Well here we are again! I've just started writing chapter nine! Be happy, peoples! I'm doing this for you! (plus it's fun…) Anyway, I think I'll dedicate this chapter to my sister who is reading the story and telling me what she thinks of it.

My cousin suggested I put some of my poetry in my stories. I'll start off with an extremely short one. If you don't like poetry, fine; just skip it then.

Dominant

Eyes like ice

That slice through flesh

Can view the lies

And make one feel less.

Heh. In the future I'll try to relate them to the story more. Booya!

I don't own Yugioh. sobs

I'd also like to say that is erasing tons of my punctuation marks. If someone knows how to fix this…well, you get the idea.

Chapter three: Dead End

"Yami! Yami wake up!" Yugi whispered loudly, shaking the tossing form.

Yami bolted up, looking about frantically. His heart beat rapidly, sweat trickling down his forehead. His chest rose and fell as he tried to catch his breath.

/What? What is it/

/You were having a nightmare./ Yugi replied.

/Oh/ An awkward silence fell. The yami and hikari stared at one another in the darkness.

/What time is it/

/2 a.m./ Yugi rubbed his eyes sleepily.

/Sorry abiou./

/Not your fault. I was having trouble sleeping anyway/ Yugi shrugged.

/Any particular reason/ Yami questioned, concerned.

/Just thinking about today…er…yesterday. It certainly was a shock./

/Hm…/

/What do you plan to do now? With Bakura remembering the past and all.../

/…/

/Yami/

"I'm not sure, abiou. I seriously doubt he'll tell me anything," Yami muttered out loud.

"It doesn't hurt to ask," Yugi replied, fiddling with the band of his watch.

"With Bakura it could," Yami grumbled.

"Why not ask Ryou then? Maybe Bakura's told him something," Yugi suggested.

"That's a good idea, but I'll have to do it subtly so Ryou won't get in trouble with that bastard," Yami growled.

"Ask him at school tomorrow…er…today," Yugi sighed, falling against Yami's pillow.

"I forgot about school! We'd better get back to sleep!" Yami started.

"Mmm…right…" Yugi mumbled, falling asleep.

Yami smiled at the smaller figure before curling up beside him.

"…so that's the answer to your question. Now about chapter seventeen…" the teacher's voice droned on and on.

Yami blinked slowly, his head dropping slightly. Yawning, he found he could not focus. Glancing over at Ryou, he watched the boy furiously taking notes.

School would be a perfect place to talk to Ryou. Bakura, unlike Yami, did not attend school. Ra knows what the former tomb robber did to entertain his psychotic mind during the day.

"Psst! Yami!" Jou whispered.

"Yes?"

"What's your plan for that bastard now?" Jou grinned. "Cause if you need some ideas, Honda an' I have got a few up our sleeves!"

Yami chuckled quietly. "Thanks Jou, but I'd rather not get the rest of you involved any more than you already are."

"But he was such an ass to you yesterday!" Jou cried in disappointment.

"Mister Wheeler!" the teacher snapped. "That'll be a detention after school!"

"Yes mam," Jou grumbled sourly.

"Has anyone seen Ryou?" Yami asked as he glanced around the cafeteria.

"No, as soon as class ended he zoomed outta there," Honda replied, plopping down in the chair between Anzu and Jou.

"Mnch ah echi umph," Jou said with a mouthful of food.

"Jou, swallow please," Anzu scolded in disgust as bits of food fell from his mouth onto the table.

"Do you think Bakura threatened Ryou to stay away from us?" Honda asked before biting into his sandwich.

"I've no doubt about it," Yami glowered at his tray of food.

"But that's not fair! Yami has a right to know about the past!" Anzu complained.

"And Bakura would give a damn because?" Honda scowled.

"I'll just try to catch Ryou in between classes or after school," Yami sighed.

The day continued on. None of the group found a chance to talk to Ryou. The boy disappeared in between classes. Right before each class began their white-haired friend would suddenly appear and take his seat. This frustrated Yami immensely.

'I just need him alone for 2 minutes! That all I want!' he ranted to himself.

"Excuse me, mam," Ryou asked quietly, raising a pale hand.

"Yes?"

"May I go to the restroom please?" he asked, eyes locking with the pharaoh's.

"Certainly," the teacher nodded. "Anyway class…"

Ryou looked back meaningfully at Yami as he left the room. Yami "suddenly" began to cough fitfully. Everyone turned and stared.

/Yami, you okay/

/Faking, abiou./

/Ah./

"Why don't you go get a drink," the teacher suggested.

