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 9

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Ryou moaned softly, covering his eyes with his arm and curling up. "sun...” He mumbled opening his eyes slowly and wincing. "Ouch...” He knew this place... it was the field of reeds.

"Well well... look who's back." Said a familiar voice. Ryou turned and looked up at Anubis. "Welcome home. I trust that you are here to stay this time... really... after all your friends did to get your back, you let yourself die so easily only after a few months? I'm insulted."

Ryou blushed darkly. "I...” he stammered shaking his head. "I didn't mean to! I only meant to scare t-the masters..” He squeaked. "B-but I got too much poison... I couldn't think...” He backed up and yelped when his back hit something. He turned and blinked. "My... birthday box...” He said picking it up and blinking. "Why?"

"Those are your posessions." Anubis explained. "When people come to the afterlife, they gather their belongings in their tomb to bring with them. This was in your bottle, which, in a way, is your tomb. Your original bottle, of course."

Ryou blinked and nodded slowly. "oh!” He hugged the box tightly. "m-my own things...” He cooed resting his head on the colorful wrapping of the box. "W-where am I to stay?” He asked after a moment. "I... don’t remember... where I was staying last time I was here...”

Anubis smiled. "You have a small home in the city.” He said. "Come. I will take you to it." And he watched Ryou stand with his box, and guided him to his small house. It had a little kitchen and breakfast nook, a living room, a bathroom, and a small, cozy bedroom.

Ryou carried his oversized box into the house and looked around. "You... aren't angry that I died are you?” He asked giving Anubis a worried look. "I... I didn't mean to disrespect you lord master Anubis!” He squeaked.

"Your death was not completely your fault." Anubis said. "And I knew of the misery you were suffering prior to it due to your re-enslavement."

Ryou nodded slowly. "Thank you great lord.” He said bowing, and nearly falling over, having still been holding the box.

Anubis chuckled. "Make yourself at home.” He said, turning and walking to the door. "You'll be here for... well... ever."

Ryou nodded slowly. "Thank you lord master Anubis...” He said offering a smile. Once the god was gone, he opened his box and peered within. He instantly grabbed the small brass scarab that used to hold his lover's voice. "Oh Marik... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to die... I... I don’t even know... how it got that bad. Oh I hope you can forgive me...” He said pinning his hair by his ear, with the small scarab.

Days passed for Ryou, and he had no clue how long the days were in comparison to the human world. Each day he waited patiently out in the field of reeds until the sun began to set. Just as he'd promised; he waited for Marik. However, after what seemed like forever, he did not go to the field... he went to see Anubis, carrying his birthday box. He'd forgotten to pay his gracious lord tribute!

When Ryou arrived at the House of the Dead, a slave let him in and told him that Anubis was in conference with his mother and father, Nephtys, Goddess of Darkness, and Set, God of Chaos and Destruction. However, they were just finishing up, so she would announce Ryou. A moment later, Ryou was guided into the main hall of Anubis’ manor, and there sat Anubis on his throne, flanked by his mother and father.

Ryou squeaked and bowed, forgetting he was holding his box, which this time he was unable to stop himself from toppling over. "G-great lords and masters!” He yelped hurriedly picking himself up again. "F-forgive me... b-but I forgot to give y-your tribute...” He squeaked. "S-so I came to bring it... it's... o-one third of my p-posessions right?"

Anubis blinked and raised an eyebrow, and Set covered his mouth, chuckling.

"Say... what?" Anubis said. "Really, my dear... that is the usual tribute for people who come to the Kingdom of Osiris... but it is to the gods in general and... well... you have so little...”

Ryou blushed and looked down. "Please don’t turn me away...” He said softly. "I wish to pay what I owe t-to someone so kind as you...” He said biting his lip. "Surely I have something worth taking...” And he opened his large box, and began lining his gifts up on the floor.

A puzzle from Yami, a pair of picture books from Ahmose, a white teddy bear from Mikado...

Ryou squeaked. "It grew fur!” He yelped as he set the Chia Pet from Bakura down next to his other gifts.

A set of legos from Malik, a glittery mess of a craft set from Yugi, a heart shaped box full of chocolate, and a giant chocolate bunny from Marik, the Beautifully wrapped box... Ryou reached up and pulled the brass scarab from his hair, and put it down before the gods as well.

Anubis blinked, and stared at the humble offerings. The belongings of a child. He sighed as he looked at Ryou. A child was indeed what he was. He had never grown up. He had never even had a childhood, either. These meager posessions were all he'd ever had.

Nephtys blinked and frowned. "Son... I think you should show some mercy on this poor little child...” she said softly. "He's offering what little he has to you... surely this touches your heart...” she said motioning to the meager offerings the child had laid before them.

Anubis nodded. "I will not take your offering." He said to Ryou. "For your long existence as a slave, you deserve everything you have, and more." Set nodded his own silent approval of this.

Ryou frowned and shook his head. "Please... I will feel badly if you turn me away... I'm no better than any other slave... Please take what you will." Ryou said adamantly. "Posessions are for offering!"

Anubis let his face fall into his hand and he shook his head. Then, he stood and made his way to Ryou. He knelt and took Ryou's chin in his hands. "You are not a slave anymore... You are free. What I want, is for you to finally enjoy your freedom and be happy after years of misery."

Ryou blinked. "I will when Marik dies too." he said offering a smile. "I can’t be happy until I know he's happy too... he must be so miserable without me." he shook his head. "So please... take my offering lord master Anubis... So I can go back to the field of reeds and wait for him."

