Tsuki: *lured out of her hiding place with a cookie after her aibou left* Let's continue

Bakura: Oh joy, more…

Tsuki: I know ^_^

Bakura: *glare* Have I told you that I hate you today?

Tsuki: Iie.

Bakura: I hate you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bakura once again pressed himself against his door, trying to move the obstacle. But an injured shoulder and leg make for poor power. He gave up again, panting slightly.

"Damn it."

What was going on? when he had woke three days ago Aré had not come like she always had. When he tried to leave his room he had found the doors locked, most likely barred from the outside. And now, three days later he woke up the same way. All Bakura had was a half full pitcher of water and a glass beside his cot. Having no meals and only water to drink was taking a toll on the young thief.

Bakura frowned, he knew Djal had ordered this but why? He could if just thrown him out of the temple. Bakura pounded a fist against the door. "Let me out you freak!"

Djal kicked at Aré who lay face down and bleeding on the floor. Hopefully the girl had learned enough sense to stay away from Nakht now. Earlier Djal would not have minded if he left Arétut alone while he made his annual trip to Thebes to meet with Pharaoh. But with the girl acting up and this Nakht here, he had to make sure she would stay away from him. Djal walked by Aré again, pulling her up by the arm.

"If you were too dense before to heed my warnings of him then you better have a clear head about it now if you wish to avoid further harm. You will do as I have said; Do not deviate from your chores, you do not go in that room or interact with the boy. By the time I return, he will be gone and there will be no more of this foolishness. Are we clear about my rules?"

She nodded. "Yes, Lord Djal."

Djal smirked, he loved playing this game with her. "How clear?"

"Crystal."

"Good. I will return at the end of Peret as always, of course you know the routine. I mean it Arétut do not go near that boy. He will do much worse to you than what I already have."

"Yes sir."

Djal grabbed his travel gear and exited the room.

Bakura watched through his window all day following the sun from one horizon to the next. He returned his attention to the door, yelling at it again. "Djal! Open this door! If you have a fight to pick with me then come in here and start swinging! You coward!"

"Bakura?"

It was barely audible but Bakura heard his name called from the other side of the door.

"Aré? Is that you?"

"Yes."

"Are you alright?"

"I…I am fine. Are you hurt?"

Bakura smiled at the concern in her voice, and leaned forward , resting his forehead against the stone door. "No better, no worse." He heard the shifting of bars on the door and stepped back.

The doors swung open with a gentle push from Aré who stood there, face, hear and dress still stained with blood, cuts and bruises evident.

Bakura took a step forward and pulled her into his arms, just holding her. Why was he doing this? He did not touch people, he kept them away. But right now all he wanted to do was hold and comfort her.

Aré stiffened slightly, half in fear, half in confusion. No one had ever laid a hand on her except for Djal and when he did it was horrible. Yet here was Bakura, arms wrapped around her…and she was not terrified by his touch. Aré relaxed a little.

"I'm so sorry for upsetting you Aré. If I hadn't of upset you then you wouldn't of gotten hurt."

Okay now Bakura knew his brain was scrambled. He was starving and all he cared about was apologizing and hoping she would forgive him.

"It is not your fault, so do not be sorry."

Bakura suddenly released her, concern clear in his dark eyes. "I shouldn't of touched you, you're probably hurting." He though for a moment. "There's stuff in the evil cabinet right?"

Aré chuckled slightly and smiled. "I said I am fine."

"No you're-"

Aré's finger on his lips silenced him. "Do not worry. Besides you must be hungry."

Bakura blinked at her. "How'd you know that?"

"Because if I have not eaten in three days then I am sure you have not either." She turned to get them something to eat but Bakura gently grabbed her arm.

"What about Djal?"

"He has left for Thebes and will not be back until the end of Peret."

Bakura smiled at that. He released her and she walked off, soon coming back with two dinner trays. They both ate quickly and silently. When Aré was finished she made her way to said "evil" cabinet, taking out a few supplies and started to wipe the blood from her hair, then proceeded to tend to her own wounds.

"Aré?"

"Yes?"

"If Djal hates me so much, what am I allowed to stay here?"

