Chapter 13: Ignorance in Bliss

"Well, well," Jounouchi smirked as he opened his front door. "If it isn't Kaiba, back from the dead."

Kaiba let out a quiet sigh and pointed to the blonde's kitchen. "I didn't come to stay. I just wanted to tell you that you should have your landlord look at your stove. It's a serious health hazard."

Jounouchi blinked. "Since when have you been looking at my stove?"

The brunette simply waved it off. It wasn't like he could explain to him that he had a magical mirror that he basically used to stalk Jounouchi through every step of his life. No...That wouldn't bode too well.

"Just get it checked."

"Well, okay…" He looked back at the stove, which appeared to be fine. "But Kaiba, how—" Turning back around he noticed that Kaiba had disappeared.

Odd.

Rushing to the banister, he looked over the rail just in time to see Kaiba almost leave the building. How on earth had he made it down four flights of stairs in four seconds?

"Kaiba wait!" he called, voice echoing until Kaiba actually did stop.

Looking up, he appeared a tad annoyed. "What?"

"You can't just leave again. You just got here."

"Actually, I can." He began to leave.

"No, I mean yes, you can, but..." Kaiba once again stopped to face him. "Don't you want to stay or something?"

"Jounouchi, if this is to entertain some strange kind of fascination you have with crushing my skull with a baseball bat, I'll have to decline. I really have to be getting back anyways." And that was the truth. He had to meet with the Chief Overseer regarding the prophecy. What more there was to talk about, he hadn't a clue, but he definitely had to be there.

"Oh, um, yeah," he ran a hand through his golden locks. "I just thought maybe you wanted to hang out or something."

Now Kaiba blinked. "Hang out?"

"Yeah. It's gotta get boring wherever you go all the time. Do you live very far away?"

He thought about it for a moment before answering, "it'd be far for you."

"Oh, well, where do you live?" It finally occurred to him that he didn't know the answer to this question. Did he want to know?

"In Hell."

Jounouchi looked at him questioningly before a frown crossed his features. Well, Kaiba hadn't certainly counted on that kind of response, or the verbal one that followed.

"Is your home life that bad? I mean, even I consider my life a living hell sometimes, but with you…I guess it could account for your ice-cold attitude. Not to mention the habit you have of making fun of me. Oh, and the fact that you never smile. You always stand straight too. And—"

Poor Jounouchi. Sometimes he just didn't get it. Kaiba had to suppose it was for the best because for some reason, he didn't want Jounouchi to find out the truth about him. What he really wanted was to rewind time so that he could fix it so he never interfered in the blonde's life, but where would that put him? Where would it put Jounouchi?

The whole thing bothered him to no end.

If Jounouchi died... Well, he couldn't figure out exactly why, but he didn't want that to happen.

The blonde in question leaned onto the rail, resting his chin on his knuckles. "Who are you really, Kaiba?"

Before he decided that having a conversation like this wasn't really appropriate for a stairwell, much less a conversation at all, Kaiba decided to provide an answer. Why not? Jounouchi wouldn't get it anyways.

"I'm a demon."

"A demon?" Jounouchi repeated.

Kaiba paused for a moment and wondered if Jounouchi actually did believe him. He was looking at him so... strangely.

Finally a grin broke out on the blonde's features. "Demon doesn't even come close to the words I'd use to describe you. Let's keep this PG."

"Goodnight Jounouchi," Kaiba said quietly, thankful for once that he didn't take him literally.

But maybe a little disappointed.

--

"This can't be right..."

Ryou looked out across the land that should've been dark and dreary, desolate and dreadful. Instead it was...

"It's beautiful."

"I guess," Marik lifted a shoulder, obviously unimpressed after spending eternity there.

The place was full of grassy plains, like Heaven, and stunning land features. It had a slightly dark overcast, but nothing too dark—sort of like an April shower where the sun in still shining even with the bad weather.

"It's not all like this. This way, please." He took ahold of Ryou's hand, and the angel looked a bit surprised at the contact before realizing they were now in a different place entirely. "This may seem more similar to what you were expecting."

It was.

The place was darker, but not horribly so, and it was only until Marik snapped his fingers and ignited the candles that he realized why. This was definitely more like it. Ryou hugged himself even though he felt no cold.

"Now where are we?"

Marik grinned evilly. "Home."

