Super mega thanks to the amazing Fiver, who beta this chapter. (And if you're not doing it already, you should all totally read her current fic Homecoming. It's awesome.)


It is no use lying to one's self. ~ Henrik Ibsen


All the students were whispering about a 'new student'.

Bakura was trying his hardest to ignore them.

Like he gave a damn about a new student. The pathetic students of Domino High were numerous enough.

But a certain boy would not allow that. Someone kicked the back of Bakura's seat. Malik, as usual, demanding attention.

"What?" Bakura sneered as he whipped around.

Malik smirked and pointed towards the front of the classroom.

Bakura, still sneering, turned his attention to their teacher.

"Class," she said, with an all-too-big smile. What could she possibly be so happy about? She was teaching high school students.

(And not the regular kind either.)

"I'd like to introduce our new student, Ryou!"

A small, very scrawny-looking (…boy? That was a boy, wasn't it?) well, boy then, emerged from the shadows. He clung to his book like a child would cling to a blanket, and kept his eyes on the ground. Bakura had him summed up in an instant.

Weak. Scared.

But what caught him off-guard, (which never happened, because he was always prepared, always) was the fact that this…boy, probably…looked almost identical to him. Ryou had the same snowy white hair, except his was much better groomed than Bakura's. The boy even had brown eyes.

"I didn't know you had a twin, Bakura," Malik whispered to him, and then laughed.

Bakura didn't even have enough energy to tell Malik to shut the hell up.

If the whole creepy identical thing wasn't bad enough, the boy was hiding something too. It burned in his eyes.

Bakura's gaze fell to the boy's feet. He brought shadows with him. Hungry shadows. They swarmed at his ankles.

By instinct alone, Bakura grasped his knife.

This boy was trouble. Every inch of him knew it.

Ryou looked up, as if startled by something. They met each other's gaze.

Bakura glared.

-0-

Well, he had had worse starts to a new school than this Domino High. Which really wasn't saying much given the fact that, well…

(It always returned to the past, his mind always returned to old wounds.)

Ryou shook his head. It had been a good day, so far. The students were all very nice to him, especially the girl he'd seen all morning, Miho.

He took a package of pudding on his tray. Ryou knew he wasn't hungry, but didn't want the other students to think of him weird so fast.

Across the cafeteria, a voice called out to him.

"Hey, Ryou-kun! Come sit with us!" said a boy Ryou had seen all day, but only officially met last period. Yuugi.

Ryou's mouth made a small o-shape.

He couldn't believe it.

(Usually, they were polite, but they could at least subconsciously fear it…him.)

He shouldn't. He knew he shouldn't. But against his better judgement, he sat down across from Yuugi. The table was already full, and he knew most of their names. Anzu, Jounouchi, Honda, and even Miho sat at the edges.

Yuugi smiled, and then returned to his conversation.

(Ryou didn't mind. It was easy being with him.)

-0-

Someone was following him.

The shadows told him so.

Every time he flicked them out (they were hungry, always hungry, so they never disobeyed), they hit on something. Someone, actually. They bounced the shadows back to Ryou, wounded and broken.

Ryou clutched his grocery bags tighter. That was wrong, very wrong. The only thing that could defeat shadows was stronger shadows.

The wind rustled through Ryou's hair (it called to him, whispered to him…)

He dropped his bags.

(Ryou ran the rest of the way home.)

-0-

"Bakura? Hey, Bakura!" Malik yelled and snapped his fingers.

Bakura rolled his eyes, "What?"

"You didn't pay attention to anything I just said, did you?"

"Not a single word."

Malik muttered a few obscenities under his breath.

"What has gotten into you lately?" Malik sneered, "Every time I talk to you, you're either moping or glaring off into space. I mean, I know that's kind of your thing or whatever, but this is taking it to a new extreme."

Bakura honestly had no idea what Malik had just said. Something more important had caught his eye. It was that cursed Ryou boy (or whatever the hell his name was) again. He always sat on that same bench in that same perfect parkacross from Meushi Diner. Even though the boy had only been at school for a week now, every day he sat on that bench.

He was so…innocent too. It was kind of sickening. Yesterday, he fed the ducks. Ducks. Bakura had almost gagged right then and there.

He and Malik sat in the booth closest to the window, so Bakura could see everything that Ryou did. (It was purely a coincidence that they chose that particular booth. Both he and Malik liked windows.) Besides, the boy wasn't even interesting to watch. Mostly he just sat there.

It wasn't like Bakura wanted to watch the boy or anything. And he most certainty wasn't stalking him. Why would he? He didn't care about the boy either way, and wasn't at all interested about the shadows circling him (or what made him run away in fear a couple of days ago...) Honest.

