AN: Okay…so the fic may be about 10 chapters now… OH! I forgot to explain: Ryou knows his numbers, just not his letters.

I DO NOT OWN YGO

Chapter Six: Guardian

Brian almost burst out laughing. Bakura's actually listening…he's attached to the kid! Just to see his reaction, Brian shoved the kid onto his knees by kicking him. Ryou bit his lip to cut his cry short as he fell hard on the pavement.

Bakura jerked, but didn't move. His face was blank, but his mask nearly slipped when Brian cocked the gun.

Marik stood coolly behind Bakura, his grip on his weapon so tight that he was drawing sweat.

"Bakura, Bakura, Bakura," Brian teased, placing a hand on Ryou's head. Ryou visibly flinched as Brian grabbed a handful of white hair. "Who would've thought? A guy like you…" Brian tsked as he yanked hard on the child's scalp.

"Stop it!" Bakura yelled as Ryou winced in pain, now shaking. "Cut the crap, Brian. What the hell do you want?"

Brian's grin widened. "What do I want?" Brian echoed, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "He asks what I want!" Brian shouted. His cronies all chuckled in amusement. Brian turned to Bakura. "I want…you to suffer as I did…no, more…a lot more."

Bakura's face was still blank. "Fine." He took one step forward and fell to his knees. "Do what you want."

Cursing, Marik tried to step forward but the bullet that grazed his cheek stopped him. Brian handed the gun off to the person behind him, who held Ryou tightly across the neck with an arm.

Brian slowly made his way in front of Bakura, smiling thinly. Bakura stared straight ahead, ignoring the jeers from Brian's followers. A burst of pain filled his midsection as Brian elbowed him. Bakura clenched his teeth, letting the feeling pass. He just needed one opening, just one.

The gunman who held Ryou spit on the ground, but the gun never moved.

Brian kicked Bakura in the back. Stumbling forwards, Bakura caught himself just in time. However, he wasn't prepared for the next attack to his back: a metal pipe. Hit by full force, Bakura collapsed onto the pavement.

Ryou gritted his teeth as Brian continued thrashing Bakura. This was all his fault. If he had listened to Marik, Bakura wouldn't be suffering at the moment. Ryou bit his lip to stop his tears as Brian tore off Bakura's shirt and produced a whip. The child had to look away, but he flinched every time the whip snapped.

His eyes met Marik's. Marik looked at his calmly, sending him a message. He nodded slightly back. Looking up at his captor's face, Ryou knew it was now or never. With the man's attention on Bakura and Brian, Ryou lifted up a foot and slammed his heel down onto his captor's toes.

A scream filled the air. Ryou didn't notice Marik dart forward to grab the gun; instead, he ran towards his fallen guardian.

A gunshot.

Ryou slid down next to Bakura, who lay on the ground on his stomach. "Kura!" Ryou frantically grabbed Bakura's shoulder and started shaking it as if there was no tomorrow. "Kura, Kura! Get up…" More tears fell down his cheeks as Bakura moaned softly.

Bakura forced himself to move. Slowly, he pushed himself up from the ground with his arms and stood up unsteadily. Ryou tried to help him balance, and succeeded. Bakura clenched his fists, willing the pain away.

Ryou sobbed harder, noticing Bakura's plight. He felt something inside him snap. He turned towards Brian, who was on the ground with a bullet in his arm. Marik stood over him with the gun, keeping an eye on the opponents.

Wiping away his tears, Ryou knelt down next to Brian.

"You…" Ryou swallowed hard. "If you ever touch Kura again, you're scwewed."

Brian, on the ground, was shaking uncontrollably now. "Are you going to call the cops?" he asked hoarsely.

Bakura scoffed. His eyes turned a darker shade, dripping with malice. "No." He bent down and picked up the fallen whip. "Not yet."

Marik sighed and closed his eyes. Ryou frowned as Bakura tightened his grip on the device.

"Kura…" Ryou couldn't stop his own voice from shaking. "What are you doing?"

Bakura froze.

