Weeks had passed and the dark evenings of winter had crept upon the castle of the Musants. Fireplaces burned in every room as the cold temperatures became unbearable, as did the aching in the young prince's heart. Ryou was found lounging about in his room and in the study, his parents having no idea as to why their son was acting in such a way. Tea and her family remained guests at the castle as both families awaited the grand day of the two teen's wedding, when both families would become one. Ryou's parent's fussed over this and that, constantly dragging their son around to be fitted for his suit, to arrange the wedding and to dates with his wife to be.
It was on a lazy Sunday evening, when the sun was slow descending to the horizon; Ryou rolled over in his bed and looked out onto the balcony. Every time he looked there, he could see the ghost-like figures of him and Bakura. It had been so long ago that he had last seen his true love that he feared that, maybe, he no longer loved him. The prince sighed heavily and looked away. The memories were too painful. Suddenly, there was a light tapping at the door.
"Ryou?" This was the fifth time today that his mother had come to check on him. "Are you alright?" Ryou didn't reply. If she came in he would just pretend to be asleep; but she never even touched the door handle. He listened intently as her footsteps echoes along the corridor until no sound could be heard. Now only the strong, winter winds could be heard as they blew through the single open window. The drapes around Ryou's bed shuffled slightly then stopped.
How was he going to get out of this mess? He just couldn't marry Tea. Not only was she insane, but also they had absolutely nothing in common. Another light knock came at the door. Ryou groaned and pulled the bed covers up as the door unlatched, and opened. The soft footsteps came closer and up to the bed… but who was it? Not his father, not Tea, not-
"Prince Ryou." Came the soft whisper. There was no sign of a reply. Malik sighed. "I know you're awake, Prince Ryou." Not all too happy about being snuffed out, Ryou turned to face the servant and sat up. For a moment, Malik just stared at The Prince; who in turn looked back.
"Well?" Ryou whispered, sounding a little harsher than intended (after all, Malik was still his friend). The servant flinched slightly, but replied none the less.
"I…" Malik looked at his feet and shuffled uncomfortably. "I have something of great importance to tell you." Ryou raised an eyebrow, giving a sign for Malik to continue, but he did not see this. After a pause, Malik looked up again and after seeing Ryou's expression, quickly glanced at the door and then back. "It…" He moved closer and cupped a hand over Ryou's ear. "It's about Bakura." His voice was barely audible, but The Prince heard every word of it.
"What?!" Ryou jumped up in the spot and looked at Malik with wide eyes. "W-what is it? Tell me!" Malik, as unexpected as it was, leaped forward and covered Ryou's mouth with his hand.
"Shhhhh!" He hissed, looking very much on the edge. "Someone might hear you!" Ryou said something but it was muffled. Upon realising what he had just done, Malik pulled his hand away and had a panic attack. "Oh, I am so sorry!" The servant was close to tears as he continuously bowed his head and repeated "Sorry, sorry, sorry, sorry…"
"Malik…" Ryou said calmly. "Malik." He said again, this time a little louder. But the servant continued his now inaudible apology. "Malik!" Ryou scream, giving the slave a quick slap around the face. Malik just sat there and blinked. He then looked down and realised he had not moved from his position over The Prince: straddling his stomach. The servant's eyes went wide and he clumsily clambered away, falling off the bed in the process. He quickly stood up and bowed again.
"I'll just leave!" Before the servant could make a run for it, Ryou managed to grab onto his sleeve and yanked him back onto the bed.
"Malik, calm down!"
After a few minutes to recover, Malik was back to normal.
"Now, what was it you wanted to tell me?" Ryou said calmly; he and Malik now sat safely at opposite sides of the bed. Malik tilted his head slightly then must have just clicked on.
"I have information about…" He trailed off, realising he was speaking far too loud. He hushed it down to a whisper and moved a little closer so Ryou could hear. "Bakura." The Prince nodded. Again, Malik looked around before continuing. "I know where he is… and how you can see him." Ryou's face lit up and he dove forwards, hugging Malik tightly.
