Oh my gosh I am so sorry it took so long to update! I've been going back and forth over this chapter for a week now and I think that I did a swell job. lol. Swell. Anyway! There is some more development and crap in here, and I think some of you will be angry and some of you will just be happy to read more, yay you!, but all together I hope I keep you captivated and interested! Seriously though, if you want to give me input do it because I do try to read it and incorporate it into my work. Though, honestly, in the end I am going to do what I want to do, lol. But I love to hear what you all think! If anything it gives me ideas for other stories...that I am not working on right now...I'm devoting all attention to this story! Lies... I apologize. D:

Chapter Six

Seto Kaiba sat Tea down in his office with a serious look plastered to his face. Honestly Tea realized that it had felt good to hit May, if felt really amazing actually, like years worth of anger finally unleashing good. Though as it was happening and she saw the girl stumble back she knew it was a mistake. Tea didn't hit people. Tea didn't hit people without a lot of thought put into it. Tea decided to blame Bakura, he had simply planted the emotion! But she couldn't get around the main point; she hit a student and that student had gone straight to her boss. Maybe she would get Tea's job after all. Sighing as Kaiba simply stared at her over his clasped hands Tea wondered if she should say something. Just as she was about to open her mouth he spoke for her.

"So you hit Ms. May." He noticed how she colored. "I have to admit I never expected you to do this, let alone ever think of it." He chuckled when Tea looked in her lap. Her head shot up in confusion when he laughed louder after a moment. "It's refreshing actually. This past month you have surprised me. From being strict about who gets in to punching a stuck up bitch. I don't think you have ever done something like this since…ever." Tea felt herself relax. "Now, I know that if you did this then the girl obviously deserved it. The only reason she got in was because her father is one of my partners and honestly the man would be peeved if she didn't get in somewhere. She is horrible and has an attitude to match. I was hoping that putting her in your class would actually teach her something and I think it did, but it wasn't about dancing. I'm putting her in a different class, but it will be more her level. You will have to be suspended for a week, but I plan on paying you as if you were working. Consider it compensation for whatever she said to make you, little miss sunshine, punch someone."

He had dismissed her after he got a phone call and Tea collected her duffle bag and returned to the studio. Mitch was standing outside, his phone out and a cigarette hanging loosely from his mouth. "Tea!" He pronounced her name so strangely. It emphasized the 'a' like 'ja' and she found it a tad bit annoying. Taking the cigarette he offered her she once again reminded herself she needed to quit as she lit it. "I must say I approve. That May is such a bitch. Many of the other girls find her just, irritating. I am proud of you!" Touching her elbow when he talked, he was just like her in that sense. Well, that's what Bakura told her. "So what did the boss say?" He looked a little sad after that. "Please say I won't need to work with someone else."

"You will," she smiled as he deflated, "but only for a week. He is suspending me for a week. I don't think Mr. Kaiba really wanted to but it is in the handbook that I can't 'physical harm' a student." Holding her cigarette loosely in her right hand she wondered why he was waiting. "Are you taking the bus today?" When he blushed she scrunched up her eyebrows. "What are you doing out here?"

"I am meeting someone here." Her eyes brightened. "Don't say anything! I don't want to make it a big deal. We used to go to school together when I was younger and he just…rocked my world." He pushed at his short black hair and Tea had to marvel. He had potential of being gorgeous.

Ah, there we go. Some interest!

Rolling her eyes Mitch thought she had directed it towards him. Laughing he ruffled her hair and she swatted at his hands. "Here," he pulled out his cell phone again. "Give me your number; we can chat while you are away!" She gave him her number and waved goodbye after putting her cigarette in the trash. She felt like walking today, it was windy enough to remind her that fall was on its way but hot enough to remind her that summer was still going.

Does it count as interest if he is gay? Why do men do that?

"Why do women?" she asked in return.

Cause it's fucking hot.

She blushed at the image he sent her of her one, and hopefully only, lesbian experience. "Why did you have to do that Bakura?"