The quarters were large, like an elaborate mansion, only the furnishings were all of a shiny, black marble. A gargoyle was frozen in a permanent scowl, it's shadowy wings spreading across and created strange, dancing shadows from the candlelight. Stark crimson carpet lined the floor, with intricate gold detailing, and even the candle wax was an eerie scarlet.

Red and black.

Blood and death.

Ryou was suddenly very uneasy. "I shouldn't be here. Marik, please take me back."

"Why, are you afraid?" he teased. Marik looked at the hand that was gripping his sleeve—the hand Ryou hadn't even noticed he had placed there. "Oh my god, are you?"

Ryou narrowed his gaze, but his hand was trembling. Scratch that. He was trembling. How had he done this? If anyone found out, if Yami found out, he could be expelled from Heaven, declared a Fallen. That wouldn't be good at all! No, Marik just had to keep flashing that seductive grin, and Ryou just had to fall for it every time.

"Marik doesn't pay attention to what people would and wouldn't let him do. He's a demon. He doesn't ask. He just does."

"Take me home now, please," Ryou said, a bit more stern. "Marik, what if someone caught us here? I don't know about you but I'd be in deep trouble."

The demon seemed unaffected. "And do you know how much trouble I'd be in?"

"Exactly. So you do understand how serious this matter is."

"No I don't. I'm actually doing it because of the risks. It's more fun that way..." He ran his tongue over his front teeth sending a shiver up Ryou's spine. Oh, he most definitely did not like this place one bit, nor the effect the surroundings had on him—if Marik could be counted as a surrounding.

"I can almost feel the evil here," he sulked, resting his cheek in his palm.

"Of course you can." Marik grinned darkly. "I'm standing right beside you." And then his demeanor completely changed. His grin was gone and a serious look replaced his more sinister features. "I was wondering... What did you mean when you said "they don't know who they are"?"

Ryou's brown eyes held uncertainty. "Who?"

"Malik and Bakura. You said that they shouldn't be together for a certain reason."

"Well, of course." He tried to cover it up. "They're an angel and a demon." It sounded weird and stupid considering the current circumstances but he prayed that Marik would just drop it.

Of course, he didn't.

"You said there was another reason." Ryou blinked and Marik was standing right in front of him. "You know something that I don't."

Then, the unthinkable happened. A loud pair of footsteps could be heard outside the door coming from down the hall. In not less than ten seconds, whoever it was—most assuredly a demon—would come in, see Ryou, and they would all be doomed... or at least, Ryou would be. Marik would probably be fine, probably even enjoy being caught...probably even convince the other demon that it was Ryou who convinced him to bring Ryou to Hell in the first place.

Fancy that.

"What are we going to do?" Ryou asked, though he knew there was no hope.

"Shh," Marik hushed him. "I can't think with you talking."

"Marik, if I'm found here, your kind will roast me on a stick. Oh god, and what if they're all like you… I dread to think of it."

Marik straightened up. "What do you mean, "my kind"? You angel folk aren't as innocent as you look. Think about Kaiba."

Ryou let out an annoyed breath. "If you recall, it was your folk who sent him there and one of ours who saved him."

Marik's piercing violet eyes blinked before he said, "oh yeah. Listen, we—"

There was a loud knock at the door.

"Coming!" Marik called angrily. Then whispering, he asked, "How well can you act?"

"It depends on the situation..." His eyes became wary. "Why?"

"Hide your wings and play along." Marik opened the door with a wave of his hand, and his final words to Ryou were simple.

"Make it believable."

--

"Where are we going?" Bakura asked, hands wavering in front of him like a fool.

"We're almost there," Malik answered, carefully guiding him along the sidewalk.

Bakura reached up to touch his face. "Is the blindfold really necessary?"

"Yes," he brushed his fingers away.

For some reason, Malik was nervous. He was starting to think that maybe Ryou was right... Maybe he shouldn't have gone to earth. Still, he felt that if he had the chance to do it over again, he would.

What were his feelings toward Bakura, you might ask? Even Malik wanted to know the answer. He just wanted things to become more clear. It almost seemed like things had only gotten more foggy.

"We're here."

"Thank god," Bakura muttered, fumbling until the blindfold was off. "So what is..." he paused. "The surprise..."

Staring upon the wondrous sight, Bakura almost wanted to shield his eyes. There was gold all around. Funny, it came in the form of falling leaves. Some were brushed along the wind and other spiraled softly downward before landing silently atop the others. There was a large willow tree in the middle of it all, it's wispy branches just brushing the ground. The pale-cream flowers would soon wilt with the season, but now they seemed more alive than ever, mirroring the golden glow from all around it.

