Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Koibito Yami ❯ Explanations and Close Calls ( Chapter 6 )

Koibito Yami

(Dark Lover)

Hato Chiisai

NOTE: This is rated R for violence, language, sex and rape. THIS IS A YAOI FIC! That means male/male relationships and male/male SEX!

If you don't like that kind of stuff, then make it easy for every one and DON"T READ IT!!!!

Ryou x Bakura, Yugi x Yami, Ryou x Origional Character (rape)

(Even a Ryou x Bakura x Yugi x Yami Later!!!)

Discclaimer: Hey, I'm a poor college student. I DON'T OWN A DAMN THING!!!!

Chapter 6- Explanations and Close Calls

Yaten set the mugs of hot chocolate down in front of his son and the Spirit, then got his own mug, and sat down.

"Now," He said. "I believe we have a lot to talk about. Ryou, I think you need to tell me what happened three weeks ago." Ryou looked down at the table, as did Bakura. "Yugi said that he, raped you." Yaten looked at his son, and his heart ached when he saw Ryou seem to shrink in his chair, and begin to tremble.

"He, he did, Dad." Ryou said, softly, and Bakura sent a feeling of calm and love to his Light. Ryou smiled slightly, and sent Bakura his gratitude. "Yami, Yugi and Bakura took care of me. And Kaiba. He did too."

"Yes, I know. Kaiba said that Ketsueki," Ryou cringed at the name, "hurt you again, today." Ryou looked up, a horrified look on his face.

"Kaiba said-" He swallowed, and looked down. "Oh, God. He saw, didn't he?" Yaten nodded. "How, how much did he see?"

"The, the end." Yaten said. Ryou's body shook with violent tremors, as a sob escaped his chest.

"Of which time?!?" He sobbed, then froze, realizing what he'd just said. He slowly looked up. Both Yaten and Bakura were staring at him in horror, trying sort out what he'd just said. Ryou stood, and left the kitchen, knocking his mug of hot chocolate to the floor. The mug broke, the noise jerking Bakura and Yaten from their trance. They went after Ryou, who hadn't gone far. Bakura grabbed him, and marched him into the living room, sitting him down on the sofa, and glaring, Yaten right next to him.

"What do you mean, `which time,' Ryou?" Bakura said, in an icy tone. Ryou's shoulders shook with suppressed sobs, as his face was soaked in tears. Bakura softened, and sat down next to Ryou, wrapping his arms around him. Ryou stiffened at first, but then flung his arms around Bakura's waist, and lay in his lap, sobbing into his chest. Yaten slowly sat in the armchair again, watching the Light and Dark. Something was nagging at him, in the back of his mind, but he ignored it, more concerned with the present situation.

"Ryou," Bakura said, after a moment. "What did he do to you?" Ryou sighed.

"After he hung up on Dad, he pushed me over, in the chair. That's when my wrist broke. He, cut the ropes, and I tried to get away, but, he stomped on me. I tried to get away when he let go, but he cornered me. He said that, he had wanted me, since that night in the alley, and, but, he was really after the Scepter of the Game King." Yaten sighed, and put his hands to his face.

"Then, he took off his jacket, and I tried to run, but he caught me, and pinned me down and ….." Ryou paused. "And, and then, he took off my clothes, and his clothes, and took the Ring, and, I couldn't feel Bakura anymore!!!" Ryou sounded slightly hysterical at this, but regained his composure, and continued. "He, he kissed me, then, held me down and, and, put me in his mouth…" Ryou's voice trailed off, as he fought against sobs that were trying to escape. "And, then, he made me do the same, and take him into my mouth. At first, I refused, but, he threatened Dad, and Bakura, and, and Yugi, and I gave in." Yaten cursed, loudly, making Ryou jump. Bakura held him tighter.

"I, I thought he would leave me alone after that, but, when he started touching me again, I, I panicked, and I hit him. He got really mad, and I tried to hit him again, but he grabbed my hand and, tied my hands, and called me a whore, and a slut, and a bitch, and…" Ryou had to stop, his breathe ragged, as he cried into Bakura's chest. Bakura held him tightly, and rocked him, making a crooning noise in his throat, and passing on as many loving and encouraging feelings he could to Ryou, who slowly relaxed.

"He, he said `I should fuck you dry and fuck you hard. But that might break you,' and-" this time it was Bakura's turn to curse, and curse he did, loudly, in Egyptian. Ryou and Yaten stared at Bakura, who suddenly looked around, and blushed.

"Sorry." He muttered. "Sorry, Ryou. Keep going. You're doing well, don't stop now. This is just part of the healing process." He said, and Ryou nodded, and clung to his Dark. Bakura kissed the top of Ryou's head, lightly, and once again, Yaten felt that nagging voice in his mind telling him that something else was going on. But he focused on Ryou.

"He, he put his fingers in me, and it hurt, and, then, he, he raped me…." Ryou's voice trailed off again. "Twice." He whispered, and clung to Bakura, crying.

