Hello! I'm here again! Just to let you know, we update several chapters at a time. And those of you waiting for Luke to continue "Blackmail," he's been really busy recently. He said he might have me work on it for him, but I'm not really comfortable doing that. Now, on with the fic!

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Chapter Five~ Undiscovered Answers

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My Soul Room. It's been a while since I've been in here, a fortnight at least. When I enter, it's pretty cold, like when you've been out of a house and turned off the thermostat. I cautiously creep to the couch- my soul room, since I had spent so much time in it before my yami found how to separate from me, was a full house, and then some- and turn on the TV. I turn to the Relationships channel, the one which I've found very useful when trying to remember stuff about friends, like birthdays, pet peeves, etc. It can play back any memories of friends, relatives, crushes, enemies, even teachers. Lots of help remembering lectures, although the Facts and Useless Bullshit channels have also been handy when cramming for tests ^____^;.

Oh, good. Not a rerun. Just the show I needed to watch, the one I've nicknamed BRAIN, Bakura Ryou's Awesome Information Network. News.

[In todays news, Ryou, confused over his need for love, pressed unwanted affections upon best friend Mutou Yugi. Said Ryou; "I can't believe I was going to do that! Ugh, I SO grossed myself out." Yugi's comments were expressed via email; "It scared me how you were acting- not just for myself, but for you, too. I know you really didn't want to go through with that." The opinion of Bakura, the ancient thief who Ryou believes he is in love with, was roughly summed up by; "Well, Ryou, you want love? Tough. There's no such thing!" The long-term consequences of these events are uncertain, but Yugi has assured Ryou of his support and continuing friendship.]

Aw, shimatta. Nothing I don't already know! Grrr. I listen through the other headlines- in an existence like mine, the news is very sparce- and, after a commercial (Why the hell does my Soul Room's TV have commercials?), the detailed news comes on. There are no anchorpeople, obviously. That narration earlier? Supplied by yours truly. I watch intently, studying my actions, thoughts, and words carefully. Crap. Nothing proven. I flip to the Physical World channel, and it's playing the Eye-cam. Wait! That only happens if Bakura-sama's in my body! Crap! He has the pocket-PC, and is reading the emails between Yugi and I! I growl, and holler out, "Hey, that's a private conversation!" He doesn't listen, and I swear. Suddenly, it beeps, and I read it through the eyes my yami is currently using.

[To: Bakura Ryou, ba_hikari_albino@netsender.com.

From: Mutou Yugi, darky_rocks_like_Augertet@mailzap.com.

Subject: Music, insanity (the lunatic is in my head lol ^_^)

I've sent you some stuff. Sorry, no "Sultans of Swing." Sent the Dark Side of the Moon album, Sgt. Pepper's, and LZ's "Stairway to Heaven." Also, there's the lyrics to the songs with them.

Nuts? YOU? WhatEVER gave you THAT idea? (lol) I don't think any of us can be called sane, so you're probably OK. Nothing worse than I've been (don't ask -_-;).

I think Yami suspects something. I really hope not. If so, then either we're in deep shit, or we're in deeper shit. Call back, OK? Or email. Talking might be easier, but Yami might pick up the phone. He doesn't read my emails (as far as I know). Well, bai-bai!]

I hear a chuckling as Bakura closes that email. "So, Pharaoh-no-baka's hikari doesn't want the Pharaoh to learn about Ryou's little 'problem?' This gives me an idea!" I gasp.

"Don't even, Bakura-sama! Do you know how much trouble Yugi-kun might get into?" This time, my yami answers.

"Exactly!" Oh, shit! He clicks through the address book, and autodials Yugi's number.

"Moshi moshi, Kame Game Shop, Mutou Yami desu." Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit!

"Aa-perti Khem, do you know anything about my hikari?"

"Anooooo, what about him?"

"Do you know about any of his recent actions?"

"Is that all you called for? Yes, baka. Yugi was feeling bad about something, so naturally I asked him about it. I am coming over to speak with your hikari as soon as I get these cards sorted like Yugi's grandfather asked. So you'd better be gone before I get there. I plan to be there by three."

"Oh. I... see. Shimatta."

"What?"

"I had hoped to catch you off guard."

"Oh. Too bad. I'm smarter than you think, sehen (thief)."

"Oh, really? You know, I'm not as dumb as you think, either! It's just a matter of time before I get the best of you!"

"We'll see. Tell Ryou I'll be there soon."

"He already knows, dumbass. I can't keep him from knowing what his body's doing."

"Whatever. Sayonara, baka-no-baka!"

"Shove it." Click. "Hikari, the royal pain is going to come over. I'd advise against trying to screw him."

"I don't plan on it! I hadn't meant to go after Yugi!"

