Topazia: This chapter was hard to type. Writer's block gave me the blues. That and the fact that I think I'm coming down with something...a virus of some sort. Hope it's nothing too serious.

Ryou's POV

"I can't believe this! Was it all just a joke to him!" I ranted from the safety of the front porch of my house. Malik had given up trying to calm the rampant storm, saying that it was bet to it me get it out than to build up inside.

He was right in a way, it did feel better to be cursing and ranting at no one in particular; despite the looks the neighbors were giving me. If they hadn't learned by now that his household isn't normal from all Bakura's antics then I wasn't quiet sure what to tell them now.

"He's just been toying with me, doesn't he care about how I feel?" I snapped irritably, stomping down on the hard wood porch causing it to groan in protest. "He had been using me the whole time I bet. The sick bastard..." My arms wrapped around me in a protective hug, the adrenaline from the punch from earlier still coursing through my veins.

There was one more thing I had to do. It was time to clean the filth from my life and start anew. Still muttering to myself I stormed back into the house and into the room where Bakura still sat. "You, I want you out, now!"

The former tomb raider glared at me with a look that reminded me of my first encounter of the spirit from the millennium ring. "It's about damn time you came back. You think I'm going to let you get away with this?" he pointed to the nicely formed bruise on his check. Not that I cared, I hoped to God that it would bring him hell later.

"I don't think you heard me Bakura. I want you out." I pointed a shaky finger towards the door. This may seem a bit out of character but I don't care. You try putting yourself in my position, you'd snap too. A person can only remain nice for so long before they go on a psychopathic killing spree. Okay, maybe not a killing spree but if I was that type of person the jerk sitting in front of me would be my first victim.

"Yeah, like I'd ever take you seriously." He sneered and I snapped, letting a fresh wave of tears cascade down my face. Oh now he had done it now, that was the last straw!

"I loved you Bakura and this is what you do to me? I was willing to give up everything just for you!" I stormed over to one of the closets and yanked it open, glaring down at Bakura's ring as it glittered in the dim light of the room. Even it seemed to mock me. "I won't take it anymore. I want you OUT!" With newfound strength I snatched the item from it's resting place and flung it through his window.

Shattering glass was heard as it soared through the air, landing in one of the neighbors' yards. For the slightest instant there seemed to be something that resembled hurt on that demon's face but it quickly faded and I paid it no mind. Realization of my actions was beginning to sink in, adding to my already bad mood but I wasn't finished yet. Brushing past Malik I raced downstairs, returning with a large garbage bag.

"What the hell are you doing?" He shrieked, trying to knock me out of the way as I cleared out his stuff, cramming it in his bag.

"Making you take me seriously! I'm tired Bakura, I'm tired and my heart grows heavy...it's time to relieve myself of some dead weight." I marched downstairs, tossing his stuff outside. With a shrug and a final glare he pushed past me, and walked off and out of my life.

After glaring at his figure as it disappeared from sight I returned inside and plopped down onto the couch and into Malik's awaiting arms. "It wasn't supposed to turn out this way for you Ryou. I'm sorry." The tan boy murmured, resting his chin upon my head.

I didn't answer but instead let him hold me. It was what I needed after all. The rush of my actions had faded by now, leaving feeling empty and depressed beyond reason. I was starting to question myself. Was what I did really such a good idea?

There was a knock at the door and Malik unwound himself from me, saying that I needed to rest and if I needed anything to let him know. I numbly nodded and he left me alone. With a soft moan I let myself fall into the cushions of the couch, wanting nothing more than to sink and disappear forever. There was some much going through my mind right about now that I couldn't tell up from down, right from wrong...

There were voices as Malik tended to whoever was at the door and I frowned. "Ryou...Ryou can you hear me?" that timid little voice belonged to Yugi. I'd recognize it anywhere.

"Let him be Yugi. He's taken refuge within his mind." That voice belonged to Yami. "Bakura's a fool, I warned him that this would happen."

What were they doing here. The last thing I needed right now was the pity committee to roll into town. They seemed to hover above me and I curled into a tight ball in attempt to hide from their jeering eyes. They just didn't get it. They just didn't understand, they obviously didn't because if they did the fools would know that I wanted nothing more than for them to... "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

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Bakura's POV

I trudged through the streets, my hands in my pockets. It took me a while to find my ring thanks to a certain white haired light of mines but when I did I packed my belonging into my soul room and kept walking. It was amazing how much things could change in such a short time. It seemed like yesterday when I had been turned into a girl and now that I'm back everything seems to fall apart.

I'll admit that what I did was probably the lowest degree of low, that I'd probably burn in my own little section of hell. What Ryou did to me I most likely had that coming. Who knew the little runt could hit so hard? All those times I called him weak and told him he'd never amount to anything, well I guess I can take that back now.

"Well, well, well. Look at what the cat drug in." I snorted and turned my head from the side. Oh great, the last thing that I needed to hear right now. Didn't this idiot have some sadistic chore to be doing right about now? Why the hell was he bothering me?

