Super fast update!! WOOH!!! And it's longer!! Double wooh! WOOH WOOH!!!!!

Thanks to all my reviewers!! You guys are the coolest!!! All those who gave me a ideas or there thoughts I was glad to hear..read…whatever. They didn't quite have an impact on this chapter because I wrote this entire thing the same day I submitted the last so it was already written. But I'm taking everything from what you said to heart. New schemes and avenues have already begun to formulate in my brain!! WAHAHAHA!!!

Anyways, read and enjoy. Review if you're feeling kind. -

Warning: A little more foul language. Haven't really warned people before so better late then never.

READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Chapter 10:

Jounouchi dropped to his knees as soon as he felt solid ground return. Clutching his stomach he desperately fought the nausea that was coming on. Ryo and Yugi stood next to him slightly shaken, but otherwise no worse for wear.

"We…need to go…there." Bakura huffed pointing slightly off into the distance. Yugi and Ryo took in their surroundings (Jounouchi was much too busy trying not to puke) and realized they were standing in an open garden. The ground was littered with different types of green vegetables and fruit plants. Several berry trees hovered near the end of the fenced area and straight ahead sat a small little house.

"Where are we?" Ryo asked. Bakura didn't answer as his vision became blurry and his body began to sway. "'Kura?"

The two hikaris quickly grabbed his shoulders as Bakura's legs gave out and he fell to the ground dazed. Ryo touched his forehead and quickly snatched his hand back as the heat burnt his flesh.

"Is he alright?" Jounouchi questioned slightly concerned, finally coming around.

"He's got a fever." Ryo announced worriedly.

"Bakura what's wrong?" Yugi asked, propping the thief up.

"Get off…'mfine…" He mumbled. He clutched his head as a pounding headache began to course through his brain and his vision began to grow hazy. "le'megetup…" As he attempted to push the two away his brain cried out in agony and the world went black. His body slumped into Ryo's arms motionless.

"He passed out!" Ryo cried shocked.

"Jounouchi, go get help!" Yugi ordered as he checked Bakura's vital signs. He was relieved to find a slightly erratic pulse beneath the skin.

"What?"

"Fine, I'll get help." Yugi growled. He stood to his feet and quickly yet gently, for he was trying not to kill the plants, took off toward the house. Jounouchi watched after him, but Ryo's concerned whimper brought his attention back to the thief.

"He'll be fine, Ryo."

"It's not that." He sniffed. "I'm so confused and frightened. Jou, I don't know what to do."

"We'll figure it out." Jounouchi replied smiling. He placed a comforting hand on the other's shoulder. What were they supposed to figure out? He didn't have a clue what was going on in the first place. "Ryo, I'm as confused as you are."

"And you don't even know half the story." Ryo laughed, not out of humor but out of desperation. He brushed away his tears as he stared forlornly at his Yami. "In one night, everything's changed. It seems like everything we worked for just went up in smoke."

"Aw, come on, Ryo. It can't be that bad." Jou replied still not really grasping the severity of the situation.

"Jou, our house was destroyed by a flying SUV."

"Oh," His eyes were slightly wide from shock but he continued to attempt to boost the other's moral. "Well…at least you and Yugi are still safe. I mean, you still have each other."

"I'm just hoping it'll stay that way." Ryo whispered.

"What do you mean?" Jounouchi questioned puzzled. Ryo was hesitant to reply.

"Yugi's really upset and I'm just afraid he'll risk his life and….get hurt o-or worse. He cares about him so much I know he'll do anything to save him even at the cost of his own life." The tears began to leak again only this time Ryo didn't try to wipe them away.

"I-I don't understand. I-Is he cheating on you or…what's going on?" Jounouchi's confusion had taken on a new height.

"No, Jou. It's…it's…he's so distant anymore. Ever since those nightmares he hasn't been quite the same. He…I…" To Jounouchi's horror Ryo burst into sobs. He quickly wrapped his arms around the other carefully avoiding the unconscious Yami.

"You can tell me, Ryo." Jou encouraged.

"I'm worried about him, Jounouchi. He tried to kill him yesterday. There was no remorse. We were terrified and then when Bakura told us what was going on it was as if every bit of happiness we ever had just fell apart. You've seen him Jou. This whole situation has him so upset and confused. He's so bent on saving him that… what if he leaves me in the process?"

