Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Rewind 1 ❯ The port ( Chapter 5 )

Phew…the 5thchappy is finally ready. I made this extra long! A big thanks to all my reviewers! I promise you all a good story! It's very hard to actually reply to reviews, but I want you to know I always take suggestions into consideration and friendly comments always make me exultant!

Thanks for everything! On with the story!

None of them saw the black shadow pull the guestroom window open. None of them saw the shadow stand ominously over the albino boy's angelic, sleeping form. None of them saw the glint of the laser string stretched above the boy's throat.

None of them heard the shadow maliciously whisper:

"And then the Queen of the Wonderland shouted…"Off with her head!!" "

None of them saw all this except a restless dark spirit. It was the grouchy spirit that rested inside Ryou's precious golden ring. Right now, the Bakura spirit was pissed. Seriously pissed.

`How dare he try to kill my Brightside while he is sleeping- that is so cowardly!'

Instantly. Ryou Bakura's eyes snapped open. They weren't the usual innocent pools of amber, though. They were red-brown, burning with a cruel, petrifying flame. This wasn't Ryou, it was Bakura.

The would-be murderer was startled and seemed to hesitate for a second. That moment was all Bakura needed. He rolled around and escaped the laser beam before it was too late. The lethal string that had aimed at his neck slipped and hit the bed. The soft furniture was cut in two.

The shadow' s eyes widened beneath the dark hood "What the heck…" he started to say. Enraged, he turned his gaze at the crouching Bakura. Suddenly, the shadow person lunged forward and snapped the laser string aiming at Bakura's head.

Bakura, using his lightning fast reflexes, ducked immediately. The laser passed over his head. The man yelled an angry battle cry and started throwing the laser string frantically here and there, trying to chop any part of Bakura off. Bakura, on the other hand, was performing one jump roll after the other.

Ryou, who had awoken after sensing Bakura take over his body, was now intent on the fight. He was helping Bakura see what the murderer was doing since it was a bit hard to see in the dark.

The only thing that could clearly be distinguished was the red laser beam.

"You asked for it!" Bakura shouted at the mystery killer and prepared to lunge on him like a wildcat, always aware of the scorching laser.

The man smirked and laughed cruelly. " Why don't you sit still and make this easier for both of us, kid?"

That was it for Bakura. His vicious, bloodthirsty eyes became slits of poison. With an incomprehensibly rapid movement, he had slipped behind the man. It all happened so fast.

/Yami, NO! / Ryou shouted from inside Bakura's head, but the spirit was lost in instinct and self defense.

Bakura grabbed the behind of the man's neck fiercely. With surreal strength, one that Ryou's body could never possess, Bakura twisted the man's head.

A heart- wrenching `crack' was heard as the man's neck snapped. Bakura indifferently let the man collapse to the floor. The glowing laser flew gracefully down and it rolled to the holster in his hand.

"That was refreshing." Bakura told no one in particular. He touched the man's corpse with his foot and flipped him over. The killer was wearing a black outfit with a hood and army boots. On his back were secured a couple of long knives. " This looks like a ninja…do these guys still exist?" Bakura wondered.

/You just killed a man! You didn't have to! There were other ways…/ Ryou said quietly.

//Like what?// Bakura countered //To let him kill us before we could kill him?//

/You could have immobilized him! I know you could!/ Ryou distantly said.

//It's called the law of survival; Brightside…He would have chopped my arm off before I could get to hit him properly. It's the law of the jungle, better get used to it.// Bakura answered haughtily.

/That's the same you said before we burned those cars in the 21st century mall in order not to get locked in the nuthouse!!/ Ryou said in a disgruntled tone.

//Look, Brightside, I did this scumbag a favor. He should be glad I put him to rest. Do you know how many times a day I wish I could die like this? All I want is final rest. I've got eternal life…look were it got me?! In a room, stuck in a boy's jewelry, forced to fight for my life…what the hell? This guy should be glad I put him out of his misery…//

/Yami…I know you're angry but…/ Ryou whispered. He was about to continue, but a loud thud was heard from the other room. /Oh my God!!/ Ryou shouted /Serenity! Marik! Other ninja's must have come for them!/

Bakura's eyes narrowed considerably and he saw red. // No one threatens me without punishment!// he thought viciously and approached the metallic doors of the rooms. They snapped open as they sensed his presence. He walked outside and was greeted with an empty, dark corridor.

Bakura dived to the ground and stealthily crawled around. He stuck to the wall and approached the far end of the corridor. Horrifying, impending silence was all that reached his ears. His feline senses stretched around his body.

His bright red eyes were shining brightly in a catlike manner. All his moves resembled those of a snake predator. He slithered to the end of the corridor and hid in the darkness behind the metal doors.

He slipped gracefully next to the doors and braced himself for what would pop in front of him the moment he walked through them. Nevertheless, patience was a great virtue that only his Brightside possessed and he did not. Bakura was fierce, rough and impatient in every sector of his life. Sneaking on murderers and saving people included.

The white haired, angel-formed feline ran to the doors, which opened automatically. The moment he had stepped in the living room, he witnessed what could have been the most terrifying scene in his life. Being an ancient spirit without memories, though, helped Bakura keep an unfazed reaction.

There was Lena and Rika lying on two armchairs. Serenity was asleep next to Marik on the couch. Her head was placed soundly on his shoulder. Bakura could feel Ryou's jealousy and disappointment flow through their common link.

Bakura, however, was preoccupied with more important things. Above each person stood a black shadow… a ninja. They were all holding long knives in both hands. Their hands were raised above their heads and they were preparing to bring the swords down in each victim's chest.

They were raising the knives up ominously when Bakura yelled. It was a rough battle cry, and Bakura used it to distract them.

The sleeping forms jerked awake and everyone had a puzzled expression on their face as they watched Bakura Ryou stand in front of them and yell something incoherent. Then, with a swish of lightning, four black forms had lunged on the albino angel. His white locks flew ethereally around him, provoking a magnificent contrast with the black ninja shadows. He looked like an angel among demons. Literally.

Bakura was cornered and getting weaker. `Why didn't I grab that guy's laser thingy? I could have used it!! ' He thought as he engaged in a heated fight with all the warriors simultaneously.

All girls started screaming in unison and Marik jumped to his feet and rushed to his friend' s aid. He kicked the side of a ninja's torso and punched someone square in the face until he reached the white-glowing angel.

The ninjas suddenly stopped their attack and started walking around the two boys in perfect synchronization. Marik and Bakura moved slowly and warily. Now Bakura had glued his back on Marik's and each one was facing two of the surrounding shadows.

As they moved around slowly, still back-to-back, Marik leaned to talk to Bakura.

"You okay, Ryou?" Marik hoarsely asked, while eyeing the ninjas who surrounded them like a pack on ravishing wolves.

"This is so refreshing…I'm just so sorry I didn't bring champagne for the party!" Bakura's deep dark voice echoed from Ryou's body. Bakura was amused that Marik had not recognized him instantly. It must be hard to tell the difference between him and Ryou in the darkness.

"Bakura?" Marik asked in a bewildered tone.

Just then, the hungry, deadly looks that the ninjas were throwing them stopped. The warriors simultaneously lunged at the two boys. Marik and Bakura started fighting the ninjas in extravagant speed. Bakura's silver characteristics shone in the black room, now matched with Marik's golden spark of beach-blonde hair and shining jewelry.

The golden boy and the silver boy were fighting back-to-back like long lost partners, each one's movements matched equally with the other's.

