Lady Ai: Bleh, I needed a few days break. Eheh. I won't abandon this like I have in the past ;D

-DISCLAIMER- Yami Ai: This is the only line I get? Grr! We don't YGO. We own Akina and Kisit though!

Limerence

Chapter Four

Missed Opportunities

Monday

After what happened Friday night at his house, Ryou stayed at home the whole weekend. He kept a close eye on Bakura, managing to lock away anything dangerous to his health. So stressed with Bakura, he hardly kept an eye out for himself.

So when he came into class that morning, his eyes carried purple bags and you could tell how exhausted he was by the way he walked. But nonetheless, Ryou smiled. He smiled brightly at his friends, not wanting them to worry.

But the gang wasn't stupid. They didn't question Ryou but they knew something must've happened during the weekend. Once Ryou took his seat, Yugi began to stammer, trying to make conversation, but too afraid after the scolding from Ryou Friday.

"You know I was thinking maybe we should get him chocolate this time." Ryou mused, putting his chin in his hand, leaning on the desk. Yugi smiled content that Ryou's little outrage hadn't continued since Friday.

Yami and Yugi were the only ones interested. Seto was still frustrated from that night. And since he was ignoring Bakura, Joey was suppose to as well. Though Joey kept listening in, drawing to make Seto happy.

"Chocolate, Ryou?" Yami asked, staring off to the ceilings. Yugi tilted his head. "Well, yeah. I mean, how many people doesn't Bakura know with brown eyes?"

"Only you. But don't you think it'd be too easy? I mean, how many people in Domino like red roses combined with purple tulips? And then to narrow it down so fast and easy?" Yugi commented. Yami smiled and turned to Ryou. "I think we should save the chocolate eye color hint for later. And since only the gang, plus Akina and Kisit, know his favorite chocolate, he'll easily figure out who his secret admirer is."

"I'M DONE!"

Yami, Yugi and Ryou turned to Joey, startled. Joey laughed and gave Yugi the drawing. Yami placed his chin onto Yugi's head and studied the drawing. Both of them blushed and started to laugh. Ryou snaked the drawing away from Yugi, suddenly feeling warmth pool over his cheeks. "J-Joey… This is absolutely adorable."

The picture was the gang at the park with their couples. Marik and Malik, top left corner, were torturing a poor squirrel. Mai and Tea, in the far right center, were having a water gun fight, though their stick figured bodies were covered in splashing water. Yami and Yugi, in the far left center side, were sitting behind a rock, simply cuddling close together. Seto and Joey, in the bottom center, looked like they were throwing hissy fits at each other. But then an arrow pointed next to them, showing the two kissing with hearts around them.

And right in the middle of the whole thing, Ryou was blushing while holding flowers and a heart shaped box behind his back. He was smiling up to an also blushing Bakura who was also holding a flower behind his back. Above Ryou's stick figure, the words "I Love You, Kura," were written inside a bubble.

Seto was staring at the picture from behind Ryou, and if one knew better, they'd say he was slightly blushing. But one knows better than to comment on it. Instead, Kaiba scoffed. "I do not throw fits." Then he looked down at Ryou and smirked. "At least, not as big as the fit Ryou threw Friday night."

"Would you let that go? How many times do I have to say sorry?" Ryou pouted, pretending to cry behind his hands. "I-I-I'm s-so-sorry, Seto-kun. Please," Ryou hiccupped. "Please forgive me." Kaiba's eye twitched while Joey and Yugi tried to contain their laughter. With a sigh, the elder Kaiba patted Ryou's head. "Fine. You simply have to pay for the suit to be cleaned." Ryou cussed and smiled, suddenly, pushing Joey's drawing into his folder.

Dinner time at Ryou's

Bakura tapped his fingers impatiently against the counter, staring at Ryou while he cooked and hummed. The smaller boy had been humming all day today. It was beginning to get on Bakura's nerves, since he couldn't figure out what song it was Ryou was humming.

After hearing a loud pounding against the door, and Ryou continuing to hum, Bakura sighed and went to answer it. He was sort of surprised to see the same delivery boy as last time. "Nice to see you again, Bakura. Another one from your secret admirer… Is that steak I smell?" Bakura glared at the boy, leaning against the doorway and tapping his foot. "Oh right! Sign here, please and thanks!" Bakura snatched the clipboard and signed on the dotted line like he did Friday. The boy left Bakura with a mysterious looking package.

