Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh or the song Evil Angel; they both belong to their respective owners.

Chapter Six

"Seriously Bakura, off." Ryou scrambled out of his lover's hold, running around so he was behind the sofa, separating himself from temptation. "Yugi and Yami are coming over any minute."

"So? Marik can answer the door."

Ryou rubbed his forehead. "That's not the point!"

"Then what is your point?" Ryou really wished he could wipe the smirk off Bakura's face right now, but he only knew one way of doing that; and it would play right into Bakura's hands. And the worse part was that Bakura knew it.

The British teen sighed, turning away and walking up the stairs that led to the main level of the house, putting distance between himself and Bakura. It was that only way he would make it through this part of the afternoon with his clothing still on his body. He could hear Bakura grumbling as he entered the stairwell, forcing himself to ignore the thief.

Bakura got to have him around all the time, but Ryou hadn't seen Yami for the longest time. Not since he had sent the teenager he considered his big brother running towards Yugi's house in the rain. It was the right thing to do, but he still missed Yami. And there had been a couple of days when he had woken up convinced that Yami coming back from the dead had to be just wishful thinking and his big brother was still buried on the shore by where the Baroness had sunk.

He jumped at the sound of the door opening, his brown eyes widening as Yami pushed the door open, one hand working the key out of the lock as he turned back to speak to someone behind him. Ryou couldn't bring himself to care at the moment, too excited to see one of his best friends. "Yami!"

Yami had a second to turn around before Ryou flung himself at the tri-color haired teenager, nearly knocking him to the ground. He heard a chuckle from somewhere behind Yami, identifying it as Yugi before he tightened his hold on Yami. "I missed you."

"Are Bakura and Marik taking care of you?" Yami choked the words out, Ryou letting go and stepping back to allow them all in. Yami nodded his thanks, walking through the door and letting the other two in. At Ryou's confused look, Yami spoke in a whisper. "Tomoya's guardian angel begged the day off."

Ryou gave off a laugh. "What are you? The person in charge of all guardian angels in Domino?"

He ignored the shocked look on the blonde teen that he assumed was Tomoya as Yami gave a cocky smile. "It just so happens that I am. Are the other two home?"

"Unfortunately."

Yami raised an eyebrow. "Unfortunately?"

"Bakura is feeling lonely."

"Ah." Yami held out his hand for Yugi, the motion not causing the same spike of jealously that it had in Ryou anymore. Yami wasn't just going to abandon him for Yugi, he knew that. The British teen waved at Yugi, getting an eager wave back. His gaze focused on Tomoya, who was looking slightly frightened.

"Did you warn him about them?"

"Why would I need to do that?" Yami sighed. "He has been told that everyone over here will either rob him blind or slit his throat, even though I have never been inclined to do those two things. Warning him would just lead to disbelief that any of us are reasonably sane."

"Well, did anyone see you coming?"

"Ryou, they all think I'm dead. They'll just think that they had too much to drink or are seeing things." At the British teen's sideways glance, Yami rolled his eyes. "No one saw us, Ryou. I made sure of that."

They four of them walked down the stairs, Ryou watching as Tomoya stuck to the shadows. He shook his head and stepped out into the living room, wanting to curse Domino and its preconceived notions. He was about to talk to Yami when he heard Bakura's voice drifting from the couch. "Is that the Pharaoh?"

"Hello Tomb Robber."

Bakura sat up, glaring at Yami. "Tell him to go away and come back later."

"I missed you too." Yami snapped the words back sarcastically before walking over to the sofa, throwing Bakura's feet off the piece of furniture. At Bakura's growl, Yami glared at the thief. "I paid for most of this."

He flopped down on the sofa, Yugi quickly vaulting over the back to claim Yami's lap. Ryou watched Tomoya shuffle further into the light, looking at the interior of their house in awe. Ryou was about to extend his own welcome to the teenager, no matter how tentative it would be, when Marik came tearing out of the hallway. "Is that the Pharaoh I hear?"

Yami gave a lazy wave, grunting in pain as Yugi clambered into a comfortable position on his lap. Marik gave a laugh, walking over to lean against the back of the sofa. "Where have you been? There's been no one here to whack Bakura and I over the heads for our stupidity. Ryou's too biased to do it."

"I'm sorry." Yami rolled his eyes. "I've had other things to do."