"Bakura is that you?" Marik asked again while warding off a hopeful punch.

"Did you really think…" Bakura started but was cut short when he managed a kick into a shadow's jaw "that Ryou…" he panted wildly as he escaped a blow "can fight like this…?" he finally finished.

/Yaaaami!/ Ryou exclaimed in a defensive tone.

Almost instantly, a desperate yell was heard and a ninja's body fell limply on the floor. Marik had broken his spine with a death-kick. The other three shadows stopped dead in their tracks and stared at their fallen partner.

Bakura didn't like the sudden pause of adrenaline and resorted to the classic method: enrage the opponent.

"Oh, you like that, do you?" he sneered while referring to the dead corpse "I have another one in the guestroom in case you're interested…"

Marik was a bit dumbfounded at that, but the other ninjas seemed to know what Bakura was talking about. Yet another colleague had fallen and now there were only three of them. The desperate screams of the girls broke through the silence.

Bakura's prediction was right and the black warriors were very angry. When they attacked Marik and Bakura again, their movements were erratic, spasmodic and certainly not focused. Bakura kicked an opponent in the shin and proceeded to crush his genitals. The man fell down, howling in pain, but Bakura was not feeling very merciful. He didn't want to stab he opponent and get soaked in blood, so he resulted with breaking the man' s neck again.

Serenity, who was watching from aside, was staring at Bakura with awe. She never thought it possible for Ryou Bakura to show such outstanding strength and cruelty. His eyes were stony and red, reflecting a sadistic, arctic glow. Then, she remembered the conversation she had shared with Marik before. `This must be the other Bakura Ryou…The spirit that Marik told me about…That's probably why he doesn't behave like Ryou at all…Ryou is always so sweet and caring. It's very peculiar to see him act like this!'

Marik's luck was similar to Bakura' s. He was fighting two warriors simultaneously until Bakura started fighting with one of them. This gave Marik a wonderful chance to kill his enemy. The ninja was frantically waving both his knives around, forming intricate figures. Marik just raised an eyebrow at the `intimidating' demonstration and proceeded to hit the man with a simple punch in the face. The man backed away and tried to recover, but Marik was much to fast. He jumped in the air and performed the `crouching tiger' stance. (Trinity from `The Matrix') He hit the ninja under the chin and forced his neck to break.

The golden haired boy fell gracefully to the floor on both feet. Cheers and sighs of relief echoed from the terrified girls. Marik turned to check on Bakura, and what he saw made him freeze. The remaining ninja was waving a red laser string around, trying to chop Bakura's head off. Marik rushed to his friends aid and decided to distract the man.

"Hey you! Black dude!" Marik yelled at the ninja "Yeah, I'm talking to you! Won'tcha come here and have a piece o'me!" Marik shouted in a hilarious accent, which was sure to distract. The shadow seemed to get angry and temporarily forget about Bakura. Big mistake. His head got crushed before he had the time to blink.

Now, the two shining boys were standing alone in the middle of a black cemetery. Time seemed to slow down and all three girls approached their panting friends. Lena and Rika classically fell to Marik's arms, telling him how glad they were he was okay and what a hero he was. Serenity wanted to hug Ryou and tell him how worried she was for his safety, but she couldn't bring herself to touch him. This person was a stranger in her friend's body…It wasn't Ryou.

`But Ryou is in there…' she thought as she watched Marik calm the two girls and Bakura indifferently look around. `Marik said that Ryou is `hiding' in his mind…how is that possible? I hope Ryou will come back soon.' Serenity thought.

She watched Bakura's every move. When Marik was free of the girls' death-grip, Bakura turned to him and smirked. To Serenity, this cruel sneer was very unsuitable on Ryou's angelic features.

"Good thing we didn't make a bloody mess, Marik…I wouldn't be able to control myself if we did."

At this, Marik's eyes almost popped out of their sockets and Serenity stared at Bakura with a truly terrified expression. `Ryou' had just spoken in a very deep, maniacal voice.

" `Control yourself'…" Marik repeated with a slightly terrorized expression. Serenity had never seen Marik abandon his suave appearance before. This spirit probably had a very intimidating affect on the exotic boy.

/Yami! Don't say anything! Can't you see the looks Serenity is giving you? She thinks you are me! Please! Don't say you like drinking peoples' blood! I beg you! Please! Don't ruin this!/

Bakura snickered inwardly at Ryou's angst.

//Relax yourself…// Bakura assured `As long as Marik doesn't telepathically force me to answer his questions, everything is okay…' he thought to himself. On the outside, he expertly mimicked Ryou's innocent expression and smiled that sickeningly sweet smile.

Serenity, having totally memorized each and every shape of Ryou's immaculate expression of innocence, could tell at once that the smile was faked. Marik didn't seem to buy it either, since he noticed that Ryou Bakura's body was still taller and more muscular than usual. Lena and Rika seemed convinced, however.

"I just meant that I could never control myself from throwing up at the sight of blood, that' s all…" Bakura commented in Ryou's sweet cheerful tone. Marik eyed Bakura suspiciously with eyes that promised more elaboration later.

Serenity's eyes narrowed. `How dare this person try to imitate Ryou's behavior! This guy may look more manly and strong, but Ryou's gentleness and innocence makes him better than this `spirit' could ever hope to be! Ryou is surely the best between the two men! How dare this impostor attempt to impersonate the one I love…wait! Love? Oh-oh…this situation is growing out of hand…I just said the L-word…' Serenity had become irate by now and was beginning to feel desperate to see Ryou's true innocent eyes again.

/Thanks, Yami! Please don't blow our cover! You don't know how much this girl means to me! If she ever thought I was crazy…/ Ryou anxiously told his other self.

//I know, Brightside, I understand…I'm not THAT dumb, you know…// Bakura murmured through their mind link. //You're obviously in love with the girl!//

Ryou's feelings of embarrassment flew through the link.

/I just…don't want to lose more friends, you know? I don't want to…lose her/ Ryou admitted.

Bakura sent Ryou a feeling of understanding and compassion. // I don't want to lose our new friends either…they're very interesting…//

Bakura's eyes wandered to Marik, who was now sharing a discussion with Rika. // Very interesting…// he repeated absently.

/Can I take control now, Yami?/ Ryou asked slowly.

No answer came; just the glow of the golden ring and the sudden change of Ryou's stature. Marik's attention was pulled away from Rika. He fixed his gaze on Bakura and saw Serenity do the same. Marik pretended to listen to Rika's rambling as he secretly focused on the smoke that surrounded Bakura's form. Marik was the only one who could see that smoke, apart from Ryou…Yet another weird element.

Bakura's eyes closed and when they opened again they were sincere and honest. Marik felt a large hole of disappointment in his stomach. `This is inconvenient…' he mused as he nodded at Rika's silly question `Now I won't have the chance to talk to Bakura about my summoning and controlling him mystery. Maybe he could help me more with my problems…well the good thing is that we'll have Ryou's company. Ryou doesn't frighten me, at least…I could have sworn Bakura looked a bit vampiric when he was talking about blood.'

Ryou's innocent brown eyes roamed around his surroundings. He stopped and kept his penetrating gaze on Serenity. When she realized that Ryou had come back, it was like a load of dread was lifted from her shoulders.

Unable to stop herself, she flung into Ryou's embrace. They both closed their eyes blissfully, cherishing the rare moment. They were holding on to each other in a death-grip, clutching onto one another's clothes as though the whole world was about to tear them apart.

