Evil harRy: hey all, this is my fifth chapter! It's longer than my previous chapters! Woo hoo! Go me! Lol anyways, I would like to thank, DemonSurfer and hauntedweirdo, Rikona for the reviews! I love you guys! And I would like to thank Ashuire! hugsbecause, she helped me pick out the song for this chapter. Couldn't have done it without you!

Now on to the story! This chapter is done in Ryou's P.O.V, and a little in Bakura's Hope you all like and please review!

Note: When Ryou sings in this chapter, if it's in Italics, that means it's part of the song for this fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own yu gi oh, or 'Stockholm syndrome' by Blink 182. or 'all messed up' by Sum 41.

Chapter five: Stockholm Syndrome

(Ryou's P.O.V)

This is the first (thing I remember),
Now it's the last (thing left on my mind)

I awoke, just like every other morning. I awoke in the same small and cheap apartment that I had been renting for the last five mounts now.

The first thing that I would do every morning after awaking, was checking the locks and every inch of my cramped apartment, for any sign of him. For any sign that he had somehow found and entered my apartment. Of course, it was the same every morning. Everything was as I had left it the night before.

Soon after checking my every inch of my living space, I would return to my room and get dressed for the day. Today I pulled on a plain button up t-shirt and a dark pair of jeans.

I entered my bathroom, turning on the lights and standing in front of the mirror. I sighed running my hand through my messy, tangled hair. I picked up the brush and started fighting with the knots in my silver locks.

After a painful ten minuets, my dull, knotted hair became smooth and shiny. I then quickly washed my face with icy cold water to wake myself up more, after that I walked slowly into my kitchen.

It was a little messy, but I hadn't the time to clean it. Why may you ask? Well, when you are in a studio for about ten hours a day trying to make a CD worth selling, you kind of don't have the time or energy for house work. ((A.N: Do NOT! Think about Ryou's voice like his voice in the American version of yu gi oh. I hate that voice, I'm sorry, it's not the accent. His voice is just too high T.T))

I turned on my small coffee pot, while I looked through the various bills that were pilled on my counter.

One week overdue, two weeks over due, Final notice, those were a few among my unpaid bills. If my CD wasn't in stores with in the month, I wouldn't have a house to live un anymore. Ok, I had a house that I could go to but I would rather freeze on the streets of Tokyo than live in that house.

I sighed and set the bills back on the counter, yes, I had to finish the CD now. Only a few more days and it would be done.

I sat down on the counter, pulling a coffee mug from the cupboard and poured some of the bitter liquid into my cup drinking it deeply. The bitter taste never bothered me anymore. I didn't buy milk or sugar often. Since never being home, the milk always went sour when I would go to us it.

As soon as the single cup of coffee was finished, I was pulling on a pair of runners and was out the door to the studio.

It was almost ten o'clock by the time I made it to the studio. I was mad because I wanted to get there earlier, but that damned bus was late, again!

I Sighed as I entered the doors and walked through the small lobby, that girl at the front desk, Lora was her name, gave me a warm smile.

She had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen. When she smiled, everyone couldn't help but smile too. I smiled back at her as I left the lobby and entered the main studio.

The man who was in charge of producing my CD, Chris, was sitting listening to a demo of the almost finished version of the CD. He tapped his foot while flipping through the pages of a magazine, while the CD was being blasted out of a disk-men, into his ears through a tiny pair of head-phones.

I walked into the small room and sat down in the chair behind him, waiting for him to finish listening to the song. I almost burst out laughing when he started singing out loud to the current song that was on. No offence, but he has the worst voice ever. I mean he could break bullet proof glass with it.

"Another day wasted out of time. I can't get out of this, Altered state of mind." He sang, not knowing I sat three feet away. He continued for the last bit of the song and then it ended and he removed the head phones and went to stand, seeing me sitting beside him. "How long have you been sitter there?" he questioned.