To show you how hot it was.

"No I mean the sex in general."

Well she showed up at the wrong time at the right place and in order to make her shut up I found her weakness and used it against her.

"What?"

Nothing. You can cross that off that strange mental list you have. Bucket list or something. You have slept with a woman.

Tea colored at the images he sent her and she wondered how her body had bent that way. That stupid list. She had made it in high school after taking a class on human relations and realized that many Americans did this. So she did and found that there were many things she wanted to do before she died.

Eat ice cream with your daughter in winter. Specific and odd.

"My mom and I always did it when I was young. It was one of the only ways we bonded," she smiled a silly smile. Shifting her duffle bag higher on her shoulder she tried to remind herself to call her mom later that night. The two had talked every other night since she moved out and she hopped to keep it that way.

When she passed a homeless man on her way she stopped to dig out a few dollars and rushed off afterwards. Bakura chided her for doing it but she shrugged.

I always hated them. Filthy things.

They are humans too. She shot back as she came to a group of people. They all stood at the cross walk and she couldn't help but notice a young man her age with a beautiful face. When he turned her way she blushed and looked away. It had to be the one day she wore an ugly sweater and her lazy jeans that were two sizes too big. It was hot too! Why was she wearing a sweater? Suddenly she felt self conscious and made it a point to cover her face from view with her hair. When they all started walking she noticed how he stayed at the same pace as her, even turned where she did. Finally she moved her hair so she could see him from the corner of her eye and she felt her breath catch. He was beautiful. From his black hair that went down to his shoulder, to his full lips and high cheekbones. She tried to not get caught staring but failed. He smiled at her and stopped sticking out his hand.

"Hello. I keep noticing you notice me noticing you and I thought I should introduce myself before you think I'm a stalker. My name is Shinji." She blushed. Traditional name.

"I'm Tea." She shook his hand and felt Bakura start muttering in her mind.

This is boring.

"Have we met before? You look mildly familiar."

"Did you go to Domino high?" She asked as the two settled to the side of the sidewalk so others could walk by.

"I did, graduated a year ago."

"Well, I graduated this year, maybe we had a class together or something."

He tilted his head, and she noticed how his hair shifted perfectly. Gods he was gorgeous. "Did you have advanced Japanese history with Mr. Yoshiro?"

"I did!"

"I think I sat behind you for a year." He moved behind her to look at the back of her head, and other things that she didn't notice him look at, and reappeared. "Yup. We had class together." She blushed at the big smile he shot her. "Well, how are you doing? I see you work at the Kaiba studio."

"I'm sorry?" How did he know that?

"Your work ID is sticking out of your duffle bag." He pointed to the laminated photo and she blushed. Bakura had taken that photo and she looked demented. "That's awesome!"

"Thanks, um, what do you do?"

"Well I work at one of Kaiba's only rivals; Tokomak Corp." She rummaged through her brain for that name and came up with nothing. He laughed. "It's okay. We are basically being bought out by him now anyway." He started to walk motioning that she should walk with him. "So, if you don't mind me asking, are you single?"

"As a slice of cheese." She inwardly cringed at her horrible joke. He had the good grace to laugh. And what a nice laugh it was.

Princess I have a bad feeling about this guy…

Tea ignored him, thinking it was only saying it because he didn't like the feelings she was feeling. It wasn't every day that someone hit on her, let alone laughed at her stupid jokes. "That's good to hear, well not good to hear but good for me to hear." He colored a little and scratched at his head. "Could I bother you for a number?" She smiled and stopped again digging her phone out of her bag. He pulled out his phone and she gave him her number in return for his. As they parted ways she smiled brightly.

You are too trusting.

"We had a class together." She didn't mind that people sent her a look as she talked to herself.

Yoshiro is a popular name.

"But the class? What are the odds that he knew the class and the name?" She turned the corner. She had to backtrack a block to get to the right direction.

Tea…

She paused. He used her name. Interesting. "Look Bakura I know you are worried but I can take care of myself." He was quiet and she smiled. Awesome, she now knew a way to shut him up.

