Synopsis: Ryou Bakura is plagued by unbearable loneliness, as well as a possessive spirit. Things seem to look up though with the arrival of a new student who pays uncommon attention to him. However, the spirit is a jealous one, and doesn't take kindly to the two spending so much time together. But who exactly is he jealous over? Will his actions cost Ryou the only friendship he has?

AN: This story contains Tendershipping, Angstshipping, and ultimately Thiefshipping (though at one point it may be construed as Citronshipping, you'll see why). There will also be occasional fluff later on as the story goes. Some of the physical relations are going to be a bit unwanted by the characters (though never completely) - I don't like rape nor do I support it, however, the more twisted side of me is intrigued by the mind-scramble it causes when one character is subtly given the chance to get out of it but can't decide exactly what they want. Whether the characters try hard enough or not is up to them. None of the "unwanted" scenes get very violent, and I don't think I'll ever write anything more violent than my story "Defenseless". So please don't be put off just because it was mentioned, I intend to make this story as enjoyable as possible.

This is my first time ever writing a story with lemons, and though some may be brief, they will gradually deepen further on.

Genre elements include: Drama, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Romance.

Story is slightly AU but I try to keep it as close and in character as I can, given the circumstances.

This is rated M. I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Characters, places, names, etc. This is made only for entertainment.

I appreciate constructive criticism, but please, no flaming. I try hard to write enjoyable stories that don't offend anybody.

So, without further babble, enjoy. Thanks so much to MissYennon for beta-ing this chapter for me! :D

"Scars and Solaces"

CH1

幸運

Ryou Bakura shifted the chalk in his hand and added the final lines to the kanji on the pavement. Satisfied with the design, he drew an arrow alongside it, pointing upward toward his front door. He then drew another underneath the symbols pointing to the left, in the direction he was about to head. He looked it over and made a little wish, then took a deep breath and read the writing out loud: "Good luck," before rising to his feet. He slipped the chalk back into it's usual hiding place - a small hole in the stone base of his mailbox - brushed off his hands and placed them in his pockets as he started off toward his school.

One might think he was anticipating something important that morning. But in fact, it was quite the opposite. He had begun this little addition to his morning ritual earlier that week in the hopes that it would keep his home safe from misfortune, as well as grant him a much-needed pleasantry somewhere in his day. This was the sixth day he'd done it, and so far, all was as mundane as it had ever been. Still, it gave him something to hope for.

A small brick wall lined the sidewalk on this particular block, covering half the walkway in shadow. Ryou's eyes stared along the line as he went; and noticed a moving shadow further ahead on the wall. He looked up and smiled.

"Miss Kitty," he said, happily. The slender black cat meowed in greeting as Ryou reached up to pet her. "Good morning."

She eagerly leaned her neck against his fingers as he scratched lightly at her fur.

"Sun's out today, I'll bet that's why you're up so early, isn't it?" He gave the cat a few more stokes before reluctantly withdrawing his hand and walking again; the cat followed him along the wall.

"I've got school, so I can't stay and play yet. Later though." He watched as she eagerly trotted over the bricks, tail high, meowing now and again. As he turned a corner, she hopped down from the wall and meowed up at him.

"I'm sorry, I can't," Ryou said. The cat rushed forward and rubbed herself against his pant leg, one swift brush after another. The white-haired teen couldn't keep from smiling. He leaned down and stroked her again. Almost immediately, the cat laid down and rolled onto her back, looking playfully up at him. He scratched under her chin with one hand and used the other to pet her soft belly.

"I know, it's a nice day and there's no one to share it with," he said quietly. "I'd love to stay and enjoy it with you, but I have to go to school. I can play later." He stood once more and made himself continue on. The cat continued to follow him until the end of the block, where she hopped back on top of the wall and watched after him.

"Be safe today," Ryou said over his shoulder.

