Summary: As Ryou struggles to situate his life, he draws strength from the
people around him, and those who have returned. *Reposted* *YAOI* *Mature
Themes*
Reposted for the third time, I do hope that people review this. I am posting it in two parts this time. Hope you enjoy this!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to YGO nor do I claim to.
Bakura = Ryou
Yami Bakura = Bakura
This story contains Yaoi, don't like then don't read!
-Blah- Emphasized words
"Blah" Speaking
'Blah' Thoughts
*~*~~*~* Scene Change
**** Flashback or Dream
//Bakura to Ryou//
/Ryou to Bakura/
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Fire and Phoenix
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Ryou smiled as Bakura told him of his adventures after he left. When he had left Ryou, he had plans to goto Egypt, but they were cancelled when Bakura couldn't produce a passport. He eventually got to Egypt and ended up getting hurt in one of the many archeologist dig sites. He spent about a year there and came back to Japan where he had been working as a dance club manager since. He had only worked up the guts to come back after he had heard of some attacks near Ryou's home.
The two were walking side by side in the park. Bakura had an arm draped over Ryou's shoulders and Ryou had his arm slung around Bakura's waist. Occasionally the two would stop and look at something, but other than that, they were in their own world. Emotions lazily drifted through their link and the Millennium Ring's weight was a comforting pressure on Ryou's chest once more.
"So that was what kept you away for three years?" Ryou's question was soft.
"Yes, and I'm sorry for being a stubborn fool. I should have stayed with you. If I had, nothing would have happened to you."
Ryou stopped, therefore causing Bakura to stop. "Are you blaming yourself?"
Ryou didn't need an answer, the look on Bakura's face said it all. "Don't blame yourself, Bakura. I'm not blaming me. I'm blaming him. It's all his fault."
"But, Ryou. He almost took your innocence. If he would have succeeded, I would have failed in my job to protect you."
Ryou placed his hands on Bakura's face. "The key word there is if. I'm still pure in that sense, but you wouldn't have been able to protect me even if you were here. Bakura, please don't blame yourself."
Bakura sighed and placed his hands over Ryou's. He brought them down and stared at Ryou's palms. His eyes raked over the pale skin, admiring the smallness of Ryou's hands, but paused at his wrists. Long, thin, white lines crisscrossed over the veins and they seemed to be rather new. Ryou must've noticed what he was looking at, because the pale hands tried to clench shut and pull away. Bakura growled and examined the scars before looking at Ryou's frightened face. Tears were falling out of his chocolate eyes, and the emotions pouring out of them and their mind-link were mind boggling.
Fear and helplessness were the most obvious. There were so many underlying emotions that Bakura couldn't tell where one stopped and another began. "Ryou, what happened?"
Ryou's body seized up and he clenched his eyes shut.
"Ryou, please."
Ryou's body relaxed slightly, but only slightly. "Malik didn't tell you everything. After Marik tried to rape me, I attempted to kill myself. Malik found me, naked and bleeding on my bathroom floor."
Bakura's grip slackened a bit. "Ryou, how long has it been?"
Ryou closed his eyes again and turned his head to the side. Shame. Bakura could feel the shame pouring itself out of the man before him. "4 months."
Bakura gently let go of Ryou's hands and brought the young man close. "Why would one want to taint something so pure?" He was speaking more to himself than to Ryou.
"All light is tempted by the darkness. They fear the unknown touch, but want it badly." The words were just a whisper but Bakura caught them. He frowned down at Ryou and tightened his embrace. After a few moments Ryou pulled away and took Bakura's hand. Entwining their fingers, he led Bakura back home.
*~*~~*~*
Ryou sighed from his place leaning against the door to the kitchen. Yami, Yugi, Seto, Joey, and Malik had gathered in his living room and were questioning Bakura endlessly. Bakura had answered questions, told stories and explained everything almost to the point of collapsing. Ryou was happy though. All of his friends had gathered and they were joking around like the old times. The times where Ryou didn't have to come home to fear if he was going to live through the night. The times when he didn't have to worry every night if Bakura was still alive. The times when he was still pure.