"It's all right. It's all right! He'll never hurt you again! I'll never let him near you again!" Bakura cried to Ryou, kissing his forehead. Yaten felt that feeling again, and again, ignored it, his son's pain taking priority. He knelt next to Ryou and Bakura on the sofa, and tried to comfort his son, who had come down with a bad case of the hiccups. Slowly, he relaxed, and Yaten watched as Bakura placed a hand on Ryou's face. Ryou's eye seemed to turn dull and lifeless; the lights were on, but there was nobody home. Then, Ryou's eyes fell closed in a deep sleep. Bakura stood, Ryou hanging limply in his arms.

"He needs to sleep." He said to Yaten, quietly. "And so do you. I'll watch over Ryou."

"Bakura, you've done your part. You rest, I'll take care of Ryou." Yaten protested, but Bakura shook his head.

"He may have nightmares. I can get into his mind, and stop them. You can't. You care for Ryou when he wakes up. Let me take the night shift." Bakura said, and he carried Ryou upstairs, put him in his pajamas, and put him to bed, making sure the Ring was in place. Then, looked at something on Ryou's desk. Smirking, he picked them up. He smiled, and slid his Duel Monsters deck into his pocket. he lay down next to Ryou, holding him tightly, and closed his eyes, ready to stop the nightmares that he were brewing in Ryou's mind.

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

Sure enough, when Bakura opened his mind, he was within Ryou's nightmare. He was in Ryou's room, and Ryou had just gone downstairs to answer the door. Bakura waited, tense, until he received Ryou's desperate cries for help. Bakura sprinted out of the room, and down the stairs. When Ketsueki aimed the gun at him, he dropped to his knees, dodging the shot, and leapt forwards. All three of them went crashing to the floor, Ryou already getting sluggish from the drug injected. Bakura acted quickly, deciding to stop things before they began. He formed a ball of dark energy in his hands, and threw it at Ketsueki, who shattered with a scream. Ryou stared at Bakura, who knelt next to him, smirking.

"Told ya." He said, and Ryou nodded, and sunk into a deep, dreamless sleep. Bakura returned to the physical world and smiled down at Ryou, sleeping in his arms. HE pulled the blankets over them, and removed the Millennium Ring so Ryou wouldn't roll over and stab himself on one of the little spikes. Bakura slipped his hand under Ryou's shirt, and lightly rubbed Ryou's stomach, where he had rolled over on the Ring in sleep and stabbed himself a few years earlier. Ryou squirmed slightly, and Bakura stopped, knowing that he was tickling Ryou. He relaxed, and went to sleep.

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

Yaten woke the same way he had for years. He hadn't even opened his eyes, as he reached over to feel the empty place in the bed next to him, and felt a painful longing in his heart. He opened his eyes, and gazed at where his wife would have slept. He yawned, and sat up, when he heard the loud knocking. He got up, and stumbled to the front door. Yugi was on the door step with Joey and Tristan.

"Good morning Dr. Bakura." Yugi said. "Is Ryou coming to school?" Yaten yawned, and shook his head.

"No, Yugi, I don't think so, thank you, though."

"Oh, okay. Can we come see him after school?"

"Huh? Oh, of course, please do. He'd like that. Have a good day, Yugi."

"Arigato." Yugi said, and Yaten closed the door. He climbed the stairs, and went to his son's room. The door was half open, so he opened it the rest of the way. He smiled at Ryou, sleeping quietly, curled up in Bakura's arms. Yaten felt that nagging in his head, and this time, listened to it. He narrowed his eyes at the pair in the bed. Yes, there was definitely something going on.

Even in sleep, their embrace was too, intimate, to just be friendly. Ryou's head was beneath Bakura's chin, and his hand was on Bakura's chest, over his heart. Bakura's face was in Ryou's hair, and one arm was around his shoulders, the other around Ryou's small waist. Yaten frowned. One of Bakura's legs was wrapped around Ryou's hips, and Ryou's legs were entwined with Bakura's other leg. Even in his sleep, Ryou's fingers were softly tracing circles on Bakura's chest.

Yaten closed the door and went down stairs, his mind spinning. He'd let them sleep for now, but when they got up, they had some explaining to do.

***********

Bakura woke when Ryou stirred. He opened his eyes and looked down, watching Ryou wake up, slowly. He shifted, and winced, then looked up at Bakura, and smiled. Bakura sat up on his elbows, on either side of Ryou's face.

"Good morning." He said, as Ryou stretched his arms and yawned.

"Mmm, g'mornin." He mumbled, and hissed as he arched his back, stretching the muscles there, too. Bakura leaned down, and kissed Ryou softly. Ryou smiled, and returned the kiss, slowly bending his knee, rubbing his leg against Bakura. Bakura smiled and flicked his tongue over Ryou's lips as he sat up. Ryou sat up too, wincing. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, and sat, trying to wake up, while Bakura climbed out of bed and went to the closet. Ryou stood, but yelped, at the pain that flared up in his lower body, and stumbled. Bakura rushed over, and caught him before he fell. Ryou felt tears pricking the corners of his eyes. Bakura helped him to the bathroom, and helped him get dressed, in blue jeans, and a mint green sweater, while he chose a dark green one that Ryou wore at Christmas. Ryou smiled when he saw Bakura, and a glance at the calendar reminded him that Christmas was almost here. Next week was the last week of school before Christmas vacation. Bakura frowned.

