Story: Immortal Guardians
Chapter 2: Mirror To a Cursed Land.
Author: Little Dark Keeper
Disclaimer: Owning Yu-Gi-Oh, its like a sinking a ship when your lv1 and its lv70. Not Going To Happen.
Pairings known: Yugi and Malik… (Others Are Secrets)
"Talking!"
'Thoughts'
-flash backs or dreams-
Tri-colored hair was flung in different direction as it was let loose from hits hold. The owner was dodging yet another fire dart with a wicked bad case of ego. He taunted the demons before him as he weaved in out of there flying weapons. Taking another step out of the way the demon who was being assaulted or so it seemed watched as to over grown apes headed his way. 'Aren't apes great throwers?' He asked himself staring at them from his position. He narrowly dodged an incoming dagger with a little breath to spare for the next one.
"Getting a bit tired Yami?" A man grunted with a Scottish accent. He raised his beer with a hearty laugh and gulped it down seconds later. "That's to you Yami!" He called with another laugh.. Slamming his fist on the bar the bartender poured him another from the tap. No one really needed words in this bar but that wouldn't be much fun. Now would it? Yami only laughed dodging a few more flying projectiles in the nick of time. He was lucky, he wasn't pinned to the backboard already. He was getting a bit rusty on the game. Darts Hunter, though the game was played with any pointy small object. It was named after the original flying object that the natives used to play with. Demons around the world played the game thus Yami played to. He currently competed for the Darts Hunter Bar Title. The game was simple, Points awarded by tens for upper body hits. The higher you go the more points. From the waist down it was by fives. If you managed a groin or a heart hit you get an extra twenty five points. If you can manage to pin his ear to the wall you get an extra fifty and a extra ten if it rips. Yami had been at it for a few hours, the man keeping score marked a piece a paper for scores. So far Yami had been hit once though he was getting damn near close to it. But, Yami who had been there sense the beginning when they opened the game up to others. Had to many points to risk loosing them all. He played for five striate days racking up his points on the losers who though they could play. Then challenged many a player to a duel for points. Which was basically a one on one.
"What's the time Bakura?" The white haired demon looked at the clock with a laugh. He shook his head staring a Yami who jumped over low flying daggers while maneuvering past broadside darts.
"Six and a half hours." Yami groaned he was better then this. Yet he ached all over and felt the overwhelming pressure of someone else's feelings. He tried to shake it as a near miss passed him by. That was why he was playing this game hopping to shake the feeling. Yesterday he saved his worthless brother from a fight and today he could feel his feelings like he had detailed them to him. He growled kicked a dart out of the way that had managed to fall onto the ground. Yugi strengthen himself trying to put his little brother out of his mind. He dodged a few flying weapons as a star hit the backboard behind him.
"We are up to Chinese stars already? How long do I have?" The score keeper checked hi list of entries and grinned.
"A few hours." He muttered, though Yami caught the words quite easily. Bakura stood handing the Journal they kept the scores in to the man beside him. He walked to the back of the room where the bartender stared at the game with less interest then when he first introduced the game. The brunet didn't look at Bakura as he sat down he expected him to say toss me one. But, like it had been stated you don't need words in this bar. The bartender picked one up from the cooler and placed it in front of his friend. Bakura opened the beer with his fang and started at Yami with a chuckle.
"You think he'll make it?" Seto and Bakura gave each other a striate face then laughed there ass off.
"What do you think? Yami has been gunning for this recorded for ever. He has been Making sure he wouldn't run out of points."
"To bad he grew attached to that number beside his name." Seto smirked.
"I would love to see someone finally hit that bastard." Bakura nodded.
"No!" Yami whined, Seto and Bakura's head flung around to see what was going on. "No my babies! They can't have my babies." They both gave each other a knowing look.
"Seconds." Bakura pushed the empty bottle back at his friend when another was placed in front of him. He drank it as quickly as the first and ordered another. He and Seto numbly watched the game fly on when Yami had been hit with a dagger. As much as Bakura would love to call it in he couldn't.
" Out!" Bakura called to the score keeper. The boy whined to Bakura that it hit him.
