Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Koibito Yami ❯ Dreams of Darkness ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter 3- Dreams of Darkness

"It's a Kodak moment." Yugi said, smiling. Yami smirked.

"Good thing it's a Saturday. I wouldn't have the heart to wake them for school." The taller boy said. Ryou and Bakura were fast asleep, curled up in eachother's arms. Ryou's face was still slightly flushed in his fever, and Bakura's mouth curved up in a soft smile.

"It's hard to believe that that's Yami Bakura." Tristan said, standing with Joey behind Yami and Yugi.

"Yeah. Y'really think he's changed, Yami?" Joey asked. Yami nodded.

"I know he has, Joey. I have no doubt in my mind." The former pharaoh replied, smiling slightly. They all entered the room when Ryou moaned, and Bakura opened his eyes. He lifted himself up on his elbow, and looked down into his Hikari's face. Ryou's eyes focused on his Dark, and he smiled. Bakura smiled, back, brushing Ryou's bangs out of his face.

"Welcome back." Bakura murmured, softly. "How do you feel?" Ryou winced as he shifted slightly, and Bakura's eyes filled with guilt and pain.

"Better." Ryou whispered.

"Ryou, I will always be there for you. You will never be alone again. I swear to Ra, I will love you and protect you with every fiber of my being." Bakura said, and kissed his Light's damp forehead.

"Ryou," Yami said. "Forgive me for asking this, but what happened to you between our house an your house. You left your house at ten forty, and got here at one forty-five. That's three." Yami looked at Ryou, who turned away.

"I'd rather not talk about it." He said, quietly.

"Ryou," Yugi said. "Tell us. It'll help." Joey verbally agreed.

"Ryou," Bakura said. "Keeping it bottled up inside will only make it worse. It will act like a festering would on your soul, until it eats away at your sanity. It will destroy you. You have to tell us." Yami sat down on the edge of the bed next to Bakura.

"Ryou. Who did it to you?" He asked, sternly. Ryou swallowed.

"D-do what?" He mumbled. Yami stood, jerking Bakura off of the bed. He tore the blankets off, and Ryou cried out as he shoved the boy onto his stomach.

"That!" Yami thundered, pointing at Ryou's backside. Ryou glanced, and closed his eyes and clenched his teeth at the sight of the blood staining his boxers. He felt the hot tears run down his face, as he heard Joey, Tristan and Tea gasp. Suddenly, Joey seized Bakura by the collar, and jerked him off the floor.

"It was you, wasn't it?!" He snapped. "You did this ta him, ya sick bastard!" Joey howled, and Bakura blinked, startled, and confused. Then, his face darkened, and a surge of his power sent Joey sprawling. Bakura radiated visible dark energy, as he glared at Joey.

"How dare you?" He snarled. "How dare you accuse me of doing that to my Light?!? How dare you?!? I may have hurt him, hit him, BEATEN him, but I would never, NEVER, do, do THAT!!!!" No one had ever seen Bakura so angry. "I know how Ryou feels! I have been in his position!" Everyone stared at Bakura, in shock. "I was younger than Ryou when I was taken in Egypt. I was maybe twelve years old when it happened to me! And it was a continuous thing! I can't tell you how many times my father sold me out so people could take me for their own pleasure! I lost track! Anyone would have! I had to bear that for years, until I was saved! I know the pain, and the mental torment, and I would never inflict that on anyone! Not on my friends, not on my enemies, and especially not on Ryou." Bakura had calmed down now, and fell to his knees, crying. He turned and looked at his Hikari. "I have kept that to myself for thousands of years. I know the agony you are going through, and you have to tell us. I wish I had someone to tell, but I didn't. You have people who care for you Ryou, who are willing to help you through this. I never had that. You do, and you should take advantage of it. Don't let it poison your soul, as I did." Bakura knelt by Ryou and pulled the light into his chest. "Tell us." He felt Ryou's warm tears dampening his chest, and he rocked the boy, running his hand through his Hikari's hair.

//Tell us, Ryou. It will help. I promise, tenshi.//

/Yami? *sigh* Watashi no yami aisuru./ Bakura smiled, at Ryou's mental words. Ryou sighed, and clung tighter to his yami.

"I, I woke up in the hall, and, Bakura-sama was there. Said something about giving me five minutes to wake up before he `finished the job.'" Bakura closed his eyes, ashamed, and buried his face into Ryou's hair. "All I could think about was getting to YamiYugi. I'd be safe with him." Bakura clung to Ryou tighter, and tried to hold back his tears, as he rocked him. "So I left. I tried to get to Yugi's. I only made it about halfway, when," He gulped, trying to swallow the lump in his throat. "I was attacked. I thought he would just try to steal my wallet, and he asked for it, but I didn't have it. I thought he would just hit me, and leave. But, he said that `no one gets away without paying up.' And, he, he kissed me. I couldn't breathe. He was so much bigger than me. I didn't have the strength. He tore off my shirt, and tried to take off my pants, but I started screaming, and trying to get away. I tried calling for my yami, but I didn't have the Ring. He couldn't hear me." This time, Bakura couldn't hold back the sob, and he didn't try. He just let the tears come, as he cried.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry' I'm sorry. Ryou, I'm so sorry! Oh, Ra, why? Why?" He choked, and Ryou cried with him. They clung to eachother as tightly as they would cling to life. After a few mintues, Yami spoke.

"Then what, Ryou?" He said, softly. Ryou sniffled, and gulped.

"He, he hit me. He threw me on the ground. I must've hit my head, because I didn't notice him taking my pants off. All I knew was that he was, over me, and then, he, he raped me." The last three words came out as whispers, that they had to strain to hear. "It hurt so much. It still hurts. I feel so weak." Bakura looked up, his eyes red and swollen.

"We have to get him to a hospital." He said. Yami frowned.

"Ryou, who did it?" Ryou looked away, silent tears running down his face.

"Ryou, can you tell us?" Bakura asked. Ryou shook his head.

"I don't know."

"Are you sure?"

