A Little Fall of Rain

Summary: When the angel Ryou becomes smitten with a mortal who he believes can do no harm, he creates a misunderstanding, resulting in the wrath of the young demon Malik whose unrequited love was never satisfied in life.

Rated: T

Genre: Supernatural/Romance

Author's Note: So here's the next chapter! This is where all the super important stuff happens, so play close attention! Sadly Ryou didn't make it into my final draft, but Bakura's given a more prominent role…other than being a clean freak that is. More Malik and Seto fluff, and more Marik sadness! …Aww. Keep the REVIEWS coming, I love them! And to all of you who don't review...you make me sad.

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi.

Come to Me

Bakura's classes were finished for the day, earlier than expected. This was mostly due to the fact that his Anatomy professor was currently suffering from a case of the flu. The white haired teen had made a point to sit very far away from the sick old man, cringing every time he would produce a wad of sticky phlegm. Luckily, he had the weekend to get better…for Bakura's sake. The other students often questioned Bakura's chances of succeeding in the medical field, considering how hard he tried to avoid coming into contact with germs of any sort. The truth was Bakura's fear of catching the diseases he had learned about increased as the courses grew more and more intense. He knew that Marik had noticed. As Bakura became more unraveled, the blonde had gotten more observant. Though Marik rarely used Bakura's paranoia to his advantage outside the dorm room, Bakura had made a point to learn as much about Marik as possible, just in case blackmail became necessary.

After tossing his empty book bag onto the top bunk, Bakura carefully searched for Marik's suitcase. He found it under a pile of highlighted textbooks, its golden lock glinting ominously. Taking a hairpin from his pocket, Bakura quickly tricked the lock and opened the suitcase, his fingers tingling with excitement. He set aside Marik's clothes, finding several small bags underneath. Checking the clock, the med student began to search for anything out of the ordinary, finding several eyeliner pencils, a vial of clear nail polish, and even a few lipstick tubes. Proud of his discovery, Bakura placed the makeup back where he had found it and continued searching the bags.

The next two bags weren't too special, just some toothpaste, floss, a small bottle of mouthwash, and a round mirror. Mentally noting that Marik was significantly more concerned about hygiene than he led on, Bakura opened the final bag. Inside were pages and pages of photo booth stickers, all featuring Marik and the noticeably more feminine Malik. Bakura thumbed through the waxy images, thrilled to discover Marik had, at one time, highlighted his pale blonde hair a light purple, Malik a pale pink. He also made a point to note the two blondes seemed rather close to be just 'friends.'

After memorizing every detail on the stickers, the white haired teen moved on to a relatively large stack of traditional photographs. Again, the photos were primarily of Marik and Malik, a few others were taken of what looked like a small yellow chick plush. Bakura noticed that While Marik's spikes slowly lost their lavender sheen as the dates became more recent, Malik's pink highlights remained strong, leading him to believe they were natural. It wasn't unheard of, Bakura knew a short student by the name of Yuugi that had an odd hair color as well. But Malik's locks seemed to gradually change from a pale blonde into a light pink.

"Must be something in the water," Bakura muttered, pocketing one of the photos.

A loud rattle brought Bakura's attention back to the present. Hastily, he zipped the bags as quietly as he could, shutting the suitcase and burying it under a pile of books. Climbing up the short ladder, Bakura quickly opened a book on the human heart, and adopted a more relaxed position.

The door opened slowly, revealing a water logged and irate Marik, blonde hair dripping profusely with freshly fallen rain.

"You got back early," he said, looking up at the smirking Bakura, "Did something happen?"

"Old man Takeshi caught the flu," Bakura said casually, pretending to read, "He couldn't finish the lecture without hacking up his insides. …So we all just left."

"Lucky you. Yuka-san wouldn't let us leave until we…huh?"

Dark eyes drifted to a lone photograph lying on the floor, featuring two familiar blondes posing playfully. Marik scowled and shot a death glare at Bakura, who was currently praying that someone would find his mangled body and somehow try to sew it back together. No shame in wanting to leave a beautiful corpse behind. The white haired teen braced himself for impact.

But when none came, mahogany eyes opened cautiously, searching for the muscular blonde. Peeking over the side of the bunk bed, Bakura was stunned to find Marik simply looking at the photograph, a faint smile on his face. Trying his hardest to keep his mouth from falling open, Bakura carefully edged toward the blonde, afraid that he was falling for some sort of dastardly trick.

"Bakura…what if he forgot?"