"Ryo you're not making any sense!" Jounouchi replied in anguish. What was going on?!! "Yugi would never leave you."

"Ryo!!" Jounouchi and Ryo both jolted in surprise as a surprisingly familiar voice called out behind them. Jou whipped his head around and was shocked to see Rishid and Marik rushing to their aid.

"Holy hell!" Jounouchi squeaked. They definitely weren't in Domino anymore. Marik skidded down next to the unconscious Yami taking a few turnip plants with him. Rishid stopped beside Jounouchi and surveyed the scene.

"Ryo? Are you alright? Did he hurt you?" Marik asked angrily directing toward the unconscious Yami. Bakura shook his head no.

"He's a little overwhelmed." Jounouchi replied seeing how Ryo could hardly speak.

"What's going on?" Marik questioned confused.

'Confusion seems to be the emotion of the day.' Jounouchi thought to himself. Then aloud he answered: "I'm not sure myself, but from what I understand Bakura is in the process of saving our lives."

"What?" Marik shrieked incredulously.

"Don't ask. I know as much as you right now."

"Let's get them into the house." Rishid spoke softly. He had been so quiet the entire time Jounouchi had almost forgotten he was there. With two big, tanned strong arms and the slight aid of both Marik and Jounouchi Rishid was able to swing Bakura over his shoulder and carry him like a sack of potatoes.

Yugi and Ishizu watched as the five returned to the house. Yugi stared confused at Ryo as he came up the steps, the tear streaks obvious. Ryo, however, just smiled and continued following the others inside. Rishid dumped Bakura unceremoniously on the sofa near the end of the room. Ishizu left to retrieve a wet cloth and a bowl of cool water. The room was tense and eerily silent.

"Well, there's a way to have a surprise visit!" Marik laughed easing the tension considerably.

"Sorry about all this." Yugi apologized smiling as well. Jounouchi noted how his eyes didn't light up like they usually did. Ryo must have as well because he dropped his head a mask of worry written all over his face.

"So, how've you all been?" Jounouchi asked stretching slightly.

"We've been great! We actually just finished painting the bathroom. Rishid picked the colors. They're bright and chipper, said he couldn't pee in a dreary room." Marik replied happy to start a conversation. Rishid blushed slightly and cleared his throat.

"Not entirely true." He amended. Jounouchi laughed in good humor.

"What colors?" Jou inquired.

The three continued to talk as if nothing were wrong. Ishizu came back from the kitchen and began to dab Bakura's head with the damp cloth. She smiled occasionally when they would address her but she kept her attention solely on the thief and the two distant hikaris. She noticed how their chipper attitudes were completely vacant and the dark circles beneath their eyes. Ryo obviously had been crying and Yugi looked quite weary. Both their gazes were transfixed on the thief, never wavering.

"So, any idea on what's going on here?" Marik asked changing the subject after their first died away.

"I haven't a clue. Yugi does though, right?" Jounouchi replied directing toward the clueless hikari.

"What?" He asked confused.

"They were askin' if you knew what was goin' on." Jou replied with slight patience. He was desperate to know what was going on, too.

"Oh…um….yes…….ish."

"Ish?"

"Bakura can explain it better than we can." Ryo replied. Yugi flashed him a smile in thanks. Neither of them were probably in any mental condition to repeat the story. Marik noticed their uncomfort and smiled apologetically.

"Well anything that's got him involved has got to be an interesting story."

"You have no idea." Ryo mumbled.

"So, how did the four of you get here? It obviously wasn't by machine considering you wound up in my garden." Ishizu spoke.

"We're sorry about that. We tried to avoid stepping on anything." Yugi replied. Marik rubbed the back of his head and looked the other way.

"Yeah," Jou laughed. "One moment we're standing in an alleyway at Domino city and the next I've got a carrot stuck up my ass!" Marik burst into laughter and Rishid had to use his hand to hide his smile.

"So it was by magic." Ishizu stated more to herself than anyone else.

"Yeah," Ryo confirmed. "Is that why he passed out?"

"That's probably the most plausible cause. Taking the three of you and then himself so far is very straining on the body. It's a difficult feat that most item wielders can't do, even with just themselves." Ishizu explained. "Truthfully, I don't know how he survived."

