I am going to get back to Pledge of Atonement and continue with Twelve Days of Christmas, I swear. BUT...in between all that, I will be writing one-shots that will fit in with the Soldatenverse, kinda like Slice of Life stuff. :P This one is to show Dakota's maternal side that I want to show with her, starting with one future Soldaten member, Marik Ishtar. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Marik Ishtar, all I own is Dakota Jaeger!

A Simple Taste

Egypt, Dueling Links 2013

The sky always seemed massive to Marik when his gaze fell upon it. The first time he saw it, he was a child, after he went through the initiation. He recalled breathing in the open air for the first time, and the wonders he saw in the outside world. Then, the second time he saw it, he paid no mind to it. All he could think about was the anger at his role and how he wished to take the Pharaoh's power for his own. He felt it was unfair to be locked away in the darkness, all for an ancient promise his family made years ago. Now, he could step outside whenever he wanted, yet there was a sense of penitence. He had his family back, and they welcomed him with open arms. He performed his duties as Tombkeeper. There were reasons for him to be happy, but he felt guilt more than anything. He had so much to answer for, and he hurt many people with his choices. He nearly brought a fate worse than death to the world, worse than he had planned to do himself. He trusted Isaac, a man who faced the horrors of others, a slave, much like he felt like a slave to the Pharaoh. What he never realized was that Isaac's loyalties were also to a demon that wanted to kill all humans. Had it not been for the Pharaoh or his friends or the outworlders, he would have given him that chance. If it had not been for them, he himself would have been lost to the Shadow Realm while his darkness-Yami Marik-took over his body completely. That was the worst part...how he had such darkness inside him that it took a life of its own and brought even more harm to others.

He sat upon a row of large bricks on the ground, his lavender eyes upon the sunset. His platinum blonde hair moved slightly with the breeze that came through. He kept his face calm and straight, hiding the turmoil that waged through his mind. While he was alone, he knew it would not be for long. The solitude allowed him to think, but he also waited for someone...the outworlder that came to visit his family once a week. Dakota Jaeger. Every time she visited, she brought something from a world she recently visited, and he heard all sorts of tales about it. She helped him with the portals that he recently learned about, the Rupturas. He took in every word she spoke about them, preparing himself for travel once he finished his mission. He did not know when, but he wanted to be ready. Today, however, the more he thought about his actions, the more he wondered...should he see the other worlds? Did he even deserve it?

"You keep staring at the sun like that, you'll hurt your eyes."

Marik remained calm as he heard the familiar, amused tone. He had gotten used to her sudden appearances by now, better than he did when she first came. His eyes slowly drifted to the side, where he saw Dakota standing before him with a basket in hand. She had her other hand against her hip, and her head tilted to the side as she analyzed him. She did not say it, but he had a feeling she knew he was thinking hard. Quickly, he made a move to deflect it. WIth his gaze settled upon the basket, he arched an eyebrow and asked, "Being formal with your weekly gift this week, aren't we?"

Dakota snorted. "Blame my sister for that. She's already hounded me about giving gifts in a simple plastic bag or paper." She replied in amusement. "So, she made sure I did better this time."

"...And I assume she helped with all those gifts?" He did not say it, nor did his face show it, but he was amazed at the amount in the basket. There were many brightly wrapped items inside, and he saw a few bottles of amber color substance inside.

"A little…" Her face was flat, as she simply rolled her eyes. "I was only going to get you the Chocolate Frogs, but she insisted on going all out. I wanted to at least let you experience a lot of this stuff when you went to see them without too many spoilers from me."

His face must have gone blank, because he noticed the amused look in her gaze. For a moment, he blinked two times, before he slowly looked at the basket once more. "...Chocolate...Frogs…?" He slowly asked. Hesitation began to seep out in his voice. Did they...truly cooked frogs and covered them in chocolate? He definitely had no appetite for it.

Dakota chuckled softly. "Chocolate made to look like frogs...and they used magic to give them more...life" She slowly explained. She sat down with her basket between them, and went to grab one. "Need to be careful with them, though. They have a tendency to...hop away."

"...Huh?"

She said nothing else. She simply opened the packet carefully, and he noticed a chocolate frog swiftly hopped out of the package. With swift reflex, she grabbed its foot and dangled it before him. "See?" She noted in amusement.

