Life of a Thief by Ryou Bakura
A/N: Sage: Welcome to another exciting adventure in Life of a Thief!
Kaley: Let's get right to it so you guys can get to the story quicker!
Bakura: Alright first off, mixed reviews on the mildly yaoi scene but hey that's alright. It was an experiment.
Sage: I've never written beyond a kiss so I just wanted to try something different (laughs) You can't blame me for that now can you?
Kaley: Thanks to all those who wished me happy birthday! (grins) It wasn't a great one but hey, I can get into an R-rated movie by myself now ha!
Bakura: Whoop-de-do…anyways…and again, thanks to those who notice how much effort we put into being more canon than most Bakura/Ryou fics. It's our goal to show those who say 'Bakura would NEVER go for Ryou, he HATES Ryou' that it is indeed, possible.
Sage: Heh, a few of you have seen the plot twists coming that happen this chapter but I believe one that we are going to have next chapter will be a bit of a shock for everyone…err…I hope so anyway…
Kaley: Enough of us! Time to get to this chapter!
Bakura: START THE RA DAMNED FIC!!!
Sage: He never gets tired of that…oh and just so you know, Ryou's past isn't very clear so we did our best and the majority of the sites we use believe Ryou's mother and sister are in reality dead so that's what we went with. Thank you.
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"Nothing could be better than this!" It was a Saturday, the only day that Amane's mother had off and out of pure luck, their father was home from his business trip in England. To celebrate, the family had decided to go to the beach. The young, silver haired girl couldn't be happier; she was spending time not only with her mother and father but with her big brother Ryou. "Hey! Some of that's mine! Mama said you had to share!" She drifted out of her thoughts to see the aforementioned brother gobbling down the ice cream sandwich they were to split.
"I'm older so I get more than you…" He grinned and took another bite. Amane puffed out her cheeks and made a strange sound before kicking Ryou lightly in the shin.
"You meanie!" She cried. He jumped in surprise, letting the ice cream fall. Amane used her quick reflexes and grabbed it before it hit the ground. "Ha! So what if you're older, you're not as strong as me…you're lucky I went easy on you." The girl winked and her sibling laughed.
"You wouldn't beat up your OLDER brother would you?" Ryou asked, honestly curious. Amane gave him a mysterious smile. True, she was much more of a fighter than her brother but she'd never use this strength against him. She'd taken various 'defense' classes since she was only two and a half and had sometimes needed to come to Ryou's rescue. "Besides, I believe that while mother and father are getting lunch, I'm in charge. And we both know that if I let you eat all or even half of that, you won't be able to swim. Then your whole day will be ruined and you'll complain on the way home." She sighed, looking over him. He wasn't ever going to be a strong physical fighter but she knew better than to get in a verbal fight with him. He was logic incarnate.
"Fine…" She took one last bite and gave him the rest. "But you owe me…" Ryou laughed softly and patted her on the head.
"Of course little angel…" Her brother said with a smile.
"Ah!" Her cheeks flushed pink. "Don't call me that in front of people!" She looked around wildly as though she expected someone to point and laugh at any moment.
"Ohh so when mom and dad call you it it's good but when I say it it's embarrassing?" Ryou put a hand on his hip. "That's a double standard…"
"That's because they're my parents!" Amane hissed, grabbing Ryou's hand tightly. "Now c'mon…I wanna go swimming now…and umm…big brother…" She yanked him forward, her face still red, "I guess it's ok…if you call me that but…only this once."
"Of course super little much younger and shorter than me angel."
"Ryou!!"
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"So…you see…this particularly block of text must be hinting at the location of the treasure that was hidden from the thieves." Ryou's father, a tall, gangly man with graying hair named Taka said as he poured over some ancient writings. The museum's curator nodded distractedly and sighed.
"Yes this is an important find but…" He frowned, glancing sideways, "Did you have to bring your children?" Taka looked over at his young kids, Ryou and Amane and smiled nervously.
"Well, you see, their mother is away and for some reason people refuse to baby-sit them anymore…I would leave them at home but Ryou isn't old enough to take care of his sister if something were to happen…"
"Ah well…as long as they don't break NO!! DON'T TOUCH THAT!!" In the time it had taken for their father to explain why he brought his children to work with him, Amane had grown bored and began toying around with an expensive looking golden staff.
"It's pretty!" She said cheerfully as she swung it at Ryou. "Big brother, go grab the one over there so we can duel!"
