Marik awoke early, leaving the bedroom and stretching as he walked down the hall. He had called his
personal movers the day before to collect his belongings, but, still had to gather several items to add
to the existing boxes that were piled around the livingroom. He remembered that after a heated
argument on the phone and slamming the receiver down, he left the things where they were and went
to bed alone. This wasn't anything new since he and Bakura had the fight to end all fights several days
prior and both had decided to go their separate ways, for good this time.

With a huff, he headed towards the kitchen to make himself a coffee and grab a bite to eat, also to try
and relax a little. He had a lot to do today with moving his things and flying out to Egypt, he really hoped
nothing would get screwed up. As he passed the couch, Bakura sat up, running a hand through his thick,
unruly mane and asked Marik, "What time is it?"

Marik paused, blinking as he forgot that Bakura had decided to sleep on the couch as opposed to
hiding himself away in his basement. Looking at the wall clock, Marik muttered, "Uhm, it's 6:30 in
the morning. Why?" When Bakura didn't answer right away, Marik continued on his way to the kitchen.
He put the coffee into the coffee maker and then leaned up against the counter to wait for it to finish brewing.

Bakura, in the meantime, groaned and let himself fall back onto the couch, curling up on his side and
pulled the covers over his head. He too, still had to sift through his things in order to finish his packing. He
was still rather sore at Marik for their fight, but, he wouldn't tolerate any more of the bullshit either. He
was done with it...long done. If Marik chose to leave, fine, he didn't care..and he'd never admit that it cut
straight into his heart.

Marik read through the morning paper while he waited on the coffee, then folded the paper leaving it to the
side as he moved to grab his mug and fill it to the brim. Blowing the steam away, he thought to himself
how much hated the thoughts of "other" people touching his belongings, but, it had to be done and thankfully
it was his own people doing the job, his Rare Hunters.

He looked up when he saw Bakura yawn and pull himself up from the couch. "I'm going to use the
shower, yeah~" Bakura stated loudly, then headed for the bathroom in his half dressed glory.

"Yeah...alright, whatever." Marik called back to Bakura as he took a sip of the coffee, the yelped as he nearly
burnt his lip. "Frig sakes!" He then set the cup down and went to the fridge to look for a quick bite to eat.
Since there wasn't much left with them moving, he found some leftover chicken and stuck a leg in his mouth.
A knock upon the main door was heard faintly, and grumbling, Marik shut the fridge with the chicken leg still
dangling from his lips. Wondering who it might be, he headed for the door...it was too early for the movers yet.

As he opened the door, he quirked a brow at a tall man dressed in a suit. The man stuck his hand
forward, handing Marik an envelope. Marik took it and looked it over before pulling the chicken leg from his
lips, "The frig is this?" The man took the envelope back into his hands and tilted his head, "Are you not
Bakura?"

"Frig no, he's busy...er...come back in about 15 minutes, okay?" Marik murmured as the man nodded, then
left. Marik shut the door, shaking his head.

Bakura stood under the boiling hot water, relaxing completely, making him forget everything. After a long
and painfully hot shower he waltzed out into the kitchen to the fridge, a towel wrapped tightly around his waist.
He pulled out a chocolate bar and leaned back against the counter. Waiting for Marik to return to the kitchen.

Marik walked back from the door, chewing the rest of the meat from the chicken, then looked up to see
Bakura against the counter "There was a man here with a paper for you, I told him to come back in 15 mins.."
He mumbled as he picked up his coffee and this time drank some successfully. "Dunno what it was.."
Bakura had just nodded and chewed on the bar, thinking about what the paper could of been. He hoisted
his towel up a bit more and continued thinking

Marik was just about to ask what Bakura thought it might be about when he got cut off by a second knock at
the door, this time it was a lighter knock. "..Ugh, that'll be my sister..hang on.." He went to the door again
and opened it. Marik greeted his sister, but, didn't let her in. He only really tolerated her because of the fact
they /were/ related, but, honestly he couldn't stand her. In his eyes, she was as bad as Tea Gardner at times
with the whole "friendship" talks. "Hey, did you get my ticket?"

"Yes, and Marik, is this any way to greet your sister after all this time?" Isis replied with a light pout. Marik
leaned against the door frame with a half snort, sipping his coffee. "Oh, like you stayed in contact yourself"

"You know that couldn't be helped. Anyway, here's the ticket.." She passed him an envelope with both the ticket
and his passport.

"Good and thanks again, I appreciate it. So, are you sticking around here.. or?" He slipped the envelope into his pocket.

"Yes, I have..obligations." She sighed, then turned to walk away. "Be sure to give me a call when you reach Egypt."

