I'm terribly sorry for not updating so long. There is no excuse except for my laziness. I hope you will like this chapter.

Chapter 3: To meet you again

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEEEEEEEP

Ryou shut the alarm clock without even looking at it. Rebelliously nuzzled his face into the pillow and smiled. He had a nice dream and there was no chance how could something so worthless like a school made him get up. The warm cotton shirt and silk sheets were too inviting and he didn't wish for anything else than sleep. After a few minutes he sighed and got up. Responsibility was sometimes so annoying.

It was a really nice dream. He was in darkness but it was different. It was wrapped around him and made him feel warm and cared for. That feeling of someone's presence was so overwhelming and calming that he didn't wish anything else that return back to the embrace of the mysterious person from his dream. Ryou pouted because he didn't notice the person but he was sure that in the darkness was someone protecting him and made him feel the way he did.

Ryou hoped that the person would be his father. That he would return to his old self and loved him again. Just like he did before mother passed away. For some reason that embrace of the darkness felt so familiar. Ryou was sure that somebody held him like that before but no matter how he tried he could not remember. He longed to feel that embrace again and hoped that when he falls asleep he will. But first he must survive another day at school.

With obvious defeated Ryou change into his school uniform and in depression start his way to the school. During the time he returned back to his dream. On a small moment he wandered if that person from his dream couldn't be the mysterious thief. It was more like week since he appeared in his bedroom. Ryou couldn't think about him without shivering. Though he was frightened first that wonderful feeling of his strong arms around him was simply too much.

I wish to see him again. Just for a little moment. I want to know what this feeling means. Maybe if he held me again I would know. I would know why I want to see him and hear his heartbeat. When he held me last time it wasn't just nice. It was far beyond it. I felt so secure so … safe. Ryou found himself blushing like crazy. Why does he make me feel so different?

The school building appeared across the street and Ryou's mood sank deeper into his chest. There wasn't any help from this hell and he knew it. Dreaming about impossible and untouchable things was pointless.

Bakura was smiling – if it would be possible you could tell – like an angel. The good and happy mood literally radiated from his whole being. His eyes were holding a gentle and sincere look.

"Okay, Bakura! What did you do to my brother THIS time?" asked Malik who couldn't stand it anymore. When Bakura looked like this it ALWAYS meant that he did something to Marik. The worst thing was that the white haired thief deeply enjoyed it every time. Bakura threw to him a confused look, which was screwed up by the evilness that flashed in his eyes.

"What do you mean, Malik?" in the kitchen was a death silence for a moment, which was interrupted by the Egyptian boy.

"Bakura," he started slowly carefully thinking about every word. "I know, I'm not the brightest and smartest person on this planet, but please, stop considering me as a complete idiot. It's quite degenerating. You look awfully happy about something, which means you DID something to my brother. And to be honest I really want to know what."

"I have no idea what are you talking about!" Before Malik could answer from the hall was hear a loud crash and Marik's voice.

"WHERE IS THAT FUCKING SON OF A BITCH?"

Bakura smirked and Malik moaned. It looked like a beginning of a long and painfully loud argue. Exactly one second late the storm and all horrors of the world in the form of Marik appeared in the kitchen.

"YOU… YOU STUPID …" Marik was so pissed off he couldn't even speak. Bakura sweetly smiled at him.

"I what, baby boy?" asked mockingly, ignoring Malik's pleading look. Marik was holding a piece of paper in his right hand. Bakura already knew what that paper was. It seemed that his guess was right.

"IMBECILE! YOU THINK THIS IS FUNNY? YOU…"

"Marik, please calm down. Can you…"

CRASH

The whole room fell into silent when Malik's body hit the floor. Bakura stared in shock. Never. Never Marik had hit his brother. Until now. The younger Egyptian boy was unconscious according to his lifeless form. Bakura quickly stood up and checked his pulse. Malik obviously hit his head but it didn't seemed to be anything worse.

"Stop looking like an idiot and help me with him, damn it!" barked Bakura at Marik who were looking at his fist in disbelieve. Their previous fight was forgotten and Marik gently took his brother into arms. While he was carry him into their room Bakura found the first aid.

Shit, this is bad. Why that idiot didn't hit me? It was me who wrote that paper. Can't he control himself a little at least? This will be long. A very long day, to be precise.

Ryou was sitting in the park near to his house. It was a calm place though he didn't enjoying it too much. It looked like an eternity when he came here for the first time. And it was only yesterday when the bullies beat him up here. Ryou mentally shivered when he thought about it. It didn't matter how much he tried, it always ended same.

On the book he was reading fell a shadow. Ryou raised head and turned pale. Three of his classmates were standing above him with smirks on their faces. He knew immediately why did they come for. What could be a better way how to spend a day than to beat him up? Kuro took Ryou's book and mockingly read the label.

