A/N: I stink. Gosh, I need to get better at updating. Oh well. Well, in this chapter we are only vaguely introduced to Mariku's plan. It's in the next chapter we are oddly told what it is. Read on!

Chapter Five: It Starts

Bakura silently fumed for about two hours. Mariku was beyond late. That baka was getting on his last nerves, turning him away from Ryou like that. He didn't even know what this option two thing was. It didn't give him a good feeling either.

Ding dong.

Speaking of the devil…

Rolling off the couch Bakura hurried to open the door. Sure enough, there was Mariku standing there like he was the most important person in the world.

"Sorry I'm late," he apologized and smiled in fake sincerity. "Me and Malik had a few last minute things to cover."

"That wouldn't happen to be making out, would it?" Bakura asked coldly, narrowing chocolate eyes.

Mariku's smile got bigger and he replied, "Yup. You wouldn't believe what you can do in an hour."

"What about Ryou?"

"He stayed in the guest room."

"Some host you are!"

The other yami shrugged, like it was no big deal. "Oh well. Now, help me with my bags."

Bakura gave him an odd look, but then his eyes widened when he saw the bags. On the ground beside him was a small suitcase and on his shoulder was a small blue duffle bag.

"What's this about?" he asked sternly and glared.

He smiled at the expression before him. "I'm going to be your roomie for a while."

"MY WHAT?" Bakura shouted, shocked. "When did we decide this?"

"Well, I sort of didn't tell you until now," Mariku replied simply. "But you heard me, roomies."

Unable to think of anything else to do, Bakura stared at him with wide eyes for about thirty seconds until he quickly slammed the door in his face. Why in the name of Ra would he want to be roommates? Where was that sense or logic in that?

As if to answer his many questions, Mariku said through the door, "Trust me, Bakura! This plan will get Ryou back for sure."

Hesitantly, Bakura asked, "What is it?"

"It's a special program I made myself. Through a series of easy exercises, it will help you become more open and it is completely pain free."

"Pain free?" Bakura didn't sound convinced. "Anything involved with you is painful."

Mariku replied, "This time it isn't."

"You're sure?" He was still doubtful.

"Positive." Indeed, he did sound very sure of himself. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad, even if it did mean having to room up with a psychopath for who knows how long.

Bakura slowly reopened the door. He had to scowl deeply at Mariku until he wiped the big smirk off his face as they got the stuff inside.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

"Where's Mariku?" Ryou asked Malik as he helped prepare dinner.

"He went to help your yami," Malik answered with a kind smile. "He told me that Bakura might need some help so he's going to be over there for a while. Said when he told Bakura about it he was thrilled."

Giving a small smile Ryou said, "That was kind of him."

"That's my yami," Malik told him with a proud smile and he chopped some vegetables. "It's amazing on how he's changed so much. Like he's undergone a revelation or something."

The white haired hikari only nodded. It didn't make him feel good to speak of relationships and yamis. In his current situation, it was the last thing he wanted to hear at the time. As if sensing Ryou's discomfort, Malik shifted slightly and fell silent. They continued on with making dinner without words passing between the two for over ten minutes.

"Did Bakura often hit you?"

The question caught Ryou off guard. He looked at his friend for a few moments with slightly widened eyes. Malik only stared back, waiting for an answer.

"He doesn't anymore?" Ryou replied softly and turned away, avoiding the actual question.

"You didn't answer my question," Malik told him and crossed his arms.

Biting his lip Ryou replied, "Only when he was drunk or angry." He paused and looked down. "Almost every day."

Now completely turned to him Malik asked firmly, "Why didn't you tell me? Me and Mariku could have put a stop to it."

"I didn't want anyone to get hurt," Ryou softly replied. "I also didn't want anyone to hurt Bakura either. I love him."

Malik arched an eyebrow. "I don't see how you could."

Ryou shrugged. "I just sensed the good inside of him I guess. And besides, Mariku nearly sent you to the shadow realm and look at how you guys are now."

"That's true," Malik admitted reluctantly and then continued, "But Mariku has undergone a bigger change. He tells me anything he sees me that he loves me. Bakura doesn't."

"I know that, okay?"

Ryou then fell silent and bit his tongue. Malik let out a sigh. After a moment or so Ryou put down his knife and left the kitchen silently. He just didn't wasn't to talk anymore. Malik didn't bother to go after him.

Entering his room Ryou plopped stomach down on his bed and sighed. He buried his face in his pillow and he snuggled against the comfort. After a moment he reached underneath it and pulled out a picture.

The picture was one that the two had taken at the house. Bakura had his arms wrapped around Ryou's waist, leaning against him with a happy smile and with cheeks pressed together. Ryou was smiling happily and had a hand over his yami's. He could remember the words and sweet kisses that followed afterwords. He told him he would love him until the universe itself exploded.

Blinking back stinging tears Ryou put the picture on the dresser and snuggled deeper into the pillow.