This is chapter seven of "How you remind me", and if you've guessed that it's the last chapter, you're right. Mmm hmm, big finale.

Chapter Seven: And the reason is you.

Disclaimer: If you haven't found out by now, there's no helping you. So who I am to tell you that you're wrong?

Warning: Possible oocness ahead, Cap'n! And beware of various bishie couplen's! Thar quite vicious, eh?

Dedications: Like I promised, this goes out to my gal-pal, Divey. Guess what, Divey? A girl thanked you for helping me! –Hug-

The other ones: Also, this goes out to Bakura and Ryou, and their entire fandom, so consider this dedicated to you for being in it of you want. In addition, I'll dedicate this to Hoobastank. For having a weird name, those people rock. Man, I love this song.

Oh, and if you find this beginning text annoying, it's from that I start stories, chapters, epics, and whatever else I write, so deal with it in therapy like everyone else.

POV means Point Of View

AGAIN:

Malik: Hikari (good)
Marik: Yami (bad)
Ryou: Hikari (good)
Bakura: Yami (bad)

Attention please: I realized that after I'd finished this chapter, I still have some loose ends to tie up, so I'll get to work on an Epilogue ASAP.

From Bakura's POV

…No…NO…NOO! No more! No more! AHHH!

The horrors! All of them! Thousands of mouths everywhere I turn, they're trying to devour me…all of them. They can smell fear. And I can see their glowing beady little eyes, evil to the most extreme measures.

I hear a loud 'CRACK!' of crystal-cut jaws slamming shut, hiding rows and rows of pearly fangs on fangs.

There's another one. It's coming, closer and closer; I hide amongst some suddenly visible plant life, hoping that my life as a thief will save me again.

They…they've come…it's…it's…

Huh?

Crocodiles…made out of…oatmeal? I see. I'm dreaming. Well, that's what I get for staying at the Ishtar's place. So, despite the fact that this is a dream, I want it to end well so I don't have to wake up too soon.

Being the clever fiend that I am, I pour hot butter all over the oatmeal crocodiles and find that they quickly become no more then large masses of smoldering oats.

That worked out well.

A little too well.

That was disturbing. I force myself to halt a degrading dream-enforced victory dance, choosing to smirk instead. Another victory against the evils of breakfast foods. Ugh…I'm turning into the Pharaoh. Next thing you know, I'll be wearing a blue cape, spike my hair up, and save little purple-eyed kittens from trees.

…Ra, why do you hate me?

It's interesting, really, to find yourself back about five thousand years in your homeland, in modern attire. I'm giving myself marks for reality, because I'm wearing what I went to sleep in.

And…also, because the grayish, slight moldy rock that I'm sitting on right now feels hard, like a normal rock. I can see the reeds swaying in the whispering winds, the sparkling waters of the Nile rippling and flowing.

I'm at one of the more calm parts, I suppose. It's kind of pretty.

I find myself humming a familiar tune, looking out to the waters. Memories…that's what everyone thinks about when they choose to sit back like I'm doing.

Whether it's what you've done, or who you know, or what has just been said…whether it was ten seconds ago, ten minutes, ten days, or ten thousand…

Sure, people also look towards the future; but many people, even though they say not to look back, find themselves defined by their pasts.

A difficult past shows a survivor. Happy friends show a giver. A tough reputation shows a bully…it's your past.

It's who you are.

But even so, even though it's your past, and a big part of you, it doesn't have to define your future.

You can change. I can change. If I really want to. The only question is if I'm really ready to let go of everything that I am. No, I'm not. I'm not going to stop being me…but I can change. And to a small degree…maybe I want to.

I will always be Bakura. I will always have my past. I cannot change who I was. That will remain, always, my past will continue to haunt me…but though I cannot forget, I will move forward.

…I'm coming, hikari…

-Reality check, end pov-

Cracked sidewalk bemoaned its lot in life as the sun grinned mischievously down on the earth, making people wonder why it hated them so much and burned with such anger, as it merely smiled back.

"So, Yug', how've ya been?" A sandy blond grinned down at his little buddy, making even the sun take envious notice and then return to its duty of filling the world with light.

Yugi returned the friendly smile with fond thoughts of the week and even more directed at his best…or perhaps, second best friend. "Pretty good, Joey. It's been nice hanging out with Ryou."

Joey turned back to the very fair skinned teen and hung back long enough to give him a soft nudge. "Hey, Ryou? You awake, buddy?"

Ryou looked up and his eyes flashed for a moment as he regained grip on reality. "Hmm? Oh…I'm sorry, Joey. I guess I'm just a bit pre-occupied."

"Mm, no worries. 'S long as you're okay." Joseph wheeler took a minute to shrug, then trotted a few paces forward to talk to Yugi. "Since Ryou is still thinkin'…mind if I ask ya about…well, if everything else is going well?"

Yugi blinked up at him with the same out-of-touch look which Ryou had been sporting, before his face began to tint a slight pink. "I…don't really know. I mean, good, but I haven't…"

Joey exhaled and kicked a rock, shaking his head. "Lemme guess. Not a word, hmm? You didn't say a thing."

He shrugged, a bit irritated at the coming rebuke. "I, well…" He threw his hands up in the air in a sudden show of embarrassment. "What am I supposed to do? It's not like it's that easy."

"My poor shy little buddy, huh?" He ruffled Yugi's hair and smirked for once, instead of pressuring him.

"Joey, I just fixed my hair from the pillow fight me and Yami had this morning. " Yugi pouted, lip already going at it before he even tried.

"Oh…?" Joey glanced over at Yugi and they had a brief conversation with their eyes, as only best friends can. Just like saying one special word can send them into a torrent of giggles.

After a moment of this "conversation," the blond's expression turned absolutely grinch-like. And he really looked like he had thought up something as devious as stealing Christmas.

