(sighs, crawling under a rock) Someone just shoot me now. That was totally out of line of me. I can't believe I went as far as the ten reviews thing. (hangs head) Like I've already stated in Cry of the Wicked, I'm dealing with some personal problems...and took it out on you guys. I took you all for granted...I LOVE YOU GUYS! (embraces tightly) Everyone: o.O...

Freak in the Shadows: This is your favorite story? (hangs head in shame) Now you're making me feel more guilty than ever for treating you guys like shit...That's why I've updated...trying to do penance to you all. Please continue reviewing! I love ya!

Dreaming Child: Good, you're not too mad at me for changing Kura back. I think you'll like what happens next chappie. (no no, he doesn't go back to ancient thief mode) Anyways, review again, dear! Love ya!

Wishfull Thinker: o.O...the poem scared you?...I scared you?...um...sorry? Do you not want me to be friendly to you?...(smirk) Cause I can do that if you really want...just kidding. haha! you liked the girl dying? After I typed that up I read over it and was like: "Oh my...! Eeeww!" (smirk) It wasn't planned out ahead of time...it kind of just...happened. Love ya! (hugs)

Dragonlady 222: Well...it isn't usually like that in his soul room...at least, not quite that bad. The spell, as he said, awakened a bit of...past memories. I agree with you when you're glad Jou isn't brainless. I didn't want him to be like that. Just like I don't let Ryou huddle in corners crying himself to sleep. I add my own...interpretations, if you will,of the characters. You don't really find out what Bakura said to Marik...it just was upsetting for our little violet-eyed boy. It's not really important what he said, it's the fact that he upset Marik by it. Thanks for reviewing even when I was bitchy! Love ya!

Satra: (sighs) Yes, the ten review thing was evil and I humbly apologize. I'm glad you found the twists in the plot unexpected. That's what I was hoping. Review again, dear! I love you! (hugs)

Blue Bunny 2: (smiles) Yay! You liked it! good good...I hope you like this chappie as much as I do. Oh I believe you shall! (grins evilly) Happy new year to you too! Please review again! (kowtows)

(grins) This chappie has one of my favorite scenes in the whole story. Yay! We get to delve inside a boy named Jou's mind and hear his "ideas" on life. Oh it's just too damn funny! ...

Tragedy

At night I cry for those

Who rarely ever smile,

Can't sit and laugh a while

The world won't permit.

Chapter 16: Breaking Point

Jou lay in his bed, tossing and turning fitfully. Bakura had just cut off Marik. There'd been no emotion or lightness in the yami's tone. Couldn't he hear the eagerness in the young Egyptian's voice?

And then there was the whole incident in Bakura's soul room. Jou had never witnessed anything so horrific; the only thing that even came close was waking up to the sight of Torrda and his followers' torn, mangled bodies. Bakura was certainly capable of such atrocities. But something told Jou that the thief was not responsible for what was happening in the visions that were being replayed in the soul room. When he and Bakura had found each other the yami had been on the verge of hysteria. Not what one would expect from someone who could massacre an entire gang without a second thought.

Growling, Jou shot up, storming toward the living room where he'd left Bakura to rest.

'Time to settle dis once and for all.'

He froze to a halt when he heard Bakura's voice talking at a regular volume…to whom? Jou peeked in, seeing the thief sitting on the edge of the couch, elbows on his knees, face partially concealed by his hands. Jou strained his ears to hear what the yami was saying.

"I can't…I can't! I've tried so many times….and failed…always failed…I can't do this anymore…I know!...I've…failed you…I'm sor…" Then the unthinkable happened.

Bakura broke down, heart-wrenching sobs wracking his entire frame. They weren't tears of sorrow, but of someone who'd given up with no hope left. His hands were clawing his hair; he threw back his head and let out a pain-filled shriek.

It felt wrong to witness such a personal scene, especially from the demonic yami. Jou turned to leave but paused. He couldn't just walk away; not when the other was in such a state.

He turned and stepped softly into the room. Bakura was laying facedown on the couch, sobbing into a pillow. His hands clenching the side of the couch were causing the seams to rip.

"Bakura?"

The fierce weeping stopped abruptly. The yami's entire body tensed up, holding his breath. He didn't move.

"What?" a hoarse voice whispered soullessly.

Not knowing what to say, Jou came over and sat on the edge of the couch, gently rubbing a hand over the thief's tensed back. Bakura trembled slightly but didn't try to swat him away. He slowly turned his head, tear-stained face looking across the room at nothing.

