Touch The Stars

Touch the Stars

Hato chiisai

Disclaimer: No own.

YAOI WARNING

Pharaoh- Marik- telekinetic

Emperor- Bakura- telepath

King- Yami- teleporter

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Chapter 7

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“Oh Maaaaariiiiik!!!” Marik looked up and smirked as his brother waltzed into the room, singing his name.

“What?” He asked, in good humor.

“I have news.” Malik said, waving a Vid-Card around.

“Let me see.” Marik said, and Malik held out the card on his palm and tapped a red circle. After a moment, a small hologram appeared of an Egyptonian.

“Major Al Karnak reporting. We have traced Czar Seto to the Sumerian Flagship. We have confirmed that King Yami, Prince Yugi, Czar Seto and Prince Mokuba, Caesar Jonouchi, Lord Otogi and Emperor Bakura are all on board.” There was a lot of murmuring from the crowd in the throne room. Marik leaned forward in intense interest. “Our man inside has gotten us word that they have all signed a treaty to rise up against you and rescue the Assyrian Prince.” This time, the murmuring was alarmed, and Marik smirked in amusement. “I will report again soon.” And the hologram faded.

“Calm yourselves.” Marik called to his alarmed court. “Czar Seto, Lord Otogi and Caesar Jonouchi are no threat. We only have to worry about Yami and Bakura. And Bakura is devastated after the capture of his brother. There is nothing to fear.” Marik said, and dismissed the court with a wave of his hand as he strode down the steps of the raised dais on which sat his throne and to his brother. The pair left the room together, purple robes billowing behind them.

“So when did you get the transmission?” Marik asked.

“This morning. It was sent about three days ago.”

“Three days…” Marik mused. It had been three days since he visited Ryou in the dungeons. “Malik… I want you to check on the Assyrian for me. Make sure he is being fed and watered.”

“Now?”

“No. Later. And inspect him, too. I want no visible marks on him.”

“Alright.” Malik said with a nod. “You like him.”

“Huh?” Marik said, blinking.

“You like him. Or, should I say, you want him?”

“Hah! Like you don’t?!”

“Guilty.” Malik said with a grin. “He’s a sexy little thing.”

“Heh.” Marik snorted. “Yes. The plan is to get him to trust me. He can be a great weapon.”

“I know you too well. I know exactly what you’re doing.”

“Oh do you?”

“Yep. You want him to fall in love with you. First, you’ll get to fuck him. Second, you’ll have an advantage against Bakura; he would never hurt his brother.”

“Bingo.” Marik said with a grin, and Malik laughed. “Wanna spar?”

“Sure.”

……………………………………..

Ryou screamed in agony at the pain that ran through his body. Finally, the pain stopped.

“I’ll ask again.” The Commander’s voice said, over the speakers, and Ryou hung limply, panting and crying softly. “What are the exact co-ordinates of Assyria?” Ryou sobbed, refusing to answer. The location of his home planet was one of the greatest secrets in the galaxy; only Assyrians knew where it was. His anscestors had been very careful about keeping Assyria’s location a secret to keep it safe from attack, and it still remained a secret that day. And Ryou had no intention of giving this secret up.

“Still won’t answer?” Commander Anak leered.

“I’ll never tell you.” Ryou managed to whimper, then threw his head back and screamed when the nerve stimulating electric pulses struck him again.

Those in the control room listening to the screams turned when the door opened.

“Prince Malik.” The Commander greeted, standing and bowing.

“He’s being stubborn, I see.” Malik said.

“Yes, sir.”

“Is he being fed and watered?”

“Yes sir.”

“Has he a warm place to sleep?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. How long have you been at this?” He asked, gesturing to the speaker from which Ryou’s screams still came.

“Ummm… six hours.”

“STRAIGHT?!” Malik gasped, and turned to the screen showing the Prince’s body writhing in agony. “STOP IT!!! NOW!!!” And they rushed to obey him. When the pain stopped, Ryou whimpered and hung limp again.