Ryou jumped when he felt a soft breath against his ear, and a gentle finger against his bruised cheek. Ryou stopped the need to shudder when the breath turned into a voice. Marik's voice.
"My lovely Ryou. Would you care to step out with me?" His voice was dripping with a need that Ryou didn't want to fulfill.
"No." Ryou's voice was low. "Get away from me, Marik."
The finger on his cheek moved to his neck, where others joined it. "Little angel, why won't you come with me?"
Ryou's own fingers went up to his neck where he roughly grabbed Marik's and shoved them off. "How the hell did you get in here?" His voice was louder than normal and it caught the other's attention quickly.
Marik smirked and brought his hand back up to Ryou's face, caressing it gently. "Quietly." With his other hand, he reached into his own back pocket and pulled out a knife. "I am only going to ask you once more, would you care to come with me?" The knife's blade was pressed up against Ryou's stomach.
Bakura moved to get up, as all the others did, but stopped when Ryou sent them a look that said, 'Stay away, I don't want you hurt as well.' That didn't stop him from growling though.
His sound brought Marik out of his daze of staring at Ryou. He turned his head, but tightened his hold on the blade against Ryou's stomach. "Oh, how nice. Little Bakura here is back. I suppose you think you'll be taking Ryou back? It isn't going to happen. Ryou here deserves no one but me. Isn't that right, my little angel?"
Ryou's eyes glinted, and he shook his head. "I am not yours. I never have, and never will be. We've been over that little fact before."
Marik turned his head back to Ryou. "Ah, yes, we have. But you see? That is why I have come to you tonight. If you can't be mine, you will be no one else's." Without warning, he plunged the blade into Ryou's stomach, smiling dementedly. Ryou made a strange gasping noise that was quickly muffled. His crimson blood spilled over the blade and dripped onto the floor as Marik pulled the knife out, and repeated the motion. Giving the blade a quick turn, he pulled it out and examined it. Ryou fell to his knees, and then fell face first into the ground, his own dark blood staining his beautiful wood floor. The whole room was in shock as Marik smirked and then walked out of the open door.
Yugi was the first to react. He screamed and clutched onto Yami, begging him to help Ryou. His scream brought the others out of their daze. Bakura ran over to Ryou, dropped to his knees and turned Ryou's body over. Ryou's eyes were still open, and he was blinking slowly up at Bakura, their chocolate depths hazed. Bakura pulled Ryou up to his chest and began crying into his hair. Ryou felt his eyes roll up into the back of his head, and just before he fell into the blackness, he heard Malik scream to call an ambulance.
*~*~~*~*
"In today's news, local man Ryou Bakura, 23, attacked in his own home. Suspect has yet to be apprehended. Mr. Bakura is in critical condition after being stabbed twice in the stomach. Police have warned the public that the suspect, Marik Ishtar, is highly dangerous and armed. If anyone sees this man, please contact your local authorities. Do not try to apprehend him yourself."
*~*~~*~*
The hazy beeps of a heart monitor lulled Ryou into consciousness. Ryou groaned and clenched his eyes together as a white hot pain seared through his lower abdomen. The pain didn't stop though, and Ryou whimpered in pain. The next thing he became aware of was the strong arms encircling him as the pain died down for the moment. Ryou decided to brave it and opened his eyes. The sight that greeted him was heartwarming in it's own way. In front of his bed were 3 chairs and a small couch. Yami was seated on one, with a tearstained, sleeping Yugi curled onto his lap. Joey was sitting on Seto's lap, staring at the wall, and the soft snores signified that Seto was asleep. Malik was sitting in the chair next to Seto and Joey and had his head against the wall, eyes closed. Ryou's eyes drifted to the couch and his eyes widened.