Ryou came out of the kitchen, still humming and stopped, glaring at the package. 'So Kaiba decided on another hint without my consent. Ah well. I should just let them do this.' Walking over to Bakura, Ryou placed his head on the other's shoulder, looking down at the package. "What do you think it is?"

"One way to find out, idiot." Bakura shivered, pulling away from Ryou and taking the package to the living room. While he was opening the box, Ryou held onto the letter and began reading it out loud.

"To a dark angel," Ryou sighed, thinking to himself that he wouldn't ever call Bakura an angel of any sorts. "Warmth during cold nights, warm cup of chocolate, warm fire place and a warm place in my heart for you. Keep warm. Hint number two; Hot and cold makes warm. Black and white makes gray."

"It's a bloody scarf…" Ryou looked up and saw what Bakura meant. He began to wrap a plain gray scarf around his neck. "Hot and cold makes warm? I fucking hate riddles." Ryou chuckled and got up to get back to cooking. And humming.

Tuesday

Bakura was still wearing the scarf. Ryou sort of smiled, wondering why Bakura would let this go on without much of a complaint.

The delivery boy came by again that day. This time with strawberry pocky and a mix CD. Ryou artfully snatched the pocky. "Mine." He smirked and began chewing on a stick. Bakura glared at Ryou, snatching the box back. "Incorrect. Mine, Hikari." He smirked back and bit off a piece of pocky. Ryou smiled, pulling the CD out of it's case and popping it into the player. Ryou hoped Bakura would like some of the songs he picked out. This time, Ryou want to actually help out a bit with the gift.

A guitar began to play, acoustic, then another joined in. You looking quite sharp, sugar. You've got some teeth on that stare. You've got them tattered blue jeans on, You've done that thing with your hair. This bed could use a secret and our pounding hearts could keep it. If I could, then you could, I swear.

You've turned me on and I'd like to know if you were trying. Angel we're so gone.

"Hey, I like his tastes. Do you know who sings this?" Ryou pretended to ponder on the question, raising a finger to his chin. "Hmm… I believed he told me a band named Say Anything. I actually quite like the sound. And the way he sings these lyrics…"

Bakura paused in mid-chew. "This sounds familiar though… Like something I heard yesterday." Bakura raised an eyebrow and began to turn to Ryou, who had disappeared, humming.

Wednesday

"Ryou told me you didn't share the pocky. You better share this with him. Hint number four, your secret desires."

Bakura tried to search for Ryou but found no sign of him. In his hands was a box with about twelve bars of Hershey's white chocolate with Oreo crumbs, his absolute favorite. He knew better than to let Ryou have sweets but… He did feel like twelve bars of candy was a bit much for him.

He then heard the door slam. Coming in was Ryou holding two bags of groceries and a white box of donuts. "Bakura, I've got you some donuts. Five sprinkled, four cream stuffed and one glazed." Ryou chuckled when Bakura rushed by, grabbing the box from his hands and setting it down on the dinner table.

As Ryou was putting away the groceries and pouring hot chocolate into their cups, Bakura came up from behind the smaller boy, his chin resting on Ryou's shoulder. Ryou froze, feeling his heart begin to pound, his blood rushing through his body, pooling around his cheeks. Bakura smirked and showed Ryou three bars of his chocolates. "For you. My admirer heard you complaining about the pocky yesterday, it seems. He wants me to share."

Ryou still couldn't move, he simply stared at the chocolates, not really paying attention. But then he squealed when hot chocolate poured onto the counter and splashed against his stomach. Bakura laughed and set the chocolates down, grabbing his cup of chocolate, the one that didn't spill.

Ryou cursed and cleaned up the mess. 'He couldn't possibly have guess who it is. Not this quick. Well, he is smart. Maybe he's just toying with me. Grr.' Ryou mumbled curses to himself as he went to go change his shirt.

Thursday

"It was nice having you back in school, Bakura."

"…It was getting boring in the house, that's all."

Ryou smiled, opening the door to their home. They had walked home from school, everyone being content that Bakura was stable enough to face the world again. Little by little. He wouldn't ever admit it, but he sort of missed being with his friends.

No later than when they closed the door had the doorbell rang. Ryou turned to open the door and smiled at the delivery boy. "This secret admire just won't give up, huh?" Ryou laughed and shook his head. "Nope. He won't." He sighed the dotted line and received the package.

It was a small package and once Bakura opened it, he slightly inhaled at it. Ryou was stunned as well. It was a necklace. A silver necklace with a pendant in the shape of a knife, two roses surrounding it. Ryou took out the note and began to read it, once again, out loud.

