I'm bored out of my mind right now… So I thought I should update.

I'm almost finished with school. The upcoming three weeks are going to be busy, because I have a lot of tests then. And then I have a summer break… oh yeah!

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh or any of the Linkin Park songs I use in this story.

In love with the Darkness

Chapter 13

I had never expected Bakura to show up. And yet here he was, standing in front of my apartment. I stared at him in surprise.

"Woman, snap out of it!" he told me. "Let me in already."

I stepped back and he walked inside, straight into the living room. He plopped down on the couch and looked at me. "You look like shit," he said.

"I know," I muttered, while sitting down beside him.

"Are you… doing okay?" I heard the concern in his voice.

"I'm doing better," I said while looking down at my lap. I felt his hand on my shoulder. "Why are you here, Bakura?"

He sighed. "You have to come back to the band."

"You know I won't do that."

"Yami refuses to sing."

I looked at him. The words that came from my mouth were hurting me, but I couldn't stop them. "It's not my problem anymore. I'm sorry, but I can't help you."

"You just want Yami to come to you," Bakura sounded disappointed. "You're not willing to fight for it."

"I'm afraid," I whispered, "I don't want to get hurt again."

Bakura glared at me. "You're just a coward!"

"I told him how I felt about him and he just walked away! Do you know how much that hurt? I tried… I fucking tried! But he wouldn't listen." By now, tears were running down my cheeks and I looked away. "I can't take it again to get hurt like that."

"Hmm…" Bakura suddenly pulled me close in a hug. I couldn't believe he was really hugging me, but it was comforting.

"We all miss you," he said. "Yami does too, even if he refuses to admit it."

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "But I… I don't want to see him. I can't come back."

"I understand."

I looked up at him and smiled slightly. "Thanks 'Kura," I said.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't call me that."

"Why not?"

"Because!" He grinned at me. "It sounds like I'm a softy."

"Oh, but you are!" I said, smiling wider. "Deep down inside. Otherwise you wouldn't have come here."

"Hn…" He smiled at me. "Just don't tell anyone."

Something about Bakura had changed. Me leaving the band had affected him, just like the rest. Jono stopped by every day to check if I wasn't drinking and often he would bring some left over diner.

Otogi called me regularly to check up on me. Seto had stopped by a couple of times with his little brother. Mokuba is such an adorable kid. Marik had called a few times to talk. And now, Bakura had finally warmed up to me. It was a bit late, though, but I figured it took something drastic for him to change his mind. I guess he wasn't so bad after all.

"Is Yami doing okay?" I asked.

"No." Bakura shook his head.

I sighed. "I… I miss him."

"He misses you too."

"Still, I won't come back," I said. "Unless he asks me to."

I didn't think Yami would come back to me. He was way too proud to do such a thing. I didn't dare to call him. I was afraid of his reaction. Bakura was right, I'm a coward.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

I stared at my cell phone. And stared… I didn't know if I could do it. But I had to.

I had two options, both of them would be hard.

1. Call Yami, see what his reaction is.

2. Don't call Yami, delete his number from my cell phone and try to forget about him.

Both of these options scared me… the first option would have the possibility of Yami hanging up on me. The second would make our break-up final. There would be no going back after deleting his number.

I made a decision. I would do both of the options. Call Yami, see what his reaction is, delete his number and move on with life.

With trembling fingers I pushed the dial button. The phone rang a few times and then he picked up.

"Hello?" Obviously he hadn't checked who had called. His voice… Yami didn't sound like himself.

I couldn't… I couldn't speak. I was paralyzed. "Hello?"

I still couldn't speak. Shit… I had to hang up. I tried to form words. "Yami…" I managed out.

There was a shocked gasp on the other end of the line. "Why… Why are you calling me?"

"I don't know," I whispered. I sighed and stood up from the couch. I couldn't stay still, I had to move. "I guess…"

"Don't say it." Yami's voice sounded tired and sad.

"What?" I asked.

"What you were about to say," he said. "I don't want to hear it."

"Why? Because it would make you feel bad?" Anger flared inside of me.

He sighed.

"Is it true?" I asked. "Don't you want to sing anymore?"

"Who's been telling you that?"

"Bakura stopped by today." I had to swallow, before I could say the next words. "He called me a coward. He thinks I'm not willing to fight…"

"Oh, so you just wanted to show him how brave you are, by calling me." His sarcasm hurt a lot.

"I'm not doing this for Bakura," I said, trying to keep my calm.

"Sure you're not."

"Damn it, Yami!" I shouted. "I'm trying, okay?" Tears ran down my cheeks. "I'm sick of feeling this way!"

"Well, it's not my problem!" he shouted back.

I sobbed and clamped my hand over my mouth. I felt powerless. "I… I'm sorry for going behind your back," I whispered, "But I just wanted to help, because I care about you and… and you just keep on hurting me, when I try to explain my actions." I took a deep breath, "I… I love you and I miss you, but I guess everything I say to you is worthless, because you can't swallow your goddamned pride and listen to me!"

I hung up on him and wiped my cheeks with my sleeve. I wouldn't delete his number yet. I would give him time to think about what I just said to him. And I would hope for him to come back to me…

- End chapter 13 -

We're getting closer to the last chapter. :D

Let me know what you think!

-xxx- Kimberley