"Daddy?" Ryou's voice was hoarse from lack of use. His question caused a chain reaction in the room. Joey's eyes snapped over to him, a smile making it's way onto his lips; Malik's head popped up and he was by Ryou's side instantly; Yami jumped, causing Yugi to wake up; Bakura, who had been sleeping on the bed next to him, got up and placed a kiss on Ryou's forehead; Seto woke when Joey poked him; and finally, James Bakura smiled widely and moved to his son's side. Malik moved over to allow James access, but not before planting a happy and chaste kiss onto Ryou's lips.
A nurse was in the room in a few moments and she began ushering the nearly crying crowd out of Ryou's room. An hour later, the nurse emerged from the room, followed by a doctor. The doctor addressed Ryou's father.
"Mr. Bakura's father I presume?"
James nodded.
"Your son has amazingly come through this ordeal. He will have to stay here in the hospital for at least a month, and during this time will not be allowed to leave the bed, except to bathe and use the restroom. He has had some internal damage, but I'm guessing you knew this already. Now, I must insist upon you that only family visit for the time being. Too many people will no doubt excite the boy too much and cause him to injure himself further."
James nodded once more. "I believe you're right."
"Now before I allow you to see him, I must ask you to write down the names of family members and their relation. I'm sorry but I can only allow the aforementioned people." He added the last bit of information to the crestfallen looking Yugi.
James took the clipboard from the doctor's hands and wrote down three names. The doctor took back the board and read under his breath, "James Bakura; Father. Bakura; Brother. Malik Ishtar; Cousin." All eyes turned to Malik, who shook his head vigorously, telling them, 'No I am not Ryou's cousin.'
"All right, you three may go in now." With that, he turned on his heels and walked down the brightly lit hallway.
Malik turned to James. "Mr. Bakura. Why...?"
James smiled and closed his eyes. "He needs you just as much as he needs Bakura and I. You've been helping him from the very start of all this. I'm sorry, the rest of you, but I have no ways of explaining how all of you would be related to Ryou. "
Yugi smiled. "It's OK. I'm sure either Malik or Bakura will fill us in on what's going on."
James sighed in relief and followed Bakura into the dimly lit hospital room that was Ryou's. Bakura smiled and crawled back into the bed, wrapping his arms around the sleeping Ryou gently. Malik took a chair, drug it over and plunked it down next to the bed, where he took Ryou's hand into his and laced their fingers together before placing his arm on the bed and leaning his head on it. James sat back down on the small couch and smiled at the scene before him. Ryou was sleeping curled around the two men he loved more than his own father, and James loved the fact that they were protecting him, even in sleep. His eyes soon drifted shut, and the image of his son was burned into his mind forever.
*~*~~*~*
A month later, Ryou was struggling to walk into his house. The doctors had urged him to try and walk a little bit a day, but Ryou was finding it quite hard to comply with their orders. Every step he took felt like someone was burning his stomach, and the pain made him quite nauseous. He closed his eyes and fell back against Malik, who was helping him get across the lawn. Malik sighed and gently picked Ryou up, bridal style; he winced when Ryou gave a groan of pain, but carried him up the steps of the porch and into the living room.
Bakura followed the two, carrying Ryou's luggage, from his 'visit' to the hospital. He set the two suitcases down and went to go into the kitchen, but stopped when the TV flickered on, and Ryou gave a small whimper.
"Breaking news. Today, a young woman reported a sighting of Marik Ishtar somewhere near the outskirts of Domino. We advise the public to keep a close watch for him. He is the prime suspect in the attempted murder of local man, Ryou Bakura. Please call the authorities immediately if you see this man." A picture of Marik was placed onto the screen and Ryou whimpered louder. Malik sat down next to him and pulled him into a hug and kissed the top of Ryou's forehead. Ryou whimpered into Malik's neck and gripped the young man tighter. "He's gonna come after me again. He's gonna try to kill me again..."
Malik gently rocked Ryou back and forth whispering, "Bakura and I will be here. He can't hurt you while we're here. Right, Bakura?"
