AN: Well, it's certainly been a long time…;; I'm terribly sorry for the long wait. Today, I told myself that I will not get off the computer until this chapter is done. Because we have a four-day break for Thanksgiving, I was able to work on this. I know I promised to update more regularly, but…I don't think I'll be able to keep that promise. School is literally dominating my life right now. However, I promise to definitely try to update weekly! (I think I've got the hang of my schedule now…but we'll see). My goal this week is to finish all my homework early, and type Saturday/Sunday. Please continue to support me, and thank you for reading!

Thanks to…

casaragi: Haha, yeah, they both need hugs right now. Thanks so much for the review!

ONIX-21: Yes, drama achieved! (I really tried for that element the last chapter). I'm glad that Marik and Malik have gotten attached to them, too. Thanks bunches for the review!

dragonlady222: Thank you very much for the review! I also agree with you – Bakura needs a break. Overworking is killing him right now.

Ivory Willow: Lol, that's one way to put it. Thanks for the review and the kind words – definitely helping. - Hope you get/got a good grade on your project!

Tails7651: I hate spam, too! I'm glad you liked the chapter. Thanks a lot for the review!

The Vampire Prince: I know! Communication is like, zip! Hopefully, it'll get better though, right? Thanks tons for the review!

MadPie: Lol, I heard your plea, but couldn't act until now. And thank you (about the writer's block thing). That got me motivated again to fight the WB once more. Thanks a bundle for the review!

Chapter Nineteen: Falling Apart

Bakura didn't flinch as the bitter night wind hit him full in the face as he left the lounge. He was too numb to feel anything but the pressing urge to scream. If he stayed here any longer, he was going to lose his mind. Pulling his coat around his frame, the teen wandered off into the night.

It wasn't fair. He should've been the first to know that Ryou needed a laptop. He should've been the one to buy it for the child. He had worked daytime shifts as well as a night ones to try to make ends meet. Cutting down the time he spent with Ryou was also something he had done in hopes of keeping them afloat. Still, it wasn't good enough! This month's payment for the condo to Marik was already late, and he had barely been able to pay Ryou's ridiculous school fees. And then there's the laptop. Bakura grounded his teeth and continued to stride forward aimlessly. It's just a laptop, he tried to tell himself. But it seemed like so much more! It felt as if he had been…betrayed, cheated. He didn't want any help in supporting Ryou and himself – he wanted to prove to his damned father that he could make it in the world alone…he didn't want to kneel before that smirking face ever again.

Bakura suddenly halted on a street corner, glaring at the smoggy sky. The cold night air had chipped away at his anger enough for him to get a grip. Still, the frustration ran circles in his head. Why did they have to keep it a secret? Why didn't Ryou tell him he needed one for school? Why was he the last one to know? Why the hell does it hurt?

Face it…there's no way you could've afforded a laptop for Ryou. Reality was harsh. Not only did it make him feel pathetic, but the worst part was to know that all his efforts – no matter how much he tried – were not enough to raise Ryou properly… No, that was a lie. To know that his efforts weren't sufficient enough, to know that he still needed a parent, that was unbearable.

Bakura blinked in surprise as tears threatened to spill over. Angrily, he pressed a palm against his eyes and swallowed hard, his shoulders shaking. I can't stand this…He was sick of trying at all anymore. What was the point? No matter how much he struggled, his efforts would disappoint everybody.

A beeping sound pricked the teen's ears, yanking him out of his thoughts. His wristwatch, heralding the time. Tameron's bar…my shift…

It was like the gods were laughing at him, mocking him. They were toying with him, making sure that the path he had chosen would have many obstructions as well as no end. His pride, and even his innocence, wasn't enough for them – they wanted to take everything.

The teen stood there on the corner of an unknown street, just staring out in space. Was this the life he wanted? Was this all worth it? He was basically throwing his life at the feet of some kid his mother had brought home one day.

Bakura's jaw tightened.

I…I need more time to think…

-

"Calm down, Ryou!"

