Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh.

Summary: When Marik begins stalking Téa and ruining her life, Ryou Bakura offers up his home. He wants her safe at any cost, but Ryou is continuously plagued with illnesses. Téa finds herself left with only Yami Bakura for protection, but the tomb robber is far from anyone's savior. As Marik's attacks grow worse, Téa finds that not everything is as it seems...

Sanctuary

By: Chi Yagami

"You're no fun when you're a sopping mess, Téa."

Had Bakura really just said that? Had he actually just... called her by her first name? Not Gardner, not woman, not wench... But her actual, personal name? Something knotted inside her chest.

Still leaning on the tomb robber, Téa wiped the last of her tears away. "Bakura?" she began tentatively, afraid to break the comfortable silence that had settled between them.

He hummed in response from somewhere above her ear.

"I think I want to go… home."

The tomb robber pulled back looked at her with something unfamiliar in his eyes. Téa wasn't sure what to do with... whatever it was, however he was looking at her... so she avoided it.

"I'm tired…" she continued, hoping he wouldn't press the issue.

"Okay. Let's find that weakling and go home."

Wiping her face again, Téa couldn't help but chuckle. "Bakura…"

They found Ryou sitting on the porch— or, what was left of it anyway— with several small boxes. He explained that everything else had been taken to his house in a mover's truck already.

She smiled warmly at him and gave him a large hug, pressing their foreheads together.

She pulled back at once. "Oh my! Ryou, you're burning up with fever!" Téa panicked. "We've got to get you into bed!"

"Hah, the pathetic weakling has been through worse."

"Bakura, shut up. Come on, Ryou. It's really late and you need rest."

The three of them walked home in silence. Well, Bakura complained a bit, but otherwise it was a peaceful walk. Téa was really worried about Ryou; with his past sicknesses and all, this might be more serious than just a simple cold.

They finally made it back home. Home… Yes, this would be her new home now, Téa agreed, until her negligent parents returned to build a new one. Which meant she would be here for a long time. Wouldn't Bakura be thrilled.

She paced around her new bedroom, which was actually the old guest room now cluttered with boxes and the pieces of her old bed frame, for Ryou to come out of the bathroom. Téa wanted to check his temperature and then put him to bed.

Sighing as she looked at her belongings, Téa figured she should probably get rid of anything unnecessary; she didn't want to take up any more of Ryou's space than she needed. She was already causing him to go to so much trouble for her as it was. Téa knew that all of her other friends would've offered her a place to stay as well… But most of them had even smaller spaces. And she could just imagine Yami offering to share his bed. She grimaced at the thought.

She still couldn't believe that her house was truly really gone, even though she had cried about it in front of Bakura less than an hour ago; it was like waking up from a dream and finding out that it had actually happened. Téa was positive that the same person who attacked her locker had also vandalized her house. Tomorrow she would have to talk to the police about all of this… she was not exactly looking forward to it. Téa didn't know what help they could possibly offer; if they haven't caught the culprit yet, what made them think they could catch him now?

Of course, she could always suggest that they investigate Marik… she was positive that he was her attacker (well, she supposed that he actually hadn't attacked her, just things that belonged to her). He had been covered in blood that morning, and the message on her mirror was written in blood! She wasn't stupid; she could put two and two together.

"Téa? Oh, are you still awake?" Ryou's voice interrupted her thoughts. "Did I keep you up?"

"I just want to take your temperature, that's all."

He sat on the bed anxiously and watched her mess with the thermometer. Téa had him lie down on her bed and stick the thermometer under his tongue.

"Suddant ah ko en meh on oum?" he asked, the instrument breaking his voice. She laughed lightly; he'd wondered about being in his own room.

"No, Ryou, you're fine. Besides, we wouldn't want to wake the dreaming evil spirit, would we?" Téa joked, giving him a wink.

He smiled in return and closed his eyes. She brushed her fingertips over his forehead, pushing stray pieces of hair away. His skin was still very warm, and she was positively sure he had a fever. She took the thermometer from his mouth and squinted to read it.

"Thirty eight degrees! You're warmer than I thought! I'll be right back!"