Ryou had acted the same as Bakura when she told him about it. "At least get to know him well enough before you go out alone with him Tea." He told her as he put on his jacket. "And if you go out tonight don't forget an umbrella." He had rushed out, late, just as a drizzle started. Tea had settled into her bedroom with a bowl of popcorn and a book; planning on reading. But like most things in her life since Bakura came around that isn't what happened. Just as she was reclining she noticed a few boxes she hadn't unpacked yet. Sighing and putting her book and popcorn on her bed she walked over to them. Somehow she had missed them. One was labeled 'random' and other 'bakura'. When she asked him about it she assumed he was doing something else, only the gods knew what there was to do in that cursed room, so she assumed she could go through it. The random box was just that; random stuff. An incense burner, some candles, two handkerchiefs her father never had used, and random figurines of dancers her mother had gotten for her as a child.

It was when she opened Bakura's box that she felt like maybe that lesbian night had more to it. Inside was a large black case, well not large but it had taken up the whole box. When she pulled it out she felt that it was incredible heavy. Putting it next to her knee she checked to see if anything else was in the box. Would he label something as his own if he didn't expect her to open it? Sliding the zipper along the top her eyes grew with each inch she revealed.

Money.

Lots and lots and lots of money. How did he have so much? Where had he gotten so much? Why hadn't she been informed of its existence? Taking some out she thumbed through it.

I see you finally found it.

"This is what you meant about the wrong place at the wrong time?" She gasped out. It still didn't make sense.

She saw me leave with it after hours and she started to ask questions. So after I found out she was qay I just hit on her and eased her mind off of it. It was that or I kill her. And I would choose sex any day over murder. I take that back. There are a few I would gladly kill over sex.

She swallowed. So…if the police ever found any evidence it was on her head.

I am a VERY good thief princess. You shouldn't worry about that.

Tea nodded dumbly. Pushing the bag away from her Tea couldn't help but wonder; "why do you need so much money Bakura?"

Who said I NEEDED it. I just didn't want to get rusty. Plus you are a princess. Don't you want a rich lifestyle? He laughed harshly but she just trembled.

"You didn't get this for me and we both know it." She hissed. Zipping up the bag she stuffed it back in the box.

How else do you think you got this place? I had the down payment the boy didn't.

Tea felt her heart beat faster. Oh god. Oh god.

Stop it.

She couldn't. It was too much. He had done something bad, very bad.

Don't make me do this.

What would everyone do if they found out? Surely the police would find out. They would send someone and she would lose her job her friends her freedom all because of some stupid thief-

I warned you!

Her back suddenly was covered in a burning pain. She leaned forward her head hitting the carpet as she hissed in pain, clutching at her sides and tugging on her loose tank top. She pulled at it and stood, fighting the pain. When she turned to her mirror she noticed the tattoo was bright red and the images were…moving.

If you would relax and let things be we wouldn't have to do this so often.

Tea bit her lip till it bleed and she heard him sigh. Suddenly the pain vanished and she leaned on the chair at her desk to collect herself. Was the only thing he knew; to cause pain?

It's the only AFFECTIVE way, I have found, to control you.

"You've tried," she took in a deep breath, "other ways?" She sat in her chair and looked over at the black case.

Yes. Now, take some money out and keep it in your purse. I have a feeling you are going to need a lot of money to buy those tickets to Egypt.

Tea sat a moment longer in the chair before getting up and grabbing the money. If she didn't he would. She kept saying that! Yet she knew it was true. Just as she sat back down and nibbled on some popcorn her phone rang. Expecting her mother she answered deadpan. "Hello."

"Tea?" She coughed on her popcorn when she realized who it was. "I'm sorry! Is this a bad time?"

"Shinji? Oh I'm sorry. I just saw a spider is all." She slapped her forehead. Smooth Tea. Still stinging from her recent Bakura abuse she leaned back on her headboard. "What's up?"