"Like lure that little look-alike of yours into bed." Marik dodged the blow aimed at him, laughing at the glare that was sent his way. "Come on, you know it's true." The Egyptian seated himself on the back of the couch, pretending to look thoughtful. "You know, I've been wondering if there is some guy wandering around there who looks like me. I almost want to go and find him."

"And why would you inflict that kind of pain on another person?" Bakura laughed as Marik tried to hit him over the head, ending up overbalancing and falling off the back of the sofa. Everyone laughed at him, shifting to find new positions, Ryou walking around the back of the sofa to sit on Bakura's lap, yelping as he was pulled close.

Yugi chuckled at them before looking over at Tomoya. "It's alright. You can come over."

"This is where you stayed all that time?"

"Yep." Yugi snuggled back into Yami. "Yami and I were roommates, stuck with these people…and Ryou."

That answer got a snort from Bakura, the thief craning his neck as Marik got off the ground, rubbing his lower back. The Egyptian teenager dramatically limped his way to the front of the sofa, carefully laying himself out on the ground. "I could have been mortally wounded, Bakura."

"Good. More room." The thief laughed at the look of shock on Marik's face. "Found a way to kick the Pharaoh out so we're just waiting on you. Ow!"

"Be nice." Ryou settled back on Bakura's lap, the thief rubbing the side of his head where Ryou had slapped him. The British teen glanced up at Tomoya, who was still standing awkwardly to one since, noticing that Yugi was also looking thoughtful. Ryou leaned back, settling into the pattern of pushing Bakura's hands away when they wandered too far. "So, what are we up to doing?"

"Palace of Thebes. It's closed today, meaning that Mahad is trying to figure out little details." Bakura smirked at Yami, the teen having perked up in interest. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind help from the Pharaoh."

"But they think-"

"I'll have to tell them eventually." Yami shrugged, pulling Yugi off his lap and glancing back at Tomoya, Ryou copying the move and nearly laughing at the expression on the blonde teenager's face. "It's not like that, Tomoya. Trust me."

"Considering you know the way back, I'll have to." The blonde teen almost offered the phrase as a question, earning a laugh from the others as he tried to fall into the pattern of witty banter. "Especially if they are your definition of sane."

Marik jumped up from the floor, obviously forgetting about his prior injury. "I like this kid, Yami. Where did you find him?"

"Yugi found him." The comment was delivered as Yami gently pushed Yugi toward the stairs.

"Any good at games, kid?" Marik leaned forward, the motion making Ryou shake his head. Since Yami had left, Marik had often found himself tag-teamed by Bakura and himself, often getting extra chores heaped on him because of it.

"No. That's Yugi."

"Sorry Marik, I'm taken." Yugi shouted the phrase over his shoulder, yelping as Yami swept him into his arms and bounded up the stairs. Ryou rolled his eyes and followed after, still fending off Bakura absently. Marik and Tomoya had settled into a conversation about comic books, a disagreement was already brewing behind him.

Ryou sighed, an odd sense of contentment washing through him. As much as he was glad that Yami was happy, he had still missed this, the little family they had formed out of nothing. He shook his head, clearing the top of the stairs and barely glancing at where Yami had Yugi pinned to the nearest wall. Ryou just reached out and slapped Yami across the back of the head, earning a yelp from his big brother.

"Behave."

"Yes, mother. Ow! Ryou!"

He smiled at the familiar sight of the casino, squeezing Yugi's hand before following the others in, having to dodge to one side as Marik and Tomoya continued their argument over who was really the best super villain. But, then again, Marik wasn't happy unless he had something to argue about. Yami shook his head and entered the casino, ignoring the sign that said it was closed. Ryou still worked here, so they could get in.

While Marik and Tomoya immediately headed over to the bar stools to continue their match, Yami walked down the familiar hallway to Mahad's office, as the man wasn't in the main room of the casino. Yugi stuck close to his side, leaning against him as they walked towards the office door.

Yami knocked, rocking backwards as the door opened to reveal Mana. The girl blinked at him before letting out a scream and slamming the door in his face. He shot a glare at Yugi, who was laughing at him. "Is this the usual reaction you get from them?"

He was about to answer when the door swung open again, Yami finding himself staring down the barrel of a gun that Mahad held. The teenager's eyes widened, automatically pushing Yugi behind him and taking a step back in fright. "Mahad…"

"This isn't funny. You tell me who you are right now and why you ever thought to pretend to be the Pharaoh."

"Mahad, it's me."

