"Mmm…foooood." Jou practically drooled as Seto brought out various dishes filled with fruits, vegetables, junk food, you name it.

"Eat up." He said, and everyone did. A few minutes later, Ryou excused himself to the bathroom, unknowing that Bakura had grinned and followed a bit later.

Ryou sighed as he finished his business and walked back into the hall. He was having a great time, and was glad he was able to see his friends again, hence the huge smile on his face.

"What's that grin for, love?"

"Ah! Bakura! Don't do that, you scared me!" Ryou gasped, placing a hand on his chest as stared into the amused eyes of his lover. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing…I'm just glad to see you so happy." Bakura announced, leaning down to give Ryou a light peck on the lips, which made Ryou's smile grow.

"Thanks, Bakura…you're so sweet to me sometimes."

"I'm always sweet you you…" Bakura purred huskily, running his hands up and down Ryou's sides. "Mmm, my sweet hikari…so adorable…so pure….so…utterly naïve."

That's when he attacked.

"Ahhh! Help!"

-

"That sounded like Ryou!" Yugi said worriedly when they heard the yelp. They all ran to where the sound was coming from, to find Bakura sitting on top of a struggling Ryou. Yami's eyes flashed and he cocked his fist back and punched Bakura, sending the yami flying off Ryou.

"I knew it, you asshole! You DO abuse your hikari!" Yami shouted triumphantly. See? He was never wrong!

"What the hell are you talking about, Yami?" Ryou gasped, sitting up, slightly out of breath. "He was just tickling me!"

"By Ra, Pharaoh!" Marik exclaimed, helping Bakura stand up on his feet. "What's your problem!"

"And what's this bullshit about me abusing Ryou?" Bakura spat, his eyes narrowed angrily.

"It's isn't bullshit! It's true!" Yami yelled, "I know both you and Marik beat your hikaris! All of us know you do!"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Malik asked angrily, and a bit hurt, "Marik and Bakura don't beat us!"

"It's okay Malik," Anzu said sincerely, acting like he was just a frightened child. "You don't have to lie anymore."

"I'm not lying!" Malik shouted back.

"How dare you accuse me of hurting my hikari!" Bakura steamed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "How dare you?"

"Stop it! That's enough!" Ryou screamed, holding his head with his eyes clenched shut. He opened them and glared at everyone in the room. "Did you all seriously think that Bakura and Marik abused us?" Nobody answered, everyone looking at anything but Ryou. "I see…."" He said quietly, hanging his head down. "Come on, we're leaving." He turned towards his boyfriends, but was stopped when a hand held on to his wrist, preventing him from leaving.

"No Ryou!" Yami snarled, "I absolutely forbid you to go with them!" There was a loud 'slap' and Yami fell to the ground, holding his now red cheek and staring up at Ryou, stunned.

"Forbid me?" Ryou glowered, practically seething with rage. "How dare you say that to me! You have absolutely no right to tell me what I can and can not do! I'm not a child, Yami, and you are certainly not my father! I don't ever want to see your face again!" He stormed out of the room, Bakura and Marik following silently behind. Malik gave everyone a betrayed look before following after his upset lovers.

"I think we all just made a big mistake," Yugi spoke regretfully. Everyone silently agreed with him, now ashamed of the rash actions they took.

"No," Yami said firmly, "We didn't, I know that both Ryou and Malik would be better off without their yamis!"

"I'm not so sure now," Yugi said hesitantly, "I mean, they both seemed so happy together, and it didn't look like either of them had any scars…"

"It's just a cover up Aibou," Spoke Yami gently, "You and I both know we don't want to see Ryou and Malik hurt." Yugi nodded agreeing. "Well, I'm going to finally end this!" Yami growled, "I'll get rid of Marik and Bakura!" He stormed outside, heading in the direction Ryou went. He heard soft sobbing noises, and immediately followed the sound to find himself near Malik and Marik's parked motorcycles.

"Its okay Ryou," Marik comforted, gently rubbing the light's back. "I'm sure that they didn't meant it."

"Yeah Ryou, just give them some time," Bakura spoke up who was holding a shaking Ryou.

"How c-can you defend them a-after they said those h-horrible things?" Ryou sniffled. He was hurt, and felt more than deceived by his friends…They didn't even bother talking to him personally!

"Shhh, it's okay love," Malik whispered soothingly, running his fingers through Ryou's hair.

