Tales of Arabian Nights

Tales of Arabian Nights

Mally-chan and hato chiisai

YAOI WARNING!!!!

Disclaimer: We do not own Yugioh or I Dream of Jeannie. But hato does own Mikado and Ahmose…

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Chapter 14

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It was New Years Eve, and everyone all over the city of Domino were celebrating. They were either in large extravagant parties, or gatherings of geeks playing video games, kids driving the host child's parents insane... or lovers spending a few tender moments together. But despite the efforts of his friends to get him out and cheer him up, Marik had stayed in, alone. He sat with a soda in the living room surrounded by pieces of string. He was diligently practicing the love knot. He blinked at a sudden knock on the door. Frowning, Marik stood and moved to the front door, opening it.

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Ryou jumped as his cell phone went off unexpectedly.

"Hello?" He said softly. He gave Otogi a confused look as they walked.

Otogi shrugged. "Maybe he finished it."

"Ryou? It's Bakura." Came a very strained voice. "Where are you, I need to come get you. Marik's in the hospital."

"What happened?" Ryou said a bit taken aback. "He didn't start doing those drugs again did he?"

"I don't really know what happened but... from what the police have managed to figure out, Marik was attacked and shot." Bakura said. "Where are you?!"

Ryou looked worried. "Main Street... Otogi and I were walking to the popcorn shop for some cinnamon popcorn..."

"Okay, I know where that is. I'll be there in five minutes." Bakura said, and hung up abruptly. Otogi looked at Ryou.

"What's wrong?" He asked, sounding concerned.

"Marik got shot..." Ryou whimpered softly. "He's not supposed to die! He's supposed to finish my knot and love me!"

Otogi blinked. "He got shot?! How?!" He gasped.

Ryou sniffled softly. "I don’t know!"

Otogi wrapped his arms around Ryou, hugging him. "Don't worry..." He said softly. "I'm sure he'll be fine. And he'll finish that knot... Come on... lemme get you something warm to drink. It will help calm you down..." He said, heading for the little popcorn place.

Ryou sniffled softly and nuzzled into Otogi's arms. "O-ok..." he mumbled softly. "Thank you..." Otogi got him a hot chocolate and Ryou drank it slowly, his arms shaking in his unease.

Very soon after, a lamborghini came flying around the corner, skidding on the icy street. Otogi raised an eyebrow when the car slid to a stop next to them, and the passenger door opened.

"Get in." Came a voice from inside the car. Otogi blinked and looked at Ryou, a bit startled and alarmed.

Ryou shoved Otogi in and got in as well. "Is he ok?" He asked softly, giving Bakura a worried look.

"I don't know." Bakura said. "He's in surgery. The doctor would only talk to Ishizu. She didn't look too good, either..."

Ryou nodded. "What do YOU think? What happened?"

"I don't know, Ryou." Bakura said. "All I know is that Marik didn't go to the hospital alone." He turned and gave Ryou a slight smile. "The guy who shot him went, too. Apparently, Marik fought like hell..."

Ryou wiped his eyes and nodded, cuddling into Otogi, shaking. "He'll... he'll be ok.." he said softly. "Can I see him when we get there? Will the operation be over?"

"I don't know, Ryou. I'm sorry, but I don't know much. I've TOLD you all I know..." Bakura said. "So, um... who's this guy?"

"Otogi." Otogi replied, and Bakura swerved slightly, turning and looking at him.

"YOU are Otogi?!" He asked, suddenly looking a lot less friendly, which was amazing, because he didn't look very friendly in the first place.

Ryou swatted Bakura softly. "Please don’t glare. Otogi is a nice person." He said softly, giving Bakura a soft look. "He's done nothing wrong."

Bakura snorted and turned, focusing on the road. The rest of the ride was in silence. When they arrived at the hospital, Bakura led the way inside. In the waiting room, Ishizu was sitting with her face in her hands, Malik trying to comfort her. Mikado was flipping through old magazines and Ahmose and Yami were in the corner with their heads together, while Yugi watched the television up by the ceiling in the corner. They all looked up when Bakura arrived with Ryou.

Ryou swallowed hard. "Is he ok? Is the operation over?" he asked softly.

Ishizu sniffed and rubbed her eyes, smearing mascara over her face. "N-No... they removed the bullet... now they're repairing internal damage and trying to stop the bleeding..." She said softly. "Thank the gods he was able to get to a phone... if he hadn't..."

Ryou nodded. "I... I see..." he said softly. "I will make him better...."

No one said anything in reply. Ryou and Otogi sat down side by side, and Bakura sat down on Ishizu's other side, joining Malik in comforting her. They sat in silence for nearly two hours before the surgeon came in. He announced with a small smile that the surgery had been a success; the bullet had been removed and turned over to investigators, they had managed to stop Marik's internal bleeding and fix the damage to his liver, and he was now resting in recovery and receiving a blood transfusion. The doctor told them they could go up and see Marik, and gave them the room number.

