Hi there! Another chapter, and not a year after the last one… This one gets… A little dark I'm going to warn you. I never intended for this story to go in this direction, but when you let the characters take over it's pretty difficult to stop them. Being on holiday has actually given me a fair amount of time to write so the next chapter shouldn't be too long as I've already started writing it. This one is split into two parts, hope it's clear what's going on!

Thanks to my lovely reviewers as always, it's lovely to get some feedback on my writing!

ThiefKingAkefiaBakura and MissTako: Glad you're enjoying the story!

naniething: I know right, Marik being a little overprotective there I think! So many feels too, I love writing scenes between Bakura and Marik- it's so fun to explore their personalities! Thank you for the good luck with the move, it was very successful :D Also- have a chapter, hope I didn't make you wait too long!

LaminateGem12: Aaaah I saw you had reviewed and started grinning like an idiot again :D I love your take on the story, it's awesome! Hehehe, Ryou writing fanfiction, that idea may be coming up subtly in this chapter… (maybe) And yes, the aww factor of Marik and Bakura is pretty high! Thanks again for the feedback, I hope you'll keep reading! :D

Phew, super long AN there. Just a quick warning, this chapter is DARK. Like, please-don't-kill-me dark. Don't say I didn't warn you.

So so sorry. Feels ahead 3

DustyStars

Chapter 11- Goodbye

It was growing dark outside as Bakura made his way through the back streets of the city. The sun was casting the last of its light over the rooftops of the building around him, which he passed without pause. There were no sounds besides those of his own footsteps and the wind whistling through the alley that he now headed through.

His destination was not a happy one.

He had finally got the call he had been dreading for a while now, the one that had forced him to leave the person he was beginning to trust and go away from the safety of that apartment back into the unknown. He had got the call from Mariku.

Bakura could immediately tell by the tone of his voice that it hadn't been a social call. The Egyptian's voice had been threatening and cold, he hadn't allowed Bakura to get a word in edgeways before hanging up after instructing Bakura to come to his apartment that evening. Alone. The malice behind that one word had shaken Bakura to the core, which was difficult to do.

As he walked, he wondered what Mariku wanted of him. Was he going to beat him up for punching him all those months ago? Was he going to force Bakura on some horrible errand that would no doubt end painfully? Or did he simply want to go out drinking with him again. Bakura highly doubted the last option.

He turned into another street close to the club he often frequented, which signalled that he wasn't too far away now. Bakura hated the fact that he had to come here. Under any other circumstance he wouldn't take orders from anyone, especially someone only a couple of years his senior. However Mariku had made sure his final remark over the phone would obtain Bakura's cooperation.

They were watching the apartment. He didn't know who 'they' were but they had made damn sure Mariku knew his movements, and by extension, Marik's movements.

Bakura angrily kicked at a discarded can on the street as he thought. This was a harsh reminder why he didn't like to get close to people. They tended to get hurt or dragged into situations that they couldn't get out of, and Mariku knew damn well that Bakura's morals were still intact enough to not want to let Marik get hurt.

Yes, had it been any other situation, maybe even any other person, Bakura would have told Mariku to go and do something physically impossible to himself, but as it was the bastard knew exactly what he was doing. And so Bakura found himself here.

To say he was concerned would be a slight understatement.

After a few more minutes walking and a couple more turns, which were a lot easier to execute when sober Bakura found, the white haired man found himself stood outside the apartment complex with a sinking feeling in his stomach. He really didn't want to be here. Sparing a final glance around him he entered the building and traced the familiar path up to the fourth floor, where he took a deep breath and knocked on Mariku's door.

He waited for a moment, and upon being met with silence he began to hope he might have gotten away with it, but this thought was quickly snuffed out as the door swung open revealing a grinning Egyptian.

'Bakura!' Mariku exclaimed, 'Long time no see and all that.'

He just about grabbed Bakura and pulled the startled man into his apartment, shutting the door behind him. Bakura didn't fail to hear the sound of the key turning in the lock, nor did he miss the bolt being shot home. So it was to be all niceties and false pretences then, was it?

'What do you want, Mariku?' he asked quietly as the seemingly excited man headed over towards the table and taking a seat, gesturing for Bakura to do the same.

'Just a catch up, Bakura, and a small proposal to put to you,' Mariku said, his features slipping into a darker grin.

Bakura chose to ignore the gesture from the other towards the chair, opting to stand with his back against the wall, eyes scanning the apartment. One door-locked. One window- too high to jump out of. No more visible exits. Well he was fucked.

'If it was only a small proposal then why would you threaten me?' he asked to try and cover his observing.

