Author's Note: Chapter 8 is up now! This chapter explains about Téa's dreams and more angst between her and Yami Bakura and a bit of humour as well. And who is that stranger in the Muto house? Enjoy! ^_~

Chapter 8:

If You Go!

The door clicked open and Téa and Yami Bakura walked inside. Téa noticed the lights were on. "Mom?" She called out.

"Upstairs honey!" Came a reply from above.

Téa sighed. "She lead Yami Bakura back over to the couch and helped him sit down. "I'll be right back. I need to tell mom." She started to leave but felt her hand being gripped tightly by the scared boy. She smiled sadly. "Mom won't make you leave, just try to relax." She patted his hand gently.

Yami Bakura nodded and released her hand.

Téa jogged up the stairs and entered her mother's room. "Mom, can I talk to you?"

A bubbly looking brunette with curls smiled and nodded at her daughter. "Sure, what is it?"

Téa tried to word herself carefully. "One of my friends was attacked in an alley and was hurt pretty badly, I was wondering if they could stay here over night?"

"Who is this friend?"

"Bakura…" Téa said hesitantly. Knowing it was a boys' name she spoke of.

"That sweet white haired boy from your school?" She gasped.

"Yes…"

"May I see him?" She asked, folding up some clothing and tucking it in the drawer.

Téa nodded. "I was hoping you would."

***

Downstairs, Yami Bakura was lying back on the couch. He was feeling rather weak and didn't want to move, other wise he would have probably convinced himself to leave. Damn emotions… He cursed mentally. His head started to pound again. He growled and leaned forward head in hands.

Téa and her mother descended the stairs and found him leaning forward and gripping his head tightly.

"Oh you poor dear!" Her mother cried rushing over to dark Bakura. She kneeled down and touched his head, making sure there weren't any bumps.

Yami Bakura looked up hastily. He couldn't see, but for some reason he felt safe even though he didn't know who was touching him.

"Come now, let's get you cleaned up and we can discuss what happened later. Téa, get some of your fathers old night clothing and start a bath for me please? "

Téa nodded smiling. She was so happy her mother was all right with him staying. After all, there was nothing going on between them. She nodded reassuring herself.

Yami Bakura felt strong but gentle hands grip his slender shoulders and lift him up. "My goodness, you are so thin." She commented, feeling his bones beneath her nimble hands. "Come now, let's get you fixed up." She let go and started to walk away. She stopped when she noticed dark Bakura looking around, his eyes trying to focus. He whimpered slightly and gripped the couch tightly. "Are you ok?" She asked, coming closer.

"I…I can't see…ma'am…" He stuttered.

"Oh my…" She gasped. "Téa has a lot of explaining to do!" She took his hand in hers and began to lead him away from the couch. "Come on, I'll lead you to the bathroom."

Yami Bakura nodded and slowly followed her lead, never letting her hand go.

Téa came out of her parents' room with a dark blue PJ set. "Here you go, mom."

Her mother looked at the clothing and then at Téa. "I think you are old enough and mature enough to help your friend out, hmmm?" She asked, opening the door to the bathroom.

"MOM!!!" Téa went bright red in the face. "I don't think…"

"Oh, for goodness sake, Téa. I'll wrap a towel around him; you just help him wash up. The poor thing can't see. Now no arguments! I need to make a phone call." She led Yami Bakura in the bathroom, helped him out of his clothes and wrapped a towel around his waist. She filled the tub and waited till it was at just the right height. She helped him in and turned to face Téa, who was looking away. "There, now just make sure he doesn't hurt himself!"

"Yes…mom…" Téa's face was so red; it was almost crimson. She walked into the bathroom, eyes shut tight. "B…Bakura?"

"I'm in here…" Came a dry reply.

Téa gulped and forced her eyes open. He was going to kill her; she just knew it. She walked over toward the bathtub and gripped the shower curtain tightly. She peeked over, praying he had kept his towel on. "Do…do you need any help?" She squeaked.

