Yami Marik's Destiny

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 15:Skills with Languages

Melissa and Yami Marik follows Aishizu through the marble halls, none of them are speaking. Melissa observes the internal architecture of the palace. It is really superb, specially when compared to the poor house she saw when she had first arrived in Egypt.

The walls are carved with rhythmical designs, and the ceiling is supported by columns, finely decorated with lotus flowers. The torches are already lit, and Melissa already smells food, probably being cooked to satisfy the Almighty Pharaoh's appetite. Aishizu leads Melissa and Yami Marik to a wooden door, which she unlocks and opens, and then they both enter.

Aishizu locked the door again right after Melissa and Yami Marik had entered.... It is a large room, with a big window, from which Melissa can see a beautiful Egyptian landscape, with the lights from the houses sparkling in the Darkness of an early spring night.

Aishizu motions both Melissa and Yami Marik to sit on a double sofa-like seat. Melissa is somewhat uncomfortable, sitting next to Yami Marik. Aishizu sits on a single couch. "Now,"she says,"I know you have come from far away... probably from another time."

Yami Marik looks terribly bored. Maybe even pissed... Even though Melissa knows that both Aishizu and modern time Ishizu both have the power to foretell the future, it's still amazing how she actually knew Melissa and Yami Marik were coming. Melissa then sees Yami Marik nodding his head. She wishes that she could understand what was going on though, so she asks Yami Marik,"I... would like to know.....if there's a way to understand Egyptian," she says, timidly.

Yami Marik gets annoyed by Melissa's question. She begins to move as further from him as she can. Yami Marik's lightless stare is then scaring Melissa. She has never seen such a lifeless look on his face, not since Battle Ship.... he is officially freaking Melissa out. Aishizu seems to notice the scared expression on Melissa's face. So she asks Yami Marik something, which makes him think about his answer.

He finally replies, and now Melissa's even more confused than before. They keep on their talk, and Melissa trys to keep her mind off of the Egyptian subject. Finally, after what seems an eternity to her, Aishizu stands up, and so does Yami Marik. She guides s to two doors.

Aishizu says something to Yami Marik, and he goes into one of them. Now it's only Melissa and the priestess. She smiles at her, and says to Melissa, in a perfect accent,"Please, follow me." Melissa stares wide eyed at her,'How can she possibly know my language?' Melissa thought.

Ashizu leads Melissa to her room, and introduces her to some Ancient Egyptian devices, Melissa had never thought could exist. She finally manages to get the courage to ask Ashizu,"Excuse me.... how can you know a language which has not been invented yet? I was wondering.... if you can understand me... could you teach me Egyptian?"

Ashizu smiles warmly at Melissa, and says,"Of course, but it may take some time. Until then, I suggest you do not speak, or people may notice you are not from here... Now, as I told... my.... brother..., pick some clothes, and go to dinner, in the hall. I shall introduce you to the priests."

Melissa nods, and smiles brightly. Ashizu nods too, and leaves Melissa to change. She decides to take a short bath, since she hasn't had one since she had been banished to the Shadow Realm. She then gets out and gets dressed.

Melissa then decides to go and check to see if Yami Marik is ready yet. Melissa knocks on his door. Nothing. She knocks again, and then she hears a vague,"WHAT IN THE SEVEN HELLS DO YOU WANT NOW!" from Yami Marik."Can I come in?" Melissa asks him. Really, Melissa isn't thinking clearly... if she were.... she would have never asked such a thing.... but, oh, well.

Yami Marik's answer is something along the lines of "d**n you!" Melissa then takes that as a positive sign. She then slowly opens the door.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 16:The Priests of Egypt

Melissa slowly opens the door, and then she suddenly realizes what she's doing. She is opening the door, which leads to a murderer's chambers, with the murderer inside.'WHAT IN THE NAME OF RA AM I THINKING?!' SHE THINKS. It must have been the scents Melissa put in the water of her bath. Yes, that HAS to be, it clouded her judgment, but now it's too late to go back, for Yami Marik has already seen her.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF AMMUT ARE DOING HERE!?" Yami Marik yells, as Melissa trys to cover herself. But to no avail, he has already seen her. Yami Marik throws a death glare at Melissa, but he doesn't move. Melissa was expecting the worst, but then she remembers that Yami Marik can't touch her. Why? Simple.

The priests are expecting BOTH of them to have dinner with them. They would not be pleased if only Yami Marik did so, and they wouldn't be pleased if they found Melissa's lifeless body in Yami Marik's room, either. And Yami Marik, of course, knows that.

So he just limits himself to saying,"Get.the.hell.away.now!" The bath has gotten Melissa in an unusual cheerful mood (*cough*sugar high*cough*), and, just to piss him off, Melissa grins and says,"No." Yami Marik stares at Melissa with an I'm-so-gonna-kill-you-when-I-have-the-opportunity face.

Melissa grins even more, and she says mockingly,"Need some help with that?" Yami Marik stares at her,"d**n you!" He says. He is trying to lace up his necklace, but he seems to need help badly."I.need.no.help!" Yami Marik replies coldly.

Melissa walks into the room. She sits on the bed, and stares at him. This is getting good. He looks so cute when he is angry! Melissa chuckles slightly to herself. Time passes, and she is getting bored of waiting,(and probably, the priests are bored too...)

Melissa then stands up and stares at him. "Don't even think about it!" Yami Marik says. Melissa smirks, and approachs him. He stares at her. (is it just me or is he staring at Melissa too much....?hahaha).

Melissa smiles at him, and laces the necklace easily. He glares at her, and gets his bracelets. While he does so, Melissa sits on the bed again. Since she arrived at the palace, she has been wanting to ask him loads of questions. How long will we be here? Will we ever go back home? WHY CANT I SPEAK EGYPTIAN? Why is it that always that I looked at Bakura, I had this odd feeling of I've-known-him-before?

Melissa finally decideed to ask him one question. The question that has been echoing in her head since she first thought about it."Marik," she asks,"What did the old lady tell you back in the Market Place?" Melissa still could remember Yami Marik's face (something like this---> :S). He blushes lightly, and says."I...eh.... nothing, nothing important...err...We have to go."

Melissa chuckles. It must have been something embarrassing... at least to him.... Melissa could not get the answer, but she's sure about something: she saw him blushing. Melissa doesn't know about what... but he blushed.

Melissa nods, and gets out of the room. Melissa follows Yami Marik through the corridors and halls. Finally, Yami Marik opens a door, and they find themselves in a large room, with a long table in it. Aishizu stands up, and introduces Melissa and Yami Marik to the priests,"This is Melissa and Marik, both from the future. As I have told you before, their arrival was announced by the gods. They will be staying here, until it is wise for them to go back."

They nod, and ask Yami Marik some questions. Melissa can clearly see he's bored answering to them. Melissa then notices that most of the priests, with the exception of one who looks a lot like Seto Kaiba, are wearing shentis, which don't cover their back. She glances at Yami Marik.

He's wearing a shirt, as he has since they both arrived at Egypt. It has been very hot, but he has never uncovered his back. This is not normal... if Melissa were a man, she would wear as less clothes as possible.

When Melissa finishes eating, Aishizu introduces her to the priests,"Priest Seto, who holds the Millennium Rod, Priest Karim, who guards the Scales, Priest Shada, who keeps the Millennium Ankh, Priest Akunadin, who holds the Eye, and Mahado who keeps the Ring."

Melissa and Yami Marik shake hands with them, and all of them go and sit in a living-room like place. The priests talk among themselves, and Aishizu tells something to Priest Seto. He takes out the Millennium Rod. Yami Marik stares in interest, and it glows a gold light.

Melissa then suddenly realizes that she can understand and speak Egyptian! (note: I don't think the Rod has this power, but for the sake of the story, lets pretend it does.)

All the priests nod in approval, except Akunadin, who tells Aishizu,"They can't be here in the palace sitting around, doing nothing. His Highness won't be pleased... we should get them something to do."

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 17: The Jobs

The next thing Melissa knew she's in charge of designing the pharaoh's gardens, and Yami Marik... well... he's the executioner. (lol). Aishizu explains briefly there jobs.

Melissa just has to observe the now bare gardens, sit, and plan what sorts of wild and exotic plants will suit each space.

Melissa will have plenty of free time, of course. And so will Yami Marik. His job requires just a minimum effort, since the only thing he has to do is to watch the tortures, and say when it is enough. Of course, the "Almighty" Pharaoh, sends almost no one to be tortured, partly because it's "very cruel and mean", and partly because he mindcrushes personally most of the criminals.