"Bakura? Hey, Bakura!" Malik shouted, snapping his fingers in Bakura's face.

"What?" replied Bakura dryly.

Malik's face settled into a grimace, "You didn't pay attention to anything I just said, did you?"

"Not a single word."

-0-

It was almost too good to be true.

Only a week since he started, and lunch was so much…fun.

Jou and Anzu would always bicker, with amusing results. Honda would try unsuccessfully to get Miho to notice him. And Yuugi…Yuugi was perfect.

"Look at this new game Grandpa gave me!" Yuugi exclaimed, pulling a large wooden box out of his backpack.

"Game?" Ryou whispered to himself, ears perking up by instinct alone.

"Yeah," Yuugi said happily, "Do you like games Ryou-kun?"

"I love games!" Ryou blurted out, probably a little too loudly. Never in his life had he met anyone who ever even thought of games…

Yuugi grinned.

(And here Yuugi was all-perfect and everything Ryou always wanted.)

"Would you like to come over and play sometime?" he asked.

Ryou nodded, and a huge smile stretched over his face.

-0-

Bakura crossed his arms and glared.

That boy (the one that, for no apparent reason, looked just like him) was with that good-for-nothing cheating 'King of Games' bastard's brother. And he was smiling like an idiot.

Bakura growled under his breath. Did the self-proclaimed King of Games know something he didn't? Why would he allow Yuugi to get close to him?

"Wow," said a slightly arrogant voice behind him. Malik.

He gave Malik a quick glance and then returned his eyes to Ryou.

Malik snorted, "Good God, Bakura. I always knew you were a narcissist but this is just taking it to a whole new level."

"What are you talking about?" Bakura sneered, but he never let the white-haired boy disappear into the crowd of students.

"You like him," Malik said accusingly, almost like a child.

Bakura blinked. His teeth clenched together. "What?"

"Oh, don't deny it!" Malik snarled, "Look at the way you're looking at him – that Ryou in our first and sixth period."

"You're delusional."

Damn it. He'd lost track of him.

Malik snorted again, a habit he had whenever he got upset.

"I've known you all my life. I can tell. You're not as hard to read as you'd like to think, Bakura."

He glared, "I don't like him."

"Ha! Really? Then why were you staring at him?" Malik said, crossing his arms.

"I wasn't staring at him. I was waiting here at my locker for you, like I always do, and he happened to pass by."

So. That was a complete lie.

"That's a complete lie," Malik said flatly.

Bakura licked his teeth. Malik wouldn't understand. He was only watching the boy for Malik's own protection. (Those shadows clung to that boy, even in the sunlight. And worst of all, behind his soft, smiling exterior, he knew it too.) Last time this school had shadows Malik had…well…

Well, it wouldn't happen again.

After all, Bakura was always prepared.

"Don't you think if I liked him, Malik, I would have talked to him by now?" Bakura asked, raising an eyebrow.

Malik opened his mouth to give some smart aleck retort, and then closed it. Apparently, Malik could sense logic after all.

"Furthermore, why would I have stood here waiting for you, when I could have simply talked him right now? Wouldn't I be with him? Because miraculously, Malik, I'm right here, next to you, instead."

The lavender-eyed boy glared for a second.

"You're still lying," Malik said simply, "but also making a lot of sense. It's…really weird."

Bakura, for what felt like the thousandth time that day, rolled his eyes.

"Stop being so stupid. It's getting on my nerves."

Malik frowned as if he wasn't quite sure whetherhe accepted Bakura's explanation or not, but then sighed.

"I really hate you, you know that?"

This time, it was Bakura's turn to snort.

-0-

This was the first time Ryou had ever been excited about going to school. Ever. In his life.

Last weekend with Yuugi-kun had been so much fun. Ryou had got so lost in the game; he must have not realized he'd over-stayed his welcome. Yuugi's grandfather had to kick him out, saying that Yuugi didn't feel well.

But Yuugi had been smiling the whole time…

So his grandfather had probably just wanted Yuugi to go to bed. Right? His stomach did cartwheels and Ryou had to close his eyes. He always over-thought things.

(He forced himself to calm down, and the shadows retreated.)

Ryou walked swiftly to the school's main office, the one that had the big bright blue DOMINO HIGH sign on it. Suddenly he heard a voice. Without even realizing what he was doing, Ryou hid within the shadows.

"Yuugi," said a deep voice, powerful but caring.

It was only then that Ryou noticed Yuugi, standing by the corner of the brick building.

He looked…horrible. Yuugi's once vivid violet eyes were dim, almost translucent. He panted and was sweating; even from the distance Ryou was at he could see. Yuugi's skin was a pasty white color, he looked sick. He looked dead.

