AN: I added a little more to the chapter, which is why it's a little late. My bad…I just couldn't find the proper place to cut off, so I kept writing. Then I had to go back and edit. ;; Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

Thanks to…

ONIX-21: Hehe, I loved it too, and I'm glad you like it. Thanks for the review!

dragonlady222: Yeah, I agree! Though I was trying to emphasize that Bakura was confused, too…;; Guess that didn't show up very well. Thanks for the review!

casaragi: They share a strange bond, huh? Thanks for the review!

The Vampire Prince: Ah! I kind of did what I was trying to do. Lol. Thanks for the review!

AnimeNymph: Really? Hee, I loved it the moment I thought of it. Glad someone else did, too. Thanks for the review!

FlyingShadow666: Why thank you, and thanks for the review!

Chapter Six: Escape

Their days fell into a pattern, a daily routine. A structured schedule was a new thing to Ryou, but despite the repetition, he found that he thoroughly enjoyed knowing what the day had in store for him. However, there was the occasional surprise when Bakura would take him for ice cream after school, or to visit a chocolatier. Because Ryou knew that the teen didn't usually show such signs of affection, the boy kept the memories close as something special.

Though Ryou had never told Bakura, he loved his new life. It felt great to always have a bento lunch that his friends were jealous of, to have an older brother that many of his female peers respected and adored. He loved spending time at the park after school, sometimes with Bakura, sometimes with friends. Things that most kids took for granted, Ryou absolutely treasured. Albeit Ryou fought with Bakura from time to time, he knew he didn't want (or rather, couldn't stand) to share his beloved brother with anyone else.

The only part he loathed about his days was the part where he had to go home. He always tried to stall at the park, to stay just a little longer, but Bakura was firm about being back at the house by seven thirty. Their family didn't eat dinner together; their mother ate as soon as Bakura was finished cooking, and Ryou ate when he finished his shower. The child rarely ever saw the man he was supposed to call 'father' sup because as soon as he finished his meal, Bakura sent him to the room they shared. 'Father' usually came home late every night, and had Bakura dine with him.

And Ryou would stay upstairs, music pumping loudly, until he fell asleep.

Ryou tried multiple times to stay awake, but never attempted to sneak out. The one rule that Bakura enforced completely was imprinted in his mind: Never leave the room once I send you up. Sneak out, and I'll make you regret it, understand? He didn't understand, but he obeyed anyway. Why? Because it was the only thing that Bakura asked him to do.

For the first time in his life, Ryou had a solid, ordered life that wasn't haywire or on the verge of blowing up in his face again.

Until everything changed…again.

On the way home from the park one day, Ryou noticed their forlorn mailbox had a clean white envelope sticking out of it.

"What's this?" he asked, running ahead to get the mail. As he pulled it out and turned it over in his hands, he looked back at Bakura, who was leisurely walking up to him, with questioning eyes.

Bakura shrugged, showing no interest in the letter, and strolled up to the house. "Maybe it's a bank statement?" He doubted it, but that was the only thing that came to mind.

"What's a bank statement? And does the bank know which school I go to?" Ryou looked up when his questions were met by silence. "Bakura?"

Frowning and looking a little angry, Bakura held out a hand and, demanded more than asked, "Could I see that?"

Ryou mutely handed the mail to Bakura, barely able to contain his curiosity. Was it something important? What did the bank have to do with his school?

Bakura read and reread the address before he tore open the envelope. As he quickly scanned the letter, he could feel his hands gripping the computer paper harder and harder.

"What is it? Is something wrong?" Ryou immediately asked, hesitantly reaching for the letter.

Bakura cursed under his breath as he turned on his heel and stormed into the house, the letter still in his hand.

Ryou felt a little peeved about being ignored as he quickly followed his brother into their house. He threw off his shoes and placed his backpack on the base of the stairs before entering the kitchen as fast as he could.

The boy drew in a breath, jerking back to keep himself from view. What was his father doing home so early? And why was he drinking with their mom? Ryou pressed himself against the wall as he listened hard, trying to keep from being detected.

"What the hell is this?" Bakura angrily growled. Ryou heard a crinkling of paper, and ventured a guess that his father now held the letter he found in the mail.

There was a pause. "Oh…" Utaka chuckled, obviously drunk. "Filthy bastards want their money that bad, huh?"

"You promised that you would take care of the expenses!" Bakura roared. There was a slam, probably Bakura ramming his fist on the counter. "I'm doing what you asked. Keep up your end of the bargain!"

