Hey all! I know, quick update, but don't be fooled; this is just the end of the R/B scene at the end, and nothing else! It's still a pretty good length, for one scene, but nowhere near as long as a real chappie. Whatever, though... being that it's an update, I'll answer any reviews that I've received to this point. Feel free to review chapter 17 too, though, LOL. Oh, and this is dedicated to D-Chan and her yami, as well as Lizzie, who have all been dying for this moment! Anyway, here goes.

Lone Pheonix: Great! I'm glad you liked your chappie, and even more glad for your reviews. Thank you! Enjoy this chappie, and I'll catch ya later!

Ranma Higurashi: Aww, kawaii!! I did as you asked, and updated! Your request to be present at the wedding has been duly noted; if you want to have any distinguishing features, or anything special, drop me a line and let me know, okay? You've got time yet though... Oh, and about your e-mail.. well, I thought we were friends, but okay, why not? Catch ya on MSN, or wherever, ok? Later, Kagome!

D-Chan: Ok, this quasi-chapter is half-dedicated to you and Nuva....glad to hear she's okay, BTW! The wedding might not be for a while, mainly because I'm lazy, but because the planning's got such potential... LOL. If you guys want to be written in(and Mr. Snuffles, of course) I wouldn't mind! Later, and look forward to hearing from you guys again!

Lizzie: Does this qualify as soon? Am I loved forever? Please say yes!!!... LOL, I'm so hyper. Okay, well, consider your 100th review request fulfilled... took me long enough, huh? The marriage is definitely going to be a high of the story, and as I'm extending the invitation to everyone, if you want to be written in, I'll be only too happy to do it! Later, Lizzie, and thanks for being one of many people pushing for this couple!

Assassin of the Shadows: Yeah, but stubbornness is part of his charm...pinches Baku-kun's cheek Thanks for your support, and yes, you did review for the last one!

Tessabug: You know, whenever I see one of your reviews, I get really really happy! They're funny and supportive, and just all around amazing! It was receiving the latest one that inspired me to start in on this, so thanks! Of course, I'll write you into the wedding scene, if you have anything really precise that you'd like me to write in about you, drop me a line, like I told Ranma Higurashi! Oh, and don't worry about holding the door; the first pew on either side is Reviewers Only, so you've got better seats than the cast! Thanks again, and I'll catch you soon, ok? Later!

phwee? yami hobo: I was about to post when I saw this review, so you just made it! I'm glad you finished your exams, kudos! I've got 2 more, and they're gonna be hard, but I can hack it! Hope you still like the R/B, and I'll see ya around! Oh, and of course, if you want to come to the wedding, let me know, ok?

Warnings: Fluff, yaoi... shortness, LOL

Disclaimer: Don't own anything!

Chapter 18: Sunlight

The sun was just coming up over the horizon when Ryou began to stir. He tried to throw an arm over his eyes to keep out the light, only to find it pinned beneath so many blankets, it was a wonder he hadn't been crushed while he slept. What's going on? The hikari thought to himself. How'd I get back here, and.... Suddenly, the answer came to him, and he glanced around the room quickly. Bakura. Of the yami, however, there was no sign. Where is he now?

As if on cue, Bakura entered the room, nearly spilling the fresh basin of warm water when he realized that Ryou was awake. "Hikari, are you feeling all right?" The words were sweet enough, but the tone behind them sounded far more like the Bakura that the other white-haired boy had come to know and love, despite his many and varied faults.

Ryou groaned, finally managing to wrest himself free of two of the blankets, which had been tucked under the mattress in order to keep him that much warmer. "I feel all right, I guess. It's just oppressively hot beneath all these covers..." The hikari tried to prop himself up on the pillows, only to be overcome by a wave of dizziness and fall back down, gasping for breath.

Immediately, Bakura was at his side, tugging back the now unwelcome blankets. "Stubborn hikari," he muttered, and Ryou gave a weak chuckle at the irony of that remark. If the gave out a Nobel Prize for stubbornness, he had a feeling his yami would be a shoo-in for it. Possibly more than one year running.

As the other boy's eyes closed for a minute, trying to collect his strength, the spirit of the Ring's mind was whirling, trying to figure out a way to get Ryou to admit that he loved him without admitting himself to having overheard him as he slept. Bringing that up, at least to him, would feel too much like an attack on his hikari. Especially since Ryou doesn't trust me as it is.

"Bakura." The lighter boy's voice was just the slightest bit stronger. "Why did you save me last night? If you say it's just because I'm your hikari, I'll know you're lying." Even as he spoke, Ryou recognized the danger in his words. Bakura was unpredictable at the best of times; cornering him might be just enough to send him over the psychotic edge again. Still, Ryou had to know whether or not there was still a chance without asking outright.

