Resurrecting The Darkness

CONFRONTATION


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disclaimer: still haven't managed to buy Yugioh, so I'm not getting paid for writing these stories
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Mariku returned several hours later refusing to discuss where he had been, who he had seen, and why he was being so secretive. His only reply to Malik's inquisitive demands was a gentle touch on his soft cheek accompanied with a smile and a reply laced with sadness. "Koishii, you don't need to know."

The tone of his voice, so lifeless, so hopeless, frightened the hikari. His mind raced, recalling their earlier conversation. "It's about Atemu and Bakura, isn't it?" He grabbed his dark koibito's arm, his concerned lavender orbs searching that exotic lilac gaze. "You went to see Shadi, didn't you?"

He shook his head sadly. "Don't, Malik. Don't ask me any questions, please."

That word, that one word, so uncharacteristic of his Mariku, sealed his lips. Wherever he had been, whatever he had done or learned, his yami tenshi wasn't ready to tell him...yet.

In an effort to ease his suffering lover's mental and emotional anguish, he pushed him towards the bed until his darker half was recumbent on the soft mattress. Once Mariku was lying facedown, the slender Egyptian straddled the lean hips, his thin fingers sliding underneath the loose-fitting t-shirt.

Gently, he rubbed the tense muscles, his hands stroking the silken flesh lovingly. "Relax," he whispered, his breath brushing the sensitive skin of his koi's ear. Mariku closed his eyes and sighed with pleasure as his tenshi alternately massaged and stroked his tense muscles. He felt his body relax as those magical fingers moved up and caressed his throbbing skull, lessening the excruciating pain within.

Malik removed his lover's restrictive clothing along with his own. For the second night in a row, he cradled his koishii yami, wrapping him in his endless love and devotion. The lilac eyes slowly closed; he nuzzled his head against his hikari's chest, his cheek resting over the heart. The steady rhythm, coupled with the embrace of strong slender arms, further eased the tension within his soul. Releasing a deep sigh, he drifted off, his exhausted psyche seeking refuge in Morpheus' embrace.

The brilliance of the desert sunrise bathed the pale porcelain skin of Ryou and Bakura with luminescent radiance. The glorious hues danced across the snowy-haired lovers, the colors reflected by their tangled silken tresses. Their bodies, as intertwined as their souls, were still, as their dark chocolate eyes reverently absorbed the beauty of the dawn. The sky continued shifting before coalescing into a clear azure blue, free of clouds and accompanied by a gentle breeze.

The state of bliss was conspicuously absent in the adjoining bedroom. Yugi, his violet eyes dark and dull with pain and disillusionment, stared dispiritedly at the sun rays dancing entrancingly over his slumbering yami. The golden skin gleamed alluringly, his exotic ruby eyes hidden by his lush dark lashes.

Dark purple smudges beneath the large amethyst jewels contrasted greatly with the ghostly pale skin. Crystalline tears filled these same orbs as he observed the masculine beauty of his koishii soul-mate and remembered the times he had woken up surrounded by the loving embrace of mou hitori no boku. Sobs shook the thin shoulders; he struggled desperately to maintain silence and stillness; the last thing he wanted to do was disturb Atemu's slumber. The consequences of that transgression--Yugi shuddered, remember what had transpired three days ago.

Mariku awoke first, the sound of his precious hikari's heart reverberating in his own heart, his soul. Easing free of the loving embrace, he managed to pull the sleeping teen into his own strong arms. Contentment filled him as he observed the light rays dancing across the flawless features of his exotic koibito.

Early afternoon found the six attractive youths descending on Isis and Rishid's home. Each greeted the beautiful young woman enthusiastically.

"Happy Birthday, Sister." Malik hugged the dark-haired woman who had always taken care of him, putting his happiness and welfare ahead of her own.

Tears sparkled in those cerulean depths as she returned the embrace. "Thank you brother."

The three younger members of the party were anxious to change clothes and play in the olympic-size swimming pool which was currently beckoning them. The clear turqouise blue of the water was too tempting to the hikaris. They wasted no time in stripping off their outer clothing.

Jumping in, they splashed and played; carefree laughter filling the air as the three friends dunked each other. Malik was especially happy as Yugi and Ryou relaxed, their shadows and depression vanishing in the festive atmosphere.

The yamis stretched out in the lounge chairs placed haphazardly around the deck, talking and watching their hikaris as they played.