"My love. I hope you enjoy this gift. It has no meaning behind it, really. Just thought it would suit you well. Hint number five-"

Bakura snatched the paper away from Ryou's hand, a glint of silver hanging from his neck. "Ryou, you know who this is. Who is it that is sending me these things, hm?"

Lady Ai: AHA! Cliff hanger! Muwahahaha! Although most of the people who are reviewing are ones that have read the old one. XD Just kidding, here's the rest of the story.

Ryou smiled and nodded. "Yes. I know him. But I promised him secrecy. However, he has promised to show himself tomorrow after school. He'll be coming here with his own hint. Understand?" Bakura growled and whined. "Fine. But if he doesn't show up tomorrow, I'm blaming you."

"What? Why!"

"My own reasons." Ryou sighed, fearing that Bakura could have possibly known. But he had to make like it was someone else. He just had to hope that tomorrow wouldn't be the worst day of his life.

Friday. The Last Hint. Ryou's POV

"Yugi! Yami! Great news!"

"What is it, Ryou?"

"Today. Today is the day." I watched Yugi cover his mouth with an excited gasp. Yami's eyes widened. "Are you… Are you completely sure about this?" I sat down next to them, underneath the sakura tree in the school yard. "I already promised Baku yesterday. I promised he'd meet his secret admirer after school."

At my own words, I started to feel the anxiety build up more in my stomach, reaching my throat. Yugi noticed my sudden change and placed a hand on my back, to comfort me. I looked at him and at Yami with pleading eyes. "What if he doesn't accept me? What would I do?"

Yugi gave Yami a look before answering. "If that happens… Well… Then you can stay over at our place, if it's too much to bear." Yugi gave me a sympathetic look and I nodded. I felt my heart pounding at the thoughts of any reaction Bakura would make. It made me scared yet elated. I feared these emotions so much.

Suddenly, the anxiety was too much. I covered my mouth and ran to the nearest bathroom, with Yugi or Yami chasing after me. "Ryou!" I locked myself into a stall and leaned over the bowl. I ended up coughing instead of actually throwing up. But these actions did nothing to calm down my anxiety.

"Ryou, are you alright?!" Yugi's voice rang, his tiny fists slamming against my stall. I flushed the toilet and opened the door and looked down at Yugi. "I'll be better when I get this off my chest." Yugi then took a damn towel and wiped away at my mouth, smiling.

In a matter of seconds, Yami, Seto and Joey rushed into the bathroom. Both Joey and Seto had worried faces. Well, maybe not Seto but I still see it in his eyes and his aura. "I'm fine guys, I ju-"

"Bakura isn't here." Joey bit down on his lip. He looked like he didn't want to say anything. "His cell rang while we were getting lunch and he simply ran out."

Seto must've read the look across my face because he added that Bakura would be home right after school. I nodded, still holding my breath, I notice. I really couldn't breath. But I'd have to wait.

By the end of the last class, I couldn't move. I just couldn't get out of my chair. No one would find me here. No one knew my last class. They would all have to assume I rushed out of class to get home to Bakura. But I didn't know what to expect when I get there. The anxiety kept building.

After about an hour or more, I got up and began to walk out of school. I had a very bad feeling but I didn't know if that was the anxiety or premonition.

Author's POV

Ryou stood outside his own door for a good five minutes, his folder in hand. In it contained only two papers, the drawing Joey made and a letter.

He didn't want to know what was behind that door. He didn't know what he would see. Maybe it was all in his own imagination. Maybe he was just being over dramatic again.

He winced because he didn't realize he had knocked on the door with a loud thud. He had forgotten his keys and called out to Bakura to open the door for him. He had looked down at his folder, blushing, when he heard the door opening, forcing him to look up.

His eyes widened in disbelief. His grip on the folder went numb, letting it fall to his feet, fall much like he wanted to do now. In front of him, in all her beauty, was Akina in a small black dress, boots up to her thighs and a cigarette in her mouth. She then gave Ryou one of her most cruelest smiles.

"Hello, Ryou-chan."

Ryou couldn't move again. He wanted to rub his eyes and hope that Akina was not in front of him. But she was in plain view.

Bakura, hearing Ryou's name, rushed over to the door. He stopped when he saw the look on the other's face. It looked like he just saw a plane crash into the ground right in front of him. Ryou's eyes began to shed tears, with a horrified look filling the brown eyes.

