Hello Everyone. Terribly sorry for how long it's been with this one. Really struggled with how much was too much and ended up re-writing this chapter multiple times. I think I finally got it as I like it. I can tell you, when I've caught up on all my unfinished stories, I'm making it a point to never post more than one multi-chapter fic at a time. I have quite the tangle of notes and ideas going on.

Anyway, I'd like to thank you all very much for your reviews :) When I started this sequel, I wasn't sure readers would really like it in comparison to "Defenseless". But you've all shown me different and I really appreciate it.

Ch 2.

...

Marik had little chance to ask questions. As soon as he'd confirmed he could stay awake long enough, Ishizu had sent for a doctor to come and examine him. Marik felt slightly dazed as the doctor spoke to him and carefully tested the movement of his limbs. He was stiff but nothing seemed serious. The doctor then pulled back the blankets so the nurse accompanying him could change the bandages on Marik's leg and abdomen. It was only then that Marik realized he had stitches. He was a bit thrown off by this discovery, but the doctor's comments about how well they were healing kept him from saying anything. After all of that was taken care of, Marik was asked to turn slightly in order to have his back examined.

"What's wrong with my back?" Marik asked in a groggy voice.

"Mostly just some bruising that's healed already," the doctor explained calmly. "But you've also got a deep gash along your shoulder blade here. It will likely be tender for a week or so, but there's no infection and the scarring should be minimal to none as long as it stays clean and the bandages are kept fresh." He rolled Marik carefully onto his back. "Does it hurt to lay on it?"

Marik shifted slightly, "It's sore, but not too bad."

"That's good. I wouldn't lay on it too long, of course, but it's good to not lay on your side too long either. Your arm needs as much blood circulation as it can get. Just lay as you feel comfortable." He gave Marik a reassuring smile and pulled out a pen, clicking the end and adding notes to a clipboard. "I like your tattoo, by the way," he added absentmindedly; all three siblings tensed up. "It's exotic."

Marik sighed uncomfortably and turned his head toward the other wall.

"Alright," the doctor said when he'd finished his notes. "I'll have some pain medication brought in and I'll be back to check on you in a few hours. If you need anything, just ask the nurse."

Ishizu thanked him and he gave them all one last smile before leaving.

All three Ishtars were quiet until the nurse gathered up her materials and left soon after. Then Ishizu came over and placed a kiss on her younger brother's head. Marik felt overwhelmed.

"Thank every single one of Them that you're alright," Ishizu whispered against his forehead.

"What happened to me?" Marik muttered, positive he wouldn't like the answer.

Ishizu lowered her head without an answer. Marik looked to Odion, only to realize his guardian was badly bruised all over his head and face. His right hand was also bandaged.

Marik scowled shamefully at the wrapping, swallowing the bitter lump in his throat.

"I did that, didn't I…" It was hardly a question. He already knew it was true.

"It's nothing, Master," Odion said, flexing his fingers reassuringly.

Marik slowly sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He noted the fresh bandages around his calf as well, before raising his eyes back to his sister. "It happened again."

Ishizu winced, and nodded solemnly.

Marik glowered at the floor, fisting the bed sheets in his hands. Pain shot up through his arm, but he didn't care. Hell, he deserved it.

"How?" he hissed at the shining tile beneath his feet. "How could this have happened again?"

"I wasn't with you since the previous night, Marik," Ishizu said quietly. "I don't know how any of it happened. It's been driving me mad, not knowing."

Marik let that sink in for a moment… Then looked up, "The previous night? What do you mean?"

"You've," Ishizu exchanged a look with Odion. "You've been unconscious since the day before yesterday."

Marik's stare intensified.

"Don't you remember anything?" Ishizu asked.

"No, I don't." Marik insisted. "I can't remember any of this happening." He looked down at himself then to his brother. "What did I do? Tell me!"

"I was not home with you either. I only found out what was happening when he called." At his brother's questioning look, he explained, "The thief."

Marik blinked in surprise. "Bakura? But why would he call you? What did he say?"

"By then, you were already changed, Master. He told me where to find you, that I had to hurry before it was too late."

"So those bruises," Marik said, examining Odion's face. "You had to fight with me, didn't you? It's me who hurt you."

"I promise, it's nothing-"

"It's not nothing, look at you! And what about Bakura? Where is he?"

At that, Odion's expression fell and Marik felt Ishizu tense up in front of him.

"What?" the blonde demanded. "What happened?" He searched his siblings' faces but found only reluctance. "Did I fight him as well? Talk to me!"

"We -" Odion started.

"We don't know everything that happened, Marik," Ishizu said. "We received an urgent call from him asking for Odion and the next thing I know, he was rushing out the door, making me promise to stay put by the phone."