Melissa then has this slight impression, that Yami Marik is going to enjoy his job a lot. Priest Akunadin offers himself to show Yami Marik the underground calaboose, for tomorrow they both will begin there work.

Melissa doesn't want to go, but Ashizu tells her to do so, and after that, she suggests to Melissa to take a look at the garden she'll be working on tomorrow. "You should try looking from Marik's window... the view of the gardens is great from there. Of course, don't worry, I have already told him," she says, and smiles.

Melissa nods, and follows Akunadin and Yami Marik. They walk through a series of dark corridors, barely illuminated. The engravings on the walls are still beautiful, but a different style. This ones show war scenes, some real, dry blood stains the walls. Melissa freaks out a little. There is blood on the floor, and this one seems recent.

Melissa begins to walk faster, and almost stumbles with Yami Marik, who is some steps ahead of her. Akunadin opens a door, which leads to some steps. Melissa begins going down. Darkness surrounds her. There is no light, just a torch that priest of the Eye is holding carefully. He has told Melissa before, that if the torch fades out, there's no possible way of getting out of there.

The place is like a maze, and the Darkness is thick and sticky. The air is foul, and dirt bulks, making breathing difficult. The place is hot, but chilling at the same time. Melissa reaches the end of the steps, and Akunadin lits some torches. A sensation of imminent death claims Melissa's body, but she trys to resist. Skeletons are spread on the floor, and as she walks, Melissa steps on some, making a weird creaking sound.

Akunadin opens a door, almost rotten by the acid smell that comes from inside. Melissa doesn't want to enter, but she feels drawn to. Reluctantly, Melissa crosses the doorsill, and she finds herself in the most creeping place she has ever seen in her life. It is even more creeping than the graveyard of her city at night.

Men are chained to the walls, covered with moss and blood. There are no windows, and there's no way in which air could filtrate, so the air is vitiated. Akunadin lits some more torches. Melissa is terribly dreaded by what her eyes see. Men are skinny, all covered in blood, scars, and some of them are tied together. Some of them are dead.

Some others are about to die. Their skin is a greenish color, and it emits a nauseating smell. They are rotting. Alive. Yami Marik chuckles slightly. Akunadin smirks. But Melissa is completely shocked and disgusted. Akunadin closes the door. Melissa walks, and get to another room. She doesn't want to enter, she is sure. But Yami Marik pushes her, and Melissa falls on the floor.

The Darkness is covering everything. Akunadin has not lit any torch yet. Melissa struggles to stand up, but it seems she is not able to move... no, it's not that... someone is grabbing her... finally, light clarifies the room, and Melissa is stunned to realize, that the one grabbing her, is a prisoner, whose body is almost reduced to a bloody pulp.

Melissa screams, but nothing happens. The man is not letting go of her. He squeezes her leg, digging his rotten nails into Melissa's skin. "Please... let go," Melissa stutters, and trys to break free. But the man does not seem to hear her. Instead, he digs his nails even deeper, making some blood leak from them.

The pain is beginning to numb Melissa, and she stops struggling. Unexpectedly, Melissa feels the man's grip loosen on her, and she sighs. "Pathetic," Yami Marik says, and kicks the man off of Melissa, as she trys to stand up. But her leg really hurts, and she grabs the first thing in her way, to prevent from falling.

Of course, the first thing in Melissa's way, happens to be Yami Marik's arm. He grabs her hand, and is about to push Melissa off, when he glances at her leg, and sighs. Melissa is about to tell him something mean for pushing her off, but she shuts up when she notices his reaction. Akunadin has been staring at the whole scene, and a slight, evil smirk curves his old lips.

The rest of the tour in the calaboose is silent, and Akunadin keeps glancing at Melissa and Yami Marik. Yami Marik is too busy trying to figure out why in the d**n seven hells he has let Melissa cling in that human way to him, so he has not noticed his constant stares. But Melissa has, and she is beginning to distrust him, and his little evil smirk.

Melissa supports herself on Yami Marik's shoulder, but he seems distant, and tells her nothing. When Melissa finishes her "excursion", she goes up the stairs (with some difficulty, yes. The steps are irregular...).

Yami Marik and Melissa go to there rooms, and Akunadin says he has some business to attend to. Melissa bows politely, but she is really wandering what his true intentions are.

Melissa remembers what Ashizu told her, and she asks Yami Marik if she can see the gardens through his window. Aishizu told him this could eventually happen, so he agrees. Melissa smiles shyly, and enters the room with him. He leads Melissa to the window where she stares in awe at the beauty of the view. Yami Marik takes of his uncomfortable robe, and tosses it on the bed. Melissa is still staring at the magnificence of the gardens, so she doesn't notice this.

The window is large, so Melissa has plenty of things to look at. The gardens are lit with torches, but she has some difficulty to notice the different plants in them. Yami Marik leans on the windowsill, next to Melissa, but not too near. Melissa blushes slightly, she had never seen him shirtless. And again, this question raises in her head.

If all men here don't wear shirts/robes, why does he never uncover his upper half...? Melissa is not going to ask, of course... She turns around to stare at him. He seems to be kind of dazed, staring at the clear and starry night sky. Melissa looks at Yami Marik, and she sees something she would have never expected.

Yami Marik has a large tattoo, with Egyptian symbols Melissa can't read. Now she understands why he covers his back. If he walked among the crowd, he'd attract too much attention... (and people would find it weird that a man from the future has the Pharaoh's personal secrets engraved on his back...)

"Marik what is that tattoo on your back?" Melissa asks. Yami Marik turns around and stares at her. For a moment, there eyes meet, and Melissa feels he is only faking his evilness. But she knows he isn't.... is he?.

"I...don't want to talk about it... not now," Yami Marik answers halfheartedly. Melissa looks away, and her gaze lands on the garden. "I understand... Marik... I need to look at the gardens... would you...well... er... come... with me?" Melissa says, or rather stutters.Yami Marik stares at the nothingness and grunts.

If he agrees, he has to go for a walk with Melissa, through the gardens, at night. If he does not go with her, he runs the risk of her getting somehow hurt, kidnapped, raped, killed, etc, and he'll have the fault. Reluctantly, he sighs and nods. Melissa grins, and goes out of the window; her leg is not hurting anymore(and it's a first floor...).

Yami Marik follows her. It is really dark, and Melissa can't see nothing, so she is walking rather slowly. Melissa suddenly stops, and stare at a small bush, with beautiful delicate flowers, which seem to be lilac, though she is not sure.

Melissa is staring interested at it, when Yami Marik yells,"Are you coming or not?!" Melissa nods, and stands up. She runs a little to get to where Yami Marik is. It is really dark, and she can't see clearly where she is putting her feet. Melissa stumbles with a step she has not seen, and she about to fall to the ground, when Yami Marik catches her.

He is gripping her arms softly, and there faces are almost touching...The night is cold, and Melissa feels warm, with his bare chest almost touching her. Melissa feels protected, dazed. Slowly, shyly, she looks up, and stares into his lifeless, lavender eyes.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 18:Roses with Thorns

Melissa suddenly stops, and stares at a small bush, with beautiful delicate flowers, which seems to be lilac, though is not sure. She is staring interested at it, when Yami Marik yells,"Are you coming or not?!" Melissa nods, and stands up. She runs a little to get to where Yami Marik is. It is really dark, and she can't see clearly where she is putting her feet.

Melissa stumbles with a step she had not seen, and is about to fall to the ground, when Yami Marik catches her. He is gripping Melissa's arms softly, and there faces are almost touching...The night is cold, and Melissa felt warm, with his bare chest almost touching her. Melissa feels protected, dazed. Slowly, shyly, she looks up, and stares into his lifeless, lavender eyes. Yami Marik gazes deeply into Melissa's eyes.

The breeze blows lightly, swinging gracefully the tops of the palm trees. Yami Marik's heart is beating faster, and so is Melissa's. Yami Marik would have never thought he could feel this way, so... humanly. Having Melissa so close to him, makes him realize how pathetic, how evil he is. No one has ever told him human emotions are so complicated. If he softens now, his sheer evilness will weaken... no, he can't let Melissa be close to him.

Not in this way, not in any way. Melissa is dazed, confused, scared. Somehow, she is very happy. But his eyes are still a mystery to her. Sometimes so sad, sometimes so hateful, sometimes so lifeless. Melissa and Yami Marik stay like this for a while, gazing into each others' eyes, trying to guess what the other one is feeling.

Yami Marik closes his eyes, and sighs. He slowly takes his hands off of Melissa's arms, and she freezes. Suddenly, Yami Marik snaps out of his trance, and glares at Melissa with lifeless eyes. He pushes her, and runs away from her, leaving Melissa shocked at his sudden reaction.