'Threaten?' Mariku laughed. 'I didn't threaten you, Bakura. You came here of your own accord.'

'Some would say that telling someone you're watching them and the people they're with could be a cause for concern,' Bakura replied. 'Especially given their track record,' he added.

Mariku raised an eyebrow at this, grin still on his face. 'Do you have any evidence that I was actually watching you?' he asked.

It was Bakura's turn to raise an eyebrow now. 'Were you?'

The Egyptian shook his head and let out another laugh. 'Of course not! Do you really see me as the type to do that?'

Bakura breathed a sigh of relief. Even if he was pissed that Mariku had successfully called his bluff, at least Marik was safe.

'Though it did cross my mind,' Mariku said evilly. 'It would be pretty fun.'

The white haired man groaned. 'You really don't understand social interaction do you?'

The grin finally left Mariku's face to be replaced with a malicious smirk.

'Oh I think my social skills are up to standard, Bakura. I mean they acquired me a new business partner after all.' He motioned towards the kitchen, where Bakura was suddenly aware of another presence. He whipped his head over to where Mariku was pointing so quickly he felt his neck click.

'Oh, fuck.'

'Hello, 'Kura,' Atem said, nonchalantly leaning against the wall. 'Fancy running into you here.'

'I believe you know each other,' Mariku said unnecessarily, fully enjoying the tension that had suddenly appeared between the two.

A constant stream of questions interspersed with swear words were running through Bakura's head at the sight of his acquaintance. Whatever Atem was doing here it couldn't be good. And if he was working with Mariku…

Bakura had suspected for quite some time that the tall Egyptian did more with his time than work at the restaurant down the road, but if it involved his former housemate… This wasn't good. It also meant it was two against one, odds he couldn't hope to beat.

Bakura made sure to keep a perfectly emotionless face despite the thoughts racing through his brain, and prayed that he could keep his voice steady too.

'What are you doing here, Atem?'

The tanned man shrugged one shoulder half-heartedly. 'Recruiting,' he said vaguely.

Mariku for once decided to remain silent, the eerie smirk still on his face. Atem looked at him.

'Look, this was your idea to bring him in, you explain it,' he said shortly, and Bakura got the impression he wanted to be here about as much as himself.

Mariku let out a dramatic sigh before standing and going over to the window. Back turned, he addressed Bakura.

'Atem and I are involved in a rather delicate assault on a particularly prestigious company,' he began. 'One that requires rather a lot of skill and people we can trust.'

At this Atem let out a small snort, casting Bakura a glance of contempt.

Ignoring this, Mariku continued. 'We have been working on the finer points of the heist for quite a while now, but we need someone to get on the inside and do what needs doing. As it seems you are a mutual friend of ours, 'he threw a grin at the pair of them over his shoulder, 'and you have a particular skill set, we've decided you'll be the one to carry it out.'

'Carry what out?' Bakura asked cautiously, alarm bells already ringing in his head.

Mariku turned fully now, and his face split into a feral grin.

'We want you to kill Seto Kaiba.'

There was a beat of silence.

'Why the fuck would I want to do that?'

Another beat of silence, during which Bakura watched Mariku's face turn hostile and Atem's become resigned, as though he had known Bakura's answer all along.

'I mean even if I could I wouldn't,' Bakura continued, a multitude of questions and thoughts going around his head. 'Not for you or anyone, I'm not a killer!'

'But I am.'

The white haired man didn't need to look at Mariku to know what he would see. Psycho face right in place complete with slight veins standing out on his forehead.

'Come on, Bakura. It's quite fun once you get used to it,' the Egyptian said quietly. 'It's even better when you get paid for it.'

'So that's your day job, huh?' Bakura said quickly as once again he searched for another exit. 'Part time waiter, full time assassin? Seems like your style I must admit.'

His mouth had taken over his words while his brain was frantically working out what to do to get out alive. It seemed that all he could do was agree and then leave, but he had already opposed the idea so violently that convincing them of his cooperation would be difficult. Gods, what had he done to deserve this?

'How long have you suspected?' Mariku asked, and Bakura didn't miss the pace he took towards him.

'A little while, actually,' he admitted. 'You couldn't earn enough money from the hours at the restaurant to rent this place and go out as often as you do. I figured you'd need some extra income and you're unhinged enough for anything.'

'Astute,' was all Mariku said in response. Another pace closer.

'Look, he's answered the question, we may as well write him off now,' Atem interjected, tone neutral as though he was talking about the weather.

'No, I'm sure I can make him see reason,' Mariku replied. 'After all, if he doesn't kill Kaiba for us, we're going to kill him.'

