A/N: Dear "too lazy to log in too", my writing has improved, I wrote this entire story 4 years ago and am just now typing it. I could go back and edit and make it better, but I'm just too lazy. Seriously, I haven't touched this story since 2007. I have new material that I could post, but I don't want to start any new stories and have to type them all. I'm just wrapping up loose ends and then probably saying goodbye to fanfiction. But, um, thanks for your input.

To the people who actually like this story, or are at least entertained by it (like I am), thank you, and please continue to read!

Chapter 16

Ryou stared rather blankly at Yami.

"You mean 'Kura has to come back as some old dead guy?" he asked.

"He doesn't have to be old," Yami said.

"Oh what, are we going to walk into a morgue and be like 'I want that one'?" Ryou snorted.

"Actually…"

"Come on, Yami!" Ryou snapped, annoyed. "This isn't going to work."

"Why not?" Yami asked, confused.

"Because it just isn't!" Ryou exclaimed in anger.

Ryou turned away from the pharaoh and picked up a newspaper. He turned to the local news section, more reports of gang violence. What was the death toll now? Twenty seven in the last month? Ryou read the articles almost sadistically, the pain of others somehow making him feel a little better, even though he nearly cried at some of them.

Now, he couldn't help staring at some of the dead people's faces, thinking about what it'd be like if Bakura came back as one of them. He shut the paper violently, his eyes brimming. Bakura's name would be there tomorrow, next to those highly attractive young people. Wait, no, what the hell was he thinking? He didn't want Bakura to be different, he loved him the way he was!

But a little nagging voice in his head reminded him that he wouldn't have Bakura at all if he didn't do this. He opened the news again, his eyes landing on a picture of a skinny pale skinned boy with dark hair covering half his face. His eyes were grey and troubled.

"Hey, Yami?" he called quietly.

The pharaoh glanced over at him.

"You think—I mean can we—um…"

"Sure Ryou, whomever you choose."

Ryou looked down again, torn. But then a smile began to form on his face. What would Bakura think when he came back as—he glanced down at the name—James Prince?

At that moment, a nurse stepped out into the waiting room to tell Yami that he could see Yugi.

"As soon as I come back we can take care of Bakura," he assured Ryou, who nodded rather weakly, still not exactly sure about the plan.

Yami sat down tentatively on the seat next to Yugi's bed. There was an enormous bandage over his chest and an IV in his arm, since he'd lost so much blood. He looked away when Yami came in.

"How can you look at me?" Yugi asked almost inaudibly.

"Because I love you, Yugi," Yami said firmly. Yugi snorted.

"Yeah right," he muttered.

"Why would I say it if I didn't mean it?"Yami asked, with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"Oh, I don't know, because you think I'm a worthless piece of shit and you want to make me feel even worse?" Yugi snapped.

"You know that's not true."

"Oh yes it is. I ama worthless piece of hit." Yugi shot back.

"You know what Yugi? There's no point in talking to you like this. You're not worthless, you're not a bad person, and I forgive you for everything that happened. When you accept that, I'll be back." He got up and headed for the door.

"Wait, Yami," Yugi whispered.

Yami stopped but didn't turn.

"I know you care," Yugi continued, "But you shouldn't I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you."

Yami didn't respond, but continued walking towards the door.

"See?" Yugi called, "I knew you didn't really love me!"

Yami turned.

"That is the farthest thing from the truth," he said, and left.

"You ready, Ryou?" Yami asked.

"No, but I'm coming."

They stood up and left the hospital.

"Where are we going anyway?" Ryou asked.

"The funeral home."

"So what, are we just going to walk in there and steal a body?"

"No, we steal it after the viewing, and they bury an empty coding."

Ryou cringed.

"I feel like there's something morally wrong with this."

"Do you want Bakura back or not?"

"Of course," Ryou mumbled.

"Then you have to trust me." Yami said with finality. Ryou nodded.

Shortie chapter. More soon. Review please. I even appreciate negative comments, as long as you are reasonable and actually give reasons why you don't like it rather than "this sucks, you are the world's worst writer". Thanks!