Hi! (waves and hugs everyone) this was the chap that I had set up it would have been in the last one but anyway. I worked on it and this is what I got, so enjoy my lovelies.

Warnings: Yaoi, M. don't like don't read.

Don't own. (Depressed sigh)

CHAP 8: Bath Time and Calls.

Malik had spent that afternoon working in the shop. Ryou sat and watched people come and go, and a few that bought bike parts, and kids mostly buying cards. Malik glanced over to make sure that Ryou hadn't jumped anyone, and he noticed that Ryou looked rather bored. "Yugi, we should close up." Malik suggested as he walked over to Ryou and patted his head.

"Yeah, I'm beat." Yugi walked over and closed the door. Ryou followed Malik back into the house and into the kitchen. They made dinner, Ryou watched and soon they ate, Ryou had a better idea on how the knife and forks worked, a little after they were in the living room. Yugi sat in the armchair as Malik and Ryou took up the couch. Malik was looking through a paper as Ryou lay on him purring, Malik absentmindedly patted Ryou's head. "This seems okay." Malik said, Ryou looked up at him. "It's for the weekend, and it starts right after the race."

"Malik you'll have no time for yourself." Yugi pointed. "You work here after school and a little on the weekends."

"I know it wouldn't have worried me losing the second job, but I don't earn enough to support him, really." Malik said looking over moving his feet a little to see Yugi.

"Well I could speak to grandpa about paying you a little more." Yugi glanced over.

"No, I'll have to sell more parts." Malik said. "And place bets on myself." He grinned and Yugi shook his head, Ryou yawned tiredly showing off his fangs and put his head back down on Malik's chest blinking at him tiredly, Malik smirked.

"I'm going to bed, it's late anyway." Just as Malik said that, Ryou got up started for the stairs Malik followed. But he stopped at the door. "Thanks for letting me stay so long."

"Not a problem." Yugi said as he turned everything off.

Ryou changed into the t-shirt and boxers that Malik lent him, but as he glanced out the window, parts of the city were lit up with lights from homes and streetlights, as he gazed up at the moon he saw something, his ears pricked forward and pointed. "What is that?" Ryou turned to look at him, Malik frowned and walked up behind him, wrapped his arms around Ryou's waist and lent his head on his shoulder.

"What?" He asked looking out as well.

"It went that way fast." Ryou pointed in the direction that it went in. "And bright." He added purring.

Malik thought for a minute of what could be bright and move so fast in the night sky, and then he saw one for himself and said. "Oh that was a falling star." Malik smiled as a few more flew across the night sky.

"They're looking for their friend." Ryou gasped worried that such a small thing could be hurt falling so quickly. "Will it be okay?" Malik chuckled. "It'll be fine, people normally make a wish when they see one, they're good luck Ryou."

"That it'll be okay and not get hurt?" Ryou put his hands on the glass looking up for anymore that might be falling, wondering how something falling down could be good luck.

"No, it's something that you really want, or your heart wants."

"How do you ask your heart what it wants?" Ryou ear's flattened against his head.

"It's what you feel that you ask for." Malik rubbed the back of his neck, it was late and he was tired. "What makes you the most happiest, then you wish for it." Malik put his arm back around Ryou, taking in the slight sent of cinnamon. "Like… I wish to win the race on the weekend." Malik looked up to see more stars fly across the night sky. "What do you wish for?" He asked.

"I don't know." Ryou whispered. Malik could think of one to keep Ryou away from whatever he was in before, and he would try everything in his power to keep him from whoever was out there.

"Maybe we should go to bed." Malik unwrapped his arms and turned around and climbed onto the bed moving the blankets aside.

"Will it come true?" Ryou asked from his spot at the window and watched Malik lay there looking at the ceiling, Ryou glanced back out he knew what he wanted to wish for now, he moved and sat next to Malik.

"They very rarely do." Malik looked up. "But it's nice to think they do." He yawned.

"It is." He purred snuggling up to Malik, Ryou yawned showing off his small white fangs, hoping that his wish would come true, free to stay with Malik forever.

The next morning, Malik sat at the table Ryou right next to him eating. "The shop is closed for the day, as this is the day grandpa does shopping and such." Yugi said as he sat down. "So I'm going to see him in the hospital today."

"Well I'm going out, I'm taking Ryou to the mall and get him some clothes of his own." Malik looked at Ryou. "I'm planning to get him into the a bath this morning." Malik said and Ryou gave him a look, they had talked about it that morning, and Ryou got as close as touching the water with his fingers, he just didn't like it.

