I didn't expect nearly all these reviews for this story…but I'm guessing it's because of Malik and Bakura. Thanks! And I don't own Yu Gi Oh™

                                                                 ~Wishful Thinking~

On the third night after his escape from Malik's palace Bakura sat on the windowsill of the tavern he was staying at, leaning his head against the hard stone wall. His own home was burned down after Malik's soldiers had captured them. The only possession's he had now were the clothes on his back, and some money that he had swiped from the palace treasury before he escaped. His dad taught him everything he knew about tomb robbing, and Bakura was determined to put that knowledge to good use.

   He gazed out into the dark night, resting his eyes on the palace where his Ryou was still being held captive. Inadvertently, his hands went into tight fists as he thought about the awful things he wanted to do to that bastard of a Pharaoh. He didn't even want to imagine the cruel and evil things that Malik was putting his innocent Ryou through. The more he sat there and thought about it, the angrier he became until he couldn't take it anymore.

   "Dammit!" He yelled, pushing himself away from the window and slamming his fist against the wall, wishing that it were Malik's face. It hurt, and he even drew some blood, but he didn't care. Instead, he flopped down on the bed and chuckled nastily, licking up the blood on his knuckles. 'I'm getting Ryou back.'

                                     * * *

   Morning came fast, and Malik had been sure to wake up before Ryou did. It was day one for him trying to do something nice for Ryou. He didn't exactly know how well it would turn out, seeing as he would usually rather die then go out of his way for somebody. Today, he wanted to give Ryou breakfast himself, to try and break the ice. Sure, it was a small step, but he couldn't do much better. Usually Malik would leave the room in the morning and stay away all day, having the servants bring Ryou his meals. Today, Malik wanted to take a different approach, maybe spend some time with him, that is to say…if Ryou didn't freak out by Malik sitting next to him.

   Walking down to the kitchens, he began to feel nervous. His heart was pounding and his palms were sweaty. He had no idea why, and he didn't like this feeling of uncertainty. He didn't like not knowing the outcome of his actions. Any other time he could force the person to bend to his will, but this time, that wouldn't happen. Could it even be possible that Ryou would like him for him? For certain though, the person that he was now was sure to drive away anyone. Malik tried not to let that bother him because he wanted to be in somewhat of a good mood when he went back to his room to see Ryou.

   When he arrived at the kitchens the foods he had asked for were ready, all arranged neatly on a tray. He picked up the food and looked around the seemingly empty kitchen. But upon closer inspection, he could see the cooks cowering in the corners. They had never seen him come in the kitchens, and they thought he was down here to kill somebody.

   "Don't worry, I'm not here to put an arrow through your chest." He said semi-harshly to everyone. They only seemed to flinch more at the sound of his voice.

   Becoming disgusted, he decided to leave in a hurry, before he would have to take back that statement. So, with tray in hand, he made his way back to his room.

   Ryou was still sound asleep on the floor. Malik decided not to wake him because he knew that Ryou needed every moment of sleep that he could get. Malik knew that Ryou usually stayed up all night, no doubt thinking about Bakura…

   He sat the food down next to his bed and sat there watching Ryou sleep. What was it about this boy that made him want to be different? Why was he sitting here, about to serve this boy breakfast? Serve? That was another word that wasn't in his vocabulary. He almost couldn't believe it. He felt as if he would give up anything to have Ryou want him and not Bakura. But as much as it pained him to admit it, he knew that nothing he could do would change Ryou's mind. Malik's image had already been tainted in Ryou's eyes. They were the complete opposite. Ryou, being the sweet, innocent little ball of light, and Malik, the darkness, loneliness, and utmost hatred.

   He could do everything in his power to become a better man, but little good that would do. What's done is done. But he couldn't help but think back to the look that Ryou gave him as he was standing there killing him. It seemed as though Ryou, for that moment looked past all the things he had ever done, and saw the desperate soul crying out inside of him.

   'What the hell am I doing?' He asked himself as he ran his fingers through his cream blonde hair. Desperate soul? Who was he trying to fool? There was nothing inside of him other than a deep urge to want to make Ryou suffer, and he was sure Ryou knew that. So why then? Didn't Ryou care that he was moments away from death? 'What a foolish boy.' Malik sighed to himself as he glanced over again at the sleeping Ryou. At the moment, Ryou wasn't having any nightmares. He could tell because Ryou looked at peace, which didn't happen too often.

   Malik could feel his chest twinge as he continued to watch Ryou sleep, his amethyst eyes resting on the delicate features of Ryou's face. His lips, slightly parted, and his platinum bangs falling over his eyes. Everything about him made Malik go crazy. Yet, there was still that urge, somewhere in the back of his mind to get rid of the boy. Then he would have no more problems, or so it seemed.

   It wasn't long before Malik saw Ryou open his eyes slightly and push his hair out of his face as he sat up on the floor. It took a while for Ryou to realize that Malik was sitting on his bed staring at him. But when he did, he felt scared, and alone. This had never happened before. Usually Malik was gone before he woke up. Did he do something wrong? Was Malik going to hurt him again? 'Please Ra no…' He said mentally remembering all too well their last encounter. But he watched as Malik picked up a tray of food and walked over to him. His mind told him to move away, but his body wasn't responding.

