Okay so this is my first story on fanfiction. I haven't uploaded all the chapters yet because I'm doing some final touches to them. Anyway this is what I have so far. (Note: The title may change…this is what I have decided on for the time being.) (..Another Note: I don't mind constructive criticism, but I do not like getting flamed because I picked the wrong person to be paired with Malik. If you don't like the pairings then don't read).

Desclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh….only wish it.

How to Forgive

A Fateful Meeting

Malik Ishtar sighed to himself as he walked off the cruise ship. He looked up and down at the ports and spotted one that stood out from the rest. He shuddered as the horrid memories of what he had done there flashed in front of his eyes. Though Malik was in control of Joey Wheeler's mind at the time, that memory still haunted him. He had not only tried to take both the pharaoh's light life, and Joeys, but the girl too, Tea.

It had only been a few months since he had left Japan. The memories still lingered, and for some were still very real, much to his surprise, his sister and Seto Kaiba had fallen for each other. And Malik was more then a bit uncomfortable when she wanted to move back to Japan to see the CEO of Kaiba Corps. Kaiba offered his hand in helping them move, and now here they were, Domino City, Japan.

Just from standing on the dock he could see the past events float by him. He closed his eyes and pushed them out of his mind as much as he could.

Malik turned when he heard footsteps behind him; Isis stepped off the ship and brushed by Malik without a word. He sighed; he knew that if he wasn't related to her by blood, she would have left him in Egypt. Malik had been condemned to live a miserable life of pain and loneliness. All because of the actions of his darker half, nobody trusted him, not even Isis, his only living relative.

The Egyptian boy didn't know what else he could do to gain their trust. He had even given up the Millennium Rod to Seto Kaiba. To prove that he would no longer use it for evil. But that didn't work, and now he had to fight the urges he had. He still had a connection to the rod, like Yugi and Ryou did with their golden items. It still called to him, and he wouldn't deny it, Malik wanted the golden rod as much as it wanted him.

But he could never answer it's calls. Malik was glad for one thing though. Yami Malik or 'Marik' as he called him was still with him. It was very faint, but Malik could still sense his dark counter part within him. For this he was happy, it meant, for the most part, that he wasn't truly alone.

"Ishtar, come on, we haven't got all day." Malik turned to see Isis and Kaiba standing by a stretch limo. A moving van that had just been loaded off the boat hummed in the background. Malik picked up his duffel bag and swung it over his shoulder and made his way over to the couple.

"Look, why don't we just unload your bike and you can follow us," Kaiba said gruffly. The violet eyed boy just nodded, "Can I at least put my things in the back?" he questioned. "Whatever," Kaiba mumbled and rolled his eyes, his sister didn't even look at him. The trunk of the limo opened with a slight 'pop' and Malik threw his bag inside and slammed down the metal trunk.

He buckled his helmet on his head and dug in his pocket for his key to the bike. The movers had just finished unloading it and were now closing up the truck. They were ready to follow the limo to the new house.

Malik climbed on his bike and started it up, it roared beautifully, just as he liked it. For the first time in a while he smiled. The limo rolled out onto the main road, Malik in behind, and the moving van behind him. If he could he would've closed his eyes, the warm sun and refreshing wind on his face felt nice. He saw a road that turned off into a park, and was tempted to follow it. There were a few houses around, but they were more spread out, it looked really peaceful. Malik felt himself wishing that Isis had chosen to live out here, and not in the city.

The three vehicles came to the busy streets and followed the main stream to the left. They soon arrived in a quaint little neighborhood. Malik could see the Kaiba corp. tower from where he was; of course, they had to live right near him.

The limo stopped in front of a white and tan colored two story house. The moving van pulled up in the driveway, which led to the garage. The lawn was nice and green, but a few weeds invaded the lush grass. There was a bay window that looked out onto the rest of the neighborhood. Above there were two windows, both supposedly bedrooms.

The garage was opened so Malik was able to park his bike inside. He climbed off and watched the movers begin to unload. "Come on Ishtar, go help already," Kaiba called. Malik stuffed his hands in his pocket and walked to the back of the truck. He didn't even say anything when the mover handed him a box marked 'kitchen', he took it, and found it to be quite heavy. Isis had the key and she unlocked the front door, allowing the movers to place things inside.

