It was only a matter of time. Kaiba knew it would happen eventually.
Sitting at his desk, which was at the back of the classroom, Kaiba watched as the Dweeb Patrol surrounded the new girl. She looked uncomfortable but hid it through her hair and laughing just enough to seem normal. Though she seemed somewhat 'normal' with Wheeler, which surprised Kaiba.
The blond boy also stood in a strange way. Standing right next to her. Watching the other boys in class. Eyes wary and cautious. It was almost as if he were trying to protect her.
But what from?
Kaiba inwardly grunted. He wouldn't be able to ask the boy until Monday next week. Seto Kaiba didn't go back on his word, as much as he wanted to right now. Unless of course…
The bell tolled and everyone sat. Kaiba worked on his computer, ignoring the teachers as they taught their subjects. He was scrolling through information Mokuba had found last night.
A newspaper with the title, Paedophile Arrested. Kaiba only glanced through the article, since this sort of stuff was normal for the media. Some sort of murderer, suicide, rape, etc., were in the papers or social media every day. Though Mokuba had picked this one up for a reason.
It had to be ten or so years old. The article spoke of a man who kidnapped or adopted children of a young age. This man had been arrested three years into his work, all because an overprotective father had pushed police to keep looking for his daughter even though they had chosen to give up. Turned out said father was Mr. Bakura, Ryou's father.
There was a picture of the father with Ryou in his arms, her face hidden by her mane of white hair. Kaiba didn't miss the bruises on her bare arms.
So Ryou had been abused most likely raped? Maybe the mutt knew this and was trying to prevent it from happening again.
After going through a few more sources, he found Ryou lived alone and had moved from place to place with money she 'borrowed' from her father. But by the money transactions, some of it didn't even look like it came from her family. Very well hidden. Kaiba only just picked up on it. Ryou knew how to hack her way into someone's account by the look of it.
The bell rang for break and Kaiba stood, closing his computer at the same time. He saw the dweebs start to migrate out, Yugi and the others already forgetting about the albino girl. Ryou seemed fine with that, but she stiffened when Wheeler noticed her absence. Kaiba let a cold smile cross his face. He might steal the girl for a while.
He reach her in only a few strides. Standing in front of her now, he could feel the mutt's glare.
Ryou looked up at him with her face half hidden and head cocked.
"Hello Miss. Bakura," Kaiba said in a calm and cool tone. "My name is Seto Kaiba."
She didn't gasp or react in any way he expected. Most girls would be almost fainting at the fact Seto Kaiba were paying them attention. Ryou only looked up a little more, hair parting to show a big blue eye.
"Um, hello." Her voice was much softer than he expected. "Ah, you are that Japanese billionaire?"
He gave one nod, giving a somewhat nice smile.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you."
Ryou opened her mouth to reply when Wheeler broke between them, smiling at Ryou but glaring at Kaiba.
"Sorry Moneybags but Ryou's coming with us." He looked at her, brown eyes hopeful. "Right Ryou?"
"Um…"
Ryou shifted on her feet, looking at the ground. Kaiba glared at Wheeler while her attention was elsewhere but he only stuck a tongue out at him. To think he had the nerve-
"Sorry Joey," Ryou whispered to the blond, shocking both of the boys, "but I think I might speak to Mr. Kaiba. I'll meet with you later."
Kaiba smiled at the gaping shock on the mutt's face. He stuttered, trying to find words but eventually Ryou saved him the embarrassment and walked past him. She glanced up at Kaiba.
"Where do you want to talk?"
"Just outside."
She nodded and followed him out. Kaiba glimpsed Wheeler over her head as they left the classroom and gave him a cold smile. If Kaiba wasn't going to get the lunch time, then he might as well steal the mutt's new toy. Even if it were just to find out information.
/ / / / / / / / / / /
She knew this boy knew. Just the way he acted was suspicious even for her. Not attracted in any way but aware and cautious. Ryou knew he knew one of the secrets. Probably that one. There was no way he could know about... Anyway, it was just a matter of breaking the ice around her.
They now stood in a secluded area of the school with a single tree and park bench. She sat on the bench while Kaiba leaned against it, eyes cold and blank. She knew his 'niceness' had been an act.
"So what is it you wanted to talk about, Mr. Kaiba?" Ryou asked quietly while leaning on the back of the seat to look at him properly.
His eyes flicked to her, royal blue and blank. She found that quite interesting.
