Bittersweet Something

AN: Well I like to think that I'm on a roll with the updates, ha ha. I'm trying my best people, and I know a lot of you don't take the time to subscribe or review, but, it's really important to authors to get feedback. I mean all I have is one review to go on. I know you guys want lemons, but there is a plot somewhere in this mess... try to figure it out! Ha ha, if you can. I'm still looking for a BETA reader too, guys. Anyways, I can promise a lemon next chapter. Who will it be? Subscribe to find out So for this chapter, Bakura is trying to win over the little Ryou, but he's finding it difficult... Malik tries to dig into Ryou's past-- erk. And Marik, well... He's Marik. And Kiaba and others make their--er, appearances for the first time. Hope you're all enjoying it thus far I promise to make this story 'SUPER SPECIAL AWESOME!' ( I love you Little Kuriboh! Thank you for the abridged series!)



Warnings: Mainly Bakura/Ryou and Marik/Malik. Shonen ai, yaoi, LEMON to come, possible semi-non con and Citrus, slight Puppyshipping to come... and drunk driving! OH NO! It's an AU. If you don't like please do not read. Flamers will feel the mighty rathe of my fangirl mind powers. Tee hee! This is my second yaoi, please be gentle, I'm considered to be quite delicate, dears.



The Bloody Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh, Within Temptation, or my clinically diagnosed Fangirlism. Yeah, still don't own it or make any money off of it... or any ginger beer. Do I own anything, people?



THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO .Minx-101. and Little Kuriboh



Chapter Three: Pale



The world seems not the same

Though I know nothing has changed

It's all my state of mind

I can't leave it all behind

I have to stand up to be stronger



I have to try

To break free

From the thoughts in my mind

Use the time that I have

I can say goodbye

Have to make it right

Have to fight

'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile

That the pain that I feel slowly fades away

It will be all right



I know

I should realize

Time is precious

It is worthwhile

Despite how I feel inside

Have to trust it'll be alright

Have to stand up to be stronger





Oh, this night is too long

Have no strength to go on

No more pain I'm floating away

Through the mist I see the face

Of an angel, calls my name

I remember you're the reason I have to stay



-- Pale, Within Temptation.



"You can stay with us, Ryou," Malik said smiling at Ryou as he dug through his rather extensive collection of clothing, trying to find something suitable for his new friend. Malik's room was large, and much more clean cut than Bakura's black and red rock'n roll fantasy world. Malik's bedroom was painted a a crisp sky blue and in every corner a plant had been stationed. The wooden wardrobe and bed heading and footing had intricate carvings adorning the outside edges. It had a delightfully light feeling. Ryou wished he could have this room. He'd never had a room of his own, and the one he had shared was dark and spoiled by the scent of someone who spent too much money.



"Really?!" Ryou exclaimed bringing his closed hands to his mouth to cover his expressive lips. He could stay with these people? People who were kind enough to share their clothes, food, and home. People like this exist? He said no one would ever...



"Well of course you can, silly! After what Bakura's done I'm surprised you didn't head for the hills! I mean, our lives aren't really glamorous... but it's pretty decent," Malik smiled as he walked out of the closet carrying a pair of denim jeans and a blue and white striped shirt for Ryou to wear.



"I can't believe that your serious! Is there anything I can do to... repay you?" Ryou asked staring at the crisp clean clothes Malik handed him. It made him nervous to rely on people. He thought that putting trust in someone was just one of the easiest ways to lose yourself to them. The easiest way for them to take advantage of him. He'd already proven that theory right with Bakura. Everything seems to be going great... I must be over looking something.



"Well..." Malik said taking a seat and rubbing his chin between his thumb and forefinger, "Actually, I hate to say it, but we're all pretty messy around here. So, maybe I can offer you room and board for your... uh, cleaning services?" Malik said shyly, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "That way Bakura can't argue with us on it."



"Argue?" Ryou asked, tilting his head to the right as he pressed the shirt to him chest to see if it fit.



"Yeah. When Bakura moved in we told him we wouldn't let anyone move in if they didn't have a job... so he might get a little bitchy if we didn't have a cover," Malik laughed. He could recall the look on Bakura's face. Even though what he said had been funnier:



"Looking this sexy is a job in it's self, thank you."



