As I head down stairs, hearing dad cackle at the tele as I step down the stairs, my stomach throbs. Before leaving my room, I had taken a quick look at where Kura had punched me. A large scarlet imprint of his fist was bang smack across my tummy. I wanted to lie down and sleep, get away from the pain, but I decided that since Kura's mood was now a good one, I better take advantage of it. I love Kura the happy-go-lucky, slightly creepy brother, not Bakura the… the… jerk!

I shuffle in to the living room. Dad is spread out across the three seat sofa and Bakura was sitting cross legged in front of it. Kura was chatting away to dad, fiddling with the black sleeve of his hip-length black shirt-coat. Daddy listen intently, asking the odd question and laughing at Kura's replies.

"Heh-wo" I say in a baby voice. I felt small and helpless like one, so why should I talk like one?

Kura smiles and replies in his best attempt of a cute voice "Herro" He waved a snowy hand at me and gave me stretched smile.

"Hey midget" croaked my dad, sounding tired from his day at work "I haven't seen much of you lately. You sticking around?"

I nod.

"I told him that you had cream puffs and he couldn't resist" Kura sniggered, eyes on the television.

I smiled. Now this I liked, a happy family.
I sat down on the floor next to Kura. I leaned against the sofa behind me and relaxed.
Code Geass' theme tune blared from the television, even so my dad turned the sound up from 57 to 64.

"Let's see" Kura whispered to me.

I gave him a confused face. He pointed at my stomach, making it clear to be that he wanted to see him 'final piece'. Checking dad wasn't looking; I lifted up my stripped tee-shirt and allowed Kura to get a glance. He smirk snuck up his looks as he whispered the word 'nice' before resting his brown eyes on the television.

I like being with my dad. Everything between us has been a bit uncomfortable since Amane and mum died. I didn't know what to say to him because I wanted to say were things about mum and 'Mane but he didn't want to hear it. At the time, I think he wanted to forget, but now he treasures those memories but seems to be focusing more on what he has at this moment- Me and Kura. I guess I should probably communicate with my dad more. He pays more attention to Kura but maybe that's because Kura actually has a conversation with him. I just mumble replies and then go to my room. Kura calls it hiding in my cage because he thinks I'm scared of the world and myself. It was such a strange thing for him to say, but it was nice to know he could actually think about things other than ignoring everything until it becomes a bother to him.

Hmmm… Considering he has all these terrible ways of coping with things, he not miserable. Grumpy yes, miserable no! I better take something out of his books…

The next morning came slowly. I took me ages to sleep that night with my stomach throbbing so much. It ached badly when I sat up in bed, but I forced myself to get up and get ready for school. When I ran down stairs, my back pack slung over my shoulder, Kura was leaning against the breakfast bar, a bowl of bacon and eggs. Marik was standing in front of him, moaning something or other. Bakura nodded and mumbled a 'yep' every no and again, but gave the blonde hair boy no decent reply. My converses made a loud tap sound as I entered the kitchen causing Marik to stop talking in mid moan and whip round to see who it was. At the sight of me, he silenced totally and went to stand next to Kura, his head bent down as if he was hiding. Kura watched this great interest and gave throaty laugh. Marik mumbled about Kura 'shutting the rubber-duck up' but didn't nothing else.

"Hey Ryou" was Kura usual sinister good morning.

"Morning." I shuffled over to the fridge and pulled out the milk. "Hey Marik" I greeted before drinking straight from the milk carton.

"Hey cuter fluffy"

I swivelled round in alarm, only to get a wink from Marik. The blonde laughed and turn to Kura and said-

"I do love your little brother" he cackled in croaky voice. "He's just like you really"

Me and Kura froze staring at each other in disbelieve. Kura shock his head went back to his breakfast.
"No we're not" he huffed through a mouthful of bacon.

"You have your differences… But you're the same" Marik carried on smiling, enjoying the conversation greatly. I heaved himself away from the counter and picked up his school backpack. He shoved his hands in his pockets and turned to Bakura.

