Finally, the writer's meltdown is over and I was able to get something up and posted. Enjoy.

Warnings: M. Yaoi. Language. All memory/flashbacks are set in Italic, so watch out for them. … I own nothing! Though the plot is mine!

Chapter 11: Run-Ins

Ryou silently followed the older male through the streets. He was thankful that Marik had agreed to go with him to see what his Aunt was on about. A break in. It made him nervous and down right frightened that whoever had attacked him might have come back to finish the job. Maybe whoever it had been was angry to find the house empty and trashed it; making so much noise that it got the attention of the neighbours.

A feeling washed over Ryou and thoughts of not going back there at all was getting stronger with every step. Still at Marik's heels they both turned down the quiet street. Ryou's house was right at the end. "All these houses look the same," Marik stated dryly, glancing at the houses they were passing and the ones across the street.

Ryou's thoughts were cut off as he too glanced about, "you didn't notice before?"

"Wasn't paying that much attention," Marik said honestly. The first time into this street he had been too occupied with where he was going. He had a good idea which house he was heading too and took the time to really notice what kind of neighbourhood Ryou lived in.

Marik soon turned down the path that led up to Ryou's front door, up the few steps onto the small porch and stopped before the door. "Marik," Ryou followed, coming to a stop behind him and went to place a hand on the other's shoulder, Marik moved forward out of reach to jiggle the doorhandle. "It's locked," Marik stepped backwards; it was a good thing that it was. "Might have to break in ourselves," He looked the door over. It looked as it should, no chipped paint, broken bits of wood or a broken handle that would have indicated a point of the break in; maybe they had gotten in through a window or the back door.

Ryou sighed watching as Marik walked up to the front window, cupping both hands about his eyes and the glass to peer inside. Everything inside was cast in dark gray shadows. "It looks okay," He said then trying the window to find it locked as well. "C'mon." Marik took a short complete walk around the house, looking over the windows and back door, nothing showed up as a forced entry.

Once again the two were standing on the front porch. "Step back," Marik warned and was about to break the small window panel in the door with his elbow.

"I have a key," Ryou spoke up remembering the one his Aunt gave him, Marik stopped before any damage was done. He didn't want his so called Aunt getting angry at him or her forcing Marik to pay for damages.

"Oh," Marik lowered his arm sounding somewhat disappointed. Ryou held out the key. "It might be for the best." Marik rolled his eyes, putting it down to the sound of braking glass might have the neighbours getting over enthusiastic and call the authorities on them.

Marik said nothing as he unlocked the front door and pushed it open and then stepping inside the house. "Wait," Ryou surged forward and snagged him by the elbow and followed him in.

The place had looked the same from when Marik had been there last, nothing looked out of place or broken. They both went from room to room and everything looked fine, it wasn't as if he or Ryou could tell if anything was missing, so they went off on how the place looked when they had been here last. "Let's take a look upstairs," Marik suggested while climbing them, Ryou followed.

All the doors were open on the top floor, Marik stopped in the doorway of the first room, which just happened to be Ryou's bedroom. "I think this was what the noise complaint was about."

Ryou stepped up to his side and glanced in to see his room had been torn apart, his bed and mattress had been flipped over, his desk was practically shattered and draws were pulled out and laying on the floor. His closet and all his clothing had been ripped out, nothing was how it had been when Ryou had been here last.

Marik walked froward to get a better look, "Someone ransacked your room?" it was obvious that someone was looking for something the boy owned or looking for Ryou or to send him a message that he wasn't forgotten.

"What were they after?" Ryou asked picking up a few things in attempted to right the room again. Marik shrugged he wasn't going to say what he thought and frighten him even more. Marik deemed it safe enough to leave the room a moment to check out the state of the other rooms.

Marik slipped from the bedroom and found the other rooms untouched. Whoever had done it was targeting Ryou. Suddenly a cry erupted from down the hallway followed by a crashing sound of wood and glass. Marik rushed out of the guest room to see Ryou's bedroom door slam shut. "Ryou?!" Marik banged on the door trying desperately to get it open. He heard mumbled voices on the other side of the hard wood; someone else was in there. Marik pulled on the handle to have nothing happen. Ryou cried out again, Marik growled backing up and kicked the door in with two welled aimed forceful kicks.

