A/N: I'm so sorry for the big space between updates! But my life has been kind of crazy lately as I have begun my first semester of college! Fun times and drama galore! : rolls eyes: At first when I had time, I had forgotten my muse at home; so I couldn't write. Once I picked up my muse, I couldn't sit down to write due to homework and a strange thing I believe people call friends…

Also, I wanted to make sure I was keeping relatively in synch with the canon, so I've been watching the English and Japanese anime and reading the manga.

But at long last, here is the much anticipated Chapter 13!

Chapter 13: Seems I Only Felt the Thorns

And every time I've held a rose

It seems I only felt the thorns.

Megan stood staring at her open suitcase. There were piles of clothes and small pieces of jewelry strewn all over. She blew the stray hair out of her face and placed her hands on her hips. Her eyes scanned the colors and fabrics, trying to find something, anything that might work. There was a knock at the door and Megan told the person to enter without looking away.

"What's with the clothes," Yugi asked sounding completely lost.

"I'm trying to find a shirt," Megan mumbled and began picking up various articles of clothing in hopes of finding another hiding under it.

"What's it look like," Yugi said, glancing around at the clothes.

Megan glanced around for a moment before answering, "Not sure which one I want yet."

"Then how do you expect to find it," Yugi said, even more lost that before.

"I don't know; I guess I'd just see it and know it's the shirt I was looking for. I wanted to wear those pants over there," Megan said and nodded towards a pair of black jeans over the chair before she crawled under the bed to search for stragglers.

"You're really freaking out about this date, aren't you," Yugi asked with a smile as he began looking through the piles of clothes.

Megan blushed and resurfaced, "Yeah, it's been a while since I liked a guy."

"Really, I thought you'd be really popular," Yugi said.

Megan chuckled, "No, I went to an all girls' school, so I didn't meet many boys."

"Oh, I guess that would make things difficult. Hey, what about this one," Yugi said holding up a hunter green shirt.

"You know," Megan said slowly examining the smooth fabric and how it went with the jeans, "that just might work if I had something on top of it." She searched the piles of clothes until she found what she was looking for. She pulled the sleeves of the shirt through the arm holes of the vest to examine the effect.

Yugi tilted his head, staring at the combination with a smile. "I like it."

"Thanks for your help, Yugi," the older teen said pulling the boy into a tight hug.

"Glad I could help," he replied, hugging her back equally as tight.

Megan sighed and shook her head, "This is ridiculous."

"What is," the small boy asked.

"How crazy this one little date is making me," she explained.

"It's ok, you like Bakura don't you," Yugi asked with a smile.

Megan blinked and blushed at the personal nature of the conversation. "Well, yes, of course I do, Yugi. I've told you that I think he's one of the most amazing guys I know."

"Then why not get a little crazy," Yugi asked. "It makes life more fun to get a little crazy once in a while. Plus it's not every day you meet someone you like who likes you back." Megan bit her lip and thought about what Yugi said.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt," Megan agreed with a small smile.

"So," Yugi said with a huge grin, "where are you guy going tonight?"

Megan grimaced slightly as she recalled the quick conversation she had shared with Ryo that morning. "He said he wanted to surprise me."

Yugi bounced up and down, "That's so sweet and romantic!"

"It is," Megan said with a smile and small laugh. "It doesn't surprise me at all that he wants to keep it a surprise."

"It's the way he is," Yugi agreed.

"Yugi," Mr. Moto called from downstairs in the shop, "don't you have chores to do?"

Yugi sighed and called back, "Coming, Grandpa," before leaving Megan alone in his room again.

She slowly picked up all the loose articles of clothing now that she knew what to wear. She sighed as her mind began to stray from the task at hand. It was one of those tasks that only keep the body busy, leaving the mind to wander as it pleases.

Megan thought back to the recurring dream she'd been having. Ever since she had gone into the Millennium Puzzle, her dreams had been plagued with the image of the priestess the Spirit of the Puzzle believed to be her past life. Megan could hardly believe how unsettling it was see herself like that even knowing that it wasn't really her. She couldn't shake the feeling that she and the priestess were closer to one entity than she cared to admit.

Later that evening, Ryo stood alone in his room. He was feeling rather confident about his first date. Everything was ready and perfect; he had made the reservations, he had made sure Megan wouldn't be able to figure out where they were going, and he had bought orange blossoms. Ryo smiled as the delicate citrus scent from the flowers permeated the room. He checked the mirror one last time. He adjusted the way the black sweater hung over his button-up blue shirt. He frowned, trying to decide if the outfit was too formal. He decided that if he wore jeans, it would counter the formality of the shirt.

