Chapter 2. *smile* this one might end up short. I don't know. I wrote this while listening to pink's glitter in the air. It affected the writing and I decided that it goes well with it. If you want to listen to it I would recommend it. It's an awesome song.

Disclaimer: yes I own yugioh. Bwa ha ha (not really)

I woke up. I didn't feel any better at all. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I'm still tired.

I looked around the house for Ryou. That boy had seen me at my weakest. I can't believe I had acted like that in front of him. No one can know I have any weaknesses. I was taken off guard by that damn dream. Shit, I hadn't been myself and Ryou knew that. He had told me so.

That dream always does that to me. Old memories bring back the feeling. I don't want to feel. I don't want to remember. I worked so hard to keep them in. I hate when they burst out.

I couldn't find Ryou, so I looked around the house. It looks plain and is dusty, like I noticed last night. I wonder if Ryou had found it abandoned. There was a kitchen area with a small stove. I was just a little thing that you put wood underneath and the clay top heats up. It cooks food. There was also the bucket of water on the floor in front of it. There was a shiny object in the corner farthest from me. I couldn't tell what it was, but I like shiny things. I will have to check it out latter. There was nothing else of interest. Maybe that dead plant, but nothing else.

I wonder where Ryou had gone. Hum… I notice something on the floor next to me. It looked like a piece of paper. It had scribbles on it. Was the kid a scribe's apprentice? How did he know how to read and write? Why did he think I could? Very few do. It wasn't even in the characters I vaguely knew as Egyptian writing. What was up with this kid?

I picked up the paper and traced the strange symbols with my finger, absently. I was miles away. I always wanted to learn to read. Mom and Dad were common people, famers in the best of time and thieves in the worst. They hadn't had the opportunity to make anything out of their lives. Their parents were farmers as well and so on.

So I hung out with the village scribe a lot. He was so much fun. He wasn't supposed to, but he taught me a few things that I couldn't tell anybody about. Secrets were fun for an eight year old boy. He taught me how to write my name and mom and dad's. I also wanted to learn big brother and sister's. He laughed and taught me theirs as well. We had so much fun and mom approved of my choice in friends. Brother always hung out with those mean boys.

I shook the thoughts from my mind.

I hated the nightmares, because they not only let my emotions, but also other memories. Again, I wish there was just some way to forget. It's torture. I'd prefer the Pharaoh's whippings.

I squeezed my eyes tight. I force the thoughts from my mind. I was in control, not the ghosts of my past. That's all they are. They aren't real. Not anymore. I tried to concentrate on the problem at hand. I had to get out of here. I needed to leave this place, but somewhere in my cold, half-dead heart, I wanted to stay. I wonder if I could even leave in my condition.

I thought I should leave now. Ryou wasn't here. It was the perfect chance. It wasn't that I cared about him or anything; I just didn't want to have to explain myself. Yah, that's it.

I tried to get off the mat on the floor. I slowly got to my hands and knees and stood the rest of the way. The world spun out of control. I fell right back down. Smooth.

Well, that hurt. I rubbed my good arm that had broken my fall. One eyes scrunched up when I reopened one of my healing cuts. I had a bandage over that arm; I realized and felt very stupid for not noticing earlier.

I checked over the rest of my body, finding nothing too serious. Only three places that were bandaged, but each was a deep cut. One was my arm that I tied a tourniquet around, one was the one I just reopened, and the last was on my side. I hadn't even noticed it was there. It was quite painful and I wondered how I could have overlooked it. How the hell did it get there? It was obviously the worst injury.

I cried out the dirtiest curse that came to mind when I touched my side. How the hell…. Now I remember! The guard wasn't alone. That girl did it. She had a very pretty dagger. That's what I had been after in the first place. It was silver with an eye of Horus on the sheath. The eye had an emerald in the middle. This image was duplicated on the hilt. It was a beautiful dagger, but not as beautiful as Ryou's eyes.