"Yeah yeah..will do~" He closed the door and drank the rest of his coffee down. Like he'd do that since he had other things
on his mind. One of which was to locate an old friend of his..well, an old lover he missed dearly and hoped was still
around. Atleast his old partner respected and treated him well, even if they too fought sometimes.

Bakura was still in the kitchen, having made himself a coffee, tracing the rim of the cup with his finger. For now he'd
made plans of moving in with another of his his blonde friends. He then face palmed and groaned, he wasn't going
to be sleeping for a while, due to that persons' constant parties. Marik walked back into the kitchen and to the sink,
leaving the cup there. "Something wrong?" He looked at Bakura since he'd seen him slap his forehead, then went
to sit back at the table. "Nothing" Bakura confirmed before taking a small sip of his coffee.

"Alright, just asking.." Marik gave a small shrug before yawning a bit. "..So are you all set up with wherever you're
headed?" He was making small talk, he knew that. But, even though they were headed their separate ways, he still
did care about the others' well being in his own way.

Bakura returned the shrug and gazed up at the ceiling, "I've sold everything I don't need. So I guess, I'm set.. "
he didn't bother answering the second part of his question. "Who was at the door?" He flicked his eyes back
down to meet the others.

Marik rolled his eyes slightly, then looked away. "My sister..she owed me a favor and well, the debt is paid now."
He got up from the table and went to the livingroom bringing back a small box, placing it on the table near Bakura
before taking a few steps away. "I want you to have that back. It's not my place to keep it." In the box was the
necklace Bakura had given him. After saying that, he simply left the room to gather a bit more of his things. Bakura flicked
his eyes to the box, knowing exactly what it was inside it. He instantly started chewing on his lip before picking up the
box and gripping it tightly.

Marik didn't feel right about keeping the gift, even if Bakura gave it to him while they were in love. Things happened too
quickly the last few months and both Bakura and Marik had drifted apart. Marik believed now /had/ to go back to Egypt
to find his former partner. He'd never stopped loving /that/ man, but, when that man disappeared, Marik came to Domino in hopes
of finding him here, along with collecting the God cards from Battle City.

Bakura had resembled his former partner in many ways when he'd seen him on one of the local televisions in Egypt, and
upon meeting him, was part of the reason that he'd chosen Bakura to be his new partner...only to find out after over a
year living together, things were entirely different. Though he loved Bakura, he loved Akefia even more so since he better
understood Marik being that they were both born to Egypt. Bakura being connected to Zorc and the shadow realm, he'd
lost a lot of who he was himself to the darker forces, and almost took away the most important factor..being human.

All Marik knew right now was that he was following his heart. He'd also learned that, with he and Bakura drifting apart, that
Bakura seemed to have interests elsewhere, so, that set Marik's own mind at ease in a strange sort of way. He still cared
deeply for Bakura and would never forget what they shared, but, it was time to simply move on.

Marik's thoughts were shattered when the tall man from before, again, knocked at the door. Going to the door and opening
it, he called out to Bakura that it was for him. Bakura appeared at the blond's side, still in his towel, and motioned for Marik
to leave.

"Hn?" He folded his arms over his chest as Marik walked away to continue moving boxes around and making sure
he had them properly written upon as to what was inside.

The tall male passed Bakura the envelope and murmured, "This is from the club you work at. I believe you'll find your paycheck
in order as well as a personal letter from the boss lady" He tipped his hat and left. The letter was indeed from the boss, promoting
Bakura to a co-owner of the club. Bakura just stared down at the letter before shutting the door, not looking up once. Indeed he took
the finances of the club into his own hands, but, he never thought she'd hand half the place over to himself. "Stupid cow" He
snickered and threw the letter down near his satchel.

Marik finished what he was doing and had gone off to the bathroom to relieve himself. In the mean time, a small cube truck pulled
up outside with two men in the cab, each wearing the traditional garb of the Rare Hunters. As Marik came back from the bathroom,
he noticed the truck through the window.

"Well, about frigging time they got here.." He muttered aloud, then went to the door, sidestepping Bakuras' satchel. "Everything
is here in the livingroom, but, do not..I repeat, do not touch this satchel at my feet" He smirked as he turned away. It felt good
to give orders again.

Bakura had gone to sit in the empty basement, now completely dressed and just sort of thinking about stuff. He had the gold set
of never used scalpels in front of him. The same gift that Marik had gotten for him as an anniversary gift, then sighed, he should
probably give them back since Marik gave back the necklace.