…

Students gathered into their usual groups of friends as they greeted one another outside the school. Ryou tried to ignore the ache in his heart as he heard all the laughter and chit-chat. He took his time walking to his class, smiling at anyone who held eye contact with him in passing - which were few - and received a brief smirk from even fewer. A swift movement caught his eye as Joey Wheeler tackled Tristen Taylor and they tried to wrestle around the hall. This was common for them in the morning. Ryou sighed and entered the classroom, thinking how odd it was to feel close to people and completely outcast at the same time. He sat in his seat for a moment, then opened his notebook and started writing. A few sentences into it, he noticed the room getting slightly louder as more students came in. Someone in the back was talking to their friend and caught Joey's attention.

"Wha'?" The blonde asked.

"Yeah, I guess there's a handful of new students in this week," The student answered.

"Yeah? When they comin'?"

"Um…I dunno."

"Who's getting' em?"

"I…dunno."

Tristen looked back to Joey and made a face, "Wow, informed," He responded sarcastically.

"Come on, man. You can't just bring up news like that with no facts," Joey chided.

"Well it's a fact that we will have new students. I just don't know any specifics." The student said defensively.

"Hmm," Joey pondered and sank into his seat. "Hope they're not a bunch of losers."

Tristen leaned forward and said in his ear, "Maybe they'll be hot chicks."

"Heh heh, well if that's the case, I'll be sure to make 'em feel welcome. Very welcome."

"Yeah, if your face doesn't scare them away first."

"Watch it," Joey warned.

Ryou faced forward again, thoughtfully. New students? He glanced up as Tea Gardner entered the classroom followed by Yugi Motto, happily chatting away together. Yugi's gaze met Ryou's as he slid his pack off and he gave a small wave, "Hey, Bakura."

"Morning, Yugi," Ryou said, brightly. He straightened up, expecting something further, but Yugi took his seat and resumed talking with Tea.

Ryou slumped slightly in disappointment and returned to his writing.

…

Class went on as usual. The rumor was confirmed when Joey spoke up and asked the teacher about new students. The teacher knew little more other than that one had already arrived in another class and at least three more were expected later in the week. Joey asked if their class would be getting any, but the teacher admitted he hadn't heard anything.

Ryou spent lunch time outside on the grass. He figured he may as well enjoy the sun before the colder, wet season started. He ate his lunch quietly and worked on his homework from his earlier classes. After he'd finished, he opened his notebook and continued writing.

As usual, he did most of the volunteering to clean up after school, not too excited to return home. When everything was taken care off, he debated staying outside on the lawn again to finish the rest of his homework, but decided against it. He didn't have much left, and anyway, the school would be vacant before long. It would just feel lonely. He looked around for Yugi's group to wish them a pleasant evening, but they must have left already - so he just moved his hands to his pockets and took his time walking back to his house.

When he reached the rock wall, he looked for the black cat. He didn't know where she went in a day, she had no collar. He clicked his tongue, hoping she might be near by, but she never came. He sighed. Anyone from the school who lived this way must drive or get rides, or else hang out somewhere after school, because he never saw anyone.

Around another corner and his house came into view: a large, two-story house his father had had built in an old-English style especially for his family. It was a nice design but it looked out of place in these parts.

He stopped at the mailbox and gathered the new contents, glancing down at the sidewalk as he past.

Good Luck.

Well, he thought, at least it wasn't really a bad day. He continued up the walk, sifting through the mail; bill, bill, sales ad, newspaper, postcard. He checked the stamp - it was from Egypt.

He got his keys and entered the house, locking the door behind him. He took a deep breath and looked around, setting the mail on a desk. The house was so empty. And far too quiet. He set his bag down and moved to the stereo, tuning it to a smooth jazz station. Jazz wasn't necessarily his favorite but it was mellow and potentially pleasant; great for background if nothing else. He set it to a medium volume and headed to the kitchen, turning on lights as he went. After preparing the tea kettle, he went upstairs to change out of his school uniform. The big house got chilly easily so he picked out a sweater and headed to the bathroom to wash his face. When he'd gone downstairs and fixed himself a cup of hot tea, he sat down and read the postcard from his Father.