"Not really…" Came another dry reply. He was fuming inside. This was embarrassing. He sighed. "I CAN'T SEE! WHAT DO YOU THINK?" He shouted causing Téa to hide behind the curtain.

Téa took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She tore the curtain back causing Yami Bakura to jump and try to cover himself with his arms. Grabbing a cloth, she knelt by the side of the tub and closed her eyes again. "I'll help…just…h…hold still." Her hands were shaking as she began to wash his back.

"It might help if you opened your eyes!" He snapped.

"How did…"

"You're fumbling around too much. I would be better off at this point, seeing as I know Bakura's body inside and out."

Téa's hand slipped at that last comment and she plummeted head first into the tub. She gasped for breath, pulling herself out. Her hair was completely saturated and her shirt was soaked right through.

"If you wanted to join me, you should have said so!" Came a sarcastic voice from above.

Téa looked up and was face to face with a blushing Yami Bakura. She jumped back and fell flat on her butt. She groaned rubbing it and walked over to the door. Knowing her mother gossiped for hours, she wouldn't come up and see this embarrassing sight. She closed the door and locked it.

"What are you doing?" Came a slightly shaky voice.

"Locking the door. If mom saw this, I would never live it down. I'm going to change, blind or not, keep yourself facing the wall or I will sink you!"

Yami Bakura grumbled, but obeyed.

Téa struggled out of her clothing and slipped on a nightshirt and pyjama bottoms. "Ok, now let's get you washed up." She walked back over, grabbed the cloth and began. This time she kept her eyes opened, too angry to really care anymore. Once she was finished his back, she handed him the cloth. "Ok, you can do the rest. I don't think I could handle it!" She sat down on the sink and glanced at the closed door.

Yami Bakura sighed. He hated using that word, but he felt he should do it. "I want to…th…thank you…for taking care of Bakura's body. Not many know this, but I actually care for that insufferable twerp."

Téa giggled.

Yami Bakura tossed the cloth toward the sound of her voice and started to stand up.

Téa caught the cloth and placed it on the sink. She jumped off the counter and went over to help him out. "Here, take me hand." She touched his wrist, so he would know where her hand was. She smiled when she saw him reach for it and grip it. She took a moment to notice the major contrast. Her skin was peaches and cream with a slight tan and his was white and almost sallow looking, and very thin.

Not realising the tub was slippery; Yami Bakura lost his footing as Téa was helping him out.

Téa went to catch him, but he hadn't let go of her wrist. They both went down in the tub. They got into a complicated position as they struggled to get up. This resulted in Yami Bakura standing up really fast because Téa was on top of him. He got up a bit too fast though, and the towel around his waist fell off. Téa was still below him and got quite an eye full of his 'body'.

They both froze. Téa was afraid to move.  She felt her face grow extremely hot. Her eyes squinted shut and she screamed.

***

"Well, now that you are all cleaned up, let's get you set up in the guest room." Téa's mother said, picking up Bakura's clothing and tossing it in the laundry. "Téa, is the bed ready?"

Téa nodded, her face still red from earlier. "Yes." She walked out of the room, her arms clinging tightly to her sides. Her hands balled into tight fists.

Yami Bakura felt Téa's mother leading him to the guest room. "I apologize if I have been an inconvenience." He said, politely. All those year with Bakura really paid off for him.

"Oh, you have been no trouble at all, dear. I am more then happy you are all right. That was a nasty thing that happened. My little Téa is such a good girl, bringing you here and all. You are more then welcome to stay until you are better. But, touch my daughter in any way and you won't live to see tomorrow." Her mother said darkly.

"I would never hurt your daughter. I care a great deal about her and respect her very much. She's a great friend."

Téa looked up, astonished at Yami Bakura's words. Of course she knew it was just an act. And he was pretending to be the Bakura everyone knew. This made her feel sad for some reason.

Once Téa's mother had led them to the guest room, she tucked Yami Bakura in, kissed him on the forehead and said goodnight. Téa giggled and his expression and decided to stay for a while, to make sure he would be ok. After ten minutes, he started to close his eyes. Téa got off the chair she was sitting in and smiled.

"I'll be in the next room if you need anything."

