AN: I'm sorry, I've been on hiatus for a while now... But, I'm back! And with another chapter, and with weekly updates (at least until school starts). I apologize for the long wait… I hate it when writers leave a story for a long time, and I hate the fact that I did just that…

Thanks to…

ONIX-21: I'm sorry for leaving you hanging… TT I hope you like this chapter, and thanks for reading thus far.

Bakura666: Ack, you've waited a long time, huh? Sorry for the wait…Thanks for commenting, and for supporting the story

The Vampire Prince: Is it a sin to like cliffies? Lol, I'm just kidding. Thanks for pushing me to update this story, couz. :

dragonlady222: I hope he can deal with it, too… Sorry for the long wait. I hope you like this chapter, and thanks for commenting.

My Heart Belongs To Darkness: Ah, a new reader! I'm sorry I've been on hiatus for so long… I'm happy to hear you like the story! And no, Yami and Yugi will not be making an appearance, sorry… ;;

the-bee-keeper: TT Thank you for the compliments! Ah, that makes me want to write another chapter tonight, lol. I'm sorry for the long wait – the next chapter will be here sooner than this one, though

Comicbookfan: Okay, continuing, lol. Thanks for the comment, and sorry for the long wait.

-Hannah-Thief14: Sorry for the long wait… ;; I'm off hiatus now, so I'll try to update more frequently (hopefully weekly). Thanks for reading!

You guys are the best. Thanks for sticking around and reading my story, lol. I'll try to update more frequently from now on.

Chapter Twenty Six: For An Angel

Father Josiah carefully wrapped the bandage around the child's left leg as he frowned. He had done everything he could think of – from pain reducers to herbal medicines – and still the boy had yet to wake. It's only been a few hours since you've found him, the pastor told himself. Of course he hasn't opened his eyes!

Fervent knocking on the door made Father Josiah jump. Wearily, he pulled himself to his feet as he called, "Who is it?"

"It's Kaia!" a small voice shouted through the door. "I've come to see the angel boy!"

A small smile spread across the pastor's face as he hastened to his door. As soon as he opened it, the girl raced in and immediately went to the bed.

"He's still sleeping?" Kaia sounded disappointed as she kneeled next to the boy. "He's all right, isn't he? He's not hurt badly, is he?"

The tension that had gripped Father Josiah all afternoon seemed to wash away when he realized that he was not the only one concerned about the angel child. Softly closing the door, the priest went to join Kaia at the side of the bed. Trying to comfort both the girl and himself, Father Josiah murmured, "I am sure the Lord God is watching over this child as we speak."

Kaia hesitantly reached out and brushed the boy's cheek with her fingers. "He can't sleep forever…" she whispered.

As if to prove her point, the boy suddenly groaned.

"B-Bakura…"

Alarmed, Father Josiah stumbled to his feet and quickly asked, "Are you awake, son?"

There was no response. Instead, the white-haired child tossed and turned before he relaxed again, still sleeping. Relief, mingled with a tad of disappointment, settled in the pit of Father Josiah's stomach as he gazed at the peaceful face of the boy.

He will live.

The mere thought made the pastor's heart flutter with an odd feeling. "Sleep now, child," he murmured, his eyes studying the angel God had sent him. "Sleep, and wake refreshed."

As Father Josiah reluctantly turned away to prepare the sermon for the next day, he reached down to tap Kaia on the shoulder. She had to leave soon, it was getting dark. However, before he could tell the little girl to come back tomorrow, something made him stop and smile. Fifteen more minutes wouldn't hurt, he thought. She can stay for fifteen more minutes.

On her knees, with her hands pressed together in prayer, sat Kaia. And clasped tightly in Kaia's hands was the boy's hand.

Bakura had been hoping that no one would answer the door. He was hoping that his father wasn't home, and that Ryou was back safely in Kyoto. He was hoping that this was all a joke. A cruel joke that he would let slide by. Because if this was a prank, a mean and ruthless prank, then at least this would all be a dream.

But no – reality was a bitch.

As soon as the door opened, the tall figure that haunted Bakura became real once more. Piercing charcoal eyes slowly slanted upwards as a nasty smirk spread across the man's darkly handsome features. He softly hissed, somewhat gleefully, "Hello, Bakura."

The teen flinched. He couldn't help it. He hated the way the man said his name.

Utaka Teishin reached out to touch Bakura's cheek when someone slapped it away. A look of irritation passed through the man's face before his proper mask slid into place.

Bakura stared at Malik as the younger Egyptian twin scowled and stepped forward to place himself between the father and son.

"Don't touch him, you bastard," Malik growled, protectively raising an arm to bar the man from Bakura. "We didn't come here to say hello. We're here to pick up Ryou."

Quietly, Marik walked forward to stand at Bakura's elbow. "Give us Ryou," he murmured.

For a moment, Mr. Teishin just stared at them. Bakura felt his mouth go dry when the man looked directly at him and smiled.

"Ryou's not here right now."

We shouldn't have come. Bakura closed his eyes as he tried to keep his breathing even. He could feel the heat leaving his body as panic set in. We shouldn't have come.

"Where is he, then?" Marik asked, his voice barely under control.

Mr. Teishin's smile widened as he gleefully said, "That's a secret." As the Egyptian twins exchanged confused glances, the man added, "But I can tell you for a price."

Malik growled, reaching for the older man. "This isn't a game, you motherf-"

"Where is he?" Marik demanded, pulling his brother back. Rage burned in his eyes as he shouted, "What did you do with him?"

There was a chuckle as Utaka Teishin shook his head. "Don't worry, I didn't harm a hair on the brat. That worthless kid is waiting elsewhere for you, all by his lonesome self."

"What's the price?" Bakura quietly interjected. "What is it you want, father?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, Mr. Teishin smirked as he said, "You know what I want."

Malik and Marik exchanged confused glances as Bakura was struck numb. Malik narrowed his eyes at the older man and muttered, "We don't know, so why don't you tell us?"

"Bakura knows," was all Mr. Teishin said. The man gazed at Bakura with a smirk dancing on his face.

Bakura paled as he realized what his father was after. Don't tell me you weren't expecting this, a voice warned him. You knew what he wanted from the beginning.

"I…" I can't.

Bakura miserably stared at the slick man as fear and guilt ran rampant in his mind. If Ryou were in my situation, he wouldn't have hesitated…What kind of brother am I? The white-haired teen inhaled slowly, and held his breath. He was scared, frightened, horrified – but hadn't Ryou also felt that way? When he was kidnapped by this fiend?

But Ryou didn't know what this man could do. Excuses, Bakura weakly told himself. You're so lame, Bakura. Ryou would've done everything in his power to find you and bring you back. And here you are, a few words away from saving him, and you're nearly pissing your pants.

Ryou has already suffered at your inadequate hands. What he needed was parents, but you took their place instead. You think Ryou deserves this? Don't you think he deserves a good and proper family? The very least you could have done as an older brother was make sure he was safe. And you've failed even at that. How could you let him slip into the hands of your father?

And how the hell can you hesitate to correct your own goddamn mistake?

Bakura stared at his hands. He was turning into his father, wasn't he? He was turning into a monster, wasn't he? He couldn't feel the shame or the guilt anymore. He felt empty inside. I can't...I don't...I...

This isn't about you. It never was. This is about Ryou.

Bakura slowly met his father's gaze.

It's not like you haven't done what he wants before.

That was true. Biting his lower lip, Bakura closed his eyes. "I... Tell Marik and Malik where Ryou is, and I'll do what you want."

AN: I promise to be back with the next chapter by…the latest, 10 days. Hopefully, it'll be like…five? Please comment, thank you for reading.