Before Bakura could get closer or say something, Ryou ran. He ran so fast, he couldn't be bother to push open the gate. He jumped over it and just ran.

Akina arched an eyebrow before bending down to grab at Ryou's folder. She was about to open it when Bakura snatched it away from her. He glared at her before looking down and opening the folder.

'Your last hint, Bakura-kun. Me. I know it's not a hint but still.

Bakura… You mean so much to me. You always have. Since we met, I've belonged to you. I never actually noticed this until Kisit asked me if I did have feelings for you. It was so obvious, I completely missed it. But I see it now and hope that you would see it too. And accept me.

I don't expect you to love me back. I just felt like you should know how much I… Care for you. You… No matter where you look, you won't ever found someone who loves you as much as I do. We're meant for each other, you know. Hot and cold, white and black. I Love You, Bakura.

Bakura glanced over at the other page, a drawing of the gang. He had to chuckle at it's pathetic stick figures and the names underneath them. He stopped when he saw Ryou and himself in the center. He bit down on his lip, wondering where Ryou could have run off to.

"What the hell happened to spazz? He just ran out like a bat out of hell." She snorted, wrapping her arms around Bakura's shoulders. He closed the folder, and set it down on the hall's decoration desk. He pulled Akina in front of him, still having Ryou in his thoughts. He kissed her, feverishly, for he missed her. It had been five months after all.

'I'm sorry, Ryou.'

Ryou's POV

Damn. Damn It to hell. Where the hell did she come from? Hell, more than likely. Fucking demon. Wench. Her eyes burn. Her eyes burned every inch of my skin, and she smiled at my body engulfed in flames.

I couldn't see anything. It was raining pretty hard and the tears weren't any help. She was suppose to stay away and let me have him. She couldn't allow that could she? What does she have against me, fuck!

Knock Knoc- THUD

I kicked at Yugi's door before falling down on my knees. I couldn't stand anymore. I held my head in my hands, trying to calm my thoughts. I heard the door open and Yugi gasping. He called out Yami's name before bending down to grab my shoulders.

"Ryou! Ryou, please tell me, what happened?" I couldn't talk, I just looked up and began to cry harder. Yami came and picked me up, laying me down on their couch. Soon he came back with a thick blanket to cover me in and a pillow. I just couldn't stop crying.

Yugi stayed to comfort me while Yami made some hot chocolate for all of us. My screams had calmed down but my tears still ran down my cheeks and my whole body was shaking.

Yami came back and cupped my face in his hands. "Ryou, tell us." I tore my eyes away from Yami and wiped at my nose. "She… Akina…"

"Akina?"

"Came back." Yami embraced me and I felt Yugi's hand rub my back. I began to scream cry again, into Yami's shoulder. "You could stay as long as you want, Ryou." Yami just held me, trying to sooth my shaking. Yugi tried making soothing noises. Eventually I did calm down, enough to fall a sleep. I felt my eye lids heavy.

I stopped all of a sudden and realized I wasn't holding onto anything anymore. "Dear. Ra. My hint. My letter!" My tears had stopped and I had calmed down but now I'm wide awake and scared. "I, fuck, I left it behind. I dropped it when I saw her." I choked. Yami held me tighter.

"It's alright, Ryou. Please calm down. You don't have to go to school, I'll stay here with you. Alright?" Yami had let me go for a bit, his hands still on my shoulders, to look down at Yugi. "I have to stay here. Ryou's our friend, we can't leave him alone here. And we can't make him go to school in this condition."

I felt sort of weak. And needy. Like I'm burdening them. They had offered me a place to stay, but I should've just stayed on my own. Under a bridge or something more fitting.

"You've been hanging around Tea, haven't you?" Yami grinned. "Yes, why? Envious?"

"You guys, not in front of me." I groaned. They were cute together but it seems kind of cruel to be a cute couple in front of someone 'in my condition.' Yami gave me my cup of hot chocolate and Yugi kissed my cheek. "Later, we'll get you some warmer clothes. And bake some cookies, if you'd like to join me."

I chewed down on my lip, deciding to pretend. I gave Yugi a smile and nodded. "That could get my mind off of it. Thank you, Yugi. Yami." They smiled back at me as I drank my chocolate.

This whole thing. I could get through it right? I can get over it right? I mean, these things happen to a lot of people! I'm sure I can manage to pull through.

Right?

Lady Ai: And there you have it folks! I hope you've liked the sort of joyfulness at the beginning. Because it kind of goes down hill from here for Ryou. Let the angst-ing begin. Oh and review! X3