Chapter 3
Atem woke up, stretching. His mind drifting to the problem that was Akefia.
Akefia woke up. He had slept on his side. He stretched, his eyes opening. He wondered what would happen today. He knew his master would be dealing with a lot. He smirked, enjoying playing with the man.
Standing, Atem stretched, slipping on clothes as he went down to get some food. He supposed he should get some food for Akefia, for after punishment. He shouldn't have attacked Atem.
Akefia paced back and forth. He was restless, waiting for food.
Atem walked in, knife on the ready.
"That isn't necessary you know," he said dryly at noticing his master carried a knife with him.
Atem simply stared at Akefia. Setting the tray down, he looked at Akefia. "Punishment for attacking me first, then you can have food. So you can take your punishment like a man, or I can chain you up like a bitch." Atem was guarded...he didn't like the fact that he lost control around this man last time.
"Stare at me all you want," Akefia smirked slyly. "Do I get to know what the punishment is?"
Atem swallowed, staring Akefia in the eyes. "Twenty lashes." He said, in a guarded voice, feeling passion rising out of his gut. His eye twitched in aggravation.
Akefia held his smirk. He took off his shirt, revealing his back and stomach.
"Get it over with then," he purred.
Atem growled at Akefia's smirk. Taking his whip, he lashed Akefia's back, hard for the twenty lashes, leaving slices of blood where the whip hit.
Akefia gritted his teeth. He endured the pain, feeling the warm blood spill down his back. He just wanted to get it over with so he could eat.
After the twenty lashes, Atem grabbed a small salt block, rubbing it over the wounds.
Akefia hissed, wincing at the pinpricks of pain from the salt being rubbed into his wounds. He clenched his fists, hoping this was over.
"Now, will you be a good boy?" Atem asked lightly.
"Maybe," he replied as it was highly unlikely he would be.
Atem sighed, as he recognized the noncommittal answer. Still, he couldn't very well starve his pet. "Your food is on the desk." Atem walked out.
"Good," he muttered, stepping over as he began to eat.
Atem had left a chunk of bread, a small salad, a quarter of a roasted chicken, and a cup of banana pudding, along with a large glass of water.
Akefia looked at the food. He just ate the chicken and drank the water.
About an hour later, a shadow walked in, grabbing the tray. Looking it over, the shadow asked, "What would you rather have instead?"
"Nothing. I wasn't that hungry," he muttered, sitting against the wall as he healed his wounds.
Shrugging, the shadow took the tray out. About an hour later, Atem came back in, a collar in his hand. "Ready for a walk?"
"Go to hell," Akefia growled, still trying to heal the welts and markings from his back the whip had left.
"Oh...now you are upset." Atem said mildly. "Well, if you would mind, I wouldn't have to punish you."
"You're an uncaring bastard. So piss off," he glared daggers at him.
"And this surprises you, how? If you care, you get hurt. I would think you would know that." Atem's face remained impassive.
Akefia scowled, "Then you're a foolish fool."
Atem laughed harshly. "You've never been hurt."
"One thing you will have to get through your fucking head is you don't know me. I'm not letting you get to know me," Akefia said bluntly. "So don't you dare make assumptions."
"Well then I would say the same to you. Don't assume I'm uncaring, and don't assume you know me." Atem hissed, aggravated at being called out, and aggravated at being called an uncaring bastard.
And aggravated that he was aggravated.
"Fine," he huffed, looking down as his hair hid his face, not looking at his so called master.
"Damnit, what the fuck do you want from me?" Atem exploded, stomping over and gripping Akefia's chin, forcing it up.
"Nothing," he hissed, jerking out of Atem's grasp.
"Fine." Atem turned, stomping out, locking the door behind him.
Ryou cuddled into Malik. He headbutted him, in cat form, playfully nipping his nose. He giggled and then moved up to curl up on Malik's head.
\/\/\/
Malik yawned, waking up and smiling at Ryou. Giggling, Malik crossed his eyes looking up at Ryou. Pulling Ryou off his head, he held Ryou in his arms, petting him. "You are adorable. And you're mine...right?" Malik asked, a teeny bit of fear in his eyes.