"what's Christmas?" He asked, hearing Ryou's thoughts. Ryou smiled.

"I'll tell you later. Let's go see Dad." He said, and Bakura carried him piggy back down the stairs again. Yaten was sitting I the living room.

"There you are." He said, over his book, which he lay in his lap. "Come in here, boys." He said, and they did. "Sit down." Yaten said, motioning to the sofa. He watched them through narrow eyes, waiting. His suspicions were strengthened when Bakura sat down first, and Ryou cuddled up next to him, leaning into his chest, and Bakura held him there. They both looked at Yaten, innocently. Yaten sighed, and closed his book.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" He asked, quietly. Ryou and Bakura's brows furrowed simultaneously, in confusion. "Is there something going on between the two of you?" Yaten asked, putting the boys on the spot. Ryou immediately blushed, and looked at the floor. "I'll take that as a yes. Spill it, Ryou." He said.

"Umm, well, Dad, we, uh, we're really close." He said, and Bakura nodded, mechanically.

"How close?"

"Well……."

/What do we do?!?/ Ryou asked, panicked. Bakura sighed.

//We may as well just tell him the truth.//

"I don't know what you'd call it, sir." Bakura said. "But the word that comes to my mind is `lovers'." Ryou smiled at that, and cuddled closer to Bakura, still blushing. Yaten sighed, and sat back.

"I thought as much. How long?"

"Since Ryou was attacked. The first time." Bakura said, and Ryou nodded to confirm it.

"How far have you gone?"

"Not all the way, if that's what you're thinking." Bakura said, and Ryou hid his face, in his chest.

"Yet." Ryou muttered, and Bakura blinked, and blushed. Yaten sighed, not having heard what Ryou had mumbled.

"Well, I won't pry into your private lives. Ryou?" Ryou looked up. "Are you happy?" Ryou smiled, and nodded. "Bakura?" Yaten looked at the bigger boy, who also smiled and nodded. Yaten sat back.

"Are you mad, Dad?" Ryou asked quietly. He looked very nervous.

"About what?"

"Well, I mean, we're both guys, and…."

"Iie, I'm not mad. Have you always preferred guys, Ryou?" Ryou paused, then shook his head, shrugging.

"I don't know. Not really, I mean, I guess, Bakura is the first I've ever really wanted to be with. Out of guys and girls." Bakura gently rubbed Ryou's back.

"Bakura?" Yaten asked, and Bakura sighed, and looked at the floor.

"I, had a lover in Egypt. His name was Marik. He was my only one. And my feelings for him were nothing compared to what I feel for Ryou." Suddenly, Ryou sat up, and stared at Bakura, shocked.

"You never told me!" Ryou said, sounding hurt.

"I haven't told you a lot of things. I guess I should, huh?"

"It'd be nice to know…" Ryou grumbled, pouting. Bakura smiled.

"If you want to know, I'll tell you." He said, and Ryou smiled, and leaned on his Dark again. There was a long silence.

"Dad, you'll be here for Christmas, right?" Ryou said. Yaten smiled, and nodded.

"Ryou, I have some business. I'll need to leave this week, but then, I'll be able to stay for Christmas. But, I don't want to leave you here alone."

"I won't be alone, Dad. I have Bakura."

"I know, Ryou, but after what just happened. Look, I don't want to leave the two of you alone. Yugi Mouto seems to be a very good friend."

"He is, Dad."

"I've been thinking of talking to his grandfather…"

"Dad, we don't want to intrude."

"And see if he would take you for a day or so. I just don't want you staying here alone over night. Maybe I could ask your friend Seto Kaiba."

"Dad, we'll be fine, really."

"Sir, I can take care of Ryou. And we won't be alone. Not by a long shot." Ryou saw Bakura finger a lump in his pocket. (AN: His Deck! D'uh!)

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

The car pulled to a stop, and Bakura watched Ryou go flying out. He smiled. Ryou seemed very excited. Bakura was still confused as to why they were here. He wasn't happy either; he was cold. He was bundled up to the point where he looked like he had put on fifty pounds, and he was still cold. Ryou, on the other hand, was fine, in his sweater, jacket and scarf. Yaten poked Bakura, and he climbed out of the car, and looked around. He breathed in, amazed at the fresh tingly scent tat the prickly trees were giving off. Ryou appeared from between the trees again, eyes sparkling, and cheeks and nose pink from the cold. He jumped at Bakura, startling his dark, and gave him a hug.

"C'mon, Kura! Let's find a tree!"

"And, what are we going to do with it?" Bakura asked, laughing, as Ryou dragged him along.

"Take it home, of course!" Ryou said. Bakura blinked.

"Doshite?"

"To decorate!"

"Doshite?"

"Because that's what you do at Christmas!"

"Doshite?"

"Because, oh, I don't know! It's just tradition. It's done all over the world!"

"I thought you said Christmas was about family, not a tree."

"It is. The tree is tradition. And it's pretty."

