Taken (2/?)

Yes, I know it's been a while, but even if it takes me forever and a day to update, I always finish stories. I can't stand leaving things unfinished, so just know that. Thank you to all my wonderful reviewers. I appreciate the feedback. Anyway, same as last chapter. This is slash, don't flame me for it. Don't own anything. Probably never will. Don't sue; I don't have anything. Didja get all that? Good. Now. On with chapter two.

Yugi was having a busy day minding his grandfather's shop. Yami was sitting off in a corner arranging new deck strategies. There was a sudden calm in the normally bustling shop, and Yami was taking full advantage of it.

Now, if I play the mystical elf in combination with my trap...

"Oh. Hey Ryou." Yugi's voice snapped Yami back into a reality away from the game of duel monsters.

"Hey, Yugi, has my card order come in yet?"

At that instant, Anzu pranced into the store. Yugi smiled politely and said hello to her.

"Hi Yugi! Oh, hey Ryou!" Anzu piped up enthusiastically.

"Anzu," Ryou replied, acknowledging the girl's presence. "So, Yugi, what about my card shipment? Has it come in?"

"Sure has. I'll go and get it; I'll be right back."

"Thanks."

Yugi went off and Yami began to carefully study Ryou. Ryou and Anzu shared some more light conversation. Nothing seemed to be particularly wrong with Ryou, except for the fact that was constantly glancing about, almost as if he expected something...or someone... to jump out at him.

Ryou caught Yami's eye and stared darkly at him. Yami turned back to his cards and pretended to stop paying attention, but he kept a watch on them from the corner of his eye and he kept his ears wide open.

"So, Ryou, what are you..." Anzu trailed off.

While Yami only had a view of the side of Ryou's face, he clearly saw his features harden.

"Hey, Yami," Anzu said, still seeming reluctant to have any sort of conversation with the ancient pharaoh, "Tell Yugi I had to go, and that I'll stop by tomorrow, okay?"

Yami grunted his consent, and Anzu positively fled the shop.

Yami stared suspiciously at who he doubted was the real Ryou, but did nothing. Yugi reentered the room, and there was an almost imperceptible shift of the aura in the room. But Yami noticed.

Yugi handed Ryou his cards. Ryou thanked him politely and exited the shop, mumbling under his breath as he closed the door. This, however, went undetected by Yugi.

"See. I told you nothing was wrong with Ryou. He seemed perfectly normal to me."

"If you call almost literally scaring the crap out of Anzu normal..."

"What do you mean he...hey...where did Anzu go anyway?"

"So you noticed?" Yami said amusedly. "While you were gone, Ryou did something that caused Anzu to react in such a way, but I cannot be entirely sure what."

"Are you sure? Maybe Anzu just suddenly realized that she had something to do and was in a hurry."

"Perhaps. But don't you think she at least would have taken the time to say goodbye to you in person instead of sending the message through me?"

"No. I don't know. Maybe."

"Believe what you will, my light. Bakura may have returned, and he may not have..."

"But..."

"But whether we admit it or not. Ryou has changed."

So, what did you think? Was it good? Please let me know in a review. The more reviews I get the faster I update. Ta-ta for now!