No one noticed, the young man limping past. Hood covering his head, his eyes, hiding from the rest of the world. He took the back alleys, the forgotten side streets, so he would not be noticed, no one would realize that he was hurt. He had a job to do, and he had to do it soon.
As he approached the derelict building, a soft sigh escaped his lips. Back in battle city, this was his home. This is where he kept those who obeyed him, this is where he was at his worst. Being back here stirred up memories, of all that he had done to his friends, the ones who cared for him. It was only just to be back here, where he was disappointing his friends once again.
The door was being guarded by two men, mind slaves. Malik still had the rod, and was using it's power often.
"You can't come any further. There is work going on in this building" One of the men said, before Marik lowered his hood. A smirk appeared instantly on the mans face, before they both stepped back.
"Well I never thought you would return to me, come in Marik."
He wanted to hesitate, wanted to turn on his heel and run, to retreat and tell Ryou and the others where this monster was hiding. But no, this was his dark half, this was what he deserved for not being able to control this creature.
The building was different, spotless for a start. There were people milling around, all were watching him with interest, he knew they were all Malik. Was this how strange it was? When he used the rod to control people? Having their eyes watch you, but know it wasn't them?
He was directed up the stairs, to a large room. Malik had books on tables, with that strange text he had been forced to translate earlier. What was he planning on doing?
"So, you return to me? What took you so long?" The voice of the demon caused him to turn. Lounging in the corner of a room, shadows looming over him. The rod was hanging from his belt, always within reach. Marik couldn't help but feel intimidated, wanting to avert his gaze.
"They were watching me, they kept talking to me, wanting to include me in things. I did not want to leave until I was sure I got a window of opportunity, and no one would follow me. You know what they're like, always so protective. My thought was making sure not to lead them to you. I figured you would not wish to be discovered"
Malik shrugged.
"I would enjoy going against the Spirit of the Puzzle again. I'm sure without the element of surprise I would be able to defeat him with ease. They coaxed Bakura away. I told him they would probably try to trap him, but he was so desperate to get his dear light half back that he did not care. He does not take as well to shadow magic as I do yet, it is affecting his body greatly, so we were trying to find a spell that would stop it reacting as bad to him."
"Why do you care? About how the magic affects him?" Marik enquired quickly. As long as he had known the demon, he was self centred and egotistical
"Since when did you gain the confidence to ask me questions?" Malik's demeanour changed, and he stood up. The shadows that surrounded him seemed to follow, and Marik backed away slowly.
"I'm sorry, please forgive me Malik. I know my place I swear. I was just curious is all" He collapsed to the ground, showing submission instantly. He had learned, he knew where he belonged. If he could please Malik, maybe it would stop him punishing him.
Malik in turn, grinned at the display of submission, and circled around Marik.
"Those idiots you call friends really affect you. They give you spirit and hope. Just remember I am the one who spent years keeping you company, protecting you from the monsters that chose to hurt you. I am the only one who really cares for you Marik, you understand that right?"
Marik sighed, before nodding, keeping his head to the ground.
"Bakura has been of use to me. I simply look out for him for our partnership to continue. Having someone else with proficiency in shadow magic is a great asset. To lose that ally is a huge blow on the operation, especially when he is getting more confident in his abilities. I want to get him out of his current situation, as it is helpful for me to keep him on my side."
The words Malik used were careful and calculated. He could tell with his manners that he was trying not to give anything but the necessary away. Bakura had to be important to Malik, otherwise there was no doubt he would let him suffer, while he continued his planning. But he could never read the demon. He knew what his friends would say, if they found out he went back on his own will. Disappointment, sadness...but he could never read Malik.
-x-
The walk to Marik's room was quiet, Ryou had no idea how to address Ishizu. She was always so serious, the few times he had noticed her when accompanying Yuugi to the museum. He had never spoken to her before, there had been no need.
As they approached Marik's room, he allowed her to knock on the door. This was her brother after all, family came first, and he was not sure he could even ask such a task of Marik. The other had been through so much, it was unfair to ask for help because of his own desire to see Bakura better. Bakura had been with Malik for a while, and had done nothing to aid Marik's situation.
Ishizu stepped forward, knocking softly on the door, before pushing it open.
"Marik? It's me." Her voice had a calm air to it as she stepped into the room, looking around before frowning. Ryou stepped in after her. The room seemed untouched, and Marik was nowhere in sight. Ryou took the chance to look in the cupboard, nothing...no one. Marik was...missing?
He didn't hesitated, turning to run back to the others. Marik had been caught again, maybe Bakura was a distraction after all, so the monster could get Marik back?
As he approached the top of the stairs, he heard arguing. Akefia was stepping away, Yuugi in front of him as Yami and Atemu guarded the door.
"Don't you dare come another step closer, thief. You could still be lying, and will do anything to help him. We don't trust you" Yami snarled, and Yuugi rolled his eyes.