"Don't shout at your father, Bakura," Utaka muttered, his tone taking a sudden change to a darker one.

Ryou frowned. What are they talking about?

"But you promised-"

There was a hiss. "You know I got fired a few weeks ago. I'm short of money. The first thing I could think of cutting was that brat's school fee."

"You should have cut mine first!" Bakura shouted.

The sound of chairs scraping against the ground made Ryou wince. He couldn't contain his curiosity, and dared to peek into the kitchen adjoining the dining room.

Mr. Teishin, livid but calm, was standing in the dining room with Bakura's shirt collar in one hand. Their mother was across the table, in her own world, her face flushed from the alcohol.

"You only have a few more years of school left," Ryou heard their father murmur. "Your high school education is much more useful than that brat's elementary one. We can't afford both of them right now!"

"You can't go back on your word!"

Ryou flinched as he saw his father slap his brother hard enough to knock him off his feet. Bakura clenched and unclenched his jaw before he defiantly glared up at the man before him. Slowly, he stood as the man coldly said, "Don't tell me what I can and can't do, bastard."

Something ugly flickered across Ryou's eyes. The boy shook his head, feeling the heat of hatred threatening to crash relentlessly on top of him. He looked up in time to see Bakura mutter an apology.

"You have to start working," Utaka said, sitting back down. "I mean, working for money." Ryou saw his brother tightened his hands into fists as he mutely nodded. "Now, hurry up and make me dinner."

When Bakura turned to reenter the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of his younger brother. He hissed in warning, and that was all it took to get Ryou scampering up to their room. Angrily, the teen yanked the refrigerator open and started to pull out some leftovers to reheat. As he placed them in the oven, Bakura found himself fighting the urge to cry.

Bakura had never felt so betrayed in his life. He had done what the man had said somewhat obediently up to now, and what had it resulted in? Shit, what the hell am I supposed to do? He had taken all over it, all the poison, all the spite, even the misery. He had been the man's slave, taking care of his every whim. Sometimes, he even stayed up later than usual to finish his father's reports. And all for what?

This is so humiliating.

Numbly, Bakura served his parents dinner without even checking if the meal was warm enough. He really didn't care anymore. He could die, and not even feel the pain. All that suffering, for the last few years…

That night, when Bakura entered his room, he knew what he was going to do. It has to be done today…the old man is completely out from all that drinking he did. He was going to get away from this living hell that he called life. Somewhere far away, some place he would never hear the name 'Teishin' again.

It was a risk, because he knew the man probably wouldn't let him go without a fight. How could he? Bakura had been his to command, to direct, to make him do everything and anything he wanted him to do.

Bakura steeled his resolve, knowing full well that he would back out if he didn't. He took in a shaky breath before he started packing as quickly and quietly as he could. As much as he hated to admit it, he was terrified. When it came down to defying his father, actually violating his orders, Bakura was a coward. He would avoid such a situation at all costs, but-

Tension flew into every joint of Bakura's body when his hand brushed something on his bed. Almost immediately, he recognized it as Ryou. The boy had never really gotten used to the idea of sleeping on the top bunk, and Bakura was usually too tired to move him up, so they shared the bottom bunk.

I can't take him with me was the first thought that reached the teen. It would be too hard, on the run with a kid. Expenses would be higher, he would have to work more, too many consequences.

But Bakura knew he was lying to himself. How could he possibly leave his little brother with that monster of a man that they called 'father'? Even though Bakura hadn't fully grasped that taking care of a child on his own would mean giving up his own life, he knew Ryou had to go with him.

Because he was his brother, because he loved him. Even though Bakura had shunned Ryou at first, thinking of him as another burden to his messed up life, the teen had come to adore the boy who gave him a reason to go on living. Why? Because being with his father, alone, had been like going to hell and back. Having someone depend on him, having someone he could love, having someone who loved him back, it was something that Bakura wanted to protect. He had to take Ryou with him: he didn't want the man who took everything away from him to destroy what cherished joy he had found in the world.

Bakura lightly shook Ryou.

"Mm? Kura?" the child murmured, slightly confused as he stirred awake.

"Ryou…let's run away."

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AN: Erk, it's a little corny, ne? Yes, no? I didn't know how else to have Bakura come to his conclusion about Ryou. Hope it worked. Thanks for reading! Expect the next update on Monday or Tuesday. I'm sorry this chapter was a day late. For some odd reason, I keep finding myself in the midst of a packed and busy schedule…grumbles. Please review!