Later Malik and Ryou were in the bathroom. "Okay Ryou, I know you don't like water that much, but your hair needs a wash, and so do you." Malik turned off the taps and turned to Ryou who was still wearing his boxers, as was Malik. "That water is warm." He pointed to the bubble filled tub. Ryou gave it a look. "Don't be like that." Malik said as he walked up to Ryou, who knew that he wouldn't hurt him, but he wasn't getting in that tub, Malik picked him up and carried him over.

"No." Ryou gasped and started to struggle.

"It's not… going to…kill you." Malik fought to hold him, he knew once he got Ryou into the water then he would find it not so bad, with how Ryou was acting he thought that the neko-boy never have had one before.

Malik lent over to put Ryou in, but he stuck out his arms and legs suspending himself just above the tub, growling. "Come… on Ryou." Malik grunted. "You'll… love… it." He tried pulling Ryou's arms away from the edge of the tub, but Ryou tried to bite him as he did, he liked that cloth bath better, and this wasn't what he wanted. "Stop it."

"No." Ryou moved as Malik pushed down, Ryou fell onto the floor, and Malik end up in the tub, completely wet. Ryou's ears pricked forward as he looked over the edge of the tub but found no Malik, only bubbles. Ryou bit his lip a little worried. "Malik?" Ryou called out softly, not getting a reply. He got to his knees and lent over his face just inches away from the water, he knew this stuff was bad, and worried if this tub thing ate him.

Malik shot up out of the water and grabbed Ryou and pulled him, Ryou yelped in fright. Ryou struggled to get his head out of the water and sat there growling. Malik stuck his head out of the water just up to his nose. Ryou gave him look that he was not impressed at all. Malik smirked and splashed him with a little water, and that look turned into one that wished you were dead. Malik sat up and chuckled as Ryou just sat there. "You look like a drowned cat."

"I am." Ryou hissed.

"Don't you like it, the waters hot and it smells nice." Malik said pulling Ryou over to him and grabbed the shampoo, putting some into his hand he rubbed it into Ryou's hair. "You'll smell much better, and look it." Ryou stopped growling and watched the bubbles with a less hateful look, it was warm and it made him fell a little better, but that wasn't the point he was wet, but at least it wasn't a hose.

After they got out and dried Ryou wasn't that angry that he had a bath, and in away liked it, except the wet part. Malik was brushing his hair, and drying it. Ryou eyed the socks that Malik was going to put on, he smirked, as he reached out and grabbed them, without Malik seeing.

"That wasn't so bad." Malik said, and Ryou felt that Malik needed at little pay back for the treatment that he got. "Were are my socks?" He said as he put everything down. He stepped back and started to slip on the wet floor waving his arms about trying to get his balance back, Ryou grinned and gave him a light push on his chest with his index finger, Malik gasped and fully dressed fell into the tub, with a splash sending bubbles and water everywhere.

Malik surfaced and Ryou dangled the socks in front of him with that same grin. "Oh your dead." Malik growled, Ryou took a step back still waving the socks. "Ryou give them back and I just may forget about this." It was his last clean pair, Malik jumped from the bath, as Ryou ran out of the room. "GET BACK HERE!" he was right behind Ryou but slipped over landing face down because of his wet feet.

Ryou ran down the stairs and ran into none other then Bakura and Marik. "Hi!" He squeaked out then he ran into the living room. The two looked up to see Malik coming down the stairs, soaking wet. "Jeez Malik, your supposed to take a shower without your clothes on." Bakura smirked.

"Where is he?" Malik asked and the two pointed into the living room, Malik walked into the living room to see Ryou standing behind the couch. "Your going to pay." Malik pointed at Ryou, and lunged at him. Ryou ducked and ran passed him as Malik toppled over the couch and landed on the floor behind it with a thud.

"What's going on?" Marik asked, Yugi who sighed.

"Malik gave Ryou a bath." He shrugged, laughter came as Ryou shot passed them waving the socks in the air, then a few seconds later Malik.

"Does this happen all the time?" Bakura asked.

"No this was his first bath." Yugi said just as Ryou shot passed them again.

"GET BACK HERE!" Malik yelled as he ran passed, but it was followed by a yelp from Ryou, the three looked in to see Malik had Ryou pinned to the floor and was tickling him, Ryou was laughing and wriggled to get free, he still had the socks.

"H-here." Ryou held out the shocks that he had taken, and Malik stopped and took them.

