Chapter Twenty, Raped

Anzu stared up at the ceiling, the moonlight shining on half of her fair-skinned face. The night at the ball had been risky. Mother could have figured out our plan. She could've told papa and then...Then, he, Julian and all of those horrid men would cause an uproar against the marriage. Isis wouldn't even be able to settle it down. Anzu closed her eyes, her lashes sweeping up upon her cheeks. I never wanted to get married. Not unless I loved them. That would have stood for my whole life if not for Duke's blunder. Anzu turned on her side, her brow furrowing in thought. I still don't want to marry Bakura, but if I must, I will. Anzu opened her eyes and her eyes widened. She screamed.

-

Bakura jumped awake, his eyes wide. "What the hell!" He threw the covers over him and opened his door, walking over to Anzu's bedroom. "Anzu? What the devil are you screaming about?"

"B-Bakura!" Anzu stammered tearfully from inside the room. He entered and saw her on the bed, standing up in her nightgown, clutching a pillow. "Th-there!" She pointed to something on the ground. He switched the lights on and a white rat scurried out of the room down the hall.

"Hm," he heard a frightful squeak from outside. "Well, there you go. It's been taken care of, I'm sure."

"Anyone want a midnight snack? I just freshly killed it!" Marik called, his voice hinting a tone of amusement. Anzu blinked, giving a whine.

"You never told me that you had rodents..." Anzu accused, sniffing. Bakura raised his eyebrows.

"Are you crying?" She didn't answer. "It was just a fucking rat!"

"It was scary in the dark. I opened my eyes and two red eyes were there and..." She uttered a soft shriek. Bakura rolled his eyes.

"Oh, cry me a river." He grunted. She threw the pillow at him furiously. Bakura glowered at her, throwing it back at her. "Don't throw things at me, dammit!" She just gave a 'harrumph'. "Now go to sleep. And if the scary rat comes back – " He paused. "If a rat comes into your room," he told her, rewording what he said, "then ignore it and sleep."

"But they're scary!" Anzu whined, looking at him. "Can I...Sleep with you for tonight?"

"What? What's wrong with sleeping in here?"

"There might be more of them in here!" Anzu told him defensively. Bakura pursed his lips.

"Fine, you contemptible woman." He grumbled, storming out of the room. Anzu beamed, bouncing off the bed. She carefully tiptoed out of the room, looking around for rats. She heard a squeak and let out a yelp, running after Bakura, shutting the lights off.

"What the devil is your problem?" Bakura demanded, scowling at her. "You're going to wake the whole house."

"I heard a squeak." She muttered, nibbling on her knuckles. He raised an eyebrow and when he turned around, he crashed into Marik.

"What the hell!" Bakura bellowed.

"Now look who's going to wake the house." Anzu mumbled to him.

"Oh shut up, wench." She cast a dark look at him, but shut up.

"Here," Marik showed Bakura the dead rat on the dagger of his. "I caught breakfast."

"Are you purposely trying to make me sick?" Bakura asked him, frowning.

"Well, not sick. I was looking along the lines of...Causing you to hurl." Marik corrected him, waving the dead rat a bit. Anzu paled, looking ready to do just that.

"Get it the fuck out of my face!" Bakura snapped at him. Marik shrugged, before leaving downstairs to throw it outside. Bakura grumbled forebodingly under his breath, walking over to his bedroom. "You had better not try any funny stuff." He told her, eyeing her warily.

"I was about to say the same of you." She sniffed contemptuously. Bakura snorted, before ushering her in.

"Ladies first," he sneered, smirking. She glared at him.

"Thank you for offering like the gentleman you most definitely are not." He shrugged, shutting the door behind her. She climbed into his bed, sighing. It was still warm and probably one of the best beds in the household. Then she froze.

"What?"

"These sheets...Have been recently cleansed...Haven't they?"

"Why do you..." Bakura glared at her hatefully as he realized why she was asking. "Of course they have, you ungrateful woman!"

"You must have a high opinion on yourself, then." She muttered under her breath as he entered the bed with her.

"Oh shut your trap, before I make you." She fell silent, glowering at him in the dark.

-

Bakura shifted slightly, grinning in his sleep, feeling a luscious body molded against his. He moved closer, rubbing his nose in the silky hair.

"Comfortable?" A voice asked him uneasily. His eyes snapped open and he slowly drew away from Anzu, whose face was flushed.