Nephtys blinked and giggled softly. "You're holding up the poor boy." She teased.

Anubis' smile disappeared. "You're... waiting for him?" He asked softly. "You go to the Field of Reeds... every day?"

Ryou grinned and nodded. "Uh huh. I promised I would wait for him." he said calmly. "I've been waiting every day since I got here! I wish I knew how long it's been for him...”

Set blinked, and glanced over at Nephtys with raised eyebrows and a cocked ear.

"It's been about... three months." Anubis said softly.

Ryou pouted. "Poor Marik...” he said looking down. "I... I had hoped it would be longer... so he'd be closer to me... he must be absolutely miserable...” he sniffled at that. "I miss him...” he sniffled and gave Anubis a firm look. "Please take what you will... so I can go back and wait for him."

Anubis sighed and nodded. "Very well...” He said, and opened the heart box. He picked up a little piece of chocolate between two claws, and smiled, showing it to Ryou. "I will take this...”

Ryou blinked. "Don’t trick me!" He said firmly almost scolding the god. "That's not one third!"

Nephtys giggled at that. "Oh he's a sweet smart little one... I like him." She said hiding her giggles behind a hand. "You'd better watch out Anubis, he's a smart little one, I don’t think you can appease him until you've taken your share!"

Anubis sighed and shook his head, chuckling. He stood. "I think you have already sacrificed enough." He said, looking at Ryou. "I haven't the heart to take anything from you... Please... go wait for your lover, little one...”

Ryou whimpered, giving Anubis an absolutely heartbroken look. "Isn't what I have good enough?" he looked ready to cry.

"Ohh...” Nephtys cooed. "Anubis! Shame on you! Making the poor cute little thing cry!" She said swatting him slightly. "Have a heart and do what he asks! Oh no!"

Ryou was already crying at this point, heartbroken that the things he thought so wonderful, were not even worth taking to the gods.

"Now he's crying! Look what youv'e done!"

"Ow! Mother!!!" Anubis yelped. "Knock it off!!!" Then he turned to Ryou and sighed, gathering the boy into his arms. "Shhh... don't cry. These are all obviously very special to you...” He said. "Tell me about them...”

Ryou sniffled softly. "They're presents from my birthday... Marik gave me a birthday just for me...” he mumbled. "T-the teddy bear was from Ahmose's brother... a-and the books from Ahmose. Pharaoh gave me a puzzle of a cat, and his brother gave me this...” he said picking up the craftset, inexplicably getting glitter all over both of them. "oops...” he sniffled still in tears.

Anubis sweatdropped. Oh... Sobek would never let him hear the end of it if he saw the God of the Dead covered in glitter...

"Well...” Anubis said slowly. "If you insist...” And he reached out and picked up one of the books from Ahmose, and the chocolate bunny, (figuring that when Ryou ate the chocolates, he could at least keep the BOX since he seemed to do that).

Ryou sniffled once more and smiled weakly. "Thank you...” he said hugging onto Anubis tightly and kissing his furry cheek, before climbing off of him and gathering his remaining treasures. "I... I'm sorry I bothered you...” he said bowing, then picking up his box. "I... I'll go back to waiting for Marik...” he said softly, smiling and hurrying off.

"Aww... the poor child...” Nephtys said softly. "You should give him a second chance." She said suddenly. "The poor thing hardly had a chance to live! He was offering you the treasures of a child!"

Anubis sighed. "And I feel lousy for taking them...” He mumbled, looking down at the chocolate bunny and the book. He stood and looked back at his mother and father. "The thing is... I've already given him a second chance. It lasted a total of seven months. And then... he was back."

"Come now Anubis... he's not happy here...” She said shaking her head. "He simply waits out in the field. This isn't his time. No other dead wait out in the field like him... he's an innocent sweet child. He cried when you wouldn't take your fair share of what meager posessions he had! Surely that speaks to your heart...”

"Of course it does!!!" Anubis cried. "You think I wanted to take a picture book and chocolate bunny from a child whose posessions I could hold in one palm of my hand?"

"So send him back." Set said.

"Father! I can't!!! I've already sent him back once!!! And sending someone back is already practically unheard of... giving someone a THIRD chance IS unheard of!!!"

Nephtys frowned. "I'll tell you what's unheard of, a mother god giving her heartless son god a royal spanking!" she said coldly. "You give that poor boy a chance!"

Anubis' eyes widened, and Set covered his mouth to hide his smile and try to keep from laughing.

"Mother...” Anubis gasped. "I can't just... I can't...” He sighed. "I... I'll see about a conference with Thoth and Uncle Osiris and Aunt Isis...” He said, ears falling back in defeat.

Nephtys crossed her arms and gave him a firm look. "Do it now." She said in a warning motherly tone.

Anubis crossed his arms right back. "Fine. I'll get in touch with Thoth, YOU two can talk to Uncle Osiris and Aunt Isis. They're YOUR brother and sister."

Nephtys gave her son a stern look. "I mean give him a chance now. You don’t need a meeting to do the right thing! I raised you better than that!"

Anubis frowned. "This is NOT the Kingdom of Anubis, it's the Kingdom of Osiris!!!"

"Do you think for one second my brother would look at that poor child and leave him like this?!" Nephtys said putting her hands on her hips. "No! He'd give him a third chance! The afterlife is a place meant for joy, if he's not happy then either you're not doing YOUR job, or it's not his time!"

"Arrrgh!!" Anubis growled, throwing his hands into the air. "FINE!!! But if Uncle Osiris gets mad, I'm telling him YOU made me!!!" And he stormed from the house with the book and chocolate bunny. Set chuckled and looked at his wife.