"Thank you, but you're not off the hook yet." Malik grinned as he got up and slung Ryou over his shoulder and walked out of the room, Ryou just giggled. Malik stopped at seeing Marik and Bakura. "Hey." He said.

"If you're done playing we should leave." Marik said.

"Give me five." Malik walked up the stairs, and Ryou gave them a wave but the two disappeared around the corner.

A few more giggles broke out from up stairs as Malik tickled Ryou every now and then. But soon they came down dressed and the four of them left the house.

Ryou held onto Malik's hand as they walked towards the mall. Once there, Ryou looked around in awe at all the people walking about, and if it weren't for Malik, Ryou would have ran into everybody that passed them. "This way." Malik pulled him to a shop.

After a good look through most of the clothes, Ryou had his arms full. "Try some of them on." Malik lead him to the change rooms. Then he ran off and grabbed a few different hats then came back and handed them over the top of the door to Ryou who took them.

"Take your time." Malik called out as he leant against the wall.

"Why not put Ryou into something more…" Bakura didn't get to finish.

"Like what you would wear to bed for Marik." Malik smirked.

"Ra NO! He would be arrested for indecent exposure." Marik chuckled as he wrapped his arm around Bakura's shoulder. Malik had picked out just simple clothes for Ryou, jeans and t-shirt, a few shirts and shorts and everything else that he needed.

"Guys!" Came a call and arms wrapped around Malik's waist.

"Hey Mokuba, where's your brother?" Malik asked looking down at the boy, about twelve or so with long black hair and blue eyes.

"Oh around." The boy shrugged. That's when Ryou stepped out and saw the two, he narrowed his eyes at the smaller one, the black vertical irises thinned instantly and his eyes became a clear crystal blue colour. Marik noticed the change in Ryou, but said nothing. Malik looked at Ryou and saw the look that Ryou was giving the boy, he pushed Mokuba back at arms length.

"Ryou that looks good." Malik walked up to him and stood right in front of him. Ryou wore only a blue shirt and black jeans with a black hat. "Why don't you put the old ones on and I'll get you some shoes." Malik said, and Ryou narrowed his eyes more at Mokuba and growled baring his fangs, the shadows moved. Mokuba had shot back that glare the best he could. "Ryou!" Malik said sternly.

Ryou broke his gaze with the shorter boy and his eyes turned back to there light brown but the irises weren't as thin and he looked at Malik. "Go and change." Malik pointed to the door. Ryou gave Mokuba one last look and walked into the change room.

"Who was that?" Mokuba asked as Malik turned and faced him.

"Ryou he came to visit me, I'm looking after him." Malik said, and they could hear Ryou growling faintly in the little room, and wondered what had upset him like that, was it Mokuba? It looked like they were about to start a fight with each other and Malik hadn't seen Ryou get that upset yet.

"Mokuba." The small group turned to see a tall brunet walking towards them, and same matching blue eyes as Mokuba.

"Big brother." Mokuba ran up to him and hugged him.

"Hey." He greeted them with a nod. "He wasn't bothering you was he?" He asked.

"No not at all, Seto." Malik said as he glanced at the change room doors.

"Well we should be moving on, we have lots to do." Seto said as he turned and walked away, but stopped. "I'm going to my beach house next week, you're all invited to come, even the mutt." He smirked.

"Again, you hold it every year." Marik said with a smirk. "You know I'll be there."

"I know. Just come by my house and we'll all leave together." Seto waved as he walked out of the shop. They all turned just as the doors opened and Ryou stepped out in his old clothes.

"Come we'll get these and leave." Malik said taking some of the clothes and walking to the counter to pay.

They walked through, the mall and had been to quite a few shops, even Bakura and Marik had bought clothes for themselves. Malik stopped as his cell phone rang, he dug into his pockets and pulled it out and placed it to his ear. "Malik here?" He said.

"Mr Ishtar, just listen. I can't talk long." Malik frowned as he looked down slightly trying to work out who the voice belonged to. "I know that you have 482." Malik's head shot up and looked around his eyes landing on Ryou, who was licking the glass window to the pet store with the puppies on the other side doing the same thing.

"Who are you?" Malik growled, watching as Bakura and Marik pulled Ryou away from the glass then scanned the area that he was in, eyeing every one with a cell phone in their hands and talking, there were so many.

"That's not important right now." He hissed.

"Look nut job, I have no idea what you're talking…"

"Listen he has a tracking device in the back of his left hand, get rid of it as soon as possible. I can only delay them for a short time. But I think they maybe onto me."

"What? Who?"

"Mr. Ishtar I hope that you treat him well, he needs it…" The other end went quiet for a second.