"If I knew, I'd tell you. Because you'd probably want vengeance."

"Yes." Bakura snarled, his eyes getting a faint red glow. "But, you wouldn't want me to hurt him, would you? Because, you're well, you…"

"I hate him. Whoever he is. I hate him. I can never forgive what he's done to me. He, he stole my innocence." Ryou whimpered, clinging to Bakura. "I, I wanted to give that to you." Bakura froze, not quite knowing what he had just heard, and the others in the room looked just as shocked.

"What?" Bakura gasped, and Ryou buried his face into Bakura's chest.

"I wanted you to be my first."

**********

Bakura sighed, and passed Yami as the two Darks paced back and forth in the waiting room, following the same pattern, crossing paths, but not invading eachother's personal space. Bakura fingered the Millennium Ring, which the doctor's had removed from Ryou when they had taken him. Yugi, for lack of anything better to do, watched the two Egyptian Spirits pace. Tristan was trying to read one of the many magazines, all of which turned out to be Better Home & Gardens, while Joey stared out the window, shifting from foot to foot.

They all turned when the door opened, and a doctor came in, looking over a clipboard.

"Are you all friends of a Ryou Bakura?" She said, looking around. Her eyes fell on Yami Bakura. "I take it you are related?" YamiBakura blinked.

"Uhh, he's my little brother." He said, after a moment.

"Then maybe you can tell me what happened. Most of his injuries are not from the past twenty four hours. And they're extensive. How did he get them?" The doctor looked accusingly at Bakura.

"Ryou seems to be the school bullies' favorite kid to pick on, ma'am." Yugi said, stepping up next to Bakura. "He's been picked on as long as we've known him." Bakura gave Yugi a grateful smile. The doctor looked around.

"Where is Ryou Bakura's father?"

"He's an archeologist." Yami said. "He's on a dig in South America. We have no way of contacting him at this point." The doctor nodded.

"Well, my diagnosis says that more was done to him than just being beaten." She looked over the faces of those in the room. they all avoided her look, and stared at the floor. "So I take it you're aware that he was assaulted, sexually." Bakura gave a curt nod. "Can you tell me who did it?" Bakura shook his head.

"Ryou doesn't know. He had just been beaten up, and was trying to get to our friends house, when he was assaulted."

"I see. Well, we've done what we can, and he can go home, but he needs to take it easy. He should stay in bed for a few days, and he's not to go to school this week." Bakura sighed. "I'll go get him."

Bakura closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Yami put his hand on the other's shoulder.

"It's not your fault Bakura." He said. Yugi verbally agreed.

"Yeah! You-" But Bakura shoved by them and face the wall, eyes clenched shut.

"It is my fault! If I hadn't hurt him, he wouldn't have left without the Ring! He wouldn't have left at all. It is my fault…" No one said anything. "And you guys know it." A soft hand grabbed his arm, and he turned to look. Bakura's eyes filled with tears at the look on Ryou's face. There was no trace of anger, or blame, only love, and compassion. His wide innocent eyes studied Bakura's face, and his brow knitted slightly, as if he were confused, and searching for something. He reached up, and touched his yami's face. Bakura's eyes closed, forcing out the tears that had gathered. He felt Ryou gently drawing him into his arms.

/I forgive you, Bakura-sama./

//You have every right to hate me.//

/It would only make things worse. I love you and I forgive you./

//I'm so sorry.//

/I know. And I'll never take off the Ring again. I never want to be alone./

//You won't. And quit calling me `sama'.// Bakura said, then verbally, "Let's go home."

"Umm, before you do," he doctor said, looking over her clipboard again, "Who do we contact about charges?" Everyone blinked, not knowing how to answer.

"Me." Everyone turned to the door, as Seto Kaiba strode in, with his brother, Mokuba, behind him. Kaiba went to the doctor and gave her his credit card. "Just charge it to my account." He said, and turned to look at Ryou and Bakura's amazed expressions. Then, he looked at Yami, and the two clasped hands momentarily.

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Kaiba." Yami said, smiling. Kaiba nodded.

"Any time. You guys didn't abandon me, and I'm not about to abandon you when you need my help." He looked at Ryou. "You doing okay, kid?" He asked, and Ryou nodded. "My limo's out the main entrance. I'll give you all a ride home. You need me to carry you?" He asked, noticing how Ryou had to lean on Bakura just to stay standing. Ryou flushed, then yelped, as Bakura swung him up into his arms.

"I've got him." Bakura said, and left the room. Kaiba looked after them, amazed, then at Yami.

"Wow. You really were telling the truth about him."

**********

"Hurry up, Joey!" Yugi said, and Joey tossed his books into his backpack. It was Friday, a week since Ryou was attacked, and Yugi, Tristan and Tea were waiting for Joey so they could go check up on Ryou and Bakura. Tea had technically been transferred to an all girls school, but she got out early to meet the boys. He slung his bag to his back, and followed his friends out of the school, and down the street. The Bakura house was completely dark when they got there, and quiet. Yugi knocked on the door. There was no answer.

"You hear that?" Tristan gasped, as a noise suddenly reached their ears.

"Screaming!" Joey choked out. Yami separated from Yugi, ready to kick down the door, until Yugi reminded him that he had a key to the house. Ryou had given it to him in case his yami hurt him too bad for him to leave. Yugi unlocked the door, and they heard crashing, and more screaming.

"The living room!" Yami cried, and they dashed down the hall. At the door to the living room, Yami froze, and the others collided into him. Yami let out a nervous laugh, relief flooding his face. The TV was on and there was a violent scene playing. Yami picked the remote control off of the floor, and flipped off the Television. He turned, and smiled. Ryou, and Bakura, were curled up on the sofa, fast asleep, with a bowl of cold popcorn and some sodas in front of them on the coffee table.

"False alarm." Yami said, and smirked at his friends. Yugi was peering over the sofa, at Ryou and Bakura, with Tristan and Joey behind him. Tea was picking up the disheveled room, putting cushions back on chairs, and picking up the empty pizza box and dropped popcorn. She wrinkled her nose at the sticky ice cream carton.