A single tear falls from one of Melissa's eyes. She takes one step. One echo. One falter.

Melissa walks pausedly unsure of herself. Yami Marik has rejected her plainly, left her alone in the Darkness. Melissa rests her back against a wall, and closes her eyes. "Marik... why ...did you ...do that...?" Melissa whispers to herself.

She sighs sadly, and goes back to her room. Yami Marik got to his room a while before Melissa did. He laid on his bed and sighed. He had been about to feel human. He could not risk that to happen again. He can't risk that to happen again. He closes his eyes, and falls asleep.

~~The Next Day~~

Melissa wakes up early, and eats some fruits. She then works hardly in her task, and by the end of the afternoon Melissa is done choosing and positioning the different kinds of plants that will go in each place. She is very tired, and she still had to go to dinner. Aishizu has told Melissa, that she has something most important to tell her.

Melissa goes to the dining room, where she is supposed to meet her. She opens the doors, and find that not only Aishizu is sitting by the table, but also Yami Marik.

Melissa sighs, and greets Aishizu. She trys to pay no attention to Yami Marik, to ignore him completely. Both of them repudiate looking at eachother. Aishizu notices this, but understands it. She knows perfectly well what happened yesterday night, and she knows it is difficult for Yami Marik to realize he is not a Shadow. Not anymore. He is human, and even though he tries to appear as an evil being, he's not one.

Not anymore. The dinner is brief and silent. Aishizu perceives the uneasiness in the atmosphere, so she tells Melissa and Yami Marik rapidly that some important diplomats are coming to Egypt, so in order to commemorate the occasion, the Pharaoh has ordered the priests to organize a royal dance, to which of course Melissa and Yami Marik are invited.

Melissa nods, and excuses herself. Without even looking at Yami Marik, she runs out of the chamber, and goes to her bedroom. Melissa doesn't want to encounter Yami Marik. Not alone. She unlocks the door, and enters. The torches are already lit, and the window is already closed.

Melissa changes to her sleeping gown, and falls asleep. As soon as she left the dining room, Yami Marik asked Aishizu a few punctual questions about the dance, such as where it would be held, when, who where the diplomats, and so on. Aishizu answered, quickly, coldly, to every question.

When he had finished asking what he needed to know, he gave a reluctant,"Good night," to Aishizu, and left the room. He walked unwillingly to his room. He locked the door after he had entered, and rested his back against it. He closed his eyes, and whispered,"d**ned people... d**ned Aishizu.... d**ned Melissa!"

He took his robe off, and threw it on a chair. Unenthusiastically, he laid on the bed and closed his eyes. Darkness had claimed him before, had covered his actions, had watched his sleep. It had engulfed his "life".

But now, no Darkness surrounds him, no Shadow watches over him, no threat clouds his dreamless nights. And now, he is lost. If there is no Darkness to keep him, to take him away, where will he hide? Where will he keep his darkest secrets, those deep thoughts about an empty nothingness? Nowhere.

They will be kept inside him, rotting him, making him stay awake in the dead of the night. Those feelings that will be sealed inside him, feelings that will corrupt him, feelings that will slowly make him become what he has always feared the most.... a human.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 19:Plans for the Dance

It takes some time, since Melissa is not sure of many things, and his Highness has to be pleased when he sees them, and so have to be the diplomats. Aishizu has told Melissa they are coming from Assyria, country of tortures and war. Now, the question is, what kind of plants do Assyrians have in their region?

Melissa decides to place some palm trees in the middle. She will probably simulate an oasis and the desert, which is something both Egypt and Assyria have in common. In the desert she will make the slaves carry some sand and dirt below it.

In the oasis, green grass, and a pond, with lotus plants near the shore. Some papyrus here or there will do, too. The side gardens will probably have palm trees, and tropical plants. Flower bushes and colorful small trees, distributed evenly, will give the composition a touch of distinction.

This planning takes Melissa the whole day, and by sundown she is done with it.

~~10 Days Later (the dance will be in 3 days)~~

Melissa has finally finished planting and decorating the gardens. The priests have already checked her work, and to resume in few words their impression of her work; I'd have to say: superb, magnificent, and tactful.

Mixing Egyptian and Assyrian landscapes is a clever, not to say brilliant, idea. They have said that the Pharaoh will be charmed by the wonderful grandness of Melissa's work. In one word; they have worshipped her. Even priests Seth and Akunadin, who are usually though and almost emotionless, have shown some sort of approbation...!

(wow, that's bloody hard to believe....). On the other hand, Yami Marik has had no work all this time. Partly because nothing serious has happened, partly because the Pharaoh wants no dead people in the palace... (*cough* Assyrians love torture *cough*)...

Each time Melissa happens to come across Yami Marik, she rejects even glancing at him. And so does he. Aishizu has been really busy, she is very responsible, and she wants everything to be perfect.

Assyrians have a bad reputation about royal events. It is said that they are hard to please, and are very meticulous, always trying to find the mistakes in something which seems to be perfect.

~~The day before the Dance~~

Melissa has helped Aishizu with everything she could. This has made her relationship with her even better than what it used to be.... Right now, Melissa is very tired from moving boxes, bouquettes (sp?) of flowers, and random ornamentation around, but she has agreed with Aishizu that she'll show her some party dresses for tomorrow.

Melissa goes down the stairs, and meets Aishizu in the main hall. She leads her to a large room, where some women are sewing beautiful clothes, for the people who dwell in the palace. Aishizu shows Melissa some good-looking dresses, but she is not sure about anyone. Finally, she shows her a heavy, dark red one, with really long sleeves.

Melissa is completely satisfied with her choice, and she hopes she will not attract (too much) attention. Aishizu chooses one for herself. It's an old shade of green, and it looks great on her.

Yami Marik is not satisfied with any traditional shenti, for he does not want to walk around the dance with such an important piece of information. So he has chosen a long, sleeveless robe.

~~The next Day~~

All afternoon Melissa has been helping the priests make the last arrangements and preparations. She is now changing into her dress.

Melissa finishes putting it on, and she puts on some khol and jewelry (use your imagination....think for once in your life....). When she is done, she goes to the music room, she then needs some time alone. Melissa opens the doors, and goes into in a relaxed state.

A musician is playing what seems to be a harp-like instrument, similar to those Melissa saw in the market place, just that this one seems more... elegant. The arch is made of a golden metal (99% probable it's gold), and the cords are long, slim silver strings.

The instrument produces a soft, almost angelical sound, and it calms Melissa's soul, and frees her mind. She sits on the windowsill, and sighs. As Melissa stares through it, she thinks about what could have been if Yami Marik had not pulled away the other night.

Melissa has replayed the scene in her head thousands of times... the flower, the fall, the catch, the embrace... She knows it is better this way... and yet, Melissa would have wanted it to last.... But, she knew it is impossible. Yami Marik is... well... heh... sort of.... emotionless.... or something dangerously similar.... (second option!).

The sky is showing Melissa now its best shades of crimson and purple. Over the roofs of the houses, she can spot a weak, setting sun. Melissa would be so happy if she could be out there, in her gardens now...!She is peaceful now, but she wished she could be outdoors. And Melissa can't help feeling somewhat uneasy. The balls have never been her thing.

Melissa is not too clumsy, but when it comes to dancing. She let her thoughts wander, and she didn't even notice the music is not playing anymore, and that somebody has entered the room. Suddenly, Melissa feels a cold hand on her shoulder.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 20: Atem & Bakura

Melissa felt a cold hand on her shoulder. A strange sensation ran through her body, as though she had felt that hand before... she turned around to see.... Yami Bakura...? .... But... he seems different... He has shorter hair, and tanned skin, which is completely opposite to the pale, almost white he has in the present. He is also wearing a beige shenti, and a blood red trench coat....(or something like that....).

He has darker eyes, and a scar that goes from below the eyebrow to the half of his cheek. Under all his clothing, Melissa can see that this Bakura has been doing more exercise than the present day one... his muscles are more developed, and so is his evil smirk.... Yami Bakura is more in the dark side, but this one seems to be more in the edge of insanity.... His eyes shine with a mixture of madness and grief.

He IS handsome, Melissa hsa to admit it, but he is not her type. Not now, not in the present. "What are you doing here?" Melissa asks, carefully. "Ain't it obvious?" he answered. Melissa stared at him. "I'm stealing, you idiot," he says indifferently, as he walked towards the now fainted musician, and grabbed the harp-like thing, which he puts into a sack. "I can see you are stealing. But.... err... if I may ask... how do I have to call you?"