"LISTEN!" The boy backed up fear stricken. "It hit the floor and toppled. Therefore its out." He turned back to his last beer. Yami picked up the dagger and flung it at the owner who was struck in the arm with it.
"RETRY!" Yami demanded. The other demons back out of the way as the boy ignored his wounds and took his place. He took his aim carefully, got ready, and flung it striate into at Yami's chest. Yami to easily dodged though it was a great shot for a newbie. Before he could say anything the boy walked out of the bar his head hung low. Yami let out a soft growl as he rounded the other demons back up.
"SETO!!!! I might have to kill Yami." A voice said out of no where, the disembodied voice was soon located in the entrance of the door way. Body and all. His hair spiked to the room and bleached blond a evil smirk in his eyes that showed no where else. He moved with a sultry grace that some how seemed manly.
"Why is that?" Seto replied tonelessly, The boy took his seat his head resting on his hands. He looked up from resting on the bar his eyes almost losing there spark.
"He's being my record." Marik said flatly he looked over at Bakura. "How many more hours?" Bakura answered almost non-directly when a group of teenage demons formed a legion against Yami.
"HE"S CHEATING!" They yelled chanting the words. Standing, The white haired demon glared at there backs. The all turned eyes widening. He shut them up rather quickly when he shoved the coconspirators heads together.
"Don't disrespect your elders! Now GET!" He made a movement as if he was about to pound them. The Teenagers backed up , turned on there heels, and ran out the door.
"I'm not that old!" Yami called, Bakura didn't say anything laughter in his eyes. He watched as a few other demons scattered through out the room. He they all acted as if a Demon-eating monster was after them. Bakura was most likely that monster. He puffed up at the site of baby's taking his seat.
"Mr. Ryou…" Seto called in mockery. "Phone call." Bakura was half expected to run to the phone. But, keeping with the evil self he walked.. Rather quickly. Seto shut the door behind him and moved over to pour the Scotsmen another drink.
"Speaking of pains in necks." Yami said his head starting to throb.
"Don't let Bakura here you say that!" Marik purposely said loudly. Yami growled squatting to pick up another dagger and flung it striate at his best friend.
"I save my little brother once again." Marik winced at the words brother. He hated those words they were vile. He could remember the time he died cause of a sibling. It wasn't her fault really. But an eternity in limbo cause of innocent soul saving choices. He should have told her the truth about him. Luckily Bakura who feverishly grabbed… He shook the though from his head and looked over at Yami.
"Did you talk to him? " Marik asked. Yami shook his head he knew what Marik meant. As far as he was concerned he didn't want to be Yugi's brother. At least as much as Marik wanted to be Malik's brother.
"Did you say anything." It was Seto's turn to speak . Staring at Marik and Yami he gathered the less said the better. Marik was almost ready to let whatever may come happen to his brother. If that meant death for him so be it. Yami yelped as his sleeved was pinned to the wall. He dodged still as easily as before but he couldn't move.
"Stupid rules." He grumbled, at least no points were deducted.
"I asked if he was alright." Yami said in the silence of the room. It was eerier silent as if the world was trying to concentrate on killing Yami. He blinked as a fire star passed him by missing his nose by inches. "He saw my tattoo." He growled again as his movement slowed. The beach blonde head fell to bar once again playing with his beer bottle. He had wondered why Yami had suddenly grown soft at the game. He could only guess if it was easy battle will and emotion from someone else. Someone he had a lot of it. Yami wasn't used to it. IT had been a long time sense he felt anything close to that. 'Was it going to be like that for him.' He asked himself staring at the bottle with worry written in his eyes. 'Bakura is totally in love with the situation. Seto…' Marik glanced at Yami and his difficulty, he couldn't go through that. He didn't want to go through that he loved the game.