"Eeeeewwwww! Usually Ryou's so cleanly."

"Huh?" They looked at Ryou, who had woken up. He looked around, momentarily confused. He looked at Yami, and Tea, then looked up at Joey, Tristan, and Yugi hanging over him. Then, he turned to see who he was leaning on. Bakura opened one eye lazily, and smiled at Ryou, before letting it fall closed again. Then, both eyes snapped open and he sat straight up, looking around, and knocking Ryou to the floor. Ryou yelped, and bit his lip, tying not to cry as pain throbbed through his body. Bakura looked down at him.

"Ryou! Oh, Ra, I'm sorry!" He gasped, slipping to the floor next to his Light. Then, he looked at Yami. "What are you doing here?" He asked, trying to keep the annoyance out of his tone, and failing. Yami raised an eyebrow.

"Just checking to see how you're getting along." He said. Bakura frowned, and stood.

"Make sure I didn't kill him, you mean?" He snarled. Yami's eyes widened.

"No! You're our friends, and we're concerned. Plus, it would be bad if you tried to cook, and set fire to something, Bakura." Bakura scowled.

"I would not. I've seen Ryou do it plenty of times."

"There's nothing like experience, Tomb Robber."

"There's also nothing like a big headed Pharaoh sticking his nose in where it doesn't belong."

"Must you always be so hostile?!"

"Must you always put on the so-holier-than-thou act?!"

"I don't!"

"Do to!"

"Do not!"

"Do to!"

"Watch it or I'll have to put you in your place!"

"Try it, your royal pain in the ass!"

"That's it Bakura! I've had it up to here with you!"

"Oh, bite me!"

"Bite me?"

"I heard Joey say it!"

"That's no excuse! You are way out of line!"

"Get your head out of your ass! You're not the High and Mighty Pharaoh any longer!"

"Bakura, I challenge you to a duel!"

"Yeah! I guess you have to since you can't beat me at anything else!"

"WHAT?!?

"No! No, no, no, no, NO!" Ryou screamed over the bickering Yami's, stumbling to his feet. Everyone turned to look at him. "I can't stand it! Why do you two have to fight all the time!?! I can't take it anymore!!!" And he whirled, and ran from the room, crying. Everyone stared after him, confused.

"Now look what you did!!!" the two Yami's snapped at eachother, then glared. Bakura broke it off first an tore out of the room.

"Ryou! Come back! I'm sorry, hikari! Ryou, please!" He thundered up the stairs, and they heard him pounding on Ryou's bedroom door. "C'mon, Ryou, please? I'm really sorry! I'll even apologize to Yami! Ryou, lemme in! C'mon! Ryou, please! Don't get upset! Ryou!" Yami sighed, and trudged upstairs, followed by Tristan, Yugi and Joey, while Tea stayed to clean up the living room. Bakura looked at them as they came down the hall towards Ryou's door. He held up his hands, in defeat, and Yami sighed, and brushed by Bakura. He lightly tapped on the door.

"Ryou?" He called. They heard Ryou sniffle, but didn't answer. Bakura sighed, and leaned against the wall.

"He's been so, temperamental!" He moaned. "All week! This is the third time he's locked himself in there!" Yami sighed.

"Where's the Millennium Ring? He wasn't wearing it.." Bakura thought a moment, then sighed, raised hi eyebrows, and waved his hand, absently.

"Oh, it's in the bathroom." He said, exasperated. Yami went to get it, then went into the guest room next to Ryou's room.

"Bakura!" He called, and Bakura sighed, and went in.

"What?" He asked. Yami held out the Ring.

"Get in. Ryou's window is open. I'll toss you in." Bakura raised his eye brows, but went back to the Ring. Yami leaned out the window, and swung the Ring on its leather strap, then, flung it at Ryou's window. At the last second, Ryou slammed it closed, and the Ring bounced off, and got caught in a tree. Yami's eyes widened, and Bakura left the Ring. His face flashed brief confusion, before panic, as he fell to the ground.

"Ra damned mother fucking dumbass good for nothing dip shit Pharaoh!!!" He roared, glaring up at Yami, who was hanging out the window with a look of pure shock and horror plastered across his face.

***********

Bakura tapped his foot impatiently in the hall next to the bathroom as Yami cleaned his cuts and bruises, but Bakura was watching Joey pick the lock on Ryou's bedroom door.

"Hah! Got it!" Joey said, and stood up, grinning. He looked at Bakura, who batted at Yami's cotton ball, and opened the door to Ryou's room. They all looked in. Ryou was curled up on his bed, fast asleep, clutching his pillow. Bakura smiled, and closed the door quietly, and motioned everyone down stairs.

"Well, anyway, I brought Ryou's homework by, Bakura. Could you give it to him?" Yugi said, handing the papers to Bakura, who smiled and nodded.

"Hey, why don't we make dinner for you guys!" Tea suggested, and Yugi grinned.

"Yeah!" He said, and raced to the kitchen. Yami smiled at a bewildered Bakura, and followed.

*********

Tea had just left, and Bakura, Yugi, Yami and Joey were sitting around the kitchen table when Ryou eventually limped downstairs. He came into the kitchen and they all watched him slide gingerly into a chair between Bakura and Yami. He folded his arms, and buried his head in them.

"Ryou?" Bakura said softly, and Ryou looked up, his mouth stretched open in a yawn.

"Whuh?" Ryou said, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

"You okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Sorry about that before. I'm so sick of you two fighting!" He whined, looking at Bakura and waving his hand at Yami. Bakura sighed, and nodded, then sipped on his hot chocolate. Yugi set a mug down in front of Ryou.

"Well, we won't fight anymore Ryou." Bakura said, and Yami smiled and nodded. Ryou looked at Yami, then at Bakura, hope in his eyes.

"Promise?" He asked, and Bakura fidgeted.

