Chapter 14

Complications

"Did someone get a case of the munchies last night?"

Bakura opened his eyes, immediately met with the dull and familiar thrum of a headache, courtesy of his latest little spat with dark Marik. He looked up, only to find Joey peering at him with some amusement.

"I didn't know the kitchen was such a great place for a kip," the blond said.

"It's not," Yugi stood up quickly, rubbing his head and looking a bit rough too.

Bakura made a point of avoiding his concerned gaze, instead concentrating on standing up, which appeared to be a feat in itself. His legs ached, like they might be bruised, and he head spun as he half staggered to the nearby chair in the lounge.

Marik was sitting on the couch, just opposite him, his expression quite tense. Bakura suspected the tomb keeper might hate him now, after the strange incident with the Pharaoh. The realisation made Bakura feel tired, like he'd wasted a good deal of effort on something that had come to nothing.

Though he tried not to, he kept remembering Marik and Ryou together in the bedroom. The memory was annoying in it's prominence, but there it was. Bakura wasn't sure if it was yet another side effect of this wretched mortal body.

"So are you going to tell us why you decided to have late night snacks in the kitchen this morning?" Tristan enquired innocently.

"And more importantly why we weren't invited?" Joey added.

"Hardly snacking," Yugi cringed. He looked at Bakura, as though waiting for him to elaborate. But Bakura had no such urges to do so. Somehow he liked the idea that Marik might wonder about him and Yugi. And somehow it made sense to feel a bit vengeful.

"Well," Joey cleared his throat, as though to diffuse the tension. "at least everyone's still alive, which is saying somethin', considering the situation."

Bakura lay his head slowly on the arm of the chair, waiting for his headache to subside a little more. The tense pull at the back of his mind was Marik's link, and Bakura was finding it harder to sense it this past day or two. He couldn't decide if it was because he was tired or Dark Marik had weakened him so much. Perhaps it was a combination of both.

"Soon this whole situation will be over with," Tea said rather cheerily, giving everyone cups of tea and pieces of toast.

"Assuming the Egypt plan is the right one," Joey said. "Yug, do you even know what you're doing, here?"

Yugi was crunching on his toast, face creased with thought; "I don't know what else we can do."

Tristan came into the room, grumbling to himself and with a sleepy face; "Ryou's a genius. I should have made my excuses and left too when I had the chance."

Joey smirked; "What's the matter? Duke and Serenity getting cosy again?"

"What do you think?" Tristan pulled a face.

Bakura lifted his head; "Ryou will be coming with us. He's not staying behind."

Tristan shook his head; "Then he really is crazy."

"You don't have to come along," Tea pointed out.

"But I want to," Tristan folded his arms. "It's what good friends do."

And just in case Serenity changes her mind, right?" Joey grinned.

Tristan glared at him. "Sometimes I actually want to kill you."

Marik stretched out on the couch, like he'd been oblivious to all the conversation. He stood up and looked round at everyone; "I'm going to see my brother and sister at the hospital. I think Odion is leaving today." his gaze lingered on Bakura, and for just a second the Spirit felt their link open and fluctuate. It looked like Marik wanted to say something, but he held off at the last minute.

Bakura felt cold with the disappointment of it all. He rubbed his head and watched the tomb keeper leave. Now he was alone with humans that didn't really trust him, and Ryou wasn't even there to offer his awful burnt toast. Bakura was surprised to find himself noticing his old, hapless host's absence so much. It wasn't that he really cared…he just missed seeing him there...

"Bakura,"

Bakura jolted, then noticed that Tea was standing very close to him, her eyes reflecting some concern.

"What?" he said cagily.

"Food," she pushed a plate into his hands. "Eat up."

Bakura did as he was told, only because he was starving and his body seemed incredibly thankful for it. He wasn't sure he'd ever get used to these mortal rules. Eating, sleeping, it all seemed such a waste of time when so much more important stuff was happening.