"What do you want?" he croaked wearily. "Go ahead and name it. I don't care anymore."

"Stop it," Jou stated firmly, grabbing the thief's shoulder and shaking it. "I never wanna hear those words come outta your mouth again."

Bakura chuckled humorlessly. "Is that a threat?"

"No," Jou said softly. "I just hate seeing you like this."

"How thoughtful," came the sarcastic mutter.

Jou grasped the yami's shoulder, forcefully flipping him onto his back. Bakura stared up at the boy in shock.

"Listen you, I've spent the last day wit you, and it was not fun. Well, parts of it were…" He shook his head, getting back on topic. "But I saw you; Bakura the tomb robber from the past."

"He's gone."

Jou scowled. "I hope not. Even though he murdered Torrda and the gang in the grossest ways imaginable, he saved me."

"He spared you so he could find Yami through you," Bakura hissed, flames dancing in his eyes. "It had nothing to do with pity or friendship."

"Perhaps not at first," Jou frowned. "But as time passed between us we actually began to trust each other. He fell asleep wit' me near him, trusting I wouldn't hurt 'im. I showed him my deck and…he brought red eyes to life." He paused a moment, soaking it all in. "We looked out for each other an' I have to admit…I care about him," he finished softly.

"It doesn't matter. He's gone. He died a long time ago," Bakura murmured lifelessly.

"Stop it! You are him!" Jou shouted shaking the yami roughly by the shoulders. "You like to think you're above all of us, a powerful immortal. You've seemed to have forgotten you were human once and still basically are! You're the soul of a simple human trapped in a Millennium item!"

The blonde gasped as he was blasted off by a ray of Shadow magic. Bakura sat up, angrily staring at the boy who lay on the floor.

"Stay the hell away from me. You cannot comprehend any of what I've gone through!" he growled threateningly.

Jou winced, standing up. "Perhaps I don't. So tell me: if you're not Bakura the tomb robber then who are you? What's the point of you being here?"

Bakura looked like he'd been stabbed in the gut. He sank back down, staring up at the ceiling. His eyes were emotionless, blank like a slate of stone.

"Nothing now."

"Why?" Jou asked, coming closer again.

"I've failed. There is no point."

Jou glared. "So that's it, then? You're just giving up?"

The tomb robber shrugged wearily. Jou sighed, slumping down on the couch next to him. They sat in silence for a long time. It wasn't necessarily an uncomfortable silence. Just silence.

"Why does life have to be so complicated?" Bakura mumbled, not really talking to Jou.

The blonde grinned slightly. "Life's like that. It can be good or bad."

Bakura snorted.

"Okay, mostly bad for you, maybe," Jou smiled, earning a glare from the yami. "But heck, you've got Marik…and Ryou."

The thief didn't reply. His expression remained impassive. Jou felt his chest burn slightly at this. Did Bakura really think he was alone in all this? It would be hard to exist and not feel like you really fit in anywhere.

"Hey mutt?"

Jou turned in slight surprise. "Huh?"

Bakura turned to face him, features serious. "You believe in fate?"

Jou mulled over the question for a moment. All the while, Bakura studied him with his narrow, brown eyes. He wasn't really sure why he was even bothering to talk to the blonde. Perhaps he needed to talk to someone, and Marik wasn't here. Marik…Bakura sighed, remembering the icy way he'd spoken to the boy. He wasn't used to such open affection from people. He'd never been one to be very communal. He really had no notions on how to socialize, in the past or present.

"I'm not sure," Jou finally answered. "I do think though, that you've just gotta take whatever life throws at ya. Life…" he paused, choosing the right words. "Life is like a donut."

Bakura stared at him dubiously.

"No, just hear me out. You're at a little coffee shop, right? And you have a shelf lined with flavor after flavor of big, luscious donuts; only the name isn't written on the shelves."

"You name your donuts?" Bakura asked in disbelief.

"The type of donut," Jou rolled his eyes. "Anyway, you can see the outside but have no idea what's inside. So you pick one with pink frostin' and some sprinkles, thinking 'Hey, it's probably got cream in it!' But when you sit down and take a bite out of it you don't taste some succulent, chocolate cream but strawberry jelly! But now you've already bitten into it, so you can't put it back. What do you do?"

"Throw it away?" Bakura shrugged.