"Nnnnnooooooo………." He started, and saw Ryou's face fall in disappointment. "But I promise I'll try." He said, putting and hand on Ryou's shoulder. Yami put his hand on Ryou's other shoulder.

"As do I." He said, and briefly locked eyes with Bakura. Ryou nodded, and smiled slightly, then sipped his hot chocolate.

"How are you feeling, Ryou?" Yugi asked. Ryou shifted slightly in his chair, and winced, at the pain that flashed up his back.

"I've been better, Yugi." He said, "But I've also been worse." He looked down into his mug. "I can't sleep. I just keep, reliving it, over and over again. And when I wake up, the pain is back, as if it were just inflicted moments before. I, I dunno, I…" He let his voice trail off.

"Ya' hungry, Ryou?" Joey asked. Ryou nodded slightly, and gave Joey a forced smile. "There's nuthin t'be scared of, kid!" Joey said, as he put some macaroni and cheese into a bowl for Ryou. "We won't let anythin' happen to ya." He said, putting the bowl down in front of the smaller boy, and giving him a spoon.

"I know. Not when you're with me. But you can't stay with me 24/7, Joey." Ryou said quietly, prodding the pasta as if to make sure it was dead.

"That's what I'm here for!" Bakura said, harshly. Ryou jumped, and stared at his yami, fearfully. "Sorry." Bakura said, softening his voice. "Didn't mean to scare you." He looked down, guilty.

"It's all right." Ryou said.

"Healing takes time. And so does trust." Yami said, and both albino boys looked down at the table.

Everyone jumped when there was a knock on the door. After a moment, Yugi slid out of his seat to get the door. He came back, a moment later, followed by Seto and Mokuba Kaiba, and a pair of Police Officers. Yami and Bakura stood, Yami greeting Kaiba, and Bakura eyeing the police. Ryou refused to look up.

"Ryou," Yami said, after a quick conversation with Kaiba. "These police want to talk with you. Is that all right?" Everyone looked at Ryou, who dipped his head, slightly. "Please, sit down." Yami said to the police. Bakura abandoned his chair, and stood behind Ryou at the head of the table, hovering protectively. Yami followed his example, and stood behind Yugi, on Ryou's right. Joey sat on Ryou's left, and Kaiba took the chair on Yugi's other side, after sending Mokuba to the living room to watch TV. The police took a seat at the foot of the table and next to Joey, across from Kaiba, whom Tristan had abandonded his chair for.

"Ryou Bakura, right?" The cop next to Joey said, taking out a notepad. Ryou nodded, still staring at the macaroni. "Mister Kaiba told us that you were assaulted last Friday. Can you tell us about it?" Ryou shook his head, still staring at the table.

"Ryou, you need to tell them." Kaiba said, harshly, making Ryou flinch. Bakura glared at Kaiba, then moved Ryou's chair around, kneeling in front of him, taking his hands.

//Ryou, they just want to help.//

/…../

//Ryou…//

/……/

//Ryou, please talk to me.// Ryou shook his head, and closed his eyes. //Look, why don't you just tell me, and I'll tell them. Is that okay?// Ryou hesitated, then nodded. Bakura smiled, and stood up, and Ryou began to tell him. Bakura faced the police.

"He left the house about ten forty five. He was hurt. He had been… beaten up by a group of guys that pick on him. He was also a bit sick."

"I'm sorry, but we need Ryou Bakura to tell us, not you, Mr…."

"Uh…." Bakura's mind raced.

"Kyodai." Ryou said, suddenly, and everyone stared at him. "He's my older brother. Kyodai Bakura." Bakura stared.

//Kyodai…. Brother….. Ryou, I--//

"But we all call him Bakura." Ryou finished, and looked up. "Yes, I left the house at ten forty five. I was hurt, I think I was sick, too. I still am. I was going to my friend's house."

"Who is this friend?"

"Me." Yugi said. "I'm Yugi Mouto." The officer scribbled on his pad.

"The Duelist?"

"Uhh, yeah…"

"All right…"

"I don't know why I was going there. It felt like a dream."

"You shouldn't have gone. You were sick." Kaiba said. Ryou nodded.

"It was on Magnolia Blvd. Between Elm and Walnut. I was about halfway to Yugi's house. I was grabbed from behind, and…" Ryou's voice trailed away, and he looked down again.

"And…" the cop questioned. Ryou shook his head violently, and a tear fell.

"I, can't…" He gasped.

"What did your attacker look like?" the cop said, gently.

"….."

"Ryou, just tell them this, and they'll leave." Yami said, gently. Ryou nodded, and gulped.

"I don't know. He was big. Maybe just under two feet taller than me. Dark brown hair, short, I never really saw his eyes. He was wearing black jeans and a gray t shirt, and a brown trench coat. He, he had an earring in his left ear."

"Did you see any scars, or tattoos?"

"I, no, I didn't."

"Facial features?"

"It was too dark." Ryou said, trying to draw strength and comfort from his yami's hands, squeezing his shoulders. "He tried to get my wallet, but I didn't have it. So he, well, you know…" Ryou's voice trailed off again.

"Do you have an estimate of his weight?"

"I, no, he was big. Not fat, just, big. Bakura and I could have fit comfortably in his chest. He had muscles. It, he hurt me, he….." Ryou stopped talking, and stood suddenly, hissing at the pain his sudden movement caused. He brushed by Bakura, and rushed out of the kitchen as fast as he could with out causing himself more pain. Bakura looked around at the faces of the cops, before rushing after Ryou. But a cop caught his wrist.

"Where are your parents?"

"I, they, his, uhh, our mother is dead. She died when Ryou was little. His, our dad is an archeologist. He's on a dig in South America. We have no way of getting in touch with him, right now." Bakura said, remembering what Yami had told the doctor at the hospital. "I can take care of him." Bakura said, noting the expressions on the cop's faces.

"And we'll help." Yami said, and Yugi and Joey nodded.

"Bakura," Kaiba said. "My home is open to you if you ever need me." Bakura nodded, and went after Ryou.

"Sorry about that." Yami said to the police.

