Encroach

by Jem Kallop

Marik and Bakura finally have some peace, living a comfortable life together in a shared apartment. But they would be wise to remember that they are not alone in their bodies, as the spirits locked away in the soul rooms are getting restless. Marik and Bakura will not be at peace for long. Thiefshipping and deathshipping, rated for violence and language.

10. Chapter 10

I'm back again! Sorry this took a little while to get out – I've been away, and dealing with uni ending, and things. But now I have a lovely long summer, so I'm hoping to get this story finished soon enough. I'm trying to do it justice. Thanks to everyone still reading, and everyone who reviews, you're all wonderful ^_^ - Jem

Ryou stared at the shut door, his gut clenching. Kek had just stormed out. It was the first time since being in his own body that Ryou had not had Kek by his side, staring at him, or laying a large hand on his shoulder. Ryou felt oddly small now that Kek wasn't with him.

He felt even smaller when he turned his head and saw Bakura glaring at him.

"You'd better get him back," Bakura growled.

Ryou narrowed his eyes. "Why? So you can force him to do whatever you want?"

"He has Marik's memories, host," Bakura growled like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He folded his arms, nails digging into his palms. He was still adjusting to having his own body again, after all these years of sharing, and it was just plain odd to see his host staring back at him. They had only ever faced each other like this inside Ryou's mind before.

Ryou drew in a slow, careful breath. "That doesn't mean he has to give them back."

Bakura glared. "Marik needs them."

"But maybe he doesn't deserve them." Ryou shifted a little awkwardly, biting at his inner cheek. Truth be told, he didn't know what was the right thing to do. He could completely understand Kek's point of view, shuddering when he remembered Kek's low cry of dark anger as he stormed out. He had even reprimanded Ryou; Ryou, the one who should understand better than any why Marik and Bakura deserved this punishment. And Ryou did understand. He could taste the bitterness on his tongue whenever he thought of how Bakura had sidelined him inside his own body, forced him out of his own life, and made him spectate as he violated his body. Yes, Ryou perfectly understood why Kek wanted to punish them for a change.

…And yet…

Whenever Ryou looked at Marik's hard expression, or the burning anger that hid hurt in Bakura's eyes, or the way Odion and Ishizu looked so lost, Ryou couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt. This wasn't their fault. Odion and Ishizu had done nothing to deserve losing their younger brother. Even Marik and Bakura had only been trying to live a happy life for once, hadn't they? Didn't they deserve a chance just as much as Ryou and Kek did? After all, Ryou knew what had Bakura had been through from the many times they had shared mind space, and he couldn't deny that he felt a twinge of sympathy for the spirit that had haunted him for so long, despite his hatred at losing his body. And Marik's life hadn't been easy, either.

Ryou chewed his lip. But Kek doesn't want to give them a chance. Kek's being just as selfish as they were.

Bakura kept his fury under tight control. "Just find that oversized darkness and get him back here." His voice was deceptively calm, but Ryou recognised all too well the burning anger behind those eyes.

"I can try, but I don't know where he will have gone," Ryou lifted his hands almost helplessly. "If you hadn't attacked him…"

"Me?" Bakura snarled, advancing on Ryou with a dangerous glare. "You're blaming this on me?!"

Ryou glared. "You've done nothing but antagonise him…"

"He took Marik away!" Bakura stormed forwards, furious, until he was right in Ryou's face. "You expect me to be nice to him?!"

Ryou shook his head. "Honestly, what did you expect him to do?"

Bakura glowered.

"He was hardly going to just disappear," Ryou snorted softly. "Surely even you can't be that stupid."

Bakura's eyes narrowed. "Just because I've got my own body now doesn't mean I can't torture you."

"Please," Ryou rolled his eyes, "Spare me the dramatics. And get out of the way – I'm going to look for Kek."

"Take Bakura with you," Odion spoke softly from behind them.

Ryou jumped, turning his head, and Bakura snarled.

"I mean it," Odion continued evenly. "We need time to talk to Marik."

Bakura glared. "The fuck I'm leaving him alone with you."

"You have no choice, tombrobber." Odion's eyes flashed. The scars on his face stood out starkly against his dark skin, testament to his absolute dedication to Marik. He effectively blocked the door back into the room where Ishizu sat with Marik, keeping Ryou and Bakura separate.