Yugi glared at him, though he, being most likely the cutest and most cuddly teenager in all of Japan, if not the world, could not do it right. "Joey, shut up."

Joey's eyebrows shot up in a sign of a coming defense. "What? I didn't even say anything!"

Yugi restrained a giggle and continued to glare with as much annoyance as he could possibly muster within his entire being…which was horribly pathetic in the long run. "I mean it. I know what you were thinking, don't even say it, just shut up."

"What, did you get a mind link with me too?" Now it was only one eyebrow that shot up and the grinchy grin returned. "Gee, then I wonder if you can see what I'm thinking about too…"

Yugi elbowed him in the side and blushed like he'd spent way too much time on the beach…(or in front of the computer, like me. Ouchie.)

Joey's mouth amazingly grew even larger, somewhere on the scale of swallowing a hamburger whole, as he grinned. "Wow, it actually works. I wonder if that means Yami can see too…"

"Somebody say my name?" Yami asked, materializing by the teens.

"Yo, man." Joey and Yami shook hands, best friend style, of course. Which included a slow pull-away and a few chuckles.

"Hey, Joe. How are you?"

He shrugged, placing his hands in his pockets. "Pretty good, I guess. I mean, things are always a bit…eh…with my dad and all…" He made a bit of a disgruntled face. (1)

Yami nodded a bit sympathetically and paused, so as not to sound differently. "Yeah, but he is still better these days…right?"

Nodding nonchalantly, Joey agreed. "Yeah…better. Not dat much, but yeah."

"That's good…and…what about me, again?" Yami turned his attention back and forth between Joey and Yugi, suspicion easily read from his features. The spirit raised an eyebrow as Yugi looked away and Joey smiled most...strangely.

"Well, Yugi was…"

Rather then let Joey handle this, well aware that his friend could have a mouth the size of the Grand Canyon when it came to embarrassing him, (especially because of that evil smirk Joey had poised,) Yugi spoke up. "We were just chatting. I told him we had a pillow fight this morning."

Yami grinned at the mention, but victoriously rather then evilly. "Yes, we did. And I won."

Yugi's eyes rolled appropriately and frowned, silently praying thanks for the distraction. "No you didn't, we never finished."

"Well, I would have anyway." Yami dismissed the technicality with a grin and a casual wave of his hand, showing that he was playing "King of games" at the moment.

"There is no king of pillow fighting, man." Joey chuckled. "Unless, of course, you count me."

And that began the morning debate, which consisted of "yes, I am," and "no, you're not," several times, and "wanna bet," "Of course," and so on.

Ryou was sadly unable to keep up, though vaguely interested in what Joey and Yugi were 'talking' about before…and he drifted off into the closest thing you could get to unconsciousness while awake…the deep recesses of his mind.

'What are you doing now, my darkness?'

"No, no, Marik…Bakura would look better in this one."

"Nuh-uh. I like the fish-net sleeves, hikari."

"Well, I like the jacket. It screams Bakura to me."

"Outfits shouldn't scream. They should squeak…like leather. Mmm…leather good. Leather is your friend."

Bakura eyed them both warily, though the fact that they were out of their minds was nothing new, and rolled his eyes. "Not if you're a vegetarian, and I'm not looking for anything that screams." He sighed. "Why are you guys bugging me, anyway? I did not ask for wardrobe appraisal."

"Well, you have to look good at least sometime…" Marik mumbled, glaring at some of the clothes he didn't like and tossing them to the back of the closet.

"Isis is going to have a cow if you don't pick that up, Marik." Malik reprimanded, grabbing another shirt and looking it over.

Marik snorted, head poised in the reminiscence of a desert viper. "Hikari, Isis IS a---"

"Marik…!" A female voice boomed from the kitchen warningly.

The smirking thief pointed an accusing finger at his psychotic Egyptian friend, laughing. "Busted."

Marik glared at them both, before grabbing another pile of their spare clothes and sorting through them. "Hey, Baku? What about this one?"

He stared at the dark purple shirt, complete with overly flashy cuffs, and scowled. "…No. Way. I don't do purple."

"If you weren't being so picky about this, like the only other inhabitant in this house, then we wouldn't be having so much trouble."

"Hey, you spend more time in front of the mirror then I do!" Malik retorted.

"That's because I have special needs with my hair, and I wasn't talking about you, hikari, I'm talking about the---"

Isis now stood directly in the doorway, eyebrow poised, lips pursed in a 'no nonsense' sort of way, and she crossed her arms. She vaguely resembled a tigress. "The…?"

Inevitably prone to sarcasm, Marik flashed her a fake smile. "The lovely sister of my hikari. Sorry, madam, no girls allowed."

Isis, obviously used to this behavior, rolled her eyes. "This isn't a club and last I checked, you at least have more years then a six-year-old, regardless of maturity." With a couple of well-placed strides forward and the soft chiming of her earrings clicking together, the Egyptian lady picked up one of the shirts which had been accidentally discarded, and dropped it in Bakura's lap.

Bakura stared at it, blinked, and then nodded. Isis gave him a polite smile. "You're welcome. Clean up this mess when you're finished, you guys, and lunch is downstairs for when you're done."

She removed herself the room just as quietly…and after a moment of silence… "I still say she's scary."

"Like you're not?"

Malik looked back over the piles again, still carefully sorting. "He is. We still haven't found any pants for you yet, so keep looking."

"…Why on earth is this so important anyway?" Bakura set the shirt in his lap carefully on the ground, and adjusted his crossed legs for a more comfortable position on the caramel-colored carpet.

"I just have a feeling is all…" His lavender-colored eyes sparkled with a small sense of pride and a little excitement, along with some butterflies Bakura knew he was going to feel later.