"Why would I need anything from you?" He asked bitterly.

"Um, well…b…before you…"

"I what? Pleaded with you? Acted like I was a scared child? Seemed lonely? That wasn't me! It was my 'partner' he was too embarrassed to admit he had a thing for you. And god knows why anyways. You are just an annoying brat that keeps getting in my way! I am only grateful to you for saving Bakura, because I need him to complete my task. Once that is done, he will be useless to me!"

Téa bowed her head. "But…what you said in the bath…about Bakura…"

"That was the truth. Like I said, I need him, so that's why I 'care' so much!"

"You jerk!" She stomped her foot and hovered over his bed, ready to strangle him. "I believed everything you said! I even started to care about you! Not just Bakura. If you think I did this just for Bakura, you're wrong!" She stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut.

Yami Bakura closed his eyes. Feeling a cool breeze blow across his face, he opened his eyes and turned on his side. "Damn window…it's freezing in here!" He sat up and felt around, but couldn't find the window. "Damn, after what I said to her, she'll never help me now!" He threw himself back down and wrapped the covers over him tightly, shivering.

Téa walked into her room and slammed the door shut. She threw herself down on the bed and started to cry. "I was such a fool. I actually believed him!" She picked up a stuffed animal and threw it against the wall. "Damn him! I hate him!" She looked up at the wall. He was right on the other side. "I wish he wasn't here." She closed her eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep.

***

Téa opened her eyes and saw a figure enter the room. His shiny hair was glistening in the moonlight. "Bakura?" She moaned, rubbing sleep out of her eyes.

The figure approached the bed and sat on it. He reached over and touched her face.

"Why are you here?"

"I wanted to be with you." He whispered. I know how you're feeling, but just let it go." He started to kiss her.

 "Wait…I need to know something."

"What is that?" Came an irritated reply.

"Have you heard of Yami no Yume?"

Yami Bakura laughed menacingly. "It's a powerful card.  Rare and grants your most darkest desires.  As you can now see by now, I am not your Bakura. I am just taking the shape of what you desire most!"

"Desire? Bakura???" Téa asked in horror. "But I'm with Marik…"

"Just a cover up for what's deep inside your lovely and pure heart." The voice said in a silky tone.

"Get away from me!"

"But, I thought you liked it when I touched you?"

Téa backed into the wall of her room. "That's because I thought…"

"That I was him?" The figure laughed. "Well, I hate to disappoint you, but I'm not. And you know you will never have him for real, so it's best that you enjoy this while you can."

Téa shivered. It looked like Yami Bakura, but she knew in her heart it wasn't. She kicked the figure away. "I want to wake up! Please let me wake up!!!" She cried, closing her eyes and grabbing her head.

"Téa…" Came the voice in front of her.

"NO! Go away! I hate him! I hate that Bakura! I don't want those dreams anymore!!!

Téa opened her eyes and saw a startled Yami Bakura holding her arms tightly. "Eeek!!!!" She cried struggling out of his grasp.

"You…hate me?" He whispered gently.

"Yes! Now leave me alone! I don't want you in my dreams anymore!!!"

"Téa…" Yami Bakura felt around the bed, finally finding the lamp and flicked the lamps' light on.

Téa blinked several times. Her eyes focused and she saw Yami Bakura before her. She gulped. "Oh…it wasn't a dream…"

"You were dreaming, but it seems you didn't realise I was real. I knew that was how you felt about me, I just wish you could have been honest."

Téa felt her eyes sting with tears. "No! I…" She reached out to him, but he had pulled away. His eyes showed hurt in them. He was frowning and his eyebrows were knitted together in anger.

"I'll leave you be now, so you can go back to your 'dark dreams'…" He began to feel the wall, leading him out of the room, when Téa suddenly cried out.

"That's it!!!" She snapped her finger. "That card! Marik told me about it the other night! I asked the figure in my dream and he was going to attack me…"

***

"Yami no Yume?" She asked, curiously.

