Valkyria : Hey guys, I see all of you were amazed at how stubborn Atemu is, but hey what can you do? Let's see what how Bakura fares, eh?

Disclaimer : I claim no rights to the anime/manga Yu-gi-oh or the cities and events specified.

Current Song : Last Kiss by Crystal Kay

"Through out my life, I have been told been by my parents, comrades and colleagues that when I want something, I go after it in similar way that a hunter stalks its prey; quick, deadly and efficient. I, for one think that particular description is a little harsh, but considering the little morsel I have my eyes set on. It is understandable." - Bakura

Chapter Ten : Hunter and Prey

This trip, Bakura decided, was perfect. It was an absolute joy for him to see the different expressions Ryou displayed as he swept him away on his private jet and wined and dined him. The only annoying part was that Ryou was stubborn and refused to completely enjoy himself and relax. He didn't know what kind of childhood Ryou had to make him too polite and too stiff, but Bakura didn't like it. Someone like Ryou who, according to Ishizu, worked so hard and did the best he could to help everyone out deserved to be pampered.

Bakura would admit that it was somewhat creepy -he refused to call it love at first sight- to be thinking about someone like this so strongly so soon, but there was something about Ryou that was so alluring. He couldn't help but be drawn to the smaller man. With those thoughts filtering in his mind, Bakura made a promise to pamper Ryou during their trip to Funabashi. He would do it subtly of course.

"Have you been here before?" Bakura asked curiously, staring at Ryou from the corner of his eye.

Ryou turned from the window of the rental car he purchased and smiled. "No, I haven't. I'm not a really big fan of travelling. It's a little tedious."

Bakura hummed, returning his gaze to the road in front of him. "You don't like travelling? Ishizu has told me you have been to Egypt multiple times."

"Out of necessity." Ryou stated. "And a little bit out of love if I am being honest."

"So, you came with me out of necessity?" Bakura teased. "I'm hurt, Ryou." he released a fake sob. "I'm so hurt."

"You know," Ryou drawled. "You really suck at acting."

Pressing his foot against the brake, Bakura chuckled. "I'll have you know that I am a very good actor. My mother saw to it that I was well-versed in everything from theater to languages. She wanted me to become more than just a soldier."

"Your mother sounds like a very nice woman." Ryou frowned suddenly. "You talk about her so fondly and yet you gave away your heirloom. Why is that?"

Switching his foot to the accelerator, Bakura turned onto the highway. "My mother and I were very close when I was child, but as I became older we grew apart. I supposed that me becoming a soldier instead of a scholar had something to do with that. I guess you can say I grew bitter and me giving away the heirloom was a way of showing it."

"But didn't she expect it?" Ryou asked. "I remember you telling me that you came from a long line of soldiers."

Bakura shrugged. "She wanted change. For the first time, she wanted someone from the family to be different, and not be a so called mindless soldier. My father always disagreed with her way of thinking on that particular subject and it has led to many arguments. I'm actually surprised they're not divorced."

"Just because they disagree does not mean they do not love each other." Ryou murmured.

Bakura graced the smaller man with a sympathetic look. "You sound experienced with this sort of matter."

"You can say that." Ryou stated hesitantly, and Bakura frowned at the bitter look that flickered across Ryou's eyes. "..My father and I don't get along. At all."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Bakura pulled into the car into the inn and shut it off. "If you ask me; I wouldn't be able to process the thought of not talking to someone as sweet as you."

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Bakura." Ryou retorted playfully, opening the door and sliding out of the car. "Come on, let's get our luggage and check in."

Huffing, Bakura opened the door and made his way to the trunk for their luggage. "Flattery can get you everywhere I'll have you know."

"Oh really? Where has it gotten you? Into women's beds?"

"And into men's as well." Bakura purred darkly, enjoying the dark blush that dusted Ryou's cheeks. "I am a man without limits, Ryou. It is something you will learn over time, yes?"

"Just grab the damn bags and go."

Once again, Bakura found himself supremely annoyed at Ryou's polite attitude as they settled themselves in the hotel room. No matter what he did, the pale younger man refused and whatever he tried to give away Ryou once again refused. So, Bakura finally decided it was time to guilt trip Ryou into taking the gifts he presented him with.

"You really shouldn't press gifts onto people." Ryou scolded, but nonetheless took the large bouquet of white and red roses Bakura handed to him. "I am not one to be pampered. I never was."

"Then it's about time that you did." Bakura countered swiftly, leading Ryou to the table sitting on the balcony of their room. "I think someone like you deserves to be pampered, yeah?"

"No." Ryou stated flatly, plopping down on the seat. "I see no point in it really."

"You don't?" Bakura gracefully took a seat in the chair across from Ryou's. "May I ask why?"

Ryou snorted, waving a hand around the opulent hotel room. "Do you truly need all of this? Do you need the suits, limos, expensive wine when a martini and a pizza works just as good."

"A martini and pizza?" Bakura repeated, chuckling warmly. "I never expected you to say that, Ryou."

"Well, I am full of surprises." Ryou sniffed, gently placing the roses on the table and grabbing a fork. "My father taught me from an early age to only get what you need and not what you want. I understand the need to spoil yourself every once in awhile, but to do it often is just plain wasteful."