"Hikari, don't do that. You're turning into your sister. One psychic is enough." Marik stood, grabbed some of his clothes, and started to, amazingly, put them away.

"So she has you trained now?"

Marik shot Bakura a look that spat daggers. "I don't wanna discuss it." He stuffed the clothes in the dresser and closet accordingly.

Malik turned to do the same, while Bakura started to finally join in the hunt. In the end, he had managed an outfit…though Marik muttered something about sleeves…

Bakura saw his former, and once again present best friend turn to face him with a smile tugging at the edges of his lips. "So…you gonna go practice now?"

"Practice what?" His eyes narrowed into suspicion filled slits, though no true malice was held in those dark depths.

"I think you know." So, with a grin, the once psycho hikari grabbed a hold of his yami and tugged him out of the room with the vigor of an excited child, nearly tugging his arm off.

The room silenced, in a peaceful, thought-filled way. "…Yeah."

"So, everything set for Mystic Dream tonight?"

"Yep. Three words: Lights, camera, action."

"Awesome…well, let's just hang around, shall we?"

"I love how your mind works…"

"Aww…thanks. Same to you."

"Heheh…and yet, I have such evil ideas…"

"Yes. Being evil is strangely fun."

"Indeed."

Minutes crawled around the clock as white faces held the eternal track of time, a race that was forever until forever itself was broken…minutes slowly drained into hours, hours slipped by, inching forward like the deadly strides of assassin.

The night found Ryou in a new outfit he'd gotten at the store with Yugi and Yami, standing in front of a mirror, carefully going over his appearance.

A soft, weak sigh. 'He'll be there…I can feel it.' Ryou echoed through his mind, trying not to shake. With what emotion, he couldn't recall…

"Why does he have to be so confusing?" His question was apparently addressed to the celestial spirit of night, the moon, which had made itself known to the pale blue sky prematurely.

He sat down on the cotton sheet bed, glancing over to the full-length mirror…his eyes roamed the room. The pastel colors made him miss his old room, really. They were still unfamiliar. Nice, of course, as was everything in the Motou house…but unwelcoming.

His bare feet hit the cream-colored carpet in frustration. Not very hard, but hard enough enough to make a satisfying 'thud.' "Why does life always have to be so complicated?" He murmured…

And found himself laughing after thinking about what he'd just said. "I'd better think about something else before I begin my best Avril Lavigne impression." 'Not that it wouldn't be absolutely perfect right now.' (2)

The whistled tune of that familiar song accompanied him as he went to check if Yugi and Yami had finished getting ready yet. After all, they had agreed to come with him to Mystic Dream. Upon Yugi's suggestion and Ryou's hopeful look, that is. Yami had found himself between two excited teenagers and…well, he cracked instantly.

…So much for "invincible pharaoh"…

(Keep goin' folks, it's gonna be a long one to make up for my short plot! Even though my friend says there's absolutely nothing wrong with it, and I want to believe her.)

The shades of night fell as if to cover the crisp azure expanse, but in fact revealed a new world of stars. Each sprightly light called out to its brother in a secret message of sparkling that only stars can understand.

"They're beautiful, aren't they, Bakura?" Malik asked, waltzing merrily into the spare bedroom where Bakura was gazing out the window, sitting on the salt white window seat.

Bakura grunted in response, but he didn't move.

So, Malik tried again. "You look pretty sharp."

Bakura shrugged, the material of his shirt wrinkling with the movement. A breeze danced in through the window and nipped at his hair as if it were water instead of wind.

"Look, I know you're anxious, but you're acting worse then the pharaoh did when he lost that duel to the weirdo with the bird lady…" The Egyptian knew that would get a rise out of Bakura without fail.

"Shuddap." Bakura mumbled absently.

Malik's eyebrow spiked upward in concern and he sashayed over to the window seat so he could sit down beside Bakura. (3) "Jitters?"

Bakura turned to glare at him, half-heartedly. "I do not get jitters. Or butterflies, cold feet, or anxiety, or anything remotely like them."

"You and I both know you're not super human, Bakura. You get scared too. You can be sad, or nervous, or angry…but you shouldn't be mad at yourself for it. Instead, you should be proud."

Needless to say, Bakura glared all the more. "Proud? Yeah, right. Are you joking, or just a little crazier then yesterday?"

Malik smiled. "Bakura, it makes you human. Without emotions, you couldn't say you even had a heart. And besides…haven't you ever wondered about emotions making you stronger?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I mean, well…I know they can make you feel weaker, but they can also drive you further too. Take Yami, for instance. Okay, so, one time he made the mistake of letting his anger get the best of him. But his feelings for his friends also make him stronger when he duels." Malik swung his legs over the side of the seat gently, another habit like the tendency of playing with one's hair.

"Oh, please not another stupid friendship lecture. If I wanted that, I'd go to Anzu's house. Then I'd get an ear-full." Bakura sighed, missing his dartboard a bit.

"It's not a lecture." Malik frowned, letting out a soft 'Mou' of frustration. "What I'm getting at is, you can tell me if you're nervous. It'll help. And you shouldn't deny how you feel. It always makes things worse."

There was a reluctant pause. "Yeah, I know. Okay, so maybe I feel a little uneasy about this. I was watching the stars to clear my mind…happy?"

Malik nodded in satisfaction and gave him a sudden hug. "Gaah!" Bakura yelled as he and Malik both fell to the floor. "No more hugging!" came the muffled shout from the floor.

When Mystic Dream's lights finally went up, the blue glow ascended into the room, the drink machines were prepped, and you could see your face in every counter. Bakura and the Ishtars had already started their trip there. They'd arrived to find a middle-sized crowd lounging about the club.