Jou looked like he'd been hit by a truck. "Wat! Heck no! You can't just go around throwing donuts away! It's sinful!...anyway, you can't put it back so you eat it anyway, making a mental note not to buy that kind again." Jou folded his arms confidently.

Bakura blinked. "You're an idiot, you know that."

"Fine! Don't listen to me!" Jou threw up his arms in exasperation.

"Is all your logic based on food?" Bakura smirked, closing his eyes and leaning his head against the back of the couch.

"Jou 101," the blonde grinned.

They sat in silence once again. Jou couldn't keep the smile from his face. They were actually semi-getting along. This was something that only Marik and Ryou had ever accomplished with Bakura. What Jou had stated earlier was true. He did care about the thief, as gruff and rude as the yami could be; he just wasn't very social, possibly didn't know how to be.

"S'all insane, isn't it?" Jou murmured.

The yami nodded, looking thoroughly exhausted. He had dark circles under his drained eyes, his face wan.

Jou saw this and stood, stretching briefly. "Well, I'm headin' back to bed. Better'd rest up, we're going to the Mutous' tomorrow."

Bakura visibly tensed. Jou looked with pity at the thief. He knew that was the last place the yami wanted to go, but they had to face everyone sooner or later. At least Marik and Ryou would be there for support.

He briefly placed a hand on Bakura's shoulder. "It'll be fine." Smiling warmly, he strode off to his room.

Bakura stared after him. It was amazing how much the blonde's opinion of him had changed. Jou used to be one of the ones that was most aggressive towards him. The yami wasn't sure how he felt about that; wasn't certain if he wanted the blonde to change back or not. It was rather nice to have someone who wasn't pestering him, as aggravating as the blonde could be.

Sighing, Bakura mulled over everything he'd been through. Killing the young family; wandering about the city in utter confusion; slaughtering the gang to protect Jou; the blonde basically carrying him to the apartment; the fight in the shower; him bringing red eyes to life…

Bakura smiled at that. A genuine smile. He remembered the boy's face when he came into the room to find his favorite monster alive. There'd been such an innocent excitement in the blonde's face. There'd been a wave of warmth wash over him as he'd watched Jou carefully observe his dragon…

Bakura sighed and leaned back against the pillow, Jou's words from before echoing in his mind:

"If you're not Bakura the tomb robber then who are you? What is the point of you being here?"

Yami looked out the window at the sky where the storm clouds were finally beginning to fade, stars tentatively beginning to shimmer in the distance. It felt like the whole ordeal had been so long, yet it had only been a day or two since he'd performed the spell that'd taken the thief's memories. It seemed much longer.

"Yami? What are you doing up?" Yugi yawned beside him on the bed, nestled under the blankets.

"I could ask you the same question, abiou," Yami smiled warmly.

"Just woke up. I'm a little worried about tomorrow. I don't even know what about. I just am."

"Me too," Yami admitted.

"What…do you think Bakura will do?" Yugi asked timidly.

Yami sighed. "I don't know."

They sat quietly, both thinking up possible scenarios for the next morning. Yami stared up at the sky, the stars twinkling slightly. 'I wish I could take it all back.'

"I'm sorry."

Yami turned to Yugi in surprise. "What?"

Yugi looked sheepishly out the window. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you recover your memories. I know how important it is to you," he whispered.

Yami shook his head, a smile on his lips. He leaned forward and hugged his lighter half in his warm embrace.

"I don't blame you for any of this, abiou."

"I know. I just…wish I could've helped…" the hikari sniveled helplessly.

"Thank you, for caring so much. Go back to sleep, abiou," Yami said softly, tucking the corners of the blankets tighter around his lighter half.

"G'night, Yami," Yugi smiled, already nodding off.

Yami smiled down fondly at the other half of his soul, heaving a sigh. He hadn't accomplished anything in taking Bakura's memories; if anything, he taken a few steps backward. The prospect of recovering his own memories looked very dim indeed. He took one last look at the night sky before lying down next to Yugi and drifting into an uneasy sleep.

Our poor thief! (sobs) Poor little guy. Well, what'd you think? Please tell me, as I love this chappie.

If you want a reason for my "mood" earlier...fine...I'm meeting some oppostion from some family members and friends for leaving my family's religon. (and my school's religion) This isn't helping my depression either. (Yes, I have depression) I'm planning on switching to stronger meds soon...paxil's not doing the job anymore...(sighs) But enough about me! There's your explanation though.

The ten review thing has officially ended. Review if you want. (I'd love it if you would though... )

Review! .