and you'll die or get seriously hurt. Just. Don't. Laugh. When she was near breaking point, which had barely taken a minute to reach, Bakura spoke.

"Leave." He spoke the one worded order with dangerous intent. Hina didn't need telling twice. She almost leapt up from the wall, which she'd only just become aware she'd been leaning against for support, and had to force herself not to run for the exit. She took deep steady breaths as she walked as calmly as she could fake towards the heavy wooden door. It felt dangerous, no it felt worse than that, it felt suicidal. It was as if she had turned her back to a bloodthirsty monstrous predator as it hunted her down, waiting for her guard to drop. With each step she took to freedom, Hina expected to feel pain seer her body or shadows to leap up around her, swallowing her whole. When she made it to the door she reached out with a trembling hand to pull it open. Hina did so without anything stopping her. She stepped half out the door, but paused before leaving. She turned back to stare at the man who's very aura seemed to be pulsating with the desire to torture and kill. Part of her, a very small part she had to reinforce with herself, felt almost sorry for him. That tiny stupid part of herself wanted to ask him if he was okay, or if he wanted to talk. Hina knew she'd never do something so stupid and foolish. He would never deal with whatever issues the five thousand year old spirit had by simply talking about them. No, that wouldn't be cruel or barbaric enough for him.

Despite telling herself this and making the decision to never be fool hearted enough to try this approach, she couldn't help but sigh as her eyes met his. She tried to arrange her expression into one of kindness as she stared at him. Instantly his eyes seemed to soften and his furious expression relaxed slightly.

"I'll… see you later," Hina half smiled swallowing down feelings she had no desire to recognise or acknowledge. She remained where she was for a second longer before letting the door swing shut behind her.

"Yes, Hina," She heard him say before the door fully closed. She gulped as she let his words settle upon her. He'd used her name. He barely ever used her name. He only ever really called her 'girl'. Hina forced herself to walk on for fear he might come after her and for the fear of what she'd do if he did. She set into a fast walk which quickly became a run. She sprinted down the many corridors and up the flights of stairs. Hina didn't stop running until she'd reached the safety of her bedroom. She slammed the door behind her and leaned against it, sinking to the floor. Hina closed her eyes and tried to calm down. No noise infiltrated her ears other than the sound of her ragged breathing and the pounding of her heart. She rested her hands over her chest and felt it thumping frantically. After several minutes passed by and her breathing had returned to normal and her heart had regained its steady beat, Hina opened her eyes and stood up off the floor. Her body felt like lead. She knew it was barely lunch time, but she crawled up into her bed wrapping the covers tightly around her. She reached into her bedside table and brought out the Duel Monsters card Osamu had stolen for her all those years ago. She examined the faded picture of the Dark Magician. The card had always brought her comfort no matter what and it had never failed her. She glanced around the room and took a deep breath. Her eyes fell back upon the card.

"What do I do?" She asked it quietly, feeling tears forming in her eyes. She brushed them away before they had chance to spill.

"I don't know what I feel anymore. I don't know what I'm supposed to do," Hina whispered to the card. She brushed away un-shed tears again.

"Please, I'm lost. I don't know what I have to do anymore…" She spoke, emotion making her voice break. Hina curled into a tighter ball and allowed herself to feel the weakness of tears as they overwhelmed her.

"Hina" A voice whispered to her. Hina didn't want to open her eyes; she was relaxed, close to happiness. She didn't want to be disturbed.

"Hina" The voice called out to her again.

"hmm, go mm away," She muttered almost incoherently. She turned over and curled up.

"Hina!" The voice spoke louder now, with more frustration. Hina scowled and sat up, wrenching her eyes open angrily.

"WHAT?" She demanded almost shouting with irritation at been disturbed. Hina froze. She was still in her bed, but her bed had been moved. She was sat in what looked like a desert with bright hot sunlight pounding down against the earth and bouncing of the white sand, almost blinding her. Hina blinked several times as she felt the heat overwhelm her. As her eyes adjusted to the brightness, she noticed she wasn't alone. A man was stood at the end of her bed, gazing at her with a gentle smile across his features. He was dressed entirely in purple, with a pointed hood that hid most of his face in shadows. He had brown hair framing his face. Hina stared at him, recognising him, but not really believing her eyes.

