Responses: (Sadly it was only one review…:sigh:)

Seto'sWifey: All right. That, actually, is a very wonderful question. Yes, Ry is upset with Malik right now. However, listen to Ryou's words carefully. In this chapter, Ry begins to question his love for Bakura and turns it around to someone else. Malik also took it upon himself to take Ry out of the orphanage. I dun think anyone of you will be happy with the chapter eight or nine. Oh yea, and if it wasn't obvious already, Ryou can't…I don't know, get mad at someone. Well…he can but it doesn't last. And it only gets more confusing from here…So, now that Ry has began to deny his love for Kura, his anger at Malik for sending him away is dissolving. Since he dun love him anymore, he doesn't care. …does that even make sense?

…what was I thinking when I wrote this?

7. Funny Ways to Express your Love

The sallow walls, the abundant pictures, even the light blue sofa all greeted with a noting impression. Ryou tried to swallow the hard lump in his throat. He realized the chances of his friend coming back were slim. The judge set a restraining act forward in addition to the year and a half in prison. Everything would end. Ryou knew that he wouldn't be able to lead a solitary life. Especially in this house.

From the dusty vent in the closet to the oranges in the fridge; memories would haunt the boy through out the next year.

"I don't think I can stay here…" a whisper filtered from Ryou's lips. The denim looking couch seemed to call the body to lay and relax on it comfy cushions. Half lidded green eyes focused onto the sofa. An image of beckoning hands seemed draw him nearer to the couch. "But I have to."

With that thought Ryou walked over to it. He collapses onto the cool pillows, which gently cradle his head. His silky white hair carefully sets over fully closed eyes as the tired teen drifts off into an unwinding sleep.

Flashback

"Ryou! Get your ass up here!" Kura hollered from upstairs; a few heavy footsteps following the yells.

"That's not happening! I'm busy, you come here!" the young teen calls back. The newly added soap began to suds up in the water sink water.

A little less than a year ago, Ryou had gotten used to Bakura's inevitable mood swings; most of the time the eldest boy would seek shelter in his dark room. Other times, usually at night or after work/school, he enjoyed pummeling Ryou into a crumpled heap of blood and bruises. But today was one of those rare moments where Kura actually conversed idly with Ryou. Although curses may fly out left and right from Bakura's mouth, it was part of his speech, Ryou understood somewhat clearly.

More stomps are heard before a loud snap is sounded. The snap is followed by a crash. So many possibilities filled Ryou's head as he spun around. Silence clouded the whole house except where Ryou stood, stunned with shock and confusion.

"Kura?" he called out nervously, "Kura, are you ok?" Slowly heading over to the stairs, no sounds omit from the slightly open bedroom door.

All the bedroom doors were open and Ryou wasn't exactly sure which one contained the silenced the male. No sounds such as moans, creaks, or breathing could be heard. That signaled the worst thoughts; death, blood, amnesia, concussion, any and everything was a possibility.

Once the horrible thoughts finished their psycho rounds, the sink that had been filling up, flooded over. Ryou unsure of what to do he reached over and twisted the knob to cut off the supply of water. But as he was turned around something leapt down the stairs and tackled the frightened boy.

With Ryou in his grip, Kura tossed him onto the blue couch. As soon as he landed, the larger body of Kura landed on top of him. Holding the struggling arms down near Ryou's waist, Kura straddled the small boy's hips, pinning him and his hands down.

"Bakura let me go!" Ryou yelps in surprise. Too much happened in that short time to be understood by anyone.

"Why?" Kura asks grinning playfully.

"Because I want to see what you broke and I need to finish the dishes. There is water all over the floor." Ryou attempts to reason.

"Why?" He repeats; the same smile on his face.

That's when he doesn't answer; the boy only closes his eyes and relaxes into the sofa.

So Bakura narrows his eyes and pouts. He crosses his arms tightly across his chest and sighs. Suddenly his eyes open wide with slight sparkles as an idea settles in.

"Why?" he repeats just as mischievously, but when Ryou decided to answer this time, Kura had a plan.

"Why?" the boy begins with a sigh, "because I have things I need to—" and once his lips were puckered into the position for the word 'to' Kura unleashed his prepared attack.

The slightest brush of their lips connected them for a brief second. It shut Ryou up instantly. He wanted to do it again of course; so did Kura. Although neither realized what the other wanted, Bakura leaned over greedily and stole another kiss, only this time he stayed a bit longer. A tiny moan 'accidentally' left Ryou's throat. Keeping that in mind, the older one wanted to continue with his 'pleasure' but of course he's interrupted.

A good two or three knocks on the front door signaled that someone was there obviously. Bakura could've sworn that a light growl came from Ryou as Malik appeared in the living room. As always Bakura thought quickly to find an excuse.

"Once you have them down like I have you; hands held by your legs, then you beat the shit out of them! Damn it Ryou you're so fucking stupid," he quickly snarls before jumping off Ryou to greet Malik.