"Wh-What?"

"It's been two years since I've heard from him! I even sent him my extra key to the dorm, and he hasn't responded. Hell, I'd even be happy if he sent me a Post-it! What if he forgot about me? What if he found someone else to replace me? What if…what if…?"

"You can't let the 'what ifs' get to you bud," Bakura said comfortingly, patting the blonde hard of the back. "There's no way Malik forgot about you. I mean, all those pictures? You guys had something going on there! You don't doubt him, right?"

"I don't think…"

"That's right! Don't think about it! I'm sure Malik's planning a surprise visit right now! Then you'll be happy and I'll get to meet the little kitten and- …YOU SENT HIM OUR DORM KEY?"

"Why wouldn't I? He sent me his house key."

"Marik! What if the mailman sold it on the black market and some thug has it right now! Marik…he could be planning to kill us! He'll kill us and take our bodies and sell them on the black market! What is wrong with you? Don't you think about things like this?"

Marik whapped Bakura over the head with one of his books, "I don't think about these things because they're never going to happen. I'm not the paranoid type. I'm not the one who finds it necessary to weasel my way through my roommate's things. And if you tell anyone I used to have lilac highlights, I will kill you."

"Why'd you get them anyway?" Bakura teased, poking a blonde spike, "Did Malik woo you into getting them?"

"For the thousandth time, we're just friends. And…I got them because the guys at school were always making fun of Malik's hair. I'm sure you noticed the pink."

"So they were natural."

"I suppose. Just like your ugly monkey face."

"Yeah, just like my…HEY!"

"That new barmaid of Kaiba's is pretty…" An old demon chortled, eyeing Malik's slim form.

"Yep, sure is. I wouldn't get too close though. Kaiba tore the wings off the last demon that got too close."

"Heh! Protective of the little pixie, ain't he? Boy, if I had a thing that cute with me night and day, this place wouldn't be half-bad. If his bedside manner's anywhere as good as the beer here, then I'd be in heaven!"

"Um, I can hear you," Malik scoffed, placing a hand on his hip. "You wanna keep those dirty comments to yourself? I'm kind of busy here."

The old man nudged his companion playfully and winked at the irritated blonde. Malik rolled his eyes as the two friends laughed. As he passed them by to reach the other tables, he felt a gnarled hand brush lightly against his bottom, infuriating him even more. Malik may have been proud of his appearance, but that didn't mean he was a slut. Tired of the daily harassment coming from the same two men, the young demon shrieked at the top of his lungs, gaining the attention of the entire bar.

"Ahhhhhhhhh! You pervert! If you ever touch me again, I'll tell Seto!"

Several glasses were heard shattering, and the blue-eyed demon strode to his charge, glaring ice at the two old patrons.

"What is it this time?" Seto saw Malik point angrily at the drunken demon. "Bandit Keith? I thought I banned you from here!"

Keith shrugged, "That other dumb blonde you had working here said I could come on in. He also said I could observe your little beauty here without any trouble." Again, the American winked at the young demon, who gagged.

"Jounouchi no longer works for me," Seto said stiffly, "and his claims aren't valid. Now please leave."

"We're paying customers here!" The old demon wailed, slamming his beer on the beaten table, "We just want to…fully appreciate the service!"

"If I ever catch you in here again I'll-"

"What? Rip my wings off? Yeah right! That little pixie has made you a softie Kaiba. Face it! Your threats mean nothing to me."

Malik yelped as Keith's head suddenly separated from the rest of his worn body, blackened blood splattering everywhere. Frightened, the young blonde looked to Seto, who was holding what looked to be a thin sword.

"On the contrary, Keith," Seto smirked, delighted that he was scaring the solitary friend of the fallen demon, "Malik has made me even more prone to attack. And although you died older than me, I still have seniority over you in this life. Meaning I can destroy you." Tossing the bloodied sword to a petrified Malik (who almost dropped it) Seto physically threw the remaining demon outside into the cobblestone streets of Hell's 4th Avenue.

"Stay out unless you want to share the same fate as that dumbass over there!"

Nodding fearfully, the lone demon flew off, leaving a trail of black feathers. Seto sighed and reentered the building, noticing that the entire vicinity of the bar was wide eyed and afraid. Malik however was looking at him with an air of admiration.

"You. Are so awesome!"