"Marik unless you have something important to say I suggest you go on about your way. You're pissing me off and I just ran into you." I snapped. It seemed he loved to toy with me when I was pissed. He'd pay one day too, right after the pharaoh.

"Ryou sent you packing like a angry house wife I see." He joked and I tired my best to murder him with my glare. "You really piss me off you know that? You totally ruined the plan me and Malik had set up for you two." He stated with a shake of his head.

"I figured you two were up to something." I replied with a shrug. Not that that was anything new. When were the conniving couple weren't plotting against people?

"You just don't get it do it?" he gave a frustrated sigh and I rolled my eyes in return. "The plan was foolproof. If you hadn't messed up you and Ryou would have been one big fucking gay happy family by now!"

"I don't feel anything for him. That was just my old body responding to nature!" I protested and he stared at me before breaking into a fit of laughter.

"Yeah, anyway you're going to stay with me. Unless there's a particular dog house on this street you've taken an interest in." he smirked and I frowned at him allowing the darker boy to lead me wherever. He led me back to their charming little brick home, opening the door and moving to the side to let me in first. "My home is your home." He grinned.

"I'm touched." I sat down on the couch, claiming it as my temporary bed. Sure the two had an extra room for when Isis stopped by but I wasn't crazy enough to sleep there. The Ishtar's bedroom was right next to the spare one and Ra knows the last thing I need is to be traumatized by one of their late night 'activities'. "How long do you think he'll stay mad?" I asked suddenly.

"Wow, let's just say that you should keep your distance for a while." He replied. "A long while. How's that saying go again? Hell was scorn no fury then that of a woman?"

"But Ryou's not a female."

"I sure couldn't tell, the way he kicked you out. Not to put him down or anything, because the whole display was awesome. The only thing missing was Ryou dumping all of your clothes in the new car and setting it on fire. Then it'd be just like the waiting to exhale movie."

"Idiot..."

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Yugi's POV

"Ryou's in pretty bad shape." I muttered, nibbling on my thumbnail. I knew it wasn't my place to say but Ryou has a friend and friends look out for each other. "You think he'll be okay?" Ryou had surprised me earlier but it was safe to say that he didn't want to be bothered with the situation. You can only give comfort when someone will accept it. Ryou didn't want pity, it was an honorable decision and I respected it completely.

"Naturally, he'll be fine. I warned Bakura." Yami shook his head gravely. He ran a hand through his hair. Ever since he had that 'talk' with Bakura all he talked about was how the former tomb raider would bring his own apocalypse down on his head.

"Yami you warn everybody. No wonder Bakura didn't listen, he got tired of hearing it." Came my soft chuckle, causing Yami to narrow his eyes, his face forming a glare. "It was a joke, don't take it seriously. And besides, at least I listen to you." He wouldn't stay mad though, all I'd have to do is flash one of my innocent smiles and Yami would melt. Yep, I had him eating out of the palm of my hand.

"Yeah, thanks, I feel so much better." He replied. "At any rate it should prove interesting to see how things turn out." He took a seat in front of the TV, prompting his feet up on the coffee table, much to my annoyance. Didn't I just spend my precious time cleaning that? Just because most declared him 'game king' didn't give him the right to prance around my house like he was ruler of it too.

"I bet." I snapped and he looked up at me curiously. "If you don't get your feet off I'm table Ryou won't be the only one flipping his lid!" His eyes widened and his mouth opened to respond but he wisely closed it again, slowly removing his feet and placing them on the floor. Deadly and cute what a combination.

"At anyway just let him cool down then we'll go check on him if it'll make you feel better." He let out a soft sigh and leaned back on his couch, his eyes traveling to the ceiling. Those crimson eyes of his took on a far away thoughtful look and I smiled, leaving him to his thoughts. I was blessed with a wonderful person and Ryou was too, Bakura just doesn't see it yet. There's not much you can do but hope for the best I guess...

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Topazia: Hope whatever I'm trying to catch hurries and passes...it's making me miserable. Anyway I'll try to update sooner for the next chapter. I've started working on a new kingdom hearts story and I'm debating on posting it or not. Okay let's answer reviews!

Yamia Ishtar – You're here for every chapter it seems and your reviews are funny, thanks for that.
Dark Magic 856 – glade you like it, I had fun writing it. xChangeOfHeartx – Wow, your review was so flattering my shoulders hurt from carrying around my newfound ego. Lol Don't worry, They'll be a happy ending. RyouxBakura are my favorite pairing and I like to see them happy. It's just that I like to complicate things...
Bakuras-Hell - I know they're mean! But Bakura deserved to get hit! Anyway, all relationships have some sort of trouble, the ones I know anyway. Lol
Ty – I'm glade you're enjoying it. I didn't think it'd be addictive...it makes me feel guilty for taking so long to update.
Dark Magician Girl / Hikaru – You're another one of my reviewers that's been here since the beginning, thanks! It did seem right to end it at the last chapter but...Guess I wanted something different...
MoonGoddessKonoko – Thanks! It's about time you reviewed my story you damn bum...
Dark-tyrell – Yikes! I do take a while to update don't I?
Anime Crazed – You've been here since the beginning too. I loved your story and enjoyed reading it.