"You are reading such crap? You must be even lamer than I thought. Did you actually know that I forgot to punish you for running away from me?" Kuro's smirk grew wider.

Oh, no. Please no. I can't stand it. You can't do such thing. Just leave me alone! Ryou was screaming in his mind, unable to do anything. He felt only the first punch. The others were too quick. Fortunately for him, Ryou faint from pain soon.

Ryou's POV:

When I woke up my mind was very confused. My body hurt like hell but it wasn't as bad as usual. It was kind of weird that Kuro and his friends had never hurt me in my face. I guessed that was because the bruises on my body could be easily hidden than on my face. I was sure that I was lying in the park but when I opened my eyes all I saw was my room.

"Awake, Kid?"

Next to my bed was sitting the thief, chin resting on his fist. In my confusion I couldn't tell what is he doing there. Or what I'm doing there in the first place. I didn't remembered walking back home. On this unspoken question he answered to me.

"I found you in the park, out like the light. So I take you home. To tend your wounds wasn't easy but you don't have anything broke. Something's telling me that this isn't a new thing for you. Right?"

In shame I turned head towards a wall. I didn't want to admit that he is right. There wasn't a week when the Kuro's friends didn't beat me up like this. I didn't want to admit to him how weak I am. When I felt his hand on my chin I froze. He slowly turned my face to his own. Suddenly, I found hard to breath. He looked so handsome when he was watching me intensely. On my face appeared blush. All the questions I wanted to ask disappeared immediately under his glare.

"I take it as yes. By the way, it's usual that your parents aren't home most of the time?"

I could feel my eyes watered. This was my weak spot. Fiercely I bite into my bottom lip. After a moment I sat up and reached for the notebook, which was lying on the desk.

MY MOTHER IS DEATH. IT WAS SIX YEARS AGO. MY FATHER IS AN ARCHEOLOGIST. RIGHT NOW HE IS IN EGYPT ON A DIG. HE WILL BE NOT BACK BEFORE THE CHRISTMAST. MAY I KNOW YOUR NAME?

My hand stopped writing and I looked at him hopeful that he couldn't see the trace of tears in my eyes. It failed. I could feel one tear slipped from my eye and continued on cheek. Incredibly gently, I felt his fingers how they wiped the tear away.

"Sorry, I didn't know." While he was cupping my cheek he smirked. "My name is Bakura. It's kinda late to say 'nice to meet you' but it doesn't matter."

Bakura. Nice name. That feeling is here again. I can feel it rose in my chest. What on earth it can be? The pain I felt just a few moments ago is gone. How can someone who looks so cold and hard do such a gentle and warm gesture? His eyes look nicer when he is not frowning. My eyes grew wider. What I'm thinking about?

Bakura's POV:

I have no idea what I'm doing. If Marik were here he would be death from laughing. Just look at me. I'm sitting next to this kid's bed and trying to comfort him. Why I care about him? And why it hurts so much to see him cry. I guess it would disturb anybody to see cry an angel and he definitely looks like one.

My hand didn't want to leave Ryou's cheek. His skin was so smooth and soft. It was like a crime to touch him. I felt incredible anger towards these bastards who dare to hurt him.

I need to get out of here or I will do something really stupid. Like to screw him right here and now. All right man, time to leave. Just get up and walk away. You can use the door, while his father isn't here. And I should stop talking to myself like that or I will turn mad for real.

I was about to get up when Ryou wrapped his fragile looking arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. When he buried his face into my shoulder I could feel his warm breath.

Shit!
I'm so sorry. I didn't meat it! I would never hit you on purpose. Please, believe me, brother. That idiot Bakura just pissed me off and I wasn't thinking what I was doing. I promise to make it up to you. All right? Just open your eyes for me again!

Marik was sitting on his brother's bed and gently tended the bruise on Malik's face. Every time the cold cloth passed over it Marik felt his eyes watered. His eyes felt on the white bandage, which was wrapped around Malik's head. During that accident the younger from the twins his head and remained unconscious. Bakura took care about this wound and left both of them saying there is no need to watch over him. Marik was glad for it. He wanted to be alone with his brother. That was three hours ago.

Malik's face was sincere and peaceful. He looked so calm while he was sleeping. And Marik hoped that his brother was truly only sleeping. In his chest rose old pain. He wanted to tell but he couldn't. It was impossible. Because of it their father almost kill him. Once, shortly after their parents funeral, he hoped he could tell, but it was only a false dream. A dream, which seduced almost to insanity. For sake of them both he kept it for himself. No matter what.

Well, once again I'm sorry for the delay. I will try update soon, this time. Thank you very much for your reviews. If you have any comment feel free and tell me.

Murail