   "I…I brought you some breakfast…" Malik said un-assuredly as he sat down on the floor next to Ryou, who looked scared to death. Malik couldn't help but feel slightly hurt at the expression on Ryou's face. It was as if he was looking at a monster. Was he really that bad?

   "I didn't know what you liked…s-so I brought a little of everything." He picked up a fig and held it out.

   Ryou looked from the fig in Malik hand, up to his face, and back down to the fig, unsure of what to make of this.

   "Don't worry, I didn't poison it." Malik said with a soft chuckle.

Ryou extended a shaking hand and grabbed the fruit out of Malik's palm. He took a small bite out of it and when he realized that it was ok, he popped the rest of it in his mouth.

   "There, see? It's not that bad." Malik said softly.

Ryou couldn't believe it. Was the evil one actually being nice? Was this for real? No matter though, he was still scared to death.

   Malik could tell that Ryou was still uneasy, he could see the boy's body shaking slightly. It didn't work when he tried to ignore it. It still bothered him. But he wanted to be more playful with Ryou.

   "Come closer." He demanded, not to harshly but strong enough that Ryou had obeyed without hesitation. He moved in closer to Malik, and stared at the ground. He wasn't so much frightened anymore, but he was nervous. Why? He didn't quite know. But he kind of felt it was because this was the closest he had been to Malik since his near death experience, which he still had nightmares about.

   He watched Malik pick up a small red fruit and hold it up.

   "This is a strawberry. They're not grown in Egypt, and they're expensive to import. I take it you haven't seen one before?"

   Ryou shook his head.

   "Well, they're delicious." He said as he held out the strawberry.

   Ryou began to reach for it.

   "Ah…not this time." Malik said with a grin, pulling the fruit back. "Let me feed it to you."

   Ryou stared at him, half shocked, half scared. What was he trying to do?

   "Don't worry." Malik comforted him, placing a hand on Ryou's soft pale cheek. This time, Ryou didn't contort at the other's touch, because this time, his touch was different. It was nothing like the first night he was here, when Malik's touch was harsh and full of lust. No, this time, it was sincere, almost comforting…

   Ryou swallowed hard before he leaned in and took the strawberry from Malik's fingers. He chewed it up eagerly, never remembering tasting anything like it. He wanted some more.

   "Good?" Malik asked.

Ryou nodded his head.

   "Do you want another one?"

   "Yes, please." He said timidly.

   "Ok…" Malik picked up another strawberry and placed it in-between his teeth, as if daring Ryou to take it. But he really wanted him to.

   Hesitant at first, Ryou put his hands on Malik's legs and dove in for the tasty treat. His teeth bit down on the strawberry, but his lips hit Malik's. Again, this contact was nothing like the first time. It was almost like they had never kissed before. Malik wasn't forcing his tongue down his throat, and he wasn't gripping his arms harshly. Instead, it was Ryou who was gripping onto Malik's legs, and leaning into him.

   Malik didn't mind it at all, in fact, this was exactly what he was hoping for. He pulled the strawberry further into his mouth so that Ryou's lips were pressed harder against his.

   'C'mon, you want the strawberry don't you?' He questioned mentally. 'Go in and take it.'

   It was almost as if Ryou could hear Malik's thoughts, because before Malik had realized what was happening Ryou had slid his tongue into his mouth, lightly sucking to get the delectable fruit. Malik decided to let him have it, after all, the strawberry was getting in the way of him really enjoying the kiss.

   Ryou pulled away and swallowed the strawberry, still gazing at Malik.

   "You have some juice running down your chin." Malik said to him. "Let me get that."

   He brought his tongue to the side of Ryou's face, slowly licking up the sweet liquid and ending with a soft trace across Ryou's slightly parted lips, savoring the flavor of the boy mixed with the sweet ambrosial flavor of the strawberry. Malik felt somewhat relieved that Ryou wasn't cowering and moving away from him. Did his plan work? Was he beginning to get through to Ryou?

   He couldn't help but smile as he felt his body relax. This was going better then he expected, but he still wondered what Ryou thought about him. Ryou didn't talk too much, the only thing he had said to Malik this morning was "Yes, please." Was he just shy? Or did Malik still scare him?

   "Ryou…" Malik said quietly.

Ryou lifted his head up and gazed serenely into his eyes. It was such a gentle look. It almost made Malik shiver at how calmly Ryou could look at him sometimes, like they had known each other forever. Whenever Ryou looked at him like that, it made him want to break down and cry like a baby. 'What a fool I am.' He shook his head.

   "Yes?" Came a soft voice that snapped him back into reality to find Ryou, still staring at him.

   "You…you aren't scared of me are you?"

   "I never was…" Ryou spoke softly. "Well…only once…"

   "Oh…about that…it'll never happen again." Malik looked at Ryou, who looked sort of confused. "You know…when I tried to…to kill you."

   "I wasn't scared." Ryou said calmly.

   "Oh?" Malik said raising an eyebrow. That would explain the look Ryou gave him. But if he wasn't scared then, when was he scared?

   "It was when you lead me down to the dungeon and I had to say good bye to Bakura."

   Just then Malik felt his heart sink to the floor. Bakura…He should have known that Ryou would bring up that bastard. He had gotten through to Ryou, only to get a slap in the face. Bakura. No matter what he did, Malik would never get Ryou's mind off of him. He longed for one moment, alone with Ryou, where Ryou would be focused on him. But that would never happen…however…Malik had his ways…