Oh my. Sorry about not updating sooner. My internet went out all the while. But hey, here's the next installment and I'll definitely update in the next few days. Here are my thanks to my loyal readers:

Love'sBakura: Well, love is a funny thing. And you must ask yourself, what benefits can Ryou get from a man who only beats him? And as for Yami, he'll be fine. Lol

…Well that was simple. Whatever. Enjoy the story!! XD (Or you can hate me forever after you read it…)

9. It's becoming a Sin to Love you

"Yea, then it was gone!" Malik laughed.

Ryou smiled at his friend's lame joke. They had just finished their lunch/dinner at a small café; Tony's Diner. The blonde had ordered a turkey club sandwich with fries. All the tears Ryou had cried led him into a hunger deprivation. All he could eat, rather force down, was a leafy green salad.

Malik wiped his eyes free of tears form laughing so hard. Ryou glanced up with a smile. He hadn't heard the riddle but he did manage a real-looking fake grin.

"You should've seen the guy who told me that! It was too funny…oh man. Well come on Ry, let's get out of here," the older boy exclaimed pulling over a waiter for the bill.

'A piece of fucking paper can't keep me away from you Ry. You have to remember that. I'll come back for you. I…I love you'

Ryou rested his chin in his palm as recollected thoughts of the trial that day came back. All the fuzzy, but manageable memories swirled around in his mind. The car ride home with Malik a few days ago was being reenacted while Malik drove down a long road. The seemingly never ending road was called, Elms Road.

The halfway sorted feelings about Bakura, life, love and Malik were all jumbled when the right tire smashed into a pothole. The two men were thrown around for a moment as the back tire hit the hole too.

"You're quiet today," the blonde states. He leans over and turns the radio volume down to a mute noise.

"Oh…I just can't think of much to say right now," Ryou confesses calmly.

"You want to talk about anything?"

"…Yea, I was wondering if you think that Bakura would really forget about me. I mean you seen him after the trial didn't you? He told me to wait. He also said that he'd be back; a piece of paper wouldn't keep him from me," Ryou exclaims slowly searching Malik's face for telltale signs of what was going on in his mind. "He also said he loved me."

There was a moment of silence. Ryou's breathing became more frequent as the silence progressed. He remembered always feeling this way when he was home alone. Noises would be heard after school. The house would be completely empty except for him. As he read a book, changed, did his homework, it didn't matter. Sometimes he could've sworn that he heard the door open downstairs. Or maybe he would hear something walk slowly up the stairs or down the hall. Ryou would sit terrified that it was Bakura coming to hurt him. Although there would be nothing walking or entering. But all the times that Bakura had attacked him, he had never heard anything. Ryou was always scared of silence for that reason.

"Well…I'm not sure. I can't say that he will be back but I can't say he won't be back. He's been known for breaking rules but also changing his ways. Ry, you're stuck on a borderline here. I want to tell you that he'll never come back. I want to say that he won't ever hurt you again, but I can't." Malik finally says after a few minutes. He seemed to have blown off the 'love' part.

"Are you saying that you don't want Bakura to come back? That it's better if I live alone for the rest of my life?" Ryou cries out.

"No, not at all Ry! If there was a person that I would want for you to live with forever more…I would consider…" He trailed off as if embarrassed by what he was going to say, "I would say me."

Ryou's eyes widened slightly at the response. That was not what he was expecting to hear. Malik was one of Bakura's best friends. It wasn't right to send one's only life to prison and try to make them change their mind about how they feel towards it. What ever Malik had meant about him watching over Ry…it was working.

"Malik, I don't want to talk about this now…I just want to think about this for a while. Will you take me home? I want you to stay a while with me. I want to talk with you more. Please," Ryou requested shyly.

Purple orbs look off into the distance. Malik silently nodded an O-K and remained quiet the rest of the way.

Ryou didn't know exactly what was going through his mind, but the thought of waiting at least 2 years for Bakura to come back wasn't all too appeasing. He didn't believe Malik when he said Bakura could change.