Bakura glared. "If you think I'm abandoning him…"

"We're his family," Odion admonished, "And he doesn't know you right now."

"I bet you're thrilled," Bakura glared.

Odion shook his head, his eyes dimming slightly. "I am not so blind. I know you made him happy." His gaze grew distant before closing up again, and his face set. "Which is why you need to find his darkness."

Ryou nodded. "I agree. And … I'm sorry, Mr. Ishtar."

Odion looked faintly surprised.

"I mean, I'm sorry for just springing all of this on you…" Ryou reached out and grabbed Bakura's wrist, "And I'm sorry for him stealing your younger brother away."

Bakura wrenched his wrist free and sent Ryou a dangerous glare, but Ryou kept his gaze trained on Odion. Silence held for several minutes until Odion dipped his head once in a nod. "Find Marik's darkness and bring him back."

"We will."

Odion gave a final nod of his head, shooting a suspicious look to Bakura. Bakura glared right back. Distaste coloured his expression, his eyes hard. Something inside him twisted at the thought of leaving Marik here with his family, after Bakura had fought so hard to get them to accept the idea that Marik preferred living with him. Now, that was no longer true. Bakura couldn't stand the thought that Marik might never want to leave his siblings now that he had returned to them. Although, Bakura growled to himself, it isn't like I forced him to leave with me in the first place. He was practically begging me to get him out of there.

"Come on." Ryou broke into Bakura's thoughts by tugging again on his wrist. "Let's go."

"You've got brave all of a sudden." Bakura pulled out of his grip again, finding it strange to have his previous landlord now able to touch him.

"Needs must." Ryou glared back, then stubbornly reached out and grabbed his wrist again, dragging him firmly to the door.

Bakura pulled back again with a growl. "I can walk for myself."

"Oh really?" Ryou sniffed. "Strange, because up until recently you needed to use me to get around anywhere."

"Don't play with me, host," Bakura grunted. "I'm really not in the mood."

Ryou simply opened the door and stepped out onto the street, gesturing for Bakura to follow him. Bakura glared, extremely reluctant to leave the house, but something was flashing in Ryou's brown eyes that led him not to question his host any longer. Stupid, Bakura thought with a shake of his head, Am I afraid of my own landlord now?

Ryou strode quickly down the unfamiliar Egyptian streets, craning his head as far as he could as he sought out any glimpse of Kek. His gut was twisting, his insides squirming and wriggling with worry until he felt like he needed to throw up. He needed to know where Kek was. Images of him turning up half-beaten in an alley, or run over by a lorry, or thrown into jail for beating up random strangers kept flitting through Ryou's skull. He curled his hands into fists. Why did I let him just go running off on his own? Especially when he's as upset as he is now!

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were worried."

Bakura's low, chuckling voice broke through Ryou's panicked flurry of thoughts and he spun on his heel to see the Ring Spirit smirking arrogantly. Ryou's eyes narrowed. "Someone should be."

"Not about that oversized bastard," Bakura scowled.

Ryou shook his head, his eyes flaring. "I don't think you should be so judgemental."

"Excuse me?" Bakura's voice dropped even lower.

"You aren't so different from him," Ryou shrugged, his eyes narrowing.

Bakura snarled. "How the hell…"

"The only difference is that I was nice enough to let you have control once in a while."

Bakura flipped. "Once in a while? You're lucky I ever let you out of that soul room of yours!"

Ryou's eyes went flat. "You couldn't keep me contained forever."

"Don't try me, host," Bakura growled.

"You couldn't! I stopped you hurting my friends countless times."

Bakura clicked his tongue. "I still took control whenever I needed it."

"But you always had me in your head, screaming at you," Ryou sniffed. "You even told me that messed up your plans sometimes."

Bakura folded his arms and smirked. "Sometimes. Don't flatter yourself so much, Ryou – you were a minor inconvenience at best."

"But you needed me," Ryou pointed out.

Bakura scowled. "I did not need you."

"You did. That's why you saved me in Battle City, even though Marik told you not to."

"I needed your ability to have a human body," Bakura answered dryly, "Not you."