"Of course," Ryou smiled softly, nuzzling Malik's cheek.
Malik grinned. "Whatcha wanna do today?"
"Um, I'm not sure," Ryou admitted, nipping Malik's cheek.
Malik giggled again. "Wanna go see your friends?"
Ryou nodded, "Sure."
"Which one?"
"Yugi," Ryou told him, nuzzling Malik affectionately.
"Sure!" Marik got up, throwing on some clothes, and picking Ryou up, heading out toward Atem and Yami's.
Ryou relaxed in Malik's arms. He knew the psychopath would keep him safe somehow. He was looking forward to seeing his half-brother. Though only Marik and Akefia knew about that.
Knocking on the door, Malik barged in right afterwards and stopped, uncomfortably. Yugi was looking at Yami and Yami seemed to be sad. "Yami, wha's wrong?" Malik asked, petting Ryou.
Ryou jumped down. He padded over, mewing at Yugi. He pawed at the neko. He didn't like it when Yugi was upset.
"Nothing's wrong," Yami forced a smile on his face. "How are you, Malik?"
Yugi formed back into neko and headbutted Ryou. Nodding his head, Yugi padded off to the back of the house.
Ryou followed after him. He wanted to know what was wrong. He wanted to help.
Once they got to a safe distance, Yugi head butted Ryou again. "How are you?" Yugi said, eyeing Ryou.
Ryou giggled, head butting him back, "I'm fine. How about you?"
"Okay." Yugi sighed, licking his leg. "Yami gave me my freedom."
"Malik did the same for me," Ryou sat down, licking his paws absently.
Yugi grinned big and headbutted Ryou, rubbing his cheek on Ryou's. "That's awesome! Now we just have to figure out how to get Marik and Akefia free!" Yugi giggled.
"Yep," Ryou nodded, smiling softly as he nipped Yugi in return for the lick.
"So, I can leave. Just don't know if I should or not, cause if I stay, I can help Muffin." Yugi worriedly worked his paw with his teeth, spreading his claws wide.
"Oh, um well I'm staying with Malik," Ryou told him sheepishly.
"No, that's good! That way you can work on getting Marik free." Yugi smiled. "I figured that if I get Yami to fall for me, well then, if I can get him wrapped around my paw, I can get him to help me with me and 'Keifa. I guess it's working, cause I'm free, and all I had to do was blow him." Yugi felt unsettled with how he was describing Yami as a pawn piece
"Um, well that's good for you. I actually love Malik. I will help Marik, but I have my own reasons for staying," Ryou said gently.
Yugi looked at Ryou with wide eyes. "How can you love Malik? It's only been like three days! And he bought you!" Yugi looked disgruntled.
"He's broken. I want to help fix him," Ryou said simply.
"That's not love. That's pity." Yugi said.
Ryou shrugged, "It's what I feel. Like I said I'm staying for my own reasons."
"Ryou..." Suddenly, a butterfly caught Yugi's eye. Wiggling his butt, he chased after it, running and sliding into Yami's leg.
\/\/\/
Malik hadn't said anything to Yami for a bit, as he could tell Yami was being fake. As the two cats wandered off, Malik had just stared at Yami quietly. Finally, "Seriously, dude...what's wrong? You're a horrible liar."
Yami frowned, "I guess I am... I gave Yugi freedom. I think he'll probably leave."
"Aw, man, that sucks. You spent all that money and now you're gonna lose your pet. I'm sure they'll have another neko soon so you can have a cat." Malik said helpfully.
"Maybe," he sighed. "It was worth the time anyways."
"Huh?" Malik looked confused.
"The time spent with the neko. It was worth it anyways...to have someone around instead of Atem," he shrugged.
Malik smiled. "There ya go! Why don't we go out and get ya another cat now?" Malik was pretty dense at times. "OH, by the way. I gave Ryou his freedom, and he loves me and I love him and he's staying with me. Great, huh?" Malik grinned manically, grabbing some peanut butter and a knife, scooping some out and eating it.
