*Malik's POV*

After observing the shady corner we were in, I noticed an open public trash can off to the side. Maybe there was something in there, seeing that people didn't leave weapons of choice just lying around. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my Rod; I left it with my yami. Controlling Kaiba's body, I forced him to climb upon the railing of the trash can. I used his body to bend down and dig through its contents. It was pretty amusing, almost like watching Kaiba beg on the streets. Almost as amusing as his dead, bloody corpse in a few moments.

It was then I noticed it: an empty bottle broken in half. Picking it up, I ran "my" finger along the jagged edge. I grinned to myself as it drew blood. Just sharp enough…

Stepping out of the trash can with the bottle in my hand, I slumped down in a corner. I had to make this look as much like a suicide as possible. Brushing the white trenchcoat aside, I took a slice at an arm to test it out…the blood dripped down from the open wound. I could hear Kaiba's small protests, even though he was still unconscious.

This was too much fun. I had time to spare, and I wanted to make this man pay for what he had done. My Millennium Rod would have only made things quicker. Taking another slice at his cheek (while still in his body), I began to lose all caution. Before I could kill him, he would surely suffer.



*Yami Bakura's POV*

My Millennium Ring was going off even more now. Not only was it glowing brighter, it was starting to vibrate in my hand, as if rushing me on further. I bumped into several people on my way to wherever it was taking me, not paying any attention when I knocked them to the ground. I was in too much of a hurry.

Any other time I would have suspected that a Millennium Item was in sight, but somehow I know that this is not the case. My Ring has helped me protect my hikari before, so perhaps it's leading me to him? It seems to have a mind of its own at times.

I began to notice that the area around me was growing dark. The Ring was leading me to a secluded area. It wasn't vibrating anymore, so it seemed as if we were nearing our destination. Indeed, it led me up to an area between two buildings. I heard noises coming from the shadows, but I couldn't really make out a figure yet. I released my Ring, letting it fall to my chest again.

I didn't want to say anything yet, so I stepped into the shadows. The way I was standing, the light only dimly shown upon a shape in the corner. Stepping closer, I surpassed the shadows only to find exactly who I was looking fo-- what the hell?! He's covered in blood and holding a broken bottle to his chest?!

*Malik's POV*



Damn it, this isn't what I was expecting! How did Bakura find me, especially so quickly? He's always managing to outsmart me…if he had waited a little longer, it would've been too late. Well, no matter. The last thing I could do was to let him know that I was afraid.

"What the hell are you doing?!" He was already pissed off, but I could hear the smallest bit of worry in his tone. Well, I might as well play the part. I don't know where this could lead, but I have to try. As long as he still thinks I'm Kaiba, things shouldn't be too bad.

The most confident smirk slid across my face; I knew know what to do. "What does it look like? I'm ridding myself of my life."

He hesitated for a moment, frowning. He looked unsure of what to say to that…his brown eyes moved from the glass to the various cuts all over this body.

His silence made me a bit bolder. I forced myself to stand up, although I could feel this body growing heavy. The loss of blood might kill him for me…

I walked steadily closer to Bakura. He didn't back away or anything…he wasn't afraid of me in this form. For one fleeting moment, it made me wish I could stay in this body, just to make him mine. If only my Rod had enough power for that…

"Bakura…" I took his chin in my hand. It felt strange, looking down on him like this. Kaiba is a bit tall. He blinked confusedly, looking up at me. Something was on his mind…

*Yami Bakura's POV*

When Kaiba said that one line, I was immediately suspicious. I'm aware of everything in his life that he's gone through, and of all the other times he could have committed suicide. Why now, of all times? There was something strange about this.

Seeing that blood running down his cheek, his arm, and other parts of his body made me turn cold. I don't know why it had such an impression on me; I had seen blood so many times before.

When he stepped forward, taking my chin in my hand, for some reason, my heart stopped for a second or two. Why was this happening…? What the hell is going on?! I felt past confusion until I managed to pull myself together. There had to be a logical explanation…my eyes wandered to the broken glass bottle, now covered in his blood, on the ground. Taking my eyes off of him helped me think clearer…he could just be an illusion…perhaps another dream…this was just another way to torture my soul…

It was then that I noticed something smaller on the ground near the wall. It looked as it had been flung there carelessly. I squinted closely, trying to make out what it was. My breath caught in my throat; if I wasn't mistaken, it was the necklace that Kaiba always wore around his neck, the one with what looked like a card hanging from it. The attachment had been broken…

Kaiba's hand forced my chin to look back at him, tearing my eyes away from the necklace. His eyes started into mine, but I wasn't intimidated by that look anymore. I was suspicious.

