Sadly

This is the final chapter people! =(

It has been a joy to write indeed, and thank you to everyone who has read/reviewed :D

It’s inspiring and helpful ^_^

I hope to write more soon :D

But for now

Enjoy!! :D

x

*

As Bakura’s lips touched Marik’s, the spirit Marik gasped and touched his lips. He could feel it. He looked down at his body, which was becoming more transparent. Bakura eventually tore himself away from Marik’s body and looked at the ghost, who was almost completely see through now. Bakura felt powerless as Marik faded away, a small smile still on his face. Bakura held his breath, and waited, hoping it had worked...

Nothing.

Bakura turned away. He’d failed...

“Bakura...” Yami said, pointing to a piece of hospital equipment which was now beeping. Bakura spun around and looked down at Marik’s body. His chest was rising and falling slowly.

“He’s alive!” He yelled, kneeling down next to him. Several cheers erupted from the crowd of people, and Ishizu ran over to see her brother. She was in tears, and even Joey was having trouble holding the emotion back.

“Bakura you saved him!” Ryou said, in awe. There were several mutterings at this. Bakura couldn’t believe it. Marik was free. He’d saved him. He was trembling as he watched the blond. He was there, living and breathing. No longer a ghost or just a comatose body.

Marik’s fingers twitched and he slowly opened his eyes. He felt weak, but he was...there. Everything was blurry at first, but slowly his violet eyes focused, and he found faces.

“Marik!” Ishizu exclaimed, seeing that his eyes were open. Marik glanced at her and she smiled. He looked around, feeling unsettled and strange. Where was he? What was going on? He could make out people, but he didn’t know any of them...except...

“Bakura saved you,” Ishizu explained, gesturing to the person beside her. Marik glanced at him. He had white hair and stunning, deep brown eyes. Marik thought hard for a moment, and continued to stare at Bakura.

Bakura couldn’t take his eyes off Marik. He looked even more beautiful than before. His body seemed to emit a strange glow, the glow of life. Bakura’s heart hammered against his chest, and he smiled. He slowly reached forward to touch Marik’s hand, feeling happier than he ever remembered.

But as he did so, Marik gave a confused look and pulled his hand away defensively. Bakura and Ishizu exchanged glances, and Bakura tried to get Marik’s attention again, his heart sinking into his stomach, which was swirling horribly.

“Marik, it’s me. Bakura! Don’t you remember? Bakura...’Kura!” He said desperately, as doctors and nurses swarmed in on the scene, pushing him backwards. Bakura felt his eyes prickle as Marik didn’t even turn his head to look at him.

“Marik! MARIK!” he bellowed, as he was pushed further back. He was angry, upset and hurt. Was he simply messing about? Was this some sort of sick joke? Bakura battled with his tears and feelings, and decided that it was best to run.

He ran away from the best thing that had happened to him.

*

Marik Ishtar sighed and stretched his arms out wide. The sun was shining and the air was lovely and clear. He’d been out of hospital for almost a month now, but he was staying with his sister until the tenant in his apartment got out. Marik didn’t mind – it would have been strange to go back to living alone straight away. Besides, he smiled as he saw his nephew running toward him with a daffodil in his hand, he loved his family.

It had to be said, it had been strange seeing the world again. It was taking time to adjust, and Marik often got the strange feeling that someone was following him, and often senses of déjà vu. He’d gone to the fair with Seth last week, and he’d had it so badly then that it made him feel nauseous. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but there seemed to be something missing.

He’d gone back to work, and had been annoyed to see that someone had mucked around with the exhibits. He was also curious about the fact that his file was missing, but his workplace didn’t seem to mind. They couldn’t afford to lose him.

“What you thinking about, Uncle?” Seth asked, jumping up on the bench beside him. Marik turned to him, his hair catching the sunlight beautifully. Seth swung his legs around and Marik chuckled.

“A lot of things,” he said, nodding gently. Seth gave a cheeky grin and flung his arms around Marik, squeezing him tightly.

“I missed you so much,” he said, tears appearing on his cheeks. Marik smiled and returned the hug.

