See first section for disclaimer. Otherwise R&R Thank you to my loyal reviewers who have reviewed...the wrong chapter. The order got screwed up but please R&R again, I do appreciate

Everythings changed

Yugi and Ryou sat at the coffee shop round the corner from the school. After having ordered their drinks there was a deep silence as the two boys studied each other.

' Why did Yugi call me down here?' wondered Ryou staring Yugi with his soft brown eyes. ' Its not like we've got that much in common, even though we are friends.'

' His eyes look so haunted...but how can I just ask him? It doesnt seem right...and it seems like I've tresspassed into his life somehow.'

Ryou finally broke the silence as there coffee's arrived and the waitress left.

" So what did you want to talk to me about Yugi?" he asked taking a sip of his cappachino.

" Uh..I...the thing is...Im not sure how to say this." Yugi stared down at his cafe late.

" Say what?" asked Ryou confused, holding his mug tightly, letting the warmth seep into his hands and slowly warm his body.

Yugi decided to blurt it out. " I know your Yami beats you." There was silence and Ryou started at his friend in shock.

" What?" he asked at last, the surprise visable on his face.

" I know your Yami beats you...."

Ryou wanted to tell Yugi how true that was but the fear that Bakura would find out and punish him even more frightened him.

" I dont...I dont know what you mean." he said finally.

Yugi just looked at him.

" I...I better go. I dont want to be late home. " Ryou threw down the money on the table and left. Yugi also threw down his change and raced after his friend.

" Wait Ryou!!!"

The scared hikari halted and turned to face his friend. " Listen Yugi...I dont know what you think but its not...its not true so just forget about it." his voice shook slightly as he said this and he could tell that

Yugi stepped forward, he didnt want to have to do this. He reached out his arm and grabbed Ryou's sleave.

" What do you think you're...." began the white haired boy but Yugi pulled up Ryous top and the arm that was revealed was peppered with bruises. Yugi smiled sadly.

" You didnt have to lie to me...I told you I knew."

" How?" Ryous legs were trembling and he went to a bench and sat down.

" I...this is going to sound pretty wierd but I had this dream and I was in you and Bakura hit you....I tried to stand up to him but it didnt work...in the end I...we passed out."

Ryou stared at Yugi in shock. So that was what had happened last night.

Yugi looked at Ryou's scared eyes. " Let me help you." he said softly.

" Yugi I...I..." Ryou broke off and looked at Yugi. His mind was racing and he knew that no matter what he said the other boy wouldnt back down now.

Looking at Ryou, Yugi felt a wave of affection wash over him. His friend looked so young and helpless. He even had some cappuchino froth on his upper lip. Yugi moved closer and raised his hand to wipe his friends face. As he lifted it Ryou flinched. " Im not going to hurt you." said Yugi and leaning forward, he deftly swiping off the foam. " Want it?" he asked his white haired friend who shook his head. Shrugging he then put his finger into his own mouth he and ate it, slowly licking the sweetness off. After all his grandpa always said ' Waste not, want not' so Yugi was recycling.

Ryou stared at Yugi in amazement. The younger boy could have no idea how sensual that one gesture was. Staring at Yugi's finger still in his mouth, he was mesmerised. He forgot that he was going to be late home. He forgot everything other then his friend. And strangely enough, he wished he had accepted Yugi's offer to get the foam. Then he'd be the one....no, he needed to snap out of this. It was unhealthy thinking this way. What if his Yami found out? What then?

Removing his finger now licked clean of froth, Yugi looked at Ryou and saw a curious expression on his face.One of hunger, yearning and also fear " What?" asked the smaller blond boy slightly self conciously.

" Nothing." said Ryou, his face neutral once more. " I need to get back before my Yami gets angry."

" Well I just want you to know that Im only a phone call away if you need me alright?" said Yugi, his face open, honest and trusting in his friend. " Can you get away tomorrow afternoon and we can talk some more...work something out."

Ryou nodded slowly." I'll tell him I have a project to do so I'll be late." he shivered slightly, trying to get the picture of Yugi licking his finger out of his mind.

" Okay....oh, if I end up dreaming again I'll stay out and keep my mouth shut...even though I dont know how to leave the dream yet. "

Ryou nodded. " Please do....it only gets worse if I argue back...it gets much worse."

" Im really sorry." Ryou only looked at Yugi sadly before the two friends parted and went their seperate ways. Yugi to his home, Ryou to his hell.

Ryou got home and discovered that Bakura was no where in sight. This was good and this was bad. Where was he? He'd never completely disappeared before. Ryou crept into the kitchen and seeing his Yami wasnt there he sat down and made himself a sandwich. As he started to eat it his Yami arrived.

" Well brat? What are you doing home?"

" School ended and..." Ryou broke off as he realised Bakura wasnt listening to him anymore.

" Fine, whatever. Now get out of my face."

Obediantly Ryou got up and left. He didnt want to spoil this moment by doing anything other then what Bakura wanted. Suddenly he realised he needed to tell him about tomorrow and his supposed 'project'. " Bakura...Im going to be late tomorrow. I need to do a project after school and..." he broke off again as Bakura nodded impatiently.

" Fine. But you need to be back before seven."

Barely able to contain his glee Ryou raced upstairs after thanking his Yami. He couldnt believe it. Bakura was being...nice. Never a word he'd have ever thought to use to describe his Yami.

Picking up the phone he dialled Yugi's house. " Hello? Mr Motou? Can I please speak to Yugi...."

Downstairs Bakura listened in. He had seen Ryou and Yugi that afternoon talking earnestly. He couldnt hear what they were saying but he knew it wasnt good and it was about him...he could tell these things. Then he came up with a plan. One in which he could get what he'd been waiting for all along from his worthless little hiakri and it was gauranteed to work. All he had to do was play nice for a couple of days, not touch the brat and let him lower his gaurd...maybe even confide in him. Yeah right that'd be a laugh. But then, when the brat least expected it he'd draw his trump card. That he'd seen him with Yugi and his friends all week and watch as the fear set in. Then he could have his fun. Rubbing his hands in glee he settled down to wait. He could do it. He'd been waiting 5000 years for something like this. To finally have someone completely his. Now he just needed his young hikai totally. In body and soul. He laughed and the sound echoed up. Chilling the air with its malice.

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Ja ne for now.

Queen of Fire and Chaos