"Tell me!" Yami felt Yugi press close to him as the man bellowed out the last statement, trying to push the shorter teen away so he wouldn't get shot. Yugi clung to him, still in danger if Mahad fired at point blank range. Yugi would get shot too.

"Mahad, please, you'll hit Yugi."

"Yugi?" The shorter teen peeked out from behind Yami at his name, waving nervously at Mahad as he did so. The man lowered his gun, looking very confused. "But I buried the Pharaoh myself."

Yami twitched as the muzzle of the gun was used to motion to him, his instincts telling him to run. Usually, he would have listened to them, but he needed to stay and fix this misunderstanding. "If you check now, I probably won't be there."

Mahad stumbled back into his office, Yami taking the opportunity to walk in. he glanced around, finding that the decorations had not changed since he had last been here over two years ago. He smiled to himself, feeling Yugi brush past him to sit on the couch that Mahad had collapsed on, the man dropping the gun to burry his head in his hands. "This is just too much."

"Mahad, my friend," Yami took a step forward, "I'm sorry. About all of this."

The man looked up, staring at him. "How?"

"It's a long story." Yami leaned back against the desk. "One I thought that Ryou would have told you by now."

"I didn't want to hear it." Mahad leaned back, glaring at him. "It's only been a few weeks since they called and asked me to bury you."

Yami swallowed but said nothing, preferring to glare at the wall. This was one of the reasons he had not looked forward to coming back to his home on this side of the river. It was easier to stay dead than to try and explain it all to his friends. It just ended up hurting them more. He hadn't even come up with what to tell the children back at the old church. He had no intention of abandoning them.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, shrugging at the same time, looking up as Mahad spoke. "Were you really dead? When we buried you?"

"Yes." The word came out as a sigh, Yami looking over his shoulder at the papers spread out on the desk, but not really reading them. "I was. This whole thing is…complicated."

There was a harsh laugh from Mahad. "I can see that already."

"Do you want to hear it?"

Mahad ran his hand over his face, looking up at Yami before looking at the door, a smile briefly appearing. "Over a couple of games of pool, sure."

"It might take longer than that."

"Good." Mahad got up and stretched. "I've gotten tired of winning."

Yami laughed at that, Yugi smiling at the two of them before rushing out to set up the table. Yami watching him go, smiling when Yugi looked back over his shoulder at the two of them. He almost didn't hear Mahad cross the room until the man leaned against the desk as well. Yami glanced up at his friend, ignoring the smirk that Mahad on his face. "You were right about him."

"Really now? And what got you to admit that?" Yami gave Mahad a light shove before pushing away from the desk and walking back down the corridor that would lead to the main room.

The two of the stepped out of the hidden corridor, Yami immediately looking over to where Ryou, Bakura and Marik were attempting to teach Tomoya how to play poker while Yugi racked up the pool balls, waving at Yami as he spotted him. Ryou must have seen the move, because he looked up from his cards to give a nod, returning to his hand with a frown.

Yami sauntered over to the poker table, circling around before staring at Tomoya's cards, raising an eyebrow at what he saw before walking away, feeling the stares of Bakura, Ryou and Marik on his back before they all folded. He leaned against the pool table, watching them as Tomoya revealed the horrible hand he had, earning groans from everyone around the table.

"Damn it, Pharaoh!" Yami just saluted in response, turning around to face Yugi, who was trying to be stern. Yami just smiled, watching Yugi break into laughter, having to hold onto the pool table to stay upright. He walked over to Yugi's side of the table, pulling the teenager into a hug.

"That was awful, Yami." The words were gasped out around Yugi's giggled, Yami content with holding him close for the moment.

"What? I merely implied. They chose to take it the way they wanted to."

"You haven't changed, Pharaoh."

"Why, did you expect me too?" Yami smiled at Mahad as the man came over, reluctant to let go of Yugi. The shorter teenager had to shuffle awkwardly around the table as Yami moved, struggling against the hold halfheartedly. "Heaven didn't have that much of an effect on me."

Mahad laughed and leaned over the table for his shot, Yami taking the chance to give Yugi one last hug before picking up his own pool stick and examining the way the balls had broken. He heard Yugi moving around behind him, catching a glimpse of the teen shuffling out of his way as he lined up his shot, smirking as the ball rolled smoothly into the pocket.

He looked up at Mahad, watching his friend lean over the pool table before looking up again. "So, before you begin, where are you staying now?"