But as shocking as Yuugi's appearance was, the man who spoke his name was even more startling. They were almost identical. Hair (tri-colored and all), eyes, everything. Only this man looked about ten years older, and had much better posture.

"Yuugi," the man repeated, tilting his head to one side.

"Atemu?" Yuugi whispered. (It was a miracle Ryou heard that.)

The man, Atemu, gave a pained smile, "I've missed you. Where were you last night?"

"I was with a friend," Yuugi said, but by the look on his face each breath pained him.

"Who?" Atemu asked, narrowing his eyes. From this angle, Ryou noticed they almost looked red…

"A boy. His name's Ryou."

"Is he…this Ryou," Atemu spat Ryou's name with more venom than Ryou had ever heard, "the reason why you didn't hunt with me last night? Or at all?"

Realization lit up Yuugi's eyes.

"How did you –?" Yuugi asked, at a loss for words.

"Look at yourself," Atemu said harshly, "How could you let this happen?"

"I don't know!" Yuugi bellowed, and for the first time Ryou saw true pain in his eyes.

(Ryou swallowed hard.)

"It's just that…I haven't had that much fun since…since I was…"

Yuugi trailed off, tears about to burst from his eyes.

Atemu eyes turned to slits.

"Who is this boy, anyway? How do you know he wasn't sent here to –"

"Oh, Atemu don't say that!" Yuugi scorned, "If you met him, you'd see. He couldn't hurt a fly."

A small blush illuminated Ryou's cheeks, quickly followed by a bitter taste flooding his mouth.

(How could he have done this to Yuugi? Lied to him?)

"And he won't know about any of this!" Yuugi said again, with more confidence than Ryou knew he was capable of, "None of them can know…"

A small flame burned in Ryou's heart. Perhaps he and Yuugi were more of kindred spirits than they thought.

"Aibou," said Atemu with large, worried eyes, "Why are you doing this to yourself?"

Yuugi looked down and bowed his head.

"I don't want to be a monster."

-0-

Lunch came too quickly for Ryou's taste.

Yuugi wasn't at the table. (He'd figured as much.)

But nevertheless, when Ryou sat down, he turned to Anzu.

"Where's Yuugi?" he asked, trying his best to sound genuinely curious.

"Oh, he went home," Anzu said, "You should have seen him, Ryou. I've never seen him look so sick in his entire life."

Ryou scanned the table. Someone else was missing too.

"Where's Miho?"

Anzu grimaced.

"I don't know," she admitted, "I'm really worried. She hasn't answered any of my calls, and I haven't heard from her since Friday."

The back of Ryou's neck tingled.

(Dread filled his stomach.)

He picked up his tray and turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Anzu asked.

"Oh, I have to finish up some homework before science next period," said Ryou lightly.

"Okay, see you tomorrow, Ryou!"

"Goodbye, Anzu."

Ryou fled out of the small cafeteria and into the long hallway, packed on every wall with thick blue lockers with the paint peeling off.

He needed to find Yuugi. And Miho. Something was wrong. In his gut, in the deepest part of his soul, Ryou knew something was wrong.

The tray flew from his hands, and Ryou's face crashed into the floor. He groaned, and looked up to see a figure with tan skin and blonde hair. His face was solemn, and his eyes harsh.

(Pure hatred.)

"S-sorry," Ryou stuttered, suddenly shivering.

The boy snorted and turned away.

"You should be more careful about whose toes you step on," he said.

The tingle that before was only on his neck travelled down his entire body.

Yes, he had to find Yuugi and Miho.

(Fast.)

-0-

Ryou really needed to learn how to break rules. Even though he was sure Yuugi was in danger (no, he didn't have any proof, he just felt it…), when the bell rang, his legs walked him into Mr. Takahashi's classroom.

He buried his head in his hands.

At least it was the last period of the day. Then he could spend the whole afternoon finding them. (And be so relieved when they were both safe and sound, and that conversation Ryou had overheard was nothing more than a misunderstanding…)

"Class, today's lab will require you to work in partners," Mr. Takahashi said. Immediately, everyone locked eyes with their partners.

Ryou sighed. He was kind of glad, though, in a way. Being the odd one out meant that he wouldn't have to pretend he was okay.

"Not so fast, kids. After the last labs incident," he shot a glare at the table at the back. Ryou briefly glanced over his shoulder.

It was that boy, with the blonde hair and lavender eyes. And…

Ryou blinked.

A boy who had white hair. Just like he did.

Ryou massaged his temples. (Just when he thought things couldn't get any weirder.)

"I will be choosing partners for you," Mr. Takahashi finished.

