Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Regret ❯ Regrets Chapter 17 ( Chapter 17 )

Sorry for the late updates I don't have a lot of time on my hands and when I do I'm usually doing schoolwork blah, anyway I hope you like chapter 17 to "Regret" Oh yeah! Karen got the poem "Regret" published ^_^ you can go see her book at www.poetry.com Regret was even on the first page! I hope you guys check it out!

Bakura walked inside his house instantly feeling as if something was wrong as he glanced around.
"Ryou?" He called softly as he called his name a little louder the second time upon not receiving a response from his little brother.

Bakura shook his head as he entered the living room but stopping mid-step as upon seeing the furniture toppled over and his little brother half-naked slumped against the wall. He instantly went to him lifting him into his arms.

"Ryou!" He called franticly which seemed to make him stir slightly but not wake. "Please Ryou, open your eyes." He said with equal urgency as Marik walked in behind also taken aback by the site as he rushed to Ryou's side as well gently stroking his cheek as Ryou's eyes fluttered slightly.

"That's right baby, open your eye's for me…" He said softly as he continued to lovingly stroke his bruised face.

Ryou retracted from the hand though as he opened his eyes as he hugged his brother seeking his protection, his mind was still hazy from the incident…he knew that at least Bakura wouldn't hurt him and at the moment he wasn't so sure about Marik. Bakura looked at Marik confused at Ryou's behavior he expected Ryou to open his arms to Marik but instead he turned away wrapping his slim arm's around Bakura's neck. Bakura lifted him up as gently as possible trying to avoid his back as much as he could although the welts along his legs were totally unavoidable as he brought him upstairs.

"Would you get the first-aid kit from the bathroom Marik?" He asked bringing Ryou into his own room.

Marik watched Bakura carrying Ryou up the stairs. He stood there, a stricken look on his face and unable to move. Why did he look at me like that? He asked himself. Then he groaned and fell to his knees, barley catching himself with his hands before he fell flat on the floor. His chest was tight, and he keeps gasping for air. "Ryou." He moaned. "What have I done?" Marik tried to hold himself steady, the living room spinning around him. "Stop." He ordered himself, trying to regain control of himself. Slowly, the world stopped in its right place, and Marik slowly stood up. I have to help Ryou, he told himself, as he began to walk to the bathroom, thoroughly ashamed of his selfish behavior, now and then.

Ryou sniffled against Bakura's neck who rocked him gently on the bed "It's okay, you'll be all right." He said laying him on his stomach and removing the little clothes, he had left on. "Thanks." He said taking the kit from Marik opening it up, thankful that there were not many open wound's mainly just welts and bruises. Ryou clutched the sheet's closing his eyes lightly but still staying aware. "You all right?" Bakura asked softly to Marik who seemed a little out of breath almost.

Marik ignored Bakura, and knelt beside the bed in front of Ryou. Ryou turned his head, sensing Marik's closeness. "Oh honey. Don't be like that. Please." Marik begged, lightly stroking Ryou's hair. "I am so sorry I did this to you."

Bakura looked at him as if he was insane "What?" Bakura said stopping in cleaning Ryou's wound's "You weren't even here, what are you talking about?" Bakura asked as he noticed the tension between Ryou and Ryou didn't move however, besides the small flinch when he was applying some ointment, and seemingly ignored Marik and Bakura at the moment. "Give him a moment Marik..." Bakura said still wondering why Marik was blaming himself for what happened.

Marik didn't say anything else, but continued to lovingly stroke Ryou's hair. He thought he was imagining it, but with every flinch from Ryou, he thought he could feel his pain, the burning that he was suffering. Marik dimly recognized that this moment was one of the hardest of his life. He honestly could not do a single thing. He had no idea what to say to ease Ryou's pain. Wait a minute, he thought. "Who did this?"

Bakura was a little frustrated that Marik wouldn't answer him although he did realize there was inner turmoil in the older man he didn't much care, but he also wanted to know who had done this and of course, he had a hunch. "Who was on his way over here before we arrived?" Bakura said "Not to jump to conclusions or anything but it was probably Kiaba." Bakura said bringing Ryou back into his arm's trying to relive some of the boy's pain.

Marik looked quickly up at Bakura, who had put his worst fear into words. "Is that who hurt you baby?" Marik asked, standing over Ryou. Ryou turned on his side and looked up at his brother and his lover, "Yes." He whispered. "Yes. It was Seto. Not Marik. Not Marik." He kept saying to himself.

Bakura loosened his hold on Ryou "Marik wouldn't hurt you Ryou...you know that right." he said softly as Ryou slowly nodded his head as he pushed himself away from Bakura trying to regain coherence he still felt dizzy his eyes still hazy as he slowly embraced Marik as if he just realized he was standing there.

Marik used all his willpower not to clutch Ryou to his chest, not wanting to cause him any more pain. "I am so sorry for everything, Ryou. I will regret what I have done to you for the rest of my life."

Bakura took their talking as cue to leave, he wasn't too keen on getting involved in peoples personal problems...not to mention he had no clue what they were talking about as he closed the door.

