((Ryou's POV))

It was early that Friday morning. 5:00 to be exact. Couldn't sleep well. All my aching bruises and cuts, bad dreams…you understand. Or do you? Eh, just Bakura's usual pick me up; throw me down to the ground routine. I'm pretty used to the whole concept. Maybe not what comes afterwards, but I'll manage. For how long? My body should tell me when the time is right.

Wow, I've been thinking to myself for 10 whole minutes now. That's the least I've ever actually thought to myself. With having no one to talk to and being all alone in your room even when your house isn't completely vacant, that's the person I do have. Myself. I'm pretty interesting. And now I'm just scaring myself.

I sighed. Should I really get ready for school? I mean it's Friday. I ought to take a stand and say "Kids should not be allowed to go to school on Fridays! Especially when you got a Yami whose got a pitcher throwing arm that can peg you with the ball and have you knocked in a deep coma for a good few days." Not that that's happened to me, but I'm still waiting. It's bound to happen…eventually.

I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom. I look at the dark circles under my eyes and rubbed them to see if it was just dirt so they could go away. Nothing. I sighed. Oh well. Who cares if I didn't sleep I had all day tomorrow to sleep. Oh wait, I forgot. That's Bakura's special torture day. Saturday's are days he likes to chase me around the house till I get tired and can't go any longer. It's like cat and mouse. Him being the powerful, almighty cat and me being the weak, defenseless and pathetic mouse. Once he catches me he finds it most pleasurable hearing me scream and bleed. Pretty scary huh? I hit him to get free, but he's some sort of masochist and enjoys when I hit him. Actually begs me to hit him harder and me being the idiot and follow his orders, ends up with three times more pain.

I washed my face and brushed my hair wincing every time I came at a knot. 5:30. Bakura would be waking up soon. What joy. Waking up to his "Hello Ryou" smack. Whoopee. I tiptoed outside trying not to make any sudden loud noises to wake up Bakura and opened the fridge door to grab a glass of concentrated apple juice and a piece of toasted bread. I don't understand the concept of concentrated fruit juice. Just make it unconcentratedit makes it unnatural and it tastes funny. Actually a bit too strong. Stupid farmers.I don't even think "unconcentrated" is a word. Oh well.

The toaster rang. I totally forgot about my toast! I forgot to take it out before the buzzer rang. I ducked down peeking over the table to protect myself in case Bakura came storming in here.

"Ryou! Shut that buzzer off you little asshole!"

or

"Ryou, you son of a bitch, why did you disturb my sleep! No consideration! That's one beating for you!"

I sighed in relief when nothing happened. Thank god. Must've been really tired. Just beating me up is so tiring. Probably won't even wake up in time for school. I usually wake him up at 6:00 with a forced-to-make-breakfast-or-I-will-be-so-angry-and-I-will-hurt-you law placed upon me. What to make him? Rejects almost everything I make him so it wouldn't matter that much. Probably wants steak as usual. I warn him about eating too much steak can give him heart problems and cholesterol. I don't know why either. I guess…I just care. Stupid me. Stupid. I actually felt happy today. In like what seems like a bazillion years I feel happy. Today will go good for me.

6:00. Damn…time to wake up sunshine. I hesitate going up the stairs to his room. Fixed myself up in front of his door so he couldn't criticize anything about me. I chuckled at the thought. He always finds a way to criticize me. Always saying I'm weak and stupid. I get higher notes than him. But I don't think he's referring to that category of stupid.

I opened his door and saw Bakura strangled with his covers with his head under the pillow and an arm dangling down the side of the bed. Looks like a rough sleeper. I wonder what it would be like to actually sleep with him. Whoa. I didn't just think that.

I went to put a hand on his back to shake him when he grabbed my arm and twisted it. I tried to pull away from him, but he had a perfect grip on my arm. He got out of bed and looked down at me. I guess he likes me in that view. I looked up at him with fear in my eyes.

"Why are you in my room?" He asked me.

Well, let me see. It's a Friday. 6:00 in the morning. What did I usually do at this time? Wake you up you idiot!

"I was going to wake you up. There's school today remember? I thought you'd sleep in late so just to be sure I was going to wake you up." I forced a smile I guess he noticed I "forced" it.

