Well some good came out the CORV-19 shut down. I now have plenty of time to write and i am determined to do just that!

So originally this chapter was going to be a short interlude/transitional chapter but it ended up being much longer and much more fun to write and provided some critical information needed to transition into the next segment, which will be Dungeon Dice Monsters Manga-style from Bakura's pov (seriously i am SO pissed they cut Bakura from the Dungeon Dice arc of the anime! if you haven't read the mange at lest read volumes 9 and 10 they WILL change everything!) and it allowed me to come up with a super cool title!

Quick Note: As this follow the manga so this takes place right after the last chapter on the last weekend in April (see end notes for more)

Disclaimer: This is loosely based off the Yugioh Manga which belongs to Kazuki Takehashi and thus takes place during 1996 and makes references to Japanese culture, customs and late 90s technology. It was also loosely inspired by Goddess9Rouge's fancomic Malik in Love (to clarify as I've been asked before if I was simply writing that comic out the answer is NO. Though i admit i am a huge fan of Goddess9Rouge and her comic and i hope everyday that she finished it an am so grateful she made it cause it resurrected me own love of Librashipping-and let's face it its the only real librashipping comic out there, seriously its criminal how much more love this pairing needs! That said, while the comic inspired some ideas in this story, such s the concept of Marik falling in love with Yugi at first sight, this is my story and my own take on Battle City and more than anything its primarily Darkshpping and works in tangent with with my other Intertwined series The Two Kings, if anything is directly inspired by other sources, such I will of course give credit in the disclaimer,

As always read, review, comment, critique, ask questions and have fun! This one was fun to write!


Interlude—New Game

Yami appeared over Yugi's shoulder—a proud, smiling specter. "It looks good on you, partner!"

"Are you sure? It's not too flashy? Wearing the puzzle on a chain, I mean?" Yugi asked with an uncertain smile, stroking the puzzle in his hands. A shiny new chain replaced the old, worn, rope: tangible symbol of the bond they shared through the puzzle—strong, supportive and unbreakable.

"It's too subtle is you ask me," Yami chuckled with a saucy wink, spectral hands on Yugi's shoulder and flashed him a smirk and a thumbs up. "You should add some silver chains on your arms, and some leather bracelets and that leather choker with the buckle as well! And perhaps that blue leather shirt of mine with the gold studs…"

"No way!" Yugi protested, shaking his head and blushing. "That's not my style at all!"

"Awe, come on?" Yami teased with a long drawn out whine, sliding back and plopping down on Yugi's bed as he did so. "Show Anzu and your friend how cool you are." Yami winked again.

"D-don't tease me like that." Yugi grimaced, blushing again, and darted about the room putting the final touches on his uniform.

"Oh abiou," Yami gave a dramatic swoon over his shoulder as Yugi fished through his desk and pulled out the book he'd been keeping all his love letters and pressed flowers. His voice, full of mock hurt, was betrayed by the dashing smirk he wore. "You know I'd never tease you."

Yugi snorted and flashed his own knowing smirk. "Liar." He placed last night's letter and lilacs between two fresh pages and carefully stuffed it into his bag, just as Grandpa announced Anzu was downstairs.

Yami watched Yugi leave, his new bracelet twinkling in the morning light like a noon day sun, and cast one last look at the potted bouquet left in the sunlight before vanishing back into the puzzle. The object and the message it carried had been a constant source of curiousty and agitation since its discovery—even more so since he did not know its origins, but he knew what it meant or at least thought that he did…

Rosemary for remembrance, Forget-me-not for memory: there was no doubting what those two plants were referring to.

He had chosen to make peace with the life he once lived in Ancient Egypt—if even that single bit of information could be trusted—content to simply make new memories with Yugi and his friends, but more than that, it seemed almost pointless to focus on what was lost, what was clearly beyond his reach. More than once he thought perhaps it was a blessing, this amnesia, sparing him the grief of all he'd lost when he'd sealed himself away—he knew he'd been young when it happened, around the age Yugi was now, perhaps a little older but the point was whatever had happened had cut his life short.

This was his second chance.

That was how he'd chosen to see it.

Until the message of those last two flowers fully registered—a tea rose and a pink carnation: I'll always remember and I'll never forget you.