'If Bakura really loved me, he would've changed a long time ago. But instead he remained in his torturing mode. He never once let up on the pain he inflicted. I've asked him to stop so many times, but nothing changed. If this is true then how do I argue with the occasional kisses? Were they just his way of telling me that this one of the few breaks he'll take? Both for his and my pleasure?'

Ryou continued to go through the detailed engagement with his mind as the care ride came to an end. The gray house sat in front of the burgundy Escapade that held the two boys.

"Malik, please come in," Ryou offers quietly as he pulls open his door.

The blonde complies by opening his door and stepping out. His footstep crunch in the snow as the couple approaches the front door.

Ry flips through his keys and sticks his tarnished house key in the knob. It felt odd to him to unlock the door. It was always unlocked when he got home form school and he had never had a key before. Before Bakura was arrested, he tossed the house key under the mat. He told Ryou that he'd toss it there if something was wrong. Although he figured Bakura was afraid of being caught, the key was always hidden there. Whether something was wrong or not.

(Bakura's POV)

"I'm telling you I don't have any money!"

"Well then I can't sell you any."

I fumed, my nostrils flared. It had only been a few days there but it was un-fucking-bearable. I had never really smoked before, except when I couldn't find Ry that night and one time in the bar. The guy that I had stolen them from…had it coming to him though.

It was extremely late or early, whatever. Around 3 in the morning it was only Malik and me in this bar. There was so many people having a good time. I had girls on me left and right all night. It was wonderful. I had just finished my 8th shot, 6th draft, and 2nd mixed drink. My head was foggy and I couldn't see well. But other than that I was fine. Luckily Malik was there. Because when I was drunk I was pretty violent or I was really weird. It was violent's turn tonight.

"Fucking asshole get out of my God damn seat!" some guy shouted. I could tell by the clarity of his oice that he wasn't as far gone as I was.

I looked up to my left to see a tall guy standing there. He was pretty well built. My squinted my eyes to see him better. I even leaned backwards to adjust the blurriness. But the smoke in the air mixed with the alcohol in my system I couldn't see him too well. "Naw, I like this seat. Thanks for the advice," I retorted dumbly.

I wasn't even aware of the man rearing his fist until Malik called my name. That's when the fist nailed me. Of course that was the only hit really. However, I did fall backwards off of my bar stool, landing on the hardwood floor. My nose hurt really badly. Can't recall whether it was bleeding or not. Either way, I stood up to face the 'tough guy'. I sent him straight to the floor and beat his ass. The feud had caused someone to call the police. (That's only because he was getting his rear kicked. If it was the other way around, no, they wouldn't have called anyone.) With one last throw of the guy's body, a small box fell out of his pocket. I bent over to pick it up along with the lighter next to it.

"Bakura come on!" Malik yelped out of nowhere. He grabbed my shoulder and pulled me out the back door. Once we reached outside I was still examining my loot.

"Yo, hold up for a moment. I got something," I point out to Malik as I pull out a cigarette. It slipped out of my drunken fingers. I hesitate for a moment whether or not to pick it up. But, I knew perfectly well that if I did, I'd fall over.

"Alcohol and cigs don't mix well Kura," Malik warns on deaf ears.

"Aw, don't get your thong in a knot. You want one?" I offer, finally able to hold onto one.

He shakes his head, "No thanks."

I shrug and light up the mini cigar. I sucked in slightly to pull the smoke into my lungs. After a moment I exhaled the toxin. It felt so good for the time. Malik and I sat in the back alley while the sirens buzzed in the back ground. Well…maybe there were sirens…I can't remember.

By now I had gotten 3 cigarettes down and I wasn't feeling too well.

"Alright Malik, lets go. I'm tired and sick," I grumble.

Malik stands and leads me home. It's a good thing we walked because there was no way that we were driving.

Not even 10 minutes later I found myself puking my guts out on an anthill.

I hate it when Malik's right…

Since that night I've tried to never lay my hands on another smoke. But now I was desperate to get something in my system. I had about 2 beers every night, but I haven't had any for 2 months, I wasn't doing too well.