"With Yugi." The words were accompanied by a jerk of his head towards the teenager, Yami already lining up his next shot.

"Ah." Yami raised his eyebrow at the tone of voice that Mahad implied, choosing to ignore it for the time being. He hit the cue ball, not bothering to watch as his next shot sent another ball into a pocket, already searching the room for Yugi.

The teenager was over at the poker table, coaching Tomoya as the game went on. The two of them laughed at something, a smile coming to Yami's face as he heard them, giving up his place at the table to allow Mahad to make his shot. The man glanced up at him before tapping the cue ball with his stick. "I told you he would be good for you."

"Yeah, you did." Yami shook his head, watching as Mahad lined up his next shot. He glared at the back of his friend's head, reaching over to tap the base of his pool stick against it in a rebuke. "Stop gloating."

"I wasn't. Just waiting in anticipation for your explanation."

Yami snorted and leaned against the table, shaking his head. "Okay, starting from the beginning…"

Tomoya laughed as Marik continued to outline another impossible plan, something that involved pushing an important politician off a boat. Tomoya drummed his fingers on the bar he was leaning on, shaking his head before fiddling with his can of soda. "And that's your plan is it?"

"Fool proof." Marik gave a crazed smile, pushing off from the bar to go join in the game of poker that was going on. Tomoya smiled and leaned back on the bar, watching as they interacted with each other.

Yugi had been pulled onto Yami's lap, the latter seeming to consult Yugi on what to do constantly, which was making the others nervous. Yugi looked very comfortable in this atmosphere, snuggling up to Yami and often pulling his attention away from the game for a long kiss. And they were still winning.

Tomoya turned his attention to Bakura and Ryou next, watching the pair as they interacted. Unlike Yugi and Yami, these two were playing with their own hands, pointedly ignoring each other. Or that's what Tomoya assumed. The starts that Ryou gave at times hinted that Bakura wasn't paying as much attention to the game as he should have been.

Why the two were attracted to each other was a mystery to him. Bakura was obviously not one to show emotions, even if he had any, while Ryou was quite open with what he was feeling. There was a rough edge to Bakura, one that had Tomoya trying to avoid the teen the entire time because it scared him. The bravado that Bakura showed wasn't faked but came with experience, and Tomoya didn't want to find out what experience had contributed to that.

Bakura was rough and Ryou was soft. There was no way they should have been able to stand each other. But they did, total opposites attracting and actually working.

Tomoya had seen enough relationships between opposites break off. He had always been the quiet kid lurking in the corners so he had seen these things. Whatever was said about opposites attracting was just romantic nonsense, at least to his mind. But here, it actually seemed to work.

He leaned his cheek onto his hand, his eyes moving over to Marik, a smile on his face. Marik was an interesting one. Seeing to be completely insane and then showing a side of intelligence that one wouldn't expect. Of course, he hadn't expected anything intelligent from the people on this side of the river.

Everyone that he had talked to had made it seem like they were the rejects of society, the ones that never could have fit in because of some factor that had pushed them out; something inherently wrong with them. What was never told were the stories of the ones that had nowhere else to go when the economy turned or when their family died; the ones that found that their world could no longer accept them, so they searched for a world where they could be accepted.

Sure there had to be insane and crazy people here, but there were more people who had come from these sad stories, just surviving along with the rest of them. And Tomoya was almost sad that he had never thought of this, never thought about coming down here because of what others had said. After all, he had spent a few months in the slums himself when his father had lost his job and was searching for another one. And he had willingly allowed himself to believe what other had told him about this place. He should have known better than that.

"Hey Tomoya," he looked up at the sound of Ryou's voice, "want to come and play with us."

"No, I'd just lose."

"Not poker, we're starting something else." He hesitated for a moment before nodding, slipping off his stool and walking over. He saw Mahad walking over too, the man stopping to talk to Yami for a moment before pulling up a chair. Tomoya found his own chair before joining them, squeezing in between Marik and Yami.

"One round and then we have to head back home." Yami waved off Ryou's groan of disappointment, glaring at Bakura's cheer. "I have to get these two back before their parents wonder where they've been all day."

"Deal, Pharaoh." Yami accepting the cards, quickly shuffling them before dealing them out to the people sitting around the table. Tomoya accepted his cards with a smile, staring at them as he waited for the name of the game, feeling very lucky for the first time that day.

Please read and review. Constructive criticism is always welcome.