Bakura nodded and sat down on the couch behind Ryou. He began rubbing small circles into Ryou's shoulders. Ryou seemed to stop shaking and his breath evened out before long. Malik looked up and smiled at Bakura.
"This means we're staying together, yet again." Bakura gently carried Ryou up the stairs to his father's room, where he laid him down and motioned for Malik to lie with him. Malik complied and smiled softly as Ryou curled up against him.
Bakura went down to the living room again and made a few phone calls to the rest of their little gang.
*~*~~*~*
That night, Marik Ishtar was knocked out by a seething Yami and Bakura as he tried to break into Ryou's home. Seto and Joey tied him up while Yugi phoned the police; and Malik comforted Ryou as he caught sight of Marik as they were leading him away to the police station.
*~*~~*~*
Two months later, the gavel pounded and Marik Ishtar was sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder. Ryou burst into tears and Bakura and Malik did their best to calm the boy. Their side of the courtroom was cheering and Joey had decided to bring confetti into the small courtroom. The bright bits of glitter shimmered as Marik cackled insanely while being led out of the room by two guards.
"Today's news. Marik Ishtar is sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attempted rape and murder of Ryou Bakura. One can only say that good things come to those who wait. We all wish the Bakura family the happiest of congratulations."
*~*~~*~*
Ryou stared at the ceiling, his hands gently playing with the arms wrapped protectively around him. "Hey, guys?"
Bakura and Malik both grunted out, "Hmm?"
"I love you both. Thanks for everything."
Both Bakura and Malik, "Love you too, 'you. Welcome."
Ryou smiled and snuggled deeper into their embrace. He was safe now. Nothing would ever hurt him again, and Ryou was happy about that. He was with the two men he loved most, and he knew that both would rather die than allow him to get hurt. And for the first time in years, Ryou Bakura fell asleep feeling loved and protected.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
There were only a few minor errors, but as I said I edited some things and added a bit. I found something odd while I was fixing this: In this story, Marik is after Ryou to kill him and rape him, but in 'Touch of A Feather', they're my main couple. Oh well. Anyways, hope you enjoyed!
Please review and don't flame.
Reposted for the third time, I do hope that people review this. I am posting it in two parts this time. Hope you enjoy this!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to YGO nor do I claim to.
Bakura = Ryou
Yami Bakura = Bakura
This story contains Yaoi, don't like then don't read!
-Blah- Emphasized words
"Blah" Speaking
'Blah' Thoughts
*~*~~*~* Scene Change
**** Flashback or Dream
//Bakura to Ryou//
/Ryou to Bakura/
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Fire and Phoenix
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Ryou smiled as Bakura told him of his adventures after he left. When he had left Ryou, he had plans to goto Egypt, but they were cancelled when Bakura couldn't produce a passport. He eventually got to Egypt and ended up getting hurt in one of the many archeologist dig sites. He spent about a year there and came back to Japan where he had been working as a dance club manager since. He had only worked up the guts to come back after he had heard of some attacks near Ryou's home.
The two were walking side by side in the park. Bakura had an arm draped over Ryou's shoulders and Ryou had his arm slung around Bakura's waist. Occasionally the two would stop and look at something, but other than that, they were in their own world. Emotions lazily drifted through their link and the Millennium Ring's weight was a comforting pressure on Ryou's chest once more.
"So that was what kept you away for three years?" Ryou's question was soft.
"Yes, and I'm sorry for being a stubborn fool. I should have stayed with you. If I had, nothing would have happened to you."
Ryou stopped, therefore causing Bakura to stop. "Are you blaming yourself?"
Ryou didn't need an answer, the look on Bakura's face said it all. "Don't blame yourself, Bakura. I'm not blaming me. I'm blaming him. It's all his fault."
"But, Ryou. He almost took your innocence. If he would have succeeded, I would have failed in my job to protect you."
Ryou placed his hands on Bakura's face. "The key word there is if. I'm still pure in that sense, but you wouldn't have been able to protect me even if you were here. Bakura, please don't blame yourself."
