Malik walked down the street. It was raining, and his hair was sticking to his face. The street was dark and the street lights were barely bright enough to see the street. He had to find Bakura, he had to get rid of him. He had to destroy him. He had already hurt Amane and Ryou too much.

"Malik!"

Malik turned around. He saw little Amane running toward him. Her pink sundress was flailng as she ran.

"What are you doing?" He asked, catching Amane in his arms. "You should be inside with Ryou."

"Why'd you leave?" She asked, tears in her eyes."You didn't even say goodbye."

"I'm sorry," Malik said, rubbing her back.

"Malik?" Amane asked shyly, playing with one of the golden rings on Malik's arm.

"Yeah?"

"I wanna come with you..."

"You cant. This job is for grownups."

"But I wanna help Ryou too!" Amane pouted, looking Malik in the eye. "I wanna protect him."

"It's too dangerous for you, Bakura could easily-be mean to you or Ryou when you guys are seperated."

"But-"Amane was silenced by Malik's soft lips on hers.

Malik pulled away, putting his hand on Amane's cheek."You can protect him at home."

"How do I do that?" She asked quietly, shivering but comfortable in Malik's arms.

"Protect him from his nightmares." Malik said, putting a few strands of loose hair behind Amane's ear.

Amane put her head on Malik's shoulder. "Ryou-Nii has a lot of nightmares..." She said sadly.

"You can be there for him when he wakes up. You can hug him and make him feel better."

"Just like he does for me..."

"I have to go and make sure Bakura goes away for good."

Amane nodded. She looked up at Malik."Why is he mean to us? Why does he always make Ryou cry?"

"He's a mean person."

"But...Ryou said people aren't born mean. He says bad things happend to mean people and that's what made them mean..."

"Is that what he said about Bakura?"

"Mm-Hmm..."

Malik sighed. Ryou was always looking for the light in people. When was he gonna realised thats why he kept getting hurt?

"Amane?"

Amane gasped, looking behind her."Nii-San!"

Ryou was standing outside the apartment building, arms wrapped around himself in the cold.

Amane ran toward him, pulling Malik behind her. "Nii-San!" She let go of Malik, running straight into Ryou's open arms.

"What are you doing out here? Your too little to be out in this cold.." Ryou said, hugging Amane tightly. He looked up at Malik."Your not leaving are you?"

"I have to...you know that."Malik said, knealing beside the siblings.

"I dont want you to leave...I'll miss you too much."

Malik wrapped his arms around the two, nuzzling Ryou lovingly. "I'll see you again."

"Malik..."Ryou asked shyly, looking at Malik.

"Yes?"

"Thank you..." He said, more shy then the last time.'

"For what?" Malik asked, confused.

Ryou grinned sweetly."...for...that night..."He said quietly. He closed his eyes, hugging Amane even tighter.

Amane looked up at Ryou."I love you Ryou." She said.

"I love you too." Ryou pulled her onto his lap, a tear rolling down his face."I love you so much..."

"I get to protect you." Amane said. She turned to Malik."I'm big brother's protecter!"

(sigh) i know its short...