Love Lies

Sacrifice

          &;
 Marik spotted the Millennium Rod laying on the floor of Yugi’s bedroom, next to what
looked like a load of dirty laundry.

“How dare they disrespect the rod like that!” He growled under his breath venomously.

As his eyes passed Yugi’s bed, the first rays of the sun revealed Yugi and Ryou nestled
contentedly between the sheets. Marik was quite surprised to find Bakura’s hikari in bed with
the pharaoh’s vessel. He found it odd that Ryou was fully dressed, while Yugi was completely
free of any clothing. As the sun continued to rise and fill the room, Marik noticed something else
at the corner of his eye. A gold reflection seemed to be calling out to him. Marik looked next to
the bed where he saw something glistening in the new sun.

The Millennium Ring.

Marik watched intently as the ring began to glow.er aer a quick flash of light, the Millennium
Ring appeared around Ryou’s neck. His eyes shot open as Bakura took control.

Bakura very skillfully removed Yugi’s leg from around his waist and slipped out of bed. He
motioned for Marik to meet him in front of the building. A minute later, Bakura casually
strolled out of the game shop shining the Millennium Rod with his shirt.

Marik raced over to him and tried to grab it.

“Give me that!”

Bakura pulled away and started to laugh.

“Tone down Ishtar, do you think I’m just going to GIVE you this rod after what you did in that
alley? Don’t you realize how long I’ve waited to have this Millennium item in my possession?”

Marik leered at Bakura.

“Don’t start with me Bakura. The rod belongs to me. The duel I lost it in was fixed, everybody
knows it. Therefore the rod is still lawfully mine.”

“HA! Did you forget I hold two Millennium items? I’m a thief Ishtar, rules mean nothing to
me.”

Marik’s eyes grew dark as he backed away. He crossed his arms and looked condescendingly at
Bakura.

“I should have known better than to trust a demon as you. Let me remind you, soul snatcher,” A
wicked grin spread across Marik’s face.

“.....I’ll get that rod from you, and I’ll use whatever means possible.”

Bakura huffed onto the handle of the Millennium Rod and shined it further with his shirt.“You’re an incorrigible ass, Ishtar. There’s only one you&you’re getting this Millennium Item
from me.”

Marik lowered his eyes and looked at Bakura with animosity.

“And what is that?”

Bakura shoved the rod into his belt loop and stepped forward. He locked eyes with the Egyptian
and laughed sarcastically.

“Follow me”

********************************************************************************

            “Thanks for bringin’ me home Kaiba.” Joey smiled as he walked over a pile of garbage
accumulating on the doorstep.

“It’s no trouble” Seto responded as he narrowly avoided tripping over a man passed out inside.

Seto followed Joey up the rickety old staircase that lead to the second floor of the apartment
complex. He pulled the collar of his coat over his nose to try to block out an overwhelming
repulsive stench.

“What the hell died in here Wheeler?”

Joey casually walked up the stairrryirrying the box of leftover pizza.

“I never figured that out. You get used to it.”

Seto looked around the decrepit building and scowled.

“I can’t believe you pay to live here.”

Joey opened the door to his apartment and showed Seto in.

“It’s better than living next to the dumpster behind Burger World.”

Seto made a sour face as a little white mouse ran across the counter.

Joey jusruggrugged it off.

“Mice are easier to fight for supper than rats.”

Seto cleared his throat and reached into his coat pocket.

“Excuse me for a minute, I need to make a call.”

Joey opened the refrigerator and shrugged.

“Whatever, I’ll be right here.”

Seto walked out into the hallway to make his call, while Joey swatted cockroaches with a
spatula.

“Take that, you supper stealing bastard!” He laughed as he entertained himself.

Moments later Seto walked back into the apartment. He couldn’t help but cringe when he
walked in to find Joey squirting lighter fluid into the kitchen sink. Joey scooped up a handful of
roach carcasses and pitched them into the flammable solution, along with a mob of live ones that
were crawling on the used styrofoam plates in the sink.

“Hey Kaiba, check this out”

Joey swiped a match across a little box in his hand, and pitched it into the sink.

Flames erupted from the sink, sending a cloud of black smoke up to the ceiling.

R“YEAH!” Joey exclaimed as the fire consumed part of his insect problem.

Seto covered his mouth and coughed as the room filled with a thick smoke.

“Wheeler, are you insane?” Seto ask.

Joey started to laugh as the flames died down.

“If you think that’s nuts, you outta see how I catch bats”

Seto shook his head.

“Wheeler, pack your things. I’ve got plenty of extra rooms you can stay in until you find a job.
There’s no way I’m letting you live like this another day.”

“But.....”

“No “buts” about it Wheeler, you’re moving in with me.”

Joey’s jaw dropped in shock.

“Wow-I don’t know what to say.........thanks man.”

“Start packing your things. I have a few errands to run this morning, but I’ll be back later.

I’ll have a moving truck pick up your things once you’re ready.” Seto said firmly.

Joey looked around his practically empty apartment and laughed.

“Don’t bother getting a truck, I think a wheelbarrow will do.”

***********************************************************

            Tristan sat on the couch and twiddled his thumbs nervously as Isis closed the bathroom
door.

Duke just shook his head.

“Whoa man, I never knew Isis could be such a bitch. She didn’t even give you a chance to
explain!”

Tristan covered his face with his hands and sighed.

“She wasn’t always like this.”

Duke nodded his head.

“I know, I remember. So why is she the bitch almighty all the sudden?”

