A brief note from the author: This story is set after episode 184, after Yuugi defeats Yami no Bakura in the first round of the Battle City finals on the battleship. In an attempt to remain faithful to the show's content, I refer to Bakura Ryou as "Bakura," because no one actaully calls him "Ryou," and I avoid using an actual name for Yami no Bakura, seeing as we're not really sure of his name. This may prove to be confusing to those who prefer to call them "Bakura and Ryou," which is why I'm explaining. Enjoy the fanfiction.

A head of unkempt, snow-colored hair collided with the stone wall, a disgust-filled face turning towards the ceiling.

That soft-hearted weakling wouldn't have attacked. It was so obvious. If he hadn't done what he had, Yuugi would have forfeited. He could have won. He sighed and buried his head in his hands. Why? Why had he taken the blow?

"I'm such a fool."

"Are you, now?"

He jerked his head from his hands at the sound of the voice, looking to see who had invaded his mind, then scowled at the newcomer.

"Yadonushi," he acknowledged.

The one known as Bakura Ryou jabbed his hands into his pockets and smiled sheepishly.

"Hello."

The spirit snorted and looked away from him.

"How do you know about this place?" he asked, attempting to sound stern. Bakura shuffled his feet, as though he were considering moving closer, but did not. He was clearly afraid, but trying not to show it.

"I always come here," he replied. "Or do you think I just sleep my life away as you do what you please with my body?"

The spirit glared at his host. "What do you want?"

"Well," said Bakura softly, taking a small step forward. "I have something to say to you."

"Let me guess," the other interrupted. "You want to know why you haven't been in the hospital for the past few days. Or perhaps you'd like to curse me for attempting to destroy your friends. That it?"

"N-no…well, yes, but that's not why I'm here."

"Oh?"

"I…" he swallowed hard and took a deep breath, trying to steady his trembling. "I wanted…"

The spirit raised an eyebrow. He said nothing, waiting for his host to continue.

"You saved my life," said Bakura. "Why?"

The spirit tore his eyes away from Bakura once more, glaring at the floor. "Don't be stupid," he mumbled, almost inaudibly. "You know why. If you die, I can't survive. It's that simple."

"No, it's not," said Bakura, more firmly now. His fear was beginning to ebb away. "Yuugi-kun would never have attacked me. You could've won! So why…?"

He grunted and pushed off from the floor, shoving his host's shoulder as he moved past him.

"Just leave me alone, Yadonushi."

Bakura stood there, frozen, listening to the spirit's footsteps as he walked away.

"Wait!" he called suddenly, wheeling around. "I just…Thank you."

The other stopped moving.

"…For protecting me. Thanks."

The spirit stood there in silence for another moment with his back to Bakura. Then, without a word, he vanished into the shadows.

Okay, so it takes a true fangirl to interpret the end of 184 as a suspect moment, but I did it, dammit! I mean,Yami Bakura sacrificed himself to save Little Bakura! Did anyone else find that cute, or am I just a hopeless shōnen-ai fanatic?

Feed me?