Life of a Thief by Ryou Bakura

A/N: Sage: Whoo, well this chapter took me a bit huh?

Bakura: Technical difficulties the whole way too.

Kaley: But we did it!! I'm so happy that you are all so…supportive! I mean, even though you knew it'd take awhile you were all still routing for me!! (cries) I'm so happy!!

Sage: We know that…anyways, yes the Christmas chapter is here! And I've already planned out the final chapters…hmm…let's see, there's probably…5 chapters to go. I think…either a little less or a little more.

Bakura: She's being vague again…

Kaley: But you've waited so nicely for this chapter that, without further ado, we start this story up!!

Bakura: I do that better…

Sage: I agree…

Kaley: You guys are mean…

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Loud and shrill: Two things that Bakura never wanted to hear when he was busy trying to sleep. Yet by some angry god's decree, that was exactly what was waking him up this morning. The thief groaned loudly, tossing the sheets off himself as he jumped out of his bed. He smacked his palm on his eyes, rubbing them quickly before running his long fingers through the tangled mess of white hair.

"Ahhh, damn it Ryou shut off your stupid alarm clock." Bakura muttered as he stumbled on into the hallway. The harsh ring continued to echo through the house without pause. "Hey Ryou! I was sleeping you know. Some of us don't like getting up before noon!" He waited but he heard no other sound besides the clock. Finally he pushed open Ryou's door and poked his head inside. "Ryou?" There was no one inside. Bakura blinked, entering the room. He took a moment to kick the alarm clock, his way of shutting it off, before going downstairs.

"Ryou? Are you down here?" He called. He waited a minute before he decided to search the house. He went all through it but found no trace of the teen. He checked the closet and noticed Ryou's coat was missing. "So then…he left…" He said slowly. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "Damn it, where the hell did he go?"

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"You know, it's easier than you think to drive a motorcycle." Marik was saying. "It's like a bike only with an engine. But it's harder to get licensed to drive one in Egypt than it is here…but it was always a dream of mine you know? Riding one…even after all the times I've driven it, I still get a rush…" He paused, turning to his companion. "Uh, Ryou, are you listening?"

"Um, yes, I am…sorry to zone out on you like that." Ryou apologized. "It's just that, well, I just remembered that I didn't leave Bakura a note. He must be…" He suddenly stopped himself. "Um, never mind."

"I'm sure he is worried." Marik shrugged. "He'll just have to deal with it though cause today it's you and me day…err, at least right now. Then it's family time later. If my sister doesn't kill me anyway." He leaned back on the sofa that the two boys were sharing. They'd been in the mall for a few hours now and had gotten a good portion of their shopping done. So, after grabbing a few pretzels from a stand, they'd taken a break in the rest area.

"I…I guess so…but I doubt he'd worry too much about me…" Ryou watched the droves of people go by, all clutching their bags tightly as they made beelines for the different stores surrounding them. He shifted one of the purchases at his feet and sighed. "I'm not really sure if I'm making any progress with him."

"He's telling you things he never told anyone. That's a good start if you ask me." Marik said before stuffing half his pretzel in his mouth. Ryou decided to ignore his friend's eating habits for the moment.

"You're right…which is why I need to get him something nice for Christmas." Ryou said, causing Marik to groan.

"Wo mot suo…" He frowned and held up one finger. Ryou waited patiently as the sandy haired teen swallowed his food. "I was saying…anyways, you don't need to worry so much about that. I mean, sure it's important to have a nice gift for him but you can't let it bother you like that. Just get him something nice, something that has a bit of feeling to it. I mean, don't get him a gag gift but don't get him a hallmark card either."

"That still doesn't help me much though…" Ryou groaned. "Damn this is hard…"

"Ok, take me for example. I got him a magic 8 ball. It's because him and me have this inside joke about them. But my sister wanted to get him something more useful, so she got him a few books on magic and things like that. See?" Marik grinned but it was clear that Ryou had lost his message.

"Ah, listen Marik, I need to get him something special…I just don't know what yet…I mean, what would I get for him…he doesn't need anything and he doesn't have much now that I think about it…"

"Alright, how about this then?" The Egyptian leaned forward. "Think about him a different way. I mean, I picked your gift out easy because I thought about your different traits. So think about those while you shop…I still have to get my sister something now that I think about it…"

"Think about his traits…ah, ok I think I know then…" Ryou jumped up and grabbed his shopping bags. "How about we meet back here in about an hour?"

