I don't think that this story will be as big as my others, though I still have a bit of ground to cover so lets just wait and see. I do struggle a little as I do like to give a good full chapter with a good amount of pages, but anyway enjoy.

Warnings: M and Yaoi, some bad language… I own nothing! Though the plot is mine, YAY!

Chapter 10: The Nowhere Thoughts

Marik sighed as he slipped out of bed in the early morning hours. Ryou rolled over and snuggled down into a peaceful sleep as Marik walked out of the room with a bag, clothes and boots in his arms and hands.

He dropped his boots and bag outside the bathroom door and walked in closing the door so not to wake Ryou while he showered. Soon Marik came out stopping to only pull his boots on and grab his bag, stopping once more to glance in on Ryou, who was now sleeping on his side of the bed. The boy looked peaceful enough.

Marik for one was quite content on having Ryou stay with him and the idea wasn't as harsh or annoying as it had been when he had brought the boy home with him. Marik knew he had been childish and immature to rub it in that Ryou preferred to stay with him. Marik had fought down the need to skip about Yami in circles singing out at the top of his lungs. 'Nah nah nah nah nah!'

There was still the pressing mater of the boy's attacker who was still out there, and as long as he or she was still lurking about Marik didn't think he could let Ryou out of his sight.

For now everything seemed alright as it had been a few days since their run in with Yami. Their argument had put Marik on cloud nine for his small victory over the Righteous Bastard. Marik placed a small note onto the fridge in the kitchen for Ryou and left, locking his front door and headed down the hallway to the only lift in the building.

His body felt as though it was floating and his eyes regarded the endless sea of ink like darkness around him. His mind had never been so clear; then again there was nothing here to take his attention away, no sounds at all but for his own breathing, no movement but for his own… here images from his mind could be pulled forward and he could work out what had happened to him and where the other side of his soul had gone.

It didn't matter how much he searched or reached for answers, everything fell through his fingers like water. Nothing so far was helpful to even him. He had felt as though he had done something reckless and so foolish that it cost him everything he had… most of all it was that empty and painful void within him that shouldn't be there and threatened to swallow him whole.

He was lost that much he was sure of; he was neither here or there and felt as though he was between worlds. This wasn't the world he knew of anyway, this place he liked. Here where not even a flicker of light would light up this darkness and it was a comfort unlike anything he knew.

He let his mind wonder freely for awhile his thoughts were nothing specific, but filled with random thoughts, time, places and people. One group of particular thoughts or memories came forward.

He painfully remembered that somehow it had been all his doing. Promised words that everything would be alright were broken as a whispered voice of his Light spoke that he would never be forgiven…. What had he done to warrant such words?

Suddenly the world he was in and all his thoughts melted away and Bakura found himself standing in the kitchen. Yugi gave a frustrated sigh as he tried to do up the bandage for his right arm and the small clip kept slipping from his fingers and he was unable to snap it on. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end suddenly and a cold chill ran up his spin. He glanced about the kitchen, having the feeling of being watched, though saw that he was the only one in the room… if that was the case then why did he feel so damn nervous?

Bakura for the life of him couldn't remember what he had been doing a few minutes ago as all his thoughts flickered away like a breeze as he now stared into the wide and fearful eyes of the Pharaoh's Host. "Little Yugi." Bakura said all too sweetly and delighted in the thought of having the other shake in fear at the mere sight of him. Having such an affect on others always brought on a happy tear to his eye. Yugi jumped in his seat knocking over a few of his first-aid items and medication from the hospital.

"B-Bakura, what do you…" His words were cut off as Bakura swiftly moved in and grabbed him about the back of his neck and slammed his head down onto the kitchen table and applied pressure, making Yugi cry out in pain.

"I woke up." Bakura lent down to say into Yugi's ear, his voice a husky purr. "To my surprise I find Atem gone." Yugi whimpered as he gripped the table with one hand and shivered at Bakura using his dark half's real name. "Where is he?" Bakura asked in that sweetly tone, Yugi knew that he was irritated that Yami had snuck out so skilfully without Bakura even noticing him doing so…. The question was where had the other gone?

Yugi shot out truthfully, "don't know." Hoping Bakura wouldn't snap his neck.

"Really," Bakura straightened up then letting the boy go; though his eyes landed on the injured arm and the poor attempt to re-bandage it again. A wave of anger washed over him at the memories of having treated such wounds before, on Ryou… where was his Light anyway? Someone had to know and even though he was told that Ryou was okay, Bakura wanted to see his Host in person. He knew that he hadn't sent his Host away that he was somewhere nearby… damn it, why couldn't he hold onto his memories for more then a day?