Suddenly a silver sports car pulled up beside the house. Malik walked outside to see who it was. From the car out stepped a familiar tri-colored hair boy, along with another boy, who had white hair.

"Ryou! Yugi! Good to see you," Isis called as they walked towards them.

Yugi and Ryou both smiled kindly at the Egyptian, who gave them a small grin. But a silent glare from his sister wiped it off his face quickly.

"Did you have a safe trip?" Ryou inquired kindly.

Isis nodded; the glare was no longer there. "Yes I did, for the most part," she said, slightly eyeing Malik.

Yugi looked passed both Kaiba and the Egyptian women and at Malik. "What about you Malik?" he asked.

Both Isis and Kaiba gave Yugi a surprised look, but they also had a hint of slight annoyance in their eyes. Malik wasn't very shocked; he knew that Ryou and Yugi both were the only ones that forgave him for what he had done. They now saw the violet eyed boy as a good friend.

"It was alright," he said quietly, thankful for this small bit of kindness.

Kaiba sent a glare towards Malik and tightened his grip on Isis protectively. "Why don't you leave us alone and help with the unpacking," he said, it was more of a command then a suggestion.

Malik shrugged as if he didn't mind and trudged back inside. He was only a few feet away when he heard, "Seto, can I come with you for a while. I can't be in the same house as him."

Malik bit his lip; his stomach suddenly tied itself into a knot. That warm sick feeling he always had when something or someone hurt him made its presence known. He didn't notice the concern and disgust on Yugi's or Ryou's face and right then he didn't care. The last thing he wanted to do was break down in front of everyone. Quietly he snuck out the back, and discovered that the back of the garage opened up into an ally way. He carefully rolled his bike out onto the secluded paved road. They probably won't even care that I'm gone was a thought that ran through his mind, he felt his lip tremble. He climbed on his bike and started it up; it hummed quietly into a roar. He drove down the ally onto the main road. He barely heard Ryou and Yugi calling out to him. Malik bit down on his lip again and kept on going.

Malik soon found himself leaving the city. He figured it would be best since he couldn't keep his mind on the road. ...I can't be in the same house as him his mind ran over what his sister had said. His vision blurred a bit, he wiped his eyes quickly and roughly. He was determined not to cry, for what reason, he didn't know.

The violet eyed boy spotted something familiar, the turn off they had driven by earlier. Without hesitation he swerved into the other lane and onto the narrower road. It rose up steeply into a flat parking lot. Before entering it however there was sign built from oak and in white it read, 'Ocean View Park'. The lot was empty so he parked near the paved trail. There was another street that went on to the houses he had seen earlier; they were larger than those in the city. He assumed that the people living out here probably had a good salary.

Malik shoved his hands into his pockets and wandered down the park path. The grass was very green and the trees grew larger. He could hear the birds twittering clearly, not like in the city. Sirens, cars and other industrial noises drowned them out. He soon came to a small flight of cement stairs. They led to a paved platform that was made on a cliff. There was a railing all around. Beyond that there was a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Malik stepped down the stairs onto the viewing platform and walked to the edge. Below there were rows of houses, and at the bay there was the Domino City Port.

The bronze skinned teen found a bench and sat down. He leaned back and closed his eyes. Malik found himself more at peace here, was this because he had not tainted this part of the city? He shook his head to rid himself of these stupid feelings. Things would be so much better if he just felt nothing. Or so he thought, to him being hollow was better then letting everyone hurt him until he couldn't feel anymore.

Malik was so caught up in his feelings; he hadn't noticed that the wall that hid his feelings had fallen. He didn't hear the silent footsteps that walked up to him. He hadn't felt the tears that trickled down his cheeks.

"Are you alright?" a concerned voice asked. Malik nearly jumped out of skin and looked up to see a girl staring back at him.

She was wearing one of the school uniforms that he had seen Tea wear often. Only since it was the warm season she wore a white sailor styled t-shirt instead of the pink jacket. She had long blond hair. It was wavy and was tied up in a high pony tail with a blue ribbon. Even in the pony tail her hair came to the middle of her back, her bangs just as wavy like the rest stopped above her eyes. Long strands of wavy hair framed her face, coming just below her chest.

She's beautiful; he thought when he noticed her eyes. They were a sky blue but they sparkled like the sea. He remembered back when he was a child and when her sister still loved him. She had confessed how he adored his eyes, they were violet, and hers were blue. He still didn't understand why, the color blue for eyes seemed so lovely.