"Sure, just don't lose track of time." Marik warned playfully. "Bakura's probably already worried about you. Don't make him wait too long."

"I'm sure he's just fine." Ryou laughed.

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"Pharaoh! Pharaoh I demand that you open this stupid door right now!" Bakura shouted as loud as he could. It was freezing outside, the pearly flakes of snow falling all around him and instead of being somewhere warm he was stranded outside the Kame Game shop. He put his hands on his hips and waited a few more seconds before yelling again. "I know you're in there Pharaoh and I demand that you let me see Ryou right now or else I'll challenge you to a shadow game!" Finally, a window above him flew open and Yami's spiked head popped out of it.

"Would you please quiet down? Yugi is trying to work in here. You can come in you know. This is a shop and note the 'Open' sign?" Yami grinned smugly. "That means the door is open to everyone, even you. I'll be downstairs in a moment…" He retracted his head and Bakura, now fuming, threw open the door and nearly shattered it as it hit the wall.

"Still avoiding the main point though." Bakura said as Yami cam down the stairs.

"I thought the main point was to let you in but I might have misunderstood during all the shouting." The former king haughtily. "Now, what's this about Ryou? He was here earlier this morning but that was a few hours ago. He's not here anymore, shopping or something I think, not sure really. He left after a very interesting discussion."

"He's not here?" Bakura echoed, looking somewhat surprised. "Then where'd he go?"

"I just told you, shopping. Must you know where he is all the time?" Yami rolled his eyes. "You're like a watch dog."

"Hey, how would you feel if you woke up and Yugi was gone huh?" Bakura said, getting right into the Pharaoh's face. "I'd like to see you not worry one bit because I know you'd panic and don't deny it."

"Fine, then you're right, I'd be worried too." Yami smiled. "But that's because I care for Yugi."

"And I have respect for Ryou." Bakura answered before Yami could even ask.

"That's all? Just respect?" Yami sighed and shook his head. "Of course, I should have known…"

"Listen, you can judge me all you want but I've never respected someone like I do him! So yeah, I guess maybe I do care about him but maybe that's just none of your business." Bakura said loudly. The room fell into silence as they stood staring each other in the eye. Yugi, who'd been poking his head down from the stairwell, quickly went back to his room. The silence passed into minutes until finally Bakura seemed calm again and backed away from his rival. Yami exhaled slowly, feeling oddly better.

"Fine, as I said he went shopping. I'm sure he'll be home soon. Now, why not let Yugi and I spend out Christmas Eve together? After all, I'm not sure how much you know about this holiday but it's a special one."

"Alright…" Bakura stepped back and was about to leave when he paused, turning towards a shelf of games and assorted items on the wall. "Hey, on Christmas, you're supposed to give gifts right?"

"Yes, that's how the tradition goes." Yami said, waiting patiently.

"Well…then I guess I'd better get Ryou something huh? Marik too I guess." Bakura laughed as he reached up towards the sill. Yami shook his head.

"Sometimes you do surprise me tomb robber."

"I try." He smiled.

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For as many stores that the mall contained, not a single one seemed suited for Ryou's purpose. Of course, he hadn't expected a store to be called 'Gifts That Bakura Will Love' but he didn't expect this much difficultly either. Wandering the mall alone proved harder than he first thought it'd be. Turns out that some girls were just there to find a Christmas boyfriend and saw Ryou as a great target. Though he'd never been much with girls, he was getting better at turning them away quickly. He briefly wondered if this was a skill most guys would value. He sighed sadly before walking into another store.

"Might as well try this one." He thought. Inside he saw tons of medieval type things and other magical items but he saw nothing he could think of that Bakura would really want. 

