Hiya. Chapter 15 is here! :)
Thanks sooo much for your fantastic reviews haha.
I don't own YuGiOh or the characters. D:

(Marik's POV)

"F-father?" I asked as he walked towards me, with a fierce glint in his eyes. I glanced at Melvin, who stood behind me, eyes wide and tearful. Father was holding up one of the Millennium items. It was the Millennium Rod. And it was unsheathed. The blade glinted. He smiled at me and it wasn't a loving smile that a normal father would give to his son. Father's smiles were never loving though, Ishizu said he stopped smiling like that since mother died. I never knew mother –she died giving birth to me –but Ishizu and Rishid often mentioned that she was the loving person they ever knew; but after living in a tomb that you're not allowed to leave, you don't really know many people. I stared at the blade, eyes welling up. I knew what was happening. I knew what was going to happen.

"It's time," father said simply. Save me. Save Melvin. Save us. Somebody save us. The urge to run nearly overwhelmed me. But there was nowhere to run. I knew Melvin felt how I felt too. His horrified expression was reflected in the shiny blade.

It is time for our tomb keeper initiation.

(Bakura's POV)

"MELVIN," Marik screamed, causing me to wake up. Marik's having another nightmare. I realised we were both still on the sofa, Marik was laying over the arm of the sofa, screaming his twins name. He stopped screaming and began whimpering. I wonder what he's dreaming about. He began to cry out in pain. What's happening? I found myself staring at his back. Is it something to do with whatever's on his back? I leant over and began to lift up the back of his shirt. Before I could see anything, Marik turned his body and whacked me in the face with his arm.

"Stop it, father! Please! It hurts!" Marik shouted at me. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Bakura?" I nodded. He unexpectedly gave me a tight hug. "It was so scary." I patted his shoulder and avoided touching his back. But what was 'it'?

"Marik, you can talk to me about it if you want?" I felt him shudder against me and whispered a 'no' in reply. I'll find out another time, Marik. I will get you to tell me. I glanced at the clock. 7 o'clock? I pushed Marik off of me gently and he stared up at me with spaced and scared amethyst eyes. I kept a still expression. I'd rather not show too much sympathy. I don't want him to think I'm too nice or caring or anything...

"We need to get ready for school," I mumbled, standing up. He nodded and also stood up. I quickly got into the shower first and washed my hair. I then got out, wrapped a towel around my waist and left the bathroom. "Marik, you can use the bathroom." He came out of his room with carrying his clothes. So he doesn't want me to see him in a towel anymore, just so I don't see his back. I noticed a slightly pink tinge appear on his cheeks when he saw me in my towel. I gave him a smirk but didn't say anything. Best not upset him while he's in this state. He rolled his eyes at me and went into the bathroom. I quickly headed into my room and got changed.

Soon we were on the way to school.

The rest of the week continued normally. Tuesday's lessons were, as always, dull and only a few of them are with Marik. We sat with Yugi and his friends a lot more at lunches. I didn't really speak to them that much. I mostly just chatted with Ryou and Marik unless they were talking to someone else; in this situation, I would exchange a few words with Melvin. He didn't really know them or was bothered about getting to know any of them, as usual, he was only there for Ryou. Wednesday's lessons were alright, I was with Marik and Ryou all day. We had a pop quiz in one of them but I just copied Marik. Thursday was boring and on Friday, Ryou decided to tell me that he was inviting 'Yugi and the gang' to Marik's birthday party. What a splendid way to spend my Saturday. But I didn't care about them coming that much because I had got Marik the perfect birthday present. He will love it.

On Friday night, Marik and I were once again sat in front of the TV. I wasn't sure what we were watching, Marik had put on some stupid sitcom which I had never watched before. He was muttering on about something, and I quote, 'friggin' HILARIOUS' that Otogi had said earlier. I found myself picturing Otogi. Isn't Otogi one of the 'studs in our year? Yeah, he is, I remember hearing that every single girl in our year has fancied him at least once. I've even heard a group of his idiot fangirls describe his eyes as 'the most perfect emeralds'. He recently started hanging around with The Yugi Gang which unfortunately means he hangs out with us. I say 'unfortunately' because it just means there's yet another person distracting Ryou and Marik from talking to me. I knew them first and they're my friends. Anyway, Marik's practically a girl I suppose. Is it possible that he's started liking Otogi? I mean, to be fair, most of the straight guys in our year would probably turn for Otogi. Maybe I'm over-analysing the situation, Marik probably doesn't even like Otogi like that... Well, I'll find out tomorrow, Otogi's coming to Marik's party...

"Marik, the way you go on and on about him makes it sound like you liiiikee him," I said smirking.

"Oh, Bakura, do I detect some jealousy there?" He replied, grinning at me.

"W-what? N-no. I am most certainly not jealous!" Wow, he took me off guard there. Now I do sound jealous. Am I jealous? I don't really want Marik to get in a relationship... Not because I fancy him or anything, it's just, he's really the only person I connect with other than Ryou... and Ryou's got bloody Melvin. I don't want to lose Marik like I've lost Ryou... I shouldn't have gotten close to Marik. Anytime you get close to someone, you'll eventually lose them to someone else. I'm going to be alone forever. I felt my mouth curve down into a frown and I stared at the living room floor.

"Bakura? What's wrong?" Concern? It doesn't matter, Marik. I don't matter. Don't feel concern for me. You'll leave me one day.

"Nothing..."

"Bakura. Tell me." Marik's tone was serious. I looked at him. He met my eyes with a serious expression. We stared at each other for a while but I broke the gaze.

"I don't want to be alone. Ever."

"You won't be. I'll always be here for you. Don't worry."

"Marik, you don't understand. One day, you'll leave me. You'll get a family and there will be no space in your life for Bakura."

"What do you mean? You'll get a family, Bakura, you won't need me."

"I don't get on with people."

"You get on with me."

"Yeah, because you understand me. Please, don't leave me, Marik. I hate being alone."

(Marik's POV)

I've never seen Bakura look so vulnerable. For someone who doesn't bother to talk to the others when we sit with Yugi, saying that you hate being alone is kind of... odd. Sometimes I don't understand him. What does he mean leave him? He's my best friend. Why would I leave him? Especially now, I feel like I'm... I'm... in love with him.

"Bakura, I will never leave you, unless you ever want me to," I promised and then shuffled along the sofa to sit nearer to him. I gave him a gentle hug. "I'm more scared of you leaving me," I whispered.

"I won't... I don't think I can afford to," he whispered back.

I let go of him, said 'goodnight' and headed to my room to sleep. Shortly after I heard Bakura's door shut down the hall.

Why does he fear solitude? I need to know.

Sorry, it was only a short chapter but it was more a filler so the next chapter could be about Marik's party.
Yay, now Marik wants to know more about Kura's past. Haha, if anyone has any ideas of what Bakura should get Marik for his birthday... then you know, you can tell me in a review or something because I'm honestly just making this story up as I go along.
Anyway, please review and thanks for reading. ^^

-Dani