DISCLAIMER: Yu-Gi-Oh! Doesn't belong to me...

Heaven Sent
by Hunter K

Chapter 2: Do angels tell lies or make miracles?

The cold morning wind touched the young ones face. Like the wind, thief also touched the sleeping one so lightly for his fear that he might wake the snuggling angel. He wanted to say 'Thank you', but he didn't know the word, no one taught him to give thanks or even to ask for forgiveness. 'Thieves don't get thankful, don't get sorry. Everything that happens to them is according to their will. Everything others do to them cannot and can never be altered by mere words of regret.' Bakura believed in those words, for those are the words of his late father.

The thief smirked. His father might be wrong. Thieves DO get appreciative! Maybe not in words, maybe not as boldly as everyone can show, but at least he can manage to prove… Bakura pulled one ring from his fingers, the one on his left ring finger, and slide the gold band on the middle finger of the sleeping one. The thief's eyes widened, 'too big'. He just knew that Ryou's fingers were so small and slender, almost candle-like. He also tried to put the ring on the younger one's thumb but it was still big so he just put the ring on the his palm and closed it in a fist. After giving the gift, he pulled his scarlet robe around his slightly tanned figure and leaped outside the window to leave.

…-…-…-

The pale sunbeams played across the golden desert sands, about time for Ryou to rise. He sleepily opened his eyes but was suddenly blinded by the sparkling thing he held on his right palm. It was a gold ring.

"Bakura?"

And he realized that the thief had left. He held the ring, and felt something throb inside. He knew Bakura should not have left. He wasn't well and he wasn't sure if he can stand on his own. Bakura was a stranger, yet he still cared. God knows he'd even tend a dying lizard!

Ryou clutched the ring to his chest. He knew he'd see him again. He wanted to. He has not finished telling him about angels and many more… With that thought, he left for the market place. The very first thing he does in the morning is go buy all things he need for the day. Unless he wanted to eat some spoiled meat or overripe fruits.

The desert sun cast rays angrily upon the desert, charring every part of it as if it wanted to burn everything. It was seven in the morning yet the heat was that of high noon! The market place was hotter though. The market place boosts about the first break of dawn until night yet the peak was in the earliest of the day. People wanted to get fresh veggies and recede from the searing sun at the same time. By this time, the tiny streets were packed – with vendors, shoppers, pickpockets, and troublemakers.

Ryou strolled the streets, struggling against the gush of people who were going here and there, almost in all directions. He stopped in front of a fruit vendor, checking for fresh apples. He bowed slightly to take a closer look.

The silver-haired teen studied every piece he chooses and puts them in a basket. He was busy choosing when his attention was averted by a woman's shrill voice shouting almost at the top of her lungs.

"Ahhh! Thief!... Thief!... Help me! Catch him please…" some other mutters from the people around the place were heard but the woman's voice overpowers those whispers, leaving them all inaudible.

Ryou stood up and turned to have a view of the scene. But his view was blocked when something broad and red bumped and fell over him. The teen winced. The assaulter stood as fast as he can. Ryou knew he was familiar. But won't believe that what he just helped the other day was a… Thief…

Bakura glared at him at first. But, realizing it was his Angel; he pulled Ryou and began to run away…

…-…-

"Have you seen someone in white and red robe pass here?", a guy asked. He was carrying a big truncheon with him.

"He ran on that direction!", the teen on a hooded white robe pointed a narrow street and watched as the person lead his men to chase the robber.

The thief was stunned. He didn't think that the boy could do it without saying, 'Oh, the thief? He's behind that wall!' 'Hey, do angels lie? Better ask Ryou later…', he thought.

"Good play!", the thief tried to shuffle the teen's hair, causing the hood to slip off his head. The thief was now sporting just his red robe after giving his white under robe to the teen.

The teen just stated at him, before asking, "Why didn't you tell me that you are a thief?"

The robber turned away, trying to hide the hurt in his eyes, "I forgot!", he spat bitterly, trying to act like his neutral way. But he felt different whenever Ryou's around. He felt peaceful, relaxed, and safe…

Ryou smiled. "It's okay…" He pocketed one of his hands and held out the ring. "I think you left this?"

Bakura stared at the ring and remembered that he had something for Ryou. "It's yours…" The thief pulled a lace link from his pocket and handed it to Ryou. "Put it here, so that it won't slip off your fingers…"

Ryou smiled happily. He never knew he was worth something… but… but what is given to him wasn't even the property of the one who is giving… How can he accept it? Doesn't accepting it counts him as a thief? "It is what you got from the lady?"