I answered with a smart ass comment, which I seemed to be doing a lot of lately, "Long enough to need to know never let you sing karaoke." I laughed as he grumbles and removed the CD from the disk-men.

"Anyways," he said changing the topic, "I've review the whole CD."

I smiled, "So how is it?" I asked, knowing that he most likely loved it by the way he was singing.

"It's good," I knew it. "but, "he continued, "Theirs is one song I want you to redo. It's just a little off I think." I sighed, frowning at him. Of course he would have to find something wrong. "What track is it?" I said looking over the list of songs for the CD.

I liked how they all turned out, they sounded pretty good to me. But, that was my opinion, of course I would like them. Duh! But it didn't matter if I so much as liked them; it only mattered if the public would like them. And Chris didn't need to tell me that, ...again, he had told me since the day I started recording. It was a sacrifice I had to, but was barley willing to make.

"The forth song." He said as I looked over the lyrics for it. "Sing it a little differently. It doesn't sound like it should." I sighed, I was working hard on that song; but no matter how I tried, it would never sound right.

"Sing it ...," Chris said, "darker."

"Darker?" I repeated. Most of the songs on the CD were already dark.

"Is there an echo in the room?" He said turning to me, "Just try it ok?"

"Fine." I said, getting up and walking into the recording both and sitting on the stool in front of the microphone. I nodded to Chris through the window, letting him know I was ready to start. The music started to play and I tapped my foot to the beat.

I knew the words off by heart, so I had no use for the lyrics sheet in front of me. I closed my eyes, my foot still keeping time.

When I sing, I don't think about singing, about hitting the right notes or getting the words right. I think about other stuff; it's weird. I don't have to concentrate on the music, I find my mind wonders a lot. Thinking of well, ... just anything.

"This is the first thing, ... (that I remember).

Now it's the last (thing on my mind)."

I wonder, ...if my CD will sell.... Will anyone buy it?

"Afraid of the dark (do you hear me whisper).

An empty heart (replaced with paranoia)."

I can't stand this ....What if Bakura finds me? He hasn't yet...but ...maybe he will. I mean he could, he found me every other time. If this CD goes on sale, he probably will. Why can't I stop thinking about him? It's been almost five month!

"Where do we go (life's temporary).

After we're gone (like new years resolutions)"

Ok, think of something else. ... La la la . thoughts, ...how can they be so hard to think of? Ok this would suck: I get this record deal, I walk home and then I get hit by a bus.... Wow how do I think of such cheery things? Life seems short. Someone told me once, that life is not short; it's the longest damn thing you will ever do. Hmmm, that's true. But it seems like life is, especially mine right now, is going so fast.

After I die, ...what will happen? I know ...I'll be buried or cremated. Then what?

"Why is this hard (do you recognize me).
I know I'm wrong (but I can't help believing)."

I wonder,... All this time that I've been away from everyone in Domino, have I changed? Well, I know I've changed on the inside and a little on the outside. I'm not a book nerd anymore, I hardly have time to pick up a book at all. My attitude has changed too, If you're a jerk to me, well I'm a jerk to you. I don't help anyone that much, unless I feel like it. There are many other things about me that have changed too.

Is it wrong, the way I've changed? Maybe, ...but I have to be strong now. No one is going to give me a helping hand. No one is going to just give me everything on a silver platter.

The song ended and I let out a sigh. I opened my chocolate eyes and looked though the window, to see another man standing in the room with Chris. I stood from the stool and left the recording booth, walking into the small room.

Chris was smiling like a kid at Christmas, and the other man seemed very happy too. "That was a fine performance there kid." The man said, holding out his hand to me. He was almost a head taller then me, with dark brown hair and crystal blue eyes((it's not Kaiba )). He was dressed in a nice suit that looked very expensive. I took his hand and shook it; he had a hand-crunching grip, but I managed not to cringe.

"T-thank you... uhh sir." Was all I said back to him. I looked over to Chris for some explanation, on who was this person. And it seems that Chris is a mind reader today.

