Just walk a bit further along the road like this, shoulder to shoulder,

Counting the dreams that are becoming further away,

Seeing the gradually lessening friends.

At this moment, I am lost in the familiar streets,

and created the other side of myself in the darkness.

A yell of thirst,

As if piecing the heart already filled with depression,

I want to invite you to see this world with me.

Inside my heart is answers which no one else has.

Find the crucial key.

Fly at higher game

Together we cross countless sadness.

Never stopping, we seek the both of us on that day,

Until we become apologetic.

If the times were reset maybe we might still meet somewhere,

Until that day comes, never give up.

The gradually coldening thoughts,

No matter how I am unable to deny them,

But a change to fall in love isn't a bad idea.

Not worrying, not panicking,

Praying faithfully,

As if flowers will bloom inside the heart.

Just take my heart

-Domino City-

*Seto's POV*

The moon is bright tonight. Usually I wouldn't notice, but it was unusual. Then again, it was unusual that I was out at night. Mokuba keeps telling me I need to get outside, away from my desk. Unfortunately, I haven't really gotten that chance lately. But something drew me out tonight.

Mokuba was worried, seeing that it's pouring outside. It had been a stressful day, and I needed to clear my thoughts. So I found myself on my motorcycle while the streets are practically flooding. It felt good, not having a specific destination, just racing through the empty streets. The wind rushing through my hair helps me to relax, even though I'm soaking wet by now. I was getting pretty cold and was considering turning back, but then I noticed something.

I was too far away to know what it was, and it was so immobile that at first I thought it a box, or some other object someone had left on the sidewalk. That's why I was a little surprised when it moved. It only seemed to switch positions, but it had caught my attention. After a moment's hesitation, I decided to see what it was.

Slowing my motorcycle down, I pulled towards the side of the road, getting closer to the object. It didn't look like a dog…in fact, the moonlight gave me a clear view by now. I could make out the legs pulled close to their owner's chest, whose head was rested on them. Silver-white bangs, dripping with rain, covered its face.

Pulling off of my motorcycle, I slowly stepped closer. I was sure the person had heard the noise of the machine, but the rain probably drowned out my steps. My assumption proved true when I rested a hand on the person's shoulder, causing him to jump. I faintly heard a small squeak…

I wasn't really prepared for what was coming next. I was already uncomfortable, seeing that I had to touch the person to get their attention…I'm just not used to touching people…what made it worse was that I recognized that face. Large brown eyes, long silver hair, my very own classmate from school, Ryou Bakura!

From the looks of him, he had been out here for quite some time. His clothes and hair were soaked, and he was shivering. This couldn't be healthy…yet he looked as if he'd been in that position for awhile…he blinked up at me with those sad eyes, seeming almost as if he was unsure of what to do. After a second's hesitation that was killing me, I decided to say something.

"…B-bakura? What are you doing out here?" I felt stupid right after I said that, and believe me, that doesn't happen a lot.

He again lowered his head to his knees, that distant look in his eyes once more. It was like he thought I wouldn't notice how sad he seemed…"I just…didn't feel like going home at the moment…I've only been out here a few minutes…I was just thinking about going inside…"

It was as if he thought I was stupid. It was obvious that he'd been out here much longer that "a few minutes." Any fool could realize that.

"You'll get sick if you stay out in this storm." I frowned at the clouds as I watched the lightning streak against the sky.

He looked back up at me, looking almost surprised. "You're out here…" It didn't seem like he meant to be sarcastic, but he still had a point. How was I supposed to reply to that? Changing the subject always worked.

"Let me give you a ride home." I knelt down next to him, looking into those chocolate hues to increase the affect. I tried to ignore the rain dripping down my bangs and along my nose.

"…A-alright…" He finally gave in, making me smirk. I knew him well enough; the look in my eyes, plus the "I'm-getting-soaked-trying-to-do-this-for-you" act…he was too kind-hearted to not accept.

"Good. You'll have to tell me where you live, but I think I can get you there." I moved towards my motorcycle and climbed on, expecting him to do the same.

*Ryou's POV*

I had never expected anything like this to happen. No one really noticed me sitting on the side of the road, especially when the streets became vacant with the pouring rain. So I hadn't thought anything of the roaring motorcycle; I only predicted it to go on its way like everyone else. So when I found myself face to face with Seto Kaiba, my own classmate from school that I had secretly admired from afar, I found myself a bit red in the face.

Wait…did I say "admired from afar?" I didn't mean it in…that way…it's just I've always found him to be an excellent duelist. I would've liked to get to know him better than I did, but the power in my Sennen Ring prevents me from befriending anyone.

I slowly climbed on the back of the motorcycle…I'd never really ridden one before, and I wasn't sure what to expect.

"You'll have to hold on," Kaiba said over his shoulder above the sound of the rain. I didn't get the true meaning of that until we started going when I was nearly flung off. Reacting on instinct, I wrapped my arms tightly around his thin waist. Oh…what an uncomfortable situation…I hope he doesn't take this the wrong way…

I thought I noticed him flinch slightly at my touch, but he seemed to ignore it as we sped ahead. Of course he was forced to pay close attention to the dark streets…I knew that he didn't seem like the type to touch others a lot, so he probably wasn't accustomed to the feeling.

