I do not own YGO.
TheParadoxGlitch56
(Formally ShatteredSoul56)
Forgotten How to Smile : Surviving on the streets is no small feat. Wearing the same clothes month after month. Witnessing violence and death. One school, for homeless children, is determined to make the best out of a poor situation. Teacher:Yami Student:Yugi
Have no Beta-Reader, so some of it may sound weird.
Warnings: Language. Gore. Torture. Animal Cruelty. Mental Illness. Child Abuse.
Chapter I
Somebody Else's Kids
~ Forgotten How to Smile ~
"This world will never be what I expected." : Three Days Grace
Trudging through the heat a tri-haired began his walk to his job. Today was his first day at Project Hope. A school for homeless children grades K through 8. Previous teachers had warned him of the type of situation he was walking into. All the heartbreaking stories did not ease his growing anxiety. His previous school was full of selfish, ungrateful, little whelps and he felt no gratification. No, he felt he wasted six years of his life in the school. Let those greedy idiots that dare call themselves teachers deal with them.
Yami thought he could do some good here. Even though this school was only a couple blocks from his previous job he had never known it existed. He guessed everyone kept quiet about a subject like this, though he didn't see why. These were children for Ra's sake. Starving, hurting, sad children that just need some help. Yami had read a little into the subject of the poor children in this city. Many of them would end up in jail or pregnant before they are of age. The ugly little statistics and no one seem to be doing anything about it. Except allowing generation after generation end up poor, unemployed, and starving in the streets. There really was no option but to end up in prison. At least there you get three meals, a bed, and shelter from the cold and rain.
Hearing a strangled whimper he stopped walking. Then continued walking in an attempt to find where the sound was coming from. Looking down the middle alley way he saw three boys standing over what looked to be an old sweatshirt. All of them wearing rags, which were littered with holes and stains. Yami noticed their shoes were worn down so much they had a huge hole on the side that he could see their dirty little feet. One of them even had no soles.
Seeing one boy kick the dark form hard, he took a small step forward to get a better look. It whimpered and that's when he realized the it was some sort of animal. The smallest boy had similar features as Yami, but he made no move to ask what they were doing. The tall lanky child reached over and grabbed a wooden stick and set it on fire. Sticking it in the ground he grabbed some wire that was lying in the dirt and wrapped it around a part of the form on the ground. Yami walked closer to inspect what exactly was going on. Then he watched in horror as a boy continue to wrap the wire around the small brown dog's muzzle and feet. The wire cut into the animal's skin deeply that blood was dripping to the ground. Standing over the dog the boy picked up the torch and held it close to the dog, setting its face on fire. Eyes widening in realization Yami rushed over.
"Hey kid! Stop that!" Following his voice, the boys wiped their heads around and stared at him. Emotionless eyes watched the man wearily. "What have you done! What is wrong with all of you?" The smell of burning flesh lingered in the air making the man choke slightly. The boy's lips curled up to a slight smirk, except the smallest boy's expression remain neutral, The medium sized boy turned quickly and stabbed the wooden stack through the whimpering animal. Ending its misery. Then giving it one final kick, the small group jumped over the animal and ran down the alley, without a second glance. Yami just watched in horror and utter shock at the retreating backs. The tri-haired man did not dare look at the tortured animal. With the incident replaying in his mind he continued his walk to the school.
~ Forgotten How to Smile ~
Upon entering the school he glanced at an table that had breakfast food lined up for the children. "Slow down!" Yami shouted as a girl raced by, snatching up a smashed honey muffin and a milk off the table. Slowly he made his way toward his class room. He would be teaching in the 3rd through 5th grade class. Due to lack of income the school only had enough room and staff to run three classes. K through 2nd, 3rd through 5th, and 6th through 8th. The school was small, but it felt quite cozy. Children's drawings covered the walls, effectively hiding the hideous cement walls. The floors were also the same ugly color as the walls. Inside the classroom there were ten tables pushed together with many small chairs lined up around them. Colorful rugs covered certain areas of the floor. Once such rug was red, blue, and yellow. It was huge and had blue spots with a red border, and yellow background. Above that area there was a sign that read Reading Time. Off to the right was their small library of books. He inspected the tubs labeled writing utensils, paper, glue, paint, etc. It was sad to see what little supplies were given.