Ryou,

I'm afraid I haven't had much time for leisure writing lately so a postcard was all I could manage this time. I'll make it up to you and share some notes from my field book in my next letter if you like. I'm very proud of your scores, son. And you're doing a marvelous job taking care of the house. I hope your friends are keeping you company. I'll be home as soon as I can.

Love, Father.

Ryou read and re-read the message, turning over the postcard to look at the picture: wall art from the tombs. Ryou took a large drink from his mug and thought for a moment, before taking out a sheet of paper. He carefully and thoughtfully began;

Father,

I understand business brings you from one place to the next in a short time. It can be very taxing. Still, it's a great pleasure to hear from you, even in small amounts. Things are well here. The house is quiet but well-kept. I write to Mum and Sissy every day. School goes on as usual; people coming and going, laughing, playing, gossiping - all that's to be expected from a collection of teenagers. I know that work often demands your presence but I do hope you'll be able to come home before too much longer. It's not the same without you here at all -

Ryou bit his lip and tried to swallow the lump that had built up in his throat. He fingered the magnificent necklace hanging against his chest - the one his father had sent to him from Egypt. He wanted so desperately to tell his father the truth, how much he really missed him. But…

- But I know you do your best. I'm proud of the work you do. I hope I can be like you one day. Please don't worry about me, I'm fine. I wish you the best and think of you often.

All my love, Father,

Ryou

"Well isn't that sweet." The Voice came out of nowhere. Ryou about jumped out of his skin.

"Cor, I wish you wouldn't do that." Ryou let out a harsh breath, placing his hand over his heart.

"Do what, give you a compliment?" The Voice said. "Fine then, you'll get no more from me."

"No, I meant, scare me like that."

"You're scared, young host?" Ryou could almost see the wicked smirk on that pale face.

"You startled me, is all," He replied pointedly, eager to rid himself of that image; the image of himself with that awful grin. "You've been quiet all day."

"I can be considerate when the mood takes me."

"Well, that's comforting," Ryou said quietly.

"Though you shouldn't expect such courtesy to go unrewarded, little one!" It said with a slight hiss.

Ryou froze, half-risen from his seat. He had spoken too soon.

"Indeed," The Voice replied, reading the boy's thoughts. "Sleep!"

A glow sprang from the golden ring that hung from a rope around the teen's neck. Instantly, Ryou's eye's rolled up in his head and, with a soft groan, he fell back into the chair; comatose.

...

When he opened his eyes he was lying on the couch. Or, what was meant to be the couch. He knew it wasn't the real thing, since the reflected image of himself was now perched over him. This was a manifestation. An illusion of the place he'd just left, created in his mind. He knew that somewhere in the house, his body was lying lifeless. This was part of the soul room; a suspended space inside the Ring he wore, that held his consciousness whenever it was banished inside the Millennium Item. Here, his mind gave shape to the hard voice that spoke to him in his mind. A shape identical to his own, as it had claimed more than once to be the spirit of himself in a former life. The only real difference between them was the cruel confidence and, often, bitterness that soured the Spirit's features. They were otherwise identical.

Ryou swallowed hard as the figure that reflected himself quickly climbed on top of him, straddling his waist, and moved to lift the hem of the young one's shirt.

"Wait!" Ryou said uncomfortably.

"What?" The Spirit asked in a gruffer voice.

"M-must we do this again?"

The other scoffed and glared at him, "How selfish you are. I refrain from disturbing you all day and you act like it's such a burden to give me something I want in return."

Ryou knew it was pointless to resist, as the Spirit would never be denied what he wanted. He claimed to have been a thief in his former life. And a superior one, at that. When his desires were set, he would not tolerate being deprived.

Ryou tensed as the spirit leaned down and ran his tongue along his stomach. A shudder ran through him as the long, nimble fingers that should've been his alone, now worked to unbutton his jeans.

"You act as though this is new." The Spirit said, pulling down the zipper. "Surely you're use to this by now."

The teen squirmed, trying to wriggle out from under the weight, but his counterpart quickly pulled a knife from his pocket and pointed it in the boy's face.