And just like that, someone else, someone who clearly knew about his past, about him and did not want him to forget, had entered his life and turned those carefully made choices of his upside down. But the question was who and why? And just like that, he finally understood how the labyrinth of his soul room was a reflection of his own amnesia in a way he never truly realized until then.

It had been so easy to move on when he didn't have a past to remember or grieve, but now, now thoughts of that life bombarded him with questions he'd never asked himself before: who was he? Who were his friends? His family? Did he have a career? A passion? Talents? Did he have parents? Grandparents? Brothers and sisters?

A lover?

Was that the reason for the rose and the carnation? But even then who? Who else knew about him besides Yugi, their friends, Pegasus and Shadi? Another Millennium item holder, perhaps? Including Shadi's, two were still unaccounted for.

But then…that only raised another question…who else besides Yugi called him Yami?

These were the kinds of questions that burned unanswered in his mind.

He had been both relieved and disappointed when Yugi had found it that morning and asked Yami if he knew who it was from, a secret part of him hoping beyond hope maybe it was Yugi who had sent it. Which only confirmed his earlier suspicions that it must be someone from his past? But again the question was who? And why? And what in his memory was so important?

Yugi and Anzu's laughter broke the wall of his thoughts. He gazed at them both through the puzzle's eye and smiled.

It doesn't matter, he resolved. I'm happy with the way things are. That's what matters.

X X X

"Wow." Anzu's eyes widened as she read and re-read the letter. "I think your right about this Khazamaa being a guy. I don't know a single girl who would write anything this…boldly romantic." It was the best way she could describe it.

She watched her friend fiddle with his new bracelet and couldn't deny the twinge of jealousy in her heart—whether it was jealousy for Yugi or of Yugi she did not know, but it answered her heart's burning question regardless. "This is the same guy who's been leaving you letters and flowers all month?"

Yugi nodded. "Yeah about a week before school started…"

"And he just…left this on your desk with a gift and the flowers? Are you sure it's safe?" She couldn't help but be concerned. Last thing she wanted was for he best friend to lose his heart to a stalker, or worse.

"Grandpa put them there," he explained. "They were outside the shop and had my name on them, so he just assumed." He chose not to mention the mini garden left for Yami. That was his other self's secret, not his.

"Still," Anzu warned gently. "All this from a complete stranger?"

"I know it sounds strange, and believe me I thought the same thing, but…" A look of dreamy eyed wonderment overcome her friend, but beneath it was a resolve and maturity that saw far beyond the stars in his eyes. "I'll admit it's really nice being loved and adored like this but more than that it feels…real. I don't know how else to describe it. I know very well these letters could all be a joke or someone playing a prank but after this last one…it just doesn't feel like someone could fake those emotions. Like I can feel the truth in them. It's strange, but it feels like I know this person from before, from somewhere else, like there's a connection between us. It's like the connection I have with the millennium puzzle but…different."

He sighed, a pale blush coming to his cheeks as he nervously brushed a stray bang behind his face. "Does that sound silly?" His eyes were weary but radiated with earnest.

"Not at all!" Tea smiled with a sigh of her own. She recognized that look and knew it was a look she herself had never felt either with Yugi or the spirit she'd failed to see was a separate person. Duelist Kingdom taught her a lot when it came to those feelings. "It sounds like you really like this person and you wanna see where this goes and what becomes of it, whether it's a friendship, a relationship or something else entirely...I think you should go for it. You know, if Khazamaa ever decides to reveal himself and all."

Yugi shot up, his eyes bright. "You really think I should?"

"Yeah!" Tea beamed. "You deserve someone who will make you happy, Yugi. Speaking of that," she switched to a playful air. "Think you'll get another love flower today?"

Yugi blushed and brushed away another lock. "I hope so."

They reached the school, met up with the boys, and together headed for homeroom where sure enough Yugi found another flower and attached note sitting on his desk. This one, a fantastic purple rose whose bright color matched his eyes and stole his breath. The card read My Angel, a purple rose for magic and enchantment as you truly have enchanted me—Khazamaa.

He'd spent all of homeroom rolling it between his fingers under his desk, a dreamy smile on his face as he looked out the window.

