5. If Only You Understood

"Hey, kid," a voice hisses from the alley that Ryou was walking by.

The boy turned to see a cloaked figure gesturing to him. The long brown trench coat and wire frames made the man look like an average Joe.

"Ummm…sir?" Ry mumbled puzzled.

"Yes you. Boy, do you have any extra money? I'm starving and I would love to get a meal." The guy begs.

Ryou starts to walk again, "sorry sir. I don't have any extra money." He adjusts the bag over his shoulder and quickens his pace slightly.

That's when Ry turns his back and starts to head home again. Quick footsteps are heard behind him. The teen spins around in self defense but there's no one behind him. Ryou shifts his eyes left and right, but finds no one. He swallows nervously and licks his dry, cracked lips. A sigh escapes his mouth as he spins around. Unfortunately he comes face to face with the man.

"Let me go!" Ry shouts when his arms are held behind his back. The guy presses on the blue bruises which make Ryou crumple to his knees, whimpering in pain. A broad hand is smacked across his face. Tears sting his eyes but then his feet leave the ground.

"Lie down for a while," he demands chucking the boy into the garbage pile.

Landing harshly on his back into the metal filled mound, a razor juts out of a bag when Ryou lands. The stick just barely misses the boy's back. Skimming the tender ribs, blood slowly swells along the cut. The pain was so intense that Ryou could only look up for a few seconds at his captor before fading into subconscious. Unluckily for the boy, he felt every single touch, violent or not, sexual or not, the man made on him. A silent plea of help crossed his mind.

"Bakura, where are you…please come and help me…"

With an angry growl Bakura slammed the front door. He glared insanely at the stairs leading to Ryou's room. Knowing the young boy was always up there to take his anger out on, he marches up the steps.

"Ryou!" He shouts swinging open the white-painted door.

Fortunately for Ryou he wasn't there to take the harsh beating, but his absence made Kura fume even more. The bed, on which he stayed, paid dearly for the lack of Ryou's presence.

After tearing up a pillow or two, Bakura realizes what time it is. Glancing at his watch it blinks 10:57pm. He's been home for at least 2 hours. He had gotten out of work late due to the overtime. Once again the thought of Ryou crosses his mind. The loud ticks from the grandfather clock fill the air.

"Damn it to the 7th fucking Hell!" he exclaims nearly leaping out the front door to find what is his.

The night was extremely chilly. Icy winds lashed out at his cold flesh, his white hair whipping around him. Very few lights lit the dark roads he walked along. The automatic beep on his watch signaled the arrival of 12am.

"Damn it Ryou. Where are you?" he wondered. Kura leans against a flickering light post. From his pocket he pulled out a pack of cigarettes. He put the filter end into his mouth and drew in as he shielded his lighter from the wind. As he muttered to himself letting out a puff of white smoke, a barely audible moan came from behind the fence he had been standing near.

Small movements and crinkling of trash caught his attention fully. Slow limping steps sound behind him. A dark figure treads out under a flickering streetlight. Kura stood upright to welcome the newcomer. But the brown eyed male gasped in horror. Drenched in blood, sweat, and tears Ryou looks up at Kura.

"You…you came…" Ry whispers tragically. As the sigh escapes, his body falls forward and lands onto the ice-cold pavement. His body was so cold that he had stopped shaking entirely. The coat he was wearing earlier was no where to be found.

"Shit!" Kura curses his umpteenth time that night. He dropped his cigarette unconsciously and raced over to Ry's aide. Gathering the skinny boy into his arms, Bakura brushes the bangs from the half open green orbs. Unsure of what to do, he just stares at his face. Tear streaks down the pale cheeks, blood stains the coatless body, and unfamiliar bruises and cut cover his frame. Gently, with his thumb, Kura wipes over Ry's face. The older teen looks up with a growl. He was determined to find whoever was bold enough to touch his Ryou in such a sadistic fashion.

Inside Bakura felt guilty for beating Ryou. He had no idea this was how everyone felt when they seen him. But the worst part was that Ry had been raped in one way or another and Kura didn't like that one bit. Taking off his own jacket, Kura lays it on Ryou whose lips are blue from being outside so long. Pale skin covers the frozen bones in the small body.

"He's mine!" a voice calls from behind the two boys.

