Disclaimer: ZOEYGIRL SAYS SHE JUST DOESN'T OWN Y-G-O!!!!! NOPE, JUST DON'T.

Zoeygirl: Hey everyone! (^_^) Finally I get another chapter out. Sorry but I had a few things to tend to. Wow, I'm so glad you all loved my story so far. I promise it'll make more sense as it progresses. Obviously by the way I'm talking it's not going to be 5 chapters long, but it probably won't exceed 10. Anyways, if you're wondering whatever happened to Ryou, don't fret he's not gone or dead or anything. (DO I SEEM LIKE THE TYPE OF PERSON TO DO THAT TO ONE OF MY FAVORITE CHARACTERS!?) (^_^) Guess not. Oh well, I think you may like this one. Bakura acts a bit more like himself, especially since I got a refresher on him. (^_^) I watched an episode that had a big portion of him in it. (^_^) So let's just say I'm happy. Anyways, hope ya'll like it.

Bakura listened intently from the other room, as the brunette haired woman cursed the coffee machine aloud. Expressionlessly, he walked into the kitchen, only to find the girl fiddling with the same contraption she had cursed earlier. He stared intently at her, with emotionless violet eyes. It was plain to him that she hadn't made coffee anytime soon. Heck, this was probably her first time. It was interesting to him to watch the girl struggle, without any nervousness towards him. Why hadn't she been afraid? She should have at least been a bit nervous to be in the same house as he, let alone the same room, but now she was just being, well normal. 'Perhaps she is trying to please me in hopes of saving her own life.' He thought to himself deep in his mind. Whatever it was, he was growing bored and tiresome of watching her try to turn it on.

Tea was having a hard time. She never really drank coffee but she needed something hot that would wake her up. Besides, it seemed to her that Bakura too needed a wake up call. Frustration overtook her as she gave it a quick shake violently. Finally, she released it and stared at the coffee maker, as if trying to solve its mystery. "(SIGH) Maybe he'll want some milk instead." Tea turned around, ready to ask Bakura if he wanted something else, but instead she was met with two cold, violet eyes. She gasped, startled by his appearance which caused a certain amount of relief to Bakura. He was starting to think there was something very wrong with her mentally. "Bakura, you scarred me." She replied somewhat shakily.

Bakura didn't say anything, in fact he didn't even smirk. Instead he kept his eyes on the girl, as he reached his hand out. Tea's eyes widened in a bit of fear, afraid he was going to do something to her but instead, his hand simply passed her by. She turned her eyes over to the side, and sweatdropped as she watched him flick a switch on. Soon a strange noise arose from the machine that made Tea jump in surprise. Then she watched slowly as Bakura's hand returned to his side, and met his eyes once more. He'd been staring at her the entire time, never once removing his gaze. Holding her breath, she waited for the next move he would make. A sigh escaped Bakura's lips, or more like a grunt as he turned around and removed his gaze from hers. Tea relaxed a bit, as she watched him seat himself on a chair. 'That was a bit freaky.' She thought to herself, while pulling out two coffee cups.

"Seriously, I've been dead for how long, and even I can work that machine." Bakura replied coldly. Tea winced at his sudden reply, but quickly shook it off.

"So do you want any sugar or cream?" She asked. Bakura darted his cold stare right back up to her, that made Tea freeze in her spot. "What the hell is wrong with you?" Bakura asked aloud suddenly. Tea returned his cold stare with a somewhat questionable one of her own. "What do you mean?" She asked confused. Bakura growled lightly under his breath. Slowly his mood was returning to him. "I MEAN why are you talking to me in such a friendly matter? Do you realize who I am, what I've done? You do know that I am not Ryou, and far from him." Tea didn't know what to say. Bakura just stared at her in total wonderment. He was absolutely serious and it made her almost laugh. Actually the look on his face over such a question seemed so funny that she had to turn around to hide her quiet giggles.

This didn't escape Bakura though, nor did it please him. He hated it when people laughed at him or didn't take him seriously. His eyes narrowed down to an uncomfortable slant, as his pursed lips moved down into a frown. He curled his hands into small, slightly clenched fists as he rose from the table quietly.