In silence, the group made their way up to the fourth floor and to Marik's room. The lighting was dim, and a nurse was checking on things. Marik still had not come out of the anesthesia, but the nurse assured them that he would be waking soon, and cautioned them to be quiet and calm and keep the lights dim.

Ryou peered at Marik and pouted. "Poor master..." he whispered softly. "You'll be ok." he cooed.

Yami smiled slightly as Ryou cuddled on Marik. "I think he was bluffing about the other string..." He said softly to Ahmose.

Ahmose smiled slightly and gave a slight nod. "He loves Marik..." He whispered back, moving against the wall to allow Marik's family to be near him; Ishizu and Malik, and those who were not family by blood, but were considered family, Bakura and Ryou. Otogi hung back even further, standing by the door and watching.

Ishizu pet her cousin's cheek, sniffling at looking at how pale he was. But his color was better than it had been when the ambulance brought him in... She took his hand and stroked it gently, and a few minutes later, his fingers twitched.

Ryou offered Otogi a warm smile and stepped back from the bed as it was over crowded and he wanted to give Marik some air. "He'll... be ok..." he said nuzzling into him.

Yami hugged Ahmose and smiled. "I think he'll wake up soon..."

Ahmose nodded. "Yes... he's coming out of the anesthesia." And no sooner had Ahmose spoken those words, then Marik stirred and moaned slightly, blinking his eyes open. Ishizu stood quickly, reaching out and placing a hand on Marik's cheek.

"Marik, honey? Marik?" She called softly, and the others crept closer. Marik moaned again and his eyes fell closed for a moment before opening again.

Ryou squeaked softly and stood on his tiptoes, to see over the others who were hunched over Marik, from his position across the room. "Marik?"

Marik's eyes immediately cleared and darted in the direction that Ryou's voice had come from. His face lit up at the call, and he slowly turned his head, wincing a bit. Ishizu sighed and leaned over Marik, inspecting the horrible bruise covering the left side of his face, and almost preventing him from opening his left eye.

"Oh, Marik, sweetie..." She breathed, smoothing his bangs off of his forehead. Bakura looked back at Ryou and moved aside, making room for the little genie.

Ryou scuttled forward and gave Marik a worried look. "Marik... what happened?!"

Marik just looked at Ryou, and smiled. "I wouldn't let him just kill me... I made a promise to you... I promised to live. So I... I fought him. I fought for my life... for you..." He said softly, his voice tired and weak. "Because I love you. And I think you still love me. I've felt the pain of losing you twice before... I couldn't put you through that pain..."

Ryou smiled and shook his head, placing his hand on Marik's cheek. His hand glowed softly, and he began to heal his lover. "Master..." he cooed softly. "You're reckless..."

"I saw the guy who did it, Marik..." Malik said softly. "It was that guy you've been sleeping with..." Marik sighed.

"I wouldn't say sleeping with..." He mumbled. "It was the guy I had... allowed to use me. That's why he came over..." He confessed. "New Years Eve, he was drunk, wanted some action. I told him to get it somewhere else. He got mad tried to force me, we fought, and he pulled a gun on me..." He said. "Shot me... then tried to force himself on me again. I wouldn't let him. Finally managed to hit him over the head and get to a phone before I passed out... I... I didn't kill him, did I?!"

"No." Ahmose said. "He had a concussion and is getting stitches, but... He'll be fine, unfortunately. He's being arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, attempted sexual assault and attempted murder."

Ryou finished relieving Marik's pain and pouted. "Reckless! I told you, you shouldn't do such things..." He mumbled. "Surrounding yourself in that sort of thing only gets you that sort of thing..." He shook his head. "Feel better?"

Marik smiled at Ryou. "Yeah..." He breathed, relaxing. "Still tired, but..."

"It's probably your blood loss..." Ishizu cooed, petting her cousin's hair.

"How long am I gonna be in here?" Marik asked.

"I don't know, Marik." Ishizu said. "A week?"

"Can someone bring me the... the string?" He asked softly. "I was... working on the knot when I was attacked..."

Ryou nodded softly and reached into his pocket, magically producing Marik's knot. "Here."

Marik blinked. "Oh..." He said, and took it, blushing. "Thanks..." He said, looking down at the messy little knot. He gave a deep sigh. "Can I get some water, please?"

Ryou nodded and hurried to the bedside table and poured Marik a glass, bringing it back. "Here..."

Marik smiled took the glass carefully, sipping it. "Thanks..." He said, smiling at Ryou. The group realized that Marik had smiled more in the past five minutes than he had in the past five months.

Ryou blushed softly. "Will you be ok?" he asked giving Marik a worried look.

Marik blinked. "I dunno... ask the doctor." Ahmose chuckled at that.

Ryou pouted. "I asked you!"

Marik sighed. "Well... I FEEL okay... thanks to you..." He said, smiling again. Bakura sighed and wrapped his arm around Malik, kissing his cheek.

Ryou smiled softly. "I'll… come back tonight." He said softly. "And watch you... I should walk Otogi home..."