"If you say so." Bakura said, still confused.

"Ooh! There!" Ryou shouted, and pulled Bakura over to a tree that Yaten had found.

"Ryou?" He called. "You like this one?" He asked, and Ryou let go of Bakura, to give his dad a hug.

"Yeah! Hey! It's snowing!"

"All right, I'll pay for the tree, you go help Bakura." Yaten said. Ryou frowned, and turned to see why Bakura needed his help. He grinned, and giggled. Bakura was staring at the snow, in confusion, and dodging the snowflakes, anxiously.

//Ryou! Nan desu ka?!?//

/Snow. I know you've seen it./

//Yeah, but I've never been in it!// Ryou laughed at Bakura. It was true. Ryou had always liked the winter months, because Bakura didn't like the cold and tended to stay in the Ring more often. This could be considered his first winter. Ryou ran to Bakura.

"It's only frozen water, Bakura. Here." Ryou said, and pulled off Bakura's glove, and made him hold his hand out, palm up. He jumped, as a fat snowflake fell into his hand, and he gasped, as it melted to water. Ryou smiled. "See?" Bakura nodded, dumbly, and looked at Ryou. He had always thought of Ryou's hair as white. But now, he saw different. He smiled. Ryou's hair was silver, compared to the snow that powdered it. He noticed Ryou giving him a curious look as well.

//Ryou? What are you thinking?//

/Your hair. It's not white, it's silver./ Ryou thought, amazed. Bakura chuckled.

//I was just thinking the exact same thing about you.// He thought, and Ryou smiled. Bakura studied Ryou's dark eyes, bright and warm. Ryou studied Bakura's eyes as well. They had been changing recently. Originally a bright violet, they had been darkening, turning into a dark purple, and, only recently, they had a tint of brown that was becoming more noticeable by the day. Ryou smiled, and stood up on his toes, kissing Bakura softly, before stepping back. Bakura smiled. Yaten came back, at that moment.

"Ryou. Bakura, a little help here?" He said, and the pair turned. "Let's get the tree on the car." Yaten said. Ryou ran to help his father.

"I'll take the stump." Yaten said.

"I got the middle." Bakura said, and, before Ryou or Yaten could move, hefted the nine foot tree to his shoulder. Yaten blinked, and Ryou smiled, not surprised, as Bakura carried the tree to the car.

**********

"Okay, now what?" Bakura said, looking at the tree in the corner of the living room. He turned, to see that Yaten and Ryou were no where to be seen. He shrugged, and sat down on the sofa. They came back a minute later with some boxes. Ryou immediately started tearing into them, while Yaten put a CD into the stereo. The music stated playing, and Bakura blinked.

"What is that?" He asked.

"Mannheim Steamroller!" Ryou called, his head in a box. "The song is Carol of the Bells."

"Oh. I like it."

"Here they are!" Ryou called, and Yaten came over. They pulled out some wires with little light bulbs on it. Bakura stood when Ryou called him.

"We have to reach the top of the tree." Ryou said.

"Oh." Bakura said, and Ryou yelped, when Bakura dropped to his knees. He stuck his head between Ryou's legs, and stood, with Ryou sitting on his shoulders. "High enough?" He asked, and Ryou laughed, nervously then hit him.

"Warn a guy next time, huh?" He said, and Yaten laughed, and passed Ryou one end of the light string. They wrapped the lights around the tree, and when they plugged them in, Bakura's face lit up in a smile. He had never really seen a Christmas tree. When Ryou's father had been home Bakura kept to the Ring, an he was usually home at Christmas, so he had never seen a Christmas tree before. On the three occasions that Ryou's father hadn't been home for Christmas, they hadn't bothered to get a tree, so again, Bakura hadn't seen one. But now, the lights from the tree danced in his eyes, as he lifted Ryou off of his shoulders.

"Wow!" Bakura gasped, and Ryou giggled.

"We're not done yet!" He said, and went tearing into another box. He pulled out an armload of white glass beads on strings. "We hang these on like the lights." He said, and found himself on Bakura's shoulders again. When they finished the beads, Yaten began handing them ornaments. Ryou took the top of the tree, Bakura took the middle, and Yaten took the bottom. Ryou sang along with the music, and Bakura enjoyed listening to Ryou, singing something about three kings and a star. Bakura liked Ryou's voice, it was high, almost feminine, but still had that masculine touch to it. It was clear, as opposed to furry, like his own. Ryou rarely sang, so Bakura had never really had a chance to listen. Bakura got so into Ryou's singing, and the decorating, that he didn't hear Yaten talking to him at first.

"Bakura!"

"Huh? Oh, sorry."

"Pass this up to Ryou." Yaten said, handing Bakura something. Bakura took it. He looked at it. It was a woman, in a flowing white tunic, smiling softly. She had large, yet delicate wings, rising above her head, and falling past the hem of her tunic. Bakura frowned, slightly. She looked familiar.

"Ryou, who is this?" He asked. Ryou looked down, and gave the angel a sad smile.

"Mom." He said, and Bakura felt a sharp pain in his heart. "After she died, Dad gave a picture of her to an sculptor, and he made this angel. It was my Christmas present from Dad, on our first Christmas without Mom."