"No no no no no!! Do not play with that! That is one of the Pharaoh's special ceremonial rods!" The curator cried out as he ran forward, yanking the rod from the young girl's hands. She stuck her tongue out at him and raced to her brother's side.
"It's just a stupid stick!" Amane shrugged and tugged on Ryou's arm. "Hey…" She whispered, "Get me that funny looking sharp thing…I'm going to poke him in his fat butt."
"Amane…dad would kill you if you did that…" Ryou said, trying to sound like he was sure of his words. Honestly, he wanted to go play with the staff too, it was very tempting.
"Aww come on…please…?" She widened her eyes as much as she could and did her best pout. Ryou groaned, he couldn't resist such an adorable look.
"Fine…but not the stick…umm…" Ryou looked around the room until his eyes fell on a huge old vase in the corner. He smiled and pointed at it. "We can play with that!"
"Yay!" She clapped her tiny hands and ran over to it silently as she could. Ryou followed her, glancing at the adults. They were absorbed in some ancient text. "Let's see if I can fit in it…give me a boost big bro…" Not even ten seconds later, the resounding smash that rang through the room was enough to pull the men out of their work and they turned with horror at the children: Ryou, standing perfectly still with wide eyes and Amane, sitting in a pile of the shattered pot with a nervous smile.
"Ryou…Amane…" Their father said, his voice shaking with anger.
"Umm…well…it wasn't the stick daddy…it was just a stupid vase so it's ok…" Amane said in her sweetest tone. Oddly enough, her father was not impressed…
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It had happened again and just like the time before, it was Amane who stood victorious. Ryou was leaning against the wall, his bottom lip bloody as he watched his sister tower over the two boys who had inflicted said injury. She tossed back her sheet of silvery hair as a smirk grew on her face.
"So, you still think my brother's a freak?" She asked in a menacing tone, as if daring them to speak against her. The boys gave each other looks and slowly inched their way back towards the school's playground. As they had the same recess, Amane was able to hang out with Ryou during school hours despite their age. However, when he hadn't shown up at the swings like normal, she had done some research and found him defending himself weakly against the boys. "I heard you both…'white haired freak' and 'nasty mutant bug'…you think you're pretty cleaver don't you…?"
"He's the one who hates him!" One burst out under the girl's intense glare. "He wanted to get back at him!"
"He's the one who made up all the names for him!" The other boy cried, pointing blatantly at his partner in the crime. "I just wanted to get him back for yesterday!"
"Yesterday?" Amane asked, leaning towards them curiously.
"He…he…he made my sister feel uncomfortable! He likes her!" The second boy said quickly. "He told her he thinks she's pretty but she thinks he's creepy and she was scared! She begged me to help her! In tears and everything! You guys are just sick!"
"…That's it?" Amane raised an eyebrow and glanced back at Ryou. "Hey big brother…remind me when we get home to do two things…one, kill this girl and second…I really need to teach you some moves…" She grinned at him, "I can't always come here and beat up these lowlifes…I need to be at school SOME of the time…"
"Y…yes…" Ryou stammered, pressing his sleeve against his swollen lip hoping to stop the blood flow. "I'm sorry Amane…"
"Don't be, I'm going to make these two sorry enough…" She winked at him and snapped back around to the frightened kids. "Now listen to me…I may be little but I could still beat you two within an inch of your lives. Either you leave my brother alone or I pound your faces in. Your choice." The guys looked at each other and without another word they scrambled to their feet and ran, stumbling, off no doubt to get away from the crazed girl.
"Amane…thank you…" Ryou sighed as he pulled his sleeve away to check for blood. There was still plenty so he pushed it back against his face. "I'm not really a very good big brother am I?" He said with a weak try at humor. "They are the ones who protect their little sisters…not the other way around…"
"Oh brother…" Amane swept her hair over her shoulders and smiled, "It's ok because I know that if something ever happened to me, you'd kick some major butt on my behalf…even though you are kind of…gentle…" She added in a slightly dismayed tone, "It's alright though cause…well you're my anchor…I'd probably go off and kill some idiot otherwise but I know that you need me…and it's good because the world needs more people like you…you've got a beautiful heart Ryou…"
"You do too Amane…" He grinned, "Little angel…"
"Heh, more like a fallen angel…" The girl laughed and ran her fingers through her brother's hair, "You know what? I think you're the best big brother in the whole world…when you go to college someday, you better take me with you!"