Ryou felt his lip tremble. "Don't…" he whispered. "Please…don't…if you do, then you'd be like him…" The child took insecure steps towards Bakura. When he reached him, he looked up at the guardian he knew no longer.

Marik watched as Bakura's vice evaporated. Inside, he felt relieved. He didn't mind Bakura extracting revenge…just not this way.

Bakura dropped the whip and embraced the child, muttering an apology. He stroked Ryou's hair softly while trying to organize his thoughts. Ryou clung to Bakura, reassured.

"Do you have your cell?" Marik asked.

Bakura nodded. He stood up and pulled out his cellular phone. He dialed 911 and exchanged a few words with the operator.

"They're on their way now," Bakura announced, closing his phone and stuffing it back into his pocket.

Marik nodded.

-Near midnight, in the limo on the way home-

Mr. Teishin urged Marik to drive faster. Tired, Marik nodded and accelerated a tad. Bakura couldn't help but smile at his friend's attempt.

"Honestly Bakura," Mr. Teishin huffed. "Do something about that back of yours. You're getting all the seats bloody."

Bakura's smile disappeared. "Sorry father," he murmured. He reached for the box of blankets, but winced as pain bolted up his back. Ryou quietly got up from Bakura's lap and opened the box. He took out a blanket and gave it to Bakura; he gave him a grateful look.

Wrapping himself with the blanket with Ryou in his lap once again, Bakura sighed. His father had arrived shortly after the police had apprehended the kidnappers, dressed in a suit with sunglasses. He busied himself with taking care of the news reporters and photographers.

Bakura, despite Ryou and Marik's advice, refused to have the paramedics see to his wounds. His father had made matters worse when he shooed the doctors away. He had ordered the threesome into the car. Once on their way home, Mr. Teishin had yelled about his image, and his company's reputation. He had also mentioned a lot more bullshit about his company, but Bakura had tuned him out, checking over Ryou and watching Marik for signs of pain or fatigue.

Mr. Teishin growled. "You know what," he said, turning towards Bakura. "This all happened because of that boy." Bakura glared as his father pointed at Ryou. He was about to rebuke what his father said, but Mr. Teishin wouldn't have it. "I want you to return this bothersome child to Tomoki's orphanage. There is no longer a use for him."

Marik slammed down on the brakes. When he looked back to glare at his boss, he found that Bakura had beaten him to it. Ryou was on the seat where Bakura had been, looking lost and ashamed.

"Listen, father." Bakura grabbed Mr. Teishin's shirt with his hands. "This is my life, thank you very much. Stay out of my business, and get your facts straight. The reason I was 'kidnapped' was because of your money, not Ryou. The reason why I was nearly beat half to death was because of your idiotic suggestion of finishing school early. However, I do not hold you responsible for these things, or blame you for them. I like to call it karma. It's just bad luck to have such a greedy bastard as my father." Bakura's hold tightened. "Ryou's not just some type of doll you can pick up and toss around. I'm keeping Ryou whether you like it or not, and I'm signing the official papers tomorrow."

Silence met his outburst. Marik couldn't help but smile.

Mr. Teishin jerked away from his son's grasp, flustered. Red in the face, he adjusted his sunglasses and straightened his tie.

"I want you out of my house by tomorrow. Got that?"

"Nada!" Marik shook his head. "Sorry Mr. Teishin. Allow me to refresh your memory: Bakura owns half the mansion due to his mother's side."

Bakura treasured his moment of triumph as he picked up Ryou and sat down again. (Ryou's in his lap) Ryou hesitantly placed his arms around Bakura's neck. Bakura smiled, and Ryou snuggled deeper. A few minutes later, Bakura felt a small, even, breathing coming from Ryou. He grinned at Marik when they both saw Ryou's content face.

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AN: Well, the kidnapping part is all over. Whew. I'm hoping Bakura getting beaten wasn't too…angsty, ya know? From now on, I think…um…a few more chapters at the most…and I'm also debating whether or not I should make this a sad story or a happy one…hm…Anyways, I hope you liked this chapter!