Tristan made a face.

“The doctor says its normal for pregnant woman to wig out.”

Duke scooted closer to Tristan and spoke in a hushed voice.

“Listen man, if you ever need a place to go to get away from this, my door is open. Isis doesn’t
need to know.”

Tristan looked at Duke and smiled.

“Thanks man, I’ll probably take you up on that offer.”

Duke stood up and stretched his torso.

“I have to get going now, but seriously, you know where I live; stop in anytime.”

Tristan stood up and extended his hand.

“Thanks Duke, I appreciate it.”

Duke shook Tristan’s hand and nodded.

“I’ll catch you around”

“Count on it” Tristan groaned as he heard the bathroom door open.

***************************************************************

            Marik followed Bakura to the outskirts ofn ton to a run down graveyard beyond a grove
of twisted Box Elder trees.

The headstones looked very old. A few were tipped over, and most of them were cracked beyond
recognition. Thistles grew around the few that were still standing.

The grounds to this cemetery obviously hadn’t been tended to in a very long time. Marik stopped
and looked around.

“Tell me why you’ve brought me here” he growled at the white haired man walking ahead of
him.

Bakura stopped and turned around.

“What’s the matter Ishtar? Do the souls of the deceased frighten you?”

“Fuck you Bakura. What the hell are you up to, answer me!”

Bakura began to laugh as he pulled the Millennium Rod out of his belt loop. He held up the rod
and pointed it at Marik.

“You seem to forget who is in control here. I now hold the power to control your mind! If you
still desire to possess this item, you must do exactly as I tell you.”

Marik lowered his eyes.

“And what must I do, Bakura?”

Bakura ripped off his shirt, sending buttons flying through the air. He grabbed Marik by his
shoulders and forced him to his knees. He looked down at Marik with a crooked grin.

“Be my bitch Marik. If you want this rod back, you’ll do exactly as I instruct you.......I think you
know where I’m going with this, am I correct Marik?”

Marik’s lavender eyes filled with animosity. He knew exactly what Bakura was up to.

“You’re evil” he hissed as he glared up into Bakura’s lust-filled chestnut eyes.

“Why, thank you Ishtar. You haven’t complimented me like that for a long time.”

Marik glowered up at the devilish yami.

“Let’s just get this fucking over with.”

Bakura licked his lips.

“My, my, my, such a feisty little whore. Such a rude tone of voice! I think you need to be taught
some respect!”

Bakura unscrewed the Millennium Rod and pulled it apart, exposing a very sharp spear.

He got down on his knees and held the sharp end under Marik’s chin, pressing just hard enough
to cause pain.

“I want you to strip.”

Marik reluctantly began taking off his clothing.

Bakura smiled with satisfaction as Marik disrobed.

“So vulnerable.........how does it feel Ishtar?”

“Quit fucking around Bakura, let’s just do this.” Marik snarled.

Bakura cupped Marik’s chin in his palm and gazed into Marik’s furious eyes.

“If you insist”

Bakura shoved Marik down onto the cold ground and quickly covered Marik’s body with his
own. He wasted no time and went right for his prize. He gripped firmly onto Marik’s manhood
and began to stroke it slowly.

“Are you sure you want to proceed Ishtar? This could be rather.......dangerous.”

Marik turned his head and tried to avoid eye contact with the yami.

“I’m not scared of anything. It’s you who should be fearful.”

Bakura gave Marik’s arousal a quick painful jerk, causing the blond to wince. He grinned with
satisfaction as he felt Marik growing hard between his fingers.

“Look at me Marik.” Bakura growled.

Marik refused to look at him.

Bakura used his free hand to slap Marik across the face.

“I said look at me! Do as I say or the rod is forever mine.”

Marik turned his sore cheek slowly and faced the white haired fiend.

“Now kiss me” Bakura instructed him.

Marik couldn’t believe he was allowing himself to be overpowered by the grave robber, but it
was worth whatever Bakura had in store for him if it meant the Millennium Rod would once
again be his. He slowly tilted his head up and pressed his lips against Bakura’s.

“Mmm.....so hot” Bakura moaned into their kiss. He stroked Marik a little faster.

Marik’s breathing got faster as Bakura’s hand worked it’s magic.

“Oh...gods....” he uttered under his breath.

Bakura slipped his snakey tongue beyond Marik’s supple lips and explored the warm cavern of
Marik’s mouth. He felt his jeans become a bit too restricting and need to get rid of them. He
pulled away from the kiss and nipped at Marik’s neck.

“Take my pants off.”

Marik didn’t hesitate to honor Bakura’s request. He tugged at the button and zipper, than slowly
slid Bakura’s jeans down to his knees.

Bakura let out a relieved sigh as the pressure in his jeans was relieved. He lightly licked Marik’s
earlobe as he rocked his hips against Marik’s.

“You look so good writhing beneath me”

Marik glared, but didn’t honor Bakura with a response.

Bakura glanced over to the handle of the Millennium Rod laying on the ground nearby and
grinned wickedly.

“We’ll just have to see how much you love the rod once I’m finished with you.”

Marik’s body shook as the cold reality of what Bakura was planning occurred to him.

***********************************************************************

       Seto parked his Ferrari in one of the underground garage stalls and got out of the car. His
cellphone was pressed to his ear listening attentively to the person at the other end.

“Yes, our plan is working, the pup is like putty in my hands. I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Seto
spoke firmly into his cellphone before closing it and putting it back in his pocket.

 ****************************************************************************