The front chalk board, in plain bold letters, read Welcome Students!
After placing his stuff on front desk he walked to the door way so he could watch the students and make sure they weren't getting into any trouble. He had no misconceptions about being in a poor school. He knew at the beginning of every year the trouble makers will make them selves known.
The front door squeaked and a group of boys stepped inside the school. Other students gasped and plastered themselves against the wall far away from the child. Some went into their class rooms, into the bathrooms, or even into the wrong bathroom.
All three grabbed their breakfast and made their way to their classroom. The small boy he saw from earlier walked slowly down the hall keeping his glance forward until he came to Yami. Yugi just stood there and stared at him, fist clenched around his mushed meal. Yami smirked when the boy did not move even though the situation was unnerving.
"Well, it seems we meet again." The man huffed out. "And might I ask what exactly you were doing in the alley way this morning?" The boy smirked slightly back at the man.
"Playing." The medium sized boy said monotonously. The man looked slightly baffled. Clearing his throat he composed himself. He called brutally torturing an animal 'playing'? Ra. What the hell is wrong with these children? The boys pushed past him and walked into their class room. Yami followed them into the room and sat at his desk. Quietly he watched them eat their breakfast. The trio look very skinny. One in particular looked worst off than the older two. The small boy turned and looked straight at the man, as if knowing he was being watched.
"Mr. Mutou?" A man asked from the door way.
"Yes?" He asked turning to the face the door way.
"May I speak to you for a moment?" Yami nodded and stood up, relieved he was relinquished from the boy's intense gaze.
"Hello, My name is Jake Miniko." He held his hand out to new teacher. "Welcome to our school. We have approximately 72 students, so make sure your group shares. Due to our last budget crisis there are only three teachers and 2 assistants. I teach next door in with the K through 2nd grade students and you are the new 3rd through 5th grade teacher I assume?"
"Yes. Nice to meet you." The hazel eyed man smiled, reveling tiny wrinkles around his eyes.
"I'd like to talk to you about the young one in your group." He pointed to the tri-haired student. If the man had noticed their similar appearance he did not comment about it. "It seems you are going to have to put up with him for two years like I did two years ago. I need to warn you. His little group is very dangerous. Make sure you to keep a close eye on them. The two other boys, Seth and Micheal, are a year older than Yugi. He may not seem like much now, but be careful if you get him too riled up." He nodded understanding. "He has Reactive Attachment Disorder. So said the psychologist that came to evaluate him last year. He is an in-your-face sub-type, meaning he is angry, oppositional, and violent." Yami nodded, not showing just how startled he was. "He is very cunning, I am sure he learned it from living on the streets. Believe it or not, Yugi is the little ring leader. The other two simply follow his orders. His strategic mind allows him to get away with every wrong doing."
"I'm sure I can handle him." Mr. Miniko simply nodded. The last thing this boy is pity, and that went for all his students.
"I am just giving you a heads up. He is also an pyromaniac. " Yami's crimson eyes widened slightly, but it went unnoticed by the other man.
"Who does he live with?" Yami asked.
"I think he still lives with his uncle, in the Homeless Motel. He's never home though or so I've heard. Honestly, I believe the man is afraid to the kid." The young man nodded slightly. "Well good luck." Mr. Miniko said patting Yami's back. "See you around." He just nodded again and watched as the other teacher enter his room. Children rushed past him and into Yami's class room. Inhaling deeply he walked back in the room. He noticed that no one sat even near Yugi's group. The boy's gaze was directed at another child at the end of the room, furthest from him. A big boy with black hair, who looked like he was supposed to be in the 8th grade, was up flexing his muscles. Yami glared at the boy. It was obvious that this child would be trouble.
Yami introduced himself to the two teacher assistants, Amy and Daniel. Amy was a tall woman, with short dark brown hair. She was an inch shorter that Yami and a foot taller than Daniel. Daniel had a kind face though he looked to be around his early fifties, and had graying hair.
Patiently he watched the children inhale their food. How many of these children did not have dinner last night? The students mulled around, some even took a small nap before class began. Going over their schedule he waited until eight thirty so he could start class.
