While shopping at the mall, Kurama noticed how relaxed Ryou was in his presence. He smirked while Ryou would pull him into random stores. Kurama never offered his tastes, so Ryou had free choice of everything. He mostly bought jeans and sweaters, with a few long sleeve button up shirts. After Ryou stopped to get a little something to eat, Kurama decided to stop at the bookstore and pick up a new book to start. He met up with Ryou at the shoe store, and decided to head back to his home. While heading out of the mall, Kurama and Ryou met up with Yugi and the others. They didn't hang out much longer, because Ryou wanted to get back to the house. Kurama and Ryou walked to Kurama's cherry red Lambourghini and threw the bags in the back. He opened the doors and climbed inside, Ryou right behind him. He started the engine and Ryou gave a little shiver of anticipation. Kurama took back roads so he could drive like a complete madman, and not get pulled over. He pulled out of the parking lot and took off down the street.
When they arrived home, Ryou took his bags up to the back bedroom and placed them nicely inside. He felt a little guilty for having Kurama buy him all of those clothes, but Kurama had insisted. Ryou also realized the still sleeping Hiei, but decided not to care. He sat down on the soft mattress and laid back, his legs dangling over the edge. His mind started to wander to the far reaches of his outer being, exploring the outer boundaries of his soul, looking for something that could get him out of the mess he was in with Bakura. He was pulled from his journey with a knock at his door. "Come in." he said lazily. He turned to look at Kurama who had entered. Ryou sat up on his elbows and Kurama pulled up a chair. Ryou looked at Kurama, noticing his eyes were darkly shadowed with thought and an emotion Ryou could not make out. Kurama look Ryou in the eyes and spoke, his voice void of any emotion. "Ryou, would you like for me to start helping you with your self defense and attack maneuvers?" Ryou nodded. "I would Suichi, but I haven't fought a day in my life. I fear this will be harder for you than it will be for me." he answered sadly. Kurama looked at him intently, but continued. "Ryou, if you don't believe that you can do it, why should I help you if you aren't willing to learn?" Ryou eyes widened. "No, Suicihi, I was just saying that this would be hard for you to teach me." Kurama smirked. "I am having Hiei help me. The both of us will be able to train you." Ryou smiled. "Well, I guess I'll do it." Kurama nodded and stood. "Ryou, I need you to put on some loose clothing so you can move freely. Meet the both of us in the forest clearing I showed you earlier in about a half an hour, alright?" "Alright." Kurama left the room to have Ryou think and change.
-Bakura-
Bakura was walking the streets, not entirely sure of where he was going, but mad at the fact Ryou had moved out. He had stopped over at Marik and Malik's only to not find him there. The angered yami stormed down the street, to the pharaoh's, to see if Ryou was there.
When he arrived at the Gameshop, he rang the doorbell. Since it was around six in the morning, no one came right away, further angering Bakura. He began to bang on the door, shooting random threats and cursing in the process. Yugi drowsily answered the door, then perked up upon seeing who it was. Bakura pushed his way passed and headed to the living room. He found Yami coming down the stairs in his pajamas and snorted. Yami looked up and stopped, amazed to see the tomb robber in his home. He hopped off the stairs and ran to Yugi, not sure what was going on. Bakura was frantically searching their home, but came back to yami and hikari, and looked at them. "Is Ryou here? Where is Ryou?" Bakura demanded. Yami and Yugi blinked. "Uh, we haven't seen Ryou in about three days. Has he gone missing?" Yugi asked. "Well, no, I just came here and looked, but he's at home." came Bakura's sarcastic remark. Yami was angered by the attitude Bakura had. "If you want us to help you look for him, then you'll have to be a little nicer about it." Yami said back. Bakura growled slightly, but looked defeated. His face turned to a scowl, but he said in the kindest voice he could without throwing up. "Would you guys help me look for Ryou?" Yami smirked and put an arm around Bakura's shoulder. "Now there you go, that wasn't so hard." Yami said with a laugh. Bakura glared daggers at him, his left eye twitching. He said behind clenched teeth. "Get your arm off of me or risk losing it." Yami removed his arm before the threat was finished and walked upstairs. Yugi looked at Bakura and went upstairs as well. Bakura started pacing around when they both came back downstairs.