"I'm so glad you're okay, Ryou…" Serenity mumbled. Her words were muffled from his chest. She just reveled in the warmth and softness his touch offered. Her whole body was drowning in an unexplainable pond of passion. Every single fiber of her being wanted to touch and fondle him. She settled on burying her hands in his silvery strands and sighing blissfully in his embrace. It felt like touching a cherubim.

"Me too Serena…you don't know how worried I was…" Ryou whispered. His hands were wrapped around her torso and he was holding onto her for dear life. He had dipped his chin on her silky brown hair and was just treasuring the moment of trust and security.

Rika and Lena had ceased talking to Marik and were openly staring at the interaction between Serenity and Ryou. This didn't look like the somewhat comical and friendly way they had hugged Marik. This looked a lot more…serious.

Marik knew the reason behind Serenity's enthusiasm for seeing Ryou again, but thought it wouldn't be that smart to comment.

"Hey guys! What's wrong? Did you just remember to cuddle? I'm just saying…you guys didn't seem to remember the need for hugs and kisses up till now…what' s up?" Lena curiously asked. "Did you guys just get together, or something?"

Serenity jerked violently away from Ryou, who blushed deep crimson and avoided inquisitive glances. Serenity was squirming uncomfortably and Ryou realized he had to take the situation in his own hands. He regained the usual, wise and reticent composure and smiled cheerfully.

"It was just that all the excitement from seeing you glomp and talk to Marik got to us, I guess…you girls should really learn to control your excitement sometimes. People may misunderstand…" he stated with a flawless smile.

Serenity's jaw dropped at the forward manner. He had actually managed to play with words so as to take their own uncomfortable position and twist it around in order to make it LENA' S uncomfortable position. `'I guess old age DOES help sometimes…' she thought `This just makes Ryou even more delicious…oops…now were did that come from?!'

Rika and Lena were blushing hard and Marik was chuckling behind them. This was probably the hint Rika and Lena needed in order to drop the subject without further elaboration.

/The girl was right…/ Bakura told Ryou thoughtfully /How come Serenity recognized you when you came outside? Did she actually distinguish me from you?/

This left Ryou speechless and confused. His Darkside, however, was having different thoughts. `Maybe Marik told her…' he thought `I'll kill that little pretty boy…and I'll enjoy bathing in his tropical blood…' Nevertheless, Bakura knew that Ryou didn't know about Marik being able to see him. `Better not tell Ryou yet…' Bakura thought `Let's not worry him…I'll soon eviscerate Marik anyway…'

"Excuse me!" Ryou suddenly exclaimed seriously "We're here, in the middle of a battlefield, just escaped the claws of death and we're having a happy little chat? We need to leave! Now!"

Serenity and the other girls vigorously nodded, indicating they didn't want to stay in the apartment another minute.

"You're right! Let's take our supplies and go!" Marik exclaimed.

"Fine, but where to?" Serenity urgently asked as she took Ryou's hand and started to lead him towards the exit.

"We told you! We're going to catch a ride to earth! Taichi and Kenji are already waiting at the port!" Lena impatiently explained.

"But you said that we would leave at noon. Now it's four in the morning, Lena!" Marik reasoned.

"Taichi and Kenji are spending the night in the escape pod, remember? They fear that they might be killed if they return home." Lena answered.

"Okay." Ryou started, his innocent eyes taking a look of determination "Then we have to move slowly and stealthily. First we leave the building and then we make our way to the port. Marik, you lead since you know all about this city. I'll help the ladies."

Marik nodded vigorously. For a moment he considered asking Ryou to let Bakura take control of the escape routine, but he didn't want to let Ryou realize that he knew about Bakura. Then again, Marik could apparently summon Bakura at will, but that would just seem like he was looking down on Ryou's ability and that was certainly not the case.

Marik was slowly observing Ryou's character development. Ryou was slowly growing in self-confidence and a leading spirit was starting to shine through him. When Ryou was young -originally young- he must have been a very responsible and polite man. This natural characterization combined with the wisdom of old age now resided inside Ryou. That can't be bad. In contrast to the ancient spirit Bakura, who seems to be full of anger and feelings of revenge for his unwanted immortality, Ryou was obviously submissive to the chance of repeating his youth- but this time without mistakes and foolhardiness.

Marik didn't really think Ryou cared about living when they had first met him as an old man. Now, though, things had changed, Serenity's presence in Ryou's life seemed to make him eager to live again. When Ryou had told Marik that he loved only one girl in his life, Marik had this peculiar feeling that Ryou was referring to Serenity and not some ancient lover. Curious but true. There was more in Ryou's psychology than he let on and Marik was about to find out…

Serenity and the girls had been packing some clothes and food for them to keep. Serenity had also taken some smoke chips and electrical flares. She had made sure to take her KaibaCorp ID and her old ID as a civilian of Earth.

"Okay Ryou! Let's go!" Marik said when the girls had returned, his prismatic eyes taking in a new shining lavender dimension. Rika and Lena had to keep from sighing at the tropical boy's resolved expression. Yet there was something else in Marik's eyes. The lust for adventure perhaps, who knew? Ryou surely recognized the passion for freedom and experimentation in Marik.

Ryou forgot his musings and started to walk to the door in a faster pace, matching Marik's stride. Serenity's hand was clasped firmly in Ryou's palm as she followed wordlessly.

//Should I take over, Brightside?// Bakura asked from inside Ryou's mind.

/Sorry, Yami, but don't. I wish to do this on my own…/ Ryou answered.

//I see…we want to impress someone, don't we?// Bakura slyly sneered with a raised eyebrow.

Ryou stayed very silent after that, his untold anger throbbing into Bakura through their link.

/I want to protect her. You only protect us, but I want to protect HER/ Ryou finally said in a surprisingly calm tone. Being an old man had the privilege of learning to reduce the intensity of passionate feelings of domination like anger and lust…which is of course something Bakura never learned albeit his old age… and Ryou mastered long ago.

Bakura smirked lightly and nodded in understanding. //I'll be watching// he simply said and finished the conversation. The glazed look left Ryou's eyes and he looked around at the environment. They were standing in the darkness of the lounge, in front of the exit doors. Serenity had ordered for the computer to open the door. Marik was looking at Ryou expectantly.

Ryou nodded lightly. "C'mon!" he said as he went out of the house with Serenity.

"Wait!" Marik suddenly exclaimed "Serenity, shouldn't you order the computer to erase all camera recordings or speaker recordings for the last few days? We don't want anyone to see us killing ninjas, now, do we?"

Serenity hit her forehead with her hand as if realizing her stupidity. She ordered for the computer to erase all recordings of the last seven days.

Soon all five figures were stealthily progressing in the dark bridge-roads of Mercury, always wary of Kaiba's guards. Each girl had a bag of supplies hanging from their shoulders.

"Hey Serenity…" Rika whispered lightly "You know that your apartment will stink in a while with all those corpses…"

"Don't worry…" Serenity answered with a tone of disappointment "I can never go back to that place… or KaibaCorp…"

At this, Ryou turned his head to look at her and she froze. All the sincerity of apology and gratitude that his gaze reflected was breathtaking.

That was all that took place before Marik turned his crystal, disapproving glare to all of them. That was their queue to officially stop talking.

So the dark figures ran into the intricate pathways, bathed in the red glow of the fading moon and the new blue shine of the rising suns.

The five friends were now standing in a deserted passageway, shoved inside a mysterious alcove. The suns had long past risen and Ryou often commented on the unfamiliar feeling of blue light and the elusive effect it had to the environment.

