The second life

//something// – thinking
“something” - speaking

Chapter 1: Meet Ryou

//Bakura is right. I’m insane… Only thing about doing such a thing is crazy… But I can’t help myself… There was a void since he left… It hurts so much… Is it truly so bad to want to stop the pain and feel happiness again? I was so happy back then. Bakura can’t understand he didn’t know me… He didn’t know HIM. I met Bakura only a few months ago. He looked so familiar to me.

For some reason it hurt to see him. The wild white mane and the familiar brown eyes. But then there were differences. Bakura’s hair is more spiked and his eyes are cold and narrow. He looks so angry most of the time. He is so confident and to be honest his personality sucks. But still, he was the only one I let in. Right inside my barriers and into my heart. I didn’t tell him everything. I just couldn’t do that. I know he wouldn’t understand. But I’m glad he is here. I’m glad for his support.//

Next to my laptop I was typing in my cell phone started to ring. I knew it was Bakura. Nobody else would call me. I didn’t give this number to anybody else than Bakura. I guessed he was angry again. I didn’t go home at six as I promised him, but I completely forgot. There was too much of work I still needed to do. I was almost done, though. I just wanted to be sure that everything was perfect.

I picked up the phone. I know he wouldn’t stop ringing. I know him. “Hello, Bakura! What’s the matter?” I answer into the phone. //He is angry I know it.//

“WHAT’S THE MATTER?!! Do you know what the fuck is time? IT’S
FUCKING THREE AT THE MORNING!!”

“Look, I’m sorry, Bakura. But I’m almost done for today. Half an hour and I will be on my way home, OK? I promise!”

“I fuck you stupid promises. I’m gonna pick you up. You have your fucking half an hour and then I will be there. If you will not be ready I’m gonna smash that cursed thing you are working on and find you a therapist!”

I sighed. He is really angry. He is always using such a language when he is angry. Sometimes I wonder if he doing this on purpose. He knows I don’t like such manners. But than again, this was Bakura I was speaking with.

“Amane, you better be ready or I’m truly gonna kick your ass this time!”

“Sure, don’t worry about it. I will be ready and waiting for you before
the main entrance.”

“You better be there!” I heard him to growl into the phone and hung up. In spite of myself I smiled. I still remember how hurt I was when saw him for the first time. That was over. Bakura truly wasn’t like my dear brother Ryou. I almost started cry again at these thoughts. My precious little brother had an accident two years ago. But I knew the truth.

He was hurt on purpose. I knew that there was no proof for it. I knew all these results. I knew that they told me to stop think about it. And yes, I knew how pointless it is for me to dwell on it since then. But … I just couldn’t. My beautiful brother who was so gentle and kind. He didn’t deserve to be hurt like that. Not by the hand of the one who claim to love him. It didn’t matter. I was gonna make the things right. I didn’t care how immoral all of this was. I didn’t care about consequences. All I cared about was how to bring my brother back to my life. And that was all I was working so hard in the last two years since I came into Domino city. I just wanted him and me to be a happy family again.
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Amane was standing in front of the main entrance just like she promised to Bakura. She knew that he would be there soon. In a sorry attempt of warming herself up, Amane tightly hugged herself. It was still December and the weather was really cold. Even through her jacked she could feel the biting coldness. Finally, she saw the bright lights of his car. The car stopped before the steps and Bakura got out. She could saw his angry and yet relieved look. He would kill anybody who would dare to tell him he was worried about her, but Amane knew it was true. Their friendship was unbelievable but still.

“Get in!” Bakura barked at her. With a small smile she got in. Bakura truly suffered by an attitude problem but still was so adorable caring. Though, he would kill her for saying this aloud.

“You are so damn lucky that one of my friends told me about you still working. You are stupid enough to stay there till the morning.”

Amane smiled at this. “Does that means that you are spying on me?” she asked him mockingly. Bakura growled and Amane laughed at that. “Your work is gonna kill you. What are you doing so important anyway?” asked her Bakura while he was driving towards her home. He didn’t miss her dreaming expression.

“Oh, Bakura! I’m so close…” she almost moaned.

“Were you fucking in the work or something?” asked her Bakura curiously. Amane started laughed harder and Bakura soon joined. The excitement from almost finishing her work left her air-headed and extremely happy. Bakura could sense it too. He was glad that she would actually start living normally without working twenty-four hour per day. Or he hoped she would. It was weird the two of them became friends.

Amane was a scientist. Smart, collected, polite, gentle, hard working and capable of solving almost every possible problem. Bakura, on the other hand, was rude, hot tempered, rough with attitude to spare and his idea of solving problems was in beating the shit out of the involved person. Still, they became friends and a good one.