Nevertheless Bakura did get a job.



"Oh. What does Bakura do? He must have a good job if he can afford a motorcycle..." Ryou commented, blushing as he remembered Bakura's account of their ride home last night. I WILL NEVER DRINK AGAIN.



"Pfft! His motorcycle?! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard! Ha ha," Malik laughed, doubled over from the tremors of his own laughter, nearly knocking over a potted ivy plant.



"You mean, it's not his?" Ryou asked, head tilting, letting the top slide unto his lap in confusion. Just how gullible do I get?



"Of course not! It's mine, Bakura just has a habit of taking things without asking, and assumes telling other people that it belongs to him makes it his," Malik laughed "When I moved here from Egypt I saved until I could buy one for myself! I was never allowed such things as a child," He proclaimed proudly.



"You're from Egypt? Wow, I'd love to go there someday," Ryou said, day dreaming instantly about the warmth. Not to mention the distance."Cairo, right?" Ryou's mind pulsed.



"How'd you know?" Malik asked quizzically.



"I'm psychic," Ryou smiled as Malik leaned in, unsure of how to take Ryou's answer. It seemed he'd shrugged it off when he began to mock laugh.



"Hah hah, funny. But, Yes, I miss it. But since my family had all died I decided to come here after I inherited this place from my Father, because this is where my sister Isis teaches Egyptian Mythology at the university," he smiled sensing the repore he had begun to form with Ryou."Where are you from?"



"Oh, well... here I guess," He shrugged as he smiled nervously. He wanted to change the subject. And fast." But I've never been anywhere where people swipe motorcycles to get unsuspecting out-of-towners to go home with them, ha ha."



The plan went off without a hitch as Malik began ranting about the bike issue again.



"He could never afford it, especially on his salary. He only teaches guitar after all. That brute spends his paychecks faster than a transvestite at a sex change clinic," Malik waved off with his right hand smirking at his own cleverness.



"Oh, he teaches music?" Ryou asked, intrigue saturating his voice as he looked up to Malik who'd been rummaging through his drawers in search some socks for Ryou.



"Yep, Guitar," Malik said tossing a pair of Marik's underwear across the room to his dresser."He teaches at the shop. We turned the separate addition outside into a music shop about two years ago. It was wasted space. I just love business, and well, Marik likes to play pretty much everything. Why so interested, Ryou?" Malik asked casually as he handed Ryou a pair of fresh white socks.



Ryou smiled in gratification as he slid on the crisp socks over his toes."Oh, I play some piano. It's a nice coincident I'd meet a group of people who like music too, I guess." The memories of the cool press of the keys stimulated his fingers. The sweet sound rang in his ears as he imagined the page after page of notes his eyes had memorised. It also made him cringe inside. Although he loved the piano, the assault of images of the person he used to play the piano for flooded his mind. I know that despite how I still feel about that, I have to trust everything is going to be okay, now.



His smile had now faded into a blank stare at the wall. When he noticed Malik's concerned face he instantly revived his smile and thanked him for the clothes.



Malik smiled at the door, " I'll give you some privacy, come down when your done and we'll get you some food." The door had closed for an instant when Malik had returned, only his face peaking in to look at him. "Oh, and Ryou."



"Yes?" He asked, flashing innocent brown bouncing orbs.



"If you ever need to talk, y'know... I've got big ears," Malik smiled in his attempt to cheer up Ryou, although he seemed to be fine now.



Ryou laughed aloud,"Thank you, Malik. For everything..." Ryou returned, sincerely.



"It's no problem, see you in a few!" Malik waved lightly and closed the door, allowing Ryou to change into clean clothes for the first time in three days. The clothes smelt of lavender.



As Ryou began to undress himself, his smiled faded and his pale skin reminded him of what he'd longed to forget. His skin had been without flaw, accept for an unnoticed path of skin under his hair that had been mutilated by ink and a needle several years ago. What he longed to think away, like a child's nightmare, was permanent. That's the way he had assured him it would be in a situation like this.