"What the hell!"

"I believe that's my line." She grumbled, untangling her limbs from his. "You were the one getting all cuddly on me." She flushed again, trying to recompose herself. Bakura blinked, glancing at the window, seeing the sunlight stream in.

"Shut the hell up." Bakura snapped, storming to the bathroom. Anzu sniffed and left his room, flinging the door open with an attitude.

"ANZU?" Duke stared at her, his jaw slack. He dropped the plate full of breakfast he had been holding. "Wh-wh-what were y-you..." He gulped, his eyes wide as the plate that had smashed to the ground.

"It's not what it looks like!" Anzu told him quickly.

"What are you two fools speaking of?" The two looked at Bakura, who was scowling.

"How dare you de-virgin my poor, innocent sister!" Duke roared in a furious rage. Bakura raised his eyebrow, slowly. Then, realizing what was going on, he grinned.

"How would you know that, Duke?" Bakura inquired innocently. Duke's eyes blazed as he replied.

"SHE JUST CAME OUT OF YOUR ROOM!"

"Are you sure that's all?" Bakura prodded him further, casting a sly grin at him. Duke stared at him, confused. "Are you sure that you didn't hear the loud moans and panting last night?" Duke's jaw dropped for the second time that morning, looking pale.

"M-moans? P-pa-panting...? ANZU, HOW COULD YOU HAVE PREMARITAL SEX?" Anzu drew back, her face flushing at the simple thought of it.

"Duke, I wouldn't go as low as to sleep with him." Anzu snapped. In an instant, Anzu felt Bakura nuzzle her neck. She stiffened, blushing once again.

"Oh?" He queried falsely innocently. "If you wouldn't, then why did I find you underneath me last night, groaning out my name with every hard time I went inside of you?" Anzu felt her whole body heat up.

"You perverted bastard!" She screeched in embarrassment. Duke fainted at that exact moment. The dull thump with a horrified groan made Anzu even more humiliated. Bakura snickered.

"I was merely playing with you two, Anzu." He smirked broadly. "Though, the thought of doing just that arouses me." He leered at her, before turning to his bedroom. "I'll see you at breakfast, Anzu." He shut the door in her face.

"Bloody hell, Duke, what's the matter?" Ryou shouted, kneeling by his lover. Anzu gulped, taking deep breaths, before, she too, fainted. Bakura opened the door, hearing the thump.

"Anzu?" Bakura stooped down, licking his lips nervously. He had a major boner and really didn't need to be touching her or being around until he had it taken care of. "Anzu...? Shit, the wench fainted." He paused. "Take care of her, Ryou."

"Wh-what? Why me?" Ryou demanded, looking nervous. "I have Duke to take care of."

"Fuck him in his sleep and he'll wake up." Bakura sneered, snapping the door shut, leaving Anzu lying on the floor.

"Uh..." Ryou saw Malik coming out. "Malik!"

At the breakfast table, Duke was glaring daggers at Bakura, daring him to speak. Anzu, however, was staring at her food with utter humiliation and anger.

"ENOUGH!" Duke boomed, slamming his fork down. "I want to know what the hell happened in that bedroom last night!"

"A lord, such as myself, does not reveal such private matters that happen in the bedchamber." Bakura answered simply. Duke puffed up in rage. "Why not ask Anzu? I'd like to see her side of the story." Duke turned to his sister. She raised her eyes demurely, before lowering her lashes and dabbing at her lips delicately, setting her fork down. Settling her hands in her lap, she looked Bakura in the eye at the other side of the table. He grinned at her, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. Anzu saw the faint wink and she glanced at her brother, who was staring at her intently.

"A proper lady never reveals what happens in the bedchamber." Anzu murmured, reciting the words that were similar to Bakura's. Her fiancé sat back in his chair, entwining his fingers on the back of his head. Duke stared at his sister with utter disappointment and dismay.

"What's this about something happening in a bedchamber?" Marik inquired curiously, smiling artlessly.

"Nothing." Anzu replied before Bakura had a chance.

"Why Anzu," Bakura started, widening his eyes for effect of surprise, "we shouldn't keep our secret to ourselves, should we?" Anzu shot a dirty look at him. He took a deep drink of wine. "You were awake, Marik." He nodded at the inquisitive friend of his. "There was a rat in Anzu's room, so she had to sleep with me." He grinned. "What did you think we did?" They all stared at him, eyes wide, even Anzu.