He walks to a shelve, and grabs a very expensive, finely decorated vase, and almost throws it into the sack. "How do you have to call me? I'm Bakura, the King of Thieves," Bakura says. "oh," Melissa paused. If she had nothing smart to say, better if she stayed silent. Bakura kept walking from here to there, grabbing random priceless stuff; golden objects, musical instruments, invaluable tapestry; pretty much everything and anything that might be worth something.

(and when I say something, I really mean it....). Melissa kept glaring at him, observing every move he makes. When Melissa first saw him, she had thought he would be vulgar thief, but now she realized how wrong she was. His moves are swift, as the moves of someone who has mastered a technique, knowing what to get, how to do so, what's worth something, and what's not. When he has finished, he turns his attention to the second most important thing in the room for him, besides the expensive things: Melissa.

Bakura walked casually up to Melissa, and told her in his sarcastic tone of voice,"Now, I think you have seen enough from me. Say your goodbyes to the palace. I could sell you, but you would probably make a scene or something, and my time it's not worth a delay with those d**n slave traders. My rob list is full already." As he said this, he carelessly takes out a scimitar, and held it to Melissa's neck.

Melissa's frozen, and can't get her body to work. The sharp edge of the blade pressed against her skin, and made a small line of blood come out. Melissa's about to freak out (as if you hadn't already...), when she heard the door creak open. Bakura hears it too, and says,"Oh, d**n it. We'll finish this later." He runs and jumps through the open window. "You lazy idiot, get your d**n ass here now. Aishizu wants you in the dance room now," Yami Marik's calm and deep voice growled.

Aishizu has sent him to look for Melissa, and he can't be more upset. He had no intention of speaking to her, but the circumstances have forced him to. Melissa still doesn't move, so Yami Marik walks up to her. He is about to grab her wrist and drag Melissa out of the room, but when he sees her shaken face, and the cut on her neck, he just asks sarcastically,"What in the seven hells happened to you? You became a masochist and you did not tell me?"

Melissa just answered,"Marik.... I think I've finally met Tozokuoh Bakura." Yami Marik chuckles lightly, and says,"mmm... heheh... interesting... are you coming...?Or would you rather stay here and wait for Bakura's return? Maybe you'll even get your wrists slit." Melissa sent him a death glare, and he chuckled even more. She stands up, and Yami Marik can't help thinking she looks.... well... interesting.

(Oh, come ON! Admit you like the poor girl, darn it!) The deep red dress makes Melissa's eyes shine softly, and her hair glitters with the soft light of the moon, which has just rose. It is them two alone now. Yami Marik's mouth hangs a bit, but he closes it immediately. 'd**n! I... I SUCK!' he thought angrily. Melissa giggled. "Well," Melissa says,"you don't look that bad either." Yami Marik death-glared at her, and states,"lets.go.NOW!" Melissa smiled, and followed him.

Melissa arrived at the dance, and all the people is too busy to notice her. She sighs, relieved. Aishizu greets Melissa with a smile, and says,"What took you so long?" Melissa doesn't want to trouble her with the Bakura topic, so she say,"Oh, my dress got stained and I had to clean it."

Aishizu nods, and leaves, she said something about finding, Priest Shadah. Almost half an hour has passed since Melissa had arrived, and she had been standing around, doing nothing, just staring at random people who passed by, and happy couples who are dancing, unaware of time.

Melissa sighed, she secretly wished she was one of them. Suddenly, Melissa spoted Yami Marik, he's standing in a dark corner, doing almost the same as her, I mean, nothing.

Melissa approached him, and he glared at her. "What do >>you<< want?!" he asks. "Marik... would you.... dance...with...me?" Melissa asks shyly. She really doesn't know how to dance, but she wished with all her heart she could, and she is willing to try, just for him.

Yami Marik pauses, and his eyes widen,"No," he says. Melissa lowered her gaze, and ran away. Yami Marik stays there, wandering if his choice was the right one. He tries to self convince himself that it was... but he somehow feels....... guilty.

Melissa kept running, until she reached the other end of the room. She leaned her back on a column, and sighed. He just turned her down, as she thought he would. But Melissa would have wanted with all her heart (what remains of it) that he had accepted. Suddenly, she felt someone calling her. Melissa opened her eyes, and they met with a pair of big, crimson ones.

At first, Melissa has a slight impression of I've-have-seen-his-eyes-before. And suddenly, she realized she's face to face with his Highness (excuse me as I leave the room to die of laughter... Highness? Please!), the Almighty Pharaoh Atem!

(yeah option #2, finally!). He smiles warmly at Melissa's shocked face. Melissa clumsily bows, and stutters some,"forgive me, oh Gracious Pharaoh," and,"I'm really sorry, I was not paying attention to who I was staring at," and such. He just laughs quietly, and says,"No problem. What is your name?"

Melissa smiled, and said,"Melissa, my lord." Atem smiled,"Melissa?" he asks interested,"Aishizu told me about you! You are the girl who was sent by the gods as an omen to Egypt!" Atem says. "Well sort of," Melissa answered nervously. She's speaking to the Pharaoh, Egypt's grand ruler! Of course she's nervous! The musicians are playing a beautiful song.

"Melissa," Atem says. "Yes?" Melissa answered, and stared at him. Suddenly, she's lost in his eyes. "Would you dance with me?" Atem asked. Melissa smiled and nodded. Of course, about dancing she knows nothing, but she can't turn down the Pharaoh's proposal. He grabs her hand softly, and Melissa blushed.

Melissa and Atem started dancing, and Melissa's surprised, she would have never thought it was so easy. But she felt uneasy. People avoid standing near the Pharaoh, so soon it's only her and him, dancing in the middle of the room.

Melissa has an odd sensation, as though someone was staring constantly at her, but she shakes that thought off her head. All the people in the room are watching her dance... From the dark corner, Yami Marik is staring at Melissa, following every step she takes, observing every move she makes, hating every time Atem comes slightly closer to her, asking himself why he is feeling in that way, trapped within his own feelings, ones which, even though he does not understand, still confuse him, still make him wander if he ever made the right choice, if he should have accepted when Melissa asked him to dance.

But now, it is too late. Somebody else has taken his place, and he feels it is already over for him, his chances are gone, and so is his hope. A weak hope, a hope which was forced to be left behind, by the mind of a man who wants to pretend feelings do not exist, but still can't hold back the anger of seeing the person he vaguely cares for, being taken away by another, gentle man.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 21: Proposal of Atem

Melissa and Atem danced for the whole night.

A mixture of different feelings rushed through Melissa's mind, and made her fell a strange sensation in her mouth. She felt happy, because she's dancing with a charming prince. Literally.

Melissa felt satisfied, because Yami Marik must be now as bored as hell in a dark corner. Not that he doesn't like that, but still... And, Melissa feels guilty, because she's sort of using Atem to get her little revenge on Yami Marik... Of course, he invited her to dance, and Yami Marik doesn't give a care about Melissa dancing with Atem...(or so she thinks...)but.... she sighed.

Atem smiles, and asks,"Is anything bothering you?" Melissa shoke her head,"No... nothing, your Highness." He nods, and Melissa keeps dancing, until the diplomats have departed, and the dance is over. One by one, the people leave. Atem has told Melissa he has some business to attend, but he would like to meet her in the gardens in about an hour.

As Melissa leaves, she sees priest Mahado talking to a young girl, who looks around the age of 14. In the distance, she can see priest Seth, talking to... Yami Marik...?. Melissa scaned the room, and glanced at the other guests. Some people here or there, not many, though. Some of the priests have already left. Akunadin is talking to some guards, and Aishizu is discussing some royal matter with the Assyrian diplomats.

Melissa walked out of the hall. She's supposed to meet Atem; yes. But in an hour. And she wanted to go to her room for awhile... As Melissa walked, she felt someone; in the Shadows, grab her arm. The person pulled Melissa into the Darkness. "What do you want?" Melissa asked.

"To talk," Yami Marik's cold and emotionless voice states. Without giving Melissa time to answer, he drags her trough a secondary corridor. But she doesn't want to go. He rejected her plainly when she asked him to be =kind= to her. Melissa doesn't have a reason to listen to him. Let him go tell someone who cares about it. "Let. Go," Melissa says coldly. Yami Marik glared at her, as if to state,"what?" But says nothing, and he doesn't let go of her, either.

"LET.GO!" Melissa repeated, annoyed. He tries to stay calm, "Will you mortal listen to---" Yami Marik started to say, "NO! I've had enough of you! I'm out of here!" Melissa says, as she shoke his hand from her arm.

