Okay, ugh, SORRY! D:! I'm really sorry for the long wait for an update. This chapter was..really hard. Because originally I wanted for it to be about Kaiba and Joey, but I was a little bit awkward on how to do it. First off the pairing itself is one that doesn't come easy to me, and second off it would seem really..random for them to just suddenly get together. The last time we saw them they were at eachother's throats; it just seemed like it would be a really awkward fumble for them to go from that to lovers. So I decided to skip them for now. The dynamics of their relationship will hopefully develop as the story goes. Instead we get to return to our previously schedualed program..MARIK!


"Malik, I don't t-think this is a g-good idea.."

Purple eyes shot open. Lips slowly twitched into a half snarl of warning to whatever creature had spoken, only for vision to clear and discover that, despite initial belief, the area was still secure and void of life. Frowning thinly, a tanned head lifted from where it had been pillowed on folded arms, blinking sleepily in the darkness of the bedroom.

Glancing over his shoulder - to confirm his charge was as he had been for the past few days, sleeping and seemingly at peace - the blond stretched with a fanged yawn from where he lay sprawled at the foot of the bed, only to freeze mid-arch when voices drifted through the window.

"Look, Ryou. Tristan said Master Marik took Master Bakura, right?" Intrigued by the use of their names the form slid off the furniture, slinking over to the window and gazing through the glass with open suspicion. Standing a few feet - still in the 'safe zone' - were two bright yellow figures; a glint of blue caught his eye and his brows shot up upon the discovery one of these 'threats' had very similar hair to the slumbering one. "Which means...well...hopefully, Master Bakura is still with him. And by the temperature, I'd say this is...where they are."

The two inched forward; and stepped over the invisible line. Instantly all interest vanished, replaced by the fierce swirl of fiery rage, driven by the need to protect the currently helpless form of the ethereal figure who had yet to wake from the traumatic coma he had fallen into.

Fangs now bared in an open snarl Marik flew down the stairs, cloak erupting into life, front door slamming open loud enough to send both Ryou and Malik scrambling backwards with frightened shrieks.

Skidding to a halt and rearing to full height the sun loomed over the two terrified stars, purple eyes blazing with fury. "Who the fuck are you!?" He snarled, sparks dancing at the tips of his fingers, waiting eagerly for the call. Two sets of eyes gazed at him with open fear, but both knew better then to fail to answer.

"M-Malik and R-R-Ryou, sir." Malik croaked, one arm slipping back to rest against Ryou's side as if to shield the terrified paler one from the rage of the sun.

Surveying the two shivering forms critically Marik released a low, rumbling growl that caused both to flinch and shrink back further then they already had, neither willing to tempt the entity by acting brave. It wasn't unusual to see the blond angry - but this was unbelievably so.

Not questioning their identities but still suspicious of their motives the tanned male lifted his head while the two before him lowered theirs, the sparks at his fingers flickering and dancing until, with a roar like a lion, they became a raging inferno in the palms of his hand, dancing eagerly at their masters command.

"How do you know Bakura?" Came the low, threatening hiss, just daring the lesser beings to deny such a thing, or to speak false. Either of those would result in a fast but agonizingly painful death for both; he was in no mood for games.

Luckily, they didn't seem to be in such a mood either. "W-we're his..." Ryou's voice died, wondering if he dared tell the truth - it was a rather farfetched truth, and would probably be seen as more of a lie then an actual lie. A low snarl warned him to continue and so he dared. "F-Friends.."

Disbelief flickered into dark features, but much to the relief of the stars the sun seemed to find no falseness in Ryou's face, because he didn't sheer them. However, he seemed no less unpleasant, still looking more then ready to broil them both of they made so much as one bad move. Which, given the current situation, would probably be even so much as moving on inch.

Surveying both the trembling figures with nothing short of murderous intent, Marik sized them up. So they were friends of his beautiful...which meant that killing them would probably not go over so well. But that didn't mean he would tolerate their continued presence; until his pale moon had recovered enough to move, then he would let the night decide wether or not he wanted company.

As it was, Bakura had yet to stir since that day - the very memory of which made him snarl and made both stars to flinch at the sound - so no one was allowed within ten feet of the house he was in. Ryou and Malik were currently nine feet from the house; thus they had to step back and either leave, or wait outside the line until further notice.