Marik jerked and dropped his water, spilling it in his lap, and his eyes widened. "Otogi?!" He looked around, and his eyes finally rested on the dark haired boy at the door. He stared, stone faced. Otogi blinked, and shifted, nervously.
"Don’t glare." Ryou said calmly. "Otogi kept me calm while we waited for Bakura to pick us up..." he explained softly.

Marik glared a moment longer, then turned away and slowly picked up the empty cup. He didn't say anything, just stared at the little silver thread sitting on his legs.

Ryou sighed softly. "C'mon now...you're working on your knot right?" He asked softly. "Otogi is too... How far along are you?" He hadn't really looked at Marik's knot when he'd given it to him.

Marik sighed and shrugged. "I don't know..." He whispered. "I can't get it right..."

"Oh..." Ryou frowned. "Otogi hasn't had much trouble with his..." He said softly. "It looked very nice last time I saw it…"

This made Marik frowned, and he glared bitterly at his own knot. Ahmose glanced at Yami with a raised eyebrow.

Ryou frowned as well. "C'mon now... you can get it if you try." Ryou said softly, pulling his own finished knot from his pocket. "Look at mine."

Marik lifted his eyes and stared at the thing, silently inspecting every aspect of the knot, trying to figure out how it had been done. Down the hall, they heard counting at the nurses' station as the clock ticked down the last seconds until midnight.

Ryou shook his head softly. "You'll get it... try." he cooed, leaning down to kiss Marik at the stroke of midnight...

Bakura smiled and hugged Malik close as cheering came from the nurses' station, ringing in the New Year. Marik closed his eyes sighed into Ryou's gentle kiss. He wanted to fling his arms around Ryou and hold him close, but he resisted, not wanting to upset Ryou and scare him away.

Ryou pulled away and grinned. "Otogi and I should go home. He promised me champagne and firecrackers." he said grinning. "I enjoy both."

Marik sighed and stared at Ryou wistfully, obviously not wanting him to leave.

Ryou smiled. "I'll come back tonight after they lock up..." he cooed softly. "Okay? Work on your knot until then..." he smiled and turned to Otogi and giggled. "Let’s go."

Otogi was only too glad to get out of there. "Good grief, Ryou..." He gasped. "What did you tell him about me?! It looked like he wanted to kill me where I stood?!"

"You're the one who suggested I tell him you were getting a string too." Ryou said crossing his arms. "He's very... protective. He loves me..." Ryou gave a dreamy sigh.

Otogi snorted. "He's fuckin' scary, that's what he is..."

Ryou giggled softly. "Well he's my master, what can I say?"

Otogi blinked. "Your master? What?"

Ryou blushed. "Oh... it's nothing." he said quickly. "You wouldn't believe me."

"Riiiight..." Otogi drawled, and accompanied Ryou out of the hospital.

Back in his room, Marik sighed and smiled hesitantly at his cousins and friends.

Yami grinned. "He kissed you." He said grinning. "I think he's rooting for you to finish your knot first..." he urged.

Marik sighed and looked down at his knot. "I'll try..." He said softly, his smiles having left with Ryou.

Malik grinned. "Yeah, he kissed you! And he even got your string for you... I think he's just waiting for you to finish, so he can come home!"

Yami nodded. "Otogi didn't get any kisses. Just you."

"And don't forget, Marik." Ahmose said with a smile. "He also gave you his bottle. Isn't THAT also his home?"

Yami nodded eagerly. "Exactly. He wants you to just do that for him."

Marik sighed and finally, they had managed to coax a tiny smile out of him. "Would... someone bring the bottle?" He asked. "Next time they come?"

Malik nodded. "Sure Marik..." he said softly. "I'll bring it tomorrow."

"Thanks." Marik said softly. He opened his mouth to say something else, but a nurse bustled in.

"Alright folks, I know it's New Years, but visiting hours ended at ten. I'm sorry, but you're going to have to leave. If you want, one FAMILY member can stay with him overnight..." She looked at Ishizu questioningly.

Ishizu gave Marik a smile. "I think I'll go home... someone else wanted to come tonight to spend the night with him." She said grinning.

Malik grinned too. "Keep trying Marik... you'll get the knot right..."

Marik sighed and looked down at the knot, then smiled and nodded. "Yeah... I will."

"Take it easy, Marik." Bakura said with a smile, giving his best friend a squeeze on the shoulder, and he left with Malik. Yugi smiled and waved, and walked out with Mikado.

Around one thirty, Marik heard soft giggles in his room. Soft giggles that could only come from a certain genie...

Marik looked up from where he was diligently working on the knot, but seemed to have more success in tying knots in his hair than getting the string knotted correctly; he was very frustrated.

“You're not doing it right...." Ryou said softly, shimmering into view. "It's not that hard...."

Marik sighed. "Ryou, I can hardly tie my shoes!!! Hence the reason I don't wear shoes with laces..."

Ryou frowned. "How can you not tie your shoes? Didn't you go to school?"

Marik snickered. "Well... Ryou, when I was young, me and Malik and Ishizu... we lived underground in Egypt." He said, looking at Ryou. "We were TombKeepers. Ishizu got us out as soon as she could, and brought us to Japan. I was nine years old the first time I had a shoe with laces, and I hated them!!!"

