Gomen nasi minna-san! I meant to type this chapter up quicker than I had wished, but when I wanted to, a lightening storm blew out my internet. The lightening his something really close to my house and it was really scary. But anyways, I'm sure that some people are wondering why I'm not updating my vampire fic. The truth is that I like this fic more than the vampire fic. I want to finish is first, so for those of you who like the vampire fic, I'm very sorry.

I'm sorry for not thanking all the reviewers, but I really just wanted to upload this. Once more I apologize for the late update, but I just got my internet back and I've had this typed up for awhile now.

But anyways, I'm still sorry for the slow update usually. Not only is it summer, but I've been going to my dad's office to study and I can't upload my stories on his laptop. Also, I've been spending time doing other stuff and my attentions been divided, but I'll really try to update my fics earlier. Now on with the fic!

Warning: Yaoi between Ryou and Bakura, blood, drugs, swearing, the list goes on...

Quick fingers were wrapping the fresh roll of bandages around an arm, making sure that it wasn't too tight, not too loose, and had enough layers. Sharp violet eyes skimmed over the covered wound and declared him fit. She moved on, checking to make sure that no one was in dire danger. It hadn't been that bad, nobody was severely hurt, least not yet.

With a sigh Mai tucked a few errant strands of blonde hair that had escaped her hasty ponytail. Making sure that the ones unhurt were capable of taking care of the injured, she slipped on her head piece again.

"Bakura?"

There was no response. Mai tapped the head piece making sure that it was on and working.

"Bakura? You there?"

Mai frowned, slowly making her way to his room.

"Bakura, answer me damnit, it's no time for joking."

When all she got was silence, Mai quickened her pace. If Bakura was known for one thing, it was that he never joked. Not when he held a gun to your face or when he told you the price for the cocktail of pills in a plastic bag.

Her worry only doubled when she saw that the door laid open, a hole made by a bullet, the sight of a thin trail of blood on the wood floors. Fearing the worst, Mai took in a deep breathe before entering the room, her instinct heightened by the soft frightened gasps.

"Ryou?"

She turned to the library section to find four bodies limp. One lying face down, a spot of dark red staining the back. Another with a hand enclosed upon a knife, no doubt buried in his stomach, according to the red spot. The other unfamiliar face had his eyes open, mouth widened as if to scream or as if he was surprised. A thin trail of blood crossed his forehead. The fourth body was that of Bakura. Slumped against the wall as one hand was still curled around his gun, finger on the trigger. His other hand lay uncurled, shining with crimson fluid that coated his arm. Head was leaned forward, a few silvery locks plastered to his face. She could hear his ragged breathing.

Mai quickly knelt next to him and felt Ryou's nervous eyes on her. Ryou quickly removed the make-shift band aid that he had pressed to Bakura's shoulder. His hands were wet with blood.

"He's hurt."

Ryou's voice quivered, thin and delicate, barely masking the note of hysteria as the stated the obvious. His face was paler than before, lips bleached as they were pressed tight. Mai quickly inspected the shoulder, wincing as she saw that he was still bleeding.

"Ryou, listen to me. We have to get him somewhere else."

Ryou trembled, eyes wider.

"He's hurt...you have to help him."

Ryou's voice hinted on-coming hysteria and Mai grabbed his shoulders.

"Listen to me Ryou, we have to move him to his bed, if we don't he's going to die. He's lost too much blood; you have to help me Ryou."

Mai made sure her words entered through his veil of hysteria before letting go. She motioned for Ryou help her lift the limp body and as they did so, a groan of pain was all that was emitted from Bakura. As he was placed in his bed Ryou began to tear at the bed sheets as Mai tugged off Bakura's shirt with much difficulty. It had begun to stick to the wound and as she deftly stripped it off she could hear Bakura's hitch in his uneven breathing.

"You stay here; I have to get some help, okay?"

Mai left in a flash and left Ryou to press the strips of bed sheets to Bakura's still bleeding shoulder. Ryou felt panic as he saw the face streaked with sweat, pale and bleached. Ryou could hear the uneven breathing and the quickened rise and fall of Bakura's chest. Ryou pressed his hand on the wound, trying to stop or slow the bleeding.

'Why am I doing this?'

'Because you can't let him die.'

Ryou shook his head, internally debating his actions.

'It's not like he's innocent. Far from it, you heard what he said. He kills.'

'To survive!'

'He still kills!'

'What would you do?'