"Keep telling yourself that, spirit." Ryou turned around and started once more down the street, ducking through a dark-looking alley in the hopes that Kek might have headed for the dark areas, but it just led out to another bright, traffic-filled road. Ryou hissed. They wouldn't do any good if they just continued wandering around aimlessly, but he didn't know Egypt well enough to guess at where Kek could have gone.

…Bakura, on the other hand…

"Hey," Ryou spun on his heel again to meet Bakura's eyes. "You're Egyptian, right?"

Bakura arched a brow. "How do you know that?"

"I was in your head for years," Ryou rolled his eyes, "I didn't just switch off when you took over. Don't you know Egypt?"

Bakura narrowed his eyes. "If that's true, then you should know that I'm not from this Egypt."

"Well, yeah, but isn't some of it the same?"

"I have no idea," Bakura shrugged. "All my knowledge of this time comes from you."

"Well, you're just all kinds of helpful," Ryou muttered under his breath. He turned again and scurried off down the road before Bakura could snap at him for that one.

They searched every street for hours, but there was no sign of Kek anywhere. With every corner they turned, every alley they ducked down, and every car that passed, Ryou felt another twist in his stomach. Kek could be anywhere, and he could have got in any sort of trouble. Ryou had never felt worse about letting him out of his sight.

"Where could he be?" Ryou tugged at his hair in frustration.

Bakura shrugged, impatience also impairing his tone. "I don't have a fucking clue, but he needs to get his ass back here so I can get Marik back."

"Is that all you care about?" Ryou hissed.

"Naturally." Bakura's eyes narrowed. "And why do you care so much?"

"Because I don't want him getting into trouble," Ryou replied distractedly. "He needs to be by my side."

Bakura arched a brow. "Does he now?"

"Yeah, it isn't right when he isn't here." Ryou paced to the end of the alley and peered around the next corner, hissing with frustration when the next road was once more full of people he didn't recognise.

"Oh, my dear host, have you found yourself a love interest?"

Ryou almost choked. "What?!"

"I never would have picked out that crazed insane guy," Bakura mused, "Although, I must admit, I never considered letting you have any sort of relationship of your own."

Ryou turned on him with a snarl. "That's exactly why I side with him over you. You stole my life, just the same as Marik stole his."

"I don't care," Bakura snapped.

"Which is why I will always consider you worse than him," Ryou hissed.

Bakura's jaw clicked. "Then you're a fool. I may do 'bad' things, but they're for a purpose."

"Yeah," Ryou spoke in a dangerously quiet tone, "And just what would your villagers think if they could see you now?"

Bakura froze.

"I don't think your mother would be very proud," Ryou continued.

Bakura reacted on instinct, without thinking. He flew at Ryou and shoved him back down the alley, throwing him against the wall. Ryou's already bruised body ached and he gasped, his chest searing, but Bakura didn't give him any time before he was on him again, breath hot on Ryou's face. "What the fuck did you just say?"

Ryou met his eyes, strangely calm. "They wouldn't want you avenging their lives by taking from others."

"The fuck do you know about that?"

"I shared your head," Ryou reminded, his tone almost gentle. "You couldn't keep everything hidden." Through the shadows, all Ryou could see were the whites of Bakura's eyes. "You had a sister, like me?"

Bakura's fingers tightened against Ryou's throat.

"My point is," Ryou croaked, "You deserve the chance to avenge them, but I deserve a life too. And so does Kek."

The moment stretched endlessly.

Then, Bakura's grip loosened, just slightly. "How much do you know?"

"A fair amount." Ryou looked down, wriggling a little awkwardly. "I know how the Millennium Items were made. And who you were. And that you plan on going back to try and beat Yugi – I mean, the Pharaoh – again."

Another silence dragged between them. Ryou could hear that Bakura's breathing had turned a little ragged, his fingers clenched in Ryou's shirt. Ryou's body ached. He was sure he'd never been thrown around as much as he had these past few days.

Eventually, Bakura stepped back, roughly dropping Ryou in the process. Ryou winced, but got gratefully back to his feet, only to find Bakura's deep eyes staring straight at him.

"You can't speak of this to anyone." Bakura's voice still sounded low and ragged.

Ryou blinked back at him. "…I wouldn't."

"I didn't know you knew so much."

Ryou felt his lips twitch a little. "Did you think I just ignored you the whole time you were in my head?"