After a moment, I muttered some instructions on how to get to my house, which wasn't really far off. I didn't want to admit it, but this position was getting comfy…I was still tired from sitting out there so long, and Kaiba was so warm…I rested the side of my cheek lightly against his back, closing my eyes for a moment. I felt like I could fall asleep right here…I don't know what it was, perhaps the sound of the rain, or something else… I usually have trouble sleeping. How strange.

I felt the motorcycle pulling to a stop. Apparently we had arrived. I managed to pull myself awake and off of the bike. As we quickly approached my porch, I noticed that the rain was showing no signs of stopping, and was beginning to flood around the streets. As I fumbled around for a key, I glanced over at Kaiba…he seemed concerned about something…or was it just my imagination?

*Seto's POV*

I'll have to admit I didn't expect Bakura to be such a comforting person. Already I could feel it flowing out of him…something about him made me relax. Normally someone wouldn't be allowed to touch me like that. The strange thing is, he had been sitting out there all this time and he was still warm. I almost didn't want to get off my bike…

Woah, hey, don't get any ideas. I'm probably tired from a long day at the office. It sickens me even more to think I have to go back to that empty building; maybe that's why I'm here in the first place. Taking Bakura home is only a way to stall for time.

I noticed two things when we got to our destination; the storm was only getting worse, and Bakura's house seemed completely vacant. I didn't see a car, and all the lights were turned off. In fact, when he found his key and unlocked the door, he opened it to a complete room of silence.

As I followed him in and he flicked on the light, he seemed to have a look of dread on his face. It looked a lot like I felt about going home to nothingness…

"Bakura…are your parents home?" Knowing nothing about his family, of course I would go and ask a question like that, which I would end up regretting later.

He looked up at me with those big sad eyes. After hesitating, he spoke up in a soft tone…his voice is always soft and high pitched, but this was almost a whisper. "My dad's been away on a business trip for a week. He won't be coming home until the end of the month."

"What about your mother?" I began glancing around the room, looking at the many pictures of Egypt that lined the walls.

"My mother is dead." When I pulled my eyes back to him, startled, I noticed his own hues were on the floor. His tone was flat. Hm, today just seemed to be my day for making mistakes. It made me wonder why I had never known about Bakura's parents before. In fact, it didn't seem like anyone at school knew much of anything about Bakura. Why was he so distant?

Well, I had to say something to break this uneasy silence. It was my fault anyway. I might as well apologize…I did bring up his dead mother…"I'm sorry…"

Bakura just looked up at me and smiled. "It's alright. I'm going to go get us some towels to dry off with. You can sit down on the couch; I'll be right back."

He closed the door and went running off in search of towels. He looked like a little kitten...it was cute…er, not like that…it just reminded me of Mokuba…I…

He came running back in, handing me a blue towel. He already had his own on his head, rubbing it in an attempt to dry his hair. That didn't seem to take very long. When he removed the towel, it all seemed to fluff up…why is he making me think of kittens? It's not like I sit around and think about kittens all the time…but Bakura…he's so much like a little cat…a Neko Bakura…

I was still patting my hair when he got an uncomfortable look on his face. That smile I had seen a few moments ago, it seemed like it had never existed. He glanced about the room worriedly as we stood in silence. When I thought it couldn't get more discomforting, he turned those large chocolate eyes to me. All the sadness seemed to flow out of them and pierce this cold heart which I had thought was long dead.

"I'm sorry for making you do this…I'm sure it was very out of the way…" If there's one thing I'm good at, it's reading through the lines. He was apologizing for me taking him home, as if I had somewhere to be…and he was also bringing up the idea that I hadn't meant to stay…I was dropping him off and leaving…

"Don't worry about it. I was only out driving. I needed to get away from that house," I didn't want him to feel bad about it; I was actually a little grateful to have something to get my mind off things.

He looked a little bit less uncomfortable, but more concerned. "Why's that?" The normal Seto Kaiba would have told him to mind his own business, but it seems that I'm just not myself tonight. Probably delirious from fatigue.

"My whole purpose of coming out tonight was to get away from that place. You only gave me all the more reason to stay out." Something in his face changed; he looked a bit surprised. Why should that be surprising? As if I have something to go home to besides endless amounts of work to be done.

"…I know exactly how it feels…" He glanced about the house again. Something made me realize what was wrong…I'm sure he's a very lonely person because I know he's very introvert. It must not help at all to live in a house like this with no one to come home to. It's easy to understand when you can relate.

Go ahead, call me crazy if you like, because a crazy idea popped into my head. I don't know where this came from, but it made so much sense…now, the only problem, was to explain it clearly enough. It was a very touchy idea…one slip up and there would be a terribly misunderstanding and a very embarrassing situation.

"Bakura…seeing that we both dread going through this night alone…and seeing that there's a storm outside and there's no one here with you…well, it's a bit dangerous. I wouldn't mind letting you stay with me for a little while, at least until the storm clears up. I know I could use the company."

Heh, well, I'd at least gotten a reaction. His face turned red and his eyes widened a bit; it wasn't your usual question, so I couldn't blame him. But strangely, his eyes closed in a small smile and he nodded. "If it's not an inconvenience, I wouldn't mind at all."

* * *

(A/N: I realize that it's a bit out of character and that it seems to serve almost no plot at the moment, but things will straighten out in further chapters! If you liked my other fanfic, have faith in this one! Please review!!

P.S. Lyrics are to "Kawaita Sekebi," the first Yu-Gi-Oh opening...?)