"Anzu!" Duke turned to her in anguish. "How could you lead me on?"

"Oh, Duke, I didn't." She assured him. "Bakura did." At the sound of his name, Bakura started into laughter.

"You idiots are just too easy to fool." Abandoning his breakfast, he stood up. "I need to get to the casino. Come on, Marik, Malik." He nodded to Anzu, a grin on his lips. "Don't get into trouble, young one." Anzu glared at him at being called young.

"If I had the chance, Bakura, I'd show you how wrong you are mistaken at calling me young!" She called to him, not realizing what she was saying. Bakura stopped, turning. He eyed her.

"Would you, now?" He asked, the hint of perversity hinted in his voice. Anzu froze, realizing her mistake. He smirked. "We'll have to test that theory, little one." At having the last word, Bakura turned and stalked out of the manor. Malik and Marik exchanged looks, their lips curving slightly.

"See you later, Anzu." Both murmured in unison, following behind Bakura leisurely. Anzu sighed, resting in the chair. Ryou and Duke exchanged looks.

"I really would wish you not to test that theory," Duke growled, his brows knitted together, taking a careful drink of his tea.

"You know me better than that," Anzu murmured wearily. "I wouldn't do such a thing with Bakura. He's too much of an arrogant ass." Duke's lips thinned, but he kept his mouth shut reluctantly.

"Are you going to see Isis today, Anzu?" Ryou asked pleasantly, as though nothing had happened. Anzu shook her head, standing up.

"No, I think I'll do without today." She looked at her barely touched breakfast and she sighed repentantly. "I think I'll go for a walk, it seems nice enough." Ryou's lips curved slightly.

"Very well," he looked curiously at Duke's sulking. "I suppose we'll see you when you get back, then."

"Yes," Anzu flashed a wry smile at him. "I suppose so." When she had left, Ryou's smile had dropped.

"You are truly pissed that bad at Bakura?" Ryou inquired of Duke. His lover sipped bitterly on his tea. "Duke, you are being much too cynical. Anzu can resist Bakura, you don't have to worry of that." Duke slammed the teacup down, splashing the hot substance everywhere.

"That's not what I'm worried about!" Duke hissed. "What Bakura had described to me up there–" He motioned upstairs. "–was probably a part of his sick, twisted fantasies of his." Ryou set a calming hand on his tensing shoulder.

"Duke, Anzu would forbid that. My brother would not do any harm on her. Despite what he may think, we all know that he cares dearly for her. Don't think badly of my brother because he lusts after her." Duke glared at him spitefully. "I am not saying it's right for him to lead you on like that, but..." Ryou hesitated.

"But what, Ryou?"

"It's just Bakura's character. If Anzu can get used to it, so can you."

"She has not!" Duke protested, his emerald eyes flashing dangerously. Ryou turned his puppy brown eyes to him. Duke became slightly guilty, looking at the sorrow tied in those eyes, drowning in them. "I'm sorry, Ryou. I shouldn't be yelling at you."

"It's fine." Ryou sighed, rubbing his thumb over Duke's hand. "I just think you should think on this."

"What do you mean?"

"Remember Bakura has been more than a help to you and Anzu. He's let you stayed. He let us stay together and he would not have done any of this if Anzu had not coaxed him into it." Duke said nothing to him. He merely raised his teacup to his lips and took a soothing drink.

"I love Anzu," Duke informed Ryou, who looked startled. "I've never told her or anyone. I try to play the tough guy, I really do, Ryou. I don't want her to be around any other man and I would die without her protecting me." His eyes flickered down to the russet essence in his teacup. "Do you have any idea how that feels?"

Ryou sighed. "No, Duke. I can't say I have." He paused. "But what you're saying is giving me the idea that you may love her more than..." He trailed off. Duke shook his head.

"She deserves better than Bakura. So much better..." Duke took another drink, draining it. "I wish I could undo all the things I've done." Ryou squeezed his shoulder reassuringly.

"Wishes take away many things," Ryou smiled sorrowfully. "Have you ever thought your sister may be happy with Bakura?" Duke didn't reply at first.

"I don't know any more, Ryou, I really don't."

At the Casino...

"I don't think I trust you, Bakura." Marik confessed as the two of them stared at each other coolly.

"Of what specific thing?"

"Anzu." Bakura's eyed narrowed slightly.