"Don't smile at me. I don't like when you smile." He said hurting me again.

I stopped smiling for my sake and pulled my arm free. He was wearing my boxers. Jacker. I never took any of his stuff. Well, not that I could. I decided to say something. Not my best action. Maybe I could actually show him some sense.

"Those…are my boxers." I knew I was in hot water now. Why am I stupid? I get good grades and—oh right. Wrong "stupid" category.

"I don't care. Everything that's yours is mine. Everything that's mine is not yours. I could take anything that belongs to you if I wanted to and you can't do anything."

I could do something I was just too afraid to do anything in fear I'd lose my life trying. I can't risk that. It was now 6:30. I went down to make Bakura some toast with jam, see if he eats something besides meat all day.

He came down in his uniform with his books and that cursed ring in the other hand. I guess the rings true purpose of existence was to bring misfortune on whichever being wore it. I don't mind it really. I really like Bakura's company. Aside from him hitting me enough to make me lose two glasses of blood, it's nice. I'm not so alone…at least not physically.

I served him his toast and watched him fix his shirt. He always looks good. Never has to worry about anything except his hair. He'd never copy my hairstyle. Says it's a disgrace. Whatever. I watched him eat for a few minutes and went to my room to finish getting ready.

I haven't heard the sound of spitting anything out so I'm guessing he's eating it. Finally, he's not complaining. He's awfully quiet. I wonder what's wrong. Not that he would tell me. I packed my books and tossed my book bag on the kitchen table where Bakura was eating.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply. "What's wrong Bakura? You're awfully quiet. Is everything ok?" I asked him. Please don't let him hurt me. Please don't let him hurt me!

Bakura looked up from eating his toast and glared at me. Why the hell was he so mad?

"I'm not feeling well." He said tossing the plate in the sink and breaking it.

"What do you have? Sore throat? Headache? Aching?" I urged on.

"Don't you ever shut up? It's none of your concern. I wouldn't tell someone my problem especially someone who was inferior to me." He said. I felt like slapping him, but only spoke.

"You think everyone is inferior to you." I…can't believe I said that. Did I really say that? I don't remember opening my mouth and saying that! What is wrong with me? Don't I realize I'm talking to the person who will kill me in the future if I don't "shape up" according to him?

He turned around now looking at me like a rabid animal.

"Do you care if I think everyone is inferior to me? I can deal with my own problems!" He screamed and pushed me.

"What if it's something you can't deal with? What will you do then?" Why can't I shut up? Shut up!

He started slapping and screaming at me. I couldn't hear him very well. My head was pounding. I didn't want to cry, but it was just one of those days I had to let it all out.

"Now he cries. Baby. Weakling." He grabbed me by my hair and lifted me up so we could be on our way to school.

I sniveled and he hit me to stop. What do you want next? Me to stop breathing? Bet you'd like that wouldn't you? Stupid idiot.

"You wipe your tears now!" Bakura screamed at me. "I don't want people to see you crying and huddling near you asking you what's wrong and all those questions of pity and sympathy." I did as I was told and wiped my eyes with my arm.

When we got to school I sat by myself as usual. Stupid Tea and her friendship rants. I sighed. How I wish I could have friendship rants maybe at least one friend. I've always considered Bakura a friend maybe sometimes…even more. No! Never what am I saying! I don't like him he's always mean to me and likes to pick on me. I was about to open my textbook when Yugi came over. His abnormally huge eyes always annoy the shit out of me. Looking into them is like losing 30 years of your life.

"Hey Ryou." Always happy and cheery. It makes me sick. This is probably Tea's doing. He never used to be this happy. That's for sure.

"Hello Yugi."

Yugi smiled irritably at me. Ugh, I hate his smile it's annoying. Everything about him is annoying. "Why are you sitting alone?"

Because I have no friends and my Yami would rather be 30 yards away from me. Even though I wish he wouldn't. I mean I do! I'm glad he's away good for nothing—I grumbled making Yugi cock an eyebrow.

"I um…thought I'd do my work in peace." I said. Whew, nice save Ryou.