He lay his head back down and watched Yugi talking to everyone else. After a while Yugi's words became fainter and harder to make out; just a hum of noise accompanied by other voices every now and then. Bakura noticed Duke's annoyed expression a few times, and the way Tea fussed over Yugi, making sure he was alright, no doubt…

8

Bakura opened his eyes. He couldn't remember closing them, and he looked about to see Tristan sitting on the couch opposite him, and no one else.

"The others are all out," Tristan answered his confused face. "I was put on demon-sitting duty…again."

Bakura straightened up, subconsciously feeling for the Ring, which always provided a source of comfort these past few days. He must have fallen asleep, and he berated himself for doing it so easily, in front of everyone like that.

"How're you feeling?" Tristan asked. "I heard you had a pretty rough time last night."

Bakura took a moment to recall it; Yugi sitting there with him even though he didn't have to. But mostly the pain in his head, still trying to get out.

"Yes," he nodded. "The other…Dark Marik is getting stronger."

"I know it," Tristan said like it was obvious. Then he seemed to hesitate; "I'm supposed to ring, in case anything happens again." he held up a cell phone, like Bakura needed the elaboration.

Bakura grinned faintly. "You only stayed last time because of your friends, Duke and Serenity."

"So?" Tristan bristled.

"Are you not over it yet?"

Tristan grimaced; "do you think I'd admit it to you, even if I wasn't?"

Bakura shrugged. "I don't know why you would."

Tristan made a noise of frustration, then spoke, almost like some invisible force was urging him to confess all; "it's not…it's not that I didn't think Duke liked her…I just didn't think she'd return it, you know?"

Bakura stared hard at him, recognising the emotion into the human's eyes, the way he spoke…It sort of alarmed him, not so much that he realised he could relate to Tristan, but just that he could relate on any human level.

He thought understanding them was the hardest part, and yet here he was remembering Marik and Ryou in the bedroom, an odd stinging in the middle of his stomach, telling him it was awful, and making him care.

"I think I know," he said. "though I don't want to."

"Maybe Joey's right…I'm just deluding myself into thinking I have a chance," Tristan carried on, not really hearing Bakura. "but there is always the chance, isn't there?" he stopped then, and started to laugh; "What am I doing? Why am I telling you all this?"

Bakura couldn't answer, there was no chance to, as the door suddenly opened and everyone poured in, noisy conversation mostly happening between Joey and Tea, who were arguing about an overpriced drinks store.

Last to enter were Marik, Ishizu and Odion. Bakura tensed in his chair, gripping the edges and finding his link with Marik. The tomb keeper seemed happy; stood between those that loved him. Bakura supposed that made sense.

But Odion and Ishizu looked at him at once; their expression complete contrasts. Odion full of mistrust, as he took a seat, making little eye contact with anyone. And then Ishizu, who watched Bakura with an intent that would remain there, as everyone else became background noise to Bakura's ears.

Only Yugi took a moment to talk to him, bending close so that their items clinked together.

"Are you alright, Bakura?" he asked.

Bakura knew what he meant, and nodded. "Nothing has happened."

Yugi nodded. "Good." And that was all.

A strain of want came over Bakura when he glanced more than occasionally at Marik. He just wanted to be close, to remember his warmth all over again. Somehow it made him feel stronger.

But Marik didn't seem interested, and Bakura took his moment to slip into an empty bedroom, away from the noise of family reunions, happiness he could not understand. He held the Ring hard on his hand.

"One more night," he murmured, thinking of Egypt and closing his eyes.

When he was on the edge of sleep, Bakura was alerted by a soft knock on the door. An odd optimistic part of him expected to see Marik. Maybe he'd come to say he wasn't angry anymore. Bakura hoped so; then things would be easier to cope with again.

He was not so much disappointed as he was confused when Ishizu appeared. She was holding the Millennium Necklace against her chest.

Bakura stood up, feeling defensive for some reason. "yes?" he asked.

"Don't be scared," she advanced slowly into the room. "I just want to talk."

Bakura scoffed; "You think I'm scared? You must know so little about me."