"Explain."

"I know you don't really want to bed her so soon, Bakura. You and I know that she's a virgin. I know you wouldn't want to take her purity so forcefully."

"I never said I was going to rape her!" Bakura snarled defensively, his eyes blazed with anger at the accusation.

"That's not what I meant," Marik stated calmly as he lit a cigarette. "I mean, if you take her to bed, ah, how shall I word this?" He took a slow puff from his cigarette thoughtfully. "Oh, I know!" Marik smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "If you took her to bed with a coolness, just so you can get what you want..." Marik shrugged.

"I don't understand what you're telling me, Marik." Bakura's voice was cool, aggressive.

"What I mean is that she found out and her heart was broken," Marik raised his eyes to his employer's steadily, "I'm going to kill you." Bakura laughed out loud.

"Like you could!"

"I'm serious, Bakura." Marik stood up. "If any harm comes to her, the blame will be put on you. I will torture you and kill you. I won't hesitate to stick a blade in your heart. See how you like it." Bakura's humor vanished from his face and he stared up at him.

"Why are you suddenly so concerned?" Bakura asked, realizing how serious Marik really was.

Marik chuckled. "Let's just say that like Isis, she's grown on me." Marik crushed the cigarette into an ashtray. "Remember what I've said Bakura."

"Are you threatening me, Ishtar?" Whenever Bakura addressed someone by their last name, it meant they were in trouble.

"Why, I should think I am." Marik told him, widening his eyes ironically. Bakura's lip twitched, then he shoved the chair back, standing up. He calmly strode towards Marik so they were face to face. Alas, Marik was slightly taller than Bakura.

"Don't push your luck, Marik. I wouldn't want you my enemy like Malik was." Bakura growled softly.

"Are you sure 'was' is the correct term?" Unlike Malik, his brother wasn't willing to back down unless he had the last word.

"Marik..." It was a warning and he knew it. Marik bowed his head a bit.

"I'll be closing this discussion now," Marik took a step back, before turning and leaving Bakura alone in the room. Bakura ran his tongue over his lips, glancing behind him, as though expecting an executioner to be there.

"Shit," he swore.

Anzu sighed, breathing in the fresh spring air. She stretched, a small smile tugging on her lips. She truly didn't know why she hadn't invited Isis along. I haven't been able to be alone much, she thought to herself, answering her own question.

"Anzu," a voice breathed. One she recognized. She turned in surprise.

"Julian." She murmured, her eyes wide. He smiled sadly.

"It's been awhile." He told her.

"Yes, it has." She agreed, watching his every movement warily. Julian offered his hand to her. She stared at it, then her gaze flickered to him, before she took it.

"Walk with me?"

"I...Came out to get away from everyone, Julian." Anzu explained almost contritely.

"Please," he tugged at her hand gently. "Just for a bit. It'll be like old times." Anzu felt her heart melt at those words.

"Only for a while?"

"I promise," Julian smiled charmingly. The corner of her lip raised in a parody of a grin.

"Okay." She tucked her hand under his arm as they walked along park.

"Let's take a shortcut, what say you, Anzu?" He ushered to the alley. It looked harmless enough.

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt." His smiled at her, but it didn't reach his eyes. Anzu, however, didn't notice the triumphant glint in his eyes.

"No, it won't." He whispered.

Bakura stormed inside, bellowing, "Ryou!"

"Yes?" Ryou poked his head out of the drawing room innocently.

"Get Anzu for me, now." Ryou's eyes drooped a bit.

"She went out after you left for a walk," Ryou explained. Bakura flinched.

"Damn!"

"Has she done something wrong?" His brother asked uncomfortably.

"No, I just need to have a talk with her. Do you know where she was going?" Ryou shook his head.

"I'd guess perhaps near the park."

"Near the..." Bakura frowned in thought. "Alright, fine. I'll check there, I suppose."

"I think we're lost," Anzu said at last. Julian stopped and her hand slid from underneath his arm. "Did you hear me? I said I think that we're lost."

"Anzu, you are so naïve. I think that's why men are so attracted to you." Julian smirked at her and she backed into a wall. "You've made my job so much easier." He snatched her wrist and she tugged, before he slammed her body into the ground. She let out a whine, seeing spots from the impact.

"Julian, please...Don't." He stopped, his eyes raking her face.