"Once you get used to it this isn't that hard." Yami said talking about the emotion running through him. "But, how many damn emotion can a kid have through the day?" He mumbled something only Marik could imagine. It was back to silence the time slowly ticking by. Marik's thoughts running loose. Seto just sat behind the bar almost willing something to blow up. Anything but this. Taking a sip of his beer The crimson eyed blond stood up and exited with out a single world. He didn't want to talk about it. It was too chilly out, rubbed his arms the air surrounded him. Yami was a king once, high on his throne and Bakura a thief. Something happened to them in limbo. Yami ruled the kingdom with a iron but fair fist. Protecting everyone under his rule. He sat on the throne and played games. His six priests at his side. Bakura stole the dead for revenge. He stole priceless heirlooms and women. They both softened sense then , Marik had always protected his little sister. But, he was afraid of telling her the truth. She might have run off and got hurt. He didn't care if he died. But she wasn't aloud to. Tears filled his eyes as he walked on. He wiped them away with fierce determination to not be emotional sap. He turned the corner and entered a demonic café' The Fresh Meat Café. When he stepped in side he the overwhelming smell of Demons and meat hit him. It was something he was used to he could smell the young demons in the air. He was hopefully aloud to ignore them. The Baby demons watched him when he came out with a bloody uniform. Ignoring the glances and whispers from the demonic ladies he went to the counter. The toughest of the tough sat there with evil grins a mile long and stomachs twice as big. There was a saying at Fresh Meat. "You want to get paid you come in. If You don't you come into eat. I don't hire Demons I only fire them." Marik like most demons working this shift only came in for the money they wanted. They left with what little the owner was willing to pay them. The shifts he's pulled and the costumers that Marik as brought he managed a pretty fat check. Much to many demons dislike. He didn't care what they thought he did this for survival they wanted it they needed to do the same.
A Few hours later and Yami had just made it over the record by twenty minuets. Of course if Marik were here and not moping around he be challenging Yami to a game of Duel. Also know a Darts Hunter War. That's what the problem was, Marik wasn't here he was off problem serving food to some hungry beast. Yami only shook his head to the ideas forming. Marik wasn't the type to have little brothers. Well either was Bakura after Egypt and what happened. But, for Marik it was different his little sister meant the world to him. Even more then his other sister priestess Isis.
-Flashback-
A Golden haired beauty stared up at her older brother, crimson eyes staring innocently at him. Her hair hung in a braid streaked in blood red. She grinned up at him. Marik only paid attention to his hair greasing to towards the guy. When the younger sibling reached to touch it he battered her way adding a bit more of his special coactions to the mixture.
"Brother? What is that attracts your hair to the sun?" The older boy stopped and laughed. He gave his best friend a isn't-she-cute looks.
-Fast forward-
It was things like this that kept Marik aware of his surroundings. His life always depended on his knowing. He never risked much, he protected his younger sister that way. Marik never saw the day come in million years.
"Marik!" Thrown from his disillusions a grown female voice called for him. Her blonde hair hung lower on her shoulders.
Bakura watched as the younger of the three ran towards her brother who was now riding towards her. Growling, Bakura fist balled up he stared at her then started for her. He wasn't about to let her get hurt in there fight. Not like his sister go hurt in some else's fight. How he wished he could see her. His heart welled up in side he ran for her. Jumping to the sand below the hills he raced for a sword engulfed in the desert. HE never made though and Marik… Never made it either. Marik Awake not sure how he was knocked out. Bakura slowly got up at his feet. They Jumped up despite the pain and ran to littlest member. The sand was tainted now, covered in a innocent blood. Bakura dropped to his knees and Marik turned away. "She's… SHE.. She can't be!" Bakura closed his eyes trying to remember what happened. The scene was so clear until.
'BAKURA!' He jolted back replaying the scene.
"She died saving my life." Marik growled in anger turning to his sister.
"I should have told her!! I should have said something. You can't die unless I die and I can't die unless Isis dies." Bakura only muttered something tears in his eyes.
-End of Flashback-
Marik could only shake his head, the memory welling up in side him. Sitting on the curb a couple hours after trying to work the memories away. He had in his hands photos of who was keeping him a live. Golden hair to his shoulders, like his almost twin like. Marik watched the boy who was currently across the street. Was he crying? Malik had his head titled to the side looking at Yugi's baby pictures. The only ones he had on him at the moment. 'The little hell raiser is making water.' Marik thought in disgust wiping away his own tears. Malik got up from his spot still not seeing Marik and started forward down the sidewalks. Marik followed close behind trying to stay hidden in a not so closed area.