Ryou was cut off as Mai entered again, a group of men with her. She directed some to the library, making them cart out the dead. A few others grouped around Bakura, shunting Ryou to the side to watch. In horrid fascination he watched as they held down the limp body and slowly, carefully extracted the bullet. Ryou watched as Bakura thrashed and groaned out guttural words. The general numbing liquid that they had injected into Bakura's arm gave no relief. Ryou watched as they stitched Bakura up, as a needle and thread closed the hole, as a fresh roll of white clothe was wrapped around his shoulder, the red stained clothe hidden under several layers.

Once more the limp body was shifted as they moved to change the blood-stained sheets. A tall brunette with piercing eyes helped as they gave Bakura a quick sponge bath and a change of clothes. Soon, the still unconscious man was lying in fresh sheets, face pale and tinged with gray. Ryou was shaken from his daze as Mai approached him, giving him a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry; he's most likely going to be okay. He's had a lot of blood loss, but we're hoping that he's going to be replenished with some rest and food. He's had worse before."

Ryou carefully extracted his body from the arm chair he was occupying before and sat on the floor, next to the bed. It smelled like blood and sweat in the room. Ryou tried to breath through his mouth, but it felt worse as the scent of blood and sweat could be tasted. Mai calmly began to light the candles, letting the artificial scent of lavender and jasmine waft around the room.

Ryou slowly stared at the man before him. The fierce face was pale and gray, sharp angles in his face still visible. Silvery hair fell on his bare shoulders, limp and shining in the light. His upper body was bare, the pale skin visible. Ryou could see the fine muscles that molded against the bones, almost as if they were a part of Bakura's limbs, as if he was born with them. He could see a faint scar near the elbow, one faded with age yet still present. He traced with a delicate finger before spotting another faded scar on the collar bone.

"He got that one when he was trapped in a car after he ran it off a cliff. It took us hours to find him and hours to get him out. He broke his collar bone and leg and couldn't get out of bed for a month and a half."

Mai softly spoke, explaining the scar that Ryou was softly tracing.

"See? He's gotten into worst spot than this one."

Ryou nodded reluctantly, unsure as he saw Bakura's face again. Mai just placed a gentle had on Ryou's shoulder and dragged a chair next to Bakura, letting Ryou sit.

"I know he seems harsh around the edges, but he's really a nice guy once you get to know him. He leaves an impression on you."

Ryou pursed his lips.

"I feel bad sitting here. He killed my father and I'm hoping that he doesn't die...is...is that right? Is it okay?"

Mai hummed thoughtfully before answering.

"It's true...he's killed a lot of people, he's responsible for a lot of deaths, but at the same time, he has to. The life that we lead isn't one of easy passage."

"I know...but...it's just so complicated. I feel like I hate him, but I can't. Like I don't know him at all...like he's hiding so many things from me and I feel like I need to know."

Ryou rested his pointed chin on his knees.

"No one knows much about Bakura. He's a mystery. All I know is that he's been in the street for a long time. None all too good memories. Turns up one day from the underdog position and fights for the higher place. Overnight he's the new drug lord. He's been at the top for a long time now, but people always want that power."

Mai shrugged.

"He's kept his past a mystery; he doesn't want others to know anything about him. The only thing he ever told me was he had only two choices when he was in the streets, sell his body or sell drugs."

"He told me that too."

Mai nodded, wiping the sweat on Bakura's forehead, watching as the face contorted in pain before falling blank again. The gray seemed to have ebbed and was left with only a pale visage.

"It's not a pleasant life in the streets. It's like an eternal fight. Most kids who end up there are run-away's, that's what I'm guessing Bakura was. I picked him up when he was younger. He was a skinny little thing, but gods...those eyes. They used to be violet and where ever you go, you'd see those eyes and just stop dead in the middle of the streets."

Mai chuckled.

"No wonder people wanted his body. But it was his attitude that kept you at bay. He was always so cold. So frigid and so much more sarcastic. I swear not a single word that passed by his lips could be taken seriously."

Ryou wrinkled his nose. It sounded all so familiar, yet distant.

"Bakura likes this mystery, this air of unknown. It gives him an edge. It keeps everyone at bay, they don't know what to expect. He keeps on his mask."

Mai sighed and shook her head.

"Never wears his emotions. It's like he's forgotten what life's like beyond this world."

She gave Ryou a fond pat on the head.

"Don't you forget or you'll become like him."

Erm...lot's of dialogue. Sorry if you found it boring. I'm trying to make some mystery around Bakura. And he lives! So rejoice people! Don't worry, I can't have him die...yet...I think...

But anyways, I really hope that all those who still read this forgive me for my late update. It's just harder to force myself to write when I have no schedule. But I will try! Gomen nasi again and please read and review! I'll try to update soon, ja ne!