Atemu couldn't help but notice the alluring beauty of Bakura. His pale skin gleamed in the bright Egyptian sun. Desire to touch, to kiss, to possess the sexy young man filled his mind, his soul.

But how? How could he possibly caress that firm chest? How could he trail his lips over that tantalizing body? How could he taste that pale flesh with his eager tongue?

He smirked as the answer came to him. Pale skin... The intense rays of the brutal sun would burn that delicate flesh unless it was protected by a layer of sunscreen lotion. Since his hikari was too busy to take care of his dark lover, then he would.

Rising gracefully from his chair, he grabbed the bottle of lotion and approached the drowsy man, his eyes absorbing the alluring beauty of him. The brown eyes regarded him curiously, waiting for an explanation.

"Roll over," he commanded. "Your skin will burn quickly in the desert sun." He held up the bottle of sunscreen. "This will help prevent that from happening."

Trustingly, the sexy albino rolled over on his stomach, allowing the former Pharaoh free access to apply the lotion along the expanse of bare skin.

Grinning, he gently spread the cool liquid over the gleaming skin, his fingers gliding smoothly down the spine to the waistband of the swimsuit, following the same path back up to the firm muscles of his shoulders.

Lust flooded his mind as he straddled those slender hips. Aroused, he struggled to resist grinding himself against Bakura's firm buttocks. To do so now would destroy any possibility of seducing the sexy former thief king. Controlling the raging desire, he slid his hands up, lightly kneading the muscles. Unable to resist the allure of that creamy flesh, he leaned up and placed a fleeting kiss on the sensitive skin of Bakura's slim neck.

Sensing no resistance, the dusky-skinned one grew bolder. He kissed that area again, this time flicking his tongue against he supple flesh, the taste and texture inflaming his desire.

Atemu ignored the slight tensing of the luscious body beneath him, his hyperactive libido controlling has actions. "I want you, Bakura," he growled, nipping at the sensitive earlobe. He groaned, pressing his hardness into the pinned one's taut ass.

Alarmed, the former tomb robber opened his mind-link to his hikari. \Ryou! I need your help, now!!\

The white-haired youth jerked around to observe his yami, his eyes widening in shock as the sight of Atemu sitting astride his koishii Kura. Incensed, he pulled himself out of the pool and ran to his koibito, pushing the former ruler away from his yami, causing the arrogant one to fall to the wooden deck. In a rage, the fallen one regained his footing and reflexively swung his arm at his attacker, striking him in the face, bruising that porcelain skin.

Horrified, Malik and Yugi scrambled out of the water and raced to Ryou's side as he covered his rapidly darkening cheek with a pale slender hand. //Mariku!// Malik mentally screamed at his sleeping yami. //Wake up koi! Atemu has snapped; he just attacked Ryou.//

The lilac eyes opened, his self-control slipping as he witnessed Yugi gripping the furious former Pharaoh, attempting to divert his attention away from Ryou and calm him down.

"Let go of me!" he commanded, wrenching his arms free of his hikari's small hands.

"Atemu," he whispered, emotional pain tightening the muscles in his throat. "What is wrong with you? Why did you hurt Ryou?"

Crimson eyes flashed dangerously. "He attacked me first!" he stated coldly. "Why don't you question him about that?"

"But I don't understand. Why ...." the question trailed off as Yugi observed his yami's gaze focused on Bakura, lust glinting on the fiery depths. "No," he whimpered, his wet tresses swinging side to side as he shook his head in denial. "I won't let you abuse my friends!" he declared. The diminutive duelist knew that physically he was no match for his dark counterpart, but he would defend his friends no matter the cost to himself.

Exotic ruby eyes narrowed as Atemu realized that his hikari was blatantly defying him. That was completely unacceptable. He must learn to obey. Encircling a slender arm with his long, lean fingers, the tanned one pulled his koibito closer before brutally slapping the innocent face. Stunned, Yugi fell to the ground, tears of pain spilling from the overlarge violet eyes as his yami kicked him viciously in his ribs.

A towering rage overwhelmed Mariku as he witnessed the assault on Yugi. Anger radiated from the lithe body of the tomb keeper as he raced across the wooden deck to prevent any further abuse of the already injured teen.

The last thread of self-control snapped as his koishii tenshi reached Atemu first, knocking him to the ground. Drawing has arm back, he slammed his fist into the stunned face of Yugi's darker half.