She went to the bathroom and put the thermometer down on the sink, before soaking a washcloth under cool water. She hurried back to Ryou's side and placed the cloth on his forehead; he moaned slightly but relaxed after a moment.

"Téa, I'm sorry…"

Sorry? What was he sorry for? She should be the one apologizing for getting dumped on his doorstep like an abandoned pet.

"Sorry? For what?" she asked, mildly perplexed.

"For getting sick at such an inconvenient time. I should be helping you unpack…"

"Oh Ryou! I'm fine! You should get some sleep. You stay here, and I'll go sleep on the couch."

"Umm, Téa, please don't go… I mean, will you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

"Of course!"

She knelt down on his side of the bed so Ryou could see that she definitely was not going anywhere. Téa placed her hand in his and watched him start to doze off.

"Téa…?"

"Hmm?"

"Téa, I…"

"Hmm? What?"

"Never mind…"

She nodded tiredly. Téa rested her head on the bed; it had been an incredibly long day indeed… She stifled a yawn but couldn't help pressing her cheek further into the softness of the bed. Just as everything grew fuzzy and warm—

"Téa?"

"Hyn? Wha…? I'm awake!"

"I'm cold…"

Oh! That's right, the fever made him feel cold. But Téa was too tired to go get a blanket from the linen closet outside… So she did the only thing that a half-asleep, half-awake person would do: she climbed onto the other side of the bed and snuggled against him. She buried her head in his neck and draped an arm over his body. She could really use the hugging right now.

"…Better?"

"Y-Yes…!"

Hmm, if she were to open her eyes, Téa would probably find him pinker than a person with just a fever. They were best friends; it was okay to cuddle… right?

"Okay… get some sleep…" she breathed into his neck. She felt Ryou's body tense for a moment or two, but then his breathing slowed and he loosened up once more.

Then, she too, fell into mulled thoughts, with Ryou's warmth around her.

. . .

Something warm and soft brushed her face… It smelled nice too… And her fingers were tangled in a mess of something fluffy… Téa shifted her body a little and wrapped a leg around the warmth.

HUH? What exactly had she just wrapped her leg around?! It was too solid to be a pillow… Her eyelids fluttered open, but her eyes were doused with sleep.

"Hmm, hehe… stop that…"

Was that… Ryou?

"…stop… tickling… me…"

Urff… she raised her head idly and came face to face with Ryou! He appeared to still be partially asleep… That's right; he was sick and she had been trying to keep him warm. Now that she thought about it, the right thing to do would have been to get a blanket (sleeping next to him, she might catch his cold). Téa pulled her hand from his hair and felt his head and neck; he was still pretty warm. She should probably make some warm soup for when he woke up, and later she would need to buy some cold medicine.

Slipping out of bed, Téa began to regret her laziness last night; she didn't want Ryou thinking that she was developing feeling towards him (other than friendship). He'd had that crush on her a while back, so she should probably make sure that they were on the same page. Although, he had seemed to catch her drift when they'd discussed that kiss...

She retrieved another blanket from the closet and placed it over Ryou so he wouldn't be cold. Next, she trod into the kitchen to see if there was any soup in the pantry. She thanked Ra for small favors, and she hummed as the broth heated on the stove.

The police were supposed to drop by today for questioning, but she wasn't looking forward to it. They always seemed to make Téa uncomfortable, like it was her fault someone was out to get her. Maybe this time she could convince them it was Marik, before she ran into him again. And on that note, Téa wondered if Ishizu knew about half the stuff her brother had been up to recently.

Once the soup was ready, she poured it into a bowl and set that on a tray with a glass of water. Ryou really needed some medicine, but she hadn't gone to get it yet, and the cabinet was empty aside from painkillers. Sighing, she picked up the tray and took a step backward, ready to turn and go.

And she turned and crashed straight into Bakura! The scowling thief's shirt was now covered in hot soup and water. Heh, served him right! Sneaking up on her, probably trying to scare her… Well, his plan backfired in his face!

Her face must have betrayed her amusement because Bakura's scowl went from furious to murderous.

"GARDNER!"

And just like that, they were back to last names. She had probably just ruined whatever they had started last night.

