Disclaimer: I don't own this. It's Kristin's.

The world slowly came into form as Naomi awoke. She sat up slowly and wiped away the sweat from her brow and left her hand hanging there, closing her eyes. She had a horrible headache and didn't know why. She looked to her side to see Nathifa sound asleep. Naomi smiled an almost unnoticeable smile and stood up to walk out into the cave. It was very dark since the sun had yet to come up. She took a nice long stretch and walked around to wake her body. Naomi began to start the fire and grabbed the different ingredients for stew.

Unfortunately, she saw they were extremely low on supplies. Naomi sighed and took the rest of what they had to make the food. Soon, the entire place was filled with a delicious aroma. A couple of people came out, then after that, more came. Finally, everyone was up and eating, except for Nathifa. Naomi stood up and walked over to her own hut to see her sitting and holding a flower that was already dead. She could tell that it was a keep sake; a token of some kind. Naomi sat down silently, allowing Nathifa to do the talking when ready.

"…Is breakfast ready?" she asked softly.

"Yes," Naomi answered simply.

"Okay…"

She made no movement as to stand up and eat. Naomi looked over at her and saw Nathifa had on a small smile on her features with a glow in her eyes.

"He gave this to me on my birthday," Nathifa said suddenly. "And… he gave me this one yesterday."

Nathifa held up the exact looking flower that was freshly picked and still looked beautiful.

"Does he give you the same flower every year?"

"Yes. The same one. It's something he does specially for me. It was always the one thing I looked forward to every year. I would always save the one from the previous year and wait till I got a new one. Do you think he put any kind of love into this gift for me like you said Anya did? Or does he just give these things to me to make me feel better…?"

"…I don't know. It's hard to tell with him."

"I bet if he gave you flowers, they would be far more beautiful than this little thing…"

"Do you not like it?"

"Oh no. I love it and I love him. But… let's face it. He only gives it to me and visualizes me as only a child. It isn't fair," Nathifa sighed.

"I am afraid many things in life prove to be unfair…" Naomi shook her head.

"But this is… cruel."

"Well… I think you should at least try to get him to like you. Show him how truly mature and wise you are. But please, don't be anyone other than yourself. Do not change and live your life as a lie only to receive what you want or need. If he does not care for you as you are, then I am afraid that he simply just does not deserve you. You are just too good for him. He is only lowering himself to the point of no return by chasing after me for I am worth nothing."

"That's not true," Nathifa was about to argue.

They both sat up straight when they heard a noise near them. They turned to see none other than the four boys, who would to well to stop meddling. Nathifa stared up in utter shock and horror.

"Disebek, Denger, Joseph, Bakura, what are- what are you doing here?" Nathifa asked in fear.

"How dare you," Naomi stood up angrily and glared at them.

"Hey, you're all right," Joseph assured.

"Yes, Nathifa. Your fine secret is safe with us. But be sure to have a better ear out next time in case someone you don't want to hear finds out," Denger implied about Pentaware.

"Hmm… Pentaware. Hey, he's not that bad," Bakura thought about it.

"Oh really… Just yesterday, you were telling me he was simply a boy. A child in a man's body incapable to be trusted and unable to protect," Naomi rolled her eyes.

Bakura glared at her smirking face.

"How dare you say that?! I ought to kill you right where you stand!" Nathifa stood up angrily.

"Oh? Defending him are we?" Bakura mocked.

"Yes, I am! He is none of those things! He is strong, loyal, kind, and more mature than any of you could ever hope to be!"

"He sounds wonderful for you," Bakura smirked.

Naomi noticed Bakura looking over at her, but she turned away from him.

"Well," Joseph started, "looks like we got to get these two hooked up."

"Yeah, but that won't be too hard of a challenge. All we got to do is make him get his perverted eyes off of Naomi and onto our little innocent-"

Naomi's glare shut up Disebek.

"That's an easy feat. We just get her some new clothes and make up and doll her up. It's simple. I'm almost positive she's got a nice form underneath all those clothes," Bakura suggested.