Marik drove them there, amazingly. Which is why it might have taken longer then usual. And it was a miracle they survived. You see, Malik got in the backseat thinking that Bakura wanted to drive, Bakura got in the passenger seat because he was sure Malik would drive. Marik, not missing this ideal chance, got in beside Bakura, who always made himself absent during car rides when he wasn't the driver, and he was halfway down I-56 before either of the others realized he was driving.

The surprise resulted in two injured pedestrians; but don't worry, the skater kid was asking for it and the old lady will be out of the hospital in two days…

"Well, we're alive, which is more then I expected…" Malik mumbled, stumbling out of the car, feeling dizzy and a bit sick to his stomach.

Marik grinned, throwing his arm around his pale-faced hikari. "Aww…I wasn't that bad, was I?"

"Marik, if you weren't already dead, I'd kill you." Bakura swayed for a moment from the vertigo feeling he got, finally steadying himself on the wall. If he ever wanted the after effects of being drunk, he'd just ask Marik to drive him around for an hour.

Marik shrugged carelessly, unfazed by the threat entirely. "Come on hikari, I'll get you a nice green tea Tazo™, and you'll feel much better."

"Maybe." Malik added, wondering if he could keep anything down, even his favorite coffee shop drink.

The Ishtars settled in at the "bar," sitting on the stools with their newly acquired drinks. They asked Bakura to join them, but he declined, insisting that he wanted to sit alone and think until it was time. Malik nodded, straw in mouth. Marik smirked, tongue out of mouth.

After Bakura had settled in with a drink at one of the tables and began to observe the other singers who came up, Ryou and the Motous walked through the door. Ryou led them to his favorite booth and Yami offered to get them their drinks.

The former pharaoh walked up to the counter a few seats away from Malik and Marik, reciting the order Ryou and Yugi gave him, in addition to his own choice: One GT Tazo, a sprite, and a diet cherry coke.

The waitress asked if he wouldn't mind waiting, and of course, Yami said he didn't. He'd already spotted Bakura and actually felt inclined to approach him. As soon as he even turned in Bakura's direction, Bakura groaned.

'Not now, pharaoh. Not now.' The tomb robber hissed in his mind like Golum after losing the One Ring. (I just re-read "The Hobbit.")

Yami smiled, not exactly a friendly smile, mind you, but it wasn't quite malicious like Bakura's was when he appeared to be trying out for a part in a horror film and it wasn't half as smug as his usual smirk. He finally stopped beside Bakura, about a foot away.

They acknowledged each other, obviously, so Yami spoke up. Chitchat was never an option with these two, so why on earth should he delay the inevitable question?

"Hikari troubles?"

Bakura didn't even bother turning, deciding rather just to roll his eyes at life's ironies and snap back. "You always were a hypocrite."

Yami stared at him for a moment and then scoffed. "What are you talking about? Yugi and I get along just fine."

Bakura, smirking, turned to him with the smuggest look of satisfaction. "Oh? Is that so?"

The pharaoh nodded. Bakura shook his head, almost sympathetically. "Well, they say denial is always the first stage."

Yami glared at him indignantly. "I am not in denial."

"…So now you're denying that you're in denial?" Bakura took a sip of coke. "Well, I guess that's the second stage then."

"Now I'm supposedly the one with the problem? The one that actually can have a decent conversation with his hikari?" Yami raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, come on, pharaoh. Don't play dumb. Even though, you might actually not be playing." Bakura didn't give Yami the chance to retort. "I've seen the way you look at Yugi."

Yami held his tongue in the face of that comment, either unsure of how to respond, or curious as to what Bakura actually knew.

"It's always the two people in question who never see how obvious it is. Probably because they're too close to the situation." Bakura flicked the straw wrapper off the table.

Yami stared at him for a moment, and honestly, actually thought what Bakura said made a lot of sense. Wow…scary thought. "Maybe so. I've seen how you look at Ryou too…"

"Well, at least I have the decency to admit it." Bakura shot back.

Surprised by this sudden statement, the pharaoh chuckled in amazement, shaking his head.

"I think that this is the first time I've actually seen something worth admiring in you. That's almost disturbing. Maybe there's actually hope for you two."

Bakura saw this as most likely the only compliment Yami would ever pay him. Considering this was more rare then Exodia was before the rare hunters, the thief nodded solemnly. Just nodded. No more witty comebacks, no one-liners, no smug look. Just a nod.

And for a moment, they actually remotely…respected each other. Found a very shaky common ground. It was odd, but true.

Yami turned to get the drinks from the waitress, who had been holding onto them for a quite a while now and walked back over to the booth where Yugi and Ryou were engaged in pleasant conversation.

The pharaoh joined in as soon as he'd set his own drink down and the tension was left to itself to build. Ryou chatted, Bakura waited.

Yami was, in the back of his mind, mulling over what Bakura had said. Of course, it wasn't exactly something to ponder right now, but there was little else to do.

"What time is it?" Ryou asked after a pause of laughter from their recent topic.

Yugi looked over his black-banded watch. "Ten minutes till nine, why?"

"Just thinking." Ryou mumbled, taking a sip of his coke. "So, how was episode III?" (4)

"I liked it, but it was sad…most of it was either action or angst." Yugi adjusted his watch's strap to ease up on his wrist because a band of pressure now decorated it. "Yami, being the movie critique, found it easy pointing out all the plot-problems."

"He didn't like it?" Ryou asked, a bit surprised. Malik said it was good.

Yugi shrugged. "Well, I think he liked it, but I guess it just depends on who you are. And whether or not you really care about sci-fi."

"Hmm…I haven't gotten around to seeing it yet." Ryou admitted, glancing at the clock on the wall and watching it slowly tick away.

"I think you should, since you've seen all the others." Yami suggested.

Twenty minutes later, at 9:10, Bakura stood and walked towards the stage. He adjusted his silvery shirt which had gotten wrinkled a little and looked over his black pants.

