* * *

For some strange reason I was almost looking forward to going home. Maybe it was because I would have some company with me. Mokuba would be asleep by this hour, the night, the time I needed someone the most.

So I wouldn't usually find myself on the streets at this time, especially with someone else on the back of my motorcycle, heading home like this. But, as I've emphasized before, this seems to be a very peculiar day.



*Ryou's POV*

I don't understand how I got into this. I've learned to accept the fact that I have to spend my nights alone. So I never expected the one I've never thought gave me a second glance would notice me and save me from that.

I looked up at the clouds; it didn't seem like the rain would subside anytime soon. I wrapped my arms closer around his waist as he seemed to speed up; no matter how uncomfortable this was, I didn't want to fall off. Despite the cold rain dripping down my face, my cheeks were still hot.

After what seemed like forever of being humiliated, we neared his house, if you could call it that. I knew that he had money, but I never knew exactly how much.

The motorcycle pulled to a stop inside the large garage of the white house we had arrived at. Kaiba was already headed for the porch. After staring in amazement, I slid off and ran to follow him. I had even more time to gape at the scenery as he searched for his keys; the sky was dark, and I could hear the rain pattering on the roof of the porch, which had large archways in the front.

As he began to unlock the door, I faintly heard my yami snickering in his Soul Room.

//Heh, baka na hikari. I can't believe it-you're spending the night with Seto Kaiba!"//

I felt the flush rise on my face. /Ehh…Yami…it's not meant like that. We were both lonely tonight and agreed to stay together./

//Tch,// I heard my yami scoff while Kaiba and I walked into the house. //He's rich enough; he could get the company of anyone he wanted.//

/But that--/ I was cut off when I heard Kaiba calling my name.

*Seto's POV*

As we walked into the house, Bakura looked as if he were in a bit of a daze. In fact, he didn't even seem to notice I was staring at him.

"…Bakura?" I called to him after a few seconds, which brought him blinking back to attention.

"Oh, gomen nasai!" He didn't seem to want to share what he was thinking about (he usually doesn't, I've noticed,) so I decided not to ask. This would have been strange if it hadn't been Bakura; I know he has one of those Sennen Items, like Yugi does. I've heard that a spirit lives in Yugi's Sennen Item, which he talks to, whatever that's supposed to mean. Maybe they just make you go insane?

Well, the point I was getting at was that Bakura's Sennen Item might be similar. I suppose that's what he had been doing…Bakura doesn't seem insane, though. I wouldn't put it past Yugi to make up a little friend of his own, but Bakura wouldn't do something like that. Then again, he seems lonely…

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a small sneeze. Looking over at him, I noticed Bakura rubbing his noise, as if it itched.

"I told you that sitting in the rain like that wouldn't do you any good," I said as I led him to my office. Silently I pulled a tissue from a box and handed it to Bakura, who gratefully accepted. I slid into my office chair and observed my desk; a few computers, a billion wires, plus a suitcase that had been carelessly thrown down only about an hour ago cluttered most of the space. Sighing, I dreaded getting to work more than ever.

I looked back at Bakura, who was still lingering at the trash can he had thrown his tissue in. Not sure what to say, the words didn't come out like I wanted them to.

"I have to get some work done; there's a television in the living room, or you can find something else to do. Just try not to wake Mokuba up," I didn't wait for a reply, turning towards my computer.

Listening to the silence for a moment, I guessed that he had left. Although I had quite a bit to do, I just sat staring at my computer screen. Today was worse than usual; I just didn't feel like working at all. Why, I ask myself? Is there anything I would do if I didn't do this?

Yes, I answered myself without question. I would spend time with Bakura. Blinking, I realized what I had meant.

"Agh, I really must be tired…" I put my elbows on the table, cupping my face and closing my eyes as the words mumbled out of my mouth.

"So why don't you go to bed?" I almost jumped at the soft voice; he had been so quiet that I hadn't even realized that he was in here!

Looking up and turning my head, I saw Bakura standing behind me.

"I have to get this work done…" were the only words I could think of.

"It's more important that you get your rest. They can't expect you to work your life away; it can always wait until tomorrow." Those chocolate eyes lit up as he graced me with a rare, true smile. How can someone say no to those eyes?

I hesitantly turned away from those eyes, almost as if to turn back to my computer. All I could do was stand up and pick up my suitcase.

"You have a point. Plus, you're a guest, and it's rude." Of course he had a point. Bakura almost never argued…I was surprised that he actually cared about me. I noticed his features light up even more, like an excited kitten. I couldn't help but smirk a little as we began to walk out of the room. Before I turned off the light, I made sure to grab a few tissues; I had heard him sniffling a little.

I led us into my small bedroom and set my suitcase down there. Looking over at Bakura, I noticed the predicament we had on our hands.

