Susy plopped down onto the bed. The whole drive back from the temple had been silent, and by this point she had learned that Marik and silence make a bad mix. When they reached the hideout he immediately sent her with an escort to her room. Not surprisingly the door was locked again.

"Ugh…why me?" she groaned and rolled over the bed. The girl got up and went into the bathroom then looked at herself in the mirror. Sweat was making her hair cling to every part of her face. "Look at yourself, you're a wreck!" She moved her hands over her sticky skin and decided to take a well-deserved long hot shower.

After stripping and stepping in the tub she turned on the water. Water sprayed out of the shower-head and ran down her skin. 'Ahh, just what I needed.' She thought.

For a long time Susy just stood there soaking. Her mind wandered and roamed. Showers had always brought out her imaginative side. This time was no different. Images of the last few days flew through her head. It was clear to her that whatever path she was taking would be a rocky one. There wasn't much she could do to change it. Pushing on was all that could be done.

'I don't know what I was thinking. Making plans just isn't my thing.' She scrubbed her hair, 'No matter how much I think otherwise it won't happen.'

After about an hour long shower, Susy stepped out and dried herself off. Regretfully she pulled back on her clothes. Steam spilled out of the bathroom as she stepped into her room. Around the room she started to pace.

She looked at her arm. "Heh, I wonder if this band was water-proof." The band had been bugging her for a while now. She didn't know how secure she felt knowing Marik could get into her mind, and trying to take it off had proved to be impossible. Her guess was that only Marik could remove it. So she was probably going to be stuck with it for a while.

Anxiousness rattled her brain. There was no way she could stay there and do nothing. She just needed to occupy her mind with something. It didn't take her long to decide that a walk in the dark was due.

Going up to the door she kneeled. "When will he ever learn?" She picked the lock and walked into the empty hallway. Silence came from all directions. With a shrug she started walking down random halls. 'Time to play the How Long Can I Go Without Getting Caught game.'

Susy walked on and on. Her general goal was to walk as far in the opposite direction from her cell as she could. Whenever she would hear voices she would turn the other way. Simple enough really. Every now and then she would come across a door and peek inside. All she would find was either an empty bedroom or a storage room. Nothing ever really caught her eye, so she would just keep walking.

Eventually things got interesting. Susy was walking down a hall and came across a fancy door. Curiosity spiked and she opened the door. She was met with a great surprise when she saw a huge room before her. It was familiar though. That's when it hit her. This was Marik's throne room.

From what she could tell this door was in the very corner of the room, behind the throne and away from sight. She gazed at the throne, which was on a platform five stairs up, and frowned. Just her luck that Marik would choose now to be in his throne.

'I swear, I can never get away from him.' She thought as she looked around. A servant walked up the stairs and whispered something in his ear.

"Excellent, bring her in."

Susy immediately went on guard, her being the only "she" in this place. The front doors opened and her jaw dropped when she saw a woman walk in. Said woman was very good-looking and Marik straightened up when she came in. He casually got up from his chair and stepped down the stairs and met her halfway on the red carpet. Taking her hand he kneeled and placed a kiss on it. Unexplainable rage started to boil inside Susy.

"My my, such flattery." The unnamed woman spoke to him.

Marik smiled and stood up straight. "It is my honor to give my graces to a woman of your standards, Janice." He bowed then made back for his throne.

Janice smiled at him and followed, staying at the bottom of the stairs. "You are quite impressive yourself. Marik, right?" She asked.

"You are correct. Do you wish for a drink? You must be thirsty after that long trip."

"Yes please, that would be great."

With the move of his hand a Steve went to fetch the beverage. Susy still stood there shocked. This chick must be pretty important if Marik is being this kind to her.

"Alright, now to business. You have in your possession some ancient gold artifacts?" He questioned.

She nodded. "I do, and they are worth a large price."

"Now what do you want in exchange for these items?"

"Well, I heard that you just pulled of a loot of that crumbling building. Give me everything you found there and I shall give them to you."

Susy rolled her eyes. She's a tomb robber.

Marik grinned. "Quite a risky bargain. Are you sure that is all of your terms?"

"That and your complete cooperation." Janice smiled and put out her hand. "Do we have a deal?"

He raised once again to his feet and walked down to her. "It's a-."