A shy teenage girl, maybe about fifteen, was finishing up "Girl in your dreams" and Bakura waited near the edge of the stage. It was shadowed enough for him to feel comfortable.

4 minutes. 'Hurry up, would ya?'

3 minutes. 'She's done…good. No! No encore! Stop bowing and get off the stage.'

2 minutes. 'Yeah, yeah…don't trip on your way out. And she's gone.'

1 minute. 'Here goes nothing.'

NOT FINISHED!

Bakura, swallowing unconsciously, or at least pretending it was unconscious, walked up to the mic. He paused and saw Ryou look up at the stage. Ryou stared in disbelief and slowly the crowd became aware of the new face in the spotlight.

Drawing in a breath and whatever strength he had, he turned to the CD player and pulled a CD out of his back pocket. Bakura had borrowed it from Malik…and this was actually what he'd been practicing. He pressed play and walked back up to the mic, waiting for the moment he would open his mouth…all lights around Bakura faded except for one that was focused completely on him.

Piano slowly mixed with a steady drumbeat, followed by the sound of a guitar…and Bakura's voice. Ryou stared, awestruck. He'd never even heard Bakura sing before.

"I'm not a perfect person…" Bakura sang softly, building up a feel for the melody as he had done before.

"There's many things I wish I didn't do. But I continue learning. I never meant to do those things to you…"

Ryou, Yami, Yugi, Malik and even Marik all focused completely on Bakura. (Marik did have to fiddle with a straw-wrapper. Habits are hard to break, after all…)

Ryou was the most surprised out of them all, of course. 'Bakura…?'

Yami was impressed. 'I never knew he had it in him.'

Yugi was wondering what would become of this turn of events. 'Gosh…I wonder what Ryou's thinking…'

"And so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know. I found a reason for me, to change who I used to be."

Everyone listening found themselves entranced by the song, swaying to the rhythm. Ryou found himself stuck to his seat, his eyes locked on Bakura, his own voice long gone…

"A reason to start over new and the reason is you." Bakura didn't (or more then likely couldn't,) look at Ryou at the moment…but Ryou knew.

It was a tug on his heart that assured him. After all, it wasn't every day when the king of thieves stepped up to a karaoke mic.

Especially when it came to stealing hearts instead of jewels. If Ryou would have taken the time to notice, Bakura already had a couple of girls…and a guy or two, swooning. Of course, Bakura and Ryou neither noticed…nor cared. (Well, maybe Ryou would have cared.)

"I'm sorry that I hurt you…it's something I must live with every day."

Bakura refused to bite his lip and violently pushed out any memories that begged to poke at his mind, attempting to break his concentration.

"And all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away." And he did. He really did. "And be the one who catches all your tears…"

Ryou swallowed…thinking it over. What Bakura was trying to say.

Malik was absolutely beaming from the back of the club. "Isn't it so sweet…? Marik? Mar…Marik, if you set that waitress's apron on fire, I'll kill you."

"That's why I need you to hear: I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be.
A reason to start over new and the reason is you." (x4)

Yugi, also beaming just like Malik, as any hikari would in this situation, scooted closer to Yami and rested against him. Yami, surprised by this, didn't react at first. After his surprise, though, he put his arm around his little partner. 'It's so sweet, isn't it, Yami?'

'Yes, Yugi…it is.'

'Do you think this story will have a happy ending now?'

'I hope so.'

Ryou found Bakura's eyes had finally met his and when they locked, neither could let go. Even if, at any moment, the idea had even wandered into their heads. Bakura looked different now, somehow. Not defensive anymore…

"I'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you. And so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know…"

Go? Yes…perhaps. Bakura had considered this…if Ryou didn't want him back, then he would truly have nothing to keep him here. Ryou understood this, somehow.

Poor Ryou half wanted to stand up and shout, telling him not to leave, but he was glued to his seat.

"I've found a reason for me. To change who I used to be. A reason to start over new
and the reason is you…" By this time, emotion was surging through Bakura the same way the music pulsed through his veins. The music itself began to swell into the inevitable finale. Bakura didn't know if he could survive that. He almost felt like when the music stopped, so would his heart.

"I've found a reason to show, a side of me you didn't know…a reason for all that I do,
and the reason is you."

The song ended and the club exploded into applause, whistles, and cheers…demands for an encore. Bakura just numbly stepped away from the mic, not sure what to do next. He wanted to approach Ryou, but it didn't feel right.

What was he supposed to say? "So, didja like the song?" NO! "You did hear that, right? So…why aren't you falling all over me?" Absolutely not! "Forgive me?" That was what he wanted to say.

Yes…very much. However, he just couldn't. The pharaoh and Yugi were sitting right beside Ryou, and even if they didn't matter one wit, it just wasn't something Bakura could ask in front of them. In front of anyone. This was between him and Ryou.

When Bakura stepped off the stage, he and Ryou stared at each other. Ryou waited for Bakura to walk over, but he never did. Instead, Bakura turned away. He walked away.

Ryou gaped. 'What is he doing? He just…and…but…gah!' He was almost mad, really. Bakura was just going to leave? Why!

Bakura walked right out the door, into the biting cold night air and continued to walk, further and further away.

Yami and Yugi stared after him and then exchanged confused looks.

Malik nearly choked on his Tazo, Marik blinked. "Stupid Baku."

After seeing him go, Ryou realized that he couldn't waste another minute. He darted after Bakura, shoving the door open and letting it shut on it's own behind him, gracefully shielding them from confused friends and awestruck spectators.

"Bakura! Bakura, wait!" Ryou ran after him, and seeing Bakura turn around, he stopped to catch his breath. "Bakura…where are you going?"