Bakura sighed and placed his hands over Ryou's. He brought them down and stared at Ryou's palms. His eyes raked over the pale skin, admiring the smallness of Ryou's hands, but paused at his wrists. Long, thin, white lines crisscrossed over the veins and they seemed to be rather new. Ryou must've noticed what he was looking at, because the pale hands tried to clench shut and pull away. Bakura growled and examined the scars before looking at Ryou's frightened face. Tears were falling out of his chocolate eyes, and the emotions pouring out of them and their mind-link were mind boggling.
Fear and helplessness were the most obvious. There were so many underlying emotions that Bakura couldn't tell where one stopped and another began. "Ryou, what happened?"
Ryou's body seized up and he clenched his eyes shut.
"Ryou, please."
Ryou's body relaxed slightly, but only slightly. "Malik didn't tell you everything. After Marik tried to rape me, I attempted to kill myself. Malik found me, naked and bleeding on my bathroom floor."
Bakura's grip slackened a bit. "Ryou, how long has it been?"
Ryou closed his eyes again and turned his head to the side. Shame. Bakura could feel the shame pouring itself out of the man before him. "4 months."
Bakura gently let go of Ryou's hands and brought the young man close. "Why would one want to taint something so pure?" He was speaking more to himself than to Ryou.
"All light is tempted by the darkness. They fear the unknown touch, but want it badly." The words were just a whisper but Bakura caught them. He frowned down at Ryou and tightened his embrace. After a few moments Ryou pulled away and took Bakura's hand. Entwining their fingers, he led Bakura back home.
*~*~~*~*
Ryou sighed from his place leaning against the door to the kitchen. Yami, Yugi, Seto, Joey, and Malik had gathered in his living room and were questioning Bakura endlessly. Bakura had answered questions, told stories and explained everything almost to the point of collapsing. Ryou was happy though. All of his friends had gathered and they were joking around like the old times. The times where Ryou didn't have to come home to fear if he was going to live through the night. The times when he didn't have to worry every night if Bakura was still alive. The times when he was still pure.
Ryou jumped when he felt a soft breath against his ear, and a gentle finger against his bruised cheek. Ryou stopped the need to shudder when the breath turned into a voice. Marik's voice.
"My lovely Ryou. Would you care to step out with me?" His voice was dripping with a need that Ryou didn't want to fulfill.
"No." Ryou's voice was low. "Get away from me, Marik."
The finger on his cheek moved to his neck, where others joined it. "Little angel, why won't you come with me?"
Ryou's own fingers went up to his neck where he roughly grabbed Marik's and shoved them off. "How the hell did you get in here?" His voice was louder than normal and it caught the other's attention quickly.
Marik smirked and brought his hand back up to Ryou's face, caressing it gently. "Quietly." With his other hand, he reached into his own back pocket and pulled out a knife. "I am only going to ask you once more, would you care to come with me?" The knife's blade was pressed up against Ryou's stomach.
Bakura moved to get up, as all the others did, but stopped when Ryou sent them a look that said, 'Stay away, I don't want you hurt as well.' That didn't stop him from growling though.
His sound brought Marik out of his daze of staring at Ryou. He turned his head, but tightened his hold on the blade against Ryou's stomach. "Oh, how nice. Little Bakura here is back. I suppose you think you'll be taking Ryou back? It isn't going to happen. Ryou here deserves no one but me. Isn't that right, my little angel?"
Ryou's eyes glinted, and he shook his head. "I am not yours. I never have, and never will be. We've been over that little fact before."
Marik turned his head back to Ryou. "Ah, yes, we have. But you see? That is why I have come to you tonight. If you can't be mine, you will be no one else's." Without warning, he plunged the blade into Ryou's stomach, smiling dementedly. Ryou made a strange gasping noise that was quickly muffled. His crimson blood spilled over the blade and dripped onto the floor as Marik pulled the knife out, and repeated the motion. Giving the blade a quick turn, he pulled it out and examined it. Ryou fell to his knees, and then fell face first into the ground, his own dark blood staining his beautiful wood floor. The whole room was in shock as Marik smirked and then walked out of the open door.