He didn't hear the dismissal bell ring until Jou tapped his shoulder and snapped awake.

As he quickly placed it with the pressed lowers in his book a shadow flashed out the corner of his eye than vanished when he turned to look.

He blinked. Wonder what that was.

X X X

One half hour earlier…

Marik impatiently rapped his foot waiting for the spelled teacher fumbling with lock of the classroom door.

Comeon, comeon, comeON! He mentally screeched, forcing his impatient fingers to not shake less the Millennium Rod's spell be interrupted or, more importantly, the fragile violet rose in his hand become damaged by his frustration. No, he told himself. He would be patient. Nothing but the best for his darling Yugi, who deserved nothing less. He'd specifically waited to deliver this one—the magnificent color near identical to Yugi's wondrous eyes but never able to surpass their sparkle. He couldn't wait to see Yugi's face when he received it.

He sighed dreamily and nearly melted into a puddle on the floor. His thoughts filled with daydreams of his darling beloved.

Unfortunately, he'd forgotten to take in to consideration that Japanese students went to half-day classes on Saturdays (and didn't want to disappoint his darling by not delivering an expectant gift—he would die before he allowed Yugi to feel anything akin to sadness or disappointment!). And his usual flower shop opened later on weekends, thus forcing him to improvise and rush when he normally had hours to prepare. So instead, of mind-controlling the first teacher or security guard or whoever arrive first to unlock the school, set up his affections and then be gone like a thief in the night with none the wiser, he had to sneak in, like an actual thief, mind control the homeroom teacher who was always late, and rush the whole thing—leading to his current situation.

An audible click broke his concentration.

"Finally!" Marik half whispered, half shrieked. "Now…go do something until class starts…and forget you saw me!" he added and watched as the mind controlled teacher obey. She'd awaken as soon as she was faraway enough with only a vague sense of forgetfulness.

He dashed inside and slipped the Rod back into his belt. He had to act quickly. He scanned the room for Yugi's desk, found it in the middle of the room and placed his latest offering of love right in the center with Khazamaa's latest love letter. He stopped for a minute, sighed so envious of that desk and the amount of time it got to spend with Yugi—

—and wanted nothing more in that moment then for the shadows to swallow him up.

Why, oh why couldn't he gather the courage to reveal himself to his darling in person—and immediately blamed that parasite false pharaoh!

Not yet, he told himself. Not yet. He had a plan for when he'd introduce himself to Yugi…when they'd meet in person. Real life flesh and bone and not through precious flowers and words of adornment, or in glances from afar…oh yes, it would be perfect. He told himself…

As soon as he could stand to be in Yugi's angelic presence without freezing up into a timid, tongued-tied idiot—he squeezed the Rod's hilt so hard his knuckles turned white.

Ugh, it truly was the greatest test of worthiness from the gods to grant him one of their precious angels and yet steal away all his courage whenever he came face to face (or, well, tried to come face to face) with the dazzling creature that was his heart's every and only desire.

Marik braced himself on the smooth surface of the desk, took a deep breath to calm himself—and inhaled lilacs and sunshine and spring days and wrought gold and something that was completely, wholly, Yugi—and all but sighed himself in to a molted puddle of purple love struck goo.

And then the first bell rang.

"SHIT!" Marik shrieked and bolted for the door but too many students flooded the hallway—and his darling Yugi and his friends among them.

NononononnononoonoonnonoNO!

He couldn't let Yugi meet him like this! He was still wearing his Rare Hunter robe for Ra's sake!

Oh shit! He darted back and forth looking for another exit but there was only the door and the windows. Oh heavenly Ra was there no second exit? What if there was a fire? What idiot designed a high school without an extra classroom fire exit!

The doorknob started to jingle.

SHIT!

With no other choice, he leapt onto the windowsill, slid it open and slipped out onto the ledge—and nearly screamed when he realized he was on the second floor.

By a miracle of the Gods, he managed to squeeze himself against the wall and wedge himself in the gap between the classroom windows and said a silent prayer of thanks for all the year he'd spent playing hide and seek with Rishad and Ishizu as a child. Years in the underground tombs had taught him to how to wedge himself into small, slim spaces for extended periods of time and thank the Gods the window ledges were wide enough to stand on. He didn't dare sigh in relief though. Sekhmet forbid he loose his footing. His heart was already hammering way too hard for his liking and it took a momentous effort to keep his mouth shut and not openly hyperventilate.