"How dare you? Keep your thoughts in order and your tongue in line!" Naomi glared at him.

"All right, all right. I just think it will be easy," Bakura shrugged.

"I only insist that I keep my shawl," Nathifa said. "Anya made it for me. It is the last thing I have to remember her by."

"I am sure that can be arranged," Naomi smiled. "Anyway, we need supplies. I used the last one this morning for breakfast, so perhaps I'll take you shopping."

Her eyes widened.

"Wow! Shopping? I have never done that before!" Nathifa stated excitedly. "…Can I still be myself? Do I have to change?"

"Oh no. You need not to change. Not one bit. I have already said that. Now, we will pick out something that is complimenting to your curves. I think we need to get you a proper bath as well. You have earned such a treatment."

Her eyes went into a daze as thought she was dreaming.

"Will you do it, too? You know, get an outfit, get you hair and makeup done and take a real bath?"

"I… uh… I'm afraid I won't be," Naomi shook her head.

"Why not?" Nathifa wondered.

"Well, I'm not worth it to throw away money on something like that. For you, well, it's well worth the spend."

"Shut you mouth," Denger suddenly spoke angrily.

Naomi jumped slightly with her eyes widened to see them all with angry looks on their faces.

"I can't believe you would even think of yourself that low! Let alone even think it!" Joseph exclaimed.

"Yeah! You deserve that and a lot more! I'm sure we all agree!" Disebek added.

"Besides, you need it. We all got our relief that night. Why can't you?" Bakura shrugged.

Naomi arched a brow.

"So you call screwing a whore, relief, huh?"

They all shifted uneasily, but Bakura only smirked.

"You're changing the subject."

"Oh am I?"

"Yes. We were talking about you."

"…But in reality, I don't really need such things. Besides, the plan is to get Pentaware to look at Nathifa. Don't you think I would kind of damage the cause if I, too, got dressed in a nice outfit and took a proper bath with some makeup since Pentaware likes me that much? I don't think so. I have to look out for her first," Naomi stood her ground.

They all sighed with disappointment.

"Well, when are we leaving?" Nathifa asked.

"I think I'll take you. The rest will stay here, if you three don't mind," Bakura spoke up.

"How about I go, too?" Disebek smirked. "That way, when Nathifa's done, I'll ride back with her along with some of the supplies for dinner. While you two get the rest and maybe… stay there for the night."

Naomi's eyes widened.

"Oh no. I don't think so," she disagreed.

"Why not?" Denger asked.

"Because… Because I said so!"

"Oh, Naomi? You're getting rather uptight. Is there more to this than what meets the eye?" Joseph smiled innocently.

"NO!" Bakura exclaimed first. "…Of course not! There isn't. No way we could ever possibly… you know."

"Besides! We don't have the money to-"

Naomi was interrupted by the three of them each holding out small bags of gold.

"I think this will cover the shopping supplies and a room or two for three nights," Denger grinned.

"I won't do it," Naomi glared.

"Oh yes you will. Because if you don't, we'll tell everyone else about our little 'suspicions' here," Disebek smirked.

"You wouldn't dare," Bakura glared threateningly.

"Oh, we would. We might even go as far as telling the boys on how you got her drunk and the way she was acting," Joseph persisted.

(For the part about getting drunk, I'm sure you're confused. Well that's because the story where Naomi got drunk was cut off. I actually don't remember what happened, so can't really help you there. Sorry).

"You will regret this… Have no doubt," Naomi felt backed up into a corner.

She snatched the bags from their hands and stalked out along with Bakura. They all just ruined whatever joy she might have experienced that day, but it was already announced to all the men that the four of them: Disebek, Bakura, Naomi, and Nathifa, were heading out. Each of them mounted up on their horses and rode off. It felt sort of nice, though, being out again. Naomi had forced her pets to stay behind, and as usual, they were disappointed, but obeyed.