Ryou giggled. "Well... I was somewhere around… 3016 when I had my first pair." He teased. He waved his hand and a new silver thread appeared. "Here... look." he cooed softly sitting in mid air and beginning to weave the small string in and out of loops, making a beautiful celtic knot.

Marik just stared, eyes wide in amazement. He smiled and looked at Ryou. "You are... amazing..." He said softly, and looked down at his own poor little knot again.

Ryou smiled. "No. I'm just a genie." he giggled softly. "Got it?" he offered his string to Marik.

Marik blinked and slowly untied his own string, and started over, tongue poking out of his mouth in concentration.

Ryou smiled softly. "I wish you hadn't been so reckless and irresponsible..." he said waving a hand. A cool cloth appeared and rested on Marik's bruised cheek. "Master, even if I'm not here... you can’t be so careless... your life is just as precious as mine is.... more precious than mine is." Ryou said shaking his head. "I'm furious about what you've done... When you finish your knot... you'll prove to me you're still dedicated to just me... and not some one ELSE anymore."

Marik sighed and nodded. "Ryou. YOU are what makes my life precious. Without you, it's nothing." He said softly. "I love you." He sighed and blinked, looking down at the finished knot. He looked at it, then looked at Ryou’s, and sat back in a huff. It was close, but not correct.

Ryou smirked slightly. "Talk is cheap. Prove your love in a knot." he cooed laying down on his side in mid air next to Marik. "They're all the rage."

Marik raised an eyebrow. "Oh are they?"

Ryou nodded giggling softly. "Oh yes, all the lovers are making them these days. I'm hurt you won’t make me a nice one." He said grinning.

"I'm trying!!!" Marik whined. "This is the closest I've gotten!!!"

Ryou grinned and nodded. "I know. I should tell you about Otogi's knot." He giggled. "That'd make you try harder."

Marik frowned. "Did you REALLY give him a knot?" He asked.

Ryou nodded calmly. "Yes."

Marik eyed Ryou. "Do you love him?" He asked, softly.

"If you let me down, then yes, I can love him. He's very kind, he's cute, and he's considerate..." Ryou cooed. "I could love either of you."

Marik frowned and looked down at his knot, and began untying it, looking quite hurt and upset.

Ryou sighed softly. "Why would it matter? If you'd follow me to the ends of the earth, then tying a simple knot shouldn't be a problem at all."

Marik snorted. "Didn't you say that it took you THREE years?!" He asked, looking up at Ryou, looking a bit peeved.

"Yes, but it's hard to tie a truelove knot for someone you're not truly in love with." He explained calmly. "It comes easily now."

Marik blinked and looked Ryou in the eye, cocking his head slightly. "You've also had hundreds of years to practice."

Ryou sighed softly. "Otogi doesn't know anything about celtic knots either, and he's doing fine. Why must you complain so much? Am I not worth the effort?" Ryou said giving Marik a hurt look. "Is that it? I'm not worth tying a knot for? I know it's not easy… but forgiveness isn't given, it's EARNED."

Marik sighed and nodded. “I know, I know… I guess… I’m just scared that I’ll let you down…” He confessed. “I don’t want to lose you… I can’t deal with it again. Ryou, if I lose you… I can’t promise you that I… well… you know…” And he lowered his eyes and stared at his hands.

Ryou shook his head. "I'm not a reason to live, or to die for." Ryou said softly. "You were alive before you met me." He untied his string and began weaving it again. "I don’t understand how you can love me SO deeply that you think I'm the only thing you have to live for..."

Marik blinked and watched Ryou's hands carefully, mimicking him. When they were done, he looked at Ryou's knot, then at his own. He whined. His was SO CLOSE!!! But it still wasn't right... He dropped the knot and sat back in a huff, deciding to pout for a while.

"Because." He said, finally answering Ryou. "Before I met you I just sat around in my cousin's basement growing mold. I had a job because SHE made me get one. I had no idea what I would do for the rest of my life. When I met you... I actually started to LIVE. And it was BECAUSE I met you. I love you. And you gave my life meaning. Something it's never had before. Have you any idea what it's like to lose the meaning of your life. To be left unable to live? To just... EXIST? Because that's what I was doing! I wasn't LIVING when you were gone Ryou... I was EXISTING. Do you understand how I say I can't LIVE without you?! I can be ALIVE without you, but I can't LIVE. And if you can't LIVE... then why continue to be alive?"

Ryou sighed softly. "Master... I really wish you wouldn't say things like that... I have existed a lot longer than you." he said smiling. "You scared Otogi." he said after a moment.

Marik's eyes narrowed and he grumbled, shifting a bit. Ah... the Green Eyed Monster was showing its face in Marik...

Ryou giggled. "Master... are you... jealous?" he squeaked, highly amused.

Marik's scowl turned to a pout and he glared at Ryou, slightly.

Ryou's grin turned into a broad smile. "You ARE!" he giggled at that.

