I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! This is the sequel to Extra Warmth. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do so now.

Part One

Ryou handed the cashier the money and while she was busy, he chanced a quick look back at his boyfriend, Bakura, who had just smoothly swiped a handheld video game system from the shelf and into his jacket's inside pocket. He turned back to receive his change, receipt, and bags before leaving the store. He exited to see Bakura leaning against the wall with a smug expression.

"I don't know about this," Ryou said as they headed down the sidewalk. "Helping you steal, I mean."

"But you do it so well," Bakura pointed out. "You distract the cashier so that I can swipe the item I desire." He reached into his jacket and admired the system's box once he pulled it out. "Hmm, we'll need some games to play on this."

"And they're real expensive and most likely locked in a case."

Bakura's eyes sparkled. "Well-protected, huh? Oh, I love a challenge!"

"Bakura, this is the first time I help you so how do you know I do well as a distraction?"

"Correction: This is your first time voluntarily helping me. You've been unknowingly helping me ever since I gained my own body."

Ryou sighed. "You are lucky I love you otherwise I would be angry that you used me…again."

Bakura laughed as he put his stolen treasure in one of Ryou's bags and Ryou smiled at seeing Bakura happy. It had been a few weeks since the two of them had confessed and the conversation they had before falling asleep had been chasing itself in Ryou's head since then. He had to admit that, in a way, he was a thief as he had stolen Bakura's heart. I have lived a good life, being a kind innocent person. I have never committed a crime in my life until now. Accomplice to theft. That is the crime I've committed and yet it feels good and thrilling that we got away with it. Now we have a system that costs hundreds and we didn't pay a thing for it.

Bakura saw Ryou's smile and it sent his heart soaring. He loved his sweet angel's smile and that their love was the reason for it. He had been surprised but happy when Ryou volunteered to help him steal something. He knew Ryou had no experience in stealing, but he made a good distraction as he had used Ryou like that in the past. Ryou hadn't protested about his part and the theft had gone perfectly.

Once we've gotten this system working, we'll discuss which games we want, find out which stores sell them, and what kind of security they have. I personally would like to rob a high-security store, but I know stealing from a low security store would be easier. However, I'm a thief and I love the challenge of stealing from top-grade security systems.

I do wonder why Ryou was willing to help me steal. Is it because we're boyfriends now? Could be. I think I'll ask him later on.

"Well, the system's operational. Finally," Bakura said. "There was a good number of questions to answer."

"Some systems are like that," Ryou said, head bent over the creation of a new tabletop game. He had the rules written down and was working on the building designs. He bit his lip. The designs were wonderful and elaborate, just the way he liked them, but the materials he wanted to use were low and he didn't have the money to buy them right now. I guess I'll have to put this on hold for now…unless I steal the things I need. Ryou's eyes glittered at the thought and a small smirk appeared. Yes, I could do that. Once I know how. Lucky for me, I have an expert living with me.

"Ryou, what kind of games would you like?" Bakura asked, having written the genres he liked and planned to research online the system he had to see what games were available.

"RPG ones mostly, maybe some kind of theft play," he answered, the second one spoken softly, but Bakura heard it.

"A theft game?" Bakura turned to look at Ryou who kept his eyes on his building blueprints. "Why would you want a game like that? It seems more like something I would want."

"Well," Ryou said slowly, eyes still downward. "I've been thinking ever since you said I was a thief for stealing your heart and I don't have enough money for my game supplies…"

"Really, Ryou? You're considering being an actual thief?"

Ryou looked up. "I have been. That's why I volunteered to help you today."

"I was wondering why you offered to help: It's because of what I said. Ryou, it takes time to be as good as me and it also requires to have a darkness in your soul or heart. I hate to say it, but you don't have any darkness in you."

Ryou seemed crestfallen. "Oh," he said in a small voice. He returned to his blueprints. "Well, it was a thought."

Bakura felt bad at crushing Ryou's interest in thievery but being a criminal meant having darkness in your soul or heart or in both. Ryou may have a spark of darkness in his heart, but his soul lacked it. It would be fun for both of us to be thieves since we both look alike. I sometimes worried about Ryou being arrested for my thefts but if we both steal I wouldn't have to worry about that as I would guide him to be an expert. But, how to grow that spark in Ryou?

Bakura pondered that question as he researched for the games Ryou and he desired. He doubted the Internet would provide suggestions to that question. Nonetheless, he typed 'evil' and 'darkness' as two separate entries in the search boxes before scanning the results that came up. The results for evil were disappointing so he closed down that window and focused on the other search. He located a page on ways to become dark and he clicked on it as it showed promise.

At first, it spoke of spiritual darkness before speaking of how murder rips the soul apart. Then it moved on to acts of cannibalism, theft, and drinking blood. Bakura rolled his eyes. I know those are dark matters, but I'm looking for way to grow one's darkness once it has been acquired. He sat up when he saw a title saying, "Magical Ways to Become Darker." Intrigued, he leaned closer. Maybe a magical means is the solution. His eyes read the section, writing the suggestions listed there. He studied the pictures that accompanied some. He then froze and his eyes widened at the next subheading: The Millennium Items.

He thumped the side of his head as Ryou was in the bathroom. Of course. The Items were forged from darkness and can unlock a person's darkness. Since I no longer reside in the Ring, it could turn Ryou dark. Actually, some of my darkness possibly still exists in the Ring and could infect him if he puts it on which I can't imagine why he wouldn't as it could make him dark which is what he wants. Bakura shut down the Internet and turned off the computer before going to his room and kneeling beside the bed. He reached under and pulled out a case with a built-in combination lock. He put in the four numbers and it clicked open. He opened the case and there, nestled in a foam padding, was the Ring. He lifted it out, closed the case, and slid it back under the bed before heading back to Ryou's room, the Item behind his back.

He found Ryou dressed in his pajamas; Bakura was already dressed for bed. He smiled at the thief. "Want to sleep together tonight?" he asked, hopefully.

"Definitely. But before we do, I want to apologize for saying that you have no darkness in you. I believe there's at least a spark of it in your heart. I was researching for a way to grow it."

"Apology accepted. So, you think there's a spark of darkness in my heart? Is there a way to grow it?"

"Oh, yes. I found a way to unlock it and turn you dark."

Ryou's face lit up at hearing this. "You did? What is it? What would I have to do?"

"It's not too hard. All you have to do is wear…this." Bakura pulled out the Ring and held it up.

Ryou stared at it. "Of course," he said softly. "I put it on and my dark side will be unlocked."

"Yes and I believe some of my darkness still exists in it and will likely enter your body. You will become the thief that you imagined."