Gently, but as firmly as necessary for him to understand Melissa's serious on this. She gazed into his eyes. They showed a confusion that is not usual in him. Melissa couldn't help feeling guilty. And, if she stayed there, she'd end up softening. Melissa turned her back on him, and ran away. From the Shadows, someone has been watching the whole scene.

The hour passes unhurriedly. Melissa finally decided to head to the gardens. Atem must be waiting for her. It is not wise to make the Pharaoh wait. Still in her party dress, she walked through the immense gardens. Exotic trees grow tall, scattered everywhere. Flowers cover all the vegetation, liberating relaxing scents to the night. Atem is waiting for Melissa in a small clearing, comfortably sitting on a marble bench. Waiting for her. He sees Melissa, and waves at her.

"Melissa! You came." He said. "Of course I came!" Melissa thought, and smiled. He is so... so... so charming...!Melissa doesn't like him. Of course, he's not THAT bad. But she feels no attraction towards him....He motions Melissa to have a seat next to him. She sits,(hehe, Inuyasha! Sit!) and he says,"Melissa... I have... to ask you...a very important question." Melissa looked at him, as if to say "yes? Go on....".

He smiles nervously, and goes on,"Melissa... I know I have not known you for a long time... But the way you danced, and how you move and speak..... Melissa....would you marry me...? If you don't want to, I'll understand perfectly." says Atem. "My lord.... I..." Melissa stuttered. His proposal has shocked her. Her! Marry the Pharaoh! It all seems too... set up, or something... Melissa's not sure.

After all, it's the Almighty Pharaoh who is asking her to marry him, not Yami Marik... Yami Marik... she still can't get him out of her head... Melissa knows he is going through the turning point of his life, but yet.... the way he treats her, and how he always reacts harshly and cruelly... and he hates her. (no he doesn't). And Melissa felt strange towards Atem.

As if some voice echoed in the depths of her soul, yelling at her, telling her to reject his proposal. Something is wrong. Something is too wrong. A feeling of guilt takes over Melissa's sentiments. No, she can't marry him. The voice inside her soul stops screaming. Melissa has made her decision.

"My Pharaoh... Atem..... I..... I can't....." Melissa says, almost crying. "I understand Melissa. I thought you'd say something like this. Don't worry, it's O.K," Atem says, smiling. Melissa smiled, too. Atem offers himself to escort her to her room. Melissa accepts (DUH!), and, before leaving, he gives her a little peck on the cheek. "Good night, Melissa," he whispers. Melissa smiles.

As soon as Melissa had left Yami Marik alone in the corridor, (before going to meet Atem), he felt angry. Really angry. But also sad, and, to his surprise, a new feeling. The feeling of being alone, with no one to speak to, no one to trust, no one to listen to him. No one. A deep feeling of despair and hate towards everyone claimed his mind, but he kept it inside. A gleaming, blurry eye appeared for some seconds on his forehead.

The eye of Horus. And there, he realized he was not alone in the corridor. Someone else was lurking there, hiding from him. Spying him. And Melissa. He didn't like that. Somebody didn't trust them. He listened carefully. A tense breathing sound came from behind a heavy curtain. He smirked evilly.

He realized how long it had been since the last time he had smirked like that... Casually, he walked to the place where the person was hiding. Carefully, he unsheathed his knife. And stabbed the curtain. After some seconds, the lifeless body of a man fell to the floor. Curiously, he was wearing the uniform Akunadin's guards wear. Very curious. Yami Marik took a mental note of this. He'd have to ask Aishizu about this. Later.

Now, he'd have to deal with the corpse... 'wait...' he thought...'this f**king bastard is still alive, d**n it!' The man shook vaguely. Yami Marik came closer towards the man, and said, in a deadly poisonous voice,"Now, if you speak, you may live. Who sent you?"

The man shook again, this time more violently,"I....will tell..........you.... nothing... you...............can....................go.....................to...hell..." He coughed some blood. Yami Marik smirked,"I don't think I'm the one who's going to hell right now." He took the man's scimitar, and slowly, painfully, sliced the man's face, cutting the nose, the eyes, the ears, making him bleed profusely, killing him mercilessly, smirking as he did so.

"Never- EVER dare to defy me....mortal fool." he chuckled. And then he remembered Melissa: "; I AM mortal, I have to admit it. But so are you, so stop calling me like that, <>". Those words still repeated in his head. He is a mortal, too. Melissa was right. 'Melissa... what is she doing now...?' he thought. He could see her, clearly, dancing with Atem, smiling at him.

He resigned to her decision. For him, Melissa was probably kissing Atem right then. But he didn't want to...! it felt weird. A part of him wanted to kill her, and yet, another part of him wanted her. Frankly- he told himself- I'm growing weak. And so he was. Or so he thought. Maybe, he just had a soft spot for Melissa.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 22: Torture

Melissa lied on her bed. 'What is Yami Marik doing now?' She thought. Melissa has been
thinking about her reaction to him yesterday.... she was wrong. He wanted to
talk, and Melissa... she just turned her back at him, and ignored him bluntly. Melissa
owe him an apology.

Meanwhile...

Yami Marik is strolling to his room, wandering in his thoughts. He is planning to
act normally, and go to sleep. The dance has got him very tired, and the
bonus incident didn't help much... He yawns (how cute...! imagine him
yawning...<=3!). He has already washed his hands (no, he'd be walking in the
palace with blood dripping from them....~_^). He's the only one in that corridor. The rest of
the people in the palace seem to have dissapeared. They are all sleeping, or
wandering what's a blood-covered corpse doing in the middle of the hall... He
smirks... "I did nothing...." He chuckles. "Executioner...!" a voice from behind
him calls.