"That's great to hear," Yami said, forcing another smile on his face as while he appreciated the consideration of getting a new cat he would prefer just having Yugi around.
"Ya know, Yami...ya gotta get out more. You need a mate. Mates are great!" Malik put the peanut butter down and dug in the cabinets, pulling out some cheese and taking a bite out of the block.
Yami shrugged, "I guess. If Yugi does leave then I'll have to find another for a potential mate."
About then Yugi slammed into Yami's leg. Sneezing repeatedly, Yugi shook his head as well.
The butterfly flew happily off.
"Are you ok?" Yami asked the neko, patting his head gently.
"Purrt." Yugi crawled up Yami's leg, nuzzling Yami's cheek. Malik raised an eyebrow, looking around for Ryou. "Uh, he doesn't look like he's leaving to me." Spying Ryou, he grinned, picking Ryou back up. Kissing Ryou's forehead, he scratched Ryou's ears. Wanna go to the café for lunch?" He asked Ryou. "We can bring Yugi and Yami if ya want."
Ryou purred in content at the attention as he replied, "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."
Yami smiled softly. He held Yugi, scratching behind one of the cat's ears.
Malik looked at Yami. "Let's meet at the café. I want Ryou to change, cause he's sexy in human form. Please?" He turned psychotic eyes at Ryou.
Ryou blushed, shifting back to his normal form, "I'm not sexy."
"Ok, sounds good," Yami confirmed.
"Yea, you are." Malik leaned over, brushing his lips over Ryou's.
Ryou nipped his teasingly, pouting, "You're sexier than me."
"Nuh uh." Malik breathed, running fingers down Ryou's arms, forgetting Yugi and Yami. "Those chocolate eyes..." Malik kissed across Ryou's cheek to his neck, kissing down Ryou's collarbone.
Ryou shivered, blushing a furious shade of crimson, "Malik..."
"Mmm?" Malik mumbled, running his hands up under Ryou's shirt, lightly brushing his fingers over Ryou's sides as he kept kissing, working on a bruise from the sucking.
"M-Maybe we should do this somewhere more private," he blushed, enjoying Malik's attention.
"Nah, this is fine." Malik whispered, pushing Ryou against the wall, nipping Ryou's neck and moaning in Ryou's ear. "You taste so good, lover."
Yugi looked uncomfortably up at Yami.
"Come, let's go upstairs and give them some privacy," Yami said, standing up as he carried Yugi upstairs and sat down with his neko.
Malik smirked. "How's that...now it's more private." Malik grinned, pulling Ryou's shirt off, eyes dark. Looking over Ryou's body hungrily, he whispered, "Damn...you are gorgeous."
Ryou blushed, "Um, thanks?"
He's not used to this. He's never had someone be attracted to him before.
Malik grinned, picking Ryou up, wrapping Ryou's legs around him so Ryou could feel the evidence of Malik's attraction. Going over to the kitchen table, he pushed the papers and salt and pepper shakers off, sitting Ryou on it, going back to kissing all over Ryou's chest and abdomen.
"M-Malik, um I've never...never done this before," Ryou said through a moan, shuddering in anticipation at feeling Malik pressed against him.
Malik groaned. "That is so not helping. That is so hot." Malik whispered. "Do you wanna stop and go home?" Looking up, he pouted, running his fingers over Ryou's obvious state of arousal gently.
"No...I trust you. Just be gentle, ok?" he asked softly.
Malik grinned, his gaze somewhat normal for a couple of seconds. "Of course, Love." Pulling off Ryou's pants, he started kissing down Ryou's thighs. "Get the fuck out, Atem." Malik growled. Atem had just reached the kitchen...seeing the table, he turned and left, vowing to burn the table to the ground later. Malik continued to tease Ryou by kissing Ryou's thighs, abdomen...everywhere but the one spot that was begging to be touched.
Ryou panted lightly. He leaned into Malik's touch. He wanted more. He bucked his hips, mewling in protest at noticing Malik wasn't touching the one spot he wanted attention.