"Come on man. I lost everything. All I want is a few cigs. I'll pay you back, I promise," I beg.

"Fine, but you'll have to find another way to light them up," the other inmate scowls handing me 3 cigarettes.

I felt wonderful. After asking for the matchbook from the thief next to me, I lit up and inhaled. Ryou would've murdered me if he saw me now. Well who could blame him? I look and feel like shit. All the food here tastes like cardboard. And the cots smell like puke but if you're lucky they'll smell like piss.

I sigh and lay across vomit scented mattress. I hold up the cig and take another hit off of it.

'I always think of you Ry. I still want to kick myself in the ass for what I did, it wasn't worth it,' my thoughts float up with the gray smoke that leaves my lips.

I place the butt of the cigarette between my lips again. With my eyes closed I draw another breath. The addictive smoke enters my lungs slowly.

"Makoto, get a load of this!" one of the inmates exclaim grabbing my attention.

I look over to where he's pointing and instantly lay back down. "So, what's so great about them?" I ask closing my eyes again.

"What are you talking about? I think you mean what ISN'T so great about them! Bakura, they're within your reach," he states just as quiet as before.

My eyes shoot open as I roll off the cot and stare at the floor. It was two or three bobby pins twisted together to shape a lock pick. Even though I had been in here for a few days, I knew what they looked like.

Sliding my hand out delicately, attempting not to make any noise, I reach over for it.

The black metal is skimmed by my ring and middle fingers.

"Damn, just a little bit farther…" I curse in a light whisper.

That's when the door at the end of the hall makes a noise. It was the rattling of the loose door handle. Everyone feared it.

The fear of getting caught pushed me to reach farther. This could be my only chance of getting out. Just as the door opened, I managed to grab the hair pins. Jumping back up, I plop on my cot and stick the metal in my mouth; the first place that comes to mind.

"Are you alright Bakura?" the female guard from the other night asks walking up.

I just glare in her general direction with a nod.

"That's good to hear. I have a question," she requests grabbing the bars on my cell.

I just continue to stare.

"Have you seen my lock pick? I dropped it in here last night. I was around here. I kind of need it so I can get my buddy out of here."

The metal begins to irritate my mouth so I spit it into my hand. "Yea, here," I state.

She blinks. The look on her face motioned towards the fact that she didn't believe that I was handing her the pick. Her mouth was open slightly as she stared into my warm eyes.

"If you don't take it I'll toss into another cell. If I do you'll never get it back," I growl.

She takes it from my open hand and asks, "Why are you giving this back? I left it there purposely to—"

"I know why you left it there. It was your way of seeing if I was worth anything. I'm an honest person. I may be a bad or horrible person but I'm honest. Don't lie; just cheat and steal. Right?"

It's true that I'm a bad, mean, awful person. But it's also true that I'm honest. I can't remember the last time I lied about something. I didn't lie about the fact that I was guilty to the fact that I was gay or that I was hurting Ryou behind everyone's backs or even to the fact I love him. I never once that I hated him. Ever. Not in my books or any thing. Everything I said was true. I live my life towards this moral: Don't lie. Just cheat and steal. They were bad things, but go ahead and do them. Just don't lie about it. If you lie to others, you lie to yourself.

Her shiny purple eyes gaze into my own brown ones. It looked like she wanted to believe what I was telling her but her heart wasn't excepting the facts.

"I'm Mai, ask for me next time you need a hand with something…that is if you're still here," she says in a mere whisper.

I blink when she crouches near my cell and slips her lock pick into the bolt.

There is a light click after she spins it a few times then pulls it out.

"The guards won't notice it's unlocked. Just stay away from it until tonight. I'll be back to get you and lead you out," she says walking away.

"Why are you helping me? What do you want out of this?" I snap in a curious tone.

"Yesterday, you spoke of a friend of yours waiting for you to come home right? Well I've watched you since then, you always look as if you're out in some kind of daydream…your eyes glaze over, your reactions slow down and you always reply with a guilty sounding tone in your voice…It's as if...you're under a trance."

I blow the smoke out of my mouth off to the left. The tobacco is gone so I drop the butt end and step on it. I was kind of disappointed that it was gone.