Marik snorted and turned away to glare at the door to the room.

Ryou giggled softly. "I should tease you. Tell you ALL about him. You're cute when you pout."

Marik put on an extremely bitchy scowl this time, and would have rolled onto his side if he could.

Ryou giggled. "You're so cute when you pout." He cooed, kissing Marik's cheek.

Marik huffed, but a bit of a pink tinge rose in his cheeks.

"I've spoiled you absolutely rotten!" Ryou giggled more. "You're used to having whatever you want now! Master you're becoming a very spoiled man!" he sat up and giggled loudly. "Otogi kisses better than you." he said smirking. "You should try harder!"

Before Ryou could blink an eye, Marik's hand shot out and siezed him. The next thing Ryou knew, he had been thrown across Marik's lap and found Marik's lips on his own, delivering the most mind blowing kiss he possibly could.

Ryou blushed darkly and giggled once Marik was done. "Much better." He cooed dazedly, nuzzling into Marik.

Marik held Ryou close, hissing at the pain it caused his gun shot wound, to have the genie resting his weight on it, but he didn't care.

"Gods..." He gasped. "This... this is the first time in nearly six months I've been able to hold you..." He choked out, losing his fight to hold back tears. "Oh gods, Ryou... You're alive... you're alive... Gods, I love you so much... please... don't leave me again..."

Ryou smiled. "Finish your knot, and I'll come back." he cooed. "Until then Otogi gets to kiss all over me." Ryou said smirking. "Incentive to hurry?"

Marik snorted. "So in other words... he gets to have you while he works on his knot and I have to just wait?!"

"You're in the hospital." Ryou said calmly. "And he promised to take me to the movies!"

Marik frowned and looked down, pouting. "Yeah... well... while HE takes you to the movies, I'LL be working on this Ra-forsaken knot..."

Ryou giggled once more and rubbed noses with Marik. "uh huh... while he plays, you work diligently... and you'll finish first..."

Marik gave a depressed sigh, but smiled at the little nose rubbing, and he hugged Ryou. "Only if I let go of you..." He mumbled, before giving Ryou a smooch.

Ryou kissed Marik back and grinned. "You know I could get away easily, if I chose." he cooed.

Marik frowned and pouted. "But it would make me cry..." He said coercively.

"You'd cry anyway because I'm laying on a bullet wound." Ryou said crossing his arms.

Marik blinked, then winced and gave Ryou a guilty grin. "As long as it's you, I'll deal with it. Anyone else, and I would scream and howl and pitch a fuss."

Ryou grinned. "I love you sometimes."

Marik gave Ryou a sad look. "Only sometimes?"

Ryou grinned. "Only sometimes... if I loved you all the time... I would die of joy." He cooed.

Marik frowned. "Then don't love me all the time. The last thing I want is for you to die again..."

Ryou giggled and kissed his cheek. "I adore you all of my time though..." he cooed smiling. "I will always adore you..."

Marik smiled and hugged Ryou again, kissing him gently.

"I love you..." He whispered, moving in and kissing Ryou again.

But at that moment they were rudely interrupted by the door opening to admit a nurse. She froze, eyes wide, and stared.

"..... Oops..." Marik mumbled.

Ryou giggled softly. "Hello!" he waved grinning. What else was he to do? She'd caught him...

"What is going on in here?!" The nurse cried, hurrying over. "Visiting hours ended hours ago!!! And you're... you're..."

"Kissing?" Marik asked.

"YES!!! This is a HOSPITAL!!!" She shouted, and turned to Ryou. "Get off of him!!! He's injured!!!"

Ryou squeaked and scuttled off of Marik and to the opposite side of his bed. "I'm off!"

"Oh dear..." The nurse said, pulling the sheets down and looking at the bandages, which had fresh blood on them. She scowled and looked at Ryou. "Out. Now." She said, then looked at Marik. "I'm going to get the doctor."

Ryou pouted. "But he made me!" he said pointing at Marik. "He's the one who pulled me into his lap!" He sniffled. "I should turn you into a newt..." he mumbled crossing his arms and looking away, pouting.

"Out." The nurse said again, before running off to find the doctor. Marik leaned back and pouted.

"Hmmph..."

Ryou pouted and slammed the door behind her and locked her out. "stupid..." he pouted childishly. "It's not fair! I didn’t even do it!"

Marik chuckled. "Ryou, unlock the door. And just go invisible."

Ryou grinned and nodded shimmering for a moment then disappearing. There was a soft click and the door unlocked

Marik smiled and shook his head. "You are something else, Ryou..." He chuckled, and a moment later the doctor came in, the nurse following.

"So... where's the kid who caused the trouble?" the doctor asked as he went over to Marik and began to tend his wounds.

Marik snorted. "SHE made him leave..." He pouted, glaring at the nurse.

"He was sitting on Mr. Ishtar's stomach and they were making out." the nurse said, rolling her eyes. "Not only is that inappropriate for a hospital, but it's 2 am. Visiting hours ended four hours ago."