"I'll sit next to you Ryou. So will my Yami and Tea! Joey's sitting with Tristan and Kaiba so they won't be joining." Yugi said.

Oh great. There goes my peace and quiet. Everyone that could possibly be here is here…except Bakura. Not that I would want him here! No! Of course not! Not Bakura. I scoffed. Tea was talking. God I wish she'd shut up. When I said I wanted to hear friendship rants, I didn't really mean this. I never wanted this!

I had finally finished my shit load of work and saw Bakura go up to the teacher and slam his textbook on her desk.

"Help me!" He screamed. I sort of chuckled at how he asked for help. Everyone sitting around me looked at me and I put my head down in embarrassment.

"Ryou won't help me!" Bakura screamed. That was what he thought. I'd do anything to help him. I just wanted him to stand next to me and—no I don't! I saw his face. He had is But-I'll-make-him-help-me-or-I'll-beat-him-when-he-gets-home face.

Bakura walked his usual angry walk towards me. I kept my head down and saw his leg at the corner of my eye. Someone had put on my perfume. He flicked my head.

"Help me." He said. He had sounded like a broken record.

"I thought you didn't like getting help from anyone who was inferior to you." I said that! Oh my god! What the hell is wrong with me! I'm like talking to Death Jr.!

"What…did you say?" I started feeling hot. In some weird sort of way I could feel his anger and rage and holding back from hitting me coursing through his veins.

"I'll help you. I'm sorry I said that." I said gulping silently.

"Better have been what I heard." He booted Yugi off his chair and told Tea to get a new hobby making her cry. He laughed. How could anyone laugh at someone else crying? Seeing me cry basically everyday is most likely the reason. Math. Not my best subject. I barely got this. I want him to get them all right so he can be proud of me. Not that he would…or that I would want him to be.

"Ok you do this like—" He cut me off and put a hand over my mouth. Oh.

"I didn't ask for help that way. The help I was asking for was the do it yourself type of help. Do it." I didn't understand what he meant by do it yourself help.

I cocked an eyebrow.

"You sure are stupid." Bakura said. I was used to that. Weak, stupid, idiot all the curse words, pathetic, pity, and defenseless were basically all the words in his vocabulary he could describe me as. I had so many for him. But they were nicer almost more of a compliment. No! I'd never compliment him. Pssh, what's wrong with me today?

I started doing his work hoping to get them all right. Checking. Double-checking. Triple checking his answers making sure they were all right. It took some time. But as long as it did him well is all that mattered. Did I sniff something today because god I'm not finding my tone of voice suitable for me?

I had finished right in time for us to check our work. I pulled out my paper and noticed some of the answers on my paper were different from the ones on Bakura's paper. I know I had gotten those wrong so I decided to fix it.

"Teacher! Teacher! Ryou is copying off of me!" Bakura screamed.

"No! I did his—He glared at me and formed a fist under the table where I could see. "Sorry." I finished putting my head down.

We started checking our work I had gotten three wrong. I heard Bakura growl and looked over at him.

"I got one wrong!" He said angrily looking at me. I bit my lip. "Minus 1 is a B and I wanted an A. Guess you know what that means." I sighed.

We were on our way to Physical Education or P.E when Bakura called me over. He called me over! I blushed at the thought. I…blushed because Bakura called me over? I am sick. I walked over and he slammed me into the wall. It kind of hurt and he was standing in front of me very closely.

"You gave me a wrong answer!" He screamed. Not this again.

"I'm s-sorry." I stuttered. Yea, I stutter when I was scared. I struggled to get out from his grasp. He was cutting my circulation on my arms. I shifted over to move away, but he only got in front of me more closely. Why am I even saying that? He squeezed my arms making one of my cuts bleed again.

"I want to see you dance Ryou." Bakura had said smirking his evil-ish smirk and pulling out…a lemon? I cocked an eyebrow. Where'd he get the lemon? He pushed me more into the wall holding me down practically with his own weight and pulled out my arm. I knew what he was going to do. I started panicking and tried to pull my arm away. His evil chuckling always sent chills up my spine. He squeezed lemon on my cut making me well…dance.