The group was silent for a long time, waiting for Bakura to finally wake up. Several hours passed bringing on the heat of the afternoon sun. Ishizu stayed by the thief's side continuously applying water to his face. The humor was gone once again and was replaced with the nerve racking tension. Marik's previous swing of good cheer had also vanished. He had tried to refrain from looking at the thief pretending he hadn't existed, but as the silence fell his eyes were drawn to the unconscious body. Horrible memories of Alcatraz began to arise along with a deep anger thought to have been discarded of. But the longer he stared the more his blood burned with a hidden hatred. He glanced at the two hikaris and noticed the evident weariness on their faces. What had happened to them? What had Bakura done?

"How did he come back?" Marik asked breaking the silence. Disdain lacing his words.

"We're not even a hundred percent sure. He sort of just appeared on our doorstep." Yugi informed.

"No doubt he's up to no good." Marik growled eyeing the body with hate. He should kill him right there. End whatever trouble is going on.

"I save three lives and I'm still met with disdain. I'm beginning to think this is pointless." The group jumped as Bakura came too and spoke. His eyes blinked open, still hazy but clear enough for him to see his surroundings. On shaky limbs he pulled himself up into a sitting position.

"You didn't tell us it was going to harm you taking us all at once. You should have made a second trip." Ryo scolded angrily.

"And by the time I made it back to pick up the last person he would have already been dead. So I appreciate the concern but I don't need it."

"He's just worried about you, Bakura." Jounouchi snipped angrily.

"And I have a relentless headache so your voices just make it all the more worse." Bakura replied aggravated.

"You haven't changed at all." Marik hissed.

"On the contrary, I have changed immensely. Now, did anything follow us in? Black mass, squawking bird, demon, bug, anything?"

"Not that we're aware of." Ishizu replied eyeing the other suspiciously.

"Not as if you'd been aware of it anyways." Bakura muttered. Those creatures were extremely sneaky.

"Bakura, how did you survive? By all laws you should be dead." Ishizu inquired.

"And since when have I ever followed the law? Cassandra helped me." He replied rubbing his aching skull. The two hikaris nodded in understanding but the rest were completely confused.

"Who?"

"What, the hikaris haven't told you anything?" One look at everyone's faces answered the question. "You haven't told them anything?" The two shook their heads.

"You were there. You'll tell it better." Ryo replied. Bakura growled annoyed. He didn't have time to go back into memory lane and retail the story. He needed to get moving.

/Have you forgotten the reason you're here? Get Yugi a safe distance away and come up with a plan/ Cassandra spoke answering his thoughts.

"Shut up." Bakura growled.

"Excuse me?" Ishizu snipped taken aback.

"I'm not talking to you I'm talking to her." He replied pointing at his head.

"He has another mind-link." Ryo explained.

"Now even I'm confused. Bakura, what's going on? Why do those two look so frightened and how the hell did you wind up in my garden? I want an explanation!" Ishizu ordered. Bakura raised his eyebrows in shock.

/I like her./ Cassandra laughed.

"Calm down my sister." Rishid soothed placing his hand upon hers.

"We're sorry Ishizu. We can leave. We didn't actually know we were coming here." Ryo softly spoke, his voice dripping with apologies. Ishizu relaxed and smiled gently toward the obviously upset hikaris.

"No, it's not you. I'm happy you came to us, really. It's you," She whipped around and pointed an accusing finger at the thief. "That I'm having a problem with. How is all this possible. You should be dead!" Marik and Rishid took a step back not used to seeing their sister lose her temper. Ishizu wasn't used to not having the answers. She usually had some idea to what was going on, but all of this was quite absurd.

"And God only knows how much I wish I still was. Then I wouldn't have to be here chasing after an insane demon that's bent on destroying the world!! Did you catch that? Oh, yes! For once I'm actually trying to save your pathetic asses rather than take them away! Shall I make a quick adjustment and go back to the way I was before? Huh? Would you like that?"

"Don't yell at my sister!" Marik growled angrily.

"I'll yell all I want you feeble minded fool!" Bakura hissed back dangerously.

"Bakura that's enough!" Ryo demanded.