The girls were the further in, while the alcove exit, was blocked by the two boys. Marik stood the further out and would occasionally bend forward and check the commotion outside. Hovercrafts swiftly passed in front of their hideout, and all this speed was making Ryou a little dizzy.

The angelic albino rested his head on the wall and closed his eyes tiredly. It had been an adventurous week for him, after all. Serenity sneaked a peek at his resting form and reached out to graze his silver hair with her digits. Ryou felt her touch and opened his eyes only a little to look at her. He grinned lightly and reclosed his eyes wearily.

Seeing he didn't seem to mind, Serenity continued to run her hands through his hair lovingly, treasuring every single touch she had the chance to lay on him. She knew he wasn't asleep because his breathing was not even and calm.

Even so, she reveled on the thought that he seemed to relax in her touch. Serenity absently looked around. Rika and Lena had fallen asleep in an uncomfortable position. Ryou was resting beside her and Marik…

Marik was restlessly observing the outside. The passing of hovercrafts made his hair fly wildly around his face. His earrings would occasionally make a clear soft clinging sound. The rest of his jewelry glowed gracefully on his body. He was still wearing the same beige top and the same blue-black jeans he had been wearing yesterday.

Overall, Marik looked even more tropical and mysterious than when Serenity had first met him. She could see why every single woman was so very attracted to him. His very smell was intoxicating, making the skin prickle with an unknown, heart-quenching feeling.

Why was Marik wearing that thoughtful expression, though? Why did he look so serious and devoted suddenly? So unlike the boy Serenity had first met in the secret laboratories…

"Marik?" she asked tentatively "What's wrong?"

Marik seemed shaken from a trance. He had been lost in his problems again- his mysterious telepathic powers and what they meant.

Serenity could feel Ryou tense and open his eyes beneath her gentle caresses. He too gazed at Marik with a polite yet unwavering stare.

Marik opened his mouth to speak, the air ruffling his hair mercilessly "I…" he started to say, but was cut short by a ringing sound.

In a moment, the condition of the friends was transformed. Marik and Ryou stood up immediately, sharing worried glances. As Ryou stood, he gently slipped away from Serenity's touch and grabbed her wrist.

The persistent ringing continued becoming louder and louder with each sound. It took a moment for Rika and Lena to wake up. They stood up and Marik suddenly realized it was coming from Lena's coat.

"Quick! Pick up your phone before somebody hears us!" Marik instructed and Lena rushed to take the phone from her pocket.

She pressed a button and suddenly, the miniature hologram of Taichi appeared in front of them. Ryou looked at Serenity curiously.

"It's a type of phone, Ryou…We also have non-hologramic phones, but they are considered really cheap." She explained. Ryou nodded quickly and turned his attention to the conversation between Lena and Taichi.

"Lena, Rika! Are you okay?" Taichi' s voice echoed around them.

Lena looked to be in the verge of tears. "Yes! Oh, yes, we're fine! How about you guys? Oh my God, Taichi, is everything okay?" Lena asked urgently. Marik and Ryou were watching the small hologram intently.

"Yeah…Kenji is fine and so am I…We slept in the pod, just like we said we would…everything is going according to plan." He whispered. "We haven't seen what's going on out in the port, so watch out! Someone might attack you!"

Lena looked immensely relieved and suddenly, she seemed to realize the presence of all the others "Oh no! Taichi I forgot to tell you! We went to Serenity's house as planned. Marik and that ancient man, Ryou Bakura, were with her. Someone is after them too…we'll take all of them with us, right?"

Taichi looked positively startled "M-Marik?" he hesitantly asked "Marik is with you? And the ancient fellow too? But we thought he was dangerous!"

"It's okay!" Lena said. It seemed as though she was about to start explaining. Marik shot her a warning glance and surprisingly, she got the message "I'll explain everything in detail later, Taichi! We have to come to the port, while it's still daylight!!"

"Fine!" Taichi said urgently "Hurry, okay? We're waiting for you! Be careful! Marik…if you're there…Take care of everyone…"

The hologram slowly faded away and Marik nodded unconsciously. Rika and Lena started hugging each other frantically, reveling at the thought that they're friends were okay.

Ryou shared a significant glance with Serenity and they both turned to Marik. He nodded to them and his lavender orbs lit up with determination. He turned to the alcove entrance and the wind hit him full force. Serenity and Ryou stood next to him, watching the hovercrafts pass in front of them.

On the far, deep end of the horizon stood a humungous building. It was an architectural wonder. Great platforms raised above the clouds and framed with metallic arches completed the skyscraper. There was really no word to describe its magnificence. Spaceships flew rapidly and landed on the platforms, each one shining with a special light. It was the port.

It could have been considered an epic moment, All of them staring outside with the wind blowing soundly on their faces and the blue Mercury sunlight bathing their surroundings.

The urgency of the situation, however, was overwhelming and the boys had no time to waste. Marik jumped out of the hidden alcove and onto the floating road-bridge. Ryou followed promptly with his arms around Serenity. He helped the other girls get down and turned to Marik.

The bronze-skinned boy had his arms folded skeptically. The wind from the `flying tubes' still made his hair float around him. Ryou approached his friend and looked at him. He was very old himself, and he could see the change in Marik. Marik was growing more mature by the minute.

"Quick!" Serenity urged "Lets not catch a cab! Kaiba's goons can be anywhere…"

"Who said we're gonna take a taxi?" Marik mysteriously asked. He shoved his hand in the pocket of his trousers and took out a small, mechanic contraption. Serenity and Ryou instantly recognized it.

Marik pressed the button but nothing happened. Everyone was getting a bit impatient, except Ryou who had long practiced in waiting. In a while, a black, shiny hover flew down next to them. Marik smiled a sexy grin and slipped in the driver's seat. His exotic charms were set on maximum again.

"So…" he started "Who wants a ride?" Lena and Rika started squealing and eagerly dove in the backseat, whereas Serenity and Ryou flashed identical cheerful smiles.

Serenity forced herself to squeeze between the girls in the backseat, while Ryou sat in the front next to Marik. Ryou was still a bit uncomfortable about hovers, but he still preferred the front seat from having to sit between two squealing girls.

"Marik!" Lena started excitedly "How did you call it from so far away?"

"Yea Marik…" Serenity wondered "How DID you call it?"

Marik whipped his head around to look at the back seat and Ryou followed his lead. "It's an electro-wave contraption that I created myself. It allows the similar system in my car to track my signal everywhere within the range of 150 miles…" Marik said somewhat smugly, his lavender orbs shining seductively.

"That's right Marik…" Rika started "You always had a thing for engineering…"

Ryou shook his head dismissively at Marik's self-satisfied expression. "Youngsters…" he murmured and the girls giggled. Marik just threw him a playful glare and turned to the steering wheel.

The inevitable reaction from Ryou was heard…"Oh no…" The ancient boy said as Marik started speeding.

They were all hiding behind a set of wooden doors. It was at the most isolated part of the Spaceport. It was the place where hardware and several lost or restricted items were kept. They had sneaked this far and where now trying to get to the pod.

To get to the pod, they had to pass through the official platform, the one teeming with people. Marik had his head sneaking through the crack of the door, his lithe, lean body glued stealthily to the wall. Since this was a cheap hardware space, manual wooden doors framed the entrance.

Marik's observant eye widened as he observed the people outside. He let the door close and turned to the others.

"This is bad…" he said quickly and glanced around at his friends. "Kaiba has guards everywhere…He's making sure no one leaves the planet."

Ryou and Serenity exchanged glances. "We can use smoke as distraction…" Serenity suggested.