Bakura stopped the car before Amane’s house and let her got out. Before she closed the door behind her, Bakura quickly caught her hand.

“Promise that you get some sleep and don’t go to work tomorrow!”

“Eeeee, what if I promised to you get some sleep and go to work not before noon? How that sounds?”

“Awfully, but nothing better I don’t get from you.” Bakura’s angry murmur made her smiled. She liked his oddly loving way how to show attention.

“Don’t worry, I behave myself. Besides I have to get ready the house. My brother’s coming soon.” She told him with a wink.

“Your kid brother I heard so much about? The one you keep ranting almost everyday?” he smirked at her and Amane showed her tongue at him. It was childish but who cares. With a last wave she close the door and turned to her house. In her soul was a trace of guilt but it quickly faded. Her brother. She smiled when she thought about him. About his lovely personality and kind manners. Still smiling, Amane walked into her house.

That place was lonely and quiet. The only thing that made this place feel like a home was enormous amount of flowers and plants everywhere. Ryou always loved plants and she wanted him to feel welcome here. Her house was truly strange. There were lots of photos and tons of work shattered all around. Somebody could say that Amane lived by her work. It was true but only from a part. The second part was that she lived for her brother.

Carelessly, she kicked her boots away, not even bothering where they would end. Her back was aching with pain from long sitting behind her computer and it wasn’t only her back what was hurting. The whole body protested against the violating she caused it. Amane was tired but exited as well. Her brother will be here soon. She only needed to finish her work.

Half sleeping she managed to get herself to her bedroom. Still in her clothes she simply fell on her bed and drifted to sleep. Her last thoughts were about her work and brother.
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The next morning brought cold sunlight into Amane’s room. It was more like a noon, actually. The said woman was still lying on the bed not showing any sigh of life. Her body was too exhausted to wake up so soon. The rare occasion when she got some real sleep she couldn’t wake up sooner then after thirteen hours. At least. But today it was different. Deep in her conscious she knew that her brother would be with her soon and that made her woke up.

Still groggily Amane looked at her alarm clock. Half past eleven. Her eyes immediately opened and she got up. Last day. Today was the last day and then she will see her brother again. She could hardly wait for it. With a one second spare on the thought if she should change or not Amane ran from her room. She didn’t want to bother with something so trivial. Definitely not today.

Without breakfast, shower or anything else Amane grabbed her suitcase, found boots and ran from her house. With a loud whistle she called for a taxi and headed for work. Twenty minutes later she sat down behind her desk to her computer. In the whole building was almost nobody. Why should they be there when most of them have a holiday or simply day off. It was Christmas time after all.

Amane didn’t wait and quickly started finishing her work. Only a few last touches in the computer and then lab. In her blood was rushing excitement and she needed to calm herself dawn to avoid doing a mistake. Hours were slowly passing and Amane didn’t do anything to stop her work. No breaks, just work. Bakura called her three times to make sure that she is ok. She appreciated the fact he cared but she couldn’t stop now.

It was around nine o’clock when she finally had a small break. Tiredly, Amane rubbed her temple to get rid of the headache. //I wonder if Bakura will like Ryou. They look alike but still they are so different. Well, Bakura and me are different too. I only hope that Ryou will like Domino city. I hope he will be happy.//

Two hours later she was done. Suddenly she just stopped her work and starred into the screen. She couldn’t believe it. Two years of hard work and self sacrifice and she finished it. From her eyes started falling tears. She needed to cool down. Her brother will be with her soon.
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This time, Bakura was really pissed off. His reason? Amane. It wasn’t because she didn’t call him or said anything but she didn’t even pick up the phone every time he called her. He didn’t like the fact she was ignoring him without a good reason. And he didn’t consider her work as a good reason.

The fact he couldn’t speed up on the icing road was pissing him off even more. The road was in even worse condition than yesterday and it took him two hours to get to her house from his. When he finally stopped the car with cursing everything and everyone he spot something that definitely shocked him.

Amane was at home. It was Christmas Eve, two days after he was picking her up at three o’clock from her work. He clenched his teeth. //If she was working a whole day again I’m gonna kill her.// Bakura thought darkly and knocked at the door. There were a few moments of silence and then he heard steps. The door opened but before Bakura could start to yell at Amane there was another shock for him.

The person who opened the door wasn’t Amane. Before him was standing a living image of an angel. A young man slightly smaller than him with the same white hair and brown eyes. But yet he looked completely different. His hair was smoother and not so spiky, it looked more girlish. The eyes were brown but more innocent and gentle than Bakura’s. It was as if there was a golden aura around him. He could be around twenty years old. Bakura had never seen something so pure and beautiful.