"I don't know why I let you into my home! I should have killed you on the couch!" Marik yelled back, his eyes flashing. Rishid immediately stood up and held his brother's shoulders.

"An act of a coward! Fits your style you dog faced scum!"

"Bakura why the hell are you here?!" Ishizu demanded her anger escalating.

"I think this was a bad idea." Yugi murmered to Ryo.

"I'm beginning to think so, too."

"Didn't you here me the first time? This entire fucking planet is in peril if I can't stop the pharaoh! But seeking the help of the three imbeciles was probably the stupidest idea I've ever thought of!" Bakura roared back. His headache pounded mercilessly against his temples causing spots to cloud his vision.

"What did you call me?" Marik yelled. Now both Rishid and Jou were hanging on to him desperately trying to keep him from lunging. Bakura smirked enjoying their heated expressions. A sudden immense strike of pain suddenly flashed through his pain forcing him to clutch his skull in agony.

"For the love of God Cassandra would you take this fucking headache away!!!" The group stayed silent confused on whom he was addressing. Bakura suddenly relaxed and dropped his hands as the pain disappeared. "Thank. You."

"You jerk!" Marik hissed.

"Oh shut up." Bakura replied waving off the comment. With his body finally under control he could allow his temper to dissolve. "We don't have time to argue. The pharaoh's still out there."

"The pharaoh's here?" Rishid asked puzzled. "We did not see him."

"Heh! He's around, but you don't want to see him." Bakura stated. "He has a temper worse than mine."

"My other half isn't back as well is he?" Marik questioned his anger slowly dissipating as well.

"Thank God no."

"Where's the pharaoh, Bakura?" Ishizu inquired forcing herself to relax. It's been so long since she's actually lost control of her anger.

"Still in Domino I'm hoping."

"Why didn't he come?" Jounouchi questioned feeling slightly upset nobody told him. Bakura sighed and plopped himself back on the couch slightly exhausted from the sudden fight.

"It's not really the pharaoh." Yugi answered digging his toe into the floor.

"Well, it is but it isn't." Ryo amended trying to make sense.

"That's not right? Maybe he's just a little different after he left." Marik stated. Bakura snorted.

"The demon tried to kill Yugi."

"Is it true?" Ishizu asked shocked. Yugi and Ryo nodded. The four of them paled. Ishizu had to covere her mouth with her hand to keep from gasping allowed.

"But…why?" Marik asked stunned.

"It's a long story." Bakura grumbled.

/Tell them Bakura. You barged into their home they deserve to know. /

"Do you have five hours to spare?" He didn't want to do this. Everyone but the hikaris nodded.

"Can we wait somewhere else? I don't think we can last through another session." Ryo whispered. Yugi nodded in agreement. He only needed to be told once. A second he couldn't do.

"Of course, you two can stay in our guest bedroom tonight. It's too dangerous to be going anywhere. There've been quite a few suspicious murders this past month." Ishizu replied slightly dazed with confusion but still seemingly able to keep her composure.

'They're not suspicious at all.' Bakura thought to himself. He watched as the Egyptian woman led the two men into a separate room leaving Bakura alone with the three men. 'They should've stayed so I didn't have to retail it by myself.'

/You'll be fine. I'm here with you./ Cassandra consoled. Bakura nodded in thanks. Maybe it would be easier the second time around.

"Is it really going to take five hours?" Marik asked hoping the thief had just been exaggerating.

"I suggest you find a cushy seat and a box of tissues." Bakura replied smirking with no humor. As soon as Ishizu returned he began his tale.

Forgive all those that you love

For there's nothing worst

Than dying with a grudge

The hours ticked by as Yugi and Ryo sat on the bed next to each other. Neither spoke a word as they listened to the quiet murmur in the room down the hall. Ryo stared at his hands not knowing what to do. He glanced at his boyfriend but he was completely distant lost in his own thoughts. Ryo grimaced as his own thoughts began to invade.

When was the pharaoh going to attack again? Where? Who? Will they ever be able to help him? Was he still there like Bakura said or was it just a figment of a hopeful imagination? Was it already too late? He rung his hands silently as he thought of this. Should he voice that thought to Yugi? Another glance at Yugi's face forced Ryo to hold his tongue. He didn't need to add to the weight.

