Next Chapter! ^^ See, review's do encourage me. Up so soon do to people letting me know they're interested. This chapter is a sort of...well, I dunno. I want to show that Marik's not a total spaz, and he can be a bit of a mute softy/creepy stalker when he wants to be...Uhm. Yes. Next chapter I think I'll introduce Joey. I've figured out how to work him in. So, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I know where you live. Veiw previous chapters


"Are you two DAFT!?" The roar rippled through the land, causing all the creatures not yet dead from all the terror-induced panic as of late to cringe and cower in the darkest corners they could find. Rarely did that particular voice raise out in anger, and none fancied to imagine the fate of the aforementioned daft duo who were no doubt completely at the mercy of the angered one.

Shying away as best he could with a tree pressed to his back Ryou bowed his head, shaking beneath the chilling gaze of the moon, who had deemed now the appropriate time to punish the stars who, in their foolishness, had placed him at the mercy of another. Faintly he could detect the terrified whimpers of the blond cringing alongside him and Ryou clenched his eyes tightly.

"You both know better then to come charging into the SUN'S TERRITORY screaming bloody murder!" Bakura raged, storming back and forth, temperature swaying dangerously low to the point the stars felt their lungs begin to burn with every chilling breath. "Do you have any idea what he could have done!?" Then, the true concern for all his anger, "If I hadn't been there to attract his anger, YOU BOTH WOULD BE DEAD!"

More startled then frightened by this exclamation Ryou's eyes snapped open, daring to glance into the moon's face. That's when he saw, beneath the frustration and obviously damaged pride, the fear at how close them, not Bakura, them, had come to death. Instantly the panic was gone, replaced by guilt when he realized how much the thought horrified the stressed blue haired entity.

"Master Bakura..." Malik was the first to speak, biting his lip and looking positively shamefaced. "We're sorry. We didn't mean to...you were just gone so long, we got worried...We're very, very sorry." He whispered, voice shaking slightly.

Breathing harshly Bakura jerked his hands shakily through his hair, eyes clenching closed as he tried to force down the burning sensation that hadn't left since the first moment the two stars had appeared and caused the chaos. It was unlike him to feel this way; fear was a bitter taste and not one he approved of.

After all, no one could threaten him, and by association, no one threatened the stars. But Marik was different. Marik was at equal strength with him but ran on a much lower level of sanity, making him perhaps more dangerous then the moon could ever hope to be. Bakura thought; he planned, he considered each situation carefully and with precision before carrying it out.

The Sun didn't think, he didn't contemplate, he just did, so if he had gone for the stars...Bakura would have been left behind and his reaction would have come far to late. Of course bringing them back would have been no problem on his part, but he could only imagine death wasn't a pleasant thing to experience, and it was something he never wanted the closest things he had to friends to go through. It wouldn't be permanent, however he knew it would be a black memory for the rest of their lives.

Sighing loudly he allowed himself to sink to the floor, the ground obediently softening itself so when he landed it was as gentle as falling onto a bed. Gazing at the still quite frightened stars the moon gave a shake of his head and reached one hand out to them.

The gesture was instantly recognized and the shivers eased. Though Malik and Ryou remained a tad tense and un eased, they obediently lowered themselves to his level, sitting so close their shoulders touched; which wasn't an unusual thing, so Bakura took it as a good sign.

"I didn't mean to lose my temper. I know neither of you meant for...that to happen. I guess it's been bound to occur sooner or later." He admitted grudgingly, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "My fault for constantly pestering him. Chances are he's been plotting his attack for a long time now."

The humour was obvious and well-received, if the soft chuckles and more relaxed smiles were anything to go by. After that the atmosphere seemed to settle back into familiarity, with Malik and Ryou rambling on to one another about what they were going to do.

Content to tune it out - after all, they couldn't get upset with him because that was a dangerous cliff not even they would dare to tread - Bakura allowed himself to examine the world around him.

Most of the nocturnal creatures were creeping warily out of their holes since most of the shouting and sharp tension between the four entities seemed to have smoothed out, leading them to believe perhaps now was a safe time to return to their nightly activities. As quick to disregard them as he was to notice him the moon let his mind wander elsewhere. As expected Malik had noticed his lack of interest, but also as expected he said nothing of it.

Still knew his place, the little star did. Good; just because he enjoyed their company didn't mean he was going to let them get snooty with him.

Something caught his attention from the corner of his eye and Bakura turned his head; and promptly froze, breath catching in his throat.

Deep, greyed purple eyes watched him from a ways away, yellow hair billowing in the cool night air. Marik was perched upon a hilltop some good distance away, but surely he was aware of the fact that the moon could see him no matter how far he was. Or maybe he knew, and simply didn't care.

Throat suddenly unexplainably dry Bakura met the blond's eyes, a tad concerned that perhaps he was interested in continuing what had started earlier. However, despite his wariness, the moon was unable to find any haughtiness in the other's gaze. Honestly, the sun seemed content to just be watching him. Which was perhaps more unnerving then the thought that he meant harm.

Finding himself momentarily entranced he enjoyed the chance to examine the other, since it seemed a safe time to do so. Even at night and without his cape, the sun seemed to glow with a constant fire, perhaps intensified by the almost fiery style his hair fell in. Unlike most of the time, however, tonight it didn't seem like the heat was threatening to consume him.

Instead Marik's gaze was actually nice, completely unthreatening, soothing, almost...protective?

Startled by his own thoughts Bakura blinked, shaking his head. He really was becoming delusional, wasn't he? The sun, protective of him? Hah! What an absurd though. Marik hated him. Well, maybe not him particularly as everyone in general, but still, the blond made it quite obvious he felt absolutely no pleasant thoughts towards him.

Obviously that punch to the face had given him a concussion. Pulling a face at the thought and sour memory the moon refocused his attention on the situation at hand. Meaning the Sun's rather intent stare.

Licking his lips and glancing at the stars to see if they noticed - they hadn't - the moon flickered back over to watch the blond. Slowly Bakura rose one eyebrow, silently questioning the blond's motives and purpose. Of course he didn't expect any sort of response and was not disappointed. The blond didn't answer, his expression didn't change, but he didn't look away either.

Though confused by the other's stare, Bakura chose to let it be. After all, there was no sense of danger coming from Marik, so what was the harm in him being there?

Working up the nerves to grant the other with the faintest grin, which also as expected was unreturned, Bakura turned away to focus on the conversation occurring between the two stars before him, and did his best to ignore the pleasant tingle that accompanied the sun's gaze.


As always, R&R to encourage me for more! ^^