All his life he spent torturing the people of this place, but he never saw it quite like this before. A part of him almost felt bad.

"It's...really nice," he finally said, after realizing Malik was waiting for some kind of response. "Why did you bring me here?"

Malik lifted a shoulder, a calm expression on his face that Bakura barely recognized. "You complained about being cooped up in the apartment, so I wanted to bring you out, make you feel better." Plus he had something he had to tell him. Yes, he was leaving... For good.

Bakura nodded, feeling that something wasn't quite right. "I feel better…but do you?"

"Bakura, didn't you think it was strange that I just showed up out of nowhere and suggested you live with me? Wasn't it weird?"

"Well yes, but I'd have thought that me showing up in a confessional and being supposedly homeless would've been even more odd."

"But wasn't it like I just fell from the sky?"

"I guess, but you were nice. You were one of the first people I met who didn't piss me off at first sight." He thrust his hands in his pockets. "If you didn't notice, I have slight anger management problems."

"Slight?" Malik joked.

"Listen, though, seriously. I haven't been entirely honest with you. I wasn't homeless..." He raised an eyebrow. "I guess I was just trying to find something more, or, something. Just something..."

Malik's brows were furrowed. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

Bakura thought about it, then looked at Malik. "I think so, it's just... there's a problem."

God, this was so hard for him! Bakura wasn't good at expressing his emotions. Actually, he was just beginning to realize that he possessed them—even if they all seemed to be focused on Malik. It was bittersweet in all actuality. He didn't like it, but he did. He wasn't supposed to like Malik, but he did. He didn't want to have to return to Hell... but he did.

"What do you do if you finally find what you're looking for, but you can't keep it."

Malik flashed a sad smirk. "I don't think I'm the right person to be asking. I'm still trying to find that answer as well." He sighed. "But Bakura, I couldn't care less about your dishonesty. You come off as a really good person to me. I trust you."

"What?" Bakura said quickly, unsure if he had heard correctly.

Malik just smiled and said again, "I trust you, Bakura."

Bakura bit back a wince. "You do?" Lord, if Malik only knew the truth.

"Yes. Do you trust me?"

Thinking about it for a moment, he finally looked up and said, "yes."

There was a short silence again before Malik spoke up again.

"Don't you feel weird, though? I mean, having to live with and converse with someone as weird as me... It must be strange to have another guy hanging around you all the time."

"As apposed to what?" he finally laughed. "Malik, I would've trusted you even if you were a girl. I don't think we'd get along any other way."

Malik looked unsure. "Really?"

"Yeah," he said, and lightly ruffled his blonde hair.

"Hey!" Malik gave him a friendly shove, and Bakura's demonic side kicked in causing him to push the angel to the ground. Too bad his plan backfired, as Malik reached out to steady himself and just ended up grabbing onto Bakura which, in the end, sent them both crashing and rolling onto the ground into a tangled heap.

"Bakura, you idiot!" Malik yelled, but with a smile on his face, as he sat up and watched the two Bakuras he was seeing gradually become one. "I cannot believe you pushed me."

Bakura wasn't sure why, but he didn't reply to Malik, and instead kept perfectly still, only lolling his head to the side.

"Very funny. Now get up." Malik poked him in the side, then said a bit more seriously, "come on, Bakura. Don't play games."

The demon bit back his smile and still played dead.

"Bakura? Are you okay?" The smile could no longer be heard in his voice and worried now ebbed his words. "Bakura?"

Bakura finally gave up and pounced on Malik so he was flat on his back. His lips curled into an evil grin. "Gotcha."

It took Malik a moment to register before he glared. "You jerk!"

"Why, thank you."

Damn, that was a bad idea. Bakura tried not to touch Malik at all just so he could prevent himself from doing it voluntarily. The position they were in did not help the matter.

Bakura cleared his throat and sat up, thinking it best not to offer Malik a helping hand this time. Malik really couldn't have cared less as he jumped to his feat, glaring daggers at Bakura the whole time.

"Feeling better?" he asked flatly.

"Oh, much better." Bakura smirked and Malik was glad that the real him was starting to show. "Let's go check that tree out."

They walked side-by-side and commented on the long, trailing branches with glowing blossoms that moved just slightly in the peaceful air. Finally Bakura got bored and parted the veil-like kindling and held them so Malik could come in too.

