I felt like this needed a little something-somethin to end the story off. So, here ya go!

"...Ry-Ryou...?"

Silence.

"Dammit all, you idiot! Wake up!"

Silence.

Crimson liquid pooled around the two boys as one advanced towards the other. A serious gash ran across the smaller's chest and throat, summoning blood from the depths of his body. His body was cold and lifeless. The taller boy's eyes widened in realization and he dug his nails into his scalp.

"...No. Fuck Ryou, you can't be dead...!" His voice cracked slightly with emotion.

The laying boy did not make a sound. The laying boy did not move a muscle. The laying boy had since breathed his last when the Creator of Light's impact struck him. There was nothing more to do.

He wasn't lying. He told me that he loved me. Is that why...he blocked the Pharaoh's attack? If I was right about him hating me, he would have left me here alone... Bakura closed his eyes. His mind did not want to be reminded of Ryou's sacrifice.

Did he return his host's feelings of love? That was a question that was still in a gray area. He honestly didn't know how he felt about his Hikari. He certainly cared about him, but was it love?

"I-Bakura... I l-love you! And I always have!

"Th-that's rich! Oh Ra, that's the best acting I've seen anyone do! So you say you love me? Hah! You fear me. Don't confuse the two, Yadonushi."

He had been so cruel. He had singlehandedly destroyed his Hikari: an achievement that if he had performed hours earlier, would have made him ecstatic; was now solemn.

What now, Bakura? What else is there you have to do, now that he's gone? Wasn't he supposed to be your refuge? your friend? your heart? Bakura thought to himself. He's dead, and it's all your fault.

Ryou's face was covered in blood. Bakura brushed his trembling hand across Ryou's cheek, wiping away a fair amount of his blood. Otherwise, the Hikari appeared to be at peace. Despite dying how you did, you maintain a pure face. Oh Ryou, you're such a fool...

"Bakura!"

"R-Ryou? Why are you here?"

"I-I want to help you! I want to prove to you that the feelings for you I have are genuine!"

"This is not the time! You need to get out of here, you could get seriously hurt!"

"I don't care! If I leave, you'll get hurt! I'm not leaving you!"

These memories of the recent past flooded through the Thief's mind. So much could have been done differently, and yet he was too stubborn to change his ways. But I can start now...

"Great Gods of Egypt, hear my voice!" Bakura shouted into the dark abyss. "I offer to thee my darkness, my powers of the Shadow Realm. In return, I wish for you to give life back to this boy lying here! May you hear and answer my prayer!"

Moments passed. Suddenly, two identical flares of yellow light surged through the blackness. One hit Bakura, and the other Ryou. The former could feel his strength diminishing, his legs giving out from under him. The latter began levitating off the ground, and the severe wounds on him began disappearing.

...Thank you, Gods.

After what seemed to be an eternity, the light engulfing the two faded, and Ryou was still unconscious. Bakura crawled his way over to his Hikari, and hung his head over Ryou's face. Wake up... Please.

As if his thoughts were as clear as speech, Ryou's soft brown eyes slowly fluttered open.

"B-Bakura..."

"Ryou! You're alive!" Wet globs of tears were falling steadily down the Yami's face. He embraced his light tightly, not wanting to let him go.

"Bakura, you're-you're squeezing me too tight. I can't breathe."

Bakura immediately loosened his grip, but remained in contact with his other half.

"I-I'm so sorry, Ryou. I couldn't stop you from getting hurt..."

Ryou's eyes narrowed playfully. "Bakura, are you feeling alright? You're being awfully nice to me... and you're calling me by my name."

Bakura couldn't help but turn his face away from Ryou to hide his emerging blush. "I'm fine! What about you, are you ok? You nearly got ripped to pieces, you idiot!"

Ryou just smiled. "Bakura."

He turned his face to Ryou. At the moment their eyes met, Ryou leaned towards his Yami, noses brushing and lips meeting. It was a brief kiss, but the impact was there. Bakura didn't know how he felt. The kiss didn't feel wrong to him, and he knew that his heart was pounding, skin was steaming, and his mind was shouting "more, more!" They pulled away from the kiss, and looked at each other.

"I still love you." Ryou whispered.

"I-I-" Bakura stuttered, lost for words.

Ryou didn't speak. He placed a soft finger across Bakura's lips, and stood up. Offering a hand to his love, he chuckled "Let's get out of here. We should get back to our world."

Bakura smirked, and took the extended hand. He intended to let go, but after he got up, he really didn't feel like it.

A/N

So, just as a BTW, in "Forgiven", the little line thingies represented a time lapse, just in case you were wondering. I know it got some of you confused a little.

Ryou: Hurray! I'm not dead!

Bakura: But I don't have my shadow powers anymore TT-TT

Ryou: *kisses* it's ok!

Bakura: No! Not here Ryou! She's watching us!

Riv: ^-^ I'm a fangirl, its yaoi, I will observe.

Reviews? I love you all, and I want to know how you guys liked my stories! Special thanks out to Joey Kaiba and Tiikerikissa for reviewing "Forgiven"! They get cookies :D