Malik suddenly realized that he was staring and looked at the ground. He didn't say anything and hoped she would just leave him alone. Unfortunately for him the gods weren't too fond of the Egyptian either, so they did what they do best, spite him.

The girl sat down on the empty seat next to him. She bent down and tried to see his face. "You're crying," she stated, there was a bit of worry in her voice. Which Malik found odd since they had never met before.

He quickly wiped his damp cheeks and watery eyes. "No I'm not," he protested like a child. She didn't seem to give up to easily. "Then what's this?" she asked, but it wasn't in a harsh tone. She reached out and touched Malik's cheek gently; a tear fell onto her outstretched finger. She held it up to his eyes as if showing him.

Malik quickly stood up, "It's nothing, now leave me alone." He said a little more harshly then he meant to. The blond stood up to and gave him an apologetic look, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. I was just trying to help," she explained.

She turned to leave but Malik acted before he could think. "No, wait," he whispered, he placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and faced him but he was still looking at the ground. "I should be the one who's sorry. You were just being kind and I snapped at you for no reason," he said quietly.

"That's okay, I should know better then to make someone else's business my own," she said, he heard a laugh. "You can look at me you know," she told him. Malik raised his eyes so they met hers, she was smiling. "There, now I can see your eyes, they're beautiful," she said cheerily. His lips crept into a small smile, "Um, Thanks," he said and a small hint of pink brushed his cheeks.

The two had moved over to the railing and were looking off at the now setting sun. "My name is Carrie Mahiko by the way," the blue eyed girl said and smiled at the tall Egyptian.

He grinned, "Malik Ishtar," he told her. They were silent for a moment. He was expecting her to suddenly realize that he was the one who crashed Battle City. Maybe she wasn't here when it happened, or maybe she didn't pay attention to that sort of thing.

She studied him for a minute. "Hey you're the guy from that tournament thing. Didn't you like cause some sort of ruckus? " she asked.

He had hoped to hard, she knew who he was. "Yes…but I…that is I didn't mean to…I wasn't myself," he said, trying to explain, praying that she wouldn't be scared of him too.

"Well you don't look anything like the man that was on that broadcast. I can't actually believe you could be him," she said a little dumbfounded.

Malik looked at her surprised, "A lot has changed, since then…I guess you could say, that i I've /i changed," he reasoned, still hoping she would believe him.

She laughed, "That's good to hear," was all that she said. "So I guess you like Duel Monsters. I just moved here from Canada and I have to admit I'm not too crazy about the game," she chuckled.

Needless to say Malik was shocked. She hadn't given it anymore thought. She just completely brushed it aside as if it was nothing. But he had caused so much destruction, so much suffering. How could she do that? Didn't she realize she was standing next to a psychopath?

"Look, do you pity me? Cause if you do you can just forget it!" Malik spat and turned to leave. He stopped when she grabbed his arm. "What?" he asked darkly.

Carrie just looked at him confused, "Pity? Why would I pity you?" she asked.

"You should know!" he yelled. "You pity me because everyone is too disgusted to even look at me! They all hate me! Just because of something that happened that I didn't want. Okay so maybe I did want it at first, but I'm sorry! I'm sorry for what I did! Why can't you forgive me?" he ended in a whispered and sunk to his knees. His eyes burned as tears threatened to fall.

Carrie knelt down in front of Malik and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Malik, I don't really know what happened back then. I don't know what happened to you or why you did whatever it is you did. And I don't know who isn't forgiving you after you obviously have shown how sorry you are. But I'm not one to judge you on your past. I can't see what others saw on those days during that tournament. I don't see that person I watched on the news. But do you know what I do see?" she asked. Malik didn't respond so she just continued. "I've only been with you for a little while, but I can see that you're a really kind person. I understand if you still want me to leave, but I would really like to get to know you better," she told the violet orbed boy.

After there was no answer, not even a sound. Carrie sighed to herself thinking she had really hurt him. She stood up and began to walk away; she looked back regrettably but continued on.

Malik sat there, frozen to the spot. He was none the less stunned at her words. She had said he was a kind person…was that true? He shook his head not sure what to believe or what to do. But the only thing that he knew right now. Was that the one person who had spoken kindly to him in so long, had left.