"Oh thank you, Malik!" The Prince yelled. The servant flushed and smiled awkwardly.
"D-don't thank me yet. You haven't seen him yet."
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The hallways were quiet and shrouded in darkness. Everyone was asleep and awaiting the morning, which would bring it one day closer to the big day.
Outdoors, a cloaked figure stood shivering just outside the doors. Hazel eyes peered out from silver bang that only just peeped out from the hood. Ryou glanced around the darkened courtyard. He had never been outside at night… well at least not in the past 10 years. Everything looked so unfamiliar in the darkness. The horse shaped hedges looked more like demon dogs, and the beautiful rose bushes looked like monsters trying to reach out and swallow The Prince whole. Despite his fear, Ryou knew he couldn't stand here all night, or he would run out of time before he even got the nearest village. He began to walk briskly, not wanting to take his time. He carefully opened the gate just far enough so he could slip through, and closed it again behind him. He hated betraying his parents, but this was the only way.
It wasn't long before The Prince was at a run; his fears had got the better of him and he wanted to get to the village as soon as he possibly could. Tree's clawed hands reached out and tried to rip the cloak from his body, animals lurked in the darkness, waiting to pounce on him. The prince had tears welled up in his eyes and could barely see a thing. The only thing he could make out was the dim light that came from the village.
Ryou knew he just had to keep his imagination under control, but he was in hysterics. He could barely control is feet, let alone his imagination. Luckily for him, he didn't have to control his feet. His foot caught on a rock, and soon his face collided with the path. The numbness shot through his body, and he just lay there, shaking from the cold and his fear. He raised his head, and could see the light still. It was just down the path and across the river, but it looked like a far way off. Maybe he shouldn't have left. Maybe he should just go back.
No! He screamed in his head. I can't go back… I have to see Bakura. I have to end this madness! Ryou sniffed and began to get to his feet. He wiped away the tears and stared straight at his destination. Taking a deep breath, he set off at a sprint. He was determined now. His cape flared out behind him, and the hood blew back. His hair would have become a mess too, but he had already tied it back. He knew he would have to cover up once he got there, as to not be recognized, but for now he just had to get there.
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In one of the many Inns of the village, few people were left in the main bar. Only the people who had drank themselves unconscious and a few people just seeking the warmth were left. The bar tender glanced around as he continued to clean one of the many used glasses. His gaze fell upon one odd individual, who had been sat in the darkened corner for the entire night. He knew the man, for he was one of the people who had rented a room, but he was such a mysterious man. He would always just come and sit, and then suddenly disappear; supposedly gone to bed. The bar tender scratched his moustache with his knuckles before looking at the clock on the wall: 11.50pm. The stranger always left at midnight. This time, he was going to see just where he went.
Everyone, who was conscious, snapped their heads around as the door to the inn slammed open, then shut. They all watched wearily as the hooded figure entered and glanced around.
Ryou cold feel his legs ready to give way. He had run the entire way and was exhausted. It was going to be hard to walk back up to the castle later. As he peered around, he could see everyone looking back. He just hoped no one could see him, or recognise him.
"May I help you?" The bat tender asked, roughly. The Prince gulped and headed over to the bar.
"Um… I-I'm looking for someone." He asked, attempting to alter his voice a little. "I wonder if you've seen him?" The bar tender raised and eyebrow.
"Well I won't know unless you describe him to me."
"Well… He has long white hair… rather tall… and… usually wears a long, black coat." Ryou waited hopefully.
"No. Sorry, can't help you." The bar tender grunted. Ryou sighed, but noticed for a split second, as the bar tender's eyes flickered to somewhere behind him. With no hesitation, The Prince turned around and saw a strange figure in the darkness. It was hard to see if anyone was there at all, but he could almost sense the person. Narrowing his gaze, Ryou slowly made his way over.