Marik rushed into the room to see the attacker cloaked by a hooded black jumper. "We'll talk later." He hissed at Ryou, then turned and lunged at Marik, slashing at him with a pocket knife, cutting Marik along his stomach and arm.

Marik fell back out of the room hitting the hallway wall, holding his stomach. "You can't keep him safe forever." The other hissed low, keeping his head down so his face was shadowed by the hood. "I'll get what I'm after sooner or later." He then fled the house before Marik could even move.

Marik rushed into the room once hearing the front door slam open and by the force used, it slammed shut again on its own. He found Ryou in the corner of the room unconscious and seemingly unharmed.

Marik slid his arms under Ryou's knees and back, grunting a little as he picked the boy up off the floor and carried him downstairs.

Malik jerked awake screaming into his pillow, his cheeks wet with tears and panting. It took him a few moments to realize that he was no longer sleeping and the echoes of his nightmare were fading away to the back of his mind where they waited for the next time he would close his eyes. Malik pushed himself up and sat on the edge of the bed. If he could have it his way he would never sleep and his sister new it, she'd ended up drugging him with strong sleeping pills to force him into that nightmarish slumber like she always did when she thought he needed the sleep.

Slowly getting up to his feet, he grabbed clean clothes from the open suitcase and headed for the bathroom. A short time later he came out dressed and hungry. Spotting the phone, he called up room-services. There was no way he was going to leave the room. He didn't get to order when a male's voice on the other end told him that the kitchens were down and no food was being made, and if he could help with anything else.

Malik glowered at the phone and hung it up, how long could he fight off the hunger? His stomach felt as if it was eating itself, it twisted up painfully and made him wince. He hadn't really eaten anything much since he left home just small bags of nuts and cans of soda. What were the chances of him running into anyone from the old days… Shouldn't his childish claim on revenge and world domination be forgotten?… Though not the part where he had been an accomplice and tried to kill everyone. Who knew that, that feeling had ran so deep and it only took Marik to bring it out in him. Tears burned his eyes and blurred his vision and Malik threw all the blame onto Marik.

Marik wanted him.

Marik wanted violence.

Marik wanted victims.

Marik wanted the world.

Marik wanted.

Marik wanted.

…. Marik had abandoned him.

Marik left him to pick up the pieces of his life and try to place it all back together the best he could and now he was a train-wreck. A shadow of his former self.

The name rolled about his head like cracks of thunder, Marik, Marik, Marik. He was the reason Malik didn't want to be here. It was Marik that had left him. It was Marik that had ripped his heart out and left him this empty shell of useless nothing… it snapped, all his thoughts and blame shifted like it so often did when he was in this mood… his life was only like this because of that bastard. Because of Yami, he no longer had Marik. Malik would give anything to have a little of his powers, a little control, just to watch that look of horror or sadness for when the Righteous bastard would find his Host and friends laying in their own pool of blood. Or simply yet, watch the distort look on his face when his own Host walks away never to see him again. Malik stood up with a growl and threw the lamp that sat so nicely by the couch. It smashed against the wall and shattered. He panted for a moment staring at the bits of glass on the floor and strangely he had a sense of satisfaction and was less upset.

… damn, he was hungry.

The light by the stairs cast an eerily yellow light over the small, natural dark room of the basement. Yugi was on his knees before a large old antique wardrobe, the door wide open. The wood cracked and the polish faded, the gold brass handles and hinges were tarnished to a black. His eyes focused on the bits of solid pure gold that sat in soft tissue paper in a shoe-box. "Don't worry." Yugi whispered to it, running his fingers along the black edges of cardboard-box. "I'll move you soon enough… when it's safe." His eyes narrowed at it. He couldn't keep it here for much longer, it would be found… he wasn't sure, but since coming into possession or more correctly saving the bits of shattered gold, Yugi had become more paranoid then usual and fearful that it would be found and taken from him.

The broken bits shimmed in the dull lighting. "I'm trying, really I am. He isn't listening to me, do you blame him? He doesn't like me." Yugi sighed, picking up the box with his good hand and placed it on his lap. "If I recalled neither did you."

The light caught on the gold pieces and shimmed again due to being moved about.