WHAT? When did I start thinking that? What the hell is wrong with me? Though, they did match the emerald on the dagger exactly, but-

Damnit! Bad Bakura! I hit myself in the forehead and would have continued if not for the pain and spinning. The world was back to spinning, worse than when I stood up. My head throbbed with my every heart beat. I handed eaten anything or had anything to drink so I dry heaved for a while.

When that spell ended, I thought I really shouldn't have done that. That was awfully stupid.

I crossed my arms over my chest and lied back down. I glared at the ceiling. There was a strange shadow on the ceiling, because of the dusty windows. I changed my attention. I decided, why not? Why the hell not stare at the people as they walk by. I could barely make out the outside, because of the dust. I sighed, a little frustrated. I watched as a man in shackles was lead by with two guards, a woman with a large swollen stomach walked by as well. She was obviously with child. What a stupid woman. Not even that child can keep you from being killed and you can't protect it. You're more of a target in fact. You die instead of merely being raped, because it sends a better message. Auntie didn't receive any mercy. I growled these thoughts again.

I few more people passed. I couldn't make them out. I laughed at a sudden thought entered my mind. These people have no idea they are being watched by the Thief King. I imagined the terror on their faces if they found out. I got great pleasure out of that thought, but it made a very small part of me lonely.

Those bastards don't even care if a young boy is starving in front of them. They don't care that he is all alone. They don't care what happens to young boys like him when they have no one. They don't know that there are sicker bastards then themselves, who take advantage. The boy is always alone. He asks and begs for help, but no one gives him a second glance. He will remember the faces of those who hurt him, who turned him away, ignored him. He even gets spit at and shoved, along with worse things. He will eventually learn how to steal and fight, because if he doesn't he will die. He will become skilled with the dagger and seek revenge from those who turned him away, only to realize they don't remember him. He was just another starving child. One out of many. The darkness comes to him then and comforts him. He cries and the darkness tells him he is still needed. To remember the night they had made their deal. The boy feels important and grown up. Someone actually needed him! That made him so happy. The darkness will never abandon him. The darkness is always there.

I started as I hear the door creek. It was opening. Who was it? I reached, reflexively, for my dagger in my waistband. It's still not there, big shock. I cursed my stupidity. As well as being unarmed, my head was spinning from sitting up so fast. I tried my best to ignore the throbbing.

The door opens so that whoever is in the doorway is blocked from my view by the door. I couldn't see around it. I caught sight of exotic white hair, though, and relaxed. It was only Ryou. Wait, when has Ryou been a reason to relax?

Ryou walked in and I saw that he was holding a small loaf of bread, two fish, and a couple vegetables. Where had the kid gotten the money for the food? I never saw any money. Maybe he was a pickpocket? I looked over Ryou, noting his smile and his innocent eyes.

No, he didn't steal. That wasn't Ryou. I haven't known him long, but being a thief means being a good judge of character. I admit the reason I was in this mess in the first place was that I hadn't taken note of the guard. His way of walking was obviously that of a soldier. I would have smacked my face with palm, if it wouldn't have made my head spin worse.

So in short, what did I know about the boy? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. My eyes narrowed, but softened when I looked down at my bandaged arm.

I knew that he had taken the time to make sure I was okay and he was helping me now. He hadn't asked for anything in return. Maybe there are people out there who help people for nothing. If I was to guess out all the people I had seen, Ryou would be that type. I almost smiled, I turned it into a smirk.

"Um, can I have a hand? I don't know how to work the stove."

I turned my smirk smile at him and said, "Do it yourself."

Ryou set the food down on the counter and turned to me. He had his eyebrows raised and his smile was gone. He looked… worried. That's what that look was, worry. Well, that's just one of his mystery expressions.

"You can't stand can you?"

I growled, "Of course I can. I just don't want to."

Ryou walked over to me. Not fooled at all by my response. I felt something tug at the back of my mind. It felt… like an itch you can't scratch. I tilted my head, trying to put my finger on it. Ryou put his hand on my forehead I flinched and tried to bite him again. I jerked and it sent the whole world spinning.