"Traits…Bakura's traits…" Ryou muttered under his breath as he remembered Marik's words. "Well, he's shy…well maybe shy isn't the right word…and he's cold…well, I mean, he is to some people…though I guess everyone would agree he's sarcastic…cynical? No, I don't think that's…well maybe…" He stopped and cocked his head to the side. "Ok, let's see how I would view him…he's like a bottle…or something in a bottle." He looked around until his eyes fell on a small snow globe. "Snow…" He grinned as a light went off in his head. "He's like snow in a bottle. Everyone has different opinions about the snow but I think it's beautiful, sometimes a little cold but truly unique. But he's in a bottle…because he can't share his feelings…he doesn't tell people things…"

"Sounds to me like he needs something to tell his secrets to." The voice startled Ryou, who turned to see an older woman standing behind the cash register. "But there's other things too you know. Sorry to pry." She added as an afterthought.

"A journal?" Ryou repeated. "You mean like…a diary right?"

"Yeah, like you said, if he's got his feelings bottled up, then somewhere to write them might be nice." The old woman said.

"Well, I guess so but…" He hesitated. "I was thinking something more…meaningful…"

"Well, what does he like?" She asked. "We got lots of stuff round here."

"He likes…" Ryou looked around and laughed. "Knifes, games, snow umm…being better than other people…"

"Ok, and out of those, what's meaningful to you?"

"Well…" Ryou paused as a smile came to his face. "Snow is…important."

"Then I got just the thing!" The woman ran into the back of the store. Ryou lingered around a group of dragon statues until she returned with a box. "So, how's this?" She asked, lifting the top off the box. Ryou looked it over, then he nodded.

"I think…that this is good." He grinned.

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"Aww, c'mon Ryou please??" Marik begged, doing his best 'puppy eyes' impression. Ryou hopped off the motorcycle with his purchases. After they'd met back up, Marik had been curious as to what Ryou got Bakura. But now that they were at Ryou's home, his curiosity had turned to a need.

"I said no Marik, you'll just have to be surprised along with everyone else." Ryou teased. Marik groaned and crossed his arms.

"Fine, be that way then." He pouted. Ryou smiled and laughed.

"Anyways, I should wrap these…when I'm done I'll come over with Bakura." He waved. "See ya at dinner then!"

"Have fun wrapping boxes!" Marik shouted as he revved his motorcycle. "Bye!" He drove off and Ryou made his way into his house. He went inside, quietly shutting the door behind him.

"Bakura?" He called. "I'm back." He waited for an answer but got none. Ryou peaked his head into the kitchen but saw his darker side wasn't there either. With a sigh, he decided to go upstairs and wrap his presents. Out of curiosity he looked in Bakura's room and giggled the moment he opened the door. Bakura was sleeping, sprawled out on the bed with his arms over a present he'd clearly just wrapped. "Ah, um, Bakura?" He stirred in his sleep and yawned as he awoke. The yami's head slowly lifted off the tiny package with a grin.

"Hey Ryou…you know, if it wasn't for the fact that I don't hate you, I'd be really pissed off that you left without a note." Bakura sat up and pushed his hair out of his face. "Don't worry though, it's Christmas and the Pharaoh says Christmas is special and blah blah blah he talked a bunch about it anyway you get the point."

"Um, I think so…I'm sorry I didn't leave a note…I just kind of forgot." Ryou said nervously. "So then, you aren't mad at me?"

"Well, I was but then I went out and got you a gift." The thief pointed at the present in his lap. "Course you know that you can't see it until tonight."

"Same goes for you." Ryou said, showing Bakura his bag of gifts. "So I'm going to go wrap this now."

"Fine, you do that then." Bakura glared at him. "You're being rude, not letting me see what you got me." Ryou blinked, unsure of what to say until he saw Bakura smile. Ryou laughed and left the room. As soon as he sat on his own bed, he burst out laughing. It was so strange to see Bakura joking like that. It was like well, a Christmas miracle.

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"At least you displayed table manners." Isis commented airily after dinner. After Ryou had wrapped his gifts, they'd walked over to Marik's place for their small holiday gathering. Although Bakura had joked with him earlier, Ryou noticed that his mood had declined into an odd somberness as dinner went on. He barely spoke at all and didn't fight much with Isis, though she tried her best to get a rise out of him. Marik seemed normal yet there was something somewhat sad in his eyes whenever he looked at Bakura. Ryou had cautiously asked his yami about it during their meal but the man had waved the concerns away.