"I'm sorry," she apologized nervously. "Bakura… It was an accident, I swear!"

"Shut up!"

"Ookay…!"

Téa began to back away from him slowly, but the spirit snatched her wrist tightly to prevent her from escaping.

"Bakura, let go! You're hurting me!"

Unconcerned, Bakura twisted her arm around, causing her to drop the tray and dishes. Téa bit her lip to stop from crying.

"Bakura!" she whimpered. "Let GO!"

"How dare you mock me, wench! You think that just because I did something out of character last night, you think you can suddenly walk all over me?!" he growled into her ear.

No! She never said that! It was an accident! Honestly! Téa wasn't sure how much more pain she could take before he actually pulled her arm straight from its socket. Desperate, she fumbled for the empty glass on the floor and swung it up at Bakura, attempting to hit him (and hopefully knock him unconscious).

Unamused, he caught the glass with his other hand and ripped it from the grasp of her fingers.

"You're pathetic," he sneered. "Go ahead and beg for mercy."

Was he threatening to kill her?!

"Bakura! Let go of her!" Ryou hobbled into the room, looking sick and tired. "Please, Bakura, she didn't mean it!"

The tomb robber gave Téa a final glare before shoving her onto the kitchen floor and releasing her arm. She made no attempts to move, nursing her sore arm protectively.

"Don't tell me what to do, weakling! I succumb to no one, especially not you!" Bakura shouted at the other boy. When Ryou made to respond... the thief stepped forward and punched him in the jaw! Ryou stumbled a bit before falling backward. Bakura then smashed the glass cup on the door before stomping out of the room. As soon as she heard the front door slam, Téa crawled over to where Ryou lay on the floor.

"Are you okay? Ryou?" she asked worriedly, helping him to sit up. He coughed deeply before telling her that he'd fine. She helped him move to the couch and get comfortable.

"I… I'm going to the store to buy you some medicine," Téa informed as she swept up the broken glass. Ryou looked over from his place on the couch with an agonized expression.

"I'm fine! Please, Téa, you shouldn't go out by yourself! Marik is still out there, and Bakura just left; what if you run into one of them?!"

"I'll be fine, and besides, you really need some medicine. I'll be back in less than thirty minutes," she promised him.

Téa did actually feel really guilty about leaving him alone to worry about her well-being, but if she didn't get some medicine, his cold could get worse. She could not believe how cruel Bakura had just been! Ryou hadn't even done anything! She couldn't understand how Bakura could be the same person who had comforted her last night! No matter what science said, boys got PMS.

After picking up some pills at the drugstore, Téa decided to stop by the Kame Game Shop and buy Ryou a new pack of Duel Monsters cards; she hoped they would cheer his spirit. If she hadn't been staying with him, Bakura would have never gone berserk, and Ryou would have never gotten sick being out late and helping her move. She felt very responsible for her best friend's health. Err, however... her steps slowed as she approached the card shop. She might have to skip out if Yami was there… she didn't want to get involved in a never-ending, flirty one-sided conversation with him.

Oh, shit!

MARIK! What was he doing out in broad daylight? (On second thought, that made him sound like a vampire…) Did he know that the cops could be looking for him? Téa had to get across the street and run away before he saw her! She should just duck into a shop; it would be quicker!

"Téa! There you are, darling."

"Shouldn't you be in hiding, Marik?" she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. "You are aware that I've reported you to the police, aren't you?" Well, she hadn't... yet. But he didn't need to know that.

"Of course, my sweet. I'm aware of everything you do,"

Eww. What a sick pervert.

"Téa, let's go somewhere… private."

"Or not." She narrowed her eyes before turning away and walking back towards the pharmacy.

"Don't you want to know the reason why the police aren't catching me?"

She stopped walking. Why would he—

"My pet, sometimes you shouldn't think so much; you become distracted," Marik whispered huskily into her ear, snaking his arms around her waist.

"Can't you just do us all a favor and turn yourself in?"

"But that would take out all the fun! Sweet Téa, you haven't forgotten the use of my Millennium Rod, have you?" he asked teasingly, licking her ear. She pulled away, disgusted.

