A/N: Well, here we go once more. Wow, chapter fifteen already? I'm sorry for not.. Updating so fast as everyone would like; my stupid computer suffers through one mess up after another. Blah, well, what can you do but move on? Hmm… Time to start writing.

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The store was decorated pathetically. It had torn up and faded posters all over advertising so many different products, half of which were in the store itself. Ryou sighed and headed over to the area of the store that he knew so well. Not really, but even so…

The shopkeeper was a kind old man, one that Ryou had known. The old man glanced Ryou's way and smiled warmly, waving at the youth that was randomly shuffling through his stock of cheap radios. The boy's white hair was blocking his face, as usual.

"Good day Ryou-san…" The man's rickety old voice gently wafted over to Ryou's ears. Once called upon, Ryou looked over at the man and smiled. "Hello Hatake-san."

Hatake let out a small laugh and walked over to Ryou slowly. Once arrived he pointed to a red radio clock standing out on the shelf. "If you are looking for a nice clock, that one is the greatest one I have with a radio. That blue one and that black one are medium quality my boy." Ryou blinked as he set down the two radios he had in his hands and smiled once more. "I'm only searching for a nice radio to listen to at nights, you know… I don't have a life of my own!" The pale boy chuckled a bit at his own joke, trying to pass himself off as happy. Almost too easily, the old man accepted this. "Oh Ryou-san… you have a life somewhere in you… heh, but if it's quality you want at an affordable price, then you may want this little slugger right here. It's one of my favorites." Hatake pulled at a grey and black radio clock, one that was small and in a plainly decorated box.

Ryou blinked once more and took the white box from Hatake. He looked it over and read the functions of it over and over until he felt he had a good understanding. It was a pretty good deal: it was a radio with all the stations on it, it received a good signal, and it was cool looking. Of course there were a lot more functions and operations but none worth mentioning.

"Um thank you sir… I'll… go ahead and take it…"

Hatake smiled and started heading over to the cash register, waddling along. Ryou followed along behind him, offering help if he needed it.

Once at the register, Hatake checked out the small radio and waited for the sum total of money to come up. After it did come up, the small fragile body in front of the check out desk pulled out said number of money and paid the man in exact change. The radio was put in a white plastic bag and handed over to Ryou, who received it and smiled.

"Thank you Hatake-san…" His voice was quivering like a newly pulled bowstring. He just couldn't get it to stay still anymore… Hatake understood and only nodded his head. "You know Ryou-san… there is an opening for a new worker here… if you would my, you can start work with me. I do need a worker so bad…"

The youth holding the bag stopped and glanced at Hatake surprised. "Hatake-san, as much as I would enjoy it… I must decline." He gave no reason. He knew Bakura would murder him and would possibly blow up the area if he accepted. "I'm sorry.."

"Are you sure about that boy? Oh, shoot. Would you at least consider it? I'd really like you to be my new worker. Please promise you'll mull it over." Hatake was really persistent

"But…. Hm, alright sir. I'll think it over." Ryou didn't want to disappoint such an elder. He wanted to at least make him feel better; of course there was no way he'd actually be able to accept the job. Sadly.

"Oh thank you Ryou-san. I'll see you later, alright? Goodbye Come back anytime." Hatake smiled his famous smile and waved, turning around and heading into the back rooms. Ryou nodded and left the store, listening to the familiar ring of the old bell he had heard for so long.

It was out into the streets Ryou stepped, his white hair being blown back by the breeze passing. He breathed in the nice, crisp air and sighed. He knew he'd be struggling for breath if he didn't go home soon.

Speaking of… what time was it?

He glanced around… it had turned to late afternoon so quick! Ryou blinked and started heading for his home really quick; if he had taken any longer than normal, Bakura would know the boy was out past "curfew". Picking up his step, the pale boy headed out into a near jog. The white baggy was dangling on his arm and bouncing as he moved. He wouldn't be late for his home. He didn't want to get hurt. He wanted to be able to be home for Baku-

"Gah! No!" Ryou bit the inside of his cheek and broke out into a run.

I don't care damnit! I just wanna go home to make sure this radio thing works, that's all!

Ryou pathetically convinced himself that was the reason why he wanted to go home, yet still his mind lingered on Bakura. He sighed and kept his pace. Looking at the sun now, his other half would be home real soon, and more than likely expecting to see his hand servant waiting for him. Ryou shook his body to rid the creepy feeling and pressed onward, not stopping til he met the sight of his "cozy" home.

What wonders would await a little boy with skin so pale, like the newly fallen snow of the mind? Nothing but pain, of course.

The house was just a few feet away now. Ryou began slowing himself and eventually did stop right infront of the doorway, pulling at the knob and just eventually getting it open someway or another.When Ryou stepped into his home he felt an oddly strange chill rustle his bones, but ignoring that he quietly closed the door behind him and switched on a lamp. Seeing no one in the house gave him an odd comfort... Pale white wizard boy crept up the stairs with the radio in hand, fidgeting with the tape that held the box closed. Once he got in his cherished room, he shut the door and began setting it up.The clock was the perfect size, and so he found a spot and set it on his nightstand, plugging it in below his lamp.He reset the time and learned how to work the controls, smiling once he switched it to a small classical music station he had heard of. At the moment it was playing one of his favorite pieces, so he listened contented. (He also managed to figure it had a hole to place his head phones in... which was perfect considering whom he lived with.)

Little Ryou lay on his bed, staring up at the ceiling and humming along to the beautiful music drifting from the newly bought radio/clock. The music would be his friend... it would soothe his nerves and help his relax... until Bakura came home. Ryou sighed. Bakura... His almond eyes drank in the very sight (mental image) of his darker side. The pain inflicted, wounds torn open... blood shed... tears spilled...

Why should Ryou like him anyways!

Because he had to. Because he wanted to. Did he? Ryou lost himself in his thoughts blended with the melody of sweet music drifting into his ears...