The yami averted his gaze as he answered. "That is the reason, hikari. Why else would I care whether you lived or died?"

"Then look me in the face and say that." Ryou refused to let the words, hurtful as they might be, get to him. He would not give up; he had had enough waiting, enough wondering whether or not he and Bakura were destined to be together or apart, or somewhere in between. It's all coming out, right this minute. "Bakura. Look at me, and I'll believe you. I'll even leave you alone if you want. If you can't, then I think we both know what that means."

This time, the yami's eyes did find his hikari's. "What do you want me to say, Ryou? That I saved you out of some secret love I harbor for you?" The shorter boy's eyes flashed, trying to figure out what his yami meant. "Confused? I don't see why." Bakura's eyes glinted triumphantly, as though this would be the final nail in Ryou's coffin. For some reason, any qualms about empolying his secret weapon had just vanished. "People say very interesting things in their sleep sometimes, don't they? Secrets that they would never tell anyone during their waking hours, but that slip out in the throes of a dream. This ringing any bells, hikari?"

Ryou looked positively horrified. "What... Did I say something last night?" he whispered, desperately clinging to the last vestiges of his strength.

"Something along the lines of 'I love you, Bakura', or something like that." His yami's lips drew back in a feral grin, revealing sharp, dangerous canines. "Honestly, Ryou, did you ever think I would return your feelings?" He scoffed. "You're more pathetic than I gave you credit for."

The white-haired hikari's mind whirled, desperately searching for something, anything that would make any difference in this seemingly impossible situation. Suddenly, in a flash, he found it. "You never said it."

"Never said what?" By now, Ryou was getting pretty good at seeing through Bakura's venom, and the edge to the spirit's voice no longer had any effect on him.

"You never said you didn't love me. Not in those words." The lighter of the two sat up as straight as he could, leaning forward ever so slightly. "Come on, Bakura. Tell me you don't love me, that you never will, and this entire mess will be over. Tell me, if you can." This time, it was he who smiled. "But I suspect that you won't be able to find it in you to lie to my face. You're not that far gone."

I'll wipe that smirk off his face if it's the last thing I do, Bakura thought bitterly as he opened his mouth to speak the four words that would end everything, making sure he was staring straight into Ryou's eyes. "I don't..." Ra, are his eyes always that deep? Shaking his head, the former thief tried again. "I..." What the hell's wrong with me?

Ever stop to think that maybe you can't say you don't have feelings for him because you're really totally gone on him? The annoying voice from the previous night crowed.

I have told you time and again, ridiculous! The yami clenched his fists.

Look at the facts, my stubborn friend. One, you get crazy with worry when you two are apart. Two, you've already admitted to needing him around, and not just as a planar anchor. Three, you can lie to everyone else convincingly, but when it comes to him, you can't even finish your sentence!

That proves nothing.

Okay, then try this on for size. Let's say, hypothetically, that the pharaoh had confessed that he was in love with you.

I'd wring his royal neck.

Exactly. When Ryou said it last night, though, you didn't get pissed or anything! In fact, I could say you were about as happy as you get about anything, even wholesale slaughter. Would it be too much to say that you even hoped that you hadn't misheard?

Bakura let his gaze slip from Ryou's, and the hikari smiled sagely. "I knew it," he said, and the happiness in his voice made even his cold-hearted yami feel a twinge of joy.

The tomb robber sniffed, rubbing his forehead. "Fine, so I love you. Happy now?"

Ryou nodded stupidly as me moved to the edge of the bed and took his yami's hand in his. "Bakura, happy doesn't cover it."

"Yeah, well, don't expect anything. I have a history of letting people down in the romance department." Their eyes met once again. "If you want out of this at any time, I understand. Of course, I reserve the same privilege." An ironic smile.

The shorter boy's grin grew even broader, if that was possible, and he pulled his yami down to sit next to him on the bed, leaning against his chest and holding onto his hand for dear life, as if this entire thing were just some cruel joke of the gods, liable to be snatched away at any moment. Why does this feel so right, asked Bakura of himself as his free hand reached up to stroke Ryou's pure, white mane of its own accord. The hikari purred, like some great cat, and curled up closer. Seizing his opportunity, Bakura leaned down to kiss his cheek softly.

One thing's for sure, Bakura chuckled to himself as Ryou turned his head so that their lips met. This beats sulking in the window seat by about ten miles.

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Okay, this doesn't really qualify as a chapter, but I wanted to get the cliffhanger resolved! Please R/R, and I'll try to have the next chapter (much longer of course) up ASAP! Thanks in advance and ja ne!