Satisfied with his decision the sun let the fire in both his hands and billowing off his shoulders to die, turning sharply on his heel. "Go away." He spat over his shoulder, beginning to make his way back to the door.

"But we have to see Master Bakura!" Malik cried; seconds before his mind caught up with his mouth, and he slammed his hands over his face, his and Ryou's eyes widening with horror as they both realized the blond's fatal mistake.

Purple flared and then with a loud snarl the sun swirled back around, flames roaring to life, and with a wave of his arm a wall of fire soared towards the two defenceless stars.

There was a flash of light, of sheering heat, and then the fire evaporated inches from striking the two cowering forms, deflected by some unseen force field. "Us damn it Marik, they're Bakura's friends!" A loud, booming voice jerked all three of them to attention, turning to find the familiar form of the Dusk stalking towards them with obvious annoyance sketched across his features.

Undeterred Marik met Yami's challenge, both glaring each other down. Without looking away from the on-edge sun, the dusk spoke in a cold but even tone. "I understand something happened, and right now you need to keep Bakura safe." He spoke, trying to sooth the fire sizzling inside the larger blond. What he wouldn't give to have Yugi's calming aura...don't think about it.

"But trust me, harming the two stars will cause more grief then good. They're the closest things to true friends Bakura has - hurt them, and he'll never forgive you." Red eyes glared into purple, and as the words registered guilt flickered across the tanned face before Marik jerked his head to the side and broke contact; obviously realizing the mistake.

Relieved that the sun had backed down the dusk redirected his attention to the still shivering stars, approaching them slowly, hands held out to show he meant no harm. "I suggest you two move back a few feet." He murmured, and immediately Ryou and Malik fell back as directed, not taking their wide eyes off the humbled sun for a second.

"I take it you do have Bakura, yes?" Yami asked, glancing at Marik who gave a sharp nod in response.

"He's sleeping. Has been for...well, since then." Practically spitting out the last word the blond glanced at the bedroom window where he knew the other was still resting, relaxed now that the stars had stepped back into the safe zone. "I'm taking care of him." The sentence was spoken almost like a child, like a son reassuring a mother that he was more then responsible.

Smiling reassuringly, knowing how unpredictable the other was and wanting to him in the much preferred state of 'not murderous', Yami nodded. "I'm sure you're doing a wonderful job. However, it is only natural for his two stars to worry for him. As a matter of fact, everyone is worried for him..perhaps you could allow the two to stay nearby in case he wakes, so long as they remain a safe distance from the house?"

Narrowing his eyes the blond glanced sharply at the two, causing them to shrink back under his gaze, before returning his vision to the dusk. "They'll stay at least ten feet." It wasn't a question, nor so much a statement; it was an order, and the tone of his voice clearly stated that refusal to comply would be met with a gruesome fate.

"W-we w-will, Master M-Marik." Ryou whispered, keeping his eyes on the ground and head bowed, having sunk to his knees into a deep bow; Malik followed suit, more for fear of incurring the wrath of the unstable entity.

Satisfied with that the sun nodded. "Fine. When," Yami didn't fail to hear the slightly unsure tone, as if Marik was trying hard not to think 'if', "Bakura wakes up, I'll inform him you two are here. Then he'll decide when he wants to see you." Again it was spoken as a command; clearly the blond was in no mood for debates.

When no protests were risen he gave a brief nod and then spun on his heel, disappearing into the house, door shut with a slam of finality, leaving the other three men to gaze after him with matching looks of unease.


And before anyone points it out..Yes I realize Marik has a really eradic personality! This is on purpouse. Marik's the sun; and the sun, or fire, is unpradictable. Change of an often occurance - it can go from relaxing and warm to blistering hot in split seconds. That's what I'm trying to show with Marik's personality. All the characters are sort of OOC due to the fact this is an AU, thus they've all had different experiences. Bakura's not a hateful psychopath like in the show, because he's only like that due to his tragic, bloodsoaked past. Which he never had in this story, because his life has been, literally, on top of the world!

So yes. Just some things I wanted to point out. Hope you enjoyed, and shall continue to enjoy!

R&R! I try to upload every three days at least, but lots of review's make me want to upload sooner!