"Mistress, your water." Steve entered with her glass. Forgetting Marik she went over to him and started to drink. Susy could see a grimace cross the blonde-teen's face as he approached her. Janice handed Steve the now-empty glass and thanked him. She turned back around and was met with Marik right behind her. Startled she backed against a pillar.

"Silent on our feet are we?" Janice put her hand on her chest.

'Tell me about it.' Susy thought.

"You have to be in this business. Now let's get back to our conversation." He moved closer to her and placed his hand on the pillar next to her head.

"Of course." She braced herself against the stone, trying to keep her composure.

"So in exchange for your treasure all I have to give up is my latest haul and my," He leaned in, "complete cooperation."

Janice was momentarily lost for words. Even though Susy was burning with jealousy, she still felt sorry for her. Escaping Marik's charm can be near impossible, especially when it's unexpected. Worst part is that the whole reason he was doing it was so he could scam her. That haul was nowhere near her expectations. She may be as bad as Marik, but that still wasn't fair.

"Y-Yes." The poor girl stammered.

"Then I believe we have a deal." Marik backed off and returned to his throne.

Janice shook her head and went to the stairs. "Well why don't you have your servants transport the goods to my trucks outside?"

Marik sighed and walked down the stairs then to a door. "Very well. Wait here and I shall return." He left and the room was silent.

Susy watched the woman sit down on the stairs. She looked troubled. Guilt twisted in her stomach. Doing what was morally right had always come first for Susy. There was no way she could just let Marik trick her like this, even if she may of deserved it. Plus, this was payback.

"Excuse me, you are Janice, correct?" Susy asked as she walked through the door and up to said girl.

She gave her a confused look. "Um, yes, and who may you be?"

"Susy." She stood in front of her. "Listen, Marik just told me to inform you that the deal is off."

"What? Why?" Janice exclaimed.

"He said that he wasn't interested anymore." Susy leaned down and whispered, "Just trust me, get out of here. You'll thank me later."

The thief girl stood up and looked her in the eye. "Why should I trust you?"

"Because I'm giving you a chance to re-evaluate your terms and get more out of that dumb blonde."

Janice took a moment to think. "Alright, but you better be right."

"Oh don't worry, this is the best thing for you to do. Now go!" Susy shooed.

Janice nodded and ran to the door. "Tell Marik to call me when he feels like renegotiating." She ran out and left Susy by herself.

'One point me. Now let's see how much trouble I get into for this.' Susy rolled her eyes and looked around. She facepalmed when she noticed one thing. There had been a Steve watching them the whole time. That wasn't good. What was even worse was that Marik himself appeared in the doorway.

'Busted!' She thought and made a run for the door, busting out into the hall.

"What the-? Where is Janice?" He yelled at the eavesdropping Steve.

"She left after Susy told her that the deal was off and some whispering." Steve replied.

"Well what did they whisper?!"

"I don't know."

"Oh you useless-! Grr.." Marik growled and started running after Susy.

The said girl had made good distance in that time. She was using all of her power to run as fast as possible and taking random turns. Heaves were already coming out of her chest. Having used too much energy too fast she stopped for a break.

Susy leaned on her knees. 'This should be far enough.' She smiled, 'But man, this was good. I don't care what he says, I got him good. No if's, an's, or b-.'

"There you are!" Marik yelled as he dashed toward her.

"Oh shit!" Susy burst ahead and tried to throw him off. She came across a door and without thinking rammed into it. Slamming the door behind her she fumbled for the lock but to her luck there wasn't one. Suddenly there was a push on the door.

"Let me in!" The angered teen demanded.

"No chance!" She barked back, trying with all her might to keep it shut. With a glance around she saw that she was in a bedroom. Nothing that could help her here.

Susy's strength gave way and Marik burst into the room, pushing her back. He shut the door behind him and glared at her.

"Just who do you think you are?"

"I am someone who just got one-up on you." She gloated.

"That was stupid even for you! Why did you do it?"

"You were going to scam that poor girl."

"She is just as bad as me!" He argued

"Well I guess I just like her better." Susy crossed her arms and returned his glare.

Marik let out a snicker. "Oh really? And why is that?"

"Hmm, let's see, maybe because she's a fellow female among these scumbags you call servants."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, and plus you expect me to just stand there and let you seduce your way through a deal? No girl deserves that!"

"Do they ever complain?" Marik chimed.