"I might know more than you think, too."

"Cut your cryptic nonsense," Bakura shook his head. He found himself, however subconsciously, backing up, away from her.

Ishizu's expression was kind, which annoyed him. Bakura was sick of kindness; he only cared about it when it was Marik.

"You look tired, Bakura," Ishizu said, in a calm voice. She closed the gap a little more between them, and raised the Necklace too, almost so Bakura had no other choice but to look at it.

"You know something…of the future, don't you?" he said slowly.

"I know of a possible future, but this sort of thing is never written in stone," she leaned forwards then, a tiny smile on her face.

For a second Bakura recognised the trust in her eyes, and the way she resembled Marik. Then he felt her arms grasping him all around, into some tight and uncompromising sort of embrace.

Ishizu whispered close to his ear; "I must thank you, for protecting my brother like this."

Bakura didn't move; he stared over her shoulder and absorbed her human heat; how he was starting to need it more and more…

Ishizu broke away then, her smile still trained on Bakura, however careful it might have been. Then she pulled the Necklace off her neck and held it out to him.

Bakura gave both her and the item a guarded look; "the Pharaoh is right outside."

"I want you to keep a hold of it." she caught his hand, simultaneously placing the Necklace round his neck. She looked at it, hanging there against the well worn Ring, with some satisfaction.

Bakura stared at her. "I want to know" he said, almost too quietly. "What is the future you have seen?"

Ishizu was already walking to the door. She glanced over her shoulder at Bakura, her expression earnest. "The one I want."

888

It was too cold. Way too cold.

Marik tried to curl the sleeping bag around him tighter, until he found it was not there anymore. Absently he wondered if Joey had took it, or Duke perhaps…till the cold raced through him again, telling him to wake up.

He opened his eyes, but it was too dark. A dark that he remembered too well, like smoke and hurting his eyes. A familiar dread crept over him, and he cried out and scrambled back on the hard stone floor.

"Marik," Bakura was at his side before he could properly gather his bearings. "what are you…you must get out of here,"

Marik grabbed Bakura's shirt, wild in his confusion and fright; "What…is this a nightmare? Am I having a nightmare…please tell me it is…"

Bakura held his arms tight, icy hands injecting the pinch of reality Marik needed. Then he blinked and focused on Bakura better. The Spirit looked frightened, in a way Marik hadn't seen before. And his breathing was heavy, as though he'd run a marathon.

"Bakura…" Marik looked all about them, noticing the curling dark cloud growing above their heads. "why am I here again?"

Bakura shook his head, then pulled an item off from around his neck. He pressed it into Marik's hands.

"You can use this, to get out of here," he told him.

Marik stared down at the item, the Necklace. "Ishizu gave this to you."

"Yes. You must use it to escape."

Marik frowned, "and what are you going to do? I won't leave you here!"

Bakura shoved him back; "you must."

Hardly stung by the move, Marik held his ground. "no, I'll help fight…we both have an item, we can be stronger-"

At the same moment a wave of the clouding darkness fell over them, and Marik found himself on the floor, shaking terribly and drained of whatever strength he'd had. Sickness touched the back of his throat, along with emotions he thought he'd left behind. Such anger, hatred, pulsing through his veins and turning his fists white…

He felt Bakura's hand on his shoulder, the Spirit was kneeling next to him.

"It wants to hurt you," Bakura said in a soft voice. "in this way."

Marik peered up at Bakura, seeing the strain on the Spirit's face, like he was fending off another attack.

"What should I do?" Marik whispered, and gripped Bakura's hand hard.

"Use the item," Bakura quickly pulled it round Marik's neck. "it shouldn't be too difficult for you, remember how you used the Rod."

Marik felt himself nod, even though he didn't want to. "are you going to be okay?"

Bakura smiled roguishly. "why do you ask such stupid questions?"

Marik locked gazes with the Spirit a moment more, before shutting his eyes tight and finding the Necklace's glow against him, emitting through his palm and making him sick with it's power. He felt Bakura's hand release his own, and then he was gasping, sticky with sweat in his sleeping bag.