I started screaming and wiping my arm on my shirt staining it with my blood and started to tear at the pain. He only laughed at me. Why was he so mean? I wish he'd be nicer so I can have what I always wanted to have with him. And…this is where I end that little fiasco of daydreaming.

I saw that little annoying turd Yugi running up to me and ask me obnoxiously what's wrong. Concern in his eyes. Why the hell would he be concerned he doesn't even like me I know it. When we used to be friends, I was always the last wheel. Always the last one to get picked. Always the last one to get spoken too. Always the one who scared everyone. I pushed him away.

"Nothing." I said still tearing from the stinging. I looked up at Bakura who had his you-said-the-right-thing face. I got up rubbing my arms staring down at Yugi. Damn, he's short. Maybe the midget Mafia would suit him well. I walked away leaving him dangling without an answer to the "Are you ok?" question. Of course I wasn't ok. I just got lemon juice squeezed on my arm and…Bakura…hates me. But I don't care!

At gym, P.E, Physical Education whatever the hell you wanna call it, I stretched a bit ready to play my All time favoritest game! Dodge ball. Hell yea I'm being sarcastic. I always have to get pegged in the face or…my ooh look a nut. You should pretty much have gotten that. I have other body parts too.

The coach started picking groups. Oh please let me be with Bakura. Please let me be with him. Please. Why am I praying for this? I need to take a nice hot bath when I get home this is too crazy.

"Ryou, Bakura, Yugi and Marik." The coach said. Marik. He was a nice guy. Stupid, but I knew he was trying hard to be smart. I'm so glad to be on Bakura's team. I smiled when I walked up to my group. It was the perfect group excluding Yugi. Bakura made it perfect. Damn inner conscious. See I'm not really saying that. It's my conscious. Ahem.

We started our game and I immediately took cover behind Marik who offered his body for my protection. It was really funny when he got pegged. Made this big scene. That's Marik for ya.

Our team was down to two…Bakura and I. I tried not to get hit and hopped around dodging balls. What a pointless game. It doesn't work anything in your body except your legs and maybe reflexes. I caught a ball. I caught a ball! I looked at Bakura trying to grab the balls thrown at him, but every time he would try, it would end up rolling to the other side.

I walked over to him and held out the ball I caught. Did I mention I caught it?

"Here. You can throw it." I said nicely. He stopped trying to catch the flying balls and looked at me. Why am I being nice to him? I urged on for him to take it and when he did I was shot in the head with what seemed like 30 pounds of rubber going at 500 miles per hour. I fell on top of Bakura messing up his shot and missing Tea by an inch.

I rubbed my yet again, pounding head and looked down at Bakura. He was holding his stomach. I guess I dug my knee in his stomach pretty good. It felt nice being on Bakura I almost didn't want to get off, but he pushed me off and started screaming at me.

"Watch where you're going! You stupid idiotic moron! Don't you know how to play! I didn't need your ball! I can get my own! We lost the game and it's all your fault!"

I knew he wanted to start beating me up. I could see it in his eyes.

"Go beat me." I whispered to him. "You want to."

He looked at me angrily. Why the hell would I tell him to beat me when I clearly didn't want him too? "No I'll beat you when I feel! I don't need people to see what I do to you. It would give me a bad rep."

A rep. I started laughing.

"And you've snapped now? Idiot I can't wait to get home." Bakura said. I knew exactly why he wanted to go home. Beating me was like his drug. A drug is a very addicting thing. Not just drugs also biting your nails and chocolate. If he can't have his drug he'll go crazy and psychotic. So in a way, he does need me, which I like. Because I need him too…a lot more than he knows. I mean I don't need him! Ah!

I sighed and packed up my books and Bakura's book. Bakura was too busy picking fights with people to even show a little consideration as in simply helping me. I dropped all our books and letting all the papers slip out. I dropped to my knees to pick them up.

Someone stopped in front of me. It was Marik.

"Need help?" He asked. I nodded and smiled pathetically. I need to stop smiling so much. It's jaw exhausting.

"So…what's going on between you and Bakura?" I stopped picking up papers and went on as quickly as I stopped to cover up that I was shocked.

We could be better…is what I wanted to say, but I said "Fine."