"Table manners…what did you expect me to do? Take a shovel and cram the food in my mouth while singing?" Bakura grumbled. Marik snorted, trying hard not to laugh as Ryou helped him collect the dishes. Isis rolled her eyes.

"No but it wouldn't shock me in the slightest." She said as she left the kitchen. Bakura scowled after her but stayed in his seat. A silence fell over the kitchen as the boys cleaned up.

"So um…" Marik said, breaking the quiet air, "I know I said it'd only be dinner but do you want to stay for some hot chocolate? Unless you have other plans." He added teasingly.

"Uh, well…" Ryou glanced over at Bakura, who gave him a vague nod. "Sure, why not?"

"Great!" Marik cheered, his mood suddenly looking up. "I'll get it around, why don't you two go sit in the living room?" He shoved them out of the kitchen without another word. In the living room, they both took seats near the base of the Christmas tree. Isis had turned off all other lights there save for the lights strung round the tree.

"Where'd Isis go?" Ryou asked.

"Thought I saw her go downstairs…" Bakura muttered. His light sighed. Bakura seemed very distant now, as though his mind had completely left the country. His eyes stared up at the tree in such a surprisingly forlorn way that Ryou's own heart began to hurt.

"Bakura…are you sure you're ok? You look really sad…" Ryou said. The yami's attention turned slowly to Ryou.

"Do you mind?" He asked with a suddenly clear voice.

"Beg your pardon?"

"Me…do you mind me?" Bakura looked back to the lights. "I mean, you don't do you?"

"Is that what's bothering you?" Ryou laughed soothingly. "Of course I don't mind you. In fact, I thought about us today. How I agreed to watch over you…and I don't regret it one bit. I'm glad I chose to stay with you. Maybe it was hard sometimes but lately…it's been wonderful…I wouldn't trade these last few days for anything else. They've been a few of the happiest I've had in my memory. I've learned so much…it's incredible." He said in his calm, honest voice. Bakura just nodded and went back to his tree watching.

"…This is really pretty…all the colors and the ornaments and they way they shimmer…and…thank you…" He whispered, though he tried to say it quietly enough Ryou still heard it. He blushed and smiled.

"You don't have to thank-" Suddenly Marik burst through the kitchen doors carrying a tray of cups.

"Time to open presents!" He sang, nearly spilling the steamy drinks on his guests. He plopped down next to them and grabbed Ryou's gifts. "Let's open yours first! Here's Ryou's to Bakura…and Ryou to me…and Isis is down stairs so she'll get hers in a bit…oh and here Ryou! Here's me to you and this is Bakura's to you…sister said she had to find yours or something…" He said, handing out the gifts. Ryou took his and opened Marik's first. He'd gotten him a long coat that was like Bakura's trench coat only it wasn't black, rather it was a blue so pale it was near white.

"Oh, this is really nice Marik…" Ryou said happily. "It's kinda like Bakura's…"

"Yeah, now you guys match!" The Egyptian joked. "I like this too." He added, holding up Ryou's gift to him. "You have no clue how long I've wanted this game…I've been singing the music to it for weeks now!!"

"Heh, you're welcome." Ryou laughed. "I believe 1000 Words is your favorite song out of it?" Marik nodded eagerly.

"Yeah, it's so beautiful and-"

"Ryou…this is a…" They both stopped talking and turned to Bakura. He was holding Ryou's present in his hands with a look of pure wonder in his eyes.

"Yep, it's a snow globe." Ryou said crawling over to him. "See? It's an angel…she's so pretty isn't she…it came with that matching journal. I figure you could use a nice place to write down your thoughts in…and I know how much you like the snow…so this way it can snow whenever you want it to!" He grinned. Bakura looked up at him with a strange stare then back down to the snow globe. His fingers wrapped around it, encasing it gently as he shook it and watched the snow swirl around the tiny angelic girl. He shut his eyes and smiled.

"…Ryou…kind of like you…" He said quietly. "You can open mine now if you want…" Ryou turned back to the small box that Marik had given him earlier. He un-wrapped it and pulled out a brown leather cord necklace with a game die for a pendent on it. Ryou stared at it then looked back to Bakura.

"A game piece?" He asked, holding up the necklace. Bakura nodded, blushing slightly.