8

"Bakura!" he shot up and scrambled out of the bedroom and into the lounge, knowing where to find the Spirit.

Bakura lay on the couch, the Ring glowing blindingly round his neck. Marik grabbed him, started to shake him hard, not knowing what else to do.

"Bakura, wake up! Wake up!" he cried, feeling useless as Bakura remained as still as ever. "come on, you said you'd be okay, so don't tell me you're lying!"

There was nothing else left to do. Marik looked at the bedroom door where Yugi slept, and thought nothing else of it. He ran into the bedroom, and shook the boy awake.

Yugi rubbed his eyes; "what's wrong?"

"Bakura,"

It was all Marik had to say. The Puzzle began to glow and suddenly Marik was staring up at the Pharaoh's determined face.

In the lounge, they found Joey and Tristan sat round Bakura too, awake and concerned.

"It's that psycho Marik, isn't it?" Tristan guessed.

"Is he coming?" Joey asked fearfully.

"Not if it can be helped," Yami noticed the Necklace and Ring around Bakura. "he's using two items-"

"Not anymore," Marik shook his head; "He gave the Necklaces' power to me, so I could get out."

Yami nodded, like he understood, then he crouched close to the Spirit, holding the Puzzle in his hands. Marik watched with some desperate fascination as Yami seemed to lock into Bakura's mind; the Puzzle glowing fiercely and seeming to encourage the glow of the Ring.

As the light of the items seemed to intensify Yami made a gasping sound, before falling against Bakura, like he'd been knocked unconscious.

"This can't be good!" Joey cried, moving to grab Yami.

"No, leave him," Marik said, unsure why he should.

"Are you mental? Now they're both unconscious!"

"It's okay," Marik swallowed, "I think…I think this is how it happens…"

Tristan stared between them nervously; "what if it shouldn't happen like this?"

"We'll wait," Marik told him, trying to keep his nerves in check.

Wasn't that all they could really do now, anyway? Just wait.

Joey paced the room, back and forth, his face wrought with anxiety. "Maybe we should get Tea…she's always good at calming these kinda situations…"

Tristan sat at the breakfast table, wringing his hands; "or perhaps we should ring a hospital?"

"Somehow I don't think doctors are that well versed in curing ancient spirit attacks," Joey said.

Marik couldn't consider anything. He just had to hope that things would work out, and Bakura would wake up. That was the main thing.

Someone coughed; and Yami's body shook as he came round, slowly lifting himself off Bakura. Joey and Tristan rushed to him.

"Are you okay, man?" Tristan asked.

Yami gave him a dazed look. "Better," he patted the Puzzle. "Yugi's safe." then he turned to Bakura, and slowly lifted him up. The movement roused the Spirit, and Bakura opened his eyes, coughing harshly.

Yami bent close to his face. "are you alright?"

Bakura blinked at him, as though he was used to their close proximity. Marik was too worried to care about that anymore though.

"Yes," the Spirit muttered, and closed his eyes again.

Yami replaced him on the couch, and looked at his small audience with a grim face. "tomorrow can't come soon enough."

8

Bakura came round coughing and heaving, like he might throw up. But Marik felt their link fall back into place with some relief, even if Bakura's end was rather weak. He grabbed the Spirit's hand, injecting it with some warmth.

"Is it time?" Bakura asked hoarsely, when he'd composed himself.

Marik shook his head. "still a few more hours till morning. Think you can hold out?"

Bakura struggled upright, his eyes adjusting to the dark of the room, and Marik, who was sitting so close.

"Are you alright?" Bakura asked at once.

"Of course I am," Marik smiled weakly. "when I've got stupid demon spirits protecting me."

Bakura returned the smile, then rubbed his temple, wincing a bit.

"Are you alright?" Marik tightened his hold on the Spirit's hand. "You worried me so much-"

"I've already told you-"

"Yeah I know, stop doing that," how Marik wished it could be that easy. He sighed then, resigned to his own hopelessness. "I don't know why I…I keep shutting you out."