"Whatever. Just don't get yourself annihilated." He lies down, and I lose visual as he gets out of my body. I bolt out of my Soul Room and dive out of the Ring. In my own body, I blink and sit up. Bakura-sama is sitting on the edge of the small bed.

"Listen, we need to talk. I don't want you getting into any bloody trouble, with Aa-perti Khem or anyone else. That'll just make it harder for you- and me- to get out of here. Either that, or you'll be wiped out faster than you can blink." He sighs, and I can see a strain around his eyes. "Just- you know, don't mess up. I don't want to lose y- a decent host. You're too valu- useful to me. You're too handy. Where am I gonna get another host that knows the drill? They'd either be too much of a pain in the ass or go all 'yessirjustpleasypleasedon'tkillmeplease!' You at least have SOME backbone, even if it's a limp one." I know there's something he won't say, and it hurts. What is he afraid of telling me? "Hikari, I don't want to have to break in another host. And I don't want to have to get used to another. You're the one that I'm used to, and I don't want to lose that. I'm too comfortable with you to waste time and energy with another."

"I understand, Bakura-sama. I don't know what I'd do without you, either. I've gotten used to dealing with you, and I know my life would be empty if you were suddenly taken from me." I want to lean against him, but instead I curl up on the bed just short of touching him. "Bakura-sama, I wouldn't want to lose you, even if you're only being a parasite. I guess I've grown sort of dependent. I know, that makes me feel sort of guilty, and I know that you probably see me as weak for it. But, well, I know we're closer than you like-"

"Who said I don't like how close we are?"

"I wasn't meaning to-"

"Listen, I don't know why you think I don't want to deal with you. Neteru. Ryou, do you dislike how close we are?" I can't tell him that yes, I don't like it, but because I want to be closer. So I merely shake my head. "Look. Believe it or not, I don't mind you. I don't mind being around you, and I don't dislike you. I hate admitting it, but I think I've sorta grown stuck with you. Don't let that get to your head, though." I nod, and he suddenly grabs my ear. I flinch, but, to my surprise, he starts to scratch. Almost as though I were a kitten, he strokes behind my ear, and I see stars. My lip quivers, and I feel like purring. "You know, I don't hate you. Don't ever think I do. If you ever think that, I think I'm just gonna leave. I don't want you to think I don't like you." My heart pounds, as the impact of his words hits me, and I feel tears forming. I hold back my sobs, but my trembling gets his attention.

"Hikari, I want you to tell me something. Tell me- but only if you mean it- that you really don't mind me around. Tell me that you don't hate me. Tell me that you don't feel like I hate you. Tell me that you don't feel like I want to get rid of you." Honestly, I nod.

"Bakura-sama, I don't want you to leave me! I need you! I know I've said that before, but it's true!" I hold his hand to my cheek, but he shakes and squirms it out of my grasp.

"I don't think you know what you mean by that, but if you think you know, then I'll let you say it. If you mean it, then thanks. Hell, I don't want to leave. Just- Hikari, don't grab my hand like that. I don't like having it stuck."

"Gomen nasai, Bakura-sama." I avert my gaze, but he grabs my chin- roughly, but not violently.

"Ryou, don't worry. It's okay." Is he actually saying that it's not a problem? "Just don't. If I'm doing something, don't get in my way."

"I won't, Bakura-sama."

"Why the hell do you still call me that? I haven't given you a command in months!"

"Aren't you still my master?" He stiffens, and turns away.

"So. Is that how you see me? As nothing but your master?" His voice sounds pained, and each word stabs me.

"No! Bakura-sama, I see you as- I- I hope a friend, at least!"

"Tell me. Do you fear me?"

"No! I- I don't- I'm not scared of you! I just- I- I'm afraid of losing you!"

He glances at me, and his eyes soften- I think. "You really don't want me to leave, do you? Well, don't worry. I don't want to leave." His voice is low, and I could swear it quavers. "I think we need some time- you know, just some time apart, when we can think more clearly- to figure out what the hell's going on." Gods! Is he saying that he's confused, too? "Ryou, I don't want you to think I'm trying to ditch you, but I think we're not ready for- for anything new." I try to hold back my tears, but fail horribly. What is he saying? "I hate this! Not you, but just- aaahh. Shimatta. I- I think I should go." He stands, and I sit up. Placing my hand on his shoulder, I try to get him to face me.

"Bakura-sama, please, don't!"

"Ryou, I'm not gonna be gone. But the royal baka's going to be here soon, and I don't want to deal with him. I'll come back when you call me, after he leaves." I swallow.

"Promise, Bakura-sama?" He exhales deeply, and nods.

"I will. Be careful around Pharaoh-no-baka." He reaches for my hand, and squeezes it lightly. "I'll be back." And he fades.

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AAAAWWWW!!!! Does this sound good? Or is it too fast?