YA: Eep, okay let me explain what happened in the last chapter. It was school…I was bored and wasn't thinking straight. Yes, I agree if I get any comments that it sucked major.

Ryou: So what are you going to do?

YA: I rarely do this but I'm making it up today with a better chapter.

Ryou: And then?

YA: And then I'm going to repost the second chapter when I get the chance so you can enjoy it better.

Ryou: Sounds grand to me.

YA: Okay, so the fun starts here remember. And remember, Anaku is not important. She's a temp just to flare Bakura's jealousy. Okay, Onward!

"Blah, blah…"= Bakura's personal thoughts.

/Bleh, bleh…/ =Ryou's thoughts to Bakura

//Blu, blu…// =Bakura's thoughts to Ryou

*~*~*~*~* Come into my world *~*~*~*~

I've been here for two days already. I feel as if I have been blinded for not remembering what I was supposed to do. My mission has been lost in the recent collision. But…hadn't I been in that accident, I wouldn't have met someone as indulgent as Ryou. Bakura blinked as he contemplated on what he just thought. Did I just say that? No one of this Earth can actually be that compassionate…especially to a stranger. It's a big sign of weakness…

Bakura rested on Ryou's bed, completely enshrouded in the freshly washed blue sheets. The injury on his head allowed him to nap occasionally during the day. It had worried him, but Professor told him he was recovering and it comforted Bakura. Without Ryou noticing, who was reading a book on the floor next to the bed, Bakura would steal glances at the young boy. His curiosity has gotten the best of him, interesting him in Ryou in whatever he did and wherever he was going. Ryou's eyes stopped following the rows of words before him and studied the ring again. There were billions of questions rising in his mind, having them not answered was giving him a headache like no other. Bakura shifted in the sheets bringing Ryou to his attention.

"Are you awake, Bakura?" he asked.

"No, Ryou. I'm sleeping with my eyes opened." Ryou's mouth twisted at Bakura's sarcasm. He propped himself on the bed, resting his head on his arms while peering at Bakura who was staring at the ceiling. "What were you reading?" he asked.

"Something for school." Ryou answered shortly. "It's Sunday, I don't want to think about school right now." Bakura shrugged without taking his eyes from the ceiling. Ryou was about to say something more when Professor called him from downstairs.

"Ryou! Can you help me down here?" Ryou dipped his head further into his arms. For the longest, he's been feeling lazy and hate to respond to others calls if he couldn't help it. It was obvious to Ryou why he's been feeling a bit melancholy these last couple of days. Soon the day would come when they would once again visit… "Where are you boy?"

"Coming!" Ryou shouted at the door. Bakura noticed the change of mood. What puzzled him most was not only did he notice it…but he felt it. Ryou stomped down the stairs, grabbing the apron that was hanging on a hook by the kitchen. When he finished tying it around him he glowered at his father. Professor returned the cruel look his son gave him just to tease him. He even growled at him which caused Ryou to lighten up his mood and let a laugh escape. He placed a warm hand on Ryou's head and ruffled the neat snow colored hair.

"That's my boy!" he laughed while turning Ryou's head so he was looking at him. "Please don't be sad my boy. I know the time is drawing near but this is the time to remain strong. She wouldn't want you to sulk like this!" Ryou nodded, regretting that tears were beginning to fill his eyes. Professor gave a quick look of concern before handing Ryou a knife. "Would you make dessert so I can finish dinner, son?" Ryou nodded positioning himself at the cutting table.

Bakura treaded down the stairs carefully while rubbing his eyes. A scent came upstairs and carried itself into his nose, once again causing him to become interested in the new sense. Both Professor and Ryou were in the kitchen preparing another meal, looking happy just to be around each other. Bakura felt neglected because he wasn't part of the lingering happiness that was hanging about the room. Without being invited, Bakura sat himself at the cutting table and watched Ryou cut a long piece of what looked like sweet bread into small pieces. Up close, the smell was stronger. Such a sweet smell, it attacked all of Bakura's senses making a trifling emotion of nostalgia kick in.

"Hey Bakura. You look like you're in heaven." Ryou laughed. Bakura playfully poked the "sweet bread", which stuck to his finger.

"What is this? Looks, smells and feels like sweet bread." Bakura said.

"I guess you can call it sweet bread." Ryou started. "But what I'm making is Sugar Dots."

"Shu-gah Dots?" Bakura questioned. Both Professor and Ryou's face twisted, trying so hard not to laugh at Bakura's question. A few squeaks abandoned the both of them before Professor ruined the discreet laughter by sputtering. Ryou released his laugh as well; bending over so far his nose was barely touching the bread. Bakura's eyes wandered in confusion as he tried to figure out what was so funny. "Did I miss something amusing?" he asked. Regaining his composure while his father refused to do so, Ryou cut a small piece and dipped it in glaze and sugar. With two fingers, he offered it to Bakura. Bakura waited and then took the Sugar Dot…with his mouth. Ryou tensed by the action, regretting that he blushed shortly afterward. Bakura took a while to let the sweet flavors dissolve in his mouth.