Yugi was the first to react. He screamed and clutched onto Yami, begging him to help Ryou. His scream brought the others out of their daze. Bakura ran over to Ryou, dropped to his knees and turned Ryou's body over. Ryou's eyes were still open, and he was blinking slowly up at Bakura, their chocolate depths hazed. Bakura pulled Ryou up to his chest and began crying into his hair. Ryou felt his eyes roll up into the back of his head, and just before he fell into the blackness, he heard Malik scream to call an ambulance.
*~*~~*~*
"In today's news, local man Ryou Bakura, 23, attacked in his own home. Suspect has yet to be apprehended. Mr. Bakura is in critical condition after being stabbed twice in the stomach. Police have warned the public that the suspect, Marik Ishtar, is highly dangerous and armed. If anyone sees this man, please contact your local authorities. Do not try to apprehend him yourself."
*~*~~*~*
The hazy beeps of a heart monitor lulled Ryou into consciousness. Ryou groaned and clenched his eyes together as a white hot pain seared through his lower abdomen. The pain didn't stop though, and Ryou whimpered in pain. The next thing he became aware of was the strong arms encircling him as the pain died down for the moment. Ryou decided to brave it and opened his eyes. The sight that greeted him was heartwarming in it's own way. In front of his bed were 3 chairs and a small couch. Yami was seated on one, with a tearstained, sleeping Yugi curled onto his lap. Joey was sitting on Seto's lap, staring at the wall, and the soft snores signified that Seto was asleep. Malik was sitting in the chair next to Seto and Joey and had his head against the wall, eyes closed. Ryou's eyes drifted to the couch and his eyes widened.
"Daddy?" Ryou's voice was hoarse from lack of use. His question caused a chain reaction in the room. Joey's eyes snapped over to him, a smile making it's way onto his lips; Malik's head popped up and he was by Ryou's side instantly; Yami jumped, causing Yugi to wake up; Bakura, who had been sleeping on the bed next to him, got up and placed a kiss on Ryou's forehead; Seto woke when Joey poked him; and finally, James Bakura smiled widely and moved to his son's side. Malik moved over to allow James access, but not before planting a happy and chaste kiss onto Ryou's lips.
A nurse was in the room in a few moments and she began ushering the nearly crying crowd out of Ryou's room. An hour later, the nurse emerged from the room, followed by a doctor. The doctor addressed Ryou's father.
"Mr. Bakura's father I presume?"
James nodded.
"Your son has amazingly come through this ordeal. He will have to stay here in the hospital for at least a month, and during this time will not be allowed to leave the bed, except to bathe and use the restroom. He has had some internal damage, but I'm guessing you knew this already. Now, I must insist upon you that only family visit for the time being. Too many people will no doubt excite the boy too much and cause him to injure himself further."
James nodded once more. "I believe you're right."
"Now before I allow you to see him, I must ask you to write down the names of family members and their relation. I'm sorry but I can only allow the aforementioned people." He added the last bit of information to the crestfallen looking Yugi.
James took the clipboard from the doctor's hands and wrote down three names. The doctor took back the board and read under his breath, "James Bakura; Father. Bakura; Brother. Malik Ishtar; Cousin." All eyes turned to Malik, who shook his head vigorously, telling them, 'No I am not Ryou's cousin.'
"All right, you three may go in now." With that, he turned on his heels and walked down the brightly lit hallway.
Malik turned to James. "Mr. Bakura. Why...?"
James smiled and closed his eyes. "He needs you just as much as he needs Bakura and I. You've been helping him from the very start of all this. I'm sorry, the rest of you, but I have no ways of explaining how all of you would be related to Ryou. "
Yugi smiled. "It's OK. I'm sure either Malik or Bakura will fill us in on what's going on."