"I was just wondering if you wanted to go grab some ice cream in the park," Tea chewed her lip. It was a public place and it was still, turning to her clock, six in the afternoon. "I was thinking in about thirty minutes? Unless you need more time or have other plans."

"Oh no, that sounds good! I should be able to make it. Want to meet at the main entrance under the main arch?" She blushed remembering what happened the last time she was there. That wouldn't happen again though. When he agreed she tossed her phone on the bed and stared at her closet. What to wear.

This again?

She heard him laugh but she was still angry about what he had just done to her.

Its helping you loosen up and accept reality though right?

She slowly made her way to the closet and rummaged through stuff. If she wore anything open backed she would have to explain the tattoo and she didn't feel much like it. Looking out of her open window she noticed the rain had stopped. Pulling out her favorite boot cut blue jeans she slipped them on over the shorts she had on. Then she pulled out her 'lucky' t-shirt. It was turquoise with a white line through the middle; it sort of reminded her of something Ryou used to wear. Thinking of Ryou; he would be mad if he found out she was doing this.

What he doesn't know. But I agree. You shouldn't go. That bad feeling of mine usually is right.

"I refuse to not be able to have fun because of you."

I could always switch with you and make you stay in this room with that…thing.

Tea stilled. Yes, he could always do that. Swallowing she prayed he actually wouldn't do that. Sliding on her favorite silver bangle she made her way to her door. Having grabbed her purse off her bed she was almost glad Bakura had all that money. She didn't get paid for another week so she was broke, well more like 'broke'. Turning off her light she walked down the stairs and grabbed her running shoes. Slidding them on Tea left her townhouse and locked the door. Taking her time down the street she knew she had a good ten minutes before the meeting point and it only took eight to get there. There were still a few clouds in the sky but the air felt dry. Hopefully she wouldn't run into rain because she had forgotten Ryou's advice about an umbrella and she didn't have her jacket either.

Turning a corner she watched as a few kids ran out for one of their last few days before school started back up and jumped in the remaining puddles, a few parents coming out to scold them. She remembered times like that. When she was younger she had loved to dance in the rain, her mother too. Sighing she remembered what a free spirit her mother used to be. Ever since her dad got a bigger and better job her mother had to keep sacrificing her life and time for him. She wondered if her mom was at the flower shop; maybe she could stop in before close at nine.

Arriving at the park she noticed she was early and leaned against the post. "Bakura?" she whispered.

What.

"Why do you have a bad feeling?" she looked around to make sure no one could hear her talk to herself.

Oh you care now?

"Just, humor me."

I just get them sometimes and this guy just seems… I don't know. I just have a bad feeling about him.

"How can you have a bad feeling about someone so perfect?" He didn't reply and she leaned her head back on the post just as Shinji walked up from the park. He coughed to get her attention and she tilted her head and smiled. "Shinji," she smiled. He returned it. There was no way he was bad. Maybe Bakura was jealous?

As if.

No, he wasn't. She just couldn't figure out why he had a bad feeling about this guy. "Sorry, I was walking around the park because I was early and thought you would be late." He laughed. "You are two minutes early."

As the two walked she tried to make small talk and found him to be very easy to talk to. It was refreshing. The two stopped at the ice cream vendor and grabbed their ice cream before continuing deeper into the park. She had chocolate mint and he got strawberry.

"I could never eat that kind," he informed her. "It is two flavors I just don't want to blend. Chocolate is good but mint just reminds me of bad breath." Tea laughed.

"I'm just an interesting one." He laughed in turn.

"So tell me about yourself."

"Well, um, I'll be eighteen in a month. I work at Kaiba corp as a dance instructor," she took a bite of her ice cream and watched him cringe. He obviously was one of the many who couldn't do that.

"I heard they opened a new department. My cousin was talking about trying to get in but they say the instructors are harsh in the acceptance process."

"You have to be good to get in."

"She got in, but I don't think she is good." Tea felt something connect in her mind but said nothing. Was he related to May?

"Yeah, well we also accept those with potential to be good. What about you?"