"Let go," she cried, "HELP!"

She opened her mouth to scream again, but Téa's world went dark as a sharp pain entered her mind.

"Damn that stupid wench! I hate her!"

Bakura continued to talk to himself as he roamed the streets of Domino. He knew that what he had done was stupid and spiteful, but he wasn't about to apologize to anyone.

"I suppose I was a bit rough on her… All she did was spill some soup on me… I practically ripped her arm off for a childish accident! I'm such a fool," he told himself.

If he was going to be living with Téa Gardner for a while, and from what had gathered, he would be living with her for a very long while, then Bakura needed to know how to get along with her, or at least be able to be around her without getting provoked. He was about to cross the street when something caught his eye.

It was Téa! Now was his chance to apologize, while she was alone, without his stubborn light around to ruin things! But just as he stepped out from behind a parked car, something else caught his eye: Marik was walking toward her from behind! Did she know he was there? She was standing still, as if waiting for him. Perhaps they were involved!

"Bastard," Bakura cursed, watching Marik put his arms around Téa. Why didn't she run? Well, he decided that weren't romantically involved when Bakura saw that she was terrified. She screamed for help, but Bakura saw Marik pull the Millennium Rod from his pocket and smash it against her forehead.

Without second thoughts, Bakura dashed across the road (avoiding several cars) to catch up with Marik, who was walking away with a limp Téa in his arms. The spirit ran a bit faster and jumped in front of the blonde, blocking his path.

"Bakura," Marik said, eyes wide with hatred, "I'm surprised to see you outside, especially when you know that I am looking for you."

"Oh you are?"

"Yes. I still haven't forgotten that attack of yours you tried to pull the other day."

"I did not attack you, Marik. What reason would I have?"

"I don't know. But it most certainly was you who broke into my house and tried to kill me with a knife. Or am I to assume it was your weak-ass host?"

"Haha, very funny," Bakura replied dryly.

Marik's face twisted in confusion. "Actually, Bakura, I need your help..."

Bakura narrowed his eyes. Marik would not ask him for help unless he was planning something diabolical. Could he perhaps be Téa's stalker? He did fit the picture perfectly. He was currently in the process of kidnapping the girl, something a stalker would do. Plus, he had been covered in blood yesterday. From what Téa had told him, a threat had been written on her mirror in blood. Yes, Marik was the perpetrator.

"Were you trying to get me involved in your plan of killing Téa?"

Marik's puzzlement smoothed over into an evil grin once more, his eyes focusing in on the girl.

"Kill her? Heavens no, I want her. Why would I kill her? You don't get much from a dead person," he said suggestively, shifting Téa's position in his arms.

"So you're not the person who's been stalking her and leaving her death notes?" Bakura asked, ignoring the rest of Marik's disgusting declaration. He noticed the clouds overhead were growing dark, and the wind was picking up. He did not wish to be caught in a storm.

Marik didn't answer, instead walking past the tomb robber. He coughed gruffly, eyes glazing over before refocusing on Téa. "Well, as lovely as this little chat has been, I must go. Téa and I have some… business to finish." He headed down a side alley.

However, once more Bakura cut off Marik's path.

"Something you need, tomb robber?"

"Yes, actually. Her. Hand over the girl."

Marik chuckled. "Since when have you been interested in women, tomb robber?" His face grew serious. "Now get out of my way!"

"No," Bakura replied firmly. He was glad to see passersby crossing the street and avoiding the two Egyptians in the alley at all possible causes; he hated when an audience was involved.

"Do you want to fight? I can assure you that my Millennium Rod will overtake your puny Ring any day."

Marik dropped Téa onto the concrete like she wouldn't feel it. The two took out their Items and faced each other, ready to duel. Bakura eyed the Millennium Rod. Even if he managed to grab Téa and escape, he wondered if she would be freed from Marik's Mind Control. Rain began to fall from the dark sky.