Marik shook his head negatively. "Nah…" he mused "They've got scanners everywhere…Smoke will do no good. Neither will distraction…we have to pass as unnoticed as possible and enter the pod at the same time."

At this, everyone's eyes turned to Ryou who innocently blinked. "What?" he asked gingerly.

"Camouflage." Marik answered. "Your appearance is much too unusual."

"Whereas yours is not, Marik?" Rika asked smartly "When you get in the room, everyone stops breathing."

Marik didn't even blush. He decided not to comment on that and simply settled on huffing. `Damn…' he thought `she's right!'

"We all have to camouflage…" Serenity said decisively "You never know who may recognize us."

"Fine!" Rika started as she raised her backpack. "I have just what we need."

Bakura Ryou had soon vanished in order to be replaced by the black-haired young man with brown eyes. Even his thin white eyebrows had been replaced with thick black ones. His unnaturally pale skin had been covered by a darker, much more common shade. The black mane that now adorned his head had been gathered in a huge brown hat.

"Do I HAVE to?" Ryou whined comically.

Serenity smirked from her place next to him. Her hair and eyebrows were now blonde and let completely loose. Her eyes had been turned blue and her tummy looked like a balloon

"Easy for you to say, hippie boy. YOU'RE not supposed to play a pregnant woman…" she said. Lena and Rika snickered at that. Now both the girls had brown hair and they also had the same eye-color. They would pretend to be twins.

"How's it going, Marik?" Rika asked the nearby man. Marik turned to her and they couldn't help but snicker. Marik had his own natural hair and eyes. He also had a beach blond mustache. All jewelry had been removed and casual clothing had replaced his tropical look. His skin had become a few shades lighter and it looked like Ryou's in a way.

The magic things one can do with 25th century beauty tools… Marik glanced around suspiciously and turned to his friends.

"Okay! Review the plan!" he said in a conspicuous voice. The others nodded and Serenity started to memorize the plan. "Rika and Lena start first. They go to the pod and we get to see which pod it is. Then, Ryou and I slip out and go to the ship. Lastly, you come along, Marik- I still don't feel good about that, by the way." She added with a blush.

Marik shook his arm, signifying that it was useless to try and change his mind. "Okay! Do you remember your parts?" Everyone nodded and Marik felt a surge of relief. At least that was over with.

"Right! Go girls, we'll be watching!" Marik urged. The girls looked at each other and proceeded to step outside the hangar.

"Good luck…" Ryou's voice echoed as the `twins' slipped outside. The doors closed quickly behind them and they swiftly made their way to the main platform. They needed to follow Marik's instructions and mingle with the people first.

The walk to the escape pod was generally uneventful for the two girls. They did notice many Kaiba guards, but no one seemed to distinguish them in the crowd. They soon realized that a Kaiba guard was settled outside each ship, guarding it. Now that was not good.

As they approached a certain, old-looking red ship, they started to walk slower. By the time they were in front of the ship, they had stopped.

"This must be it!" Lena excitedly said but soon noticed the guard outside the pod and felt her resolve crumble.

Rika tugged at her sleeve. It was time to play their role.

The female guard watched lazily around her. 'This is pointless' the muscular blonde woman thought `No loser would even want to step in this shack, let alone escape with it…' Just then, she saw two girls approaching and they looked exactly identical.

`Holy cow' the simple minded woman thought `What the heck?' she noticed that the girls were having a heated conversation.

"You must be crazy!" one of them told the other "No one is THAT stupid! How could you forget the tickets at home?"

"You're the one who' s crazy!" the other countered "I TOLD you I wouldn't take those tickets if you didn't buy me that dress!"

"That's just blackmail, you're so sick!"

"You're my twin sister, so why can't you at least show some respect?"

"Respect? RESPECT? How can you respect a person who leaves the tickets behind because of a DRESS!? Oh, and by the way, that dress does NOT suit you! It suits me better. That salesman said so…"

"How can you say that you …you…ho!? You look just like me!"

"Have you got a problem with that? Huh? Huh? You want a piece o' me? Huh? Huh?"

By now, the fight had come right next to the guard and the woman was really starting to lose her patience.

"Ladies…LADIES!" she shouted, and at once the twins stopped bickering. "What is your problem, ladies? Can I help?" the guard impatiently asked.

"Yes, officer, you can!" the first twin said "My idiotic sister forgot the tickets for our ride. Now we're stuck here…"

"I'm NOT an idiot!" the second sister countered and the bickering started all over again. The guard rolled her eyes and shouted again.

"LADIES!" she screamed to calm the twins "If I give you a solution to your problem, will you get off my case?"

The twins nodded eagerly.

"Great!" the guard said "look, I don't know about your ship, but I'm willing to let you take a ride in this god-forsaken empty pod for free. If you can find a way to fly it…it's all yours!"

"Really?" the first twin said with shining puppy-dog eyes.

"REALLY?" the second echoed with the same expression.

"Yes really.' The guard said while rolling her eyes.

"You won't be sorry!" the first twin said.

"You definitely won't!" the second echoed.

"We'll take good care of it!"

"We surely will!"

"Just let us go in and you'll see!"

"You will most absolutely see!"

The guard was desperate to get rid of the duo. It seems that when they were not constantly arguing, they were constantly agreeing with each other.

"Whatever!" she finally shouted "just get away from me.'

The twins shared identical grins and rushed to get in the pod. The guard was so glad to feel peace and quiet again, that she didn't even notice as the girls shared high-fives.

At the other end of the platform, three people were standing still.

"It actually worked?" Asked Serenity incredulously.

"Of course!" Marik said "I've known these two for a long time and they can act exactly like that sometimes…"

Ryou smiled sweetly at that. It was unimaginable, the way he could preserve his innocence and gentleness no matter what. Serenity smiled in return, but Marik was more occupied with checking on the landscape.

"Coast is clear…" he skeptically said "You guys go first, and expect to see me later…"

Serenity and Ryou nodded. Ryou took Serena's hand and moved first. He spotted the pod they had to go to and started walking.

"I feel like a stinky drunkard…" he murmured to Serena.

She looked at him curiously. He gave her an innocent look.

"Never mind…" he said while shaking his head. They reached the red pod easily, carefully avoiding Kaiba's guards.

They saw the blonde female guard from a distance. "This is it…" Serenity started "Now we wait for Marik…"

They waited for a moment, until they saw a beach-blonde haired guy with a mustache walk up to the guard.

"That's our man…" Ryou murmured " Are you ready?"

Serenity nodded and held a hand on her belly.

"Then let's go!" he urged.

Back at the front of the pod, the female guard was sitting peacefully and twirling her blonde locks with her finger when a man walked up to her.

`Now what is this hot piece of work?' she thought as she examined the newcomer. In short, he was everything she ever dreamed of. Tall, blonde, with beautiful eyes and creamy skin, not too muscular, dressed in black and looking mean with a mustache.

"Hey…." The man started slyly as he approached her. He placed his arms on the red pod and leaned on it. This was getting better by the minute.

"Hey…" she answered.

"So…" the guy said while touching his mustache lightly "…how ya doin'?" he asked. His intoxicating smell filled her nostrils as she sensed the exotic touch. Entrancing.

"I'm…okay…" the guard said. Marik had to resist the urge to roll his eyes. How boring could a woman get?

"Cool…" he started saying "So…what is a lady as beautiful as you doing here?" he finished with a leer.

