Chapter 8- Stillness and Driving.
**Mwahahaha! Thanks for the reviews! It seems like Chikara's 'idiotic' Yami isn't as what she seems.anyways.for the boring ol' disclaimer.**gives everyone the I-don't-own-yu-gi-oh! look****
Malik told Chikara to sit down at the table and put her arms straight out so he could re-bandage them. She silently sat down and proceeded to cross her arms. Malik grabbed her wrists and placed her arms on the table.
"I thought I told you not to do that." said Malik as he got some more bandages out and some anti-biotic liquid in a bottle out of one of the drawers.
He sat down across from Chikara and took the remaining bandages of her arms. He put them to the side and took one of the tea towels and poured some of the anti-biotic on it.
"Why would you do this to yourself." whispered Malik as he dabbed the gashes carefully.
Chikara remained silent and looked at her gashes and the blood that was seeping of the cuts. Malik shook his head and wrapped some clean bandages on her first arm.
"So that is the explanation of her behavior," finished Shadi.
//Yugi, I am going to separate from you for a brief moment.// said Yami through the telepathic link between the two.
/ Alright, but what for? Is something bothering you? /Asked Yugi.
// I am curious about the millennium item.and it would be a good idea to talk to Chikara.// answered Yami.
The millennium puzzle around Yugi's neck started to glow and Yami appeared standing in front of Yugi.
"Shadi, would it be okay if I talk to Chikara." Asked Yami as he looked towards the kitchen.
"Yes, but I must advise that you be wary of what questions you ask." answered Shadi as he crossed his arms calmly.
Kaiba stood up quickly and looked at Yami annoyed. "I will talk to her also."
Yami looked over at Kaiba and nodded. "Very well, Kaiba.as you wish."
They both walked into the kitchen and sat at the table beside Malik and Chikara. Chikara's arms were bandaged again, she had her arms folded on the table and looked at the table silently.
"Chikara, are you okay?" asked Yami slowly.
Chikara laughed a bit mockingly. "I'm fine.really.I just almost bled to death and now everything is messed up.does that seem normal to you?" She looked at Yami out of the corner of her eye.
Yami remained silent and studied her face. He then turned to Malik. "How bad are the gashes."
Malik sighed and crossed his arms. "They are pretty deep. Bad enough to do some damage."
Chikara suddenly jumped out of her chair and grabbed Yami by the collar of his shirt and slammed his back into a wall. "You won't understand.stop asking questions."
Yami put his hands on her wrists and looked at her. "Chikara, you have to calm down.we want to talk to you." He said calmly.
"Ha! Me?? Calm!? I'm just fine!" hissed Chikara as she dropped Yami. "I couldn't be better!"
She walked over to the kitchen sink, put her hands on the edges and looked at the metal drain. She closed her eyes and let a hot tear of anger roll down her face.
"Chikara, you have to tell us what's bothering you." said Kaiba as he got up from his chair and walked over to her.
"I don't have to tell anyone anything.Shadi should've explained enough." said Chikara flatly.
"Please.at least tell us the reason of why you are acting so coldly towards us." said Kaiba as he put a hand on her shoulder. 'That was the wrong way to put it.very wrong.'
Yami stood up and dusted himself off. He walked back to the table and sat in front of Malik. "Can you tell me some things about her.nothing personal.about the millennium item." he whispered.
Malik could feel the presence of his Yami noticing the pharaoh sitting right in front of him. His Yami was reminding him that the pharaoh had killed his father and that it was his chance to kill him right here and now. He shook it off and his eyes wandered back to the surface of the table. "Well.I've known her for quite a while.we've known each other since we were children.our families were always so close so it was like one big family, just separated.She was never a pushover from the start. Until she was attacked from a bunch of strangers while we were playing by a river. My sister Isis had gone back into the house for a short moment, then they came."
Yami raised an eyebrow and folded his arms on the table. "And who were 'they'?"
Malik sighed and continued. "A bunch of thieves who used children as slaves. They had traveled everywhere and ruthlessly killed anyone who was in their way. Anyways, we were playing when they came along. I hid behind a tree and they tormented Chikara into going with them and becoming their slave. Three of them ganged up on her at once and two of them held her. The third one took his sword and slashed her back multiple times. My parents and her parents weren't aware of this because they were at the market. They let her go and watched at she almost bled to death. She probably still has the scars still.physically and mentally."
Chikara opened her eyes and looked back at Malik out of the corner of her eye. "Please.Malik.don't.don't continue the story."
