Sorry it took so long to post this - a lot's been going on. I hope to have more soon. Please let me know what you think.

This takes place immediately after "Defenseless" ends.

"Heartbroken"

Ch1

…

The medics were waiting by the door as they pulled up in front of the hospital. Stretchers were immediately wheeled out to them. Odion hurried, knowing the car couldn't stay there, and took the liberty of removing Marik from the back seat and laying him on one of the stretchers. Bakura opened his door and pulled away from the hands that tried to assist him. Clutching his wrapped-up coat to his chest, he helped himself onto the other stretcher, ignoring the suggestions of the medics to take it easy.

"Go ahead and lie down, Sir," A young aid said.

"This," Bakura hissed, tapping his coat, "Do not lose this. I want this near me at all times."

"That's no problem, Sir, we can do that," She answered quickly. She was clearly new, and focusing much more on her "keep them calm" bedside manner than anything else. Bakura grimaced as he laid himself down and let the doctors wheel him inside behind Marik; meanwhile Odion closed all the doors and went to park the car. A doctor followed behind with a wheelchair and insisted on escorting him inside.

…

The ceiling lights flashed by one after the other. Bakura jerked his head away as one doctor tried to shine a small flashlight into his eyes. Odion had informed them over the phone that the pale one had suffered massive injuries and was coughing up blood, so the Ring Spirit was not surprised at all to find himself wheeled into a surgery room. Again, the doctors tried to take the bundle from his arms, but he held it tighter.

"Keep it close," He growled again, barely audibly.

"No problem," The doctor answered as Bakura finally released his grasp on the coat. She turned and set the bundle on a stool near the counter and threw a surgical gown over it. "We'll keep it right here for you, ok?" She turned back to him, but the white-haired teen was already unconscious.

…

With no physical contact to the Ring, Ryou's body was inaccessible to the Spirit. But he had a strong enough connection that he could still reach out to his host with his mind. It was difficult this way, though. Mostly because his host had grown so weak, his consciousness had sunk to the farthest depths of his mind. It took Bakura a long while before he could feel the soul room Ryou had manifested for himself - and it was much smaller than it had been before, with the young one's strength so far gone. The bed Ryou had conjured was the focal point of the room, and everywhere around it, the rest was fading into blurry shadows. Ryou sat upon it, hugging his knees and trembling. As soon as he saw his yami appear out of the darkness, he cried out and ran to him; clinging to him and sobbing uncontrollably. Ryou could no longer feel the pain of his body, Bakura knew, but there was just as much damage done to him here… maybe even more so. Bakura had no words to say. He simply brought his arms up to, reluctantly, hold his hikari and let the little one pour out his anguish.

…

Marik didn't come to until two days later.

There was a confusing repetitive noise coming from somewhere that he couldn't identify. Very slowly, he opened his eyes. He was laying on his right side, facing a white wall. He could see part of a bed, white sheets, a handle bar -

Marik blinked once…twice… He spotted the corner of a machine with shifting numbers on it. It was beeping. That was the confusing noise. His eyes looked down; his left hand laid limp on the bedcovers - some kind of plastic band strapped to his wrist. His right arm was sprawled out with an I.V. inserted inside his elbow and thick bandages stretching between it and his wrist. In the hospital, then, he concluded. He raised his eyes to the wall - he could make out the edge of a window with orange curtains, and just enough glass to deduce that it was daytime.

Tentatively, he flexed his toes, his legs muscles, arms, back… all as minimal as possible. Everything seemed to be working, though there was aching along his stomach and his lower leg. He turned his head and looked past the foot of the bed. There were two chairs along each wall, meeting at the corner. In one, he saw Odion's profile hunched over with his head in his hands. Along the other wall, Ishizu sat upright, facing the bed with her hands folded in her lap; gazing at the floor and looking utterly melancholy.

Marik swallowed and tested his voice, "S-sister."

Ishizu immediately raised her head and was at his side in a flash. Odion looked up too, a bit confused by her sudden movement.

"Marik!" Ishizu beamed, "You're awake at last." She smiled and took his hand in hers.

Marik carefully rolled onto his back, wincing slightly.

…

"How long?" Ryou asked, tearfully. He was lying on his bed again, eyes red and bleary. Bakura sat next to him, gently stroking the boy's back. In all the time they'd been reunited in this room, Ryou had been unable to stop crying; alternating between silent tears and shaking sobs. Crumpled tissues littered the floor.

And anytime Bakura had pulled himself away from the younger one, Ryou would soon start clutching at him fearfully, as though dreading being separated again. So the Spirit kept minor physical contact with his host as much as he dared.

