I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

|~*Rhapsody: And we return once more!

Tat: They're not done with us for twenty-some more chapters.

Rhapsody: Isn't it grand? ^^ Here's more poetry…

…The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and its tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom…
–Maya Angelou

Tat: This poem fits the story so well… Surprisingly that's not intentional.

Rhapsody: You shouldn't have told them that! We looked smart!

Tat: Well, looks aren't everything, right? It's our inner stupidity that counts.

Rhapsody: Not even going there. I'll give disclaimer instead: Yu-Gi-Oh! is the property of That Bum, also known as Kazuki Takahashi. YGO! doesn't belong to us or else we would have stolen Ryou and Bakura for our very own.

Tat: **drool**

Rhapsody: **day-dreaming, blushing**

Well, go on, ignore us, read the fic…*~|

CHAPTER ELEVEN (by Tat)

Ryou's POV

I close, lock, and turn (to make sure the door really is locked) the bathroom door when I come into the restroom to be alone.

Many questions are swirling through my mind.  I breathe in and out slowly to regain composure.

"We… almost… kissed…," I say to myself. I always find holding a conversation with oneself was the best way to solve problems.  ". . . Again. . .he almost kissed me again," I correct myself, touching my lips.

What could he see in me?

I look at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I see my usual self: silvery-white hair that falls past my shoulders, big eyes that make me seem innocent and oblivious to the real world (this of course isn't true), and deathly-pale skin. What could Yami possibly see in this? I look like shit.  There is NOTHING attractive about me and, like Bakura has told me countless times, 'I'm weak.'

I sigh, scolding myself for complaining because I too have the same feelings for Yami. Why complain when things are set out easier for you? All you have to do is sort things out and admit.

After I'm done with my self-conversation, I remove myself from the restroom and enter Yami's room. He's sitting on the bed deep in thought. I knock on the door gingerly and walk in.

"Yami . . ."

"Come."  He pats the bed for me to sit and I do so. "I know this is going to sound weird to you Ryou but… I like you."  He sighs, finally letting it out, "And if you don't feel the same way I understand."

He squeezes his eyes shut in fear of rejection. I take his hand.

"I feel the same way."

Yami peeks an eye open.  "Really?"

I nod.  "Yeah, that's sort of why I asked to come here."

Yami smiles and leans closer to me…