Nothing was said during the ride, but when they arrived, each put up their hoods to shield their faces. Disebek explained to Nathifa that they needed to keep their identities a secret. She understood and they continued in secret to a few shops and workshops. They took her measurements and she picked out the colors, which went very well with the green shawl Anya made her. The dress went up around her neck and showed her entire back. A small, silver chain was wrapped around her waist and the material was deep blue. Naomi also got her a thin, silver bracelet and a necklace with a charm that opened up.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Nathifa wondered.

"Well, I thought you could take out that little flower and save it in there every year," Naomi smiled.

Her eyes sparkled happily and did as instructed. The seamstresses said they would be a while, a few hours, before they finished. Naomi nodded and paid them. They left and Naomi took Nathifa to the baths. She took a while four hours to finish everything and by then, it was nearly sunset. However, when Nathifa came out, she looked absolutely beautiful. The kohl they put on her eyes made the once bright, brown eyes into beautiful, dark pools. Her lips were also lined with black and her hair was brushed, so not a strand was out of place.

Nathifa seemed to glow because of how clean she was. Her scene smelt like a deep, dark vanilla. When she put on her dress, her dark tan was beautifully accented by the sunset. Her dress looked like it was meant for dancing, but also had a feel of work to it. Naomi smiled and took her outside to where the two men stood waiting. When they came out, Bakura's eyes slightly widened and Disebek's jaw dropped. Naomi chuckled and Nathifa blushed a bright red. Disebek helped her back onto her horse.

"Well, I must say, if they can make this little innocent girl turn into someone like this, any guy would be crazy to refuse her! Makes me wonder what they can do for you, Naomi," Disebek smiled.

Naomi arched her brow and watched as they rode away. Bakura and Naomi both turned to look at each other.

"So, should we get the supplies now, or wait until morning?" he asked.

"We'll wait until morning. Everything will be closing by now," she decided.

Bakura nodded. "And the rooms will fill up fast."

"Are we too late?" Naomi's eyes widened a bit.

"No, but we do have to hurry. It won't take much longer."

"All right."

They both turned around and began their search. Unfortunately, it was just as Bakura said; every place was full. Naomi thought all hope was lost until he took her to the back streets and entered inside the liveliest place. Their things were being thrown around, windows were being shatter, and there were a lot of noise. Naomi looked at Bakura as if to say, "You must be joking!" But Bakura only smirked and walked in. Naomi followed and had a hard time keeping up since she was so small. But Bakura reached in and grabbed her from in between two guys. It was so loud that he resorted to screaming.

"KEEP UP, DAMN IT! I'M NOT YOUR BABYSITTER!"

Naomi merely glared, but did as she was told. They both soon arrived at the front desk.

"EXCUSE ME, BUT I WOULDN'T SUPPOSE YOU HAD ANY ROOMS LEFT!" he shouted.

The woman at the front desk, who wore an extremely skimpy attire, smirked at him.

"WELL, SEXY. YOU'RE IN LUCK. WE'VE GOT ONE ROOM LEFT!"

Naomi was too busy being angry at her that she didn't reject in time. Bakura took it. Reluctantly, but took it none the less. He grabbed her arm and pulled her through the crowd and up the stairs. As they reached the room, Naomi sighed, thanking that the loud noise was finally dimmed. Bakura had already taken off his cloak before he even entered, but she finally revealed her identity to the confinements of the room.

Naomi sat down and tried to rest, but the noise downstairs just got louder and more annoying. Bakura didn't seem bothered by it as he took off his shirt and sprawled out on the bed. Naomi blinked and couldn't help but blush at the sight of his form. She realized her mind was already beginning to wander into dangerous territories. She shook her head and went over to the balcony.

"I'm going out for a while. At least until the noise dies down," she informed Bakura.

"Oh, whatever. I don't care. At least I'll be on my own for the night. It's always like this," he shrugged.

"Then… I'll come back in a while."