Unanimously, all the students jeered.

After most of the class had been paired up, Mr. Takahashi pointed his long fingers at Ryou. He froze.

"Ryou, you are with Bakura. Sakura, you're with Akane," he continued on and on.

Again, Ryou sighed. He had a headache and his heart hurt and the last thing he wanted to do was worry about a partner. Especially someone he didn't know. (Ryou never had strong social skills.)

A few moments passed and Ryou realized that Bakura, apparently, was not the type to come to his partner. With yet another sigh, Ryou picked up his books and hauled them to the only empty table available.

Bakura drummed his fingers on the table and scowled.

Wow. He looked even more like Ryou up close.

(Again, dread festered in Ryou's stomach.)

He'd never once seen this boy on campus, (at least not that Ryou remembered) and already it seemed like Bakura hated him.

Ryou's eyebrows furrowed.

It didn't matter. Yuugi didn't hate him; it should be Yuugi he was talking to right now. What if he was really in trouble? What had that man, Atemu, been talking about? Hunting? The only creatures Ryou knew that hunted were –

No.

That was impossible. There was no way that Yuugi was a –

"What? What is it?" Bakura asked, his voice getting a little higher and more panicked.

Ryou came back to reality, "I'm sorry?"

Bakura glared.

"Don't play games with me. What the hell was that?" he sneered.

"I don't…I don't know what you're talking about," Ryou said, bewildered.

Bakura stared at him, his eyes burning like cigarettes.

(Ryou looked away.)

His stare lingered for a second, and then he settled back in his chair.

"You don't have parents." It wasn't a question.

"How did you know that?" Ryou asked, eyes widening.

Bakura shrugged. "Lucky guess."

Ryou frowned. That was way too lucky.

"How do you survive? You don't work." Another lucky guess.

"My father…left me enough money to survive when he died."

"You're lying," Bakura said.

"I'm not!" Ryou retorted, a bit flustered. (He was only half lying, and he wasn't about to tell the whole truth to a complete stranger, even if the stranger could be his twin…)

"Why do you care anyway?" Ryou asked, trying to at least pretend he was listening to Mr. Takahashi's instructions.

"I don't," Bakura snarled, very defensively.

Wait, what? Defensively?

A moment of silence passed.

"How old are you?" asked Bakura.

"Sixteen," Ryou replied automatically. Then he shook his head. What was with all the questions? He half-expected Bakura to ask him what his favorite color was, or favorite ice-cream flavor.

"What is with you and that park?" Bakura sneered, though his eyes betrayed genuine curiosity.

Ryou was taken aback, "Sorry? What?"

"I saw you at the park once…or twice," he said nonchalantly, "Why?"

"I like the park," Ryou said, almost wistfully, "It's so quiet and peaceful. I can close my eyes and pretend like nothing's wrong. And there's always enough sunshine so I never have to worry about shadows –"

Ryou stopped himself. He could not believe he just said that. To this boy he met no less than ten minutes ago! He almost…he almost let it slip about… Ryou mentally slapped himself. Of all things… (But he couldn't help it. Not really. Words just blurted out when he was around Bakura…like there was nothing to fear.)

Nothing to fear.

Ryou looked up at Bakura, with wide eyes. He looked just as confused as Ryou felt.

"I mean, it's not like you can be worried about shadows," Ryou quickly tried to cover up his slip, "They're just shadows and –"

"Ryou."

(The tingles were back.)

"Yes?"

"You're a terrible liar."

Ryou, softly, hesitantly, smiled.

(The shadows behind them grew in their anger.)

-0-

Ryou waited patiently by his locker as all the other students dispersed.

It was a long shot, but maybe Honda would help him look for Miho (and Yuugi). It was blatantly obvious, after all, that Honda liked her. Two heads were better than one, right?

(And he didn't want to be alone, not now, not in this…)

The big clots of students had vanished, so Ryou walked towards Honda's locker. Honda and Jou always stayed a couple of minutes after the bell.

"Atemu, I told you I'm fine now. I want to see my friends."

A voice, sweet and almost childish. Yuugi!

Ryou just about nearly flew into Yuugi's arms, when his intuition stopped him. Atemu.

Maybe, if he was quiet, he might be able to learn once and for all if…if…if Yuugi was a vampire. Ryou knew that Yuugi would never tell him (after all he could never tell Yuugi what he was…), so this could be his only chance.

For the second time, Ryou faded away into the shadows.

"Yuugi," said Atemu, dead serious, "I don't think you should be getting so close to them. It's dangerous."

Yuugi looked away, "They would never hurt me. I know it."