"I thought I was being more careful." Bakura rubbed one hand down across his face, his eyes narrowing. "If I catch you breathing so much as a hint of this to Yugi and his pathetic little gang…"

"I won't!" Ryou glared. "…As long as you promise not to hurt them."

Bakura snorted. "Fuck no. If they get in my way, they die."

"They haven't done anything," Ryou glared.

Bakura snarled. "That fucking Pharaoh…"

"Him, you can battle," Ryou held his hands up, palm-out. "I agree, you deserve a chance to avenge your village."

"Don't talk about them." Bakura's voice was haggard. "Not to anyone."

"…Alright." Ryou's eyes narrowed. "…Doesn't anyone know?"

"No one," Bakura hissed, "And you shouldn't either."

"Not even Marik?" Ryou blinked, surprise evident in his tone.

Bakura simply jerked his head. Ryou noted the amount of tension in his body, and it worried him, adding another twist to the already-existing worry about Kek.

Ryou frowned. "You weren't planning on leaving to get your revenge without telling him, were you?"

Bakura's silence spoke volumes.

"Bakura!" Ryou sounded shocked. "How could you do that to him? Don't you love him?"

Bakura closed his eyes and rubbed at his forehead. "…Yeah. Yeah, I damn well do, and that's just the problem."

Ryou sent him a confused, questioning look.

"I can't drag him into this." Bakura gestured roughly, his hand slashing through the cooling air. "It isn't his business. He should stay here, where it's safe and he can't get himself into anymore trouble."

Ryou blinked. "…You really do love him."

Bakura hissed, shifting again on his feet. This felt wrong. He wasn't used to baring his emotions like this, not even in front of Marik, and he hadn't counted on Ryou knowing as much as he did.

"You have to tell him, though," Ryou continued. "He deserves to know."

Bakura growled. "The fuck I do."

"You do!" Ryou glared. "He loves you too. If you just walk out on him, that'll destroy him."

Bakura gave a bitter laugh. "He doesn't even remember me right now. Fuck, maybe I should just leave him and go do my job. He'll be happier with his pathetic little family now, anyway."

I like the sound of that plan.

Bakura steadfastly ignored that voice, although he couldn't help but question whether it was right. Marik clearly didn't know him. It would hurt less this way.

Ryou was surprised by the amount of vehemence in Bakura's tone. He bit his inner cheek, debating with himself. If he just told Bakura to leave now, then that would be most of Ryou's problems solved. He would just have to find Kek again, and they could go back to Domino City, with no more worry about Marik's memories or being chased down by Bakura … Ryou could finally be rid of him…

But it wasn't the right thing to do.

Ryou squared his shoulders and looked Bakura straight in the eyes. "You're not going to do that."

Bakura arched a brow. "Since when did you start telling me what to do?"

"Since you started acting like an idiot." Ryou turned and stalked back out of the alley. "We're going to go back to the Ishtars' house, so you can talk to Marik. At least around him you don't seem to totally lose your mind. Then, I'm going back out to find Kek."

Bakura's brows furrowed. "Are you sure you should be doing that on your own?"

"Why do you care?"

"I don't," Bakura griped, "But I need you both back in one piece so Marik can get his memories back from Kek. And it's getting dark."

Ryou glanced up at the sky, pursing his lips. He realised with irritation that Bakura was right. The sun was almost set, the night air crisping and cold against his pale skin, reddened from being out in the sun all day. He wouldn't have any better luck hunting for Kek in the darkness. Ryou clicked his tongue in irritation, curling one hand into a fist. This wasn't right. None of it.

"Alright," Ryou muttered as they started walking back to the Ishtars', "Let's just get back inside first. Then we'll think through everything else."

To Ryou's surprise, Bakura didn't argue with him. Instead, he simply paced along beside Ryou, a looming shadow in the corner of his vision. That's all he's ever been, Ryou realised. It's just that, now, I can see him.

…

It was Ishizu who answered the door. She stood aside to let them in, brushing the back of one hand across her brow with a low sigh. Bakura completely ignored her, striding on through the house to find Marik, but Ryou paused. He looked her directly in her blue eyes. "How are you?"

She looked surprised, glancing at him. They had never had much to do with each other – in fact, she had never truly realised he was separate to Bakura. And yet, here he stood, asking about her wellbeing with true concern in his brown eyes.