"Well, I'm twenty, I am about to be unemployed," he laughed well naturedly but she knew he was bitter. "My hobbies involve photography and the spy game. I just love learning about all the new technology."

"Spy game?"

"Well, I mean, like the stuff a spy uses?" Tea shook her head. "Its cool stuff." Tea just nodded and looked up. The sky was getting darker again and she could feel the wind pick up. So much for no rain. "Looks like rain huh?" She nodded biting into the cone. He dumped his in a trashcan.

"We can head for cover over there; it doesn't look like it will last to long." He looked to where she pointed before scanning the area. The two saw a bunch of people scurrying around trying to get away and Tea contemplated just calling it a night.

"How about by the boat house over there," he asked steering her that way. The roof did offer better protection. He put his hand on the middle of her back and ran along just as a few drops hit their heads. Tea laughed as her cone fell to the ground and they approached the house. No one else seemed to go that way.

See Bakura; there is nothing wrong with him. When he didn't reply she took it as him closing the link again.

The two stood panting along the wall of the boat house and Tea was grateful they had made it just as the downpour hit. Leave it to Domino City to have weather like this. She caught her breath just as she felt his arm brush hers and a familiar stirring in the pit of her stomach. She actually prayed that Bakura didn't interfere. He turned to her with a big smile and she swore he looked just like a little kid. She may have not gotten wet but he sure did. His hair was dripping wet and his clothes clung to him. She hadn't noticed how built he was till just them. Blushing when he noticed her looking she giggled trying to blow it off. "This weather is crazy." She inhaled deeply when he placed a hand on her cheek and leaned in. Her back firmly on the wall she watched as he closed the distance. When he pulled back he whispered something that made her squint confused.

"I'm sorry I have to do this," suddenly something hard and metallic was against her neck and she realized that while he distracted her he had dug it out of his back pocket. Gulping she opened her mouth to scream but he pushed hard, a small trickle of blood coming from the small cut that he gave her. "Don't bother," somehow this sweet boy had just turned into a horrible man. Was this May's cousin getting revenge on her?

"Why," she whispered. Please Bakura please, I need help.

A dark smirk formed on his features and he pulled back looking around. Moving her to the left, towards the door that would permanently block her from anyone's view she panicked. Her eyes grew wide and her breathing grew labored. She scanned the area and whimpered, knowing this is why he didn't take her suggestion. No one went this way because the boat house was normally locked.

It had to be the one guy that hit on her and showed interest that turned out to be a psychopath. As he slammed the door shut with her foot she wondered why the hell it hadn't been locked up. When she saw the broken lock on the door she understood why. He moved a cement block in front of the door and stood back. Just as Tea was about to make a run for the window a pair of hands grabbed her from behind. "Mph!" She yelled against the gloved hand that covered her mouth as she kicked violently. Shinji laughed quietly as the other hands put her in a chair and then another pair tied her down.

"Don't remember us sweet Tea?" Two men stepped out of the shadows, both identical to Shinji. It was when they removed their wigs that she panicked. One had dark hair, short and close to his scalp. The next had a shaved head, and the last had dark blond hair; American. "We helped you rob that bank a while back and you took off with our cut."

'Shinji', she wasn't even sure that was his real name anymore, chuckled. His hair was now short and his face no longer looked angelic, the dark lighting of the boathouse causing his features to take a monstrous form. "You seem to have completely changed. You were so sweet and innocent I almost felt bad for doing this. But after seeing what you were capable off…"

Tea's mind raced. Bakura had outside help? How did he even meet these people? Surely he was too proud to ask for help…or maybe he did it to put the blame on them when the police got involved. A hand reached out and grabbed her chin and she clinched her jaw. If she screamed she was dead. The blond lifted her face up and turned her face side to side.