"It's all right..." Ryou said softly "You didn't do anything wrong...I'm okay he just hit me, I'll be fine." He said resting his full weight against Marik not that it was much to begin with anyway

"Did he..." Marik swallowed very hard, bracing himself for the question he had to ask. "Did he rape you?" He asked, running his hands up and down Ryou's arms in what he Ryou shook his head no "He stopped..." He said softly biting his lower lip. 'I'm okay...he did stop before he went to far' Ryou kissed Marik softly as if he was saying he was sorry "I should have told you he kissed me...I'm so sorry." He said miserably

Marik looked at Ryou as if he was insane. "Baby, why are you sorry? It was not your fault at all. I have been stupid. I love you. I am sorry I left you here all alone. If I had never left, this would of never happened to you."

"Your not stupid, you had every right to be angry with me, it was better for you to vent away from me than upon me." He said softly wrapping his arms back around Marik's neck and kissing his shoulder gently "Promise me you won't kill him..." Ryou said changing the subject before they could continue blaming themselves any further

"I won't kill him." Marik said, his jaw set. "He deserves much worse."

"Don't be this way." Ryou said taking Marik's face in his hands, "He wasn't exactly in his right mind when he came over and..." He paused a moment remembering how Seto said it was his fault for flirting with him all the time...he didn't realize he was really but he did know Seto was drunk when he came by and if any of this was Ryou's fault he didn't want Seto to pay for it.

"There is no excuse for him. There is no excuse for me. He will pay for it though, believe me. However, don't think about it now, okay? It was in no way your fault so lets think about something more pleasant."

"Can we go back to your place?" Ryou asked not feeling very safe in his own home he never really did to begin with anyway.

"Of course. Why don't you get dressed, and I will go down and talk to Bakura. On second thought, he might want to come with us, seeing as how you have been hurt so much. Is that okay?" Marik asked, as he got off the bed. "He can stay in one of the guest bedrooms for awhile, until he is ready to come home."

Ryou nodded his head yes, he was glad Bakura would be going with them...despite the circumstances he was getting closer to his brother and Bakura wasn't too worked up about him being gay...he didn't even berate him. He shook his head slowly getting to his feet and going to his closet.

Bakura sat as the kitchen table absentmindedly stirring a cup of coffee, he wasn't used to so much drama in one night and needed to calm down a little. He noticed Marik walk in "Is he doing all right?" He asked "He's not hurt too badly is he?" worried that Ryou experienced more than just a beating.

"No, he is fine." Marik said tiredly, sitting across from Bakura. "I think he was more shaken then anything. Which is understandable. We are going back to my place to get some sleep." Bakura looked up sharply at Marik, opening his mouth to protest. Marik interrupted him quickly. "We both would like you to come too. I have a big house, at least big enough where you can have your own bedroom and bathroom. Not only would I feel safer to have someone with Ryou while I am gone, but I really think he needs you too." Bakura fidgeted in his chair, picking at an unseen speck on the table. "Um...look Marik. I really appreciate the offer, but I really am not into a brother thing. Especially since, I am not a fa..I mean, a gay guy."

Marik looked at Bakura, unsure if he should punch him or laugh. But the smile over took his face, and his deep, booming laugh ran through out the kitchen. "You crazy!" Marik said, grabbing his sides as he tried to get himself under control. "I am sorry, Bakura, but I have never had a thing for brothers either. I meant stay with Ryou while I am at work!"

Bakura blushed as he shook his head "Yeah...right." He said running a hand through his hair standing up quickly. 'thank god' he thought inwardly "Let me get something and I'll be down in a minute he said nearly passing Ryou on the stair's He smiled lifting him up taking him down the rest of the way so he didn't have to move to much his legs probably hurt a lot as he trotted back upstairs. Ryou looked at Marik curiously "What were you laughing about?" Ryou asked walking up to him slowly.

"Nothing." Marik said, smiling at Ryou. "Bakura is just a great guy sometimes. Are you ready to go?"

Bakura sat opposite of his brother, looking out the window and thinking of the past weeks events. Jesus, he sighed, how weird his life had become. His one and only little brother was gay. There would be no grandchildren for their father. Dad's not going to like that much, he mused to himself, glancing at Ryou and Marik, who seemed oblivious to everything except each other. It's not that he disapproved in honesty he wished them the best of luck, and he wanted Ryou to be happy he wasn't a little ball of sunshine and with good reason...but Marik could make him smile. But dad being the strict man he was would not like his boss going out with his little boy, did Ryou even consider Dad once when he decided to get involved with Marik. He sighed deeply looking back out the window. 'I guess not' he answered himself. People rarely do when they are in love. He noticed the sprawling mansions they were passing. Besides, he told himself, admiring the richness, if Ryou stays with Marik, he will be set for life. No doubt about that. And Marik seems to be doing great with him, doing his best to protect him. All in all, if dad has a problem, Bakura decided, he for one would stand next to Ryou. It was the only thing he could do.

Congratulate Karen for getting her poem published! Comments or questions?

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