I don't ever remember tasting something as soft and as sweet as this! Not even the Pharaoh could have had this as a delicacy during a royal meal. It practically melts in my mouth the moment it was tasted. It's a treat and perhaps will turn into a lasting addiction.

"It's pleasurable." Bakura said licking his lips. Ryou grinned and turned to his dad, once again trying to suppress the laughter that was rising within.

"Did you hear that, dad? He said it's pl-pl-pleasurable!" Professor continued to howl in laughter.

"Oh Bakura! You're such a character!" Bakura's eyes narrowed in a threatening manner.

"You're mocking me." He stated. The others stopped abruptly and winced. They realized what they just did was unforgivable.

"Oooohhhh…" they both teased. "We're going to get in trouble!" Ryou knelt beside Bakura so that they were eye to eye. For a split second, Bakura swore he could feel Ryou's sudden uncomfortable ness once they stared into each others eyes. But it subsided quickly and he could see the sincere ness in the dark pools of russet.

"We apologize to you Bakura." Ryou started. "It's just; it's been so long since we had someone here other than ourselves. And to finally have someone different and full of life…it makes us happy." No longer was Bakura feeling neglected, instead another feeling washed over him. One that he could not name yet, but it felt oddly familiar.

"So I am contributing to the exhilaration?" Bakura asked. Ryou nodded with a bright smile. A small hiccup forced its way out from Ryou as he laughed inwardly at Bakura's choice of words. "I like to see you smile. I'll do anything to see it again."

"You don't have to try, Bakura." Professor said. "With you just being here, things have brightened up already." For the first time in a long time, Bakura smiled from joy and being needed. This time it wasn't a smile from the devilish side of him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bakura woke up the next morning to a quiet room. The place where Ryou normally slept was empty and neatly made. It startled Bakura because for the last couple of days, he has always woken up before Ryou, always seeing him sleeping in the same place. Where did he go? Why did he go without telling him? Bakura wanted to go with Ryou wherever he went and discover new things with him.

Professor skimmed though a couple of books he usually brings with him on his yearly digs. Up above, he can hear stomping noises and a few things crashing.

"HEY OLD MAN!!!" Bakura bellowed from upstairs. Professor scowled and slammed the book closed.

'Old man? Old Man?? I'll give him old man!' Professor cleared his throat to answer Bakura. "Yes, Bakura!" More stomping was heard and Bakura stomped downstairs with a puzzled look on his face.

"Where's Ryou? What happened to him??" Professor rose from his seat and took off his reading glasses. He stood behind Bakura and pointed to the door.

"He went to school. School is where he gets an education."

"When will he come back?" Bakura asked.

"In eight hours. Anyway..." Professor grabbed Bakura's arm and twisted it behind his back. Bakura gave a yell of surprise. "You still think I'm an old man?" Bakura smiled playfully bending over slightly.

"Yeah." He answered. "Hyah!" With a quick move, Bakura threw Professor off his back and onto the couch. Professor landed softly but crookedly on the couch. His golden eyes (an: I'm assuming his eyes are golden. I want to make Ryou's mother eyes brown) blinked surprisingly at Bakura's strength.

"Wow…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The teacher in chemistry class passed out the final test to all of the students in class. Ryou wasn't interested in chemistry, yet he was the brightest in the class alongside his classmate Anaku. One look at the test and Ryou faltered. It was too easy for him from the looks of it. Without the teachers command to begin, Ryou was halfway finished with the test and by the time she did tell the class to start he was already done. He pulled out another paper and scribbled on it so the teacher wouldn't know he was finished with the test. His thoughts wandered from school and back home to where Bakura was.

'Bakura. He still remains a mystery to me.' He thought. 'All weekend I haven't been able to figure him out. More and more questions continue to fill me with each passing minute.' Ryou glanced at the clock which was only five minutes later from the last time he looked at it.

'I'd have more fun just having a staring contest with Bakura. He's so funny when he's being himself.' Ryou giggled silently at the night before. 'Who would have known such an intimidating person can be so soft and gentle. Especially how he handles Moishi the cat.' Ryou gently tapped his pencil against his desk. 'He's like a small child who has yet to discover the wonders of the world. Or if this world has anything to offer. Yet…I feel…I feel…' Ryou dipped his head so his long white bangs could hide his blushing cheeks. 'I feel so attracted to him. Not in a crush manner, per say but an attraction like I used to have with mother. I want to be around him all the time and never leave his side. As if he needs me or something. I wonder if there will be a time when I can hold him like mom used to hold me…' Another sigh escaped Ryou. 'I think I need him more than he needs me. Wow, Bakura…look what you do to me…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Bakura skimmed through the book that Professor has given him to look at. Perhaps he could find something that strikes his memory and he can get his questions answered.

/Wow, Bakura…look what you do to me…/

"What? Ryou? Where are you boy?" Bakura shouted. Professor looked from the book he was reading.