Nodding, Yami stood up and raced out into the hallway. He did not stop until he reached the door to the boy's bathroom. He let out a yelp as a hand reached out and yanked him inside.

Ryou held a finger to his lips. They quickly inspected the room to make sure no one was occupying any of the stalls. Satisfied, Ryou turned to Yami.

"I already know what you're going to ask me," he whispered softly. "The answer is no. Bakura has never really said much about his past…even so, I wouldn't tell you. That would be invading his privacy. I'm pleading with you not to do so either."

"I…understand completely," Yami answered, choking back the lump in his throat.

"Then we are at an understanding? Good." Ryou swiftly left the stunned former monarch alone in the room.

"Bakura's gotta be threatening him," Honda muttered as they left the school at the end of the day. Jou stayed behind to serve his detention. Today was a rare occasion when Honda didn't have a detention as well.

"He said not to invade the tomb robber's privacy," Yami glowered once again, staring at the ground.

"Well, it is Bakura's past…" Yugi stated timidly, afraid of the response he'd get.

"No, it's Bakura's memories. It's he and Yami's past," Anzu announced.

"Heh, you make it sound like they were a couple," Honda snickered.

"Shut up, Honda!" Anzu replied icily. She didn't like anyone talking about Yami dating someone…unless that someone was her.

Yami ignored this entirely, mulling over what his next course of action should be. It was obvious Ryou did not want to be involved. No one could blame the boy for that. Asking Bakura was definitely out of the question. Were there any other possibilities?

"We might have reached a dead end," Yami sighed in defeat.

"Hold on now! You're not giving up that easily! We just need to get some juicy info on Bakura. You know, black mail him into talking," Honda grinned evilly, rubbing his hands together.

"I hate to break it to you, Honda, but I don't think Bakura really cares what anyone thinks of him," Yugi answered.

"He has to maintain his image! Can't show emotions or look like a wimp, especially to his arch-nemesis: Yami." Honda pointed out triumphantly.

The other three stopped and stared at their friend.

"Honda, that's playing with fire. He'll just murder you," Anzu replied worriedly.

"No. I don't want any of you getting involved," Yami agreed sternly.

"Fine fine…" Honda waved his hand and headed his separate way.

Yugi shook his head, a slight smile on his face. The trio continued on down the street in silence.

"Grandpa, we're home!" Yugi called out cheerily upon entering the game shop.

"Ah, there you boys are!" Mr. Mutou smiled.

"Hello, sir," Yami smiled politely.

"I've got a treat for you boys," Mr. Mutou stated, a twinkle in his eyes.

"What is it?" Yugi asked excitedly as he and Yami came over to the counter.

Mr. Mutou chuckled. "You'll just have to wait and see. Right now I could use a hand with the new shipments."

"All right," Yugi laughed and ran for the back room where they stored decks and organized new shipments.

"Something wrong, Yami?" Mr. Mutou asked. "You seem distracted."

Yami jumped slightly. "Hmm? Oh, sorry. I'm…I've got a lot on my mind right now."

"Anything I could help with?"

Yami sighed heavily. "I'm just…trying to remember my past," he finished, eyes downcast.

Mr. Mutou stood for a moment, as if in deep thought. "Hmm. That's quite a predicament you have there…but who knows? Perhaps…just maybe…I might be able to help."

"What?" Yami asked, fully awake now.

"Now how about those new shipments?" Mr. Mutou winked.

"I'll start unpacking them immediately!" Yami grinned eagerly, racing toward the back room to help his hikari.

The afternoon became evening. They helped prepare dinner and set the table. Yami and Yugi knew better than to ask Mr. Mutou about the surprise. He would tell them when. This was always torture when he had a surprise. For Yami it was harder than ever this time.

/What do you think it is/ Yugi asked.

/I have no idea. He hinted it might help me…figure out my past/ Yami whispered as if he said it too loud it would cease to be.

/Really! It must be from Egypt then/

Yami nodded, a knot lodged in his throat.

They ate dinner with Yugi and Mr. Mutou doing most of the talking. Every so often Mr. Mutou would ask Yami something. The former pharaoh found his mind could not focus on the conversation. He was too nervous.

"Well…" Mr. Mutou stretched after they'd finished eating. Yugi and Yami sat silently, holding their breaths in anticipation.

"…Better get these dishes cleaned up," Mr. Mutou grinned, heading for the kitchen with a dirty pan.

Yami thought he would faint. Yugi gave his darker half a sympathetic look before trailing after his grandfather.

"Grandpa, you're killing Yami," Yugi whispered as he set his plate down in the soapy dishwater. "Seriously, I thought he was gonna scream just now."