"That may be true," Atemu said, gently placing a hand on Yuugi's shoulder, "But can you guarantee the same?"

"How can you say that?!" Yuugi exclaimed, whipping around, and his eyes were filled with tears.

Atemu's eyes trembled a bit, but he remained firm.

"It's the truth. You can't deny what you are, Yuugi."

"I can try," Yuugi muttered.

"Would you please come to your senses?" Atemu almost yelled, for once losing his calm demeanor, "Do you know how much it pains me, having to see my brother suffer like this?"

Ryou's eyes widened. Brother?

Yuugi recoiled. "I'm sorry."

Atemu opened his mouth to say something but then something caught his eye.

He turned around and for a second Ryou swore that Atemu was staring right at him. However, his eyes travelled further down the hall.

"Bakura," Atemu growled, saying the name like it was some ancient curse.

Ryou turned around, and saw both Bakura and that blonde-haired boy…Malik? Was that his name?

Bakura's face twisted into a sneer.

"You," he snarled.

"Yuugi," said Malik, curtly. His arms were crossed.

"Oh, hi, Malik. Bakura," Yuugi greeted, but his voice was just as strained as Malik's. He took a few steps back like he was…like he was afraid.

(The tingles sparked on Ryou's body.)

"What are you two doing here?" Atemu asked, as his posture tensed.

"We go to school here," Malik said, rolling his eyes.

Bakura opted to just glare daggers at Atemu.

Ryou's head was spinning. How did Bakura know Atemu?

"Of course you two do. We have first period together!" Yuugi said, with an uneasy laugh. He grabbed a hold of Atemu's arm.

"It was nice talking to you both again but we were just leaving," Yuugi continued and jerked on Atemu's arm. He shook Yuugi off.

"I beat you once and I'd be more than willing to do it again, Bakura!" Atemu exclaimed.

"Ha!" Bakura said, voice echoing down the hall, "You cheated and you know it. Don't you think for a second that I won't gladly kill you right here and now –"

Malik pulled on Bakura's wrist, tugging him away from Atemu. He whispered something into Bakura's ear. It made him sneer and rip his hand away, but it did calm him down. A bit.

(The atmosphere still crackled from the unresolved hate between Bakura and Atemu.)

"Well, this was fun and all," Malik said and glared at Bakura, "but we have things to do. So you two will just have to schedule your little rematch later."

Before anyone could get another word in, a burst of energy swept through the halls. The lockers flew open, the ground shook, and Ryou fell to his knees.

"What was that?" Atemu muttered, as he struggled to his feet.

Ryou clutched his head. Every inch of his body screamed in agony, and a knife twisted into his spine…

"Ryou!" shouted Bakura, through gritted teeth.

"Ryou!" called Yuugi, horrified.

The boy in question looked up to find four faces staring at him. Whatever energy that was, it must have destroyed his shadows.

(That fact was even worse than the pain.)

Ryou strained to get up.

"Um, hi?" he said slowly, and leaned against the lockers. There wasn't enough strength in him to stand up.

Within the blink of an eye, Bakura had taken Ryou by his collar and pinned him to the lockers.

"I knew you had something to do with this," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ryou said calmly. Even though Bakura's eyes were black with rage, he wasn't afraid of him.

Bakura glowered at him.

"What did you do?" he hissed.

"Put him down!" Yuugi cried, rushing towards him, "He didn't do anything. He probably doesn't even know what you're talking about."

Bakura snorted, "He knows."

Ryou's eyes fell to the ground at that.

"Whatever just happened, that earthquake or blast or whatever, I didn't do that. I don't know what did."

Malik took a small, deliberate step towards them. His face had suddenly become three shades paler.

"Did you say…earthquake?" Malik's voice was hoarse and just barely above a whisper.

Yuugi gasped. He turned to Atemu.

"No…there's no way…Atemu, do you think?" Yuugi asked, frantically.

Atemu's face turned solemn.

"Get behind me."

Ryou clawed at the lockers, trying to pull himself up. To his left, Bakura stood in front of Malik, a knife in his hands.

"What's going on?" Ryou asked, through panted breaths.

A sharp bright light pierced his skull and Ryou fell to the floor yet again.

The sound of footsteps filled the hall. They were leisurely coming closer and closer in small, pain-inducing increments.

"Hello Bakura, weaker self. It's been a long time."

The figure strolled into their line of sight, and Ryou's mouth dropped. He looked just like Malik. Only, his blonde hair stood up more and his veins bulged out.

(His eyes too, his eyes were a purple abyss with no end…)

"Mariku," Atemu said as his eyes burned. Mariku didn't even look at him; his eyes were fixated on Malik.