"Not at all, Mr…."

"Yami Mouto."

"Mr. Mouto. And if we could get your names, please?"

"Tristan Taylor."

"Joey Wheeler." Joey said, and Kaiba showed the policemen out, then went to find Mokuba, who wasn't in the living room.

"He's probably upstairs with Ryou and Bakura." Yugi said, and started to climb the stairs. Sure enough, Mokuba was sitting on Ryou's bed, with Bakura, playing duel monsters.

"Where's Ryou?" Yami asked. Bakura and Mokuba pointed to the closed bathroom door, where the shower was running. They all settled down around Ryou's room. Bakura and Mokuba finished their duel, and Bakura challenged Yami, and lost, spectacularly. Then, he played Mokuba again. Ryou still hadn't emerged from the bathroom.

"I play Man Eater Bug." Bakura said, quietly.

"I play Judge Man." Mokuba said, and played a card.

"I play the.." Bakura's voice trailed off, and he dropped his cards, burying hi face in his hands. "Ra, I can't take this!" He whimpered, then slid off the bed, and moved over to the bathroom door. He knocked. "Ryou?"

"Bakura, are you all right?" Yami asked. Bakura shook his head.

"Ryou? Answer me!" Bakura called through the door, then turned, and leaned against it, sighing, and closing his eyes. "It's all my fault." He said, sliding down the door to a sitting position.

"Stop blaming yourself, Bakura." Tristan said, as Yugi put a hand on Bakura's shoulder.

"Yeah. It's not you fault. You couldn't have known. All these `if only's won't do anything. It's all in the past. What's done is done. All you can do now is be here for Ryou and help him get through it. Sulking won't help Ryou. He needs you to be strong so he can be strong."

"He always was strong." Bakura whispered. "I wish the Ring had never come to him."

"What?!?" Kaiba, Yami and Joey gasped.

"He never would have had to endure any of this." Bakura said.

"Bakura, he loves you." Yami said. "He told me. `No matter how much he abuses me, he's still a part of me, and I can't help loving him. I'd rather have him abusing me than not have him at all.' Those were his words exactly. Can you imagine how happy he'd be if you loved him back, as much as he loves you? That's all he wants. Are you willing to do that for Ryou?"

"Of course. I'd die for him."

"Then tell him. Ryou won't get through this without you." Yami said, and Bakura stood, and opened the bathroom door.

"Ryou?" He called, tentatively. He frowned through the thick steam. "Ryou?" HE heard a whimper, over the noise of the shower. He rushed into the cloud, Yami and Kaiba on his heels. Bakura jerked open the shower door. Ryou was sitting in the corner of the shower, his knees pressed against his chest, and his arms wrapped around his legs. His chin rested on his knees, and he was staring straight ahead, eyes glazed over, his face framed by his wet hair, and contorted in fear. He whimpered quietly, again. Bakura shut off the water, and touched Ryou's shoulder. Ryou didn't move.

"Get me a towel!" Bakura barked over his shoulder. Kaiba snatched one off of the towel rack, and tossed it too Yami, who handed it to Bakura. Bakura stepped into the shower, and wrapped the towel around Ryou, who was trembling violently. Ryou whimpered again, and went completely limp as Bakura lifted him into his arms. Kaiba tossed another towel over Ryou's body for decency's sake, and they left the bathroom.

Joey cursed and leapt out of the way as Bakura carried Ryou over to the bed. Mokuba gathered up Bakura's cards, and scurried off of Ryou's bed as Bakura lay Ryou down. Ryou still didn't move. He didn't even blink. Everyone gathered around Ryou's bed, staring at his unresponsive body, alarmed. Bakura placed his hands on the bed on either side of Ryou's head, and hung his face directly over Ryou's, staring into his Hikari's distant eyes.

"Ryou? Ryou, can you hear me?" Ryou didn't respond. Bakura gently shook him. "Ryou, answer me!" He shook harder, looking panicked. "Dammit Ryou!" Bakura raised his hand, as if to strike his Light. Yami caught Bakura's wrist in his hand.

"Bakura…" Yami said, warningly. Bakura looked at Yami, his face overtaken with distress.

"What's wrong with him?!?" HE asked, his voice cracking with emotion. Yami turned to Ryou's desk, and picked up the Millennium Ring. He tied it around Ryou's neck.

"See for yourself." Yami said, and Bakura nodded, and returned to the Ring.

Bakura opened his eyes, and looked around his Soul Room.

"Now, what did I do with that damn door?" He mumbled to himself. He had never gone to Ryou's soul room before, so he wasn't sure where it was. The walls of his room were covered in shelves filled with various objects, such as things he had stolen from tombs in Egypt.

"Ooh, there it is." Bakura said, and shoved a shelf full of papyrus scrolls to the side. He looked at the door, and reached out to open it. He expected some defense, but there was none. HE opened the door, and stepped into Ryou's soul room. It was supposed to be just like Ryou's bedroom, but it wasn't. Bakura looked around, confused at the rain. He frowned, and entered the room. It was a dark alleyway. Bakura scowled at the sting the rain left on his skin, letting him know it was sleet. He froze, when he heard a scream.

"Ryou…" He gasped, and ran down the alley. HE froze in horror when he found Ryou. Bakura couldn't move. Ryou was lying face down on the ground, stripped of his clothes. A dark figure loomed over him, featureless, but for glowing red eyes. Ryou screamed again, as he was held down, and violated, the pain tearing him apart. Bakura raced forwards, all his attention focused on the monster, ramming himself into the screaming boy. Bakura slammed his shoulder into the figure, hurling it off of Ryou, tearing another scream from the small Light. Bakura slammed the figure into the wall, and it shattered, but Ryou screamed again, and Bakura whirled. The very shadows were taking form, and surrounding Bakura's other half. Bakura raced forwards, and began to fight them off as they tried to take Ryou. He stood over his sobbing Hikari, blood pooled around his hips, lashing out at any shadow that moved, until they stopped coming. Bakura took a final look around, before falling to his knees next to Ryou, an gathered him into his arms.