They were dressed, and Yami had the phone in his hand. He dialed a number then looked at Bakura and shook his head. The voice on the other side of the phone picked up, and Yami began to speak. "Hello Joey. I'm sorry to bother you and Mai this early, but we need your help to finding Ryou... No, we haven't seen him either...... Alright..... Meet us at the Gameshop.... See you in an hour." He said and hung up. Yugi grabbed the phone from Yami's hand and dialed another number. This time, Serenity answered the phone. Yugi greeted cheerfully. "Hello Serenity. Is Kaiba over there?.... Oh, that's good. We just need the two of you to come over here as soon as possible.... No, it's about Ryou.... Alright, meet us here at the Gameshop.... Bye." Yugi hung up. Bakura looked at each before speaking. "Normally I don't like help, but since you all insist." Yami shrugged then turned to Yugi. "Who else can we call?" he asked. "Well... let's see... Joey, Mai, Serenity, Kaiba... Call Duke." Yami picked up the phone and dialed Duke's number. "Hey Duke... Listen, we need your help.... No, it's Ryou..... he's gone.... Ok thanks. Bye." he hung up the phone and sat on the couch and Yugi continued the calls. They would all wait for them to arrive, then they would head out.
-Ryou-
Ryou put on a pair of baggy pants he bought at the mall. He made his way out the door and to the clearing where Suichi had told him to go. When he arrived, he noticed that no one was there, but there were splatters of blood on the ground. His mind raced as worry flooded his mind. Just then a strange wind blew past him. 'That's weird. No trees moved but I felt wind...' He was pulled from his thoughts when more blood hit the ground. He saw a flash of light in the middle of the field and then found Suichi and Hiei sliding away from each other with the force of the blast. They were breathing a little heavy, with bloody weapons in their hands. Kurama straightened his back out and walked to Ryou, leaving Hiei to sit in the field and clean his sword. "Hello Ryou." He stopped after the greeting when he noticed Ryou was slightly twitching. As little wave infront of the face brought him back to reality. "I'm sorry Suichi. I was just amazed that you two moved that fast." He looked at the small injuries on Kurama then looked to Hiei. "You guys are good." Kurama put an arm around his shoulder and started to walk. They stopped in the middle of the field and left Ryou standing alone. Hiei was still sitting, and he looked to be half asleep. He turned to look at Kurama to find him about 6 feet away from him. Kurama walked a little forward and stopped. "Ryou, I want you to attack me. Just with everything you have, right here." Ryou looked puzzled. "But..." "No buts Ryou. Come on now." He said in a gentle but stern voice.
Ryou looked distant. His eyes were vacant of any emotion, but it was obvious he was thinking. Without realizing he started running, he looked up to see himself connect with Kurama's right cheek, sending him back a few feet. Ryou looked at the shocked expression when he came back to reality. He hadn't even realized he had left his previous position. He turned to look at the shocked Hiei and then looked at Kurama. His eyes were closed, his face gentle. The punch was already starting to bruise. But what Ryou saw happen next, shocked him. Kurama vanished with a tiny wisp of smoke left where he was previously standing. Ryou then felt him behind him, and turned to block the shot Kurama threw. Another surprise, Ryou picked Suichi up and flung him into a thick tree, immediately separating it with Kurama's body. Ryou straightened himself out and looked at Suichi, finding him getting to his feet. Ryou looked on in horror. 'Am I really doing this? But how? I feel completely different when I'm fighting.' Ryou looked at Kurama again. Kurama was standing with his fists at his side, his eyes closed. His back was bleeding with the force from hitting the tree. He opened his eyes to have Ryou notice they were mostly gold with a hint of green. Kurama lunged right at Ryou, connecting with a fist in the gut. Ryou saw the attack coming and braced to catch the fist. But at the last second, Kurama switched his hands and hit him with his left.
-Bakura-
Bakura couldn't feel the link with Ryou. He supposed he had taken the Ring off as to not hear from him. He scowled. Just then, Mai and Joey entered the Gameshop. About another half hour and everyone was there. Yami, Yugi, Tea, Serenity, Kaiba, Joey, Mai, Tristan, Mokuba, Duke, Marik, Malik, Isis, and Grandpa. They all left in groups and started to search the town. Bakura was with Marik, as they walked through the docks of Domino City. Bakura had Marik as a friend, so Marik was worried about him. "What's the matter with you Bakura?" Bakura looked at Marik. "Nothing." he spat. Marik never bought the act he put on. He knew Bakura abused Ryou, Bakura told him himself. Marik also remembered the look of remorse that flashed through his eyes before he would take another drink from his beer. Marik shook his head and continued to look around the docks for young Ryou. 'Ryou...' Bakura though sadly. 'Why did you leave me? Can't you see how I feel about you? I just don't know how to express it. I hope you're alright...'