“He has endurance, sire.” The Commander said. “He can take this for eight hours without passing out.”

“You do this until he passes out?!” Malik gasped, feeling pity for the Assyrian.

“Yes.”

“Hmmm…. I see… And he has been here for how long?”

“Two weeks tomorrow. We torture him all day.”

“I see…” Malik said, his eyes shadowed in concern. “Carry on.” He turned to leave, hearing the Commander request Assyria’s co-ordinates, before Ryou’s shrill screams were heard again. Malik closed the door, and broke into a run. He had to convince his brother to make his move TODAY.

“Well?” Marik asked when Malik burst into his room.

“Go down there, NOW!” Malik snapped, and Marik blinked. “I can’t stand by. He’s been tortured every day, all day, for nearly two weeks. Go down there, and get him before he loses his mind!”

“Do you really think he’s that bad?” Marik asked. What his brother lacked in telekinetic power (which he wasn’t very good at) he made up for in knowing things about people. He could always assess a person and know what they’re like. He could easily look over a group of possible slaves and concubines and pick out the virgins with no mistake. He could tell if a person was lying. And he could tell when a person was about to break. Malik had never steered Marik wrong, so when he said something, Marik listened.

“He isn’t as strong as his brother, Marik. Bakura could take this. The Prince cannot. I saw it in his eyes. He won’t talk, but he’s a hair away from breaking. Go down there while there is still something to save.” Marik blinked, then got up and ran.

…………………………

Ryou screamed as he once again refused to answer a question. His mind felt like it was about to shatter. His heart sank when he realized that he was on the edge of the cliff. He had felt this a few times before. But this time, he was going over. He wanted to die. He felt the pressure in his mind grow and grow, until he was sure his head would explode.

“STOP!!!” Ryou jerked at the sudden shout. “STOP!!! TURN IT OFF!!!” And the pain stopped. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET HIM OUT OF THERE, NOW!!!” Ryou blinked slowly. He knew that voice… The silver disks encasing him moved away with a mechanic whir, and he opened his eyes. There standing before him was Marik, looking pale and appalled.

“What have you done?!” Marik gasped, more to himself than to the commander who was pretending to act frightened and ashamed. “Let him down, now!!!” There was a clicking noise, and the restraints released Ryou, who fell forwards. Marik moved in and caught the Assyrian Prince. Malik was right. This had gone too far. And Marik felt horrible, knowing that he was to blame. He scooped the Assyrian up into his arms, wincing at the tiny whimper that the boy uttered. He glared at the Commander, and swept out of the room and through the halls of the dungeon. First things first, the boy needed a bath.

“How is he?” Malik asked as Marik emerged from the dungeons.

“Not good.” Marik said, remembering to keep up the act. “Those bastards have been torturing him.”

“Will he live?” Malik asked.

“Yes. It was the Nerve Stimulator. He needs a bath. Help me?”

“Sure.” Malik said with a nod, staring down into the Assyrian’s face. It was difficult for him to keep up the act, seeing the hollow eyes. He followed his brother into the bathroom where Marik had his swimming pool sized bathtub. Malik stripped down and slid into the water, letting Marik lower Ryou into his arms so he could strip. Marik joined his brother and the Assyrian and they held the Prince between them and bathed him gently.

Ryou rested his head on Marik’s shoulder, and made a feeble whimper of protest when Malik moved down and spread his legs, washing him in his private areas.

“Shhh…. He won’t hurt you.” Marik crooned, softly, and Ryou calmed as Malik finished up. When he was bathed, he was cradled in Malik’s arms while Marik got out of the tub and brought over a large towel, laying it on the floor by the tub. He and Malik lifted Ryou from the water and laid him on the towel, and wrapped him up. The pair then left the bathroom, Marik still holding Ryou, and laid their prisoner on the bed.

“He’s sick.” Malik murmured, feeling Ryou’s forehead.

“You sure?”

“Positive. Assyrian’s have lower temperatures than Egyptonians. And he’s warm compared to me.” Malik said, moving his hand from his forehead to Ryou’s, back to his. Marik looked panicked.