"So you just want me happy again?" I ask turning around, "Thanks."

With my back to Mai I can feel her presence. She nods and starts to walk away.

"I'll be back later," Mai calls with a wave of her hand then the slam of the large steel door.

"What the hell was that about?" Some random guy asks from a cell down the hall. "Was that your slutty-ass whore of a girlfriend?"

The rest of the prisoners make an 'oooh'ing noise with a slight snicker.

Maybe if she was a good friend or if by some odd chance she was my girlfriend, I would've swung open those bars and killed the man. But alas she wasn't. So it didn't really affect me in any way. Sure I was a bit offended by the comment, though I didn't let it show.

"I'm gay!" I call back as I plop down on my cot.

An uproar of laughter sounds throughout my quarters. A few of the ugly comments and insults pass through the howls of laughter that put me into a deep angry depression.

"Did you get a fat one? Just to see what it feels like to play with boobs?"

"I'm sure it's fun to play with your boy toys right?"

"You know, Bakura, my buddy is getting married soon. He was looking to hire a girl and a guy. The guy is for his dog though. Hope you don't mind!"

"When you fuck another guy, is it like masturbation?"

I curl into a ball on my mat. All the taunts bring my anger into a huge roaring inferno that threatened to eat at my heart. It was not a pretty sight. Those comments pulled at my strings harshly. It made me so pissed that I just wanted to hurt Ryou for being so god damn beautiful.

'Just a few more hours…just a few more hours…' I thought to myself. I knew that I could trust Mai. Something inside told me it was all right. But…if it was alright to trust her…was it alright to go to trust the others?

"I want to go home…I want to see Ryou," I mumbled in a whisper as I pulled out another cigarette. I hope the last two hold me out the rest of the evening. 'Ryou…it's like a sin to love you now…'

Few hours Later

(Normal POV)

With no where to go, the two men sat in the white entry hall. It reminded them both of what it was like the first time Malik had brought Ryou into the home. The house was tidy, it was quiet, but most of all Bakura was gone. Ryou had been sitting for no more than five minutes before running over to lock the door.

"Something wrong?" Malik asked whirling out of the hurried teen's way.

The boy didn't answer but rushed to all the windows to draw their curtains. Malik was watching warily as Ry made his way around. Once the last window was covered, Ry's white hair flung in a circle when he spun around.

"Malik, I have something to ask of you," he admitted walking up to him.

The older boy stepped back in slight confusion. He was totally unaware of what Ryou was going to do. Green eyes stared readily into his own amethyst ones.

"What's that—Ry?" Malik barely got his sentence out of his mouth before Ryou pounced on him.

They both landed on the couch. The blonde was stuck on the bottom.

"Hold me."

Part of Ryou wanted to get up and scream at himself, but the other part wanted to stay where it was. The only reason he wanted to stay was pertaining to the fact that his feelings for Bakura grew less and less as the feelings for Malik grew more and more. He couldn't tell if he was angry at Malik or elated that Bakura was gone. It was a weird feeling. But, Ryou was so confused, he didn't know what he was doing or so it seemed.

The white-haired teen buried his head into the crook of Malik's neck. His sun kissed skin seemed so inviting to the lonely teen.

"What are you doing?" Malik asked. He could feel the light breath on his neck. It felt so erotic in an enchanting way. Almost as if this was what he wanted. But he wasn't falling into this hole was he? Malik wasn't digging deeper and deeper into this gap that was being formed was he?

All of the thoughts ended when Ryou's soft lips gently met Malik's chin. He eyes closed halfway when he figured this was exactly what they wanted.

Ryou bit tenderly at Malik's throat. After making a few red marks with his teeth, he ran his warm tongue over the sores.

Malik grunted in pure satisfaction. There were a few red hickies planted gingerly along his jaw line. All of which were caused by Ryou's lips.

The teen slowly made his way down. He had started at Malik's dry, rough lips and ended up at his chin. Malik's tanned skin gave off some sort of needy glow as Ryou nipped at the blonde's throat. More and more red marks appeared.

