Yami said nothing as he stomped into the lair, a scowl gracing his features. Walking into the throne room, he looked up at the throne, knowing who he would see there.
Lounging on the throne, which was a feat in itself at 7 foot 2 inches, Zorc sat in all his glory, black pants covering his lower half, black boots gracing his size 17 feet. Black bat wings were extended from his back as long, black hair graced his shoulders and back. Draped half over him in a smaller seat to his right was a grey eyed, white haired man in khaki breeches, a red and gold coat opened, showing a tanned, muscular chest, barefoot. There was a jagged T shaped scar under his right eye. Both turned their heads from each other upon hearing Yami enter. Smiling, Zorc's red eyes glinting, he looked Yami over. Talking to his lover seated next to him, he smirked. "Akeifa, I do believe that things must have went well, as Yami doesn't have his shirt..."
Yami looked down. Fuck. He forgot his shirt. Oh well. Immediately, a small teen with white hair came out, bringing a shirt for Yami. Smiling, Yami took the shirt from him. "Thank you, Ryou." He said gently. Akeifa watched the younger whitenette, eyes impassive.
Smiling, Ryou peeked up through his hair, chocolate eyes smiling as well. "Most welcome, Yami."
Yami smiled back. Leaning down as he put his shirt on, keeping out of earshot of Zorc, Yami whispered in Ryou's ear, "I brought you something...it's in your room." Standing, Yami saw a younger, trimmer, non scarred Akeifa skulk in. Nodding at Bakura, he smirked. "Bunny." Bakura snarled, walking up and flopping down in the other seat, on Zorc's left.
Being Zorc's favorite errand demon had it's privileges. Yami could get away with a lot of shit because he always completed his missions. No task was too hard, demented, or terrifying for Yami. He had never failed Zorc. The bunny brothers were a different story, though. Akeifa was Zorc's lover and the oldest brother of the three whitenettes. He was as "second in command" as anyone with Zorc could be. Bakura was the middle brother, two years younger than Akeifa, and the best thief Yami had ever seen. He was a loner, rarely speaking. While Akeifa and Bakura tolerated each other, both had a soft spot for their younger brother Ryou. And since Yami had a soft spot for Ryou as well, often bringing gifts, the brothers tolerated Yami. Therefore, Yami was in a rather coveted spot.
Yami looked up. "Plans are progressing as expected." Yami stated coolly. Zorc raised an eyebrow, signaling he wanted more information. "Atem is being tortured, as is Yugi. Atem couldn't even stay in the room for longer than five minutes."
Zorc smirked. "I leave it to you to destroy Egypt from the inside out. You've never failed me, I doubt you will start now. I leave it to you how you do that. And then, once complete, when the Pharaoh is crushed..." smirking, he planted a kiss on Akeifa's lips, biting painfully as Akeifa moaned lowly, "I can infiltrate and rule Egypt."
()()()()()()()()()()()
Ryou hurried back to his room. He couldn't wait to see what Yami brought him. Quiet, shy, and extremely loyal, Ryou was an asset Zorc wouldn't admit, but couldn't ignore. Ryou kept the place clean, did the errands, and kept quiet. Zorc saw the value in labor. He also knew that keeping the littlest one happy would appease the other two. Since it cost him nothing to do so, and got free labor out of the deal, as well as an exceptional lover and an amazing thief, Zorc tolerated the seventeen year old.
Walking in the room, his eyes lit up as the bronze boy with golden hair was sitting on the bed, drawing. Looking up when he heard Ryou come in, he gasped in surprise. "Ryou!" Jumping off the bed the teen ran, tackling a shocked Ryou in a hug.
"M...Marik?" Ryou asked quietly, staring at the friend he thought he had lost. He had been best friends with Marik since they were children...but he never thought he'd see Marik again when he was taken by Zorc three years ago.
"It's been so long!" Hugging Ryou tighter, Marik pulled back, eyes glassy. "We all wondered where you went...then when we heard that Bakura was working for Zorc, well, we just assumed...ya know..." Face going beet red, Marik looked down, scratching the back of his neck.
Ryou smiled at his oldest and dearest friend. "I'm glad you are here." Suddenly gnawing his lip, he frowned. "Did Yami take you, or did he ask if you wanted to go?" Worrying about Marik's psychotic older brother made Ryou's stomach quiver just a bit.
Marik smiled. "Well...he started to take me, then when I realized who he was, I figured he was taking me to you...so I asked him. He looked kind of surprised, but admitted it. I told him I wanted to go, he should of just asked me." Marik chuckled.
Ryou gnawed his lip. "Does Malik know this?"
Marik looked at Ryou. "I left a note. After I found out and told Yami that I wanted to go, I asked that he let me go back, get a few things, and leave a note. He did."
Ryou sighed. "Do you think that Malik will come for you?"
Marik stopped and looked up thoughtfully. "I really don't know. I mean, I wanted to come and I made that clear in my letter."
Ryou looked at his friend. "Well, in any event, it's been a long day. Why don't you rest up? It's getting late. You can have my bed, I'll sleep on the palette. We can worry about Malik tomorrow."
Marik shook his head firmly. "No. I'm not kicking you out of your bed. I can sleep on the palette."
Sighing, Ryou looked at his friend. "Fine. We can both sleep in the bed."
Marik nodded. "Compromise." Smiling, he stripped off his lilac shirt and dug in a bag Ryou hadn't noticed before. Ryou gasped as Marik bent over to dig in the bag.
"W..what happened to your back?" He whispered, reaching out, touching the marks on his friend's back that weren't there before.
Marik stiffened at Ryou's touch. "Tombkeeper marks." He said abruptly, forgetting the bag and sliding in the bed under the covers, his back to Ryou.
Ryou frowned, saddened at his friend's sudden change in mood. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Ryou whispered, blowing out the candle and crawling into bed.
Marik sighed and rolled over. Facing Ryou, he moved a piece of hair behind Ryou's ear. "You didn't upset me. I'm upset at the marks." Resting his head on his left arm, he put his right back on top of his side.
Ryou looked at Marik, dimly making out Marik's face in the shadows. "You're free of that now, if you wish. I know Zorc will let you stay here...Akeifa will help me, as will Bakura and Yami."
Marik smiled. "I'd like to stay here with you. I'm sure I can find a way to earn my keep."
"We'll talk to Zorc in the morning," Ryou smiled, drifting off to sleep.
Marik smiled too. Maybe, just maybe, he could have a better life. And maybe, he could get Ryou to notice him, too.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
The next morning Yugi woke up, stretching. Looking over, Atem wasn't laying there. Frowning, the events of the day before rushed upon him. Shame overwhelmed him. He enjoyed what Yami did to him. And why did Yami just do that to him, taking nothing in reciprocation? Yami was an insensitive, cold hearted bastard... Growling in frustration at being unable to discern the demon's intentions, Yugi went back to berating himself. How could he do what he did to Atem? He was in love with Atem, and yet he allowed himself to be seduced by that...that...demon! Growing angry at himself and at Yami, he swore it would never happen again.
Just then, the door opened. Atem walked in, looking at Yugi. His sweet, sweet Yugi. Eyes studying the ground, his mind replayed last night and that kiss with Seto. Did he enjoy it? It happened so quickly it was impossible to tell. But, Atem was sure he did not. He would have to speak to his friend, but right now he had to worry about Yugi.
The two looked at each other. Neither said anything. Yugi got up and walked towards Atem, shame filling his eyes. Atem held out his arms and Yugi rushed into them. Neither said anything as they held each other, vowing to themselves to never hurt the one they love again.