Ryo suddenly flinched as an image of Bakura and his judgment slipped through the mind-link. He was thankful yet somewhat disappointed Yugi didn't notice. He felt so distant lately. Like the person he loved wasn't really there. His body was there, but his mind and his spirit weren't. It was a strange feeling. Through all the years they had been together not once had he ever felt lonely, but lately…ever since the nightmares two months ago it was different. Yugi lacked a decent amount of sleep and was quieter than normal. The day Bakura showed up had actually been one of Yugi's lighter moods. But now it felt as if the Yugi with the infectious happiness he loved would be gone forever.

Perhaps it was selfish of him, but right now Ryo couldn't give a damn what happened to the pharaoh if that meant losing Yugi in the process. He wasn't willing to give up the one person he loved to save an ancient spirit. Of course the moment he thought that an image of a bloodied pharaoh escaped the mind link again causing Ryo to drop his head in shame.

"Are you alright?" Yugi asked, noticing the awkward shift to his left.

"I'm fine." Ryo stated somewhat harshly. Yugi cocked his head slightly hurt at the tone, but he didn't push.

"Okay." And to Ryo's frustration went back to staring out the window.

The hours slowly moved on, Ryo's back began to ache so he moved from a sitting to a laying position allowing him to stare at the ceiling tiles. It really was a nice house. They'd done a great job fixing it up. The walls were a soft shade of lavender with a wooden floor. Random painting of Egypt's sights gracefully gave the room an alluring style. It was nice, but it wasn't home. It had been gone two days and he was already missing it. The old crack in the kitchen wall, the squeaky stairs; he even missed the toilet that roared every time you'd flush it. (A/N I have one of those, scares the shit outta me.) But it was all gone; all his belongings, his pictures, his hopes. Now that he thought about it, they were technically homeless. The thought made him grin. They were freaking homeless! Not once in his life had he dreamt he'd be homeless!

He turned to Yugi about to share his revelation, but changed his mind. He'd probably think he was crazy for internally laughing at something such as that. His smile faded and he returned back to his solemn thoughts. He really did want to go home. Only…there was nothing to go home, too.

The door suddenly banged open causing Ryo to jump up in surprise. Even Yugi was shaken out of his deep thoughts. Marik ran in and gave the two men exceedingly tight bear hugs.

"I'm so sorry you guys! You can stay as long as you like!" He sniffed.

"Uh…thanks?" Ryo choked as his air supply was cut off.

"He's done already?" Yugi asked rubbing his sore arms.

"Yes, finally! I think he left out a few parts, but I don't think I really want to know." He used the back of his hand to rub away the new set of oncoming tears. "I can't believe this is happening."

"Neither can we." Ryo replied rubbing his equally sore arms.

"Are you guys going to be alright?"

"We'll be fine." Yugi answered. Ryo nodded his head and dropped his hands to his lap. Rishid and Jounouchi suddenly came in and both gave as equally if not tighter hugs. Rishid had tears in his eyes along with Jounouchi and after a while Marik was back right along with them. In the end they all were trying to comfort each other.

"Bakura, I'm sorry for earlier. I should have held my temper." Ishizu apologized as she sat with the thief in the living room. Her eyes were wet with tears and her make-up was slightly ruined from the constant dabbing of the tissue.

"It's fine. You weren't really the one to lose their temper anyhow." Bakura replied somewhat distantly. He had been wrong. It was even worse this time around. However, he did leave a few parts out deciding they weren't important and they were too hard for him to repeat.

"Do you think they'll be safe? Here?"

"For now. He knows we left, but he won't know where. It won't matter anyways after I return. He'll either follow the trail or deviate from the path to finish off the city, but I don't think he'll travel all the way back here. It wouldn't be reasonable."

"How do you expect to save him?"

"I have no idea." Bakura replied truthfully. "I was hoping you could shed a little light."

"To tell you the truth Yugi seems to be the most logical option. If anyone he'd be the one to get through to him."

"After the other night when the pharaoh attacked I'm not so sure. He didn't even hesitate." Bakura sighed. "And even if it is Yugi, I want to exhaust every other possibility before we put him in harms way. If we lose him it's all over."