"Bakura…" Oh hell, not again! He was pulling my chin closer; it was a total reenactment of Malik's "premonition" to me. His eyes seemed to fill with lust. Right before they closed, I thought I noticed a flash of lavender in those cerulean hues.

I roughly pushed "Kaiba's" body away from me. Everything was so clear now; how could I be so stupid?! Gritting my teeth, I glared at him. He looked a bit shocked, as if expecting me to fall into the same trap.

"Malik!" It was the only word I could muster at the time, but I think he got the idea on how pissed off I was. He seemed to be losing power, probably because Kaiba's body couldn't take the abuse much longer.

"A-anou…B-bakura…" I could hear Malik's voice speaking through Kaiba's body; now I knew he was losing power. Now that it was more than an illusion, there was no way he could escape me! I was so sick and tired of him haunting me, but the fact that he had brought Kaiba into this always pushed me over the edge.

Immediately, I flung myself at him, my hands grabbing his throat. Those hands reached for his neck, trying to pry mine off, but I refused to let go. Growling, I dug my nails into the tender skin.

Gasping for breath, he managed to sputter out the one thing that made me stop. "If you…*cough* all you're doing is…*cough* injuring Kaiba…" I stopped in realization, slowly releasing him. He let out a cackle of laughter that disgusted me.

"Bakura…there's nothing you can do…Kaiba wanted to die anyway…I told him something about you…he hates you! You might as well let me finish the job!" He picked up the broken bottle, still laughing at what he thought was his success.

I just sneered at him and his idiocy. "You forgot about one thing…" My Millennium Ring started to glow at my very command. "I have the power of the Shadow Realm! Without your Millennium Rod, you have no means of stopping me!" As the dark power of my Ring burst forth, I could not hold in my wild spasm of laughter. He only had time to shout as I banished his soul to the Shadow Realm.

* * *

I know I'll never trust a single thing you say

You knew your lies would divide us but you lied anyway

And all the lies have got you floating up above us all

But what goes up has got to fall

One minute you're on top

Next you're not watch it drop

Making your heart stop

Just before you hit the floor

One minute you're on top

Next you're not missed your shot

Making you're heart stop

You think you've won

And then its all gone

Now it's all gone

* * *

*Seto's POV*

I felt myself gain control of my body once again as my vision slowly faded in. Immediately I collapsed in pain from the immense loss of blood, especially from my arm. Wincing, I clutched the wound, encircled in a pool of my own blood. I lifted my now blood-soaked hand to observe the glass shards in it…

I was too weak to do much, but I looked up to notice Bakura standing there. I felt lightheaded once again, but this time it was accompanied by queasiness. He was reaching towards me, calling my name, but his words faded into darkness as I felt myself slipping into insensibility.

*Yami Bakura's POV*

Shit, this can't be good. As soon as Kaiba got his body back, the pain took control. He had massive wounds…I ran forward to help him up, but then he looked up and gave me a look that I'll never forget…His face was so pale, and he tried faintly to say something before passing out.

Sighing, I adjusted his body to where I had access to his bleeding arm. I had to stop the bleeding; he'd already lost too much blood already. Well, there was nothing else to use…I ripped a large piece of my striped shirt off, wrapping it around the wound and tying it tightly. The blood soaked through quickly; well, it'd work until I got him true aid.

Damn that Malik. He had to drag Kaiba into this, who has nothing to do with any of it. Lifting Kaiba up, I put his arm around my shoulders, making him easier to carry. No one needed to know about this…

I began to head towards the hospital. Seeing that I had broken out of it, I was pretty familiar with its location. All I had to do was get him a room and try not to run into Yugi or the others…

* * *

I stood there by his bed a few hours later as Kaiba slept soundlessly. The things Malik had said ran through my mind…they couldn't be true? I don't think that Kaiba would commit suicide, although it's really no business of mine…

But…Malik had said that Kaiba knew something about me now and he hated me…what could he possibly know…? I felt my heart beating nervously at the thought; frowning in frustration, I tried to mentally shake the idea from my mind. Malik was talking bullshit. His yami will save him from the Shadow Realm, but some day, I'll kill him for good…

*Malik's POV*

I was so close…so close! I had Bakura in my grasp…why couldn't I have killed Kaiba quicker? Damn it…

Pressing against the glass prism I was trapped in, I bashed my fist against it in helplessness. There had to be some way to get out of here…

Suddenly I felt myself lifted from the area as a bright light shown through. Before I knew it, I was back in my original body. Huh…? What happened?

