Disclaimer: If you haven't figured out by now that I don't own Yugioh then go away and stop reading this.
"Master! You're back!" I smiled slightly at Ryou's exuberance.
"Were you waiting for me?" I asked curiously. I thought the kid would've been glad to get rid of me for a little while at least.
"Y-yes," he stammered, blushing slightly.
"That's sweet of you," I told him "But..." I leaned down to catch his leash and tug him towards his room. "You really need to get some sleep. We wouldn't want you to drop from exhaustion now would we?"
"Sorry master. I didn't mean to make you angry. I... I just wanted..." He paused, struggling to find some way of getting his thoughts out without offending me. "I couldn't sleep until you'd said goodnight." He whispered finally.
I blinked at him. No wonder the boy had been so reluctant. If I weren't in a good mood I probably would have hit him for that one. He's not supposed to tell me what to do and that is definitely stretching that rule. But for now who really cares. He's not trying to disobey and I'm not in the mood to be picky.
"Bed." I ordered him and walked out without waiting to see his response. He'll do what he's told. I, on the other hand, am going to stay up. It's not as if I need to sleep anyway. I have more than enough energy from my last victim to stay up all night.
I tilted my head to the side. Was he crying? I could have sworn I heard him. I frowned slightly. After what he'd said I wasn't going to say goodnight; but I did want him to get some rest. He needed it after today.
Still not really happy about the situation I walked back into his room. He was lying on the bed with his face buried in his pillow and he was definitely crying. Damn him; why can't he just be content with the way things are. He's better off than most and he knows it.
I sighed finally and walked up to sit on the bed next to him. "Sleep little one." I said softly. "Sleep, and let your dreams carry you upon the winds of heaven." Ryou relaxed and moments later his breathing evened out, showing that he had fallen asleep. And because of such a little thing too. I shook my head and headed out towards the kitchen to grab a soda. I needed to think about this for a while.
Why would he get so sad over one little thing? It's not like whether or not I said goodnight meant anything. So why worry about it? Why cry because of an unimportant thing like that? And why doesn't he hate me? He should. Marik may have been the one who brought him here but it would be so easy for me to take him back if I wanted to.
He should hate me for what I've done to him. Not that I've actually done anything much, but I treat him as what he is now, and I was the one who made him my slave. No one told me to, it was and is my choice. So why doesn't he hate me for it? I'd hate me if I were him. So why doesn't he?
It's strange. Marik would be horrified if he knew. But I think I'm starting to like my little one. He gets in my way, his presence changes everything, but, I think I like having him around. I've gotten used to him.
Strange isn't it? I never wanted anyone else. Being alone has always suited me just fine. But now that he's here with me I don't think I want to go back to being on my own. Things are good the way they are and I don't want to change them.
It probably wouldn't really matter though. I've never had any troubles with accepting anything that comes my way. Guess that the old proverb's right. 'Once bitten twice shy.' Complaining never gets anyone anywhere; or at least, it never did so for me. I made my own way and my own life and I'll continue to do so no matter what.
Ryou's just one more person to protect, another burden, but not a heavy one. Like Marik in a way. I won't let anyone hurt him but I won't really show that I care for him either. It's just not my way. Marik understands. I wonder if Ryou ever will.