Several days passed by, with both of the injured humans healing at a moderate pace. Daily trips to the stream led to a measurable reduction in the pain and swelling of Ryou's ankle. The pleasant excursions were much appreciated; not only for their curative aspects, but the social as well. Ryou enjoyed learning more about demon culture, and Bakura was surprisingly curious about human-kind. The two always managed to hold some form of conversation on the way back-and-forth; and their time away from the house gave Malik a chance to rest undisturbed.

Soon Ryou was able to walk about on his own, and was permitted to wander about Bakura's property at will. This was especially helpful, as he could now forage for more spices and herbs to add to his cooking. Though it did come with a few stipulations... 'Do not cross the boundary markers, for any reason.' Bakura firmly warned. 'These are the wilds, where demons roam and human laws do not apply. If you run onto another demon's land, even by mistake, he may kill you for your trespass. We are a territorial species, after all, and have little love for your kind.'

'Speaking of other demons, I wonder if Marik will be staying for supper again...' The brawnier demon had dropped by nearly every night since the four of them had met. It was clear that the blonde fiend rather keen on the ailing Malik, though Ryou wasn't sure if his friend held the same sentiments. 'True, Malik's been doing a bit better now, but I can't tell if he enjoys Marik's visits because he's bored, or-"

Ryou felt his heart drop when he heard a burst of shouting to his left. Someone in Bakura's hutch was yelling at the top of their lungs, and they sounded pretty upset.

"Oh no-!" The pale human quickly grabbed his findings and rushed back towards the demon's humble abode. 'Was that Bakura?! But what could have happened- could Malik have gotten worse?! But why did he sound so furious?' Trying not to re-injure his ankle, Ryou managed an awkward run-hop back to the familiar green door. He flung the wooden barrier open, only to find the last thing he expected.

"Wha-?" Ryou saw no smoke, no unexpected travelers, no broken furniture, nor any other signs of destruction. He blinked his chocolate eyes in confusion. A pale figure was standing just inside the door-frame, and Ryou turned towards him. "Bakura? What's going on?"

Shaking with fury, the demonic homeowner only pointed one accusatory finger towards his semi-enclosed bedchambers. The reason for the yelling was instantly clear- the two blondes were both laying under the covers of Bakura's bed. Various articles of clothing were strewn haphazardly about the room, and the expressions on their faces didn't exactly scream innocence.

Ryou stepped inside, his movements strangely stiff. "MALIK."

The golden-haired human winced as the paler human seemed to swell. Two hickory-brown orbs were currently boring holes into the other human youth.

Malik seemed to physically shrink while his eyes widened with unease. "Eh-heh... erm, hi, Ryou- did you, er, find any herbs?"

Neither demon understood the blonde's trepidation, until they heard something nearly blowing up beneath the door-frame. Ryou positively exploded, yelling in a more deafening voice than any demon or human could imagine coming from such a meager frame.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" Ryou threw his arm out and pointed accusingly at Marik. "YOU WERE TRYING TO HAVE SEX WITH HIM?! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?!"

"AND YOU!" The demonic Marik actually flinched as the slender human glared in his direction. "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! I'M GUESSING YOU ACTIVELY ENCOURAGED THIS, RIGHT?!"

Marik seemed to get over his shock just long enough to form a reply. He frowned and mulishly declared: "I don't care if he's a human, and he doesn't care that I'm a demon!"

Ryou only scowled in annoyance. "I have nothing against that!" He pointed to his old friend. "For f***'s sake, Malik; you just had your stomach cut open less than a month ago! What if your wounds re-opened?!"

Marik look somewhat insulted by the insinuation. "It's been more than a month, and I wasn't going to hurt him."

"Humans don't heal as fast as demons!" Ryou snapped back. "You could have killed him!" The white-haired human looked like he wanted to say something further, but he ended up shaking his head and storming back to the kitchen.

"..." There was a moment of silence as the other three males overcame their shock at the outburst.

"I didn't even know he couldcurse!" Marik whispered to his still-flushed bed-mate.

"You'd be surprised..." Malik admitted dryly as he began glancing around the room for his trousers.

Meanwhile, Ryou had gone into the kitchen to prepare the wild herbs and vegetables he'd gathered. Bakura walked in a moment later, watching as the still-livid human began working with the cutting board.

The thin chef was now grumbling under his breath. He was cutting the wild carrots with an unusual ferocity, and he kept stabbing right through them into the wooden plank beneath.

"Not sure the cutting board deserves that." Bakura remarked casually.

"Sorry..." Ryou sighed and let go of the blade, his wrath slowly dissipating. "It's just... I can't believe he'd be so stupid as to try-" the human's face grew slightly red, "-that- right after nearly dying. I'm just guessing about having a... demon for a romantic partner, but I take it a lot of strain would be put on his wounds?"

There was no trace of amusement on Bakura's face as he firmly replied: "from what I understand, yes; it's just as strenuous."

Ryou put down the knife with a defeated groan. "He never thinks... I couldn't stand it if he nearly died again. He's pretty much the only family I have left."

"You're not alone, you know." The demon's light skin turned a slightly redder shade. "You can- erm, you're allowed to stay here as long as you want."

"Really?" Ryou felt a little embarrassed when he realized just how fast he'd answered. "Um, thank you- that's very generous. But I wouldn't feel right just staying here without repaying you somehow."

"Well, you cook very well, and I've seen your talents in keeping up a tidy home. Perhaps you could work as a live-in chef and cleaner, of sorts?"

Ryou's eyes lit up and he nodded, a smile finally returning to his face. "That could be a very nice arrangement."

Bakura felt a grin of his own appearing as he nodded. "If you like- if anything should change, just let me know. You are no prisoner, here. In fact..." here the demonic landlord glanced at his sleeping chambers, "you can use the bed (as soon as your crazy friend is gone)- I can sleep on the rug until I get another one."

"Eh?!" Ryou felt stunned by this generous "But- but it's your home!"

But the red-eyed demon only snorted. "Like I've said before, many demons sleep outside. We have far tougher bodies than you 'humans'." Bakura glanced pointedly at the now-dressed pair standing awkwardly his dining area. "Besides- it's not like I'm sleeping on those sheets EVER AGAIN."

Ryou let out a shudder of realization. 'Seems like I'll be making another trip to the stream again, albeit not for my ankle- I do hope that home-made soap by the sink is strong enough for the task!"