With a sigh, Ryo grabbed his hair brush and tried to make his hair behave. He had limited success; although his hair was more orderly, it retaliated by sticking out even more than usual. Ryo took a step closer to his mirror and examined himself for less visible flaws. He sighed again as he stared his reflection in the eyes. Ever since he had begun being possessed by the Spirit of the Millennium Ring, he had noticed subtle changes. His once bright eyes had become steadily lackluster. It didn't help that he was getting dark purple rings under his eyes since he had been trying to stay up so that the Spirit couldn't possess him again.

He knew it was foolish to attempt resisting the Spirit. The Spirit of the Ring was thousands of years old and had vast amounts of unknown dark powers. There were times when Ryo thought that his attempts were counterproductive. He couldn't go without rest forever; eventually the ancient Spirit would wear him down. Ryo got the feeling that the Spirit was much more clever and patient than for which he gave him credit. Ryo observed these changes with regret. He was enraged that he had to spend his life in fear, not knowing what the Spirit will force him to do next, and not being able to tell anyone for fear of being thought insane.

Why can't I have a normal life? Ryo thought with a grimace.

You know your life would be so less worthwhile without me, the Spirit responded darkly.

How would I know? You haven't exactly given me a chance to find out, have you? I can barely remember what my life was like before you came into it!

Oh, believe me, this is only the beginning, master. You won't believe what I have in store.

What are you talking about? Ryo demanded in panic.

Don't worry, master, you just get some rest. You'll need it, the Spirit cackled and Ryo blacked out. The last thing he remembered was the sound of the Spirit's cackle.

And so it goes, and so it goes,

And so will you soon, I suppose.

Megan sat in the small living room as she waited for Ryo to arrive. She found it difficult to sit still, and could not resist fussing over minuscule details in the fabric of her clothes. She was unaccustomed to waiting on people in any social context. Megan was not particularly afraid that Ryo would stand her up; she was afraid of the unknown she was plunging into head-first. She had never seen change as a good thing, and she wasn't starting now.

Megan looked around the small room and tried to distract herself with the details of the room. She took in the plump cushions that she was sitting on and the generic eggshell color of the walls that were set off by the paintings on the walls. They were simple pieces of art, but they were full of bright colors.

Finally, there was a knock on the door, and Megan's heart began to race. She was only slightly aware of the Motos argue over who would answer the door. In the end, they agreed to answer it together. Megan was shaken into an embarrassed shock when she heard Bakura being invited inside.

"I'm glad you're here, Ryo, I thought we had lost Megan under a mountain of clothes earlier," Mr. Moto teased. "Maybe she'll settle down once she sees you."

"Uncle Solomon," the young girl protested, "I'm sure he doesn't care about stupid stuff like that!" Megan was blushing as she entered the hall where the others were waiting.

"Well, it certainly looks worth the effort," Ryo complimented. "I bought you these flowers, but they obviously pale in comparison to you."

Megan accepted the flowers graciously. "Thank you, they're my favorite flowers." She turned around and put the flowers in a vase before returning.

"You should have seen it! It's crazy how much clothes she has! They were all over the room," Yugi was explaining when Megan walked back in.

"It's better than having dozens of the same exact thing," Megan retorted, "At least my wardrobe offers variety. Besides, you really shouldn't say such things about others when they aren't around, you know."

"You worry too much about what others say, Megan. They meant no harm," Ryo said putting his arm around Megan's waist as he stood behind her.

"I know, but they have to be kept in check somehow," Megan said.

"Now, you kids go have fun," Mr. Moto said. "Let's go, Yugi, we've embarrassed Megan enough for now. We have to go think of new ways to for when they get back." Yugi and Mr. Moto then left the hallway laughing loudly.

Ryo chuckled slightly and Megan turned around to scold him. She changed her mind when she saw that he was smiling at her kindly. There was a new oddly charming quality to the smile, but Megan overlooked it.

"Hi," she said quietly.

"Hi, there," Ryo said equally as soft. Megan cleared her throat and stepped away slightly. She couldn't place her finger on it, but there was something slightly improper about being so close to him. "Shall we then," he asked, offering Megan his hand to hold. Megan took his hand gently and they went off.

But if my silence made you leave

That would be my worst mistake.