Bakura didn't respond. Naomi took a glimpse of him as he sat up. But she climbed out and jumped to the ground. She wasn't entering through the front, that's for certain. Naomi sighed once again and looked around before silently walking aimlessly through the streets. It began to get cold and there was only a small silver of the moon. Yet, there were many stars. The streets were well lit with torches and in every house seemed to have already welcomed sleep. Naomi was also beginning to feel tired and headed back. She climbed up the wall and heard noises coming from her room. As soon as she was on the balcony, without warning, Naomi froze. Not understanding why, a silent tear ran down her cheek.

She saw Bakura on top of the woman at the front desk. She wasn't sure if he noticed her, but he didn't seem to since he collapsed on top of the woman, signifying that he was finished. Naomi stepped back slowly until she reached the edge and turned her back, crouching down on the balcony, ready to jump off onto the ground. But despite herself, she looked back only to see that Bakura had looked up with widened eyes. He had easily made out who she was and a look of anger rose on his features. Thankfully, thanks to her cloak, he saw nothing of the stream of her tear.

Bakura turned to the woman.

"You best get out."

"But why?" she whined.

"Because I said!" he snapped back and glared at her.

She gazed up at him in fear and quickly ran out, covering herself as best as she could with her clothes. Naomi looked back down at the ground and was ready to jump off, but she didn't expect Bakura to grab her arm and pull her with a grip that made her want to yelp in pain. He threw her into the room and glared, crouching down in front of her with the sheets wrapped around his waist.

"Well, I never expected you back so early. How long did you watch? Did you get a nice show?" he hissed.

Anger sprung up inside her. Naomi felt overwhelmed by something. She couldn't explain it, but without warning, she slapped him.

"I did not mean to walk in on you and that bitch. When I saw, I left, but not quick enough, apparently," she spoke angrily.

Bakura's face stayed turned to the side and his cheeks began to turn red. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Well then, getting angry, I see."

"Oh, you have no fucking idea. How dare you… How dare you?!"

"How dare I what?"

He stood up and looked down on her.

"What would you care if I slept with her? Or her daughter? Or maybe a girl I saw walking out of a restaurant? Or passing as we walked through the streets?"

Naomi remained silent and continued to glare up at him in anger.

"See? Now that you look at it, there's nothing to be getting upset about."

Naomi still stayed silent. She turned her head to the side, not knowing what to say at all. Yet, she felt the need to say something. But she was unsure of herself. Naomi stood up and stared at the floor. She didn't understand why, but tears continued to stream down her hidden face.

"I… I really don't know why I care…" Naomi whispered quietly, but Bakura could still hear her.

Naomi looked up at him.

"I… I just know I do."

Bakura's eyes widened and he stepped back slightly. Naomi shook her head and began to walk away.

"I don't know why. I just don't," she hid the fact that her voice was beginning to crack.

She was scared. Scared that she really did care for him. Scared that she, dare we say? Scared that she loved him. She knew it… She really did, and she didn't like it one bit. It was never what she wanted. Naomi was about to jump off the balcony again, but Bakura grabbed her in mid air and pulled her in. he threw her up against the wall and pressed her there. He ripped opened her hood to reveal her tearstained cheeks. His eyes were filled with utter shock. Nothing else was there. Naomi had indeed taken him by surprise; he never expected this.

"Will it become routinely to pull me back into the room?" Naomi tried to smile jokingly through her tears, but it didn't help at all.

Bakura stared at her.

"You must think, Naomi. Think this through! You do not care! You don't! Say it! Say you don't care!"

"But if I did, I would be lying…" Naomi lowered her head. "And you made me promise never to lie to you again…"

His arms fell to his sides. Naomi fell to the floor and each was looking to the side.

"I swore I would never fall in love again. Not ever. But after seeing you there with that woman… I realized that I had already done it… I broke that promise. The first I've ever broken. I don't even understand how it happened. I don't understand it at all. I never wanted to fall in love with anyone. I wanted to continue hating. If you hate everyone, you can't get hurt.