"You know the drill," he ordered, tugging at the hem of Ryou's shirt and sweater.

"Please don't," Ryou begged in a weak voice.

"Take it off or I cut it off!"

Ryou's hands shook slightly as he grabbed the hem and pulled the fabric over his head. The Spirit sighed in anticipation, his eyes moving over the flat stomach and barely visible traces of abdominal muscles shifting beneath the pale skin. He rocked his hips slightly, pressing his evident need into the teen's own personal place. Ryou bit back a gasp and the Spirit shut his eyes and let his head fall back for a moment. Giving their groins another hard press together, the dominant one leaned down and moved his lips against the other's neck; sucking and biting at the hollow near his throat.

"Spirit, please," Ryou whispered through clenched teeth.

The Spirit raised his head and stared hard into the younger one's eyes. "Call me by my name."

"It…it's not your name," Ryou dared to say. "It's mine!"

"You're my reincarnate. Therefore you are me." He lowered his head to nip at the other's jaw.

"I'm not you," Ryou turned his head away, grimacing at the comparison.

"You are what I would have become," The Spirit said. "And I am what you once were. Therefore we are the same."

"We're not the same," Ryou insisted.

The Spirit grinned and took a fistful of the younger one's hair in his hand, yanking the teen's head back. He lowered his head as Ryou's back arched and flicked his tongue out briefly across a pale nipple, before taking it between his teeth.

A pained grunt escaped the boy's throat but the Spirit repeated his actions, using his free hand to dig his fingers into the hollow of the other's hip.

"You're too rough," Ryou said in a strangled tone.

"Oh, spare me."

"I'm serious," Ryou tried to push his offender away but it only made him lean closer.

"You like it that way." He said with a grin, letting his grip on the other's hair slack enough for their eyes to meet, "You don't fool me. You walk around playing the innocent little victim but you know the best pleasure is the way I give it."

He raised himself up and attacked the soft neck again, releasing Ryou's hair altogether. The young one shifted again, repulsed by the feeling against his skin, despite the tingling he felt in his abdomen. Aggravation welled up inside of him as well as fear.

"If what you say is true, then it just proves how conceited you are, doesn't it? That you get off on taking me like this - your own future form. Are you really that in love with yourself?"

The Spirit's teeth clamped down at the space where neck met shoulder and Ryou groaned loudly. His head fell back and his duplicate form grazed its teeth along his flesh, breathing heavily against his skin before biting down over his collar bone.

Ryou clenched his teeth and fisted his hands in his counterpart's wild hair. The Spirit sucked hard at the agitated flesh against his lips and raised his arms to seize Ryou by the wrists. He pulled the young one's hands off him and pinned them over his head, before coming up for air. He licked his lips as he took in the sight of the one squirming under him.

"Maybe…maybe you get off on having a split persona," The Spirit panted. "The darkness of it, and the mystery. You like coming across as sweet little Bakura who would never hurt anyone," He let his hands stroke the underside of Ryou's arms, "But would kill -" then raked his nails down the white torso, "- at the slightest provocation."

Ryou cried out, thick red lines forming down his body, "I would never kill anyone."

"Oh, you don't even know the things you're capable of," The Spirit purred.

"I wouldn't!" The teen insisted. "I'm not you."

"Do I have to explain it again?" The Spirit's eyes blazed. "You and I are the same soul -" He reached down and cupped the young one's growing bulge. His intense stare softened as Ryou opened his mouth in a mute cry; palming him through his jeans as their breathing simultaneously became less controlled. "…Torn apart across time," He finished in a hungry whisper.

Ryou squeezed his eyes shut, hating how his body was betraying him, "S-somehow that makes this seem ah!- all the more t-twisted."

"On the contrary," The other breathed against his cheek, "It makes all the more sense. Two halves of the same whole, it's only natural we should be made into one." He sat up and, seizing the fabric at each side of the boy's hips, yanked the jeans down completely.

Sorry to end it here but that's how it goes. The next lemon will be complete, promise. Please let me know what you think.