A.N: Once again, just to make a short story longer, I am going to drift away from the main story line and talk about something else that should only be talked about in a paragraph. I've taken a page.

Ryou's not a madman bent on killing, neither is he an angel.

Disclaimer I'm way to young to own something like Sailor Moon or YGO, so I would think myself an incompetent fool to own both. Which I don't. They belong to people I've never had any contact with and this is purely a fans work on their stories, because I love them so. So please, don't sue me. I don't have any money anyways -. -

Chapter 9: Dreams of a Girl and Memories of Perfume

Ryou murmured gently in his sleep.

"Ami…" he would whisper. He'd always harboured the fantasy that he'd meet the clever bluenette. He'd been curious about the girl who always, if she didn't beat him, followed behind him in the National and State tests. He'd felt that meeting someone like her would benefit his learning, a knowledgeable person who actually had enough brains to be his friend. Sure, there was Yugi and co. and his beloved father and a few select people he spent time with all very nice and people he, for loss of better words called "friends". They just never fitted his worldly expectations of a person. He would admit, that spending time with the Yugi, by extension Yugi's 'other' and his father, were probably the most enjoyable times of his young life. He picked things up and learnt more, but even through his main interests was Ancient Egyptian past and Duel Monsters - it wasn't enough. He knew for a fact that whilst Yugi was a particularly bright person, Yugi failed in general knowledge. He wouldn't know the difference between a softwood or a hardwood, the fourth highest peak in the world, the difference between Yeats and Shakespeare. His father would most likely have trouble with this too.

They just weren't enough. So, life went on for Ryou the loner.

The only one who could understand was Bakura. For some reason, no matter how evil, how cruel or mean Bakura was to everyone; Ryou couldn't dislike him as much as he knew he should. After all, how do you hate a past self? Ryou didn't dislike himself now and even through he disagreed and distrusted Bakura, he knew that essentially it was just another side of himself.

. -.

"Don't it disturb you? How you keep interfering with people lives?"

"Their lives mean nothing to me. What have they ever done for each of us? I work for myself and that's what matters."

"Your goal just seems so…selfish and wrong. If you don't give people a try, you never find out what they're capable of"

"Don't try to hide that you don't feel the same way underneath that effeminate disguise. Haven't you learnt the truth yet?"

"You must have a trust within someone…" Ryou rubbed his face. Through no one else would be able to see it, Bakura had made his face ache in pain from a quick backhand. When Ryou talked to him, Bakura was always touchy on the subject of trust. He looked up to see a cold glare from the icy Bakura.

"Even after all this time, you've still grown too soft!"

. -.

Bakura had spelled it out for him. If Ryou had been more unsheltered and un-adored by everyone, able to grow "soft" as Bakura put it, he'd be the same. They had the same sense of trust too, just different aspects. Ryou at times would become quieter then usual, silent as the dead, as a strange exotic perfume wafted through the air. It would usually be trigged off being around females, through the sent would not necessarily be theirs. His mother had been his chief protector, not letting him see blood or death. Bakura's mother had died from poisoning years ago, Bakura never receiving the motherly attention he deserved.

Ryou loved to crawl upon his young mother's lap, to smell the intoxicating smell of her perfume, feel the warmth of her hugs, her wet lips as she kissed him on the forehead.

His father, who adored his wife and child more then anything, ordered cartons of Ryou's mother perfume over from England. No one else smelled as sweet and pretty as his mother. She'd squirt Ryou with a bottle as she left for the many parties she attended. He'd sit there for hours remembering her touch, knowing she was around whilst not being there. He'd wake up and she'd be there watching him sleep, the morning sunlight vibrating off her.

. -.

He blinked and rolled on his back. He smiled as he saw the pretty white haired woman looking down at him, the sun coming through the windows. She smiled in return and bent down to kiss him on the forehead. The small boy breathed in deeply, taking in everything about her, her smile, her eyes, her smell, and her voice.

"Good morning, darling"

. -.

Ryou had trusted everyone back then. Nothing big happened without him, his parents were his world. Then the world turned on him.

. -.