Malik smirked. "What, bunny?" He grinned, running fingers over Ryou's innermost thighs, eyes growing darker still at seeing Ryou in the state he was in.
"I..I want you," he breathed out.
Malik groaned. "How do you make the simplest of sentences sound so fucking hot?" He went down, hovering over Ryou, his breath and lips ghosting over the head of Ryou's cock. "You're not gonna shift into a bunny are ya?" Malik chuckled lowly.
Ryou smiled sweetly, "I wouldn't dream of it." He shifted into bunny form, looking up at him innocently.
Malik eyed Ryou. "You're loss. I'm not into bestiality." He grinned, sticking out his tongue at Ryou.
Ryou pouted, shifting back, "It was worth a try."
Though then his hazel eyes grew distant. He shuddered, shaking his head as he recalled the cruelty he had faced with other masters. He didn't dare tell the others about it.
Malik immediately came to Ryou, pulling him into a gentle embrace. "What is it bunny?" Malik asked softly, concern lacing his voice.
"It's nothing," he said quietly, kissing Malik's cheek.
"Liar." Malik said, staring at Ryou. "I shared with you, don't you trust me enough to share with me?" Lilac eyes were hurt. "I want to help you."
"I will, but not here ok?" Ryou asked, pleading with his eyes.
Malik nodded. "You wanna avoid the café and just go home and cuddle?" Malik asked.
Ryou nodded, smiling sadly, "Yeah, if that's ok with you."
Malik smiled. "Ok, go to bunny, I know you feel safe there. I'll go up and tell Yami that we can change plans."
"O-Ok," Ryou shifted to bunny form, waiting for Malik to come back.
Malik picked Ryou up once he went to bunny form. Petting Ryou, he went up and knocked on Yami's door.
Yami stood up. He walked over and opened the door. He raised a brow, wondering what was wrong.
"Need to change plans?" he inquired casually.
"Yea, is that okay?" He noticed that Yugi was asleep in cat form on his back, tongue hanging out. "Café tomorrow?"
"Yep, that's fine," he assured.
Malik carried Ryou out, back to the house, up to the bed, slipping under the covers with him and holding him, petting him soothingly.
Ryou leaned against Malik's chest. He wasn't sure how to come out and tell him this story. It wasn't a pretty one.
Malik petted Ryou's hair. "If you don't want to talk, you don't have to Bunny."
"I know," Ryou sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. "I haven't been able to tell the others about this at all. They've told me about what's happened to them with past masters, but I...I can't."
"Shhh, then don't. It's okay." Malik held him tighter.
"No, you at least deserve to know," he said softly. "My past masters weren't kind. I wasn't allowed to be in human form and they kept me in a cage. They called me a freak..."
Malik's eyes burned with the fire of his hatred. "You never have to be in a cage again. You aren't a freak, you are beautiful." Hand itching for a knife to stabby stab Ryou's past masters...hand twitching slightly.
Ryou gave a weak smile, "Thanks. I'm just not able to tell the others because...well they've been through worse stuff than me."
"Nonsense." Malik argued through gritted teeth. "Pain isn't more or less because it's different...it's just different." Eyes going crazed slightly, Malik looked at Ryou. "Would you like to watch your past masters die or just bathe in their blood?"
"I guess," Ryou shook his head. "No, you don't need to do that. I'm with you now."
"Okay, I won't make you watch and you don't have to bathe. I'll just sharpen my knives on their skulls." Malik stated in a rather unhinged way.
"Um, o-ok," Ryou faintly smiled, thinking he couldn't stop Malik for doing what he wanted.
Malik giggled, holding Ryou. "You're safe now. I'm never gonna let you hurt again."
"Thanks," Ryou said softly, kissing his cheek as he nuzzled his neck.
Malik sighed in contentment. He'd sharpen his knives later. Right now, he just wanted to hold Ryou and keep him safe.
Ryou laid his head on Malik's chest. He liked the feeling of the blonde's arms around him. He'd try to keep him safe too.
\/\/\/
Marik tried to slip out from Bakura's grip. He wanted to get up and make his master some breakfast. He assumed he'd have to use his abilities at some time, but he didn't know what his master wanted.