"Yami didn't tell me where he was going. He left before I even woke up." Yugi nervously watched as Bakura took a seat right next to him. Yugi found it hard to look at the other with so much blood on him and the torn up clothing.

"That doesn't matter." Bakura offhandedly dismissed his previous inquiry about Yami's whereabouts and reached over picking up Yugi's injured wrist gently and asking, "Need help?"

"N-no I'm fine." Yugi said surprised to hear Bakura offer to help him and begin to sweat a little and shifted in his seat. Bakura snorted as he unwound the bandage, re-rolled it up and then started to wrap Yugi's wrist up, with surprisingly gentleness that made Yugi even more anxious.

A long stretch of silence passed and Bakura raised his dark eyes to met Yugi's lighter ones and the boy instantly paled at the intense furious glare aimed at him… Bakura knew. Yugi already started to panic with just a mere look from Bakura. How did Ryou live so long with him without being driven insane? Yugi went to pull his arm back and make a run for it before the dark Soul could get his hands on him.

As if he knew what Yugi had been thinking Bakura kept his grip on Yugi's injured arm and kept him in place and voiced his thoughts out loud. "But you do know where Ryou is." Bakura growled still holding Yugi's wrist while his pale long fingers worked the bandage about his wrist.

Yugi couldn't form the words to answer him; he screamed out at the sudden sharp pain that shot up his whole arm, Bakura twisted his wrist so easily. "You do?!" Bakura hissed, he had no qualms in snapping the already shattered arm or rip it from the body it was attached to. "Why is he hiding from me?!" Each word rose in volume with his anger and the wrist twisted more.

"Please stop!" Yugi cried out knowing Bakura would snap his wrist if further provoked.

"I can't find him, why?!" Bakura hissed twisting the wrist a little more, someone had to know something.

"You don't know?" Yugi gritted his teeth, biting back the pain, how was it possible for Bakura not to have noticed?

"Don't know what? That everyone is playing keep-away with my Host." Yugi cried out again in pain as Bakura twisted his wrist, it was only a small twist but it brought on so much pain for the small teen. "You're as warped as," Bakura's words were cut off as his whole body felt like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water over him, unable to control his body at all and he was slammed into the wall across the room. He slumped to the ground on his hands and knees panting.

"Stay away from him!" Yami seethed now standing between Yugi and Bakura. Panting out of breath as he used what powers he had and careful not to use too much of them.

Bakura laughed loudly as he pushed himself up from the floor, leaning on the wall a little for support. "I wouldn't take possession of your Host if you cut my arms off and forced me." Bakura snapped back, the thought made him sick.

"Get out!" Yami growled and gestured angrily to the door with his hand, he had enough of Bakura hanging about, threatening him and Yugi all the time.

"I'm not leaving until I find Ryou." Bakura was now beyond irritated and frustrated. "I know you had something to do with it." He growled at Yami.

"You don't know?" Yami said giving him an unreadable look, though it was something close to the look Yami gave when he knew he was winning a challenge. Bakura narrowed his eyes and had second thoughts on wanting to hear whatever the other had to say. "Ryou left you, he couldn't take all that abuse you put on him for all those years. He ran away from you." Bakura shook his head; was that why he was so disorientated and couldn't remember what happened. Yami grinned and continued. "Ryou despises you, told me that he never wanted to see you again." Bakura's legs gave out from under him when the room started to spin on him and he fell to the floor on his knees trying to get his breath back. He couldn't remember what happened. The latest memory he had was the words of his Host in never forgiving him and a bright flash of light and with it pain and then nothing… Yugi looked away unable to watch the scene unfold. "Ryou didn't want you anymore." Yami's lips curled in the corners at the start of a smirk.

"I don't…. I didn't ever… why?" Bakura cried out that made a heavy weight feeling in Yugi's chest at seeing him. "Why would he not want me?!" Bakura ragged suddenly the though was unbearable to think that his own Host didn't want him anymore… what was he going to do? Where was he going to go? He knew so little of this world even after all this time. Ryou, Ryou did everything, his Host took care of him and everything…

"Because you were a sickness within his soul and Ryou wanted the cure." Yami's eyes lit up with amusement as he got a glance at the now angry, tearful, confused dark brown eyes. Yugi knew just those few words would have been like ripping out Bakura's insides… rejected by a Host, that took years maybe even centuries to pick out amongst millions of people, it had to have been the biggest humiliation and shame knowing a Dark Soul like Bakura failed at such a task. Yugi knew that if someone had told him the same thing he would be the same as Bakura as no Host had ever willingly left or disconnected themselves from their own Soul.

Yugi couldn't take hearing the words himself, it hurt to hear them and to see Bakura hurt by mere words. "Stop it Yami!" Yugi hissed at him and watched as Bakura vanished from the kitchen like he had the few times before. He gave Yami a disgusted look before storming out of the room.