"It doesn't look fine." He said making the papers evenly. Thank god now I don't have to do that.

Well, I'm really trying to make him like me—I mean to please him, but nothing pleases him.

"Marik…" I swallowed hard hoping the question wouldn't sound too awkward at the moment. "Have you ever…loved anyone, but was afraid to admit it because of his or her reaction to it?" I was referring to Bakura…

Marik smiled as if he knew what I was talking about. "No I've never had that problem." He said smiling widely.

"Why are you smiling?" I was expecting an "I know you love Bakura I can so tell." answer, but to my surprise…and I knew it was a total lie he just said it was because he was happy.

He patted my shoulder when he finished helping me and I was out the door waiting for Bakura to come out of school so we can have at least some time to walk home…together. I waited for about half an hour. I sighed I knew he wasn't coming out to walk home with me so I started walking.

Someone grabbed my shoulders after a few minutes of walking and I turned around to look to see Bakura. Why was he touching my shoulders…not that I had a problem with it.

"You left me at school! You didn't even wait! You selfish kid." Bakura screamed pushing me to the floor. And to think I actually had a thought of him being nice to me just now.

He grabbed his book bag and saw me having a hard time getting up. This is the part where you'd expect him to help me up. Oh, but no.

"You're like a pathetic turtle who can't get up from it's backside." He said walking off leaving me behind.

I was finally able to stand and had lost complete sight of Bakura. I just remembered…I had a stack of dishes that reached the ceiling to come home and do. I sighed exasperatedly. I never finish.

I rolled up my sleeves to my shirt before I opened the door to get ready and attack the dirty dishes. To my surprise, they had already been done and put away. Had Bakura done the dishes? I saw a trail of blood on the floor leading to Bakura's room so I followed it.

Bakura was laying on his bed chewing on a gum wad with his pants still on.

"Bakura?" I said softly. I was too scared to actually say it normally.

"What do you want?" He asked attitudinal. Wouldn't have expected it any more pleasant than that.

"I…I saw a trail of blood on the floor and I had a feeling it was yours." I started fidgeting. Why was I so nervous?

Bakura sat up on his bed. He rubbed his chest. "Why do you care?" He asked.

Because I care about you and I love you and I don't want anything to happen to you. "I'm…concerned." I just said.

"Well go be concerned somewhere else." Bakura said. I sighed and daringly walked over to him. Boy, I felt like some super hero right now. Walking up to danger itself. I sat on his bed and no matter how many times he screamed and punched me to leave I didn't. I don't know what was wrong. I wanted to leave, but then I didn't want to leave.

I lifted his pant leg up and saw a deep cut in his leg. I wonder what he could have done to get that.

He growled and lowered his pant leg slapping my hands. "What happened to you?" I was actually concerned about him. Not that I am not all the time.

I knew he wasn't going to tell me so I went to try again and lifted his pant leg. "Stop it!" He screamed.

"I'm trying to help you." I really was. Really. He just never wanted help, but that cut could get infected if not treated right.

"I—I don't need your help!" Bakura screamed. He says those big words…but I know he needs my help. That's why I'm not stopping.

I grabbed a few bandages from his drawer and some water. "No! Don't touch me with that!" Bakura screamed. He spilled the water on me and I just stared at him. He looked sad and scared. What was wrong with him?

"You cleaned my dishes didn't you? When you cleaned it, a knife cut your leg when you were putting everything away am I right?" I knew I was right. It was the only possibility.

He sighed. "I didn't clean the dishes to help you! I did the dishes so I could see what it was like!" He screamed.

I smiled. I felt like hugging him. "Will you allow me to clean you up?" Of course I asked another blow to my head and I would've passed out. He surprisingly let me and I cleaned it with pleasure.

He told me to get out angrily and never once thanked me. But I was used to that anyway. I seem to be growing onto him more and more. I want to show him that, but I'm too scared to know about his reaction.

I sighed and laid down in bed.

I'm in love with Bakura, I just contradict myself.

Wow…really long. 11 pages font 12 Tahoma. Yep, yep. That's me for ya. Hope you like it! R & R please! There's more coming just so you know. Lot's more!