"Come on kitty-kat." He whined jumping on one foot.

Bakura gave him a disgusted look then ignored him.

Marik whined again but to no prevail.
Once Bakura finished his breakfast he slammed the bowl in the sink causing a loud crash to echo throughout the house, not that he cared. He turned his back to Marik and looked at me.

"So you ready for school Ryou?"

"Bakura!" whined Marik.

Kura's smirk grew before turning round saying calming "yes Marik? If there something you want?"

"I want you to stop ignoring me?"

"OH, you've been talking? Sorry I mistook it for a stuck record" Bakura scratched the back of head "that or the dishwasher is broken again"

Marik gritted his teeth and fists and grumbled about 'the arsehole'. Kura only laughed and grabbed his bag which had been abandoned in the corner of the kitchen.

"Let's go"

Me and Marik hurried after Kura like little dogs follow their owner. We strolled down the road to Kame Game, Kura in front, his hands shoved in his pockets and his head held him. Marik stood on his left, fiddling around with a gold bracelet that was wrapped down his tanned wrist. I stood on the opposite side, looking like a scary bunny compared to the brave and proud cat that is Bakura. Kura speed began reduce as we got closer to the game shop. He had a love/hate relationship with Yami Motou. They liked each other really, but with a history of trying to kill each other it's understandable that they might not be too friendly with each other.

"Don't be a pussy, kitty" tittered Marik.

Kura growled at him and, obvious feel humiliated because Marik pointed out the fact he didn't want to be here, ran over to the game shop door and stepped in. I quickly followed, Marik swiftly behind. Much my relief he was already chatting away to Yami. They were both perched on the counter chatting away about comics.
Kura had taken an interest in American comics like Spiderman, Deadpool and Batman & Son and had introduced them to Yami who took to them quite happily. Marik only liked The Flash so a conversation with him on comics was limited. Yami greeted me and Marik and told me Yugi was still upstairs. Seeing as the old rivals were getting along and that Marik had now entered their conversation, I decided to head inside the house and find Yugi. As I opened the door between the shop and the house, I was immediately welcomed by Yugi's grandpa.

"Morning Ryou. How are you and the thief this morning?"

"I'm well thanks. Same with Kura. Yourself?"

"A bit tired. Yami and Yugi ended up in an argument as three in the morning. Over a chess game that ended 6 hours ago, of all things! I sorted them out, went back to bed, and failed to go back to sleep."

I gave him a sad smile and wished him a better sleep for tonight. I head up the stairs calling out for Yugi, almost falling half way up.

"I'm in my room! Doors unlocked!" he called from down the hall. I rushed to the bright red door and peeped in.

"Hey Yug!"

"Hey Ryou! Sorry about being late"

"That's okay. Why are you running late anyway?"

"Yami hid my English book"

"Yami? Yami hid your English book?" I repeated alarmed. I didn't think Yami was the kind of person to do that but apparently I'm very wrong indeed.

"Yeah. He's not as serious as he used to be." Yugi sighed slowly.

"DO you miss the old Yami?" I asked sadly

"The old Yami is still there! But then Yami-the-immature-teenager comes out sometimes…."

I giggled at this but how could I not? I couldn't see Yami acting like that. I always thought of Yami as being mature and competitive. Never childish and playful that's for sure. But, Yugi says he isn't always like that… Now that needs to be thought about.

When we got down stairs, a loud noise was coming from the shop. Colour drained from face as I immediately came to the conclusion that Yami and Kura were fighting to the death again…
Luckily, when we rushed out there, we saw that it was only a verbal fight, and not between Kura and Yami. The said two, plus Anzu and Marik were yelling furiously at Joey and Tristan. Anzu, Joey and Tristan must have arrived while I was upstairs. What had happened between that time was unknown.

"Hey hey! Quiet down" yelled Yugi, jumping franticly to get every one's attention.
The room became silent.
"You know what? I don't want to know…" Yugi shrugged, before grabbing my wrist and forcing me to follow him out the door.