"Oh." Bakura said, and Ryou sighed, and put it on top of the tree, and smiled. He slid down off of Bakura's shoulders, and they stepped back next to Yaten to admire their work.. Bakura blinked. He blinked again, and slowly, he smiled.

"Wow." He said, looking over the tree. He felt an arm around his shoulders, and then heard Yaten laugh.

"Y'know," He aid, smiling. "I believe we're one stocking short." He said, and Ryou turned to look at the fire place. Bakura followed his gaze. Three stockings hung there, one was red, with holly and ivy embroidered on it, and said `Dad', on the top. The other was white, with a golden angel stitched onto it, and said `Ryou'. There was green stocking with bells and candy canes that said `Mom.' Yaten smiled, and ran out of the room. He came back with a bundle and gave it to Bakura.

"Early Christmas present." He said, smiling. Bakura blinked, and unrolled the bundle of fabric. It was a black stocking with white and sliver snowflakes on it, and at the top, the name Kyodai was stitched. Bakura blinked. Ryou had explained the concept of Christmas stockings to him, and while he thought it was kind of stupid, he couldn't help but be touched by Yaten's gift. He smiled, and suddenly noticed Ryou hugging him. Bakura looked at Yaten, over Ryou, and tried to stammer his thanks, but nothing came out.

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

Yaten had gone out for the day, to do his Christmas shopping, leaving Bakura and Ryou on their own. And they were making the most of it. Bakura cradled Ryou in his lap, placing kisses all over his face. Ryou smiled and stared up at Bakura. Bakura looked down and smiled. Ryou's large cinnamon eyes sparkled, and glowed, reflecting his current emotions. They shone with happiness, love, joy, and, Bakura smiled wider, desire. Ryou lifted his head, and kissed Bakura on the mouth, then stared at him again.

"Oh, Ra, Ryou, don't look at me like that." He said, smirking. Ryou's eyes were beginning to express more desire, and, to Bakura's shock, a hint of lust, completely unlike his gentle Hikari.

"Doshite?" Ryou asked, in a husky voice, completely unlike himself. Bakura smirked, and shoved Ryou back onto the sofa, and stretched out on top of him.

"When you look at me like that, it makes me want to fuck you hard." Bakura purred. Suddenly, Ryou's body went completely stiff, and the color drained from his flushed cheeks. He stared at Bakura, eyes filled with shock, and fear. Bakura, startled at the sudden change, listened in on Ryou's thoughts. An image smashed into his mind's eye, an image of Ketsueki, a red hand print on one cheek, leaning over Ryou, bound and naked on the floor.

"Bitch." Ketseuki spat. "I should fuck you dry and fuck you hard." He snarled. "But that might break you."

"Ryou….." Bakura gasped, horrified. Bakura's voice seemed to jerk Ryou out of his trance. Ryou screamed, and began to cry and struggle, under Bakura, desperately. Bakura blinked. "Ryou, wait!" He called to his panicked Light, and tried to get him to stop struggling. Ryou panicked when he found himself being pinned down. In desperation, he brought his knee up sharply between Bakura's legs. Bakura made an interesting noise, and released Ryou, who threw his dark to the floor, and leapt to his feet. He ran from the room, and to the hall, and pulled on his sneakers. When he reached for the door handle, Bakura seized Ryou's wrist, and pulled the boy into his arms.

"Ryou, please, listen, I-"

"Iie!" Ryou screamed, hysterically. All rational thoughts left him. "Leave me alone! Don't touch me!!!"

"Ryou-" Bakura was cut off again, this time by a loud crack! He released Ryou, and stumbled back, lifting his hand to his cheek, which was burning. Ryou's palm was still raised, as he stared at Bakura.

"Bakura!" Ryou gasped, and Bakura's eyes darkened, when he realized that Ryou had hit him! Ryou whirled, and an out the front door, slamming it behind him. Bakura just stood in the front hall, hand to his face, staring at the space that Ryou had been standing in. After a few moments, Bakura fell to his knees.

"Oh, Ra. What have I done?"

**********

Ryou pelted down the street at top speed, terror flooding his mind. All he could think about was getting to Yami Yugi. He reached the Turtle Game Shop, and flew in, knocking Yugi to the floor. Yugi had been closing up, and was just about to flip the `OPEN' sign to `CLOSED.' He rubbed his backside, then looked up to see who had sent him flying.

"Ryou?!"

"Yugi! Onegai! Help me!" Ryou said, and Yugi leapt to his feet, pulling his friend into the game shop, and flipping over the sign. He led Ryou into the house, and into the living room, where Yami was channel surfing. Yami looked up, and his eyes widened at the look on Ryou's face. Ryou hurled himself at Yami, who caught the boy.

"Ryou?!?" Yami gasped, as the albino began sobbing into his chest. He held Ryou, immensely disturbed by the violent tremors running through his body. "Ryou, what is it! What's wrong?" Yami demanded, and Yugi sat down, looking just as worried.

"Buh, Bakura!" Ryou sobbed.