"What? No greeting? Haven't you missed me?" he smirked, and sharp canine teeth were revealed.

Malik shivered. His skin had no color, and his pupils were dilated. He looked like he saw death.

Bakura moved in front of him even more and crouched in attack position. He chuckled darkly a bit.

"Sure. I'll give you a greeting. Why not? How's this – 'I'm sending you back to hell, where you belong?'" Bakura sneered.

Mariku laughed.

(Ryou's body exploded with those sharp, knife-like tingling sensations.)

"I see you are still pretending that you are something other than a complete failure," Mariku said.

Bakura growled.

"Some other time will have to suffice, though, Bakura dear. I wasn't brought back for you."

Mariku's eyes, big, disgusting, eyes turned to Ryou.

"So you are Ryou," he said, with a slight chuckle, "I've been looking for you."

He stooped down to Ryou, and brushed his hand across his face. Ryou cried out. His fingers burned with ice fire, and the sensation burrowed down deep into his body.

Realization flowed through his body. He's not going to kill me. He's going to destroy me.

"Get away from him!" yelled both Yuugi and Bakura.

Mariku ignored them.

"You are very difficult to find, especially for one so weak and pathetic. I thought I caught you once, but it was just some foolish girl. She wasn't as much fun as I thought she'd be," he mused and played with

Ryou's hair.

"Miho," Ryou whispered, "You killed her…"

"What?" Yuugi said, shaking his head. He didn't want to believe it.

Mariku smiled. It was worse than his smirk.

"You're clever. You sensed it, didn't you, that I was coming for you?"

Ryou glared. If he was going to die, he would die with dignity. He would not let this…darkness…play with him.

"Well," Mariku said with a small smile, "I hope you're much more fun than she was."

"Get away from him!" Yuugi roared as he grabbed Mariku by his arm and swung him into the other wall.

His fangs were bared, and his eyes were tinted red.

"Yuugi, what are you doing?!" Atemu cried as rushed to Yuugi's side.

Mariku opened his eyes and wiped a bit of blackish blue blood from the corner of his mouth.

"You two were always such a nuisance," Mariku said, for the first time without any trace of glee.

Atemu seemed to have anticipated what was coming next, as he scooped Yuugi into his arms.

Mariku waved his hand and the floor started to shake. Atemu and Yuugi's forms began to fade, and an invisible force pushed them through the wall.

"Yuugi," Ryou whispered. He didn't have the energy to scream.

Mariku stood up.

"There, now they're gone. It's only us."

Ryou's heartbeat sped up and he closed his eyes. For the first time in eight years he was…scared.

"Hmmph. You're not even going to put up a fight?" Mariku pouted.

Ryou opened his eyes.

No matter what, this thing (it didn't seem like a person, it didn't give off shadows like a person) was going to kill him. He refused to bend to all of its wishes.

"No."

Ryou's gaze turned to Bakura. His eyes were narrowed but he didn't look angry anymore. Just scared. He was frozen in front of Malik, unwilling to move, but there was something in his eyes that said…

Suddenly, a thought consumed Ryou. The expression seemed so familiar.

"Do I…know you?" he asked to himself.

Mariku followed Ryou's gaze and then laughed.

"So my weaker self was right after all! You do care about him, Bakura."

He giggled to himself as he pulled Ryou off the ground. Mariku trailed a sharp fingernail down Ryou's cheek. Ryou bit his tongue to keep from screaming.

Bakura glared, but made no movement.

Mariku tilted his head, "Fascinating. You don't care about him enough to save him, even though you do like him."

(That hurt more than it should have.)

"What do you want with him anyway?" Bakura grimaced.

Mariku smirked.

"I don't think it's me you should be asking."

Bakura's eyes widened a fraction and he turned to Malik.

"You. You summoned him?"

Ryou had never heard Bakura's voice so devoid of emotion. So cold.

Malik looked away. There wasn't a trace of arrogance about him. He wasn't even standing up straight.

"I didn't," a pause, "mean to."

Bakura flinched, as if someone just slapped him.

Ryou stared in horror. Why would Malik summon a monster that wanted to kill him? Is that why they looked so similar?

Well, if he was going to die, he might as well know why.

"Why would you want to kill me?" Ryou asked, as he wriggled in Mariku's grasp.

"He's jealous," Mariku told Ryou, "and he needs me to solve all of his problems. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm back."

"Jealous? Of what?"

Bakura's mouth dropped open.

"That's what you were jealous of?" Bakura said, just as confused as Ryou, "Because I was interested in him? Malik, you idiot! I was only watching him because he had demonic energy following him. I was thinking about protecting you! You ungrateful, selfish, little brat!"