The guard felt like fainting. This god thought she was beautiful? Wow! This boring trip to the port turned out to be interesting, after all. The blonde girl was already fantasizing about this guy.

"I'm assigned to guard this stupid ship for KaibaCorp…I don't understand why, though…It's top secret and I theoretically can't tell you of course, but I'll tell you anyway…" she rambled on.

"Oh yesss…" the man hissed suggestively as he slipped like a snake closer to her "please tell me more…"

The guard was overwhelmed "Well, they want us to keep some scientists from leaving…They have to do with some weird experiments but Kaiba never told us more than that..."

"Aw…" the man said in a regretful yet alluring tone. He stretched a hand and ran his finger over the skin on her neck. The mere touch had scorched her flesh. "That means you have so much work to do that you can't even come with me somewhere a bit more private…" he continued.

The girl's eyes widened. Already? Hell, she didn't have any objections. She was about to fill him in with her response when some annoying voices were heard next to her.

The man seemed indifferent at the interruption, but the guard was enraged. Here she was, ready to fulfill her greatest fantasy and some idiot interrupted her?

"I'm really, sorry, miss, but…me and my wife are searching for a ship." A manly voice said with a heavy accent.

"One moment…" she eagerly told the handsome man and turned to the distraction. A brunette man was standing there, next to his blonde, pregnant wife.

"What do you want?" the guard asked through clenched teeth. The man blinked innocently with the most honest, sincere look she had ever seen.

"Please help us?!" he said, as his innocent eyes sparked at her "My wife is pregnant and due to give birth any day now…We hoped that…an old pod like this could give us a ride to Venus or something…"

"Sure…" the guard said impatiently "Whatever! Do you have some ID and a ticket? " she asked. Just then, the enchanting man that had driven her crazy to begin with came excruciatingly close to her back and leaned his chin on the crook of her neck.

"What's the matter?" his deep voice burned her skin "Is there a problem?"

The girl's breath started to come in quick gasps. "No… no problem…" she mumbled and turned to the innocent man and his wife. "There is no problem! Do what you want, just leave! Now!"

The couple eagerly obliged. The man and his pregnant wife rushed into the rusty pod and the guard turned to the blonde man instantly.

"So…" she started quickly "Where were we…?"

The man's sly grin returned to place and his lavender eyes flashed mysteriously. "Well…" he started saying, but there was another interruption, one that Marik was not expecting.

He became truly nervous on the inside when he saw another KaibaCorp guard approach the girl he was assigned to distract.

"Hey, Sheila!" the other guard shouted at her. He was male, so there was no chance of seduction there…"What the heck are you doing? Why have you let you're guard down?" he asked the girl angrily.

"Well…um…you see…" Sheila started and instantly pointed at Marik "I was just talking to this guy…"

The male guard froze as he noticed at the blonde, mustached man. Marik squirmed uncomfortably. He recognized this man. He had frequently talked with him when he was at KaibaCorp.

The man's eyes roamed above Marik's body. His unprotected lavender eyes and golden hair could pose a threat now…

"M-Marik?!" the guard finally exclaimed! This hit Marik like a brick on the head. He kept a composed façade but on the inside he was collapsing. "Shit" was the only thing he could think of. But being the known suave that he was…Marik decided to go down fighting.

He resulted in his best method: distraction/seduction. "Whatever do you mean my good sir…?" Marik inquired lightly by setting all his willpower on his charms. He could instantly feel Sheila's very essence melt beside him, but the guy was left unphazed.

Marik was really starting to worry now. Just then, he realized his lethal mistake, apart from being incredibly stupid and power-hungry, guards had the tense to be absolutely obstinate when they actually DID manage to realize something fishy.

Just now, by using his usual charms, Marik had done the absolute mistake. He made it blatantly obvious to the guard that he really WAS Marik, the sweet-talking, sly pretty boy who had the power to seduce everyone within the range of twenty miles.

The guard was having the same thoughts obviously. His beady black eyes narrowed considerably. "Don't play dumb with me Marik. I know your face like the back of my hand-everybody does. I wonder what you're doing here…in front of a deserted ship…dressed in that silly biker outfit…with a corny mustache…"

Marik's eyes widened considerably. The lavender glow was replaced by a worried purple.

"I…I don't know what you're talking about…" Marik started in a voice that sounded much unlike his own. For the first time in his life, he felt very vulnerable and very alone. Where was everyone to help him now?!

The guard was approaching with a menacing, hungry look. He looked as if he had caught a mouse in a trap. `I can't believe I used to talk to this man…' Marik thought disgustedly. Sheila looked very confused and very angry. Marik could vaguely understand her mentality but didn't have time to really think about it.

Suddenly, a sickeningly vicious hiss was heard. It was a man's voice and it came directly from near the red pod. The male guard turned, bewildered, to greet the sight. Sheila mimicked the other's actions.

Marik had instantly recognized the terrifying voice and felt strangely comforted by it. Bakura the frightening spirit usually scared Marik, but this time, the freaky voice sounded sweeter than he could ever imagine. "Of course he doesn't know what you people are talking about…Am I right Jake?" the voice said.

Marik turned around to look at Bakura. Ryou's body was hosting the cruel eyed spirit. The ebony hair had been let loose in Bakura's natural, long mane. Marik smiled at the sight of the spirit. His confidence started to grow again.

"Of course you're right, buddy." Marik decided to play along. Bakura smiled with vampire fangs and turned a sadistic glare on the two guards.

"My friend here, doesn't know this person named `Marik'. What do you have to say about that?" Bakura eagerly asked the male guard, his burning red eyes begging for the chance to destroy.

"I say that's a pile of bullshit!" the male guard said in what he thought was a manly tone but really sounded more like a girlish squeal.

Bakura's eyes shone with mirth. "Thank you so much, for giving me the chance to amuse my boring existence." With these words, Bakura lunged ferally on the guard.

Marik could only stare, frozen, as Bakura punched and hit the guy viciously. He even bit the man at some point, drawing blood. Disgusted, he spat the liquid out. "Your blood is so washed out! What do you feed with, water?" Bakura barked. He would have said more if it weren't for Ryou shouting frantically in his mind. The spirit in the body of Ryou had soon immobilized the opponent. Sheila came next. A simple kick was enough to bring her to the floor.

The scene had drawn the attention of many at this point and more Kaiba guards were coming. Bakura had no time to lose. He grabbed Marik' s wrist and dragged him all the way to the red ship's entrance. Together, Bakura and Marik, climbed the ramp and got in the ship.

Taichi and Kenji were ready after that. The ship instantly took off, leaving the bewildered Kaiba guards to stare solemnly after them.

"Unit 2 reporting..." a guard said in his ear-microphone "Red, rusty escape pod has just left dock 3…Suspects are on the ship. It's hard to ignore, the ship is in very bad shape…Yes sir. Yes sir. I understand sir. Positive. Fine. The pursuit will commence immediately."

The guard closed the link and turned to a colleague who was checking out Sheila's pulse.

"Get a ship to pick Mr. Kaiba up. Start chasing that damn pod immediately!" the guard looked at the fallen guard's corpse angrily "And get rid of these god-damn bodies!"

"Yes sir!" the guard said urgently and proceeded to make the arrangements.

Meanwhile, back in the escape pod, Marik was fondled by everyone.

"We're so glad you're okay Marik!" Serenity said while hugging her friend.

"Yeah!" Lena added "It's all thanks to Ryou! He totally flipped when he realized you were in danger! It's like he became another person! Right Rika?"

"Right!"

