Hm, is he going to make the first cut? What about his friends? Who shall move on? Does Ryou look THAT much like a girl?

Chapter 6-

The Cut

"Ok, you're running a little late." Seto combed the brush through Ryou's hair as he applied his own makeup.

"Jen, hurry up!" Ember called.

"You don't wanna be late for the first cut, do you?" Mary asked.

"Coming!" He messed with his dress a little and started going out the door.

"Good luck, Ryou." Seto smiled.

Ryou was nervous. Yes, he had gotten through the 1st swimsuit round, the talents, and the interviews, but this was deciding the top ten. How could he compete as a woman if he was going against the real thing?

"Carry yourself well. Good form." Ryou reminded himself. "Look graceful. You are graceful."

"Confidence." Rachel sighed.

"Right."

They entered the line of girls, receiving both a torch and foam state.

The music started and the line got moving.

Ok, even if you see the people, don't break in the line.

Lo and behold, there they were. The two people. They were setting something up behind the statue of Lady Liberty.

That can't be the explosives, that wouldn't do much damage to the contestants. They must have not set it up yet.

Mary bumped into him, stirring him from his thoughts. "I'm sorry Jenny."

"No, my fault." He continued in the line until he reached the stage. Then, get to one of the stage hands, give them the props, and get in place, just like it was practiced.

Ryou reviewed the dance steps in his mind. Yes, he could remember most of them. No, all. All of them.

The music started as the last of the girls lined up.

Ryou matched pace with the other girls while doing this dance that was actually harder than it looked. He didn't even bother wearing his earpiece, it would have distracted him so much, and this counted for a lot.

Ok, step... remember the arms. Yeah, that's right!

It was awkward at first, but the rhythm and beat carried on.

This is fun! Ryou held in a laugh.

Ryou... A tall figure disappeared behind a curtain to join with his partners in the audience.

The music ended and the dance finished.

The host came in with an introduction and whatnot.

((A/N: Aka, the author don't remember squat...))

"So now, shall we choose our ten lucky women?"

Cheers erupted form the audience. The group had their fingers crossed.

"The first is... Georgia!"

A red-headed woman walked up to the front, smiling and crying, waving to the audience.

"Louisiana!"

Ember laughed happily and walked up, waving. But...

"Oof!"

She tripped on her heels. But she got back up, perfectly ok.

"Ok, Ryou's definitely in now, if she got in." Bakura commented.

"Washington!"

A strawberry blond woman faced the crowds.

"Florida!"

Dark-eyed Rachel hugged Ryou.

"I'm sure you're going to make it." She whispered.

"Thanks."

"New York!"

A black woman with beautiful long hair approached the front.

"California!"

Mary walked up.

"Four more people." Yuugi whispered.

"New Jersey!"

A black-haired woman that was somewhat shorter than most.

"Nebraska!"

A black woman with shorter hair that curled slightly.

"Texas!"

Ryou almost fainted as his eyes widened. "Me?" He mouthed. Rachel waved him over as he walked carefully over to the front, trying not to make the same mistake Ember did and trip.

The guy Seto had punched was there with a bandage on his nose. He didn't see the tall man, but decided to not whistle anyway.

"Last is... Alaska!"

All the women that were left exited the stage as the ten chosen were applauded and praised.

Ryou's eyes searched the crowd, looking for someone... there. But the eyes turned away from him after a few seconds. Ryou's smile broadened.

Finally they were allowed to return to the rooms.

"Hey Jen, I'll take you up on that pizza you offered."

Ryou thought about it.

"But we still have the last swimsuit competition tomorrow." Mary reminded.

"Oh yeah..." They sighed.

"Tomorrow night, pizza, no matter what."

"Yeah." They shook on it.

"Expect some visitors." Ember added.

"Hey Ryou." Seto's voice called in his ear. "We're all going out to eat for dinner. You know you want to come."

Ryou would have nodded, but it would have caused a slight scene.