'Darn him. Go, get someone who doesn't have a serious sleep
need...' he thinks, deeply bothered. "You've got some work to do.... Ah,
and his Highness has told me, this job requires to be done personally by you. He
has said no-one dares to refuse his proposals." Akunadin says. Yami Marik nods, and
walks past him. Akunadin smirks "It's done."

~~~~~In Melissa's dreams~~~~

Melissa is walking through a dark passage. The walls seem to be made of stone.
There is pinmould growing on them. The air is clear and humid. It's icy cold.
Melissa keeps walking. A door opens far, in the distance. Melissa walked, walked, but she can't move from her place. A cry comes from inside the iron
door. The cry of a baby...~~~~~

Out of the blue, Melissa woke up. Somebody is shaking her fiercely. Melissa opened her eyes,
to see a guard, who glares at her."Come!" he growls, and seizes Melissa's arm rudely. She tries to shake his hand off her, but he whistles, and another huge guard appears in the doorframe. "Let me go!" Melissa yelled at him. The result: a tight rope around her neck.

They draged Melissa though a series of strangely familiar passages. They stop at a trap door, which leads to some steps, that fade away in the Darkness. You begin going down... this place.... Melissa has been here before...she's in the calabooze...! As the last time, with Yami Marik...!. The guards stand still, smirking.

Melissa glanced at her surroundings. The calaboose is lit dimly, but enough to show her she's alone with the two guards. As one of them holds the rope around her neck, the other one is preparing some weapons, and, though she cannot recognize them, Melissa's sure their aim is not war or self defense....

Melissa heard some steps coming from the old stairs.

As they enter the chamber, they stop.

Two familiar lavender eyes stare questioningly at Melissa....

Melissa's eyes widen.

"What are you doing here?" Yami Marik asks, annoyed.

"I...dont know....and ...you?" Melissa answered, dreading the possible answer...

"I have to... take care of somebody... now, be the ...good girl you are supposed to be, and leave now," he says, emphasizing now...

Yami Marik turns to the guards,"Now, you fools, where is this bloody idiot I am to finish off?" Both guards smirk.

Abruptly, it hits Melissa. Of course she knew the one who is going to be tortured...!

One guard nods towards Melissa...

Yami Marik stares in disbelief at him. "Her? HA! Please, don't mess with me, idiot. Now, be serious, you fool."

The guards mocking face turns to a sorta-menacing one. "I am being serious... sir." Yami Marik raises an eyebrow,"Really? Oh, never mind. Lets finish this fast, Im bloody tired."

Both guards sneer at each other. "Master Akunadin has given us straight orders.... He said it
should be your pleasure to....."

"I give no d**n care about what Akunadin says I have to do. I follow no orders. You can all go
to hell!" Yami Marik snaps.

Melissa stared wide-eyed at the whole scene. What has she done to them...? Nothing!... and now... Yami Marik... he... can't be firm on this... no.... something must be wrong... something has to be wrong...!

They keep arguing.

One torch fades out.

In the distance, Melissa heard a prisoner scream.

One guard grabs the rope around her neck... and pulls it, until Melissa felt lack of air.

Someone harshly takes off Melissa's beautiful red clothing, leaving her in the plain white linen dress she had underneath it.

All of a sudden, Melissa felt a hard leather rope hit her back.

One second.

Two seconds..

Three seconds...

Nothing.

The pain surges gradually at first, but it quickly becomes unbearable.

Melissa screamed.

She felt the hard, metal tip of the whip strike her two, three, four, five times.

A guard takes a metal bar from a wooden chest. Melissa heard him chuckle.

'And...where....is Marik?' Melissa thought. If there is someone who can stop all this, it's him.

Melissa's eyes search for him in the Darkness,"Marik... where are you," she managed to stammer.

Nothing.

Yami Marik stands near a column. Though the guards, in their vulgar urge to mistreat and hurt Melissa have not listened to her, he has.

But his possible feelings of compassion towards Melissa have faded. This is his Realm, and here he rules.

Here, he is free.

No one would ever dare to defy him here...

Not if that person wanted to come out alive...

Melissa is no exception.

Melissa spotted him, and made her way to where he is.

Melissa crawled, and tried to reach him.

He doesnt move, but he shows no feeling towards her.

No feeling....

That emotionless stare Melissa thought had disappeared...

Yet, there it is.

Looking through nothing, yet so much....

Piercing her soul....

And her heart...

Melissa wraps her arms around his ankles,"Please.... please Marik... help me..."

He falters. His heart is undecided, but his mind tells him to deny any kind of help to Melissa, as she did when she denied to listen to him, after the ball...

He gazes down at her.

Melissa's elegance is lost. Now, she's just another prisoner to him. And he must treat her as such.

There eyes meet. Melissa's are hopeless, and full of tears. His, are cold and emotionless.

One tear.

Another tear.

They meander down Melissa's face, as he kicks her arms off him.

Melissa's hope is lost.

All she feels after that are just vague sensations.

Someone chaining her to a wall.

Arrows digging mercilessly into her skin.

Pain.

Anguish...

Suffering....

Tough hands throwing Melissa to the ground.

The same hands removing carelessly the back part of her dress; and moving her hair from her neck.

A burning metal against it.

Throbbing chills along Melissa's spinal column.

Despair.

A cold and emotionless voice saying,"Its enough," in the distance....

Someone replying faintly,"But... sir... we are not done yet..."

The same lifeless voice stating,"Then leave her to rot alive..."

Someone grabbing Melissa's arms, and dragging her through endless passages.

Aloofness.

The sound of a door opening.

A putrid smell surrounds Melissa, as the door is closed, and Darkness engulfs her...

Loneliness...

Darkness....

But most of all; sadness.

Melissa lied on the floor. Blood leaks from her many wounds.

She can feel the pain no more.

Her before golden hair is now a sticky mass, soaking blood and mixed with dirt.

Yami Marik abandoned her.

He had no feelings after all...

'I was a fool....' Melissa thought bitterly.

A soft voice echoes in the depths of her conscience: 'But you loved him...'

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 23: Melissa.....Saved

Note: I will be calling Yami Marik, Malik from now on, its easier, so when I say Malik I'm talking about Yami Marik, ok.

Melissa tried to stand up.

It is futile. All hint of strength has faded.

And it hurts.

Melissa tries to shout.

Useless attempt.

The burning pain has deadened her voice.

No sound comes from it.

And Malik...?

He must be far away from here now, probably resting calmly, as he wanted to.

But he is not...

"Sir... we have straight orders from his Highness Akunadin... that woman shall not continue living..." a guard says.

"Do you not know the consequences for disregarding an order...? Let Akunadin say what he wants. He has told me personally; that she had to be taken out of his way. On my behold; shes down and out. Shut the hell up, and quit before I grow tired of you," Malik states;
irritated.

"We will not depart until the task is fulfilled... my lord..." the other guards declares defiantly.

"It is fulfilled, you fool." Malik's patience, which is naturally slim, is lessening greatly.

"Sir, unless you want to have your head chopped off by his Highness Akunadin personally, kill the woman."

"Are you threatening me? Human, the price for making me angry is heavy..." Malik chuckles evilly.

A glimpse of a desperate and horrified look darkens the guards eyes, as Malik unsheates his scimitar...

They dont even get to see what killed them...

Both of them have a deep slash in their stomachs.

They wont make it, of course....

Malik smirks icily,"Never try to pressure me... mortal fools..."

He grabs the corpses, and drags them through a series of dimly lit passages. Oh, he has been there so many times..:! No one knows those paths as well as he does.

But why; why it had to be her...?

A question that will remain answerless...

'She is the only one who can get me out of here....' Malik thinks bitterly,'d**n her! d**n everyone...'

He opens a door, and throws the carcasses into an endless pit. Those persons thrown in there, are doomed to fall forever, loosing their soul gradually. Darkness consumes them, and no calm will be felt by them again, for the one who falls in there, shall be deathless, but
condemned to stay there until the end of the world...

As Melissa lied on the floor; almost unconscious, she vaguely realized she heard no more voices.

Malik has left.

The guards have left.

She is alone.

No fresh air.

A suffocating atmosphere makes Melissa want to die right now.

Silence.

Unexpectedly; she heard a voice...

The voice of a young girl...

Whispering, it tells her....

"Don't die now... its not your time yet..."

This voice... no hint of life in it.

But so sad...

It would be similar to Malik's .... but...

Theres something in it.....

It seems to come from within her soul...

This voice, of this little girl, seems to be a part of herself...

A light glows in the Darkness...

"Melissa?"

No..:! It... cant be....

"Malik........" Melissa united all the strength that remains inside her body, to whisper..."........you have come..."

As Melissa says this, her forces abandon her, and she drifts to unconsciousness...

Malik walks calmly to where Melissa's lying. In a pool of her own blood..."Oh darn it, what am I supposed to do now?"

He tries to pick Melissa up, as gently as he can.

'Dear Ra, why me...?' he thinks annoyed, as he closes the door of the calaboose, and goes up the stairs....

He walks somewhat hurriedly through the large corridors. Its amazing how the Dark makes Melissa's hair shine golden...

And suddenly, a girls squeal takes him away from his random thoughts.

"Whats ...happened to her?" the young magician apprentice asks.

'OH, great!' Malik thinks, as he says angrily,"Mana, what in the seven hells are you doing up so late?"

Mana looks around nervously.

She rubs the back of her head,"oh... ehhh... hehe... I was.... ohh, forget it... haha.. well have to help her... she looks badly hurt....ehh... hehe/

Malik glares at her, with his not so usual youre-insane face.

But the matter is really serious.

Melissa may die from blood loss if they dont help her quickly....

When they finally get to her room, Mana offers to open the door...

"And... what are you waiting for?" Malik asks impatiently.

