So I'm back. Didn't you just hate me for that cliffhanger? Ehehe…I'm afraid of what you'll do to me later…Uh-hum…I may have just said too much.

ANYWAY... on with the story. Ehehe….::innocent grin:: yes…?

Yami Yuugi =Yami, Yami Bakura = Bakura and everyone else is everyone else. Couplings: Yami/Bakura, Seto/Ryou, Yuugi/Jounouchi (Jou)

Disclaimer: - -; go look at the first chapter!

Warning: Yaoi/ Shounen-ai…

More Than You Realize: Lie

"Bakura…I love you."

Bakura looked at Yami in shock then laughed uneasily, "You're joking, right?"

Yami shook his head.

"You have to be kidding. Don't joke about something like that, Pharaoh!"

"I'm not joking." Yami's voice was soft and tense.

Bakura fixed an intense look at Yami, "Tell me…I don't care if you have to lie…that you were joking."

Yami looked down, unable to meet Bakura's gaze.

'He wants me to lie…he wants me to lie…' Yami felt tears well up in his eyes. 'Can I? I have to…he doesn't love me back…that's why he wants me to lie. If he wants me to…then so be it.'

Forcing back the tears that threaten to overwhelm him, Yami looked Bakura in the eye and with a forced laugh, lied, "I was just kidding."

'That's a lie and you know it!' Bakura ignored the little voice in his head and nodded with a half smile, "That was what I thought."

"I have to go." Yami said, jumping off the tree, his voice wavering.

"Wait…" Bakura started, but Yami had already run off.

"He doesn't love me, he was only joking about that." Bakura tried to convince himself.

'Who are you kidding? You know that he wasn't joking when he said that!'

"He was joking…he wouldn't lie about something like that."

'Yes he would…remember smart one…you told him to lie?!'

"He can't possibly be serious."

'Believe me he was. His expression gave it all away. You're a fool Bakura.'

"I don't love him, so it doesn't matter."

'Sometimes it's better to let go of what once was your, but isn't anymore and hold on to what is within your reach now.'

"What do you mean?"

The voice was silent. In frustration, Bakura banged his head on the tree trunk.

Yami ran away from the house as fast as possible.

He ran until he reached the Game Shop, exhausted and crying. Tears flowed down his cheek uncontrollably. He didn't even bother to stop them, not caring that Yuugi might see. Yami didn't really care about anything anymore.

When he walked in, he saw Yuugi and Jounouchi steal a quick kiss.

Normally he'd smiled at the sight, but now, it just remind him of his pain even more.

Jounouchi leaned down and gave Yuugi a quick peck on the lips.

The bell to the shop rang and Yuugi jumped, blushing slightly. "Welcome to the Game Shop, how may I…"

"Yami?!"

Yuugi looked at the normally composed Game King, who now looked like a wreck.

His tri-colored hair was messed up, his cheeks were pale, stained with tears, his eyes were puffy from crying and he was panting softly from his run.

"What's wrong, Yami?"

"Nothing" Yami mumbled softly before walking up to his room without another word.

"Jou, I'm worried, I've never seem Yami look like this!" Yuugi turned around.

"I think he needs some time alone." Jou said enveloping Yuugi in a hug.

"But…I'm so worried."

"Yes, I know you are, but he looks like he's been through a lot. You know him, Yuugi, he'll open up eventually." Jou said.

"I guess…you're right. I just hope he'll be fine. What happened for him to be in such a state?"

"Only time will tell."

'Yami…what's wrong?'

Yami collapsed in a heap on his bed.

"Ra, I knew he didn't love me back, so why is it so painful? Damn it! This isn't supposed to hurt!"

'But it does. That's love for you.'

"I shouldn't have told him, then it wouldn't hurt so bad knowing he doesn't love me back. He wanted me to lie, damn it! He told me to lie."

'Love is about taking risks and as with risks, you wins some and you lose some. Would you have rather never told him and suffer the agony of not knowing if he felt the same? Isn't better now? You can finally move on.'

"It would have been better if I never told, it didn't hurt as bad not knowing. Move on? I don't know if I can…"

Tears fell freely, staining the material of his blanket.

"Why couldn't you love me back, Bakura?"

'He still loves Ryou. He hasn't let go yet. Just try to forget him and move on with you're life. There are other fish in the sea.'

"But they'll never be him. I don't care about anyone else I just want him. I shouldn't be jealous and resentful of Ryou but I am, I can't help it. It's a bitter irony isn't it? Bakura loves Ryou, but Ryou doesn't love him. I love Bakura, but he doesn't love me back. Guess he's inflicting what's been inflicted on him."

'Life is a bitter irony. Love is the dream, heartbreak is the harsh reality.'

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End of chapter.

Eck! ::ducks from objects being thrown:: I promise, they'll get together in the end. ::continues ducking objects:: It wasn't that bad a chapter was it?

::Bakura and Yami glare at Todo::

Don't kill me! Or they'll never get together…

Kaosu: You have a death wish in writing this chapter. ::shakes head::

^ ^;; So far I've be been good about getting one out every day or every other day…I'll try to keep it that way.

Well, review please and be nice. Constructive criticism only. Flames will help me push Yami and Bakura further apart. ^^

© Todokanunegai 1-11-03