"Really? Was he really that worried?" Marik asked in a bewildered tone. His eyes wandered to Bakura's form. He was standing far from the others, facing the spaceship windows. Marik looked at the spirit thoughtfully. Apart from Serenity, this spirit was the first person to worry so much about him. Hey, Bakura actually risked his life for him.

That's gotta be worth something, right?

"Totally! We couldn't see what was happening outside, but he heard some pretty interesting punching noises…"

Marik sunk in a thoughtful trance. It's a good job they hadn't heard innocent `Ryou' talk about how stale somebody's blood tasted. Marik couldn't understand it. Bakura was totally disgusting and mean, yet he was always very calm and collected when talking to Marik.

Marik stood up from his lying position and approached the lonely, now black haired figure. Serenity had wisely stayed away from Bakura for fear of angering him. The girls started to talk to each other fervently, while Marik stepped somewhat bashfully towards Bakura.

He tapped the spirit's shoulder lightly and the boy turned around with a fierce gaze. He steadied his back on the glass and focused his fiery glare on Marik.

Marik was feeling incredibly insecure and naked, suddenly. He always lost his charming aura around Bakura, it probably had something to do with the spirit's glares…

"T-Thanks…" Marik started very uncharacteristically, while staring at the floor. "…for saving me back there." He continued. He could feel the fiery gaze pierce into his mind at this point.

Bakura stayed very still and silent for a moment. Then he suddenly turned around and smirked cruelly. "Don't get too comfortable. I just need some answers in this mystery and you seem to be the only one who can help…"

Marik felt as though that impersonal response was much warmer than anything the spirit could have said. After all, Bakura resulted in mean techniques only when he was fighting to keep his feelings hidden. Bakura probably felt good at hearing Marik thank him…and Marik felt happy for that.

"Is Ryou listening to this?" Marik asked in a mysteriously cheery voice.

"No. I blocked him out of my thoughts after I drank that pathetic guy's blood."

"That's right! Why are you obsessed with blood, anyway?" Marik curiously asked.

Bakura smirked at that. "I just take advantage of Ryou's physical ability to drink...and make myself feel alive…" he murmured absently.

Marik's lavender eyes glowed in understanding "Bakura…" Marik started but was startled to see Ryou's innocent orbs turn back to look at him. That was it…Bakura had left. Marik felt a pang of loneliness and disappointment yet again, but Ryou's warm gaze was very comforting.

"I…I think I spaced out for a while, Marik…" Ryou politely said "could you please repeat what you were saying?"

Marik looked compassionate "I…" he started but was interrupted suddenly by a gruff male voice.

"Marik! " Taichi shouted as he approached them all. Kenji was following up close. The girls didn't look surprised to see them- they probably talked to them earlier. Marik, however, was very glad Taichi and Kenji was okay.

"Hey!" Marik shouted and patted Kenji's back. "You okay?"

Kenji chuckled lightly. "We're fine. Thank God you came…all these females are giving me the creeps!"

Marik laughed and Ryou grinned behind them. "Thanks for taking care of them, Ishtar." Taichi seriously said. Marik nodded, his jewelry clinging and sparkling.

Just then, Marik noticed Ryou's aloof behavior. "Oops…" he told Taichi and Kenji "You guys…Ryou is not crazy and he's not the one after us!"

"They know, Marik…We told them most of what we know." Serenity's soft voice echoed. Ryou immediately felt better. That kind tune of Serenity's voice always had a calming effect. She was `Serenity' after all.

Marik seemed to calm at that too. Taichi looked very lighthearted. He approached Ryou and Ryou cheerfully smiled at him. Taichi patted the albino's back.

"How could anyone not trust a guy like this?" Taichi cheerfully said. Ryou looked curious as to what that meant but everyone else laughed happily.

Ryou took a better look at his surroundings. They were in the back of the ship. The equipment around them was shiny and new, which made a startling contrast with the rusty- looking outside of the pod.

Suddenly, a thought hit Serenity "Oh my God! The Kaiba guards! They'll come after us now that they saw Marik in our pod!"

Marik was shaken into a terrible reality. He had managed exactly the opposite of what he had intended to do. He revealed their cover, and now it was no use trying to hide on Earth.

Taichi and Kenji, however, looked very relaxed. "Don't worry" Taichi said "This baby is fully equipped with all the equipment we need. It's an escape pod, of course and doesn't have stuff like weapons and lasers…but it does have a little something we added on it…A generator that can camouflage the ship…On the outside it looks just like a useless shack while it really is…Come with me!"

He led them down some intricate corridors and elevators and reached the bridge. Taichi slipped in the commander's seat and started tinkering with some control panels. Ryou's eyes were widening more and more by the minute.

Taichi finally pressed a green button and immediately, odd sounds were heard from around the ship.

"What the heck?" Lena asked, dumbfounded. Kenji grinned.

"We just disposed of the parts that covered our ship's TRUE surface. Now it looks green and new on the outside. This will stall the guards, don't you think?"

Everyone except Marik just stared. Marik was telling Kenji and Taichi some extra mechanical tips. `He truly does have an obsession with engineering…' Serenity thought as she observed them.

"Marik really likes technology, huh?" Ryou asked Serena cheerfully. Serenity just turned at him and smiled a true smile.

"Yes…And Taichi and Kenji are really into driving ships, it seems." She answered.

"Of course!" an exultant Rika exclaimed, joining their talk "Taichi and Kenji were former Navigators!" she said with an air of pride and admiration.

"Navigators?" Ryou curiously asked, his innocent eyes gleaming politely.

Serenity rushed to answer "Navigators were the first people who explored space when spaceships were made. In the 22nd century, when the greatest and more able pods were developed by MultiCorp and the first Catacombs were made, Navigators were the ones who discovered other planets suitable for human colonization…Later, Navigators became the drivers of exploration and transportation ships."

Ryou nodded quickly. Then, his eyes sparked with another question "Um…What are the Catacombs…?"

Lena and Rika giggled at Ryou's ignorance and he smiled kindly at them. Serenity sighed inwardly thinking this would be very difficult. Nevertheless, Ryou's innocence had persuaded her and she was about to start explaining when Marik interrupted her.

"Hey guys!" he shouted urgently "Listen up! Initially, we were hoping to hide on Earth. We'll stick to that plan. It's just that we have to be careful no Kaiba guards follow us to our new hideout. Besides…it's very hard to hitch a ride to Earth as it is, and we will have to make a stop at another planet anyway…Maybe we can mislead the guards."

Everyone nodded quickly in understanding. "Good…Taichi and Kenji will stay at the bridge, everybody else…go relax!"

This was all they needed. Lena and Rika started giggling as they walked outside and into one of the corridors. Who knows were they went after that…

Serenity flipped her auburn hair behind her shoulder and turned to the exit. She threw a last glance at Ryou who was gazing around curiously. She needed a rest, so she decided a nap would be good right about now. She walked to the door and went to her cabin.

Marik had also thoughtfully left the bridge and Ryou was not sure where he went. Ryou was left standing at the bridge. He approached Taichi and Kenji who were messing with some gauges and talking.

"So you guys can drive this thing?' Ryou asked amiably. Taichi turned at him and smiled.

"Sure. We liked this job better than being scientists but we had to retire when we crashed really bad with a cargo ship…"

Kenji winced at the memory and Ryou decided to change the subject.

"So…" he started slowly and hesitantly "I was always interested in these things when I was young…" Taichi chuckled at that -Ryou looked as young as can be but he really wasn't...

"I was thinking…if you could teach me how to drive a ship like this…would you?" The kind boy innocently asked.

