Touch The Stars

Touch the Stars

Hato chiisai

Disclaimer: No own.

YAOI WARNING

Pharaoh- Marik- telekinetic

Emperor- Bakura- telepath

King- Yami- teleporter

………………………………….

Chapter 24

………………………………….

Only days later the space port at the Egyptonian Imperial city received two great Imperial Flagships; Sumerian and Assyrian. Yami and Yugi disembarked in their red robes, Seto and Mokuba in blue, Jonouchi and Shizuka in gold, and Otogi in green. And from the Assyrian ship emerged Ryou and Bakura, both in black and white. And Marik followed them, also in black and white. There was a joyous cry and both Ryou and Bakura were nearly bowled over by Marik, who ran down the ramp of the ship and across the landing bay, running to meet his little brother.

Malik and Marik met in the middle of the port and embraced tightly, Marik thankful to see his brother alive and well, and Malik just plain glad to see the brother he thought had been lost to him, forever. Even Ishizu threw her image aside and ran to meet her little brother, planting kisses all over his face as she hugged him. The other monarchs hung back, allowing the Egyptonian royals to have their reunion. Then all three turned, grinning, and rushed over to Ryou hugging him, Ishizu kissing his forehead. Ryou smiled and returned their hugs, expressing his relief with Malik’s recovery, and appropriately blushing when Ishizu kissed him. Then, the three siblings led the visiting monarchs to the Imperial Palace where they all met within the council chamber, and through determined negotiations drew up a Peace Treaty. The citizens of the city threw a great festival when the announcement was made. And finally, the public appearance of the monarchs arrived. And it was then that Marik made his announcement.

“This is… a very difficult thing I must tell everyone.” He began, looking over his people. “But… this is a decision that I made myself, and I would be lying if I said that it was difficult. The truth is… I have fallen in love.” And the people cheered. “And for this love, I will do anything. And this is the announcement that I have. I held Prince Ryou of Assyria prisoner… but I was the one captured.” And he smiled at Ryou who turned bright red and shuffled to the side, hiding behind his brother, who looked over his shoulder at him and chuckled. “I love Ryou. And… I am going to spend the rest of my life with him.” And he turned and grinned at Ryou, while Malik made a loud, mischeivious catcall, which got laughter from the people listening to what Marik had to say, AND which was being broadcasted all over the galaxy to everyone of the six peoples. Marik glared at Malik.

“You hush.” He snapped, and Malik snickered. Marik then continued. “I am here to announce that I am stepping down as Pharaoh.” Everyone but Bakura and Ryou were stunned at this announcement. “I am a Pharaoh for a time of war… not a time of peace. I was never taught what to do, or… anything. And… I believe that there is someone much better to be the ruler of this planet.” And he removed the golden crown from his head, and turned. “Ishizu…Of all the people who could rule this planet, you are the best choice. Even over me.” His sister’s eyes widened as he approached her. “Ishizu… will you fulfill my wishes and accept the crown, and become Pharaohess?” Malik stared between his two older siblings, eagerly. And after a moment, Ishizu smiled and nodded.

“I would be honored.” She managed to get out, and Marik grinned as if the girl he liked had just agreed to go to the dance with him. He placed the crown on her head, and kissed her cheeks.

“Thank you.” He said. “I have faith in you.”

“Are… are you going to Assyria?” Ishizu asked, and Marik nodded.

“Yes. That is Ryou’s home. That is where he belongs. And so… that is where I belong.” He said, and snagged Ryou from behind Bakura, pulling him into his arms. Ryou squeaked and smiled, but still eyed the crowds nervously, and tried to hide within Marik’s arms.

“Marik…” Malik said, and Marik looked at him. “I… I wanna go with you!” Everyone stared at him.

“Malik… I don’t know… your sister might need you.” Marik said. Malik shook his head and stomped his foot.

“According to the treaty there will be ambassadors between us! Make me the Egyptonian Ambassador to Assyria!!” Malik demanded, and Marik blinked, then looked at Ishizu.

“That might work out well.” Ishizu said, nodding. “He can be with his big brother, who he absolutely adores…” And she smiled and laid a hand on Marik’s cheek, smiling proudly at her little brother. “And come visit his sister and home planet. He can have the best of both worlds.” And she looked at Malik affectionately. After a moment, Marik smiled and nodded.

“True. But there’s nothing I can do about it, Pharaohess.” He said, bowing to her. Ryou looked at Bakura and grinned, then knelt on one knee, and a moment later, Bakura and the other monarchs followed his example. And like a wave, the people of the city watching dropped to their knee to honor the first Pharaohess in the history of the Empire.