Mr. Mutou chuckled. "Poor thing. He's taking it hard, is he?"

Yami trudged into the kitchen with an armload of dishes. His violet eyes were downcast. He slowly came up to the sink.

"Why don't we save the dishwashing for later," Mr. Mutou exchanged grins with Yugi as he wiped his hands on a towel.

He and Yugi jumped as Yami suddenly stood alert, dishes crashing to the floor.

"Erm…well, we might have to clean that up though…" Mr. Mutou sighed.

"Kura! Are you ready to go yet?" Marik called up the stairs.

"Aaaah!" he jumped as someone tapped is shoulder. Swerving around he came face to face with none other than the tomb robber.

"You're early," Bakura smirked as his friend tried to regain his composure.

"Aren't I always?" Marik grinned, picking an imaginary piece of lint off his black muscle shirt.

Rolling his eyes, Bakura answered, "Well, I've got one or two things to do first. Just sit down or raid the fridge or something. Just make sure not to eat too much. I don't want you barfing all over the place."

"You make it sound like I've done so before," Marik laughed as his friend headed for the computer room.

Bakura snorted. "Did I? So sorry. I can't imagine why I would." He closed the door behind him.

Still snickering, Marik wandered into the kitchen. His stomach rumbled as he went through the cupboards. Not finding anything, he opened the fridge and rummaged around.

"Aha! Here we go!" Marik grinned triumphantly, holding up a jar of pickles.

Hearing footsteps in the doorway, Marik turned; there stood Bakura's lighter half. The boys stared at each other for a moment in silence.

"Uh…sorry….I thought Bakura was in here…" Ryou mumbled, shuffling his feet.

"Hey, no probs!" Marik laughed, attempting to open the lid of the jar. "So how're you, Ry?"

Ryou blushed slightly at the nickname, staring at the floor. "Fine."

"Hmm…" Marik wrestled with the lid. "You don't seem to be fine."

Ryou looked up in surprise. Marik wasn't looking at him, hunched over the jar. There was a look of concentration on the Egyptian's face.

"What do you…?"

"Let me put it this way," Marik said, setting the jar on the counter. "I can tell what a person's feeling, no matter how much they try to hide it. Might as well not deny it."

Ryou stared blankly at the other. Marik rummaged through the silverware drawer. He soon came up triumphantly with a large spoon.

"So? Are you gonna talk or do I have to guess what's buggin' you?"

Ryou avoided Marik's violet eyes, staring intently at the pickle jar.

"The hard way, eh? All right then…" Marik shut his eyes tightly.

Ryou took this opportunity to stare at the Egyptian. Marik was obviously fooling around. He couldn't even come close to guessing what was troubling Ryou so much. He couldn't.

Marik opened his lavender eyes. "This has to do with Bakura…and about Yami's quest to find out his past."

Ryou stumbled back, leaning slightly against the doorframe. He stared at Marik in disbelief. Marik, however, had turned his attention back to the pickle jar.

"Don't act so astonished. I'm not completely out of the loop. I know what goes on 'round here. I also knew the pharaoh would go to you for answers," Marik stated, pounding the spoon on the top of the lid.

Recovering, Ryou asked, "How did you know?"

Marik barked out a laugh, now attempting to pry the lid off with the spoon. "Ha! Come on now! We both know the pharaoh wouldn't have gone to Kura. Who would he go to next to find out about our fair thief?" Marik pointed at Ryou with the spoon.

"What's all this about some 'fair thief'? Anyone I know?" Bakura smirked, appearing in the doorway next to his hikari.

"Hey, there you are!" Marik grinned, banging the spoon on the lid once again.

"Give me that before you drop it," Bakura ordered, snatching the jar from the blond.

"But I want some…" Marik's voice trailed off as the lidless pickle jar was handed back to him.

"Hmph." Bakura smirked.

"Finally!" Marik laughed, eagerly plunging his fingers in to the brine.

"Are we going or are you going to lounge around munching pickles?" the thief questioned leaning against the table.

"Mmm! Oh lovely!...No no! Let's go!" Marik coughed, wiping his hand across his mouth.

/B-Bakura/

/Hn/ Bakura responded gruffly.

/When…will you be back for dinner/

/Dunno./ Bakura strided for the front door. Marik hurried after, beloved pickle jar in hand. Ryou stood alone in the kitchen, completely forgotten.

Poor Ryou! Don't worry. He'll get to shine a bit…eventually…coughs

Anyhoo, if you're wondering about the rating, it gets a lot darker in later chapters. Chapter 7 and 8 I believe start the madness! Blood!Mwahahaahaa! ahem anyway, update!