"Bakura? Did something happen? Is he all right?!" Yugi asked. Ryou shook his head.

"He, he tried to hurt me! He tried to, to rape me!"

"What?!?" Both Yugi and Yami gasped.

"He, he held me down, and, and said, he was going to fuck me hard, he held me down, and-" Yami shoved Ryou away, an stood up, fire in his eyes.

//Take care of him, Yugi.// He commanded, and left the room, his eyes ablaze in fury. He flew out the door and down the street. //That's it, Bakura…// He thought to himself, closing off the link with Yugi. //This time you've gone too far.// In a matter of minutes, he reached Ryou's house. He flew up the front steps, and raised his hand to pound on the door, when the door flew open. Instead, he hurled his raised hand at Bakura's head. At the last second, Bakura pivoted to the side, seized Yami's wrist, and used the momentum to hurl the former Pharaoh to his knees. He jerked Yami's arm behind him painfully, and held him there, kicking the door closed.

"I was expecting you, Pharaoh. Is that any way to greet an old friend?" Bakura hissed, in Yami's ear.

"You are no friend, Bakura. You're a wolf in sheep's clothing."

"Let me guess. Ryou cried wolf, and the Shepherd has come to save the flock?" Bakura growled. Suddenly, Bakura's anger vanished, and he released Yami, and stepped back. Yami stood, and whirled, and punched Bakura across the jaw. Bakura didn't make a move to block or dodge, he just rolled with the punch, and fell to the floor. Yami blinked. Bakura looked up at him, tears in his eyes. It was then that Yami noticed the fading hand print on Bakura's cheek.

"I screwed up, Pharaoh." Bakura whimpered. "I didn't mean to. I scared him, and he panicked, and I just handled the whole thing wrong." Yami blinked, then offered Bakura his hand. Bakura smiled, slightly, and took it, standing.

"Let's go to the living room." Yami said, and the two spirits did. Bakura sat down on the couch, and Yami in the armchair. "What happened?"

"I, we were just sitting on the sofa together, uh, well, y'know, making out…" Yami grunted. "And, he looked at me. And, his eyes, oh Ra, his eyes. They're beautiful, you know?" Bakura said, smiling at the mere thought of Ryou's large eyes.

"Hai. I know exactly what you mean." Yami said, with a smile. Bakura's smile faded.

"I, I told him not to look at me like that, and he said `why?' and I said, `When you look at me like that, it gives me this horrible urge to fuck you hard.' And he freaked out. I, I saw, in his mind, Ketsueki, threatening him, when he raped him the second time. Ketsueki had said to him `I should fuck you dry and fuck you hard. But that might break you.' And that's what Ryou was thinking. He started crying, and trying to get away from me, and I just felt so horrible, that I held him down, and tried to tell him I was sorry, an that I didn't mean it and that I would never hurt him, but he panicked, and threw me off, and ran to the door. I tried to stop him to talk to him, I grabbed his wrist, and then, he, he hit me." Bakura unconsciously raised his hand to his cheek. "An then he left." Yami nodded.

"I see. He came to me, and started crying, saying that you tried to rape him." Yami said. Bakura cursed in Egyptian. Yami stood, and put a hand on Bakura's shoulder. "C'mon. He's with Yugi. The sooner we clear this up, the better." Bakura nodded, and stood, and followed the Game King out the door.

***********

Ryou was curled up on the sofa next to Yugi, holding a cup of tea that Yugi had made him. Ryou was still shaking.

"Ryou, it'll be okay. Yami will protect you from Bakura."

"Oh, Yugi!" Ryou sobbed. "I, I thought he loved me! Why would he do that! I love him!" Ryou put his tea down, and so did Yugi, giving Ryou a much needed hug.

"Don't cry Ryou, Yami will help. I promise." Yugi said, and then, the door opened. Both looked up, and stared when Yami walked in. Ryou stiffened, and Yugi stood, when Bakura followed. Yugi placed himself between Ryou, and the Grave Robber, glaring.

"Ryou…" Bakura started, but Yugi cut him off.

"What are you doing here?!? How dare you show yourself after what you did! Get out of my house!"

"Yugi!" Yami gasped, startled by his light's behavior.

"What are you thinking, Yami?! Why did you bring him here?! Get him out! Get him out!!!" Yugi screamed. Yami glanced at Bakura, by his side, and saw that the taller boy looked near tears. He closed his eyes, and turned.

"Bakura!" Yami gasped, as the other spirit left the room. He looked back at Yugi, who was glaring at Bakura's retreating back.

"Don't you dare show your face to Ryou again!!!" Yugi screamed, completely unlike himself. Bakura froze for a moment, then, suddenly, broke into a run, and flew out the door. Yami blinked.

"Yugi!" He snapped, whirling on his light. "How could you?"

"Me? Why did you bring him here, after what he tried to do to Ryou?!?" Yugi snarled. Yami made him sit down.

