A/N: This is just a simple little poem I wrote when I wondered how Ryou dealt with all the madness and suffering and chaos that is the Millenium Ring and the Thief King.

"I" is Ryou

"You" is Bakura


My Paradise

Pain
Was once real to me,
Something to be felt,
To be hated,
To be feared,
Known.

You
Once caused me pain.
Ripping through my mind
With the fire of your rage,
You watched me
Bleed.

I
Was once weak.
My anguished cries fed you
And your cruel, wolfish smile.
But now, I have become
Strong.

Pain
Was once real to me:
Your bruising embrace,
Your biting caress,
And your touch that
Burned.

You
Were once real to me.
But now I see through you.
You are a phantom in my mind,
Transparent before my iridescent
Memories.

I
Once knew when you hurt me,
Was once familiar with time
And how it flows
But now, I know only my
Past.

Pain
Was once real to me.
Now, it's incorporeal,
A pale ghost, a clever illusion
That passes, harmless, through my
Mind.

You
Are meaningless to me.
Try, now, to tear me open
And claw at my bleeding heart.
I will feel only
Nothing.

I
Reside deep inside my mind,
Untouchable, engulfed
By those who have already left,
Where pain is no longer
Real.


A/N:Thank you for reading, please review!