"There's more to that statement than what you're letting on." Ishizu commented tossing her tissue into the wastebasket. Bakura snorted in denial. "I think your afraid of using him because he reminds you too much of the pharaoh. On top of that if he dies, what'll happen to Ryo? You know best the harsh obstacles he's been through. Losing Yugi could damage him beyond repair."

Bakura turned his face away angrily. She had read him like a book. He could remember a time when he could withstand anything and not so much as show a hint of emotion. He sighed.

"I don't want to risk it. There has to be another way. Zorc used a ritual to combine the demon and the pharaoh's spirit. Perhaps there's a ritual to separate them as well."

"Perhaps, but were would you find such a spell?"

"I don't know. You have Egypt's resources at your fingertips. I'm sure you have a few spells locked away."

"But from what I understand this doesn't include only Egyptian magic."

"It's a start." Bakura pressed.

"I'll see what I can do." Ishizu replied. The clock on the wall struck nine. Its music echoed through the house with a hollow chime. There was a time when the noise was comforting and bright, but today it was dark and felt like the inevitable countdown to their demise. "It's been a long day. We should all get some rest. We'll think better after a good night sleep."

"That's if you can sleep." Ishizu didn't comment as she went to the backroom to round up the others. Bakura continued to sit on the couch as he stared out the front window. The sky was black and peppered with distant stars. How could a night look so beautiful at such a horrible hour? He ran a hand through white strands.

/It'll be fine, Bakura. Just be patient./ Cassandra whispered.

'Are you leaving?'

/For tonight. They're growing suspicious. I'll be back tomorrow. Get some rest./ With that she retreated and was gone. Bakura rubbed the back of his neck releasing the tension. She was right. He really did need to get some rest. He couldn't fight if he was dragging his feet.

The room was suddenly filled again as the group reentered. He could see their sorrow filled faces and the obvious signs of nightmares to come. Standing to his feet Bakura stretched out his cramped legs.

"Shall we keep watch?" Marik asked.

"I really don't see any point. The likely hood of him actually following is close to none and even if he does what are you going to do? He's almost invisible in the night and seeing you prancing around on the porch only ensures your death." Bakura replied casually.

"It'll at least give us a chance." Jounouchi countered. Bakura rolled his eyes seeing he wasn't going to win.

"Fine. Two at a time. Just try not to look suspicious. The neighbors might get the wrong idea seeing shift changes." The group nodded. "Who wants to go first?"

"Marik and I offer to go first." Rishid replied.

"Jou and I could go next." Yugi put in.

"You sure?" Jou questioned.

"Can't sleep well anyways." Yugi replied smiling.

"Fine then Ryo and I will go last. Two hours each and no more. Clear?" Bakura questioned his voice full of a foreign authority. Everyone nodded in acceptance.

"I will direct you to your rooms then." Ishizu spoke.

The group was led to their quarters. Marik, Rishid and Jounouchi shared a room while Yugi and Ryo took the other. Ishizu slept in her own and Bakura chose to sleep on the couch. As they readied off to bed Jounouchi couldn't help but glance occasionally at the two hikaris. Ryo kept glancing at Yugi who seemed completely oblivious. When Ryo failed to catch the others attention he would drop his head and look the opposite direction. Shaking his head bemused Jounouchi retreated into his room waiting for his shift to take place.

The night was cool with a gentle breeze. It was amazing the contrast between the blistering sun of the day and the chilled moon of the night. Darkness covered the land blotting out any sign of other life. The neighbors Bakura had warned them of were nonexistent. The Ishtar house was far off in its own piece of land distancing themselves from prying eyes. The solitude made the night all the more tense as the minutes ticked by.

Marik and Rishid sat on the porch lost in thought. Nothing of interest commenced through their two hours except for a few jackal cries and the skittering of nocturnal lizards. When the clock eventually struck twelve they relieved themselves from their positions and headed inside to wake the next pair. They weren't surprised to see the two already waiting, wide-awake. Exchanging several goodnights the two men headed off to their room while Yugi and Jounouchi headed outside.

Jounouchi eagerly wrapped up in the blanket left behind so they could keep warm. Easing himself down, he rested against the upper step gazing out over the flat land. Yugi soon joined him with a blanket of his own.

"You doin' alright?" Jou questioned as Yugi sat beside him.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Yugi replied. Joey noted the short answer. "How about you?"