Underneath the domelike canopy of the overlying tree branches, it was surprisingly quiet and calm. And especially close. Malik was backed up against the tree trunk and Bakura was standing in front of him.

Another very bad idea.

So really, it was quite inevitable that what happened next finally happened.

Bakura wavered, then leaned forward, his eyes sliding shut just before his lips pressed down on Malik's. Malik's mouth seemed to flinch under his, then the boy froze.

…Was he pushing it?

Bakura kissed Malik tentatively, his lips barely moving over the other boy's, hand coming up to brush over Malik's cheek. By degrees, Malik's mouth softened under his own. Bakura worked at his lips slowly, turning it into an open-mouthed but dry kiss. Malik gasped, and fitted his mouth to Bakura's in reciprocation.

When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing a little faster.

Nothing was said for a few seconds before Bakura ran a hand through his hair and kept it there. "Ah, that was a hell of a thing for me to do." Hell of a stupid thing! "I'm sorry."

Malik must've turned a million shades of red and he didn't even blush very easily. He really didn't know what to say. He felt so—so happy all of a sudden, giddy like a child, but at the same time, he looked down and said shyly, "no... I didn't mind."

Bakura was still doubtful. "Really Malik, you can tell the truth. I bet you're pretty disgusted with me right now."

Not that he would've cared... He got the kiss! And it was good. Actually, it felt a little like a first kiss and in a way it was—for them. Only...only now, maybe he was a bit more confused than before. He had nothing holding him back. Now he clearly did, and damn, if it wasn't holding him down like weight and chains. He had to treat this situation carefully. It was his moment of bliss before he returned to where he belonged.

He couldn't treat it as anything more.

And Malik, well, he was still trying to figure out if it really happened. One minute they're there, and the next minute they're... in there and in front of there and—oh! It was amazing! He was grinning like a fool and he didn't even realize it. Still, he had to be careful with this. It's not like they were in a relationship. It had to be treated carefully. It was one kiss, a simple moment of bliss.

He couldn't treat it as anything more.

"Oh," Bakura finally spoke up, shaking both from their daze. "Last night you said you had something to tell me... What is it?"

Malik thought about it then smiled. "Nothing."

--

Jounouchi stood, walking around his front hall back and forth, a small stress ball being juggled between his hands.

"A demon... Yeah, right. And he lives in Hell? Talk about rich. Why can't he be serious for once?" He stopped walking and tossed the ball in the air and caught it. "Wait a second... he's more serious than I am. Nice going, Jou."

The fact that he was having a conversation with himself didn't scare him in the least. He was already convinced of his insanity, anyway.

"And I mean, he had the nerve to just stand there and expect me to fall for it. I mean, a guy comes out of practically nowhere, saves you in the brink of time, and claims to live downstairs…?"

Jounouchi stood there for a moment going over the details in his mind before he was suddenly still, brows coming together in a line. The doorbell rang and he jumped and dropped the stress ball.

That was funny, since he knew who would be at the door. He paused once more, before he slowly walked over to the door and opened it.

Kaiba stood there as usual, staring down at him with that cool, sapphire gaze.

"Come in."

A curt nod and he did just that. "Did you speak to the landlord?"

"…Yes."

"And?" He stopped halfway across the room and turned to face Jounouchi.

"…You were right. I need a new stove."

"I know." He sighed. "And not even a thank you. Usually you can't keep your mouth shut." Kaiba inspected the blonde a bit more closely. "Speaking of, what's wrong with you?"

Jounouchi blinked at him and took a deep breath before finally gathering the courage to speak.

"Kaiba... you are a demon."

oooTBCooo

Fluff-mania!

Of course, Malik was going to tell Bakura that he was going to leave. Now he doesn't know what he'll do. You may think it'll be all happy and figured out for those two, but I feel there's still some crazyness left. They seriously don't know how to treat each other now. You'll have to see in the chapters to come. The next one will probably be only/mostly SxJ because man, do I still have a ton of planned stuff for them. It might be SxJ overload. They could've had a story all their own. I might have to cut some of it out. We'll see.

YxY will pop up again, but I never really have motivation when it comes to that pairing. They're so cute too. I just don't have enough ideas. If any of you do, don't hesitate to leave suggestions in a review or email. I appreciate them. Thanks. No lie—next update will be before Wenesday, July 13. I'm aware that's in 5 days Hope you enjoyed the long chapter.

ENJOY YOUR SUMMERS!

AmethystRoze