Daily Schedule
7:00-8:30 Students arrive. Eat breakfast.
8:30-9:30 Reading Lessons
9:30-10:30 Writing Lessons
10:30-11:30 Art Lessons (Painting, Coloring, Scissors Lessons, etc.)
11:30-12:00 Recess
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-2:00 Science Lessons
2:00-3:00 Social Studies
3:00-5:00 Recreation Time (Puzzles, Physical Education, etc.) Field Trips if scheduled.
5:00-6:00 Flash Cards (Review & Work on sheets they have not yet completed.)
6:00-6:30 Snack. Buses Arrive. Students Leave.
"This is your only warning. If you get out of this chair again you will be placed in time out." The man told the boy, who then turned and glared at the teacher.
"I am not a child!" Yami gave the boy another stern glance. The boy quickly plopped down muttering something about stupid teachers. He looked at his list of students and called attendance. He found out his little show-offs name was a twelve year old fifth year, named Sini.
"Hello class, my name is Mr. Mutou. Lets start with some rules. As students, you must stay in your chair until I tell you otherwise. No yelling, or cursing, and you must raise your hand if you have a question or are answering a question. Hitting, kicking, fighting, stealing, or biting is not allowed. Respect your classmates space, meaning keep your hand and legs to yourself. You must complete your work before the day is over as there is no homework. I will not allow any of you to fall behind. If you get a anything out of its container you need to put it back where it belongs. You are responsible for keeping your cubby clean and the surrounding area. If you break the rules you will earn yourself an timeout. Any questions?" No one moved. "Good." Clearing his throat he started the class, with much disruption from the black haired boy.
"Sini, you choose to go on time out."
"Nah-ah!"
"When you got out of your chair in the middle of class you were telling me you wanted to go on timeout because you know we get timeout when we break school rules. Up, Sini." (AN:1) Firmly he led the boy over to the timeout rug. Glancing at the clock, in the back of the room, he timed 12 minutes. As Yami expected the boy got off the rug and looked defiantly at the man. Yami calmly placed the boy back on the spot without so much as a word. He had to do this six times before the boy stayed put and began to pout. Wanting to join in on the reading lesson, but pretending he didn't care.
Yami walked around the room, calmly watching his students work on their reading sheet. Occasionally giving a few pointers and answering questions. Glancing at the clock he made his way to Sini. Getting onto one knee he addressed the boy. "Why did you continue to get out of your seat when I told you to remain seated?" The boy huffed and turned his head away. "I guess you are not ready to talk to me, you can stay on time out until you are ready to answer my question." The boy's nostrils flared and he beat his fists on the rug below him. Yami resumed checking the other students.
The two assistants watched curiously from the other side of the room, having never seen this type of punishment before. They quietly muttered to one another that it wasn't going to work. The boy had always been a little menace, they just tried to ignore him and appease him so they could work with the other children that wanted to learn.
Once again, Yami approached the boy. "Are you ready to answer my question?"
"Fuck you."
"You chose to stay on timeout for another twelve minuets. When you cursed you were telling me you wanted to stay on timeout because you know we get timeout when we break school rules." He told the child and looked up at the clock.
"I hate you!" The fifth year looked away thinking he had just earned himself another timeout, but the man surprised him.
"I'm sorry to hear that. We have these rules because we love you and don't want you to benefit from this class. When you disrupt the class it is hard for you and your classmates to learn." Yami stood and walked away leaving the boy to rant in peace. The boy did not move off the rug.
"This isn't working, Mr. Mutou." Amy approached him.
"You have to be patient. It always works."
It surprised the two assistants that the ranting only lasted two minutes, before he fell quiet. Yami ignored the boy as he helped a third grade girl with a reading problem.
"Yugi do you need any help?" The boy ignored the question as he picked at the last bit of squashed muffin. The two older boys growled deeply at the man.
"Indigestion?" The fifth years blushed and looked away.
"Yugi, look at me when I am talking so I know you are paying attention." The boy looked through his blond bangs at his teacher. "Good. Do you need any help on your assignment?" He repeated the question.
"No."