Homeroom wasn't that long right? He could stay out here until everyone left? If things got bad he could just mind control the teacher again.

Then he heard the two-faced bitch tell someone to shut and lock the open window.

Fuck!

This was bad.

Ra and all of Seth's devils, what idiot put all the second year classes on the second floor!

Okay, he forced himself to calm down and carefully shifted his eyes. Damnit, why did Yugi's desk have to be in the middle of the classroom?

Still, he had to chance it. He moved, slowly¸ the rod digging into his hip as he managed to get the tiniest glance of his beloved Yugi at his desk.

Marik's heart stopped.

A look of dreamy-eyed delight graced that sweet, angelic face. He twisted something between his fingers, casting it loving glances every so often. A flash of soft violet told Marik it was his rose.

And then—Yugi sighed: a long, dreamy, drawn-out sight of someone absolutely smitten, someone in love.

Marik's heart all but exploded out of his chest.

Did that mean…?

Was Yugi…?

Did he…did he feel the same way about him?

Or at least about Khazamaa...who was technically him?

Oh Ra

Oh sweet motherly Hathor and great glorious Baset. Yugi returned his feelings!Thank you merciful goddesses! I will not ignore this blessing!

Marik relaxed into a smile—and almost slipped.

He swallowed a scream and resumed his earlier stance except this time he did nothing to calm his racing heart and hysterical breathing. Holy Hell, how many times was he going to cheat death in the next ten minutes? Anpu and Seth were surely having a field day betting on whether or not he'd live to see the next half an hour. Well sucked for them! He was not going to go out this way! Not now! Not when he knew, knew that Yugi loved him back!

Okay, well maybe not loved him since technically he didn't know him yet but at least liked him, right?

…or at least liked who he thought was writing him love letters and leaving him flowers.

…and was willing to give him a chance.

Yes! Yugi would be is, he would earn his beloved mind, heart, body and soul! He was going to free him from the parasitic false pharaoh! He was going to marry him and make him his queen when he ruled the world with the power of the millennium puzzle! The parasitic false pharaoh be damned!

But first he had to get off this ledge.

That was when he saw the cherry tree just a few feet away. As slowly as he could, he slid one step at a time though each step was murder on his ankles and each movement felt like an earthquake. But life as a tomb keeper had left him accustomed to pain, and love and determination fired his resolve.

Then, finally, he reached out all but screeched with triumph when he grabbed the branch. With a mighty, reckless leap, he allowed the branch to carry him back to the tree. Blinded by victory, he forgot his footing and screamed when the less than stable branch beneath him snapped into.

That time he did scream and his vision was a dizzying blur of branches, leaves, flowers, shadows and sunlight as he was tossed, thrown and propelled back and forth. Branches, leaves and flowers barely cushioning tumbling spiral of his body until he finally crash landed on a pile of bushes, bounced and rolled into the ground.

"Oh ground! Sweet merciful ground!" Marik could've kissed it.

With a loud, anguished groan he forced his battered, bruised and bewildered body to move—and managed to roll onto his stomach with a loud 'oaf' of pain.

Oh Ra, he was sore. Everything hurt and he was suddenly extremely grateful for the hood and long cloak or he might've ended up scraped as well as bruised.

Maybe he could just lie here for a bit.

A series of gasps and giggled fire him awake.

Grabbing the Rod, he thrust it forward and commanded. "You saw nothing!"

The repeated the order robotically and stood like manikins until he dashed away and hid in the shadows.

He collapsed against the wall, his body completely betraying him in protest to the action.

Oh Ra! His whole body was pounding!

Okay, he thought stealing himself. Time to go home, take some pain killers, soak in a long hot bath, sleep for twenty four hours, and burn this robe.

It was a good plan…

Now where the hell did he park his bike?

X X X

Bakura shook his spectral head in disgusted amusement. What an idiot.