"I don't think they allow pets in college dorms…" Ryou teased playfully. He paid for it however, when Amane gave a shrill cry.
"Ryou!!" She yelled and gave a hard tug on his soft white hair.
"Ow ow ow ow ow Amane!!"
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"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Ryou's mother walked back into his room, putting her long silvery hair in a ponytail. The young boy glanced up from his reading and nodded.
"Yeah…I'll stay home. I don't mind." He smiled as Amane bounded into the room and leapt gracefully onto his bed. She sat down next to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Don't worry about me. You guys go have a girl's day of shopping…"
"But daddy's in Egypt." Amane said from around his neck. "You'll be alone…"
"It's alright, I don't mind."
"Well, since Amane is done with the bathroom I have to go get ready." Ryou's mother left them in the room. His sister sat up and looked at him sadly. Her wide green eyes were glossy and her pale skin tinged pink. Ryou smiled and brushed a few strands of her silvery hair away from her eyes. He'd always been a bit jealous of her. His hair had somehow ended up more white than silver.
"Hey now…" Ryou spoke softly as he ran his fingers through her locks. "Why are you giving me that look?"
"I want you to come…" Amane snuggled against his arm, almost clinging to it. "I had a bad dream last night that someone took you away from me…"
"That was just a dream…" Ryou said but he still wrapped his arms around the smaller girl and held her. Sometimes he forgot that she was only a child. She acted so tough that it was easy to be surprised when she cried. "I wouldn't let that happen, no matter what."
"…Big brother…" Amane swallowed hard and buried her face into his chest. He knew she didn't want him to see her crying. "I want you to come with us…what if someone comes and takes you while I'm not around?"
"Then I'll fight them." Ryou said simply. "I promise."
"You're always like this…" She muttered. "You so stubborn…I guess you wouldn't give up but…if they were stronger…"
"Don't think like that…" Ryou rested his head on the top of hers, pulling her tighter. "You know, not everything comes down to strength. People like me always win against the bad guy."
"…Ryou…I love you…"
"I love you too Amane." He pushed her back so that he could look in her eyes. They were welled up with tears and he could feel the spot on his shirt where they'd been resting. "Now cheer up ok? You're going to have a great time today and when you come home you'll tell me all about it. Why don't you get me some of those candies you've wanted me to try?"
"The lemony ones?" She asked, wiping her face on his sleeve. He grinned and nodded.
"Yeah, the chewy lemon ones."
"…They are really good…" She said, a smile slowly coming across her face. "You'd like them a lot, they're my favorite candy…" Amane paused, thinking. "…I guess it's ok if you stay home." She sat up straighter and rubbed her eyes, getting rid of the last traces of her sadness. "Ok then!" She beamed at him and gave him a quick hug. "I'll have fun today! If I have fun today, will you take me to the park Saturday?"
"Of course I will! Good, so it's settled!" Ryou smiled as she jumped off the bed. "You'll be alright then?"
"Heh, of course!" Amane laughed and shook her head. "Are you kidding me? This is Amane Bakura you're talking to. The girl who was the terror of Shinoko Elementary School."
"I'm not sure if that's something you should be proud of…" Ryou said slightly exasperated.
"Nah, those teachers will always remember me that way." She smiled and stood in the doorway for a moment. She clasped her hands behind her back and rocked back and forth on the balls of her feet. The light pink dress she was wearing breezed around her as though a gentle wind was blowing through. Even her hair blew across her rounded young face, though her brilliant green eyes stared out from beneath the silvery veil. They held a look of deep love and happiness and Ryou found, to his surprise, that it made his chest get tight. Looking at her, standing so innocently, it gave him a bad feeling. "I'll see ya later, big brother…" She said softly then turned and left, the noise of her flip flops smacking getting more distant until he heard his mother call goodbye. Then they were gone.
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"Amane?! Mom?!" Ryou cried, bursting through the hospital doors. Everyone in the waiting room looked up with mild interest but he didn't notice them. He fell against a nearby wall panting. Running for miles could do that to you. He wished he could drive, he'd made it here so much quicker. Several people still stared, though with looks of vague indifference, as if his troubles didn't matter at all. A feeling of anger bubbled up in his chest for a moment before he remembered why he was even here. He spun around towards the reception desk. The girl behind the desk to his left stopped filing papers and stood.
"Are you…" She glanced down at a paper then back at him, "Bakura Ryou?"