"He should love me." Malik sniffled. Marik titled his head to get a good look at the photos and gasped. Quick to hide himself when Malik swung around to see who was behind him. Marik breathed in slowly trying to push the hair out. He didn't continue stalking Malik from there he turned and darted back to the slums of Domino. Sekuba Bar, Was written in blue on the sign. It was the closet thing to fancy in the hell hole they all lived in. He walked in after opening the door and took his seat. Yami and Bakura greeted him with a beer.
"You won't believe what I figured out!" Marik then looked away to see every pair of eyes wondering from him to the game section. 'So Yami one.' He grumbled din his head. "Yamz, how closely did you beat me?"
"20 Minuets.: Yami examined his friend closely, He was acting stranger in a distant way. Unlike the Marik he knew, he was expecting war the instant he found out.
"Guess what I found out?" Marik said again staring at Seto. Seto chuckled knowing the others were to far gone in dreamland to answer. But, before Seto could say anything Bakura chimed in.
"Where your brain went?" Marik repeated the question in confusion and added.
"No but I found yours in the trash." He looked a Seto for his friendly 'nice insult' sense Yami had
wondered off in thought.
Marik stayed silent until Seto glared everyone into quite there staring. Normally Yami and Bakura got up and pounded someone for example. But, the door where quite. Yami battling whatever Emotion Yugi could throw at him and Bakura being a dork thinking in insult to late in the game. Now that he was alone so to speak he could continue is one way conversation.
"Congratulations Yamz." Marik said using a pet nickname, Yami puffed up like a peacock showing his scar less body. "Anyway, before ego boy gets a big head. Guess who Malik has a crush on." Marik smiled. Then pointed to Bakura. "I'm going to assume you know this." Bakura only nodded. Mari didn't know to much about Ryou and Bakura's relationship. But he knew Bakura very well. If there is one modern day thing he loved it was the telephone. It was a good thing Seto was rich or his bar would have a worrisome phone bill. Ryou was the light half, and though he was different in that aspect. He was veritably a mini clone of the older version. The light half was smart, he was a great at finding things out. He must have seen Marik takes pictures of Malik every once in a while. 'But how much as Old Bakura told him?' Ryou is resourceful so he must have found out some of it from Yugi and Malik who figured out there tattoos. Marik was a bit confused, he was talking about Ryou figuring out Malik's crush. Which isn't hard to do when you're his best friend. But, Ryou must have figured out the holes in Bakura's story. Just Why hasn't he told Yugi and Marik. Who obviously don't know. Cause if they did they would be hear trying to know more.
"YO Numb nuts, what did you find out?" Bakura asked kind of annoyed. Marik explained what happened when he followed Malik.
"So my brother has a stalker?" Yami asked.
"Your brother has a friend whose a stalker." Seto replied with a chuckled. The gang looked up at him in surprise. He didn't laugh often and today he had done it a bit. "How do you even manage that?"
Yami shrugged. "He's not a real stalker." Seto said putting logic into it. Bakura raised his hand with enthusiasm swinging I wildly about.
"I KNOW, I KNOW!" Bakura cooed.
"I'll take demonic idiots for one thousand Alex." Marik laughed a Yami's comment. Bakura always knew the things that only the person themselves knew. He was quite the inside man. He could figure things out in an instant… Or seven. "You see Seto is right. He's not a stalker he a crazed lover. From a not so far away place. At the royal ball Seto's throwing Ryou's going to get them together." Marik winched wasn't he going to be there. He can't be there with Malik he just… couldn't.
"It's not a royal ball." Seto implied then turned to Marik. "On The other hand… YOUR GOING MARIK LIKE IT OR NOT!" Seto used his demonic voice, one that out powered all of the other voices in the room. Marik who was now shaking in his boots. If he had been wearing any shoes at all.
"Okay." He said meekly.
