Chapter One

                Ryou was walking to school one early morning by himself, Like normal. It was snowing gently all around him, The sky looked gray and dull, But it was almost Christmas. He rubbed his arm in pain as two girls walked by, Snickering and laughing. He frowned upon them and kept walking. He finally got to school, Walked to his locker and put some books in and got out what he needed for his first few classes. He made his way to his class, Looking past people as he walked to his class.
“Hey Ryou!” a boy came up, Punching him playfully in the arm. Ryou cringed for a minute since that arm had hurt before and tried to hide his face so no one would see.
“Hey… How are you, Joey?” Ryou looked up at the skinny blonde haired boy.
“Good and you?” he asked, Ryou pausing for a moment.
“Good.” He smiled, Lying through his teeth.

XxX Memories consume, Like opening the wound, I’m picking me apart again. XxX

                “That’s good.” Joey said, Sliding his hands behind his head. Ryou sighed in relief as the bell rang and ran out of the room. He walked down the hallway, Heard some people talking and walked faster, Looking away. The day slowly passed and started walking back home after the final bell, But not wanting to go home. School was the only salvation he had, Even if it was only for about seven hours of the day. When he had gotten home, He slipped inside quietly, Shut the door and headed to his room. He set his stuff down and closed his bedroom door, Turned and looked around and took off his coat.
“How was school?” a harsh, Cold voice shot through the darkness. Ryou stopped what he was doing, Dropping his coat and looked around fearfully. “What? Scared? You should be tougher than that.” The voice replied. “But you aren’t.”
“N-No… Go away… Leave me alone, Bakura!” Ryou pleaded, Grasping the doorknob. All of a sudden, Bakura popped out at Ryou, Knocking him to the ground.

XxX You all assume, I’m safer in my room. Unless I try to start again. XxX

                Ryou flew to the ground hard, Slamming his head in the wall. He looked up, Only to find Bakura drawing his fist back, Released it and threw it right into Ryous face. He sat there and automatically started to get a black and blue eye and looked down, Touching it gently. Bakura drew out his knife and pulled up Ryous shirt, His scars shining through his outstanding pale skin. He knocked Ryou on his stomach and sat on him, Ryou slashing around like a fish out of water. Bakura hissed, Held him down with one arm and carved ‘I rule you’ into his back and the poor teenage cried through screams. Bakura snickered, Brought him back down and stabbed him again. A few hours passed and Ryou woke up from unconsciousness and weakly stood up and went to his drawer. He took out a mess of things, Trying to find what he was looking for.

XxX I don’t want to be the one, The battles always choose. XxX

                Ryou finally found it and pulled it out. The glorious little blood stained razor that he had used so many times over and over. He looked down at it as a dear friend and smiled, Walking over to his bed.

XxX ‘Cause inside I realize, That I’m the one confused. XxX

                He put the razor to his wrist and sliced it cleanly, Wincing Screaming slightly, But trying to keep his mouth shut so he didn’t awaken his yami. He repeated the ritual countless times until he fell over onto his pillow, Unconscious one more time.

XxX I don’t know what’s worth fighting for, Or why I have to scream- XxX

                The next day came up over the horizon and awoke Ryou, Sending him to the kitchen. Bakura was in the dining room, Reading the newspaper, Skimming it for the obitchuaries.
“Why aren’t you ready for school yet?” Bakura asked, Not looking up from his paper and taking a sip of his coffee.
“I’m not going.” Ryou said, Getting a glass and going to the refrigerator.
“Yes you are.” Bakura said, Still skimming.
“No… I’m not.” Ryou poured some milk in his glass.
“Yes you are.” Bakura looked up and over at him as he took a swig of milk.
“No I’m not.” He replied back to his stare, Wiping his mouth.

                Bakura set his paper down and got up, Walking over and grabbed Ryous shirt.
“Put your glass down!” Bakura demanded. Ryou did as he was told, Shaking as he did it and got dragged to his room. Bakura growled as he pulled Ryou into his room and threw him on the bed and walked to his dresser. Ryou flinched, Thinking something bad would happen, But just watched as Bakura grabbed some clothes and threw them at him.
“Go in there, And get dressed… NOW!” Bakura yelled and pointed at the bathroom door adjacent to his room. Ryou got up and grabbed his clothes and walked into the bathroom, Shaking heavily. He quickly got dressed and walked out as Bakura grabbed his collar and took him into the living room, Throwing his coat and shoes at him.

                Ryou slid them all on and leaned back in his seat a bit. Bakura grabbed him by his collar again, Dragged him to the front door and threw him out. Ryou screamed and stumbled, Tripping down the stairs and into a pile of snow. He then looked up and saw his backpack land right next to him. He looked up and at the door as Bakura slammed it.
“I hate you! Leave me alone!” Ryou screeched getting up. “For the rest of my life!” He growled and walked down the street, Brushing snow off of him.

XxX I don’t know why I instigate, And say what I don’t mean- XxX

                Ryou ran to an abandon building and broke inside, Sitting down in a corner. He cried for the longest time and looked into a broken mirror and saw his bruised face, Staring into his eyes.
“I’m nothing…” he whispered to himself. He took one of the shattered shards and placed it to his wrist and completed his daily ritual, Falling to the ground. He saw blood trickling from his wrist silently, Dripping to the ground and making a puddle.

XxX I don’t know how I got this way, I know it’s not alright. XxX

                He sat down and leaned his head up against the wall, Breathed in deep and stared at the ceiling. He thought deep and hard, Wondering what his life has meant and what would happen if he stayed alive any longer.

XxX So I’m breaking the habit- XxX

                Ryou smiled down at the shards and picked another one up, Slicing it deep in his wrist again. He jerked back and winced like he had done countless times before and dropped his hand, Letting the shard fall from his weak grasp.

XxX I’m breaking the habit, Tonight… XxX