Ryou has something he wants to say.  Go on…

Ryou: Ahem. Bakurasgirl doesn't own Yugioh.  She does own these wonderful reviews from loyal readers like you. * hugs reviewers*

Bakura: Why do you hug them?

Ryou: Because I wanna. 

Sarina Fannel: I’m glad you like it!  I add to my fics on a regular basis.  My masters thesis was actually put on the back burner this weekend for this fic.  I got a tummyache.

Yami Bakura Kia: I’ll have to remember that manhole thing.  Actually, that’s a good idea!  Yes, your request is my command in chapter 9!

Random Rockstar: Welcome to my hall of reviews!  I love the thought at the end of your review.  So deep.  Such great reviews like that keep me going.  I’m glad some people like my stuff!!!

Invader Mya: welcome back to normal.  Bakura in the corner for being bad, He He He. 

Yami tsuki Tenshi: True, he could just pretend to return, but he really has to learn his lesson, otherwise Ryou will not return to normal.  I think after whatever Ryou goes through, he will change.  We at least have to be optimistic.  If he does not mean to change, neither will Ryou.

There we go!!  A hug from Ryou to all my wonderful readers and glorious reviewers!  I'll have to work on getting Bakura to hug next.

Bakura: …….

//…..//- Bakura's thoughts

Ryou is Missing?!

                Anzu skipped along singing annoyingly.  "I love friendship, I love bunnies, I love dollies…"

Bakura growled mentally swearing in ancient Egyptian.  Joey held his ears closed afraid they would bleed from the horrible singing.  Yami and Yugi conversed mentally trying to ignore her.  Ryou watched the people passing by and waved to them with smiles.  A few women came up to Bakura to see the chibi white-haired angel.  Ryou giggled as they pinched his nose and kissed him.  Bakura felt himself tense when anyone picked him up or went close to him.

//Am I actually becoming protective of him?  If anything happens to him, I'll cease to exist.//  Bakura took Ryou into his arms when he became too nervous.  When Yami held Ryou, he didn't mind.  He knew Yami would never hurt Ryou.  Yami and he always would fight after Ryou would run to the Game Shop for refuge after his beatings…when he could escape.  Maybe that is why he wasn't so jumpy.  Ryou was protected. 

Anzu squealed at every baby, dog, bug, tree.  You name it, she compared it to friendship.  "freidnship is like a warm day!"

"Anzu, please be quiet!"  Bakura said losing his temper again.

"Can I hold the cutsie baby, Bakura?"

"No.  He's mine."

They took money out of the bank and entered the store.  Anzu screamed at the top of her lungs and ran to a rack and brought out a pink dress with white lace and a yellow duck on the front.

Everyone: 0_0

"This may be a shock to you, but Ryou is a boy," Yami said.

"I am not dressing my Hikari in a dress," Bakura clutched onto the baby tightly as he looked at the flock of strangers in the store.  This was the longest time Bakura had been out of the Millenium Ring.  The modern world was crowded and he saw each stranger as a potential threat to Ryou.  Yami was strangely calm around his aibou.  Nevertheless, Ryou laughed and waved his arms. 

Yugi and Joey went to look for baby formula.  "So, Yugi, do you think Ryou will return to normal soon?"

A scream from the other end of the store.  "Knock it off, you annoying little creaton!"  Ryou's cry was heard instantly.

"I don't know, Joey.  Bakura's not trying too hard to curb his temper."  Yugi and Joey looked at the variety.  "Let's get something with carrots or strawberries.  Remember when we went out for shakes?"  Joey smiled.  Ryou ate an entire shake by himself. 

"Yeah.  I'm surprised the guy could hold in so much liquid."  Joey and Yugi sighed. "I hope he gets better soon."

Anzu disappeared to annoy Yami and Bakura in the clothing department.  Yami held up a pair of black pants to Ryou's waist.  "He's skinny as a rail, tomb robber!"

"Well, he doesn't eat too much," Bakura said nervously remembering the dinner from the day before. //Because of you.// a voice nagged in the back of his head.  Bakura closed his eyes to block out the voice.  Anzu caught up with them and returned with frilly, lacy booties (little booties!).  "Ryou would look so cute in these, Bakura!"

"Ryou is a boy!"  Bakura held up Ryou into the air in front of him.  Ryou's legs dangled and laughed waving his arms bouncing in mid-air.

Anzu quickly grabbed Ryou and ran.

"RYOU!"  Bakura yelled trying to grab Ryou.  The aisles were so cluttered, Yami and Bakura couldn't react quickly enough.  "Anzu!  Come back with my Hikari!"

Anzu had disappeared.  Yami and Bakura ran into the aisles waiting to hear Ryou's cry…Nothing came.  Bakura's fist clenched and actually began to tremble.  "Pharoah, I'll look in toys.  You got Yugi and Joey.  Please find him, Yami."  Bakura ran away.

Was Bakura actually changing?  Bakura sounded concerned, even afraid.  Yami found Yugi and Joey arguing over applesauce and carrot puree.  Yami looked shaken.

"Anzu has Ryou."

"So, why the update?"

"Anzu has disappeared….and Ryou with her."

Bakura: If she hurts my Hikari, I will kick her butt!

Ryou: I'm right here!

Me: There you are!  Both of my favorite boys!  * hugs both of them almost too tightly * 

Next Chappie:  Will they find Ryou in the clutches of the evil Anzu?

Ryou: I'm right here! 

Me:  Let's all hug Ryou!