"You were watching me?" Ryou blurted out, but nobody seemed to hear him.

Malik looked up at Bakura.

"Really?" He asked hopefully.

Bakura let out a growl of frustration.

"I can't believe I'm going to have to kill him again, just because of your stupidity."

Mariku laughed.

"What makes you think you can kill me again, Bakura? Atemu is not here with you."

"I don't need him," Bakura sneered.

"You know, I was going to play with him first," Mariku gave Ryou a shake, "and then kill you, and then kill him. But now, I think I'll make you watch."

He threw Ryou to the ground.

"Enough!" Bakura yelled and the knife he held in his hands glowed. Intricate deep blue lines emerged on the blade.

Mariku took a step back.

"That's not possible," he spat, "You're not a mage."

"I don't have to be to kill you."

Ryou looked up as Bakura charged at Mariku, nothing more than a blur of white hair and blue light. Mariku dodged, and his hands turned bright lavender, the color of his eyes.

"I've always wanted to know what your blood would taste like."

Bakura sneered, and attacked again.

Malik dashed over to Ryou and dragged him from the center of the hallway to the lockers.

"Are you alright?" he asked as he pulled Ryou into his lap.

Usually, Ryou wasn't one for sarcasm, but the occasion called for it.

"Lovely."

An orb of the same purple light blasted out of Mariku's hand and sent Bakura flying into the ceiling.

Mariku cackled and took a step towards Bakura, only for a slash of blue light to blow him away.

Malik pushed Ryou's face towards him.

"Look," he said, eyes empty, "If my darkness wins…"

"He won't," Ryou said instantaneously.

(Bakura would win. He was sure of it.)

"You don't know that!" Malik screeched, "You don't know anything. You don't know what he's capable of! No, you – you just waltzed into our lives and pretended to be so sweet and cute and innocent and completely ruined everything!"

Ryou blinked.

Malik closed his eyes.

"Look, please just listen to me, Ryou. Please. If he wins, I'm going…I'm going to reabsorb him."

"What?" Ryou hissed.

"He is my darkness. I'm a…I'm a mage, and he...he is what happens when I deny my powers. And my feelings. So if I…take him in…I'm sure he'll overpower me, the real me, but I'll weaken him. I'll weaken him enough so that you'll be able to kill me. You have to kill me. Promise."

Ryou stared, feeling lost and helpless and hurting more than he'd thought he'd ever have to again.

"Please," Malik begged.

"Okay. Promise."

Malik sighed.

"Thank you," he whispered.

They turned their attention back to the fight.

"No," Ryou murmured.

Mariku had Bakura pinned against the wall, and he was smirking triumphantly.

Bakura, on the other hand, looked barely conscious. He trembled and every second his eyes would close, only to shoot open and glare at Mariku.

No.

That tingling sensation devoured him, again. Bakura was going to die.

Because of Malik, because of him. Bakura – (he knew him, in another life or time, but he knew he had lost him before) gone. Destroyed for eternity. And Ryou would have to sit and watch, like the way he watched Yuugi being thrown aside (and the way he let Amane die…) Helpless, weak. Was he doomed to be

like that always?

No.

"No!"

Ryou (with strength borne from his soul, from the shadows) tore towards Mariku. Pain struck him in the center of his back, as two thick bat-like wings unfolded. They expanded, protecting Bakura. Shadows swirled at his ankles. He controlled them and they sent Mariku flying into the lockers. Blood seeped out of the sides of his mouth and the shadows crawled up his arms, binding him.

"Don't come any closer," Ryou warned, as his eyes turned black.

Mariku sat up stunned. No giddiness or superiority. He was the one afraid now.

"You! You're a –"

"Demon," Ryou finished for him, and clenched his fists.

Suddenly, Mariku threw his head up in the air and laughed.

(There was no humor in it.)

"Are you going to kill me, little boy?" Mariku snarled, "I don't think you can. You may be powerful, but I don't think you have the guts."

Ryou never got the chance to answer.

"He might not. But I do," Malik said, rising off the floor.

Mariku's stare turned to Malik. His eyes were wild.

"You'd betray me? After everything I've done for you?" he exclaimed, furious.

"You've done nothing," Malik sneered, "and you will do nothing."

The blonde-haired boy closed his eyes, and his hands glowed a faint lavender.

"I am a mage," he said surely, confidently (and with the slightest trace of arrogance), "You are nothing."

The lavender grew brighter, as the outline of Mariku blurred. Faded.

Disappeared.

(In his wake there was nothing but shadows.)

Malik opened his eyes. He smirked.

"Why didn't you do that five years ago, brat?"

Bakura. Ryou turned around and smiled. His wings folded back into his skin.