“Ehm, mister, can I help you?” Bakura blinked at the sound of angelical voice and with difficulties returned back to reality.

“Eh? Yeah … I mean … sure. I’m looking for Amane.” Bakura cursed
himself for acting like a twelve years old. //Shit, I’m twenty-five and it definitely isn’t the first time I see a hottie. And damn he is hot!//

“Ah, you are looking for sis? Come in, she is shopping right now but she should be here soon. You can wait here for her!” the young man smiled and Bakura nodded. He didn’t trust his voice enough to speak. He followed Amane’s brother into hallway and stunned for the third time in the day. Amane’s house was cleaned. For the first time since he knew her there was no papers or other shit around the house.

“What the hell…?” he looked around in disbelieve. He heard giggle.
“I’m sorry for my sister, mister. She is just use to start working anywhere and that leaves mess. Before you came I was finishing the cleaning. But where are my manners. My name is Ryou. And your is…”

“Sorry about that. It’s Bakura. Bakura Watake. Pleasure to meet you!” //Yeah, a true pleasure!// Bakura shook his hand with Ryou’s and enjoyed the opportunity to fell the smooth skin on his hand.

“Nice to meet you too, Watake-san!”

“Just Bakura. When people calling me Watake it sounds like for an old geezer.” He almost melted under the sweet smile Ryou gave him. That moment was interrupted by Amane who happened to return back home. Bakura sighed.

“Bakura, what are you doing here?” she asked him curiously and that frowned.

“Ryou, I told you not to clean the whole house. You are impossible! You just came here, for god’s sake! Relax and enjoy yourself!”

“But, Amane…”

“As if you could relax and enjoy yourself sometimes. By the way, I stopped by because you didn’t bother to pick the phone yesterday. I was worried.” He took some of the bags from her and without asking took them to the kitchen. Ryou and Amane soon followed him with the rest of the bags.

“I’m truly sorry, Bakura! But I left the phone at work. And since I was yesterday at home I …”

Bakura looked at in horror. “You were at home? The whole day? What’s wrong with you? You ill or something?” he couldn’t believe it. Amane. THE Amane spent a whole day at home without working, stressing or anything like that? Impossible.

“No I’m not ill. The other day I finished my work and my brother came here so I’m gonna enjoy my holiday. Surprised?”

“Amazed.” Said Bakura dryly. “Somebody should call media. I already see the title. ‘Amane, the world worst workaholic took a day off and enjoying a holiday’. What will be next? The end of the world?”

Amane frowned at him. On Ryou’s cheek appeared a pale shade of pink. “Sis, you promised not work so hard!” That guilty look on Amane’s face was priceless and Bakura snickered at that.

“I know. I’m sorry, Ryou. But now when I finished with the project I can spend more time with you. So don’t worry about it. I’m going to look after myself from now on.”

“Yeah right. And I can feel the ground shaking in another earthquake. Don’t you fell at least a little shame, lying like that?”

“Bakura…” Amane truly look amazing when she growled at Bakura. The both of them were busy to stare at each other so they were very surprised when they heard a soft laugh. Both of them looked up only to see Ryou smiling and gently looking at them. Bakura could hear his heart pounding quickly when he saw that. The sight left him warm inside and felt much better. Now Bakura was glad that he knew Amane and got the chance meet Ryou as well.

Amane pouted and Bakura burst into laughing. The rest joined him. It was truly funny, but Amane couldn’t appreciate it when her mind was buried under her work or worrying about her brother. That was all over and now she felt simply happy. Ryou was her best Christmas present ever.
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Two months. It was two months since Bakura met Ryou for the first time. Two months since he saw Amane so happy. Though, she was still happy when Ryou was around. He understood that. He himself felt different around him. Happier. As Bakura was friend with Amane he quickly became friend with Ryou as well.

Bakura didn’t know why Ryou came to Domino city live with Amane but he was glad for it. Surprisingly, Amane had kept her promise and start working normally. Thanks to that Bakura could stop worrying about her all the time. At least she wouldn’t pass out from exhaustion.

Right now Bakura was sitting in a bar and waiting for the siblings. It was a week since he saw them for the last time. Bakura’s boss sent him on a trip and it was today when he returned back. It was strange but he eager to see them both again. They were part of his family now.

“’Kura-kun!”