"I got there only just in time," Odion said.

"Where?" Marik asked.

"An old house down a street named River. It was abandoned and condemned. You were already there along with him and his host."

"His host…" Marik whispered thoughtfully. Ryou. Marik thought for a moment, trying to recall anything. Ryou. Bakura. The house… He'd dreamed of a creepy house. His body had been in too much pain to move, and he'd felt exhausted. He vaguely remembered someone moving him, but the only one strong enough was-

"You carried me out of there…"

"Yes," Odion nodded.

Marik scowled in desperate thought. "Wait… Bakura and his host?"

"They were in separate bodies," Odion explained. "I don't know how, but things were happening too fast to wonder. After you were saved the thief began to fade."

"What?" Marik gaped at him.

"Marik, please calm yourself -" Ishizu started.

"No!" Marik yelled, pushing her away. "What do you mean 'fade'? Where's Bakura, Odion?"

The older Egyptian sighed unhappily before saying carefully. "He's back in his vessel's body now. They were two but now one again. And the vessel is here."

"Here?" Marik's eyes widened. "Ryou's here? I want to see him!"

"No!" Ishizu answered immediately.

"Why not?" he demanded. "He can tell us what happened. Tell him I can see him now!"

"No, he's -" Ishizu's head sank hopelessly, hands to her forehead.

"He's -" Odion started, but didn't know how to continue either. He looked at his younger brother's bewildered face and decided there was no way to tell him gently enough. "Not… awake."

A heavy silence fell on the room. No one moved. Marik couldn't speak, his mind was racing to snatch the missing pieces of what he didn't know: Ryou was here. Not awake. Bakura called Odion. Urgently. They were all in the house. Ryou and Bakura were in separate bodies. Bakura began to fade… Ryou was here now… Not awake…

"I…" Marik's eyes glazed over as he came to the conclusion. I hurt him. "Ryou…"

"He hasn't awoken since you both came here," Odion said quietly.

"Show me," Marik said. Ishizu shook her head but he grabbed her arm. "Take me to him."

"Marik please -"

"I need to see! Tell me where he is!"

"You are not well enough!" she insisted, her tone was near begging. "You've only just woken up, yourself. He's unconscious now, he can't speak to you."

"Ishizu!"

Odion stepped forward. "Maybe we should, Ishizu."

She looked back at him.

"His condition is stable now but …"

"Oh my god," Marik shut his eyes and looked away. Just how bad had it been? Was he actually better off than his friend was?

"I don't want to cause Marik more suffering," Ishizu said.

"Part of the suffering is not knowing!" Marik argued.

Ishizu heaved a sigh, defeated. She knew that was true. It had been torture waiting to hear from Odion after he'd left to find Marik. The not-knowing really was horrible.

Marik braced himself against the bed and tried to stand, wincing at the pain in his body. "Take me," he ordered.

"Just wait," Ishizu said, both her and Odion's hands raised.

"I'll get a wheelchair," Odion said, quickly leaving the room.

…

Marik's heart hammered in his chest as Odion wheeled him down the hospital hallways. The hustle and collected murmuring of the staff and a few patients were annoying to him. He just wanted to see his friend. The blonde's stomach churned as he wondered if he really did want to see? They stopped outside a single room, with a window spreading over most of the wall. The main lights were off, with only the bed light casting it's glow over the lonesome figure lying unconscious on the bed. Odion straightened up and Marik let out a quiet, shuddering breath.

Ryou looked dead. If not for the faint sounds coming from the ventilator beside him, Marik would've swore that he was. The hose of the machine was strapped to Ryou's face, holding the tube in his mouth. On the other side, a stand supported the IV's and a feeding tube that disappeared under the blankets by the teen's midsection. His exposed arm was badly bruised and had several wrappings and exposed stitches, while his right arm was in a cast barely visible on the other side of his lifeless form. Remains of red welts marred the usually angelic softness of Ryou's face, as did the horrible dark circles around his eyes. His chin and neck were covered in bandages as well.

Marik's chin trembled.

"He's been through surgery twice," Ishizu said quietly. "They treated him for internal bleeding, and then discovered one of his lungs had collapsed."

"The host fell unconscious before I could stop it," Odion explained. "And the spirit inside of him took command of their body and fought back. In the end, he had difficulty moving and was …couching up blood."

Marik shook his head in disbelief as they spoke.

"Evidence tells the doctors," Ishizu hesitated, and continued with a pained sigh, "…that he was beaten badly with something. Bruising on his back suggests it was a fire iron. It cracked one of his ribs." She swallowed, wishing her brother could live without knowing all of this. "He also has a broken wrist, crushed by something heavy. Deep bruising on his neck that could have been damaging to his vocal cords, but thankfully they say it isn't permanent. Numerous hits to his head."