"Yugi?!" Yami called after him. "Yugi!" He laughed a little to show that it had been in all good humor as he walked down the small hallway after his Host. After what Bakura had done to them, he was just giving him a little payback and it felt so good to see one of the few that matched him in power wise fall before him. "C'mon, he deserved that after all he has put us through." Yami voiced his thoughts knowing Yugi of all would see it his way.

"No!" Yugi stopped in his path to the living room, turning about to glare at the other. "That was cruel."

"Bakura is the cruel one here." Yami shot back, not liking the fact that Yugi was talking back to him, this was new, Yugi was obedient.

"Get out of my sight!" Yugi growled while clutching his fists at his side and gritted his teeth together… he was furious.

"He'll get over it, so stop with the attitude." Yami warned him with a scolding look; he wouldn't take much more of his Host's back talking him.

"Get out of my sight!" Yugi said sternly again with a stomp of his foot and at the same time he pointed at the front door.

"Yugi!" Yami sneered and took a step forward, snagging his Host by his good arm and forced him back to the wall.

"NOW!" Yugi yelled at him his face partly shadowed by his gold bangs, not wavering once as he still pointed at that front door, no he wouldn't cave in this time. "Or so help me I'll send you away." He warned.

"You wouldn't dare." Yami growled narrowing his eyes releasing his Host's arm, when Yugi didn't talk up or take back what he said; Yami knew the boy was serious. With a snarl he turned and walked towards the front door, slamming it open and then slammed it shut behind himself.

Yugi took in a deep calming breath turned to get ready for the day; knowing Yami would return home later and this maybe his opportunity to go talk to Ryou.

He had been thrown over the kitchen counter and hit the cupboards on the other side before falling to the floor. He coughed to get his air back and shakily pushed himself up with one arm, his cut hand he kept to his chest and it was bleeding freely. "Bakura?" He slowly stood up to only fall to his knees again at the pain that sparked throughout his body.

Raising to his feet again, then walked about the counter to see Bakura laying face down on the other side of the room, unmoving, naked and he looked wet. "Bakura!" Ryou rushed over and tripped over his own feet. Crawling the rest of the way on his knees and one hand. He reached out shakily and lightly touched the solid form of his Dark Soul; it had looked as though Bakura had taken a shower with clear slime. "It worked." He said with a soft smile, and a forewarning rang made itself known that this meant trouble.

Ryou shook off the feeling and pulled his Dark half over onto his back and found the other wasn't breathing. Ryou's body and mind was suddenly overwhelmed with panic. He scrambled to his feet and rushed for the phone, the only thought running in his head was getting Bakura breathing again.

Ryou gasped awake and his dream left his head aching as well as the deep void within him seemed to widen. "Marik?" He turned to get a little comfort from the older male as he had found that strange feeling within him would lesson greatly whenever he was close to Marik. Ryou was surprised to find the spot empty.

Ryou got to his feet and then left the room. "Marik?" He called out again rubbing at one eye and walking into the kitchen. Maybe Marik was called out to get that cat for his neighbour. He paused at the fridge, the door partly opened. He pulled the small note from the freezer door and closed the fridge door.

'Ryou, you were sleeping so soundly and I didn't want to wake you. I had to leave for work this morning. I won't be home until 2 this afternoon.'

Ryou put the note down with a small smile and got to work on making himself breakfast. He was happy really that the both of them had gone to that market place the other day, even if Yami turned up and ruined more then one thing. Though Marik seemed okay and not half as upset as what Ryou had expected him to be.

After eating, Ryou spent his morning cleaning up the apartment to bypass the time, which took longer then he thought with such a headache… Ryou took a time out to sleep it off with help of his medication; a small cat nap really. He lay on the couch and soon drifted off into a fitful sleep.

A short time later the phone rang out, Ryou pushed himself to his feet and walked over to the kitchen counter to answer it. "Hello?"

'Ryou, I'm glad I caught you,' Ryou struggled for a moment to place voice to someone he might have known. 'It's your Aunt Rei dear.' She filled him in on who she was.

"I remember." Ryou frowned, why was it that he could remember everything that had happened recently and nothing before or of that night he was attacked.

'I got a phone call from a neighbour this morning; she told me there were a lot of strange noises coming from our house. Were you there at all last night?'

"I haven't been there since I saw you."

'How strange,' she mumbled then asked. 'Well, would you be a dear and go check on the house, it would be such a great help and put me at ease.'

"Sure, I'll go once Marik is off work." His Aunt had thanked him and asked how he was going before she had to hang up and go back to work.


