~ Return from the Dead ~

   The day had gone by far worse than Malik had expected. He thought that after the little incident in the bedroom, Ryou would warm up to him. Well, he had hoped anyway…But that wasn't the case. Ryou had brought up Bakura…again, and sure enough, Malik had lost his temper and was moments away from beating the boy senseless, until he had enough willpower to back away and leave the room before Ryou was seriously hurt. And now, after that awful display, Malik was sitting alone in the throne room, too frustrated to do anything more then just slouch down low in his throne and stare off in the distance while he fiddled absentmindedly with his silk sash that was tied around his waist.  Probably the only way he'd ever get Ryou to talk to him is if he was Bakura.

   At this point he was ready to give up. He could have guessed that being nice wouldn't work. It never did. Nice people never got anything in life, they were only stepped on by those who used force to get what they wanted. But now he felt utterly disgusted with himself. He went out of his way to be nice to that little brat, and what did he get in return? Zilch, nada, nil. He was probably even worse off then when he started. At least on the first night he and Ryou actually did something, even if it was by force. But hey, that's the way Malik liked it.

   On that train of thought, Malik couldn't help but remember how soft Ryou's skin was, and how sweet he tasted. Ryou's hair was like silk, and his lips were so soft…

   As Malik began to sink lower and lower in his chair, continuing to think about Ryou, there was a sudden nock on the throne room doors, that pushed his thoughts of Ryou aside and caused him to shoot up straight in his chair.

   "Who is it?" He asked impatiently.

   "Your loving, caring cousin." Yami said sarcastically as he stepped into the throne room and walked up to Malik. "What do you look so glum about?" He asked Malik as he knelt down beside Malik's throne and rested his head on the arm of the chair, looking up at Malik with big beady eyes.

   "Nothing. Can't you go bother Litho?" Malik said curtly before he stood up from his throne and walked away from his good for nothing cousin.

   "Aww…c'mon, I was just trying to get a smile. You can tell your cousin Yami what's going on…although, I think I have a pretty good idea." He smirked, following behind him.

   Malik spun around so fast and advanced on Yami, that he didn't even see it coming.

   "You don't know anything!" Malik said in a low growl, gripping Yami's upper arms tightly. "I suggest you leave, and not open your mouth to a single soul if you know what's good for you." He looked as if he could skin Yami alive. "Just get out."

   "Relax, I'm only here to help…now, if you'd be so kind." Yami pulled back, trying to free himself from the Pharaoh's impending grip, with no luck. Malik, reluctantly let go of his cousin's arms, and continued to stare nastily at him, making Yami feel quite uncomfortable.

   "What are you talking about, help? You can't help me if there's nothing wrong." He stated definably as he crossed his arms.

   "Aah, but that's where you're wrong, my poor naïve cousin." Yami tisked, shaking his head. "I think a trip to the palace mage is in order."

   "What the hell are you talking about Yami?" Malik asked through gritted teeth.

   "Give up Malik. No matter how much you try and cover up your softer side with this nasty guy attitude, it still shines through sometimes."

   At that, Malik could say nothing. Was it that obvious?

   "Why do you look so speechless?" Yami teased. "You think nobody notices? Ever since that cute little boy showed up at your birthday party…well it was all downhill from there, and now, there's almost nothing left of you."

   Malik narrowed his eyes and glared daggers at Yami. He felt his heart beating rapidly against his chest. Yami had some nerve…

   "You keep your mouth shut you asshole." Malik said in between deep breaths. He had become slightly better at controlling his anger. After all, at any other time, Yami would have been dead by now.

   Yami could do nothing but smile slyly like he knew something that Malik didn't. And it was pissing him off.

   "Why aren't you leaving yet? I thought I told you to get out?"

   "Because," Yami replied, "You have to come too. Trust me." He grabbed onto Malik's arm and pulled him towards the exit. And reluctantly, Malik followed.

                                             * * *

  Ryou sat alone, like he did almost every night. He sat in the same corner of Malik's room, with the same thing on his mind. Bakura. And today, the mere mention of Bakura's name almost warranted him a severe beating. He was a fool to think that Malik could ever change. That display this morning was nothing more than a hoax. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. Ryou was angry with himself for taking the food in the first place. For a split second, Bakura seemed to have fled his mind. When he leaned into the Pharaoh's lap and took the strawberry from his lips, there wasn't much else he could think about.

   'Why did I do it?' He asked himself. It seemed like that was the worst mistake he could have ever made, because it gave Malik the wrong ideas. But, Malik had kept his promise…after that day when he almost killed Ryou…Malik promised he would never hurt him again. Today he came close, but he didn't go through with it.

   Ryou leaned his body against the wall, getting ready to go to sleep. How could he let something like this go too far? It was his fault in the first place that Bakura was dead. Dead…he had to remember that. Bakura was dead and he wasn't coming back, there's no use in holding on to something that's not there…maybe…maybe he should just forget about him…after all, he had no problem doing it this morning…that kiss, Malik's soft hand caressing his cheek…maybe, it was for the best…

   His eyelids slowly began to droop and his body sank lower and lower down the wall, and when the chamber doors opened, he pretended to be fully asleep so that Malik wouldn't bother him. He just didn't feel like dealing with him at the moment, he was too hurt. But his fake sleep didn't seem to work, because he heard the footsteps coming closer to him.