"Ryou?" He whispered. Ryou's eyes opened, filled with pain, and looked at his dark. Ryou smiled slightly.

"Bakura…?" He said, his voice quiet and weak. Bakura nodded, smiling.

"I told you I'd be here to protect you. Can you wake up, now?" Bakura asked. Ryou winced, and nodded, and Bakura left his Hikari's soul room, returning to the Physical world.

************

Everyone jumped, when Ryou's form was suddenly joined by Bakura's cradling the smaller boy in his arms. Ryou moaned, and opened his eyes. They immediately went to his yami, and he smiled. Bakura shifted Ryou slightly, and Ryou cried out, his body stiffening.

"It's back!" He gasped, his face contorted in pain. "It won't leave me alone!" Ryou sobbed, his body throbbed in pain. Bakura carefully shifted out from under Ryou, and leaned against the headboard of the bed while Ryou leaned back on his chest, between his legs. Ryou bit his lip, but relaxed when He felt his yami's hand stroking his forehead.

"Try to sleep, Ryou." Bakura said. Ryou's eyes flew open, filled with fear.

"No! They'll be back! They'll hurt me again! Bakura, no, I can't!!!" Ryou cried out, in panic.

"Shhh… I'm right here, Ryou. If they show their ugly faces, I'll be right with you, all right?" Ryou nodded, and closed his eyes, taking comfort from his yami's strong arms, around him. Slowly, he fell asleep. When his breathing evened out, Bakura looked up at those gathered; Tristan, Joey, Kaiba, Mokuba, Yugi, and Yami.

"His soul room has turned into the alley. He keeps dreaming of large shadows attacking him, and, raping him." He explained. "And he can't wake up." Yami frowned.

"Bakura, go with him. I'm curious about something. Stay with him in the dream. We'll be right here." Yami said. Bakura nodded, and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was back in his soul room. He wen to the door of Ryou's soul room, and opened it. It was the hall of Ryou's house. Ryou was on the floor, and Bakura saw Ryou's dream yami walk into the kitchen.

`I must have just threatened him.' Bakura thought to himself, and watched Ryou struggle to his feet. The boy turned to the front door, and left the house. Bakura slipped out after him, and followed his Hikari at a distance through the rain. After a while, they reached the alley. Ryou took a deep breathe and began to walk by. He cried out as soon as the shadow materialized out of the darkness, and grabbed him, dragging him into the alley. Bakura charged forwards and reached the alley just as Ryou screamed for the first time. Bakura watched the shadow throw Ryou to the ground, and jerk his pants off.

"Bakura!!!" Ryou screamed, as shadow held him down, straddling his hips.

"Ryou!" Bakura called back, and moved to attack the shadow. But before he got there, more shadows appeared, between Bakura an Ryou, who screamed as he was thrust into. "Ryou!" Bakura glared at the shadows, and attacked. He fought through them easily enough, and got to Ryou, tearing the shadow from his sobbing Light. The shadow shattered, and Bakura knelt next to Ryou.

"Bakura!" They both looked up at the sound of Yami's voice.

"The Pharaoh wants to see us." Bakura said to Ryou. "Wake up, now."

In the physical world, both albino boys stirred, and opened their eyes. Bakura held Ryou closer, whimpering, as he was hit by another wave of pain.

"He's reliving that night. He leaves our house, after I threaten him, and starts to go to Yugi's, until he's attacked." Bakura said. Yami smirked and nodded.

"I thought so."

"So, what do we do?"

"It's quite simple. All he has to do, is get to Yugi's house, and the dreams should stop." Yami said, and Bakura rolled his eyes.

"Yami Mouto, Master of the Painfully Obvious!" Bakura moaned, smacking hi forehead. "Why didn't I think of that?!" Ryou looked at Yami.

"All I have to do is get to Yugi's?" He asked. Yami nodded, and smiled. Ryou took a deep breathe. "Then let's do it." Ryou said, and leaned back against Bakura. Bakura blinked.

"You sure?"

"You'll be there, right?"

"Right."

"Then I'm sure." Ryou said, in a determined tone, and closed his eyes. Bakura followed Ryou's example. Ryou opened his eyes, and found himself on the floor in the hall again.

"It's now ten forty. You have five minutes to wake up before I finish the job." Dream Bakura snarled, and left Ryou. Ryou staggered to his feet, and Bakura came out of the closet, his face ridden with guilt. Ryou gave him a comforting smile. Bakura sighed.

"Let's do this." He said, and opened the door for Ryou. The two went out in the sleet. They began walking, silently. Finally, they got to the alley.

"Let's run." Ryou said. Bakura nodded, and stood by Ryou's side, placing himself between the Alley and his Hikari.

"Ready, Ryou?" Bakura asked. Ryou nodded. "RUN!!!" Bakura shouted, and the two launched themselves forwards. Ryou whimpered as the shadow appeared as they flew by. Bakura gasped, when he felt his wrist seized. He was jerked back, and dark hand clamped over his mouth. He saw Ryou whirl, and stare, in panic. Bakura sunk his teeth into the hand, and it released his mouth.

"Ryou! Don't stop! Keep going! Get to Yugi's!" Bakura screamed, as he was dragged into the alley. He never saw if Ryou kept running. He was slammed against the wall. The shadow growled something, but Bakura didn't listen, he was too busy trying to get away. Then, the shadow hit him. Bakura was unfazed, and lashed out with his foot, sending the shadow into the wall. More immediately appeared, and surrounded him. They pounced, and Bakura was dragged to the ground, and they began to tear his clothes off, but Bakura fought back, matching them hit for hit. Then, he saw Ryou, at the entrance of the alley, staring, in horror.

"Bakura!" He screamed. Bakura was roughly flipped onto his stomach and held down. "No!" Bakura struggled, as he felt one of the figures move above him. Ryou charged. "Leave him alone, dammit!!!" He attacked, and Bakura stared, amazed. The shadows all toppled over, and Bakura scrambled to his feet, seized Ryou's wrist, and dragged him out of the alley.