"Ahh... the power of a mother...”

Nephtys giggled softly and shook her head. "He's doing it because he knows it's right... he just doesn't want to get in trouble." She said amusedly.

Ryou was calmly sitting out in the Field of Reeds, watching the sun sink beneathe the horizon, his box beside him. Suddenly, two large hands appeared from over him, one holding a chocolate bunny, and one holding a picture book.

Ryou squeaked. "Lord master Anubis!" he said looking up to see the god. "W-what brings you here? Did someone else die?"

Anubis laughed. "No... I'm here to ask someone if he would like to go back?

Ryou blinked dumbly. "Who?" he said looking around, missing the hint completely

Anubis smiled. "You may be waiting for quite a long time for your lover to join you...” He said, sitting next to Ryou and laying the chocolate bunny and book before him. "How would you like to go and wait WITH him?"

Ryou gasped softly, giving Anubis a wide-eyed look. "But... but you already gave me a second chance... won’t you get in trouble?" he asked, tackling the god into a hug despite himself.

Anubis sighed and smiled, petting Ryou on the back. "Ah, maybe a little...” He said. "It will take some time to set it all up, but...” He smiled. "You can go home soon...”

Ryou gave a delighted giggle and kissed the god on his snout. "Oh thank you!" he cooed, latching onto him in a great bear hug and clinging that way.

Anubis smiled and pat the boy on the head. "I will begin to arrange it immediately." He said. "Now... you will be going back under different cirsumstances. You will be going back as a mortal reincarnation. You will pick up life at the age you left off when you became a genie. I will have a whole life set up for you."

Ryou blinked. "... I won’t be a slave again will I?" he said blinking. "Because I really don’t want that anymore!" he added making the cutest nose-wrinkled face.

Anubis shook his head. "No. You will be a mortal. Only Ahmose would have the power to make you a genie again. And we both know he would never do that... which reminds me... I have to deal with him in regards to making a pair of genies...” And he frowned and laid his ears back.

Ryou frowned. "Aww... don’t be hard on him... I'm sure he'll make things right." He cooed daring to reach up and scratch the great lord behind one of his ears. "You're soft!" he giggled delightedly.

Anubis' ears shot right back up again in surprise. "Ummmm...” He said, staring at Ryou. Then he blinked and shook his head. "Come now... I must begin preparations to send you back. And give my High Priest a good verbal lashing." And he stood, patting Ryou on the head.

Ryou grinned and hugged Anubis once more. "Great lord... When I come back I'll bring much better treasures next time... and you'll want them for sure!" he said offering the most beautiful smile of gratitude the god had ever seen. "I'll bring something so great you'll just HAVE to take your third!" he said clapping his hands eagerly. "And you'll meet my precious Marik! But you can’t have him." he said crossing his arms. "He's mine."

Anubis laughed. "I would never even CONSIDER taking him from you!!! But here... take your chocolate bunny and book... you will want them when you return to life."

Ryou grinned and shook his head. "Nuh uh! They're for you. Chocolate is good. You should eat my bunny while you wait for me to come back." He reasoned. "It will give you something fun to do.” He hurriedly got off of Anubis and bowed. "Lord master Anubis... I can’t ever pay enough for the kindness you show me...”

Anubis sighed and smiled. "Okay. I'll keep the bunny. But then YOU have to keep the book." He said, holding it out to Ryou.

Ryou blinked and took the book. "Ok.." he said taking it and smiling. "Oh! Ahmose had sex." he blurted giggling.

Anubis blinked and stared down at Ryou. "What?" He asked, a bit caught off guard.

"He had sex." Ryou said again. "He had sex with Pharaoh! In a college shower!"

Anubis' eyes widened, and he began to laugh.

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

Ahmose bitched under his breath as he brought the dogs into the apartment building, and out of the freezing rain which had started halfway through their walk. The dogs shook themselves off, and they took the elevator up to the third floor. Ahmose walked into the apartment and smiled when he found his brother waiting with towels.

"You take a shower." Mikado said as Yugi trotted over to help him. "WE will dry the dogs." And the boys attacked the dogs with towels, much to the playful animals' delight. Ahmose sighed and headed back to shower. Once he was done, he went into his room, towel around his waist, and found Yami sitting on his bed.

"Oh. Hey. I thought only Yugi was coming over tonight...” He said, then smirked. "Need help with your essay?" He teased.

“Riiight…” Yami drawled, and Ahmose smirked, going over to his dresser and digging around. He pulled out a tank top and some pajama pants that Mikado had given him for his birthday; Mikado called them the Banana Pants. After all… they were navy blue with bananas all over them. Ahmose dropped his towel and pulled the pants on, then ran his fingers through his hair, drying it, and giving Yami a brief glimpse of his bare back, which bore no scars from the wounds he had received thanks to Seto. Ahmose pulled on the tank top, and flopped down onto his bed next to Yami with a sigh.

"Malik called...” Yami said after a moment, all joking aside. "Marik's... going down hill. He caught him with heroin. He’s injecting it AND smoking it… He also found a stash of marijuana… crystal meth… you name it, Marik’s on it…"

Ahmose sighed and lowered his face, hiding it in his pillow. "I know...” He whispered, then shuddered. "He's only going to get worse... He's... not going to be around as long as we would hope...” He looked up and stared Yami in the eyes. "Mikado... a few nights ago... I woke up and heard him crying... I went to his room and... remember how I told you that I am a Fire Seer and he is a Dream Seer?" Yami nodded. "Well... he had a dream...”