There it was, Bakura thought. The ultimatum right there, and one he didn't really have a choice in. He couldn't believe he had fallen for the threat made in the phone call. He'd been stupid enough to think he was protecting Marik from this psycho and instead had made himself the target. Way to go, Bakura. Way to fucking go.

Mariku was watching him closely for signs of emotion at his statement, He probably expected Bakura to throw himself to his knees or something. Instead Bakura merely raised an eyebrow and tried to act as though he didn't want to curl into a ball and hide.

'Well if you put it that way,' he said slowly as though he was changing his mind.

It was the right thing to do. Mariku let out a sound of excitement and he turned away, striding towards the third party in the room.

'See, Atem! Told you he'd come around! He wouldn't want to risk his own neck for the sake of that jumped-up rich boy!'

Atem didn't seem convinced, and he and Mariku shared a look. Bakura almost bolted seeing as it looked as though the pair might not believe him, but after a few seconds his ex-drinking buddy turned back to him, eyes slightly dimmer than before.

'Of course, we wouldn't want you to make a hasty decision,' he said in a low voice. 'We'll give you a day to see where you want to place your loyalties, but believe me, if you go anywhere near a police station it'll be the last thing you ever do.'

Bakura nodded quickly to show he understood.

'Meet us in Market Square at two o'clock tomorrow with your answer,' Mariku continued. 'Or we'll have to come and find you.'

He let out a half-deranged laugh before turning away, and Bakura took it to be a dismissal. He unlocked and was out of the door as fast as possible, deciding on the spot to go back to the house and sneak in the back way to crash in his old room. He left so quickly that he didn't hear the quiet exchange of the two behind him.

'Told you he wouldn't agree.'

'I know. Pity really, he was a good guy to drink with.'

Marik didn't sleep well that night. Although he would never admit it to him, he was worried about Bakura. He kept thinking of the strange way he had acted before he had left, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

After searching the apartment fruitlessly, Marik had gone and sat in the kitchen to wait for Ryou to get home, occasionally standing and pacing around the room, only to return to his seat. His small housemate had returned around eleven o'clock, and when Marik had questioned his whereabouts, Ryou had simply blushed and said, 'Writing'.

The smaller teen seemed to have been upset upon hearing Bakura had left, but couldn't think what could have prompted such a swift exit. They had talked about it at length before Marik had decided to retire, leaving Ryou to his own thoughts. The Brit was secretly pleased that Bakura had left- he had felt as though he was being pushed out of his own apartment and it pained him slightly to see the two getting on so well without him.

Even though he was sure Bakura would be returning at some point in the future, it was nice to have some respite in which he didn't feel like the unwelcome party. Of course Ryou banished these thoughts as soon as they surfaced and felt guilty for even thinking them.

Marik was already up and in the kitchen when Ryou emerged the next morning, sat at the kitchen table staring into a mug. He remained silent as the Brit fixed his usual tea and breakfast.

It wasn't until Ryou had sat down and taken a good look at his flat mate that he realised there was something wrong. There were bags under Marik's eyes as though he hadn't slept and there was a pained look on his face, a cross between anger and fear.

'Morning,' Ryou said tentatively, receiving a grunt in response.

Ryou began spooning cereal into his mouth, now very concerned about Marik's silence, which didn't seem to be ending any time soon. He was halfway down the bowl before the Egyptian finally spoke.

'I've tried his phone and he isn't picking up. I'm worried, Ry.'

Sighing, Ryou set down his spoon. It seemed he would have to act as Marik's councillor. 'Of course you are,' he began. 'You two have been getting pretty close recently and it's only natural to worry when he takes off like that. I'm sure everything's alright though, his phone is probably just out of battery or something.'

'No, you don't understand,' Marik said. 'He was really scared, something's wrong, I know it!'

'Marik, Bakura knows what he's doing and there's nothing you can do sitting here worrying,' Ryou said logically. 'Imagine what he'd say if he knew you were sitting here thinking about him.'

Marik half shrugged. 'I just want to know that he's alright.'

Ryou nodded, sensing that Marik didn't really want to talk about the subject anymore. He decided to change the topic. 'Are you painting today?'

Marik jerked his head, and Ryou took it as a yes. He took a moment to deliberate what to say, before deciding that he ought to be there for his friend if he wanted to talk at all.

'Do you mind if I come and study while you work? I've got something I need to write before the end of the week.'

Another head jerk.

'Thanks!'

Ryou finished his breakfast in silence before the pair headed to the studio. Marik got all the paints needed for his next layer as Ryou opened up his laptop and loaded a document onto it before beginning typing.