Malik remained silent and looked back at Chikara. "Sorry."
Chikara straightened up and pushed the hair out of her face. "Now.weren't we supposed to talk about the trip? We can put things to the last minute."
'She's changing the subject.it might be for the best anyways.' thought Kaiba. "Yea, we leave tomorrow anyways.be don't want to get there and remember something we forgot at home."
They all walked back into the living room with the tea and sat down with the others.
//Don't ask any questions right now.something is really bothering her and we will have to talk to Malik later.// said Yami through the telepathic link.
"Hey Chikara, what happened-" Joey was cut off by one of Yugi's don't-ask- questions look. "Erm.I heard that you are coming with us for the trip."
Chikara nodded and crossed her arms.
"Anyways," started Joey. "We have to decide who is goin' in which car. So let's see here.we have Me, Tristan, Yugi, Bakura, Tea, Kaiba, Mokuba, Chikara, Malik and Isis. Oh yea. And Shadi too. Yami and Yami Bakura will have to stay in their soul rooms cause we don't have enough room."
Malik almost jumped from the chair. "We're going too?"
"Yea, I talked to your sister before we came 'ere. And you two are comin' with us." Said Joey as he counted on his fingers of how many seats were in the vehicles. "Okay, one of the vans is slightly bigger than the other and can fit the more people in."
"So, your mom and dad are driving right?" asked Tea.
"Yep, okay.here is how it is gonna be split." said Joey as he drew two columns on a piece of paper with a pencil. "Kaiba, Mokuba, Chikara, Shadi, Malik and Bakura will be in my mom's car and Yugi, Isis, Tea, Tristan and I will be in my dad's car."
"And we are leaving at 6:30 right?" Tristan said half-heartedly as he thought of waking up early.
"Yea, I'm not looking forward to gettin up that early either man." groaned Joey. "Anyways, my mom and dad will stop at everyone's house. According to the list of who they're drivin.So, in my mom's car.The Kaiba brothers will be picked up first.then Chikara and Shadi, then Bakura, and finally Malik. And in my dad's car.I'll be first of course.then Yug.then Isis, then Tea then Tristan."
"So, I guess we should be ready for 6:25.we should go home and start getting our stuff ready," said Yugi.
"Yea! We're goin on the trip! We're goin on the trip!" said Mokuba as he jumped on the couch excitedly and sugar-high.
"Mokuba, sit down." sighed Kaiba as his younger brother looked like he was going to bounce off the walls.
The group, except Chikara, Shadi and Malik, went home to pack their stuff.
"This is going to be a hell of a trip," sighed Chikara as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Yep! And it's going to be fun! Would you mind if I used to phone to contact Isis?" asked Malik.
"Sure.go ahead.just.stay outta my room Malik.or else." said Chikara as she pushed her hair behind her shoulders.
The day passed uneventfully as Chikara packed her bags with clothing and other belongings that she would need for the trip. When it was about 10 o clock, she had already eaten dinner and saved some for her parents. Her parents came walking through the door and Chikara was in her room, reading the history textbook and rested her chin on her hand nearly falling asleep.
'Boring old school work.hm.wars.soldiers.bombings.what does this have to do with anything.it's the past.sheesh.' thought Chikara as she yawned and looked at her alarm clock. 'Might as well go to bed.have to wake up really early tomorrow.'
She changed into her nightclothes and set her alarm for quarter to six. She climbed into her bed and pulled the covers up to her shoulders.
"Get out of my room." said Chikara as she looked towards the doorway. "Nothing is going to happen to me now and I'm fine.just.don't stay in my room during the night.it creeps me out."
Shadi nodded and closed the door to her room as he left.
Chikara turned over and closed her eyes. 'I hate it when he does that.I'm just fine.'
The next morning, Chikara's alarm clock was buzzing annoyingly and Chikara covered her face with the blankets. 'God damn clock.it's too early.'
The phone rung and Chikara's hand shot out from under the covers and grabbed it barely.
She yawned and sat up. "What.I mean.Hello?"
"Yo, Chikara *yawn* It's Joey.I'm just checking that you are up. It's about.6:15 and we're coming to pick everyone up in about 10 or 15 minutes." Joey mumbled.
".Who gave you my phone number?" asked Chikara slightly annoyed.
"Uhm.gotta go.see ya when we get to the place or whatever." said Joey then he hung up.