"I figured you'd like the challenge," Malik said, regaining his posture.

"I'm going to murder you in your sleep," muttered Bakura.

Malik laughed and ran over to Bakura's side. He hugged him. Bakura glared, but didn't push him off.

Ryou smiled. Lightly. (Sadly.)

"Ryou? Ryou, you're alright!"

"Yuugi!" Ryou exclaimed, turning around. A smudge of tri-colored hair, followed by a force that knocked him to the ground. Yuugi buried himself into Ryou's chest.

"You're alright!" he called out, "I'm so happy!"

Ryou wrapped his arms around Yuugi.

"Me too."

"Yuugi," said an amused voice. Atemu.

Blushing, Yuugi got off of Ryou.

"We have to go now, Grandpa's probably worried sick, but you have to come over this weekend for sure! We are going to have so much fun!" Yuugi paused, "Right?"

(As if to say, 'You don't mind if I'm a vampire, we can still be friends, right?')

Ryou nodded.

"Right!"

Yuugi grinned so widely that Ryou had to grin back. Even Atemu cracked a small smile. Yuugi ran off into the other's arms and they walked out of Domino High.

"Hey, Ryou," Malik said from behind him. His arms were crossed.

"Yes?"

Malik cringed.

"Look, this is really hard for me to say. Really, really hard…but I'm…um, well…I'm sorry. You know, for having a split personality that tried to kill you and stuff."

Ryou cocked a brow.

"It's alright," he paused, "I guess."

Malik sighed, "And I just wanted to say… thank you. If you hadn't flipped out and gotten your crazy demon thing or whatever on, I don't think I would have been able to stand up to him."

Malik looked up at him with shining eyes.

"Thank you so much."

Ryou smiled.

"But don't think this means I like you or we're friends or anything," Malik said hurriedly.

This time Ryou crossed his arms.

"Of course," he said, "I would never think that."

"Good. Because it would be totally wrong."

(Ryou laughed softly.)

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going home. I've got tons of math homework."

Ryou watched Malik leave, with a sort of bizarre fondness. He turned around, expecting to see Bakura, but the hallway was empty.

Where did he go?

Ryou turned down the hallway and then went up the stairs. It was then he saw the entrance to the roof. He pushed it up.

The sky was black and starless. It was at least midnight.

Wow, Ryou thought faintly amused, that fight must have taken longer than anyone would have thought.

Bakura was there, looking down at the city. The black trench coat he always wore was billowing in the wind.

"Hey!" Ryou said.

Bakura gave him a fleeting glance over his shoulder.

"Is there something you want?" Bakura said sharply.

"Are you…are you okay?" Ryou asked.

"I'm fine. Why?" he snapped.

"I'm worried about you," Ryou admitted. No use in hiding it anymore. He walked towards Bakura, who still regarded him with scorn.

"I was going to let you die to protect Malik. You know that, right?"

"I know," Ryou said simply.

"And?" Bakura said harshly.

"And I don't care."

Bakura just looked at him.

Ryou gave a small smile.

"I protected you because I wanted to. Not because I knew you'd do the same."

Bakura glared, "Malik was right. You are sickeningly sweet."

Ryou ignored that comment.

"You're just human, aren't you? Nothing supernatural," Ryou asked.

"How did you figure it out?" Bakura said, perplexed.

Ryou pointed to his arm, "You're bleeding."

Bakura touched his wound and his blood was crimson.

"Well, you are at least half-demon. So I guess that makes us even."

"I guess."

(The corners of Ryou's lips twitched, wanting to smile.)

A nice, drifting silence passed through them. It made sense, being here with Bakura. He didn't know why (and probably never would) but it didn't matter. They were friends.

"You can't stay here all night, you know," Ryou said.

Bakura snorted.

"…Thank you," he said. Out of the blue, with no explanations.

"Thank you," Ryou said back.

(I can do something after all, and I can be part demon and still be fully human…)

"You'll be at school tomorrow, right?" Bakura asked, trying to pretend that he didn't care.

Ryou laughed, and grabbed onto Bakura's hand.

"Yes. And the day that and the day after that…"

(Always.)


A/N In case you missed it, that last little section was heavy on references to the first chapter of A Single Line, Midnight Muses.

And this is the part where I get sappy. I just want to thank everyone who alerted, favorited, and REVIEWED (or and thank you to all the anon reviewers, especially to 'NW' who has reviewed a lot of chapters, I appreciate it!), over this last year. This has been such an amazing experience and I never in a million years thought I'd have over 400 reviews. You all have been so kind and supporting and I'm so grateful. Thank you.

Here's to a great past year and hopefully an even better new one. =D

(Also, highlights?)