(Ryou's POV. Ch. 21)

My heart can't handle any more of this feeling that is caused by the demons touches. The blood in my veins felt tickled with, and my stomach was aching with this warm, guilty sensation. Though my shivers and goose bumps make me seem could, in which case I kind of was on the outside, but on the inside… I can't see riddance of this warmth.

I almost wished it was fifty degrees below zero in my room, where I sit in the corner, curled up and resting my chin upon my arms. Though no wishes of mine have been granted lately, so i wasn't expecting anything to happen.

Oh, wait, I guess I was waiting for punishment to come. It's not like I can't see where this game is going. Obviously the devil intended to bring hell again. Why else would he get so close to me? Just to lie there and pretend that he never hits me, cuts me, and breaks me?

Maybe.

I didn't forget about how frustrated the demon was for nearly doing so. Slapping his face like that… why? It fixes nothing. You should not cry over spilled milk; clean it up and don't do it again. It was a bit irksome to see a person get so upset over something minor. My life is a complete disaster, and you think I hate myself for that? I may blame myself for how terrible it is, but it's no reason to hate over.

That's probably why I blew up in his face a while ago. I knew he said he loved me, wanted to change, and promised to protect me, but… it's just too unbelievable of a concept for my mind to wrap around. I guess the feeling of being beaten daily is set in my routine like clockwork; my body was just expecting to be tortured, and if the slightest hint of it is exposed to me, its instant tears and words of mercy.

I couldn't believe his promise because my mind tells me not to. Always listen to your heart, my mother used to say. But my heart was so slaughtered and ripped apart, there was nothing much to listen to. And without one, my mind did the thinking from now on, and it told me to be afraid and fear the demon that causes this terror and tribulation.

And here it comes. I can hear the footsteps lurking about, and it's only up to time till the devil reaches me. How many tears do regular humans cry? I really wanted to know, because with the amount that I'm capable of, I'm starting to wonder when I will run out, and cry no more. I must have and endless supply of tears. I sure hope my blood not be the same. Honestly Hell seems like a better place to me right now. The true devil would be much nicer and kinder than the fake that haunts me.

The steps echo outside, one clack shortly after another, until they ceased. Now hands fumbled with the door knob, and the unlocked barrier was creaked open. I hid my tear-streamed face into the little ball I was formed in, bracing tighter and shivering harder.

It was an upset sigh from the monster that gripped my lungs, and followed footsteps stopped my breathing process entirely. Like a shadow, he towered over my trembling body, making me feel the size of a nit. He was way too close already, and him crouching down to my height didn't help. 'God, please hear my begging, just this once. Don't let the devil hurt me anymore, don't let him confuse me.' Sincerely, a rejected worshiper.

I should have added "Don't let him speak to me" to the plea. The demons voice scared me more than his presence. "Light… please don't think I'm here to beat you. You did nothing wrong to earn it. Can you talk to me?" I wanted sob my eyes dry; but no matter what he said he wouldn't do, I can't suppress the tears of confusion that surges in my mind. Even with a tone so honey coated, it still is painful.

A sob escaped my sore throat and he spoke, "And don't cry either. Dear Hikari, there is no reason to act like this. It hurts me too-" "Hurts you!" I barked, snapping my face out from hiding, revealing the river that flowed endlessly upon my rosy colored cheeks. "Well I'm sorry to hear that!" he backed away a few inches as I continued "I'm sorry that you have to see what a mess I you made of me, I'm sorry for acting like any humane person should when abused for so long, I'm sorry for crying and begging for mercy for over 2,555 days of my life, and I'm especially sorry that I don't know how else to react in front of you!"

I sucked in a large amount of oxygen before collapsing in my hands and knees, almost chocking over the screamed-and-sobbed-raw muscles in my throat. I couldn't see a thing through the blur in my eyes, and my entire face was soaked flesh. I was so far gone in a trance with anger, confusion, and tears that I didn't notice the warm hands of the demon snake onto my shoulders, until he said something.

"It's ok, light," his tone was shaky too, "It's ok. You don't have to be sorry, alright? You've got every right to act this way, it's fine." He stopped as if waiting for an answer, but swollen where my vocal chords at the moment. "I just don't want you to act like this… and I want to fix this mess, but you gotta trust me, ok?"

I sniffed loudly before I had the bravery to lift my atrocious face to meet his. "I-I… j-just don't-t know-w how else t-to live…" I shuttered and sobbed. "I know," he verified as fingers began stoking my tangled locks. "And it seems hopeless because the monster doesn't know how to love, right?" I snuffled and nodded in agreement. "But you have to understand that I'm not the demon I was anymore. I'm Bakura, your Yami, your other half. Bakura can love tenderly, unlike the beast you know." He let his words settle in before speaking more. "Can you, Ryou, my Hiakri, give Bakura another chance?"

His eyes begged for a reply, but not like the intimidating deep-violet that I usually see. A soft lavender shade was in its place. Was the devil really… gone now? Is that demon no longer here to cause the unwelcoming touches?

It must be a yes. From my dark's touch, I felt almost comfort and… protection? I'd forgotten what being protected and cared for felt like, but maybe, just maybe, my shattered heart gave a single beat of approval. Mother knows best, doesn't she? Guess I should listen to her, huh?

I shook my head yes, and my Yami's face was unfrozen. "Oh, thank you." He sighed in relief, taking me into a bear hug. I was a tad socked at the sudden warmth that engulfed me, but… I didn't feel scared by it.

I felt protected by it.

I lightly hugged back, digging my face into his shoulder/chest, wanting the care, needing the emotion of security. I cred again; I guess I'll never run out of those tears. But this time they were shed under the condition of joy and thanks. The Lord heard my prayers and sent the devil elsewhere.

Thank you God,

Thank you for giving Bakura a chance at love, and a change of heart.

Yami: awwwwwwwwww!

TAFG: I know, i know, i'm so evil for making this a really emotional chapter.

Yami: I DONT CARE HOW EVIL YOU ARE! I JUST DONT GET HOW YOURE NOT CRYING!

TAFG: Ohhh, i was tearing up, dont you worry, but it takes ALOT to makeme cry. Big reason why i'm not is because i was really mad about how i'vebeen writing lately, and this chapter turned out... well, perfect in my eyes. So, please R&R if you either cried or died from reading (xD)

Yami: Where did my rubber ducky go?

Yu-Gi-Oh! is owned by Kazuki Takahashi.