"I'm slightly shaken." He answered pulling the blanket closer out of comfort. Yugi nodded and bowed his head.

"I'm sorry for getting you involved." He mumbled.

"Yug'…" Jounouchi sighed. "You know I'm there to support you one hundred percent, so stop feeling guilty. Besides, with what sounds to be going on I'm quite thankful." Yugi nodded again, but didn't reply. Jounouchi allowed his gaze to settle on the starts. "Do you think we can save him?"

Yugi closed his eyes as he ran a shaky palm through his bangs. The image of the pharaoh's hate filled face crossed his mind.

"I don't know." He replied truthfully. "With all my heart I want to say yes, but… you didn't see his face. I couldn't see a trace of him left! Alls I saw was this…this…monster. It was as if nothing resembled him. His eyes were so filled with hate Jou it made Bakura look like a puppy dog." Jounouchi wrapped an arm around his distraught friend. "I don't want to sound so pessimistic but what if there really is nothing left? What if what Bakura saw was only his imagination or what if it's gone now? Jou, I love the pharaoh with all my heart but what I saw was not him."

"I-I know." Jounouchi stuttered, the reality of the situation slightly sinking in. "I'm having such a hard time really believing all this is true. In the beginning I thought that perhaps Bakura was just making up lies like he usually does, but hearing it from you and Ryo…I can't really deny it."

"It makes you wonder where we really sent him doesn't it?" Yugi muttered twisting the blanket between his hands.

"I thought we were helping him." Jou replied softly, tears threatened to come as self blame started to set in.

"So did I." The hikari whispered suddenly overcome with emotion. "I shouldn't have tried to beat him. I thought he wanted to go, but now…he knew! He willingly went knowing the consequences!"

"He thought he was doing the right thing."

Yugi couldn't reply. The pharaoh knew he had too. It was his destiny and he was bound to fulfill it no matter the consequences. Logically the pharaoh committed a noble deed, but Yugi couldn't give a shit about logic. They should have used someone else, the pharaoh was the last person who deserved to be subjected to such a cruel fate. Not after everything he had done.

A warm arm snaked around his shoulders as Jounouchi tried to comfort him. He could almost guess the thoughts going through the other's head believing they were probably thinking much of the same thing. Yugi eventually calm down and relaxed. The two sat in silence for a while keeping a silent watch on the darkness. Jou sighed shifting uncomfortably to a better position. His mind flashed to Ryo as he caught a side ways glance at his friend.

"Yugi, can I talk to you about something?" Jounouchi questioned softly. Yugi nodded for him to continue.

"I've been watching you and Ryo lately and I've got the feeling something's wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"Yug', I know how much the pharaoh means to ya and all, but I'm just warnin' ya don't forget what you have now." Jounouchi rubbed the side of his head as he tried to come up with a way to explain seeing Yugi's puzzled expression. "I think Ryo's a little overwhelmed by what's been happenin' and…Yug'… he's afraid of losing you."

"Losing me? Where did he get that?" Yugi asked shocked.

"We were talkin' earlier and he was commenting on your devotion to the pharaoh and how you'd do anything for him. He's worried that you'll get so wrapped up in fighting that you'll forget about him."

Yugi opened his mouth to object, but quickly shut it and turned his face in the direction his lover was sleeping. "Have I been that preoccupied?"

"I think he's afraid of being left behind. He's afraid you'll get yourself hurt or…killed." He had a hard time choking out the last word. "You know he won't say anything Yug'. He'd do whatever to make ya happy."

"I know." Yugi sighed feeling ashamed. "We haven't really talked about what's been going on. Everything was just so sudden, you know?"

"Completely." Jou replied dryly.

"I know I've been selfish. I…I should be looking out for Ryo more than I have been. I've just been so confused and angry and… scared. I mean when Yami tried to…to kill me it was like someone kicked me in the gut." Yugi cringed hugging his sides protectively.

"I know you mean the best, Yug'. Just don't lose sight of him. That's what happened between me and Mai. Look at us now. We fell apart. It was the worst feeling in the world and I don't want the two of you going through the same thing."

"I'll apologize after our shift. Best enjoy it while I can right? Who knows what's going to happen." Yugi laughed slightly disturbed.