"How long, what?" The Spirit asked quietly.

"How long has he had to live with that - demon, inside of him," Ryou demanded.

Bakura sighed, trying to think of how to explain.

"It's wasn't a real demon. Not like you would think. It was another part of him."

Ryou sniffled and stared blankly across the room as he listened.

"He's had it since he was a child. That's what I hear, anyway. When he received the Tombkeeper's Initiation… I guess it was too much for a little kid to handle. They didn't use any drugs on him, you know."

Ryou's expression was pained as he imagined a small Marik receiving those scars on his back. He'd seen them once or twice, but Marik had never wanted to talk about it, so Ryou had told himself not to dwell on it for his friend's sake.

"And then, he had no friends to turn to underground. And I suppose the loneliness… he just couldn't take all the stress. His sister said he was never quite the same after that. As though Marik had developed some kind of hostile side to his personality." Bakura hesitated before leaning down and whispering, "It was this same dark side that killed his father."

Ryou turned and looked up at his yami, shocked, "He killed his father?"

Bakura nodded, "The twisted side of him, the one that called itself 'Melvin', it seized the Millennium Rod down in their tomb and used it to kill their father."

Ryou looked horrified.

"His brother seems to be the only one who has any leverage against that psycho. I don't know why. But it's thanks to him that both Marik's siblings were spared."

"His brother…" Ryou said, thoughtfully. "Is that the man who saved us?"

Bakura nodded again, clearly not pleased with having needed saving in the first place. "I called him once I'd found out where you were."

Ryou sat up, looking scornfully at the Spirit, "How long have you known all this?"

Bakura looked sidelong at him through narrowed eyes, "Thief's prerogative. I get my information when I want it, from wherever it's available. You know that."

"You didn't answer me," Ryou raised himself higher and frowned angrily. "Why did no one tell me? I can understand Marik not wanting to discuss it, but why didn't you ever say anything?"

Bakura turned away.

"And what else aren't you telling me?" The pale teen demanded, nearly hysterical, "That thing - that … 'Melvin' - he knew who you were! He said he was trying to kill me because of you!"

"I've only known about him since Battle City, and not even until the finals."

Ryou scoffed in revulsion. That long?

"You were already unconscious by that time," Bakura continued. "When Odion lost his duel, he was struck down by Ra's lightning… and Melvin was freed. He took over Marik's body and what was left of Marik's natural side had attached itself to the Ring. He came to me for help and told me all of this."

Bakura frowned with disgust as the memories came back to him.

"I dueled against him to help Marik, but I lost… You should know the rest."

Ryou said nothing. He remembered coming to and not knowing where the Millennium Ring had disappeared to. He knew something had happened with Marik but it was all too confusing to comprehend at the time. Everyone seemed to be content with the way things had turned out so Ryou never questioned it much. He was usually left in the dark when Bakura took over his body anyway.

"So," Bakura continued. "Melvin apparently found his way back from the shadow realm somehow… My guess is he'd go after the Pharaoh before long, but it would be easier once the rest of us were out of the way…"

"I knew," Ryou shook his head, "I knew something was wrong with Marik. He'd never acted like that before. I told myself not to follow him into that house. I knew I should've gone to get help for him…" Fresh tears spilled down his red cheeks and he buried his face in his knees. "I was so stupid."

Bakura watched for a moment, angry at the feeling tugging at his insides. He wasn't suppose to feel this - wasn't suppose to feel anything but rage, loathing, and the thrill of destruction. And here - right in front of him - was the forlorn result of destruction… and Bakura felt guilty.

It made him sick.

I should've seen it first; he sounded odd on the phone. I even called him on it but he said he was just tired… Bakura shook his head with a scoff. I was probably talking to Melvin the whole time…

Ryou hiccupped and lifted his head. Bakura wasn't speaking anymore; his thoughts were drifting through the room in a hazy whisper.

But I didn't think he would come back. I must've gotten so use to him no longer being a threat. Bakura's head sank in what he assumed was shame, I should've known better.

Ryou wiped his eyes and stared at his yami. He knew the Spirit would never apologize for anything, but it sure sounded like he regretted what had happened.

And now look at you, Bakura's thoughts continued as he stared blankly at the floor. You're a complete mess. Hurt, alone and afraid - you're just like Marik. Bakura's fist tightened around the blankets. This is exactly what caused Melvin's existence in the first place, feeling betrayed and lost. Like I betrayed you. And now you could split apart just like he did, and I'll have - no! I can't have one of them inside you. I won't share my host with some maniac. Especially one that I brought into existence. I'min charge of this body! I call the shots and no one's going to manipulate my hikari but me! I won't allow it -

He raised his head in anger but froze as Ryou leaned forward and kissed him beneath his right eye.

