Hey guys. Finally getting the 9th chapter up. I thought I wasn't going to be able to update at all, but I couldn't stay away from writing at all!

Enjoy!

Love is Death

Chapter 9 – Help

A few hours later, Kisara's house looked normal again. Kisara laid on the big soda in front of the T.V. and tried to relax. She closed her eyes, sighing. Bakura stood next to the front door, leaning against the wall with his arms folded in front of him.

'Let's just see how well she's trained herself,' Bakura thought. Casually, he walked over to Kisara. When she didn't mind him, he grabbed her and threw her to the floor. Kisara's body jerked awake under his body. Surrounding her neck with his hand, he chocked her. It reminded him of the first time they met. Regret washed over the pale man as he made sure he would release her before anything tragic would happen.

Kisara, struggling for air, shot sharp ice shards upwards at Bakura. He dodged them with ease as he released her. They both stood. Gasping for air while backing away from the brown-eyed man, Kisara yelled, "What was that for?!" Her crystal eyes narrowed in strain.

"Your timing needs to improve. Drastically," Bakura said, crossing his arms as he examined the holes in the ceiling. His voice was didactic.

"Well, it's a bit difficult when you can't breathe, sensei*," Kisara said sarcastically.

"Someone could really kill you if it takes you that long to retaliate. And in turn, you won't be able to kill anything with an attitude like that," Bakura instructed as a matter-of-factly. Kisara sighed, her eyes shifting to the left. A worried expression formed on her face; her eyes widened a bit and her eyes brows were raised up. 'He's right…' she thought.

Bakura cocked an eyebrow, curious as to what she was worried about. He waited. Snapping out of her gaze, Kisara looked at Bakura, biting her lip. She hadn't told him why she wanted to learn to cast spells so much, why she hasn't left the house for weeks. She wasn't sure she wanted to tell him.

"That IS your goal, is it not?" Bakura asked. Kisara flinched.

"Well then, to the room, shall we?" Kisara said, laughing unsurely. She walked down the hall, and waited as the sealed room revealed itself. Bakura followed after her, walking casually with his arms crossed. He decided it wasn't necessary for her to answer him. It was already obvious.

Walking into the windowless cement room, Bakura saw more trash and puddles of liquid all around.

"The puddles are water, if you were wondering – just my conjured ice that melted," Kisara said, making sure Bakura wouldn't freak out and think it was blood again.

The Ancient Egyptian spellbook was lying contently at the center of the room, right next to where Kisara had fallen asleep. She bent over and picked it up. Bakura walked up next to her.

"You're not just trying to steal it, are you?" Kisara asked, scrutinizing the thief.

"I have no need for it anymore," Bakura answered.

"What did you need it for anyways?"

"It's a relic. I used to rob the tombs of Pharaohs. I wanted to steal it just to steal it."

"You mean it was all for pride," Kisara retorted. Bakura gave her a smug look. He took the book from her hands. Kisara winced and looked as if she was prepared to tackle him down if he made a run for it. Bakura laughed at her novice stance, opening the spellbook to the ice-related chapters.

Blushing and unsure how to respond, Kisara remained silent, mentally scolding herself in embarrassment. She forced her body to relax into a normal position. She watched Bakura flip through the pages of the brown, old spellbook, his eyes scanning and understanding every page feasibly.

His dark brown eyes looked up at Kisara as he closed the book shut. She stiffened under Bakura's intent stare. Then, a question popped in her head.

"What do you mean you robbed tombs?" her voice penetrating the silence, "And what's with your necklace?"

This caught Bakura off guard. His intent stare turned into a blank expression. He crossed his arms, smirking. Kisara cocked an eyebrow. If it was possible to cock an eyebrow elegantly, Kisara had done it.

"It looks as if a history lesson is required," Bakura answered, "Where to start…you see, I'm a five thousand year old spirit that resides within the Millennium Ring. Then again, you should already know that." Kisara flinched.

"What do you mean?"

"You helped Seto and the others condemn my soul to forever dwell within this ring," Bakura answered, holding up the golden ring that hung around his neck. Kisara inhaled and held the air in, refusing to release it. Her eyes widened. '…Seto…and I? He knows about our past…?' Kisara's mind raced.

After eyeing Kisara's almost tormented expression, Bakura continued on, "So now, I've taken over the body of another. It's the only way I'll have any freedom." Kisara's crystal eyes shot up at him. They narrowed, slowly, menacingly. Bakura smirked, thinking, 'She's too graceful to make that expression effective'.