It was silent in the room for about an hour aside from the sound of the laptop and an occasional text tone from Ryou's phone before the Brit heard a long sigh come from the Egyptian. Looking over he was surprised to see that Marik hadn't made much progress with his work at all, instead he was stood tensely, and shaking a tiny bit.

'Everything ok?' he asked as kindly as he could, so he was rather taken aback when Marik whirled around to face him, paintbrush in hand.

'Do you really think I'd be sighing like that if everything was fine, Ryou?' he snapped, causing the younger teen to shrink back slightly in shock. 'All I can hear is the constant tapping from your keyboard and noises from your phone, it's making it hard for me to concentrate and it's driving me crazy!'

Ryou tried to form an answer but Marik's eyes were blazing now as he got angrier.

'It wasn't like this yesterday. It was fine actually, he just sat there quietly and let me get on with it without any interruptions from his stupid phone! I managed to get a whole layer done and he didn't even make a noise while I was doing it.'

Ryou was now sat there open mouthed. He had never heard Marik talk like this before, especially not to himself.

'Look, Mar-'

'Just don't!' Marik said. 'Could you just leave alright, it's hard enough trying to concentrate as it is!'

The normally gentle Brit snapped.

'Okay, Marik, I will! I'll get out of your way and let you have your fun with Bakura as you clearly like him more than me! Oh wait, he isn't here, so you can't!'

'Don't even say that!'

'I'll say it if I bloody want to, Marik. I've felt like a stranger in my own apartment, the awkward third wheel and even though I've been so understanding about letting Bakura stay here you still don't even think of anyone other than yourself, do you?' There were now angry tears in Ryou's eyes threatening to fall as he continued.

'You don't give a shit about what I might be feeling! Hell you barely even considered who has to deal with the extra company. I mean sure, he's nice and everything but you didn't even think about what you were doing, you just invited him in without even asking!'

Ryou stood now, slamming his laptop shut and stamping towards the door.

'So yes, Marik, I'll leave. Have fun with Bakura when he decides to come back.'

The little Brit, fully aware that he was now crying, turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, ignoring Marik's shouts of protest from behind him. Trying to see through the tears he ran to the end of the hall, shoved his feet into some shoes and grabbed the first coat he laid his hands on before leaving the apartment without a backwards glance.

He had no idea where he was going, in fact he was wandering blindly, all the emotions he kept so carefully hidden spilling over and hitting the ground in the form of yet more tears. He hadn't been this angry in years! All he had been trying to do was help like he normally did and once again it had been thrown back in his face. First his father, now Marik; would he ever be able to do anything right for anyone?

He walked randomly for what felt like hours, finally finding himself in the shopping quarter of the city. Here tall buildings surrounded the large market square, currently empty as the stalls weren't in use today, and their shadows cast interesting patterns onto the cobblestones below. Ryou finally paused in his meandering to hunt in the pockets of the dark, long coat he was wearing to find a tissue, unaware that he was been watched.

'Target spotted,' came the crackle of a walkie talkie on the tenth floor of a building overlooking the square. 'Last chance to back out now, Mariku.'

'No,' was the reply. 'We can't take any chances, he knows too much now.'

'Sure it's him?'

'Come on, how many white haired guys wearing dark coats do you know?'

'Fair point. Ready when you are.'

'Do it.'

Ryou heard the sound of the gun a split second before the he felt the bullet in his chest and he staggered back. It took him a moment to register what had happened before his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the cobbles. He heard a scream from far off and a number of people shouting, their voices all merging into one hazy sound.

He tasted blood for a moment before his senses began to shut down one by one. The sounds around him turned to white noise, dark spots danced at the edge of his vision and he found himself unable to draw breath without pain. His body felt numb and in the shadow of the large building next to him Ryou felt… Cold. He tried to lift a hand for help but found himself unable to do so.

Please… Not like this…

He could feel it now- the bullet lodged in his heart, the remorseless piece of metal that was taking his life away.

Marik I'm so sorry we argued…

Through his hazy vision he thought he saw a glint of something in one of the windows far up in the building, but he blinked and it had gone. Perhaps it was his attacker.

Remember me for the good times.

He hadn't even been allowed to say goodbye to everyone he cared about.

Goodbye.

Within a minute the ground around him was stained a deep red, and Ryou Bakura's wide brown eyes were staring unblinkingly at the blue sky so far above him, a single tear dripping down his still cheek.

Edit: A/N: No this does NOT mean Ryou is dead, even if it seems that way! Sorry for the angst 3