"You don't have to worry if someone will stay true. Not to worry about walking in on the only one you have loved, sleeping with a woman who has probably given herself to thousands of men! I was right… love only brings pain. Love only hurts. There's never anyway out of it. If you open up that way, you're just begging to be killed. But… it's not like I asked for it. I never wanted any of it…"

Tears flowed faster than ever down her cheeks. She brought up her knees to her chest and covered her face with her arms. Bakura walked over to the balcony as the silk draped blew in. He leaned against the frame, arms folded and stayed silent, listening to Naomi's sniffles and in her curled up form in the distance, shaking in pain and fear. Naomi finally forced herself to stop.

"I suppose… you won't ever talk to me again. You don't want to ever stay in one place for too long. You're too free for that. Besides, I would just be an extra weight. Too much to carry or to worry about. You wouldn't want that… I suppose you'll be gone in the morning. It's just the way you are. I'm acting like a problem and you'll find the quickest way out of it. Maybe you'll kill me," Naomi thought out loud. "I would appreciate that; dying. It goes to show you how weak I am to allow someone so close to me. I really am nothing. I'm worthless. Less than dirt. I have no importance. Not one bit."

Bakura was quickly walking over to her and grabbed her, yanking her up from her limped form.

"Enough! You are none of those things! If you choose to believe such things, that is your problem, but I don't! And neither does anyone else!" he shouted angrily.

"But 'he'always said I wasn't worth it. That I was nothing," Naomi said in a daze, almost as if she was in a trance. "'He' said I would never amount to anything."

"Shut up," Bakura ordered.

He picked her up angrily and laid her on the bed. Naomi was going to roll over and off the bed to walk away, but Bakura pinned her down and glared.

"It isn't true. Whoever told you this was lying. He doesn't know you. He may be from your past, but I know you now and I say you are indeed much more important than anything! You are beautiful and kind! You have ever personality and know when to use which one in the right situation! You are strong and have worked your way up to being on the best band of thieves I have ever seen!"

"…But," Naomi gazed up at him with empty eyes.

"Oh, damn you, woman!" he growled.

Bakura leaned down and slammed his lips against hers, licking at them, begging for entry. Naomi had no idea what was going on, but she found herself parting slowly. Before they were far enough apart, he slipped his tongue in her mouth, searching every corner. He let go of her and used his free hand to touch her face. It suddenly dawned to her. His touch felt as if she could trust it; he was the cloaked figure who visited her so often in the whore house.

Naomi suddenly seemed to have snapped back to her senses and felt his arm snake around her back, pushing her upward to his bare chest. Her hands were the only thing separating their bodies. He slowly pulled away and Naomi's eyes were shut tightly, her breathing heavy. Bakura laid her back down and was about to get up, but she suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck as to not let him go. He touched her arm and pulled it away, pushing her gently back down on the bed. He sat beside her, stroking her face until she fell asleep.

Bakura couldn't sleep the entire night and it was near dawn. He looked back down on Naomi's sleeping figure. She was drenched with sweat. Her breathing was uneven, but she made no movements. She merely laid there on her back with one hand above her head and the other resting on her chest. Bakura watched her all night and couldn't seem to pull the events together.

I despised her. I have for quite some time. I hate the way she is and how she acts. I hate the way she moves and talks. I hate who she is and the fact that I ever met her. But, yet, at the same time, I can't seem to do without her. I need to be by her. I must have her. I can't seem to imagine life without her.

I don't understand these mixed feelings! What is it?! Is it some kind of game?! I hate it. I want it. I want the order restored; the way things were. I want them back! I hate being without them.

"But is order really what I want…?" Bakura looked at the sleeping Naomi. "You once told me that if everything was in order and everything was made known, then there would be no mystery in life and there would be no point in living. But did you really expect this kind of confusion? Or am I just making if confusing? Am I unable to understand, or do I understand so well that I don't want to admit it."

He clutched his hand and stared down at Naomi a while longer. Then, he got dressed and walked out the door without leaving anything to explain where he went.