"Yugi, it was all a mistake. Bakura never tried to hurt Ryou. He, he just said something, that triggered Ryou's memory of being taken by Ketsueki. It scared Ryou, and when Bakura tried to apologize, Ryou thought he was holding him down to, take him. Bakura was trying to apologize. But Ryou was too scared. He panicked, Yugi. Bakura never hurt him, nor did he try too." Yami said, and Yugi stared, mouth open. They both looked at Ryou, who looked horrified.

"I hurt him…" Ryou murmured, then clutched the Millennium Ring, bringing his shields down.

/Bakura?/ There was no reply, all of Bakura's shields were up.

**********

Bakura had to fight not to flinch. Yugi's harsh words slashed through his heart. When Ryou refused to look at him, though…. That had hurt so much, he felt the tears springing up, but wouldn't let them fall. He had to get out of there, and barely hear Yami call his name. He only heard Yugi.

"Don't you dare show your face to Ryou again!!!" Yugi's voice echoed in his ears, and Bakura froze. He reached out with his mind, praying that Ryou didn't feel that way. But to his horror, Ryou had put up all his shields, stronger that Bakura had ever felt them, and in that moment, he felt his heart tear in two. Instinctively, he flung up his own mental walls, and ran, out the door, and down the street. He didn't know where he was going, and didn't care, though his feet seemed to follow a certain path.

Eventually, Bakura slowed to a stop, clutching a stitch in his side. He looked around to see where he was.

"Shimatte. Figures." He mumbled. He was standing in front of a familiar house, that Ryou had visited a few times. He sighed, and went to the door, not knowing why, he just felt like he needed to see a friendly face. He knocked. A minute later, the door opened.

"Ryou?" Joey said, confused. Bakura looked up, and Joey jumped back. Tristan appeared.

"Bakura!" Tristan gasped, then frowned, noting the lost look on the spirits face. "Uh, what do you want?"

"Uh, can, can I come in?" Bakura mumbled. Joey just stared, until Tristan poked him. they both stepped aside, and let the shorter boy into the house.

"Uh, the livin' room's in here. You, uh, want somethin' ta drink?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah sure. Thanks." Bakura said, sitting down.

"Tristan…" Joey said, motioning his friend into the kitchen. They went in.

"What's Yami Bakura doing here?" Tristan whispered.

"How'm I s'posed ta know?" Joey whispered back, putting some ice in a glass, and pouring some soda in. "But did ya see `im? He looks, I dunno, upset." Tristan and Joey peeked out at the yami. He was sitting in an armchair, with his head in his hands, fidgeting. To the to boy's surprise, he sniffed, and lifted his head slightly, and rubbed his eyes.

"Is, is he, crying?" Tristan gasped. Joey shrugged, and they went out into the living room. Bakura looked up at them, and their suspicions were confirmed. His eyes were red, and his face was damp. He sniffed again, and took the glass Joey held out to him.

"A-arigato." Bakura mumbled, and sipped it. Joey and Tristan sat down, staring at him.

"Nan desu ka?" Tristan said, and Bakura glared at him through narrow eyes.

"What are you talking about?" Bakura snapped.

"Don't give us that." Joey complained. "Somethin's wrong with ya. One, you show up at my house, alone. That's weird enough. Two, you're sittin in my livin' room talkin to us and drinkin a soda, not tryin' to kill us. And three, your eyes are all red. You've been cryin'." Joey said, and Bakura grunted.

"I guess you're smarter that I thought." He said, and sipped the soda again.

"So talk to us, man." Joey said, and Bakura sighed.

"It, it's Ryou. I scared him."

***********

Yami picked up the phone, while Yugi comforted an upset Ryou.

"Moshi moshi, Mouto residence."

"Hey, Yami."

"Oh, hello Joey."

"Hey, uh, look, I'm kinda in a spot."

"Joey, I'm sorry, but I'm a bit busy right now."

"Yeah I know. You have Ryou. Well, me `n Tristan are stuck with Bakura right now."

"Nani?"

"Yeah. Pretty weird, huh? Half an hour ago, eh shows up at my house, and asks ta come in. I let `im in an' all, and go ta get `im a drink, and ask Tristan what he thinks. We look into the livin' room, and Yami Bakura's cryin'. We got `im talkin, an' he told us everythin'."

"I see."

"Look, Ryou blocked `im. He's real upset about that."

"He's blocked Ryou, as well. Ryou's crying right now. He's scared that he's hurt Bakura."

"He has. Hurt `im to the point that he came ta' me of all people. Look, Yami, we gotta do somethin. Bakura's really broken up. It's kinda creepy an all, ya know what I mean?"

"Hai. Listen, I'm going to bring Ryou over there. If you try to get Bakura to go anywhere with you, he might get suspicious. These two need to talk, now."

"Right. So, I'll keep Bakura here."

"Right, hold on. I'll tell Ryou." Yami said, and turned to Ryou and Yugi. "Bakura is, of all places, at Joey's house." He said, an Yugi and Ryou blinked.

"Doshite?" Ryou asked.

"He's upset Ryou. We're going to go over there and talk to him."

"Hey, whadda I do if he tries to leave?" Joey asked.

"I don't know. Ryou, what should Joey do if Bakura tries to leave before we get there?"