Bakura launched at the Rod, surprising Marik, who had figured Bakura was going to try something with the Ring. The tomb robber tried to take the Rod, but Marik had just as much strength as Bakura. They fought like that, wrestling for control of the Rod, for a while; it even began to thunder and lightning. Bakura took a quick glance at Téa: she was safe, but the heavy rain was soaking her. He willed his Millennium Ring to blast Marik backwards, but nothing happened. He concentrated hard while physically fighting the tomb keeper, but the Ring hung laxly around his neck.

"Marik, just surrender already," he snarled, frustrated.

"Not today, loser."

Trying to smash Marik's hand, Bakura managed to forcefully slam the Millennium Rod into the wall. There was a sickening crack, and both men looked in horror at the jagged line now running down the middle of the eye of the Rod.

"Damn you," Marik spat. However, he used Bakura's distraction to his advantage and kicked the white-haired man violently in the face.

"Filthy bastard," Bakura moaned, cracking his jaw back into place. Marik smirked triumphantly as he stood over the other.

"Tell Téa that we will meet again," he cackled, stabbing Bakura in the shoulder with his Item when the tomb robber tried to stand. Bakura gasped in pain and crumpled to the ground.

Bakura watched the other run away as he clutched his right shoulder. Blood instantly began to trickle down his arm. He knew that if he did not treat the wound soon, it would probably be infected, but his first priority was returning home with the girl. He picked her up into his arms, along with her small shopping bag, and slowly initiated the long walk home.

Bakura glared angrily at his Millennium Item. Why had it not answered his call? Was it because he had been too close to the Rod? Had Marik blocked the attack? No, that wasn't right; the Ring hadn't answered him at all. Scared for possibly the first time in his life, Bakura reached out with soul, whatever was left of it, and felt. He gasped in relief as he sensed the Millennium Ring's energy. It was still there, humming quietly in response, pulsing lightly against the body of the girl in his arms. So why had it refused to aid him earlier?

He also hoped that Gardner's mind had not been damaged or lost when he had accidentally broken the Millennium Rod. Her mind had not actually been freed from Marik's control before it happened. What if her consciousness was missing somewhere in the depths of the Shadow Realm? Bakura didn't want to dwell on the thought of what Yami and the others would do to him if she never reawakened.

Letting his thoughts dwell on Gardner, Bakura examined the girl in his arms. She was lighter than he thought for a girl her height, and, he noticed how easily his arms wrapped around her, far too thin. She had a few scrapes from when Marik had dumped her onto the ground, but nothing too bad. Then Bakura saw it: a dark bruise blooming across her scalp, spilling over onto her forehead just enough to catch his attention. But when had she acquired this? She hadn't been dropped on the head, Bakura was certain of that...

He thought back, and what he recalled had him pausing mid-step. Marik had practically banged his Millennium Item into her forehead, hadn't he? Bakura had thought the Egyptian was just eager in his Mind Control antics, but what if Gardner hadn't been under Mind Control at all? What if she'd just been knocked unconscious? It was almost too good to be true. Then again, if Marik was going to use his Rod to control her, he probably would have already done it a while back. Still, something about the entire thing felt odd to Bakura. He just couldn't figure out what.

Bakura finally relaxed when he entered his own home and locked the door safely behind him. Ryou was lying on the couch, watching TV and looking extremely bored, but he glanced up after hearing the door open and close.

"Oh my! Téa! Bakura, what happened to her? What happened to you?" he asked, coughing loudly. The thief king glared at Ryou, who flinched, but he merely threw the shopping bag at him.

"What's this?"

"Some medicine Gardner apparently bought for you, before she stupidly ran into Marik…"

"You ran into Marik?" Ryou asked, watching his darker half put Téa in the bathtub and then take off his own wet clothes.

"Yeah, the bastard stabbed me with his Rod and ran off like a coward. Get me some first aid! Can't you see I'm bleeding?"

Ryou returned with a first aid kit for Bakura, along with some dry clothes.

"Idiot, don't just stand there; take your medicine! It is your fault we're in this condition. If you hadn't gotten sick…"

"I know," Ryou said. "I'm sorry…"

"Oh shut up!" Bakura barked, angry at how pathetic his light was. He quickly bandaged himself up. "Do whatever you want with your girlfriend here; I'm going out, so don't try to find me!"

Ryou heard the door slam, and he swore he saw part of the ceiling crack.