"He has been nothing but trust worthy! You just can't see through your pig headedness. He wasn't planning on going anywhere near Bakura"
Atemu kept his back against the door, but said nothing, letting Yami speak.
"Why do you believe him Yuugi? Why do you trust him, after all he has done to us? To hurt us and torment us? And yet you turn your back on us when Ryou shows a glimmer of trust. We are who you should believe, we are here to protect, and care for you. The two people connected to him are evil after all, it makes sense that he would be too." Yami muttered the last part quietly.
Atemu took the chance to glare over to Yami then, Yuugi's frown deepened.
"Ryou is the best of all of us! Ryou is nothing like Bakura! He has been compared for so long, been forced to look like that demon, and you just go and insult him like that?!" Yuugi yelled the last part.
"Get out of my house! Don't you dare insult my friends like that, leave!"
Yami looked in shock, but soon stormed to the door, grabbing his coat.
"Now I understand what side you would rather choose, who you would all rather choose!" With that he slammed the door behind him, and the house fell silent.
Ryou pressed his back against the wall, sinking down to the floor. T...that's what Yami thought...
Is that what they all thought? That he was identical to Bakura, to that monster. Akefia had shown care, had protected him, it was only right he did the same.
I bet if he had to choose between his friends or that precious Hikari of his. He would give you all up in an instant
Bakura's words...he was right. Of course he had been right, Bakura was always right. He would never have friends. Not really, they pretended to care, but no doubt they all thought like Yami, they just didn't want to say it, they just felt bad for him, for poor, pathetic, Ryou.
He was about to stand, breath shaky, before he saw Ishizu walking up the stairs, cheeks tear stained. He stood up, clearing his own throat before turning the corner.
"Marik's gone" He said without hesitation. He couldn't focus on his emotions, on his problems right now, he had to help Marik.
Yuugi looked to him, it was obvious the argument had hurt him deeply. He looked so sad, and when Ryou said those words, he just collapsed to the floor, causing Akefia to grab him, lifting him up easily. The stress, the mounting issues seemed to be having a huge affect on the other.
"H...he...he's gone? Was it Malik?" Yuugi groaned as Atemu walked quickly over to him, taking him from Akefia, giving a thankful nod.
"It wasn't" Ishizu sighed. "There was no forced entry, no signs of shadow magic. I am not sure what happened, but I do not think this was done forcefully. Marik and the monster have always had a strange relationship. He feels safe around it, considering how much pain it tends to bring. He feels protected..."
"...and it makes you want to be close to them, to spend time with them. To stop fighting and just...relax, let him do all the work. He has been around for so long, why fight what you can't avoid?" Ryou muttered. "You deserve it, these are manifestations of your own soul, as well as you in a previous life. I am the light half, I should control them, I should look out for others. It's my duty"
Yuugi couldn't help but nod, turning to the door where Yami left.
"I know those feelings all too well, I'm sure we both do." He said looking back to Ryou. "But we cannot look after them. Yami for one does his own thing, I just don't understand what's come over him right now. He has never acted like this before"
"I'm nothing like Bakura, I will never be anything like that monster. He's done so much to torment me and haunt my life, I do not wish that on anyone else"
Yuugi tapped Atemu's hand, and he was lowered to the ground, though he kept holding Atemu's shoulder for support.
"It's...it's so much to take in...so much stress, and Yami's gone. I'm sorry he spoke about you like that, it's not true. You are nothing like Bakura, Yami is just...stuck in his own ways. He should not have said that, he should not have compared you to that, monster"
"I want to see him..." Ryou muttered suddenly.
"Bakura, I want to see Bakura" Akefia glanced over to Atemu and Yuugi, shaking his head softly as Ryou's gaze shifted to the door, the room where Bakura was being held.
Ryou stepped closer to the door, and Akefia moved to follow.
"I want to see him alone, Akefia. I...I need to" He turned back to the door, and Akefia grabbed him softly by the wrist, pulling him back.
"He is dangerous Ryou. We know what he is like, he is a monster, a demon. I can't let you go into that room, to see him. I can't stand the idea of you...of him..."
Ryou gave a soft smile, before pulling himself away from Akefia's grasp.
"Thank you Akefia, I know. But...I just need to see him. Just...just this once. Give me ten minutes alone with him, that's all I ask. I can handle it. I've had to deal with a lot worse from this monster. He's tied up, and weak. If I get in any trouble at all, I will yell for you, ok?"
With that he turned back to the door, before opening it. He knew it was foolish...stupid to see the other alone. But with Yami...and that outburst, with all that was going on, he needed...something. Something to comfort him, to show him that they were going to win, going to get rid of these demons once and for all.
As he stepped into the room, once filled with books and papers, Yuugi's old office before Kaiba advised him to move his work to another building. Now empty with one chair standing in the centre.