"Where are they?! Are they ok?!" Ryou asked franticly as he jumped over to her.
"Well…" She nearly fell back as he got so close to her, "I can take you to them…your father is away on business right?"
"Yeah!" Ryou felt somewhat better. She said he could see them…that had to be good right? When the phone had rang…when they had said his mother and sister had been in a car accident, he'd feared the worse. Yet now a tiny flutter of hope had appeared in his heart. "Please take me to them!"
"Ok…follow me…" The woman said. She led Ryou deep into the hospital, up stairs and around corners until Ryou wondered if they weren't really just lost in this maze. It was a while before they reached the right floor and by then Ryou's heart threatened to break down. His entire body felt like it had a light film of sweat over it and he could feel his body shaking. "Please wait here." The girl walked up to one of the many doctors gathered at one of the doors and spoke quietly with him. The man looked over at Ryou with sad eyes and then said something to the girl. She nodded and walked back to him. "He wants to speak with you…" She looked like she might cry and she patted Ryou as he walked away. The hope inside him was dying.
"Ah, you must be Ryou…" The doctor said as Ryou reached him. "I'm Doctor Agasa…I suppose I can't keep you in the dark…When paramedics reached the scene…they found that your mother clinging to life and your sister was unconscious. Your mother was very insistent that we call you and tell you what happened right away…"
"Where is she? Where's Amane?" He asked. He tried to look behind the doctor but there were too many people in the room. He couldn't see anything.
"Ryou…" The doctor hesitated, then put his hands on Ryou's shoulders. "We tried but…the other car struck them on the driver's side. Your mother was lucky to live for as long as she did…" Ryou stared up at him. It didn't register in his head. "She died on the scene, despite our attempts to revive her. Her blood loss and the trauma was too much for her…" He sighed, sounding thoroughly miserable. No doubt he had to say these kinds of things on a daily basis. "Your sister, Amane…we got her here and found that she has severe internal bleeding…and we can't stop it…she'll be gone before the hour is over…we're doing everything we can to lessen the pain and make her comfortable but…there's nothing we can do for her…"
"…Mom's dead?" Ryou stared blankly at the doctor. He had to mistaken. This was wrong. This was so wrong. He'd just seen his mom, not that long ago. She'd been very much alive, smiling and humming, making breakfast and getting ready for shopping. There wasn't anything dead about her…Next to Amane, she was the liveliest person he knew. "Amane…where is she?"
"She's in here…" The doctor said, sweeping Ryou into the crowded room. Agasa ordered everyone out of the room and now Ryou could finally see his sister.
"…Amane?" He took a sharp breath as all the blood drained from his body. She lay on the bed, hooked up to what had to be the largest machines Ryou had ever seen. Hundreds of wires snaked over her ghostly pale skin, covering every inch of her being before returning to their beeping masters. Ryou took a single, trembling step forward towards her. The closer he got, the worse she looked. Her skin was so white that it verged on see through. Her breathing was so strenuous that each rise and fall of her chest threatened to be her last. A mask was over her face, causing each of those painful breaths to sound raspy and agonizingly long. Her eyes were shut and deep inside, Ryou felt a cold fear grasp his heart. He was afraid that those eyes would never open again. He took a few more steps until he was standing next to her. He was quite sure that he hadn't breathed since he entered the room. Aside from the steady beep of her heart monitor and her labored breathing, the room was silent, a suffocating silence that reeked of death and pain. Somewhere in his heart, he knew the doctor was right.
"Have you been able to contact the father yet?" Ryou heard distantly, as though he were underwater hearing shouts above him.
"Yes, he's coming back on the first flight he can…poor guy…on a dig in Egypt and your family dies…he won't even get to see his daughter or his wife alive again…"
"Don't listen to them Amane…" Ryou muttered, putting his hand tenderly on hers. He sat down in a chair next to her and stared at her pale face, a thousand thoughts running through his mind. "You're going to live…I bet mom's still alive too…they just messed up…they got it all wrong…Amane…please say something…" He could feel hot tears running down his face. He wanted desperately to believe his words, to continue clinging to hope against the odds. He waited a moment until to his delight, Amane's eyes fluttered open as slow as her breaths. "Amane!"
"…Big…brother…" She said weakly and his heart got caught in his throat. He leaned forward and smiled as brightly as he could through his tears.
"Amane!" He cried. She gave him a tiny smile and blinked slowly.