Ryou awoke from his sleep to the sound of rain falling. Something didn't feel right. The room was dark, his warm bed cold. Something, outside he supposed, was crying. A dog, maybe. Ryou didn't like it. He wasn't used to the sound of crying, but he knew it for what it was. An unsettling, pitiful proclamation of pain. He sat up, his eyes just making out the shadows of his room. Something was definitely wrong. Out of place. He scanned the room for disturbance and found nothing. He looked towards the end of his bed. Where was Mother? Why had she left him with no light? He always woke up to mother and the light. Was she sick? Ryou was often sick so he knew all about that matter. He turned his attention to the door, the voices he could hear behind it. Would they tell him where Mother was? Ryou carefully slipped out of bed and into his robe and slippers and shuffled quietly to the door. His hand rested on the low brass doorknob but instead of opening it, he pressed his ear to the door.

"It seems like she's been poisoned," said a voice. Ryou recognised it to be one of the household staff, a Mr. Grant.

"I'd say it's about time. That family's been trying to kill her off since she was a young girl. Refused to marry their son. That family has a high thought of honour. Couldn't take it. Should have heard the things they said when she married the Professor…" said Ryou's nursemaid. He remembered the old English nanny had also been his mother's.

"So they poisoned her? After all this time? Isn't that a bit drastic? It could have been the food, Miss Evens" Mr. Grant said doubtfully.

"They're horribly proud. I'd bet my life on it, through it can't be proven. It's not the first time either. They have it out for the whole family. Remember last time Madam invited them over to dinner? Why she did it I'll never believe. Said to I that it was because they'd been family friends for generations. That old Mrs. Snedden made comments on how great her son was now, how beautiful his children where, how the Professor had a strange obsession with the past," Miss Evens said, drawing in a deep breath. She always talked in long paragraphs. Ryou could hear Mr Grant start to say something but Miss Evens quickly cut him off.

"I nearly invaded the dinning room! Who was she to say such things! Madam never mentioned that Roger's corrupt, how the family's involved in scandal over his doings with his message-boy! That he's spent all their money! And that I've never seen such ugly babies, and trust me Mr. Grant, I've seen a lot of babies, through never as pretty as Madam and little Ryou. I swear young Ms. Snedden didn't birth all those bubs! Wouldn't make it outta that tinny waist, no siree, Mr. Grant. Especially that fat pig Winston. Never seen a chid eat that much, now Ryou eats like a bird but compared to that child…he could feed one of those poor African villages we al hear about. They could even skin him and use it for clothing. There's certainly enough. Besid's none of that family ever liked that young mam, through she much older then Roger. Second choice to Madam of course. If it wasn't illegal they probably would have kidnapped her to be Roger's bride. I'm right glad that union neva happe'd, he's always givin me cheek, his reminds me of a slug. He had the nerve to tell me once before that my services were't required because he was gonna marry Madam. Well she told him right! Imagine saying that the Professor had a strange obsession with the past when here she was telling the table about how much Roger was worth to make Madam jealous! Not worth a grain or salt I tells ya Mr. Grant!" Miss Evens hurriedly took a breath. It always surprised people how long the old nursemaid could talk. It was awful for Ryou when she lectured him for something. One time he fell asleep and it started her on another long passage. When Ryou would complain, his mother would laugh, saying only that Miss Evens just liked to get the whole story out.

"Remember that time Ryou and Madam were both sick? Right after goin to the Snedden's. It's good that Ryou didn't go this time otherwise there'd be another casualty! I'm downright angry! If it wasn't improper I'd take them over to British consulate, don't trust those Japs after the war. Except for the Professor, of course, don't get me wrong, beautiful man he is. Trust him with my purse and my paycheck. Now, those awful people have…"

Ryou could now hear shrieking coming from Miss Evens. The sound startled him as did the sound of her next words. He'd never heard something so awful sounding, in his sheltered life.

"THEY KILLED MY POOR BABY! THEY TOOK THE ANGEL AWAY! THEY'RE EVIL! I HOPE THE DEVIL BURNS THEM ALL IN HELL!"

Ryou shivered. The words were merely the cries of a shocked, heartbroken old maid. They were just said with so much pain and to Ryou's unaccustomed ears were something to be feared. He opened the door and saw the dishevelled staff before him, all lined up uncomfortably near the door straight down the hall. There seemed to hang a drape of sadness, most of the maids were crying, the men grey. Ryou could hear what he had thought had been a dogs howl to be from the room. Around him, everyone seemed to avert their eyes. He padded down to the room, his mother's room and gave it a slight push. He eyes opened in surprises. His father was making that detestable sound. The tall Dr. Hashimatsu stood in the far corner, shaking his head.