"She looks so much pretty in the day light." The man commented before releasing her face with a violent shove that caused her chair to rock backwards. "To bad we have to cut it all up," he pulled a long knife from the folds of his overcoat. Tea felt herself pale and her stomach clinch. Bakura's bad feeling was spot on. Wait…had he known this would happen? No, they had wigs, they hid themselves. He wouldn't let this happen to his host would he? Her heart skipped a bit as he laughed with the others about how her face was about to look.

Who was she kidding, she remembered Ryou with injuries that required hospitalization on occasions. Those had been caused by Bakura though. She was technically his property and…good god was she really thinking like this, at a time like this?

Bakura? She squeezed her eyes shut and focused. Open the link. Open the link. Open the link! Open the link! A rush came over her and she felt herself falling into the soul room. As she landed on the 'ground' she sat up with a huge smile. Bakura had been reached. He switched places! He was out there…. She blinked. Sitting at the table was Bakura. But no Bakura she had ever known. His hair was a sandy brown that stopped at his chin, and a triple cross cut marked his cheek. His wore a pair of dark black pants and a dark blue shirt over it with a long cotton jacket that looked like it had been used well and needed replacing. "Bakura!" She yelled. He sat up quickly, the chair scrapping on the floor and crashing down after him. He looked at her wildly before closing his eyes. They snapped open with a snarl and he was gone. She prayed he was saving her; when she couldn't do it herself. How weak. How pathetic...

Tea grabbed her arms and hoped it went well. She couldn't save herself so she had to ask him for help.

Breathing heavily she tried to stay calm. What if that…thing showed up again? After a moment nothing happened and she sat up. Looking at the table she noticed that odd book out again. Walking up to it she noticed he had been reading what she wrote. Had he been doing that since she started? Maybe that was why his behavior had changed. She summoned the pen, and just as she heard the dark laughter she scribbled something on the bottom of the page.

Thank you.

Bakura opened her eyes just as a fist made contact with her stomach. Having the wind knocked out of him was not how he wanted this to start. Honestly he knew he would regret closing the link but he felt that if he kept watching he would get pissed. He would be mad because she had ignored what he said, and this right here was why he had warned her. Going over her memories he realized these were the idiots who had shown up at the bank. He had conned them into helping him with the promise of money, and they fell for it. He made sure it was them who touched and did everything. Them who literally broke in but him who took the money. Then right when the escaped he had started a fight, knocking them out, and ran for it. Somehow they had tracked him and he was paying for it now.

Straightening in the chair he kicked out her feet catching both men in the shins. The man, 'Shinji', stumbled back when they collided with him hitting the wall. Using his foot he flipped the knife up and kicked it high. It landed on its side, much to his relief, on her leg and he bent down and took it in his mouth. Going as quickly as he could he cut through two layers of rope before the men were on him again. One man grabbed what little hair Tea had and yanked, hard. He was grateful he had cut it or that would have hurt more. Using what little opening he had he spit on the man. Using his hands tied behind him he was subtly pulling on the ropes.

"You idiots thought I would ever share with you," he hissed as the man dropped him back down and rubbed the spit from his face.

"You little BITCH," the man roared started to tackle him. Just in time his hands were free and he kicked off the ground and jumped over the man's back. Swinging her foot he kicked him, literally, in the ass and watched him crash down on the chair he had just sat in. As the man groaned he turned his attention to the other two. He smirked darkly at Shinji when their eyes met.

"You messed with the wrong bitch." He moved forward head butting the other man in the stomach and watched as he stumbled collecting his breath. Swinging his fist up Bakura connected with Shinji's palm. The man smirked and kneed Bakura in the stomach before sending his elbow down on his back. Tea's body shuddered, not as built as Ryou's had been, and he found himself fall. Scrambling back to his feet quickly he cursed as the other two men were making their way back to their feet.

Bakura?

Not now woman!

He rammed into the bigger man he had pushed into the chair, knowing he was weaker, and used him as a barrier between the other two. The big man collided with the others and they all fell in a heap. He knew there was no way he could beat them unless it was one on one and he didn't have a weapon. His eyes scanned the small room and he found two options. Option one was to run and jump through the window and obtain a few cuts and scrapes, while option two was stay and fight.