"Hey…I…had fun…" Amane said as though it were the most important thing in the world. As though these words meant more than anything. "I got…those…umm…lemon…things…"
"That's good…" Ryou tightened his hands around hers. He loved hearing her voice right then, terrible sounding as it was. It no longer held the musical tone it usually had but a deeper, pained sound to it. "I'm sure I'll love them…we'll eat a whole lot at home…"
"…Maybe…" Amane took a long, shuddering breath. "I bet they…didn't make…it in the crash…" She sounded very irritated, despite her obvious pain. "Figures…we went…to two stores…and those…were the last…packs…damn…don't tell dad…that I said damn…"
"…Amane…you're…strong…" Ryou stared at her. How could she think of such things on her deathbed?
"Course I am…" She smiled feebly. "Guess what? I saw…something…really neat today…I saw…a kid...with those…cards…umm…the monster…ones…"
"Duel monsters?" Ryou prompted.
"Yeah! I um…like the angel ones…" She shut her eyes and her breathing grew shallower. "They…they are pretty…I think…you can have my…cards…"
"Why?" Ryou tried to smile. He gave it his best shot anyway.
"…Because I'm going to die…" The child said as her eyes opened a sliver. Even with them open, she couldn't see much but she felt Ryou's hands squeeze harder at this statement. "I know…I am…its ok…I just…wish I could have…seen you…"
"But I'm right here!" Ryou cried out, worried that Amane was slipping away at that moment.
"No…I meant…Ryou…you're going to do great…things someday and…and I wanted…to see you do them…me…I was going to…probably end up in a…gang or something…jail…dunno…" She shut her eyes again. "Hey…Ryou…do me a favor? Do…do something awesome…like…I don't…know…"
"Amane?!"
"…Ryou…I…" Her voice trailed off abruptly then and Ryou felt panic flair up inside him like a sudden burning fire.
"Amane?!"
"Big…bro…do good…things…" Her hands slowly relaxed and Ryou watched with sickening horror as her chest gave one last pathetic rise before falling for the last time. For a moment there was a strange calm as he gazed in terror at his still sister. Then he monitors near him went wild and sounds and lights flashed and screamed, breaking the deathly silence of the room. His heart suddenly doubled its beats as he leapt from his seat.
"Amane!!" He screamed, grabbing her shoulders as doctors came rushing in. "Amane no!! No no no!! Wake up Amane!" One of the doctors took Ryou by the arms, prying him from his sister in the waves of confusion and chaos that suddenly flooded the room. People were everywhere, noise was all around and yet his sister remained eerily still in the hurricane. He vaguely felt himself being dragged away but Amane looked as close as ever. "Amane! Say something please!" She, however, stayed in the same quiet position and then the doors closed, blocking the pandemonium from view, though he could still hear the shrill screams of the machines.
"…I'm so sorry Bakura…" The doctor said softly. "I'm so…sorry…" Ryou didn't hear him as he sank to his knees. He bowed his head into his lap and cried silently. He sat there until his exhaustion took hold of his weakened body and slept restlessly in the recent memory of machine's pounding noises and Amane's final gaze.
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Ryou's eyes slowly opened as the dreams faded away. The second they were fully open he felt a sharp stinging pain in them and realized he was crying. He swiped his face dully, feeling the sticky wet trails where they had traveled. He took a single steadying breath and sat up. He dreamt of his sister often, such memories of their time together, and it didn't surprise him to wake up in the middle of the night sobbing, not anymore at least. He would usually cry for a bit, write her a letter then fall back asleep. Writing to her somehow took some of the edge from his pain, as though one day he might open the mailbox and see a reply.
This time however, he found himself suddenly standing at Bakura's door. He blinked, wiping his eyes again and stared at the door. He had no idea how he'd reached this point or why really. Bakura was no doubt fast asleep after the day they'd had. After the party some had left, like his, Marik and Seto's groups, while others stayed behind for a sleepover. Bakura had gone straight to bed and without mush else to do, Ryou had followed suit. He eyed the doorknob for another moment and saw that he was reaching for it.