There were no words. No thoughts. Just stillness. It was slow and delicate, but it didn't last long. Ryou sat back and looked at his yami with sad, tired eyes. It was then that Bakura remembered they shared a mind link in this soul room - that meant Ryou could hear all his thoughts just now. Even as he realized this, the words came quietly from his mouth, "Why'd you do that?"

"That's where he hit you," Ryou said, barely above a whisper. "I was wishing for it to be healed and not bother you anymore."

Bakura stared at him. The body he'd had was a duplicate, any mark he'd received would already be gone now that he had lost it. Plus, neither of them could feel wounds in the soul room. There had to be more to that… kiss.

"Thank you," Ryou said. "For coming to save me."

Now the Spirit looked thoroughly perplexed.

"I know," Ryou added. "I know you did it because you think my body is your property and you still need it for your own use. And I know you get angry when people mess with your possessions, but… still… I didn't think anyone would come." His eyes filled again and his voice shook. "I thought I was really going to die."

"Don't. Don't." Bakura gave an aggravated sigh and pulled his host to him, burying the young one's face in his shoulder to try and muffle his cries. Gods, stop crying already, will you? It's been days, I'm sure.

"I'm s-s-sorry!" Ryou wailed into the Spirit's shirt.

Just go to sleep for a while, you're exhausted.

"No!" Ryou's nails dug desperately into Bakura's skin.

"Stop it!" Bakura said out loud. "Bloody hell! I told you I'm not going anywhere, you don't have to hook yourself to me!"

"I don't want to be in the dark, I don't!" Ryou sobbed, while his thoughts radiated from under his words, He hurt me so bad, Yami! He hurt me! He hurt me!

"That's - e - nough!" Bakura managed to pry the young one off his and force him to lie back on the bed, pinning his arms. "If you don't stop all this, you're going to go crazy! I mean it!"

Ryou whined and struggled underneath him. Bakura laid himself down on top of him, holding him down without too much force.

"Stop. Calm down," Bakura lowered his voice and bent his head down next to Ryou's ear. "Just be still, be still for a moment." He released one of his host's arms and brushed the young one's bangs back.

Ryou continued to fidget but stopped trying to get up. The Spirit continued stroking his hair back, whispering to him. "He's gone for good this time. No one's going to hurt you anymore. I won't let them."

Ryou whimpered still, bringing his free hand up to rub at his eyes. Bakura raised himself slightly to look down into his host's face. The teen's eyes were the saddest the thief had seen anyone's in his whole life. Despite his own agitation, he felt a sinking feeling in his heart. Aside from himself, Marik had been the only one Ryou could ever turn to. The only friend he really had, and look what he had done to him.

Bakura allowed his own expression to soften as he looked at his hikari, his hand still moving through the other's hair. Ryou gave a shaky sigh and swallowed but said nothing. He had even stopped squirming. It seemed that gentle expressions worked better on him than firm tones. Bakura sighed. He wasn't use to treating people in that way, but if it would prevent his host from losing his mind then it was a worthy investment. He brought his other hand up, caressing Ryou's cheek and letting his finger trail softly across his jaw, then up toward his forehead, across his eyebrow.

The young one relaxed more as his eyes began to feel heavy. Bakura continued his soft touches over Ryou's face, soon letting the back of his finger glide under Ryou's chin to stroke the soft flesh of his neck.

Ryou's eyelids began to droop and his gaze became even softer as he looked up at his yami. Bakura returned his attentions to Ryou's forehead, stroking all around his eyes which were undoubtedly sore from the endless crying. It had the desired effect, as Ryou's eyes soon became too heavy to keep open. He let himself succumb to his exhaustion, allowing the spirit's touches to take the place of the worries he felt before. He was grateful; grateful that Bakura was with him here, that he hadn't been killed. That neither of them had been killed. They were both safe.

Safe… Ryou's last thought drifted through the soul room as he finally fell asleep. Bakura was grateful in his own way, that all the fussing had finally stopped. For now, at least. Watching his host give in to his fatigue had made Bakura aware of his own exhaustion, he hadn't gotten any rest either. He lowered his head and gently touched his forehead to Ryou's, his thumbs still caressing the boy's cheeks ever so softly.

Yes, he thought. We are safe. He shifted himself slightly and buried his face against Ryou's neck. He was so tired. One hand came to rest on Ryou's shoulder and within moments, the Ring Spirit sank into his own dreamless sleep.