You can never escape yourself. And, because you are mine, you can never escape me either.



The familiar voice sent sparks down his spine as Ryou held back tears, caused by memories that had followed him all the way from that dreadful place.



He wasn't normal, was he? The way he'd been kept wasn't normal. How was he supposed to go on living with these people without saying a word? The world hadn't changed, he knew that for certain. If you smile with the rest of the world they'll assume you're just happy, but if you laugh they'll all think you're retarded and have you committed. He couldn't burden these people, after all the kindness they'd shown him. These people he considered his friends. He decided to keep them in the dark, and at the same time, out of harms way.



Even in a sea of people, some find themselves alone. It is the loneliest lonely there is... but there had to be an end to it somewhere. Things had to get better somewhere along the road? Was this the right stop?



Ryou at least had to try.



I have to try

To break free

From the thoughts in my mind

Use the time that I have

I can say goodbye

Have to make it right

Have to fight

'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile

That the pain that I feel slowly fades away

It will be all right



It will be alright, Ryou...



After dressing into his striped shirt and jeans, Ryou walked to the door and turned the handle carefully to let himself out into the hallway. The quiet of the house was broke by voices coming from the downstairs area.



He tiptoed lightly down the carpeted steps, gently hopping to the landing at the bottom. He padded across the carpet to see Marik and Bakura seated in a bright yellow room at a round oak table. Marik was reading a newspaper, it looked like it had been from a few days ago, and Ryou noticed that all the comic strips in the back had been cut out. He remembered that Jou used to need his comics like air. Bakura was sipping from a yellow mug with a smiley face on it. The smiley face appeared to have bullet hole directly between it's eyes (shameless Hellraiser's reference.). It definitely suited Bakura, that was for certain.



All the noise seemed to be coming from one person: Malik. He'd been barking at the two seated at the table from what Ryou determined was the kitchen. They seemed unaffected by the conversation they were supposed to be a part of.



"Can't you shut him up, Marik? Y'know, kiss him or something?" Bakura asked a look of distress plastered to his annoyed visage. He was still only wearing a pair of slimming jeans, Ryou noted the zipper was undone. What a character! He averted his eyes. Wanker.



"Why bother? He's not even quiet when I'm doing that to him!" Marik replied covering his ears for a moment to intensify his explanation.



"Did you hear what I said? Ryou's working for us! He'll be staying as long as he wants. Are you even listening?" Malik barked at Marik who was still wearing his morning clothes. Barely.



"I'm not intruding, am I?" Ryou asked in a small voice, barely peaking around the corner.



All three looked to the arch way where Ryou had been standing instantly, quiet as a mouse. Bakura smirked devilishly, scanning the boy from head to toe. Ryou felt like a peice of meat. One that was about to be eaten. No! Not eaten. Devoured.



Breakfast is served... now come here so I can eat you, Bakura hissed to himself.



"Oh, no, Ryou. I was just finishing breakfast-- er, brunch," he corrected looking back to the clock."Come on, have a seat. I was just telling these two dummies that we'll be taking you on as part of our staff," Malik said peaking around the corner of the fridge, waving a spatula.



Ryou stepped down from the platform and took a seat next to Marik, he figured it was a safer choice. Bakura stared at him from across the table, a smirk spreading across this face.



Marik laughed inside his mind, Trying to win the bet already, huh? Wonder if he'll use a knew line for this one...



"You look good in Malik's pants, Ryou... but I think you'd look much better in mine. Care to try them on for size?" Bakura asked his deviant smile resting atop his bridged hands as his arms rested on the table top.



Marik nearly spat out his coffee. Does he think the kid's stupid or something??



"No, but thank you Bakura. I'm quite comfortable in these," Ryou smiled, unaware of what was meant by the question.



Marik did spit out his coffee this time."Too hot," he covered looking at Bakura whose face had the words 'Utterly Thwarted' written across it.



"Oh, that's too bad," Bakura smiled fiendishly at Ryou, shifting a little.



Marik looked in Bakura's direction with half-lidded suspicious eyes. He's up to something al- Marik paused looking down under the table.