Now, what to do with Téa? Ryou didn't feel particularly comfortable with removing her wet garments, but she might catch a cold if she didn't change. He felt a faint blush creep onto his cheeks.

"What to do…?"

. . .

She didn't know what had happened after Marik had knocked her out. Téa had been out cold, unaware of anything outside of her unconsciousness. So when she started to come to, her first thought was of Marik. Then she felt the blinding pain in her head. But she also remembered a warm, soothing feeling, and she struggled to place why that was coming to memory.

Téa moaned and opened her eyes slowly to see Ryou watching over her. He appeared very flushed; what was wrong? What were his hands—?

... ... ...

"Umm… Ryou," she said, trying to suppress her blush, "why are you unbuttoning my shirt…?"

He quickly withdrew his hands from her shirt, turning a vibrant red; he really stood out compared to all the white around the room… Wait, were they in the bathroom? And she was in the tub? What exactly had happened? She moaned in pain again and put a hand to her head, where she felt a bump.

"Téa, I…! Umm, it is storming outside and you were wet… I didn't know when you would regain consciousness so I was going to dry you off; you could catch a fever like that…"

"Storming?" she asked, confused. But wasn't it sunny when she had gone out shopping? She breathed deeply.

"Ryou, what happened? Where's Marik?"

"So you really did run into Marik…"

What? Wasn't Ryou the one who had saved her?

"Téa, Bakura says you ran into Marik. Did he take control of your mind?"

Bakura? Had Bakura found her? No, that couldn't be; Bakura would probably just encourage Marik to kill her and burn the remains.

"Marik did try to use his Millennium Rod," she explained, remembering how it had been pressed to her head, "but somehow I think he lost control…"

"Well, Bakura brought you back, and he had a large wound on his shoulder. Do you think he fought Marik?"

"It's possible… but why would Bakura bring me back?"

Téa informed Ryou that she was going to take a shower and change clothes. Perhaps Bakura had felt sorry for his previous actions? No… Bakura's soul held no remorse. He could only harbor darkness and hatred… or so he had once told her.

"Oh Ryou?" she called from within the bathroom.

"Yes? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. Did you get your medicine?"

"Yes, thank you…"

Thank god Bakura had brought that back with them. Téa marveled; Bakura had saved her life, and for the second time now. As much as he seemed to hate her, he must hate Marik more; Téa couldn't imagine why else Bakura would have gotten into a fight with Marik. Ryou had said he was injured in the shoulder... must have been from Marik. This was twice the tomb robber had fought Marik off because of her. Téa was indebted to him, as much as she didn't like it.

She showered quickly, cleaning off the dirt from her scrapes. She felt the pain and lump when she washed her hair, and Téa wondered how that had happened. Had Bakura dropped her on the way back? And then there was that faint memory, of something warm and safe... calling out to her. It was a strange thing, like nothing she had felt before. This... light, for lack of a better description, perhaps it had saved her from Marik's mind control?

Ryou stood outside the bathroom door long after he had heard the shower start. He leaned against the wall with his arms behind his back, glancing at door every now and then worriedly.

He did not like what he was seeing. Ryou hated how ill he was, hated it with a passion. The most important person to him in the world was being stalked by Marik Ishtar, and he couldn't lift a finger to save her. Instead, his sadistic, immoral former-yami had now saved her twice. Twice. Ryou had been shown up by a tomb robber who was disreputable, revolting, rude, evil, somehow still alive. Shadi had seriously misjudged giving that spirit a body, Ryou thought. But here Bakura was, picking fights with Marik to save Téa Gardner, a girl in the past he would have killed without a second thought.

Ryou realized he had been digging his nails into the paint of the wall behind him, and he forced himself to breathe in and out slowly. He didn't like this at all, but it wouldn't do to get all worked up over it. Especially since any distress on his part would cause Téa to worry. She already worried over him plenty. He sighed loudly. Even though she didn't feel the same, Ryou still cared for her. He knew romance would never happen, she had openly rejected him twice, but he couldn't help how he felt. He loved Téa.

And it was killing him inside that he wasn't the one saving her.