Make Yourself
Chapter 10: The Convenience of Rainy Weather
By: Shounen Squared

I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh, any of its characters, or any of the songs throughout this little FANfic.

Ryou was on Cloud Nine by the next day. The short of the story was that the cops had come to Ryou's house after Bakura's little call. Bakura then revealed the multitude of marks and bruises all over Ryou's body and face. The two officers actually gasped and gaped at the damage that had been done. This was absurdity!

Mr. and Mrs. Bakura were also standing among the group at about thirty minutes past midnight. Bakura took a hold of the father's fist and asked the officer to closely examine the knuckles. That proved as some fairly decent evidence. Ryou's dad had knuckles that were red and fatigued looking. And there were faint black scuff marks on the back of Ryou, which could very well be from the black boots that Mr. Bakura was wearing.

Then Bakura pointed out Ryou's slim, frail figure. You could almost see and feel his ribs, it was even frightening

The male officer looked at his female counterpart, then mumbled amongst themselves for several minutes before turning back to Bakura. "We solemnly regret the injuries of your friend, but I'm afraid there is no one hundred-percent solid evidence that these people are to blame. It isn't our job to take sides. But if you two are truly innocent, you won't mind going on trial sometime within the next sixth months."

"What!" shouted the two parents in synche. Mr. Bakura was very tempted to start beating up not only Ryou, but Bakura as well. But he was at least wise enough to know that beating someone up in front of certified police officers was a very bad idea.

In the end, the two adults were taken into custody. When Ryou told Bakura that he needed a place at which to live now that his parents were gone, Bakura grinned. "Well, I guess this means you're kind of on your own in this situation." he frowned, but then almost instantaneously gave a look of enlightment. "Oh, I know! Stupid me. Feel free to crash at my place. I mean, if that's okay with you."

Ryou jumped up to Bakura's eye level (which was slightly higher than his own) and hugged his companion. "I'd love that, Kura-kun! Ar--arigatou." he stuttered his thank-you, bowing his head quite lowly.

"Hey, no problem, Yo-chan." he said, softly rubbing his palm on the top of Ryou's head.

After merely a couple of moments of silence, Ryou visibly shuddered and trembled, then looked back up at his counterpart. Bakura gasped at what he saw; Ryou's face was a faint red, and tears were rolling down his pristine cheeks. "Ryou, you're crying! Don't worry, I'll take care of you." Eyebrows furrowed, Bakura quickly held Ryou in his arms and stroked his back comfortingly. "What's wrong? Don't worry, they're gone now. You won't ever have to deal with them again." Ryou shook his head slightly, now letting out audible sobs.

"What's wrong, Ryou? Did those bastards do something else to you? Please tell me if they did, Ryou. I need to know. What happened to you? Is there something I don't know?"

"I mean it. Th-thank you so much. Now they're gone for good." Ryou whispered, wiping his eyes and lightly pinching the bridge of his nose. He didn't seem to be finished speaking or expressing his thoughts.

Bakura was a bit shocked that he was crying just in giving a simple statement of gratitude. He had never claimed that he owed him a thank-you for getting rid of his parents or giving him a place to stay.

Were those tears of joy or sorrow that he was seeing in Ryou's eyes? "Ryou."

"Not just for taking them away. For everything. For offering me a place to stay as soon as it became a problem. And opening up to me. And for expressing so much concern and care for me. Now that I know I can't depend on my parents, I don't understand anything anymore." he gripped a fistful of his bangs and pressed his hand to his forehead. Bakura was overwhelmed by this sudden outpour of emotions. He had never felt such sorrow or despair in years, and it was almost awkward for him to watch someone crumble into such hysterics.

But with Ryou, this was not the case. That was simply because Ryou was the very person that Bakura had always been able to confide in with his emotions. "What's right, what's wrong, what's the truth, and what are lies. And what to believe or not to believe. You're the only person I have left to trust now, Bakura. I can't trust anyone but you. You may only be one person, but it really means a lot to me. . ." That was all he could manage to say before his cries overpowered his speech abilities once more.

Bakura took Ryou's head on his shoulder and patted his back again. Ryou was not able to see the distressed look in his eyes due to his own weeping. Poor Ryou, was all he thought as he reflected upon this change that Mr. and Mrs. Bakura had brought forth in Ryou. He had no doubt in his mind that there would be a permanent emotional and psychological scar in Ryou's mind and heart forever. Bakura knew first-hand what it felt like to be betrayed by people. . .

But as his conscience began to think such a selfish-seeming thought, Bakura shook it off. He told himself to contemplate on that another day, when Ryou's soul did not seem to be crumbling in his very arms. He could think about himself any day of the week. "You don't need to thank me for anything at all, Yo-chan. I'm only being me. In such a short time, I've grown so attached and even dependent on you. It's only been about two months, and I know that might seem weird to you. But it's the truth. You're the one I want to protect now. And it breaks my heart to ever see you broken like this."

For some reason, Ryou did not answer him. When the two pulled away from each other just far enough where they could see each other's faces, Ryou's eyes were still glistening with tears. Bakura could not look at his love so hurt any longer. He turned away from him, still holding Ryou by the hand. "Let's go home."

Ryou, in turn, said nothing, but nodded his head and obediently followed Bakura back in the direction of the stadium.