"I'm…" Ishizu paused, then closed her eyes. "We'll cope."

Ryou bit his inner cheek. "…I'm sorry."

Ishizu's blue eyes opened again to send him a questioning look.

"You shouldn't have had to be put through this," Ryou continued, shifting on his feet. "…And I know Kek would agree. He's punishing Marik, not you."

"Kek?" Ishizu lifted one brow.

Ryou gave a sheepish grin. "Yeah. I named him – Marik's darkness, I mean."

Ishizu blinked. "You did?"

"Yeah, I just…" Ryou bit his cheek again. "…I think he deserves a name too."

Ishizu's eyes turned hard, but Ryou quickly lifted a hand. "I know you probably hate him, and I don't blame you, but you have to understand – he spent his entire life just a secondary being inside Marik's mind. He grabbed at freedom when it was offered, you can't blame him for that."

Ishizu's eyes narrowed. "He took from my brother."

"So did Bakura, from me," Ryou pointed out, "But that doesn't mean that one of us shouldn't be alive."

Ishizu paused. Her expression was hard to read, but her tone sounded a little surprised. "You mean you don't blame the Spirit of the Ring?"

"I wouldn't go that far," Ryou answered ruefully. "I have always hated him, and blamed him, but … he is his own person, as am I. I don't think either of us should just … disappear."

Silence held between them for a few moments before Ishizu nodded slowly. "I think I see what you're trying to say." She turned and led him back through to the living room. Marik and Odion were side-by-side on one of the couches, and Bakura was restlessly pacing around the room. Marik's eyes were following him, Ryou noticed.

Odion turned to Ryou. "You didn't find him?"

Ryou shook his head, passing a hand over his face. "I don't know where he could have gone."

"We can try in the morning," Odion answered.

Ryou grimaced. "I'd rather go back out now…"

"Too cold and dangerous at night," Odion warned. "Our best bet is to go out in the morning. I'll go with you – I know the city, and he can't have gone far."

"That's right," Ishizu nodded. "The car and Marik's old motorbike are still here, so he must be on foot."

Marik instantly brightened, tearing his gaze away from Bakura to stare at his sister. "My bike?!"

"Your old one," Bakura interrupted with a growl. "Your new one's in Domino, at our house."

Marik blinked. "I only have one bike."

"Had," Bakura corrected with a grunt. "I stole you one when I came back for you."

Marik's eyes widened. He stared at Bakura in open shock, his violet eyes glittering and his mouth stretching into a grin. "…You got me a bike?"

Bakura jerked his head in a nod, then suddenly smirked at him. "I think that's the main reason you left with me."

"You came here, with a bike, and took me away from my family?"

Bakura nodded and grinned, flicking a glance to Ishizu and Odion. "You left voluntarily, I hasten to add."

"Of course I did." Marik's eyes were gleaming. "You had a bike."

Bakura gave a low, dark chuckle. "I told you I knew you."

"Apparently so." Marik was outwardly grinning now, his eyes back on Bakura. Bakura looked back at him, allowing himself to feel a small shiver of hope. Marik kept showing flashes of himself, of the one he had fallen in love with, and it allowed Bakura to wonder if there was a future for them even without Marik's memories.

Don't be too hasty about that.

Bakura's eyes dimmed and he quickly tore his gaze away from Marik's. Even if there was, it wouldn't be for long.

Odion bumped his shoulder against Marik's. "If I knew it only took a bike to make you run off with evil strangers, I never would have let you get one in the first place."

"Hey," Marik glared at him, "You know full well it was necessary."

"Of course it was," Odion deadpanned.

Marik's eyes narrowed. "I know you're just teasing me."

"Would I do that?"

Marik sniffed and turned away, glancing over to Ryou instead. He lifted one shoulder a little awkwardly. "So … where exactly do you fit into this? Bakura told me you're his reincarnation…"

"I'm what?" Ryou's eyes widened.

Marik blinked. "His reincarnation. Like, of the Thief King."

Everyone sucked in a surprised breath at that, including Ishizu and Odion. Ishizu turned on Bakura, her eyes flashing. "You're who?!"

"Congratulations, Marik." Bakura rolled his eyes and looked Ishizu straight in the face. "Yes, I'm the original Thief King, I know you're meant to hate me or whatever but I really don't have time for that right now."