"Yes, it's a card that can control your dreams. When I discovered it, it was unleashed. This new corporation wants it and the power of the god cards. They want to take over Kaiba corp. Marik said, shaking his head sadly.

"What does this card look like?"

Marik thought for a moment and then reached over and grabbed a pad of paper Téa had on her desk. "Here, I'll draw it for you."

"I didn't know you could draw." She laughed.

"Something to do when I'm board." He replied.

***

Téa jumped off of the bed and shuffled through her drawers. "He drew it for me, so I could always be on guard if I ever saw it. He never told me the dangers about it, or that it was evil. I never told him about the dreams…until earlier tonight. He said I might already be involved. "I need to meet him at Kaiba corp. tomorrow!"

Yami Bakura said nothing and attempted to leave the room once more.

Téa grabbed his wrist. "Wait…"

"What?" He asked, his voice showing fatigue.

"I need to tell you something." She said, her face flushed. "It's about you and…me.  That card seems to feed on the desires of the one it prays on. You know, feelings deep inside the heart?" She looked away shyly. "I think…I think the reason I had those dreams is because…I…want…you." She confessed. She heard a sharp intake of air.

Yami Bakura was sure he was going to die from lack of oxygen. She felt the same way he did? It didn't matter though. Things would never work out. He wanted to be alone and he liked being alone. He didn't need anything interfering with his plans. He found comfort in not needing anyone.

Téa walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He was breathing faster now. She felt him tense up. She leaned in just inches away from his lips.  "I don't hate you."  She sighed and covered his lips with her own.

Yami Bakura wanted to react, but forced himself not too. He tried to think of anything but what this beautiful girl was doing to him.

Téa opened her eyes and saw two pale eyes looking menacingly at her. She pulled back, frowning. He didn't return the kiss. She felt like such a fool.

"If you are done now, may I go now?" He asked impatiently, wiping his mouth.

Téa gasped. She felt her heart break. It's just a guy. She told herself. There are plenty of others. You have one who cares for you. Remember? Marik... Forget about this thief and pretend this night never happened. She looked away, tears falling slowly. She nodded and refused to look at him. "Go…" She whispered.

Yami Bakura left the room. Feeling his way, back, he heard her door slam shut and light sobbing echoing through the walls. "Goodbye Téa…"

***

Yugi was sleeping soundly in his room. Hugging onto his pillow, he snored lightly. A shattering sound disturbed him from his sound sleep. "What was that?"

Yami appeared next to him, in transparent form. "Let me go, Yugi."

Yugi nodded and slipped the millennium puzzle around his neck. A light flashed and Yami was sitting in Yugi's bed, wearing his blue pyjamas' with yellow stars imprinted on them. He tiptoed lightly down the stairs. Another crash was heard. Grabbing at the baseball bat on the table below the stairs, he walked around the corner and saw a black figure hovering over Yugi's duel deck. "Hey!" He shouted. "Get away from there!"

The figure jumped back and smirked. He picked up a piece of glass from the broken window he had shattered and chucked it at Yami.

Yami covered his face and cried out in pain when the glass went into his arm.

The figure took this opportunity to jump at Yami and kick his legs out from underneath him.

Yami fell to the floor and felt the stranger's fingers closing in around his neck. His air was being cut off. He reached over desperately searching for the baseball bat. He couldn't find it. His eyes started to roll back in his head.

Another figure came running down the stairs, a large shotgun in his hand. "Leave my grandson alone!" Came a harsh voice.

The figure looked up, saw the gun and put his hands up, surrendering.

Yami gasped for air, rolled to the side and saw the baseball bat. He reached for it, wrapped his fingers tightly around the end and swung with all of his might. The bat connected with the strangers' skull and the robed figure fell unconscious to the floor.

Yami stood up and went over to Solomon. "Thanks." He breathed He grimaced as he pulled the glass out of his arm. He ripped a part of Yugi's shirt off and wrapped it around his bleeding arm.

"Are you alright, Yugi?" Solomon asked; brow crinkled in worry.

"I'm fine, grandpa, but why was he after my deck?" Yami wondered, staring down at the unconscious man.

To be continued…