James sighed in relief and followed Bakura into the dimly lit hospital room that was Ryou's. Bakura smiled and crawled back into the bed, wrapping his arms around the sleeping Ryou gently. Malik took a chair, drug it over and plunked it down next to the bed, where he took Ryou's hand into his and laced their fingers together before placing his arm on the bed and leaning his head on it. James sat back down on the small couch and smiled at the scene before him. Ryou was sleeping curled around the two men he loved more than his own father, and James loved the fact that they were protecting him, even in sleep. His eyes soon drifted shut, and the image of his son was burned into his mind forever.
*~*~~*~*
A month later, Ryou was struggling to walk into his house. The doctors had urged him to try and walk a little bit a day, but Ryou was finding it quite hard to comply with their orders. Every step he took felt like someone was burning his stomach, and the pain made him quite nauseous. He closed his eyes and fell back against Malik, who was helping him get across the lawn. Malik sighed and gently picked Ryou up, bridal style; he winced when Ryou gave a groan of pain, but carried him up the steps of the porch and into the living room.
Bakura followed the two, carrying Ryou's luggage, from his 'visit' to the hospital. He set the two suitcases down and went to go into the kitchen, but stopped when the TV flickered on, and Ryou gave a small whimper.
"Breaking news. Today, a young woman reported a sighting of Marik Ishtar somewhere near the outskirts of Domino. We advise the public to keep a close watch for him. He is the prime suspect in the attempted murder of local man, Ryou Bakura. Please call the authorities immediately if you see this man." A picture of Marik was placed onto the screen and Ryou whimpered louder. Malik sat down next to him and pulled him into a hug and kissed the top of Ryou's forehead. Ryou whimpered into Malik's neck and gripped the young man tighter. "He's gonna come after me again. He's gonna try to kill me again..."
Malik gently rocked Ryou back and forth whispering, "Bakura and I will be here. He can't hurt you while we're here. Right, Bakura?"
Bakura nodded and sat down on the couch behind Ryou. He began rubbing small circles into Ryou's shoulders. Ryou seemed to stop shaking and his breath evened out before long. Malik looked up and smiled at Bakura.
"This means we're staying together, yet again." Bakura gently carried Ryou up the stairs to his father's room, where he laid him down and motioned for Malik to lie with him. Malik complied and smiled softly as Ryou curled up against him.
Bakura went down to the living room again and made a few phone calls to the rest of their little gang.
*~*~~*~*
That night, Marik Ishtar was knocked out by a seething Yami and Bakura as he tried to break into Ryou's home. Seto and Joey tied him up while Yugi phoned the police; and Malik comforted Ryou as he caught sight of Marik as they were leading him away to the police station.
*~*~~*~*
Two months later, the gavel pounded and Marik Ishtar was sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder. Ryou burst into tears and Bakura and Malik did their best to calm the boy. Their side of the courtroom was cheering and Joey had decided to bring confetti into the small courtroom. The bright bits of glitter shimmered as Marik cackled insanely while being led out of the room by two guards.
"Today's news. Marik Ishtar is sentenced to 25 years in prison for the attempted rape and murder of Ryou Bakura. One can only say that good things come to those who wait. We all wish the Bakura family the happiest of congratulations."
*~*~~*~*
Ryou stared at the ceiling, his hands gently playing with the arms wrapped protectively around him. "Hey, guys?"
Bakura and Malik both grunted out, "Hmm?"
"I love you both. Thanks for everything."
Both Bakura and Malik, "Love you too, 'you. Welcome."
Ryou smiled and snuggled deeper into their embrace. He was safe now. Nothing would ever hurt him again, and Ryou was happy about that. He was with the two men he loved most, and he knew that both would rather die than allow him to get hurt. And for the first time in years, Ryou Bakura fell asleep feeling loved and protected.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
There were only a few minor errors, but as I said I edited some things and added a bit. I found something odd while I was fixing this: In this story, Marik is after Ryou to kill him and rape him, but in 'Touch of A Feather', they're my main couple. Oh well. Anyways, hope you enjoyed!
Please review and don't flame.