"The child" he whispered to the nurse, who was dabbing her eyes with her hanky. Ryou could smell his Mother's perfume hovering in the air and ran to his father clutching his side. Ryou knew that Mother wasn't asleep in front of them. Through he'd ever seen death, he could tell. Later his father would wonder how he knew as Ryou had never been told what death was. The Professor would wonder if Ryou had been watching too much TV or reading something he shouldn't have been, as his wife would never let the theme be uttered near her small son. What would puzzle him more was that Ryou didn't cry. He just sat there, almost as if he had expected it all long.

. -.

Ryou then found himself on a plane to England, his Mother's place of birth. His small family now became two. Ryou attached himself to the withdrawn Professor. As Ryou got older, the Professor would leave to carry on with his "obsession with the past" at archaeological digs. Ryou would miss him as he stared out the window at the rain. It always seemed cloudy, so it was no surprise when it rained. Ryou would always be reminded of his Mother's perfume as he watched the droplets race down the glass. He was glad to leave the country and return to Japan 11 years later. Ryou's life was much changed since he had left, since the death of his mother. The servants, Miss Evans, the house, life as he knew it, like his mother had long gone. Ryou lived alone most of the time now, in the dark suburban house. He enjoyed the dark; through he would always sit closest to the light. Here, he would spend the many hours shuffling preparing, paying with his deck of Duel Monster cards. Ryou didn't know why he liked them so much. He loved the feel they had, he loved participating in games. If he wasn't with his cards or entertaining his father on his odd trips home he would read, shaping up his mind. School was a passion to him, he loved learning. So the Mizuno girl intrigued him. He remembered once seeing her picture in the paper and thinking how pretty she was. Even Bakura agreed with him, through he snickered at Ryou's crush. It also didn't disturb Ryou to smell perfume, which was odd. Ryou hated the smell of perfume, so he hated being around females that wore it. There went most of the female population. He didn't mind girls like Mazaki Anzu. They were nice enough to him. He just didn't like that she wore perfume.

In fact when you boiled it down to its pure substance he detested perfume. Hated it. Ryou realised, whilst sitting in that ice cream shop that Ami didn't wear any. He'd smiled and Ami blushed at it. She really was cute.

It was almost like Bakura and fire. The one memory that Ryou could see of a young innocent Bakura. The Pharaoh's fire that destroyed his father, the only person little Bakura had trusted. Same issue, different things. Then again, Bakura didn't hate fire. In fact Bakura had a strange fascination with it.

He'd moved Juuban to start his life as an adult. And to shut Bakura up. It might have been painful not to comply. Not that he had either option anyway.

. -.

"I can feel it…"

"Feel what? Another bloodthirsty madman who you'll hope will agree with what you say?"

"Must you be sarcastic? Fool. Power. I can feel its power reawaken"

"Whatever you're going to say we have to do. No. I don't want to kill Yugi or the Pharaoh"

"I don't care about your petty thoughts of "friendship". We listen to me. You're too weak to have any sort of control."

"Yugi will find you again, then you're going to have to find another way to me."

"I don't need you. Just because you're the easiest body. There are easier ways of carrying out my plans. I unfortunately happen to like your body and its easy access to the Pharaoh. Now, were going to move…"

"I don't want to move!"

"Shut your Ra darned mouth! Don't you ever listen? The Pharaoh and Kaiba are moving to an area called Juuban. It's also were I feel our most powerful weapon is."

"What? Everyone knew you were crazy before but wait till they hear this!"

. -.

The next thing Ryou knew he was standing in a dingy apartment in the far side of town, two weeks later. Ryou hated it that his weaknesses gave Bakura control. He wanted to eradicate the bad part of his soul, but he knew that would never work. Bakura always came back. The Millennium ring was the noose always strung around his neck.

The only good thing that had come of the move was he had the option to track down Mizuno-san. Just the thought made him blush.

"How can I have a crush on a girl I've never met?" he'd often question himself. It didn't make much sense. Bakura would just snicker. Bakura loved to snicker.