Marik was perturbed at the sight, and a bead of sweat ran down the side of his head. "Uh…" He managed to utter. He was...less than enthused at such a treat. All he could think of was a real frog covered in chocolate, and the constant twitching of the treat made it worse. Rubbing the back of his head, he quickly responded, "Thanks, Dakota, but I am fine!"

"...I wouldn't say that so quickly." She joked. Quickly, she tossed the open package toward him, which he caught with ease. "There's one more thing inside the package. One I think you'll enjoy the most."

He arched an eyebrow. Carefully, and curiously, he finished opening the package, and he noticed a strange card inside. His eyes widened in awe, as he stared at the picture of a muscular man with crimson robes, wielding a sword. He noticed the caption underneath it. "Godric...Gryffindor?" He read softly. "Co-founder of Hogwarts; he gave his name to one of the four Hogwart Houses." He looked at Dakota in surprise before he looked at the card once more. He could sense some sort of magic within it, but what interested him more was the picture and information. "Is this like Duel Monsters?" He asked, before he looked at Dakota in confusion.

"Kinda...from what Regulus says, they are famous people in the Wizarding World." Dakota explained, her gaze upon the card. "AND...depending on your combos, you can activate some sort of magic. Just not for games…"

"Heh...shame."

Suddenly, his lavender eyes lit up when he looked at the card once more. The idea of collectible cards, if nothing else, was interesting to him. Not only were they cards that he could use with combos, learn how he could use them in case he needed to protect his siblings, he was learning. He was learning about people from another world, what their successes were, and what the world was known for. Without thinking, he grabbed another Chocolate Frog package. He cared nothing for the frog that jumped out-the thought of eating it still perturbed him-and only focused on the card. He continued to do this for the next three packets, taking in more cards. Each time he did, he briefly noticed Dakota grasping the frogs to devour them. Each time he saw it, he could not help but look perturbed. He could barely understand her behavior on certain foods, particularly in this case. Yet, he kept that thought to himself and continued to look at his cards in fascination. Along with Gryffindor, he managed to get Albus Dumbledore, Bertie Bott, and a silver-colored Circe.

He read each one carefully, his lips slowly curling into a large smile. Finally, he looked at Dakota, saying, "Thank you for this, Dakota! This is...this is wonderful!"

"Figured you would like it. Considering your love for Duel Monsters, I thought this would catch your eye when you saw it." She replied, and her own face was lit up in excitement.

Both of their looks mirrored each other for a moment, before he suddenly looked down. "You've...done so much since Battle City." He slowly said. "I...still don't quite understand why. Not after what I've done to so many people. But...thank you. For helping me and giving me a chance to learn about the other worlds. These gifts-" He motioned to the basket, "are not much. But, I appreciate them all the same."

Silence stood between them, while her gaze slowly turned toward the distance. He could see the thinking behind her eyes. All he could do was watch her, wondering what she was thinking about. He spoke the truth, however. She visited him so often, but he did not deserve it. He did not deserve the kindness that she showed him, the chances she offered him. Even this small amount of gifts was so much, perhaps more than he truly deserved.

Moments passed by slowly. Finally, she smiled softly before she ruffled his hair and said, "I know why you won't you join us, as a way to redeem yourself for your crimes. Helping the Pharaoh is honestly a good way to start it off. But...if I can give you a small taste of the worlds around this one, then that can help you learn what they are like. You can be prepared."

Marik's eyes widened slightly at her words. She wanted him...to be prepared? "I…"

"You don't have to say anything about that. Just...think of this as a simple taste of the outside worlds. So, when you do see them, you can already have expectations set in place!"

"Heh...I don't think any expectations I have will be enough." His lips curled upward into a large smile. His heart warmed, but he quickly glanced down and scratched his nose. He could never repay this debt to her, even if it took him years. However, he wanted to try his best to repay her back, and anyone else who was willing to forgive him. His siblings, the Pharaoh and his friends, and the other Soldaten members he met. "...Thank you…"

"Don't mention it…" She chuckled as she nudged him slightly. "Now...more Chocolate Frogs?"

"...I am going to pass on that."

That caused her to laugh loudly, and he joined in moments later.

Definitely enjoyed writing this! And I hope you guys enjoyed it! Read and Review!

God Bless!