“Do we know Assyrian medicine?!” He squeaked, and Malik smiled.

“I’m sure that with proper care, he’ll be fine.” Malik said.

“Proper care?”

“A good bed, warm food, clean water, and lots of rest and clean air.” Malik said, followed by “OOMPH!!” as his brother glomped him.

“I love you. You are a genius, little brother.”

“I know.” Malik snickered, squirming out of his brother’s grasp. “What would you do without me?”

“Umm… Panic?” Marik offered, and Malik smiled.

“I’ll get him some of my clothes. He’ll fit them better.” The Prince said, and Marik nodded.

“Thanks, Malik. I really do appreciate you.”

“I know.” Malik said with a smile, and left the room through the secret panel hidden behind an old tapestry. Marik sighed and looked at Ryou, who was watching him through barely open eyes. Marik smiled slightly and ruffled Ryou’s hair. Ryou winced and fear flashed through his eyes. Marik’s smile faded in his guilt. He turned and dressed, then went to the door of his room, which he had kept decorated in the Ancient style. He pressed his hand to the panel next to the door, and the door slid open. Marik looked at the sentries posted outside.

“I want an Assyrian Nest in here in half an hour!” He demanded, and shut the door. The Assyrian beds had always amused Marik. They were basically giant bowls with padded lining that the owner would fill with plush pillows and blankets and make themselves a nest.

He was jerked from his thoughts by Malik re-appearing from behind the tapestry with some clothes in his arms. He and Marik met at the bed and pulled the towel from the Assyrian’s body, ignoring his tiny whine, and dressed him in some loose lavender pants and a loose white shirt. Ryou seemed to be more aware of his surroundings by this point, so Marik and Malik propped Ryou up against the pillows at the head of Marik’s bed and sat on either side of him, by his legs.

“Prince Ryou?” Marik called, softly, and Ryou looked at him. “I’m sorry. I had no idea, I….” Marik sighed and looked down, shaking his head. “I’m sorry.”

“Did they do anything other than the Nerve Stimulator?” Malik asked, quietly, but Ryou simply lowered his eyes. But after a moment, he shook his head slightly. Marik stood and moved across the room when there was a knock on the door. Outside was a servant from the kitchens with a tray of food. Marik blinked.

“Prince Malik requested that food be brought.” The servant girl said, and Marik nodded, taking it from her and closing the door. He moved across the room and set it down on the bedside table and sat on the bed again. He picked up the cup of water and moved up closer to Ryou.

“Here. Drink this.” He offered, quietly, and held the glass for Ryou, who sipped it, cautiously. When there was another knock at the door, Malik opened it, and blinked when an Assyrian Nest was rolled into the room on its side.

“The corner.” Marik instructed, pointing to the bedding filled corner where his concubines would sleep when he didn’t want them in his bed, but wanted them near. The bed was rolled into the corner, and the bedding was tossed into the Nest. Ryou watched all this in wary curiosity. As soon as they finished, the soldiers left, and Ryou was alone with the Royal Brothers.

“I want you where I can keep an eye on you.” Marik said in explanation. “You’ll be safe in here. Now eat.” And he placed a bowl of soup in Ryou's hands. Ryou blinked and watched the Prince and Pharaoh cross the room and talk quietly by the window.

He ate slowly and finished his soup, but turned down the bread that Malik offered him. Marik then lifted him up and carried him across the room and stood, watching, while Malik climbed into the Nest and dug around, preparing it for Ryou. When Malik climbed out, Marik lay Ryou down in the depression that Malik had made, and then both Egyptonians tucked Ryou in under a thick blanket and tucked the bedding close around him. Slowly Ryou’s eyes closed.

“Rest. You’re safe now.” Marik said, softly, brushing Ryou’s bangs out of his face. “I won’t allow you to be hurt again.” And then he and Malik disappeared from sight, and a moment later, the lights went out, leaving Ryou in darkness. Ryou sighed and curled up, drifting off to sleep, feeling oddly safe.