"This is Mr. Duncan, the owner of Tokyo tunes." ((A.N can anyone think of a better record label name?)) Chris said introducing us. I nodded, "I already know your name, Ryou." He said with a warm smile. "And, "he continued, "I think you will be very pleased to know that I would be glad to sign you to my label."

I think .....everything just paused. There was no sound or anything, it's like every thing was frozen in place. This was .....so great! The only way to describe it; it ...was happening, ..to me! I came to my senses a minuet later, I was so excited.

"Oh my god, ...t-thank you so much!" Was I could get from my mouth.

The papers would be sighed in two days, on Friday. I think I walked home with more energy than I've ever had in my life. And you know what else? I never did get hit by that bus.

I got to my apartment door, pulled out my keys and slipped it in the lock. I pushed open the door and turned on the hall light, closing the door behind me. I slipped off my shoes and practically bounced into the kitchen. I set down the bag of food I had bought at the corner store on the way home. I smiled as I pulled out a two litter of pop, some ice cream and one bottle of beer I had bought myself.

This was the best night ever, nothing could ruin it I don't think.

I guess I was wrong.

(Bakura's P.O.V)

I'm so lost,

I'm barely here.

Ever get that feeling that, you're not really, here? That you're really somewhere else, your body may be here ...but your mind isn't. It's like I'm gone astray in my dark dream world now. Now and then there are times when I am here, on Earth, in my messy room. And, if you can believe it, I still haven't left the house.

Do I sound crazy yet? I'm not sure, can crazy people tell if they are? I'm not really sure. I try and not think about it too much now.

Ahh, thinking. I find that I really don't do that ether. How may you ask? Well, my mind seems to just be a black nothingness now, from what it used to be.

I heard myself sigh out loud and closed, my now dull brown eyes. What was that? I heard the door open. I ... thought that it was locked? Is. ...someone breaking in? I laughed a little at that thought, they wouldn't find much to steal. They now were walking up the hall, to my room. I didn't bother to turn over on the bed to see who it was. Did they have a weapon? Where they going to kill me? I guess is what someone would be thinking right now, anyone but me.

"Bakura..." I heard a soft male voice flow to my ears across the room. He walked over and sat on the bed next to me, brushing my messy hair out of my face. I looked up at this beautiful boy. His perfectly tanned skin, dark lavender pools filled his eyes brought out by his platinum hair.

Malik.

It had been about three weeks since his last visit, he was so busy, I didn't want to be a burden him. But still he came as often as he could to see me. My best friend, though I forget why he even bothered to be my friend anymore.

He looked into my eyes, and I looked into his. What did I see in those stunning pools of lavender? Confusion, fear, weariness and sadness. "Bakura..." he said again softly.

"Yes?" I asked quietly.

"I'm sorry, ..that I haven't been here in so long. I've been so busy with work and-"I cut him off, placing a finger over his lips to quiet him. He sighed silently and closed his eyes.

"You shouldn't worry so much." I said running my hand gently over his cheek, "You'll get wrinkles if you're in this stressed state all the time." I joked and he laughed lightly and nuzzled his face against my hand lightly.

"But Baku," He said opening his eyes, "I can't help but worry about you. You're my best friend." I sighed, letting my hand drop from where it was touching his face. He took my hand in his, "Please, " he said in a pleading tone, "What's so wrong that you can't move from your room, your bed?" he asked.

I wish I could explain myself,
But words escape me.

What could I say to him? How would I be able to word these emotions for him to truly know what's going on inside of me? I ...wanted to tell him, but I didn't know how. How could anybody explain this to anyone else?

"Malik I ....." I stopped, ...no I don't know what to say. It's too late...for me to be saved form any of these feelings, emotions that consume me everyday, every moment.

It's too late,
To save me.

I laid there, unable to say words that would make sense to anyone but myself. He leaned down, embracing me. "I'm ..not the one that could help you ...am I?" He asked. I returned the embrace, Not bothering to answer the question. He knew, who could save me. He knew that I only wanted that person to save me.