"He did fall down the stairs as well," Odion said. "I tried to catch him but… I, uh, lost my balance and we both rolled down the landing. I was knocked out for a short time."

Marik's head shook more and more as the damage he saw before him became undeniably real.

"Three fingers were forcefully broken and -" Ishizu's voice squeaked as she held back her tears. "Lots of scrapes and bruising down the front of his body from… f-from being dragged down another stairwell."

"No," Marik's voice was muffled as his head fell into his hands. His head continued to shake, "No, no, no, no, no."

"But he is stable now!" Ishizu said quickly. "After some more time, he's going to be alright!"

Marik suddenly turned in his chair and grabbed Odion's arm.

"I didn't do this!" he said desperately, "I would never do this! I couldn't! It isn't possible!"

Odion's mouth fell open in surprise.

"This isn't right," Marik said, "Him, lying there like - like that? I would never do that to him."

"Master, it… it wasn't you fault. You're not in trouble -"

"You don't understand!" Marik's voice lowered to a harsh whisper and he clung to Odion's sleeves, pleading with his eyes for his brother to believe him. "I didn't do this! I'm not capable of this! Not to him! He's my friend!"

"I know," Odion carefully put his hands over his brother's, and looked hard into his fearful lavender eyes. "I was there, Master."

"I didn't -" Marik shook his head again.

"I-was-there."

Marik's body began to tremble. He stared back at Odion's golden eyes, seeing support and understanding. But also truth.

Marik's breath caught in his throat. The truth. It was true.

"He's my friend," he whispered.

Odion nodded with some pity.

"He's -" His chest hurt. It really did happen. He'd almost killed Ryou! "He's my -"

"I know."

"I can't breathe."

Marik's hands clench the fabric as a small wheezing sound came from his throat. "I can't breathe."

"This is enough!" Ishizu quickly moved behind the wheelchair and turned it around. "He needs to get away from this."

"I- I can't -" Marik's eyes moved vacantly over the floor in front of him as it moved by. He was vaguely aware of his arms, and how weak they felt. He moved them closer but found it didn't help the tightness in his chest, so they moved to the arms of the chair instead. Marik felt exposed. On show, completely vulnerable, as though the whole world knew what he was, and what he had done. What he had done.

He took in a strangled half breath as his sister quickly wheeled him back into his room; causing a rather high gasp-like noise that scared him. It was panic, he realized.

Ishizu quickly knelt in front of him and took his head in both her hands.

"Marik, you must listen to me," she said over his strained breath, "You are not at fault. You're as much a victim in this as anyone else!"

Marik shook his head with a wince.

"Calm yourself. Try to take it in slowly…This is not something you chose to do. There's an evil inside of you that takes advantage of your body and does terrible things in your name. It isn't you! You have to believe that!"

"It's gone now," Odion said. He put his hands on Marik's shoulder's and spoke close to the blonde's ear. "Hear me, my brother. I've seen it with my very eyes. That evil that's tormented you for so long has been vanquished."

Marik's eyes widened and he looked up at his sister; who was subtly trying to lead him in a more stable breathing pattern. He tried to follow it, as Odion spoke again.

"It fought hard, yes. It always has. But I promise you it's been defeated. The thief - your friend, he used magic from the Millennium Items that I've never seen before. And I watched and held you close as he stripped you clean of that evil. It will never return."

Marik's air came a little easier as that vague memory of searing pain returned to him. It made sense now.

"Now, and for rest of your life, Master Marik," Odion said softly, "You're free."

Marik took a deep, shaky breath and slowly let it out, feeling suddenly light headed. He stared absently at the wall, taking in his brother's words. Bakura? Destroyed that darkness? Yes, he would be the one, wouldn't he?

He took another breath and his eyes fluttered a little. Ishizu touched his arm, worried.

"You're free," Odion said again, rubbing his shoulders reassuringly.

Marik's eyes raised to his sister's. She nodded with a weak smile. He turned shakily and looked, heartbroken, up at Odion.

"At what cost?" he whispered.

Then the room disappeared and he slumped in his chair.

"Odion!" Ishizu cried.

"I've got him." The elder Ishtar took the youngest in his arms once again and brought him over to his bed. Ishizu hurried out to get a nurse.

...

I hope there aren't a ton of spelling errors. I check and recheck my documents a good 4-5 times before posting, but I'm always missing typos and errors until it's posted :P ugh. And I hurried through this one a little to have it done before work.

Please let me know what you think :)