"Huh huh huh…" I heard the laughter echoing through my mind. I was being transported to my soul room…

Glancing around, I noticed my yami standing there. Had he…?

"Anou...yami…?"

"Huh huh, I'm the only one allowed to banish you to the Shadow Realm, hikari. I saved you, as always," he sneered at me. Was that…affection he was showing me? Had he been worried about me? I had longed for affection from someone, anyone, forever…running, I grabbed him around the waist, hugging him tightly.

I wasn't in love with my yami like I was with Bakura. But…sometimes I need him…just to hold me…even when he abuses me. I know my yami cares about me in some way or form…

I smirked at the thought of Bakura. I had succeeded in one way: I had ruined all chances for him with Kaiba. Bakura probably thinks that Kaiba hates him now, after what I told them both. This isn't over yet. When I regain enough power to get my revenge, Bakura will be mine…

*Yami Bakura's POV*

After what seemed like forever, Kaiba began to stir. He tossed and turned around a few times, groaning. I moved closer to his bedside as he slowly began to open his eyes. Those cerulean hues glanced over at me, and I could tell he was in pain. He looked me over for a moment, as if he were thinking about something. Was it what Malik had mentioned…?

I tried to push the thought away. Kaiba's opinion of me was no business of mine. He could go fuck himself, for all I cared. The awkward silence lingered in the air for a few moments, so I tried to say something.

"…Well…you're awake…" Damn it! That wasn't what I wanted to say! I was supposed to yell at him for making himself so vulnerable, or something like that!

He managed a nod, sitting up in his bed a little. I reached out instinctively, noticing him cringe at his own movements, but pulled back when I realized my actions. What did I care? He gave me a strange look as he stayed remotely silent…damn, this is aggravating! Can't he just say his opinion of me and get it over with?

*Kaiba's POV*

When I awoke, the first thing I saw was Bakura leaning down next to me. I had no idea what time it was, but it looked pretty late, judging by the night sky. I distinctly remembered what had happened earlier…

Sitting up, I tried to recollect everything. I looked down at the inward side of my arm, noticing the bandaging, almost soaked with my blood. Everything was coming back to me…everything that man had said...the one who had possessed me…

I don't know why I was possessed, and normally I would have been much more upset, but after all the things I've seen, I'm almost not surprised. All of the things Yugi has pulled off with that Millennium Puzzle of his, and all of the performances that other side of Bakura and that artifact he wore around his neck. I figured that this man was another enemy of Bakura's…

Normally I would have wondered what that had to do with me…but the man had said that Bakura...loved me? With these things running through my mind, I must have looked up at Bakura a bit strangely.

He seemed to be trying to start up some sort of conversation. The best thing I could think of was his own condition (don't ask why that was on my mind at the moment).

"Your shirt…are you alright?" I nodded towards his shirt, which had half of the bottom ripped off, revealing a thin stomach. He looked down, pulling at the bloodstained fabric.

"It's nothing…" He looked away for a moment. My eyes wandered to where his had gone; he was staring into the trash can. I noticed that some striped, bloody material lay in there…

Wait a minute, he'd torn his shirt and treated my wound?! I frowned, looking up at him, confused and surprised.

"You used your shirt…I…" I wasn't sure what to say…I didn't even know what I was trying to say. Did I want to apologize? Whatever it was, I hope he caught the drift, because it wasn't going to come out.

"Don't worry about it. I can always get a new one," Evidently he did. I stared out the large window again as he avoided my eyes. It was as if he was colder than usual; usually he has this almost devious smirk on his face, but now he looks pissed off about something…

I felt grateful for what he'd done for me, but I didn't know how to thank him. I kept going over the events in my mind until I grasped the fact that this must've happened hours ago…I found a clock. 10:27 PM. He must've been here for hours…had he really dragged my to a hospital himself? I stared at him until I finally, without moving or saying a word, pulled his glance towards me.

