Thanks to: Kahtiihma, Anonymous, crystalshower, BishounenzAngel, Sozuki, lost complex, Ty8, ShinakaStar, R Amythest, Sailor Sun8, Kurayami Ryuu
A/N: Thanks for all the lovely reviews. Without you guys this chapter would be wading in a good pile of dust.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
For you I would Crossdress
By Tat Claire Kokoro
Chap 2. Inside a ghost room
I look in the mirror and see your face
If I look deep enough
So many things inside that are
Just like you are taking over me . . .
-"Taking over me" (EvaneScence)
It's been four years since Amane died, and four years since I've entered her room. Nothing has been touched or moved from it's place, and the room still smells like vanilla, her trademark scent.
I've hardly taken one step inside and I already want to turn back. Yugi pats my back. "It's time, Ryou. You can't keep dwelling in the past."
The words give me no relief. This room IS a reminder of the past, a past I DON'T want to see again. So when I glance at the sky-blue walls, the canopy bed, and all Amane's trinkets, I feel younger. And disturbed.
I cautiously pull open a dresser drawer. The first thing catching my eye was her school uniform.
I hold up the uniform, all of its seams and frills still intact and the sweet smell of vanilla lingering in the cloth as if she was still there, as if just seconds ago she stored the uniform in the dresser after a long day in class.
I closed my eyes, clasping onto a sudden wisp of memory . . .
/. . .My sister was walking me to school, one hand holding mine, the other a briefcase.
"Onnesan, I wanna go to High School with you."
Amane gave a half-smile. "We've been over this for years, Ryou. I have to go to my own class, same goes for you. 'Sides, it's only six hours without me . . ."
"Six hours?!" I squeaked. "That's too long!"
She ruffled my hair, giggling. "Is six hours really that long, Ryou-chan. . .?"/
"Hey!" Yugi nudges me, "Are you all right?"
I nod. "Let's get this over with."
I take a package of girl's panties (never been opened) under one arm, hang stockings on the other, and hold carefully Amane's school uniform. I dump the contents on her bed, putting each item on one at a time.
When I finish, I stand before the mirror. It surprises me that I look like a girl—well… except for the lack of breasts.
Other than that everything is flawless. My face is naturally feminine so no makeup is needed, my legs are quite shapely, and my hair past shoulder length.
"Bust. You need some bust." Yugi hands me a bra and two… er… water balloons…
I blink some before taking off the top half of my outfit, and putting the bra on, then filling it in with my water balloons. Again, I take another glance in the looking glass.
"Are you sure about this, Yugi? I don't want to deceive Malik."
"Hey, you HAVE to make sacrifices to get what you want. Miss this chance and you'll end up blaming yourself for not trying later."
"And if I do choose to make this sacrifice and Malik finds out I'll make a nice wall hanging in his room."
The spiky-haired one leans back. "It's still worth it."
He runs a comb through my hair. "Why don't you let me braid it?"
I barely nod. Yugi is already twisting my strands. Meanwhile I imagine either becoming Malik's new wall plaque or his new lover.
Motorcycle racing used to be uninteresting to me. I never understood how motorbikes running round and round amused people. Wouldn't it make you dizzy? Watching that for how long…?
Yet now I kinda do like motorcycles, thanks to Malik. When I walk by a motorcycle shop or see someone on a Harley I can imagine him examining the bike thoroughly. He could complain, "Not fast enough." Or he'd applaud, "Nice engine! Nope, won't die so quickly."
What I like the most about motorcycles? That it brings me and Malik closer (unfortunately only in a 'friendship' kind of way). Every week I go to his house, heading straight to the backyard. Sure enough, the Egyptian is sitting on the lawn fiddling with his prized set of wheels. Malik is the one who mostly talks. Our conversations are usually on motorcycles but sometimes it goes deeper.
To hear him talk about his past, all he's went through… no REAL childhood… without a mother… and an unwanted duty, it makes me want to shed his tears, the ones he bottles up inside.
"Everyone's looking at you, Ryou," Yugi mouths, "EVEN girls."
Cautiously, I take a peek around me. Yugi is right, people ARE looking. Right when I notice their stares they give a slight blush and turn away. My embarrassment fades. I thought it'd look obvious to others that I'm a guy. Within me now is pride. If I am a hit with these people surely Malik will find me… attractive.
We reach the track, and after inspecting several spots, pick the place closest to it.
"Hey there!" a blue-haired girl called out to me. She smiled sweetly. "Are ye waitin' for somebuddy?"
I back away. Even NOW girls are chasing me… Sweet Goddess, why can't they chase after the straight ones?
She frowns. "Eh…? Ye must be straight, sucha pity." Then she walks off.
After that I think no one else would try and pick me up. I am seriously mistaken. I spend half of the motorcycle race (lightly) smacking wandering hands or ignoring offers to lunch and 'a few drinks at my place'. Other than that, I enjoy the race, keeping an eye on #13, Malik's racing number.
He isn't doing so well. It seems as if his passion for biking has drained away. He has trouble with turns, speed, and most importantly, he isn't concentrating. For a long time he is in 5th place. 5th place?! Malik can certainly do better than that!
"Go Malik!" I cheer. "I know you can run their asses into the mud!"
Wait. I actually cheered? And did I just say something out of character? I'm normally the one who stands there, pointing out the obvious while everyone is cheering their cords out. (And I don't curse! I blame Tat.)
He must've heard my cheer, because right then he turns and looks STRAIGHT AT ME. My heart skips a beat. Can he tell it was me, Ryou? Regular ole' Ryou? Not this cheap imitation?
Whoever he thinks I am it sure gives him his passion for biking back. The dirty-blonde revs his bike up, shooting past and wedging through the other riders, making clean, professional turns along the way.
"—Oh my God! Folks, I don't know what caused #13 to suddenly make it into the lead! Was he HIGH earlier? Didn't get enough rest? (blah, blah, blah.)—"
"Whoa! He's on fire," Yugi breathes. "Is he like this all the time?"
"Yeah, he is."
At lightning speed, Malik passes the finish line. He gets off his bike and takes his helmet off, shaking the hair from his eyes. I'm about to slink back into the crowd, but Yugi, that meddler, pushes me right out into plain sight.
I try to move away but nobody else wants to move. They'd rather not be bothered during the glories.
"So Malik, who would you like to thank for winning this race?"
"That girl."
He lifts a finger and points at… ME. My pale complexion turns a series of reds, and the crowd pushes me in front of Malik. I advert my eyes shyly. "Er… Konnichiwa?"
"Don't be so timid," he leans close to my ear and whispers. "Meet me at the museum on Sunday, noon."
On my way back home I can't help but have a spring or two in my steps. A date with Malik! I can't believe it's not butter! (A/N: Inside joke)
I cheerily unlock the door. I'm too happy for words, too happy for my emotions to show anything more than a dopey grin and girlish giggles. I run up the stairs two at a time, and I'm about to shuck off these clothes and take a shower when Bakura peers out of our room. His reddish-brown eyes widen.
"A… Amane?"
-No characters were harmed (physical) in the making of this fic. Tat is not responsible for any mental breakdowns-
