Chapter 14: The Scale

When I got inside, I set my schoolbag on my bed and turned on my computer to take my online class. I mostly just worked on my project and searched around on the Internet, keeping my eyes peeled for anything else that might relate to the Spirit. I didn't find anything on him, but I found a pharaoh to research. Neither his body or treasure was ever discovered, and the more I read about him the more interested I got. He was also into a lot of the so-called magic of the time, talking to the dead and casting spells and all that.

After a while, the phone rang. I bookmarked the tab and turned off my laptop, going into the hall to answer it. I recognized the number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ryo, it's me Akane. About the tutoring thing, would you mind horribly if you came over to my house?"

"No problem. I just need directions," I said, picking up the pen and pad next to the phone.

"Well, about that," she said, a smile in her voice.

"What is it?"

She laughed a little before the line ended.

"Hello?" I said, but of course there was no answer. Confused and just a little offended, I hung the phone up and started to redial her number. Then there was a knock at the door, three quick, light taps. It took me a second before I realized, then I chuckled to myself. I hid the Ring in my shirt and went downstairs to answer it.

Akane smiled sheepishly at me. "I hoped you'd say yes, so I decided to swing by on my way home."

"Good thing you did, I'm not very good with directions," I said, smiling back. "I have to get my bag, do you want to come in for a second?"

"Sure," she said, stepping in. "Nice place. Is it just you and your parents here?"

"Yup," I said, closing the door behind her. I started up the steps. "I'll be right back," I said over my shoulder. I slid some shoes on and grabbed my schoolbag, slinging it over my shoulder before going back down. "Ready."

"Let's hit the road," she said, smiling again. For a second I could only stare. The smile looked so... familiar. Like a smile I'd known all my life. There was something in it that I'd know anywhere.

Akane caught me staring and cocked her head. "You okay?"

I blinked a few times, smiling sheepishly. "Yeah, sorry," I said, opening the door and motioning for her to go first.

She laughed a little. "You can be kind of strange sometimes," she mused, stepping through. "But I think that's a good thing."

"Thanks, I guess," I chuckled, locking the door behind us.

I followed her to her house. It wasn't too far from mine, just down the road in a large intersection. She grabbed a key from under the windowsill and opened the door, going in and smiling. "Come on, the living room is right over here," she said.

It was a nice place. A little unorganized, but not really messy. The living room had a warm red-and-tan color theme to it and it was all centered around a big coffee table rather than the TV.

She sat on the couch and I sat next to her. "Okay, let's get down to business," she said, pulling out her Algebra II textbook and notebook. I looked over what she was studying and remembered most of it. I helped her with what I could, and she seemed to understand most of it. But while I tutored her, I couldn't help but notice she was looking around and acting a little antsy.

"Is everything okay?" I finally asked. "You seem a little nervous."

"What? Oh no, I'm fine," she said with an assuring smile. Then she stood and backed up a little. "But now that you mention it, I have to go do something. Excuse me for a sec." She turned, disappearing down a hall before I could say anything else.

I waited for a while. Then a while longer. As I waited, the atmosphere slowly started to feel tense. I started wondering what was taking so long, then decided to check on her. I stood, going to the hall she went down.

"Akane?" I called. No answer. I took a few more steps down the hall, calling again. Still nothing. I started to get a little worried, making a quick pass through the other halls, knocking on a few doors as I continued to call for her.

As I passed one room, I felt the Ring pull toward it like it was being attracted to a magnet. I knocked, then when nothing came I slowly turned the knob and peeked in. There was nobody inside, but by the looks of it... it was Akane's room.

I felt a bit like a peeping tom and started to close the door, but the Ring only pulled toward it harder. I followed with my eyes to what it was pointing to and-

There's no way. It couldn't be... It was impossible. How could she possible have it? Who gave it to her? How long has she had it? It's impossible.

It was a Millennium Item.

"Ryo?"

I jumped, whirling around and pushing the door closed behind me. "Oh, h-hey Akane. Sorry, I was just, uh... looking for you," I said, trying to get my thoughts straight.

She eyed me. "Is everything alright?" she said, looking concerned. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I-I'm fine," I said, standing up straight and forcing myself to relax. I smiled awkwardly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to go poking around."

"It's okay," she shrugged. "I'm the one who left you sitting in my living room."

I laughed a little, hoping the anxiety didn't show. "Why don't we finish the lesson?"

"Good idea," she said, seeming just as awkward as felt.

We finished the lesson quickly and she offered to walk me back home, but I told her I would manage. We said our goodbyes and see-you-at-schools, then I started for home. Just as I started walking down the sidwalk, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a white feather blowing in the breeze.

As I walked, it was obvious that there was something going on. I could feel it in my gut. Akane has the Millennium Scale, and she was bound to have noticed my Ring one time or another at school. Not to mention, there was something about her... I could feel something tugging at a heartstring that I hadn't been pulled at in a long time. I couldn't put my finger on it...

PSYCO: haha, I told you I'd be updating more often! I hope you guys liked the chap, cause I'm starting to get into the plot now c: I hope you guys aren't too against my bringing in Akane, cause trust me, I hate when people bring in OC's myself. But hopefully the epicness of the plot will be enough for you to accept her ^^

ok, I get a lot of questions about if I'm turning this into a tendership. The answer is no, I'm keeping this one straight. Sowwy!

BUUUUUT I'm thinking about writing a tendership for you guys. I'm kinda debating cause I don't know if I'd be any good at it or if anybody would read it but if I get enough people telling me they want it then I'd be happy to oblige c: so review and tell me if you'd like the ship! Also, I'm wondering if you guys would like a chapter of insight for Akane and … another character involved in the plot c;

SO REVIEW AND TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON THESE TWO TOPICS! MUCH OBLIGED!

Ryo: Shipping? Like.. fan pairings?

Spirit: Oh Ra, what is she going to do to us...

PSYCO: haha, fangirl and fanboys are a misunderstood but united group of people XD there's power in fandom.

OKAY GUYS, DASSIT FOR DIS CHAP. Hope you liked it and thanks for reading!

Pfft do I even need disclaimers at this point?