"What am I thinking?" He muttered. Was he expecting comfort to be hidden behind the door? Did he think Bakura would take him into his arms and tell him it was going to be ok? It wasn't too long ago that he'd think this an impossible dream. Actually, not long ago he wouldn't have even wanted it at all. Yet time had flown by and within it came so many changes that it really wasn't all THAT crazy. Ryou had dove into Bakura's soul, deeper he suspected than any other person and Bakura had let him, even embraced the idea. Now, as recent as this very evening, the once proud thief had shown such an interest in Ryou that it had to be taken romantically. "Or he could just be losing it and taking me with him…" He sighed and leaned his head against the door. He felt a sudden tug inside his chest and glanced up. Bakura wanted him to come in. So, taking a breath and rubbing some tears from his eyes, he pushed the door open.
Bakura was lying on his bed in his boxers and a baggy shirt, sprawled out with his hands locked behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling. A strange look was in his eyes, sad and thoughtful. The sheets had been tossed off as though he'd been awakened abruptly and his muscles were oddly tense. Ryou walked over and sat down near Bakura's head, facing the window. Something about the look in his eyes made Ryou uncomfortable, so he chose instead to look outside at the wintry eve.
"…Your sister was the complete opposite of mine." Bakura said suddenly. "I like Amane though, she seemed like the perfect sister for you. You looked up to her, didn't you?"
"…You saw my dreams again?" Ryou asked miserably. Sure, he'd been considering telling Bakura his dreams but he'd rather not have been spied on.
"Yeah…they kind of woke me up out of mine…yours was so loud…" Bakura groaned, rolling over towards Ryou. "She meant a lot to you…"
"More than you'll ever know." Ryou said though he instantly felt guilty for saying it. Of course Bakura knew how he felt, he had been through something even worse.
"It wasn't worse." Bakura commented, propping his head up on his hand. "For you, that was the hardest thing you ever went through so if you think about it that way, it wasn't worse."
"Do you mind not reading mine?" Ryou asked irritably, turning around to face the yami. Bakura shrugged slightly before sitting up.
"You know what? You're like my sister and I'm like your sister." Bakura smirked. "Could you imagine if she were here, in the same house as us? It'd be so…entertaining." Ryou thought about it a moment and laughed nervously. He'd have a constant headache for one between the two of them. "Ryou, there's one last thing I need to tell you about…" He paused, glancing upwards, "Let's see…we covered my childhood pretty well…but I still have so much…I guess I'll just write it all down for you…" He looked at Ryou and yet his eyes grew more and more distant with every word. "I think I should tell you more about Akila…and Diabound…and my thief…days…" He took a deep breath and rolled onto his back, absentmindedly reaching out and fingering the ends of Ryou's hair. "She meant so much to you…isn't it interesting…Ryou?"
"What is?" He asked, relaxing as Bakura played with his hair. It was somehow very comforting.
"The ways were different but…we both lost everything…" Bakura let his hand fall against Ryou's back. "I lost my whole village to these items…and you lost your family and, consequently, everything to a car accident. Even your father is distant now…he doesn't even come home to see you…it's rare anyway…"
"Yeah…" Ryou felt like his throat was getting tight, though he had no idea why. Maybe it was hearing it put so bluntly, that he'd lost everything. He'd never had any friends really before Amane's death so he really had lost…so much…
"But look at us, we're completely different. I spent every moment of my life afterwards falling into darkness and revenge and you…well you just locked yourself up." He paused and Ryou turned around so he was facing the other. "You were too scared and upset to get close to anyone…of course…by the time you had healed enough to try to have friends…" A strange smile came across the man's face, "I was here…"
"Bakura…" Ryou found himself lying down on the bed next to him. Bakura glanced over curiously though he said nothing. "It isn't odd that we turned out different. Your family was murdered…and mine wasn't…it's two totally different kinds of death…but I think…that Amane must have been so mad at me…"
"Why do you think that?" Bakura asked, slightly surprised by such a statement.
"Well…she hated it when people moped or complained or anything…she didn't mind it if I did though but…she would have been angry to see me acting like this so long after her death. She'd say 'Big brother get your head on straight and stop moping around here already! You can feel happy again you know?'" Ryou chuckled softly. "And you know what? She's right. I shouldn't live everyday thinking only of the past. Mother used to say that you can't have a future if you only live in the past. She also said that you don't have a future unless you accept your past. You can't deny it or run from it. You have to embrace everything about it. You don't have to like where you came from but you can't forget it either. I decided recently that I'm going to take those words to heart…" He rolled onto his side and smiled at Bakura. "That includes our past…I…I did hate you. I did wish you would die. And part of me was so happy to not be alone anymore…and it always put such a conflict in my head…when I would protect my friends from you, then I'd end up feeling happy and awful afterwards."