Yami watched them, hidden from sight. He knew that they were just pretending. He wasn't ready to trust the two ancient spirits just yet. He stepped out into view, glaring at the two darks. Marik and Bakura saw him at once and narrowed their eyes suspiciously.

"Haven't you done enough damage for one day?" Snapped Malik, as it started to lightly rain outside.

"It's all right Malik, you don't have to act anymore," Soothed Yami. The poor hikari…he must be terrified of his dark.

Malik tugged at his hair in frustration, "I'm not pretending!"

"Don't worry, I'll set you both free," Yami said somberly, "You won't have to be hurt any longer." He raised his hand, palm towards Bakura and Ryou, the eye of Horus glowing on his forehead.

"Wh-what are you doing?" Ryou asked, his eyes wide and panicky. He wasn't going to…to…

"MIND CRUSH!" Yami shouted, his eyes blazing. Thinking quickly, Bakura pushed Ryou down to safety, but was hit with the blast head on. He screamed out in pure agony as he was torn from Ryou and sent to the Shadow Realm.

Ryou lay on the ground in complete shock, staring at the place his yami once stood, feeling his soul being ripped in half. (Yami?) he called through their link fearfully (YAMI?)

"No…" Malik whimpered in disbelief, his eyes wide and frantic. Bakura…Bakura was… "NO!"

"Oh Ra…" Marik choked, falling on his knees, his usual tan complexion now a ghastly white.

Yami blinked, that wasn't the reaction he was expecting. He jumped when he heard a heart-wrenching ear piercing wail come from Ryou. The said hikari was clutching his Millenium Ring to his chest, the force of the grip turning his knuckles white, staring out blankly at the spot his dark once stood.

"BAKURA! Come back! Oh gods..it hurts! It hurts!" Ryou cried pathetically, slumping over on the ground. "Come back! Yami! Where's my yami! Bakura!"

"Ryou…" Malik sobbed along with the light, reaching out to hold him, but couldn't keep balance on his now wobbling legs. He crashed to the floor, Marik grabbing him and cushioning his fall, struggling to hold back his own tears. If Ryou couldn't even feel him anymore…then he was more far down in the Shadow Realm than he first thought.

Yami just stared at the scene, shocked. Marik could cry? Could he have made a mistake about them? He turned around when he heard footsteps behind him. The rest of the gang was gaping at the sight with open mouths. Yugi pushed everyone aside, and ran to Ryou, attempting to comfort the other boy. Ryou pushed Yugi away forcefully and stood up facing Yami with a tear stained face.

"You bastard," He hissed, eyes still leaking tears. "You fucking bastard!" He lunged at Yami, knocking the former pharaoh down. "He's gone! I can't feel him anymore, and it's all your fault!" Ryou wailed, hitting a shocked Yami over and over until Seto dragged him off. "I hate you!" He screamed viciously, "I fucking hate you!" He went limp in Seto's arms, crying against his chest. "Bakura…." He whimpered one last time, before promptly passing out.

Marik slowly stood, Malik hanging limply on his chest, still sobbing softly in despair. He turned towards the group, a worn out and pained expression on his face.

"I hope you're all fucking satisfied. If Ryou and Malik weren't miserable before, they sure as hell will be now! And me with them! You've completely ruined our lives, you bastards! Are you finally happy with yourselves! Are you?" Marik roared, unable to keep a few of his tears at bay, and they dribbled down his cheek on onto the now water covered floor. Malik let out another harsh cry, against him, muttering to himself.

"Why? Bakura…Oh Ra, why?"

"Lend me a limo, Kaiba. I can't let Malik drive home in the condition he's in." Marik said hoarsely, trying his best to remain calm and to ignore the aching feeling in his chest. Bakura…

"No problem." The CEO muttered, not entirely believing what he was witnessing as well. He balanced the unconscious Ryou in one arm and dialed with another. Within minutes, a limo had arrived, and Seto gently placed Ryou inside, then helped Malik get in as well.

Yami was silent throughout the whole ordeal, not saying anything about the current situation. He had thought over if he had done the right thing, and he concluded that he had, it wasn't a mistake. Ryou and Malik were just confused, that's all. He would get Marik later…

"I'm sorry…" Seto whispered, looking over at the three depressed and shocked youths.

"So am I." Marik replied dryly, before slamming the limo door shut, and allowing the chauffeur to drive them to their home.

-

Next!