Susy pouted. Better stop while she's ahead. "Whatever, just let me through." She tried to push Marik aside, but he just pushed her back to where she was.

"I'm not done with you yet. Do they ever complain?"

"…No," she mumbled, "but of course she wouldn't complain after treating her all nice and kind like you did towards her!" Another pout escaped her lips.

Marik paused and then laughed. "Oh, I see what this all about."

"What do you mean?"

He smirked. "You. Are. Jealous."

Susy blushed. "No I'm not!"

"Sure, then why are your cheeks red?" Marik boasted, completely forgetting their previous conversation.

Her cheeks reddened even more. "It's hot in here! We're in the frickin desert!"

"Admit you're jealous of Janice."

"I'm not jealous!" She stubbornly lied. This wasn't going to end well.

Marik shook his head. "I know you are. You can't fool me."

"Wow, you're the one getting cocky this time. I'm not jealous!"

"I command you to admit you're jealous!"

"No!"

Marik sighed. "Once again disobeying orders. I think it's high time I finally show you where you really stand." He walked towards her. She backed up and tried to think of an escape plan. Her back hit stone and there was no where left to run.

"Come on dude, is this really necessary?" Susy said, trying to remain focused.

"You tell me." Marik scoffed as he braced his arm next to her head.

"It won't work. You'll need new tricks if you think you can seduce me."

"Trust me, I always have a trick up my sleeve." Marik pulled out his Rod. Susy's eyes widened and she made a dash for the door, but he proved faster as he grabbed her arm. Before she could even start to struggle a strong wave pulsed through her, making her drop to her knees. The band on her arm began to omit a faint glow. "Hmm, what should I do first?"

"Marik, don't do this." Susy pleaded.

"You wish. If you don't resist maybe I shall let you off easy."

Silence was her answer.

"Good, now just stay that way." He scoffed and pointed the Rod right at the band.

Pain surged through Susy. She screeched and jerked away from Marik's grip. When she tried to rip the band off it was burning to the touch. The pain intensified. By this point she was curled up on the ground, waiting for his torment to end. A sick feeling washed over her and she was about to hurl when it stopped.

"You don't have much tolerance for pain, do you?"

"What of it?" She growled.

"Hmm, well now I'm curious. Let's see how your tolerance is for other things."

Susy had backed herself into a corner, both physically and metaphorically. She was trapped and felt helpless. Frustration boiled harshly inside her. It got stronger and stronger and it soon dawned on her that it was more than naturally intense. This was Marik's doing.

"Marik, I get the point, you can stop!" She said through gritted teeth. Her hands covered her head and she felt like she could explode any minute.

"But why would I do that? You asked for this." He teased then laughed.

Susy hit the breaking point. Fire flared in her eyes and she rushed Marik. Caught off guard, he was pushed by her onto one of the beds. Crawling on top of him, she gave him a proper bitch slap to the face. The sound echoed throughout the room.

"If you don't want that to happen again, I suggest you don't do that again." She barked. The stunned Marik looked at her through wide eyes. While he was momentarily lost, Susy took her chance. She grabbed the Millennium Rod from his hand and held it away from him. The moment the Rod left his hand, all of the tension was able to release inside of her.

"Give that back now!" Marik ordered.

Susy smiled and tapped his nose. "I don't think so."

"Why you little-!" He started to struggle.

She just laughed and hopped off of him. "Ha! Looks like you just lost your chance. I win!"

"Give me back my Rod, now!"

"Aw, is the little Marik mad because he doesn't have his Rod?" She baby-talked, more than happy to be back in control. "Tell you what, you make a deal with me and I'll give you back the gold shiny thing."

"What?"

"Be nicer and no more pain! It's not in your nature to hurt people! Deal?"

"Fine, whatever, now gimme!" He held out his hand eagerly.

Susy grinned and threw it to him. After that she sped out of the door. Behind her, she heard Marik.

"YOU BETTER NOT THINK THIS IS OVER!" He yelled.

"Yeah sure, and when Janice comes back tell her I said hi!" She laughed then ran off into maze, glad to be back in the game.

Sorry if this pretty much sucked! I have been mega busy and I just haven't had time or energy to work on this. In short, I had my birthday and play practice is exhausting. Really appriciate any support and thanks a lot. I guess that's all for now so ICECUBES, wait wrong catchphrase, PEACE OUT!