Disclaimer: Yugioh still isn't mine, despite how much I wish it were

Author's Note: This is Monday's chapter """ I'll update Friday and Saturday's chapters sometime today... No regular updates today though. I'll probably update once every other day from now on.

It's really hard writing Ryou's character, he's nice, gentle, but not weak... It's a delicate balance that I haven't gotten the hang of yet: I hate writing all this sentimental stuff.

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"Bakura, are you okay? What happened?" Tea asked. Joey and Tristan rushed over as well, and joined the 'patting down' crew, they should get a job and the airport.

"Guys, I'm fine, relax." I wiggled out of their clutches. Seeing Yami still looking at me, I walking over. "Don't worry about it Pharoah," I whispered in his ear, "you'll know everything in due time. I'm just not the right person to tell you your past. But he'll show up soon here soon enough." I was referring to Shadi, whom I know would make an appearance in the castle, according to the anime version at least. So far from what I asked Ryou, that version seems to be what this world is following.

Yami continued looking thoughtful, I ignored him. I'm beginning to think that he was just doing that to get Tea's attentions. (or Yugi's, or Joey's, or Seto's, or Tristan's, or maybe even Pegasus', who knows?)

"Can you still get in?" Joey asked, seeing that I was short two star chips, he handed me two of his. "Here, I don't have enough to get in anyways."

I smirked, then produced a handful from my pocket. "Here, have some. I still have about eight extras." Joey starred, then gave me a bear hug.

"Come on, let's go!" I waved the gang over, "or else we'd miss dinner in the castle." Joey and Tristan needed no further encouragements as they darted into the castle door, Tea, Yugi and I followed behind.

Some man in black checked our stars and showed us to our suites.

"Joey, careful." The puppy looked so happy that I couldn't resist raining on his parade, "there'll be eyeballs in the soup."

I'm the only extra person, so now there're five contestants: Bandit Keith, Mai, Joey, Yugi and myself. Joey and Bandit Keith will be dueling first to get rid of one person, the winner will face me. The other pair in the semi-finals is Yugi vs. Mai.

First thing next morning would be Seto's duel with Pegasus. Next is Joey vs. Keith, then Yugi vs. Mai. All that means to me is that I can sleep till noon.

I flopped on to the bed like a dead fish, exhausted from the day's events.

"Yami?" Ryou poked my ribs, looking up at me softly. "Are you asleep yet?"

"Yes," I groaned, my head still in the pillow. I've been trying to avoid having to face Ryou ever since the duel in the afternoon. I know he's different for me; I'm just not sure how different: I always thought that I wanted Seto.

Truth is, I can say that neither of them is my 'love', so to speak. Seto I have always wanted, since I first saw him in the show. But how much do I really know about him? Except that we will likely never get along, love or no love. So far, I've plotted, schemed and conspired to make him remember me. Last time I checked, that's not love.

The best I can say is that I want him as a conquest, a trophy to commemorate my 'other' life. And who doesn't want that hot CEO?

Ryou, on the other hand, is the first person I saw in this world, my first attachment to this world. He relies on me completely, which is really a boost to my ego, and I don't dislike him. But I've met him for no more than twenty-four hours, more than half of which he's passed out from me (Yami Bakura) torturing him earlier, now he tells me he loves me? I can see him as my pet, but a lover may be going too far.

I've never believed those stories where the Prince falls for Cinderella in just one dance. If he falls for her, why not some other woman after they get married, why not some other man? I remained silent.

"Yami?" Ryou prompted hesitantly. "I'm not going chain you to me for life, just tell me you love me, for now."

"Ryou," I was, for once, more scared than he was. "I can't. I'm not sure if I love you, and you certainly don't love me, not after what I did to you…"

Ryou's eyes flared up. "Yami, don't you dare do that." He said, almost threatening, "Don't you dare tell me who I do or do not love. You can do whatever you like to me, but you can make whatever you want out of me. I'm not your puppet. I thought you changed, I thought you'd given up trying to control me. Guess I'm wrong again." Tears were brimming at the edge of his eyes, he stubbornly held them back.

I sighed. Yami Bakura had really hurt him, so I can't blame him for not trusting me, but that's exactly why I don't think he loves me. How can there be love if there isn't even trust. "It's not love, hikari." I sat up on the bed. "It's desire."

He glared; I scratched my head, embarrassed. "Not that desire. It's a want, a need. I'm the first person you found that you could rely on, who you can completely confide with, so you opened yourself up to me. But that's not love, it's not even friendship. Call it a mutual partnership, I get what I want, and you get what you want. You'll regret it if we get together… I'm just trying to protect you."

Ryou stared at me, disbelieving. "So that's what you think, that I'm just using you? And what are you using me for now that you don't even want me for sex? I don't need you Yami, and I certainly don't desire you."

"Aibou," I made one last attempt at justifying myself. "It's not like that. You just, need to be needed, love to be loved. And that's what you fell in love with, not me."

He watched me for a second, and then I got my second punch of the day.

"Get lost," Ryou told me, "I think I like you, but that doesn't mean I'm going to take this crap from you. Stop thinking of me as being weak, Yami; why do you assume that it's me and not you who'll get hurt?"

He stormed out of my soul room and into his, slamming the door behind him. I got up completely, opening the suite fridge to look for the vodka.

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Check back at 4pm, I should have updated by then.