And after a week of everyone getting adjusted to the new way things would be, it was time for everyone to head home. Otogi, Jounochi and Shizuka headed to the ship, with Yugi and Mokuba following, chattering excitedly. Ishizu was saying her goodbyes to Marik, and giving Malik some last minute advice and good luck with being her ambassador to Assyria. Seto and Yami, in the mean time, made their way to the flagship in silence, side by side. Once there, they went to Yami’s bedroom.

“So… it’s almost time…” Yami said with a sigh. “Time for you to go home… and me…” Seto looked at Yami.

“Yeah...” He said, looking out the window. “Half of me wishes that one of us could do what Marik has done… and give up the crown to be with the one we love. But… Mokuba and Yugi are far from being able to take over for us.” Yami nodded.

“I’m sure things will work. Our planets aren’t… THAT far apart, Seto…” But Seto sighed and slumped a bit.

“I’ll miss you, Yami.” He said, and Yami gave him a small smile, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll miss you too… but hey, we have the whole trip home… what do you say we use the time to our advantage?” Seto slowly turned at that, and grinned. He hit the button on the wall that lowered the window blinder, and Yami turned off the lights.

Outisde, many Egyptonians turned out to bid farewell to Marik and Malik. Ryou and Bakura boarded the ship so that Marik and Malik could say goodbye to their sister alone.

“Ishizu… you’ll do fine.” Marik said. “But… there’s something you have to do.” Ishizu blinked. “The Rod.” Her eyes widened. “Destroy it.”

“What?!” she gasped.

“Ishizu. Do it. That is what Anak was after. Malik bares the same scars on his back that I do. Promise me that Malik will be the last to ever bare the Ancient Scriptures, Ishizu.”

“… I promise, Marik. The Rod will be gone by sunset. I swear it.”

“thank you, sister. I love you.”

“I love you too, Marik.” She said, kissing his cheek. Then she hugged and gave Malik a kiss. “I love you too Malik. Good luck. Be happy. Both of you.” And with parting hugs, Malik and Marik boarded the Assyrian ship, and left their homeworld. Marik smiled at Ryou, who was waiting for him at the top of the ramp, and Malik smiled, too. He hugged Ryou.

“I’ll leave you two alone.” He giggled with an evil grin, earning a look from Marik and a blush from Ryou, then turned and followed a chuckling Bakura to the bridge.

“Thank you for allowing me to come with you, Emperor.” Malik said once he had caught up with Bakura. Bakura turned and smiled at him.

“My pleasure, Prince Malik. Anything to keep the peace between our people.” He said, and Malik nodded. “I’m hungry… are you hungry?”

“Sure!” Malik said, cheerfully, and he and Bakura wandered off to find something to eat. Marik and Ryou watched them go, and as soon as they were out of sight Marik turned and crushed Ryou up against the wall, kissing him passionately. Ryou let out a shocked squeak, but then moaned and relaxed, melting in Marik’s arms. But a clearing of the throat broke their kiss. Both turned and blinked, then blushed at Pegasus and several guards staring at them.

“Uhhh… hi guys….” Marik said with a sheepish grin.

“Hi indeed.” Pegaus snorted. “Prince Ryou, while we are all overjoyed that you are safe and have found someone to make you happy, we would appreciate it if you were to perform such actions in a more appropriate place.” Ryou blushed.

“Umm… yes sir. Sorry…” He mumbled, then grabbed Marik’s hand and pulled him down the hall, Marik laughing the entire way. They got to Ryou’s room and entered, and Ryou turned on the light. Marik looked around at the room, neat and tidy. Then, he moved over to the pictures on the wall. Ryou smiled and walked over with him. Marik reached out and touched a picture of an infant.

“Is this…?”

“That’s Bakura.” Ryou said with a smile, then moved down a few pictures. “This is me.” Marik moved over and looked. Ryou was only half the size of Bakura when he was a baby. Marik smiled and looked over the pictures, smiling at the family portrait where the three year old Bakura was trying to grab his new baby brother, curious. And he laughed at the picture where the three year finally got his hands on the infant Ryou. Ryou smiled as Marik looked over the pictures, inspecting every family portrait, seeing Bakura and Ryou grow up. He got to the picture that was taken right after the death of their father and disappearance of their mother, right after Bakura became Emperor.

“You look so lost…” Marik said, staring at the twelve year old Ryou, pressed into his brother’s side.

“It was a sad time.” Ryou explained. “I didn’t know what to do. Mom was always there for me, and dad for Bakura. Then they were gone. All we had was each other.” Marik nodded and continued looking over the pictures.