"Ryou is still not here, Bakura. It's only been an hour since the last time you asked—"

"I heard him! I heard him talking to me!" Bakura spun around the room they were in. "I'm not going insane, I know I heard him!"

/If he would allow me to, I know he would let me get closer to him. It sounds strange even to myself./

"See! Can't you hear him? He said something again!" Professor motioned for Bakura to sit beside him so he could examine him. He hoped that Bakura wasn't running a high fever and hallucinating. He placed a hand over Bakura's forehead, surprised that no excess heat was emitting from it. He checked the healing wound on his head and found nothing.

"Let me check your chest. Open your shirt, Bakura." Bakura rolled his eyes but obeyed the command. Professor placed a stethoscope (a/n: he's a professor not a doctor, this I know but just to get the story rolling) around his neck. Just when he was about the check Bakura he noticed something was missing. "Bakura…what happened to your Ring?"

"My ring disappeared but Ryou still has his." Professor lifted an unsure eyebrow and Bakura sighed. "Ryou said after our rings touched they became one and now he has it. Can you understand that?" Professor nodded and looked thoughtfully.

/I wish this test would end so I can get out of here. I'm so bored I'm going to die!/

"He spoke again." Bakura whispered.

"What did he say Bakura?"

"He said he wished the test would end so he could get out." Bakura gasped. "He says he's going to die from boredom! What are they doing to him??" Professor chuckled.

"I believe you are hearing his thoughts. How you're able to do that is beyond me. I learn something new from you everyday." Professor thought for a minute, chewing on the pencil he was holding. "I bet if you can hear his thoughts, he can hear your thoughts as well."

"It's worth a try." Bakura said nodding.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

To Ryou's joy the class finally ended. The students groaned from desperation as most were trying to finish the last few questions of the test. Before Ryou could escape the crowd of rushing kids, Anaku stopped him by blocking his way.

"Say Ryou? Are you going to the Winter Ball?" she asked with a bright smile on her face.

"Um…no." Ryou responded trying to brush past her.

"Why not? It'll be fun!" her enthusiasm seems to let her jump a little at everything she says. It began to annoy Ryou just a little for someone to be so cheery.

/I wish she would get out of my way!/

"I have no one to go with. Does that answer your question?"

"Yes and its perfect! You can go with me!" Ryou sighed of sudden frustration.

"Why don't you go with your boyfriend, Sho?" Anaku bit her lip and looked over to where Sho was standing. He was a tall boy with blonde hair and a classy look. Ryou personally envied Sho of his style but not his personality. He was known to bully smaller boys. From what he could see, he was towering over another girl.

"He's going with Myoko." She said biting her lip again. "I want to go but I don't want to go alone." Ryou tapped his fingers on the desk, mentally arguing with himself about this new situation.

/I don't want to go to the dance, but I don't want to let Anaku down. She really wants to go…I don't know what to do!/

"I'll think about it." Ryou said. "I need more time and somewhere quiet." Anaku thanked him gracefully and stepped aside so he could go through. It wasn't long before someone caught up to him, stopping him in his tracks. It was Sho.

"You interested in Anaku?" he asked. Ryou shook his head frantically.

"N-no! She was just asking me a question!" Sho shoved Ryou against the locker; it banged loudly now gathering attention to passersby.

"I see. If she has any questions, she should learn to come to me." He pushed Ryou's shoulder against the locker door again and he grimaced.

/Owww…/

//Don't let him push you around like that Ryou! Fight him back!//

"Bakura!!??" Sho stepped back away from Ryou and examined him.

"You're weird, Ryou." Sho laughed. Ryou rubbed his shoulder. Looking away he hoped that Sho wouldn't follow him if he continued his way to class. He was wrong. "I'm not finished with you, Ryou!"

"Please let me by." Ryou begged.

//If you don't fight back Ryou…I'll do it for you. Don't be so weak!//

"Where are you?" Ryou asked silently. Another shove was felt as he once again was slammed into a locker door. He noticed that a crowd of students were around them, chanting for the fight to go on.

//Don't speak out loud. Speak with your thoughts as I am.//

/Bakura? How can we--/

//No time. Fight him back!//

/I can't do it. I'm too afraid./ Ryou could now feel anger rising in the back of his mind. It was as if another presence was felt within him. It confused him that he was able to feel to sepereate emotions at one time.

"Aw, is little Ryou scared?" Sho teased raising a fist. "I don't think your smarts can get you out of this one! Don't think I didn't see you finish that test early." Ryou saw as the fist came closer to his face. He closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the upcoming pain, until he felt himself being dropped into an endless pull of darkness…

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

TBC

YA: Aw, I was going to write more, but I didn't want this chapter to be too long.

Ryou: What happened to me?

YA: You'll see next chapter. Although, I think some of you already knows what happened. Ryou, you know what to do.

Ryou: Yes, please forgive this authoress for doing such a lousy job on the last chapter.

YA: Hey!

Ryou: And comment on what a lovely job she's done on this one. You can do so by submitting a review and pressing the little purple button that says "GO!" Do it for me please. I want to know what happens to me!!