Bakura looked at Ryou who'd picked up another news paper in confusion. Don't tell me he's paralysed from the waist down! His concentration was broken when Marik broke the silence.



"Ahem," Marik coughed.



"What?" Bakura asked in annoyance trying to initiate contact with Ryou using his outstretched leg.



"That's my leg Bakura..." Marik said bitterly turning his eyes away from the predator.



Bakura moved his leg away quickly. Crap.



"Thanks," Marik said in mock appreciation and went back to looking at the paper and drinking his coffee.



Fuck, FUCK, FUUUUCK!



Bakura's head fell in shame. How could he be resisted? Bakura was the sexiest person in the house. It was impossible Ryou couldn't have noticed or at least taken a little interest in him!



The whole day had gone on much the same way. Bakura making attempts to seduce Ryou and Bakura failing miserably.



When he'd tried to follow Ryou into the shower he stumbled upon a very distracted Malik and Marik tangled up in each others limbs. He'd never been so disgusted in his life.



When he'd tried to sneak up behind Ryou, while he was making a bed, to pounce and straddle him the boy had thwarted his plans tossing back a heavy pillow and hitting him in the face. He had received nose bleed, but not for the reason he had wished.



When Bakura had tried to look seductive in front of Ryou, merely wearing a pair of worn un-zipped denim, the boy hadn't even looked his way. Instead Malik caught a glimpse of the goods and told him to put some clothes on before he blinded somebody with his indecency.



Bakura had decided to sleep on it and come up with some more tactics for the next day. Is the only time this kid relatively easy when he's plastered out of his skull? This isn't fair.



His luck had also run out when Malik told Ryou to take over Bakura's room until they'd cleaned out the spare for him to use. When Bakura had asked where it was he could sleep Malik merely pointed to the couch saying that Bakura owed Ryou for not pressing molestation charges on him.



Bakura obeyed. Only because he didn't want his ears bitten off by Malik who would oblige to his demise under the right circumstances. This situation included.



The night had settled in over the home. Everyone had supposedly gone to sleep. Everyone except Bakura who lay on the grey itchy sofa watching a horror movie: Texas Chainsaw Massacre or something like that. Blood and guts always calmed him down.



Bakura was on the edge of his seat ready for that Chainsaw wielding freak to chop that chatty girl into bits. It was his favorite part. So close...



Yes... Yes. YES! He thought to himself sliding closer to the screen as the eerie music that usually indicates death became louder and louder and LOUDER!



"Bakura?"



"Gah!" He screeched at the intruding voice, frightened to pieces, pushed all the way back against the backing of the sofa. Fear etched on his face.



"Bakura?" The voice asked again, the person stepping into the glow of the television.



"Oh, Ryou, it's you. What do you want?" Bakura asked slipping into a more comfortable position on the couch, obviously not wanting to deal with the boy because he was just to damn difficult to seduce.



"Well, I was wondering..." He said rubbing his foot against his ankle, hands latched together behind his back.



"Wondering what?" Bakura asked, his attention captured. "Go on."



"Bakura, will you sleep with me?" Ryou said shyly, looking the other way with sweet tear drop eyes.



"GAH! What? Are you kidding me?" Bakura asked eyes wide. Maybe it was all working out for him. Holy shit! I knew it. One one can resist me! He was just too shy around the others to ask for it. Ha! Take that Ishtar! Pucker up princess! I think I'll make Malik watch... of course he'll have to be gagged or something or I'll never hear the end of it...



"No...," Ryou said a little embarrassed.



"Oh, no need to be embarrassed, Ryou.Well, shall we?" Bakura said excitedly, offering an open hand to the young boy as they moved up the stairs.



"Thank you Bakura..." Ryou trailed off.



"That's fine, Ryou. I knew you would need it," No, thank you..., Bakura hissed in his mind.



"How'd you know?" the boy asked crawling into the sheets.



"I know your type, Ryou. Shy about everything and so modest." Bakura smirked to himself ready to finish where they'd left off the night before.



"Thanks again though, I thought about asking Malik and Marik but there was weird noises coming from their room..." Ryou said pulling the blankets up to his neck.