Bakura shrugged. "I don't know, Ryou. Maybe you could tell me, but if you can't…I'll just go."

"After all this, you'd just leave?" Ryou asked, straightening himself from his hard breathing so he could look directly into Bakura's eyes.

"If I'm left without a reason to stay, then it would be best, don't you think?" Bakura stared at him intently.

Ryou stared back, understanding. Bakura was waiting for him to say that there was a reason to stay. To say that he still cared. Ryou walked towards him, just one more step. "I don't want you to leave."

"So, I have a reason to stay?"

The hikari and the yami stared into each other's eyes; the moon held its breath, so much to be said. Bakura whispered to his hikari the question he was really asking… "Forgive me?"

Ryou smiled. Smiled! He smiled at Bakura. Bakura felt that he could have just melted dead away under the power of that smile. He didn't know why…but somehow…

"Yes…and, yes." Bakura was amazed. So easily…how could he forgive him just so easily?

"Really?"

Ryou stepped closer, until their faces were inches apart. Bakura could feel Ryou's warm breath on his icy pale cheeks, gently caressing like the hands of a lover. (5)

"Really." Ryou whispered, still smiling like the sun would never shine again if he didn't give it all he had. "Bakura…"

In that moment, they were drawn together as if by fate…Bakura leaned down, Ryou leaned up, and their lips met. Bakura cautiously put his arms around Ryou, pulling him closer. Ryou pressed into him, assuring Bakura that Ryou wanted to be closer.

He wanted to be with Bakura so much that it hurt...the kiss gradually became deeper, each was hesitant for fear of driving away the other, but it was clear that neither wanted to stop. A few people stared, but the couple didn't even notice, much less care.

This moment, this kiss, this world that they had entered now tied them together in a way that they could never explain. Their friends…and even some psychos who they met every now and then understood their bond as hikari and yami.

But this was something that only people who have felt it before can understand. Trying to explain it is like describing a hazy dream. It's such a lovely memory, but try as you might, you can only fumble with the words until you shake your head sadly and say that it cannot be told, it has to be felt.

Finally after a loss of breath and reason, Bakura and Ryou broke apart. Ryou cuddled into the crook of Bakura's neck with a sigh of contentment and Bakura nuzzled his hikari's soft hair. It felt so perfect.

'I can't understand how I survived without you, Ryou. And I don't even care if that sounds stupid…'

They stood their for an eternity and but a passing moment. It felt like they could have stayed there a moment, but with the change they felt they were both under, it must have been forever. Even that had to end though, because despite their warm embrace, the winds were cold. Even though Bakura tried to protect Ryou from them, they would need to head somewhere soon.

Ryou peeked out from his little nesting place to look up at his yami, smiling shyly. "Think we should go inside?"

"We could…or we could go home." Bakura suggested with a grin. A much nicer one then he'd ever showed anyone. But still, Ryou had known him too long.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Ryou asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bakura stared at him for a moment, blinking innocently. "What is what supposed to mean, hikari? I simply suggested for us to go home."

Ryou nodded, though completely unimpressed. "Yeah, suuure."

Bakura frowned. "Wait…you weren't thinking anything bad, were you? …Ryou! And I thought you were supposed to be innocent…what am I going to do with you?"

"I'm sure you have more then a couple ideas." Ryou chuckled.

Bakura, of course, had to laugh then. "Well, maybe I do." He shrugged. "Anyway, sure. If you wanna go back, we can."

Ryou smiled up at him in appreciation and Bakura pretended not to notice though feeling a bit pleased. They walked side-by-side and Bakura put his arm around Ryou protectively. Their silence only last a mere minute as Bakura took very little time to think up something smart-mouthed to say.

"So…this means I'm gonna have to start acting like a love-sick idiot around you, hold your hand, say sweet stuff, think about you twenty-four seven, remember anniversaries, act polite, stop demanding things, take you places…is there any chance I can get out of this?" He asked with a very concerned and serious looking frown.

Ryou glared at him and Bakura chuckled, then gave him a soft squeeze. "I'm only kidding, hikari. You should know by now that I have a habit of being sarcastic. And anyway…if it's with you, then it won't be so bad."

Ryou frowned skeptically, but finally did smile again. "You'll really do all that stuff?"

Bakura paused, looking a bit uneasy. "Well…eh…I guess. I mean, I'll probably start actually wanting to. Scary thought, maybe…but, I don't really think I'll mind."

Ryou leaned up to give him a kiss on the cheek. "I'm glad. And…Bakura?"

"Hmm?" Bakura turned to him, they were almost to the door, but their conversation made the whole walk seem slower.

"I love you." Ryou whispered shyly.

Bakura felt his heart catch in his throat, knowing that he should say it back. It wasn't easy for him to admit emotion. But it was for Ryou…and at this moment, his hikari looked fragile. He knew that if he couldn't admit it, it would hurt Ryou.

"I…" He felt his breath catch. It was so hard.

Ryou blinked and though he felt his heart droop a little, he immediately understood. "It's okay…" he whispered. "You don't have to say it."

Bakura shook his head and frowned. He wanted to. "Hikari…"

"Bakura, really…it's okay. I understand." Ryou gave him a hug to reassure him and Bakura gritted his teeth. If only Ryou wasn't this understanding, maybe Bakura could force himself to say it.

As it was, half of Bakura insisted that he give up, the other half gave him a firm slap and told him that even though Ryou was understanding, it was only right. Ryou had put up with so much for so long. Ryou deserved to hear those words. Bakura needed to say them.

Bakura pulled Ryou away to look into his eyes. He took a breath and tried again. He bit his lip. 'No. You are the king of thieves and a master at the shadow arts. The day you become afraid to say three little words is the day the apocalypse is dawning.'