Chikara mumbled under her breath, got up and hung up the phone while slamming the alarm clock off. She took a shower and got dressed in a pair of black jeans and a red sleeveless t-shirt. She walked down the stairs into the kitchen as she tied her hair into a ponytail with a hair elastic, and her mom and dad were already in there. Chikara sat down at the table and rubbed her eyes.
'Hell.I had a shower to wake myself up but I'm still sleepy.there is no way I'm sleeping during the ride.Malik will try to pull something.' She thought silently.
"Well, it looks like you'll be away for a week. Shadi will keep an eye on you, but if you could call us every evening and inform us what's happening, that would be nice." Said her mother as she handed Chikara her usual bowl of cereal.
"Mhmm.okay.I will." mumbled Chikara as she started eating her cereal.
Around 6:27, Chikara looked out the window and saw Mokuba sleeping in one of the seats, furthest from the door in the van.
'Hm? Now where would Seto be.he wouldn't leave his brother there unless he's at the door.' thought Chikara as she said her goodbyes to her parents. "I'll phone later this evening that we got there safely."
"Well be waiting," said Her father as he watched Chikara open the door.
Chikara loaded her belongings in the back of the van and they all climbed in. Kaiba sat beside his little brother, Chikara sat beside him and Shadi sat in the back corner with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.
"Seto, how can you not be tired.it's early in the morning.' said Chikara quietly.
"I always get up this early.I always have paperwork to do from my office and it is annoying.but you get used to it after a while." Answered Kaiba.
After for driving for 10 minutes, both vehicles met up at the Ishtar's house. Isis and Malik talked to each other for a couple minutes then when into their assigned vehicles. Malik sat behind Kaiba and Bakura sat closest to the door in the back. Joey's parents got out of the vans and talked while looking at a map. Chikara had one hand covering her eyes and thought to herself quietly while Malik reached over and was going to poke her in the back. Kaiba looked at Malik and gave him a death stare.
Malik put his hand up defensively. "Eheh.I was just going to ask her something.that's all."
The van remained silent as they started to drive out of the urban area of Japan and into the rural, more county-like parts.
**Aiee.well I say that chapter sucked.even though that I wrote it! .. well.I have a good idea for the next chapter. But I don't promise that it'll be the best piece of work that I've ever written. Please review.as I say about 50 times before.**
**Mwahahaha! Thanks for the reviews! It seems like Chikara's 'idiotic' Yami isn't as what she seems.anyways.for the boring ol' disclaimer.**gives everyone the I-don't-own-yu-gi-oh! look****
Malik told Chikara to sit down at the table and put her arms straight out so he could re-bandage them. She silently sat down and proceeded to cross her arms. Malik grabbed her wrists and placed her arms on the table.
"I thought I told you not to do that." said Malik as he got some more bandages out and some anti-biotic liquid in a bottle out of one of the drawers.
He sat down across from Chikara and took the remaining bandages of her arms. He put them to the side and took one of the tea towels and poured some of the anti-biotic on it.
"Why would you do this to yourself." whispered Malik as he dabbed the gashes carefully.
Chikara remained silent and looked at her gashes and the blood that was seeping of the cuts. Malik shook his head and wrapped some clean bandages on her first arm.
"So that is the explanation of her behavior," finished Shadi.
//Yugi, I am going to separate from you for a brief moment.// said Yami through the telepathic link between the two.
/ Alright, but what for? Is something bothering you? /Asked Yugi.
// I am curious about the millennium item.and it would be a good idea to talk to Chikara.// answered Yami.
The millennium puzzle around Yugi's neck started to glow and Yami appeared standing in front of Yugi.
"Shadi, would it be okay if I talk to Chikara." Asked Yami as he looked towards the kitchen.
"Yes, but I must advise that you be wary of what questions you ask." answered Shadi as he crossed his arms calmly.
Kaiba stood up quickly and looked at Yami annoyed. "I will talk to her also."
Yami looked over at Kaiba and nodded. "Very well, Kaiba.as you wish."
They both walked into the kitchen and sat at the table beside Malik and Chikara. Chikara's arms were bandaged again, she had her arms folded on the table and looked at the table silently.
"Chikara, are you okay?" asked Yami slowly.
Chikara laughed a bit mockingly. "I'm fine.really.I just almost bled to death and now everything is messed up.does that seem normal to you?" She looked at Yami out of the corner of her eye.
Yami remained silent and studied her face. He then turned to Malik. "How bad are the gashes."
Malik sighed and crossed his arms. "They are pretty deep. Bad enough to do some damage."