"Tell me who?…" Malik growled "Are you still there?" He almost yelled down the line.

"I can't stop what's about to happen, he will be found, no matter what you do. Good bye."

"Wait! WAIT!" Malik yelled but the line was dead.

"What's wrong?" Marik asked as he walked up to him.

"I don't know, I got the weirdest phone call." Malik looked at his phone no number was shown he then put it back into his pocket. He would work it out later he glanced at his watch. Mai wouldn't be there now anyway, and that was if the nut job was telling the truth, but the numbers were tattooed in Ryou's ear. He sighed, why should he listen to some prank phone call like that, he shook his head Mai would know.

"Lets get out of here." Bakura said as he walked back again and Ryou was back at the window, giggling. "I've had enough of this place." Bakura growled as some guy walked into him. "WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING!" He yelled at the guy.

"Come on Ryou." Malik held out his hand, Ryou stopped what he was doing gave him a beaming smile and he took his hand and they started to walk.

"We're leaving now." Marik said, Bakura and the guy about to rip off each other's heads. "Come on Bakura." Marik pulled him away from the guy and headed for the exit. They dumped the clothes in the car and got in. Marik drove even though it was a few blocks away.

The four walked down the street a few of the shops were having sales on and it was crowded. "Hey isn't that Serenity's shop?" Marik asked as there was a line up of people out the door.

"Yeah, she looks busy." Malik said as he looked at Ryou who was looking everywhere else, but where they were going.

"Yeah I know lets go in and say hi." Bakura grinned as he pulled Marik and Malik with him. Ryou noticed that he was being left behind he called out and ran after Malik.

"Excuse me, coming through!" Bakura pushed his way through the people and in through the door still holding on to Marik and Malik. "Hey, Serenity." He greeted.

She looked up. "Not now guys, I'm so busy." She said as she served a customer, the walls, behind the glass counter were packed with bread, and the glass counter was full of cakes.

"We know." He said devilishly, Marik and Malik waved, Ryou stopped and looked around, the shop smelt so nice.

"Serenity!" Ryou called out as he spotted her and ran over to her, Marik, Bakura and Malik were pushed outside again by the ones trying to get in.

"Thank you?" she said and turned to Ryou. "Hi, how are you doing?" She asked him.

"Good." He smiled. But she turned to serve another person, as she was handing the money over, a woman asked Ryou to get her the cake in the counter. Ryou nodded his head and grabbed it out.

"Put it in the box there!" She pointed and Ryou did, he placed the cake in it and handed it over, the woman gave him the money and left, he handed it to Serenity. "Hey, Ryou would you like a job, helping me out here today?" She asked. Ryou looked at her, this was what Malik had lost, a job.

"What is a job?" Ryou asked.

"It's where." She handed over another box. "Thank you," She said. "It's where you come and work like now and in return you get money." She said. Ryou thought about it, it was what Malik was worried about this thing called money.

"I can really use a hand around here." She smiled at him.

"Malik was looking for new job, money to live. Buy clothes, but I like Malik's clothes." Ryou said, he could get the money and help out Malik and maybe he wouldn't feel so down, and she giggled.

"Well with the money you can wear all the Malik's clothes you like."

"Will Malik be happy?" Ryou asked, as she lent on the counter.

"Well… it should really be you that's happy." Serenity said looking thoughtful.

"I'm happy. If Malik's happy." Ryou said.

"That's good, I'm sure that he would be." She grabbed an apron and tied it around Ryou's waist. "Okay you get what cakes the people want and I'll handle the rest." Ryou nodded his head.

The three made it back inside, after it quietened down a little. "Malik, I got a job!" Ryou ran over and jumped into his arms and hugged him.

"What!" He looked at Serenity.

"I gave Ryou a job to help me out." She smiled. "Part time of course."

"I get to help." Ryou ran over to Serenity. "Thank you so much." He beamed.

"Your welcome." She smiled and then looked at Malik. "You don't mind do you?"

"No, why would I?" Malik waved it off, Bakura and Marik put their arms around him.

"Don't pout Malik, we'll give you a job." Bakura smirked as Marik snickered.

"No thanks." Malik pushed them away.

"Well I'm closing now." She gave Ryou times and days that he was to come here and work with her. Ryou was more than happy to take it, when he found out that Malik was happy for him.

Serenity waved bye to them as she walked down the street in the opposite way.

TBC

There you have it another chap just for you, tell me what your thoughts are. I was having so much trouble with it it wasn't funny, so R&R.