Tea finally subdued her giggles and opened the drawer for a spoon. She had totally forgotten the question Bakura had asked her, even so, she thought it was a rhetorical one. With a heavy sigh she reached for the coffee pot on her left. But a strong arm shot out from nowhere, grabbing her wrist tightly. Unable to move it at all, she tried to pull her wrist out of the tight grip. But the sudden tension made her wince in pain, and slowly the hand that grabbed her twisted clockwise, forcing her to move her entire body around. Tea saw the slanted eyes stare down at her. He held her wrist in the air, as he grabbed the other arm. "Bakura what's your problem?" She asked aloud, her temper growing.

"Shut up." He replied deeply. "How dare you laugh at me. Do you think I can't hear your stupid little giggles behind my back?" Tea looked at him wide eyed and She was about to say something but nothing could escape her lips. "Well? Say something mortal!" He snapped viciously. Tea found that she could say nothing, but instead break out into a smile. That smile grew into laughter, as she closed her eyes in happy tears. Bakura stared at her bewildered. He tilted his head at her in total confusion unsure what to say or do now. "Why are you laughing? Is there something wrong with you?" It took Tea a few minutes before she could calm down. Bakura waited silently and patiently for her to finish, the entire time her arms were still tightly in his grasp. "Well?" He asked again.

"You just look funny. I mean I can't believe you would ask a question like that to me. Your facial expression just seemed a bit funny that's all. And then you come up here all defensive about it, you know what I'm saying?" Tea replied simply.

"Huh? That's why you're laughing? You think my face is funny?" Bakura asked unsure. "No, that's not what I mean. You just respond to things in a funny manner." Silence filled the room before Bakura spoke again. "Oh…so um, that's it?" Bakura asked pretty well disturbed by this point.

"Yep." Tea said. Bakura was quizzically confused. He was never put in a situation like this before. Was he suppose to take action or ignore this behavior? Usually someone didn't respond like THIS, in this type of situation. Instead he gave her a "You're not right" type of look before releasing her. He walked back over to the table, but not before turning around to give the girl a second glance. He looked at her unsurely, before opening his mouth. She smiled at him triumphantly, as his mouth closed again. He couldn't get a single word out to respond back. Instead he grunted and sat himself down.

"You're a strange girl you know that? I don't get you." Bakura replied finally, happy that he was able to say something. "Yeah well what else is new?" Said Tea.

Damn, no matter what he said, she always had to respond to something he was not use to. So finally he gave in to her demands. "I'll just have some cream if you don't mind. He said between clenched teeth.

Her back facing the white haired boy, Tea smiled happily. With just the right words she could convince him to stay in Domino. She didn't really care if he had some SERIOUS issues or not, at least it was someone she knew way back when. It was just nice talking to a familiar face. Besides, who knows? Maybe she and her friends had been talking to this Bakura the entire time, instead of the other Bakura.

20 minutes passed by, as she and Bakura sat at the table in complete silence. Tea stared down at her cup, every now and then glancing up at Bakura's face. Bakura's face was also staring down, but he looked like he was deep in thought. Every now and then Tea would glance up at the window, watching the drops tenderly fall down, splashing against the glass. As time went by, soft, tender thunder roared in and quietly died out like a drum. Tea sighed before bringing her gaze up once again.

"So do you know if Ryou is safe?" Tea asked breaking the silence.

Seconds passed by before Tea thought it best to repeat herself, unsure whether or not he heard her. "So do you know if Ryou is-"

"I heard you." He replied lowly.

"Oh well, do you? Because frankly I'm worried. I hope he didn't…" Tea trailed off, quietly dipping her head down.

Bakura brought his head up level to hers. Why the sudden mood swings? He thought to himself. "Why do you ask? Was he an intimate friend of yours or something?"

Tea was totally caught off guard. A deep blush struck across her face, as she almost went tumbling off her chair. Bakura raised his eyebrows positive he said something worth his while.