Ishizu spat. "You? That disgusting sacrilegious tombrobber?"

"It's so nice to have fans," Bakura deadpanned.

Ishizu rounded on Odion. "Did you know about this?!"

Odion shook his head, his face suddenly a lot more guarded. "How long have you known about this, brother?"

Marik shrugged. "It wasn't difficult to work out. He has the Ring, he's an ancient Egyptian spirit, and he isn't the Pharaoh."

"You knew this and you still went to live with him?!" Ishizu's voice lifted, pitching up.

Marik glared at her. "I don't remember, but apparently I did."

"I always knew he was bad news," Ishizu hissed.

Bakura rolled his eyes at her. "I never cared what you thought."

Ishizu's eyes hardened. She folded her arms, her long white dress rippling as she trembled. Odion crossed to her side, gripping her elbow. "We aren't achieving anything here, and it's late. I think we should leave them until the morning." He turned back to Bakura and Ryou. "You're more than welcome to stay down here tonight."

Ryou nodded distractedly, fidgeting. He waited for Ishizu and Odion to exit before turning to Bakura, his brown eyes slightly widened. "Is it true?"

Bakura arched a brow. "You'll have to be a bit more specific, landlord."

"Am I your reincarnation?"

Bakura jerked his head in a yes. "That's why you could cope with the Ring's power. In another lifetime, it would have been yours."

Marik was glancing interestedly between them. "So that's how it worked? He's your reincarnation, so he could handle the Ring and you, and you were able to take control whenever you wanted."

Bakura grinned and nodded, but Ryou gave a slight shudder. He turned away from them both, heading to the window and staring out of it with a distracted sigh. It felt so wrong that they all be safe in here, and Kek trapped somewhere outside, when he was the one who deserved to be safe finally. Although, Ryou reminded himself bitterly, I'm the only one who seems to give a damn about what happens to him.

…

Bakura was completely incapable of sleep that night. Although it had been a number of days now, he hadn't yet managed more than a couple of hours since he had got his own body. Whether that was because this new body wasn't yet used to needing sleep, or the lack of Marik's warmth by his side, Bakura did not know. He lay on one of the sofas, staring irritably up at the Ishtars' ceiling, and hissed under his breath. He hadn't ever wanted to return here.

His former landlord lay curled up on the sofa opposite, but Bakura wasn't sure whether he was sleeping either. He's probably pining after Marik's oversized darkness, Bakura thought to himself bitterly. It was almost amusing that those two had taken to each other. Bakura supposed it made sense, and he was relieved to not be the only one moping after someone. It was such a pathetic emotion. Bakura cursed Marik for ever making him feel it.

With a low growl, Bakura rolled upright and stalked out of the darkened room. It was peaceful at night; much quieter than the house ever was in the day, or so Bakura suspected. After all, Ishizu lived here. Bakura prowled silently through the rooms. He had always been prone to wander silently at night, but since living with Marik, that was a habit he had lost. It was much more pleasant to lie next to Marik's warmth and hold onto him when he couldn't sleep, especially if Marik couldn't either. Bakura felt a grin rise unbidden to his lips at that thought, but he dismissed it quickly. He may never have that again now that Marik's memories were gone.

Bakura stalked down the corridor into the kitchen, and was just contemplating a way of breaking out into the garden when a slight whimper from upstairs disturbed him. It sounded again after a few minutes. Bakura's eyes narrowed; he knew that noise. Without thinking, his instincts finely tuned, Bakura span on his heel and slunk to the stairs, climbing them silently. He still knew the layout of this house, but even if he hadn't, his path to Marik's room would have been clear from the whimpering noises he was following.

Bakura pulled open the door to see Marik curled up tight in his small, single bed. The sheets were wrapped around him, impairing his struggles, and his eyes were tightly shut. His fingers dug into the mattress. Another whimper, almost like a whine, left his lips, and his legs kicked fruitlessly.