"I'm sorry, Anzu, I truly am." He kissed her cheek softly. "You have always been my friend, but your disobedience just does not see fit in a woman." Her eyes widened when he lifted her skirts. She kicked and he grunted, glowering at her. "You are making this much too difficult."

"Let go of me! Help! Someone help!"

"No one can hear you this deep in the alleys." He grinned like a sadist, causing her to stay immobile for just a moment. As he unzipped his pants, Anzu struggled. "Only my pleasure matters, Anzu, remember that. I am your master. I am the man. You listen to me only."

"No!" Her eyes widened as she grasped the truth of the situation. "Please don't, Julian!"

"My apologies," was his non-committable answer. As soon as he had sheathed himself, she shrieked with pain, her barrier being horribly broken. Bakura...Help me.

Marik came back to Bakura, looking worried.

"I can't find her, Bakura, no one's even seen her."

"I disagree," Malik came up, breathing hard. "She's with Julian. A woman told me that she saw Anzu walk to the alleys with a man."

"Did she describe him?" Malik nodded to Bakura.

"The description fit Julian uncannily."

"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" Bakura gripped his hair angrily, frustrated. "How could she go off with him like that? She knows better than that!"

"Let's just go find her. We'll get pissed at her later." Marik told him shortly.

Anzu rocked back and forth on her feels, hot tears staining her cheeks.

"You were wonderful, luv." Julian stroked her cheek and she winced, pulling back.

"D-don't touch me!" He glared, snatching her hair and jerking her head up so they made eye contact.

"Don't ever disobey me." He slammed his mouth on hers forcefully. He drew back, brushing the dirt off his pants. "Good luck getting out of the alley, Anzu." He left her, crying at the pain. When Anzu heard footsteps, her head jerked up.

"Nooo!" She screamed when a hand touched her.

"Anzu...?" Malik pulled back, his eyes widening.

"Don't touch her." Marik lashed out, glaring. Anzu rocked back and forth, sobbing. Bakura knelt down and glanced down at the blood on the ground.

"Oh, Anzu..." He whispered. She must have recognized him, because she started to murmur his name in a painful whisper. "Oh, no...No, no, no..." He took her in his arms, stroking her curls. "Anzu, I'm so sorry. I'm sorry..." He buried his face in her hair as she clung to him, crying his name.

"She was raped." Marik said bluntly to Malik's look of wonderment.

"By...?"

"That's right." They looked at each other.

"Kill him." Bakura ordered them, hostility clear in his voice. "Torture him, gut him, I don't care, just kill the fucking bastard."

"Can do." Malik replied, nodding, looking to his brother. Marik gave a shadow of a nod and they left down the alley's to find Julian, to hunt him down.

"Bakura..." She clutched at him harder when he drew back slightly. "Don't go, please..." Bakura brought her up in his arms, biting his tongue laboriously.

"Anzu...Why did you go with him? You stupid, stupid girl!" Bakura pressed his head hard against hers. He felt something burning behind his closed eyes, but didn't dare let the tears out. He wouldn't allow it. He just wouldn't.

"It hurt..." She whispered. "It hurt so much..." Anzu raised her sapphire eyes up to him. "You...I called you and you...Came."

"I'm sorry, Anzu. I was late. I didn't...I never thought..." He closed his mouth tightly, unable to say anything. She leaned back into him, shivering. "Let's go home."

"..." she nodded her consent. He gathered her in his arms and started back the way he had come.

Marik and Malik returned, grimly letting their fully loaded guns hang at their sides.

"Well?" Bakura asked impatiently. They exchanged glances.

"We couldn't find him." They both avoided his gaze, looking guilty. "Sorry." Bakura licked his lips.

"It's fine for now."

"And Anzu?"

"She's asleep." He hesitated. "None of this is told to Duke, understood?"

"What are you talking about?" Bakura flinched and they turned to the two innocent males.

"Your sister..." Malik grimaced. "She ran into an accident."

"Accident...?" Duke looked horrified. "What kind of accident?"

"She...She got raped, Duke." Duke's eyes flashed accusingly to Bakura. "It wasn't him, it was Julian."

"You bastard!" Duke lunged on Bakura anyway. "Where were you when this happened? How could you let this happen to her!" Bakura didn't answer. He simply shoved him off him. Duke's anger evaporated, finally noticing Bakura's pale, emotionless face.

"I couldn't prevent it, I tried." Bakura told him softly.