"Yugi, you have your appointment now." His Grandpa called down from the top of the stairs. "Everyone will be waiting!"

He scrambled to close up the box. "Coming Grandpa!" He called back while leaning forward and shoved everything aside and placed the box in the back of the old wardrobe. "I'll come back soon, but only when I must move you." He threw an old fur-coat over the box and went to shut the door though he stopped, looking back into the ink like darkness. "I know you're anxious, try to be patient." Yugi shut the large doors and locked it with a key.

"Yugi, you'll be late!" His Grandpa called out urgently and impatiently. Yugi charged up the stairs two at a time until he reached the top, his Grandpa was waiting for him. "What were you doing down there?" The old man inquired.

"Jerking off," Bakura stated in matter of fact tone while walking by them both and out the front door without so much as looking at them.

Yugi flushed red and stumbled over his answer, aware that his Grandpa couldn't see or hear the other at all and he was still getting used to Bakura turning up and leaving so suddenly. "I was, putting away a few old suitcases from the attic. Remember you asked me to do it the other day?" Yugi pulled on his jacket knowing what a stupid excuse he came up with.

His Grandpa grumbled, "I didn't expect you to do it on your own." That lazy bastard of an ex-pharaoh was meant to help, in fact he remember asking Yami to do it not his injured grandson, but his curiosity was satisfied on what Yugi had been doing down in the basement.

"Did you leave Yami a note to tell him where we are going?" Yugi asked walking out the door.

The old man held in his snort, Yami should know by now where they had to be and he certainly wouldn't go out of his way to leave a note. Truthfully he still had his suspicions that Yami was responsible for Yugi's arm and if he found out that Yami was, the old man was going to make sure that there would be no possible way back for where he would send the ex-pharaoh. "Yes," He sighed as he followed his Grandson out the door.

Marik stood in the waiting area of the hospital like an idiot as doctors and nurses rushed about without taking so much as a glance at him. He wanted to make sure that Ryou didn't support any more injuries other then what he already had. He wanted to kick himself for letting this happen, for not making sure that the house was empty, for not staying with Ryou, for letting him get hurt… Marik blinked a few times, since when had he become so worried about the boy's wellbeing? Sure he was going to watch over the boy and make sure that nothing happened to him while in his care but that was only for a week. He promised himself that he wouldn't be like this; once Ryou was fit and able he was going back and Marik could once again get on with his life.

A door banged open and a group of nurses walked out and headed to a desk at the other end of the waiting area. Did it always take this long? Every doctor and nurse had been in and out of the room Ryou was in and not one of them approached him to tell him how the boy was doing. Had they forgotten that he was waiting to find out?

Marik had tried so many times to get their attention to get them to talk to him and failed miserably. Failure wasn't something he was familiar with, it felt strange and awkward. He had tried being polite to them which was even stranger, only to have the doctor or nurse ignore him or tell him he had to wait. That was it, fuck with being polite, he had had enough. He walked over and snagged the nearest doctor by the collar of his white coat. "I want answers, NOW!" Marik barked his order. "The boy you have in that room."

The doctor glanced about for security or anyone to help which irritated Marik that little bit more. "Look at me!" He snapped giving the doctor a hard enough shake to make his teeth rattle. "The boy Ryou, you have him in that room." The doctor fumbled with the folders in his arms out of nervousness while looking for the patient that was mentioned. Marik impatiently knocked them from his hands spilling them all over the floor around them. The young doctor gave a small frightened whimper. "Forget the files." Marik raged again giving up and let the young doctor go, who fell to his knees collecting all the paperwork up again.

"Pathetic." Marik snarled and he turned on his heels and walked towards the room.

"MARIK!" Ryou's panicked cry was heard all the way out in the hallway.

He rushed forward ripping open the door and instantly froze on the spot as a small group of teens turned to look at him. "What are you doing here you son of a bitch!" A tall blonde snapped, his hands balled into fists at his sides.

"You, you were banished." The girl spoke up meekly from behind the tall blond.

"Did you do this to him?" A tall brunet asked pointing angrily to the bed that Ryou huddled on.

Marik walked forward, a malicious smirk touched his lips upon recognizing the three teens before him. The small group parted to let him through to the bed without having so much as pushing them out of his way or demanding they move. He still had it, that natural ability to drive fear into others around him with only a look. "Marik." Ryou reached out for him with his hand, when he was close enough he latched onto his arm. "Who are they?"

