(A/N: A much shorter chapter this time; but no worries- I'm not giving up on this story!)

The two human youths continued their comforting embrace, while their demonic host watched in awkward silence. But the entire trio jumped as there was a sudden knocking at the wooden door. Without further preface, Dr. Tosenku suddenly stuck his mustached head through the opening and chuckled. "I suppose I must be getting quite scatter-brained in my old age- I didn't even think to check your injury, Ryou!"

The distracted boy momentarily went blank as he watched the human physician re-enter the forest home. "My injury?"

The older man nodded as he pointed towards the teen's feet. "I saw you walk to-and-from town with a make-shift crutch- which suggests you hurt yourself rather recently?"

Ryou wiped the moisture from his own face as he let go of his tearful companion. "Oh, yes- I fell a few days ago and sprained my ankle."

"Let me see, then-" Dr. Tosenku slowly knelt on the floor of the modest cabin, while Ryou extended his swollen ankle towards him.

"Ah, that looks quite painful- I would try to avoid walking and standing as much as possible."

"Earlier we found a small stream and placed it beneath the cool waters for a while." Ryou explained while Malik nodded in agreement.

"Good, good. That's exactly what I would recommend." "You've had quite a few adventures lately, haven't you?"

Ryou let out a sigh, his shoulders slightly deflating as he reflected on that statement. "That's putting it mildly, I suppose- but yes; it's been an interesting time."

The kindly doctor had a knowing glint in his eyes as he spoke. "Yet I get the feeling that you'll soon be comfortable enough- 'do not lose sight of the future sunrise by staring into the night'."

Ryou and Malik recognized the common expression, and nodded. Bakura, meanwhile, was still quite displeased. It was annoying enough that the old man had come back, but now he was refusing to leave!

The slender fiend stood by the door, pointedly opening the greenish-hued barrier for the elder man.

Surprisingly, instead of taking his leave (again), the physician began staring at Bakura's long claws. "Hmmm..."

Irritated by the impromptu inspection, the pale demon quickly folded his arms to hide his digits. "What?!"

"Well, my field of study may only apply to humans; however, I still couldn't help but notice the white lines growing on your nails. It seems to me like you're suffering from a mild case of vitamin deficiency- are you eating enough fruits and vegetables?"

Bakura's expression dropped into a stunned stare before he sharply retorted: "We demons normally eat far more meat than you omnivorous apes."

"Fair enough- I suppose scurvy isn't a concern for you, then." As he packed up his bag and made to make his second exit, Dr. Tosenku added casually- "though personally, I would be worried."

Bakura felt taken aback by the bothersome codger's nerve- how dare this mad quack criticize his lifestyle?! "We demonfolk are far hardier than your own kind- perhaps you should stick to addressing your human patients."

The aging man let out a faint chuckle as he went towards the door. "Perhaps. Consider it a bit of complimentary advice in exchange for helping two of those patients." Dr. Tosenku nodded 'farewell' to all three males once more before slipping back into the night. "Fare thee well!"

Malik and Ryou shared their own well-wishes as the senior villager disappeared.

"G'bye!"

"Safe travels, doctor!"

Bakura let out a snort of annoyance. He wasn't keen on changing his diet, and he didn't trust the pompous old coot. 'Humans- they somehow think if one is foolish enough to throw away all their fortune on a piece of paper saying 'licensed physician', it somehow makes them cleverer than everyone else!'