Bakura tutted when he noticed that there was no nightlight in this room. Even in their house, Bakura had allowed it, knowing that Marik struggled with the darkness, especially in a confined place like this where he couldn't see the stars. No wonder he was nightmaring. Bakura once again acted on instinct and moved to the side of Marik's bed, perching next to him. The mattress sunk a little with his weight. Bakura lifted one hand, cautiously, and gently touched Marik's hair. It felt incredibly soft against his pale fingertips, running like silk through Bakura's fingers, and he realised with a start that this body must feel things much more keenly than he had ever been capable of within Ryou's.

Marik whimpered again, and Bakura ran his fingers once more through Marik's hair. "Shh," he murmured, "Don't fret so much."

Marik whimpered and rolled, tangling the sheets in his legs as he kicked. Bakura narrowly avoided getting hit, but he was used to it, and knew when to move. He lightly brought his fingers down Marik's skull and neck until he reached his back. Even through the thin sleep shirt, Bakura could feel the scars. He rubbed them soothingly, knowing which areas calmed Marik the most. "Hush."

It worked. Marik relaxed against the bed, his whimpers quietening until there was almost nothing of them left. His body felt comfortingly warm, comfortably familiar, and there was nothing Bakura wanted more than to lie down beside him and settle into sleep. His entire being ached for it. He would have, as well, if he wasn't sure that Marik would punch him for it the next day.

"What are you doing?"

Bakura jumped. Marik's voice sounded sleepy, but it was definitely Marik's, and when Bakura looked down he saw blurred violet eyes blinking at him. Instantly, he withdrew his hand. "You were having a nightmare."

Marik blinked. He shifted, tilting his head almost curiously. "And you came?"

"Force of habit," Bakura grunted.

Marik's lips twitched. It was hard to see his expression in the dark of the room; all Bakura could make out was the curve of his jaw, the tilt of his head, and a glint of blond through the shadows. It wasn't normal for Marik to be in total darkness.

"You should have your nightlight on," Bakura spoke gruffly. "Then you'd be snoring like a baby right now."

"I do not snore," Marik sniffed.

Bakura grinned. "Ah, yes you do, prissy princess."

"Don't call me that!" Marik's tone lacked any vehemence, though, and there was a rustle of the sheets as he sat up. Bakura could feel the warmth radiating from him – so close, but I can't touch. It was the closest to tortured Bakura had felt in a long time.

"But you really know me, don't you?" Marik's voice was a low murmur.

Bakura growled. "How many times do I have to say it?"

"I know," Marik chuckled, his voice low and alluring to Bakura's ears. "But it just surprises me that someone could know that much."

"I know everything," Bakura responded tersely. "I know you need a nightlight, you have an unhealthy obsession with motorbikes – seriously, that is unhealthy – you only eat meat when you have to, usually because I force you to try it when I can't take your vegetarian shit anymore. You hate confined spaces like this – you should have the curtains open, then at least you could see the stars. You get fed up with your sister's bitching about me, but other than that you get on alright, and you look up to Odion like the fucking sun slides out of his backside." Bakura closed his eyes. "And you hate that you make them worry about you, but at the same time, you know you can never be who they really want you to be. You know you have a reckless streak, and you need freedom. You can't live your entire life here being good. That's why you need me."

Marik's breath had sped up a little; it disturbed the air between them. "Did I really tell you that much?"

"Not all in one go." Bakura have a derisive chuckle. "I probably would have dismissed you as a head-case if you had."

Marik's lips twitched again. He leaned a bit closer. "But you know all that … and I know nothing about you."

Bakura grew still. He pursed his lips. Well, that was true even when we were together. You did know me, Marik, but you didn't know everything. How could I tell you everything?

How indeed.

Bakura wet his lips and coughed. "You used to know more than you do now."

"I'd hope so." Marik was grinning; Bakura could hear it in his voice. "Could you tell me again?"

Bakura's brows dug together. "There isn't much to tell."

"I don't believe that." Marik's voice was low; enticingly low. Bakura wanted to lean in and kiss him, grab him, hold him close, but he forced his ancient spirit in his new body to remain still.

"Tell me about you," Marik commanded.

Bakura lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "I am the spirit of the Thief King, here to grapple with the Pharaoh again. Except a bratty little Egyptian distracted me."

Marik gave a low laugh. "Some Thief King, if all it takes is a pretty face."

"Well, that isn't all," Bakura hummed thoughtfully. "Apparently you have to be immature and insane, too."

"Hey," Marik admonished, "This was supposed to be about you, not me."