The doctor chuckled. "Getting into trouble even in a hospital Mr. Ishtar?" he said as he worked. "You'd think you'd learn from past mistakes."

Marik snorted. "Yeah, you would think, huh?" He muttered, watching the doctor's hands removed his bandages.

After a few moments the doctor applied a new set of liquid stitches to his real stitches and rebandaged Marik. "No more make out sessions in the hospital." he scolded. "Save that for when you're feeling better."

Marik snorted and crossed his arms. "I AM feeling better." He said. "AND bored."

"Get some sleep, Mr. Ishtar." The nurse said.

"Not sleepy."

"We can help you with that."

"No thanks." Marik snorted.

The doctor chuckled once more. "Alright... Nurse, go see if that kid left... Make sure he's not wandering around." He said, leaving the room.

The nurse sighed and nodded. "Someone will check in on you in about half an hour, Mr. Ishtar." She said, and followed the doctor out, closing the door quietly.

Ryou giggled once they were gone and appeared next to Marik, sitting once more in midair. "They're bossy."

Marik chuckled. "It's their job." He said, picking up his knot and working on it.

Ryou huffed. "I don’t like them... can’t I turn them into toads or scarabs?"

"No!!!" Marik laughed, wincing and laying a hand over his belly where his wound was. He stopped laughing quickly. "I need them to help me get better." He explained. "You know better than that."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. "Alright..." he mumbled softly. "But only because I want you better!"

Marik smiled at Ryou, but after a moment, his smile turned devilish. "Say that again... without the last word..."

Ryou giggled loudly and leaned forward to kiss Marik. "I want you..." he cooed seductively.

Marik groaned and closed the distance between them, kissing Ryou pasionately.

Ryou smiled and ran a hand through Marik's hair. "I love you."

"Gods..." Marik groaned, pulling Ryou close to lie beside him on the bed. "I love you too... I want you... I want you so bad..." He gasped between kisses.

Ryou shivered softly, blushing and kissing Marik. "M-master...h-he said no making out in the hospital!" he squeaked, blushing more.

"Oh, I don't intend to... heh... make out..." Marik murmured against Ryou's lips.

Ryou yelped and squirmed. "Master! Nooo!" he gasped trying to pull away. "The doctor said!"

"The doctor said no making out..." Marik gasped, holding Ryou to him and sliding a hand down his back, pressing Ryou's hips into his own, kissing him again.

Ryou gave a shuddering moan, squirming softly. "M-master I think....I think he meant none of th-this either!" he squeaked into the kissing his struggles slowly subsiding.

"He should be more specific, then." Marik mumbled. "And Ryou... I want to hear you say my name... don't call me 'master'... call me by my name..."

Ryou nuzzled into Marik. "You'll always be my master..." he cooed softly. "Not just because you freed me, or found me...because I choose you to be." he said lovingly.

Marik blinked, then smiled and held Ryou close. "It would still make me very happy to hear you speaking my name..." He whispered, stroking Ryou's hair.

Ryou grinned. "alright...." he cooed. "SOMETIMES."

Marik smiled and pulled Ryou close, kissing him tenderly and rotating his hips against Ryou's moaning softly into Ryou's mouth.

Ryou whimpered, kissing Marik lustfully. "Th-the nurse...coming back..." he murmured brokenly, hands beginning to roam over Marik's body. "S-she'll...see."

"Not for at least twenty minutes..." He whispered, sliding a hand down over Ryou's bottom.

Ryou hissed needily. "b-but..." he mumbled littering kisses over Marik's face, slowly down his jaw and neck. "what if she...comes back early....?"

Marik grinned. "Lock the door..." He whispered, and squeezed the flesh in his hand.

Ryou blushed darkly at Marik, and a soft click from the door was heard.

Marik grinned, taking that as Ryou's okay to go on. He crushed his lips onto Ryou's, grinding against him, panting and moaning.

Ryou moaned softly in response. "h-how far d-do you intend to go? y-you're hurt...." he groaned seductively.

"As far as I can..." Marik gasped, lifting one of Ryou's legs to wrap around his waist.

Ryou gasped softly, grinding his hips against Marik's. "You're....horrible..." he mewled longingly. "You know better...."
Marik chuckled. "No I don't." He said, sliding a hand around Ryou's hips to massage his groin.

At that exact moment, when both were ready to ravage the other, there came a knock on the door and Ryou whined loudly, disappearing, though still next to Marik panting and whimpering softly.

"Fuck..." Marik hissed. "Ryou! Did you unlock the door?!"

The door clicked softly and the nurse came in. "Is that boy back in here?!" She said looking peeved.

Marik squeaked and looked at her with wide eyes and a flushed face. "N-N-No..." He said.

"Who were you talking to?" She said crossing her arms and tapping her foot.

"No one!!!" Marik said quickly, keeping himself turned to the side to hide his... arousal.

The nurse narrowed her eyes, and began searching the room. Ryou whimpered softly, clinging to Marik and shaking slightly. Damn him for turning him on like this!

Marik gulped and watched the nurse.

"He's not here!!!"

"Sure he isn't." She said giving Marik a look. "You're just boned to be here right?"