Chikara suddenly jumped out of her chair and grabbed Yami by the collar of his shirt and slammed his back into a wall. "You won't understand.stop asking questions."
Yami put his hands on her wrists and looked at her. "Chikara, you have to calm down.we want to talk to you." He said calmly.
"Ha! Me?? Calm!? I'm just fine!" hissed Chikara as she dropped Yami. "I couldn't be better!"
She walked over to the kitchen sink, put her hands on the edges and looked at the metal drain. She closed her eyes and let a hot tear of anger roll down her face.
"Chikara, you have to tell us what's bothering you." said Kaiba as he got up from his chair and walked over to her.
"I don't have to tell anyone anything.Shadi should've explained enough." said Chikara flatly.
"Please.at least tell us the reason of why you are acting so coldly towards us." said Kaiba as he put a hand on her shoulder. 'That was the wrong way to put it.very wrong.'
Yami stood up and dusted himself off. He walked back to the table and sat in front of Malik. "Can you tell me some things about her.nothing personal.about the millennium item." he whispered.
Malik could feel the presence of his Yami noticing the pharaoh sitting right in front of him. His Yami was reminding him that the pharaoh had killed his father and that it was his chance to kill him right here and now. He shook it off and his eyes wandered back to the surface of the table. "Well.I've known her for quite a while.we've known each other since we were children.our families were always so close so it was like one big family, just separated.She was never a pushover from the start. Until she was attacked from a bunch of strangers while we were playing by a river. My sister Isis had gone back into the house for a short moment, then they came."
Yami raised an eyebrow and folded his arms on the table. "And who were 'they'?"
Malik sighed and continued. "A bunch of thieves who used children as slaves. They had traveled everywhere and ruthlessly killed anyone who was in their way. Anyways, we were playing when they came along. I hid behind a tree and they tormented Chikara into going with them and becoming their slave. Three of them ganged up on her at once and two of them held her. The third one took his sword and slashed her back multiple times. My parents and her parents weren't aware of this because they were at the market. They let her go and watched at she almost bled to death. She probably still has the scars still.physically and mentally."
Chikara opened her eyes and looked back at Malik out of the corner of her eye. "Please.Malik.don't.don't continue the story."
Malik remained silent and looked back at Chikara. "Sorry."
Chikara straightened up and pushed the hair out of her face. "Now.weren't we supposed to talk about the trip? We can put things to the last minute."
'She's changing the subject.it might be for the best anyways.' thought Kaiba. "Yea, we leave tomorrow anyways.be don't want to get there and remember something we forgot at home."
They all walked back into the living room with the tea and sat down with the others.
//Don't ask any questions right now.something is really bothering her and we will have to talk to Malik later.// said Yami through the telepathic link.
"Hey Chikara, what happened-" Joey was cut off by one of Yugi's don't-ask- questions look. "Erm.I heard that you are coming with us for the trip."
Chikara nodded and crossed her arms.
"Anyways," started Joey. "We have to decide who is goin' in which car. So let's see here.we have Me, Tristan, Yugi, Bakura, Tea, Kaiba, Mokuba, Chikara, Malik and Isis. Oh yea. And Shadi too. Yami and Yami Bakura will have to stay in their soul rooms cause we don't have enough room."
Malik almost jumped from the chair. "We're going too?"
"Yea, I talked to your sister before we came 'ere. And you two are comin' with us." Said Joey as he counted on his fingers of how many seats were in the vehicles. "Okay, one of the vans is slightly bigger than the other and can fit the more people in."
"So, your mom and dad are driving right?" asked Tea.
"Yep, okay.here is how it is gonna be split." said Joey as he drew two columns on a piece of paper with a pencil. "Kaiba, Mokuba, Chikara, Shadi, Malik and Bakura will be in my mom's car and Yugi, Isis, Tea, Tristan and I will be in my dad's car."
"And we are leaving at 6:30 right?" Tristan said half-heartedly as he thought of waking up early.
"Yea, I'm not looking forward to gettin up that early either man." groaned Joey. "Anyways, my mom and dad will stop at everyone's house. According to the list of who they're drivin.So, in my mom's car.The Kaiba brothers will be picked up first.then Chikara and Shadi, then Bakura, and finally Malik. And in my dad's car.I'll be first of course.then Yug.then Isis, then Tea then Tristan."
"So, I guess we should be ready for 6:25.we should go home and start getting our stuff ready," said Yugi.
