I DO NOT OWN YGO!

Chapter Three: Fathers

-Yamazaki Hospital- (AN: I made this hospital up. It is fictional!)

Bakura walked into clean and spacious ward, making his way through all the patients waiting to be seen to. Some of these people were nursing an injured arm or leg, but no one seemed to be suffering great pain.

Idiots, Bakura thought. Wasting money and time on useless scratches. Thankfully the main doctors only see to the real patients.

Cutting the line, the white haired youth reached the door with little trouble. People gave him reproachful looks, but he just ignored at them. However, upon reaching his intention, a nurse stopped him.

"I'm sorry sir, but you'll have to wait in line," she said sternly, blocking his way. She glared at him when he didn't move.

"Listen lady," Bakura said coldly, his patience already running thin. "I don't have time for this."

The nurse poked Bakura in the chest, pointing to the end of the line. "That's where you go young man."

"Maurice!" Another nurse appeared, bowing to the irritated teen. "Mr. Teishin, I apologize. Please go on through. She's new," the new nurse quickly added before ushering Bakura through the double doors.

When the teen was gone, Maurice turned to her fellow practitioner and frowned. "What the heck was that, Gwen?"

"Are you trying to get fired?" Gwen shot back.

Maurice's frown deepened. Exasperated, Gwen quickly explained.

"Mr. Teishin is one of the biggest benefactors for us. He was also the one who founded this hospice. That was his son. Every day, at least once, that boy comes in to see his mother. She's currently in a coma…"

"Oh, I understand…"

"Yes, do be careful in the future."

As Gwen walked away, Maurice muttered something about 'rude snobby rich boys and their money'.

-Room 513-

Doctor Tommy Gaze watched the teen stride confidently into Ciri Teishin's room. Quietly, the good doctor strode forward to shut the door, which was left ajar. When his hand touched the knob, he couldn't help but smile.

"Hello mom," Bakura whispered, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to his mother's bed. He then started talking, as he always did, when Tommy started closing the door.

"-and father made me get this kid, Ryou, from the orphanage-"

-Teishin Manor- (AN: I hope you don't mind all this jumping around. Sorry about that.)

Ryou stirred as footsteps were heard. Sleepily, he started rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Was Bakura already back from the hospital? The child eagerly hopped off the bed and checked the time. 7:00. It had been 4 hours since he had left. Perhaps he was back! Ryou quickly opened his door and gazed down the hall, surprised by what he saw.

"Mr. Teishin, sir, with all due respect, please return to your office!" That was Marik's voice…but he sounded…panicked? And Mr. Teishin? That certainly wasn't Bakura he was talking to…Bakura didn't have red eyes.

"Move," a voice growled.

"Don't you have more work?"

"Get out of my face."

"Please, sir-"

"Move, Ishtar, or I will fire you." The head of Teishin manor glowered at the driver, who reluctantly inched away.

Ryou watched the man come closer, but didn't make a move. It was as if the man's empty red eyes and white hair had frozen his insides. He stood there, just staring at the man as he came into contact with the master of the manor for the first time.

Only when sharp pain overcame his senses did the small boy scamper away.

Holding his newest injury, Ryou stumbled backwards. The man had slapped him. The small boy looked around frantically, trying to find a place where he could hide. Anywhere.

"Do you not know any manners, boy?" Mr. Teishin asked, looking at the boy with disgust from the hallway. "You are supposed to bow to your superiors!" Mr. Teishin's face wrinkled in loathing as the boy evaded him. "I take it that you are the orphan." Those red eyes studied him. "Worthless. Absolutely worthless. Then again, what did I expect if Bakura picked you out?" Ryou found himself cornered. He stared up at the man with wide eyes. "He'll probably dump you later…You are not supposed to look at your superiors."

The frightened boy started quivering uncontrollably, memories overlapping reality.

"Don't look at me like that, you bastard!" Another slap.

"Have you been bad again, you idiot?" Tears fell.

"Dolt, get out of my way!" Somebody grabbed him. Ryou found himself face to face with Mr. Teishin with his shirt collar choking him.

Mr. Teishin pulled harder. "Apologize-"

"Father!"

Mr. Teishin, without freeing his captive, wheeled around only to face his son, Bakura, who didn't look too happy.

Bakura stalked up to his father, seething with anger. "What is with you?" he asked, obviously trying hard to control his anger. He carefully wrenched Ryou away from his father. "You tell me to get the kid so I wouldn't be in your way," Bakura said, clenching his teeth and glaring at his father. "Then, you come and butt into my business! What the hell is your problem?"

Mr. Teishin stood a bit straighter, but didn't back down. He opened his mouth to say something, but Bakura spit in his face before he fumed past him towards the door.

The teen gently patted circles on Ryou's back, trying to calm him down. "You're staying in my room now," Bakura told the child. Ryou just buried his head into his shoulder and tried to stop crying. "He won't touch you again." Bakura scowled at his father once more and made a rude gesture before storming down the hall.

Marik met them in Bakura's room, worried.

"Bakura, I'm sorry. Your father, h-he said that he'd fire me if-"

"It's alright, Marik," Bakura said, placing the child onto the bed. When he turned towards his driver, two small hands still hung to his shirt. Sighing, Bakura sat on the bed and pulled Ryou into his lap. "Just…go get his stuff…and continue your rounds."

Marik nodded and quickly made his way out of the room.

"Are…are you okay?" Bakura asked, tilting Ryou's face upwards to inspect him.

Ryou slightly nodded, trembling. When Bakura released him, he looked down again.

Unsure of his actions, Bakura slowly pulled the child into an embrace, hoping that he wouldn't be rejected. And he wasn't.

-An hour later-

A soft cry woke Bakura from his dozing state. Jolting to a start, the teen felt a form shift beside him. Looking at the cause of distraction, Bakura quickly shook the child awake.

Ryou opened his brown eyes slowly, coming out of his nightmare. "Kura?"

Bakura couldn't help but smile. "It's okay, Ryou." He gently ruffled the said boy's hair.

"I woke-ed you…sowwy."

"It's all right. After all, it is time for your bath."

Ryou blushed. "Otay."

Bakura let the boy stretch a bit before he led Ryou towards the bathroom. "You'd think my room would come with a flipping bathroom," Bakura muttered under his breath as he entered the heavily adorned lavatory.

He heard a slight giggle. Looking down to his side, Bakura saw Ryou with a smile on his face, laughing.

-Night rounds in the same hallway-

Suppressing a yawn, Marik heaved a sigh and turned back to make his second round of the night. However, upon passing the bathroom, something he hadn't heard in a long time reached his ears.

Laughter.

Marik couldn't help but smile.

---

Thank you all for your support! I tried not to make this chapter too…I don't know, angsty like? I hope it wasn't too dark.