"What? Did you repeat Julian's act?" Duke snapped. Bakura shot the darkest look at the male.

"Don't ever accuse me of raping Anzu, do you understand me? I would never to that to her. Am I clear?" Duke backed down, seeing the look of hatred, sorrow and anger linger on his face.

"Crystal." Duke murmured, his eyes widening slightly.

"Good." Bakura whirled around, storming upstairs, without a word to anyone. Duke collapsed on the stairs, resting his face in his hands.

"I can't believe this." He whispered. "God, Anzu..."

"Don't blame it on yourself, Duke." Ryou murmured. "Bakura tried to stop Julian. If he couldn't, you couldn't." Duke took it as an insult, but didn't react. He just couldn't. It was all too much for him.

Bakura watched Anzu's sleeping figures, too many thoughts passing through his head.

"Damn him." He whispered, his hands tightening on the edge of the mattress. He stood up, anger washing over him. When he was near the door, Anzu's voice spoke up.

"Bakura...?" He turned at her voice, glancing at her. "Are you leaving?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Why?"

"I'm going to kill Julian." Anzu stared at him, silent.

"Don't." She sat up, her eyelashes fluttering. "I don't want to be alone, Bakura."

"I'll send someone up here." She looked hurt then. "Anzu, he doesn't deserve to live!"

"I don't doubt it, but..." Her eyes held everything she was feeling. The strongest emotion that caught Bakura's attention was pain. "I don't want someone else up here. I want you." Bakura flinched at the words. He was ashamed that he was thinking sexually of her, especially after what had happened to her. He sighed, moving over to her bedside, slumping on the ground, resting his head on the nightstand. Bakura let out a bitter laugh.

"I failed you, did you know that?" He asked her.

"No." Her answer was blunt.

"I did."

"No, you didn't. You didn't know that I had left." Bakura sighed.

"I should have known, though, Anzu." He brought his knees up to his chest and he rested his arms on them, laying his chin on his forearms. "You don't know how sorry I am."

"Please don't be, Bakura." Anzu's fingertips hovered above his head, hesitant, fearful. She gulped, telling herself Bakura wouldn't turn into Julian. She touched his hair softly, biting her lip. When nothing happened, she dug her fingers in the blonde hair. Bakura closed his eyes, sighing at the delicate touch.

"It was still my fault." He told her. Anzu didn't stop her fingers from running through his hair. She seemed almost fascinated by the softness of the strands. "You're in my household. I have to protect Malik, Marik, Ryou and even Duke from everything other than me." She stopped briefly at the end of his sentence. He opened his eyes and saw her thinking his words over. He gulped, thinking carefully how to tell her this. "But you're different. You're...Weak, no offense."

"No offense taken," Anzu murmured, rubbing a strand of hair between her fingers, intrigued.

"Marik certainly doesn't need my protection, neither does Malik. Duke and Ryou may and you..." He trailed off. "I should have kept a closer eye on you." He snatched her hand abruptly, it made her jump in shock. He turned his face so he could see her. Bakura loosened the grip, sighing. "You shouldn't effect me, Anzu, you just shouldn't." He ran his fingers over her palm, his eyes lowered to the supple skin. "I would never hurt you."

"Bakura..." She let out a sigh, their fingers interlacing. He stood up on his knees and brushed his lips over hers.

"Rest. You need it." His fingers slid from hers and she felt cool air meet her hand. He stood up, moving towards the doorway.

"Bakura?"

"Yes?" He paused at the door, his hand on the knob.

"I...I..." She licked her lips, but it didn't help. "Thank you." He took a deep breath.

"Your welcome." As he shut the door behind him, Bakura was well aware that from here on out, things would be even tenser between them. More strained. He didn't want that. He didn't need that in their "relationship". It was going to complicate things for him, because he didn't want to say the words out loud. Bakura hated the words. The "L" word was enough, but all of it...He shook his head. No, when the time was right, he would. She'd been close to saying it and he had feared it. She'd expect him to say them back and he wasn't ready. He just wasn't ready to admit that he loved her. He'd deny it for as long as he could.

Taking a breath, Bakura headed downstairs, shoving the thoughts to the back of his mind.

Yes, even I admit that was really dramatic and had a bunch of romance to it, but hey!—might as well add some to it. It's genre IS romance, after all. Please review and tell me how you liked it. Ciao