KONNICHIWA, MINNA! ^_^. This is the sequel to "Left of the Middle" and granted, as I write this (Jan 13, 03) I have yet to finish "Left of the Middle", I figured I needed inspiration to continue. I dunno- I always loved the Ryou/Jounouchi pairing and figured I *had* to write one. Besides, what I'm planning at the end of "Left of the Middle" is so… yeah- it's mushy. There needs to be some action! (well… not shoot-'em- up-bang-bang action if you catch my drift… ^_~.)

Anyway- I've "combined" Joey's name… well combined is a bad word! I just used the three different "versions" of his name I know: Jou, Jounouchi, and Joey. I couldn't decide between English and Japanese… so yeah.  Um… please R&R! ((but constructive criticism, k? onegai?))

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Gi Oh- even if it was just pretending! But I do own a deck- and I do own a Malik wall scroll [drool] ^_^. Anyway- please don't sue me or anything… I'm only 16- I don't deserve it! I'm just a fan! [cries]

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Just Let Me Be in Love: A Feeling

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His chocolate eyes starred in the direction of the laughing group, his teeth grazing his bottom lip gingerly. Everyone was surrounding a picnic table watching a duel; curiosity had filled Ryou on that particular day. His eyes didn't seem to want to wander in another direction- and now he was watching the young man of interest from the safety of his "hidden" position from behind the school building's corner.

"Flame Swordsman- attack!" His opponent groaned loudly, the entire group cheering.

"Alright, Joey!"

"Great job, Jounouchi! You smoked him!"

"Yeah- I know!" The blond haired teenager high-fived the young man next to him with a wide grin on his face. Just watching sent chills up Ryou's spine. "Ace, yah did great- keep workin' on yah strategy and ya'll get yah skill down pat!" His dark haired opponent nodded as he gathered his cards quickly, a few people going after him as he ran off. Ryou's eyes softened as the crowed dispersed, leaving Jounouchi sitting at the table alone, putting his things away at a leisured pace.

"Watching that baka, again?" Ryou shivered- he knew immediately who it was.

"He's not an idiot, Bakura." He leaned against the brick wall he'd been hiding behind to watch his yami. Bakura frowned, going on tip toe to and looking around the corner once again. Joey was gathering his books.

"Looks like an idiot to me." His gaze fell to his hikari, arms going to the wall to box him in his position. Ryou frowned at his words. "I don't see what you see in that guy. What- you don't love me anymore?" The last line was spoken in a mocking innocence, making the hikari smile.

"No- I don't love you anymore." His light-weight arms wrapped gently around his yami, puling him closer. Bakura smirked, leaning in for a gentle locking of lips that left the hikari in butterflies.

"Aw… I think yah do." His hand caressed the velvet cheek, a light blush spreading.

"Aw… get a room, yah two!" A disgruntled voice spoke as the owner passed by, Ryou's eyes flickering to Jounouchi's retreating back. He felt his heart in his throat- the same feeling he got when Bakura was showing private affections.

"Urusai, inu." Bakura leaned against the brick wall with his hikari, crossing his arms over his imitated school uniform.

"Oh, bite me!" and he turned a corner and walked away.

"You didn't have to tell him to shut up…" Ryou pushed himself off the wall, feet leading him to follow the other young man.

"Ra…" Bakura rolled his eyes before disappearing in a soft flash to the Millennium Ring. Ryou turned the corner to see Jounouchi had stopped and was starring up at the blue sky, a sad look on his face.

"Jou?" The white-haired teenager asked softly, walking slowly to his side.

"Huh?" Joey looked down as if breaking from a trance. "Oh- Ryou. I thought yah were wit Bakura." His sadness disappeared, a smile on his face.

"Oh!" The teenager looked down. "Listen- I really want to apologize for Bakura. He shouldn't be talking to you like that."

//You shouldn't be talking to him at all.// Ryou frowned, eyes finding themselves gazing at his shoes.

