I used a bit of dub!canon here. (So what if I like British!Bakura) Bite me.

Sleep Well IV

Ryou Bakura sighed deeply, and wished that the Spirit would leave him be when he was with his friends. It was difficult to concentrate on the conversation when the Thief-King was muttering to him all the things he would love to do to Yugi's Spirit.

He deserves it, you know. Everything

Bakura tried to ignore him, tugging his collar up around his neck and concentrating on the harsh wind that was blowing his hair into his face. He pulled his coat closer around him, wishing that he had brought a scarf. He glanced at the clouds.

It's going to rain. You ought to hurry.

"You shut up!" Bakura hissed, quickening his pace. He liked the rain, sure, and especially loved thunderstorms – he just didn't want to be caught out in one. There was an incredulous silence inside his head.

You like the rain?

"I like the rain," Bakura panted in reply, almost running towards his house now. Huge drops of rain had already begun to fall, spattering on the ground around him and dampening his hair. He jumped in surprise as lightning flashed and thunder rolled overhead, but didn't stop running towards his apartment. It was in sight now, only a few more meters …

Bakura slammed into the door, already searching in his pockets for his keys. He found them quickly and shoved them into the lock, turning and letting himself into the apartment block. He slammed the door shut behind him and leant against it, sighing in relief. He caught his breath quickly and walked slowly up the stairs to his apartment.

Once the door was closed behind him, the Spirit spoke up again.

Why do you like the rain?

Bakura shrugged, hanging up his coat. "It's calming. It used to rain a lot in England … I suppose it reminds me of home."

It's cold and wet and depressing.

"It's also essential for life. If we didn't have rain, the plants would die –"

I am aware of that! I used to live in a desert! I know how important rain is – however, that doesn't mean I have to like it …

The Thief-King was snappy tonight. Bakura busied himself making hot chocolate. Once it was ready he retreated to the living room and found the Thief-King waiting for him on the sofa. He sat down beside him and pulled his knees up to his chest, resting his mug on the top of them. "Why do you hate the rain?"

"I don't like the cold it brings. Or the wet. I am used to earth so dry it cracks open, rocks that become sand due to winds not water …"

"Are you afraid?"

The Tomb-Robber growled low in his throat. "I am afraid of nothing!"

Bakura stayed silent. There was a sudden flash of light outside, followed by an immediate roll of thunder. The Thief didn't make a sound, but Bakura had been watching and he saw him tremble. He opened his mouth to speak, but the Tomb-Robbed suddenly disappeared. For a moment, Bakura saw the Ring glow slightly through his shirt. He touched it through the cloth and whispered, "It's all right …"

I don't need you to tell me it's all right!

Bakura sighed and stood, walking to the window to watch the droplet stream down the glass. He murmured, "How can you fear this? It's beautiful …"

Suddenly the lightning flashed and the thunder pealed simultaneously and all the lights in the apartment went out. Bakura gasped in surprise, but stayed calm.

What is it? Why have the lights gone out?

"It's all right, the power's out, that's all. They'll fix it soon enough. I have some candles, I'll get them …"

Does it not bother you? The darkness?

Bakura laughed as he pulled the candles out of the drawer and fumbled for some matches. "Why should darkness bother me? Half of my soul is consumed by darkness and shadow … your half …"

The Spirit fell silent. Bakura carried the candles into his bedroom and set them around his desk, where he then started his homework by candlelight. The Thief-King came out of the ring again, trying to ignore the steady patter of rain against the windows and the thunder and lightning that came more and more frequently as the night wore on.

When Bakura finished his homework, he started when he saw the Thief-King. "I thought –"

"I told you – I am not afraid. Not of anything. I simply dislike it."

"Why?"

The Thief-King turned to stare at the rivulets of water running down the glass. Finally, he whispered, "That is not your concern."

There was silence between them for a long moment, then the Spirit murmured, "I am sorry. I should not have said that. The rain … it washes away the sins of the world, makes it – as you said – beautiful. But … it cannot purify me. Nothing can."

Bakura walked into the bathroom, frowning. The Spirit sat down on the edge of the bed to wait for him to come back. Bakura returned quickly and sat down beside him. "There has to be something –"

"No."

Bakura stood and gingerly reached out and took the Spirit's arm. He tugged him to his feet and led him to the balcony. When Bakura moved to open the door, the Thief stopped him. "Do not go out there."

Bakura looked up at the Spirit and whispered, "I want you to feel that your sins are gone …"

The Spirit vanished. Bakura sighed and opened the door anyway, stepping outside into the lashing rain.

I cannot be cleansed, stupid host. Do not freeze trying to rinse the evil from my soul. It is not worth it.

Bakura shivered, but stayed on the balcony, his face tilted up towards the falling water. The Spirit materialised to Bakura's right, but he didn't see him. "Come inside, Ryou …"

"No …" he whispered.

The Spirit cursed in Egyptian and took control of Bakura's body. Bakura felt his consciousness slipping away.

Sleep, Ryou Bakura … sleep …

When Bakura woke up, he was lying in his bed, dry and warm. He stared at the ceiling until he knew the Thief-King was listening then whispered, "How long did you stay outside?"

Long enough.

Bakura smiled and rolled onto his side. "And … do you feel cleansed?"

There was silence. Bakura sighed, and decided that the Spirit wasn't going to reply. He drifted off to sleep, and was therefore unsure whether it was a dream in which the Thief-King whispered to him.

Yes. I am cleansed because of you …