Yami frowned. "What happened?"

Ahmose sighed and rubbed his eyes. "He foresaw Marik's... death...”

"Oh..." Yami said shaking his head. "It must have been awful...” He hugged Ahmose and shook his head. "What do you say tomorrow we take him out? Sober him up tonight and take him out tomorrow... all of us.” He said softly. "We can take him to a bath house, and clean up his body and hopefully his spirits as well.."

Ahmose sighed. "He won't be home now... Bakura said that Marik goes out every night. Let's just... let's just get some sleep...” Ahmose said, laying his head down again. "It's okay... we... we have a couple of years to get him sober. Mikado says that Marik will die not long after his twenty eighth birthday... He's still twenty four, now."

Yami sighed and shook his head softly, laying next to Ahmose and spooning him. "Maybe we can think of something tomorrow...” He mumbled hugging him close. Both drifted off slowly to sleep.

It must have been an hour before Anubis made his grand entrance into Ahmose's dreams, tapping his foot. "Inarus!” He scolded loudly

Ahmose jumped and looked around at the darkness, then looked at Anubis.

"M-My Lord!” He gasped, quickly kneeling and bowing his head, quite confused at Anubis' sudden appearence. "How may I serve you?"

"You made genies AGAIN!” He growled. "What were you thinking!?"

Ahmose's eyes widened. Oops. Busted... but he looked Anubis straight in the eyes.

"THEY deserved it...” He hissed.

Anubis slapped Ahmose harshly across the cheek. "It is for the GODS to determine what punishment a mortal does or does not DESERVE.” He hissed, ears back in fury. "How DARE you overstep your bounds!"

"THEN WHY DO THE GODS SIT BY AND DO NOTHING WHILE BASTARDS LIKE THEM TORTURE THE INNOCENT?!?" Ahmose screamed back.

"You know as well as I do that mortal punishments come at the end of a mortal life!" Anubis boomed back. "As for the innocent, the child is fine. He is happy, and even insisted on paying the tribute to get into the kingdom of Osiris.” He said calmly. "He also mentioned you having sex." Anubis said smirking. "In a public college shower...”

Ahmose's eyes widened and he flushed, all thoughts of the genie-making disappearing. His mouth flopped open and closed a few times, but nothing came out.

"He was even so kind as to tell me he delivered... I think a purple vibrator?" Anubis said, at this point highly amused.

Ahmose turned bright red and let his head drop with an embarrassing moan, and he sank back to sit on his heels, dropping out of his kneeling position.

Anubis laughed. "It's good to see you finally let that poor Pharaoh fuck you. He's been trying for thousands of years.” He added chuckling still. "I'm also amused to see you've gotten a bit BOLD in this new life.” He said crossing his arms. "In the past, you never would have considered such a thing.”

Ahmose's eyes widened. "That wasn't ME being bold, it was HIM!!!"

"Really? Because I doubt you were mounting him." Anubis countered laughing. "You agreed to allow him in such a place."

Ahmose snorted. "After I locked all the doors... and he wasn't letting me get away...”

"The little one told me the doors came unlocked within 3 minutes of his little delivery." Anubis said smirking.

Ahmose blinked and cocked his head. "What? How? I didn't do it... and neither did Yami... Oh gods... was... was someone IN THERE?!"

Anubis nodded smirking.

Ahmose looked like he had gone pale and was blushing at the same time. "Oh GODS!!! WHO?!?"

Anubis smirked. "I'll leave you with that little thought...” He said laughing. He'd lashed Ahmose for his misdeeds, and embarrassed the hell out of him at the same time. It was a good night.

Ahmose found himself alone in the darkness. He groaned, and let his face fall into his hands...

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

Bakura groaned when the phone rang. "Ahrrg...” He growled, lifting his head from his pillows and checking the clock. Malik whined beside him. "It's fuckin 10 am...” Bakura growled. "Who the fuck has the BALLS to call me before NOON?!” He grabbed the phone. "WHAT?!... oh... sorry, Ishizu... yeah... he's right here...” Bakura said, and rolled over. "It's your sister, Malik. She sounds upset...”

Malik snickered softly and answered the phone, nuzzling into Bakura. "Hey sis..." he said after a moment. "What's up?"

"Malik?" Ishizu said softly, worry in her voice. "Malik, sweetie... It's Marik... Malik, he's not answering his phone... I haven't been able to get in touch with him for nearly three weeks. Malik... can you and Bakura please go over and check on him?"

Malik nodded. "Right... we'll go now.” He said softly, saying his goodbyes and hanging up. "C'mon Kura... Marik's not answering his phone... Lets go see if he's still breathing.” He said hurriedly getting dressed.

Bakura groaned. "If he is, I'm gonna kill him." Bakura said, getting up and looking for his boxers. He finally gave up and just grabbed his jeans, and pulled on a sweat shirt, followed by his coat. He tied his shoes, and he and Malik left the apartment, walking to Bakura's car, their breath misting on the air. Bakura drove them over and they reached Marik's house pretty soon. Bakura frowned as they got out of the car. All the shades were drawn. Bakura sighed and walked up to the door with Malik, knocking.

After minutes of knocking, Malik used his spare key and gaped. "Oh gods...” He breathed, trying to flick on the light. It was freezing, the lights weren't apparently working... there were liquor bottles all over the floor, mounds of trash piled in every direction... the place was a sty.

"Bakura...” He breathed in shock.