"Bakura…" Ryou murmured helplessly. He didn't want to hurt Bakura's feelings, but…he couldn't stand outside forever. And it was okay. Bakura didn't have to say it now. "It's cold out here, can we…get inside?"

Bakura let go despairingly and Ryou turned to head in. But just before he touched the handle of the door, Bakura decided that he'd had enough of kicking himself.

"I love you." It was so soft that Ryou couldn't be sure if he'd merely imagined it. It was so quiet, that Bakura himself wasn't even sure if he said it. But when Ryou turned back to him in amazement, Bakura realized that he really did say it.

Bakura turned to face him and they stared for a moment. "What did you say…?"

"I said…I love you."

Ryou couldn't reasonably have done anything else but jump-hug Bakura like he'd lost it and cling to him. Bakura's reaction was something like: "Aaaack! I thought you loved me, are you trying to kill me?"

Ryou giggled, ignoring the question. "Thank you, Bakura."

Bakura shook his head, knowing that if anyone deserved gratitude, it was Ryou. But then, he'd get to that part later. "You said you wanted to go inside, right?"

"Hehe…right." Ryou nodded and they walked through the doors. Their friends immediately came to greet them.

"Hey, Baku! I guess you're not as stupid as you look. It's about time you two got together." Marik raised his cup in a salute/cheers sorta thing.

Malik, who had actually learned to polite way to congratulate people actually walked up to them and grinned from ear to ear. "I'm very happy for you both."

"Thanks, Malik." Ryou blushed, but he'd never been happier when he was embarrassed, so it didn't matter. Bakura nodded in response.

Yami and Yugi followed after Malik. "Hey, Ryou! I'm so glad you two finally worked things out." Yugi said with a grin.

Yami also smiled, but he couldn't really help the fact that it still looked like a smirk. Force of habit, I'm sure. "As am I."

Bakura smirked. "Yeah…well, maybe you'll be next."

Yami coughed suddenly, looking away. Yugi blinked. Malik snickered. Marik aimed another spitball at the near-by waitress…and then snickered. From what incident, no one knows.

"Yami? You okay?" Yugi asked in concern.

Bakura scoffed. "Are you kidding, of course he's not okay. He's red all over his face."

Ryou gave Bakura a firm jab with his elbow and glared at him. "Bakura…you said you'd try being nicer." He hissed.

Bakura sighed. "Okay, not all over. Just his cheeks."

Ryou rolled his eyes but hugged him anyway. "It's a start."

"Why are you all red, Yami?" Yugi asked innocently. Yami opened his mouth to explain himself before someone else could, but Marik beat him to it.

"'Cause he's embarrassed!" Marik came up from behind his hikari and hugged him.

Yugi frowned. "Why?"

Yami glared at Marik and opened his mouth again, but he should have spent more time talking and less glaring because…Marik was just too fast for him.

"'Cause he's got a crush on you." Marik blurted out bluntly, as if it were common knowledge. Malik glared at his yami and elbowed him the in the stomach. "Marik!" He hissed venomously.

Yami died again. He put his face in his hands and for a moment, everyone thought he was going to cry. Or scream. Or violently murder Marik with his bare hands. Instead he turned and walked away…plotting Marik's demise had to come later. First he had to make sure that spirit could die, starting with himself.

Yugi had turned absolutely scarlet. He would have asked if it were true, but Yami's reaction proved it. Along with everyone else's.

Bakura shrugged and mumbled that at least he wasn't the one who said it. Ryou looked after Yami sadly, pitying him for the horrible embarrassment he'd just gone through…Malik was hissing at Marik like a snake and Marik just shrugged.

"Well, sorry, I didn't know it was a secret. I thought everybody had figured it out." Marik insisted.

"You mean…everyone knew Yami liked me, except me?" Yugi asked, feeling like he was going to join Yami in dying.

Four heads bobbed in perfect unison.

Yugi glanced all around to each of his friends and finally groaned. "Aaagh…how stupid of me." He shook his head.

"No kidding." Marik nodded in agreement.

"Marik!" Malik snapped.

"What? I was just agreeing with him!"

Everyone rolled their eyes but Yugi and everyone glared at Marik, except Yugi. Who, after a moment of absolute silence, began to laugh. The entire group (excluding one midget) stared in shock. Yugi, however, just kept laughing. Laughing until he thought his sides would split.

"He's lost it. Marik, look what you did!" Bakura glared at him.

Marik's eyes darted around, in bewildered frustration. "Well, I mean…geez, I didn't think he'd go postal or anything."

Yugi looked up and smiled ruefully "No, no…I was laughing because, I can't believe I never figured that out. I like Yami, too. I've had a crush on him for the longest time and I can't believe I didn't realize that he felt the same way!"

Ryou grinned, feeling the warm fuzzies all over. "Then go tell him!"

Bakura, also in tune with the squishy romantic atmosphere, nodded. "Yeah, before he jumps off a bridge or something. I probably wouldn't blame him if he did."

The two hikariXyami couples watched as Yugi ran after Yami and followed them at a safe distance. They saw Yugi talking to a very embarrassed, half-dead looking Yami, who immediately snapped up when he heard Yugi say something. Yugi and Yami traded words for a couple more seconds before Yugi practically jumped into Yami's arms and kissed him.

Everyone watched for a second or two, then slowly turned away…

Finally, about ten minutes later…(Bakura had actually kept count of how long Yami and Yugi could hold their breath. Which was, admittedly, scary and impressive all at once.) Yami and Yugi walked back over to the two couples, now making it three.

Yugi didn't say anything, but clung to Yami's side like Ryou clung to Bakura: Like a fly to fly paper. Yami, however, had something to say. "Marik, I could kill you. But, instead, I have to thank you. So thanks, and never do it again."

They all had a good laugh over that.