I clamped my eyes closed. It hurt! The world spun, even with my eyes closed. I opened them again, looking for something to focus on. I caught Ryou's emerald eyes. I looked straight into them, noticing several emotions. I could see and recognize the mystery emotions this way. I saw sympathy, concern, worry, caring, as well as ones I was more familiar with, fear, longing, and hope. This kid feels so deep. I could see it in his eyes. I grabbed his arm to steady myself, a bit too hard. Pain added itself to his many emotions.

I hate all the weakness I'm showing this kid. It's not me.

Ryou didn't break eye contact, as though he knew it's what I really needed right now. He eased me onto my back. The world was slowing.

"Why are you helping me?" I asked in a whisper. I couldn't achieve anything more. I was out of breath.

Ryou didn't look away, until I did. He then put the cloth back on my forehead. It had very little water left, but it seemed Ryou didn't want to leave me. I realized I was still hold into his arm and let go. I couldn't stop it before it slipped from my lips.

"Sorry."

The fear grew on the kid's face and so did the hope. Another emotion joined the jumble. I couldn't tell what it was, even though I was looking straight into his eyes, but it made him smile. He smiled a true smile. It was a little sad and lonely, but it looked real and it reached his eyes. My face felt hot. I had no idea why. I'd never felt that before.

I made an angry sound, even though I was far from angry. I had to pull the kids attention from the apology. Why did I? I don't know. Nothing is making sense anymore. Not like this world made sense even before this.

"Wh-what the hell is up with your hair?" I shuddered. Shit!

I'm scared for the first time in Ra knows how long. I've never had anyone care. Not since Kul Elna's last day. This has to be the nightmare's fault. Yes, that's it. It had to be the nightmare. I'm not like this. I'm not!

"Uh, my hair?" Ryou's hand flew to a strand that was long and was right in front of his ear. He twisted it. It made him look…. My face felt even hotter. My whole body was warming.

"Yes and your freakish green eyes. Oh and that pale ass skin of yours. It's just not nature around these parts," I was losing the harshness in my voice. "I mean, where do you come from? What are you doing here? Why come here, of all places? Damnit kid! You're screwing up my head!" I hadn't meant to say the last part. It slipped out. I can't seem to get control back. I hate not being in control.

Ryou smiled his cute smile again. What? Cute? No, I did not just think that! What's happening to me? I'm the Thief King! I hate everything and everybody! I kill when I feel like and steal anything that catches my eye!

Ryou took my hand. He looked down at it and tailed his fingers over one of my scars. One I got when I found out my life had no meaning. No one cared. No one was there. The darkness still scared me and I didn't want to kill or steal. I had cut up from my wrist all the way to the inside of my elbow. Somehow I survived, much to my disappointment. I started to hate everything. I grew very cold, very fast.

His touch felt strange. It awakened something inside me that I didn't even know was there. Again my face grew hotter.

"Well, I'm from a far away country called Japan. My heritage is half Japanese and half British." Ryou looked up and me and saw the confusion on my face.

"Brittan is another country. Both Japan and Brittan are to the north where pale skin is normal and tan skin like yours is," Ryou tilted his head to the side, a mischievous glint in his eyes, "exotic."

I tensed at the world. The heat left my face. I was cold again. My eyes narrowed. How had the kid known the word I used to describe him on occasion? I doubt its coincidence. I growled and went to sit up.

Ryou pushed me back down. Was the kid always this strong? He smiled at me and I couldn't help it. I gave up and my face softened. I don't care anymore. Why don't I? I kill people for less than making me suspicious. I don't understand.

"Bakura, did you know you talk in your sleep?"

Well that explains it. I was dreaming of him last night. I stared into his emerald eyes again. I loved that color. It's so beautiful and exotic. I was taken aback though. I didn't think I talked in my sleep.

Ryou laughed at the expression on my face. It was the purest sound I had ever heard. My face grew hot again. I committed the sound to memory. It was so beautiful.

NO! I can't stay here anymore! This kid is driving me insane! I can't do this! I have to get out of here!

I rose to my feet. Ryou's smile faded. I took a step and took off running out the door. The kid was lulling me into a sense of security. I couldn't trust him. Why the hell could I have ever thought that I could? My face was still hot.