"B-Bakura…" He whispered softly, hoping that if it weren't him, then maybe the stranger wouldn't hear him. A grunt came from the darkness. Ryou dared to venture closer and could see a little better. He gulped nervously, sensing the negative feelings being projected by the other. "B-Bakura… I-I know it's you." Why was he scared? This was Bakura, his true love. Another grunt came from the darkness, followed by a heavy sigh and the figure moved forwards slightly, and Ryou caught him in the light. "It is you!" He resisted the urge to shout it out and leap forward to hug the vampire. Although, the minute he said those words, Bakura swiftly rose from his seat and pushed past Ryou. He headed for the door, and Ryou ran after him, grabbing his arm to try and stop him. "Bakura, please." He said in a hushed anger. "I need to talk to you!" Bakura growled and before Ryou knew what had happened, the vampire's hand was clasped around his wrist.
"We will not discuss this out here." Bakura said harshly, and dragged The Prince behind the bar and up to his room.
Ryou was thrown to the bed and watched worriedly as Bakura strode up and round the length of the room.
"Bakura, I-"
"What did you come for? Hm?" Bakura shouted. "To tell me how great everything's going with you and your 'fiancé'? To tell me you still want to be friends?" He mocked, spitting at the floor once he was done. "You make me sick! You think you can just waltz over to me and then everything will be ok?" Ryou cowered back and bowed his head; eyes downcast.
"I…I just wanted to see you." He mumbled. "I lo-"
"Don't say it!" Bakura butted in. "You told me to get lost, remember? So don't come crawling back to me and expect me to buy that bullshit!" Ryou could feel the tear threatening to spill, and he would let them. He looked up and straight into Bakura's eyes.
"Listen, Bakura! Don't you understand? I told you to leave me alone for your own good!" The vampire just watched the smaller albino with no remorse. "It was Tea! It was that crazy bitch and she saw me with you and threatened me! Why can't you seem to realise that I didn't mean it?" The Prince lowered his gaze again. "I just never realised how badly the whole thing would effect me…" He muttered. "…because no matter what happens… I'll always love you." The vampire sighed and slumped down onto the bed.
"How can I believe you?" He said, not looking at Bakura. "You don't realise how badly you hurt me Ryou."
"I'm sorry and I know that no amount of apologies will make up for it… but you have to believe me." Bakura sighed again and glanced sideway to the prince.
"How did you know where to find me?" He said solemnly.
"Malik. He told me that he'd heard rumours of a mysterious man who stayed at this inn and was described exactly like you." Bakura snorted.
"You mean that little pip-squeak who almost died when he found out about me?"
"He's not that bad. I hated him after I made you leave, and for no good reason; but he stuck by me none the less." Ryou smiled a little. He moved over so that he was sat next to Bakura at the edge of the bed and swung his feet over the wooden frame. Both just sat in silence; not really knowing what to say. Ryou knew that he himself had been hit hard by the whole thing, but hadn't really thought of how Bakura felt. He guessing that because Bakura was a vampire, he would be bothered by it… but that wasn't true.
The prince could feel his eyelids grow heavy, and it was getting harder to hold back his urge to yawn. What time was it? He subconsciously lent his head on Bakura's shoulder and knew it wouldn't be long before he dozed off. He had completely forgotten about having to get back home, but had never felt so relaxed. His eyes slid shut and he began to snore lightly. He could feel Bakura's warmth, that warmth that he had missed for so long.
Ryou was jerked out of his sleep when Bakura moved. The prince fell down onto the mattress and looked up at the vampire with sleep filled eyes. He smiled sweetly.
"I have to go." Bakura said silently. He lifted Ryou so his head rested on the pillow and pulled the covers up over him. "I'll be back later." The vampire breathed gently into Ryou's ear and watched as his eyes slid shut, and he was asleep once again.
Author's Notes: I hope you enjoy. I finally got a little more of an idea. I know exactly where I'm going to finish it; I just don't know exactly what's going on in the middle. Any way, there you go.