"I told you to keep going!" He snapped. Ryou flinched.

"You wouldn't;' leave me, and I won't leave you." Ryou panted.

"There!" Bakura gasped, in relief. It was the Turtle Game Shop. They ran around the back, and began pounding on the door.

"Oh, God…" Ryou moaned. "They're coming." Bakura whirled.

"Oh, shit…" He moaned. "Yami, answer the door!" Ryou moved closer to Bakura as the shadows closed in. "Wake up, Ryou! Now!" Bakura yelled. Ryou nodded, and slowly disappeared. Bakura waited until Ryou was awake, before returning to the physical world.

Yami and the others looked up as the two boys looked up. Ryou opened his eyes first, and looked around.

"Did you make it?" Yugi asked. Ryou shook his head, and then, Bakura woke up.

"Dammit, Pharaoh!" Bakura yelped. "We can't get into the house! We have to finish it. We have to get in, but, we can't!" Yami frowned.

"Really? Why not?" They all turned to Mokuba, who had made a noise that sounded like, `duh!'

"Mokuba, not now." Kaiba said.

"Hold it." Joey snarled. "Do you know somethin' we don't, Mokuba?" Mokuba looked at Joey, and smirked.

"Maybe."

"Then spill it!"

"Fine. It's just a guess here, but, well, Ryou was completely on his own in the dream. I mean, it's his Soul Room. Bakura had to get into Ryou's dream to help, so maybe Yami does too. I mean, someone has to answer the stupid door when they knock, right?"

"Oh, in the name of Ra!" Yami swore. "Of course! Sorry. Okay, I'll come this time." Yami said. Bakura gave him the finger, and a look that plainly said `you're a dumbass.' Yami gave Bakura a look that clearly said, `Okay, fine, I deserved that.'

"Okay, Ryou's dream sequence, take four." Joey said.

"Bakura, I don't want to." Ryou mumbled.

"What?"

"They, they hurt you! It's all my fault!"

"Ryou, if you don't, the dreams will never leave. You have to, and so do I. I feel responsible for what happened to you, and this is the only way I can make it up to you. Please, Ryou. This time, we can do it." Ryou gulped, and nodded. They two closed their eyes, and they felt Yami slide onto the bed, and lie down next to them. Yami sighed, and relaxed, then reached out, placing a hand on the Millennium Ring. He closed his eyes.

When he opened them, he found himself in the Mouto living room. He looked around and sighed.

"Well, I guess they're on their own about getting here." He mused, and sat down to wait, worried.

Bakura, in the meantime, waited in the closet for his Dream Self to finish threatening Ryou. He came out when he left, and helped Ryou to his feet.

"Where's Yami?" Ryou asked, as they went out the door.

"I don't know. Probably waiting for us at the house. Let's go." Bakura said, and they went down the street.

"Kura?" Ryou said.

"Yes?" Bakura said, surprised at what his Hikari had just called him.

"Couldn't we just take a different way to Yugi's?"

"I don't think so, Ryou. Just stick close." Bakura said. He jumped, and turned to look at Ryou when the smaller boy took his hand. Ryou looked pleadingly at his yami. Bakura smiled, and squeezed hi hand reassuringly. "When we get to the alley, run. If they grab me, keep going."

"No!"

"Ryou-"

"I won't leave you!!!"

"Ryou, listen,"

"No!" Ryou cried, and let go of Bakura's hand and ran ahead.

"Ryou!" Bakura called, and gave chase. He caught up to Ryou, but they kept running.

"Almost there." Ryou said.

"Don't slow down."

"Huh. I won't."

"Here we go…" Bakura said, and they hurtled past the alley. A foot stuck out, and they both flew forwards, and landed flat on their faces. Ryou whimpered, and Bakura cursed.

"Shit! Run, Ryou!" Bakura yelled, as he was dragged into the alley, but Ryou was being dragged in right along with him. Bakura hardly noticed what the shadow were doing to him, he only had eyes for Ryou.. Bakura lashed out, and dragged Ryou from the shadow's grips, before they could take him again. Bakura placed himself between Ryou and their attackers.

"This is it, Ryou, let's make this the last time we do this." Bakura said. Suddenly, something on the ground caught his eyes. "Duel Monsters…?" He mumbled, staring at a pair of cards. He gasped. "My deck!" He cried, and pulled the deck of cards from his pocket. Ryou stared, then, began to smile. Bakura drew the top card, and flipped it, to see what it was. He stared at a post it note.

Just in case.

-Yami

"The Dark Magician!" Ryou gasped. Bakura grinned, and held it up.

"Dark Magician!" Bakura thundered, and in a flash, the tall, purple clad sorcerer stood between the pair and their numerous attackers. "Dark Magician, attack!" Bakura commanded, and the Dark Magician raised his staff. In a flash, the shadows were gone, and the Dark Magician turned to look at Bakura, and Ryou.

"Are, are you going to get us to Yami?" Ryou asked, meekly. The Dark Magician smirked, and nodded, then stepped aside to let the two by him. Bakura scooped up the two Duel Monsters cards on the ground, and in a flash, they came to life.

"I don't believe it." He gasped. "The Flame Swordsman! And the Celtic Guardian!" The two duel monsters drew their swords, and stood, waiting. The Dark Magician motioned for them to proceed, and the two albino boys did. The Dark Magician followed them closely, out of the alley, and down the street, with the Flame Swordsman and Celtic Guardian on either side of the pair.. Bakura looked through his deck.

"None of these are mine!" He said, quietly. "Look at this! Silver Fang, Baby Dragon, Curse of Dragon, Gaia the Fierce Knight-"

"Joey's Red Eyes Black Dragon!" Ryou exclaimed.

"And look, this is Mokuba's Dark Elf!"

"Oh, no way! The Blue Eyes White Dragon!!!"

"How did these get in my pocket?!?" Bakura asked, and looked up at the Celtic Guardian. The Duel Monster simply smiled, and Dark Magician was the same.