"I do not think you are as quiet as a girl you like to play, Miss. Bakura."
Ryou felt the ghost of a smile tug at her lips. But she let her hair fall into her face instead. Maybe, for the first time since she was eight, someone would see her other half.
"What makes you think that, Mr. Kaiba?" she asked softly. "I have only been here a day."
"That is true, but I have employees who can find information about anyone anywhere." He looked at her properly, a cold smirk on his face. "You are a bit of a thief aren't you, Ryou?"
Oh first name huh? She let that smile reach her lips and she relaxed a little, almost changing into another person. She rested her arm on the back of the seat and turned to face him properly, one leg over the other.
"I don't think you can speak, Seto." Her smile grew as his posture stiffened at the first name. "Did you not drive your stepfather to death so you could own this company? I'm sure I can borrow a little bit of money to get from country to country."
Kaiba's brief freeze disappeared and he stood a little straighter.
"I am not looking to punish or drag you to 'justice' for your crimes. I am simply looking into a puzzle."
"And has it ever entered your mind this puzzle is bigger than you first thought?"
That cold smile graced his lips.
"I know of continued rape towards you Ryou. I have this puzzle figured out."
She had to admit fear sparked inside her as he said it. She knew he knew. But it was still scary hearing it aloud. If he knew of her continuous kidnappings and rapes, would he know of home life before she was old enough to escape? Would he know of her hobbies and hidden parts? Would he find more of her dark side just by speaking to her?
"I do not think you do, Mr. Kaiba." She stood, placing her hands on her hips and looking at him properly. "I am much harder to figure out than you think. But, do keep my little transactions to yourself. I would hate to be stuck in one place when, as you said yourself, rape follows me everywhere." She gave a chilling smile before gently tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear and resuming an innocent, shy behaviour. "Well I should go to Joey now," she said softly as if none of that darkness had possessed her. "I guess I'll see you around?"
Kaiba blinked before standing properly and nodding once. Ryou smiled softly before walking away, head down instead of high as her dark personality wanted. It had been so long since she had shown that to anyone. Seto Kaiba should feel privileged.
He just saw a ghost slowly being reborn.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
Joey paced a little, wondering when Ryou would come back. She had been gone most of recess and the bell was going to go. He wanted to at least speak to her about Kaiba before they had classes again.
But what annoyed him was Kaiba had approached her in the first place. Ryou didn't need that jerk sniffing around her. Kaiba could chose anyone else to grow an interest in. Anyone but Ryou.
The bell ringed and Joey groaned. Dammit!
He and the others walked back to class, Joey more than annoyed. He sat in his seat, noticing how neither Kaiba nor Ryou were there. He started to suspect the worse until Ryou came in, hair in face and head ducked. Only a few seconds later Kaiba entered. Though he looked kinda…shaken.
Strange…
Class whizzed by, Joey's desire to speak to the white haired girl making everything seem faster. Before he knew it, it was lunch and he instantly went to Ryou, glancing at Kaiba as he did so. But the CEO only left the class without so much as a glance.
"Hey," Joey gently nudged the girl, making her jump, "Sorry. Um, what was Kaiba talking to you about?"
"Oh…" Ryou glanced at the ground, fiddling with her bag strap, "It's not important."
She then proceeded to walk past him, forcing him to follow her so he could guide her to his group.
As much as Joey wanted to know, he stopped himself from asking. It wasn't his job to pry. If he were to be a good friend, he would stand by and let her speak when she wanted to.
Ryou mixed with his friends well. She spoke to Yugi and Joey about video games and board games. She spoke to Téa about girl stuff. She even had a laugh with Tristian, who was obviously trying to flirt. But Joey trusted him so he let his friend do so. Ryou seemed content so Joey let his friends be normal. And anyway, how could any of them hurt her like the man last night?
Joey had been talking with Yugi about his Red Eyes Black Dragon, Yugi speaking of his Dark Magician, when Ryou piped up. Softly but enough to get both their attention.
"You play Duel Monsters?"
Joey instantly jumped on the conversation. A girl who played the game?! That wasn't Mai or some Yugi lover?
"Yeah we play. Do you?"
She nodded and pulled out a deck from her bag.
"I'm not the best. I just like the designs so I collected the cards at first. I learnt how to play but I don't do it often."
"Then we should duel," Joey suggested to Yugi's nod. "But heads up Ryou, Yugi's the King of Games. No one can beat him."
Ryou looked at the small tri coloured haired boy and smiled.