One thing he had learned over the many years was that if you had these options you choice the one that let you live to see another day. It wasn't cowardly, it was resourceful. Using what little time he had he ran and dove at the window, affectively shattering it, and made a run for it. If he was lucky they wouldn't pursue. Ignoring the pain running along her body he swore when he heard the door open and someone give chase. He didn't dare turn with the risk of them catching him in that moment of weakness so he kept running. Where to? He couldn't go home, he wouldn't dare let them know where he lived, so where? The game shop? No. The school? No. Ryou's old place?

He made up his mind and took a left outside of the gate, the opposite of where they lived now. He felt her body scream from pain but knew that it was built for this, endurance. It was just the cuts on her body that hurt from the strain. It was her own damn fault.

I'm sorry.

He ignored her. Turning sharply he felt his feet skid on the pavement as rain continued to poor down. As he turned he caught a glimpse of his pursuer. Rushing forward he knew he was screwed if he slowed down for anything. Shinji was following him and he had a feeling he was younger and more able then the other two. His lungs burned as he ran across the street in the middle of traffic, praying to whoever listened that he didn't get hit and it slowed Shinji down. He heard a horn sound and hopped it was at Shinji as he kept running. He could see the building from here, its tall brick wall towering over the small businesses. It was a bad neighborhood but he hoped that he would be able to hide.

Just as he turned another corner he saw Shinji again and an idea occurred. Tea wouldn't like it but this was the only way. He knew an ally not far away that would single them out. By now the other two would have had to have stopped to catch their breath and he knew it would take them a good while to catch up. Turning sharply he made a b-line for the alley and nearly collided with the wall as he slowed. He had a good ten seconds to catch his breath before Shinji caught up to him.

You can do this!

He snarled at her. This was her fault! She deserved this! Though then again, these men attacked her because of him. Turning his eyes upwards he felt rain hit her cheeks and he sighed. He hadn't had fun like this in a while.

Fun?

Shinji came down the alley and stopped short of Bakura by a few feet. He laughed as he caught his breath. "Idiot girl, don't know your way around and now you are stuck." He pulled out the blade from before and Bakura tried to figure out how hard it would be to disarm him. "You were so cute too, but that dark look came back." He moved towards Bakura the blade pulled back and a fist forward. Bakura Squinted as rain got in his eyes and he counted to two before he swept his foot out at the boy. Shinji jumped back and arched his brows. "Don't be stupid. I just want the money; I don't want to have to hurt that pretty face." Bakura let out a laugh.

"I don't think so," the way his voice sounded coming out of her was insanely creepy. Jumping forward he got a good punch in just as the blade swiped her stomach. Hissing as he felt blood leek out he held a hand against her stomach and hissed. This would slow him down.

Bakura.

He didn't reply but spit on the ground, he noticed blood in it.

Bakura! Send me the pain!

Bakura's eyes snapped wide. If he did that… he could fight. Not thinking twice he channeled it to her and jumped the boy. Even as the blade got his shoulder he held down the kids arm and took the knife before ramming it in his shoulder. A deep yell escaped him as Bakura yanked it out and did it again to the other. Looking up momentarily to see if anyone was watching he pulled back leaving the knife in his shoulder and connecting his fist with the kid's face. As blood came out his nose Bakura did it again, and again, and again. Pulling the knife out he considered what he did next.

Don't…

The knifes edge rested above the kids heart and he hesitated. He hesitated. Snarling he cursed at himself for not doing it. He deserved it and she still asked him to stop?

Everyone deserves a chance…

"A chance at what?" He bit out. Shinji blinked slowly up at Bakura, his breathing labored. He wouldn't fight him. He couldn't. His arms were weak and he was losing a lot of blood. Screwing his eyes shut Bakura let out a long sigh. "Are your goons following you?" Shinji blinked slowly and nodded even slower. "Good." He stood up, but took the knife just in case, and walked away.