Kura looks over his shoulder with a smirk, 'who the fuck? Oh…heh, this must be him.' "Like hell he is! You messed with my property. You're a fucking idiot. For this, you must pay dearly." Bakura lunged forward and tackled the man to the ground. Beating the guy's face left and right he stopped abruptly. "This is pointless. I'm not using my energy to beat you to death. I'll kill you now."

Taking the guys face with both hands Kura grinned. The man was unaware of what was going on whatsoever, so he just laid there. Placing one hand on the back of his head, holding the bone just behind the ear; his other hand held his jaw. The wrist pressed on the guy's jaw slightly and his fingers gripped the rounded end of the jaw bone.

"This is a joke," he muttered giving the stranger's head a twist.

A sickening pop snapped out of the neck as the spinal cord broke. Kura picked up the body and chucked it into the garbage heap, covered with Ryou's fluids.

Returning to Ryou's side, Kura accepted him into his arms; carrying him bridal style. Due to the fight, Bakura's body temperature was warmer than usual. Kura held the younger boy close to his body, secretly hoping he was alright

The next morning Ryou woke up and moaned in pain. He couldn't remember a thing from the other night. Slowly sitting up he gripped his head tighter. Suddenly everything that had happened after school rushed back to him. He was late coming home, he was abducted, and now he was lying on his bed. And everything after the abduction was a blur. And since he couldn't recall anything, Bakura wouldn't be a happy person right now. But even with the feeling of terror in his heart, Ryou had to face him.

Not even 3 seconds after Ryou steps into the living room his punishment for being late occurs.

"Why the hell weren't you home last night?" Bakura shouts.

It was obvious he was angry.

Ryou thinks of a quick excuse, "I had to stay after class and clean, I told you the other night."

"You did no such thing! After you made me dinner you fucking threw up in the toilet. Then you turned off my music and went to bed! Dear Ra! Fuck Ryou! Then after school, you were abducted by some perv. I had to find your sorry ass! I could've left you with that pig, but I didn't."

'Oh my Ra! He remembers everything from the other night! And…he saved me!?' Ryou thinks in a state of petrified shock. There was no point in arguing with him, he knew everything.

"You're right. Sorry," Ryou apologizes quietly. "Thank you…for saving me."

For a fleeting second Bakura took the apology to heart. He leaned back from his intimidating position over the island counter. Suddenly Bakura felt embarrassed and didn't want Ry to se his sensitive side.

Ryou walks cautiously towards the stairs but a harsh grip is thrown around his throat. With a single pull of his hand Bakura rips Ryou into his body. It wasn't the feeling from the other night during supper, he was pissed and Ryou knew it.

"You know, when you lie to me this once, I can't help but feel you've lied the whole fucking time you were here," he hisses angrily.

Ryou struggles but Kura knows where his weak points are. His ribs, throat, back of the knee, and his hair.

"Bakura, I never lied to you before!" Ryou tries to reason.

He clutches the boy's throat tighter, "Oh really? Then why did you lie to me now—"

"Because I was scared! I didn't want to be hurt again! Please listen—you're hurting me!"

Bakura's grip loosens slightly at the thought of hurting Ry again. He could only imagine what his light sounded like when he was with that other guy. Bakura pulled back and shook his head.

Anything Ryou would've said would have made the situation worse therefore, he looks desperately for any means of defense. Unfortunately both spot the knife on the counter. Yes, the knife that had hurt him so many times before may show no mercy again. Ryou dives for the dagger as Kura leaps for it also. The green-eyed kid is lucky enough to grab it first.

"So, you do have enough strength to hurt me. You're not completely helpless," he snarls, clenching his fists.

Ryou spins around with his arm outstretched into Bakura's face, "stop!"

"What are you going to do? Stab me," he taunts, "I'd love to see you try."

As if the wish commands his body; Ryou lunges forward. But he misses horribly and Kura takes advantage. He grasps his wrist and with a quick flick Ryou drops the knife in pain. His arm is twisted behind his back; directed exactly along his spine. Ryou cries out in utter pain but is cut short when the sickening pop of his shoulder sounds. Bakura casts a satisfied smirk in the pained boy's direction and releases his throbbing arm. Ryou attempts to work his arm back into place and the kick in his left set of ribs doesn't help.

The knife to his face bruises for sure; the butt of the knife helps it sting.