Atemu responded by grabbing the Egyptian's slender ankle, forcing him to fall heavily. Before Malik could recover, the ancient Pharaoh slipped his fingers around the tanned neck, squeezing tightly, eliminating his ability to breathe.

Tackling the smaller man, Mariku delivered several blows to that tanned visage, feeling the bones and cartilage of his nose crunch beneath his pounding fist. Pulling the bleeding one to his feet, he placed several more punches, splitting those sensuous lips and blackening the exotically slanted ruby orbs.

He ignored the tearful cries of "Stop!" coming from Yugi, who was struggling to break free of his fellow hikaris unrelenting grip.

The need to punish Atemu continued to dominate Mariku's mind. How dare the Pharaoh lay his hands in anger on any of the hikaris!

Releasing the bruised, battered, and bleeding one, the furious Egyptian retrieved the small tote bag lying beside his lounge chair. His hand delved inside, emerging clutching the Millennium Rod.

Three pairs of stunned eyes stared at him, gaping at the golden item.

"The Millennium Rod?" choked Malik. "But how? The items were lost when the door to the Underworld was sealed after Atemu and Bakura's souls crossed over. "

"Correct, my hikari. But Shadi gathered all the items and hid them away, to prevent anyone from accidentally finding them. They still possess too much power for ordinary mortals to control."

He pointed the Rod at the semi-conscious young man. Obeying the demands and will of its former master, the Rod began glowing, gathering the necessary power to return the ancient spirit to the Underworld. He felt no regret, no remorse, for this necessary action. He hated Atemu for what he had done to his hikari. The casual brutality had damaged the innocence of Yugi's soul.

However, Bakura was a different story. The tomb robber was his closest friend; sending him back would re-open emotional wounds that had yet to heal. But for Ryou's sake, he had to send the Thief King's spirit back as well.

"NO!" screamed Yugi, as he realized Mariku's intention. "You cannot do this! Please!!" Sobs spilled from those trembling lips as a torrent of tears washed over his pale and bruised face.

"Gomen nasi, Yugi, I have no choice." The raging anger has subsided, replaced by an icy calmness. The platinum blonde yami focused all his attention on Atemu.

"Any last words, Pharaoh?" The Rod glowed brighter as it's energy concentrated, ready to eliminate the intended victim.

Confusion and puzzlement battled for dominance in the blackened, swollen, crimson eyes. "Yes," his voice breaking the silence. "What is that?" He gestured at the Millennium Item.

Mariku opened his mouth to berate the arrogant one for attempting to fool him in such a pathetic manner, when another voice intruded, effectively cutting off his words.

"What makes it glow like that?" Bakura asked, his tone excited and curious as he approached the spiky haired man. "Can I touch it?"

Shaken, the Millennium Rod's controller placed the item behind himself, the energy disappearing as it was no longer focused on an object or person.

Lilac eyes locked on the chocolate ones of his friend, the lack of recognition shining in those depths creating a new dilemma and a plethora of questions.

Yugi broke the uncomfortable silence. Hesitantly approaching his dark, he studied the swollen features of his yami. "That is the Millennium Rod. It is one of the seven Millennium Items created by your father's brother in ancient Egypt. Don't you remember?" He tilted his head slightly, searching for a hint of recognition, of remembrance.

Atemu responded with a negative shake of his head. "I've never seen or heard of these 'Millennium Items', hikari, " he stated, a tinge of anger and annoyance lacing his voice. "What kind of game are you playing?"

Yugi exchanged shocked glances with Ryou. The thin, white-haired hikari questioned his precious Kura. "Do you remember the Millennium Ring?" his tear-filled eyes concentrating on the beautiful dark chocolate orbs of his koibito.

A gentle smile graced those alluring lips. "Gomen, my koishii; I don't know what you are referring to."

Malik turned to Mariku. "Koibito, what is going on? Why don't Atemu and Bakura remember their Millennium Items? Their souls were sealed in the Puzzle and the Ring! How can they have no memories of them?"

A strangely familiar and comforting voice responded to the youth's query. "I think I may have the answer to these questions."

Six heads turned to stare in the direction of the patio. Four voices called simultaneously. "Shadi!"

**************************************************************************************************************Okay, that's it for this chapter! Just one more to go...... Please read and review --the next (and final) chapter should be up sometime next weekend.....