"Christ...” Bakura gasped, noticing that the TV screen had been smashed. He walked over to the pile of mail that had gathered and began going through it. A few peices caught his eye. He walked into the kitchen where Malik was picking his way through rotting food and more empty liquor bottles.

"Malik... look at this... he hasn't been paying the bills. They shut off his electricity. So he doesn't have heat, either...”

"It's a wonder his phone is still on...” Malik said shocked. He finally managed to clear a path through the room. "Let’s start looking for him... gods this place is probably infested with cockroaches now...” He mumbled wrinkling his nose.

Bakura nodded and turned. "He's probably in his room." And he led the way up the stairs. Malik followed, but yelped and paused on the stairs to stomp a roach or two. When Malik reached the top of the stairs, Bakura was standing in Marik's doorway, eyes wide.

"Oh gods...” He gasped. Malik quickly ran to the door, afraid of what he'd see.

Inside of the room was Marik, flat on his back on the bed, snoring. A half empty bottle of vodka was in his left hand, and an unused joint in the other. Several little bags of coccaine were sitting on the bedside table, along with several syringes. Bakura slowly approached, sighing at the sight of his best friend. Marik had track marks all over the inside of his arms, and still had a rubber tourniquet wrapped around his left arm, where a gold band used to rest. But Marik's arms were too thin now, his gold jewelry would just slip right off. His entire body had become thin and sickly looking. Bakura lifted a hand and covered his own mouth, fighting back tears as he stared at Marik, who was sleeping with his cheek nuzzled into a little golden bottle...

Malik bit back tears. "Bakura... I want you to go get Ahmose... right now.” He said his voice wavering with tears. "Do it... I'll wake Marik up... it's time for an intervention...”

Bakura nodded and turned, pulling out his cell phone and dialing Ahmose's apartment.

"Hello!" Mikado's cheerful voice came over phone, Yugi giggling in the background about making a pancake teddy bear.

"Mikado, it's Bakura. I'm over at Marik's. Tell Ahmose to get over here as fast as he can...”

"... right away." Mikado said, and hung up. Bakura sighed and walked back over to Malik, who had removed the tourniquet and vodka bottle. Bakura picked up the trash can and swept the coccaine, marijuana and the syringes off of the bedside table and into the can.

"Kura... find everything. You probably know his mind better than I do... past lives and all... find all his hiding places. Don’t let any drugs get past you." Malik said taking all the liquor bottles and putting them in the trash can as well. Once the room was relatively clean Malik shook Marik's shoulder.

"Marik... Marik wake up...”

Marik didn't bat an eye, just snored.

"Gods...” Bakura shivered, watching his breath misting. He reached out and felt Marik's forehead. "He's burning up...” He said.

Malik hurried from the room, minutes later he gave Marik the harsh wake-up-call he'd been needing; A Bucket full of icewater. "WAKE UP!” He howled

Marik jerked and gasped, coughing and choking. He struggled to sit up, but almost immediately groaned and lay back down again.

"Get up you lazy ass!" Malik said, furiously. "How could you do this to yourself?!” He pulled Marik up by the collar. "Look at yourself! How COULD you?!"

Marik blinked bleary bloodshot eyes at his cousin. He had trouble focusing. "Malik?” He asked, squinting his eyes and leaning forwards, nearly knocking the boy out with his breath.

"Ugh...” Malik dug in his pocket and jammed a breath-strip into Marik's mouth. "Yes it's Malik, now what the hell are you THINKING?!"

Marik recoiled making a face and tried to spit the breath strip out, but it had melted to his tongue by then.

"Uhg!! Pth!!! Yuck!!! Malik!!!" Bakura just watched.

"Look at you! You're a fucking mess!" Malik said absolutely livid. "I should clock you over your head with that damn bottle!” He said taking Ryou's bottle and swinging it menacingly at Marik. "Do you think THIS is what he wanted for you?! Do you think THIS is what he'd like to know is going on with you right now?! How could you FUCK up this bad?!" Malik said slapping Marik's cheek harshly. "How could you DO this to yourself?!”

Marik had just been staring, but at the slap, he roared and tackled his cousin, awkwardly. "GIVE IT BACK, YOU LITTLE SHIT!!!” He screamed, clawing for the bottle.

"Shit! Marik!!" Bakura yelped, and pounced the blonde, trying to pull him off of his boyfriend, but Marik clung, slamming his fist into Malik, and, well... the floor half of the time since his aim was off.

"GIVE IT BACK!!!"

Malik clocked Marik harshly in the side with the bottle. "Get off or I'll break it!” He hissed warningly. "GET OFF!"

"You break it and I'll fuckin' kill you, you little whore!!!" Marik screamed. Bakura yelped as he was elbowed in the face, and fell back. He looked around, then grabbed a bottle and brought it down on the back of Marik's head. It didn't even faze him; he was too doped up. Bakura growled, seized Marik's hair and jerked. Marik howled and toppled backwards off of Malik, who sat up to see Marik now focused on killing Bakura, who smashed another bottle over his head.

Malik ran to the window and put his hand holding the bottle out of it. "Stop it now or I'll drop it!” He warned. "I'll drop this damned bottle and you'll have nothing left!"

Marik looked up from where he was strangling Bakura, who was turning quite red. Marik let go of Bakura’s neck and staggered to his feet, trying to fix his blurry gaze on Malik. All he knew, was that the boy was threatening the bottle. "Don't you dare...” He hissed, stumbling towards Malik. With a click, he pulled a switch blade.

Malik glared at Marik warningly. "Go ahead Marik... take another step towards me.” He hissed, feigning dropping the bottle, then catching it at the last moment. "I feel my grip slipping... take one more step to me and this bottle will drop."