"Get up and face me! Don't give him that effortless shit," he commands grabbing the collar of Ry's shirt.

Then pulling him face to face with him, brown eyes glare fireworks.

Ryou looks up flinching through his tears, "please."

The boy stops to cough but then notices the blood that escaped his throat. He's already out of breath when Bakura also takes notice to the warm blood on his face. Happily flicking over it with his tongue, he flings him into the wall. Knocking the wind out of him, Ryou shuts his eyes tightly and concentrates on getting it back.

"My dearest Ryou," he grins, "how does death feel?" Ryou looks at him tiredly. "I mean it's so close but yet so far away," he trails the blade along the boy's temple straight to the center of his throat. It was as if Kura was being controlled by some force. He didn't want to hurt him anymore. 'Make me stop…Ryou…I can't…'

"I thought…I thought you liked me," Ry whispers coarsely, "Even…after what you did to me…I…still liked you…Kura…"

Bakura's eyes change incredibly. They weren't fierce and full of rage. Both of them were soft and gentle. His mouth fell open slightly as if he wanted to say something, but the words were stuck.

"This is the police open up!"

The door bursts open as two officers dressed in black uniforms enter and try to rip Bakura away from his body. After what seemed like ages caught in the merciless grasp of his fists, the cops pry them off. But, as the hands are removed the last peak of Ryou's life comes to a brutal close. When Ryou closes his eyes and releases the breath Bakura was forcing him to hold; his lungs relax without taking in one ounce of much needed air. The noises around him begin to fade away along with his vision.

"We're losing him!" A police officer says kneeling over him.

Ryou can barely make out what the police man is saying.

"Get the ambulance here now! He has severe--"

Ryou blacks out; a tear slides down the side of his face. "Why…Bakura?"

"Is he awake?" a friendly voice inquires when Ryou flutters his eyelids open.

Ryou glances at the wires, oxygen mask, and the hand on his. The scar on the back of it informs him whose it is.

"Yami? What happened?" Ryou asks weakly. He beams at the way Ryou responded to him. But the grin doesn't last too long when the answer to Ry's question clicks in his mind.

"Oh, well to be honest I noted how urgent you looked to get home Thursday," Yami began.

"Wait? Thursday? What's today then?" interrupts Ry.

"Well…this happened 2 weeks ago. Bakura or whoever had to go to trial today. Do you remember why?"

Ryou thinks about it for a second then nods. "It's because he tried to kill me isn't it?"

"Yea, but don't worry I made sure he goes away for a long time." Yami leans forward carefully and rests his hand on the white-haired teen's face.

Ryou stares at him, "Yami, you can't have him put away in prison! It's my fault he tried to kill me anyways!"

Yami stands angered. "Oh really? Then explain to me how coming home late is your fault!" he demands.

Ryou sits up and shouts, "You don't get it! I love Bakura! Sure he's a prick but that's not all he is to me! He made him feel welcome in this damn world! For twelve years, Yami, twelve years I stayed in that orphanage! I've been praying that someone—anyone—would come take me away. And it was him! He didn't throw him away like all the others! I want to leave now! I have to get to the court! I can't lose Bakura, not now," Ryou confesses as tears flow down his cheeks.

Yami blinks, "I—you really want him? You really want to go back to the life you once lived? Where as you could live with me, getting anything you want, without being beaten as the cost?" he asks shock dripping from his words. Ryou only stares at him and nods solemnly.

30 MINUTES LATER

(Bakura's POV)

The cold metal handcuffs bind my hands behind me. Police officers patrol the halls, always looking at me. I sigh and lean against the dreary prison wall. This isn't what I was planning for.

"Fuck…" I mumble causing the man across the hall to look up. I hadn't said a word since they stuck me in here and that was the first word out of my mouth.

"I realized my mistake. I just…didn't want to accept the fact that I really did enjoy his company. If only his 'friend' wouldn't have butted in."

'You're one unlucky bastard. Even though he forgave you every time you touched him, you still pushed him farther away. It's your fault!' My conscience countered my thoughts.

With a slow shift of my body I face the man across from me. "What are you in for?" I ask in a demanding tone.

The old guy sighs, "Well…I stole some jewelry from my sister. Then when she caught me I spun around and bashed her with a bat…" He continues on while I point out all his features. Brown disheveled hair that stuck up in one place then curled over in another. Dark circles outline his tired grey eyes. They suddenly looked up to my café orbs.