"Let me know if you do." Yami smiled and continued to walk around. Eventually he made his way to the sullen boy in timeout. "Are you ready to behave?" A quick nod, probably not trusting himself to talk. "Why did you continue to get out of your seat when I told you to remain seated?"
"I don't know. I just want to talk to my friends."
"Right now is class time. You were being disruptive to you friends and to me it looks like they want to learn. You were not being fair to them. Save it for recess later on. You also cursed when I told you that it was against the rules. If you curse again during school you will lose your recess privilege. Meaning you will spend that time on timeout. Do you understand?"
"Yes."
"Tell my why you earned yourself a timeout." The boy looked at his hands that were resting in his lap.
"Because I was being disruptive and I cursed."
"Correct." The man directed the boy to his seat and explained the instructions before leaving him to do his work.
Quietly the man's eyes skimmed over his group of students. Once students completed their papers he had them turn them in at the container on his desk.
Two hours later he started his class on their art projects, having finished their writing assignments. That's when Sini apparently forgot the rules again.
"Sini, I would not do that unless you want a time out." His eyes widened and he quickly plopped down, and quietly worked on his project. With a smirk the tri-haired man walked from table to table. Today they were to build a house out of sticks and glue.
Once eleven thirty rolled around he ordered everyone to clean their work stations for recess.
Although recess Yami saw neither Yugi or Sini.
~ Forgotten How to Smile ~
The tri-haired boy walked through the halls and stopped outside the bathroom. He paused when he heard mumbling inside and immediately knew who it was. The boy placed his small hand against the door and opened it slightly to hear what they were talking about.
"This place it s joke. I have a plan to scare that teacher good!"
"Are you sure you should do this?" Another asked. A chuckled came.
"I'm going to make Mr. Mutou pay."
"Pay? For what? He didn't exactly do anything to you, did he?" Shuffling was heard as one mutter something softly to the other child.
Yugi smirked and closed the door. He patiently waited for Sini to leave. He would make his move once the boy was alone.
~ Forgotten How to Smile ~
The siblings, Seth and Micheal, found Yugi and were told what to do.
Sini was walking down the halls making his way to the playground, until he noticed the janitor's closet open. With a small grin he made his way down the stairs. The trio followed him and stopped at the top of the steps. Sini looked up when he saw a shadow over cast over him. Thinking it was a teacher he quickly grabbed a rock, he already had in his pocket, and chucked it at the large figure. Yugi side stepped, and the rock shot past his left ear. Looking up Sini realized he was in danger.
"What do you want?" Sini shouted aggressively. The brothers stepped forward as Yugi closed the door slowly. The room was shrouded in darkness until a red light was flicked on. Seth grabbed a strip of wire out of his pocket and held it at his side. Lips curving to a smirk the group made their way down the darkened stair case. "Hey, you're freaking me out. I don't want to hurt any of you, but I will if I must!" Sini said standing tall.
Yugi charged forward and Sini shrieked, then turned to run. It was a wrong move on Sini's behalf because the shorter boy jumped on his back, pushing the bigger boy down. With great skill Seth wrapped the wire tightly around the boy's wrists. Micheal grabbed a rag that was laying on one of the shelves and tied it around the boy's mouth to gag him. Seth dragged the boy and tied him to a pole with another piece of wire. Yugi smirked and bent down so he was eye to eye with the older boy.
"It's time to play a game." Yugi hissed into the boy's ear.
~ Forgotten How to Smile ~
1) I found this tactic online, sorry I do not remember where. It's rather simple and I use it when dealing with my nieces. :P
Reactive Attachment Disorder (http : /www . mayoclinic . com / health / reactive-attachment-disorder / DS00988)
Symptoms : (In young children : withdrawn, sad and listless appearance, calm when left alone, engages in self-soothing behavior, no interest in playing with toys, failure to reach out when picked up, lack of the normal tendency to follow others in the room with their eyes, no interest in playing interactive games, failure to smile.) (In older children : withdrawn, avoiding or dismissing comforting comments or gestures, acting aggressively toward peers, watching others closely but not engaging in social interaction, failing to ask for support or assistance, obvious and consistent discomfort, masking feelings of anger or distress.)
August 03, 2010
TheParadoxGlitch56