Malik Looked down at his desk, he had been trying to come up with a English class poem. It was due tomorrow but he had weeks to write it. Weeks turned to days and days turned to hours. The way his life was going, love life that it is. He would never come up with a poem. He just couldn't focus on the accursed poem. Malik looked at the clock then the blank paper in front of him. It was dark now and he supposed he should get ready for dinner. Ishizu, was making his favorite. She knew no boundaries in conversation though, Once she dared asking him if he was a virgin. She took the liberty to explain it was alright to be a virgin when he said no. He should tell her she doesn't have to worry. He will never lose his virginity, the one he like doesn't care about him more then a friend. His mind switched over kissing Ryou that after noon. A lame attempted to make Yugi jealous of him. 'Did it work?' He asked himself. 'He probably thinks I like Ryou know.' He cursed himself blue now furious with himself. Malik eyes lit up he started writing and didn't blink a the screamed from down stairs. No one being murdered just a call for dinner. He quickly wrote his feelings and thoughts down. He never knew a poem could be that easy.
"You are the golden light, blood of life and darkness within us all u are the innocent one that chooses or fates. You fight for the weaker and fight for your friends you are the holy flame.' Malik stared at it, it was bad wasn't it? Staring at it a little harder he smiled. "At least I wrote." He started rewriting the only parts he liked. He retried a few more times not hearing his sister call goodbye.
"You are the light of the sun, blood of life, and darkness within all. Your innocent amazes me and spellbinds me to you. You took me in has a caterpillar and let me free as a butterfly." Malik growled he had one more try before he handed it in unfinished. One more try… He shut out the world beyond his window and started thinking quietly about what was in his heart. What was it about Yugi that made him suffer so badly?
"You are the light of the sun, the blood of life, and the darkness within us all. Your innocent amazes me and dazed me in your spell. Your violet eyes light up my life. Just when your being yourself. I came to you as a beast you tamed me and taught me who I could be. Without you and with you I am lonely and loved. I'm only trying to tell you what I cant say to your face. You're my soul reason for being, Love is life and life is love. You're my reason for being. The children of Domino may not see you but I can't stop thinking about you. You're my everything and everything that is me." Malik took a deep breath, that was the hardest damn thing to write. He hated English now. Not that he liked it in the first place. Getting up from his chair he headed down the stairs to the kitchen. No one was waiting for him like he expected. The plate of food was covered on the stove. With a neat note beside it on the fridge.
"She went where?" Malik read the note over again and gasped as if he witnessed a crime. "She doesn't need to go to a bar!" He growled throwing the paper at the floor. He grabbed the food and wolfed it down easily. He couldn't believe his sister went to a bar. "Why does she need a drink?" He gulped down a bite of food his eyes widening. He dropped the plate and ran up the stairs to flop on his bed. Crying into a pillow he growled. "This horrible. Its like my mom is finding a new husband. If she finds a boyfriend, she wont spend time with me." Malik sighed. "Then I'll have no one." He mumbled into his pillow. He reached over to pick up the ringing phone half expecting his sister to call to make sure he clean his plate. Malik listened closely to the other side of the conversation. He was almost shocked by Yugi's ramblings. "Brother?" He blinked trying to digest what he said. "Pictures." Those where the only words he could make out through the shrill cries. He shot his window a dirty glare as if Yugi mention another man kissing him and then it softened. "Yugi wait, you lost me again." But, it was to let Yugi's mouth as a motoring away with words to fast for human ears to hear. Apparently Yugi had asked his grandfather and he gave him many pictures in a photo album that Yugi had never seen. Originals of those in the photo albums Yugi knew of. The pictures where there plain as day. Yugi mentioned as he screamed.
"All I had to do was look it up apparently a couple of these pictures are in a article at a museum." Malik blinked.
"Museum?"
"Yeah pictures of a dead pharaoh." Yugi continued. Malik just started for a section the silence between them collection.
"Pharaoh?" Malik mind just died.
"Yes, apparently this is one more thing too. I was at the Library again and I read that article. Guess whose name is written next to Pharaoh Atem?" Malik whose brain died, couldn't seem to guess at the moment. " Bakura… Thief King Bakura." Yugi ranted something about Bakura and Ryou and How Ryou knew more then he was telling. Also how angry he was at Ryou. Malik hung up the phone after Yugi said his goodbyes. Malik wanted a brother too. But it was apparent that Malik's brother wanted nothing to do with him.
"Why am I not wanted?" He asked himself quietly.
Cliff hanger number two.
Thanks: To myself. Well spirited thanks to those helped whom ever you are.
Note: READ AND REVIEW. Wow I did better the first time. PEACE!