Marik froze, staring at the bottle, his eyes suddenly clear and full of fear. But the rest of his face only showed rage. Bakura slowly got up and snuck up behind Marik, eyes on the knife.

"You slut...” Marik hissed, then raised his hand, preparing to throw the knife.

"NO!!!" Bakura shouted, and grabbed Marik's wrist, wrestling him to the ground. Outside, Malik watched Ahmose's car screech to a stop, and he, Yami, Yugi and Mikado leapt out. Ahmose literally leapt over the hood of the car and nearly ran Yugi down on his way to the front door.

Finally, Bakura had Marik pinned and was holding the knife to his throat. Ahmose, Yami, Yugi and Mikado ran into the room. Marik glared up at Bakura.

"Go ahead... Do it...” He hissed. Bakura's eyes widened.

"Don’t kill him Bakura...” Malik said as Yami and Ahmose burst into the room.

"Good GODS!" Yami blurted staring at the crazed look in Marik's eye. "Ahmose! What do we do?!” He blurted helping Bakura hold Marik down, as Bakura tossed the blade away.

Malik pulled the bottle inside. "We found him passed out on the bed clinging to Ryou's bottle... high off of just about every substance on the market."

Ahmose sniffed the air, and looked at the track marks on Marik's arms. Mikado slowly backed into the wall, eyes wide and face pale, as he remembered his dream. Ahmose quickly walked over to where Yami, Marik and Bakura were wrestling, and blinked as Yami got a fist in the face, and Bakura was kneed in the groin.

"STOP IT!" Malik howled glaring at Marik. "Stop hurting them! I'm not joking dammit I'll BREAK this bottle!” He said, and picked off one of the jewels as a warning.

This sent Marik into a frenzy, lunging at his cousin.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!!!" Ahmose shouted, walking over, flinging Marik to the ground and pinning him painfully. "Help me hold him down!!!"

Malik tossed the bottle aside, the thing clinking to the floor and rolling away as he rushed forward to help him pin Marik down.

Yami sat down on Marik's midsection and Malik and Bakura held Marik's legs.

Yugi walked over and plopped himself on Marik's shoulders, mashing his face into the floor.

"NNG!!!" Marik complained. Ahmose rolled up his sleeves, places his hands on Marik's head, and began chanting. Marik groaned, then began to shout and curse, thrashing and trying to break free. After a few minutes, he began to quiet down, and his shouts and curses turned to weeping. Ahmose finally pulled back and nodded at the others.

"I've cleared his body of all alcohol and narcotics.” He said.

Everyone slowly clamored off of him and Malik helped him up, giving him a hug. "Marik... please...” He said, his own eyes filled with tears. "Why are you doing this to yourself?” He pleaded softly. "Why are you doing this when you have friends who are here to help?"

Marik shook his head and squirmed, pushing Malik away. He stood and turned, glaring at Ahmose. In a flash, his fist had struck Ahmose across the face. Ahmose yelped and fell back onto the floor. Marik snarled down at Ahmose.

"Who asked YOU to interfere, Inarus?!” He snapped.

Yami gave Marik a firm look. "Your cousin did.” He said coldly. "He called us out here the minute he saw you. Look what you've done to yourself... What would Ryou say?” He hissed helping Ahmose up tenderly.

Marik just glared. "Bastard... what the hell are all of you doing in my house anyway?!"

Malik shook his head. "Marik... Ishizu is worried...” He said. "We came to see what was going on... why are you doing this to yourself?" Malik said giving him a hurt look. "Why are you doing this? What would Ryou say if he saw you destroying yourself like this?” He asked softly.

Marik frowned. "Apparently... he doesn't care.” He hissed. "He got his revenge. He got me to promise not to take my own life. He got what he wanted. All I want to do right now, is forget. So just go away and let me forget!!!" And he turned and opened his dresser, pulling out a syringe and pulling the cap off with his teeth.

Malik picked up the bottle and threw it across the room, knocking the syringe away. "Marik... if you want to forget, then instead of using drugs... why don’t you spend some time with us?” He pleaded softly, watching the bottle roll across the floor.

Yami nodded. "C'mon Marik... give us a try at least? Before you go back to destroying yourself? For the sake of your friends and family?"

Marik frowned and watched the syringe break on the floor, then shoved past Malik and knelt, scooping up the bottle tenderly. "I just want to be alone... to forget...”

"Marik, you're going to die if you continue this!!!" Bakura cried.

"That's an added bonus." Marik said, slowly standing and staring at the bottle. "I promised Ryou I wouldn't take my own life. But I never said I wouldn't live a life that would bring a quicker death."

Malik sighed. "Please Marik? One day? For us?” He pleaded, giving his cousin the most pathetic look he'd ever given anyone. "For me?"

Marik frowned at his cousin, then looked back down at the bottle. He rubbed his thumb over the cold metal, and sighed, closing his eyes. After a moment, he nodded.

"Okay...” He whispered. Bakura sighed and smiled in releif, looking at Yami, then at Ahmose, who had his mouth wide open. Mikado was peering inside with flashlight.

"I can't see through the blood... oh, wait... yeah... second from the back. It's cracked right down the middle, I think...” Mikado was saying.

Yami sighed. "Well... let’s do that bath house thing... after Ahmose fixes his teeth...”

Malik nodded. "Yeah... lets get you all cleaned up at the bath house... a good meal and some fun and you'll feel better!"

Marik sighed and slowly set down the bottle on his dresser. His fingers and stare lingered on it for a bit before he turned away.