"NO! He's just a friend!" Tea shout out, trying to reclaim her composure.

Bakura sat back in his seat, looking at the girl doubtfully. "Well I think I just struck a nerve. If he's just a friend then why do you worry about him so?" He asked curious. Tea looked at him in disbelief. It had obviously been a few MANY years since he had a friend. "What do you mean? I worry about anyone who's a friend of mine. That's what friends are for."

Well if that's so then why had they abandoned her? It was plain to him when he met this bunch she was the first to jump a bridge for them, but now they had deserted her. How could she say those words? She was like a lost puppy. She had no idea what happened to her, or maybe she still thought they were going to return to her. 'What foolishness." He thought disgracefully. "If those words are true then why haven't your friends returned your so called love?" Tea sat up straight. Her body stiffened, at the question. It was unfair of him to ask such a thing but it was also true. "That's none of your concern and you wouldn't understand." She replied stiffly, as she stood up. Bakura looked up at her, raising another eyebrow. He understood very well. This might've been the modern world and all, but he's had more experience with humans then she could ever apprehend.

"I'm going to take a shower. If you want you can take a nap or watch the TV or something." With that said, Tea left the room and descended up the stairs. Bakura sat there unaffected on the outside, but on the inside he knew quite well that the girl was deeply upset. Slowly he stood up and turned around in a 360 degree circle, examining his surroundings more closely now. He closed his eyes in thought for a second before opening them and walking into the living room. He sat down upon the sofa and laid back, closing his eyes for a brief moment. He opened them up again as he realized there were some letters sitting face open on the table. Without hesitation he quickly snatched them up and began reading them one by one.

A warm sensation ran through her body, as she pulled her hand out from the tub. Happy with the temperature, Tea turned on the faucet to the shower, and slowly slipped off her towel. She jumped into the shower all at once, enjoying the hot water to the fullest. It made all the worries seem to go away, and for a moment she forgot about the spirit down stairs. She closed her eyes, as she felt the water stream off her head and down her spine, finally draining off at the ankles. Overwhelmed by the sudden peacefulness, Tea broke out into tears. She cried quietly in the bathtub, wrapping her arms around her shoulders protectively. She snapped her eyes open and sank down into a sitting position underneath the shower.

"I've enjoyed this peacefulness for too long. I'm sick of it! I hate being alone. I hate it." Her running tears mixed in with the hot water that dripped into the drainer. A tired hand reached up and wrapped around the tub's faucet. With what seemed like a lot of effort, she turned the water off.

Bakura placed the last letter down onto where he found it. He couldn't believe what he read. Now he knew where all her friends were and why she was in this state. What he didn't understand is why she didn't go with any of them. Heck, he read the letter she had written back to the one they called Joey. He couldn't believe a girl like this one could lie so plainly. She had lied about how she was doing, and how she felt, and for some reason that didn't go by him easily. He didn't like what she was doing, and he thought it was best to talk to her. He could do this in one of two ways. He could either ask what's wrong or scare the shit out of her. Knowing that she was the type of sad, helpless girl who didn't like talking about their problems, which he found irritating, he would just have to take his second idea.

Grunting and mumbling under his breath, Bakura slowly descended the stairs. He stared at the pictures along the wall, on the side and raised and eyebrow curiously. They were pictures of Tea, and her family and friends. He noticed how happy she was in some of them, especially when she was in a group picture. Finally, he stopped at a rather large portrait of all of them. It was a big, group photo. Tea was there sticking her tong out happily at the camera. Joey had bunny ears behind an unsuspecting Tristan and Serenity, and Mai was caught off guard, and was currently putting on lipstick. Bakura couldn't help but smile just a little bit. Even Yugi was acting pretty goofy, even though it wasn't on purpose. Surprisingly, Yugi dropped his millennium item, and didn't hesitate to pick it up. So instead, the camera got a great picture of Yugi's butt. Bakura sweatdropped at the picture of the little Pharaoh. Turning his head to the side, one more figure caught his eye. It was a picture of him! He was standing over in the corner, behind everyone else, and smiling sheepishly. Bakura thought hard, and came to the conclusion that it wasn't him but Ryou in the picture. He didn't remember taking any photo's with Yugi's friends.