"Is it really?" Bakura leaned forward, enjoying the way the candlelight danced across Ryou's pale skin and eyes. "People go on shopping sprees to reward themselves and make them feel good. Is it so bad to do that?"

"You shouldn't need to do such a thing to make yourself feel good. There are other ways to do that."

"Other ways?" Bakura inquired. "Such as?"

"Simple things." Ryou shrugged, shoving a forkful of salad in his mouth, chewing and swallowing before continuing. "You can take up hobbies for one. For instance, I collect books and make charms. That makes me feel good."

Bakura blinked at Ryou's words. "...Are they sexual books?"

"E-Excuse me?"

"Are they books of the sexual sort?" Bakura repeated. "I mean, you said they make you feel good."

Much to Bakura's delight, Ryou looked between angry, flustered and amused. "What? I think it was a legitimate question."

"That was not a legitimate question!" Ryou cried out. "It was very rude." Ryou pointed at Bakura, scowling. "You are a very rude person."

Bakura buried his face in his hands and shook with laughter. "I would apologize, but it wouldn't be a sincere one."

Ryou snorted. "Of course it wouldn't."

"I want to say that I understand where you're coming from, but I can't." Bakura felt a wave of shame wash over him before quickly pressing it down. "I grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth as they say and I was never without. Even being a soldier for six years did not rid me of being spoiled. Much to my father's distaste."

"I-I see," Ryou coughed, looking down at his plate. "Well, to soothe your ego you do not act very spoiled. You are a horse breeder and horses can sense feelings. I don't think they would like you very much if you were an ass."

"You're right. That did soothe my ego and I can act like an ass when I'm not in front of my precious horses."

"Like you did just now?"

"Like I did just now." Bakura reached for his wine, taking a quick sip. "I know this is strange, but I want to spoil you, Ryou. You deserved to be spoiled."

"You really don't know anything about me." Ryou protested. "You shouldn't do this for someone whom you've only known a little over a week."

"I want to." Bakura stuck his nose in the air. "And I'm going to do what I want."

"You shouldn't act like a child." Ryou leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "It doesn't become you."

"Like acting you don't deserve anything doesn't become you?" Bakura shot back, rising from the chair. "You're going to find out that I can be very persistent."

"I already know that, and let me tell you it's very annoying!"

The Nakayama Racecourse was packed to almost full capacity by the time Bakura and Ryou arrived. Which made Bakura a very unhappy man. Keeping a firm grip on Ryou's slim wrist, Bakura shoved people out of the way, glaring when someone approached him. If he just could make it to his box seats then he would relax-

"You seem very well known." Ryou commented as they stepped through the gates. "Especially by the women..."

"I come here every year, well, almost every year. And those women are the wives to some of the horse owners. It's probably been a while sense they got laid."

"Bakura!"

"What?" Bakura sighed in relief when he approached the door to the box seat. "It's true." pulling the door open, he gently pushed Ryou inside and shut the door behind him. "Take a seat, will you?"

"This looks very nice." Ryou took a seat next to the large pane windows that provided an excellent view of the racecourse. "Thank you for taking me here."

"Finally." Bakura threw up his arms. "He enjoys this trip at long last."

"I didn't say I never enjoyed the trip." Ryou turned from the view and frowned at Bakura. "I just said I'm not used nor do I want to be pampered."

"This isn't being pampered." Bakura moved to the mini bar and plucked out a bottle of scotch and a small glass. He had a feeling he was going to need it. "It's having a good time."

"Yes, of course," Ryou turned back when the announcer stated the first race was about to begin. "How long do these typically last?"

"It's thoroughbred steeplechase so about two or three hours with the breaks in between." Bakura replied. "Don't tell me you're getting bored already?"

"No, I am not, I was just curious. How old are the horses?"

Bakura took his glass of scotch and made his way over to Ryou who was had his face in the glass by this point. Grabbing Ryou's shoulder, he pulled the younger man back. "Four years old."

"Ah, I see, what made you go into horse breeding?"

"It's a lucrative business." Bakura replied, taking a sip of his scotch. "And I've always had a love for horses."

"Really?" Ryou sounded skeptical. "I don't think that's the only reason you got into it."

"Oh?" Bakura leaned over Ryou's shoulder, smirking when his action elicited a shiver. "What reason did you think I had?"

"I don't know. I'm just taking a shot in the dark here. Maybe you wanted to earn money on your own instead living off your parents or you just wanted some semblance of peace after being a soldier for so long, and found horse breeding to be perfect."

"I have to admit you're pretty perceptive, Ryou." Bakura pulled away and ruffled Ryou's hair. "It's one of those, but I'll be damned I'll tell you which one."

"Don't worry." Ryou smirked and Bakura found a shiver running down his spine. "I definitely don't need to guess which one it is."

"I'm sure you don't Ryou, I'm sure you don't."

A/N : Looks like Ryou and Bakura are just as stubborn as Atemu and Yuugi, eh? Well, maybe not as much.

Next Chapter : A Chef's Despair and a Little Brother's Mischief.