   'Let me be.' He whined mentally.

Then he felt a hand grab his shoulder gently, and soft lips press against his neck, right behind his ear. It was that spot that Bakura knew all too…

   Ryou's eyes went wide as his body shot straight up.

   "Bakura!" He yelled throwing himself into the tomb robber's chest, almost knocking him over.

   "Shh…it's ok." Bakura said, comforting him as he hugged the small boy closer.

   With tears in his eyes, Ryou stared up at Bakura, with a look of disbelief.

   "I…I thought Malik…" Ryou started.

   "No…he was going to but I escaped. What does that matter now? We're together." He smiled lightly at his Ryou before hugging him close again.

   "He…lied to me…you can't be…this has got to be a dream." Ryou muttered feeling relieved that Bakura was alive, but hurt that Malik lied to him, and still hardly able to believe it at all.

   Bakura pulled Ryou away and looked at him with concern. "I'm sure he thought it was for the best."

   Ryou tilted his head to one side. That didn't seem like the thing Bakura would say.

   "C'mon, let's get out of here before someone sees us." Bakura pulled Ryou up and led him across the bedroom and out to the balcony before Ryou could think about it any longer.

   Until that moment, he never realized how high up they really were. Ryou gulped loudly before looking up apprehensively at Bakura.

   "H-how exactly…are we going to get down?" He stammered, sizing up the wall below him that was overgrown with vines.

   "Climb." Bakura stated simply as he hoisted himself over the balcony and held his hand out for Ryou.

   Thinking that this wasn't the best, or safest way to go about this, Ryou hesitantly grabbed Bakura's hand and allowed himself to be pulled up as well.

   "I'll go first. That way, if you fall, I can catch you." Bakura told him before he lowered himself down and grabbed a vine.

  "That makes me feel so much better." He said sarcastically. Ryou closed his eyes tightly, and moved his foot around trying to find a protruding rock to put it on. At last, he found one and moved down very slowly, gripping the thick vines so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.

   He glanced down at Bakura, who was already half way down the wall, but quickly he brought his gaze back up. The ground seemed like it was a mile away, and he didn't like that sensation at all.

   Finally, after what felt like an eternity both of Ryou's feet were planted firmly on solid earth, just the way he liked it.

   "There, that wasn't so bad now was it?" Bakura asked him as he hugged Ryou close. All the smaller boy could do was laugh faintly as he tried not to think about the dozen times that he almost fell.

   "Where are we going?" Ryou questioned as the two walked together down the broad street that led right into the city of Thebes.

   "Not sure…maybe we can find an inn and make up for lost time." Bakura glanced at him with that evil, sexy stare. It made Ryou want to melt right there on the spot. It had been so long since they had been together, and Ryou was more than willing to make up for lost time…and then some…

   "Sounds good to me." He replied, bringing himself in closer to the irresistible tomb robber. Right about now he could just imagine the look on Malik's face when he walks into his room and finds out that his little slave is missing. 'Serves him right.' Ryou thought as he wrapped his arm around Bakura's waist. He had all that he wanted right here, and nothing was ever going to change that.

   "Look over there." Ryou said as he pointed to an old stone building a few yards in front of them. "We can stay there."

   Bakura glanced down at Ryou, and couldn't help but smile at his eagerness. "Whatever you want." He said before reaching down and planting a soft kiss on Ryou's forehead.

   When they stepped through the door they were met with an array of different smells and sounds. There were a few musicians in the corner, entertaining the guests as they talked over a pint. The faint smell of various liquors lingered in the air. Overall, the place was quite pleasant and welcoming.

   "Why don't you get us a seat and order some beer while I see about a room." Bakura handed him some money and sent him on his way, watching Ryou until he was out of sight and then making his way over to the innkeeper who was behind the counter. 

   "Can I help you?" The plump man behind the counter asked as he saw Bakura approaching.

   "I want a room and I want the nicest room you have." He demanded.

   "I'm sorry, no can do. That room's reserved for nobility. And I doubt you make enough money in a month to be able to afford that room for even one night." The innkeeper stated pompously.

   But Bakura just wasn't going to sit back and listen to that. He reached across the counter and grabbed the man by the shirt collar, roughly pulling the man close to his own face. Narrowing his eyes, he glared right at the man for the longest time before he spoke.

   "Who are you to tell me what I can and can not afford? You'll do well to keep that pompous attitude of yours in check, before I am forced to do something drastic."

   The man looked at Bakura, sweat forming on his brow. His mouth was hanging open, and he was at a loss for words. "I…I…f-forgive me kind Sir…" He stuttered, unable to look Bakura in the eyes.

   "Good. I'm glad that we have an understanding." Bakura released him and threw a bag of gold on the table before he walked away.  