Marik shrugged he didn't really care to remember their names; he did remember however that they had once been his victims of getting revenge… no that was, Malik. They were his victims of cruel entertainment and amusement while trying to destroy the world. Good times. Marik thought wistfully.

"What ya do to him?" The tall blond snapped, nothing more came of his anger as the only girl in the room was holding him back out of sheer fright that it might get her friend killed. Good thing she was. "You bastard!" He snapped not really struggling with her. "I bet that you had something to do with him being in here."

"What games are you playing at?" The brunet yelled.

Demanding bunch of whiny bastards, Marik thought. A cruel smirk stretched across his lips, they were always so brave when they were in numbers. "The only games I ever play… mind-fucking." He found it highly amusing that he laughed when the blond made an attempt to attack him, only to have the girl and the brunet hold him back.

"You can leave now." The girl spoke up still cowering behind the blond. "No one wants you here and we can take care of Ryou." Though she tried to sound confident, Marik picked up the small frightened quiver in her voice. "We are Ryou's best friends." She added firmly.

Marik raised an eyebrow, "That's funny." He then chuckled again, now he remembered why they amused him so. He didn't miss the tightened grip on his arm that blocked off the blood circulation to his hand. Ryou was hugging his whole arm that would leave finger marks on his skin and his face was almost pressed into his shoulder-blade.

"What's so funny?" The blond growled.

"You are," Was Marik's simple answer. "You have no clue on what's going on." He pointed at them. "Just how did you end up in here? Most likely you got lost, you three would get lost in an elevator." He didn't see them enter the room since he had been watching it the whole time and he wouldn't have let them in either… could it have been when he roughed up that doctor?

The blonde looked frustrated, though he answered anyway. "It wasn't like that. We just got the wrong room."

"We always visit Yugi on his appointment day." The girl added, Marik remembered her now; she always hid behind the Righteous Bastard, using him as her shield while she screeched her support from the sidelines… he just couldn't remember her name, but her voice grated against his nerves, like nails on a chalk-board.

"No one wants you here." The blond snapped. "Ryou doesn't need the likes of you taking care of him." The blond stepped forward his eye narrowing. "You'll probably violate him in some way, if you haven't already done it."

"Leave him alone." Ryou spoke up in the said male's defence. "You have no right in talking to him like that."

"No, Ryou." The blond said looking at his friend with a small shake of his head. "Things like him don't look out for anyone other than themselves." The blond pointed at Marik. "They are violent, sadistic, psychotic and empty of anything compassionate; you're a fool if you trust him."

Marik laughed again, he remembered the blond he had talked his Host into kidnapping all those years back. "Got a case of Stockholm? Didn't think that I tortured you that much. Though I'm very flattered to know what you think of me. But you're not my type." Marik was rather interested and a little worried on where this conversation would go, if this small group would talk Ryou into leaving with them.

"FUCK YOU!" The blond spat again wanting to attack.

"Enough!" Ryou snapped at them, he didn't like how they were attacking Marik verbally. The room fell silent and all eyes were on him. "I want to leave." Ryou whispered, Marik nodded as he moved away a little as the boy slipped from the bed and for once the doctors hadn't stripped him of his clothing. "I'm cold." He shivered stepping in closer to the older male then what was necessary; Marik silently pulled off his jacket and slung it over Ryou's shoulders while glaring at the three teens, daring them to say something.

The others in the room watched the exchange between the two in shocked silence, never had they seen Marik act in such away or for Ryou to defend him and wanting to leave with him. "Let's go." Marik glared at the small group and they once again parted a path to the door of the room. Ryou retaking Marik's hand again he followed him to the door.

"Ryou," The blond stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder before they could leave the room. "Why are you with him?" He asked concerned. "Is that damn Bakura forcing you to? We can help you." He offered.

"I'd like to see how," Marik said, his hand still held the others, suddenly Ryou's legs buckled under him and he fell to the ground on his knees with a choked gasp.