"Maybe you should change, Marik...” Bakura said, eyeing Marik's rumpled and dirty clothes that smelled of alcohol and smoke. Ahmose glanced at Marik as he healed his tooth.

Malik nodded. "Yeah man change clothes and we'll all go to that real nice bathhouse you always wanted to go to.” He said smiling to his cousin. "It'll be fun."

Marik sighed and a pained look flashed across his face. "I... was going to take... Ryou there.” He gasped softly. "On the... anniversary of my getting the bottle...” Bakura winced and looked aside, and Ahmose sighed and looked down at his feet. Yugi looked up at his brother, sadly.

"C'mon Marik...” Yami said offering a smile. "Change clothes... let’s help you forget today... ok?"

Marik sighed and nodded.

"You should take a bath, too." Ahmose said softly. Marik grunted.

"No hot water...” He replied, smiling sadly. "Ryou... Ryou would have... had me running around the room naked being chased by a bucket and scrub brushes...”

"It's ok it's a bath house...” Yami assured. “C'mon just change clothes... we'll take care of him once we get there."

Malik nodded and pulled some fresh clothes from the dresser and handed them to Marik. "Just today Marik... lets go have fun like we used to..” He said hugging his cousin despite the filth.

Marik nodded, and rubbed his eyes that were tearing up again.

"I... I'll try...” He said softly, and went to the bathroom to relieve himself and change. He emerged a few minutes later and stuffed his wallet into his pocket.

They all offered Marik a hug, and slowly piled into the two cars parked out front. Thirty minutes of driving later, they arrived at the overly fancy bathhouse. "Wow... you know, I've never been here." Malik said after a moment. "I feel like my dick should be wearing a tie...”

Yami chuckled. "It's alright, it's made to look fancy, but it's not overly so inside.” He said.

In they went and Malik grinned. "Oh wow! It's huge in here!" Malik blurted as they made their reservations for a tub.

"Wow... somethin smells good!" Yugi said eagerly. "They must have a cafe in here somewhere!"

Ahmose looked around. "It is nice."

"Yeah... what do you think, Marik?" Mikado asked.

"Sure...” Marik mumbled, shrugging. Mikado sighed and looked at the others.

Malik nudged Marik. "C'mon lets get washed up and we'll go ahead and eat here too. Gods that smells good!" He said pulling Marik toward their tub.


Marik sighed and let himself be dragged along. Ahmose stood still, looking around as if searching for something.

"Ahmose?" Mikado asked.

"I... feel something...” Ahmose said softly.

"You're probably just having sex withdrawal." Mikado giggled.

"What? I am not!!!" Ahmose cried, following his brother.

"You know you want me!" Yami called back to Ahmose, laughing.

After undressing they all hopped into the tub... except Ahmose who took some coaxing before he'd get naked into the tub, and with good reason, because once he did Yami was all over him.

Bakura snickered and draped an arm around Malik, pulling him close, and Yugi and Mikado sat hip to hip, giggling at their older brothers; poor Ahmose was bright pink. Or, as Mikado had once described it, "Barbie Doll Pink." Marik glanced around and sighed, drawing his knees up to his chest and closing his eyes, trying to focus on the feeling of the warm water, and not on the fact that he was alone...

After the bath, which over time had gotten depressing due to Marik's unhappiness, they went for their massages. Malik grinned at Marik. "C'mon you'll have a good time with this!” He said smiling. "Nothin feels better than a massage!"

"Yeah... sure...” Marik mumbled, shuffling after his cousin, staring at his feet. "That was... the last thing Ryou and I did... the night before he was... taken...”

Ahmose closed his eyes and sighed, rubbing his forehead with his fingers.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save him...” He said softly, laying a hand on Marik's shoulder. Marik turned and looked at Ahmose, sadly, and shook his head.

"He... didn't want to be saved...” He whispered.

Malik sighed. "Marik...” He said softly. "C'mon... try to take your mind off of it...” He said looking down as well.

Needless to say... the massages ended up sucking as well. No one could have fun, because Marik looked near tears the whole time. Even the women felt bad and fawned over him, hoping to cheer the Egyptian up...

When the massages were over, the group trooped down the hall in their fluffy white spa robes. Ahmose and Yami walked shoulder to shoulder, as did Mikado and Yugi. Bakura and Malik walked on either side of Marik; if they didn't, he would drop behind.

"Should we go eat now?" Bakura asked.

"Sure. I'm hungry." Mikado said.

"Me too." Yugi chirped.

"You all go ahead... I'm not hungry...” Marik mumbled.

"When was the last time you ate?!" Ahmose asked, turning and eyeing the young man, who they had all noticed during the bath, had lost a tremendous amount of weight over the last three months since Ryou's death.

"You're eating too Marik." Malik said firmly. "C'mon... you LOVE food! It's like… one of your top favorite things!” He pushed Marik along. "You're thin as a wire anyway... some food will do you good...”

In they trooped, taking their seats in a semi-circular booth the table was pre-set and they poured their own water. After a few moments of talking a young waiter approached. He offered them a kind smile. He was possibly sixteen, wore a white button-up shirt, clean black slacks and shoes, a blue waist-apron and was holding the menus. His eyes were the most gorgeous chocolate color, and a mop of long white hair topped him off like whipped cream.

"Hello.” He cooed warmly. "How may I serve you today?"

Everyone just sat there in complete silence and stared. Ahmose's jaw dropped. Yugi squeaked, and Bakura, who had been pouring himself water, didn't notice that his glass was full and overflowing. Marik, noticing the odd silence, looked up from his lap. He looked around the table, and then, his eyes fell on the waiter. His eyes widened, and he paled, his mouth falling open.