Bakura almost choked on his drink when he heard that. For some reason Ryou started to call him like that after they knew each other better. It wasn’t that he would mind but it was embarrassing like hell. In return Bakura grabbed the younger man and hugged him in an intimate way and let his hand ran through his snowy hair. At this gesture Ryou blushed like mad. Bakura laughed when he saw it. For him Ryou couldn’t look better than when he was blushing.

“Where is Amane?”

Ryou pulled off and still blushing answered. “She had something in her work. She is going to came a little later.” Bakura looked firmly at him.

“Does that mean that she is gonna became workaholic again?”

Ryou’s eyes widened when he heard this. “No! No, of course not! There just was something urgent and she needed gave …”

Bakura gently silenced Ryou with his fingers pressed against his lips. For him it was an innocent gesture but the younger ones reaction was amazing. Ryou’s face turned bright red and his body stunned.

“It’s ok. I was just kidding. I know she’s gonna be fine!” Bakura’s fingers couldn’t leave Ryou’s lips. It just felt so right. Bakura couldn’t believe how soft Ryou’s lips were. A moment later Bakura returned back to his senses and pulled his hand back.

“Do you want something to drink?” Bakura tried sound normally but it wasn’t so easy. Ryou nodded and didn’t dare to look into Bakura’s eyes. He didn’t think he could stand against these eyes.

//What’s wrong with me? Why am I so confused only by being in his presence? He is so ….// The line of Ryou’s thoughts was interrupted by Amane who finally came to them.

“Bakura, you are not trying to get my brother drunk, right?” she looked serious but Bakura and Ryou knew that she was just joking. Bakura hooked his arm around Ryou’s shoulders and narrow his eyes.

“What it means to you if I am?” he asked her and successfully imitated drunken voice. Amane burst in laughing. Ryou’s face was all red and the poor boy didn’t know what to do with eyes.

“Can you two be at least little serious?” he pleaded to them and then sighed when he saw them smirking at each another. //They are so bad sometimes.// He thought to himself and smiled. He was glad he had them.
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Later that night when both siblings returned home Ryou was sitting in his room on the bed deeply in thoughts. He was confused but that wasn’t anything new. Since he came to Domino city live with his sister Amane it looked as if his life was one big confusion. When he started to know Bakura better it was even worse.

The white haired man intrigued him. He was so rough and hot-tempered at the outside and still he could be so gentle and caring inside. Ryou didn’t know what to think about it. What to think about him. About Bakura. He wasn’t sure if it would be a good idea talk to his sister about that. Truth to be told he felt slightly embarrassed by this situation.

Ryou needed to deal with the fact that many things changed. Not only the place where he lived now. His sister changed as well. He didn’t understand why but she was now so protective over him. It wasn’t before that she would put him before her work but she did it now. It was strange for Amane but he didn’t mind. Amane’s affection was something he always wanted. It seemed that many things changed since his accident.

That stupid accident. Now when he thought about it he didn’t fully remember what happened. And the last years were confusing as well. It looked as if everything was hidden under a thick mist and he couldn’t look through it. It didn’t bother him that much anyway. One thing he remembered clearly was pain. And fear. He was afraid of something but he couldn’t recall of what.

Ryou took a deep breath and fell on his pillow. Maybe it was a good thing he couldn’t remember what exactly happened. Amane told him that it was normal because of the shock and everything. She told him he was in hospital for a very long time and after some time he will remember what happened. When she was talking to him her voice was so soft and comforting. For a moment he compared his sister’s voice to Bakura’s. With a smile he thought about the difference. Bakura’s voice was harsh and dry and sounded like wind on the top of a high mountain. Amane’s voice was calming like gentle water in valley. Still he loved to listen to both of them. Before he fell asleep he heard a knock on his door.

“Ryou? I was wondering if you are sleeping already. Would you mind if I ask you something?”

Ryou looked at his sister with confusion. //What she wants to talk about at midnight?// His polite nature didn’t let him to ask this question. He nodded and watched her sat down next to him.

“You know … I was wondering if you are happy here. I mean … if it’s okay with you that I brought you here to live with me? If you don’t regret that you didn’t stay in England? I …” her voice slowly died on her lips. Ryou smiled and embraced her.

“Silly. Of course I don’t regret it. I’m happy here with you. You know I’m always happy when you are around. It’s quite annoying that I can’t clearly remember what happened in the last two years but it’s ok. It doesn’t matter anyway. As long as you and Bakura are with me I’m happy. I promise!”

Amane smiled at him and he smiled at her as well. It was great thing
to have a family. Though it was only a sister.
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I really hope you like it. In the case somebody read it. Please let me know if it is bad or not. Or if I should just get rid of it and start writing something different.
Murail