You're too late,
You're too late.

Ryou. Where are you? Why haven't you come back to me yet? It's been so long. Maybe it's been too long. I think it has. How would he feel, if he knew that her was too late. To late to save me from breaking down? ....Save me... I never thought that he would be able to save me. But, he could have saved. He can't now.

"Are you hungry Baku?" came Malik's muffled voice. "I brought over some food, I thought we could ...have dinner together." He said a little unsure of this. He looked up at me, I smiled for him and said that it would be nice. I told him I would get dressed, as I was only in a pair of boxer at the moment. He jumped up, and walked back to the kitchen to prepare our meal.

You're cold with disappointment,
While I'm drowning in the next room.

He was hurt, I could tell. He tried to mask that hurt with a happy smile. He didn't fool me. Was I fooling him, with my fake smiles? I'm not sure, I'm I hurting? I couldn't stand that thought, but, I wasn't trying to. He seems, disappointed about something. But ....what could it be? I'm so stupid.

I stood up, quickly getting dressed and pulling my messy hair into a lose pony tail. I walked silently down the hall to the kitchen. My house, didn't look as bad as before, Malik had helped my clean up the living and stuff a bit.

I was just about to round the corner to the kitchen when I heard Malik, he was crying. Why was he crying? Did he hurt himself? ....Or ...did I really hurt him?

(Ryou's P.O.V)

I had just finished watching the first movie I had rented that night. I pulled out the next tape and popped in into the VCR. I sat back on the couch and sipped my beer. I got comfy as the per views played, but sighed when my cell phone rang. I reached over the coffee table, picking it up and answering it. "Hello?" I said rather annoyed, I thought that I had turned it off.

"Ryou?" I heard Malik sniffle though the phone. "Oh sorry, heh. Are you ok?" I asked.

It took a moment for him to answer, "N-no. "he stuttered, You have to come back ....you have to see him." He said trying to control the volume of his voice. I sighed, "No, I'm noting to Malik. I've told you before."

"B-but!." He stammered, "I can't stand to see him like this Ryou. Please you must."

"No," I said sternly, "I must do what is right for me. And what is right is being here. Doing what I am doing." I heard him growl at me. "You're so selfish Ryou! How can you not think of him while he is like this."

Why wouldn't I act like this after what he did to me? I didn't care, because, he never cared.

The last contagious victim of this plague between us.

"Malik, "I said back, "Why do you keep bothering me? I know we were friends, but ...not anymore. You keep siding with him. He's just using you to get to me. Just forget about him as I have done. Just walk out of there, I know you're at his house right now. I can tell." I was really just guessing.

"How can you sit there and I tell me this!" He raised his voice, but not too much.

"Malik, I don't want to hurt you. I'm trying too. But I think that he's just applying with you, as he plays with everyone else."

"No, he isn't. He's my friend and I care for him. You should care for him too! You are his hikari damn it!"

"I think this conversation is over Malik. Please stop calling me." I said, not caring if I was rude. "Oh, and try to forget about him." I hung up my cell phone and turned it off, so he couldn't call me again. My movie had just started and sat back again to watch it.

I'm sick with apprehension,
I'm crippled from exhaustion.

I hated that he had called, everything was fine today. Everything was going so well today, I thought that it wouldn't end. I was wrong. And now, I'm afraid. That he... he will come for me. Malik was one of the few people that I had told where I was. He wasn't really good friends with Bakura when I told him, but now I didn't know.

I ...feel so tired now, maybe I should go to sleep. I needed sleep. Maybe it would make me feel better. But could I sleep, I was to fearful to sleep now. He could come, Tokyo was only a few hours away from domino.

And I dread the moment when you finally come to kill me.

Evil harRy: yay that was chapter five! Hope you all enjoyed it, please review! Hee hee-.

Note for peoples who don't know: hikari – lighter half.