Gomen, everyone! I haven't updated in ages because it's back to school time here. I had to school shop for about a week and was occupied with other things. (Like watching the Village...) But I'm ready to update again now that things are settling down. Here it goes.

Chapter 11: Confusion

The snow started to fall around Bakura.

He looked up at the sky and saw tiny snowflakes coming down. Some people on the street glanced up at them but then continued on their business. Bakura however stood on the sidewalk and watched the flakes float in the air.

About a month had passed now. The two still hadn't spoken directly to each other. If Ryou was going somewhere he would leave him a quick note in the kitchen and would be gone before he knew it. Bakura would just try to avoid him and didn't speak to him either.

That of course didn't mean he couldn't hear his voice. His friends would call on occasion and he'd speak to them. It was the only time he actually appeared happy. They would discuss the usual things that went on in their life or the latest movie they had seen together.

A week ago Bakura had been listening in on one of Ryou's conversations and they had been discussing on holding a party sometime for his birthday. They had obviously wanted it at Ryou's house because it would be his birthday (along with a better stereo) and everyone else had some complication on why it couldn't be at their house. But of course they couldn't because of Bakura being there.

On his birthday, today, Bakura slipped his hikari a note before he left to the store that he would be out for the whole day. Surely they would be holding their party right now and be having a great time.

Walking on down the now snow covered pavement he stopped at an open ice rink and looked at the figures skating inside. He could clearly remember one certain memory of Ryou there.

Bakura had been taking a walk and Ryou and his friends had decided to go ice-skating. He had looked in and there was his hikari, making a clumsy attempt to skate but still had a beaming smile on his face. His friends also laughed along with them. They had such a great time.

The image from that time that stuck with him was one of Ryou. He had been trying to do a spin like trick and ad actually managed to make a semi one. The really amazing thing was actually less than a few seconds.

The moment he turned his face turned and some shining beads of sweat had flown off of Ryou's face. The beads glistened in the light and seemed to illuminate the shining smile on the hikari's face and his chocolate eyes were full of laughter. Bakura could also vaguely remember that the movement was right on cue with a song playing in the background. It had been a rock song, but what was it?

Oh yeah. It was a song that went something along the lines of, "I hate everything about you. Why do I love you?" How ironic.

That moment was still painted on his memory and he would never forget the glow in Ryou's eyes. There was something in there that he had never seen before and would never forget it. Through a small connection that Bakura and Ryou shared, the Yami knew that his happiness was strong for he felt it as well that day.

Walking onward Bakura frowned sadly. The world must really hate him. First his hikari hated him because he beat him and was afraid of him. Then he says "I love you" and gives him a kiss and now he won't say a single word to him. Life has its chaotic moments and must have chosen Bakura to experience them.

Looking back up at the sky he frowned sadly. The emotions whirling around in his body were like a whirlwind, he was unable to control them.

Sorrow, anger, hatred, bitterness, fear...

Was this really what it felt like to love someone?

What a second, was this really love? Or was it something else?

What was it?

How can such a feeling cause so much pain?

Is it love?

Putting a hand to his head to brush back his hair Bakura paused. There was something on his face.

Why am I crying again? Is it because of this emotion?

Is it because I...

Bakura shook his head violently. No, it couldn't be. He wouldn't admit it.

If so that was, then why did it feel so right to whisper those four words?

"I love you, Ryou."