Bakura sighed. "There really isn't much for you to know."

"I don't believe you." Marik leaned closer, his voice catching with interest. His scent surrounded Bakura, and he closed his eyes, breathing in the familiarity. It smelled like home.

"Come on," Marik urged, "You must have so much to tell. I can see it in your eyes sometimes – like you're keeping this great dark secret that no one else is allowed to know."

Bakura's eyes darkened.

"And you get this look on your face sometimes," Marik continued, "Like you're thinking of something so far in the past that no one else even stands a chance of understanding. And it looks like it hurts you."

Bakura curled one hand into a fist. His jaw clicked.

"I'm right, aren't I?" The bed shifted as Marik moved nearer. "Are you going to tell me what it is?"

Bakura kept his silence. Marik could see all that? Just how closely had he been watching?

"Did I used to know what it was?" Marik surprised Bakura even further by laying a hand on his shoulder.

Bakura jerked his head. "Nope."

"…Oh." Marik blinked, but he didn't remove his hand. He growled. "I wish I could just remember."

"So you want to remember me now, Ishtar?" Bakura smirked, allowing amusement to leak into his tone. This was a nice new development; Marik actually being curious enough to ask questions about him.

"Well," Marik's tone was equally teasing, "I think I deserve to know a bit more about the man who apparently lured me into his bed."

Bakura snorted. "Didn't take much luring."

"Hey." Marik whacked him lightly.

Bakura chuckled, but he leaned a bit closer to Marik, allowing his voice to darken slightly. "Got you curious, have I?"

Marik kept silent, but Bakura felt a shiver. He turned his head, and Bakura caught a flash of violet in the shadows of the room. "I'm curious about the man I trust so much."

"Present tense," Bakura noted quietly, "So you still trust me?"

Marik nibbled his lower lip. "…You know what, I think I actually do. You're the only one aside from me who seems to really want my memories back."

"So you do actually want them back?"

"Of course," Marik scowled. "I want to remember being 18, and making it to Battle City, and … you."

Bakura smirked. "The latter, I can help you with, as long as you don't freak out on me." Carefully, he placed a hand on Marik's shoulder, brushing some golden hair out of the way.

Marik eyed him suspiciously. "What are you doing?"

"Just shut up and tell me if you get uncomfortable." Bakura leaned closer, his eyes trained on Marik's face. The shadows rippled around them, enclosing them in darkness as Bakura edged closer, carefully, his hand light on Marik's shoulder. The familiar scent of Marik surrounded him, and Bakura closed his eyes, allowing himself to follow through with one of his most familiar actions as he pressed his lips against Marik's.

Marik went still.

Bakura kept the kiss slow, chaste, much unlike what his body was screaming at him to do. Still, Marik was warm against him, and he wasn't pulling away. In fact, just as Bakura was pulling back, Marik lifted his hands and gripped Bakura's collar, tugging him closer. Bakura willingly complied, but he kept careful, slow.

When they broke apart, Marik's breathing was a little ragged. His hands dropped from Bakura's collar, but lingered close, as if he wasn't quite sure what to do. Bakura used his free hand to capture one of Marik's and held tight, his eyes peering at Marik.

Marik blinked, then glanced down. "…I still don't remember you."

"Does that bother you?" Bakura asked quietly.

Marik bit his lip. "…Well, yeah, I mean I want my memories back. But…"

"But?" Bakura nudged Marik, quirking a brow.

Marik sighed. "But I still don't mind … this." He squeezed Bakura's hand. "Even if I don't remember you."

Bakura felt a genuine smile tug at his lips, before he remembered himself and quickly schooled it back into a smirk. "Good, you still have some of your senses about you then."

"Arrogant bastard." Marik whacked him, but Bakura could hear the smile in his voice.

Bakura didn't go back down the stairs that night. Instead, he curled up with Marik on Marik's tiny, single bed, his arms tight around him. Marik's body was the same shade of warm he remembered, his scent as familiar as home, and Bakura found himself drifting into a deep, comfortable sleep.

This was a bit of a lame chapter, because nothing much happened (aside from gratuitous thiefshipping at the end xD). I'm sorry, but I'll try and get the next one out quickly to make up for it. There'll be more deathshipping too (Kek hasn't just disappeared, I promise) – Jem