Ryou felt close to her. It was truly without explanation. He'd almost hurt himself when he realised he hadn't noticed she was in his class. Two seats down, four rows to his left, two from the window. She always sat in the same seat he'd found out. He'd felt like sinking into the ground when he helped her gather her things. He'd even told her then English way of saying his name in his confusion. It was luck that she'd agreed to go out with him.

Of course, Bakura had interrupted at the end as Ryou walked her up to her building's door and Ryou didn't regain control until they got home. Bakura, being the madman he was wouldn't tell him what had taken place.

. -.

"It's for grown-ups, kid" Bakura snickered. Ryou wanted to scream. If he hadn't already been dead, Bakura would have been after that moment. The snickering Ryou could live with; it was Bakura's favourite sound and expression. The mocking and suspense was what really made him want to explode.

. -.

Ryou wished he did know. Had Bakura…kissed…Ami? Ryou grimaced at the thought. That didn't seem Bakura-ish enough. Ryou didn't want to think any further then that. It would have been too much.

Mizuno Ami.

Bakura Ami.

Bakura unbuttoning the front of Ami's shirt…

He really was childish. That didn't mean Bakura had to call him one.

Ever since that night, Ryou had dreamed of Ami. Not in a sick, ecchi manner, but of her smile, her mannerisms, her brainy talk. Of that gold Millennium eye around her neck. He'd meant to enquire after it, but always got lost in the thought of Ami that he forgot. Around her, he could smell his mother's perfume, making him calm and relaxed. Somehow that sent made everything different, that it wasn't just Ami, that his mother was encouraging him. It was strange, considering how it usually made him feel. It didn't leave him disagreeable, angry, pained. He didn't even hate it anymore. He didn't hate everyone. He didn't hate the thought of his mother. It was almost…refreshing. Ryou didn't deny it was weird. Then again, he'd discovered he was an insane thief bent on killing the Pharaoh, the shadow realm, the Millennium items and Yugi, the Pharaoh himself and Kaiba just to prove he wasn't crazy. Compared to that mess this was normal.

He was too shy to call Ami. Every time he'd even entertained the thought, Bakura would go off his head. Ryou still didn't know what was going on. Whilst Bakura could read his mind, Ryou always had trouble finding answers in Bakura, he was always so hazy. Ryou rarely grasped the things that Bakura had in mind. In some ways, he didn't even want to.

So Ryou would retire to sleep, to dreams of seeing Ami.

Ryou could distantly feel someone was disturbing his sleep. He rolled over, pulling the blanket over his head. He scrunched up his eyes, trying to return to his precious dream.

"Go away" Ryou said in a disgruntled fashion.

"The day has begun and we have work to do." The person said, snickering. No prize for guessing whom it was.

"It's Sunday. Morning. The only time I don't have something important to do. I'm sleeping" Ryou said, his voice muffled by the blanket and the pillow.

"Ah, but this is important! Don't you want to see Ami again?" Snickering followed.

'Typical. It's barely waking hour and he's already trying to blackmail me.'

Ryou removed the pillow and the blanket, opening one eye. He quickly closed it again, and then opened both again just to make sure.

"Good morning, darling!" Bakura's wide evil grin spoke, imitating an English accent.

"You're a sick bastard," Ryou said as he sat up. The idiot had even sat in the light; it almost looked like he was a made of it, his translucent-ness giving it an eerie look. Bakura laughed at his own play.

"All I need now is a dress!"

Ryou was not amused. Bakura was on the borderline again. He frowned and slipped out of bed.

"I hope you weren't thinking of getting a sex change or kissing me on the forehead. I'd have to slit my wrists. Then again maybe that isn't such a bad idea anyway." Ryou said sarcastically on his way to the bathroom.

"We're going to the duelling tournament today" Bakura said as Ryou reached for his toothpaste.

"Don't tell me. You want to make sure we verse Yugi right?" Ryou squirted the green blob on his brush and stuck it in his mouth.

"What's it got to do with Mizuno-san?" he asked, his mouth foaming with the minty freshness.

"You'll see. Hurry up, Imamizno is waiting"

'Imamizno?'

Yeah, awful I know. Worse then the last one. R&R. Get ready for some bad duelling.

You can't say I've ignored Ryou after 5 pages.

… # Rei Ant # …