Ryou screamed, sobbing as he fought the arms holding him down. "He's not going to come back!" Ryou cried, throwing his fists into Malik's back as the teen kept him from the door. "Let me go!" he screamed. "Bakura! Bakura, don't leave!" Slamming his small hands into Malik's back again, Ryou cried for his older brother's return.

Malik felt torn as Ryou continued to weep and shout, struggling all the while. However, Marik's hollered words as he left to keep tabs on Bakura were still impressed in his mind – "Bakura needs time to himself. He's just going to hurt Ryou if he doesn't cool off first."

"He'll be back," Malik said in vain, trying to soothe the child. "Please, Ryou! Calm down!"

"No," the child screamed. "No, he's not coming back! He's going to disappear, just like everyone else!"

Malik wanted to shout back that this whole thing was ridiculous! It was over a flipping laptop! Who the hell would leave their family for a laptop?

But it's not just the laptop. Malik froze, realization dawning on him. The kid works all day, comes home to rest and work again tomorrow. On top of that, he has to deal with Ryou…He didn't doubt Bakura's love for Ryou – it was just the fact that dealing with a frustrated child when you're frustrated yourself… Frustrated because no matter how hard he tries, it isn't enough. For Bakura, the laptop had been the last straw.

Ryou bolted for the door as soon as Malik's arms slackened. Cursing as he slowly stumbled out of his reverie, Malik chased after the child.

Jamming the elevator button again and again didn't hasten the coming of the metal box. Ryou didn't waste any time as he threw open the door on his left for the fire stairs. Struggling to stop the tears and clear his vision, Ryou started running down the flights as fast as he could.

"Why did you bring home a mutt like him?"

A mutt…is that what you call someone like me? Someone nobody wants to take care of? Someone people throw away and never look back at? Are you throwing me away, too?

Ryou leapt down the last few steps and rammed into the last door, opening it to show the lounge. He frantically looked around before he sprinted for the front entrance, easily evading the milling people in his way.

Don't leave me behind, please! Stay with me, or…or I…I'll…

The dark, cool night swallowed the last of his strength as the child desperately looked up and down the street for his brother.

I'll break.

-

Officer Keisuke Shiguro chugged the last of his coffee, down to the last drop, before he tossed it into a trash can on the street. He let out a satisfying sigh as he hauled himself toward his destination, fixing his cap and hair. "Its days like these when I feel like an actual cop," the man muttered, glowing inside from all the side glances he was getting.

His slow lumbering came to a halt in front of a condo. Then Keisuke mentally double-checked the location and the name of the building before he made a move.

He didn't get very far. He was about to walk through the doors when a small child ran out and almost knocked right into him. "Whoa!" he cried, startled as he backpedaled a little. He was about to warn the child to not run so recklessly when the boy's hair color caught his eye.

My youngest, Ryou, is easily influenced by his older brother, Bakura…They both have white hair…Slightly tan…

Keisuke was about to reach for the boy when the child fell to his knees, and broke down crying.

Something twitched in Keisuke's heart, and he almost patted the boy on the back, in hopes of cheering him up. However, his mind told him that he had a duty to perform, and he had to do it now, before a crowd formed. Already, a few bystanders were closing in on the kid.

"Police officer, coming through," Keisuke said, somewhat quietly. He shoved his way to the boy and grabbed the child's shoulder. "Son, you have to come with me."

As Keisuke pulled the child to his feet, he radioed his partner to come pick them up. He felt like he had to keep a firm grip on the child, the way Mr. Teishin had described him. However, the boy was just staring blankly at the ground, crying. There was no struggle whatsoever.

When the police car pulled up beside them, and Keisuke's partner gently led the boy into the vehicle, Keisuke turned to face the condo once more.

His enthusiasm had all but disappeared. All I need to do is find the brother, and it'll be over.

Mouth set in a grim line, Officer Shiguro marched right past a pale Egyptian boy as he entered the lounge.

-


AN: Well…what do you think? Please review! I'll try to update by next Saturday or Sunday (depends on homework, but I'm going to try!).