How to Save a Thief

Chapter Two

DH: Sorry that it took so long to type up.

OW: We kept getting distracted.

DH: But here you go! Hope you enjoy!

OW: We own nothing!

-DDLDHoW-

When the door finally opened, everyone was tense. They looked up as a doctor entered the room.

"Is Bakura alright?" Ryou asked, standing up.

The doctor gave him a reassuring smile. "He's stable. We just need to keep him here for observation for the night and maybe the following morning to run some tests. Then he's free for discharge." The four sighed in relief. "He's asleep now but you'll be able to see him in the morning."

"Can we go in and see him if we don't wake him?" Heru asked hopefully.

The doctor hesitated. "Alright, but only for five minutes. Follow me." He led them down a few corridor to the room that Bakura was in.

He was lying flat on his back - possibly for the first time in his life - on the hospital bed and he was hooked up to a machine that made sure he was getting enough fluids.

Miho waited outside as the brothers entered the room, not wanting to intrude. Akefia glanced back at her. "Come on. You don't have to wait outside."

"You sure?"

He nodded. She hesitated before following him inside. He smiled at her, and she returned the smile. Heru sat in the chair next to Bakura's bed.

He watched Bakura's sleeping form. He hesitated before gently taking his hand. Bakura didn't react much, but he seemed to relax a bit. Heru whispered something to Bakura, so softly that no one could hear what he said. Then he let go of his hand.

Bakura shifted slightly in his sleep, but he didn't wake. Heru went back to where the others were standing .

"Are you okay?" Ryou asked gently.

Heru nodded. "I'm fine." Ryou gave his younger twin a hug before making his way to Bakura's bed. He sat down beside him and seemed to have a silent conversation with him. His eyes glistened with tears as he gently brushed a strand of hair out of Bakura's face.

He mumbled something before kissing the top of Bakura's head and joining the others again.

"Are you okay, Ryou?" Heru asked. A silent tear trickled down Ryou's face. "Come on; let's go wait outside." He wrapped his arms around him and led him outside.

Akefia sighed as he looked at Bakura. "This is my fault..."

"You shouldn't blame yourself," Miho murmured.

He looked at her. "But if it wasn't for me, he wouldn't have been outside for so long and wouldn't have caught a fever."

"You've been a fantastic brother to him, Ryou and Heru. You don't abandon them despite the fact that most people would find it easier. You're still here. That should be proof enough."

"I... I just with I could give them a better life. They deserve better than an old abandoned house, hardly anything to eat or drink, no medicine if they get sick, having to dig through rubbish and steal to get by... But I can't do it... No matter how hard I try, I always fail..." He ran a hand through his hair. "They'd be better off without me..."

A loud slap rang through the room.

Akefia's head snapped to the side. His eyes were wide in shock and his cheek burned. Miho was glaring at him. "You... you... How could you say that? Your brothers would all be long dead by now if it weren't for you! How long do you think they would have lasted? They would have starved or been arrested if you weren't there to help them! And what about him?" She pointed to Bakura. "He wouldn't have even made it half a day without you getting that medicine or calling me. Don't. Be. So. Selfish."