A heavy sigh escaped his lips, as a loud crash of thunder shook the house. The rain was progressing into a storm. "You know," He said aloud to himself. "Tea really shouldn't be in the shower when it is lightening out. Stupid mortals. They can never think for themselves."

And with that said, he shooed the picture from his mind away, and continued his descent. There were three doors on the second level that could lead to three different possibilities. He wasn't sure which one was Tea's room, which one was a bathroom, and which one he guessed was her parent's room. "Too bad my millennium item can't locate people." Bakura mumbled to himself, staring down at his chest, where the ring hung. But then again, who said he couldn't just walk in or at least knock. Maybe it was just the silence that illuminated the house. Then it occurred to him. It was too quiet….

"Tea?" He asked aloud curiously. He waited a second or two, before repeating her name a bit louder. His deep, raspy voice spoke out in wariness after calling out for the fourth time. Maybe she was asleep? Bakura looked around, uncertain of which room to walk into first.

A strange darkness began to envelope the house, as shadows crept along the floor and walls. It didn't bother Bakura one bit, he was used to it, and in fact it helped in times like this. For the door on the right, gave off a hint of light that came from underneath the cracks on the floor. He quickly walked over and knocked on the door, repeating her name more clearly now. "Tea are you in there?" He said a bit annoyed now. "Instead of acting childish about earlier, you could just give me a go away!" He snapped. His temper was growing to a dangerous level. He could hear just a bit of movement within, hinting him that she was awake, or better yet alive. A low growl escaped his lips. "Damnit open the door or I'll open it for you!" All his patience and remorse was gone now. At one point he was going to ask her if everything was alright, but now he felt like killing someone. Not waiting any longer, Bakura stepped back a few feet. Breathing a heavy sigh to help channel his anger, Bakura closed his eyes. Without another second to spare, he charged at the door, knocking it open. One of the latches broke off as Bakura entered the misty bathroom, eyeing everything around him in rage. "Tea?" He said in a low, and determined voice.

There was no sound at all except for his breathing and the door that hung on to the last latch, creaking back and forth. It was hard for him to see, because the entire room looked and felt like one big sauna.

"Tea I heard movement. Answer me mortal." He had to be more direct. Maybe if he reversed to what he usually called them, she would think he wasn't joking, and in fact he wasn't.

Then something caught Bakura's attention. Small noises could be heard from inside the shower. As the mist drained out of the bathroom, he could make out a shadowy figure behind the shower current. He slowly approached the bathtub, the dripping noise of the faucet becoming more distinct. "Tea?" He replied a bit quieter now.

With one last, heavy breath Bakura took a final step forward and flung the curtain back. His eyes widened in surprise that caused his face to dewrinkle spontaneously. The anger that was just inside him had momentarily vanished as he stared at the girl, huddled up into a ball in the corner. Her wet body was wrapped around a wet, blue towel tightly, her still very wet hair clinging to her face. She stared down at the tub before her, wet tears becoming more obvious on her skin. She had her arms tightly around her knees, and her legs and feet pulled in tightly. She looked so sad there. She said nothing nor did she look up. In fact she was trying very hard to keep from crying. Her eyebrows were narrowed and her mouth was in a deep frown as if wrestling with herself deep in thought, and trying to hold back the tears at the same time. Bakura didn't know what to do. He didn't want to yell at her or hurt her. He definitely didn't want to bring up the letters by any means.

"I'm sorry." Tea replied meekly.

"Huh?" Bakura turned his head at her startled by her weak reply. "What are you sorry about?" He said just a bit too harsh and cocky.

"I'll get up and help you get on your way soon, just wait okay?" Said Tea sadly.

Bakura stared at her skeptically. He made a sudden grunt as he watched her soften her eyes in despair. To him, it was as if those words she spoke hurt or something.

