RYOU'S P.O.V..

My name is Ryou Bakura, but everyone calls me Ryou now because it would be confusing otherwise. You see, I have this Millennium Ring that had a spirit inside, and he's called Yami Bakura. Weird, I know, but true. We look pretty alike: similar silver hair, both slender, same kind of features. Of course he's taller and stronger than me and much more stunning. I'm pretty plain really. But the main difference is personality.

I guess I'm shy and quiet, and I like doing nice things. People always say I'm pretty smart too. Bakura on the other hand is demanding, angry, and pretty much void of compassion. His favorite pastimes include shoplifting, terrifying people and sending them to the Shadow Realm...and of course being overly (for lack of a more refined word) sexy.

Now that its summer I wish I could spend more time with him, but he isn't interested in hanging out with me much. I'm not the kind of person he tends to like. Then again I'm not sure he truly likes anyone, but still. I mean, we live in the same house, you'd think he could at least try to spend some time with me. He's supposed to be my yami!

For the moment Malik is living in our house as well. Which is really my dad's house, though my dad hasn't been here for the past seven months. I don't know if he's coming back but I hope not.

Of course, living with Malik also means we get his crazy yami, Marik. They're both blonde with dark skin and violently violet eyes. Marik however is unstable, power-hungry, and possessive. He's better now than during, say, Battle City, but I still get nervous around him. Why is everyone in this place so intimidating? When I'm home and Marik and Malik are here too I tend to stick close to my yami or just try to hide.

In fact, that's just what I was doing: skulking in the kitchen, trying to stay clear of Marik. Malik and Bakura unanimously banned him from going into the kitchen unsupervised after one day when he swiped all the flour and set it on fire. Flour and fire apparently don't mix; it exploded all over Marik, the living room, and Malik's cat Ginger. The poor beast was frightened almost to death and now stays away from Marik, which seems to amuse him greatly. They both laughed really hard but decided he'd gone too far, and Marik doesn't disobey them when they team up on him.

And that's why I'm hiding in the kitchen. I'm bored too, waiting for Bakura to get home. You see, there's also something I haven't mentioned about Bakura. I happen to have a major crush on him...

Just then the doorknob turned and Bakura strode in, looking smug and confidant. He was wearing a collared black shirt, a tight grey jeans which showed off his long legs, and the Ring around his neck. I blinked. I thought the Ring was by my bed. Oh well. As he entered the living room, he called out, "Malik, present for you. It is your birthday today after all."

Whoops. I forgot it was Malik's birthday...he won't be to happy about that. I sigh and walk timidly towards them.

My yami was holding out something long and thin. It might have been intended as a wrapped present, but more closely resembled a wad of gift wrap badly covering something shiny and golden. Malik hopped off the couch, where he'd been curled on Marik's lap. Marik widened his eyes at the present when Bakura handed it to Malik.

"Um, Bakura? Is this what I think it is?" Malik asked incredulously, ripping the paper off. Gold glittered and winked alluringly in his hand. "What the hell were you doing with my Millennium Rod?"

They swear a lot, but I don't even flinch anymore. Bakura laughs at me for 'being such a wimp', but that's just the way he is.

"I borrowed it," he said casually. I cringed inwardly. Bakura with not only the Ring but the Rod as well? He says he's stopped going after the Millennium Items but I'm always afraid of a relapse.

"So, aren't ya glad I felt like giving to you as a special gift?"

"Yeah, fuck-a-doodle-doo," replied Malik sarcastically. "Why'd you have it in the first place?"

"To see if you'd notice. I am King of Thieves, after all."

Malik snorted loudly. "You were, you mean. Well whatever then. Don't expect me to be too grateful. It was mine before you stole it."

By this time I had padded across to them and was standing behind Bakura. He shouldn't have the right to be so gorgeous. Suddenly he noticed me.

"Hey Ryou, what do you have for our dear friend?"

I gulp a bit. "Erm, nothing yet...I mean I...well, nothing."

"That's all right, I'll settle for a kiss!" grinned Malik evilly, holding out his arms. Marik pouted, but Bakura grabbed me around the waist. I felt elated and scared, a blush rising to my cheeks. Bakura pulled me roughly to his side and didn't let go.

"Now now, Ryou's too pure for your dirty antics. Besides, I don't think you'd get much out of kissing him. Virgin if I ever saw one." They all chuckled. Marik had been glaring randomly at the cat Ginger (who happens to be black), but turned back and snickered with them.

"Oh, keeping him for yourself are you? I don't blame you, he's damn hot. Almost as much as me!" Malik declared, striking a comical pose, and they laughed again.

Now my face was really burning. I groaned, but Bakura just grasped tighter. He gets protective of me, which I don't understand. Half the time he seems not to care and orders me around, but he won't actually let anything happen to me. I guess that's good enough, but I can't help wanting more.

What I truly want is for him to love me. Not like Marik and Malik- they're scary. But not like the Pharaoh and Yugi either. They're too...hyper, I guess, and gossipy. No, what I wish is that he'd feel the same way about me as I do about him.

Unfortunately, that's clearly never going to happen...