Mr. Moto dusted the old grandfather clock gently with a smile. It was getting pretty late, so he assumed Megan and Ryo were enjoying themselves. Even though he trusted the two teens, he couldn't help but worry. Being young and attracted to someone often made people do things they regret the rest of their lives. The old man tried not to worry too much and distracted himself with the cleaning.

He didn't have to wait long. He soon heard yelling from outside. He immediately recognized the voice. He ran down to the door just in time to hear Megan's dismissal of Ryo.

"GO AWAY! DON'T BOTHER SHOWING YOUR FACE AROUND ME EVER AGAIN," she yelled and slammed the door in his face.

"Meg, is everything all right? Why did you yell at Ryo," Mr. Moto asked kindly.

Megan was covered in stains and crying. "I-i-it was horrible, Uncle Solomon."

The evening had started normally enough. She and Ryo had been chatting about random things as they walked to the nearby izakaya restaurant. Megan had eyed Ryo suspiciously when she saw where they were going. It had been the first restaurant Megan to which Megan had been. Mr. Moto had taken her there to celebrate the start of a new life. She didn't believe in coincidence and guessed that he had picked the izakaya on purpose. She didn't know that Ryo had specifically asked Mr. Moto about it and had planned to take her there as a reminder that her life could change for the better again; she didn't have to keep living in the hurt of the past. It had been extremely grating on the Spirit who lived inside the Millennium Ring.

As they had entered the restaurant, Megan had remembered how amazed she'd been when she had first entered the izakaya and saw all the people crowded around together in groups, sitting at their tables and eating from the same simple dishes.

"C'mon, Megan, let's have some fun," Ryo said with a smile Megan didn't recognize as he led the way in.

They had taken their seats when Ryo had begun acting extremely peculiar. He had begun talking obnoxiously loud about the most insulting things. It was as if he had lost all of his class in the space of five seconds. Megan hadn't any idea what had happened, but she didn't like it.

"Bakura, what are you doing? You're acting crazy," she hissed softly in English, embarrassed at his behavior.

"Crazy? I'm just getting started," Ryo said with a cruel laugh as the food was set down in front of them. Then, before Megan could say or do anything to stop him, Ryo took the food and smashed it in her face.

Time seemed to stand still as a hush fell over the restaurant. Megan sat in shock as part of the food slid off her face. She couldn't remember having ever been so insulted and so hurt at the same time. She had trusted the person sitting beside her wholly with her delicate heart in a way no one else had been. And all of her trust proved mistaken, as she sat there with her heart in pieces, hoping she wouldn't let Ryo see her cry. Attempting to push away the world of hurt, she clenched her jaw and left the izakaya.

Megan made it all the way back to the Moto's without looking back. But, just as she was going for the door, she looked around and gasped when she saw Ryo had followed her. Her heart was pounding when she shot him a disgusted look.

"What are you doing here," she spat. In a second, her arms were being pinned against the house. Megan struggled against the captivity, but it was useless. Somehow, he had gotten stronger than usual. She looked in his eyes and found herself mysteriously paralyzed. She was shocked to see that his eyes had lost their friendly warmth, replaced instead with an eerie chill and cruelty she'd never seen before. His hair had become even wilder than before, and it gave him an odd possessed look. She didn't know what was going on, but she was scared out of her mind.

"Trust me, you have no idea how dangerous I am; tonight wasn't even the tip of iceberg," he whispered darkly. "It's a pity you're ruining my plans, you really are quite beautiful." Megan shuddered in fear when he stroked her cheek. He laughed cruelly as Megan was blinded by a sudden golden light. She released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding when she felt that her wrist were free.

Ryo blinked in confusion and looked around as he asked, "Megan? What's going on? Why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"

Megan barely registered that he seemed normal again before yelling at him and retreating into the house.

Oh God, Ryo thought to himself in panic, realizing what might have happened after he blacked out. What did the Spirit do?

And so I'll share this room with you,

And you can have this heart to break.

Megan now sank against the wall, letting go of all the feelings she had kept hidden. She cried from the fear and shock she had just received and an almost instinctual reaction to having something hit her face. She rubbed her wrists, noticing that they were sore and red. She was so shocked at how absurd this evening had been.

After she calmed down a little, Megan took a shower to get rid of grime of the restaurant food and the memories of the day. She took a shaky breath before she fell asleep. She wasn't sure exactly what had happened that night, but she knew one thing; Megan never wanted anything to do with Ryo Bakura ever again.

And this is why my eyes are closed,

It's just as well for all I've seen.

And so it goes, and so it goes,

And you're the only one who knows.