The weather outside was a nightmare to walk in. The summer rain pounded over their heads and shoulders, spilling like Bakura's and Ryou's tears. They walked down streets and over sidewalks, ploshing through deep, wet puddles.

When they reached a bus stop with a bench and a awning to keep dry, the two boys paused to catch their breath. Ryou folded his arms and shivered as he sat down on the moist wooden seat. Bus stop or no, getting to the stadium would not be so easy as just waiting for a bus to come. They did not come this late at night, let alone on weekends.

Bakura sat down beside him, and after a few minutes of silence, he questioned, "Are you ready to keep going now, or do you need more rest? Whenever you're ready, I am."

Ryou shivered again. "I'm ready."

Bakura eyed him carefully before rising from his seat. Ryou did this as well, and was prepared to keep walking for his destination. But a hand touched his shoulder, sending a chill through his body. "Kura-kun? What is it?"

Said man stood there solemnly, and when he did not respond, it almost seemed as if Bakura had not heard Ryou's query. "God dammit, you're freezing." He unzipped his jacket and removed his arms from it. Ryou found himself standing there completely awestruck as Bakura placed his own jacket onto the other boy's shoulders.

It was a horribly frigid night, and it was pouring tears of the clouds. And Bakura was giving up his own warmth for him?

"Thank you." Ryou had much more appreciation than he let off, but he was too bewildered to thank him any further.

Now Bakura was ready to leave the covered area. But this time Ryou stopped him by holding onto and gently tugging the end Bakura's sleeve. Bakura redirected his gaze to Ryou, who was peering back at him. I'm not afraid anymore. he told himself mentally, slowly walking closer to Bakura. Right?

Bakura waited patiently and curiously as Ryou approached him. Forgive me. Ryou thought as he wrapped his arms around Bakura's neck. Drawing their eye levels nearer. Two pairs of chocolate colored eyes met each other intently. Motionless and awaiting Ryou's next move, Bakura examined his facial expression.

Ryou closed his eyes and brought his face closer to Bakura's. He could feel the warm steam from the older boy's breath against the cold air. When he was perhaps inches away, he stopped himself and turned his head to the side.

The older teen was not fooled by Ryou's reluctance. He could see it clearly in his eyes and face. For so long, he had waited to hold him like this. Ryou had never lost his timid, shy nature at all. Bakura reminded himself of this. To Ryou, you are still but a stranger. He doesn't understand anything about who or what you are. He does not understand. . . his conscience was screaming at him. Ignoring the thoughts, he continued to look at Ryou with a look of desire and longing. He loved Ryou so much.

Bakura rested his palm on the back of Ryou's head. Finally, no longer even a bit wary in his actions, he pulled the boy's face to his and locked his rough lips with Ryou's soft, smooth ones. At a first glance, it would appear that the kiss was forced and not thought out at all. Or it may have appeared rushed or emotionless to others. But for the two of them, the timing was perfect.

Ryou seemed to melt away in the security of Bakura's arms. Why did doing this with him feel so natural? Why did it feel so right to be here with him? He graciously returned the gesture, wishing to kiss Bakura until he felt that he could properly get his point across. That he loved him. That he loved Bakura with everything he was, and that he wanted to do whatever he could to make him happy.

The lip-lock was relatively short lived for Bakura, about twenty seconds at the most. And as the two broke apart from one another, Ryou was blushing furiously. Once again, he would not look at Bakura in the eye as he spoke. "About a month ago, I made a promise to you that I would not deny my feelings. But I don't understand. Not these feelings inside of me, and not this relationship we have with each other. And I do not understand you either, Kura-kun."

The rock idol chuckled to himself, not even bothering to release his hold on Ryou. A warm aura came from Bakura as he squeezed Ryou closer to him in a soft hug. "You don't understand me, huh? Well, don't worry. Not a lot of people do, after all. But I will tell you this. I love you."

Ryou's grip on Bakura tightened as he gave an almost girly squeal. "You're so sweet! Not a lot of guys are that straight-forward with their feelings, ne? Usually, with guys, the other person has to pry those words out of their lover. You know? I'm so happy that you're not like that."

Bakura blinked with childlike eyes for a moment. What was this? Suddenly, Ryou's mood took a 180 degree turn from solemn and serious to playful and cheery."'Lover'? I sure wouldn't mind that title coming from you. . .koibito."

The younger teen became glassy-eyed, which Bakura always found quite adorable and suiting for Ryou. "Awwww! You're such a freakin' sweetie! I love you, Kura-kun! May we please go home now? I'm kind of cold."

"Of course," Bakura finally stopped hugging Ryou, but then he leaned down and lifted him up into his arms. Ryou was caught off guard by the act, but he certainly did not mind. He was perfectly capable of walking all the way to the stadium by himself. But Ryou figured that he should humor Bakura and let him carry him home.

All the while, two parts of Ryou's mind were shouting at him. One was swooning and scolding Ryou for waiting so long for this night. The other half, however, was screaming at Ryou for how rushed and stupid this whole Bakura thing was appearing to be.

If you haven't noticed, I edited the chapter. It looks much neater now. So if you haven't noticed, then NOTICE, biatch, and appreciate my hard work :) haha, review, please.