"Sure we will, dude!" Taichi lightly said "There are no guards chasing us around so there's nothing better to do, anyway!"

"Uh-huh" Kenji agreed.

Ryou smiled gladly.

Serenity had just woken up from her nap. She certainly felt refreshed. Having nothing better to do, she decided to explore the ship.

After she put on her shoes and combed her hair, she left the chamber and started to wander around the corridors. When she reached a big, empty platform, she glanced around. There was a huge window, showing all stars and planets around them. The soft glow from the stars enlightened the empty dark room.

Perched silently on the side of the window was Marik. His golden hair fell gracefully down his shoulders. Now that the ridiculous camouflage had been removed, Marik was wearing a casual purple sweater and long white pants. After all, space was cold.

His golden jewelry sparkled with the soft starlight and his lavender eyes had turned a crystal shade of sapphire from the dim lighting.

Marik had an expression of meditation plastered on his beautiful face. Serenity wasn't sure if she wanted to know what he was thinking about, judging by his troubled eyes. She felt the need to talk to him, however.

"Marik…" she started softly as she approached him. He wasn't at all surprised. His glazed eyes got a more focused look and he obviously stopped his thinking. He made no move, the only indication that he was listening to her was the way his pupils moved slightly towards her direction. (He does that a lot in the show, just looks at people but doesn't actually TURN to them to indicate he's listening.)

Serenity continued "…what's wrong, with you? You're changing."

This time Marik turned to her and blinked lazily. "I know, Serena…" was all he said.

Serenity looked worried as she paced around him "You were carefree at first, but now you're constantly sinking in your…thoughts…" she suddenly stopped walking and turned to him.

"Why aren't you telling me what's wrong? Why can't you trust me? The same goes to Ryou… What's wrong with you, Marik?! How did you know that Kaiba wanted to kill Ryou? How? Why?"

At that moment, Marik looked immensely apologetic and desperate. He turned his pleading eyes to Serena.

"I…I'm sorry…" he simply uttered "I…I just need to figure this out on my own, first…It's hard…"

"Marik trust me! Please, tell me! I might be able to help! Trust me, please!" Serenity loudly reasoned. Marik looked at her with a somewhat hesitant look.

`Should I tell her…' he wondered "No…not yet…"

He looked apologetic again " I can't. I'm sorry, Serena. I DO trust you…It's just that I need to understand this by myself first..."

Serenity's usual submissive nature and kind smile was gone. Her eyes had been replaced with two burning auburn meteors. "FINE!" she shouted in fury and exasperation. "Have it your way! FOR NOW!" she angrily said and walked out of the room, her heels clicking erratically behind her.

Marik sighed. Dealing with people he cared about was harder than he thought.

Serenity was having exactly the same thoughts. Her irate steps brought her unconsciously to the bridge. She stepped inside unnoticed and met the most adorable sight one could ever imagine.

It was Ryou- angel figure and all- trying to deal with the spaceship controls comically, while Kenji and Taichi explained everything. Ryou seemed to be getting the hang of things.

"I really like this!" he exclaimed cheerfully. Taichi and Kenji shook their heads at the young man's innocence and patted him in the back.

"That's it!" Taichi shouted as Ryou managed to achieve a demonstration of landing the ship. "You got the hang of it!"

"Now all you need is practice!" Kenji added. Ryou smiled and Serenity froze. How could this man's kind grin make her knees go weak?

She was very afraid of all the feelings she had developed for him. She couldn't bare the thought of never seeing his innocent features again. How had this come to be, anyway?

She knew the answer, deep inside. It wasn't his handsome face or body…it was nothing like carnal lust, either. It was pure feeling. She loved this man not because he was beautiful on the outside, but because he had showed her his feelings openly, with no boundaries.

It was that very first time, when he was an old man…the eyes that thanked and admired her from that first moment was what she had fallen in love with. It was the fact that Ryou was not afraid to show his feelings.

Young men- originally young men- had many insecurities and problems. This old man, however, had the experience and the knowledge to understand that it was better to express yourself than lock your feelings up.

That's what she loved about Ryou. His maturity, his inner strength, his kindness and his fiery feelings. Most people tend to confuse love wit lust, but Ryou didn't seem to have that problem. He had obviously kept his abilities of patience and self-confidence in order not to fall into tantrums of passion or anger.

Even Marik could not compose his feelings as much as Ryou. Even if Serenity wasn't the one Ryou loved, she was happy to see him express acts of kindness and sincerity towards her. She loved knowing that when Ryou said or did something, he meant it.

She realized she had been openly staring at him a little too late. He suddenly turned around and saw her. `Oops…' she thought as she froze to the spot `Caught red-handed…I can't believe he caught me staring at him.'

Ryou, however, looked as innocent and cheerful as can be. He gave her a bright smile and kept beaming at her. Kenji and Taichi were too engrossed in conversation that they didn't even notice the interaction.

Ryou wouldn't stop looking at her and she was feeling more uncomfortable by the second. She smiled a fake sweet smile, trying to conceal her inner turmoil. Ryou seemed to notice the façade of happiness because his smile faded away. He looked at her worriedly and she instantly felt more guilt drown her.

She knew that she wouldn't be able to keep calm for much longer so she did the only thing she could: she squirmed frantically and left the bridge at once. Maybe this was just today's luck, getting away from people.

After she was gone, while Kenji and Taichi were talking, Ryou had an unusual scowl on. What was wrong with her? Was she mad at him? Why would she be mad? `Oh dear…' he thought `I believe these feelings are making me forget my age…I'm acting all young and reckless again…'

Unbeknownst to neither Ryou nor Serenity, two catlike lavender eyes had watched everything. Marik was standing in a dark alcove near the doorway and he had been observing both Serenity's and Ryou's reactions.

`Ryou is very reticent and composed…' Marik thought `He doesn't act like a lustful youngster like he normally ought to at this age…Instead he likes to express himself through romance. It's justified that he's so romantic…after all, he is an old man. Old and wise people can tell the importance of true romantic feelings. They are not interested in the pleasure of flesh but in the fulfillment of the psyche…'

Marik smirked. `Yet Ryou does resemble a big baby sometimes, always curious and eager for exploration…He tries to take everything life has to give…He snatches each moment and holds on to it, savoring every part of it as though life was going to be ripped away from him any moment…'

Marik thoughtfully looked at Ryou `Serenity needs a man who can understand her feelings…She needs a person to fill her sentimentality…Ryou is perfect for that. But Bakura…'

Marik sighed at that `He's not like Ryou. He doesn't love each moment of life…he hates it. He never stops destroying and hating, all his anger is patched up in his heart…Could it be that Bakura treats life like that because he knows that he will never die?'

Marik jerked suddenly and looked surprised with himself. Why think of Bakura of all people? He was condemned in eternal life.

`Exactly.' Marik mused `Ryou who is a person that has come the closest possible to death leads a happy and complete life…Bakura, however, the one with eternal life and who can never die, believes life to be a cruel hell- an eternal restlessness, an eternal mayhem…'

Marik suddenly blinked at his thoughts and turned to stare at Ryou, who was laughing whole-heartedly while trying to put a red lever back to place. `Ryou believes that his life is the most precious thing…but Bakura believes that life is his personal plague! And they were both given the chance of another life…'

`Wait a minute!' Marik mused as he thought of Ryou's contrasting two selves.

`Is eternal life a good thing…or a bad thing?'

To be continued…(Don't you just hate this phrase?) Please review and tell me if you want me to continue!