End

Rumble…rumble…BOOM! The loud smash of thunder shattered the sleeping teen's thoughts. Jumping awake, Ryou stared wide-eyed out the front window. Terrified tears welled up in the bottom of the frightened jade orbs. Beads of warm sweat rolled of his forehead and down his face. The perspiration caused his white hair to attach to his face loosely. His chest heaved up and down in a slight panic, he wanted someone there with him, anyone.

Snatching up his blanket Ryou ran up the stairs but tripped in the upper hall when the lightening flashed. He went blind for no more than a second but long enough to lose sight of everything and fall over the wooden trim. He landed on his elbows while gripping onto his fleece cover. While he quivered he looked up to notice Bakura's closed bedroom door. It felt like the safest place at that moment, it was also the only place Ryou wanted to be.

So he jumped up and swung open the door. The room itself was painted black. Maces, swords, knives, throwing stars, all lined the dark walls. Ryou had been in here once before, although it was for less then a glace. So everything seemed like unfamiliar territory.

Flashback

Three weeks had passed since Ryou was adopted. Malik of course was still on his business trip while Bakura went out to 'work'. Ryou was never exactly sure what he did for a living, but he's never really been curious to know. With the harsh threats and beatings to last a full week, Ryou wouldn't be surprised if Kura executed people for a living.

After school one day the younger teen heard noises from upstairs.

'That's unusual…' he thought as he quietly made his way up the stairs. Hoping not to bother the distressed teen in the other room, he just slipped by the closed door and into his own room.

Gently closing his own door, Ryou listens for the click to signal its shut. After that, he stepped toward his bed and just dropped his bag. He was still way too weak to do much. But the hollers from the opposite room grabbed his tired attention.

"Piece of shit!" Kura shouted as something from his room crashed. Whatever smashed on the floor was extremely heavy.

Peering out of his room, Ryou spotted Kura walking towards him. Even though he was a little sacred, Ryou slipped out of his room. He walked straight towards Kura who paused when they brushed shoulders.

"You!" he snapped spinning around quickly. "You're going to buy me a new boom box!"

Ryou blinked and muttered a timid 'okay' before slinking off down the stairs. On his way he paused to looking into the dark room. An eerie silence greeted him, unlike the loud head-thrashing metal music that always came from inside it.

"Hey, get your nose out of my fucking room!" Kura growled with a menacing glare. He followed up on his words by running up and slamming the door.

Ryou sighed slightly and backed up towards the stairs as he let Bakura stare him down.

End

The young boy chuckled to himself when he took the memory into consideration. A dent in the floor caught his attention when he flicked on the lights. When Ryou examined is more closely, he noticed that it was from the boom box that Bakura had smashed on his floor almost two years ago. Another black CD player reflected in the hard wood floor. It was the same one that Ryou had gotten for him that year for Christmas.

"Oh Bakura…why did you go?" the boy asked himself. He ran his fingers over the heavy plastic frame and realizes that it had been taken really wonderful care of.

With a depressed sigh Ryou walked over the bed, and sat down. The black comforter was sitting next to him in a mangled mess.

Ry laughed, "You never were a very organized person were you?" He could just picture Kura's body tangled up in the wad of cotton. He would have his arm and a leg sticking out randomly and his mouth would be wide open as he drew in with a snore.

With a laugh, he stood and grabbed the blanket. Finding both of the corners, Ryou pulled up and let the ball untangle itself. As the cover came down, a light breeze blew against Ryou's body. The wind had the intoxicating scent of Bakura. The teen took in a deep breath, sure not to miss anything. If you were to pay attention to his eyes, you would've seen a tear holding itself on his eye lashes.

After tucking down the blanket, Ryou collapsed down onto the bed. He opened his eyes to see Kura's bed stand. The small desk had a drawer that protruded just a bit. The papers that stuck out were blank looking until Ryou examined them more closely. It was nonetheless a diary that Bakura had kept since Ryou had moved into the house.

Ry jumped up a bit then realized he still had that note from Kura to read. Looking at his pocket the teen hesitantly reached into it and pulled out the folded piece of paper. Taking a deep breath he pulled open the note and began to read it out loud.

"I wasn't always so alone I was happy once I swear. But life has devastating turns and now no one seems to care. I was always quite alone, though long ago I had a life. But years of darkness do corrupt, now my closest friends a knife. I spend my present crying out for love. Trying to flap my shattered wing; I am the demented dove. I spent my past drowning in a shadowed flood. Trying to keep my tattered mind, I'm thirsty for your blood. I thought that you would love me I'm your half to hold. But after so much pain and gore I know your heart is cold. I thought that you would hate me; I'm your half to fear. But after so much pain and gore, I know I need you near…" Ry paused to draw in a needed breath. "It's my poem…but how did he get this? And what are these last two lines in his hand writing?"

Ryou's heart warmed as he read the last two lines that were in Kura's scribbly hand writing, "Kura, I'm slipping into night without a dawn. Can you? Will you, hold me close as my final breath is drawn? My light I will not let you fall. Not when I've learned what to say. I can and will hold you very close, to love you each and every day."