"So…how 'bout we go and hook up Joey and Kaiba next?" Marik suggested. Malik smacked him and then, remembering that Marik was his knucklehead, kissed him.

"Actually, I think that's a good idea." Bakura interrupted, thoughtfully. "I mean, out of the yamis here, who cannot see that?"

Not a single hand raised. "And the hikaris?" Nada.

"See? But who here agrees that they'll never say anything until the world ends, and maybe not even then?"

Every hand shot up without a second thought. "They need help."

"Joey would murder us all for even talking about it, but I whole-heartedly agree." Yami agreeing with Bakura twice in one night was all the miracles anyone could ask for, but fate was on a roll.

They discussed sneaky plans, which were really pretty evil, but even Yugi and Ryou participated…so it was also sweet in some twisted way. Finally exhausted, the couples left the club.

Bakura and Ryou walked, considering each couple wanted to have time to themselves, and the winds had died down.

"Hey, Bakura?" Ryou murmured, resting his head on his yami's shoulder.

"Hmm?" Bakura gently held him closer.

"This was the best night of my whole life."

Bakura chuckled. "If I have anything to say about that, you'll have a couple more nights to say that about, hikari. But this night is coming to an end…so let's get some sleep."

"Can I sleep in your bed?" Ryou asked, expecting the comment to come.

"Okay, now what does that mean, hikari?" Bakura stared at him, paying him back for the previous comment with a joyous glint in his eyes. Ryou swatted him wearily.

"You know what I meant. I just want to be near you, is all." Ryou yawned, cuddling into Bakura's warmth.

"Yeah. I know. I couldn't resist, though." Bakura smiled and kissed the top of his hikari's head.

So ended that day, with three hikaris curled up in the arms of their loving yamis. Bakura and Ryou were finally united…

And though life, or death, or eternity may one day separate these two…they will never be forgotten. For their hearts will always ring with the song of the other.

THE END

-Sob- Could you just die? I'm CRYIN'! Over my own stupid fic, I'm cryin'!

NOTES:

1: For the record, have you heard rumors that Joey's dad is a drunk and rather violent? Guess what? It's all true. Okay, so the raping is not. (Thank God, really. I mean, if fans didn't make that up, I would be…I mean, sheesh! It'd be rated R, or something!) But he DID throw a beer bottle at Yugi and he is supposedly never sober. Another thing, if you heard that Joey was a gangster, that's true too.

Side note: Remember though, if you're new to those two facts, we fans make a lot of stuff up. Don't take everything at face value. Violence in this manga/anime is rarely ever as bad as we make it out to be.

2: He's right, you know. It would be. But the problem is, this chapter only has room for one full song, eh? Though, now that I think about it, I wish I had used that song. Really. Man, now I have to do something…but after I finish my ton-and-a-half of swamp work writing. (The kind that gets waist-high and drags ya under.)

3: I. Cannot. BELIEVE. I actually said it. –Snickers- Sashayed! My gosh, that was fun. Well, now that I have that out of my system, onward we go!

4: I just saw it. XD I may get to the theaters late, but I do get there! Huzzah!

5: -Blushes- That. Was. NOT meant to be perverted. Just sweet. Stroking their hair, or back, or something, okay?

Lastly- - -

Incase you didn't understand who the unnamed conversation was between: Don't worry about it. No one got it. You're not really supposed to. It's an inside joke.

That was…holy crud, what was that?

Review or die. (Muwaha…the parody, coming next fall. No, seriously, someone should make a parody and call it "Review or die"…my gosh, that would be funny. :D)

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-No, I mean it. REVIEW.

PS: Epilogue hopefully in progress...in mind. Something. Gosh, I'm too busy for my own good.

HappyDevil: Aww...so you figured it out, huh? Well, I hope not. I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

StormySkys: Thanks! Like I've said, writing those two is still new to me. (Thank you! I only know one other person thus far who really appreciates the scenery work I do!) -Laughs- Well, no worries, Baku-chan'll behave now. (Most of the time.) I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

Kaaera: Funny, you and my beta reader have the same problem. My stories make essay neglected. -Grins sheepishly- Hurrah! All hail the hyper reviewer and the wonderful long reviews! O.O Omg...you actually guessed it! Yes, you're right. You the first person to get it right. (-Laughs- You don't know? You were very insightful, but...can't you guess what would make Bakura -sure- of his next step? I wish you would share them, actually. I'll mention it in the epilogue.)I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you (very much) for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

Kouichi Kimura: Actually, I do have a link, but won't allow me (-censor - YOU, FF .net!) to post it here. So, instead, look in my favorite author's list. She's the fourth author. Her name is "Divey", and the story I'm referring to is "Night of Souls." Thank you for the compliments, they're always appreciated. I know you enjoyed this story, (YAY!) thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

AngelKelley17: Oh, really? I'm moving soon too. Don't worry, I won't mind. I hope you get to this chapter though. I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

luvanime4life: Aww, I'm sorry. Gosh, you're nice. Like everyone reviewing on this story. I'm ridiculously happy right now.-Sniffs with tears of joy- YAY! I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

Poison Remedy-Sinful Angel: Another long name. XD Glad to know I'm not alone, but ANYway: O.O You're dying? Oh, dear, you can't -die-! That would be horrible! -Sends YGO cast to take care of you- I hope I'm not too late! (-Amused- I love reviewers with such enthusiasm!)I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

Tink: Another long review...-grins- gosh, I love my reviewers. Well, now you know. And, Bakura can't use something...-chuckles- "kinkey" in public. Thank you very much, in-character writing is something I worry about a lot. -Bows - As you wish!I hope you enjoyed this story, thank you for reviewing, and I hope to see you at the epilogue.

-Sports T-shirt with "I luv reviewers" written all over it- I'm a happy writer. Yes. Quite.