Malik got to his feet and looked around. He spotted her up on a path that lead away from the park. "Wait! Don't go!" he called and chased after her.

Carrie stopped and looked back at him confused. "Please don't go!" he yelled again as he closed the distance between them. He stopped in front of her and placed his hands on his knees. "Don't…go…please," he panted between breaths.

He looked at her, her eyes showed confusion. "I'm sorry," he said, "I didn't mean to yell, please don't go. I-I don't want to be alone…not again," he said and shifted his gaze sadly.

Carrie smiled, "its okay," she said and wiped away his not yet fallen tear. Malik looked back into her forgiving eyes. She had forgiven him, even for the things that he had done. He managed a smile, "thank you," he whispered.

Suddenly with a clap of thunder and a flash of lightning the skies opened up. At first it was a light sprinkle. It turned quickly into pelting sheets. It wasn't long before both teens were completely soaked to the bone.

Carrie wrapped her arms around her body. She felt something heavy on her shoulders and looked at Malik. He had placed his leather jacket on her, it was still warm. "Thank you," she said, he wrapped his arms around himself and they both shivered. Their clothes now stuck to them like a second skin. "Come on, my place is close by," Carrie offered.

Malik hesitated but just for a moment. Only a mad man would want to stay out in this weather, even madder if he were to attempt biking home. He nodded and she started off on the path again, him close behind.

The two half ran half walked to her house. They soon arrived at a two story home; the two huddled close to each other for warmth. The lights were off, the driveway was empty. It was dark, despite the lightning that streaked across the sky every few minutes.

Carrie quickly unlocked the front door and let Malik and herself inside. The wind had now picked up and was howling like there was no tomorrow. She closed the door behind them and locked it. "Just take off your shoes here," she told him gesturing toward the mat on the floor. There were only a few other pairs of shoes there.

Malik looked down at himself and at her, their clothes were dripping, their hair stuck to the sides of their heads. Their shoes were brown and squished with water. The rug that he stood on now had a damp puddle. It wouldn't take a genius to tell that they were completely soaked.

"I'll go get us some towels," Carrie said, for she had also noticed the situation. The wet blond disappeared upstairs and left the shivering Egyptian on the front landing. She soon returned with some towels and some clothes. "Here," she said, handing the pile to Malik, "there's a bathroom downstairs and to your left. Those clothes are my brothers, you can change into them and I'll put yours in the dryer," she explained. He was about to protest but Carrie shooed him downstairs before he could.

Carrie herself followed Malik downstairs, but turned down a different hallway to her room. She quickly changed out of her school uniform into a pair of comfy, but tight jeans and a navy blue t-shirt.

She left her room and went back upstairs, "Malik, I'll be in the kitchen, don't be afraid to look around," she called down to him. "O-okay," floated up a response, the door opened and he came out wearing baggy jeans and shirt. Her brother was obviously, older and bigger then he was. He didn't mind though, the clothes were warm and still had the scent of cologne. Her brother's cologne, he found himself liking the smell.

He trudged up the flight of stairs and was careful not to step in the puddle or mud when he came to the front landing.

He came to a hallway, to the right it lead into a nicely furnished family room. To the left there was a narrower hall and there were doors on both sides and one at the end. He guessed that these were bedrooms and one possibly a bathroom. There was a door frame beyond where he was standing. The room was brightly lit and he could hear cupboards being opened and closed. And then a kettle went off noisily.

Malik wandered carefully into the bright kitchen that was painted a warm yellow and sky blue. "My brothers clothes are a little big on you," he heard her say. His eyes fell on Carrie, who stood at the counter. She smiled kindly at him; his lips were only capable of curling into a small grin.

"Go and make yourself comfortable in the living room. I have a feeling this rain may last a while," she insisted. She flicked the light on in the other room so he wouldn't be wandering around in the dark. He nodded and walked into the living quarters. It had that nice, 'home' feel to it. Which he liked, Malik sat down on the couch, which were dark red leather. There was a dark birch coffee table in the middle. The floor was wood panel, there was a large rug that was also red, but it was a lighter shade. It had fascinating designs that decorated the sides. There were plants and beautiful paintings and pictures that adorned the room and the walls.

"You have a nice home," he said as Carrie came into the room. "Thanks," she replied, she had two cups of steaming cocoa in her hand. She passed him a cup and he took it gladly.