Tears came slowly to Ryou's eyes before he even finished the last few words. Bakura really did love him; he only showed his love differently. He was unsure of how to love someone, in that case Kura turned to violence. To him, the beatings were the only 'close' way to get without showing weakness.

Depressed greatly, the white-haired boy looked up at the dark green covered book. Bakura's name was printed neatly across the front. Ryou thought about what the diary would say. It could be the horrible truth that Bakura only wanted Ryou to beat-up on, or that he truly loved him, or maybe that Bakura only wanted Ryou for a boy-toy. Whatever the reason, it was in that book. The boy was curious but scared at the same time.

Overcoming his fear, Ryou realized that Bakura would never use and abuse him unless Kura was confused about his feelings. Reaching for the book Ryou noticed the red tinted side. Praying that it wasn't his blood, the teen swung open the book and read the first page.

"07/16/99

Why am I writing this shit down? It's not like it'll make me happy to save all my thoughts. That damn doctor doesn't realize that though. Whatever. Dr. Marco…he's the one who sentenced me to write down my every thought that made me upset and stuff like such. I don't understand if this is supposed to help me, but I'll do it anyways. I think he said that the reason was because I was always alone. My job is to sit around and answer people's fucking questions. It's weird that he tells me I'm alone…because I work with a lot of people.

Anger management was one the other option. Other than this journal anyways. I didn't want those damn meetings to interrupt my schedule. Malik was there too. He told me it was easier to do the writing. SO I guess I took his advice and picked this option. If it was my choice, my life would be over. I have nothing to actually live for. Girl's don't enjoy my personality…I don't have any friends besides Malik. Speaking of Malik he's supposed to be here soon. I'll leave this book here and write in it later. "

"11/31/99

The doctor was mad at me. I guess he's serious about me writing this stuff down. I told him I was busy taking care of my new house guest. But he doesn't realize it's true. New house guest…more like house pest. Ryou. Ryou Haruki. God he's beautiful. His white hair is always soft, wispy, and it always smells good. Coconuts…that's what it is. And his eyes. Oh my, he has such gorgeous green eyes. They're always sparkling. Even when I hurt him. … Hurt him. That's what I do. I beat the poor child. He's not even 3 years younger than me and I always beat the shit outta him. Every night for the past week he's been knocked out and left to whimper in pain. I don't know why I beat him. I think I love the boy too much. I…love him? What am I saying? I'm not gay…am I?"

Ryou puts the book down for a moment and thinks over what he read. Bakura had just met him. Ryou moved in on November fifth. And Bakura had felt these feelings all along? This was making no sense. The boy hoped that as he read on the Journal would make the story more logical. With a shaky sigh Ryou set the book down and yawned. Marking his spot the teen pulled the black comforter back on Kura's bed. The desk light was enough for the jade orbs to make out the scribbles Bakura sadly called entries.

Slinking into a comfy position Ryou propped his head up on a pillow or two and continued reading until he was too tired to read on.

"02/09/00

I've discovered the reason that I beat Ryou! I know exactly what it is! Or what THEY are. Yes, unfortunately there is more than one reason. It's taken over 20 earlier pointless entries, a stolen kiss or two and almost a half a year of him living here. The biggest reason is because I don't know how to love him. Sure I know what he likes to do and stuff, but I, myself, do not know how to love someone. I get so frustrated with myself that I take it out on the other person. I'm truly sorry for that Ryou. I want to tell you this to your face, but I can't. Not right now. Not with my feelings still remaining unsure.

The other bigger reason is because I can't accept the fact that I'm gay. I've dated girls my whole teenage life but then Ry walked in. He's almost like a girl. But he has more to offer. All the other girls were after my body. Only he looked me in my eyes. My fear of this is…this boy can't be gay. He's so pretty. He could have anyone he wanted; whether it was a boy or girl. His beautiful green eyes are always so focused on whatever he's doing. They always have a sparkle hidden in them. But I take that away from him. I take everything away…

I have to turn this book into the doctor tomorrow. Perhaps then I can keep my thoughts to myself for a while…"

About 30 minutes later Ryou flips to a recent reply. His tired eyes skim over the paper but they stop half-way down the page when they see that it only consists of one word. Ryou.

"…Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou Ryou…"

There was no date or anything at the top, just Ryou, over and over again. With a content sigh, the teen closed the book; marking his page. It was quite obvious to Ry that Bakura had loved him from the beginning. Ever since his café colored eyes had met Ryou's green ones, it was love at first sight. But there was only one question that remained; did Ryou actually love Bakura in return? Or was it the lust of never being alone

Well? Which is it? Can you guess? Hehe…who will Ryou REALLY end up with? Will it be Malik? Bakura? Yami? Or am I just full of crap and Ry doesn't end up with anyone: D Hmm…stay turned as I try to untie all the confusing knots of this strange story. Let me hear what YOU all think. I'm quite curious. And I'll update ASAP. Actually, chapter eight is done being revised...I want a little bit of input first before I post.

Questions? Just ask! i'll try to NOT be confusing...oye...