"uhh... I dont think its open... its like... locked or something-...."

"oh DARN it. Move pest, let me try....." he moves the doors handle,"F*CK IT!"

"um... Malik... whatd that mean?" Mana asks curiously.

"nothing *darn it*... oh... try my room... my arms are
tired of carrying a bloody soon-to-be corpse around..." Malik replies coldly.

Malik's room door which, I think Ive said before, its next to Melissa's, opens easily. He lies Melissa gently on his bed, and leaves to wash his arms. Mana glances at the room quickly. Weapons scattered here and there, some ragged cloth on a chair. Oh, and the weird blood spots on the walls.

The room is quite neat, if you dont pay attention to this tiny details.

As she had thought before.. (ah, she thinks?), an executioner usually has some bandages around. A whip or a weapon may come out of its trajectory, and end up in a place at which it was not aimed (it may hit the executioner accidentally, to make things easier.). In Malik's case, theyre on a little table.

Mana grabs them carelessly, and puts them on the bed, next to Melissa. She gets a pot from somewhere, and puts water in it. Carefully, and almost skillfully, she washes Melissa's wounds. If Melissa were conscious; then she would be screaming.

The girl is aware that if Melissa awakens, the pain will be excruciating. When she is done, the water in the pot is a deep red. Mana gets the bandages, and wraps them softly around Melissa's several wounds.

When Malik has already washed himself, and he enters the room again, he sees Melissa's chest and back are completely bandaged. She has some threads of cotton around her wrists, her legs and feet. Mana is looking worriedly at her..."If she heals fast... shell be walkin in about... I dont know... 2 months or so..."

Malik nods,"I hope well find the key to her room...unless..."

"Unless?" Mana asks. Sometimes, curiosity gets the best of her...

"Nothing... forget it..." Malik replies distant, and walks to the door.

Mana moves the soft covers over Melissa.

That comfortable sensation gradually wakes Melissa up... "Malik.......... please... stay...." she stutters.

Mana's emerald eyes stare at him, pleading him to stay.

Malik was took by surprise. "She's awake...." he mentally sighs. He pauses.

"No," he says. Melissa smiled weakly. She thought he would say that. She glanced at Mana.

She smiled at her.

Melissa's vision becomes blurry, and she can remember nothing else after that...

Malik opens the door, and leaves.

He doesnt even bother to look back.

Obviously; all this was set up by someone.

It was not an accident that Melissa got tortured in that way.

Of course.... it has to be Akunadins evil deed...

And he, Malik, was fool enough to believe Melissa had done something wrong...

All this is partly his fault....

He will find out how to get revenge on that evil priest...

No one will ever use him again...

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 24: The Evil of Akunadin

As the sun rose, dark figures entered the sacred temple of Ra, the sun god. A dim mist made
the statues of the saint hawks seem mysterious. Several cloaked men crowded around a wooden door.

And the door opened. And from the Shadows, Akunadin, the dark priest, emerged. All the men bowed down. Akunadin chuckled, and his chuckle turned into an evil laugh. A very evil one, so evil, that even the men in the cloaks, his ministers and servants, felt scared."OH, cool, brilliant, this cant get better, Seth, you evil god, are you listening? You, great evilness, you! I even named my son after you, so listen, listen to my plan! Great! Oh, Ra, Im so intelligent!" the dark priest claimed as he laughed... One of his ministers asked what was the evil plan that made he,his Highness Akunadin, so happy.

The priest of the Millennium Eye smirked, and said,"Oh, my plan. Its brilliant. Just perfect. Imagine what would happen if someone brutally murdered our Horus-blessed Almighty Pharaoh, his Highness Atem." The ministers paused. None of them knew the answer, or was brave enough to reply."You fools, how would your little dumb minds know it? Of course, if our beloved pharaoh no longer lived among us, the his heir would take his place. But; guess what? He has no heir. So, his closest relative would take his place." Akunadin explained,"and... this relative would be." one of his ministers asked, almost shyly.

"MY SON; YOU IDIOT!" The priest yelled at him. "I would have supreme power if my son was the pharaoh! You are all bloody nutcases!" The priest turned around, and walked away, exiting the temple, and heading towards the palace... Of course, the pharaoh had to be murdered before priest Seth could take his place... and Akunadin knew exactly how to get Atem out of his way... forever....The temple, before shadowed, lost its mysteriousness as the first rays of daylight penetrated through the stone windows.

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 25: Hope and Fear

Mana brushed her hand over Melissa's forehead.

She brushed some strands of hair from her face. The heat was unbearable. Mana tied her hair in a ponytail.

'I should do the same to poor Melissa,'she thought sympathetically.

She rose Melissa's hair, and when she uncovered the backside of her neck...

She gasped in awe.

Hieroglyphics ware carved into her skin.

There was nothing unusual about them, but it was weird that, if the soldiers had done that, the word written there was:...Melissa...

She thought itd be better if Melissa found that out alone.... maybe, she had brought that strange tattoo from the future... In fact, that could be the answer, as, since she had arrived, she had never put her hair up...

She sighed and left.

Malik went back to his room when Mana was closing the door behind her. He had not been able to search for anything. Mana bowed slightly, and ran away. She quickly got lost in the Darkness of the corridor.

Malik entered the room. Although this was his room, and Melissa was asleep, he felt terribly uneasy. So as not to bother her, he fetched some pillows, a cover, and threw them at the corner.

Strange how the floor didnt seem so uncomfortable when he was lying in the same room as Melissa... (HAHAHAHA... sorry... couldn't help myself...;.

The next day, Aishizu went to see how Melissa was doing... surprise took over her when she saw her, even though she already knew what had happened. And, she felt really sorry. She checked Melissa's wounds, and decided she could do nothing to help her. Melissa would recover slowly, yes. But until she awoke, nothing could be done...

About four days after that, Melissa woke up. The curtains were open, and the starlight lit weakly the room. Melissa tried to sit down, but it hurt too much. She turned her head... Malik was nowhere to be found. Melissa could see some pillows and a cover on the floor, but no Malik... And when she turned around again,to face the window, she came face to face with him. How had he got there?

Melissa didn't know how he had go there. But he had scared the hell out of her sleepy self. But she smiled. Malik stood up, and lit a candle. The place was now much vivid, and Melissa felt she had awoken from a long sleep (which is what happened...). The atmosphere was cozy and homely. Malik sat on the bed, next to her. (*suspense music*...). "Melissa... I..."

"Melissa...I.... am glad you have recovered...... good night..." he said, as he stared deeply into Melissa's eyes, as he always did. Melissa smiled,"Thanks." he stood up, and went to his(*cough*comfortable *cough*) corner. "Malik... come... please?" Melissa asked him.

Malik paused,"no. good night." Melissa turned around,'Thought so.'

Curious how he smelled like honey...

Time after time, day after day, week after week, Melissa hoped she would be able to be the normal person she used to be. Time after time, Malik feared the moment in which he would have to apologize to her, for all the pain he had caused her...

Gradually, and with Aishizu and Mana's help, Melissa was able to move, and later, even to walk, but with the help of someone. This frustrated her. Why did she have to suffer the consequences of something she did not even know about...? She'd have to ask Malik about it later...

About four in the afternoon of the next day, Melissa decided she wanted to go for a walk. She asked Mana. She asked Aishizu. But none of them had time. Mana had disregarded her magic lessons to help Melissa,and as she was better now, she had to catch up with all she had missed as Melissa was disabled. Aishizu, on the other hand, had to travel as a diplomat to Nubia. A war threatened to begin at any moment, and the last thing Egypt needed was more things to worry about.

Luckily to Melissa, before departing, Aishizu had given straight orders to her dear brother to watch over her, and take care of whatever she needed. (hehehe). Of course, it was not Malik's will, to go around there being her personal bodyguard, but he had no options left (again).

"Malik," Melissa called. They were sitting on a big, comfy cushion. "What do you want... now..." (master? hahaha) he growled, from the other side of the garden. The sun was shining high upon Melissa, but the shade of the huge palm tree she was below was quite refreshing.

"Malik...I was wondering whether we could go for a walk..."

Malik growled again. "And where exactly are you planning to go?"

"I was... well.. thinking... about going to... the Nile, maybe...?" Melissa answered timidly...

"Darn you... couldn't you choose somewhere nearer?" he said, yawning.(the lazy baka)

Melissa stared with her fatal puppy-eyes. "Pleeease?"

"d**n you... only because Aishizu will kill me if I refuse..."

Melissa grinned. 'Yay! I got Malik to come to the Nile with meeeeee... oh oh, is this something good? .'

They set out. Malik was extremely pissed. Melissa was clinging to his arm, and she was leaning almost all her body weight on him. The only thing he could think at that moment was,'d**n Melissa....'

The city turned into a crop-growing countryside. The slaves were working tiredly, collecting and harvesting wheat and cotton and line.

The countryside then turned into the bank of the river.

Ra, the setting sun, was reflecting on the surface of the river Nile. Thousands of shades of orange, crimson, mauve and yellow were dispersed on the sky, as if they were painted. The clouds resembled a faded creamy-colored brush stroke in the vivid evening sky. The pale horizon, was now more accentuated, separating the sky from the desert. The Nile unfolded his dress of watery indigos and greenish blues, almost lost in the sunsets reflection. Sad palm trees showed off their best emerald green, maroon and orange leaves, as lotus flowers seemed to drown in the perfect undulate of the waves, being softly carried away by the waters, never moving from their place, yet ever changing...