"Oh…" I mutter looking away. I'll have to remember not to talk to these guys…they're weird.

"Bakura Makoto?" I glance up to the officer who's holding out a paper. "This was found at the crime scene. I believe it shows some meaning, other then a failing grade. I think the kid you nearly killed wrote it. I believe you should read it."

'Ry…he's alive!?' My heart skipped a beat.

Confused I peer at the sheet that was on the bed in front of me. The first thing I notice is that the corners are slightly bent and crumpled. It was like someone had treated terrible out of anger. 'Ryou Haruki' is printed neatly in the top left hand corner. Written underneath it are the date, teacher's name, hour, and subject. 'Fallen Angel' is written in cursive as the paper's title. The first line begins with a star and is followed by a cursive sentence. Unlike the next line that also starts with a star but is followed by scratchy print. Both are written in black ink.

My eyes flood over the paper then, with my mouth and nose, I flip it to the back where the assignment description is written. It read: "Ryou, write about your life since you've been here. Describe your guardian, your living style, etc. Mr. Peterson."

"H—hey. Do you have a pen or pencil?" I ask the man, not removing my eyes from the paper.

"Yea sure, here," he tosses me a blue pen. This guy always stole stuff left and right from the guards, visitors, even the warden. His collection consisted mostly of pens, corks, and empty cans. Why? I have no idea.

The pen totters across the concrete floor before hitting the wall with the connected toilet and sink.

"Thanks. Now can I pester you more for a paperclip or something?"

The guy snickers a bit then grabs a silver clip out of his junk pile. He tosses the glinting object my way into my opened fists.

"Once again thanks," I mumble. Finally working the pin the right way one band loosens instantly. Dropping everything there I bend over to grab the writing utensil. This poem was missing an emotion, and it was my job to put it in there.

Adding the last two lines to the poem, I look up again to the sound of my name.

"Bakura," the officer says, "your coming with us. Your verdict begins momentarily."

Oh…

(Regular POV)

The drive to the court would take about an hour. But they were halfway there by now. Ryou was shocked to find that Yami didn't hesitate to take him. With his left arm resting on the armrest of the driver's seat Yami stared tiredly out the windshield.

"You didn't have to take me…" Ryou says lightly.

Yami remains silent. Only blinking his red eyes then turning the steering wheel right.

"It's kind of a good thing I woke up. There's a Christmas assembly at school and I was told by my choir teacher to read the whole school my poem."

An acute amount of interest sparked in his friend's eyes. "What is this 'poem' about?"

"You mean who is this poem about, Yami."

More interest exploded, "Who?"

"Well, Mr. Peterson asked me to write a summary about my life since I've been lived here with Kura."

Ryou had always loved his poem, so he made a copy. He would forever make sure it stayed by his side. But as much as he loved it, he would never let Bakura read it.

Looking over in the gentle hands of his passenger, Yami gripped the steering wheel. He had to prevent himself from taking the note away.

"You want to read it to me?"

"No…I'll read it to the judge. Bakura was only doing what I had wanted. I wasn't awake to say anything though…"

Ryou's jade eyes drooped down at the folded paper. He longed so much to read it, but something didn't feel right. Ry wasn't sure whether it was the feeling of vertigo or the thought of losing Kura forever. Perhaps he should've told him the truth. Maybe then the beatings would've ended that night. But…if Ryou loved Bakura…then that would pose him as gay. What if Bakura wasn't? What if he confessed his love but Kura had a girlfriend out in the world. Someone Ryou didn't know about. If that was true…what was that kiss from him about? Shaking the thought away, the boy didn't want to think of any bad things right now. He was fully concentrated on getting Bakura out of jail and into his arms

:Dramatic gasp: Well, will Ry be able to save Bakura from his conviction? Or will the two have to leave each other for good? Hmm…guess we'll find out in chapter 6. Hooray.

Seto'swifey: Ah, good guess. But, again, it's not like you didn't see it coming. " Ooh yea, and if you keep readin' Seto does actually show up in the story. …however…he is gay with Jou. Sorry TT…unless that's cool with you. Anyways, thanks for the comments!!

And you others, thanks much for the reviews! Glad ya'll like it. Ah yes, the poem will make an appearance.