Bakura scowled, "It's none of your business!" He snatched the ring from Ryou's hand and put it on the lace as a makeshift pendant. "Here!" he handed the necklace brashly. Growling in a low voice, he said, "You can throw it away if you don't like it!" After handling the necklace to the white-haired teen, he turned to head off only to be tugged back at the lower edge of his scarlet robe. He turned back. "What?"

Ryou chuckled. "I like it…" He is now wearing the said thing on his neck. Bakura cocked an eyebrow and was about to say, 'So what?' when Ryou added, "Really!"

Bakura set his thought aside and just nodded. "Okay," He eyed Ryou who is still innocently smiling even he is talking to a thief. He glared at the younger one, but instead of receiving what he expected, like a wince or a pout, Ryou still smiled. "Now, could you let go of my robe?" Bakura pointed down at the hem of his robe that Ryou is currently clutching.

Ryou blinked, "Oh, sorry…", he looked down at the blood-red cotton robe. It was a bit dusty and sands were stuck on the white laces at the edge. "I think not."

"What?" Bakura growled impatiently. Ryou's big brown eyes just blinked mockingly at him. "What not?"

"I can't let go of you!" Ryou shouted, trying to imitate the rude attitude of the thief.

"Oh, Ra!" Bakura slapped his forehead in annoyance. He didn't even know that angels piss! He rolled his eyes. "Okay, what do you want?"

Ryou tapped Bakura's side ribs lightly causing him to cringe in pain. "See, you're still ill!"

Bakura hunched in the sudden sting he felt. "Why… what is that for?" He asked between huffed breathe.

"Come on!" Ryou pulled his coat again. "You should be resting in bed!" He pulled Bakura as if he was walking a dog at the park.

Bakura growled, which even added to him being like a dog. He wanted to just run go steal something or just hide in his sanctuary. He wanted Ryou to let go of him but another part of him took pleasure on being with the teen. Bakura stood, still clutching his chest. He can feel the gradual attenuation of pain. He wanted to run away but he knew Ryou would just give him another hit on the ribs so he let go of the idea. He pulled his robe back, trying to gain some of his dignity, "I can walk you know…", he said sarcastically.

Ryou let go of the thief's garb and walk next to him, always keeping an eye on the thief.

"Hey! Ryou, who's with you?", a tanned boy with sand-blond hair and mauve eyes asked on the way.

Bakura was about to answer when he heard Ryou say, "Oh, hi Malik! This is my cousin, Bakura…" Bakura's jaw fell, 'Wha? When on earth did we become cousins?'

"And Bakura, this is Malik, my friend!"

Bakura smirked and mentally noted; 'Angels lie…'

…-…-

The thief was sure. He had noted that angels lie, yet he felt unsure! When they reached Ryou's house, he asked, "Ryou, do angels lie?"

Ryou turned to face him and gestured him to take his clothes off. "I guess no." He answered simply, trying to help Bakura take his garb off.

Bakura was shocked. 'Don't tell me Angels are also this aggressive?' He cringed, not wanting the boy to remove his shirt. "I can take this off myself, you know," he hissed sarcastically. The thief slipped his robe off, leaving just his white khakis.

"Take that off too." Ryou commanded bluntly, trying to ignore the blush that's creeping on his cheeks.

The thief's eyes widened. "What are you trying to do?"

Ryou blinked innocently at the thief's outburst. "Trying to get your clothes for me to wash! Look at yourself; you don't even look like a thief!"

"What do I look like then?"

"You look like a beggar! Go wash yourself!"

…-…-

Ryou's hanging Bakura's clothes to dry on a clothesline behind the house when the thief finished washing himself. He wondered if he was slow or Ryou just soaked those clothes and didn't wash them well.

The thief sat on the well and studied Ryou. The teen was dressed in a white long-sleeved garb with green laces on the neckline and hems. The garb was long enough to extend down his ankle. He was stretching a gray piece of cotton fabric across the clothesline. Both his hands lifted up on the air, reaching the clothesline and spreading out the fabric at the same time. He is on his heels, grasping the seemingly high line. It's not high though, he's just a bit short.

The thief stared at the flapping red and white fabrics hanging on the clothesline. "When do you think my clothes will dry?"

Ryou lifted the clothesbasket and turned to see a thief, sitting on the rim of a well with just a piece of towel covering him. "Wah!", Ryou's jaw dropped. "Go get something to wear!", he shouted hysterically, banging the clothesbasket at Bakura.

Seeing Ryou's flushed face (due to anger or timidity, no one knows), Bakura laughed, his hoarse voice plaguing the air with hearty sounds. The sound was foreign even to him. He hadn't heard himself laugh. No! He hadn't laughed, nor smiled, ever since his family died! And how come this person he had only met not so long ago, make him laugh without even trying? Are angels accountable on making miracles too?

...- tsuzuku -...