"Anou…you wait here…I have to do something." How embarrassing…I felt like his mother. Either that or his lover, but…let's not think about that.

I closed the door behind me and headed for Mokuba's room, across the hall. Walking into the dark room, I tried not to disturb my younger brother's rest…all I wanted to do was check on him.

*Ryou's POV*

For some reason, my heart started to beat faster as Kaiba left the room. I didn't spend the night at someone's house often, not even relatives. In fact, I hadn't really gotten close enough to a friend to sleep at their house. I wouldn't call it my yami's fault that I didn't have close friends...he's just protective. I remember when he had tried to get me friends by sealing their bodies into small dolls. Of course, that didn't work out…

If more people knew about him, they would probably say that he abuses me. He teases me and such, but he's more like a brother to me than anything. Once when a teacher was harassing me, Yami went to my school afterwards and…well…that teacher didn't come back…

I'm just surprised he hasn't done anything to Kaiba, although I'm not sure why. He doesn't like me to get close to anyone, really, probably because he doesn't trust them. His only explanation is that he "can't let anything get in the way of his goal." But, no matter what he does to them (he's driven plenty of people insane and sent a few into comas,) he never physically abuses me. Perhaps, to him, Kaiba isn't like the others? Perhaps he trusts him…

*Seto's POV*

I frowned as Mokuba moved in his sleep. Something was bothering him. Brushing the hair out of his face, I saw him flinch for a moment, then start to stir. Oh smart, Seto, you woke him up…I pulled my hand away, but it was too late. He sat up, rubbing his eyes with small fists and yawning.

"…Nii-sama?" He spoke up, opening his eyes, his vision coming into focus.

"Gomen, Mokuba…I didn't mean to wake you…" Before I could say anything else, Mokuba flew from the bed into my arms, hugging tightly.

"I was so worried…it was late, and you weren't home, and I wondered if you were alright…" His eyes filled with tears.

Smiling, I wrapped my arms around him. Mokuba…

"Don't worry, Mokuba. I'll always come home to you. I told you I'd protect you, remember?"

"H-hai, nii-sama…" He pulled away gently, wiping his tears. The smile remained on my face as he climbed into his bed.

I pulled the blankets over his small shoulders. "A friend of mine is standing here tonight, Mokuba, alright?"

His large dark eyes blinked up at me. "A friend? Who?" He almost moved to jump out of the bed and check, but I pushed him back.

"He's a friend from school; his name's Bakura. Don't worry, you'll see him in the morning. You should sleep now."

"But…I wanna…see…" he trailed off into a yawn and closed his eyes.

Smiling, I pat his head one last time and turned away. Stopping at the door, I looked over my shoulder.

"Good night, Mokuba."

"G'night…nii-sama…"

Making my way down the hallway, I pulled a blanket and a pillow out of the closet. When I came back in my room, I noticed Bakura staring out the window at the thunderstorm. He looked so sad…

Before I could speak up, a small "Achoo!" came from Bakura. I walked over to him, pulling another tissue from my pocket and handing it to him, which he took from my hand with a small "Thank you." This reminded me of something…when Mokuba was sick, I always carried around tissues in my pockets as I took care of him.

"We'd better get to bed; we have school in the morning," Bakura's eyes widened when I said this.

"Oh my gosh!" His hands covered his mouth in a surprised tone. "My uniform…it's at my h-h---ahh-achoo!" The blow of this sneeze made him fall backwards into a sitting position on my bed. He sniffled, looking up at me in a dazed way. His cheeks looked a bit red.

I handed him another tissue. "I don't think you'll be going to school like that." Before he could jerk away, I placed the back of my hand on his forehead. He was certainly warm.

He blinked. "Oh, no, I can't miss school…"

"I'll bring your work to you," I tried to reassure him. "Right, now you need your rest. You're sleeping here tonight." I turned to leave.

"I can't sleep in your bed…I'll sleep on the couch!" He looked worried, as if he thought he was intruding.

"Don't worry-we have a guest room. I'd prefer to sleep there." Smirking back at him, I walked out with my hand on the doorknob, ready to close the door behind me.

"Good night, Bakura-kun."

"…good night, Kaiba-sama…"

Carrying the blanket and pillow to the couch, I took off my clothes except for my boxers. The only way to make Bakura not feel guilty was to lie to him. Not like it mattered that I was sleeping on the sofa. It was better than my usual place-- my computer desk. Resting my head on the pillow, I pulled the blanket around me and closed my eyes, listening to the soft patter of the rain outside. It seemed that tonight I would actually get some sleep…

(A/N: Whew ^^; Yes I know the story's developing slowly...and I know Seto is being kind of a sap. I'll try to fix those few problems in the next chapters! Please review!)