“You’re happy with your brother.” He commented.

“I love him. And he loves me. He takes care of me.”

“Yes. He does. He cares about you so much.” Marik said, smiling. “Like I care for Malik.” And Ryou smiled and nodded.

“I love you, Marik…” Ryou sighed, moving into Marik’s arms. Marik smiled.

“Love you too, Ryou.” Marik murmured. And grinning, he pulled Ryou over to the Nest and fell backwards into it, Ryou toppling in on top of him. Marik held Ryou to his chest and kissed him deeply. Ryou moaned softly into the kiss, before Marik broke it off and smiled up at him, stroking his cheek. Ryou blushed and closed his eyes, resting his head on Marik’s chest and yawning. Marik chuckled and wrapped his arms around Ryou, cuddling him gently.

“Sleepy?” He asked.

“Mm-hmm…” Ryou sighed and Marik grinned, kicking off his boots. He sat up and flipped Ryou and himself over, making the Assyrian squeak. He smiled down at Ryou and ran his fingers through his hair, and Ryou smiled up at him, feeling his boots being pulled from his feet. Marik caressed and cuddled Ryou as he stripped them both of their clothes with his mind, and once they were nude, he flipped them over again. Ryou smiled and nuzzled Marik’s chest, then closed his eyes. Marik sighed and relaxed, and drew the blankets up over them. Ryou yawned again and snuggled close to Marik, drifting off to sleep. And this was how Bakura found them two hours later; soundly asleep, Marik holding Ryou to his bare chest.

Bakura smiled down at his brother, and sat on the edge of the nest, reaching out and stroking his hair. Marik’s eyes opened and fixed themselves on Bakura. Bakura looked at Marik. Both stared at one another.

~He’s happy.~ Bakura said softly in Marik’s mind. Marik looked down at Ryou and smiled, seeing the soft smile on the boy’s lips. ~I am picking up strong feelings of joy and contentment from him… stronger that I have ever felt from him.~ Bakura looked up at Marik again. ~He loves you.~

~I love him.~ Marik replied, and after a moment Bakura nodded.

~And that is what makes him so happy.~ Bakura said, nodding. ~It makes me happy… to know how happy he is.~ Marik smiled.

~Good to know. I’m glad to know he is happy. He makes me happy.~ Marik told Bakura.

~And I hope you both continue to make each other happy. He loves you with all he has. You are lucky.~

~I know. Any one would be lucky to have his love.~

~Any one would be lucky to have the KIND of love that he has for you.~ Bakura said, and leaned over a bit. ~Even my own mother an father did not have this kind of love for one another.~ Marik’s eyes widened. ~What Ryou feels for you is something completely innocent and pure… it is the most powerful emotion that he has, and it consumes him. Completely. Not many receive such love, or give it.~

~I only hope that I can match his love with my own.~ Marik said, and then Bakura smiled.

~And hoping to do is the only way you ever will be able to. My brother is very precious to me Prince Marik.~ Bakura said, calling Marik by the title he had reverted to when he gave up his crown.

~I know. You and I are the same there. We both have brothers who mean the world to us. Who we would do anything for.~ And then, Bakura nodded, and smiled. ~Malik is my brother… irreplaceable… but Ryou is the center of my universe now.~ Bakura smiled wider.

~I con only hope that one day, I will find someone who will be the center of MY universe.~ Bakura said, and offered his hand. ~Take care of my brother, Marik.~

~I will, Emperor.~ Marik replied, taking Bakura’s offered hand.

~… Bakura.~ Marik blinked, then smiled and nodded.

~Bakura.~

~I will leave you to sleep now. Goodnight.~

~’Night.~ Marik replied, and closed his eyes. Bakura left the room with a sigh.

“Well?” Bakura jumped and looked up at Malik. “I hope you didn’t interrupt them.” And Malik gave Bakura an evil smirk. Bakura gave him a look.

“Pervert.” He chuckled. “No. They were asleep. But I spoke with your brother.”

“And?”

“And what, Prince Malik?”

“What did you talk about?”

“… my brother.”

“Uh-huh?”

“Kid, what are you trying to get from me?”

“I dunno.” Malik said, shrugging. Bakura stopped and looked at him, then chuckled and shook his head.

“I have a feeling that I’m going to regret letting you come with us…” He muttered, and Malik grinned and chuckled, making Bakura grin. “Although… on second thought, I think you and I might get along JUUUST fine…” And he clapped Malik on the back. Then both boys walked down the hall with identical grins and snickers, leaving the happy lovers sleeping in each others’ arms.