“I’ve been back for almost a month,” he said, grinning. Seth shook his head and nuzzled into him. Marik looked around and glanced over his shoulder suddenly. He was sure he’d seen someone out of the corner of his eye. Maybe that was just a side effect of the coma.

Another strange happening was that a group of teens who Marik had never met in his life now said hello to him whenever he walked past, and would often come to the museum to see him. Marik found this most strange – he’d never been one for social life, as far as he could remember. So where had these people come from? He would also often be greeted by a gothic looking boy with emerald eyes, who would ask how everything was, and seem to know him well. Marik stroked the ends of his hair and let the sun warm his face. He was glad to be back.

*

“Here we go, brother,”

Marik took a wary step into his apartment. It was so alien to him. He could hardly believe that he’d lived here once...

“It’s perfect,” he said, looking around in awe. For it was exactly how he’d left it. It was as though no one had been there at all.

“If you need me, don’t hesitate to call,” Ishizu said, hugging her brother. Marik nodded and ruffled Seth’s hair. He was hoping that he would settle in alright. His neighbours seemed to not notice that he was back anyway. That had to be a good sign.

Marik waved to Ishizu and Seth until they were out of sight, and then closed the door behind him. He set about familiarizing himself with the layout and where everything was. He hugged the cushions and inhaled their scent, and felt the warmth of his home returning to him. He smiled – home sweet home.

He admired the view from the window, and examined his bookcase. There seemed to be a few books that he didn’t remember having, but he would return them to the tenant sometime.

Marik walked along to his bedroom, and opened the door, hoping that it would be as perfect as the rest of the house. He hadn’t been counting on anybody being in there...

“Oh! I didn’t know anyone was here,” Marik said, feeling himself go slightly red. A man with white hair and brown eyes turned to him. The skin around them was a little red, presumably from crying. Marik shifted awkwardly and smiled.

“You’ve kept the house brilliantly,” he said. The other nodded and continued packing what appeared to be all of his clothes. Marik was sure he’d seen someone wearing a lot of the same things somewhere.

“I had help,” the white haired man said, smiling sadly. Marik fiddled with his nails and then folded his arms, feeling distinctly awkward and strange. He presumed this was the person who’d lived in his house during his absence, and could only imagine how depressing it could have been for them. Still...they’d done a good job, and now they would probably have no reason to see each other again.

“Well, I guess I’ll...be giving these back,” The man walked over to Marik and held out the set of door keys that he had. Marik looked up at his deep eyes, and felt a strange sense of déjà vu once again. He’d seen such eyes before...

Marik slowly reached forward for the keys, and as soon as his hand made contact with the other, he gasped as memories came flooding back to him. Marik shut his eyes and felt a rush of emotions as memories flashed in his mind.

Flash. Marik picking up the alarm clock that had fallen.

Flash. Someone screaming at him, watching horror movies.

Flash. A touch, a feeling.

Flash. A kiss...a name.

Marik opened his eyes and stared at the taller male. He knew now. What he’d been seeing in his dreams had actually happened, and this person was no stranger to him at all...

“Bakura. Your name’s Bakura,” he whispered. Bakura smiled and closed his hand around Marik’s, pulling him closer gently.

“It wasn’t just a dream,” Marik said softly. He wanted to say so much more, but couldn’t, as Bakura tilted his chin up and kissed him softly. Marik felt a shiver run down his spine at the sensation, and began to kiss back. He could remember now. He’d wanted this for so long. Bakura gently pulled Marik closer, until they were pressed against each other. Marik felt himself melt as Bakura deepened the kiss. He didn’t want it to end...

They parted for breath and remained close, hearts hammering. Bakura rested his forehead against Marik’s.

“You remember me,” he said softly. Marik nodded and let Bakura stroke his cheek affectionately.

“I do. I remember everything,”

“Even the whole museum episode? And the whole Ryou thing? And...everything?”

Marik giggled shyly.

“Yes. Everything,”

There was a small silence, and Bakura let his hand wander down Marik’s neck, and Marik smiled at the touch. This was real.

“I love you,” he murmured, eyes shining. Bakura smiled and tilted the blond’s chin up once again.

“I love you too,” he said.

And with that, his lips closed around Marik’s again, and the sun shone through the bedroom window, illuminating them and everything between them.

~Fin.~