"Nah- it's ah' right. You have nothin' to apologize for, Ryou." He smiled lightly, Ryou's eye softening at the expression on the other teenager's face.

//You've better make him stop looking at you that way.//

/Why does it matter?/ Ryou smiled at Jou who looked like he was about to turn red.

//He's blushing.//

/I can see that…/

//You like it, DON'T YOU!//

/What?!/

"Well- I've gotta go, Ryou. And don't worry 'bout Bakura, ah' right? He said it and not you." Jounouchi smiled, giving a small wave before running off, Ryou couldn't even get in another word.

//Oh, Ra… so it's true!//

/What's true?/

//You're so blind, Ryou…// The teenager frowned, Bakura appearing from the ring. "You can't see it?"

"Apparently I can't…" Ryou looked away, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Fine- ignore me." The yami narrowed his eyes. "But you can't say I didn't warn you." He turned and started walking, leaving the young man with a sigh. Reluctantly, Ryou followed, linking his arm to the other male, holding him close as they walked home.

~*~*~

Flinging his book bag into the wall, he growled- pain and anger evident in how he suddenly slumped to the ground, tugging at his blond locks.

'What's wrong with me?!' He closed his eyes tightly, now hugging his slender body. 'What am I turning into?! I'm a freak…' He let a whimper escape his lips- suddenly his mouth was dry. Slowly standing, he found his way to the neat kitchen in the apartment, pulling a carton of Minute Maid juice out, starring at it.

His eyes flickered to the cabinet where all the glasses were- and then back at the carton. Without a second thought, he opened the carton, deeply gulping the tangy, sweet nectar running down his throat. Drinking hungrily, he finished the contents, throwing it into the trashcan- he still wasn't satisfied and he didn't know what else to do.

Jounouchi staggered back into the hall, picking up his book bag slowly. He had no homework- nothing to take his mind off *him*. Closing his eyes, he tried not the think of the snow-haired teenager, but failed miserably. The image of his smile- his dark eyes- his face flushing slightly in embarrassment- it brought a soft smile to his lips and chills up his spine.

"Ryou…" He whispered- the sound like music to his ears.

"Jou-chan? Are you home?" A feminine voice floated from down the corridor- Serenity. He snapped back to reality- looking around.

'Huh?'

"Jou-chan?" His sister called again.

"Serenity?" He called back, holding his head- drinking so much juice suddenly made him sleepy.

"Welcome home, brother! I thought I heard you earlier, but I couldn't be sure." He sighed, slipping his bag over his shoulder, walking to his sister's room with a gentle smile to please her.

~*~*~

The two pairs of eyes starred into the sky, a slight cold wind brushing over their cheeks; neither flinched almost as if they didn't even feel it.

"Jounouchi likes Ryou." One finally spoke, Egyptian eyes still starring into the night sky.

"I think you've known that for a long time." Malik's purple orbs gleamed, but he slipped them close. A pause passed between them- Bakura was obviously running things over in his mind.

"Ryou has kept feelings about that boy hidden from me." There was another pause, the wind taking the opportunity to ruffle their hair once again.

"Are you upset?"

"Why should I be?" Bakura almost snapped back- Malik did nothing as if he didn't notice. He was far too used to the other male's sudden changes in tone to ever be worried.

"Because it's Ryou." The young man was calm in his response, looking to his right at the white haired man. The look of concentration seemed very unique.

"He shouldn't hide things like that from me." His eyes focused on a plane that slowly made its way across the horizon.

"What do *you* think about Jounouchi?" Bakura's eyes closed, moonlight reflecting on his silver hair.

"I don't know."  Malik looked back towards the starry sky.

"I suggest you think about it. Your hikari obviously has some opinions about him." He turned from their place on the rooftop of Domino High. Bakura watched his friend, hair swaying in the breeze, reflecting over what he said.

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PLEASE REVIEW! ^_^. Be nice, though… [sniffle]