Chapter 5

Seto anxiously paced around the Pharaoh's study. The sun was already setting and there had yet to be any news about his brother's whereabouts.

Yami watched Seto pace. The lack of news worried him greatly. Even if the kidnapper had not been found there should've been some clues about his identity or which direction he had set off in. But there was nothing.

There was a knock at the door and Jou entered looking grim. "I'm sorry," he said, looking down at the floor. "There's no sign of Ryou or the kidnapper anywhere."

Yami sighed agitatedly. "And you've looked everywhere? Tried everything?" he asked.

"We've looked in all the places we can think of. But we haven't tried everything," Jou replied.

Seto stopped his pacing. "What do you mean?" he demanded curtly.

Jou shifted slightly. "We've not tried any of our underworld connections," he said carefully.

Yami looked at him. "You think we should send someone undercover to discover information?" he asked.

Jou nodded. "If the kidnapping was planned then maybe it was let slip by the perpetrator. Or maybe someone will have already been in boasting about the incident and we could get a description of the person."

"The mutt actually had a decent idea for once," Seto sneered. "Or did someone more intelligent spoon-feed you the idea to help you get out of trouble for the mess you've caused?"

Jou grit his teeth together, trying to keep his emotions in check. He wasn't going to let Seto get to him and he definitely wasn't going to start an argument in the Pharaoh's presence.

"You know," Jou started, knowing the perfect way to get his (subtle) revenge, "there was no sign of a struggle in Ryou's room."

"What are you implying?" Seto asked icily.

"Just that maybe Ryou wasn't kidnapped. Maybe he went willingly."

"But why would he do that?" Yami asked.

Jou shrugged. "Most likely because he knew the person – if there was someone else there. It wouldn't be any old acquaintance though since it would be pretty suspicious for someone to climb through the window. Maybe he eloped."

"He wouldn't do that," Seto stated firmly. "I know for a fact that there isn't anyone he has a crush on."

"Are you sure?" Jou asked, smiling internally. Seto was falling right into his trap. "Maybe he does fancy someone but wouldn't tell you because you'd have said person executed on the spot for trying to steal your precious brother away from you."

Seto immediately started shouting, telling Jou that he didn't know anything and he should keep his big, stupid mouth shut. Seto didn't want to think that Ryou would think he couldn't trust him. The stupid mutt didn't know what he was talking about – Ryou would never run away like that.

Meanwhile Yami was carefully thinking about what Jou had just said. 'Steal your brother from you'. "I think you might be onto something Jou," Yami said, halting Seto's tirade.

"You've got to be joking?" Seto said disbelievingly. "What the hell could the mutt have come up with that I couldn't?" His eyes narrowed slightly. "You don't really believe that Ryou eloped do you?"

"No that's not what I meant," Yami said, shaking his head. "It's the words that he used that have given me an idea. 'Steal your brother'. A kidnapper is a thief who steals people." Yami looked at them both seriously. "What if the thief from two nights ago and Ryou's kidnapper are the same person?"

"That would make sense," Seto said, sober again. "He would know where to find Ryou and coming back the night after his attempted theft…"

Yami nodded. "If that's the case then we have a description of the thief to go by and at least that's something." He turned to Jou. "I am correct in assuming that we have the thief's description?"

Jou nodded. "It was dark – being night – but I got a pretty good look at the guy."

"That's good," Yami said. "Jou, I want you to use the underworld connections you know about to find out who this thief is and where he is most likely to be hiding."

"As you wish Your Majesty," Jou said, inclining his head respectively.

"I'm going too," Seto insisted. "I refuse to sit idly by and led incompetent idiots try to find my brother."

Yami sighed. "If you two think you can stand to be around each other without going at each others throats and blowing your cover, then yes you may go too," he said in a weary voice.

"When would you like us to leave?" Jou asked, aiming a glare at Seto.

"Tonight if possible," Yami replied.

Jou nodded and addressed Seto. "Make sure that you disguise yourself properly. No-one will talk if they know there's a palace official in the room. Wear a cloak with a hood and make sure it covers your face completely."

"I know what to do – I don't need you to tell me Mutt," Seto snapped.

With a final glare they both departed to get ready. Yami slumped back in his chair and closed his eyes. At least things were never boring when his cousin came home to visit

Ryou and Bakura had spent the rest of the day talking in the shade of one of the trees. Now that the sun had set they went back inside Bakura's small house.