Ryou's, obviously talented, mouth found itself nearing the hollow of Malik's red neck. Gently kissing the tendons around it, he dipped in, to lap at the tender area.

"Ry…" Malik groaned in a hushed tone.

Ryou paused for a second and began to scream at himself inside. Some outward force made me continue. It was like a drug and he couldn't stop.

Slowly and tenderly Ry pulled at the hem of Malik's shirt with his teeth, almost like begging. Malik closed is eyes and lay back on the couch. The white-haired teen wiggled his way up onto him for more friction but comfort.

Their faces were about equal with each other; Ryou on Malik. Ryou, his eyes half lidded, looked deep into Malik's eyes. A lusty look was being exchanged in silence. Both wanted to calm the lust that was crawling all over them.

"Malik…" Ryou confesses clearly.

"Hmmm…" Malik mumbles.

Ryou presses his lips against the Egyptian's with a swift movement. He slid his tongue over Malik's bottom lip, coating it with moisture.

Malik let out his own tongue that twirled gracefully down Ryou's lips, along his chin. Ry looked up to reveal his pale neck. Malik nipped about it hungrily, leaving bright rose-colored spots around. Trailing down a little more, he came across a slightly protruding collar bone. Applying his mouth, Malik left another red blotch on something that wasn't, and never would be his.

Malik, although unsure of what to do, he messages Ryou's breastbone. The boy growls into the touch but sits up abruptly. Grabbing the bottom hem of his shirt he slowly raises it above his head. With not much longer to spare he collapses back down gently.

Grasping Malik's shirt collar again with his teeth Ry pulls at the annoying buttons; each one slipping out of its hole. Once the fabric lie open, revealing Malik's chest, Ryou instantly traces his tongue along hardly visible cuts. As Ry pulls up, away from Malik's chest, he spots a picture hanging on the wall.

It was a caricature of Bakura when he was younger. With over-exaggerated brown eyes and a pouty look, it was enough to make your heart melt. Ryou blinked. It reminded him of himself in his current situation. The cartoon sketch of Kura put a scared doe look across his face. Bakura was six years old when that was drawn. He was scared. His father had beaten the boy when he was younger. One night, his dad went to apologize. Bakura had already been in bed, though he was awake. When he father opened the door a burglar got in downstairs. Kura crawled out of his bed when he heard fighting below him. As the boy peered down the stairwell, he witnessed the criminal place his gun barrel up to Bakura's dad's head. He pulled the trigger.

Bakura had raced back into his room and hid under his bed. It was the same room he had given Ryou to stay in. the criminal treaded the stairs into his parents' room and shot his sleeping mother too. Alone, now, Bakura remained curled up under his bed. He was too scared to even breathe. Only when the police showed up to make a report, did they discover a young Kura under the tiny bed. He was cold, delusional and dehydrated.

Ryou leapt off Malik in a heart beat. "I can't do this. I just…I can't…" Ryou stuttered.

Malik sat up instantly, "I wasn't trying to force anything on you—"

"I know Malik. I'm sorry! I'm just…lost. That's all." Ryou glanced over at the clock that read: 12:39 AM. "I'm holding you up. I've got school tomorrow. A Christmas assembly, now that I think about it. And you have work," Ryou exclaimed. He grabbed his shirt up off of the floor.

"Yeah…sorry about this Ryou. I'll go home—" Malik begins to say as he buttons up his shirt. But there is a jingle from the knob.

Ryou stopped dead. If there was anyone who recognized that sound, it was him. "Kura…" he whispered as scared as ever.

That's when the door opened to reveal the white-haired male. All he did was stop, look from one guy to the other and notice the tiny red hickies that covered a scared looking Ryou. Spinning to Malik, Kura stares at him, his face set in stone with no emotion at all.

AN:

Ryou...what the hell is going through your mind? You're going to make all my readers angry all because you can't make up your mind. ...Well, what did you all think? T.T My story is soo going down hill. Oh, and PLEASE if you have Ne ideas at all or thoughts, please let me know. I would love to hear them.