Bakura was tied to that chair, hanging limp with closed eyes. It looked like he was sleeping, though he doubted it. Bakura was a light sleeper, anything could wake him. He knew from experience. From years of living with him. If anything he was faking it.
"I know you're awake" He muttered, and he could make out a faint smirk caress Bakura's lips.
"Always so observant Ryou, you know me far too well, don't you? I heard the outburst. They consider you to be like me, do they not? Is that really a surprise? Didn't I warn you of how they disliked you, and that they didn't trust you. They think of you, as exactly like me."
"I know" Ryou muttered softly, before looking over to him. "What happened to you Bakura? Why are you...like this? When I was with you, it didn't affect you as much. The shadow magic, does it hurt?" He could see the veins, the tendrils of shadow magic that were covering every inch of the others skin.
"Nothing you need to concern yourself with Ryou, why are you here to see me anyway? I thought you would be out arguing with your friends? Trouble in paradise?"
Ryou was about to reply when a coughing fit from Bakura caused him to frown.
"You're not well. Bakura, tell me what's wrong. I can't help you if I don't know" He muttered stepping forward, towards Bakura.
Bakura tried to move back.
"No Ryou, drop it! You don't need to know what's wrong with me!" He snapped suddenly, and Ryou stepped back once more, mostly in fright. Even Bakura seemed to regret it then, but nothing was said as they stared each other down.
"Fine, I'm here because I wanted to see you. A foolish notion really, but you're a part of me. It's only right I have some desire to see you, even if it is to make sure you are suffering like you deserve." Ryou sighed, before turning on his heel back to the door.
"You're lucky these people are not like Malik, they will not torture you for information about his whereabouts. Still I imagine when given some time alone, Atemu can show you a thing or two. After all, I think we could all turn a blind eye considering how despicable you are"
Bakura said nothing, watching Ryou curiously. There was no care, only hatred. He had broke Ryou far too often, it had been easy at the time, he wanted total submission and obedience. But now, now he felt something different. The young man had grown on him, not that he never lost any affection for his light half. Now however he cared...if caring was the right word. He didn't want Ryou to walk away.
But begging was a sign of weakness, he had to get back to Malik. The group were falling apart, and after the argument he heard the Pharaoh and the Spirit of the Puzzle have, he was sure they were only under more stress. It would be the perfect time for Malik to strike, to put the plan into action.
He watched as Ryou left the room, and visibly relaxed. There was no point caring any more. Ryou could be his when they'd win, right now he needed to report everything back to the demon...he was starting to enjoy working with Malik, having someone to watch his back and have similar goals was far more relaxing. Besides, Malik's psychotic episodes were close to his own. He just needed to find a way to get out of these binds and out of this wretched place.
-x-
Atemu moved to sit on one of the plush chairs in the living room, pulling Yuugi closer to him. The other had never looked as fragile as he did right now. The stress was mounting, Yuugi was collapsing under it.
"You need to relax, you are going to faint with exhaustion Yuugi, remember you are only one person, we are all here to help" Yuugi said nothing in reply, resting his head against Atemu, he needed sleep, he needed to figure out how to get Malik out of the picture. Finding Marik...and to a lesser extent Yami...were the main priorities. Something was wrong with his friend. Yami had never spoken like that, never dared to think like that, Yami had always brought positivity.
"Did Yami always think of Ryou like that? I can't have Ryou feeling hated. We all like him here, he goes through enough with Bakura constantly. I don't want to bring him down any further, he is a wonderful person. If only he could see that himself."
Atemu said nothing for a few minutes, letting silence linger around the pair, before giving a soft sigh.
"Bakura yes, Yami hates Bakura and Akefia. But Yami has always been fond of Ryou. To be honest, I don't think that was Yami talking. Well it was, but something is affecting him. You noticed it on Bakura, did you not? Shadow magic is affecting him terribly, I do not doubt Malik is the same. Yami's behaviour has been growing more erratic the longer he is in this world, and the closer he is to any millennium items. Malik is planning something, and I have a feeling Yami is part of that something."
Yuugi groaned, running fingers through tousled hair, gripping it tightly in stress.
"I don't know what to do Atemu, I have no clue how to fix it. I want Yami back, I want to make sure he is okay. But the way he yelled at Ryou, the way he has been acting to all of us here is getting worse, and I promised my friends I'd look out for them. This home is meant to be a safe place for any one, no matter what. I can't have him personally attacking those I hold dear, especially someone as vulnerable as Ryou...I don't know what to do Atemu, I can't do this any more. I feel sick...my head is aching. Just thinking of all this, I am just so stressed. How, how do you manage to keep calm?"
Atemu didn't reply for another minute, looking over Yuugi before giving a soft smile.
"The truth is Yuugi, I always seem to have a plan, and I think I have a good plan to get this all sorted."