The highly bright light lit up the area and small sparks of heated metal flew in all kinds of directions. Marik's eyes narrowed in concentration behind a mask and the safety earmuffs blocked out all sound around him. "MARIK!" Hearing a sound other then the tools around him, Marik lifted his head and glanced about, seeing his boss waving at him while blocking his eyes with his other hand.

Marik shut the welder down and lifted the mask from his face. "What's up?" He called back over all the other tool noises along with men talking and yelling around him.

"You got a visitor!" His boss called back, the man was dressed like everyone else on the construction site, hardhat, old clothes and boots.

"What?" Marik called out pointing to his ears that he couldn't hear what he was saying and then removing the earmuffs.

"Visitor." He yelled back pointing to the ground far below them. Marik frowned as he walked towards the edge and glanced down. His eyes scanned over everything that moved before he finally spotted Ryou.

Marik dropped the mask and earmuffs on the makeshift bench and walked by his boss to the small cage lift. "Marik?" His boss called to him again, Marik was already on his way down. "Who's the kid?" Marik shook his head no and didn't answer.

Once on the ground he pushed open the cage door and stepped out, walking towards Ryou who was practically standing out in the street. Marik removed his hardhat and took in Ryou's appearance in with a hard look of scrutiny. "Are you alright? What's wrong?" He placed both thickly gloved hands onto Ryou's shoulders. He saw nothing that told him Ryou had been hurt in anyway.

"My Aunt called and asked me to check up on our house." Ryou shifted on his feet trying to read Marik's face if he was angry that he was here.

"Why?" Marik asked with a raised eyebrow.

"She got a call from someone saying there were noises inside the house." Ryou bit his lip. "I wasn't going over there without you." Ryou mumbled, Marik pulled off his gloves. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

"For what?" Marik glanced at him confused.

"For coming here… asking you to come with me." Ryou waved his hands a little in a dismissing way. "I can go on my own."

"Like hell you are." Marik snorted, he wanted to see what was going on as well. Marik glanced at his watch and saw that it was five minutes to two. "I've finished for the day anyway." Marik turned and walked away, saying over his shoulder. "Just give me a few minutes to pack my stuff away." What if Ryou's attacker came back to finish the job they started and found Ryou gone. Marik hoped that he would get something that would tell him who it had been. "Wait there." He added.

Within ten minutes Marik came walking back out and the two headed for Ryou's house.


Rapid hyperventilating was the only thing heard of in the room besides the low talking voices of his sister and the guy that worked in the hotel that had brought them their food. "Is he going to be alright?" The young man asked, dressed in a green and black uniform.

Ishizu glanced over her shoulder to see her younger brother setting on a couch with his head between his knees and clutching at his hair while murmuring to himself the same line over and over again. 'I'm not here, I can't be here, I'm not here.' She turned back to the young man with a soft smile. "He's fine." She closed the door on him before he could ask anymore questions.

She walked over and sat down beside her brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. Malik jumped and jerked his head up to look at her. "I don't want to be here." He hissed at her. "They're here, all of them." He gripped her hand in his. "Take me home." He was pleading with her now; he didn't think he would survive a run in with Marik.

"Malik," She sighed. "You're only tired from our trip. Have you… have you slept since we got here?" They had been in the city for a day and she had spent most of that time asleep.

Malik gave a bitter laugh. "I haven't slept since we left Egypt." She frowned worriedly, that meant that he had gone without sleep for about three days, no wonder he was so wired. "I may never sleep again… not while I'm here." Malik got up from the couch and walked to the window, ripping open the drapes and griped them in both hands as he over looked the city before him. "I know he can feel me here and I know he knows that I'm here." Ishizu lent over and started to rummage through her bag. She got up once she pulled out a small bottle. Walking to the bar, she plucked up a glass, filling it with water. She then opened the small bottle and with measured drops she placed it into the glass of water.

"Here drink this." She walked over to him and held out the glass of water that now contained a very strong sleeping drug; it had no taste and no smell. "You'll feel better." She added, Malik took the glass and downed it in large gulps. "There." She smiled and took the glass from him and placed it down on the small table.

Malik sighed, "I still want to go home." He didn't object when his sister took his hand and lead him through the hotel room and into the bedroom he was using.

"We will." She sat him down on the bed and turned away, closing the drapes and blocking out all sunlight. "But for now you need to sleep." She walked back towards the bed.

"I don't need sleep." Malik mumbled while laying down and pulled the pillow to himself. Ishizu covered him over with a blanket and already her little brother was fast asleep. She left the room, closing the door behind herself. She had so much to do, but for now she was more than happy to sleep off some of the jet lag.


To Be Continued.

There we have it and it was such a troublesome chapter too for the ideas that kept popping up in my head for it just didn't fit in with the story/plot, anyway Reviews (Love and Cookies)