"Well…it's not as good as what you gave me or anything. But…I saw it while I was looking for you at little Yugi's shop." He tilted his head to the side, trying to cover his cheeks. "It reminded me of you…since you like RPGs and all and that's a dice for that…and well…you and I have a connection to games so…"

"I love it!" Ryou cried as he fastened it around his neck. He could tell Bakura didn't quite believe him still. "Really, gifts aren't so much about how much you spend but they're more about the thought you put in it. You thought about me when you saw this…it reminded you of me."

"So then…you really do like it?" Bakura said, awkwardly moving closer to Ryou. "That's good…"

"Heh, I've got you two right where I want you!" Marik crowed suddenly. They both looked up and saw him standing above Ryou with a large bunch of mistletoe in his hands. "I knew a moment like this was coming so I came prepared! Just call me Marik the Miracle Man!"

"What are you talking about?" Ryou asked, his face turning red.

"Aww, c'mon you can't guess?" Marik laughed. "Let's see…you're under the mistletoe and Bakura's right next to you so he's under it too…now let's see if I can't remember that one Christmas tradition involving festive plants over one's head…"

"Marik!" Ryou cried, his cheeks flushing a deep shade of crimson. "You…I can't believe…"

"What tradition is he talking about?" Bakura asked genuinely confused.

"When two people meet under the mistletoe they have to kiss." Marik grinned wildly. "And if I'm not mistaken, that means you two. Don't worry Ryou, you can thank me later." He added slyly.

"Marik…" Ryou groaned, staring up at him. "I can't believe you'd…and what do you mean 'thank me later'?? I really didn't think you'd do something like-" He stopped as he felt a hand gently caress his cheek. Ryou jumped and turned to see Bakura just inches from him. "Ah, Bakura?"

"Ohh, so cute…make sure you kiss now! I'll give you some privacy…" Marik giggled before jumping away, leaving the two boys alone.

"Umm, B-Bakura?" Ryou stammered again but the man didn't seem to hear him. Instead, he leaned in closer and gently pressed his lips against his lighter half's. Ryou's heart skipped a beat as his cheeks glowed pink, thoughts tripping over themselves inside his mind. He wasn't really sure what to think. For Bakura to kiss him like this, with such an honest feeling of care behind his lips, it confused Ryou greatly. Yet the more he thought about it, the more he realized that this was what he wanted. To be closer to Bakura was his goal and what was closer than this?  He couldn't remember when he had ever felt so happy. Once it occurred to him that he wasn't the least bit disgusted by having the yami's lips on his own, Ryou melted into his arms, returning the kiss tenderly. Bakura deepened the kiss cautiously, smiling through it as he felt Ryou's hand grasp his own free one. They sat there on the carpet, surrounded by the Christmas lights intertwined in their sweet bliss. However, just as Ryou felt for the first time he'd truly connected to someone special, the kiss ended. Bakura pulled back, though the couple's hands remained interlocked.

"What an interesting tradition…" Bakura mused, staring into his red-cheeked counterpart. "I guess Marik finally found his calling…" He let his hand drop from Ryou's face and stood, letting go of the other's hand. It was then that Ryou noticed the look in Bakura's eyes, one of sadness. Without another word, the yami picked up his snow globe and journal and sat down on a nearby windowsill. He leaned his head against the cool glass and sighed, leaving a patch of hot breath on the pane.

"Bakura…" Ryou whispered, standing up. "Um I…I mean…" Just then Marik walked back into the room. He looked from Bakura to Ryou then laughed nervously.

"Say Ryou, Isis wants to see you downstairs! Why don't you go now?" He ushered the boy out of the living room before Ryou could protest. Marik waited a few minutes until he was sure Ryou was gone. "So, is he a good kisser?"

"I guess so…" Bakura muttered, staring out at the falling snow. His voice sounded distant and depressed.

"…You don't seem so happy considering you just kissed someone that you like…" Marik frowned and sat next to him. "…Are you starting to regret it?"

"…No, not at all…" Bakura said, even though it didn't sound like he meant it. "I'm not going to change my plans now…"

"What about Ryou?" Marik asked.

"What about him?" Bakura turned away from the snow. "Are you worried or something?"