He watched Yugi's so-called secret admirer bolt like a rabbit on the run from a jackal after falling from a second-story tall tree and landing in a bush. How the hell is he even still alive?

It was still more entertaining than listening to the Geek Squad. Right now they were going on about that new game shop they were all going to after school and how pissed the Old Man was before the conversation shifted to the blond mutt ranting about some other punk showing off. Otogi, Ryou said…not that Bakura cared to listen. A new student who'd joined them starting second year and had acquired quite the fangirl following in the month since school started. If the girl's weren't fawning over the long black "bad boy" spikes tied back in a stylish pony tail, handsome hawk like features and slick ice green eyes, screaming over his saucy smiles and roguish winks, or melting into puddles of goo with each charismatic wink, they were going gaga over the magic tricks he did with dice.

Bakura immediately knew his type.

Far from a simply pretty boy, he was a con artists who knew how to use his charm and wiles to get what he wanted—be it attention, girls, or whatever else. And cared nothing for who he had to squash in order to get it.

Pity, he was so pathetic. They might've been friends.

It was no wonder the blond mutt hated him, though.

Maybe Bakura would get lucky and get to witness a brawl between them.

Bakura…came his landlord's scolding tone. You promised you'd behave today.

Ugh. I am! said spirit insisted, though why exactly his landlord insisted on going to school was beyond him—this so called high school whose "importance" everyone ranted about was nothing more than a glorified hormonal teenage prison. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Nonetheless, he had promised. Ryou hadn't been too happy to get the bill from the flower shop, even more so when Bakura refused to explain why he bought it, what it was for and where the darn thing was now. Not that he thought his landlord would care that it was a message for the Pharaoh, or that he suspected Ryou would say anything, mind you. It was just much more fun to tease him.

A part of him suspected Ryou insisted on bringing the ring with him to school, simply to torment him in response.

Two could easily play at that game, of course, but it did give him a chance to spy on the Pharaoh.

Speak of the devil, Bakura smirked as said spirit appeared besides Yugi, a specter invisible to all but Yugi and himself (and perhaps Ryou). If the Pharaoh saw Bakura he gave no indication.

No, his attention and Yugi's was fixated entirely on Mutt and Ponytail. Seemed Ponytail had worked his charms on Mutt who rose to the bait and started bragging completely aware to the fact Ponytail was luring him into a trap…one he sprung when he won the game he'd invented at the Mutt's expense—something he hadn't failed to noticed irked the Pharaoh's anger.

It made him smile.

Even as Ponytail pissed him off.

What do you mean, Bakura? Ryou asked curiously.

Fucker's setting a trap. Bakura decided to humor him.

A trap!? Ryou gasped. How do you know?

Let's just say I know a thing or two about them, Bakura boasted proudly. This one's just a more complex version of divide and conquer. He felt Ryou's confusion through the link and thus explained. The Mutt's not his target, just his means. The bait if you will. Ponytail lures him in with praise and promise, to make him over-confident then hustles him in order to seduce him into a worse con. The purpose of the first is to rile him up, make him angry, which makes him stupid. Once he has him, then he springs the real trap. Once the Mutt agreed he's already won.

Bakura's words were proven true when Jounouchi demanded another game, and Otogi named the stakes—becoming Otogi's dog for two weeks. And Ryou watched as Bakura's prediction bloomed to life as a poisonous flower.

He wouldn't make the bet unless he was absolutely certain he would win.

And in truth Otogi's arrogant demeanor did not fade. A victorious smirk painted his face as he dealt the cards. Explained the rules. And when Joey lost, his face transformed to one of absolutely triumph. And after two rounds, despite the odds seemingly being perfectly fair, Jounouchi kept losing. Over and over again.

And with his victory assured, the loser has no choice but to accept the penalty—whether for pride, honor or some other shit doesn't matter, which is exactly what the dealer wants.

And when Jou slumped there completely and utterly defeated, despite his friend's encouragement and insistence it was just a stupid bet, both Otogi and Jou seemed determined to see it done.

Because it was never about winning. Or humiliation.

Though Otogi certainly didn't shy away from such when he demanded Jou call him Master.

It's about stirring up discord. Pulling at the threads, bit by bit until the string finally snaps.