In the distance, the city stood, mysterious, with her magnificent temples, of exquisite design and immense dimensions; her slim towers; her lavish palace; her perfect harmony, destined only to serve those who could comprehend her greatness...

On the river bank, Melissa sighed. She leaned against a palm tree... and Malik? He had disappeared... Her eyes were gray, clouded with a shadowy melancholy, as the breeze shaped indefinite forms with her hair, which seemed gold with the last lights of the twilight. Magically, the beautiful colors disappeared from the sky, revealing the first Shadows of the night. Darkness enfolded the sand dunes, which figures the wind was transforming constantly.

Near the river, the temperature change was accentuated. The warm afternoon has turned into a glacial night. Yet, some mitigated strands of auburn and crimson were suspended over the horizon.

Melissa denied to leave. It was late, already. In the palace, they should be looking for her. But that peace, that calm the river transmitted to her, lured her to it. They would have to wait for her...

If there was anyone waiting for Melissa there...

And suddenly, she felt there was someone behind her.

Malik?

Two firm arms gripped her waist softly.

A soft aroma of earth and river floated in the air.

Melissa smiled.

An unusual sensation of warmth engulfed her, and Malik.

He had never felt this way before...

Melissa turned around, and faced him. Every aspect of her was questioning his actions. Melissa couldnt understand Malik. What was he doing? She was a mere burden for him. Nothing more... But... his eyes... they revealed a different emotion... If there was a way to tell what this man was feeling, were his eyes... and they were not angry, hateful, cruel, insane, or deadly. They were just tired and lonely.

The Nile, the sunset, the desert, were all a blur as Malik came closer to Melissa. She rose her face, but turned away. Her heart... was beating faster... and this was not what Melissa wanted... was it? She was not sure anymore. Melissa closed her eyes, and breathed the earthy scent of the river flowing. Two of his rough fingers tilted her face to him. "I am.. sorry... for all this.... it," he whispered. His face was shadowed. Melissa felt drawn to him.

And Malik felt drawn to Melissa...

"It...is all..."

He drew closer...

"my fault..."

His lips brushed against Melissa's.

Some tears rolled down her eyes.

He pulled away...

And Melissa could not understand her feelings... anymore...

Strange how was Malik the one trying to lighten her up...

"Melissa..."

Melissa did not answer. She was lost in a haze of confusion and happiness... Had he just... kissed her? Oh dear Ra.... this... just.....

Melissa gazed into Malik's clear lavender eyes. Could she understand them?

"Melissa..."

No.

No one could understand his eyes.

No one will ever understand them....

Melissa smiled...

Curious how he smelled like honey...

[Sailor Universe]

Chapter 26: Emotions

"Melissa..."

Melissa couldn't answer. She stared at Malik, as if to say... "yes...?" but she stayed silent.

"Lets go..."

The journey back was quiet and tense. Unspoken feelings remained hushed inside both of them. Why? How?... Malik...

As soundless as they had departed from the Nile, they arrived at the palace.

"Melisssssa!" A sugar high Mana greeted her. "Youre back!... oh, and you too!" she said,
referring to Malik. It was not necessary to be smart to tell Malik was pissed. But Mana was too happy to tell that...

"Hello, Mana... is... Aishizu back...?" Melissa said slowly, still dazed. "Aishizu? Nonono,
I think she is not... you could ask Priest Seth, he always knows everything..." Mana suggested cheerfully. 'Priest Seth...? I think I'll pass...' Melissa thought. He had constantly been cold and distant to her, and, generally, to everyone. He tended to be the <> type of person...

Malik spoke for Melissa, as direct as usual,"Priest Seth must be very busy with all the state matters he is always so methodical about. Lets not waist his time on this. We shall ask somebody else, later..."

Mana let out a sigh, and something that sounded a lot like,'that priest needs some joy in his life...' However, she bowed and left, giggling.

Melissa supported herself on Malik as she walked through the halls.

"Sir! Lady!" a man behind both of them called. Malik had no intentions of listening to whatever the person had to say, but, nonetheless, they stopped.

Melissa turned around.

"Priest Shadah?" She asked curiously.

"We priests would want to ask you if you would mind joining us for dinner tonight..." he said formally.

Melissa glanced at Malik. She didn't really want to go... the walk had got her too tired, and she just wanted to rest. Malik seemed to understand her, as he said,"We would gladly accept, but we are tired... we had an exhausting stroll today, and we would like a break..."

Priest Shadah nodded slightly, and added,"I understand. I dont think the others (priests) will object. May Ra want you rest in serenity."

Malik nodded, and Melissa grinned,"Thanks!"

Priest Shadah bowed lightly, and left.

"Thank you, Malik," Melissa whispered when they got to her room.

"Hn," he just growled, and went into his chambers.

As Melissa leaned her head on the pillow, she fell asleep.

The Darkness led her into a sorrowful slumber...

An endless road, darkened.

Melissa tried to run but she couldn't.

A shadow grew over her.

Alone, alone, alone.

A burning pain in the back of her neck...

"Here they come, here they come," the voice of a child echoed within her.

Run! Run! Run!

Melissa's feet were glued to the ground.

They got to her.

Spears dug into Melissa's skin.

Whips crashed brutally against her back.

And as they had come, they disappeared.

All this, as two black eyes stared at her...

"It was him! It was him! He did it! He did it! He did it! He did it! He did it! He did it!"

The voice of the child got lost in the emptiness, and Melissa woke up abruptly.

Tears, stained her cheeks as she tried to make out all what the dream had tried to say.

The door of Melissa's room was open.

She turned around to face... Malik?

It seemed that he had been fighting against a very powerful someone. But... who?

His body was covered in sweat, and little drops of perspiration ran along his chest. His breathing was heavy.

His lilac eyes seemed more intense than ever.

They even scared Melissa.

Melissa turned away...

"What happened...?" he growled.

Melissa did not respond, but kept on sobbing. He sat on the bed, next to her.

"Why in Seths name were you screaming like that?" he grunted coldly, again.

Melissa stared into his eyes. They were bidding her to tell them...!..."I... Im scared... and those black eyes... they did it! I ...couldnt run, just... it hurt so much! Dont let them do it again, please! I have had this dream... since the...the... torture... and I...I... this had... never been so vivid, so..."

Melissa abandoned herself in his arms. He was surprised, confused, and lost. 'What the...?' he thought. He did not shove Melissa off him, but he didn't solace her either. He just stared out of the window, and thought.

>>Those black eyes... they did it!<<

Black eyes... how many people did he know who had black eyes.? Only one... but... did what?

>>I ...couldnt run, just...<<

Typical situation in dreams. Several times he had dreamed about wanting to escape, wanting to be free, but his body did not respond. Ishizu had told the real Marik that ~~Dreams express our most hidden desires. If you have dreamt that you want to run but you cant, that means you are unsure about your fate, or the line of destiny the gods have lain for you has not been fulfilled yet...~~.So that part of the dream was easy to understand...

>>it hurt so much!<<

oh no... this part of the dream was his fault.... were his actions meant to haunt him for ever? It had not been his will for Melissa to be tortured, O.K.? It was all a misunderstanding, just that!...
...
yes, but a misunderstanding that could have killed Melissa... now, that he had her in
his arms, crying, he could understand how much all this had represented to her.
Almost mechanically, he brushed a strand of hair from her neck...

"Melissa...", he whispered... "what does this mean...?"

Melissa lifted her head, and looked at him with watery eyes. His eyes connoted some worry... but his voice hinted uncertainty.

"What...?" she couldnt understand what he was trying to say.

He stood up, and pulled Melissa's arm. She got up, and followed him to the compartment that acted as a bathroom. He grabbed a mirror and showed her something in the back of her neck...

There, engraved into Melissa's skin was a hieroglyphic script, similar to the one in Malik's back. This were not ordinary hieroglyphics... if they were, the spell of the Millennium Rod casted upon her would have allowed her to read them... but she couldn't understand them....

"Malik... what does this mean...?"

He could feel she was trembling lightly.

"It says... Melissa...", he whispered.

Melissa turned around to face him...

He could sense the confusion in her eyes.

"It is late already. Lets go to sleep now... tomorrow we shall investigate this..." And with that, he left, and closed the door behind him.

Melissa was puzzled, but she trusted Malik for some odd reason, and she decided to obey him. Sobbing, she tried to sleep again...

Melissa...why did you have that engraved in your neck...? Malik could not find the answer... And that dream... he knew what it had meant... The torture... it had all been his fault... his own fault... if he had just not listened to Akunadin... Atem's command... that was what that treacherous snake had said... But, he was no fool. It was obvious to him now, that it had all been the old mans idea... to harm Melissa... no. To harm him. By damaging the only thing that was worth something to him... But... why? That was the question.... why would the priest of the Millennium Eye want to put him, Malik, against Atem, Egypt's Almighty ruler...? His motives remained unveiled to him... but he would find out soon....

for the old priests dismay, maybe too soon...

An evil smirk played on his lips.

It had been so long since the last time he felt like that...

From the roof tops of the houses, a man observed the latent city. If everything went according to his plan, he would strike before long...

"May Atem be prepared for the wrath of the restless souls."

The same evil smirk played on the King of Thieves lips, and faded away with his silhouette, as he got lost in the Darkness...

[Sailor Jupiter Love]

this story dotn end here rith i mean i liket a lot