"They must have put them in you pocket in the physical world." Ryou said, excited. Just then, the Flame Swordsman raised his flaming sword, as a horde of shadows swept down. Ryou and Bakura were shoved against the wall by the Celtic Guardian, who rushed to aide the Flame Swordsman, and the Dark Magician hung back, standing between the yami and hikari and the shadows.

"Bakura, they need help!" Ryou gasped, as the two monster were overpowered.

"Okay, let's see, Silver Fang and Ax Raider!" the white wolf sprung from the card, and, with a howl, attacked, followed by Joey's Ax Raider..

"It's not enough!" Ryou squealed, and the Dark Magician raised his staff; the shadows were getting past the three guardians.

"All right! Stupid shadows! Let's see you face the Red Eyes Black Dragon!" Bakura shouted, and held out the card. With a shriek, the dragon erupted from the card, blasting its fiery breathe. The Dark Magician blinked, and lowered his staff, and began to follow Ryou and Bakura as they ran, joined by the Celtic Guardian, running beside the Magician.

"Dammit!" Bakura cursed. "They won't stop!" The shadows all around them were taking shape and coming for them.

"Try another card!" Ryou squealed, glancing back at the Dark Magician, who was looking over his shoulder. "Try Gaia!" Bakura drew the card, and the Knight appeared, and charged the shadows on his horse. But Gaia was overpowered, and in the distance, so were the Flame Swordsman, Ax Raider, Silver Fang, and the Red Eyes Black Dragon.

"Oh, Ra! We're not gonna make it!" Bakura moaned, as they skidded to a stop, completely surrounded. The Dark Magician raised his staff, with a look on his face that plainly said, `Awww, shit…' while the Celtic Guardian raised his sword, determined. The shadows closed in. Ryou squeaked, and snatched the deck from Bakura, drawing a card.

"Blue Eye White Dragon!!!" He shouted, and with a deafening roar, the dragon exploded out of the card. The shadows jumped back.

"Dark Elf!" Ryou called, and the Elf appeared as well. Bakura grinned, and took charge.

"Dark Magician, get us out of here! Blue Eyes, attack! Dark Elf, cover us!" He ordered, and the monsters obeyed. The Dark Magician began blasting a path for them through the shadows, making them run to keep up with him. The Celtic Guardian covered them from behind, as the Dark Elf made sure the shadows did not follow. With a massive roar and a bright flash of light, the Blue Eyes White Dragon Attacked. Ryou clutched his side, gasping for breathe, falling behind Bakura. Ryou stumbled, but Bakura didn't notice. Ryou crashed to the ground, he could hear the shadows coming.

"Bakura!" He screamed. Bakura and the Dark Magician whirled, as the Celtic Guardian knelt and jerk Ryou to his feet, then shoved him on his way, as he turned to face the shadows that were coming. Bakura grabbed Ryou's shoulder, and they kept running.

"There it is!" Ryou gasped, as Bakura held him up to keep from falling. Bakura stopped, and turned, as the shadows destroyed the Celtic Guardian. Bakura drew one last card.

"Labyrinth Wall!!!" He called, and a huge maze rose up between them, and the shadows. They whirled and pelted for Yugi's house. They ran around to the back, and pounded on the door.

"Yami! Please open the door!" Ryou cried, as the Dark Magician whirled at the sound of approaching shadows.

"Dammit, Pharaoh!" Bakura screamed, and then the door opened. Yami stared out, and smiled at Ryou and Bakura, and at the Dark Magician.

"Dark Magician! Dark Magic Attack!!" Yami commanded, and the monster obeyed, obliterating the attacking shadows. Yami stepped aside, and the two albino boys came in, followed by the Dark Magician. The scene faded.

**********

Yugi, Kaiba, Joey, Tristan, and Mokuba all shouted and jumped, when the Millennium Ring and Puzzle flashed. They stared, in shock, when the Dark Magician materialized in the middle of Ryou's bedroom. Yugi blinked.

"Dark Magician!" He called, happily, and the tall figure smiled at him. "Bakura found the cards?" Yugi asked. The Dark Magician nodded, then looked to the three silent figures on the bed, as they stirred. Bakura opened his eyes first, and stared at the Dark Magician, then looked down as Yami opened his eyes, and sat up. All eyes turned to Ryou when he moaned, and slowly opened his eyes. He looked around, confused, then saw the Dark Magician. He jumped.

"It didn't work?!?" He gasped, and Yami chuckled.

"No, it worked Ryou. You're home."

"But, the Dark Magician?!" Ryou said, questioningly. Yami stood, and the Dark Magician dropped to one knee before the Pharaoh.

"I told the Dark Magician to protect you, to get you home safely. I meant my home in your dream, but he decided to make sure you made it to your own home. Here." The Dark Magician looked up, and smiled slightly. Yami turned to him, and spoke, in Egyptian. The Dark Magician smiled, and rose, gave Yami a slight bow, and vanished.

"We never would have made it without him, Pharaoh." Bakura said, leaning back and closing his eyes, holding Ryou tightly. "With each time we tried to get through Ryou `s dream, the shadows numbers grew."

"We never would have made it without any of them, Bakura." Ryou murmured. "I fell, and the Dark Magician didn't notice, and neither did you."

"I know. I'm sorry. Thank Ra for the Celtic Guardian."

"And the Blue Eyes White Dragon." Ryou said, softly, as Bakura pulled the cards out of his pocket.

"Where'd I get these, anyway?" He asked, looking around.

"It was Tristan's idea." Mokuba said, taking back his Dark Elf. Bakura looked to Tristan. Tristan shrugged.

"I remembered when you brought the Man Eater Bug and Morphing Jar to life in the Duelist Kingdom, when we got Mokuba's body back. I thought you could do that in the dream." Tristan explained.

"I see…" Bakura said. "Thank you. That idea of yours saved us." Suddenly, Ryou gasped. They all looked at him. He was staring down at himself in horror, suddenly realizing that aside from a conveniently placed towel, he was in his birthday suit.