But what's the point! Ryou demanded turning to ask then spun around when he heard Jou wince in pain.

Bakura smirked. To rile up the real target, in the hope of turning everyone else against him. Even this shell game is a front. Meant to anger the true target—a coward's tactic. Weaken your opponent by hurting those he loves.

Otogi had struck Jou with a dice like it were a projectile bullet for speaking to someone other than him. And was preparing another projectile.

Of course, the problem with that tactic is that those who use it, are over confident idiots who've already over estimated their opponent.

"That's it! I've had enough!" With an enraged shout, Yugi stepped into his friend's defense.

And fail to see that love and anger do not make them weak. He explained. Ryou's eyes widening in witness,

Determination an indignant anger fired Yugi's violet eyes until they brazed like bright amethyst jewels. "We'll handle this!" Furious fingers clenching the puzzle's chain.

It makes them stronger! Bakura's smirk curled into a silent howl of victorious laughter as the Pharaoh appeared: anger radiating off him in enraged waves and looking as fierce and determined as Yugi had moments earlier.

Ah, there it was…That beautiful temper. Though not the one he was accustomed to. No, this one compared better to a lioness defending her cubs: fierce, determined, resiliant and didn't care if it was a hyena, a hippo, or a king lion—all of them would fall to the ferocity and might of her claws.

And Yami's claws were twice as sharp.

Those very claws shredded Otogi at his own game with a weapon far more painful than nails: shame.

Put in his place by the King, Otogi remained silent, humiliated in his defeat.

Bakura could've laughed himself sick as everyone left.

It took it back. He and Ponytail would not have been friends. Or even rivals. Bastard, was just another pompous prick with his arrogant head stuck up his ass.

It was Bakura's first mistake.

X X X

Yugi wasn't outside waiting for them.

And he wasn't inside the store either—at least according to the store's security office who was being obnoxiously unhelpful and insisted Yugi had probably gone home.

No one believed that.

Their backs to a corner, the Old Man suggested heading to the Game shop to wait for him. With no other options the others agrees, but as Ryou stood on the sidewalk, casting one last forlorn glance at the Dark Clown, a sinister sense of uncertainly crept through him like the specter of a murdered girl attempting in vain to warn another about to repeat her fate.

Ryou shivered. I have a bad feeling about this.

You have good instincts, Hikari. Bakura appeared at his side and there was a grave solemn expression that did not belong on the Spirit's normally carefree cocky face.

Something was wrong.

And his friends were in the middle of it.


Let me just say, Marik's segment was SO much fun to write! oh my God it took forever to finish because I could not stop laughing! oh my God the lengths this poor guy will go!

Seriously, its incredible how easy Marik and Bakura are to write! Bakura's part actually provided me with an opportunity i didn't originally consider-a way to bring Otogi into the story from Bakur's pv and show off that temper of Yami's we all know and love...

Few notes

1) The memory bouquet returns! This will continue to play a role in Yami's storyline

2) as stated above this takes place in Japan and the Japanese school year begins in April so this takes place on the last weekend in April. Japanese students also go to school half-days on saturdays and bussiness often open later on weekends because of this (hence Marik's problem). It also makes sense that Otogi and his dad would have their grand opening on a weekend day after the students were out of school (and in the manga Otogi's father confronts about being unable to defeat Yugi earlier that day so it adds up)

3) I'm just gonna come out and say it-Anzu is one og my fav characters. True i went up and down with her over the year and much of her antics to get Yami's attention at Yugi's expense in the seaosn 0 arc of the manga pissed me off but she came along way in duelist kingdom and she roved to be a much more strong willed and interesting character than her anime portrayal (4kids version at least since they screwed up everyone's dialogue not just hers) and i noticed very early in battle city her and Yugi's own crushes on each other seemed to dwindle and i found its more realistic when she's Yugi and Yami's friend and confidant rather than love interest. Not i don't imagine her getting with someone herself (I confess to being a Perserveshipper

4) Before anyone says it-I watch a lot of Bones and i figure it Mokuba can survive falling from the castle, crashing through a canopy and undergrowth of trees and survive intact Marik can definitely survive falling from the second story, through a bunch of cherry trees and landing in a bush.

See you next time!