"I doubt I would be able to beat him anyway. I've heard stories."
Yugi smiled just a little, in both embarrassment and pride. Joey rolled his eyes at his friend's behaviour. Yugi always got like that when his title was brought up. But hey, it was better than the Nameless Pharaoh right?
"Do you want to play now?" Joey asked.
Ryou looked like she was about to agree but the bell rang, making them all groan. Joey sighed and stood, pocketing his deck.
"Maybe next time?"
She nodded and they all headed back to class. Just as before, the classes whizzed by and left them at the end of the day.
Now Joey hesitated.
He hadn't gone home last night. His dad must be exploding with anger. If Joey went home, he could be beaten to death. But if he prolonged his return, he would be beaten to death.
He forced himself to smile and wave goodbye to his friends. When Ryou was the only one left, he hesitated again.
"Do you need someone to walk you home?" he asked, making her glance at him through her hair.
She smiled and shook her head.
"I should be fine." She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, showing her beautiful face for once. Joey instantly froze in awe and a small lust. But he smiled just to make her feel comfortable. Ryou was a friend. "Um, thanks for today, Joey," she whispered. "I think I might stay here longer." She then started to walk away, waving.
Joey waved once before letting his smile fade. Now to face the hell waiting at home.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
"How did it go Big Bro?"
Kaiba sat heavily on the couch and Mokuba's enthusiasm died.
"I'm guessing 'not good'?"
Seto gave his brother a half hearted smile.
"I'm just tired," he muttered. "Ryou is one piece of work. She has so many different hidden compartments. More than just the rape and breaching."
Mokuba sat next to him, perching on the balls of his bare feet and gazing at his brother with wide innocent eyes.
"Like what?"
Seto sighed and muttered, "Secrets. Lots and lots of secrets. She almost has a hidden personality. Split personality actually. There's more to her than we can find."
Mokuba hummed softly, his over intelligent mind working. Seto's was too tired to do so and he stood, heading for his room. Mokuba didn't follow, knowing it was smart not to.
Sighing, the CEO sat on his bed. He rubbed a sleep deprived eye, refusing to have a shower just yet. If he did, then he would fall asleep. Which meant less work done.
But he was drained from thinking. Just the few minutes of conversation with Ryou had set his mind on a path he didn't need. He had to know her secrets. For how could a shy, innocent, almost sweet girl turn into the cold, sly, manipulative woman he had seen today?
She was the only other person Kaiba had met with this attitude. And the first had been his stepfather.
Gozaburo Kaiba.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Ryou stepped out of the steamed filled bathroom and climbed into her pyjamas. She felt much better in her own space.
She walked bare foot through her apartment, coming to sit on the armchair in the living room. She then picked up the golden object on the table.
She ran light, ghostly fingers over the gold. The triangular points hanging from small hooks. The circular ring around a solid triangle. The Eye of Horus in the middle of that triangle, all gold. Then the simple rope hooked onto the ring so she could wear it like a necklace.
The Millennium Ring. An occult item that once belonged to her ancestor. A thief. The Thief King.
She held the gold to her warm chest, letting it wrap her in the familiar cold of her ancestor's shadow magic. She could just see the silhouette of a snake. A snake for a tail and demon like torso. A bat like head and bat wings but snake slit eyes and tongue.
"Oh Diabound," she whispered as the demon monster came to curl around her, "what do I do now? Should I stay or go?"
It hissed softly, a clawed finger brushing her cheek in a comforting gesture. She could hear its thoughts. The soft whisper of a monster wanting a soul. Or a devoted servant trying to help its master.
"You're right." She stroked its snake head tail. "I'll figure it out eventually. But what about that Joey boy from last night? What do you think of him?"
An annoyed hissed came out of it and the snake head jerked. She chuckled at this reaction.
"Is it because of the Light aura around him?"
Diabound grumbled, telling her yes. Ryou smiled and leaned back on the couch, feeling Diabound's firm chest behind her. As much as it were a spirit, it was solid to her.
"And Kaiba?"
Same sort of reaction.
"I like them. Joey could become interesting and Kaiba is fun to play with. He's scared of us you know that?"
It hissed in enjoyment, the snake part rubbing against her hand.
"I should go to sleep…" She stood and walked to her bedroom, still holding the Ring. "Watch over me will you?"
It hissed once again before going silent, floating above her head as she drifted into a dreamless sleep.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
Thanks for reading. I hope you're enjoying it.