"Ryou…" Bakura stared at him with wide eyes. Everything he was saying made such perfect sense.
"You have to embrace your past Bakura…" Ryou reached forward, gently brushing his fingertips against Bakura's cheek, "No matter what though…I want to be there for you and help you…I don't want you to have regret or hate in your heart, not anymore…Bakura…"
"You're really…something…" Bakura said, his voice kind as he place one of his hands on top of Ryou's. The two stared at each other for a long time in silence, no words were spoken and yet so much was understood. It wasn't long before Ryou had fallen asleep, his mind at ease and he was able to return to his dreams. This time however, he did not wake up in pain or sadness. Bakura watched him sleep for awhile, pulling the younger boy close to his chest. He held onto his light tightly, resting his chin in Ryou's soft hair. The boy slept on and soon even Bakura could feel his own tiredness catching up to him. "Ryou…" He muttered softly, burying his face into the boy's silken hair, "I'm so sorry…you're right Ryou…I can't have a future…any future…if I'm stuck three thousand years in the past…" He shut his eyes, not letting the tears fall from them. He refused to show that much weakness. Instead, he took a single steadying breath of Ryou's mane and finally let sleep take hold of him.
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A sudden buzzing sent a shock to Ryou's drowsy mind. He sat up so fast that the blood rushed right out of his head, causing him to suddenly feel very lightheaded. He groaned and laid back down quickly as the steady buzz continued.
"Damn alarm clock…" He muttered. He opened his eyes slowly and searched the mess that was Bakura's floor with his hands until he finally found the clock. He turned it off and sighed. "I didn't even know Bakura had one of these…what time is it?" He focused his sleep filled eyes on the red digital number until it finally registered as two in the afternoon. "Oh you gotta be kidding me…" He cried, tossing the clock aside. He turned over but he really hadn't expected Bakura to be there. Sure enough the white haired thief was already gone. Ryou let a smile cross his lips as he remembered the night before.
A little bit later he was cleaned up and dressed, though his hair was still wet from his shower. Ryou stretched and looked through the cupboards for what would be his breakfast. He grabbed s bowl of cereal and sat down on the couch. He knew had had his report to work on today.
"I guess Bakura went to Marik's house again…" He said, tapping the spoon against the edge of the bowl. "I'll have to work on it by myself then…" So he finished off his cereal, dragged his laptop out and settled down to spend the day working.
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It was many hours after this, while Ryou was still working, that Bakura and Marik stood outside Yugi's house. Marik was bundled up in a scarf, coat and gloves and Bakura in his usual trench coat. There was a bulge in the side which Marik poked at curiously.
"What is that?" The Egyptian asked.
"My snow globe…" Bakura said, pulling it briefly from his pocket. "I left the diary in Ryou's room…along with a few papers I worked on today for his report." He smiled and looked up into the pitch black night sky as it opened, releasing a gentle spray of snowflakes. "I wonder what he'll get on his report?"
"You could just call this whole thing off and find out for yourself." Marik mumbled through his chattering teeth. "Can't you guys do this inside? It's cold as hell out here."
"Then it must be pretty warm." Bakura said with a grin.
"Smartass…" Marik glared at him but just then the door opened and Yami stepped out into the street lamp's light. He wore a very serious, almost solemn expression on his face. A little bit behind him, Yugi stood like Marik; wrapped up in warmth and yet still he shook.
"Are you ready Bakura?" Yami asked, sliding his deck into the duel disk on his arm. Bakura gave a brief nod, his face setting into a hard, sinister look. He too showed the disk on his arm, slipping his deck inside the slot.
"Of course I am Pharaoh…" He smirked as the two of them gave ample room between them for the battle to come. Their monsters needed room after all. Marik and Yugi stood off to side as the competitors began their duel.
"I'm really confused Marik…" Yugi said after many minutes of watching their fight. "Why are they doing this?" Marik turned to him with a sad look in his eyes.
"He needs to let go of his past and come to terms with everything before he can move on into tomorrow…so…that's what he's doing…" Marik sighed and shook his head. "I still don't think he's doing this the right way but well, that's Bakura right?"
"Umm…so then why…isn't Ryou here?"
"…He has to let go of his past…to Bakura…it means ridding himself of everything…all the chains that bind him…"
"You mean…?!" Yugi gasped and Marik nodded.