I felt my eyes soften as I looked into his…the fact that he had actually cared enough…he had done this for me, Seto Kaiba, the seemingly heartless workaholic without a care for anyone. In fact, this was almost how I had felt for years; there hadn't been any need to show emotion. So why was I getting worked up about a thing like this?

He gave me a questioning look, as if waiting for me to say something, but didn't pull away his gaze. I finally tried to muster the words I wanted to say, although speaking them didn't give my feelings justice.

"Bakura…I'm grateful for what you've done…and…well…don't be so distant sometimes, alright?" Everything I wanted to say wouldn't come out. All the things I could've said at that moment ran through my mind…"You're the only person that I feel like I can communicate with"…"I'm sorry for what happened"…"I want to get to know you"…"I think I'm falling for you…"

He blinked, looking surprised at the words I had chosen. I noticed a hint of redness on his face, but it quickly faded. He took a few steps closer.

"Kaiba…" He was at my bedside now, not breaking our eye contact. His left hand was on the bed…I could feel him keeping his balance as he began to lean down.

Something ran through that I had never experienced before; it was like a thrill, like riding a roller coaster…nothing had even happened yet and my head was spinning. Probably the medication for the pain in my arm…

I could feel his hot breath inches away from my face, his eyes closing as he leaned closer. I closed my own eyes, preparing myself for what was to come, if I didn't pass out first.

I waited for the kiss that never came. I felt him jerk up off of the bed, pulling away. He had another strange look in his eyes as he stared at me, backing away towards the door. I was about to question what was wrong, but he stopped me as I opened my mouth.

"I have to…I can't be seen here…" With no further explanation, he rushed out of the room.

I was left with my own empty thoughts to haunt me. I was sure we had connected; I could feel the emotion flowing from him. All I could do is mull over the confusing situation until I found some way to get out of here.

* * *

Something has been taken from deep inside of me

The secret I've kept locked away no one can ever see

Wounds so deep they never show they never go away

Like moving pictures in my head for years and years they've played

* * *

*Yami Bakura's POV*

Damn it, what the hell is going on?! I ran out of that room, speeding down the hospital halls, not paying attention to nurses screaming at me. I had to get out of this hospital, away from it, away from him…

I finally stopped when I was about a block away from the building, panting in an alley. Leaning against the wall, I ran a hand through my hair, sighing. I don't know what happened up there in that hospital room, but I didn't like it.

What kind of a freak was I?! Had I really fallen in love with Seto Kaiba! I'm an idiot! An idiot--just like my damn hikari! Malik had said how much Kaiba hated me…and yet I almost kissed that bastard!

This has to be another of Malik's tricks. I tried to pull myself together; looking down at my hands, I noticed them shaking. I can't let this happen. Kaiba wouldn't love someone like me…nothing good would come of it. I grit my teeth, slamming my fist against the wall, angry with myself. I slammed it repeatedly, my nails digging into my palm until blood ran down my wrist.

Nothing would ever come out of it. People had always hated my hikari and me…we were alone. Falling in love with Kaiba would only cause me pain; I had said such things to Ryou all the time, and here I am doing the same thing. Trying to calm down, I pressed my head against the wall, leaning against it for support.

I lowered my hands, closing my eyes in the pain. The pain vibrating through my whole body…Kaiba would never accept someone like me…a freak. For the first time in as long as I could remember, I longed for the tears to come…just once, I wish I could cry, wish I didn't have to stay strong like I always was for Ryou…wished I could drown in my own tears…but they never came. All I could do was run. Run from Kaiba, run from love. I had to stay the same as I had been: not attached to anyone. No one would ever accept me. Running was easier than facing the painful truth.

* * *

It's easier to run

Replacing this pain with something numb

It's so much easier to go

Than face all this pain here all alone

If I could change I would take back the pain I would

Retrace every wrong move that I made I would

If I could stand up and take the blame I would

If I could take all the shame to the grave I would

* * *

(A/N: Sorry that this chapter was so long! ^^; I wrote it all in two nights and I didn't want to split it into two chapters. So this is like two chapters in one. Don't worry, I'll make the next chapters short again. Please review again!)