Hey guys! I just wanna point out, in case there was any confusion, when I put things in Yami Bakura's or Ryou Bakura's point of view, I have been, and will be referring to, Ryou Bakura's POV as just "Ryou's POV" and Yami Bakura's as "Bakura's POV" because, well...he was Bakura first, technically. Also he's more of a main character in this story, and it'll be more clear later on (also it's easier for me). Thanks so much for reading these! You guys are awesome! Leave any feedback or requests or complaints, WHATEVER! I'm just glad you guys like reading them! :) You're awesome!

Chapter 8

Lucy's POV

Bakura was still next to me on the couch. He hadn't spoken for a while. I don't know if I'd scared him – no probably not. Bakura's the kind of guy who would be the scarer, not the other way around. Perhaps he was just lost in his own thoughts. It wouldn't surprise me. He looked very deep in thought, actually. His facial expressions changed every now and then.

Just then, he put his head down, his white, messy hair shrouding his face from sight. "Bakura?" I asked, "Are you alright?" He lifted his face up and had slowly started to rise from his seat. He never acknowledged me. As he rose, his hair fell back into place, becoming shaggy and almost like a bed-head. He moved over to a nearby window, and looked out into the open. He looked like he wanted to leave. Not just leave, though. He looked like he wanted to escape.

For two minutes he had held his position, until he finally turned to face me – only…he didn't look the same. He had changed again, but into what, I'm not sure at all.

Bakura's POV

I had control. Ryou promised to let me do the talking, and he left. He wouldn't hear anything that was to be said between Lucy and I.

I was still unsure of saying anything, but she would probably find out by Saturday, anyway. Yugi would tell her. Or the pharaoh. One of them would, because they know, and they have nothing to lose. They duel for the so-called "good of the people," while I have fought for my home. My home…that they destroyed! However, one small step at a time…patience is a virtue, as they say in this millennia.

"Are you alright, Bakura?" she inquired, "You look like you've changed again."

"What are you talking about?" I snapped back, "I look exactly the same."

"On the outside you do, but something on the inside has changed…"

So she has noticed, then. "What do you mean, exactly?"

"I've already said your mood changes. Your whole persona, actually, has changed. Only a second ago, you were slightly shy, humble. You held your posture like a child: a slightly hunched back, bright eyes that avoided my direct gaze, also your voice was softer. Now, you just look so much taller, and you hardly even blink when you look me directly in the eyes. And your voice has more of a deeper rasp. I know it sounds weird. Also you used to have somewhat kind of puppy eyes and now they're almost a darker brown."

"I'm assuming you think there's something wrong with the way I walk and talk…and look," I walked toward her, "Is that right?" I felt as though something was in my throat, and that I had been punched in the stomach. I continued to walk right on past her, and wandered into the kitchen to get a glass of water.

"No, not at all. I have no problem with the way you walk and talk. It holds an authoritative quality that I admire." My heart… I could feel it beating… it hurt. "Not many guys act like you. You're different, Bakura. It's almost like there's a mystery to you that I have yet to figure out…"

I took a sip of water, "Well, this mystery you wouldn't want to figure out." What's wrong with me? Why do I feel like this? I'm going crazy…

"What do you mean?"

I turned my head toward her, "You wouldn't like my story," I took another sip of water, "It's pretty fucked up."

She laughed, "Clearly you don't know me well Bakura." She took the ice pack off of her foot and stood up, "Not yet anyway," and she began to walk towards me, and put a hand on my shoulder.

"I see you can walk again," I felt a smirk run across my face, I attempted to hide it by taking my final sip of water.

"Almost. I'm kind of using you as a stabling device."

"You can use the counter too, you know." Her hand was warm on my shoulder.

"Sorry," she moved her hand to the counter, leaving a cold spot on my shoulder, "May I have some water too please?"

"Fine," I went to grab the cup, but apparently so did she. Her hand just barely brushed mine.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she hid her face in her hands for a moment, then removed them. Her face looked a light shade of red, "Today's not my day…at all."

No it is not. Not in the least bit. It's kind of funny, actually.

I got her some water, and she thanked me. Then she went back and sat down on the couch again.

"Thank you," her voice barely piercing the silence of the apartment, "for helping me. It means a lot to me."

Even though I didn't really do any of the helping, I felt like I did, somehow… it made me feel even stranger. "Well, just consider yourself to be in my debt." I smirked again, but this time I showed it.

She smirked back, "Okay. Anything you need, and it's yours."

Actually, I need you to do something for me," I walked over to her and sat down on the couch, "I need you to keep something to yourself…kind of like a secret between you and I…can you do that?"

"Sure. What do you want me to keep quiet about?"

I couldn't think right. My head feels light, my skin is hot, my heart is beating at a pace I never even knew existed!

"What's up Bakura?" she asked again. Clearly it had been a few moments since I had spoken. I probably moved my attention to my strange behaviors. Why was I so nervous? What's wrong with me?

I couldn't take it. I had to say something, "Just…don't tell anybody I was nice. It's just not what I'm known for… I don't want anybody to get the wrong idea."

And with that, I got up and left her. All that I could hear beyond the silence were my thoughts. What the bloody hell is wrong with me?

I needed more water.

A few moments after that, Lucy's mother had arrived. I let Ryou take over for her arrival – I've never been good with thank you's, and there were a lot of those being passed along.

Lucy left, thanking the person who really helped her, and I was fine with that. Her mother invited Ryou to dinner after we come back from the museum.

I almost forgot about the museum. The Ishtars have been supervising the sacred stone that is said to hold a prophecy for the nameless pharaoh – the same pharaoh that resides within the Millennium Puzzle. Of course, they would choose now, of all times, to show it to the world.

I saw it on the news. Ishizu, a tall woman with long black hair in a beige dress, announced the stone's arrival. Is she were in ancient Egypt, she would blend in perfectly with the peasants. But wait, she's wearing the Millennium Necklace! And her brother, Marik, is holding the Millennium Rod!

There was something else about that family that I didn't like. Ishizu seemed familiar to me. And Marik, he looked to be around Lucy and Ryou's age, held an aura of boldness that I despised. He was very tanned – obviously he had come from Egypt – with sandy-blonde hair, and he…was wearing… a purple cloak…

As I slowly came to the realization that this was Lucy's savior, I felt my grip on the remote tighten, and my eyes became narrow slits.

Ryou appeared next to me, "What's the matter Yami?"

Without taking my eyes off of Marik Ishtar, holder of the Millennium Rod, I said, "Tell Lucy we're going to be a little late on Saturday. I need to have a chat with Marik Ishtar."

Yeah, Bakura is a little confused at this point. Mixed emotions, and what have you. This is really difficult to write sometimes; emotions are tricky. When I was working on this, I felt like playing "Can't Fight the Moonlight" by Leann Rimes in the background. Sounds kind of fitting...*daydreams* Anyway, I'm trying to make it as realistic as possible, so PLEASE let me know what you guys think! Any critisism will only help try to make me a stronger writer! Thank you so much!

Ps. At the end of this chapter, I was so tempted to fit Ryou's thoughts in there saying "Oooooo shit's gonna go doooown!" but I figured it would slightly take away from the "seriousness of the situation" ;)