Bakura tightened his grip when feeling Marik trying to escape, "Not yet."
Marik laid still, next to Bakura, waiting for his master to give him some direction.
Bakura just held his pet close. He wouldn't let him go or let anyone else have him. He eventually got up. He stretched, releasing Marik from his grip.
"What can I get you for breakfast, Master?" Marik asked meekly.
"Don't worry about me, princess," he chuckled lightly, padding out of the bedroom and went into the kitchen. "What don't you eat? Any allergies? I need to know because I don't want what's mine getting ill or passing out on me."
"No. No allergies." Marik stated quietly. Master didn't ask about preference, just allergies. Marik had no allergies.
"Any preferences?" he smirked as he isn't a fool and can tell when someone is hiding something from him.
"I'm not very fond of land meat. I prefer seafood, vegetables, and fruit." Marik whispered, shaking slightly.
"That wasn't hard to tell me, now was it?" he asked, a sly smile on his lips as he pulled out ingredients to make some omelets.
Marik nodded shakily. "N..no, Master Bakura." He gripped his arms with his hands, wrapping his arms around his body.
"Good," he said, pleased that Marik was ok while he made some cheese omelets with spinach, mushrooms, and tomatoes.
When he finished cooking them he brought out two plates. He placed one onto a plate for Marik. He had the other on his own. He also put a piece of banana nut bread on Marik's plate and set them onto the table.
"Anything to drink?" he asked.
"No..no sir, Master." Marik sat down quietly.
"Really?" he scowled. "You don't need to be so formal with me, Marik. Besides we are in the house...outside you can refer to me as Master. Indoors be yourself. Go it?"
Marik looked up, uncertainty deep in his eyes. "But...I can only be what you want me to be. I've been a slave since I could walk. I don't know how to be myself."
Bakura frowned, thinking something over, then nodded, "Eat and then give me one of your arms."
Marik ate quickly, then walked over, offering his left arm.
"Thank you Master, the food was good."
"I'm glad. I'm not the best at cooking, but Malik has been teaching me a few things," he said simply, taking the arm, letting a stinging burning sensation go through it as he left his mark of a silver half-moon encircled by a fang mark. "There, you're free now, princess. Act how you want."
Marik looked down at his arm, then up at Bakura. Blinking in confusion, he sat back down at the table. "What would you have of me now, Master?"
"Just call me Bakura," he said simply, eating his food before putting their dishes into the sink. "No one can own you now. So do what you want and be who you've wanted to be for ages."
Marik looked up. "I...I like being around you. You've been kind to me. C...can...never mind." Marik looked down. "I...what do I do? Where do I go?"
"Whatever you want, wherever you want. You can stay here with me and explore your feelings or go out in the world," Bakura said simply, cupping Marik's cheek as he slid his tongue out to lick his lips clean. "So in the end it's your decision to make, mageling."
"I want to be with you." Marik whispered. "I think you are gorgeous, you are kind, and I feel funny around you. But...I don't want to be away from you." Marik stared up at Bakura, praying Bakura would want him.
"Then you can stay," Bakura grinned deviously, kissing him hard on the lips, wrapping his arms around him.
Marik whimpered, wrapping his arms around Bakura, kissing him hard back, shivering.
Bakura pulled back when he was done, licking Marik's lips, "Enjoying yourself?"
Marik was flushed, eyes sparkling. He grinned. "Yea." He bit his bottom lip.
"Good," he murmured, amused at seeing Marik's face flush and seeing him nervous.
"So...uh...um...maybe I need to go find a job so I can get clothes?" Marik asked, flustered.
"Not necessary," he smirked, grabbing his hand. "Come, let's go to the market. I'll pay for your clothes and anything else you need."
"But how will I pay you back?"
"Oh, I'm sure we can think of something," he purred, his eyes turning dark for an instant, getting to his feet, tugging him outside with him. "Until then let's get you some new clothes, shall we?"
Marik nodded. He tried to get more comfortable with this freedom idea, but he often bowed his head...coming close and grabbing Bakura when spooked.