"Oh, it's..." Wait a minute, Malik and Marik," Fine." Bakura said eyes in a confused position. And weird noises... oh God! Disgusting...



"Yeah, I've never really slept by myself before. I know it's childish but I'm just so used to being beside someone while I sleep," Ryou explained to the disgruntled Bakura.



Goddamn it! I knew it was too good to be true! Fuck, and I'm hard too! Not two fucking nights in a row. Fuck, Ryou! Getting me all excited, and for what? Abso-fucking-lutely nothing!



"No problem," Bakura grumbled, back to Ryou's back as he settled into the bed.



"Thanks, you're so kind..." Ryou's voice trailed off with a yawn.



"You're welcome," Bakura mocked angrily to the boy, who'd already fallen into sleep.



Don't forget, Ryou. Anger is one letter short of danger... and if you pull a stunt like this your ass is going to be in danger. Of being mine. No excuses.



He turned and wrapped his arms around him. If he couldn't fuck him the least he could do was imagine fucking him. Maybe that would send his little friend packing.



That night a disgruntled, but thankful, Bakura lay next to Ryou, his arms wrapped around the tiny sleepers waist, all three of his eyes weeping for something he thought he'd never be in possession of!



Although he was uncomfortable, he hated to admit that his arrangement had felt right. Maybe even better than right.



He was glad no one could read minds in their house.



Somewhere, thousands of miles away! (Damn you Little Kuriboh! Nah, just kidding. I had to do it.)



The night had also settled in a city that lay miles away. The air had been thin and short lived as the wind blew the trees outside of his window. The house was grand and elegant without a trace of poverty. The inside had been plastered with gold frames that held people, likely ancestors. The hardwood floors were covered by intricate Persian rugs, obviously expensive. Then again, everything in that house was expensive. Even the people.



A hazel haired young man, dressed in a black coat and fancy pinstriped trousers, sat in a ridiculously high-back Victorian chair. Another teen with golden blond hair lay draped across the other man's legs like an animal, barely clothed.



The young man seemed displeased. VERY displeased.



The men dressed in black standing before him seemed nervous, as if they were about to be taken out by firing squad. The young man made a gesture with his hand to move forward. They all complied, one man nearly tripping over himself in fear.



The young man then addressed the group.



"I want my pet back in his Master's lap by the twenty second of September. If not, heads are going to be smashed. Now get out of my sight!"



"Yes, sir." They all said in unison.The men dispersed from the 'throne room' quickly, so as not be scolded further. When the doors had shut the young teen splayed across the elder's lap turned his face up to look at him.



"Ne, Kai, why does it matter anymore? He was trouble anyhow," the young man said shrugging his shoulders then smiling." Besides, you have me. Right?" The boy asked seductively brushing his polished finger's across the other's cheek.



"Now, Jou puppy," the elder said stroking the boy's golden hair," I've waited to have my prize for seven years. I am not a man that likes to have things dangled in front of his face that he can't have."



"You can have me," the blond said waving his palm in the other's face.



"I know," He smirked running his hands down the boys body," But having to wait all those years has made this a competition. I won't lose, and I don't care if he sees me coming. That won't be enough to save his pretty little ass."



After a long pause the other spoke."Can I watch?" I hate that little bastard... nothing would please me more than to see that sweet pale face being tortured.



"I hope he's as kinky as you are Puppy," the eldest boy laughed aloud.



With that the man stood up and dragged the other with a leash and collar to another room across from this seat. It was sound proof. For obvious reasons.



PLEASE REVIEW



The world seems not the same

Though I know nothing has changed

It's all my state of mind

I can't leave it all behind

I have to stand up to be stronger



I have to try

To break free

From the thoughts in my mind

Use the time that I have

I can say goodbye

Have to make it right

Have to fight

'Cause I know in the end it's worthwhile

That the pain that I feel slowly fades away

It will be all right



I know

I should realize

Time is precious

It is worthwhile

Despite how I feel inside

Have to trust it'll be alright

Have to stand up to be stronger





Oh, this night is too long

Have no strength to go on

No more pain I'm floating away

Through the mist I see the face

Of an angel, calls my name

I remember you're the reason I have to stay