"Yes…but you are too…" He hesitated, "Bakura, if you don't want to do it…you don't have to. I mean, I know Isis will understand and so will I, I promise you I will…but…you haven't even told him yet, have you?" Marik said as it dawned on him. "You've kept him in the dark?"

"Look, he'll just get upset if he finds out…" Bakura bowed his head, his eyes fixating on the snow globe in his hands. He shook it again, making the snow go into a chaotic whirl before resting gently around the angel figure. "Don't tell him ok…I don't want him to be troubled by all this…"

"It'll hurt him worse in the end though…" Marik sighed and stood. "Fine, I won't tell him…but Bakura…even after…I mean, you know he cares about you now so…even after that, you still are going to go through with it? This is what you want?" Bakura lifted his head, looking back out at the snow. He watched them for only a moment before shutting his eyes and setting his head against the pane.

"Yes…this is how it…" Bakura paused, holding the snow globe tightly to his chest. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "How it has to be…"

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Bakura's Pad of Paper  Bakura's Journal Entry One

Some people start out this stuff with "Dear Journal" and crap but I've decided not to. Why bother? You aren't a person or anything, just paper…

…Ryou's downstairs in the kitchen…we're still at Marik's house…we're just going to spend the night I guess…I came up here in Marik's room to sit. Isis kept bugging me downstairs.

In journals you write down things that happened that day…different from the little pad of paper under my bed. So I guess I'm supposed to tell you my day…

Stupid Marik found out I like Ryou and then I guess he found out Ryou likes me too because he did this stupid old Christmas Tradition where people under this plant kiss. So he got us under it.

And I loved it. Hell, you're the only one who's going to see this and you don't have eyes so why not be honest? I really loved kissing Ryou…poor mother, I didn't fall in love with a girl like you wanted. No marriage in my future, not that I have much of a future…but Ryou…makes a wonderful present…so who needs future?

Ryou…why'd you have to be there for me? Why did you have to get me to open up like this and care about me? You should have just researched ancient Egypt like a normal kid. Instead you came to me…because you wanted to be with me…you can't deny it, I saw your dreams. That day that little Yugi came to bother us, I saw your dream about me. In it…you told me that all you wanted was to be with me and I said the same back to you. It made you so happy and then stupid little Yugi had to knock on the door and wake you up. But the dream was so strange. And it got me curious…so I decided to be honest with you…I thought my past would scare you but it didn't…it made you want to be with me more didn't it? Then I started to care more about you…now look at me…my eyes hurt…I haven't cried in thousands of years, since that night when my sister died. I'm not going to cry now but…it's hard not to…because I won't see you again…at least with my sister, I still heard her talking to me…

Good thing no one else is going to read this…I might as well name you journal…Ryou would suit since I'm asking you questions as if you were him. I'm asking stupid questions again…

This snow globe is beautiful…and even though the angel in it looks like Akila sort of…it's going to remind me of you every time I see it…angels are beings of light and that's exactly what you are…

Shit, I'm being sappy and sentimental and it makes me sick. This is all your fault Ryou…ugh my gods look what I wrote!! Such foolish heartfelt crap shouldn't even be in my head let alone on this paper! It's against everything I am to be so lovey dovey and shit…

See…look what you do to me? Gods!! It's so annoying…I hate this stupid shit…all I wanted was to have my own body, battle the Pharaoh and get all the Millennium items. Is that too much to ask? But noooo I end up like this…my life sucks sometimes…things never go how I plan them to…

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A/N: Sage: Yes, a bit of a cliffhanger huh?

Kaley: YAY THEY KISSED!!

Bakura: You guys are turning me into some sappy romantic type…yuck…

Sage: Ah but it was only with help from fellow fanfiction.net authoress Pandoras Fallen that we managed to pull off this chapter's greatest moments. She's so nice to help me like that too.

Kaley: She's a great writer, I'd read her stuff if I was you guys.

Bakura: Yeah yeah, shameless plugs…

Sage: Of course, now you are all wondering what the hell is going on with Bakura and Marik right?

Kaley: Of course they are!

Bakura: Well, too bad cause you can't find out till next chapter! Hopefully I'll be back to my normal self…

Sage: So, thanks for reading and see you next chapter!

Kaley: And review of course!!