When he got back home he took the pain back. He didn't know why. He didn't know WHY. But he did it. Walking to the bathroom downstairs he was relieved that Ryou wasn't there. He had a few minutes. "Princess," he hissed going through the cabinets. "Can you bandage yourself?"

I can.

"I will have to transfer the pain to you so you know what to do." He switched with her and she had a good few seconds to take herself in at the mirror before the pain hit again. God it hurt. So very badly. She pushed herself up on the counter and turned on the water. First she had to clean them. Pulling her shirt off, her lucky shirt, she looked at the long cuts on her body. One ran along her entire stomach, one was in her shoulder, another few from the glass up and down her arms. Then where was her face. There was a cut from her left eye to her nose that cut off right in the middle. One went from her forehead to her hair line, and then another on her chin. The original one on her neck was an ugly red from being irritated and she felt like a few had cut through her pants legs and her legs would be covered too. Cupping water in her hands she splashed it on her face. Hissing at how it stung she wondered how the peroxide would feel. Just as she pulled out the first aid kit from under the sink she heard the front door open.

Ryou kicked his shoes off and noticed the light on. "Tea?" He walked around the corner and froze. She let a small smile cover her face and she tried to respond but nothing came out. "Bloody hell," he muttered. He motioned for her to sit on the toilets lid. "Bakura you bastard." She shook her head but winced at the pain.

"He," she took in a deep breath. "He saved me." Ryou looked concerned and confused. Taking out the peroxide he put it on a cotton ball and squatted down. Tea bit her lip and whimpered as he ran it along her cuts.

"That is going to hurt for a long time Te," he told her. She nodded and closed her eyes leaning her head back. A few moans of pain escaped her and she had to hate herself for crying. "You have to tell me what happened eventually okay?" She nodded. He threw the cotton ball away and when she looked at it she noticed it was a dark red. When he finished with her face she was sure she had cried herself dry. Pulling out some bandage he started to wrap her stomach and shoulder. Ryou blushed when he had to ask her to unclasp her bra. She complied but held the front in place. When he was done he picked up her bloody shirt and handed it to her. She re-clasped her bra and looked at him pleadingly. Sighing he bend forward and slipped it over her head. After a second she stood on her own and dusted herself off. As if the pain had…

Ryou watched in wonder as she leaned over the sink to look at her face. "These men came along and…well you were right about Shinji." Ryou nodded. Did she not realize how big of a deal this was? He took her pain away.

"I told you. What did he want?" The two made their way to the living room and sat on the big couch. He grabbed the remote and turned on the TV for background noise.

"Just…crooks. He wanted my money I guess," she lied. "Anyway, when it started to rain he had me run to the boat house. I guess he had planned it cause when I met him he was coming from that part of the park."

"So you met him, alone, at the park close to nightfall. You realize I won't let you be anywhere alone for a while." He watched as Tea's features darkened and Bakura sat before him. "Ah, you."

Bakura took in a deep breath. "Yeah," he let out the breath.

"This is a big step for you." Bakura arched an eyebrow. "You took the pain from her." And just as he said it Bakura sat up and smirked. "Damn, shouldn't have said anything." Bakura just nodded. "So what happened?"

"I closed the link because it was getting annoying and was working on…something in my soul room. After a long while she just appeared in there, I guess she was in such a stressful state she bridged the link. After that I appeared and kicked their asses."

"I can tell." Ryou replied with a glare. "You are normally more careful. Did you kill the bastard?"

"No," he turned to the TV as if it was interesting. Ryou leaned forward analyzing the spirit.

Sighing he sat back and watched the TV. Apparently the news had gotten a call about a girl jumping out of a boat house window running through the park as if her life depended on it while three men chased her. Two had been apprehended and were in custody while one was hospitalized. The girl had not been found. Looking at the spirit again he found that Tea sat there now, a serene look on her face. "Tea," he called to her. She looked at him with a slow smile. "You have done something amazing here." She looked at the TV again.

"I know."

"But at what cost?"

OMG yeah! Progress? :D Or lies? D:

Review please!

Melimea