-Ryou-
Ryou grasped his stomach as Kurama's fist connected. Anger surged through his veins as he lunged and hit Kurama in the face again. Ryou looked at the sword sticking out of the tree above Hiei, and ran to swipe it. Even Hiei didn't notice his sword was just stolen. With speeds Ryou never thought a human could run he ran at Kurama. Something inside his mind ordered him to seriously hurt Kurama with the weapon in his hand. He wasn't sure what to do, but it wad too late to stop himself. He plunged the sword into Kurama's stomach, having warm blood splash onto his face. By the time Ryou was back to reality, he looked at the blood dripping from Kurama's stomach. Kurama angerly removed the sword and tossed it into a tree nearby. He had a look of power to his face as the winds started to pick up. Ryou gasped and took a step back. He noticed Suichi's hair began to change. In a flash of brilliant light, there stood a red and white haired Suichi.. with fox ears!! His clothes were still stained with blood, but he lunged at Ryou, hitting him in face. After he started to fall backwards, Kurama kneed him in the stomach, sending the air from his lungs. Kurama's hair went back to red as he looked at the gasping Ryou. "You lose Ryou." Kurama stated, a line of blood trickling down his cheek. Ryou looked up, and stood, coming to almost Kurama's eye level. "I didn't lost yet, Suichi." Ryou said before disappearing. Kurama sighed in anger when a pain surged through his stomach. 'Ryou has a very keen nature of fighting to him. He will do fine against Bakura. What worries me is that he'll still be afraid..' Kurama was pulled from his thoughts as he felt Ryou connect with his back, hitting the spot where the sword pierced. Kurama fell forward, but turned on his heel and hit Ryou in the side with his foot.
Hiei was sitting there, looking at how fast Ryou moved. He could catch him if he wanted to, but Kurama was losing alot of his blood. He was getting a little worried, seeing someone inflict so much pain onto the person he had grown to care for with all of his heart. He thought about getting up to stop them, but he decided to see how Kurama would fair.
-Bakura-
Bakura angerly walked back to the Gameshop, having his searching efforts prove futile. Marik was trying to calm him down, but he gave up after Bakura threatened him for the thirteenth time. When he came back to the Gameshop, almost everyone was there, except for Kaiba and Serenity. Bakura sat on the couch between Tea and Mai, his anger fuming. "Why is it we can't find Ryou!? Where could that stupid kid be!?" Mai was getting a little worried after being that close to Bakura so she scooted closer to Joey. Tea also scooted away from Bakura and sat between Yami and Yugi. Serenity and Kaiba also entered the Gameshop, coming back empty handed. Bakura flung his hand in the air and scoffed. "I give up! If he doesn't want to be found, I'm not wasting time!" he said and left. The others sighed and then decided to research the town again.
-Ryou-
Ryou and Kurama were locked in a stalemate. Kurama had been holding back from hurting Ryou too much, but he was getting fed up. Ryou lunged again, locking hands with Kurama. Kurama's arms and legs were stronger, so he easily over powered Ryou. He shoved Ryou away and reached in his hair. Yoko was getting mad, so he took control and prepared to kill Ryou. Ryou sat on the ground, his head covered as the rosewhip sliced through the air. Kurama regained control and changed the rosewhip back. Ryou stood up, only to be knocked back down. He waved his hands in surrender as he lay gasping for breath, sweat pouring off him. Kurama stood looking down and Yoko let go of the hold over Kurama's mind. Kurama helped Ryou to his feet, and all three of them walked back to the house.
-Bakura-
Bakura stormed out of the Gameshop and walked back to the house he used to share with Ryou. He sat down on the couch and thought about what he should do about finding Ryou. His stomach groaned, so he decided he'd think while he cooked. After he ate his meal, he went and laid on his bed. Just then all of those hurtful memories flooded back into his mind. He walked back to Ryou's room. He opened the door and came face to face with a bloodied carpet, and the bed sheets that Ryou never changed before he left. He slid down the wall and sunk to the floor. He looked at the opposite wall and saw the streak of blood down the wall from just a few nights ago. He cringed. 'Why do I have to be so stupid!?' he yelled at himself. He sighed and looked out the window.
-Ryou-
Ryou sat on his bed, his small cuts cleaned, and his bruised face on ice. He walked down the hall to Suichi's room and knocked. He was granted entrance by Hiei and he slowly walked in. He saw Kurama sitting on the end of the bed, his hair draped infront if him, and Hiei sitting behind him, bandaging his wound. He cringed, but knew that Kurama had beaten him. Kurama looked at him as he sat down. Hiei finished knotting the bandages and hopped out the window, to his tree. Ryou looked at Suichi and began to speak. "Suichi, I'm sorry for what I did to you. I just..." "I don't need pity Ryou. You are strong enough to fight Bakura." Ryou looked away. "That's just it... I don't want to." Kurama looked on, his face frozen in shock.
TheChaoticOnes: Who isn't a major sucker for some good fluff?
Ninetales122: I happen to like pink bunnies. So go ahead and send them to me.
ARTEMIS(): Thanks for the compliment.
(Is that supposed to be 90 but you just held caps and never took it off to put in the numbers?)