"By this time tomorrow…Bakura will be…" But their talking was stopped as a voice rang out 'This duel is over!' Both teens turned quickly to see who had won and who had fallen. No one said a word as Bakura stood in the silently falling snow. Time itself seemed to stop as he raised his head and gave Yami a look of both anger and relief. One of his hands reached out, unhooking the duel disk from his arm, letting it fall to the ground with a dull thud. He smiled and said very softly,
"You're right."
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Ryou gave a wide yawn and rubbed his sleepy eyes. He slumped against the couch, propping his legs up on the table as he looked into the glow of the computer screen. He'd gotten a lot done, in fact his entire report was very near completion. He then looked at the clock in the corner of the screen and a prickle of worry turned on his skin. It was almost midnight and Bakura hadn't came home yet. He hadn't even called. Ryou had felt a bit of worry all day but now it was really starting to eat away at him. He stood and decided to stop for the night. He saved his report and carried his laptop back upstairs, setting it on the desk in his room. He was about to throw back his sheets and make his bed when he noticed Bakura's diary was lying on it with a stack of papers sitting next to it. He hadn't even noticed it before. One of the papers had big writing on it, so he picked it up and held it closer to the lamp on his table.
"'Ryou, I know this sounds strange but read my diary. Read the last page first and also all these papers should help you with your report. Sorry. Bakura.'" Ryou blinked and grabbed the journal, flipping to the back page. As he read it, his throat grew tight and his heart began beating so fast that it threatened to burst from his chest. His eyes grew more and wider with every word until finally he got to the last sentence. His hands shook and without a second thought he raced from the room, grabbing the coat he'd gotten for Christmas on the way out. He dropped the diary on the couch and raced out the door into the dark night, trying to outrun the fear that now took up every inch of his soul.
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Ryou,
I guess this is going to be hard to say. I sat up last night trying to figure out how to put all this and how to explain it to you. But I couldn't think of a way so bare with me on this. Ryou, I love you. I love you more than anything right now. You understand me, you care about me, you are just amazing. You're perfect Ryou…well ok not perfect. You snore and you're way too nice to that damn Yugi sometimes but that's all besides the point. I love you and it's taken me a while to deal with it. I didn't want to be in love. It puts me at a disadvantage. I already cared too much about you as it was. I refused to let anyone else hurt you and I'd have been damned if I let them get near you. You're mine…but it took me a while to see that these were feelings of love. I'm pretty sure you love me too but Ryou…you need to stop.
Tonight I'm dueling the Pharaoh and I won't be coming back. I'm leaving Ryou. If I stay here any longer it will only be trouble. I can't be with you when all I can think about is revenge. It's consumed me and sure, when I'm with you the voices are quieter but I can still hear them. The screams and shrieks…my family…and I can't forget. I can't move on. Besides, I am darkness…I am evil…I don't think you fully comprehend just what I've done and who I am. But you don't have to. I just want you to be happy and that won't happen as long as I am in your life. I decided this long ago. That I would move back to Egypt with Marik and Isis. From there I'll go back to Kuru Eruna and it's there that I will…
Ryou…please forget me. What's about to happen will be terrible but I can't stop now. I've waited 3,000 years to get revenge and it can't stop now, not even if I wanted it to. I have a feeling I will lose my duel with the Pharaoh but that is why I must take an extreme measure. One day you will look back on this and realize it was for the best that I left. I'm leaving you out of this chaos so that you can be safe and happy. Don't you dare even think of looking for me.
I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you. I made your life worse. But I'm giving you a second chance. You can live the life you want now…goodbye Ryou. We won't meet again. By the time you read this, I'll be gone anyway. So I guess it doesn't really matter after all…
Bakura (And Ryou make sure you read the rest of my diary. I think you might find it interesting)
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A/N: Sage: Again, we took forever but was it worth it?
Kaley: (is sobbing)
Bakura: (stares at her) I swear she's not right…so anyways I'm finally gone from the story.
Kaley: Or is he?
Sage: (evil laugh)
Kaley: (goes back to sobbing)
Bakura: Well uh, review I guess so that you can find out the ending of this story. Will Ryou and I be together or will whatever I'm planning wreak it all?
Sage: Only we know so if you want to see the next two chapters…well at least I think 2, review! Tell us what you thought! Thanks!
Kaley: S-s-see you l-la-later…
Bakura: Crazy women…