"Oh… erm… Hello…" She spoke awkwardly her eyes wide. He nodded his head in greeting.

"So… you're… I mean to say… hmm…" Hina spoke with nervous laughter, unsure of what she could say. She was lost for words.

"I'm sorry, this is… puzzling." Hina continued, shaking her head slightly.

"My apologies," The man spoke.

"Okay, so what can I do for you, Mr Dark Magician, sir?" Hina asked, still completely in awe, but managing to pull herself together enough to form a sentence.

"I believe you called for me," He spoke bowing his head slightly. Hina swung her legs off the bed and attempted to stand, but was forced to sit back down from the feeling of the burning sand against bare feet.

"Am I… Is this a dream?" Hina asked the Dark Magician in sudden understanding.

"Yes, but I have come to help you. My name is Mahad, I lived long ago in ancient Egypt and I was a friend and server to the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt." He spoke almost urgently. Hina held her hand up and shielded her eyes from the glare of a relentless sun.

"You must find the Pharaoh. You must reunite him with his friends, with the one who can complete the puzzle," Mahad instructed.

"Puzzle? What puzzle? And a Pharaoh from ancient Egypt? He'd be old… he'd be dead." Hina spoke kneeling up on the bed and staring intently at the man. Had Hina truly conjured the dark magician to her side for help? It seemed unlikely, but most of the other things that happened to her on a daily basis seemed impossible.

"He would be old… over five thousand years old," Mahad spoke moving round the side of the bed. Hina frowned. Five thousand years? That sounded familiar. Hina suddenly jumped up of the bed, yelped at the burning on her feet and jumped back on.

"I know someone who's five thousand years old!" She exclaimed, "But there's no way Bakura was ever a Pharaoh," She added frowning.

"You are right. Bakura is over five thousand years old, but he was never Pharaoh, or at least he shouldn't have been. In the name of the Pharaoh, I vowed to help defeat him and although time has passed, I am still loyal to my word." The Dark Magician spoke. Suddenly the desert was shrouded in ever growing darkness. Mahad backed away from Hina quickly, eyes wide and fearful.

"What's wrong?" Hina asked standing up. The sand had become quite cold.

"He's here with you?" He spoke backing away. Mahad quickly took to the air and began to move backwards, into the dark.

"Bakura is cruel and evil, you must help defeat him," He instructed.

"Mahad, don't go!" Hina cried out running after him suddenly terrified of the ever growing darkness that was becoming denser with every passing moment.

"Stay strong. You must free the Pharaoh!" He called out before disappearing.

"No! Please! Wait!" Hina cried out, but it was too late. She was quite alone. She fell to her knees trembling and crying. She felt a painful searing sensation ripping at her chest and clutched at herself with terror.

Hina sat bolt up. She gasped for air and clutched at her chest breathing heavily. She glanced around and was relieved to find herself back in her bedroom, which was shrouded in darkness. Had she slept the rest of the day away? Hina struggled to get her breathing under control, but when she had, she saw the Dark Magician card on the floor besides her bed. She clambered out and stooped down to pick it up. Hina stared intently at the image of the magician dressed in purple his hood casting shadows across his face, magical staff in hand.

"Find the Pharaoh?" She asked the card quietly. She sighed and fell back onto the bed, gazing up at the ceiling. She glanced towards the card which she held in her right hand. She sighed exasperatedly and glared upwards.

"People round here sure like to be cryptic," She frowned. She remained where she was for a few moments, trying to work things out. So, there was another five thousand year old spirit hanging around? Would that person be in a body, like Bakura? Or would they just be roaming about as a ghost? Hina shuddered and couldn't help glancing around the room cautiously. The last thing she wanted was a ghost to haunt her. So, not only did she have to find someone called Yugi, she had to find an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh as well? The job description just kept getting worse and worse. Hina made a quick decision and sat up. She hid the card under her belt and stood up. If it was night time, there would be less activity in the palace… she hoped so anyway. Hina needed help. She wanted to talk to someone who she could trust, who could possibly help her understand. Hina couldn't explain it, but she had a gut feeling that finding Yugi may help her in finding the Pharaoh and vice versa. She needed to speak to Joey.