Ryou knew how pointless it was to argue with Bakura. Although he didn't understand why Bakura actually hated Namira, the facts were, he did. And he didn't want Ryou and Kiko together.

Ryou walked the couple doors down to Kiko's apartment. When she opened the door, she quickly walked out, closing the door behind her.

"Ryou. . .I know we just got together but. . .Namira told me to stay away from you."

"Bakura told me the same thing about you."

"I don't know why they want us apart. . .i mean, I know they don't like eachother, but. . ."

"I don't know either."

"Well, c'mon, we've got work to do. I'm going for a big check today."

"Um, Kiko?" Ryou began "where do you work?"

"Well, today I work at a house on Donnez street. There's a huge party there today. They've been advertising it in the papers for weeks!"

"Oh. . .okay then."

Although Ryou still didn't quite understand what her actual job was, he was just eager to work. After all, he really needed the money and felt horrible about always asking Kiko for money. She'd already given him so much.

As they approached the house, he noticed she pulled some metal cutters out of her backpack that she'd been wearing.

"What are those for?" he asked her, very curious.

"shush. . .keep your voice down. It's for the lock on the cellar door. That's how we're gonna break in since everyone will either be inside or around back."

"Breaking in? as in 'breaking and entering'?"

"Uh. . .yeah. that's usually how you burglarize a house. You get more money from a bank like I did a couple days ago. . .but they're harder than houses. You've got cameras, and security guards. . .you're better off doing houses. But you always go for the ones that advertise for really big parties. They've got more expensive things in their house for you to take."

"Y-your job is thievery?!" he asked her, wide eyed.

"Uh. . .yeah! you're just figuring this out?!"

"Well. . .i just thought. . .i just. . ."

"How else does a hikari and Yami live? In a house?!" she asked him, annoyed.

"well. . .yes. . ."

"Maybe you're new to this Millennium Item business, but that idea is just ridiculous."

"But me and Bakura lived in a house before we ran away. And Yugi, the owner of the Puzzle lives in a house too. . .well, above a game shop but-"

"Look, if you don't like my job. . .my lifestyle, then you can just go home."

By the time they had noticed they were yelling, they were a bit late. There were about twenty other people who noticed it first.

"Who are you kids, and what were you doing?" the owner of the house asked.

"We were. . .we just. . ." for such a good thief, Kiko was a horrible liar.

"we were going to use these metal cutters to get into our shed, but they didn't work because they weren't the right size for the lock. So we came here hoping you'd have some better metal cutters. Then we heard noises around back and we figured you were around there so that's why we were on the side of the house." Ryou lied, easily.

The man just stared at Ryou's innocent puppy-dog eyes and immediately believed him.

"Well, okay then. But we don't have any metal cutters."

"Oh." Ryou replied, sounding disappointed. "well, come on then, little sister. We'll ask the other neighbors."

Kiko followed Ryou.

"Wow, how'd you think of all that?" she asked him once they were out of earshot.

"I don't know. It just made sense at the time. But that's the first time I've ever lied and don't expect me to ever do it again."

That night, Ryou told Bakura about what had happened, and even about him lying.

"Damn it, Ryou! What the hell were you thinking?!"

"I'm s-"

"If you say you're sorry you'll regret it!"

Bakura threw the knife in his hand to the floor. Normally, he loved to torture Ryou, but not like this this. He knew he'd end up killing him. Instead of using a knife, he used just his hands. He grabbed his hikari around the neck and pushed him against the wall.

"One day, human, you will be obedient. You will listen to me. I don't care if I have to KILL you first. Damn, it you will listen!"

tears welled up in Ryou's eyes as he felt his Yami choke him harder. He blinked the tears away, but wished the tears would come back when he saw the fury in bakura's dark irises.

Ryou was beaten badly by the time it was all over. Bakura couldn't help but chuckle as he glared down at the boy, a wide smile on his face. But the smile quickly faded as he looked harder at his hikari. Ryou lay asleep, beaten, bruised and bloodied on the floor. His cheeks were wet with tears and the blood. He had cried himself to sleep, tired himself out from screaming for Bakura to stop hurting him. Then Bakura thought about his youth. Before the days of the Ring. When he first became a tomb robber. Of how much like Ryou he was. Sweet, gentle, innocent, and trusting. Bakura laid down on the bed. And for the first time since he could remember. . .he cried.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Peggi-Wow, Kiko must really take after her Yami. From tomb robber to modern day thief.

Tea-is that why Bakura didn't want Ryou to date Kiko?

Peggi-maybe. Anyway, please review! I will try to have another couple of chapters up today.

Pegsi-What's with the sudden outburst of updating this fic?

Peggi-For the past couple of weeks I've sorta slacked off with updating. So I'm making up for it, plus next week I'll be gone so I can't update.

Marik-Ah, that explains everything. . .except where your sanity went.

Peggi-It fell out my ear along with my brain.

All-*nod*

Peggi-Ahem, well, review please!