"I insisted upon it. At least until I know you will be fine on your own."

"Thank you."

He half limped, half walked over to Aré, placing a hand on her shoulder. "May I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Why do you let him do it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know."

"Beat me?"

"No…touch you."

"I do not know what you are talking about…"

Bakura's rage welled up. "You know what I mean! I saw him doing it to you! How can you let him degrade you like that?!"

"What else am I supposed to do? Lord Djal is all I know, what he does is all I know. He is the one who has taken care of-"

Bakura gripped her shoulders, pulling her to her feet, making her look at him. "You think that justifies his actions?! No! It doesn't Aré!"

Aré squeezed her eyes shut and covered her ears. "Stop it! I know what he does is wrong! I am not stupid! Do you think I like what he does to me?! I hate it! I loathe that man, hate him with every part of my being!"

"If you know it's wrong then why do you let him do it, damn it?!"

"I told you! He is all I know! Besides even if tried to stop him it would not work! He is twice my size and weight and has five times my strength! I have no choice in the matter!"

Bakura's features softened at her statement. He solemnly looked at the girl before him, trembling with both fear and anger while biting her lip to hold back tears. Bakura felt foolish, how could he not think of that fact? He took a step towards her as she let out a sob and let her tears fall.

"And it will only get worse. I know that he intends to-"

Bakura mimicked Aré's earlier gesture, putting a finger to her lips, silencing her. He enveloped her in his arms again, pulling her close. Bakura stroked her hair, resting his head on top of hers. This felt so right, having her in his arms like this where he could protect her.

She pulled away, wiping at her eyes. "I am sorry for yelling at you."

"No Aré, I'm sorry."

"I-it is late. You should get some sleep, get your strength back."

Bakura nodded, following her change of subject. "You should return to your room and get some sleep as well." He saw her stiffen and placed a hand on her arm. "Aré?"

"Can I stay with you tonight?" The words came out before she could think about it and she clamped her hand over her mouth, averting her eyes from the young thief who was just staring at her, still perplexed by her question.

"I am sorry, I should not have asked."

"Why do you want to stay with me?"

Aré looked down at the floor, refusing to meet Bakura's gaze. "True, Lord Djal may be gone on his annual trip during Peret, but I do not wish to return to his room, let alone sleep there."

"You stay in Djal's room?"

Aré nodded, fidgeting slightly.

"Well if he leaves every year, where do you usually sleep."

"Here, in this room."

Bakura thought for a moment. Technically he had stolen her room, he chuckled. Even when he was not trying he was being a thief. He smiled at her, and reached out, lifting her chin so she would look at him.

"You can stay, after all this is your room. At least during Peret it is. I was just thinking of where you would sleep."

"I can sleep on the floor, I do not mind."

"No, you can't sleep on the floor. You sleep in the cot, I'll sleep on the floor."

"No. You are still recovering, you need your rest."

They stood there in silence for a few moments before Bakura made their decision. He put an arm around her shoulders and led her to the cot, making her sit down. Bakura then went to the other side of the cot and laid down with his back to her.

"We'll share."

Bakura concentrated on the wall as he felt Aré lay down and scooted himself as close to the edge of the cot he could get. He did not want to give the girl the wrong impression by being up in her space. Not that he would not mind being close to her, he wanted to, but he was not going to do that to her. Djal had traumatized Aré enough, she did not need to worry about Bakura's intentions as well.

Aré was also trying her hardest to stay as close to the cot's edge as possible. She was feeling odd. She was not afraid of Bakura as she should be, not afraid that he would try something. Djal had said he would, but he was being quite the gentleman. Aré had noticed that his touch did not bother her much either, if at all. She smiled slightly and closed her eyes.

One month later…

Chocolate eyes opened to the morning sun and Bakura groaned. His eyes fell to his hand, which was resting slightly around Aré's waist and smiled. Bakura had woken up a lot lately to find his hand on her, to find her a little closer to him, some nights she had even rolled over to face him. He brought his hand up to play with a few strands of her hair.