Can't believe I still have to war the damn dress.

"Ryou, you know people may recognize you." Seto intervened, either reading his mind or the obvious expression upon his face. "Tell you what, how bout after we're done with this, Yami goes a day wearing a dress."

"What?! Why me?"

"Hey, I didn't want this job so badly."

"You're the one who pissed everyone off."

"At least I didn't call the assistant director while I was drunk, saying some rather vulgar things. You should be glad he never found out who it was."

"I was drunk!"

"Whose fault is that?"

"His." Yami pointed at Bakura. "He forced me into playing a drinking game with him!"

"Hey, come on." Yuugi interjected. "People are going to start wondering why the Texas candidate is with three seemingly drunk guys soon if you don't shut up."

"At least it's a casual dress." Ryou muttered. He felt cross.

Seto leaned over and whispered in his ear. "After this, we kill those two."

"Deal, what about Yuugi and Chou?"

"They're our alibis. They help us make up a story."

Ryou shivered. He liked the feeling of Seto's breath on his ear.

"Cold?"

"No." Actually... "Ok, maybe I am. You try wearing this."

"Here." Seto took off his jacket and hung it around Ryou's shoulder's.

"T-thanks." He flushed slightly. Seto smiled.

"They're being more open." Yuugi whispered to Chou.

"Yes. This is interesting, studying them and their chemistry. Now I know why that Crocodile Hunter guy keeps his job."

Yuugi cocked his eye.

"Don't ask."

"Hey Seto!" Bakura called over to him, across the table. "You think Ryou's hot and sexy, right?"

"What the hell are you implying?!" Seto glared daggers.

"Well, doesn't he, err... she? Whatever, look really good like that?" Yami asked, pointing at Ryou, who was flushing very hard.

"They're trying to win the bet." Yuugi whispered.

Chou nodded. From nowhere, he pulled out a paper fan and smacked Yami and Bakura upside the head. "Please ignore them."

((A/N: Ooh, be glad it wasn't Tasuki-chan's fan... **imagines fire** Hm... **insert maniacal laughter here**))

"Ow..."

"So Seto, really, do I look good in this? I mean, I can't exactly judge myself in a dress. So I really look good enough to win this? Or at least get far?"

"Yeah. I-I think so at least." Seto cursed at himself for stuttering. "So, have you seen those two people again?"

"Yes! They were dressed as maintenance workers fixing something up behind the statue of Lady Liberty. I doubt it was the bomb, it may have been actual work. A bomb wouldn't do sufficient damage form there."

"Still, I think I'll check it out."

"Be careful, ok? If it is an actual bomb and something happened, I-I don't know..." He lowered his face down and looked back up to see Seto closing the distance between their two bodies. "S-Seto..."

Seto's hand reached up to touch Ryou's arm. The touch was soft and gentle. Ryou half-closed his eyes.

CRASH!

They jerked apart very quickly.

"Ow... where am I? How did I get here?"

Ryou groaned. "Ember! She sleepwalks. Mary must not have noticed. I-I'll see you tomorrow Seto. Night." He ran off to find the lost girl, rolling his eyes.

"Y-yeah. Sure Ryou. Night." He paused. "What the hell is coming over me?" He sighed and walked off, kicking a stone as he went.

Ryou dragged the half-conscious Ember off to her room. Knocking, he yawned. "You cost me something, you know that? If you weren't my friend, I'd leave you out here."

At this point Mary opened the sliding door. "Oh! Ember walked out? Here, I got her. Thanks Jenny."

"Welcome."

"You should get to bed. It's late."

"Yeah, thanks."

Ryou went to his and Rachel's room, opening it and closing it slowly.

He slowly removed the broach and earpiece, hiding the earpiece so Rachel would not stumble upon it.

Sighed, he fell on his stomach and sandwiched his head between his two pillows. "Seto..." His voice came muffled.

Deciding that suffocating was not on his 'to do' list, he laid normally, lulling himself into a sleep.