"It's ok," he stroked Marik's hair gently, calming him as they walked. "Just stay close to me. I'll protect you."
Marik nodded. He stayed close to Bakura. While stopped looking at some items, a man walked up with large muscles, blonde hair, and dark glasses. Smirking, he looked at Marik. "You're awful cute." He ran a finger down Marik's arm as Marik shrunk away.
Bakura grabbed the man's arm, his force strong enough to hear an audible crack, breaking it. His eyes darkened as he snarled angrily at the person that tried to harm what's his.
"Don't...touch...him," Bakura sneered, punching the man hard in the chest before Bakura walked off, draping an arm protectively around Marik. "Are you alright?"
"Fuck man, we could share him. He's a cute piece of ass. Damn." The guy was cradling his arm. "Shit, he can't be that good of a whore." Marik just curled into Bakura, nodding silently.
"I don't share," Bakura growled, narrowing his eyes at the man. "Touch him again and I will feed you to the shadows."
"Fuck, fine." The guy huffed off. Marik looked up gratefully. "Thank you M..Bakura."
"You're welcome," he gave a small smile. "See anything you like?"
Marik grinned, blushing and looking down. "Yea."
"What?" he asked.
"You." Marik whispered, face blossoming crimson.
Bakura chuckled, "That's cute, but we can attend to that when we're done."
Marik just turned redder. He picked out a few things, his eyes lighting up at a pretty gold arm circlet, but he said nothing about that, moving on as it looked rather expensive.
Bakura had noticed his interest. He picked up the circlet, adding it to the things to purchase. He smirked, continuing to walk with a protective arm around him.
Marik grinned, actually loosening up to enjoy the market since he felt safe.
Bakura paid for the items, having them placed in a bag. He carried the bag. One of his arms stayed draped around Marik's shoulders. He directed him back home.
Marik followed happily, quietly.
Bakura kicked the door in, letting Marik inside. He closed the door when they were in the house. He set the bag down.
"So how would you like for me to pay for your generosity, Mas...Bakura?"
"Mmm, there are many ways to pay someone back," he mused, approaching him until he pinned Marik against the wall.
Marik squeaked looking up at Bakura, looking to see if there was any malice in his face.
"How do you want to pay me back?" he asked, his voice a husky purr, cupping Marik's face in his hands.
"Uh..um...well...I mean...I could clean house and stuff..." He whimpered, staring at Bakura, his throat dry.
"Try again," Bakura breathed, his breath ghosting against Marik's neck. "I'm sure you can think of something else... Malik and I deal with the housework by ourselves. We've done it just fine that way."
"I...I dunno then. I want to have sex with you, but I don't wanna pay for sex, or then I'll be the whore that guy said I am, right?" Marik looked up with innocent eyes at Bakura.
"Oh, no you are way too precious to be called a whore or slut," he chided, his pale fingers running down Marik's spine. "We could be lovers."
Marik shivered, eyes darkening. Darting his tongue out to wet his suddenly dry lips, he nodded. "Th...that has a good ring...cause then...if we're lovers, I still have a say in the relationship, and what we do or don't do...right?" Barely above a whisper as he leaned into Bakura's touch.
"For the most part, yes," he murmured, amused at the state Marik was in at the moment.
"Okay. I trust you." Marik looked up at Bakura with trusting eyes. "I...I think I love you."
"Good," he kissed him passionately. "I feel the same way for you."
Marik whimpered, melting into Bakura and kissing him back passionately, if a bit naïvely, as no one had kissed him with emotion before.
He pulled away after several long moments, letting the mortal breathe. He held him close. He did feel that odd emotion for the blonde. He wasn't sure why, but he didn't care for the reason behind it. He just did what he thought was right.
Marik snuggled into Bakura, hugging him, sighing happily.
Bakura held a small smile on his lips. He picked Marik up and moved to the sofa where they just sat to hold each other, enjoying the other's warmth.
Marik cuddled into Bakura, managing to wiggle onto Bakura's lap, his head on Bakura's chest. Marik smiled happily.