Darker than Shadows
Chapter 1
The most dangerous part of the day at the Yami-Hikari household was the scramble before leaving for school. Lunches were argued over, a broom would be swung for everyone to make their beds, clothes hurriedly put on or adjusted, homework crammed into back packs, breakfast haphazardly eaten, and at least one death threat being muttered at all times.
Once everyone had gathered their things, one of the crucial parts of the day would be decided: The seating arrangement in the car for the day.
"It's my day as driver!"
"Shotty!"
"I call window!" "Me too!"
"Center seat!"
"Not bitch!"
"Wait, where's Ali?"
"No no no no wait! I call- … I hate you all…"
Crammed between Bakura and Malik was not the most ideal seating arrangement for the drive to school. In fact, it was the farthest from ideal due to the fact that not only was Alison stuck between the two psychopaths, but she was also on the hump in the back row of the car.
"It's your own fault, you know." Ryou scolded her from the driver's seat "If you'd set out your bag the night before, you wouldn't have to scramble to get it ready right before we leave. Ergo, you'd have a chance at getting a decent seat. Honestly, you've gotten that spot for more than a month straight."
As they rounded a turn, Alison blew Bakura's white hair out of her face before leaning over and sticking her tongue out so Ryou could see from the rearview mirror.
"Yes, mommy."
A.J laughed from shotgun, rolling her eyes as Ryou muttered "She's definitely your hikari…"
While the car was idle at a red light, Marik tried to brush his hair without elbowing Yugi or Yami in the head.
"Marik, watch it, you almost got me with that one." Yami said, ducking in his seat.
"Sorry, Yami." He said apologetically. Ryou was trying to bargain with A.J to have her look over his homework to make sure it looked good as he began driving again. A.J simply plugged in her iPod, opting to ignore him. All three in the back row had fallen back asleep. Malik and Bakura were leaning against the window and Alison was leaning her head back, arms crossed to avoid any contact with the two crazies.
Yugi looked back at them and chuckled to himself as Marik finally put his brush away.
Once they reached Domino High, fifteen minutes early thanks to Ryou's dedication to punctuality (it being the only reason he'd ever drive faster than the speed limit), they all spilled out of the car. Yugi stayed in the car, cautiously rousing the three in the backseat from their sleep.
"We're here." He said as they blinked themselves awake.
"Oh joy…" Malik muttered sarcastically, climbing over the seats in front to get out. After a minute to make sure they had everything, Alison, Bakura, and Yugi all exited the car and closed the door.
"Well, 138 days down, 57 to go." Bakura said as they re-grouped with the rest of the family. Before a conversation could start, Joey came in and crammed himself inside the little circle they had formed, Seto standing off to the side pointedly ignoring the group. After a few minutes, Duke joined in the group too.
"Can ya guys believe dat they're actually lettin' us misfits into da aquarium again?" Joey asked, dangling with his arms wrapped around Yami and Ryou.
"No, I can't. Especially after that little fiasco we caused at there last year." Bakura smirked. "Are you sure they didn't say 'everyone in the school may go except for the Yami-Hikari group, Joey, Tristan and Duke?"
"I'm sure!" Joey insisted. "That reminds me. Seto! Can I bum some money? They have cool shit in the gift shops at fancy places like this."
Seto just sighed and shook his head slightly "You know I can buy you whatever you want, you don't need to ask for money."
"Yeah, but I feel more important if I buy my own stuff even if it's on borrowed money."
With that, the bell rang and everyone hurried to their homeroom classes inside. Afterwards the school would depart by grade to various locations for field trip week. The next day, the schedule would rotate so by the end of the week, everyone had visited every place.
While the homeroom teacher lectured about expected behavior, a paper war was started between a few certain yamis, hikaris, Joey, and Tristan.
"Hey, no fair, using Shadow Magic is cheating!" Tristan whispered furiously. Yugi jokingly stuck his tongue out and launched another shadow strengthened paper star at the brunette. Marik and Bakura launched a few smaller paper balls to avoid detection of the teacher.
Alison looked back at the paper war going on, then turned back and glowered slightly at her notebook sitting on the desk. Ripping out a page and crumpling it up, she tried to use Shadow Magic to make it fly back at one of the boys, but barely managed to make it float up two inches before it fell and skittered off the desk.
Despite months of practicing, the only time Alison could manage any decent Shadow Magic was when she was on a caffeine or sugar high. Any other time, it was like her Shadow Magic was nonexistent.
"Alright students, be sure to bring the items I've listed on the board and any other essentials you'll need for the day. If you so wish you can bring your backpack, but we will be coming back with enough time to grab them before school ends." Said the teacher.
A screech of seats being pushed back and the rustling of backpacks sounded through the classroom as everyone got ready. A few girls discreetly slipped on some more comfortable shoes for a full day of walking.
"Now remember class, you are to be on your best behavior." The teacher warned, giving the evil eye to the group in the back. A.J rolled her eyes as she grabbed her wallet.
"Come on, lets just go already." She muttered as they joined the flood of students leaving for the hallway.
After spending fifteen minutes making sure the students were in their correct class groups, it was another ten minute walk to the aquarium. When they finally got there, they all collected their visitors passes. In previous years, students were free to wander around on their own and spend the day learning at their own pace. But this year, due to an accident involving a cracked glass, several star fish, and Bakura in the large fish tank containing more than a few sharks, everyone was separated into even smaller groups before going off with a guide.
"Nice. The glass is a good two inches thicker." Bakura noted, knocking on said glass lightly.
"Please do not tap the glass, sir." The guide warned before continuing his lecture. Bakura rolled his eyes and was about to summon the shadows to make a small crack in the seal when A.J took his hand and shook her head.
"Not in public." She said. Bakura nodded before following the rest of the group as they moved to the jellyfish exhibit.
Author's Note
Okay, this was originally going to be posted as a friendship anniversary present, but I can't keep letting it sit on my desktop until November. So I hope you don't mind it being posted early! ^^;