Bakura was still going along with his 'avoid contact with Ryou so you don't break down and fuck him' plan. It had been easy when they had just been sitting down talking but now that the sun had set the real test of his self-restraint had started.

Ryou had noticed that Bakura was being more distanced than before. When they were talking Ryou had snuggled close but the thief had done nothing. Ryou had expected him to at least put his arm around him.

Ryou was starting to wonder if he had done something wrong. Was he not what Bakura had expected? Did Bakura regret bringing him to his home?

They had just finished the evening meal and Ryou had come up with a plan. He'd show Bakura that he was willing to do whatever the thief wanted. He'd show his magnificent god that he loved him with all his heart.

Ryou crawled off his cushion on the floor over to where Bakura was sitting. Bakura looked at the boy curiously as he seated himself in Bakura's lap. "What are you doing Ryou?" Bakura asked.

"Nothing," Ryou replied innocently as he ran a slim finger down Bakura's exposed chest.

Bakura shivered slightly at the feel of Ryou's silky soft skin. His self-control was being tested again but he would not give in to his animal-like desires.

Ryou frowned inwardly. If that got no response then he'd have to try something else. Ryou turned slightly and planted light kisses on Bakura's neck.

Bakura bit back a moan as Ryou's lips connected with the sensitive spot on his neck. "R-Ryou…what are you doing?" he asked, trying to stay calm.

Ryou didn't answer. Instead he pushed Bakura's legs apart so that he could kneel right in front of him. Ryou pushed his body against Bakura's and wrapped his arms around the thief's neck. He then assaulted the man's face with kisses.

Ryou was waiting for a response, any response, from his love but Bakura was doing well and remaining impassive. This only forced Ryou to use more drastic measures though.

Ryou pushed Bakura onto his back and started sucking on one of the thief's nipples. Bakura gasped as a wave of pleasure passed over him. He had to stop Ryou now before he lost all self-control.

"Stop it Ryou," Bakura said just loud enough for Ryou to hear. When Ryou ignored the command Bakura tried again. "Please stop it Ryou," he said, more desperately this time for he could feel himself hardening. Ryou continued to ignore him.

"STOP IT!"

Ryou removed Bakura's nipple from his mouth and Bakura gave a sigh of relief. But when Bakura looked up at Ryou his relief turned to guilt. Tears sparkled in the corners of Ryou's eyes and Bakura knew that he was the one who had made them appear.

"I'm sorry," Ryou whispered before he jumped to his feet and fled outside.

Bakura cursed as he got to up and ran after Ryou. It didn't take him long to spot the boy sobbing quietly under one of the palm trees. Bakura sighed as he sat by Ryou, ready to apologize profusely, but before he could say anything Ryou turned to him and quickly said, "I'm sorry."

"Ryou-"

"No it's alright; I understand," Ryou said as he turned away miserably. "I shouldn't have pushed myself on you like that. If you hate me and think I'm ugly I can't force you to love me. You should just take me back to the palace so I'll no longer be a burden."

"Why would you think that I hated you?" Bakura asked, stunned.

"Because after we bathed together you seemed to distance yourself from me. You were colder and wouldn't touch me. You realized that you'd made a mistake and that I was utterly repulsive."

Bakura suddenly realized what a fool he'd been. He'd given mixed messages and made Ryou feel that he needed to prove himself. And then he made it seem like he was rejecting the poor boy. He was such an idiot!

"Ryou, angel, I don't think you're ugly and I don't hate you. On the contrary – I love you and you're the most beautiful creature that ever graced this world. It's true, I did try to distance myself from you but it was because you were too beautiful. I wanted to jump you the second I saw you. But I didn't think you'd like me pouncing since we haven't known each other that long. I wanted to get to know you better before I deflowered you.

"I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea angel. I promise I won't ignore you ever again. Will you forgive me for my stupidity?"

Ryou threw his arms around Bakura's neck and buried his face in the thief's shoulder. "I'll forgive you if you forgive me," Ryou whispered.

Bakura smiled sadly and hugged the sweet boy back. "Thank you angel," he whispered tenderly.

They stayed together in their embrace until all of Ryou's tears had dried. Then Bakura removed his arms from around Ryou and brought the boy's head up so that their eyes could meet. "Come on angel," Bakura said softly. "Let's go to bed."

Ryou nodded and kissed Bakura. Bakura helped the boy to his feet and together they walked back to Bakura's homely residence, their fingers once again interlaced.

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