I couldn't see. I was running on instinct alone. The world was spinning so fast, if I could see I would swear I was running in the sky. I felt like I was flying. I couldn't feel the ground below my feet. I ran into several people, but kept going. I turned a corner and collapsed.

I was bleeding again. I could smell it.

My sight came back a little. I could make out the red on the bandages. I had ripped open the stitches. I grabbed my side. It was gushing blood again. Blood trickled through my fingers. What was going to happen to me now?

That boy causes something inside me to change, to melt. He makes me relax. I can't trust him. I can't trust him or anyone. Why do I trust him? Do I trust him? Nothing makes any sense. Why is this happening?

I pressed myself off the ground and scouted until I felt a wall behind my back. I pulled my knees up and wrapped my arms around them. I rested my head on them. This pose suddenly reminded me of Ryou. He had sat like this yesterday, after I had hurt him. Not physically, but emotionally, mentally. I'm a bastard. One tear leaked out of my closed eyes, before I slapped myself as hard as I could. The world spun again and I clenched my teeth so hard that they slipped, sending the pain that you can't decide is from the sound or the action itself.

I rocked.

How the mighty Thief King has fallen.

Shut up, I told the darkness weakly.

Oh, did I hit a nerve?

Just shut up.

You know what was happening when your face heated up, right?

No, not really, but I don't care. Shut up.

You were blushing.

I sat bolt upright and regretted it. My vision went black again. I lowered my head back to my knees again.

SHUT UP! I screamed in my head.

Fine.

I felt so alone. So very alone. Cut off from the whole world. This was something I hadn't felt since right before I started to steal. I couldn't even identify all the emotions that were running through my head. Several I hadn't felt since Kul Elna's last day. Some I don't remember ever felling.

Had I really blushed? The great Thief King? What a mess this was. My side was screaming at me. It hurt so badly, but I ignored it. If I died now that would be fine, I never got my revenge against the Pharaoh, but maybe in another life. Any other life. I don't want to live anymore. My vision came back a bit. I could see fuzzy shapes. There was also a warmth in my chest that wouldn't die. It scared me.

Ryou was so kind and pure. His emerald eyes are so calm and beautiful. They radiated this sense of contentment. I-i want... What did I want? I don't understand. I don't get this!

I felt the itch I couldn't scratch again. I ignored it the best I could. The world started to spin faster. I heard a call in the back of my head. I could make out anything other than it was a call. Why wouldn't the darkness leave me alone? It didn't sound like the darkness, though. To soft of a voice.

"Bakura!" I looked up.

My vision was still fuzzy. I couldn't tell who called or where they were.

I heard a dripping sound I hadn't noticed before. I could see red dripping. Must be blood. I could smell it. It's a nice smell, but at the same time gross, like rust and salt. I-i want… Ryou.

I heard running footsteps. Someone stopped in front of me. I was so dizzy and now I realized I was freezing cold. The warmth in my chest had finally faded. I was shivering.

A robe was placed over my shoulders. I looked up, but could barely make out the fact that someone was there. Something touched my cheek. I leaned into the touch. It felt warm and were it touch warmed. Even after the touch had slipped down to my chin. It felt so nice. I sighed in contentment. I felt good and I knew I wasn't acting like myself, but at the moment I couldn't care less. Fuck pride, this felt nice.

"Bakura?" someone asked worried. I nodded slowly. Yes, that was my name. The voice sounded so familiar. I'm so dizzy and still cold where the touch hadn't touched me. Maybe if I just sleep….

I opened my eyes and saw emerald eyes in front of mine. They looked worried, kind, and innocent. I smiled, "Ryou."

Everything went dark and I saw Ryou in my dreams.

Okay chapter 2 done! I think it's very cute. Can anyone guess what the shinny thing was? Lol I'll probably tell yah all in the next chapter.

A super special awesome thank you goes to my reviewers: KATZUNITED-MEOW, earthluva, subaru1999, Kaira victory Tatsu, and Affy-Bakura. You guys are the reason I have anything to do over the summer. I have few friends outside of the internet and the lack of anything resembling a social life. THANKS SO MUCH!