Marik's eyes widened and he looked down at the tenting in the bedsheets, then smirked. "Or maybe I'm just boned to see you, cupcake."

"I doubt it." She said rolling her eyes. "Now where is he?"

"I dunno." Marik said, shrugging. "Probably at home."

She huffed softly and continued her search until after ten minutes, she gave up. "If I catch him in here again I'm calling the police..."

Marik frowned. "Why?! I was told someone could stay with me overnight! Why does it HAVE to be a blood relative?!"

"Because apparently otherwise means making out." She said glaring.

Marik frowned. "Would you let a patient's spouse stay with them?"

"Not when they're your age and HIS age. What was he? Sixteen?" She said harshly.

Marik blinked then chuckled. "You couldn't guess his age if your life depended on it..." He said, grinning.

"It doesn't matter. He's not allowed back in here." She said firmly. "If I catch him I'm calling the police for trespassing."

Marik sat up. "Ever?!" He yelped, looking distressed.

"Ever!" She huffed and stormed out.

"WHAT?!" Marik howled at the top of his lungs. "BITCH!!!"

"Shhh..." Ryou cooed softly, kissing Marik's cheek, still invisible. "It's ok..."

Marik growled. "Lock the door again..." He grumbled.

Ryou laughed softly and the door clicked once more. "Don’t pout unless you're pouting for me." he cooed.

"Stupid bitch..." He grumbled. "Ryou... it's hard to kiss you when I can't see you."

"It's best then. You almost got me in trouble!" Ryou squeaked.

Marik frowned. "But... Ryou..." He said softly, searching the sheets where he knew Ryou was lying.

Ryou giggled. "Stop that tickles!" he squeaked loudly. "Stop!"

"Let me see you!!!" Marik whined. "Please!!!" And he found Ryou's groin and began rubbing it temptingly.

Ryou groaned softly and swatted Marik's hand. "NO!"

Marik jerked it back, but replaced it quickly enough with a whine.

"Masssterrr!" Ryou whined. "You're gonna get me in trouble!"

"Only if we get caught..." Marik whispered, searching for Ryou's mouth with his own.

Ryou giggled more and squirmed. "You said that right before we almost did!"

"So make yourself invisible to all but me." Marik said, squeezing and massaging Ryou between the legs.

Ryou squirmed. "NO!" he giggled. "The doctor said no! You'll get me in trouble!"

Marik snorted. "Do I REALLY have to put the moves on an invisible guy, Ryou?" He whined, pulling Ryou's hips tight against his own.

Ryou groaned. "Maybe you should stop..." he mumbled dumbly.

"Only if I want my penis to turn blue and fall off..." Marik grumbled.

Ryou grinned. "I can turn you off really fast."

Marik's eyes widened. "Oh, don't you DARE!!!"

Ryou giggled and waved his hands, alleviating Marik's... arousal.

"RYOUUUUUU!!!" Marik wailed.

"What?" Ryou said giggling amusedly. "I told you I could!"

"And I told you not to!!!" Marik whined loudly. "Dammit!!!"

Ryou laughed harder. "I can do what I want, I'm a free genie!" he said joyfully.

Marik blinked, then sighed and flopped onto his back with a wince. "Yeah..." He said softly. "Yeah, you are..." He smiled lightly and closed his eyes.

A moment later Marik found himself furry. "My precious precious Marik.." Ryou cooed pulling the lion cub into his arms and loving on him.

Marik let out a slight yowl at the pain of his gunshot wound and being moved so suddenly, but he quickly calmed and purred, cuddling into Ryou's arms and nuzzling his chest.

Ryou smiled reappearing and scratching Marik's ears. "Finish your knot soon... ok?" he cooed softly. "I want to come home."

"Murrrrrrrrrrrr..." Marik purred, and dug his little claws into Ryou's clothes, so Ryou wouldn't be able to just put him down and leave.

Ryou giggled softly. "I wish I could take you home and heal you...." he cooed softly. "But the doctors would notice..."

"Murrrumph..." Marik grunted, looking annoyed.

Ryou giggled softly and scratched his back softly. "Your back... I wish I could take away the markings..."

Marik blinked and looked up at Ryou, cocking his head and swivelling his ears a bit, tail softly wagging.

At that Ryou grinned and a large piece of steak appeared in front of him. "Want it?"

Marik perked up immediately, eyes wide. He licked his lips and his tail swang around wildly.

Ryou grinned and gave him the steak. "My precious master..." he cooed petting him as his little lion lover began tearing into the steak.

Marik purred loudly and enjoyed the steak immensely, licking his paws when it was gone. He laid his head down on Ryou's chest and stared him in the eyes with his own large lilac eyes.

"I love you." Ryou cooed grinning. "You're so adorable..." he ran a glowing hand over Marik's little body and relieved his pain once more. "You're perfect."

Marik sighed and purred even louder, closing his eyes lightly and enjoying the gentle touches.

"Spoiled rotten." Ryou repeated giggling.