Tears mixed with the heavy rain as Ryou watched Bakura lay lifelessly five foot from him. Bakura may have been strong and he could no doubt take care of himself… it was him that couldn't take it. Couldn't watch their brutal attack on his dark half. "STOP! I'll do it!" He sobbed out, breaking free of the hold they had on him, he half ran half stumbled to his darker half's side, falling in the cold mud and rolled an almost unconscious Bakura over onto his back and resting his head on his lap and in his arms.

Ryou's hair providing a very small amount of privacy. "I'm so sorry." Ryou choked on a sob, his whole body shaking. "If I do it… it would be less painful, for you…"

Bakura grinned that same damn one that said he was fair from defeated; it gave Ryou no comfort this time… "Guide me back." Bakura whispered out as lips gently pressed to his own, when Ryou opened his eyes, his dark half was gone and the warm hard metal that was resting on his chest pulsed with a dying energy… Ryou slouched forward, his hands fisted in the mud, his body shaking with sobs as they all now stood over him.

"You needed help."

"It'll be alright."

"We can help you through this."

"It was for everyone's best interest."

"Ryou!" Marik called out when the hand he had been holding ripped from his and the boy was up on his feet and running from the hospital room. Marik gave chase instantly.

The doors opened with a hard clang as Ryou entered a large terrace. A miss in his directions to leave. Marik was right behind him. Ryou walked to the edge and stopped since he had nowhere else to go. "AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!" He screamed out over the city.

Marik stood perfectly still watching with a blank expression. Ryou started pacing back and forth along the railing. "Why, why is all my thoughts twisted up into painful memories? What did Bakura ever do to them?... You know they drove me to banish him. MY FRIENDS!" Ryou screamed angrily at Marik his arms flailing about angrily with his words. "They forced me. They left me no choice but to banish him. All those months of research, sleepless nights, days on end I spent absent… I half killed myself to bring him back every time and they blamed HIM for it. And where is he? Why isn't he here?" Tears filled and blurred Ryou's vision as his words trembled and gave way under the small sobs that escaped him. Marik slowly approached him. "WHY ISN'T HE HERE?!"

"Shhh…" Marik tried to pull him into a hug; Ryou struggled against him to get free and failed as he was embraced. He broke down sobbing openly into the other's chest. It hit Marik like a spike of ice through his chest, no matter what, Ryou would return to Bakura once the two reunite. Something had been happening well before that night he found the small pale Host and Marik was going to get to the bottom of it. "Let's go home."

Malik pulled his coat collar up more about his neck and face and hunched his shoulders to hide himself that little bit more. He didn't want to be noticed by anyone. He wanted the food and get back to the room. It hit him. Why did he order the food to him? He gave a self-suffering sigh. He never did think too clearly after a drug induced sleep.

He soon stepped out of the small restaurant and headed back to the hotel. Next time he would know better and order the food to come to him. The hotel soon came into view and Malik felt a wash of relief came over him. He moved with the few people to cross the street. Getting to the other side he stopped for a moment to adjust the food for his other hand, he was bumped into from behind making him stumble forward and dropping the food onto the ground. "Oh great," It came out as more of whine and he turned about to give them a piece of his mind. "Thank you very…" His words caught in his throat as well as his breath.

"Ishtar I didn't think I would be seeing you again." Bakura crossed his arms over his chest there was no pleasant welcome in his tone.

"How, how can you be…" Malik was at a loss for words as he circled the taller male, taking in the bloody clothing, skin and hair. "What the hell happened to you? What happened to Ryou?" Malik reached out and took hold of Bakura's arm, his skin was so cold. "Where is Ryou?" Malik's now concern was for the small odd Host.

"I know where he is." Bakura frowned and pulled away. "I'm not that irresponsible."

"You have no clue, do you?" Malik said straightening up and placing his hands on his hips. Bakura narrowed his eyes and started to walk away. He knew, he did, the thought was just, there, on the tip of his tongue… "Bakura." Malik grabbed his arm again. "Come back with me, I can help you."

"The last time I trusted you Ishtar, you cheated me. Not something I'm going to fall for twice." Bakura said moodily.

"You need help." Malik replied with a little more force in his voice. "I can help you. Let me help you." Truth was that it would be his sister that could help him, but something really bad had happened and it needed to be fixed and Ryou must be found.

"Fine, Ishtar." Bakura agreed hesitantly. "You have one hour."

TBC.

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