                                       * * *

   The sun had long since set, and many people had made their way in and out of the tavern. But the two white haired boys were still sitting at a table in the corner, talking and enjoying each other's company.

   "You say he tried to kill you?" Bakura repeated in a tone that shocked Ryou. It wasn't one of anger, and he didn't even sound worried, he almost sounded like he already knew this. But Ryou nodded his head anyway, trying not to let a silly little thing like that bother him.

   "But that's over now. Why don't we talk about something else?" Ryou stated; the memories weren't all that pleasant to relive.

   Bakura's eyes scanned over the expression on Ryou's face. He still wanted to know more.

   "What do you think of m- uhh the Pharaoh?" Bakura took a quick sip of his beer and continued when he saw that Ryou looked totally baffled by his question. "Go ahead, tell me everything, and it's ok, you can be honest."

   Ryou stared at him for a moment, not sure where to start, or why Bakura was even asking these things to begin with. Why did Bakura care what he thought about Malik?

   "Um…he, he isn't very nice. I didn't know sometimes when it was safe to talk to him. Sometimes he would get mad if I didn't talk, and other times…he would yell at me and tell me to shut up…so after a while, I just stopped talking." He stopped, he didn't realize that it would be this hard to talk about Malik. It almost made him…miss him. 'No, why am I thinking like that? I have Bakura here with me…' Ryou closed his eyes, and he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder. Peeking them open he saw Bakura looking at him with slight concern.

   "Is that all?" He asked.

   "No…" Ryou sighed. "No…"

   "Well?"

   "Well what?!" Ryou snapped, a little harsher than he intended. He really didn't want to talk, or even think about Malik because it only made his heart hurt.

   "Ryou…you can tell me what you think about him."

   "Fine…but after this I'm done." Ryou paused for a moment and watched as the last few stragglers stumbled out of the tavern until they were the only two left. "I…don't know what it is about him…he confuses me." He looked down at his hands. "He seems so evil, but sometimes he can…he can be the total opposite." 'What am I saying? He was always mean!' "But I don't care, I hate him and I hope he gets what's coming to him!" Ryou slammed his fist down on the wooden table and saw the expression on Bakura's face instantly go to one of hurt. "I just think he's a pitiful man who has no feelings…and I feel sorry for him because no one will ever love him."

   Bakura's mouth opened a little, and to Ryou's utter disbelief, he thought he saw tears start to form in his loves chocolate eyes.

   "B…Bakura?"

   Bakura quickly turned his head away from Ryou and glanced out the window. "Maybe…some people don't know how to have feelings. Maybe they try to do nice things but it never works out, and all they want is for someone to talk to…without hiding behind a mask." Bakura turned back to Ryou and looked right into his eyes. He reached under his cloak and pulled out a small vile with a reddish liquid in it. "Ryou, I haven't been completely honest with you, I-" But he was interrupted when a loud commotion was heard outside. He looked back out the window and saw a couple of men coming towards the inn. Moments later the door to the tavern burst open and someone stepped in. Both Bakura's and Ryou's eyes went wide.

   "You!"

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OoOoOo…I soo sorry…left ya hangin' again didn't I? Well…ok…all together now…lets do a collective sigh. Ready? One…two…three…*sigh*

There. All better. And just to warn you…I don't know if I'll be able to update again until October because next weekend I have this church retreat to go on…and the weekend after that I'm going to Hershey Park…Woo Hoo!! And the weekend after that…it's my birthday!! (not that that's relevant…just wanted to get it outta my system…that's all…oh! Oh! And I drew this piccy of Malik-kun and it's going on the birthday cake…can't wait!! Woo Hoo!) Thanks for listening to my life story.

Malik:  H-Hershey p-park?!?*looks mesmerized* mmm…chocolate.

Yup…lots and lots of hot… gooey…melted…*lecherous thoughts*

Malik: ^_^; oh dear…she's lost it…again.

Oh, and I hope hurricane Isabel closes school!!

Y. Malik: I hope it causes lots of power outages!!

Why?

Y. Malik: 'Cuz…I love the dark!! *evil glare* muwahahaha!! BGE will be able to do nothing!! I'll nock all the power lines down myself!!

*Sarcastlly* Oh no! The evilness!

(Little does Yami Malik know…if he does this…he'll make a hell of a lot of kids happy…but lets just keep that between us k?)

~*~*~*~*~*

^_^ Yea…uuh…I wrote that on Wednesday, and now it's Thursday…1:04 pm. I'm home from school, got out way early…no school on Friday…woo hoo!

Blow Izzy Blow!! Rip my school from its foundation!! (onegai)

Y. Malik: Plunge the world into utter darkness!! 

~*~*~*~*

Umm…yea…now it's Saturday and still no power…woo hoo!! But I'm so damn bored…that's why I'm here in the library updating my story…NO FREGGIN POWER!! NO YU GI OH!! NO MALIK!!! WAAA!!! I need a shower really bad…no power…no water…thanks for listening to me bitch and complain!