The men gathered everything as Marik went to the bedroom, pulling out his change of clothing. He quickly threw his old clothes
on the bed, pulling on his light colored tunic and his deep purple, Rare Hunter robe. When he was through, he slipped the Rod
into the tunic near his waist and finished up by putting on his traditional eye makeup. He walked out of the bedroom and watched
the men take out the rest of his things, his lips drawn into a darkened grin.

After a short time, Bakura stood up and stretched his arms above his head, giving out a rather large yawn. He then gave the place
one last look around before he headed back up the stairs only to find people shifting and moving Marik's stuff. He moved past them
and picked up his bag, placing the black box and the gold one on the coffee table. Sighing, he fetched his guitar and skateboard
before heading for the door. One thing Bakura hated was goodbyes, especially in this case with Marik.

Marik watched him heading out the door, he wasn't one for good byes either, but, no less after spending so much time together,
he did call out. "It was a hell of a ride Bakura...thanks for everything. See you around and best wishes on your future endeavors"
With a whirl of his cape, he turned, leaving whatever was in the house that wasn't taken there, then closed the door and mounting his
motorcycle. After revving it several times, he glanced over his shoulder at Bakura, then he let loose on the clutch and sped away,
nearly slamming into people walking along the sidewalk...the truck following closely after him. Bakura watched him go with out
a word and sighed, placing his skateboard down and pushing off, riding it down the path to nowhere.

Marik arrived at the airport as scheduled, meeting up with a pre-arranged man, exchanging his bike for cash before walking away
without looking back at the bike, the bike that Bakura had helped many times to get back. The movers were busy unloading and
loading the private jet with his belongings while Marik went in to browse around the shops for a bit. Roughly 25 mins later a young
woman walked up to him. "Sir, the plane is ready to leave now" He looked at her with a half smirk before looking once around the terminal.

"Great, thanks." He muttered to her, waving his hand in dismiss. He'd remotely thought that Bakura might, just might, be there to
atleast see him off, but, he wasn't. Marik sighed as he slipped out the doors and boarded the jet, then took a seat near the window.
He hated flying, but, he didn't want to spend months upon the open sea to get back home either. Marik let out another long sigh and closed
his eyes, not wanting to admit to the feelings tearing him up inside, but, he had to. There was no turning back now. The doors closed
and the jet started to move, taxiing down the runway before lifting into the air.

Bakura hadn't made it very far, before he stopped at the park and just sat there staring up at the sky. This was the old bench that both
he and Marik had met so very long ago. He looked at the empty seat beside him for a long time before looking away again and staring
into nothingness. Bakura basically reverted back to his old non-talkative self. He simply didn't feel like facing his other friend and all his out
going nature.

Now flying over the ocean, Mariks' memory flooded with everything that had happened, the pain unbearable at times as tears flowed down his
bronze cheeks, streaking them unnaturally. Though, after a little while, Marik did the only thing he could possibly think of. He pulled out the
Millennium Rod, then looked it over for what seemed like forever, before calling upon the dark powers within it. He prayed to the spirits to
wipe his mind clear of everything except his former life in the desert of Egypt. The spirits heard his plea as the Rod glowed with an unnatural light,
then with one brilliant flash, it was done and everything Marik had known in Domino, including his time spent with Bakura, was erased from his
memory. His lips curled into a dark grin as he placed the Rod away, now looking forward to heading the Rare Hunters council once again and seeking
the man he loved.

Several hours later when the jet landed, Marik walked through the open door and looked around at the hustle and bustle of the airport before
looking out towards the long stretch of open desert sands towards the ancient pyramids. It was good to be home, he grinned wide. A perfect place
to once again reclaim as his own, even if time had changed. He also had a mission now in seeking out the man with the powers to stand at his side
and one he'd willingly stand at his side with...the man named Akefia. His thoughts were distracted when a man walked up to the plane and
cleared his throat.

"Sir..your horse" The man called to him as Marik walked down the stairs and onto the platform.

"He looks like a fine animal, but, is he the best you could possibly find?" Marik arched a brow.

The man bowed before him, handing Marik the reins. "Yes sir, he's the finest desert bred stallion we could find"

Marik looked the mouse gray beast over and nodded. "Very well, if he's not, I'll have your head and soul" He glared down at the man before swinging up upon the horses' back, "Be sure to send my things to the tomb as soon as possible."

With that, he turned the stallion and kicked his sides, sending him into the open desert, enjoying the flow of the wind through his hair.

~End Part 1~

© Story by Dragon Bakura

© Co-written by Deviant (friend/role player for Bakura on FB)

© Yu-Gi-Oh! Characters belong to Kazuki Takahashi