AN: Welcome to the prequel to One Million Reasons :-) This story is going to tell the story about Jesara's and Marik's past before her runaway and their reunion during Battle City. I decided to kick the story off with a short prologue. I hope you like it!

Enjoy.

PROLOGUE

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I never remembered anything about the place I came from and the people I would possibly be used to call mother and father. Not a single glimpse of a face, a moment, a vibe that could give me a trace of my origins.

The first thing I remember in my life is when I lost myself in two pale lavender irises, which gave me a puzzled look as my shy ones locked with them for the very first time. His gentle soul took away all of my fear and I no longer asked questions about where I come from, because his presence felt like a home. This boy with the lavender gaze made me laugh, made me feel safe and because of him I learned how to trust. His warm heart gave me comfort in the dark, hopeless place we used to live in. But having each other saved us from losing our mind inside those endless corridors with no hope.

They said I'm supposed to be his wife now and that it was my purpose to stay by his side; to continue the holy blood line of the Ishtar clan. I couldn't get the meaning of marriage at this time of my young life, but I loved the idea of promising my faith to the boy who I called my soulmate - my best friend. Why should I have a problem with that? If that was was marriage was about I would love to share this adventure with him.

His cries tortured me as he was initiated as a tomb keeper. We always knew this day would come, but I hoped for so long that it didn't. I couldn't imagine what pain he had to endure during the ancient ritual as the heated blade of the knife carved through his flesh and determined him… us… for a life far away from the outside world… far away from the sun's warming embrace. His destiny was now bound to the ancient tomb like mine was bound to him.

It hurt to see him filled with so much hate and resentment. Darkness started to overshadow the light that once burned in those innocent lavender eyes. Never did I expect that he was capable of throwing words at me that were sharper than a knife, telling me that he fell for me at the same time. He hurt me and licked my wounds simultaneously.

Not a single cell of that warm hearted soul that once rested in those breathtaking eyes seemed to be left, but I didn't want to give up hope. Those knifes couldn't cut through the bond that we shared.

On one day he treated me like on of his lackeys - on others I was able to sense something like affection slumbering inside of him. And although our awkward relationship was covered by his mind's demons love found a way to grow from an old friendship. Oh how masochistic… But after all he was my anchor that gave me a purpose in a life. I'm not the one to break promises, although he gave me so many reasons to let go.

I didn't want to break my promise I gave him - but he left me no choice.

One man said that you're supposed to love three times in your life. The first love you experience happens at a very young age; of course it isn't love - but it's what you think love feels like at this time of your life. The second love is the one that hurts you and shreds your heart into millions of pieces. But it's the one who brings you a step closer to who you really are; it makes you grow and strengthens you. It makes you wiser. The third is the one which fills you with pleasure, safety and joy. It's the love that makes you walk through hell for each others sake; that gives you happiness and turns your head upside down in a positive way; that makes you do things beyond sanity. You share it with the one you really fall for - the one you love unconditionally.

I experienced my first and the second love with the same boy, who left scars on my body and soul. My body will heal, but the stigmata on my soul possibly won't. I'll try to forget and leave this far behind me. I want to hate him with all of my heart.

But something deep inside me tells me that he might be the one I'll fall for a third time. I want it to go away; to vanish away like the sun sets behind the skyline of Domino. I shed a single tear that accompanied me in my new loneliness as I looked down to the city which artificial lights came to life. Just as the sun's light faded away I promised to myself that I won't let him come near me again.

I finally drew the line.

AN: Hope you enjoyed the Prologue! I'm looking forward to your reviews! I really appreciate hearing back from you and have your feedback!