It's understandable." Bakura said.

"No it's not, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions, about you and the Pharaoh…"

Bakura looked confused, then shook his head; "No, I can understand, if you are wary of me now. The darkness is so close…closer to you when you are near me."

Marik realised what he meant, and felt himself shivering. "Is that how it happened? Is that how he managed to pull me back into your Soul Room?"

"I think so," Bakura said thoughtfully. "He is trying different tactics. Trying to bring you to him, I suppose."

"Oh great. Best news all day."

"It's not so bad. Only a slight complication."

"Slight complication?" Marik stared at him; "You're never going to give up, are you? Nothing ever…gets to you, does it?"

Bakura looked at him for a long moment, then tipped his head to his chest, where the Ring and the Necklace still were.

"I think I owe your sister my gratitude for this." he held the Necklace up a bit.

Marik touched it rather tentatively, and met Bakura's gaze with a small smile. "yeah, I think I do too."

Bakura kept watching him, his expression so lost in uncertainty that Marik almost wondered if he was sensing another attack. Then Bakura spoke, like he was unsure of his words;

"When I noticed you with Ryou, I think…I think that got to me," his eyes moved to his lap in an agitated way. "I think so," he nodded, almost to himself. "that's what I meant. All I meant."

Marik felt himself quivering for some reason. "Really?" was all he could think to ask.

"Yes."

Bakura looked up quickly, his expression apprehensive. Then, in a careful motion,

he held out his hand and touched Marik's face.

Those fingers were cold, as they always were, but Marik felt like he'd been warmed somehow. Bakura's eyes were almost kind in the semi darkness of the room, and his mouth became a tepid smile. The link grew between them, and Marik was encouraged by it.

He leaned forwards, and placed a hand round Bakura's head. Bakura barely moved, his expression dropping into a vague realisation along with his hand on Marik's face. Marik felt the nervous tremor of the Spirit's link.

"It's okay," Marik said. "It's easy."

He leant the rest of the way in, the tiny gap between them disappearing.

The Spirit's lips felt soft and cool, but Marik was not bold enough to let it be anything more than a moment. He broke away, almost fearing Bakura's reaction.

He was touched to see Bakura's eyes were closed, and his mouth was parted in some sort of anticipation for what might have happened next. Marik wished he hadn't moved away. He reached out a hand, but Bakura opened his eyes at the same moment.

The Spirit crept back on the couch, putting a hand over his mouth as he started to cough again, batting away Marik's concerned approach.

"Bakura-"

"I'm… very tired," Bakura interrupted quietly. He reached out a hand then, and tapered it along Marik's arm.

It barely touched him, but it was enough to make Marik's skin dance with the sensation.

"Marik, will you stay here?" Bakura asked.

"Of course, whatever you want."

"I mean, so it's warm."

Marik stared at the couch, where Bakura curved into it, and realised what the Spirit wanted.

He slid onto the couch and lay facing Bakura, their faces so close that Marik could see the shades of his dark eyes, and the cracks of his lips, and he knew he still wanted them.

He moved a hand onto the sharp curve of Bakura's hip and rested it there. Bakura watched him, unblinking, like he was entranced. His lips quivered, as though he might speak.

Marik shifted closer; he only needed to move a tiny bit before their torsos pressed together and Marik could feel the jut of ribs and the beat of a heart there, close to his own. He heard Bakura make a small humming sound, like pleasure, and then he felt an arm, delicate on his own hip, cold but Bakura, so it didn't matter.

"Is it warmer?" Marik whispered, his voice shaking just a bit.

Bakura nodded against him, and closed his eyes as he spoke. "Much more than that."

8888

Notes: So a kind of sort of kiss. Yes I'm a nasty tease…I can't help it!

Well next chapter we're on Kaiba's jet and stuffs going down!

I hope to update before Christmas, but it's a very busy time. In the meantime, if I do not, have fantastic holidays everyone. Keep well! =)