"Bribe him with sugar." Ryou said, shrugging. "He likes brownies." Yami raised an eyebrow, but relayed this to Joey, and then hung up.

"Let's go, Yugi, Ryou." Yami said.

"Hold on, lemme tell Grandpa." Yugi said, and scampered upstairs. He came back a moment later. "Okay. Let's go."

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

"Look, I'm sure it was mistake, Bakura." Tristan said, looking at the spirit, huddled in the corner of the sofa.

"He shut me out. Blocked me off. He wouldn't even look at me." Bakura mumbled, still clutching his soda. Joey came back in and sat next to Tristan, giving him a discreet thumbs-up.

"Look, just talk to Ryou."

"I can't! He's fucking blocked me you fucking moron!!!" Bakura shouted. "Weren't you fucking listening?!?"

"I mean face to face." Tristan said, quickly.

"Yeah!" Joey agreed. "I mean, Ryou's a forgiving person. An, well, he loves ya, Bakura. I know he does. We've all heard `im say it. The question is, do you really love Ryou?" Joey asked, leaning forward, his arms on his knees. Bakura looked up, and glared at Joey.

"Of course I do. You've heard me admit it. I love him with all my heart. He's everything to me. If I lost him, I, I don't know what I'd do…." Bakura's voice trailed off.

"You love each other. That's all that matters." Tristan said.

"Yeah." Joey agreed. "Look, I know Ryou real well. An' if you make an honest effort ta' talk to `im, then he'll listen to ya. Just give it a shot, Bakura." Bakura sighed. Joey and Tristan fidgeted in the lengthy pause. "You uh, want somethin' ta eat?" Joey mumbled, finally. Bakura shook his head. They all turned, when Joey's sister, Serenity walked in.

"Oh! Ryou!" She said, until Bakura faced her directly. "Oh. Uh, Bakura, right?" She said, nervously. Bakura nodded.

"It's all right, Serenity." Joey said, reassuring his sister. "He's cool." Bakura looked at Joey, startled, and Joey smiled. "Hey, man, you changed. An, well, even if you are still a bit psycho, if Ryou, Yugi an' Yami trust ya, well, then so do I." Bakura blinked, confused, then looked down.

"Arigato. I can see why Ryou likes you so much. You're not the loud stupid idiot I thought you were. You, you're okay. I'm glad Ryou has such good friends. Thank you, Joey. And you, Tristan." Bakura said, and Joey and Tristan blinked, it was their turn to be amazed. They were jerked out of their trances by a knock o the door. Serenity went to answer it. Suddenly, Bakura looked up.

"The Ring…" He gasped, and whirled, as Yami entered, followed by Yugi, and Ryou. Bakura stared at them, and Yami elbowed Yugi.

"Ow! All right, All right." Yugi grumbled. "I'm sorry Bakura. I should have heard your side before I passed judgment." He said, staring at the floor. But Bakura's attention was focused on Ryou. They stared at each other intently.

"Ryou…." Bakura said, and stood. He dropped his shield, and felt Ryou do the same.

/Bakura?/

//Ryou, gomen nasai. I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I didn't mean it. I would never, ever, do anything to hurt you, hikari chiisai.//

/I know. I'm sorry too. I panicked. I didn't give you a chance, I just ran. I was scared./

//I know. And I'm sorry.//

/…./

//Do you forgive me?// Bakura asked, pleadingly. Ryou ran to Bakura, and flung his arms around his neck.

/I do. I for give you Bakura. I love you./

"I love you too, Ryou." Bakura said, out loud, and sank down to the sofa, holding Ryou. Joey, Tristan, Yami, Yugi, and Serenity watched in silence.

"Arigatou, Joey." Ryou said after a moment. "For taking care of Bakura." Bakura pulled away, scowling.

"I do not need anyone to take care of me." He snapped.

"Of course you don't." Ryou said, soothingly. "But that doesn't mean you should only rely on yourself."

"Who else can you rely on?" Bakura snarled.

"I rely on you." Ryou said, and Bakura looked down. "Yugi relies on Yami. Serenity relies on Joey."

"And I'm here all by myself." Tristan grumbled.

"There's always Tea."

"Urusai, Yami-kun."

"We rely on our friends, Bakura." Ryou said. "They're here when we need them."

"I have no friends, Ryou." Bakura said.

"Bull shit!" Joey snapped, and everyone looked at him. "You've got us, Bakura! And we're here for ya' now! And we always will be! We're you're friends. You're not alone."

"Listen to Joey, Bakura." Yami said. "He's right. It's time to come out of the hole you've dug yourself into. It's time to come out into the world." Ryou nodded vigorously.

"And I'm here to help you!" He said. Bakura stared, his eyes glistening.

"I love you, Ryou." He whispered, and pulled Ryou to him, their lips embracing.

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

Next time, Yami and Yugi stay with Ryou and Bakura when Yaten goes to London. Ryou learns how to handle the Millennium Ring, and there will be two, yes, TWO, lemons between Ryou and Bakura near the end. Oh, yeah, still looking around for a place on the web to put my fan art! Lemme know if you can help me out!

Next Chapter: Shadowed Relief