Flattered at the young demon's response, Seto took back his old sword and led Malik upstairs, trusting that no customer would be stupid enough to try anything after what had just happened. The blonde buzzed with excitement, proud that he was under the wing of one of the most impressive demons he had yet to see. However, he noticed that Seto seemed anxious, almost afraid of something.

"The place will be empty for the next few days," Seto mumbled, "but business will pick up once everyone gets tired of living in reality."

"That's why you started this bar, right Seto?" Malik asked, watching as the elder demon searched his bedroom closet, "You wanted to offer something that would help the souls of the damned escape this reality. You wanted to help them! I know I've only been here for a short time, but from what I've seen, you're as good as any angel!"

Seto smiled sadly at the young demon and handed him a dusty black box. "I know. I seem to give that impression to all the new arrivals. But trust me Malik, I deserved to be sent down here. My only regret is that bastard Yami managed to… Well that's a story for another time. Go on and open the box, I want you to have what's inside."

As he carefully removed the ebony cover, Malik found that what he was holding was a simple jewelry box, containing only a single necklace. Dangling from the silver chain was a black pearl which seemed to give off its own unearthly glow. Malik looked up at Seto, who had placed a strong hand on his shoulder.

"That's your ticket out of here."

"What do you mean?" the blonde asked, mesmerized by the beautiful orb.

"It's only given to demons that have spent at least two centuries in Hell's mouth, the famed Ebony Pearl. Its wearer is given the ability to return to the mortal world, and will remain as long as the pearl remains intact. I was planning on giving it to Jounouchi, but seeing as he's become a bit of an ass…"

"I can't accept this!" Malik cried, shaking his head, "I didn't mean… I never wanted to get between you and Jounouchi! I can't…if this was going to be given to someone else… I don't want…"

"Stop being so modest," the older demon snarled, "I've no need for things like that. What purpose do I have of returning to Earth? All my friends and family have passed on. But you…you have some unfinished business to attend to. Locate the one you left behind and cherish the extended time. When you feel that your business is complete, shatter the pearl. If it isn't destroyed within a year your soul will be trapped in limbo, you'll never be able to come back. Take it Malik, this is your only chance to say goodbye."

Malik looked longingly at the innocent piece of jewelry draped across his delicate fingers. This was his chance to tell Marik how he felt, how he'd always felt. …But then what? His time would expire and Marik would be left all alone. Alone. The young blonde shuddered at the mere thought of the word. He couldn't think of a fate worse than being alone for the rest of your existence. A fate Marik would be forced to endure…but it was much better than believing a lie. The lovingly written letters that would never be read, the feeling of abandonment and loss. Malik wouldn't be able to stand himself if Marik was allowed to continue his futile attempt at understanding.

"Seto…Thank you."

The blue-eyed demon nodded, watching the blonde pull the necklace over his head. Malik's form began to disappear, slowly, like wisps of smoke on a gentle breeze.

"But you're wrong."

Seto looked up, a single lilac eye remained, full of determination.

"Malik…"

"I promised him…I promised him I'd never say goodbye!"

Finally, the last traces of the young demon disappeared, and Seto Kaiba was left all alone in his room, the only noises coming from the bustling tavern underneath him. The demon sighed, running a pale hand through chestnut locks.

"There was a time when I had kept foolish promises as well."

Bakura couldn't believe his eyes when he entered the dormitory that Saturday afternoon.

He and Marik had been roaming the city, basically window shopping for this and that. The blonde had found a pair of black cargo pants that he immediately fell in love with (along with significant amount of new muscle tops). Getting bored of waiting in line, the med student decided to return to the college campus, telling his companion to pick up some food before he returned. He wasn't sure if Marik heard however, he seemed too busy trying to wrestle a pair of bracelets from a little girl.

But as soon as Bakura returned to the dorm, he was met with a strangely erotic sight. Lying on his backside, face turned toward the sun was Malik Ishtal, the Malik Ishtal, the beauty that before now had only existed in Marik's photos. The younger boy was asleep, his soft breath causing his bangs to flutter periodically. His hair was longer than Bakura had imagined, reaching well past his shoulders into the small of his back, famously changing from a light blonde to a pale pink. White bandages were wrapped around Malik's arms and chest, some even around some around his fingers. Mahogany eyes traveled up and down the blonde's attractive form, thanking the heavens Marik wasn't here yet. For you see, aside from the bandages…

…Malik was completely naked.

TBC

And that's that! Whoo! At least five reviews before the next chapter gets posted. What's going to happen next? ONLY I KNOW! So you better click that pretty purple button if you want to find out!