He held it and it warmed his hands. Carrie sat down beside him, she pulled her legs up and shifted until she was in a comfortable position. She blew on the hot liquid before taking a sip. "Mmm…that hit the spot," she said and smiled contentedly. Malik took a small sip from his mug. The warm cocoa ran smoothly down his throat into his stomach. It warmed him inside, he began to have feeling in his toes again.

Carrie picked up a remote that lay on the coffee table. She pointed at an oak wardrobe, or at least it looked like a wardrobe. Like one you keep clothing in, but with a click the doors slid open. Behind the doors was a very large TV. "My dad just had to get this," she mumbled when she noticed Malik quirk an eyebrow.

He chuckled, "I see, well I guess it's no surprise when a man wants a big TV," he commented.

"Aha!" Carrie suddenly announced, smiling wildly at Malik.

"What?" he questioned blinking in surprise. He wondered if perhaps this girl was as crazy as him.

She giggled and touched his nose lightly with her finger. "I finally got you to laugh! Ya for me!" she said happily.

Malik stared cross eyed looking at her finger. "That's a…good thing?" he wondered not fully understanding.

"Of course, you looked so sad. I'm happy to see you smile," she said, her smile still wide, still kind.

She removed her hand from his nose and wiped a bit of cocoa from his lips. "Do you like it when I smile?" he questioned.

Carrie licked the cocoa from her fingers. "Yes of course. The reason I wanted to help you earlier is because I can't stand to see other people cry. Even if they are strangers, but I can still tell if I should but in or not. I just thought you needed someone, someone to talk to." She explained to him.

Malik hesitated, but he let his grin widen. He took her hand and kiss it where it had touched him before. "You were right, thank you," he said.

Carrie blushed, "Y-you're welcome," she said quietly. He let go of her hand and she brought it to her chest. She looked at the spot he had kissed and then back at him.

They were silent for a moment as they sipped their cocoa. "Do you want to watch a movie?" she asked.

He nodded, "Yeah, sure," he replied. She clicked the remote and the TV turned on.

Malik leaned back comfortably on the couch. It wasn't long before they were laughing at comedy movie. It was called something like, 'Failure to Launch,' it was a bit of a chick flick, but he didn't mind.

After an hour or two the cocoa mugs were empty and the movie was ending.

Carrie looked out the large bay window. "It isn't raining anymore," she commented. A hint of disappointment could be detected in her voice.

Malik too, frowned, for it had indeed stopped raining. The sky was clearing allowing the moon and stars to be seen. The ground was still damp, and the plants had rain droplets cupped in there leaves.

"I guess I better get home," he stated. It wasn't even a passing thought that his sister might be worried. She had shown him enough shunning already. He walked over to the washroom to change out of the borrowed clothes and into his now dry ones.

Carrie waited patiently for him by the stairs. "Will you be okay getting home?" she asked, he couldn't help but notice concern in her eyes.

He nodded, "Yeah, I'll be okay," he told her reassuringly. He pulled on his black boots, they were still wet and soaked his socks.

"Malik wait," he heard behind him. He stopped, his hand on the doorknob. He looked at her expectantly.

A small hue of pink touched her peach colored cheeks. "Um, there is this Karaoke Club down town. Would you like to go sometime?" she asked. "I-I understand if you don't. I was just, wondering," she ended quietly.

Malik knew he probably wouldn't have anything else to do, since everyone he knew still hated him. "Sure, but don't expect me to sing…I do, a little, but not in front of people," he said, accepting her offer.

Carrie smiled, "Great, how about Monday? After school?" she inquired hopefully. She swiped a piece of paper from the kitchen. She jotted down the directions and her phone number and handed it to him.

He nodded again, "Yeah, sounds good. I'll be there, and thanks again, for everything," he said and took the paper.

Malik turned the knob of the front door and stepped out into the cool night air. He looked back at her, she was still smiling and he smiled back. "See you later then," he told her.

"Yeah, see you then," she agreed.

He closed the door behind him before he left. He walked down the front steps and back towards the park. The violet eyed teen couldn't get the quaint smile off his face, and he didn't really try. Maybe not everyone hates me...and maybe I'm not alone, at least not yet he thought.

No, you're not my pet a voice in the dark corners of his mind echoed. Though it sounded kind, not what he expected.

Marik He wondered.

There was no answer.