"Yea! We're goin on the trip! We're goin on the trip!" said Mokuba as he jumped on the couch excitedly and sugar-high.
"Mokuba, sit down." sighed Kaiba as his younger brother looked like he was going to bounce off the walls.
The group, except Chikara, Shadi and Malik, went home to pack their stuff.
"This is going to be a hell of a trip," sighed Chikara as she rubbed the back of her neck.
"Yep! And it's going to be fun! Would you mind if I used to phone to contact Isis?" asked Malik.
"Sure.go ahead.just.stay outta my room Malik.or else." said Chikara as she pushed her hair behind her shoulders.
The day passed uneventfully as Chikara packed her bags with clothing and other belongings that she would need for the trip. When it was about 10 o clock, she had already eaten dinner and saved some for her parents. Her parents came walking through the door and Chikara was in her room, reading the history textbook and rested her chin on her hand nearly falling asleep.
'Boring old school work.hm.wars.soldiers.bombings.what does this have to do with anything.it's the past.sheesh.' thought Chikara as she yawned and looked at her alarm clock. 'Might as well go to bed.have to wake up really early tomorrow.'
She changed into her nightclothes and set her alarm for quarter to six. She climbed into her bed and pulled the covers up to her shoulders.
"Get out of my room." said Chikara as she looked towards the doorway. "Nothing is going to happen to me now and I'm fine.just.don't stay in my room during the night.it creeps me out."
Shadi nodded and closed the door to her room as he left.
Chikara turned over and closed her eyes. 'I hate it when he does that.I'm just fine.'
The next morning, Chikara's alarm clock was buzzing annoyingly and Chikara covered her face with the blankets. 'God damn clock.it's too early.'
The phone rung and Chikara's hand shot out from under the covers and grabbed it barely.
She yawned and sat up. "What.I mean.Hello?"
"Yo, Chikara *yawn* It's Joey.I'm just checking that you are up. It's about.6:15 and we're coming to pick everyone up in about 10 or 15 minutes." Joey mumbled.
".Who gave you my phone number?" asked Chikara slightly annoyed.
"Uhm.gotta go.see ya when we get to the place or whatever." said Joey then he hung up.
Chikara mumbled under her breath, got up and hung up the phone while slamming the alarm clock off. She took a shower and got dressed in a pair of black jeans and a red sleeveless t-shirt. She walked down the stairs into the kitchen as she tied her hair into a ponytail with a hair elastic, and her mom and dad were already in there. Chikara sat down at the table and rubbed her eyes.
'Hell.I had a shower to wake myself up but I'm still sleepy.there is no way I'm sleeping during the ride.Malik will try to pull something.' She thought silently.
"Well, it looks like you'll be away for a week. Shadi will keep an eye on you, but if you could call us every evening and inform us what's happening, that would be nice." Said her mother as she handed Chikara her usual bowl of cereal.
"Mhmm.okay.I will." mumbled Chikara as she started eating her cereal.
Around 6:27, Chikara looked out the window and saw Mokuba sleeping in one of the seats, furthest from the door in the van.
'Hm? Now where would Seto be.he wouldn't leave his brother there unless he's at the door.' thought Chikara as she said her goodbyes to her parents. "I'll phone later this evening that we got there safely."
"Well be waiting," said Her father as he watched Chikara open the door.
Chikara loaded her belongings in the back of the van and they all climbed in. Kaiba sat beside his little brother, Chikara sat beside him and Shadi sat in the back corner with his arms crossed and his eyes closed.
"Seto, how can you not be tired.it's early in the morning.' said Chikara quietly.
"I always get up this early.I always have paperwork to do from my office and it is annoying.but you get used to it after a while." Answered Kaiba.
After for driving for 10 minutes, both vehicles met up at the Ishtar's house. Isis and Malik talked to each other for a couple minutes then when into their assigned vehicles. Malik sat behind Kaiba and Bakura sat closest to the door in the back. Joey's parents got out of the vans and talked while looking at a map. Chikara had one hand covering her eyes and thought to herself quietly while Malik reached over and was going to poke her in the back. Kaiba looked at Malik and gave him a death stare.
Malik put his hand up defensively. "Eheh.I was just going to ask her something.that's all."
The van remained silent as they started to drive out of the urban area of Japan and into the rural, more county-like parts.
**Aiee.well I say that chapter sucked.even though that I wrote it! .. well.I have a good idea for the next chapter. But I don't promise that it'll be the best piece of work that I've ever written. Please review.as I say about 50 times before.**