Chapter 2:

A/N: Wasn't really expecting to get hit with inspiration . . . but, I was listening to Leather Pants by LK, and . . . this sort of just attacked me. So, warning, Marik will be in this chapter, and it might not be quite as serious as the last one. Heh, heh.(still sticking to cannon Marik though, don't worry, it won't be that crazy)

Also, I've never been to an insane asylum for criminals, so some of the details might not be accurate.(like you really care)

Disclaimer: I don't own Yugioh or Batman- and any TAS references you see are not your imagination or an accident.

Bruce stood in the Batcave, examining his computer screen.

Ryou Bakura, seventeen years old, citizen of Japan. His father was an archeologist who- if one were to check school records and compare them to work schedules- left his son home alone frequently. His mother and younger sister had died when he was younger in a car wreck. He had been transferred from school to school frequently, and a long list of odd disasters followed him wherever he went.

It was definitely enough to drive a boy crazy, and the fact that so many of his classmates had suddenly gone into comas . . . was suspicious at best.

And then when he got to Domino City, it got worse.

Not that anything could be linked to him- but there had to be some connection with at least of few of the odd occurrences after his previous history. Kidnappings, more comas, reports of monsters being sighted, mass destruction of public property, the list went on and on. And on.

Domino City could really use a hero . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

"Please, I need to see him! I'm very worried, he's been missing for weeks!"

The secretary at Arkham Insane Asylum raised an eyebrow. "And, what is his relation to you Mr . . ."

"Ishtar, Marik Ishtar. We're cousins."

"Cousins."

"Yes, now please, everyone's been very worried since he went missing, and when I heard that he could be here, I came immediately- if you don't believe me you can ask him yourself, but I really need to see him, please, to know he's alright."

The secretary stared at him for another moment, then sighed. "I'll be right back."

Marik gave her his best smile. "Thank you!" He called after her, trying not to smirk- the guards were still watching after all.

When he had gotten Bakura's message via Duel Monster, he had been a little surprised. Sure, they had worked together- when he was trying to go after the Pharaoh- but now that he wasn't interested in that anymore, what could the Spirit of the Ring possibly want?

The secretary soon returned and gave him an odd look. "He says . . . that he would like to see you. His doctors have approved him for visitors, so you can go in. One of the guards will escort you."

Malik nodded. "Thank you-" he glanced at her name tag, "- Florence. It was a pleasure meeting you."

"Your welcome, Mister Ishtar."

Marik followed he guard quietly, ignoring the many rooms they passed. There were cries, screams of pain, and various expletives that kept the noise at a steady moan. It rather reminded Marik of a certain duel he had been a part of with the constant wind and dialogue of the Yugi-tachi. They reached the end of the hall, and Marik couldn't help but smirk slightly at the familiar face. He could tell through the glass that Ryou was in control right now- Yami no Bakura was apparently trying to keep a low profile here. Ryou lit up when he saw Marik- probably not a good sign. He must be pretty desperate for a familiar face if he was glad to see someone who had used him as a pawn in the past. Really, he would much rather deal with the thief. At least they had an understanding.

He glanced over at the guard. "Do you mind if I go in? Please, I'll be fine, I just want to talk with him privately."

The guard eyed him for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine, but I'm staying right here."

Marik nodded politely, as the large man unlocked the door.

Marik stepped in and smiled brightly- mostly for the benefit of the listening guard. "Itoko-chan! I've missed you so much!"

Ryou looked puzzled for a half-second, but quickly caught on. Apparently, RPG games were a great help when it came to honing acting skills.

"Cousin? How did you- I don't mean to be rude," By this time the guard was back outside, eyeing them critically through the glass. "But what are you doing here?"

Marik raised an eyebrow. "What do you think I'm doing? Visiting my little cousin who always manages to get himself into more trouble than anyone could imagine."

"Yes, but how did you find me?"

Marik managed not to roll his eyes. He's just as clueless as before. "A mutual friend sent me a message." He held up a card.

Ryou gasped. "Dark Necrofear! I was so worried- I thought I lost her here-" He paused, then looked suddenly very pale.

"Koe . . . he sent it. So, you came here for him?"

Koe? He calls the spirit 'voice?' Why? Mentally shrugging, Marik snorted rudely. "Well, what else was I supposed to do? Leave my poor cousin stuck in a mental hospital, in America of all places? How did you get here anyway? Get on the wrong plane while visiting Uncle Bakura?"

Ryou looked a little sick. "Uh, well, it's . . . a long story, and I'm really not sure how most of it-" but the boy was cut off by a flash of golden light, and all of a sudden, the boy didn't look quite so innocent anymore.

"I came here for game supplies. I heard there was a good shop here that I could get things from, but I had some . . . unexpected problems. Some kuso no koumori took me by surprise, and I ended up here. His ba and ha are strong."

The spirit of the ring's eyes narrowed, and he glanced up at the top left corner of the room. Marik followed his gaze. So, that's where the camera is. And since he's still not speaking plainly, I can assume that there is an audio recording. Lovely.

"How long do you have to stay here? I know you're not crazy-" at least Ryou isn't, only a part lie, "-so, when will they let you out?" When do you want to break out?

"Hopefully soon." The spirit gave him a Ryou-esque smile. "It's been so good to see you Marik-kun."

Marik smiled innocently back and pulled his 'cousin' into an embrace.

"I can have you out by tomorrow night," he whispered. "Be ready, Koe." The spirit stiffened slightly at the name, then relaxed and pulled back.

"Please visit me again soon, cousin."

"Don't worry Itoko-chan. I'll be nearby."

End-

Dewa mata

A/N:

Ba- Egyptian, sort of a part of the soul, although they had really complex beliefs when it came to that. In Yugioh, it's what they used in the past to summon.

Ha- Egyptian for body (so, basically, he was saying 'his spirit and body are strong')

Itoko- Japanese for cousin. Marik's not Japanese, but he obviously knows the language, and since Ryou is from there . . . Also, chan is an honorific(usually used for girls)

Uncle Bakura: If Ryou and Marik were cousins, then Mr Bakura would be his uncle, therefore, 'Uncle Bakura'