"Yeah, cherish every minute of it." Jou replied softly.

The last of their hour eventually went by and their shift was finally over. Bakura walked out onto the steps signaling it was his turn. As Yugi was about to walk past Bakura pulled him to the side.

"I'll do the shift by myself. There's no point for Ryo to come outside."

"I'll tell him." Yugi replied and walked back inside.

Ryo was curled up in a ball beneath the sheets. His hands fisted his pillow as he tried to stay warm. Yugi found his way to the edge of the bed and quietly pulled off his boots. Lifting the sheets he snuggled beneath them wrapping his arm gently around his lover's waist. The smell of Ryo's hair made his heart ache. It felt so long since he had truly noticed the smell of his perfume-y shampoo.

"Ryo." He whispered. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah," Was the quiet reply. "I can't seem to sleep. Is it my turn?"

"Bakura says not to worry about it."

"Oh." The two fell silent. Yugi brushed the hair off Ryo's neck.

"I'm sorry." Yugi apologized holding Ryo slightly tighter.

"For what?"

"Everything."

"It's not your fault."

"I should be taking care of you better. I've been selfish." Yugi admitted. Ryo turned around to look at his face. Yugi's eyes dripped with sincere apology and sadness.

"It's okay." Ryo eased. He turned over and curled up against Yugi's chest. "I know this has been especially hard on you."

"It's no excuse, Ryo." Yugi stopped and sighed once again burying his face into Ryo's white hair. "You know I love you. And there's nothing that will ever change that."

"I-I know. I love you too." Ryo's voice started to tremble.

"Ryo?" Yugi cupped Ryo's chin and forced him to make eye contact. Ryo's eyes were filled with unshed tears.

"Yugi, I'm scared." He whispered. "Everything that's occurred it's like…just a nightmare. I don't want to believe it could be true, but with Bakura back and th-the pharaoh….I don't want anyone else to die. I don't want to lose you." He sobbed. Yugi held him tight comfortingly.

"I won't leave you. I promise."

"But how? How can you promise? He's after you!"

"He doesn't know where we are, Ryo. You'll see. Everything will be fine."

"But what if it won't be? What if we don't win this time? What if we fail?"

"We won't. So don't even begin to let thoughts like that enter your head. Understood?" Ryo nodded his head and held Yugi impossibly closer. "Everything will be fine. Trust me."

"I love you, Yugi." Ryo whispered.

"I love you, too, Ryo. I always will."

Tomorrow they would engage once again into this realistic nightmare, but for the moment, with the reassurance of each other's presence, the two were able to drift off into a haunted yet peaceful sleep.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Ta da! That's about as intimate any relationship shall get. Well okay kisses perhaps, but I am unable to go farther as much as I know some of you would like me too. I would but ya know, if my mom caught me I'd never be able to finish the story. She'd chop off all my fingers and then shoot out my perverted mind. TT

So sorry. Not like anything close to something like that is even close to happening this early in the story, but hey just heads up.

And yeah, the little poem in the middle there…it was like a random intermission, created sort of a break there. I was getting to write the next scene when it randomly popped in my brain so I quickly wrote it down. Just a random poetic piece of advice.

One thing I fear as I write this is their personalities. I don't like writing from certain points of view because I fear I'll make their personality too strong or too weak especially too weak. I don't like weak minds. It makes me feel as if I'm writing about a grade schooler. So if anything most are stronger than probably the actual manga suggests. Probably. Bakura's the hardest to get right since in the manga and anime he's technically possessed by Zorc. You never really see Bakura alone except for in the Memory arc. In that part of the series I really sympathized for the man, especially after he died. Nobody ever really cared or thought about it. Granted he was a insane psychotic murderer, but who wouldn't be after seeing what he saw? But when he's just the thief with no Zorc attached he seems a little less sadistic. A little. It's still there just not as much. So he's hard to do since there's so little of him to go off of.

I didn't get as far as I hoped. Sorry. I really had expected to be back in Domino already, but it took a turn for the 'emotional' side with the two hikaris. Wasn't really expecting that…anyways, next chapter I swear gore and action and the tormentation of Bakura….and other random people….will ENSUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reviews are all welcome! Please.

Thanks for reading!!!!!!