Marik wiggled his way up Ryou's chest until he could reach Ryou's face, and began licking his chin, continuing the loud purrs.

Ryou sighed softly. "When you're better... come visit me at my home... bring me flowers, and sweep me away to your home..." Ryou said longingly. "I don’t like that apartment alone.."

Marik closed his eyes and purred again, snuggling his head under Ryou's chin and nuzzling his throat.

"If you weren't my master..." Ryou cooed petting him. "You'd be my pet...my eternal companion...I'd groom you and make you so fat with love and food...." he giggled. "You'd be a fat housecat."

Marik lifted his head and glared at Ryou. "Murrrph..." He grumbled.

Ryou laughed. "Maybe I'll keep you this way, and stay with Otogi, and we all three can be together." Ryou said in mock thoughtfulness.

"MAOOOOO!!!" Marik yowled, leaping to his feet, only to wince in pain.

Ryou once again took away Marik's pain and turned him back to normal, laying in the bed. "Calm down!"

"I am NOT going to be your pet and sit around watching you with another man!!!" Marik shouted.

Ryou grinned. "And why not? Maybe I'd be happier?" he said poking Marik playfully. "I'd never ask you to do that."

"Good." Marik grunted. "I think I'd throw myself in front of an eighteen wheeler..."

"Not if you were an indoor cat." Ryou said smirking. "An indoor cat with a pretty jingly bell collar."

Marik glared. "Fine... I'd drown myself in a toilet... either that or choke on a goldfish..."

"I wouldn't keep goldfish, and I like the toilet seat cover down." Ryou countered grinning.

Marik snorted. "Fine... I'd eat your boyfriend's hair products..." Marik said with a grin. "He looks like he uses a shit load..."

Ryou laughed again. "And you don’t hmm?" he said poking Marik's hair. "Shame."

Marik snorted. "No. I don't." He said.

Ryou giggled. "Were you shocked badly as a child?"

"Hey!!!" Marik howled. "NO!!!"

Ryou shook his head grinning, leaning forward to kiss Marik. "Silly."

Marik pouted, but allowed Ryou to kiss him, and his pout gradually disappeared.

"You wouldn’t kill yourself anyway." Ryou cooed. "Because every night when he fell asleep, you and I could have fun he would wish to have..." Ryou said seductively.

Marik snorted. "You think that would make up for it?" He asked, looking at Ryou.

"I think you'd be content knowing I loved you more than him, and you spent your days as a CAT." Ryou giggled. "Your ego would be huge..."

Marik snorted. "Funny."

"If you don’t finish your knot, that's how it will be. Otogi will win me over." Ryou said sternly. "I don’t want you to let me down..."

Marik frowned and looked down, then his eyes widened and he looked around. "Hey! Where IS my knot?!"

Ryou looked hurt. "You lost it already?!" he sighed softly and waved a hand, producing the unwound string. "Here..."

Marik smiled and accepted it. "Thanks..." He said softly, and began working on it again, yawning.

Ryou sighed longingly. "You should sleep... it's nearly four a.m."

Marik smiled and nodded. "Yeah... I am tired..." He mumbled, and set the half completed knot aside, settling down in the hospital bed with a wince. "I'm glad you're here..."

Ryou smiled and kissed Marik's forehead. "I'll come back sometime..." he cooed fading to invisibility once more.

Marik sighed and smiled slightly, closing his eyes when the lights were flicked off. "I love you..." He called softly.

Ryou sighed softly, and went home the magic way. Teleportation.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

MenacingK: O.o poopy-heads? Um… okay, thanks for taking me back to kindergarten… Glad you’re liking it, even though it’s sad!!!

A: You bet Ryou’s stubborn! Lol And yeah, I wanted to smack him, too. But he’s not my character, Mally-chan writes Ryou. In ALL of our stories. I write Marik. Yeah, Marik did have a point, but he DID hurt Ryou, too. True, he didn’t mean to, but he did. I think Ryou just didn’t know how much his death affected Marik, Ryou’s never had to deal with the death of a loved one, really… But don’t worry, things will get better… but first, they have to get worse…

Jeda: O.o It was only ten days, dear… how will you take it when I’m gone from Dec. 17 to January 10 for Christmas break? I can’t update while I’m gone, our computer at home sucks and if my mom sees adultfanfiction in the history she’ll throw a freakin fit, and I really don’t wanna deal with it… so ya’ll will be almost a month without updates from me… SORRY!!! And yeah… Marik had the most miserable Christmas ever… And uh… >.> No one is shooting themselves! And I ain’t saying anything cuz by now you know the answer! ^_^

Andyouthingimcrazy: Yeah, it was mean, wasn’t it…? Mally-chan likes to torment my characters.

Icefox: Glad you love the stories, and you bet we’ll keep up the good work. We will have two new fics coming to the readers in the New Year!!! But yeah, as for the torture and angst… it all centers around the main characters and our favorite characters. You won’t see much angst around Yami and Seto in the hybrid fics, or the others for that matter… O.o Mostly it will be around Ryou and Marik.

Uke-lovechid: ^____^ We like Angst.