"You know." Bakura began. "You…don't have to hold them back. If you want to cry go ahead. I won't look." He said calmly, turning around to face the other direction. He folded his arms, waiting for some type of sappy crying to start.

"This is so embarrassing." Tea mumbled aloud. Bakura whirled around, turning to face the girl again. 'So now she has joke?' He asked himself. "Why are you embarrassed?" He asked demandingly. She didn't answer. Instead she just sighed and tightened up.

"Because it makes me look weak, and I'm tired of being weak. Maybe that's why everyone left me." She said aloud more to herself then to Bakura. A small smile traced across her lips as Bakura just stood there.

"That's it I've had enough of your crap." Tea looked up, a bit startled by his words. "Come on." He said coldly. He reached out a hand to the girl in the bathtub, and stared on urging her to grab it.

Tea didn't know what to do. She looked up at him with tired, lifeless eyes. Was he being nice? Earlier she was almost positive he was the old, evil spirit she knew and loathed. But then he pulls these little mood swings that catches her off guard. Then again she's pulled the same stunts. I mean really, what was she doing to herself?

Bakura sighed in frustration. The girl was just looking at him like he was a total nut case or something. 'Well she wouldn't be too far from the truth.' He smirked to himself in thought. With one final grunt, Bakura did something that neither of them expected him to do. He retrieved his hand, and thoughtfully stepped into the bathtub, putting one leg in front of the other. Tea looked at him horrified. Just what the hell was he doing? Her skin began to feel hotter then it already was. She was unsure what he was planning to do, but she knew or she was sure he wasn't going to hurt her.

A small, light blush grew on Tea's cheeks, as Bakura crouched down onto his feet. He placed his elbows and arms on his knees to support and balance his weight. He smirked at Tea, enjoying the feeling of fear radiate from her body.

"You're not going to scream now right?" He asked seriously. Tea shook her head slowly from side to side. "Good." With that said, Bakura knelt down onto one knee, and placed his arms around the girl. Tea was tempted to scream out, but instead a squeal escaped her lips. Finally in his arms, Bakura stood up holding the girl. Tea made sure to hang on to her towel tightly. Embarrassment triggered her mind to stare down at the ground, but instead she found herself staring down at his arms and hands. Quickly, she snapped her head up and then found herself staring at the face that was smirking down at her.

Bakura wasted no time. He quickly walked out of the bathroom, the cool air allowing Tea to breath easier. Completely by chance, he opened the door opposite of him, which happened to b Tea's. The room was blue, with a stereo in one corner, a bed in the middle, a closet on the right corner, and a desk on the opposite side. Teddy bears scattered the bed, with an occasional stuffed cat.

"I presume this is your room right?" He asked her. With a nod from the girl, Bakura proceeded into the room. He sat her gently on the bed, leaving her there as he continued to walk to the closet. Tea looked at him, unsure what to say. She watched carefully, as he opened her closet and began going through things.

Satisfied, Bakura pulled out a pair of jeans and a long sleeved, blue shirt. He through the clothes gently, over Tea's head, as he proceeded to a drawer. Opening it, he through a pair of socks at her, and went to the next one down.

(O__O) "STOP!" Tea cried out pulling the clothes off her body and, causing Bakura to look back over his shoulder.

"I can get my own…uh.. undergarments out thank you." She replied somewhat hot headed, and blushing greatly.

"Humph, suit yourself." He grunted. Bakura walked out of the room, leaving Tea on the bed speechless.

"Get dressed. We're leaving in 10 minutes." He replied coldly. Tea just blinked at him and asked him why.

"You need some fresh air, and a wake up call. We're going down town or whatever the hell you call it so bring money. As you can tell I have none." And without another word, he closed the door, leaving Tea in total silence.

Well, maybe not complete silence.

"Well that was weird." She said aloud, wiping her tears away unnoticeably.

Zoeygirl: Well, hope all of you liked it. Yes it was a bit boring, but I've got this thing planned out. I just want to have some fun with all of you first. (Smiles evilly.) Oh, and before this story is over, you will not see the last of Yugi, and friends. BUM, BUM, BUM!