The teen blinked. "Um... sir...” He said giving Bakura an odd look. "You're... um... spilling your water.” He said a bit weirded out by their reaction. "I... um...” He squeaked softly. "Did I do something wrong? I know I'm new...” He hung his head. "Please don’t stare...”

"Ryou...?" Marik gasped, slowly standing.

Ryou blinked. "H-how... did you know my name? I'm sure we've never met.” He said confusedly, taking a few steps back. Things had gone from weird... to creepy.

Marik took a step closer, his eyes fixed on Ryou's. "Ryou... how... how can this be? You... you're dead...”

Ryou backed up more. "I... I don’t know what you're talking about... I'm not dead! I… I just had a birthday more than a month ago!” He said squeaking when bumped into an empty chair.

"Ryou... it's me... it's Marik...” The Egyptian gasped, reaching out to the boy.

"Marik, stop...” Ahmose breathed, still staring at Ryou. "He... doesn't know you...”

"He has to know me!!!" Marik suddenly screamed, and all heads turned. "He has to!!! Why wouldn't he?!"

Ryou squeaked at that and stumbled back over the chair, dropping his menus and backing away much quicker now.

"Ryou!!!" Marik screamed, and ran for the boy.

"Shit!!" Ahmose reached out and snagged the back of Marik's robe. But Marik just shrugged it off. "Oh fuck!" Ahmose spat, as now the poor white haired boy had a crazy naked Egyptian charging at him.

Ryou shrieked in absolute mortified terror and tore out of the restaurant at rapid speed. "HELP! HELP! SECURITY!” He wailed.

"RYOU!!!" Marik cried, and chased the boy. "RYOU!!! PLEASE!!!"

"DAMMIT!!!" Ahmose yelped, and he and the others all sprang up from the table and charged after Marik, Yugi trotting behind dragging Marik's robe with wide eyes and red cheeks, horrified that this was happening.

Ryou being much younger than Marik and in MUCH better shape EASILY outran the Egyptian, seeking shelter in a janitorial closet, locking the door behind him. His soft pants and whimpers heard within, while Marik was locked out.

Marik began pounding on the door. "Ryou!!! Ryou please!!!” He cried. "Please... don't you remember me? You... you have to... Ryou... please... I love you...” Marik whimpered, sinking to his knees and resting his forehead against the door.

"Go away! I don’t know you!" Ryou whimpered out. "I've never even MET you before today! You're NAKED!"

About this time, the others caught up, finding Marik easily, as a crowd was gathered around the naked Egyptian. Malik snatched the robe from Yugi and draped it over Marik. "Gods Marik! You can’t just run off after the poor thing! How is he supposed to know you? He's DEAD!"

At that moment, security arrived and quickly hauled Marik to his feet, cuffing his hands behind him. Marik just looked at his cousin.

"But... it's Ryou...” He whimpered, before he was dragged of to the security office to await the arrival of the police.

At this point Ryou snuck out of the closet, giving Marik an odd look as he was dragged off, before scurrying away.

Malik hurried after Marik. "Gods Marik! Why in hell would you do that!? You cant just streak through a bath-house after some poor waiter!"

Marik didn't answer, he just stared at the floor in a numb, shocked state as he was taken into the security office. The others were not allowed to follow, and twenty minutes later, they were watching Marik being taken away in the back of a squad car. Bakura sighed and laid a hand on Malik's shoulder.

"We should... call your sister. Have her meet us at the precinct to help get him out...” He said.

Malik nodded and sighed. "Gods.” He grumbled pulling out his cell and calling Ishizu, explaining the whole ordeal and saying he'd meet her there.

"Why the hell would Ryou be back? That can’t possibly be right...” Malik said. "I thought you said he COULDN'T come back!" Malik blurted giving Ahmose a look. "And if it IS Ryou, why didn't he remember?!"

Ahmose just shook his head and shrugged. "I... it IS Ryou... I sensed him when we first arrived... but how... and why... I don't know!! It had nothing to do with me!!!” He said. "Let's just get going." And they all piled into cars and headed to the precinct. When they got there, they were told that they couldn't see Marik, only Ishizu could since she was his emergency contact. About fifteen minutes later, Ishizu arrived.

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

Jess: ::hug:: Awwww… it’s gonna be okay… kind of… ^_____^()

Jeda: O.o …. Um… okayyyy…. Glad Malik amused you. And yeah… Yami is… Yami. And yeah… poor Marik. He takes it really hard. Oh god… Flavor of Love… my roomie loves that show… I can’t STAND the guy, honestly, I think it’s a very… demeaning show. And yeah, Seto and Peggy got THEIRS, huh? Heh… EVERYONE loves Ahmose and his sexy ass!!! And yeah… he’s in trouble again… As or Ryou… just keep reading!

ChibiRinni: O.O!!! Umm…. Wwwwwow… >.> Freaked out… Um… glad you liked the chapter, though. Uh… homicide is a no no, dear…

Velvetina: You’ve been reviewing! Don’t worry about it, dear. Lol I’ll talk Ahmose into turning you back. Heh, yeah, everyone loved Ahmose bein kick ass this chapter… As for Anubis… well… You’ll see. And Ryou and Marik… well… by the time you’ve read this, you’ll know the answers to your questions… kind of… All questions will be answered eventually. Thanks for reading!!!

MewMew2: Awww… thank you, dear. ^_^ *hug*