"He actually doesn't mind. Ryou has a very appeasing nature," Bakura defended himself. It wasn't as reassuring after he shot her a leer. Kisara scowled at him, disgusted by the fact he took over someone else's life. 'Does he steal everything?!' Kisara asked herself.

"He doesn't mind as long as it's for you," Bakura added. Kisara's eyes widened, confusion sweeping over her face.

"He doesn't even know me…' she said quietly.

"He knows enough."

"I want to speak to him," she said. Bakura, caught off guard again, started at Kisara who seemed intent on her demands. Bakura composed himself. 'I suppose it's all right…Ryou?'

'Yes, Bakura-sama?'

'…you don't need to call me that.' Ever since Ryou admitted that he didn't mind Bakura taking over his body, Bakura had changed his attitude towards Ryou. He had never had a hikari that was indifferent to losing control of what was rightfully theirs. Bakura respected Ryou for it.

'But it sounds better than just Bakura or Bakura-kun or Bakura-san.'

'Will…will you speak with her?' Bakura looked at Ryou within their shared mind.

'Yes. I've wanted to meet her…' Ryou answered. Bakura looked at his hikari worriedly, wondering if this was a mistake. When Bakura couldn't find a downside, he sighed, letting Ryou take control.

Kisara stared in awe as Bakura's features softened. She wasn't expecting a physical change. His hair was less defined, flattening a bit. His dark eyes got larger, an innocent look played on his face. Ryou looked feminine compared to his sculpted yami; Ryou's shoulders were less broad than Bakura's.

"Ryou…is it?" Kisara asked, unsure if this was just a trick Bakura was playing on her.

"Hai**," Ryou's soft voice answered. Kisara looked shock - it couldn't possible be a trick.

Getting to the point, Kisara asked, "Are you really letting him use your body as long as it's for me?" Her voice was low, worried. Ryou nodded, a weak smile tugged the corners of his lips. She stared up at him through her eyelashes.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because he…we…love you," Ryou retorted as his smile widened more. His features instantaneously changed; Bakura took over rather forcefully.

'Why tell her that?!' Bakura growled inwardly. Ryou winced at the loud voice.

'Well…don't we?' Ryou asked innocently.

'I…I…to hell with this. Your honesty is surely your tragic flaw,' Bakura thought, not wanting to speak with his hikari any longer.

Bakura opened is eyes, prepared to totally deny what was said earlier, but his eyes found a non-blinking Kisara staring at him in confusion. He returned the expression. It looked like she was in a trance. 'Bakura…loves me?!' Kisara yelled within the confines of her mind.

Bakura waved his hand in front of her eyes. Kisara turned her back to her white haired companion as she shook her head to snap herself out of her trance. Her face was burning, or rather, her cheeks were. Her mind raced, searching for her next move. What could she do?

Understanding washed over Bakura. Slowly, he wrapped his arms around Kisara's squirming body. Her torso grew frigid, and then loosened up, welcoming the embrace. Turning to face Bakura, Kisara wrapped her arms around his back too.

After a few moments of hesitation, Kisara looked up at Bakura through her eyelashes. She asked, "Do you…?" She didn't need to finish the question. She looked down at her feet, fearing the answer, fearing his eyes would give it away.

Silence.

Inhaling her sweet scent, Bakura savored her warmth. Realizing Kisara was shaking, Bakura knew she was anxiously awaiting his answer.

Closing his eyes, he embraced her tighter; the only words that came out of his mouth were "stop shaking".

Kisara, despite being gravely disappointed, looked at the brighter side in a logical sense. She knew Bakura would never say those words to her, and she was fine with that. She stopped shaking and released herself from the embrace. That notion killed the both of them. They didn't dare to look at each other.

Bakura stood quietly, if not silently, angry at himself for allowing this to happen. He wasn't accustomed to this new effusive side of himself that recently decided to surface. It felt like someone was stabbing his chest with a dagger. 'She knows I can't bring myself to say it…' Bakura thought, 'I don't even know if…'

Kisara, looking down at the floor again, felt similar emotions. 'I shouldn't have asked for Ryou to speak with me. It has nothing to do with me if Bakura uses someone else's body…' She fought back the tears that viciously threatened to pour out.

Swallowing, Kisara took the book from Bakura's limp hand and forced a smile. He watched her pitiful attempt at the smile with overflowing regret.

"Shall we get started, sensei?" Kisara asked, trying to add some light to the situation. Bakura forced a smirk out and nodded.

* sensei = teacher

**hai = yes

I hoped you liked it. Please review! ^^