Aré shifted slightly and even though her back was to Bakura, he knew she was smiling. Bakura loved waking up like this, then again he loved just being near Aré at any time. He sat up and stretched, yawning a bit. He would let her sleep. Quietly Bakura made his way from the room and toured the temple halls. He soon found himself on a courtyard in the back of the temple. It was a peaceful little garden that seemed like an oasis in this vast desert that was the temple.

Aré rolled over, finding herself face down in Bakura's pillow. She breathed in and caught Bakura's scent; spice and warm desert sand, she smiled. Aré bushed at her thoughts of the young thief. And thief he may be…it did not bother her. She stood and straightened out the blankets on the cot then left the room.

As she walked down the hall she found the doors to the courtyard pushed fully open. They were usually just cracked a bit. Aré peeked through the doorway, spotting Bakura sitting under a palm tree. She smiled. "Good morning Bakura."

He looked to her and smiled. "Morning Aré, care to join me?"

"No, I do not go outside. Lord Djal forbids it."

Bakura gave her a sly smile. "But Djal isn't here to stop you."

"It is not just that."

"Then what? A little fresh air never killed anyone."

Aré blushed slightly. "I…I am…afraid…to go outside."

"Afraid? Of what? Nothing can get past that wall, it's perfectly safe." Bakura gestured to the wall behind him which was a good fifteen feet tall.

"That is not what I have been told."

"Djal filling your head with children's tales of jackals and such?"

"Um, yes."

Bakura walked to Aré and took her hands in his then proceeded to gently pull her forward.

Aré pulled roughly back. "No…"

He gently tugged again, a reassuring smile on his face. "Don't be scared, I'll protect you." Bakura's tone made her chuckle but she stood her ground.

"Oh come on, I promise I won't let anything get you. Besides, I'm intrigued to see how the sunlight reflects in your eyes."

Taken aback by his sentence, Aré had dropped her guard. Bakura took the opportunity to yank her out into the courtyard, dragging her to its center.

Aré immediately tried to retreat back to the safety of the temple but Bakura had been prepared and he laced an arm around her waist, yanking her back yet again. She bumped back into him, bracing her hands against his chest to keep him at a fair distance.

Bakura nervously swallowed as he felt his chest tighten. She was so close he could smell her; jasmine and honey. Heat rose to his cheeks as he found himself wondering if she tasted as good as she smelled.

They stood there for what seemed like an eternity, Bakura's arm around Aré's waist, Aré's hands braced against his chest. She finally broke they're silence.

"You are blushing."

He merely nodded and blushed even harder when she raised a hand to his cheek, placing her cool palm against his burning skin.

"Aré…"

"Yes?"

"You scared?"

"If you let go of me I will be."

"No…I mean of me."

Aré smiled. "I should be, but I am not."

Bakura tilted his head, placing a chaste kiss on Aré's lips. He lingered not long enough to frighten her but just long enough to hopefully leave her wanting more. he pressed his cheek to hers, his lips by her ear which only tempted them both more. "I was right, you're ravishing in this light, and…you do taste as good as you smell."

Aré blushed, and found that she had relaxed against him.

Pleased by her reaction, Bakura dared another kiss and lowered his head to hers again. But this time Aré instantly stiffened as she felt fear swell up and crash into her. She drew away a little, looking at Bakura with slight fear playing in her eyes.

Bakura cursed inwardly at his stupid move. Lifting a hand he gently caressed Aré's cheek. " I know what you're thinking. Aré I would never hurt you like Djal does, I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I did. I care for you too much." By Ra! Did he just say that he cared for her? Where did that come from? He started to pull away from her, but she grabbed onto him keeping her head down. He kept his arm lightly around her waist as they turned and began walking around the courtyard. She bent down to sniff a flower and then stood again and started to walk on, when Bakura picked the flower and put it behind her ear tucking back her hair.

She lifted her head a little, showing him a slight smile.

He smiled back. "See, outside isn't terrible at all."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bakura: That's horrible, you're making me go soft

Tsuki: That would be the point of this story *pokes Bakura in the chest* to break down that wall you have there.

Bakura:…fluff, nasty fluffy fluff everywhere.

Tsuki: Learn to like it, r & r guys!