Thank you for all the reviews! Sorry, but I don't have much time at the moment. I'll respond to them next time I update my story. Stupid teacher and all that homework. Seriously, what the heck are the point of weekends if they bog you down with work anyways? No offense meant, though.

Enjoy!

Chapter Ten: Heaven

-Tomoki's Orphanage-

"This information is confidential! We can't just hand out to anyone!"

Bakura grabbed the policeman's shirt. "We're not just anyone."

"We're the kids' real guardians," Marik said. "And if you are the only person standing between me and those damn papers, I just got rid of you!" Without wasting another second, Marik punched the man's lights out.

Bakura stepped over the body and quickly went through all the papers. Spotting the one he needed, he quickly memorized the address and exited.

Restarting their bikes, both boys exchanged a few words before heading down the road towards a farm with only one intention in mind: kicking someone's ass real hard.

-On the way to the Farm in a truck-

Ryou's stomach reeled. Trembling, the child felt something…bile. Coughing, Ryou tasted something funny in his mouth…it was a metallic taste that nearly made him hurl…the taste of blood. Hacking up some more, Ryou felt tears rack his body. It was happening again, but he had never endured it this long before.

Ondruw wasn't paying attention. He was too eager to get home then to watch his son suffer. Pressing the accelerator harder, he sped up toward his farm.

In a few minutes, they reached an old beat up garage. There, Ondruw parked the car and hopped out of his seat.

Ryou panted as he had trouble breathing in his uncomfortable position. Blood covered the floor, all from his coughing. A hand grabbed his collar and released the buckle. Allowed a little space for air, Ryou felt his head clear a little bit. It was cut short as his father dragged him towards the barn which was opposite the house.

The big, double red doors that Ryou dreaded were weathered and broken. The child trembled harder as they drew closer. Ondruw paid the doors no heed as he pushed his way inside, nearly breaking them down.

The barn was enormous. With seven stalls for horses on each side (all empty) and a loft upstairs, it would've been grand if a good farmer had taken care of it. Dirt and hay obscured most of the floor from view, dust on top.

"Finally!" Ondruw said, grinning maliciously. Tossing Ryou on the ground, he stepped inside a stall for a minute.

Ryou struggled to his hands and knees before he threw up. Panting, the child struggled to catch his breath. He barfed again, and again. It wouldn't stop. There was barely any time to breath in between, too.

Someone grabbed his hair and yanked it up. Ryou screamed, feeling broken, sick, and tired. He wanted to sleep…he wanted to be warm…he wanted Marik and Bakura with him…

His father slapped him a few times before asking if he wanted the cure. Ryou whimpered as he nodded. "Please…papa…" Too weak to say more, the child grabbed his father's shirt.

Ondruw couldn't stop laughing. "You feeble idiot. I'll give you the cure all right!" There was no warning as he pulled Ryou off the floor and dumped him into the stall he had stepped into.

There was a cart that was supposed to be drawn by horse. However, with no animals on the farm, it was entirely useless…until now.

Two cold hands grabbed Ryou and stripped him naked. "No fancy clothes for you," Ondruw said with comtempt as he forced Ryou to his knees. He then took a thin chain with three collars and attached it to Ryou's arms and neck. "You're going to help me move some barrels of oat," Ondruw explained, tightening the clasps. "Do that, and I might give you the antidote."

Ryou collapsed when his father released him, only to cough and hurl.

The man ignored his son and pushed the cart outside, even loading it. Meanwhile, Ryou felt his insides burning and his head splitting. It hurt so much! His throat felt dry, his temples pounded.

A crack of a whip brought him to life.

"It's all loaded. Now move!" Ondruw shouted as he raised a whip. He slashed Ryou across the back.

Ryou scrambled forward, pulling the cart as hard as he could. It barely moved, but it wasn't enough. The whip cracked and the boy fell. Barfing once again, the child was forced to his feet and he resumed his labor. It wasn't long before he fell again.

Muscles grew sore, he grew dirty, everything started burning. Ryou didn't know how long he had been at it, but it felt as if he was dying. If this was death, then so be it. After all, the pain would go away, wouldn't it?

A humming noise…maybe he was hearing things. Pain flared across his back. He pulled, ignoring the sound.

It grew louder, and then shouts were heard. His feet lost their place, and Ryou fell again.

The humming was deafening now.

Before he hit the ground, something warm caught him.

Bakura.

Ryou whimpered and cried openly. "Kura!" His voice was cracked and barely audible. He felt so exhausted, but he had so many things to say. But all he could do was cry and enjoy the warmth that he felt.

There was a crack of a whip. No pain came. Ryou looked up from where he laid in Bakura's arms. Another crack of the whip. Still no pain. Was he dead?

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AN: Are you guys going to kill me or what?